9 ответов в этой теме

[Supreme Leech]

Welcome to this thread

I'm about to begin playing the Mass Effect series. I'd really like to know what DLC to buy to go along with the main story. I want to make sure that I get the most out of the game and experience all the cool stuff in the DLC for each game, but at the same time I don't think I'll be buying every single DLC pack.

So that's where I need your help, fellow Mass Effect fans. Which DLCs are a must, and which ones can I afford to ignore and not miss out too much on the fun?

Also, is there any particular order to play the DLC for each game? Should I wait until I finish the main sorry, or should I begin the DLC before I finish the main campaign?

I know, I know, so many questions! I'd really appreciate some answers.

Thanks for reading. And well done for reaching the end of the post.

[Taki17]

ME1 has two DLCs - Bring down the Sky and Pinnacle Station. Bring down the sky adds a new location, where you can drive around in the Mako, solve some side quests, collect some good gear and complete a main quest that can have consequences in ME2 and ME3. Pinnacle Station is a combat simulation arena, where you and your squad can fight against virtual opponents. It is basically a challenge map, with rewards in credits, XP, and gear. None of these are essential in any way and they are quite disconnected from the main plot, but they can provide a nice distraction and you get them free on Origin.

 

For ME2, you get a bunch of free DLC by buying the game (one mission, one vehicle mission pack, a new squadmate, two guns and an armor set). For the story DLCs, I'd get Kasumi (new squadmate, gun, ability, side missions) first, because she's cute, a very useful party member and the crew is finally complete with her. Next, I recommend Overlord, which adds a new planet with quite lot of playtime and exploration, plus an interesting moral dilemma in its plotline (also, music is awsome in that mission).  Lair of the Shadow Broker  and Arrival are kinda essential story-wise, so I'd say these two are the most important, as they have a lot of stuff that carry over to ME3 and provide a nice epilogue after the main quests. I would also recommend the Firepower pack, as it adds three really cool guns to your arsenal (it is worth it for the assault rifle alone). The Aegis pack is optional - its cool and all, but not really essential. You can skip the cosmetic pack for squadmates and the other equipment packs, I never found them very useful or good looking.

 

ME3 has the best story DLCs, so here most all of them come highly recommended -  Extended Cut is an absolute must (and its free),  From Ashes  adds a new interesting party member, Leviathan expands upon the lore and backstory, Omega adds a quite enjoyable mission pack (skip this if you're short on money, as this is the least essential story DLC in any way and its quite mediocre compared to the others) and Citadel, in all its clichéness and cheesyness is hilarously fun DLC, again, an absolut recommended purchase. You can skip on the weapon and armor DLCs, I found that in ME3 you get more than enough stuff in the basegame.

[ArcadiaGrey]

ME1 has two DLCs - Bring down the Sky and Pinnacle Station. Bring down the sky adds a new sidequest, where you can drive around in the Mako, solve some side quests, collect some good gear and complete a main quest that can have consequences in ME2 and ME3. Pinnacle Station is a combat simulation arena, where you and your squad can fight against virtual opponents. It is basically a challenge map, with rewards in credits, XP, and gear. None of these are essential in any way and they are quite disconnected from the main plot, but they can provide a nice distraction and you get them free on Origin.

 

For ME2, you get a bunch of free DLC by buying the game (one mission, one vehicle mission pack, a new squadmate, two guns and an armor set). For the story DLCs, I'd get Kasumi (new squadmate, gun, ability, side missions) first, because she's cute, a very useful party member and the crew is finally complete with her. Next, I recommend Overlord, which adds a new planet with quite lot of playtime and exploration, plus an interesting moral dilemma in its plotline (also, music is awsome in that mission).  Lair of the Shadow Broker  and Arrival are kinda essential story-wise, so I'd say these two are the most important, as they have a lot of stuff that carry over to ME3 and provide a nice epilogue after the main quests. I would also recommend the Firepower pack, as it adds three really cool guns to your arsenal (it is worth it for the assault rifle alone). The Aegis pack is optional - its cool and all, but not really essential. You can skip the cosmetic pack for squadmates and the other equipment packs, I never found them very useful or good looking.

 

ME3 has the best story DLCs, so here most all of them come highly recommended -  Extended Cut is an absolute must (and its free),  From Ashes  adds a new interesting party member, Leviathan expands upon the lore and backstory, Omega adds a quite enjoyable mission pack (skip this if you're short on money, as this is the least essential story DLC in any way and its quite mediocre compared to the others) and Citadel, in all its clichéness and cheesyness is hilarously fun DLC, again, an absolut recommended purchase. You can skip on the weapon and armor DLCs, I found that in ME3 you get more than enough stuff in the basegame.

