Arrival: Complete Arrival or not

Arrival: Complete Arrival or Not

The Arrival DLC for Mass Effect 2 presents a critical decision point for Commander Shepard: whether to complete the mission or abort it. This choice has significant ramifications for the galaxy's future and the events leading into Mass Effect 3.

The Arrival DLC is the final piece of story content for Mass Effect 2, acting as a direct bridge to the events of Mass Effect 3. It involves Shepard investigating a potential Reaper invasion threat originating from a Batarian colony. The mission culminates in a difficult choice that will shape the galaxy's preparedness for the impending war, making the decision to complete or abort the mission a weighty one.

The Premise of Arrival

Shepard is tasked by Admiral Hackett to investigate an Admiral from the Alliance who has gone rogue. This Admiral is believed to be working with the Batarians to accelerate the Reaper invasion by planting a weapon that will cripple the galaxy's defenses. Shepard must infiltrate a Batarian research outpost, gather intelligence, and ultimately decide the fate of the weapon and the rogue Admiral.

The Mission and its Climax

The mission involves a series of combat encounters as Shepard fights through Batarian forces and automated defenses. The core of the DLC revolves around reaching the Batarian research facility and confronting the rogue Admiral and his associates. Upon reaching the central control room, Shepard discovers the true nature of the weapon: a massive Reaper artifact designed to broadcast a signal that will cause widespread panic and disarray, paving the way for the Reapers' arrival.

The Critical Decision: Complete or Abort

At the climax of the Arrival DLC, Shepard is presented with a stark choice:

• Complete the Mission (Destroy the Artifact): This option involves Shepard initiating a sequence to destroy the Reaper artifact. This action will alert the galaxy to the imminent Reaper threat, causing widespread panic but also galvanizing defenses and preparing humanity and its allies for the war ahead. This is the path that leads to a more prepared galaxy in Mass Effect 3.
• Abort the Mission (Leave the Artifact): This option involves Shepard choosing not to destroy the artifact. This decision will keep the galaxy in ignorance of the true scale of the Reaper threat, leading to a less prepared and more chaotic situation at the beginning of Mass Effect 3. The rogue Admiral will escape, and the galaxy will be caught off guard.

Consequences of Each Choice

The choice made in Arrival has significant narrative consequences:

• Completing the Mission:
• The galaxy is aware of the Reaper threat from the outset of Mass Effect 3.
• This leads to a more unified galactic effort against the Reapers, though initial panic is high.
• Admiral Hackett will acknowledge Shepard's actions and their role in preparing the galaxy.
• The overall tone of Mass Effect 3's beginning is one of urgency and preparedness.
• Aborting the Mission:
• The galaxy remains largely unaware of the full extent of the Reaper threat at the start of Mass Effect 3.
• This results in a more fractured and unprepared galaxy, leading to greater initial losses and chaos.
• Shepard's actions (or inactions) will be noted, but the lack of a clear warning means the galaxy is caught off guard.
• The initial stages of Mass Effect 3 will feel more desperate and reactive.

Recommendation

For players aiming for a more cohesive narrative and a galaxy that is at least somewhat prepared for the Reaper invasion, completing the mission and destroying the artifact is generally recommended. This choice sets up a more direct and urgent conflict in Mass Effect 3, allowing for a more focused narrative on rallying the galaxy.

However, if you prefer to experience the shock and unpreparedness of the galaxy at the dawn of the Reaper war, aborting the mission is also a valid narrative choice that leads to a different, albeit more chaotic, beginning for Mass Effect 3.