Javik's an interesting mix of soldier-type abilities and biotic skills. Plus, he's got a bunch of freaky eyeballs.The Mass Effect series has made a marvel of its characters, with each new companion opening up possibilities as an interactive guide to the franchise’s rich universe. And none holds more potential for giving you a glimpse of just how deep the game’s rabbit hole goes than Javik, the potential crew member who debuts in Mass Effect 3's first DLC, From Ashes. But will you get your $10 worth from some new party-member banter, a conversation or two, and a one-hour side-mission that sends you back to the Eden Prime colony where the entire series began? The answer depends on how you play it.
Javik, the last surviving member of the fabled Prothean race, is certainly no charmer; he’s a bit of an elitist jerk, actually. But having just been awakened from a 50,000-year cryogenic nap to find you’re the last of your kind has a way of putting you in a foul mood. Surliness aside, the newest member of Team Normandy packs interesting skills to help in your battle against the Reapers…if you recruit him early enough in your playthrough. Nifty biotics like Dark Channel (encases enemies in a swarm of energy) and an offense-boosting passive ability, Vengeful Ancient, are unique to Javik and give you a chance to check out Prothean combat in action. From Ashes also includes a third set of uniform swaps for your entire ME3 party (see bottom-most screenshot).
Cerberus is all over this Prothean business, so prepare yourself with some armor-piercing ammo.As Mass Effect DLC goes, From Ashes isn’t as spectacular or impactful as ME2's Lair of the Shadow Broker; it’s more a carbon copy of Kasumi — Stolen Memory, the companion DLC for ME2’s thief character, Kasumi Goto. Just like Kasumi and Zaeed, Javik is recruitable as a party member in ME3 once you’ve played this DLC, and to get the most out of him, you’ll want to use him enough in the full game to hear all his banter. So if you’re just about to start ME3, are planning on an extended secondary playthrough, or are fanatical enough to want to know every single piece of fiction in the Mass Effect universe, From Ashes is a worthy download. Otherwise, what you’re really getting is just a quickie companion side-mission with a bonus history lesson.
PUBLISHER: EA • DEVELOPER: BioWare • ESRB: Mature • MULTIPLAYER: None • ACHIEVEMENTS: Easy 50G • COST: 800 Microsoft Points ($10), or free with Mass Effect 3 Collector's Edition
+ New crew member with unique personality, history, and combat abilities; new duds for your homies; revisiting Eden Prime.
– Meaningful only if you use Javik as a party member in much of ME3; short, somewhat generic recruiting mission.
– Only the most hardcore Mass Effect fans will appreciate its contributions to the story/universe.
? Liara, why do you insist on being so nice to that jerkbag Javik?
fokulpoynt
April 17, 2012 at 11:06am
I guess that means I'm a fanatic. I loved learning about his history, totally worth the $10, plus, the Resurgence pack was free so I feel like each only cost $5 now.
XboxOpinions.com
March 13, 2012 at 12:38am
I thought the same thing when I finished the DLC. It was fun, but definitely too short. The only thing that I appreciate is, like you said, the banter that goes on between the different characters and Javik. If it weren't for his personality interactinng with the rest of the ship, I don't think if it would have been worth 10 dollars.
