New player to the Mass Effect series.Female or Male shepard.

[JoZero]

I recently bought Mass effect 1 and 2.Which gender is the best to play as? Does it affect something?I'm a guy but I don't mind playing as female characters.

[CrackeR]

The Females look very hot, so if you like looking at pixilated eye candy thats the way to go!

[Wasabilord123]

Playing as girl gives you +5 feminism, but you also take bleeding damage once a month.

[Ryat]

You look at the back side of your character constantly. Just think about that.
Other than that there is no real difference.

[T02my]

In my opinion for the better first experience and impressions within the game it's better to start play for Female Shepard, simple because of her voice acting. Male Shepard sounds like a jerk, always. Until he brings emotions in his speeches, but it happens only in third ME.

The main difference in game between both gender is ..? Khm, different set of romanceable characters :D

[Tsagualsa]

Female Shepard's voice actor is a lot better.

[T02my]

Originally posted by N7 Adrift Gamez:

The Female Character has unique dialogue options

Sure, she does. But not to confuse the topicstarter, playing for female character is nothing about like playing for "feminist hero", and until ME 3 the world around you will not notice that you play for Female Shepard, expect simple referring as "she, her, lady" and etc. So simply comparing the male's and female's voice actors, it's better to play for Female Shepard. Also there's one romance character available for both genders - blue skinned alien.