Mass Effect 2: The Arrival (DLC) Review

2010's Game of the Year has had a few DLC add-ons released in the past year with Lair of the Shadow Broker being the best of the offerings. Now BioWare has released their final piece of Mass Effect 2 with The Arrival. The Arrival isn't just a piece of DLC however, it's a complete bridge between Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3.


Is it better than Lair of the Shadow Broker? No. But it is more important.

Why it's awesome:

• Arrival reconnects you with Shepard, and reminds you why Shepard is awesome in the process. You're forced to play the whole DLC without your crew members, since in theory this DLC takes place after the events of ME2, you're crew might not have survived.
• It amplifies the threat of the Reapers. While the whole trilogy is based on stopping the Reaper threat, they've always been an unseen terror. Not anymore, they're coming and this DLC explains when and how.
• Due to the teaser trailer involving Big Ben getting destroyed by a Reaper, Shepard clearly must end up on Earth, Arrival explains why.

Why it's not awesome:

• It's short. It'll probably take you less that two hours to complete.
• It's just Shepard. Yes, this is both awesome and not awesome. Being alone gives you a sense of urgency but it also just doesn't feel right. It's not Mass Effect without your party.

So is it worth it? Yes. BioWare only charges $7 for their DLC packs, so for the money it's worth it. It's not the best DLC ever, but it is more Mass Effect 2, and that's a very good thing.