EDI is a Cylon but we love her anyway and the Borg option was the best liked the fact that their eyes all turned green and no more need for Mass Effect Relays because we have transwarp conduits
After spending time with EDI during Mass Effect 2 and learning more of Cerberus when she has her shackles taken off, it is worth it. Keeping her and the Geth alive when they are willing to die for you is worth it.
Machines are not Alive. Whatever the game tells you about the Geth being fully sentient is nonsense. The Catalyst explained why Synthetics always go against Their creators, it's because they don't feel Emotion, pity or fear like Organics can. The Geth being upgraded basically dooms the Quarians in the future. This is why you must pick the destroy ending.
After making peace between the Turians and Krogans along with the Geth and Quarians, it is now saint Shepard at this point. He did what not many would have done.
That whole, "Because of him, I am alive. And I am not alone." line EDI says throws out any question I had about feeling like I'd made the wrong decision.
Any ending that means the sacrifice of my friends, my "family" is not a good ending. Ever. I was glad to sacrifice myself to save THEM ALL. That is what it means to be Shepard.
I completed the trilogy for the first time the other day and this is the ending I chose. After spending a great deal of effort getting the Geth on board and with EDI as well, there was no way I was going to destoy all synthetic life.
+Beautiful .Ruins It's true that the reaper did horrible things, but destroying all synthetic life (not only the reaper), makes the organic lifeforms (from my point of viewing) in their action as terrible as what they did. Sure someone can say: "You can make other synthetic life." But than again the question is: What makes a human to human? Or in this case an individual to an individual? Blood and bones? Organs? I think its a bit more complicated. If a machine or an AI somehow gets its own concisouness and/or individualty and feelings, forming its own character, shouldn't get it the right to live like everyone else? And the ending did not realy said that the lifeforms lost their individualty and being lost in stagnation. They are maybe now linked with each other in some way or another, and synthetic life. But that doesn't mean there will be no individualty any longer. As paradox it sounds, I think that both can exist alobgside the other.
Blocking the final step of evolution because it leads to stagnation is an utterly stupid point. You're not willing to evolve because you might not be able to evolve any higher afterwards? If you use this way of thinking in real life you won't get very far at all. Refusing a job as CEO because it's the highest evolution in the company and stops you from going any higher might sound smart in your head, yet it is simply stupid.
Forced intelligent evolution isn't much of a choice, if it is our end evolution to become half-synthetic then so be it but then we will arrive at that point on our own. No need to be pushed by an ancient A.I. using an armada of Reapers. I also argue that by doing synthesis, we lose what we are. We will lose being less by gaining more, we will lose our old weight by adding more. We have no idea how that will affect us negatively, only positively as seen in the ending slides. For all we know, the chaos between Synthethics and organics is what is needed for some-thing greater and we simply strip that confusion by making organis more understandable. That and, heh, I made a promise... one that I was about to keep.
_After spending a great deal of effort getting the Geth on board and with EDI as well, there was no way I was going to destoy all synthetic life._ Agreed. I can't really understand people who would murder all the synthetics in the galaxy for some missguides need to defeat/kill the Reapers.
I honestly lived EDI's speech. We may have lost one of the best protagonist of the last generation but just seeing her and Joker put a tear in my eye. Also the part where she hugs Liara due to sadness
These two scenes you mentioned (EDI and Joker and EDI hugging Liara in the Normandy) are the reasons I was happy with my choice and was able to accept that this was the ending of the trilogy and that I should reapect that. And also EDIs speech is great... But now I wonder if Andromeda is going to happen after the events of ME3 which of this endings is going to be treated as canon..
+DaSracasticFish That's not likely. First, Bioware always has put the choices the player made into consideration (Whether you believe it or not) And they did say that we should save the savefiles of the game, meaning that it is extremely unlikely that the Destroy ending is the only canon ending. Anyway, it would make Zero sense for the Destroy ending to be the only canon ending.
+Velociraptors of Skyrim Agreed. My guess is that at the beginning of Andromeda we'll have similar options as in ME2 and 3 where we can put in the info regarding the choices we made in previous games (what ending did we choose etc). ME4 iz happening years after ME3 but in a completely new galaxy so we'll probably hear about Shepard and the events in the Milky Way through various interactions with diferent characters across Andromeda:)
2jacko5 From what I understand, the Races from the Milky Way have spread to Andromeda, cause we will still see Krogan, Quarians, Turians, etc. We won't see familiar faces like Wrex, Tali, Garrus, etc.
Bone reinforcing procedures may take some time until completion, or he is just so used to walking like this he didn't even notice he doesn't need to do it that way anymore.
Tali is wearing her suit but she (or some other Quarian) is seen without. I figured a side effect of it all is a gradual healing. Joker will become whole, in time. EDI may well be able to become pregnant. In time. I like to think that terrible genetic problem among purebred Asari will vanish. In time.
I think the Rannoch scene is misinterpreted. Tali claims it will take some time for them to adapt but they will adapt to the conditions without suit very soon. And in the picture Rannoch (as well as Tuchanka) is rebuilt which probably means they already had time to adapt. I don't think the hybrid dna would make their bodies instantly resistant to such conditions. Their bodies are still physicial and vulnerable.
Cyphi nope. He wanted to become their fallow slabed. no coming together. complete subversion of your will to the reapers. I have no idea why everyone thinks it's the same.
This is worst ending. Everyone becomes part reaper. Basically doing what the reaper want, all life being harvested. Even the catalyst says that peace can never last forever. Destroy is the best ending.
This is the only clear right choice. The other two choices were only temporary solutions to the grander problem of organic and synthetic violence. This one actually brings the Galaxy together, permanently.
Right? People want too much fiction in their games. Was it not enough to save everyone from the suicide mission in ME2? Was it not enough to broker peace between Geth and Quarian? Between Krogan and everyone? Assuming that's the road you took? The ending should never have been some cut and dry "Cool, the reapers are all dead, everyone else lived, all's happy and perfect in the galaxy!" This is war! You have to make some tough decisions. That being said, I am firm in my conviction this is the best ending.
