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Mass Effect 2: Arrival Review for PC

Mass Effect 2: Arrival Review for PC

Old Friends

Either Mass Effect is a series that you love or you don’t get the importance behind it. While most fans of the series have found this completely mind blowing, I can see the point. On one hand, you have a deep and involving storyline that plays off the RPG elements infused with the game. On the other hand, you have a shooter-based title with more linearity than what RPG fans tend to stomach, unless there’s a Final and a Fantasy in the title.

With the recent release of The Arrival, the last piece of DLC for the popular title, this argument shows little signs of fading anytime soon. The new content is designed to bridge the gap between Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3, which is supposed to hit later this year. Is BioWare able to deliver on this DLC the same way they have in the past for Mass Effect 2, or does the last DLC for this title whimper out like the last DLC (Witch Hunt) for Dragon Age: Origins did?

Mass Effect 2: Arrival Screenshot

The Arrival kicks off with a message from an old Alliance friend, Admiral Hackett. He requests that Shepard break into a Batarian prison to rescue his friend, Dr. Amanda Kenson. He also mentions that Kenson has proof of an imminent Reaper attack, and since we’ve been told about the Reapers since the first installment, it is definitely worth the outing. As I said earlier though, Kenson is in a prison and you have to rescue her, with no help from your loyal squad. This created a sense of stealth action, something the series isn’t known for, and showed just how well the good commander would do on a solo rescue mission.

Without giving too much away, the linear nature of this DLC can feel overpowering at moments. However, it only feels this way in a few spots, generally right after combat. Even then, it doesn’t feel too different from previous DLC for the title, except this one creates a sense of urgency that can cause the player to instinctively rush through the playthrough and miss a couple of things. Yes, the rumors are true; the DLC will only take you roughly an hour to an hour-and-a-half on the most difficult setting. Even if you take control and search everywhere as you progress, the time increases at such a nonsensical rate that full exploration doesn’t really warrant a feeling of long gameplay, more like expected gameplay.

Mass Effect 2: Arrival Screenshot

Exploring the environment does grant you more credits, various elements used in upgrades, and a few random data pads. There are also voice recordings, which all relate to the story of this DLC. Overall, it doesn’t have a lot to offer those who want to explore more of the world of Mass Effect 2, and this really sucks. It feels more like a chapter in Gears of War with the fleeting moments of discussion and then waves of enemies to tide you over while getting from point A to point B.

Mass Effect 2: Arrival Screenshot

Again, without ruining plot elements, you have a very limited amount of time to achieve your goal in certain sections. The time constraint makes it more believable that characters run across the scaffolding and pay no attention to a random open door to the right. In other games of the genre you will still find yourself in the room on the right exploring for whatever you can find. This fact alone makes it difficult to praise or dismiss the game. It can really go both ways depending on your playing mood. The first time I played, I explored everything, and with each subsequent playthrough, I found that even though I was no longer exploring, I was still enjoying the content as much as other previous DLC.

Mass Effect 2: Arrival Screenshot

I can also understand why this piece of DLC is the last for the game. Even though it doesn’t lay down everything for those looking for the gap builder between ME2 and what we’ve seen in the teaser trailer for Mass Effect 3, it still gives just enough to make you demand its fourth quarter release.

The Arrival is like the last episode in the season of a television show. The show knows it is being renewed for another season, but also wants to allow the viewer to repeatedly come back to this story for a self-enclosed experience. It doesn’t set the stage like The Empire Strikes Back; instead it delivers like The Two Towers. You know what is next and therefore do not need shock and awe to keep you on the edge of your seat until the next installment.

The seven-dollar price may be hard to justify based solely on time spent and substance outside of the story, but if you have been a Mass Effect fan this long and can’t wait till the “final” installment, there’s no reason you should not already have this downloadable content.

RATING OUT OF 5 RATING DESCRIPTION 4.5 Graphics
The Arrival continues with the same impressive graphical presentation as the core game. 4.0 Control
Not much else to be said outside of what has already been said more than a few times before. 4.8 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Superb. It is because of the level of voice acting and musical score that Mass Effect has quickly become a fan favorite. 3.3 Play Value
Rationalizing the cost versus the content is a tough one, but I can say this will not hold you over till the release of Mass Effect 3. 4.0 Overall Rating – Great
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 – 1.9 = Avoid 2.5 – 2.9 = Average 3.5 – 3.9 = Good 4.5 – 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 – 2.4 = Poor 3.0 – 3.4 = Fair 4.0 – 4.4 = Great 5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

  • The final chapter in the epic Mass Effect 2 storyline.
  • Bridge the gap between Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3.
  • Perform a solo mission for an old friend, people will recognize from the original Mass Effect.

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