8 Obvious Moral Choices In Video Games You Couldn't Make
3. Mass Effect 3 – Do You Dare Cure The Genophage?
The set-up: The genophage is a nasty piece of work, a sterility plague targeted at the Krogan that results in the still-born death of thousands of Krogan young. Understandably this has left the Krogan more than a little angry.
The obvious choice: Considering the sheer scale of the suffering inflicted on the Krogan the only right thing to do is end it, and the majority of players agreed.
The reality: If only things were that simple. The genophage, as explained by everyone’s favourite opera singing scientist Salarian, Mordin Solus, was not designed to eradicate the Krogan but to alter their naturally high birth rate to desired levels in order to keep the Krogan population in check.
Why? Centuries earlier the Krogan, a highly aggressive species of powerhouse fighters, threatened to annihilate every other race in the galaxy in what became known as the Krogan Rebellions, a fact players, used to loyal companion and Krogan leader, Wrex, might be inclined to gloss over. But while Wrex might be reasonable, a worrying number of other Krogan are not, and Wrex won’t live forever. Choose the cure and another rebellion may be on the cards.
So, make the risk somebody else’s problem, or take a stand yourself? Tough choice in a series full of them.
Speaking of which...