Whether it’s preserving arcade-era pinball history, reshaping competitive battlefields or expanding sprawling fantasy sandboxes, this latest wave of DLC releases highlights just how varied post-launch support is. Zen Studios continues its long-running celebration of classic Williams tables with another nostalgia-heavy pinball collection, while Relic Entertainment pushes Company of Heroes 3 further toward a constantly evolving multiplayer strategy platform through new tactical Battlegroups. Meanwhile, Creative Assembly experiments with a leaner and more focused approach to Total War: Warhammer III expansions, delivering a smaller but mechanically distinct character pack for Grand Cathay.
Pinball FX – Williams Volume 10 review (PS5/Quest)
Williams Pinball Volume 10 continues Zen Studios’ ongoing effort to preserve classic Williams tables for modern platforms, and they’re already up to pack number 10, introducing three additional tables. The headline attraction is unquestionably Diner, a table packed with personality thanks to its quirky cast of demanding customers, layered objectives and satisfying scoring flow. Its diner theme translates naturally into gameplay progression, with players juggling food orders, ramps and jackpot opportunities in a way that constantly feels engaging without becoming overly complicated. Comet and Fire! are competently recreated pieces of pinball history as well, but they lack the same memorable identity and can occasionally feel more like curiosities than essential additions.
The actual pinball mechanics remain excellent throughout, with responsive flipper controls and physics that do a strong job of recreating the feel of real machines. Comet leans heavily into repeat ramp shots and multiplier chasing, giving it an approachable arcade rhythm even if its objectives become repetitive over longer sessions. Fire! offers more tension through its fire-extinguishing mechanics and multiball opportunities, though its sparse layout and fast rebounds can sometimes make it feel punishing rather than exciting. Diner strikes the best balance between accessibility and challenge, with enough moving parts to reward experienced players while still remaining readable for newcomers. Zen’s optional enhanced-table presentation also adds some welcome flair through animated decorations and environmental effects without compromising the authenticity of the original machines.
On PlayStation 5, the visual presentation is as polished as ever, with sharp reflections, dynamic lighting and detailed table models helping these older machines feel surprisingly lively. The retro sound design is equally effective, preserving the mechanical clatter, synthesized jingles and voice samples that defined these tables in arcades decades ago. Some of the older audio clips naturally sound rougher by modern standards, but that slightly worn presentation honestly suits the nostalgic tone of the collection. The enhanced visual mode occasionally borders on excessive with its extra 3D props and effects, yet it also helps certain tables – especially Comet and Fire! – feel more visually dynamic than they originally were.
The Meta Quest version adds another layer to the experience by recreating the sensation of physically standing in front of these cabinets. While the core gameplay remains identical, VR significantly improves the sense of scale and depth, particularly on tables like Comet where long shots and ramp visibility benefit from a more natural viewing angle. Diner’s crowded upper playfield also becomes easier to track in VR, making its chaos feel more manageable and immersive at the same time. There are still moments where the older table designs show their age compared to newer Williams releases, but Zen Studios’ preservation work remains impressive. Even when the quality of the tables themselves varies, the authenticity of the recreations and the added immersion of VR still make Williams Volume 10 worthwhile for dedicated virtual pinball fans.
Company of Heroes 3: Dare & Destroy review (PC)
Relic Entertainment’s Company of Heroes 3 has spent the last few years rebuilding goodwill after a divisive launch, and the Dare & Destroy DLC feels designed to reinforce how much the game has evolved rather than radically reinventing it. Instead of adding campaign content, the pack introduces four new Battlegroups that lean heavily into specialized tactics, from defensive Free French fortifications to aggressive British commando harassment and devastating late-game armored pushes for the Afrika Korps. The result is a multiplayer-focused expansion that injects fresh strategic variety into matches, even if it also reinforces the sense that Company of Heroes 3’s ongoing support increasingly revolves around paid modular content rather than larger-scale additions.
What still makes Company of Heroes 3 compelling is how well its battlefield systems interact with these new tools. Positioning, cover management and combined-arms tactics remain the core of the experience, and Dare & Destroy gives veteran players more ways to exploit them. The British Special Service Battlegroup in particular creates opportunities for relentless hit-and-run pressure, while the Wehrmacht Siege Breaker setup encourages brutal frontline assaults backed by heavy firepower. Matches become less predictable because each Battlegroup pushes players toward distinct tactical identities, and the new units fit naturally into the game’s existing rhythm instead of feeling gimmicky. At the same time, balance concerns continue to shadow the experience, with a few rounds ended with players criticizing overpowered infantry.
