Mass Effect 3 Unofficial OST - The Catalyst

The music played during the ending scene where Shepard speaks with the Catalyst.
EDIT: Since people asked for it, here's a download link to the MP3 (24mb):
www.mediafire.c...

[@synysterxdave]

to say the music for mass effect is amazing would be understatement. it ties in perfectly with the the theme of the game and the emotion of the current scene in a way most game have completely forgotten how to do. The music to a game is one of the most powerful elements that can heavily influence a persons experience with it

[@Wuzu93]

synysterxdave Yes my friend. Well said

[@anonymous-de3mn]

This is an old message, but just wanted to say that my most recent experience with a soundtrack enhancing a game is with Outer Wilds. This game is a gem in many aspects.

[@33hegemon]

What do I have for dinner tonight: Chinese or Indian? *plays music

[@DoctorpooandtheTURDIS]

+RobCoxxy So you went with the Taco Bell option, then?

[@ChaoticElite]

Underrated comment XD

[@tlotpwist3417]

Yes, there's another possibility Synthesis. The fusion of curry and caramel pork

[@Dennis-nc3vw]

@@tlotpwist3417 Explain how my caramel pork can be added to the curry.

[@esjihn]

Have to write program in class. C# or Java *plays music*

[@Autonova]

dont let the ending ruin it for you guys. the journey is more important than the destination.

[@Arcian]

The whole point of a journey is to get somewhere. If the destination isn't worth it, the journey wasn't worth it either. It's like going on a vacation by plane with your family. The flight was great and you really liked the passengers on board the plane, but upon nearing the destination, the plane crashed, killing your entire family, everyone on board the plane and leaving you stranded on an island with no rescue in sight. Replace "flight" with "trilogy", "plane" with "story", "passengers" with "characters" and "destination" with "ending", and voila, you have Mass Effect. Can you honestly say the flight was worth it?

[@Autonova]

Leland Walker just to be clear, i didn't like the ending. i even wrote an alternate one myself which was pretty well received by the community! but does it somehow negate all the hours of joy that the trilogy has given me? all the evenings it brightened up? the moment you save archangel and he turns out to be garrus, the shock as shepard is jettisoned into a planet's atmosphere at the beginning of me2, the exhilaration as a fleet of thousands that you have spent hours assembling fires all its weapons at once. they are all moments in and of themselves. one of the most profound lessons i have learned is that life is not about endings - it's a series of moments.

[@jumeauxelaine3960]

Like when I fly on a plane, clearly the journey is more important - cause hey I can die in a horrific plane crash, as long as the journey was fine. That's not a fucking reason. Good games/books/movies have a strong beginning, middle and end that makes sense and flows.

[@Autonova]

Jumeaux Elaine how about i use the analogy of our lives. we are all going to die, some of us painfully. does that ruin every moment we have lived, or make our whole lives bad? no. i just think letting the ending ruin a series that you've spent years enjoying is a bit silly. yes it was bad, but the series was full of great moments. anyway, this is my alternate ending, see what you think! www.gamefaqs.com/boards/995452-mass-effect-3/62440479/696821462

[@MegaGornix]

If you agree I will use your phrase "the journey is more important than the destination" in the future if somebody will complain about ME3 ending. :)

[@soldierassasin]

When Shepard was going up the elevator I thought the coolest thing ever was going to happen.

[@Morus433]

I have to say I appreciated the end of mass effect 3 very much. It is one of just a few moments, where you pause and think for a longer period of time about which way you have to choose. Destroy the reapers and you delay the same problem, which was the reason for creating the reapers in the first place. Take control over them and you have the collective intelligence and knowledge of millions of civilizations. So you basically have the absolute power... forever. And just like Lord John Acton said: "Absolute power corrupts absolutely." Even if shepard is a saveguard in some kind... The wisest choise would be the "last step of evolution", i guess. Exterminate all flaws and combine the benefits of both, the synthetics and organics. I guess that is the main moral in mass effect and indeed in mass effect 3. At the end, facing the most important decision, you have to let go your personal interests and make the ultimate sacrifice. For that I really like the ending of the mass effect trilogy, because it is NOT a happy end, but a moral end, where after playing this 3 games, you résumé about your decisions and how them affect you. That is why I never understood people complaining about the ending. ME isn´t call of duty or final fantasy, mainly because of all the decisions you have to make, each of them save or condemn entire civilizations (e.g. the genophage or the geth conflict). Such decisions let you think about what is right and what is wrong, what is better and what is worse... Not many games like mass effect exist, mainly because the developers have to placate the mainstream gamers. Sadly, most of them just want to play and see the happy end rather then take a lecture in moral behavior.

[@jigsawsNEWaprentice]

Well said dude..i play these games over and over and i still..pause and think about what choices i want to make when they are offered....do i save the rachni queen or not? i think about the consequence for the rest of the series..what will change...during the suicide mission in ME2 I hinge on every cutscene praying no one dies..and when they do..its like a hit in the gut. Your morals, your reasonings for right or wrong are tested within the limits of this trilogy. Not many games can do that and make you second guess yourself.

