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Kill Screen's inaugural 'High Scores' show Limbo and Mass Effect 2 atop 2010 leaderboard
In its first annual "High Scores" ranking, our friends at Kill Screen broke down 2010's releases into two main categories: "Big Games" (including blockbusters, full retail releases and subscription-based MMOs) and "Small Games" (including indies, downloadables, DLC and expansions, mobile, social, free-to-play and completely free titles). Then, a whole gang of critics, Joystiq's Andrew Yoon and myself included, were elected as judges, each allotted 100 points per category and able to award any game 2–40 points. (A judge, for example, could have totally given 1 vs. 100 all 40 points it rightfully deserved!) Scoring in the top spots across the two categories were two titles that also appeared in our own Top 10: Mass Effect 2 (the "big" game) and Limbo (the "small" one). Notably, Minecraft landed in the #3 "Small Games" position, just below Super Meat Boy, showing how much critical love there's been for the just-in-beta world-building game. Also of note: BioShock 2's "Minerva's Den" and Mass Effect 2's "Lair of the Shadow Broker" charted, representing the only DLC to earn a "High Score."
Choice Mass Effect 2 DLC discounted on Xbox Live today
If you've been holding out for the inevitable "Game of the Year Edition" of Mass Effect 2 to get the DLC, you'd best look away. As part of the "Countdown to 2011" promotion on Xbox Live, all three of the game's mission add-ons -- "Lair of the Shadow Broker," "Overlord" and "Kasumi - Stolen Memory" -- have been slashed to just 200 Microsoft Points ($2.50) each, for discounts ranging from 64–75 percent off today only. But maybe you'd rather spend tonight watching someone in a movie control another person, as if it were a video game? The Zune Marketplace totally has Gamer on sale for 960 points today, as well. Finally!
Mass Effect 2 DLC on PS3 explained, interactive comic confirmed
As rumored over the weekend, Mass Effect 2's PlayStation 3 iteration will come packed with "6+ hours of bonus missions" -- rather than being PS3-exclusive bonus content, however, it'll comprise the game's three big expansions: Kasumi: Stolen Memories, Overlord, and Lair of the Shadow Broker. EA corroborated the news this morning by releasing the game's PS3 box art (found in full below the break), which clearly details its contents just inches above Miranda's flowing locks. BioWare producer Jesse Houston also took to the company's forums to clear up what exactly will be on the Blu-ray disc (and what will be downloaded). "Of course Mass Effect 2 will be included. On top of that, Lair of the Shadow Broker, Project Overlord, Kasumi: Stolen Memory and the Blood Dragon Armour. Also included is, as on Xbox 360 and PC, an access code to the Cerberus Network. This will give you instant access to the same great lineup of Downloadable Content such as Zaeed and Firewalker." Furthermore, he confirmed an "interactive comic" will ship with ME2 on PS3, cursorily detailing it by saying, "BioWare Edmonton (the group that made Mass Effect 2) teamed up with the fine folks at Dark Horse Comics to create an interactive backstory. While I can't release all the details about this yet, what I can tell you is that we want to create a stunning visual experience that not only tells the core story elements of Mass Effect 1, but also is fully interactive allowing you to be faced with some of the major choices which will have consequences your Mass Effect universe. This interactive comic's initial release will be exclusive to PS3 owners who would be otherwise unable to realize the full effect of choice in the Mass Effect universe and will be included on the Cerberus Network." He also -- somewhat ambiguously -- described additional, exclusive DLC for PS3 owners, explaining that, "There will also be some DLC Bundles, such as the Aegis Pack as well as exclusive both Free and Paid DLC for all PlayStation 3 owners such as the Recon Operations Pack." Perhaps in an attempt to calm the seething forum member responses, the post was later edited with the explanation, "While I can't go into details, all of this content is or was available to Xbox/PC owners, but otherwise wouldn't be available to PS3 owners. More details about this will be released later." Though EA/BioWare have yet to give it a price, retailers are currently putting the DLC-packed release at a regular $60.
