I liked the ending to Mass Effect 3

[BreakfastMan]

Meh. The ending had some interesting ideas and potential, but the entire thing after you get hit by the harbinger beam is undercooked and does not make much (if any) sense. I can see what they were going for (and actually like the direction), but honestly, they did not pull it off very well at all. :/ Does not invalidate the great time I had with the game and the series in general, but fairly disappointing all things said.

And no, I don't square with the non-ending of the indoct theory. Mainly because it abandons many of the themes present in the game and would still be a bad-ending (just a fairly clever one). It seems to me to be about as viable as the "Squall is Dead" theory from FFVIII, or my own theory that "It was all a coping mechanism" for Dead Space 2 (yes, I actually believe that). It certainly is interesting to think about though.

 

[TorchofThanatos]

I choice Synth and I was total okay with the ending.
Yah, I would have liked a little more expiation on what happens afterwards but I am okay with what was given.
Is it a great ending? No. Does not deserve all that backlash? No.

 

[JackandTom]

This thread is not original or creative but I want people to know.

I liked the ending to Mass Effect 3.

Sure, the decisions in the 3 games meant more or less nothing where the ending is concerned but I liked the ending ITSELF. I chose the "Parapgon" ending and I think it really suited my Shepard well. It was a nice ending in my opinion.

Also, I think the hatred for Mass Effect 3 has gone too far, many are just jumping on the hatin' band wagon. When I was playing the last 20 minutes or so, I could see why some might be angry but not too the extent it has reached.

So, to add a bit of discussion value to this, who else liked the ending? All I've seen (on the Escapist anyway) is pure hatred but there must be someone else who liked it, right? RIGHT?

The control is the most

What was the paragon ending? Control? Definitely didn't seem the Paragon one, I thought destroy was the right option personally. Controlling the Reapers against their free will is something a paragon Shepard would definitely not do, in fact he's just agreeing with TIM so is a very renegade type character.

Anyway I've spoken to one person who likes it. That's it. He didn't say why.

I assumed the Control option was the paragon option because it had a blue light around the machine you have to walk up to and the whole ending cut scene had a blue vibe going as opposed to the red one that the Destroy choice had. I also thought it was paragon because it was on the players left, the same as the paragon trigger (LT). I agree with the fact that it didn't seem very paragon when you saw that it was what the illusive man wanted, but I guess this is just another reason that the majority of people don't like the ending.

Wow, i would say the control ending is hands down the least paragon ending possible. I mean you just became the most evil force in the universe and wind up killing all organic like by you own hands... or what ever a reaper will call it's hands

Well I don't know which ending everybody else got but my ending, the control option/paragon option ended with everybody cheering as the reapers flew away. I thought it was the paragon because it was about Shepard sacrificing himself for the greater good. My brother did the renegade option and that involved destroying all synthetics (including the Geth) which sounded pretty renegade to me.

 

[trooper6]

I loved my ending. I went Green by the way.
That last few hours were the perfect culmination of everything my Shepard had done throughout ME1-3.
The choice was a beautiful happy ending that was thoughtful and really embodied the sort of sci-fi storytelling prevalent in the 1970s...the era that was the original inspiration for the game in the first place.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

A question to all the people who liked the ending.

What's your favorite plot hole?

 

[Fleetfiend]

Well I still subscribe to the Indoctrination Theory so I also view the ending favorably.

Yeah, I also bite into that theory. I think if it's true, it puts a lot more meaning to the ending and to what happened in the games in general. I already like the ending to an extent... I think it made me emotional in a good way, even if it was a little out there and there were lots of plot holes. But if the indoctrination theory is true that just puts a whole new, awesome spin on it.

 

[trooper6]

A question to all the people who liked the ending.

What's your favorite plot hole?

I only saw one plot hole. That is how did EDI get back on the Normandy for the crash sequence?
That is one minor plot hole over 150 hours worth of video game goodness spanning from ME1 to ME3. That just isn't that big of a deal to me, especially considering how well having Joker and EDI walk out together at my Green ending was a perfect thematic conclusion.

So...no glaring plot holes for me. At least nothing that pulled me out of the game...which was great!

