10 Gaming DLCs That Surprised Everyone

3. Shadowbringers - Final Fantasy XIV

While not strictly a DLC, Final Fantasy XIV’s A Realm Reborn deserves special mention for revitalising an MMORPG many saw as DOA into one of the most popular in the world. Subsequent expansions Heavensward and Stormblood were well received, but last year’s Shadowbringers’ phenomenal storytelling reminded many why they fell in love with the series to begin with.

While the venerable RPG series has seen plenty of gameplay innovations over time, what draws fans in most is the epic, emotional storytelling. In recent years, the days of Final Fantasy being held up as a bastion of storytelling have seemed more and more like a distant memory. Shadowbringers changed that.

Shadowbringers isn’t so much a surprising DLC for showcasing FFXIV's excellent writing - that had already been done - but it was still a landmark for RPG storytelling in 2019.