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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchYes—but “standalone” has two meanings. DOOM Eternal: The Ancient Gods – Part Two and Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna – The Golden Country have documented versions that can be played without owning the original game. Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – From the Ashes can be started from the main menu before you finish the campaign, but it requires the base game or an active Ubisoft+ Premium subscription. The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine can also be launched before the main story is complete, although current storefronts package them inside the Complete Edition rather than selling them as separate standalone products.
The right choice depends on whether you want a physical product, a separate digital purchase, or simply an expansion that lets you skip ahead without losing your existing save. The guide below separates those cases so you know exactly what you must own, where the expansion appears, and how much prior story knowledge it assumes.
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What “standalone expansion” means
Players use “standalone” to describe two different situations. Confusing them is the main reason expansion purchases go wrong.
Playable without finishing the main story
An expansion may be installed with the base game and exposed as a separate option on the title screen. You can begin it even if your campaign save is incomplete. This is the model used by From the Ashes and by the two Witcher 3 expansions. You still need access to Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora or The Witcher 3, but you do not have to reach the final mission first.
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Playable without owning the base game
A true standalone release is sold and launched as its own product. It may be a separate download, disc or cartridge, and it does not require the original game to be installed. The Ancient Gods – Part Two and the retail version of Torna – The Golden Country fit this stricter definition.
| Expansion | Base game required? | Can start before finishing the campaign? | Story position | Current format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DOOM Eternal: The Ancient Gods – Part Two | No for the separate expansion release | Yes | Finale of the DOOM Eternal saga; earlier chapters add context | Separate single-player expansion purchase |
| Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna – The Golden Country | No for the standalone retail version; yes for Expansion Pass DLC | Yes | Prequel set 500 years before Xenoblade Chronicles 2 | Standalone retail product or Expansion Pass DLC |
| Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – From the Ashes | Yes, or an active Ubisoft+ Premium subscription | Yes, from the main menu | Separate story following So’lek | Expansion accessed through the main game |
| The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine | Yes | Yes, through the main menu | Add-on stories designed for existing Witcher 3 players | Included in the current Complete Edition; standalone listings are delisted |
Quick recommendations by what you want
| Your priority | Best fit | Why | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| A separate campaign with no base-game purchase | DOOM Eternal: The Ancient Gods – Part Two | It is sold independently and does not require DOOM Eternal. | It concludes a larger story, so the opening assumes more context than a new standalone game would. |
| A physical standalone product and a clean prequel | Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna – The Golden Country | The retail version is its own product and takes place 500 years earlier. | The Expansion Pass edition is not standalone and requires Xenoblade Chronicles 2. |
| Starting an add-on immediately from a game you already own | Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – From the Ashes | The main menu opens it directly, with no requirement to complete the campaign. | You must own the main game or maintain Ubisoft+ Premium access. |
| Playing a major role-playing expansion before your save reaches the end | The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone or Blood and Wine | Both can be selected separately from the menu. | Current storefront packaging uses the Complete Edition, not a new standalone listing. |
DOOM Eternal: The Ancient Gods – Part Two
The Ancient Gods – Part Two is the clearest choice if “standalone” means “I want a separate product and do not want to buy the base game first.” Xbox Wire’s official description says the base DOOM Eternal game is not required. It is a separate single-player expansion that can be purchased independently.
Do I need to own DOOM Eternal?
No for the independent expansion release. You can buy and launch The Ancient Gods – Part Two without owning the base game. That makes it materially different from an ordinary downloadable add-on that only unlocks content inside an installed copy of DOOM Eternal.
Can I play it without beating the main game?
Yes. Because it is independently launchable, there is no requirement to finish the DOOM Eternal campaign before entering its story. You can begin with the expansion itself rather than waiting for a campaign save to reach a particular chapter.
What story context will I miss?
The publisher recommends playing the award-winning DOOM Eternal campaign and The Ancient Gods – Part One first. Part Two is the finale of the Slayer’s larger saga, not a detached side story written for people who have never encountered the series. The separate purchase removes the ownership barrier; it does not remove the narrative connection.
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Who should choose it?
- Choose it if you want a standalone-sized single-player campaign and are comfortable entering a finale out of order.
- Choose it if you already know the series and want the concluding chapter without buying another copy of the base game.
- Choose a different entry if a self-contained prequel matters more than immediate access to the action.
When was it released?
Xbox Wire lists March 18, 2021 as the launch date for The Ancient Gods – Part Two. That is a historical release date, not a statement about current platform availability or pricing; check the store for the system and edition you plan to use.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna – The Golden Country
Torna – The Golden Country is the strongest recommendation for readers who want a physical standalone product and a story that naturally works as a prequel. Nintendo describes it as a new story mode set 500 years before Xenoblade Chronicles 2.
Do I need to own Xenoblade Chronicles 2?
Only if you choose the Expansion Pass version. Nintendo sold Torna in two forms: as downloadable Expansion Pass content for owners of Xenoblade Chronicles 2, and as a standalone retail release. The retail product does not include the main game, so it is a separate purchase rather than a bundle that quietly depends on the original cartridge.
Can I play Torna before the original game?
Yes. The 500-year time gap gives the story a deliberate prequel structure. You can purchase the standalone retail version and play it without completing—or even owning—Xenoblade Chronicles 2. If you instead redeem the Expansion Pass content, the original game is required because that version is delivered as add-on DLC.
Which edition should you buy?
| Version | What you receive | Does the main game have to be owned? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standalone retail release | Torna – The Golden Country as its own product | No | Players seeking a physical copy or a self-contained prequel |
| Expansion Pass content | Torna as downloadable content | Yes, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is required | Existing owners who already have the Pass |
What should you expect from the story order?
