I don't know much about game development, but it's probably not easy, especially at that time and with the chaotic development these games had, there's also the situations where your character is supposed to be using an AR but you don't even have one because class or you don't have equipped, frankly it bothers me too, but i doubt it was lazyness

I'm not saying that cutscenes have to use your equiped weapons. They could use the Vindicator for assault rifle scenes and the Carnifex for the pistol scenes. Instead of using crappy default guns. Meanwhile all the useless npcs get better looking guns.

But no for some reason they are tickled pink by the default gun appearances.

I kinda get what you're saying, but if they're not gonna use the weapons equipped, it doesn't really matter what weapon they're gonna use, also using the Avenger makes more sense because that the that's the gun they use for promotional stuff and all that, but i agree on the pistol and the smg, i like the Predator in ME3 but that and the Shuriken are probably the least used weapon in the series, by players of course

There's a spot in the opening of ME3 (Escaping Vancouver) where Anderson cheerfully chides Shepard, [Forgive the paraphrase] “Come on, it can’t be that long since you’ve handled a weapon!” In my mind, my Shepard replies, "Been awhile since I handled one this crappy,”

More than likely it was an attention to a detail that got cut due to time restrictions. They can give NPC's "better guns" because they program those characters to have them. On the other hand, Shepard has a wide array of options and being able to code for every possibility became impossible. So, design the basics and hope the player squints! :)

@Shenachie slander against my beloved Predator 😭

@Zjay47

Tut, tut, now ... everybody has their preferred toys.

I have learned the value of keeping the Predator handy until the killer-bot is dispatched on Mars before I go get my Carnifex/Black Widow. 😎

I love the Carnifex, but something about it feels off in ME3, maybe it's the faster paced combat, it still looks cooler and sounds better, the Predator looks like a plastic gun unfortunely and sounds like crap, but i can't resist that fire rate, especially if i have Incendiary ammo

Don forget the about the Predator’s high ammo capacity which with ammo mods and powers combined with the fire rate makes it really dangerous regardless of of its low dmg output since you can just fire and reload without worry you Will run out soon.

A good Soldier build focused on power combos can kill a brute in seconds with it by setting up fire detonations

Infiltrator can go for pistol appearance since main damage comes from the Black Widow. The Carnifex is mostly used to shoot doors off fuse-boxes. Experience instructed about the Predator and the Mars killer-bot, and that the Citadel elevator-brakes respond better to a good SMG. Survive (or Reload) and learn! :)