8 Serious Video Games Featuring Quirky DLC Add-Ons

Downloadable content (DLC) offers gamers the opportunity to expand their favorite titles, enhancing gameplay and providing new experiences across various genres. From multiplayer maps to additional solo campaigns and cosmetic upgrades, the appeal of DLC is evident.

However, some DLCs stand out not just for their content but for their unique, often bizarre nature, especially when juxtaposed with the darker themes of the main games. While these unconventional offerings can contribute to a game’s charm and memorability, they sometimes perplex the intended audience. This article ranks several standout examples where the DLC diverges significantly from the game’s core themes.

8 Injustice 2

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Set in a dystopian universe dominated by a ruthless Superman, the Injustice series weaves heartbreaking tales with compelling gameplay. Injustice 2 builds upon its predecessor with improved storytelling and visuals. Yet, the introduction of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as DLC fighters seems particularly out of place.

While the Turtles have their own legacy, placing them in a world steeped in tragedy—where Superman has committed horrific acts—offers a curious contrast. Unlike characters that embody the darker themes, the more lighthearted nature of Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo feels somewhat discordant.

7 Dante’s Inferno

Disco Inferno

Although Dante’s Inferno is often overshadowed by Visceral Games’ more renowned titles like Dead Space, it features a gripping narrative through the hellish nine circles of sin. The blend of grotesque monsters and dark storytelling creates an immersive experience. This makes the introduction of the Disco Inferno costume through the Dark Forest DLC an unexpected twist.

Instead of matching the somber tone, this costume employs humor, which contrasts sharply with Dante’s grim battles against horrific beings. It transforms a serious quest into one that feels whimsical, detracting from the emotional weight carried by the main character.

6 Call of Duty: Black Ops

Call of the Dead

The Call of Duty franchise often showcases a serious militaristic aesthetic, with recent DLC such as operator skins resembling characters from cartoons like Beavis and Butt-Head. However, the series initially explored pop culture through the zombies map “Call of the Dead”in Call of Duty: Black Ops.

This map featured iconic horror movie stars including Danny Trejo and Sarah Michelle Gellar battling against hordes of undead in a unique narrative setting. Although the typical Black Ops campaign dealt with heavy themes of trauma and warfare, “Call of the Dead”offers a lighter, yet engaging escape, providing some welcomed comic relief from the franchise’s darker moments.

5 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Fall of the Space Core

The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim Portal 2 Space Core PC Mod

While The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim maintains an adventurous yet serious tone, marked by the looming threat of Alduin, its lighthearted moments can be appealing. The collaboration between Bethesda and Valve to introduce the “Fall of the Space Core” mod stands out in this context, allowing players to embark on a quirky adventure with Portal 2’s Space Core.

The addition of this character injects a dose of playful humor, making the often dire quests feel lighter and entertaining. Headed by Nolan North, the Space Core adds a layer of sci-fi whimsy to the medieval fantasy setting, showcasing an unexpected crossover that enhances gameplay.

4 Dead Rising 3

Super Ultra Dead Rising 3′ Arcade Remix Hyper Edition EX Plus Alpha

No list of eccentric DLCs would be complete without the lengthy title “Super Ultra Dead Rising 3′ Arcade Remix Hyper Edition EX Plus Alpha.” This content introduces a vibrant, co-op mode that invites players to engage in challenges reminiscent of classic Capcom arcade games.

Utilizing beloved characters from previous titles, this mode is drenched in 90’s neon, offering a stark contrast to the serious undertones of Dead Rising 3’s primary narrative. While the series is known for its quirky humor, this DLC amplifies the absurdity while allowing players to indulge in nostalgia.

3 Far Cry 3

Blood Dragon

In Far Cry 3, players navigate a harrowing narrative filled with violence and desperation. When Ubisoft unveiled Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon, it broke the mold by delivering a wildly different experience rooted in 1980s action and sci-fi tropes.

Players step into the shoes of Sergeant Rex “Power”Colt, battling supernatural foes in a visually striking, neon-infused world. This DLC not only departs from the original psychological horror themes but ironically may represent one of the best stories within the Far Cry universe, effectively blending genres.

2 Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

Jack’s 55th Birthday

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard marked a return to the survival horror roots of the franchise, immersing players in a terrifying world filled with grotesque creatures. Amidst this grim landscape, the DLC known as “Jack’s 55th Birthday”emerges as one of the most peculiar additions.

In this mode, players assume the role of Mia, gathering food to satisfy Jack Baker’s appetites within time constraints. The comical elements, such as Jack sporting a birthday hat, add a layer of absurdity that starkly contrasts with the franchise’s traditional horror elements, making for a distinctly offbeat experience.

1 Red Dead Redemption

Undead Nightmare

Regarded as one of the finest narratives in gaming, Red Dead Redemption follows the life of John Marston, navigating a treacherous moral landscape. However, the expansion “Undead Nightmare”pivots sharply into zombie territory, merging western themes with horror elements.

This DLC surprisingly resonates, offering players a new lens through which to view Marston’s character, as he battles against hordes of undead while exploring an eerie rendition of the old west. The bizarre blend of genres not only enriches the gameplay but enhances the overall experience of the base game.

In fact, many players, myself included, believe “Undead Nightmare”is essential to the Red Dead narrative, amplifying the depth with its unique twist on storytelling—something all DLCs should aim to achieve.

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