Mass Effect 2/Unused Text

This is a sub-page of Mass Effect 2.

Sub-Pages

Unused Codex Entries Information that was apparently so useless the devs forgot to include it in the game.

Unused Dialogue Outdated, boring, or just plain strange.

Unused Missions/Journal Entries

Alternate Horizon

These lines indicate that Horizon would have gone quite a bit differently, with Ashley/Kaidan having a much bigger role:

Explore the colony Explore Horizon and look for a way to stop the raid.

Get to Spaceport Get to the spaceport, where the defense tower is located.

Talk to Ashley Speak with Ashley.

Talk to Kaidan Speak with Kaidan.

Talk to Radio Operator Speak with the colony's radio operator to leave Horizon.

Alternate Prologue

Prologue: Awakening Escape the Facility Miranda wants you to get to the shuttles. Follow her directions to escape. The shuttle is your only hope of getting off the station alive.

Complete the Tutorials Finish your training to prove you're ready for active duty.

Alternate Reaper IFF

Travel to a derelict Reaper in the Nariph system in the Pylos Nebula. You may find extremely valuable resources or technology there.

Acquire valuable technology Travel to the derelict Reaper in the Nariph system to look for valuable technology.

Find salvage in the Reaper

The IFF was retrieved, along with a damaged geth that appeared to be fighting against the Collectors and husks. The geth is offline and can be activated at the Normandy AI core.

Legion, a geth, has joined your party.

Part Installation Install the module in the mainframe room off the lab.

Alternate Tali Loyalty

The conflict between the quarians and geth was originally going to have an even bigger role in Tali's loyalty mission, with Shepard doing an "investigation" of sorts. In the final game, speaking with the admirals and commenting on the quarian-geth conflict is completely optional. These entries also reveal that Tali's father was at risk of being exiled, not Tali herself.

The Trial: Admiral Shala'Raan Admiral Shala'Raan believes Tali's father should be exiled. Discover her motives so you can build Tali's defense.

Speak to Admiral Shala'Raan Talk to Admiral Shala'Raan and get her reasons for wanting to exile Tali's father.

Shala'Raan's Motive Shala'Raan believes Tali's father endangered the Fleet by relaxing security protocols to get results fast. You will need to find some evidence on the Alarei that proves this false.

You have found evidence that can be used to dispute Shala'Raan's belief that security on Alarei was lax. This will prove of use during the trial of Tali's father.

The Trial: Admiral Zaal'Koris Speak to Admiral Zaal'Koris Talk to Admiral Zaal'Koris and get his reasons for wanting to exile Tali's father.

Admiral Zaal'Koris believes that Tali's father should be exiled. Discover his motives so you can build Tali's defense.

Zaal'Koris' Motive Zaal'Koris believes Tali's father "tortured" the geth. You will need to find some evidence on the Alarei that discredits his position.

You have found evidence that can be used to dispute Zaal'Koris' accusations of torture. This will prove of use during the trial of Tali's father.

The Trial: Admiral Han'Gerrel Speak to Admiral Han'Gerrel Talk to Admiral Han'Gerrel and get his reasons for wanting to attack the geth.

Admiral Han'Gerrel believes that the quarians should prepare to attack the geth. Discover his motives so you can convince the quarians to avoid a devastating war.

Han'Gerrel's Motive Han'Gerrel believes that the geth were significantly weakened by their defeat at the Citadel. Now is the most opportune time to reclaim the homeworld.

You have found evidence that can be used to dispute Han'Gerrel's belief that the geth are weakened and vulnerable. This will prove of use during the Conclave's debate.

The Trial: Admiral Daro'Xen Speak to Admiral Daro'Xen. Talk to Admiral Daro'Xen and get her reasons for wanting to attack the geth.

Admiral Daro'Xen believes the quarians should prepare to attack the geth. Discover her motives so you can convince the quarians to avoid a devastating war.

Daro'Xen's Motive Daro'Xen believes that the geth can be defeated easily by by infecting them via cyberwarfare "hacking" attacks.

You have found evidence that can be used to dispute Daro'Xen's belief that the geth can be easily "hacked." This will prove of use during the Conclave's debate.

Prepared For the Trial.

