Rajakaru Games' Favourite DLC

I’ve been going back over my old (if you can call it that) stash of Xbox 360 games. While I know the last generation is slowly falling behind us, it seems justified to create a list of DLC you should play now before the new generation fills in the void.

In fact I’ve basically decided to write this after I came full circle with the recent release of BioShock Infinite's much anticipated DLC Burial at Sea Part 2. It's clear to see that DLC is gaining a higher profile than ever before and developers are really starting to experiment with creative and enjoyable content. Therefore, I thought I'd take a look at some of the best single player DLC there is out there.

Honourable Mention: Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon

While it isn’t a true DLC piece for the original title the lasers, dinosaurs, cyborgs and 80s music creates a spectacular list of awesome things. It’s such an ironic plague on your sense that it makes you want to go back and play even more retro titles. It has nods to all our favourite titles of yesteryear and knows exactly what it is trying to accomplish. If you enjoyed the full Far Cry 3 title then this will be right up your street.

5. Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Dragonborn

When the dreaded “Horse Armour” hit our download stores back during the Oblivion era we were worried that Bethesda wouldn’t provide anything substantial for the acclaimed Elder Scrolls series. Thankfully they have become one of the best content providers on the planet producing a completely range for their titles; including Shivering Isles, Broken Steel and Old World Blues. However, the only one that allows you to fly dragons is that of Dragonborn for Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

The immense amount of content that came alongside this piece gave players multiple additional hours of content, a couple of fresh new areas to explore and several enemies that should really have made the original cut. Bethesda listened to fan feedback and delivered on every area that we – games – wanted to do or see. For a game that I had already plugged 100 hours into this made, what was already, a great game outstanding.

4. Mass Effect 2: Lair of the Shadow Broker

One problem with single player DLC is making it matter in regards to the main narrative. Many developers opt for DLC that explores sub-plots but BioWare made the difference with this offering, They managed to successfully separate and impact on the overarching storyline for the whole trilogy.

Throughout the first two Mass Effect games we had heard about The Shadow Broker and were intrigued by the mystery surrounding them. In this DLC we finally got to meet them in dramatic fashion. It’s a fantastic success story for single player DLC and changed the dynamic of what would shortly become a trend for other titles.

What's great about this DLC is not just the excellent story and gameplay, but the fact that you can return to the Lair of the Shadow Broker and gather information on your enemies and your allies, absorbing us more into the delectable lore of Mass Effect.

3. Bioshock 2 - Minerva's Den

Bioshock 2 will forever be overshadowed by the both of the home developer options despite it excellently refining the gameplay and being just as good. However, the problem with Bioshock 2 is that many would have overlooked the amazing DLC that is Minerva's Den, as it was released several months after Bioshock 2's initial release and after some pretty standard multiplayer DLC which was a terrible design choice anyway.

Minerva's Den is standalone story in the world of Bioshock 2 that once again puts you into the shoes of a prototype Big Daddy. This time however you're taking out a sentient intelligence known as The Thinker. Not only does this DLC offer up more of the great gameplay that the title refined, but it tells a captivating story that is arguably more moving than that of the original game.

2. Red Dead Redemption - Undead Nightmare

Rockstar knows how to make DLC, but with Undead Nightmare for their cowboy epic they really excelled themselves. While the original title was excellent, this standalone single player DLC blended horror and comedy perfectly. At the time Zombies had become a really big area for media titles everywhere and this showed us just how well they could be implemented in Video Games.

Headshots were a necessity that changed the gameplay dynamics immensely. It was refreshing to see zombies posing a really danger as it was instant death if you go overrun. In fact the title was so successful that Rockstar ended up releasing it as a standalone game which showed how great the title was. John Marston and the wild west was the best setting for this DLC “dream” – excuse the pun.

1. BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea (complete saga)

I know I have Minerva’s Den in this list but the BioShock series has excellent when providing us with something extra to play. Having just finished off part 2 (the Rajakaru Review is due shortly) I felt a deep sense of satisfaction I haven’t experienced since the finale of Final Fantasy IX. It is a massively rewarding piece of storytelling that ties up every loose end the franchise put in front of us.

In fact, Infinite feels a little incomplete if you haven’t played Burial at Sea (as does the entire franchise). Burial at Sea is the most import single piece of DLC on the planet and deserves top spot for bringing something completely fresh to an ageing series. One that has sadly finished forever now Irrational Game has closed.

Ken Levine will always be remembered for his fantastic story telling techniques and the studio is respected in every corner of the industry. 

So what do you think is the best DLC? Have I missed any classics off my list? Let Rajakaru know in the comments below.

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The Continual Problems with Battlefield 4

This year it was expected that DICE would make some major headway on the Modern Warfare market, and the release of Battlefield 4 was expected to give the Call of Duty series a real run for their money.

Unfortunately the Frostbite 3 engine – touted as a feature to draw in the audience - and the unstable situation of the online shooter has had the opposite effect. Many issues have plagued Battled 4 since its release on 29^th October and the unenviable ‘launch day blues’ have turned into launch week and now launch month problems as well.

We are now over 60 days since the title hit stores and the developers are still trying to fix problems reminiscent of a beta trial. It is exceptionally disappointing for players and creators as we all stare at the unfinished product with frustrated stares.

Unfortunately, a game pegged to be the best modern day shooter, has been bogged down by everything from standard connectivity issues to strange ‘one-hit-kill’ buts. Probably the most disappointing issue is that the single player game is also have problem; with campaign files going MIA and mid-level saves storing the user in a wall.

In fact, as of this morning, 22 major issues are being reported on the official website. 15 of which have apparently been fixed but a minority section of players are still reporting the same issues.

Sadly, the problems facing Battlefield 4 don’t stop there. Today, AMD announced that it was delaying the hotly anticipated free BF4 Mantle update that was due before the end of the year. The patch is tentatively re-scheduled for January 2014.

In an effort to resolve these issues DICE have pulled out from all future developments (relating to other products) until Battlefield 4 is deemed satisfactory. Who will judge that ambiguous benchmark remains to be seen.

The bigger picture here comes in the form of legal action being taken against the publisher by EA shareholders. They are stating that promises weren’t kept but, although this has made the issues more widespread, it is not something that directly affects the gaming community.

The offence we are suffering is something that EA has remained silent on and – in fact – it is this silence that has me worried and annoyed more than anything else. It’s the fact that the early upgrades option – where players could keep their DLC and progress – hasn’t really come into play. Those plagued by these issues have contacted EA and have been told that they needed to pre-order the next-gen versions of become a Battlefield 4 Premium Member. It’s a big betrayal to loyal fans and shows both a lack of ethics and a selection of false advertising.

As it stands, the Battlefield series has taken a series of issues, addressed them poorly and is now suffering reputational repercussions. What seemed like an opportunity to migrate some of the hardcore Call of Duty fans is not looking to have the opposite effect.

I hope 2014 brings some changes over at EA and ushers in a new ‘consumer friendly’ atmosphere and work ethic that would not only solve these issues in the future but actually mean that the consumers would be addressed directly when they have concerns.

Unfortunately though, if people keep buying these products (and I own the Xbox One version of the title) then the chances are publishers won’t change as they are still making a heap of money.

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