Which DLCs

[Drosta]

Should I bother with?

$500 of DLC is obscene. So which ones are locking QoL behind them? Bug Fixes? etc?

[db48x]

There are three broad categories of DLC for this game: radio stations, content packs, and expansion packs.

The radio stations are the worst, since they only include about a dozen music tracks and fake advertisements(!) for the in–game radio. You would be much better off just muting the in–game music and playing your favorite music in the background while you play the game. Even a computer that is really a potato can manage that.

Content packs are a little bit controversial. They only add themed buildings to the game, and are often by prolific modders or asset builders. As such, you can find many great buildings, often by the same people, for free on the workshop. But if you really like the theme or the artist, then kicking them a few bucks is nice. I like the Art Deco content pack, for example.

Then there are the proper DLC expansion packs that are actually worth thinking about. Some are more interesting than others. None of them are really objectionable, but some of them are pretty boring, at least in my opinion. The Snowfall DLC is probably the most boring, if you ask me, although the Natural Disasters DLC is a close second. Each of these DLCs were accompanied by a major free update to the game, and all of the bug fixes were in those.

So my recommendation is to completely skip all of the DLC at first. Play the vanilla game for a while to learn it. Play it until you have gotten your money’s worth. Play it until you get to the point were you are almost indifferent about playing it again. At this point, adding more content to the game can revitalize your interest, so it is the best time to pick a DLC to buy.

I recommend picking one single DLC to purchase based on what your best city needs in order to take it to the next level. If it needs night life, then get After Dark. if it needs a really good international airport, then get the Airport DLC. If it needs a world–class University, then the Campus DLC is the right one. Parklife gets you theme parks and city parks. Industries probably adds the most new game play, because the industries it adds will require you to build well or the industrial traffic will choke your city to death; it may actually be the best DLC from a gameplay perspective.

The Mass Transit DLC was one of the best at the time it was released because it added two–lane and four–lane highways (expanding on the base game’s three–lane highways and one–lane access ramps), but one of the best things about the free update that accompanied it was that they added moddable roads to the game as well as a road asset editor. As a result, the workshop have basically any type of road or highway that you could ever need for free making this one less important.

After Dark add bicycles to the game, which is quite nice. You might get it for that even if you don't care about nightclubs or tourist hotels.

[Drosta]

Originally posted by db48x:

There are three broad categories of DLC for this game: radio stations, content packs, and expansion packs.

The radio stations are the worst, since they only include about a dozen music tracks and fake advertisements(!) for the in–game radio. You would be much better off just muting the in–game music and playing your favorite music in the background while you play the game. Even a computer that is really a potato can manage that.

Content packs are a little bit controversial. They only add themed buildings to the game, and are often by prolific modders or asset builders. As such, you can find many great buildings, often by the same people, for free on the workshop. But if you really like the theme or the artist, then kicking them a few bucks is nice. I like the Art Deco content pack, for example.

Then there are the proper DLC expansion packs that are actually worth thinking about. Some are more interesting than others. None of them are really objectionable, but some of them are pretty boring, at least in my opinion. The Snowfall DLC is probably the most boring, if you ask me, although the Natural Disasters DLC is a close second. Each of these DLCs were accompanied by a major free update to the game, and all of the bug fixes were in those.

So my recommendation is to completely skip all of the DLC at first. Play the vanilla game for a while to learn it. Play it until you have gotten your money’s worth. Play it until you get to the point were you are almost indifferent about playing it again. At this point, adding more content to the game can revitalize your interest, so it is the best time to pick a DLC to buy.

I recommend picking one single DLC to purchase based on what your best city needs in order to take it to the next level. If it needs night life, then get After Dark. if it needs a really good international airport, then get the Airport DLC. If it needs a world–class University, then the Campus DLC is the right one. Parklife gets you theme parks and city parks. Industries probably adds the most new game play, because the industries it adds will require you to build well or the industrial traffic will choke your city to death; it may actually be the best DLC from a gameplay perspective.

The Mass Transit DLC was one of the best at the time it was released because it added two–lane and four–lane highways (expanding on the base game’s three–lane highways and one–lane access ramps), but one of the best things about the free update that accompanied it was that they added moddable roads to the game as well as a road asset editor. As a result, the workshop have basically any type of road or highway that you could ever need for free making this one less important.

After Dark add bicycles to the game, which is quite nice. You might get it for that even if you don't care about nightclubs or tourist hotels.

Thanks for the detailed reply. I appreciate it.

[Doc001]

All except radio stations.

[Priest]

I would only buy the DLC´s when they are on sale. I think they are not worth the full price

[Doc001]

Originally posted by Priest:

I would only buy the DLC´s when they are on sale. I think they are not worth the full price

+1
That's what I did.

[Tsubame ⭐]

All bug fixes - and plenty of regular features and gameplay changes - were implemented in the game for free, so you do not need DLCs to "fix" game issues.

All they do is add extra content.

For more detailed info on each DLC:

https://skylines.paradoxwikis.com/Downloadable_content

First play the base game and see if you like the game. The base game is pretty solid by itself and vast majority of Workshop Content will not require any DLC.

Once you have established you like the game and will keep playing it, I would then branch off. Focus on true expansion packs, which add content and gameplay content that is hard or impossible to replicate with mods.

Content packs are not worth nearly as much as usually you can find similar alternatives for free in the Workshop, but your mileage may vary.

Radio packs are a waste of money.

Wait for a Steam sale, and use the time to gauge your interest in the game in the mean time.

[Clunk]

If I could only have one DLC it would be Industries. Every map I build revolves around it and along with all free Industries related content on the workshop makes it outstanding.

The worst, or most worthless IMO, is Natural Disasters.

Everything else is somewhere in between.

[dampf.l]

Natural Disasters is the best DLC in my opinion. Building a city in hundreds of hours and just destroying it within minutes. *priceless*

Then loading the savegame and just destroy it again. Did I mention, that you should save your city before?

No, really, it's fun for like quarter to half an hour, from time to time and you can enable or disable the natural disasters at any time in game. I even played a game with disasters enabled, because it adds some excitement of what would happen next, when and where?

Natural Disasters DLC also adds some nice challenge maps, which are not so easy to master.

[SievertChaser]

Mass Transit, After Dark, Green Cities, Parklife, Industries, Sunset Harbor, Plazas and Promenades, maybe Snowfall (for the trams) and Bridges and Piers and Hotels and Retreats... I've got a half-written miniguide on what's what and what's to buy and I've had some time to reflect.

[Tsubame ⭐]

Natural Disasters is probably one of the most black and white expansion DLCs of the game. If you like destroying stuff, and preventing and/or addressing disaster events, then this is just for you. If not, it is almost completely useless, besides some service buildings and maps/scenarios.

[SievertChaser]

Originally posted by Tsubame ⭐:

Natural Disasters is probably one of the most black and white expansion DLCs of the game. If you like destroying stuff, and preventing and/or addressing disaster events, then this is just for you. If not, it is almost completely useless, besides some service buildings and maps/scenarios.

I'd say Campus and maybe the financial districts one are around there as well.

[Clunk]

This is what makes this game so great as it offers hour upon hour of entertainment in any direction or theme you prefer, plus or minus whichever DLCs, Content Packs or Workshop assets and mods interest you.