BioWare games seem to indicate that the studio enjoys putting players in the position to make tough choices. With the release of Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, players can once again relive the hardest choices BioWare can throw at them. One of the most memorable early decisions with long-lasting effects in Mass Effect is deciding who lives and who dies between Kaidan and Ashley.
In the early hours of Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, Commander Shepard receives word that a group of Salarians on the planet Virmire have information on the Spectre gone rogue Saren. After arriving on Virmire and fighting through waves of Geth, Shepard and their crew will meet up with the Salarians. The leader of the Salarian group, Captain Kirrahe, requests help from Shepard's team, and both Kaidan and Ashley volunteer.
Who to Save: Kaidan or Ashley?
While the decision of who goes with which team might seem like the life and death choice, it isn't. Both characters will survive until the end of the mission; however, in the final moments, both teams get overrun and Shepard has to make the very black and white choice of either saving Ashley or Kaidan. The game is very clear that saving both isn't an option. Whoever is saved can potentially stay in the series until the end of Mass Effect 3 as long as they continue surviving, so the choice is a big one.
When thinking about who to save, it's important to think long-term. Depending on which class the player chose for Shepard at the start of the game, both might be useful. Ashley is a soldier which means she specializes in assault weapons and has soldier powers. Kaidan has a biotic build which can prove useful as well. If one of those roles is already being filled in Shepard's team, then they aren't entirely necessary to keep around. Squad composition is important in all of the Mass Effect games, but biotic and soldier roles can be taken by other members of Shepard's team.
Aside from combat, consider which character is more in line with Shepard's goals. If the player is going for a renegade run where Shepard is untrusting of other races, they might consider keeping Ashley around as she is also wary of anyone other than humans.
While Kaidan can also be persuaded into being more xenophobic, he starts the game more in line with the paragon belief of unity among species. Both characters are romance options for each Shepard of the opposing gender, so if the player is looking to keep more options around in terms of romance, they can choose whoever might be attracted to them.
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is available now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.