Whether or not it was the feeling of a majority of those who played through Mass Effect 3 and felt the ending was lacking in plenty of ways, BioWare felt that enough were upset to warrant some further development. Those solutions came in the form of Mass Effect 3‘s Extended Cut DLC, fleshing out Commander Shepard’s fate and granting several glimpses at how the player’s final decisions impacted the greater galaxy.
The release isn’t likely to bring those who felt the ending was a complete letdown and those who felt it was fine as it was together in a happy medium. But that doesn’t mean that the developers didn’t answer plenty of fan demands, and even show some of the inspired storytelling and greater fiction that fans initially fell in love with.
There may have been too many changes to notice them all, but it doesn’t seem right to let the good be overlooked altogether. Here are a few of the changes and nods brought with the Extended Cut DLC, along with a few questions we’d still like answered. BioWare may not have shown all of the cards we would like them to have, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be addressed at some point down the road. And if they’re thinking of what games in the Mass Effect universe to make next, we’ve got plenty of ideas already.
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The Crew
If there was one aspect of the original endings that felt completely out of place, it was the sudden backseat that most of the crew took to Shepard’s choice. While most of the last two games was spent recruiting talent from across the galaxy only to be disbanded, then… re-banded, Shepard ended up having to go into battle all alone. Even though Mass Effect 2‘s final boss battle went over like a lead balloon, the chance to take the entire squad into the final fight made all the time seem worthwhile.
Luckily, it seemed that BioWare realized an extended ending was an opportunity to show a bit more of how Shepard’s friends and loved ones stood beside him or her, even if they weren’t able to physically do so. Seeing a victorious Wrex, or Jack tending to her student soldiers depending on the decisions made showed that they weren’t completely forgotten. Shepard’s final assault may have been one that had to be taken alone, but discounting the existence of the surrounding characters didn’t make any sense.
Not that these moments were delivered in a cheesy, over-the-top manner, even if some parts of the concept art slideshow at the game’s conclusion seemed a bit cliché. It was the ones that showed the true nature of each character, like Joker refusing to leave the battle for Earth; refusing to leave Shepard stranded on the Crucible with no ride home that resonated. Even a moment as potentially on-the-nose as the assembled crew adding Shepard’s name to the Normandy’s memorial was delivered without any dialogue or drawn out message. Shepard meant something to them, and a moment of remembrance would absolutely take place.
It seems out of this same love for the various squad members, past and present, that also brought Normandy a brand new fate. The original ending had seen the crew (what was left of them) crashed on a mysterious world with no way home – an effective cliffhanger and ‘what if?’ moment, but also silently condemned them to a terrible end, regardless of how ‘successful’ the player’s campaign was. Thanks to the new ending, the crew that fought and won is awarded with victory, albeit tinged with the loss of their commanding officer.
Who knows, maybe the developers wanted to think that rag-tag band of spacefarers went on to enjoy all new adventures the whole time. At least now they aren’t destined to starve to death on some random planet. Seriously, how was that the original ending?
What We Hoped For:
All that fan service and justice being paid to the characters aside, we didn’t get to see all the character moments we had hoped for. Did Tali – provided she lived – actually succeed in building her home on Rannoch, with a special place for Shepard’s keepsake stone? Did Ashley or Kaidan assume command and take the crew on as their own? Did Liara return to her role as the Shadow Broker in a remote location, or continue to be among her human friends?
These are obviously questions that were going to haunt us regardless of the ending, and aren’t intended to be shots at the Extended Cut at all. If anything, it goes to show just how important all these characters were to the player when all was said or done. Hopefully ‘Admiral Alenko’ or ‘Matriarch Liara’ will reappear in the future.
Next: Page 2 of Our Favorite Changes…
The Romance
The increased emphasis on the player’s relationship with their chosen romance option can’t be missed, and deserves specific mention. It was one aspect that the developers never gave any indication they were looking to address, and surprisingly, their additions worked beautifully. Taking a love interest into the final assault resulted in a heartbreaking farewell on the battlefield that was short, to the point, and rang true. Regardless of gender or specific romance options, the scene gave Shepard a last goodbye that brought closure to those players who were genuinely invested in the game’s romantic relationships.
What We Hoped For:
Depending on which characters were selected, saved, and romanced throughout the series, Shepard’s love story could have gone from simple to The Bachelor-level chaos. Given that massive variability, the relatively straightforward results shown in Mass Effect 3 were somewhat of a letdown.
