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About this mod
BETA release of the extended galaxy map for Mass Effect 2 Legendary Edition. Explore, scan and mine the entirety of the trilogy's planets, moons, systems and clusters. Customizable options to enable just ME1 or just ME3 clusters to be visible.
Note: Perseus Veil not included due to not being reasonable because of ME3 plot reasons.
- Requirements
- Permissions and credits
- Changelogs
- Donations
Description
Extended Galaxy Map for Mass Effect 2 Legendary edition allows you to explore, scan and mine the entire trilogy’s planets, moons, systems and clusters. Special care and attention has been paid to ensure deposits match both lore and planet type, per the internal ruleset used by Bioware (i.e..: eezo is more common in planets where remains of wiped civilizations can be found; rocky planets tend to be richer in minerals, etc.). Note: by design, capital worlds are not able to be mined. This follows Bioware’s own decision to not let you bombard Earth, Illium, Tuchanka, etc with your probes.
Every planet ever featured across the trilogy, including locations only ever seen in the old multiplayer (Arvunna) now include a planetary picture to preview the area, even if it is not possible to land within Mass Effect 2. To avoid ME2 and ME3 reveals and spoilers, several of the later game planets feature views that do not depict the war or big story elements.
Planetary descriptions mentioning the war have been edited to reflect their pre-Reaper war status. Furthermore, locations from ME1, like Terranova or Asteroid X-57 have been updated to reflect the terrorist threat has passed.
Despite not being shown in-game, due to their relevance in different plots and extended media, both Gagarin and Arcturus Station (which actually appears as debris in ME3) have been included. Renders by the talented Euderion and reis1989 respectively, allow these locations to join the other pre-existing space stations throughout the galaxy.
New systems, especially those from ME3 may seem to include more fuel depots than vanilla ME2. This is a result of placing a fuel depot everywhere fuel depot debris is found in ME3. Enjoy easier refueling while they are still in business!
Aside from all the additions, there were certain locations fully finished in ME2, but which for some reason were made inaccessible. While I restored these some time ago, I wanted to wait until the full map was ready for release. These include: Luna, Presrop, Susskind Station, Arvuna, Asteria, Rosh, the entire Iota Urania System, and the star Leyva.
Note: The Perseus Veil is not accessible by regular play as this would contradict the ME3 plot. It has however been fully ported for any potential future projects and/or if any other modder wants to make use of it for their purposes.
The mod is customizable in installation, allowing players to choose to install just ME1 or ME3 clusters. I did NOT gate specific systems and/or planets/moons that appear only in ME1 or ME3 within clusters or systems that are present in ME2. This means you may see certain ME1 or ME3 locations even if you did not choose to install them. These locations will be available according to ME2 vanilla unlock specifications. This mod does not alter or unlock early the entire map of ME2 locations. Early Recruitment (Classic or Full Installation) already exists and in my opinion is indispensable for this mod to be feature complete. Early Recruitment is fully compatible, as well as my popular DLC timings mod.
Other mods that edit the galaxy map in any way will not be compatible and patches will not be provided when the foundation for a patchless system is included within this mod. Mod authors are encouraged to contact me and build upon this mod if they require editing the galaxy map.
Finally, the mod includes one optional install feature to address one of my biggest pet peeves with the start of Mass Effect 2.This is the fake illusion of choice by dropping you right in front of Omega with no fuel, despite Minuteman Station being somewhere in the Horsehead Nebula at the other side of the galaxy. This option will drop the Normandy in the Horsehead Nebula instead, letting players avoid being railroaded into Omega. This is especially true when using Early Recruitment, which allows for trying to contact characters like Wrex or Liara early, which I am sure many players and Shepards alike would prefer to do, rather than picking whomever the Illusive Man suggested. Installing this option REQUIRES installation of the ME1 clusters option.
Currently the mod is NOT localized, and I am looking for localizers that help porting all planetary descriptions, along with their required updated descriptions to fit the events of ME2 (Original text strings from their respective games have been used, but some required tweaking). I may eventually work on the Spanish localization myself but it is currently not my priority. All help will be greatly appreciated. Update December 27th: Polish localization added thanks to Guard14!
