Garrus Vakarian

{{Infobox character

| name = Garrus Vakarian

| image = Garrus Vakarian.png

| caption = Garrus from Mass Effect 3 (2012)

| series = Mass Effect

| first = Mass Effect (2007)

| voice = Brandon Keener

| lbl21 = Class

| data21 = C-Sec Agent (Mass Effect)
Rebel

| lbl22 = Skill

| data22 = Sniper Rifles
Technology

| race = Turian

| home = Palaven

}}

Garrus Vakarian is a fictional character in BioWare's Mass Effect franchise who acts as a party member (or "squadmate") in each of the three games in the original trilogy. Garrus is a turian, one of the various alien species in Mass Effect, and is voiced by Brandon Keener.

The character is initially introduced in the first game as a C-Sec officer frustrated by the rules and regulations of his job. By Mass Effect 2, Garrus forms a vigilante group on the crime-ridden Omega, with his team later being wiped out due to betrayal. Mass Effect 3 features him advising the other turians on how to defeat the Reapers. In addition to the Mass Effect game trilogy, Garrus also appears in the third issue of Homeworlds, which tells the story of how Garrus ends up on Omega and elaborates on his backstory.{{cite web |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/04/10/mass-effect-homeworlds-cover-debut |title=Mass Effect: Homeworlds Cover Debut |last=Esposito |first=Joey |date=April 10, 2012 |work=IGN |access-date=January 29, 2013}}

Garrus' design was altered throughout the series, though his blue-and-black colour scheme and visor were maintained in all his appearances. Developers initially worried that Garrus, along with the rest of the alien squadmates, might not prove emotionally compelling. However, surprised by positive fan feedback, they included Garrus as a romance option in Mass Effect 2. Since his debut in Mass Effect, Garrus has received widespread acclaim. Various merchandise featuring Garrus has been produced, including action figures, a T-shirt, and a bust.

Character overview

Garrus is a turian, an alien race with avian features, from a society which values discipline and possesses a strong sense of personal and collective honor.{{cite video game |title=Mass Effect |developer=BioWare |quote=Codex/Aliens: Council Races - Turians: Roughly 1200 years ago, the turians were invited to join the Citadel Council to fulfill the role of galactic peacekeepers. The turians have the largest fleet in Citadel space, and they make up the single largest portion of the Council's military forces. / As their territory and influence has spread, the turians have come to rely on the salarians for military intelligence and the asari for diplomacy. Despite a somewhat colonial attitude towards the rest of the galaxy, the ruling Hierarchy understands they would lose more than they would gain if the other two races were ever removed. / Turians come from an autocratic society that values discipline and possesses a strong sense of personal and collective honor. There is lingering animosity between turians and humans over the First Contact War of 2157, which is known as the 'Relay 314 Incident' to the turians. Officially, however, the two species are allies and they enjoy civil, if cool, diplomatic relations.}} Turians resemble "humanoid birds or raptors"; they have an eagle-like head with the crest of a plumed bird, avian legs with bones jutting from their calves, and a carapace on their shoulder blades which protects them from the radiation on their homeworld Palaven. Designwise, Garrus wears a visor and has a blue-and-black theme to his armor. In Mass Effect 2, while in Omega, Garrus is seriously injured by a gunship's weapons, leaving him with scars and cracked armor.

Despite initially being introduced as a C-Sec officer, Garrus despises rules and regulations, leading to his attempt to join Commander Shepard's crew and leave C-Sec. In the first game, Executor Pallin describes him as a "very good" officer, albeit one with a lack of patience, while Harkin describes him as a "hothead" who "still thinks he can change the world". Despite his rash decision-making, Garrus will listen to what Shepard has to say. Garrus can be influenced into being more receptive of rules and regulations, telling him that they help limit abuses of authority, or he can be encouraged to continue his loose cannon style of law-enforcement, telling him that regulations get in the way of dispensing justice.

