Mass Effect 3 - Lion Heart (The Illusive Man Tribute)

A video tribute made for one of my favorite antagonists - The Illusive Man.
Music:
100 Years War by Audiomachine
Normally I would bitch about how bad and blurry the writing of the Illusive Man was in ME 3 comparing to the writing in ME 2, but this time, I just want to say,
HAPPY NEW YEAR! :D
(Originally uploaded 12/31/2013)

[@fayezfawzi3255]

The Illusive Man was an incredible character and a true anti hero. wish there was a way to join his side.

[@TheMrExemplar]

Best character in the game

[@LordFrostwind]

You know that was the one thing I found disappointing in ME3 was that Cerberus was just sidelined into being villains, I was hoping that there might be some way to work with them or the Alliance (renegade and paragon) and whichever side you favored most would have determined the result for the final choice. Oh well I'm being nitpicky. Still my favorite rpg series.

[@Longdongsilverx]

Thats what I hoped for as well..Paragon you keep fighting with Alliance and Renegade you side with Cerberus....but the game just rail roaded not much choice in ME3

[@thrawn9115]

it would be better if they worked as allies, then the illusive man is finally controled by the reapers, so he betrays everyone in the middle of the game.

[@DoctorLifeMD]

Yeah, it would have been great and so pleasing to see the galaxy finally allowing Cerberus to come out not as a rogue paramilitary organization, but as the vanguard of the retribution of all organics led by humanity's finest. It's pretty unfortunate that they had to write the entire organization that was originally dedicated to preserve and defend humanity into literally destroying and melting down humans.

[@MasteringJohn]

They could have played it that way. Have both Cerberus and the Alliance infested with indoctrinated agents of the Reapers, which corrupt whichever organization Shepard doesn't choose, and have this be a broader problem throughout the other Council governments which Shepard has to then deal with in order to consolidate the war effort against the Reapers. They could also have advantages and disadvantages to whichever faction you choose, and also tie previous choices into how smart of a decision that was. Perhaps the Alliances supplies more ships than Cerberus, but if you sacrificed a bunch of them saving the Destiny Ascension, that advantage gets curtailed. Conversely, perhaps Cerberus has better intel on the Reapers, but they aren't able to do as much damage because you destroyed the Collector Base. Choices like that. I still don't know how they could have wrapped up the series in a satisfying way which didn't either feel like an Deus Ex Machina, or grossly reduced the existential threat the Reapers are supposed to represent. I would have lobbied for an extremely difficult set of win conditions, where a *lot* of things have to go right across the board in order for you to defeat the Reapers conventionally (Krogan *and* Salarian fleets acquired, Geth *and* Quarian fleets acquired, etc.), and have the Protheans figure into it in some slight way which doesn't obviate all of your efforts as meaningless in comparison, but is also that critical edge which allows you to barely squeeze out a victory for the existence of humanity. Probably would have been a huge pain in the ass to make approachable (if possible at all). But I think people would have enjoyed it far more than what clearly looked like the developers writing themselves into a corner and then coughing up some half-arsed plot-device to make the impossible scenario winnable.

[@aztec4033]

You have a point. Maybe going on mission with then. And connecting to some operatives

[@cooperdonahue3837]

Notice when illusive man dies he no longer has reaper eyes so he died the man he used to be

[@antanaskiselis7919]

It gets a lot more interesting when to shed that simply good/evil outlook on things. And analyze him as character who actually cared for humanity. Just took brutal way to ensure survival. And I would argue less naive and more safe way as united galaxy was a wet dream to begin with. But failed at his endeavor, a bit earlier than he managed to realize thus becoming desperate at the end. Anyhow his plan was more valid than anything Shepard tried to pull off. And we all know it was a miracle that he succeeded. In short Shepard tried to win vs assault rifles with longbows. While Illusive man was trying to rob weapons from his enemies to be used against them. And on top of that I think he's most bad ass character of ME. He's like Ulfric in skyrim to an extent.

