After 5 years of anticipation and a year of fan disappointment, the saga of Commander Shepard’s story is coming to a close. We knew that there was a final piece of DLC coming to Mass Effect 3, and rumors were swirling that it would be massive, with a large number of the voice cast coming back to record additional dialogue. Now, BioWare has announced Citadel—the final piece of story content for Mass Effect 3. From the company’s description, Citadel looks to be a huge piece of Mass Effect fan service, and hopefully a fond farewell to the crew of the Normandy.

Before Citadel launches, however, a new multiplayer add-on will be coming out on February 26^th. The content, titled Mass Effect: Reckoning, features new characters, weapons, and upgrades. Reckoning is free for its first year on the marketplace, and should keep the still active multiplayer community playing for a good amount of time longer.

On March 5^th, Citadel will be released and will cost 14.99, or 1200 Microsoft Points. As you would imagine, most of this content takes place on the ubiquitous Citadel, but BioWare states that players will get to see new locations on the massive space station. Details on the nature of the mission (or missions) are not available at this time, but we do know that Shepard will get to team up with former party members from the first two games. The Omega DLC that came out not too long ago featured a guest party in the form of Aria and one of her underlings, so this is nothing new to the series. Teaming up with old friends is sure to please a lot of Mass Effect fans.

"We have always been humbled and driven by the passion of our fans for the Mass Effect trilogy,” says Executive Producer Casey Hudson. “We hope fans will enjoy spending more time with some of their favorite characters -- we have certainly enjoyed spending time creating them.”

BioWare has already stated that they are working on a new game in the Mass Effect franchise, but the only firm information they have given is that Commander Shepard will not be a part of this new story.

BioWare Gives Fans One Final Sendoff for Commander Shepard in Mass Effect 3: Citadel

Mass Effect 3: Citadel Single Player DLC Pack Takes Players on an Emotional Ride with their Favorite Characters March 5

BioWare also Adds new Character Kits, Maps and Weapons with Mass Effect 3: Reckoning Multiplayer DLC on February 26

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The final chapter of Commander Shepard's heroic saga draws near. BioWare, a studio of Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) announced two new downloadable content packs for Mass Effect™ 3; the single-player pack Mass Effect 3: Citadel and the multiplayer content Mass Effect 3: Reckoning. On February 26, Mass Effect 3: Reckoning will be free* to download, giving fans of the popular multiplayer mode in Mass Effect 3 access to new characters, weapons and upgrades. On March 5, Mass Effect 3: Citadel will be the last single player DLC pack for Mass Effect 3, giving fans one final, sentimental journey with Commander Shepard and their squad. Mass Effect 3: Citadel will be available for $14.99 or 1200 MS Points.

Mass Effect 3: Citadel Announcement Screenshot (Photo: Business Wire)

Mass Effect 3: Citadel Announcement Screenshot (Photo: Business Wire)

"The team has poured heart and soul into Mass Effect 3: Reckoning and Mass Effect 3: Citadel. As the launch of these chapters near, the feeling around the studio is bittersweet," said Casey Hudson, Executive Producer of the Mass Effect series. "We have always been humbled and driven by the passion of our fans for the Mass Effect trilogy. We hope fans will enjoy spending more time with some of their favorite characters -- we have certainly enjoyed spending time creating them. We're excited to release this final sendoff for the trilogy and move forward into the future of the Mass Effect universe."

In Mass Effect 3: Citadel, players will explore and discover new locations across the vast, deep-space station while also having the opportunity to reconnect with some of their favorite characters from all three of the Mass Effect games. The multiplayer DLC pack, Mass Effect 3: Reckoning, offers players new firepower and character kits for the war against the Reapers. Fans will be able to get a sneak preview Mass Effect 3: Reckoning before it launches on BioWare's official Twitch.TV channel at http://www.twitch.tv/bioware. Developers from BioWare Edmonton will be streaming gameplay and taking questions from fans on February 25 at 9:30AM PST.

Mass Effect 3 thrusts players into an all-out galactic war to save mankind from an ancient alien race known only as the Reapers. Players will assume the role of Commander Shepard, a war-torn veteran who's willing to do whatever it takes to eliminate this nearly unstoppable foe. With a team of elite soldiers at their side, each player decides how they will take Earth back, from the weapons and abilities they utilize to the relationships they forge or break. The Mass Effect franchise is one of the most highly decorated series in the history of games, earning more than 300 international awards.

For more information about Mass Effect, please visit the game's official web site at http://masseffect.com. Mass Effect fans can also receive updates regarding the Mass Effect 3: Citadel and Mass Effect 3: Reckoning on Twitter® at http://twitter.com/masseffect, or on Facebook at http://facebook.com/masseffect. Additional assets are available at http://info.ea.com.