DLC releases often face the difficult task of expanding a familiar experience without losing sight of what made the original game work in the first place. From unexpected new adventures to focused gameplay extensions, the latest batch of expansions shows three very different approaches to adding value: MINTROCKET takes Dave the Diver into a colourful new direction with In The Jungle, Highway Police Simulator shifts gears with more intense S.W.A.T. operations, and theHunter: Call of the Wild ventures into a new environment filled with fresh challenges.
Dave the Diver – In The Jungle review (PS5)
Dave the Diver has always thrived on surprising players with new ideas, but In The Jungle pushes that philosophy further than expected. Rather than simply offering another region filled with fresh fish and recipes, MINTROCKET transports Dave and his crew to the Utara village and builds an adventure that feels remarkably different from the Blue Hole. The freshwater setting brings a welcome sense of discovery, while the storyline surrounding mysterious events in the jungle provides enough intrigue to keep things moving. Just as importantly, the villagers become more than quest dispensers, helping create a genuine sense of community that gives the expansion its own identity.
The familiar loop of daytime exploration and evening restaurant management remains intact, but it has been expanded in several directions. Diving for new species and gathering ingredients feeds directly into Bancho Grill, while village exploration, relationship-building, farming systems and side activities constantly add new objectives. The sheer variety is impressive, though it occasionally borders on overwhelming. New mechanics arrive at such a rapid pace that some ideas barely have time to settle before another one takes their place, making the experience feel slightly unfocused at times even when it remains consistently entertaining.
The most surprising addition is a turn-based RPG component that introduces dungeon exploration, status effects, boss encounters and character progression. It is surprisingly competent on its own merits and demonstrates MINTROCKET’s willingness to experiment. At the same time, while some players will appreciate the unexpected change of pace, others may find that these sections interrupt the rhythm that makes Dave the Diver so compelling in the first place. The same can be said of the many minigames scattered throughout the adventure: they contribute to the DLC’s charm and unpredictability, but occasionally feel like a collection of ideas competing for attention.
Visually, In The Jungle maintains the distinctive blend of pixel art, expressive animations and colourful environments that made the base game so memorable. The jungle biome looks great, the cutscenes remain wonderfully over-the-top, and the soundtrack adapts well to the new setting with a relaxed atmosphere that complements exploration and village life. A few minor issues, such as occasional visual clutter and the challenge of spotting certain interactive objects, prevent the package from feeling completely polished. Even so, this is an ambitious expansion packed with worthwhile content, and while not every new idea lands equally well, the sense of creativity and generosity on display makes In The Jungle an easy recommendation for fans eager to see Dave venture beyond familiar waters.
Highway Police Simulator – S.W.A.T. – Caminora Police review (PS5)
Highway Police Simulator’s S.W.A.T. – Caminora Police DLC shifts the focus away from routine traffic enforcement and into higher-risk operations, introducing hostage situations, bomb disposal scenarios, and armed confrontations. The change of pace is welcome, especially for players who have already spent considerable time with the base game and are looking for something more action-oriented. Driving the new ARES tactical vehicle to incident locations and gearing up in dedicated S.W.A.T. equipment helps sell the fantasy, while the additional missions provide a reasonable amount of extra content and some much-needed variety.
The new mission types expand the gameplay formula, but the tactical depth on offer is fairly limited. While squadmates accompany players into dangerous situations, teamwork rarely feels like the focus, largely because the AI struggles to keep up during operations and can become more of a liability than an asset. Gunfights are straightforward and accessible, and the bomb-defusal and hostage-rescue mechanics add some welcome variety, yet many encounters boil down to eliminating threats rather than carefully planning an approach. A few mission scenarios also stretch believability, making the world feel less responsive than it could be.
On PlayStation 5, the DLC benefits from the same visual presentation as the main game, with urban streets, highways, and wooded areas providing enough environmental variety to keep missions visually distinct. Audio does a decent job of supporting the action, although neither the visuals nor sound design elevate the experience beyond what players will already expect from the base package. Ultimately, S.W.A.T. – Caminora Police is a worthwhile addition for those who enjoy Highway Police Simulator and want more action-focused content, but anyone hoping for a deep tactical shooter may find its simplified mechanics and unreliable squad AI leave plenty of room for improvement.
theHunter: Call of the Wild – Peru Hunting Reserve review (Xbox)
Peru Hunting Reserve takes theHunter: Call of the Wild to South America, introducing the Intisuyu region and its mix of Andean highlands, cloud forests, and dense jungle terrain. While the conservation-themed narrative framework remains largely unchanged and serves mostly as a backdrop for hunting activities, the new setting succeeds in creating a stronger sense of place than many recent reserves. Encounters with jaguars, capybaras, black caimans, and other regional wildlife help the map feel distinct, even if the mission design itself follows the familiar formula of tracking animals, taking photographs, and completing location-based objectives.
The real appeal lies in how the three major biomes encourage different hunting styles. Wide-open mountain regions reward long-range shooting, while the jungle shifts the experience toward close-range stalking and careful movement through thick vegetation. The new crossbow complements this approach nicely, offering a quieter alternative when dealing with dangerous predators. The downside is that the dense foliage can sometimes become frustrating rather than immersive, obscuring animals at surprisingly short distances and making tracking difficult after a shot. For some players that added challenge enhances the tension, while others may find it slows the pace too much.
Visually, Peru Hunting Reserve delivers some of the most atmospheric environments the game has offered in recent years. The contrast between mist-covered forests, rugged mountain slopes, and humid jungle interiors creates a strong sense of variety, while the sound design deserves particular praise. Animal calls, ambient jungle noises, and the constant feeling that something may be lurking nearby add a layer of suspense that suits the reserve perfectly. Unfortunately, technical blemishes like texture glitches and pop-in prevent the presentation from reaching its full potential.
For Xbox players looking for a fresh destination, Peru Hunting Reserve is an enjoyable expansion that benefits from a strong animal roster, memorable predator encounters, and some genuinely beautiful scenery. It doesn’t fundamentally evolve theHunter: Call of the Wild, and recurring technical shortcomings are harder to ignore when exploring such a visually ambitious map. Still, the combination of biome variety, atmospheric hunting, and the ever-present threat of a jaguar emerging from the undergrowth makes this one of the more engaging recent reserves, even if it feels like refinement rather than reinvention.