On March 23 2012 06:32 befek wrote: Have you guys seen this? MAJOR SPOILER/THEORY BOUT ENDINGS
If this turns out to be true bricks will be shat in quantities to be able to build a city from. And whether you believe it or not, whether it was intended or not, whether it is the truth or fanfiction, ask yourself: Wouldn't you want this to be true? You have the choice, you can believe it if you want. I choose to believe.
I've been trying to put together a post on this for a day now, but I've got too much info. I've put a bunch into a blog form, which contains plenty of info for new readers and a few items that I've thrown in at the end. I'm planning on adding more if there is any interest. Enjoy.
If this turns out to be true bricks will be shat in quantities to be able to build a city from. And whether you believe it or not, whether it was intended or not, whether it is the truth or fanfiction, ask yourself: Wouldn't you want this to be true? You have the choice, you can believe it if you want. I choose to believe.
Whether it was their purpose or not (the evidence is overwhelming for "it was"), I think Bioware will miss an opportunity to save their entire franchise if they don't embrace this as canon.
As I see it, the "modified ending" could pick up after Shepard wards off their indoctrination attempt. Your squadmates pick you up out of the rubble, then you go and face Harbringer.
That indoctrination video is incredibly convincing and well done and if it was truly their intention then it is amazing. But until there is actual proof that it is the intended interpretation, it just seems too far-fetched and coincidental for it to be true.
As I see it, the "modified ending" could pick up after Shepard wards off their indoctrination attempt. Your squadmates pick you up out of the rubble, then you go and face Harbringer.
That's exactly what I was thinking. I presume the next, already evidenced, DLC (hopefully free) will be just that. Hoping for more actually, not just like a couple hours extension but yeah.
If this turns out to be true bricks will be shat in quantities to be able to build a city from. And whether you believe it or not, whether it was intended or not, whether it is the truth or fanfiction, ask yourself: Wouldn't you want this to be true? You have the choice, you can believe it if you want. I choose to believe.
That video is amazing, I believe it now. Everything in it, ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING, makes sense now.
Tbh I thought it was pretty obvious that the Reapers are trying to indoctrinate Shepard, what with the dark tendrils on the screen and shit...I believe, or at least hope that, the indoctrination theory is right and expect the DLC to prove me right. Still not happy with the ending though because it's just not clear enough.
On March 23 2012 10:44 The KY wrote: Tbh I thought it was pretty obvious that the Reapers are trying to indoctrinate Shepard, what with the dark tendrils on the screen and shit...I believe, or at least hope that, the indoctrination theory is right and expect the DLC to prove me right. Still not happy with the ending though because it's just not clear enough.
That is the cool thing about it though, that it isn't clear at all. You actually have to think about the scene and wonder wtf is going on instead of having someone deliberately tell you "oh yea, they are trying to indoctrinate you". Idk maybe it is just me but it feels rare nowadays where a game makes you think instead of spoon-feeding you the plot.
On March 23 2012 10:44 The KY wrote: Tbh I thought it was pretty obvious that the Reapers are trying to indoctrinate Shepard, what with the dark tendrils on the screen and shit...I believe, or at least hope that, the indoctrination theory is right and expect the DLC to prove me right. Still not happy with the ending though because it's just not clear enough.
That is the cool thing about it though, that it isn't clear at all. You actually have to think about the scene and wonder wtf is going on instead of having someone deliberately tell you "oh yea, they are trying to indoctrinate you". Idk maybe it is just me but it feels rare nowadays where a game makes you think instead of spoon-feeding you the plot.
Well, let me elaborate: I am entirely convinced that the 'final boss' if you will is indoctrination. I believed it at the time which is why I chose red and watching the documentations of clues (I missed the shrubs from the dreams after Harbinger lasers you, for example) I can't see any way round it. What I mean by clear is, if you choose to try and control the reapers (what I think is the choice that Harbinger wants you to make) you get essentially the same ending. If the last boss is indoctrination, the game should let you know after the fact, right? There's spoon feeding you and then there's just confusion. I don't mind being confused DURING the indoctrination. But to end the game without clearing anything up? Without letting me get some closure on the fate of my allies, the victory fleet, the galaxy?
On March 23 2012 10:44 The KY wrote: Tbh I thought it was pretty obvious that the Reapers are trying to indoctrinate Shepard, what with the dark tendrils on the screen and shit...I believe, or at least hope that, the indoctrination theory is right and expect the DLC to prove me right. Still not happy with the ending though because it's just not clear enough.
That is the cool thing about it though, that it isn't clear at all. You actually have to think about the scene and wonder wtf is going on instead of having someone deliberately tell you "oh yea, they are trying to indoctrinate you". Idk maybe it is just me but it feels rare nowadays where a game makes you think instead of spoon-feeding you the plot.
Well, let me elaborate: I am entirely convinced that the 'final boss' if you will is indoctrination. I believed it at the time which is why I chose red and watching the documentations of clues (I missed the shrubs from the dreams after Harbinger lasers you, for example) I can't see any way round it. What I mean by clear is, if you choose to try and control the reapers (what I think is the choice that Harbinger wants you to make) you get essentially the same ending. If the last boss is indoctrination, the game should let you know after the fact, right? There's spoon feeding you and then there's just confusion. I don't mind being confused DURING the indoctrination. But to end the game without clearing anything up? Without letting me get some closure on the fate of my allies, the victory fleet, the galaxy?
