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With the downloadable content - 'Mass Effect 2: Arrival' - EA and BioWare have wrapped up the sci-fi RPG sequel nicely with some seriously high-explosives. Our hero(ine), Commander Shepard is left with a lot to think about as she is greeted by a very uncertain future. Life, even a second one, is not easy for Shepard. 'Arrival' is comprised of an unsanctioned lone wolf rescue mission. It is a personal favour to Admiral Hackett of the Alliance. A deep-cover agent operating in Batarian space has disappeared after finding evidence of an impending Reaper invasion and is believed to be a prisoner of the Batarians. In order to keep things simple and discreet, Shepard must work alone - totally alone - to find and save Dr. Kenson. The mission begins with you infiltrating the facility. You can go in hard but the place is alarmed and filled with well-armed guards. I played as a level 10 Soldier and I enjoyed stealthily shutting down security systems and using my sniper rifle to neutralize prison guards but was glad to have my assault rifle and inferno grenades once I had found my objective. Things got intense as I tried to escape with the doctor and I had to defend her while waves of guards came at us from various directions. Watch your flank, because they'll chew you to pieces. If you're not a biotic (I wasn't), be careful with your ammunition. Every shot counts. If you escape the prison facility, the doctor will tell you why she believes a Reaper attack is imminent and presents a theory on how to stop them. Her approach might prevent the Reapers invasion but it would also obliterate an entire populated star system. Great going, doc. Shepard needs answers, so the doctor offers proof at her base of operations. This is where things get downright nasty as Shepard finds certain key people have been indoctrinated by the Reapers to assist them with their incursion. 'Arrival' puts Shepard through his paces and the pressure never stops. There are skirmishes and battles, and all of them are tougher than normal because you're completely alone. If you relied on your comrades before then you're in for a stressful time. There's an onslaught of enemies with shields, armour, assault rifles, flame-throwers, grenades, and even the occasional heavy mech coming at you… sometimes all at once. I can't recall being pinned down as often as this, even during some of the heavier fighting during previous 'ME2' missions. There are three achievements to be had in 'The Arrival' - Covert Action (for silent infiltration), Last Stand (survive a five-wave attack), and Ultimate Sacrifice (mission completion). Each one of them is a medal of honour, since this DLC is anything but a cake walk. Although there isn't much dialogue, this latest mission brings new challenges that call for decisions which have lasting consequences. As a result, Shepard may not remain as popular as might be expected for one who defended the galaxy from the formidable Collectors and fearsome Reapers. Shepard's relationship with the Alliance, Cerberus, and alien races is sure to be strained in 'Mass Effect 3' - due out this holiday season - and that's sure to make things exciting for fans.   'Mass Effect 2 : Arrival' Format: Xbox 360 Publisher: EA Developer: BioWare ESRB Rating: M for Mature Official Site: http://masseffect.bioware.com Rating: 8 / 10

 

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G4 Canada (formerly TechTV Canada) launched in September 2001. G4 is the one and only television station that is plugged into every dimension of games, gear, gadgets and gigabytes. Owned Rogers Media Inc., the channel airs more than 24 original series. G4 is available on digital cable and satellite. For more information, see www.g4tv.ca.