For those who chose to pair with Ashley Williams from the first game, and remain monogamous, it took more than half of the ME3 campaign to even warm up to one another again. The relationship ultimately did result in both a physical and emotional connection between the two, but given how much time was spent learning about the intricacies of Asari coupling, the Williams sisters, or side effects of faulty biotic implants, every time a love interest was out of dialogue options in ME3, it couldn’t help but sting.
That would have been too extensive an expansion to release this late in the game, do the final farewell and tribute at the Normandy’s memorial will have to do. At least Joker and EDI found love…maybe.
Next: Page 3 of our favorite changes…
Alien Allies
More than just humanity had a place in the final battle, even if the original ending failed to show anything but Earth. Alien allies brought their military to back up the attack on the Crucible, but the full campaign showed that the war had many fronts, with Turians, Krogan, Asari and countless other races embroiled in battle as Shepard’s crew mounted their offensive. Thanks to added scenes depicting defeated or retreating Reapers on Tuchanka, victorious Asari commandos, Rachni enjoying open plains, and the first Krogan family units, the scale of that final attack is, retroactively, increased.
The claim that the entire galaxy was under attack by Reapers failed to connect with the lack of urgency in the game’s campaign, but that seems unavoidable. It’s hard to imagine that every species wouldn’t have been burnt to cinders by the time Shepard’s team was assembled, but the destroyed state of most civilizations glimpsed in the new conclusion shows that wasn’t far from the truth. Still, a glimpse of the greatness that the Krogan might one day reclaim, and the promise of a bond between Geth and Quarian certainly added to the weight of the player’s decisions.
What We Hoped For:
Honestly, a closer look at the Geth and the Quarians, and how Shepard’s final decision may have impacted even a previously peaceful resolution between the two warring races. The rise of machines against their creators is nothing new – just ask the Reaper holo-child – but the lack of true evil in the Geth added something new to the mix. Overall the relationship and quarrel between the two never plunged as deep as it could have, but the possible resolutions to the conflict had us expecting truly tough consequences or grey areas, especially if Shepard chose to eliminate the Reapers for good.
If Shepard had chosen to eliminate synthetic life forms altogether, does that mean the Quarians will be relieved, or enraged at having the possible fruits of their alliance stripped away? Does the accelerated immunity the Geth were engineering for Rannoch’s inhabitants continue after their death? Choosing to wipe out the Geth would be difficult for any player who achieved peace on Rannoch, but failing to show the grisly results of their choices removes a lot of moral examination.
The same goes for the Krogan, shown to be pursuing progress and rebuilding their civilization with only the best and most honorable intentions. We’re happy to see that the Krogan aren’t the savages everyone seemed to think they were, but the risk of saving an alien races that could one day conquer the galaxy was one we were always happy to flirt with.
Next: Page 4 of our favorite changes…
Control & Synthesis
Out of all the changes made with the Extended Cut DLC, the ones we were absolutely not expecting were the fate of Shepard/humanity flat out confirmed by the developers’ new epilogues. No longer would fans worry about whether or not Shepard really did achieve his goal of putting an end to the cycle of death and life that the Reapers had upheld. And as for the Indoctrination Theory, well it’s downright impossible to justify believing that, now that the story’s writers went and showed that Shepard really was choosing the fate of galactic life.
And all in all, his decisions turned out for the better. Sure he wasn’t able to see the future that he made possible – not in his current form of existence, anyway – but the advancements and betterment of all that came as a result more than justifies the loss of any one man or woman. As the guiding force behind the Reaper consciousness, the army of machines was tasked with defending and protecting the sanctity of sentient life – a new breed of Shepard-controlled terminators, if you will.
As for synthesis, well considering that the result of merging synthetic and organic life was the recovery and height of Krogan society, infinite knowledge granted to any who sought it, and the manpower necessary to do away with war and rebuild the galactic community, that’s a good trade. It also makes the love affair between Joker and EDI far less disturbing. Okay, a little less. Whichever of the two were chosen, Shepard was now able to not just sacrifice his life to preserve and enrich it for all eternity, but the player could see the terrific impacts his sacrifice really had. A more satisfying ending in terms of player impacts there is not.
What We Hoped For:
It’s hard to say if conclusive proof that Shepard really did make the right call is what fans really wanted. If it really is the case that four out of the five possible endings showed that the player won the day and all lived happily ever after, one could make the case that all endings are equally meaningless. We’re not making the case that there should be more opportunity to fail, since seeing our previous decisions justified was a major weight off our shoulders.
