As Mass Effect: Legendary Edition reinserts the epic space opera trilogy back into the limelight, I figured what better way to kick off my gaming binge with a bit of controversy. Here are my top ten Mass Effect companions (minor spoilers below).

10. EDI

Starting the list off is the gratuitous sex robot EDI. Ok, so the fan-service-y metal curves are a bit much, but EDI makes up for it with her love interest storyline with a certain comedian pilot.

9. Miranda

Speaking of curves, Bioware made a specific note to remove camera shots that centered on Miranda’s backside. Her loyalist narrative comes to a great conclusion in ME3, but she also makes the list due to her handy Warp and Overload powers for the early game in ME2.

8. Jack

The has the best human character design in the entire series. Her tattoos tell her story of pain received as well as pain dished out as the bad ass biotic has a soft spot for Shepard’s renegade ways

7. Liara

I know! I wanted Liara higher on this list too. The blue bae from Thessia has one of the most unique character arcs throughout the series, moving from a naive archeologist to a deadly broker of information. Plus, her singularity power comes in handy across all three games.

6. Mordin

The salarian with a soft heart, I love his character turn in the Mass Effect universe. Mordin is the first person I run to for conversations on the ME2 Normandy. His quest for redemption is heart warming, but its his charm along the journey that makes him special.

5. Garrus

How is Garrus not number one? The Robin to Shepard’s Batman, the Turian sniper is a well-rounded companion to bring on missions, plus he’s my ride or dies throughout the whole series. His only knock is his narrative story is not as compelling as others on the list. But I do wonder who would win a shooting contest between him and our next list mate.

4. Thane

And here comes the spicy frog-man! The silent, sexy sniper that will pray after he kills you. I love his story in ME2. The only thing that tops it, is his awesome fight with Kai Leng in ME3! And dare I say he is the top love interest across the entire series? No takers?

3. Tali

My Battlestar Galatica sensors tingle whenever I get around Tali vas Normandy. The quarian/geth conflict in this series is narrative bliss. I love the care that went into the crafting of the quarian people, and Tali presents their culture as a party member seamlessly. Her character arc is more evenly paced across games than Liara, and her ultimate decisions on Rannoch are my favorite part of ME3. Well…except for..

2. Legion

“Shepard Commander.” This is why the storytelling in Mass Effect continues to delight fans today. The geth are presented as villains throughout ME1. And for this game to make the player genuinely care about the “antagonist” is a feat I have not seen equalled. Legion, by definition, is the geth, but he still find a way to differentiate himself as a character. And that final climax of a moment on Rannoch?! Legion will always be my favorite Cylon…I mean…geth.

1. Wrex

Wrex. Shepard. This cuddly Krogan has to be number one. He is a must bring companion for ME1 because of his tankiness. And then narratively there is Virmire in ME1 where you pull guns on each other! I’ll never forget when you first see him on Tuchanka in ME2, how he gleefully says “Shepard!” when he sees the character and how they embrace. He genuinely is trying to make himself and his people better across games. But the reason Wrex is number one on my list is the various turns that can happen in ME3 in regard to the genophage. Depending on what is chosen can cause pure joy or utter vengeance. Mass Effect is truly a game about choice, and Wrex embodies it purely across all three games.

So what do you think? Am I crazy? Who are your favorite characters in the series? Maybe when I finish this next playthrough of Mass Effect: Legendary Edition I will have to change the list up a bit!

Ryan Files is an avid comic book and video game consumer, reviewer, and critic hailing from the boondocks of Illinois. He has taken his ethnographic cultural studies background and applied it to his love of geekdom. He is a huge Star Wars nerd, Castlevania fanatic, and his power level is definitely over 9000. When he isn’t online writing about how he misses old school beat em’ ups like Final Fight, Streets of Rage, or TMNT IV Turtles in Time, he raises his 3 Dora Milaje warrior girls with the most awesome wife a blerd could ask for. You can reach the mumbly one at moblipeg@gmail.com.