Cerberus is one of many factions Commander Shepard encounters in Mass Effect: Legendary Edition. It's also perhaps the most dangerous. Led by the enigmatic Illusive Man, the Cerberus organization is just as shadowy and complicated as its leader. As an unapologetically pro-human group, Cerberus often finds itself at odds with the rest of the galaxy.
Players first hear about Cerberus in the first Mass Effect. However, it's not until Mass Effect 2 that the organization's history and philosophy are explained in any depth. The Mass Effect trilogy is massive when it comes to lore. Nevertheless, that hasn't stopped hardcore fans from analyzing every last detail about Cerberus.
8 The Illusive Man's Real Identity
In many respects, Cerberus is the Illusive Man. The core of his beliefs is predicated on the notion that humanity must remain competitive with other alien races. As such, Cerberus is dedicated to serving human interests first at all costs. But who is the Illusive Man himself?
Few know that the Illusive Man's real identity is Jack Harper. According to Mass Effect: Evolution, the events of the First Contact War between Humans and Turians left a profound impact on Harper. Afterward, he published a public manifesto that steadily drew like-minded individuals to his cause, eventually leading to the formation of Cerberus.
7 Cerberus Started As A Black Ops Division
Shepard's initial dealings with Cerberus begin in Mass Effect. Many of the optional Assignments in the game deal with their debauched experiments. When taken together, players can learn certain details about the organization's mysterious backstory.
One comment from Rear Admiral Kahoku is particularly illuminating. The player is informed that Cerberus was once actually a part of the Alliance military. Their specialty was clandestine, black ops projects that were always meant to be kept secret. Nevertheless, by the time of the first game, Cerberus has clearly gone rogue and no longer answers to anyone.
6 They Were Responsible For The Akuze Massacre
When players create their Commander Shepard for the first time, they get to select one of three backstories. One of which paints Shepard as the only living survivor of a deadly thresher maw attack on the colony of Akuze. The Assignment "UNC: Dead Scientists" also deals with this event.
The climax of this side mission makes it clear the thresher maw attack was no coincidence. When speaking to Corporal Toombs, he explains that Cerberus was actually the mastermind behind the attack. The Akuze Massacre was perpetrated as part of an illegal experiment conducted by Cerberus to study the violent thresher maws.
5 Cerberus Developed The Original Normandy
At the beginning of Mass Effect 2, Commander Shepard is killed while the Normandy SR-1 is obliterated. Cerberus takes it upon themselves to not only resurrect Shepard but rebuild his/her ship as well. The new model is designated the Normandy SR-2 and proudly bears the Cerberus insignia.
What most players probably don't realize is that Cerberus also backed the development of the original Normandy. The first Normandy was co-developed by the Humans and Turians. The Illusive Man thought it would be beneficial to study Turian design practices and technology to ensure Humans didn't fall behind.
4 Greek Mythological Roots
The name Cerberus probably rings a bell for those familiar with Greek mythology. The gates of Hades are guarded by a fearsome, three-headed watchdog named Cerberus. The choice of this name is telling. The Cerberus in Greek myth guards the Underworld. Cerberus in Mass Effect guards the interests of humanity ruthlessly and fanatically.
There's also yet another allusion to Greek myth regarding Cerberus. Humanity's first link with the rest of the wider galaxy was facilitated by the Charon Relay, which orbits Pluto. The Cerberus Manifesto states that the organization intends to guard against threats "beyond the Charon Relay." Interestingly, Charon is the name of the ferryman in Greek myth who transports souls to the Underworld.
3 They Purposefully Exposed Children To Element Zero
In the Mass Effect universe, certain individuals possess biotic abilities. These "biotics" can manipulate objects in the world around them, including other people. This ability is made possible from exposure to Element Zero, a rare material Humans eventually discovered exploring the galaxy.
An event that's often referenced in the games is the explosion of the Eldfell-Ashland Energy freighter over the Human colony of Yandoa. This "accident" led to the birth of several children with biotic abilities. The truth, however, is that Cerberus engineered the explosion on purpose. It was done in the interest of studying the effects of Element Zero on newborn Humans.
2 Cerberus Possesses Many Secretive Patrons
For an independent organization, Cerberus is vastly wealthy. They are also highly influential among the galaxy's elite, particularly among Humans. Although the Illusive Man himself is implied to be quite wealthy in his own right, the bulk of Cerberus' wealth stems from donors.
Cerberus, despite its ruthless reputation, enjoys no shortage of supporters. These allies range from wealthy businessmen to active as well as former Alliance personnel. One such example of Cerberus' many patrons is Henry Lawson, the father of Miranda.
1 The Demise Of Cerberus Is Ironic
Lore buffs of the Mass Effect universe surely recognize the irony in Cerberus's downfall. As an organization meant to safeguard humanity's supremacy, it ultimately becomes undone in the furtherance of that goal.
The Illusive Man seeks to control the Reapers in Mass Effect 3. He believes the knowledge of the machines will finally drive humanity to the pinnacle of their capabilities. In his willingness to achieve his goals at any cost, the Illusive Man makes it possible to allow himself to be indoctrinated by the Reapers. Humanity's "savior" almost becomes the agent of its destruction.