 

Sums it up perfectly....

[themikefest]

I would get Bring down the sky. Good dlc. Since I play on the ps3, I don't have the pinnacle station dlc.

 

Bring down sky can be done at any time. Not sure if there's any best time in the game to play it. I usually play it right after becoming a spectre before doing any main missions

[geth47]

"I'm about to begin playing the Mass Effect series. I'd really like to know what DLC to buy to go along with the main story."

 

Well, if your main interest is the story, then avoid all DLCs regarding new textures and weapons. Personally, I like the weapons. 

 

"I want to make sure that I get the most out of the game and experience all the cool stuff in the DLC for each game"

 

Well, in order to experience most out of the game you would have, in reality, to replay the trilogy several times. Sometimes using the DLCs, and sometimes refraining from using them. They shape events in different manners. 

 

"but at the same time I don't think I'll be buying every single DLC pack."

 

What I can suggest is that you read on the ME wikia the description of each DLC and try to find reviews, or even youtube videos featuring them. Then it is up to you to decide if they are worth or not. 

 

 

I think all the story DLCs for ME2 and 3 are worth the time and money. The ones for ME1 are really uninspired. The first one, Bring Down the Sky, is a side-quest deviating totally from the game. It has repetitive combats in modular sections, more mako driving at deja vu like places. Even the final battle at the single building structure new to the game (scrapped from the original release and relying on material already used) is not so spectacular as many could lead you to believe. And to make things worse, your squad-mates become mute. The second DLC, Pinnacle Station is a true atrocity. Just read the reviews. They really dropped the ball with the DLCs for ME1. At the time, dlc for consoles was a somewhat new experience and they were just toying around with the idea. ME2 and 3 offer much safer buying options. 

"So that's where I need your help, fellow Mass Effect fans. Which DLCs are a must"

 

Technically speaking, none is a must. You can still have a long, fun, satisfying and full experience with just the base game. And even trying to stick to the main plot and avoiding side-missions. 

 

I would strongly recommend:

 

 

1-From Ashes: ME3 suffers when compared to ME2 because it offers less squad-mates.From ashes mitigates this.  And also gives you a new riffle the plays in a similar mechanic to the ME1 weapons.

 

 

2-Leviathan: It explains the origin  of the main foes of the series. I won´t spoil it for you.

 

3-Citadel: Lots of comical fan-service as well as a great arena concept. 

 

4-Overlord: Because there weren´t enough battles with the geth in ME2. It´s a cool side-story.

 

5-Shadow Broker: Great combat sequences, and you will have a stronghold of sorts with all kinds of cool-stuff at the end.

 

Arrival and Omega are "love it or hate it" material. personally, I like them.

 

 

Zaed´s DLC is now free for everyone. Theres no reason for you not to try it. Kasumi´s dlc is a short story (kinda boring), but it will reward you with a permanent squad-mate as well as one of the best weapons ever. 

 

"and which ones can I afford to ignore and not miss out too much on the fun?"

 

The weapons, the skin textures, pinnacle station, brind down the sky (to an extent), omega (to an extent), hammerhead (it´s just a vehicle but its now for free)

"Also, is there any particular order to play the DLC for each game?"

 

In the case of ME1, you need to have spectre status and be in charge of the ship. There´s a certain point of no return when you´re committed to the 2 final stages. BDTS can be done at any given time. Pinnacle Station, given its difficulty, should only be done much later. Actually, it should not be done. Period. It plain sucks. 

 

None of the dlcs for ME1 can be done after you end the game. Well, unless it´s a new game plus with your stats and equipment retained. 

 

 "Should I wait until I finish the main sorry, or should I begin the DLC before I finish the main campaign?"

 

In ME2 they leave it open to you. Most of the dlcs work better inside the main story. Arrival and Shadow Broker have slight changes should you play it post end-game. 

 

Personally, I think it´s anti-climatic to end with a side-story or some kind of inter-sequel. I prefer to wrap things up with a major boom at the end and then have a last laugh with my crew prior to importing the profile, but it´s just me. 

 

ME3 ends with the end. There´s a lot of closure associated to it. The game will generate a save from a last possible point prior to the final arch to allow you to try any remaining dlcs.

 

Omega can be done whenever you like. Your shepard by the end of it will be much stronger and with much more equipment than before. 

 

Citadel can be done in parts. At least be big party section works better just prior to the end so you can invite more people. 

