Mass Effect 2: Arrival

It's not as consistently awesome as Shadow Broker, but that's ok – The Arrival more than does its part in setting the stage for a killer third installment of the series.

It's over in a flash, but when it's done, you'll be eager to find out what happens next.

Not as good as The Lair of the Shadow Broker, but it's a great offer for fans of the universe created by BioWare, setting interesting events that will be further inspected in Mass Effect 3.

Arrival is Bioware's farewell to Mass Effect 2, and what a farewell this is. It's a really exiting mission that explains things leading to Mass Effect 3 and after you've finished it, you're left wanting nothing but more of this. Now, if only it was a little longer.

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.

At 560 Microsoft Points, the add-on is a bit steep with its lack of content and for the casual player, but for the completionist who want to absorb the complete canon of the series and prepare for the next game, it's worth a stab.

The Arrival will extend the length of an already long game, but it merely plays like a blockbuster action movie and that's a little disappointing for the Mass Effect universe.

Arrival is a DLC expansion on the lighter end of the scale, that doesn't really add anything new to the series, and with only about an hour of playtime, it's a little short, too. However, the quality of what is here is up to the same high standard that we're used to from Mass Effect. An essential purchase only if you're starving for more Mass Effect, whereas the rest of us can probably wait until Mass Effect 3.

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.

It sets up the tone of urgency that's prevalent in the Mass Effect 3 trailer, but don't expect it to explain a lot. If you don't mind combat-focused, linear missions, it's worth the $7 or 560 Microsoft points.

This DLC truly is a "take it or leave it" situation.

Another DLC for Mass Effect 2 turned out to be quite mediocre. The story on its micro level doesn't bring about impressions similar to the basic game. Lack of emotional ties with the main female character and very few moral choices don't engage the player. However, this DLC is being saved from oblivion due to the macro level of presetned events and their connection to the main storyline. Reapers' involvement plays an important part.

Bridging the second and the third chapter was surely a great idea, a shame for the very rushed narrative and the repetitive gameplay. Suited just for the true fans of the saga.

A brief Reaper appearance got out attention, but this DLC's climax will infuriate many Mass Effect fans. [July 2011, p.75]

There are some choice moments across Arrival's duration, but it's just a shame that Mass Effect 2's final piece of DLC is undoubtedly its weakest.

After the brilliant Lair of the Shadow Broker episode though, it's a shame that BioWare ends Mass Effect 2's run on such a substandard piece of DLC... a piece of DLC that strips everything that we loved from the main game and left us with nothing more than a run-and-gun shooter.

Even though the combat is thrilling and the premise somewhat interesting, this DLC's very short and clumsily constructed story in detriment of gameplay makes skipping it an easy decision.

Mass Effect 2: Arrival is a disappointing conclusion to a beloved series' second chapter.

It definitely feel overpriced compared to the experience in Lair of the Shadow Broker and can easily be skipped without missing out on events that lead up to ME3. However if you are a Mass Effect 2 junkie, you might find a sliver of entertainment value in Arrival, assuming you love fighting solo and don't give a hoot about the story arc.

Although, storywise, it's linked to the upcoming Mass Effect 3, Arrival proves to be a mediocre add-on that doesn't add anything significant to Mass Effect 2's experience. Unless you're a real fan of the brand, you should surely look elsewhere.

We get this perfunctory morsel, where the narrative treads water as the action goes in circles. With his final act looming, Shepard deserved better.

A disappointing interim chapter.