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Well. . .somewhat, I guess. Aemon Send a noteboard - 04/02/2010 06:43:02 AM
Ok, here is my understanding. We knew from the last game that Reapers allow organic civilization to reach a certain point and then Harvest it. But for what? They don't need the technology, and they didn't keep the slaves.


Are we sure we know that from the last game? I thought the "Harvest" was more of a purge. The idea being to wipe out the species before they can be a threat to the reapers. Steal their resources to recharge their batteries, wipe them out, and start again. I was pretty sure it was just mass genocide, but perhaps I'm remembering wrong.

The reveal here was that each Reaper is in fact the genetic sum of the species that came before... they are harvested and distilled into Reapers, somehow possessing not only the genetic markers of that species, but their group consciousness, somehow. The human-reaper was not designed, it grew based on the genetic material that was being fed into it. This, in short, is the Reapers Reproductive cycle. So a Reaper made of Turians would look Turian, etc. The choice of Human can probably be laid at Shepherd's feet... if Humanity is capable of destroying a Reaper, then clearly they are "worthy" to be made into a Reaper themselves.


I think I have two big "that doesn't even make videogame sense" hangups.

1) It was shaped like a human. Even assuming the "group consciousness" theory is correct, surely they could just feed the mental data from the mush into the current machines? Is there REALLY a reason to shape a reaper like a human?

2) From all appearances, the liquid mush was actually being used to grow the machine. There were four giant injectors or whatever, and all the tubes led to them. Does metal grow from flesh, somehow? Maybe they need dna or memories or whatever, but why the actual flesh?

Anyway. I guess I'm just annoyed because this whole thing seems to trivialize the Reapers, somehow. For some reason, the all knowing, all powerful, pinnacle of evolution machine gods expend massive resources to create Reapers that look like conquered species. And the method that they use to accomplish this makes little sense and isn't explained at all.

Overall, the human Reaper seemed to exist just for the shock value of turning a corner and seeing a giant metal head.

I agree that the boss fight was a let down, though. Maybe I need to ratchet up the difficulty, but I figure even an embryonic Reaper should have been a bit tougher to handle. Of course, being Embryonic, if it was tougher to fight that Saren/Sovereign...

Story wise, I liked it. Gameplay wise, I could deal with it. It is the middle installment of the trilogy, after all.


Yeeeeeah, I liked the story a lot right up until the end. I just can't believe that the mysterious race of Reaper controlled beings that I was wondering about the whole game turned out to be doing. . .well, that. Growing a super-robot from human hamburger.

