Reflections: Mass Effect 3 Extended Cut - Article

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SPOILER ALERT: The article below contains significant spoilers for the endings of Mass Effect 3, both original and extended. 

Nick Pantazis

Mass Effect is one of my favorite sci-fi universes, period. I absolutely love the games, not just because of their tight action-packed gameplay, but also because of the incredible universe that I felt like I had a hand in building. When I hit the end of Mass Effect 3, I believed that that universe was over. As far as I could tell, the entire future of the universe would have nothing to do with the past of it; the part that I had helped create. 

The Extended Cut almost felt like it was made for me. No matter what ending you pick (except for refusing to pick, which is an awesome inclusion), your universe continues, and your decision matters. Gone are the exploding mass relays (instead they simply break), and we see the universe begin to rebuild, with small scenes inserted here and there based on your specific decisions. Sure, these are simple stills, but it's great that I got the chance to see my decisions moving the universe into its future. 

The endings themselves feel different as well, with Control by standing out as the most in its thematic contrasts. Even Synthesis, an ending many decried as being thematically terrible for the series, makes a great argument for itself, while Destroy is changed least, but is still good. I am absolutely satisfied with the Mass Effect 3 Extended Cut. It took the game from being incredibly disappointing to my favorite in the franchise. Congrats Bioware on preserving your general vision for the ends, while still offering a much more satisfying conclusion.

Jake Weston

I was one of the (seemingly) few people who was actually satisfied by Mass Effect 3’s original ending, but I did recognize it was full of flaws. However, I still stood firmly on BioWare’s side during the “Take Back Mass Effect” debacle, and was both disappointed and apprehensive when they announced the Extended Cut. To me, the entire controversy surrounding the ending threatened the legitimacy of narrative gaming as an art from, and by announcing the Extended Cut, BioWare was treading very dangerous ground.

So, I’m glad to say that I was pleasantly surprised by the Extended Cut. While some fans will be disappointed that it doesn’t get rid of the literal deus ex machina (a poor storytelling choice in any medium), some plot holes are fixed, uncertainties are cleared up, and we now know the fate of the galaxy.

At the end of the day, am I happy with the Extended Cut? Yes and no. Part of what I liked about the original endings is that it left certain things open to interpretation; the Extended Cut leave very little room for doubt (*cough* Indoctrination Theory *cough*). That being said, I’m pretty happy that I can now get the “Shepard Lives” ending without having to worry about multiplayer, and the added closure is appreciated. The Extended Cut fixed many issues, but left a couple in its wake. Overall, I think this change was for the better - I just hope we never have to go through something like this again.

Chris Kerr

 Going into the last act of Mass Effect 3 again I was determined to remain cautious regarding the new extended endings. After having been disappointed before, I wasn’t willing to let myself fall into the same trap twice. I just don’t think I could take that kind of punishment. 

Thankfully though, my worries were unfounded. While the new endings don’t ultimately change the original endings –you’re still picking a colour - that was never my concern. What I really wanted was closure, and for those gaping plot holes to be addressed. The extended endings gave me both of those things; for that I am thankful to Bioware. However, the harsh truth is that Bioware – a studio acclaimed for their storytelling – shouldn’t have let this happen in the first place. I have seen the abominations that are the original endings, so despite the fact that the new endings manage to salvage some shred of decency, for me, the Mass Effect franchise will always be tainted by what happened. I still love Garrus though.

Arthur Kabrick

Like most people, I didn’t like the original Mass Effect 3 endings at all. They showed nothing of the galaxy’s future, and were riddled with plot holes. The Extended Cut definitely improves this. It explains why the Normandy “abandoned” you, and it explains the identity of the Star Child. It allows you to try and argue with what he says (though if you oppose him at the end, the consequences are disastrous). You actually feel like you have some control and a real choice before the final cutscenes even kick in.

Control and Synthesis are both fantastic endings, as is the new Refusal ending. Destroy, however, lacks something. I would have preferred it if they actually showed Shepard waking up, meeting his crew and being promoted for his services, rather than leaving it open-ended. We see a rebuilt Earth, and then Shepard lying in rubble. It makes no sense.

I felt that more could have been done to make your choices affect the ending, beyond just the final choice and a few slides (more slides, for one, would have been nice), but I accept that this would be very difficult to implement in just three months. With the time they had, and especially compared to the original ending, I wholeheartedly approve of the Extended Cut.

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