The Witcher 3 to be free on PS5 and Xbox Series X for current owners CD Projekt Red / Sony / MicrosoftCD Projekt Red dev Marcin Momot has confirmed that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will be made available on PS5 and Xbox Series X with some upgrades, revealing that it would be free for any current owners of the 2015 title. Despite releasing back in 2015, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is continuing to pull in new players, partially thanks to Netflix’s adaptation of the franchise with the new “The Witcher” TV series. The iconic action RPG title, which has previously won numerous ‘Game of the Year’ awards, now looks set to make the leap to Next-Gen consoles, PS5 and Xbox Series X, later in the year. CD Projekt Red developer Marcin Momot, confirmed that the Witcher 3 would be released on Ps5 and Xbox Series X, and shared that it would be receiving some upgrades, ahead of its release on next-gen platforms. Revealed that the Witcher 3 development team would be adding more visual and technical improvements in-game to keep it up to date with the current industry standard. “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is coming to PC, Xbox Series X, and PS5 with a range of visual and technical improvements, including ray tracing and faster loading times,” the CD Projekt Red dev announced. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is coming to PC, Xbox Series X, and PS5 with a range of visual and technical improvements, including ray tracing and faster loading times. Will be FREE to all current owners of the game on PC, PS4 and XO. Stay tuned for more info! pic.twitter.com/TygqDVgcOm — Marcin Momot (@Marcin360) September 4, 2020 He also shared that it would be free for players who currently own the game on Xbox One, Ps4, or PC to upgrade to this improved edition when it comes out. Momot later confirmed some of the features that players can expect, also announcing that HDR would be coming to the PC version and that it will be made available for all versions of The Witcher 3. It will be available for both, vanilla and GOTY/Complete, versions of the game. — Marcin Momot (@Marcin360) September 4, 2020 Although it is confirmed to be releasing on next-gen consoles, Marcin clarified that they simply are adding upgrades to the current version of the Witcher 3 and will not be remaking the entire game. We’re talking upagrades. We are not remaking the entire game. — Marcin Momot (@Marcin360) September 4, 2020 As of now, it is unclear if this upgraded version of The Witcher 3 will be available for the launch of both the Xbox Series X and Ps5, but the dev added that more information will shared before then.
Author: Nik Ranger
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The Witcher 3 shatters old player records after Netflix series release – Dexerto
The Witcher 3 shatters old player records after Netflix series release CD Projekt’s action role-playing game The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has returned to the top of Steam’s concurrent players chart three years after its initial release, and the new surge is already setting new records for the fantasy title. Nearly five years ago, The Witcher 3 took the gaming world by storm, with many falling in love with CD Projekt’s open-ended storytelling, immersive world, and the narrative of magic-wielding monster hunter Geralt of Rivia. Now, just a week after the release of Netflix’s new blockbuster series ‘The Witcher,’ based on the novels by Andrzej Sapkowski—just like the video game is—the 2015 RPG title has surged back to the top of Steam’s player charts. Even more than just returning to a minor level of popularity, Wild Hunt has blown past even its launch day figures on the gaming platform. According to Steam’s daily stats, The Witcher 3 hit a peak of 94,651 on December 30. While the new figures don’t dwarf the game’s 92k peak in 2015, it’s practically unheard-of to see a game reaching half a decade in age to have such a resurgence. This isn’t a shock either, though the game’s community lead Marcin Momot certainly made it clear it was a lovely new milestone for the developers at CD Projekt to hit with one of their major flagship titles. New player record for @witchergame on @Steam, over 4 years after the release! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/mTGvmrMM5a — Marcin Momot (@Marcin360) December 29, 2019 The massive spike, which is predicted to potentially crack the 100,000 concurrent player goal over the next week, is mainly down to the new Netflix show, which stars Henry Cavill, and dropped just days before Christmas on December 20. The new eight-episode show immediately took control of popular culture, stepping into the space left by global mega-series Game of Thrones’ disappointing conclusion, which had filled the fantasy slot in big-money television since 2011. Between the soaring popularity of the series, the fact many United States and European fans are on holidays at the moment, and the fact Wild Hunt has been included in Steam’s current Christmas sale for just $11.99, it was a perfect brew of success to carry The Witcher 3 into the charts. As of the publication of this article, just over 57,000 players are still exploring the world of the Continent, and either discovering or rediscovering the epic war waged in Novigrad, Vizima, and Kaer Morhen. Even more impressively, The Witcher 3 has already begun nipping at the heels of some of the biggest games Steam has to offer, including Rainbow Six Siege, Destiny 2, Team Fortress 2, and even PUBG and Grand Theft Auto V, to a smaller extent. The third game isn’t the only one to have earned a tidy little player boost from the series either, with the original Witcher game clocking up 12k in concurrents during the surge. The Witcher 2 also hit around 6,000 players this weekend. Basically, it’s a fantastic time to be a Witcher fan, whether you love the novels, games, or now the newly released show. A second season of the Netflix series has been confirmed and, who knows, maybe the resurgence of The Witcher 3 will push CD Projekt to get the gears rolling for a fourth video game. Maybe, behind the scenes, they already have.
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The Witcher 3 patch 4.01 notes: Next-gen performance improvements, quest bugfixes, more – Dexerto
The Witcher 3 patch 4.01 notes: Next-gen performance improvements, quest bugfixes, more CD Projekt REDThe Witcher 3 patch 4.01 update is finally here, so here’s everything we know about the latest bugfixes and game adjustments coming to the game. Patch 4.01 for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has been rolled out on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. The next-gen update had previously caused a number of performance issues, but the latest patch aims to improve stability across all impacted platforms. There are also bug fixes for a number of quests that had previously hampered the progression or crashed the game entirely. While no new content has been added, The Witcher 3 patch 4.01 does make Geralt’s adventure a lot smoother. So, before you go swinging your sword at the next bloodthirsty beast, be sure to check out everything in the 4.01 patch notes. The Witcher 3 patch 4.01 notes PC-specific Fixed an issue where the Screen Space Reflections setting wasn’t working on PC despite being turned on. Players who had previously set their SSR setting to high may notice a performance impact. Added a new performance mode for ray-traced global illumination, which can be toggled by players with compatible hardware. It improves frame rate by prioritizing performance over range and precision. Console-specific Fixed an issue where consoles could create a higher amount of saves than their set limit, resulting in various issues with saving the game or user settings being reset. Improved Screen Space Reflections quality on next-gen consoles. Optimized ray-traced global illumination on next-gen consoles to improve the performance of Ray Tracing Mode. Quests & gameplay (available on all platforms) Battle Preparations – Fixed an issue where it could be impossible to interact with Avallac’h during the objective “Let Avallac’h know everything’s ready.” – Family Matters – Fixed an issue that could cause the game to crash during the transition to Ciri’s Story: Out of the Shadows when speaking to the Bloody Baron. – King’s Gambit – Fixed an issue where it could be impossible to participate in the fistfight with the second Vildkaarl due to an invisible obstacle. – Wine Wars: Belgaard – Added a retrofix for the issue we fixed in 4.00, where the quest couldn’t be completed if the player destroyed one of the required monster nests during exploration. – A Dangerous Game – The armor in Caesar’s room should now change its appearance when the Alternate Nilfgaardian Armor is turned on. – Axii Puppet – Increased the health and damage dealt by the puppet. – Adrenaline Rush mutation should now work according to its description. – Various small fixes to quests and cutscenes. – Localization (available on all platforms) Fixed various issues with Arabic localization. – Added the localized versions of Orianna’s song “Lullaby of Woe” in Korean and Simplified Chinese. – Adjusted Priscilla’s lip-sync animation to match her voice-over in Simplified Chinese during the song “The Wolven Storm”. – So, there you have it, that’s everything in The Witcher 3 patch 4.01 update. Make sure you check out our gaming page for all the latest news and updates.
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The Witcher 3 officially a best-selling game again after Netflix series – Dexerto
The Witcher 3 officially a best-selling game again after Netflix series Netflix/CD Projekt RedNetflix’s new Witcher series came out at the end of December 2019, and introduced a whole new audience to the world of Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri. As a result, the 2015 Witcher 3 title, set in the same universe as the show, has once again become a best-selling video game. More than 1.5 million people preordered TW3 when it first came out in 2015, and it’s gone on to sell 40 million total copies while being widely considered one of the best games to come out in the 2010’s. Data on how well The Witcher 3 was doing following Netflix’s announcement of the show was compiled by the big brains over at Thinkum, who found that sales began to skyrocket even before the series came out. “At Amazon.com, where only the top-100 items are tracked, The Witcher had all but disappeared from the site’s sales ranks between August 2017 and last fall,” Thinkum said. “But then in October, when details for the Netflix show were first revealed, the titles shot to the top-10 at Amazon, peaking at 4 out of 100 on October 9, 2019.” At the time of writing, the game is still in Amazon’s top-100 games and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down soon. It is also listed as one of the most popular games on Steam at the time of writing, which makes sense since The Witcher 3 originally came out on console, so PC players may have missed out on some of the hype. CD Projekt Red, the game studio behind the series, certainly doesn’t mind the extra attention their game has gotten thanks to the show. The studio is currently working on another highly-anticipated RPG: Cyberpunk 2077 (whose release was recently delayed until fall of 2019) but that doesn’t mean they’re not thinking about the next Witcher game already. CD Projekt Red has said they plan to release two triple-A titles by the end of 2021, with Cyberpunk 2077 being one of them. It doesn’t take a big stretch of the imagination to think that the developer would want to capitalize on the Netflix Witcher craze with a fantastic new game for fans to explore, but whether or not we get news on a new game soon, we’ll always have TW3 to fall back on.
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The Witcher 3 next-gen update rewards: How to get A Thousand Flowers Armor set on PC, PS5 & Xbox Series X|S – Dexerto
The Witcher 3 next-gen update rewards: How to get A Thousand Flowers Armor set on PC, PS5 & Xbox Series X|S CD ProjektWondering how to claim The Witcher 3 next-gen update free rewards? Well, our guide outlines everything you need to know about obtaining the Thousand Flowers armor set and Roach GWENT card for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5. To celebrate the release of The Witcher 3 next-gen update, CD Projekt RED is giving away free rewards that players can claim. The in-game rewards enable Geralt to equip the Thousand Flowers armor set and Sword of a Thousand Flowers swords. Not only do these items look incredibly cool, but they can also help you survive the game’s monster-filled lands. If that wasn’t enough, players can also gain access to a special Roach GWENT card and a unique GWENT cardback cosmetic. So, if you wish to add all of these free items to your respective games, then our guide has everything you need to know. Contents How to claim The Witcher 3 rewards on PC – How to claim The Witcher 3 rewards on Xbox Series X|S & PS5 – All The Witcher 3 rewards – How to claim The Witcher 3 rewards on PC To claim The Witcher 3 rewards on PC via Steam, EPIC, and GOG, simply follow the steps outlined below to gain access to all the next-gen update goodies: Install the Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition. – Log into your REDlauncher account. – Launch your chosen version of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt via Steam or GOG GALAXY 2.0. – Head over to the Royal Palace in Vizima. – Check the letter from Yennefer in your inventory for help locating the rewards. – For GWENT-associated rewards, be sure to use the same account you use to play GWENT on PC or mobile. How to claim The Witcher 3 rewards on Xbox Series X|S & PS5 Claiming The Witcher 3 rewards on Xbox Series X|S and PS5 is also very simple, and can be done so by following these instructions: Boot up The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. – Open the “MY REWARDS” section from the main menu. – Log into your account. – Head over to the Royal Palace in Vizima. – Check the letter from Yennefer in your inventory for help locating the rewards. – Once again, for GWENT-associated rewards, make sure to use the same account you use to play GWENT on PC or mobile. All The Witcher 3 rewards All The Witcher 3 rewards and GWENT rewards can be seen below: Sword of a Thousand Flowers – White Widow of the Valley of Flowers – Armor of a Thousand Flowers – Gauntlets of a Thousand Flowers – Trousers of a Thousand Flowers – Boots of a Thousand Flowers – Gwent Card Roach – Gwent Cardback – So, there you have it, that’s every The Witcher 3 reward and how you can claim them. Be sure to check out our Witcher 3 page for all the latest news and guides.
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The Witcher 3 next-gen patch: PS5, Xbox Series X, PC update features, Netflix DLC & more – Dexerto
The Witcher 3 next-gen patch: PS5, Xbox Series X, PC update features, Netflix DLC & more CD Projekt RedA visual next-gen upgrade for The Witcher 3 is on the way, however, it’s currently been delayed. Here’s everything we know so far about the upcoming upgrade for the open-world fantasy title. Despite launching back in 2015, The Witcher 3 still remains one of the best open-world titles in all of gaming. The popular title is receiving a visual overhaul for next-gen consoles, including PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC which will be a great introduction for newcomers and a perfect incentive for veterans to revisit the story. Originally, developer CD Projekt Red was busy continuing to work on Cyberpunk 2077 so The Witcher 3 upgrade was being handled by Saber Interactive – the team behind the impressive Nintendo Switch port. However, In April 2022 CDPR announced their plans had changed and the next-gen upgrade was being worked on in-house. Here’s everything we know so far about The Witcher 3 next-gen upgrade, including the price, new features, and Netflix-inspired DLC. Contents: Is there a release date? – Upgrade price – New features – Delays explained – Graphics modes – Netflix show DLC – Is there a Witcher 3 next-gen patch release date? The Witcher 3’s next-gen patch will release on December 14, 2022, confirmed via a tweet from the official Witcher Twitter account. The next-gen update for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is coming on December 14th, free for everyone who already owns the game. For more details and gameplay reveal, tune in to REDstreams next week on https://t.co/IpFERTohi9. pic.twitter.com/fg3yfGeNih — The Witcher (@witchergame) November 14, 2022 Upgrade price for The Witcher 3 PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC The Witcher 3’s upgrade will be free for all owners of the Witcher 3, so PS4 owners can play the PS5 version, and Xbox One owners can play the Xbox Series X version. PC players will also be able to download the update at no cost. The Witcher 3 PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC upgrade new features The new version of The Witcher 3 is expected to feature ray-tracing effects and faster loading times. While some rumors have suggested that the game will also bundle in all available DLC, this hasn’t been confirmed by CD Projekt Red yet. The developer has also been working with community modder, Halk Hogan, to include the popular The Witcher 3 HD Reworked mod in the release – suggesting improved textures are likely. Originally teased in September of 2020 by one of the developers, the enhanced version of The Witcher 3 will feature all the trappings of current-gen systems when it comes to 60fps and 4K resolution. The remasters are also expected to feature compatibility with the DualSense controller, including haptic feedback. Witcher 3 remaster delay explained The developers apologized for initial the delay, but said the reason is they “want to make it right” and that the delay comes as part of “recommendations supplied by persons supervising development”. The delays are part of CD Projekt Red’s new strategy when it comes to releasing games. The company does not want a repeat of the Cyberpunk 2077 launch it seems. You can see the developer’s update on Twitter here. Witcher 3 next-gen graphics modes As confirmed during a CD Projekt Red Twitch stream on November 23, the new-gen version of Witcher 3 comes with multiple options for fans to either prioritize performance or visual fidelity. Players can select a 30 FPS mode with ray tracing enabled, or instead opt for a 60FPS mode without ray tracing. Both of these options will be available on PS5 and Xbox Series X, however the Series S is unable to support them. Netflix-themed Witcher DLC Along with the free upgrade coming for Witcher 3 players, CDPR has also announced that a brand new set of DLC inspired by Netflix’s Witcher series will also be made available to players at no cost. On top of that, this brand-new content won’t be exclusive to the next-gen version of the game either. “The DLCs are not exclusive to the next-gen version, they’ll be available for every version of the game (including PS4, Xbox One, and Switch),” CDPR said. As of now, we don’t know much regarding what exactly the DLC will entail, but it’s new Witcher content, which is always something that gets a warm welcome. So, there you have it – that’s everything we know about the Witcher 3 next-gen patch. Make sure to check back soon, as we’ll update you with any future developments. For more gaming news, make sure to check out our release hubs below:
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The Witcher 3 gets PC hotfix update amid next-gen performance issues – Dexerto
The Witcher 3 gets PC hotfix update amid next-gen performance issues CD Projekt RedDeveloper CD Projekt Red have issued a hotfix update for the PC version of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt after massive player backlash due to major performance issues with the game following the next-gen update. The Witcher 3 next-gen update has been released for a week and while many were excited about the update, the new version is riddled with performance issues. The dev team have now issued a hotfix on December 19 to patch up some of the major problems that gamers were noticing when playing through. The hotfix was given a brief set of patch notes on the game’s official Steam page. And while the notes don’t outline the exact changes, the dev team did write they are working on addressing all performance issues. “We’ve just released a hotfix for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on PC which should improve overall stability and performance of the game, and fix GOG & Steam overlays. The game version won’t change…our teams are working on further improving the experience on all platforms.” Marcin Momot, the Global Director for CD Projekt Red, shared the news of the hotfix on Twitter. “A hotfix that should improve overall stability and performance of the game has just gone live on PC. Please make sure to update your version of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and let us know how you’re finding it.” The update is 3GB for on Steam and 1.9GB for GOG, and is available now.
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The Witcher 3 fans furious after next-gen update kills PC performance – Dexerto
The Witcher 3 fans furious after next-gen update kills PC performance cd projekt redSome Witcher 3 players are not too happy after the next-gen patch seemingly botched the game’s performance and removed existing content. Fans of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt waited a long time for the next-gen patch before it finally dropped in December 2022. While the third chapter in Geralt’s adventure is universally adored, the prospect of playing it optimized for next-gen systems was a tantalizing prospect, and an excellent excuse to dive back into the game. However, some fans are reporting that since installing the patch, the game’s performance has taken a nosedive. There are also reports of some classic content that, rather than being optimized, has simply been cut from the new version. Even those with high-spec PCs are reporting bugs and performance slowdowns, with one Reddit user saying: “Indeed. A damned shame. This game deserves better…and frankly, after CP2077 and a 2-year wait for this, we did too?” After an entire Reddit thread reported that their game had been crashing since installing the update, one user said: “This is the exact same behavior I am seeing, got to White Orchard then it started crashing, when I go to load the save it crashes when fully loaded.” They were also not the only player who experienced this bug. Others experienced issues when speaking to NPCs or when heading into cutscenes: “As soon as any NPC gets in screen FPS drops massively for me.” Pre-rendered cutscenes missing However, one of the biggest complaints has been leveled against missing content. For example, a romance scene between Geralt and Yenifer has seemingly vanished from the game. The scene was one of many pre-rendered cutscenes in The Witcher 3 that fans were hoping would be remastered and optimized for their newer, more powerful systems. This has led to some fans speculating that other pre-rendered cutscenes may also now be missing from the game. Although, this remains to be seen. Talking about the issue, one Reddit user said: “If cutscenes are missing, I’m not touching this game with a ten-foot pole until they fix their s**t. Some free update… game worked fine before.” Another complained: “It’s not that they’re missing, it’s that they’ve been removed. The special story scenes were prerendered, so I guess CDPR couldn’t be bothered to render the ones the mod doesn’t fix in real-time, but were too embarrassed to include prerendered cutscenes in a 2022 release, so axed them.” Some players were less impacted and were more positive about the update, even those who experienced some of the performance problems: “Also getting some weird graphical bugs even on ultra+. Shadows flickering and object popping. Kinda expected this stuff to be ironed out in the update unless it’s an engine issue that they couldn’t fix. So far everything else looks incredible. Very impressed” So far it’s only PC players reporting the issues with The Witcher 3 next-gen update. Those playing on Xbox Series X|S and PS5 appear to be unaffected. CD Projekt Red is yet to respond to the community’s criticism. We’ll continue to monitor the situation and report any potential fixes to the problems.
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The Witcher 3 alternative looks: Netflix Dandelion appearance, Nilfgaardian Armor & more – Dexerto
The Witcher 3 alternative looks: Netflix Dandelion appearance, Nilfgaardian Armor & more CD Projekt Red/ DexertoThe Witcher series has always had the feature to customize your character. The Witcher 3 doubles down on this feature allowing you to customize NPCs around you like Ciri, Yennefer, Triss, and Dandelion. So, here are all the alternative looks for each character in the game. The Witcher 3 offers alternate looks for a number of the game’s characters introduced in the next-gen update, which can help make your playthrough even more special. Fans of The Witcher Netflix show can even unlock alternate outfits for Dandelion and the Nilfgaardian soldiers. So, if you wish to know how The Witcher 3 alternative skins look for Geralt, Ciri, Yennefer, Triss, and Dandelion or want to know how you can unlock them all, then our handy hub has everything you need to know. Contents Alternative appearance for characters in The Witcher 3 Dandelion As part of The Witcher 3 next-gen update, the developers have added an alternative Dandelion appearance that can be equipped. The new outfit switches Dandelion’s purple ensemble out for the green tunic worn by Jaskier/Dandelion in the Netflix show. If that wasn’t enough, Dandelion’s face and hairstyle have been changed to one that is closer to how he was portrayed in the Netflix production. So, if you wish to Toss a Coin to your Witcher, then be sure to equip this skin. Ciri The alternate look for Ciri is an outfit that was inspired by the latest fashion in Zerrikania. Ciri sports a chainmail vest and ornate shoulder pads with a unique golden pattern. This look is a little more extravagant and certainly befitting of the princess of Cintra and time-traveling Witcher. Yennefer Yennefer has ditched the trousers and instead sported a black cloak, which has been contrasted by green feathers and a dark teal top. The brown leather waistcoat and black scarf have also been added to help round off the outfit. Triss Triss Merigold’s alternative appearance in The Witcher 3 sees the fiery mage adorned in an elegant green and gold robe, which features a tree branch pattern that flows from top to bottom. Nilfgaardian armor While the Netflix Witcher series’ portrayal of the Nilfgaardian armor set may have proven divisive, the developers have added it to the game. It may not be a fan favorite but for those that wish to mix and shake things up on a new playthrough, the option to do so is there. How to switch to alternative looks of characters To change a character’s alternate appearance all you have to do is: Quit to the main menu. – Head to Options and select the Gameplay tab. – Scroll to the bottom of the Gameplay tab. – You can then manually switch various characters’ alternate appearances. – So, there you have it, that’s every alternate appearance in The Witcher 3. Be sure to check out our other Witcher 3 content: The Witcher Remake: Everything we know | The Witcher new trilogy | Witcher developer looking to Elden Ring | New Witcher projects | 5 things CD Projekt Red should do with the next Witcher game
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The Walking Dead: Destinies game slammed for being “hilariously lazy” – Dexerto
The Walking Dead: Destinies game slammed for being “hilariously lazy” Flux Game StudioThe Walking Dead: Destinies is being slammed by fans online, with the new choose your own adventure gaming experience being dubbed “hilariously lazy” and that the devs put “no effort” into the animation of the new title. The Walking Dead is one of the most beloved comic book and TV show franchises of all time. While the comics have a dedicated fanbase in their own right, the TV show universe expanded the love of the world to new heights. With the flagship series only having finished up this year and multiple spin-offs on the way, there seems to be no stopping The Walking Dead. However, the latest video game to be released under the TWD banner is not winning over fans. The Walking Dead: Destinies is a choose your own adventure title that allows players to experience the beloved TV series once more, this time giving you the chance to make your own choices and completely change the outcome of the show. While the idea of the game had many fans eager for its release, the final product has left a lot to be desired. TWD: Destinies first launched on November 7 and is available on all consoles and PC. While developer Flux Game Studio did manage to recreate some of the most iconic moments from the TV show, major performance bugs, graphics issues and more have left players slamming the game online. In a new Reddit post, one Destinies player uploaded a cutscene from the game, captioning the post, “I can’t believe this is a real cutscene from TWD Destinies.” Others shared similar sentiments with the original poster, writing in the comments, “All the cutscenes are like this lmao. They made no effort to animate anything.” Others on Twitter have also been slamming the new game. One user wrote “bro The Walking Dead: Destines had so much potential. And they didn’t even f**king animate most of it, they f**king made it like a slideshow.” Time will tell if the devs fix these major issues with the game. However, it appears that fans are extremely disappointed with the product as a whole. For all the latest video game news and updates, be sure to check out Dexerto’s full coverage here.
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The Walking Dead Destinies: Release date, platforms & everything we know – Dexerto
The Walking Dead Destinies: Release date, platforms & everything we know Gamemill EntertainmentGamemill Entertainment and AMC have joined forces to create The Walking Dead Destinies. Here’s everything we know about the upcoming video game. The zombie-themed AMC franchise continues to live on with upcoming spinoffs such as Daryl Dixon. The popular character’s very own series is set to premiere on September 10, 2023, on AMC and AMC+. Additionally, Dead City follows Maggie and Negan throughout the two enemies’ journey through apocalyptic Manhattan to rescue her son. Besides TV shows, The Walking Dead also has a library of video games. Keep reading to find out more about The Walking Dead Destines – a new video game strongly based on the Walking Dead TV series. Contents The Walking Dead Destinies release date The Walking Dead Destinies is scheduled to release on November 14, 2023, with a $49.99 price point. What is The Walking Dead Destinies about? The third-person game will follow the first four seasons of the hit AMC show. In this narrative-focused game, players can “weave their own paths” by deciding who lives and dies. In addition to Rick Grimes, you’ll be able to discover a dozen other characters like Shane, Michonne, Carol, and Daryl, and their respective abilities. The Walking Dead Destinies trailer On August 17, the game posted its official announcement trailer after being leaked days before. “Begin your journey as Rick Grimes, waking alone in a hospital surrounded by the dead,” the trailer’s description reads. “Assemble allies and fight your way through the walker apocalypse across iconic locations from The Walking Dead, including Atlanta, the Greene family farm, the prison, and Woodbury.” The Walking Dead Destinies platforms The zombie-themed game will be available for the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch. That’s everything we know about The Walking Dead Destinies. We will update this article once more information has been announced. The Elder Scrolls 6 | GTA 6 | Wolverine | Spider-Man 2 | Forspoken | Wonder Woman | DokeV | Avatar Frontiers of Pandora | Dragon Age 4 | Avatar Frontiers of Pandora | The Expanse: A Telltale Series
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The unlikely story behind Hi-Fi Rush: Pitching the most “un-Bethesda” game to Bethesda – Dexerto
The unlikely story behind Hi-Fi Rush: Pitching the most “un-Bethesda” game to Bethesda Tango GameworksHi-Fi Rush’s director, John Johanas, sat down with us at Dexerto to discuss how the game was brought to life despite being so different in comparison to his previous works and frankly, different from anything else on the market. Nobody could’ve predicted the huge success of Hi-Fi Rush. Suddenly announced during Xbox’s January 2023 Developer Direct, and released shortly after, the game was not only a massive departure in tone and gameplay for Tango Gameworks, but nobody knew anything about it beyond the quick announcement. It was a surefire surprise for any who jumped in right away. Before its debut in the Dev Direct, there were no trailers, no demos, nothing. It was a sudden stealth drop the likes of which we scarcely see due to the obvious risks involved. Yet, the game in all its colorful quirkiness and unique rhythm action gameplay managed to captivate the masses. Here came a new project by Tango, creators of The Evil Within and Ghostwire: Tokyo, stealthily dropping as their most vibrant game by a mile, one that felt more Edgar Wright than their previous John Carpenter-esque releases. So how just exactly how did Hi-Fi Rush come to be? We went straight to the source and spoke with the game’s director over lunch in a recent interview. Hi-Fi Rush’s departure: A post-Evil Within production John Johanas, fresh off directing The Evil Within 2, Tango’s second game, and working on the horror series for seven years, wanted to create something different. During that time, Ghostwire: Tokyo was already in development as the studio’s next big title, however, Tango was slowly being recognized as a horror-only game dev team. Johanas remarked, “If we’re gonna try something different, we gotta try it now because we’re getting further and further pigeonholed to this horror image.” And it was around that time he felt the studio’s next game could be an opportunity for them to create something remarkably different. However, he added that they didn’t want to make something different just for the sake of it, that it had to necessitate its uniqueness. In fact, Tango’s founder, legendary game director Shinji Mikami, who’s responsible for Resident Evil, Phoenix Wright, and a whole host of classics, also felt the same way. “Mikami-san at that point, also didn’t want the studio to just be a horror studio. So he was like: ‘OK, so all these things we’ve been talking about for a long time? Now let’s actually do it.’.” And just like that, Johanas’ and the team’s idea to create a game that was brighter, more colorful, more fun, and an overall departure from what they’ve done previously, became a reality. Pitching the most “un-Bethesda” game to Bethesda Johanas once remarked that Hi-Fi Rush was the most “un-Bethesda” Bethesda game to come out. But just like any game, it started off with a pitch. “Think of it as two phases,” Johanas explained to us, detailing how the first phase went. “I pitched it internally to [Tango Gamework] as the next project that would be interesting to us as developers, and as developers, we were excited about it.” Shinji Mikami, who was also present at that pitch, was in full support of the game. “At that point, Mikami-san was looking at the project and was like: ‘This is really cool, it’s interesting, and it’s different than what we’ve done before, but is also a good challenge.’” Luckily for the team, there was a Bethesda executive producer also present at the pitch meeting, who also thought the game’s concept was “very cool”. But this EP wasn’t quite as convinced. “I also pitched it as that, this is the most un-Bethesda game possible. And they were like: ‘I agree. They’re probably not going to say ‘ok’ to this’,” Johanas joked of the unnamed executive’s reaction. The pitching meeting wasn’t a unanimous agreement. Before getting the green light, the devs were asked to make a prototype of the game, without all its trademark art, just to show off their idea because many higher-ups couldn’t wrap their heads around it in theory. “You don’t expect us as a horror studio to make this game that’s fun, rhythm action… Like what does that even mean on paper?” Johanas recalled. “Even in that first meeting, people didn’t quite understand what that rhythm action means.” However, the gameplay presented in the playable prototype was, as Johanas remarked, “eerily similar” to what the final game would be like, which goes to show just how strong a vision the team had for their idea. “It’s like the same game,” he said. In fact, the prototype in itself was already such a departure from Tango’s other works that people who internally checked out the game didn’t even know it was them who were responsible for it. “People played that without knowing we were making it… and people played it and were like: ‘This is really fun! My god, who’s making it? We should make this game.’ The second phase was bringing it to Bethesda. With concept art, which he admits wasn’t exactly finalized, and a playable prototype that people loved in hand, they approach the video game giants to possibly greenlight to project. Of course, they eventually got the go-ahead, but it wasn’t without a fair amount of hesitation. “While there was some, ‘we don’t know, we’ve never done something like this before’, there was a lot of excitement about doing something different.” Creating Hi-Fi Rush’s gameplay: Rhythm action is the future When explaining his influences for the game’s combat, Johanas briefly pointed out a particular action scene from Shaun of the Dead by Edgar Wright, of which it’s quite clear the teams took quite a bit from inspiration. The scene was the bar fight scene in which the main characters fight off a single zombie with their attacks synced up to Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now. Naturally, that idea was morphed into their prototype build which was surprisingly similar to the end product. However, the idea of rhythm action wasn’t exactly as well known as today with games like Bullets Per Minute, Ape Out, or Sayonara Wild Hearts. “When I pitched the game, I felt like there was nothing like this that existed, so that’s why I think it’s kind of worth doing,” Johanas said of their initial idea of Hi-Fi Rush, saying they didn’t choose to do it because it was something other devs had already jumped on. Rather, he puts the proliferation of the specific style of action gameplay down to the fact technology has made it much easier for devs to sync up audio and gameplay. Yet while these earlier examples found some success, they weren’t an exact clone of what the team was looking for. “It didn’t give me the feel that I was personally looking for at the time,” he said. “Which was that combination of character action game of you being in control and full freedom of your character, with everything syncing up like a music video.” And that shows in the game’s combat. During non-boss fights, each hit from our character, Chai, feels as if we as the player were composing the song off the cuff yet also swinging our makeshift axe/mace around in sync to a preexisting track. And even when a Nine Inch Nails or Fiona Apple song is played non-diegetically along with our fights, it doesn’t feel like it’s just a song to add to the atmosphere of the fight, rather it feels as if every action is in tune with the beat. But did the steady drip of rhythm action games discourage the team from their vision? No, it did not. Rather, it helped them justify the fact there is a market for rhythm action games and that they were on the right track. “It was actually almost reinforcing,” Johanas said. “This is an idea people want. People are making these games, they’re spending time making these games, they’re maybe in a different direction, but the idea of this music combined with the gameplay is something that inherently has an audience that are enjoying it.”
