Mass Effect’s Illusive Organisation - Cerberus | FULL Mass Effect Lore & Origin Story

[@WiseFish]

Hope you guys enjoyed this video! If you can definitely check out Mass Effect Evolution it’s a great insight into The Illusive Mans past and written by the guy who wrote ME2! Well worth it. Anyways thanks for watching!!

[@theavpman4834]

Sounds cool I'll give it a look.

[@magicpyroninja]

Cerberus as a name is burned they can't use it everybody hates them as an organization now. And I think through this everyone will have found a New respect for humanity

[@TheGreatestJediOfAllTime]

The dude that wrote ME2 ruined the series. Basically no progress was made in the reaper plot. Taking shepard away from the alliance and most former companions was dumb. All the “edgy teen” energy in that game is cringe too. If you have a problem with ME3, blame ME2 for not advancing the plot at all, and Me3 having to do the work of 2 games in 1.

[@wolverines5279]

@@TheGreatestJediOfAllTime it technically did advance the plot

[@WowSuchGaming]

Wow, i never knew The Illusive Man had such a history, especially crossing paths with Saren. Its too bad the Turian general had such an influence on him with race superiority.

[@WiseFish]

I should have stated that Desolas is Sarens brother. But yeah I had no idea before I worked on this. Such a great backstory!

[@silent_stalker3687]

I would suggest Thomas Sowell’s Race and culture book- free audiobook on KZbin. Technically the book ‘visions of the anointed’, and his ‘basic economics’ and ‘economic fallacies’ audiobook also on KZbin work too I would also suggest Hazlit’s ‘basic economics in 1 lesson’ These give a idea as to how these effected their cultures in a sense. Basically being the most politically benefited races they receive the best support in most aspects over others. See the Turian’s dreadnought policy; for everyone 5 of the Turian’s other species can only have 1 of their own. The Asari have however a more natural superiority; the benefit of long term pleasures at the cost of short term ones is a benefit of their society partly due to their long life spans. The Salarians- frog people have short term pleasures and act the most to do as much as they can due to their competing culture; due to their short life span and generation length they often go to extremes to end wars- see the Krogan being uplifted to fight the Rachni and then the genophage. And then add in the life span and generation range there of (earliest start of family= new generation (2) + earliest start of new family member starting their own family = new generation(3) ) The longest war in humanity is the Hindu Holocaust in which the Muslims invaded India from 960 some to early 1700’s. It’s called a foreign name and is hard to find any actual naming of what it’s referred to as it lasted so long it’s like our war with North Korea- so little action happens between some high violent years before kicking up again.

[@akramgimmini8165]

Oh Hello There

[@Ser-Lusacan]

@@WiseFish I figured they were related same surname and all

[@BlueFusion2910]

Too good*

[@cryptosporidium1375]

Ironic, Saren was the first marauder fought.

[@t1czer]

@@cryptosporidium1375 and last one was the hero who tried to save us the let down of the endings. RIP Marauder Shields. Your sacrifice will be remembered.

[@greasy8394]

@@t1czer Saren was reincarnated as the Marauder so he could use his feeble body to try and stop us

[@trevinwolverine1904]

Hearing " Planet LV-426" brought back memories about Alien. I know what I'm doing afterwards

[@maxpayne930]

Wow u noticed that to? Nice : )

[@raval87]

@@maxpayne930 yeah me too. Acheron he say?

[@Hammer_Of_Olympia]

I’m so glad you did Cerberus, they’re a very interesting faction. Whilst they do a lot of shady and unethical stuff which results in me not being a massive fan, their rationale and the fact they were one of the only groups to try and prepare for the Reaper invasion is admirable. Also had no idea The Illusive Man had such a background. With that being said, great video yet again (as though there’s any doubt)!

[@jfk8540]

prepare for the reaper invasion=sabotaging the galaxy’s legitimate attempts to stop the reaper invasion at every possible turn because you think you know better and commit crimes against humanity in dozens of unethical human experimentation projects while claiming to be fighting for it

[@nicholasmays4257]

@@jfk8540 they're pretty much the definition of lawful evil, doing whatever they deem necessary to accomplish their goals regardless of what's required to do it. very much a "can't make an omelet without breaking eggs" sort of mentality.

