Why the Synthesis Ending Probably Won't Be Canon in Mass Effect 5

Before the release of Mass Effect 5the Mass Effect The trilogy is already famous for its well-crafted story, detailed characters and infamous, lackluster ending. Despite most ME3 being a pleasant entry in the franchise, the three choices presented at the end of the game left many players discouraged and disappointed that your choices didn't result in more variety at the end of the story. DLC and updates have brought improvements, but many players still dislike the ending, with their ire focused on one option in particular.

The final three options presented to Commander Shepard are as follows: First, destroy the Reapers, along with all of their technology and all other AI in the galaxy. Second, take control of the Reapers and try to turn them away from violence. Or third, to start a process called "Synthesis", which is vague and confusing, but would merge all organic and synthetic life. With Mass Effect 5 As of development, it's unclear which of these endings will be considered "canon," but for a variety of reasons, it probably won't be Synthesis.

The confusion surrounding the end of the synthesis

An unsatisfactory and unclear choice for players to make

The main problem with Synthesis' ending is that it's too confusing and abstract to qualify as a satisfying ending, let alone an ending that could precede a new entry in the franchise. As explained by the Star Child aboard the Citadel, initiating the synthesis would cause all organic and synthetic life in the galaxy to merge, giving each side insight into the other's point of view. Doing so would not only enormously change life as we know it, but also forcibly alter the very being of all living beings.

Based on the cinematic ending, which shows a sea of ​​green expanding across the known universe, synthesizing everything it touches, this effectively ends the war with the Reapers. It seems that gaining this level of understanding stops the AI's mission to exterminate and control organic life and instantly calms everyone on both sides. It's difficult to understand how exactly this process works or why it instantly quells all conflict, and it would certainly be a confusing galaxy to start a new game with.

The synthesis process undermines much of the game's conflict

A simple solution to the war between organics and synthetics

The Synthesis ending also feels too easily achieved, providing what appears to be an objectively good ending for the galaxy. Mass Effect tends to deal with morally gray problems with difficult solutions. Solutions that sacrifice one side to save another or have hidden repercussions. Many of the problems in Mass Effect revolves around the conflict between organic and synthetic lifeusing it as a mirror to explore real-world problems from conflicting viewpoints and conflicts created by different perspectives.

The conflict between Geth and Quarians at the beginning of Mass Effect 3 satisfactorily shows this type of conflict, and depending on your actions, it could end in tragedy for either side. Meanwhile, the Synthesis ending provides a "happy" ending for everyone (except Commander Shepard), and if we ignore the implications of suddenly changing the genetic makeup of all living things, it doesn't have any downsides.

The Destruction Ending Will Likely Be Canon to ME5

The choice that best adapts to the themes of the franchise

Ultimately, there is one ending of the three that feels most in line with the themes and tone of Mass effect. The end of Destroy sees Shepard accomplish what they set out to do at the beginning of the trilogy and stop the Reapers once and for all. It also has important consequences, since the death of the Reapers would also mean the death of the Geth and EDIas well as the destruction of all mass relays, creating major problems for the galactic community.

These consequences make sense for Mass Effect 5. The franchise doesn't leave players easy when it comes to moral decisions. In terms of configuration ME5 above, the Destroy ending leaves the galaxy with more avenues for new conflict. The Reapers are gone, but the galaxy is divided by the destruction of their technology, something for which Commander Shepard is to blame. There is also the fact that in the remastered version of the trilogythe Destroy ending is the only one where Shepard is probably still alivemeaning they could continue to exist as the game's protagonists.