 

Leviathan consists of several sections. You can do in parts. 

 

From ashes will add a new squad-mate, so it´s generally preferred to be done as soon as possible. 

[Supreme Leech]

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply to this I really appreciate that you guys are the best

[voteDC]

Mass Effect 1:

Bring Down the Sky: There is a fair bit of Mako action here and to be honest it has begun to feel like padding. Then again I have played through the game more times than I can count. The story is the fun part though and it introduces us to the batarians and what they are willing to do. Also adds a nice little colour to a Mass Effect 2 DLC.

Pinnacle Station: I think the combat in the first game is the best of the series and I still avoid this like the plague. it's a combat simulator but the missions are so easy that the only way they prove a challenge is by playing the DLC as soon as you get off the Citadel. Utter utter rubbish.

Mass Effect 2:

 

Normandy Crash Site: This is a DLC that only really works if you were attached to the crew of the Normandy in the first game. Otherwise it's a simple collection quest. It's free though, so worth playing once at least.

 

Zaeed - The Price of Revenge: You get the new character of Zaeed, voiced by the late Robin Sachs, and a really quite fun mission. It's another free piece of DLC but I would have happily paid the same as for ....

Kasumi - Stolen Memory: You get the best thief in the Galaxy for your squad and get to pick up the best SMG. The story is fun and you get to make quite a tough choice at the end. Well worth its small cost.

The Firewalker Pack: Another of the free DLCs and even then it's too high a price. Avoid unless you are desperate to fill some space on the Normandy.

Overlord: Filled with padding using the Hammerhead tank from the Firewalker Pack. Fortunately the actual story elements are great and the end is genuinely heart wrenching.

Lair of the Shadow Broker: Now I love this DLC but a big part of that is that I'm a big fan of the Liara character. If you aren't then it becomes a DLC filled with shootout sections that go on just that little bit too long.

Arrival: Only worth it if you've ever wanted to play the combat missions with Shepard alone. Otherwise it makes no sense to send Shepard solo when there are squad members who would be better suited to the mission. Sorry for the minor rant there. The DLC was touted as a bridge between Mass Effect 2 and 3 but in reality changes a couple of lines of dialogue and a handful of war assets in the latter game.

Mass Effect 3:

From Ashes: You get a new character who integrates into the story amazingly well, unlike the DLC squad-mates from ME2 he has proper interactions. There is one mission where his absence would be felt very much without him present. You also get an great assault rifle that requires no ammo, using the overheat mechanics from the first game.

Extended Cut: This DLC as its name suggests extends the endings and makes each a unique experience. You may wish to play the game without it first, many people liked the shipped endings. I didn't and wouldn't dream of playing without this installed.

Leviathan: Adds a nice investigation to the game which takes you across the Galaxy to search for what is capable of killing a Reaper. You'll likely enjoy it more than I did, since it contains knowledge that you already kind of know if you already finished the game.

Omega: A decent DLC but relies heavily on the player liking the character of Aria. If you don't then you'd better enjoy the combat as that is the only other thing it has going for it.

Citadel: The mission is a little hokey, but it brilliantly reminded me why I fell in love with Mass Effect and that was the characters that peopled it. The main game can feel a little hollow at times but this DLC more than makes up for it.

That's my brief summary of the story DLCs for the game. Hopefully you find them of some use, if you want more explanation of one then just let me know.

[Catastrophy]

ME3:

 

If you feel the combat missions are too short overall then Omega is the right DLC for you.

 

Leviathan is more story-heavy with a neat "put-some-clues-together" mechanic instead of being given just a mission by superiors.

 

Citadel is a no-brainer since it's free.

 

From Ashes adds a character that fits in quite well in the overall story.

 

Generally speaking: The story major DLCs are usually more playful than the vanilla game - meaning, they usually have mechanics that add some flair to the game. Omega not so much, it's pretty much focussed on combat mechanics but since they are good...

[Vendigo]

I would get Bring down the sky. Good dlc. Since I play on the ps3, I don't have the pinnacle station dlc.
 
Bring down sky can be done at any time. Not sure if there's any best time in the game to play it. I usually play it right after becoming a spectre before doing any main missions

It's often recommended to wait until level 50 before doing BDtS. You'll get a very rare item on completion, and not to have it at tier X is a bit of a waste.

[themikefest]

It's often recommended to wait until level 50 before doing BDtS. You'll get a very rare item on completion, and not to have it at tier X is a bit of a waste.

You mean the omnitool? No big deal.