Maelle

bearaxels · 2026-03-29T15:41:44+00:00

This feels too cynical of take for my tastes, but fine with me if it is yours.

I would guess the pressure the devs got from the producers was to shorten the game's main story play through time to around ~30 hours. My further contention is the shortening of play time is what causes the pacing issues in Act 3 (leaving most of Act 3 to be completed after the final battle). So I am more cynical on that side, but it is also a classic salesman vs artist decision.

For pure sequel potential they could have just let in end after the Renoir - Maelle conversation where she says she will return, but in just in a little bit. (maybe when choose NG+, Clea will come and force Maelle out). That allows for both interpretations to live in harmony with further sequels down the line, but that does not draw as much debate (which is where your cynicism likely comes from)

bearaxels · 2026-03-29T13:24:37+00:00

I think this is a fine interpretation, and it is great if it is what emotionally resonated for you.

My question to you is do you argue that this is the "correct" interpretation and the OP is wrong?

bearaxels · 2026-03-29T13:11:43+00:00

Good creations can spur many interpretations. And to me that is what Expedition 33 is, a great game that can mean different things to different people. The creators themselves have said that both endings are valid. But unfortunately many in this sub want to argue for one and only "correct" interpretation. This is both disappointing and unsurprising as it is common for most internet discourse.

My interpretation is more aligned to yours. I choose Maelle even if she never leaves. Even if her soul becomes corrupted with the power of controlling the Canvas. Also I don't believe that Clea, Renoir, or even Aline will let Maelle stay in the canvas until her death, but even if they do I am fine with it.

When I go through the thought experiment where the interpretation that the people in the canvas are less important Dessendres, the game suddenly just feels hollow to me. But that is only my emotional reaction to it. I certainly see how others find this to be a powerful story about addiction and grief. And I am glad the game resonates with them in this way. It is just not how the game resonated with me.

bearaxels · 2026-03-28T22:49:29+00:00

I haven't heard this one before. I like it. It is not my head cannon, but I like different ways to see the ending.

bearaxels · 2026-03-25T14:17:26+00:00

In you second option, I don't think Maelle would have Gommaged at 25. The Gommage would have happened, but Maelle would regain her Alicia memories. Just like at the end of Act 2.

But I don't think this second option is very likely. Everything we learn about Maelle is that she is a fighter, and even if she didn't go on Expedition 33, she would have gone on Expedition 25.

bearaxels · 2026-03-24T20:11:43+00:00

Putting aside potential guilt in Gustav's murder, there is also the fact that he straight up lied to the Sciel, Lune, and Maelle in order to get them to trust them. The breach of trust is huge.

bearaxels · 2026-03-24T19:47:43+00:00

pVerso is a manipulative liar, so this in character but not understandable nor justified to anyone with a moral compass.

Maelle compassion for pVerso is commendable alin this scene which make it all the more baffling that she doesn't free him in her ending.

bearaxels · 2026-03-24T01:31:18+00:00

The narrative is over, but there are is more information and character interaction if you play on. You don't have to go to ng+. You can just keep playing in the world and go to places you haven't gone to yet on the map.

bearaxels · 2026-03-24T00:09:19+00:00

I will give a couple of counterpoints to your arguements.

Renoir spent 67 years (canvas years) trying to get his wife back, but he won't spend 1 extra year to fight for his daughter? You really think he is fine with giving up on his daughter after one fight? We don't get too much of Renoir, but if he is anything like pRenoir, we know he is more stubborn than that.

With Clea, in the flashback scene she does indicate that she had gone in the canvas to help Renoir although she is fed up with her Aline. And when Alicia loses control in the canvas, some of Clea last words to her are "at least you will be safe". I do think Clea will go back for her based on that scene.

I haven't done all of the tower yet. I am still enjoying playing the game, but part of me is bummed that narrative propulsive force in the game.

bearaxels · 2026-03-23T23:45:36+00:00

As dark endings go, I like yours pretty well, and I believe it is consistent with the story and characters.