Did that help?
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Why not? Let's have a Mass Effect thread. Aemon - 02/02/2010 05:02:32 PM 3618 Views
Character discussion: Mordin Solus Mats Gambling Buddy - 02/02/2010 06:28:41 PM 1855 Views
I loved this character Kronin al'Sulc - 02/02/2010 06:42:23 PM 1418 Views
I think everyone probably loved / will love Mordin. Aemon - 02/02/2010 07:49:32 PM 1275 Views
Mordin Solus is great weyjoses - 02/02/2010 08:21:26 PM 1282 Views
Actually, that's what happened to me too. Aemon - 02/02/2010 08:33:22 PM 1412 Views
That may be it weyjoses - 02/02/2010 08:35:34 PM 1340 Views
The other thing I wondered Aemon - 02/02/2010 08:42:37 PM 1233 Views
I think your friend may be correct. Mats Gambling Buddy - 02/02/2010 08:41:41 PM 1256 Views
I am the very model of a Scientist Salarian. Dannymac - 03/02/2010 11:15:05 PM 1451 Views
Oh that was wonderful. Aemon - 03/02/2010 11:29:39 PM 1165 Views
I'll be back ironclad - 02/02/2010 08:07:28 PM 1254 Views
No problem. Aemon - 02/02/2010 08:18:48 PM 1214 Views
The Illusive man weyjoses - 02/02/2010 08:34:09 PM 1484 Views
I didn't even realize that's who he was. Aemon - 02/02/2010 08:44:07 PM 1411 Views
"I'm having trouble hearing you. I'm getting a lot of bullshit on this line." *NM* Mats Gambling Buddy - 02/02/2010 09:34:53 PM 692 Views
And other famous voices too... Sidious - 13/02/2010 02:41:38 PM 1328 Views
Re: And other famous voices too... Mats Gambling Buddy - 18/02/2010 06:24:43 AM 1388 Views
Who is sharing your bed? Mats Gambling Buddy - 02/02/2010 09:42:09 PM 1409 Views
I wish i had realized Tali was an option weyjoses - 02/02/2010 11:26:15 PM 1308 Views
The story of Matt-Shep and his many women. Aemon - 03/02/2010 04:44:57 AM 1349 Views
Re: The story of Matt-Shep and his many women. Mats Gambling Buddy - 03/02/2010 05:40:12 PM 1212 Views
Tali for my male Shepherd Dannymac - 04/02/2010 03:52:03 PM 1294 Views
Does she take the helmet off? *NM* ironclad - 04/02/2010 07:57:18 PM 719 Views
Answer: Aemon - 04/02/2010 08:26:38 PM 1231 Views
Re: Answer: Mats Gambling Buddy - 04/02/2010 10:43:09 PM 1231 Views
Re: Answer: Aemon - 05/02/2010 12:48:04 AM 1237 Views
I went simple - Miranda. Kronin al'Sulc - 07/02/2010 06:32:25 AM 1210 Views
Which reminds me that I always wondered... ironclad - 07/02/2010 11:54:14 AM 1327 Views
You probably wouldn't be able to woo anyone by being a total dick. *NM* Kronin al'Sulc - 07/02/2010 03:32:41 PM 691 Views
Morinth might be into that A Deathwatch Guard - 15/02/2010 06:41:12 AM 1360 Views
Mine backfired Sidious - 13/02/2010 02:43:29 PM 1262 Views
I was lucky enough to meet the game's producer... (No spoilers) lord-of-shadow - 02/02/2010 10:58:59 PM 1444 Views
No spoilers here either, as per my rules. Regarding the ammo: Aemon - 03/02/2010 04:51:54 AM 1267 Views
On limited resources... lord-of-shadow - 03/02/2010 04:33:10 PM 1270 Views
I think it adds depth to the combat, reduces "pew-pew" spam. Zalis - 03/02/2010 04:43:04 PM 1341 Views
I just want to be part of this....that said, Best Buy is no longer selling ME:1 Brian - 02/02/2010 11:16:51 PM 1408 Views
Could well be. Aemon - 03/02/2010 04:52:49 AM 1163 Views
Re: Could well be. TaskmasterJack - 03/02/2010 05:56:52 AM 1195 Views
Yeah. Blech. Aemon - 03/02/2010 06:04:35 AM 1310 Views
Yeah, the only decent deals I've found there Brian - 03/02/2010 07:59:23 AM 1275 Views
I don't know why.... Brian - 03/02/2010 08:14:50 AM 1238 Views
Glad the PC version was $50, at the risk of sounding like a snob. Zalis - 03/02/2010 04:01:52 PM 1203 Views
Mass Effect 1 vs 2: RPG-shooter vs Shooter-rpg (This is for you, Cymbaline!) (No spoilers) lord-of-shadow - 02/02/2010 11:28:24 PM 1379 Views
I agree with you, and am enjoying the Vanguard so far. Zalis - 03/02/2010 02:33:06 AM 1233 Views
