Do I need the DLC to enjoy this?

[LuckyN13]

Like the title says, how much more is included with the DLC? Does it really add to the game or is vanilla just fine?

I tried the game out last year on vanilla but it wasn't on my computer so I never got more than maybe 2 hours in, I was enjoying it for what it was but never actually bought the game myself to continue the experience.

[MongooseCalledFred]

I've been enjoying it without any DLC, but I can see where the DLC would improve the experience.

[kbrayaquar7]

I can't even play without my hivemind (Utopia), and the trade enclaves (Leviathans) are handy... when I don't play devouring swarms... which isn't often). And I just like the Plantoid ships, but that's cosmetic and is just a personal preference. Utopia is pretty much a must in my opinion. Leviathans is just plain handy with the enclaves and being able to swap minerals for energy or vice versa whenever you have need. I'm unsure about the upcoming Synthetic Dawn, but I'm getting it, cause it's only $10 and that's like what... 1 meal eating out? Yeah, I can afford a measly $10.

[Smanj]

You'll have a pretty full experience without any. You'll mainly be missing out on Traditions & Ascension Perks (some much needed "depth") and Megastructures (very late game anyway). Both are from the Utopia expansion. The other dlc are much more minor in scope

[MongooseCalledFred]

Originally posted by Aronion:

You'll have a pretty full experience without any. You'll mainly be missing out on Traditions & Ascension Perks (some much needed "depth") and Megastructures (very late game anyway). Both are from the Utopia expansion. The other dlc are much more minor in scope

Traditions are in the base game, but they aren't as worth while without the Ascension Perk unlocks that Utopia adds.

[xNaquada]

basically, yes.

[Hugh]

It's better with the two major DLCs. So get Laviathan and Utopia.

[A Pit of Pit Bulls]

I've played it a bunch of times without DLCs, and a whole lot more with Utopia and Leviathan enabled. They add a fair bit to the game, especially Ascension perks and Hivemind government type, but they're not required in any way.

I'd say give it a few hours without DLCs, see if you enjoy it (there has been quite a few patches since last year that changed a lot of basic things)- it took me a whole lot longer to start getting some of the gameplay aspects - and then consider buying DLCs. Maybe they'll be on sale!

[radwyn]

The addons are excéllent but the base game is a fine, to figure out if you like it enough to spend more $$.

[Terijian]

Base game is enjoyable as is. DLC definitly increase the replay. Id say just tool around with base game until you get bored then get dlc when you can afford

[Proteus]

I agree ... the Utopia DLC and the Leviathan Storypack add a lot of useful elements.
But the game also is enjoyable without them

[Stormstriker]

Right now Paradox has all the DLC and base game on sale on their site if you decide to get any. And they sell Steam keys so you play it through Steam. They are starting their own launcher that is in beta so you also can play through that or just go to the folder and launch the game straight up.

[LuckyN13]

Thanks guys for the responses, I think I might just pick up the whole game and DLCs as a package, like what Stormstriker said the games on sale right now.

[Stormstriker]

When you buy on their site, it may take up to 30 minutes for your Steam key to generate. I bought a lot of the game during this sale and the keys for Steam showed up under 10 minutes but they say allow up to 30. Then on their site, you will see your games in the account area and click Manage to see your Steam key. Some I was able to just click the Activate button next to it to make it activate on Steam while others gave an error. The ones with the error, just copy key and then use Activate Product in Steam and it worked that way.

[GiantPotato]

Paradox's business model is to provide a free major update alongside each paid DLC. So if you're seeing improvement in the base game, then go ahead and throw money at the DLC. If you're not enjoying the base game, then save your cash.

Personally I've bought all the DLC, because it seems like a fair deal and because I enjoy the way the game is going.

[Proteus]

Originally posted by Stormstriker:

When you buy on their site, it may take up to 30 minutes for your Steam key to generate. I bought a lot of the game during this sale and the keys for Steam showed up under 10 minutes but they say allow up to 30. Then on their site, you will see your games in the account area and click Manage to see your Steam key. Some I was able to just click the Activate button next to it to make it activate on Steam while others gave an error. The ones with the error, just copy key and then use Activate Product in Steam and it worked that way.

Actually for me it took 2 days (for my Plantoids key).
Seems like they ran out of keys for some games/DLCs during last weekend and therefore Steam Key generation bugged out till they fixed it