"Mass Effect 3: Omega" DLC Review

Publisher:  Bioware/EA

Genre:  RPG

Summary:  Aid Aria in retaking control of Omega from Cerberus.

Gameplay:  There are several new types of enemy to fight.  The companions, Aria and Nyreen, have some unique new abilities.

Style:  The excellently atmospheric locations of the asteroid space station of Omega, with neon catwalks, cramped service tunnels, dark power facilities, and vast mines, give a cyberpunk flair to the proceedings.  The music and sound design are good.  The cinematics are good as well, though some lasted a bit long and I wanted to get back to my own action.

Story:  The story is linear, a few hours of fighting, but in fun environments, as noted above.  The DLC feels like it peaks slightly before the actual climax, so the pacing feels a bit off.  More disappointing is the lack of choice and therefore replayability, especially when there seems to be several potential places for choices within the story.  The dialogue varies a bit because of Paragon and Renegade responses, but that's it.

Conclusion:  Aria and Nyreen are both interesting characters, and Omega is an interesting location.  Omega is not that great (mass?) effect to the overall game story, a small slice of the greater war of Mass Effect 3, but it's a fun few hours.  I just wish it had more variation and interaction with the rest of Mass Effect 3.

"Mass Effect: Pinnacle Station" DLC Review

Publisher:  Bioware

Genre:  RPG

Summary:  Commander Shepherd visits a station with combat training scenarios.

Gameplay:  There are four different mission types at Pinnacle Station:  Kill (kill as many enemies as possible in the allotted time), Capture (hold designated positions as fast as possible), Survive (stay alive as long as possible), and Hunt (kill enemies as quickly as possible) in several different environments.

Style:  The simulated environments are nice, though it is easy to see they are grabbed from parts of the game.  The edges revealing the holographic nature of the environment are a nice touch, as is the fading away of the holographic enemies.  The overseeing admiral's comments are at first amusing, but get repetitive quickly.

Story:  There is a bit of a story about Shepherd beating the scores of a posturing turian, but that's about it.

Conclusion:  It's odd coming to this DLC after years of playing Mass Effect games, as I can see here the genesis of the more elaborate combat simulator in Mass Effect 3:  Citadel.  Mass Effect itself offers more interesting combat with more interesting stories out in the galaxy, but Pinnacle Station isn't bad for what it is.

"Dragon Age: Inquisition The Jaws of Hakkon" DLC Review

Publisher:  Bioware

Genre:  RPG

Summary:  A hostile tribe makes the investigation into the last Inquisitor's death and resting place more difficult.

Gameplay:  Gameplay is the same as the rest of the game, but restricted to higher levels (somewhat to my annoyance, as there is no in-story reason), and there is a new ability available for the main character after a certain quest.  Unlike the rest of the game (but like other DLC), enemies level with you.

Style:  The Frostback Basin area is gorgeous, with an interesting variety of locations ranging from vibrant multicolored swamps to cliff-side Viking-like villages to frozen ancient ruins.

Story:  The Jaws of Hakkon tells a great story that enriches Thedas' past and lore, expanding on a culture and area of history not touched on much previously and adding interesting characters in past and present.  There is plenty to explore in the Frostback Basin, but smaller side quests and stories easily can be ignored if that is your preference.

"Rise of the Tomb Raider Baba Yaga: The Temple of the Witch" DLC Review

Publisher:  Square Enix/Crystal Dynamics

Genre:  Action/Adventure

Summary:  Lara Croft investigates the Wicked Vale of Baba Yaga.

Gameplay:  There are no new gameplay elements but the DLC innovatively uses existing ones, and rewards at the end include upgraded ability options.  The difficulty can be considered a step up, including the last puzzle and the last battle (to its detriment, as it's clearly meant to be an intense action-packed sequence, but the puzzle bits mean it always take me longer to complete.)

Style:  "Baba Yaga" features some neat sights like a new tomb and hallucinogenic nightmares.  The introductory character of Nadia feels miscast.  I realize she's supposed to feel young and helpless, but the overly American accent feels very out of place on a Siberian Remnant and takes me right out of the game.