@@ProfessorGanymede There was no problem of organic and synthetic violence assuming you had made the right choices in the game so that point is entirely moot.
You know, I somewhat fail to understand as to why people hate this ending. I don't see anybody "being brainwashed", or anything like that. Organics are simply given a higher level of thinking, and a deeper understanding of the Reapers; and the Reapers, contrariwise, attain a deeper understanding of organics than just advanced civilizations needing to be harvested. They cooperate, organics evolve to the next stage with Reaper assistance, nothing else is taken away...I don't see the problem.
It's magic. I only accept a certain level of magic in my sci fi, and people being transformed across the whole universe by a wave of lasers is just a bit too far for me. And this is from the guy who's avatar is a techpriest enginseer
I agree. The people who think of this as a question of free will are just completely mistaken. Every piece of narrative in the "Synthesis" ending obviously points to the fact that cultural diversity, freedom of thought, and self-determination are respected in this ending. If anything, the "Control" and "Destroy" endings are larger affronts to free will, because the first one just subjugates the Reapers (who are still living entities with the consciousness of entire cultures, by the way) or just outright destroys all synthetics.
The idea behind control was actually kind of cool IMO. It kind of makes Shepherd the omnissiah from Warhammer lol. I only really hated the synthesis ending because it was complete desu ex machina... but not in the adeptus mechanicus way. Also, I think the child hologram should have been some sort of doom computer, but that was mostly aesthetics.
I'm of the tiniest faction that's okay with the ending. Sad, but okay. And synthesis is the only ending for me. Besides all the other things, hearing EDI say "I am alive" is THE climax of the series. And I have a soft spot for the Geth.
Joker's soft and quiet 'damn it' at 1:01 gets me every fcking time.. he just sounds so defeated and it's heartbreaking seeing him like this, cause of him being always the cheerful one..
The synthesis ending for me means the gap between machine and flesh is now completely closed. Synthetic and organic life forms can now forge a galaxy with more possibilities that are beyond thought and words. Yes, Shepard dies because of this choice, but he gives the galaxy a peace that will last. "Because of him, I am alive and I am not alone." EDI.
No. Synthesis is a Trap. The Catalyst is lying. It's to Indoctrinate Shepard, that's why it's Green! Why do you think Control is Blue even though it's clearly Renegade.
Best ending for Paragon and IMO the best game ending. I didn't work my ass off ending wars and uniting the galaxy to have to kill off a few races so we can get a selfish happy ever after. "Hey we won yeah we only had to kill the Geth and break a promise that I made to Legion, Oh hey Joker sorry for killing EDI your happiness was not important enough look at the bright side at least a she died with about half the galaxy as well that had synthetic implants in them so Hurray!". Thank god for synthesis it made the game worth it to know that there finally gonna be true peace.
OtomostheCrazy exactly the krogan are still krogan, Asari are still Asari the biggest difference is that we basically remove implant rejection as a health problem
I just... couldn't Shepard have been like, "Give me a second *goes and get's Anderson's body, tosses it into the synthesis*"? I mean come on it would have taken like a minute more at the most.
MrLuna098 I hate when the main character DIES! Especially after we work SO hard to make this demi-god known as Shepard. I know it's played out and cliche but a happy ending really is all I ever wanted. #GoingToTheSpaRN
This is my personal choice. I spent my entire LE trilogy run as a peacemaker. A builder of bridges between species. I see this ending as the ultimate expression of my Shepard's desire for true unity and peace in the galaxy.
@@enlightenmentdoesntcomeeas5337 Wait? Shepard lives in destroy all Reapers? I just finished LEME3 like half an hour ago, so I gotta ask Dont get me wrong, I love the Synthesis ending, but if theres an ending where I can be with Liara, Ill also take that
@@dranillaasrapti9333 As long as your military strength is high enough Shepard will always survive in the destroy ending. You'll see a little scene of his/her N7 armor and then suddenly breathing.
@@viezeman I'm pretty sure Shepard dies in the synthesis ending since the catalyst dissolves their body and uses it to combine all synthetic and organic lifeforms.
The only main issue with this ending for me is that annoying green line shit on their face. Why can't they just have green glowing eyes. This is still the best ending though.
I have to admit, I liked the Synthesis ending. The beauty of the synthesis ending is not that it "takes away diversity", nor does it "turn everyone equal". Krogans are still Krogans, Turians are still Turians, etc. The beauty of this ending is that it gives every single species (including machine ones) something in common. They will still be practicing their cultures, following their own ideas, but everyone now has something in common: They are both organic and synthetic
You are right. It finally allows machines and synthetic life forms to feel and organics to be perfect at everything a machine can do. And they still keep their own individual personality and traits.
@@bossshun9 I made this comment a long time ago, and to be honest I had forgotten I made it. By analysing the Synthesis ending again I have to admit I regret making this comment because the Synthesis ending does feel rushed.
They're superficially different but on a cellular level they'd be identical. Not only that, this just would never happen. People aren't simply going to be okay with being turned into a synthetic hybrid without their consent, similarly they wouldn't just accept the assistance of the genocide machines. The sectarian violence would be unimaginable and the galaxy would become a graveyard.
I get that people prefer the Destroy ending because you survive but think of all the good Synthesis brings to the whole Galaxy. As sad as it is, your sacrifice is necessary to ensure peace for all in the galaxy. The mark of a true hero is sacrifice.
I choose this ending every time I play. I loved EDI's character arc throughout ME3. Especially watching her slowly learn how to be an individual with free will, morals, and desires. She felt like one of my best friends by the time Shepard said her final goodbyes. Her voice over and the clear despair on her face when they add Shepard's name to the memorial wall tugs on my heart strings.