[@Monstervolging]

*No, no he's got a point*

[@SylversunDS]

Apart from his "humans first" vision, I actually agreed with most of the Illusive Man's opinions in ME2 and 3 (without ever trusting him fully, of course). Keeping the Collectors base intact in order to study and reverse-engineer their technology is a far better idea than destroying it. I played ME3 for the first time with all the story DLCs. After what I saw in Leviathan, it was a no brainer for me that the only possible endings were Control or Synthesis, with Destroy being a terrible idea. I didn't really like the "melting pot" that Synthesis would create, so I went with Control... TIM's solution from the very beginning.

[@GiupyTravel]

you are one of the very few people that chose control, just like me. i mean it's the perfect ending to shepard's story. I had a romance with Miranda, played the dlcs so i got every romance scene and left her on the citadel for the final attack, said goodbye to her on the earth and then i died like a hero, and while i was getting destroyed the toughts of Miranda and my friends gave me the strenght to resist and give to the universe a brighter future with the help of the reapers rebuilding all the things they destroyed, a united galaxy and without mixing organics and synthetics outside their will. There is no point to fan fictioning about shepard surviving with the destroy option IMO... This is the right ending

[@Suave2459]

Sylversun the problem with the reaper tech is that even if it was a dead reaper or a reaper it can still indoctrinate people around them. It would've been safer to destroy the base and not risk more people being indoctrinated

[@dk-sky3820]

Controlling reapers is just postponing the shit that will eventually hit the fan again in the future. P.S. And there is no fan fictioning about the Shepard surviving with "destroy" - the gasp of breath in the last cut scene is officially confirmed as a proof.

[@abstract4011]

I guess you never heard of the indoctrination theory

[@john02222]

@@abstract4011 I'm 99% certain that got disproved by the devs

[@Tlevids]

Great video, but it also highlights the discrepancy in the writing between ME2 TIM and ME3 TIM. ME2 TIM was intelligent, calculating, suave and secretive. ME3 TIM was an idiotic indoctrinated puppet who was nothing like his character in ME2. ME2 TIM would never have allowed himself to get indoctrinated by reaper tech: he was too smart for that, and neither would he have opposed Shepard at every turn like he did in ME3. I blame Mac Walters.

[@dmli1023]

haha, well I had to work with what I got and that was one of the reasons there is a little of ME3 TIM in the video. I am fine with the idea of TIM being indoctrinated at the end due to Shepard's renegade choices, and paragon choice for TIM to help Shep, but the writing of ME3 TIM itself is bad. The dialogue contents are less sophisticated, and for some reason, while Shep opposed TIM's idea of control, he/she also sounded apologetic for having the will to destroy. The writing is just weak. It's just so sad how the series got ended. Well, I'll continue to make character tributes inc. general ones until there's nothing left to make. It will be a while for a new vid but please stay tuned :D

[@lamploughd]

I disagree in ME3 he was just as intelligent and suave and was up into the point he infused himself with reaper tech out of pride and overconfidence, he was in complete control instill that point. The even more twisted thing is that he was right in a way that controlling the reapers is the best way, (EDI and Geth live and Shepard becomes the god overseeing the reapers) in my opinion

[@dmli1023]

Well... we could agree to disagree :) The thing about controlling reapers... is hypocrisy considering what Shep has been promoting, especially in the conflict between Geth and Qurians. In the paragon choices, Shep considers Geth as individuals with free wills and it is wrong for Qurians discriminating Geth and treating Geth unequally. However, controlling reapers, which basically means turning reapers into mindless slaves, a species that is far more advanced than Geth, is okay? That doesn't make any sense.

[@2138Dude]

Blame EA.

[@TheArtofUTube]

Tlevids TIM was already indoctrinated in ME2. He just didn't realize it. Remember indoctrination is sometimes a slow, long period of time. It can seem subtle at first. His eyes are Reaper tech.

