You know that feeling when a game is just perfect? But then, they drop some extra content that makes you go... 'huh?' Yep, we're talking about those DLC packs that somehow manage to be a total letdown. It's wild how a fantastic game isn't always safe from having some truly awful add-ons. Sometimes it's about value, sometimes it's just plain boring, and sometimes it's so bad it almost taints the original masterpiece. Let's dive into some legendary games that, sadly, came with DLC that's best forgotten.
🐴 The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - Horse Armor
Okay, let's start with the one that started it all. Remember the Horse Armor? Oh boy, does it even need an introduction? This is the DLC that became the poster child for 'what were they thinking?' Paying a chunk of change just to make your digital horse look slightly fancier? For a single, pretty useless item? It's like buying a fancy hat for your pet rock. The base game? A masterpiece. This DLC? A legendary facepalm moment.
🎪 Borderlands - Mad Moxxi's Underdome Riot
The first Borderlands game is a riot of fun, loot, and crazy characters. But then there's this DLC... Mad Moxxi's Underdome Riot. Imagine taking all the fun parts of the game—the story, the unique guns, the exploration—and stripping them away. What's left? A repetitive, endless wave-based arena. It's a grindfest that asks you to turn off your brain and just shoot for hours. For ten bucks? Honey, no. Just... no. It's a slog, plain and simple.
⚔️ Battlefield 4 - Shortcut Bundles (Pay Not To Play)
Battlefield 4 is an absolute blast to play. The progression, unlocking new gear—it's part of the fun! So, what genius thought it was a good idea to sell bundles that let you... skip playing the game? That's right. The 'Shortcut' bundles were essentially paying money to not experience a core part of the game. It's like buying a puzzle and then paying extra to have someone else solve it for you. Makes zero sense, right?
️ Europa Universalis IV - Leviathan
This game is a deep, complex strategy masterpiece. But the Leviathan DLC? On release, it was a hot mess. We're talking bugs, missing pieces, and balance so out of whack it broke the game. Players were literally paying for a worse experience. It was so notorious it still has those 'Overwhelmingly Negative' reviews on Steam. A real 'you had one job' moment for the DLC team. Thankfully, it's been patched up since, but the memory lingers.
😎 Saints Row 2 - Every Single DLC
Saints Row 2 is a hilarious, over-the-top gem that stood tall even next to GTA. But its DLC? A major letdown. Each pack was just three short missions—maybe an hour of content—for a pretty steep price. And the kicker? They ended on cliffhangers that were NEVER resolved. Talk about leaving players hanging! It's frustrating when add-ons actually make the overall story feel cheaper.
Rainbow Six Siege - Gold Weapons Skin Pack
Siege is a tactical shooter that's stood the test of time. But remember the mid-2010s pre-order frenzy? This Gold Skin pack was the epitome of a lackluster pre-order bonus. It was content finished before launch, then cut out and sold back to you. And for a 'gold' skin, it was oddly... dull. If we're judging by the 'Horse Armor Standard,' most paid cosmetics are questionable, but this one felt particularly cynical.
🕵️ The Saboteur - The Midnight Show
The Saboteur is an underrated classic with a cool black-and-white aesthetic. Its terrible DLC, 'The Midnight Show,' is infamous for one reason: it basically sold you in-game nudity for three extra bucks. Sure, it came with a mini-game and a car, but let's be real, the main 'feature' was the promise of risqué content. It felt like content that was purposefully held back from the main game, which is never a good look.
️ Gran Turismo 7 - The $200 Cars
Gran Turismo 7 is a stunning showcase of racing realism on the PS5. But oh, the microtransactions. The grind for credits in this game is real. And the 'solution'? You could buy credits with real money. How much for one of the top cars? Doing the math... it could cost you around $200. For one. Virtual. Car. That's not DLC adding new experiences; that's paying an insane premium to skip a grind the game deliberately made tedious. It leaves a sour taste in an otherwise brilliant game.
So there you have it. Even the best games can stumble when it comes to extra content. It's a reminder that not all DLC is created equal, and sometimes, the base game is more than enough. What's the worst DLC you've ever encountered? Spill the tea! ☕