Mass Effect 3.5B: Taste the Rainbow (Story and Ending Discussion; Spoilers!)

[HalfTangible]

But those games are based around that mechanic or engine. When Bioware's known for their storytelling, I'd expect them to build the game around the story.

You'd think so, but most of their advertising that i remember talked about how they were going to meld rpg and shooter elements into the third game better than before.

Because if the ending is going to pretend that the theme of the game is synthetics versus organics, then it better well tie back to the moments that were actually related to that theme.

What's the narrative point of uniting the Geth and the Quarians, or helping a romance between EDI and Joker, then to have no option to argue the Starkid's disproven-in-game assertions that synthetics will always destroy organics?

I guess you could argue that Shepard being unable to think clearly due to blood loss means Shepard blindly agreed with the boss of the Reapers, with the ending as some kind of fatalistic statement on the pointlessness of one's actions. But that's such a massive tonal shift it's beyond terrible.

Ugh you've got me angry at the ending again.

Arguing against that section of the scene requires you to expect someone to waste time arguing while they're DIEING.

Thematically, I agree, the entire scene needs to die in a hole. But that part actually makes sense: Shepard's dieing, he's not going to waste time arguing when he could be acting.

[thegurullamen]

Almost up to our limit. We need suggestions for new thread names.

Mass Effect 3 Ending IV: Don't Leave'm Cringing
Mass Effect 3 Ending IV: What's Your Theme Again?
Mass Effect 3 Ending IV: A New Hope?
Mass Effect 3 Ending IV: Ah, Yes, Artistic Integrity...
(Shamelessly stolen from a sig from I cannot remember whom)

[Morty]

I vote for "Ah, Yes, Artistic Integrity".

[Aotrs Commander]

I vote for "Ah, Yes, Artistic Integrity".

Heh. Yeah, sure, why not.

[Avilan the Grey]

I vote for "Ah, Yes, Artistic Integrity".

+1, as they say. Or maybe "like".

[Landis963]

Almost up to our limit. We need suggestions for new thread names.
*snip*
Mass Effect 3 Ending IV: Ah, Yes, Artistic Integrity...
(Shamelessly stolen from a sig from I cannot remember whom)

We have a winner, I think. Add my vote to this.

[Trazoi]

+1 for: Ah Yes, "Artistic Integrity". With or without quotes.

You'd think so, but most of their advertising that i remember talked about how they were going to meld rpg and shooter elements into the third game better than before.

The marketers were trying to woo over the console shooter fans to the series.

I don't know if writing was lowered in priority at Bioware during ME3, but I sure know it shouldn't be.

Arguing against that section of the scene requires you to expect someone to waste time arguing while they're DIEING.

Thematically, I agree, the entire scene needs to die in a hole. But that part actually makes sense: Shepard's dieing, he's not going to waste time arguing when he could be acting.

The thematic and storytelling argument is the only angle that matters. This isn't a documentary about the realistic life of Commander Shepard.

Besides, Shepard is only dying because the writers shot Shep with a Harbinger laser to bring the player down to a vulnerable state. It's part of how the whole sequence sells the strongest theme of ME3, which is the player's choices don't matter.

[Beowulf DW]

I vote for "Ah, Yes, Artistic Integrity".

What Morty said.

[Joran]

I don't know if writing was lowered in priority at Bioware during ME3, but I sure know it shouldn't be.

I'd argue that the writing was great in ME3 for Rannoch and Tuchanka. Mordin's entire character arc in the ME series was superb storytelling.

The entire third act felt rushed and I choose to blame executive meddling.

[thegurullamen]

I'd argue that the writing was great in ME3 for Rannoch and Tuchanka. Mordin's entire character arc in the ME series was superb storytelling.

The entire third act felt rushed and I choose to blame executive meddling.

I concur on all points. Everything needs more Mordin.

[LordShotGun]

I concur on all points. Everything needs more Mordin.

Agreed. I have only every cried at a video game twice in my life. One was for the ending of Republic Commando (a totally underrated game) and one was for my Renagade Shep killing Mordin. Watching him heroically struggle to the console only to die inches away broke my heart.

Almost up to our limit. We need suggestions for new thread names.
Mass Effect 3 Ending IV: Ah, Yes, Artistic Integrity...

+1

[Trazoi]

I'd argue that the writing was great in ME3 for Rannoch and Tuchanka. Mordin's entire character arc in the ME series was superb storytelling.

The entire third act felt rushed and I choose to blame executive meddling.

Oh I agree, and Bioware's got some talented writers. But "executive meddling" ruining the third act indicates there has to be higher priorities than the storytelling quality making those decisions.

[Grif]

I vote for "Ah, Yes, Artistic Integrity".

Please include the quotation marks as well.

[HalfTangible]

Please include the quotation marks as well.

As in
Ah yes, "artistic integrity"

Or
"Ah yes, artistic integrity"?

Either way, got my vote. Like it needs it at this point

[TheLaughingMan]

(Just as a reminder, it would be Thread 3.6B or Thread III. We're still quite a few months away from getting to IV).

[thegurullamen]

New thread is up.