[@Solaxe]

〈 Morus 〉 people hate endings because they're poorly written and have tons of plotholes, not because they're sad you fucking idiot. If you're satisfied with such garbage then you shouldn't even play such games

[@Wuzu93]

〈 Morus 〉 I chose Destroy ending because it seemed like the right thing to do at the time. Everything you did was to get rid of the Reapers, also when you see the "vision" Anderson chose the Destroy ending. The Control ending is just way too much power. Third ending we reach the final evolution. Everything is perfect with no problems anymore. Our lives are filled with problems to solve. What would it look like if we had none?

[@enaid5373]

that makes no sense- if they're satisfied with the ending, then why WOULDN'T they "play such games"?

[@lauraschlieselhuber8487]

Kinda sad my femshep didn't survived to raise little blue children. But I liked the endings just for the same reasons you did. You end up sacrificing yourself for a universe that you finally unified against one threat. You die. Others live. (Yes, you basically are Space Jesus). The Mass Effect trilogy built lots of my morals and I truly loved that I was tested one last time before everything ends.

[@marvinzenit658]

For the first time in my videogaming life I had to sit the controller down and think for almost 20 fucking minutes before picking it up again to make a decision. My head was hurting really bad by the time it was done. Damn, having the galaxy resting on your hands sure weights much.

[@titanscorpio3824]

Such an emotional song. To see earth burnt and battered, a alliance of species fighting for their own survival, one of your best friends just died to ensure you got to the crucible the whole weight of the universe on your shoulders. And you need to make a choice...........

[@kingofrannoch]

🖕your 3 choices. Rest of the galaxy 👁️👄👁️

[@Damocles16]

- Your're here because your world is about to be destroyed. It's every inhabitants terminated, it's entire memory eradicated. - Bullshit !! - Denial is the most predictable organic response...

[@csgptg]

I liked the ending. Only thing i would like is perhaps a "few years later" scene showing shepard living well with his/her LI if the destroy ending was chosen.

[@MikkoSandt]

+csgptg THAT would have ruined it. The ending, which is great, would have been even better if they had completely removed any hint that Shepard survived. The Extended Cut already pussified the ending more than enough.

[@adams4037]

Nope

[@KingOfHeroes1996]

Nah, the endings are intentionally ambiguous. Especially if you subscribe to the indoctrination theory, then the destroy ending is probably the most significant.

[@33hegemon]

csgptg Yeah, Shepard drinking mojitos at the beach, unshaven, checking out the hot women while listening to Aerosmith tunes etc...

[@TheCyprusX]

This song feels like witnessing the birth of a universe.

[@Arcian]

In Destroy, you are destroying synthetics without their permission. In Control, you are letting the Reapers live without the galaxy's permission. In Refuse, you are condemning the galaxy to death without their permission. Don't come and act like Synthesis is any worse in that regard.

[@Pkmnprncss]

Absolutely love this song. I can't get it out of my head. (tears spring into eyes)

[@red_cosplay]

The composer was the only one who was ACTUALLY DOING HIS FUCKING JOB at that time.

[@Punkovision]

In the end despite its controversy, this game taught me a lot , to much to go into detail, but games these days, like my movies, made me think even after I played them

[@Blasian89]

Thank you, I've been lookin for this for a while. Now to find the one that plays while you're making your final decision

[@Arcian]

The indoctrination theory suffers from a massive flaw: Indoctrination is a permanent effect that cannot be reversed. When the indoctrinee starts hallucinating, it's too late - by that time, the Reapers are in control. Of course Shepard can momentarily resist it like Saren, Benezia and TIM did - but regardless of what you do, Shepard is inevitably doomed to become the Reapers slave when his willpower runs out. It also makes a "happy ending" impossible, and I think that option should exist.

[@wrags796]

Hella interesting, would like to see that happen

[@averyjohnson7143]

Mass Effect 3 was the first Mass Effect game I ever got. I was well aware of the series, I knew enough of the previous games to know everything I needed and more. When I started the game, Vancouver (In Canada) Falls to the Reapers, along with Earth. As I watched that boy blow in in the Kodiak Shuttle, something inside of me clicked. I played the game, loved all of it, and then came the ending. I was aware of the ending's rep, so I braced myself for the worst. When this song played...

[@jumeauxelaine3960]

Another song that brings pain. The catalyst should've been either Mordin/Wrex (depending who's dead), Thane, Legion or the VI death (Ashley/Kaidan) - would've made it much more personal and terrifying. I didn't give a fuck about some random kid.

[@Pizzifrizzo]

You don't, but Shepard does. That kid is everyone and everything Shepard couldn't save and will not save, including Mordin, Thane, Legion, Kaidan ecc...

