When a modern game is immediately beloved upon release, one thing constantly gets asked: when is the DLC dropping? In some cases, the DLC won't exactly live up to the hype or is so much worse than the base game itself.
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PostsOn the other hand, there are DLCs out there that make the game they're expanding upon that much more epic. These expansions will take the story of the game and elevate it further. They might new content, characters, weapons, locations, enemies, game mechanics, or more.
Updated May 15, 2025, by Mohamed El Ouardighi: Something's changed, and it's a good reason to take another look. Might be the right time to revisit the other DLCs too, especially with this new lineup kicking things off.
22 Final Transmission
The Callisto Protocol
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Survival Horror Systems Released December 2, 2022 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language Developer(s) Striking Distance Studios Publisher(s) Krafton Engine Unreal Engine 4WHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONOne DLC that's massively improved from the base game is the Final Transmission add-on for The Callisto Protocol. Many criticisms were addressed, such as the overuse of ventilation shafts to load new areas and melee combat.
Those vent shafts now have traps in them, keeping you on edge, and the game disincentives melee combat due to removing your melee weapon at one point.
Callisto is ten times more fun shooting your way through, so it's good the game nudges you in that direction. The enemy count is also upped significantly, especially at one point near the end, which is just awesome to play.
21 Cold Stream
Left 4 Dead 2
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Shooter Systems Released November 17, 2009 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language Developer(s) Valve Publisher(s) Valve Engine SourceWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALWhen you think about it, there are not a lot of games that put together old content from a previous installment into the current one. There are a few like Hitman, but the first big one for many was Left 4 Dead 2.
While The Sacrifice DLC added No Mercy, which was a sweet bonus, the Cold Stream add-on included nearly every map from the original.
Plus, you also get the new campaign, the titular Cold Stream, which is solid in its own right. This DLC sort of made the original game obsolete, as the added features make Left 4 Dead 2 the best way to play these old campaigns.
20 Phantom Liberty
Cyberpunk 2077
Like Follow FollowedCyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
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DIGITALThe only expansion for Cyberpunk 2077 was Phantom Liberty, and it adds significantly to the title. While Phantom Liberty explicitly only includes one main area to the game world, that being Dogtown, it adds so much on top of that.
You get a whole new gripping storyline with multiple endings, plus a new ending for the main game itself.
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PostsThe new quests, gigs, and abilities that primarily focus on stealth gameplay are all well done. Some of the quests here are the best in the entire game.
This DLC was simply important for Cyberpunk 2077 as a whole, resulting in many jumping back into the game after several years and seeing all the truckload of improvements that have been made.
19 Knife Of Dunwall And The Brigmore Witches
Dishonored
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Action Adventure Stealth Systems Released October 9, 2012 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language Developer(s) Arkane Studios Publisher(s) Bethesda Engine Unreal Engine 3WHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONDishonored is an incredible game where you can be a deadly assassin, or perhaps find less lethal ways of taking down your enemies. It had terrific, varied gameplay and a gripping storyline that concluded satisfyingly.
The Knife Of Dunwall has you playing as the very assassin that killed the Empress at the start of the main storyline: Daud. As Daud, you head off on a gripping redemption arc or a descent into darkness, depending on your choices. You'll also gain exciting new powers and weaponry that Corvo could not access.
Daud's story continues in The Brigmore Witches DLC as you encounter Delilah for the first time. She's a powerful witch that will inevitably become the twisted antagonist of Dishonored 2.
18 Broken Steel
Fallout 3
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Action RPG Systems Released October 28, 2008 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs Developer(s) Bethesda Game Studios Publisher(s) Bethesda Softworks Engine GamebryoWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONFallout 3 has become a classic post-apocalyptic RPG, but its ending was disappointing. Although the noble sacrifice was emotional, it did feel a little silly, especially if you had Fawkes with you, who could easily save the day without dying of radiation and keeping you from a pointless death.
After the main game's plot is finished, you are left wishing you could carry on with your adventure. Broken Steel allows you to bypass that sacrificial moment of the main storyline's ending and continue to aid the Brotherhood of Steel in their battle against the Enclave.
Alongside allowing you to carry on exploring the Wasteland post-game, you can now have a higher level cap of 30, new monsters to encounter, and exciting quests to complete, including getting to send the giant Liberty Prime out into combat once more.
