Summary
Romance is one of the most popular aspects of theMass Effectfranchise, and the love interests in its lineup are an impressive bunch. These characters are compelling, some to the point of controversy, and getting to know them more intimately can reveal a whole new dimension to the games they feature in. The best romances in the franchise aren’t always the most fleshed-out ones, but they continue to be popular after playersrevisited the trilogythroughMass Effect: Legendary Edition. From theMass Effect: Andromedalineup, the best romances may only have one game to introduce them, but they carry on the tradition ofMass Effectromances that make this franchise worth playing.
Some characters have a special draw for some demographics. Others have a broad appeal even when not romanced. Either way, they’re all characters who make players blush and crave more, particularly the fan favorites that have far too little content or emphasis. Lack of content aside, these romances have fueled players’ imaginations to the point of influencing their tastes. Turians, Quarians, and Angarans might be limited to the world of virtual fiction, but if there’s one thingMass Effectromances are famous for, it’s the fact that humans have a lot more flexibility when they can reach for love stories that matter.
Updated on June 09, 2025 by Lucy Melocco:Mass Effect’sromances are known for many things from serious commitments to notorious flirtations, and iconic romances with characters like Garrus, Tali, and Thane are legendary enough in fandom that they hardly need introduction. Every once in a while, though, some gamers are seized by the urge to explore the least popular or most game-breaking choices in their favorite RPG, including the romance options. The likes of romances with characters such as Jacob and Diana Allers live in infamy in fandom, characters like Gil Brodie and Kelly Chambers have great potential but leave an aftertaste, and the option to see what all these bottom-of-the-barrel relationships are about is there. Curious players stepping into the realm of delightfulMass Effectabsurdity and missed opportunities alike will have ample provocation and things to say about these romances, too, and a healthy debate about their shortcomings could help improve the fate of their successors in the nextMass Effect.
28Jacob Taylor
The Ex-Romance With An Ex-Cerberus
Jacobhas some points in his favor, including having one of the more interesting companion quests inMass Effect 2, his openness about where Shepard stands with him, and his aversion to shirts. That said, his character ultimately fails to bring what his concept promises. He’s unnecessarily standoffish with femShep, his relationship with Miranda has a certain ick factor, and the shine of his personality is hard to find beneaththe missed opportunitiesand stereotypes he became infamous for in fandom.
There’s alsoMass Effect 3. Jacob’s character progresses to the third game with no thought given to importing his romance from the previous one, and, unfortunately, it canonizes him not onlyfailing to formally break up with Shepardbefore impregnating another woman, but he also goes out of his way to reject her again. Ironically, considering how Jacob reacts if he gets rejected inMass Effect 2. Rejection on its own would have been anaccepted and bold RPG movehad it been purposeful and timely, but it was neither. A point in favor of having Jacob as an ex is the opportunity to give him a piece of femShep’s mind in theCitadelDLC.
27Diana Allers
The Exclusively Token Fling
Allersis arguably best appreciated by those with no feelings for the first two games, nor for long-term relationships because she asks Shepard to keep their activities on the down-low. It’s no secret that her late addition toMass Effect 3took the spot that should have been given to one of the more familiar reporters featured in the earlier games like Emily Wong, beloved by fandom and the original choice, or even Khalisah al-Jilani. Either option would have been a welcome surprise for fans and an interesting addition to the crew.
Allers is mostly inoffensive, her function as a reporter is quite useful for War Assets, and the performance behind the character is good. In a lineup oflong-beloved and fascinating characters, though, “good” doesn’t stand out and she is given little to no personal depth, so it’s hardly surprising that few fans choose to romance her. The controversy surrounding creating Allers to replace Wong is harder to look past, and the lack of substantive drama or joy makes her a lackluster choice at best.
A Sample Of Romance For Science
Avelawon’t hesitate to take the opportunity to get to know the newest alien race showing up in her galaxy, and intellectual Ryders can get delightfully lost in the details with her. Players must work to win her affections, and doing her archeological favors yields the confession of feelings. Unfortunately, she won’t give Ryder a shot at a true romance, so players shouldn’t get too emotionally attached.
Although this romance is barely a fling and more ofan emotional affair, it’s easy to picture Scott falling for her intelligence, historical insight, and witty banter, which makes it a shame straight Ryders don’t get to explore it, at least not to the depth that Reyes or Suvi get. However, she is straightforward about her intentions and feelings, and she definitely has feelings for Ryder. She just won’t let herself get sidetracked by them.
25Kelly Chambers
For The Giggles, For The Fish
Kelly’sromance hasn’t aged well, and it’s not because some people enjoy the idea of her dancing for Shepard in an Afterlife outfit. The problem lies in how hers is not presented as a serious romance in so many ways, despite smooth segues intoflirting and emotional groundwork, and that there’s the incentive to manipulatively romance her up until she feeds Shepard’s fish and then forget about her in favor of the “real” romance to lock-in.
