Bioware didn't think this through.

[Zaik]

None of the DLC in Mass Effect 2 will prevent you from knowing wtf is going on in ME3.

You'll probably have a short conversation explaining things that happened if you didn't play through them when you meed that person.

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

well if your that worried there are wonderful youtube videos and faqs that describe all the dlc, so just read up and you will be filled in about it.


otherwise, can't say much..

 

[Jonesy911]

the side quests/ characters that would have been there wont be /thread

It's not that, ME-3 beginning will follow after the event of the Arrival DLC.

Or maybe, if you haven't played the DLC, the beginning will be different?

I've played the Arrival and it really doesn't explain anything useful about the gap between 2 and 3

Spoiler: Arrival spoilers

Essentially if you don't know, the DLC ends with Sheperd destroying a mass relay to keep the reapers at bay for a little longer

The events of this DLC can and probably will be easily explained by nothing more than a ten second cut-scene at the beginning of ME-3. If you don't play Arrival ME-3 won't be affected at all. Arrivals only real function is to give the people who love ME-2 and are looking forward to ME-3 a little more action to help bridge the gap.

 

[Carlston]

Yeah I raised the same point in a different thread like yesterday.
I think the non-DLC players (like us) are left to fend in the dirt, to put it bluntly. We didn't buy, we lose.

Seems like a dickish move yeah?
Either that or they'll do a quick recap. I hear they did something similar for the PS3 ME2 version, since they didn't get the first.

So what's ME 2 up to now to buy the whole game? 120 bucks?

 

[badgersprite]

Eh, I never played Bring Down The Sky and that didn't cost me anything, and, to be honest, the events in Arrival can be so easily summarised that you're not missing out any more than people who didn't read the comic missed out on what bridged Mass Effect 1 and 2. They're just going to explain it at the beginning of the game.

Really, all you need to know is:

Spoiler

Liara is the new Shadow Broker, and Shepard was forced into a situation where a Mass Relay had to be destroyed to prevent Reapers from arriving, thus wiping out a system that contained 300,000 Batarians.

Really, it's no different than the comics or Mass Effect novels which explain a lot of events between games. I'd wager 99% of the people who play Mass Effect didn't read those, but didn't suffer for it.

 

[Frotality]

bioware didnt think the trilogy through to begin with. given the dlc issue, the ridiculous amount of characters (who could all die), and the supposedly galaxy-changing choices you make, ME3 will either take 300million dollars and 5 years to turn out the greatest finale ever with every character serving substantial roles even if they could be dead, and all possible permutations accounted for in relatively sensible ways, or barring 300million dollars and 5 years development time, turn out a mediocre sequel that hardly considers your choices where every side character is pointless as they could be dead in another playthrough.

 

[rodeolifant]

Stating that Bioware has not thought this through, and you have is... well; nah, let's not go there. The fact that you're worried about sixteen seconds of dialogue in the next game, might be an incentive for you to go and buy the DLC anyway. And if not you, someone else, and a lot of others too. And all it takes them is add a few lines in an NPC, for a game they were going to fill with TONS of those anyway. Good trade. I'd say they thought this out marvelously.

 

[andreas3K]

All I have to say about this is that if it can't stand on its own without optional content for another game then it's a piece of shit, isn't it?

 

[Loop Stricken]

All I have to say about this is that if it can't stand on its own without optional content for another game then it's a piece of shit, isn't it?

Sorry, what?

Optional missions are optional. A recap will be forthcoming in the next installment if you decided those optional missions were too optional to purchase.

Nobody firing up Mass Effect 3 will be at a disadvantage for not 100%ing the previous entries and all their DLC, barring the disadvantage that you'd not experienced it. But then, I could suggest the same about climbing Mount Everest.

 

[Ranorak]

the side quests/ characters that would have been there wont be /thread

It's not that, ME-3 beginning will follow after the event of the Arrival DLC.

Or maybe, if you haven't played the DLC, the beginning will be different?

I've played the Arrival and it really doesn't explain anything useful about the gap between 2 and 3

Spoiler: Arrival spoilers

Essentially if you don't know, the DLC ends with Sheperd destroying a mass relay to keep the reapers at bay for a little longer

The events of this DLC can and probably will be easily explained by nothing more than a ten second cut-scene at the beginning of ME-3. If you don't play Arrival ME-3 won't be affected at all. Arrivals only real function is to give the people who love ME-2 and are looking forward to ME-3 a little more action to help bridge the gap.

Except for that whole part where:

Spoiler

Shepard kills a thousand Batarians and is called to court for it.

edit:
I mean, it could just be summarized in a cut scene, true.

 

[andreas3K]

All I have to say about this is that if it can't stand on its own without optional content for another game then it's a piece of shit, isn't it?

Sorry, what?

Optional missions are optional. A recap will be forthcoming in the next installment if you decided those optional missions were too optional to purchase.

Nobody firing up Mass Effect 3 will be at a disadvantage for not 100%ing the previous entries and all their DLC, barring the disadvantage that you'd not experienced it. But then, I could suggest the same about climbing Mount Everest.

Yeah, that's what I meant. I just said it like a dick, that's all.

 

[Dusk17]

They will probably do what they did for the ME1 dlc in ME2, if you transfer a save from the last game they will mention it, if not they will act like it would have happened without your involvement. (I am referring to that Terra Nova asteroid thing.)

Also, how can you say they didn't think it through when the game hasn't even been released yet?

 

[Norris IV]

What I reckon is that the'll release a complete version of ME2 with all the DLC on the disc, i'd suggest when it comes out just sell your old copy and used the extra cash to get the complete edition

 

[Jodah]

From what I have read there will be an opening cinematic in Mass Effect 3 that does a "the story so far" thing to put everyone on equal footing story wise. Its to allow people to jump into the game fresh, to be a reminder for those who haven't played in awhile, and to give those that didn't get the DLC a crash course for catch up.

 

[Aris Khandr]

The DLC is still available. If it's that important to you, why not just go get it?

 

[Chibz]

You mean people as in 'children or teens' who don't have access to their parent's credit cards? Or indeed, one of their own.

Don't worry, I was much the same. I -still- don't have a proper credit card at 23

Just buy yourself a Microsoft Points Card to buy DLC. There's no surcharge. Heck, no tax even. Sweeeeeeeeeeet.

 

[KalosCast]

The DLC, unlike ME1's, had some rather major plot points. I'm sure not doing it is going to have a major effect on your savegame.

 

[Rayken15]

Wait, did they announce the release date? When in hell...

 

[Cheesus333]

I bought Overlord, LotSB and Stolen Memories (I think that was what it was called...) DLC, but I didn't get Arrival.

And now I have no fucking clue what the hell is going on with ME3.