@@Dawn_Of_Justiceall it means is the Catalyts finally didn't have to see the cycle repeat any more. Sure, it sounds like a trap but it is just no more wars between organics ans synthetics ever again.
I'll never forget this ending. Everyone that said this wasn't a worthy ending I just cant understand. Shepard was bound to be a legend, and even a tale. Legends don't live happily ever after. They leave legacies.
it's fine that Shep dies. However this ending feels too magical, and depending on your point of view it can be moraly repulsive too. Also game mechanics and narrative try to push you into it too hard. But imo all 4 endings sucked equally.
@@raidenpz Yeah, but if you think about it each of those choices are bad in some sense. Destroy - Commiting a genocide, Synthesis - Forcing your choices on other, Control - Intimidation and fear as controlling mechanism, Refusal - Giving up/not capable to decide. Each of them has cons and pros
I don't see why a lot of people hate this ending, as it makes everyone "the same" no it does not. Humans are still humans, krogan are krogan, geth are geth etc. its not like this ending turned everyone into grey blobs or something, the point is that there will never be a war between synthetics and organics now, as they fully understand each other, heck, at 4:54 you can even see that plants are now partially synthetic. All life is now both synthetic and organic. No more wars between the two.
Pipboys and Lightsabers well, it makes organics and synthetics much less liable to fight, and all the races now know the benefits of working together. Peace is not forced, wars could still break out, but this ending basically made it so synthetics and organics do not kill each other just because they don't understand one another, and everyone gets turned into part organic part synthetic, without losing their original Identities. Still the best ending IMO
Mr. Person it actually made all organics and Synthetics become cyborgs actually so they are all the same just different species but their all cyborgs in the end.
***** No, because that's not how anything works, at all. You can't just turn everyone into cyborgs, then suddenly all the universe's problems are resolved.
The purpose of the Reapers is the preservation of all life since the first sentient, space-faring species existed. They did this by indoctrinating and assimilating entire civilizations into their "bodies" - Leviathan for instance. This ending is the best for the entire galaxy not only because it provides the final step for organics and synthetics to live in harmony but also because it is, as the Catalyst said, the final evolutionary step. Because of the synthesis ending, the mission of the Reapers becomes a massive waste of time as nobody can actually die anymore. That's what EDI meant by transcending mortality. Death is now a minor hindrance, and the survivors can build a new galaxy with ultimate understanding at their fingertips. Even those that died live on in the memories of the Reapers. The commander did not die, he simply ascended into something more. Give it a few centuries, and I doubt a physical body would even matter anymore.
BerserkerDwarf Damn...you sure are going far with this one huh? My version is they can now travel between galaxies and there will still be war because some people are just power hungry. But i still think they need a real body to work, but they can rewrite their DNA as they wish.
BerserkerDwarf " the final evolutionary step" There's NO SUCH THING as "final" evolution. It's against the very definition of "evolution". It only proves how poorly written the endings are
What people need to understand is that seeing the Reapers and the Catalyst as "EVIL" is very shortsighted and wrong. They were trying to fix a serious problem and the Synthesis does NOT brainwash people, it allows them to think on a higher level. Nobody has lost their freedom, nobody has lost their free will. Everyone is cooperating because they now UNDERSTAND each other and want to help. Its funny how people hate the ending that brings peace to everyone
There is no getting around making the choice for people. Every ending is you making a choice that should probably be discussed by the races of the Milky Way before making the decision. The Leviathans confirmed that the Catalyst was exactly what it said it was. It had a mind of its own separate from the Reapers, who we fought against the whole series. Synthesis is the best option.
+Thermalfusion There was no problem to begin with. All conflicts involving synthetics in the past were manipulated by the reapers. They created a non-existing problem. And they also slaughtered thousands of civilisations in cruel ways
+Solace S The Reapers had nothing to do with with Quarian-Geth war, Sovereign only used some Geths 2 centuries after their revolt. And at no point ever the Reapers have been willingly cruel: the Harbinger was just emotionless. He's an AI that only served one goal, and the Leviathans failed to give him empathy, he saw everything in terms of cold statistics and efficiency, and so just went straightforward to the clearest solution without thinking about how horrible it might be. If you ever watched Rick and Morty the same subject is addressed in s02e06: Rick gives an AI one objective, "To keep Summer safe", and the AI simply killed or mentally tortured any vaguely potential threat without wondering about "Is this too much for so little?", it's simply an EXTREME "The end justifies the means" logic. Because the mistake Shepard could make is to assume an emotionless AI who's entire existence revolves around one objective thinks with the same mind mechanisms as a human (especially since it's an immovable code unlike the Geth who were capable of self-evolution.) What Synthesis mainly does is using the human mind (Shepard's one) to give Reapers a "soul", to add emotions and empathy in the Harbinger's code ans so perfecting it so it considers the actual weight of his acts. It of course wasn't what the Harbinger was thinking about: he thought he was out of this and that Synthesis was mostly about Geths for example, but he was subject to this too and this is the reason the Reapers helped the organics after the end
I'm a man and I'm not gonna lie. I was crying throughout the entire ending when I beat the game (I chose the synthesis ending). I completely lost it when Liara (in my case) placed his name on the wall above Anderson's. God knows how many tissues I just used... This game was a great series. The atmosphere was so beautiful and different, the social interactions and relationships seemed special compared to any other game, and the story-driven campaign was entirely different and unique. There is a lot more to the game that I can say but I think the three Mass Effect games were (are) one of the best game series of all time, and I'm an Elder Scrolls guy and Halo guy. The ending was extremely sad but was an excellent way to tie up the series, although I did wish I could live happily ever after alone with Liara somewhere far away from anyone or anything else. I can say that the Mass Effect series is the best RPG series I've ever played. R.I.P Commander Shepard. You've done more than anyone else has the will to do and can achieve. You've earned your rest... You will forever be apart of the Normady and its crew.
garbage ending the true ending was playing halo 4 and pretending it was mass effect 3 star child = didact turning humans into machines and destroying life yeah... seems about right
I think this is the best ending. If you choose synthesis, then the overall story of mass effect is how life transitioned from purely organic to a more advanced synthetic/organic mix. In that context, everything that happened (the quarian/geth war, development of VIs and even the Reapers themselves) are just different aspects of the transformation. I find that kind of beautiful, in a weird way. Far better than just killing everything at least.
