#mass effect ending

[phoeberaven]

Like I know it's been over a decade but I'm still like: but why did the Normandy FTL jump at the end? Where to? Hackett ordered everyone to the rendezvous point. Surely that wasn't an FTL jump away. And surely they wouldn't just abandon Shepard, the crew (Joker especially) would circle back around to save Shepard, since they don't know that 2 out of 3 options mean Shepard dies. Heck, they don't even know there are options at that point. What's that garden planet anyway they land on and why, if the ship is perfectly capable of flying?

It just makes no sense and it's making it too hard to write my fanfic post ending and I'm mad about it, okay?

[sapphodera]

Is anyone else surprised that the destroy ending seems to be the most popular considering it’s objectively the worst ending? (In terms of the condition the galaxy is left in.)

Like, think about it. All the mass relays are broken and the Citadel is severely damaged. All AIs are gone. The catalyst does say the remaining survivors will have little difficulty repairing the damage, but that’s complete bullshit. The galaxy has been at war for a year, many people have died, whole worlds have practically been destroyed. AIs were relied on. The mass relays are the only way for a ship to leave a cluster (at least quickly). So basically you have a bunch of people stranded with no way of getting from one cluster to another. Remind me how that’s supposed to be easily fixed? It would take decades for all the relays to be restored! Compared to the control and synthesis endings, where you have the massive army of Reapers to help restore everything.

I get narratively it makes the most sense, as your goal throughout the whole trilogy is to destroy the reapers. It is also the only ending where Shepard lives. Still, I am surprised that it seems to be the most popular ending when to me the disadvantages clearly outweigh the benefits.

[thepantyreckless]

Not my gay ass choosing Synthesis just so EDI can get a damn hug.

[milkywayes]

memento vivere

[stormcallart]

Beach day and date night 💙❤️

[shittybundaskenyer]

stranded enemy soldiers during the first contact war au has me in a chokehold. rest is on ao3 because it's a bit spicy :))

[too-many-fridge-magnets]

i ain't throwing edi under the bus

mass effect for 3 whole games: destroying the reapers is the only option, anyone who suggests otherwise is indoctrinated and will betray you

people, for some reason: [pick the other options]

[catsharky]

I'm sobbing and clawing at the screen begging Larian to just let my Tav give more hugs because so many of these characters need it.

WIP cause this is getting colours, I just like how the lines look

Edit: Colours

[mostmagical]

I really love the detail of garrus always being that one step behind shepard... and not in the literal "got your back" sense (though of course I love that too), but in the figurative "just short of crossing the finish line" sense. like ME1: when you meet garrus, he's already been on this saren case, he's just been unable to get anyone to take it seriously. in walks shepard, and shepard is able to do all these things garrus couldn't quite do: becomes spectre, is taken (somewhat) seriously, goes on galaxy-wide chase to take down saren. wins. garrus has always been trying to do "right" in a way that makes sense, and here's this human that just already knows how and DOES IT.

then ME2, garrus is still on this quest to do right. he manages to put together a team, but ultimately, this enterprise is a failure too. he just can't quite make it. but that's when shepard arrives, picks garrus up, and in one day defeats the gang leaders that garrus has been after for MONTHS. also important to note without getting into the whole religious symbolism of it: his team is 11 people, with garrus himself being the 12th. by the end of ME2, shepard successfully accomplishes their goal with a team of 12 total. 12 followers. 12 disciples. I'm not getting into it. but. just look at those numbers. you know what I'm trying to say.

by ME3, garrus DOES make it over this finish line. he DOES get his promotion and people respecting him. but it sucks. after years of striving to get to the finish line, to cross that mountain, he gets there and it's so much pressure. but the wonderful thing is, now instead of being a step behind, he's shoulder-to-shoulder with shepard, which allows for the open communication and support that the two of them get to have because he GETS IT. he was watching the whole time from behind. he's seen all the highs, and the lows, and now in the low low, he knows what it's LIKE. it's like this wonderful full circle moment where he's able to support the person he's looked up to for so long.

