| Spoilers for both Mass Effect and Metal Gear Solid.
This is just an interesting thought which popper into my head. If the Indoctrination Theory pertaining to the ending of Mass Effect 3 is true, then Bioware essentially took the entire message and theme of Metal Gear Solid 2 and condensed it into 15 minutes of stunning narrative. An expanded explanation for those familiar with the two series:
Metal Gear Solid 2 is a study of how individual will can be manipulated by the context provided by the narrative of a situation. The idea is that an individual's decision making and volitional action is directly dependent upon the context in which he finds himself. Free will is limited by what one believes is true and not true. By manipulating an individual's perceptions of reality, the individual can essentially be brainwashed into pursuing any course of action.
This theme reoccurs at multiple story levels throughout MGS2. Raiden is manipulated into serving the interests of his insidious superiors despite how obvious their false intentions are. Raiden is repeatedly confronted with unimaginably bizarre situations: he is told Pliskin is not Solid Snake, he is expected to believe that Vampires, psychics, and witches exist, that people can come back to life. He is constantly appealed by the surreal situation he finds himself in, yet rather than question his actions and reconsider whether or not his mission is actually a moral one, he continues to serve his superiors.
It is eventually discovered that his superiors are the Patriots who artificially created the entire scenario of MGS2. Every individual within the scenario acted exactly as the Patriots predicted because of the perimeters laid out by the scenario. Raiden was the crowning achievement since he was the individual who was most manipulated and controlled against his will. Even when he discovers the truth, he continues playing out his "role" because he realizes that it is unavoidable due to the context created by the Patriots.
Everything that happens to Raiden also happens to the player. The Player believed he would be playing a "Die-Hard" style action thriller with cool terrorists and bad ass, loner hero in order to save the world from a nefarious plot. Instead they controlled a weird pretty boy with a nagging girlfriend to fight a bunch of ambiguous nut jobs only to find out they were being manipulated by the real enemy all along and eventually the player only furthers the goals of said enemy. The player's actions were predetermined because of the context set up by the game. They only alternative to serving the Patriots for the player was turning off the game. Essentially, either the player falls for the manipulation set up by the game, or he ceases to exist as a component of the game.
In Mass Effect, the same occurs except Shepard is given a way out of the context clouding.
The Indoctrination Theory of Mass Effect 3 is a rehash of this concept. The player, as Commander Shepard is presented with a false world which is manipulating him towards a goal. The world creates a context which entices Shepard and the player to become "indoctrinated" either by seeking synthesis with the reapers (like Saren), or by seeking control of the reapers (like the Illusive Man). The correct path for the player to take is to continue resisting the reapers by choosing to destroy them. Yet the game makes the player believe that the indoctrination path is the RIGHT path while condemning the choice to destroy the reapers as the WRONG path.
Shepard is manipulated by a phantom which takes the form of Shepard's conscious conception of innocence and goodness (the child). The child spews lies about the benefits of the indoctrination paths while condemning the destructive path. The color scheme is unnaturally inverted. Renegade red represents resistance against the reapers while paragon blue represents the other paths. The scenery and music are beautifully uplifting and make it seem as if Shepard is in a heavenly place. But all of it is merely a lie to convince Shepard that indoctrination is preferable to resistance.
In order to truly succeed, Shepard must look past the presented context. He must focus on and try to grasp reality rather than the phantom which is presented. He must stick to his goals of defeating the reaper rather than siding with them. Unlike Raiden and the player of MGS2, Shepard and the ME player have the means to defeat the narrative.
I realize this is all long and rambly, but I believe this to be a fascinating parallel. Feel free to ask about clarifications. |
| ...and that ladies and gentlemen, is why MGS2 has the worst story of the series. |
| I really do like the indoctrination theory. Though I wonder If choosing to destroy the reapers does anything at this point. If the indoctrination theory is true then Shepard is most likely drooling in a corner, lining up to be turned into a husk, or busily betraying and murdering his friends while In this psychotic episode. Hell, maybe the illusive man was never in the citadel and Shepard shot Anderson! |
| Fieldy409:
I really do like the indoctrination theory. Though I wonder If choosing to destroy the reapers does anything at this point. If the indoctrination theory is true then Shepard is most likely drooling in a corner, lining up to be turned into a husk, or busily betraying and murdering his friends while In this psychotic episode. Hell, maybe the illusive man was never in the citadel and Shepard shot Anderson!