The trial is over.

Cut Alarei Sidequest

Not all of the scientists on the Alarei would have died during the geth attack:

Quarian: Reach Safety Leave the laboratory to reach the safety of the lockdown room.

Avoid the Geth Run the the safety of the lockdown room, avoiding geth.

The quarian scientist reached the lockdown room safely.

The quarian scientist was killed before he could reach the lockdown room.

Dropped Citadel Sidequest

Citadel: Mysterious Stranger You overheard an asari in the Dark Star discussing a mysterious stranger she met.

Talk to Nara If you're interested in helping, talk to Nara Selephais.

Nara Selephais in the Dark Star went on a date with a human man. She's been unable to meet with him again, and hopes you can find him.

Find the Mysterious Stranger Look around the Citadel for Nara's mystery man. She can give you a few hints.

Return to Nara You've discovered the identity of Nara's mystery man, but he's asked you to let him remain anonymous. Nara is waiting in for news in the Dark Star on Zakera Ward.

The man Nara Selephais met turned out to be a politician from the Terra Firma Party. You told her his identity.

The man Nara Selephais met turned out to be a politician from the Terra Firma Party. He asked you to not reveal his identity. You honored that request.

Early Grunt Death

This journal line indicates that it would have been possible to kill Grunt after releasing him from the tank; in the final game, you can only wound him as a warning.

Dr. Okeer's Legacy Dr. Okeer's engineered krogan soldier has awakened and been killed as a security threat.

Early Kasumi Loyalty

Like Zaeed, Kasumi had a completely different loyalty mission during development. Early journal entries:

Kasumi: Memento or Mori Kasumi revealed that Nava Corp has designed and is about to unleash tailored bio-viruses against the citizens of the Alliance. Only Nava Corp possesses the vaccines. Kasumi needs you to help stop Nava Corp permanently.

Talk to Kasumi Kasumi would like to speak with you.

Talk to Kasumi. She's on the Normandy's crew deck.

[TEMP] The player accepts the Kasumi Loyalty mission.

You helped Kasumi complete her personal mission of justice, and she's grateful.

This was likely changed because of how impersonal it seems; most of the loyalty missions in the final game involve someone or something very close to the squadmate. In the final game, a big theme of Kasumi's loyalty mission is her connection with her late lover/partner-in-crime Keiji.

However, remnants of this early loyalty mission still remain in the final game; Kasumi's name is mentioned during an Illium news story in connection with Nava Corp.

Early Kasumi Recruitment

Unlike Zaeed, Kasumi doesn't have an outline for a recruitment mission, although there is a slightly different dossier for her than in the final game:

The Saboteur Name: Kasumi Last Seen: Illium Skills: Sabotage, infiltration, extraction, property acquisition, stealth, agile combat. Known Quirks: A propensity for getting into or starting trouble. Notes: This subject has stolen extremely valuable resources from Cerberus in the past. Alarm systems, DNA encoders, guards, and various other deterrents were bypassed, and we don't know how.

Dossier: Kasumi Find Kasumi Travel to Illium in the ILLIUM SYSTEM and find Kasumi.

Kasumi joined your party.

Again, Kasumi doesn't have a last name here, although her description is largely the same, the primary differences being her title ("The Saboteur" instead of "The Master Thief") and the place where you meet her (Illium instead of the Citadel).

Early Zaeed Loyalty

Zaeed's loyalty mission was completely overhauled during development, getting a new name and an entirely different plot. Journal entries for the early mission:

Zaeed: Headliner Bored with being the galaxy's top bounty hunter, Zaeed's also exhausted by up-and-comers seeking a rep written in his blood. Now he's learned that the second-best bounty hunter has gone corporate, and job one is to kill Zaeed. Zaeed's plan: wipe them out first... with extreme prejudice.

Talk to Zaeed. Zaeed would like to speak with you.

Talk to Zaeed. He's located on Normandy's engineering deck.

You helped Zaeed fake his own death, and he's grateful.

And unused dummy text:

DLC: Zaeed Loyalty This is a post release mission. Zaeed is now loyal.

