Time to return to a few familiar favorites, as we explore brand new content for Railway Empire 2, Walkabout Mini Golf and Dungeons 4.
Railway Empire 2: Industrial Wonders review (PS5)
After launching with a solid foundation over two years ago, Railway Empire 2 continues to grow with Industrial Wonders, a DLC that leans heavily into the spirit of the Industrial Revolution. This expansion delivers not only three distinct new scenarios but also sharpens the gameplay focus with a more involved production chain system, offering a shift from the base game’s comparatively lighter logistics. Players are now asked to juggle more variable inputs and outputs across industries, especially when supporting the construction of real-world megastructures like the Eiffel Tower and Hoover Dam.
Each new map – from the bustling Ruhr Valley in Europe to the sweeping expanses of the Colorado Basin – is nicely crafted, and the new scenarios do a good job of reflecting the regional histories they’re based on. These scenarios are also fully voiced, which adds to the sense of polish. That said, some PS5 players may find the interface is still a bit clunky when dealing with more complex supply chains, something that hasn’t been fully optimized for consoles. But the satisfaction of seeing your planning efforts contribute to historical landmarks is a strong motivator, especially as each milestone ties back into your company’s growth.
New trains like the “Big Boy” and “Heavy Mikado” add to the historical flavor and are a real treat for locomotive enthusiasts. The soundtrack, too, benefits from the addition of over a dozen new tracks that bring a fittingly dramatic and industrious tone to your rail-building efforts. Visually, the game continues to impress with detailed environments and animation work, although performance can occasionally dip during more congested rail junctions.
For those who found the base game a bit too forgiving, Industrial Wonders adds an extra layer of strategy and thematic cohesion – especially for players who enjoy campaigns with real-world historical ties. While not a total reinvention, this DLC is an excellent example of how to extend a sim-style game with meaningful content rather than filler. If you’ve already built your empire and want a reason to expand it further, Industrial Wonders offers a solid return trip.
Walkabout Mini Golf – Crystal Lair review (Quest)
Walkabout Mini Golf has always excelled at transforming its whimsical courses into VR adventure outings, and Crystal Lair takes that one step further by leaning into the strange blend of wellness retreat aesthetics and subtly sinister undertones. Set in a luxurious spa carved into the cliffs of a Venezuelan tepui, this course might appear to sell tranquility on the surface – but there’s a playful tension bubbling beneath the crystalline beauty as well. That contrast, between peaceful visuals and an eerie tone, gives Crystal Lair a distinct personality among the game’s many themed locations.
Gameplay-wise, Crystal Lair doesn’t just rely on visual flair to leave an impression. Its standout mechanic is a clever magnetic twist that alters how shots behave depending on where you aim, adding a layer of unpredictability that encourages repeat play. It’s a welcome challenge that spices up the usual formula without ever feeling gimmicky. Precision still matters, but reading the course now involves understanding the subtle influence of unseen forces, which gives this DLC one of the more strategic layouts in the ever-growing lineup so far.
Visually, it’s among the most polished courses to date. The serene pools, ambient lighting, and glowing crystals combine to create a meditative backdrop that contrasts nicely with the mechanical trickery of the course itself. Crystobal – the course’s fictional spiritual guide – adds a touch of surreal humor to the experience, with the setting hinting at a new age retreat that might not be quite what it seems. The layered atmosphere makes for a course that’s just as fun to wander through socially as it is to master solo.
For players new to Walkabout Mini Golf, Crystal Lair is a strong entry point thanks to its mix of accessible difficulty and thematic richness. For veterans, it offers the kind of inventive design and environmental storytelling the game has become known for, with enough challenge to warrant a spot in regular rotation. It might look like a peaceful getaway, but under the surface, it’s a delightfully twisted gem of a course.
Dungeons 4 – Tales from the Campfire review (PS5)
With Tales From the Campfire, Dungeons 4 leans even more into its tongue-in-cheek humor and signature blend of dungeon management and lighthearted chaos. The premise this time around is as absurd as it is endearing: the forces of Evil must spin bedtime stories to pacify Gorgu, a diapered, howling miniature embodiment of the Absolute Evil. It’s the kind of setup that perfectly suits the franchise’s tone, and the four-mission mini-campaign manages to be both ridiculous and surprisingly inventive in how it delivers new challenges.
Each mission is themed distinctly, offering up everything from mirror thefts and mail train heists to a volcano in need of cooling and a kingdom obsessed with sheep. These wildly varied objectives ensure the DLC never feels repetitive, even if the core gameplay loop – a mix of RTS-style hero defense and dungeon-building – stays familiar. The blend of overworld combat and underground base construction remains satisfying, and new skills for Thalya, like “Hero Graves” and “Indomitable Horde”, help shake up your tactical options just enough to keep veterans engaged.
Visually, Tales From the Campfire sticks to what Dungeons 4 does best: colorful environments, expressive character designs, and lots of over-the-top spell effects. The new mission settings, like the Wild West train robbery and the enchanted sheep realm, offer some visual variety, even if the game engine itself hasn’t changed. Meanwhile, the narrator – a long-standing highlight of the series – is in top form here, reveling in every pun and sarcastic aside with entertaining delivery that gives the campaign its comedic edge.
This isn’t a DLC that dramatically redefines Dungeons 4, but that’s not really the point. Tales From the Campfire is a fun, quirky expansion that adds just enough narrative silliness and mechanical novelty to justify a return to the dungeon. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just in the mood for some light strategy wrapped in chaotic humor, this is a worthy detour even if you might end up (literally) counting sheep by the end of it.
Press Play Media 