Okay, attempting take 2 of something substantive for a post...
Originally I didn't pay much mind to ME when it came out, but after watching my fiance tearing around on ME2 I figured to give it a try since the completest in me refused to let me just go on with 2 without playing 1. I've always been iffy with RPG type games either enjoying the hell out of them or being extremely bored and regretting money spent.
As I played around, I was impressed with some of the dialog options and in my first play, just going with choices that felt natural to me, ended up romancing Kaidan. The next several playthroughs so I have some variety to import have all been romancing him since the others while probably quite good, just don't have that 'click' Kaidan has for me.
My fiance's teased me over this, siting the expected 'Carth 2' which since I have yet to play KOTOR really doesn't factor in & siting some perceived 'whiney' which got countered with 'have you done a femshep romance yet?'. When I explained I just like Kaidan since he's an adorable shmoop who works on finding the right words, that got a laugh over 'that's all it takes?'.
Then I reminded him on our first date he was the one who asked me 'Who Shot First?' which so far's made any criticism pretty much null and void.
I'm still slogging through the thread, found some very well done fanfic links, some exceptional artwork and looking forward to coming across more as I read on.