Active Users:379 Time:18/06/2025 02:29:35 AM
Back to Messageboard Post New Thread Search Help Stats Rules
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?
Reply to message
Why not? Let's have a Mass Effect thread. Aemon - 02/02/2010 05:02:32 PM 3991 Views
Character discussion: Mordin Solus Mats Gambling Buddy - 02/02/2010 06:28:41 PM 2198 Views
I loved this character Kronin al'Sulc - 02/02/2010 06:42:23 PM 1751 Views
I think everyone probably loved / will love Mordin. Aemon - 02/02/2010 07:49:32 PM 1609 Views
Mordin Solus is great weyjoses - 02/02/2010 08:21:26 PM 1630 Views
Actually, that's what happened to me too. Aemon - 02/02/2010 08:33:22 PM 1717 Views
That may be it weyjoses - 02/02/2010 08:35:34 PM 1675 Views
The other thing I wondered Aemon - 02/02/2010 08:42:37 PM 1584 Views
I think your friend may be correct. Mats Gambling Buddy - 02/02/2010 08:41:41 PM 1623 Views
I am the very model of a Scientist Salarian. Dannymac - 03/02/2010 11:15:05 PM 1796 Views
Oh that was wonderful. Aemon - 03/02/2010 11:29:39 PM 1508 Views
I'll be back ironclad - 02/02/2010 08:07:28 PM 1621 Views
No problem. Aemon - 02/02/2010 08:18:48 PM 1545 Views
The Illusive man weyjoses - 02/02/2010 08:34:09 PM 1822 Views
I didn't even realize that's who he was. Aemon - 02/02/2010 08:44:07 PM 1749 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 826 Views
And other famous voices too... Sidious - 13/02/2010 02:41:38 PM 1673 Views
Re: And other famous voices too... Mats Gambling Buddy - 18/02/2010 06:24:43 AM 1728 Views
Who is sharing your bed? Mats Gambling Buddy - 02/02/2010 09:42:09 PM 1748 Views
I wish i had realized Tali was an option weyjoses - 02/02/2010 11:26:15 PM 1669 Views
The story of Matt-Shep and his many women. Aemon - 03/02/2010 04:44:57 AM 1703 Views
Re: The story of Matt-Shep and his many women. Mats Gambling Buddy - 03/02/2010 05:40:12 PM 1563 Views
Tali for my male Shepherd Dannymac - 04/02/2010 03:52:03 PM 1635 Views
Does she take the helmet off? *NM* ironclad - 04/02/2010 07:57:18 PM 847 Views
Answer: Aemon - 04/02/2010 08:26:38 PM 1567 Views
Re: Answer: Mats Gambling Buddy - 04/02/2010 10:43:09 PM 1570 Views
Re: Answer: Aemon - 05/02/2010 12:48:04 AM 1580 Views
I went simple - Miranda. Kronin al'Sulc - 07/02/2010 06:32:25 AM 1553 Views
Which reminds me that I always wondered... ironclad - 07/02/2010 11:54:14 AM 1666 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 828 Views
Morinth might be into that A Deathwatch Guard - 15/02/2010 06:41:12 AM 1702 Views
Mine backfired Sidious - 13/02/2010 02:43:29 PM 1598 Views
I was lucky enough to meet the game's producer... (No spoilers) lord-of-shadow - 02/02/2010 10:58:59 PM 1782 Views
No spoilers here either, as per my rules. Regarding the ammo: Aemon - 03/02/2010 04:51:54 AM 1603 Views
On limited resources... lord-of-shadow - 03/02/2010 04:33:10 PM 1619 Views
I think it adds depth to the combat, reduces "pew-pew" spam. Zalis - 03/02/2010 04:43:04 PM 1686 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 1755 Views
Could well be. Aemon - 03/02/2010 04:52:49 AM 1528 Views
Re: Could well be. TaskmasterJack - 03/02/2010 05:56:52 AM 1536 Views
Yeah. Blech. Aemon - 03/02/2010 06:04:35 AM 1658 Views
Yeah, the only decent deals I've found there Brian - 03/02/2010 07:59:23 AM 1583 Views
I don't know why.... Brian - 03/02/2010 08:14:50 AM 1579 Views
Glad the PC version was $50, at the risk of sounding like a snob. Zalis - 03/02/2010 04:01:52 PM 1529 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 1730 Views
