The latest generations of video games have cleared the concept of "downloadable content"Making those three letters that are now a constant in the gaming world loved but at the same time feared and hated: DLC, three letters that stand for downloadable content. Over the last few years, the so-called expansions have become a real tax to pay if you wanted to fully experience a certain game, just think of the "true endings"of Prince of Persia from 2008 o Asura's Wrath sold separately from the base title in the form of its own DLC. Downloadable content is often denigrated by the general public, who prefer to direct their savings to something else. But is it always like this? Are DLCs really an absolute evil that must be avoided at all costs? Today we are here to answer this question by briefly analyzing what they are, according to our point of view, the best DLCs available on the market and for which it is actually worth making an economic investment.
Obviously from here on you could run into some SPOILERS inherent to the securities dealt with.
Mass Effect 3: Citadel
After the ending of Mass Effect 3, which has left most of the players quite disappointed by its various gray areas, some people have started an online campaign asking the developers to modify the last hours of the game. In addition to the free DLC (i.e. theExtended Cut) which actually changed, albeit minimally, the game's ending, was later released Citadel, which can be considered the real developer response to fan complaints as it gives players the chance to end the story in a much more satisfying way. The best part of this DLC is the interactions with our teammates, allowing one last encounter with the characters we have come to love before facing the Reapers. This kind of emotion is absolutely necessary for a series like Mass Effect, and this kind of DLC has undoubtedly greatly improved the third act of the original title.
The Last of Us: Left Behind
Left Behind is a real prequel to The Last of Us, the acclaimed post-apocalyptic game by N of 2013. This DLC focuses on Ellie and her friend Riley as they sneak into an abandoned mall (such events will intersect with some set during the events of The Last of Us). The two, after an initial moment of joy and tranquility, will be called to a desperate escape from the Infected. Of course we know that Ellie will survive, as she is one of the protagonists of the main game, but nevertheless this peek into her past highlights many traits of the young woman's character and shows us how she was bitten. Left Behind narratively expands one of the greatest games of the last decade in an admirable way. Here you can find our review dedicated to the aforementioned DLC.
The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine
While most DLCs just add a few characters and a handful of hours of gameplay, Blood and Wine (here you can find our review) it is like a game in its own right. The amount of content available here is incredible, and it's even more remarkable that it was released after the equally excellent DLC Hearts of Stone. Blood and Wine brings Geralt in the land of Toussaint, a new gigantic open world area that can be freely explored. It also contains a large amount of engaging missions and an incredible number of dialogues and interactions with various characters. Blood and Wine added the beauty of 20 hours about with excellent content, while also giving Geralt's character an incredibly satisfying greeting. One of the few DLCs that turns out to be a bargain at any price you buy it.
Bloodborne: The Old Hunters
How long Bloodborne is one of the best soulslike born from FromSoftware, it must be admitted that the title does not have the same amount of content as in the series of Dark Souls. The Old Hunters, in that sense, it does a great job expanding the original title by adding new explorable zones, new bosses and new weapons. In addition to expanding the story of the main game, allowing players to discover more secrets related to the mysterious city of Yharnam, the new bosses introduced are undoubtedly some of the most difficult and fun the series has ever had. Like all good expansions, The Old Hunters has kept what fans of the original game liked while adding various elements that have significantly improved the experience. If you want to know more about our expansion in question, we refer you to our review.
Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare
The great thing about Undead Nightmare is that, unlike other DLCs on this list, in its crazy change of theme compared to the base plot of Red Dead Redemption can get around and become an unprecedented genius. The end result is in fact a hilarious expansion that allows the player to transform John Martson from a simple Old West gunslinger to an undead killer. Set before Marston's death, Undead Nightmare introduces a host of new weapons to defeat the hordes of zombies, including holy water and an arquebus. An idea that could have turned out to be a colossal fiasco but which, thanks to the mastery of Rockstar, has turned into one of the most amazing DLCs ever.
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne
A true expansion monster, Monster Hunter World: Iceborne adds an incredible amount of new monsters, places to explore, equipment and more to an already incredible game. This expansion is so big that it can be considered a real sequel, although in some cases it recycles some creatures already seen in the base title. Iceborne is exciting and makes for all intents and purposes Monster Hunter World one of the best games of this generation.
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos - The Frozen Throne
What marked the end of Warcraft how a series of real-time strategy also represented a turning point for the beloved franchise Blizzard. The Frozen Throne has in fact helped flesh out the world of Warcraft by balancing and improving much of the gameplay, thus setting the stage for an entirely new genre in the Warcraft series. With The Frozen Throne, Blizzard has once again demonstrated that it is capable of creating an expansion as rich as the main title,
Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned
The Lost and Damned it is an exciting and expansive experience that is undoubtedly worth its price. Although it does not bring particular drastic changes to the basic play structure of Grand Theft Auto IV, the DLC still offers a new story to enjoy with a new protagonist, while maintaining the high level of quality of the original title and setting a new standard for downloadable content that would come later. The Lost and Damned is arguably one of the best expansions on the market.
BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea
The expansion split into two episodes of Bioshock Infinite, or Burial at Sea, bring players back to Rapture, the iconic setting of the first two titles of Bioshock. The characters are seen in a new light, with Booker as a private detective and Elizabeth as a femme fatale. This has not only attracted the players of Bioshock Infinite, but also the fans of the first two titles of the trilogy. Fans of the early games got to see what Rapture was like before its fall, as well as link those events back to the first Bioshock and Infinite. The expansion also works as a great finale to the series, closing the circle perfectly.
Batman Arkham City: Harley Quinn's Revenge
Arkham City was the perfect follow-up to Arkham Asylum. Bigger, full of characters, extra things to do, and surprisingly emotional. The product in fact presents one of the best endings of any game dedicated entirely to a superhero (and not only), where we can witness the death of Joker. After such a satisfying and impactful conclusion, doubts regarding a DLC based on the post Arkham City events were legitimate, but the development team managed to silence the skeptics. In the role of Robin we'll have to deal with Harley Quinn who, after the death of her beloved Joker, contemplates revenge. Having longed for more Harley appearances in Arkham City, fans of the games of Batman they were undoubtedly satisfied.
