Games throughout the last decade are growing at a scale beyond what anyone in the 2000s would have dreamed of. Games can boast environments with fully realized residents, wildlife ecosystems, intelligent physics, weather systems, and seamless day and night cycles. All of these take place in an explorable area spanning miles. Players are often treated to plenty of main and side missions, mini-games, customization options, and online facilities within these worlds. So when thinking about DLC, it’s easy to question how the player could ask for more.
Simply put, gamers are hungry for content and are consuming titles at an alarming rate. Games produce titles with over twenty hours of playtime to complete as standard. Yet players are blowing through that in record time. Plus if the game is a success, you can bet players will be expecting something else to wet the whistle until the eventual full sequel.
When we think about DLC and added content, it’s easy to garner mixed opinions. Over the years since, added content has been a staple of game design and development. We have seen both absolutely stunning and embarrassingly sub-par DLC additions. Some of these additions are glorified skins and cosmetic changes. Which are popular with those that want to flex on their online buddies. However, they lack in substance and value for money. The DLC content that contrasts from this are the additions that serve as an extension of their parent title. DLCs that feel like they could be a fully-fledged title if given the time and care.
We begin with, in my opinion, the best of any Fallout DLC that the franchise has offered since Bethesda took over the rights to the franchise. So it’s rather ironic that they weren’t the guys to produce it. Obsidian Entertainment’s DLC for Fallout New Vegas was a brilliant collection of stories that referred to the main game’s untold stories, gave insight into the mysterious past of the courier, and showcased unique areas of the US and how they were affected by the nuclear onslaught of the years that proceeded your arrival. For example, areas inspired by Zion national park or the stretch between the Mojave and the Armagosa valley.
What Dead money offered that set it apart from the rest was the gritty overtones and survival horror elements of the Sierra Madre. The player is stripped of all base game possessions and tasked with gathering up a rag-tag group of individuals. All of which want to be there as little as you and trust you even less. The story unfolds is fascinating, and you truly care for these forcibly acquired companions. Yes, the add-on has its flaws. Most notably, the incessant and presumably random beeping of your slave collar. which will inexplicably blow your head off for standing in a spot in a hallway too long. However, the narrative, survival horror, and stealth aspects. The gritty atmosphere and the finale all culminate into a genuinely fabulous experience.
The witcher 3: Blood And Wine
With CD project Red’s famous silver-haired monster slayer riding high at the moment, it would be rude to leave him out. The witcher’s Netflix series is going from success to success. So through this, the most recent title in the series has seen sales rise by a phenomenal 554%. Not bad for a title produced back in 2015. Upon release that year, the game was also revered as a shining beacon of gaming brilliance. Boasting a world so brimming with content that it was almost overwhelming to begin. With this in mind, it’s hardly surprising that the DLC that accompanied this game was expertly crafted and well-received.
In this new region of the offer, Temeria’s drab color scheme is swapped for a more vibrant and invitingly warm palette. The tone shifts from death, plague, and impending doom to more noble and chivalrous pursuits. The blend of bloody battles and self-aware silliness is a treat and offers a welcome change of pace to the base game without a complete departure from where the main title succeeds. You’ll often take a step back to overlook beautiful vistas instead of pursuing new quest lines or tending to your newly acquired vineyard.
Who would have thought Geralt was the conservative type? Thankfully Geralt is the one aspect that remains precisely the same throughout the trip through Toussaint, offering sarcasm and general disapproval of those around him at every turn. Classic Geralt. This addition is brilliant because it pays homage to the original content and shines it in a new and exciting light. If you haven’t picked this up, go to it!
The Last Of Us: Left Behind
When Naughty Dog redefined what it means to create a stellar, immersive narrative within the gaming medium. We, as players thought we had hit the jackpot. A profoundly excellent story contains complex and gritty content, competent combat, and a stealth system. Unique and challenging enemies and even a fun multiplayer mode. It would almost be rude to ask for more from many critics game of the decade. Thankfully, the good guys at naughty dog wouldn’t have us beg. They would release a prequel to the main story following Ellie and Riley in The Last Of Us: Left Behind.
