With all the downloadable content BioWare is going to released for Mass Effect 2 available to the public and with Mass Effect 3 details being revealed in the current issue of Game Informer magazine, people might begin considering going back for the DLC they missed. That's where this little piece comes in, explaining a bit about every piece of content (for the most part) that's been released.

While being spoiler-free was the intent, some spoilers about the DLC have managed to eak through. There are also more severe spoilers about the ending of Mass Effect 2, so anyone who hasn't completed the game (and cares) should take caution.

// CERBERUS NETWORK

Available for free to anyone who purchased a new copy of Mass Effect 2, Cerberus Network is BioWare's in-game store for downloadable content. A number of the DLC is, in fact, free through Cerberus Network, while most of the latter content has to be bought for a fee.

Those who buy the game used are forced to purchase the Cerberus Network for $15, which means that even if GameStop pockets all of your money for buying the game, EA at least gets something. Given that Mass Effect 2 can be found as cheap as $20 new, there's little reason to buy the game used, though.

Hey, at least you're not putting in a code just to play online.

// NORMANDY CRASH SITE

No combat? Nobody to converse with? Just Shepard, the broken remains of the original Normandy, and a hell of a lot of snow. What's the point? Obviously BioWare realized that there would be a certain subsection of players interested in tracking down the first Normandy after the Collectors utterly obliterated it, and thus, Normandy Crash Site was born.

Calling this a mission is probably a little misguided, however; placing the monument to the Normandy somewhere -- anywhere -- is the only objective that needs to be completed. In addition, there are 20 dog tags scattered about the area that can be collected for currency, but this isn't required, and neither is tracking down a piece of Shepard's old armor, which is then placed in the Commander's quarters as decoration.

Worth Buying? Won't kill ya. Given that it's free to everyone with Cerberus Network, the only thing that's lost when downloading Crash Site is whatever space is needed on your hard drive. The benefit: additional currency, basically, and a chance for ME1 fans to pay tribute to the small, dimly-lit spaceship where they spent so many hours chatting up Wrex for all his insights.

// ZAEED - THE PRICE OF REVENGE

Zaeed isn't just a mercenary hired by Cerberus to assist in Shepard's mission; he's also kind of a bastard. A cocky, grouchy bastard. But what's another gun?

The Price of Revenge, starring Zaeed, is the first of two downloadable squadmates and loyalty quests, but unlike Dragon Age: Origins' Shale, Zaeed isn't completely integrated into Mass Effect 2. He speaks during missions and can be found on the Normandy where he comments on several items laying around his little piece of heaven, but players cannot have a full conversation with him like Shepard can with the rest of his comrades.

Given his lack of dialogue on the Normandy and the fact that he's a downloadable character, automatically ensuring that not everyone aquired him, it should prove interesting to see if Zaeed makes an appearence in Mass Effect 3. I'm guessing not, but I wouldn't mind if BioWare brought him back, fully integrated into the game.

Zaeed's loyalty quest is one of a handful where the character in question might not actually become loyal in the end, sharing this distinction with Tali, Samara, and Thane. In this case, a mid-mission decision affects the chances of Zaeed becoming loyal, although it's possible to gain loyalty regardless of which direction is chosen. Still, Zaeed is a bastard throughout, and depending on when the mission is played, it is possible to leave him to die.

Worth Buying? Hey, it's free. Zaeed won't be winning Mr. Personality and his loyalty quest is hardly the best (or the worst) of the bunch, but you're not actually losing anything by downloading this pack. I don't sound enthusiastic? Probably because I couldn't get the bastard loyal during my last playthrough, but he still survived anyhow. That's called lose/lose.

// FIREWALKER PACK

Anyone remember Mass Effect's six-wheeled Mako? When you weren't driving up a mountain steep enough to make the situation completely implausible, it wasn't so bad. We have seen worse vehicle segments in games, right?

Since the Mako now finds itself among the rest of the original Normandy's wreckage (see Normandy Crash Site above), Cerberus has developed its replacement: the M-44 Hammerhead, a hovercraft with jumpjets, homing missiles and a thin piece of cardboard for armor. At least, that's what it seems like given how quickly the Hammerhead can be destroyed (it does repair itself, fortunately). So, just like with the Mako, firing from beyond the enemy's own firing range is a sound, if boring, strategy.

In addition, Firewalker also comes with five missions that require the use of the Hammerhead. In their defence, BioWare did a good job from keeping each mission from playing exactly the same as the others, but they're just not that enjoyable. Nice attempt, but how about we just stick with the Normandy's shuttle for Mass Effect 3?

Worth Buying? Another free pack, so it won't hurt anyone to see if they can squeak more enjoyment out of the Hammerhead than I did. Frankly, had the Firewalker Pack not been free, I would not likely recommend it. But free is free and the missions are not really that long, so jump in for those extra credits and another piece of decoration for Shepard's quarters.

Visit the second page for a thief, rogue AI's, and various armor...