This is exactly the case for me. I don't mind a DLC or two if they are actual full expansions of the game, but when I see a hundred little ones that should all have been one thing, I won't have anything to do with it.

They don't though? Okay, i haven't played any of their new stuff (my poison was Stellaris), but the base games have always been decent to play. Their dlc has been getting worse, Stellaris race packs just should not be a thing, but it's not as bad as some people make it out to be.

I'd consider buying 1 dlc pack for Stellaris but atm I just played the base game on GamePass to learn the basics. I think the other user in this thread had a point about the industry needing to make money constantly and not just make money upon release. I'm glad that paradox supports their games unlike other companies that make dreadful console ports to xbox and never update anything, even when the tools and advice exists from microsoft.

What I dislike more than paradox is these companies that publish a game and abandon it after a few months. They could at least update the graphics for Series S/X consoles but no, games like Aliens: Dark Descent and Batman are left with blurry 2012 graphics because the companies don't care. Even worse is the games with freezing or crashing bugs.

Sure paradox charge a lot of money for dlc and they keep pumping it out but the same could be said for age of empires 2 and 4. If the game is worth it for you then you'll buy a major dlc bundle and spend all your time in the game you like most.

That's true. I have a similar dilemma with war thunder. It can be expensive and I feel like it's rage inducing. Surely buying a full game is better for replay value. Why spend extra when there are so many other options.

And so, I shop around. GamePass on Xbox Series S has been great for 2 months. It gives me a clear picture of what I might pay for in the future. Stellaris seems pretty cool though and they keep supporting it, which can't be said for the bargain bin games that I pick up for pennies.

I think the base game stinks and it doesn't give me much to work with. I can't even do espionage without Nemesis dlc. Options are limited in my opinion. Same thing with cities skylines. Base game doesn't offer much.

I played Stellaris around the time it came out. Took a break from it for some time, wanted to play it again and then saw a huge list of DLC they released and decided that it's better to play indie alternatives (that often continue to be developed for free, with an occasional DLC or two to expand the game and support the creators).