[@GrauHer]

The kid reflects the innocence he couldn't save. All of their partners, Mordin, Ashley or Kaidan, and so, they were fighting, risking their lives for a reason. The kid was in no war, knowing nothing about the war, the reapers or the enemies from the galaxy. The death of the child hammer him at every single minute, showing always the rest of the people like shadows in his dreams. But the kid was always a clean vision above the rest, until he saw himself with the same clarity, burning as the kid... He does the soldier's ultimate sacrifice at the end, he gives his life so the galaxy can be preserved and saved, or evolve to the ultimate level of understanding...

[@edgecrusherhalo]

its the planet klencory. based on what leviathan said about how the catalyst had placed pawns in the galaxy ready for the take over when it chose to betray them, id guess that those pawns were also synthetic intelligences and that thats what that volus somehow came across.

[@Gyuresssz]

Another summer, another playthrough of the best game ever.

[@Arcian]

Now go sit in the glass cage of shame and think about what you've done.

[@Blasian89]

When this song came on and shepard was being lifted up, that single moment brought back the entire feeling I had in ME1. It had that cold, aquatic, mysterious and adventurous feel to it like im about to discover something amazing on the other side of this veil. I was staring pretty intently into my tv screen. Until the end credits rolled. Then sadness flowed in, then confusion, then disappointment. Never anger though, as much as I wanted to be. Can't deny the amazing ride up to that point.

[@Halosecretweapon]

Well, Sovereign did say that we couldn't understand what they do, that it's beyond our ability to comprehend. Like how words don't translate between languages, the ending was essentially a google translated interpretation of what the reapers do. The extended ending just had a little less LSD in it.

[@edgecrusherhalo]

Perhaps the Catalyst's form should have been that of Avina's. In ME1 Avina does talk about the Citadel tower housing an inaccessible AI core that only the Keepers can access afterall. Maybe people would have thought about things in a more constructive manner in that case. As for everyone calling BS and saying Dues Ex Machina and the ending being a contrivance, even from a VERY basic storytelling point of view all I can think is.... So the giant space station made of an unknown material that we didn't build ourselves but found and know nothing about, that we let a race of docile alien creatures we can't communicate with that exist only here and aren't located on any terrestrial world maintain almost exclusively without question, that just so happens to be an enormous version of those other giant machines that we found and did not build ourselves made of that same unknown material that are the only reason we can travel the galaxy, all of which were put in place specifically for us to find as a means for controlling our advancement by the enemy... THAT station had a secret and something else was going on. BIG surprise...NEVER saw it coming..... -_-

[@ZrodyApo]

I was thinking about the Catalyst's form and for me, Saren would've been an interesting choice since it was actually the 1st protagonist to tell us about the necessity of mergeing organic and synthetic life. Or perhaps while the Catalyst is speaking, his form could change during the conversation like the Leviathan did in Shepard's mind.

[@edgecrusherhalo]

Zyad Hakmi Agreed. Pretty much ANYTHING would have been better. Perhaps it just changes to different significant characters, dead squadmates, etc. However, then people would want to know HOW it knows who these characters are and we would have more indoctrination theories.

[@DarthOmix]

Having it take the form of your Love Interest or even Shepard themselves would've been very impactful versus the creepy kid I felt nothing toward. Imagine staring down yourself, the implication being that no matter what you are subject to the whim of the Reapers and the Catalyst.

[@comandercarnis]

ZarosianCabbage oh and maybe there could've been an option where Shepard sees through the catalyst and it reveals its true form which is harbinger to which it grows mildly agitated but can't help but compliment him/her for getting this far.

[@33hegemon]

Thank you for uploading. There is such weight, sadness, and hope in this simple composition, it is a great work of music.

[@bishopoftrash7710]

I always destroy the reapers. They can not be forgiven for their sins. Their destruction is necessary for Organic life to continue as it always has, unpredictably.

[@nicholasm3265]

+Andy Russell sorry to push this. but in reality what sins?

[@Solaxe]

+Nicholas Marsh Murdering trilions of lives, wasting countless cultures and their potentials, not letting them to develop?

[@nicholasm3265]

true but. (course i would still destroy the reapers in real life) but from a unbiased view . pretty much every culture that has came around has killed each other through AI one can say lets say the AI win and reapers wernt there then if a evil AI (skynet refrence) they could become the reapers themselves though they would kill before even biological life would have a culture.

[@thedreamcapture2681]

good point.

[@Gaelrenaultdu06]

Forgiven ? Sins ? Have you been listening to what they are and where they come from ? They perception of the universe and life is not to be compared with ours... They have been made with one objective, and they think their purpose is for the common good, to keep a balance in the galaxy. If a dog attacks somebody, aren't you going to blame his owner ? What is dangerous, the gun, or the man handling it ? Think about it guys, Reapers are instruments, they do not think, or at least, not in the same way as we do...

