Discover the Surprising Connection Between Avowed’s Kai and Mass Effect’s Garrus!

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Summary

  • Kai in Avowed is voiced by Brandon Keener, the same voice actor who brought Garrus Vakarian to life in Mass Effect.
  • Both Kai and Garrus have similar personalities, including a dry sense of humor and being haunted by past choices.
  • The emotional depth and shared characteristics between Avowed’s Kai and Mass Effect’s Garrus make Kai a familiar and fresh presence for fans.

Most fans of the Mass Effect series who have watched footage or heard the chatter of Kai in Avowed while exploring Eora’s Living Lands will recognize his voice as that of a beloved turian companion from the games. This is because Kai in Avowed is voiced by Brandon Keener, the same actor who brought Garrus Vakarian to life throughout the original Mass Effect trilogy. Instantly, Mass Effect fans should feel right at home with Kai in Avowed, reminiscing about the times they spent with Garrus by their side during three of the most memorable RPGs ever made.

Listening to Garrus’ voice in the game ‘Avowed’ might evoke feelings in Mass Effect fans, but it’s interesting to note that Kai and Garrus share more than just vocal similarities. As their stories progress in ‘Avowed’, players may find themselves forgetting that the soothing voice they hear during their exploration isn’t actually Garrus himself. This is because both characters possess similar personalities and are burdened by their past, making them intriguingly alike.

Avowed’s Kai and Mass Effect’s Garrus Are Strikingly Similar

Avowed’s Kai and Mass Effect’s Garrus Have Similar Personalities

I strongly believe that Brandon Keener was specifically cast as Kai in “Avowed” because his character, Kai, bears a striking resemblance to Mass Effect’s Garrus in terms of personality. After all, Keener’s distinctive voice and performance played a significant role in shaping Garrus’ character, so it makes sense that the persona he brought to Garrus would also resonate with Kai. At the very least, this shared characteristic between these two companions might serve as a unique bridge for Mass Effect fans to connect not only with Kai in Avowed, but also with the world of Avowed itself.

In their own unique ways, both Garrus and Kai possess a wit that borders on dryness, with Kai’s humor sometimes eliciting laughter and eyerolls simultaneously. While Garrus’ humor might not be as universally acknowledged in Mass Effect, he undeniably brings levity to the team during challenging situations, adding to his overall appeal. Similarly, Kai shares this trait, but he is more inclined to show tenderness and kindness, making him more perceptive in serious moments and adept at gauging the atmosphere around him.

In the game Avowed, there’s a hint reminiscent of Garrus when Kai states, “I’ve got reach.” This line is similar to something Garrus said during his romantic storyline in Mass Effect 2.

Avowed’s Kai and Mass Effect’s Garrus Are Both Haunted by Their Past

Kai from “Avowed” and Garrus from “Mass Effect” have more in common than just their individual personalities; they also share similar themes in their background stories, which are elaborated upon during their companion quests. To put it another way, Garrus and Kai are two characters who are both tormented by the decisions they made in their past. Garrus carries a heavy burden for the deaths of his vigilante group because one of its members, Sidonis, turned against them, resulting in a massacre.

Instead of staying loyal to the Rauataian Navy during the campaign in the Deadfire Archipelago, Kai chose to abandon his post. This decision, coupled with a few other soldiers, forced them into exile in Thirdborn, the Living Lands. During their time there, while on patrol close to Sailor’s Rest, east of Thirdborn, their unit was suddenly attacked, leaving Kai’s comrade Tama gravely injured and ultimately dead. Ever since, Kai has carried the weight of guilt for his initial decision to desert, as he suspects it set in motion a chain of events that ultimately led to Tama’s untimely demise.

It’s highly probable that Brandon Keener was specifically cast as Kai in Avowed because his character traits resemble those of Garrus from Mass Effect.

In the game “Avowed,” Kai, voiced by the same actor as before, offers a blend of novelty and familiarity to “Mass Effect” fans. Just like Garrus from “Mass Effect,” Kai exhibits the emotional depth that endeared him to many. Although their shared voice actor is a clear connection, it’s the dry wit, steadfast loyalty, and the weight of past regrets that truly tie them together. Even though Kai isn’t exactly Garrus, for those who journeyed through the galaxy alongside their favorite turian companion in “Mass Effect,” Kai in “Avowed” feels like a heartwarming return to a familiar world in an entirely new setting.

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2025-02-25 21:05