Mass Effect 2 - DLC Questions

[Sam25]

Hello!

I just finished playing Mass Effect 2 and enjoyed playing it thoroughly. Now I have done the main missions, side quests and loyalty missions. I have not done the N7 missions yet (are they fun to do?)

Now, I was looking to get a few of the DLC's and wanted to know which one's I can play that are linked to the story? Can someone please let me know so I could start playing them. Also, are the DLC's playable on 1.01 version of the game or do I need to patch the game to 1.02?

TIA - Sam25

 

[ramj70]

Some of the N7 missions are decent, there are about 19 I believe. This gives a list of the missions. For me the average time was about 15 to 30 minutes in length.

http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/Assignments#Mass_Effect_2

The Arrival and Lair of the Shadow Broker are linked to the story but are not required. Both of those are very nice DLC's and I recommend playing them.

My favorite DLC's in order are

Lair of the shadow broker
Arrival
Kasumi
Overlord
Firewalker

 

[Madia]

Shadow Broker and Arrival are both linked to the story. Overlord is more of a side mission. Kasumi and Cerberus Network both add new squad members and a loyalty mission for each. The weapons/alternative outfit packs are pretty much a waste of money although I think the weapons from the weapons pack will transfer over to ME3. Genesis, a comic book recap of ME1 is a complete rip off (just get ME1 instead for about the same price).

As for quality the general concensus is that Shadow Broker is the best of all. It's well done, integrates well with the story and involves a major character. It should be your first pick. After that both Overlord and Kasumi are well done. Overlord has a tone different from the rest of the ME series (more like system shock) and is very well done but story wise it's more of a side mission than something that integrates with the story. Kasumi is good but the mission is not as good as Overlord although it does add a new squad mate. Arrival sort of links ME2 to ME3 but got mediocre reviews (I thought it was ok but nothing special). I wouldn't buy the Cerberus network pack ($15) if you didn't get it with the main game. I would only buy a weapon pack if you plan on playing through the game again.

So my choice would be Shadow broker for sure, then either Kasumi or Overlord. Get arrival only if you're a ME completist like me. As for the patch my guess is that the newer DLC would require the newest patch. I can't think of any reason not to patch it though.

Some of the N7 mission are better than others but I usually skipped most of them since I already hit max level for my character.

 

[Red Hawk]

N7 missions can be fun but they're nonessential. Very little plot going on, just shooting up mercs, geth, and even some batarian terrorists. It does throw in some interesting situations, though.

Lair of the Shadow Broker is an absolute must if you're getting Mass Effect 2 DLC. It's fun, exciting, even moving, and the plot directly ties in to the main games. Arrival also ties in with the main plot, but it's not quite as good as Shadow Broker (which is understandable since Arrival is priced lower than Shadow Broker). Kasumi introduces a new character and Overlord is a very good mission IMO, but both are nonessential to the plot.

On the subject of patches, you probably do need to patch to the latest in order to ensure compatibility with the DLC. Either way, just do it. It fixes some bugs and "fixes" the slow planet scanning.

 

[orbster556]

As others have already adequately commented upon the N7 missions, I'll limit my thoughts to the DLC. Specifically, I would play Lair of the Shadow Broker, Arrival, Kasumi and Overlord. All four have feature an interesting story -- although, as others have mentioned, only the first two link to the main story-line -- and three of the four add some interesting wrinkles to the traditional ME2 gameplay. Firewalker, however, is one that can be skipped without missing out on any significant gameplay.

 

[Clinkster]

Shadow Broker is a must while Overlord is very damn good.

Arrival and Kasumi are meh in my opinion. I youtubed walkthroughs to see what goes on is all DLCs aside from the two I mentioned above. They're the only two worthwhile imo.

 

[Sam25]

Awritey, many thanks guys for the detailed replies. I'm going with these DLC's then:

1. Normandy Crash Site
2. Arrival
3. Shadow Broker
4. Overlord
5. Kasumi

Any particular order I should follow while playing these? Also, there is another DLC for Zaeed, how is that?

