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There is no objectively best RimWorld expansion: each adds a different set of systems, so the right first purchase depends on the colony you want to run. Choose Ideology for belief-driven role-play, Biotech for families, genetics, and mechanoids, Anomaly for horror, Odyssey for exploration, or Royalty for quests, psychic powers, and imperial titles. These are downloadable add-ons for RimWorld, not standalone games.
Which RimWorld expansion should you buy first?
Start with the expansion whose central play loop sounds most appealing. The official descriptions establish what each DLC adds, but they do not prove that one is better value or quality for every player.
- Choose Ideology if you want your colony’s beliefs and culture to shape its way of life.
- Choose Biotech if you’re most interested in children and family play, genetic modification, or controlling mechanoids.
- Choose Anomaly if you want horror threats and an entity-study arc.
- Choose Odyssey if you want gravship travel, exploration, and new environments.
- Choose Royalty if you want an Empire and its quests, noble titles, and psychic powers.
That is a preference-based shortlist, not a quality ranking. Release date, price, and review totals alone are not reliable grounds for deciding which expansion is best for you.
What each RimWorld DLC adds
| Expansion | Main additions | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Royalty | The Empire, quest-earned noble titles, psychic powers, advanced technologies, royal troops, Imperial permits, and varied quest content. | Players who want a faction and quest layer, psychic abilities, and an imperial or nobility theme. |
| Ideology | Colony belief systems, with examples such as cannibal, undergrounder, ranching, and transhumanist communities. | Players who want beliefs and culture to influence how their settlement lives. |
| Biotech | Mechanoid control, children and family play, genetic modification, xenohuman factions, and blood-drinkers. | Players drawn to family systems, genetics, or a mechanoid-focused colony. |
| Anomaly | Horror threats including flesh infestations, cultists, undead, blood rains, and invisible hunters, alongside entity study, psychic rituals, and an evil machine god. | Players who want an explicitly horror-oriented threat and research arc. |
| Odyssey | Gravship construction and travel, new biomes and landmarks, orbital scavenging, wildlife, fishing, quests, weapons, and enemies. | Players who want a mobile colony, new environments, and space excursions. |
These summaries are based on the Steam RimWorld DLC catalog; Royalty’s listing describes additional Empire and quest details, while the Odyssey Steam page provides its feature description and requirement.
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- Collection includes 100 classic board games, from Chess and Checkers to Parcheesi and Ludo
- Full instructions for every game included
- The widest set of family games available
- Fun for children ages and adults alike!
- Never have another predictable game night!
How much do the expansions cost?
The following are U.S. prices displayed in Steam’s catalog on October 4, 2026—not guaranteed current prices elsewhere or in other regions. Prices and availability can change.
| Expansion | U.S. displayed price (October 4, 2026) | Catalog release date |
|---|---|---|
| Royalty | $19.99 | February 24, 2020 |
| Ideology | $19.99 | July 20, 2021 |
| Biotech | $24.99 | October 21, 2022 |
| Anomaly | $24.99 | April 11, 2024 |
| Odyssey | $24.99 | July 11, 2025 |
The prices and release dates are listed in Steam’s RimWorld DLC catalog. Odyssey’s Steam listing also gives a U.S. price and explicitly says it requires RimWorld on Steam.
Rank #2
- OPEN-WORLD STAR WARS ADVENTURE: Explore the galaxy’s dangerous fringe as iconic smugglers, bounty hunters, and rogues navigating the lawless Outer Rim.
- PLAY AS LEGENDARY CHARACTERS: Take on the role of fan-favorite heroes like Han Solo, Boba Fett, Bossk, Lando Calrissian, and Doctor Aphra, each with unique abilities and playstyles.
- SANDBOX STRATEGY GAMEPLAY: Choose your own path to victory by completing jobs, delivering cargo, hunting bounties, upgrading your ship, and outsmarting rivals.
- IMMERSIVE NARRATIVE EXPERIENCE: Dynamic encounters, story-driven cards, and evolving objectives create cinematic moments that feel straight out of the Star Wars saga.
- HIGH REPLAYABILITY: Modular boards, character variety, and branching decisions ensure no two games play the same—perfect for repeated game nights and Star Wars fans.
Are RimWorld expansions standalone games?
No. Treat these as DLC purchases for the base game. Odyssey’s Steam page explicitly lists RimWorld on Steam as a requirement, and the DLC catalog presents the expansions as add-ons. Check the individual store listing for the platform and requirements relevant to your purchase.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Exciting and thrilling dice game (tactical game of chance) for the whole family
- Easy to learn, quick to play – ideal for any occasion
- Constant tension and surprising twists
- The revision of the classic in a handy format
- The "Biggys" and "Bandit" modules bring more variety to the game
Rank #3
- Do Not Begin Unless You Intend to Finish – Jumanji The Board Game takes you & your fellow adventurers on a quest through the jungle, solving riddles & completing challenges as you fight to survive
- Jungle Adventure for 2-4 Players – Roll to determine the number of spaces to move, then race across the colorful jungle-themed board to be the first to reach the center & yell “JUMANJI” to win
- Discover Jumanji’s Secrets – What would Jumanji be without a little trickery? Slide a card into the center decoder to magically reveal the next challenge you must overcome on your way to victory
- Family Game Night: Make memories with board games for kids 4-6, board games for kids 6-8 & board games for kids 8-12. take the fun outside with camping games & outdoor games for adults and family
- Spin Master Toys & Games: Looking for kids games, yard games & card games for grown ups, kids or teens? Shop everything from family game night, travel games, puzzles for adults & family games
Quick recommendation by play style
- Beliefs and colony identity: Ideology.
- Children, genetics, and mechanoids: Biotech.
- Horror and studying strange entities: Anomaly.
- Travel, discovery, and a mobile settlement: Odyssey.
- Psychic powers, quests, and imperial status: Royalty.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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