But when you have a game script made out with specific key events in the story, you need to get those events to happen and that'll only happen if you force the story one way or the other. As long as there is a core story to follow, any freedom in the game will be a compromise. The leviathan thing is pretty textbook and it worked for most of us.
I dont know if Im derailing the thread here but how would you have done it, Nur?
I would have made the odds completely overwhelming so that Bastilas sacrifice was a real sacrifice. Also give her better reasons to sacrifice herself.