Story:  The overall story is touching, but with an obvious twist (a common issue with these "Tomb Raider" games, it seems), especially if you read the documents.  It's also a bit hard to figure out how to fit it into the overall "Rise of Tomb Raider" pacing, although at least that is up to player discretion.

Conclusion:  "Baba Yaga:  The Temple of the Witch" is an interesting story with some cool visuals and frustrating gameplay.

"Rise of the Tomb Raider Blood Ties" DLC Review

Publisher:  Square Enix/Crystal Dynamics

Genre:  Adventure

Summary:  In order to prove her ownership of Croft Manor, Lara Croft searches through her parents' memorabilia and reminisces on the past.

Gameplay:  Although the DLC follows the normal format of Lara gradually finding helpful items that help proceed through formerly impassable obstacles, there is no combat and the puzzles are more logic-based.

Style:  Despite being set entirely in Croft Manor, it's in bad shape and it's a stormy night, so "Blood Ties" manages to match the feel of Lara's other tomb raiding.  Occasionally there's a bit of a golden glow as she recalls a memory; these moments are well-timed and do not drag.

Story:  I love backstory and nostalgia, so Lara learning about her parents and remembering the past as she gradually explores the manor is right up my alley.  Solely through short notes and journals characters and feelings are clearly conveyed.  The DLC provides a nice lead-in to "Rise of the Tomb Raider" (I believe it technically takes place after the prologue), offering further explanation and emotion for that game, but tells a nice complete story about the Crofts in itself.  

Conclusion:  While I enjoy the combat of the "Tomb Raider" games, it's nice to relax with an informative look at the Croft family and concentrate on more adventure-style puzzles with "Blood Ties".  The story is excellent and moving and adds to Lara Croft's character.

"Dragon Age: Origins Return to Ostagar" DLC Review

Publisher:  Bioware

Genre:  RPG

Summary:  You return to Ostagar after the battle.

Gameplay:  There are a couple new types of darkspawn and undead, but nothing too unusual.

Style:  Ostagar was always well-designed, and it still looks good all strewn with snow.  Everything is unnecessarily labeled; I would have preferred to rely on my own memory to compare.  There are also some flashbacks to the battle to reinforce locations, which feel like cheats, especially since the character didn't have the viewpoint for some of them, and you just know Bioware wanted to milk those admittedly awesome sequences again.

Story:  It's a short, simple story of wandering through the remnants (Cailan's letters add some interesting knowledge to Fereldan's politics, but nothing game-changing.)  Only Alistair and Wynne have anything to say.  It makes sense because they were there for the battle, but it would have been nice if the other characters could have commented too.

Conclusion:  Return to Ostagar doesn't add much and isn't complex, but is nice for what it is, some good loot and a reminiscence on a momentous part of the story.

"Mass Effect 2 Overlord" DLC Review

Publisher:  EA/Bioware

Genre:  RPG

Summary:  Shepherd investigates a Cerberus project gone wrong involving the geth.

Gameplay:  Beyond the usual combat, there are several sequences involving combat and general movement challenges such as navigating lava and heights in the Hammerhead vehicle.  There is a clever variety of these.

Style:  The environments, both natural and interior, are pretty and eerie, featuring notable elements like a looming planet over a giant satellite, a smoky, red-lit power station, and angry green electronic communications.

Story:  The overall plot of yet another Cerberus project gone wrong isn't new, although the ending manages to be moving.  The biggest issue is that there's too little of it, meaning Overlord manages to feel both too short and too long.  Although the DLC doesn't take too much time, there are lots of locations and steps to complete the simple plot.

Conclusion:  Overlord has some neat design elements, but feels longer than it needs to be for a very standard story.

"Dragon Age Origins Leliana's Song" DLC Review

Publisher:  Bioware

Genre:  RPG

Summary:  Leliana tells the story of how she left being a bard and became involved with the Chantry.

Gameplay:  There's nothing new to Dragon Age:  Origin's gameplay here.  There are usual opportunities to fight or sneak or find objects.

Style:  There are no new locations.  The loading screens and lore entries are told from Leliana's point of view, reinforcing her narration, a nice touch.  Characters are introduced with dramatic splash screens.  This looks cool, but I don't think it quite fits the tone of the rest of the DLC.  The music is excellent.

