Update: The DLC is called Bring Down the Sky not Bringing Down the Sky. My bad.

So here I am, as I promised on Friday night. Tonight, I’ll be taking you through the Bring Down the Sky DLC released this morning. As I did last time, I’ll be live blogging my playing experience, crucial decisions, and all the happenings while playing through the new planet and against the new race. They are called the Batarians and are known for having a ruthless regime, where all information flows onto and off of their planet are controlled by the Department of Information Control. The Batarians are also known as a very violent race towards outsiders, and seldom has any peaceful contact been made with them. This is why they will be a formidable enemy in the extra mission.

I do have a couple words of warning: this live blog will spoil the plot for you if you have yet to play the game itself or even the mission. Sorry!

Click read more to begin reading the live blog happenings.

The Setup

This time round, I’m not using Jennifer Shepard but am instead using Caroline Shepard: the one I originally completed the game with, as well as on Harcore and Insanity Difficulties. Caroline is a Level 60 (the maximum level in this game) Vanguard with basically, the best items in the game attached to her. I started a new game, still on the insanity setting, but used an “Existing ID” to get her and all the item goodness attached to her. I did tone down the difficulty to Normal to make getting through the first part of the game quicker and less hazardous; however, I will turn it up to Hardcore when I go to face the Batarians. So what I’ve done so far is this:

• Acquired everyone except Liara, and am well on my way to attaining her as well
• I’m a Spectre in control of the Normandy
• Currently I’m on Therum saving Liara from a bounty hunter sent by Saren
• As I previously mentioned, one of the achievements I wanted was the Assault Rifle Expert achievement which I was awarded during the catchup time of this run-through

So that’s the setup and now you’re caught up.

Mass Effect Live Blog: DLC Special

6:29 PM On Therum, fighting the enemies right in front of the mine entrance the mine where you save Liara.

6:30 PM Entered the mine.

6:38 PM Saved Liara. Back on the Normandy talking to the crew and the Council. I really don’t like how the Turian council member always talks down at me.

6:40 PM Free on the Normandy. Changed the difficulty to Hardcore. Game saved. Being anal and quit out to the main screen. I want to see that the DLC is there.

6:42 PM Looking at the DLC under Downloadable Content > Content Packages. The new Asteriod X57 is located in the Asgard System in the Exodus Cluster.

6:43 PM Just noticed the DLC is called Bring Down the Sky not Bringing Down the Sky. Corrections made within this post.

6:45 PM Off to go play the DLC! Yay!

6:46 PM Game loaded, at the Galaxy Map off to Asteriod X57.

6:47 PM Message coming in. It’s Nassana…okay. Found Asteriod X57. It’s pointed out at every level of the Galaxy Map.

6:48 PM Landing. Taking Garrus and Liara with me.

6:49 PM Video with asteriod X57 flying towards Terra Nova. The Normandy just dropped the Mako.

6:50 PM Game paused. X57: Bring Down the Sky is considered an assignment and not a mission. Game saved again.

6:51 PM Have to allocate Liara’s upgrade points. Meh, let’s just do the Auto Level Up. Done.

6:52 PM Let’s do this. There’s a question mark that’s on my HUD but not the map. Let’s go there first.

6:53 PM It’s the body of G. Mendel. Apparently he was beaten really bad before he was killed with a pistol shot to the back of the head at close range. It’s like he surrendered but was executed. Going inside the hut beside him.

6:55 PM Inside the hut is an Aid Station and a compute with a “Final Entry” by Engineer G. Mendel. He’s complaining about how no one ever listens to him about the crappy transmission tower. Okay, off to the main transmission tower.

6:57 PM Got a new journal entry with an Assignment called X57: Two Missing Engineers. Apparently I’ve found the body of Mendel. Who else do I have to find?

6:58 PM Now off to the main transmission tower.

7:00 PM Reached the main transmission tower. I need to repair it.

7:01 PM I fixed the data link between the transmission tower and the survey stations. The survey stations will now be shown on my map. Gonna go visit those first.

7:05 PM Wow, just survived an attack from 5-6 well designed turrets on the way there. If you go too far a wall comes up around them and you can’t damage them. Once you’re close, they all open and shoot about 1 rocket ever 2 seconds. They’re not that hard to destroy with the Mako. Found another question mark that isn’t on the map. Investigating that first.

