7 Video Game Boss Fights You Can Secretly AVOID

1. Saren - Mass Effect

If there's one thing you realise going back through Mass Effect's Legendary Edition collection, it's that the trajectory of the trilogy really dovetailed into all-out action with hoo-ra soldier archetypes by the end.

With Mass Effect 2 the sweet spot between explorative RPG and cover shooter, it's that first instalment that really embodied piloting a ship through the stars. As Shepard hunting down the rogue special agent Saren, you're free to visit tons of planets, making scores of decisions that shape the sort of Commander you want to be.

In the end though, all roads lead to a showdown against the Turian Spectre himself.

However in a move that cemented Bioware's 2000s run as the finest in the studio's career, if you'd played your cards right across the previous 20-ish hours, you can actually talk Saren out of the entire first phase of his fight.

You'll need to have either picked specific conversation options when talking to him on planet Virmire, or have enough overall Charm or Intimidate points to convince him in the moment, but if you've specced right, you can make the former decorated officer regain his senses, if only for a moment.

During this brief time away from the Reaper Sovereign's control, the REAL Saren will thank you for your efforts, before taking his own life in an attempt stop the Reaper invasion.

As you'll quickly find out, Sovereign is not so quickly discarded, but it does mean Saren got something of a redemption.

Honestly, where is THIS Bioware in the modern day??