DLCs That Could Have Won The Game Awards’ GOTY

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As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the list you’ve compiled is truly a testament to the rich and diverse world of video games. From the heart-pounding challenges of Dark Souls III’s Ringed City to the colorful chaos of Splatoon 2’s Octo Expansion, there’s something here for every kind of player.

Fans are buzzing about the inclusion of DLCs in contention for Game of the Year at Geoff Keighley’s The Game Awards, leading to heated discussions on what truly defines a Game of the Year candidate.

Since The Game Awards has decided to consider DLCs for Game of the Year nominations, we’ve compiled a list of games that MIGHT HAVE RECEIVED THE AWARD if Geoff Keighley could award them retroactively.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Blood & Wine

The third installment of The Witcher series, titled “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt,” represented a remarkable achievement for CD Projekt Red, significantly surpassing the quality of the first game known as “Witcher 1.” In this edition, the focus shifted away from Eurojank, instead offering stunning open-world landscapes, formidable creatures, and alluring enchantresses as part of Geralt’s thrilling journey.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but reminisce about my immersive journey through The Blood & Wine Expansion – a colossal DLC that transported me to the captivating Nilfgaardian region of Toussaint. Here, I rubbed shoulders with aristocrats who indulged in lavish feasts and revelries, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the already bloodthirsty vampires and alluring fairy tales that populated this land. But more than just a picturesque backdrop or a playground for monsters, it served as the ideal swansong for Geralt’s White Wolf tale – paving the way for the eagerly anticipated fourth installment in The Witcher series.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 – Future Redeemed

As a long-time Xenoblade fanatic, I must say that this section is particularly intriguing to me. While I can appreciate the Torna DLC for its contribution to the franchise, I find myself more drawn to Future Redeemed due to my recent immersion in the game’s complex lore. Having played through multiple entries in the series, I am always eager to explore the intricacies and mysteries that each new addition brings to the table. This latest installment has certainly not disappointed, offering a fresh and engaging experience for even the most dedicated fans like myself.

In the Final Expansion titled “Future Redeemed,” many of our long-held questions are now addressed… mostly. This concluding addition revealed the essence of Aionios and its connection to the initial two Xenoblade games. To put it simply, this last piece of the puzzle validated years of speculation among fans.

Cuphead – The Delicious Last Course

Five years following the global excitement over the demanding escapades of Cuphead and Mugman, Studio MDHR once more challenged our endurance with an extensive expansion.

The Delicious Last Course served as a delightful finale to an already scrumptious and intriguing game. It introduced a fresh playable character named Ms. Chalice, complete with unique abilities and special moves. Moreover, what truly elevates the DLC is the addition of new enemies (bosses) and levels. If you found the initial game’s bosses frustrating enough to make you consider chucking your controller, you might want to stock up on extras for this one!

Cyberpunk 2077 – Phantom Liberty

The Witcher 3’s Blood & Wine Expansion was fantastic, but we shouldn’t overlook the comeback story of Cyberpunk 2077. After enduring two years filled with game-halting glitches and poor performance optimization, CD Projekt Red’s cyberpunk role-playing game is now solid. What a perfect time to honor its best phase than with Phantom Liberty?

In line with CDPR’s tradition, Phantom Liberty provides an entirely fresh territory to discover, much like Toussaint was for Blood & Wine. However, instead of Toussaint, this DLC introduces Dogtown – a lawless urban landscape teeming with aspiring criminals vying for power. In the midst of it all, V becomes entangled in a government intrigue that surrounds the President of NUSA and Idris Elba.

This story has a feel similar to Mission Impossible films, and it skillfully employs our cutting-edge cyber warfare tactics and advancements that we’ve worked so diligently to achieve.

Outer Wilds – Echoes Of The Eye

Among my top picks is the sci-fi journey crafted by Mobius Digital, which I can’t help but endorse to anyone who appreciates the concept of metroidvania-style gameplay.

Experiencing Outer Wilds is most rewarding when you dive in without knowing much, and essentially, it’s about delving into an intricately designed solar system for exploration. Catch a glimpse at that distant planet? Feel free to visit! The instant you blast off with your spacecraft, it becomes a profound journey, touching on themes of existence.

Echoes of the Eye is the only expansion of Outer Wilds. It takes place in a new ‘orbit’ in its solar system, hidden in plain sight. As much as I would love to discuss it in more detail, I shouldn’t spoil anything. Try it for yourself.

Monster Hunter: World – Iceborne

Among all the downloadable content listed here, none can match the grandeur of Iceborne. It’s an immense expansion that likely extends our monster-hunting escapades by a thousand more hours. (Even the most ardent Monster Hunter enthusiasts wouldn’t rush through this game in less than one hundred hours.)

Iceborne offers a self-contained experience that could function independently as well. It introduces us to a fresh locale, the Hoarfrost Reach, a frigid expanse inhabited by the formidable Elder Dragon Velkhana. Additionally, it presents G-Rank or Master Rank, Monster Hunter’s most challenging difficulty level. This translates to enemies becoming increasingly hostile and packing quite a punch.

Also, its selection of new monsters and the Grinding–Guiding Lands gave us more reasons to play.

Bloodborne – The Old Hunters

If Shadow of the Erdtree were to be nominated as Game of the Year, there’s no question that Bloodborne’s Old Hunters DLC could similarly earn such recognition. Before the challenges of Malenia and Radahn in Elden Ring, Lady Maria and the Orphan of Kos were a headache for many Soulsborne gamers. However, they still found enjoyment in the game regardless.

Players found the short encounter with The Old Hunters to be intense enough, pitting them against mysteries beyond comprehension. At its zenith, Bloodborne offered fresh combat options through new trick weapons and formidable bosses to conquer.

Dark Souls III – The Ringed City

Among the potential FromSoft DLCs that could earn Geoff Keighley’s endorsement is The Ringed City for Dark Souls III. In comparison to Shadow of the Erdtree, this expansion may not be as expansive, but it retains Hidetaka Miyazaki’s trademark challenging boss battles and exceptional visual style.

Following Ashes of Ariandel, The Ringed City served as Dark Souls 3’s first downloadable content. If Sister Friede’s multi-phase boss battle left you feeling distressed, then The Ringed City’s increased challenge will only intensify that feeling. This challenging and merciless expansion takes place in a completely fresh location. After conquering the ‘learn to master phase’, you’ll be on your way to encountering the best final boss FromSoftware has ever crafted.

Grand Theft Auto – The Ballad Of Gay Tony

Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto IV significantly transformed the open-world gaming experience. As soon as our relative Roman invited us for a game of Bowling, we set off on an exciting odyssey marked by exploding vehicles, gunfire, and encounters at adult entertainment venues.

In another tale yet intertwined with the happenings of Grand Theft Auto IV lies “The Ballad of Gay Tony.” This narrative focuses on Gay Tony and his associate, Luis, as they collaborate in expanding their burgeoning criminal enterprise.

That simple premise alone was enough for players to approve of this DLC, which many considered the highest standard of GTA DLCs. It’s like watching an episode of The Sopranos, but you’re playing out the scenes.

Splatoon 2 – Octo Expansion

Contrary to most of Nintendo’s games not focusing on large-scale expansions and DLCs, the Splatoon series stands out as an exception. The release of Octo Expansion introduced Agent 8 and a mission roster extending the gameplay by approximately an additional hundred hours.

Beyond boasting 80 innovative fresh challenges, it significantly elevates the typical third-person shooting dynamics, introducing additional dimensions to its conundrums and ink physics, as well.

For eager Splatoon enthusiasts longing to embody an Octoling character, Nintendo has now granted their wish!

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2024-11-22 14:12