On a technical level, the PC version continues to benefit from the steady improvements Relic has made since launch. Battles look appropriately chaotic once artillery starts tearing apart buildings and tanks begin reshaping the environment, and the destruction systems still do a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to immersion. The cleaner visual direction remains somewhat divisive compared to the grittier tone of earlier entries, but the readability during large engagements is undeniably stronger than it was at release. Audio is similarly effective, with booming artillery strikes, heavy vehicle movement and battlefield chatter helping matches feel intense without becoming overwhelming. Controls also remain one of Company of Heroes 3’s strengths on PC, where responsive unit selection and improved quality-of-life features help offset the sometimes hectic pace of multiplayer micromanagement.
The biggest sticking point with Dare & Destroy is value. Even players who genuinely enjoy the new Battlegroups will find it hard to ignore pricing concerns. There’s also the lingering frustration that balance updates can rapidly change the effectiveness of the very content players just purchased. Still, viewed purely as a gameplay expansion, Dare & Destroy succeeds at making Company of Heroes 3 feel livelier and more strategically diverse than before. For dedicated RTS players already invested in Relic’s ongoing support of the game, this is a meaningful addition that freshens up multiplayer considerably, even if the monetization surrounding it remains difficult to ignore.
Total War: Warhammer III Bhashiva & The Tiger Warriors Character Pack review (PC)
Creative Assembly’s smaller-scale approach to DLC feels surprisingly well suited to Total War: Warhammer III with Bhashiva & The Tiger Warriors. Rather than trying to reinvent Grand Cathay wholesale, this character pack narrows its focus onto a highly aggressive subfaction that finally gives Cathay a more mobile and predatory identity. Bhashiva herself immediately stands apart from the faction’s more defensive and orderly legendary lords, pushing campaigns toward constant movement, relic hunting and offensive momentum instead of slow territorial consolidation. The Tiger Warriors also bring a welcome visual identity to the battlefield, with hulking feline infantry charging through enemy lines in a way that feels markedly different from Cathay’s usual disciplined formations. At the same time, the DLC’s smaller scope is impossible to ignore, and players expecting the density of previous faction expansions may find the limited unit count and lighter campaign additions underwhelming for long-term play. Having said that, the price point has been adjusted accordingly.
The campaign mechanics do a respectable job of supporting the theme. The Armies of Shang-Yang system gradually expands access to Cathayan units while rewarding players who fully commit to the Tiger Warrior roster, and the Tiger Court mechanic adds some much-needed direction to Immortal Empires campaigns that can otherwise become aimless sandboxes. Relic hunting and caravan management create a satisfying gameplay loop early on, especially because the surrounding regions are packed with hostile factions that constantly pressure the player into adapting. There’s an enjoyable sense of risk and momentum throughout much of the campaign, although some of the pacing issues become more noticeable later on. Contracts can arrive too slowly, some rewards feel sparse relative to the effort involved, and the limited army-building flexibility occasionally makes progression feel artificially constrained rather than strategically demanding.
On the battlefield, however, the DLC largely succeeds because the Tiger Warriors themselves are simply fun to use. Their emphasis on speed, flanking and aggressive melee pressure gives Cathay a refreshing tempo shift, especially for veterans used to turtling behind ranged units and defensive formations. The Iron Claw Tiger Warriors are particularly effective as anti-large bruisers, while the Stalkers introduce stealthier harassment tactics that fit the faction fantasy well. Bhashiva’s own battlefield presence also adds some flair thanks to her mobility and assassination potential, encouraging a more active playstyle than many Cathayan leaders. There are balancing quirks, though. The lack of shields across much of the roster can make ranged-heavy encounters frustrating, and some players may feel the Tiger Warriors lean slightly into overpowered territory once their upgrades start stacking together. The new lord and hero additions are also a little uneven, with the Clawspeaker proving useful but less exciting mechanically than the DLC’s central legendary lord.
Visually, the expansion does an excellent job selling the fantasy of these tiger mercenaries. The unit designs are striking without feeling disconnected from Warhammer’s established aesthetic, and the combination of heavy armor, oversized weapons and feline animations gives the faction a memorable battlefield silhouette. Audio design supports that well too, with savage roars and brutal melee clashes reinforcing the pack’s aggressive identity during combat. While the campaign narrative itself remains fairly light and Bhashiva’s characterization could arguably have used more personality beyond loyalty and honor, the overall package still feels worthwhile because of how distinct it plays compared to existing Cathay content. For dedicated Grand Cathay players especially, this is an easy recommendation at its lower price point, even if it ultimately feels more like a flavorful side story than a major new chapter for Total War: Warhammer III.