Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Saros review
  • Arc Raiders
  • The Boys S5
  • Best turn-based RPGs
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
  • Delta Force giveaway
Don't miss these
Endings in Saros
Roguelike Games All Endings in Saros explained and how to get them
Kliff seen in the Crimson Desert official launch trailer.
Open World Games Baldur's Gate 3 actor Neil Newbon is also in Crimson Desert, which he calls "really impressive"
Crimson Desert hero with eyes shut
Open World Games Crimson Desert is just more proof that waiting to play games is the best
Pragmata ending black box mod in the Architect's vault
Action Games How to get the secret ending in Pragmata and use the Black Box Mod
Pragmata Unknown Signal Big Cabin in Hidden Chamber
Action Games How to unlock Pragmata Unknown Signal and get all the rewards
Best space games: a screenshot of the game, No Man's Sky.
Strategy Games Best space games which will let you explore the unknown
Kliff resting by a stream in a forest in Crimson Desert
Open World Games Despite Crimson Desert's popularity, almost 80% of Steam players haven't made it halfway through the story yet
Starfield Ron Hope choice
RPGs Should you spare or kill Ron Hope in Starfield?
Garrus Vakarian in Mass Effect 2
RPGs Here are my top 10 best single-player RPGs as a life-long fan whose spent thousands of hours with the genre
Garrus and Commander Shepard in Mass Effect Legendary Edition
RPGs I've ranked the best RPGs with romance options, from Fire Emblem to Mass Effect
A close-up of Lae'zel during act one of the RPG Baldur's Gate 3
RPGs 10 Best RPGs where Choices Really Matter to play in 2026
Starfield eye lodge choice
RPGs Should you protect the Lodge or go to the Eye in Starfield?
In Final Fantasy 10, protagonist Tidus stands with party members Auron, Kimahri Ronso, Yuna, Wakka, Lulu, and Rikku
RPGs The 10 best story-driven RPGs to play in 2026
Starfield Mathis Crimson Fleet choice betray Delgado
RPGs Starfield betray Delgado choice in Echoes of the Past
Crimson Desert
RPGs Crimson Desert review: "A game that's far better as a sandbox than as a story"
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. RPG
  3. Mass Effect
  4. Mass Effect 3

Mass Effect 3 will reward completionists with better ending

News
By Matt Bradford published 19 May 2011

Completing side-quests will earn spacefarers 'an amazing, very definitive ending'

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Speeding through Mass Effect 3 isn't likely to win you any medals for efficiency. In fact, quite the opposite. In his latest chat on how player choices will decide the ultimate fate of the Mass Effect universe, BioWare's development leadCasey Hudson said skipping the side quests and sticking solely to the main path is the best way to achieve the worst ending.

"If you just rip straight down the critical path and try and finish the game as soon as you can, and do very little optional or side stuff, then you can finish the game. You can have some kind of ending and victory, but it%26rsquo;ll be a lot more brutal and minimal relative to if you do a lot of stuff," revealed Hudson in aninterview with PC Gamer, suggesting, "If you really build a lot of stuff and bring people to your side and rally the entire galaxy around you, and you come into the end game with that, then you%26rsquo;ll get an amazing, very definitive ending."

Hudson also noted many of the events in Mass Effect 3 will be governed by decisions made throughout the first two games. Players won't necessarily be limited by their past choices, he later clarified, however they might find it a tad difficult to change their minds this late in the game, explaining:

You may like
  • Exodus Mass Effect veterans don't want side quests to feel "tacked on" to their new sci-fi RPG Exodus
  • Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lead Gustave faces a gommage Clair Obscur's lead writer "never even considered" a true, happy ending for the hit RPG
  • Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 writer says picking an ending is like choosing a "favorite child" - "They are a pair"
Latest Videos From

"I think a way to think about it is if you made decisions early on, you%26rsquo;ll see them affecting this. And the decisions you might want to make that go against those prior things are gonna be harder. Killing the Rachni might present opportunities in Mass Effect 3 that you wouldn%26rsquo;t otherwise have, but if you don%26rsquo;t take those opportunities and you try and do something in opposition to that, then it would be harder for you than if you work with it."

Unless BioWare opts for the Fallout 3 vignette-style ending, it's hard to see how Mass Effect 3's final scenes will adequately reflect the sum all choices made over three whole games. As anyone who completed multiple run-throughs on Dragon Age IIcan attest,a bulk ofchoices in these 'choose-your-own-morality' gameswind up being rewarded with acatch-allendings peppered withinterchangeable dialogue(i.e "Congratulations Hawke, you helped[insert faction]... now this happens!" or "Congratulations Hawke, you screwed over [insert faction]... but this still happens!"). Not to say BioWare can't pull it off, just thataccounting for absolutely every variableis almost asuicide mission in and of itself. We're excited to see how it plays out.

