Downloadable Content: Dark Souls II(Scholar of the First Sin)

While technically it's a remastered edition too, for convenient sake, I will be talking about Scholar of the First Sin now alongside the 3 previously included DLC contents. Improved and more robust, this is the definitive version to play.

With 3 large new locations to explore alongside some very intimidating new bosses, it also mixes up some of it's level design with regards to enemy placements, balances certain aspects further out, and deepens multiplayer.

Scholar of the First Sin is a brutal challenge on top of the other titles as my souls were taken away many times. The amount of rage and suffering is rarely elsewhere to be found, but luckily that is the exact reason why I kept playing, in order to taste sweet victory.

Graphics and animations are better, and some would argue that the additional locations are in overall better than the core game. I don't share that opinion, but welcome additions include Brume Tower, Sanctum City and Frigid Outskirts.

Some of the toughest new bosses to be found include Sir Alonne, Burnt Ivory King and Fume Knight, but none really left a visual impression like those found in Artorias of the Abyss. Still, for a challenge, you have come to the right place.

Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin is worthwhile to play even if you have beaten the core game already, as replay value is some of it's greatest strengths in the form of NG+ and PvP.

Downloadable Content: Super Smash Bros. for 3DS/Wii U

Who would had thought or dreamed that eventually, Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. would include downloadable content, including characters, stages and costumes?

Actually, it's still going on, as the Smash ballot is about to end, a personal vote from the community about who they would like to see included next at perhaps the end of this year, or 2016. Personally, I voted for Andy from Advance Wars, because that series deserves more recognition.

Roy, Lucas and Mewtwo are returning DLC characters which all are faithful to their original movesets, but perhaps have become even stronger when compared with the others in this huge roster. Ryu is the latest third party fighter, also from Capcom, and it's interesting to see him and basically his legacy included.

Of course new stages also come and go, such as the upcoming Super Mario Maker based one, and there's a plethora of costumes to choose from as well. What arguably is more interesting than all of these extra's are the eventual balance patches, another new addition.

Whenever Nintendo decides to direct the next Nintendo Direct(without Satoru Iwata, R.I.P.) we can be sure that the results of the ballot will be shown, and I wonder what's up next for our favorite Nintendo fighting game.

Downloadable Content: Dark Souls (Artorias of the Abyss)

 

The incredible Dark Souls experience is enhanced even further.

Also known as the Prepare to Die edition, this downloadable content feels just like the expansion packs from the old, like Yuri's Revenge or The Frozen Throne, adding in a whole bunch of new areas, lore and bosses to keep you even longer busy.

Oolacile is getting terrorized by fearsome inhabitants, and the bosses in question are arguably the best lineup of any other game in the series seen so far. With Knight Artorias of the Abyss with his intimidating attacks, Kalameet's fearsome dragon size and the very aggressive final boss Manus, Father of the Abyss, they really cared for this content.

From Software's requirements for entering Oolacile are a bit cryptic, as it involves killing a large mini boss and then returning later on to find a new Golem enemy further along the river, but once this is done, you will save Dusk of Oolacile and be able to enter the realm upon returning to this river yet again.

Other than that, Artorias of the Abyss/Prepare to Die is a great example of how downloadable content nowadays should be done. All included, long enough and full of quality, no Souls fan could ever go wrong with this content's presentation.

Downloadable Content: Mario Kart 8

It's time to discuss DLC from various games this month.

Nintendo has entered the downloadable content scene as well, and from the top of my head, Mario Kart 8 happens to be one of the first, if not one of the most full fledged deals seen from their end so far.

There are not 1, but 2 tempting DLC packs, each of them consisting of 8 additional tracks to deepen replay value. A typical Mario Kart game nowadays consists of 4 cups with 16 new tracks, alongside 4 retro cups with older tracks. With these packs, we basically got another new Mario Kart game technically.

Not only that, but new characters towards the franchise are playable for the first time, such as Link or Villager, and some have already concluded that the next entry just might be called Nintendo Kart. Alongside them, most of them have a representable track to enjoy.

Although not really included as DLC is the so called 200.CC mode, the first time where the series has gone beyond the usual 150.CC mode. In here, the speed of the karts has gone even faster, making it almost feel like a lite F-Zero version. It's a fun extra addition, but fairly, some of the tracks are kind of ruined by it.

This is what Mario Kart 8 currently offers. There have been rumors about a third DLC pack getting announced soon, but if you ask me I am more than content with this already. Well, except for the battle mode I guess, which I already pointed out in my review. Then it would instantly become the best entry available.