That said,Kelly is delightful. She’s empathetic and charming, she has a magnetic vulnerability, and she’s a damsel in distress Shepard can rescue for players who enjoy that trope. ByMass Effect 3, acknowledgment of her romance considerably improves, although she still gets far too little content to compete with the romantic heavyweights of this series.
24Morinth
Embracing Game Over
Players who chooseMorinthwill first have to sacrifice Samara, which is already a big ask. But what makes Morinth a fascinating romance froman RPG perspectiveis that Shepard is made fully aware that becoming intimate with this person will most definitely result in death, and much to some fans’ delight,Mass Effect 2can end in Morinth’s embrace of eternity.
There are few reasons to keep this character alive from a strategic or romantic perspective. Aside from losing her mother and being unable to romance her and live to play on, her unromanced future is bleak. If Morinth lives, inMass Effect 3she is one of the numerous Ardat Yakshi-turned-Banshees that Shepard mows down. Her character has nothing but tragedy and death written into it, which has its appealfor those looking for a more brutal gameplay, and it’s a great feature that her romance is actually an option for players.
23Gil Brodie
The Family Man Mechanic
This romance should have been great,Gildoes have a certain handsome charm about him, although it takes him some time to warm up to Ryder. He also comes with some caveats, most notably, his questionable obsession with the biological imperative to reproduce despite his somewhat lacking maturity, the way his relationship with his equally obsessed friend Jill fits in, and the fact that he isn’t even a squadmate.
Having the only strictly m/m romance asthe only family optionAndromedaoffers should have played into the game’s overall theme of colonizing a new galaxy. In reality, not only does the “let’s be two dads” question override the opportunity to establish how he and Ryder might work as a couple, but it also gives just enough for his fans to feel short-changed despite their love of this romance. Gil is a great guy, but he deserved better.
22Keri T’Vessa
Scooping Some In-Depth Research
Keriis a journalist who lives for her work, and similar to otherMass Effectmedia personalities, her main focus with Ryder is discussing the Pathfinder Team’s progress. Unlike Diana Allers before her, Keri makes her role feel attractively relevant. Players who flirt with her enough will discover the sweetness behind her analytical personality. Persistent Ryders can sail the oceans of eternity with this asari off-screen.
The less appealing side of Keri is her apparent lack of relational integrity; she is fully willing to beRyder’s discreet loveralongside a main romance, although this is only applicable if players take advantage of pursuing multiple romances.Andromedalightly dabblesin alternative relationship models, but if there are others, Keri will choose secrecy from a relatively early dialogue point even if Ryder later commits to another romance.
21Sha’ira The Consort
Shepard Is The Envy Of The Galaxy
Sha’irais one of the most powerful denizens of the Presidium inMass Effect, and spending time in her presence is something people will spend fortunes on and patiently wait months to do. She is the graceful and sensuous advisor, counselor, and comfort of esteemed figures from diplomats to generals, and as players will learn, even she hasworldly problems to fix.
Liara romancers get to heara tinge of her jealousy during this quest, although Sha’ira will not outright offer Shepard a sensual encounter. Players who deem her advice as an insufficient reward at the end of her quest can still ask about alternative means of compensation; the glamor of this experience is a mildly suggestive cutscene, an achievement, and maybe a reputation.
20James Vega
A Night To Almost Remember
Jameshas an old-school approach to avoiding outright fraternization with superiors, although players wouldn’t know it by how he talks back to Shepard and calls her “Lola”. This shameless flirt won’t keep his attraction to himself, but he will balk at the idea of romance if confronted with the idea.
That doesn’t mean a solo Shepard unattached to other romances can’t have a moment of levity in theCitadelDLC when Jameswinds up in her bedafter some more relentless flirting between them. The only prerequisite is to complete his companion arc and not to have a locked-in romance before the party. No relationships here, just a moment of drunk passion.
19Javik
He Waited 50,000 Years
As far as one-night stands go,Javikis an acquired taste who will deftly interrupt the bleakness of the trilogy’s looming end with an amusingly satisfied Prothean, and a femShep experiencing the visible cringe of someone who woke up toa living, breathingProtheanin her bed. Whether players like Javik or not, Shepard’s moment of lust can’t be called anything but distinguished.
If not a single Turian, Asari, Human, or any other available sentient species aboard theNormandystands a chance at catching Shepard’s eye, hermost ancient war buddywill make the first move he’s made since the last cycle. For just one night after theCitadelDLC party, Shepard can prove to Javik that being surrounded by primitives has certain benefits.
