On the scale of paragon and renegade, I think the most memorable moments I have had with Mass Effect is being a Renegade with Paragon-like ideals - especially with Sole Survivor.

What I mean by this is being a renegade but try to push for paragon like outcomes - so making use of intimidation to obtain something usually obtained via persuasion, taking hard stances on those that wish to exploit and profit off unethical research, while still feeling strongly about preserving the rights of a species to exist.

Some great lines comes from both renegade actions and the contradictions.

By the time of the trilogy, I head cannon it together quite nicely as a Shepard feeling like he is always forced to make the hard choices, being someone struggling with survivor’s guilt, and internally is conflicted with the consequences of his actions and tries to do better.

This self-enforced burden has made them a bitter person, but not an irredeemable one as the personal moments help peel back the bravado and exposes someone really struggling to keep their shit together.

  • @JayEchoRayOPEnglish
    3•10 months ago

    Just thought of more:

    Romances options: although cliche ( sole survivor )

    • male
      • Ashley ( both hard exterior and both carry military burden)
      • Jack ( share trauma in both being victims of cerberus)
      • Cortez ( for same gender option, both can be victims in not letting go of the past)
    • female
      • Garrus ( trauma bonding, both can feel victim to their own decisions)
      • Thane ( feeling responsible of lose and through that find understanding)

    Team mates that Shepard can probably identify with

    • Ashley, Wrex, Garrus, Grunt, Jack, Thane

    Liara is a very broad stroke character and can be slotted into most scenarios, although she is really dedicated to Shepard considering how much she does for him.

    Of course any thing can work if one puts their head to it, I just feel like this is the easiest ones off the top of my head