The Mass Effect trilogy is renowned for its detailed worldbuilding and fascinating characters, many of whom could join Commander Shepard aboard the Normandy on their quest to stop the Reapers. But aside from the crew members and the other characters in more primary roles, there were tons and tons of secondary and tertiary characters that made the galaxy of Mass Effect truly feel alive. These characters were often only interacted with a handful of times, but could have a larger impact on the story as a whole than players expected.
Many of these side characters made surprise returns in future games, with messages sent to the Normandy or in cameo roles during quests. And while Mass Effect 5‘s story and protagonist are yet to be revealed, it is evident that the game will take place in the same galaxy as the original trilogy, meaning that certain side folks could make a comeback. These 10 characters should reappear, not only because it would make sense story-wise, but because they were delightful parts of the series that deserve another appearance.
10
Conrad Verner should Get At Least Some Mention
The Balance Between Funny And Annoying, Perfected
As enthusiastic as the Mass Effect fanbase is about the protagonist, Commander Shepard, none are more supportive than Conrad Verner. In the same style as The Elder Scroll‘s Adoring Fan, Verner is an overly eager admirer of the Normandy’s commander, to the point that he invades their personal space and even buys an exact replica of their armor. He praises Shepard, whether their actions fall more on the paragon or renegade side of the spectrum, and he wishes to one day become just like them.
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Mass Effect: Where to Find Conrad Verner
The galaxy is filled with all sorts of strange people. None more so than Conrad Verner, Shepard’s number one fan who pokes fun at Mass Effect itself.
At the same time, he is woefully inept and annoying in his attempts to be helpful, despite Verner being a certifiable genius, which may even lead to his wife leaving him and his untimely death in the third game. Still, it is possible for players to save the man’s life if they complete certain side quests throughout the trilogy, and even for him to get a happy ending amidst the war with the Reapers. Conrad should reappear in some fashion in the new game, even if it’s just a cameo, just to let players know where his misadventures are taking him next.
9
Admiral Hackett’s Role In The Reaper War Makes Him Essential
A Key Player In The Aftermath Of The Conflict
One of the more well-liked and respected human characters in the original trilogy is Admiral Hackett, the leader of the Alliance’s Fifth Fleet and eventually a top-ranking soldier in the war against the Reapers. Hackett’s unfaltering loyalty and stoic commitment to his people won over many fans, and by the end of the third game, he had cemented himself as one of the galaxy’s more capable military leaders.
Regardless of the choices made throughout the original Mass Effect trilogy, Hackett is one character who is guaranteed to survive the game’s events.
Following the Reaper War, people like Hackett would be essential to keeping galactic civilization alive, especially in the ending where most spacefaring technology was rendered useless. Depending on how long after the original trilogy this new game takes place, it’s possible that Hackett will have retired or even passed. But hopefully this character will get a few scenes cementing his role in saving the galaxy, especially since it could mean a return of Lance Henriksen’s voice.
8
Aria T’Loak Will Likely Still Be In Power
A Crime Lord That Could Make A Good Enemy Or Ally
Aria is another character that earned the appraisal of fans, but she falls on the opposite side of the morality spectrum than Hackett does. Aria is a crime lord on the asteroid Omega, ruling the rock ball from her club, the Afterlife. She works with Commander Shepard multiple times in the second and third games, helping them find and recruit allies, and even recruiting Shepard to take Omega back from Cerberus control.
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Mass Effect 3: How to Start the Omega DLC
The Omega DLC in Mass Effect 3 has Shepard help Aria T’Loak reclaim Omega. They will need to speak to her at Purgatory bar to begin the mission.
Aria is by no means a good person, but she is a ruthless and calculating force which keeps the chaos of Omega under some level of control. Unless something monumental has happened between games, she will likely still be in power in this new entry in the franchise, meaning this Asari could be working for or against the player’s character, depending on the way events go down. Her position in galactic society makes her a shoo-in for a reappearance.
7
The Thorian Is Probably Not Gone For Good
A Resilient Alien That Still Lurks Somewhere In The Galaxy
Granted, the Thorian was defeated in the first Mass Effect, and has been presumed dead since it fell into the depths of the planet Feros. But something as old and powerful as the Thorian could likely have survived the weapon attacks Shepard and their crew threw at it, at least in some form or another. Plus, it wouldn’t be the first alien that was presumed dead in Mass Effect that makes a surprise appearance in a future game – Shepard’s choice regarding the Rachni Queen can see the feared creature return later.
The lingering powers of the Feros colonists and the continued existence of Thorian creepers in several Cerberus bases add to the evidence that the Thorian is destined to return eventually.
Hopefully the Thorian did survive, because it’s a great antagonistic force for the sci-fi fantasy setting these games take place in. The Thorian is a massive plant-like organism that controls the minds of those nearby, eventually turning them into mindless thralls to help it survive. It has apparently been around for multiple galactic cycles, making it one of the few sentient creatures to survive many different Reaper attacks. And, after Shepard’s actions in the first game, it has a good reason to hate humans.
6
Blasto’s Spectre Movie Could Chronicle The Reaper War
A Less Than Accurate Retelling Of The Original Trilogy
In terms of tertiary characters, Blasto is probably one of the least well-known, only appearing on posters and in one ME3 DLC. But he’s a fun character nonetheless, and one of the few named Hanar in the series. Blasto is an actor who plays a Spectre on screen, featuring in sub-par films about fighting in space.