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The ultimate Oddworld Soulstorm guide: Tips & Tricks – Dexerto
The ultimate Oddworld Soulstorm guide: Tips & Tricks Oddworld InhabitantsA new game in the Oddworld franchise has arrived and it’s just as difficult as ever. Our handy Soulstorm guide includes tips on everything from saving Mudokons and mastering Abe’s skills, to unlocking bonus levels and getting every ending. While 2014’s New ‘n’ Tasty was a straight remake of the original Abe’s Oddysee, Soulstorm takes the sequel Abe’s Exoddus and turns it into something entirely different, adding new story elements and levels as well as a crafting menu and an improved Quarma system. As a result, both newcomers and longtime fans of the Oddworld franchise will face quite a high learning curve when playing Soulstorm and attempting to save all 1,400 Mudokons. This is a very difficult game, and you’re probably going to die a lot. To try and make the experience a bit easier for you, we’ve put together a list of tips and tricks and short Soulstorm guides on the various features and gameplay mechanics featured in Oddworld Soulstorm. Contents Mastering Abe’s movement – How to save Mudokons in Soulstorm – How to command Mudokons in Soulstorm – How to craft items in Soulstorm – What is Quarma in Soulstorm? – How to unlock bonus levels: Soulstorm guide – How to get Soulstorm’s different endings – Mastering Abe’s movement If you’ve ever played an Oddworld game before, one of the first things you’ll notice when you jump into Soulstorm is that Abe is now a lot more fluid and agile than he has been in the past. Controlling him is easier, but he’s still clunky when compared to most modern gaming heroes. This means mastering his movement is even more important, especially when one wrong move can lead to death. Abe’s abilities: Oddworld Soulstorm guide Here are some of Abe’s abilities and tips for how to use them: Sneak (L1): This is a move you’ll be using a lot in Soulstorm. Sneaking helps you walk right past sleeping enemies and avoid alerting nearby patrolling enemies. Any Mudokons following you will sneak too. – Sprint (R1): If you’re ever spotted by enemies or need to escape a high-octane situation, running will help you high-tail it out of there a lot faster. Just remember that doing so will definitely alert nearby enemies. – Double jump (X, X): This is a staple of platformers, but don’t underestimate it. Double-tapping the jump button will get you out of plenty of sticky situations, and help you make it up to high ledges. – Roll (O): There are a couple of reasons you’ll want to roll in Soulstorm. Firstly, doing so will help you get under any low ceilings, like in caves. Secondly, if Abe gets set on fire, you can roll to save him. – Hide (Square): Abe can hide in lockers using the interact button (Square on PS4/PS5). This will get him out of enemy sight and can help you sneak through areas when there seems to be no other way to progress. – Loot (Square): As well as hiding in lockers, Abe can also loot them by using the interact button. It’s not just lockers, though, as Abe can loot bins and search sleeping enemies for items, too. – Chant (L2): One of the most essential features of Oddworld is chanting. This allows you to possess enemies, hit certain switches to unlock doors, and open Bird Portals to free your Mudokon followers. Be aware that you have a limited time to chant, and Abe will be vulnerable while doing this. – Throw items (R2): There are a number of items that Abe can find or craft, like flares to light up dark caves, water bottles to put out fires, and trip mines to knock out enemies. Mastering each item – as well as your aiming skills – will make completing levels a lot easier. – How to save Mudokons in Soulstorm Completing each level in Oddworld Soulstorm is difficult enough as it is, but you’ll also be trying to save Mudokons as you progress. This adds a whole new challenge to the experience, and it’s one you’ll want to commit to, as we’ll discuss later. In some levels, Abe will follow a scripted sequence where hundreds of Mudokons escape in the background. All you’ll need to do to free them is eliminate hostile enemies and destroy any obstacles in their way. These are by far the easiest Mudokons to save. In other stages, you’ll need to dedicate more time to your Mudokon-freeing mission. You will find them around each level, often in hidden areas, and you might need to ‘heal’ them before they’ll join your team. Here’s how to save Mudokons in Oddworld Soulstorm: Recruit any Mudokons you find by pressing the ‘Hello’ command (you might need to heal them first). – Keep them safe as you travel through each level. If they die, they’re gone. – When you come across a Bird Portal, it’s time to set them free. – Chant and direct your glowing orb into the portal. – All of the Mudokons following you will now jump into the portal and be free. – Remember, before you free any Mudokons that are following Abe, you might need their help to complete certain puzzles. How to command Mudokons in Soulstorm Abe will need to use his fellow Mudokons to get through various puzzles in Soulstorm. Sometimes they can be told to stand on individual switches to open doors, other times they can attack enemies for you. There are four commands Abe can issue to Mudokons: Hello/Follow Me: Pressing up on the d-pad will get a Mudokon to join your team, or make an existing Mudokon follow you around. Long pressing will issue this command to all nearby Mudokons. – Wait: Pressing down on the d-pad will instruct the nearest Mudokon to stand still, which is ideal for avoiding traps and enemies. Long pressing will get all nearby Mudokons to stop in their tracks. – Aggressive: Pressing left on the d-pad will put your Mudokon followers into ‘aggro’ mode. This means they’ll be up for a fight if they have offensive items to hold. – Passive: Pressing right on the d-pad will instruct your Mudokon followers into ‘passive’ mode. They won’t attack enemies when you do this. – How to craft items in Soulstorm One of the biggest new features in Oddworld Soulstorm is crafting. It’s been described by creator Lorne Lanning as “crafting-lite” and that’s pretty much what it is – simple and mostly optional. It can definitely help you get through some difficult areas. Players can find raw crafting items by looting lockers, bins, and even sleeping enemies. There will also be items left on the ground inside caves, so take a flare with you and make sure you’re exploring every crevice of those dark areas. Read More: Oddworld Soulstorm review – Navigate to the menu’s crafting window, and you can see the materials you need to build different gadgets. For example, a Smokescreen can be made by combining a Brew Bottle and Detergent, while a Fizzy Pow Grenade can be crafted with a Fizzy Pop Soda and Blastos Mints. More gadgets will be unlocked as you progress through the game, so make sure you stock up on raw crafting items as you play through each level. They’ll come in handy. What is Quarma in Soulstorm? Quarma is Oddworld’s version of karma. It makes a welcome return in Soulstorm, but it’s been revamped and now plays a much bigger role in the game; at the end of every level, you’ll be presented with various statistics including a Quarma score. But what does your Quarma score mean? Well, it’s based on a few different factors, the main one being how many Mudokons you manage to save, and how many you let die. It also takes into account how you deal with enemies like Sligs, who can be peacefully knocked out or brutally destroyed. Ultimately, your Quarma score is based on how ‘good’ or ‘bad’ your version of Abe has been in each level. Beyond just offering an interesting insight into your gameplay style, your Quarma scores will actually decide which ending you get in the game. More on that later. How to unlock bonus levels: Soulstorm guide Oddworld Soulstorm has 15 levels to tackle by default. Each one could take you anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on how much of a completionist you are, so there’s plenty to do already in the game. However, there are two extra levels that you can unlock if you want to get the bonus ending. Doing so won’t be easy, but it’ll be worth it for hardcore Oddworld fans, or those who just want to see everything Soulstorm has to offer. In order to unlock levels 16 and 17, you’ll need to save at least 80% of the Mudokons in 12 or more levels. Once you’ve done this, the final levels will be playable, and you’ll also be able to discover the final ending. How to get Soulstorm’s different endings There are a total of four endings you can unlock in Oddworld Soulstorm. Which ending you’ll get depends on how many Mudokons you manage to save in each level (see, we told you it was important). While it might seem obvious to aim for the ‘good’ ending and then the ‘final’ ending, Oddworld Inhabitants have revealed that the ‘bad’ ending comes with an explosive cinematic that’s not to be missed. Here are the requirements for unlocking each Soulstorm ending: Worst ending: Save at least 80% of the Mudokons in six or fewer levels. – Bad ending: Save at least 80% of the Mudokons in seven to 11 levels. – Good ending: Save at least 80% of the Mudokons in 12 or more levels. – Final ending: Save at least 80% of the Mudokons in all 17 levels. – That’s it for our Oddworld Soulstorm guide. Hopefully, you’ll now be able to tackle the game head-on, craft every item, save all those Mudokons, and unlock that final ending! Make sure you check out our Oddworld Soulstorm review, where we called it a “revamped experience that manages to feel classic yet fresh, with themes that are just as relevant as they were 20 years ago.”
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The ultimate Godfall weapons, classes & equipment guide – Dexerto
The ultimate Godfall weapons, classes & equipment guide Counterplay GamesGodfall is an exciting, loot-based hack ‘n’ slash coming to PS5 and PC. The fantasy game will feature fast, explosive combat. In order to make the most of it, we’re going to tell you about Godfall and its weapons, classes, equipment, and combat in this one guide. [jwplayer sdEiSVZH] Godfall has garnered less attention than some other big AAA titles. But, it looks just as comparable in terms of technical polish, vision, and scope. The game is developed by Counterplay Games and published by Gearbox Software – a big name indeed. Using a system similar to that of Destiny and Borderlands, Godfall provides many weapons and armor sets – called Valorplates. Each piece of equipment will be rated according to the game’s quality system, and this creates the player’s foundation. So we are going to run through the different weapons you can equip that will help build your class. Here is everything we know so far about Godfall and its weapons, equipment, classes, and combat. Weapons in Godfall https://gfycat.com/queasylargeconch For every mission, you’re allowed 2 different weapons in your loadout, so it’s best to choose wisely on how you want to kit yourself out. It’s crucial that you pick weapons that suit your playstyle, rather than just the ones that are the most powerful. Having a powerful Greatsword and Warhammer might not provide the best versatility for your style, for example. Every weapon has a level, meaning that your character will need to meet the requirements of that weapon before you are able to commence using it. Furthermore, crafting materials will be available throughout the game to increase the power of your weapon. It’s entirely feasible for you to keep the same weapon all the way through the game. Polearm Intended for use at range to give you that freedom to maneuver the battlefield. If you prefer to have some space between you and the enemy, then is the weapon for you. It naturally gives you more time to dodge if an attack comes your way as well. The Polearm can also be launched with great force like a Javelin at the enemy. The only downside is that the weapon’s damage output is reduced, in order to compensate for the polearm’s appealing range. Longsword Arguably the most balanced weapon selection in Godfall. This is for the player that doesn’t like to be too far away. But, it’s also for the player that doesn’t like to have the enemy’s breath on them. The Longsword is the perfect weapon for beginners of the game, and are very neutral in regards to their stats. As a result, the only negative is that it has no outstanding positives – which isn’t a bad thing. Greatsword A two-handed weapon that can deliver devastating strikes. The Greatsword offers some excellent damage opportunities and is a bit quicker than the more powerful Warhammer. It can also cover a decent range too. It’s probably better to have the Greatsword be paired with something a bit quicker, as like anything that has high damage-per-second, it sacrifices speed for outright power. Dual blades Comfortably the most agile and nimble weapons of the 5 different classes, the Dual blades flourish in one-on-one combat scenarios and easily take down weaker targets. They may also be a great option to finish off enemies quickly after inflicting colossal damage with one of the game’s more powerful weapons. Therefore, they make the perfect accompaniment for something like the Greatsword or Warhammer. One obvious drawback of these smaller weapons is that they are considered the weakest weapons in the game. Warhammer This two-handed armageddon is the most powerful weapon in the game and can be hugely beneficial in ending battles before they’ve even started. They have less range, meaning you’ve got to be a bit closer than normal – but it’s worth it. It would probably go well with the Dual Blades. This will likely become the preferred selection for more advanced players over time. Predictably, the Warhammer suffers in the speed department. Due to its hulking nature, it’ll take longer to swing, but if you land the blow, it will be devastating. Godfall Equipment guide The next stage of our Godfall weapons, equipment, classes, and combat guide is equipment – very essential. Godfall offers plenty of depth in its weapons and potential synergies for combat. But as well as this, the player also needs to have the appropriate gear to compliment the weapons being wielded. In addition to weapon drops, there is also the player’s trusty shield to use too. There are also a number of different armor sets called “Valorplates.” These are not customizable, but instead are are complete ‘sets’ that you unlock throughout the game. Shield A sword’s best friend. The ever-reliable blockade to deflect attacks is definitely useful in Godfall. It’s use is a lot more open-ended than in typical games, becoming a weapon as well as a defence mechanism. On one hand it’s a great tool when used in conjunction with longswords, however, it’s also an effective long-range weapon that can be thrown and instantly ‘boomeranged’ back to the player. It’s also capable of parrying and returning counterstrikes, and other special moves, making the Shield a trusted ally for almost any situation. Valorplates Godfall features a combined total of 12 different Valorplates that you can unlock and equip. These are unlocked naturally as you progress through the game and are not loot drops. Each set is also loyal to its own, meaning you can’t mix-and-match different sets to create custom loadouts. These are the different sets you can unlock, that we know of so far: Silvermane – Phoenix – Greyhawk – Hinterclaw – Typhon – Vertigo – Mesa – Aegishorn – Archon Ability Counterplay Games has confirmed that each Valorplate will possess its own individual characteristics. Alongside this, Valorplates will also provide a passive ability and a special “Archon ability” – a big, charged-up ‘super’ move. Augment Slots These slots allow for some minor customization of the Valorplate, as you can alter the armor’s stats – increasing defense for example. These are small gameplay enhancements that, again, will let you shape your playstyle to suit your needs. Godfall’s combat system It’s all well and good having the best weapons in the game, but if they can’t be swung effectively in the heat of conflict, then it all but nullifies their capabilities. Here are some of the better ways to approach combat, and things you need to know about how the combat system in Godfall operates. Instant reload Thanks to the awesome power of the PS5’s solid-state drive, any death screen is brief. Sony’s official blog states: “If you fall in combat, get right back up with near-instant loading times. We built Godfall to challenge players, and you likely won’t conquer every encounter on your first attempt. We want to ensure that death never feels like a punishment to players but instead becomes an opportunity to learn and grow as a Valorian Knight.” Quick dodge Just to be clear, Godfall is NOT a reserved combat game that favors methodical fighting. This game is all-out. The quick dodge is befitting of the game’s faster pace and allows your warrior to zip around the environment quickly. You can put together several quick dodges in succession to avoid a flurry of attacks, and wait for the right moment to make your move. Weak points It’s not just about piling on the damage, as precise, well-timed damage will reward you better. The game has advertised “weak points” as a key component of battle. As you become familiar with enemy types, and what they can do, you’ll also learn where to hit them hardest. This in turn makes for more tactical gameplay and if used correctly, could make things easier for the player. 3-Player Co-op Godfall supports seamless “drop-in, drop-out” co-operative multiplayer. Similar to games such as Destiny, the player is able to join forces with friends or other gamers, and take on the world of Godfall. Obviously, this is a great mechanic that promotes teamwork and increased longevity, but you can also have 3 players with different load-outs that make for an unstoppable team. An extended look at combat If you’d like a look at the game’s gameplay, then check out this official gameplay walkthrough from Counterplay Games. It explains the combat, how it works, and some tips on how to become efficient. That’s everything we know about Godfall and its weapons, classes, equipment, and combat. Hopefully, this guide helped, and we’ll be sure to update you in the future when any new information becomes available.
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Cyberpunk 2077 ultimate car guide: Car classes, horsepower, specs – Dexerto
Cyberpunk 2077 ultimate car guide: Car classes, horsepower, specs YouTube: Cyberpunk 2077In the world of Cyberpunk 2077 players don’t need to walk anywhere. Cars play a massive role in the game and give you the possibility to explore Night City much faster and in style thanks to the various vehicles offered. We’ve assembled the ultimate guide to the cars available, including their classes and how to use them. Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world game from the creators of the acclaimed Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Set in the fictional ‘Night City’, players must navigate their lives in this futuristic cityscape, creating their own destiny within the game. Cars play a massive role in Cyberpunk 2077 story. They function both as a method of transportation, and a way of earning valuable in-game money and benefits. The developers have done a fantastic job of ‘weaving’ them into the fabric of the game. With so many different vehicles on offer, we’ve had a taste of some of the cars and classes to expect within the game. While this will not be an exhaustive list, it provides an early insight into the vehicles available. Cyberpunk 2077 Car Classes In the behind-the-scenes Night City Wire YouTube series, players got their first look at some of the car classes in Cyberpunk 2077. Everything from the exteriors to the interiors is created in incredible detail. This leads to the game having some of the best open-world vehicle graphics ever seen. The appearance and performance of the vehicles in Cyberpunk will also vary between locations. For example, a car from the city will likely feature a full dashboard, whereas one from the Badlands may have no dashboard at all. According to the developers, each vehicle will offer a “unique driving experience”, and so vehicle choice may make-or-break a mission. Several different classes (levels) of cars have been revealed, which we’ve highlighted below. Cyberpunk 2077 Economy cars For those looking to get around in no-frills style, there’s the ‘Economy class.’ Featuring small city cars such as hatchbacks and basic runabouts, the Economy class will likely form the ‘starter’ class of vehicles in Cyberpunk 2077. “Don’t expect advanced tech or luxurious materials here” is the word from the devs, but they should get you from A-to-B easily enough. Makigai Maimai A small basic hatchback, the Makigai looks to be a familiar sight on the streets of Night City. While very low powered with only 71hp, its diminutive size will be a tactical advantage when navigating the tiny alleyways and side streets of the city. – Thorton A low-end sedan perfect for getting around without drawing too much attention, the Thorton is a dependable ride for those looking to get around on the cheap. While it is significantly more powerful than the Makigai, it is also heavier and far larger. – Archer The Archer is the ‘premium’ choice from the Economy class from what we’ve seen so far. With 212hp and a curb weight similar to the Thorton, it should prove to be a good base for future upgrades. – Mahir Supron This vehicle is available for purchase when roaming the district of Santo Domingo. It was constructed from cheap plastic, textiles and wishful thinking, and even though it breaks down often, it’s easy to fix. – Cyberpunk 2077 Executive cars Moving up in the world from the ‘Economy’ class, Executive cars are the best way to impress others in Night City without breaking the bank. If you’re a high-rolling assassin that still wants to blend in, the Executive class is the one for you. Villefort Alvarado Looking like a Rolls-Royce from the future, the Villefort Alvarado is a sure-fire way to impress anyone on the streets of Night City. Featuring 407hp and a weight of over 200kg, this bruiser will feel at home cruising the streets or being used as a mobile battering ram. – Villefort Cortes While not as powerful as its stablemate the Alvarado, the Cortes is still a mean bruiser. Despite its lower power at 333hp, it is also lighter than the Alvarado, so may prove to be a more nimble vehicle – perfect for escaping danger. – Villefort Columbus The cheapest and most recent model from the Villefort line. It’s simple, functional and modest, so even though you can’t speed your way through Night City with it, it can get the job done. – Chevillon Thrax Think New York mobster meets dystopian future, and you’ve got the 388hp Chevillon Thrax. Perfect for making a statement, the Thrax combines power, weight, and handsome looks for the discerning driver. – Chevillon Emperor A pretty badass option. The Chevillon Emperor is an Executive SUV available for purchase when roaming City Center and after reaching Street Cred level 12. – Cyberpunk 2077 Heavy-Duty cars From utility vehicles to mobile missile launchers, the Heavy-Duty class doesn’t let anything get in its way. Perfect for high levels of protection and use as impromptu battering rams, the vehicles in the heavy-duty category are perfect for when you really, really don’t want to slow down for anything. Kaukaz Bratsk Featuring a number of different uses from trailer units to big dump trucks, the Kaukaz Bratsk is a 549hp jack-of-all-trades. While it may have plenty of power, its high curb weight will slow it down, so don’t expect it to out-run any threats. – Kaukaz Zeya In complete contrast to the Bratsk, the Zeya is ideal for inner-city duties where you need a little more weight behind you. A short-wheelbase utility vehicle, the Kaukaz Zeya mixes strength and agility into one utilitarian package. – Militech Behemoth A true brute, the massive (and very heavy) Militech Behemoth is ideal for traversing the most dangerous regions of Cyberpunk 2077. With a whopping 9000kg+ of weight behind it, the Behemoth might not be the best getaway vehicle, but it can easily smash any pursuit vehicles out of the way. – Cyberpunk 2077 Sports cars Perfect for high-speed pursuits, sports cars blend performance with agility and style – ideal for quick getaways without breaking the bank. There are also a ton of upgrades and style changes available, to make your character’s car unique in Night City. Quadra Type-66 With 666hp, the Type-66 is superb for those who love to fettle with and tune their cars. Expect plenty of agility and responsive handling, the Type-66 may also make a good base for a competitive vehicle. – Mizutani Shion Looking distinctly more aggressive and desert-spec than the Type-66, the Shion is sure to intimidate any opponents you encounter around Night City. With plenty of customization options available, the Shion is a flexible and powerful sports class vehicle. – Quadra Turbo-R One of the more unique vehicles in the Sports class, the wedge-shaped Turbo R looks like it’s going fast even when standing still. With 632hp, it’s no slowpoke but sits below the Type-66 in terms of outright power. – Porsche 911 II An all-time classic that belongs to no other than Johnny Silverhand. Adapted to the game’s reality, the Porsche 911 II is also customized to represent Johnny’s band. – Cyberpunk 2077 Hypercars Blending speed and armor into one stunning package, the hypercars class is the best-of-the-best Night City has to offer. Don’t expect such technology to come cheap, mind; These will be some of the most costly cars in the game. Herrara Outlaw GTS Packing 755hp with a curb weight of less than 2000kg, the Outlaw will outrun almost anything you come up against in Cyberpunk 2077. Stylish and speedy, what more could you want? – Rayfield Caliburn Resembling a Bugatti Veyron from the future, the Rayfield Caliburn is one of the fastest vehicles in the game. With 1660hp and a curb weight of only 1760, the Caliburn burns rubber with ease. – Rayfield Aerondight S9 Given that the introductory voiceover says “less than 1000 people in the world can afford the Aerondight” expect this to be one of the most expensive vehicles in the game. Despite its high price tag, it’s performance credentials aren’t as impressive as the Caliburn, but it does make for a good ‘flex’ of your wealth. – Once the Phantom Liberty DLC launches, you can expect many, many more to feature in the game. We’ll be sure to update this piece as we get more news on the cars and vehicles in Cyberpunk 2077. For more Cyberpunk knowledge, be sure to check our other content and guides: the Phantom Liberty DLC. So, if you’re just getting back into it, this might be the perfect vehicle to kick off your new save. Keep up to date with all our latest guides on Cyberpunk 2077, as well as Phantom Liberty: Cyberpunk 2077 Romance guide | Cyberpunk 2077 build classes explained | All Cyberpunk 2077 endings and how to unlock them | How to get Gorilla Arms | How to get the fastest car free: Rayfield Caliburn | Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty PC requirements | How to claim Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty Witcher rewards | Is Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty the game’s only DLC? | How much does Phantom Liberty DLC cost?
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The Ukrainian devs who are making games in a bomb shelter: “It’s our duty” – Dexerto
The Ukrainian devs who are making games in a bomb shelter: “It’s our duty” Nordcurrent, DexertoAs bombs fall from the smog-ridden skies of Ukraine, the lives of everyday civilians have been altered beyond repair. For Nordcurrent’s CEO, Victoria Trofimova, and Dnipro Office Director, Tatyana Margolina, game development has to go on despite the challenges the country faces. Here are their stories. On February 24, 2022, Russia initiated an unsanctioned invasion of neighboring Ukraine, fanning flames of tensions that have existed between the two nations. Trapped at the heart of a nation under siege, the lives of everyday citizens have been altered beyond recognition. While the once-bustling streets of the capital city, Kyiv, were a vibrant hubbub of business professionals and leisure facilities, they now lie amid the fog of war, forever tainted by the scourge of conflict. Attempting to retain a sense of normality amid mass evacuations and constant fighting is Nordcurrent‘s Tatyana Margolina, the Office Director for the company’s Dnipro facility. As sirens blare and the eyes of the world continue to scrutinize the invasion, Tatyana is working alongside CEO, Victoria Trofimova, to show that, while industry may have ground to a halt, Nordcurrent stop for no one. A city in flames With offices in Dnipro and Odessa, Nordcurrent is a developer with a focus on mobile games. Known for titles like Cooking Fever and Sniper Arena, Tatyana heads up the company’s Dnipro facility. Despite a vague awareness that something wicked lurked on the horizon, Tatyana recalls waking up in slight disbelief. “On the morning of the 24th I went outside to the fire escape to have a cigarette,” she recalls. “There was smoke rising from my home city, it looked like a movie.” As it became clear life as they knew it had been turned upside down, Victoria (currently stationed at Nordcurrent’s head office in Lithuania) was quick to act when the news reached her. “I learned that the war had started about two hours after Tatyana,” she recalls. “I was woken up by my father who told me to turn on the TV.” While she was quick to get to the office, she notes that her first steps remain somewhat unclear. “That day is very blurry for me; as well as the entire first month following the invasion. We contacted Tatyana, as well as the manager of our other studio in Odessa to find out what the situation was on the ground. Both cities were bombed on the first day. “We started to figure out what we had to do, and what we could do; how could we help our employees? How will the studios be affected?” As the conflict continued to rage over the weekend, Victoria notes “we arranged the first bus going out of Odessa, and we’ve continued to organize buses for people who want to leave. It’s all very individual, but our Dnipro studio remains open with essentially little interruption.” Game development from a bomb shelter With Dnipro thankfully has been spared much of the violence, Tatyana’s office is equipped with an underground bomb shelter where the employees have been spending a little more time than they would like. She states “employees are mostly in the office right now. The nearest frontline to Dnipro is around an hour and a half away by car. We don’t need to go to the basement that often these days – there have only been around 33 bomb hits in the suburbs.” “Only 33” – words Tatyana likely never would have believed she’d been saying so casually. As she spoke to me, however, she confesses “there are sirens on right now, so right now I should be in the shelter, but we don’t really go there unless we actually hear bombs dropping.” While all of this has simply become a fact of life for her, it’s shocking to hear another human speak so freely of being in constant danger. Even miles away in Scotland, a feeling of hopelessness and terror started to well up inside me, so how do Tatyana and her employees cope with that sense of discomfort every day? “We support each other, we have a friendly team, and we are united in our work because it is our duty as citizens. This is one of the few things we can do and that we can affect. Bombs don’t fall all the time in Dnipro, so we tell each other not to be down and share jokes – and we sincerely laugh at those jokes.” While Victoria notes that the company’s games “continue to perform well” despite “issues with upgrading and issuing updates for the games.” She highlights that “the business has been affected more on a personal level. Our employees are under an enormous amount of stress, people have had to relocate – we opened a new office in Warsaw, Poland, for the relocated staff – so it’s more those kind of things, and of course, uncertainty. “It’s not a business kind of issue; it’s a personal tragedy.” Hope in the hour of despair Despite our conversation being about one of the worst humanitarian disasters in recent history, there’s an inspiring poise about both women. When I asked what the future looked like for them, their answers left me speechless, but also full of hope. “I think we all have to be optimistic,” says Victoria. “I’m an optimistic person. I believe that, especially in business, it’s an essential, but also as a citizen and as a human being I need to believe things will return to normal; otherwise how can we proceed? “We certainly believe and hope that this insanity of war will end soon and we will all go back to normality. I certainly look forward to, one day, being able to fly back to our offices in Ukraine and visit our staff. That is something I definitely want to do in the near future.” “We believe in victory,” echoes Tatyana. “We believe in the Ukrainian army, the economy, and the people around us. People have lost an understanding of their future, they have lost their dreams, but we stay here in Ukraine and help because it is our country “I want to express my gratitude for all of the help the world has given Ukraine, and I ask for continued aid to help us win this war.” If you wish to aid the Ukranian war effort, you can donate to the following charities:
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UK blocks Microsoft’s deal to buy Activision Blizzard – Dexerto
UK blocks Microsoft’s deal to buy Activision Blizzard Microsoft / BlizzardMicrosoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard has been blocked by the UK’s competition and market authority. The company has already appealed the decision. In one of the biggest decisions in video games history, the regulatory board has said they are not going to allow the proposed $69 billion deal to go through. In a post on Gov.uk, the authority explained that it sees Microsoft’s strong position in the cloud gaming sector as the biggest issue for the deal. It published: “Microsoft already accounts for an estimated 60-70% of global cloud gaming services and has other important strengths in cloud gaming from owning Xbox, the leading PC operating system (Windows) and a global cloud computing infrastructure (Azure and Xbox Cloud Gaming). The deal would reinforce Microsoft’s advantage in the market by giving it control over important gaming content such as Call of Duty, Overwatch, and World of Warcraft. The evidence available to the CMA indicates that, absent the merger, Activision would start providing games via cloud platforms in the foreseeable future.” Microsoft has already responded saying it will appeal this decision. In a statement, the company said(via Bloomberg): We remain fully committed to this acquisition and will appeal. The CMA’s decision rejects a pragmatic path to address competition concerns and discourages technology innovation and investment in the UK.” Activision has also responded, saying: “We will work aggressively with Microsoft to reverse this on appeal.” It’s not currently clear what this means for the broader deal, as well as franchises like Call of Duty and Overwatch. It’s also not clear what this means for the status of this merger outside of the UK and how it will affect the discussion in other countries like the US. However, as the appeal has already started, it’s clear that this saga is going to continue for the foreseeable future.
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The top Jumpscares from Resident Evil 3 Remastered – Dexerto
The top Jumpscares from Resident Evil 3 Remastered Capcom The Resident Evil 3 Remaster will be keeping plenty of people up at night, in part because of the addicting gameplay, and also due to the adrenaline-pumping jumpscares, the best of which we’ve listed below. When RE3: Nemesis originally came out in 1999 on the Playstation it was plenty scary, even with the graphics of the day. Now the remake looks better than ever, which means things are even more terrifying this time around. Below we have some of the best, scariest, moments from RE3 that will make you jump out of your chair. Some of these happen just before or after key points in the game, which means there will be some spoilers below, so those of you who want a purist Resident Evil experience have been warned. Starting off Strong The first scene that will scare you out of your gourd happens at the very beginning of the game, just after you finish exploring protagonist Jill Valentine’s apartment. Right after she gets done with a phone call in the opening scene, the massive zombie named Nemesis, who you’ll be seeing a lot more of as we go on, destroys her apartment completely out of nowhere. What follows is just about as intense a start as you can get in a game, as you attempt to get Jill out of the destroyed building and away from her massive stalker in one piece. Elevator, going up Just after escaping from Nemesis for the first of many times, you’ll be told to make your way to the roof of a nearby parking garage by a voice over a megaphone. When you finally reach the base of the garage, and get done arguing with an ornery survivor who won’t leave his truck, an elevator will be waiting to take you up to the roof. As you open the door though, a pair of overly-ambitious zombies reach out to try and grab their next meal. These suckers popping out of nowhere and making those lovely zombie sounds are sure to wake you up. A scare that will make you want a shower There are some moments in video games that just make you feel gross, and the first time encountering a parasite in RE3 is definitely one of them. You see the zombie descending from the ceiling, but what you aren’t ready for is when it grabs Jill and gives her the most disgusting french kiss you can imagine. Luckily, if you have some healing items in your bag Valentine will make a full recovery after a quick hurl, but this is still one of the vilest parts in the entire game. “Are you shi*ting me?” After restoring power to the subway, Nemesis will burst out from behind a brick wall as you make your merry way to the next objective. Jill’s response to the behemoth reappearing is some much-needed comic relief, but he does make the next part of this level much more stressful since he’s chasing you the whole time. Check they’re dead, then check again In general, zombies in Resident Evil are pretty slow and easy to get away from, as long as you can see them coming at you. One of their favorite strategies though is to lay in wait disguising themselves as dead bodies, then get up and attack you from behind or even as you stand on top of them. Read More: When is Resident Evil 3 remake coming out? – Needless to say, there’s not much worse than thinking you’re in the clear, then a T-zombie appearing out of nowhere to take a chunk out of your neck. Can’t swim? No problem Just before one of the multiple boss fights with Nemesis, Jill will observe him falling into a river on fire from a bridge. Assuming he’s finally dead, she calls Carlos, but her conversation is cut short as Nemesis shoots out of the water and begins the first stage of the fight. Like the parasite scare, this one is telegraphed from a mile away, but the speed and ferocity with which the villain comes at you is definitely freaky. A random drop-in Towards the end of the game, as you’re making your way towards the final showdown, Nikolai will tell you over the intercom that he “admires your tenacity.” Shortly after this, you’ll have to activate an elevator, and at the same time you hit the switch, a zombie that looks like a regular dead body drops from the ceiling. If you don’t do anything or attempt to just get on the elevator without noticing it, you’re just giving the uninvited guest a free lunch. Final boss, one final jumpscare Resident Evil 3’s final boss fight is the longest one in the game, and once you reach the end of the first stage, things seem to be going poorly for Ms. Valentine. That is, until our good friend Carlos comes in and saves the day with a crane that smashed the Nemesis out of nowhere, and destroys your eardrums in the process. There are plenty more scares in the RE3 Remake other than these, but the ones listed here are sure to get your blood pumping.
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The Thing: Remastered – Trailer, setting & everything we know so far – Dexerto
The Thing: Remastered – Trailer, setting & everything we know so far Nightdive StudiosOne of the most underrated survival horror games of the PS2 era is coming back, here’s everything we know about The Thing: Remastered. 2002’s The Thing was a game based on the 1982 horror film by legendary director John Carpenter in which a shapeshifting alien kills and replicates a group of scientists and soldiers in an Antarctic research base, usually with very gory results. Positioned as a sequel to the movie, it involved a team of soldiers arriving to support the characters from the film, only to discover their grisly fate – then try to avoid the same thing happening to them. While technically a survival horror release similar to Silent Hill 2, The Thing was ahead of its time in many ways. The game featured a stress system and encouraged the player to look after their squadmates, not just their physical well-being but also their fear and stress levels. Does The Thing: Remastered have a release date? No, not yet. However, the developers have confirmed that The Thing: Remastered will be released towards the end of 2024. What platforms will The Thing: Remastered be on? The Thing: Remastered will be released on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. This was revealed during an IGN Live session. The Thing: Remaster trailer Check out the reveal trailer for The Thing: Remastered: The Thing: Remastered setting Set in a Norwegian Antarctic research base, the first chronological chapter in the franchise was the 2011 prequel, also titled “The Thing.” In this film, a team of scientists discovers a spacecraft frozen in the ice with its seemingly dead alien pilot still inside. The team removes what they think is a frozen alien corpse and attempts to thaw it. However, the creature wakes up and begins attacking the scientists before they manage to kill it. Unfortunately for them, that’s not the end of the nightmare, as the monster manages to infect the group and gradually begins killing and replicating them, one by one. It attempts to escape in its spaceship but is prevented by the survivors. Days later, the events of John Carpenter’s original 1982 movie play out. Here, a US research team becomes alerted to the plight of the Norwegian station, and they begin to become infected. Eventually, just two survivors remain, with both of them wondering if the other is a Thing alien. The game takes place shortly after this, with a new team arriving to aid the survivors, only for them to become the third group to become ensnared in body horror, paranoia, and a desperate fight for survival. The original The Thing movie was actually a remake of an older film from 1951 called The Thing from Another World, itself an adaptation of the 1938 John W. Campbell Jr. novella “Who Goes There?” Carpenter’s film was far gorier than the original 1951 version and was more faithful to the written source material; the game continues this universe and style. Gameplay The player will need to explore both the US and Norwegian research bases, avoiding or fighting hostile Thing monsters while rescuing survivors in traditional survival horror gameplay, similar to that of Resident Evil or Silent Hill. However, in The Thing, dealing with survivors and squadmates is always risky business. Like the movie, any squadmate could become infected by the alien parasite, themselves being killed and replaced by Things, who then work insidiously from the inside to pick them off. In the game, this created a system where not only did the player need to worry about their teammate’s paranoia, but they had to keep their own in check. Players will need to perform tests on themselves and their squadmates to prove they’re not infected. This will increase trust and prevent squad members from turning hostile. If exposed, or when the time is right, infected squadmates will attack the player. Some of these events are scripted, but others are more random. Squad members can be equipped with different weapons and items to make them an asset to the team in combat and to earn their trust. However, infected squad members could turn these weapons on the player and their allies, making all aspects of the survival horror gameplay a risk-versus-reward game of chance. Of course, The Thing isn’t the only upcoming sci-fi or horror adventure, check out what we know about the next Mass Effect, Directive 8020, and Exodus.
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The Texas Chainsaw Massacre tier list: Best family members and victims – Dexerto
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre tier list: Best family members and victims Gun InteractiveThe recently released Texas Chainsaw Massacre game allows fans to play as either a member of the notorious Slaughter Family or the victims they’re hunting, and we’ve got a tier list that provides a rundown of the very best characters to use in the game. Following on from their successful Friday the 13th video game adaption, Gun Interactive’s latest project is The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, a team-based asymmetrical horror game that plays in a similar way to Friday the 13th, and Behaviour Interactive’s Dead By Daylight. During a match, you’ll either play as a member of the ruthless Slaughter Family, hunting down innocent victims, or you’ll step into the shoes of the terrified folks trying to escape the family clutches. There are ten characters overall at launch, five killers and five victims and they all have unique skills that provide unique benefits but you may just want to know who the very best characters are in the game. So, here’s our tier list for the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Contents The Texas Chainsaw Massacre tier list Every character in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre comes with distinct abilities that affect their play style, and some characters are more powerful than others when it comes to surviving and escaping or tracking down victims. You can find our tier list for both the family members and victims below. Texas Chainsaw Massacre Family Member Tier List Series newcomer Sissy reigns supreme in the family member tier list. Fantastic speed and the handy ability to squeeze through gaps, combined with her ‘Bane’ ability that can poison items and any victim who picks them up, make Sissy a formidable force. Hitchhiker is a close second for the top spot having just as much speed as Sissy although he’s not quite as flexible. While Johnny and Cook aren’t as powerful as Sissy and Hitchhiker, they’re still extremely useful thanks to Johnny’s ability to track victim footsteps, and Cook is one of the highest damage dealers in the game. Surprisingly, Leatherface is the least effective killer at launch, despite being the face of the franchise. He’s the least flexible family member and his ability to destroy obstacles could easily backfire and accidentally separate you from the victim. As the only character that must be played in every match, however, it’s worth getting used to his play style. Texas Chainsaw Massacre Victim Tier List One of the core gameplay elements in matches is the puzzle minigames you’ll have to solve in order to unlock gates and doors across the map when you’re playing as a victim. Connie however, can bypass this thanks to her unique ‘Focused’ ability that will automatically open any lock in your way. This alone makes her the best victim in the game as you can swiftly escape the basement and easily open the exits to win the match. Ana‘s ‘Pain Is Nothing’ ability gives her great damage reduction, and Sonny can detect and highlight the location of nearby sounds, which can be used to avoid incoming family members so while they’re not S-tier characters, they’re both extremely useful. At the lower end of the victim tier list are Leland and Julie. Leland’s the least stealthy victim in the game, and while his ‘Life Saver’ skill allows him to stun an attacking family member it, unfortunately, doesn’t affect Leatherface. Julie sits in the bottom place as her ‘Ultimate Escape’ ability is the least team-friendly skill in the game, granting her immunity from tracking but it does little to aid others. That’s our tier list for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre! While you’re here, why not check out our cross-platform guide for the game?
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The Texas Chain Saw Massacre: How to unlock & upgrade skill tree – Dexerto
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre: How to unlock & upgrade skill tree Gun InteractiveWondering how you can unlock and upgrade the skill tree in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre game? Here’s everything you need to know about obtaining and improving this important element of the game. The latest project from Gun Interactive, the studio behind the popular Friday the 13th adaption is The Texas Chain Saw Massacre game. This asymmetrical horror title plays in a similar way to Behaviour Interactive’s Dead By Daylight and splits players into one of two groups — the dangerous members of the Slaughter family, or the victims trying to survive. Each character has a unique ability and players can also equip them with different perks by making use of the Texas Chain Saw Massacre’s skill tree, however, it isn’t immediately obvious how to unlock and upgrade this feature. So, here’s exactly how you can do so in the game. How to unlock the skill tree in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre In order to unlock the skill tree in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre you need to play at least one match. Once you’ve completed your first game, the skill tree will be available to access via the ‘Customization’ tab in the game’s main menu or the match lobby. How to upgrade the skill tree Every time your character level’s up in the game, you’ll obtain 5 skill points that can be used to unlock perks on the skill tree. There are 2 kinds of perks available, guaranteed and randomized. The guaranteed perks for each character will always remain in the same position even if you respec all of your skills, whereas a randomized perk will be native to one of the other characters in the game and is subject to change. There are multiple paths a skill tree can take in the game and depending on the perks you select, certain paths will become blocked off as you progress. If you’re aiming to upgrade the skill tree, we’d recommend acquiring approximately 50 skills points simply by playing the game, and then you’ll have enough to unlock an entire path worth of perks. It’s also worth noting that if you ever feel like changing your perks, you can easily respec your character by selecting the ‘Respec’ button, which will reset your entire skill tree at no additional cost. This is a great feature as it encourages experimenting with different play styles in the game. That’s everything you need to know about unlocking and upgrading the skill tree in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. While you’re here, why not check out our cross-platform guide for the game?