Garrus' voice actor, Brandon Keener, blamed C-Sec's "demoralizing" bureaucracy for Garrus' reticence. Keener said that Garrus became more open and approachable over the course of the games, largely due to his interactions with the Normandy crew.{{cite web |url=http://www.thegamingliberty.com/2011/02/garrus-vakarian-speaks-an-interview-with-brandon-keener/ |title=Garrus Vakarian Speaks! An Interview With Brandon Keener |author=Retrogamer |date=February 3, 2011 |work=The Gaming Liberty |access-date=February 19, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219200139/http://www.thegamingliberty.com/2011/02/garrus-vakarian-speaks-an-interview-with-brandon-keener/ |archive-date=February 19, 2014 }} David Kates, a composer who worked on the Mass Effect franchise, described Garrus as having a conscience and a desire "to do good", ultimately seeking both healing and justice. Kates similarly pointed to the fact that Garrus' conversations convey warmth, often displaying a wry sense of humor as Garrus was desperately trying to "be that person".{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/news-post/11546/backtrack-composing-mass-effect-david-kates-interview |title=BackTrack: Composing Mass Effect – David Kates Interview |author=Daniel Bloodworth |date=April 12, 2012 |publisher=GameTrailers |access-date=August 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808051807/http://www.gametrailers.com/news-post/11546/backtrack-composing-mass-effect-david-kates-interview |archivedate=August 8, 2014 |url-status=dead}}

Creation and development

File:GarrusME2Concept.jpg

Mac Walters, one of the lead writers for Mass Effect 2 and 3, acted as a senior writer for the first game, focusing on Garrus as well as Wrex.{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5353339/mass-effect-2-is-more-than-what-meets-our-eyes |title=Mass Effect 2 Is More Than What Meets Our Eyes |last=Totilo |first=Stephen |date=September 7, 2009 |work=Kotaku |access-date=February 1, 2013 |archive-date=January 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120044336/http://kotaku.com/5353339/mass-effect-2-is-more-than-what-meets-our-eyes |url-status=live }} Walters also wrote for Garrus in the second game, but handed the character to John Dombrow for Mass Effect 3.{{cite magazine |url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/02/28/mass-effect-3-mac-walters/ |title='Mass Effect 3': Lead writer Mac Walters talks about ending the galactic videogame saga |last=Franich |first=Darren |date=February 28, 2012 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=February 22, 2013 |archive-date=January 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130211954/http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/02/28/mass-effect-3-mac-walters/ |url-status=live }}

Garrus did not initially have any concept art for his armor, so associate art director Matt Rhodes created several different pieces on short notice for the team to choose from. The consensus was that Garrus would have a blue and black theme and a visor, which were later decided as important visual cues to be retained by the character for Mass Effect 2. For his scars, they wanted something heroic-like, referencing different burns; at the same time, they did not want excessive redness. In part, this was to make sure he was still recognizable as Garrus. Early iterations of Garrus' head model included a medical bandage which covers up his facial injury. Alternate appearances for customization purposes include a set of undamaged armor and a slight colour variation to add a touch of uniqueness, as Garrus' default appearance following his recruitment in Omega still sees him wearing cracked armor. In Mass Effect 3, the blue-and-black design remained but silver was added; the silver was to reflect his new rank.{{cite book |last1=Hudson |first1=Casey |last2=Watts |first2=Derek |author-link1=Casey Hudson |title=The Art of the Mass Effect Universe |date=February 2, 2012 |publisher=Dark Horse Comics |isbn=978-1-59582-768-5}} Developers still wanted Garrus to look familiar, but gave him heavier armor "to withstand the battles" of Mass Effect 3 and increased the detail of his armour and eyepiece.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/04/22/mass-effect-3-creating-garrus.aspx |title=Mass Effect 3: Creating Garrus |last=Hanson |first=Ben |date=April 22, 2011 |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=February 6, 2013 |archive-date=April 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411004211/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/04/22/mass-effect-3-creating-garrus.aspx |url-status=live }}

Garrus was voiced by Brandon Keener, who used his natural speaking voice but spoke slightly more formally; a reverb effect was then used on the voice. Voice direction was given by Ginny McSwain for individual lines. Although he does not remember exactly what happened when he started voicing Garrus, Keener believes he was given some background information, personality traits, and character sketches before voicing the character.