Installation
This mod REQUIRES installation with the latest ME3Tweaks Mod Manager version by Mgamerz. 9.0+ is REQUIRED. Make sure you let it update to the latest build before installation, to make sure the mod is correctly applied.
Moreover, installation of the Unofficial LE2 Patch 0.9.5+ is mandatory.
The mod is in DLC form, so its installation is as simple as dragging and dropping the .7z file into the Mod Manager, then let it work its magic. Upon installation, you will be prompted to choose which clusters and options you want to install. By default, all are selected.
Un-Installation
Use the Mod Manager to remove the mod. Savegames aren't dependent on it, so it can be safely removed and/or added at any point during your game. However, this behavior is NOT tested and for safety reasons I would not uninstall the mod with the Normandy parked in a modded system/cluster.
Known Issues
None. I have spent more hours than I dare admitting, manually scanning every single planet in the Milky Way to adjust mineral resources and test fidelity across the trilogy was followed. If you notice any typos, or issues, do not hesitate to provide feedback with as much detailed information as possible.
History
01/10/2025 - The Normandy charts will now successfully recognize the exploration of Adek in the Untrel system within the Kite's Nest.
12/27/2024 - Added Polish localization by Guard14.
12/19/2024 - Corrected a minor desync between conditionals across 2 mods of mine.
12/18/2024 - Original Public Release.
Contact
You may contact me through the Nexus Forums.
Credits & Acknowledgements
You may contact me through the Nexus Forums.
Credits & Acknowledgements
- KkJiro: for allowing usage of his EGM's ME1 planets material instance constants, size and positions to be back ported to 2 from his excellent Expanded Galaxy Mod (sans some modifications where I felt the planetary look was straying from vanilla ME1). His supporting me through the project was the most encouragement I could have had.
- Beccatoria: thank you for all the support and proof reading during the endless development of this mod.
- Euderion: for permission of usage of his render of Gagarin Station.
- reis1989: for permission of usage of his render of Arcturus Station.
- SebastianSosnowski: high-definition texture maps for Luna under CC BY 4.0.
- Scottina123: special thanks to the man who patiently helped me through my first steps into modding within the Mass Effect world. Thank you for continuing to be an inspiration and encouraging me to take on the role of following in your footsteps for both fixing and improving Mass Effect 2.
- Mgamerz and the Legendary Explorerdevelopers: thank you for actively working on the modding tools for the trilogy and fixing whatever bugs we encounter.
- Last, but not least thank you, for downloading, endorsing, sharing, and enjoying my modding work. Your enthusiasm is the spark that keeps on motivating my long run modding projects.
Other mods by me
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- Dr. Heart Experiments: this mod modifies the appearance of Dr. Heart Experiments from Thorian Creepers to an original and unused Zombie model and textures from within the game files. Gameplay wise, they remain unchanged, having the same abilities and damage thresholds.
- More Hair for Femshep (ME1LE): brings to the Legendary Edition Sims 4 Hairs created by Anto and originally ported by Kittentails to the original Mass Effect 3. Players who want to use them will need to use the Trilogy Savegame Editor to change their Shepard's hair.
- Liara Consistency Mod (ME1LE): makes Liara's facial appearance fully consistent within Mass Effect, by either choosing her Lair of the Shadow Broker look from Mass Effect 2, or her Mass Effect 3 appearance. It includes her romance body as well. No further changes are included in her.
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- Unofficial LE2 Patch: this mod is unofficial bugfix patch for Mass Effect 2 Legendary Edition, by Team Pyjak.
- TIM Floor Reflections BETA: this mod attempts to restore the original look of the Illusive Man's floor reflections on his office.
- DLC Timings Mod (ME2LE): this mod delays most of the former DLC content of Mass Effect 2 through different methods.
- Conrad Verner Remembers (ME2LE) BUG FIX: this mod solves the Conrad Verner bug in which the incorrect stage is set, and he always believes you pointed a gun at him on Mass Effect 1. Since a fix on Mass Effect 1 is not implemented yet, a special, in-universe mechanic has been introduced to fix the import before meeting Conrad.