Mahendra Krisnamurti I just finished this game for the first time and chose this ending, it made me sad that Shepard sacrificed himself but happy that everyone survived and began rebuilding.
It isn't, it's just a get out of jail free card to save everyone who hasn't died yet (as proven by the fact that the ending slides resurrect Kasumi's partner who died before she even met Shepard).
Man I remember choosing this ending and tearing up when seeing Thane, Legion, and Mordin (although I think Ash/Kaidan deserved a shout out too), and then I totally broke down during the post-credits scene. As a story, this trilogy was on par with the Lord of the Rings in my opinion, it's a shame more people don't know about what an amazing story this is.
I feel you. No one can truly understand how amazing this story is unless they read and play the game all the way through. So, yeah. They missing out on a good story.
@@bossshun9 It gets shit on a lot because you're forced to make that choice at the end, which I agree was a bit lame as you could have gone through the entire trilogy as a renegade character and then you can still end up picking the "paragon" ending. The ending should have been different based on the way you played the game and the choices you made and not just some singular random choice. Still though, the entire story was phenomenal and had so many memorable emotional moments.
Close but not really. He just made life in that galaxy livable on all planets. He may be close to achieving synthesis but it would still take time and he would probably close to an old age later on.
Still my prefered ending. Not responsible to destroying an entire allied species you helped give a chance, and a friend who had become remarkably human. This is basically the equivalent of Spocks wrath of Khan sacrifice. "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one" NOT by destroying the geth and edi as collateral to win, but by sacrificing yourself, and the potential life together with your romanced ally.
Just something to think about before throwing the galaxy into the Reapers' arms: Mordin: Early stages similar to indoctrination. Can guess captured Protheans lost intelligence over several cloned generations. Cybernetic augmentation widespread afterward. As Protheans failed, Reapers added tech to compensate. Mental capacity almost gone, replaced by overworked sensory input transfers. Transmitting data to masters. Shepard: Is there anything we can do to help them? Mordin: No! No glands, replaced by tech. No digestive system, replaced by tech. No soul, replaced by tech. Whatever they were, gone forever. Understand now? No art, no culture. Closer to husks than slaves. Tools for Reapers. Protheans dead, Collectors just final insult. Must be destroyed. Shepard: What is it about the Collectors' modifications that bothers you so much? Mordin: Disrupts socio-technological balance. All scientific advancement due to intellegence overcoming, compensating for limitations. Can't carry a load, so invent wheel. Can't catch food, so invent spear. Limitations. No limitations, no advancement. No advancement, culture stagnates. Works other way too. Advancement before culture is ready. Disastrous.
+feco91 Modernity will cause to the death of Human Culture then. That's what happened to us right now, no specific culture, all the same boring and stagnant thing in our lifetime.
Indoctrination theory was already debunked by literally everyone. The Crucible is completely separate from the Reapers, they are simply a means to and end (stopping synthetics from killing all organics). On top of that, what Mordin describes is completely based on what happened to the Protheans, where they lost their individuality and essentially became a hivemind. Do the people in the Extended Cut really look brainwashed to you? Looks like they retained all of their individuality to me.
I think the KEY phrase is "No limitations, no advancement. No advancement, culture stagnates.". Synthesis represents the pinnacle of evolution. For all we know, that may be it. There is simply too little detail regarding this ending, but apparently it implies that all organic limitations have been resolved by synthetics and vice versa. So... no more problems to fix... what now? Create some maybe? Perhaps (and the more I think about it the more sense it makes) synthesis will create a desire in some individuals to become one or another, to separate the two parts. Perhaps a new cycle then? Truth is, all we, humans, know is problem solving. We encounter problems by trying to solve others. When we're out of problems we look for them in places where there seem to be none. It is in our very nature! I personally find the lack of problems scary. What's the point then? Turn into an observer and die? I may be overthinking it, or on the contrary, it may be too much for me. Everyone comments about how terrible the endings are, but Bioware has managed to start philosophical debates. I think whichever you choose, it all comes down to: there is no right or wrong, there just is. So, advice to me and everyone else, just pick the ending you see fit, dream about it a bit, and go on with your life. Although, after such a nice ride of feels with Mass Effect, it's not easy. Great game, great story!
This is the perfect ending. Everyone thinks it is the destroy ending, but it is synthesis. I love this ending, every time in the future when i am gonna play ME3 I am gonna choose Synthesis. Edis Monologue is just tearfull awesome You can all say whatever you want, the extended cut repaired it all
Jesse Galloway and??? what's the problem there??? giving AI-s human features and humans AI features. that is awesome. surpasing immortality?? sign me up. I choose rather peace than destruction
Jesse Galloway "you basically change every living thing without giving anyone a choice" -- What a completely stupid statement. You could say exactly the same thing about curing the Krogan genophage.
Synthesis fuses organics with technology which removes the strictly-organic element which allows synthetics to understand us rather than be confused by us. Now they comprehend because we are *no longer strictly organic*. The Synthesis ending strips us of something unique, what will we have lost and is it worth what we have gained?
@@random3857 Nobody looses their individuality. The synthesis ending just makes any search for Truth less convoluted and provides viable methods to reduce unnecessary suffering throughout the galaxy.
H5 nothing will be lost, organics just improve their posibilities, and have a true understanding with synthetics, now Edi and Jocker can have a real relationship, and quarians and geth will have a true peacefull society, like all the rest of the organics and synthetics.