Early Zaeed Recruitment

Zaeed was originally to have a recruitment mission of his own:

The Veteran Name: Zaeed Massani Last Seen: Korlus Skills: Combat, survival, tactics, protection. Known Quirks: Jaded and tired, still extremely dangerous and capable. Notes: Zaeed has stopped taking work recently. His reputation as the premier bounty hunter in the galaxy has caught up with him and he is rumored to spend his days drinking and shooting would-be rivals. There is none better in a fight.

Dossier: The Veteran Find Zaeed Travel to Korlus in the Imir system and find Zaeed Massani.

Zaeed joined your party.

(It's worth noting that in the final game, Korlus is where Grunt's recruitment mission is.)

There's dev notes left over with an outline of how Shepard's first meeting with him would have gone:

[TEMP] Veteran Acqusition: In search of Zaeed Massani, Shepard enters a smoky bar in a bad section of Korlus. A thug is demanding protection money from the bartender; Zaeed interjects, and calmly shoots the thug after the resulting alpha dog exchange. Shepard invites Zaeed to join them, and Zaeed is perfectly willing -- if he gets paid 1 million credits up-front. Shepard asks where he's supposed to get that much money, and Zaeed suggests stealing it from the local mafia boss. After fighting thugs, gang members, and drug addicts, Shepard uses the Mako to chase the mob's payroll vehicle through the crowded, winding streets. The squad breaks into the "union building" and fights its way to the payroll containers, which are guarded by three powerful mercs. Shepard can threaten, bribe, or kill the mafia boss to get to the payroll containers open. His credits acquired, Zaeed joins the squad.

(Again worth noting: Korlus in the final game doesn't have any "bad sections." Korlus is the "bad section.")

Firewalker Scrap

Acquired the seismic device. Escaped the volcano.

Normandy Crash Site Notes

Notes from the "Normandy Crash Site" mission which reveal that it wasn't going to have static flashbacks like in the final game:

Flashback 1 As Shepard approaches the wreckage of the escape pod a short segment of the opening Normandy destruction cutscene is played. Ideally this would show the appropriate henchmen from ME1 ushering people into the escape pod from the start of ME2, followed by the escape pods being ejected from the exterior.

Flashback 3 As Shepard enters the wreckage of the crew lounge a cutscene showing various clips of the henchman that was sacrificed from ME1 As Shepard approaches the wreckage of the Mako a flashback cutscene from ME1 plays showing a montage of key moments in the Mako such as the Geth dropship passing overhead. As Shepard approaches the wreckage of the navigation section a cutscene is triggered showing clips of Presley from ME1 and his death from the start of ME2 As Shepard approaches the wreckage of the thruster a cutscene is triggered showing the Normandy turning and rapidly descending toward Sovereign at the end of ME1

And cinematics:

CINEMATIC The shuttle lands within the debris scattered wreckage of the first Normandy. It is a very cold night and the terrain is rocky and largely covered in snow with low cliffs surrounding and large snow covered mountains far in the distance.

CINEMATIC Shepard steps out of the shuttle for the first time surveying the scattered wreckage of the first Normandy. The camera shows a panoramic sweep over the horizon. From the initial planet scan the primary goal is to salvage and locate a location for a monument.

CINEMATIC Shepard stands after kneeling in front of the placed monument

CINEMATIC The shuuttle returns to the Normandy

Strangely, this section of notes also includes notes for the ending of the "Project Firewalker: Prothean Site" DLC assignment, which was released after this.

Science Terminal Activates relic, lights come on. Player recieves a biotic upgrade along with a log file containing data on protheans and collectors. End cutscene. Shephard approaches the relic triggering an event which causes the relic to collaspe , shrinking into a small ball that Shephard picks up and appears in the Normandy.

Nice spelling errors.

(Source: didymos1120)

Omega-4 Scrap

Collector homeworld successfully reached via Omega 4 relay.

Random Assignment Scrap

You recovered all sensor pods in time.

Exciting!

Unused Emails

*ENCRYPTED TRANSMISSION*

From: Illusive Man Shepard, I'm pleased that you were able to recover the Reaper IFF, and I've sent EDI all the necessary protocols to get it integrated successfully into the Normandy's systems. With luck, this will give us the ability to get through the Omega-4 relay and take the fight to the Collectors on our own terms. It's unfortunate that the intact geth was left on the ship, but I understand that you were pressed for time. If you do get additional chances to retrieve technology, I'd suggest taking what you can.

