Mass Effect 2: Arrival

 PC
User Score
6.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 153 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 153
  2. Mixed: 69 out of 153
  3. Negative: 34 out of 153

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  1. Prosthetics
    Apr 2, 2011
    4
    This DLC was overall a waste of time and money for me. The only advantage this DLC would even have is for those hardcore fans who think it might affect something in Mass Effect 3. This DLC's story is one in which I could tell to you in a few sentences. Those few sentences of story are stretched into a boring length of drone game-play consisting of an hour to an hour and a half,This DLC was overall a waste of time and money for me. The only advantage this DLC would even have is for those hardcore fans who think it might affect something in Mass Effect 3. This DLC's story is one in which I could tell to you in a few sentences. Those few sentences of story are stretched into a boring length of drone game-play consisting of an hour to an hour and a half, depending on difficulty. This DLC is a pitiful attempt to prepare one's self for Mass Effect 3. The only plus for me was to see my favorite yellow hologram Reaper. If you insist on wasting an hour of your time, are a die hard Mass Effect fan, and are under the illusion that this will somehow affect Mass Effect 3 (likely only a dialog option or two) then go for it. If you were hoping for an epic follow up of similar caliber to Lair of the Shadow Broker, steer clear.… Expand
  2. shoegays
    May 29, 2011
    3
    After the good Overlord DLC and the fantastic Shadow Broker one, Arrival seemed like a shoo-in, but it has basically nothing of what made the earlier two great. Story is thin, combat is solo throughout the entire DLC, and the whole thing is much shorter than any of the other paid DLC.

    Points for the unusual optional stealth mechanic, but that's about all Arrival has going for it.
  3. RogerWilco2099
    May 18, 2011
    1
    Well its been some time since Arrival now. I first reviewed it on 360 and was really disappointed. Having got ME2 PC for free from a Bioware offer I decided to try the experience again on a different platform. Im going to be honest. I struggled, I really did struggle to finish it. Again I felt all personality was stripped from Shepard throughout with the sole purpose of the DLC beingWell its been some time since Arrival now. I first reviewed it on 360 and was really disappointed. Having got ME2 PC for free from a Bioware offer I decided to try the experience again on a different platform. Im going to be honest. I struggled, I really did struggle to finish it. Again I felt all personality was stripped from Shepard throughout with the sole purpose of the DLC being of that to thrust a trial on you and create a setting for the start of ME3. As a result it was totally linear and the end scene of the DLC was all focus on this trial. I just blew up 300,000 Batarians and my Shepard didnt blink an eye at it... just really poor story telling of a very linear nature. No choice which is what ME is famous for. Again I played Vanguard and again I couldnt charge in places where it should have been possible. Fustrating and Poor DLC which a you can watch a youtube video on and everyones experience is the same.… Expand
  4. Goneril
    Mar 31, 2011
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This DLC will not meet the high expectations based on the quality of LotSB. The main fault is that the plot is linear to the point of railroading and at some points, logically inconsistent. There are no new mechanics like the race in LotSB, just hack&slash against generic enemies. The character of Admiral Hackett appears rather bland and Kenson suffers from an absolute lack of character. That there is no interaction from the rest of your squadmates (you cannot take them with you to the mission) makes it even more pronounced. The voice acting and cutscenes are mediocre, so the most enjoyment you can get from this is one challenging fight, which does not do justice to the RP part of RPG - and if I wanted a straight shooter, there are far better alternatives.

    (The rest of the article will contain spoilers!) My main critique will go against the logic of doctor Plotdevice Kenson´s behaviour. If she were indoctrinated from the start, why on Earth would she be instructing Shepard in how to destroy the relay? If she were not, why would her coworkers say she was? If you wanted to evacuate the colonies, why not do that as soon as possible (when you arrive at the base) rather than wait until the end, where you are cut off anyway?
    Why does the moral decision of killing the colonists play such a minor role? Even if it should lead to an immediate game over with the Reapers arriving, why is not Shepard allowed to not make the judgement call and not destroy the asteroid? All and all, from an RP view, this DLC was a disappointment.    … Expand
  5. Soranpanoko
    Oct 12, 2012
    0
    Short: Its the worst DLC ever... They didn't anything right, all is just so ridiculous I cant belive it. They even use human-models for Batarian... Story is same ridiculous (for example: now a astroid can do what a supernova cant ?) .... Did noone cheked it before they released it ? So complete DLC is so bad, Bioware should recompense all who waste time on this ... Waste of money; Waste ofShort: Its the worst DLC ever... They didn't anything right, all is just so ridiculous I cant belive it. They even use human-models for Batarian... Story is same ridiculous (for example: now a astroid can do what a supernova cant ?) .... Did noone cheked it before they released it ? So complete DLC is so bad, Bioware should recompense all who waste time on this ... Waste of money; Waste of time or Short: DONT BUY THIS ****… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
63

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. PC Games (Russia)
    May 6, 2011
    65
    Arrival is a mostly disappointing piece of content, failing even at its mission to connect Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 storylines. [June 2011, p.97]
  2. Absolute Games
    Apr 28, 2011
    55
    While Lair of Shadow Broker is a brilliant example of a properly made DLC, Arrival will be appreciated by only the most devout fans. If you want a completely tricked out save file for Mass Effect 3, then please pay $6.99.
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  3. DarkZero
    Apr 19, 2011
    70
    Despite being arguably less than what it could (and should) have been, Arrival probably is just about worth your money. In fact, playing it got me started on another run through both games, so it's done something right. It's testament to a game's strength that even a relatively lacking bit of DLC can have you going balls deep back into its world in the pursuit of alien booty. Not every game could do it, but not every game is Mass Effect.
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