Summary
Sometimes there’s so much talk about the best games a platform has released that the best DLC get overlooked. Some have argued that the best software of recent gaming generations came not from the initial titles, but from their downloadable content.
These DLCs focus on releases that were primarily exclusives forPlayStationconsoles, even if some of them eventually made their way to PC or other platforms. What they all have in common is that they took their respective games to the next level, sometimes even by adding content that surpassed what was originally released.
When the highly anticipated remake of Final Fantasy 7 was announced, fans weren’t ready for it to be separated into two major releases. It came as an even bigger surprise when it was revealed that the Intergrade DLC expansion would be on the way for both PC and PS5. It offered improved visuals and performance over the PS4 original, but the Episode Intermission pack is the real icing on this cake.
Episode Intermission is an all-new story focused on ninja Yuffie. As the name implies, it is an intermission between the two halves of the Final Fantasy 7 reimagining, Remake and Rebirth. It’s a meaty and interesting twist of a tale that helps complements the two main games, giving fans far more than they asked for.
Ghost of Tsushima offered a great, unique combat engine for people who were looking to experience sword fighting in a new way. This, paired with its gorgeous open world made it one of the biggest hits as far as recent new IPs are concerned. But the game could feel a little on the easy side near the end once you acquire most or all available abilities. This is where Iki Island comes into play.
Based off a real location in Japan, Iki Island is a large territory to explore. It was deliberately designed to be considerably more difficult than the base game, so like many other DLCs, it is treated as endgame content. Players who best its challenges will be rewarded with some of the most satisfying situations the entire game has to offer.
Fans of roguelikes were happy to see a triple-A entry in this beloved genre, one that is almost exclusively occupied by indie games. Returnal showed that this highly difficult yet addicting style of gameplay can work with a high budget, but it was a bit on the short side. That’s why fans were happy with the release of the Ascension DLC - everyone was just waiting for a reason to re-enter the world of Atropos.
Ascension has Selene Valos exploring the ominous Tower of Sisphyus. Likeanother major rougelike influenced by ancient Greek mythology, many people quickly caught onto the reference. The Tower will send you back to the bottom, cursed to push the boulder back up again and again, so to speak. For many people, this DLC marked the peak of Returnal’s difficulty loop and combat.
5Little Big Planet 3 (Level Kit Packs)
The Little Big Planet games might actually be better known for their expansions and costume packs than for the base games themselves. That’s not to say the vanilla versions don’t have anything going for them, but all three titles are bursting to the brim with dozens of DLC packs. Little Big Planet 3 delivers the most on this front.
The level kits are where the DLC for this game truly shines. Journey Home, the Spongebob Squarepants pack and the DC Comics pack all add tons of new content, especially new things to create.
Marvel’s Spider-Man
If you want a DLC pack that’s a major bang for your buck, you simply cannot go wrong with Spider-Man’s The City That Never Sleeps. This is a trilogy of expansions that all build upon each other, especially when it comes to offeringthe best storytellingthe franchise has offered yet.
This pack includes The Heist, Turf Wars and Silver Lining. This DLC pack not only sends off Peter Parker on an even better sendoff than the base game, but this expansion was also dedicated to Stan Lee, as it was released just weeks after his passing. That makes this DLC an especially important token for comic book fans.
The Last of Us
WHERE TO PLAY
In Naughty Dog’s award-winning hit The Last Of Us, grizzled smuggler Joel must escort the mysterious teenager Ellie across a devastated United States to safety.
Left Behind is a fantastic proof that great things often come in small packages. Though it’s only two hours long, Left Behind does a phenomenal job of outlining Ellie’s backstory, one that was foreshadowed in the base game’s final cutscene.
Taking place both right before the Winter portion of the main game and through flashbacks of Ellie and her best friend Riley, Left Behind puts players back in full control of one of gaming’s most iconic rambunctious teenagers. It’s both emotional and full of suspense - just like the base game.
When God of War entered the realm of Norse mythology, it was only fitting that this era of the franchise would end in Valhalla, perhaps the most famous domain of all Scandinavian lore. After receiving a strange and mysterious invitation, Kratos ventures to this holy place along with Mimir to find out just what exactly is being planned.
Valhalla was designed to be an epilogue to the base game, making its story just as mandatory and significant as anything else the series has produced thus far. The fact that Santa Monica Studio decided to release this fantastic expansion entirely for free for both PS4 and PS5 owners is just another reason why it’s one of the best DLCs ever made.
It should come as no surprise that the game most commonly cited as the single best PS4 exclusive also has the best DLC for the platform as well. Though Bloodborne launched to major acclaim initially, it did feel a bit rushed at times with lack of certain content. The Old Hunters changed that entirely.
This DLC adds an all new area that is loaded with the best weaponry, enemies, environments and bosses that the game has to offer. It also hasthe most difficult bosses in the game, so it’s extremely important to treat The Old Hunters as seriously as possible, and not just for it’s incredibly high quality.