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

Having no analytical skills must be a blessing for you then. Because Bioware introduced more than 10 major plot holes in the last 10 minutes.

 

[DustyDrB]

Please don't quote me with any spoilers ; )

I'm taking my time playing ME 3, and being careful not to read about the ending. Sure I have read thread titles, and it sounds like the 'vocal gaming community' is pissing and moaning... but I bet the ending is okay. Hell, people liked the God of War games, so I am suspicious on the overall 'OMG we have been betrayed' feelings.

Also, to all of the people upset over the ending, I would suggest you never read the Dark Tower books by Stephen King.

I'll probably beat the game after people have lost their fury. Oh well, it sounded like a nice controversy... what little I have read about it.

I totally insulated myself from talk about the game before and during my playthrough of it, and I still ended up hating the ending. However, the remaining 99.9% of the game is spectacular and the ending doesn't really damage my opinion of the series. It's just unfortunate. They were sooooo close to a perfect closing to the trilogy. Missed it by that much....

 

[Aerosteam]

It's strange how I see everywhere everyone hates the ending, except this thread. Now people are admitting to liking it, just because someone else said he did.

I was constantly being reminded that the ending would suck during my playthrough, and bloody hell it did. Until...

After watching the whole of the 20+ minute video about the "Indoctrination Theory" it made me realize that Mass Effect 3's ending and build up to it is the best I have ever seen in any video game ever.

You went for paragon? Congratulations, you're now a husk!

I'm not even going to bother replying to you because of how stupid your post is... shit.

A question to all the people who liked the ending.

What's your favorite plot hole?

The one where all the squad members suddenly teleport inside the Normandy and crash land in a jungle-world. But following the Indoctrination Theory, hopefully that was just Shepard's imagination.

 

[Smithburg]

Also, inb4 Zeel.

I cannot believe you just summoned Zeel like that. HOW COULD YOU

OT: I think it could be a good ending, just not for mass effect, it doesn't fit with the game

 

[trooper6]

Having no analytical skills must be a blessing for you then. Because Bioware introduced more than 10 major plot holes in the last 10 minutes.

Let's see. I am actually paid to analyze things...so, analytical skills? Yep I have them.

But since you are vague, why don't you list these 10 major plot holes that happen in the last 10 minutes. Specificity is a great thing!

 

[Yamaganto Iori]

I like the ending(s) and because i had heard that the Mass Effect universe would create more games my thoughts were on where Bioware would go from here because these games were epic and much like Yahtzee would say "How do you increase the dramtic tension after threatening to destroy all of exsistence?"

 

[JackandTom]

This thread is not original or creative but I want people to know.

I liked the ending to Mass Effect 3.

Sure, the decisions in the 3 games meant more or less nothing where the ending is concerned but I liked the ending ITSELF. I chose the "Parapgon" ending and I think it really suited my Shepard well. It was a nice ending in my opinion.

Also, I think the hatred for Mass Effect 3 has gone too far, many are just jumping on the hatin' band wagon. When I was playing the last 20 minutes or so, I could see why some might be angry but not too the extent it has reached.

So, to add a bit of discussion value to this, who else liked the ending? All I've seen (on the Escapist anyway) is pure hatred but there must be someone else who liked it, right? RIGHT?

The control is the most

What was the paragon ending? Control? Definitely didn't seem the Paragon one, I thought destroy was the right option personally. Controlling the Reapers against their free will is something a paragon Shepard would definitely not do, in fact he's just agreeing with TIM so is a very renegade type character.

Anyway I've spoken to one person who likes it. That's it. He didn't say why.

I assumed the Control option was the paragon option because it had a blue light around the machine you have to walk up to and the whole ending cut scene had a blue vibe going as opposed to the red one that the Destroy choice had. I also thought it was paragon because it was on the players left, the same as the paragon trigger (LT). I agree with the fact that it didn't seem very paragon when you saw that it was what the illusive man wanted, but I guess this is just another reason that the majority of people don't like the ending.

