Is Grim Dawn Unplayable Without Dlc

Caroline Mae

2 min read

·

05-01-2025

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Grim Dawn, the acclaimed ARPG from Crate Entertainment, offers a substantial base game experience. But with several expansions adding significant content, a common question arises: is the base game playable, or even enjoyable, without the DLC? The answer, as with most things, is nuanced.

The Core Experience: A Solid Foundation

The base game of Grim Dawn boasts a considerable amount of content. You'll find:

• A sprawling world: Explore the grim and gritty world of Cairn, uncovering its dark secrets and battling a multitude of challenging enemies.
• Two expansive acts: The main storyline alone provides dozens of hours of gameplay.
• A robust character build system: Grim Dawn's class system and skill combinations allow for immense customization, letting you craft a character perfectly suited to your playstyle.
• A wealth of items and loot: The base game offers a satisfying loot grind, with plenty of powerful equipment to discover and upgrade.

Essentially, the base game is a complete ARPG experience in its own right. Many players have sunk hundreds of hours into it without ever purchasing any DLC.

What the DLC Adds

The DLCs, namely Ashes of Malmouth and Forgotten Gods, substantially expand upon the base game, offering:

• New acts and storylines: Each expansion adds a new act to the game, extending the narrative and adding hours of gameplay.
• New classes and skills: These expansions introduce new masteries, granting access to unique skills and playstyles.
• New areas to explore: Expect a wider variety of environments and challenges.
• New items and enemies: Fresh loot and formidable foes keep the gameplay feeling fresh and engaging.

The Verdict: Playable, But Possibly Incomplete

While the base game of Grim Dawn is entirely playable and offers a satisfying ARPG experience, the DLCs enhance it significantly. The expansions don't fundamentally change the core gameplay loop, but they add a substantial amount of content, new challenges, and refined mechanics that significantly improve the overall experience.

Consider the base game as a solid foundation upon which the DLCs build. They're not necessary to enjoy the game, but they certainly enhance it. If you're on a budget, the base game is a worthwhile purchase. However, if you're a fan of the genre and are looking for maximum playtime and replayability, investing in the DLCs is strongly recommended. The expansions provide a considerable amount of extra content that elevates the game to a whole new level.