[@wiilov]

@@jfk8540 All you're doing is pointing out every reason Mass Effect 3 writers aren't that loved.

[@cls357]

Then Andromeda dropped and hit us all with the revelation that Jack, The Illusive Man's vision went beyond every galaxy and solar system we came to know in the original trilogy. Cerberus discovered space with no Reapers! Space that the Reapers hadn't even come close to; in any previous cycle. That's heavy; the Illusive Man was always a few steps ahead; in the name of humanity.

[@pepsiman7711]

Never read that fanfiction is it any good? Heard it sucks major butt.

[@labradude]

This is fanfiction, for anyone reading this in the future. It's not real.

[@manofmercy1500]

@@labradude Actually, it's implied that Cerberus had a few agents who infiltrated the Andromeda Initiative, mainly so they could once more assert human dominance upon a new galaxy, resorting to beginning their usual immoral experiments [though due to the much more hostile surroundings, the Kett and/or the efforts of Pathfinder Ryder (Scott or Sara) these efforts would gain very little ground]. Not to mention the popular fan theory that the Initiative's mysterious "Benefactor" who saved the program from early financial ruin was actually a pre-indoctrinated Illusive Man, though that one's never been confirmed.

[@labradude]

@@manofmercy1500 fanfiction not theory

[@Xpwnxage]

It is fun to think about if Reapers exist in other galaxies. If the Andromeda initiative made it in a few hundred years, Reapers should have no problem getting to others.

[@Plasma-vs1eq]

After helping Liara with the shadow broker mission and exploring the ship and finding a terminal about your squadmates and you read about Miranda, you discover that the previous shadow broker has planned to destroy cerberus and recruit Miranda as an agent for the shadow broker

[@TheCorrodedMan]

It’s also where I learned she was barren and couldn’t online date to save her life.

[@El_Presidente_5337]

*Discoveres this channel* "Mass Effect lore videos are back on the menu baby!"

[@LPeck1985]

"Looks like meats back on the menu boys!" Sorry, you reminded me of LoTR: The Two Towers.

[@bucky699]

I doubt Cerberus is dead just cause TIM dies. It had many roots and cells he may have been the shot caller but as Miranda said there are many high powered and influential members who entrusted TIM with the day to day running. Doubtfull all of them are gone.

[@bubbajubbaR]

@Crimson Fox paragon lost takes place before ME3

[@bubbajubbaR]

@Crimson Fox no worries. I wish they'd make more mass effect movies/TV shows. I think it could really catch on

[@punishedvenomsnake716]

Wow, this is perfect timing. I just finished ME 1/2/3 for the first time last Friday. Man, no other series of games has come even close to making me laugh, smile, and cry so much. I was bawling my eyes out from a cocktail of overwhelming emotions out near the end. I wish you could save Anderson from this bastard. At least, we were able to have one last conversation before he passed. Cheers, bro for this video! I love your channel and the content you put out.

[@WiseFish]

Thanks for enjoying the channel man it means the world! Mass Effect is an incredible franchise!

[@punishedvenomsnake716]

@@WiseFish Of course and thank you for making this wonderful content, man! And yeah, ME is so awesome on every level! I'm so excited for the next game :)

[@recht_voor_zijn_raap5506]

Awesome video as always. You did forget one thing though. TIM was already indoctrinated by the Reapers at the time of at least the end of ME2 (but highly likely the moment he interacted with the Reaper artifact while stil being Jack Harper.. explaining his mechanical blue eyes) This was confirmed by both the Prothean VI and the Catalyst itself The Catalyst outright says TIM "was already under their control" ... And the Prothean VI telling about indoctrinated organisations like Cerberus helping on the downfall of The Protheans in their cycle. So although it seems his intentions were about saving humanity at all costs.. Without him knowing the Catalyst (and creator of the Reapers) was using him as an indoctrinated agent to destroy oppositions like the Alliance and Councel War races. Making the Galactic genocide much easier. As it has done in every cycle.

