Advertisement

Register for free to remove this ad

Nope. I'm hoping they crank one out later this week, but I'm betting on a delay of some sort prompting an early to mid-June announcement. I have a funny feeling we might not be getting a balance tweak or an event this week. I hope I'm wrong though.

Originally Posted by 100xp the DLC for ME3 seems high but considering if you bring Javik w/you for virtually every mission, visit him after every mission, etc you get a lot of background story that you miss without him. he's almost essential to get the whole story plus he's also pretty badass as a squadmate. maybe you can find a deal on ms points then it's not really 800.

I only ended up bringing him on the Thessia and Tuchanka missions, not through the entire game.

I know that bringing him on the Thessia mission is a given for what he discusses there, though is he needed on other missions besides that one?

I picked up Javik as soon as I could as well, mainly just for the particle rifle for Garrus.

Originally Posted by Arikado To those that enjoy the endings, I envy you. I wish I could accept them, but they are too hamfisted and full of holes and contradictions for me to do so. There are a ton of articles and videos out there that break down why the endings suck, but I'm not going to cram them down the throat of every pro-end person out there. Besides, I did a ton of linking, reading, and discussing back when I finished the game in March... talking about this crap now just gives me a headache. As for the Indoctrination Theory, if it's true, how do you feel about being sold an incomplete game? Destroy is the only option where Shepard survives (at least as of now, maybe the Extended Cut will bust out the retcon bat). When he "wakes up," that can't be the end. The Reapers are still out there and the war is still going on. The EC would need a significant chunk of gameplay to tie up loose ends, but BioWare has stated there isn't going to be any. In that case, we'd need a piece of DLC content, an expansion, or a sequel, which if the "this is the end of Shepard's story" line is to be believed, we won't be getting. Even if we did, what about Shepards that picked control or synthesis?

What I liked about the Indoctrination Theory ending is the idea that the final battle is a subtle mind game. I'm still not satisfied with the game ending, and it seems like Bioware is denying it because they never considered it. I'd agree that it doesn't resolve any issues, and completely ruins a trilogy as there is no coherent ending...but the theory is still something that interested me. Plus I'm really impressed by how well the fan video was made.

The scene where Liara came to your cabin with the device housing a record of current universe life, and how they existed before the Reapers made me somewhat expect an ending without closure. I almost expected that the Crucible wouldn't work, and that a piece would be added by this current existence of the universe, but that there would still be something missing. The tragic ending I was expecting was that you'd slowly lose squad mates as the game came to a close, with you being left with only the person you romanced, witnessing the final cleansing by the Reapers. I just assumed it would be relative to your reputation, and who you picked during the final missions would be lost slowly.

I then partly expected the game to go to black, then come back in with the darkness being removed with dirt being taken away. A person/alien digging up one of Liara's devices, the creature being perplexed by it, and then activating it. It'll sound stupid, but that's why I assumed the game started with captions explaining about Sheperd, and how he was the only one to know of the existence of the Reapers before it was too late. It was the way of the game explaining to us the attempt at defeating the Reapers, but not being successful, with the hope of the next life cycle being able to stop the Reapers.

I realize this gives no closure, and is disappointing, but my mind had this vision because of all I had read about the ending not being satisfying or complete. I just expected an unresolved fight, and assumed that was the whole point of Liara's devices. Giving a 'sort of' closure to the story; life would be wiped out, but hopefully her planning ahead would save the next cycle.

Originally Posted by Ink.So.Well. I side with Ryu and Arikado as far as the ending is concerned. If IT is true (which previous statements by BioWare lead me to believe it isn't) we were sold an incomplete game (IMO) which is something no self respecting gamer in their right mind should be supporting for any reason. If it isn't (something I'm personally certain of...) then we were subjected to broken promises dancing on the fine lines of false advertisement and terrible writing which is equally troubling if not more damaging from a personal standpoint. If I can't trust what you're telling me is genuine then there's no point in buying your product.

I will say that BioWare intentionally made an ending sequence that was surreal and abstract (even dreamlike), in order to invite all manner of interpretation and speculation as to what precisely happened, why it happened, and what it all means. In that sense the Indoctrination Theory is not invalid. It's also completely preposterous and strikes me as desperate straw-grasping akin to moon landing and 9/11 conspiracy theories. You can all quote me on that and if it turns out that the IT was BioWare's intent all along, please feel free to mercilessly rub my face in "I told you so" until the end of time. I am 100% certain that the Extended Cut will not confirm or vindicate the IT in any way whatsoever, however it's not like it can be disproven either, since what happens in the Extended Cut can be handwaved away as a hallucination just like anything in the main game, so it's possible that this debate will never be ultimately settled. Again, we'll all know what's what in a month or two when it actually comes out.

And I am completely with you Ink in thinking, if everything in the Indoctrination Theory really is true and it was BioWare's intent all along, isn't that worse? People would really be happier with a situation where we were given an intentionally fake ending, followed by months of silence and a mysterious DLC, than a situation in which BioWare made a goodwill effort to resolve the trilogy in a satisfying way but just screwed it up? That mystifies me.

