Downloadable content (DLC) is regularly issued by publishers for a variety of reasons. For many, it’s simply a way to make money, but it can also represent part of the regular game script that was created but cut during the editing process.
Other DLCs are part of a planned strategy to maintain interest in the game. Sometimes DLCs provide an enormous amount of extra value, but there are also times when gamers feel they’re a total waste of time. The following are considered the top 10 worst DLCs in gaming history.
1. Asura’s Wrath
The game’s Episode Pack: Part IV was designed to be the final ending and wrap up all of the plot lines. The DLC would have been great – if it hadn’t been securely locked behind a paywall. The price wasn’t overly expensive, but the DLC only added approximately two extra hours to the game and many found the ending jarring and disconnected in the way it was presented.
2. Destiny: The Taken King
The DLC expanded the game’s universe, but when it became available the game’s base players that had been enjoying it already found themselves locked out of content to which they’d previously had access. That included some Bounties, Heroic Strikes, and Nightfalls.
This DLC injected an NPC into the game. When players agreed to take up the NPC’s quest, they were required to pay for all the DLC content related to the quest.
This is legendary among gamers and the DLC is considered by players to be where really bad DLCs got their start. It cost players $2.50 and was nothing but a cosmetic item. It didn’t add in any way to game play or provide any additional playable content.
DLC content was available to anyone that preordered the game. Those that purchased the game after it was released were charged $10. The DLC included the Promethean character Javik that was central to the story – and the content was locked to the DLC.
Designed to place fatalities within easier reach, especially for those new to the game, the publisher attempted to charge players for the privilege of easier fatalities. To regularly use them, they had to be topped up.
Begin with a game available on GameCube, port it to Sega, PS3 and 360, and then charge players about $2.50 for the modes and missions in the Sonic Adventure DX Upgrade that were available to GameCube users for free. To complete the debacle, the game came with unlockable Game Gear games that weren’t available on the DLC.
8. Street Fighter X Tekken – 12
Publishers followed the traditional practice of including all the possible characters on the game disc. However, gamers were required to pay for the DLC to unlock the characters.
The burlesque ladies of the Belle de Nuit strip club wear pasties to protect their assets from view above the waist. For a full and unimpeded view of the ladies’ charms, gamers could pay $3 to see their nipples. It was free for those that bought the game on day one, but other players were asked to shell out extra dollars.
10. The SIMS 4
The SIMS played a major role in the evolution of today’s games. Rather than an ongoing stream of adventures, it now resides as a library of DLC packs. Players have to buy different game packs to access all of the components – an extremely expensive endeavor.
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