Mass Effect 2 Shadow Broker DLC review: required reading
"The Lair of the Shadow Broker" is the perfect epilogue for Mass Effect 2, adding closure to an important story arc, and offering a brief glimpse at the potential of Mass Effect 3. It's essential content for the Mass Effect fan: not only does the DLC push the canon forward, it provides some of the most thrilling action in the franchise thus far. There's a new alien race, a new Spectre, the best boss battle in the series, heck, there's even a car chase. It's a thrill ride, albeit a brief one. Liara's return in Mass Effect 2 has had a rather divisive effect amongst fans, many of whom found disliked her unexpectedly dark turn. The prequel comic Mass Effect Redemption offers some insight into her drastic personality change -- her search for Shepard's body led to a messy exchange with the Shadow Broker, a mysterious entity that's been teased throughout both Mass Effect games. The DLC gives you new information on the Shadow Broker's whereabouts, courtesy of Cerberus, which gives you reason to return to Liara on Illium. Exactly who is the Shadow Broker and what does he do with the information at his disposal? How does Liara want to exact her revenge? These questions are all finally answered. %Gallery-100178%
BioWare fixes 'Shadow Broken' Mass Effect 2 DLC for PC [update]
PC players eager to penetrate the "Lair of the Shadow Broker" in today's Mass Effect 2 DLC release have hit a snag. The new content is apparently incompatible with Windows 7 64-bit systems (update: all systems), as reported by Big Download. "I haven't said anything as we are working on the issue," noted BioWare community coordinator Chris Priestly in response to countless complaints (no really, countless complaints) on the official forums. "I understand you are all irritated by this, but we want you all to play, so we are working hard to determine and fix whatever is causing this." Update: Priestly has created a new thread tracking the issue. Apparently, the original download was corrupt and prevented "all" PC users from playing the new content. That file has since been removed from BioWare's download section (though it's harmless if you did download it). "We are working on a fix for the issue and will get a working file up for PC users ASAP," Priestly assures, without knowledge of a more specific ETA. Update 2: Priestly delivers the good news: "Lair of the Shadowbroker should now be fixed for the PC and should be able to be downloaded now for both the PC and Xbox 360." %Gallery-100178% [Thanks, Killer rin & Daniel]
Mass Effect 2's Shadow Broker DLC exposed by new trailer
"You haven't been the same since I came back, Liara." Millions of Shepards were frustrated when they got the cold shoulder from Mass Effect 2's Liara. Next week's "Lair of the Shadow Broker" DLC will finally give you "the chance to continue a relationship with Liara." But, as evidenced by this new trailer, you're going to need to chase down a lot of bad guys along the way. Thankfully, you'll be equipped with a new hovercraft.
Enter Mass Effect 2's 'Lair of the Shadow Broker' on September 7
Your Mass Effect 2 party has been waiting patiently outside of the Shadow Broker's lair for weeks now, playing the sci-fi equivalent of Pokemon (it's actually still Pokemon) on their five-screened game systems to pass the time. An announcement from BioWare reveals that you'll be let in on September 7, when the new "Lair of the Shadow Broker" DLC is released on PC and Xbox 360. It'll cost 800 Microsoft Points or 800 BioWare Points ($10). The announcement mentions five new achievements, new research, and the Shadow Broker intel center -- but here's where it gets interesting. The new DLC will "give fans from Mass Effect 1 the chance to continue a relationship with Liara." The Shadow Broker is going to be so upset when he finds out people are sneaking into his lair for hanky-panky.%Gallery-100178%
Mass Effect 2 getting new DLC weapon pack before Shadow Broker
A few hardcore Mass Effect 2 devotees noticed something off in the media released to promote the game's upcoming DLC pack, "The Lair of the Shadow Broker" -- Commander Shepard and Co. were wielding some heretofore unavailable weaponry. While some assumed the new content would include these future-guns, BioWare community manager Jarrett Lee quickly took to the forums to explain that "they are in fact part of a different pack that will be released prior to Lair of the Shadowbroker." Lee assured fans that while the guns would be sold apart from the newly announced content, "Lair of the Shadow Broker does, however, contain some *really* cool stuff we haven't revealed yet." We're assuming he's talking about a hideous race of space monsters that can only be killed using ... these new, purchasable guns! Then again, our hearts are cold and calloused.
Mass Effect 2 DLC ventures into 'Lair of the Shadow Broker'
BioWare has just announced the latest Mass Effect 2 DLC: "Lair of the Shadow Broker." If you haven't played ME2 , you may want to skip any details about this mission ... suffice it to say, in the intergalactic world of Mass Effect 2 there are shadows and sometimes, those shadows need to be brokered. Oh, and they have lairs. Those of you who have played ME2 can probably guess how this is going to shake out. As expected, Shepard teams up with Liara T'Soni to "confront the mysterious and sinister Shadow Broker," the very same info-dishing individual (or group of individuals?) that aided Liara in recovering Commander Shepard's body. As BioWare so delicately puts it, "it's time to even the score." After last month's exceptional "Overlord" DLC, all eyes are on BioWare to keep it up. All the info we've got is a "coming soon" release window and the three screenshots below. %Gallery-97994%
