As someone who’s spent countless hours immersed in the rich tapestry of JRPGs, I must say that these DLC expansions have truly elevated my gaming experiences. Each one offers a unique perspective on beloved worlds, characters, and stories that I hold dear.
DLCs have become a permanent feature in gaming, with mixed opinions. On one hand, they can enhance the core gameplay, at times surpassing the initial experience.
In contrast to many other game genres, JRPGs typically don’t offer much in the way of additional content through DLC, with exceptions being school-related cosmetic items. However, when they do release such expansions, they tend to market them as ‘expansion passes’.
These expansion packs show a wide range of differences. They often introduce fresh gameplay aspects to the original game, or contain substantial content that can function as separate titles on their own.
We’ve rounded up the best JRPG DLCs to help you decide if it’s worth investing a little more to continue enjoying your favorite game.
8 Beyond the Dawn
Tales of Arise
In 2021, the game titled Tales of Arise was released and quickly made waves within the Tales of franchise, surpassing sales targets that only a handful of primary installments had managed to achieve.
As a dedicated fan of the Tales of series, I’ve noticed that when it comes to their DLCs, Bandai Namco tends to lean more towards cosmetic updates rather than substantial gameplay additions in past titles. Frankly, it feels like an endless stream of new skins and outfits, leaving me yearning for something meatier.
When it was revealed that Beyond the Dawn, an additional chapter offering a fresh narrative for Tales of Arise, would be published, I, along with many other enthusiasts, couldn’t hide our excitement.
After the final chapter of the main game, Beyond the Dawn delves into the post-conclusion state of the world of Dahna, revealing that not all matters are neatly tied up as our hero, Alphen, might prefer.
In addition, the DLC presents a novel character named Nazamil, who is a blend of Dahnan and Renan lineage. This unique heritage brings about bias from both groups, resulting in a captivating storyline development.
The only downside is that this DLC adds almost nothing new to gameplay. The party members, abilities, and mechanics remain the same.
Essentially, this expansion pack offers an opportunity for fans to delve deeper into the universe of Tales of Arise, providing a bridge between experiences while anticipating the arrival of a future main series installment.
7 Episode Aigis – The Answer
Persona 3 Reload
As a die-hard fan of Persona 3 Reload, I’ve noticed that many gamers consider Aigis as the top-tier character. It seems like Atlus took notice too, crafting an entire narrative arc specifically around her, showcasing why she stands out among the rest.
Following the true ending of Persona 3 Reload, Episode Aigis – The Answer commences. As the students prepare to part ways, a fresh enigma surfaces, compelling them to embark upon yet another thrilling journey.
In the DLC, they’ve done away with the calendar system found in the initial game, which means there’s no time limit. Given that the team is stuck in a time loop, this change effectively eliminates the original’s time-related restrictions.
Aigis now has fresh capabilities for the field, enabling her to demolish breakable objects swiftly and gather items more effectively. Additionally, she can wield multiple Personas, a trait she inherits from the main character.
The Downloadable Content (DLC) brings a fresh face into the group – Metis, who is revealed to be Aigis’s sibling. Starting from then on, she becomes an integral part of the team, utilizing her distinctive Persona, Psyche.
Some people feel that “Episode Aigis” is repetitive as it seems to recycle the gameplay from Tartarus, but without the social aspects found in “Persona”.
6 Episode Ignis
Final Fantasy XV
frankly, I don’t enjoy the downloadable content for Final Fantasy XV. It’s not due to the quality of the content itself, but rather my disapproval towards Square Enix for splitting parts of the main plot and selling them individually.
But this article isn’t about ranting; it is about the best DLCs. Among all the expansions in Final Fantasy XV, Episode Ignis stands out, and Episode Ardyn comes in as a close second.
In the city of Altissia, Episode Ignis unfolds amidst the turmoil caused by the rampaging Astrals Titan and Leviathan, as well as the incursion by Niflheim forces.
On his own, Ignis journeys across the city, steadfast in his pursuit of Noctis. Facing off against Niflheim’s troops, he sometimes allies himself with Ravus for a brief period.
Eventually, he discovers Noctis unresponsive and Lunafreya lifeless. Ardyn then compels Ignis to utilize the Ring of Lucii, which had fallen from Noctis’ grasp.
Using the ring’s power without being a worthy descendant takes a devastating toll. Ignis confronts Ardyn but pays the price and loses his eyesight. This heart-wrenching DLC highlights Ignis’s devotion to protecting Noctis, his close friend and prince.
5 Dark Arisen
Dragon’s Dogma
Dragon’s Dogma tends to incorporate Western-style Role Playing Game (RPG) features over Japanese RPG ones, yet the exceptional Downloadable Content (DLC) solidified its place on this compilation.
In 2012, the unique open-world action RPG game called “Dragon’s Dogma” was released, and its expansion pack, titled “Dark Arisen,” came out in 2016. Patience proved rewarding with this expansion, as it delivered a fresh, new location known as Bitterblack Isle, complete with novel enemies, bosses, items, and even an alternative ending.
As a devoted enthusiast, I find myself captivated by the enigmatic Bitterblack Isle, a place where tainted treasures reside. These items can be cleansed by a helpful character stationed at the isle’s entrance. The rewards are diverse and enticing, but they come with a price: Rift Crystals.
The heart of the gameplay in Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen involves repeatedly exploring dungeons, battling enemies to level up your character and Pawns, enhancing them with upgrades, and gathering cursed items throughout this process.