I played this series from the very first game to its conclusion, and I always played it as Paragon because I never cared to much about playing anti-hero paths because it's all to easy to do the wrong thing because it's easier and it feels good to do the right thing even if it's harder. I took this journey with Shepard as the best possible version of himself and as the best possible representation of humanity and this is one of the few vg characters I grew attached to too the point that I genuinely mourned his loss, even if his sacrifice was a noble one. It felt like watching a good friend pass on and take a piece of you with them into the ether, leaving behind an ache in your heart and a feeling that the world has become a lesser place because your friends no longer in it. I will always remember Commander Shepard and our adventures together and the Mass Effect universe will always hold a special place in my heart. RIP Commander Shepard - you earned it
I don't see how it's best considering every organic in the Milky Way basically got turned in to a Reaper (as child Catalyst explained it) whether they chose it or not. I find high-EMS Destroy ending "less worse".
boujounomono the organics are synthetic, and the synthetics are organic. both are the same, no synthetics or organics have to fight like the quarians and geth, the reapers are no longer necessary, the galaxy is at peace now. they arent reapers now, they are still what they were, just now they can coexist, they understand eachother.
As a Transhumanist I look forward to a future where humanity and AI work together, marveling at our achievements and viewing each other as collaborative equals.
LoneLadyGamer I personally don't want us to ever create advanced AI. The only reason to create AI is to replace or improve us and have them as our slaves. Therefore, there's no reason to create a living AI; it'd be enslaving a sentient being. However, if someone does create such an intelligence, then it better then be freed and respected just as any other human.
Here's how I see the three endings: Pros: Destroy - kills all reapers bringing the galaxy back to a sense of normalcy. Control - controls reapers and keeping the collected knowledge of all previous races. Synthesis - merges both synthetics and organics so that both sides are able to reach an understanding. Cons: Destroy - geth destroyed could cause problems with quarian rebuilding they're homeworld and the damage to technology could be slightly more expensive than we know which could lead to problems . Control - shepherd loses his connection to humanity which could mean he will eventually start thinking like a purely rational machine and may even come to the same conclusion as the reapers did and restart the cycle. Synthesis - any and all sense of normalcy is gone and individuals who have a strong disdain for synthetics or have an apprehension of relying on technology in any form are now forced to live with essentially becoming something that they would see as an 'abomination'.
Synthesis is the best ending to me. Organics want to improve their bodies and synthetics want to know that they truly have souls. Synthesis gives both exactly what they've been fighting for. Even the reapers get what they want: preserving order. They just get to do it in a better way. Shepard's gift to the galaxy is peace and progress. With control or destroy you just end the threat. With synthesis you accept it and make it your own. THAT is what it means to be Commander Shepard.
The only thing heartbreaking is that I'll never be able to play another game like this that actually had me emotionally connected. Watching this almost makes me cry.
Just finished replaying the trilogy yesterday before Andromeda comes out, and synthesis is definitely the best ending. Destroy: you just end up back to square one, and there are absolutely no safeguards to stop the galaxy reaching the point that necessitated the creation of the reapers in the first place. Control: the way I see it there are no guarantees that peace will be maintained, for all we know factions may decide they don't want to live under the constant watchful eye of the reapers, and while the control programme may have Shepard's memories, he is now essentially an advanced AI programme, so who's to say that at some point in the future he sees why the catalyst initiated the cycle in the first place and decides that it's the only way to maintain galactic peace? Synthesis: I actually highly sympathise with this ending because I agree with the catalyst in this regard, synthesis between organic life and synthetic technology is the apex of human evolution. And for everyone saying it's basically indoctrination or it would make everyone the same, remember that it affected the reapers as well, individual species and cultures still exist, but the synthetic upgrades give each species "perfection through technology", they have no need to go to war or chase solutions to problems that now no longer exist. All in all, this ending offers the galaxy the absolute best chance at everlasting peace and prosperity.
Today for the first time i got the synthesis ending with ME Legendary Edition and I can say it's definitely the best of the 3 endings, never was able to obtain synthesis in my 360 version
SHEDARD ISNT DEAD!!! He/She lives within all if you chose this option "Everything you are will be absorbed and then sent out" so they are still alive thru everyone. The DNA is Shepard's DNA, the thing they all share
That one scene with the Husk acting as if it were confused to why it was attacking the soldier prior to the blast implying that the Husks regained their humanity is the one reason I pick this ending
+ Derp. I can understand if you don't see it this way but Saren and TIM were lured with the ideas of Synthesis and Control just as a means to aid the Reapers' harvesting agenda. It wasn't until they were faced with extermination that they actually offered those choices. So as we are talking about Synthesis here, it was contradictory to what everybody believed to be the solution, but then again nobody ever really understood the purpose of the Reapers. And this has more to do with what you as Shepard stand for rather than what the rest of the galaxy thinks. So much of Mass Effect was to make us see the AI as a free life form, so for their sake, I don't believe it contradicts anything Shepard stood for. All it takes is to believe that the Reapers were just bad code (Person of Interest ref here in case you.. never mind) and the Synthesis can change that code.
It is just about the available choices. People complaim to the creators that they didnt like the ending, but that is not how it works, there were given 3 choices and this one was the best of them. And thats it, end of the story.
