Featured Image Credit: Electronic Arts
Topics: Mass Effect
Synthesis, Control and Destruction. Those are the three endings of Mass Effect, aren't they? You're certainly correct, but this former BioWare developer has just shown us a fourth and much funnier ending for the epic sci-fi odyssey.
Obviously, over the span of three games, there are a vast number of determinant decisions that affect how the conclusion of Shepard's journey plays out. Try as I might but I almost always end up romancing Miranda or Garrus - I have a type.
There's also the weight of total military strength at the end of Mass Effect 3 which will change how effective your final outcome for biological and synthetic life is. In short, a lower military strength leads to a massive loss of life and a higher military strength sees Earth saved, everyone surviving, and even Shepard can make it out in one instance.
Here's the teaser trailer for Mass Effect 5!
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Lo, the endings of Mass Effect are mostly tragic. Destroying the Reapers comes at the cost of Shepard's life and the existence of all synthetic characters, controlling them fuses our hero with their greatest enemy, and synthesising all biological and synthetic life creates a new order while essentially eliminating new organic evolution. It's a toughie.
That's why Violet McVinnie, a cinematic designer on Mass Effect 2 and 3, took up the brave task of changing the galaxy's fate with one single smooch. It's beautiful, and bears watching for yourself:
Drop your weapons, shove James Vega, and rush into the arms of The Illusive Man. I wonder how many players would have opted for that ending if it was an actual choice. There's always been a lot of tension between the two characters.