Garrus was initially not given a romance in the first game as the developers were unsure whether the alien characters would be "as compelling in terms of human emotion".{{cite web |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/03/05/mass-effect-3-producer-talks-sexual-preferences |title=Mass Effect 3 Producer Talks Sexual Preferences |last=Campbell |first=Colin |date=March 5, 2012 |work=IGN |access-date=January 29, 2013 |archive-date=November 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106091515/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/03/05/mass-effect-3-producer-talks-sexual-preferences |url-status=live }} However, a romance was added in the second game due to popular demand, with developers still surprised at the romance's popularity on release.{{cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/15/interview-bioware-casey-hudson-on-the-making-of-mass-effect-2/ |title=Interview: BioWare's Casey Hudson on the making of Mass Effect 2 |last=McElroy |first=Justin |date=June 15, 2010 |work=Joystiq |access-date=January 30, 2013 |archive-date=June 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620100502/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/15/interview-bioware-casey-hudson-on-the-making-of-mass-effect-2/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/mass-effect-2-romance-guide/ |title=Mass Effect 2 romance guide |date=January 29, 2010 |work=GamesRadar |access-date=February 6, 2013 |archive-date=August 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804110658/http://www.gamesradar.com/mass-effect-2-romance-guide/ |url-status=live }}

In an interview with GameTrailers, David Kates stated that he enjoyed working on Garrus and the music for Mass Effect 2{{'}}s "Garrus level". Kates aimed to convey the conflict Garrus felt between his desire for healing and justice in the music, while also bringing a "human element" and emotional depth to the character, giving the impression he was motivated by more than just the battle. Kates compared his chord vocabulary for Garrus' level to Wendy Carlos' language in Tron.

Appearances

=In video games=

==''Mass Effect''==

Garrus first appeared in the 2007 game Mass Effect as a squadmate. After the first mission, the player encounters his case against Saren being dropped by C-Sec officials, despite Garrus' objections.{{cite video game |title=Mass Effect |developer=BioWare |publisher=Microsoft Game Studios/Electronic Arts |date=2007-11-16 |level=Citadel Tower |quote=Garrus: Saren's hiding something! Give me more time. Stall them. / Executor Pallin: Stall the Council? Don't be ridiculous! Your investigation is over, Garrus. [walks away]}} Determined to continue his investigation, Garrus can be found in the Med Clinic after speaking to Harkin. If the player goes to the Med Clinic, they will encounter Dr. Chloe Michel being threatened by thugs, whom Garrus will shoot after Shepard distracts them.{{cite video game |title=Mass Effect |developer=BioWare |publisher=Microsoft Game Studios/Electronic Arts |date=2007-11-16 |level=Medi Clinic |quote=Dr. Chloe Michel: I didn't tell anyone. I swear! / Thug: That was smart, Doc. Now, if Garrus comes around, you stay smart. Keep your mouth shut or we'll-- [Shepard walks in, prompting the thug to grab Michel as a hostage] Who are you? / Shepard: Let her go! [Garrus reveals himself and shoots the thug in the head]}} If the player does not go to the Med Clinic but recruits Wrex first, Garrus will appear later and ask to join the Normandy's crew; the player may refuse to recruit him, and thus go through the game without him. If the player does recruit him, Garrus can be found in the Normandy's storage bay and talked with after each main mission for new information about himself. Eventually, Garrus will inform Shepard of Dr. Saleon, a salarian geneticist using his employees to grow spare organs. Dr. Saleon, who escaped from Garrus long ago, may then be hunted down by the player.

==''Mass Effect 2''==

Garrus returns in Mass Effect 2, regardless of whether he was recruited in the first game. After the player arrives at Omega and begins the mission to recruit Archangel, they discover that Archangel is currently under attack by all of the mercenary groups on the station. When they rescue him, Archangel takes off his helmet and reveals himself to be Garrus. At the end of the mission, Garrus is shot by the gunship's mass accelerator cannons and receives scars; Garrus can then be found in the Normandy and talked to for information, as well as brought out for missions as a squad member. If the player continues to talk with Garrus, he will reveal he has new information on Sidonis – the turian who betrayed Garrus' original team fighting the mercenaries on Omega, leading to all of their deaths. The player can then choose to help Garrus find Sidonis and help him kill him, or, after seeing that Sidonis is now immensely regretful for his actions and depressed, convince Garrus to spare his life. Alternatively, the player can refuse to do the mission. After this mission is completed and if the player is playing a female Shepard, they may pursue a romance with the character. During the last mission of the game, various members of the squad can end up killed, Garrus included; Garrus' likelihood of dying increases if the Sidonis mission is not done.

