Open-world games already hook us with their sprawling landscapes and endless adventures, but a killer DLC can take them to a whole new level. These expansions breathe fresh life into beloved titles, adding new stories, regions, and gameplay twists that make exploring feel just as thrilling as the first time. From zombie-infested frontiers to mythical realms, the best DLCs don’t just tack on extras—they transform the experience, keeping players glued to their screens for countless more hours. Here’s our ranking of the top open-world games made even better by their standout DLCs.
1. Fallout: New Vegas
DLC(s): Dead Money, Honest Hearts, Old World Blues, Lonesome Road
Fallout: New Vegas is a legendary RPG with a rich, branching story and memorable characters that still hold up. Its four DLCs take it to another level, each offering unique settings and narratives. Dead Money traps you in the Sierra Madre casino, a tense survival heist with a haunting atmosphere. Honest Hearts explores Zion National Park, blending tribal conflicts with moral choices. Old World Blues is a fan favorite for its wacky humor, letting you explore a sci-fi research facility filled with bizarre robots and quirky dialogue. Lonesome Road, while more linear, wraps up the Courier’s story with the enigmatic Ulysses, delivering a cinematic showdown. These DLCs add hours of content and make an already stellar game even more unforgettable.
2. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
DLC(s): Hearts Of Stone, Blood & Wine
The Witcher 3 is a masterpiece of storytelling and open-world design, and its DLCs are so good that Blood & Wine won RPG of the Year. Hearts of Stone introduces Gaunter O’Dimm, a mysterious and chilling character, weaving a tight, emotionally gripping tale of deals and consequences that some argue outshines the main game. Blood & Wine, meanwhile, transports you to the vibrant, fairy-tale land of Toussaint, inspired by medieval France. Its colorful landscapes, new monsters, and deep side quests make it feel like a whole new game, complete with unique systems like vineyard management. Both expansions add dozens of hours of content, making Geralt’s journey even richer.
3. Grand Theft Auto 4
DLC(s): The Lost And The Damned, The Ballad Of Gay Tony
Grand Theft Auto 4 is a gritty crime epic with a compelling story centered on Niko Bellic, and its DLCs expand Liberty City in bold ways. The Lost and the Damned puts you in the boots of Johnny Klebitz, a biker navigating a crumbling gang amidst betrayals and intense shootouts. Its darker tone and focus on brotherhood add depth to the GTA universe. The Ballad of Gay Tony, however, cranks up the chaos with Luis Lopez, a nightclub insider. Its over-the-top missions, like skydiving heists, and the charismatic Gay Tony himself make it a fan favorite, even earning him a cameo in GTA Online. Both DLCs bring fresh perspectives and wild gameplay to an already iconic game.
4. Elden Ring
DLC(s): Shadow Of The Erdtree
Elden Ring’s open world is a masterpiece of exploration and combat, but some players craved a tougher challenge. Shadow of the Erdtree delivers that and more, introducing the Land of Shadow, a dense new region packed with lore and brutal enemies. The difficulty is punishing—think hair-pulling boss fights—until you collect Scadutree Fragments, which level the playing field. FromSoftware’s signature world-building shines, with haunting landscapes and intricate dungeons. The DLC expands the story with new characters like Miquella, offering fresh narrative threads tied to the base game’s mythology. It’s a grueling but rewarding addition for fans who love a challenge.
5. The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
DLC(s): Dawnguard, Dragonborn
Skyrim is a timeless RPG where you can be anyone, from a dragon-slaying hero to a sneaky thief, and its DLCs make its massive world even bigger. Dawnguard dives into a vampire-versus-hunter conflict, letting you choose to become a bloodthirsty vampire lord or a crossbow-wielding hunter. Its new quests and gothic castles add a dark flair to Tamriel. Dragonborn takes you to Solstheim, a rugged island with ash-covered landscapes and Nordic ruins. Facing Miraak, the first Dragonborn, feels epic, and the DLC’s deep lore and new shouts keep you hooked. Both expansions add hours of adventure, making Skyrim’s already endless replayability even more addictive.
6. The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion
DLC(s): Shivering Isles
Oblivion remains a beloved classic, with its remaster proving its lasting appeal. Shivering Isles is Bethesda’s finest DLC, taking you to the bizarre realm of Sheogorath, the Daedric Prince of Madness. Unlike the base game, where you’re often a bystander in the main plot, this expansion makes you a key player, helping a doomed deity and potentially taking their throne. The split world of Mania and Dementia, with its vivid colors and twisted creatures, feels like a fever dream. Packed with unique quests and memorable characters, Shivering Isles adds a wild, creative chapter to Oblivion’s legacy.
7. Cyberpunk 2077
DLC(s): Phantom Liberty
Cyberpunk 2077 stumbled hard at launch with bugs and broken promises, but CD Projekt Red’s dedication turned it around. Patches polished the game into a neon-soaked masterpiece, and Phantom Liberty is the icing on the cake. Set in Dogtown, a lawless district, it stars Idris Elba as a charismatic agent. The DLC adds a thrilling spy story, new endings, and overhauled mechanics like revamped skill trees. Its writing is top-tier, blending emotional depth with high-stakes action. Phantom Liberty transforms Cyberpunk into the immersive RPG fans always hoped for.
8. Red Dead Redemption
DLC(s): Undead Nightmare
Red Dead Redemption is a gripping Western tale, and Undead Nightmare flips it into something totally unexpected. Zombies invade the frontier, and John Marston’s quest to survive this apocalypse is both thrilling and bizarre. Rockstar could’ve half-assed it, but they leaned in, crafting a standalone story with eerie vibes, new weapons, and creepy creatures like undead bears. From saving towns to unraveling the outbreak’s mystery, it’s a fresh take on a familiar world that fans can’t get enough of.
9. Outer Wilds
DLC(s): Echoes Of The Eye
Outer Wilds is a one-of-a-kind space exploration game, and creating a DLC that lives up to its magic is no small feat. Echoes of the Eye pulls it off, adding a mysterious new area with a focus on stealth and horror that might catch some players off guard. Its puzzles are clever, encouraging you to piece things together through exploration, just like the base game. The DLC’s haunting new locations and cryptic story expand the universe’s lore, making every discovery feel rewarding. It’s a masterclass in matching the original’s quality while adding something fresh.
10. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
DLC(s): Legacy of the First Blade, The Fate of Atlantis
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is a sprawling Greek epic, and its DLCs expand its world with new stories and settings. Legacy of the First Blade follows your hero (Kassandra or Alexios) as they cross paths with the first wielder of the iconic hidden blade, diving into the Assassin Brotherhood’s origins. It adds emotional family-driven quests and new combat abilities. The Fate of Atlantis, though, is the real standout, taking you to mythical realms like Elysium and the Underworld. These vibrant, otherworldly areas come with godly powers and epic battles against legendary creatures. Both DLCs add hours of content, blending history and mythology to keep you exploring ancient Greece.
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