Summary
Ever since the release ofDark Souls, the gaming industry has witnessed a revolution that was a long time in the making. Major players in this landscape realized just how important it was for players to feel a sense of achievement by mastering the systems of a tough-as-nails game and conquering challenges that seem insurmountable in the eyes of many. This gameplay loop has helped both FromSoftware and Miyazaki become household names, with most people expecting the highest level of quality whenever their name is associated with any product.
TheSoulslikegenre is graced withseveral great titles that many love, so it’s easy to see why players who want to enjoy more of what these games have to offer are often delighted by the immense quality of the expansion packs that come with them. Given how phoned-in certain video game DLCs can feel at times, it’s nice to see that the Soulslike genre hasno shortage of amazing expansionsthat let players enjoy unforgettable experiences.
Much like the game itself, the opinions of fans when it comes to the best DLCs forDark Souls 2are fairly divisive. All three expansions do a great job of building uponDark Souls 2’s systems, but many people considerCrown of the Sunken Kingto be the best of the lot. It’s the first part of theLost Crownstrilogy and does a great job of adding to the compelling lore of the game.
Featuring a strong art style and lore that connects it to the firstDark Soulsgame in new and interesting ways, fans loved this expansion and how it upped the difficulty to new heights. Thebosses inCrown of the Sunken Kingmay feature problems that are consistent with fan complaints about the base game, but the cool new areas added by this DLC more than make up for this misstep.
Ashes of Ariandelmay feature one of thegreatest boss fights inDark Soulshistory, but players have to trudge through some of the most boring areas ever designed for aDark Soulsgame before they can encounter the three-phase extravaganza that greets them at the end. It was clear thatThe Ringed Cityneeded to learn from these mistakes and let players enjoy an expansion pack that upheld the high standards of the base game’s content.
Suffice it to say, this expansion didn’t disappoint. The eponymous area itself is as challenging as they come, and players must be wary of every step they take if they don’t want to be ambushed by the many tough enemies who can melt the Ashen One’s health in no time. To make things even better, this DLC features two of the hardest boss fights in the entire trilogy, with Slave Knight Gael being one of the most cinematic boss encounters to ever appear in a video game.
Bloodbornetook players by surprise, moving away from the high fantasy setting ofDark Soulsinto a gothic world with Lovecraftian influences that encapsulated fans from the get-go. The aggressive combat and incredible lore ofBloodbornewere a step up from Miyazaki’s breakout title in the eyes of many, and most people wondered howThe Old Hunterswould do justice to this title’s quality. By letting players explore a nightmare realm and interact with important figures in the lore,The Old Hunterswowed many in ways no one could’ve expected.
Barring The Living Failures,every boss fightin this DLC isBloodborneat its very best, with the DLC’s areas being a joy to explore. The challenge is ramped up to the max, and even the most skilledBloodborneplayers will find the Orphan of Kos to be the hardest Soulsborne fight of all time. The relentless aggression of this boss, coupled with the challenge posed by Ludwig and Lady Maria, make it clear why so many people considerBloodborneto be the best game ever made by Miyazaki and co.
Dark Soulstook the world by storm and let playersenjoy a hardcore action gamewith tight gameplay and an amazing narrative that wasn’t thrust into their faces. Given the high quality of this game and the fanbase it spawned, expectations were high forArtorias of the Abyss. The fact that this expansion not only met these high standards but even exceeded them in the eyes of many is a testament to FromSoftware’s relentless need to outdo itself at every turn.
Featuring a high level of difficulty coupled with some of the hardest boss fights in gaming history,Artorias of the Abyssexpanded on the game’s amazing lore and let players enjoy more of this ruined world as they went a hundred years back in the past to see firsthand just how nightmarish the presence of the Abyss was. Despite Artorias being a tough boss to defeat, most players who are aware of this tragic story may shed a tear as they bring down a hero who sacrificed his sanity to prevent the Abyss from laying waste to the world, only to fail in this endeavor.
Elden Ringis one of the greatest action RPGs ever made and the most approachable Soulsborne game to date. The open-world structure means that players cango wherever they wantand become stronger before tackling a threat that wiped the floor with them time and time again. The rampant success of this game meant thatShadow of the Erdtreewas destined for success as long as it delivered more of what madeElden Ringsuch a massive hit.
In terms of scale,Shadow of the Erdtreeis comfortably the biggest expansion FromSoftware has ever released. The Land of Shadow is a magical area to explore, but players must be ready for a massive difficulty spike regardless of their high level. Players who felt likeElden Ringbecame too easy after a point will receive a rude awakening from the very moment they step into the Land of Shadow, with everything from regular enemies to the many imposing bosses flattening the Tarnished in no time if they aren’t careful.
