The Mass Effect games may star Commander Shepard as the hero of the galaxy, but in this sci-fi trilogy, it's really Shepard's allies and squadmates who capture the imagination of players. Commander Shepard's own personality and backstory are up to the player, while allies such as Joker, Kaidan, Liara T'Soni and more have their own unique character arcs and worldviews.
From the very start, Shepard has relied heavily on his/her loyal crew to help fight supervillains such as Sovereign and the Shadow Broker to save the day, and by now, some fan-favorite squadmates and crewmates have emerged. Based on their combat skills, cool outfits or personalities, and personal arcs, which of Shepard's companions are instant classics in Mass Effect 2 in particular?
10 Samara, The Justicar
Samara is a Justicar and a loyal member of Shepard's crew, and she appeared briefly in Mass Effect 3 as well. For now, she is sworn to Commander Shepard, bound to the Commander's will during the fight against the terrifying Collectors. She takes this duty very seriously.
Samara made a strong impression when she single-handedly wiped out an elite Eclipse platoon, and her loyalty mission on Omega is a chilling insight into the horror of rogue Ardat-Yakshi. Samara's family life is truly tragic.
9 Tali'Zorah, The Gifted Quarian Mechanic
Tali'Zorah is a familiar face from the first Mass Effect title, and by now, she is a highly respected member of the Migrant Fleet, not just a kid on her Pilgrimage. Tali is at odds with her distant and ambitious father, Rael'Zorah, and she learned the truth about his demise during her dramatic but fascinating loyalty mission.
Tali's anti-synthetic combat talents have more limited application in Mass Effect 2 than in the original game, but they are helpful against Geth and various combat mechs, and her character is deepened a great deal in this game. Better yet, she can be romanced with male Shepard, and it's a fan-favorite romance to pursue.
8 Thane Krios, Assassin & Struggling Family Man
Thane Krios served as an ambassador to the Drell people for Commander Shepard, and there are so few Drell out there, Shepard was lucky to meet one at all. Thane has had a difficult life, being trained solely as an assassin. He started a family, but that family was soon shattered when his wife was killed and he became estranged from his son, Kolyat.
However, Thane is stubbornly determined to make the galaxy a bit brighter before he dies, and he has a unique philosophical view on the entire galaxy. He is free of all prejudice and malice, and he always puts the mission first. It's also a thrill to see him in action as the galaxy's top assassin.
7 Legion, The Galaxy's Smartest (& Nicest) Geth
Commander Shepard gunned down countless Geth, big and small, during the hunt for Saren in 2183. Now, a Geth is joining the Normandy's team: Legion, an ambassador of its people. Legion has over 1,000 Geth programs in its body, meaning it is much smarter than typical Geth troopers out there. It can even talk.
Legion's most interesting character moments lay ahead during the historic events of Mass Effect 3, but for now, Legion serves as a highly insightful member of the team, explaining the nature and sympathetic side of the Geth in great detail to Shepard. And Legion's sniper skills and AI hacking abilities are quite useful, too.
6 Jack, Who Learns To Love Again
For the most part, Jack's personal story is defined almost entirely by pain and hardship, not to mention exploitation and fear. She escaped the brutal Teltin research facility and roamed the galaxy as a bitter, lonely biotic, until Commander Shepard rescued and recruited her aboard the Purgatory prison ship.
Jack is standoffish and aggressive at first, but in truth, her heart aches for friendship and trust, and Shepard can provide that. Jack's tough, scary exterior slowly gives way to the vulnerable young woman inside, and Jack soon matures into a powerful but kind person who will fight hard for justice and freedom. Now that's how to use some biotic talent.
5 Kasumi Goto, The Galaxy's #1 Cat Burglar
Kasumi Goto joins the team once her DLC pack is downloaded, and she is certainly worth the price. Kasumi is easily recruited aboard the Citadel, then she sets up shop in the Normandy and explains her mission. She must perform the ultimate heist at the manor of Donovan Hock, and steal her late partner's graybox.
During that mission, Kasumi is smart, funny and deadly in combat, and she keeps it up during the regular missions in the game, too. Her ability to cloak and assassinate enemies up close is remarkable, and she has a fun-loving but also heartfelt personality that's sure to win over fans.
4 Liara T'Soni, The New Shadow Broker
Liara T'Soni is a full-time squadmates in the first and third games, though in Mass Effect 2, she temporarily joins the team during the Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC, one of the series' best side missions of all. Liara was the one who helped recover Shepard's body and protected it from the Shadow Broker and Collectors, and she's not done fighting yet.
Now, Liara is determined to rescue her friend Feron, and she and Shepard embark on a wild chase across Ilium to track down the Broker and then confront him aboard his ship. Liara has a cool Singularity power at her disposal, and it's great to see this formerly meek archeologist blossom into such a confident hero.
3 Joker, The Galaxy's Top Pilot
Here is another classic returning character: Jeff "Joker" Moreau, the best pilot the Alliance Navy has ever produced. He was rather bitter and sarcastic in the first game, but this time, Joker is a little more outgoing, flying free in the Normandy SR-2 with no oversight. He is thrilled to pilot the advanced Normandy and test it out.
Joker's improved mood makes him more likable in Mass Effect 2, and he has all kinds of amusing comments, questions and quips to make during the game. And, of course, his character was deepened as he formed a friendship with EDI, the ship's AI. Can a man and machine find love? Joker will soon find out.
2 EDI, The Normandy's AI Brain
EDI is a fascinating new character in this game, and it represents a brave (and illegal) new frontier in AI technology within the Mass Effect universe. EDI was created as a Cerberus cyberwarfare weapon, an ace up Shepard's sleeve against the Collectors and other foes. But EDI is more than that.
EDI is also a loyal member of the crew, and it saw itself as a friend and peer, not a tool nor a superior being (due to EDI's advanced abilities). EDI chose to be a friend and an equal, and EDI has a heart to match any compassionate line from paragon Shepard. EDI soon became a "she" after becoming unshackled, and she formed a dynamic friendship with Joker.
1 Garrus Vakarian, The Miniature Shepard
Garrus Vakarian is yet another returning character from the first Mass Effect game, and he is easily a fan-favorite. Garrus has a heart of gold, but he's also ruthless and action-oriented, straddling the line between paragon and renegade in true fashion. Unlike most other Turians, Garrus chafes against bureaucracy and rules, and likes to do things his own way.
In the second game, Garrus has become Archangel, a well-armed vigilante who fights for justice on the grimy streets of Omega. Garrus is Shepard's best friend, but he might lose himself to rage and revenge, unless Shepard can turn him away from that dark path. What is Garrus to do?