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How to Romance Steve Cortez
This page of IGN's Mass Effect: Legendary Edition wiki guide is all about Romancing Steve Cortez, including how to initiate one, and which genders are able to do so.
Started in... | Gender Preference | Romance Type | Romance Scene? |
Mass Effect 3 | Male | Serious | Yes |
It's worth noting that there are BIG SPOILERS for Mass Effect 3 on this page. Read with caution!
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Romancing Steve Cortez Explained
Uniquely, Steve is the only character in the Mass Effect trilogy who can only be romanced by a Male Shepard. First, after talking to Cortez once and then completing a Mission, you'll find him in the Cargo Bay listening to the last recording he and his husband Robert had. Pick the reassuring Paragon options to help him feel better.
Completing another Mission and returning to the Cargo Bay, you'll find him working at the back of the nearby Kodiak. You'll want to pick "Don't work too hard" here, then the "Do it for me" Persuasion option to convince him to take some shore leave.
You'll find him at the balcony in Normandy Dock: Bay D24: talk to him to progress his storyline. Make sure to again pick positive options and take the quick Paragon Interrupt when you see it.
The next time you visit the Citadel, Steve will be at the memorial wall near the entrance of the Docks: Holding Area. Talk with him and use Paragon options to progress his storyline some more, taking the Paragon Interrupt when it shows up.
Next Citadel visit, you can find Steve in the Purgatory club. Pick "I'm eye candy too", then "Waiting for the right man", then accept Steve's offer to dance with "Okay". While on the dance floor, pick "I want more than friendship", You'll soon kiss Steve (with the Paragon Interrupt or not), and the Romance will be Locked In.
Aftermath
Oddly, despite Steve's Romance being one that can be locked in relatively early and his frequent presence as your shuttle pilot, you won't have much altered dialogue throughout the game compared to other Romances. The main content comes in the form of meetups in the Citadel DLC, of which there are two. Steve also has the most unique dialogue of anybody in the Leviathan DLC.
When you initiate Priority: Earth, it will be Steve who visits Shepard in the Captain's Cabin for the big Romance Scene; make sure to pick "I'd like that" to make sure it happens.
During the Mission itself, you'll have a bit of (somewhat infamous) unique dialogue when Steve is shot down by the Hades Cannon after the start of the level. In the calm before the storm before you start towards the Conduit beam, you can call Steve to have your final words with him.
In the ending of the game, it will be Steve who puts up Shepard's name on the Memorial Wall. However if you picked the Destroy Ending and have 3,100 EMS or more, Steve will refrain from putting the name up, knowing Shepard is still out there.