Best Games That Started As Expansions

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Key Takeaways

  • Video games are becoming longer, riskier, and more time-consuming to make, but offshoots from expansions could offer a low-risk chance for innovation.
  • Experimental projects during DLC development can lead to unexpected brilliance, transcending original intentions.
  • Standalone expansions and mods can evolve into full-fledged, deserving experiences.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the current crop of video games is nothing short of astounding. Each title seems to outdo its predecessor in terms of innovation, immersion, and sheer fun factor.

Due to the fact that video games are often evaluated based on their length and visual quality, contemporary video games are increasingly becoming longer, riskier, and requiring more time to develop. Therefore, working on a project where all critical aspects such as asset creation and game mechanics have already been thought through would be a welcome change, allowing for greater creative freedom to explore innovative and experimental ideas.

Sometimes, these experiments don’t follow the usual pattern, but they can unexpectedly give birth to extraordinary creations. It is believed that when inspired by the right spark, a creation can transform beyond its initial shape and develop a life of its own. This isn’t limited to new video games; it also applies to expansions, additional content, and even user-generated modifications. What initially seems like an addition could metamorphose into a self-sufficient experience that deserves to shine in the limelight on its own.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

The Would-Be Mission Pack That Packed A Punch

Given the amount of time between the release date of Grand Theft Auto 6 and Grand Theft Auto 5 (well over a decade), it’s astounding to think that one of the most beloved open-world crime games of all time, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, could have emerged initially as a mission pack when Rockstar had a small window free in their schedule. Rockstar didn’t have the support of their programming staff, as they were busy porting GTA 3 to PC.

During this period, the creative team responsible for art and storytelling started developing additional missions. After half a year, they found themselves working on something entirely new. As it turned out, what they were creating was not merely an advancement of Grand Theft Auto 3; Vice City, with its famous 80s soundtrack, vibrant characters headlined by Tommy Vercetti, and sun-soaked environment filled with decadence, proved to be much more than that.

Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon

The Retro-Futurism And Explosively Fun Kind Of Insanity

It’s hard to believe any publisher would approve a studio making an overt tribute to 80s sci-fi and B-movie action, but luckily, the team behind Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon had the foundation of Far Cry 3 to build upon. As a result, gamers received just what they wanted – a satirical cyberpunk shooter that was a stark contrast to the original game. Since they understood that this spin-off was significantly different from the base game, Ubisoft opted to release it as a separate title.

Under the vibrant, neon-soaked backdrop of Blood Dragon lies a dense jungle, meticulously detailed yet challenging to discern. This is a world tainted by VHS-filtered dystopia, teeming with cyber-soldiers, laser dinosaurs, and an over-the-top hero (voiced by Michael Biehn). This may be due to the fact that many elements from Far Cry 3, such as crafting, skill trees, and other open-world features, were removed during development. Consequently, Blood Dragon offers a tightly packed gaming experience in terms of playtime, which was well-received by players.

Uncharted: The Lost Legacy

The Standalone Spin-Off That Outshone Expectations

Initially, when Uncharted: The Lost Legacy was unveiled, it seemed like just a temporary diversion to keep fans engaged until the grand release of Naughty Dog’s upcoming project, The Last Of Us: Part 2. However, contrary to expectations, The Lost Legacy shifted its focus from main character Nathan Drake, who was due for a break after many perilous (and sometimes fatal) escapades, to the side characters Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross instead.

Initially, Naughty Dog intended to create Lost Legacy as a humorous spin-off focusing on Sully’s youth within the Uncharted 4 universe. However, they discovered that Chloe and Nadine had an intriguing dynamic and charm as lead characters. This small expansion eventually blossomed into a complete, independent game, a development consistent with Naughty Dog’s knack for crafting thrilling, over-the-top action scenes in their previous Uncharted installments.

Saints Row 4

The Head And Tail Of An Ouroboros Of Absurdity

If the idea behind Saints Row 4 (where an ex-gang leader turned U.S. president ends up in a bizarre virtual world filled with sitcom characters from the ’50s, wrestler “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, and super-powered gangsters due to an alien invasion using laser guns) seems out of place for a series known for its hard-hitting street crime and territory disputes, it suggests that you’re not well-versed in the Saints Row universe.

Originally envisioned as a smaller expansion for Saints Row: The Third, “Enter the Dominatrix” ballooned into an entire game overflowing with shark-jumping action. Eventually, Volition unleashed the DLC of the fourth-wall-breaking variety, titled Enter the Dominatrix, in Saints Row 4 (following an April Fool’s Day announcement). This outlandish ouroboros of excessive absurdity reached its climax – or perhaps its spiral – with this release.

Assassin’s Creed: Mirage

An Ostensible Return To The Series’ Origins

Initially, “Assassin’s Creed: Mirage” started off as an expansion for “Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla,” centering around a compact, personal storyline in Baghdad. Later on, possibly influenced by criticisms about “Valhalla” appearing overly lengthy and expansive in scope, Ubisoft recognized the chance to retrace the series to its origins, returning it to the Islamic Golden Age and the era of the first assassins.

Mirage provides a sleeker gameplay style focusing on social camouflage within large groups, parkour, and rapid story progression, rather than RPG aspects and expansive worlds. Despite not being as revolutionary as some fans anticipated, it offers an experience reminiscent of the original formula that won many hearts.

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name

Threaded In The Weave Without A Trace

It’s unusual for games originating from DLC to come out after their parent game, but in the case of Kazuma Kiryu and his story, it seemed like there was too much content before Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth was published. Instead, Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, which was developed alongside the main game, was released two months earlier than it.

In Japanese, the term “gaiden” generally means a tale or side-story. It’s often used, although it can lead to longer titles compared to their original versions. For example, the game “The Man Who Erased His Name” continues the story of Kiryu from “Yakuza 6: A Song of Life“, encompassing the events of “Like A Dragon” (Yakuza 7) and extending through Ichiban’s escapades in Yokohama and Honolulu as depicted in “Infinite Wealth“.

The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

Rebuilding The Land Of Hyrule, Physics Up

In the vast possibilities presented in Tears of the Kingdom, due to its impressive sandbox construction and physics engine, it would have been disappointing if the game didn’t offer more than mere post-game entertainment following the end of Breath of the Wild.

Although there are new heights and depths in Hyrule, it still seems quite familiar between the two games. However, Link’s Ultrahand, an expanded version of Magnesis in Breath of the Wild, offers a wealth of opportunities for problem-solving and experimentation through item fusion and construction. Essentially, Hyrule transforms into a stage for the player to showcase their lateral thinking and physics manipulation skills.

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2024-12-09 06:06