52 réponses à ce sujet

[Sir Ulrich Von Lichenstien]

Aye good post OP.



I definitly agree about how people will be able to start new LIs in ME3. I reckon the proof in this is with the ME2 new start. The virmire choice was the opposite sex member surviving. So someone creating a new character in ME2 could if they wanted choose to not get involved in a LI with an ME2 and wait till ME3 to LI Ash/Kaidan or Liara

[Doug84]

Akrylik wrote...

insuring Shep's LI survival in suicide mission, only to find out she/he died due to canon, will not be taken lightly by fans (the magnitude of disdain differs depending on who died of course.)

Well, to be honest, it would beg the question of why they let us keep them alive in the first place if BW were just going to turn around and go "fooled you!" Though again, Thane said right at the start he was dying, so don't think the fans really can get ****y over his death. They will, but its not like he didn't said "Dying - one year tops"

[Nozybidaj]

jtav wrote...

I hope they don't go in this direction. If you romance Liara, it's not inconceivable that Shep would decide she was no longer the person s/he fell in love with. I shouldn't be punished for that.

There should be some consequence to it.  Though you are right, in Liara's case she makes no acknowledgment about any sort of previous romance nor how she currently feels about it.  Ash and Kaidan at least send you an email telling you how they feel, so cheating on them is a little more obvious.

Still, BW has made such a big deal out of "tracking the cheaters" and "cheating will have consequences" that it would be kinda lame to see nothing come of it.  At the very least the LI you cheated on should get mad at you, maybe/maybe not have an argument with you, and their romance arc should be shut off to that Shepard for the course of ME3.

[Vamp44]

Lord Atlia wrote...

My Shepard's and Tali's demon spawn will eat your Shepard's and Liara's clone baby and gain its biotic powers.

lol

[Haasth]

Naltair wrote...

 This is a rather lengthy post on what I think are possible outcomes and commentary on the romance subplots in Mass Effect as we head into the trilogy conclusion.  What this post is not about before I get started is the inclusion of same sex relationships, speculation on what characters should be romances, and/or a post about the quality or how much you like or dislike a given character.  This is simply speculation on how this subplot can be resolved in Mass Effect 3 and what consequences could be follow.

Core Assumptions

1. That romances in Mass Effect 1 and Mass Effect 2 will continue in some kind of capacity in Mass Effect as long as the prospective character has survived both games.

2. I will not assume that any character will obviously be a squad mate, though the likelihood is high that the returning Mass Effect 1 love interests will probably have much larger roles to the core story, up to and including roles as squad mates.  I do this simply so we can focus on the outcome and resolution of the romance.

3. I will reiterate that I will not speak about what people feel should be the proper "romance" options for the gender and instead focus on what the current pairings are as of the launch of Mass Effect 2.

Humans

Ashley Williams (Male LI): I feel that her relationship if continued from Mass Effect 1 into Mass Effect 3 will probably be a fairly "straightforward" affair.  She comes from a  large military family and understands some of the pressures and travails that Shepard has to go through.  Even with their frosty meeting on Horizon, her email denotes a close personal attachment.  I think there is a marriage and possibly family with Ash, if Shepard survives the events of Mass Effect 3.  Assuming Shepard survives the events of the finale, whatever they are.

As an aside I do want to add that I think Ash will be a possible LI for new Shepards who start with Mass Effect 3; evidence for this albeit slight is from Kelly Chambers when she asks about how Shepard feels about Ash even if he did not romance her in the first game.  I would not be surprised if she was an option again in the third game regardless since her role will be much larger.

Kaidan Alenko (Female LI): Again this will be similar to Ashley, they fulfill the "same" role in Mass Effect 2, but have different motivations and overall different characters.  I still think there may be a marriage and perhaps family in the future for the this romance, but the overall tone will be different.  Like Ash he sends an email after Horizon describing his feelings and sets the stage for a reunion in the final chapter.

