of the races in the game with some of the nations in world history. Many
have very distinct attributes and personalities that I really think
were taken from real life. Obviously this isn't exact but I think some
of the structure of Mass Effect is taken from real events. This is just
my opinion but here are some parallels I see to world history and
foreign policy in the game.
Humans/U.S.-
I can't stress enough how much humans in ME are symbolic of the United
States in so many ways. They are the newest entries to the citadel and
yet have already become one of the most powerful. They are disliked for this
rapid success. This is much like the rapid expansion of the U.S, over
traditional powers in Europe, in the 20th century. They also listed
constantly as "the most independent race". In real life Americans always
rank highly in being individualistic in world wide sociology. On the
negative side humans are also very often portrayed as somewhat crass and
money motivated which is a common perception of Americans. The human's are always described as "genetically diverse" as well and the United States is one of the most racially diverse nations on earth.
Turians/Prussia- Turians have a prominent military aristocracy in the game much like the Prussians. Their government is a hierachy, not one leader, which is very similar to the Germanic states of Prussia, who cooperated despite having a several kings. They also have a strict sense of military honor and are the best military race in the game. They also are renowned for their military training which has always been the hallmark of Prussia, which has really established the standard for military training in real life.
Salarians/Ancient China- Although Ancient China encompasses a few thousand years, the chinese during this time had some of the most advaced tech innovations. They discovered gun powder, invented writing ( tied with Mesopotamians), created the first ideas of professional beuracracy and education. The salarians are the most technologically advanced race in the game and mirror this innovation. Chinese confucian thought really fits the Salarians, who value intelligence and seem to care deeply about family and filial piety.The Chinese military was never the most powerful, but it was always the most intelligent due to espionage and study of the Art of War. The salarians fight the same way using intelligence over brute strength and the Art of War is even mentioned in their codex file. There are second to reach the citadel and China is often recognized as the second oldest national identity next to Egypt.
Asari/Ancient Egypt- Egypt is often cited as the first civilization and the Egyptian national identity is one of the oldest on earth much like the Asari are shown as the first race to reach the citadel and have a very long life span. The Egyptians are an extremely racially blended society, much like the Asari who are the only race that can reproduce with all other races. Egypt also has a history of strong female leaders who use seduction to get what they want like Cleopatra and Queen Nefertiti. The asari are an all female race and are the games "seductresses".
Batarians/North
Korea- Batarians are the defintiion of a rogue race. They pull
themselves out of the citadel and wage war against humanity through
propaganda and criminal gangs. North Korea's propaganda does the same
with the U.S. and there have been reports of North Korea working with
criminal gangs to smuggle drugs into South Korea to harm the economy.
Batarians do not let their citizens legally leave the homeworld, much
like North Korea. Batarians are hell bent on obtaining weapons to
destroy humanity, much like North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons to destory it's enemies. Although the North Koreans do not use Slavers per se, their citizens are essentially serfs which is little better. T
Krogan/Imperial
Japan- The Krogan were a militaristic race that nearly
conquered the galaxy through suicidal rush tactics no one could defend
against. The only way they were defeated was the genophage super weapon
which is a major ethical debate in the game. Japan also attempted to
conquer the world and had warriors who fought to the death to the very
end. They were only brought to their knees by the nuclear bomb at
hiroshima and nagasaki. which is now a major ethical debate. An argument could also be made that Japan industrialized too fast like the Krogan received technology too fast. Japan went from using swords to defeating Russia in a matter of fifty years which set off the Imperial era.
Volus/Switzerland-
The volus are legendary bankers who completely remove
themselves from military matters. Switzerland also is known for it's
banking and although has a military, always remains neutral. You could also use the phoencians here, who were used a middle men in the meditereanean trade network in the Ancient world.
Quarians/Gypsies-
Many of the Quarians have a Roma accent that many gypsies have. They
are accepted by no one and are forced to wander the galaxy looking for a
home world. Gypsies are accepted nowhere and have no real nation of
their own.
Protheans/Mayans- The protheans are a
long lost great civilization that seemingly vanished out of nowhere.
What is left of them is interpreted as apocalyptic prophesies. The
Mayans also seemingly just vanished and had a society equal to that of
the Roman empire. The Mayan's 2012 prophecy is the new favorite
apocalypse prediction.
It's too insulting to compare anyone to
the Vorcha lolz. Anyhow this is probably reading way to into it but just
something new to talk about. I can't come up with a feasible one for Salarians or Turians. I kinda was thinking Salarians/Britain because of their spy abilities but that is where the connection ends. Turians are like the Prussians I suppose.
Modifié par Illusivestofmen, 11 mai 2010 - 10:17 .
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