Downloadable content. Add-ons. Expansions. Whatever labels they go by, for better or worse, they’ve become a major part of the gaming industry. Sure, for every must-have piece of new content that releases, a handful of duds come out that serve no purpose except to make money. As the years pass, the size, price tag, and materials of these additions seem to increase.
While some add-ons mostly give new cosmetics or weapons, expansions add completely new content, especially when it comes to RPGs. Bigger quests to undertake, new places to travel, additional characters to interact with, and much, much more. If there’s any genre where players are willing to invest money in, it’s RPGs. Given the amount of expansion content that’s been added over the years, it feels only right to highlight some of the most unforgettable.
Сломанная сталь
Fallout 3
DLC and the Fallout games have been linked for years now, and it’s a relationship that’s most likely going to continue for the foreseeable future. Although Fallout 3 was not the first RPG to feature downloadable content, it can be considered the game that popularized it, with five pieces of DLC that sold successfully. Yet, the one that ranks as the best is Broken Steel.
In Fallout 3, once you complete the final quest, that’s all, folks. The story ends, and you can no longer play unless you reload an old save. Broken Steel completely changes that by allowing players to continue past the ending. You can see the impact of your actions as it feels like the Capital Wasteland has changed. With stronger enemies, new locations, and a brand-new questline as you aid the Brotherhood of Steel in hunting the remaining Enclave forces.
Логово теневого посредника
Mass Effect 2
Mass Effect 2 can be considered the perfect sci-fi RPG. If there was one thing about it that disappointed players, it was the fact that Liara couldn’t return as a squadmate. Lair of the Shadow Broker corrected that issue by giving players a whole new adventure with their favorite Asari as you track down the most notorious crime lord in the galaxy: The Shadow Broker, a being who knows your every secret while you fumble in the dark.
The DLC took players on an adventure with mystery and danger. From the skyscrapers of Illium to an uncharted world, the search will put you into the crosshairs of the Shadow Broker’s personal army. Along with an awesome soundtrack, players are given an opportunity to rekindle their relationship with Liara, depending on their choices. Even after the adventure is over, you’re given access to the Shadow Broker’s lair to enjoy its amenities and secrets.
Блюз Старого Света
Fallout: New Vegas
Fallout: New Vegas had various add-on content, but only four major DLCs. Dead Money had strong character writing and atmosphere. Honest Hearts gave players an interesting location and Joshua Graham. Lonesome Road offered a challenge and felt like a true conclusion to the Courier’s story. Old World Blues combines the best of them all, which is why it’s earned a place as the best DLC of all the Fallout games.
It’s hard to describe Old World Blues without sounding unhinged, but that’s part of its charm as it mixes the science of Fallout with campy and sometimes dark humor. You awaken in the Big Empty, a massive research center, to discover your brain’s been taken. Now you have to search in bases crawling with strange experiments as you discover a sneaking suit that talks, a gun with the brain of a dog, and robo-scorpions. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg.
Будущее искуплено
Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Most expansions in role-playing games focus on continuing the main plot in some manner. Sometimes it’s a branching story or a sort of epilogue questline, but Future Redeemed is a full-on prequel for Xenoblade Chronicles 3 that brings together all three games.
For the fans who have been ing this series since the beginning, Future Redeemed was the knot that linked the lore. In what fans are calling the perfect conclusion to the saga, the expansion not only s a new protagonist and cast of characters, but it also features the return of Shulk and Rex, the heroes from the previous Xenoblade games.
Цитадель
Mass Effect 3
Between its endings and its multiplayer, Mass Effect 3 undoubtedly got the lion’s share when it came to DLC. Of all its content, however, Citadel is considered a final love letter to the series, hailed by fans as the greatest DLC of the franchise for its lighthearted adventure and enjoyable character writing.
Though it comes with its own fun story, what players love most about Citadel is its overabundance of content that feels tailored to your playthrough. Enjoy some downtime with your favorite characters and romantic interest. Explore a new level of the iconic Citadel, loaded with a wealth of activities, including gambling and a fun combat simulator brimming with prizes. With how much care and fan service is packed into this DLC, Citadel feels like a true spiritual end for the Mass Effect trilogy.
