Ahead of the release ofMass Effect 5, theMass Effecttrilogy is already famous for its well-crafted story, detailed characters, and infamously lackluster ending. Despite most ofME3being an enjoyable entry in the franchise,the three choices presented at the game’s conclusion left many players underwhelmed and disappointedthat their choices did not result in more variety at the story’s end. DLC and updates provided improvements, but many players still dislike the ending, with their ire aimed at one option in particular.
Thethree ending choices presented to Commander Shepardare as follows: First, to destroy the Reapers, along with all of their technology and every other AI in the galaxy. Second, to take control of the Reapers and attempt to steer them away from violence. Or third, to begin a process called"Synthesis," which is vague and confusing, but would merge all organic and synthetic life.WithMass Effect 5in development, it’s unclear which of these endings will be considered “canon,” but for several reasons, it probably won’t be Synthesis.
The Confusion Around The Synthesis Ending
An Unsatisfying And Unclear Choice For Players To Make
The primary issue with the Synthesis ending is that it’s too confusing and abstract to qualify as a satisfying ending, let alone one that could precede a new entry into the franchise. As explained by theStar Child aboard the Citadel, initiating synthesis would cause all organic and synthetic life in the galaxy to merge, giving each side insight into the others' point of view. Doing so would not only massively change life as we know it, but alsoforcibly alter the very being of every living thing.
12 Years Later, It’s Time To Admit That Mass Effect 3 Isn’t The Weakest Of The Trilogy
Mass Effect 3 receives the most criticism out of the original trilogy games due to its endings, but it isn’t actually the weakest game in this set.
Based on the ending cinematic, which sees a sea of green expand across the known universe synthesizing everything it touches,this effectively ends the war with the Reapers. It seems like gaining this level of understanding stops the AI’s mission to wipe out and control organic life, and instantly calms everyone on both sides. It’s hard to understand how exactly this process works or why it instantly quells all conflict, and it would certainly be a confusing galaxy to start a new game in.
The Synthesis Process Undermines Much Of The Game’s Conflict
A Simple Solution To The War Between Organics And Synthetics
The Synthesis ending also feels too easily earned, providing what seems like an objectively good end for the galaxy.Mass Effecttends to be about morally gray problems with difficult solutions. Solutions that either sacrifice one side to save another or have hidden repercussions.Many of the problems inMass Effectcenter around the conflict between organic and synthetic life, using it as a mirror to explore real-world problems of conflicting viewpoints and conflict created by differing perspectives.
Despite being machines, synthetic beings inMass Effecttend to be presented as having their own thoughts and a kind of emotional response system, most notably with EDI in the second and third games.
The conflict between the Geth and the Quarians earlier inMass Effect 3satisfyingly showcases this kind of conflict, anddepending on your actions, it can end in tragedy for either side. Meanwhile, the Synthesis ending provides a “happy” ending for everyone (except Commander Shepard), and if one ignores the implications of suddenly changing the genetic makeup of every living thing, it doesn’t come with any downsides.
The Destroy Ending Will Likely Be Canonical For ME5
The Choice That Feels Most In Line With The Franchise’s Themes
When it comes down to it, there’s one ending of the three that feels the most in line with the themes and tone ofMass Effect.The Destroy ending sees Shepard accomplish what they set out to do at the beginning of the trilogy and stop the Reapers once and for all. It also has major consequences, sincethe death of Reapers would also mean the death of the Geth and of EDI, as well as the destruction of every mass relay, creating major problems for the galactic community.
This ending feels in line with Renegade Shepard more than a Paragon version of the character, though it’s also extremely similar to the actions Shepard takes regardless of moral alignment in the Arrival DLC forMass Effect 2,destroying a Batarian system to slow down the Reapers.
These consequences make sense forMass Effect 5.The franchise doesn’t let the player off easy when it comes to moral decisions. In terms of settingME5up, the Destroy ending leaves the galaxy with the most avenues for a new conflict. The Reapers are gone, but the galaxy is divided by the destruction of their technology, something Commander Shepard is ultimately to blame for. There’s also the fact that in the remastered version of the trilogy, the Destroy ending is the only one whereShepard is likely still alive, meaning they could continue to exist as the game’s protagonist.
