Release roundup: My Big Sister, Railway Empire 2: India & Predator: Hunting Grounds

A varied trio of recent releases today, as we check out the PlayStation port of My Big Sister: Remastered, the new India DLC for Railway Empire 2 and the PlayStation 5 version of Predator: Hunting Grounds.

My Big Sister: Remastered review (PS5)

My Big Sister: Remastered, developed by Stranga Games and published by Ratalaika Games on consoles, offers an intriguing mix of dark narrative and quirky humor. This adventure game, now available on PlayStation 5 after its initial PC release in 2022, follows Luzia, a sharp-tongued twelve-year-old, as she and her sister Sombria navigate a strange world filled with spirits and curses. The story’s focus on sibling dynamics is one of the game’s highlights, balancing dark themes with moments of sarcastic levity that help to flesh out the relationship between the two sisters.

The gameplay is built around classic adventure mechanics, with players controlling Luzia to explore the eerie environments, solve puzzles, and interact with a variety of interesting characters. The puzzles themselves are relatively straightforward, often involving item collection and backtracking, which works well in keeping the story flowing. However, for those expecting more complex challenges, the simplicity might feel underwhelming at times. The multiple endings offer replayability, giving players an incentive to explore different outcomes on a second playthrough.

Visually, My Big Sister: Remastered stands out with its pixel art style, capturing a nostalgic aesthetic that complements the horror-fantasy tone. While the art direction is charming, the visuals might not appeal to everyone, especially those looking for more detailed environments. The game’s soundtrack, with its haunting yet melodic tunes, enhances the atmosphere, contributing to the game’s emotional depth, though it occasionally falls into repetition.

The controls on PlayStation 5 are responsive, and the game plays smoothly, though its relatively short length might leave some players wanting more content. Despite its few shortcomings, such as basic puzzle design and a reliance on backtracking, the emotional story and atmospheric setting make My Big Sister: Remastered a memorable experience for fans of narrative-driven indie games, and for players who enjoy a mix of horror, humor, and heartfelt storytelling, it’s a unique adventure.

Railway Empire 2: India DLC review (PS5)

The India DLC for Railway Empire 2 takes players on a journey through the Indian subcontinent during the East India Company era, blending rich historical context with strategic gameplay. You’re tasked with creating a sprawling rail network across diverse landscapes, from vibrant cities like Bombay to the countryside. The addition of four new locomotives, including the Fairy Queen, and the option to transport 16 regional goods enrich the experience, though the core mechanics remain largely unchanged.

Visually, the DLC captures the colorful and dynamic atmosphere of 19th-century India, with detailed cities, lush landscapes, and culturally infused elements like traditional goods. The thematic music, which features sitars and other instruments, complements the setting well, enhancing immersion. However, while the map design shines in its portrayal of India’s geographical diversity, we saw a few minor performance issues during busier moments.

Gameplay-wise, the DLC offers three well-voiced scenarios that provide plenty of content, each tied to a different era of India’s railway expansion. Although these scenarios add historical flavor, they don’t revolutionize the game’s core mechanics, which may feel overly familiar to returning players. Still, the strategic challenge of navigating the political and economic complexities of the region, combined with the new goods and trains, adds depth to the established formula.

Overall, while Railway Empire 2 – India may not drastically alter the base game’s formula, its detailed world-building and historical context make it a solid expansion. For fans of the base game, this DLC is a welcome addition, particularly for those looking to explore a new region filled with unique challenges.

Predator: Hunting Grounds review (PS5)

Predator: Hunting Grounds has made its way to PlayStation 5, offering players an upgraded version of IllFonic’s asymmetrical multiplayer shooter. Set in the iconic Predator universe, this game pits players in intense battles, either as part of a human Fireteam tasked with completing military missions, or as the Predator, hunting down the squad with its deadly alien weaponry. The game’s premise is exciting, particularly for fans of the films, as it captures the tension of being both the hunter and the hunted.

The PlayStation 5 version benefits from smoother performance and faster load times compared to its original release, which adds a layer of polish to the experience. The Fireteam’s missions are varied, requiring teamwork and strategy to survive, while the Predator gameplay is built around stealth and skill, with advanced alien tech like the Plasma Caster and Combistick giving players a powerful advantage. However, despite these improvements, some elements of the gameplay still feel unbalanced. Fireteam players may find themselves overpowered if the Predator player is skilled, leading to matches that can feel uneven at times.

Visually, the environments in Predator: Hunting Grounds are lush and detailed, with dense jungles that capture the feel of the original films. The PlayStation 5 version delivers better textures and lighting, though some visual glitches remain, especially in character models and animations. The audio work is solid, with a tense, atmospheric soundtrack and familiar Predator sounds that help immerse players in the action, though there are moments where the sound design can feel repetitive or lacking in variety.

Control-wise, the game handles well on the PS5, with responsive movement for both Fireteam and Predator roles. However, some players may find the Predator’s controls a bit clunky when navigating the treetops or aiming its more advanced weaponry, which can affect the fluidity of the experience.

While Predator: Hunting Grounds brings an engaging multiplayer experience with its unique blend of action and tension, it still struggles with balancing issues and some technical hiccups. For fans of the franchise, though, the thrill of stepping into the shoes of the Predator or fighting for survival as part of the Fireteam remains a solid draw, and it’s great to see this one still going strong several years after its original release.