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Top 20 DLCs And Video Game Expansions Of All Time

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Gaming - April 9th 2025, 00:00 GMT+2

Bio Shock Infinite Burial at Sea — 20. BioShock – Burial at Sea 1 & 2 (2013–2014)

“Would you kindly” return to Rapture? Burial at Sea lets you do just that – and this time, it’s as noir as a detective’s trench coat soaked in moral ambiguity. This two-part DLC is like a love letter to fans of both BioShock and Infinite, fusing timelines, characters, and existential dread into one stylish, cerebral package. You get to see Elizabeth go full femme fatale and Booker channel his inner gumshoe, all while wandering the art-deco hallways of a Rapture that’s still shiny and intact (well, for now). It’s a multiverse-spanning, mind-bending farewell, like the developers were saying, “Here, have more questions and a deeper sense of dread.” Thanks, we love it. | © Irrational Games

X Com 2 War of The Chosen — 19. XCOM 2 – War of the Chosen (2017)

XCOM 2 was already the equivalent of juggling knives while being set on fire, but War of the Chosen looked at that and said, “Let’s add more knives.” This beast of an expansion doesn’t just add content – it redefines the entire game. New hero classes? Yup. Snarky, anime-tier bosses? You bet. A mysterious faction war and even more soldiers to lose sleep over when they get crit? Of course. War of the Chosen is XCOM going full Saturday morning cartoon meets tactical heartache, complete with propaganda posters and banter. It’s chaos, it’s glorious, and it might just be the best way to suffer through humanity’s last stand. | © Firaxis Games

Cropped Fallout New Vegas Lonesome Road — 18. Fallout: New Vegas – Lonesome Road (2011)

Ah, Lonesome Road – the final hurrah of Fallout: New Vegas and the narrative gut-punch we didn’t know we needed. This DLC trades the open-ended freedom of the Mojave Wasteland for a haunting, linear journey down the literal and metaphorical road less traveled. Here, you finally meet Ulysses, the enigmatic mailman with more philosophical baggage than your average college freshman. The whole thing feels like a nuclear fever dream dipped in melancholy, heavy themes, and a whole lot of missile silos. It’s grim, poetic, and somehow makes you feel guilty about decisions you made dozens of hours ago. Fallout really said, “Let’s end this on a soul-searching note.” | © Obsidian Entertainment

Cuphead The Delicious Last Course — 17. Cuphead – The Delicious Last Course (2022)

This one’s so sweet, it’ll rot your teeth and your sanity at the same time. The Delicious Last Course gives us more of that hand-drawn, soul-crushingly difficult goodness that made Cuphead an instant classic – and it throws in a new character, Ms. Chalice, for extra spice. The bosses are even more bonkers this time around (a sentient cow saloon? A giant chef with edible minions?), and the soundtrack slaps hard enough to knock your headphones off. It's a tasty encore that feels like the developers cackled maniacally while designing it, fully aware we’d ask for seconds despite the suffering. And yes, we do. | © Studio MDHR

God of War Ragnarök Valhalla — 16. God of War Ragnarök – Valhalla (2023)

Just when we thought Kratos had cried his last dad tear, Valhalla dropped like Mjölnir on our emotions. This roguelite-flavored epilogue doesn’t just revisit the Nine Realms – it peels back Kratos’ psyche like a very angsty onion. With each run through the ever-changing Valhalla, you uncover more layers of regret, redemption, and rage. It’s introspective. It’s bloody. It’s somehow both deeply philosophical and a power fantasy where you beat the metaphysical out of Norse myths. If Ragnarök was the grand finale, this is the poetic post-credits scene where Kratos finally meets... himself. | © Santa Monica Studio

Cropped The Last of Us Left Behind — 15. The Last of Us – Left Behind (2014)

Let’s be real – Left Behind didn’t come to play, it came to emotionally wreck us in under three hours. This prequel/side-story DLC peels back Ellie’s tough-as-nails exterior and shows us a vulnerable, tender slice of her past, complete with arcade machines, pun books, and that water gun fight. Oh, and heartbreak. Lots and lots of heartbreak. The DLC gracefully shifts between sweet, teenage rebellion and desperate survival, like flipping between pages in a diary that’s both joyful and tragic. It proves that sometimes the quietest stories are the most powerful – and Naughty Dog knew exactly how to hit us right in the chest cavity. | © Naughty Dog

Cropped Grand Theft Auto The Ballad of Gay Tony — 14. Grand Theft Auto IV – The Ballad of Gay Tony (2009)

This one’s like swapping your vodka soda for a bottle of Cristal and then BASE-jumping off a skyscraper for dessert. The Ballad of Gay Tony brought glitz, glam, and just enough chaos to inject some high-octane fun back into the gritty streets of Liberty City. You play as Luis Lopez, nightclub manager by night, action-movie star by... also night, let’s be honest. The missions are absurd in the best possible way – think exploding helicopters, underground fight clubs, and disco balls. Rockstar gave us a front-row seat to the nightlife empire, turned up the brightness, and reminded everyone that GTA can still party hard while packing a punch. | © Rockstar Games

