"You can get best possible outcome in the game by just playing single player if you want, as long as you are willing to do a lot of the side missions and content. However, maybe you only want to do a critical path run of the single player. Well, by playing multiplayer you also increase your galactic readiness rating can affect the final outcome."

From here: http://penny-arcade.com/2012/02/17

It doesn't say anything about the difficulty of the game though.

You made me sad :(

What did you expect? A multiplayer only ending or just a more difficult game? Play on Insanity if you want a challenge.

Seeing how the ME games let you change the difficulty setting on-the-fly, that shouldn't be any problem as is.

I wanted more difficult game. I already played through ME2 on hardest possible setting and it wasn't hard. There was few moments in the game that was hard, but overall game was easy. Especially last mission.

Well, that doesn't have anything to do with the ending IMO. Unless you wanted a harder game and that the best ending was only available on the highest difficulty which is really mean for average players like myself :@

Then maybe you'll like the multiplayer more, it's certainly harder than the M2 campaign. Have you tried the demo yet? I couldn't finish a single mission except on bronze. :(

Enemy AI is much improved they will now use cover shooting and flanking (they also removed the distance to start attacking thing if you can be seen and they see you they will start attacking (above a certain difficulty level at least)
It takes a good squad (and is actually good at rewarding team play) infact it's near perfect for a horde mode game imo

I thimk the next logical step is pre-order exclusice DLC that is guarenteed to never be re-released.

If you want the feelies like the New Vegas chips, Oblivion coin, etc, you gotta buy it early, so I forsee DLC going the same way.

The problem with that is that you then miss out on money from those who didn't pre-order and/or bought used. That's why pre-order DLCs almost always turn up as paid DLCs several months later.

I don't know why everyone seems to blame EA every time Bioware screws the pooch, Bioware has showed ample initiative and inclination towards pooch screwing all by themselves.

FWIW I think people are blowing this particular day 1 DLC issue way out of proportion, but I already explained it in the 13 page thread, not going into it here.

Im not too worried about it. All the pre-order DLC and other nonsense will be released to everyone eventually, and in some Ultimate Edition crap. They always do it so meh.

I love how the pirates won't be having this problem, but god forbid a legitimate customer gets his hands on a complete game out of the box like in the good olde days. I miss expansions more and more as I see crap like this pulled by publishers/devs.

I would happily pay 10 bucks if after the CE characters personal mission he removes his 'helmet' and its John Candy. But he absolutely must be available as a love interest and swing both ways!

Are you really lacking a complete game without all the DLC ephemera? So what if the game is a little harder without some DLC auto-win gun or you must do without that armor piece that looks smashing on Shepard and matches his eyes perfectly.

How many times had you already finished ME2 before they released half of their optional weapon or armor packs? Were they seriously enough of a reason to replay the game?

first of all, we're not talking about pre-order DLC. the DLC in question is Day 1 DLC, free for purchasers of the N7 Collector's Edition, available for purchase separately for everyone else. so it's not exclusive in any way.

and second, no, pre-order and promotional DLC will not be made available to everyone eventually. all the Bioware games since DA:O had numerous pre-order, Collector's Edition and promotional DLC which has never been made available to everyone. and Bioware generally don't seem to do Complete Editions of their games, either. the DA:O Ultimate Edition was an exception, most likely influenced by the fact that it was the only recent Bioware game that also got a proper expansion instead of just DLCs. and even the Ultimate Edition didn't include any of the pre-order, promotional and CE items.

luckily, some of this DLC can always be found elsewhere and be freely installed by everyone. for the rest that is not available for purchase, you'll just have to pay the 'bay a visit...

pirates don't really factor into this. since they steal the game they don't contribute towards game development. criminals profit off their misdeeds, that's nothing new. or are you gonna complain how a jewellery thief not only gets that expensive watch YOU had to buy, but also that sapphire necklace and the gold bracelets?