The endings are made to fit any possible reasoning the player behind Shepard may have. For example: Lets say you played as a renegade who also made a lot of paragon choices (a healthy mix that still allowed you to make key choices)or the other way around; Then destroying the reapers would fulfill your duty as intended from the start, allowing you to leave the future of the galaxy in the hands of those you united. Assuming you achieved peace between quarians and the geth, choosing this option is considerably more sad but it is still a reasonable one since (as in any war) sacrifices are always made, although i must admit it is truly sad the sacrifice is EDI and Legion's people. This makes it the most bittersweet (and realistic imo) of all endings. But perhaps you did play a full and complete renegade (note that destroy ending is fitting as well) who didnt cure the genophage, chose the geth over the quarians regardless of having or not the option for peace, killed the rachni queen, etc, then perhaps becoming the next intellingence is more fitting, as the dialogs changes from protecting the many (paragon) to imposing order and destroying those who threathen the many, It is only fitting that if you played the ultimate a**hole you get to become the ultimate dictator. For those who did play as a paragon (wether full paragon or a mix) the control ending is also a reasonable choice since you get to become the protector of the galaxy and guide the many without sacrificing more than what had already been lost at that point. Synthesis I believe is for those who played the ultimate paragon, no other kind of Shepard would (realistically speaking) consider this option. Only one who stayed open minded every step of the way and who truly believed the cycle of war between organics and synthetics would continue could choose this ending. The level of selflessness needed for sacrifice is only achieved by a true paragon. Of course many would argue this is going against the will or behind the back of the whole galaxy and whatnot, but that's what the other endings are there for.
I'm a man and I was crying through the whole ending. Then I completely lost it when Liara (or Ashley) placed his name on the wall above Anderson's. Excellent series, great ending. It was sad but I feel it tied up the three games really well.
Am I the only one who likes to imagine that the Geth and other AI worship Shepard and Legion as saviors? After all, legion and shepard literally gave them life and true intelligence. I like imagining that. That shepard is really apart of everyone now, like the ultimate intergalactic spirit.
After ME3, I felt that Shepard was viewed as a god because he was the voice that united everyone and led them in the fight against the reapers, espaclly if you saved the geth, qauriens, krogan, and the rachni.
Exactly. He gave his own life to give life. Literally. And since my favorite ending is synthesis, he basically is in every species. They ascended. That's just my own personal imagination though ;) His religious sect will be "The Shepards". They are like Justicars, though not as harsh. :) I could go on all day about what I want to happen lol.
With all the debate we're still having until today about which ending is better, Synthesis is the best choice in my opinion and my headcanon ending. Choosing Control means Shepard becomes an AI but how can it make sure that it won't turn crazy like the Starchild, Destroy kills off EDI and the Geth which defeats the point of peace between the 2 life forms. Leviathans said that the Intelligence seeks peace between organic and synthesis yet it could not come to that conclusion despite countless cycles of harvest. PEace between synthesis and organic is possible and you proved it by solving the conflict between geth and quarians. Shepard provided the answer to the solution to the problem that the Leviathans and the Reapers could not solve.
I think this should have defintly been a "secret" ending which is only available if a Paragon Shepard makes specific choices (curing genophage, quarian-geth alliance). Because its too good to be true so many players mistrust this ending as the "indoctrinated" ending.
EDI's speech moves me but I can't bring myself to choose this ending, imo playing god and just deciding to combine organic and synthetic just isn't it. And also from a role playing perspective there is no way my Shepard would believe anything coming from the reapers, it is a better safe than sorry kinda choice lol
But destroying means sacrificing whole races who gave you their trust and are fighting for you, just to be sure the reapers are dead. The catalyst is a higher intelligence, it knows the outcome of all three, and still let's Shepard choose. Shepard has been spending the whole game uniting people under one banner, trying to make people put their differences aside and see eye to eye, this allows him to do just that, but across the board. He sacrifices only himself, one more death for peace and understanding. That's my Shepard.
@@ericericson4885 that's another way of seeing it, I have yet to play a Shep that chooses the synthesis ending and I doubt I ever will because, again, I don't like it lmao, but thanks for your input
I agree, synthesis is really neat but if I was commander Shepard, standing there on the crucible, after all the sacrifice and horrors of the past 3 games, I’d just hit the delete button lol.
@@ericericson4885 Yes, it is sad that someone will die, but we all came here to eliminate reapers, not listen to their absurd ideas. This is war and some will die. If you want to keep synthetics you can choose control and send every reaper to the black hole and citadel as well.
I just realized somthing about the Child and Stargazer scene. Even though the devlopers said that Shepard's story has come to an end. The Child says "Tell me another story about the Shepard." Could this possibly be hinting at somthing? Shepard does surve in the Destroy ending.
I think the Synthesis ending is the best one. Reapers help and world is in peace. Even you risk your life to it. To save the whole world. And his team members.
I am Commander Shepard and this is my favorite Ending in ME series. It is because all life are not only evolved and transcended into new form of super version, which gain numerous wonderful and powerful abilities, solved any problems and exceeded the limitation, but also create infinite marvelous miracles and hopes, bring near permanently peace into the entire galaxy.
This is the happiest ending in my opinion. I don't see it as being brainwashed, because you can see that everyone is still the same person they were, except enhanced. The synthetics and organics develop understandings for eachother, so they won't war against eachother because there is a sympathy now. That's not to say there will never be war, but it's less likely to be a war that wipes out entire races. Everyone seems so genuinly happy in this ending, and that's what I love about it. Shepard was striving for piece between the races, and with this ending, she got it.
Josuke Ruins Everything. What? That's utter nonsense. In control, you subjugate the reapers (living beings); in destroy, you destroy two entire species' without their consent. Shepard makes choices for others all of the time; that's part of being a leader. He saved or doomed the council without the consent of others; he decided to not let the repeats win without the given consent of every person, etc. All of his choices are made by himself, not those around him. That's not taking away free will at all; the choice is just lined up with someone else just as it often is. Everyone just has a shared genetic identity to a certain extent. They still have individuality both genetically and mentally; it's just that a few parts of them are fused with one another for a better understanding. It's not completely merging.
Josuke Ruins Everything. What the hell are you taking about? Throughout the entire game, the entire point of Shepard is that he gets to decide the fate of others, and synthesis kanji different. It's never said that free will or individuality is lost. Just because people work together doesn't mean that they lose free will and individuality; it's called cooperation.