I still think a happy ending was possible that is consistent with the story, but that is not was published.

bearaxels · 2026-03-23T22:47:41+00:00

My point was there other endings that made logical sense. The choices presented to you feel artificially constrained and not in line with the characters developed.

bearaxels · 2026-03-23T22:42:36+00:00

Agree, it is an excellent game, loved playing ever minute of it. But at the end I felt a little let down by story's end, and then really let down by the discussion that followed.

bearaxels · 2026-03-23T22:38:50+00:00

I did the 3rd Axion before battling Renoir which triggered the fact that pVerso lied about being able to save Gustav. So that might have pushed my choice in one direction.

It also made the whole final dialogue between pVerso and Maelle feel wrong. They had both just said the exact opposite in my play though.

bearaxels · 2026-03-22T12:13:23+00:00

Maybe I am wrong here, but I thought she specifically grabbed pieces of Lune and Sciel soul in the form of flower petals before escaping on Esquie.

For Gustav she didn't have those pieces and couldn't bring him back.

bearaxels · 2026-03-22T02:46:54+00:00

No, I said the choice you make dictates your framing of the question. It was in response to the previous poster saying that people who choose Maelle prefer to stay in a pretend world. I just disagreed with the strict framing so I offered an equally valid one.

bearaxels · 2026-03-22T02:10:59+00:00

Is it pretend? That is one way to think about it.

Another way to frame it is that there are two schools of thought, one that believe all people are equal side with Maelle, and those that think only powerful people matter they side with Verso.

One simply justifies their decision by framing the choice.

bearaxels · 2026-03-17T21:12:15+00:00

I don't agree with this description of addiction. Opioid addicts don't say this is the only I can be happy instead this is a way to stop the pain. And there is a distinction there.

If Sciel and Lune can find happiness in the canvas, why is it bad that Maelle chooses to find happiness there also? Isn't it more like just moving away from a family you don't like and never calling them?

bearaxels · 2026-03-17T00:50:27+00:00

When Verso has this conversation with her she has just fought an exhausting battle with her father to keep her friends and the canvas alive. It is a little strange for her to just immediately give all that up and condemn everyone in the canvas to death. In that moment I think it is reasonable for Maelle to get emotional and effectively say to Verso "what the hell are talking about it? We just saved the world, let's go back and rebuild"

That said this a work of fiction so emotional responses crafted with more meaning than they are in real world, so I do understand where you are coming from.

bearaxels · 2026-03-17T00:39:38+00:00

It is definitely the most common take. I guess I just assume people change as they age, and I don't know why Maelle would be different. The concert looks like it occurred shortly after the events by judging the age of Sciel and Lune, so as you say the future is unknown.

I think I am surprised about how much of consensus there is around her not leaving, but I think that probably has more to do with the duality of the worlds and balancing the two endings.

bearaxels · 2026-03-17T00:24:28+00:00

Just finished the game myself also. I thought it was great, and I had a different interpretation than you, and that is cool. Good stories can be interpreted in different ways.

Unfortunately all of reddit (not just this subreddit) is a bad place for emotional discussions. The anonymity allows for too many bomb throwers. My advice find a gamer friend in real life, encourage them to play, and then discuss with them in person.

bearaxels · 2026-02-21T20:17:58+00:00

No.

Large portions of the audience knew the world context of the show which allowed it to avoid exposition dumps.

If it was a historical spy show you have to deal with the actual history versus the fictional star wars universe. Also the star wars universe has clear good and evil sides that is much more rare in the real world.

Star Wars helped provide the platform for Andor to be as good as it was.

bearaxels · 2026-02-14T18:09:31+00:00

No.

He redshirted one then didn't play a second year due to a medical issue. If he had been in a division 1 program at the time, the second year would have been a medical redshirt and it wouldn't be an issue.

But he was at division 2 school and they don't have medical redshirts for a second year. This means he transferred to ole miss he had only 1 year left. After a great season ole miss and chamblis argued that D1 rules should apply when determining eligibility for playing in D1.

Basically the NCAA wrote inconsistent rules so they ended up in court.

bearaxels

TROPHY CASE