Starting with Torna avoids the problem of entering a finale first: it is positioned as a prequel rather than the conclusion of the main game’s campaign. You will still encounter references and world-building that can land differently depending on whether you know Xenoblade Chronicles 2, but the product’s timeline is clear and independent.
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When was the standalone version released?
Nintendo lists September 21, 2018 for the standalone retail release. Availability, packaging and regional stock can change, so verify that a listing is the retail product rather than an Expansion Pass code before buying.
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Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – From the Ashes
From the Ashes answers a narrower question: “Can I start the expansion now, even though my main story is unfinished?” Ubisoft’s FAQ says yes. It is not a base-game-free product, but owners can launch it directly from the main menu without completing the original campaign.
Do I need to own the base game?
Yes, unless you have an active Ubisoft+ Premium subscription. Ubisoft states that players need the main game or that subscription access to play From the Ashes. Buying the expansion alone does not turn it into a separate game.
Can I play it without beating the main game?
Yes. All owners of From the Ashes can select it directly from the main menu. There is no requirement to finish the main story first, and the expansion does not wait for a late-game unlock in your save.
What story does it tell?
The expansion is a single-player story following So’lek. It also includes a recap video, which is useful if you begin before completing the campaign or have not played recently. The recap supports an early start, but it does not change the ownership requirement.
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Who is this option best for?
- Players who already own Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora and want a separate story entry from the title screen.
- Players using Ubisoft+ Premium who want to try the expansion without buying another standalone game.
- Players who prefer a new character focus and a recap over entering a finale from the middle.
When was it released?
Ubisoft’s announcement shows December 19, 2025 as the release date for From the Ashes. Treat that as the published date for the expansion, while checking your platform’s current edition and subscription rules before purchase.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine
Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine are useful examples of expansions that are accessible before the main story ends but are not currently sold as independent products on standard storefronts.
Can I start them before finishing The Witcher 3?
Yes. CD PROJEKT RED’s current FAQ confirms that both expansions can still be started separately through the main menu. You do not have to complete the base campaign first or load a save that has reached its ending.
Do I need to own The Witcher 3?
Yes. These are add-on campaigns for The Witcher 3, not separate games that launch without it. Their menu access lets you choose a different starting point; it does not remove the base-game requirement.
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Why can’t I find a standalone listing?
The publisher says standalone expansion listings have been delisted and that the current Complete Edition carries the content. If a store search returns only the Complete Edition, that reflects the present packaging rather than a change to the ability to start either expansion from the menu.
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Which order makes sense?
If you are new to The Witcher 3, playing the base campaign first gives you the most context for its world and characters. If you already own the game and want to begin an expansion immediately, select Hearts of Stone or Blood and Wine from the main menu. Starting early is permitted; it is simply a different story order from the one most first-time players choose.
How should you buy them today?
Look for the current The Witcher 3: Complete Edition rather than relying on an old standalone expansion page. Confirm that the edition is for your platform and region, and check the included content description before paying for a second copy.
How to choose the right version before you buy
Use this checklist whenever a store page calls an expansion “standalone.” The label may describe launch access, not ownership independence.
- Read the ownership requirement. Look for wording such as “base game required,” “requires the original title,” or, in the case of From the Ashes, an eligible subscription. If that line appears, the product is not base-game-free.
- Check the launch method. A separate icon or executable indicates an independent product. A menu tile inside the original game indicates an add-on, even if it opens its own campaign.
- Identify the edition. For Torna, distinguish the standalone retail release from Expansion Pass DLC. For The Witcher 3, look for the current Complete Edition because old standalone listings are delisted.
- Confirm the platform and region. Physical stock, digital storefront pages and subscription catalogs can differ by market. Do not assume that a listing on one platform applies to another.
- Decide how much story context you want. A prequel such as Torna is easier to enter out of order than a finale such as The Ancient Gods – Part Two. Menu access answers “can I start?” but not “will I understand every reference?”
- Check whether your purchase is recurring access. If you rely on Ubisoft+ Premium for From the Ashes, verify that the subscription remains active under the terms shown in your region.
Common buying mistakes and how to avoid them
Mistaking “standalone story” for “standalone product”
An expansion can have its own campaign and menu entry while still requiring the base game. From the Ashes and the Witcher 3 expansions are the clearest examples. Read the ownership line before assuming you can install them independently.
Buying the wrong Torna version
The Expansion Pass edition is convenient for existing owners but does not work as a replacement for Xenoblade Chronicles 2. If you want to play without the original game, select the standalone retail release specifically.
Expecting a finale to behave like a prequel
The Ancient Gods – Part Two can be launched first, but it is still the finale of a connected saga. Separate purchase access and narrative independence are different benefits.
Searching for delisted Witcher DLC
Old pages may describe standalone expansion purchases that are no longer the current storefront path. Use the Complete Edition listing and verify the included content instead of relying on an archived product name.
Assuming release dates guarantee current availability
The documented dates—September 21, 2018 for the Torna retail release, March 18, 2021 for The Ancient Gods – Part Two, and December 19, 2025 for From the Ashes—identify when those products launched. They do not guarantee stock, regional sale status, compatibility or subscription inclusion today.
Quick Recap
A simple play-order decision
- Want no base-game purchase? Pick The Ancient Gods – Part Two for a connected finale, or the standalone retail version of Torna for a prequel.
- Already own the base game and want to start immediately? Select From the Ashes or either Witcher 3 expansion from its main menu.
- Prefer the least story disruption? Start with Torna, whose 500-year prequel setting is the most clearly separated chronology.
- Want the conclusion of a known series? Choose The Ancient Gods – Part Two, but play the base campaign and Part One first if you want the intended narrative progression.
- Need a current all-in-one purchase? Choose the Witcher 3: Complete Edition rather than hunting for delisted standalone listings.
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.