[Source:PC Gamer]

May 18, 2011

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.



Mass Effect 3 will include same-sex male relationships
ME3 to include same characters, new romantic choices




Mass Effect 3 delayed till early 2012, thus ruining Christmas
The dreams of millions snuffed out in a moment




Requiem for a Dream composer scoring Mass Effect 3
Clint Mansell to handle music duties on BioWare's upcoming action-RPG

CATEGORIES
PC Gaming PlayStation Xbox Platforms
Matt Bradford
Social Links Navigation

Matt Bradford wrote news and features here at GamesRadar+ until 2016. Since then he's gone on to work with the Guinness World Records, acting as writer and researcher for the annual Gamer's Edition series of books, and has worked as an editor, technical writer, and voice actor. Matt is now a freelance journalist and editor, generating copy across a multitude of industries. 

Read more
Exodus
RPGs Mass Effect veterans don't want side quests to feel "tacked on" to their new sci-fi RPG Exodus
 
 
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lead Gustave faces a gommage
RPGs Clair Obscur's lead writer "never even considered" a true, happy ending for the hit RPG
 
 
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
RPGs Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 writer says picking an ending is like choosing a "favorite child" - "They are a pair"
 
 
Starfield frontier starship landing at HopeTech hq
RPGs Starfield ending explained
 
 
Commander Shepard smiles bizarrely in Mass Effect
Mass Effect Mass Effect DLC prototype uncovered after 19 years with a look at the cut side mission that became Bring Down the Sky
 
 
Fallout 3 helmet
RPGs Todd Howard gives Fallout 3 an "average grade" as the RPG's "hated" ending took several DLC to fix
 
 
Latest in Mass Effect
Mass Effect 5
Mass Effect Mass Effect 5 hasn't been shown off more because BioWare is "just busy workin'" on the RPG
 
 
Mass Effect Mass Effect TV show goes through rewrites to appeal to "non-gamers," but I'm hoping it follows Fallout's lead
 
 
Mass Effect
Mass Effect "F***ing Colonel Shepard dies in Mass Effect 3, and that makes us the Worst Company in America," former EA exec laments
 
 
Commander Shepard smiles bizarrely in Mass Effect
Mass Effect Mass Effect DLC prototype uncovered after 19 years with a look at the cut side mission that became Bring Down the Sky
 
 
The Witcher 4
The Witcher CDPR welcomes new AI director, who joins The Witcher 4 studio "after 8 years of building memorable RPGs at BioWare"
 
 
BioWare
Mass Effect Skyrim lead thinks Mass Effect 5 would benefit from looking to Baldur's Gate 3 or being more of a "Bethesda-style game"
 
 
Latest in News
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 peasants drinking at a table
Action RPGs Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 lead designer says "friction is intentionally" in the RPG
 
 
A sunset over a landscape made up of hexagon tiles
Strategy Games After 3 years of work, GTA 4 dev's sandbox game hits Steam
 
 
Close-up of concerned looking Paranormal Activity: Threshold character
Horror Games Paranormal Activity game dead after Paramount refuses to give legendary Mortuary Assistant creator more dev time
 
 
Old School RuneScape carrying treasure
MMO Games Old School RuneScape players riot as YouTuber's account is reset hours after finishing 3-month grind
 
 
An older Bill, Hank, Dale, and Boomhauer lined up against Hank's fence, with modern technology all around
Animated Shows King of the Hill season 15 trailer is a nostalgia bomb that takes us through some of the show's most iconic moments
 
 
A little frog wearing a hat and riding a sled in Sledding Game
Co-op Games Solo dev stunned as his "first ever video game" sells 100,000 copies in 5 days on Steam
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 peasants drinking at a table
    1
    Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 lead designer says "friction is intentionally" in the RPG because when "you overcome the friction, you feel better about yourself"
  2. 2
    Mortal Kombat 2 ending explained: who fights, who dies and every fatality
  3. 3
    After 3 years of work, GTA 4 dev's sandbox game hits Steam as he has to tell people it's "completely different" from Minecraft: "For starters, no Steve"
  4. 4
    Paranormal Activity game dead after Paramount refuses to give legendary Mortuary Assistant dev more time to make it "the best it could possibly be"
  5. 5
    Old School RuneScape players riot as YouTuber's account is reset hours after finishing ridiculous 3-month grind, but Jagex has receipts

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...