One of the first pieces of DLC for Mass Effect 2 will change your life.
Floating through seemingly endless space, the choice of allies are important. You’re going to be locked into a vacummn seeled metal container. You can have smelly aliens smearing poo on the wall or annoyingly shrill sounding women complaining about their lady problems. You need tough as nails entertainment aboard the Normandy.
Luckily for me, Cereberus was willing to choose those that best suited me. I have five in my crew now, and thus far only the scientist annoys me, sometimes. That’s something to say.
Now among my compatriots several stand out. I know that the two given to me by the company are going to be loyal as long as I serve “the Man.” They seem alright, but no one I want to play cards with. (Although Miranda is very do-able after I’ve had a few)
However, there is one on my ship that I would follow to the ends of the galaxy.
I never really gave into peer pressure. I never smoked cigarettes because they made me look cool. I never drank wine in the church parking lot during Mass. Nothing.
In videogames, I’m normally a no non-sense guy. I’m a good guy, I’m there to help the helpless and punish evil. Today however, I gave up everything I believed in for one person, Zaaed the Mercenary.
It should’ve been a simple choice, (Warning, mild spoilers ahead, very mild) either save some helpless contract workers or help Zaaed kill an old enemy.
Shepard: “We have to save them.”
Zaaed: “No, let’s kill that bastard.”
Shepard: “But there’s helpless people that need our help. We can save them all and catch up with the jerk later.”
Zaaed: “No, let’s kill that bastard.”
Shepard: “Well that’s a valid point.” Signaling to the third team member. “Archangel, we’re going to kill the bastard with Zaaed.”
Archangel: “But Shepard, there’s helpless people up there.”
Shepard: “Archangel, don’t you make me look bad in front of Zaaed. I will enforce the “aliens are scum” policy that most have on board the ship. Do you want to sleep on the floor like a dog?”
Archangel: “No sir.”
Seriously, I took the hit of 15 renegade points because I like Zaaed’s flavor. He’s as if someone combined Boba Fett’s and Han Solo’s DNA and implanted the embryo into an Amazon woman. Zaaed is that cool. He’s been the only permanent cast member in my raiding parties and will hopefully be there until the end.
and you get to use his sweet grenades after you do his loyalty quest!
Zaaed is my favorite human in the game. You think Mordin is annoying? I think the dude’s hilarious. In the quest to get him, you have more interruption options than like the rest of the game because he rambles so much. I hope the Cerberus Network provides other awesome DLCs, because Zaaed was awesome. The Normandy Crash Site was pretty cool too. Almost made me cry in nostalgic glory.
The writing on Zaeed can get a little cliche, but the voice acting is top notch, though a bit of a Guy Ritchie archetype in and of itself. Garrus is my bud. His loyalty mission is like a friggin’ David Mamet play.
The loyalty missions have all been pretty great. Miranda’s was the least interesting. I actually enjoyed Jacob’s quite a bit (despite not liking to use Jacob at all), it played out a lot like an old Star Trek episode. Made me laugh kind of.
I really liked Miranda’s as well, but Jacob’s was the first to really stand out and affirm that the loyalty missions were the real meat of the game. They carry the astounding depth of the game’s narrative, which proves not only the need but the absolute necessity of a sequel.
I really though Tali’s loyalty mission stood out the most so far… it builds her character a lot and has a very emotional ending (if you are paragon).
then again… I am love with Tali
it’s datass
I saved Tali for last, and I think it’s safe to say that her’s is the meatiest loyalty mission of all. But don’t fool yourself: Playing that decision renegade is just as affecting.
I was warned that if I wanted to be an uber paragon, I should save that mission until my Paragon is nearly maxed. My paragon is nearly maxed and I’m wearing the death mask. I believe I shall do it tonight.
I’ve really got to catch up on this game. The internet has yet to spoil anything, but I don’t think that’s going to last long. I feel some marathons coming in my near future.
Tali’s was my favorite for its emotional depth and robust decisions it forced you to confront. Plus, she’s my babe. Andy’s right: It’s all about that money maker.
I thought Samara’s quest stood out as well with its Blade Runner vibe and seduction.
But I think Legion’s was one of the most fascinating. P.S. Don’t put Legion and Tali in the same squad.