Some of the best content inFromSoftware’sgenre-defining action RPGs,Bloodborneand theDark Soulsfranchise, have come post-launch in the form of story-based DLCs that introduce all-new areas to explore, weapons to find, and bosses by whom to be totally destroyed. While all of theSoulsbornegames stand on their own as some of the best-in-class RPGs from this past decade, FromSoftware has spoiled fans with monstrous DLCs that often add 10+ hours of gameplay.
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All of theSoulsborneDLCs have been met with praise from critics and fans alike, but some have gained legendary status in the community and are among the best DLCs released for any game based on their quality of content and bang-for-your-buck. With FromSoftware crushing fans' dreams by confirming there won’t be a story-basedSekiroDLC and with theDemon’s Soulsremake on the horizon—new DLC, please?—there’s no better time to look back at the best of theSoulsborneDLCs.
7Crown Of The Sunken King
The first DLC forDark Souls 2, FromSoftware’s polarizing middle child in theDark Soulsseries, was also its most underwhelming.Crown of the Sunken Kingis accessible from the depths of Black Gulch, where players take on The Rotten. The highlight ofSunken Kingis its sprawling introductory location, Shulva, Sanctum City. Built around a slumbering, poison-spewing dragon, Sinh, the city of Shulva is full of unique contraptions leading to countless hidden pathways for adventurers to explore.
WhereSunken Kingmainly falls short relative to otherSoulsborneDLCs is the boss fights. The main boss of the DLC, Elana, the Squalid Queen, is mostly just a beefed-up rehash of Nashandra, the final boss of vanillaDark Souls 2. FromSoftware has never totally nailed the feeling of a dragon boss fight, making the fight with Sinh less than stellar, and the hidden fight with the Graverobber, Varg, and Cerah—affectionately known as the “Gank Squad” by the community—just feels like a glorified hard-mode PvP invasion.
6Ashes Of Ariandel
Ashes of Ariandel, the first ofDark Souls 3’s2 DLCs, takes place in thesecond Painted Worldin theSoulsseries, the titular Painted World of Ariandel. Players are brought there by the NPC Slave Knight Gael—more on him later—in the Cathedral of the Deep. The Painted World of Ariandel is fairly sparse and mostly consists of a snowy open-field setting, making it relatively mundane bySoulsbornestandards and easily the worst among the DLCs.
What gives this DLC the slightest edge overSunken Kingis the brilliant, epic boss fight with Sister Friede and Father Ariandel. The first true “three-phase” boss fight in theSoulsseries,Sister Friedeis arguably one of the most difficult fights in theSoulsseries due to its length and the number of different ways she tests players' skill, but it’s also one of the fairest and most satisfying fights. The only other boss fight in this DLC, the Champion’s Gravetender and his Greatwolf, is among the most uninspired that the DLCs have to offer.
5Crown Of The Ivory King
The finale of the Crown trilogy, Crownof the Ivory Kingwas a fitting coda forDark Souls 2. After accessing this DLC through an altar in the Shrine of Winter, players will find themselves in the icy temple of Frozen Eleum Loyce, former home of theIvory King. The highlight of theIvory KingDLC is its two main boss fights, which both require preparation and full exploration of the surrounding area. Aava, the King’s Pet, is only visible to players if they find a unique item first. Finding and recruiting the uncorrupted, non-charred Loyce Knights throughout Eleum Loyce helps immensely in the Burnt Ivory King battle, which feels like the first true “battle” inDark Souls,with two armies going at it in the background.
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Where IvoryKingloses points is with its hidden location and boss fight. The blizzard and Frozen Reindeer in Frigid Outskirts aren’t much fun to navigate through, and having no Bonfire between the beginning of the area and the incredibly difficult fight with theKing’s other pets, Lud and Zallen, was a poor design choice that discouraged exploration.
4Crown Of The Old Iron King
Thankfully, FromSoftware avoided the sophomore slump with their second DLC inDark Souls 2,Crown of the Old Iron King. The setting ofOld Iron King, Brume Tower, is easilyone of the most unique locations in allSoulsbornegameswith its vertical design. Players have to constantly watch their step as they descend the Tower on their way to fighting theFume Knight, one of the best and toughest boss fightsthat FromSoftware has come up with—and, thankfully, there’s a Bonfire right outside his door!
Memory of the Old Iron King is the best of the optional areas in theDark Souls 2DLCs, and the Sir Alonne fight is vintageSouls.Old Iron Kingloses some points thanks to its Smelter Demon rehash—the slightly delayed attacks still feel cheap—and relatively mundane Iron Passage location.
3Artorias Of The Abyss
FromSoftware set expectations high with their first DLC,Artorias of the Abyss. Players must discover the entrance to this DLC through a relatively obscure hidden questline that many players are bound to miss on their first playthrough—or without a guide. After navigating through Oolacile Township, players are rewarded with facing the daunting Father of the Abyss, Manus, in the suffocating Chasm of the Abyss.
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This DLC hit all the main high notes withquality boss fights and memorable locations. The sprawling town of Oolacile still stands as one of the series' best locations, especially for PvP players, and the fight withKnight Artorias the Abysswalkerunderstandably became one of the most influential and most commonly mimicked fights in theSoulsseries. Black Dragon Kalameet was the first of the notoriously hard and polarizing dragon boss fights in theSoulsseries, while Sanctuary Guardian had a unique design but was relatively straightforward compared to some other DLC fights.
2The Ringed City
A fitting end to theDark Soulstrilogy,The Ringed Citywraps up the story started inAriandel. Post-Angels nerf, the Dreg Heap is one of the most funSoulslocations to explore, and players are bound to require multiple playthroughs with the number of different paths to take, which gives it an open-world feel.
After defeating the three Demons far below the Dreg Heap, players will gain entrance to the titular Ringed City. One of the most diverse locations in all of theSoulsseries, The Ringed City holds plenty of challenges for players all the way through to the end with thefight with Slave Knight Gael, who players find has now been corrupted by the Dark Soul.Darkeater Midiris arguably the best dragon boss thatSoulshas to offer, and the Spears of the Church covenant was a pleasantly surprising addition, providing plenty of post-story content.
1The Old Hunters
The only non-SoulsDLC on this list,Bloodborne’sThe Old Hunters, is also its best. One thing that the top three entries on this list all have in common is that they’re tied for most boss fights in aSoulsborneDLC with four apiece—just pretend the aptly-named Living Failures fight never existed. If alist were made of the best boss fightsin all of theSoulsbornegames,The Old Hunterscould easily have four of their fights within the top 10. Ludwig, Laurence, and Orphan of Kos put up incredibly fun and frustrating fights, and Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower would probably top the list of most badass bosses. Not to mention that all of thelevels inThe Old Huntersare top-notch and fit seamlessly together, immersing the players in the Hunter’s Nightmare.
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