DLC roundup: Solasta, Beat Saber & X4: Foundations

There’s no lack of new releases out there, but some very worthwhile ones actually have us going back to games we’ve previously covered. Here is a look at new content for Solasta – Crown of the Magister, Beat Saber and X4: Foundations.

Solasta: Palace of Ice DLC review (PC)

Tactical Adventures’ latest Solasta DLC, Palace of Ice, is a testament to the studio’s dedication to their game. Building upon the success of Solasta: Crown of the Magister, this expansion takes players on a lengthy campaign set in the frozen lands of the Snow Alliance. With new ancestral creatures and a master plan to unveil, the stakes are higher than ever. In this review, we’ll delve into the positive and negative aspects of the new DLC.

Palace of Ice seamlessly continues the story from the Crown of the Magister campaign, providing a cohesive experience for fans of the base game. The developers have taken player feedback to heart, resulting in a better storyline that strikes a balance between non-linearity and branching choices. As players venture into the lands of the Snow Alliance, alliances and choices affect the progression, adding both depth and replayability to the experience. However, the stiff character animations and wooden dialogue can occasionally detract from the immersion. Despite its grand scale, don’t expect AAA production values here.

The DLC introduces several exciting gameplay features. The level cap has been raised to 16, granting players access to new abilities and powers that enhance the overall experience without compromising balance. Tactical Adventures has skillfully crafted new encounters that require players to think strategically and work together as a team. The inclusion of gnomes and tieflings as playable races, new subclasses, and a wide array of items and abilities adds depth and variety to character creation. The expanded dungeon maker is an impressive addition as well, allowing players to build their own challenging campaigns and test the limits of their parties.

Solasta: Palace of Ice’s new environments are detailed and distinct, showcasing the growth of the game since its Kickstarter campaign. The incorporation of 5th edition D&D mechanics into the 3D spaces is praiseworthy, with spells like Fly and Earthquake providing impactful effects. The environmental sounds, scores, and sound effects enhance the immersive experience, though as mentioned before the facial animations and dialogue still exhibit some stiffness.

With a long campaign, Palace of Ice offers substantial content for players to explore. The non-linear nature of the DLC encourages replayability, allowing players to uncover different paths and experiences. Online multiplayer adds another layer of enjoyment, fostering cooperation among friends and strangers. The extensive library of resources in the dungeon maker provides countless options for creating challenging encounters. Solasta: Palace of Ice is a worthy addition to the franchise at a great price. Tactical Adventures’ commitment to improvement is evident, making this expansion a must-play for fans and newcomers alike.

Beat Saber Queen DLC review (Quest)

The highly anticipated PSVR2 version of Beat Saber launched with something even more exciting for longtime fans – a pack of Queen songs. This latest addition to the game’s ever-expanding catalog brings the iconic music of Queen to life in VR, offering players an opportunity to immerse themselves in the pulsating beats of the legendary band. We’ve long wanted to see more classic tracks in Beat Saber, so let’s take a closer look at this noteworthy expansion.

The Queen Music Pack stands out as one of the most significant updates to the Beat Saber universe, featuring tracks that hold unparalleled intergenerational appeal and reach. While previous updates introduced notable modern musicians, such as Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, and The Weeknd, Queen’s inclusion carries a unique weight. The pack offers 11 tracks from Queen’s illustrious discography, showcasing both their biggest hits and some unexpected ones. However, the rhythmic nature of Queen’s music presents a departure from the fast-paced, steady, and electronic origins typically associated with Beat Saber.

Despite the potential challenge posed by Queen’s varied tempos, the new tracks in Beat Saber’s Queen DLC deliver an exhilarating and explosive experience. Noteworthy selections, including “Don’t Stop Me Now,” “Another One Bites The Dust,” and “Killer Queen,” contribute to the pack’s overall joyousness. The true standout, however, is the band’s most iconic track, “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Playing this track on any difficulty proves to be an absolute blast, with meticulously designed note patterns that perfectly capture the song’s spirit. From steady beats to overwhelming runs of notes in all directions, Beat Games has crafted an exemplary mapping that provides an unparalleled sense of joy and fulfillment for players. It makes us wish that they had included its spiritual follow-up “Innuendo” as well, rather than (for instance) the more obscure Stone Cold Crazy.

Accompanying the Queen Music Pack is a visually stunning Queen-themed environment that immerses players in the band’s world. With giant vinyl records adorning the sides and intermittent silhouettes of the iconic Freddie Mercury and the other band members, the environment enhances the overall experience of the tracks. “Bohemian Rhapsody”, with all its diversity, is a great showcase for this, even abruptly cutting off the effects during the operatic section – goosebumps moment.

Undoubtedly, “Bohemian Rhapsody” alone makes the Queen DLC an essential purchase for any Beat Saber or Queen fan. Its flawless integration of mapping, visuals, and audio creates an unforgettable gameplay experience. However, the rest of the DLC pack is equally exceptional and highly recommended. With the addition of Queen to the Beat Saber universe, it feels like the game has reached a new level of maturity. Queen’s timeless music and legendary status make this expansion a must-have for all enthusiasts.

X4: Kingdom End DLC review (PC)

Four years after its initial release, Egosoft brings the last of the original races back into X4: Foundations with the Kingdom End DLC. This highly anticipated expansion allows players to reconnect with the peaceful and scientifically motivated Borons. Explore their unique ships, uncover secrets, and dive into an immersive narrative. The expansion introduces 11 new sectors, divided into two distinct regions, expanding the game’s sector network.

The DLC’s storyline revolves around a multifactional expedition investigating a mysterious phenomenon in Heretic’s End. The addition of the Borons brings a fresh perspective to the X-Universe, offering players unique ship designs characterized by fluidity and grace. The attention to detail in the Boron ships, with their wavelike shell animation and pulsating lights, creates a visually stunning experience – it really feels like Egosoft has continuously raised the bar with X4 these past few years.

The Sanctuary of Darkness sector, with its treacherous space storm, adds excitement and complexity to the story, challenging players to navigate through its hazards. Additionally, the expansion features two new game starts, ensuring both new and existing players can enjoy what’s on offer here. The Boron ship selection showcases a range of designs focused on defense and speed. Ships like the Ray destroyer impress with their delicate yet formidable construction, exemplifying the Borons’ peaceful nature. Notably, the Borons feature two carrier ships, including the XL-sized Shark, which offers a strategic advantage with its ability to dock and launch smaller ships from its side. Furthermore, the DLC introduces civilian ships such as scouts, miners, and transporters, providing players with diverse gameplay options.

X4: Kingdom End presents a visually stunning experience with its deep blue Boron ship designs and captivating animations. The attention to detail, such as the naming of ships after aquatic creatures, adds to the immersion within the X-Universe. The expansion is accompanied by an outstanding musical score as well, enhancing the atmospheric ambience and providing moments of awe while exploring the new sectors and ships.

Although the DLC delivers a compelling experience, there are a few areas that could benefit from further polish. X4 isn’t the most newcomer-friendly game out there, and can be daunting. Additionally, certain missions lack clear audiovisual cues, which can lead to frustration. X4 fans won’t mind though, as the overall experience remains highly enjoyable.