I agree with you, and am enjoying the Vanguard so far. Zalis - 03/02/2010 02:33:06 AM 1577 Views
My thoughts, crippled by not having played the game Cymbaline - 03/02/2010 04:52:26 AM 1818 Views
From someone with the same dislike of FPS's - Spoiler Free Zach - 16/02/2010 10:44:42 PM 1587 Views
A few thoughts on this. Aemon - 03/02/2010 05:27:36 AM 1768 Views
The "Holy crap that was awesome" moments. SPOILERS Dannymac - 03/02/2010 11:27:55 PM 1694 Views
Re: The "Holy crap that was awesome" moments. SPOILERS Fox and Ravens - 04/02/2010 04:11:23 AM 1515 Views
Re: The "Holy crap that was awesome" moments. SPOILERS Aemon - 04/02/2010 04:59:54 AM 1583 Views
Re: The "Holy crap that was awesome" moments. SPOILERS Dannymac - 04/02/2010 06:16:29 AM 1688 Views
Well. . .somewhat, I guess. Aemon - 04/02/2010 06:43:02 AM 1702 Views
Re: Well. . .somewhat, I guess. Dannymac - 04/02/2010 03:32:26 PM 1640 Views
You know what? I'll actually buy that. I appreciate the explanation. Aemon - 04/02/2010 06:30:37 PM 1461 Views
A couple of more things...... Zach - 16/02/2010 12:41:19 AM 1718 Views
Some good thoughts. Aemon - 16/02/2010 01:50:07 AM 1653 Views
Re: Some good thoughts. Zach - 16/02/2010 06:54:59 PM 1531 Views
Re: Well. . .somewhat, I guess. Mats Gambling Buddy - 04/02/2010 10:42:11 PM 1628 Views
Mine Sidious - 13/02/2010 02:46:41 PM 1576 Views
Yuss! ironclad - 22/02/2010 08:08:41 PM 1598 Views
Game was too easy, primary plotline too short cmdjing - 04/02/2010 09:03:52 PM 1623 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 1545 Views
Whats your character build? cmdjing - 05/02/2010 02:45:31 PM 1794 Views
You put a lot of thought into that. Aemon - 05/02/2010 03:58:16 PM 1739 Views
Re: You put a lot of thought into that. Aemon - 05/02/2010 04:00:26 PM 1695 Views
The game was too easy Sidious - 13/02/2010 02:48:10 PM 1513 Views
A moment that made me laugh pretty hard. Mats Gambling Buddy - 05/02/2010 01:06:47 AM 1667 Views
LOL yeah *NM* ironclad - 22/02/2010 08:11:30 PM 831 Views
Ok, so male or female Shepherd? Dannymac - 05/02/2010 01:50:23 AM 1570 Views
Hm. This brings up a thought. Kronin al'Sulc - 05/02/2010 01:52:37 AM 1509 Views
Not Moridin or Grunt Dannymac - 05/02/2010 02:08:49 AM 1557 Views
Dam, I really wanted to bed Mordin (Only one "i" there) *NM* Kronin al'Sulc - 05/02/2010 02:46:19 AM 798 Views
Male for my first playthrough, female for my second. Aemon - 05/02/2010 02:28:24 AM 1688 Views
Agreed, on some of those counts. lord-of-shadow - 05/02/2010 07:28:00 AM 1532 Views
Re: Agreed, on some of those counts. Aemon - 05/02/2010 07:43:20 AM 1666 Views
Yeah Sidious - 13/02/2010 02:51:44 PM 1651 Views
Male so far. I plan on playing the female Shepard next playthrough. *NM* Mats Gambling Buddy - 05/02/2010 03:25:00 AM 898 Views
I think I'll do fem on my third playthrough. Kronin al'Sulc - 05/02/2010 03:33:56 AM 1555 Views
Your Teams, and Your Deaths. Kronin al'Sulc - 07/02/2010 06:30:25 AM 1472 Views
Re: Your Teams, and Your Deaths. Aemon - 07/02/2010 09:07:17 AM 1678 Views
Hm, that's interesting. Kronin al'Sulc - 07/02/2010 03:31:52 PM 1569 Views
Do you know... Mats Gambling Buddy - 07/02/2010 03:46:59 PM 1478 Views
Re: Do you know... cmdjing - 07/02/2010 04:31:29 PM 1591 Views
Awesome. Thanks! *NM* Mats Gambling Buddy - 07/02/2010 04:40:59 PM 862 Views
Yeah, that's what I did. Aemon - 07/02/2010 06:37:50 PM 1426 Views
Re: Yeah, that's what I did. Mats Gambling Buddy - 08/02/2010 03:44:52 PM 1437 Views
