This week’s look at recent DLC drops highlights how varied expansions can reshape familiar experiences, with each add-on pushing its parent game in a distinct direction. From Company of Heroes 3’s Endure & Defy deepening tactical skirmishes through its new Battlegroups, to Two Point Museum’s Zooseum weaving wildlife care into the series’ offbeat management loop, and Bannerlord’s War Sails opening the seas to full naval warfare, the range on display shows how much mileage developers can still find in established foundations.
Company of Heroes 3 – Endure & Defy review
The Endure & Defy DLC for Company of Heroes 3 expands the multiplayer and co-op sandbox with four new Battlegroups, each injecting its own tactical identity into Relic Entertainment’s World War II strategy game. Rather than adding a new campaign or maps, the DLC focuses entirely on fresh unit rosters and abilities, which gives regular players new tools to experiment with but may feel narrow in scope for those hoping for broader content. Still, the thematic spread – -from Italian Partisans to Kriegsmarine detachments – ensures there’s a clear sense of variety across factions, helping the PC version feel reinvigorated in competitive and casual skirmishes alike.
In practice, these Battlegroups push gameplay in markedly different directions. The Italian Partisans lean into sabotage and deception, rewarding players who value disruption over direct confrontation. The Polish Cavalry, on the other hand, brings elite infantry and heavy anti-armor assets, and they’re a standout addition thanks to their versatility and thematic appeal. By contrast, the Wehrmacht’s Last Stand group encourages more static defensive lines, which add fortifications but are more restrictive during faster-paced matches. The Kriegsmarine introduces naval fire support and supply-focused abilities that dramatically influence engagements, though some of these abilities can push too far in terms of raw impact.
Although the Battlegroups themselves broaden the strategic canvas, the experience isn’t without blemishes. Certain abilities – from naval bombardments to propaganda effects – are potent enough to skew match flow, which makes the DLC more enjoyable in casual or co-op settings than in strict competitive play, particularly since AI opponents don’t always respond effectively to the new mechanics. Price is another consider: because while many multiplayer gamers will appreciate the quality and creativity on display, those looking for more campaign-based gameplay will find none of it here.
Presentation remains consistent with the base game, with units and effects fitting seamlessly into Company of Heroes 3’s visual and audio framework. Commanding the new groups feels intuitive thanks to the already-established control scheme, and the striking effects of explosives, bombardments, and heavy weapons enhance the sense of impact during large-scale clashes. In the end, Endure & Defy succeeds most in refreshing the game’s tactical depth, particularly for dedicated multiplayer and co-op players eager for new synergies and playstyles. Those expecting a more robust expansion may find the offering limited, but strategy fans looking to diversify their frontline options should find plenty to experiment with.
Two Point Museum: Zooseum review
Two Point Studios and SEGA return to Two Point Museum on PlayStation 5 with Zooseum, a wildlife-themed DLC that builds on the base game’s lighthearted management framework by reworking a stately manor into a bustling conservation hub. It follows the earlier Fantasy Finds add-on, but where that expansion leaned into whimsical archetypes and magical exhibits, Zooseum pushes the series toward a zoo-inspired direction with a stronger sense of place and purpose. The result is an expansion that broadens the museum premise without losing the studio’s trademark charm.
The shift toward animal care feels natural, largely thanks to the introduction of wildlife experts and new rooms that enable players to rehabilitate creatures across varied biomes. Managing habitat and terrarium needs adds a satisfying rhythm, especially as each species introduces its own quirks that play well into the series’ comedic tone. At the same time, these systems can require more attention than earlier DLC, with biome-specific demands creating stretches of micromanagement that may not appeal to those who preferred the lighter approach of the Fantasy Finds theme.
The new Farflung Isles expedition map and its associated campaign add welcome structure, providing longer-term goals that reinforce the conservation theme while giving the player plenty to do. The volume of exhibits and decorations is generous, and the DLC integrates smoothly with existing museums, making it easy for returning players to fold its wildlife focus into earlier layouts. On the visual and audio front, Zooseum confidently maintains the series’ playful atmosphere, delivering expressive creature designs and upbeat presentation that complement the busier habitats.
While Zooseum doesn’t radically reinvent the formula, it stands out as a more substantial expansion than Fantasy Finds, offering deeper interactions and a clearer thematic hook even if its price point may feel a touch high to some. For players who enjoy the offbeat museum concept and want a meaningful amount of new content that plays to the strengths of Two Point’s humor and style, this wildlife-focused pack is one of the stronger additions to the game to date.
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord – War Sails review
When you set sail in War Sails, the expansion genuinely shakes up the world of Bannerlord. The introduction of naval warfare – with wind-driven ships, physics-driven waves, ramming, boarding actions and sea-borne blockades – adds a gripping new dimension to the familiar medieval sandbox. The new Viking-inspired faction of Nords, complete with seafaring troops and northern territories, deepens the sense of entering a freshly expanded world. This adds weight to the expansion as more than just a cosmetic add-on.
Visually and mechanically, War Sails largely delivers on its promise. The water physics give naval battles an immersive feel – you can sense the sway of the deck, the behaviour of different ships under sail or oar, and the danger of boarding or ramming under unstable seas. Variety in ship types, and the ability to outfit them with rams, ballistae, or other siege-style gear, grants tactical depth and genuine variety. The expansion also adds sea-specific troop trees, new gear, and gives players the chance to reshape trade, warfare and diplomacy across a reworked map of Calradia.
Still, War Sails has its shortcomings. The integration of sea and land combat feels uneven: coastal sieges, full naval-led invasions of land-based cities, or truly large-scale marine campaigns remain mostly out of reach in the base version – the sea battles largely remain self-contained and rarely bleed into the grand strategic layer in a convincing way. The new Nord faction, while conceptually compelling, comes off as underpowered in many respects: their soldiers often struggle in comparison with veteran land-based armies, limiting their appeal to players expecting Viking-era dominance.
Moreover, some may find the content light. Despite the naval novelties, core gameplay loops – raids, sieges, diplomacy – remain anchored in older Bannerlord systems, meaning the sea experience often amounts to pirating, escorting, or occasional sea-faring skirmishes rather than a full-blown alternate campaign path. And while the ship designs and sea atmosphere impress, the expansion’s supporting narrative and missions are relatively modest in scope, which makes the DLC feel like a strong but limited addition rather than a sweeping overhaul.
In the end, War Sails is a bold but imperfect next step: it revitalizes Bannerlord by adding a long-awaited maritime layer, offering satisfying naval combat and a fresh aesthetic, while still leaving the land-sea integration only partially realized. For fans of medieval naval combat who accept a few rough edges – and perhaps a fresh campaign start – this expansion offers a satisfying taste of what could be a richer future. For those seeking a fully seamless union of land and sea warfare, it may still feel like a promising prologue rather than a complete voyage.
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