[wispythreads]

It's interesting seeing the dichotomy between Mordin and Garrus while trying to recover Jack. Garrus immediately clocks that this is an extortion rig and that the warden's motives aren't as pure-of-heart, good-for-the-galaxy oriented as he claims, but still believes that these people deserve what they get for being scum of the earth. Even with no proof that everyone here has done something worth their imprisonment. Even after the warden's heel-turn attempt to imprison Shepard.

Mordin meanwhile is just absolutely horrified at the level of cruelty surrounding him and believes in the possibility that anything disturbed these prisoners may express while we're here could've been a direct result of their treatment at this facility.

I just find it interesting since Mordin has been so-far described as cold, calculating, and ruthless. He (seemingly, at this point, it's very clear later that this is not really the case no matter how much he wants it to be) has no regrets in his part of continuing a horrible genetic disease that is slowly but surely dooming a species to extinction. But he clearly does have a lot of empathy, wants actual good done rather than theoretical good.

Meanwhile Garrus has always been a hot-headed renegade that has been very loud about how he wants good done in the world, even if it isn't done the right way. But at the same time, he very quietly follows the structure and abides by the rules. He follows the idea that the ones in charge are doing the right thing. It takes his own background knowledge of a situation and being physically or metaphorically blocked by the authority from doing what he believes is right in order for him to not just instinctively believe in it. Idk I'm just rambling again.

[biowho]

I think one of the funniest things BioWare can do for the ending of Veilguard is give us 3 slightly branching paths at the last moment. Maybe they could signify them with their own color? Perhaps red blue and green and Rook has to limp over a pathway to get to it right after Varric dies a heartfelt conversation? I can’t see how that would be a problem at all and I bet the fanbase would be so normal if it does happen in a beloved BioWare series again

[rawliverandcigarettes]

Thinking about Mass Effect, as you do, and how I'm kind of sad that the way it's been engraved in pop culture has more to do with the way internet reacted to it at the time than what the actual game is about. Yes sure, it's about romance (and not that much all things considered) and it's pulpy (but not solely because of hot lady aliens), but it's also intricate worldbuilding that touches on a lot of sharp ideas, and a complicated tug-of-war between a genuine and vulnerable belief in reconciliation and community VS post 9-11 US military propaganda and steadfast belief in heroic exceptionalism, and the melancholic yet energizing mood, and the daring narrative systems, and so so much more than the 'We'll Bang OKs" and the "There's No Shepard Without Vakarian" and the whole ME3 ending situation

It's all there, but I'm sad the impact of the series is often reduced to (what I think is) the least interesting parts of its sum

[obscoros]

CITADEL CHIC MAGAZINE: Dr. Liara T’Soni

INPRNT | Finished Mass Effect 3 the other day and got thinking about the casual clothing/civilian wear in the game. Model and budget constraints means there’s not a whole lot of variety, and many of the non-armored pieces aren’t to my personal taste. So I thought it’d be cute to do a fake Citadel magazine, starting off with featuring Liara.

Notes on Asari fashion: From what I’ve noticed, Asari fashion favors a very feminine silhouette, especially skin-tight, with tasteful additions to encourage an hourglass silhouette (Samara’s shoulder armor, Liara’s coat tails, Aria’s cropped coat: all help with this silhouette). Characters who don’t wear skin tight clothes frequently have cut outs to embellish traditionally feminine styles (Matriarch Benezia’s iconic boob window). While planning out an outfit I kept these in mind!

Some earlier outfit ideas! Went with the third for Liara. I really like the 60’s-esque sort of vibe to it and I thought it matched her personality. The first one is also very pretty but I was thinking more for the Asari councilor!

[thepantyreckless]

Shepard: Okay, but like how is this going to work? I need details.

Catalyst: Omg. I don't have time, just pick a color.

Shepard: You expect my gay ass to make a decision without all the details? Hell no.

Catalyst: So be it.

*the reapers destroy everyone*

[clericofshadows]

KAIDAN ALENKO AND ASHLEY WILLIAMS MASS EFFECT 3 DESPONIA: LEVIATHAN