The collapse of the galactic civilization as the reapers allowed it makes sense even if billions die and most major worlds are consumed by the relays explosions.
The problem are the plot holes we all noticed and the lack of closure. (unless they want to talk about it in the next mass effect game)

The citadel is seen as exploding  but in one ending shepard is alive, half buried in rubble on the citadel. So is the citadel destroyed or not? Seems not.

Therefore I believe in the indoctrination theory. The truth is out there.
And I think it would be a tremendous move made by bioware from a narrative point of view if a real  FREE and PROPER ending is to be released after having upset thousands of fan for a month or two.
If you have to pay, that would be a scandal but the idea of deceiving momentarily the players about the end would still be brilliant IMHO.

And if the current ending of such a great game is the real thing, it is truly an epic fail.

This is NOT what people want.  What we want is what were promised, we were promised a ending that was not an A B or C ending. This is and is even worse that is just 3 colours.  We were promised an ending that really took into account our actions/choices over the past 3 games and left no questions, an ending that answered our questions.

So I really wish that the gaming press out there would quit assuming that we wanted a “Rainbows and Princesses ending.”  

Personally I never could see how My Shepard could make it out of the conflict alive, and she would have proudly given up her life to ensure the reapers were destroyed.

Saren: “Hi, I’m the bad guy. Shoot yourself in the head and the reapers will go away forever”
Sheptard: “Oh, ok”

     *bang!*

Saren: “he he!”

The right to demand closure comes from the same place as the right you have to post your opinion of this issue. Bioware screwed up. If you liked the ending, great! Go pipe your fanboi sunshine up some Bioware developer’s @$$ and the two of you can live happily ever after. But for those who weren’t satisfied with what Bioware did with their money? You bet they have a right, and a responsibility, to speak up.

Be a Voice where it matters. You bring no reason to this table.

I’m also certain they know that fans aren’t chaffing over a sad ending. Fans want a meaningful one. Like in the other games. They KNEW that then, which is why the other games ended the way they did, which played a HUGE part in why the other games were so successful. ME3 is just a broken promise, and unless something pops up that sheds new light on this subject (in which case, he’s being an idiot for not teasing it now when the tension is peaking), I will seriously reconsider any game made by Bioware in the future. I certainly won’t be playing it through again to see how my actions change things, simply because I know they won’t.

This isn’t some art film, or book written to an emo fan base. It’s an action/adventure that the player invests a HUGE amount of time over the franchise fundamentally contributing to it. This ending was a cheap cop out. Players deserve better.

But, but, but… multiplayer! Suck it… if I wanted multiplayer I would go play Call of Duty or Halo.

I am a Bioware fan. I’ve met the founders. Rocking awesome guys. The people I shook hands with 14 yrs ago would NEVER have blown the ending like this. They’ve either changed or sold out to egotistical bozos like this one who thinks he’s greater than his audience. Wait… EA.. oh yeah…

We dont’ even want the endings changed, we just want at most more endings added on and at least an epilogue.  If they keep their attitude up, EA and Bioware may very soon learn where all their money comes from and why they need that source of income.

I just don’t think that it is acceptable to lead a dog to the edge of a cliff with sugar, and then shove it off.

But who knows what they have planned for DLC, I’m interested in seeing- and I’d like to see how this world grows- and what other new stories will happen in the new era- since they gave thought in doing an MMO- and then of course the rumors of a Mass Effect 4 for XBOX 720.

Absolutely agree with the previous posts about not needing a “happy” ending. This is Sci-Fi, bitter-sweet closure is a stable of the genre. But what was that? Nothing I did other than collect enough crap to make green available (which was completely neglibable) mattered at all? To add to that, absolutely no reason for even of the three endings to fit into the world at all?

I hate it, but Bioware has me wrapped around their fingers.  Why? Because, even though all Bioware games have a serious fault in their gameplay, all are wrapped up in a compelling enough story to give cause to overlook those faults. Mass Effect 3 did as well up until Shepherd passed out on the Citadel. Then it became silliness that distinctly reminded me of Knights of the Old Republic 2, which was rushed to market before it could be completed.  I only hope that is what happend. if Bioware does the right thing and makes it: I will pay the $25 for a big DLC that has a real ending.

Call me entitled and spoiled, that’s fine. But I’m by now to well invested in my Shep’s story not to care.

I played the perfect game, and got the “perfect” ending. Which is no doubt the exact same ending you and your husband got. Good stories leave you thinking and nostalgic, not cheated.

Seriously? You create a great game and then throw a horrible ending so people will talk about it. F*** you.

It just left me hanging there wondering…  What happened to the Normandy crew – my squadmates, my friends, my LI?  It’s a bitter pill to swallow and worse, I paid to be told to swallow it.