Summary
- CD Projekt Red's DLC expansions set new standards for bonus content in video games.
- The Witcher series has some of the best DLCs ever made, offering unique quests and exploring new regions.
- These expansions enhance gameplay experiences with several hours of new content and impactful decisions.
By adapting the works of Andrzej Sapkowski to the video game medium, Polish developer CD Projekt Red has built a stellar reputation, offering compelling narrative experiences, intriguing worlds to explore, and tight gameplay. The base games of The Witcher series were already very high-quality products, but players were spoiled by the third entry’s DLC expansions, which set a new standard for such bonus content.
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The company’s stature took something of a hit with the disastrous launch of Cyberpunk 2077, but managed to recover somewhat thanks to patches, updates, and more award-winning DLC. Many would argue that the company is one of the standard-bearers when it comes to expansions, and here are CD Projekt Red’s best DLCs, ranked based on a combination of their overall quality, popularity, and their impact on the gameplay experience.
7 Thronebreaker: Bonus Content
Some Free Bonuses Add To Enjoyment
Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales
- Released
- November 9, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Genre(s)
- Digital Card Game
- Platform(s)
- PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Set in the world of The Witcher, Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales puts players in the role of Queen Meve as she seeks to protect her land from the Nilfgaardian invaders. A branching and enthralling adventure that lasts around 30 hours, it features plenty of important decisions that impact the outcome, leading to one of 20 possible endings.
The free DLC doesn’t add anything to the gameplay experience, but the concept art books, graphic novel, and official soundtrack do add to the enjoyment, fleshing out some of the backstory and behind-the-scenes information. While it doesn’t impact Thronebreaker, it’s still worth downloading, especially given that there is no cost involved.
6 The Witcher: Enhanced Edition
New Quests And A Wealth Of Improvements
The Witcher: Enhanced Edition
- Released
- September 16, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M // Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Violence
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Platform(s)
- Windows, macOS
The first entry in The Witcher series never received DLC in the traditional sense, but received plenty of new content in its Enhanced Edition release, which is worth noting. Its initial release already ranked among the best fantasy games ever made, but The Witcher: Enhanced Edition received significant upgrades in terms of visuals, animations, and character models, as well as improved loading times and translation corrections.
On top of these enhancements, there were two new quests added in the form of “Side Effect” and “The Price of Neutrality”, each adding hours of content to proceedings. The addition of the D’jinni Adventure Editor gave crafty and creative players the chance to construct their own quests, too.
5 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – New Game+
Play The Acclaimed Fantasy Adventure Again
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
The only thing that is better than playing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt for the first time is enjoying it all over again, but with all the skills and gear that Geralt collected along the way. Not only do these aspects carry over into a new game, but enemies are also far stronger, and better loot can be gathered this time around.
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The best part of this is the cost -- it’s completely free of charge. Much like other CD Projekt Red games, there were several other free DLCs released for The Witcher 3, from new animations and alternative character looks to brand-new quests that added several hours of action.
4 The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition
Hours Of New Content And Arena Mode
The Witcher 2
- Released
- May 17, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
In the years following its initial release, The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings received free DLCs and updates, all of which were nicely included in the Enhanced Edition of the game. Players are treated to a brand new introductory cutscene, alongside plenty of other cinematic cutscenes with some of the series’ most iconic characters.
Much like the first game, there are several hours of new quests and other content added to the already expansive package, but one of the most popular features is Arena Mode. This mode sees waves of enemies attacking Geralt in a gladiatorial setting, really testing the combat skills of those who enter. Apart from earning points, players also pick up some useful items and plenty of gold to spend on their adventures.
3 Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
Explore The District Of Dogtown And Save The President
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 89 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
WHERE TO PLAY
Often credited with breathing new life into the game overall, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty was released around the same time as the much-anticipated update 2.0. Playing out like a spy thriller, V is tasked with traveling to the lawless district of Dogtown to save the President, after her aircraft crashed in the area.
Not only does this expansion introduce a new district and open new quest lines, but it also increases the level cap to 60, gives V access to new abilities, and provides the possibility of vehicular combat. Even without the fortuitous timing of update 2.0, which significantly improved stability and overhauled the perk tree, Phantom Liberty adds so much content to the overall experience and seemingly helped to boost sales of Cyberpunk 2077.
2 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Hearts of Stone
Engage In Some Unique Quests With Iconic Characters
The first of two major expansions, Hearts of Stone features some of the most unique quests in gaming, as Geralt attempts to complete some seemingly impossible tasks for the cursed Olgierd von Everec. These include entertaining Olgierd’s long-dead brother for one night, and obtaining objects that appear to be unsalvageable at first, but the witcher must find a way.
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Some of the game’s best characters are introduced in this DLC, from the enigmatic and powerful Gaunter O’Dimm to fan-favorite romance option Shani. As always, there is a plethora of new gear for Geralt to discover, lots of monster contracts, and even some Gwent cards for those looking to improve their decks and take on fresh challengers.
1 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Blood and Wine
A DLC That Is Bigger And Better Than Most Full Games
The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 92 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
WHERE TO PLAY
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Arguably one of the best DLCs ever made, Blood and Wine is even bigger than most full games, packing in tens of hours of new content, important moral choices, and a whole new region to explore in the form of Toussaint. As one of the largest areas in the game, Toussaint offers plenty of exploration and quests, as Geralt seeks out a mysterious beast that is plaguing the area and its people.
If this isn’t enough, the witcher can also take ownership of his own vineyard, participate in a chivalric tournament of knights, and build an entirely new Skellige-faction Gwent deck. One of the quests even takes Geralt to a strange fairytale land, which rivals some of the Hearts of Stone quests for its unparalleled level of creativity and enjoyment.
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