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The ten greatest DC video games of all time – Dexerto
The ten greatest DC video games of all time Warner Interactive/RocksteadyDC might have an extremely inconsistent record in the movie business, but when it comes to games, there have been a lot of stellar releases. Just as with Marvel properties, many of the existing DC comic offerings lend themselves well to the medium. Though Batman is obviously the big draw, there’s a lot more to DC than The Dark Knight, and the universe is jam-packed with cool characters and even better concepts. Perhaps unsurprisingly, then, the company’s infamous inclination towards dark, noir aesthetics lends itself well to games across several genres. This is clearly something that publishers and developers have realized over the years. At the time of writing, there are over 100 licensed DC games — including 52 Batman games. So, with that in mind, we’ve taken a look through DC’s back catalog to bring you Dexerto’s picks for the top 10 DC games of all time. 10. Batman: Arkham Origins (2013) When it was first announced, Batman: Arkham Origins seemingly had everything going for it. As the third mainline installment in the Arkham series, it was released hot on the heels of the brilliant Arkham City (more on that later). It also had a profoundly tempting premise, set nine years before Arkham Asylum, as peerless assassins hunt a young brash Batman. In execution, Origins, unfortunately, felt more like an expansion than a complete game. It took the brilliant systems of the previous entry and made them slightly worse, bringing little in the way of innovation or progress. That said, it started with a solid foundation and remains a decent Batman game, if nothing else. 9. The Wolf Among Us (2013) In what is inevitably going to be a list laden with Batman titles, The Wolf Among Us stands out as the most significant departure from the usual formula. Telltale’s signature style lends itself well to a game based on the Fables series published under DC’s Vertigo imprint. The story follows Bigby Wolf, a detective investigating a series of murders in an enclave of Manhattan known as Fabletown. The game features a host of recognizable fairy tale characters and a story that’s equal parts fascinating and appropriately bleak. The simplistic narrative nature of Telltale Games is not for everyone, but this is arguably one of their best efforts. 8. DC Universe Online (2011) The practicalities of an MMORPG should never be underestimated, and DC Universe Online had a gargantuan task in its attempted translation of the DCU. That said, developer Dimensional Ink Games did an admirable job making it a reality, and the game has maintained a healthy community some thirteen years since its original release. The game undoubtedly has its issues, but it’s the only one on this list that lets players create their own hero or villain before venturing into the world. Technically, it can be a little unreliable, and it certainly won’t be for everyone, but for those looking to get together with friends and fight stuff, there are few better options than DCUO. 7. Batman: The Video Game (1989) Heading all the way back to 1989, Batman: The Video Game is as difficult as it is fun to play. The game is a loose adaptation of the ever-controversial Tim Burton Batman film, but don’t let that color your opinion of this impressive retro release. The game is essentially a side scroller of the ilk of many games of that era. That said, it does an impressive job of capturing the Batman aesthetic, particularly considering the technical limitations of the time. The other major thing to note is that it’s a contender for one of the hardest games ever. Having personally booted this up less than six months ago, it was a crushing indictment of my overall ability to beat games. Highly recommend. 6. Injustice: Gods Among Us (2013) In hindsight, it seems scarcely believable that it took as long as it did to get a standalone DC fighting game (notwithstanding the 2D Justice League Task Force on the SNES). When it did finally arrive, Injustice immediately secured a position as one of the best genre entries of the early 2010s. 2008’s Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe laid out the pattern before NetherRealm Studios picked up the same ball and ran with it here. The game’s story mode was genuinely an interesting take on Superman’s character, and the locales for each fight quickly became iconic. With super meters and combos galore, there was a lot for traditional fighting game fans to get into, and Injustice toed that line expertly. 5. Batman: The Enemy Within (2017) The second appearance from Telltale Games on this list, Batman: The Enemy Within, successfully manages to improve on an already respectable original. As a direct sequel, those who enjoyed the original should know what to expect. Having said that, the story is a lot tighter and more interesting to work through. The game’s biggest win comes in the form of its main villain. The Joker is so ubiquitous that it can feel a little tiring. Not so in The Enemy Within, which, without wishing to spoil anything, breathes significant life into the character, expertly assisted by a pitch-perfect performance from Anthony Ingruber. Both Telltale Batman games are worth playing, but The Enemy Within is undoubtedly the best. 4. Injustice 2 (2017) The 2017 sequel to the lauded Injustice: Gods Among Us took everything the first game offered and improved it in almost every area. The combat is significantly tighter and at the same time, more fluid, offering players more ways to fight as their favorite heroes. Though the game largely follows the same path as the first, there were some significant changes to online multiplayer. In Injustice 2, players are able to upgrade their fighters by earning points and buying gear. This grants a unique squad that makes every encounter with an online foe feel different. The best DC fighting game ever. 3. Batman: Arkham Knight (2015) The second of the Arkham series to appear on this list, Arkham Knight is an objectively impressive game. Though it’s undoubtedly more ambitious than either of the other two games in this list, it did have some issues with execution that hold it back from progressing any higher. The brutal beat-em-up combat remains impressive, and the vehicle elements are good fun now that the major issues have been patched out. The story is arguably the least engrossing of the three, but it still serves its purpose as a memorable conclusion to a stunning trilogy of games. 2. Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009) The game that started it all, Batman: Arkham Asylum, holds up remarkably well, considering it’s approaching its 15th anniversary. It’s a considerably smaller game than the myriad sequels it spawned but it’s immeasurably successful in everything it tries to do more generally. The story is quintessential Batman, introducing some of the most iconic villains in the various comic’s histories. The brutal feeling the combat gives to the player would go on to define the series for years to come, with very few alterations along the way. As action-adventure games go, Arkham Asylum is an all-time great. 1. Batman: Arkham City (2011) Just marginally beating out the game that started it all, Arkham City is a remarkable expansion of the original formula. The ability to travel around a sprawling rendition of Gotham immediately elevates it above the competition, driving home the idea that Batman is a lone figure in a city filled with nefarious actors. Rocksteady Studios clearly realized the brilliance of the first game and did little to alter that significantly, instead choosing to tighten the existing systems and add to them where appropriate. Arkham City is as close as any Batman game has come to perfection, and there’s a solid argument that it is one of the best superhero games of all time. Arkham City is worth revisiting today; there is no better way to take on the mantle of the Caped Crusader. This list was produced as part of Dexerto’s HeroFest, a week celebrating all things superheroic. Check out the full HeroFest schedule here.
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The Sims 4 is getting two new basement and greenhouse kits – Dexerto
The Sims 4 is getting two new basement and greenhouse kits Electronic ArtsTwo of the upcoming four kits for The Sims 4 have just been revealed, and they each host wildly different content. The Sims 4 team recently announced their plan to release four new kits and a large update, but their initial reveal of these upcoming additions was pretty cryptic. No real information was given aside from a general theme, leaving fans speculating about what possible new content could come. The otherwise mysterious Tweet did insinuate the kits and update would have to do with making a Sim’s house feel more home-y, in a bid to have them “reclaim” their space. Many players understood this to mean that the kits would have a more decorative focus. Fans can now look forward to half of the upcoming kits with certainty, as they have been revealed by The Sims 4 team on Twitter. These are the Greenhouse Haven Kit and Basement Treasures Kit, the first two out of the total four coming. When are Greenhouse Haven and Basement Treasures coming? The two new kits for The Sims 4 will both release at the same time on April 20. They will each be priced at the usual $4.99 and can be bought directly from EA’s online shop. You will not need anything other than the base Sims 4 game to play the two kits, which can be downloaded for free. What will Greenhouse Haven and Basement Treasures include? The Sims 4’s Greenhouse Haven Kit will focus heavily on your green-thumbed Sims and all of their planting needs. While there is no confirmation on any set items coming with the kit, the team’s official Tweet showcased a few of the upcoming features. Build a tranquil retreat & spend some quality plant time with The Sims 4 #GreenhouseHavenKit 🪴 Organize your perfect planting workspace 🛠 , take in serene greenery 💐 & live out your gardening fantasies 😍 — The Sims (@TheSims) April 18, 2023 Available April 20th ✨ pic.twitter.com/BeobuZ8jdk Players will likely be able to build fully functional greenhouses in which they can make use of climate control. As the content coming will be in a kit and not a full expansion, fans can expect to mostly see Build or Buy mode objects added. There may be new plans, floral decor, and greenhouse-building options. New gener clutter or clothing for Sims related to gardening may also come with Greenhouse Haven. On the other hand, the Basement Treasures Kit will give your Sims’ house interior more flair. Uncover forgotten favorites & hand-me-down gems with The Sims 4 #BasementTreauresKit 🛋 With wear and tear from lots of use & love, create new memories from the old that add a little history to your décor 🏡💚 pic.twitter.com/xYgeY2O03r — The Sims (@TheSims) April 18, 2023 With iconic Sims objects like the love bed seen in the official reveal photo, this kit will definitely focus more on funiture and items one would expect to find in a basement. No more will Simmers turn their basements into random rooms or dungeons! Both Build and Buy Mode are likely to see a variety of new additions with the two upcoming Sims 4 kits. If decorating is your fave in-game activity, be sure to pick the kits up when they drop on April 20.
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The Sims 4 studio announces four new kits alongside big update – Dexerto
The Sims 4 studio announces four new kits alongside big update Electronic ArtsA free big update and four new kits have just been announced as on Twitter as upcoming additions to The Sims 4. One thing that Simmers look forward to most with The Sims 4 is any announcement of upcoming additional content. Every once in a while, the game’s studio takes to Twitter with a reveal of a free update or expansion pack. Most recently, The Sims 4 has seen the release of one of its biggest expansions ever, Growing Together. EA did not stop with just one addition, however, sending out a large free update to go along with it. These were both widely well-received, with fans seeing them as two of the best Sims 4 content releases. While there recently has not been much word on any upcoming additions to The Sims 4, EA seems to be gearing up for another set of releases for the game. Kits and update announced for The Sims 4 Earlier today, the Sims team took to Twitter to reveal some upcoming features for The Sims 4. Announcing the additional content via a post and video, it seems that four new kits and one free update have been planned to release for The Sims 4 between April and June. The Sims team has also completely rebranded their social media profile following the announcement, showing off a new brown and green aesthetic with the tagline “Take Me Home.” This likely means that the revealed update will be one of their biggest, with the kits coming out alongside it as paid extras. With mentions of the current season and “things that feel like home,” it is probable that the upcoming content will center around spring or summer and introduce build or buy mode items that clutter a Sim’s house to make it more home-y. While many fans are excited to see new content coming for The Sims 4, some are expressing their dismay at more paid kits being released. One Simmer responded to the announcement by tweeting about the team’s previous promise about kits not taking the spotlight over other expansion packs. Despite the negative feedback EA is receiving for their lack of bigger, free releases, other fans are looking forward to any additional content for The Sims 4. Some Simmers are taking time to speculate about what the new additions could be, with one Tweeting that hotels might finally be added. No concrete dates have been set for the kits’ releases or the free update, but the additions that will prove ‘home is where the heart is’ should come within the next few months.
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The Simpsons: Hit & Run devs respond to possible sequel revival after “bizarre” axing – Dexerto
The Simpsons: Hit & Run devs respond to possible sequel revival after “bizarre” axing Radical EntertainmentThe dev team behind the beloved The Simpsons: Hit & Run have revealed that they too are surprised the game was never given a sequel and that it seemed like a “no brainer” for them that they would have been working on more games after the 2003 hit. Over the years, there have been many popular video games that, despite fan requests, have never received a sequel or follow-up game. Of these, one game that stands out from the pack is the 2003 title, The Simpsons: Hit & Run. The game, which first launched on the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Gamecube, has become a cult classic amongst gamers. In large part due to the way in which it allowed gamers to completely demolish Springfield, play as different characters, and complete fun and original missions. And in a new interview with MinnMax, the dev team behind the original The Simpsons: Hit & Run revealed that they are just as surprised as fans that their iconic game was never given the green light for a sequel. Programmers Cary Brisebois and Greg Mayer, producer Steve Bocska, designer Darren Evenson, executive producer John Melchior and designer-writer Chris Mitchell all spoke with the outlet, drawing the veil back on the conversations that halted a sequel and more games two decades ago. “It was a five-game deal for less money than I think Vivendi paid for the first game,” Melchior began. “He was just like, ‘I don’t understand. I gave it to you on a silver platter, why aren’t you just saying yes and doing these games?’ It was just a really bizarre decision. I’ll never understand it. Most people on the production level never understood it.” “In those early days, kind of everybody just imagines what they want, so I’m sure there were 12 competing storylines at that point,” Mitchell went on. “Who knows what the final story would have been?” Melchoir then explained that “back then, the possibility of the game not reaching fruition was unthinkable — especially with four more potential games on the horizon, the developers agreed: “This was going to be a franchise, no doubt in anybody’s mind.” Evenson then expressed how, for the dev team, the thought of making more games was “a no-brainer; it was like, well of course we’re going to be doing this,” Evenson added. “The stars are aligned, we’re treading down this path. And then it was just like a, ‘Huh, I guess we’re not.’” While these comments do imply that a sequel may be off the cards for good, there is always the chance that one could get the green light in the future. For all the latest gaming news and updates, be sure to check out Dexerto’s full coverage here.
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The Simpsons Hit and Run remake petition closing in on 30,000 signatures – Dexerto
The Simpsons Hit and Run remake petition closing in on 30,000 signatures ActivisionIn 2022, The Simpsons Hit and Run is still one of the most sought-after remakes in the world, and a petition for the game to be remade or get a sequel is coming up to 30K signatures. In the same vein as Pokemon, you’d be hard-pressed to find many individuals who haven’t heard of The Simpsons. The cultural phenomenon has had an unbelievable impact on society with the show’s endless catchphrases, beloved characters, and insane episodes. As of writing, there have been 728 episodes of the show and 27 games. But of all the media released about the show, the one standout has to be The Simpsons Hit and Run. Over the last couple of decades, fans of the game have been crying out for a remake or remaster to be able to experience it in the modern-day and it’s never happened. A petition is currently trying to change that, and it’s gaining more and more momentum as the days go by. The Simpsons Hit and Run remake could earn a lot of d’oh At this point, it’s unclear if it’s purely down to nostalgia, but calls for The Simpsons Hit and Run to be remade are never-ending it seems. An open-world sandbox title that was clearly taking inspiration from Rockstar Games’ mega-popular Grand Theft Auto series at the time, Hit and Run was an entertaining title that allowed players to become one with The Simpsons universe. This is why Hassaan Mohammad took it upon himself to get the issue some exposure and begin a petition to get a company to either remake/remaster the game or develop a fully-fledged sequel. In their justification for the decision, Mohammad explained to potential signees: “Public demand definitely warrants a sequel and I’m astonished one hasn’t been made yet, or alternatively a remastering of the original game. I hope it can be made possible through the means of this petition.” By the end of August 18, 2022, it’s likely that the petition will reach 27K signatures, and once it reaches 35K it will be deemed “one of the top signed on Change.org!” With more publicity and eyes on the matter, there’s every chance that a game company might sit up and take notice of the public’s affection for the game.
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Will a new Simpsons game be announced at E3 2019? – Dexerto
Will a new Simpsons game be announced at E3 2019? Graphics: The Simpsons, E3The Simpsons have revealed that they will be hosting a panel at E3 2019, sparking speculation that a brand new video game based around the popular television series could very much be in the works. The announcement of their inclusion at the annual trade fair was made on May 24, just a few months short of 16 years after Simpsons Hit & Run first launched in September 2003. Now, it’s definitely a long shot to suggest that the panel will be about this game getting a remaster or a sequel, there are a number of different opportunities on the table for The Simpsons in the video game industry – one of which could be revealed by their team during the event. The news was first posted on the official E3 Twitter account, stating that the writers and producers of The Simpsons will take to E3 on its opening day, June 11. Many fans of the show, and its previous video games, responded with their hopes of a brand new Hit & Run title, but other possibilities – if there is to be a video game announcement – could also include another venture into the mobile gaming market, a Virtual Springfield remake, among other things. More exciting #E3Coliseum news – join the writers and producers of @TheSimpsons for a panel on June 11! More info to come… #E32019 https://t.co/QOa74rE263 pic.twitter.com/I3fOzO8t2n — E3 (@E3) May 24, 2019 The options are endless at this stage and we await further details on the specifics, but the show has clearly shown an interest in gaming, and esports, in recent times. An episode of the show that aired on March 17, called ‘E my Sports’, was focused solely around esports and League of Legends. The Simpsons’ co-executive producer Rob LaZebnik admitted that the reason behind the creation of the episode was the popularity of esports, which could pave the way for the show to announce their latest gaming venture at E3. We’ll update this article with further details as and when they are made available to us. Will we get a new game? We’ll have to wait and see.
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The secrets of speedrunning – How to get faster at your favorite games – Dexerto
The secrets of speedrunning – How to get faster at your favorite games It goes without saying that speedrunners need to be quick, but there’s a lot more to being the best than simply having fast fingers. On July 26, Doom Eternal speedrunners will compete at Break the Record Live to attempt to finish id Software’s shooter in record time for their share of a recently upgraded $8k prize pool. They’re all top players, so what skills will they need to get the marginal gains that will help them shave seconds off their time? YouTuber and caster Karl Jobst, as well as top runners such as Xamide, Michael ‘Shining Face’ Bastien and Keagen ‘TheItalianGamer’ Mazzarisi told us more about the things you have to consider to get the edge on your opponents. So, check out the secrets of speedrunning from those who do it best and discover how you can get faster at your favorite games. You need mental strength Shining Face: When trying to set a good time, I tend to not actually try to think about too much. I just take things one split at a time. Overthinking can mess you up. Xamide: Setting expectations and failing a good run could leave a runner devastated and without a will to continue. If you aren’t expecting to get a good run then there is nothing to worry about and it’s not going to impact you in case the run goes south. The extra worry and redundant thoughts can break your focus and leave you panicking, which isn’t something you want when trying to set a good run. TheItalianGamer: To be a top speedrunner, it takes a mixture of skills and your own mental state to become the best. When you speedrun a game, you will be playing the game over and over, and you need to make sure you keep a clean mind even if you mess up on a part you don’t usually mess up on. Karl Jobst: Getting nervous makes you shake and that’s one of the biggest hurdles a lot of people have – when they’re on a run at a really good pace, or they’re about to do something they’ve never done before, they get nervous and then they shake… The ability to keep calm and not let those sort of things stress you out too much is a big part of it. Patience is paramount Shining Face: Patience is the biggest key in improving in not just speedrunning, but all aspects of life. If you try to rush things then you’ll never succeed. Xamide: [You need] Lots of patience, dedication, and love for the game that you are speedrunning. In my opinion, the most important of those would be patience, because, without it, you aren’t going to get far on the leaderboards if you start having negative thoughts regarding your performance early on. Practice makes perfect Karl: It’s obviously going to come down to practice. You’ll get experience at different scenarios, you’ll understand what different things may or may not happen. You can’t just play, you have to actually research what’s happening on a deeper level. Then, with that knowledge, you can go through the motions. Then your practice becomes more useful and your decision making is going to be a lot better. Shining Face: Getting better requires lots of attempts and practice. There’s no quick way to improve – it’s all down to perseverance. Xamide: Practice makes perfect in any game. Play with confidence and have a winner’s mindset – don’t let the negative thoughts get to you. Watch other top players’ gameplay and live streams as there is always something that you might’ve missed or weren’t aware of. TheItalianGamer: Grind, grind, grind. That’s about it. You also have to have the passion and the willpower to be the best. If you don’t put passion into what you love then you will never truly grow in the things you do. You know, it’s like my father used to tell me: “You’ve got to botta bing before you boom.” Learn from the best Xamide: The first step would be to join the game’s speedrunner community and research the top players’ runs and strategies. If you are feeling stuck, compare your run against the top players and learn where you can optimize your run. TheItalianGamer: I just mainly stay positive and also watch the top runners to pick up on small hints and things that I was not doing before. Now, you’ve heard it from the experts: time to take all the secrets you’ve learned into the game and perfect your craft on the journey to beating your own speedrunning records. Break the Record Live takes place on July 26, live on the ESA Twitch channel, where the world’s fastest Doom Eternal players will attempt to make themselves world record holders, raise money for charity, and win a share of the prize pool.
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The Saints Row reboot is actually all about the power of friendship – Dexerto
The Saints Row reboot is actually all about the power of friendship VolitionIf you’ve played any Saints Row game, you’ll know that the crime drama that plays out does so in the background of huge personalities and no small amount of silliness. Whether it’s sex toys as weapons, a whole squad wearing Johnny Gat masks, or being the superpowered president of the United States, it feels like Saints Row is long overdue a return to simpler times. While the initial reveal may have left longtime fans of the franchise feeling alienated by a new direction, after four hours of hands-on time with the game, I’m very pleased to say that this is shaping up to be a surprisingly heartwarming tale of mass murder and wanton destruction. Preface: There are some spoilers below for the opening hours of Saints Row. Who’s the boss? Saints Row picks up with your created character having a pretty hellacious day working for Marshall, one of Santo Ileso’s three factions. Desperate to make enough money for rent, our protagonist works to apprehend a wanted criminal. In true Saints Row fashion, though, it’s not all easy — players fight their way through a facsimile of an Old West town, before a chase through a saloon and a ride atop a hover jet. It’s exhilarating stuff, and while the third-person shooter fundamentals are solid, it’s the sheer variety of set-piece ideas that consistently impressed in my playtime. All within this slice of gameplay, our Boss was mantling across cars and leaping from roof to roof while chasing an armored convoy into a sandstorm, terrorizing a real estate magnate by driving and protecting a priceless artifact during a museum heist. That ridiculousness seeps through into the combat, too, with the “Pineapple Express” upgrade letting players put a grenade down an opponent’s trousers before hurling them into their cohorts. In my time playing, I enjoyed seeing which ability I’d unlock next, and trying to work them into combat encounters was a fun challenge. Fatal Four Way Those combat encounters vary, too, because each of Santo Ileso’s trio of factions approaches fights in wildly different ways. While all use ranged weapons to some extent, Los Panteros are aggressive in melee range, moving in close to engage with fists, bats, and more. The Idols, on the other hand, wear EDM-inspired masks and will throw dozens of characters at players at once, with some able to deflect bullets by spinning melee weapons rapidly. Finally, there’s Marshall – a well-funded, private military group that have seemingly unlimited resources (including the hover jet mentioned earlier). Each faction also has its own boss encounters, too, and missions where it’s easy to get caught in the crossfire between them. They all weave into Santo Ileso, and it helps make it feel as though the Saints truly are the new kids on the block. Wanna be in my gang? It’s taken a fair bit of time in this preview to get to the game’s story and core quartet of characters, but make no mistake: As fun as Saints Row’s explosive action is, the characters are the reason I can’t wait to return when it launches next month. Developers Volition have done well to avoid too many cringe-worthy jokes, but there are plenty of pop-culture references between the Boss and their comrades. Perhaps most importantly, though, there are in-jokes between them that feel earned. Neenah, a headstrong getaway driver, begins the story working for the Los Panteros, while Kevin, a fitness and cooking-loving DJ, is part of the Idols. Completing the trio is Eli, an investor with enough business acumen to build the Saints’ reputation. With all four characters hustling to be able to pay rent, they decide to break away from their respective factions and build a new empire, the Saints. That’s an overly simple way of summing up the opening of the game, but to give too much away would ruin much of the fun (and dramatic stakes) of the first act. Within just four hours, though, I felt a connection to each of the four main characters — and that’s not something I can say about many open-world games. Home is where the NPCs are Aside from working through the first few story missions, I was able to spend some time exploring Santo Ileso. The New Mexico inspiration is clear, with dusty streets and diners flanked by small mountains, settlements, and built-up metropolitan areas, too. It feels closer to a real place than any Saints Row before it, but mainly through visual design than anything else: Pedestrians roam the streets, but it doesn’t feel particularly alive — more like set-dressing that acts as a backdrop. Side quests, at least within the opening chunk I played, also feel derivative but do at least play host to some fun gags. Being hired to leave negative reviews at rival businesses, before fighting off a horde of angry gang members eager to change your mind feels like classic Saints Row. It’s self-referential without taking itself too seriously and is all the better for it — sidestepping the inherent sadness that creeps in when Rockstar holds a mirror up to society. Sure, Saints Row makes plenty of statements, but it’s also here to have a good time and that’s OK. Final thoughts The Saints Row reboot is looking to offer carnage and catharsis, but also no shortage of heart and soul. After this initial session, I’m excited to return to Santo Ileso — if not for the location, then to catch up with friends.
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The rarest Squishmallows in 2024 – Dexerto
The rarest Squishmallows in 2024 Discover the most sought-after and elusive Squishmallows, from Blossom the Lamb to Golden Hans, that collectors are actively pursuing. Squishmallows, the adorable plush toys, have taken the world by storm in recent years. With a vast collection of charming and vibrant characters available in different sizes, the demand for rare and exclusive Squishmallows continues to soar. Collectors are always on the lookout for hard-to-find editions to add to their growing Squishmallow families. For passionate fans eager to enhance their collections, some Squishmallows prove to be particularly challenging to acquire. In this article, we shine a spotlight on several of the most sought-after and elusive Squishmallows that enthusiasts are actively pursuing. Blossom the Lamb First released in 2018, Blossom the Lamb remains a supremely rare find for collectors. This all-white lamb features a heart-shaped nose and holds a small rainbow. She also carries a sweet vanilla scent! Originally exclusive to EUC Justice retailers at launch, Blossom’s limited availability fuels sky-high resale prices. You might not be able to get this one, but Squishmallows are available here. Mariah the Lamb Part of a seasonal Baby Squad capsule, Mariah the Lamb first emerged in 2020 showcasing a vibrant rainbow body and heart-shaped nose. This cheerful lamb adores horseback adventures with her pony pal Bernard. It is a vaulted one-year exclusive not seen since. Mariah understandably intrigues collectors and can be bought on the secondary market for nearly $50. Archie the Axolotl Archie the Axolotl first surfaced in 2019, a bubblegum pink aquatic salamander, touting intricate gills and fins. While the original pink Archie stays scarce, even rarer alternate paint jobs exist like Hot Pink and Light Pink Archie editions. These can fetch a fair few dollars on the secondhand market, with prices sometimes hitting way above what they originally sold for. Jack the Black Cat In honor of Squishmallows’ 500th character, the spooky season-appropriate Jack debuted as an ultra-limited release. Only 500 exist of this ebony feline with ghostly white eyes and whiskers like Hello Kitty. Jack sells for exorbitant amounts for nearly $1000 on secondary markets like eBay. Golden Hans the Hedgehog To commemorate Squishmallows hitting 100 million sales, the company unleashed a special gold edition, Hans. This dapper hedgehog in a top hat arrives in two ultra-rare versions – 10,000 brown editions and only 3,000 gold versions. Even standard Hans is hard to find, making these anniversary variants Holy Grail status. The factory-sealed gold versions of this rare squish can go upwards of $500. Chanel the Cinnamon Roll A fitting member of the sweet-themed 2020 Valentine Squad capsule, Chanel is one tasty pastry. This light brown cinnamon roll with flaky swirled white icing enjoys baking delicious creations for friends. Like all short-run seasonal releases, Chanel remains a challenging acquisition for fans. These cuddly partners retail for nearly $30 on the secondary markets. With demand for Squishmallows continuously expanding as the plush toy line diversifies, once-elusive editions can see refreshed availability. But for those collectors locked into the eternal hunt for hard-to-find rare icons, the chase itself supplies its own enjoyment. May the rarest Squishmallows one day join and complete your squad. If you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.
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The race for the fastest Doom Eternal player is on in Break The Record Live – Dexerto
The race for the fastest Doom Eternal player is on in Break The Record Live Bethesda / id Software Some of the fastest FPS players in the world are attempting to break the Doom Eternal speedrunning record. They’re bidding to qualify for Break the Record Live on 26 July, an open event in which players duke it out to become the quickest to finish Bethesda’s bloody blaster. Check out the launch video above narrated by Game of Thrones actor, Pilou Asbæk. Brought to you in collaboration with cybersecurity company Kaspersky, the action will be broadcast live on Twitch. You’ll be able to witness the intense pressure that the top speedrunners will be under as they race to finish the entire campaign with the fastest time possible, break records, and win a cash prize of up to $2,500. All in a single session. Last summer’s event, which saw players tackle iconic games like Super Mario 64, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Dark Souls, and Tony Hawk’s Underground, helped raise $85,945 for the Swedish Alzheimer Foundation. This time around, players will be ripping and tear their way through the blood-soaked arenas of Doom Eternal, and, once again, raising money for Alzheimer’s. This isn’t just for seasoned speedrunning pros, though – if you think you have the skills to compete, you can take part as well by signing up at breaktherecordlive.com. What it takes to be the best Setting the best record on the day won’t be an easy feat, especially when so many talented players will be vying for the first-place crown. Speedrunning is notoriously competitive and it takes a certain caliber of person to achieve the very best times – after all, one wrong button press can ruin even the cleanest of runs. If you lose your focus for a split second, your dreams of winning could be over in an instant. For many, this adrenaline-fueled side of esports is as fascinating as it is wholly alien, especially when you see players pull off intricate glitches and skips. While these exploits take a tremendous amount of skill to master, the Break the Record: Live event will only feature no-major-glitch runs, which many believe is the purest form of speedrunning as players can’t take advantage of bugs in the game. The Doom Eternal no major glitches speedrun has already been broken in qualifying by BloodShot9001, who managed to beat the game on Classic in a mere 1h 16m 47s. This record-breaking run combined movement-boosting bunny hops with incredibly precise mouse flicks to achieve a ridiculously fast finish time. If that wasn’t enough, BloodShot9001 made fighting Doom Eternal’s monolithic bosses look incredibly easy. A great deal of concentration was shown in the run as the speedrunner methodically cycled through their arsenal, barraging foes with deadly attacks and effortlessly sidestepping any lethal hits. It’s a real sight to behold, and one you’ll need to learn from if you wish to dethrone the current record-holding king at Break the Record: Live. How can I sign up? If you want to test your mettle against the best Doom Eternal speedrunners and think you have what it takes to set a lightning-fast clear time, then head on over to breaktherecordlive.com to register. Once registered, make sure you check out the Modern DOOM Discord server to discuss your entry, game strategy, and gossip about the upcoming competition. Lastly, spectators can watch this year’s Break the Record: Live event live on ESAMarathon.com, so be sure to tune in on July 26, 2020 at 10:00 am – July 27, 2020 @ 1:00 am CEST to see the gripping action as it happens. We’ll keep you up to date with all the records as they’re broken.
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All Tarot Card locations in The Quarry: Collectibles & character fates – Dexerto
All Tarot Card locations in The Quarry: Collectibles & character fates 2K GamesTarot Cards in The Quarry are collectibles that you’ll find spread across various Chapters of the game, so here are all of their locations and which character fate each one will show you. In The Quarry, Tarot Cards play a pivotal role in providing insight into the story and the fates of its characters. Each of The Quarry’s ten chapters has at least one Tarot Card to collect which can be brought to the fortune-teller in order to decipher the true meaning. If you’re looking to get the best ending and save all of the characters, these will be crucial in helping you along in the story. If you’re wondering where and how to collect the Tarot Cards in the game, we’ve included all of the locations below, and which character’s fate each one gives us a glimpse into. All Tarot Card locations in The Quarry There are a total of 22 Tarot Cards to find in The Quarry throughout gameplay. As we mentioned earlier, these can be collected and taken to the fortune-teller to unlock some extra dialogue content. These Tarot Cards tease the fate of the camp counselors, which can be used to influence your decisions in important choices if you’re aware of which one relates to what particular scene. Read More: The Quarry review – Here’s a rundown of the locations of all the Tarot Cards in The Quarry. As we find all of the card’s outcomes, we’ll be sure to update you accordingly: Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 So, there you have it — that’s everything you need to know about all of the Tarot Card locations in The Quarry. Looking for more tips and tricks to help you out in Hackett’s Quarry? Check out our guides: All voice actors & characters in The Quarry | How to get the best ending & save everyone in The Quarry | How many Chapters are in The Quarry?
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The Quarry review: Supermassive’s best horror since Until Dawn – Dexerto
The Quarry review: Supermassive’s best horror since Until Dawn 2K GamesThe Quarry is the spiritual successor to Until Dawn and the Dark Pictures Anthology, but how does it compare to its spooky predecessors – and is it worth your time? The Quarry is Supermassive Games’ latest interactive horror game, following in the footsteps of 2015’s flawed, but beloved, Until Dawn, and the subsequent Dark Pictures Anthology entries. As with its predecessors, The Quarry is a love letter to the genre and plays out in a similar way to classic “choose your own adventure” books of years past. This time, Supermassive has traded Until Dawn’s cabin in the woods for, well, a bigger cabin in another set of woods, and the Quarry relishes in its “Summer Camp” setting with a group of councilors trying to survive the night as something hunts them in the darkness. The Quarry key details Price: £64.99/$69.99 – £54.99/$59.99 – Developer: Supermassive Games – Release Date: June 10, 2022 – Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, PC – The Quarry trailer What doesn’t kill you… The Quarry’s setting is inspired by 80s horror movies like Friday the 13 and the lesser-known, but genre-defining, Sleepaway Camp. Yet, The Quarry is set in modern times, despite its aesthetic often resembling a bygone era of horror. The aim is to play through a scary story, filled with cinematic horror tropes, and guide a selection of teenagers to safety. Your actions and mistakes have consequences, and a small, seemingly unimportant choice could have disastrous ramifications later in the story. Do you choose to climb the rickety ladder early in the game? Or will doing so risk making it less stable for the next person who climbs it? When your friend throws your cell phone from a balcony, do you catch it? Or is a cracked screen the least of your worries as the night progresses? It’s all fun and games at first, the biggest concerns the characters have being where to charge their phones and if their summer romances will continue once camp ends. The councilors engage in games of truth or dare and raid the camp’s snacks stash as they celebrate what is their last night at Hackett’s Quarry – but for some, it could be their last night among the living. Lambs to the slaughter While the game plays up the horror B-movie vibes, it’s worth pointing out that Scream star David Arquette plays the role of Chris Hackett, the camp owner with more skeletons in his closet than Jason Voorhees. Lance Henriksen (Aliens), Grace Zabriskie (Twin Peaks), and Ted Raimi (Evil Dead 2) also appear, but we’ll keep their roles under wraps. We spent most of our time controlling a group of seven camp councilors, each following classic horror archetypes such as jock, the nerd, the comic relief, and, of course, there’s a character who seems to understand the rules of horror more than the rest, and provides exposition and context when the story calls for it. Some chapters play out as flashbacks, detailing what happened to the two councilors who never made it to summer camp. Their story is very important and eventually collides with the protagonists in some stunning – but chilling ways. Dead by dawn The game does a great job of teasing and layering the peril before the big reveal. The group is in mortal danger, but there’s a question mark over what that danger is for the first few chapters. Before this, we hear all sorts of scary stories and rumors, and the game expertly weaves all of its mythology together by the time the credits roll. Kids go home scared from camp after hearing the ghost story, ‘The Hag of Hackett’s Quarry’, a traveling freak show once caused some difficulties for the area, a fire resulted in the death of some campers several years back, and a creepy family of locals is using the woods as their own personal hunting ground – but for what? There are plenty of disparate, spooky threads to pull throughout. Each of these things is scary on its own, and the game gradually raises the stakes so that the threat could come from anywhere. And be assured, there is a threat, and it’s possible for the sun to rise over Hackett’s Quarry illuminating nothing but a trail of corpses. Or will you manage to get everyone out safely? You will care about the characters as the game goes on, even those you initially disliked, and in our first playthrough, we prioritized keeping as many of them alive as we could over fleshing out the game’s various mysteries. In our second playthrough, however, we were far more reckless, wanting to see how far the rabbit hole went – and we were not disappointed. Multiple playthroughs encouraged Like Supermassive’s prior entries since Until Dawn, The Quarry is an experience that benefits from multiple playthroughs. It’s exciting to see what going right leads to when you went left that first time. You could probably play through the Quarry several times and still not see every outcome, and Supermassive should be commended for creating a much richer experience here than they ever have before. Once you beat the game, you can replay certain chapters or watch them in movie mode. This lets you leave the choices to an AI, which can be a fun way to see it all pan out again. There is also an option to see the AI save everyone and another where it will deliberately kill as many characters as brutally as it can. If you do happen to lose a character due to a fumble or set of misplaced steps, you can use one of your three lives and try again. This is helpful, but use them wisely, you don’t know how many you’re going to need. Be warned though, you may also need to play through an entire chapter again. After every chapter, you’ll be confronted by a creepy old woman who’ll use the tarot cards you collect in-game to give you a glimpse into several possible futures. These all-knowing characters have become a staple of each of Supermassive’s releases, and while her warnings and information seem less useful early on, her importance becomes apparent in later chapters. Quarry quirks While The Quarry is an engaging horror experience, it isn’t perfect. Some sections of dialog are dull and superfluous, and some sections fall flat. Quick time events (QTEs) are used liberally throughout the run time, but they’re usually easy to complete. You’ll even choose to fail some deliberately for narrative purposes, so while they never really become a chore, it does remove some sense of challenge from the game’s tensest moments. The fixed camera angles can be jarring and annoying to those who are used to a free-flowing camera, but traditional survival horror fans will appreciate them. From a visual perspective, The Quarry looks great. We played it on PC with the settings turned up high and didn’t notice it stutter once. The detail is also top-notch; however, our character’s movements could be janky or sometimes glitched in places. A walk in the woods between Nick and Abi turned into a nightmare in body horror, not because of anything hunting us, but because Nick’s neck physics decided to bug out at the most awkward time. Rating 8/10 Those who have enjoyed prior Supermassive titles will find a lot to love in The Quarry. The developer has refined its interactive storytelling skills and the game really goes to town with the butterfly effect gameplay, while managing to be a stellar spookfest at the same time. Horror lovers looking for a creepy night in will also be well served by the Quarry, and with plenty of endings and story permutations, it could be a solid weekend binge for genre aficionados. Reviewed on PC Where to buy The Quarry You can purchase The Quarry by following these links to Amazon or Best Buy, but please note that if you click on a product link on this page, we may earn a small affiliate commission.