- Cerberus Ladies Wear Cerberus (ME2LE): this mod restores the correct uniforms to most of the female Cerberus crew members of the Normandy that Bioware never patched. It also includes the option to give Kelly her hair from the original Mass Effect 2.
- Expanded Shepard Armory (ME2LE): this mod unlocks helmetless versions of the official DLC armors to players who wish to use them and see their Shepard's faces; as well as adds additional armors and casual outfits ported from Mass Effect 1, 3 and Andromeda.
- Expanded Armor Colors (LE2): this mod simply ports the expanded selection of armor color tints from Mass Effect 3 to Mass Effect 2, offering a wider variety of colors for players to play with their Shepard looks.
- Ronald Taylor's Fate Fix (ME2LE) BUG FIX: this mod properly records the choice done with Jacob's father on his loyalty mission. Although the bug is noticeable if you pay close attention to one specific line in Mass Effect 2; it is especially a noticeable BUG in Mass Effect 3. Fixing it in 2 will ensure both Shepard and Jacob remember what they chose.
- Missing Codex Restored (ME2LE) BUGFIX: this mod restores the Codex entries for Thermal Clips, Grenade Launcher and Drell. The mod restores them at their appropriate place. They are fully voiced.
- Citadel Asari Hands (BUGFIX) ME2LE: this mod fixes some asari having human hands on the Citadel, as well as some extra corrections to props placement around the levels. The mod for now does not include Thane's loyalty's mission as that a whole different level of mess.
- Sheploo Appearance Consistency Project: this mod makes Sheploo consistent with Mass Effect 1 and 3 on 2. For some reason in 2 he has a painted ORANGE diffuse texture that does not properly tint with any outfit. This mod restores the tintable, unpainted textures from Mass Effect 1, which will make his skintone match with any outfit as well as restores the correct opacity of his eyelashes.
- Overlord Morality Fix: in vanilla, Overlord DLC does not grant a single morality point through its entirety. With this mod, choosing the fate of David Archer on Overlord now grants 30 morality points. Paragon or Renegade depends on the appropriate option chosen.
- Hammerhead Suicide Mission (BUGFIX): this bug fix ensures the Hammerhead shows on the cargo bay during the endgame if the player had previously acquired it.
- No Saving-Loading Text Mod: this mod removes the unnecessarily long saving and loading messages from your user interface. There is also an option included to remove the spinning disk icon as well, for those who prefer an even clearer UI.
- Oriana looks like Miranda's Twin (ME2LE): this small lore-friendly mod changes Oriana's face into Miranda's, so they actually look like twins. Mass Effect 2 version.
- More Hair for Femshep (ME2LE): brings to the Legendary Edition Sims 4 Hairs created by Anto and originally ported by Kittentails to the original Mass Effect 3. Players who want to use them will need to use the Trilogy Savegame Editor to change their Shepard's hair.
- Liara Consistency Mod: makes Liara's facial appearance fully consistent within Mass Effect 2, by either choosing her original basegame look from Mass Effect 1, her Lair of the Shadow Broker look, or her Mass Effect 3 appearance. No further changes are included in her.
- Anderson & Hackett Consistency Mod: makes Admiral Steven Hackett and optionally Admiral David Anderson use their unique dress blues from Mass Effect 3. Additionally, you can use Anderson's face from Mass Effect either with his dress blues from Mass Effect 1 or those from 3. Additionally, Anderson's picture of Kaidan is replaced by that of Kahlee Sanders.
- Refund Guy Consistency Mod: restores the appearance of the most annoying customer ever on the Citadel, which for some reason became a random cloned white dude from Zakera Wards on Mass Effect 2. Unfortunately, he will still be complaining about his refund and lack of purchase receipt.
- Aria Consistency Mod: makes Aria consistent with her looks from the Omega DLC, both for her outfit as well as facial features, providing updated models and textures.
- Reaper Husks Consistency Mod: updates all Collector and Reaper related husks and abominations to use their respective Mass Effect 3 models. Those from the planet Aequitas remain unchanged by default due to their origin being stated to be different in the game, related to an alien device, more akin to the husk depiction in Mass Effect 1. Alternatively, all game's husks can be replaced if desired.
