It seems a recent PS3 patch has unveiled new “Mass Effect 2″ DLC info. The updated trophy list inadvertently revealed upcoming DLC for the “Mass Effect 2″ titled “Arrival”. You can see the trophies list mentions “Dr. Amanda Kenson”, a peek at the Cerberus Network let’s us know a little more:

“Historians and astronomers alike are abuzz tonight over a new paper published by Dr. Amanda Kenson of the University of Arcturus. Her team claims that by testing the dust trapped in the gravity wells around a mass relay, and comparing its composition to that of dust clouds in the same system, scientists can create a timeline of when the relay passed through the dust. Her conclusion? “Only a small fraction of the mass effect relays date back 50,000 years,” she writes, “The majority are far older, indicating they were created by a species predating even the Protheans.” Dr. Aurana T’Meles of the University of Serrice met the information with skepticism: “While Dr. Kenson’s methods appear sound, the asari tried a similar procedure centuries ago and discounted it. What civilization could have spanned the galaxy for not thousands, but millions of years? If this were the case, we should have found mountains of evidence of their passing. Where is this species now?”

EA and Bioware are yet to make this official, the trophy info below:

Mass Effect 2 DLC Arrival:

The Ultimate Sacrifice – Complete the Arrival DLC

Last Stand – Survive all five waves in the battle for Object Rho

Covert Action – Rescue Dr. Amanda Kenson without attracting hostile attention.

Heads up Dragon Age fans, it’s time for some sweet downloadable content in the form of The Exiled Prince. The news came via EA along with a video teaser (that you can see below). Here’s the blurb: “The Exiled Prince introduces the noble archer Sebastian Vael, with players joining him in the middle of his quest to avenge the brutal murder of his family. Sworn to the priesthood as a boy, Sebastian is forced to re-enter the viper’s nest of princely politics when his family is brutally murdered, leaving him as the sole surviving heir. Banding together with Sebastian and his unshakable loyalty and excellent aim, players will choose to either avenge Sebastian’s murdered family to reclaim his title or direct his holy vengeance on their enemies in Kirkwall. In addition to this action-packed storyline, players will also be able to enlist Sebastian as a follower throughout a majority of Dragon Age II”.

“Our goal for the Dragon Age II DLC is to extend Hawke’s journey and the Dragon Age universe by introducing additional characters with meaningful storylines and intense, dynamic missions,” said Mark Darrah, Executive Producer of Dragon Age II. “Not only will ’The Exiled Prince’ allow players to experience Sebastian’s powerful revenge story, but they will also be able to utilize him as a follower throughout Hawke’s rise to power in Dragon Age II.”

Dragon Age II will be available on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system and PC in North America on March 8, 2011 and in Europe on March 11, 2011.

Some people might say I am a tad obsessed with the Mass Effect games. I admit, I may have played both games *mumble* times, but I won’t say “obsessed”…. Or maybe I would. It was with much joy and celebration that I waited for the highly anticipated new DLC “Lair of the Shadowbroker.” Did it live up to my extremely high expectations? Overall, I will say that it was well worth the 800 Microsoft points. Here is what I thought of it- and I will try to keep it somewhat spoiler free, but be warned: If you don’t want to know who shows up and in general what happens, don’t read on.

The general storyline is that you go back to your lady Liara with information about the Shadowbroker. You can do this either in the middle of the game, or at the end. I played both ways, and would recommend playing at the end of the game after you have beaten it. I found the dialogue and the information you are given to be much richer and fuller.

The Good: The first thing you notice about the game is how beautiful it is. You go to many different locations, including Liara’s apartment, and a drive through Illium. It really shows how much the designers took in creating these places. Along with the design, the writing really pops out at you. The dialogue is both heartbreaking and at times witty. There were times I actually laughed at out, especially at a particularly off-color joke between Liara and Shepard. For example, when you are driving through Illium, Liara turns into a backseat driver and the dialogue is hilarious. The storyline is solid, and yes, you do get to confront the Shadowbroker. I have seen many theories on who the Shadowbroker is, and I was pleasantly surprised.

The Average: Driving & Combat: The actual gameplay was pretty average. It was on par with Mass Effect 2, which means lots of ducking and shooting. They did add some interesting elements to help you with combat, and I appreciated that. The other element added was driving, and I’m not talking about the Mako or that hovering thing they forced into the game. This is an air-car chase that takes place in Illium, and I found it to be more fun than I would have thought. It wasn’t spectacular, but it was a nice break in the action.

