When should i install and play Mass Effect 2 DLC?

Hi,



Im just wondering when to install and play ME 2 DLC.



[WARNING : Ive not finished the game and if at all possible i don't want spoilers]



In ME 1 there was a point of no return so to speak where you couldn't just go back and continue where you had left off with regards to exploration and / or assignments. All you could do was continue to the very end of the game and once you had saved the day you got the credits and that was that. Game over no more finishing off open assignments or exploring.



I want to download 2 lots of DLC for ME 2, they are Shadow Broker and Arrival.

Now what i want to know is... Is there a similar point of no return in ME2 where if i don't have an earlier save game i would have to replay the lot to be able to play the DLC or can i continue once i finish the off killing the last boss whoever he /she /it is?



ThanksWhen should i install and play Mass Effect 2 DLC?
***This answer is spoiler free and implies nothing about the gameplay of ME 2***

The DLC of ME 2 can be done at any time and I personally installed and played them after completing the game. Once you complete the main campaign your Shepard will still be able to play missions you may have skipped and/or DLC (you do not revert to a previous save, this will all happen moving forward from the ending you receive). The two you speak of in particular, Shadow Broker and Arrival, are side stories that are best understood and played after you have completed the on-disc campaign. In the timeline of ME 2 the events that occur look like they were intended after the main campaign and given that the Arrival is the bridge of plot between ME 2 and 3, I can assure that should be done after the main campaign.

Also, please note, the DLC for the Arrival and Shadow Broker can be pre-installed and they will become optional missions on your log - just avoid starting them and you won't have to worry about playing them. I'd recommend not doing that but if you already have, don't restart a new campaign.When should i install and play Mass Effect 2 DLC?
I downloaded and played most of the DLC for Mass Effect 2 as I was playing the game and it didn't really interfere with my enjoyment or understanding of the story. All of the DLC up to and including Lair of the Shadow Broker plays almost seamlessly with the main game. Arrival, however, very clearly takes place after the main game has concluded and I would strongly recommend saving it for last.



Worst case scenario, however, the DLC plays just fine if you have already beaten the main game. You can continue to explore and mine and do what side missions remain if you haven't beaten them before the "final" mission. The only drawback is that for the two DLC packs that have characters in them -- the Cerberus Network, which you have to pay for if you bought a used copy of the game and Kasumi: Stolen Memory -- you won't have the availability of those characters to help you with the final mission if you complete the mission before adding those particular DLC packages.