7:08 PM Entered the hut by the question mark. Inside was an Aid station and a terminal. The terminal describes the radio station operated by the engineers. It also has some promotional messages too. You have the option of “using” the radio station. It turns on some displays but I can’t hear or see anything special. Maybe once I get inside. Leaving and heading to Survey Station 1.

7:11 PM Just after that update the music started playing. It doesn’t sound like rock like the promotional messages said. Okay off to Survey Station 1.

7:12 PM The turrets I mentioned before were guarding a compound by one of the thrusters on the asteroid. Just got a glimpse of another thruster and it too is guarded by turrets. This should be fun. Still en route to Survey Station 1.

7:14 PM Just made it to Survey Station 1. Inside is an aid station, the body of C. Hymes and another terminal with station logs. Examining the body of C. Hymes we find out she has sever burns and head trauma, but the explosion would have killed her instantly. Journal entry was updated to X57: One Missing Engineer. The Station Log is a voice recording of C. Hymes’ last words, where you hear an explosion at the end. Off to the last survey station and then I’ll go after the thrusters. (In case you haven’t noticed, I like exploring around first before doing main stories.)

7:24 PM Made it to Survey Station 2. Had to kill a couple turrets on the way here. There are footprints outside…maybe someone’s still alive!

7:26 PM The footprints lead off to the east… Inside the hut was a terminal with a station log by Chief Surveyor R. Montoya. He says communications are down and that non-corporate drop ships are landing near the main facility. He said he’s activating the defense drones as per protocol, that he’s not waiting for his pickup, and that he’s going off to investigate.

7:29 PM As soon as I close the terminal entry, I was attacked by 3 Defense Drones. They were no match for my monstrous team. Off to go see what the thrusters are about. This’ll be a lot of fighting. Woohoo!

7:30 PM Pulled up my map to see where the thrusters are, and noticed a new item on my map called Main Facility. I bet Montoya’s there. Going to check it out now.

7:33 PM On the way to the main facility, a point of interest popped up on my HUD map, turns out it’s the body of R. Montoya. It says it looks like he was killed by a single sniper shot through the head. No one searched his body either as he still has all his equipment in his service pack. Completed the X57: Missing Engineers Assignment. Still going to investigate the main facility.

7:36 PM Close to the main facility. Looks very well fortified. It’s just a big red spot on my HUD map. Time to fight!

7:38 PM I got close and Liara told me I’m going in the wrong direction and that I need to get close to the torches…

7:40 PM Pwned by the Defensive Turrets. Great. Now I have to start everything all over again after the first survey station. It might be a while till the next update.

7:58 PM Okay, back on my way to the main facility. Let’s see how we do on foot. (Caroline on foot is stronger than the Mako…) Game Saved.

8:00 PM Kate, the one from who the distress signal originated, keeps yelling at me for going towards the main facility and that I should be going towards the torches. Okay, off to the thrusters then.

8:01 PM Pulled up the map and the “thrusters” are called fusion torches. No wonder I didn’t know what she was talking about before…

8:02 PM Got to the nearest torch. I cleared out all the turrets on my way before. Now I can just walk in. Lets see what the inside holds! Entering building.

8:03 PM Opened the door to the main room, and the game went to a cutscene. 3 Batarians standing above 2 Varren who are chomping down on something. The Batarians look at me. The Batarians start to growl, and the leader starts screaming the equivalent of “Attack! Attack!” and the Varren start running towards me. Game on!

8:06 PM The Varren are called “Batarian War Beasts.”

8:08 PM Well that wasn’t very hard. We destroyed them. Entered the back room. First time I’ve seen a “Grenade Storage Box.” Exploring the rest of the complex.

8:11 PM Disabled the first torch in the control room in the 2nd floor of the complex. Scene starts. Kate says “I’m reading that that torch is offline.” Now I get to talk to her. Kate: “Was that you? Can you hear me?” Shepard: “Who are you? What’s going on?” She explains that about the Batarian attack yesterday and that she thinks they know the torch went out. Shepard: “Why are they doing this?” She says she doesn’t know, but if the asteroid slams into Terra Nova millions of innocent people will die. If she finds out more - someone enters the room. She says “I have to go. Good luck.” Scene ends. I saved the game.