But perhaps we didn’t realize just how important the element of doubt was in the mystique of Mass Effect 3‘s ending. Obviously we didn’t want our Shepard to have been tricked into thinking he could control or advance the Reapers, only to play right into the enemy’s hands. But not knowing for sure was… well, better than a science fiction, fairy tale ending. But it’s not the fact that Shepard was right that bugs us, but who else was as well.
Quite simply, the Control and Synthesis endings both prove that the Illusive Man and, to a lesser extent, Saren were completely right. After the first game had Shepard up against a madman corrupted by the thought that life could learn from what the Reapers had to teach, it turns out he wasn’t so crazy after all. And after two games of fervently denying the Illusive Man’s claims that the Reapers could be controlled, it turns out he was right all along as well. By extension, the showdown that had Anderson and the Illusive Man killed was completely pointless. Anderson died to keep humanity sacred, when joining the two life forms worked out better for everybody.
BioWare did answer most of the questions about Shepard’s fate, even explaining that his amalgamation with the Reaper consciousness spawned a new entity, led by his former self’s morality and will. But exactly what the change meant for organic life and synthetic is never explained in anything more than shallow pseudo-scientific references. The only real justification given is that ‘people use technology for everything,’ and ‘machines have never known what it is to be alive.’ That motivation, and a conclusion showing that both sides can get along is all that’s ever provided.
Exactly what organic and synthetic beings would grapple with when combined seems like a theme the developers of Mass Effect would at one time have been all too happy to explore. As it stand though, that will have to be done elsewhere. And for that, we can’t help but disappointed for the missed opportunity.
Next: Page 5 of our favorite changes…
The Refusal
In the most surprising twist added with Mass Effect 3‘s Extended Cut DLC, the developers at BioWare didn’t just adjust the endings shipped with the game, but introduced not one, but two new conclusions designed to grant players the ability to make the ultimate sacrifice. The right to refuse all options given by the Reaper holo-child and doom all sentient life to annihilation wasn’t exactly demanded, but the developers nevertheless created the choice with an ending that is, oddly enough, completely in keeping with the tone and mythology.
It’s safe to say that a large number of players really did long to knock that smug little brat around aboard the Crucible, but would players really do it if the price was all of mankind? Apparently so, and the fact that BioWare was willing to play ball is appreciated. It’s not difficult to imagine a version of Commander Shepard that would go all ‘Morpheus’ and refuse to play ball with the machines, opting instead to take his chances with the galactic alliance he had assembled. All that remains, in that case, is the holo-recording of events that Liara was seen constructing earlier in the game (bet you didn’t think that would be coming back, did you?).
Not only did the developers finally deliver an ending in which Shepard really can, unequivocally, fail in saving humanity, but modify the original endings to encompass a brand new destiny for galactic civilization.
We speak, of course, of the ‘secret’ Refusal ending depicting a non-human pair of stargazers telling the tale of Earth’s defense. The aliens united against the Reapers did fail, but Liara’s project was successful in giving future civilization the information and history that allowed them to once and for all eliminate the Reaper threat. The ending was pitch perfect: somber, contemplative, hopeful, and a legacy if there ever was one. Add in the fact that the ending is triggered by firing a bullet right into that holo-smart alec, and it’s hard to think of a better finale.
What We Hoped For:
Honestly, the ability to have that Reaper ghost-child know just how much we hated his guts. So… we’re covered.
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That’s our take on the good, bad, and ugly of Mass Effect 3‘s new Extended Cut DLC. Be sure to tell us which nods or subtle touches surprised you the most, and what questions you wouldn’t mind seeing answered in the future.
Follow me on Twitter @andrew_dyce.
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Fair enough. Initially, I had no problem with the original endings but the more they played in my head the more annoyed I got. The new epilogues have, shall we say, not got me wanting to make love to Bioware again but at least whisper goodnight before we fall asleep. I also can’t help thinking that future DLC will also add to the direction the endings took and by the time it is all done people will give Bioware one more run at finding the mojo they once had pre EA. Why these weren’t the original endings in the first place though is the question I will hold onto. I’m all for clever, but you have to be clever to do clever.
No mention of Miranda though. Surely her ass warranted an epilogue scene?
And if I die, I’ll die knowing I did everything I could to stop you.
Refusal ending is only ending.
