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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 3519 Views
Character discussion: Mordin Solus Mats Gambling Buddy - 02/02/2010 06:28:41 PM 1762 Views
I loved this character Kronin al'Sulc - 02/02/2010 06:42:23 PM 1324 Views
I think everyone probably loved / will love Mordin. Aemon - 02/02/2010 07:49:32 PM 1187 Views
Mordin Solus is great weyjoses - 02/02/2010 08:21:26 PM 1187 Views
Actually, that's what happened to me too. Aemon - 02/02/2010 08:33:22 PM 1319 Views
That may be it weyjoses - 02/02/2010 08:35:34 PM 1240 Views
The other thing I wondered Aemon - 02/02/2010 08:42:37 PM 1133 Views
I think your friend may be correct. Mats Gambling Buddy - 02/02/2010 08:41:41 PM 1162 Views
I am the very model of a Scientist Salarian. Dannymac - 03/02/2010 11:15:05 PM 1351 Views
Oh that was wonderful. Aemon - 03/02/2010 11:29:39 PM 1070 Views
I'll be back ironclad - 02/02/2010 08:07:28 PM 1148 Views
No problem. Aemon - 02/02/2010 08:18:48 PM 1121 Views
The Illusive man weyjoses - 02/02/2010 08:34:09 PM 1383 Views
I didn't even realize that's who he was. Aemon - 02/02/2010 08:44:07 PM 1323 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 640 Views
And other famous voices too... Sidious - 13/02/2010 02:41:38 PM 1234 Views
Re: And other famous voices too... Mats Gambling Buddy - 18/02/2010 06:24:43 AM 1296 Views
Who is sharing your bed? Mats Gambling Buddy - 02/02/2010 09:42:09 PM 1310 Views
I wish i had realized Tali was an option weyjoses - 02/02/2010 11:26:15 PM 1213 Views
The story of Matt-Shep and his many women. Aemon - 03/02/2010 04:44:57 AM 1251 Views
Re: The story of Matt-Shep and his many women. Mats Gambling Buddy - 03/02/2010 05:40:12 PM 1114 Views
Tali for my male Shepherd Dannymac - 04/02/2010 03:52:03 PM 1200 Views
Does she take the helmet off? *NM* ironclad - 04/02/2010 07:57:18 PM 668 Views
Answer: Aemon - 04/02/2010 08:26:38 PM 1150 Views
Re: Answer: Mats Gambling Buddy - 04/02/2010 10:43:09 PM 1144 Views
Re: Answer: Aemon - 05/02/2010 12:48:04 AM 1150 Views
I went simple - Miranda. Kronin al'Sulc - 07/02/2010 06:32:25 AM 1129 Views
Which reminds me that I always wondered... ironclad - 07/02/2010 11:54:14 AM 1244 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 641 Views
Morinth might be into that A Deathwatch Guard - 15/02/2010 06:41:12 AM 1273 Views
Mine backfired Sidious - 13/02/2010 02:43:29 PM 1164 Views
I was lucky enough to meet the game's producer... (No spoilers) lord-of-shadow - 02/02/2010 10:58:59 PM 1351 Views
No spoilers here either, as per my rules. Regarding the ammo: Aemon - 03/02/2010 04:51:54 AM 1170 Views
On limited resources... lord-of-shadow - 03/02/2010 04:33:10 PM 1184 Views
I think it adds depth to the combat, reduces "pew-pew" spam. Zalis - 03/02/2010 04:43:04 PM 1239 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 1321 Views
Could well be. Aemon - 03/02/2010 04:52:49 AM 1064 Views
Re: Could well be. TaskmasterJack - 03/02/2010 05:56:52 AM 1104 Views
Yeah. Blech. Aemon - 03/02/2010 06:04:35 AM 1203 Views
Yeah, the only decent deals I've found there Brian - 03/02/2010 07:59:23 AM 1171 Views
I don't know why.... Brian - 03/02/2010 08:14:50 AM 1137 Views
Glad the PC version was $50, at the risk of sounding like a snob. Zalis - 03/02/2010 04:01:52 PM 1110 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 1288 Views
