Major RPG Expansions You Need to Know About

In the modern gaming landscape, it’s harder to find a game with no expansions or DLC, even if the wait for such additions has become increasingly longer. In some cases, it’s more than justified, as massive expansions can often act almost like full-fledged sequels, sharing the same technological foundation and offering a full game’s worth of new content. As it stands, it’s a delicate balance between how many ideas the devs can pack in and how long everything will take to cook.

Given how attached fans grow to their favorite worlds and characters, expansions can be especially important for RPGs. Having another chance to step into your favorite game, tackle new mysteries, and get some long-awaited answers can be virtually priceless. As of now, several massive RPGs are set to receive major expansions, promising bigger worlds full of adventures. Let’s take a look at some of the most anticipated examples.

Honorable mentions:

These RPG expansions are either about to release very soon or have so little detail (or even names) that they don’t warrant a full entry, but they still deserve a mention.

• Code Vein 2: Mask of Idris – September 9, 2026
• Borderlands 4: FL4K and the Last Resort – September 10, 2026
• Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader – Processional of the Damned (TBA September 2026)
• Last Epoch: Orobyss (TBA)
• The Outer Worlds 2 – Untitled Story DLC (TBA)
• Digimon Story: Time Stranger – Untitled Story DLC (TBA)

Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen

Coming October 9, 2026

A classic, large-scale single-player expansion for one of the most notable open-world RPGs of recent years, Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen expands both the story and world through the new snowy northern region of Norgan, as well as additional dungeon challenges scattered throughout Vermund and Battahl. This gives players more reason than ever to explore the entire game for the first time or replay it in full, rather than jumping straight into the brand-new adventures.

Exploration in Dark Arisen will revolve heavily around recovering and appraising forgotten relics that unlock powerful new weapons and skills. While new vocations haven’t been confirmed yet, this layer alone could add many new combat mechanics and options to experiment with across every existing class and Pawn companion. As for the new areas added to Dragon’s Dogma 2’s world, Lost Rites will introduce 12 unique challenge dungeons containing special trials and rare equipment previously owned by past Arisen.

Nioh 3: Bloody Insurrection

Coming February 2027

Nioh 3’s first expansion, Hell Rising, dropped just days ago, so the stakes are especially high for its second DLC, Bloody Insurrection. Currently slated for release by the end of next February, Bloody Insurrection will have to correct course after a first addition that’s already surrounded by fan backlash for feeling cheap and hastily rehashed. While specifics remain mostly under wraps, it’s worth noting that both DLCs are intended to share the same “conspiracy-focused” storyline, meaning the upcoming content belongs to the same broader narrative arc.

Such a reception is particularly unfortunate given Nioh 3’s initially strong impression. Hopefully, it isn’t a sign that most of the team has already moved on to upcoming projects such as Wo Long: Wings of Ember, leaving post-launch support for existing games lower on the priority list. Whatever the case, Bloody Insurrection is still billed as the second major addition to Nioh 3. Across the two-DLC Season Pass, Team Ninja promises new stories, enemies, yokai, bosses, and equipment. If Bloody Insurrection follows the scale of Hell Rising, it could add another five to six hours to the experience, likely making it one of the smaller expansions on this list.

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Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance

Coming In 2027

Compared to Nioh 3, Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance represents an entirely different post-launch support case. Following the mixed reception of the base game, Ascendance gives Capcom a huge opportunity to address player feedback and finally turn the tide for its successful but still highly polarizing entry. With Iceborne and Sunbreak already setting the precedent, Ascendance will probably be comparable in size. Capcom itself calls it a “massive expansion,” making it easily one of the biggest additions on this list.

Ascendance directly follows the story of Monster Hunter Wilds, taking the Expedition Team into a new sky-based region built around mysterious ruins and islands floating among the clouds, with a particular narrative focus on powerful Elder Dragons. Fans can expect new areas, plenty of brand-new and returning monsters, greater aerial traversal, and more richly realized ecosystems. As for gameplay additions, expanded weapon movesets, the unique Boost Bracer combat enhancements, and Master Rank progression are all on the menu.

The Witcher 3: Songs Of The Past

Coming In 2027

Image via CD Projekt Red

Easily the most anticipated RPG expansion in quite some time, The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past is a simply brilliant way to tie together the series’ legacy and potentially create a bridge between Geralt’s story and Ciri’s saga in the upcoming trilogy, beginning with The Witcher 4. It gives CD Projekt Red another chance to revisit one of the best open-world RPGs ever made after more than a decade and remind us why it’s still the narrative king. With Blood and Wine already providing such a perfect send-off for Geralt, however, there is some concern over whether it can be matched.

As it stands, very few details are known about The Witcher 3’s third major expansion, with its story, themes, and new gameplay features all remaining under wraps. The developers have stated that the expansion will be sizable, in line with what players have grown to expect from the studio. In any case, the wait for answers is almost over, as CDPR is preparing to offer a closer look at Songs of the Past as soon as next week. We’ll keep you posted.

Fable: Order Of The Hero

Coming: TBA

Fable: Order of the Hero is one of the most curious cases here, as the expansion was officially unveiled more than eight months before the game’s launch. Announcing single-player DLC ahead of release isn’t particularly rare these days, but revealing a full expansion name and so many details certainly is. For comparison, The Outer Worlds 2 fans are still waiting for any word about either of its two expansions almost ten months after launch. One possible explanation is that Fable had already been targeting a fall release before Microsoft moved it to a later date to avoid the overcrowded season (not that February is any quieter, though).

Order of the Hero is described as the next chapter of the adventure, focusing on a darker side of Albion and the hidden secrets of an ancient cult. Your custom Hero will be able to rise through its ranks and eventually lead the cult, with your choices and actions playing a major role in determining what kind of cult you’ll be running: noble, nasty, or simply weird. Playground Games also promises a brand-new region of Albion to explore, so it sounds like a pretty big deal. A release date for Order of the Hero hasn’t been specified yet, but given the circumstances, sometime in 2027 looks like the safest bet.