Originally Posted by shrike4242 I only ended up bringing him on the Thessia and Tuchanka missions, not through the entire game. I know that bringing him on the Thessia mission is a given for what he discusses there, though is he needed on other missions besides that one? I picked up Javik as soon as I could as well, mainly just for the particle rifle for Garrus.

1st run, I brought him on missions that seemed he would be more interested in or were mandatory. It was usually Garrus w/Liara or Ashley in tote. More Ashley since I gave her the shep slap 1st go...same reasons, for the particle rifle for Garrus.

2nd run, I only brought him on more missions for the potential dialogue.

Originally Posted by Ryuukishi I will say that BioWare intentionally made an ending sequence that was surreal and abstract (even dreamlike), in order to invite all manner of interpretation and speculation as to what precisely happened, why it happened, and what it all means.

This pretty much hits the nail on the head for me. I am sure this is why I wasn't so upset with the ending myself. The possibilities are endless really.

As far as us getting shafted and them potentially selling us an incomplete game goes.. I don't know if I would hold as much hatred as the rest of you. It's really shitty if it's what they planned, but here we are in 2012. This seems to be the new thing to do with games. It is indeed a truly awful practice and annoying as hell. As if MSRP for games being $60 wasn't enough, we have to worry about adding an extra $30~$40 to that to get a complete experience.

In the end though, what ever the outcome is, I know I can say that I genuinely enjoyed the series. I'm pretty glad I was able to play through it. I'll just wait it out like everybody else and keep a positive outlook

Originally Posted by 100xp 1st run, I brought him on missions that seemed he would be more interested in or were mandatory. It was usually Garrus w/Liara or Ashley in tote. More Ashley since I gave her the shep slap 1st go...same reasons, for the particle rifle for Garrus. 2nd run, I only brought him on more missions for the potential dialogue.

I had three different people to take Javik on the Thessia mission and I can say I was certainly enjoying it.

Any other major missions where he's worth bringing along in tow?

In other news, one more satisfied customer (from the $79.99 ME3 CE 360 deal thread in the VGD forum):

Originally Posted by jbcampb1 After the craptastic ending, I would pay as little as possible for an impending disappointment. This will be collector material on par with "Duke Nukem Balls of Steel Edition." The ending ruined the value since people won't look back at this game (without rewritten endings to comply with previous statements) with fond memories.

I dislike that BioWare felt that they HAD to make the ending open for interpretation. Why bother doing that? Were they too afraid to make a satisfying conclusion? You CAN make a great series and STILL have a memorable and satisfying conclusion. These "interpretation" endings really piss me off. Seems like some cheap way to finish a game/movie/book/whatever without making it final. Therefore, leaving it open for more chapters in the story.

Hence, why I believe EA had a hand in this ending fiasco. And wherever it was they had their hand, it had a major impact.

Originally Posted by dualedge2 Hence, why I believe EA had a hand in this ending fiasco. And wherever it was they had their hand, it had a major impact.

I go back and forth on that idea.

On the one hand, I imagine BioWare being like, "Hey, corporate overlords, instead of just doing things in a safe and proven way, we have this great idea for an artistic, experimental conclusion to our space opera series. It's going to piss off a lot of our most loyal fans, and probably jeopardize future DLC and sequel sales, but it's going to be a really cool meta-narrative experiment! Great idea, right?" Yeah, NO.

On the other hand, if it was sold as something that would generate a lot of controversy and publicity for the game, and the detrimental effect on fan loyalty was downplayed, and they compared themselves to Kojima and noted that the Metal Gear Solid series did shit like this all the time and it's remembered as daring and boldly artistic... maybe EA would sign off on the idea.

Mostly I think they just genuinely didn't realize how badly they were missing the point and how controversial this would really be.

Originally Posted by shrike4242 I had three different people to take Javik on the Thessia mission and I can say I was certainly enjoying it. Any other major missions where he's worth bringing along in tow? In other news, one more satisfied customer (from the $79.99 ME3 CE 360 deal thread in the VGD forum):

Depending on your previous import, if you have Urdnot Wren when you go to save the female Javik has one coldass line in the verbal exchange (should you choose to speak to him before continuing the mission).

I also brought him along for the cerberus biotic's facility raid, where the new mutants...I mean biotics are being trained. (Jack) but I don't remember if he said anything memorable to the younglings.

I mostly had Liara and Tali in my party for nostalgia reasons since that was my ME1 party. My main character is a soldier so it makes sense to have an adept and an engineer in the party.

I did use Javik at times, and he does have some good dialogue. Garrus was the other I used a decent amount as he has some good dialogue as well.

Otherwise that was pretty much it, other than swapping Edi in for Tali sometimes.

