The Shepard Effect: Preface.
Greetings.
When I learnt about Mass Effect many years ago, it was from a flatmate. The second one had just been released, and he knew I enjoyed RPG style games, as well as FPS. He understood the importance of story to me, and kept me completely spoiler free so that when I played the game for the first time ever, I could choose at will with no idea what was in store for me. He stressed how choices made a difference in not just the first game, but also the second, and I came up with an idea – no second guesses. Anywhere. Quicksave was frequently used after decisions so that if I died or there was a critical mission failure I could not go back and choose/act differently. Now I'm pretty sure most of you here will have done the same that I have, and made multiple characters with different actions and choices, quite a few pre-planned with having prior knowledge. Even I made the Shepard I wanted to have, in regards to choices, but that's not the story I have here.
I have the story of Jaric Shepard. This is the Shepard I used for my first playthrough in ME2 as well, with no prior knowledge. I avoided any game sites, fan sites, absolutely anywhere during these first times that might even hint to outcomes or paths to choose in the games. On the release of ME3, I did not buy it straight away, and almost avoided the internet altogether. And yet I still heard of the terrible ending. I waited, torn, indecisive as to whether I should get the game or not. On one hand, I needed to know how the story ended, and knew that I needed it to be Jaric's story, but how disappointed was I going to be? You can have the greatest story, but if the ending is terrible that's what people are going to remember, no matter what the journey was like. By the time I had made my mind up that I could not leave it at the end of ME2, the endings had been adjusted for ME3 which I'm guessing made them a bit better.
I would like to take you on a journey, in a familiar place with familiar people, but told from a different perspective. I tried to immerse myself in this character, tried to give him some history and an attitude. As I played the game, I realised there was no time limit on decisions, so I decided to limit myself. I didn't want to overthink anything, I wanted to try and react as realistically as possible for the character.
I would like to share his story. The first instalment will be coming soon (work in progress right now), which will be a focus on the initial Eden Prime mission, and the events just beforehand (character creation bit). I would also like to say I will focus on the main story only, side assignments will not be discussed, unless they are relevant to part of the character. I will base the decision whether or not to continue (I may just keep writing for myself anyway) on the comments I get from you folk.