Lair of the Shadow Broker resumes the narrative started in the Mass Effect comic, Mass Effect: Redemption. The graphic story tells how Liara T’Soni, one of Shepard’s original companions, sought to recover the body of her Spectre friend after the destruction of the Normandy. Teaming with an enigmatic Drell named Feron, the pair outmanoeuvred a malevolent entity known as the ‘Shadow Broker’ in his plans to deliver the remains of Shepard to the Collectors. Although Commander Shepard was safely transported to Cerberus, Feron was captured by the Shadow Broker in the process. Knowing she had done all she could for Shepard, Liara turned her attention to rescuing Feron. Fast-forward two years, Commander Shepard – sporting a number of enhancements – is miraculously alive, and Liara is no closer to locating Feron.
Lair of the Shadow Broker explains the entire back-story comprehensively, so the Mass Effect comic is not required reading. The story begins, as usual, with an email from Cerberus with a possible location for the Shadow Broker. A nefarious know-all with his hand in every intergalactic jar, the Shadow Broker is known for using information as a weapon. Players deliver Cerberus’ communication to Liara, who believes finding the Shadow Broker may also reveal Feron’s whereabouts. Hence, Shepard’s newest adventure begins.
Shepherding the taxi.
The initial stage takes place on the cosmopolitan world of Illium, with Shepard playing detective and following Liara’s trail. Along the way, you come into contact with the Shadow Broker’s goons, with usual Mass Effect third-person combat proving as enjoyable as ever. Our only grievance with the gameplay is that cover could have been positioned more strategically in places. Skirmishes take place in a good variety of environments, from a skyscraper to the outside of an enemy vessel, reminiscent of the Citadel fight in the first Mass Effect.
Gameplay is broken up perfectly with a vehicle sequence and exciting boss encounters. In the former, players take the helm of a (weaponless) taxi as they pursue a foe across the colourful skies of Ilium. The car controls solidly, with the chase sequence running for just the right amount of time. Likewise, Lair of the Shadow Broker’s boss fights are fresh and satisfying, and on higher difficulties, can provide an enjoyable challenge for seasoned players. Nonetheless, the best gameplay feature – in what is a fitting tribute to the first Mass Effect – is the addition of Liara as a controllable squad member. For the limited time that Liara rejoins your team, fans will enjoy levelling up and deployed the Asari character in battle.
Shepard knows when to cross the line.
Notwithstanding, the most outstanding feature of Lair of the Shadow Broker is the story. The narrative unwinds at a fantastic pace, with dialogue and character development woven expertly with gameplay. The plot contains plenty of twists and turns, while subtly highlighting issues such as revenge and the ends justifying the means. Things aren’t entirely solemn, with a generous littering of humour and tongue-in-cheek references to the first Mass Effect (almost worth the price of admission alone). BioWare’s storytelling prowess is evident from start to finish, with Lair of the Shadow Broker engrossing you in its moving narrative of inner turmoil and friendship. The story’s epilogue is especially poignant and compelling.
Though it may be completed at any stage of the game, this chapter is the first to be crafted as ‘bridging’ downloadable content in the lead-up to Mass Effect 3. Just like Mass Effect 2, BioWare should be commended for interweaving the particulars of your individual Shepard into Lair of the Shadow Broker. The adventure references your past choices, not only from the first Mass Effect, but also decisions made in Mass Effect 2 (players will have fun picking up on the details of their past exploits). The result is a quest that feels deeply personal, especially if played post suicide-mission.
For Lair of the Shadow Broker, BioWare has delivered the ultimate fan service. The content includes more than Mass Effect enthusiasts could hope for, including – at last – the appearance of another Spectre (for more than five minutes before their eventful death). Once Lair of the Shadow Broker has been completed, an information centre also becomes available to visit, offering further upgrades, investments and a wealth of information on the Mass Effect cast that will debated across the internet for months to come. Finally, in what certain fans have been passionately craving, if your Shepard became romantically entangled with Liara, Lair of the Shadow Broker gives you the opportunity to resume the relationship.
The view atop the enemy vessel is spectacular.
Lair of the Shadow Broker maintains the excellent production values of Mass Effect 2, with fantastic art direction and a soundtrack the fits the pace perfectly. As expected, voice acting is faultless, with well-written dialogue and cut-scenes conveying the strong bond between Liara and Shepard. The visuals also deserve praise, in particular, a breathtaking rendition of your approach to an enemy vessel.
Mass Effect 2: Lair of the Shadow Broker combines the fantastic gameplay variety of Overlord and the mesmerising narrative of Kasumi’s Stolen Memory. Despite a higher price than previous Mass Effect 2 downloads, Lair of the Shadow Broker is well worth the investment, with over three hours of content and five new achievements. Featuring every element that made Mass Effect 2 a success, Lair of the Shadow Broker returns Liara to the spotlight, delivering the best Mass Effect downloadable chapter to date. Combined with the promise of your actions from this story carrying over to Mass Effect 3, Lair of the Shadow Broker is compulsory playing. Mass Effect 2 is undoubtedly one of the best game of this generation, and Lair of the Shadow Broker raises the bar even higher in charting the intergalactic adventures of Commander Shepard.
Worth buying? Yes
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Downloadable content ratings system
We've given a 'buy' rating of 'Yes', 'Maybe', or 'No'.
Yes means that the content is either great value or brings some substantial additions to the game, or possibly both.
Maybe means that the content may be fun while it lasts, but may either be too short or not enough to fully justify the price tag.
No means that we don't recommend downloading this insubstantial content.
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