Originally Posted by Ryuukishi I go back and forth on that idea. On the one hand, I imagine BioWare being like, "Hey, corporate overlords, instead of just doing things in a safe and proven way, we have this great idea for an artistic, experimental conclusion to our space opera series. It's going to piss off a lot of our most loyal fans, and probably jeopardize future DLC and sequel sales, but it's going to be a really cool meta-narrative experiment! Great idea, right?" Yeah, NO. On the other hand, if it was sold as something that would generate a lot of controversy and publicity for the game, and the detrimental effect on fan loyalty was downplayed, and they compared themselves to Kojima and noted that the Metal Gear Solid series did shit like this all the time and it's remembered as daring and boldly artistic... maybe EA would sign off on the idea. Mostly I think they just genuinely didn't realize how badly they were missing the point and how controversial this would really be.

Your first point would illustrate something that could very well have happened. At that point in time, BioWare had already had several successful projects under their belt and EA trusted them fully. It wouldn't surprise me if this was the case. Of course, it would show just how idiotic they are but hey, who am I to say what's smart and what's stupid? I'm just a loyal fan. Their core audience.

But it's your second idea that scares me the most. That EA gave them the go ahead (sad that they would need it since they're OWNED) to do garbage like that and them believing they've earned the right to do it, just shows how out of touch they are with their fanbase or simply don't care.

And I'm not really sure which is worse because one of them is, at least, partially true. Whatever the case, just another reason they shouldn't have sold themselves out to EA. Perfectly fine with having them publish, but to own? Not by the worst company in America (as voted on by fans!).

Need news on this weekends operation. I don't care if the vorcha are ready of not!

I don't want more dlc yet, I still can't get a geth inf to drop.

Originally Posted by Arikado To those that enjoy the endings, I envy you. I wish I could accept them, but they are too hamfisted and full of holes and contradictions for me to do so. There are a ton of articles and videos out there that break down why the endings suck, but I'm not going to cram them down the throat of every pro-end person out there. Besides, I did a ton of linking, reading, and discussing back when I finished the game in March... talking about this crap now just gives me a headache. As for the Indoctrination Theory, if it's true, how do you feel about being sold an incomplete game? Destroy is the only option where Shepard survives (at least as of now, maybe the Extended Cut will bust out the retcon bat). When he "wakes up," that can't be the end. The Reapers are still out there and the war is still going on. The EC would need a significant chunk of gameplay to tie up loose ends, but BioWare has stated there isn't going to be any. In that case, we'd need a piece of DLC content, an expansion, or a sequel, which if the "this is the end of Shepard's story" line is to be believed, we won't be getting. Even if we did, what about Shepards that picked control or synthesis?

Ditto, this is me as well. The ending stopped me from doing multiple playtroughs (well continuing previous ME profiles first) and that's a shame as I love Mass Effect.

I Don't Even Know... What Is This? - MP Balance Changes: May 22, 2012
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Batarian Sentinel
- Starting encumbrance capacity increased from 30% to 45%

Submission Net Power
- Base cooldown decreased from 10 to 8 seconds
- Base hold duration increased from 4 to 6 seconds

Sentry Turret Power
- Base turret damage increased from 30 to 40
- Evolution 5 rocket damage increased from 250 to 300

Tech Armor Power
- Base damage protection increased from 25% to 35%
- Base encumbrance penalty decreased from 60% to 50%
- Evolution 3 power damage bonus increased from 20% to 30%
- Evolution 4 melee damage bonus increased from 30% to 40%

Not to much to see here.

Originally Posted by Ink.So.Well. I Don't Even Know... What Is This? - MP Balance Changes: May 22, 2012 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Batarian Sentinel - Starting encumbrance capacity increased from 30% to 45% Submission Net Power - Base cooldown decreased from 10 to 8 seconds - Base hold duration increased from 4 to 6 seconds Sentry Turret Power - Base turret damage increased from 30 to 40 - Evolution 5 rocket damage increased from 250 to 300 Tech Armor Power - Base damage protection increased from 25% to 35% - Base encumbrance penalty decreased from 60% to 50% - Evolution 3 power damage bonus increased from 20% to 30% - Evolution 4 melee damage bonus increased from 30% to 40% Not to much to see here.

Not bad.

It's all upgrades for us, mainly Sents and the somewhat under utilized sentry/rocket. For gold, it's all about the healing and/or flame thrower.

I'm surprised they didnt tweak any more wpn damage.

At least they're kind of adjusting the Batarian class. The Submission Net seemed useless whenever I'd fire it at anybody. At least now it's slightly less useless.

haha...it just give me 2 seconds more time to falcon punch the enemy's head off. i think the next boost should be increased AoE damage and range of the web. even by 5% and an extra 1m.

LMAO @ "slightly less useless" Now that is EXACTLY how I'd describe it. If they don't buff up the projectile speed again I'll always look at the slot the Batarian Soldier fills with disgust wishing what could have been. No point in having a unique power that sucks. Lower cooldowns is pretty damn irrelevant if it can't hit anything worth a damn that isn't a high risk threat on its own.