Ranking Every Mass Effect Squadmate Ever
14. James
Jersey Shore meets Mass Effect as voiced by Freddy Prinze Jnr? This really shouldn’t work, and yet it totally does.
You feel like James might have been born out of a design meeting where they discussed Jacob’s flaws. And while James isn’t perfect, he’s certainly more memorable and interesting than Mr. Taylor ever was.
It’s the little flashes here and there that elevate James above what his potential suggests. There’s no massive story at play; he loves the N7 and wants to save the galaxy. Okay, saving the galaxy is quite a big story, but there’s nothing existential or personal there.
He’s good in the field, especially as a bullet sponge on the higher difficulties. He’s got some of the best combat banter in the whole series too; makes you wish he was in the first game to hear him chatting in the lifts. Handing Shepard the nickname of Loco or Lola really adds to the idea that James is right there with you in the foxhole. Had he either been given slightly more depth or been around a little longer, James definitely would’ve had a shot at the top ten.