[@WiseFish]

Damn I did didn’t I? That’s annoying, but thanks for this. It’ll clear it up for anyone interested. But annoyed I forgot about that honestly

[@recht_voor_zijn_raap5506]

@@WiseFish No problem m8.. Your video was really well made and with all that information its understandable some details slipped through the cracks. Keep up the amazing work

[@GrimsdaleGaming]

The Illusive Man is a good friend of mine. Thank you for covering Jack’s life and legacy so well!

[@Dizzy62695]

Can't believe I only just found you on KZbin. Some of the best lore videos around

[@WiseFish]

Wow dude thanks so much that means the world!!

[@theavpman4834]

Yeah KZbin has something against this guy for some reason. His vids hardly ever get recommended like they should.

[@shirox11]

The illusive man is an awesome character. It’s just to bad that it takes the extended universe to really know who he is and why he is the way he is.

[@PsychomachineryEBM]

Fact, to me the best character in the series (and counting so many great characters there, that says a lot)

[@AdminAbuse]

Too and to are different words

[@KevinKoolx]

I'll always watch anything Mass Effect related! Great video as always!

[@reasonablybased7]

As an aspiring small creator myself, your videos are inspirational! Spectacular content as always Mr WiseFish.

[@WiseFish]

Thank you so much man! Keep up the hard work on your end as well :)

[@AdminAbuse]

You are a dollar store Andrew Tate

[@lordshaxx7727]

Such quality 🤩 good job dude I’m very happy I found your channel.

[@jasonx1174]

Now I know why he called the A.I. that tried to replaced E.D.I. Eva. That's actually sad.

[@Audiotrocious]

Heart wrenching. TIM suffered and it broke him, leaving something jagged not caring what was cut to achieve his goals.

[@lavellelee5734]

Damn 😢

[@scruffypugs1963]

thanks for the amazing video i really appreciate it, keep up the good work also I'd love to see some dead space videos potentially if you don't have some already or maybe if you do then ones with topics or subjects you haven't possibly looked into, I'm really enjoying this channel thus far.

[@precious2060]

Thanks for another ME lore video. Ever since watching your video on First Contact War, I was looking forward to your next one. Again this was presented really well. Too bad Cerberus' goals got twisted as time went on, they would've been a great asset during the war.

[@duffinthemuffin5792]

Just getting into the full trilogy as I only played mass effect 2 without any dlc almost 6 years ago now, glad to see the rest of the fanbase has revived.

[@matthewmartinez3907]

Wonder if that object was a reaper in origin, if so with Jack being exposed to it like that he could’ve been indoctrinated long before we meet him, like some characters it can be dormant and manifest later at some point.

[@tigraniskandaryan8641]

"But for now, with the death of Illusive Man, otherwise known as Jack Harper, Cerberus will be gone for good" Except they financed Andromeda Initiative and send their men to a galaxy far far away where, upon arrival, they continue Cerberus' job...

[@InvadeleYogurt]

The idea continues on

[@generalkenobi9602]

@@InvadeleYogurt The Illusive man did say that Cerberus was no simple organisation but an idea and no matter what we do....we can't destroy it.

[@AdminAbuse]

Except they did not finance it

[@silmarienprince3137]

I really enjoyed that. Huge Kudos

[@ideadlift20kg83]

The "human reaper hybrid" is just a reaper core. Reapers all have cores made from the dominant race of that cycle. Every cycle spawns 1 capital ship made from the dominant race and a handful of reaper destroyers from the lesser races. They all look like the cuttle fish in the end with a core of whichever species they chose inside them. Hence why the "human reaper" is not over 1 kilometer tall. In Me2 its name is "Human Reaper Larva".

[@MasterRaven0707]

Having read all the books, comics and passed all 3 parts of the Mass Effect, my attitude to The Illusive Man and Cerberus can be described: "Neutral, mixed with disgust". I understand the goals and motives of this organization, to elevate and protect humanity, but the way they try to achieve it I hate, especially after what The Illusive Man has done to Paul Grayson, their experiments on children and not only and the study of Reaper technology where they subsequently indoctrination The Illusive Man. I understand why they did it, but I do not accept it. I have no hatred for Cerberus or The Illusive Man, I just have a neutral-disgust for him and his organization.