Again I think he will also be a potential romance similar to Ash in Mass Effect 3 for new Shepards, or even Shepards that were imported and want to start up a new relationship in the third act.
 
Jacob Taylor (Female LI): Jacob being introduced in the second act has the possibility of dying before the conclusion of the game.  Like Ash he has a similar military upbringing and understanding of how the galaxy works and has seen a fair share of conflict having been on Eden Prime during the war.  Unlike Ash he has no real close family and seems to have little ties to the world, and depending on his Loyalty mission plays out his father is either dead or in incarceration.

I could see the relationship in the third act strengthening if he survives and becoming something serious.  I am not sure if marriage and kids are on the horizon but it does seem like he could grow into the idea and given his experiences with Shepard in the second act there is bound to be a close bond.  Given his introduction in the second act and his possible death, I don't see him being an option for new Shepards in Mass Effect 3.

Miranda Lawson (Male LI): Miranda is a tough woman, but with a fragile side that shows through once her insecurities about her origins come to light.  Like Jacob I don't think she will be an LI option for new Shepards in Mass Effect 3, but her story will definitely continue for import Shepards that kept her alive in the second act.  I think a total culmination of her story will probably involve her father and sister, but that is purely speculation.  Of the human choices she seems in my eyes the least likely to just want to settle down, not that I think marriage and kids is the natural progression but just that she seems the most motivated to continually prove herself and her abilities.

Given how Mass Effect 2 ends I could see Cerberus making the lives of Miranda and Shepard interesting, but that isn't a given.  I could see her being fairly possessive as well if there was a confrontation of sorts; assuming that Shepard chose Miranda over a Mass Effect 1 romance.

Jack (Male LI): Jack is odd and complex and I really like her character in  the second act.  Given she can die in the suicide mission like the rest of the Mass Effect 2 romances I doubt she will be available as an option in Mass Effect 3 for new Shepards.  She seems to really soften by the end of her true romance, and I really think that a close powerful bond is in the making if a player chooses to follow it to conclusion in the finale.  

She seems so unconventional but I think she truly wants to be loved and find someone that will be there for her, and so I would not be surprised if the two form something of a family together. Of the romances hers seems to be a sort of romance plus salvation as if she was rescued from becoming something she never wanted to be.  It will probably play with her survivor's guilt as well.

Non-Humans

Liara T'Soni (Both Gender LI): Liara is probably one of the more changed characters in the series.  Her appearance in the second act is a very different image at least externally from her role in the first game.  She is also unique in being available to both genders given her species.  Another unique trait is that it is possible for her to have children with humans, although technically the children would be asari and not human/asari hybrids.  Finally she is the only romance currently in the game that has no chance of dying in the first or second acts of the game.  This alone insures that she will have a role in the third act, romance or not.

Given her "immunity" it stands to reason that she will probably be a possible romance for new Shepards in the conclusion, and for import Shepards if they so choose to start a romance in the third act.  I think the big payoff though will be for those that have stuck with her since the first game, same goes for Ashley or Kaidan.  But that is purely speculation but I think the tone of the romance will be different depending on when it began.  Though I presume both paths will provide a satisfactory conclusion.  For her romance especially if it is continued from the first game, I could see the two having a child and forming a more permanent bond assuming they survive the events of the finale.

Tali'Zorah vas Normandy (Male LI): Another fan favorite and option for non-human romance in the second act, it is revealed the attraction began in the first game but never acted upon.  Like the rest of the non-humans there is little chance for her and Shepard to have "hybrid" children with the story as given.  Another roadblock is her very weak immune system.  But despite these "challenges" I don;t see a relationship with Tali as doomed to fail.

