First seen in 2007 on the Xbox 360 console, Mass Effect would earn notoriety for its wholly immersive universe, emphasis on player choice, and a spectacular cast of characters. BioWare would shrewdly continue building these one-of-a-kind characters up throughout the trilogy and turn Commander Shepard, Liara, Wrex, and Garrus into household names that continue to elicit feelings of nostalgia 15 years later.
A great friend, confidante, and much more to Commander Shepard, Garrus Vakarian encapsulates the ideal mix of traits and swag that have vaulted him to the top of the gaming companion heap. Deftly filling the role of best bro’ or supportive mate, Garrus has had an indelible impact across the Mass Effect universe and with players and fans who craft innumerable memes showcasing their genuine appreciation for this timeless Turian.
The Archangel Of 30 Rock
Throughout the Mass Effect installments he is featured in, the Turian sensation Garrus morphs from a frustrated C-Sec agent lacking purpose in ME1 to a confident, capable squadmate and Shepard’s best friend/love interest in the trilogy’s conclusion.
After joining the Normandy, Garrus begins a journey of growth and self-discovery alongside Shepard. Through battling the Collectors, Reapers, and Cerberus, Garrus found his meaning and his why. Couple that with his natural inclination toward witticisms and readers are gifted the Mass Effect version of good ol’ Jack Donaghy from 30 Rock.
Best Mass Effect Wingman
Blessed and cursed with dry wit, Garrus can find dating success and love in ME2. However, for all the outstanding traits that make Garrus one of the most appreciated companions in gaming history, he has his weaknesses. Chief among them would be his tendency to struggle vocally when not saving the galaxy or calibrating.
Of the countless times Garrus had players chuckling to themselves, his awkwardness when forming a Reddit-popular romance with Shepard was positively memorable. In the creative and comedic world of memes, fans have submitted imaginative pieces on his innocent fumbling and failing while venturing into the romance zone.
Treating Garrus Rudely Is Frowned Upon
As perhaps the most endearing squad mate in the Mass Effect series, many Shepard players felt the strain choosing the renegade path put on their interactions with Garrus. Worse, being the consummate professional and soldier, Garrus rarely disobeys or disagrees with his Commander.
Thus, when factoring in Garrus’ reliable, by-the-book personality with that of a renegade Shepard, players are left with interactions where they sometimes feel like a bully. Certainly, Garrus’ loyalty only exacerbates this feeling as his noble spirit is slowly eroded by the overly aggressive, morally questionable renegade Shepard.
A Fixation On Calibrations
Garrus and his fixation with calibrations easily comprise the highest percentage of memes regarding this mechanically inclined busybody of Mass Effect. When not laying down fire on a mission, Garrus is most often found in the Normandy’s bowels, tirelessly calibrating its offensive and defensive weapons systems.
Established early on, Garrus takes it upon himself to ensure that all ship systems are constantly calibrated, assuring the Normandy’s at prime battle readiness. A premium target for gregarious players or those seeking romance, Garrus offers some of the most rewarding dialogue in the game if players can get through his constant calibrations.
A Most Sought-After Prize
Becoming a vital element of the Mass Effect story, Garrus became even more coveted after ME1. Due to the intriguing character Garrus would become through the first installment, BioWare would utilize feedback and include him in a big way in ME2 and ME3.
In addition to Garrus becoming romanceable, subsequent entries in the series brought out his best qualities. Whether that be his noble nature, soothing dialogue, or usability on missions, Garrus became the most sought companion among the passionate player base, as poignant memes demonstrate.
Jurassic Garrus
No Garrus discussion would be complete without including the oft-memed aesthetic similarities between Garrus and everyone’s favorite ancient reptiles. A running jest among the community, Dino-Garrus and Croc-Garrus are but a few compositions that visualize the stark similitudes Garrus shares with prehistoric beasts.
Often the best art resounds with the intended audience realistically. In this case, the conversation envisioned resonates with millions of players, who can close their eyes and smile as they imagine this interaction happening in their playthrough.
Classic Turian Humor
Brandishing enough charisma to get away with countless unbearable puns and wisecracks, Garrus adroitly dons the “too cool” shades when necessary. Much like a slightly reserved, albeit comedically inclined and tactical family member, Garrus makes expert use of wit in much of his dialogue.
By interjecting mental calisthenics into his humor over the series, Garrus made his character infinitely likable and Redditor-requested for ME4. Indeed, many in the Mass Effect player base precisely capture the comedic genius that is Garrus Vakarian with memes of his cheesy glory.
A Standout Squad Mate
Undoubtedly one of the main contributors to the resounding success of the Mass Effect games was the relatable squadmates and the relationship Shepard built with them over their journey. Yet, even among a gaggle of the most memorable and vibrant squadmates seen in gaming, Garrus distinguishes himself throughout the trilogy.
Starting with Liara, Tali’zorah, and Wrex in ME1, continuing in ME2 with Mordin, Thane, and Legion, and concluding with Ashley/Kaiden and EDI, Mass Effect is defined by its characters. Spearheaded by an Aries-infused Garrus, Shepard’s squadmates represent characters players become invested in over the countless hours spent saving the galaxy.
Even The Best Has Detractors
Any gamer would be hard-pressed to find any character that suffers no critics, no matter how well-designed, and Garrus is no exception. So, unsurprisingly, there exists a contingent of Mass Effect fans who share an unusual distaste for this native son of Pavalen.
These Vakarian detractors become caught up on the unique quirks that his enthusiasts often extol. Surely citing Garrus’s pointy teeth or battle-scarred mandible draws cheers from his haters. But perhaps his sassy dialogue exchanges and cheesy puns are simply lost on those who refuse to let this extraordinary character into their hearts.
ME1 Struggles Of A Garrus Gal
As the only heterosexual romance option for a female Shepard player in the acclaimed first installment, Kaiden Alenko offered little, presenting as a run-of-the-mill human character lacking any zest or personality. That, combined with the nature of the Virmire mission, had many Shepards playing through ME1 looking to Garrus as their salvation.
Exhibiting all the traits Kaiden lacked, Garrus profiled as an enticing romance option. Luckily after the players voiced an outpouring of love for Garrus following ME1, their prayers were answered with BioWare making Garrus a romantic prospect and enabling the possibility for love [and calibrations] across Mass Effect.