I was surfing through Live's Marketplace this evening looking for new movies that had come available, when Mass Effect's first expansion caught my eye. I loved Mass Effect, in spite of its flaws, and knew I had to check this out. Two hours later, I'm ready to write my review.

This means I get to review something less than three years old.

I know, I'm excited too.

This "expansion" is really more of an extra mission or two. Retailing for 400 MS points, or about five bucks, the plotline involves Batarian mercs capturing a mining facility on an asteroid floating near a heavily populated human planet. They strap some rockets to it, point it at the planet in question, and try to bring the pain 'extinction of the dinosaurs' style. When I first saw the plotline, I'll admit, I rolled my eyes a bit, but the asteroid pushing technology works, given the setup the game gives it. You get to see Batarians, who look kind of like Admiral Ackbar with an extra set of eyes, and the ones that talk mostly sound like Wrex (I didn't check the voice actor, but it wouldn't surprise me if it was the same).

Speaking of voice acting, the voice acting is both good and lacking. Shepherd has several new things to say, and the people you meet on the colony are all acted very well, but what is very noticeable right from go is that your crew don't talk at all here. I understand why, but it's a bit jarring. You can't even target them and have them spit out a one-liner.

The mission you undertake is pretty good. It's a great deal like a "Mission" meets an "Assignment" to use the game terms. It might help to think of this as the worst of the storyline missions or the best of the side quests. You start off in an open environment, like any uncharted planet, and you have to visit three facilities, then finally you finish the quest in an underground bunker. There is a side-quest involving finding lost engineers that has you explore the planet a bit more, and I found one little hut that seemed to just be there for the flavor of the thing (it was a pirate radio station bunker, and you could play music from it).

The planet layout is decent, with some new items added (minefields, moving turrets, large "asteroid rockets" for scenery), but otherwise functions like any uncharted world. The interiors are the standard bunker from most side-quests, but the rooms and lighting have been doctored in a way that does make them feel interesting and new, as opposed to feeling like a room you've already been in ten times. That day. The final bunker is a new building, with decor that reminded me of fighting in the Citadel. It's small, but it does the job. By the by, the final fight is very enjoyable, with a *large* opposing force made up of mixed classes of troops.

Of course, in standard Mass Effect style, the whole thing ends with a choice that determines whether your character is a pussy or whether you get the job done. It's also worth noting that at the end of the mission, those with a high charm will be able to get a Savant X Omni-Tool.

I'd recommend the expansion, 400 points is less than I spend on some movies, and I certainly enjoyed this more. I wish the crew had taken a more active role, but I do understand why that isn't reasonable to expect. Don't go in expecting too much and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

- J

What about new guns? Armour? If it's just a show off for the new race, and a re hash of the luna mission, I aint wasting my points.

There is no new equipment, sadly. As for the Luna mission thing, I thought about mentioning that, because it sounds similar. The expansion really does run much better than that (and it better, for five bucks). The Luna mission was the exact same building with the exact same enemies three times. This does a pretty good job of changing it up as it goes along.

Again, don't expect too much and you won't be discouraged, but the real question should be, "How much did I like Mass Effect?" If the answer is, "A lot, and I wanted more of it," then this is for you. If it's anything else, you can probably afford to let this slide.

A second question might be, "How much is five dollars worth to me?"

- J

So wanting this. Need to scrounge up $5 and go buy it. The only thing I'm a bit dissapointed with, I thought they were going to add a couple of new rooms in the Citadel. There are so many locked doors and unusable elevators I was sure they were going to add something onto those. That would have been great.

Unfortunately, I did go in expecting a lot. It's not bad... but not really that good.

On a plus note, some parts can be really challenging and epic, and it makes the most of the conversation wheel.

But if there is ANY way you can experience it without paying for it (like on a friends machine or have extra points which you aren't going to use), then do so before paying for it. If you miss it, you are not missing out on anything spectacular.

Well I wasn't sure if I wanted to get this or not, but I think after reading this I probably will. It sounds interesting enough to pour the requisite two hours or so into, and I need something to do until I get a new game anyway.

I've been waiting to play this for some time. Either the PC version of BDTS isn't out yet or I just don't know how to get to it(the Bioware page keeps saying "Coming soon").

Wait, what? One new mission? And they call it an expansion? Yeesh. I'm going to pass. Especially if you have to pay 500 points for it. Not a bad review. Short, but there's not much to say, so not trying to drag it out was probably a goodthing.

woah woah woah there, it's out? I see "coming soon" on Bioware's page as well...and I'm logged in >_>

Anyway, mr. Break according to the TC it seems that it's more like a "Mission" meets an "Assignment' and I couldn't think of a more perfect way to illustrate it - seems like it's worth the 500 points, compared to other stuff on XBL, that seems like a steal.