I agree with you, and am enjoying the Vanguard so far. Zalis - 03/02/2010 02:33:06 AM 1133 Views
My thoughts, crippled by not having played the game Cymbaline - 03/02/2010 04:52:26 AM 1398 Views
From someone with the same dislike of FPS's - Spoiler Free Zach - 16/02/2010 10:44:42 PM 1148 Views
A few thoughts on this. Aemon - 03/02/2010 05:27:36 AM 1332 Views
The "Holy crap that was awesome" moments. SPOILERS Dannymac - 03/02/2010 11:27:55 PM 1245 Views
Re: The "Holy crap that was awesome" moments. SPOILERS Fox and Ravens - 04/02/2010 04:11:23 AM 1104 Views
Re: The "Holy crap that was awesome" moments. SPOILERS Aemon - 04/02/2010 04:59:54 AM 1137 Views
Re: The "Holy crap that was awesome" moments. SPOILERS Dannymac - 04/02/2010 06:16:29 AM 1239 Views
Well. . .somewhat, I guess. Aemon - 04/02/2010 06:43:02 AM 1275 Views
Re: Well. . .somewhat, I guess. Dannymac - 04/02/2010 03:32:26 PM 1212 Views
You know what? I'll actually buy that. I appreciate the explanation. Aemon - 04/02/2010 06:30:37 PM 1032 Views
A couple of more things...... Zach - 16/02/2010 12:41:19 AM 1262 Views
Some good thoughts. Aemon - 16/02/2010 01:50:07 AM 1210 Views
Re: Some good thoughts. Zach - 16/02/2010 06:54:59 PM 1091 Views
Re: Well. . .somewhat, I guess. Mats Gambling Buddy - 04/02/2010 10:42:11 PM 1187 Views
Mine Sidious - 13/02/2010 02:46:41 PM 1151 Views
Yuss! ironclad - 22/02/2010 08:08:41 PM 1154 Views
Game was too easy, primary plotline too short cmdjing - 04/02/2010 09:03:52 PM 1199 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 1114 Views
Whats your character build? cmdjing - 05/02/2010 02:45:31 PM 1366 Views
You put a lot of thought into that. Aemon - 05/02/2010 03:58:16 PM 1312 Views
Re: You put a lot of thought into that. Aemon - 05/02/2010 04:00:26 PM 1276 Views
The game was too easy Sidious - 13/02/2010 02:48:10 PM 1066 Views
A moment that made me laugh pretty hard. Mats Gambling Buddy - 05/02/2010 01:06:47 AM 1236 Views
LOL yeah *NM* ironclad - 22/02/2010 08:11:30 PM 652 Views
Ok, so male or female Shepherd? Dannymac - 05/02/2010 01:50:23 AM 1132 Views
Hm. This brings up a thought. Kronin al'Sulc - 05/02/2010 01:52:37 AM 1077 Views
Not Moridin or Grunt Dannymac - 05/02/2010 02:08:49 AM 1122 Views
Dam, I really wanted to bed Mordin (Only one "i" there) *NM* Kronin al'Sulc - 05/02/2010 02:46:19 AM 624 Views
Male for my first playthrough, female for my second. Aemon - 05/02/2010 02:28:24 AM 1235 Views
Agreed, on some of those counts. lord-of-shadow - 05/02/2010 07:28:00 AM 1096 Views
Re: Agreed, on some of those counts. Aemon - 05/02/2010 07:43:20 AM 1243 Views
Yeah Sidious - 13/02/2010 02:51:44 PM 1228 Views
Male so far. I plan on playing the female Shepard next playthrough. *NM* Mats Gambling Buddy - 05/02/2010 03:25:00 AM 692 Views
I think I'll do fem on my third playthrough. Kronin al'Sulc - 05/02/2010 03:33:56 AM 1127 Views
Your Teams, and Your Deaths. Kronin al'Sulc - 07/02/2010 06:30:25 AM 1071 Views
Re: Your Teams, and Your Deaths. Aemon - 07/02/2010 09:07:17 AM 1261 Views
Hm, that's interesting. Kronin al'Sulc - 07/02/2010 03:31:52 PM 1153 Views
Do you know... Mats Gambling Buddy - 07/02/2010 03:46:59 PM 1072 Views
Re: Do you know... cmdjing - 07/02/2010 04:31:29 PM 1145 Views
Awesome. Thanks! *NM* Mats Gambling Buddy - 07/02/2010 04:40:59 PM 663 Views
Yeah, that's what I did. Aemon - 07/02/2010 06:37:50 PM 1023 Views
Re: Yeah, that's what I did. Mats Gambling Buddy - 08/02/2010 03:44:52 PM 1025 Views
