The 10 HARDEST Video Game DLCs
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VOICE OVER: Geoffrey Martin
WRITTEN BY: Myles Obenza
Some of the toughest gaming challenges come in the form of DLC. Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we're counting down our picks for the hardest video game DLCs and expansions. We're fully aware that almost any Soulslike game typically has the most brutal DLCs around, but for the sake of variety, we've left some of them off our list. Our list includes "Kingdom Hearts 3 ReMind" (2020), "Cuphead The Delicious Last Course" (2022), and "Bloodborne The Old Hunters" (2015).
The 10 Hardest Video Game DLCs
Myles Obenza
Welcome to MojoPlays, and today were counting down our picks for the hardest video game DLCs and expansions. Were fully aware that almost any Soulslike game typically has the most brutal DLCs around, but for the sake of variety, weve left some of them off our list. Let us know in the comments below what video games you think have the hardest DLCs.
The first and only DLC for 2019s slightly disappointing yet hotly-anticipated Kingdom Hearts 3, the ReMind DLC expands on the ending of the main game, and finally concludes the decade-and-a-half-long Dark Seeker Saga. While the main game poses its own set of challenges, especially in its boss fights, ReMinds bosses make Master Xehanort look like a measly little Keyblade novice. Throughout the DLC, Sora and the gang fight their way through legions of Heartless and progress through the weirdest, most nonsensical stories in all of gaming. While not terribly difficult as a whole, the boss fights (especially the hidden fight against Yozora) will make you want to tear your hair out.
Another example of the base game being a bit more tame than its expansion, Horizon Zero Dawns 2017 DLC The Frozen Wilds poses a much larger challenge than its release content. The robotic dinosaurs littered around the titular Frozen Wilds are brutal and much tougher, namely the Scorchers and Frostclaws, and the game justifies these beefier baddies with a clever narrative device: a Daemonic force has infected the automatons, making them hit harder, move faster, and act just downright meaner. It also doesnt help that the blizzard conditions make visibility an absolute pain in the rear. This DLC will test your skills and reflexes, and is a sure way to raise your blood pressure just a little.
Bet you didnt expect to see this here. New Super Mario Bros. 2: The Impossible Pack is one of the Big Ns earliest forays into the wonderful world of DLC, and aims to be just that - goddamn impossible. While this DLC is only three courses in total, they are BRUTAL. Even the most seasoned platforming veterans will take multiple stabs at these traditional yet unique and dastardly-designed Mario levels. Short timers, poison water, lack of power ups, and other such hazards and hindrances mark this as one of the toughest challenges the mustachioed man in red has seen to date.
Dont let the catchy jingle and gorgeous 1930s nostalgic cartoon artstyle fool you - the Delicious Last Course brings the heat just as much as the base game did, if not more. Released in 2022, the first and only expansion for the infamous platformer Cuphead contains only six of its signature difficult boss fights, but they are forces to be reckoned with. To help remedy this new challenge, developer Studio MDHR included a handful of ways to mitigate the tough boss fights through new charms, but most notably with Ms. Chalice, a third playable character that has a few tricks up her sleeve that Cuphead and Mugman dont. No matter who you pick, youll have a hell of time learning the bosss patterns, surviving through multiple phases, and taking them down once and for all.
Monster Hunter World is lauded as one of the best in series history, and its Iceborne expansion further solidifies that, while cranking the challenge up to eleven. Master Rank, which was introduced in the expansion, includes a higher tier of new equipment, quests, and, you guessed it, monsters to, well, hunt. The typical Monster Hunter gameplay loop we know and love is unchanged, but the monsters are absolutely infuriating - even the first boss Beotodus, basically Icebornes tutorial boss, leaves even experienced players at a loss. Grinding, grinding, and more grinding are in store for those who are trying to finish the DLC, as youll need the strongest weapons and gear to make it through the final boss fight with the Elder Dragon Shara Ishvalda, who is also an enormous son of a bitch to beat. Happy hunting!
Part of the Banned Footage Vol. 1 DLC for the borderline perfect soft reboot and reimagining of Capcoms pioneering survival horror franchise, Resident Evil 7s Ethan Must Die Mode is absolute godd**n m***erf***ing bull***t. Ahem.. sorry. In this pseudo-Roguelike mode, you traverse your way through the Baker property once again, but with a few twists. You start with no weapons - Ethan must rely on his stealth and maneuvering to evade enemies until youre lucky enough to pick up a firearm. Item locations are randomized, meaning that when you die (yes, when, not if), youll have to rely on your skills instead of memorizing where certain healing items are scattered about. The layout and traps are different from the story mode, further forcing you not to rely on your previous experience in the horrifying house. Ethan Must Die Mode is perfect for the die-hard Resident Evil fans who are gluttons for punishment.