[@Einhauser]

Working for Cerberus was the best part of ME2. I wish Bethesda hadn't made them into cartoon villains afterwards

[@tamiloxd7168]

I love the Ilusive Man, he manages to give a player false image of Cerberus. You as a player never get to see the true face of Cerberus, except of the ocasions when you are presented with their crimes.

[@VojislavMoranic]

Its not a crime because those are xenos.

[@tamiloxd7168]

@@VojislavMoranic not the humans experimented on to create Jack.

[@roman8197]

@@VojislavMoranic so true

[@TheCorrodedMan]

“I tried, Shepard…”

[@akramgimmini8165]

Great Video as Always I'm not a great Mass Effect Fan but I'm hyped for the next Video

[@nathanlevesque7812]

How was TIM ever going to use the crucible after preventing the Alliance from getting the schematics? Cerberus never had the resources to build it themselves.

[@giathuanleviet4138]

The neat part is, he won't, the starchild said that he already fell for the indoctrination, he only talk about it because the Reaper wanted him to, they want to make TIM think that he's still in control and that's about it

[@ChrisBabaganoosh]

ME2 and previous - an extremist organization that did immoral things but genuinely worked for the betterment of humanity. ME3 - Scooby Doo villain.

[@Zack-gk1bt]

They felt more like an actually effective Team Rocket in Me3 imo

[@tylerhaunted]

I wish the main line ME trilogy did more with Cerberus, like deep cover missions against them especially in ME3, not just a couple attacks.

[@TerryMcQ79]

Don't let that jabroni in the comments get you down about Ash's father I mean grandfather. You pinned a comment owning the mistake and that's all you need. This vid earned you a new subscriber. Keep it up 👍

[@TheArchaos]

Arch? Would that be Arch "Warhammer" the Returned?

[@maksymilianziele28]

"If the Illusive Man is good at one thing, it's finding new way to subverb science. It's never worked for him before, and it won't now." - Hackett, Mass Effect 3

[@captainhybrid4045]

Amused me that, with the good Admiral talking to someone brought back from the dead by Cerberus. Sure, in the end it didn't work out for The Illusive Man, but to say it never worked wasn't quite true either. The Collectors were beaten and humanity, depending on the chosen ending in ME3, saved.

[@maksymilianziele28]

@@captainhybrid4045 In Mass Effect 3 everyone portrayed him as an delusional villain with big ego. Out of all main characters, only Miranda and Shepard him/herself may believed in his true priorities (saving humanity). But like Shepard said about Saren in Mass Effect, whatever he thought and believed does not matter anymore, TIM became a threat that must be put down before he could do more damage.

[@captainhybrid4045]

@@maksymilianziele28 I was referring to subverting science never working for him. Though in Anderson's words regarding your Saren reference, true enough.

[@dandyrandy2384]

Great info! I really need to dive into more of the mass effect comics. I enjoyed the books ive read quite a bit. Subbed!

[@Audiotrocious]

Since they are splintered cells, I think they are still around, just no longer have a leader figure uniting cells. Power vacuum could lead to infighting.

[@thahn3419]

Damn man im hooked on fictional history. So good.

[@kevingeenath4569]

AWESOME video... Love it. 👍👍❤️❤️❤️

[@merlingutgesell8088]

What is a little confusing to me is the use of identical or at least similar weaponry, although both species developed independent from each other. Even if their weaponry is based on prothean design, wouldn't a turian design be more accommodating to someone with only three-fingered hands?

[@christianburnett236]

Would be awesome to get more lore or 3rd party material of the collectors/Cerberus splinter groups

[@MetroPlexGamer]

Cerberus is Mass Effect's answer to Star Trek Mirror Universe's Terran Empire at least humans aren't likely to stab each other in the back ( literally) just to gain a promotion in the next chain of command.

[@ActionQuackson]

Thanks for the video!

[@nogoodhandlesavailable]

While I disagree with some of the methods, the message and goals of Cerberus are right on.

