(1 of 6) Mass Effect 2 Plot Analysis

A detailed review of Mass Effect 2's plot. The death and resurrection of Commander Shepard, Cerberus' reasoning to do so, and events thereof. Also, a definition of terms (plot, premise and theme.)

Category:

Gaming

Tags:

• mass
• effect
• plot
• analysis
• story
• review
• gears
• of
• war
• deus
• ex
• machina
• resurrection

[KrazyK923]

The guy asks a lot of obvious questions and then complains that he doesn't understand.

[smudboy]

@KrazyK923

That's because the narrative created those questions and didn't provide obvious answers.

[smudboy]

@jimmasterjam

When you pay attention, media isn't just the medium they're in.

[smudboy]

@jimmasterjam

I suppose Shakespeare just wrote plays?

[AkamuSlayer]

Gears is a Halo clone? wut?

[Estragogon]

I'm quite surprised by the amount of dislikes (well, not that much, considering the typical biodrone), it's a great analysis.

Bioware is often claimed to have incredible writers, but it seems this is just uttered by people that don't know what good writing is. Some of the romances are fanfic level stuff, the retcons are stupid, most characters and the lore really aren't that original.

I do like the dialogue, though.

[WTFjustNEWS]

At least ME had a story worth caring about, watching the ending to ME3 destroyed my love for this series.

[ognamedjesus]

im glad somebody else noticed the plot was pointless and empty

[TIMMY22ization]

could watch the whole thing... your voice is too annoying

[phuturephunk]

The Wilson part at the beginning always burned me. Your analysis of that was so good. As much as I love this series, people really do give it a bit more credit than it deserves for the storytelling and ESPECIALLY interpersonal interaction parts. A LOT of it is ham fisted and blunt, but in a way I can understand that because there's only so much work you can possibly put into branching trees of interaction before it becomes waaaaay too complex. Kind of like real interactions between people.

[YukariOro]

I've studied writing, plot if done well should be barely noticeable. If this story had been submitted to an editor for any other medium, say Sci-Fi Fiction, it would have been flatly rejected, it was that bad.

I could argue all the flaws in the plot, but for me it comes down to one that rips the whole story apart. Shepard is a Spectre, with all the broad sweeping powers imbued in a Spectre, AND Alliance officer. He doesn't need Cerberus, and given their role in ME, his staying is unbelievable.

[WeHaveExplosive]

It would've been great if the reason for Shepard's resurrection (if there needed to be one at all) was for his mind, or specifically, the Prothean data in it. Maybe a number of factions want that data, or even the Reapers themselves are aware of it and knowing its importance, want it destroyed. The story could have dealt with Shepard further understanding the Prothean memories, becoming a nexus point and learning of a solution to the Reapers.

[noblebearaw]

Thinking on it, I gotta wonder: why would any paragon character sign on with Cerberus voluntarily? Why is making excuses for Cerberus a paragon option?

[noblebearaw]

See, I thought Wilson was killed for "betrayal" because after putting Lazarus together, he became a loose thread; the allegation a flimsy excuse because Cerberus is evil and bad ppl do that sort of thing. Shepard is still stupid but I'm willing to handwave that instance due to disorientation. Still, a paragon option of "based on what?" would have been nice.