Endzone - A World Apart: Distant Places Review Summary

Beautiful varied visuals and refined, story-driven expeditions add many destinations, but the otherwise good DLC feels light on substantial content and poor value for the price.

Beautiful visuals with variety: The visuals are done beautifully, with variety the base game lacks. The new elements are graphically appealing.

Well-refined and good DLC: Reviewers consider the DLC full of good, refined content and a good addition to the game. It is generally well-received.

Adds late-game expeditions and content: The DLC provides new activities after regular expeditions end, extending the game. It adds late-game content that keeps players engaged.

Expeditions provide world information: Expeditions are interesting and give some world information. They also provide resources and new buildings for the settlement.

Storylines unlock new technologies: Completing each story line unlocks a new technology. This integrates narrative progression with gameplay advancement.

Poor value for price: Many players feel the DLC offers too little content for its price. The amount of new features, missions, and rewards does not justify the cost.

DLC lacks substantial content: The expansion adds very little: only a few expeditions, seeds, and technologies. It is often described as small, empty, and not a true expansion.

No new gameplay mechanics: The DLC does not introduce meaningful new mechanics or depth. It mostly reuses the existing expedition system with minor additions.

No new maps or scenarios: The DLC does not add new maps, locations, or scenarios as expected. Players hoped for new environments but received only expedition destinations.

Expeditions take too long: Expeditions are criticized for their excessive duration. Round trips can take 10+ seasons, and waiting for the hot air balloon is tedious.

Expeditions are story-driven and narrative: The DLC focuses on story-based expeditions with narrative choices, voice-over, and existing characters. These involve multiple stages and explore different directions with unique storylines.

Adds many expedition destinations: Many clusters highlight that the DLC introduces numerous new expedition locations, including 12 additional destinations and four multi-stage story-driven expeditions. These expand exploration beyond the settlement's borders.

Expeditions unlock research and trade: Completing expeditions grants access to new research tree upgrades and the ability to trade with four directional factions. This provides long-term benefits for the settlement.

Adds new crops and seeds: The DLC introduces new types of food and seeds, such as watermelons, coconuts, pineapples, sunflowers, physalis fruits, and bananas. These may require research and buildings to plant.

Rewards include resources and upgrades: Completing expeditions yields various rewards, including scrap, seeds, resources, and bonuses or upgrades for existing buildings. Some rewards are end-game upgrades for the town.

Balloon flight infinite loading bug: Players report that initiating a balloon flight results in an infinite loading screen while music continues to play. This prevents progression during that activity.

Do Not Buy DLC: Several reviews explicitly advise against purchasing this DLC.

Only for Hardcore Fans: Recommendations are often limited to dedicated fans or collectors who want more of the game.

Recommended Only on Discount: Many recommend waiting for a sale or buying only at a strong discount.

Skip Without Missing Much: Some players feel the DLC can be skipped entirely without losing anything important.

Recommended for Story Enthusiasts: Players interested in story and narration may enjoy the DLC, while those who skip dialogue may not.

Community fair range: $15.00 - $25.00.

Session length: 3.0h.

Endgame: 10.0h.

Novelty-Seeking DLC Skeptic: Explores new maps and mechanics, and rejects padding or time-gated busywork. Motivation: Wants meaningful new gameplay and fresh maps from DLC rather than recycled exploration mechanics or idle grind. Stance: no buy.

DLC Value Auditor: Checks added facilities, decorations, plants, and expeditions, then weighs whether the content is worth the price. Motivation: Determining whether the DLC's exact content volume and language support justify a purchase. Stance: sale.

Monetization: The provided reviews exclusively discuss a paid DLC expansion, criticizing its content value and recommending against purchase. There is no mention of microtransactions, real-money shops, loot boxes, gacha, or pay-to-win elements. The complaints are about the DLC itself, which falls under traditional expansion criticism and cannot be considered predatory monetization.

DLC compared unfavorably to Prosperity: Players consistently compare Distant Places to the earlier Prosperity DLC, noting that Prosperity added more depth, late-game development, and replayability. Distant Places is often recommended only after Prosperity or considered less important.

Expedition and balloon travel theme: The DLC centers on an Expedition Station and hot air balloon travel to distant places. Players mention four expeditions in different directions (north, east, west, south) with story lines.

Mixed review sentiment: Some reviewers give the base game a positive rating but the DLC a negative one. Others consider it an average addition or a regrettable purchase compared to the main game and first DLC.

DLC called Distant Places: The DLC is officially named Distant Places, as confirmed by players. It is downloadable content and an expansion to the main game.

Requires re-research after DLC: Applying the DLC changes production chains, requiring players to re-research technologies and build new buildings. This can disrupt existing saves.