The time players spend in their favorite video game worlds can be therapeutic or even magical. In recent years, some gaming experiences are so immersive that it becomes hard to put them down, even after essentially all the content has already been exhausted. This is where downloadable content comes in, giving players additional elements for their favorite games at a fraction of the price.
In some cases, games that are initially received negatively are made substantially better with the addition of DLC, as was the case with Pokémon Sword and Shield. In other cases, games that are already beloved and heralded as masterpieces by the gaming community are ascended to even greater heights, with DLC that adds new characters, locations, and content for players to enjoy.
10 Dive Deeper Into Ellie's Story
Last Of Us: "Left Behind"
2013's The Last Of Us quickly became one of the most beloved apocalypse-themed games, centered around the bond between Joel and Ellie. While Ellie has always been a compelling character, the "Left Behind" DLC gave fans a chance to personally relive her past before she learns of her infection immunity.
Not only is Ellie given more depth, but her heart-wrenching relationship with Firefly and fellow survivor Riley left an impression on fans. While much of the DLC is grim, it's mixed with playful scenes that show Ellie and Riley acting as the kids they are, having a water-gun fight and taking photo booth pictures together.
9 One Of Borderlands 2's DLC Was Made Into A Standalone Title
Borderlands 2: "Tiny Tina's Assault On Dragon Keep"
Borderlands 2 is still known as the best mainline title in the franchise. The base game is phenomenal, but it's the wealth of DLC released for Borderlands 2 that elevates it to a new level. There are almost fifty pieces of DLC available, with a good portion of them adding additional levels, weapons, and story content.
The standout among Borderlands 2's DLC is "Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep", a Dungeons & Dragons-themed campaign run by Tiny Tina herself. This DLC is so popular and well-made that it not only spawned an entire standalone game, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, but Assault on Dragon Keep was updated and re-released as a standalone title.
8 Bioshock Infinite Masterfully Nods Back To The Series' Previous Titles
Bioshock Infinite: "Burial At Sea"
What makes the two-episode "Burial at Sea" DLC for Bioshock Infinite so beloved is how well it combines Infinite's characters and the setting of the previous games. Players get taken back to Rapture, the setting from the first two Bioshock games as Booker takes on the role of a private detective, hired by femme fatale Elizabeth.
What makes "Burial at Sea" so captivating is how it allows players to explore Rapture before its downfall, prior to the beginning of the first Bioshock game. Though the first episode received criticism due to its length, the second tied everything together nicely.
7 The Witcher 3's DLC Adds Dozens Of Hours Of Gameplay
The Witcher 3: "Hearts of Stone" And "Blood and Wine"
Even without its DLC, The Witcher 3 is a game worth experiencing at least once. Its expansive, beautiful world is only made better by its two DLCS, titled "Hearts of Stone" and "Blood and Wine." Combined, these two DLCs provide players with upwards of thirty hours of additional content.
"Hearts of Stone" focuses more on relationships between characters and player choice, whereas "Blood and Wine" neatly wraps up The Witcher 3's overall story. Both expansions are worth playing for anyone who wants more of Geralt's character, or the game's gorgeous world.
6 Take On A Different Role With Dishonored's DLC
Dishonored: "The Knife of Dunwall" And "The Brigmore Witches"
Dishonored's DLC is essentially more of the same gameplay that fans love through the eyes of a different character. In both "The Knife of Dunwall" and "The Brigmore Witches," players take on the role of Daud, who sets out searching for redemption after having killed the Empress.
Both of these Dishonored DLCs are on the shorter side, each only including a few new missions, but they're also only $5. The low price point, combined with being able to play a different character complete with their own unique arsenal, won over many fans despite their length.
5 Fallout 3's DLCs Make It Feel Like An Entirely Different Game
Fallout 3: "Broken Steel" And "Mothership Zeta"
Some DLC not only expands on a game's existing story, but can make it feel like a different game altogether, as is the case with Fallout 3. The "Broken Steel" DLC enables players to continue playing Fallout 3 after the credits roll and raises the level cap from twenty to thirty.
The fifth and final DLC for Fallout 3, "Mothership Zeta," takes place entirely on an alien spaceship that's orbiting around Earth. This DLC features player exploration and non-linear progression, and feels entirely different from anything else present in Fallout 3.
4 Red Dead Redemption Brings Zombies To The Old West
Red Dead Redemption: "Undead Nightmare"
Red Dead Redemption is known for its authentic Western feel, which makes the "Undead Nightmare" DLC stand out even more with the inclusion of zombies. Taking on the role of the game's protagonist in an alternate universe, John Marston sets out to find a cure for the outbreak that infected his family.
Red Dead Redemption's "Undead Nightmare" DLC includes much more than just a new single-player campaign, giving players access to new challenges, events, and new multiplayer characters. Other DLC, like the "Outlaws to the End" and "Liars and Cheats" packs include new weapons and hideouts.
3 Spend Another Day With Grim Dawn
Grim Dawn: "Ashes of Malmouth"
Grim Dawn's story is continued with the expansive "Ashes of Malmouth" DLC, which adds over twenty hours of content for those eager to jump back into its world. The level cap is raised to 100, and two new Masteries are added, which are Grim Dawn's version of character classes.
Grim Dawn's "Ashes of Malmouth" adds a plethora of new items, as well as two new acts of story content. There's even a rogue-like dungeon for players to explore once they've completed the wealth of content this DLC offers, adding an extra level of replayability.
2 Dragon Age: Origins DLC Is An All-New Adventure
Dragon Age: Origins: "Awakening"
Some DLC adds so much new content that fans feel it can work as a standalone title, as is the case with the "Awakening" DLC for Dragon Age Origins. Adding upwards of two dozen hours of additional content, "Awakening" features a brand-new story with an entirely new cast of colorful characters.
The gameplay and plot feel incredibly reminiscent of the base game, but "Awakening's" other additions, such as all-new characters with rich lore for players to discover, makes it well worth playing. The enemies players fight against are more fleshed-out as well, and "Awakening" will have players questioning their own morality through some choices they'll have to make.
1 Civilization IV's DLC Builds On The Game's Rock-Solid Foundation
Civilization IV: "Beyond The Sword Builds Upon"
"Beyond the Sword" is the second expansion pack for Civilization IV, which adds eleven new scenarios for players to go through. Not only that, but there are ten new entire Civilizations, sixteen new Civilization Leaders, and a ton of new buildings and technologies to mess around with.
This Civilization IV DLC takes things a step further, adding a new Corpoations system, and allowing Espionage to be done earlier in the game. The AI even gets an upgrade with "Beyond the Sword," adding new ways for them to swipe victory away from players, providing more competitive play.