25 Best Post-Launch DLC Expansions Ever

Great expansions do more than add a few extra missions. They open new regions, build out systems, and deliver fully formed stories that stand on their own. This list gathers the most impactful post launch add ons across genres, from sweeping RPG chapters to razor sharp action epilogues. Each entry highlights what the expansion contributed, from locations and mechanics to quests and quality of life features. No filler here, just standout DLC that pushed its base game further.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The ‘Blood and Wine’ expansion adds the new region of Toussaint with its own main questline, contracts, and side quests. It introduces a customizable vineyard home base for Geralt and new mutations that expand character builds. The update brings a fresh monster roster and unique boss encounters tied to fairy tale inspired stories. It also refines gear progression with grandmaster witcher sets and a higher level cap.

Red Dead Redemption

‘Undead Nightmare’ delivers a separate campaign where frontier towns face a zombie outbreak. It adds mythical creatures like the Four Horses of the Apocalypse and new weapons including the blunderbuss that uses zombie parts as ammo. Free Roam gains co op challenges and extra ambient events tied to the infestation. The expansion can be launched independently from the base game for quick access.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

‘Shivering Isles’ opens the realm of Sheogorath with two distinct zones called Mania and Dementia. It offers a full questline with branching decisions that reshape the isles and their factions. Players craft powerful equipment through the Reforming of the Staff and unique armor sets from amber and madness ore. New creatures, ingredients, and dungeons support extended exploration and alchemy.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

‘Dragonborn’ takes players to Solstheim where the first Dragonborn, Miraak, drives the main story. It brings back stalhrim crafting and Nordic gear along with the ability to ride dragons. The expansion expands shouts, introduces new spells from the Black Books, and adds the Skaal village and Raven Rock to explore. Building and customizing a house on Solstheim complements the survival friendly environment.

Fallout: New Vegas

‘Old World Blues’ relocates the Courier to Big MT for a science fiction mystery led by eccentric robot scientists. It provides new perk choices tied to quirky challenges and powerful energy weapons. The Sink base offers upgradeable utilities like an auto doc and a talking toaster with item functions. Environmental hazards, stealth suit chatter, and unique enemies make the sandbox replayable.

Fallout 4

‘Far Harbor’ adds the largest landmass in the game with an island fog system that affects visibility and combat. Its main questline intersects with the Children of Atom and local synth plotlines that branch by player choice. The expansion introduces harpoon guns, radium weapons, and marine armor sets suited to coastal firefights. Settlement builders get new coastal pieces and decorative items to expand crafting options.

BioShock 2

‘Minerva’s Den’ delivers a self contained story centered on Rapture Central Computing and the thinker prototype. It introduces the ion laser and gravity well plasmid that reshape combat and puzzle design. Level layouts encourage hacking and trap setups with dense enemy routes and turret placements. The expansion also adds research upgrades and blueprints that reward thorough exploration.

Horizon Zero Dawn

‘The Frozen Wilds’ opens the Cut with harsher weather, new machines like the Scorcher, and high level encounters. It brings the Traveler skill additions and new weapons from the Banuk like improved bows and elemental ammo. The expansion enhances crafting with bluegleam currency for top tier gear. Side quests deepen Banuk culture while new challenge sites push endgame builds.

Final Fantasy XIV

‘Shadowbringers’ reworks jobs, adds the Trust system for AI party members, and pushes the level cap upward. New regions on the First include Norvrandt zones, with role quests replacing some class questlines. Two new jobs arrive alongside dungeons and trials that support the expansion storyline. System changes streamline abilities and improve accessibility for returning players.

Monster Hunter: World

‘Iceborne’ moves the hunt to Hoarfrost Reach and raises the master rank tier for all monsters. The clutch claw mechanic adds targeted weak point control and flinch shots that alter combat flow. Returning fan favorites join new flagship monsters, expanding gear trees and set bonuses. Post launch updates within the expansion cycle add layered armor, events, and variant hunts.

Destiny 2

‘The Witch Queen’ introduces weapon crafting through the Enclave and reshapes buildcrafting with new perk patterns. The Legendary campaign delivers difficulty scaling and better rewards for solo or fireteam runs. A redesigned Void subclass launches with fragments and aspects that tie into seasonal mods. The expansion also updates raid and world loot rotations to support long term progression.

