BioWare recently released updated player statistics from Mass Effect Legendary Edition, revealing several shifts from previous Mass Effect 1, 2, and 3 stats. One of the most interesting is the change in certain crewmates’ popularity between Mass Effect 3 and the rereleased Mass Effect 1 in Legendary Edition; though their companion pools differ slightly, the increase in players’ apparent appreciation for a few characters over time could speak to their likability and impact on the series as a whole.

As time passed between Mass Effect 3 and Legendary Edition, players had years to shift their opinions on their Normandy crewmates. The community continuously shared fan art, fanfiction, facts, opinions, and Easter eggs about each companion, steadily growing the fandom’s appreciation for Shepard’s many friends.

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When BioWare (via PCGamer) collected player statistics on crewmate popularity for Mass Effect 3 in 2013, Liara and Garrus were ahead by leaps and bounds. The Asari scientist came in at 24.1% of the total vote, with the Turian sniper claiming second, at 23.8%. Following Liara and Garrus were James Vega at 16.8% and EDI at 13%, new companions to Mass Effect 3, with fellow ME1 veterans Tali (7.8%), Ashley (5.4%), and Kaiden bringing up the rear – the lattermost at a measly 1.5%.

This differs quite drastically from the popularity of crewmates in Mass Effect Legendary Edition‘s ME1 remaster, but that difference emphasizes the apparent growing appreciation for the trilogy’s more complex characters.

Mass Effect Players’ Tastes Seem To Have Evolved

In the Legendary Edition stats, Mass Effect 1‘s Garrus spiked in popularity as Shepard’s right-hand Turian, best friend, and potential romantic partner. Tali rose to claim second place in the Legendary Edition survey. Liara maintained significant popularity but sank down to claim third place, while fifth and sixth place were claimed by Ashley and Kaiden, whom the community has been warring over since the infamous Virmire dilemma in Mass Effect 1. BioWare did not provide specific percentages for the newer list.

  1. Garrus
  2. Tali
  3. Liara
  4. Wrex
  5. Ashley
  6. Kaiden

It is important to note the top three most popular Mass Effect 1 remaster characters are romance options for either male or female Shepard at some point in the series. Additionally, Garrus and Tali have been present at Shepard’s side since the beginning, being the only two characters who accompany Shepard as companions in every game. The absence of humans in the top four crewmate slots also reveals what seems to be a community preference towards more uniquely designed characters.

The upward movement of Tali, though, in particular, could reveal an increased appreciation of complex characters over crewmates who offer easy approval ratings or lack controversial viewpoints. Tali isn’t perfect, but her imperfections make her an enthralling friend (and great romance option), and it seems the community grew to realize this over time. Each of the crewmates in the Mass Effect trilogy have well-written character arcs, backstories, and relationships with their fellow companions and commander. Their initial reception by fans may have been a judgement of their surface selves, but as years passed and the community had more time to digest their stories, it’s unsurprising to see certain characters’ popularity shift.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition is available now on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.

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Natalie Lindner
(501 Articles Published)

Natalie Lindner is a Game Features Writer for Screen Rant, creating content on the past, present, and future of games in the industry. Prior to this, she worked out of a writing consultancy in Rhode Island from 2018 to 2021, where she helped college students improve their writing abilities. Natalie has contributed her video game writing to several smaller websites and projects since 2018 and is eager to continue that journey with Screen Rant.

Working out of New Hampshire, Natalie spends the time she isn’t writing about games outside; hiking or biking. On those rainy days, she can be found striving for action on the latest FPS or perusing the latest comic books.

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