I see the refusal ending as purely giving up. I will never choose it for that reason, but that’s just me.
Instead of throwing the three endings together at the very end they should’ve branched the game into three directions. One way allowed you to side with the illusive man, that would lead to either control or synthesis. Another way would have you siding with the alliance doing the whole crucible thing that would lead to destroy. Refusal would be available to anyone regardless of war assets.
I felt the illusive man was correct all along. The aliens only helped humanity after Shepard took care of all their dirty laundry.
Besides that in 50 years time krogan will have conquered the galaxy just based on demographics. That is if you cured the genophage.
The krogan only tried to conquer the galaxy last time because they were advanced too quickly technologically by outside forces. They’re more structured and mature now, so they won’t just blindly blood rage their way through the other races anymore. Wrex has enough foresight to prevent that from happening even if there was a minority movement.
Besides, even if they tried, whatever scraps of the turian fleet that are left could defeat the krogan and their…complete lack of a navy.
Headdesk
It completely fixed what was there, in my opinion. I would still have preferred a retcon, but it’s much better than it was. The only thing I’m seeing a problem with is the destroy ending having both the memorial scene and the “breath”. Wouldn’t they have, you know, checked for survivors in his last known location before declaring him dead? But other than that, I’m very happy with what was added.
I still have a lot of confusion about the ending. I appreciate BW for making the extended cut, and somewhat admitting the mistakes they have made by changing elements of the original ending (how did squad-mates returned to the Normandy; Mass Relays not exploding anymore; Normandy engines didn’t blow up…)
first of all, I will say that I really like the Indoctrination Theory, and I still think it is true. I think that BW are saving their cards close regarding the full events of the ending, by their statements shown in the AngryJoeShow there is clearly more than what we got about the end, and it was before they announced the Extended Cut DLC so I don’t think it was about EC.
1. In the destroy ending, crew members act as if Shepard is dead. Hackett also mentions that they will remember those who sacrificed themselves. There isn’t any slide show or statement that speaks about the possibility that Shepard is alive. And, he clearly is – given the breathing shot at the very end. There is absolutely no way that nobody in the galaxy found him up on the Citadel when they repaired it (if the ending we saw was true). And if Shepard breathing shot was on Earth, then it’s clearly part of IT, and we got one more battle to do.
Any end in which they reunited with Shepard, who is still alive, after what we saw, and that they assumed he was dead at the time, is unacceptable. BW always said there won’t be an open ended finish, and Shep breathing shot is pure “watch out – there’s going to be a sequal!” moment. why would they put it otherwise if there isn’t anything else to come?
2. I think that the child is an hallucination right from the start, and especially in the air vent scene. I mean:
Why would a normal child say to a soldier “you can’t help me”, with such determination?
How did he just disappear from there?
Why didn’t Anderson notice him at all?
What’s with the Reaper sound when Anderson interrupts Shepard’s dialogue with the child?
Then, if the child is an hallucination, what is it?
why would the “catalyst” (if true), do this to Shepard?
why try to break Shep’s spirit?
I really can’t see any argument stronger than that it was an indoctrination attempt.
I saw people saying that the EC “killed” the IT, but the main themes of IT are still there. I think the EC deals with stuff that weren’t logically possible so no one could even believe that the previous endings could be true, but I think IT is still there, and if not, I’d like to hear answers about the stuff that still doesn’t fit to the game and it’s lore.
And no future DLC spoilers in the comments please (Leviathan and such)…
Also, I was pretty disappointed with the new refusal ending, closure-wise.
only “So be it” > “the cycle continues” > fade to future.
Didn’t we earn the right to at least see the galaxy and our squad-mates make the final effort? it’s not like BW had any trouble with death scenes in the past.
The whole new refusal ending just didn’t feel right. It’s more of an easter egg than a true ending in my opinion.
just give us the option to throw Anderson or the Illusive man into the beam and let us skip off into the sunset with Garrus or something, is it really to much to just have one happy ending?!? We have like 7 sad tragic bittersweet endings to go off of!!! Just make one near impossible to get happy ending PLEASE!!!!!!!
Now that the new DLC made the ending more bitter sweet that just bitter, I can see myself playing all 3 games again, but I will wait till the next batch of DLC comes out before I do another play through. Refusal ending is interesting.
In my original playthrough, after talking to Star Kid I shot him.
With the extended DLC this means I lose. Through-out the first and second games my instinct always played true.
