Ryebredrox
1.4K posts
Brief Essay ✍️ There's a common belief that Javik was "cut out and sold as Day 1 DLC". Bioware, naturally, claims that's not true. So what's the truth, and what was the scope of Javik's original involvement? Having spent thousands of hours modding the trilogy, I have an answer: Cross-referencing both the game files and a late stage version of the original script allows one to put together the puzzle pieces. Pictures with examples are attached. ⭕️ Yes, Javik was originally heavily featured in the story. ⭕️ Eden Prime was very different: 1. During the flashback sequences, you play as Javik and fight the Collectors. Harbinger also returned. This is further confirmed by game files, as a "combat" version of Javik gets setup before each flashback. 2. Kai Leng leads Cerberus on Eden Prime. After they realize Shepard reached Javik first, Leng gives the order to massacre the colony. Eden Prime is gone, and the massacre is framed on Shepard. The framing also ties into how much Ashley/Kaidan trust you later on. 3. Due to Shepard's ties to Cerberus and limited evidence, the Council is very skeptical. Udina's future betrayal is foreshadowed as he immediately votes on having Shepard arrested. You watch the debate and must defend yourself. Failing to convince the Council results in your Spectre Status being STRIPPED. ⭕️ In the game files, most situations where your Spectre Status is called upon actually have a (working) branch in case it was stripped. ⭕️ After the Coup, the Asari Councilor brings up Thessia specifically because she hopes Javik can interact with the beacon and find the Catalyst. ⭕️ On Thessia and afterwards, Javik has Vendetta's role. He enters a "trance state" while interacting with the beacon, and gets abducted by Kai Leng who wants to finish his job from Eden Prime. ⭕️ On Cronos Station, you rescue Javik and he helps you fight against Leng. After the DLC-ification, voice lines referencing "Javik" were re-recorded to instead reference the "Prothean VI". The call from the Asari Councilor on the Normandy was also (poorly) rewritten. #MassEffect #bioware
Genuine question; What is your #1 want from HLX? What single thing you do want out of the game more than anything else?
