Nowadays, expansions – also known as DLCs (Downloadable Content) – are a crucial element in the gaming world, frequently enriching the base game with additional content like new narratives, characters, features, and locations, thereby greatly enhancing the initial playthrough.
Frequently, in open-world, structured games, you’ll find the content is expansive, allowing for free exploration whenever desired. This setup often results in numerous playtime hours, making it natural to include additional features for enhanced player experience.
It’s worth mentioning that I found myself reflecting on the fact that some of my most cherished expansions come from open-world games. This is because these add-ons often transcend their status as additional content, serving instead as captivating side stories that enrich the primary game in terms of narrative depth or gameplay mechanics (or even both).
Certainly! Some of these games match or even surpass their originals in quality, which is something worth discussing further. But for now, let us focus on examining ten exceptional downloadable content expansions for open-world games.
10.
The Iki Island
Ghost of Tsushima
Upon completing Ghost of Tsushima’s primary narrative, I yearned for a more profound resolution for my beloved protagonist, Jin Sakai. Thankfully, the Iki Island expansion delivers this closure, even though it doesn’t deviate significantly from the core game in structural aspects.
As a devoted admirer, I’m thrilled about this fresh map that brings along novel side activities! However, what truly sets this expansion apart for me is the profound narrative journey it offers. This journey delves straight into Jin’s past traumas, providing a deeply personal and captivating storyline.
In the story, he faces off against his inner struggles related to the burden of being a samurai and remembering his late father, both of whom were significant figures on this island where his father met his end. Additionally, a new menacing antagonist emerges, poisoning Iki’s inhabitants with harmful substances, leading to tougher confrontations throughout the narrative.
Sadly, its main story is quite short, taking approximately 5 hours to complete.
9.
Freedom Cry
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
In my opinion, Freedom Cry, the sole expansion for Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, has been unjustly neglected and underestimated among DLC releases – at least in my mind.
The story unfolds over a decade since the original game and focuses on Adéwalé, who has now fully transitioned into an Assassin in the Caribbean, particularly in Saint-Domingue (today’s Haiti), which is about one-sixth the size of the Black Flag map from the previous game.
He’s deeply committed to liberating enslaved people and combatting the cruel trade in the area, a fact that leaves a profound impact when experienced. The game captures his suffering and sense of powerlessness, making the narrative particularly poignant.
Furthermore, Adéwalé’s distinctive fighting style using a machete stands out in a way that sets it apart from Edward’s sword and gun battles. However, the disappointing aspect is that it’s distressingly brief, as the entire content spans just 5 hours, when it felt like there was so much more to explore.
8.
Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep
Borderlands 2
If you’re a fan of Borderlands 2, I bet you recall the thrill of experiencing Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep for the very first time, as it was truly exceptional and left quite an impression.
This DLC offers a distinctive experience as characters from the main story engage in a tabletop role-playing game resembling Dungeons & Dragons, named “Bunkers & Badasses.” In this game, each player immerses themselves fully into its fantasy setting, infused with a touch of Borderlands’ flair.
In this version, Tiny Tina assumes the role of the Game Master, ensuring that the narrative remains chaotic and unforeseeable. She even pokes fun at incidents from the original game, including significant deaths, adding an unexpected twist to the storyline.
Beyond all else, it boasts extra skill points and abundant treasure finds, amplifying the enjoyment factor further by tempting you to experiment with unconventional character builds that are rarely seen in the primary game. Simply put, this delightful spin-off of Borderlands offers a captivating casual gaming experience.
7.
The Ballad of Gay Tony
Grand Theft Auto IV
In other words, The Ballad of Gay Tony significantly enhances the city within Grand Theft Auto IV, and I’m compelled to admit that I enjoyed the add-on more than the original game itself.
As Niko Bellic deals with his ongoing feuds, a different character named Luis Lopez experiences challenges in balancing his personal affairs and his role as co-owner of two nightclubs with his friend Tony Prince.
The expansion pack primarily emphasizes the dazzling, perilous realm of Liberty City’s vibrant nightlife. It merges action, crime, lavish soirees, and drug-induced pandemonium, creating a more immersive narrative with an accelerated tempo – reminiscent of a wild, single-shot Grand Theft Auto experience.
Let’s not forget to note its charming, retro feel with the reintroduction of traditional features such as parachutes, sticky bombs, tanks, and amusing cheat codes, among others.
6.
The Fate of Atlantis
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Among all the downloadable content (DLC) from the Ubisoft series, I’d say the storyline of Atlantis is undoubtedly my top pick due to its grandeur and exceptional design.
Following approximately 100 hours of playing Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, particularly enjoying Kassandra, I had worried that diving straight into the expansion might lead to burnout. To my delight, the extra content proved incredibly invigorating instead!
The settings of Elysium and Atlantis are nothing short of awe-inspiring, showcasing an extraordinary design that places them among the most breathtaking landscapes found within any Assassin’s Creed series. Additionally, each new adversary and boss character presents unique attacks distinct from those in the original game, making confrontations all the more exciting.
Additionally, this location houses the most awe-inspiring, menacing-appearing armor collection throughout the entire game, which you’ll encounter during a trial where you engage Cerberus and outsmart Hades himself.
5.
Echoes of the Eye
Outer Wilds
Either my fascination with “inquisitive” games or my passion for all things space-related makes The Outer Worlds one of the deepest and thought-provoking gaming encounters I’ve ever had – and its Echoes of the Eye add-on seamlessly complements this immersive experience.