The Bad: Length and interaction with teammates: There were only two things I thought were bad in the DLC Lair of the Shadowbroker. The first was the length. I played it on Normal and Hardcore. On Normal I whipped through the game in 2 hours. Hardcore was a little better – it took me about 6 hours to complete. I am unsure if it was because I had played the game so much that I was just REALLY good at it, or if it was just that short. My other disappointment was in the interaction with your teammates and Liara. I brought along Garrus and Talia, since they had been in the first game, and there was not ONE single interaction between them. I found this to be a little heartbreaking, and surely they would have SOMETHING to say to someone who helped them save the galaxy!

The Romance: I played the game with my two Shepards that romanced Liara – I haven’t had the courage to use the character I cheated on her with (only to get the romance achievement, I swear!) and I found their reunion to be quite satisfactory. You confront Liara about her attitude from when you first met, and you learn a little about WHY she acts the way she does. You get a satisfactory conclusion at the end, just make sure you invite her back to the Normandy for drinks.

Overall: The Lair of the Shadowbroker DLC was fun to play, and it introduced a few new characters that were intriguing. At the end you get access to the Shadowbroker’s files, and I spent HOURS just going through them. The developers and writers are not above poking fun at their own creations. Reading Miranda’s emails in a dating service website were hysterical, along with the observations of the other crew members. You get access to video surveillance of characters that you met along the way, and it gives the game much more depth, seeing all the things that were only talked about.

The Mass Effect 2: Lair of the Shadowbroker DLC is well worth your time, and it will make all the lesbian/bi gamers out there very happy indeed.

Review by Dani

Heads up Fallout: New Vegas fans, looks like it won’t be long before you’re getting a little add-on goodness, well if you own an Xbox. As usual we’ve got the full skinny for you right here. Aren’t we good to you? Here’s the presser:

Bethesda Softworks, a ZeniMax Media company, today announced plans to develop add-on content for Fallout: New Vegas, the follow-up to the 2008 Game of the Year, Fallout 3. The first downloadable content for Fallout: New Vegas will be available this holiday season through Xbox LIVE for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

“We’re excited to continue the partnership between Bethesda and Microsoft, and build on the success of the game add-ons released for Fallout 3 on Xbox LIVE,” said Pete Hines, VP of Marketing and PR of Bethesda Softworks. “Fans will once again be able to continue their experience in the Fallout universe with the add-on packs planned for after the launch of the game.”

Fallout: New Vegas brings this beloved franchise to a location only Fallout could do justice: Vegas. Fallout: New Vegas takes all the action, humour and post-apocalyptic grime and grit of this legendary series, and raises the stakes.

“Bethesda set a high bar with the quality of the Fallout game add-ons,” said Matt Barlow, General Manager, IEB Product Marketing for Microsoft. “We have no doubt that gamers will be thrilled with seeing a new add-on pack extend their adventures with Fallout: New Vegas on Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE.”

Published by Bethesda Softworks, Fallout: New Vegas is set for release on Xbox 360, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and Games for Windows on October 19th in North America, October 21st in Australia and on October 22nd in Europe.

More details about plans for additional content will be released in the coming weeks.

Fallout: New Vegas, developed at Obsidian Entertainment, has been rated M for Mature by the ESRB. For more information on Fallout: New Vegas, visit the Fallout website.

2K Games and Gearbox Software announced today that Borderlands fans can return to Pandora’s inhospitable environment to enjoy a brand-new destructive downloadable adventure in Claptrap’s New Robot Revolution*. This fists-of-fury-filled fourth add-on pack from the popular franchise will be available this September via Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for 800 Microsoft Points and the PlayStation®Network for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC for £6.29.

Claptrap’s New Robot Revolution invites single-player and co-op fans back to try to suppress a deadly Claptrap revolution using one of four infamous vault hunters. The foursome find themselves caught in the crosshairs of a deadly civil war between the Hyperion Corporation’s well-armed armadas and the ever-amassing army of homicidal Claptraps led by one of the most eagerly awaited characters in the franchise’s history – the cunning Ninja Assassin. As vault hunters, players must put aside their past differences with the Hyperion Corporation, namely the organization’s repeated attempts to wipe them from existence. For a hefty payday, they will join forces to help beat down the mechanical uprising and thwart the dastardly kung-fu expert, the Claptrap known only as Ninja Assassin.

“A year ago Borderlands was an untested brand that through hard work and a lot of passion, turned out to be one of the best-selling, claptastic and skagtacular games we have ever created,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “A year later, we are releasing our fourth DLC installment, Claptrap’s New Robot Revolution, which illustrates our enthusiasm for creating highly entertaining content that enhances a franchise. In addition to serving as the perfect bookend to the original game, what gamer doesn’t love a kung-fu-wielding Ninja Assassin Claptrap with nunchuck skills?”