My thoughts, crippled by not having played the game Cymbaline - 03/02/2010 04:52:26 AM 1475 Views
From someone with the same dislike of FPS's - Spoiler Free Zach - 16/02/2010 10:44:42 PM 1246 Views
A few thoughts on this. Aemon - 03/02/2010 05:27:36 AM 1423 Views
The "Holy crap that was awesome" moments. SPOILERS Dannymac - 03/02/2010 11:27:55 PM 1339 Views
Re: The "Holy crap that was awesome" moments. SPOILERS Fox and Ravens - 04/02/2010 04:11:23 AM 1182 Views
Re: The "Holy crap that was awesome" moments. SPOILERS Aemon - 04/02/2010 04:59:54 AM 1236 Views
Re: The "Holy crap that was awesome" moments. SPOILERS Dannymac - 04/02/2010 06:16:29 AM 1342 Views
Well. . .somewhat, I guess. Aemon - 04/02/2010 06:43:02 AM 1359 Views
Re: Well. . .somewhat, I guess. Dannymac - 04/02/2010 03:32:26 PM 1300 Views
You know what? I'll actually buy that. I appreciate the explanation. Aemon - 04/02/2010 06:30:37 PM 1119 Views
A couple of more things...... Zach - 16/02/2010 12:41:19 AM 1359 Views
Some good thoughts. Aemon - 16/02/2010 01:50:07 AM 1303 Views
Re: Some good thoughts. Zach - 16/02/2010 06:54:59 PM 1181 Views
Re: Well. . .somewhat, I guess. Mats Gambling Buddy - 04/02/2010 10:42:11 PM 1269 Views
Mine Sidious - 13/02/2010 02:46:41 PM 1231 Views
Yuss! ironclad - 22/02/2010 08:08:41 PM 1259 Views
Game was too easy, primary plotline too short cmdjing - 04/02/2010 09:03:52 PM 1290 Views
Nice. I'm playing through on Insanity now, and I think it's a good challenge. Aemon - 05/02/2010 02:17:02 AM 1196 Views
Whats your character build? cmdjing - 05/02/2010 02:45:31 PM 1453 Views
You put a lot of thought into that. Aemon - 05/02/2010 03:58:16 PM 1396 Views
Re: You put a lot of thought into that. Aemon - 05/02/2010 04:00:26 PM 1354 Views
The game was too easy Sidious - 13/02/2010 02:48:10 PM 1164 Views
A moment that made me laugh pretty hard. Mats Gambling Buddy - 05/02/2010 01:06:47 AM 1328 Views
LOL yeah *NM* ironclad - 22/02/2010 08:11:30 PM 697 Views
Ok, so male or female Shepherd? Dannymac - 05/02/2010 01:50:23 AM 1220 Views
Hm. This brings up a thought. Kronin al'Sulc - 05/02/2010 01:52:37 AM 1160 Views
Not Moridin or Grunt Dannymac - 05/02/2010 02:08:49 AM 1218 Views
Dam, I really wanted to bed Mordin (Only one "i" there) *NM* Kronin al'Sulc - 05/02/2010 02:46:19 AM 664 Views
Male for my first playthrough, female for my second. Aemon - 05/02/2010 02:28:24 AM 1320 Views
Agreed, on some of those counts. lord-of-shadow - 05/02/2010 07:28:00 AM 1175 Views
Re: Agreed, on some of those counts. Aemon - 05/02/2010 07:43:20 AM 1320 Views
Yeah Sidious - 13/02/2010 02:51:44 PM 1312 Views
Male so far. I plan on playing the female Shepard next playthrough. *NM* Mats Gambling Buddy - 05/02/2010 03:25:00 AM 740 Views
I think I'll do fem on my third playthrough. Kronin al'Sulc - 05/02/2010 03:33:56 AM 1224 Views
Your Teams, and Your Deaths. Kronin al'Sulc - 07/02/2010 06:30:25 AM 1143 Views
Re: Your Teams, and Your Deaths. Aemon - 07/02/2010 09:07:17 AM 1330 Views
Hm, that's interesting. Kronin al'Sulc - 07/02/2010 03:31:52 PM 1241 Views
Do you know... Mats Gambling Buddy - 07/02/2010 03:46:59 PM 1148 Views
Re: Do you know... cmdjing - 07/02/2010 04:31:29 PM 1230 Views
Awesome. Thanks! *NM* Mats Gambling Buddy - 07/02/2010 04:40:59 PM 720 Views
Yeah, that's what I did. Aemon - 07/02/2010 06:37:50 PM 1099 Views
Re: Yeah, that's what I did. Mats Gambling Buddy - 08/02/2010 03:44:52 PM 1102 Views
Hmmm... Mats Gambling Buddy - 09/02/2010 03:48:48 PM 1178 Views
Strange. Aemon - 09/02/2010 04:19:04 PM 1227 Views
me too Sidious - 13/02/2010 03:01:05 PM 1218 Views
Did you do Legion's loyalty mission? Mats Gambling Buddy - 15/02/2010 05:52:36 AM 1318 Views
I did, for what it's worth. Aemon - 15/02/2010 07:26:38 AM 1243 Views