==''Mass Effect 3''==

Unless a save was imported from Mass Effect 2 where Garrus died, he will appear again as a squadmate in Mass Effect 3. After the events of the second game, Garrus is revealed to have contacted his father and told him about the Reaper threat; his father proceeded to lobby for more defenses, which resulted in Garrus being put in charge of a "Reaper task force". After the player begins the mission on the turian planet Palaven's moon to find Primarch Fedorian, they encounter Garrus advising the turians on how to defeat the attacking Reapers. Garrus joins the squad, and can from then on be found in the Normandy talking to other crew members and interacted with. Like the second game, a female Shepard may pursue a romance with him, but the romance requires an imported save where Garrus was romanced in Mass Effect 2.{{cite web |url=http://www.ugo.com/games/mass-effect-3-romance-guide?page=2 |title=Mass Effect 3 Romance Guide |last=Basile |first=Sale |date=March 21, 2012 |work=UGO |access-date=February 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315002433/http://www.ugo.com/games/mass-effect-3-romance-guide?page=2 |archive-date=March 15, 2013 |url-status=live }}

=In other media=

==''Mass Effect: Homeworlds''==

Garrus is the focus of Mass Effect: Homeworlds{{'}} third issue, a comic series dedicated to starring a different Mass Effect 3 squadmate in each issue.{{cite web |url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/20-458/Mass-Effect-Homeworlds-1-Anthony-Palumbo-cover |title=Mass Effect: Homeworlds #1 (Anthony Palumbo cover) |work=DarkHorse.com |access-date=February 6, 2013 |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140221081202/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/20-458/Mass-Effect-Homeworlds-1-Anthony-Palumbo-cover |url-status=live }}

Reception

{{Quote box |width = 26em |align = right |quote = "Somehow, in this universe that was hostile to Shepard and to me, I’d found a touchstone, a boon companion, a sign that everything was going to be all right. Back in the first game, I hadn’t even given Garrus much thought. To me he was a collection of tropes, a morality play dolled up in fancy futuristic lingo.

He was a cop with daddy issues and a case that went bad—haven’t I seen this movie a thousand times? And yet, suddenly he was Shepard’s strong right arm, as loyal a friend as ever she or I could have dreamt of finding." |source = — Kate Cox, "It Was The Sidekicks, Not The Hero, That Made Me Love Mass Effect."{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/it-was-the-sidekicks-not-the-hero-that-made-me-love-m-471852238|title=It Was The Sidekicks, Not The Hero, That Made Me Love Mass Effect|author=Kate Cox|date=April 10, 2013|work=Kotaku|access-date=March 18, 2020|archive-date=June 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603211043/https://kotaku.com/it-was-the-sidekicks-not-the-hero-that-made-me-love-m-471852238|url-status=live}}}}