Story:  It's interesting to play this for the first time, as I have, after Dragon Age:  Inquisition.  It works well to enrich the complex character of Leliana and related aspects of Thedas.

As a character-driven story from Leliana's past, the main events can't change, but there are some choices in Leliana's responses and minor actions that add variety.  The other characters in the DLC are generally interesting.

There's a pleasant ambiguity to the whole DLC (always an issue when you have a rogue narrating in Thedas.)  When Leliana mentioned these events in the core game, for example, they did not take place in Denerim.  (Clearly it does so here so the location assets can be reused, but you can imagine Leliana has reasons.)  It's not even entirely clear to whom this tale is being told--presumably the Warden main character, but others are possible.

Leliana has to leave the ending vague so as not to spoil later plot (if you're playing it early) and because the player in a sense influences the outcome.  Indeed, in some senses the truest ending comes in Inquisition, and that ending also varies with the player's actions.  It's impressive to see a character-driven piece that still allows for player choices, especially considering those player choices are yet to come.

Conclusion:  "Leiliana's Song" is an interesting addition in character and lore to the Dragon Age universe.

"Dragon Age: Origins The Stone Prisoner" DLC Review

Publisher:  Bioware

Genre:  RPG

Summary:  The Warden finds a golem to join their group.

Gameplay:  Shale, the golem, does not equip weapons or armor, but uses special elemental crystals for those purposes.  The golem has its own special ability trees that are different modes geared towards offense or aiding the other characters.  This makes the character different but rather finicky to use in combat (not that it much matters on easy mode.)

Style:  The new areas added to the game are nice.  The Deep Roads section in particular is pretty, given the lackluster presentation of the area previously in the game.

Story:  Shale is a good character who talks with the other party members and comments on events and locations as much as any of the others.  The quest to get the golem is interesting and having the character adds more emotion to the game's golem elements.

Conclusion:  Shale doesn't add a lot to the party mechanically, but is a fun party member providing some neat extra missions and lore.

"Dragon Age: Origins Witch Hunt" DLC Review

Publisher:  Bioware

Genre:  RPG

Summary:  The Warden decides to hunt down their former companion Morrigan.

Gameplay:  Gameplay is the same as in the main game or the expansion Awakenings if you have it.  There is one major unique enemy.

Style:  All of the environments are from the main game or the expansion or previous DLCs, albeit in a wide-ranging and unexpected mix.

Story:  As the last of the Origins DLC, Witch Hunt was once hoped to offer Dragon Age II clues; instead it's now known it points more towards Dragon Age:  Inquisition.  Rather, the impact of the DLC will understandably depend upon the strength of your character's feelings towards Morrigan (I don't often play it because many of my Wardens wouldn't feel strongly enough to try to find her.) 

The ending is abrupt and the DLC before that short.  The reuse of the environments is obvious, but the use of lore to connect them is interesting, and it's nice that your character has the chance to comment if they've been there before, or haven't, for that matter.

The two new NPCs are richly realized and memorable (especially in such a short amount of time) and have plenty of conversations with each other and your dog.

Conclusion:  Witch Hunt is brief and doesn't offer much, but little bits of lore and fun characters mean I never regret playing it.

"Dragon Age II Legacy" DLC Review

Publisher:  Bioware/EA

Genre:  RPG

Summary:  An attack by the Carta leads Hawke to investigate an ancient Grey Warden prison in the mountains and discover secrets of the past.

Gameplay:  Combat is the same as the rest of the game, although there are some new darkspawn enemy types.  There are a couple minor puzzles, mostly optional.

Style:  The Warden prison in all its layers is atmospheric and interesting, as are the new stylized darkspawn designs.

Story:  The backstory involving Hawke's father (and possible involvement of Hawke's sibling in discovering this backstory) is nice, and I always enjoy learning more about the Wardens and Thedas lore.  However, all of the fighting dwarves and darkspawn in and down and then up again really drags, especially on replays.

The ending might feel disheartening to some given later revelations (the choice at the end, for example, is actually moot.)  I still enjoy having a choice, however, and something being ultimately depressing certainly fits in with the rest of Dragon Age II, anyway.

Conclusion:  Although it adds to the world of Thedas and has some nice character moments, I wish "Legacy" wasn't so long and had less combat.