In this newly unveiled realm, dubbed “The Stranger,” dwells a mysterious species known as the Inhabitants. They are extraterrestrial beings who migrated to the Hearthian solar system following an enigmatic transmission they received from the Cosmic Eye.
The storyline is every bit as enigmatic as its name suggests, allowing you a chance to explore and delve into an extraterrestrial culture anew. This journey encourages contemplation on various philosophical aspects, such as apprehension towards change, relinquishing the past, and the significance of preserving memories.
The additional material in this game extends its playtime significantly beyond 8 hours, effectively doubling its overall enjoyment compared to its previous state.
4.
Phantom Liberty
Cyberpunk 2077
In my opinion, Phantom Liberty is very similar to what I anticipated Cyberpunk 2077 to be like when it was released in 2020.” or “Phantom Liberty reminds me of how I thought Cyberpunk 2077 would turn out when it debuted in 2020.
Three years post its release, the DLC significantly transformed the entire game by incorporating numerous improvements and updates. Now, Night City feels more authentic with advanced AI. Additionally, a new relic has been added to the skill tree that amplifies cyberware capabilities (commonly referred to as the enhanced ones). From a visual perspective, graphical details have also been polished further.
As a game enthusiast, I’d say: Dive headfirst into an exhilarating, suspenseful spy tale starring protagonist V, filled with unexpected turns and various conclusions. Throw in a captivating new character portrayed by the talented Idris Elba, and you’ve got a true masterpiece!
Additionally, I’m fond of how the expansion offers a fresh, albeit somewhat somber, conclusion to the original game. It’s definitely an appealing reason to come back and play again.
3.
Undead Nightmare
Red Dead Redemption
I can’t forget the joy and laughter I experienced when I initially played Undead Nightmare for the first time, and truth be told, just thinking about it brings a smile to my face as I recall the memories.
OR
The first time I played Undead Nightmare still brings back waves of laughter and fun for me, and it’s almost impossible not to grin while reminiscing about it as I write this.
The first Red Dead Redemption’s sole extension shares little resemblance with the original game except that John Marston remains the primary character.
In the DLC, an unusual narrative unfolds: a zombie epidemic sweeps across the American West, and it’s just as absurd as you might imagine. The madness begins with Uncle infecting Abigail, who promptly bites Jack on the neck – all while they are still in their nightwear.
In essence, it falls upon John to battle for his life and search for a remedy for the outbreak of the plague. Navigating a familiar map now overrun by zombies proves thrilling, particularly since each side mission presents an equally wild concept.
The whole experience has an 80s horror vibe that is completely irresistible.
2.
Shadow of the Erdtree
Elden Ring
I haven’t played any expansion by FromSoftware that wasn’t an exceptional adventure, and this pattern continues with Elden Ring. The Shadow of the Erdtree is simply astonishing.
Or:
FromSoftware’s expansions have never failed to deliver a remarkable experience for me, and Elden Ring is no exception. Shadow of the Erdtree is truly mind-blowing.
This DLC is truly exceptional for an outstanding game we already loved, rekindling memories of our lofty expectations. Remarkably, it surpassed each one of them.
The game’s world creation is absolutely stunning – I can’t help but give it a nod of approval. Its visual design, layout, background music, and boss designs are all exceptional and top-quality. There are numerous instances while playing that leave me awestruck, such as finding the Shaman Village, delving into Shadow Keep, and even triumphing over the Furnace Golems.
Without a doubt, it significantly enhances and enlarges the core Elden Ring game in a skillful manner, intensifying all its existing fantastic aspects and pushing them further. To be honest, I can’t imagine a more satisfying expansion.
1.
Blood and Wine
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Without a shadow of a doubt, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt ranks among the greatest open-world games ever made. Therefore, any opportunity to spend more time on the Continent would be delightful. However, CD Projekt Red wasn’t content with just that and crafted two extraordinary DLCs instead.
1st option: Mentioning the first one as ‘Hearts of Stone’, which warrants a brief nod due to its high quality, and the second one as ‘Blood and Wine’, undeniably among the finest tales penned by CD Projekt.
2nd option: Firstly, I’d like to briefly highlight ‘Hearts of Stone’ for its exceptional qualities. Secondly, let me emphasize that ‘Blood and Wine’ ranks among the best stories ever crafted by CD Projekt.
3rd option: ‘Hearts of Stone’ is worthy of a quick shout-out thanks to its greatness, while ‘Blood and Wine’ stands out as one of the top-notch narratives produced by CD Projekt.
4th option: First up, let me give a quick thumbs-up to ‘Hearts of Stone’, which is truly remarkable. Secondly, I must acknowledge that ‘Blood and Wine’ boasts one of the finest stories ever written by CD Projekt.
In simpler terms, the Downloadable Content (DLC) offers an extended narrative of over 20 hours, set in a new location, where Geralt, our cherished protagonist, is tasked with solving a series of mysterious murders in Toussaint. This investigation leads to encounters with powerful vampires, uncovers royal secrets, and presents one final ethical dilemma for him to navigate.
Toussaint is delightfully attractive and a joy to discover, with an immersive storyline that offers unexpected turns and captivating personalities. It’s almost as if being Geralt in his final journey as the main character of The Witcher feels incredibly fitting.
Not only was the fairy-tale level an incredibly imaginative journey during my gaming history, but I’ll always remember the thrill of battling Rapunzel’s spirit and unintentionally stomping on Thumbelina. Truly a remarkable adventure!
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2025-07-05 16:10