[@ShouaTV]

This is, by far, the best TIM tribute ever. I keep coming back to this one, plus a lot of your other Mass Effect mv's. You are amazing.

[@WJstudios04]

Did you know that Saren and The Illusive Man (Jack Harper) have met in the past (First Contact War) and both contacted with reaper artefacts (blue eyes, understanding reaper language). And both died in similar way, suicide (Paragon).

[@helmbreaker8622]

Fi Skirata It's a message.

[@ЯковАксёнов-с7и]

+N7 Reaper I wish you can see, like I do Shepard

[@addisongrace2587]

With the up coming new Mass Effect, Mass Effect: Andromeda, I felt I should pay my respect to the man who should of been used so much differently. R.I.P, Bud.

[@Maxikingallright93]

In the first half I thought: hmm, not really what I've expected. I've seen better vids from you the second half was just as great as I know it from you ;) but the ending (last 30sec) was absolutely SUPERB all in all AMAZING

[@dmli1023]

Thank you and really glad you liked it :D

[@jonahfalcon1970]

Poor Jack Harper.

[@NovemberBSierra]

+Jonah Falcon I tried,Shepard.

[@Flugmorph]

absolutely epic! very well made.

[@dmli1023]

Thank you :D

[@bgmoney99]

I love this video it has a sort of "good vs evil" thing going

[@Addiebyte]

I come back here from time to time, because I absolutely love your videos. This one being one of my absolute favorites. Towards the end when the music really starts kicking off is soooo good. "No! I am the SAVIOR OF HUMANITY." *DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN* Chills! Can't explain how much I love it. It's fabulous, and you're awesome. Still hoping for more videos from you. ❤️ Hope you're well.

[@phantom4cerberus]

Awesome tribute, i love the Illusive Man, and i think that your videos are the best ME fan tributes ever :D

[@dmli1023]

Thank you :D glad you liked it!

[@Sarinalina]

Wohoo! It's back on my Feed! Time for a rewatch! :D (Still fucking awesome!!)

[@dmli1023]

Thank you :D

[@j0hke]

Really great work man, the last thirty seconds always gives me chills

[@dmli1023]

Thank you :D

[@cherrysun4704]

Amazing work! I love the Illusive Man so much and I'm happy to find so awesome video about him!

[@DDosAndDonts]

I want him in the Lazarus project.

[@beepy409]

I always hate how keeping the collector base is portrayed as the wrong choice when objectively speaking it could have plenty of important technology and resources in a time where those resources are desperately needed.

[@1classikai]

Oof, that ending was intense

[@umegaalfa5900]

Just like Saren from first game, The Ilusive Man see himself higher then others. In my opinion, as a paragon, i had the chance to see the perspective of both sides of these characters, of what they belived in. They both thought above others, but both fought for the good of the people, alien or not. I belive that people show thier true face on the face of death, and both of them had the courage and power to do not let themselves to be dominated anymore, by eliminating themselves from Shepard's right path wich they acknowledged in the end. P.S. Sun Tzu: "It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you do not know your enemies but do know yourself, you will win one and lose one; if you do not know your enemies nor yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle."

[@Slemoster]

Such a well developed character and faction. Well voiced, well written, the entire setup for him was just perfect. I wish there was more options for him in the end, maybe a way to save him and have him sacrifice himself in a blow against the Reapers rather than just committing suicide. It would've been such a perfect exit for him to throw himself into a Reaper or something and explode, taking it out in the process. A final "Fuck you" from the Illusive Man.

[@steventan2754]

I find the Illusive Man as despicable as he is respectable, I still have to thank him for bringing the team together in the first place. Without him, I wouldn't have met such wonderful characters like Jack, Thane, Legion, Mordin and the rest. That's one thing he got right at least.

