Metascore

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critics What's this?

User Score

Mixed or average reviews- based on 81 Ratings

  • Summary: In Mass Effect: Arrival, Commander Shepard is sent to the edge of the galaxy to rescue an undercover operative who may have evidence of an imminent Reaper invasion that has been looming since the very beginning of the series. Returning and playing a prominent role in Mass Effect: Arrival is fan favorite Admiral Hackett, who is voiced by legendary science-fiction actor Lance Henriksen (Alien, Terminator). Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 11
  2. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. Mar 30, 2011
    80
    Rationalizing the cost versus the content is a tough one, but I can say this will not hold you over till the release of Mass Effect 3.
  2. Apr 1, 2011
    74
    The Arrival will extend the length of an already long game, but it merely plays like a blockbuster action movie and that's a little disappointing for the Mass Effect universe.
  3. Apr 19, 2011
    70
    Despite being arguably less than what it could (and should) have been, Arrival probably is just about worth your money. In fact, playing it got me started on another run through both games, so it's done something right. It's testament to a game's strength that even a relatively lacking bit of DLC can have you going balls deep back into its world in the pursuit of alien booty. Not every game could do it, but not every game is Mass Effect.
  4. Mar 30, 2011
    40
    The Reapers' invasion in Mass Effect 3 would have been a lot quicker without Shepard intervention in The Arrival DLC for ME2. This gap-bridging extension is very short, with a so-so story (a meteor with engines, didn't I see that somewhere already ?) and a focus on action, with quite a challenge at times. No interesting moral choice, nothing really fascinating in dialogues... Shepard does its inevitable job once again, and politicians will target him once more. Is that it? We could have done without it.

See all 11 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 19
  2. Negative: 5 out of 19
  1. It's decent enough. It's not as good as LoSB, but good nonetheless. It'll take about an hour or less to complete, but it gives a little detail on what you can expect in ME3. Expand
  2. 8
    As the Erebus890 said, It's not as good as LotSB. But If i compare it to Witch Hunt, It's better in some way but worse at the time. I don't want to put spoilers in this review so I'll say the summaries. You'll finally get the chance for some soloing but you'll feel the lack of dialogue from your team here. It took about 2 hours to do and it was pretty much fun. If you envied the soloing from Dragon Age like me, you will like it. Expand
  3. Arrival allows you to be present for a major event in Mass Effect's story. If all you want to do is shoot stuff and passively experience a story, you'll probably enjoy it. If you would be disappointed by presence alone, without influence over the event or significant character growth, then it may not be for you. If you're interested in a more-in-depth analysis of these conflicting viewpoints, check out my full-text review at http://culturalgeekgirl.com/ Expand
  4. This DLC was overall a waste of time and money for me. The only advantage this DLC would even have is for those hardcore fans who think it might affect something in Mass Effect 3. This DLC's story is one in which I could tell to you in a few sentences. Those few sentences of story are stretched into a boring length of drone game-play consisting of an hour to an hour and a half, depending on difficulty. This DLC is a pitiful attempt to prepare one's self for Mass Effect 3. The only plus for me was to see my favorite yellow hologram Reaper. If you insist on wasting an hour of your time, are a die hard Mass Effect fan, and are under the illusion that this will somehow affect Mass Effect 3 (likely only a dialog option or two) then go for it. If you were hoping for an epic follow up of similar caliber to Lair of the Shadow Broker, steer clear. Collapse

See all 19 User Reviews