Our continued coverage of the upcoming release of Mass Effect 3 takes a swerve backwards to look at the ten most important, and potentially game-changing morality decisions of the series so far...
Editor - Our continued coverage of the upcoming release of Mass Effect 3 takes a swerve backwards to look at the ten most important, and potentially game-changing morality decisions of the series so far... Often in life we are faced with difficult decisions. Hopefully though, none of us will have to face the kind of decisions Commander Shepard is frequently faced with in the Mass Effect series. The most well deal with daily is something as trivial as picking between two television channels or what colour tie we are going to wear in the morning. For Commander Shepard its more along the lines of picking between saving your best friends life or an entire race of alien lobster creatures. Heres my list of the Top Ten Mass Effect Moral Decisions. Proceed with caution, spoilers aplenty.
10. Punching Manuel (Mass Effect)
Sadly its not Biowares attempt at a virtual Fawlty Towers, but instead one of the earliest moments in which players are able to shape the personality of their Shepard; goodie little two shoes or intergalactic arse. On the Eden Prime dig site, the team encounters a babbling and deranged scientist named Manuel. Players can tolerate his madness or deliver a swift sharp punch to the head knocking him unconscious. Its not very nice, but hey, like most renegade decisions, it gets results.And its funny !
9. Two's Company, Three's a Crowd (Mass Effect)
One of the rarer decisions that the player can face in Mass Effect, involves Shepard taking some time out to practice bigamy. If Shepard tries to romance Ashley or Kaiden, at the same time as Liara, something rather unexpected happens. Shepards irresponsible behaviour is uncovered and he finds himself confronted and forced to pick between the pair. Whilst this isnt exactly an epic moment of life or death, its a moment which has the ability to make the player feel guilty and ashamed about being a virtual whore.
8. Obey Martin Sheen! (Mass Effect 2)
After the epic attack on the Collector base at the climax of Mass Effect 2, Shepard is understandably a bit grumpy, deciding to destroy the entire complex. Just before doing so, the mysterious Illusive Man orders Shepard to instead sterilize the base for research purposes. Even at the end of the game, we still dont know much about the illusive man or his real intentions. Therefore we have to question our loyalty to Martin Sheen. Its a late decision and one that will likely cause shockwaves in the story of Mass Effect 3.
7. Kelly the Sexy Secretary (Mass Effect 2)
Unfortunately too many of us fell in love with the red headed secretary of the Normandy in Mass Effect 2. Little did we know she would betray our affection by not even being a proper relationship option. When the Normandy is attacked and the crew kidnapped, I only cared about saving one person. The lovely Kelly who would inform me of boring e-mails and feed my fish. The player can immediately rush to the rescue of your team, in turn triggering the games final mission. Or you can refuse to negotiate with terrorists and continue with other plans. If players take the latter option, poor Kelly is sucked into a strange tube and liquidized. Oh well, theres still Miranda I guess
6. The Rachni Queen (Mass Effect)
After defeating Matriarch Benezia on Noveria, Shepard discovers the Queen of the strange species called the Rachni. Despite having attacked Shepard and his team repeatedly during the mission, the Queen tells of her betrayal and begs for forgiveness. Shepard is given the choice to forever eradicate the species into extinction or show compassion and set the creature free. While its an obvious decision for paragon players, those taking the Renegade path will have to ask themselves just how heartless they can be. If set free, the decision is nicely referenced in Mass Effect 2, with the Rachni Queen contacting Shepard through an Asari on Illium.
5. Pulling the Plug (Overlord DLC)
Not wanting to neglect some of the great morality decisions that featured in the DLC Bioware created for Mass Effect 2, the best one was featured in the Overlord add on. The story of abuse and torture on a human test subject to create a new form of virtual intelligence was genuinely disturbing even while being a bit reminiscent of naff virtual reality flick The Lawnmower Man. Shepard encounters the body of human guinea pig David, strapped to a table and riddled with tubes and cables. David pleads for help, with tears streaming down his face. As barbaric as the testing is, if Shepard turns a blind eye it could lead to a scientific breakthrough. This weighty and moving moral decision makes Overlord well worth downloading.
4. Annoying The Citadel Council (Mass Effect)
No one likes dealing with the council, but its especially true in the Mass Effect universe. With the exception of making Shepard a Spectre, all they enjoy doing is busting your balls. Saving the galaxy countless times just isnt enough for these guys, constantly bothering Shepard about code of conduct and his handling of a mission. They are basically glorified health and safety officials. Thankfully the game offers you the choice of satisfyingly hanging up on them mid conversation like a rebellious teenager. Oh and deciding whether or not to sacrifice them in a spectacular explosion at the games climax.
3. Follow the Leader (Mass Effect 2)
Players are bombarded with decisions regularly in the Mass Effect games, but the ante is upped considerably towards the end of the second game. Leading his team into a potential suicide mission on the Collector base, Shepard must decide on every aspect of the operation. Forcing players to make sure theyve been noting the particular skills of their team-mates, Shepard has to pick roles such as heavy assault, defence or disabling security. Pick the wrong people and you can directly alter the ending of the game. This can result in the death of your team mates and if really poorly handled, an anti-climatic and pathetic death for Commander Shepard.
2. Ashley or Kaidan (Mass Effect)
I dont think Ive ever actually met anyone who saved Kaidan. Despite being a reliable team-member and an all round nice guy, hes pretty much dead meat at the halfway point of Mass Effect. For some reason, despite her attitude and casual racism, when the player has to pick between saving either Ashley and Kaidan, the majority of us pick Ashley. She isnt even that thankful, and also has the potential to further upset the player during the next entry on the list. Im sorry Kaidan; we could have been best buddies.
1. Wrex and the Genophage (Mass Effect)
Poor old Wrex, from the very beginning of the game hes full of pent up aggression just waiting to explode spectacularly. When a cure for the Genophage is to be destroyed on Virmire, Wrex disobeys the order to stand down, drawing his gun on Shepard. If Shepard can keep his cool and defuse the situation, Wrex will live to continue fighting along your side. Otherwise, Shepard is faced with the possibility of having to execute a member of his own team. Its a decision which perfectly highlights the way the series manages to be as cinematic as any film or drama. Shocking, tense and memorable, its one of the best moments of the series so far. So these are my personal favourite moments, but there were some I sadly had to leave out. What are your favourites ? What sort of decisions do you think well see in Mass Effect 3 ? And more importantly, did you save Kaidan ?