"Mass Effect 3 Citadel" DLC Review

Publisher:  Bioware/EA

Genre:  RPG

Summary:  Shepherd faces a mysterious attacker while on shore leave on the Citadel.

Gameplay:  The DLC features plenty of combat against tough enemies in unique environments, including a segment where Shepherd is alone without armor and weapon choices.

There is also a casino segment that involves distracting guards and hacking cameras with careful timing.  And after you've completed the combat missions, Shepherd is free to roam the new section of the Citadel and take part in casino gambling, arcade games, and the combat simulator.

Style:  I've always liked the giant city on a space station that is the Citadel, so getting to see more of its neon-lit shops and particularly its dark under-workings is a treat.  Anderson's apartment is nice and stylish, too, and can somewhat be decorated according to Shepherd's tastes.

Story:  The main story of "Citadel" (not a good name, but I suppose a more accurate one would be something like "Friendship!" and that would be hard to sell.) is a lot of fun.  The villains are intriguing and surprising, which is especially refreshing after obvious yet supposed shocking betrayals and annoying game-aided villains like Kai Leng.

Lots of the fun comes from the humor.  It's great to see your crew willing to crack jokes, especially after the dourness elsewhere in Mass Effect 3.  It's fun just to see all of your crew.  Citadel goes all out to offer different options and lines depending upon your love interest and various other choices you've had Shepherd make.

This is particularly impressive when Shepherd throws a party and the guest list depends on who Shepherd invites (and who's alive and available, of course.)  Then further conversations vary depending on what kind of party you throw, too.

Besides the main missions and the party (which doesn't have to immediately follow) there are opportunities to meet and chat with past and present crew, plus all the entertainments of the new Citadel section.  Various overheard comments keep up the humorous nature of the DLC.

Conclusion:  Citadel is just very enjoyable.  The combat is good, the story is entertaining, and it offers a lot to do while giving you a lot of choice.

"Mass Effect 3 Leviathan" DLC Review

Publisher:  EA/Bioware

Genre:  RPG

Summary:  Commander Shepherd tries to track down the Leviathan, a mysterious and ancient creature that may hold the key to the history of the Reapers.

Gameplay:  The DLC is broken up between searching for clues in a Citadel lab and then subsequent missions out in the galaxy.  This allows for the player to choose the pacing.  It does mean you can encounter some of the tougher Reaper enemy types earlier in the game than you usually would.

The clue-finding bits are hardly complex, but they are a nice change.  The combat missions don't add any new gameplay elements, but they do use bits from multiplayer like protecting drones.  Combat is generally interesting and well-paced.

Style:  Faces seem more detailed than in other parts of the game, which feels a little odd.  The new environments are atmospheric and creepy.

Story:  Leviathan successfully oozes creepiness but also manages to contain some twists and emotional moments.  It ends satisfactorily with more information about the Reapers and the history of the galaxy.

"Mass Effect 2 Lair of the Shadow Broker" DLC Review

Publisher:  EA/Bioware

Genre:  RPG

Summary:  Shepherd helps Liara investigate and defeat the mysterious Shadow Broker.

Gameplay:  There are plenty of fun battles in Lair of the Shadow Broker that use neat elements like a vanguard opponent, exploding lightning capacitors, and forced melee.  There's also an extremely delightful hovercar chase sequence.

Style:  The DLC excellently uses unique environments like a dark apartment in the rain, a bombed building still full of smoke and fire, a fancy hotel, and a floating skyship on a stormy planet.

Story:  Naturally, Lair of the Shadow Broker deals with Liara and fills in a bit of what happened with her between the two games.  This has more resonance if Shepherd is romancing her, but is still poignant in any case.

The DLC is a good length (although the combat on the Shadow Broker's ship always seems a bit too long.)  The villain of the first half is more obvious than necessary; I wish they'd either tried to make it more of a surprise or had Shepherd cop to it earlier.

After defeating the Shadow Broker, the DLC continues to delight.  Shepherd can explore the Broker's ship to find interesting details about party members and other characters, watch videos, or just have a nice conversation with Liara.

Conclusion:  With fun fights, dramatic settings, emotional moments for Liara, and some fun details, Lair of the Shadow Broker is just an all-around great DLC.