[@shanedawndusk3290]

You deserve more subs

[@UpUpBobby]

Man that ME1 Soundtrack just hits like no other. I love it so much ♥

[@Guitar.Gemini]

I want a game based on Jack’s story

[@gid-and-friends]

Plot twist: Charlie Sheen plays a character called Charlie Harper on Two and a Half Men. The Illusive Man’s name is Jack Harper who is voiced by Martin Sheen, Charlie Sheen’s father. And we know future family members often times seem reincarnated. Two and Half Men is canon to Mass Effect now. Don’t @ me.

[@DangerIncFilms]

I legit thought you saying LV-426 was just to make sure people are paying attention but wow. It’s true.

[@Salem_Rah]

Could the illusion man be the same as the man with blue eyes from cyberpunk? They seem the same idk the lore about the man with blue eyes in cyberpunk but I always thought that they resembled the same person idk

[@FSUfan1991]

Thank you Illusive man for always putting humanity first

[@vodeankandosii3982]

"Remembered, not as a messenger, remembered not as a reformer, not as a prophet, not as a hero, not even as The Illusive Man. Remembered only .. as Jack."

[@venkelos6996]

Thank you for this video!, and thank you Martin Sheen for the character!😊 I hate him, but it's great how I hate him, and hiw, in 2, he can even seem useful, if shady, instead of just openly monstrous, as he is more in 3. Still thought it was weird that Andromeda's Cora had the same last name, though assumedly no relation.

[@justagreekguywithaspacesui9084]

Everyone is the hero of their own story

[@Jason-oq9om]

The first rule of Cerberus is Cerberus does not give a shit what you think about Cerberus.

[@nathanielray3860]

So just a theory, but what if Shepherd near Harper? Shepherd could call him out changing the pace of the game, could be a cool twist.

[@MIKEREW]

Just got my popcorns ready!

[@WiseFish]

Yeah boy!! Enjoy :)

[@MIKEREW]

@@WiseFish Man I'm allready enjoying! Thank you Legend!

[@grimmbastard4752]

good vid. thanks!

[@ShredGod7404]

Do u think Jack harper is related to Cora Harper from andromeda?

[@harlancollins1060]

Gives me an entirely different view of illusive man...thank you...I need to think about all of this.

[@txdmsk]

I loved the Illusive Man and his organization. I appreciated that they were willing to do everything in order to make sure humanity survives, even though some of the stuff they were doing was questionable.

[@AdminAbuse]

Bruh missed the entire plot

[@txdmsk]

@@AdminAbuse No. I get it. Still.

can you do a lore video of chargeman kens alien faction :)

[@BlueFusion2910]

Would Cerberus even exist if the first contact war didn't happen?

[@johnk.7523]

13:02 Damn it Liara!

[@shuckern7wgas622]

Ok following the mithos of the name, in Mass Effect 4 can we get the 2 other heads of the beast?

[@humanbeing4841]

To be honest if the Mass Effect universe was real, I would probably want to join Cerberus. It wasn't until Illusive Man became corrupted by the Reapers that Cerberus became a problem.

[@TheCorrodedMan]

Allow me to enlighten you as to why you’re wrong with one word. A name, actually: Jack(Subject Zero)

[@Steven-dt5nu]

Cool. Thanks

[@obscureraven6627]

I find it rather sad that you can tell the second the writing went to shit in ME3, the illusive man going full villain at the end, trying suddenly to stop shepard from destroying the reapers even though it was his plan for a game and a half

[@edot7266]

He was indoctrinated. He was made to believe he could control them. And that the reapers were necessary. It's not bad writing. You can tell right from the start of the game he's not mentally right.

[@MohamedRamadan-qi4hl]

He was indoctrinated

[@Clarity_Control]

@@MohamedRamadan-qi4hl That’s how they can justify the terrible writing.

[@MohamedRamadan-qi4hl]

@@Clarity_Control more like re-writing the bad ending in your head canon

[@seanlamar29]

His momma named him jack imma call him jack

[@nobodyknows9937]

Humanity First.

