What is the best DLC that never was? Many games are supported with additional content after launch, adding to their story, expanding on the world, or introducing new characters and mechanics. We’ve picked out some of the best that added even more to fantastic single-player games, but never got the chance to expand on their already stellar additions.
Once upon a time, video games launched, and that was that. Players bought and played the final, finished version of the game. Patches are released to address bugs and glitches, sometimes altering systems and tweaking mechanics. They usually result in a better, smoother experience. But some games have post-release downloadable content that often expands on what came before and improves the overall experience too. We’re going to look at some of the best that never happened or, in some cases, what we’d like to see.
The best DLC that never was: Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 is a titan of the gaming world. Its epic wild west simulator is one of the best games ever made and one of the best open-world games, period. It’s also one of the most expensive, biggest, and most labour-intensive games ever made. It’s easy to see why Red Dead Redemption 2, despite its majesty, had a mixed reception upon launch, leading to limited support from Rockstar.
Despite this, Red Dead Redemption 2’s most ardent fans have celebrated the game’s most minute details, such as its limited support, which included the Red Dead Redemption 2 Battle Royale mode and a narrative expansion called Red Dead Redemption 2: Legends of the Lost. While these have provided a little extra support, many Red Dead Redemption 2 fans would have loved to see a wild west version of GTA Online, with all the narrative expansion, live events, and new co-op possibilities that would have entailed.
The best DLC that never was: Star Wars: Squadrons
Star Wars: Squadrons was a focused Star Wars game, with fewer ships, locations, and game modes than previous Star Wars games. Still, it had a great deal of content that left some fans wanting more.
With a focus on dogfighting, there was also a lack of vehicle missions. While the game included plenty of additional ships, including the Millennium Falcon, Slave I, and the Jedi Consular’s ship, it lacked additional locations, such as the forest moon of Endor, Yavin IV, and Dagobah. There was also a small selection of game modes at launch, which left some fans wanting more, especially given the success of Star Wars Battlefront.
The best DLC that never was: Deathloop
Deathloop is a highly acclaimed game, but its ending didn’t meet the high standards of its gameplay. A stealth game set in a prison, Deathloop has players attempting to escape from a heavily guarded facility.
It’s an extremely tense game, with a focus on survival, and an ending that feels a little rushed. There’s a lot of potential for DLC that expands on the story and characters, making it feel more complete. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely, as Deathloop was a moderate financial success and has been overshadowed by bigger indie games such as Limbo, Inside, and Braid.
The best DLC that never was: Mass Effect: Andromeda
Mass Effect: Andromeda faced criticism at launch, but BioWare has always been more focused on single-player games than online ones. While the Mass Effect 4 single-player game was mostly well-received, the multiplayer was a different story.
Despite this, BioWare saw fit to release additional single-player games for its space RPG, but not additional multiplayer content. This could have been added as DLC, expanding on the story, introducing new characters and areas, or adding additional game modes. Fans still clamour for a Mass Effect remaster, but with Andromeda 2 seemingly on the horizon, it seems unlikely that EA DICE, the studio behind Star Wars: Squadrons, will ever develop a planned Mass Effect: Andromeda DLC.
The best DLC that never was: Super Mario Party
Super Mario Party is a fantastic party game, but it lacks additional boards, which fans would have happily paid for. There are also a lack of additional characters, which would have been a great way to introduce new characters before they appear in other games. Finally, there are a lack of additional mini-games, which would have been a great way to expand on a game that already has a lot of content.
The best DLC that never was: God of War: Ragnarök
God of War: Ragnarök brought an end to Kratos’s story, but there was room for DLC to explore new realms, expand the story, or introduce new content. Ragnarök was a very different God of War game, so it’s not clear what DLC could have looked like and what additional mechanics or story it could have included.
The best DLC that never was: Grand Theft Auto 5
Grand Theft Auto 5’s online component received numerous additions and expansions. GTA 5’s single-player component, however, has seen little to nothing added, despite the game’s massive success.