Gah. Then I wonder if loyalty of the rest of the crew has something to do with it. Mats Gambling Buddy - 15/02/2010 04:20:13 PM 1209 Views
That could definitely be the case. Aemon - 15/02/2010 04:30:06 PM 1198 Views
Maybe Joker flew slowly. Kronin al'Sulc - 09/02/2010 04:22:38 PM 1218 Views
Re: Your Teams, and Your Deaths. Mats Gambling Buddy - 07/02/2010 03:42:05 PM 1211 Views
Yea, I had one hull upgrade left before going in Kronin al'Sulc - 07/02/2010 03:49:57 PM 1093 Views
Re: Your Teams, and Your Deaths. Sidious - 13/02/2010 02:55:48 PM 1256 Views
My first time through and all squad members survived. Zalis - 16/02/2010 03:09:46 AM 1271 Views
Re: Your Teams, and Your Deaths. AliasRY - 19/02/2010 10:16:28 PM 1191 Views
I didn't see that one coming ironclad - 22/02/2010 08:16:33 PM 1258 Views
Re: I didn't see that one coming Kronin al'Sulc - 23/02/2010 03:29:57 AM 1226 Views
Re: I didn't see that one coming AliasRY - 24/02/2010 10:23:03 AM 1189 Views
I have come across a big problem. Kronin al'Sulc - 07/02/2010 06:53:36 PM 1256 Views
Re: I have come across a big problem. Mats Gambling Buddy - 08/02/2010 03:41:16 PM 1184 Views
Adept seems rather fun... Kronin al'Sulc - 08/02/2010 03:49:23 PM 1137 Views
Want FREE Mass Effect 2 DLC? ME 2! (har, har) Bioware bonus goodies detailed inside. Zalis - 09/02/2010 07:03:23 PM 1376 Views
Now if only the DLC armors didn't have helmets. lord-of-shadow - 09/02/2010 07:26:47 PM 1160 Views
I did that for about half the game Aemon - 09/02/2010 07:48:14 PM 1186 Views
At first I was wearing the visor Kronin al'Sulc - 09/02/2010 11:32:28 PM 1273 Views
Of course, the Shotgun is released AFTER I beat my Vanguard *sigh* Kronin al'Sulc - 09/02/2010 11:31:13 PM 1237 Views
It's nice, but you don't miss much if you already had the Claymore shotty w/ an ammo upgrade. *NM* Zalis - 10/02/2010 05:16:00 AM 669 Views
I couldn't stand the Claymore Kronin al'Sulc - 10/02/2010 05:20:42 AM 1220 Views
Anyone find anything interesting about Zaeed Massani? Mats Gambling Buddy - 11/02/2010 09:08:16 PM 1253 Views
I enjoy Zaeed. lord-of-shadow - 11/02/2010 09:22:39 PM 1208 Views
I'm near your spot in the story and completely agree. One-sided conversations, but worthwhile. *NM* Zalis - 11/02/2010 10:20:47 PM 600 Views
Yeah, I've listened to him alot but it's the same stuff every time. Mats Gambling Buddy - 12/02/2010 03:14:11 PM 1164 Views
Never put him on my team once. And in the same vein - Jack. Kronin al'Sulc - 12/02/2010 01:34:33 AM 1311 Views
Who, what, where? *NM* ironclad - 22/02/2010 08:18:31 PM 630 Views
If you bought a new copy of the game, it came with a code for the "Cerberus Network" lord-of-shadow - 22/02/2010 08:22:18 PM 1167 Views
Oh, I did ironclad - 22/02/2010 08:30:21 PM 1152 Views
Is there a way to install the game on the Xbox, so you don't have to switch discs? Kronin al'Sulc - 12/02/2010 01:39:07 AM 1196 Views
Good ones have two discs, of course. DVDs can only hold so much. *NM* Aemon - 12/02/2010 02:46:39 AM 628 Views
This is the first I've ever seen. *NM* Kronin al'Sulc - 12/02/2010 02:51:34 AM 660 Views
I've never understood why people are unhappy with the multiple discs. lord-of-shadow - 12/02/2010 04:18:42 AM 1201 Views
There are a few others. Aemon - 12/02/2010 06:52:01 AM 1139 Views
Since nobody has really answered you....YES scalius - 16/02/2010 10:08:40 PM 1214 Views
Shadow answered him. *NM* Aemon - 16/02/2010 10:52:17 PM 669 Views
So far, so great! ironclad - 12/02/2010 08:35:00 AM 1175 Views
Re: So far, so great! Aemon - 12/02/2010 02:31:43 PM 1281 Views
Re: So far, so great! scalius - 16/02/2010 10:17:12 PM 1231 Views
Nope, I was referring to honest-to-goodness cheating. lol Aemon - 16/02/2010 11:03:53 PM 1274 Views
