Best Friendships In Mass Effect Games

Mass Effect is one of the best sci-fi space RPG series out there, especially the original Shepard trilogy involving a galactic war against the terrifying sentient alien machines known very aptly as the Reapers. Then there’s Andromeda, a title that took gamers beyond the Milky Way and into the far reaches of the eponymous galaxy, allowing for some exciting new planets and aliens.

With all these new places to explore and people to meet, not to mention the danger everyone is flung into on a daily basis, it is only natural that those in close quarters with one another get to chatting and even become friends. There are many platonic pairings in the universe of Mass Effect, but these are the absolute best.

9

James Vega and Steve Cortez

Their Bromance is Nothing Short of Hilarious

Mass Effect 3 brought in new faces, with James Vega and Steve Cortez being two of the best among them. Both men can be seen hanging around in the hangar, and as one might expect, a rapport is built between the two. Most of the time, Shepard enters to catch them mid-conversation, which normally involves them harmlessly poking fun at each other.

Both give as good as they get, which makes each of their conversations hilarious. The Citadel DLC further shows how good the two friends are when they turn up to Shepard’s apartment to watch sports in their new fancy pad, engaging in even more banter that never becomes tiring to hear.

8

Joker and Edi

Joker Eventually Warms Up to EDI’s Presence

Mass Effect 2 introduces co-pilot EDI, an AI assistant to Joker, which the proud pilot of the Normandy is none too pleased about. Joker obviously has very little love towards EDI, but as time goes on, he warms up to her presence and even values the help she can provide for his excellent piloting skills. The two often bicker like an old married couple, which can be very amusing to watch.

Joker liked EDI even more in Mass Effect 3 when she upgrades to a conventionally attractive robot body, becoming all too happy to have her close by. The two can even enter into a romance, as EDI learns all about love and friendship from both Shepard and Joker. Players can discourage this romance from going forward if they prefer, but thankfully, the development of a romantic relationship doesn’t dissolve the friendship between the pair.

7

Suvi Anwar and Kallo Jath

The Two Work More Than Well Together Aboard the Tempest

The Tempest would not quite be the same without Suvi Anwar and Kallo Jath at the helm. These two keep the ship running, and such an important task requires stringent teamwork. As luck would have it, Kallo and Suvi are perfectly amicable with one another.

One could easily go as far as to call them friends, which is how Kallo himself describes the relationship between the two. Almost like Andromeda’s version of Joker and Edi, Suvi and Kallo’s friendship is pure, wholesome, and maintains a humor that could rival theirs. As far as the companions in Andromeda go, Suvi and Kallo’s dynamic is one of the strongest in the entire series.

6

Garrus Vakarian and Tali’Zorah

These Two Companions Are Fast Friends and Can Potentially Become Something More

Of course, Shepard isn’t the only one making friends or flirting with companions aboard the Normandy, as there are many other friendships and even a few romances that can blossom if Shepard elects not to woo certain characters. Two of the characters in question are Garrus and Tali’Zorah, who are both fond friends of Shepard and potential romance options, depending on the chosen gender of the player character.

By the time Mass Effect 3 rolls around, the two are thick as thieves, hanging around together during downtime on the Normandy, and they can even be interrupted while they are becoming more than friends closer to the end of the third game if neither are romanced. Though they are a sweet couple, they also make excellent friends.

5

Kaidan Alenko and Ashley Williams

The Two Alliance Soldiers Naturally Gravitate Towards One Another

The friendship between Kaidan and Ashley burns bright and quickly, as one of them inevitably dies without the intervention of a mod that allows players to save them both. Players more often than not push the Virmire mission as far back as possible if they know, because they will be forced to decide between which companion they want to save during it.

Before one of them unfortunately dies on this infamous mission, players can listen to some of the dialogue between the pair if they choose to bring them along on adventures, which does show a budding friendship between the two. It is evident that, if both had survived, they would have no doubt been the best of friends..

4

Commander Shepard and Joker

The Wise-Cracking Pilot Never Loses Faith in Commander Shepard

Joker is one of the few characters who remains as a member of the Normandy crew in every game, mostly out of loyalty to Commander Shepard and to do what he does best: pilot a spaceship. While Shepard’s resurrection in Mass Effect 2 combined with their new allegiance to Cerberus had others raising their eyebrows in suspicion, Joker was still there, ready to stick with them through thick and thin.

His good sense of humor and heart of gold endeared many fans to his character, making him a likable figure among players and even in-game. Shepard can roll their eyes all they want, but it is clear they care a lot about Joker, and their friendship is one that was never shaken, even after their death at the start of the second game. The fact that Shepard sacrificed themselves to launch Joker’s escape pod to safety only further proves the strength of their bond.

3

Commander Shepard and Garrus Vakarian

There’s No Shepard Without Vakarian

By far, one of the best companions a player could ever hope for in a game is Garrus Vakarian. His growth throughout the series is the best among Shepard’s allies, his romance is one of the most popular (for good reason), and he remains as one of Shepard’s closest friends in the series.

Though at first there is an air of distrust between the two, eventually respect fosters into a friendship, a relationship that carries throughout the trilogy. He rejoins Shepard in both Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3, trusting that they are doing the right thing and being ready to save the galaxy right at their side. The very end of Mass Effect 3 before the final push shows just how close the two are with the very touching quote “There is no Shepard without Vakarian,” which in itself is a summary of their unshakable bond.

2

Liara T’Soni and Commander Shepard

Liara Did Everything She Could to Resurrect Shepard

Though there are no canon choices in Mass Effect, as everyone’s playthrough will differ, Liara T’Soni is often posited as the main romance choice, as even just casually asking her more about herself in the first game leads players down the path to romance. Furthermore, out of all of Shepard’s friends, Liara is the one who decides to do the impossible by bringing Shepard back to life after their untimely death at the start of Mass Effect 2.

This is proof that, even if the player chose not to romance her, Liara still cares very deeply about Shepard, even resorting to the desperate measure of reaching out to Cerberus in order to bring her friend back from death, which is how she justifies her actions if questioned. Liara is one of the kinder characters in Mass Effect, even after taking up the mantle of the Shadow Broker, which makes her one of the best friends Shepard could hope for.

1

David Anderson and Commander Shepard

The Father Figure That Was Needed

Shepard is a popular person, but this comes with being the main character. In a way, they are also the gel that holds the entire galaxy together in the face of the reaper threat. As such, one cannot begin to mention all the strong bonds and friendships Shepard has fostered over the years without mentioning Captain David Anderson.

He is a sort of father figure and mentor to Shepard, always ready to offer advice or help as and when it is needed. He is also willing to risk quite a bit in order to help Shepard succeed, such as breaking into Udina’s office and punching the Councilor out cold in order to free the Normandy from the Citadel. He joins Shepard and co. for the final fight, and right before he dies, the two share a touching conversation, in which he admits how proud he is of Shepard and all they have done. It is impossible for many to sit through that scene without shedding a tear for one of Shepard’s fondest friends.