Dishonored is a narrative-focused stealthy jaunt through the grimy port city of Dunwall, offering a unique spin in that you can complete the game without killing anyone or engaging in combat. Dunwall City Trials, however, is a pack of ten challenge maps thatll not only test your stealth, agility, and combat skills, but your patience as well. While merely clearing each trial isnt the most challenging thing, getting three stars can be truly grueling. Many of these stages require absolute perfection, as some enemies have an instakill thatll set your progress all the way back. Dunwall City Trials is also a bit contradictory to the core stealth gameplay principle of Dishonored, as it features races and even a wave-based mode where you have to defeat enemies as they come. People who spent countless hours trying to get the By My Hand Alone trophy, I feel your pain.
Mirrors Edge is a first-person action game thats basically a parkour sim, making it the perfect candidate for a dedicated time trial. We got that in the games Pure Time Trials DLC, and with it came some of the most difficult platforming challenges in all of gaming. This supplemental mode adds nine new courses for you to try, and common sentiment for fans of the game around the internet is that these trials are brutal. Youll have to race against the clock to reach the goal, running, climbing, and parkouring your way there in the fastest time possible. Completionists will aim for the coveted three-star run, but be warned: youll want to rip your arms off in frustration after a few tries. Some maps are easier than others, but all require precise movement and borderline perfection to overcome.
I hear what youre saying, finally, a Soulslike entry. Soulslike games are widely known for their difficulty spikes, with games like Elden Ring standing out among the pack (more on that game in a bit). Bloodborne is of course no different, but its difficulty pales in comparison to that of its DLC, the Old Hunters. Some areas and encounters have stat and level requirements which, if unmet, will ensure you have the worst possible day of your life. The boss fights are as brutal as youd expect, and making your way through the roughly 10-hour expansion will by no means be a walk in the park; youll have to gear up and strategize more than you ever had in the base game. The Orphan of Kos, the Old Hunters final boss, is one of the most daunting and grueling boss battles in any game. Its sheer size in relation to its speed and reach make this two-phase fight one for the books.
The most recent DLC at the time of this video, Shadow of the Erdtree reignited the get good conversation around the internet, sparking people all over social media to drop their two cents about the difficulty level of this expansion. Annoying Twitter discourse aside, the base game is a hefty challenge in itself, and Shadow of the Erdtree expands on that, offering numerous new bosses and build options while giving players the choice to collect Scadutree Fragments to augment their stats while in the Realm of Shadow. These buffs offer little asylum, as youll often feel underleveled the more you play. Shadow of the Erdtree truly teeters on unfair, and even veteran players have a hard time with the final boss Radahn. With about 40 major bosses to triumph over, Shadow of the Erdtree is far and away the hardest DLC weve ever played.
What games do you think had the most difficult and frustrating DLCs? Let us know in the comments below, and dont get too mad that we left off your favorite - these DLCs have done us enough damage.
Myles Obenza
Welcome to MojoPlays, and today were counting down our picks for the hardest video game DLCs and expansions. Were fully aware that almost any Soulslike game typically has the most brutal DLCs around, but for the sake of variety, weve left some of them off our list. Let us know in the comments below what video games you think have the hardest DLCs.
#10: Kingdom Hearts 3: ReMind (2020)
The first and only DLC for 2019s slightly disappointing yet hotly-anticipated Kingdom Hearts 3, the ReMind DLC expands on the ending of the main game, and finally concludes the decade-and-a-half-long Dark Seeker Saga. While the main game poses its own set of challenges, especially in its boss fights, ReMinds bosses make Master Xehanort look like a measly little Keyblade novice. Throughout the DLC, Sora and the gang fight their way through legions of Heartless and progress through the weirdest, most nonsensical stories in all of gaming. While not terribly difficult as a whole, the boss fights (especially the hidden fight against Yozora) will make you want to tear your hair out.
#9: Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds (2017)
Another example of the base game being a bit more tame than its expansion, Horizon Zero Dawns 2017 DLC The Frozen Wilds poses a much larger challenge than its release content. The robotic dinosaurs littered around the titular Frozen Wilds are brutal and much tougher, namely the Scorchers and Frostclaws, and the game justifies these beefier baddies with a clever narrative device: a Daemonic force has infected the automatons, making them hit harder, move faster, and act just downright meaner. It also doesnt help that the blizzard conditions make visibility an absolute pain in the rear. This DLC will test your skills and reflexes, and is a sure way to raise your blood pressure just a little.
#8: New Super Mario Bros. 2: The Impossible Pack (2012)
Bet you didnt expect to see this here. New Super Mario Bros. 2: The Impossible Pack is one of the Big Ns earliest forays into the wonderful world of DLC, and aims to be just that - goddamn impossible. While this DLC is only three courses in total, they are BRUTAL. Even the most seasoned platforming veterans will take multiple stabs at these traditional yet unique and dastardly-designed Mario levels. Short timers, poison water, lack of power ups, and other such hazards and hindrances mark this as one of the toughest challenges the mustachioed man in red has seen to date.
#7: Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course (2022)
Dont let the catchy jingle and gorgeous 1930s nostalgic cartoon artstyle fool you - the Delicious Last Course brings the heat just as much as the base game did, if not more. Released in 2022, the first and only expansion for the infamous platformer Cuphead contains only six of its signature difficult boss fights, but they are forces to be reckoned with. To help remedy this new challenge, developer Studio MDHR included a handful of ways to mitigate the tough boss fights through new charms, but most notably with Ms. Chalice, a third playable character that has a few tricks up her sleeve that Cuphead and Mugman dont. No matter who you pick, youll have a hell of time learning the bosss patterns, surviving through multiple phases, and taking them down once and for all.