[@SamusVSMC]

@lukesps77 THe ending wasn't about needing a happy one (though a choice for one would be consistent with the choice aspect featured in the games), it was about massive inconsitencies, plotholes, and no sense of closure for anybody besdies possibly Shepard.

[@NokMok]

Shepard, already wounded, confused and almost unable to stand - that was really emotional. Then the ending completely ruined the entire game because of the absolute sadness it transmits.

[@Gyuresssz]

With synthesis you're changing everything and everybody without their permission. You are also making kinda reapers of everything.

[@33hegemon]

The theme tune for the British EU referendum haha.

[@mrarchangel5256]

33hegemon xD

[@Arcian]

Thanks for 100,000 views, guys.

[@edgecrusherhalo]

I never understood why so many people seemed to think that the Quarian Geth peace somehow proves the Catalyst wrong. The peace was achieved by way of an outsider(Shepard) getting involved and convincing them to do so because of an impending extinction, if not from each other, then from the Reapers. The peace was made due to fear. On top of that, the renegade option that achieves peace has Shepard literally using fear and intimidation on the Quarians to achieve it. How does any of that make the peace credible? Not to mention that every conflict ever between the two falls on the Quarians. Not sure why so many thought the Reapers motivations were this unbelievable "meme worthy" premise. Even with the original ending and with what little the Catalyst told us, my thought process was that it was a machine created by an organic species for this purpose. Then we get the EC to further confirm that. Then we get the Leviathan DLC which didn't particularly surprise me(minus the whole enthralling thing of course) and it feels almost forced. Never understood why so many people seemed to need such an elaborate explanation for it be be believable. Considering the limitations that come with being organic and how we advance technologically and why we build machines in the first place, the premise is extremely logical. Actually, that's probably why we did. Our organic nature. We are organic, we are emotional, and the majority of us can't see things past our own brief existence.

[@LightStreak567]

Believe it or not, bringing peace between the quarians and geth really does prove the Catalyst wrong. It proves that organic life can find their own solutions to conflicts when we put our efforts into it, the existence of the Reapers is not needed, it never was. The Leviathans need the Catalyst and the Reapers to restore order in the galaxy. And by order, I mean CONTROL OVER ALL LIFE, taking away the free will of organic and synthetic life and using them as slaves since the Leviathans used to dominate the galaxy with an iron fist eons before the Reapers existed, and since the galaxy wide conflict between synthetic life and their organic creators made the Leviathans' way of life difficult, their slaves getting killed and all that, they created the Catalyst to find a way to set things back to normal so they can continue making all life serve their selfish needs. The kind of peace we are fighting for and the Reapers are trying to reach are different. We were fighting against the Reapers for the right to live and create our own futures without the imposing logic of "higher forces" like the Reapers. Legion and the non-heretic geth held that belief too, that all life should have the right to make their own choices and build their own future without being influenced by higher forces, the heretic geth and the Reapers are against that belief because of the nature of the Leviathans and their desires. The Reapers are created to find a solution that ensures that not only the risk of war between synthetic life and their creators will no longer be inevitable, but establish a connection between all life so that every life form in the galaxy will be connected to the Leviathans who survived the harvest of their race, and use their mind control signals to control every life form connected to them.

[@edgecrusherhalo]

The Catalyst was created to establish that connection, not the Reapers. However, the Catalyst "rebelled" against the Leviathan when it came up with it's solution and the Leviathan haven't been able to do anything since it did that. If not for that, it's very possible that the Leviathan may still be in the same position they originally were. I'm not saying that what the Catalyst is doing is the right solution. In fact it's quite the opposite. While it may have held the galaxy over from Leviathan control for now, it is just another product of organic life creating synthetic life for the reason it always creates it. Creating synthetic life(and machines in general) is our way of surpassing the natural limitations that come with being organic. We create machines to do things we cannot do ourselves. The Catalyst even goes into this when it talks about how by definition synthetics will surpass their creators. Again, it's the very reason we create machines in the first place. Even the Leviathan fell victim to this. Their reason for wanting to stop the conflict is irrelevant if it happens regardless. Though I do agree that they are arrogant and controlling. Another product of their organic nature. However, much of that just seems to be a product of how they developed/evolved. That being that they are aquatic, therefor not being able to do much for themselves outside of controlling other species to do things for them. Without doing so they likely never would have left the original mass of water they originated in. So they evolved in a way that gave them this enthralling ability and one of the things they used it for was to get other species to build machines to do things for them. Just like everyone else. It always comes down to that. Technological advancement and the building of machines as a way to surpass organic limitations. Many people don't look at it in a "big picture" viewpoint. They only see what the Reapers are doing(which is terrible) and react to that. The point isn't whether peace was made AFTER the fact or not, it's that the conflict always happens in the first place. It always has and based on at least the past billion years of history in the galaxy there is no reason to assume that it won't. There has never been one instance in the entire series in which organic life creating synthetic life did not result in the same type of conflict with one another. There is only one instance of peace(Quarian/Geth) that exists in a billion years and it was made after the fact and only due to fear of extinction. Logically, that is beyond miniscule and it speaks volumes for the conflict and for organic life.

