Liara may not be recruitable as a permanent member of the Normandy SR-2, but if she was romanced in the first game, Shepard can continue their relationship with her in the second game. This guide will go over how to romance Liara in Mass Effect 2, which is included in Mass Effect: Legendary Edition.
Can You Romance Liara in Mass Effect 2?
Yes, Liara can be romanced in Mass Effect 2 to experience a complete relationship with her throughout the whole Legendary Edition trilogy. However, these extended romantic scenes are not available in the main game.
Both male and female Shepards can only continue their romance with Liara from Mass Effect 1 if they play the Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC, which is included with the Legendary Edition. There are short conversations and a brief kiss between the couple on Illium when Shepard meets Liara for the first time. This is the only acknowledgment of their relationship players will get from the base game. To talk with Liara about their past relationship more, and to experience a romantic encounter, players must play and complete the Lair of the Shadow Broker mission.
How to Romance Liara in Mass Effect 2
Start the DLC by speaking to Liara on Illium. Continue with the story until given the Paragon prompts while talking to Liara before heading off to the Shadow Broker at his base of operations. Make sure to press the third prompt to get the chance to talk with Liara before leaving.
If “Our relationship?” is picked when Liara asks what to talk about, she will offer a jealous remark if players have started a relationship, or had a sexual encounter with somebody else in Mass Effect 2. This doesn’t end the relationship though, so don’t worry.
After dealing with the Shadow Broker, choose to hug Liara to see the couple share a kiss. Liara will begin to talk about their relationship, and players can press the Paragon prompt to kiss her again. This will be available even to those who like playing Renegade in Mass Effect.
The mission is over, but players can go back to Liara and talk with her again. She will expand on her thoughts about the Shadow Broker and the Reapers, but players can choose “I want to talk about us” and then “I do” to invite Liara for drinks on the Normandy. While on the Normandy, pick the "Happily ever after" prompt to experience a brief romantic scene and lock in Liara’s romance for Mass Effect 3.
This does not limit Shepard from initiating a romantic scene with another partner before starting the suicide mission in Mass Effect 2, but players will have to choose between both love interests during the third game. If Shepard chooses to stay faithful to Liara throughout the second game instead, they will look at her picture before going through the Omega 4 Relay.
Note that the duo will not share a romantic encounter when Liara is invited on board the Normandy in Mass Effect 2 if Shepard has already had a romantic encounter with a character before passing through the Relay. Liara will instead comment kindly on Shepard’s new relationship.
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is out now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.