In this article, we break down DLCs that are better than the original game, highlighting the top video game expansions that deliver richer worlds, stronger stories, and better gameplay.
Video games today are massive, expensive, and time consuming. Yet many times players think a game is complete, developers drop a DLC and suddenly the community wakes up shouting that the new content is actually superior. It is one of the most hilarious patterns in gaming. Players sometimes spend months complaining that the base game lacked depth or challenge, and then a DLC appears. Sometimes the DLC fixes everything, and sometimes it is just filler content adding nothing subsantial.
This is why here we shall talk about DLCs that actually delivered! DLCs that are better than the original game. These expansions often feel not just like the real version of the story the developers wanted to tell. But they refine the story, add character depth, upgrade the gameplay, or deliver the atmosphere the main campaign might not have achieved. If you go through the list, you will understand why many fans consider these best video game DLCs more memorable than the original experience. The list below highlights some of the top video game DLCs that not only expand the story but genuinely surpass the base games in quality and emotional impact.
Legacy of the First Blade – Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Legacy of the First Blade deserves recognition among the best video game DLCs because it adds exactly what many Odyssey players felt was missing. While the base game focuses on exploration, mythology and the cult of the Cosmos, it didn’t have anything that connected the story to the war between Assassins and Templars, which players were following for over a decade. This is why many players complained that Odyssey wasn’t a “true Assaassin’s Creed game”.
However, the Legacy of the First Blade DLC brings a tighter, more emotional storyline with clearer purpose. It gives the protagonist stronger character moments and finally captures the tone older Assassin’s Creed fans appreciate. It shows players how there were people fighting against the Order even long before the Hidden Ones were founded. This is one of the DLCs that are better than the original game because it delivers focused writing, meaningful antagonists, and a more grounded narrative that improves Odyssey as a whole.
The Frozen Wilds – Horizon Zero Dawn
Horizon Zero Dawn already had strong world building, but The Frozen Wilds is often praised as one of the best video game DLCs for elevating the entire experience. This expansion brings tougher machines, improved quest writing, and stunning frozen landscapes that feel handcrafted. The Frozen Wilds appears on this list because many fans of the game genuinely consider it one of the DLCs that are better than the original game. The snowy region demands strategy and precision, making the gameplay more exciting than the base content. Among the top video game DLCs, it stands out for delivering a world that is both beautiful and dangerous.
Jack the Ripper – Assassin’s Creed Syndicate
Jack the Ripper is easily one of the most stylish and atmospheric expansions in the Assassin’s Creed franchise. This DLC is still loved by many players because it has earned a reputation among the top video game DLCs in Assasin’s Creed franchise. It transforms Syndicate’s cheerful Victorian setting into a grim murder mystery filled with tension.
What makes this DLC stand out is the writing which is sharper and the tone darker, making Jack the Ripper one of those DLCs that feel genuinely more interesting than the original game, which many players feel had quite an average story. People remember Jack the Ripper DLC expansion far more vividly than Syndicate’s base story. It is one of the best video game DLCs because it commits to a mood and then manages to execute it well.
Valley of Memories – Assassin’s Creed Mirage
Valley of Memories is a surprisingly emotional addition to Assassin’s Creed Mirage. This DLC released very recently but it still belongs in the list of the top video game DLCs. Mirage was meant to be a return to stealth considering that Odyssey and Valhalla were massive bloated RPG games, but many players felt the main story ended without giving much depth to the story or characters.
Valley of Memories directly fixes this by adding a more tighter storyline with stronger emotional beats. It showed us that we don’t need massive open worlds and longer gameplay hours to provide a story that connects with players. It is one of the DLCs that are better than the original game because it shows us Basim’s emotions and inner conflict in a way the base campaign did not. Fans of Assassin’s Creed will consider it one of the best video game DLCs for time to come.
Blood and Wine – The Witcher 3
As expected, Blood and Wine should definitely appear on this list because almost everyone agrees it is among the greatest expansions in gaming history. It is without a doubt one of the definitive DLCs that are better than the original game. Toussaint is breathtaking, the characters are rich, and the villain, Dettlaff, is unforgettable. Plus the boss fight was tough and mind-blowing.
This DLC is also important to see the story of Geralt conclude properly as he heads into a life of semi-retirement. Many players claim that Blood and Wine alone is better than most full AAA games being released. The best thing is that even if you play the game without reading any of the books, the earlier games, or even the Witcher 3 base game, it will still connect with you. For Witcher fans, this game earns its place among the best video game DLCs because it feels like Geralt’s true final chapter. Plus, it introduces us to interesting characters such as Regis and Anna Henrietta.
In short, this expansion stands tall as one of the top video game DLCs ever made. For players who don’t want to play the Witcher 3 base game, can just play this DLC for an unforgettable experience.
Shadow of the Erdtree – Elden Ring
Shadow of the Erdtree appears on this list because it is now widely accepted as one of the best video game DLCs. Elden Ring already had an enormous world, and was appreciated by those who prefer tough combat. But Shadow of the Erdtree focuses on dense, handcrafted design that reminds players why some games from FromSoftware are unmatched. It is one of the DLCs that are better than the original game because of its challenging bosses, haunting environments, and deeper lore surrounding Miquella. Among the top video game DLCs, this one stands near the top for its ambition and brutality.
Phantom Liberty – Cyberpunk 2077
Phantom Liberty deserves the number one spot on our list of the top video game DLCs. Dogtown is tense, cinematic, and atmospheric. The story adds some of the strongest emotions and characters in the Cyberpunk universe, and its new ending is considered one of the most emotional one we have seen in the recent few years.
Phantom Liberty is one of the clearest examples of DLCs that are better than the original game. It surpasses the base game in writing, pacing, stakes, and emotional impact. This is why many players consider it one of the absolute best video game DLCs today.
Unlike most DLCs, Phantom Liberty took over 2.5 years to release after the base game. This means that CDPR took their time to ensure that they give us a smooth and unforgettable experience! Whether you are into science fiction or not, Cyberpunk 2077 is definitely a game you should consider trying once!
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