Mass Effect 3 Ending

[TheFunnyOne]

Since nobody really thought about talking about this in a propper thread, there you go

I honestly think that the indoctrination theory has no place in ME3, I don't like it and its not canon so it never happened.
My personal pick is either Control ending or Synthesis, since I don't belive Shepard survived in the Destroy ending, even though the cutscene shows he is breathing again.

[LestersPetZergling]

since I don't belive Shepard survived in the Destroy ending, even though the cutscene shows he is breathing again.

So he can breathe whilst dead?

[TheFunnyOne]

They fixed most of things in the extended version of the endings but I guess not that, I mean how Shepard supposed to survive that and the ending of ME 3 is meant to be the Ultimate Sacrifice for the entire galaxy

[LestersPetZergling]

They fixed most of things in the extended version of the endings but I guess not that, I mean how Shepard supposed to survive that and the ending of ME 3 is meant to be the Ultimate Sacrifice for the entire galaxy

According to the Extended Cut, he was knocked unconscious by the blast of destroying the whatever in the Destroy ending, and then awoke among the rubble... Just as it had transpired in the first game's ending.

[DemolitionSquid]

This is stupid. You are stupid. Bioware lied to save their skin. Shepard was being indocrinated at the end of ME3, and everything after being grazed by Harbinger's beam was a dream. The only scene that takes place in reality after that moment is the breathing scene after you choose destroy and fight Harbinger's last attempt to indoctrinate Shepard. If you choose Control of Synthesis the Reapers win. There is no other possible explanation for how completely fucked up it all got.

Everything is explained here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CKHLDgz2zE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDGAnsVOb-M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeJkR683Sas

[TheFunnyOne]

But it's all not canon so really why people force that theory like fucking hard, BioWare said it so...

[LestersPetZergling]

Canon is very fickle and capricious; just see how StarCraft's has utterly changed. What is not canon, may be canon, eventually. Just as the Extended Cut retconned many things.

[Visions of Khas]

They fixed most of things in the extended version of the endings but I guess not that, I mean how Shepard supposed to survive that and the ending of ME 3 is meant to be the Ultimate Sacrifice for the entire galaxy

He's already been resuscitated once in Mass Effect 2; it's not hard to believe that Shepard's body was partially shielded by the Crucible as it made atemospheric entry.

Shepard was being indocrinated at the end of ME3, and everything after being grazed by Harbinger's beam was a dream.

This would mean that you lose, whatever the outcome. If the ending cutscenes all take place in Shepard's mind, regardless of whether he lives or not; he has failed in his mission. The Reapers stopped the activation of the Crucible and hold sway over earth, and their galactic holocaust is under way. Which means, with earth essentially dead, Shepard will die of his injuries or be lost in the purge.


Personally, my favorite ending is Synthesis. Yes, this would mean that Saren Arterius was right, to an extent; that merging the organic with the inorganic is in fact the correct decision. Much of the Mass Effect trilogy rests on you making decisions, dealing with the consequences, and re-evaluating your stance on topics when given more information. Synthesis does not mean Saren was absolutely correct in his assertion, but he was on the right track.

Besides, after his experiences with the Geth and helping forge peace between them and the Quarians, would he really kill them without a second thought, as their entire fleet and species hangs in orbit trying to save your hide??

[TheFunnyOne]

Besides, after his experiences with the Geth and helping forge peace between them and the Quarians, would he really kill them without a second thought, as their entire fleet and species hangs in orbit trying to save your hide??

Yeah that totally doesn't fit with me
So either Control or Synthesis for me, Control is great because it leaves Shepard as the new Catalyst somewhat alive and with the ones he love. I would love a "they lived happy ever after" ending but that's not going to happen

[DemolitionSquid]

This would mean that you lose, whatever the outcome.

THIS. Mass Effect 3 ends by either the Reapers winning as you give into their indoctrination by accepting Control or Synthesis, or with Shepard's breath after you realize its all a dream and choose Destroy. The game ends in the middle of the battle. You never actually go to the Crucible, Anderson never gets shot, you never destroy the Reapers. ITS ALL A DREAM.