Skyrim PS3 DLC Out Tomorrow: What Can Users Expect?

“Finally,” was the united cry from PS3 owners when Bethesda finally announced the release dates of the Skyrim DLC. The delay, more than a year after the game was actually released has been heavily criticized by PS3 aficionados while Xbox360 owners in particular have enjoyed DLC for Skyrim ever since Dawnguard released for that console in June of 2012. Worry no more because on Tuesday, PlayStation owners will be able to experience the added adventures the first of these new content packs bring.

After such a long wait, players might wonder if it is worth dusting of their sword or staff and venturing once more into the land of the Nords. Here we describe what comes with each Skyrim expansion and whether or not it’s worth hard-earned money.

The first piece of DLC to be released will be the Dragonborn expansion. Dragonborn takes players back to the setting of the third Elder Scrolls game, Morrowind. Morrowind is a favorite among gamers because of its rich world, solid storytelling and vast expanses just begging to be explored. In Dragonborn, players will return to Morrowind to do battle against the first Dragonborn and his cult. This DLC adds a lot of content, upwards of ten hours at the least, and is widely considered to be the best of the three. Be sure not to miss this one.

The second piece of DLC to be released will be Hearthfire. Content-wise this is the smallest but also the cheapest. Hearthfire expands the depth of how a player lives in the world of Skyrim. It allows players to build their own house, adopt kids with a spouse and basically just ‘live’ a lot more. Hearthfire is only recommended for those who are really into the “role playing” facet of the game. Outside of that, however, there are no new bosses to fight, quests to complete, or skills to acquire. But for five dollars, it could be a fun distraction.

The last DLC that will be released is actually the first that Bethesda came out with: Dawnguard. In Dawnguard, players discover a sect of Vampires and must either side with or against them in order to save or damn the world. Siding with the Vampire hunters, the titular Dawnguard, is a cookie-cutter quest line. Go to said dungeon, grab stuff, go to another dungeon, find NPC, save the world. The Vampire quest line is fun because it gives a vampire form to use anywhere. Players can fly, drain life, raise the dead and perform other naughty deeds. It’s a lot of fun going into solitude and toying with insignificant mortals who flee from your vampire might. The actual storyline of this quest is mostly forgettable and, overall, the Vampire form is more of a gimmick than an actual game changing addition.

The exact release dates for each expansion is: Dragonborn on Feb. 12, Hearthfire on Feb. 19, and Dawnguard on Feb. 26. It’s also important to note than in the first week of their release, all the DLC will be 50 percent off on the PSN store. In other words, the  $20 Dawnguard and Dragonborn expansions will be $10 and Hearthfire will be $2.50 instead of $5.

At the end of the day, this is decent news for PS3 owners, many of whom had entirely given up hope of ever seeing Skyrim DLC on their console. Hopefully, if and when Bethesda releases new content for Skyrim, PS3 owners won’t have to endure another long wait.