The Best Game Changing DLC

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that these two expansions truly stand out as some of the finest DLC packages ever created. Each one offers a unique and immersive experience that not only enhances the original game but also provides a fresh perspective on familiar worlds.

A good piece of Downloadable Content – or DLC – can make a world of difference to any game. Whether providing more of the same tried and true formula to an already incredible experience or allowing fans to see a new side to their favorite gameplay moments, characters, and locations, DLC can be a valuable tool.

Many extensive games, especially those with vast landscapes, often gain from Downloadable Content (DLC) that narrows the game’s scope to more personal and focused experiences. However, some games employ DLC to alter the entire gaming experience, offering a completely new perspective on what was once familiar. These DLC expansions significantly transform the games they are connected to, serving as excellent demonstrations of how developers can present additional content effectively.

8 Bioshock Infinite

Burial At Sea

The Best Game Changing DLC

Released: November 12, 2013
Platforms: PlayStation 3, PC, Xbox 360
Developer: Irrational Games

Following the captivating narrative twist in Bioshock Infinite, fans might have anticipated additional content delving deeper into Columbia, the floating city central to the storyline. However, Elizabeth’s unique power of traversing parallel realities enables developers to revisit the setting of the initial two games, Rapture. Unlike the chaotic state portrayed in the original Bioshock games, fans now get a glimpse of Rapture at its peak. In this installment, Booker and Elizabeth reunite with a changed dynamic; Booker assumes the role of a private detective while Elizabeth becomes a mysterious femme fatale, recruiting him to solve a missing person case involving a young girl.

The storyline progresses, linking the mystery to the broader saga of the series, and it’s exciting for fans to see Booker and Elizabeth return. Familiar antagonists resurface, nods to the initial game abound, and recurring hints at the grim conclusion of Infinite elevate this installment as a valuable expansion of the Bioshock universe, potentially sufficient for an entire new game. In the sequel, players are given the opportunity to control Elizabeth more stealthily than ever before in confrontations distinct from those in the original game.

7 Borderlands

Mad Moxxi’s Underdome Riot

Released: December 29, 2009
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC
Developer: Gearbox Software

In the world of Borderlands, a popular looter-shooter game, some players may feel constrained by the storyline, finding it tough to find challenges once they’ve completed the main missions. If they don’t want to restart the entire story, there are limited ways to experience fresh content, exciting challenges, and valuable rewards. That’s where Mad Moxxi’s Underdome Riot comes into play! In this arena, players can band together to battle hordes of enemies, each wave featuring randomly assigned modifiers to ensure that every trip to the Underdome isn’t just another repetition.

These challenges are extremely tricky, requiring players to regroup and collaborate for a successful completion. However, the substantial skill point rewards and the elusive achievement (one of the rarest in any game) certainly compensate for the challenge level. This intense, confined carnage will extend post-game playtime significantly for fans of the series by flipping the typical gameplay on its head.

6 Far Cry 3

Blood Dragon

Release: April 30, 2013
Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, PC, Xbox One
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal

Enthusiasts of the Far Cry series typically find a more realistic gameplay style with an emphasis on stealth maneuvers and survival strategies. However, Blood Dragon injects a vibrant neon hue into the series, making the gameplay pop spectacularly on screen in a nostalgic 80’s aesthetic. As a humorous, stylized spin-off from the standard Far Cry formula, Blood Dragon aims to encapsulate the spirit of 80’s action films and excessive sci-fi. Players assume the role of a cyborg soldier tasked with freeing control points across an unfriendly island teeming with cybernetically enhanced wild creatures and the infamous Blood Dragon, a flying beast that can obliterate entire outposts by itself.

If you’re one of those gamers who made it through the intense jungles of Far Cry 3, let me tell you, this game feels like living your own power fantasy! As we step into the shoes of a cybernetic soldier, we get some pretty awesome abilities that make us feel like a robot ninja. We can sprint at breakneck speeds without tiring out, jump from towering heights without a scratch, and even hold our breath underwater for as long as we need! After a few games in the series that seemed a bit predictable, this cybernetic twist is a refreshing change many fans have been eagerly awaiting.

5 Red Dead Redemption

Undead Nightmare

Release: October 26, 2010
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4
Developer: Rockstar San Diego

In a fresh twist, Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare offered a standalone single-player adventure, along with multiplayer options and an alternate timeline, serving as the sole DLC expansion for Rockstar’s Western epic. The entire landscape of the original game has been reshaped to embody a gloomier setting, reflecting the post-apocalyptic timeline that the John Marston character in this version finds himself navigating. Although it doesn’t align with the events of the main RDR, fans were thrilled to spend more time with the protagonist from the initial game as he embarks on a quest through the Old West, seeking a remedy for the zombie plague.

