Very disappointed with the ending. *Spoilers, obviously*

[LordBlade]

So, I got to the end... and I really don't like how everything's forced on you.

I took the "anarchy" path. Now that in itself is an issue. Why anarchy? I turned my back on both Archons because they both betrayed Kyros. They were too focused on fighting each other and wouldn't follow the Overlord's commands. Niether deserved my service.

I go through, doing everything I can to build up my power and pacify the Tiers in the name of Kyros. But the game basically tries to make everything into my rebelling. Which I think is stupid. There IS a path for the rebellion, don't force the "loyal to Kyros" path to go down the same route. It doesn't make sense. There should have been far more options to declare your loyalty and uphold Kyros' will.

Then I get to then end... and I have the armies of the North marching on me. Why? I did as Kyros commanded. I, the most powerful and loyal Archon, either killed or subjucated the rest. Tunon, Bleden, Sirin... all following me. Cairn, Ashe and Voices get crushed because they are disloyal. But the story still suddenly turns into "I'm rebelling against Kyros", which made no sense whatsoever.

No, if the armies of the North were lead by various Archons, that's another matter. Give us a chance to fight them back and be the last Archon standing. But the game basically made it that we drove Kyros back and are now independent. Which is BS. I wanted the Tiers to join Kyros' glorious empire, but instead we're forced to be "the good guy" and fight against the Overlord. For no reason.

Also, the ending bits are nonsensical as well. For the Beastman tribe, I'm told that they're driven out or enslaved by the humans who reclaim the land. Excuse me? I was Prima of the tribe. They're in my service, who the hell gets to kick my followers out? Where's my option to have them rise to power and unite the other Beast tribes of the Tiers? Where's the "living side by side" option? Again, forced to get some stupid out of nowhere decision that goes against everything we've been doing.

The Vellum Citadel is the same. I specfically gave up an artifact so that I could keep the Citadel in one piece so that the knowledge there could be used. But again the ending blurb tells me I just locked it away and horded it for myself. The hell? I had the Sages loving me by the end. I was expecting them to have moved back in to rebuild.

Lethian's Crossing I admit was my bad. I forgot to put the helm back. :(
So I'll take the hit on that one. But honestly, why couldn't I have them build a new defense item? Something like a statue (that one of the other Fatebinders actually suggests)?

And then I'm told the Forge-Bound fail because the Dishonored are gone. Um... hello? My new empire needs smiths to equip its army. Why the hell are they disbanding?

Also, the Archon of War should not have fought me to the death. I defeated the Voices. I saved his daughter. I helped out his troops where I could. He should have submitted, but instead he fought me like an idiot.

"Abandoning your decorated career in Kyros' military." Screw you game. Why force me down a path I wasn't taking?

[Novagrave]

I had a very similar ending and agree with all your points. I was trying to do right by the locals but the end really screwed me.

[Starnes.]

Totally true, BIG LIE that you can choose a path and that the game is super replayable.

I was also angry how "who is a traitor" quest ended. It looked like in the end nothing matters anymore. My guess is, they needed 3-4 month to end the game, but publisher told them to go live this November. Sad story.

[awc]

I ended up having to slaughter *every* other Archon aside from Sirin in my game sadly. I thought even as rebels I could warm up Ashe and the rest with logic, good choices, appeal to being more awesome than Kyros ever could be to them..

Ultimately it feels like no matter what path you took the whole reason for the invasion of the Tiers is to make the last piece of land not conquered by Kyros into a place that Kyros can send undesirables to die.

It's said by multiple sources that Kyros despises the Archons and the Tiers run by a rebel who has lesser Kyros powers is the perfect place to send Archons that Kyros feels are a threat to die in the name of ..well, Kyros.

The size of the continent is massive, if there's 7 archons in the tiers and an 8th on the way with a plague army then how many more are left for the grinder? I reckon a whole lot, and more Archons in the future being found/enslaved all the time.

edit to add: and yeah, I had inconsistencies with myy ending too. Beastmen, Earthshakers, etc.

[TVMAN]

Originally posted by LordBlade:

Then I get to then end... and I have the armies of the North marching on me. Why? I did as Kyros commanded.

I can't really disagree with most of what you've said, but this does actually have an answer.

Kyros probably gets their power from a Spire somewhere in the Northern Empire, and outlawed Oldwalls exploration entirely because they alone want to wield the power of Edicts. Your character brought about Kyro's wrath and became an enemy to the Overlord the moment the first spire was claimed, and everything after that is merely a formality until the Overlord can bring forces to bear against you... Kyros suffers no rival.

[LordBlade]

Except that I wasn't a rival. That's the point. Kyros should be happy to have a loyal Archon controlling the Tiers for them. Someone keeping the place under control in their name. Enforcing their laws.

Honestly it all feels like they decided that no matter what, you have to be the "hero" and fight the Overlord. Which is stupid and completely destroys the entire point of the game. Don't set us up with the appearance of options to be the Overlord's loyal vassal and "be evil" if the whole thing is just to make us the good guy rising up against Kyros in the end regardless of what we do.

Also, Kyros declared that the Tiers would be ruled by an Archon. Whichever could hold it and control the rest. It wasn't said that all Archons in the world were being sent in to fight to the death. I think the original idea was to be a way of testing loyalty. Archons who wanted to grab for power would naturally head for the Tiers and try to take over. This way Kyros would know who's up to something. Having a loyal Archon in place (ie you) would have made perfect sense. You'd be there to destroy anyone who was getting out of line.

Honestly the whole thing should have been set up to end with Kyros congratulating you on your great work and loyalty. But we're shoehorned into the typical hero route "fighting oppression".

[urartu]

The ending leaves many questions considering how everyone tells you if Kyros wished you dead you would be killed long before throwing Edicts back and forth.

Perhaps there is a design which might be revealed at next chapters or with DLC or maybe your unexpected ability to issue Edicts reduced Kyros' powers since in Terratus belief is a great amplificator for your powers.

But I do agree there could be a loyal path, maybe at the end of Act 2 you could have option to pack up and leave for Bastard Tier to discuss with Tunon or retreat to a fortress belonging to an ally instead issuing an Edict.

[TVMAN]

Originally posted by LordBlade:

Except that I wasn't a rival. That's the point.

You're forgetting that up until the events of this game, nobody else has been able to claim a Spire or use Edicts except for the Overlord. Being able to wield that power makes you a rival, unintentional or not. I honestly don't think Kyros was expecting one of her servants to inadvertently awaken a Spire in the Tiers, so the PC waltzing in and claiming a Spire must have been a shock.

Even if you're absolutely perfect at your job, you can still get fired for incredibly petty, pointless, and personal reasons.

Originally posted by urartu:

The ending leaves many questions considering how everyone tells you if Kyros wished you dead you would be killed long before throwing Edicts back and forth.

I suspect that the dirty secret is Kyros isn't as all-powerful and all-knowing as she wants other people to believe. Up until the PC claimed the Spire and gained the power to cast Edicts, nobody knew how Kyros was able to wield such incredible power. The Spires are the source of Kyro's power, and she was unchallenged in this for over 400 years up until the events of the game.

[LordBlade]

But Kyros isn't all powerful and all knowing. Kyros was a warlord (and possibly an Archon). Their power came from their armies and minions. They became Overlord, they weren't just born as some supreme being.

[Kain]

Yeah, seems like they forgot to make the second half of the game.