"Mass Effect 2 Arrival" DLC Review

Publisher:  Bioware/EA

Genre:  RPG

Summary:  Commander Shepherd must rescue an undercover operative who has discovered proof of the Reapers' arrival.

Gameplay:  The gameplay is the same as the rest of Mass Effect 2, save that for the majority of the mission Shepherd is alone instead of with a party.  This can make things more challenging, especially for certain builds.  There is a certain section where Shepherd must defend the operative from enemies arriving in different directions, and it can be very difficult for Shepherds who lack speedy killing or crowd control abilities.

There are some minor options about which routes to take and whether to shoot or sneak past this or that batarian soldier.  These options are nice but nothing major.

Style:  None of the settings or corridors particularly stand out, sadly.  It seems like a missed opportunity to explore batarian architecture or have dramatic asteroid scenery.

Story:  I'm irritated that this DLC is started via an unskippable cutscene email in the middle of the game.  If roleplaying the type who wouldn't leave someone to torture under the batarians, the player should probably do the mission right then.  I'd rather it be my choice when to trigger it.

While it can be an interesting challenge, it doesn't feel worth it to have Shepherd alone and miss interesting possible party commentary.  I also don't feel it's well justified in the game.  It feels like a budget choice, especially given there aren't even any Joker lines in the DLC, which feels especially cheap.

The mission itself is rather frustrating, although I'm not opposed to the dark turn it takes.  I just wish the story itself would focus on it a bit more instead of so much shooting.  There's some nice discussion at the end with Admiral Hackett, but more thoughtfulness and indication of Shepherd's feelings could have been included (again, party members would have helped with this.)

Conclusion:  Arrival offers some good set-up and background for Mass Effect 3, but its lacks in many areas keep it from being great or especially fun.

"Mass Effect 2 Kasumi: Stolen Memory" DLC Review

Publisher:  Bioware/EA

Genre:  RPG

Summary:  A thief joins Shepherd's crew and requests help in a heist.

Gameplay:  As a party member, Kasumi isn't a heavy hitter, but Overload is always useful.  Her sneak attack ability seems like it would be more useful when under main character control.  She also comments on game events and locations as much as other party characters.

Kasumi's loyalty mission involves exploring a fancy party while trying to hack into a secure vault, and there are several paths to do so.  It's a nice combination of dialogue, hacking, combat, and (new to the series) following power lines.

There's also plenty of combat, including another gunship battle.  Depending on Sheperd's build and the mission timing, the combat during the loyalty mission can be difficult.  The reward is an excellent new submachine gun and a new fancy outfit for Shepherd.

Style:  The fancy mansion of the loyalty mission is a nice change of pace.

Story:  The heist is a lot of fun.  Shepherd gets to infiltrate a fancy party, then fight their way out through a weapons factory.  There are moments of humor throughout, and the titular "stolen memory" you recover (and choice regarding it) is actually very poignant.

Conclusion:  Kasumi is fun character.  Although not necessary for the plot of Mass Effect 2, her mission is enjoyable in its own right.

"Mass Effect Bring Down the Sky" DLC Review

Publisher:  Bioware

Genre:  RPG

Summary:  Commander Shepherd must stop alien terrorists from crashing an asteroid into a human colony.

Gameplay:  Combat is like the rest of the game, with lots of turrets to take out and combat in bunkers.  There is one dissimilar section involving avoiding land mines.

Style:  The bunkers are pretty much the same as every other bunker in the game, with only the final base being different.  The landscape of an asteroid heading towards a planet is beautiful, although not more so than some of other gorgeous planets in the game.

Story:  The plot is pretty straightforward, but there is a nice choice at the end (which does get some excellent follow-up in Mass Effect 3.)

Conclusion:  Although not outstanding, this is a fun adventure for Shepherd that adds to the Mass Effect galaxy.

"Mass Effect 2 Zaeed: The Price of Revenge" DLC Review

Publisher:  Bioware/EA

Genre:  RPG

Summary:  A veteran mercenary joins Shepherd's crew.

Gameplay:  Zaeed proves a useful squad member, using assault rifles, sniper rifles, disruptor ammo, and, after his mission, the extremely useful inferno grenade.  His mission also yields a new heavy weapon, a flamethrower.  It's not spectacular, but not the worst of the heavy weapons, either.

