10 Video Game DLCs That Are Secretly Sequels
Phantom Liberty is way more than "apology DLC" for Cyberpunk.
Downloadable Content (or DLC for short) is a means for developers to expand the life of their game by giving players more content to engage with.
Although DLC has had its fair share of controversies over the years with developers pushing out overpriced pieces of meaningless fluff or even locking essential features of a game behind a paywall, there have nevertheless been countless examples of fantastic video game expansions which have been celebrated by both fans and critics.
More than just a quick way for studios to make money, the best DLCs are those which bring something significant to the table. Whether that's new areas to explore or an exciting new questline to follow which expands upon the main plot, these expansions are made with just as much quality and attention as the base game.
However, there are some add-ons out there that are so substantial that they could easily qualify as a standalone outing. Not only are these expansions usually huge in size, but they often come loaded with plot details and an unmatched polish which make them more like secret sequels than run-of-the-mill DLCs.
10. Undead Nightmare - Red Dead Redemption (2010)
Although the phenomenal masterpiece that was Red Dead Redemption 2 never received any DLC, those who played the first game were lucky enough to be treated to Undead Nightmare.
Once again stepping into the cowboy boots of grizzled protagonist John Marston, this add-on spun an alternative narrative in which the Marston family’s dreams of having a quiet life are interrupted when a zombie infection breaks out. Presented like a cheesy B-Movie complete with its own menacing narrator, the plot follows Marston as he sets out into the zombie-infested frontier to find a cure to save his loved ones after they get bitten.
The premise of cowboy zombies is a fantastic one, and Rockstar fully leaned into the concept with this DLC. But this expansion was far more than an amusing gimmick.
From its sizeable storyline that brought back fan favourite characters from the base game, a collection of new challenges to complete, and a handful of new undead horses to tame, Undead Nightmare gave fans a substantial amount of content to sink their teeth into.
Throw in some new multiplayer modes too and Undead Nightmare became the unofficial Red Dead Redemption sequel that fans didn't know they needed.