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The Quarry preview: Fun, formulaic teen horror – Dexerto
The Quarry preview: Fun, formulaic teen horror Supermassive Games / 2K GamesThe Quarry is the next installment in a long line of interactive narrative stories from Supermassive Games, in a similar vein to Until Dawn and The Dark Pictures Anthology. In a hands-on preview, Dexerto was provided a small glimpse into this upcoming entry of the studio’s creepy teen horror and what events will unfold in Hackett’s Quarry. Supermassive Games, since its initial release of Until Dawn back in 2015, has brought the teen-horror flick genre right to players’ hands, granting them the power to directly impact and shape the events and fates of its characters. The most recent addition to their roster of horror-fuelled tales is The Quarry, with plenty of new decisions, big and small, on the cards to make that alter the course of how everything unfolds — from Tarot cards or clues to find and branching decisions that affect the gameplay path. Top-notch cinematic storytelling with branching gameplay As a huge fan of Supermassive Games, and as someone who has played each of their horror titles (multiple times, might I add — I’m a sucker for trying to find all the different outcomes), I dived right into gameplay with an expectation of what I’d be seeing in this hands-on preview. Everything felt familiar enough to feel like I knew what I was getting into right from the get-go, but with a spattering of additions to keep it feeling fresh and new. Read More: The Lord of the Rings: Gollum preview – Jumping from character to character, our preview, which started in Chapter 2 — opens with two of the group’s characters, Nick and Jacob, attempting to duke it out in a shooting range by taking down bottles and watermelons for a pack of snacks (as you do). Accompanied by Kaitlynn (played by Brenda Song) — who appears to take the role of the group’s figurehead — and a deceptively cheery, summery soundtrack, this quasi-tutorial sequence introduces you to the shooting mechanics of the game. Aim assist accessibility is available if you need it, but aiming weapons felt tight and responsive, so this was something I left turned off — not something I usually do. Before I was able to take a shot at one of the watermelons, a video, presented in the form of a cartoony, educational vignette, popped up that ran over how combat works. Somewhat similar to the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. videos in the Fallout series, this was a funny and unexpected addition that shows that The Quarry doesn’t take itself too seriously. A looming sense of unease underpins this teen horror As I played through my hour-long slice of gameplay, I was reminded about all the things that make Supermassive’s horror titles such a big draw to me: Gorgeous motion capture and visuals, a beautifully realized environment to explore, plenty of branching paths, and endless amounts of butterfly-inducing quick time events to immerse you in the action. These never felt overbearing, and a new approach to these with directional inputs used to avoid characters from losing their footing, for example, helped things to keep fresh. Playing a game of truth or dare by the crackling fire (a teen horror staple), a new feature, ‘interrupts’, gives you finer control over specific situations. On the spur of the moment, you’ll decide whether or not to interrupt what’s happening on-screen, bringing about changes to the narrative and affecting relationships with other characters. My least favorite aspect of the developer’s past games, fixed cameras, are still present, and it can still feel slightly disorienting to be walking towards one direction of a scene before the camera shifts and you’re walking towards another — but this is a minor niggle that becomes less of an issue the more I played. As you hop from character to character, you’ll explore the eery, spooky narrative (and get glimpses of the skulking, brutal monster of Hackett’s Quarry) which goes from one to one hundred incredibly quickly, while discovering clues to further flesh out your understanding of the lore of this world. Tarot cards can be found throughout the environment, which serves to provide insight into how certain scenarios of the game can unfold. This ties into a mysterious, elusive tarot card reader — who appeared once on my screen during my time with the preview — providing me with the option to gaze into a crystal ball and observe just enough of a potential outcome to keep me on my toes as I returned to active gameplay. Read More: Evil Dead: The Game review – I was incredibly impressed by the sheer amount of customization in regards to The Quarry’s accessibility features. From changing subtitles to the OpenDyslexic typeface to timer length options for QTEs and choices through to auto-completes, turning button mashes into taps, and even a ‘death rewind’ feature, The Quarry is a great example of how accessibility features should be done. From my hour-long gameplay session with Supermassive’s The Quarry, the game looks set to be another great addition to the roster of spooky tales already in the developer’s extensive library. As my preview drew to a close, I instantly wanted to find out more of what was going on, and I’m itching to get back into gameplay to see just where this night takes each of the characters on release day, June 10, 2022.
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The Quarry: All characters and voice actors – Dexerto
The Quarry: All characters and voice actors 2K GamesThe Quarry has recruited an impressive array of horror actors for its main roles. Here’s a full cast list with character summaries. The Quarry is the spiritual successor to Supermassive’s horror game Until Dawn, featuring another group of teens who are in the wrong place, on the wrong night. The game plays out as an interactive horror movie, and as such, has a pretty impressive cast, with several members of it being genre veterans. Here’s a breakdown of every cast member and an explanation of the character they play. Naturally, we’ll keep the below information spoiler-free. Anything we state here will be immediately obvious from the start of the game. Contents The Quarry cast and characters Abigail: Ariel Winter – Ryan: Justice Smith – Nick:Evan Evagora – Dylan: Miles Robbins – Jacob: Zach Tinker – Kaitlyn: Brenda Song – Emma: Halston Sage – Laura: Siobhan Williams – Max: Skyler Gisondo – Chris: David Arquette – Travis: Ted Raimi – Bobby: Ethan Suplee – Constance: Lin Shaye – Jedediah: Lance Henriksen – Eliza: Grace Zabriskie – – The Quarry cast and characters Here is a full breakdown of the Quarry’s voice actors and the characters they play: Abigail (Ariel Winter) Abi is a sweet, slightly geeky girl, who’s best friends with the much more confident Emma. She has a crush on camp nice guy Nick but is worried he doesn’t share her feelings. Abi has all the hallmarks of a traditional horror ‘Final Girl’ – However, there’s no guarantee she’ll fulfill that role when the sun comes up. Ryan (Justice Smith) Ryan is described as a “brooding loner” and spends most of his time listening to horror podcasts and telling ghost stories. He has a close friendship with Chris Hackett, the camp owner, and takes his duties as a counselor very seriously. As in all horror stories, Ryan is the character who’s ahead of the curve, and knows the rules of horror better than most – but will that be enough to keep him alive? Nick (Evan Evagora) Nick is a decent and well-thought-of member of the camp who’s best friends with the much more extroverted Dylan. He reciprocates Abigail’s feelings but is unsure how to act on them. While Nick is a good guy, even he has limits when his survival is threatened. Dylan (Miles Robbins) Dylan is Nick’s loud and confident best friend who gets a kick out of teasing Jacob and flirting with Ryan. He also considers Kaitlyn a kindred spirit, but a rival for Ryan’s affection. He’s also often the first character to run towards danger, with life being one big adventure, but his last night at Hackett’s Quarry could end in tragedy. Jacob (Zach Tinker) Jacob seems like a braggadocious jock, but it soon becomes clear that he’s really a very insecure young man who simply doesn’t want the best summer of his life to end. He’s enjoyed a summer fling with Emma but wishes it could be more than that. How far is he willing to go to win her back after she breaks off their relationship? Kaitlyn (Brenda Song) Kaitlyn is the self-confessed mean girl of the group, but really, this is a coping mechanism. She has a crush on Ryan and overtly competes with Dylan to win his attention. Kaitlyn is also good in a crisis, which is handy, considering what’s about to go down at Hackett’s Quarry. Emma (Halston Sage) After ending her summer romance with Jacob, Emma looks forward to getting home to her legions of online fans. However, Jacob won’t be discarded so easily. Emma also needs to put her phone down and realize the group is in grave danger, but could her constant vlogging be a blessing in disguise? Laura (Siobhan Williams) Laura, along with her boyfriend Max, is one of the stars of The Quarry’s prologue chapter and one of the most important characters in the story. A counselor who never actually arrived at summer camp, her story is told through flashbacks. It also soon collides with the main story in dramatic fashion. Max (Skyler Gisondo) Max is Laura’s boyfriend who’s harboring a big secret. Although, he’s soon got bigger problems to deal with when his and Laura’s car is knocked off the road on their way to Hackett’s Quarry. The question is, what caused their accident, and what has happened to Max since? Chris “Mr H” (David Arquette) Chris Hackett is the owner of Hackett’s Quarry and the annual summer camp. He’s a kind man who mistrusts technology and wants the campers to have an authentic experience, free from distractions. However, who is he receiving threatening phone calls from? And why is he so keen to get the campers away from Hackett’s Quarry before nightfall? Travis (Ted Raimi) Travis is the creepy town sheriff who’s clearly connected to Hackett’s Quarry in some way. Laura and Max encounter him very early in the game and both parties become very suspicious of each other. What is Travis hiding? And what is it about the summer camp that frightens him so much? Bobby (Ethan Suplee) Bobby is an imposing and menacing hunter that is setting traps all over the camp. He appears hostile to some campers and protective over others, so what exactly is his deal? And what is he hunting? Like most characters in The Quarry, Bobby has a secret, but the player’s actions, as well as his own, will dictate how sympathetic the character becomes. Constance (Lin Shaye) Constance is the matriarch of the Hackett Family and seeks only to protect them – whatever it takes. Even if this means engaging in acts of utter ruthlessness against the innocent. While avoiding bloodshed is her goal, she’ll abandon this quickly if she, or her kin, are threatened in any way. Jedediah (Lance Henriksen) Jedidiah is the husband of Constance and the patriarch of the Hackett Family. He’s leading a hunting party across Hackett’s Quarry, but is he hunting campers? Or are his sights set on another target? Either way, Jedidiah is a dangerous man and is prepared to use lethal force against anyone that gets in his way. Eliza (Grace Zabriskie) Eliza is one of the most mysterious and important characters in The Quarry. She’ll aid the player by reading tarot cards to predict the future, but as the night goes on, it becomes clear she has her own goals. The question is, is she a friend or foe? And what’s her connection to the Hackett Family, the campers, and the unseen threat that lurks in the darkness? So there you have it, a full breakdown of the main cast and characters in Supermassive’s horror game The Quarry. For more The Quarry content, check out some of our articles and guides below: How many chapters are in The Quarry? | The Quarry Review | The Quarry ending guide | The Quarry: Everything we know |
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The Quarry adds multiplayer update and 80s outfits – Dexerto
The Quarry adds multiplayer update and 80s outfits Supermassive GamesThe Quarry has received a major patch that has added an online multiplayer mode, new 80s-themed outfits, and episodes of the Bizarre Yet Bonafide podcast. Following on from the successful release of The Quarry, the developers have now released a major update that has added plenty of exciting new content. The main highlight of this patch is the online multiplayer mode, called Wolf Pack. This new addition now enables players to invite up to seven friends, giving you the opportunity to experience the fright with friends. There’s also the addition of 80s-themed cosmetics, which give each character some added flare during their horror-filled adventure. All six episodes of the Bizarre Yet Bonafide podcast are also now available in-game, so there’s plenty of content to delve into. The Quarry multiplayer update Wolf Pack, the new multiplayer mode is an invite-only mode where a host can invite up to seven friends with access to the game to watch along. The audience watching the host’s game can vote on each key decision, with the majority vote determining the outcome. This adds even greater replayability to the game and makes for some collaborative outcomes. Meanwhile, for players looking to dive even deeper into the story, all six episodes of the Bizarre Yet Bonafide podcast are also now available in-game. This 6-part limited podcast series follows paranormal investigators Grace and Anton as they dig into the bizarre goings-on in the area surrounding The Quarry. To make things even better, those who own The Deluxe Edition of The Quarry can kit the camp counselors’ out with ‘80s-inspired cosmetics. While these new looks won’t help increase their survivability, they will give the playable characters a fresh look worthy of any classic horror film. So, there you have it, everything you need to know about The Quarry multiplayer patch. Make sure you check out our The Quarry page for all the latest news and guides.
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The PS5 could be backwards compatible, according to a Sony Patent – Dexerto
The PS5 could be backwards compatible, according to a Sony Patent JILAXZONE / SonyThe upcoming PlayStation 5 could be backwards compatible, as suggested by a patent filed by Sony. The patent, listed under publication number 2019-503013, was filed nearly two years ago on January 20, and was finally published on January 31, 2019. The patent itself describes a new method of operating software from older systems onto a newer device. In essence, this new technology tricks older software by mimicking older platforms, allowing the legacy titles to be played on a new system – despite their architecture not matching up with that of next-gen consoles. More specifically, the new method “spoofs” versions of processor IDs from older systems, as detailed by a diagram provided by the patent. http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2019/02/ps5_backwards_compatibility_suggested_by_sony_patentInvestors listed on the patent include such names as PlayStation 4 designer Mark Cerny and principal programmer Simon Pilgrim of Sony Entertainment Europe, among others. While no particular hardware was listed on the patent, fans have speculated that it could mark a major step for the upcoming PlayStation 5 console, with some outlets even guessing that the PS5 will be able to emulate each of its previous iterations. The patent could likewise hint at a solution to the PS4’s notorious difficulty with emulating PS3 titles, due to the system’s Cell Processor. As nothing has been directly confirmed by Sony, theories remain up in the air – but many fans are excited about the possibility of having a single system on which to play their childhood gaming library.
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The Plucky Squire’s utterly charming gameplay has been well worth the wait – Dexerto
The Plucky Squire’s utterly charming gameplay has been well worth the wait Devolver DigitalWhile The Plucky Squire instantly turned heads with its gorgeous presentation in bringing a child’s storybook to life, it’s so much more than just its appearance. An inventive gameplay loop is what’s keeping me eager to turn every new page. It’s been over two years since The Plucky Squire’s electric reveal. The first snippet teased a whimsical sidescrolling adventure set in the pages of a vibrant storybook. At least, that’s what we thought before the game unveiled its clever twist. Quite literally jumping off the page with their premise, indie studio All Possible Futures captivated the internet with its genre-bending hook in their debut game. Emerging from out of the 2D realm, the protagonist was shown venturing into the real world, so to speak, and it’s there the teaser ended. Things have been relatively quiet ever since, but this one brief glimpse has kept The Plucky Squire in the minds of gamers ever since. Now, it’s finally rounding the corner as it barrels towards its 2024 release. I’ve played a few hours and couldn’t be more thrilled with how it’s all shaping up. Not only are the visuals as delightful as expected, but its biggest surprise is how its gameplay manages to keep you on your toes, even knowing the eventual twist. An undeniable allure It’s been clear from the get-go The Plucky Squire is one of the more visually striking games we’ve seen in quite some time. Every frame a painting has never been more apt than when you’re running across a vibrant forest, slashing at obstacles and enemies both, wildlife populating the borders of the page, flowers scattered like a designer delicately sprinkled them over the top of a perfectly baked muffin. The stylish approach makes every new character all the more satisfying to engage with as it makes every new environment all the more joyful to traverse. You want to play that little bit more not just to advance the story or upgrade your arsenal, but in some cases, purely to see the next beautiful piece of art you’re able to interact with. The charm extends well beyond just the pixels on the screen too. Be it the adorable sound design and accompanying soundtrack (full OST on Spotify when?) or the elegant writing that brilliantly captures that childlike imagination of a kid’s storybook, no stone has been left unturned in making The Plucky Squire one of the most pleasant gaming experiences in years. Inventive gameplay blends genres at every turn Of course, design is just one aspect of what makes a pleasant gaming experience. Under all its dazzling qualities, The Plucky Squire is also a surprisingly well-rounded game. While it is a sidescrolling adventure title at its core, as you’ll mainly be slashing at evil critters, dodging attacks, and collecting the odd resource, each level brings something entirely new to shake up the formula. There are unique puzzles to wrap your head around, clever boss battles that offer interesting and distinct challenges, of course, there’s a bit of platforming mixed in with it all too. The game is constantly evolving to keep you on your toes and keep the experience fresh. Even in just our early preview, playing four of the game’s 10 chapters, no two levels were anywhere close to playing out the same. One minute we were in a new version of Mike Tyson’s Punch Out!, the next we were dragging words across stages like Alan Wake to form the right sentence in order to progress. It strikes a well-balanced cadence so you’re never bored running through one similar page after another, though whether this degree of creativity can be kept up through all 10 chapters remains to be seen. Along the course of the adventure, you’ve got plenty to veer off the main path for as well. There appear to be 12 upgrades in total, each improving your array of attacks, while there are also 50 hidden collectibles in the form of concept art. So for the completionists out there like myself, you’ve got plenty to sink your teeth into. Considering the first four chapters took us around four hours, there’s a fairly sizeable game on offer here. Only just scratching the surface, we’re eager to keep exploring the storybook and its surroundings as The Plucky Squire draws closer to its tantalizing full release.
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The PlayStation 5 officially sells 50 million units in just 3 years – Dexerto
The PlayStation 5 officially sells 50 million units in just 3 years Twitter: @geoffkeighleySony revealed that the PlayStation 5 has officially hit 50 million units sold in just over 3 years since its initial launch. Since releasing in November 2020, the PlayStation 5 has been a juggernaut console in the gaming space. With hit exclusive games such as The Last of Us Part II, God of War Ragnorok, Spider-Man 2 and more all releasing on the console, PlayStation fans have been flocking to the store to pick the latest Sony hardware. And while the PlayStation 5 has been approaching 50 million units sold for months now, new data reveals that the console has finally managed to hit the milestone just before the new year takes off. As reported by the Financial Times, data from Ampere Analysis reveals that PlayStation sales grew by 65 percent to 22.5 million units this year. This figure is largely included by the mammoth number of PlayStation 5 units sold. However, the PS5 was not able to reach the 50 million unit milestone before its predecessor, with the PS4 hitting the mark a week into its life before the new console did. In saying this, the PS5 has had a successful second half of 2023, with Dexerto reporting back in July that the console had hit 40 million units sold, meaning Sony was able to sell an additional 10 million in just under 6 months. With Christmas around the corner and many end-of-year sales ramping up now, Sony is seemingly well on track to hit their goal of shipping 25 million units in the next quarter and beginning of 2024. As we approach 2024, we’ll be sure to keep you in the know with all the latest PlayStation 5 news, game rumors, and more. For all the latest gaming news and updates, be sure to check out Dexerto’s full coverage here.
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The Perceiver: Platforms, gameplay, setting & more – Dexerto
The Perceiver: Platforms, gameplay, setting & more PapergamesProject: The Perceiver, or just The Perceiver, is an upcoming action-adventure game from PaperGames and 17ZHE Studio. Here’s everything we know about this upcoming Soulslike game. At first glance, The Perceiver looks a lot like a Chinese Sekiro, and a lot like Team Ninja’s upcoming Wo-Long: Fallen Dynasty. The game is a third-person action-adventure that appears to be a Soulslike game, at least until the trailer and gameplay reveal reaches the midway point. Then things become a lot more Nioh-flavoured as the historical adventure leans into fantasy. Below, we’ve gathered everything we know about The Perceiver since it was announced. We’ll also keep this page updated each time more information about the game comes to light. Contents Does The Perceiver have a release date? – What platforms will The Perceiver be on? – Trailer – Gameplay and setting – Does The Perceiver have a release date? No, there is no release date for The Perceiver as of yet. What platforms will The Perceiver be on? The game will be coming to PS4 and PS5, there’s been no word on other platforms yet but a PC release also seems possible. The Perceiver trailer Check out the trailer and gameplay reveal for The Perceiver below: Check out 45 minutes of gameplay beneath: Gameplay and setting The gameplay of The Perceiver seems to borrow from Sekiro, Nioh, and Ghosts of Tsushima in that it seems grounded in historical fiction, but with supernatural elements. This seems to especially be the case when traversing certain areas and fighting some bosses who seem to have supernatural abilities – but so do you. The protagonist seems to be an artist and a noble living in a land called Tang before it is invaded and he is assassinated. In his dying breath, the player character laments he’ll not be able to finish his play, before falling into some water after being peppered with arrows. Here he discovers a magic mask that seemingly grants him superpowers and saves his life. The character then fights off his attackers, kills a boss who has the ability to control crows, and then claims his powers – and perhaps his identity too. From here the protagonist goes on a quest to liberate Tang, defeat the invaders, and finish his play. The play is also known about by his enemies and will likely be of some significance to the game’s story. It may even be the cause of the invasion. So, that’s all we know about The Perceiver so far. For more on the biggest upcoming releases, check out our pages on some of the most-anticipated games that have been announced: The Elder Scrolls 6 | GTA 6 | Overwatch 2 | Assassin’s Creed Infinity | Wolverine | Spider-Man 2 | Forspoken | KOTR Remake | Wonder Woman | Pragmata | Control 2
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The Past Within: Release date, trailer, platforms & more – Dexerto
The Past Within: Release date, trailer, platforms & more Rusty LakeThe Past Within is a new co-op game with communication at its core and mystery at its forefront. Here’s everything we know about The Past Within. As the next installment of the Rusty Lakes puzzle series, The Past Within marks the first co-op game in the franchise that features a combination of both 2D and 3D puzzles and overall designs. You must solve the mystery of Albery Vanderboom and discover what his plans are for Rusty Lake. The game combines communication, horror, mystery, and puzzle solving to create a stylish and unique title — perfect for a bit of couch co-op. With the announcement of a release date and a brand new trailer, here’s everything we know about The Past Within. Contents Does The Past Within have a release date? – The Past Within Trailers – The gameplay – What platforms can you play The Past Within on? – The Past Within release date As revealed in the game’s release date announcement trailer, The Past Within will be released on November 2, 2022. This means you won’t have to wait long to play this new co-op experience. The Past Within trailers Official trailer We have two dives into the gameplay and what kind of experience The Past Within will be. The first is in the form of an official trailer which depicts communication, puzzles, and a little dash of horror. Release date announcement trailer The next trailer reveals the release date along with some new gameplay shots. It shows off the 3D and 2D designs along with its increasingly creepy style. The Past Within gameplay Players will have to work together and communicate in order to solve the mystery surrounding Albert Vanderboom. However, there’s a catch, you can’t see the other players’ screens. One player is in the past, one is in the future and you have to communicate what you’re seeing to help each other solve the challenging puzzles. It’s an ideal experience for friends, partners, or family members as it forces you to work together and solve the mysteries as one. What platforms can you play The Past Within on? The Past Within will be available to enjoy on PC, Mac, iOS, and Android. It doesn’t look like the game will be released onto the PlayStation or Xbox but is still available to a number of portable and accessible devices. That’s all we know about The Past Within. However, as new information is released we will update this so keep checking back. In the meantime, take a look at some of the other upcoming titles: The Elder Scrolls 6 | GTA 6 | God of War: Ragnarok | Wolverine | Spider-Man 2 | Forspoken | Pokemon Violet & Scarlet | Wonder Woman | DokeV | FFXVI | Avatar Frontiers of Pandora | Sonic Frontiers | Dragon Age 4 | Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild sequel | The Witcher 3 next-gen patch | Avatar Frontiers of Pandora | Haunted Chocolatier | Hogwarts Legacy | The Expanse: A Telltale Series
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The Outlast Trials PC requirements: Recommended and minimum specs – Dexerto
The Outlast Trials PC requirements: Recommended and minimum specs Red BarrelsThe Outlast Trials is the latest iteration in the horror franchise Outlast and if you’re wondering whether or not you need to juice up your PC’s specs to run this game, here is all you need to know about its system requirements. Outlast, since the first game’s release in 2013 has gone on to become one of the scariest games. Contrary to other horror video games, Outlast doesn’t allow players to fight back as your only option is to run or hide. The games also have a rich interconnected lore which continues to expand with each game. The Outlast Trials is the series’s third iteration, allowing you to play the game solo or with friends. The story takes acts as the prequel to the first two games as you play as test subjects in a mysterious Cold War experiment completing objectives in the form of trials. That being said, if you’re wondering whether or not your PC can run The Outlast Trials, here is all you need to know. The Outlast Trials PC System Requirements Minimum requirements Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit – Processor: Intel Core i7-3770 or AMD Ryzen 5 1400 – Memory: 8 GB RAM – Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti, 2 GB or Radeon R7 360, 2 GB or Intel Arc A310, 4GB – DirectX: Version 11 – Network: Broadband Internet connection – Storage: 40 GB available space – Resolution: Low 720p @ 30 FPS, Ray Tracing OFF – The minimum system requirements are quite manageable. The processor might be a bit high but the RAM and graphics card requirement is quite low when compared to other games of this generation. Recommended requirements Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit – Processor: Intel Core i7-6700K or AMD Ryzen 5 2600X – Memory: 16 GB RAM – Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660, 6 GB or AMD Radeon RX Vega 56, 8 GB or Intel Arc A580, 8GB – DirectX: Version 12 – Network: Broadband Internet connection – Storage: 40 GB available space – Resolution: High 1080p @ 60 FPS, Ray Tracing OFF – If you want a smooth experience with The Outlast Trials, the recommended requirements might prove to be a bit hefty with a significantly higher need for RAM and graphics card. It is also important to remember that you need an always-on internet connection to play the game whether you’re playing solo or multiplayer. For more on The Outlast Trials, be sure to check our gaming page to stay on top of all updates.
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The Outlast Trials is a must-play experience for any horror fan – Dexerto
The Outlast Trials is a must-play experience for any horror fan Red Barrels has returned with The Outlast Trials. With the title entering early access and a new multiplayer focus, has the horror developer managed to capture the legendary franchise’s essence in such an experimental new take? There’ll be a lot of natural anxiety around The Outlast Trials. The pitch of an early-access multiplayer-focused Outlast feels like a bit of a betrayal of what the series has become known for. When the franchise first debuted, it was part of a new wave of horror that was sweeping through the early 2010s. The genre has been floundering the previous decade, but Amnesia: The Dark Descent kicked things off, proving there was a voracious appetite for spooky first-person experiences. While other titles came before, Red Barrels’ Outlast really felt like it was a big release for that movement, which was then continued by Alien: Isolation, PT, and other titles from 2010-2014. Outlast was on the map, and although we haven’t seen the franchise in six years, it still has a lot of cachet in the genre. That’s why I think it’s natural to be disappointed that after such a long wait, the franchise is returning in such a new and experimental form. That’s especially so when it comes to its multiplayer focus, which has a history of being jammed into franchises where it doesn’t belong. Worry not. The Outlast Trials absolutely rules. Red Barrels has evolved the Outlast concept here in a smart way, creating something that is brutal and horrific while translating it into a surprisingly intense multiplayer experience. If Outlast Trials isn’t on your radar, it absolutely needs to be now. At Last Now, describing what Outlast Trials is is tricky. When I was first shown the concept in a press conference, I had to send a lot of messages to other journalists to try and wrap my head around what the game actually played like. It wasn’t until I got hands-on with the title that I really understood what I was contending with. The Outlast Trials can be played solo or with up to four players. You’re tasked with exploring meaty (metaphorically and literally) horrific levels, where you must complete objectives to achieve your final objective. Within those levels are all sorts of nasty predators looking to mess you up in various, gruesome ways. There are ‘big bads’ in each level like Mother Gooseberry, and an overzealous, perverted cop. There are also recurring characters throughout the missions, such as a gas mask guy who will pump you with a fear gas that induces psychosis, where you then have a Slenderman-esque figure only you can see chasing you around. There’s a lady who likes to take hiding spots and jump out at you tackling you to the floor. There is also a massive, very naked man who can hit you very hard if you get too close. It’s sort of like Dead by Daylight, but the objectives are far substantial and all the enemies are AI controlled. This allows for some genuinely terrifying moments as you frantically try to complete objectives before an AI director ratchets up the tension even further. For those worried that the game would water down its content too to try and appease more players – worry not. I’d wager that The Outlast Trials has some of the most unsettling imagery, enemies, and tone of the entire franchise. There’s nothing held back here, with some truly gnarly visuals that do not let up. So much so, it’s probably wise for me not to even write down how horrendous the visual concepts can get. Multi-lated Perhaps one of the most surprising things about The Outlast Trials is how well it translates to a multiplayer experience. This still feels like Outlast in every way, except now your friends are there. This, of course, leads to a lot of hilarity, but importantly it’s not tone-shattering. While lots of funny things happen, you’ll often find yourself nervous laughing like when watching a particularly scary movie with a friend. In fact, I’d argue playing with friends enhances the chaos. With more players, you are all working together, but also scrambling for resources over each other as you ration what you need away. You may be at half health, but you’re going to be better off giving the small medicine you found to your mate who is covered top to bottom in their own viscera. Red Barrels have also come up with incredibly inventive ways to utilize the scares in a multiplayer setting. The best is definitely this aforementioned gas mask character. In one of my playthroughs with a friend, he grabbed me, hurling me into psychosis and I attempted to run from a spooky tentacle man trying to get me. Cue me running around, making a lot of noise, and bumping into other enemies, all claiming to see a guy that my partner in the Trials couldn’t see. It was a great moment and is a great expression of Red Barrels’ understanding of how to utilize the multiplayer format for more scares. Another fun trick is that the game will periodically throw in a ‘fake’ player, whose username has been shuffled around with a couple symbols and rearranged letters. If you let your guard down and don’t realize that it’s an imposter next to you – well, you’ll probably find yourself with a couple of extra holes in your torso. Maintaining that all-important tension in a horror game with other players running around is really difficult, but Red Barrels has achieved it better than any I can recall. Fleshed out While the moment-to-moment of The Outlast Trials is horrifying, there is a broader world to progress through. The wider narrative of Outlast 2 is that you have been taken in by a rather messed up corporation that performs horrendous trials on society’s most vulnerable. While the three areas included in Early Access are themed around a Police Station, a Fun Fair, and an Orphanage, they are all hollow fakes, with mannequins, and set dressing, all set in bigger warehouses. Even as you progress through missions, you will see scientists watching you as you struggle through the horror. It adds this horrible, helpless feeling of being watched, and that these really are tests for you to overcome at the whims of powerful shadow figures. It’s an excellent Saw-vibe and it permeates the whole game. This leads into the progression. The ‘lobby’ of the game is a prison-like holding area, where you can interact with vendors and other players. Eventually, you get enough currency and experience to get rigs, which are powerful special abilities that can allow you to stun enemies, or see them through walls. You can also get other passive abilities that help with your health and evasiveness. Most importantly, you also have your own room you can customize. While it’s silly, and the accouterment you get is purely cosmetic, I was pleased with the cereal shelf I bought for my little cell, and proudly showed it off to my friend when they swang by my room. In the center of this area is a forbidden door. It leads to an unforeseen ending, where you are promised your freedom. While I’ve not seen what’s behind the promised doors, count me skeptical that we’ll be allowed to waltz out of this experience unscathed. Early Ax-ess The Outlast Trials has been nothing but a wonderful, horrifying surprise since I started playing it. I was initially skeptical of transplanting this franchise into a multiplayer-focused experience, but Red Barrels has proven they understand this franchise and what makes it so compelling. This is not some cynical chase towards live service or multiplayer, but a developer evolving its formula in new and exciting directions. While this early access build of the game only boasts three levels, they each take around an hour to complete. Once you’re done, these spaces evolve as you must complete more and more objectives as you replay them. It means there’s plenty to get into here if you want to go deep, with Red Barrel getting as much as they can from these spaces for repeated play, not unlike modern Hitman. Outlast Trials doesn’t feel like much that is out there. While it has shades of Dead by Daylight and Phasmaphobia, this feels like an important step forward for multiplayer horror games. This is a team at the top of its game, daring to do something new with its formula. Red Barrels is releasing one of the great surprises of the year so far, quelling any doubt that they’ve lost a step in their six-year absence.
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The Outlast Trials crossplay: How to play with friends cross-platform – Dexerto
The Outlast Trials crossplay: How to play with friends cross-platform Red BarrelsThe Outlast Trials is finally out from early access and here’s everything you need to know whether it features crossplay and how to play with your friends. The Outlast Trials is a co-op multiplayer horror game where you join your friends to survive the Trials of Murkoff facility. This game pushes you to your limits which means it is not for the faint-hearted ones. However, even the bravest among you will need the help of others to make it out of Murkoff. Therefore, if you are looking to gather your friends but are unsure about how to access The Outlast Trials across various platforms, we have got you covered. Here is what you need to know about crossplay in The Outlast Trials. Does The Outlast Trials have crossplay? Yes, The Outlast Trials does have crossplay across all platforms. It is currently available on PC, Xbox Series X, Series S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. On PC, you can purchase it on both Steam and Epic Games Store. With the release of version 1.0, Red Barrels enabled the crossplay feature which means you can play across all platforms. During the early access period, you could only play on PC, but now your console friends can join you and help survive Murkoff. How to play with friends in The Outlast Trials There are quite a few ways to play with friends in The Outlast Trials. These are the steps you need to follow if you want to play with friends: Select a Trial and open up the invite menu – Click on one of the plus buttons that you will see in the empty silhouettes of players – A new screen will open up where you will get to Quick invite friends from Steam (only Steam players) – If you want to invite console friends, you can also do that from a list of those whom you added – You can find your friends list in the second tab after the Group in the invite section – If you want to add a friend, click on the Add Friend option at the bottom of the screen – The Add Friend option shows up only after you have clicked on the plus buttons mentioned above – You will be shown your Friend code and a space to add someone else’s – Type the Friend Code and add them for the person to show up in the Friends tab – You can also play with random people online. You can do this by clicking on Group Finder. You can find the Group Finder button on the bottom right corner before clicking the plus buttons on the silhouettes.
