Mass Effect 2: Lair of the Shadow Broker

 Xbox 360
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Destructoid
    95
    And if you loved Mass Effect 2 , this is absolutely required if you didn't already get it. An example of how to do great, if not perfect, DLC in a story-driven game.
  2. IGN
    95
    There's a great narrative complemented by fun combat. If you can only afford one piece of extra content for Mass Effect 2, this is the one to spend your money on.
  3. Gamer 2.0
    92
    Lair of the Shadow Broker has everything you could have wanted: new weapons, new biotic powers and new characters to help branch together the events leading up to Mass Effect 3.
  5. ZTGD
    92
    As a whole, Lair of the Shadow Broker is amazing. They mix up the pace and give the game a fresh feel, while still holding true to what makes it one of my top choices for my game of the year.
  6. Game Revolution
    91
    The set pieces are gorgeously done and the pacing is perfect, even if it breezes by rather quickly.
  7. Gamereactor Sweden
    90
    Biowares DLC hasn't been all that great, but Lair of the Shadow Broker is just awesome and really adds something to the story. It should not be missed by any Mass Effect fan.
  8. Eurogamer Italy
    90
    Considering its engaging narrative and the quality of its boss fights, Lair of the Shadow Broker proves to be the best DLC currently available for Mass Effect 2. If you consider yourself a fan of the franchise, you absolutely can't miss it.
  9. Official Xbox Magazine
    90
    In around three hours, Lair gives you a mystery to solve; tense shootouts in several locations(including the outside of a spaceship!); a"car" chase through the skies of Ilium; and engrossing boss battles. [Nov 2010, p.81]
    All this publication's reviews
  10. Eurogamer
    90
    It all adds up to a downloadable package that stuffs in an awful lot of content, while maintaining the pace and rhythms of a lean blockbuster movie.
  11. Xbox Achievements
    90
    With a tantalising story with some truly gripping and edge of the seat moments, new gameplay elements and some more of that previously promised deeper character interaction, The Lair of the Shadow Broker is what we call in outer space, a doozy.
  12. GameTrailers
    89
    It's the perfect blend of something old, and something new, something borrowed, and something blue.
  13. 3DJuegos
    88
    Mass Effect 2 players will have a great time with Lair of the Shadow Broker, because it is what a DLC should be: Great storytelling, good value and an amazing pace.
  14. GameCritics
    85
    Shadow Broker is the best Mass Effect 2 DLC by an interstellar mile.
  15. GameSpot
    85
    Astonishing atmosphere and great action make this add-on a no-brainer for role players across the galaxy.
  16. Games Master UK
    Dec 25, 2010
    83
    A brilliant add on so pivotal to Mass Effect lore it's hard to see how BioWare can lead into the final part of the trilogy without forcing everybody to play this first. [Issue#232, p.85]
    All this publication's reviews
  17. GameShark
    83
    Still, there's more to life than money and the interesting firefights, further fleshing out of the Mass Effect universe and satisfying emotional resolution to Liara's story is reward enough and acts as a fitting epilogue to Mass Effect 2.
  18. VideoGamer
    80
    It might not be too cheap at 800 Microsoft Points, but it's an exciting and cinematic ride while it lasts.
  19. GamerNode
    80
    No Mass Effect fan should be without this DLC package. It's too good to pass up, no doubt about it.
  20. Metro GameCentral
    70
    Easily the best downloadable extra so far and the only one to realise that Mass Effect 2's true strength is in character and melodrama, not action.

Awards & Rankings

20
#20 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2010
65
#65 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2010

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 170 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 146 out of 170
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 170
  3. Negative: 13 out of 170
  1. jbigboote
    Sep 8, 2010
    10
    A bit expensive at 800 Microsoft points ($10), this DLC is worth the cost. Not only do you get some important story and character development,A bit expensive at 800 Microsoft points ($10), this DLC is worth the cost. Not only do you get some important story and character development, you also get a lot of useful resources, including credits. This will be most useful if you are not already at the end of a game, or if you are playing through again (the DLC starts on Illium, FYI). Easily my favorite ME2 mission DLC thus far (beating out Zaeed, Hammerhead, Kasumi, and Overlord missions).… Full Review »
  2. Shockwave
    Sep 8, 2010
    10
    Lair is by far the best DLC for ME2 and possible the best DLC I've ever played for any game. The DLC follows the new Mass Effect tradition ofLair is by far the best DLC for ME2 and possible the best DLC I've ever played for any game. The DLC follows the new Mass Effect tradition of incorporating events from past games into dialogue unique for your character. I noticed a significant difference between playing my female renegade (who had a relationship with Liara in ME1) and my male paragon (who didn't have a relationship with Liara). It was almost like playing two different games. Lair also introduces a few new elements to game play such as the taxi mini-game Illium. This DLC is exactly what the franchise needs going into ME3.… Full Review »
  3. Deturis
    Sep 8, 2010
    10
    After beating this DLC I can say, that now I was playing whole ME2, best DLC and 100% worth of 800 ms / bio points, great story, great actionAfter beating this DLC I can say, that now I was playing whole ME2, best DLC and 100% worth of 800 ms / bio points, great story, great action and ... of course Liara :)… Full Review »
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