Mass Effect 2 Cheats & Secrets guide screenshot

Cheats & Secrets

Cheats & Secrets Guide for Mass Effect 2



Important Note on Cheats


Mass Effect 2 does not include traditional cheat codes (like god mode, unlimited ammo, or level skips) in any official release, including the Legendary Edition. The game is designed around player choice and difficulty through gameplay and narrative consequences. However, there are developer-intended secrets, Easter eggs, unlockable bonuses, and (on PC) developer console commands that allow for minor tweaks and debugging. This guide covers all legitimate hidden content.

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1. PC Developer Console (Debug Commands)


For PC players only, a hidden developer console can be enabled. This is not a cheat code but a debugging tool; using it may disable achievements or corrupt saves. Use at your own risk.

How to Enable:
  • Locate the configuration file: `Documents/BioWare/Mass Effect 2/Config/BioInput.ini`

  • Find the section `[Engine.PlayerInput]`

  • Add or modify this line: `ConsoleKey=Tab` (or any key you prefer, e.g., `F1`)

  • Save the file, then launch the game. Press your chosen key to open the console.


    • Useful Commands (type in console):
  • `GiveAll` – Grants all weapons, upgrades, and heavy weapons (may break mission progress).

  • `GiveCredits (number)` – Adds credits, e.g., `GiveCredits 999999`.

  • `GiveXP (number)` – Adds experience, e.g., `GiveXP 50000`.

  • `UnlockAll` – Unlocks all planets and missions (still need to complete them).

  • `Teleport` – Teleport to the crosshair location.

  • `Suicide` – Kills the player character (for testing).

  • Caution: These commands can cause softlocks, missing triggers, or permanent save corruption. Back up saves before using.


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    2. Unlockable Bonuses (From Save Imports & New Game+)


    These are legitimate, developer-intended hidden content that rewards playing previous games or completing the game multiple times.

    #### 2.1. Import Bonuses from Mass Effect 1
    If you import a Mass Effect 1 save into Mass Effect 2 (any platform), you get:
  • Level 50+ Level Bonus: Starting level 3 (instead of 1) and bonus skill points.

  • Romance Continuation: If you romanced Liara or Ashley/Kaidan in ME1, that romance can continue in ME2 (with dialogue changes).

  • Key Choices Matter: Decisions like Wrex’s fate, the Council’s fate, and the human councillor affect ME2 characters and war assets (in Legendary Edition).

  • Unique Items: The “Colony of the Dead” side mission only appears if you completed certain ME1 assignments (like the Cerberus hideout).


    • #### 2.2. New Game+ (Replay Bonus)
    After completing Mass Effect 2, you can start a New Game+ with the same character:
  • Keep all level, skills, and Paragon/Renegade points.

  • Keep all weapons, upgrades, and heavy weapons (except mission-specific items like the Reaper IFF).

  • Romance and squadmate loyalty states are reset (you must rebuild them).

  • You also earn an additional 5,000 credits per mission completion as a bonus.


    • #### 2.3. Legendary Edition – Unified Progression
    In the Legendary Edition (all platforms), completing Mass Effect 1 and importing the save gives the same bonuses. Additionally, completing Mass Effect 2 unlocks a bonus weapon for Mass Effect 3 (the M-96 Mattock heavy rifle, if you got the “Medal of Honor” from the Collector Base assault).

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    3. Secret Achievements & Trophies


    Some achievements/trophies are hidden or require specific secret actions.

    #### 3.1. “The One and Only” (PC/Console)
    Knock out a civilian with a heavy melee attack on Illium during the mission “Citadel: The Party Crasher”. Requires attacking the drunk salarian outside the bar.

    #### 3.2. “Brawler” (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)
    Complete 5 melee kills without switching weapons on a single playthrough. Secret but easy.

    #### 3.3. “Paramour” (All platforms)
    Maintain a full romance with one squadmate through the entire game. Only unlocked after the final romance scene post-Suicide Mission.

    #### 3.4. “No One Left Behind” (Legendary Edition only)
    A secret achievement for saving all squadmates during the Suicide Mission. No pop-up warning.

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    4. Easter Eggs & Hidden References


    Mass Effect 2 is packed with developer jokes, pop culture references, and secret dialogue.

