File:Commanding Shepard-2

-- This video contains full spoilers for the Mass Effect trilogy, and depictions of virtual violence and sex --

When Mass Effect launched in 2007, the heroes of western RPGs were typically blank-slate nobodies. But Commander Shepard is different. What does it mean to have a character whose personality and identity is shared between the player and the character?

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Footnotes

[1] This role could also be played by the character Kaidan Alenko, depending on who survived the events of Mass Effect 1. To streamline the video, I’m using Ashley whenever I need to talk about the “Virmire survivor”.

[2] There are other possible choices, one of which involves using a "Charm" or "Intimidate" line to get Tali off scot-free without presenting the evidence. This is just one of many examples of the rewards for playing pure Paragon or pure Renegade being far too tempting…

Sources

Mass Effect Interview | IGN https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/01/19/mass-effect-interview-2

John Ebenger | Twitter https://twitter.com/EbengerJohn/status/1230205582478458880

Mass Effect 3 by the numbers | PC Gamer https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/mass-effect-3-infographic/

The Walking Dead: Bringing the World's Smartest Zombie Series to Life | Redbull http://web.archive.org/web/20150209213003/http://www.redbull.co.uk/cs/Satellite/en_UK/Article/The-Walking-Dead--Bringing-the-world-021243300828382

BioWare Explains Why There's No Homosexuality in Mass Effect 2 | 1UP http://web.archive.org/web/20120724180604/http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=9026170

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey director apologizes for forcing characters into a traditional relationship | Polygon https://www.polygon.com/2019/1/17/18186911/assassins-creed-odyssey-dlc-romance-apology

The Witcher History #2 - E3 2004 | ryslaw on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBWlnL6Tr6k

Games shown in this episode (in order of appearance)

Gone Home (2013) The Last of Us (2013) Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015) Horizon Zero Dawn (2017) Pillars of Eternity (2015) The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006) Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines (2004) Deus Ex (2000) Planescape: Torment (1999) Mass Effect (2007) Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009) Mass Effect 2 (2010) Mass Effect 3 (2012) Halo 3 (2007) Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (2007) Gears of War (2006) Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008) Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age (2018) Persona 5 (2017) The Outer Worlds (2019) Fallout 4 (2015) Fallout 3 (2008) Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003) Life Is Strange: Before the Storm (2017) Detroit: Become Human (2018) The Wolf Among Us (2013) The Walking Dead: Season One (2012) Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001) Life is Strange (2015) Kingdom Hearts III (2019) Dragon Age II (2011) Fallout: New Vegas (2010) Jade Empire (2005) Dragon Age: Origins (2009) Dishonored 2 (2016) Assassin's Creed II (2009) Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag (2013) Assassin's Creed: Odyssey (2018) Assassin's Creed Valhalla (2020) Monster Hunter: World (2018) Heaven’s Vault (2019) The Last of Us Part II (2020) Mafia III (2016) The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011) Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (2016) Yakuza 6: The Song of Life (2016) Disco Elysium (2019) Alpha Protocol (2010) Mass Effect: Andromeda (2017) The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015) The Witcher (2007) The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings (2011)

Music used in this episode

Music provided by Music Vine - https://musicvine.com/

Mass Effect soundtrack used with permission from Electronic Arts

The Witcher 3 soundtrack used in accordance with CD Projekt Red policy - https://cdprojektred.com/en/videopolicy

Video sections

00:00 - Introduction 03:13 - Part I (Shepard, Commander) 05:41 - Part II (Paragon of Humanity) 20:52 - Part III (Company Man) 28:58 - Part IV (Shepard's Flock) 44:12 - Part V (Create a Commander) 49:14 - Part VI (Commanding Shepard) 52:48 - Ending

Other credits

24 and Fox News © Fox Broadcasting Company Star Trek © ViacomCBS

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