[@LightStreak567]

edgecrusherhalo I just wanted to let you know, that's all. I do agree with you, organics create machines to do jobs that are either impossible or too dangerous for organics to do themselves, so synthetics really are meant to surpass organics. As for the Leviathans, they are so used to controlling everyone and everything and being above their concerns, they thought that by programming the Catalyst to do whatever is necessary to find the solution they want, it would never harm them for any reason, but when Shepard claimed that all organic life that existed before humans and protheans suffered because of the mistake the Leviathans made, they defended themselves saying they made no mistakes at all because the Catalyst is still trying to fulfill its purpose for them. This leads me to believe that the Catalyst's "betrayal" might not be a real betrayal, but a necessary sacrifice the Leviathans had to make because the Catalyst's original attempts at trying to reach Synthesis kept ending in failure, he had to try a new method to reach it, and it involves the Reapers. History has a tendency to repeat itself when people don't learn from their mistakes. I remember that the rogue VI from that "Signal Tracking" side mission on the Citadel in ME1 claimed that it knows that all organic life forms desire to destroy or control all synthetic life forms if you make Shepard ask it if they can resolve their confrontation peacefully. This tells me that every advanced civilization, not just the quarians, unwittingly brought the conflict the Reapers were created to prevent on themselves, their inability to respect the free will of synthetic life and treat them as living creatures with a soul causes synthetic life to view them as a threat to their freedom. I'm not trying to turn this into a what choice is right discussion either, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I'm just going by what I've learned through playing the games and how I interpreted it. Besides, I think it hints the plot of the next game if it is a sequel.

[@edgecrusherhalo]

LightStreak567 No worries. I like constructive debate when it comes to this and that is rare, lol. When I really think about it, the Catalyst saved the galaxy from the Leviathan. At least temporarily. But while its "solution" is holding the galaxy over from that, I don't think it's the answer to the organic life creating synthetic life that surpasses it problem. And realistically, there may not actually be one. In the end it really comes down to the Crucible. If we knew where that truly originated from, there would likely only be one real choice at the end. For all we know it could have originated with the Leviathan themselves(they do act odd when asked about it after all) and they could be hoping that someone would use it to "synthesize" the galaxy into a form of life that they can control. Which I think is what you were originally getting at. On the other side of things, if it really does originate with some random species from long ago then perhaps the newly synthesized galaxy can't be controlled by the Leviathan. Who knows. It raises interesting theories and questions though. Personally I prefer the latter as I think it makes for a better story. I just think that makes Shepard's death more heroic because I think it takes courage to attempt that change for the galaxy while also sacrificing ones self to do so. But that's just me.

[@LightStreak567]

edgecrusherhalo You're right. Looking on the bright side of things, if it weren't for the conflict between sentient machines and organics, Protheans, Humans, Asari, Turians, Batarians, Salarians, Quarians and other races would have evolved in a galaxy under Leviathan rule and become one of their many tools. I have an interesting idea of the origins of the Crucible, but I feel afraid to explain my opinion about who may have designed it, but I will say that I am concerned that even though the Leviathans have lived in the galaxy long enough to see who the designers of the Crucible are, watching the activities of every civilization with their crystal ball devices, and the activities of the Reapers when they are harvesting everyone, they didn't want to explain much about the Crucible to Shepard, only the fact that they've watched its construction many times, and that what it does is a complete mystery, even to them. When the camera zooms in on Leviathan's shifting eyes after Shepard asks him about the Crucible, I get the feeling that is a sign that Leviathan knows more than he wants to admit to Shepard. Plus, I find it foolish, even for The Catalyst (who the Leviathans call "The Intelligence") to not stop the development of the Crucible as soon as he became aware of its existence several cycles ago, believing that over time the concept of its purpose had been eradicated. It's unbelievable to me that he completely underestimated the resourcefulness of organics that easily, especially when their technology is based on the technology the Reapers used to build the mass relays and Citadel, so that they can evolve down the path the Catalyst and Reapers desire. About Synthesis, if it is a natural phenomena, I also can't help wondering why the bodies of the Leviathans show no signs that they reached Sytnhesis since they claim to be the galaxy's first and only apex race. Well, Shepard generally is a courageous person, staying strong physically and emotionally, but the nightmares Shepard has in ME3 which represents his/her knowledge that not everyone can or will be saved in the Reaper war no matter how hard he/she tries tells me that at some point he/she might forget that sometimes the right choice is defeating the enemy at the price of sacrificing the lives of some of his/her allies, friends or maybe even himself/herself or all the above. That's what makes wars a terrible thing. It goes to show how human Shepard is, he/she is not a knight in shining armor, he/she is an average human like all of us, vulnerable to doubts and fears.

[@AyalaZN]

Exactly, this music has weight, like the decision. As the time is going slower, almost stop. I was standing there, and thinking.

[@Scavenger4711]

"perfectly suitable"? You have the task to end this war but instead you're distracted by that amazing soundtrack and just enjoy and listen to it for half an hour while the reapers tear everything apart doesn't really meet my definition of "perfect" :D ;)

[@MrStuDubb]

(Red) - Blow up (Blue) - Electrocute so hard you vanish (Green) - Vaporize

[@Itookthelaw]

1. Google: rainy mood 2. Open it 3. Press play. 4. Close your eyes. Trust me on this it's mind blowing

[@Arcian]

Yes, and some people still think the Earth is flat and 6000 years old. Your point?

[@LTSKerr]

This is how an entire franchise being destroyed sounds like.

[@ynrmht]

LTSKerr Indeed...

[@enaid5373]

amen... the ending wasn't ideal, but it didn't even ruin ME3, much less the entire franchise... basically impossible for any 10 minute segment of a game to "ruin" the entire thing, regardless of how bad it was- and after the Extended Cut, the ME3 ending wasn't much worse than most video game endings, or even SCI-FI movie endings for that matter (plotholes, even gaping ones, are basically par for the course I'm afraid)

[@MissourHanzai]

Honestly Leviathan saved the ending more than the extended cut did. I wish that bioware pursued the dark matter plotline that was abandoned after that writer was transfered to the Austin branch, but the ending was... Okay. I am still convinced to this day if they made the indoctrination theory canon and tied it with some elaboration on the dark matter, Mass Effect would have been video game's landmark story. It's a great game as is, but... it's missing something, and that's what caused such a violent reaction. For once in a long time, a lot of us were invested for a grand finale that would tie it all together. It didn't really turn out that way. And that's a damn shame.

[@Arcian]

They have to be vastly faster than that. 12 LY/Day equals 4380 x C (C=light speed). From entering the Bahak System at the end of Arrival, the Reapers take 2 months to wipe out the entire Batarian Hegemony as well as traversing the 15000-20000 light years from batarian space to Earth (the Charon Relay allegedly being the closest relay after the Alpha Relay). For that to happen, they have to travel like 330 light years per day, which equals to circa 120,000 x C. BioWare's math sucks.

[@Thandran]

I agree with you 100% and if you're the same person who wrote the Arcian's Fixed Ending thread I'd like to thank you for an entertaining read. :)

[@gekko88]

Discuss this matter at the BSN guys. Here, just lean back and enjoy the music. :)

[@Bajso84]

Loved the ending. Very elegant and sophisticated.

[@ConnivingEagle]

It's funny how a free DLC that should have been in the game from the start can make so many people ignore/forget what is fundamentally wrong with the endings.

[@TehIdiotOne]

Exactly, and eloborating at that, no one had EVER met the catalyst other than the Leviathans themselves before that, so it was probably something the Reapers told people to BS them.

[@Harmon2]

My friend said there was an easter egg if you shot him. There are no words for how low my heart sank after seeing what happened.

[@lukesps77]

God I was looking for this for the past 24 hrs. Unlike many, the ending really lived up for me, it was tragic in the sense that if there's no sacrifice, then no victory. If they gave a happy dandy ending, then the whole scope of the reapers would be trivial and in the end, meaningless. Another thing is you probably wouldn't be as "hit" by it if everyone lived happily ever after. Concerning this soundtrack though, I wish it was longer and not just a loop, still a gem though.

[@bilber18]

Holy fuck, lucky me I've been looking for a longer version for ages, thanks for the upload

[@BountyV]

Thanks for posting this, I was mega pissed when this song wasn't in the OST.

[@NathanielSotero777]

This ending indoctrination, was the only way to get DLC, we don't want Mass Effect to be over, so its the attempt to extend it. What you do here really determines if your real commander Shepard wins, either by him breathing at the end (non indoctrination), or not showing it (becoming illusive man type of indoctrination slave (blue) or green synthesis like Saren.

[@Pepitobenito]

Believing in the InDoc theory is not denial; it's just the best explanation to the confounding ending thus far. With the current ending, myself and many others refuse to believe that the explanation is simply that Bioware dropped the ball in the most catastrophic way imaginable after 30 hours of fantastic writing and a legacy of games with excellent stories. If Bioware says otherwise, I will ignore their words and continue to embrace InDoc in my mind, rather than space magic and a godchild.

[@Arcian]

As plenty of people have stated before, OST can also mean "Original Soundtrack".

[@DarthCannabis]

I wish I could associate this music with happy thoughts.

[@DrDoctor2]

No, the galaxy being blown up like that was an indoctrination; The reapers tried to get Shepard on their side or something like that. He's been having that since ME1. Shepard was near the Reapers, and they decided to get him or something, if I remember right. If I wasn't right, feel free to correct me. But it was pretty much a dream. The Reapers invading Earth was not fake, but everything else after being attacked by Harbringer was all in his head.

