Main Walkthrough

Main Walkthrough

The main storyline of Mass Effect 2 is a desperate race against time to uncover the truth behind the disappearances of human colonies and stop a mysterious alien threat. Shepard, resurrected by the shadowy organization Cerberus, must recruit a team of specialists, upgrade the Normandy, and prepare for a final, perilous assault.

The main questline of Mass Effect 2 begins with Shepard's dramatic resurrection by Cerberus, led by the Illusive Man. Your primary objective is to investigate the widespread disappearances of human colonies across the galaxy, which are being systematically abducted by an unknown enemy. This investigation will lead you to recruit a diverse and highly skilled crew, each with their own unique abilities and backstories.

Phase 1: Recruitment and Initial Investigations

After your resurrection and initial briefing, your first priority is to recruit key squad members. This typically involves traveling to various locations across the galaxy:

• Jacob Taylor: Recruited early on, often found on the Omega Relay.
• Miranda Lawson: A Cerberus operative, usually met on Omega.
• Mordin Solus: A Salarian scientist, found on the Citadel.
• Garrus Vakarian: An old ally, located on the Citadel.
• Zaeed Massani: A mercenary, available for hire on Omega (requires purchasing the 'Zaeed - The Price of Revenge' DLC or finding him during a specific mission).
• Samara: An Asari Justicar, encountered on Illium.
• Morinth: Samara's daughter, also on Illium (a choice between recruiting Samara or Morinth).
• Grunt: A Krogan warrior, created by Mordin, found on the Citadel.
• Jack: A powerful biotic, found on the Purgatory prison ship.
• Thane Krios: A Drell assassin, located on the Citadel.
• Legion: A Geth platform, found during the mission 'Geth Dreadnought' or 'Tali's Pilgrimage' depending on choices.
• Tali'Zorah vas Neema: A Quarian engineer, found on the Citadel.

As you recruit your crew, you'll also begin investigating the abductions. This involves missions like 'The Aratoht System,' 'Freedom's Progress,' and 'The Reaper Icarus.' These early missions will introduce you to the Collectors, the enigmatic alien race responsible for the abductions, and reveal their terrifying motives.

Phase 2: Building the Normandy and Loyalty Missions

Once you have a core team, the Illusive Man will task you with acquiring the 'Normandy SR-2,' a state-of-the-art vessel. You'll also need to upgrade its capabilities, particularly its defenses and offensive systems. This phase is crucial for preparing for the endgame. The most important undertaking during this period is completing your squadmates' loyalty missions. These missions delve into their personal histories and resolve their issues, granting them unique abilities and ensuring their unwavering support during the final confrontation. Failing to secure their loyalty can have dire consequences.

Phase 3: The Omega 4 Relay and the Suicide Mission

With your crew loyal and the Normandy fully upgraded, you will finally breach the Omega 4 Relay, a dangerous gateway leading to the Collector homeworld. This culminates in the 'Suicide Mission,' a multi-stage operation where every decision you make, from who leads which squad, to who escorts survivors, can determine the fate of your crew and the success of your mission. The choices you make during this mission are paramount and will directly impact the ending of the game.

Throughout the main story, you will also encounter various side quests and assignments that offer valuable resources, experience, and lore. Prioritizing loyalty missions and upgrading the Normandy are key to ensuring the best possible outcome for the Suicide Mission.