Mass Effect: Legendary Edition has been a delight for new and old Mass Effect fans alike. The remastered version of all three original trilogy games, coupled with hours of DLC, has allowed many players to return to the Milky Way galaxy with Commander Shepard and fan-favorite companions. Some crewmates can be romanced in the games, but of course, some fans regard certain romances more positively than others. Many fans like to talk about the alien crewmates aboard the Normandy, but Shepard can also romance the humans aboard as well.
One such romance is between Shepard and Kaidan Alenko, a human biotic who joins the crew in the first Mass Effect game. Female Shepard can romance him in this game, though his romance is largely overshadowed by asari scientist Liara T’Soni. Kaidan is absent from Mass Effect 2 but makes a reappearance in Mass Effect 3 where he can be romanced by both male and female Shepard. While Kaidan Alenko may not be a standout character, it might be because the other companions around him are more exciting, not that he’s inherently bad. Plus, when it comes down to it, Kaidan is an infinitely better choice than the alien xenophobe Ashley Williams.
Kaidan’s Backstory in Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
In the first Mass Effect game, Kaidan is one of three potential romantic partners for Shepard. Liara is an option for both male and female Shepard, while Kaidan is an option for only FemShep and Ashley is an option for only BroShep. Regardless of romancing him, players can talk to Kaidan and get to know him better, just like the other crewmates aboard the Normandy.
Kaidan is a Systems Alliance Sentinel, so he has both biotic and tech powers to use in combat. However, Kaidan has a pretty dark, kind of sad backstory. He became a biotic after being exposed to element zero while his mother was pregnant. Because of his powers, he ended up getting an L2 implant that now gives him excruciating migraines. He attended a program that was supposed to help him hone his powers, but it did more than that. He even accidentally killed his superior.
With all this in mind, it’s no wonder that Kaidan is as cautious and careful as he is. When he didn’t do things by the book, people ended up hurt or worse. He often encourages Shepard to do things properly and not cut corners because he knows firsthand what damage it could cause. Romancing Kaidan also brings out a different side of him, showing that he can let loose a bit and enjoy moments as they come. This can only happen if he is the Virmire survivor, of course.
Kaidan in Combat in Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
While it doesn’t feel fair to compare squadmates to each other, it inevitably happens because fans like to pick their favorites. Perhaps one of the biggest Mass Effect: Legendary Edition comparisons of all is between Ashley and Kaidan, specifically because players have to decide who they want to save on Virmire in the first Mass Effect game. Players want to know who the better asset is in the long haul. While Ashley is a powerful soldier, Kaidan’s biotic powers can’t be beaten.
Kaidan has the benefit of both biotic and tech powers as a Sentinel, making for a powerful squadmate. As long as players keep up with allocating ability points and upgrading armor and weapons, Kaidan is a solid choice to fight alongside Shepard. While he doesn’t make an appearance in Mass Effect 2 as a squadmate, he can still be a heck of a fighter in Mass Effect 3. On top of his combat abilities, Kaidan is really just a sweet guy who often gets overshadowed, but it’s not his fault he can’t compete with turians, asari, or drell.
Overall, Kaidan may not be the most well-known or well-regarded crewmate, but he’s a good guy who’s had a hard life. It’s definitely exciting to choose to romance aliens and ignore the humans aboard the Normandy, but the story is much more enriched with every crewmate involved. Whether players decide to romance Kaidan, or simply get to know him, they’re sure to find he’s an intriguing companion.
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is available now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
