Southern/western scenarios were always my favourites in the original game, because of their wild west / settlement vibe, so I liked Mexico right off the bat just because of that. The atmosphere of a rural, poor war-torn country is set up well. I love the fact that southern US towns are included in the map as well. I love it when I cross the Rio Grande on one of my trains. However, having just one scenario is disappointing. True, its long and you can actually take two different paths at one point, but still. I would have enjoyed a scenario focused solely on the civil war for example. Instead of one 10 hour scenario, I think it would have been nicer to have 3x 5-7 hour scenarios. I would say this DLC is just about worth its spring sale price. I probably would have been more negative if I paid full price.
If you've ever wondered what it's like breezing on a steam locomotive through a vast praerie filled with untamed forests, wild buffalos and Indians, then this game is for you. Railway Empire is an excellent strategy that truly makes you feel like you're turning the wheels of progress from the dawn of railroads in the early 1800s all the way up to diesel locomotives of the 1920s. For me, it was extremely satisfying to watch time and again how the empty unhospitable land turns to industrial paradise interwoven with railroads like veins, all centered around the cities which can grow really big, if you want them to. Not only is RE a fun and educational railway simulator, but a money-making simulator as well! See, your capitalist, progress-enticing, environment-endangering efforts don't stop with puffing smoke across the entire american continent. You can also build factories, buy rural farms and businesses, invest on the stock market, do research, hire staff and freelancers, issue bonds and compete with other railroad owners, ultimately buying them off and merging their assets with yours, or wiping them altogether. All these features tie together surprisingly well. Want to test them out in a chilled free mode? Go ahead. Or, if you feel ready, you can test your management skills in the scenarios, which definitely added more than one wrinkle to my forehead. Now take all of this and add all the DLCs and you've got a truly enticing strategy game worth hundreds of hours . Just make sure you have the patience to research some of the mechanics online when starting. The tutorial feels somewhat shallow given the complexity and wide possibilities of the game.
I just finished my 2nd plathrough of Pathologic 2 and I must say I kinda fell in love with the game, having played 65 hours over the course of 2 weeks. The game offers an absolutely unique gaming experience. Survival, healing and storyline come together in a truly wonderful way, not to mention the superb soundtrack and a nice graphic design. Many games attempt to be philosophical, but pathologic offers its insight in a very natural and mature way. First game in a long time that actually made me think deeply about who I was and how I wanted to progress. The difficulty is high, but manageable and the game offers enough time and resources to make it through. I found that there was sufficient room for error, even on the "intented" difficulty. I experienced a few minor glitches, but restarting the game always helped. I also wish that the tutorial had explained the more advanced mechanics as well, not just the basics of survival and healing. Other than that, a wonderful game.
