Key Takeaways

  • Liara T'Soni is the star of the next Mass Effect teaser, hinting a continuation of the original trilogy.
  • Garrus Vakarian's return is highly anticipated by fans due to his widespread appeal and strong presence.
  • Garrus' reappearance in the next Mass Effect game will depend on the canon ending of Mass Effect 3, potentially affected by time progression.

Very little is still known about the next Mass Effect game, apart from the bits and pieces that BioWare has revealed about it. That being said, it's presumed to follow the story of the original trilogy, as Liara T'Soni is the star of the game's original teaser. Fortunately, now that BioWare has committed to focusing more on the next Mass Effect game instead of devoting time to Dragon Age: The Veilguard DLC, it's likely fans will see much more about Mass Effect sooner rather than later.

With how little is known about the next Mass Effect, it's impossible to determine whether any of the original trilogy's companions will return. With Liara being at the forefront of the game's marketing, however, it could mean big things for the original trilogy's companions. If so, there is one companion that should be put in the front of the line for candidacy ¡ª Garrus Vakarian.

Related
Dragon Age: The Veilguard Revived a Tradition the Next Mass Effect Needs to Continue

Dragon Age: The Veilguard revived a BioWare crossover tradition that the next Mass Effect game should continue to establish a return to form.

Garrus Vakarian Should Return in the Next Mass Effect

Garrus Vakarian Is a Fan-Favorite Companion in the Mass Effect Series

Of all the companions in the Mass Effect series, Garrus Vakarian is widely beloved among fans of the franchise for many reasons. While many companions throughout Mass Effect's lifespan have had complex personalities, Garrus is on a different level. Garrus' effortless balance of stoicism, sarcasm, and vulnerability inevitably produces one of the most compelling characters in the Mass Effect universe, and it's all made better by the fact that he is one of the series' companions, allowing players the opportunity to get to know him on a much deeper level than anyone else.

Garrus is also incredibly loyal, although he might not always be agreeable with players who fancy a version of Commander Shepard that prefers selfish acts of injustice over doing what is right. However, even these tense moments are often alleviated by Garrus' sense of humor, which tends to show itself in the moments where a bit of comedy is necessary. At the end of the day, Garrus is willing to stand by Commander Shepard's side, no matter the cost, which can sometimes result in a memorable "bromance" by the end of it all for those playing a male Shepard.

Even those who prefer a female Shepard can get a huge benefit from having Garrus as a companion, as the option to romance Garrus then opens up, allowing these players an opportunity to have a much deeper emotional bond with him.

Garrus is also a powerful and versatile squadmate on the battlefield, as his tech abilities and prowess with a sniper rifle make him a great long-range companion. Throughout the Mass Effect series, he has proven to be a strong and reliable companion to travel alongside, which has ultimately made him a go-to choice among the community. This, by no means, diminishes the rest of the series' companions and their effectiveness, but Garrus is arguably top-tier when it comes to combat partners.

How and Whether Garrus Returns Ultimately Depends on Mass Effect 3's Canon Ending

While it would certainly be nice to see Garrus return in the next Mass Effect game, how and whether he returns will ultimately depend on which ending BioWare has chosen to make Mass Effect 3's ending. After all, given that the trailer for the next Mass Effect game puts Liara T'Soni at the forefront, it will continue in the footsteps of Mass Effect 3, not Mass Effect: Andromeda. If the game takes place after Mass Effect 3, there's a chance that Garrus survived the aftermath of the Reaper War. Fortunately, it's highly likely, considering three out of the four ending choices for Mass Effect 3 see Garrus potentially surviving.

On the other hand, as the next Mass Effect's trailer appears to show a much older Liara T'Soni, it's possible the game takes place in the more distant future, which could mean a number of things regarding a potential Garrus reapparance. It would be nice if Garrus appeared in person, rather than as a hologram or recording ¡ª like Liara did in Mass Effect: Andromeda. However, depending on how far in the future the next Mass Effect game is set, that may be all fans get of Garrus. Nevertheless, the case still stands for Garrus to return in full form for the next Mass Effect game, especially considering his widespread appeal.