Mass Effect 3 Legendary Edition - complete MShep & Steve Cortez romance

Steve's romance feels a bit short since he isn't a squadmate so I've added his messages, banter with James and cuts from the missions where he has more than a few lines. Helps you get to know the guy. As usual, "Priority: Earth" has a bit more than just LI related stuff because it's the final mission.
Shepard:
- Earthborn, ruthless, renegon (what a surprise lol I'm not gonna play paragon Shep)
- vanguard (mainly charge + nova + warp)
- main weapon: M-11 Wraith shotgun, secondary weapon: Geth Pulse Rifle
- didn't romance anyone in ME1 and ME2
- saved the Council, killed the rachni queen, saved Maelon's data, destroyed the geth heretics and the Collector Base
- insanity playthrough with added fun from the mods Cerberus Retrofits, Reaper Retrofits, Geth Retrofits & Spectre Expansion Mod (Galactic War)
- Immersive Emails mod. They really should have made it a part of the vanilla version of the game...
- Audemus' Happy Ending Mod 'cause I ain't making my LI mourn me.
- Expanded Galaxy Mod, Take Earth Back, Starchild-Be-Gone, LE3 Diversification Project and ALOT+ISL are also must have mods to me and were used in this playthrough.
0:00:00 Message
0:00:14 Introduction
0:04:00 N7: Cerberus Lab
0:08:09 About losing his husband, R&R
0:11:25 Priority: Sur'Kesh
0:12:21 Taking a break at the Citadel
0:14:14 N7: Cerberus Attack
0:15:33 Vega-Cortez banter (piloting)
0:16:03 N7: Cerberus Abductions
0:18:37 Memorial Wall + messages
0:20:04 N7: Communication Hub
0:22:10 Vega-Cortez banter (vehicles)
0:23:01 Tuchanka: Turian Platoon & a comment after Tuchanka: Bomb
0:23:53 Purgatory (romance lock-in)
0:26:09 Vega-Cortez banter (drinking)
0:26:32 Arrae: Ex-Cerberus Scientists, Kallini: Ardat-Yakshi Monastery + a comment after Kallini
0:27:21 Cabin invites (Expanded Galaxy Mod)
0:28:19 Comment after Priority: Geth Dreadnought, Rannoch: Admiral Koris + banter with Vega
0:30:42 N7: Fuel Reactors
0:34:14 Leviathan DLC: Find Garneau
0:36:58 Leviathan DLC: Find Ann Bryson
0:41:11 Despoina: Leviathan
0:53:19 Citadel DLC (ambush, casino, archives)
0:55:49 Citadel DLC: Retake the Normandy (fighting the clone)
1:02:09 Citadel DLC: date
1:04:46 Citadel DLC: meeting Vega (his comment on the relationship)
1:06:48 Javik's comment
1:07:37 N7: Cerberus Fighter Base + banter with Vega
1:10:37 Citadel DLC: watching biotiball game with Cortez & Vega
1:13:10 Citadel DLC: energetic party
1:21:35 talk with Hackett (Cerberus HQ), cabin romance scene + message
1:25:03 Priority: Cerberus Headquarters
1:27:05 Priority: Earth (calling in the fleets)
1:31:29 Priority: Earth (take out AA battery)
1:35:05 Priority: Earth (Reaper Destroyer, Conduit beam)
1:39:53 Ending (Audemus' Happy Ending)

[@tjshelton6602]

The "STEVE!!!.... you sure?" Kills me every time its do funny.

[@poppy7899]

😂 I know right, Shep went from extremely worried to nonchalant in a second.

[@divox9pqr]

Love this….it reflects one aspect of human life. Love is love…is love…well, you get the idea. Plus, I get off on how natural and realistic the characters are. The more humanistic they are, the better. Kudos to the designers.

[@poppy7899]

I really really enjoyed this romance. I think the way it goes from helping someone and becoming their friend to having romantic feelings is very natural. I also like that Shepard doesn't have flirty dialogue until Steve has shown he is ready for a new relationship. It was fun to see how flirty they are (esp. Steve) outside of missions, and sometimes during the missions they kinda slip up and use names instead of ranks. I've always liked Steve as a character and this playthrough made me adore him even more.

[@ak5659]

Agreed. And countless women insist men have no emotions.

[@lynjs]

This is a great romance. It doesn't matter who one loves as long as they are happy. Also since this is kind of a war/action/game, when one is in the trenches or has Dracula after you, no one gives a happy damn who the man/woman or the total stranger helping you out from the critter who wants you for dinner literally is sleeping with. All they want from that person is to hold up their end by having their back where everyone gets home safely. Just let folk be.

[@greentombdive]

“I find it very hard to say to you, Shepard.” “As it should be.” Quite.