Hmmm... Mats Gambling Buddy - 09/02/2010 03:48:48 PM 1504 Views
Strange. Aemon - 09/02/2010 04:19:04 PM 1589 Views
me too Sidious - 13/02/2010 03:01:05 PM 1559 Views
Did you do Legion's loyalty mission? Mats Gambling Buddy - 15/02/2010 05:52:36 AM 1665 Views
I did, for what it's worth. Aemon - 15/02/2010 07:26:38 AM 1593 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 1551 Views
That could definitely be the case. Aemon - 15/02/2010 04:30:06 PM 1529 Views
Maybe Joker flew slowly. Kronin al'Sulc - 09/02/2010 04:22:38 PM 1568 Views
Re: Your Teams, and Your Deaths. Mats Gambling Buddy - 07/02/2010 03:42:05 PM 1544 Views
Yea, I had one hull upgrade left before going in Kronin al'Sulc - 07/02/2010 03:49:57 PM 1427 Views
Re: Your Teams, and Your Deaths. Sidious - 13/02/2010 02:55:48 PM 1583 Views
My first time through and all squad members survived. Zalis - 16/02/2010 03:09:46 AM 1619 Views
Re: Your Teams, and Your Deaths. AliasRY - 19/02/2010 10:16:28 PM 1522 Views
I didn't see that one coming ironclad - 22/02/2010 08:16:33 PM 1598 Views
Re: I didn't see that one coming Kronin al'Sulc - 23/02/2010 03:29:57 AM 1578 Views
Re: I didn't see that one coming AliasRY - 24/02/2010 10:23:03 AM 1540 Views
I have come across a big problem. Kronin al'Sulc - 07/02/2010 06:53:36 PM 1588 Views
Re: I have come across a big problem. Mats Gambling Buddy - 08/02/2010 03:41:16 PM 1518 Views
Adept seems rather fun... Kronin al'Sulc - 08/02/2010 03:49:23 PM 1463 Views
Want FREE Mass Effect 2 DLC? ME 2! (har, har) Bioware bonus goodies detailed inside. Zalis - 09/02/2010 07:03:23 PM 1740 Views
Now if only the DLC armors didn't have helmets. lord-of-shadow - 09/02/2010 07:26:47 PM 1494 Views
I did that for about half the game Aemon - 09/02/2010 07:48:14 PM 1524 Views
At first I was wearing the visor Kronin al'Sulc - 09/02/2010 11:32:28 PM 1608 Views
Of course, the Shotgun is released AFTER I beat my Vanguard *sigh* Kronin al'Sulc - 09/02/2010 11:31:13 PM 1567 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 809 Views
I couldn't stand the Claymore Kronin al'Sulc - 10/02/2010 05:20:42 AM 1562 Views
Anyone find anything interesting about Zaeed Massani? Mats Gambling Buddy - 11/02/2010 09:08:16 PM 1604 Views
I enjoy Zaeed. lord-of-shadow - 11/02/2010 09:22:39 PM 1550 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 739 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 1513 Views
Never put him on my team once. And in the same vein - Jack. Kronin al'Sulc - 12/02/2010 01:34:33 AM 1666 Views
Who, what, where? *NM* ironclad - 22/02/2010 08:18:31 PM 768 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 1507 Views
Oh, I did ironclad - 22/02/2010 08:30:21 PM 1496 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 1534 Views
Good ones have two discs, of course. DVDs can only hold so much. *NM* Aemon - 12/02/2010 02:46:39 AM 771 Views
This is the first I've ever seen. *NM* Kronin al'Sulc - 12/02/2010 02:51:34 AM 797 Views
I've never understood why people are unhappy with the multiple discs. lord-of-shadow - 12/02/2010 04:18:42 AM 1545 Views
There are a few others. Aemon - 12/02/2010 06:52:01 AM 1477 Views
Since nobody has really answered you....YES scalius - 16/02/2010 10:08:40 PM 1549 Views
Shadow answered him. *NM* Aemon - 16/02/2010 10:52:17 PM 794 Views
So far, so great! ironclad - 12/02/2010 08:35:00 AM 1522 Views
Re: So far, so great! Aemon - 12/02/2010 02:31:43 PM 1621 Views
