The 12 Best Video Game DLCs of 2023

More and more, DLC is becoming a key part of the gaming landscape. Many games release DLC, sometimes free, sometimes paid, featuring new stories, characters, gameplay, challenges, and more. DLC can be a great way to introduce something new or simply bring players back to spend more time in a beloved game world. The best DLC stands out from the rest by feeling like worthy additions that truly add something new to the original game rather than just being “more of the same.”

2023 was a strong year for DLC. Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty let players see Night City in a whole new way, Resident Evil fans got to re-experience Ada Wong’s story in the remade Separate Ways, and Xenoblade Chronicles players finally experienced the trilogy’s epic conclusion in Future Redeemed. When it came to DLC in 2023, the best of the best included extra-tricky gameplay, deep stories, and a genuine understanding that players are always looking for a new adventure. Here, in no particular order, are the 12 best video game DLC of 2023.

Cult of the Lamb: Relics of the Old Faith

This completely free update to the hit title Cult of the Lamb sees the titular Lamb forced once more to slay the four bishops who once planned to sacrifice them. It adds an extensive post-game storyline, refreshes old bosses with new attack patterns, introduces new buildings, followers, follower abilities, and more. In particular, the titular Relics of the Old Faith make the game’s combat feel fresh and new, letting the Lamb shower enemies with constant damage from an orbiting eye, gain more hearts or become invincible mid-battle, create storms of lightning, and more. New modes, such as the Boss Rush and Dungeon Gauntlet, will give even the most dedicated Cult of the Lamb players a challenge, while Photo Mode lets players relax and snap some cool pics with their favorite followers.

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

When Cyberpunk 2077 launched in 2020, it received mixed reviews due to bugs, a perceived lack of content, and missing quality-of-life features, among many other reasons. Developer CD Projekt RED has been working on improving the game since launch, and earlier this year, it released a large expansion in the form of the Phantom Liberty DLC. Phantom Liberty takes players to the dangerous Dogtown district as they embark on a mission to save the President of the NUS. It introduces a morally complex story, compelling new characters, especially Game Award-nominated Idris Elba as Solomon Reed, and plenty of new spy-themed cybernetics and other gear for players to equip. Life in Night City has never been more dangerous – or more exhilarating.

Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania

Roguelike game Dead Cells already drew inspiration from the classic Castlevania series, so it was only natural that the Prisoner would eventually get to team up with the cast of Castlevania and visit iconic locations from the series. The Return to Castlevania DLC takes place in Dracula’s Castle and introduces Alucard and Richter Belmont as allies for the Prisoner. It adds three new boss fights, including one against the infamous vampire himself. The developers’ love and respect for Castlevania is clear in every element of the Dead Cells’ biggest DLC yet, from the implementation of familiar weapons like the Holy Water and Vampire Killer to the 20 character outfits and 50+ classic and remastered Castlevania tunes that players can unlock as they progress.

The Elder Scrolls Online is known for its frequent high-quality updates and expansions, and 2023’s Necrom is no exception. Themed around darkness and forbidden knowledge, this DLC sees players visit the mysterious, giant fungus- and monster-filled Telvanni Peninsula and learn secrets from the realms of Apocrypha. It introduces a new class, the Arcanist, two new companions, a large new area to explore, and a new story involving the secrets of the Daedric Prince. In addition to being sold separately, players new to The Elder Scrolls Online can purchase the Necrom Collection, which includes access to Necrom as well as the base game and all previous expansions.

Escape Academy: Escape from the Past

On its initial release, Escape Academy captivated escape room fans and newbies alike with its humorous story and fun twist on classic escape room gameplay. In Escape from the Past, the game’s second DLC after Escape from Anti-Escape Island, players are sent back to when Escape Academy first opened its doors. When a series of suspicious “accidents” threaten the life of the Academy’s headmaster, students Sandra Solange and Eel Barnes must take on five all-new escape rooms while gathering clues and solving the case along the way. This DLC expertly adds a “whodunnit” flair to Escape Academy’s gameplay, intriguing players with a larger mystery that is slowly uncovered as each new room is solved. Plus, the five new rooms are tricky, puzzle-filled experiences that will challenge even the most confident of escape room veterans.

Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores

What was once Los Angeles was destroyed by earthquakes and volcanic activity, leaving behind only the treacherous Burning Shores area in its wake. After completing the main quest of Horizon Forbidden West, players can journey to the Burning Shores alongside protagonist Aloy, unlocking a new story tied to this harsh and hostile region. The DLC includes new main and side quests, four new machines to encounter, several new weapons for Aloy to wield and outfits for her to wear, and even new characters who have made this inhospitable area their home. These include Seyka, a new companion and a potential romance option for Aloy. The Burning Shores may be the most dangerous area introduced so far in the Horizon series, but it is still full of hope and life as humanity displays its indomitable will to survive.