It could play a larger role in strengthening bonds between quarians and humans, at least politically.  It could given how the events of her Loyalty mission and possible elements in Mass Effect 3 give the commander access to a powerful political entity in quarian society.  Assuming she becomes an Admiral or perhaps an esteemed member of the Conclave.  Admiral seems more likely.  Of course the resolution of the geth and quarian conflict will play a large role in how this romance plays out especially if there is a chance to retake the homeworld.  Akin to other Mass Effect 2 romances I don't think she will be an option in Mass Effect 3 for new Shepards given her potential for not surviving the suicide mission.

To be continued..

I will continue this with the rest and some closing anecdotes.  I will include Kelly Chambers but she is a special case for which I will explain when I have more time in my next post.  I look forward to feedback and discussion.

Nicely written. I have given this some thought myself on various occasions, mostly Tali's wondering how/if that could even possibly work out. And although I think it would not be without difficulties it could easily work out. Tali is definitely the kind of person to stick with Shepard no matter what, and depending on how Shepard plays out I would imagine they would stick together regardless of their future possibilities. 

Hybrid children would be... interesting, to say the least. 
I kind of doubt we'll get a lot of new love interests in Mass Effect 3. Seeing it is the final act and it would really be a rushed relationship - I suppose. The idea of starting relationships with existing Mass Effect 1/2 party members would work... Liara, Kaidan, Ashley and the survivors from Mass Effect 2 would probably work out. I do think that some Mass Effect 2 characters could still be love interests in Mass Effect 3... though likely limited to how they make the cannon story. For example if Jacob and Miranda survive it is likely they will still be a possible romance option... after all it would be convenient to work on that if they are working on a continued relationship for those that had it in Mass Effect 2. 

[Naltair]

Thanks for the kind words, this was just something I was thinking about earlier in the day and I figured I could jot down my ideas and share with the community. I will jump right into what I was talking about earlier.



Non-Humans



Thane Krios (Female LI): Thane is an interesting character with a a unique situation out of the current crop of romances. He is the only one that currently has a terminal illness that will probably kill him in the months to follow the events of Mass Effect 2. He is able enough to survive the mission but his condition, Kepral's Syndrome, which has no known cure puts his relationship in a different light and gives it a doomed quality. That does not mean that he will be dead before the events of Mass Effect 3, but the possibility is high if no cure is found.



Even so that does not spell doom and gloom for the couple, any number of events could transpire that could prolong his life, especially if the two are committed. I could see his illness and the cure playing a role on-camera so to speak for his subplot unless they want to do some off-screen hand waving. I think it would make for a stronger subplot to be in-game then happen off-screen. Another interesting feature about this relationship is Kolyat, his son and how he reacts to this new found love. Not to say that BioWare will feature the child, but it could make for an interesting dilemma to deal with for Shepard. Finally like the other non-humans I think the possibility of a hybrid drell/human child is probably unlikely but unlike the turians and quarians; drell seem to have a similar DNA structure. Some may see this romance as doomed but I won't count this assassin out yet, there could be more life yet to live for the assassin. Of course there is something slightly poetic about finding love just before you die. But I am not sure if that conclusion would satisfy his fans. Again i do not think he will be available as a romance in Mass Effect 3 for new Shepards.



Garrus Vakarian (Female LI): Another fan favorite, Garrus' relationship with Shepard is an interesting one in that as he states he is not normally attracted to humans but he sees something in Shepard that attracts him. Given he can die in the suicide mission I don't see him as being an option for new Shepards in Mass Effect 3 but given his status as a fan favorite it could be possible but I have my doubts.



As far as how it could play out and be resolved, it definitely seems by the conclusion of the romance arc in Mass Effect 2 there is an emotional bond between the two comrades turned lovers and a great deal of respect between the two. I don't see any turian/human hybrids given his Dextro based DNA but I could see the two becoming partners in busting the bad guys buddy cop style, except as lovers. I don't really see Garrus settling down any time soon, he has too much of the vigilante in him, I get the feeling a relationship with him will be one of action, adventure, and passion. He seems to tie up most of his loose ends in the second game, but I could see perhaps his father playing a role perhaps even disapproving of the union. Especially knowing that Shepard was/is a Spectre and may have been the reason that Garrus quit C-Sec in the first place.



