Our Game of the Year coverage continues with the Best PS5, PS4 DLC of 2023, of which a top four has been put together by the Push Square editorial team. This category celebrates the best expansions for current PS5, PS4 games, with a focus on single player experiences rather than additions to live-service games.
Bronze Trophy: Resident Evil 4: Separate Ways
First found in the PS2 version of Resident Evil 4, Capcom returned to its masterclass of a PS5, PS4 remake with DLC that brought back the Ada Wong-focused expansion Separate Ways. Featuring new story elements, weapons, and scenarios, this is a fantastic addition to the experience that fans won't want to miss. A chunky DLC, it's quite literally longer than the full release of Resident Evil 3. It's more sublime Resident Evil action, and that's only ever a good thing.
Silver Trophy: Tren in Dreams
Media Molecule's last major addition to Dreams is probably its best. Tren is a whole new game to play within PS4's amazing creation suite, it's free, and it's absolutely wonderful from top to bottom. This puzzle action game is all about guiding a little wooden toy train to the exit of each level, most of which are timed, but others are a bit more cerebral. Combining simple controls with deliciously tactile physics and that signature Media Molecule charm, Tren is full of heart as you progress through its nostalgic campaign. And once you're done, you can make your very own Tren levels with a comprehensive kit. It's a fantastic game that's well worth playing, especially now Dreams is on PS Plus Extra for the foreseeable.
Gold Trophy: Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores
In what feels like a tradition for Guerrilla Games at this point, the Dutch developer returned to last year's Horizon Forbidden West to bolt on an extensive expansion introducing a new story, characters, weapons, and playable area. Side-kick Seyka is the star of the show, but the condensed experience allows for an expansion that's at times better than the main game. There's little in the way of busy work, making every moment and quest meaningful. Stepping into the shoes of Aloy has never been more of a pleasure.
Platinum Trophy: Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
CD Projekt Red is no stranger to crafting standard-setting expansions, and Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is yet another example of the studio's expertise. Dragging V onto the crazed streets of Dogtown — a district that's somehow even more chaotic than Night City proper — this DLC takes all of the lessons that were learned in the base game and cranks everything up a level. A gripping story is tied to more demanding gameplay, and the side quests are of an incredibly high quality. A borderline masterpiece that's emblematic of Cyberpunk 2077's overall revival.
Honourable Mentions: Dead Island 2: Haus, Forspoken: In Tanta We Trust, and Tales of Arise: Beyond the Dawn.
What was your favourite PS5, PS4 DLC of 2023? Place a vote in our poll and then explain your personal pick in the comments below. For further Game of the Year coverage, click the link.
What was your favourite PS5, PS4 DLC of 2023? (369 votes)
- Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
- Dead Island 2: Haus
- Final Fantasy XVI: Echoes of the Fallen
- Forspoken: In Tanta We Trust
- God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla
- Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores
- Resident Evil 4: Separate Ways
- Tales of Arise: Beyond the Dawn
- Tren in Dreams
- Other
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Please Note: This category was decided before the Final Fantasy XVI and God of War Ragnarok expansions had even been announced. Therefore, they weren't considered for this GOTY award. You can vote for them in the poll, though!
Phantom Liberty all day every day.
Separate Ways and Burning Shores are on my list but I’m still trying to clear backlog (never gonna happen😂)
@LiamCroft. Was the Resident Evil 4 VR mode also released too late to be considered in the Best VR Game category? I was curious why Village beat it.
1 Phantom Liberty
2 God Of War Valhalla
3 Separate Ways
4 Burning Shores
Im yet to play Tales or Final Fantasy DLC
As much as I love God of war and the free add on I think that phantom liberty is one of the best expansions I've ever seen for a game. I've purchased it but I've yet to jump into the world of cyberpunk properly as I think it's one of those games that really deserves my uptmost attention and I just don't have that kind of spare time at the moment.
Ah! No love for Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania!? You all need to listen to @JamieO more. I jest, but seriously that DLC needs more love and deserved at least a vote.
