Mass Effect 2: Arrival DLC Review

Review by: Matt Hastie

Multiple Systems, 560 Microsoft Points ($7)

So the wait til Holiday 2011 and more Mass Effect just got a bit shorter.  Launched yesterday the gaming gods at Bioware graced us with the final piece of Mass Effect 2 DLC and the bridging event to Mass Effect 3.   The Arrival mission can be accessed at any point after the Horizon mission, including once you've finished the game which seems to fit the story much better.  Similar to Mass Effect's other DLC, this pack has a great story and mission that just leaves you wanting more.  While still clearly Mass Effect content, this pack offers some changes of pace.  For one, your flying this mission solo so don't forget to make sure you abilities and biotic powers give you a wide range of tactics.  Secondly, the tasks are slightly varied as you incorporate stealth tactics and try to hold out against waves of opponents (completing both challenges will net you some new achievement points as well). 

Hint, it's kind of important

The mission deals with the imminent Reaper invasion in a sector of Batarian space.  Returning from Mass Effect 1 is the gravel voiced Admiral Hackett (played by none other than Lane Henricksen), and this time you get to put a face to the voice.  He's charging you to fly in and rescue an old friend of his named Dr. Amanda Kenson.  While working undercover for the Alliance Navy, she and her team discovered a Reaper artifact that points to invasion.  As they came up with a plan she gets captured by some angry Batarians (which is every Batarian) and put on trial for terrorism (the plan is a throw back to Mass Effect 1's Bring Down the Sky DLC, eye for an eye Batarians!).  I'd love to spell it all out for you here but I don't want to ruin some of the twists and turns.  Along the way you'll also find some new research which will certainly help those of you not playing this mission after the game is over.

Apparently there's no Geneva Convention in space

While the story plays out in a mainly linear fashion, you do have  some chances to gain Paragon and Renegade points.  It is unfortunate that when faced with a major ethical problem you don't have the usual banter of your squad, sharing points of view and experience to help you feel the gravity of what you're about to do.  The mission is sadly very short, clocking in at barely two hours.  Granted on Insanity it'll take you a little longer in some parts.  Visually, the pack looks the same as the rest of the game so it's kind of a bummer that PS3 owners still get the exclusive retextured game featuring the new engine Bioware has build for Mass Effect 3.  What still remains to be seen is whether you choices in this mission, or even partaking in this mission will have any effect on how Mass Effect 3 unfolds.  DLC and side missions from the first game are merely mentioned in passing or an email in the second game. However your choices and actions in this mission will have to play a major part in the third game due to the radical action taken.

All in all if you are a Mass Effect fan this one is a definite must, and the price isn't too bad considering other games' DLC packs are between $9 and $15.  While short, it's two more hours in the incredible Mass Effect universe with major potential consequences.