[@Brakvash]

Isn't it "Elusive Man", not "Illusive?" Elusive refers to someone who evades being captured or discovered.

[@johnloa2009]

was the ilusive man the shadow broker?

[@JamesDOConnor1916]

Thanks sir 🙏

[@theformalpsycho3143]

Wait.. there was a hidden evil Corp?

[@WiseFish]

Errr nope nothing to see here

[@bluepraetorian]

Anderson is not a general, he's a captain.

[@geoxev9423]

Quick question, who is canon, Female or male Shepherd? Or is up to our imagination?

[@WiseFish]

I think Shepard is down to the player I don’t think they’re in the comics or books but could be wrong. That said the original creator said Shepard was always meant to be Female so I guess FemShep is the canon?

[@geoxev9423]

@@WiseFish Yeah I figure it would be something like that.

[@captainhybrid4045]

Play through the three games and focus on everything. There are moments in 2 and 3 which imply a canon in 1. There's a moment I have to replay through to remember the point in the series where I got the impression canon was male. An example of the point I'm making about quiet canon is when Joker asks if you'd like him to call the council to hang up on them for old time's sake. Even without ever disconnecting on them in ME1. So I figure there's a point at least in 1 where Shep is Renegade. Either with each report or by the last one, which I wouldn't blame Shep for.

[@xwing2417]

welp. guess I gotta set up another play-thru.

[@PsychomachineryEBM]

The best character in the series. He was a real badass.

[@visionhawk4403]

No mention of him creating an AI and naming it after his old friend, Dr. Eva Core?

[@breakfastatepiphanies]

Taking casual tea!

[@feralprocessor9853]

Such amazing music 🎶

[@gameone7717]

Illusive man 😎

[@onlytri6734]

I always thought the illusive man's name was Tim lol

[@R2A97LB]

Shepard and The Illusive man are my fav characters of the series...i still remember how in the end of me3 the elusive man tried so hard to save humanity but was rejected....💔

[@WallNutBreaker524]

I love Cerberus.

[@WallNutBreaker524]

We need more Cerberus.

[@WallNutBreaker524]

Cerberus is the last hope of humanity, humanities guardian.

[@matthewcooke117]

Why did they write in poisoned Rosary beads into lore

[@sargepent9815]

The artifact was Reaper tech and it was at this moment that both TIM and Saren were indoctrinated

[@johankrausse9026]

Where did you get this info?

[@WiseFish]

In game, Mass Effect comics/books and the lore wiki

[@RUdigitized]

The True Heroes of Mass Effect

[@AdmiralBison]

Have to wonder is Mass Effect's "Illusive Man" inspired by the X-Files "Cigarette smoking man"?

[@CriminalFriday]

Cerberus is terrible but ngl their aesthetics were WAY cooler than the Alliance

[@MohamedRamadan-qi4hl]

Tim looks cool. But I don't know about cerberus as a whole

[@Lesnz2009]

This Cerus Organisation is operating on a version of Manifest Destiny and Xenophobia which I always consider is part of Manifest Destiny anyway. There a few games that use this principle and is the reason why I do not play them. I have had people tell me none of these are about politics but as.more than one person has said: :War is Politics" and Cerebus is certainly an extremist political organisation with a dangerous ideology. Good for a game antagonist.

[@Mobysimo]

Huh, so General Williams in a way inspired the creation of Cerberus. Ironic, considering his granddaughter, Ashley, loathes Cerberus. Like, she is one of the most Anti-Cerberus party members in the trilogy.

[@captainnikoorphan5345]

Admiral* Anderson

[@dukethighwalker6839]

Cool videos dude but Charon = K sound like in Chaos.

[@WiseFish]

Yeah that’s the Greek pronunciation and the one it’s mean to be however I was just going by how NASA themselves call it as well as other astronomers. Why they say Sharon instead of the Greek Kharon I don’t know, I guess the words been westernised? Anyways glad you liked the video

[@superheracross89]

Anderson wasn't a general

[@kallehobbe81]

LV-426?

[@jacoballen148]

Good question how is the illusive man is alive if he smokes and looks like in his 80s

[@gasmaskguys4965]

Yesss!