Reading a recent article by CVG, which interviewed Mass Effect's Greg Zeschuk who defends sex scenes in Mass Effect, I have to totally agree with him, and will eleborate why.

The one problem many game faces when it comes to relationships, is imparting the feelings the writer/designer wants the player to have for a character. Taking Mass Effect as an example, you start out as a lieutanent or equvilent, with a brief understanding on your character's background (being able to choose it) as well as the world.

You then get exposed to the various characters, all whom you just met, which allows you to start developing feelings for them. For most, Liara would be a choice not only because we all (men at least) have a fantasy to do it with an alien chick in the deep recesses of our head. But no, I didn't know that when I purchased the game, and it was based on her skills and abilities.

To be honest, aesthetic wise, I never really liked the Asari, they reminded me of the sexy Twi'leks from the Star Wars universe, minus the sexy part. I found the fully masked and fully clothed Tali much more appealing.

Back to the topic, for most of the game I had Liara and Tali with me. I was a Vanguard