This email indicates that it would have been possible to choose to leave Legion's body on the derelict Reaper. In the final game, Shepard automatically orders their squad to bring it onto the Normandy.

From an old friend from Virmire

From: Captain Kirrahe Shepard: Glad you're alive. Hoped rumors of death were exaggerated. If Virmire couldn't kill you, I doubt much could. Got word from Mordin that he's active again with you. He requested some classified data to help with countermeasures for stasis field used in the human colony attacks. I worked with him on Special Tasks Group. He's a good agent. Nervy for a tech. Bit of a cloaca, though. I didn't get permission to investigate attacks on your human colonies, but I'm asking around anyway. If I find anything useful, I'll send it your way. Hold the line, Kirrahe

The reason why this was cut is the mention of the "stasis field used in the human colony attacks"--in the final game, the Collectors use seeker swarms to abduct people. Why they decided to cut it entirely instead of doing a minor rewrite is unknown.

Probe Retrieval

From: Illusive Man We recently lost a Cerberus research ship in the Caleston Rift; the ship was investigating geth activity. Before it self-destructed, it sent 7 probes to a planet surface. Retrieve as many as you can. Telemetry indicated that the planet has an extremely cold atmosphere.

This is obviously a trigger for a side mission that was never implemented.

(Source: Mass Effect Wiki)

Unused Shadow Broker Dossiers

These three dossier entries were meant to be included in Samara's section of the Shadow Broker dossiers (found in the Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC), but ultimately left out.

Asari Survey Ship Senshelis

1570 CE Captain's Log, Idyssia reporting. The Senshelis has finally set out. The damned hanar didn't want to let us leave without getting a firm destination. It's as though the concept of exploration can't make its way into their minds. If I'm reading the Prothean map correctly, the cache it's highlighted is in a system between salarian and batarian territory. I've gotten as close as I can using mass relays. We'll have to use FTL now and burn off static charge as best we can. If there are no problems, we can make it in around 4 years. I've got supplies for 10 years, so even if we run into trouble, we should be okay. The crew is nervous but eager, a bunch of maidens ready for adventure, or at least a good time. Had to discipline Samara for excessive rowdiness, though. She's young, maybe too young. She might make a better commando than an explorer, frankly. Here's hoping she gains some maturity. We'll all have several years to get to know one another.

Salvage and Rescue Report

Hanar Ship Sholha 1630 CE Captain's Log, Orolt reporting. This vessel was fortunate to discover the asari ship Senshelis, and provided support and comfort to the survivors. The acting captain, Kimene, reported that they had been traveling using FTL for several years, which caused damage to their vessel and required them to land upon a world with a small pre-spaceflight civilization to effect repairs. After remaining stranded and suffering from attacks by the frightened natives, the surviving crew repaired the Senshelis and lifted off for FTL travel back to known space. The asari were regrettably frustrated by their years of fruitless exploration, with a maiden named Samara remarking that Captain Idyssia was unwise to travel so far without sufficient equipment. Samara departed, noting her intent to join a mercenary outfit, while other crewmembers accepted hospitality before returning to asari space.

Report Summary

Barla Von, Citadel I'm afraid we are unable to make any concrete assessment given the limited data at hand. It remains entirely possible that the justicar's ship made contact with Earth while looking for Prothean artifacts. Per your question, the storm that scattered the Spanish Armada was considered extremely powerful for that area, given our climate data, and could conceivably have been generated using fields from the Senshelis' drive core. It is clear that had the storm not scattered the Spanish Armada, the Spanish forces would have regrouped and likely seized power in England within two years. It remains entirely possible that the justicar had some effect on Earth's political course, but unfortunately, I doubt we'll ever have proof.

(Source: Mass Effect Wiki)

Testing/Temporary Text

Character Creation Testing

Would you like to skip the introduction and go directly to the Character Creation Screen?

The entirety of the Mass Effect fanbase is still bitter that this wasn't left in.

