Kai in Avowed Reminds Me Why Garrus Must Return in Mass Effect 4

Playing Avowed in 2025 felt like reuniting with an old friend I never knew I missed this much. When Kai first spoke with that dry sarcasm cutting through Eora’s magical chaos, I literally paused the game 😂❤️ That voice—Brandon Keener’s iconic gravelly tone—instantly teleported me back to calibrating Thanix cannons with a certain turian cop-turned-vigilante. Obsidian didn’t just create a companion; they bottled Mass Effect nostalgia and gave it a new name.

Let’s unpack why Kai hits different:

• 🎤 Voice Magic: Keener’s delivery isn’t just similar—it’s identical in cadence. That deadpan humor? Peak Garrus vibes. I caught myself whispering "Can it wait? I’m in the middle of some calibrations" during Kai’s campfire dialogues.

• 🧠 Personality Twins: Both thrive on loyalty and sarcasm. When Kai dryly roasted my clumsy spellcasting? Pure Archangel energy. Their moral conflicts mirror too—Kai’s guilt over past choices echoes Garrus’ Sidonis arc.

• 🔥 But here’s the spice: Kai’s quicker temper! Where Garrus stayed cool, Kai snaps like a storm spell. Yet that rage makes him feel raw, real… and weirdly more human?

Honestly? Kai’s reception proves we’re STARVED for Keener’s brand of gruff charm. Avowed forums exploded with:

"Kai = fantasy Garrus"

"Give us back our space boyfriend BioWare!"

And I agree! With Liara confirmed for Mass Effect 4 and Garrus’ survival likely post-Reaper war? This isn’t just fan service—it’s narrative justice. Imagine:

• Turian sniper banter while scanning new alien ruins 🌌

• That gravelly "Shepard" (or Ryder 2.0?) reunion moment

• Calibration jokes updated for 2180+ tech 🤖

But… would a return dilute his legacy? Mass Effect thrives on evolution. Maybe Garrus mentoring new recruits? Or leading his own squad? Truth is, BioWare’s walking a knife-edge between nostalgia and innovation.

So here’s my burning Q: When companions become cultural icons… do they belong to us more than their creators? 🤔