# Mass Effect Legendary - my thoughts while I play these games (spoilers as I play) **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** video-games-e-games\ **Created:** [May 13, 2021, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-effect-legendary-my-thoughts-while-i-play-these-games-spoilers-as-i-play/941984 "2021-05-13T11:38:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 23
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2021, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-effect-legendary-my-thoughts-while-i-play-these-games-spoilers-as-i-play/941984/444 "2021-06-02T22:12:58Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > Do a YouTube search on what happens when you don’t do the paragon interrupt and you actually have to choose, and you choose the geth. It’s the worst video on the internet hands down. I did this during my ME3 only playthrough not knowing what would happen…I yelled and restarted the mission. This happened to me, also, as I alluded to upthread. I was winging my first playthrough and I thought I could pull myself out of the fire, and then… this happened. I put down the controller and took a very long walk. Then I went back to a save from several hours before and replayed up to this point, trying to figure out what had gone wrong. I’ve replayed the trilogy many times since, exploring all sorts of different permutations, but I’ve never repeated this thread. It’s truly brutal. One of the biggest gut-punches in any story I’ve ever seen. Magnificently unforgiving. > [@Mahaloth](#): > > It’s a celebration of Mass Effect and I see the majority of the game as a long farewell and a well earned one. Many great payoffs. When you get to the ultimate ending of the third game, I expect a very long (but hopefully not too divisive) relitigation of the climax, and whether or not it appropriately reflects the player’s expectation of narrative choice. For the record, I look at the game essentially as you describe in your quote above: the climax isn’t the single ending, the whole last quarter of the game is an incredible collection of many, many, _many_ endings. But this is getting ahead of things. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2021, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-effect-legendary-my-thoughts-while-i-play-these-games-spoilers-as-i-play/941984/445 "2021-06-02T22:13:31Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > BTW, did you ever reunite Liara with her “father”? It really explains where she gets her attitude from. You know, I’ve played through the game five or six times and I’ve never found that. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2021, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-effect-legendary-my-thoughts-while-i-play-these-games-spoilers-as-i-play/941984/446 "2021-06-02T22:20:18Z")
Her father is Matriarch Aethyta, the half-krogan bartender on Ilium in ME2. She’s working on the Citadel by ME3 and will explain everything if you talk to her enough. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2021, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-effect-legendary-my-thoughts-while-i-play-these-games-spoilers-as-i-play/941984/447 "2021-06-02T22:24:36Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > BTW, did you ever reunite Liara with her “father”? It really explains where she gets her attitude from. I did, but only because I 100% stumbled upon it. I think I heard somewhere else you should hang around a long time and listen to them talk, but I think I walked away after only a bit. I guess they talk quite awhile about topics. It was a very odd little sidequesty type moment. Not really a quest, just a quick reputation builder sequence. Glad I found it. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2021, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-effect-legendary-my-thoughts-while-i-play-these-games-spoilers-as-i-play/941984/448 "2021-06-02T23:55:33Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Yes, I got him pretty early. I don’t use him in battle, but I talk to him on the ship. He is clearly “Mr. Eko” from LOST. Quoting myself to point out that Javik is NOT voiced by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, the actor who was Mr. Eko on LOST. Clearly an impersonation and an incredible one. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-effect-legendary-my-thoughts-while-i-play-these-games-spoilers-as-i-play/941984/449 "2021-06-03T00:15:03Z")
Liara has the best arc, imo. She matures from this really idealistic academic into the fucking Shadow Broker while coming to terms with her past. And part of that past is the childish fantasy she built around the Protheons. She starts out as this person who believes that there are more powerful, wiser forces put there, and by the end she realizes that the man behind the curtain is just that. But rather than being destroyed by that, she decides if the giants in the shadows are all just people, she can be a giant, too. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-effect-legendary-my-thoughts-while-i-play-these-games-spoilers-as-i-play/941984/450 "2021-06-03T00:32:27Z")
There is a thing I read a while back that’s always stuck with me from I think Reddit. It was an essay written by a fan that’s essentially “Liara is the true hero of the Mass Effect Trilogy” and it goes into detail about how her actions have actually done more to help the galaxy/your quest than anyone. I love Tali and will always stan for her and she will always be my favorite, but ever since reading that I do like Liara a lot and she’s a very, VERY close second. Also, hot take, Javik annoys the bejesus out of me and I barely ever take him anywhere. I understand what the writers were doing with him, but he’s so damn miserable and unlikable that every time he talks I just want to leave him in a ditch. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-effect-legendary-my-thoughts-while-i-play-these-games-spoilers-as-i-play/941984/451 "2021-06-03T12:15:02Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Mass Effect 2 is still better. So character driven with its loyalty missions. My two cents on this: There were many moments in ME 3 where I felt genuine emotion and relatively few in ME 2. I think it’s because they show you far more moments of triumph and tragedy on-screen in ME 3, whereas in ME 2 it’s mostly restricted to characters talking about bad things that have happened in the past. (And for things like rape or child abuse, clearly those don’t belong on-screen, of course.) Personally, I thought the character missions in ME 2 were a mixed bag. For instance, the loyalty missions for Jack, Mordin, Legion and Tali had interesting stories but the ones for Grunt, Garrus, Thane and Samara were kind of meh (although killing a thresher maw was pretty cool). ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-effect-legendary-my-thoughts-while-i-play-these-games-spoilers-as-i-play/941984/452 "2021-06-03T14:15:52Z")