[@reaperbrothers5487]

This makes me wish we could have Steve in mass effect 1,2 and he would make a good squad mate

[@sarahj7507]

Thank you for this video! I like to headcanon that Steve is already a little attracted to Shepard, from all the vids and fame beforehand, and when they meet, those feelings come back despite himself. But experiencing those feelings in person with Shepard also brings back survivor's guilt and grief for his husband, and so he has to work through all of that again. Shepard unwittingly reopens the wound but then also helps him deal with all of those complicated emotions of loss, guilt, attraction, etc. When Steve is later able to truly move on, it's like he can finally take a clean fresh breath of air for the first time in a long time. Even for a male Shepard who isn't romancing him, I like this headcanon because it lends a few layers to some of Steve's lines and their overall caring dynamic, if Shepard talks him through the grieving process. A non-romanced Steve ends up moving on past Robert and Shepard alike, while a romanced Steve moves on past the grief and guilt and allows himself to live those feelings for Shepard openly and honestly. It's not a rebound, imo, but being able to finally close one book and pick up another. Side note: I don't usually like it when NPCs fawn over the PC, but in Steve's case and Thane's case, I like to headcanon an existing attraction before Shepard flirts, since otherwise, the flirting dialogue feels almost comically oddly timed by Shepard. ("I lost the love of my life." "We'll bang, okay?")

[@poppy7899]

You know, I like your headcanon a lot. And it makes so much sense!

[@tc9114]

This is so awesome! Love the fact that it's Steve and Shepard this time. I prefer Shepard and Kaidan together, but this made me smile! This is beautiful too ❤!

[@poppy7899]

I've always liked Steve so it was fun to finally do his romance. And I even managed to do that while Kaidan is alive lol

[@tc9114]

@@poppy7899 I saw that and you did a fantastic job on this! Thank you very much!

[@lynjs]

I love this pairing. Steve should have been the one that came and got him from the sushi place shootout. They could like fix that part because it would make more sense. With the voice actor for Steve it would have added more spice. Besides, Shep getting shot at and his boyfriend Steve doesn't show up until later, sitting in an empty room in a bar at that. And also can't accompany him to the Kahn gala nor be picked on his team in the Spectre vault. Also, on a side issue, why can't Shep regardless of gender sat down or lie down in his/her room/apartment when they want? I mean that's stupid.

[@poppy7899]

Oh I would have loved it if Steve had come for rescue! It's not like he can't shoot.

[@OlliJakoaho]

Oh my... Have been playing this so many times and all of this still makes me cry.

[@poppy7899]

Totally understandable. Despite playing the ME games many times I still get overwhelmed every time I play the final mission Priority: Earth. So many feels.

[@zannebrazeau]

l love james even though his ego be as big as his chest and back lol l also love a endin where shepard lives

[@poppy7899]

James actually is one of my favourite ME characters. I know he isn't popular but I've always liked him (but it seems like all my faves are the less popular ones lol). Besides, he's very useful, I don't think he has ever even died in my games and I've played ME3 on insanity several times.

[@mouscedess]

Ahh I wish Steve was playable companion during Citadel dlc 😢

[@poppy7899]

Would have been nice if he had come to the rescue.

[@puddinsss]

What mod did you use for the extra casual outfits?

[@poppy7899]

Padme's Other Hoodies Retextures for LE2 and LE3 [red hoodie], EGM Armors for LE2 and LE3 [jumpsuits], Morning's Outfits for Maleshep LE3 [outfit with sunglasses]

[@puddinsss]

@@poppy7899 Thanks ❤️

[@helenrobinson5908]

How do you get this ending and is it on the PC version or a console version.

[@poppy7899]

I use "Audemus' Happy Ending Mod" so yes, it's only for PC.

[@helenrobinson5908]

@@poppy7899 thank you for your reply. I hate that we don't get that extra bit of being found for the consoles version.

[@poppy7899]

@@helenrobinson5908 Yeah I'm not that happy about the vanilla endings, any of them. When I've played unmodded game I've picked the "perfect" destroy ending 'cause at least then Shepard is alive. Probably.

[@helenrobinson5908]

@@poppy7899 I've played it on the Xbox One and I always go with Destroy because I get to live but you don't get to see yourself being found or saved and in the console version if you Destroy the Reapers EDI doesn't survive.

[@lordharryvarden]

this was so cute! please do more. I'd love to see them with a custom male Shep though. Love your channel! ​ @poppy7899

[@poppy7899]

Thank you! Tbh I can't play anything but default Mshep. I've tried, and I've seen some good-looking male Sheps, but they just don't feel right to me and when I don't like how my character looks playing becomes a chore 😅But I'm not judging people who do create custom male Shep. People can play however they want. I don't have this problem with FemShep though. I guess I just really really like how default Mshep looks.

[@lordharryvarden]

Thank you for sharing your perspective! It's completely understandable that sticking to the default MShep feels most comfortable for you, as it helps maintain that sense of connection and immersion in the game. When you're attached to how your character looks, playing becomes a more enjoyable experience, and that's what gaming is all about - having fun! I absolutely agree that everyone has their own preferences, and there's no right or wrong way to play. People should feel free to create custom male Sheps or play any way they like. It's all about finding what resonates with you personally.

[@poppy7899]

@@lordharryvarden Exactly! When you pour hours on a rpg game you really wanna feel connected to your character. It makes playing so much more enjoyable.

[@lordharryvarden]

@@poppy7899 Couldn't of said it better myself! ❤

[@tc9114]

I agree with you Poppy! I love the way this Shepard looks! He's sexy!

[@denniswlee4762]

You lost me I'll never watch it again

[@Calcifere.ManCo35]

GAY

[@poppy7899]

*Surprised Pikachu*