Early Lair of the Shadow Broker

TEMP: Let me see what they gave you! TEMP: Liara heads out with Shepard on mission to take down Shadow Broker. We killed the Shadow Broker.

Early Omega-4 (Or, a Literal Suicide Mission)

So we got this Reaper IFF. Now what? Are you sure you want to enter the Omega 4 Relay? No ship has ever returned. Yes No Fade to Black: Sounds of horrible crushing metal and screams. GAME OVER

Early Sidequest

TEMP PLANET SCAN: Strange weather patterns are detected. FROM GETH 1: Intel ties to a similar experiment on this planet. TEMP PLANET SCAN: Signs of Geth activity on the planet.

Probably an early version of "N7: Anomalous Weather Detected."

Epilogue Testing

Was Shepard killed in the line of duty a second time in the same game? Just once, thanks. Double Dead. Did all of the Henchmen survive the suicide mission? Hells ya! Lost a few... According to your current plot state, you have not completed the prerequisites to enter the "End of Game" chapter. For the purpose of testing, please answer the following questions. Did Shepard destroy the Reaper Base for great justice or hand it over to nazi scientists? Justice! Nazis! According to your current plot state you have not completed the prerequisites to enter the "End of Game" chapter. For the purpose of testing, would you like to have your plot states set to the minimum (worst case) or the maximum (best case) prerequisites? Worst case MIN - Player entered ENDGAME with minimal requirements. Best case MAX - Player entered ENDGAME with all referenced plots complete.

Oculus Fight Notes

endgm1_oculus_intro_c Introduce the Oculus boss creature endgm1_oculus_returns_c We return to the cargo hanger where Sheppard is trying to verify that it's safe to return to the deck. The oculus re-emerges and attacks the party once more.

Note how the main character's name is spelled wrong. Way to go!

Personal Research Placeholder

Research: Shepard Upgrade Shepard has been improved.

Temp Journal Text (Or, You Suck)

Journal Goal Congratulations! You completed this! Awesome! Task You suck! I mean... great! you completed this task!

Turbonium

Collect Turbonium COOL DESCRIPTION OF WHY TURBONIUM IS WORTH FINDING.

Probably a placeholder from before the devs decided what elements to use as resources.

Weapon Stats Placeholder (Or, It's MassTastic!)

Damage: MassRiffic Range: MassTacular MassTastic vs. Shields MassSpiffy vs. Armor MassGasmic vs. Regen

Miscellaneous

Alternate Squad Upgrade Descriptions

When provided with materials, team members can enhance equipment on the Normandy. Speak with each team member for details on their specialization skills.

No Specialization Upgrades Available There are no specialization upgrades available.

All specialization upgrades complete You have completed the specialization upgrade from all team members.

Cut Planetary System

Iota Urania

Republic Walden Erewhon Mizora Pala Cascadia

Like all the other planetary systems in the game, the planets in this system are theme-named; in this case, the theme is "utopias." In order, the names of the planets refer to Plato's Republic, Henry David Thoreau's Walden, Samuel Butler's Erewhon: or, Over the Range, Mary E. Bradley Lane's Mizora, the titular island from Aldous Huxley's Island, and a nickname for the Pacific Northwest (inspiration for loads of utopian rhetoric).

Early Heavy Weapon Ammo Name

Research: Omni-Cell Increases your omni-cell capacity.

Heavy weapon ammunition is referred to as "power cells" in the final game.

Early Squadmate Upgrade Descriptions

Garrus: Normandy Weapons Upgrade Garrus can modify the Normandy's main guns to boosts their firepower.

Grunt: Personal Shotgun Upgrade Grunt can modify his shotgun to be krogan-sized.

Jack: Personal L5x Implants Jack can modify her biotic implants to increase the physics force and damage of her biotics by 20%.

Jacob: Normandy Armor Upgrade Jacob can reinforce the Normandy's hull plating to better withstand artillery attacks.

Kasumi: Personal Tech Upgrade Kasumi can increase her own tech powers (TBD).

Legion: Personal Weapon Upgrade Legion can build the M-98 Widow Anti-Material Rifle

Miranda: Normandy Fuel Reserves Miranda can increase the fuel reserves of the Normandy, allowing it to fly out further in a cluster.