Non-Squadmates



Kelly Chambers (Both Genders): Not a squad member Kelly can still be pursued as a romance if certain baroque conditions are met. It does not give the achievement but it is recorded in the game if you have her come up to the cabin to relax with you. Will this be carried on in Mass Effect 3 is unknown, since she can die it is highly unlikely she will be available to new Shepards in Mass Effect 3, although if her personality stays the same and she survives the events of the second game it could be possible to pursue a relationship with her in the finale for an import Shepard.



Although Kelly seems to be popular we don't really know much about her background or what hooks she may have beyond being a flirtatious people person. We don't know if she is from a colony or from Earth, we know she has a sister but little else. I say all this to mean that she is a blank slate that could have an interesting story if it is expanded upon at all in the next game. I listed here here because she is an interesting option in Mass Effect 2 and her "romance" is suggestive but never definitive. She is also available to both genders, making her and Liara the only romances with that option.



Consequences



There is some implication that if you had a romance in Mass Effect and chose a new one in Mass Effect 2 that there will be some kind of consequence in the third act. The extent of this consequence or what it is are both unknown. Best educated guess is that there may be a confrontation between the current, assuming they survived, romance and the past romance. it may be a larger conflict and could even affect the story in some way though doubtful. If there is a loyalty system of some kind in Mass Effect 3 it could play into that as well but again we don't know enough to say for sure.



I don't think it will be a show stopping moment but it will probably be emotional and call for a hard decision either way. Of course when it comes into play will be another interesting thing. I presume it will probably be early on in the narrative, especially if it is a choice to choose and pursue a relationship one way or the other. It would also depend on how they allow the current Mass Effect 2 romances to continue in the finale and if you are a couple or just two ships passing in the night. Considering the ability to call up your romance to your cabin it definitely feels like "being" a couple. I am open to suggestions here though, I hope it plays out differently based on the individuals involved but I have my doubts, it could just be a stock scene with different dialog based on the parties involved.



Hopefully if you do have to make a choice they do allow you to make amends and at least be friends with the person you did not choose, perhaps with persuasion and conversation. But again it depends on how they play this out and how it integrates into the story/subplot.



New Mass Effect 3 Romances



Will they include new characters and new romance options? My money is on yes, they will probably introduce one or two more new romances, per gender, just for the finale if only to add new options and new complications to the current romances. It also gives new players who start with Mass Effect 3 some additional new choices since most of the current romances can all die in Mass Effect 2. Who or what these will be is anyone's guess but I do think they will add new options if only to add new dynamics to the story and crew for the big finish. I think they will provide satisfactory conclusions even if they just start in the game but probably won't have the same "emotional" impact that long term players will have for those that stuck with an romance from the first game or continued a romance from the second.



Given how Kelly Chambers worked out, they don't have to make them a squad mate and could even be new crew member on the ship that you can talk to after various missions to form a bond and connect with. Although Kelly seems to be something of an Easter Egg, she may also be a model for how there could be a romance with a non-squad member and how it could work quite well and still be emotionally engaging to use a buzz word.



Closing



Some may think I spend too much time ruminating on the romances in Mass Effect and perhaps I do, but I find them interesting because many people seem drawn to different characters for differing reasons and they have a large impact on how one perceives the game if they so choose to involve themselves with an NPC. Also I really do think that people love romance and character drama and they add a "human" touch to an otherwise well thought out and fun adventure science fiction story.



In the end caring about the characters and what happens to them is just a natural progression at least for me, when it comes to caring about a narrative. I don't find it odd or weird because BioWare wants us to have an emotional attachment to thee characters or else they would not put so much work into them and make them believable. Well as believable as a sentient being from another world can be.