[@priv1leged]

youre fanvideos are the "pinnacle" of quality

[@RayleighJones]

- They're too strong! - You're stronger.

[@Aca969]

However you put it, he's ultimately right, his methods are brutal and inhumane at times (irony at it's finest), but he is right.

[@kareaux]

Loved the video, and the ending is really perfect (pun not intended. ;)) Nice work as always.

[@dmli1023]

Thank you :D

[@Ahuizotl_Yolotl]

DAMMIT!!! I ALREADY PLAYED THE TRILOGY TO MANY TIMES....... just one more and i leave it... just one more.

[@aubanurmi]

I always forgot how colorless male Shepards voice is :( Even in the middle of action he sounds like he is meditating. In me3 he is quite good though. And I am not saying this because I want to be mean, I love both Shepards but I usually play as a female because she reacts more naturally. Liked the video, very much!

[@nighthorder6542]

Aura Nurmi I actually think M!Shep works better than F!Shep in a lot of areas. M!Shep is very stoic (even in ME3 the times when he speaks with real emotion are a little rare) which is exactly how a military commander should be. They can't show the troops any weakness, so they tend to use very monotonous voices. This makes M!Shep great for the speeches and commanding moments of ME. F!Shep, on the other hand, is very, very emotional, which, while it works better than M!Shep's voice in more personal, intimate moments, it tends to feel overdone (to me) in more leading or combat moments.

[@NeveranticStory]

Illusive Man did nothing wrong.

[@Alex-jx2zp]

The best member of a human league. RIP.

[@ocypeta270]

Impressive, I do love your work. Thank you!

[@dmli1023]

You are welcome and thank you :D

[@RovixGR]

I had goosebumps for the whole duration of the video! I wanted take off my skin 😂

[@SomeRandomYTer]

I felt more connected to TIM than any Alliance brass and yet at the end they shove drunk-looking Anderson in your face on the Citadel/Crucible whatever. TIM was a fleshed out character while the Alliance (and the damn ME3 Normandy) was BLAND AS HELL!

[@1215298]

No connection to Anderson at all?

[@SomeRandomYTer]

+Jordan Beeney no, he felt forced upon me. TIM though... his backstory in the comics, his theme song in game...his scenic office in game. I dunno but he just felt like a fatherly figure towards my Shep even though he lost his way in ME3 but my Sheps always paragon him to a better place rather than kill him themselves

[@RayleighJones]

Anderson, since I've read his stories, I'vo got a great respect for the man... Though Jack Harper... This guy inspire admiration. Of course, in the end, his fall was unavoidable, but if I had my word to say, as the Shepard, I'd at least not want his name to be simply written as the name of a fool and a traitor. For the damn man came with a damn plan, him.

[@SomeRandomYTer]

+RayleihJ The monolith screwed him over, he lost his best friends in the first contact war (Illusive Man). I like to think that somewhere deep down beneath all the indoctrination TIM also did Project Lazarus as a backup plan to destroy the reapers, it's like maybe he knew Shep could do it if he failed to control them. I think TIM actually cared about Shepard in his own strange way i.e. in me3 he states not seeing Shepard as a total lost cause yet and he insists right up until the end on wanting Shepard to believe his ways. Okay maybe I just like the brief Shep/Illusive Man relationship too much

[@SomeRandomYTer]

+RayleihJ also if you're playing Femshep then I also like to think that TIM sees the fighter that his late friend Eva Core (NOT the AI but rather TIM's friend at Shanxi) was in Femshep. Maybe Maleshep reminds TIM of Ben Hislop and Femshep reminds him of Eva???

[@hunteranubis]

damn you I dont want to play that game agaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnn I wish there was a cerberus ending.... I really felt like wanting to be on their side

[@warhawk9566]

Honestly once I learned what reaper tech was (I played 2 before 1) I suspected the Illusive Man had been using it since you first met him. It's the eyes, only one other character had those eyes. Saren.