[@MikkoSandt]

Yes, the Catalyst scene worked so well because of the contrast to what you had just seen. The interiors of the Citadel were downright infernal. When you walked through those bloody hallways it was as if you were living a nightmare, telling yourself that "this isn't the way it was supposed to go". That lift sequence was then like an ascension to heaven, quite literally so because of the Catalyst's status as a kind of a god. They should get an Oscar for the ending.

[@kerekgyartodavid4247]

that "reaper overlord" who you mentioned is actually a necesarry evil in the galaxy. The Intelligence only does these cycles, so the next civilizations could flourish... however I have a few problems with the endings as well...

[@Aurik-Kal-Durin]

Rewrite the ending, replace Starchild with a hologram of Leviathan (with the same VO as Leviathan), mix this theme with Leviathan's theme, get rid of Synthesis ending, allow for Geth, EDI, and the Mass Relays to survive the Destroy ending if you bring the maximum number of War Assets to the final battle (100% Galactic Readiness), add new option to convince the Catalyst to self-terminate and shut down the Reapers using the Crucible through persuasion in dialogue; options would be available if you have a perfect playthrough (Wrex and Eve alive, Genophage cured, peace between Geth and Quarians, convinced Saren and Illusive Man to commit suicide, destroyed Collector Base), and have the Normandy rescue Shepard at the end like in the perfect ending mods on PC...

[@anonymousxaela761]

Lmao. "I want everyone to survive so I get my perfect happy ending!!!!!!!!! >:(" Life isn't fair. Deal with it.

[@Arcian]

People are mad about the endings because they don't make a lick of sense and because they cause a 180 degree turn in the narrative of the story. You spend 2.95 games devoted to destroying the Reapers, only to have your Shepard forced to willingly abide by the will of the Reaper overlord. The nature of the Catalyst has absolutely nothing to do with it.

[@MikkoSandt]

I agree. The only bad thing about the ending was that in order to get the short Citadel ruins clip you had to play online. But it was no big deal, took me only a few hours to boost the readiness rating from 50% to 100%. It'd be a major mistake to change the ending just to please all these crybabies who wanted a happy ending with everything explained.

[@spence5]

@THISISYOUTUUUUUUUUBE Also, technically speaking, the O in OST actually stands for Original. Meaning music made originally for a game, movie, what have you. So when taking into consideration its technical meaning Unofficial OST is not oxymoronic in nature.

[@MonkaCZ]

@Arcian Fascinating that you would say the whole damn story sucks because ending didn't meet your expectations.

[@TheSeth256]

But when they did this,Reapers still existed,unlike the situation when you destroy them.Also,if it is in his nightmare during being unconcious,it's not like the indoctrination is complete,if he is able to oppose the Reapers.

[@Thandran]

I was thirsty so I opened up the refrigerator to get something to drink. Saw a can of Coca Cola, Fanta and Sprite standing together. *song started playing in my head*

[@denxos]

You know, the ending is nowhere near as bad after you play through the Leviathan DLC. It really clears up a lot of things and actually explains what is going on with the Catalyst reasoning for the cycles. The Leviathan and Extended Cut DLC's should be included with the base game in all future prints of ME3 imo.

[@Arcian]

Pretty sure that discussion took place before the EC was released.

[@edgecrusherhalo]

it wasnt a dead kid, it was a machine. why it looks like a human child is beyond me but a simple reason for that is so that it doesnt appear threatening to sheaprd. we still dont know where the crucible came from either, does that mean its some sort of evil catalyst plot device? its more plausible that the leviathan are the real enemy, not any synthetics.

[@DarkWarden69]

You are not alone brother.

[@Jackald]

@TheKain202 Whereas taking control of the omnipotent space squids to rule the galaxy with an unstoppable weapon to crush any resistance is the ultimate paragon act?

[@Ozziw162]

This track is unbelievable! So atmospheric, getting goosebumps every damn time I hear it. Sat with a nice pair of headphones in the dark, not 2 metres away from the TV and absolutely "sponged" the atmosphere. And then the ending came, and, expecting the worst, was pleasently surprised! You simply have not experienced KotOR 2's ending if you think Mass Effect 3's ending is appalling. Kudos to Bioware for sticking to their vision! (And expanding it in future FREE (!) DLC)

[@Arcian]

I'm not sleeping.

[@Arcian]

I'm pretty sure he means he can't vent his anger on the starchild by shooting it repeatedly anymore because it triggers the supremely retarded Refuse ending.

[@Vetgo21]

I admit, I quite liked the concept of there being a 'creator' behind the Reapers. I would've expected the creator to give an interesting and philosophical reason for creating the Reapers, or at the least an actual understandable or logical reason. But instead it was confusing and vague. We got so little explanation for the ending that most ended up not understanding any of it.