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The Outlast Trials: Co-op, trailers & everything we know – Dexerto
The Outlast Trials: Co-op, trailers & everything we know Red BarrelsGet ready for The Outlast Trials as the terrifying horror franchise is set to return with its third installment, and developers Red Barrels are preparing to shake up the formula with new twists. If you’ve never played or heard of Outlast then it’s probably better for your stress levels. The survival-horror title uses the modern-day horror trope of giving you no weapons and the only way you can evade enemies is to run and hide. The first two Outlast titles were notorious for their litany of jumpscares and wince-inducing moments of violence. Now, Red Barrels are back with another sequel — The Outlast Trials. From what we’ve seen already, the game is going to be all about more scares and more psychological torment, with the added bonus of being able to endure it with more players. Contents Does The Outlast Trials have a release date yet? – The Outlast Trials beta – Do we know which platforms The Outlast Trials will be on? – The Outlast Trials trailers – The Outlast Trials co-op & gameplay – Does The Outlast Trials have a release date yet? Despite being announced in mid-2020, Red Barrels have given no indication as to when we can expect to see The Outlast Trials. The game keeps getting new trailers, which you can check out below, which is a sign that development is clearly moving along well, and, hopefully, it won’t be too long until the game is leaving us on the edge of our seats! How to register for The Outlast Trials closed beta The game will be getting a closed beta before it even contemplates its release, and Red Barrels has announced that players can start testing it on October 28 and this will last until November 1. If you’re interested in playing it or registering your interest at the very least, then here’s what you’ll need to do on PC. Open Steam. – Login to your account, if you’re not already. – Head to the game page for The Outlast Trials. – Look for ‘Join the Uninitialized’. – Click to ‘Request Access’. – Wait and see if you’re successful! – Do we know which platforms The Outlast Trials will be on? According to the game’s website, the game’s platforms are “TBD,” but we obviously know already that there is a closed beta available for PC players, so that is one guaranteed platform. The first two Outlast games both appeared on PlayStation and Xbox, so we’d hazard a guess that once the beta is done and the final vision of the game is clear, Red Barrels, could announce the title for those formats too. The Outlast Trials trailers The debut trailer was a purely cinematic affair that featured a gruesome torture scene and finished by revealing the game’s original release date, which was later postponed. Our most recent insight into The Outlast Trials showed off more interesting gameplay, as well as the pulling back the co-op curtain, but we know that the player will have different items and weapons to use to protect themself this time around. The Outlast Trials co-op & gameplay The biggest apparent difference between the first Outlast games and The Outlast Trials is the presence of online play, co-op, and weapons to use. According to the game’s official Steam description: “The Outlast Trials is a survival horror game you can play by yourself or with other players online. You’ll have to survive the twisted, sadistic and bizarre experiments of the Murkoff Corporation, alone or in a group of up to 4 players.” This is a big step forward for the game and the trailers have already shown how other players will be worked in, e.g helping each other to jump across a sizable gap. As for the game’s online component, we’ll have to see how that ends up being incorporated. From what we’ve seen of the weapons, players can use throwables to seemingly stun enemies, but it also looks like there are deployable mines that can cause more serious damage. Again, hopefully, a deeper dive into the gameplay will tell us more. If you’re interested in information on other games coming out, we have more game hubs below: The Elder Scrolls 6 | GTA 6 | Overwatch 2 | Assassin’s Creed Infinity | God of War: Ragnarok | Wolverine | Spider-Man 2 | Forspoken | Pokemon Violet & Scarlet | Wonder Woman | DokeV | FFXVI | Avatar Frontiers of Pandora | Sonic Frontiers | Dragon Age 4 | Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild sequel | The Witcher 3 next-gen patch | Avatar Frontiers of Pandora | Haunted Chocolatier
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The NieR Automata ‘secret door’ mystery has finally been solved – Dexerto
The NieR Automata ‘secret door’ mystery has finally been solved PlatinumGamesNieR Automata fans have solved the big ‘secret door’ mystery that engulfed the community following a cryptic Reddit post. The mysterious situation sent the NieR community into a frenzy recently thanks to the discovery of a secret room in NieR Automata five years after launch. In the days following, fans came together to try and unravel this secret room as the sole player who discovered it continued to post more and more cryptic information about it. Two days later the community solved the mystery of NieR Automata’s ‘secret door,’ ending in both an expected and unexpected conclusion. NieR Automata’s ‘secret door’ mystery solved As it turns out, the propagator of the secret door easter egg, who goes by sadfutago on Reddit, set up an extremely elaborate mod to create the church and all subsequent secret areas that caused the stir. The culmination of the reveal began with sadfutago posting more and more footage of the secret area, before leaving cryptic messages on Reddit that ended with a link to a Twitch stream. The Twitch stream showed the creator of the mod playing through the scenario they created, before thanking the mod developers who made the secret church possible. Sadfutago also issued a sincere thank you to the NieR community for making the secret church explode into what it is now, while also issuing a playful apology for any frustration the mod may have caused. While some may have been disappointed that the secret church scenario ended up being nothing more than an impressive fan mod, the community was overwhelmingly positive about the experience as a whole. According to content creator and NieR fan Lance McDonald who broke down the situation on Twitter, this mod “was the work of extremely talented modders doing things the community thought were not possible.” Though a fan mod may not be as exciting as a long-hidden secret to some, it’s clear that NieR fans enjoyed the crazy ride that sadfutago provided with the incredible secret church mod.
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The Next Assassin’s Creed Game Has Been Confirmed by Ubisoft – Dexerto
The Next Assassin’s Creed Game Has Been Confirmed by Ubisoft The next game in the popular Assassin’s Creed series has been confirmed by developer company Ubisoft. Called Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, the game will be the 11th installment of the main series, and the 21st overall in the Assassin’s Creed franchise. Odyssey was officially revealed by Ubisoft on May 31st via a Twitter post, along with a very brief teaser video and a caption that reads “See you at E3!” Since no additional information has been officially announced, it appears that fans will have to wait until the E3 gaming convention (June 12th-14th) to get a better look at the new game. However, as is usually the case with Assassin’s Creed games, numerous details about Odyssey have been leaked in the days surrounding Ubisoft’s announcement. Gaming news outlets JeuxVideoLive and Kotaku have reported that, according to their source, the game will take place during the time period of ancient Greece, a claim that has been supported by leaked images of official Odyssey merchandise. Additionally, the game will reportedly allow players to choose between a male and female main character and, for the first time in the franchise’s history, will give players dialogue options. Despite the fact that Odyssey is set to be a sequel to the previous title Origins, it appears that the game will introduce new characters instead of bringing back old ones. As far as a time-frame for the release date, sources claim that Odyssey will be released at some point prior to March 31st, 2019. This leaves the door open for the game to potentially be released during the fall season of 2018, which would follow Ubisoft’s usual pattern for launch dates of previous Assassin’s Creed titles.
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The new Pokemon TCG release is a dream come true for Iono fans – Dexerto
The new Pokemon TCG release is a dream come true for Iono fans PokemonFans of Pokemon: Scarlet and Violet Gym leader Iono are in for a treat with this Premium Tournament Collection set to release on April 5. A new Pokemon TCG premium collection featuring Scarlet & Violet Gym leader Iono will be released on April 5, 2024. The gym leader is an influencer in the Paldea region and has a live stream called the “Iono Zone.” A “Path to the Peak” episode featured the Iono supporter card. The product is currently available for pre-order on the Pokemon Center website. Iono is a popular character and the sealed product is likely to be worth it for collectors and investors alike. What’s in the new Pokemon TCG: Iono Premium Collection? The Pokémon TCG: Iono Premium Tournament Collection includes: 3 other Iono foil supporter cards – A foil full art Iono Pokemon TCG card – An Iono deck box – 65 sleeves with Iono artwork – A large metallic Iono coin – 2 x condition markers – 6 x Tournament legal damage dice – 6 x Pokemon TCG booster packs – A Pokemon TCG code card – The deck sleeves and box from the Western release of the collection have already been part of the Japanese Pokemon Center releases. However, the design is brand new and features a cute detail: a “play” button on the bottom right of the card. The beautiful premium collection will be released two weeks after Temporal Forces is released in the West on March 23, 2024. The launch day happens to be on the same day that the European International Tournament begins. Pokemon fans in the West can look forward to the release of the upcoming Paldean Fates special reprint set, which releases this month on January 26, 2024. If players would like to grab an Iono card but not the whole collection, take a look at our guide to the best singles to buy in the Pokemon TCG right now. There fans can find out where to buy Iono and a little more about how to play it competitively.
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The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog is SEGA’s amazing playable April Fools’ prank – Dexerto
The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog is SEGA’s amazing playable April Fools’ prank SEGASEGA surprised fans everywhere with the release of The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog, which is both a fully-playable game and an April Fools’ Day prank. Sonic The Hedgehog is one of gaming’s most iconic mascots. Not only has he crushed it in the world of 2D platforming, but he’s seen success at the box office, and with the open-environment Sonic Frontiers title in 2022. Sadly, he’s met a grim fate in the newest game in the franchise, and it’s up to the player to interrogate the crew and find out exactly what happened to the titular character. It’s a sillier take on the beloved franchise, but it’s a fully-realized game that’s downloadable via steam right now. SEGA’s free Sonic the Hedgehog game The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog was announced on March 31 without warning. The official Sonic Twitter account posted a gameplay trailer in sync with the release. “The Sonic Social team proudly presents: The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog! A brand new Sonic game. Available right now. On Steam. For FREE!” the announcement reads. There was some skepticism around the release as the community questioned whether they were being duped or not, but various devs joined the conversation, revealing that this was in the works for quite some time. “SURPRISE! I spent the past year producing and developing an actual Sonic game! This project has been nothing short of a dream come true and I’m so proud of it,” Software Engineer Michal Shafrir said. “We all put so much love into this game, I hope you try it out and let me know what you think!!” The trailer shows off a mix of investigative work and a new take on Sonic gameplay, so anyone who has been missing that retro feel from the franchise can jump right into the mix, and they’ll have a troubling mystery to solve along the way.
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The Mountain reveals why CSGO is his all-time favorite game to Mizkif – Dexerto
The Mountain reveals why CSGO is his all-time favorite game to Mizkif YouTube: Mizkif, ValveGame of Thrones star Hafthor ‘The Mountain’ Bjornsson has revealed his passion for CSGO during his time at Mizkif’s Camp Knut, calling it his “all-time favorite” game. Twitch streaming icon Matthew ‘Mizkif’ Rinaudo is deep into his month-long fitness programme, as the creator has teamed up with fitness streamer Knut for Camp Knut. Alongside other content creators, Camp Knut has also seen the likes of Hafthor ‘The Mountain’ Bjornsson get in on the fun. Dubbed the World’s Strongest Man in 2018, The Mountain revealed an insight to his pass-times, as the former Game of Thrones star declared his love for CSGO. The Mountain tells Mizkif his “all-time favorite” game is CSGO During his time at Camp Knut, The Mountain gave viewers an insight to his pass-times. When the strongman isn’t maintaining his gargantuan stature, The Mountain can often be found playing CSGO. The Mountain revealed “so, my all-time favorite, like when I think about what I’ve played the most in my life, is Counter Strike.” “That’s the game I usually play,” he continued as Mizkif was surprised to hear The Mountain’s passion for the competitive shooter. Delving into his playstyle, the bodybuilder clarified “I was a B player” as his reflected on his time with the game. If you’re new to the world of Counter-Strike, being a B player means that, on defensive rounds, you’d defend the B site rather than doing anything else. It’s a pretty important role in the grand scheme of things. Camp Knut has proved to be a unique chapter in Mizkif’s career, showcasing a different side to the streamer. As a result of the fun that Mizkif and The Mountain have had together, the latter suggested that the pair should collaborate on a “Camp Thor” in the future.
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The most underrated indie games of 2023 – Dexerto
The most underrated indie games of 2023 Annapurna Interactive / Pixel Sprout Studios / Focus Entertainment2023 was a banner year for AAA gaming releases, but there are plenty of indie games that deserve far more attention than they received. The past 12 months have been a pretty incredible time to be a gamer. 2023 saw highly-anticipated releases like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Diablo 4, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and Starfield, as well as surprising triumphs like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. There’s been no shortage of games to play, but the sheer number of acclaimed AAA releases meant a lot of great indie games were overshadowed. Though some did break through – Sea of Stars and Cocoon are both widely acclaimed and won at The Game Awards, and Baldur’s Gate 3 developer Larian Studios is technically independent – there are plenty of indie games that deserve far more attention than they got. While by no means a comprehensive list, here are four of the most underrated indie games released in 2023 that are absolutely worth your time. Sun Haven These days, Stardew Valley clones are a dime a dozen. 2023 introduced plenty of new titles to the ever-growing genre of farming sims with their own twist on those tried-and-true mechanics. However, Sun Haven stands out among the crowd. Released in March 2023 after nearly two years in early access, Sun Haven blends those farming and relationship-building elements fans of the genre love with a fantasy world and RPG mechanics that make it perfect for fans of games like Dungeons & Dragons or Baldur’s Gate 3. It even allows up to eight players to explore and fight together in multiplayer, though the experience is just as good solo. Thirsty Suitors Publisher Annapurna Interactive had another good year in 2023, releasing titles like the critically acclaimed Cocoon. However, its most recent game, Thirsty Suitors, deserves far more attention than it’s so far received. Part skateboarding adventure and part turn-based RPG, Thirsty Suitors offers an impressively unique gaming experience all wrapped up in a powerful story about queerness, cultural differences, and generational trauma. It centers on Jala, a young South Asian-American woman who has, to put it mildly, made a lot of mistakes in her romantic and familial relationships. Thirsty Suitors is all about confronting the past and seeking forgiveness through deep, honest conversations – which are framed as epic and extravagant boss battles. The gameplay itself is engaging, but it’s the brilliant writing and masterful storytelling that will have you coming back for more. Jala can be frustrating, but watching her put in the work to improve herself and make amends is both rewarding and a lesson in empathy that all of us could benefit from. Wargroove 2 The original Wargroove filled a gap in the gaming market when it released in 2019. At that point, it had been over a decade since the last Advance Wars, and most fans of the turn-based tactics series were convinced the series was never coming back. Fast forward to 2023, and we have both a Wargroove sequel and the long-awaited (and long-delayed) Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp. It may not be groundbreaking – Wargroove 2 is, at its core, more Wargroove – but it’s a solid extension of the series that shows there’s plenty of room in the oft-overlooked tactics genre for more players. If anything, Wargroove 2 launching just months after Advance Wars’ return proves that it’s not just an indie replacement for a dormant series; it’s a real competitor. Chants of Sennaar Chants of Sennar is one of those innovative games that sticks with you. This single-player puzzle adventure is all about navigating a world in which everyone speaks and writes in fictional languages. You’ll have to pay attention to signs, patterns and other clues to translate the game’s text. All of this makes for a unique gameplay experience where you really feel like an outsider learning a new language in real-time. It starts off pretty easy, using a simple puzzle to teach words like “door,” “open,” and “close,” but it quickly gets more complex as the game throws more and more words at you. Chants of Sennar is a creative concept for a puzzle game that provides both challenge and intriguing storytelling.
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The most popular games to speedrun of all time – Dexerto
The most popular games to speedrun of all time DexertoSpeedrunning communities are some of the most dedicated and passionate fanbases out there, and we’ve compiled a list of the most popular games to speedrun of all time. If you’ve ever obsessed over a certain game or series, you may be aware of the tight-knit speedrunning community that comes with it. Most games will gather either a large or small number of people devoted to beating it in the fastest way possible, usually for personal glory. We’ve partnered with NHTSA to explore the incredible talents of speedrunners, and how important is it to take it slow and stay mindful behind the wheel in real life. Here are the top ten games with the most speedruns of all time, according to speedrun.com. 10. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 9,136 runs – Any% World Record: 3m 50s – 100% World Record: 3h 45m 51s – Number ten on our list is The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Quite possibly the most popular entry in Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda series, Ocarina of Time is a favorite amongst speedrunners due to its 25-year legacy bringing about a number of different strategies. Now, it’s possible to clear the game in just a few minutes. You won’t even be leaving the starting area. A 100% or glitchless run would take you far longer though, as any% allows speedrunners to finish the game to any level of completion. 9. Super Metroid 11,943 runs – Any% World Record: 40m 45s – 100% World Record: 1h 12m 55s – The oldest title on our list is Super Metroid, a fan-favorite game originally released on the SNES. With its core focus being on exploration and power-up collection, this is a popular title for games to speedrun, where runners are constantly finding new ways to break the game. Glitches, sequence breaks and hidden secrets means plenty of ways to bring down the average clear time, and its almost 30-year history means there’s plenty of experience laid down on the game too. 8. Getting Over It With Bennett Foddy 12,851 runs – Glitchless World Record: 0m 59s – If you’ve ever played Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy, you may be aware of just how frustrating it is. It’s a game where you play as a guy sitting in a big metal pot, and your goal is to use a hammer to grip and move yourself forward and upwards. The platforming elements combined with difficulty of moving around makes it an incredibly rewarding experience for speedrunners. 7. Portal 14,517 runs – Out of Bounds World Record: 5m 54s – Glitchless World Record: 14m 29s – The simplicity of Portal makes it a famous game within speedrun circles. By simply using the game’s two-way portal system, along with a few exploits and tricks along the way, gives it an easy-to-learn, hard-to-master edge. Additionally, keeping each stage of the game confined to single rooms also makes it an easy game to learn, as you can isolate each segment down to perfection. 6. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 16,659 runs – 48 Tracks World Record: 1h 29m 15s – You might think Mario Kart is an odd franchise to speedrun, but pretty much every entry in the series has been massively successful with speedrunning. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is no exception. Typically, these speedruns are done in the time trial mode so hazards like other drivers and items are avoided, and many different glitches are exploited. There are even some stages that allow you to skip a majority of the track and finish within seconds. 5. Celeste 19,377 runs – Any% World Record: 25m 37s – 100% World Record: 1h 41m 35s – Celeste’s famously difficult platforming but forgiving checkpoint system makes it a great fit for learning to speedrun. If you watch any of the top-performing entries on the list, you’ll notice just how well-paced every run is. Every room is so thoughtfully routed out, with very few mistakes made or time wasted. A full run can take about half an hour, and there are so many ‘blink-and-you’ll-miss-it’ moments. 4. Super Mario Odyssey 21,617 runs – Any% World Record: 56m 40s – 100% World Record: 8h 33m 57s – Another Mario game for the list. Super Mario Odyssey’s inclusion here comes as no shock. It’s an incredibly popular Switch game and features many different collectibles to grab, as well as hundreds of platforming tricks to perform. That alone would make it an obvious title for speedrunners to embrace. A full 100% run may take a portion of a day to finish, but seeing a runner collect every single moon in record time is nothing shy of impressive. 3. Minecraft: Java Edition 31,632 runs – Any% World Record: 1m 38s – All Achievements World Record: 29m 11s – Minecraft is the biggest bestselling game in the world, having sold approximately 238 million copies worldwide. So its appearance this high up on the speedrunning leaderboards doesn’t need to be questioned. While the typical Minecraft playthrough is open-ended, speedruns usually task players with completing a certain goal such as defeating the Enderdragon or collecting all achievements. 2. Super Mario 64 40,467 runs – 0 Star World Record: 6m 20s – 120 Star World Record: 1h 37m 35s – The third and final Mario game on this list is the eternally-popular Super Mario 64. Originally released in 1996, Super Mario 64 is often considered the golden egg of speedrunning. It’s an easy game to learn, due to its core gameplay being incredibly fun and accessible, as well as there being a barrage of different tasks to complete and glitches to exploit. Speedrunners will be playing Super Mario 64 until the end of existence itself. 1. Subway Surfers 89,421 runs – Any% World Record: 16m 00s – Subway Surfers is the most surprising entry of this list of the most popular speedruns, as it’s not a game you may have even heard of despite being around for over a decade. However, it has since become an incredibly popular title for mobile gamers, especially due to its booming popularity on TikTok. The goal for Subway Surfers speedruns differs depending on the speedrun category, with the point being about collecting the required amount of coins in the fastest way possible. If you want to check out more speedrunning content from us, we’ve got the fastest speedruns of all time as well as some of the worst speedrun fails on the internet.
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How to enter The Matrix Awakens experience for PlayStation 5 & Xbox Series X|S – Dexerto
How to enter The Matrix Awakens experience for PlayStation 5 & Xbox Series X|S Epic GamesEpic Games have announced a new Unreal Engine 5 tech demo for The Game Awards that will star The Matrix Awakens’ Keanu Reeves on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Audiences will get a first-hand look at the future of video games during a special event that will kick off on December 9. Epic have partnered with The Matrix Resurrections director Lana Wachowski for the tech demo that will feature Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss. The short teaser trailer for UE5 comes straight from the uncanny valley’s heart by showing off a completely remade version of Reeves, presumably on the updated engine. The Matrix Awakens invites next-gen console holders to join CGI Neo in previewing Unreal Engine 5 during The Game Awards. The Matrix Awakens pre-download People can pre-download the UE5 experience to see what Epic has in store for the next iteration of its popular game engine on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The Matrix Awakens free download It will be a 29 GB download on both consoles. While people can have it on their platforms, they’ll have to wait a bit to actually access the content. The experience promises a “real-time tech demo” for Epic’s game engine and will run alongside The Game Awards when it premiers on December 9. CGI Neo asks what’s real The internet lit up after Epic unveiled its upcoming project to show off its latest game engine with an eerie recreation of The One. “How do we know what is real?” Reeves said in the brief trailer. It’s a compelling angle to tease the future of gaming and it had many people intrigued by the collaboration. You can access the Matrix Awakens UE5 demo experience on your console in a few days to see what Epic has to offer next-gen games.
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The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story Review – This magic can’t be contained – Dexerto
The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story Review – This magic can’t be contained The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story combines quick-paced improvised combat with a surprisingly philosophical story about a band of revolutionaries struggling in an oppressive world. Sylas’s introduction to League of Legends brought a new focus to Demacia’s darker side, and building a separate game around his struggle has proven to be a great way to expand on the world of Runeterra. From the moment he breaks free from prison to the end of the credits, Sylas receives some of the best character work of any Champion in League history, and his ramshackle bunch of mages are the cornerstone of this action RPG’s appeal. The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story key details Price: £24.99 / $29.99 – Developer: Digital Sun / Riot Forge – Release date: April 18, 2023 – Platforms: PC and Nintendo Switch – The Mageseeker Trailer What is a revolution? The Mageseeker is an action RPG where you play as Sylas of Dregbourne, an escaped mage blamed for the murder of the king. Over the course of the game, you build both revolutions and friendships with other mages in a nation where magic is seen as dangerous and unstable. And with Sylas, they might have a point, at least to begin with. At the beginning of the game, Sylas is hell-bent on revenge, and is willing to do and sacrifice anything in order to get it. What makes the story so compelling are the ways it questions how best to help mages in Demacia. The nature of revolutions and what makes them tick is the core idea here, and each new mage that joins the team brings a different outlook on the best way to dismantle oppression. Leilani, the revolution’s leader who recruits Sylas at the beginning of the game, is focused on building a more optimistic future. Other characters are pacifists, and others want to lead assassination attempts. Each of these characters change as the game progresses, both in skill and ideology. One of the most satisfying parts of The Mageseeker is seeing the revolution grow not just in power but in maturity, as they flesh out the best way to rescue mages from tyranny. Think on your feet After consulting with your allies before each mission, you’ll be sent off on an objective, whether it’s taking down a key member of the mageseeker establishment, or rescuing a powerful mage to recruit to the cause. Combat in these missions is fast-paced and highly improvised thanks to Sylas’s ability to steal enemy spells. Enemies have a Pokemon-style type weakness, so fire spells deal more damage to ice mageseekers, and vice versa. This gives each fight an extra consideration, as you’ll have to calculate who the best target is for which spell you’ve stolen. As you gain more allies, you’ll also be able to “bring” them on missions, giving your basic attacks additional effects and elemental damage. These are a great way to experiment with builds and combos while also covering any elemental weaknesses. However, not all mages are born equal apparently, because some of these upgrades are much more powerful than others. Shoutout to Nia the fire mage, who you recruit very early on and grants you a huge AOE fire attack with no cooldown. Needless to say, I never took her off the roster. This is also an issue when considering the spells you take on missions. Once you steal a spell, you can buy it and use it permanently by speaking to allies in your base camp. Because Sylas has both a dash and a very forgiving gap closer, he’s almost always on top of enemies, so spells that deal AOE damage are by far the most efficient way to deal damage. Ultimately these are minor quibbles in a well-thought-out combat system that shines when there are lots of enemies on the screen. Sylas never feels out of control and the combat peaks during boss fights, where mobility becomes much more important. On the highest difficulty, where Sylas dies in two or three hits, these fights become an insane adrenaline rush. A game fit for champions Surprisingly, Sylas’s relationship with Lux takes a back seat in the story, with The Mageseeker instead focusing on new, unexplored characters. However, there are plenty of recognizable faces here too. It wouldn’t be a game set in Runeterra if there wasn’t a healthy dose of some of League’s favorite champions in the story, but each champion earns their place, and it doesn’t feel oversaturated with characters that don’t belong there. A surprise highlight is Jarvan and Shyvanna, who have a very complicated relationship as the game progresses and anti-magic sentiment grows. It’s not just Sylas getting a lore upgrade here; all six champions that feature get great additions to their story and personality. Verdict – 4/5 The Mageseeker triumphs as a complex exploration of revolution and prejudice, while also breathing new life into champions old and new. A couple of small bugs and odd combat choices don’t stop this from being one of the most successful expansions of League of Legend’s lore to come out of Riot Forge. Reviewed on PC
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The Lord of the Rings: Gollum preview – Sméagol shares equal billing in stealth adventure – Dexerto
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum preview – Sméagol shares equal billing in stealth adventure NaconLord of the Rings: Gollum is still on track for a 2022 launch, and from Dexerto’s recent preview of the game, it could be an impressively faithful adaptation of the original source material. Movie tie-ins are common enough in video games, but book tie-ins are a little rarer. The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is one such adventure, with developer Daedalic going out of its way to distance the title from Peter Jackson’s cinematic adaptations. If you’ve ever dreamed of swinging a sword in Middle-earth, lopping off Orc heads at Helm’s Deep, then trust us when we say that Gollum won’t scratch that particular itch on your hairy feet. This is a stealth game, and as part of Nacon’s Bigben Week event in Paris, we came away mightily impressed by what we saw. Starting in the Middle (Earth) The Lord of the Rings: Gollum takes our familiar protagonist and follows the events that occur between The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The key thing to note is that this is very much Tolkien’s world, with developer Daedalic Entertainment hiring experts on the author to help add details that distinguish it from Jackson’s blockbuster movies. That means, quite jarringly at first, that Gollum looks a little different from how you may expect — his eyes are bigger, and his brow is more protruding. As it happens, that actually makes his facial animations easier to read, especially since there’s no Andy Serkis here to offer motion capture. In the game’s initial tutorial, we see Gollum scuttering through huge caves hunting for the One Ring, and it’s here we get our initial glimpse of his almost insect-like animation. The former Hobbit doesn’t run, he scuttles, jittering between darkened areas of the map and throwing rocks to draw attention away from where he’s headed. The frail Sméagol isn’t one for fighting, but he’s comfortable getting blood on his hands when the opportunity presents itself — strangling one, isolated Orc in a flurry of grasping and clinging, knowing the Orc would kill him in one fell swoop. It’s effective at showcasing Gollum’s tension and desperation, with a stamina bar meaning he can’t just choke the life out of any enemy. Two for one Of course, Gollum’s story isn’t just about Gollum, and Sméagol gets his share of the limelight, too. In an early section, the duo deliberates whether to let a small beetle live, or whether to crush it. We opted for the former, and while we didn’t see how that choice played out in our hands-off demo, we’re assured that decisions will have larger ramifications. That’s exciting because Gollum and Sméagol’s inner turmoil allows for interesting gameplay choices. Do you slay an Orc, or sneak by? With multiple routes to choose, plus the aforementioned gameplay choices, there’s the potential for multiple playthroughs that play out very differently. Read more: Evil Dead: The Game review – Groovy asymmetrical horror is a love letter to the franchise – While sneaking itself is fairly rudimentary in terms of finding shadows to lurk in and breaking line of sight with enemies, circumnavigating areas also allows Gollum to stretch his legs with some impressive traversal, including climbing and wall-running. After all, he’s been in the mountains for hundreds of years, and seeing him crawl up a wall makes him look less like his former, Hobbit self than ever before. Speaking of crawling, we did get a glimpse of some other enemies in the game, notably an infamously large spider that fans will recognize as being much more faithful an adaptation than in Shadow of War, and the Nazgûl, complete with terrifying dragon mounts. Make no mistake, Gollum is shaping up to be a dark fantasy tale just as Tolkien intended, and while we know how the character’s story ends, we can’t wait to see it unfold all over again.
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Everything we know about The Lord of the Rings Gollum: Story trailer & platforms – Dexerto
Everything we know about The Lord of the Rings Gollum: Story trailer & platforms Daedalic EntertainmentDaedalic Entertainment and Nacon’s take on J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings universe will put players in the shoes of Gollum, the ring-chasing Hobbit of the Third Age – so here’s everything we know about the game so far, from gameplay details to platforms and the story trailer. The Lord of The Rings: Gollum looks to explore the twisted tale of Smeagol, a hobbit whose lust for the One Ring takes him on a long and tiresome journey, changing him into a whole new creature. Set well before the events of The Fellowship of the Ring, this stealth adventure will take players on a true tour of the realm. From the misty Elven forests of Mirkwood, to the underbelly of Sauron’s personal fortress Barad-dûr, Gollum will be venturing well beyond the usual locales of Middle-Earth. Contents Do we know when LOTR Gollum is coming out? – Trailers – What do we know about gameplay in LOTR Gollum? – What platforms will Lord of The Rings: Gollum be on? – Do we know when LOTR Gollum is coming out? Although Lord of The Rings: Gollum previously had a release date of Thursday, September 1, 2022, Daedalic and Nacon have delayed the game “by a few months” to allow for more “polishing.” The developer and publisher have since announced a new due date of May 25, 2023 for the PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game. A Nintendo Switch version remains in production, though it won’t launch until sometime later in 2023. The Lord of the Rings Gollum trailers Shown off at The Game Awards 2021, the first story trailer for Gollum gives players a look inside the warped mind and split personalities of its nefarious titular character. Following on from the trailer release, an FAQ on the game’s Steam page went live on May 21, 2022, with a series of juicy details surrounding the story. “The story of the game largely takes place in parallel to the early chapters of The Lord of the Rings, from Gollum’s time in Mordor, his capture by Sauron and his interrogation by Gandalf.” This was combined with the announcement that everything in-game will become LOTR “canon” with the approval of Middle-earth Enterprises. A full gameplay reveal then followed on July 7 as Nacon provided more than a minute of in-game action. More details on that below. What do we know about gameplay in The Lord of the Rings Gollum? Staying true to Tolkien’s vision of the character, the game will see Gollum sneaking and deceiving his way through Middle-Earth. The iconic figure “must stay in the shadows,” as he said during the gameplay reveal trailer. This means crawling through bushes, avoiding enemy sight lines, and generally staying out of trouble. Our first look at gameplay revealed a range of both stealth and traversal features. Not only is Gollum an expert climber, but he’s crafty too. More than eager to throw rocks and distract enemies on his path. Daedalic hopes to mix discretion and agility in equal parts throughout the game. With a highlight on infusing stealth mechanics with an enhanced movement system. So, there you have it – that’s everything there is to know about The Lord of the Rings Gollum at this time. For more news on upcoming games, make sure to check out our other gaming release hubs below:
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All voice actors in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Dexerto
All voice actors in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom NintendoThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the latest and greatest installment in the franchise, and with voice acting back for the new release, here is our full list of main voice actors that appear in the game. The Legend of Zelda is one of the oldest and most beloved video game franchises ever. After starting in the 1980s, the gaming series has spanned over four decades, with each game reinventing the franchise while also maintaining and developing a long roster of iconic gaming characters. While the franchise was able to succeed without any voice acting early on, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild flipped the series on its head by introducing voiced characters for the first time ever. As a result, the upcoming Tears of the Kingdom title is set to bring back these voices while also adding some new actors to the mix. Without further ado, here’s our list of voices in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom as well as which actor will be lending their voice to each role. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom voice actors Princess Zelda: Patricia Summersett – Princess Mipha: Amelia Goth – Daruk & Yenobo: Joe Hernandez – Revali, Teba & The Great Deku Tree: Sean Chiplock – Ganondorf: Matthew Mercer – Urbosa & Riju: Elizabeth Maxwell – Impa: Andi Gibson – Prince Sidon: Jamie Mortarello – King Rhoam: Bill Rogers – Tulin: Cristina Vee – Rauru: Chris Hackney – Yona: Lauren Mayfield – Princess Zelda: Patricia Summersett As the titular character, there was much anticipation when Zelda’s voice was first heard in the trailer for Breath of the Wild. For Tears of the Kingdom, voice actor Patricia Summersett will be reprising her role as the bearer of the Triforce of Wisdom. As well as this Summersett has starred in a number of TV shows, including The Disappearance, The Bold Type, and many more projects. Princess Mipha: Amelia Goth Mipha is one of the original Champions of Hyrule that helps Zelda and Link in attempting to stop Calamity Ganon before he takes over and rules Hyrule for 100 years. As the princess of the Zora, Mipha plays a big role in the games and is voiced by Amelia Goth. Goth has voiced characters for other big video game franchises such as Final Fantasy and Let It Die. Daruk & Yenobo: Joe Hernandez Joe Hernandez lends his voice to both main characters from the Goron tribe in Daruk and Yenobo. As a result, he brings in a powerful performance, particularly for his work when portraying the enigmatic Daruk. Hernadez has done extensive work in the voice-over industry, appearing in over 60 games that include Lost Ark, Saints Row, and Transformers: War for Cybertron. Revali, Teba & The Great Deku Tree: Sean Chiplock Sean Chiplock has his work cut out for him when signing on for the Zelda franchise. As well as voicing the iconic Great Deku Tree, Chiplock also takes on the leading Rito characters in Revali and Teba. Chiplock is best known for his voiceover work in Japanese anime projects, however, he has also recently voiced characters in God of War and Midnight Suns. Ganondorf: Matthew Mercer Arguably the most notable voice actor on this list, Matthew Mercer joins the Legend of Zelda family for Tears of the Kingdom, lending his voice to bring to life the iconic Zelda villain in Ganondorf. As well as being a main member of the Critical Role YouTube channel, Mercer’s work in the voice acting business is vast and extensive, cementing himself as one of the most recognizable voice actors in recent years. Urbosa & Riju: Elizabeth Maxwell The Gerudo women in the Zelda franchise are as badass as they are elite warriors, so who better to bring both Urbosa and Riju to life than Elizabeth Maxwell. In the Zelda franchise, Maxwell voices two leaders of the Gerudo, with her voice already being heard as Riju in the last trailer for Tears of the Kingdom. Maxwell’s voice acting resume is an impressive list, with credits and roles in My Hero Academia, and Attack on Titan RWBY just to name a few. Impa: Andi Gibson The iconic Impa returns in Tears of the Kingdom. While she plays a smaller role this time around Andi Gibson reprises her role from Breath of the Wild. After all, Impa has been just as important to the Zelda lore as Link and Zelda. Gibson’s credits in the business only stretch as far back as 2010. However, Gibson has done work on other projects such as Bear with Me and Bobby the Hedgehog. Sidon: Jamie Mortarello Prince Sidon quickly became a fan-favorite character amongst Zelda fans. The tall and charismatic Rito prince a companion that aids Link on his quest to bring down Ganon after waking up 100 years later. As well as his work in the Zelda franchise, Mortarello has voiced characters in the recent gaming hits Horizon Zero Dawn and the 2106 Hitman videogame. King Rhoam: Bill Rogers As the King of Hyrule and father to Princess Zelda, the voice of King Rhoam had to be commanding and stern. Enter Bill Rogers, who did a fantastic job of bringing the character. Having been in the business for decades, Rogers has an extensive list of credits to his name. However, most people will likely recognize his voice from the Pokemon franchise where he voices the character of Brock. Tulin: Cristina Vee The young Tulin is the son of Teba. The Rito warrior who aided Link in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Players will likely remember Tulin from Breath of the Wild. However, this Rito plays a much larger role in Tears of the Kingdom and as such, is a voiced character this time around. Cristina Vee is an American voice actress and voice director. She is best known for lending her voice to English dubs of anime, animation, and video games. Her body of work includes the likes of playing Homura Akemi in Madoka Magica, Sailor Mars in Sailor Moon, and Mio Akiyama in K-ON! Rauru: Chris Hackney (TBC) New character Rauru is one of Tears of the Kingdom’s most important new arrival. As the first King of Hyrule, Rauru aids Link on his quest to defeat Ganondorf and save Hyrule in a similar way to how King Roam did in Breath of the Wild. He is the leader of the Zonai people and helps explain their origins in the Zelda lore. While it has not been confirmed who voices Ruaru, there is heavy speculation that it is Chris Hackney. Hackney is a well-known voice actor whose body of work includes voicing Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd, Illumi Zoldyck, and Khun Aguero Agnes. Yona: Lauren Mayfield One of the saddest parts of Tears of the Kingdom is discovering that Prince Sidon is no longer single. When Link reunited with everyone’s favorite Zora, it is revealed that he is engaged to a fellow Zora named Yona. Yona is voiced by Lauren Mayfield. Mayfield’s body of work as a voice actor is still pretty limited. However, she has appeared in various anime and video games such as Genshin Impact, Smash Legends, and more. And that’s all the voice actors we know so far to be in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Be sure to check back in with this article as we update you with all the latest and newest voice-acting cast members and characters. After more The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom explainers and guides? Check down below: The best way to make Rupees in Tears of the Kingdom | Who is Ganondorf? Villain explained | How to pass the time | Sky Islands map in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom | All Geoglyph locations | Do weapons still break in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom? | All Great Fairy Fountain locations | All Skyview Tower locations | How to get Zelda’s Golden Horse | Best place to farm Zonaite | How to increase your inventory slots in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom | Bubbal Gem locations | Bargainer Statue locations | How to get Phantom Armor set | Where to get the Steering Wheel | How to respec Heart Containers and Stamina Vessels in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom | How to get Autobuild | How to get Hylian Shield
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The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Collectors edition revealed – Dexerto
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Collectors edition revealed YouTube: NintendoNintendo has confirmed what the Collectors editions of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will look like and cost during their most recent Nintendo Direct event. During the February 8, 2023 Nintendo Direct event, the gaming juggernaut dropped some great new content and gameplay footage updates for future games. The remastered version of the Metroid Prime GameCube classic is just one of the big news hits from the direct. However, it wouldn’t be a Nintendo showcase without at least a small update about the upcoming Zelda title. Fans of the longstanding series were treated to a brand new trailer and a first look at the collections edition of the game. Tears of the Kingdom Collectors bundle details The Collectors bundle does include some good-looking items that players will likely want to get their hands on. The image shown of the collection reveals that it will include the following items: A Steelbook case with what looks like Zonai runes and markings – A Tears of the Kingdom artbook with concept art – An Iconart steel poster – A four-set of pin badges – A box that bundles all items together – As well as this collection, the Nintendo Direct also revealed a brand new Link amiibo for the game. However, this will be separate from the Collectors bundle. The cost of this new amiibo is yet to be confirmed. At the end of the direct, it was confirmed that pre-orders for Tears of the Kingdom will now be available. The standard copy of the game will retail for $69.99 while the Collectors bundle will set gamers back $129.99. Time will tell if any other versions of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom are revealed or if this Collectors edition is the only special bundle on offer. However, we’ll be sure to keep you in the know when more news about the game is made known.