[Urazz]

Haasth wrote...


Nicely written. I have given this some thought myself on various occasions, mostly Tali's wondering how/if that could even possibly work out. And although I think it would not be without difficulties it could easily work out. Tali is definitely the kind of person to stick with Shepard no matter what, and depending on how Shepard plays out I would imagine they would stick together regardless of their future possibilities. 

Hybrid children would be... interesting, to say the least. 
I kind of doubt we'll get a lot of new love interests in Mass Effect 3. Seeing it is the final act and it would really be a rushed relationship - I suppose. The idea of starting relationships with existing Mass Effect 1/2 party members would work... Liara, Kaidan, Ashley and the survivors from Mass Effect 2 would probably work out. I do think that some Mass Effect 2 characters could still be love interests in Mass Effect 3... though likely limited to how they make the cannon story. For example if Jacob and Miranda survive it is likely they will still be a possible romance option... after all it would be convenient to work on that if they are working on a continued relationship for those that had it in Mass Effect 2. 

I doubt hybrid children will be possible for a quarian and human.  If I recall they have different amino acids or something if I recall and are like Turians in that regard.

[Naltair]

I don't think there will be hybrid children and any children involved will probably mentioned in some epilogue scene after the completion of the story.

[Landline]

Human/alien children is the type of unscientific garbage I'd expect from Star Trek Voyager, not Mass Effect.

[Lord Atlia]

Hahahahahahaha...Tali and Shepard will have a child and it will be glorious, a thing of unsurpassed beauty and awe. It shall be placed on a golden throne and all will come to offer gifts and worship at its feet. Try to comprehend its creation, try to deny its existence, many scientists of greater prestige than you good sirs have lost their sanity in pursuit of understanding the will of the old ones.

Edited

Modifié par Lord Atlia, 15 février 2010 - 05:44 .

[FiOth]

A very nice thread. I too am very interested in how things will work out in the end, especially with Liara, considering the turn in her life (gotta get the other 3 issues of "Redemption" asap). I was glad to see Tali added to the "roster" (never understood why they excluded her in the original game) and the new chars where all great additions.



It will be a huge letdown if they present romances holding since ME1 in 3 as footnotes. My hopes go to an interested and a bit more "revealing" conclusion.

[Naltair]

FiOth wrote...

A very nice thread. I too am very interested in how things will work out in the end, especially with Liara, considering the turn in her life (gotta get the other 3 issues of "Redemption" asap). I was glad to see Tali added to the "roster" (never understood why they excluded her in the original game) and the new chars where all great additions.

It will be a huge letdown if they present romances holding since ME1 in 3 as footnotes. My hopes go to an interested and a bit more "revealing" conclusion.

My thoughts are the same it should not preclude the story but it should have some impact and for the player have a nice payoff for sticking with the series and game for so long.  Especially after the "non-romance" of the second act a strong finish would be appreciated for those that stayed faithful.

[Pannamaslo]

Landline wrote...

Human/alien children is the type of unscientific garbage I'd expect from Star Trek Voyager, not Mass Effect.

Lol. Because ME ideas have a lot of scientific merit, like bringing Shep back  to life.

Very nice thread. OP I like your analysis very much, I hope BW will consider some of ideas that are put here and that they will consider keeping majority of your squad from ME1&2, otherwise whole ME 2 "dream-team" idea goes down the drain.

[Doug84]

Ok, just read your second post. I have to agree with most of your points, although I'm surprised you think new romance options will come around in the last game.



And I definitely agree - being able to invite up your romance partner into the captains room definitely strikes me as more of a couple-type situation.

[Naltair]

Doug84 wrote...

Ok, just read your second post. I have to agree with most of your points, although I'm surprised you think new romance options will come around in the last game.

And I definitely agree - being able to invite up your romance partner into the captains room definitely strikes me as more of a couple-type situation.

