10 DLCs That Are BETTER Than AAA Games
10 DLCs That Are Better Than AAA Games
Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we’re counting down our picks for the downloadable content that provided more fun and content than most modern titles in the gaming scene.
King of Cards “Shovel Knight” (2014)
The pixelated perfection of Shovel Knight cannot be understated, and while its main campaign is a joy, getting to play as three of the villainous members of the Order of No Quarter in their own side stories was the cherry on top. Plague of Shadows and Spectre of Torment certainly had their high points, but there’s just something about the fluidity of playing as King Knight as you bounce across levels, fully embracing the platformer aspect. Also, Joustus came pretty close to becoming the second coming of Gwent.
The Delicious Last Course “Cuphead” (1970)
We all remember the splendour of taking on this boss gauntlet, all painstakingly crafted to match the 1930s cartoon style that inspired it. Even the crazy difficulty didn’t dampen our spirits on account that the creativity on display was just so overwhelming, a trend that would continue with the release of its hotly anticipated DLC. Needless to say, it ticked every box. Bosses continued to ruin us with their abundance of phases, the inclusion of Ms Chalice added a new dynamic to gameplay, and the visuals were so beautiful to behold it likely had animation departments across the industry sweating.
Phantom Liberty “Cyberpunk 2077” (2020)
Cyberpunk’s launch may have been borderline disastrous, but its redemption tour led to one of the most kickass story experiences in all of sci-fi gaming. Swapping out corporate corruption for political thriller, though still with a crazy amount of gunplay, Phantom Liberty not only brought a dense and slick side-story that threw V into the grinder, but also a serious overhaul to the game’s core mechanics, fine tuning them to such an extent it felt like a brand new game – all for the better might we add. Phantom Liberty will not only go down as a great DLC in of itself but also a herald of Cyberpunk’s return to glory.
The Old Hunters “Bloodborne” (2015)
FromSoftware have a long and storied history when it comes to crafting exceptional DLC, and one of their most iconic and unforgiving is this bloodsoaked journey through the Hunter’s Nightmare. Some of the hardest bosses to ever grace the Souls genre can be found in this canopy of death, from Ludwig the Accursed to Lady Maria, and of course, the Orphan of Kos. And that’s to say nothing of the monstrous enemies you’ll be encountering along the way. We still live in the fear of the Shark Giants…
The Shivering Isles “The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion” (2006)
Skyrim may have indulged in its fair share of expansions, but for our buck there’s no beating the chaotic meanderings found in Sheogorath’s world. Whisked away to the domain of the Daedric Prince, players were granted a whole new region to explore, all with the goal of taking up the throne and becoming the new Madgod. For its time, the number of quests, collectibles and choices on offer was downright immense. Of course, the real highlight was getting to banter with Sheogorath himself and revel in how much of a captivating lunatic he is.
Left Behind “The Last of Us” (2013)
Not every piece of additional content needs to be balls to the wall and filled to the brim with bosses. Sometimes all you need is great characters and a nail-biting scenario, and few are sharper than Left Behind. Giving us additional context to Ellie’s past, we learn of the relationship she had with her best friend / love interest Riley, and how she was bitten by a Clicker, only to discover her immunity. The sombre finale only hits because the DLC dedicates so much of its time to showcasing the girls having fun amidst the apocalypse, with an abandoned mall serving as their playground. It may not be an essential piece of storytelling, but the overarching narrative is all the richer for its addition.
Citadel “Mass Effect 3” (2012)
It’s a testament to how endearing the crew of the Normandy have become when a sub-plot involving Shepard fighting against an evil clone is the least interesting aspect of this DLC. Set during shore leave before the final push against the Reapers, Citadel sees Shepard and his companions throw one last party, and it is incredible. Getting to play wing man for Garrus, watching Tali fail to hold her drink, the deepening of your chosen romance, the game even winks at the various memes that have sprung up over the course of the trilogy. It’s funny, wholesome and a love letter to fans of the Mass Effect series.
Shadow of the Erdtree “Elden Ring” (2022)
Whether you’re for or against a DLC being nominated for Game of the Year, it’s easy to understand why it was placed on such a perch to begin with. There are AAA games being released to this day that do not come close to the sheer amount and variety found in Shadow of the Erdtree. Not only are the number of new locations, weapons, armours and enemies staggering in scope, but the quality is unprecedented. Builds have never been more epic, the additions to the lore had long-term fans salivating, while the creativity and unrelenting challenge of its bosses are still being talked about to this day. Like we said, FromSoftware are the kings of DLC, and this is them firing on all cylinders.
Valhalla “God of War Ragnarök” (2022)
Usually, a mainstream game adopting an alternate genre never extends beyond being gimmicky. At most, maybe a fun distraction. This is doubly true in a saturated space such as roguelikes. So, for Valhalla to come along and blow apart the competition is nothing short of a Herculean achievement. It still boggles the mind that through the prism of a roguelite, not only did we get a highly addictive God of War experience with all the action we could want, but also some of the best character writing and performances in a video game, ever. Oh, did we mention this was all free?
Blood and Wine “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” (2013)
What the base game did for raising the bar in regard to open worlds, Blood and Wine did for expansions. Geralt’s hunt for the elusive vampire killing his way through the Dutchy of Toussaint is overflowing with Witcher goodness. Monsters to hunt, political intrigue to contend with, a bombardment of morally grey characters who live and die by your choices, and of course, plenty of opportunity for Geralt to get his freak on. It’s not only an exquisite gaming experience, but serves as the perfect conclusion for the White Wolf’s story. Raise a glass, because in this day and age, content like this is becoming all the rarer.
Which DLC do you think is top tier? Let us know in the comments!