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The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom – Release date, gameplay, more – Dexerto
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom – Release date, gameplay, more NintendoThe Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom was announced at the Nintendo Direct – a new game that lets you play as Zelda. Here’s everything we know, including the release date, gameplay, and more. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom was one of the biggest announcements at the June 2024 Nintendo Direct. Echoes of Wisdom is the first mainline title that enables players to play as Princess Zelda – something the series’ community has wanted for many years. Unlike Link, Zelda doesn’t use a conventional sword but instead uses a special ability to copy weapons and enemies to solve puzzles. With that being said, here’s everything we know about Zelda’s adventure. Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom release date The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom will be released on September 26, 2024, for Nintendo Switch. Furthermore, Nintendo unveiled a brand new Zelda-themed Switch Lite design that will be released alongside the new game. Gameplay details As seen in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom gameplay trailer, the pint-sized princess can utilize her magical Tri Rod to create imitations of objects/enemies. This ability is known as an echo and allows Zelda to copy an object and recreate it whenever she likes. For example, if something is blocking your path, you can simply use Zelda’s echo ability to make a rudimentary platform using stacked tables. Objects like wooden boxes, beds, and water blocks can be used both separately or combined together. With no Master Sword to swing, Zelda can use the Tri Rod to make copies of defeated enemies. These creature copies will then fight for Zelda, giving her an edge over her fearsome foes. If this wasn’t exciting enough, Zelda can also create copies of monsters that will fight by her side. Each enemy type has different abilities, so you’ll need to choose them depending on the situation you find yourself in. Puzzles will also be solved via the use of Zelda’s echo ability, with one example showing how replicated trees could be placed in front of wind vents, which in turn enable the Princess of Hyrule to cross. Story Strange rifts have started to appear across Hyrule, which have led to its inhabitants vanishing — including Link. It’s up to Zelda and her mysterious Tri Rod staff to help save the day. While not much is known about the exact story of the game, we can likely expect lots of Easter eggs and callbacks to other titles from the franchise, as well as some familiar locations from its Hyrule setting. Trailers As part of the Nintendo Direct, the company put together an announcement trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Echos of Wisdom which can be viewed down below. On August 5, Nintendo dropped a new trailer for the game, showcasing how Echoes of Wisdom has transformed Hyrule once again. Released on August 30, Nintendo dropped more information for Echoes of Wisdom. The trailer reveals more information on Zelda’s swordfighter form, the game’s automatons, and so much more. You can watch it below: On September 12, Nintendo revealed a brand new Overview Trailer, showcasing the regions you can explore, from Gerudo Desert, Faron Wetlands, Eldin Volcano, and Jabul Waters. It also dives into the terrible rifts that stole Link away, showing off plenty of threats for Zelda to battle. You can watch the trailer below: The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom wasn’t the only game announced during the Nintendo Direct, we also got a further look at Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD, Metroid Prime 4, and Marvel vs. Capcom 2. Be sure to check out the full lineup of announcements from our Nintendo Direct June 2024 reveals hub.
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The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Release date, trailers & everything we know – Dexerto
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Release date, trailers & everything we know NintendoThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, the long-awaited sequel to Breath of the Wild is just around the corner, so here’s everything you need to know about the game before it releases for the Nintendo Switch. Breath of the Wild was instrumental in inspiring and shaping a generation of open-world games. With a vibrant open world that encouraged players to explore, and its engaging story it’s no wonder the game is now widely regarded as one of the best Nintendo Switch titles of all time. The follow-up, officially titled The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, has been highly anticipated for years now, and it’s set to release in 2023. Here’s everything we know so far about the upcoming game that’s sure to be one of the most exciting releases of the year. While you’re here, make sure to check out the latest The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom deals from Amazon and Best Buy. Contents: Is there a The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom release date? – The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom trailers – The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom gameplay – Tears of the Kingdom preorders – Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom release date The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will release on May 12, 2023. This was confirmed during a Nintendo Direct presentation. It will release exclusively for Nintendo Switch. The sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom! — Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) September 13, 2022 The Legend of #Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom launches on #NintendoSwitch 5/12/23. #NintendoDirect pic.twitter.com/qkGnFYFXNs The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom trailers The first look at the next mainline Zelda entry came during Nintendo’s presentation at E3 2019, surprising fans who didn’t expect a sequel to be announced so soon. In it, Link and Princess Zelda can be seen traveling through a cave filled with darkness and danger, before approaching what is thought to be Ganon’s mummified body which then awakens. The trailer ended with a black screen that simply read “The sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is now in development,” but that was enough to send players into overdrive with excitement. The next look at the sequel came a whole two years later at E3 2021, this time giving a dive into gameplay and the world of Hyrule. It was revealed that Link’s escapades will now involve the Sky islands, much like Skyward Sword did in 2011. Hyrule Castle is also seen being yanked out of the ground at the end of the trailer, being left suspended in mid-air. How our courageous hero clad in green will get there now is currently unknown. The release date and title trailer were unveiled during the 2022 Nintendo Direct: Another trailer was shared during the February 8, 2023, Nintendo Direct stream, showcasing the return of new and familiar enemies, puzzles, and the flight system. On April 13, 2023, fans were treated to the final trailer for Tears of the Kingdom. Similarly to Breath of the Wild, this trailer gives fans their best look yet at the upcoming game. If finally reveals Ganondorf, who will be voiced by Matthew Mercer for the english version. As well as this, it includes new enemies, locations and an in depth look at gameplay mechanics and more. The full trailer can be viewed here: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom gameplay The first and only look at the gameplay so far was during the E3 2021 trailer. In it, fans were treated to a big glimpse at the world above the clouds, as well as new and returning foes. Bokoblins can now camp on and ride a Stone Talus, and there appears to be a new Guardian-like enemy too. There’s also a new flower snake opponent, which Link fiercely fends off with a new flamethrower power. The hero can also now warp through objects, and it’s hinted massively that he will be able to manipulate time somehow to his advantage. Though details on that are currently unknown. New free-falling mechanic As originally reported by Gamereactor, a new patent has revealed that the game will feature a free-falling mechanic which will allow Link to perform some cool moves and attacks while in midair. We saw the free-falling mechanic in action in the trailer, but the patent suggests this will be more developed than we previously thought. It appears that Link will be able to string combos together and prolong his time in the air by stacking attacks. He’ll also be able to transition into rolls and a swan dive into water. Of course, take this with a pinch of salt until we see more evidence, but this information tracks with what we’ve seen so far, and with how combos worked in the first BoTW. It also seems likely that these mechanics will be combined with gliding, allowing players to switch between the two with ease. New building & combining weapons mechanic One way that Breath of the Wild players were able to add longevity to the gaming experience was by getting creative. With many posting videos online of building vehicles, new weapons and the like through the game’s items and the terrain. In light of this, Nintendo have fully embraced the ability to be as creative as possible with Tears of the Kingdom. Players will have the option to combine weapon types together, build vehicles out of fans and logs and even use these machines to fight against enemies in similarly designed equipment. It’s safe to say that when Tears of the Kingdom released, Zelda fans will be hard at work building and making the most out of the box weapons and vehicles they can. Tears of the Kingdom preorders The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is open for preorder at certain retailers. There is a standard edition and a recently announced Collectors edition. Check out our preorder guide for the full list of where to preorder and the best prices. That’s everything we know about Tears of the Kingdom so far! For more Zelda content, check out our guides below: If you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.
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The Last of Us Remake was free from crunch but “hits same quality” as TLOU2 – Dexerto
The Last of Us Remake was free from crunch but “hits same quality” as TLOU2 Naughty DogA Naughty Dog developer who worked on The Last of Us Part 1, a remake of the 2013 classic, has revealed that the game is the first title he has worked on in 13 years that didn’t involve a crunch to meet the release date. Crunch has quite rightly been a major talking point in the gaming industry over the last few years as fans urge studios to protect the mental and physical well-being of developers making their games. Naughty Dog was among many studios accused of promoting an unhealthy culture of overworking, especially in the lead-up to the launch of The Last of Us Part 2. Thankfully, it appears the studio has learned its lesson, and The Last of Us Part 1 has been made from start to finish without overworking devs to meet a deadline. The Last of Us Part 1 was made without crunch according to dev Responding to the news that The Last of Us Part 1 had gone gold, meaning the game is mostly done and ready to be shipped, Anthony Vaccaro, Principal Environment Artist at Naughty Dog, explained that this is the first game he has worked on that didn’t involve crunch. “This is the first time in my 13-year career, across multiple studios, that I didn’t need to crunch to finish a game. Feels good, really good,” he tweeted. “Especially hitting the same quality bar as TLOU2. More work to keep doing but proud of the big changes so far to make the studio healthier.” Despite registering huge sales figures and being critically acclaimed, the success of The Last of Us Part 2 was overshadowed slightly by reports of intense crunch. As the sequel neared its May 2020, Naughty Dog developers reportedly found themselves working long, tiring hours including weekends. In a 2021 interview with Game Informer, Naughty Dog Co-President Neil Druckman said the studio was committed to a change but admitted it wouldn’t be easy. “We find that there is no one solution that fits everybody. Everybody has a unique situation we might need to address.” There’s no doubt that the smaller overall scale of this latest project will have helped the studio stay crunch-free, but it’s still great to see Naughty Dog putting the health of its employees first. The Last of Us Part 1 is set to release on September 2, 2022.
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The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered: All Gambits in No Return – Dexerto
The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered: All Gambits in No Return Naughty DogGambits in The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered’s No Return mode enhance the gameplay by introducing new challenges for players to overcome. Here’s all of them. Gambits in The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered’s No Return mode introduce randomized scenarios in each encounter, emphasizing combat and stealth as primary progression methods. These challenges vary in difficulty and act as a crucial element that can either make or break a run in the game. Successfully completing Gambits rewards players with valuable resources such as currency, ammo, and health, enhancing their chances of survival in subsequent trials. Here are all Gambits in The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, and how to unlock them. Unlocking all Gambits in The Last Of Us Part 2 Remastered No Return The progression of Gambits in No Return follows a tiered system, each tier offering more challenging scenarios and greater rewards. Here’s a breakdown of the Gambit tiers and their associated challenges: Gambit Tier 1 (Unlocked after completing 1 Gambit) Headshot a grabbed enemy – Dodge melee attacks 3 times – Grab and kill 2 enemies in stealth – Get 3 kills in rapid succession – Kill the highlighted enemy first – Gambit Tier 2 (Unlocked after completing 3 Gambits) Kill the highlighted Brute using only melee attacks – Kill an enemy wave without taking any damage – Kill an enemy while holding another hostage – Get 3 kills from prone – Feed a grabbed enemy to a clicker – Gambit Tier 3 (Unlocked after completing 6 Gambits) Kill enemies with 3 different weapons – Stun an enemy with a stun bomb – Dodge melee attacks 5 times – Deposit items for a Dead Drop – Hit 2 enemies with the same Molotov – Gambit Tier 4 (Unlocked after completing 9 Gambits) Unchain 2 clickers – Stun 2 enemies with stun bombs – Melee kill 2 enemies – Get 3 headshot kills – Stun 3 enemies by shooting below their knees – Gambit Tier 5 (Unlocked after completing 12 Gambits) Get a kill with an upgraded melee weapon – Kill the 2 highlighted enemies first – Get 3 kills with explosive arrows – Get 3 kills using a silencer – Gambit Tier 6 (Unlocked after completing 15 Gambits) Kill an enemy from inside the smoke – Get 2 headshots while holding breath – Set 2 enemies on fire using incendiary shells – Get successive melee kills with Momentum – The Last of Us Season 2 info | The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered Trophies | How long to beat The Last of Us Part 2 | All characters in No Return | All bosses in No Return | All mods in No Return | Best weapons to upgrade first
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The Last of Us Part 2 is Naughty Dog’s ‘most ambitious’ game to date – Dexerto
The Last of Us Part 2 is Naughty Dog’s ‘most ambitious’ game to date Naughty DogIn an interview on July 29, Troy Baker, the voice actor for Joel in the The Last of Us Part 2, said the game will be Naughty Dog‘s ‘most ambitious’ title they have ever made, along with some other interesting tidbits. The Last of Us is one of the most lauded and awarded games on PlayStation, and its sequel is without a doubt one of the highest anticipated games of 2020. While Sony and Naughty Dog have kept things close to the vest, the voice actor for Joel, Troy Baker, sat down with Push Square at Manchester Comic-Con, and gave a little insight into what to expect from the title. Naughty Dog’s ‘most ambitious’ game ever made While the voice actor was not allowed to say much, he revealed that the game was “far larger than I thought was going to be possible.” With the Last of Us already being pretty massive, it makes us wonder if the game will be less linear and more open. Read More: How to watch Evo 2019 – Baker then went on to claim that “it’s hands down the most ambitious game that Naughty Dog has ever done for sure”. Considering the Uncharted series are some of the biggest games ever to land on PS4, it is pretty revealing of the size and scope of the game. On June 5, Ellie’s voice actor Ashley Johnson did an interview with YouTube channel ‘Critical Role’ where she accidentally let slip a possible release date, before catching herself. Troy Baker commented on the moment saying: “People just took it out of context”. Jokingly he then said “I’m sure she got a call from Sony saying, ‘Shut up!’” Neither of them know the release date If you are tired of not knowing when the game will come out, you are not alone, as apparently the voice actors have not been told the release date yet either. Read More: Krunker release 1.4.7 patch notes – “We are still cranking on it, I can tell you that much. Where it’s at in development, I have no idea. Everybody feels like it’s broken until it’s shipping, and then when it’s shipping they’re like, ‘We shipped a broken game!’ And that’s the gig of making a game.” Baker laughed. While we are still largely in the dark about what to expect from The Last of Us Part 2, the fact that it’s much bigger than previous game, and said to be Naughty Dog’s most ambitious game ever made gives players many reasons to be excited. Naughty Dog had previously moved away from the linear design in their Uncharted series, with Uncharted 4 having open world sections, so it’s possible that TLOU2 could go that way.
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Canceled Last of Us Factions standalone game: Multiplayer details, concept art, more – Dexerto
Canceled Last of Us Factions standalone game: Multiplayer details, concept art, more Naughty DogWhat began as a simpler evolution of Factions set to launch alongside The Last of Us Part 2 soon grew into what was intended to be Naughty Dog’s first standalone multiplayer experience. However, after years in development, the project was canceled before we even so much as saw it in action. Though if you’re curious how it may have played, we’ve got the full rundown on everything there is to know. While traditionally viewed as a powerhouse studio in the realm of story-driven, single-player titles, Naughty Dog briefly had its sights set on conquering the live-service multiplayer realm as well. The studio’s first standalone multiplayer title was in the works for roughly six years, aiming to provide an ongoing Last of Us experience. Having grown in ambition over the past few years, The Last of Us Part 2’s online component blossomed into a full-fledged title of its own. At least, that was the case until the game was ultimately canceled at the tail end of 2023. And while details remained under wraps through much of its development, we did get some breadcrumbs along the way. So here’s a full rundown on everything we learned bout The Last of Us Factions, Naughty Dog’s online project. Contents Did The Last of Us multiplayer game have a release date? – Why was The Last of Us multiplayer game canceled? – What Platforms was The Last of Us Factions multiplayer game set to be on? – The Last of Us standalone multiplayer gameplay details – The Last of Us multiplayer game setting & storyline – Did The Last of Us multiplayer game ever have a release date? No, The Last of Us Factions multiplayer experience never locked in a solid release date or even a rough release window. The project’s targeted launch remained nebulous right up until its cancellation. All we knew for sure was that the project has been in full-scale development since at least 2020, with pre-production ongoing for years before that, as Neil Druckmann explained during the Summer Game Fest 2022. Although Naughty Dog wasn’t “quite ready to unveil it” during this 2022 appearance, Druckmann assured that fans the wait for more details won’t be too long. “You’re gonna see a lot more of this game next year.” Unfortunately, however, a new update followed in May 2023, revealing Factions wouldn’t be shown anytime soon. “What is best for the game is to give it more time,” Naughty Dog’s official statement read at the time. On the very same day, Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier reported that the Factions team has been “scaled down” as the team “reassesses” the project. Later, reports from Kotaku suggested the project had been put “on ice” as a whole. Why was The Last of Us Factions multiplayer game canceled? Naughty Dog confirmed its multiplayer Last of Us project was officially scrapped on December 14, 2023. The decision ultimately boiled down the studio’s priorities on the whole, as the project grew so ambitious it would have allegedly forced them away from single-player games in the long run. “To release and support The Last of Us Online we’d have to put all our studio resources behind supporting post-launch content for years to come, severely impacting development on future single-player games. “So, we had two paths in front of us: become a solely live service games studio or continue to focus on single-player narrative games that have defined Naughty Dog’s heritage.” Moving forward, the dev team is set to continue work on multiple “brand new” singleplayer releases. What Platforms was The Last of Us Factions Multiplayer game supposed to be on? Despite being in the public eye for many years, no platform details were ever confirmed for The Last of Us Factions. While it would have been safe to assume a release across PlayStation hardware would have come first, there’s no telling if a simultaneous PC launch may have been in the cards too, as to attract as many gamers as possible. With its cancellation, there’s no telling if the multiplayer project was built from the ground up for the new-gen PS5, or whether it was designed to still support players on the last-gen PS4. The Last of Us Factions multiplayer game: Multiplayer details When The Last of Us first launched in 2013, it did so with an accompanying multiplayer mode known as Factions. The online experience kept the brutal realism intact, giving players limited health, equipment, and just a few rounds of ammo. It even incorporated a unique meta-game in the menus where wins, losses, and overall performance saw your own group of survivors either growing or dwindling. As The Last of Us Part 2 drew near, it was confirmed that “an evolution” of Factions would be arriving alongside the next chapter of the story. However, Naughty Dog pivoted in 2019, announcing that the multiplayer component had taken on a life of its own and required further development than originally planned. “The vision of the team grew beyond an additional mode that could be included with our enormous single-player campaign,” the statement read. An update regarding multiplayer: pic.twitter.com/CUd98LgJGC — Naughty Dog (@Naughty_Dog) September 27, 2019 Outside of a simple: “we’re working on it” update in 2021 blog post, the multiplayer experience was mostly off the radar until Neil Druckmann took to the Summer Game Fest stage in 2022. Providing some insight into the game’s development, the Naughty Dog Co-President confirmed that it would be launching as a standalone title. “What started out as a multiplayer mode, has evolved due to the team’s ambition,” he said. “They really wanted to do something beyond what we’ve ever done at Naughty Dog. This game is big. It’s as big as any of our single-player games that we’ve done and in some ways bigger.” Exactly what this was meant to look like, still remains unclear. Though details shared in Naughty Dog’s first blog post of 2023 provided some further insight. First up, we were told to expect a deeper multiplayer experience than usual, as devs were still focusing on prioritizing new “stories [and] characters” through the Factions release. Exactly how these stories would have been told is unclear, but perhaps a seasonal approach with ongoing narratives unfolding over time, akin to the likes of Apex Legends and Fortnite, was the most likely bet. Beyond the loose details, we also got two pieces of concept art for the ambitious project. The first piece of artwork showcased a wide-open space in San Francisco, seemingly being swept up in some form of catastrophic wave, perhaps one directly linked to the fungal outbreak. Zooming into the piece, we can see a form of infected making its way through the hazardous zone, potentially indicating what type of game we might see. A third-person Battle Royale could be a likely guess based on this concept art, where survivors must avoid the encroaching wave of runners, clickers, and the like. Given existing gameplay systems, along with a reliance on scavenging and crafting, The Last of Us could have been a natural fit for the genre. The second piece of concept art showed an enormous cruise ship succumbing to decay while two characters approach on foot through a street seemingly torn apart by military-grade explosions, the like of which we heard about in the first game. Of note in the final piece of art, the two characters both carry specific equipment. Backpacks appear to be essential, as players were likely to loot their surroundings and scavenge materials throughout a match. Meanwhile, both are carrying weapons as you might expect and one is even wearing an armored helmet, potentially a rare upgrade. The Last of Us Factions multiplayer game: Setting & Storyline One thing we did know for certain is that this standalone Last of Us multiplayer title was set to feature an entirely new story. Fit with a “brand new cast of characters,” Druckmann confirmed the news during his Summer Game Fest appearance. Distanced from the single-player narrative both figuratively and literally, the new experience was designed to take place in San Francisco. Exactly how this story was meant to be told never quite became clear. Though as a live-service game, there’s a chance the narrative unfolds over the course of many seasonal updates post-launch. For now, the stories crafted for this experience will remain on the shelf. Perhaps we’ll one day learn what Naughty Dog had in store, though there’s every chance the troubled Factions development story remains a mystery in the long run.
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The Last Of Us 2 leak hints at multiplayer game ‘more ambitious’ than Factions mode – Dexerto
The Last Of Us 2 leak hints at multiplayer game ‘more ambitious’ than Factions mode Naughty DogFactions multiplayer was supposed to be the online extension to Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us 2. An industry insider has revealed why it’s taking longer than anticipated, with the scope of the project differing from the original vision. The Last of Us Part 2 was a mammoth adventure that carried on the survival story of Joel and Ellie and was a giant title in terms of its story, accolades, and the franchise’s legacy. As well as its substantial main campaign, the game was also supposed to be receiving Factions multiplayer later on. Factions was a concept first seen in the original The Last of Us and saw players taking sides with either the Hunters or Fireflies. Players would then need to keep their group of survivors alive through 84 matches by completing objectives and performing well enough in online multiplayer games. We are now two years removed from the release of The Last of Us Part 2 and the Factions add-on is nowhere to be seen. However, even with a The Last of Us remake in development, new information suggests that this is no accident. Jeff Grubb is a renowned leaker of video game information with many purported sources. During one of his recent podcasts, the topic of The Last of Us Part 2’s Factions multiplayer came up and Jeff divulged his thoughts on the subject. “I think that no game called “Factions” will ever come out. But not in a bad way, they [Naughty Dog] probably just decided they could do more. That’s the stuff I was able to source in multiple places and that I would feel ok in saying. Everything else was kinda on lock, it seems pretty well known in some circles that they are moving beyond their original smaller ambitions to something more and that’s as much as I can possibly say.” Jeff also feels that the magnitude of the game could be so large that Factions could become a full live service title. This probably wouldn’t be much of a surprise if this turned out to be the case as Naughty Dog are known for expanding upon original games and going the extra mile to make a follow-up bigger and better. Factions was revered for having such a different approach to online multiplayer and turning it into a fully-fledged mode standalone be the perfect recipe. As usual, take this leak with a pinch of salt, but with how much longer the potential component is taking to release, it’s a good assumption that the mode is becoming greater than initially envisaged.
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The Joker confirmed as Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League’s first DLC character – Dexerto
The Joker confirmed as Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League’s first DLC character Rocksteady StudiosThe latest Insider Episode for the upcoming Suicide Squad game reveals The Joker will be the game’s first DLC character. Rocksteady Studios’ first title post the culmination of the Arkham series has faced quite an uphill battle. The game’s focus on live service has been blasted by many, not to mention story leaks have fractured the fanbase even more. Previous leaks pointed to new playable villains joining the Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League post the game’s conclusion, although how they would appear was yet to be revealed. Those questions have now been answered as Season 1 sees The Joker join the cast, at least, his Elseworlds version. The Joker is the first DLC character for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League The Insider Episodes have been Rocksteady’s method of showing more footage and gameplay details to fans. The previous trailers have shown new characters, story beats, and elemental statuses are all core features in this game. Episode three confirms the rumors of post-launch characters, with The Joker being the first to join. The video goes on to explain this version of the villain is his “Elseworld” persona, who’s still coming into his own. The announcement begins at 7:59 mark. In Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, Elseworld characters are a part of Brainiac’s scheme, where he aims to create new worlds in alternate realities. This narrative element will tie into future seasons, as new characters will also join via this method, letting Rocksteady build up a portfolio of characters. Along with the Joker reveal, Warner Bros. shared a roadmap for the upcoming title. March 2024 kicks off the first season of content, headlined by the Joker. A new playable environment, new weapons, and many more DC-themed goodies join the title. There’s also a sneak peek at seasons two through four, each themed after a different villain. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League launches on February 2, 2024. That said, if you preorder the deluxe edition, you get to play three days before the official launch date.
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The Indiana Jones game look great but there’s one big problem – Dexerto
The Indiana Jones game look great but there’s one big problem BethesdaThe first trailer for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is out, and while the main character looks like Harrison Ford and moves like Harrison Ford, he certainly doesn’t sound like Harrison Ford. It hasn’t been long since we last joined Indiana Jones on a thrilling adventure, with the fifth installment of the film franchise, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, hitting theaters in June 2023. Still, even after just six short months, we were delighted to see that first shot of Harrison Ford’s charming face. What followed a shot of Indy’s iconic smirk, however, was not the husky vocal performance of Harrison Ford but the sound of voice-acting veteran Troy Baker, and it felt a little off. Now, Troy Baker is not a bad voice actor by any means. The man has more than 400 credits to his name on IMDb and is behind some of the most prolific characters in gaming – from Joel from The Last of Us and Booker DeWitt in BioShock Infinite. Yet, during the trailer, it felt odd to hear Baker’s questionable Harrison Ford impression coming out of a digital duplicate of Indy. I’ve got a bad feeling about this Celebrities not going on to voice the video game counterparts of their characters is nothing new, however. Tom Hanks, who provided the voice of Woody in Pixar’s Toy Story films, has never voiced the character outside of the movies. Instead, his brother and fellow actor, Jim Hanks, voices the cowboy in any game appearance. So when you played through Kingdom Hearts 3 and Woody was standing up to Xehanort on your behalf, that was all Jim Hank’s doing. While Jim Hanks does an incredible job replicating the tonality and phrasing of his brother, the same can’t be said for Troy Baker. In the Indiana Jones and the Great Circle trailer, there are moments where you can almost fool yourself into believing it’s Ford speaking, but it’s incredibly hard to unhear Troy Baker’s highly recognizable voice once you’re aware it’s him doing the role. Reddit users shared similar sentiments. Within a thread on r/Indian Jones, one user commented that Troy Baker is “too prevalent to be doing an impression role where he needs to sound like someone else, never mind sounding like someone as iconic as Harrison Ford”. In contrast, another commented, “I do not like the voice at all.” Baker is, of course, not at fault here. The man clearly has the acting chops to take on any role that gets thrown at him, and if any of us were to be given the opportunity to become one of the most beloved characters in film history for a brand-new video game adaption, no one in their right mind would turn that down. It’s also highly likely that Bethesda didn’t have the budget to cast Ford in the role and that his triumphant sendoff in Dial of Destiny was how he wanted to leave the character. It’s also not the first instance that the role of Indiana Jones has been voiced by someone other than Ford. The snarky adventurer has been featured in over 20 games and even more recently as a Fortnite skin, hat and all. Actor Doug Lee took up the reins of voicing Indy in Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine (1999), with John Armstrong more recently taking on the role for Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings (2009.) Multiple actors have taken up the mantle, but with the hyper-realistic likeness found in the upcoming Bethesda game, it feels redundant to cast any actor besides Ford himself. Creating a more stylized version of Indiana Jones, including majorly altering the appearance and setting up the Great Circle to be a new iteration of the character, would have better served Bethesda’s upcoming game. With this being the first official reveal of Indiana Jones and Great Circle, we can’t judge an entire performance on what is only a few minutes of dialogue. The full game is set to release on Xbox X/S consoles and PC sometime in 2024, where Baker’s version of Ford’s legendary role will be out for all to experience. Still, with Bethesda choosing to make its Indy look so much like Harrison Ford, it may be hard for fans to accept the legendary actor is nowhere to be heard.
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The Great War: Western Front – Release window, trailer, platforms, more – Dexerto
The Great War: Western Front – Release window, trailer, platforms, more Petroglyph GamesThe Great War: Western Front is an upcoming real-time tactical game with strategy and war at is forefront but historical realism sewn into its background. Here’s everything we know about the upcoming title. The Great War: Western Front is the latest title to be announced by Frontier Foundry, creators of Deliver us Mars, Planet Coaster, and many more memorable titles. It boasts a truly historical experience where you both have to think and act like a World War One commander while trying to win the war and save the lives of the troops under your command. We’ve compiled everything you need to know about The Great War: Western Front as well as when it will be released and what you can play it on. Contents Does The Great War: Western Front have a release date? Currently, The Great War: Western Front does not have a solidified release date. However, it does have a release window, albeit a large one. On the titles Steam page, it states the game will be coming out in 2023. When a solidified release date is announced we will be updating this page so be sure to check back soon. The Great War: Western Front trailers There have been two different trailers for The Great War: Western Front. One consists of its initial reveal trailer while the other strives to proved a deeper dive into the title’s gameplay. You can watch both of the trailers below. The Great War: Western Front gameplay The Great War: Western Front is essentially a real-time tactical game where you take charge of the famous Western Front during the First World War, shaping history as you battle to keep your troops alive and achieve the ultimate goal of winning the Great War. You must pick a faction and lead them to victory by planning every move carefully, creating trenches, researching technology, and making some challenging choices along the way. All of this is embedded in a turn-based strategy style filled with historical authenticity, replayability, and a considerable amount of technique. The Great War: Western Front platforms The Great War: Western Front will only be available for PC. There is no sign of the game releasing for console in the future. It will be available to purchase on Steam or the Epic Games site depending on your game distribution service of choice That’s all we know about the upcoming game. When more information is revealed about this real-time tactical experience we will be updating this article so be sure to check back soon. In the meantime, take a look at some of these other upcoming titles: The Elder Scrolls 6 | GTA 6 | Assassin’s Creed Infinity | Wolverine | Spider-Man 2 | Forspoken | KOTR Remake | Wonder Woman | DokeV | FFXVI | Avatar Frontiers of Pandora | Sonic Frontiers | Dragon Age 4 | Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild sequel | The Witcher 3 next-gen patch
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The Gaming Community React to BBC Suggesting 20 Hours A Week is an Addiction – Dexerto
The Gaming Community React to BBC Suggesting 20 Hours A Week is an Addiction Following the news that the World Health Organization (WHO) have officially classified ‘gaming disorder’ as a mental illness, the BBC made the rather odd suggestion that 20 hours a week qualified as an ‘addiction’. It should be noted, that this is not a figure that comes from the WHO’s report and classification of gaming disorder, rather the WHO does not specify a certain amount of time required to be diagnosed. Gaming Disorder, as recognized by the WHO, should be present over a 12 month period and when an individual plays video games to the extent that it significantly impairs “personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning.” The BBC covered the news by putting together a short video in which they speak to a group of young gamers, who explain they play roughly 20 hours a week. The school aged boys from Scotland explain that they play a variety of games, including Fortnite, FIFA and Minecraft, for over 20 hours a week, saying that it is an escape for a few hours each day after school. The report also shows the group playing together and being social, which is a key component to many of these games, notably Fortnite. However, there is no mention that these boys are failing in school, their personal health is lacking or that they are ‘prioritising gaming over other interests’, as the WHO specifies as the requirements for gaming disorder. Games and Esports journalist and former host Richard Lewis said of the BBC’s report: “It just shows kids playing and saying ‘yeh, I like games, it’s escapism’. Then it just says at the end ‘you can have too much of a good thing though’ – yes, we all know that. Many responed to the report on Twitter, explaining that the BBC idea of addiction was badly skewed. Addictive behaviour certainly deserves attention – but you can’t define it simply by time-spent in the activity. I spend ~20 hours a week reading – does that make me an addict? The average person spends more than 20 hours a week watching TV – are they addicts too?— Andrew James Carter (@Carter_AndrewJ) June 18, 2018 Ofcom reported in 2017 that on average people in the UK watched 4 hours of TV a day, 28 hours a week! Average usage of social media in 2017 was 16 hours per week. This is not a bad statistic for games, what is bad is parents not giving a damn about what their kids do!!!! — Paulout (@Paulout) June 18, 2018 I spent over 20 hours per week gaming all through my childhood and university (maybe less in final year)… Many of my friends did too. Come on @BBC you can sense check this stuff in a much better way! — James Dean (@j1mco) June 18, 2018 Looking at the official classification from the WHO, Lewis reiterates that it is a ‘disorder’ and in no way linked to ‘addiction’, despite the BBC’s use of the latter term. “We’ve all known gamers like that. Who stay up, play too much, don’t look after themselves, they’re willing to throw away friendships over video games. But the vast majority of gamers, ones that play for much longer than 20 hours a week, are very well balanced, responsible adults, that choose to do this as their passion. It’s their mode of escapism, they don’t want to read a book, they don’t want to watch TV, they don’t want to go the movies – they want to play video games. And what’s the problem? What is reassuring about what the WHO has said, is that unless you’ve got all this shit going on, gaming’s fine, and deliberately strayed away from using the word addiction.” You can watch Lewis’ full video below, in which he goes in to much more detail about the WHO’s classification, and BBC’s what he calls, misrepresentation of it.
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The Game Awards faces backlash for Dave the Diver indie nomination – Dexerto
The Game Awards faces backlash for Dave the Diver indie nomination MINTROCKETThe Game Awards nominations have been revealed, and fans are taking issue with Dave the Diver’s nomination for Independent Game of the Year. With 2023 drawing to a close, it’s now time for the most exciting and divisive part of the year – the battle for Game of the Year. This year’s nominees have been named, and to little surprise, it’ll be an epic battle. Despite a few stinkers, 2023 was full of an incredible slate of titles such as Alan Wake II, Spider-Man 2, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. However, not everyone is happy with the nominations, notably with the surprise nomination of Dave the Diver for Best Independent Game. Dave the Diver’s nomination sparks heated debate The Game Awards host and video game industry veteran Geoff Keighley announced this year’s nominees in a special live stream. Dave the Diver, along with four other titles, will battle for Independent Game of the Year at the year-end event. Typically, an indie game is a title made without funding from a big publisher and created by a smaller team. Given this lack of support, the team is free to create something they want to make, although they may face financial struggles during development. Mintrocket is the team behind Dave the Diver, and while a smaller group of developers, it is a subsidiary of Nexon – a billion-dollar corporation. Many argued the game’s inclusion highlights a well-known issue with the category, as the definition of what makes an indie game is no longer clear. Fans pointed out the title’s inclusion felt extremely out of place because of the dynamic that brought it to life. But Dave The Diver isn’t independent?? That studio is owned by another?! How does that make sense — PapaTeePlays 💜 🎮 (@papateeplays) November 13, 2023 Dave the diver IS NOT AN INDIE GAME WTF XD — D4RKSH4D3 (@TheDesTaylor) November 13, 2023 That spot should’ve been like Amnesia: The Bunker, Rush Cyberpunk, Chained Echos or maybe something MADE BY AN INDIE COMPANY??? This is a very bad look for the brand, I can’t lie Of course, none of the discourse is meant to take away from the title, as many replies argued the title is very well done. Yet its inclusion points to a bigger issue of uncertainty in the ever-changing gaming space. We’ll see how the battle unfolds when The Game Awards goes live on December 7.
