baylaust Reviews Mass Effect 2: The Arrival DLC (PS3)

[baylaust 2,531]

So a while back(as I'm sure so many people remember), I reviewed the PS3 version of Mass Effect 2, giving it a 9.5, an amazing game slightly held back by a horde of audio and visual glitches. Well, the final DLC that ties Mass Effect 2 to Mass Effect 3, "The Arrival", has hit the 360 Marketplace and PSN. I've downloaded it, beaten it, and here is my review.

 

Keep in mind that I'm reviewing MY experience with the PS3 version of the DLC. You're experience may not have the same issues that mine has.

 

Story

So for those of you who've played Mass Effect 1, you get to see a familiar face: Admirall Hacket, who needs Commander Shepard to go alone to a Batarian prison and rescue a woman named Dr. Amanda Kenson. She supposedly has information for the Alliance proving that a Reaper invasion is coming, and was imprisoned for trying to destroy a Mass Relay. Upon rescue, we learn that the Reapers will arrive in 2 days, and from that one Mass Relay, they can attack ANYWHERE in the galaxy. It's up to Shepard to make sure that does not happen.

 

So the story, and more specifically, the ending, has been generating a lot of mixed feelings among players. What do I feel? Well, I personally enjoyed it. It really doesn't give us as much information on ME3 as I would have liked, and there are few choices to make. However, the ending was actually one of my favourite parts. I won't spoil it, but it hammers in one simple fact that I think a lot of players forget: Shepard can't always save everyone, and sacrifices must be made.

 

Gameplay

The DLC operates on the same basic elements in most of ME2. You'll be hiding in cover and fighting of waves of enemies in a 3rd person shooter style. 2 things stand out, though: Shepard goes through the entire DLC on his own, and you can operate on stealth for a good portion of it. However, the DLC does not offer anything new to the overall game. There are no new weapons, no new pieces of armor. Just a few enhancements to your character, nothing else. Also, the DLC is only a couple hours long from start to finish, meaning you won't be playing it for long.

 

Presentation

So in my ME2 review for the PS3, I said that the biggest issue in the game was that the PS3 version had tons of audio and visual glitches. Well, in The Arrival, there are almost no glitches for me, which is a huge relief. And like the rest of ME2, the soundtrack is amazing. Now if only the rest of the game ran that well...

 

Verdict

So, I give Mass Effect 2's The Arrival DLC for Playstation 3 a:

 

8/10

 

It's Mass Effect 2. That already boosts the score up quite a bit, in addition to no more glitches and a decent story. However, the lack of new content, lack of choices, and lack of information regarding Mass Effect 3 holds it back. It's not as good as Lair of the Shadow Broker, but it's still worth buying.

 

So, do you have The Arrival for PS3, 360, or PC? Did you think I was too harsh, or too leniant? Was there anything I left out? Let me know.

 

baylaust out.

[roxaskeybladeart55 72]

Woah, good review, I'll definently try this out on my 360 once I'm finished with new vegas.

[Deadshot 666]

I finished it yesterday.I agree with your review for the most part, i felt it was little short but overall it was fun and story was intersing