17 War Of The Chosen
XCOM 2
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Strategy RPG Systems Released February 5, 2016 ESRB T For Teen due to Blood, Use of Tobacco, Violence Developer(s) Firaxis Games Publisher(s) 2K Games Engine Unreal Engine 3WHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONXCOM 2's War Of The Chosen DLC adds what feels like an entirely new game's worth of content to enjoy. If you loved the turn-based, alien-blasting thrills of the main game, then this incredible DLC gives you a chance to really put your skill to the test.
War Of The Chosen introduces a new set of enemies to face, known as The Chosen. They have been tasked with recapturing the Commander and will stop at nothing to achieve their goal. The enemies are even more unforgiving and deadly to face off against.
This DLC does not play as a follow-up storyline, as it will instead be woven into your next playthrough of the base game. The Chosen could show up at any moment and really mess with your plans, which adds a lot of tension to your playthrough.
16 Echoes Of The Eye
Outer Wilds
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Adventure Systems 10.0/10 Released May 28, 2019 ESRB E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Fantasy Violence, Alcohol Reference Developer(s) Mobius Digital Publisher(s) Annapurna InteractiveWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALJust when you thought you uncovered every mystery that the Outer Wilds had to offer, along comes Echoes Of The Eye with even more hidden details for you to search for. Although it naturally slips into the base game, and you can complete it at any time, it is recommended to try it after solving the central mystery of the Outer Wilds.
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PostsIf you're thinking about diving into Echoes of the Eye, your best bet is to go in blind. This is a self-contained journey that leans heavily into exploration and brain-teasing puzzles, much like the original game. But it doesn't just retread old ground. Instead, it introduces fresh mechanics and a chilling atmosphere that sets it apart.
Even with its eerie new tone, it ties seamlessly into the heart of Outer Wilds, shedding new light on its deeper themes. It’s a bold, unforgettable expansion that stands shoulder to shoulder with the main game. Turns out, the impossible can happen more than once.
15 2.0 Happy Home Paradise
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
The base game of Animal Crossing: New Horizons is already chock-full of amazing customization items, a cast of quirky anthropomorphic villagers, and plenty of activities to keep you busy for hundreds of hours.
Not content to rest on its laurels, Nintendo released the 2.0 update, which added new content to the base game, most notably, the Happy Home Paradise DLC. This DLC was a game-changer for New Horizons in that it provided a brand-new game experience and, in essence, a whole new game entirely.
This DLC allows you to build the most creative and beautiful, if sometimes odd, houses for the cast of villagers you have come to know and love.
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Like Follow FollowedAnimal Crossing: New Horizons
Simulation 5.0/5 9.0/10 Released March 20, 2020 ESRB E for Everyone: Comic Mischief Developer(s) Nintendo EPD Publisher(s) Nintendo Engine Havok Multiplayer Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer Cross-Platform Play noWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALThe long-running series of cozy social simulators comes to Nintendo Switch with Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Build and shape your ideal island paradise, then draw from a pool of over 400 villagers to create a community others can be envious of. With real-time events and plenty of content updates, your new life awaits.
Powered by Expand Collapse14 Freedom Cry
Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag
Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag is already an incredible and comprehensive open-world pirate game, even without the addition of the standalone DLC, Freedom Cry.
Fortunately, Freedom Cry delivers one of the series' most refined and top-notch narrative pieces while still providing the fun ship combat, exploration, and assassinations of Black Flag.
Freedom Cry stars one of Black Flag's best characters, Adéwalé, who, after an unfortunate turn of events against the Templars, finds himself shipwrecked in the Caribbean. It's now up to Adéwalé to track down these Templars while helping to rescue those in the Brotherhood of Assassins.
Apart from the excellent story beats and gameplay scenarios, the beautiful Caribbean location of Saint Domingue makes this standalone DLC stand far above its counterparts.
13 The Fate Of Atlantis
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Assassin's Creed Odyssey's The Fate of Atlantis DLC is arguably the best expansion pack in the entire series. This is the first time in the entire series that an Assassin's Creed game allowed you to fully interact with the Isu species, which is one of the highlights of this DLC.
The Fate of Atlantis also made the world of this game so much bigger than it already was. It provided a different vibrance and atmosphere, tying up a couple of loose ends brought upon by the base game.
