Have you ever re-rented a game from GameFly? With so many new releases every week, that might sound counterintuitive. But, now more than ever, there's a reason to re-rent games you played in 2008. That reason is downloadable content on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network, which extends and expands on some of the biggest games out there. DLC started a few years ago with map packs for games like Ghost Recon and Call of Duty. Now the category has expanded to include rich single-player add-on missions and, in the case of Grand Theft Auto, an entirely new single-player game experience.
Below is my guide to some of the best DLC that's available (or about to become available) for popular GameFly games. You might want to put these titles back in your GameQ if you want to re-experience them with a new twist.
Your GTA IV disc is the gateway to the new episode, The Lost and Damned.
Fallout 3 plans three downloadable episodes this year, the first set in Alaska.
A Metal Gear Solid pack for Little Big Planet turns SackBoy into Solid Snake.
GRAND THEFT AUTO IV
The most ambitious experiment in DLC comes this month with the release of The Lost and Damned, a new downloadable episode for Grand Theft Auto IV. This isn't just a mission pack, but rather an entirely new chapter in the GTA universe. I'd almost call it DLE (for "downloadable episode") instead of DLC. You play as Johnny Klebitz, vice president of The Lost Brotherhood biker gang. There's a new story, new cutscenes, new radio stations, new weapons (like a grenade launcher), and yes, lots of motorcycle action around Liberty City. Rockstar is even delivering new multiplayer modes and promises that the storyline will intersect with the plot of GTA IV. If you're a GTA fan, this exclusive Xbox 360 episode, which costs 1600 Microsoft points (or $20), almost feels like a true sequel. It's definitely worth a re-rental.
Below is my guide to some of the best DLC that's available (or about to become available) for popular GameFly games...
FALLOUT 3
As if Fallout 3 wasn't big enough already, the team at Bethesda has committed to releasing three new downloadable mini-episodes for Xbox 360. The first, Operation: Anchorage, came out a few weeks ago and transports you from desolate post-apocalyptic Washington, DC to the snowy confines of Anchorage. There you work to liberate Alaska from an oppressive Communist regime. Later this spring, you'll also see two more episodes on the Xbox 360, including The Pitt (set in Pittsburgh), and Broken Steel, which serves as an epilogue to the game.
ROCK BAND & GUITAR HERO
In terms of sheer content, music games dominate the DLC landscape. For the past year Rock Band has released at least 3 new tracks every week. You can download and instantly play them inside Rock Band or Rock Band 2. All told there are now more than 500 Rock Band tracks available and you can buy them right inside the game's Rock Band Store. There are songs from big names bands like No Doubt and The Foo Fighters, plus eclectic choices like Brooks & Dunn and the Grateful Dead. Guitar Hero hasn't released as many tracks, but its library continues to expand - often with surprise free tracks, such as Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." That classic anthem was available for a limited time in January.
BURNOUT PARADISE
Tired of having to pay money for DLC? Then check out Burnout Paradise's DLC, which offers free updates to the game like the bike pack, adding playable motorcycles and over 70 new challenges. Developer Criterion is also planning to offer premium DLC (i.e. you'll have to pony up some cash), including new cars such as the Ghostbusters Ecto-1 or the Delorean from Back to the Future (yes, it hovers around the level). And it doesn't stop there: Expect a new island to be added to Burnout Paradise this year, and a new Cops and Robbers Mode, which adds police chases to the city.
BIOSHOCK
While Xbox 360 owners get exclusive content for GTA IV and Fallout 3, PS3 owners get a series of three exclusive challenges for BioShock. These Challenge Rooms augment the core game with little puzzles and scenarios you have to solve. There's one where you have to use electricity to rescue a Little Sister atop a Ferris wheel; another where you must defeat a Big Daddy using traps, not weapons; and Worlds of Hurt, which is sort of like Gears of War Horde mode - except you have to defeat a series of Big Daddies!
LITTLE BIG PLANET
One of the most creative and modular games last year was Little Big Planet. So it's only natural that Sony and Media Molecule have started to release a constant stream of DLC content. My favorite so far? The Metal Gear Solid Costume and Level Pack which lets you dress up Sackboy as Snake, Meryl Silverburgh, Screaming Mantis, or Raiden, and adds a paintball gun to the game for some action combat! Countless costume packs are also available, including a God of War Costume Kit (Sackboy as Kratos), Street Fighter Costume Kit, and holiday-themed packs such as Valentine's Day Mini-Pack (dress up as McLovin SackBoy) or even a Chinese New Year costume.
As you can see, today's top games are really turning into platforms; the game disc is merely the key to unlocking a wealth of new content.
Next month I'll be back with a report from some big gaming events in February, including an event that'll show us a playable God of War III for the first time!
