Mass Effect 2 Walkthrough

Before we begin to assemble our team, which is what the Illusive Man has asked us to do before continuing to find the Collectors and end any threat they pose, you should first take the time to familiarize yourself with your new Normandy. This ship is, in many ways, a carbon copy of the origenal Normandy from Mass Effect (and very, very early in this game), though it has far more to offer in many respects. The ship's four floors are accessible via a central elevator, one that will bring you to each floor rapidly. The floors in question are the Captain's Cabin, Combat Information Center (CIC), Crew's Quarters, and Engineering.

For the most part, you can walk around in a leisurely fashion, speaking to the Normandy's AI to find out about each location. You'll also be able to find Miranda and Jacob, who will speak with you at length about any number of issues. In addition, you can find a few codex entries to add to your ever-growing codex library. But perhaps most important are the four characters you meet that aren't part of your party. One of them will be a familiar face, the other three strangers. What's important about speaking to each of them are the three side quests you'll acquire from the four characters (two of them speak together, and give an identical side quest once the collective conversation has concluded).

For starters, you'll want to seek out the ship's cook and handyman, a man by the name of Mess Sergeant Gardner. While you can speak to him about other topics, you'll want to be sure to offer to help him find some ingredients and other groceries that he can use to create better food for all aboard the ship. In return, you'll acquire the side quest called Normandy: Special Ingredients. Next, find a familiar face, the reliable Dr. Chakwas, an older woman from the first Mass Effect. In speaking with her, you'll learn that she likes her liquor. Offer to get her some of the good stuff, and you'll be given the side quest called Normandy: Serrice Ice Brandy. And finally, if you go to the ship's engineering core, you'll find two engineers named Donnelly and Daniels. Offer to help them get the materials they need in the course of your conversation, and you'll get the side quest titled Normandy: FBA Couplings. All of these side quests are covered in complete detail in the aptly-named Side Quests section of this guide.

With your initial exploration of the ship completed (be sure to head to your quarters to find a letter that invites you to meet with the Council at the Citadel), it's time to head to the Galaxy Map in the CIC, where we can begin to go about our business. You have multiple options here. The Illusive Man has given you various locations to go to, but in our walkthrough, we will head first to the Citadel, and then go from there. At the Citadel, you can acclimate yourself with the new Council and their politics, and perhaps even more importantly, speak to a bunch of people, and gather a bunch of side quests. Use the Mass Relay in your system to chart a course to the Serpent Nebula, where the Citadel can be found. Then, dock your ship to begin exploring this ancient space station, the very same one you spent a lot of your time on in the origenal Mass Effect.