The extension offers a more stealthy and cautious approach to combat in that Ellie yet to be weathered the experiences with Joel. She has less combat skill and must rely on cunning stealth and ranged attacks to defeat her enemies. Thankfully, in place of adept unarmed skill and brute strength via Joel. Naughty dog offers ways to pin the infected and human enemies against each other by pushing them together.
It’s something we failed to see in the main game and offered some intriguing options to progress. However, this additional strength is its story and how it gives context to how Ellie has been affected before meeting Joel. It would be easy to have made a quick cash grab to accompany the decade’s headline act. However, to their credit, Naughty dog, as they so often do. Nailed it.
Dark Souls: Artorias Of The Abyss
First of all, a plethora of great Souls content could have made it on here. The old hunter’s DLC for Bloodborne was just barely edged out. In this addition, firstly, to get started, you need to be skilled enough to clear the Anor Londo area. Assuming that you can duck, weave and slash your way to the portal, that is where the fun begins. Following the story of Londran’s curse, the DLC casts you into the past to navigate more lush and vibrant areas than one might be used to in the base game. Encountering new enemies that punish hasty reactions and boss battles that test the skill, patience, and strategy of even more adept players.
The DLC also offered a dedicated leaderboard, various arenas, and dedicated matchups for PvP players to extend the playtime on this addition to get their money’s worth. Sadly these servers are no longer available so those that invest in the added content now will be short-changed. However, at the time, it was a welcome addition. Players who loved the original dark souls will appreciate that this DLC added new unsettling creatures, sprawling and unforgiving areas, and more reputability through the new game, plus feature scaling with the new content.
Dishonored: The Knife Of Dunwall
Dishonored as a series has perhaps faded from memory thanks to the drab sequel that failed to reach the heights of the first installment. This was down to the new first title offering brilliantly self-contained levels with innumerable means of succeeding. The physics and abilities were cohesive, combining to offer unique play style options. There was a focus on stealth that matches and perhaps surpasses anything on the market. Plus, although the game wasn’t full of inspiring narratives. It checked all the necessary boxes and motivated the player to proceed. Allowing the gameplay to take center stage.
The two DLC additions, ‘Knife of Dunwall‘ and ‘The Brigmore Witches‘ offer different perceptions of the same narrative through the more nefarious character’s eyes. Giving a unique storytelling aspect to players that may have felt short-changed. While offering more of the same brilliant gameplay jam-packed with new abilities and play style options. The Knife of Dunwall edges it between the two add-ons, simply due to the stark contrast of Corvo and Daud, the man responsible for assassinating the empress in the game’s opening. It casts Daud in a soft role and allows the player to understand the game’s narrative from different angles. A fantastic addition and well worth a go.
GTA 4: The Ballad Of Gay Tony
GTA 4’s add-on, The Ballad of Gay Tony, promised to return the series to its lavish, silly, and over-the-top romps of the PS2 era. This DLC offers enough content to justify a full release with easily twenty-plus hours of run time. We have seen moments and hints of the previous generation of GTA titles. However, what protruded throughout was the new gritty, realistic and mature design approach that the base game chose to take. Offering a relatable yet still over-the-top and intriguing narrative. The moments of comic relief perfect the balance that fans asked for, which would be further refined in GTA V
The DLC offered a plethora of new side quests, vehicles including more airborne ones to play around with that seemed somewhat absent in the base game. It offered a grand narrative that was cohesive with the other DLC and main game, with overlap occurring throughout. Plus, small welcome changes to the multiplayer through rewards and kill streak bonuses. It was through this addition that Rockstar saw the benefit of moving away from the formula that had served them well for so long.
The one sole character to represent the title was something they would move away from in GTA V. Offering diverse and contrasting characters and stories. It’s opened up a new world of narrative possibilities for the series. So it’s hard not to recall this addition fondly as the catalyst for change. Go download this add-on and decide for yourself. Also, as a side note, why not check out our GTA retrospective here.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion: The Shivering Isles
Anyone who has made their way back to Oblivion will know that this game has not aged wonderfully. Its NPC,s although groundbreaking in 2005, are comical now. So much so that they have been indoctrinated into meme culture. However, putting aside the age-related flaws of this title. It remains a classic of the RPG genre. Offering a multitude of guilds, quests, character customization, and a fantastic main story that will see you traverse the hellish realms of Oblivion itself. The amount of content on offer in 2005 was staggering and ultimately justifies roughing the shaky graphics and far-from-advanced AI to relive the adventure.
