So I played the Extended Cut. Overall, I’m satisfied, but that’s not too much of a surprise since I was satisfied with the original ending as well. All the additions are definite improvements, there’s no room for debating that. Several occurrences that were previously open to interpretation are now properly spelled out or dramatized, and the options available to the player are expanded to include an additional final choice.
Category: Games
Mass Effect: Introduction
I wrote up an introduction to the setting of Mass Effect for people who have not played the games, but still wish to read my fanfiction. It’s riddled with links and pictures, which is by no means a guarantee that it’s not boring and even less, that it fulfills its purpose well. So I invite everyone who reads to help me improve it. Thanks, and have fun!
Mass Effect: Introduction
This is an introduction to the setting of Mass Effect (hereafter ME), intended for people who have not played the games, but still wish to read fanfiction. Well, primarily my fanfiction. Which is why I won’t make an attempt at any sort of exhaustiveness. Instead, I’ll focus on characters and events that are important for the stories I’ve written and intend to write.
Closure
Ha. I was neither right nor wrong. There will be an “Extended Cut” DLC for Mass Effect 3, but it will offer no new endings and it will cost no money. It will extend the existing endings by including additional cutscenes and dialogs in order to provide more closure. ETA: summer 2012.
Drew Karpyshyn [Allegedly] Talks ME3 Ending
Former Mass Effect Lead Writer Defends Series Conclusion
Contrary to what you might assume, I’m not interested in the “defense” of the endings. This is what got my attention:
The Reapers’ goal was to find a way to stop the spread of Dark Energy which would eventually consume everything. That’s why there was so much foreshadowing about Dark Energy in ME2.
The Reapers as a whole were ‘nations’ of people who had fused together in the most horrific way possible to help find a way to stop the spread of the Dark Energy. The real reason for the Human Reaper was supposed to be the Reapers saving throw because they had run out of time. Humanity in Mass Effect is supposedly unique because of it’s genetic diversity and represented the universe’s best chance at stopping Dark Energy’s spread.
The original final choice was going to be “Kill the Reapers and put your faith in the races of the galaxy in finding another way to stop the spread with what little time is left” or “Sacrifice humanity, allowing them to be horrifically processed in hopes that the end result will justify the means.”
Continue reading Drew Karpyshyn [Allegedly] Talks ME3 Ending
The Story of ME3: A Fair Critique
Gareth FoucheĀ analyzes the plot of Mass Effect 3 in a well-reasoned, level-headed post. Can’t help but agree with most of his points. Can’t help but be grateful for my wonderful ability to keep disbelief suspended so high up, it spends most of the time clinging to the ceiling.