Mordin: Personal Omni-tool Upgrade Mordin can increase the damage and duration of his powers by 20%.

Morinth: Normandy Sensor Upgrade Morinth can increase the radius of the Normandy scanners by 15%.

Thane: Normandy Exploration Upgrade Thane can increase the number of probes the Normandy can carry.

Samara: Normandy Sensor Upgrade Samara can increase the radius of the Normandy scanners by 15%.

Zaeed: Personal Weapon Upgrade Zaeed can modify his assault rifle to increase its rate of fire.

While this text specifically doesn't appear in the game, most of these upgrades are in the final game. Some differences: Kasumi and Zaeed don't have upgrades in the final, Grunt gets the M-300 Claymore shotgun, and Miranda and Samara/Morinth's upgrades are switched.

Early Weapon System

Judging from the looks of this, we should probably be glad this feature got scrapped:

Use M-300 Claymore Heavy Shotgun Grunt's custom weapon enabled: M-300 Claymore Heavy Shotgun

Use Standard Shotguns Grunt custom weapon disabled. Grunt will use standard shotguns.

Use M-98 Widow Anti-Material Rifle Legion custom weapon enabled: M-98 Widow Anti-Material Rifle

Use Standard Sniper Rifles Legion custom weapon disabled. Legion will use standard sniper rifles.

Use M-300 Claymore Heavy Shotgun Custom weapon enabled: M-300 Claymore Heavy Shotgun

Use Standard Shotguns Shepard custom weapon disabled. Shepard will use standard shotguns.

Use M-98 Widow Anti-Material Rifle Shepard custom weapon enabled: M-98 Widow Anti-Material Rifle

Use Standard Sniper Rifles Shepard custom weapon disabled. Shepard will use standard sniper rifles.

Use M-76 Revenant Machine Gun Shepard custom weapon enabled: M-76 Revenant Machine Gun

Use Standard Assault Rifles Shepard custom weapon disabled. Shepard will use standard assault rifles.

Choose whether your squad members will use any available custom weapons, or whether they will use the standard weapons distributed to your squad.

Custom Weapons Allowed

Custom Weapons Not Allowed Squad members are assigned standard weapons. They cannot use any custom weapons they have acquired.

Hammerhead Training Mission

Click on the monitoring station to launch a Hammerhead simulator. HAMMERHEAD TRAINING MODULE I Target Time: 2:00 You have completed the Hammerhead training module. You have completed Hammerhead Certification I.

Lusarn System Communications Relay

Receiving mining progress data from a communications relay in the Lusarn system. Uploading data for analysis. Communications status: Lusarn system relay OFFLINE.

Lusarn is the system where Horizon is located, so this could possibly have something to do with that.

Mass Effect's Persuade System

A small remnant of the first game's Charm and Intimidate skills:

Charm Rank: Intimidate Rank:

Scrap Strings

Blind Mech

The Mysterious Codex

Matriarch Matheia

(Cut character? Early name for Matriarch Aethyta?)

Henchmen Overheating

Delete Messages and Exit?

Point of Interest System: Camera reveals Gunships going over and attacking the Reaper.

Note for a cutscene which didn't make it into Mass Effect 2 (but sounds a lot like something that would happen during Mass Effect 3).

Uneven Big Jump, No Slowmo Small Jump Dive

Cutty

A bypass game restores power to the generator and surrounding room. Lights come on and the door to the lower levels is unlocked. As the player approaches more lights come on drawing the player's eye to the center.

Note for some random cutscene.

Chin Turret

Quarian Salvage Scanner

Player lands after the planet scan that gets them information about a weak distress call at a refining plant.

Note for a sidequest.

Sparky

Sparky (Pet) A loyal, tough mechanical dog who'll be your lasting friend and companion. Do you wish to purchase Sparky?

An early version of the robo-dog available in Mass Effect 3. Well, the collector's edition.

This Difficulty Sucks

Impossible Game is unbeatable. All enemies are invisible and Shepard cannot move.

An Unexpected Cameo

Shifty Looking Cow

In return for stealing the players' hard-earned credits in the first game, the devs stole the SLC's place in Mass Effect 2.

(Source: didymos1120)