Josuke Ruins Everything. Could you go a single reply without a logical fallacy? You're shifting the burden of probe, asking me to disprove your baseless claim, and you're also moving the goalpost. There is NOTHING that suggests that individuality or free will is lost. However, there is everything (right in front of your fucking eyes) to suggest that there's king-term peace and cooperation among the entire Galaxy, with no one being enslaved or species going extinct in synthesis. There isn't a single downside to it when compared to the other endings. It's practically fucking fairy tale ending in how everyone stops fighting and lives happily ever after.
Ultimately the difference is forcing every being in the galaxy to evolve without their consent or sacrificing a race of synthetics which the Quarians can be rebuilt after. It still doesn't change how shitty all these endings are written though, and we shouldn't argue with each other because the blame is ultimately on BioEAware.
@@djrocksgaming6255 Oops let me ask my fellow homies all over the Milky Way right now if they're alright with me merging synthetic and organic life. Do you know how stupid that sounds?
10:36 - 10:43 makes me sob lol considering the great character development that EDI had in ME3, this is just awesome. All those questions regarding human thinking and the topic of relationships, this is a really strong scene.
So, does this mean the husks are harmless? Do they remember what they were before beings husks? And if so...Oh, God, what about the krogan-turian things? The human-batarian things? Please tell me those were all mercy killed. Please, someone assure me they were all mercy killed.
I'm a grown ass man in my 40's, and this ending, more than any of the others touched me. Moved me. Anyone who says videogames are not a form of Art, obviously never played Mass Effect.
Playing this back in the day, I chose to destroy, but my perspective has changed over the years. If one thing was proven by the reapers, it was that organics always create synthetics that will eventually turn on their creators in ways that could never have been foreseen. I've been really digging into a lot of theoretical science mixed with sci-fi and the idea of something like von Neumann probes is terrifying. Something that could wipe out all chances of life across the galaxy forever. I do think the Synthesis ending is the ideal solution. It breaks the cycle forever. Destroying the reapers just delayed it.
@Grungus Khan I think we have to agree to disagree on this one. I find eventual conflict much more plausible than everyone getting along forever. Just because peace is possible doesn't mean it's going to last or that it's the only outcome. But yeah, the writers can do whatever they want so there's no point arguing about this. Even so peace with the Geth doesn't really disprove anything. Nobody said that peace is impossible with machines. The point is that when there's conflict, the synthetics always manage to wipe out their creators or drive them to near extinction. The Quarians are a perfect example of this (there's only about 17 million of them left). The issue stems from the fact that machines are far more advanced than their creators.
The reason why this ending is the absolute worst is because control and destroy have multiple possibilities for peace, while synthesis has evolution as it's purpose... Synthesis is going to lead into evolution (since that's their only goal in life for now on) to the point of no comprehension, which in turn will cause something to go wrong and create a catastrophe such as the reapers being created in the first place.. Control = Shepard repurposing/rebuilding an identical body and transferring his consciousness into the body to "live" again with his comrades, using the reapers to rebuild everything and then being able to control the reapers to ultimately destroy themselves by flying into the sun or something so that they don't pose the risk of any devastating unknown variable. Destroy = Stopping any future massacres since your generation will now carry the knowledge of the haunting reapers/catalyst intelligence leviathan created, since the catalyst program was absolutely flawed to the point where it would rather continue the cycle without anyone being able to learn from their mistakes since the reapers harvest and pretty much hog all knowledge for every generation they wipe out so no one can actually learn or progress, this is why the cycle is absolutely rediculous to even think about in the first place... Destroy literally fixes that whole flawed outcome, so does control, but synthesis is the only probability with serious unknown variables and disastrous implications... When you achieve this "perfection" that the catalyst states... You lose purpose... Synthetics would want to evolve anything and everything beyond comprehension, it would lead to absolute chaos...
Destroying stuff is easy, but eventually, it will start again and come back. Controlling anything is terrible and lacks free will. Only through this ending was everything put to rest and all beings still have their own free will and individual personality. So, why not pick it? Sure, the heroes dies but he will be remembered by those that love him/her best.
I feel like this is what Optimus Prime meant when he said "'Till all are One", where all forms of life, come together and become something more. That and that fact that all this time, all the Reapers have done is take. Whether it be Lives, knowledge, or resources. The way I saw this ending, it was time they give something back, and take responsibility for what they did by rebuilding all that they had torn down.
I think that Synthesis ending is the best, in terms of a positive outcome, there is peace, free knowledge spanning millions of years, EDI is alive... Control, well depending on the paragon/renegade aspect, and I always felt it played right into Illusive Man's plan (and I despised the bastard, even more than Saren [Kudos to Martin Sheen for portraying a video-game character so well]) so I never chose it. Destroy seems somewhat Pyrrhic victory, (but realistic in terms of ME4 tie ins), I destroyed the giant machines, but sacrificed a species (Geth) and a crew mate (EDI), on a plus side Shepard might survive. So while Synthetic is better ending than Destroy, I lean towards Destroy because, personally I'd rather be dead than part calculator.
That is just to explain why you can keep playing after that. It is as if the old man told the child another story. It has nothing to do with the next game
TheRedRayBeam True, but he went about it the wrong way, he was willing to let everybody die so he could save himself, however Shepard died so everybody else could become synthesised and saved. Best ending in my opinion.
Not to be rude but from what I recall from Mass Effect Saren wanted all the races to "prove their worth" to the Reapers so that they would not massacre all the advance races. Which we know could never happen. The synthesis ending on the other hand is a merging between synthetic and organics where presumably everybody is and thinks their equal with everybody else. So to make it short Saren wanted us all to bow down to the reapers thinking that they would spare us if we did. I can see where you got it mixed but what Saren was proposing and what the synthesis ending was is not the same at all.