Mario Kart 8 Booster Course Packs

2023 saw the long-awaited completion of the Booster Course set for Mario Kart 8. These new courses and characters were released in six waves over the course of 2022 and 2023, ultimately concluding with 48 new courses, eight new characters, and over a dozen new Mii racing suits. Added racetracks include returning favorites like Rainbow Road and Boo Lake, real-world-inspired “Tour” courses such as Tokyo Blur and Rome Avanti, and all-new experiences including Piranha Plant Cove and Ninja Hideaway. Beloved characters including Pauline, Peachette, and Diddy Kong also return from previous Mario Kart titles as part of Waves 4, 5, and 6 of the Booster Pass. With the Booster packs doubling the number of courses available to race in Mario Kart 8, they definitely stand out as one of 2023’s best DLC.

Remnant 2: The Awakened King DLC

Soulslike shooter Remnant 2 launched in July 2023 and not too long after debuted new content in the form of its first DLC, The Awakened King. It centers around the One True King, a legendary figure who had slept for many years but was awakened once more. Unfortunately, the King has been corrupted by the Root, driving him mad and leaving him with only one thought: to seek vengeance on all who wronged him. The Awakened King features a brand-new storyline, many perilous new dungeons to explore, a new archetype called the Ritualist, multiple new weapons, armor, and accessories, and new bosses and enemies – including dangerous creatures who have arisen from the darkest depths of the ocean. Players who wish to stop the One True King from claiming his vengeance will have a difficult but thrilling journey ahead of them.

Resident Evil 4: Separate Ways

The remake of Resident Evil 4 earlier in 2023 successfully brought a beloved horror classic into the modern day. Separate Ways is an additional story starring Ada Wong, who has been tasked by Albert Wesker with retrieving a sample of a mysterious substance called “the Amber.” The DLC not only features several new stages with thrilling survival horror gameplay, but allows players to delve deeply into Ada’s psyche and learn more about her motivations for working with Wesker and her encounters with Leon Kennedy. Separate Ways also adds new twists to gameplay, most notably Ada’s grappling hook gun that allows her to traverse long distances and eliminate enemies from afar. The release of Separate Ways also came with the addition of Ada and Wesker as unlockable characters in the remake’s The Mercenaries mode.

Sea of Thieves: The Legend of Monkey Island

The Monkey Island series features some of the most iconic video game pirates of all time, so it made perfect sense as an addition to the seafaring action-adventure title Sea of Thieves. Told across three “Tall Tale” adventures, The Legend of Monkey Island sees players hunt down legendary pirate Guybrush Threepwood and then team up with him to take down his infamous nemesis, LeChuck. The Tall Tales introduce several new locations for players to sail to, including Melee Island and, of course, the secret-filled Monkey Island itself. Players can soar across ziplines, take on foes with both wits and blade in Insult Sword Fights, and dress in costumes inspired by Guybrush’s many adventures as they help the man himself defeat his enemy once and for all.

Vampire Survivors: Tides of the Foscari

Vampire Survivors achieved massive success as one of 2022’s “hidden gem” games, receiving praise for its fast-paced gameplay, endless replayability, and wide variety of playable characters. Tides of the Foscari, the second DLC for the game, introduced the elite Foscari Academy, where students train in a wide variety of disciplines ranging from magic to stealth to the art of battlefield command. It added a stunning amount of new content to the game, including eight new playable characters, two new stages, over a dozen new weapons, seven new music tracks, and one new relic. The Foscari Academy characters have unique new gameplay based around spellcasting and stealth that will feel fresh even to the most seasoned Vampire Survivors veterans.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed

Wave 4 of the Xenoblade Chronicles 3 DLC introduced Future Redeemed, a prequel story that draws connections between all three titles in the Xenoblade Chronicles series. It features a mix of new and returning characters embarking on an epic journey to defeat familiar foes and save the world as they know it – or perhaps help craft an entirely new future instead. Taking place across five chapters, Future Redeemed serves as a conclusion to the Xenoblade Chronicles trilogy, answering questions that fans have had for ages while providing an emotional farewell to beloved characters such as Shulk and Rex. The Xenoblade Chronicles story may have ended, but Future Redeemed was the perfect way to say goodbye.