#keely when i sent all this wordvomit to her: 'english major has entered the chat'

[meggannn]

[image ID: a Mass Effect Legendary Edition promotional image of Commander Shepard wearing a black helmet and armor. Shepard is facing the right, so only their right side is shown and their face, identity, and expression are hidden by the helmet. there is a red-white stripe on their right arm and an N7 logo on the side of the helmet. in the background is an enormous curving outline of a planet that is blue behind Shepard’s back on the left side of the image. on the right side of the image, the planet and outer space behind it are deep red beginning where it crosses in front of Shepard’s helmet. aliens called Reapers are falling from the red sky in the distance, aimed toward the planet. some Reapers are reflected in the glass of Shepard’s visor. /end ID]

god i love this legendary edition promo image so much. WHY do i love this promo so much!!! let me count the ways

i got emotional at the initial announcement image on N7 day with the normandy’s squad and allies all clustered around shepard's back and side, because they literally have shepard’s six (!!!), but this version with just shepard alone has me going like YES that is my commander. either alone or with a team, their back is to earth/galactic civilization, facing an unknown threat emerging from dark and dangerous deep space. shadows of reapers are reflected in the glass of their helmet as they descend toward earth because shepard sees the threat and acknowledges it when others do not, but shepard is positioned as a barrier the reapers have to get past first. the helmet both reveals and hides shepard’s identity, hiding their face and expression, but it prominently displays their N7 rank, the one of the few consistencies about the customizable character across every playthrough. and the red/blue color split right down the middle of the image parallels the paragon/renegade morality system just like it also shows a blue, stable, “peaceful” time they are choosing to turn away from in order to face a blood-red sky full of unknowable enemies

i know it’s just a picture of an n7 helmet and armor, i know it’s only that because bioware must’ve wanted a gender-neutral promo image, which i am also glad to see. but like, that is shepard facing the unknown when it is not easy but it is right, that is who they are, and it’s 2am and im stupid emotional over a war criminal