Ahh, I just figured you were on console as I am, so.....the grind will continue I guess *NM* scalius - 17/02/2010 06:41:59 PM 712 Views
Yeah, sorry man. Maybe you could download a saved game? Aemon - 17/02/2010 06:59:38 PM 1198 Views
I love the detail put into this game. Kronin al'Sulc - 12/02/2010 02:58:35 PM 1156 Views
"Our amino acids aren't even compatable so there's no risk if we go natural." Mats Gambling Buddy - 12/02/2010 03:15:50 PM 1209 Views
Re: "Our amino acids aren't even compatable so there's no risk if we go natural." Aemon - 12/02/2010 07:16:21 PM 1136 Views
"Technically we don't even have sex drives... oh, she is rather flexible...." *NM* Kronin al'Sulc - 12/02/2010 07:20:53 PM 658 Views
Female Turians.... Mats Gambling Buddy - 12/02/2010 09:05:39 PM 1134 Views
Nope. Don't exist in-game. lord-of-shadow - 14/02/2010 01:47:23 AM 1102 Views
I believe a krogan female is shown once. Kronin al'Sulc - 14/02/2010 02:03:27 AM 1188 Views
No I don't think that's right. Aemon - 14/02/2010 08:54:32 AM 1117 Views
Two things make me feel that the ambassador is female. Kronin al'Sulc - 14/02/2010 02:50:18 PM 1171 Views
So I just revisited Tuchanka... Kronin al'Sulc - 14/02/2010 05:21:39 PM 1281 Views
Asari A Deathwatch Guard - 15/02/2010 06:51:10 AM 1243 Views
Not really. lord-of-shadow - 15/02/2010 10:41:54 PM 1167 Views
Though it is fun seeing the asari coupled with basically every race under the sun. Kronin al'Sulc - 15/02/2010 10:54:41 PM 1192 Views
I think you're taking him too literally. Aemon - 16/02/2010 01:06:11 AM 1165 Views
Yeah, probably was. lord-of-shadow - 16/02/2010 03:26:46 AM 1233 Views
Yeah, that's what I meant A Deathwatch Guard - 16/02/2010 10:51:01 PM 1200 Views
Dammit! I lost Miranda! Kronin al'Sulc - 14/02/2010 08:24:55 PM 1191 Views
The final verdict ironclad - 22/02/2010 08:06:12 PM 1204 Views
Re: The final verdict Zalis - 22/02/2010 09:01:53 PM 1213 Views
Explanation for death lord-of-shadow - 23/02/2010 02:00:16 AM 1215 Views
Can't be it, then ironclad - 23/02/2010 08:02:11 AM 1317 Views
He got taken by the bugs during the biotic bubble sequence? Kronin al'Sulc - 23/02/2010 03:25:36 AM 1187 Views
Re: He got taken by the bugs during the biotic bubble sequence? ironclad - 23/02/2010 08:03:46 AM 1236 Views
By the way, my game was surprisingly buggy ironclad - 23/02/2010 08:49:28 AM 1299 Views
Huh, I never got that. I only got one kind of bug. Aemon - 23/02/2010 04:06:17 PM 1128 Views
Re: Huh, I never got that. I only got one kind of bug. Zalis - 23/02/2010 04:29:46 PM 1150 Views
I had no bugs of any sort. *NM* Mats Gambling Buddy - 23/02/2010 05:15:32 PM 679 Views
A complaint about the Morality system. (Or, how Mass Effect semi-killed roleplaying). Kronin al'Sulc - 27/02/2010 06:40:35 AM 1295 Views
Re: A complaint about the Morality system. (Or, how Mass Effect semi-killed roleplaying). ironclad - 27/02/2010 12:28:29 PM 1131 Views
Re: A complaint about the Morality system. (Or, how Mass Effect semi-killed roleplaying). Kronin al'Sulc - 27/02/2010 04:57:43 PM 1185 Views
Re: A complaint about the Morality system. (Or, how Mass Effect semi-killed roleplaying). ironclad - 28/02/2010 12:34:31 AM 1236 Views
I suppose. Kronin al'Sulc - 28/02/2010 03:29:23 AM 1215 Views
A vital part of role-playing is forcing the player to deal with the consequences of their actions lord-of-shadow - 27/02/2010 11:53:56 PM 1465 Views
Admittedly, my post was somewhat stream-of-consciousness. Kronin al'Sulc - 28/02/2010 03:28:02 AM 1162 Views
That's more understandable. lord-of-shadow - 28/02/2010 05:58:59 AM 1178 Views
Yeah, the tradeoff already works just fine. Aemon - 28/02/2010 06:05:44 AM 1188 Views
ok that's weird ironclad - 10/03/2010 06:52:39 PM 1210 Views
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