In 2011, Bethesda released one of their most iconic games, the open-world epic fantasy Skyrim. As an entry in The Elder Scrolls series, the game took the best aspects of the series and brought them to their apex in a vast, Viking-inspired kingdom. The developers released three DLCs to build upon the game’s success over the years. The Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn DLC each gave valuable additions to the vanilla game. Each added mechanics, questlines, and even entire maps. Here is a breakdown of the three expansion packs released for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and what they gave to the game.

Dawnguard

The first DLC for Skyrim was Dawnguard. This story focuses on the titular organization’s quest to battle a rising vampire threat. Along the way, players learn of two other Elder Scrolls within Tamriel they must use. Players must choose between siding with the Dawnguard themselves and the Volkihar vampire clan. Siding with either comes with a separate plotline and new quests for each. Compared to the cosmic threat of the dragons and Daedra, the sophisticated vampire nobles are a nice contrast to the antagonists.

Early in their quest, the player frees Serana, a powerful vampire, from suspended animation who serves as a central deuteragonist. Serana is considered one of the most compelling characters in the game for her tragic backstory, snarky character, and full arc. The game offers a massive storyline and adds two new explorable maps: the frozen Forgotten Vale strewn with elven ruins and the Daedric dimension of the “Soul Cairn.” Both maps are filled to the brim with secrets and sidequests. The DLC also expanded the vampirism and werewolf features by adding new abilities and enemies to keep up with the story’s main themes.

Hearthfire

Of the three DLCs, Hearthfire is easily the smallest. With this expansion, players could purchase a house in certain districts and build it from the ground up. Furthermore, players could marry, adopt children, hire servants, and even decorate their new lair with trophies from previous adventures. Given the Dovahkiin’s reputation in-universe, it would only be fitting that he has an equally impressive lair.

Skyrim is primarily action-oriented, so it was the least popular of the three. Many critics found these house-building elements minimalist and underdeveloped compared to similar titles. However, many fans appreciated the chance to settle down and build a life within the expansive realm of the game. Many found the DLC from Bethesda to be a nice break from the usual gameplay loop of dungeon crawling and side quests.

Dragonborn: Skyrim’s Biggest DLC

Last but not least, Bethesda topped off Skyrim’s legacy with the massive Dragonborn DLC. Here, a mysterious cult goes after the Dragonborn, beckoning them to visit the island of Solstheim from Morrowind’s Bloodmoon DLC. There, he discovers the origins of the first Dragonborn, Miraak, and his plot under the mysterious Daedric Prince Hermaeus Mora. During their quest, the player joins the Nord Skaal tribe and the Dunmer mage Neloth of House Telvanni. As a location, Solstheim combines nostalgic throwbacks to Morrowind’s ashen landscape with Skyrim’s breathtaking scenery and engine.

However, players now see how the Dumner people faired after the fallout from said game and the Oblivion crisis. Furthermore, Mora’s realm of Oblivion, Apocrypha, quickly becomes the game’s most unique and terrifying setting. Given the scale of the original DLC, the scale of this game gives players a proper conclusion for the Dragonborn’s quest. Thematically, the game also adds to the Elder Scrolls franchise. Once again, Mora’s involvement helps add to the “cosmic horror” element that always lingers in the series’ background. If gamers need further convincing, this DLC also includes the feature to ride dragons.

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