Garrus has received near-universal acclaim from both critics and fans. Out of all the squadmates in the Mass Effect series, he has been particularly highlighted as a fan favorite who is consistently placed at the top of several reader's polls and critic rankings. Robert Purchase of Eurogamer observed that Garrus' character arc is firmly defined by his relationship with Shepard, and claimed that he could "write a whole character study on why Garrus is clearly your best buddy throughout the trilogy".{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-03-20-five-of-the-best-friends|title=Five of the Best: Friends|author=Robert Purchese|date=March 20, 2020|work=Eurogamer|access-date=March 26, 2020|archive-date=March 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321040355/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-03-20-five-of-the-best-friends|url-status=live}} Garrus is considered one of the franchise's most recognizable characters.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/7/14/5898595/is-that-mass-effects-garrus-in-doctor-who |title=Is that Mass Effect's Garrus in Doctor Who? |author=Alexa Ray Corriea |date=July 14, 2014 |work=Polygon |access-date=March 26, 2020 |archive-date=March 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327085855/https://www.polygon.com/2014/7/14/5898595/is-that-mass-effects-garrus-in-doctor-who |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-07-14-new-doctor-who-character-sure-looks-like-garrus-from-mass-effect|title=New Doctor Who character sure looks like Garrus from Mass Effect|author=Tom Phillips|date=July 14, 2014|work=Eurogamer|access-date=March 26, 2020|archive-date=March 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327085851/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-07-14-new-doctor-who-character-sure-looks-like-garrus-from-mass-effect|url-status=live}} Garrus has been described as one of the best video game characters.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/top-100-video-game-heroes/ |title=100 best heroes in video games |date=November 9, 2012 |work=GamesRadar |access-date=January 29, 2013 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060354/http://www.gamesradar.com/top-100-video-game-heroes/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/top-7-most-badass-game-characters-generation/ |title=The Top 7... Most badass game characters of the generation |last=Cooper |first=Holland |date=September 28, 2012 |work=GamesRadar |access-date=January 29, 2013 |archive-date=April 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427174003/https://www.gamesradar.com/top-7-most-badass-game-characters-generation/ |url-status=live }} Lorenzo Veloria of GamesRadar called him one of his favourite RPG party members.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/whos-your-favorite-rpg-party-member/ |title=Who's your favorite RPG party member? |date=December 14, 2012 |work=GamesRadar |access-date=January 29, 2013 |archive-date=March 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310110045/http://www.gamesradar.com/whos-your-favorite-rpg-party-member/ |url-status=live }} Game Informer{{'}}s Kimberley Wallace considered him to be one of the best BioWare characters, commenting that "Garrus has enough charisma to top all the rest of the Mass Effect cast."{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2013/08/15/the-best-bioware-characters.aspx?PostPageIndex=2 |title=The Best BioWare Characters |author=Kimberley Wallace |date=August 15, 2013 |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=May 16, 2014 |archive-date=May 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519042247/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2013/08/15/the-best-bioware-characters.aspx?PostPageIndex=2 |url-status=live }} Phil Savage from PC Gamer named Garrus as his personal favorite Bioware companion, commenting that Mass Effect 3 was a game with many endings, and Garrus' ending "takes place before the final battle, shooting cans with Shepard at the top of the Citadel's Presidium. It's a scene laced with humour, rivalry, sadness and, yes, friendship. The best way to remember BioWare's best companion."{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2014/08/26/the-best-and-worst-bioware-companions |title=The best and worst BioWare companions |author=Andy Kelly |date=November 7, 2018 |publisher=PC Gamer |access-date=March 6, 2020 |archive-date=September 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924004559/http://www.pcgamer.com/2014/08/26/the-best-and-worst-bioware-companions/ |url-status=live }}

According to game statistics for Mass Effect 2, Garrus was one of the most commonly selected characters for the squad.{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5698422/mass-effect-2-gamers-greatly-prefer-playing-as-soldier-dudes |title=Mass Effect 2 Gamers Greatly Prefer Playing As Soldier Dudes |last=Totilo |first=Stephen |date=November 24, 2010 |work=Kotaku |access-date=February 6, 2013 |archive-date=April 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429185646/http://kotaku.com/5698422/mass-effect-2-gamers-greatly-prefer-playing-as-soldier-dudes |url-status=live }} Steven Hopper from IGN selected Garrus as his top teammate in the series.{{cite web |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/01/05/10-best-mass-effect-teammates |title=10 Best Mass Effect Teammates |last=Hopper |first=Steven |date=January 5, 2012 |work=IGN |access-date=January 29, 2013 |archive-date=December 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213052625/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/01/05/10-best-mass-effect-teammates?page=2 |url-status=live }} Charlie Barratt of GamesRadar described him as one of several characters that sequels vastly improved, comparing his first appearance as to a comic book character's humble origin story and noting him in his second appearance as a "total unapologetic badass".{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/characters-vastly-improved-by-sequels/ |title=Characters vastly improved by sequels |last=Barratt |first=Charlie |date=April 23, 2011 |work=GamesRadar |access-date=January 29, 2013 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304214754/http://www.gamesradar.com/characters-vastly-improved-by-sequels/ |url-status=live }} On the other hand, Jeremy Parish from 1UP.com criticised his personality shift between the first game and the second game, noting that his character suffered the most from Mass Effect 2{{'}}s "over-edginess", particularly as his darkening was a detriment to the Paragon choice of nudging him towards rules in the first game.{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/news/op-ed-edgy-mass-effect-2 |title=OP-ED: In Trying to be Edgy, Did Mass Effect 2 Go Over the Edge? |last=Parish |first=Jeremy |date=February 27, 2012 |work=1UP.com |access-date=January 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314235526/http://www.1up.com/news/op-ed-edgy-mass-effect-2 |archive-date=March 14, 2013 |url-status=live }} Garrus has been called "iconic" and "more than just another squadmate" in US Gamer's retrospective feature commemorating the 10th anniversary of ''Mass Effect 2.{{cite web|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/how-mass-effect-2-made-garrus-more-than-just-another-squadmate|title=How Mass Effect 2 Made Garrus More Than Just Another Squadmate, And Created an Iconic Character in the Process|author=Eric Van Allen|date=January 26, 2020|access-date=March 25, 2020|publisher=US Gamer|archive-date=March 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326050251/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/how-mass-effect-2-made-garrus-more-than-just-another-squadmate|url-status=live}}

