The fact that James is not a romance option for female Shepard (at least) is very disappointing. I'm not sure the worst aspect of it has really been examined yet. But first, ask yourselves this question:
- Do you think the writers and designers at Bioware would create a female character, whose model is 100% unique (and attractive), whose voice actor is well known, and who has a relatively interesting/amenable/loyal/flirty personality, and NOT make her available as a love interest for male Shepard?
I'm pretty sure the idea would be wildly unpopular, if ever even considered. It would be as if male Shepard never had the option to romance Jack (personality notwithstanding) in ME2. You can be sure that the backlash from that would have rung on these forums quite loudly.
This is what disappoints me the most - that a decision was made and agreed upon, that fem Shep only be given one heterosexual,
human love interest in ME3. That good ol' Kaiden was good enough,
if he was even alive. Male Shep though? He can have his pick of 4 lovely human ladies - two of which were available in the previous game as well. Fem Shep doesn't even get Jacob back. In fact, he's already taken!
I'm not expecting exact, categorical equality of love interests here, but the disparity is obvious. And I like Garrus and Liara quite a bit, but they aren't directly related to the point I'm trying to make.
Whether or not you want to see James as a love interest, or if you even care, isn't the point either. The fact is, fem Shep was cheated out of a perfectly viable, human romantic connection
, and for what good reason? Maybe they'll release a DLC for it down the road, hell, it might even be bundled with a real ending, but who knows?
P.S. I sympathize with the players wishing for more same sex romance options. I certainly have no problem with it, however I speak here only for the issues with which I am personally familiar.