XCOM 2

‘War of the Chosen’ adds three recurring nemesis enemies that evolve based on player tactics. It introduces resistance factions with unique soldiers such as Reapers, Skirmishers, and Templars. New mission types, fatigue mechanics, and bond systems change campaign pacing and squad composition. The Photobooth, covert actions, and sitrep modifiers expand both flavor and strategy.

Cuphead

‘The Delicious Last Course’ brings a new island packed with bosses that emphasize multi phase patterns. It adds Ms. Chalice as a playable character with different movement and defensive abilities. New weapons and charms open fresh routes for speedrunners and completionists. Visuals, music, and secret routes align with the base game while pushing difficulty for veterans.

Diablo III

‘Reaper of Souls’ introduces the Crusader class and the Adventure Mode that removes campaign barriers for bounties and rifts. Loot 2.0 revamps drop rates and affixes, making targeted farming more reliable. The Mystic brings item enchanting and transmog features to support endgame builds. A new act and the Nephalem Rift system underpin ongoing seasonal play.

Grand Theft Auto IV

‘The Ballad of Gay Tony’ focuses on nightlife with high energy missions, base jumping, and new side activities. It adds weapons like the advanced sniper and explosive shotgun along with new vehicles. The expansion’s club management gameplay creates repeatable income and event scenarios. Integrated radio stations and minigames broaden Liberty City’s post story sandbox.

Dark Souls

‘Artorias of the Abyss’ unlocks Oolacile with new areas, enemies, and lore centered on Manus and Knight Artorias. It delivers challenging boss fights that refine parry, dodge, and spacing skills. The expansion adds PvP arenas with structured duels and matchmaking options. New weapons, sorceries, and armor sets extend viable build diversity.

Bloodborne

‘The Old Hunters’ reveals the Hunter’s Nightmare with reworked enemy variants and dense level design. It expands trick weapon options such as the Whirligig Saw and Simon’s Bowblade. Lore threads connect to the Healing Church and the origins of the hunt through new boss encounters. Additional runes and blood gems support late game damage and utility builds.

Cyberpunk 2077

‘Phantom Liberty’ opens Dogtown with a spy thriller campaign and an overhauled perk tree. Vehicle combat, redesigned police responses, and cyberware limits alter moment to moment play. New relic perks and iconic weapons tie completion rewards to exploration. The update also refreshes gigs, radio content, and airdrop events across the city.

Ghost of Tsushima

‘Iki Island’ introduces a new region with enemy shamans who buff Mongol units and change combat priorities. Horse abilities expand traversal and fighting options through charge and mounted techniques. The story explores Jin’s past with additional myths, shrines, and archery challenges. Cosmetics, charms, and techniques extend progression for late game players.

DOOM Eternal

‘The Ancient Gods’ continues the campaign with multi stage arenas and heavier enemy compositions. It adds new variants that counter common strategies and force weapon swaps. Level modifiers like spirit possessions and environmental hazards increase encounter complexity. The expansion also offers master level style challenge design for repeated runs.

Mass Effect 3

‘Citadel’ provides an extended shore leave hub with combat missions and squad focused activities. It features a new arena with customizable rule sets and reward tracks. The expansion expands loadout options with additional weapons and mods. Post game access lets players revisit scenes and messages from squadmates.

Borderlands 2

‘Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep’ shifts the setting to a tabletop fantasy framed by an in universe roleplaying session. It brings themed loot, enemies, and environments that remix core mechanics. Raid bosses, secret areas, and side quests support high level grinding. The writing ties character arcs to gameplay through quest structure and rewards.

Elden Ring

‘Shadow of the Erdtree’ adds the Land of Shadow with interconnected zones, legacy dungeons, and field bosses. New weapon categories and talismans broaden build paths for both melee and sorcery. The expansion introduces Scadutree enhancements that adjust damage taken and dealt within the new areas. NPC questlines and ashes expand summon and spirit tuning options.

Gears 5

‘Hivebusters’ follows a new squad through dense jungle and volcanic locales with unique Swarm enemies. It adds ultimate abilities for each character that shape firefights and co op tactics. New collectibles and upgrades tie into weapon crafting and performance. The expansion also includes high fidelity set pieces built for short session replay.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

‘Dawn of Ragnarok’ transports Eivor to Svartalfheim with mythic powers that change traversal and combat. The Hugr Rip system lets players absorb abilities like transforming into a raven or reviving enemies. New gear sets and weapon types tie to upgradeable divine quality items. World events, raids, and arena challenges extend progression beyond the base game.

Share the expansion you think moved its game the furthest and tell us why in the comments.