If IT theory is true, then Shepard was never in the Citadel and the Illusive Man and Anderson were part of his psyche. The IM is the part of his psyche which wants to surrender to the reapers while Anderson represents resistance. |
| Fieldy409:
I really do like the indoctrination theory. Though I wonder If choosing to destroy the reapers does anything at this point. If the indoctrination theory is true then Shepard is most likely drooling in a corner, lining up to be turned into a husk, or busily betraying and murdering his friends while In this psychotic episode. Hell, maybe the illusive man was never in the citadel and Shepard shot Anderson!
Nope, Shepard is underneath a bunch of rubble back on Earth.
I do love the Indoctrination Theory though. |
| imahobbit4062:
...and that ladies and gentlemen, is why MGS2 has the worst story of the series.
That, and because Raiden is a whiny little bitch. |
| Discalimer: EVERYONE WHO INSISTS THAT THE INDOCTRINATION THEORY IS CORRECT IS A WHINY BITCH WHAT CAN'T ACCEPT THAT BIOWARE MADE AN UNGODLY PIECE OF SHIT OF AN ENDING FOR THEIR VERY POPULAR FRANCHISE
I may be incorrect, or something, but this is what I choose to believe. |
| That's actually an interesting way to look at it.
I think what could have sold it more was if the child gave an evil smile if Shepard chose controlling or synthesis or worry and pleads to stop if Shepard chose to destroy them.
But I think this is the ultimate point of the ending: to make us think. I never expected a happy ending for Shepard. I always figured self-sacrifice would be the conclusion.
While I don't completely buy that the indoctrination theory is what Bioware had going (if it was, it was poorly executed), but it is an interesting idea. |
| Dormin111:
Fieldy409:
I really do like the indoctrination theory. Though I wonder If choosing to destroy the reapers does anything at this point. If the indoctrination theory is true then Shepard is most likely drooling in a corner, lining up to be turned into a husk, or busily betraying and murdering his friends while In this psychotic episode. Hell, maybe the illusive man was never in the citadel and Shepard shot Anderson!
If IT theory is true, then Shepard was never in the Citadel and the Illusive Man and Anderson were part of his psyche. The IM is the part of his psyche which wants to surrender to the reapers while Anderson represents resistance.
Since I made this comment I watched this video.
Possibly the best researched and put together version of the indoctination theory. It really does make sense. I believe the indoctrination theory 100%. |
| Fieldy409:
Dormin111:
Fieldy409:
I really do like the indoctrination theory. Though I wonder If choosing to destroy the reapers does anything at this point. If the indoctrination theory is true then Shepard is most likely drooling in a corner, lining up to be turned into a husk, or busily betraying and murdering his friends while In this psychotic episode. Hell, maybe the illusive man was never in the citadel and Shepard shot Anderson!
If IT theory is true, then Shepard was never in the Citadel and the Illusive Man and Anderson were part of his psyche. The IM is the part of his psyche which wants to surrender to the reapers while Anderson represents resistance.
Since I made this comment I watched this video.
Possibly the best researched and put together version of the indoctination theory. It really does make sense. I believe the indoctrination theory 100%.
I had the exact same experience. At first the whole theory seemed very far fetched and excessively subtle to me. But whoever made that video did an insanely good job of presenting the argument. Plus the production values were amazing. |
| Combine Rustler:
Discalimer: EVERYONE WHO INSISTS THAT THE INDOCTRINATION THEORY IS CORRECT IS A WHINY BITCH WHAT CAN'T ACCEPT THAT BIOWARE MADE AN UNGODLY PIECE OF SHIT OF AN ENDING FOR THEIR VERY POPULAR FRANCHISE
I may be incorrect, or something, but this is what I choose to believe.
Sounds like you're the one whining.
|
| Adam Jensen:
imahobbit4062:
...and that ladies and gentlemen, is why MGS2 has the worst story of the series.
