Hey guys, is the BoTW DLC worth it? I beat the game a couple of weeks ago, and I had a lot of fun, but I heard that it was... disappointing?
Was it really?
BOTW's DLC is a mixed bag. I definitely don't regret buying it but I can see how other Nintendo DLCs have been better value for money (Mario Kart 8) or have added something that the main game was missing (Splatoon 2's Octo Expansion). BOTW's DLC is generally more of the same, so it depends what you're looking for in it. I'll list the pros and cons here:
Pros:
+ The Trial of the Sword is good.
Really good. It's like those gauntlet dungeons from Wind Waker and Twilight Princess but much better, as the nature of BOTW's combat means that you have to think a lot more strategically. If you enjoyed Eventide, you'll enjoy this.
+ The Champion's Ballad adds what is probably the best boss in the entire Zelda series
+ The DLC adds a few useful items and features like Hero's Path, which is good for tracking where you have and haven't been (good for tracking down remaining Koroks)
+ The new shrines are all pretty good quality. No rehashed 'a major trial of strength' shrines here.
+ If you like Zelda fanservice, the armour sets are pretty fun and I enjoyed tracking them down
+ The prize for beating the Champion's Ballad is a load of fun
Cons:
- It really doesn't add much more to the story. You do get some more cutscenes, but I don't think they really address the issues many people had with BOTW's story.
- While cool, the armour sets aren't very practical: you can't upgrade them, meaning they'll only be useful early/mid game in any subsequent runthroughs
- As stated above, a lot of the DLC boils down to stuff that's more of the same. Sick of shrines? Well too bad, cos The Champion's Ballad is largely based on them (even if they are good quality shrines). Want cutscenes that progress the story in the modern day? Tough luck.
- I haven't experienced Master Mode myself yet (just started a save file before Ultimate came out), but I've heard mixed things about it. It gives enemies regenerating health, which sounds like it could make some fights quite tedious. Of what little I've experienced so far, it's discouraged me from fighting at all.