That's probally the biggest argument against the theory. If it is the case, why keep it as hidden as it is and why not giving any answers on what really happened? The only answer that makes some sense for me would be the planned DLC some people believe they will release and that they are just trolling the community, but this would be kinda dickish and I don't know why they would endure all this backlash just to get a big surprise sometime later. If they continued the game after the "deep breath scene", it would make sense and would actually be a unique and cool ending, if they didn't screw up anything else later on.
On March 23 2012 10:44 The KY wrote: Tbh I thought it was pretty obvious that the Reapers are trying to indoctrinate Shepard, what with the dark tendrils on the screen and shit...I believe, or at least hope that, the indoctrination theory is right and expect the DLC to prove me right. Still not happy with the ending though because it's just not clear enough.
That is the cool thing about it though, that it isn't clear at all. You actually have to think about the scene and wonder wtf is going on instead of having someone deliberately tell you "oh yea, they are trying to indoctrinate you". Idk maybe it is just me but it feels rare nowadays where a game makes you think instead of spoon-feeding you the plot.
The problem is, that is not an ending. This is a trilogy... and it leaves you without an actual resolution. Ok, let's say the theory is right and you successfully fend off the Reaper indoctrination. That is decent writing and a solid idea... but it's not an ending. That might be the climax, but there aren't any answers to be had because it leaves you with more questions than before, many extremely important ones.
When you sink 100+ hours (a lot more in my, and other's cases) into 3 games and you're actually not given resolution or answers, that is a slap to the face.
On March 23 2012 10:44 The KY wrote: Tbh I thought it was pretty obvious that the Reapers are trying to indoctrinate Shepard, what with the dark tendrils on the screen and shit...I believe, or at least hope that, the indoctrination theory is right and expect the DLC to prove me right. Still not happy with the ending though because it's just not clear enough.
That is the cool thing about it though, that it isn't clear at all. You actually have to think about the scene and wonder wtf is going on instead of having someone deliberately tell you "oh yea, they are trying to indoctrinate you". Idk maybe it is just me but it feels rare nowadays where a game makes you think instead of spoon-feeding you the plot.
Well, let me elaborate: I am entirely convinced that the 'final boss' if you will is indoctrination. I believed it at the time which is why I chose red and watching the documentations of clues (I missed the shrubs from the dreams after Harbinger lasers you, for example) I can't see any way round it. What I mean by clear is, if you choose to try and control the reapers (what I think is the choice that Harbinger wants you to make) you get essentially the same ending. If the last boss is indoctrination, the game should let you know after the fact, right? There's spoon feeding you and then there's just confusion. I don't mind being confused DURING the indoctrination. But to end the game without clearing anything up? Without letting me get some closure on the fate of my allies, the victory fleet, the galaxy?
That's probally the biggest argument against the theory. If it is the case, why keep it as hidden as it is and why not giving any answers on what really happened? The only answer that makes some sense for me would be the planned DLC some people believe they will release and that they are just trolling the community, but this would be kinda dickish and I don't know why they would endure all this backlash just to get a big surprise sometime later. If they continued the game after the "deep breath scene", it would make sense and would actually be a unique and cool ending, if they didn't screw up anything else later on.
Isn't there a quote somewhere that says something along the lines of 'if the fans knew what was coming in the DLC then they wouldn't be so angry'? I dunno, judging from the letter from the Bioware guy (whose name escapes me) I'd say it's just a big fuck up and somehow a team of professional writers managed to overlook the idea of basic closure. Somehow.
If this turns out to be true bricks will be shat in quantities to be able to build a city from. And whether you believe it or not, whether it was intended or not, whether it is the truth or fanfiction, ask yourself: Wouldn't you want this to be true? You have the choice, you can believe it if you want. I choose to believe.
That video is amazing, I believe it now. Everything in it, ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING, makes sense now.
heh, i like your attitude. I am trying to get swept up in it too. This is like a detective story almost.
On March 23 2012 10:44 The KY wrote: Tbh I thought it was pretty obvious that the Reapers are trying to indoctrinate Shepard, what with the dark tendrils on the screen and shit...I believe, or at least hope that, the indoctrination theory is right and expect the DLC to prove me right. Still not happy with the ending though because it's just not clear enough.
That is the cool thing about it though, that it isn't clear at all. You actually have to think about the scene and wonder wtf is going on instead of having someone deliberately tell you "oh yea, they are trying to indoctrinate you". Idk maybe it is just me but it feels rare nowadays where a game makes you think instead of spoon-feeding you the plot.