That, and because Raiden is a whiny little bitch.
Ill say what Xcal said in his playthrough
'Raiden you whiny Piss Chugger'
so yes i didn't like MGS2 and the whole indoctrination theory seems stupid |
| Adam Jensen:
imahobbit4062:
...and that ladies and gentlemen, is why MGS2 has the worst story of the series.
That, and because Raiden is a whiny little bitch.
And why MGS4's story suffered so much. You have any idea how hard it must have been trying to canonize the "GOOD" parts of MGS2? |
Spoilers for both Mass Effect and Metal Gear Solid.
This is just an interesting thought which popper into my head. If the Indoctrination Theory pertaining to the ending of Mass Effect 3 is true, then Bioware essentially took the entire message and theme of Metal Gear Solid 2 and condensed it into 15 minutes of stunning narrative. An expanded explanation for those familiar with the two series:
Metal Gear Solid 2 is a study of how individual will can be manipulated by the context provided by the narrative of a situation. The idea is that an individual's decision making and volitional action is directly dependent upon the context in which he finds himself. Free will is limited by what one believes is true and not true. By manipulating an individual's perceptions of reality, the individual can essentially be brainwashed into pursuing any course of action.
This theme reoccurs at multiple story levels throughout MGS2. Raiden is manipulated into serving the interests of his insidious superiors despite how obvious their false intentions are. Raiden is repeatedly confronted with unimaginably bizarre situations: he is told Pliskin is not Solid Snake, he is expected to believe that Vampires, psychics, and witches exist, that people can come back to life. He is constantly appealed by the surreal situation he finds himself in, yet rather than question his actions and reconsider whether or not his mission is actually a moral one, he continues to serve his superiors.
It is eventually discovered that his superiors are the Patriots who artificially created the entire scenario of MGS2. Every individual within the scenario acted exactly as the Patriots predicted because of the perimeters laid out by the scenario. Raiden was the crowning achievement since he was the individual who was most manipulated and controlled against his will. Even when he discovers the truth, he continues playing out his "role" because he realizes that it is unavoidable due to the context created by the Patriots.
Everything that happens to Raiden also happens to the player. The Player believed he would be playing a "Die-Hard" style action thriller with cool terrorists and bad ass, loner hero in order to save the world from a nefarious plot. Instead they controlled a weird pretty boy with a nagging girlfriend to fight a bunch of ambiguous nut jobs only to find out they were being manipulated by the real enemy all along and eventually the player only furthers the goals of said enemy. The player's actions were predetermined because of the context set up by the game. They only alternative to serving the Patriots for the player was turning off the game. Essentially, either the player falls for the manipulation set up by the game, or he ceases to exist as a component of the game.
In Mass Effect, the same occurs except Shepard is given a way out of the context clouding.
The Indoctrination Theory of Mass Effect 3 is a rehash of this concept. The player, as Commander Shepard is presented with a false world which is manipulating him towards a goal. The world creates a context which entices Shepard and the player to become "indoctrinated" either by seeking synthesis with the reapers (like Saren), or by seeking control of the reapers (like the Illusive Man). The correct path for the player to take is to continue resisting the reapers by choosing to destroy them. Yet the game makes the player believe that the indoctrination path is the RIGHT path while condemning the choice to destroy the reapers as the WRONG path.
Shepard is manipulated by a phantom which takes the form of Shepard's conscious conception of innocence and goodness (the child). The child spews lies about the benefits of the indoctrination paths while condemning the destructive path. The color scheme is unnaturally inverted. Renegade red represents resistance against the reapers while paragon blue represents the other paths. The scenery and music are beautifully uplifting and make it seem as if Shepard is in a heavenly place. But all of it is merely a lie to convince Shepard that indoctrination is preferable to resistance.
In order to truly succeed, Shepard must look past the presented context. He must focus on and try to grasp reality rather than the phantom which is presented. He must stick to his goals of defeating the reaper rather than siding with them. Unlike Raiden and the player of MGS2, Shepard and the ME player have the means to defeat the narrative.
I realize this is all long and rambly, but I believe this to be a fascinating parallel. Feel free to ask about clarifications.