Worth getting/playing without DLCs?

[lecterror]

I'm a bit late for this..I'm currently on my first playthrough of ME1, and now that this thing is 75% off, I'm thinking of buying ME2 so I can just continue the story (whatever it is) when I finish ME1.

But...everyone seems to be saying that playing ME without DLCs is a huge mistake?? Is this really true? As far as I'm concerned, I can just watch someone play DLCs on youtube or something (and I certainly plan to do that for ME3 since I can't buy it on Steam..). I'm playing games only for the story and relaxation, nothing more..so I'm not really interested in selling my ass to EA or anything like that.

But anyway, my question is: is ME2 worth getting without DLCs?

[robm]

I really liked Lair of the Shadow broker, that's the one that comes closest to being "essential" since it's a neat story, has 2 cool boss fights and you get to see liara again.

That said the base game is fine, I've only played this on console, but browsing the forums, it seems like you have to go through EA to get some DLC, so you might want to skip it.

[Raving Nutter]

LotSB is amazing. The other two story DLCs are also rather well done. The character DLCs are nice but not necessary. Overall, the DLCs do add in some nice items, but you aren't going to lose out by watching them on youtube. As for ME3...yeah. Don't get your hopes up. Watching that one on youtube instead of buying it is a very good idea. Wish I had done it.

[Zatoishwan]

Well, maybe not a huge mistake, but I think they are worth it.
Shadow broker is really good, Overlord is nice, Arrival kind of OK - ties into ME3.
And without DLC you miss some great crewmembers (some of them OP)
I liked the combat in ME3. Certainly improved from ME2.
The story is great too.
Its just the ending thats not so great.

[AtomicWaffle]

Simply put, Mass Effect 2 is awesome without the DLCs, the story DLCs are pretty good and (obviously) extend total game time, the character DLCs aren't as good (in terms of gameplay), but I still enjoy the new characters and their stories. TLDR? Worth without DLC, DLC just improves a bit.

[lust]

I played the entire Trilogy without DLCs and am entirely pleased. Thought about getting the DLC, but just don't need the extra. :)

[Irate Menace]

You can play ME2 without the DLC and still have an enjoyable time, because its a solid game. The DLC is very good tho.

[SwobyJ]

Several DLCs affect story in future games (ME2, ME3) and even their DLCs (ME3's Leviathan, Extended Cut, and Citadel DLCs).

For ME1 get at least
-Bring Down the Sky (free). Not essential, but good and affects little bits of the next games.

For ME2 get at least..
-Zaeed (free) and Kasumi (priced) squadmates. They affect ME3 and ME3's Citadel DLC (if alive and maybe Loyal)
-Lair of the Shadow Broker (priced). It's a bridging DLC that slightly affects ME3. Some of ME3 doesn't make as much sense without it.
-Arrival (priced). It's a bridging DLC that slightly affects ME3. Some of ME3 (imo... ask me later haha) doesn't make as much sense without it.

NO DLC is literally ESSENTIAL. It's all optional. However, for most of the story DLC, I can barely imagine playthroughs without them now.

The big thing is that ME2's DLCs in particular affect things in ME3 and ME3's Citadel DLC. You really are losing some of the bridging of story and cohesion, even if it is to a minor degree.
And you're technically even losing out on entire characters (Zaeed and Kasumi) that Shepard can become outright friends with.

~~~

If its *really* a concern for you:
-Play ME1 without DLC
-If you enjoyed yourself and want to aim for harder difficulties and Lv 60 achievements in particular and want more to do, get the DLC(s) on your New Game +
-Transfer this uber-character to ME2
-Play ME2 without DLC
-If you enjoyed that journey but want to do it again, now knowing the hang of things and maybe on a higher difficulty, add in all the content DLCs (the free ones and the priced ones) for a New Game +
-Transfer this uber-character to ME3
-Play ME3 without DLC
-If you enjoyed that journey enough, get all DLC for ME3 for a New Game +

ME1 DLCs add a few hours, ME2 DLCs add approx 5-10 hours, and ME3 DLCs add (very roughly) approx 10-15+ hours. Altogether, that's another game in itself for gameplay duration.

[R ☾]

I played ME2 with the the DLCs that were included in the PS3 version
Both Zaeed and Kasumi are great characters. Infiltrating a party with Kasumi was one of my favorite moments from the game. Zaeed's mission was less interesting, but still a nice addition. The Overlord DLC is a good side-story that stands on its own. Lair of the Shadow Broker is fanservice for those who liked Liara, you won't like it much if you didn't like her. I didn't get the Arrival DLC, but I believe it is really important for the story, it bridges the gap between ME2 and 3. I didn't know that at the time.

Zaeed and Kasumi won't appear in ME3 if you don't get their DLCs, but I guess that's obvious. Shadow Broker and Overlord don't affect much of the third game (two characters from Overlord make a brief appearance, and Liara still gets the role of the Shadow Broker even if you didn't get the DLC on 2)

With that said, I guess you won't be missing anything important without buying the DLCs. But if you are enjoying the trilogy so far, there's no reason not to get them

[76561198067514413]

If I got the Mass Effect 2 Digital Deluxe Edition, would I get DLCs redeemable via EA page (and possibly Origin) for free? At least some of them? Or not at all?

[R ☾]

http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/Cerberus_Network
I believe you'll get everything that is listed in Cerberus Network-only and Free downloads

[SwobyJ]

All of the Cerberus Network stuff is free to everyone now. EA discontinued these types of 'services'.

In terms of the main DLCs, that means you get Zaeed, Normandy Crashsite, and Firewalker for free.

[76561198067514413]

↑ thanks a lot guys

[lecterror]

Thanks everyone!

I guess the overall consensus is that I'll still enjoy the base game without DLCs, so I'll just play it like that and see whether I'll crave more electrolytes after that.. :)

It is sad that we even have to discuss this..I guess some companies simply don't know how to treat their customers.

Thanks again!

[R ☾]

Yes, ME3 is great. Has its flaws, like every other game, but it's not the black sheep of the trilogy as people make it out to be

[yusupov]

i guess youll enjoy the base game, but i would definitely suggest you get shadow broker & the characters, esp zaied. game wouldnt be the same w/out them (granted, i don't think i got the SB dlc until after i'd finished the game, but its that worthwhile to get & should be played fairly late). i dont even remember the overlord one too well, i think it involved the mako or firesomething or other...it was more for cant get enough fans, or which i was one. arrival is a setup for ME3...not essential to ME2 (or 3) at all, it's also almost like a standalone content as its completely solo.