Unextended Cut mod for Mass Effect Legendary Edition

The Unextended Cut

Restores the original 2012 release ending. That's right, get your RGB endings RIGHT HERE!

You can also restore changes on a modular basis, along with options to restore cut content (Anderson conversation, alternate beam evacuation) and optional tweaks (improved release ending slides, adjusted war assets).

The default installation configuration will restore the original 2012 release version of the ending.

Installation Options

See below for detailed description of the various options which will be presented at installation. One option from each category may be selected.

War Assets

• Controls the ending options available to you (based on your war assets before you asssault the Illusive Man's base).
• Values were balanced for Legendary Edition so are not a completely accurate representation of the 2012 release, but approximate the relative difficulty levels.
• In keeping with the original release, if you choose the 2012 release war asset levels, it is impossible for Shepard to survive destroying the Reapers with the war assets available in the base game.
• The new custom option increases the difficulty of all thresholds by one step to provide a greater challenge. In this option, Shepard can survive destroying the Reapers with a score of 8000 or greater. This is possible but requires a completionist trilogy playthrough with mostly optimal decisions.

Beam Run

• Controls events during the run across No Man's Land to get to the beam.
• In addition to choosing between the 2012 release and Extended Cut versions, there is an option to restore a cut alternate evacuation scene to either version of the beam run. (See Media tab).
• This scene is short and shows your squadmates retreating. It does not involve the Normandy pickup or interactive dialogue. It will replace the Normandy pickup if used with the Extended Cut.

Citadel

• Controls events after Shepard enters the beam until the end of Shepard's confrontation with the Illusive Man. This includes:

- space battle content (EC)
- radio chatter about Shepard reaching the Citadel (EC)
- Shepard's arrival on the Citadel
- journey through the Citadel
- confrontation with the Illusive Man
- conversation with Anderson
- docking the crucible

• Option to restore cut content to Anderson's final conversation. This can be added to Extended or Release cuts.
• Anderson Release and EC options can be mixed and matched, but you must choose to restore the Anderson conversation in both Citadel and Catalyst option groups, or in neither.

Catalyst

• Controls the conversation with the Catalyst.
• The option to refuse to use the Crucible is contained in this section. Do not restore the 2012 release version if you want to reject the Catalyst's choices (either via dialogue or by shooting).
• Option to restore cut content to Anderson's final conversation. This can be added to Extended or Release cuts.
• Anderson Release and EC options can be mixed and matched, but you must choose to restore the Anderson conversation in both Citadel and Catalyst option groups, or in neither.

Choice

• Controls content relating to activating the Crucible, cut scenes showing its impact and the Normandy's escape.
• Additional option to improve the slide showing Shepard's love interest in the original 2012 release version. On release this recognised only Kaidan or Ashley, defaulting to Liara for everyone else. This option means Shepard's love interest will be displayed accurately. If there is no active love interest, it will default to Liara in Control and Synthesis endings, or EDI if Destroy is chosen. (See media tab).

Epilogue

• Controls content from the Normandy's crash landing on the jungle planet onwards.

Why? Why did you do this? What is wrong with you?

I dunno, I actually like them more. No, for real! But there are a few other reasons too. Even if you aren't a fan of the original endings (as most people are not), they're a part of gaming history at this point. They're (in)famous. I figure some people may be curious what the fuss was about. I figure from a historical perspective, it's interesting to archive this in an accessible format.

It's technically pretty difficult to get at the release ending at this point. The extended version has files in the patch updates folder. So you have to disable all the bugfixes in addition to the actual Extended Cut DLC in order to access it. ME3Tweaks Mod Manager doesn't recognise games with official DLC disabled (for valid reasons of compatibility). Disabling the DLC at the last minute will lock out your save without using a save editor. So while you CAN disable some things, launch manually and edit your save, it's a major hassle. This mod can be installed and then work immersively.

The options are grouped as they are because it was the best combination of flexibility, natural content breaks and technical implementation to ensure all combinations work together smoothly and stream in correctly. A lot of work went into adjusting the game's streaming to ensure the options can be mix/matched without error, as well as a number of corrections to bugs in the original files if accessed directly. Further work went into restoring significant amounts of cut content to a finished standard as well as some optional improvements to original release content. This was a labour of love, not just a copy-paste job to move some files to a higher mount point.

Finally, I figure if I genuinely like aspects of the release ending better than the Extended Cut, there are probably at least some others who feel the same way, or who would at least like to swap out a few things.

So this one goes out to all of you. I got your RGB endings right here, guys.

Language

This mod should function for all languages, with the exception of the restored Anderson conversation. This is available for English audio localisations only, though should function with subtitles of any language.

Installation

Download the .7z file.
Import the .7z file into ME3Tweaks Mod Manager 7.0 or higher.
Apply the mod to the game.
Play the game.

Uninstallation

This mod may be deleted or disabled safely via ME3Tweaks Mod Manager. Select your LE3 installation, and then choose "Manage Target", you will see the option to disable or delete.

Compatibility

LE3 Community Patch and Framework is compatible with this mod as of v.1.1, provided you select the appropriate patches at installation. Please read the instructions carefully as these patches are only required if you choose certain installation options. Installing 2012 release content will obviously override bugfixes that the Community Patch provides, but the streaming framework will work correctly and all framework-based mods should be compatible.

Technical Information: Files that implement community framework changes are: BioD_End002.pcc, BioD_End002_300TIMConflict.pcc and BioD_End002_600Epilogue.pcc

Skippable Catalyst Conversation mod will override this mod's changes with its own. This is safe but of course means that you will get the Extended Cut version of the conversation. If you are using the options to restore cut content to Anderson's conversation, the end of the conversation will glitch. Do not use this with the Anderson Conversation options. Instead use the standalone mod I have also released (see below).

Starchild-Be-Gone mod will override this mod's changes with its own from the end of Anderson's conversation onwards. It is theoretically safe to use the earlier portions of the mod (amending war assets, beam run, and journey through the citadel), as long as you avoid restoring Anderson's conversation. Please note this is untested.

Anderson's Final Conversation Restored content is included in this mod so there is no need to use them both. The only reason to use them together is to make use of the Skippable Catalyst Conversation mod patch. In which case, Anderson's Final Conversation Restored will take priority. You will get Extended Cut content from the time Shepard enters the beam until the activation of the Crucible.

I am not aware of any other compatibility issues at this time.


With thanks to

Marcus22Khaar and BostezosdeDragon for the beautiful banner.
MGamerz, SirCxyrtyx, HenBagle, d00telemental and Kinkojiro for development and maintenance of the toolset and mod manager.

Please consider joining the Mass Effect Modding Community discord: Discord.gg