[@Darkkeet]

Great video dude

[@RadioWednes]

Love this amazing work 🤙😎

[@sarahdipasquale6350]

beautiful

[@scorpion9003]

great work :) - illusive man is awesome

[@dmli1023]

Thank you :D

[@VHGMCSA]

The illusive man was a good man just sacraficed too much and got indoctrinated by the reapers accidentally

[@spaPolaris117]

i wish i had time to play the trilogy again ):

[@epsilon2586]

I love him🙌

[@VaciliNikoMavich]

Love his character, but even if you were trying to find a way to control the reapers, uhm....why weren't you trying to help the Alliance defend Earth? Thats your home too buddy.

[@ingamingpc1634]

good job

[@garrusvakarian3944]

Finally! Great job Li! i've seen better from you though :D Because I consider you one of the best trailermakers I will tell you my personal critique. It looks like ME2 launch trailer too much. Illusive man speaks a lot there as well and some of the quotes are similar if not the same. That's for the first part of the vid. The second is a stunner. Damn Audiomachine keep getting better and better. I think I like them more than TSFH already. They are more... complex. Also thay made the sound for trailers of movies like The hobbit and Noah I think. Ah and the most important thing. I wish you a happy new year. A lot of love and happiness and also success. May 2014 bring you all the best and I wish you a job at Bioware as the trailermaker of Mass Effect 4 :)

[@dmli1023]

Dude, welcome back :D Man, I don't think my videos are qualified as trailers cuz there are a lot of spoilers. These vids are more about summation of characters and their relationships and not really to preview the games. Maybe a couple of my vids can be seen as trailers. Nonetheless, appreciate your critiques and happy new year. Lastly, thank you for the good wishes and I wish you the best :D

[@garrusvakarian3944]

***** My critiques was coz I love trailers and I was comparing you with amazing stuff like Hobbit trailer for example :P There are many trailers full of spoilers especially when the movie is stupid and they show all good moments in 2 minutes. Nonetheless I can listen to Illusive man whole day. He is the most eloquent person I know if there is such a thing. He is a true leader. I almost fell sorry I had to kill him at the end or make him suicide. The best villain ever. Btw I watched the trailer just when you uploaded. I mean seconds after that at New year's Eve. I thought ''damn the year starts awesome with ME stuff. I hope it continues that way all the way to the end :D''. I was going to write you then but with the amount of alcohol in the blood you wouldn't have understood anything. Maybe I would have wrote you in Bulgarian :D

[@dmli1023]

Garrus Vakarian Dude, I know what you meant and I am grateful for that, but the purpose of my videos is to summarize and show the essence of the characters and stories rather than previewing the games. This video, for example, showed the story of the illusive man from beginning to end and that is not a trailer should do. Well, that is not really important actually. The most important thing is that you liked it :D I am really glad to know that there were ppl thought this year started off with the awesome ME vid :D I was wondering where were you, hahaha.

[@garrusvakarian3944]

Well when I say trailer I mean vid about mass effect :D Yes I liked It a lot. Its the illusive man after all. I kinda forgot to write you in the first 2014 morning. Too much other stuff to do. I was at a friend and it was awesome. The negative part was that the day before that some moron hit my car and broke my taillight. Luckily it happened in a parking and I wasnt in the car. How was your new year's celebration? :)

[@dmli1023]

Glad that you are okay but sorry about your car. New year celebration ... it was alright ... met some friends and ... I don't quite remember what I did :D

[@thomasrichardson2402]

Epic!

[@joji7831]

Очень круто ! Обожаю Призрака !

[@bajarwas]

have you consider doing dragon age stuff ? would like to see some of it with your skills :D

[@MrDamurier]

1 dislike. Well i guess is a reaper

[@j0hn00arthur]

badass

[@arminosas]

0:27 Wat

[@monte1090]

I am the savior of humanity the pinnacle of our spices 🫡