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The Game Awards 2022 stage stormer arrested after bizarre “Bill Clinton” interruption – Dexerto
The Game Awards 2022 stage stormer arrested after bizarre “Bill Clinton” interruption The Game AwardsThe Game Awards 2022 went off mostly without a hitch — until the Game of the Year award presentation. After Elden Ring’s developers gave a speech, a stage stormer stepped up to the mic with a bizarre “Bill Clinton” spiel and was promptly arrested. The Game Awards are the night of nights for the gaming industry, celebrating the best releases of the year. However, 2022’s celebrations were cut short for FromSoftware, the developers of Elden Ring. After they walked up on stage to accept their award and give a speech about the challenges they went through creating the game, someone snuck up and stepped up to the mic. “I would like to dedicate this award to my reformed Orthodox Rabbi, Bill Clinton, thank you, everybody,” the person said, before getting escorted off stage by security. People have stated this is an anti-Semitic statement. The moment had the crowd stunned, and sent Twitter into a frenzy. Bill Clinton quickly trended on the platform as people made memes about the bizarre interaction. Early fingers were pointed at one streamer: Wantep. Known for his stream-sniping antics previously, it wouldn’t be beyond the keel for him to do it on gaming’s biggest stage. Some even drew parallels to their striking resemblance. However Wantep did tweet about the incident live saying “we do a lil trolling,” so it’s unlikely. Another person claimed to have been texting the person behind it, saying they hatched a plan days out to sneak onto the stage and grab the mic. Their name wasn’t revealed. Whoever it was, The Game Awards showrunner Geoff Keighley revealed they were arrested shortly after the saga: “The individual who interrupted our Game of the Year moment has been arrested.” It’s a sour note on a celebratory night for the gaming industry, but it’ll be talked about for years to come given all the Bill Clinton memes and discourse in the short period after.
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The Game Awards 2022 announces show dates and live location – Dexerto
The Game Awards 2022 announces show dates and live location The Game AwardsThe Game Awards 2022 showcase will return live in December, giving gamers around the world a chance to celebrate their favorite titles and potentially get news on upcoming games. The end of the year is full of exciting live streams for gaming fans and developers alike. As 2022 comes to an end, fans will be able to watch an assortment of awards shows highlighting the best titles of the year, and potentially get a peek at upcoming projects. This year, The Game Awards will have plenty of exciting games to consider for nominations, including Elden Ring, Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Stray, and many other popular titles. Additionally, the awards show will go live just after upcoming major releases like Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, Splatoon 3, and the long-awaited Skull & Bones. Thankfully, those eager to plan around The Game Awards 2022 can now mark their calendars, as the dates and live location have finally been revealed. When is The Game Awards 2022? The Game Awards 2022 will be taking place on December 8, 2022, in Los Angeles California. Currently, there are few details on what those attending will expect to see, but according to a Twitter post shared by summergamefest, the event will be taking place in the Microsoft Theater in LA. While the awards themselves are exciting, many fans tune into The Game Awards for world premiers and special updates on in-development projects. Currently, many gamers are eagerly awaiting information on the upcoming Dragon Age and Mass Effect projects, while others may be hopeful for reveals from favorite companies. It will be several more months before the nominations for 2022 become available, but there is plenty to look forward to and plan for as the cooler months get underway. Hopefully, more information will be made available soon for those interested in tuning in.
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The Game Awards 2022 breaks viewership records – Dexerto
The Game Awards 2022 breaks viewership records Twitch: thegameawardsThe Game Awards 2022 edition set a new record for Twitch viewership for the annual event, With this year’s show peaking at more than 3.4 million views. With 2.8 million average viewers from across the world, almost 11 million commutative hours watched, and 3.4 million peak views, this live stream is going to be tough to beat. Spearheaded by Geoff Keighley, The Game Awards have been gaining traction with each installment. During last year’s 2021 edition they garnered 3.3 million unique viewers, according to the Game Award’s own website. Stream date site Esports Charts confirmed that this year’s event peaked at 3.42 million concurrent viewers. At worst, this is 100,000 more viewers during peak time for the 2022 show. But The Game Awards’ official numbers when published, could show even more impressive metrics than last year’s live stream. Geoff Keighley’s dreams of The Game Awards being put on the same pedestal as Grammys, Oscars, or Emmys are coming closer to fruition year after year. In the past, however, The Game Awards were mocked for excess advertising, or even overshadowed by the Streamer Awards – a show with a much smaller budget that some argued handled certain aspects with more grace. The 2022 event did not totally smoothly, however, as an unknown individual stormed the stage during the Game of the Year presentation, making a bizarre comment about Bill Clinton. For now, we can simply sit down, enjoy our favorite clips and trailers, and wait for the next iteration of the show. Hopefully, it will be even more grandiose than this year, with growing prestige each year.
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The Game Awards 2021: All winners & game reveals – Dexerto
The Game Awards 2021: All winners & game reveals The Game AwardsThe Game Awards 2021 recognizes high-achievers across gaming and esports, including Game of the Year. There’s also plenty of reveals and teasers for upcoming releases on the night. We’ve got a list of all the nominees and winners right here. The Game Awards is the industry’s night of nights, celebrating the best in gaming and getting excited about what’s to come. All eyes are on the coveted Game of the Year title, but 30 awards will be handed out on the night. Not only that, but players will get a taste of plenty of upcoming games, with plenty of premieres and reveals expected. We’ve got everything you need to know about The Game Awards 2021 right here, including all the award winners, and the game reveals during December 9’s show. Game reveals at The Game Awards 2021 According to Geoff Keighley before the show, 40 to 50 games were set to feature in “someway or another” at The Game Awards 2021. The 3.5-hour award show certainly delivered on that promise with dozens of new trailers. “Especially this year, there’ll be a lot of content for 2022 and 2023 that will be showing us our kind of biggest lineup yet of world premieres and announcements,” he said in an interview published by Epic Games. Alan Wake 2 has been revealed at #TheGameAwards, 10 years after the game’s original release pic.twitter.com/XV4zQnFAMb — Dexerto (@Dexerto) December 10, 2021 “What we really learned last year was at the end of the day, it really is the games and the trailers that drive the show.” Destiny 2’s Witch Queen expansion made an appearance, as will Dying Light 2 and Lost Ark. New game announcements, including ARC Raiders, Star Wars Eclipse, Alan Wake 2, and more were also shown off. And finally, to end the show, a new Elden Ring trailer — as well as a new Matrix game — were both shown off. A new @Quantic_Dream game announced at #TheGameAwards: Star Wars Eclipse pic.twitter.com/dJwKyG1FVP — Dexerto (@Dexerto) December 10, 2021 The Game Awards 2021: Nominees and winners Game of the Year Winner: It Takes Two – Deathloop – Metroid Dread – Psychonauts 2 – Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart – Resident Evil Village – Most Anticipated Game Congratulations to @leagueoflegends, It Takes Two from @hazelightgames, #GuiltyGearStrive by @arcsystemworksu, @ageofempires IV from @relicgames, Resident Evil 4 VR from @oculusgaming, and @eldenring from @fromsoftware_pr on their wins! #TheGameAwards! pic.twitter.com/JTtpH1PIzQ — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 10, 2021 Winner: Elden Ring – God of War Ragnarok – Horizon Forbidden West – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild sequel – Starfield – Best VR / AR Game Winner: Resident Evil 4 – Hitman 3 – I Expect You to Die 2 – Lone Echo II – Sniper Elite VR – Best Fighting Game Winner: Guilty Gear Strive – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — The Hinokami Chronicles – Melty Blood: Type Lumina – Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl – Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown – Best Family Game Winner: It Takes Two – Mario Party Superstars – New Pokemon Snap – Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury – WarioWare: Get It Together! – Best Sim / Strategy Game Winner: Age of Empires IV – Evil Genius 2: World Domination – Humankind – Inscryption – Microsoft Flight Simulator – Best Esports Game Winner: League of Legends – Call of Duty – Counter-Strike: Global Offensive – Dota 2 – Valorant – Best Game Direction Another win for @deathloop, this time for Best Game Direction! Congratulations to the @Bethesda + @arkanestudios teams! #TheGameAwards pic.twitter.com/MClLFJrlRM — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 10, 2021 Winner: Deathloop – It Takes Two – Psychonauts – Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart – Returnal – Innovation in Accessibility With their second game award of the night, the award for Innovation in Accessibility presented by @chevrolet goes to @forzahorizon 5! #TheGameAwards pic.twitter.com/Q1VilFIGGx — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 10, 2021 Winner: Forza Horizon 5 – Far Cry 6 – Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy – Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart – The Vale: Shadow of the Crown – Best Sports / Racing Game Winner: Forza Horizon 5 – F1 2021 – FIFA 22 – Hot Wheels Unleashed – Riders Republic – Best Ongoing Game https://twitter.com/thegameawards/status/1469142763325181952 Winner: Final Fantasy XIV Online – Apex Legends – Call of Duty: Warzone – Fortnite – Genshin Impact – Best Community Support Winner: Final Fantasy XIV Online – Apex Legends – Destiny 2: Beyond Light – Fortnite – No Man’s Sky – Best Action / Adventure Game Metroid Dread from @NintendoAmerica + @MercurySteam wins Best Action/Adventure Game! #TheGameAwards pic.twitter.com/yoHQENnCx0 — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 10, 2021 Winner: Metroid Dread – Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy – Psychonauts 2 – Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart – Resident Evil Village – Best Narrative Wow! @gotgthegame from @marvelgames + @EidosMontreal takes home the Best Narrative Award! #TheGameAwards pic.twitter.com/lL3hmB39Gk — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 10, 2021 Winner: Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy – Deathloop – It Takes Two – Life Is Strange: True Colors – Psychonauts 2 – Best Mobile Game 🏆 Congratulations to @genshinimpact for winning Best Mobile Game presented by @verizon 🏆 #TheGameAwards pic.twitter.com/78UnyjB8Jj — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 10, 2021 Winner: Genshin Impact – Fantasian – League of Legends: Wild Rift – Marvel Future Revolution – Pokemon Unite – Content Creator of the Year https://twitter.com/thegameawards/status/1469130407073366018 Winner: Dream – Leslie ‘Fuslie’ Fu – Alexandre ‘Gaules’ Borba – Ibai Llanos – David ‘TheGrefg’ Canovas – Best Multiplayer Game Winner: It Takes Two – Back 4 Blood – Knockout City – Monster Hunter Rise – New World – Valheim – Best Role Playing Game Winner: Tales of Arise – Cyberpunk 2077 – Monster Hunter Rise – Scarlet Nexus – Shin Megami Tensei V – Best Score and Music Winner: Nier Replicant ver 1.22474487139 — Keiichi Okabe – Cyberpunk 2077 — Marcin Przybylowicz and Piotr Adamcyzk – Deathloop — Tom Salta – Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy — Richard Jacques – The Artful Escape — Johnny Galvatron and Josh Abrahams – Players’ Voice Award Halo Infinite wins Players’ Voice Award at #TheGameAwards pic.twitter.com/uGy3hRTuW1 — Halo News & Updates (@DexertoSpartans) December 10, 2021 Winner: Halo Infinite – Forza Horizon 5 – It Takes Two – Metroid Dread – Resident Evil Village – Best Art Direction Congratulations to @Deathloop from @arkanestudios + @bethesdastudios for their Best Art Direction win tonight! #TheGameAwards pic.twitter.com/tCMhp6TFnU — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 10, 2021 Winner: Deathloop – Kena: Bridge of Spirits – Psychonauts 2 – Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart – The Artful Escape – Best Action Game Returnal from @housemarque wins Best Action Game!! 👏 #TheGameAwards pic.twitter.com/B6gwYWiYTY — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 10, 2021 Winner: Returnal – Back 4 Blood – Chivalry II – Deathloop – Far Cry 6 – Best Performance https://twitter.com/thegameawards/status/1469117918243803137 Winner: Maggie Robertson — Lady Dimitrescu in Resident Evil Village – Erika Mori — Alex Chen in Life Is Strange: True Colors – Giancarlo Esposito — Anton Castillo in Far Cry 6 – Jason Kelley — Colt Vahn in Deathloop – Ozioama Akagha — Juliana Blake in Deathloop – Best Indie Game Kena: Bridge of Spirits from @emberlab wins Best Independent Game! Congratulations! #TheGameAwards pic.twitter.com/jD5KCNWQax — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 10, 2021 Winner: Kena: Bridge of Spirits – 12 Minutes – Death’s Door – Inscryption – Loop Hero – Best Debut Game Winner: Kena: Bridge of Spirits – Sable – The Artful Escape – The Forgotten City – Valheim – Best Audio Design Vroom Vroom! 🏎 Congrats to @ForzaHorizon 5, from @weareplayground + @Xbox! Winner of Best Audio Design #TheGameAwards pic.twitter.com/lYTHfJJKcJ — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 10, 2021 Winner: Forza Horizon 5 – Deathloop – Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart – Resident Evil Village – Returnal – Best Esports Player We’ve got a whole lotta Esports wins here! Congratulations to @s1mpleO, @CSGO, kk0ma of @DWGKIA, and @lolesports 🎉 #TheGameAwards! pic.twitter.com/23RJGjRrML — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 10, 2021 Winner: Oleksandr ‘s1mple’ Kostyliev (CS:GO) – Chris ‘Simp’ Lehr (Call of Duty) – Heo ‘ShowMaker’ Su (League of Legends) – Magomed ‘Collapse’ Khalilov (Dota 2) – Tyson ‘TenZ’ Ngo (Valorant) – Best Esports Team Winner: Natus Vincere (CS:GO) – DWG KIA (League of Legends) – Atlanta FaZe (Call of Duty) – Sentinels (Valorant) – Team Spirit (Dota 2) – Best Esports Coach Winner: Kim ‘kkOma’ Jeong-gyun (League of Legends) – Airat ‘Silent’ Gaziev (Dota 2) – Andrey ‘Engh’ Sholokhov (Valorant) – Andrei ‘B1ad3’ Horodenskyi (CS:GO) – James ‘Crowder’ Crowder (Call of Duty) – Best Esports Event Winner: League of Legends 2021 World Championship – The International 10 – PGL Major Stockholm 2021 – PUBG Mobile Global Championship 2020 – Valorant Masters Iceland (VCT Stage 2 2021) – Games for Impact The first award of the night goes to @LifeIsStrange from @DeckNineGames + @SquareEnix! Congratulations on your Games for Impact win! #TheGameAwards pic.twitter.com/f7m21p8vg7 — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 10, 2021 Winner: Life Is Strange: True Colors – Before Your Eyes – Boyfriend Dungeon – Chicory: A Colorful Tale – No Longer Home –
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The Last of Us 2 wins big at The Game Awards 2020: results – Dexerto
The Last of Us 2 wins big at The Game Awards 2020: results The Game AwardsThe full list of winners and nominees at The Game Awards 2020 have been announced, with The Last of Us Part II leading the way at the end-of-year awards on Thursday, December 10. Hosted by Geoff Knightley, the event invited game developers from across the world along with celebrities like the Uncharted movie’s Tom Holland, popular online personalities from the gaming world, as well as any surprises that may take center stage throughout the night. The pre-show kicked off at 3 PM PT / 6 PM ET / 11 PM GMT / 10 AM AEDT (December 11), and led right into the main ceremony to start the awards process. Every year, there’s an exhaustive list of awards that celebrates “creative and technical excellence in the global video game industry.” This includes Game of the Year, Best Narrative, Best Score & Music, and more. Last year Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice took the top prize for Game of the Year, and 2020 has a stacked lineup of games vying for tonight’s big prize. Follow along below with the presentation as we highlight all this year’s winners! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElOVO6S7Ei8 Game of the Year Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Nintendo) – DOOM Eternal (id Software/Bethesda) – Final Fantasy VII Remake (Square Enix) – Ghost of Tsushima (Sucker Punch/SIE) – Hades (Supergiant Games) – The Last of Us Part II (Naughty Dog/SIE) – WINNER – The Last of Us Part 2 wins Game of the Year at #TheGameAwards 🏆 pic.twitter.com/1ZtDvhlyi1 — Dexerto (@Dexerto) December 11, 2020 Best Game Direction Final Fantasy VII Remake (Square Enix) – Ghost of Tsushima (Sucker Punch/SIE) – Hades (Supergiant Games) – Half-Life: Alyx (Valve) – The Last of Us Part II (Naughty Dog/SIE) – WINNER – Best Narrative 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim (George Kamitani) – Final Fantasy VII Remake (Kazushige Nojima, Motomu Toriyama, Hiroki Iwaki, Sachie Hirano) – Ghost of Tsushima (Ian Ryan, Liz Albl, Patrick Downs, Jordan Lemos) – Hades (Greg Kasavin) – The Last of Us Part II (Neil Druckmann, Halley Gross) – WINNER – Congratulations to The Last Of Us Part II on #TheGameAwards Best Narrative win!! Another one for @NaughtyDog!! 👏👏 #TheLastOfUsPartII pic.twitter.com/DxADemWxfG — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 11, 2020 Best Art Direction Final Fantasy VII Remake (Square Enix) – Ghost of Tsushima (Sucker Punch/SIE) – WINNER – Hades (Supergiant Games) – Ori and the Will of the Wisps (Moon Studios/Xbox Game Studios) – The Last of Us Part II (Naughty Dog/SIE) – .@SuckerPunchProd, @SupergiantGames, @HalfLifeAlyx, @TonyHawkTheGame, @EldenRing, congratulations on your wins tonight! #TheGameAwards 🏆 pic.twitter.com/vhGfOY9gCF — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 11, 2020 Best Score and Music DOOM Eternal (Mick Gordon) – Final Fantasy VII Remake (Nobuo Uematsu, Masahi Hamauzu, Mitsuto Suzuki) – WINNER – Hades (Darren Korb) – Ori and the Will of the Wisps (Gareth Coker) – The Last of Us Part II (Gustavo Santaolala, Mac Quale) – The first award of the night goes to Final Fantasy VII Remake for Best Score and Music! 🎧 Congratulations @finalfantasyvii!! #TheGameAwards! pic.twitter.com/F2qECE8o3Q — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 10, 2020 Best Audio Design DOOM Eternal (id Software/Bethesda) – Half-Life: Alyx (Valve) – Ghost of Tsushima (Sucker Punch/SIE) – Resident Evil 3 (Capcom) – The Last of Us Part 2 (Naughty Dog/SIE) – WINNER – Best Performance Ashley Johnson as Ellie, The Last of Us Part II – Laura Bailey as Abby, The Last of Us Part II – WINNER – Daisuke Tsuji as Jin Sakai, Ghost of Tsushima – Logan Cunningham as Hades, Hades – Nadji Jeter as Miles Morales, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales – WOW! Laura Bailey wins for Best Performance as Abby in The Last Of Us Part II! Congratulations @LauraBaileyVO and @NaughtyDog! 👏🏼 #TheGameAwards #TheLastofUsPartII pic.twitter.com/0pmJhwShnW — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 11, 2020 Games for Impact If Found… (DREAMFELL/Annapurna) – Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition (Cardboad Computer/Annapurna) – Spiritfarer (Thunder Lotus Games) – Tell Me Why (Dontnod Entertainment/Xbox Game Studios) – WINNER – Through the Darkest of Times (Paintbucket Games) – Best Ongoing Apex Legends (Respawn/EA) – Destiny 2 (Bungie) – Call of Duty Warzone (Infinity Ward/Activision) – Fortnite (Epic Games) – No Man’s Sky (Hello Games) – WINNER – Best Ongoing Game goes to @NoMansSky!!! Congrats @Hellogames! #TheGameAwards! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/JCSVlWtHce — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 11, 2020 Best Indie Carrion (Phobia Game Studio) – Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout (Mediatonic/Devolver) – Hades (Supergiant Games) – WINNER – Spelunky 2 (Mossmouth) – Spiritfarer (Thunder Lotus Games) – Best Mobile, Presented by LG WING, Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon Among Us (InnerSloth) – WINNER – Call of Duty Mobile (TiMi Studios/Activision) – Genshin Impact (miHoYo) – Legends of Runeterra (Riot Games) – Pokémon Café Mix (Genius Sonority) – Alert the crewmates! @AmongUsGame wins their second award of the night for Best Mobile Game presented by #LGWing & @Qualcomm Snapdragon! #TheGameAwards 👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/SQcwrSoFkP — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 11, 2020 Best Community Support Apex Legends (Respawn/EA) – Destiny 2 (Bungie) – Fall Guys (Mediatonic/Devolver) – WINNER – Fortnite (Epic Games) – No Man’s Sky (Hello Games) – Valorant (Riot Games) – Congrats to @AnimalCrossing, @FallGuysGame, and #Phasmophobia by @KineticGame on their big wins at #TheGameAwards! pic.twitter.com/YZ4vy0pBnK — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 10, 2020 Innovation in Accessibility Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft) – Grounded (Obsidian/Xbox Game Studios) – HyperDot (Tribe Games) – The Last of Us Part II (Naughty Dog/SIE) – WINNER – Watch Dogs Legion (Ubisoft Toronto/Ubisoft) – Best VR/AR Dreams (Media Molecule/SIE) – Half-Life: Alyx (Valve) – WINNER – MARVEL’s Iron Man VR (Camoflaj/SIE) – STAR WARS: Squadrons (Motive Studios/EA) – The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners (Skydance Interactive) – .@SuckerPunchProd, @SupergiantGames, @HalfLifeAlyx, @TonyHawkTheGame, @EldenRing, congratulations on your wins tonight! #TheGameAwards 🏆 pic.twitter.com/vhGfOY9gCF — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 11, 2020 Best Action DOOM Eternal (id Software/Bethesda) – Hades (Supergiant Games) – WINNER – Half-Life: Alyx (Valve) – Nioh 2 (Team Ninja) – Streets of Rage 4 (DotEmu) – .@SuckerPunchProd, @SupergiantGames, @HalfLifeAlyx, @TonyHawkTheGame, @EldenRing, congratulations on your wins tonight! #TheGameAwards 🏆 pic.twitter.com/vhGfOY9gCF — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 11, 2020 Best Action/Adventure Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft) – Ghost of Tsushima (Sucker Punch/SIE) – MARVEL’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales (Insomniac Games/SIE) – Ori and the Will of the Wisps (Moon Studios/Xbox Game Studios) – Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (Respawn/EA) – The Last of Us Part II (Naughty Dog/SIE) – WINNER – The Last Of Us Part II wins for Best Action Adventure Game! Congratulations @NaughtyDog!! 🎉 #TheGameAwards #TheLastofUsPartII pic.twitter.com/mntQAoFBu9 — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 10, 2020 Best Role Playing Final Fantasy VII Remake (Square Enix) – WINNER – Genshin Impact (miHoYo) – Persona 5 Royal (Atlus, P Studios) – Wasteland 3 (inXile Entertainment/Koch) – Yakuza: Like a Dragon (Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio/Sega) – 🏆 Congratulations to these fantastic games for their wins tonight! 🏆 #TheGameAwards pic.twitter.com/yJILNMXCZX — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 11, 2020 Best Fighting Granblue Fantasy: Versus (Arc System Works/Cygames) – Mortal Kombat 11/Ultimate (NetherRealm Studios/WB Games) – WINNER – Street Fighter V: Champion Edition (Dimps/Capcom) – One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows (Spike Chunsoft/Bandai-Namco) – UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH Exe: Late[cl-r] (French Bread/Arc System Works) – Best Family Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Nintendo) – WINNER – Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time (Toys for Bob/Activision) – Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout (Mediatonic/Devolver) – Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit (Velan Studios/Nintendo) – Minecraft Dungeons (Mojang/Double Eleven/Xbox Game Studios) – Paper Mario: The Origami King (Intelligent Systems/Nintendo) – Congrats to @AnimalCrossing, @FallGuysGame, and #Phasmophobia by @KineticGame on their big wins at #TheGameAwards! pic.twitter.com/YZ4vy0pBnK — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 10, 2020 Best Sim/Strategy Crusader Kings III (Paradox Development Studio/Paradox) – Desperados III (Mimimi Games/THQN) – Gears Tactics (Splash Damage/The Coalition/Xbox Game Studios) – Microsoft Flight Simulator (Asobo/Xbox Game Studios) – WINNER – XCOM: Chimera Squad (Firaxis/2K) – 🏆 Congratulations to these fantastic games for their wins tonight! 🏆 #TheGameAwards pic.twitter.com/yJILNMXCZX — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 11, 2020 Best Sports/Racing Dirt 5 (Codemasters Cheshire/Codemasters) – F1 2020 (Codemasters Birmingham /Codemasters) – FIFA 21 (EA Vancouver/EA Sports) – NBA 2K21 (Visual Concepts/2K) – Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 (Vicarious Visions/Activision) – WINNER – .@SuckerPunchProd, @SupergiantGames, @HalfLifeAlyx, @TonyHawkTheGame, @EldenRing, congratulations on your wins tonight! #TheGameAwards 🏆 pic.twitter.com/vhGfOY9gCF — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 11, 2020 Best Multiplayer Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Nintendo) – Among Us (InnerSloth) – WINNER – Call of Duty: Warzone (Infinity Ward/Raven/Activision) – Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout (Mediatonic/Devolver) – Valorant (Riot Games) – 🚨 DISCUSS🚨 @AmongUsGame wins for Best Multiplayer Game at #TheGameAwards!!! Congratulations!! pic.twitter.com/QKbMub5kfO — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 11, 2020 Best Debut Game Carrion (Phobia Game Studio/Devolver) – Mortal Shell (Cold Symmetry/Playstack) – Raji: An Ancient Epic (Nodding Heads Games) – Röki (Polygon Treehouse/CI Games) – Phasmophobia (Kinetic Games) – WINNER – Content Creator of the Year, Presented by Adobe Alanah Pearce – NickMercs – TimtheTatman – Jay-Ann Lopez – Valkyrae – WINNER – Congratulations @Valkyrae on winning the Content Creator of the Year award presented by @Adobe!! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/X3TaqdKSin — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 11, 2020 Best Esports Game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (Infinity Ward/Raven/Activision) – Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (Valve) – Fortnite (Epic Games) – League of Legends (Riot Games) – WINNER – Valorant (Riot Games) – Best Esports Athlete Ian ‘Crimsix’ Porter / Call of Duty – Heo ‘Showmaker’ Su / League of Legends – WINNER – Kim ‘Canyon’ Geon-bu / League of Legends – Anthony ‘Shotzzy’ Cuevas-Castro / Call of Duty – Matthieu ‘ZywOo’ Herbaut / CS:GO – Brush off your controllers & stretch those fingers, the Best Esports Player is Showmaker!! 🏆 #TheGameAwards pic.twitter.com/b7etVtWBMh — The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 11, 2020 Best Esports Team DAMWON Gaming / League of Legends – Dallas Empire / Call of Duty – San Francisco Shock / Overwatch League – G2 Esports / League of Legends – WINNER – Team Secret / DOTA2 – Best Esports Event BLAST Premier: Spring E2020 European Finals (CS:GO) – Call of Duty League Championship 2020 – IEM Katowice 2020 (CS:GO) – League of Legends World Championship 2020 – WINNER – Overwatch League Grand Finals 2020 – Best Esports Host Eefje ‘Sjokz’ Depoortere – WINNER – Alex ‘Machine’ Richardson – Alex ‘Goldenboy’ Mendez – James ‘Dash’ Patterson – Jorien ‘Sheever’ van der Heijden –
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The Game Awards 2018 major announcements – Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Mortal Kombat 11, and more – Dexerto
The Game Awards 2018 major announcements – Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Mortal Kombat 11, and more While many major companies use E3 to announce new games, The Game Awards has quickly become a destination for major announcements at the end of each year. Ever since The Game Awards debuted in 2014, it has become one of the biggest events of the year that not only hands out awards for tons of categories, but also features world premiere trailers for many games. The 2018 edition of the popular award show was no different as some of the biggest reveals of the year were saved for the special event. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3The first major reveal of the night was for Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order set to release on the Nintendo Switch in 2019. Marvel Ultimate Alliance was first released in 2006, with a sequel releasing in 2009. Now, almost 10 years later, fans will get to sink their teeth into a new title featuring all of their favorite Marvel characters. Far Cry: New Dawn Up next was Far Cry: New Dawn, the newest entry in the popular series that’s slated for a February 15, 2019 release. The first teaser for the game was first released on December 5, while the box art also managed to leak ahead of the ceremony on December 6. Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled One of the most storied franchises in gaming, Crash Bandicoot is coming back in the form of a remaster for the popular Crash Team Racing. Originially released in 1999 for the PlayStation, the new title is a remaster of the game that includes all the previous content with some updated graphics. It’s slated for a June 21, 2019 release on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds After weeks of speculation, the newest map for PUBG has finally been announced. The snow-covered map is called Vikendi and will release for PC Test servers after the show ends on December 6, with a full release expected on December 16 and consoles to follow in January. New weapons and vehicles were also confirmed, making this an update that PUBG players will not want to miss. Dragon Age While most fans know Bioware for the Mass Effect series and the upcoming Anthem, the studio also makes the popular Dragon Age series. The last game in the series, Dragon Age: Inquisition, launched in 2014 and was the third major entrant to the franchise. No release date was given and no gameplay was shown, which means fans will likely be in for a long wait. Mortal Kombat 11 When Ed Boon, Director of NetherRealm Studios, stepped on stage, you just knew that something special had to be in the works and that was right on the money as Mortal Kombat 11 was finally announced. All of the trademark violence and gore was present in the trailer set to a new track by 21 Savage and the game is set for release on April 23, 2019, with a community reveal event scheduled for January 17, 2019. A closed beta is also scheduled for March 2019. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Ultimate launches in North America just after The Game Awards wrap up at midnight EST on December 7, but Nintendo didn’t let that stop them from announcing a brand-new character. Joker from Persona 5 has been announced as the first DLC character for the new game. No gameplay was shown, but Reggie Fils-Aimé confirmed that players will be able to summon a Persona during the game. There was also no word on a release date for the first Fighter Pack, but it’s been previously confirmed that it should come sometime in early 2019. For a full list of nominees and winners for The Game Awards 2018, head over to our official hub HERE.
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The First Descendant’s needs more ways to earn Caliber – Dexerto
The First Descendant’s needs more ways to earn Caliber NexonThe First Descendant fans want a chance to earn the premium currency, as it’s affecting their ability to own the most desirable things in the game: Descendants. Although The First Descendant is a free-to-play game, you’re going to be doing a lot of grinding if you want anything of value. While some things are unlocked as part of the story, like Bunny, the coolest stuff (like Ultimate Bunny) costs millions of gold and requires a lot of ingredients. Of course, you can skip the wait by reaching into your wallet. The First Descendant uses Caliber as its premium currency, which can be used to buy Descendants and cosmetics. However, the only way to acquire Caliber is to purchase it with real money or unlock levels on the Battle Pass, which also costs money. People on The First Descendant subreddit are asking for Caliber to be earnable through play, even if it’s just a small amount. This is due to the fact that you only have a limited number of Descendant slots without spending Caliber, so you can’t keep everything you unlock in the game. “Lol I just want to know who came to this game because of a supposed lack of nefarious monetization. Whoever told those people that was lying to them,” one user wrote, while another said, “Agreed, and I’m slightly hopeful on this, especially if they really do add a trading option, then we’ll get free caliber by trading.” Another popular request is the implementation of Warframe-style trading, where players could sell items to other players. The developers of The First Descendent have confirmed that trading is on the way, but there’s no release window, and it’s unclear what form it will take. One user suggested something similar to Final Fantasy 14‘s Duty Roulette or Helldivers 2’s Super Credits: “The best way to implement this is having dailies/weeklies. Not only does it give players a way to earn paid currency, it provides players to events/maps that might be empty. “If their data shows no one is helping new players with the first dungeon/operation, make it a permanent daily that players need to accomplish. 5 completed dailies give 5 Caliber.” Another user pointed out a different issue with limited Descendant slots: “The limited slots problem gets even worse once you realize that you basically need certain characters to make bs mechanics easier… (Sharen and Enzo for now).” Obviously, Nexon has to earn money to keep The First Descendant going, but offering a way to earn a small amount of Caliber can keep people around. If players are constantly grinding for items far off in the distance or completely out of reach, then that’s a great way to make them log off forever and play something else.
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The First Descendant’s “godsent” hotfix delivers the top-requested change – Dexerto
The First Descendant’s “godsent” hotfix delivers the top-requested change The First DescendantThe First Descendant’s latest hotfix delivered the game’s most requested change by significantly cutting Outpost Mission cooldown times. Outpost Missions in The First Descendant are a crucial aspect of the game. By completing them, you get essential materials to upgrade your loot and unlock Ultimate Descendants. However, players were frustrated by a five-minute cooldown period after completing these missions, which made it “impossible to farm Ultimates.” This downtime forced players to either wait idly or use workarounds like switching lobbies or teleporting to different zones. In response, The First Descendant’s Hotfix 1.0.4 dramatically reduced the Outpost Missions’ cooldown to just one minute. This lets players re-engage with missions quickly without resorting to workarounds. This hotfix added rewards like gold in Special Operations and revamps Void Fragments farming, which players previously slammed as an annoying grind. The First Descendant Director Joo Min-seok stated, “We have shortened the cooldowns for all outposts so that players can play them more frequently without deliberately failing and no longer need to search for outposts with shorter cooldowns by moving around the map.” On Reddit, TFD players have warmly welcomed the hotfix’s change, praising it as a “godsend.” One player noted, “The outpost timer cooldown reduction to one minute is a game-changer. It’s much less painful not having to region hop.” Another complimented, “Such a nice improvement. No longer have to warp in and out, which can take a minute for some outposts far from the teleport points.” The First Descendant devs continue to impress the community by actively listening to feedback and implementing requested changes. This hotfix proves the developers intend to evolve TFD with player feedback, ensuring its growth and success despite past criticisms. With Asmongold and fan support, Nexon is setting up The First Descendant for long-term success.
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The First Descendant’s battle pass has hidden character skins – Dexerto
The First Descendant’s battle pass has hidden character skins NexonThe First Descendant’s battle pass has some free character skins and items, but they’re buried in the battle pass in a place most players wouldn’t think to click. As The First Descendant is a free-to-play game, it must make money from somewhere. Those familiar with the game’s marketing won’t be surprised to learn that character skins and similar aesthetic items are monetized, especially the more revealing ones. The First Descendant also has a battle pass with unlockables broken down into 96 tiers, including emotes, weapons, and even the Caliber premium currency. Users on The First Descendant Reddit page have reported that the battle pass also has character skins in a separate menu called the Battle Supply Shop. This menu is accessed from the main battle pass menu by tapping the icon on the bottom right corner, as shown in the image below. Once you hit level 50, this store contains the Magnus on Fire weapon skin (10 Supply Coins), 44th Grenadier skin for Lepic (10 Supply Coins), Wrong Direction spawn (27 Supply Coins), Neural Network skin for Ajax (50 Supply Coins), 44th Grenadier Mask head skin for Lepic (50 Supply Coins), and Neural Sharing head skin for Ajax (50 Supply Coins.) Once you hit level 96, this store contains the White Devil weapon skin (10 Supply Coins), Magister Researcher chest attachment (10 Supply Coins), Reverse Engineered weapon skin (10 Supply Coins), Crow skin for Viessa (50 Supply Coins), Vanguard Unit Badge name card (10 Supply Coins), and the Layered Cut head skin for Viessa (50 Supply Coins.) Fans were surprised by The First Descendant’s battle pass shop design. “I was genuinely shocked when I didn’t see any skins in the battle pass and now I know why lol,” one wrote, while another said, “Dang can’t believe I missed that. Well thanks for revealing that I’m sure lots of people are still going to miss it.” Not only do you need to purchase The First Descendant battle pass for these items, but you need to complete the weekly challenges in order to acquire the Supply Coins needed. This means that the grind is very much real for this content. Fans have expressed concerns with this system. “Will take 377 to unlock everything and the Seasonal challenges only give 197. The current set of weeklies give 5 so if the rest of the weeks don’t give more it won’t be possible to unlock everything (which seeing as page 2 doesn’t list finishing page 1 as a requirement I wouldn’t put past Nexon, but hopefully I’m wrong).” It’s a strange decision to lay out the battle pass menu so that it’s hard to find content. Considering the rocky launch The First Descendant has had so far, maybe this is just another in a list of issues that the devs need to resolve.
