For the low price of only $15 (or 1200 Microsoft points or about 50% more than you paid for the last two ME3 DLCs), you can purchase the latest Mass Effect 3 DLC called Omega. In this DLC, Commander Shepard joins forces with Aria to take back the Omega space station. When BioWare first announced this DLC, they only talked about how the DLC would be twice as long as any other ME3 DLC. In the run up to release, more details were announced. We analyse those details and preview the DLC after the jump. Continue reading
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Mass Effect 3 Omega: How Much Is Too Much For DLC?
Last week, the latest leak/rumour about the upcoming Mass Effect 3 DLC, currently called Omega, came to light. A fan interviewed ME3 producer Mike Gamble who said that the upcoming Mass Effect 3 Omega DLC would be twice as long as any other Mass Effect 3 DLC. The big news, however, was that the price of the DLC would be $15, which is $5 more than the next most expensive Mass Effect DLC. Continue reading
Mass Effect 3 Retaliation DLC: The Complete Breakdown
Last Thursday, BioWare announced the release of the new Retaliation multiplayer DLC for Mass Effect 3. While it had a nice sizzle reel and listed new enemies, characters, equipment, updated maps and more, it was definitely lacking in detail of what was in the pack. We’ve been perusing the internet and have compiled a detailed breakdown of everything that is confirmed as part of the DLC and all the leaked info about the DLC that BioWare isn’t telling you.
Note: This post has been updated with confirmed info about the DLC. As of the last update, we have new info on the characters released, character classes, map hazards, ammo upgrades and more. Continue reading
BioWare Announces Mass Effect 3 Retaliation Multiplayer DLC
Fresh off the release of today’s Mass Effect 3 v1.04 patch, BioWare announced the long-rumoured Retaliation DLC for ME3’s multiplayer. While BioWare is a little short on specifics of what is being added, we know that the Collectors (the antagonists from Mass Effect 2) are being added as an enemy faction. Several maps will see environmental hazards for the players to deal with. The DLC will also add achievement-like “challenges” which allow the player to unlock special rewards. As per usual with MP DLCs, new characters, weapons and gear are being added. A more detailed run down is available at the BioWare Blog.
Between the patch and the DLC, BioWare is making one last big play to revive a slowly dying multiplayer community. The buzz online makes it sound like the community is almost as excited as they were at launch.
The DLC is free and drops on Tuesday, October 9th.
Mass Effect 3: Leviathan DLC Review (or The Case Book of Detective Shepard)
Last week, BioWare released their second single-player DLC mission for Mass Effect 3. The Leviathan DLC was accidentally leaked in the code for June’s Extended Cut DLC. Two months later, we finally got our hands on Leviathan. The new mission takes the game for a dark and eerie turn over its three-hour play time for the price of $10. Those statistics put it right in line with Mass Effect 2’s Lair of the Shadow Broker but can ME3’s first post-launch single-player DLC stand up to the epic Shadow Broker DLC? Continue reading
Before The Mass Effect 3 Leviathan DLC: The Indoctrination Theory – A Documentary Extended Cut
In our examination of the controversy surrounding the release and ending of Mass Effect 3, we included a brief examination of the Indoctrination Theory and included the Indoctrination Theory documentary. We looked at it again after the release of the Extended Cut DLC but we may have been wrong to declare The Indoctrination Theory dead. Ahead of tomorrow’s release of the Mass Effect 3 Leviathan DLC (the first paid ME3 DLC since the From Ashes DLC), Julian Kluk of CleverNoob.com is back with the third part of his epic documentary series examining Mass Effect 3’s ending with The Indoctrination Theory – A Documentary Extended Cut. Continue reading
Are Triple-A Games An Endangered Species?
The last six months have been far from smooth sailing for the makers of the best of the best video games. Aspiring triple-A developer 38 Studios went bankrupt under the weight of poor business decisions and an underselling game. Irrational Studios is losing top staff as BioShock Infinite allegedly struggles to its spring 2013 release date. BioWare has faced gamer and critical backlash over its last three big games (Dragon Age 2, Star Wars: The Old Republic and Mass Effect 3). Blizzard’s Diablo III has faced criticism over having to be always online (exacerbated by server issues during the first week after launch) and a poor endgame.
Sure, there are still game studios dedicated to putting out only the best games but some games are being crushed under high expectations. This begs the question if the so-called Triple-A game developers we have now are long for this world and if we’ll see any new developers rise in their place. Continue reading
Mass Effect 3 Extended Cut: An End, Once And For All?
We’re one week removed from the release of the Mass Effect 3 Extended Cut DLC. People have had their opportunity to rant or rave about the new endings and put things into perspective. Even I needed to take a couple of days to unwind after powering through the final three hours of the game as I tried to reconcile what I saw and what I expected with what needed to be done and what BioWare could do.
Today, I examine the new scenes that BioWare has added to Mass Effect 3 in the Extended Cut to determine if they have solved the problems most had with the original ending. Continue reading
It’s Here! Mass Effect 3 Extended Cut Launches Now
It’s 5:00 AM EDT at Lowdown HQ. So why do I have a post going live right now? Because, per Mass Effect 3 producer Mike Gamble, XBox 360 users are able to flip on their systems and download the Mass Effect 3 Extended Cut DLC right now. Sorry, PS3 and PC players (like me). The 360 gets first crack while the rest of us have to wait. Continue reading
Before Mass Effect 3 Extended Cut: The Indoctrination Theory – A Documentary Part 2
In our examination of the controversy surrounding the release and ending of Mass Effect 3, we included a brief examination of the Indoctrination Theory and included the Indoctrination Theory documentary. Ahead of tomorrow’s release of the Mass Effect 3 Extended Cut DLC, Julian Kluk of CleverNoob.com is back with a second part to his epic examination of Mass Effect 3’s ending with The Indoctrination Theory – A Documentary Part 2. Continue reading
The Lowdown 