Difficulty:

Easy

Time Spent:

10 Hours or Less

The Bottom Line:

"Rip-off"

Mass Effect 2 feels like an episodic series, and that narrative structure is what makes it the perfect kind of game for downloadable content. Each character is given a mission where they are introduced and later a loyalty mission that further expands on them. The game introduces a character as a spiritual hitman and then portrays him as a worrying father. Another mission brings to life an explosive prison escape. These events feel disconnected from the greater threat of the Reaper invasion at hand, but help build up the characters needed and as such makes Mass Effect 2 the perfect game for add-ons.

Gamers were given a look at how it could work with the free addition of Zaeed. It was a fun enough mission, but ultimately for a character that felt inconsequential to the rest of the cast. Unfortunately, Kasumi- Stolen Memory suffers the same issues.

The most worrying thing is the cost in relation to the amount of playtime available. This is essentially an hour long mission sold for $7. Certainly, you gain Kasumi as a team member to use throughout the rest of the game, but there is no recruiting mission. A dossier is not provided as it was for the main cast. You simply walk up to her, she comes aboard and there's a loyalty mission waiting for you. There is no true character-building, which is a shame.

Beyond simply having Kasumi as a character, there is a lackluster mission waiting for you. Kasumi is not the most famous thief in the galaxy, but she is the best, which is why few actually know who she is. And while the story has a touching enough finale for her, it isn't enough to make up for the fact that the mission itself is not any fun to play.

The mission is a heist, which is already an issue because Mass Effect does not have any stealth elements to speak of. You enter a lifeless party where the production values are just depressing. The guests' mouths do not move when they speak, there's no one to speak to whatsoever beyond a few key prompts, and it involves aimlessly wandering around touching random objects for things to happen. The good news is that's only the first half, and the second half brings on the traditional Mass Effect 2 gunplay. It is standard fare though and nothing out of the ordinary will be waiting for you. In fact, the coolest moments of this add-on are the references, from the tragic figure of Saren portrayed as a statue to relics from Earth and other colonies all stashed away by a criminal.

Kasumi- Stolen Memory is a functional add-on, but hardly a necessity. It feels like a quick side mission with generally low production values and a steep asking price of $7 for an hour of gameplay that adds little to the overall Mass Effect 2 experience. Kasumi herself is not a remarkable character and pales in comparison to the rest of the female cast while her story fails to hold the weight of the rest of your teammates. For those interested in spicing up their Mass Effect 2 experience, best to look elsewhere, Kasumi- Stolen Memory is a dud and only recommended for completionists that want to experience everything at hand.