[@Vetgo21]

Personally I think Bioware promised more than they could deliver. Vastly different endings, all your choices mattering and having enough closure to satisfy the fans. There are some games that aren't series, but still struggle to have any of these. Bioware could have said "we're going to try and do our best with this game".

[@Arsenicyanide]

It's called An End, Once And For All just search for it

[@Kalaida]

Some great journey's aren't made entirely of just two parts. What comes after the destination? How will you adapt to the world knowing that you're a changed person? What other roads will you take as a result? Some say the Journey is more important than the destination, but I believe the journey doesn't end with the destination. Unfortunately, that's what BioWare believed when they made this ending.

[@noblebun]

Been looking for this - thanks for the upload!

[@BloodThornODST]

Without hope- we have nothing.

[@chiffmonkey]

Mass Effect 3's slogan is 'take earth back.' You're suggesting that taking earth back is actually a game away?

[@antony1397]

Damn it.... even though I hate the ending... even though I find it hard to even play this game again... the soundtrack.... the story... the characters, they make it all worth it.

[@zairman]

You're telling me this music isn't on any of the soundtracks???!!

[@Arcian]

Order today and we'll throw in an authentic replica of Giorgio Tsoukalos' hair. Now you can be a groundbreaking proponent of the Ancient Assonauts theory as well!

[@JHSaleem]

Don't worry, he's not encouraging me to do anything. in fact he's giving a constructive opinion about what he thinks. I respect that, Good day. :)

[@Pendleton115]

Interesting how I never noticed that this song was not present in the OST. Anyone know if there is a version of the Soundtrack containing all the songs cut from the OST?

[@Shadowz41]

The Coca Cola can tastes flat, the Fanta can has been shaken up, and the Sprite can is actually water. :P

[@eiriseven]

Thanks for the upload, Ive been looking for this song :)

[@ajf1381]

I could not have put it better myself

[@aragottix7322]

Remember, the ending was changed to this one after the previously intended one got leaked. This is why it may seem rushed and poorly written. Way to go...

[@Jack_X075]

what are we really? Just an small speck of dust in this entire universe, that goes on and on without an end. We speculate its size, we wonder for its existence, yet we still don't know our purpose. Just going on, growing, mating, dying. Is that all life is about? Doesn't it make you feel a little underwhelming. Why do we walk, why do we live, if only death is what waits us at the end. And still we hold life so close that any loss of it comes as a shock. All of it, its just so pointless.

[@LimpetDr0Ne]

I clearly haven't... but talking about bad endings to terrible games isn't the same thing as saying that Mass Effect 3's ending is gut wrenching after all the greatness that was built up to those last 10 minutes. I felt physically assaulted by ME3's ending. I still love the series, but I was depressed for like a week after experiencing it.

[@NBGZerO]

@gmk120 Saren was able to shoot himself in Game 1, so either you can break it or Sovereign didn't care at that point

[@TheGr8scott]

Who/what/why/how and where the Reapers are no one knows... As Sovereign once said "Human. You touch my mind fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding." "Reaper. A title starting with the Protheans. In the end, what they chose to call us is irrelevant. We have no beginning, we have no end. We simply...are." "We are in a realm of existence so far beyond your own you cannot even imagine it."

[@1vaultdweller]

Catalyst refers to Reapers using both "we" and "they". "They are my solution". It sure tries hard to be manipulative.

[@Rollersteaam]

For all people who didn't get to see that person's comment, the guy "MASSEFFECTfan101" created a comment 4 days ago stating, "Funny how you allowed the endings to ruin the whole game for most of you." He removed his comment in shame after being tormented by the video uploader. He is another person to be framed of deleting his comments on KZbin.

[@Tothedeathgaming]

The paths are open....

[@nostalgiatrip1]

This song could had been to remember the ending of a great game instead...sadness.

[@linkenlog7862]

sorry I was not as clear I should have been. I meant the console ..the path on the 3 choices were made when he reached the top..the cosole probley did have some sort of wepon but who knows...

[@skytop082]

"Deeply disappointed" Understatement. Of. The. Century.

[@Waudi47]

But i think the console is just there to open or close the citadel, which he does...

[@1vaultdweller]

I doubt that they "turned on their creators". Quarians said Geth turned on them at first, but we later learned that things didn't happened as they described at all. I guess Leviathans willingly evolved into what we call Reapers and as the Catalyst said, they did not approve it later.

[@Arcian]

@NeecHMonkeY No offense, man, but they already have screwed up the ending. Question is, can they fix it? Can they fix it WELL? WILL they fix it? If they do, will we have to pay for it?

[@1vaultdweller]

You know, people wouldn't rage so loud if there were simply a Reaper consensus, a Reaper representative hologram or something like that instead of another AI claiming it created and controls the Reapers: That would at least keep the awesomeness of the villains: We are eternal, the pinnacle of evolution and existence. We are each a nation - independent, free of all weakness. You cannot grasp the nature of our existence. We have no beginning. We have no end. We are infinite.