The Hanar’s preference for aquatic environments makes Blasto not much of an actual threat on land, but he still nails his role as comic relief. And as the Citadel DLC revealed, he is currently working on a film that chronicles the Reaper War, even though his portrayal may not be exactly accurate. It would be fun to see a version of the first three games told with Blasto at the forefront, and maybe even to see what this faux Mass Effect Spectre is making now.
5
Shala’Raan Could Act As An Ambassador For The Quarians
This Character May Or May Not Return, Depending On The War With The Geth
This one may or may not work, because it’s possible that Shala’Raan and the rest of the Quarian government are dead. Shepard gets to decide the conclusion of the Quarian’s war with the Geth, and Shala’Raan will die in the case of Geth victory. Still, she’s a great character voiced by Shohreh Aghdashloo, and in the event that the Quarians are still around, she will likely be playing an important role in their leadership.
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Shala’Raan is Tali’s aunt, and her closest surviving family after the death of her father. She supports and mentors her niece as she takes a role in leading the Quarians, and if they are able to make peace with the Geth, she acts as an ambassador between their species. Raan is probably the most likable of the Quarian admirals, and the one who aligns most closely with the Normandy crew. Seeing her return as she forwards relations with the Geth could be very fun for veteran players to see.
4
Dr. Michel Could Make For A Good Medical Officer On A New Ship
A Character That Always Felt Underutilized
Doctor Michel appeared just enough in the original trilogy to feel important, but not enough to really make an impact. As a human doctor at the Citadel, she provided medical treatment to the people of the wards, and later served in the Huerta Memorial hospital during the Reaper War. Michel seemed caring and cautious, but she was always overshadowed by the more important Dr. Chakwas.
Chakwas may or may not come back in the next game, but regardless, the player’s ship will need a medic. Bringing Michel back to fill this role would be a good way to maintain character continuity while also exploring one of the less-developed cast members of the previous games.
3
Captain Bailey Will Need A Job In The New Galactic Government
What Will C-Sec Become Without The Citadel?
The Citadel’s destruction will no doubt be an important plot point in the upcoming Mass Effect game, the repercussions of which will extend to affect all of galactic society. One group that will need to be entirely reworked is Citadel Security, or C-Sec, who acted as trained officers of the law on the massive space station. Leading them in later games was Captain Bailey, a hard-headed and somewhat rebellious cop who helped Commander Shepard multiple times throughout the trilogy.
It’s possible that Armando-Owen Bailey will have died or retired by the events of the next game, given his plans to return home to his family in Mass Effect 3, though the captain’s devotion to the security of the galaxy makes it likely he will still be serving in some way if he can.
Bailey was a more contentious figure, abusing his power to rough up suspects and let potential criminals walk, as explored in Thane’s Mass Effect 2 loyalty mission, if it seemed like a lesser evil. He handled Zakera Ward, where crime was rampant, especially after Sovereign’s attack in the first game. He later gets promoted to head of the department, and seems to grow up a little bit in this new role. Now, C-Sec will likely have been disbanded, and it would be interesting to see where this guard ends up in the wake of the war that tore his life apart.
2
Joker Must Return In Any New Game
The Best Pilot In The Galaxy
Calling Joker a secondary character is definitely a stretch, as this pilot takes center stage in the later games. Still, he’s a non-companion crew member without the fame or notoriety of characters like Garrus or Liara, but his role in the crew is nevertheless essential. He’s the Normandy’s ace pilot who cracks jokes and stands by his crew, even going so far as to join Cerberus in order to stay by Commander Shepard’s side.
His arc in the third game in the trilogy saw him fall in love with EDI, an AI developing sentience, and overcome some of his social anxieties as he grew closer to his crewmates. He’s a very likable and steadfast character that enhances every scene he’s in, and though Shepard may not be around for the next game in the series, Joker should still return in some form to the franchise.
1
Urdnot Bakara Will Be An Important Figure For The Krogan
Eve’s Story Is Not Yet Complete
Finally, Urdnot Bakara needs to return during the next entry in the series. Bakara, or “Eve,” is the Krogan who made the survival of her species possible, enduring Salarian experiments and combat in order to develop a cure for the Genophage. She’s been through a lot, but maintains a toughness and optimism that she shares with Wrex, as they both work toward saving the Krogan from extinction.
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Mass Effect: The Krogan War, Explained
The effects on the Krogan, Turian, and Salarian people from the Krogan War provides one of the most influential subplots in Mass Effect’s universe.
Depending on the player’s choices, the Genophage may or may not have been cured during the third game, and Wrex may not even be around anymore, but Eve is pretty much guaranteed to have survived. Whatever the current state of the Krogan in the next game, Bakara will likely be an important figure in leading her people, and should be sure to appear wherever the Mass Effect franchise goes next.
Source: Mass Effect/YouTube (1, 2)
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
- Released
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May 14, 2021
- Developer(s)
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BioWare
- Publisher(s)
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Electronic Arts
- Engine
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Unreal Engine 4
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood, Drug Reference, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence
