Summary
Fallouthas had some excellent DLCs that further fleshed out the setting and story of each title. These introduced new characters, locations, enemies, and items toFallout’s world. While each previous title received a handful of expansions, some of these stand out more than others. And withFallout 5likely still a few years away at least, these DLCs are the best of the bunch and remain worth checking out.
The following recommendations will include two DLCs from each of the three recent mainline entries and one honorable mention apiece.
Best Fallout DLCs Worth Playing in 2025
Fallout 3
Broken Steel was arguably the most significant ofFallout 3’s DLCs, as it expanded from the base ending, which some felt was a bit abrupt. Upping the level cap and providing better closure after the events of the main plot, Broken Steel has the Lone Wanderer tracking down and eliminating the Enclave’s remaining forces while ensuring their father’s legacy in Project Purity continues to aid the Capital Wasteland.
Point Lookout then sends fans on a riverboat trip to Maryland’s backwoods and hidden bogs, where the creepy Swampfolk (who strongly resembleRed Dead Redemption 2’s Nightfolk) dwell. The main thread sees the Lone Wanderer caught up in the schemes of the dapper and wilyghoul spy, Desmond Lockheart. With a subplot also involving a strange cult, Point Lookout offers a trippy, spooky vibe and a memorable location.
Fallout: New Vegas
Dead Money, the first DLC released forFallout: New Vegas, follows the Courier as they are lured by the prospect of finding the lost and luxurious Sierra Madre Casino’s legendary treasure. The DLC pits players against former Brotherhood of Steel Elder Father Elijah in a death-trap-riddled game of cat and mouse through the casino that has since become a decaying fortress. The Sierra being covered in a choking red smog and haunted by the unsettling Ghost People makes it feel like asurvival-horrorexperience. Its theme of letting go of past regrets and moving on is also woven well into the tale.
The last ofNew Vegas' expansions, Lonesome Road, brings thetale of the Courier and Ulyssesfull circle. Filling in the gaps of their complex history, the Courier heads to the wind-swept ruins of The Divide to navigate the wreckage and confront Ulysses, bringing their stories home in more ways than one. It also adds some excellent new high-end gear and cool enemies in the form of the Marked Men.
Fallout 4
Akin toFallout 4’s version of Point Lookout, Far Habor sees the Sole Survivor explore the foggy coast of Maine in a similarly semi-Lovecraftian framework. While there, players uncover more of the origins and culture ofFallout’s synths through a plot strongly connected to one ofFO4’smost popular companions, Nick Valentine. It also features some unique and extremely deadly enemies.
Nuka World brings fans to one of the most colorful and fun locationsin the titular amusement park. The DLC gives the Sole Survivor the option to become a full-on Raider leader and flip the settlement-building on its head. Like Lonesome Road, Nuka World is also full of great items and new mutants to fight.
Honorable Mentions
While not as top-notch as the above, these three are still solid.The Pitt established an interesting locationfar north of the Capital Wasteland in the remains of the steel mills of Pittsburg, PA, where a worker revolt is brewing. The Lone Wanderer can intervene and choose who to side with and how to handle a morally gray situation.
Old World Blues is an ode to pulpy 1950s sci-fi, something that was already deeply ingrained in the series' DNA. In it, The Courier heads toThe Big Mountain installationto deal with a collective of pre-War scientists who have spent a little too much time with each other in their advanced facility obsessed with bizarre and unethical experiments. It’s a bit more comedic, but also has an emotionally impactful story underneath.
Finally, though Automatron is shorter compared to most of the rest, it was the first story DLC forFallout 4. It provides a fun take on the character of The Mechanist, a callback toFO3, while adding in more robot-themed mods and items.
