Mass Effect 3 canon ending leaves fans divided ahead of ME5

Mass Effect fans are divided over what could be the true canon ending before the release of Mass Effect 5 (currently not its official title).

Released in 2012, BioWare’s Mass Effect 3 is considered to be one of the best sci-fi RPGs of all time and I agree. In my humble opinion, Mass Effect 2 is the best of the original trilogy but they’re all superb games in their own right.

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Initially, Mass Effect 3 had three endings, ‘Destroy’, ‘Control’ and ‘Synthesis’. However, following major fan backlash regarding its endings, BioWare later added a new and fourth ending via free DLC called ‘Refusal’.

Each of the four endings in Mass Effect 3 was not only dependent on your actions in that game but also the two games that came before. So it can get a bit messy, to say the least.

Just a heads up, I will try my best to avoid spoilers for a 13-year-old game, but there may still be spoilers ahead.

None of the four endings to Mass Effect 3 are considered to be the true ending, as each one can be considered canon for the individual player. That being said, ‘Destroy’ is probably my pick of the bunch.

With that in mind, Reddit user NoSoyVerde1 asked “Alright, so…canon ending?”

“Canon? There are none (yet). Anyone saying differently just projects their own preference onto it,” replied ShyrokaHimaa with adding TheRealTr1nity “Everyone has their own ending.”

“I think the consensus is ‘Refuse’ and ‘Synthesis’ can't be canon based on the teaser material, leaving ‘Control’ and ‘Destroy’,” explained why-do_I_even_bother, alluding to the Mass Effect 5 trailer revealed at The Game Awards 2020.

“Geth appears to be in the next game, meaning ‘Control’ isn't impossible, but ‘Destroy’ could easily say ‘Oh, you know a few Geth were hidden in a bunker and survived,’ they continued.

“Given the typical tone of paragon choices (usually the goodie-two-shoes route is canon), ‘Control’ is unlikely. Since multiple endings are mutually exclusive and you'd have to write completely different stories to account for them, I'd put a few hundred bucks on ‘Destroy’ being canon.”

“‘Refuse’ is the MOST canon of them all,” claimed another Reddit user.

Hopefully, BioWare will not only reveal new details on Mass Effect 5 before 2025 comes to an end, but also treat us to a gameplay trailer and a release window. We’ll keep you posted if that happens.