Summary
- Kai in Avowed is voiced by Brandon Keener, the same voice actor who brought Garrus Vakarian to life in Mass Effect.
- Both Kai and Garrus have similar personalities, including a dry sense of humor and being haunted by past choices.
- The emotional depth and shared characteristics between Avowed’s Kai and Mass Effect’s Garrus make Kai a familiar and fresh presence for fans.
By now, most Mass Effect fans who have either seen footage of Avowed‘s Kai or heard him chattering in the background as they explore the Living Lands of Eora recognize his voice as belonging to their favorite turian companion. That’s because Avowed‘s Kai is voiced by Brandon Keener, the very same voice that gave life to Garrus Vakarian throughout the original Mass Effect trilogy. Immediately, Mass Effect fans are likely to feel at home with Avowed‘s Kai, as they remember the time they spent with Garrus at their side through three of the best RPGs ever made.
While simply hearing Garrus’ voice in Kai as they play Avowed is likely to stir something in Mass Effect fans, it turns out that the two companions actually have a lot more in common than just their voices. As such, there’s a chance that Mass Effect fans may even forget that the charming voice they hear in the background as they explore the Living Lands isn’t Garrus himself, especially as Kai’s story in Avowed unfolds over time. Specifically, Avowed‘s Kai and Mass Effect‘s Garrus not only have similar personalities, but they are also both haunted by their past.
Related
Avowed’s first-person combat and respect for player choice make it a journey worth having, but flaws in its story and design make it a one-way road.
Avowed’s Kai and Mass Effect’s Garrus Are Strikingly Similar
Avowed’s Kai and Mass Effect’s Garrus Have Similar Personalities
More than likely, Brandon Keener was intentionally chosen for the role of Kai in Avowed due to the personality that Kai shares with Mass Effect‘s Garrus. Keener’s vocal tone and delivery were large contributors to Garrus’ personality, after all, so it’s understandable that the personality the voice actor gave Garrus would apply to Kai as well. At the very least, this particular similarity the two companions share has likely been a unique way for Mass Effect fans to not only connect with Kai in Avowed but also the world itself.
Both Garrus and Kai have a thoroughly dry sense of humor, to the point that some of Kai’s jokes are simultaneously funny and eye-roll-inducing. While the same can’t necessarily be said of Garrus in Mass Effect, he has been known to lighten the mood when the team is faced with difficult circumstances, which is a major part of his charm. Kai is very much the same way, though he is arguably more tender and sweet-natured than Garrus, and is therefore more sensitive in serious moments and a bit better at reading the room.
There’s even a subtle nod to Garrus in Avowed when Kai says, “I’ve got reach.” In Mass Effect 2, Garrus says the same thing during his romantic subplot.
Avowed’s Kai and Mass Effect’s Garrus Are Both Haunted by Their Past
Avowed‘s Kai and Mass Effect‘s Garrus are more alike than in their personalities, however, as they share similar themes in their backstories, both of which are revealed during their companion quests. More specifically, Garrus and Kai are two companions who are both haunted by the choices they’ve made in their past. Garrus feels responsible for the deaths of his vigilante group after Sidonis, one of its members, betrayed the team, leading to their massacre.
Kai, on the other hand, deserted the Rauataian Navy during the Rauataian campaign in the Deadfire Archipelago. His desertion led him and several other soldiers to seek refuge in Thirdborn in the Living Lands. While they were stationed there, during a patrol near Sailor’s Rest, east of Thirdborn, their unit was ambushed, leading to the fatal injury of Kai’s friend Tama. As a result, Kai has harbored guilt for deserting the Rauataian Navy in the first place, as he believes it was the catalyst event that led to Tama’s death.
More than likely, Brandon Keener was intentionally chosen for the role of Kai in Avowed due to the personality that Kai shares with Mass Effect‘s Garrus.
Avowed’s Kai serves as both a fresh and familiar presence for Mass Effect fans, embodying the same kind of emotional depth that made Mass Effect‘s Garrus such a beloved companion. While the shared voice actor may be the most obvious link between them, it’s the dry humor, unwavering loyalty, and the burden of past regrets that truly bridge the gap. Kai may not be Garrus, but for those who spent years traveling the galaxy with their favorite turian by their side, his presence in Avowed feels like a homecoming in an entirely new world.
- Released
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February 18, 2025
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence
- Publisher(s)
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Xbox Game Studios