Well, let me elaborate: I am entirely convinced that the 'final boss' if you will is indoctrination. I believed it at the time which is why I chose red and watching the documentations of clues (I missed the shrubs from the dreams after Harbinger lasers you, for example) I can't see any way round it. What I mean by clear is, if you choose to try and control the reapers (what I think is the choice that Harbinger wants you to make) you get essentially the same ending. If the last boss is indoctrination, the game should let you know after the fact, right? There's spoon feeding you and then there's just confusion. I don't mind being confused DURING the indoctrination. But to end the game without clearing anything up? Without letting me get some closure on the fate of my allies, the victory fleet, the galaxy?
That's probally the biggest argument against the theory. If it is the case, why keep it as hidden as it is and why not giving any answers on what really happened? The only answer that makes some sense for me would be the planned DLC some people believe they will release and that they are just trolling the community, but this would be kinda dickish and I don't know why they would endure all this backlash just to get a big surprise sometime later. If they continued the game after the "deep breath scene", it would make sense and would actually be a unique and cool ending, if they didn't screw up anything else later on.
Isn't there a quote somewhere that says something along the lines of 'if the fans knew what was coming in the DLC then they wouldn't be so angry'? I dunno, judging from the letter from the Bioware guy (whose name escapes me) I'd say it's just a big fuck up and somehow a team of professional writers managed to overlook the idea of basic closure. Somehow.
There were some quotes that I think could support the theory, but most are probally just about the ending being rushed or not exactly what the full team would release, and some that clearly go against the theory. I think the "writer" of that letter ended up denying writing it in the end as well.
One thing I found particularly interesting was this:
"As late as November, the developers were considering at least one drastically different ending that was eventually scrapped. The sequence would have seen the player lose control of Commander Shepard, revealing that he or she had actually been indoctrinated by the Reapers. This ending was eventually cut for technical reasons, as the team was having a hard time making the gameplay mechanic work alongside dialogue choices."
It was said to be in a iOS app about the development about the game. Don't think it's enough to completelly discredit the theory, you could say they just changed the way it worked, that you never actually is controlled by the Reapers. It shows the idea behind it is really not that far off and it could be done with just some changes in the ending.
So on my second playthrough I decided to break up with Miranda and go for Liara since Miranda has pretty much the shortest/weakest romance scenes in ME3.
Then I discovered that Miranda also has the most heart-wrenching breakup scene in ME3, not to mention + Show Spoiler +
On March 23 2012 11:42 Firebolt145 wrote: So on my second playthrough I decided to break up with Miranda and go for Liara since Miranda has pretty much the shortest/weakest romance scenes in ME3.
Then I discovered that Miranda also has the most heart-wrenching breakup scene in ME3.
What the fuck Bioware.
I broke up with Liara and went for Tali and the dialogue in the Normandy/next mission was quite amusing, both between the two of them (obviously had to take them both and see what happened) and between Liara and the rest of the crew, like EDI. I considered reloading and dumping her for Kaidan just to see what would happen, but it would be too much trouble. The dialogue between diferent crew members where you just listen but don't really participate is particularly well done in this game, in several moments.
She doesn't have to die btw, she didn't in my playthrough. I think it depends on wether you warn her about Kai Lang while you are the Spectres HQ in the citadel.
On March 23 2012 11:42 Firebolt145 wrote: So on my second playthrough I decided to break up with Miranda and go for Liara since Miranda has pretty much the shortest/weakest romance scenes in ME3.
Then I discovered that Miranda also has the most heart-wrenching breakup scene in ME3, not to mention + Show Spoiler +
If this turns out to be true bricks will be shat in quantities to be able to build a city from. And whether you believe it or not, whether it was intended or not, whether it is the truth or fanfiction, ask yourself: Wouldn't you want this to be true? You have the choice, you can believe it if you want. I choose to believe.
That video is amazing, I believe it now. Everything in it, ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING, makes sense now.
Except that if you make the right choices, fight indoctrination off and choose destroy, but your EMS is too low, you don't wake up...
If this turns out to be true bricks will be shat in quantities to be able to build a city from. And whether you believe it or not, whether it was intended or not, whether it is the truth or fanfiction, ask yourself: Wouldn't you want this to be true? You have the choice, you can believe it if you want. I choose to believe.
That video is amazing, I believe it now. Everything in it, ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING, makes sense now.
Except that if you make the right choices, fight indoctrination off and choose destroy, but your EMS is too low, you don't wake up...
Or it simply doesn't show you waking up! Seriously though, if there is something you can't really apply logic to are the diferences in the ending because of EMS. In all of them you manage to reach the crucible/citadel in the exact same way, so you can say the amount of troops you gather doesn't really matter. But if you don't have enough allies, the blast wave from the crucible destroys Earth, while if you have enough allies it doesn't really harm it. Or, for some reason, the God Kid denies you the choice of synthesis. I guess if you don't have enough friends you are not cool enough for it. For some reason even allowing TIM to shoot Anderson changes wether you wake up or not.
That's a big flaw in the ending no matter if the theory is correct or not, the way they used EMS is purely a gameplay resource, it's not like in ME2 where not upgrading your ship's hull could result in a explosion and death of a crew member, or doing loyalty mission made them stronger/more confident/whatever and alowed them to do their job better and survive. The reasons didn't have to be good, but there were reasons for how the whole ending works out, and you still have a lot of decisions even during it.