Hmmm... Mats Gambling Buddy - 09/02/2010 03:48:48 PM 1098 Views
Strange. Aemon - 09/02/2010 04:19:04 PM 1147 Views
me too Sidious - 13/02/2010 03:01:05 PM 1141 Views
Did you do Legion's loyalty mission? Mats Gambling Buddy - 15/02/2010 05:52:36 AM 1227 Views
I did, for what it's worth. Aemon - 15/02/2010 07:26:38 AM 1151 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 1116 Views
That could definitely be the case. Aemon - 15/02/2010 04:30:06 PM 1110 Views
Maybe Joker flew slowly. Kronin al'Sulc - 09/02/2010 04:22:38 PM 1150 Views
Re: Your Teams, and Your Deaths. Mats Gambling Buddy - 07/02/2010 03:42:05 PM 1115 Views
Yea, I had one hull upgrade left before going in Kronin al'Sulc - 07/02/2010 03:49:57 PM 1020 Views
Re: Your Teams, and Your Deaths. Sidious - 13/02/2010 02:55:48 PM 1170 Views
My first time through and all squad members survived. Zalis - 16/02/2010 03:09:46 AM 1183 Views
Re: Your Teams, and Your Deaths. AliasRY - 19/02/2010 10:16:28 PM 1097 Views
I didn't see that one coming ironclad - 22/02/2010 08:16:33 PM 1172 Views
Re: I didn't see that one coming Kronin al'Sulc - 23/02/2010 03:29:57 AM 1140 Views
Re: I didn't see that one coming AliasRY - 24/02/2010 10:23:03 AM 1094 Views
I have come across a big problem. Kronin al'Sulc - 07/02/2010 06:53:36 PM 1173 Views
Re: I have come across a big problem. Mats Gambling Buddy - 08/02/2010 03:41:16 PM 1104 Views
Adept seems rather fun... Kronin al'Sulc - 08/02/2010 03:49:23 PM 1058 Views
Want FREE Mass Effect 2 DLC? ME 2! (har, har) Bioware bonus goodies detailed inside. Zalis - 09/02/2010 07:03:23 PM 1278 Views
Now if only the DLC armors didn't have helmets. lord-of-shadow - 09/02/2010 07:26:47 PM 1085 Views
I did that for about half the game Aemon - 09/02/2010 07:48:14 PM 1108 Views
At first I was wearing the visor Kronin al'Sulc - 09/02/2010 11:32:28 PM 1193 Views
Of course, the Shotgun is released AFTER I beat my Vanguard *sigh* Kronin al'Sulc - 09/02/2010 11:31:13 PM 1142 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 631 Views
I couldn't stand the Claymore Kronin al'Sulc - 10/02/2010 05:20:42 AM 1130 Views
Anyone find anything interesting about Zaeed Massani? Mats Gambling Buddy - 11/02/2010 09:08:16 PM 1175 Views
I enjoy Zaeed. lord-of-shadow - 11/02/2010 09:22:39 PM 1122 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 562 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 1076 Views
Never put him on my team once. And in the same vein - Jack. Kronin al'Sulc - 12/02/2010 01:34:33 AM 1219 Views
Who, what, where? *NM* ironclad - 22/02/2010 08:18:31 PM 592 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 1079 Views
Oh, I did ironclad - 22/02/2010 08:30:21 PM 1054 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 1112 Views
Good ones have two discs, of course. DVDs can only hold so much. *NM* Aemon - 12/02/2010 02:46:39 AM 589 Views
This is the first I've ever seen. *NM* Kronin al'Sulc - 12/02/2010 02:51:34 AM 625 Views
I've never understood why people are unhappy with the multiple discs. lord-of-shadow - 12/02/2010 04:18:42 AM 1113 Views
There are a few others. Aemon - 12/02/2010 06:52:01 AM 1065 Views
Since nobody has really answered you....YES scalius - 16/02/2010 10:08:40 PM 1126 Views
Shadow answered him. *NM* Aemon - 16/02/2010 10:52:17 PM 627 Views
So far, so great! ironclad - 12/02/2010 08:35:00 AM 1091 Views
Re: So far, so great! Aemon - 12/02/2010 02:31:43 PM 1205 Views
