Discovering a good newsingle-player gamecan be very much like finding a new home. Gamers know that with luck, they will be able to invest hundreds of hours of gameplay into a franchise and become emotionally attached to the environment and the characters they meet. Some single-player games are done and over within a single installment, but others are blessed by multiple expansion packs and DLC that extend the gameplay.
There have been many exceptional single-player games, but finding one that also has exceptionalexpansion packsis a little tougher. Sometimes the vanilla game is great, but the forthcoming DLC is somewhat lackluster. But there are expansions that in some cases, surpassed the vanilla game in excellence.
6Fallout 3: Broken Steel
Extending Fallout 3 Beyond The Main Storyline - Metascore: 82
Fallout 3: Broken Steelis the third expansion for the game. From a raw gameplay point of view, the main benefit of this DLC is that it increases the maximum level the player can achieve to 30, which is quite a boost over the level cap of 20 in the vanilla game. It also adds a number of new perks.
From a content point of view,Fallout 3: Broken Steeladds plenty. The ending of the main story arc in the vanilla game has been modified, and additional quests were added past the previous endpoint. And of course, no DLC would be complete with the usual addition of new weapons, enemies, and encounters. Overall, this expansion made this list for the fact that it extends the gameplay ofFallout 3in both quality and quantity.
5The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion: The Shivering Isles
Taking A Trip To The Realm Of Sheogorath - Metascore: 86
The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion: The Shivering Islesintroduces a new power to the game, in the form of Sheogorath, the Daedric Prince of Madness. The DLC takes the player on a warped journey through the realms of Dementia and Mania. As these names suggest, players need to be ready for a surreal experience and to face mind-bending puzzles.
The DLC adds another storyline toOblivion, with new locations, NPCs, and map areas to discover. Overall,The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion: The Shivering Islesis a greatexpansion for Oblivion, and adds over 30 hours of additional gameplay toOblivion, which is pretty much on par with the vanilla game playthrough time. It is because of the sheer amount of new content this DLC adds, that it earns a place on this list.
4XCOM 2: War Of The Chosen
Completely Revamping The Plot - Metascore: 88
Some expansions add additional content, some expansions upgrade graphics or add new items, but now and then, an expansion comes along that is truly transformational.XCOM 2: War Of The Chosenis such an expansion. The originalXCOM 2story arc is almost entirely replaced by a fantastic new adventure, seeing the player recruit allies from three new factions, the Skirmishers, Reapers, and Templars. These allies assistXCOMin taking down the three Chosen; hybrid human/alien champions of the invaders.
The three new factions also have a corresponding class, and the player will recruit one or more of each of these new classes as the game progresses. Sadly,War Of The Chosenwas the only major DLC forXCOM 2, and very likely the last. There are alsosome excellent modsfor this DLC. However, this DLC earns number 3 on the list, simply because it took a great game and made it something special. Fans of roleplaying games with turn-based combat can’t go wrong by giving this DLC a try.
3Dark Souls: Artorias Of The Abyss
Building On The Lore Of Dark Souls - Metascore: 89
TheDark Souls: Artorias Of The Abyssexpansion is now somewhat defunct. Seeing as the original version ofDark Soulsis no longer being sold, and this DLC is now baked into theDark Souls Remasterededition, which is the only edition currently available for sale. However, in its day when it was a full-blown DLC in its own right, it added a ton of new features and content to the vanilla game.
The new game content introducesKnight Artoriasand fills in some of the lore around his fight against the abyssal forces. Several new locations have been added, including the Chasm of the Abyss and Oolacile Township. And of course, new enemies are introduced, and new combat challenges are encountered. Overall, this was a solid addition to an already great game, and well worth its place on this list.
2Mass Effect 3: Citadel
A Lighthearted Addition To Mass Effect 3 - Metascore: 84
In many ways,Mass Effect 3: Citadelis something like taking a holiday fromMass Effect. Instead of flying off to save the galaxy as usual, Shepard and his crew enjoy some downtime at the Citadel. The Citadel itself is significantly extended, and Shepard will meet old friends, and uncover new dangers. Many of the new NPC encounters are somewhat comedic in nature, and will no doubt bring a smile to even the most jaded player’s face.
But of course, no DLC forMass Effect 3would be complete without more combat, missions, and generally heroic storylines. However, there is a slightly sad taint to this DLC, as the player will have to say goodbye to the characters that have been with them for the entire, epic,Mass Effectjourney. It earns a high place on this list for being such an excellent coda to one of the greatest sci-fi adventures enjoyed in a video game.
1Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
Signaling A Complete 180 For Cyberpunk 2077 - Metascore: 89
Considering how rocky the original launch ofCyberpunk 2077was, it seems a bit strange for the first expansion of the game to be taking the top spot on this list. However, the simple truth is, thatCyberpunk 2077today, is not the same game that launched in 2022. All of the game-breaking bugs have been fixed, and reviews have switched from mostly negative to overwhelmingly positive.
TheCyberpunk 2077:Phantom Libertyexpansion adds more adventure to Night City, with an all-new story arc and a great many new gigs and side quests. Set in a new area of the map named Dogtown, players can now level up to the new level 60 cap. This makes space for taking advantage of the new relic-based skill tree. And of course, there are plenty of new weapons for V to cause mayhem with. It gets number one on this list becauseCyberpunk 2077: Phantom Libertyshows what can be done when a company needs to turn a game around. It adds a veneer of polish to a game that had a rough start.