Shadow of the Erdtree
Elden Ring
Elden Ring is a title that should require no introduction. If you love Action RPGs, then you’re probably in love with one of the most critically acclaimed Soulslike games of the genre. The only thing that stinks about Elden Ring is the fact that players had to wait a full two years for the expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, but the wait was worth it.
Leave the Lands Between behind as you embark for the Land of Shadow to in the footsteps of Miquella, a new god. Sure, you could focus on the new weapons and armor, and the incredible new dungeons, but what makes Shadow of the Erdtree so phenomenal is its presentation and artistic aesthetic. The map and environments are utterly gorgeous, and every major boss encounter is given the same breathtaking cinematic exposure as the ones from the base game.
Старые охотники
Bloodborne
If there’s any RPG that knows how to combine the best of dark fantasy with cosmic horror, it’s Bloodborne. Like with all FromSoftware titles, an expansion was sure to , and the immersive nightmare world of Yharnam was only made bigger with the release of The Old Hunters.
Though some consider it a short experience, The Old Hunters feels less like an add-on that takes you on a different adventure, but more like an expansion for the base game. The Old Hunters weaves perfectly with the story and lore of Bloodborne, and it’s only made better with its boss fights. Call them hard, call them merciless, but the expansion arguably has some of the best boss battles ever fought in a Soulslike game. Made only better by their disturbing and spine-chilling designs, and an amazing soundtrack, too.
Дрожащие острова
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Like Fallout, the Elder Scrolls games are another property of Bethesda that’s seen its fair share of DLC. Players might be divided over which entry they believe is the superior, but most will agree that Oblivion stands out for its unforgettable expansion: Shivering Isles. This wasn’t just another city to roam or a few additional quests, however. The Shivering Isles brought players to a completely new map.
Losing your mind has never felt more fun as you’re taken to a realm of utter insanity by Sheogorath, the Daedric Prince of Madness. Here you can explore the Isles of Mania and Dementia, where there’s an abundance of new quests to undertake and strange characters to encounter. Even the new powers, weapons, and armor are all tailored to the mad themes of the Shivering Isles, and whether it’s the original or the remake, it’s still fun to play even to this day.
Призрачная свобода
Cyberpunk 2077
Are you a bad enough merc to save the President? What about a Songbird? Phantom Liberty might be Cyberpunk 2077’s only major DLC, but here it’s quality over quantity, as this is the best sci-fi expansion of all time. Starting with a jaw-dropping opening, you’re called in to rescue the President after her ship crashes in Dogtown. From there, the adventure becomes a spy thriller.
Besides the additional gigs, guns, attire, vehicles, and Cyberware to play with, you’re also given access to a massive new city to explore: Dogtown. Here, the streets are run not by the police, but by a militia force armed to the teeth with cutting-edge technology. Thankfully, you won’t be alone as you’ll have your loudmouth buddy Johnny Silverhand (Keanu Reeves) at your side, and you’ll be working alongside Agent Solomon Reed (Idris Elba). But like Night City, Dogtown will test your ideals with even harder moral choices.
Кровь и вино
Ведьмак 3: Дикая охота
The Witcher 3 was such a flawless experience that it almost didn’t require DLC. Thankfully, that didn’t stop CD Projekt from creating two incredible expansions: Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. Both are fantastic, both are worthy of playing, but Blood and Wine feels less like an expansion and more like a completely new game.
Everything you could want out of an expansion is here. Hunt new monsters in the beautiful land of Toussaint, a massive new map with dozens of cities and locations to discover. Along with the new gear, armor, and weapons is a story that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat as you discover why vampires are truly feared. Even after the main story is finished, there’s hundreds of hours of fun to be had, like renovating your very own manor, taking part in a tournament, upgrading your mutations, and more. Blood and Wine is the expansion that keeps on giving.