So I guess I lose. Saves money on DLC :0)
Except the DLC is free. LOL?
I liked that they patched up some of the really lazy narrative (although the plotholes were simply too big and stupid to be fixed) one thing I still despise above all else is the ridiculous forced space jesus’ification of Shepard.
Would it have killed them to have a more overt survival ending for Shepard, possibly coming with a setback?
Id have happily seen Shepard trade some of the “victory” in one that is barely that to be able to survive with his friends and his romance, Liara. After all the rampant stupidity and nonsensical plot devices that built up, I just wanted to see Shepard get something of a LIFE. Even if it is a life in a blasted out ruin of a galaxy that wont be fully rebuilt even in an asari lifetime, its at least one he can share with those important.
But I guess ideas like that got lost in the see of trendy “downer endings” for a series that it doesnt work with.
Seriously, I dont know what asshat at Bioware decided to saturate the game with pathetic “war is hell”, “the reapers are unbeatable” crap, but did they actually even play ME1?
Of course thats ignoring the fact that ME1 was a straight up space opera RPG shooter. ME2 was the halfway house which started to introduce the puerile grimdark, and ME3 was a near enough full blown grimdark TPS fest.
The ending was good but they could of done more with that. For instance if you were able to save the quarians and the geth you can prove the star child that he is wrong that both organics and synthetics can live in peace just as option to save all. Bioware could of made ten different endings there are so many ways you could ended that story from you living or dying. My choice was to destroyed the reapers, why would I control them that ending didn’t make any sense if the illusive man couldn’t do it how could Shepherd do it when the illusive man was just as strong and convincing as Shepherd.I wish they had more back story for the illusive man he was a very interesting character and also i am satisfied by the question of knowing about the reapers i was hoping for that and what was interesting when the star child said the crucible was made by someone you dont know that could play another role of you finding out about that in another mass effect game or even a novel i was curious about how that plan to make the crucible came about. And also i love the flash back they had of all the people who died in your game from second to the third one i give them props for that. But overall the ending was good but could of been better.
Endings aside I had issue with the entire plot of ME3. Enjoyable yes however the storyline just made me angry. Kinda like watching the walking dead and wondering why people listen to rick grimes at all?
Frankly, I am pleased with the new endings. They addressed many of the things that I was disappointed about and gave me a real conclusion to Shepard’s story. It was also nice to know that sacrificing one of the coolest characters in gaming was not in vain.
SPOILERS!!!!!Personally i’m proud of bioware for providing us with as much closure and content as they could with the limited time they had before fans gave up. All 4 endings have their pros and cons, such as Geth and EDI gone in the destroy ending, but with Shepard alive with a high enough EMS. But as Bioware stated the endings are supposed to be bittersweet, and even though the results are shown in a slideshow, i think the diversity of you’re choices work well and they covered as much as they could.
But if theres some things i do not really like, its the fact that the Control and Synthesis ending seeming to have a better result than the destory or refusal ending. the reapers really help in restoring galactic civilization, while in destory it seems a lot harder to resore peace in the galaxy. and i hate the fact your EMS counts for nothing in the refusal ending, i would like to have an ending with a high emough EMS= defeating the reapers (even if Hackett said there is no way to beat Reapers in a battle).
But i guess its whatever suits you and what you want your Shepards legacy to go down as in History. even if you lose in your cycle, well done Bioware for giving us that little bit more to make the endings that much batter.
i mean better…^
I’m just mad that there’s absolutely no way for Shep to save humanity and then live happily ever after with the love she’s cultivated through three games. This is fantasy, not reality. I feel like I wasted my time.
Wtf is this? When was this ever a problem of the ending cutscene? (okay, yeah, it was still terrible)
The issue is that our previous actions did f*ckall to impact the ending, instead we just got Door 1 2 and 3 to choose from.
And seriously, wtf is with you saying “The cutscenes are different depending on the final choice” da faq? They’re the same aside from the chara ters glpwing red, glowing yellow, or nt glowing at all,and the YOU made the assumptions in your atupid article.
the endings sucked, for all this time played, i would like to see Shepard finish alive, if you romanced Miranda and talk to her in the vid com on your way to pick the final squad she says that if you survive you should find her. it would be nice to see an ending with shepard either getting a big old award from the alliance and settling down with who ever and maybe show him/ her with kids or something. something that would give the players a sense of accomplishment for kicking ass and making it through, people play these games to feel good, even thought its not real to succeed feels good.