- Pilot In Location On Time. No more random Copilot in Arrival. Hear Joker instead: repurposes Joker's dialogue lines from Mass Effect 1 and 3 to make him be the Normandy crewman speaking on Arrival DLC instead of some random person we never see and who might not even exist.
- Early-Ish: makes Ish and Sel be present on Omega from the beginning of the game; allowing for the quest Packages for Ish to now be available to be started on your first visit to Omega.
- Apollo Spacesuit Restoration: restores the cut ambiance dialogue about Neil's Armstrong Spacesuit being on display at Donovan's Hock vault, during the quest Kasumi: Stealing Memory. Moreover, it adds an appropriate model to reflect the presence of such historical item.
- Samara Cut Shadow Broker Dossiers Restored: restores 2 cut/lost/bugged/retconned dossiers about Samara from the Shadow Broker terminal.
- Liara's Alternate LE3 Armor for LotSB (LE2): gives Liara her Alternate Appearance Pack armor from Mass Effect 3 for the combat stages of the Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC, by faithfully recreating her armor material with custom edited textures to match the armor looks from the third game. Moreover, her breather is also changed to her asari one from the third entry.
- Kaidan and Ashley LE3 Armors for Horizon (MELE2): backports Kaidan's and Ashley's iconic armors from Mass Effect 3 into Mass Effect 2 for Horizon. Additionally, players can choose to have Ashley her updated facial look and hairstyle from Mass Effect 3 for Horizon as well.
- Fate of Executor Pallin LE2: enables a normally inaccessible conversation in the game regarding the fate of Executor Pallin before it was retconned in Mass Effect 3 & Mass Effect: Inquisition.
- Quarian Admiralty Board Consistency Mod (MELE2): makes the Quarian Admiralty Board (Shala'Raan, Daro'Xen, Zaal'Koris & Han'Gerrel) use their outfits from Mass Effect 3. Installation is modular, allowing to choose which Admirals to change.
- Genesis Begone (LE2): restores the original Mass Effect 2 experience by removing all Genesis DLC references. Miranda and Illusive Man prologue lines, title card flow (optional), and the full Miranda interrogation are restored, which includes references to choices regarding the Destiny Ascension, Council, and the new human councilor.
- New Squadmate Casuals (LE2): this mod adds an expanded pack of unique casual outfits for Mass Effect 2 squadmates, designed to be used in conjunction with Casual Hubs for LE2. These have been ported and enhanced from the original Project Variety module for ME2.
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- Conrad No Apology: this mod makes Conrad Verner no longer apologizes for wrongly accusing you of pointing at gun at him. Meant to be used with conjunction of my Conrad Verner Remembers mod for Mass Effect 2 Legendary Edition.
- Oriana looks like Miranda's Twin (ME3LE): this small lore-friendly mod changes Oriana's face into Miranda's, so they actually look like twins. Mass Effect 3 version.
- More Hair for Femshep (ME3LE): brings to the Legendary Edition Sims 4 Hairs created by Anto and originally ported by Kittentails to the original Mass Effect 3. Players who want to use them will need to use the Trilogy Savegame Editor to change their Shepard's hair.
- Unique Kahlee Sanders: this mod offers a new original and different head/face shape to the character of Kahlee Sanders, as well as a new hairstyle. Although her appearance in Mass Effect 3 is brief, she is a recurring main character in the original Mass Effect novels and I felt that her design by Bioware was sort of lazy.
- Fleet Admiral Steven Hackett Restored: this mod restores Hackett's missing gold 4th bar from his uniform on his Legendary Edition appearance on Mass Effect 3. It also features an improved model and edited textures by Padme4000.
Licensing/Legal
The following mod is provided as is. By downloading and installing it you acknowledge to use it at your own risk. Incompatibilities produced by installation on pirated and/or unsupported copies of the game will not be assisted. This mod only supports official builds released and distributed by EA.
You may use this mod as you wish for your own personal use, but I kindly ask you to credit us for our work if featured on your videos, screenshots, art, etc. If you wish to build on patches and/or compatibility, please contact me.
Please, do not re-host this file without my explicit permission. This is a Nexus Mods exclusive file.