Re: So far, so great! scalius - 16/02/2010 10:17:12 PM 1581 Views
Nope, I was referring to honest-to-goodness cheating. lol Aemon - 16/02/2010 11:03:53 PM 1618 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 841 Views
Yeah, sorry man. Maybe you could download a saved game? Aemon - 17/02/2010 06:59:38 PM 1520 Views
I love the detail put into this game. Kronin al'Sulc - 12/02/2010 02:58:35 PM 1499 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 1546 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 1478 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 797 Views
Female Turians.... Mats Gambling Buddy - 12/02/2010 09:05:39 PM 1486 Views
Nope. Don't exist in-game. lord-of-shadow - 14/02/2010 01:47:23 AM 1442 Views
I believe a krogan female is shown once. Kronin al'Sulc - 14/02/2010 02:03:27 AM 1541 Views
No I don't think that's right. Aemon - 14/02/2010 08:54:32 AM 1461 Views
Two things make me feel that the ambassador is female. Kronin al'Sulc - 14/02/2010 02:50:18 PM 1521 Views
So I just revisited Tuchanka... Kronin al'Sulc - 14/02/2010 05:21:39 PM 1635 Views
Asari A Deathwatch Guard - 15/02/2010 06:51:10 AM 1589 Views
Not really. lord-of-shadow - 15/02/2010 10:41:54 PM 1521 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 1525 Views
I think you're taking him too literally. Aemon - 16/02/2010 01:06:11 AM 1526 Views
Yeah, probably was. lord-of-shadow - 16/02/2010 03:26:46 AM 1625 Views
Yeah, that's what I meant A Deathwatch Guard - 16/02/2010 10:51:01 PM 1540 Views
Dammit! I lost Miranda! Kronin al'Sulc - 14/02/2010 08:24:55 PM 1545 Views
The final verdict ironclad - 22/02/2010 08:06:12 PM 1536 Views
Re: The final verdict Zalis - 22/02/2010 09:01:53 PM 1548 Views
Explanation for death lord-of-shadow - 23/02/2010 02:00:16 AM 1562 Views
Can't be it, then ironclad - 23/02/2010 08:02:11 AM 1682 Views
He got taken by the bugs during the biotic bubble sequence? Kronin al'Sulc - 23/02/2010 03:25:36 AM 1522 Views
Re: He got taken by the bugs during the biotic bubble sequence? ironclad - 23/02/2010 08:03:46 AM 1578 Views
By the way, my game was surprisingly buggy ironclad - 23/02/2010 08:49:28 AM 1666 Views
Huh, I never got that. I only got one kind of bug. Aemon - 23/02/2010 04:06:17 PM 1466 Views
Re: Huh, I never got that. I only got one kind of bug. Zalis - 23/02/2010 04:29:46 PM 1459 Views
I had no bugs of any sort. *NM* Mats Gambling Buddy - 23/02/2010 05:15:32 PM 820 Views
A complaint about the Morality system. (Or, how Mass Effect semi-killed roleplaying). Kronin al'Sulc - 27/02/2010 06:40:35 AM 1645 Views
Re: A complaint about the Morality system. (Or, how Mass Effect semi-killed roleplaying). ironclad - 27/02/2010 12:28:29 PM 1462 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 1530 Views
Re: A complaint about the Morality system. (Or, how Mass Effect semi-killed roleplaying). ironclad - 28/02/2010 12:34:31 AM 1591 Views
I suppose. Kronin al'Sulc - 28/02/2010 03:29:23 AM 1566 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 1814 Views
Admittedly, my post was somewhat stream-of-consciousness. Kronin al'Sulc - 28/02/2010 03:28:02 AM 1513 Views
That's more understandable. lord-of-shadow - 28/02/2010 05:58:59 AM 1532 Views
Yeah, the tradeoff already works just fine. Aemon - 28/02/2010 06:05:44 AM 1532 Views
ok that's weird ironclad - 10/03/2010 06:52:39 PM 1547 Views
Back to Messageboard Post New Thread Search Help Stats Rules

Reply to Message

Block Quote Paragraph Quote
Formatting
Smiley Codes