Avowed Shows One Mass Effect Character Needs a Comeback

Obsidian Entertainment’s Avowed has left quite an impression on 2025’s gaming landscape, acting as a genre shift for the developer’s Pillars of Eternity series and introducing players to the world of Eora from a brand-new perspective. While a big part of Avowed‘s appeal is its engaging first-person combat and exploration, its companions are also something worthy of note, with one companion standing out as Avowed‘s breakout star. In fact, this particular companion’s presence within the game and his reception without make a strong case for one beloved Mass Effect character to make a return in the next entry.

Avowed and Mass Effect aren’t connected through their worlds, stories, or even their style, really. However, they do share a close connection through one of their companions — both in terms of their voice, their personalities, and their backstories. The companions in question are Mass Effect‘s Garrus and Avowed‘s Kai, and considering the positive reception Kai has garnered since Avowed‘s release, that alone may be enough reason to bring back Garrus in the next Mass Effect game.

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Avowed’s Kai Proves Garrus Needs a Comeback in the Next Mass Effect

Avowed’s Kai and Mass Effect’s Garrus Share a Voice and Personality

While Avowed‘s Kai could certainly be lovable all on his own, one of the main reasons he is immediately likable is due to the voice and personality that he shares with Mass Effect‘s Garrus. Both Kai and Garrus are voiced by Brandon Keener, and since there are likely many Mass Effect fans who decided to pick up Avowed on account of its RPG status, that means they already had a somewhat intimate connection to Kai. Sometimes, when the camera isn’t focused on Kai in Avowed, it almost feels like everyone’s favorite Turian is traveling with them rather than Kai.

It isn’t just their voice that links them, though, as that almost automatically translates into their personalities as well. Kai and Garrus both specialize in sarcastic, dry humor, which is effectively reinforced by Keener’s deadpan delivery. They are also both fiercely loyal to their friends, especially if said friends choose to assist them on their personal journeys. Speaking of personal journeys, Kai’s backstory in Avowed is also remarkably close to Garrus’ in Mass Effect, as the two of them are burdened by choices they made in the past, and players are tasked with helping them confront their guilt in one way or another.

The Popularity of Avowed’s Kai Calls for Garrus’ Return in the Next Mass Effect

Despite their similarities, Avowed‘s Kai and Mass Effect‘s Garrus are still two distinct individuals. The two companions are both compassionate, but Kai is arguably a bit quicker to anger than Garrus is. That being said, there is no denying that a big contributor to Kai’s positive reception has been his “Garrus lite” status, which makes a compelling case for Garrus to return in the next Mass Effect game. There is a strong chance that Garrus survived the aftermath of Mass Effect 3‘s ending, and with Liara confirmed to return in the next entry, it would make sense for Garrus to return as well — especially with how universally loved he is.

There’s still just as much evidence of Garrus’ return in the next Mass Effect game as there are even the broadest details of the game itself. Even so, hopefully the warm welcome that Kai has received in Avowed opens the door for Garrus to make his way back into the fray with the next Mass Effect game.

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Released

February 18, 2025

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Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence

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Xbox Game Studios