So when we were offered a trip to the Shivering Isles. The realm of residence for the zany and quite mad demon prince, Sheogorath. The player is treated to weird and beautiful vistas, unique characters, and an overarching plot centering around the demon prince of madness. With this in mind, madness and weird experiences are plentiful in this DLC. Offering unique Armour, weapons, and a brilliant departure from the beautiful mainland of Cyrodill. Anyone that loved the base game will adore this brilliant extension.
Farcry 3: Blood Dragon
This one is perhaps an unfair inclusion because, technically, it’s a standalone title. Though it borrows the Farcry 3 name, it runs off the same engine, and there’s little to tie the two together in terms of aesthetics or content. It’s my list, so I’m going to do it anyway. Sue me. Blood Dragon is a complete departure from its parent game, giving the player the neon-heavy, eighties fever dream they never knew they wanted.
This game pays homage to the cyber-action-heavy Terminator series of the same era. Offering the player an excess of power from the offset and only ramping up the levels of overpowered excess as the game progresses. Taking notes from FPS shooter Doom, this title keeps high-octane action from start to finish with little time for respite.
The only times you will find yourself exercising caution is in the first encounters with the daunting blood dragons themselves. However, as soon as your arsenal of weaponry is upgraded to include miniguns and the like. Things begin to sway in your favor, and the fast-paced action continues. If you’re a fan of neon overtones and 80s action movies. This one is a must.
Dragon Age Origins: Awakening
Dragon Age Origins was an absolute smash hit of the seventh generation by offering RPG fans a game rich in the great combat, a compelling story, and game-altering decisions. Thankfully, Bioware didn’t change the formula for their follow-up DLC and would offer more of the same brilliant content that made fans flock to this franchise.
The DLC would offer a plethora of side plots and collectible codex entries that offered fresh new lore and were brimming with detail. Although the main plot offered twists and turns that forced players into corners. Tasked with making decisions that would change the course of the whole campaign and even affect those that would play the sequel Dragon Age 2. The game also allows you to start brand new in terms of character choice for this section of your adventure. With the addition of the Orlesian Warden character option. New companions, abilities, and a flexible character system. This extension is everything you could ask for.
Bioshock Infinite: Burial At Sea
Bioshock Infinite was a genuine shock to all the players that followed the franchise. The choice to ditch Rapture in favor of a city in the clouds akin to a heavenly metropolis was a bold move. Although the title had its critics and perhaps fell short of the lofty standards set by its predecessors. It was still a competent title with a compelling story if a little confusing. The gameplay had its moments, and many will even claim it was the pick of the trilogy. Ken Levine has always stated that Infinite was not the product he envisioned upon release. Though if this is considered a failure, it’s a pretty positive one.
The title would pay homage to Rapture and tie the trilogy together neatly in its finale but DLC would offer a return to rapture with much more substance. It offered a return to rapture in it’s heyday, before the crash and the horrors of the first two titles. Although the gameplay is much more similar without the gimmicks that made the sky-bound title unique. The DLC offers a great story and fanfare for those who love the city of Rapture and all it has to offer.
It continues the phenomenal art design, unique atmosphere, and attention to detail with which the series is synonymous. Plus it offers a unique gameplay option of playing as Elizabeth and allows you to make avail of her tear powers. This one is the way to go if you want a quintessential pre-destruction Rapture adventure. You even get to see your old pal Sander Cohen again. Joy!
So that’s our list on DLC’s that do their parent games justice and more! Is there any DLC’s that you feel are missing from this list? How many of these did you play and enjoy? Would you like to see a follow-up on the most pointless DLC’s ever? Let us know in the comments! As always thanks for reading COG!
