BioWare's hit science fiction RPG series Mass Effect set a new standard for space operas in the 2000s and early 2010s, telling the tale of Commander Shepard, the hero of the Alliance, and their grand adventures in a huge, dangerous galaxy against the Reaper threat. But it's not all spaceships and explosions. There's plenty of character development along the way, too.

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After all, RPGs are all about the people, not just stats, and the three Mass Effect titles allow players to shape Commander Shepard's friendships, rivalries, and their romances in all kinds of ways. The second title in particular, 2010's Mass Effect 2, offers a lot of romance options, though some are more appealing and memorable than others. Based on the writing, plot implications, and sheer charm factor, these are how all the romance options stack up.

10 Morinth's Romance Is Like A Cruel Joke

morinth mass effect smiling close up

Some of the romance options in Mass Effect 2 are more like hookups or bizarre novelties, and they don't rank among the "true" romances. But if players are generous with the definition, they can include Morinth's own romance, which is guaranteed to end in disaster.

Morinth is more like a space vampire than anything, and she views Shepard as a food item or pet rather than a true partner and equal. If Shepard betrays and kills Samara for Morinth's sake, then Shepard will soon experience the horror of mating with Ardat-Yakshi like Morinth.

9 Kelly Chambers' Romance Is Just Silly

kelly chambers mass effect

The cheerful Kelly Chambers serves aboard the Normandy SR2 as the ship's official yeoman and trained psychologist, and she even volunteers as Commander Shepard's assistant. For the most part, players are better off treating Kelly like a good friend, but they can take things to the next level. Barely.

Kelly's romance is one of Mass Effect's weakest, since this pairing is rather insubstantial and Kelly isn't too compelling as a partner. She's a nice person, but she still has little to offer in Shepard's love life, and by 2012's Mass Effect 3, she has left the Normandy entirely.

8 Jacob Taylor's Romance Is Weak And Ends Awkwardly

jacob taylor in mass effect 2

Jacob Taylor was once a space marine of sorts, serving as a soldier for the Alliance before joining the shady Cerberus organization to escape all the bureaucracy. Jacob is still conflicted about all this, though, which is his main selling point in the story. His romance story can't keep up.

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Jacob acts like a smooth, confident lover to FemShep, but it's all for nothing. His romance is shallow and cheesy compared to others, and most of all, Jacob ditches Shepard for a new lover by Mass Effect 3.

7 Not Romancing Anyone

Commander Shepard From Mass Effect

It's a viable, and somewhat overlooked, option for Commander Shepard to simply never romance anyone at all in the story of Mass Effect 2 or indeed, in the entire franchise. It's cool to explore the various love interests and see how Shepard can connect to other people, but it's not a requirement.

Now and then, players might play a romanceless Shepard who focuses entirely on the mission, and that can be interesting in its own right. This version of Shepard needs no one - he or she leads the way as a charismatic hero who doesn't let anyone get too close. The first human Spectre doesn't need the drama.

6 Miranda Lawson's Romance Is Intriguing, If A Bit Clunky

miranda lawson

Miranda Lawson is another Cerberus officer whom Shepard may get romantically involved with, and even if Miranda's romance feels a bit awkward or dry at times, it's better than Jacob's and Kelly's, at least. And it's clear that Miranda has always been starved for love of any kind in her life.

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Male Shepard can slowly but surely embrace the cool, aloof Miranda and earn her trust, and Miranda will reward him with some serious pent-up passion. It's nice to help Miranda find true love for the first time, though this mediocre romance quickly tapers off in Mass Effect 3. The payoff is pretty limited.

5 Thane Krios Is Dying But Still Has Time For Love

femshep romance with thane

Commander Shepard will meet an elite Drell assassin named Thane Krios in Mass Effect 2, and Thane is a fascinating insight into not just his species, but the world of professional killers for hire. Thane is an odd but fascinating mix of religion, grief, despair, hope, and lost love, and FemShep may soon be smitten.

Thane is a widower with an estranged son, and he is slowly dying of an illness as well. But his personal life will change for the better if and when FemShep approaches him as a lover. Thane will warmly embrace her and spend what little time he has happy in Shepard's arms.

4 Continuing Liara's Romance Pays Off In The Long Run

liara t soni mass effect

Within the context of Mass Effect 2 itself, the Asari archeologist Liara T'soni may feel underwhelming as a romance option. But the Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC helped change all that, and best of all, romancing Liara is a love story that spans all three games.

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Romancing Liara means romancing her in the first game, staying loyal to her by not romancing anyone else in Mass Effect 2, then welcoming her back in Mass Effect 3. Liara and Shepard only have a few scenes together as lovers in ME2, but it's worth it.

3 Garrus Vakarian Is Ready For Love With FemShep

garrus dancing on the citadel

Garrus Vakarian is an expert sniper and a vigilante ex-cop who tried his best to become a lesser Commander Shepard on the crime-ridden station of Omega. But Garrus can only do so much on his own, and he's at his best by FemShep's side.

Garrus' friendship with FemShep may soon blossom into true love, and Garrus will be charmingly awkward and earnest as a first-time lover. This romance does everything fairly well in the second and third games, all with the benefit of Garrus' witty, down-to-earth dialogue.

2 Jack Finally Lets Someone Into Her Heart Again

jack mass effect

The biotic known only as Jack was introduced as a bitter, standoffish loner who doesn't like to trust or rely on others. She's a mentally scarred survivor, but that doesn't have to define her any longer. Jack may seem scary at first, but deep down, there's a kind, vulnerable person eager for true love.

Jack can be swept off her feet by male Shepard, though it takes time for the hotheaded, defensive Jack to take the brave step of letting Shepard into her heart. It's deeply compelling to watch, and the romance continues well into Mass Effect 3 in all kinds of neat ways.

1 Tali'Zorah Is A Fan Favorite

tali on ship mass effect

In several ways, male Shepard's romance with the accomplished engineer Tali'Zorah is like the Liara romance. Both of them involve Shepard wooing a smart but shy alien lady who thought she wasn't good enough for true love, and the Shepard/Tali romance soon became a favorite in the Mass Effect fandom.

It's easy to see why, too. Tali is a fine balance of confident, insecure, smart, serious, silly, and warm-hearted, and there's simply nothing to dislike about her or this particular romance. She and Shepard just might build a house for two on Rannoch someday, complete with a white picket fence.

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