Game statistics released by BioWare for Mass Effect 3 revealed that Garrus was the second most popular Mass Effect 3 squad member with 23.8% of its player base, after Liara T'Soni.{{cite book |title=Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition 2015 Ebook |date=November 6, 2014 |publisher=Guinness World Records, 2014 |isbn=978-1-90884-371-5}} Sal Basile named him the third best squadmate in Mass Effect 3, noting that he made a good counterpart to Shepard.{{cite web |url=http://www.ugo.com/games/mass-effect-3s-best-squad-members |title=Mass Effect 3's Best Squad Mates |last=Basile |first=Sal |date=March 9, 2012 |work=UGO.com |access-date=January 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130421134751/http://www.ugo.com/games/mass-effect-3s-best-squad-members?page=2 |archive-date=April 21, 2013 |url-status=dead }} In a 2016 article, PC Gamer ranked Garrus the best companion of the Mass Effect series. PC Gamer staff said "Garrus is something else. He's your best pal, first and foremost, somebody whose objectives and attitude align with your own and who will always, always have your back. The journey from that first meeting between a frustrated C-Sec officer and a novice Spectre during the Saren investigation to that last charge against the Reapers as a pair of war heroes is one of the best friendship stories in gaming."{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-mass-effect-companions-ranked-from-worst-to-best/|title=The Mass Effect companions, ranked from worst to best|author=Wes Fenlon|date=December 14, 2016|access-date=March 16, 2020|publisher=PC Gamer|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601041125/https://www.pcgamer.com/the-mass-effect-companions-ranked-from-worst-to-best/|url-status=live}}

Garrus' potential romance has generated substantial fan interest.{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/why-women-want-to-have-sex-with-garrus-1793662351|title=Why Women Want To Have Sex With Garrus|author=Mark Serrels|date=March 27, 2017|work=Kotaku|access-date=March 26, 2020|archive-date=June 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610123518/https://kotaku.com/why-women-want-to-have-sex-with-garrus-1793662351|url-status=live}} Writing for IGN, Emma Boynes listed the relationship between a female Shepard and him as one of the best in video gaming; and noted that while he seemed an odd choice at first, he "grows on you".{{cite web |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/02/14/the-greatest-video-game-couples |title=The Greatest Video Game Couples |last=Boyes |first=Emma |date=February 14, 2012 |work=IGN |access-date=January 29, 2013 |archive-date=December 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212051625/https://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/02/14/the-greatest-video-game-couples |url-status=live }} In a list of seven game characters who the staff "(seriously) fell in love with", GamesRadar listed him as number 1; Holland Cooper praised his calm voice, loyalty to Shepard, and "pure charisma".{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/top-7-game-characters-we-fell-love/ |title=The Top 7... Game characters we (seriously) fell in love with |last=Cooper |first=Holland |date=April 16, 2012 |work=GamesRadar |access-date=January 29, 2013 |archive-date=June 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610123522/https://www.gamesradar.com/top-7-game-characters-we-fell-love/ |url-status=live }} A reader's poll ranking the best and worst of Mass Effect games published by PC Gamer in 2015 reveal that Garrus is the sixth most popular love interest, the most popular heterosexual romance option for a female Shepard, and was overall the most popular Mass Effect character.{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/ranking-the-best-and-worst-of-the-mass-effect-games/|title=Ranking the best and worst of the Mass Effect games|author=Tyler Wilde|date=August 7, 2015|access-date=March 18, 2020|publisher=PC Gamer|archive-date=August 11, 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150811200917/http://www.pcgamer.com/ranking-the-best-and-worst-of-the-mass-effect-games/|url-status=live}} In a 2016 article written for The Guardian, Kate Gray and Holly Nielsen reflected on the Garrus romance scene in Mass Effect 2, and concluded that "the appeal of this scene is in the way he brings wine and puts on music in an attempt to make things nice; it’s in his obvious nervousness and the way he eventually lets his guard down."{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/oct/04/the-best-and-very-worst-sex-scenes-in-video-game-history|title=The best – and very worst – sex scenes in video game history|author=Kate Gray and Holly Nielsen|date=October 4, 2016|access-date=March 26, 2020|work=The Guardian|archive-date=February 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214073554/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/oct/04/the-best-and-very-worst-sex-scenes-in-video-game-history|url-status=live}}

