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Mass Effect and Neurodivergence - A Quick Analysis

05.04.2023
The Mass Effect trilogy is a beloved sci-fi RPG (Role-Playing Game) series known for its lovable, endearing, and well-written characters. However, one might be suprised to learn that many of these characters - from the perspective of a neurodivergent person - read as such. In the following text, I'll be listing some of my favorites, and explaining what form of neurodivergence they have and why I think so.

LIARA T'SONI: Liara T'soni is one of the most iconic characters of the franchise, maintaining a prominent role throught the entrire story, even during the events of the second game where she isn't even a squadmate. Liara T'soni has had a lifelong obsession with aercheology, specifically that of the long-extinct protheans. While its compeltly typicasl for aperson to hold a strong primary intrst for their whole life, Liara has been strongly obsessed with this for the last 150 years (which is young for an asari) and still obsesses over it.
That, and her social capabilities are.. unqiue. She is extremly upfront with her opinions, and adds information regulary. In fact, she directly tells shepard of her atraction: openly. No shame. And then proceeds to explain the biology in great detail. Honestly? Autism vibes. Bless her.


Tali'Zorah: Tali is a fan-favorite for many reasons. She's jumpy, energetic, excited, and has a passion for her intrest in ships and engineering. She's a huge nerd for all things machine, and has a vested intrest in the Geth (a machine race created by the quarians), like many quarians, but for her, is more of a depe curisotiy of their inner workings.
She's greatly distractable and can always be found in the enginnering bay of the normandy throught all the games. Her quick jumpy nature and hyperfixation for machines give adhd, kinda.


Mordin Solus: This salarian is the prime candidate for ADHD. I mean. Need I even explain? You find him over one of his patients in mass effect 2, compeltly in the moment, speedily lisitng out potential treatments, listign their effects, and eliminating them. His mind is a storm, full of thoughts, ideas, and concepts, all flying from every direction; conctantly. And he's verbal about it. The moment shepard announces themself, he immedietly tries to fugure out where they came from, listing all possible solutions. If the player interupts him (he needs to be interupted, otherwise he goes on for a full 20 seconds) he'll come to the excact answer. Such a wonderful man.
Sure; salarians are quick-witted, high metabolism, creatures that live much faster than other species. But Mordin is so much worse. Adhd king.