Last year on March 6, 2012, Mass Effect 3 launched. One year later on March 5, 2013, Bioware launched Mass Effect 3: Citadel, the last piece of single player DLC to release for Mass Effect 3. Join Commander Shepard and the surviving members of the Normandy crew as they head to the Citadel for some mandatory R&R (Rest and Relaxation) ordered by Admiral Hackett. The DLC offers you one last chance to share some laughs and a new adventure with Shepard as you take a break from the war effort. Is this last dance worth the effort or is it time to to move on? To access this DLC you have to read your messages on the Normandy, which will open up the Silversun Strip once you dock with the Citadel.
Shoot First, Then Shoot Some More. Who Needs Questions?
It’s been a while since someone personally tried to kill Commander Shepard, and it’s happening again. It’s Shepard’s first night out while on leave and he is thrust into combat after receiving an alarming message from an Alliance officer. The sushi will have to wait as Shepard faces off against a staggering number of Cat6 (Category 6 Dishonorable Discharge) mercenaries in full combat armor carrying assault rifles and barrier shields. The fighting starts off with Shepard acquiring an M-11 Suppressor heavy pistol and quickly escalates before he can escape the immediate danger. The M-11 is similar in design to the M-6 Carnifex but has a suppressor attached to the barrel and packs a serious punch. The ammo capacity is low so you’ll want to use your biotic powers provided you have them or pull off the head shot. You can always find spare thermal clips that drop from fallen combatants which you’ll need because the enemies attack in waves if you’re not moving forward. Shepard can also acquire the M-7 Lancer from Mass Effect. This throwback weapon has more stopping power then the M-8 Avenger but if you recall it overheats when the clip is emptied. It works the same as it did back then and is very effective as long as you watch your ammo counter. The DLC throws in a heavy dose of humor to go with the heavy amount of combat you’ll go through as you fight your way through the wards into the Citadel archives.
Where Am I
Mass Effect 3: Citadel offers Commander Shepard his own apartment on the Citadel. You’re offered the option to redecorate the apartment with new furniture which is cheap but lacks variety. Shepard’s new apartment is located in the Tiberius Towers on the Silversun Strip. In comparison to Chora’s Den, Flux, Afterlife on Omega or the Purgatory Bar the Silversun puts them all to shame. This place is more lively and colorful than any other spot the Citadel and has more to do. It places all the diversionary conveniences in one exciting new area. If you’re into gambling, there is the Silver Coast Casino. The Armax Combat Arena allows you to earn prizes in mock combat simulations and the Castle Arcade houses playable mini games for your enjoyment. If gambling and mini games aren’t interesting enough, then you can also listen to all the conversations everyone is having. The Strip isn’t just a place for Shepard to hang out, he will run into several crew members as they lounge in the different venues. Shepard can share a drink with Wrex, dance with the ladies and discuss the finer points of robbing the casino with Kasumi. You can only access the Silversun Strip through the sky car rapid transit system, which is also how you get to Dr. Bryson’s Lab for the Mass Effect 3: Leviathan DLC. The Silversun Strip is a nice addition to the Citadel and is an interesting place to visit.
Party Like Its 2186
Mass Effect is well known for its story telling, but what about the sarcastic wit and humor the characters use with each other? Mass Effect 3: Citadel keeps the jokes coming during the heavy fighting and after when the party starts with all the original voice talent returning for one last get together. Throwing a party in the middle of the game was a great idea provided you took the time to rescued everyone, and the crew members from Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 aren’t dead. The DLC can only be started after the Citadel raid by Cerberus, so you can access it anytime after that and before the final mission. I started playing after the Cerberus raid for review purposes so I hadn’t collect everyone yet. The people I did save all showed up and I still had a full house. The only down side is the exclusion of Dr. Chakwas, Engineer Adams, Kelly Chambers, Ken and Gabby. It would have been nice to see them enjoying themselves.
In hindsight, this should have been the ending of Mass Effect 3. The Reapers have been defeated so lets get together with all our surviving friends and celebrate. That would have been an awesome conclusion to the series, but what they did is just as satisfying. Mass Effect 3: Leviathan delivered a key part of the story that gave context to the Reaper invasion while Mass Effect 3: Omega was just a side story with heavy action elements. Mass Effect 3: Citadel is also just a side story but is still important in that it gives a real sense of closure and is a far better ending than the Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut. The game tugs on the heart strings a little by letting the player and Commander Shepard know what great friends he’s made over the course of the series. Mass Effect 3: Citadel is a fine addition to the Mass Effect franchise. We all want that last hurrah with our friends and this it. If you haven’t picked up Mass Effect 3: Citadel or aren’t sure you want to go back and play, it’s well worth the effort. You’ll enjoy every minute of the game.
Chris is replaying the entire Mass Effect series on Insanity for his perfect play through. Mass Effect 3: Citadel took four and a half hours to complete.
Related Link(s):
+ The Story of the DLC.
+ The humor the characters have.
+ The two new guns.
+ Everything that happened at the party.
+ Mass Effect 3: Citadel.
-Forgot to include Dr. Chakwas, Engineer Adams, Ken, Gabby and Kelly Chambers in the DLC.
Available on: PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Version Reviewed: Xbox 360
Gamer Horizon 