#6: Monster Hunter World: Iceborne (2019)
Monster Hunter World is lauded as one of the best in series history, and its Iceborne expansion further solidifies that, while cranking the challenge up to eleven. Master Rank, which was introduced in the expansion, includes a higher tier of new equipment, quests, and, you guessed it, monsters to, well, hunt. The typical Monster Hunter gameplay loop we know and love is unchanged, but the monsters are absolutely infuriating - even the first boss Beotodus, basically Icebornes tutorial boss, leaves even experienced players at a loss. Grinding, grinding, and more grinding are in store for those who are trying to finish the DLC, as youll need the strongest weapons and gear to make it through the final boss fight with the Elder Dragon Shara Ishvalda, who is also an enormous son of a bitch to beat. Happy hunting!
#5: Resident Evil 7: Ethan Must Die Mode (2017)
Part of the Banned Footage Vol. 1 DLC for the borderline perfect soft reboot and reimagining of Capcoms pioneering survival horror franchise, Resident Evil 7s Ethan Must Die Mode is absolute godd**n m***erf***ing bull***t. Ahem.. sorry. In this pseudo-Roguelike mode, you traverse your way through the Baker property once again, but with a few twists. You start with no weapons - Ethan must rely on his stealth and maneuvering to evade enemies until youre lucky enough to pick up a firearm. Item locations are randomized, meaning that when you die (yes, when, not if), youll have to rely on your skills instead of memorizing where certain healing items are scattered about. The layout and traps are different from the story mode, further forcing you not to rely on your previous experience in the horrifying house. Ethan Must Die Mode is perfect for the die-hard Resident Evil fans who are gluttons for punishment.
#4: Dishonored: Dunwall City Trials (2012)
Dishonored is a narrative-focused stealthy jaunt through the grimy port city of Dunwall, offering a unique spin in that you can complete the game without killing anyone or engaging in combat. Dunwall City Trials, however, is a pack of ten challenge maps thatll not only test your stealth, agility, and combat skills, but your patience as well. While merely clearing each trial isnt the most challenging thing, getting three stars can be truly grueling. Many of these stages require absolute perfection, as some enemies have an instakill thatll set your progress all the way back. Dunwall City Trials is also a bit contradictory to the core stealth gameplay principle of Dishonored, as it features races and even a wave-based mode where you have to defeat enemies as they come. People who spent countless hours trying to get the By My Hand Alone trophy, I feel your pain.
#3: Mirrors Edge Pure Time Trials (2009)
Mirrors Edge is a first-person action game thats basically a parkour sim, making it the perfect candidate for a dedicated time trial. We got that in the games Pure Time Trials DLC, and with it came some of the most difficult platforming challenges in all of gaming. This supplemental mode adds nine new courses for you to try, and common sentiment for fans of the game around the internet is that these trials are brutal. Youll have to race against the clock to reach the goal, running, climbing, and parkouring your way there in the fastest time possible. Completionists will aim for the coveted three-star run, but be warned: youll want to rip your arms off in frustration after a few tries. Some maps are easier than others, but all require precise movement and borderline perfection to overcome.
#2: Bloodborne: The Old Hunters (2015)
I hear what youre saying, finally, a Soulslike entry. Soulslike games are widely known for their difficulty spikes, with games like Elden Ring standing out among the pack (more on that game in a bit). Bloodborne is of course no different, but its difficulty pales in comparison to that of its DLC, the Old Hunters. Some areas and encounters have stat and level requirements which, if unmet, will ensure you have the worst possible day of your life. The boss fights are as brutal as youd expect, and making your way through the roughly 10-hour expansion will by no means be a walk in the park; youll have to gear up and strategize more than you ever had in the base game. The Orphan of Kos, the Old Hunters final boss, is one of the most daunting and grueling boss battles in any game. Its sheer size in relation to its speed and reach make this two-phase fight one for the books.
#1: Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree (2024)
The most recent DLC at the time of this video, Shadow of the Erdtree reignited the get good conversation around the internet, sparking people all over social media to drop their two cents about the difficulty level of this expansion. Annoying Twitter discourse aside, the base game is a hefty challenge in itself, and Shadow of the Erdtree expands on that, offering numerous new bosses and build options while giving players the choice to collect Scadutree Fragments to augment their stats while in the Realm of Shadow. These buffs offer little asylum, as youll often feel underleveled the more you play. Shadow of the Erdtree truly teeters on unfair, and even veteran players have a hard time with the final boss Radahn. With about 40 major bosses to triumph over, Shadow of the Erdtree is far and away the hardest DLC weve ever played.
What games do you think had the most difficult and frustrating DLCs? Let us know in the comments below, and dont get too mad that we left off your favorite - these DLCs have done us enough damage.
