Summary
Seventeen years after its debut,Mass Effectremains one of themost beloved trilogiesin all gaming. This is thanks to the role of your party, a trope in every Bioware RPG that was used most effectively for the series, since players get to watch companions naturally grow and evolve with each new entry.
This list will rank the best companion stories. This doesn’t necessarily mean the best or most likable companions - though there is some overlap - but is an examination of how their plots play out throughout the trilogy. Criteria will include likability, main plot relevance, quality loyalty missions, thematic resonance and player reactivity.
10Samara
The Asari Justicar
Being one of the fewromance optionswho reject Shepard, Samara stands out from the cast by being extremely principled - to a fault. She’s a Justicar that lives by a strict code; her character archetype is reminiscent of lawful-neutral paladins inDungeons and Dragonsgiven aMass Effectmakeover. She’s given depth thanks to her turbulent relationship with her daughters, who’ve contracted a rare genetic disease named Ardat-Yakshi.
Samara’s profession and family reveal unique insights into Asari society and her loyalty mission offers some of the most intricate role-playing inMass Effect 2. There’s even a chance her loyalty mission enters a fail state if Shepard says the wrong things. The only reason Samara doesn’t rank higher is her limited role inMass Effect 3.
9Ashley
The Xenophobe
Written as a paranoid xenophobe, it’s easy to understand why Ashley remains one ofMass Effect’smost divisive characters. Even her staunchest defendersadmit she’s controversial. However, Bioware’s decision to create a companion with such harsh edges is commendable. Plus, if gamers keep her around, she undergoes the most development comeMass Effect 3.
Ashley can overcome her xenophobia and even become a Spectre to represent humanity. Like her or not, Ashley’s dramatic character arc is undeniable, and her story represents one of the core themes ofMass Effect: overcoming one’s differences to work together.
8EDI
The Rogue AI
Originally a rogue AI granted too much control over Cerberus' ship, EDI’s story seems predictable, given Mass Effect’s lore about synthetics rebelling against their masters. However, a late-game companion and unexpected romance promise a bold new direction for her story, resulting in her becoming a full-fledged companion comeMass Effect 3.
EDI’s story becomes strangely wholesome, as she starts to self-actualize in a relationship not dictated by Shepard. Moreover, she’s a much-needed representative of the synthetics storyline, giving their plight for freedom an emotional core.
7Legion
The Robot
Legion shows up in the final few hours ofMass Effect 2, and challenges the players' views on the Geth. His story has the most reactivity as players can choose not to even meet with him. And, during his mission on Rannoch, both the fate of the Geth and Quarians are determined by decisions made throughout the trilogy.
Furthermore, Legion’s loyalty mission is one of the most philosophically thought-provoking in the series, prompting questions about free-will and transcending the simple paragon/renegade dilemma most quests end with.
6Liara
The Ex-Archaeologist
Arguably the mascot for theMass Effectfranchise, Liara is very likely to be the player’s first romance and most likely companion toreturn inMass Effect 4Starting as a bookish, naive Asari obsessed with Prothean artifacts, Liara is almost unrecognizable by the end of the trilogy.
Featured in Mass Effect 2’smost iconic DLC: Lair of the Shadow Broker, her character undergoes a big change in personality and profession. By the time Liara achieves her dream of meeting a real, live Prothean, she’s too jaded to be amazed by it. Liara serves an integral role in every game and though her status as the best character is arguable, her status as the most important is not.
5Garrus
The Renegade Turian
Garrus isthe fan-favoriteand for good reason. Written as Shepard’s best friend, Garrus' character takes on a confessional role by the end of the series, allowing players to reflect on their actions with the one ally they trust. He’s also the most reactive in terms of role-playing, offering two different flavors of rivalry to Paragon and Renegade Shepard.
The only reason he isn’t rated higher is because, plot-wise, Garrus has little effect onMass Effect’sstory and his loyalty mission is underwhelming.
4Thane
The Tragic Assassin
Introduced with a terminal illness, any sharp-eyed player knows he’s not long for this world. That doesn’t stop most FemShep players from romancing him. Bioware have admitted they designed Thane to appeal to female players; so Mass Effect 2 has amore diverse pool of bachelorsthan its predecessor.
Thane’s story is uniquely emotive due to this illness, and his loyalty quest with his son hammers the tragedy home. His story can only end one way, and the lack of choice players have over this decision is what makes his story so affecting.
3Tali’Zorah
The Quarian Princess
Tali’Zorah has the distinction of being one of two companions to be in Shepard’s party through the wholeMass Effecttrilogy. On top of this, her story is one of the most plot-relevant, reactive tales in the entire game. On multiple occasions, Tali can hate you, love you, or just not be around, depending on your choices.
Her loyalty mission isone of the best in the series. It’s a court drama set on the Quarians migrant flotilla and has everything a player could want in a loyalty mission. Intrigue, humor, world-building and multiple endings - this quest has it all.
2Wrex
The Krogan Merc
When you first meet Wrex, he’s an old, bitter Krogan who’s given up on his race thanks to the Genophage. The Genophage is a device that causes widespread infertility among his people, and is a persistent moral problem throughout the series.
Wrex’s character arc revolves solely around the problem of the Genophage, one of Mass Effect’s most thought-provoking and complicated storylines. He’s tough as nails and always entertaining to watch and the only reason he isn’t ranked number #1 is because he’s not a companion in the second game, squandering an opportunity to have a loyalty mission revolving around the Genophage.
1Mordin
The Repentant Scientist
Mordin is #1 because he has a loyalty quest that revolves around the Genophage. He’s also the most amusing and likable character in the franchise; singing stupid songs and offering (often TMI) insight on your romance choices. All this, despite doing something horrible to the Krogan. It’s this likability and depth which earns him this spot.
The third game is about his redemption (assuming you kept him around or want him to be redeemed). And, despiteMass Effect 3’sreputation for disastrous endings, the end of Mordin’s story (and that of its many permutations) is one of the most satisfying, emotionally moving threads in the entire series, wrapping up many long-standing plot-lines and character arcs at once.
