Spawning from an April Fools’ Joke, Goat Simulator 3 was the long-awaited sequel so bold it even skipped over a number. Coffee Stain North expanded the sandbox to new heights by allowing four-player co-op and further expanding with the release of the first expansion, Multiverse of Nonsense. It parodied the growing popularity of multiversal storylines from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and The Flash.
On April 1st, 2025, the second expansion was teased and then announced as Goat Simulator 3: Baadlands Fury Road on October 22nd, 2025. This DLC Expansion parodies popular post-apocalyptic franchises, as well as other unexpected games and brands. Releasing today, I got the chance to play Goat Simulator 3: Baadlands Fury Road for Final Weapon, and it provides an entertaining playground, either solo or with friends.
There’s a Big Goat on his Hip
Pligor is back to wreak more havoc, as San Angora is reduced to a shambling wasteland. Set thousands of years after Goat Simulator 3, the DLC allows players to cause chaos throughout a barren desert filled with dangerous bandits. Upon synchronizing with the first Radio Tower, replacing the Goat Towers opens each area, as it’s swarmed by various post-apocalyptic-themed vehicles and tiny minigames such as destroying cactuses, radroaches, or even moles. Additionally, NPCs can either pose as obstacles or quest givers while traversing the vast desert as bandits ride across the wasteland with various vehicles such as an Immortan-style car, a giant bus, or even a buggy.
Wandering an area so large requires a means of transportation, and none is so trusty as a motorcycle. With a simple yell, the metal steed appears wherever it’s needed; even when destroyed, it comes back good as new. It can even transport items in the trunk, and there is no limit to how many it can carry. There is even customizability with redeemable items that can change the feel, as the motorcycle is crucial for clearing most objectives. It’s nice to have a readily available vehicle that can also do impressive jumps, as there are ramps all around with fireworks and slow-motion at the ready.
Trinkets are tools obtained through either the completion of an event or by rewarding curiosity, providing both passive and reactive effects through the press of the right bumper. These can deal insane amounts of carnage, such as carrying a mini compactor that can compact anything, including NPCs. Boots with drills that create sinkholes anywhere, which grab anything nearby and spew debris everywhere. These trinkets can help get out of a pinch, but they aren’t designed to skip one too many mechanics; yet, their use is still vital in the outdoors.
Aside from exploring, the main objective of the DLC is to expand the functions of Pligor Town to welcome the vault dwellers of Vault 55. Once a portion of the town is unlocked, the locks are released from the vault door, marking a step closer to civilization. Each provides a different function to better present itself as a functioning society, such as a town hall, a farm, and even a store that provides custom bike parts. To unlock these functions requires Scrap, the main currency that powers the wasteland’s economy. Scrap is obtained through playing through the game, finding each event or minigame, boxes, and even by headbutting any nearby NPC.
There are collectables scattered throughout the wasteland, which also include free costumes. At the start of the DLC, Pilgor dons a wasteland warrior costume that’s legally distinct from The Ghoul from Fallout, and more skins are unlocked through various events or within the towns. Additionally, some totems can be easily obtained, and stunt-based totems require the use of the motorcycle. There’s endless stuff to do at the wasteland, and finding a different trinket has been fun; however, having two at the same time leads to funny outcomes.
The Worm has Come to Town
Booting up the game begins with an opening narration and quote that parodies the popular opening of Death Stranding. From the outset, Coffee Stain North opted to incorporate extensive post-apocalyptic pop culture references. Primarily, the expansion is visually parodying both Mad Max and Fallout through its setting, costumes, and even bandit designs. In addition to references scattered throughout the wasteland, not a single event or location holds restraint. A standout is what I dubbed the Alaskan Dune Worm, a legally distinct portrayal of the Dune Worm from Dune—and yes, it can be ridden.
Stumbling through every location in the wasteland has something to find, an event to be seen. When discovering an event, an objective is displayed on screen, ranging from simple instructions to obtuse puzzles that require persistence. Completing an event can reward more scrap, trinkets, or a permanent change to the wasteland that can easily solve another event. There is always something new to discover during an event, and most of the time, it’s a fun side activity to enjoy.
Each town is unique, bringing its own personality to life through engaging with the various activities, whether it’s Newtown’s pizzeria, where anything can be turned into a pizza, or the Hooferdome with its obstacle course. There is even an entire resort town that’s full of ghouls, living the unlife of retirement, sitting poolside, taking the sun, and shuffleboarding. It’s even filled with pools of radioactive waste that grow limbs and even rewards a hat that resembles the opening scene of The Simpsons. The towns bring a level of charm that’s very endearing, as there is something different to find through each event or reference.
The Baadlands is a Fun Time
Stepping into Goat Simulator 3: Baadland Fury Road, I was reminded of the first time playing the original Goat Simulator when it was released on consoles. It was significant during a period when independent development was reaching new heights through viral marketing campaigns, alongside popular YouTubers covering the game. This playbook is still used today, with games like PEAK and R.E.P.O. becoming overnight successes through physics-based virality.
Amongst other franchises that have fallen by the wayside, Goat Simulator 3 is still holding firm even after its Steam release last year. Goat Simulator 3: Baadland Fury Road expands on the core gameplay in various ways; however, some events feel perplexing due to their execution. That said, it’s still a fun time roaming around either alone or with friends in this post-apocalyptic mashup.
