Mass Effect: Bring Down The Sky Review ( 7.5 out of 10 ) ...
March 12, 2007 ... Review by Derek
XBLA- 400 MS Points (Must Own Mass Effect)
So the first of the promised Mass Effect DLC has arrived in the from of an additional side-quest... Cough.
I have to admit I was very wary at first, because the majority of the game's side-quests were pretty bad (I obsessively did them all anyway, just becuase I loved the game and wanted to extend it). Luckily, "Bring Down the Sky" packs a little more punch than most of the side-quests found in the original retail game.
Before we get into the actual content, a word of warning. If you don't have a save on ME that falls between the time you get control of the Normandy to the last time you go to the Citadel, you will have to start a new game to play this content, and it's a good 2 hours+ before you can access the new content. If you find yourself in this situation, you may be consoled by the fact that you can import your leveled-up character into the new game.
Once you can access the content, it is easily found on your galaxy map with a large icon.
My initial impression was depression. After a short cut-scene, you are dropped in the Mako onto another empty and grey planet, and when you enter the first facility it is that same room design found in every Mass Effect side-quest (not a lot of interior designers in the future apparently). But I was quickly swept up in some excellent combat, and an 
interesting story.
The combat found in the quest is comparable to the best pieces in the retail game. You face several large scale battles; including Mako combat improved by moving and shielded turrets, and pulse-pounding 3rd person set pieces that include a finale where, if you make a certain choice, you battle over a dozen enemy AI.
The story introduces us to the hard to look at (in a good way) Batarians, and develops into a surprising and relevant examination of the motives of terrorism and violence, and the responses people and governments make to it. Sadly, it seems they couldn't wrangle the voice actors for this little piece, as only Shepard and new characters speak, guess I'll have to wait till ME2 for more Joker, Garrus, and Wrex awesomeness.
One note on length. The quest is meaty and fully fleshed out, but you take out traipsing around the planet on the Mako, its actually closer to an 60-75 minutes of actual play, in a 90 minute package. Also, like in the original game, it is way more fun to play as a renegade, and you will have more battles and a more interesting story if you do.
That being said, this content is must have for any Mass Effect fan, and I am amongst their number, it was great to slide back into the world as Bioware continues to impress with this great new franchise. BRING ME MASS EFFECT 2 BEFORE I SMAAAASH!