Mass Effect features several kinds of alien races with their unique features, but it seems that an attraction towards the Asari is an almost universal trait among the species of the Milky Way Galaxy. With that in mind, it's unsurprising that the Asari that Commander Shepard interacts with tend to be some of the most popular characters in the trilogy, such as Liara and Aria. But there's one conversation that can be overheard in Mass Effect 2 that's, at the very least, interesting when it comes to the speakers' implications about the Asari.

There are multiple aspects of the Asari that make them unique among the species of the Milky Way, and their reputation is generally good. The rest of the galaxy views them with respect, and the Asari, in turn, value culture and intellect, knowing that their culture will influence other races, if only because of their race's longevity. In fact, their long history and culture are a significant aspect of what makes the Asari such an interesting race and part of the reason they tend to hold important positions in the galaxy.

The Asari History In Mass Effect

Living With A Long Life Span

Originating on Thessia, a planet that's naturally rich in Element Zero, resulted in the Asari having strong natural tendencies to be biotics. However, their development was not entirely due to their own efforts. The Protheans, before the Reapers wiped them out in a previous cycle, accelerated Asari development and even genetically modified them to be biotics. Then, the Protheans went a step further and defended Thessia from threats, such as an asteroid strike, before they left behind a beacon and moved on.

Because of the intervention and help of the Protheans, the Asari were the first race in this cycle to find Mass Effect's Mass Relay network and achieve space travel. Therefore, they were the first to arrive at the Citadel and settle in with the help of the keepers. When the Salarians first ed the Asari about 60 years later, the races worked together to form the Council, which the races who arrived later would eventually as well. This series of events help solidify the Asari's position as leaders and guides for the younger races.

What The ME2 Scene Reveals About The Asari

Listening To A Bachelor Party

Illium isn't the Asari homeworld like Thessia is, but it's still an Asari colony. As such, Commander Shepard comes across mostly Asari running the businesses and living on Illium, although that doesn't mean that no other races are there. They simply don't have as strong of a presence on Illium as the Asari. However, it's a scenic planet, making it the perfect destination to visit or host parties. When Commander Shepard heads to Illium in Mass Effect 2, there's a group having their bachelor party at the bar.

As they're drinking, the men are having a bachelor party and watching an Asari dance. Specifically, they talk about the dancing Asari, and what they say makes it seem like the Asari appears differently to people depending on their race, taking on traits that resemble that race. Since Commander Shepard is a human, the human appearance of the Asari in Mass Effect will be explained. Because of this drunken conversation, a theory suggests that Asari controls how others view them with their bionic abilities.

Is This Actually A Trait Of The Asari, Or Just Drunken Dialogue?

No, The Asari Aren't Secretly Nefarious

In the end, this conversation between the characters having a bachelor party is likely just drunken dialogue. There's no other evidence to the idea that the Asari appear to others differently depending on race, and the Asari don't need to use their abilities to influence others. They're already respected and generally considered attractive; manipulating people around them wouldn't meaningfully add to their influence from their intelligence, longevity, and culture.

It would be interesting if the Asari appeared differently to others, which would raise the question of their true appearance, as well as if it would be a conscious trait or unconscious effect that stems from their strong bionic abilities. However, this small detail from a drunken conversation is likely just that the NPCs need to unnecessarily justify their attraction to the dancer. Although it's easy to use little details like these to create theories, their real purpose is usually to just make the galaxy feel more alive in Mass Effect.