Is Mass Effect 2 DLC "Required?"

[yourbeliefs]

I recently got my Gamefly version of ME2 and saw that it has some Day 1 DLC that is only "free" if you have the instruction booklet, which of course I don't have. It appears that the 2 options I have if I want to use it are to either A: Spend $15 on the Marketplace, or B: Use the "Keep it" option and get the case and book, and presumably the DLC redemption code. Apparently the DLC adds new missions, weapons, and characters, you know, stuff that should have been shipped with the ACTUAL GAME, but whatever, that's being covered in another thread..

My point is, my jury is still out on ME2. I just started the task of creating my killing Dream Team, meaning I've experienced about 2 hours of the game. The game seems very intriguing, but then again so did ME1 until I never got back to playing it and eventually sold it. Can anyone tell me if NOT having this DLC detracts from the ME2 experience in a tangible or significant way?

 

[Lost In The Void]

No it does not take away from the experience at all. The DLC was delayed for the first few days and I had already beaten the main quest when it activated. other than giving you another quest and another crew member, it doesn't affect the game in a huge way. If you have other quesitons feel free to post them on my Mass Effect 2 Discussion Thread [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.171545] it avoids all the ME2 threads taking up the first page of Gaming Discussion

 

[yourbeliefs]

When you say another crew member, do you mean someone who just hangs around on the Normandy or do you mean another character who could go along with me on missions?

 

[Lost In The Void]

When you say another crew member, do you mean someone who just hangs around on the Normandy or do you mean another character who could go along with me on missions?

Missions, he is another teammate, a merc in fact, you accompanies you on your little "Suicide" mission

 

[yourbeliefs]

$15 for the Cerberus Network seems like a fairly good deal considering you get three free DLCs right off the bat and they are supposedly going to add many more in the future. I suggest just making sure you like the game first. You know, play 10-15 hours into it, and if you do, then buy it. After all, the DLC missions can be done at any time during the course of the game's story.

Just to clarify, the DLC is free if you have the redemption code off of an instruction manual or some insert with the package, right? The $15 is for all those poor people who buy it used and don't have a code available?

 

[MiracleOfSound]

I hate Bioware's attitude to DLC. Hate it.

I won't be using any of that stuff on my first playthrough, I want to experience the vanilla by itself.