Cropped Dragon Age Inquisition Trespasser — 13. Dragon Age: Inquisition – Trespasser (2015)

Trespasser isn’t just an expansion – it’s the dramatic mic drop that wraps up Inquisition and sets the stage for the next big thing in Thedas. Think of it as a class reunion where everyone’s wearing formal armor and might stab each other. This DLC is all about political intrigue, jaw-dropping revelations, and... unexpected absences (hi, Solas). It's witty, bittersweet, and full of those classic BioWare “Oh no, my choices have consequences” moments. Also: fancy suits. You get to wear a fancy suit. If the base game was your epic adventure, Trespasser is the final courtly waltz that might break your heart – and your world. | © BioWare

Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty — 12. Cyberpunk 2077 – Phantom Liberty (2023)

Cyberpunk pulled a comeback for the ages, and Phantom Liberty was its big, neon-streaked redemption arc. This DLC drops you into Dogtown, a shady district with even fewer laws than Night City (which is saying something), throws in Idris Elba as a spy with more secrets than your search history, and lets you flex your inner covert operative. It’s gritty. It’s polished. It’s everything people wanted from the original launch. The narrative’s a tight web of loyalty, betrayal, and cyber-shady dealings – and yes, it slaps. With slick mechanics and a killer soundtrack, Phantom Liberty said, “Hey choom, let’s do this right this time.” And it did. | © CD Projekt Red

Cropped Warcraft 3 The Frozen Throne — 11. Warcraft III – The Frozen Throne (2003)

Behold, the king of expansions (literally). The Frozen Throne is the blueprint for how to take a legendary RTS and make it even more iconic. It added new units, new campaigns, new factions – and, of course, it gave us Arthas’ final transformation into the Lich King. The vibes are immaculate: tragic hero arcs, undead power trips, Night Elf lore explosions... it’s a full-blown fantasy opera with swords and sorcery. Plus, it gifted the world the World Editor, aka the birthplace of DotA. Yeah, this one didn’t just expand a game – it expanded gaming history. | © Blizzard Entertainment

Cropped The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim Dragonborn — 10. Skyrim – Dragonborn (2012)

When Dragonborn landed, it was like Bethesda whispered, “What if we let players ride dragons?” and then just ran with it. Set on the eerie island of Solstheim (aka Morrowind nostalgia land), this expansion has you face off against Miraak, the first Dragonborn and your new magical frenemy. There’s Lovecraftian horror, Daedric book worlds, tentacle nightmares, and enough shouts to start your own medieval punk band. You get new gear, new abilities, and, oh right – dragon-riding. Sure, it’s slightly janky, but it’s Skyrim jank, and that’s basically part of the charm. | © Bethesda Game Studios

Cropped mass effect 3 citadel — 9. Mass Effect 3 – Citadel (2013)

Some DLCs offer action. Some offer emotion. Citadel offers Shepard in a tux at a party full of chaos, cheese, and tear-jerking fan service. This lovingly ridiculous expansion lets you hang out with the full Normandy crew for one last hurrah – complete with sushi restaurants, evil clones, and slow dancing with your space boo. It’s hilarious, self-aware, and packed with moments that feel like warm hugs from the dev team. For fans, this wasn’t just content – it was closure. Citadel said, “Let’s celebrate this insane journey with jokes, jabs, and genuine joy,” and honestly, we needed that. | © BioWare

Outer Wilds Echoes of the Eye — 8. Outer Wilds – Echoes of the Eye (2021)

If Outer Wilds was a cosmic mystery wrapped in a supernova, Echoes of the Eye is the eerie, existential cherry on top. This DLC somehow slides a whole secret civilization into a game about uncovering everything, without breaking the original design. It’s haunting, beautiful, and honestly a bit terrifying – complete with ghostly figures, interstellar puzzles, and one truly unforgettable lantern. The storytelling is so subtle and masterful, you’ll walk away pondering existence, memory, and whether you're being watched by something in the dark. It’s an expansion in the truest sense: expanding both the game and your brain. | © Mobius Digital

Cropped Oblivion Shivering Isles — 7. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – Shivering Isles (2007)

Remember when Oblivion dropped an expansion and said, “What if we made madness a vacation destination?” Welcome to the Shivering Isles, home of Sheogorath, the Daedric Prince of Cheese Wheels and Glorious Insanity. This DLC splits the world into Mania and Dementia, offers quests more twisted than a corkscrew in a blender, and somehow makes existential dread... fun? Whether you’re battling golden saints or trying to win a fashion war with sentient trees, Shivering Isles is a chaotic masterpiece. It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it proved Bethesda could go completely off the rails – and make it unforgettable. | © Bethesda Game Studios

Rer undead nightmare msn — 6. Red Dead Redemption – Undead Nightmare (2010)