Re: So far, so great! scalius - 16/02/2010 10:17:12 PM 1150 Views
Nope, I was referring to honest-to-goodness cheating. lol Aemon - 16/02/2010 11:03:53 PM 1189 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 671 Views
Yeah, sorry man. Maybe you could download a saved game? Aemon - 17/02/2010 06:59:38 PM 1103 Views
I love the detail put into this game. Kronin al'Sulc - 12/02/2010 02:58:35 PM 1078 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 1131 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 1046 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 616 Views
Female Turians.... Mats Gambling Buddy - 12/02/2010 09:05:39 PM 1054 Views
Nope. Don't exist in-game. lord-of-shadow - 14/02/2010 01:47:23 AM 1025 Views
I believe a krogan female is shown once. Kronin al'Sulc - 14/02/2010 02:03:27 AM 1100 Views
No I don't think that's right. Aemon - 14/02/2010 08:54:32 AM 1035 Views
Two things make me feel that the ambassador is female. Kronin al'Sulc - 14/02/2010 02:50:18 PM 1084 Views
So I just revisited Tuchanka... Kronin al'Sulc - 14/02/2010 05:21:39 PM 1185 Views
Asari A Deathwatch Guard - 15/02/2010 06:51:10 AM 1152 Views
Not really. lord-of-shadow - 15/02/2010 10:41:54 PM 1078 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 1113 Views
I think you're taking him too literally. Aemon - 16/02/2010 01:06:11 AM 1088 Views
Yeah, probably was. lord-of-shadow - 16/02/2010 03:26:46 AM 1133 Views
Yeah, that's what I meant A Deathwatch Guard - 16/02/2010 10:51:01 PM 1114 Views
Dammit! I lost Miranda! Kronin al'Sulc - 14/02/2010 08:24:55 PM 1109 Views
The final verdict ironclad - 22/02/2010 08:06:12 PM 1131 Views
Re: The final verdict Zalis - 22/02/2010 09:01:53 PM 1124 Views
Explanation for death lord-of-shadow - 23/02/2010 02:00:16 AM 1119 Views
Can't be it, then ironclad - 23/02/2010 08:02:11 AM 1237 Views
He got taken by the bugs during the biotic bubble sequence? Kronin al'Sulc - 23/02/2010 03:25:36 AM 1106 Views
Re: He got taken by the bugs during the biotic bubble sequence? ironclad - 23/02/2010 08:03:46 AM 1159 Views
By the way, my game was surprisingly buggy ironclad - 23/02/2010 08:49:28 AM 1205 Views
Huh, I never got that. I only got one kind of bug. Aemon - 23/02/2010 04:06:17 PM 1043 Views
Re: Huh, I never got that. I only got one kind of bug. Zalis - 23/02/2010 04:29:46 PM 1065 Views
I had no bugs of any sort. *NM* Mats Gambling Buddy - 23/02/2010 05:15:32 PM 640 Views
A complaint about the Morality system. (Or, how Mass Effect semi-killed roleplaying). Kronin al'Sulc - 27/02/2010 06:40:35 AM 1213 Views
Re: A complaint about the Morality system. (Or, how Mass Effect semi-killed roleplaying). ironclad - 27/02/2010 12:28:29 PM 1050 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 1104 Views
Re: A complaint about the Morality system. (Or, how Mass Effect semi-killed roleplaying). ironclad - 28/02/2010 12:34:31 AM 1146 Views
I suppose. Kronin al'Sulc - 28/02/2010 03:29:23 AM 1137 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 1385 Views
Admittedly, my post was somewhat stream-of-consciousness. Kronin al'Sulc - 28/02/2010 03:28:02 AM 1084 Views
That's more understandable. lord-of-shadow - 28/02/2010 05:58:59 AM 1101 Views
Yeah, the tradeoff already works just fine. Aemon - 28/02/2010 06:05:44 AM 1108 Views
ok that's weird ironclad - 10/03/2010 06:52:39 PM 1116 Views
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