Let's be honest, they don't make stories in games like this. This is by far the best video games, and sci-fi's in any entertainment medium, period. One cannot but feel disappointed about the ending that basically doesn't sum up the game, instead it acts as a deus ex machina and gives you a final, yet dull set of decisions. 99% of the game was amazing: Each character who was a squad member has a purpose in this game, albeit some more than others. I particularly loved the Aralakh Company mission, the scene where Kai Leng and Thane go toe to toe, and the Miranda mission in search of her father. I can go on and on with what makes this not only the best game in the trilogy, but one of the best pieces of art out there. However, we need to talk about the bad and how it could be better:
I didn't like how it ended, and a few things about the story could have been tweaked or tightened up. I didn't like The Illusive Mans ending, seemed to kinda fizzle out rather than treating him like the true antagonist he was. I hated how on the last mission they go back to Earth. Why not have the Crucible not only a weapon, but be a map to the hiding spot of the Reapers then all the galaxy after being decimated and the Reapers returning only to get obliterated by the many races? In that hiding place there is a planet where the Reapers use drones to operate their infrastructure and its up to Shepard to destroy it. Seems way better. Also, why oh why couldn't all of the people who were in your squad over the past 3 games be on the Normandy for the final mission giving you ample choices on who you want to be by your side at the end. Of course a fan will almost always choose Liara, Ashley, or Garrus. But imagine if you had Wrex, Grunt, Kaiden, Jacob, Tali, and everyone else at your disposal? It would've given the game a final emotional punch. I'm fine with the ending choices and Shepard's ultimate sacrifice, but I think the choices should have just been synthesis, destroy just the Reapers, not all synthetic life, or control. Then we see all civilizations rebuilding either with the aid of the Reapers, or on their own.
To me, that would be the ending this game deserves. However, this game will always hold a special place in my heart because I spent many a sleepless nights playing this, and every time I played it I felt more strongly about my opinion that this is one of the best pieces of art in all mediums. Hopefully a TV Show comes of it, or a remastered and redone game series that will hold true to its original content but give it the many story mulligans it deserves.
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