With all the fuss about the Mass Effect 3 ending, I figured the world could use some good news about Mass Effect 3. Now, while I agree with the fan sentiments on the ending, I wanted to share some positive feedback AND also share some thoughts on how Bioware/EA ended up releasing the game with the endings we got.
Don't worry about spoilers because there aren't any in this article until the very end and it's clearly labeled. You will find some insights into the ending that you may not have considered.
That said, here is my list of 10 things to love about Mass Effect 3 - not in any particular order.
1. The combat system - the combat system in this game is awesome. It's smooth, agile and really gives excellent control. I've played it on PS3 and PC and both are comparable.
2. The story - Bioware is known for fantastic story and, with the exception of the ending, they don't disappoint. The way the Krogan & Turian alliance plays out as well as the Geth/Quarian story are all superbly told.
You really feel throughout the game that this is IT. And I love how all of my past squadmates and character encounters have their own stories that fit in perfectly here.
3. Little touches - I love walking through the Citadel and hearing news reports about missions I've completed and how they update.
I love getting emails about minor characters from previous games and how they're faring in the war.
I love the Shadow Broker touches and the side quests and how these affect war assets, ambient conversations and news broadcasts - even the newscaster on my ship.
4. The graphics - superb graphics that don't disssapoint on any system. I've seen the game played on all 3 systems (PC, 360 & PS3) and it looks fantasic on all 3.
The detail & ambiance in the graphics really immerses you in the story. Little things like ships flying, ambient sounds, etc., make it a truly immersive & enjoyable experience.
5. The dialog - I can't tell you how many times I LOL'd while playing this game and also cried more than once. The dialog is believable and always in the right context.
I love how my squad mates chime in with the exact right phrases as just the right time as I'm playing and how back on the ship they always seem to have the right thing to say.
Perfect script superbly performed.
6. Excellent role model & gameplay for women - This really goes for the whole series. As a female gamer, I often feel like I'm "playing a man's game in a skirt". But with Mass Effect I feel like a woman playing "my game" the way I would play it.
It also sets a great example for women & girls because FemShep is anything but a damsel in distress yet she maintains her femininity throughout. (Although I do wish she'd walk a bit more femininely in that dress - but I can live with it). FemShep is tough, smart, sexy, a real hero and all woman.
Thank you Bioware for this.
7. Intellectual Stimulation - the story details and nuances are extremely intelligent. It kind of reminds me of the movie Inception in that way. I love fighting & blowing stuff up but I also love to have my mind challenged. Mass Effect 3 and the entire series really delivers on this. It's definitely a thinking man's/woman's game.
8. The music - I didn't think it was possible to top the score for ME2 but the ME3 main songs are again superb. The way the music is mixed into the gameplay and the songs themselves are an excellent "additional character" in the story and contribute equally to the whole experience.
Thanks Bioware for including the soundtrack in my ME3 CE. :)
9. ME3 Datapad - This is a little app you can get on your iphone/touch/pad/android? that helps you build readiness. I really like it because I can build galactic readiness while I'm at work in about a minute.
I also LOVE the emails I get from the game characters after missions and the BEAUTIFUL home screen which I keep on my phone display with the clock.
10. It's Not Over - Obviously from the ending we know it can't be over. Plus it's not in Bioware's or EA's interest for it to be over. So I and I'm sure the fans are all very happy that there will be more Mass Effect.
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Now, with all that said, here are some thoughts on the ME3 ending that I've contemplated. Spoilers will be clearly marked.
1. Drew Karpyshyn left Bioware in February of this year. Curious. I understand that the official story is that he left to pursue interests outside the gaming industry, and while that may be true, it's interesting to note the timing of his departure - about a month before the release of Mass Effect 3.
This was his baby - his universe, created from scratch. And if it were me, and I'd heard about this plan for the ending of the initially released game story, I would have hit the roof. "Look what they've done to my song mom!" (that's an old lyric from a Helen Reddy song - I'm now dating myself :) ). I certainly wouldn't have wanted to be around when the S hit the fan on the ME3 game ending plan.
MILD SPOILER:
The indoctrination theory has his name written all over it.
2. SPOILER ALERT:
It's obvious that the ending is CUT OFF. Meaning this is not the ending. It's like there is an ending (or was) and this is a lead-in to it. But to "always leave them wanting more" they cut it off and left us hanging. So now they can sell us DLC and continue the franchise.
Well, this is a very poor business decision. Because we wanted more after Mass Effect 1 and Mass Effect 2 and those endings were fantastic and appropriate. So it's rediculous to think that not giving us a proper ending was necessary to keep us wanting more.
I think some suits got involved in this decision. Or maybe it was "artists revenge" against the suits.
Rule #1 - and this is from an entrepreneur & business owner - Don't let pure suits get involved in the creative process. They are NOT creative. Let them count beans in their offices and leave the artists alone.
What do I mean by "artists revenge"? Well, let's say the suits were upsetting the artists. They say "we need to give people a reason to buy the DLC", "we need to make them buy DLC". And they're hovering over the artists disrupting their work and fighting over the creative product vs. DLC interests. So the artist says, "oh really? you want that? Ok, we'll just cut off the end and be done with it, then make the real ending DLC. So there!" It could happen.
Anyway, that's really all I have to say for now about the game & the ending.
If you're interested, here are some really cool links that talk about the game and it's ending that you may enjoy:
Angry Joe's Mass Effect 3 Review
Angry Joe Top 10 Reasons We Hate The Ending - SPOILERS
Angry Joe Indoctrination Theory Commentary - SPOILERS
Indoctrination Theory Explained - SPOILERS
Retake Mass Effect 3 Ending Fan Testimonials
