Greatest DLCs In Gaming That Walk The Hall Of Fame

There are some DLC experiences that are even better than the base game, while others just live up to the hype so well, you can’t help but feel that you’re playing a different title altogether. This piece is for all those add-ons in the gaming industry that just went out there and did it like nothing else, often coming in as a complement to something that’s already well-established in terms of quality. 

I wanted to dedicate a piece for video game DLCs that are just outright unbelievable in quality, and you’ve got all the reason in the world to experience them, at least once. And if you happen to be a fan of the base game, that’s even more incentive to go at these expansions. 

Incredible Quality Of DLCs That Take The Base Game To A Whole New Level

I’ll have to clear this up: The following entries are a personal take that reflect my experience playing these DLCs. If you have something else to add to the list, the comments section is the perfect place to spark a discussion. I’ll see you down there. 

1. God Of War Ragnarok: Valhalla

I have immense respect for Santa Monica Studio not just because of what it’s done with the God of War reboot, but also because of its admirable focus on fan service in the name of God of War Ragnarok: Valhall—a free DLC expansion for the base game that I would’ve been left very happy paying $19.99 for, because, yes, it’s that good.

It’s a love letter to fans of the franchise through and through, and if you own a PlayStation 5, don’t skip a beat in trying it out. eXputer rated Valhalla 5/5 in its review, with author Usama Mehmood praising its visuals, the improved gameplay, and the culmination of Kratos’ redemption as the people’s “champion,” giving him the perfect redemption story. 

2. Bloodborne: The Old Hunters

When I’m not protesting at the gates of FromSoftware HQ for a Bloodborne PC port, I’m playing The Old Hunters instead, which is something that I very much hope Elden Ring’s upcoming Shadow of the Erdtree expansion learns a few things from. In my opinion, this is arguably the best DLC ever made for a game, taking into account the sheer quality of it in the name of boss fights, world design, and atmosphere.

3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Blood And Wine

Let’s face it: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is already a fantastic game, and there’s a lot in the way of other RPGs surpassing it, but factor Blood and Wine too into the equation, and you’ve got your mind blown straight afterward.

While being home to one of the best side quests in gaming that you can ever take on, Blood and Wine brings forth a beautiful story to the table while living up to the same great standard of the base game. 

4. Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City

Grand Theft Auto 4, featuring Niko Bellic as the protagonist, has a cult following, with the stans claiming how it’s even better than the sequel, GTA 5. I can make sense of that sentiment to a certain extent, but if there’s one thing that those types of fans agree with too, it’s that the Episodes From Liberty City DLC, featuring both major expansions, is even better than the base GTA 4 experience, and that’s saying a lot. 

Offering over 40 hours of play time, both The Ballad of Gay Tony and Lost And Damned are highly enjoyable, with me personally finding the former more worth the time. 

5. Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty 

You can have your The Old Hunters and the Blood and Wines, but if there’s a DLC expansion out there that’s changed the face of the base game entirely and set it up for success, I doubt there’s a competitor to Phantom Liberty at the moment, arriving hand in hand with Cyberpunk 2077’s Update 2.0.

While CD Projekt Red’s RPG has only gone uphill from there, you can’t dismiss the fact that the Polish developer took it to the next level with Phantom Liberty, crafting the perfect expansion that feels like a brand-new game in its own right, with stellar atmosphere, refined gameplay, and a tantalizing storyline that keeps gamers on the edge of their seats.  

eXputer rated the expansion 4.5/5.0 in its review, with author Usama remarking. “CD Projekt Red has finally delivered the grand RPG they promised all those years ago.”

6. Ghost Of Tsushima: Iki Island 

Ghost of Tsushima is one of the best PlayStation games that one can play right now, coming with an expansion that’s on par in terms of quality and gratification as the base action-adventure, so you seriously don’t want to let this one slip under your gaze. It added a gust of fresh wind to the game itself, letting you don armor on your trusty steed and engage with the Mongols in a different way altogether.