Bioware is no stranger to releasing add-on or expansion packs for their lineup of games. It comes to no surprise that they are continuing to support the success of Mass Effect 2 with extra content for space-hungry gamers to devour, hence the recent release of Lair of the Shadow Broker. The narrative around Shadow Broker explores the relationship of Shepard and the very blue Liara T’Soni as well as follow-up regarding her strained dealings with the Shadow Broker. As a smidgeon of backstory before Mass Effect 2 kicked off, the Shadow Broker found Shepard’s body after the events of ME1 in the Citadel and decided to auction it off to the highest bidder. Cerberus, not to keen on this idea, hires Liara to bring Shepard back and events ensue that enrage Liara, thus her cold demeanor in Mass Effect 2. The narrative is relatively straightforward and the pacing of the presentation versus the action is perfect.



The expansion pack doesn’t stray at all from the style of gameplay laid out in Mass Effect 2. Load up your weapons with your team of three soldiers and shoot the enemies. It’s as simple as that. However, Bioware did introduce a car chase of sorts into the mix, something that I’m surprised that worked so well. There are also more specific goals in the levels, often more conversational in nature rather than firing off rounds of a machine gun. The scattered boss battles are pretty phenomenal as well, definitely some of the more unique encounters that you will find in the Mass Effect 2 universe.

Something interesting about this pack of DLC is that it’s perfect to play while in the middle of Mass Effect 2, not after you have finished it. This is due to the resources that become available to you after completing the mission, many of which are absolutely fantastic to have while exploring the galaxy. For instance, you have vastly more intel when it comes to mining planets and teams at your disposal to send out on missions. There’s also a larger variety of intel on your main team, much of which is conversation material. In fact, you may just want to start a new game and use the DLC asap to maximize the effectiveness of the Shadow Broker’s resources.

Graphics

• The visuals in Shadow Broker actually look better than the original game, specifically the design of the Shadow Broker’s spaceship in the latter half of the narrative. Lightning whips around the ship and crackles of light spark up across the screen. It’s really phenomenal and the cutscenes are just as polished.

Audio

• The voice work is top notch as the voice actors return to narrate the characters that we grew to enjoy in Mass Effects 2. There’s really some clever writing as well, with jokes at the expense of the gameplay of the original Mass Effect. The music is equally of high quality, especially the theme that continues to pop up on the Show Broker’s ship. It heightens the tension and really makes the mood highly exciting.

Conclusion

You are getting about two to three more hours out of Mass Effect 2 with the addition of this downloadable add-on pack priced at $10. That really doesn’t match up with the value of Mass Effect 2 in terms of cost per hour of play, but it does bring several loose ends together regarding some of the plot holes and character back study in Mass Effect 2. While Shadow Broker has a tremendous production value, it really does play more like a movie at some points rather than an action title. In any case, pick up the Shadow Broker if you absolutely enthralled with the Mass Effect 2 story and want to find out what happened to Liara, particularly how it affects Mass Effect 3. Just beware of the short length and relatively high cost per hour of play.

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