Like its add-on predecessors, Claptrap’s New Robot Revolution offers extensive co-op integration that seamlessly melds single and multiplayer experiences, and incorporates the most explosive role-playing shooter fun imaginable. Claptrap’s New Robot Revolution will provide more than 20 new missions to loot and tons of fresh enemies to blast through, including original boss battles, waves of homicidal Claptraps, well-armed Hyperion soldiers, and local creatures that have been Claptrap-ified – including crab-traps, rakk-traps and skag-trapps. Fans can earn an additional 10 skill points for a total of 71 available skill tree points, and three more backpack slots for additional blood-yielding weapons and many hours of enjoyment.

Borderlands is available now for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 system and Games for Windows-LIVE and is rated PEGI 18. The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned*, Mad Moxxi’s Underdome Riot* and The Secret Armory of General Knoxx* add-on packs are all available separately on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 for 800 Microsoft Points and on the PlayStation Network and PC for £6.29.

The cult of Rapture has called to inform us of the incoming BioShock 2 DLC “The Rapture Metro Pack” which will be available from tomorrow on both Xbox 360 and PS3. The pack consists of new map packs, achievements, trials, and masks. You’ll get all this for a rather nifty 800 MS Points or around $9.99 USD. In addition BioShock 2′s Character Pack, including Zigo the Fisherman and Blanche the Actress, will also be available on 360 and PS3 for 160 MS Points or $1.99. Both the Rapture Metro Pack and the Character Pack will be available on PC soon. Lock and load your crowbars people, we’ve got the trailer below.

Games over man! Game over… not quite, since Aliens vs. Predator gets its first downloadable content in the form of the Aliens vs. Predator: Swarm Map Pack. The DLC will feature 4 new maps for different multiplayer modes, previously only available in the Special Editions, this downloadable content will challenge all 3 species for the fight of their existence, along with two new Multiplayer maps for six different online modes (Deathmatch, Predator Hunt, Infestation, Species Deathmatch, Mixed Species Deathmatch and Domination).

• Docks: The caustic alkali waters of BG-386 put an end to Weyland-Yutani’s planned shipping activities. But this dockyard soon became an historic battleground.
• Machine: As well as processing exotic ores, the BG-386 Refinery provided electrical power to the colonists at Freya’s Prospect. The lights may still be on, but nobody’s home. Yet.

Two new Survivor maps in which up to four Marines battle to stay alive against increasing swarms of Aliens:

• Outpost: The site of the original Weyland-Yutani colony on BG-386 was abandoned, and soon reclaimed by the planet’s voracious jungle plant life. It is now the perfect hunting ground for all manner of wildlife.
• Hive: Deep in the heart of the Freya’s Prospect Refinery lays the Xenomorph Hive. Beware all who enter here.

The DLC for Aliens vs Predator will be available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation Store for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and STEAM for PC.

The “Swarm Map Pack” will be available on 18 March (Australia) for $9.95 AUD/ $11.50 NZD/ 560 Microsoft Points.

Great news for Borderlands fans, sounds like there will be even more DLC for the game. This is hardly surprising really given Take-Two are making plenty of cashola from the DLC previously released (The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned, Mad Moxxi’s Underdome Riot and most recently The Secret Armory of General Knoxx). Take-Two president and CEO Ben Feder stated they “will continue to support the title with add-on content.” Now let the hopes and conjecture begin as to just what the next Borderlands DLC is likely to be.

Mass Effect 2 DLC will be a hot property to many of you who have finished the game (some more than one), so you’ll like this news. The Mass Effect 2 Firewalker pack will include 5 new missions utilizing the cool Hammerhead vehicle. According to the website:

“The Hammerhead assault vehicle is coming to the Cerberus Network in late March! Free to all Cerberus Network members, the Firewalker pack includes 5 all new missions featuring the Hammerhead. Hovering over the battlefield at up to 120 kilometeres per hour, the Hammerhead also boasts a guided missile system ensuring accuracy even during aggressive maneuvering. Additionally we will be revealing a new heavy weapon available to all Cerberus Network members very soon. Stay tuned for more info on this new addition to the Mass Effect 2 arsenal, coming this month!”

Heads up Borderlands junkies, The Secret Armory of General Knoxx DLC for Borderlands releases tomorrow (Feb 23) on Xbox 360 for 800 MSP and on the PS3 and PC on Feb 25. Interested to know what your getting for your 10 or so bucks? Well the level cap gets a bit of a raise from 50 to 61, meaning you can grind, grind, oh and grind a little more. There’s also plenty more boom /bang in the form of weapons, vehicles and 30 new bad dude types, according to the presser.