8:17 PM Opened the door right before the exit. There’s someone there. I say “Hey,” and they shoot at me out of reaction but my biotic shield easily blocks it. Then they start to apologize. Simon asks if I’m okay, and I say “it takes more than one bullet to bring me down.” Simon: “I didn’t even realize you were human until… well. Guess I’m not much of a soldier.” Shepard: I know you’re scared, I’m Commander Shepard of the Alliance. Simon Atwell introduces himself as the chief engineer on this rock. He explains the situation that the Batarians fired up the torches and we have to shut them down before we slam into Terra Nova. He then tries to make you feel sentimental by mentioning that there are 4 million people on the planet, including his family: kids and grandkids. Shepard asks how bad it would be and Simon explains that this asteriod is twice the size of the one that wiped out the dinosaurs. It would be like millions fusion bombs striking at once. I ask what the chances are that it hits the water, and he explains that would be even worse. He doesn’t know the numbers off by heart, but it would be bad. I ask why they would do this. He explains that Citadel Conventions prohibit asteriod drops and he never thought the Batarians would go this far. He explains that one of the three torches has blasting caps that the Mako will set off so I have to go in slowly by foot. He explains how ruthless the Batarians and Varren are. He mentions his team and the engineer team. I mention that Kate got away. He says she’s one of his best engineers. I tell him he better find a good place to find. Scene ends.

8:28 PM Out to the Mako. Got a new journal entry for the blasting caps. Game saved. Next torch is up.

8:31 PM Inside the next torch complex. Killing everyone.

8:36 PM Inside the control room. About to disable the second torch. Kate comes on again. She says I have to hurry because I’ve really pissed them off now. She says the leader is setting charges all over the facility and she things he’s going to blow it to bits. The Batarians find Kate, they show her at gunpoint and the leader (dressed in dark red, and with a lighter face than everyone else) comes into the room. His name is Balak and he asks one of the male prisoners who is shutting down the torches. Balak tells the team to find who’s causing all the problems and get rid of them. Saved the game. Leaving the complex to go to the third torch.

8:40 PM Exited the building. A note from before that I forgot to mention. Standing underneath the torches and listening to them is quite amazing… They sound quite realistic. Almost like an overpowered fighter jet.

8:43 PM Close to the last torch. It has a ring of markers surrounding it. I’m guessing that’s where the blasting caps are…

8:45 PM Removed all the rocket turrets. When I get close to the ring of Markers, I get a warning from the Mako about the demolitions. Proceeding on foot. All the demolitions are marked on the HUD Map as X’s. There is also a Proximity Detection meter at the bottom by the HUD map that shows you how close you are getting. Getting past them isn’t very hard. The hard part is when Batarians come out of the building and your close to the end of the minefield. But you can just get a little closer to them, clear the mine field and eat them for lunch.

8:50 PM Disarmed the Blasting Caps on a console outside the front door. Time to go inside.

8:53 PM Perimeter secured. On my way to the control center of the last torch.

8:54 PM Last torch disabled. Game autosaved. Then saved by me.

8:55 PM Came down the stairs and was greeted by Charn who tells me this doesn’t have to end in bloodshed. Conversation starts. Charn: “We can do this the hard way or we can resolve this peacefully.” Shepard: “I didn’t know Batarians knew the meaning of the word.” Charn: “Look, I’m just doing my job here. Hijacking the rock wasn’t my idea. I signed on to make a profit. A quick slave grab. Nothing more.” Shepard: “This isn’t just a slave grab anymore. Millions of people are going to die.” Charn: “Don’t you think I know that? I’m just following orders here. If it were up to me, we’d have already left.” Shepard: “Well it’s not too late. You can still leave.” Charn: “Don’t think so. Balak would skin me alive and sell my hide out of spite. Crazy bastard. This whole mission has gone to hell and I’m gonna pay for it.” Shepard: “So why do you listen to him?” Charn: “Good question. I had a bad feeling about this from the moment we landed. Now Balak wants you dead. And what Balak wants, Balak gets. I can’t change that.” Shepard: (Renegade answer) “Spoken like a true lackey. You get me out of here and I’ll take care of Balak. Or you can take your chances with me.” Charn: “An, uh, interesting proposal. It certainly has benefits over the current situation. *Turns to one of his guards* Shut it down. This is Balak’s problem now. *Turns back* I hope you are as quick with a gun as you are with your promises. For both our sakes.” Shepard: “Balak will get what’s coming to him. And so will you if I ever catch you in human territory again. Are we clear?” Charn: “Perfectly. Balak’s holed up in the main facility. You’ll need this to get in. Don’t underestimate him. He’s a mean bastard. *Turns to his guards* Let’s go. We’re getting off this rock.” Conversation over.

