TheMass Effectseries has always been praised for the many incredibly difficult choices, ranging from basic “left or right”, to deciding the fate of companions, and entire civilizations. While the system mostly divides the options intoRenegadeandParagon, there are plenty of situations where the premise and the outcome are not so simple.
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Sometimes, the players won’t see theresults of their actions until many games later, by which point it is far too late to change anything. A “good” choice at the moment might prove to be devastating later on, making players question and reconsider their stance on the many issues that theMass Effectseries presents.
10Killing The Rachni Queen
The Rachni Queen presents a huge conundrum to the players on the very first interaction. She is an incredibly powerful and dangerous alien, whose mere existence poses a danger to the galaxies. However, killing her outright always felt quite cruel, especially given her confession and stories about the children.
Should players leave her be, she returns in the third game, leaving her fate once again in Shepard’s hands. This time thestakes are much more tangible, as the player can either save her or Grunt’s Aralakh company of Krogan warriors. If players fail to complete certain missions before that point, the consequences of either choice can be absolutely devastating.
9Keeping The Collector Base
Choosing to keep the Collector base inMass Effect 2presents a hauntingly dark decision. By opting to utilize this advanced technology for humanity’s benefit, players embrace the same ruthless methods employed by the enemy. This choice underlines the potential corruption of noble intentions and the erosion of moral principles for the sake of power, which echoes the Illusive Man’s views on the world.
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It is a reflection of the fine line between heroism and villainy, should players compromise their values for potential gains, and questions exactly what price Shepard is willing to pay for victory.
8Killing Ashley Or Kaidan On The Citadel
Depending on the player’s choices, either Ashley or Kaidan will become a Specter inMass Effect 3. It is a great achievement for them, as well as for humanity. However, at one point, their position puts them directly opposite Shepard, and the situation escalates to an armed standoff.
Should players fail to build their relationship and trust, and fail to come to a peaceful solution,they will have no choice but to shootat their oldest companion. There is something extra grim about losing the Virmire survivor, whom players had chosen to save in the first place.
7Siding With Morinth Against Samara
At the very least, picking Morinth over Samara is an incredibly dangerous decision. Morinth’s allure masks her deadly nature as a remorseless killer who subdues victims through seduction. Opting for her jeopardizes not only the team’s safety but also Shepard’s ethical compass.
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This choice challenges the pursuit of righteousness and camaraderie, replacing it with a questionable alliance that can lead to unpredictable chaos. While Samara can be quite a handful at times, going further than anyone in the name of justice, she is without a doubt a paragon of strength and goodness.
6Allowing The Bomb To Explode On Tuchanka
Tuchanka: Bomb is a great line of quests that really puts into perspective the long and harsh reality of the war between Krogans and the other species. The themes of redemption and self-sacrifice make this important side quest anabsolute must to complete, especially given the consequences of ignoring it.
Should players take too long to engage with this mission, the bomb promptly detonates, devastating the Krogans and putting the already shaky relationship with them at risk. It is best to complete it as soon as it appears.
5Giving Legion To Cerberus
Legion is a fascinating AI companion, loyally following Shepard since the second game. One of his famous quotes, “Does this unit have a soul?”, truly puts into perspective just how complex and deep he is not just as a character, but as a person.
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Surrendering him for “further studies” feels terrible no matter what arguments are made. Legion has saved Shepard countless times, and vice versa, so this heartless discarding of a trusted follower is as dark as it is unnecessary.
4Surrendering Rannoch To The Geth
The Quarrian people have afascinating culture and history, and their struggles as a nomadic space fleet have been highlighted throughout the entire franchise. Naturally, when players get the chance to bring an entire alien race home, most try to do everything to give Rannoch back to their original inhabitants.
However, not everything is as simple as it seems. The Geth have a complicated story of their own, and it isn’t necessary to choose one side over the other. Peaceisan option for the two opposed armies, however achieving it takes calculated decisions, sacrifice, and the ultimate dedication to stopping the unnecessary bloodshed.
3Killing Wrex
Wrex, despite his initial rough and crass nature, can become one of themost loyal companions throughout the games. But there are several tense situations, where players have the choice to kill Wrex, during the first or the third game.
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No matter the point in the story, shooting Wrex is always a cold and terrible choice, as he has so much to bring to both Shepard and the Galaxy. From a cynical mercenary to a respected leader of the Krogan people, Wrex has become a legend within the universe, as well as a beloved and adored character by the fans.
2Sabotaging The Genophage Cure
The Genophage has always been a sore topic that persisted throughout the entireMass Effectseries. While there are many arguments that could be made for or against it, the reality of the dire situation it left the Krogan in is truly heartbreaking.
In the third installment, players get a chance to reverse the effects of the Genophage, giving the Krogan people hope, and a deserved opportunity to prove themselves in the galaxy. There are many possible outcomes, and all of them come with difficult choices, but ultimately the people of Tuchanka deserve a fighting chance for their survival.
1Leaving David In The Machine
The Overlord DLC tells an incredibly heavy story about brotherhood, the dangers of virtual intelligence, and accountability. The reveal of David’s backstory and the events that led him to the horrible merging with the VI is absolutely gut-wrenching.
By the time Shepard finally faces him, he has already been through much more than a human should handle. Players can choose to leave him in his perilous state, forsaking him in his never-ending agony. While there may be some practical use for this, that option feels truly heartless and vile.
Mass Effect Legendary Editionis available on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
