Release roundup: Thrones of Decay DLC, Smalland VR & Survival: Fountain of Youth

Between a new DLC, a VR adaptation and a survival game exiting Early Access, we’re checking out three very different recent releases today. Here’s a look at Thrones of Decay for Total War: Warhammer III, Smalland: Survive The Wilds VR and Survival: Fountain of Youth.

Total War: Warhammer III – Thrones Of Decay DLC review (PC)

Total War: Warhammer III’s Thrones of Decay DLC enriches the game with new Legendary Lords, units and campaign mechanics. Developed by Creative Assembly and published by SEGA, this DLC offers a fresh take on the chaotic world of Warhammer, breathing new life into its campaigns – including the sandbox-oriented Immortal Empires campaign.

The introduction of three new Legendary Lords – Tamurkhan the Maggot Lord for Nurgle, Elspeth von Draken for the Empire, and Malakai Makaisson for the Dwarfs – adds a layer of strategic depth and variety that will especially appeal to veterans of the series as they introduce new ways to play. For example, Tamurkhan’s campaign revolves around amassing a horde of heroic characters, enhancing both the narrative and gameplay. Elspeth von Draken’s synergy of death magic and gunpowder adds a strategic twist to the Empire, while Malakai Makaisson’s quest for redemption and his knack for engineering offer a fresh dynamic to the Dwarfs.

The new units, such as the Toad Dragons of Nurgle, the Empire’s Marienburg Land Ship, and the Dwarfs’ Thunderbarge, are visually impressive and add significant tactical options on the battlefield. These new units not only diversify combat scenarios but also showcase the creative prowess of the developers and the versatility of the Warhammer universe. However, some players might find the learning curve for the new mechanics steep, and occasional performance issues can disrupt the immersion. Seeing as how Warhammer III has been out for over two years now, that’s a shame to see.

In conclusion, Thrones of Decay is a worthy expansion for Total War: Warhammer III, offering compelling new characters, engaging gameplay mechanics, and visually striking units. It revitalizes the Empire and Dwarfs factions while providing a fresh narrative angle for fans of Nurgle. Despite minor technical hiccups, this DLC is a must-have for enthusiasts of the series, promising hours of strategic fun and immersive storytelling – though it’s worth pointing out this is more geared towards sandbox-style play than a typical narrative-driven DLC would be.

Smalland: Survive The Wilds VR review (Quest)

Smalland: Survive the Wilds VR, freshly released by Merge Games as a spin-off for the flat screen version we reviewed earlier, offers an immersive experience on the Meta Quest, transporting players into a world where the Smallfolk emerge from their underground dwellings to reclaim the Overland. Set in a world now devoid of giants, players assume the role of a Vanguard, navigating a hostile environment filled with towering insects and ancient relics.

The narrative of the Smallfolk reclaiming the Overland provides a compelling backdrop for exploration and survival, and if you’ve played non-VR Smalland before then it really comes alive here. Gameplay mechanics are robust and multifaceted, with players building encampments, crafting weapons and armor, and taming creatures to aid in their survival. The building system is intuitive, allowing for creative freedom in constructing safe havens atop Great Trees, while the crafting system offers a variety of tools and gear to tackle the game’s challenges.

Visually, Smalland provides an impressive sense of scale on the Meta Quest. The game’s environments are detailed and bring Smalland’s lush landscapes and the dangerous insects that live there to life. The use of VR definitely enhances the immersion, making encounters with giant creatures both thrilling and intimidating. The audio design complements the visuals effectively, with ambient sounds and creature noises adding to the overall atmosphere. However, performance hiccups detract from the experience at launch and will need to be worked on for this one to be as enjoyable as it could be.

Overall, Smalland: Survive the Wilds VR on the Meta Quest is an interesting title for those seeking an adventurous survival experience in VR. Its engaging world and gameplay mechanics, combined with an immersive VR environment, make this one to watch. While it has drawbacks, most noticeably in terms of performance issues, the game’s potential is there, offering a unique and captivating journey into the world of the Smallfolk as long as those get addressed.

Survival: Fountain of Youth review (PC)

Survival: Fountain of Youth, developed by Odinsoft and published by Twin Sails Interactive, throws players into a challenging open-world survival experience set in the 16th-century Caribbean. As a shipwrecked explorer, players must not only endure the harsh elements but also uncover the secrets of an ancient civilization that once called it home. The game’s premise is intriguing, combining historical exploration with survival gameplay to create a compelling narrative. The game just exited Early Access, and we checked out the 1.0 version.

The gameplay mechanics in Survival are robust, offering a comprehensive crafting system that allows players to turn basic resources into essential tools and structures. Building outposts on various islands and upgrading your encampment provides a sense of progression and achievement. However, the resource gathering and crafting can become repetitive over time, which might affect long-term engagement and this is unlikely to be something you’ll enjoy if you didn’t like other crafting/survival games. In that sense, it’s not as newcomer-friendly as something like Subnautica.

Visually, the game excels with its detailed environments and realistic depiction of the Caribbean setting. The lush landscapes, dynamic weather effects, and ambient sounds create an immersive world that draws players in. The audio design further enhances the atmosphere, making exploration and survival in this environment feel like an engaging experience. However, minor performance issues and bugs linger in the 1.0 version and can occasionally disrupt the immersion.

Overall, Survival: Fountain of Youth offers a captivating survival experience with a unique historical twist. Its engaging setting, deep gameplay mechanics, and beautiful visuals make it a standout title in the survival genre. While it has minor drawbacks, such as repetitive resource management and occasional performance issues, the game’s strengths provide a rich and challenging adventure for survival enthusiasts.