Warning**
For me. the most interesting part of "The Lair of the Shadow Broker" DLC was the continued evolution of Liara as a character. For me no other character in the mass effect universe has gone through more changes to their person then she. My opinions of Liara have varied throughout the Mass Effect experience from like to dislike, and back to like again. One thing is for certain I have never been in doubt that she will be central to the conclusion of the Mass Effect trilogy.
In terms of the DLC, I played through as a Shephard that has had no romance with Liara. I will also play through with a Shephard that did in due course, but for the purpose of this discussion I don't see her romantic situation as overly relevant. I'm looking at her personality as opposed to her situation
In Mass Effect 1 Liara came across to me at least as a wide eyed somewhat naive young Asari traveling the galaxy looking for information on the Protheons. Even her choice of career at this stage was quite revealing. As we have heard throughout the game many Asari spend their youth on somewhat wild or exciting pursuits such as dancing or joining merc groups etc. The idea presumably is to experience all lifes pleasures before settling down. Liara chose a more quiet, almost geeky pursuit of excavating Protheon sites
When we first encounter her on the game, she has trapped herself in an ancient Protheon device. Shephard invariably rescues her and she joins his cause. Initially she comes across as somewhat naive, socially awkward and her feelings towards Shephard almost bring the term "School girl crush" to mind. Her adventures on the Normandy dohowever mature her quickly. Between having a crew of different species around her, witnessing the death of her mother, and discovering her feelings for Shephard, Liara character continued to evolve
Fast forward two years and we are greeted with a very different Liara. When walking into her office we are greeted by the familiar phrase "Have you ever faced an Asari Commando.....few humans have" which is a direct quote from her late mother, a threatening quote directed towards Shephard at the time. Clearly allot has changed in the two years since their last meeting. Liara is reluctant to reveal too much to Shephard as everything is bugged on Illium, but she came across to me at least as a cold, calculating and hardened character engulfed by her need for revenge on the shadow broker. Her refusal to join Shephard marks a big change on the old Liara, and her ethics in gaining the information she needs is questionable.
This new Liara didn't appeal to me. Her story did not quite add up, and she almost distanced herself from Shephard, the person she went to huge lengths to bring back and keep away from the shadow brokers clutches.
The DLC really put the all new Liara T'Soni under the microscope. The child like and naive Asari archeologist was now replaced by the bad ass biotic information dealer hell bent on revenge. The most notable change for me was her attitude towards combat. For me the younger Liara only used violence when she needed too, now it would appear it is always an option, a means to an end. Her facial expressions also sum up the new Liara, their is anger in those eyes, hurt and pain. Shephard I believe is the person responsible for this change, his influence clearly rubbing off on her
What's also abundantly obvious is that she has really honed her combat skill and biotic abilities. In the initial Mass effect, I never saw Liara as in any way equal to Shephard in regards to combat. I viewed herself and Tali as the younger members of the group, who contributed in different ways to the team. Combat was "Big Boy Sh*t" and best left to the likes of Shephard, Ashley, Wrex and Garrus. Now she is very much up their in the "Big Boy League". You couldn't compare her now to Tali, she'd make mince meat out of her, it would be pure carnage.
Her obsession with the Shadow Broker truly was just that, an obsession. Shephard and everyone
else's welfare came second to her thirst for revenge. The "Banter" between Shephard and Liara was interesting, no more is their any social awkwardness about her, she's actually quite amusing at times yet extremely focused
When she was eventually confronted with the shadow broker she didn't flinch, she was relentless. Once he fell she quickly took control and seized power. Was this pre-meditated, I would say yes, she must have imagined taking down the shadow broker numerous times. Her statement " I could start wars if I wished" was quite worrying. The phrase "Absolute power corrupts absolutely" springs to mind, and whether or not Liara's new found ambitions get the better of her or not remains to be seen
Do I like the Liara? that was put under the microscope in this DLC? Absolutely, she has depth, character and a bit of an edge. She's all grown up and I have no doubts she will be central to Biowares plans for Mass Effect 3. This DLC did a great job in answering allot of questions concerning Liara, it also did a great job of asking allot more.
Her feelings for Shephard have never been in doubt (romance or no romance), their one of her most admirable qualities, and they are highlighted well in the DLC. Her ambition is growing however, and I do not see her being content to sit on a ship playing Shadow Broker for long. Both her own and Shephards destinies are intertwined, of that I'm certain, in what way however I'm not. But I can't wait to find out
Modifié par Major Truth, 08 septembre 2010 - 02:48 .
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