Wow, i would say the control ending is hands down the least paragon ending possible. I mean you just became the most evil force in the universe and wind up killing all organic like by you own hands... or what ever a reaper will call it's hands

Well I don't know which ending everybody else got but my ending, the control option/paragon option ended with everybody cheering as the reapers flew away. I thought it was the paragon because it was about Shepard sacrificing himself for the greater good. My brother did the renegade option and that involved destroying all synthetics (including the Geth) which sounded pretty renegade to me.

Actually from what I read (before the game came out) is that they deliberately switched the colors of the paragon/renegade choice to confuse people with the video that shows Anderson being renegade and TIM being paragon.

So that would make destroy the paragon ending.

I like to think that the ending makes you question the characters, perhaps the Illusive Man was right all along? It just seems that killing all the Reapers when there is a chance to control them and send them away is a "renegade" thing to do. It's open to interpretation to be honest.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

**snip**

I thought it was okay. Not great, but not awful. My worst comment is that if felt hastily put together and had several plot holes.

Plot Hole: How did Liara get back to the Normandy? And why isn't she dead? Or with me? I am now confused.

As for the choices, I was actually fairly okay with that. It was bizarre AI logic, but it made sense, particularly since it explained what Harbinger was talking about in ME2. I guess that Reapers are some sort of collective Borg-like combination of the minds of everyone they liquify to be created? Plus, I liked the idea of my Shepard being the benevolent Overmind of the Reapers post game.

... I guess that makes the Reapers sheep?

 

[LordofPurple]

Also, inb4 Zeel.

I cannot believe you just summoned Zeel like that. HOW COULD YOU

OT: I think it could be a good ending, just not for mass effect, it doesn't fit with the game

He has YET to show up, however. Odd. Did we forget one of the magic words?

I was personally okay with the ending, because I've faced FAAAR worse disappointments before.
The only thing I will happily concede to the obnoxiousness surrounding the ending is that the fact the Normandy escaped makes zero sense. In any context. It was just a gaping plot-hole they put there by (what I'm sure was) complete accident.

 

[JackandTom]

Having no analytical skills must be a blessing for you then. Because Bioware introduced more than 10 major plot holes in the last 10 minutes.

Ha, maybe I can look past the plot holes and see a decent ending? Plenty of great movie's have plot holes.

Alright, alright. The fact Ashley stepped off the Normandy pissed me off. I can see why many think he plot holes are inexcusable , but if this is how Bioware wanted to end the series, then I'm fine with it. I also can see why it's a bit controversial with the fans, but I liked it.

 

[Sizzle Montyjing]

Oh this is sad... very sad.
People are actually hating on you right now.

This is a new low for humanity. It basically boils down to 'stop liking what i don't like'.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

Let's see. I am actually paid to analyze things...so, analytical skills? Yep I have them.

And I should believe you because you say so? If that was the case you wouldn't say "payed to analyze things" you'd give an accurate job description. But now it's too late. You can now simply Google job descriptions that require analytical work. And you would probably do that if I haven't just said this. Now see, that's analysis. No stone left unturned.

There are hundreds of videos on YouTube about plot holes in Mass Effect 3. The biggest 2 being Reaper motivations and building the Crucible. Angry Joe made a video where he specifically explained 10 plot holes. But there are more, which you would know if you were able to analyze things, or if you were even remotely interested in such things.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

What was the paragon ending? Control? Definitely didn't seem the Paragon one, I thought destroy was the right option personally. Controlling the Reapers against their free will is something a paragon Shepard would definitely not do, in fact he's just agreeing with TIM so is a very renegade type character.

Because it was the Paragon option for the Geth in ME2.

Rewrite or destroy. Rewrite is paragon, Destroy is Renegade.

Control in ME3 doesn't kill the Geth or EDI. Also, since the Catalyst already controls them, you aren't taking away their free will - they never had free will to begin with. Actually, it sounded like Shepard was going to become the mind of the Reapers - so they would suddenly gain free will as Shepard's new body.

Besides, the Illusive Man wanted to control the Reapers to enslave the rest of the galaxy. Shepard is doing it to protect everyone.

Oh, and while this isn't explained, Control does less or no damage to Earth (depending on fleet size) whereas Destroy always does some damage to Earth (more or less depending on fleet size).