Undead Nightmare asked, “What if cowboys... but zombies?” and Rockstar delivered. This alternate timeline expansion drops a full-blown horror movie into the dusty, sunbaked world of Red Dead Redemption, replacing outlaws with ghouls and turning your trusty steed into a literal horse of the apocalypse. The tone swings from eerie to hilarious without missing a beat – there are Sasquatches, mythical beasts, and even zombie bears if you're feeling brave (or foolish). Somehow it still manages to tell a surprisingly heartfelt story while letting you lasso the undead. It’s bold, bonkers, and brilliant. | © Rockstar Games

Cropped portal 2 — 5. Portal 2 – Cooperative Testing Initiative (2011)

Just when we thought Portal 2’s brain-melting puzzle madness couldn’t get more brilliant, Valve said, “Here, have some co-op,” and dropped the Cooperative Testing Initiative. Suddenly, it wasn’t just you and your portal gun – it was you and a friend, trying to not murder each other accidentally (or... purposefully). Playing as the lovable robo-duo Atlas and P-Body, this DLC introduced multiplayer puzzles that required trust, timing, and just the right amount of passive-aggressive sass. It’s clever, hilarious, and full of that classic Portal charm – plus, nothing bonds people like shared portal-based suffering. | © Valve Corporation

DARK SOULS III The Ringed City — 4. Dark Souls III – The Ringed City (2017)

The Ringed City is FromSoftware’s equivalent of a closing argument – only instead of words, it’s dragons, angels, and some of the hardest bosses in Soulsborne history. This DLC throws you into the apocalyptic end of the world (again), where time itself is folding in on itself like a really angry croissant. The lore is dense, the scenery is jaw-dropping, and the difficulty spike is basically a vertical cliff. But beneath the pain lies beauty – this is Dark Souls at its most poetic and punishing. And just when you think you’ve seen it all? Boom. Slave Knight Gael. Good luck. | © FromSoftware

The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt Blood and Wine — 3. The Witcher 3 – Blood and Wine (2016)

Calling Blood and Wine a “DLC” feels almost disrespectful – it’s basically a whole new Witcher game disguised as bonus content. Set in the lush, fairytale-adjacent land of Toussaint, this expansion gives Geralt a vineyard, a murder mystery, vampire drama, and more vibrant armor than a fantasy fashion week. The writing is sharp, the characters are delightful, and the quests? Chef’s kiss. It’s funny, tragic, and endlessly replayable. Oh, and did we mention the literal painted world you can explore? Yeah, Blood and Wine is like the world’s classiest goodbye letter to one of gaming’s best adventures. | © CD Projekt Red

Bloodborne the old hunters msn — 2. Bloodborne – The Old Hunters (2015)

The Old Hunters is pure nightmare fuel distilled into one glorious, grotesque fever dream. This expansion doesn’t just double down on Bloodborne’s cosmic horror – it dives headfirst into the abyss and drags you with it, kicking and screaming. The environments are twisted, the enemies are deformed art, and the bosses? Utter madness (hello, Ludwig). You uncover the sins of the hunters and the disturbing history of the Healing Church, all while trying to survive long enough to appreciate the haunting beauty of the nightmare. It’s brutal, it’s brilliant, and it’s FromSoft at their most unhinged and masterful. | © FromSoftware

ELDEN RING Shadow of the Erdtree — 1. Elden Ring – Shadow of the Erdtree (2024)

You thought Elden Ring was already an overwhelming masterpiece? Shadow of the Erdtree is here to say, “Hold my flask of Crimson Tears.” Even before release, the hype was nuclear – and it lived up to every bit of it. The DLC takes players beyond the Lands Between into a whole new myth-soaked realm filled with mystery, divine rot, and lore so thick you need a butter knife to cut through it. New weapons, new horrors, new heartbreaks – it’s everything you love (and fear) about Elden Ring, only cranked up to cosmic levels. FromSoftware once again proves that pain is pleasure, and we’re all hopeless Tarnished for it. | © FromSoftware

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Downloadable content (DLC) and game expansions have become a vital part of the gaming industry, transforming good games into unforgettable experiences. Whether it’s a rich narrative arc, fresh gameplay mechanics, or an avalanche of new content, the best DLCs don’t just add hours – they redefine the game itself. For this list, we’re ranking the top 20 best DLCs and video game expansions of all time – but with one important twist: to keep things fresh and fair, we’re limiting ourselves to just one DLC per franchise. From iconic RPG sagas to genre-defining multiplayer additions, these are the standout expansions that every gamer needs to experience at least once.

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Downloadable content (DLC) and game expansions have become a vital part of the gaming industry, transforming good games into unforgettable experiences. Whether it’s a rich narrative arc, fresh gameplay mechanics, or an avalanche of new content, the best DLCs don’t just add hours – they redefine the game itself. For this list, we’re ranking the top 20 best DLCs and video game expansions of all time – but with one important twist: to keep things fresh and fair, we’re limiting ourselves to just one DLC per franchise. From iconic RPG sagas to genre-defining multiplayer additions, these are the standout expansions that every gamer needs to experience at least once.