9:09 PM Exited the building. Off to the main facility. Autosaved outside the building.

9:14 PM Arrived at the main facility. These turrets can dish out a fair amount of damage.

9:18 PM All turrets down. Game saved in front of the main entrance console.

9:19 PM In the main facility. Going around.

9:20 PM In a very large room battling it out with many enemies.

9:24 PM After killing about 25 Batarians and about 10 Defense Drones, a cutscene starts. Balak on the top of the stairs, the team on the bottom. Balak: “You humans. You’re almost more trouble than you’re worth.” Shepard: “Let the hostages go and you may be alive long enough to explain yourself to the Council.” Balak: “I don’t answer to the Council! Or to you. I’m leaving this asteriod. If you try to stop me, I’ll detonate these charges and your helper and her friends are all going to die.” Shepard: “I just can’t let you go, Balak. Not after what happened here.” Balak: “This is nothing. You humans have done far worse to the batarians. We’ve been forced into exile. Forced to survive on what we can scrounge up. It’s been like that for decades.” Shepard: “Why take it out on these people? They didn’t do anything to you or the batarians.” Balak: “Didn’t do anything? Aside from colonizing a world that could have been ours? Aside from using resources that should have been ours? We were left to defend ourselves. But the humans were stronger than us. We knew that. The Council knew that. But it didn’t matter. It was you. You and your kind are the only reason why we’re in this position.” Shepard: “So how does killing innocent people make up for that?” Balak: “We had no other options. Sometimes you need to get someone’s attention before they’ll listen. That’s why we attacked you at Elysium. That’s why I’m doing this. You forced our hand.” Shepard: “You attacked us first. When we retaliated, you ran off to the Council hoping for help. When you didn’t get it, you hid. You’ve got no one to blame but yourselves.” Balak: “Enough! You couldn’t possibly understand… Actually, you just don;t want to understand. And I’m done wasting my breath. Now, if you want your friends to live, I suggest you step aside.” Shepard: “I’m not letting a terrorist like you go free. Do what you want with the others, but it’ll be the last thing you do!” Balak: “I hope this is worth it! *blows the explosive in the room* I’m going to enjoy gutting you.” Conversation ends. Battle ensues.

9:40 PM Battle starts.

9:42 PM Battle over. Balak: “[Grunt] You humans think you’re so superior. But you’re no better than us. I gave you the chance to save them and you threw it away [cough]. Who’s the real terrorist here?” Shepard: [Fires warning shot] Balak: “[laughs] You’ll have to do better than that if you want to stop us. [coughs] One day soon, the human race is going to pay for what it’s done” Shepard: [Grazes him] Balak: “[grunting] Damn it. [grunting] You think killing me will make a difference? The batarians have stayed hidden long enough. We won’t be ignored. Not anymore. There are thousands more like me, waiting their turn. Each one willing to die for our cause.” (Okay, I’ve had enough of this chit chatting. You’re toast.) Shepard: “Then die already… [Kills him]”

9:48 PM Colonial Savior achievement unlocked. Simon comes in and talking starts again. Shepard tells him to be careful. You then find out that X57 would have struck the capital city of Terra Nova, the most densely populated area. “But you stopped it.” He then asks about Kate and her team and I reply that Balak killed them with a bomb in their room. He then says he’ll go home and spend some quality time with his family. Before he leaves, he offers you some items: His omni-tool, Quarian Armor, Human Light, Medium or Heavy Armor. I ask him for the omni-tool. You then tell him about his engineers and that they’re all dead. The omni-tool is the Savant X, the best omni-tool in the game.

9:55 PM Conversation ends. And that’s a wrap on the mission! The conversation ends right beside the door to the hostage room. You can go inside and see 3 charred bodies with smoke still coming off of them.

9:59 PM Exited building. Back to the Mako and then the Normandy.

So folks, I hope you enjoyed that live blogging of the new Bring Down the Sky DLC mission! I certainly did, and I’ll surely play through this mission a couple more times on other playthroughs including the normal live blogging with Jennifer Shepard.

I or one of the other writers will hopefully have a review of this DLC up most likely tomorrow night. Have a good night everybody! Go download and play this DLC! It’s really good!