Style:  The graphics don't differ from the rest of Mass Effect 2.  Zaeed's loyalty mission, on a jungle planet in a flaming factory, oozes humidity and heat.

Story:  Zaeed is a gruff old merc, and will have comments about places and missions about as often as the rest of the squad.  You can't talk to him on the ship, although he does have some comments about various things in his cabin.  His mission is nothing special, but it does have a strong choice to be made.  I wish there was more follow-up on it later.

Conclusion:  While not standout, Zaeed's story of revenge isn't bad, either.  And gameplay-wise I've found him a very useful member of Shepherd's crew.

"Dragon Age II Mark of the Assassin" DLC Review

Publisher:  Bioware/EA

Genre:  RPG

Summary:  A thief invites Hawke to help steal a jewel from an Orlesian noble's remote fortress.

Gameplay:  Combat is the same as the rest of the game, save for new monsters ghasts and wyverns.  There is a new stealth system for your burglary involving timing and careful angling to avoid or properly knock out guards.  There are also several optional logic puzzles within the fortress for extra treasures.

Style:  Although the style is the same as the rest of Dragon Age II, the lush, green forests of these Orlesian mountains are a welcome reprieve from the ever-same brown streets of Kirkwall.

Story:  This DLC largely centers around Felicia Day's character Tallis.  If you don't like Felicia Day, or if you don't end up liking her character (a possibility, given certain later twists), then you probably won't like this DLC.  There are not a lot of options regarding how to deal with Tallis.

But if you do like Felicia Day or Tallis or don't care (I didn't know much about her when I first played this) then this DLC has something to offer.  There's lots of funny lines to enjoy.  The mountain meadows (despite the wyverns) are a welcome change of location.

I don't much like the ghasts, however.  They don't seem to fit in well with the Dragon Age lore.  This might change if more is learned later, but the fact that they haven't popped up again makes me wonder if the game authors want to forget them too.

I also enjoy the opportunity to briefly chat with Orlesian nobility, and the sneaking is a nice change of pace, if sometimes trying.  There are enough small choices to keep every playthrough from being the same even if there isn't a lot of variation.   All in all, Mark of the Assassin is a fun diversion. 

"Dragon Age Inquisition Trespasser" DLC Review

Publsher:  Bioware

Genre:  RPG

Summary:  As the Exalted Council meets to determine the future of the Inquisition, a fully-armored Qunari warrior is found dead on the grounds.  Investigate secret plots and conclude the Inquisition's story.

Gameplay:  As in the other "Dragon Age:  Inquisition" DLCs, enemies scale with your character.  Trespasser also adds new abilities for your Inquisitor's Mark gradually throughout that are both helpful and interesting from a story perspective.

Fortunately the combat, while challenging, is combined with plenty of exploration of mysterious ruins and tantalizing knowledge learned.  The pacing is nicely set with regular returns to the Winter Palace and therefore a chance to stock up and chat with your friends in between combat, if you so choose.

There are also numerous little opportunities to earn attribute bonuses via searches and other acts so minor I hesitate to call them minigames (microgames, perhaps?)  These are a nice, if minor, touch (I don't think I even discovered the fireworks-creation one until my third or fourth playthrough.)

Style:  The misty landscapes are beautiful, as usual.  There are some clipping bugs, but the major issue I've had is serious lag (and usually several crashes) during the underground portion of the DLC.  Fortunately, it only seems to be a problem for that location.

Story:  Trespasser (not the best name, something that seems to plague Bioware's best DLCs recently) is a success on several levels.  On a basic level, it offers a bit of fun combat and exploration.  It's also a chance to interact with Inquisition's characters again, with plenty of memorable moments and conversations.

Moreover, Trespasser fixes a weakness in the original game by offering a satisfying conclusion to Inquisition's story.  In this fitting epilogue, much is determined by decisions made in the previous game, for better or for worse (or just who the Inquisitor is kissing.)  And there are a few more choices to be made within the DLC that feel momentous (who knows if they might be, but it's nice that they feel that way.)

And all the while providing an ending, Trespasser deepens characterization and lore for the gameworld and suggests exciting possibilities for the future of Dragon Age.  All in all, not much more can be asked of an epilogue.