Summary
TheMass Effectseries is full of well-written and fully fleshed-out characters from across the galaxy. Be they men, women, or intergalactic creatures from the far reaches of space, there are plenty of likable and interesting narratives within the stories oftheMass Effectcharacters.
In this list, we’re going to be taking a specific look at some of the best female characters. These ladies are not only beloved byMass Effectfans - with some of them becoming iconic characters in gaming as a whole- but they are also full of depth and intrigue.
8Eve
Mass Effect 3
Also known by her birth name Urdnot Bakara, Eve is a female Krogan who is the sole survivor of experiments conducted in an attempt to cure a genetically created Krogan disease called the genophage. Her resilience and strength are undeniable, and she proves herself to be a formidable ally.
Eve can die depending on theplayer’s choices. However, if she lives, she becomes vital to the growth and development of the Krogan. Her diplomacy is unrivaled and challenges the norms of the often brutal nature of her people. Eve’s balance of compassion, strength, and integrity makes her a notable female character from theMass Effectseries.
7Doctor Karin Chakwas
Mass Effect 1, 2 and 3
As chief medical officer of the Normandy, Doctor Karin Chakwas plays a vital role in maintaining the health of the player and their companions. She is a diligent doctor who refuses to choose an easier lifestyle. Despite considering working on a colony or opening a private practice, Karin stays with the Alliance to treat soldiers and do what she feels is her duty.
InMass Effect 2, the player can bond with her by bringing her a bottle of Serrice Ice Brandy. Karin and Shepard will share the drink and reminisce about their allies who died in previous games. She’ll also mention that she will always need to be around to help Joker with his brittle bone disease. This interaction shows that Doctor Chakwas feels a strong emotional connection to her team as well as a dutiful connection via her Hippocratic Oath.
Doctor Chakwas can die during theSuicide Mission inMass Effect 2, but she’ll make a return inMass Effect 3if not. Players can decide to invite her aboard the Normandy, but if not, she will remain in her lab at Huerta Memorial Hospital. As well as being a brilliant doctor dedicated to the care of the soldiers under her care, Karin is also a loyal friend who will remain by Shepard’s side for as long as she can.
6Jack
Mass Effect 2 and 3
Jack is an incredibly powerful human biotic in theMass Effectseries. In fact, she is quite possibly one of the most powerful human biotics in the entire world ofMass Effect. When she is first introduced inMass Effect 2,she is known as Subject Zeroand has a reputation for being a violent criminal. Initially, she seems defiant, vicious, and eternally angry. However, it becomes clear that Jack is a victim of severe abuse and trauma after being abducted by Cerberus and experimented on as a child.
Despite the difficulties that Jack goes through, if she survivesMass Effect 2, she turns her life around and becomes a mentor to biotic kids at Grissom Academy inMass Effect 3. She learns to channel her rage and trauma into something much more productive. Not only that, but she grows attached to the kids under her charge, and they become a family of sorts to her.
Jack is a morally gray character, but the abuse she endured offers some clarity about her actions. Rather than dwell on her painful past, she moves forward and becomes a mentor and protector to biotic kids. Shepard helps her to mature and grow, but Jack’s inner strength is what allows her to make the full transformation.
5Miranda Lawson
Introduced inMass Effect 2,Miranda is an officer for Cerberuswho was not conceived naturally. Instead, she was genetically engineered by her father and designed to be perfect in every way. Because of this, she is incredibly strong and powerful as a biotic warrior, but also fiercely intelligent and a competent leader.
As the player forms a bond with her, it becomes clear that while Miranda might seem to be practically perfect in every way, she is still very much human. Her biggest insecurity stems from issues with her controlling, obsessive father, who engineered her to be a tool to be used. Miranda also has a lot of warmth and care within her, which she shows when trying to protect her little sister Oriana and free her from her father’s controlling ways.
If players are willing to invest in Miranda as a character, they will discover that although she initially seems cold and intimidating, there is much more to her than meets the eye.
4EDI
EDI - standing for Enhanced Defense Intelligence- is different from the other ladies on our list, as she spends the first two games as a holographic AI companion on the Normandy, controlling a significant amount of the systems. It isn’t untilMass Effect 3that she becomes more human as she transfers herself into a robot body.
Her character development is interesting, as the player watches her grow from a logical machine to a humanoid capable of understanding the intricacies of human emotion. She can even enter into a relationship of sorts with ship pilot Joker if Shepard encourages it.
EDI’s fascinating character development- going from a technological piece of equipment to a thinking and feeling humanoid - makes her memorable, but her ability to learn the ins and outs of emotion along with her kindness and strength make her an awesome female character.
3Tali’Zorah
As a Quarian,Tali is a unique characteras she spends her time in an environmental suit due to her people’s weak immune system. This adds a layer of difficulty to Tali’s life as she is constantly in fear of contracting illness if her suit is compromised. Despite this, Tali is easygoing and light-hearted while also being a highly intelligent tech whiz.
Tali is incredibly loyal to Shepard, the Normandy crew, and her people. Even when she is put on trial by her fellow Quarians, she remains dedicated to their future and the goal of getting them back to Rannoch, the home world from which they have been exiled.
Tali’s role as a symbol of hope for her people is impressive, as is her determination despite the challenges she faces with her immune system. This combined with her good nature, sweet disposition, and unwavering loyalty makes her one of the best female characters in theMass Effectseries.
2Liara T’Soni
When it comes to character development, Liara goes through one of the most significant changes in the entireMass Effectseries. Liara begins as a young Asari researcher with an interest in Prothean history. Her intellect is unparalleled, but she is somewhat naive due to her sheltered, academic upbringing.
As the series progresses, Liara matures and witnesses various harsh realities, such as losing loved ones and the prospect of a war that could annihilate all organic life in the universe. She does not lose her sweet, empathetic disposition, but she hardens and becomes more resilient from an emotional perspective.
InMass Effect 2, Liara takes over the network of the Shadow Broker. The Shadow Broker is a figure who deals in information from across the galaxy, and Liara stepping in to take up this mantle shows just how much she has grown. Even so, she never loses who she is, despite taking on such an intense role.
From a shy researcher to the head of the galaxy’s most infamous espionage organization, Liara’s development is undeniably one of the best in the series. However, her influence, leadership, emotional strength, and kindness make her one of thebest female charactersin the series, as well as one of the best female video game characters as a whole.
1Commander Jane Shepherd/ FemShep
Commander Shepard is customizable and can be male or female. When a female base is selected, Shepard’s default name is Jane (though this can be changed). Jane Shepard - or FemShep as she is dubbed by fans - takes first place on our list of the best female characters, even though being a woman is a decision that is entirely up to the player.
FemShep literally has the weight of the world and the fate of the galaxy on her shoulders. Players can choose whether she is going to be more empathetic, kind, and diplomatic - via the Paragon choices- or fierce and unwilling to take any prisoners - through the Renegade choices-, but either way, she manages to be an unyielding and loyal leader.
FemShep is portrayed as an equal to her male counterpart. She doesn’t waver in her decisions, and she is just as iconic as a character in gaming. Her empathy, strength, fiery nature, and ability to cope with the massive pressure she faces make her the absolute best female character in theMass Effectgames.
