It’s been a while since we did a DLC roundup, but three recent/upcoming releases have caught our eye – here’s a look at new content for Walkabout Mini Golf, Railway Empire 2 and Highrise City.
Walkabout Mini Golf – Wallace and Gromit review (Quest)
The new Wallace & Gromit DLC for Walkabout Mini Golf, developed by Mighty Coconut, brings a delightful twist to the VR mini-golf experience on Meta Quest. This DLC transforms the iconic duo’s home at 62 West Wallaby Street into a fun and awesome-looking golf course filled with clever contraptions and references to beloved film moments.
The premise of the DLC is a charming homage to Wallace & Gromit fans, integrating familiar scenes and gadgets that evoke nostalgia while providing engaging gameplay. Each hole presents unique challenges inspired by the inventive spirit of the characters, making the course both entertaining and visually captivating.
The gameplay mechanics remain intuitive and very familiar, with the VR controls translating well to the new course’s quirky obstacles. The visual design is one of the best we’ve seen from the developer thus far, faithfully capturing the look and feel of the Wallace & Gromit universe, from the detailed environments to the humorous animations. The audio complements the visual experience, featuring the familiar tunes and sound effects from the series, adding an extra layer of immersion.
Those unfamiliar with Wallace & Gromit may not fully appreciate all the references and intricacies that are on display here, but the new Wallace & Gromit DLC is a delightful addition to Walkabout Mini Golf, offering a unique blend of charm and engaging gameplay that, at an amazing price point, is hard to ignore.
Railway Empire 2 – High Voltage review (PS5)
The High Voltage DLC for Railway Empire 2, published by Kalypso Media and developed by Gaming Minds Studios, takes players into a new era of railway history on all platforms, including the PlayStation 5 where we checked it out. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Swiss Alps, this DLC introduces ten new electric locomotives, adding a fresh layer of strategic depth to the game. The new engines, like the Ce 6/8 III Krokodil and PRR GG1 Blackjack, are meticulously crafted and bring a unique challenge, requiring players to navigate resistance from traditionalist railway administrators.
In addition to new locomotives, the gameplay is enhanced with two new scenarios, “High Voltage” and “Power to the People,” set in 1914 and 1920 respectively. These scenarios are fully voiced, providing an immersive narrative experience. The controls remain intuitive, allowing for seamless management of the new electrical railroads, though the transition from steam to electric can be a bit challenging initially. The visual and audio elements of the DLC are top-notch, with detailed environments and new soundtracks that complement the setting.
The “High Voltage” DLC successfully revitalizes Railway Empire 2 with its focus on electrical locomotives and the Swiss setting, although it may not fully convert those who prefer the traditional steam engines, and it won’t draw in those who didn’t take to Railway Empire 2 to begin with. Nonetheless, it offers a compelling new chapter for railway enthusiasts looking to modernize their rail empire, and we had a blast with it.
Highrise City – Vacation Season review (PC)
Vacation Season, a new and expansive DLC release for Highrise City, was crafted by Fourexo Entertainment and is being published by Deck13. It brings an intriguing twist to the popular city-builder on PC, as it tasks players with catering to demanding tourists, adding a fresh layer of strategy and complexity into the mix as you deal with the ebb and flow of the tourist season and all the challenges that come with that. Building diverse accommodations and crafting engaging sightseeing tours suddenly become essential for keeping these transient guests happy – as well as spending their hard-earned money in your city, feeding the local economy.
This new tourism management aspect in Highrise City is a blast to play around with, requiring players to balance the needs of both residents (who won’t always be happy about the influx of tourists) and tourists (who generally don’t care too much about the residents). With a range of new hotel and resort options to construct, from budget to luxury, and the addition of new tourist-centric buildings and features, Vacation Season enriches the gameplay experience with a wealth of new content. The new visuals, including detailed structures and vibrant tourist spots, maintain the game’s high standards, while enhanced ambient sounds add to the immersion.
The added complexity can be initially overwhelming, but balancing the increased demands of tourists alongside residential needs quickly ends of being a fun and engaging challenge to tackle. This makes Vacation Season a deep and charming addition to Highrise City, even though it’s priced at a higher price point than the previous DLC release, Metro & Planes.
Press Play Media 