Just did a mission at the Citadel where I battled my own clone. It was actually hilarious and a lot of fun. Went through the Citadel Archives, watched history holograms. I kept hoping it would end with us shooting our way through the Normandy…and it did! I took Tali and EDI With me the whole time and it was hilarious. EDI was great with the Normandy taken over and Tali was great while she encouraged a robot(EDI) to kill humans. A fun sidequest. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-effect-legendary-my-thoughts-while-i-play-these-games-spoilers-as-i-play/941984/453 "2021-06-03T14:21:58Z")
EDI is voiced by Tricia Helfer and with that effect added tot he voice, I had never noticed. She went from “Oh, look, an AI that runs the ship” to one of my favorite characters. She is a real standout in ME3. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-effect-legendary-my-thoughts-while-i-play-these-games-spoilers-as-i-play/941984/454 "2021-06-03T14:22:55Z")
If you followed advice from earlier, you saved Citadel for nearly last? If that’s so, you should know that the point of no return is the attack on Cerberus HQ. Once you select that mission, you go right to the endgame. And for that mission, you’ll want your romance to accompany you. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-effect-legendary-my-thoughts-while-i-play-these-games-spoilers-as-i-play/941984/455 "2021-06-03T14:37:05Z")
Oh, I didn’t follow advice and just did it. I mean, I’m relatively late game, but I did not save it for last or near the point of nor return. Anyway, it was pretty fun. I still have to host a party. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-effect-legendary-my-thoughts-while-i-play-these-games-spoilers-as-i-play/941984/456 "2021-06-03T14:47:01Z")
The reason to save it for last is because there are a couple characters who show up very late in the main storyline who only appear in the Citadel DLC if you’ve reached that point. Miranda is the main one, iirc. I love Citadel because of all the over-the-top fan service, but it always feels jarring to go back to the main game because of the change in tone from the party to the desperate battle for the survival of the galaxy. Anyways, the main way you screwed up wasn’t in doing it earlier than necessary, but in not using Wrex as a squadmate at every opportunity. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/VohChyVTg8Q/maxresdefault.jpg "Mass Effect 3 Citadel DLC: Wrex discovers Liara is one-quarter krogan") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VohChyVTg8Q) Have fun at the party! ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-effect-legendary-my-thoughts-while-i-play-these-games-spoilers-as-i-play/941984/457 "2021-06-03T16:00:09Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > t. Miranda is the main one, iirc. Shoot! She wasn’t there and I regret it. I’ll have to watch a video now. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-effect-legendary-my-thoughts-while-i-play-these-games-spoilers-as-i-play/941984/458 "2021-06-03T20:59:48Z")
I am searching for “Leviathan” around the galaxy, or more accurately I am looking for information about Leviathan. A very cool sidestory as well so far. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-effect-legendary-my-thoughts-while-i-play-these-games-spoilers-as-i-play/941984/459 "2021-06-03T21:01:31Z")
Couple relationship questions: 1. After the big “party” at my new apartment, I woke up with Javik and it is implied that we slept together. Very poor taste in my opinion. Uh, why wasn’t that Liara? I have been faithful to her the entire series. 2. Liara sent me an email that she had a new project she wanted to go over in my quarters. I go up there and no invite button is available. Am I supposed to go back to my Citadel apartment? It’s really weird. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-effect-legendary-my-thoughts-while-i-play-these-games-spoilers-as-i-play/941984/460 "2021-06-03T21:18:49Z")
I have now caved and looked up one spoiler. I want to know if Tali’s face will be shown. They CLEARLY missed the opportunity when I helped her people back on their planet. Looks like the answer is “Nope. Only if you romance her.” What??? It felt like a reasonable mystery to reward all of us who were good friends with her with. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-effect-legendary-my-thoughts-while-i-play-these-games-spoilers-as-i-play/941984/461 "2021-06-03T21:33:44Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Liara sent me an email that she had a new project she wanted to go over in my quarters. I go up there and no invite button is available. It’s supposed to be the usual intercom on your desk on the Normandy. Have you invited any of the other squadmates to your room? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-effect-legendary-my-thoughts-while-i-play-these-games-spoilers-as-i-play/941984/462 "2021-06-03T22:10:12Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > It’s supposed to be the usual intercom on your desk on the Normandy. Have you invited any of the other squadmates to your room? Yes, but always rejected any advances. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-effect-legendary-my-thoughts-while-i-play-these-games-spoilers-as-i-play/941984/463 "2021-06-03T22:20:52Z")
Have you resumed your relationship with Liara in ME3? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-effect-legendary-my-thoughts-while-i-play-these-games-spoilers-as-i-play/941984.md?page=22) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-effect-legendary-my-thoughts-while-i-play-these-games-spoilers-as-i-play/941984.md?page=24)