Promotion and merchandise

As with many of the other squadmates, various merchandise has been made for Garrus. These include two action figures (one of which is designed as a "collectible"),{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/04/17/new-shots-of-mass-effect-3-39-s-play-arts-kai-figures-surface.aspx?PageIndex=3 |title=New Shots Of Mass Effect 3's Play Arts Kai Figures Surface |last=Reiner |first=Andrew |date=April 17, 2012 |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=February 1, 2013 |archive-date=March 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331130602/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/04/17/new-shots-of-mass-effect-3-39-s-play-arts-kai-figures-surface.aspx?PageIndex=3 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5902540/now-this-is-how-a-mass-effect-action-figure-should-look/ |title=Now This is How a Mass Effect Action Figure Should Look |last=Plunkett |first=Luke |date=April 17, 2012 |work=Kotaku |access-date=February 1, 2013 |archive-date=July 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726010011/http://kotaku.com/5902540/now-this-is-how-a-mass-effect-action-figure-should-look/ |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/11/23/perfect-gifts-for-rpg-fans.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127171731/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/11/23/perfect-gifts-for-rpg-fans.aspx |url-status=live |archive-date=November 27, 2012 |title=Perfect Gifts For RPG Fans |last=Wallace |first=Kimberley |date=November 23, 2012 |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=February 1, 2013 }} a screenprint poster, a t-shirt, a character key, and a bust.{{cite web |url=http://biowarestore.com/ |title=The BioWare Store |access-date=January 30, 2013 |archive-date=January 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120054008/http://biowarestore.com/ |url-status=live }} In addition, several fans have made their own items such as plushies and T-shirts; but these are all unofficial.{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5720259/mass-effect-just-got-way-too-cute |title=Mass Effect Just Got Way Too Cute |last=Plunkett |first=Luke |date=December 29, 2010 |work=Kotaku |access-date=January 30, 2013 |archive-date=May 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524202221/http://kotaku.com/5720259/mass-effect-just-got-way-too-cute |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/12/24/plushie-garrus-is-surprisingly-cute.aspx |title=Plushie Garrus Is Surprisingly Cute |last=Marie |first=Meagan |date=December 24, 2010 |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=January 30, 2013 |archive-date=January 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127062149/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/12/24/plushie-garrus-is-surprisingly-cute.aspx |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/24/garrus-plushie-turns-mass-effects-ugliest-dude-into-an-adorable/ |title=Garrus Plushie turns Mass Effect's ugliest dude into an adorable doll |last=McElroy |first=Griffin |date=December 24, 2010 |work=Joystiq |access-date=January 30, 2013 |archive-date=January 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150127234900/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/24/garrus-plushie-turns-mass-effects-ugliest-dude-into-an-adorable/ |url-status=live }} Keener agreed to record a voice mail message as part of a Mass Effect-themed silent auction for Child's Play.{{cite web |url=http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/62906/Garrus-Will-Calibrate-Your-Voicemail-For-A-Price |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111111205543/http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/62906/Garrus-Will-Calibrate-Your-Voicemail-For-A-Price |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 11, 2011 |title=Garrus Will Calibrate Your Voicemail... For A Price |author=Generalissimoist |date=November 11, 2010 |work=Voodoo Extreme |access-date=February 1, 2013}}

To commemorate the release of Mass Effect Legendary Edition in May 2021, two variant editions of a statue made with polyresin material in the likeness of Garrus were released in mid-2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/gamer-culture/2021/02/22/new-garrus-vakarian-statue-is-available-to-pre-order-ahead-of-mass-effect|title=New Garrus Vakarian Statue Is Available To Pre-Order Ahead Of Mass Effect Legendary Edition|author=Liana Ruppert|date=February 22, 2021|work=Gameinformer|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=May 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517015238/https://www.gameinformer.com/gamer-culture/2021/02/22/new-garrus-vakarian-statue-is-available-to-pre-order-ahead-of-mass-effect|url-status=live}}