I wonder what all those husks that were built out of more than one person (like the brutes and cannibals) were thinking once they gained sentience from the green ending o.o
this ending is my favorite ending because everyone turns green and it's cool because all the fighting is over and everyone is now working in harmony, but like- they turn green. the reapers' lights turn green, everyone gets a cool shiny circuitry overlay, it's epic
This is the best possible ending in the game. But most ME fans don't understand it. They are probably freaked out by the green glowy eyes and think that everybody is mind controlled. Which is not the case at all, just listen carefully what EDI says in the epilogue!
I shed a tear when MY Shep launched himself into the light to trigger the Galactic Synthesis, the music and the scenes of his friends and loved ones flashing before his eyes made me a blubbering wreck... this ending was superb to me. Shep dies as the ultimate galactic hero bringing together all the races in harmony. Love it. Ive been meaning to do a playthrough with the Destroy ending as that one seems to be the canon sort of ending, but I dont know if I could live with myself destroying EDI and the Geth as well as all the tech....
Destroy ending: sacrifice the Geth & EDI so that u can live not to mention all the accumulated knowledge stored in the Reapers; Control ending: lose your humanity & transcend into something more, turn the galaxy and everyone in it in2 ur own sandbox; Synthesis ending: level the playing field by making all organics and synthetics equal and let them choose how best to move forward for themselves, u die but a part of u resides in everything in the galaxy. I chose Synthesis and do not regret it.
It's so weird. So many people choose synthesis and it seems so wrong. For me control the reapers are the same as choosing indoctrination. Synthesis has always been the ultimate goal of the reapers. Many, many cycles destroyed. Synthesis is simply wrong. The only possible end to this story is the destruction of reapers.
But the Reapers were right. The Reapers are not "evil". They are just a solution to an inevitable problem. They are a problem trying to solve an error. Synthesis is the final solution to that error. A solution that allows both Synthetics and Organics to develop without failing to understand each other.
Not a bad ending, actually quite cool. Except for the freakin fact that Shepard dies. I understand the whole "dramatic" aspect, but they could've at least made an ending where Shepard survives and can also live in peace with the rest of the world. I mean come on!! He finally found love, if you played it that way, and the whole world is at peace thanks to him. Then he dies. It's a bit too "I am Legend". But still a great game nonetheless.
They assume Shepard is dead, but they may well have been synthesized too and are mearly lost on the wreckage of the citadel while everyone is busy rebuilding the Relays
People love to say that Saren is the avatar of synthesis and TIM is the avatar of control, and that Shepard is the avatar of destroy. But they don't look any deeper than surface level. If they did, you'd see that the avatar of the destroy ending is infact, the Reapers. In order to choose this ending, you doom Synthetic life. The Geth and EDI are the bare minimum loses for destroying the Reapers. However, with high enough war asset strength, Shepard lives. That's at the surface level, all the major consequences of sticking to the objective of destroying the Reapers. But it gets worse. If peace was reached in the Geth-Quarian war, the Geth were making it possible that within the lives of the current generations, the Quarians would be able to live without their suits. Infrastructure was being rebuilt, and in just a few years the Quarians would regain what they had lost for 300 years. The Geth are no longer restricted by design. Thanks to Legions's sacrifice they can become fully aware and independant with time. You are undoing that. You are undoing that chance, for the Quarians, for Tali, to be free of the need for their suits, and even to gain stronger immune systems than before. The Quarians alive in the flotilla, including Tali may not see that day without the Geth. The Geth themselves were on the path to becoming true life. They put their trust in you, and you are throwinh them away because you view destruction as the right answer. You are becoming their Reaper. The face of their destruction. And, if Joker and EDI's closer relationship was allowed, he loses that relationship. EDI was instumental in the final moments of the war. Without her, Shepard would have been unceremoniously spaced for the second time in his existence. VIs and AIs, are wiped out. The former, many species rely on for many things. Under control, Shepard is transformed into the ultimate AI. The mind that leads the Reapers. They act as a guardian, giving people hope, repairing damage, and then ensuring peace. Shepard's new form will act on their desire to protect those they care about. The damage is minimal, but it isn't a perfect solution, as conflict may still occur. Meaning there may be bloodshed in the name of peacekeeping. TIM never reached control. He was enslaved before he could. He had no choice of his own other than to end his own life should he be convinced that he is enslaved, which is seen in the paragon route. Shepard isn't enslaved. Shepard, right up until they've commited to the point of no return, is free to choose. Shepard, as intriguing as IT is(Indoctrination Theory), has not been indoctrinated, and the Catalyst isn't lying, it is simply seeking solutions. Which is where synthesis comes in. Synthesis is a controversial ending because some say it defeats the purpose of the series, others say it gives the most hopefull outcome. Saren was, like TIM, indoctrinated. It took us convincing him that he wasn't going to survive and that he was a weak slave to the Reapers for him to take back control. Again, I don't believe Shepard was battling with indoctrination. Synthesis is also flawed like the rest. Shepard is transformed into part of a new genetic template for the galaxy. While evolution being pushed to this stage unnaturally is risky, we see that it pays off. The biggest change is everyone gets green eyes, a green aura of energy surrounding them, and Synthetics are given full understanding of organics, in a way that allows a more peaceful coexistence. Of course, it would take time for the galaxy to adjust, but there is also the fact that now, through the Reapers, past cycles can pass down their knowledge, rather than simply be fuel for a war machine. There will likely need to be major adjustments to this new wave of rapid evolution, and obviously some people will find it incredibly jarring and hard to wrap their head around. I've seen some loons argue that Synthesis is somehow comparible to rape. Just no, that's stupid. There is a very distinct difference. It's more comparible to pushing out a cure-all for cancer at the cost of maybe some mild discomfort as your brain and body goes through readjustment, and maybe you glow a funny color. There is basically no comparision to be made between rushed evolution and violation of one's body and mind. And I'm sure a victim of such a horrible thing as rape wouldn't appreciate it being downplayed like this. It already gets mocked enough by anti-vaxxers comparing compulsary vaccination to it. I'm sure victims would rather glow green and be partially a machine out of nowhere than go through that again.