Mass Effect Legendary Edition brings back the fan-favorite Mass Effect 2 with improved graphics, lots of DLCs, and some of the best characters in the series. As part of its relationship system, players can befriend and even romance some of their companions. Some of these will be characters players already know from the first game, while others will be new to the Mass Effect series. All possible romances in Mass Effect 2 will carry over to the sequel, but only Garrus and Tali will join Shepard's squad during the third game.
Mass Effect 2 is has a total of 12 possible companions, the most out of the series, and players will be able to pursue romantic relationships with six of them. These are Miranda, Tali, or Jack for male Shepard, and Jacob, Thane, or Garrus for female Shepard. In addition, there are three more romantic opportunities involving Kelly Chambers, Samara, and Morinth, but these are considered minor and will not reward the Paramour achievement. Alternatively, players can choose to continue a romance with Liara, who players will be reunited with during the Shadow Broker DLC.
Every companion has an associated side quest in Mass Effect 2 called a loyalty mission, and players will need to complete these if they wish to romance a companion. After that, most companion romances will follow a pattern of three conversations that represent the stages in which players can flirt, discuss a romantic relationship and cement it. Finally, some companions will have a fourth conversation that discusses how they feel in the relationship; otherwise, they each have a unique cutscene with Shepard aboard the Normandy before the final mission.
How to Romance Companions in Mass Effect 2
Miranda Lawson
After her loyalty mission, players can begin to flirt with her by choosing the "It's nice to see you smile" dialogue option. After that, talking to her again will have Miranda bring up the possibility of a relationship in which players can choose the "You're jealous" and "[Kiss her]" options. To succeed in beginning a romance with Miranda in Mass Effect 2, chose these dialogue options during the following conversation: "It's more than that," "Love?" and "I promise." If Miranda's and Jack's loyalty missions have been completed, an altercation between them will occur aboard the Normandy. To succeed in romancing Miranda, players will need to solve the dispute with a Paragon or Renegade check or side with her in the discussion.
Tali'Zorah
During her loyalty mission, players mustn't use evidence of her father's crimes, which will lose her loyalty and negate all romance attempts. Additionally, if both her quest and Legion's have been completed, they will engage in a dispute back on the Normandy. To assure the possibility of romance with Tali in Mass Effect 2, players must either side with her or succeed on a Renegade or Paragon check. After the mission, speak with her and choose the "I want to talk about you" and "I'm interested" dialogue options. In the following conversation, avoid the "We'll say it never happened option" and then choose "I want to be with you" to lock in the romance with the Quarian.
Jack
To romance Jack, players must take care early in the game as she can become unavailable even before her loyalty mission if players choose the "Yes, I want you" dialogue option when she initially offers to have sex with the commander. After Jack's loyalty mission, speak with her and choose the "I'm interested" option followed by the "I'm staying right here" option during the following conversation. Finally, when talking to her again, choose the options "I want to talk about it" and "Take your time" to lock in the romance with the powerful biotic. Like Miranda, having both of them loyal to Shepard may spark an altercation. Shepard must choose to side with Jack or resolve it with a Paragon or Renegade check to pursue Jack romantically.
Jacob Taylor
Jacob, the first of the female-Shepard exclusive romances, can and should be flirted with very early on, before his loyalty mission. At one point in a conversation, players will have a chance to question him about family and will then be able to choose the "So you're single" and "I want to" dialogue options. After Jacob becomes loyal in Mass Effect 2, players should keep talking about personal matters by choosing "Let's just talk" whenever possible and be on the lookout for the following dialogue options: "I want to try," "How are you, lover" and "I do."
Garrus Vakarian
Garrus, like Tali, will accompany Shepard throughout all three games but only becomes romanceable in Mass Effect 2. To initiate this, players must speak with him after his loyalty mission and choose the following dialogue options during this conversation: "Turian Preparations," "Full contact sparring?" and "And how did it go?". This will lead Garrus into bringing up the subject of a relationship in the following conversation to which players should choose the "I like you, Garrus" and "I don't want other options" lines in case players are romancing someone else. Finally, during the last conversation chose the "I feel the same way" option to lock in a romance with the most popular companion in Mass Effect.
Thane Krios
Thane, like most companions, will require his loyalty mission to be completed before the opportunity to be romanced becomes available. Therefore, as Drell talks about his late wife during the first succeeding conversation, pick the infamous "I want you, Thane" line to initiate the romance. In the following dialogue, Thane will begin referring to the commander as Siha, and players should pick "I care for you too" to reaffirm the relationship if Shepard is romancing other companions. Lastly, he and Shepard will have a very short conversation regarding their relationship, to which the players should choose the "I'm fine" option to successfully romance Thane in Mass Effect 2.
Mass Effect Legendary Edition is available for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, with backward compatibility for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.