The dungeon presents a much tougher experience compared to the original game, urging players to equip themselves well and strategize before venturing into its labyrinthine chambers. If the newly introduced final adversary doesn’t claim victory over you, then even Death itself may await your journey’s end.
4 The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
As an avid Pokémon fan, I’m thrilled to share that the enigmatic lore of Area Zero is unfolding as downloadable content for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet! This captivating tale is split into two enticing segments: The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disk.
In this update, more than 230 familiar Pokemon were incorporated, along with a fresh Pokedex, and some old-time favorites like Applin even got evolutionary upgrades – first seen in the games ‘Pokemon Sword’ and ‘Shield’.
In this latest expansion pack as a gamer, I stumbled upon five fresh Legendary and Paradox Pokémon, a cool new addition to this generation. Yet, it wasn’t all about expanding the Pokedex; these expansions also dropped some intriguing new quests for me to conquer!
In “The Teal Mask,” educators venture into the region of Kitakami for a school excursion, where they join in a traditional celebration. Simultaneously, they unearth the secrets hidden within an age-old myth.
Simultaneously, in “The Indigo Disk”, characters take on roles as exchange students at Blueberry Academy and revisit Area Zero. Additionally, there’s a concluding chapter named “Mochi Mayhem” that neatly wraps up the main narrative of “The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero”.
3 Torna ~ The Golden Country
Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Next, let’s discuss Downloadable Content (DLC) that is so extensive it could function as a full game on its own, and in certain instances, it does. This applies to “Torna ~ The Golden Country,” an expansion pack for “Xenoblade Chronicles 2.
Individuals buying the season pass for Xenoblade Chronicles 2 gain access to Torna: The Golden Country, however, this downloadable content can also be obtained separately by individuals who do not possess the main game.
In essence, “Torna ~ The Golden Country” functions as a prequel, making it highly beneficial to have prior knowledge of the occurrences in “Xenoblade Chronicles 2”. The narrative primarily revolves around the characters Mythra and her companion, Addam.
In simpler terms, the Downloadable Content (DLC) improves various aspects of the original game, such as the fighting system, character development chart (Affinity Chart), and some smaller features.
Instead of fighting separately, as they did in the original version, Blades and Drivers are teaming up, each with their unique weapons. This alteration makes the combat feel familiar yet smoother in its execution.
To extend gameplay duration, remember that “Torna – The Golden Country” is an additional content pack, so it’s advisable to finish side missions before diving into the main storyline. In conclusion, even though it may take some time, it’s definitely worthwhile as this expansion significantly elevates the brilliance of “Xenoblade Chronicles 2”.
2 Episode INTERmission
Final Fantasy VII Remake
As a gamer, let me tell you, diving into the revamped world of Final Fantasy VII Remake is an unforgettable experience. This game masterfully reacquaints us with its captivating setting, iconic characters, and the compelling reasons that fuel their journey across the ailing planet Gaia.
In “Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade,” the additional content titled “Episode INTERmission” follows the tale of Yuffie Kisaragi, a ninja from Wutai, prior to her involvement with the main group.
Besides integrating a fresh storyline, characters, and links to the side story of Final Fantasy VII titled Dirge of Cerberus, the DLC also highlights Yuffie’s gameplay dynamics and introduces a new combat aspect: Synergy duo moves.
Indeed, the game titled “Episode INTERmission” is shorter compared to “Torna“, approximately lasting around 5 hours for players concentrating on the main storyline. Yet, those limited hours are by no means wasted; instead, they contribute significantly to the richness of the lore within “Final Fantasy VII“.
The DLC strengthens Yuffie’s reasons for being involved, promoting her from an optional character in the original game to a crucial team member, largely because of her ties to Wutai. This connection is likely to be delved deeper into during the third part of the Final Fantasy VII Remake.
1 Future Redeemed
Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Among all DLCs I’ve encountered, none has altered my opinion about their eligibility for Game of the Year awards more than the expansion pack titled “Future Redeemed,” which is part of “Xenoblade Chronicles 3.
As a dedicated Xenoblade fan, I can’t wait to dive into “Future Redeemed”! This exciting new addition promises approximately 20 hours of fresh gameplay and acts as a prequel to the upcoming “Xenoblade Chronicles 3”. Without giving away too many spoilers, it’s an essential play for anyone who’s familiar with the Xenoblade universe. I can hardly wait to explore this new world!
The additional content for this game really excels at gameplay, having gone through four major releases and two expansions. It has polished the exploration system to an exceptional degree, setting a benchmark for exploration in all JRPGs that others should aim to match. Future Redeemed truly raises the bar.
The structure of advancement primarily focuses on venturing out into unexplored regions. Uncovering hidden locations, confronting creatures, gathering loot, and participating in numerous tasks that compensate you for thoroughly examining every nook and cranny of the universe. These rewards can vary from unlocking new skills to improving existing ones.
The battle system in Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is simplified by doing away with its class system, assigning specific roles to each character, and replacing Ouroboros mechanics with Unity Attacks. Although smaller-scaled compared to the original game, this streamlined combat system functions effectively within the boundaries of the DLC.
Downloadable Content (DLC) can stir up debate. Some are just money-making schemes, but others truly expand the lore of their game worlds. Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed falls into the latter group, and I’d be more than happy if more of my favorite JRPGs received content of this quality.
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2024-11-21 15:41