Woe is me, for I have the PC version and cannot download it yet, but it's free anyway so I should be grateful.

EDIT: Oh btw do you get anything for handling it with intimidate? I'm a Infiltrator so that Savant Omni-tool sounds awesome but I just want to know that the game isn't holding out on me here. I need a decent omni-tool, Savant X is best of the best so it seems like I may go with "charm". Unless I can replay it and just get both rewards because heck, I've already played through twice.

Nice thread necromancy, guys.

Woah, I didn't notice. Christ, I'm stupid.

Hold up, TI reviewed this thing months ago, and it's still not out on PC? The hell?

Wow.... I get more comments months after the fact than I did on initial posting. Go me, I suppose. Now someone just needs to dig up that review of Batman that I did and start a renewed conversation about that.

To El Arab: At this point I don't recall, but I *think* you could kind of go either way with it. Basically, the last guy you speak to will offer to reward you with something, and you can pick your prize, but if you're persuasive enough, you can pick additional prizes. I believe either way on the wheel got you the omni-tool, but I'm honestly not sure now.

To Break: Meh, you'll get two hours out of it. That's worth five bucks to me. Expansion nowadays does tend to mean another third added to the game, but then most expansions cost somewhere in the 35 to 50 dollar range. This one is five dollars. Two hours is about right.

- J

"moving turrets"? Surely the point of a turret is that it's stationary? A moving turret is a tank isn't it?

KidSampson:
"moving turrets"? Surely the point of a turret is that it's stationary? A moving turret is a tank isn't it?

Imagine a conveyer belt that moves back and forth with a turret gun mounted to it.

- J

YAY! PC version is on the way too.

Mr.Bioware employee guy Chris Priestly:

Hi Folks,

For those of you waiting for the "Bring Down the Sky," free downloadable content, we've run in to some unexpected bugs which we are just about done fixing. We apologize for the delay and promise that we will get it to you as soon as possible.

When the downloadable content is available, you will be notified via the Mass Effect game launcher or you can check http://masseffect.bioware.com for updates.

Thanks for you patience.

not sure if it will be the DLC and a patch but we're getting it soon, so, time for happy smiley! ^_^

btw innuendo I'll keep that in mind, and maybe quick save before it if I get the chance lol, but I have another question.

Since this is somewhat of a "Mission/Assignment" does it have any major plot details or some references to ME2 or anything like that? You don't have to spoil it, a simple "yes or no" is good but the reason I'm asking is because not everyone has XBL because they aren't willing to pay for it, and even then some people aren't willing to pay the 400 points, of course we won't dwell on why but it would also be good to note if it's a "must get or you'll miss out!" or a "must get or you'll miss out! (but not on anything major >_>)"

I'll be getting it either way but I'm just curious.

ElArabDeMagnifico:
Since this is somewhat of a "Mission/Assignment" does it have any major plot details or some references to ME2 or anything like that? You don't have to spoil it, a simple "yes or no" is good but the reason I'm asking is because not everyone has XBL because they aren't willing to pay for it, and even then some people aren't willing to pay the 400 points, of course we won't dwell on why but it would also be good to note if it's a "must get or you'll miss out!" or a "must get or you'll miss out! (but not on anything major >_>)"

I'll be getting it either way but I'm just curious.

Hm... not really. I mostly described it as a Mission because of how detailed it is, the fact that it has a unique area, and the overall feel of the experience. It's not a mission in the sense that it advances the overall plot.

I guess you could argue that the introduction of the new race adds to the overarching plot and discusses in more detail some of the plot points to expect in ME2, but honestly, if you don't know what to expect in ME2, you haven't been paying attention to trilogies in the last several years.

- J

Lol, true, and I guess you are right, hearing so much about the batarians, and hell, finding some of their weapons, but never seeing them may give more depth. Also, mercs trying to do the opposite of what happened in "Armaggedon" sounds like a pretty serious plot point lol, so I'm sure there will at least be some reference to it in ME2, if it reads your save file or something.

ElArabDeMagnifico:
Lol, true, and I guess you are right, hearing so much about the batarians, and hell, finding some of their weapons, but never seeing them may give more depth. Also, mercs trying to do the opposite of what happened in "Armaggedon" sounds like a pretty serious plot point lol, so I'm sure there will at least be some reference to it in ME2, if it reads your save file or something.

The story goes that ME2 and even 3 will be different games based on your actions in ME1.

I'd like to, right now in front of everyone, call bullshit on this.

But that's the rumor right now.

- J

Sounds good. Shame I can't download it, what with my shitty internet connection in regards to my Xbox 360. Truth be told though, I liked Mass Effect and all, but I don't think this is that high on my wish-list.