I would like to point out that how well you do does effect the efficacy of the endings. If your Effective Military Strength is too low, for instance, choosing the Destroy Option may cause galactic annihilation of both Reapers and Everyone Else. If you want the full list go here. You get many more endings/possible outcomes than either ME 1 or 2, and you have quite an awesome time rallying the galaxy for the Final Showdown. I'd call that a success.
As far as the Catalyst goes, I see no problem with that plot-point. Humanity is a race that's had ME-tech for less a century and is going up against a race that has not only existed for at least several million years but individually lived for that long. I see no reason why they shouldn't be more than a smear on the Reaper's figurative windshields but for the grace of the author's whim. Throughout the entirety of Mass Effect 3, you are reminded with the painful subtly of a brick to the face that you can not do this alone. You need help. Accepting the help of the Catalyst isn't making a deal with the devil, it's just admitting you need a MacGuffin for the Final Fight. I don't think you can blame them for that. Having an option to say "Screw you, I can fight the Apocalypse myself!" is a good thing, but it isn't necessarily the right choice. Yes, it is the creator of the Reapers; but it isn't the Mad Scientist that would rater die before he harms his Frankenstein. It is just an AI attempting to follow vague and possibly contradictory instructions, and does not realize there is another way until it meets Shepard.
Overall, with the Extended Cut DLC, the game has an adequate ending. As far as
Bioware goes 'adequate' is far, far below expectations; but compared to
other games it's still really quite good.
---
The Master said: "It is all in vain! I have never yet seen a man who can perceive his own faults and bring the charge home against himself."
>Analects: Book V, Chaper XXVI
As far as the Catalyst goes, I see no problem with that plot-point. Humanity is a race that's had ME-tech for less a century and is going up against a race that has not only existed for at least several million years but individually lived for that long. I see no reason why they shouldn't be more than a smear on the Reaper's figurative windshields but for the grace of the author's whim. Throughout the entirety of Mass Effect 3, you are reminded with the painful subtly of a brick to the face that you can not do this alone. You need help. Accepting the help of the Catalyst isn't making a deal with the devil, it's just admitting you need a MacGuffin for the Final Fight. I don't think you can blame them for that. Having an option to say "Screw you, I can fight the Apocalypse myself!" is a good thing, but it isn't necessarily the right choice. Yes, it is the creator of the Reapers; but it isn't the Mad Scientist that would rater die before he harms his Frankenstein. It is just an AI attempting to follow vague and possibly contradictory instructions, and does not realize there is another way until it meets Shepard.
Overall, with the Extended Cut DLC, the game has an adequate ending. As far as
Bioware goes 'adequate' is far, far below expectations; but compared to
other games it's still really quite good.
---
The Master said: "It is all in vain! I have never yet seen a man who can perceive his own faults and bring the charge home against himself."
>Analects: Book V, Chaper XXVI