Mass Effect 2 - Should I play it w/o all the DLC packs first time through?

Just started this game. I just made it to the ship and wondering if I should play through without the DLC or install all the DLC packs. I don't really plan on playing it again and again..There's too many good games out there for that.

It's already complicated and intricate enough for me, and I haven't even really gotten beyond just starting the game ...But at the same time I don't want to be missing out on a much greater experience if the DLC's will make it that way... Opinions?

 

I would recommend going for some of the weapon/armor DLC, just for variety's sake.

 

Theres no reason to play it with out the DLC. The DLC only enhances the game, it does not change it.

 

Download all the free DLC, it seamlessly adds more to the game.

 

i have to agree, there is no reason not to add the DLC, it adds more to the game and doesn't interfere with the main story if that's your wish, i hope you enjoy it, its been the standout game for me this year...enjoy it mate

 

Okay. Excellent. I'll take the advice and install the DLC's. So far it's been great. The last BioWare I played was KOTOR and I can see shades of that in this game too.

 

Saw this the other day and thought I would share it here.

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Its a great game and worth the DLC if you can get hold of it. One thing that hasnt been mentioned but I believe the DLC has to be on your system before you start playing if you load a save game you wont be able to access it or some of it im afraid. I may be wrong as this just the case for me it may have been patched etc since I played it.

 

Not true, at least not on the XBox, and I can't imagine PC is any different. As soon as you install the DLC just load up your game and they'll be new messages in your inbox telling you about the new missions/equipment. There's still no reason not to install them right off the bat though.

 

The only DLC I would get is Lair of the Shadow Broker just because it is so full of win and from the way it was when I played it it's integrated at the end of the main plot, so you can finish all the main missions and then focus on the DLC content.

 

As a side note, Mass Effect 2 is probably my favorite game of all time. I'm glad something finally came along to surpass Chrono Trigger, which was my #1 for like 15 years.

 

The Firepower Pack is amazing, and Kasumi's quest is worth it for the Locust SMG alone.

 

Tested it to make sure and you do have to install the DLC prior to starting a new game otherwise only the items are included and not the missions.

Could still be my version of the game mind.

 

Must be - I installed the DLC in the middle of a game and it worked fine. You get the missions via email for everything you install.

 

Most of the DLC packs are totally not worth the money you pay for them.

Lair of the Shadow Broker is £6 I believe (though the price is concealed by the whole 'bioware points' thing) and that's a few hours of content so I think that's reasonable.

Overload and Kusami are both ~£4 each iirc, which makes overlord much better value than Kusami and probably moderately reasonable. I don't think Kusami was worth the money, and all of the packs for random crap like different costumes and random extra guns are just a total rip off.

I'm gonna go ahead and make clear that I utterly despise the whole 'microtransaction' culture and the idea of so-called 'DLC'. So I already bought this game for full price and you want me to end up paying a total of about ~50% on top of the cost of the game for all the stuff that you didn't get around putting in to it at release? This whole thing is just playing into the hands of leeches like Kotick.

I'd recommend getting the free stuff and getting Lair of the Shadow Broker - Overlord and Kusami are kinda for you to decide. I think Overlord is much better than Kusami, personally.

Edit : Yes you can add any extra content you download to an existing game.