 

[badb0y]

I enjoyed Arrival, Shadow Broker and Overlord.

 

[Red Hawk]

Awritey, many thanks guys for the detailed replies. I'm going with these DLC's then:

1. Normandy Crash Site
2. Arrival
3. Shadow Broker
4. Overlord
5. Kasumi

Any particular order I should follow while playing these? Also, there is another DLC for Zaeed, how is that?

Normandy Crash Site is part of the Cerberus Network that provides several DLC packs (which, if you bought the game new rather than used or pirated, you should have a code that gets you the download for free). The Cerberus Network includes Zaeed's mission pack, you don't have to pay for it separately.

As for the play order, I would play them in this order:

Zaeed
Kasumi
Overlord
Shadow Broker
Arrival

I usually play Zaeed, Kasumi, and Overlord before even going on the final mission of ME2. It makes sense since Zaeed and Kasumi are supposed to be recruits for the suicide mission. The events of Shadow Broker and Arrival feel more natural -- and the writing changes appropriately -- if played after the suicide mission.

 

[showb1z]

1.02 patch is included in all DLC that requires it btw, so you don't even need to download it seperately.

 

[s44]

I usually play Zaeed, Kasumi, and Overlord before even going on the final mission of ME2. It makes sense since Zaeed and Kasumi are supposed to be recruits for the suicide mission. The events of Shadow Broker and Arrival feel more natural -- and the writing changes appropriately -- if played after the suicide mission.

Yup. In fact, I suggest waiting for a replay and picking up Kasumi first. Her loyalty mission gives the best SMG, and it's one of the best.

Arrival has to be last.

 

[Sam25]

Normandy Crash Site is part of the Cerberus Network that provides several DLC packs (which, if you bought the game new rather than used or pirated, you should have a code that gets you the download for free). The Cerberus Network includes Zaeed's mission pack, you don't have to pay for it separately.

As for the play order, I would play them in this order:

Zaeed
Kasumi
Overlord
Shadow Broker
Arrival

I usually play Zaeed, Kasumi, and Overlord before even going on the final mission of ME2. It makes sense since Zaeed and Kasumi are supposed to be recruits for the suicide mission. The events of Shadow Broker and Arrival feel more natural -- and the writing changes appropriately -- if played after the suicide mission.

Thanks, got the order noted down and will play them in that way. I got the Normandy crashsite already there. I read somewhere that it makes more sense to play Firewalker before attempting Overlord, is that correct?

 

[s44]

I read somewhere that it makes more sense to play Firewalker before attempting Overlord, is that correct?

Just the initial Firewalker mission where you get the vehicle. The rest are boring, a pain, can safely be ignored, etc. Actually, the "vehicle combat" in the firewalker vehicle is horrible, definitely the worst part of Overlord.

 

[PrayForDeath]

Awritey, many thanks guys for the detailed replies. I'm going with these DLC's then:

1. Normandy Crash Site
2. Arrival
3. Shadow Broker
4. Overlord
5. Kasumi

Any particular order I should follow while playing these? Also, there is another DLC for Zaeed, how is that?

Skip normandy. Kasumi is also not a very good deal. It's got a nice sidestory, but it's very short (45 mins or so).

In terms of fun/value, I rate them like this: Shadow Broker > Overlord (amazing 3 hour quest with a great ending) > Arrival >>>> Kasumi > Zaeed.

 

[Sam25]

Thanks guys for all the replies, really appreciate it!

I completed the following DLC's (in order of completion):

Normandy Crashsite
Zaed
Kasumi
Overlord
Shadow Broker
Arrival

Enjoyed playing through all of them except for Zaed's loyalty mission which was meh. Now the wait for ME 3 begins!

Cheers!!

 

[PrayForDeath]

Just out of curiosity, which one was your favorite?

 

[OnePingOnly]

Would love BioWare to put these DLCs on sale. Starting a second playthrough.