My thought is that for a new Shepard who starts with ME3, the choices will be very small given that I doubt that a new Shepard will have succeeded in saving the whole crew plus team.  There will be casualties, but who those casualties are will be unknown for now, but it may be a safe bet that the ME1 cast members probably survive but that is not assured.

Given that all of them can die, it stands to reason that there may be new options for an fresh Shepard, which gives options for all Shepards.  I may be off base, but I think Casey Hudson and his team probably like the idea of adding new people to the team.  But I do hope there is a possibility to probe deeper into the current characters as well.

Assuming they survive.

[Doug84]

Naltair wrote...

Doug84 wrote...

Ok, just read your second post. I have to agree with most of your points, although I'm surprised you think new romance options will come around in the last game.

And I definitely agree - being able to invite up your romance partner into the captains room definitely strikes me as more of a couple-type situation.

My thought is that for a new Shepard who starts with ME3, the choices will be very small given that I doubt that a new Shepard will have succeeded in saving the whole crew plus team.  There will be casualties, but who those casualties are will be unknown for now, but it may be a safe bet that the ME1 cast members probably survive but that is not assured.

Given that all of them can die, it stands to reason that there may be new options for an fresh Shepard, which gives options for all Shepards.  I may be off base, but I think Casey Hudson and his team probably like the idea of adding new people to the team.  But I do hope there is a possibility to probe deeper into the current characters as well.

Assuming they survive.

True...true. The thing is though, thats alot of characters by now. Especially if they bring back the old team too. But you're probably right.

[Naltair]

I do agree there is a large pool as is, so it could be off-base but I just think they might. Pure speculation but Casey Hudson seem in favor of adding new characters to the series.

[AventuroLegendary]

I romanced liara in ME1 and Tali in ME2 I'm soooo screwed

[Collider]

Polls:
social.bioware.com/892908/polls/2681/
social.bioware.com/892908/polls/2679/

social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/103/index/1732413

[stormrain]

LegendaryAvenger wrote...

I romanced liara in ME1 and Tali in ME2 I'm soooo screwed

Yes. Yes you are.

Modifié par Captain Uccisore, 16 mars 2010 - 02:47 .

[Ray Joel Oh]

Naltair wrote...
I could see the two becoming partners in busting the bad guys buddy cop style, except as lovers. I don't really see Garrus settling down any time soon, he has too much of the vigilante in him, I get the feeling a relationship with him will be one of action, adventure, and passion.

Fook year, this would rock so freaking hard. 

Shandepared wrote...

Hybrids for ANY combination
of species are impossible, period. Even the children produced by unions
with asari are 100% asari, no non-asari DNA or genetic material at all.

Ugh, seriously.  Please, no monster children in ME3.

Modifié par Ray Joel Oh, 16 mars 2010 - 02:57 .

[Collider]

Shandepared wrote...
Hybrids for ANY combination of species are impossible, period. Even the children produced by unions with asari are 100% asari, no non-asari DNA or genetic material at all.

Thank you for being sensible.

[Yermog]

I think that if you're importing a character that has had a romance with a squad mate from either ME1 or ME2, then you won't be able to make a new romance in ME3 because you'll already have at least one romance alive already. But if you're NOT importing an old Shepard and making a new one, then you'd probably be able to form a romance with a few LIs from the other two games.



I'm also remembering that green asari you can help in Illium- the one that is saved from the Thorian (I cannot for the life of me remember her name right now...). She hints at being interested in Shepard, especially when she says "Maybe when we're not so busy". I think if they were going to create a new LI, she'd be the only one because besides her, I can't see them making any new LIs. It's complicated enough with 9.



I also don't think that all the former romance options will be available to a non-import PC because several LIs only develop an interest after Shep does. Jacob and Thane, for instance, have to be approached first before they'll do anything.

[Legbiter]

Romance resolution in ME 3: Tab A goes into slot B or vice versa with a romantic partner of your choice. Roll credits.