Napalm Jim wrote...
Well, if the third game is anything like the previous two, you'll only start out with a couple of squadmates to choose from with more joining you as you progress. I'm none too sure as to who the first two squaddies will be (although I have my preferences) but I'm imagining that they'll cook some reasons as to why the others that survived ME2 aren't with you right off the bat (returned to the flotilla, business on Tuchanka, etc.)
As for romances, I'm not expecting them to pull the ME1 LI treatment a second time. LI's from ME1 and ME2 have each had their own games to springboard to romantic plots, so this time around everyone will be starting off on even footing, so to speak. We're likely to see a new LI or 2 since they wanna have something new with every game, but I don't see the prior romances, especially the Tali one given the ferocity of her fanbase, getting tossed out the window.
See, I don't see ME3 starting like ME2. In ME2, it took half the game to gather your team. They have more pressing plot matters to get to in ME3. They can't have you spend half the game recruiting.
Personally, I see ME3 picking off exactly where ME2 ended, with everyone still on the Normandy. Now you have a full team, and can focus on going off to recruit the krogan and geth races or whatever.
The problem with people leaving is that you need to explain a lot of people. And some of the explanations would absolutely suck. Where are Garrus and Tali really going? And if your just going to turn around and re-recruit all of these people, why would they leave anyway? You aren't getting any new news about the reapers, they all know what the real threat is.