    #### 4.1. Conrad Verner (Recurring Joke)
  • In ME2, you can find Conrad on the Citadel (Wards). If you imported a ME1 save where you treated him kindly, he will again act starstruck. If you were rude, he will be hostile.

  • Secret: If you have the “Paragon” speech option, you can convince him to leave his life of crime (or get him killed if you fail).


    • #### 4.2. Space Hamster
  • In Shepard’s cabin on the Normandy SR-2, you can purchase a space hamster from the pet store on the Citadel (after recruiting Thane). The hamster is purely cosmetic but will run around the cabin. Feed it by approaching it; it will squeak.

  • Hidden Interaction: If you let the hamster out and leave the cabin, it may die (if you ignore it for too long). No gameplay effect but a fun detail.


    • #### 4.3. “I’m Commander Shepard and this is my favorite store on the Citadel” Meme
  • Near the end of the game, after buying the hamster, visit the same pet store again. Shepard will say the line from the original commercial.


    • #### 4.4. The “Fully Upgraded” Normandy Easter Egg
  • If you upgrade the Normandy to the maximum level (all ship upgrades from the tech lab), during the final departure sequence from the Collector Base, the Normandy will perform a special “zoom” maneuver. No gameplay effect, but a nod to players.


    • #### 4.5. References to Other BioWare Games
  • Mass Effect 1 Dialogue: On Tuchanka, Wrex’s line “I know you, Shepard. You’re the type who talks to their fish.” (Reference to keeping fish alive in the aquarium).

  • Dragon Age: In the Shadow Broker’s lair (Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC), there is a terminal that shows a message from a “Flemeth” (a character from Dragon Age) – a cross-game Easter egg if you have both saves.

  • Baldur’s Gate: In the same DLC, a book titled “The Adventures of Captain Wrex” contains references to the “Bhaalspawn” from Baldur’s Gate.


    • #### 4.6. The “Matriarch’s Writings” Side Quest
  • On Illium, you can find a datapad that begins a quest to find the writings of a matriarch. Completing it gives a small credit reward but also reveals hidden lore about the Protheans (via the “Prothean Data Disc” in the same area).


    • #### 4.7. Hidden Dialogue on The Citadel
  • If you bring both Joker and EDI to the Citadel (only possible in very specific sequences), they have unique banter about organic/ synthetic life.

  • Secret: On the Citadel, visit the “Required Guest” bar and listen to two volus discussing the “blasto” video series. This is a reference to the Mass Effect 3 Blasto movie.


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    5. Exploit-Safe Secrets (Developer-Intended Hidden Content)


    These are not cheats but hidden gameplay elements that reward exploration.

    #### 5.1. The “Secret” Heavy Weapon: M-490 Blackstorm (Collector Ship)
  • During the Collector Ship mission, after defeating the first praetorian, search the room for a console to unlock a door. Inside is a crate with the M-490 Blackstorm (black hole gun). If you miss it, you cannot get it again until a second playthrough.


    • #### 5.2. Hidden Loot in the “Arrival” DLC
  • In the Arrival DLC, on the artifact platform, there is a hidden datapad that gives backstory on the Batarian scientist. Not required for completion but adds lore.


    • #### 5.3. The “Song of the Nomad” Resource Node
  • In the Tuchanka system, during the “Riddles of the Protheans” side mission, there is a single resource node that, when scanned, yields a unique “Prothean beacon” message. It triggers a secret journal entry from the Prothean scientist Javik (only in ME3, but the foreshadowing exists).


    • #### 5.4. The “Biotic Amp” Glitch (Non-Cheat)
  • If you use the “Biotic Mastery” skill (available to Adepts) and repeatedly use Throw on a single target, the cooldown may decrease faster than intended due to a coding error. This is NOT a cheat but an exploit; BioWare never patched it. Use sparingly as it may feel cheap.


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    6. Summary of What Does NOT Exist


  • No god mode, no infinite ammo, no flying cars – these are myths.

  • No unlockable characters – all squadmates are obtained through story progression.

  • No multiplayer cheats – the game is single-player only. The Legendary Edition also has no competitive mode.


All secrets listed above are verified as of the original 2010 release and Legendary Edition (where differences noted). Use the developer console only after backing up saves. Enjoy the hidden depths of Mass Effect 2!