Marston’s adventure primarily focuses on assisting the innocent who struggle to survive in a harsh setting, and players can make use of fresh weapons, steeds, and garments as they strive to purge the West of the undead plague. Rockstar offers a unique take on the cowboy gameplay genre with its zombie game that remains distinctive even among numerous similar titles.

4 Civilization 5

Brave New World

Released: July 9, 2013
Platform: PC
Developer: Firaxis Games

One of the classic grand-scale strategy games where you can mold a kingdom from its inception to maturity is the renowned franchise, Civilization. Out of all the games in the series, some consider Civilization 5 as the finest, boasting numerous additional features that greatly enhance gameplay by giving players almost complete control over their empire. The Brave New World expansion added new dimensions to the game, offering both novice and veteran players a rich simulation of governing a nation, with new leaders and victory conditions to explore.

1. A significant aspect of the expansion involves the World Congress, offering numerous chances for diplomatic interactions. Maintaining allies becomes crucial, while forming enemies could lead to serious consequences. The Cultural victory path has undergone substantial changes, focusing now on tourism and exerting cultural influence over rival leaders that the player will encounter during gameplay.

3 Stellaris

Utopia

Released: April 6, 2017
Platform: PC
Developer: Paradox

In the grand, expansive space strategy game “Stellaris,” created by Paradox, there are numerous DLC packs that alter aspects of the standard gameplay. These additional content packs can leave fans puzzled about which one to buy initially to improve their gaming experience. The base game is rich enough to occupy even the most dedicated player for hours on end. However, many players believe that the expansion “Utopia” is a must-have purchase because it significantly alters many of the game’s systems.

Currently, players can influence or impose their cultural norms on any pre-space travel planets they discover. This also grants them access to extraordinary realms such as psionic heavens, pinnacle evolution, synthetic robotics integration, and cyborg fusion – all aimed at achieving the optimal civilization. A notable innovation is the Megastructure, a colossal architectural marvel that encompasses entire star systems, requires immense resources for construction, and grants significant benefits to the constructing empire. Furthermore, the option to play as a hive mind species and the influx of new features make this expansion an exciting and transformative addition to the game, significantly altering the core mechanics.

2 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

The Champions’ Ballad

Released: December 7, 2017
Platform: Wii U, Nintendo Switch
Developer: Nintendo

In a refreshing twist for the series, The Legend Of Zelda: Breath of The Wild brought a vast open world infused with RPG and survival aspects, leaving both long-time fans and newcomers spellbound. Link, once again, emerged as a gaming legend following a short break. Later, Nintendo unveiled two downloadable content packs; however, the second one introduced significant alterations to the narrative, extended gameplay duration, and overall mechanics.

In “The Champions’ Ballad,” Link is presented with a fresh set of tasks to accomplish, ultimately leading him to acquire his own divine beast. At the outset, players encounter various trials designed to evaluate their progress, even providing a weapon capable of instantly defeating any foe but also causing Link’s demise after a single strike. New equipment, new hurdles, and new adversaries – along with the return of the champions and scenes that illuminate the time of calamity – culminate in the giving of the Master Cycle Zero to Link as a testament to his skill. The game then takes a dramatic turn. Players are now free to explore the devastated Hyrule on a mechanical motorbike, marking a significant shift in the gameplay experience, never before seen with DLC from Nintendo.

1 Half-Life

Opposing Force

Released: November 19, 1999
Platform: PC
Developer: Gearbox Software

In a significant upgrade for the original “Half-Life” game, paving the way for future DLCs, “Opposing Force” offers players an extended experience with familiar elements presented in a fresh style. It delves deeper into the details surrounding the lab incident, providing additional insights into the events unfolding at the Black Mesa Research Facility, and introduces new weaponry and alien species to interact with and vanquish.

In “Opposing Force,” players take control of a marine who was once an adversary in the original game, as he delves into the facility to eliminate a dangerous alien invasion. The gameplay remains similar with stealth maneuvers through corridors and battling challenging waves of alien lifeforms. However, revisiting and reimagining some iconic sequences offers a unique perspective on the “Half-Life” universe.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, adding a grappling hook to the game has completely transformed my experience. It’s made movement faster and more dynamic, and platforming is now an entirely new challenge that’s just begging to be conquered. I remember when this DLC dropped – it was like a whole new level of fun that fans of the original game were dying to sink their teeth into. And let me tell you, it didn’t disappoint! This DLC still stands as a shining example of what additional content can really bring to the table.

2024-08-15 07:05