The Extended Cut of Mass Effect 3 brings a better ending to this amazing game. (*SPOILERS*)
Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut is the exact same game until Shepard reaches the beam that takes him/her (her for my Shepard) to the citadel. I now know why Joker was "running away" from the fight and how certain characters got onto the ship. The Extended Cut also makes it easier to get all endings, including the one where Shepard survives. Another addition is a fourth ending where the reapers continue to harvest the intelligent life in the galaxy and everyone dies. If you don't want this ending, don't shoot the catalyst.
The Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut ends Mass Effect 3 with more closure. It shows the future of every species and that 'everything' can be repaired, this probably includes the Mass Relays, so everyone can go back to their planet.
Overall, the Extended Cut for this amazing game left me with more closure and less questions than answers. Although I wish they had cut out the pointless star gazer scene.
After the Extended Cut, Mass Effect 3 is a definitive 10/10 game that will have a special place in my memory.
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Here's my original Mass Effect 3 review before the Extended Cut (9/10)
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Gameplay:
9/10
Great, the gunplay and cover system is really polished and works great. Most of the time. Sometimes it's easier to get into cover and not out. Shepard also cannot carry around heavy weapons, she (for my character) could only pick up loose heavy weapons on the ground and once the ammo was depleted, Shepard just drops the weapon. This is problematic, but thankfully, most of the game I used the assault rifle.
The controls are still the same; WASD and space bar to move and interact with objects.
Now the ending; not all sh-tty like people have been complaining about. I will not lie though; the endings are a bit depressing and take a while to sink in. I had the endings stuck in my mind for hours after I beat it. It takes a while for your mind (or at least mine) to process the ending. Although I was definitely hoping for a more happier ending, like at the end of Dragon Age: Origins. And see what happens to the characters.
Graphics:
9/10
Even better than Mass Effect 2. The characters of the game are more detailed and buff, something that they weren't in the last two titles. Shepard, Kaidan, etc., all have muscle tone and no longer look all delicate as they did in Mass Effect 1 and 2.
The Reapers, the menace with questionable motives are displayed gorgeously and freighting. Expect to get overwhelmed by their power and your need to kill them all. Depending on your choice, they will.
Pros:
Overall gameplay and graphics
Cons:
Cannot carry heavy weapons like the first two games and Questionable endings - a bit depressing, I do support the petition for Bioware to change it but if they don't I won't complain if they do not. The creator of the game has his own right to his vision of how Commander Shepard's story should end. Even though it sucked.
Overall:
9/10
Not a perfect ten, but really close. While I was hoping for a happier, more heroic ending, the game itself was a freaking blast.
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Overall, the Extended Cut provided me with a happier, more heroic ending than the original. But if you want everyone to die and have a depressing ending, you've got that choice too.
9.5/10