People who played the game everywhere cried foul. How could the story they had become so emotionally invested in, end in the way it did? Why did Bioware incorporate multiplayer into something that was exclusively single player. What was the deal with the day once downloadable content? Various groups arose in order to protest the game after its release even gaining attention from the Better Business Bureau. All of this coverage on what is actually a fantastic game resulted in Bioware giving into demands and releasing free DLC that adds more to the ending in order to appease the fans.
However, is all of this necessary or called for? Let's begin with the ending, considering that is what drew the most negative reactions. Without spoiling too much on what happened, the game was supposed to end with all of the players actions throughout all three games in the series affecting the outcome. Unfortunately, gamers were treated to an abrupt mess filled with plot holes and misunderstandings falling short of the promises made by Bioware.
This led to all sorts of petitions to boycott EA/Bioware and attempts to convince the team to make a new ending. As I stated earlier, this might be resolved with the new DLC Bioware is releasing later this summer. This includes added scenes and dialogue to make the ending seem more full. I'm a bit skeptical personally, but not because of that. I actually enjoyed the ending up to a point. The dialogue was great and the actual scenes were beautiful and well done. The problem lies in that one all important choice. It seems that no matter what you do, the ending is generally the same with a slight variation in coloring. This honestly comes off as lazy to me and did to many more people. I won't say it was bad, because it wasn't. I just wanted a bit more closure and choice.
So, as it stands the ending could have been handled better, but maybe the new DLC will flesh it out and prove just how good the concept really was.
As for the day one downloadable content, I believe many people over reacted. Day one DLC is not something new and many games incorporate it. What enraged people was the fact they were going to have to pay a whole $10 for it. People who pre-ordered the special edition received the content for free whereas everyone else was stuck paying the price. I don't see any justification is raging over this. It is very similar to buying a new car and not expecting to pay for gas to use it.
The "From Ashes" DLC was not even necessary to complete the game. It added one mission and one character. Both were simply added content. Claims that the DLC was actually already on the disc further enraged the fans. This was eventually claimed to be a false statement by EA. This DLC should not be any reason to get mad.
A multiplayer mode was added to the game by Bioware at the urging of EA. Many people were skeptical about the idea of multiplayer in a previously single-player only experience. Once again, there is no justification in the anger. The multiplayer component is merely an added feature and does not affect the main story in any way. I could also understand if the multiplayer was bad, but it is surprisingly good. Also achievements in the game count for both multiplayer and single-player so anyone wishing to avoid the multiplayer can pretend that it doesn't exist.
In the end, Mass Effect 3 probably got much more hate than it deserved. This entire incident actually reminds me of a similar occurrence once the series Neon Genesis Evangelion ended. Due to budget restraints Studio Gainax had to rush the ending enraging many fans in the process. Creators were receiving death threats. This was not resolved until the release of a movie retelling the end. The comparisons are eerily similar.
Either way, it is nice to see the whole mess finally dying down. I honestly don't believe there should have been this controversy to begin with. Bioware is known for some lackluster endings and crazy plot twists that fans should be used to. The entire game is fantastically made and should not be passed up by anyone.
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