I quite liked the RE DLC and Forspoken one, but my vote does go to Tren. I don’t think it feels like DLC at all, but a full sold game experience of its own. It’s such a complete and wholesome package and great fun!
I never got around to Burning Shores, given the release schedule this year, but maybe next year? And I know Phantom Liberty fixed a lot and all and I am curious about the expansion’s story, I can wait til Cyberpunk is $7 like I did for the Witcher 3. I purchased Cyberpunk for Stadia, beat it there, and uh… yeah… it reminded me a lot of Far Cry.
But yeah, this year had some fantastic DLC. If you’re a Switch owner too, that Xenoblade DLC is absolutely essential as well.
@Northern_munkey I’m confused. Even without playing it completely and properly it’s still the best expansion you’ve ever seen? I mean, isn’t it premature to pass judgement or are the opening moments really that impressive that it is the best no matter how it finishes?
I will go with god of war Valhalla since its a incredible game.and its free.kratos the g.o.a.t. 🐐 👑.word up son
My mind is blown that Horizon's DLC was this year. Felt like that came out ages ago.
Still have to get to Cyberpunk’s DLC. Kinda bummed there wasn’t a new trophy list (after platinum’ing it on PS5) on the new complete edition since there was a big boss and gameplay overhauls. I would’ve bought that in a heartbeat. I’ll get to it eventually.
My vote is for Horizon. The end boss fight is absolutely phenomenal. One of the best in recent memory IMO
@Th3solution I get that but with the vids I've seen and the reviews I've read plus all the positive comments from the members on here who's recommendations I value that was more than enough i needed to shell out for it so I have the complete experience when I actually get round to starting my journey through cyberpunk.
To see the turnaround for Cyberpunk 2077 is incredible. I didn’t play the game until the 2.0 update, and I loved it so much I platinumed the game. It really is a masterpiece, in my opinion. I’ve yet to play the DLC, believe it or not, but it’s my next “game” on the list to play.
I recently nabbed Separate Ways so I’m looking forward to that. Phantom Liberty is a knockout and, along with 2.0, elevates Cyberpunk to greatness.
The Phantom Liberty expansion is the reason I started a complete Cyber Punk play through from scratch, and I’m doing it proper. Didn’t even go in to Dogtown until I felt like I would be properly leveled. I’m loving it SO much. As much hate as CDPR got (and deserved) for releasing a broken game, they deserve just as much praise for turning it around, and delivering a truly amazing game.
@Stevemalkpus None of us got round to playing it so we couldn’t really evaluate it.
It has been a pretty incredible year for not just games in general, but DLC too. It would have been good if we had gotten just one of these in a year, but Separate Ways, Burning Shores, and Phantom Liberty are all fantastic (never played Dreams).
I just started Phantom Liberty today, but I have little doubt I will love it and it will be my #1 as well. Absolutely loved Separate Ways. In a way, I think I actually enjoyed that more than the main game. As a huge Horizon fan, obviously I loved Burning Shores as well. I have an issue with the relationship in the game, but not the usual internet hate of it. I just thought it was poorly handled and severely rushed, but I still thought it was great DLC.
Phantom Liberty was amazing, one of the highlights of the year for me. Quite the turn around for that game, I'm glad they stuck with it.
Phantom Liberty is easily no 1 but Valhalla has quickly grown to my no 2.
My game of the year is Cyberpunk 2.0
DLC of the year is Phantom Liberty
Best ongoing game is Cyberpunk.
Best game soundtrack, you've guessed it.
Next in line: VR Gran Turismo 7 and Baldur's Gate III.
They took up much of my time. In 2024, I want to:
Finish VR RE Village - I couldn't progress after arriving in the castle. Apparently there is a book with a key to a door I need to "examine"? Can anybody confirm?
Play: (Bought VR on sale to support it)
VR Green Hell.
Baldur's Gate III
Paper Beasts
Pistol Whip
I have the game Hubris, but I didn't buy it. It is ready to download. Mysterious business indeed.
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