Prologue: Project Lazarus Research Lab
The opening hours of Mass Effect 2 thrust you into a desperate fight for survival and a race against time. The Project Lazarus Research Lab mission is your introduction to the game's core mechanics, narrative premise, and the immediate stakes involved in bringing Commander Shepard back from the dead.
Your mission begins with Shepard's apparent death during an attack on the SSV Normandy SR-1. You awaken two years later in a highly advanced research facility, the Project Lazarus facility, where you've been rebuilt by the enigmatic organization Cerberus. The initial objective is to regain your bearings and understand the extent of your reconstruction.
As you explore the lab, you'll be guided by the Illusive Man, the leader of Cerberus, through your Omni-Tool. He explains the situation: you were recovered from the wreckage of the Normandy and brought here for reconstruction. The facility itself is under attack by Collectors, a mysterious alien race responsible for your initial demise. Your primary goal becomes escaping the facility alive and understanding the threat they pose.
The gameplay in reintroduce you to Mass Effect's combat and movement. You'll learn about your new abilities, which may vary depending on your chosen class. You'll encounter basic enemy types, including Collector drones and troops, allowing you to practice your shooting, biotic, and tech powers. The environment is linear, guiding you through various sections of the lab, including medical bays, research areas, and escape pods.
Key objectives include reaching the main control room, activating emergency protocols, and ultimately reaching the shuttle bay to escape. Along the way, you'll encounter Cerberus personnel who provide exposition and assistance. Pay attention to the dialogue; it sets up the overarching narrative of the game: the Collectors are abducting humans for unknown purposes, and Shepard is the only one capable of stopping them.
A critical moment in this mission is your first encounter with a Collector Abomination, a heavily mutated human. This enemy serves as a significant threat and a preview of the challenges to come. You'll also have opportunities to interact with Dr. Chakwas, the Normandy's former doctor, who played a role in your revival.
Upon reaching the shuttle bay, you'll face a final wave of Collectors. Successfully defending the shuttle and escaping the collapsing research facility marks the end of the prologue. This mission effectively re-establishes Shepard, introduces the primary antagonist, and sets the stage for the recruitment and loyalty missions that will define the rest of Mass Effect 2.
- Awaken in Project Lazarus facility.
- Learn about your reconstruction from the Illusive Man.
- Fight off Collector attacks.
- Navigate the facility, reacquainting with combat mechanics.
- Reach the shuttle bay and escape.