We got treated to lots of DLC from the Bioware crew in the run up to ME3. Amongst the lot (including new suits for the team) are the highlights of the 3 new missions - Overlord, The Arrival and The Shadow Broker - and the intriguing new character, Kasumi Goto.
So what's my take on this DLC? Well they are all good, but I reckon the Shadow Broker and Kasumi are most significant to the next instalment.
The presence of vehicular combat in Overlord was especially enjoyable because it was a brand new addition to the series. It was also cool that the vehicular mission had dynamic elements from dodging a giant laser cannon to lava-hopping and sourcing raw material in a new way. You also get to engage in combat in a new way through the vehicle's roof-mounted cannon and the mission also had more puzzles and combat than the primary campaign. There's also the possibility that the character you save (a young man forced by his brother to cybernetically interface with a Geth entity - Project Overlord itself) may have some role in ME3 because of the knowledge and skills gained through the forced experimentation (not unlike Jack, to whom he is passingly compared).
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The Shadow Broker Base |
The Arrival was more combat then anything else, and though it had new research, the only really new game play element it introduced, was the sequence where you remote control a mech drone to engineer your escape from Dr. Kenson's rogue team. That was cool as was the surprising plot twist and betrayal by Dr. Kenson. It has already been ascertained that Shepherd's actions in Arrival initiate the ME3 storyline which begins on Earth. He is under investigation (or on trial) for the deaths of the many Batarians 'sacrificed', when he chose to destroy the Mass Effect Accelerator rather than let Harbinger [thanks Anthony K] invade Earth.
I consider The Shadow Broker the most significant mission because Liara's ascendency to the eponymous role seems to be set up as a key plot mover in ME3. The Shadow Broker's base effectively becomes a second HQ for Shepherd as it is rich with data and essentially provides all the services the Normandy does, and then some. Along with being able to manage your team's biotic skills, you have access to video data, personnel profiles, maps to ore rich planets (which also lead to secondary missions) and can use info to your advantage. The concern Liara has for Shepherd and extent of her actions (recovering his body from the previous Shadow Broker) suggest some deeper link or motive. But we'll see. All conjecture on my part, but as far as telling stories goes, one doesn't include certain kinds of content unless it means something.
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| Kasumi, the Master Thief |
As for Kasumi. It makes no sense to add a new character if she were only going to appear for the sake of one mission. She is a very intriguing and cool character, and the clever way you first interact with her through the video ad is an apt intro. Her biotic powers and covert skills will likely come into play in Mass Effect 3. Plus her loyalty mission has a nice balance of combat and covert engagement and you gain a new weapon. It also doesn't hurt that she's hot.
In summation I recommend getting all the new missions. Each adds it's own piece to the overall plot, I also reckon that you will get the full ME3 experience by playing all three missions. They are all very combat heavy and have little role play element - perhaps that's why Shadow Broker also stands out as there is more conversation and even an element of detective work which is quite engaging.
Laters.