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The First Descendant Ultimate weapons tier list: Best Ultimate weapons ranked – Dexerto
The First Descendant Ultimate weapons tier list: Best Ultimate weapons ranked NEXON/DexertoNexon Games looter shooter The First Descendant is full of unique guns to use, and our tier list has a rundown of all the best weapons. The First Descendant features nine weapon types – – Machine Guns, Assault Rifles, SMGs, Tactical Rifles, Hand Cannons, Shotguns, Scout Rifles, Sniper Rifles, and Beam Rifles. While each is a viable choice, some are much better than others in the current meta. Running one Machine Gun, SMG, or Assault Rifle is ideal, especially for new players, but if you want a more in-depth look at every weapon in the game, our tier list has you covered. The First Descendant weapon type tier list The First Descendant Ultimate weapons tier list Best Ultimate weapon in The First Descendant (July 2024 meta) Depending on your playstyle and chosen Descendant, there are two guns that stand at the top of the meta. The first is Python Instinct, an SMG with the unique perk Prey. Prey applies a stacking debuff that lowers Toxic resistance by 10% per stack. If you’re running Freyna, it’s pretty much a necessity. Our other choice is Clairvoyance, a beam rifle with brilliant damage scaling. Hitting enemies with a Stage 2 Beam inflicts Void Gaze on the target, with a Stage 3 Beam inflicting Appalled Calling instead (which often acts in a similar manner to Frostbite). The First Descendant Weapon tiers explained Our tier list follows a simple system that divides weapons based on their overall efficacy in combat: S: The best weapons in the game – A: Very good weapons offering an alternative to other options – B: There might be situations where these weapons can perform well – C: Best to avoid unless you really want to give the weapon a try – S-Tier Ultimate weapons in The First Descendant Executor Stats: ATK: 16 – Fire Rate: 109 – Reload Time: 1.85 seconds – Impending Judgement: Hitting enemies will all bullets grant Executor’s Exaltation. Highest stage increases Firearm ATK on hit and inflicts Electrocution on the target enemy. On hitting an Electrocuted enemy, increase Firearm ATK and apply this buff to the attack. – – Shotguns are in a really tough spot overall, but the Executor stands alone as the best in class. Its flat rate outgoing damage is excellent in its own right, however it also has improved accuracy each time you hit anything. Couple this with the Electrocution debuff it applies at the top stage of the Executor’s Exaltation buff (which synergizes with an increased ATK stat), and it quickly becomes difficult to ignore. It’s an excellent choice for Descendants whose abilities rely on close-quarters combat with enemy hordes. Python Instinct Stats: ATK: 21 – Fire Rate: 923 – Reload Time: 1.5 seconds – Python Instinct: On hitting an enemy’s Weak Point, it inflicts the unique ability Prey on the target enemy. – – The best SMG in the game is an underrated gem that becomes even more powerful when placed in the hands of the right Descendant. As mentioned earlier, the stacking Prey perk is where this gun comes into its own, particularly when built towards venom damage (which is quite potent in the meta.) For this reason, it’s an absolute monster in the hands of a Descendant like Freyna, whose abilities are centered around dealing venom damage. Outside of that, it carries impressive DPS into the field and remarkable accuracy, considering the ridiculous Fire Rate. Nazeistra’s Devotion Stats: ATK: 81 – Fire Rate: 150 – Reload Time: 1.5 seconds – Fanaticism: On hitting an enemy’s Weak Point, inflicts the unique ability Devotion Mark on the target enemy. On hitting an ally, that ally’s shield is restored at the cost of your MP. – – Support characters are by no means the most popular right now, but they are an important part of the game. Nazeistra’s Devotion is the perfect accompaniment for those Descendants looking to help out their allies in battle. The Fanatacism perk allows players to shoot other party members to restore their shield at the cost of their own MP. For those who can master the quick reactions and situational awareness that make this weapon unique, it’s probably the best support gun in the game. Perforator Stats: ATK: 141 – Fire Rate: 99 – Reload Time: 1.6 seconds – Detect: On hitting a Weak Point, inflicts damage to the enemy’s Shield in proportion to their Max Shield at a set chance. The higher the Firearm Level, the closer this damage gets to the maximum limit. When damage is dealt to the enemy that completely depletes the target enemy’s Shield, inflict Stun with a set chance. – – As its name may suggest, Perforator packs a hell of a punch. The gun’s high attack stat, solid Fire Rate and reasonable reload time immediately elevate it to the position of best offensive Hand Cannon in The First Descendant. Its perk is excellent for those with the accuracy to proc it. It deals Max Shield proportional damage when hitting a weak point, meaning that it’s absolutely broken when up against enemies with significant shielding (which happens a lot.) Clairvoyance Stats: ATK: 23 – Fire Rate: 399 – Reload Time: 2.2 seconds – The Thing Beyond: Hitting an enemy with a Stage 2 Beam inflicts Void Gaze on the target. Hitting an enemy with a Stage 3 Beam inflicts Appalled Calling on the target. This effect is considered the same as Frostbite in some modes. – – The only S-Tier Beam rifle in the S-Tier is also a remarkably well-rounded option that makes light work of tough boss enemies. Though it has a slower Fire Rate than King’s Guard, its significantly higher attack stat makes it easier to use with a higher overall damage output. The status effects that it applies to enemies at Stage 2 and 3 synergize perfectly with a ton of meta builds, particularly for those playing with Viessa. It also has solid add clear potential for encounters with high volumes of enemies. Thunder Cage Stats: ATK: 24 – Fire Rate: 666 – Reload Time: 1.4 seconds – Overcharge: Defeating an enemy unleashes an electric shockwave, dealing firearm ATK to nearby enemies within 3 meters. – – Thunder Cage is, above all else, a fun gun to use. That said, there are some situations where it could be in the tier below, particularly in single-enemy, high-health pool fights. The gun itself has a fairly ideal Fire Rate, outputting competitive damage based on that and its ATK stat. The real point of the gun comes when landing the final blow on an enemy. This unleashes Overcharge, an electric shockwave that deals damage to enemies within 3 meters. This quickly spirals into a pretty ridiculous add clear, and it’s well worth taking on missions for that alone. A-Tier Ultimate weapons in The First Descendant Secret Garden Stats: ATK: 23 – Fire Rate: 480 – Reload Time: 1.6 seconds – Gardener: When using a Dimension skill, recovers Custom Resource with a set chance. When using a Tech skill, grants the unique ability Pest Control with a set chance. – – For Descendants that use Tech and Dimension abilities, Secret Garden is a huge boon that pays off in any overall loadout. As a gun, it is fairly unremarkable, dealing reasonable damage with an average reload time that wouldn’t place it anywhere above C-Tier. The true potential of this weapon is entirely dependent on how players use their abilities. As such, it can be a little tricky to use if you aren’t super familiar with your Descendants rotation. That said, the damage buff it provides is so immense it’s well worth learning how to use your abilities efficiently. Divine Punishment Stats: ATK: 23 – Fire Rate: 705 – Reload Time: 1.55 seconds – Prayer: Granting a buff to allies will grant the unique effect Meditation to yourself. Recovering an ally’s (HP/Shield/MP/Resources) will grant the unique effect Praise to yourself. Inflicting a debuff on an enemy will grant the unique effect Glory to yourself. – – The other possible contender for the best support weapon in the game is Divine Punishment. This Assault Rifle has impressive damage output, with a high Fire Rate and excellent overall accuracy. With Assault Rifles being so strong right now, it’s a solid choice for that alone. Happily, it also comes with incredible support perks that turn it into a game-changer. It applies the Meditation buff to the player when buffing allies, increasing base DEF by 10% for 30 seconds. When healing allies, it grants Praise, which reduces the skill cooldown. Lastly, inflicting debuffs grants Glory, which increases firearm ATK. Enduring Legacy Stats: ATK: 28 – Fire Rate: 571 – Reload Time: 2.7 seconds – Craftsmanship: On hitting an enemy, increase Status effect Trigger Rate corresponding to the element (Fire/Chill/Electric/Toxic) and inflict the unique ability Quenching to the target. On hitting a Burned enemy, increase Firearm ATK and apply this buff to the attack. – – Machine Guns in The First Descendant are great across the board. Enduring Legacy is no major exception to that rule, dealing competitive damage thanks to its high Fire Rate and ATK stat. The slow reload time is a bit of a pain when in high-density mob areas, but it’s a fair trade-off for the output. The Craftsmanship perk turns this gun into an absolute beast if you’re running a Descendant that uses elemental damage in their abilities. Freyna is a solid choice, and proccing quenching only serves to make her more potent in most fights. Albion Cavalry Gun Stats: ATK: 30 – Fire Rate: 451 – Reload Time: 2.5 seconds – Cavalry: After hitting a stunned enemy, increase Firearm ATK. Hitting a Critical Hit on a stunned enemy inflicts stun. – – We recommended the Albion Cavalry Gun as our top choice for Ajax in most scenarios, but it’s also an A-Tier pick for many of the other Descendants in the game. Though it has a slower Fire Rate than many of the other Machine Guns in the game, it packs a hell of a punch. The Cavalry’s unique ability is an amazing stacking buff that quickly causes damage to spiral out of control. It increases overall Firearm ATK on stunned enemies, which would be highly situational if the gun didn’t also cause stuns after a Critical Hit. Blue Beetle Stats: ATK: 62 – Fire Rate: 199 – Reload Time: 2 seconds – Arcane Wave: when using a Fusion skill, grants oneself the unique Arcane Energy with a set chance. Using a Singular skill grants the self the unique ability of Purification with a set chance. – – The Blue Beetle is the best Scout Rifle in the game, serving as a perfect choice for those using Descendants with Singular and Fusion skills. The Arcane Wave Unique Ability grants buffs both when using either, and thankfully, they are also potent. As a gun, it is easy to use with a reasonable Fire Rate and ATK stat. That said, if you are looking for a gun that carries on its own, then there are better choices in the tier above. If you’re instead trying to synergize weapons and abilities flawlessly, then this could be a nice part of that tapestry. Afterglow Sword Stats: ATK: 240 – Fire Rate: 66 – Reload Time: 2.5 seconds – Nightmare Reaper: on hitting an enemy’s weak point, inflicts unique ability Death Propagation. On hitting an enemy commander or Colossi, increase firearm critical hit rate and apply the effect to the attack. – – The confusingly named Afterglow Sword is a Sniper Rifle that has proved extremely effective in the right hands. It’s perfectly suited to fights against the game’s toughest bosses, and it’s absolutely worth including it in your arsenal unless you’re expecting that kind of fight. If you are, it becomes an even better choice if you can master how to use it properly. Death Propagation provides quicker reload and higher damage on weak spots, so if you can hit your shots, it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy that your outgoing DPS will also be significant. Greg’s Reversed Fate Stats: ATK: 33 – Fire Rate: 342 – Reload Time: 1.4 seconds – Shaping Destiny: On hitting an enemy with a Max Shield, proc Bombardment on the enemy’s location with a set chance. Inflict Burn on enemies hit by Bombardment. – – It might have the funniest name of any weapon on this list, but the gun itself is no laughing matter. This Tactical Rifle is a highly reliable workhorse, with a Burn proc that can be very effective if you can get it to proc consistently. The only real drawback of Greg’s Reversed Fate is its handling, which is particularly poor when debuffed by the gun’s intrinsic effect. It is also a solid way to open a boss engagement thanks to the Bombardment on Max Shield enemies, however there are still better options out there. B-Tier Ultimate weapons in The First Descendant King’s Guard Lance Stats: ATK: 16 – Fire Rate: 545 – Reload Time: 2.1 seconds – Guardian: Aiming activates Preview Mode. When firing while aiming, deploys the unique ability Guardian Lance on the terrain, dealing constant damage to enemies and consuming a set amount of ammo upon deployment. Hitting Guardian Lance increases duration and range. – – Arguably the coolest-looking weapon in the game, King’s Lance can unfortunately be found wanting on occasion. Its base ATK stat is fairly weak next to its immediate competition, though the solid Fire Rate is enough to keep DPS competitive. The AoE effect of Guardian is undoubtedly fun to use, however it isn’t as obviously effective as Thunder Cage at clearing adds. The range and duration buff it provides is definitely enough to keep it in this tier but it needs upgrades to outgoing damage to prove truly effective. Piercing Light Stats: ATK: 404 – Fire Rate: 48 – Reload Time: 2.6 seconds – Purification of Light: On hitting a Weak Point, inflicts Dispel on the enemy with a set chance. When two or more enemies are hit by a single shot, there is a high chance to land a Critical Hit on the enemies while also increasing Critical Damage and applying this buff to the attack. – – The first Sniper Rifle on the list is also the best all-rounder. As with all Snipers, it has a ridiculous base ATK stat that is enough to stop most enemies in their tracks. Unfortunately, it also suffers from many of the same issues as other weapons of this type. The biggest problem is the lack of ammo availability for both Snipers and Shotguns. This can be a real pain in many activities, though Piercing Light would arguably be a justifiable pick against a boss with a very large health pool. Wave of Light Stats: ATK: 76 – Fire Rate: 249 – Reload Time: 2.2 seconds – Splendor: After reloading, it grants the unique ability of Solar Halo. On hitting an enemy while Solar Halo is active, inflict Lunar Halo on the target enemy with a set chance. – – Scout Rifles are tough to advocate for in the meta, but Wave of Light is a good pick within that category. Its impressive base ATK stat is in line with most of its immediate peers, and it feels comfortable and easy to use overall. The Solar/Lunar Halo combination has the potential to be mind-blowing, however the first half lets it down. Lunar Halo stops enemy regeneration by 50% on hit, which is brilliant, however the critical strike buff and lower recoil provided by Solar Halo isn’t holding its own in any meaningful way. Smithereens Stats: ATK: 20 – Fire Rate: 150 – Reload Time: 1.6 seconds – Fearlessness: On hitting the enemy with all bullets, increase the Firearm Critical Hit rate and Firearm Critical Hit Damage of this attack. Upon landing a Critical Hit on an enemy, grants the Firearm’s unique ability Amplification. – – As the name may suggest, Smithereens is a Shotgun that is specifically designed to blow enemies away at close quarters. As with Executor earlier, this gun is best suited to those who can get close to enemies quickly and safely, with squishier, slower Descendants unlikely to be able to get within effective range easily. It’s tough to recommend Smithereens as a weapon if you have Executor available to you. The Fearlessness perk is tough to proc, as missing a single bullet will stop it from doing so, though the base damage on offer is still reasonable enough that this is an okay choice in a pinch. Restored Relic Stats: ATK: 230 – Fire Rate: 60 – Reload Time: 2.5 seconds – Ancient Technique: Fires a Guided Round with a set chance. On hitting an enemy with a Guided Round, inflicts Ancient Fire to the target enemy with a set chance. – – The first thing to say about Restored Relic is that it can drop massive damage when all goes well. That said, Launchers have felt a little clunky overall in the early throes of the game, particularly when swarmed by a lot of enemies. Ancient Technique is a great perk that inflicts and buffs Fire damage, so if you’re running Blair, then it has a much stronger argument for being taken. The Guided Round is bizarrely annoying until you really get the hang of it as well, so prepare for that. C-Tier Ultimate weapons in The First Descendant Sigvore’s Proof Stats: ATK: 4404 – Fire Rate: 79 – Reload Time: 2.8 seconds – Mad Bomber: Fires a Sticky Bomb when shooting while aiming. The Launched bomb will automatically detonate after a certain period of time. When aim is canceled, the attachment bombs will detonate at the same time. Sticky Bombs inflict Burn. – – It feels like a shame to put Sigvore’s Proof in the bottom tier, but it really does feel as though all the stars have to align to get the most out of the weapon. The Mad Bomber perk is its defining characteristic, allowing players to fire multiple sticky bombs. These can all be detonated simultaneously, if you’re efficient, for massive damage if triggered at the right time. Unfortunately, it feels weird using this in the meta over more consistent sources of damage. Sigvore’s Proof is the equivalent of putting all your eggs in one basket, and if you mess up, it’s bordering on useless. The Final Masterpiece Stats: ATK: 19 – Fire Rate: 499 – Reload Time: 1.1 seconds – Masterpiece: After reloading, grants one of three unique abilities at random. If the granted effect is the same as the existing effect, the effect stage is increased. If a different effect is granted, the effect stage is reset to Stage 1. – – Without its Unique Ability, The Final Masterpiece is a competitive Handgun that feels like a much more traditional gun than many on this list. With its Unique Ability, it’s a bit of a clown show. Though it will probably be the highlight of the day’s play if it pays off, the random nature of the Masterpiece perk basically means you can’t ever rely on its output. That lack of consistency is particularly jarring in a game of such fine margins. The Last Dagger Stats: ATK: 24 – Fire Rate: 600 – Reload Time: 1.2 seconds – Ultimatum: Defeating an enemy grants Patience. On hitting an enemy while at Max Stacks, fires Enhanced Rounds. On hitting an enemy with Enhanced Rounds, the Patience effect is reset, and the enemy is stunned. – – The Last Dagger is a highly ordinary gun that is elevated slightly by the Ultimatum Unique Ability that it comes with. After defeating an opponent, Ultimatum grants the Patience buff, which improves Critical Strike chance and Fire damage. Again, Blair would be the best beneficiary of this. The baseline improvement this effect offers is fairly unremarkable, and it needs to be stacked significantly to get the most out of it. The additional stun is nice to have, but there are other guns that are more effective at doing this. Fallen Hope Stats: ATK: 27 – Fire Rate: 600 – Reload Time: 1.7 seconds – Perdition: On hitting a Poisoned enemy, increase Firearm ATK. On defeating a Poisoned enemy, the defeated enemy will trigger an Explosion with a certain chance, inflicting additional damage and Poison to nearby enemies. – – The last gun on this list feels like it was designed entirely with Freyna in mind. Outside of those using her as a Descendant, it’s impossible to recommend. It’s unusually poor at add clear for an Assault Rifle and it doesn’t tear up any trees against bosses either. The Poison effects provided by its Unique Ability are good, but outside of Freyna, there is no reason to take Fallen Hope along for the ride. Peace Maker Stats ATK: 68 – Fire Rate: 133 – Reload Time: 1.35 seconds – Surging Peace: When using a Dimension skill grants the unique ability Single Reload for Peace. When Single Reload for Peace is at Max Stacks, shooting while aiming rapidly fires all loaded rounds. – – With its highly distinctive visuals, many hoped that Peace Maker would be one of the better weapons to use. Unfortunately, it’s a bit of a damp squib that it’s difficult to advocate for in any of The First Descendant’s hardest activities. It’s the least effective Hand Cannon in the game when it comes to Colossus weak point damage, with the fire rate the only silver lining. Highly mobile Descendants like Bunny could get some use out of it but this would have to be purely for recreational purposes above anything else. That’s the complete tier list of Ultimate weapons in The First Descendant. For more on the game, check out our character tier list, server status, and our best builds for Bunny, Freyna, Gley, and Lepic.
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How to get all The First Descendant Twitch drops – Dexerto
How to get all The First Descendant Twitch drops NexonThe First Descendant Twitch drops enable players to claim some free Kuiper Shards, Gold, and cosmetics. So, here’s how to get hold of these in-game goodies. To celebrate the release of The First Descendant, the devs have teamed up with Twitch to give players some extra items. During the promotional event, players can get their hands on free Gold, Kuiper Shards, the “Gloomy” emote, and more. So if you wish to claim some exclusive rewards, then you’ll want to add them to your account before they expire. Without further ado, here’s how you can get The First Descendant Twitch drops and what items are currently available. The First Descendant Twitch drops event duration The First Descendant Twitch drops event will start on July 2nd, 2024 at 00:00 and run until July 29th, 2024 00:00 (PDT). How to claim The First Descendant Twitch drops? To claim The First Descendant Twitch drops, you must follow the instructions outlined below: Head over to Twitch. – Log into your Twitch account. – Watch any The First Descendant live streams with Twitch drops enabled. – Once you’ve earned a Twitch Drop, go to your Inventory page and click ‘Claim Now‘ to add it to your game. – Return to The First Descendant to claim your free items. – It’s important to note, that you need to watch at least 15 minutes of The First Descendant on Twitch to claim your first reward. The event will expire on July 29th, 2024 at 00:00 (PDT), so be sure to redeem all your rewards before this deadline. All The First Descendant Twitch drops There are currently five The First Descendant Twitch drops that can be claimed, with Cosmetics, Kuiper Shards, and Gold among them. We’ve listed all the items and the time required to unlock them below: Watch 15 minutes: “Pizza” Chest Attachment – Watch for 30 minutes: 15,000 Gold & 1,500 Kuiper Shards – Watch for 60 minutes: “Gloomy” Emote – Watch for 90 minutes: “Twitch Color” Paints – Watch for 120 minutes: “X-Ray” Back Attachment – Now that you know how to claim The First Descendant Twitch Drops, you’ll be able to look your best when playing the game with your friends in crossplay.
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The First Descendant Season 1 update: Everything we know – Dexerto
The First Descendant Season 1 update: Everything we know Nexon GamesNexon has revealed details on The First Descendant Season 1 update, giving players a sneak peek at the new content coming to the looter shooter. The First Descendant Season 1 Episode: Invasion update aims to expand upon its weapons arsenal and characters. There’s even the addition of a new Ultimate Descendant, character skin, and new Season Progression. With so much to delve into, we’ve covered everything you need to know about The First Descendant Season 1 below – including when it’s expected to launch and all the confirmed content so far. The First Descendant Season 1 release date Season 1 Invasion will begin on August 29, 2024. A second update for Season 1 will release on October 10, 2024. Prior to this being announced it was expected to arrive at the end of August as this is also the date when the Preseason Battle Pass expires. Trailer Nexon revealed the first teaser trailer for the upcoming season on August 16, 2024. While the teaser didn’t show much, it did give fans a very brief look at the new Sniper Descendant, Hailey. You can check out the full trailer below: Season 1 content The First Descendant roadmap has revealed that players can expect the following new content at the start of Season 1: Dungeon: Invasion – Sniper Descendant Hailey – Inversion Reinforcement – Season 1 Battle Pass – The October 10 update will add even more content including: Ultimate Freyna – Void Intercept Battle – New Ultimate Weapon – External Components – Descendants Exclusive Spawn – Hard Mode Infiltration – Modification & Ultimate Modules – Having additional story content so soon after release is a big bonus, particularly for players who have already completed the main quest. However, it’s the new Descendant and weapon that will undoubtedly draw a lot of attention from the community. After all, you’ll need to equip the very best weapons if you wish to survive in the trials of the new Colossus/Dungeon. It’s important to note that the Season 1 update will also feature three small updates, so there could be more reveals in the future. To prepare for the Season 1 update, check out our build guides for Bunny, Gley, and Enzo as well as how to rank up Mastery fast.
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The First Descendant Season 1 patch notes: New Descendant, Invasion storyline & new ultimate weapons – Dexerto
The First Descendant Season 1 patch notes: New Descendant, Invasion storyline & new ultimate weapons Nexon GamesThe First Descendant Season 1 is almost here and it will bring a new Descendant and more story content to the game. Here are the full patch notes. The first big update, Season 1 for The First Descendant is nearly here, as the free-to-play looter-shooter will receive a plethora of new content on August 29 when it reaches all platforms. Over the last few months, players have worked hard to acquire Ultimate Descendants and weaponry that will help them fight tougher enemies and capture rare loot. Along with the Invasion events, the update “Invasion” includes New Descendant Hailey, Ultimate Freyna, Ultimate Weapons, new Intercept Battle Death Stalker, and a season-exclusive advancement mechanism called Inversion Reinforcement. If you’re looking for all the content that’s coming, we’ve got you covered right here with complete patch notes. The First Descendant Season 1 full patch notes Karel’s new weapon Karel has prepared a new tactical weapon for revenge. This tactical weapon, forged from the Ancestors’ technology discovered by Amon, is the Vulgus legion’s new strategy against the Descendants. When the Invasion Season begins, the Invasion event will occur daily in two of the “Hard Infiltration Operation” dungeons. In the dungeon where the invasion has begun, you can start by selecting either “Infiltration Operation” or “Invasion”, and the Invasion event can be cleared twice per day for each dungeon. Invasion Dungeons will put your skills and wits to the test. To hold back the Descendants, Karel has built a defense system with different mechanisms for each legion. These dungeons are solo challenges that feature different routes, puzzles, and strategies from the normal dungeons, where your objective is to fend off the invasion as quickly as possible. New Descendant, Hailey Scott Once a guerilla unit supply soldier who gained fame as a legendary sniper, Hailey is now the newest member of the Descendant Corps. Not only can she take out enemies from a distance with her anti-materiel Sniper Cannon, she can also rapidly decrease her body temperature to spew Chill when emotions run high. While Hailey is an admirer of Viessa who can manipulate Chill at will, and is a cold-blooded sniper on the battlefield, she’s also a warm-hearted hero who loves to make snow crystals and bring smiles to children’s faces. Here are all her attacks and abilities: Cryo Round: Instantly fires a Cryo Round that automatically tracks the enemy, deals damage and inflicts ‘Cryo’ which deals Additional Damage along with Hailey’s Firearm Damage. – Storm Snare: Fires a Freezing Beam that unleashes a Chill Vortex around you and knocks back enemies. Inflicts ‘Cryo’ on enemies that take Damage. – Cold Fury: Hailey’s Movement Speed gradually decreases, but her Firearm and Skill Critical Hit Rate, and Firearm Penetration all increase significantly. – Zenith: Replaces Hailey’s weapon with her Unique Weapon, anti-material Sniper Cannon. Penetration of the anti-material Sniper Cannon and Firearm ATK greatly increase and deal additional Chill skill damage. Recovers MP upon successfully attacking Weak Points and decreases the Cooldown the more Bullets you have remaining when the skill ends. – Inversion Reinforcer for Season Progression Descendants experienced a change in their Arche as they’ve come into contact with Ironhearts multiple times. Their Arche began to draw energy from a destroyed Ironheart. Embracing this energy as a source of strength, the Descendants can now gain new abilities through the Inversion Reinforcers. Hunt: Improves the Descendant’s basic Stats. – Attribute: Improves the Descendant’s Attribute Resistance. – Recovery: Improves the Descendant’s Recovery. – Survival: Receives a defense buff that activates under certain conditions. – Season: Receives an effect that is useful for Invasion Dungeons. – Inversion Reinforcement is a progression system that only lasts for the season. You can learn the Inversion Reinforcement Effect using the “Ironheart Particle,” which can be earned by clearing Invasion dungeons or being active in the Hard Difficulty Fields. You can choose three of the effects that have been unlocked. When you unlock all four of the effects in a line, you automatically acquire that line’s Collection Effect. Collection Effects are passive effects that are always applied during the season. This means that if you unlock all Inversion Reinforcement effects, you can utilize 3 Selected Effects and 5 Collection Effects from each line in battle. Freyna’s Awakening, Ultimate Freyna Still trapped in the day of the Room 0 Incident, Freyna’s trauma has stopped her time. In Season 1, we follow the story of Freyna who continues to grieve alone. In this Descendant-exclusive story, you’ll explore the inner mind of a crestfallen hero, who is trapped in guilt and self-hatred for surviving alone after failing to save her love and comrades. Will she be able to overcome her trauma? You will then get to meet Ultimate Freyna, who broke through her limits. There are also exclusive Modification Modules for her. Future Ultimate Descendants will be added with the seasonal updates and as the Descendants’ stories and The First Descendant’s lore expands. After Season 1 Ultimate Freyna, the next update to the Ultimate Descendants will launch sequentially, starting with the initial Descendants to join Corps. New Ultimate Weapons Excava: A powerful and versatile Ultimate Weapon, this Assault Rifle arrives with this update. Also acquirable as a free Battle Pass reward, Excava charges voltage when attacking enemies and uses the charged voltage to fire Energy Grenades. Frost Watcher: Acquirable through gameplay, this Scout Rifle reduces an enemy’s Chill Resistance and increases your Chill Skill Damage each time you hit the enemy at long range. It’s a perfect weapon for Viessa or Hailey who use Chill attribute skills. The Looming Threat Over Ingris, Death Stalker Intercept Battle The Colossi still threaten Ingris from behind the Dimensional Wall, and it’s time to meet the most powerful Colossus of Season 1, Death Stalker. Death Stalker emerges from the darkness and unleashes attacks based on poison and fear. Stalking the Descendants in the darkness of the Void, Death Stalker is more formidable than any other Colossus you’ve intercepted. You must jump back into the Void to protect Ingris from this menace. Solve the mystery shrouded in the dark and intercept Death Stalker. Highest Difficulty Infiltration Operation and ETA-0 In Season 1, the highest Difficulty of the Infiltration Operations will be added. It’s a proving ground to test and polish your optimized builds. Form a team or challenge yourself to more difficult Infiltration Operations in Public Matchmaking. Prove the strength of the Descendants and acquire loot that can only be obtained in more difficult Infiltration Operations. Along with this, a mysterious merchant, ETA-0, visits Albion. Every time he visits, he shows up with a variety of products that can be purchased with exclusive currency. With each visit he brings different products. Since he visits Albion with Blueprints for Descendants and Ultimate Weapons, and occasionally hard-to-find consumables, don’t miss out on visiting ETA-0. Season 1: Invasion Update Schedule All content will be updated sequentially during the Invasion Season. Additional Improvements Applied to Season 1 Finally, here’s the news on the improvements that will be applied with Season 1 on August 29th. Void Fragment and Fusion Reactor Loop Improvements It has been improved so that playing Void Fragments once on Hard Difficulty now grants enough Void Shards to use the Fusion Reactor once. Consequently, the amount of Void Shards rewarded in Special Operations has also been increased. Additionally, Void Shards required for the Fusion Reactor have been consolidated into a single type. Now, the same type of Void Shards will drop from both Void Fragments and the Fusion Reactor within the same battlefield. This change enhances the convenience of farming Void Shards and optimizes the monster placement for representative Void Fragments of each attribute. Finally, the Fusion Reactor now requires Void Shards when using the Reconstructed Device, rather than at the start of the mission. This adjustment ensures that Void Shards are not consumed if you accidentally enter the Fusion Reactor. Hard Infiltration Operation Improvements As previously announced, random options will be replaced with preset selections. The presets offer three options: 0%, 125%, and 250%, and Descendants who choose the same preset can play together in Public matchmaking. In addition, to prevent the number of types of matchmaking pool from growing indiscriminately, Descendants who select the same Infiltration Operation will now be matched together, regardless of their selected rewards. Instead, the global effects that were applied based on the selected rewards will be removed. Lastly, the timed Occupation Mission will be removed from Hard Infiltration Operations and replaced with the Extermination Battle, where the time can be reduced based on the Descendant’s skill. Socket Type Saving Feature Improvements Now, once you assign a Socket Type, the Socket Type granted to that slot is permanently saved, so you can easily change it to the previously granted Socket Type at any time. For example, if a Descendant changes an Almandine Socket to a Malachite Socket, you can easily choose between Almandine and Malachite in that Socket afterward. Additionally, the Socket Type applied to Loadout Setting 1 can also be used for Settings 2 and 3 as well, allowing you to grant multiple Socket Types only to the slots that require multiple Socket Types depending on your builds. Descendant Balance Adjustments Jayber’s Turret has been improved to apply stats such as Skill Power Modifier and additional ATK and will be able to be enhanced by Descendant Modules. Additionally, Jayber’s “Turret Sync” skill has been adjusted to apply to the Turret Jayber has summoned and if the “Turret Engineering” Modification Module is equipped, the summoned Turret has been improved to create an area. Blair’s “Pitmaster” skill has been improved to have a more enhanced effect based on the number of Flame Zones. The duration of the “Blaze Up” skill has been increased, and the MP cost has been reduced. When using the “Extinguish” skill, the “Flame Zone” will no longer be retrieved, instead, the “Taste of Aggression” effect will stack based on the number of “Flame Zones”. The damage of the “Burn Taste” skill has been increased, and a skill button input feature has been added to allow canceling the skill mid-use. Additionally, the Max Stacks of the “Incendiary Bomb” Modification Module have been increased, and the performance of the “Deadly Cuisine” skill has been enhanced when the “Classic Chef” Modification Module is equipped. Ajax’s “Orbital Barrier” and “Hyper Cube” skills are now affected by Attribute Resistance, making them stronger. The “Body Enhancement” Modification Module increases HP, DEF, and Shield and when using these skills Void Energy will always recover to 100%, allowing the use of Enhanced Skills more often. Additionally, the “Void Charge” Modification Module will allow the “Void Walk” skill to be stacked and the “Void Walk” and “Expulsion” skills have been modified to increase Damage based on DEF. When using an Enhanced Skill, the Cooldown will now reset. Various UX Improvements First, a feature to designate random options has been added to the External Components Junk Filter and Reactor. This allows you to conveniently designate items that don’t have the needed random options as Junk. Additionally, dismantling items in combat is now available. The shapes displayed to show your preferred item attachments can now be designated using a variety of shapes, enabling you to manage them with different shapes according to their uses. A Favorites feature has been added to the Research menu and the acquisition information of the applied item will now be shown on the map. Other updates include additional improvements to the icon information display that was included in version 1.0.7, a feature to disable voice playback during Hard Missions, the addition of visual information to the Encrypted Vault, and various other improvements. That’s all the content coming to The First Descendant Season 1 when it comes out. Until then, check out our character tier list to see which descendants should be your pick to battle the Invasion.
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The First Descendant reveals free EXP & more for a limited time – Dexerto
The First Descendant reveals free EXP & more for a limited time Nexon GamesTo commemorate the first major update, The First Descendant players will receive free in-game items such as EXP boosts and more for a limited time. The First Descendant’s first significant update included UItimate Valby, a new descendant named Luna, and several other changes and additions to the game. Since Luna failed to impress and is ranked B on our tier list, players will want to see the latest improvements — such as the new Ultimate weapon, Peace Maker. While the free update includes a multitude of new content, as stated in the patch notes, Nexon is offering free rewards to users for a limited time. Posting on the official X account, Nexon revealed that all players will receive Gold Boost +30%, Kyper Shard Boost +30%, Descendant EXP Boost +30%, and Weapon Mastery EXP Boost +30% for free. These rewards will be sent on August 2, between 12 am – 11:59 pm PDT. Players can claim these rewards from their in-game Mailbox before August 8 at 11:59 pm PDT. Each of the awards has a three-day activation period, which means that once engaged, they will remain active for that duration. Players have appreciated this move by Nexon and have taken to social media to share their thoughts. One such player said, “Double W for making Luna and Ultimate Valby so easy to obtain! 14th Descendant unlocked and 15th in the making.” Another wrote, “You guys are too good to us. Seriously, thanks for the extra buffs!” A third one wrote, “This is right on time since I just unlocked my 9th & 10th descendant (Gley & Enzo). Plus, I’m still in the process of leveling up Sharen & Ultimate Lepic!” Nexon also said that a hotfix would be published shortly to address some of the bugs and improvements included with the patch. However, no detailed information on this patch has been made available as of yet.
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The First Descendant may succeed where Anthem failed – Dexerto
The First Descendant may succeed where Anthem failed NexonThe First Descendant is a new looter-shooter from Nexon, and it could be a great time with friends if our preview is anything to go by. The last few years are littered with the corpses of loot shooters and “games as a service” titles that failed to find an audience. For every Destiny 2 or Borderlands 3, there’s an Anthem. For every Apex Legends, there are a dozen Babylon’s Falls. The First Descendant, though, feels like a polished product already, if our brief hands-on is anything to go by. Nexon’s title takes elements from Destiny, Warframe, and even Anthem to make an action RPG/shooter hybrid that’s fun to play but lacking a little in personality. The First of Many The First Descendant will launch as a free-to-play title, but it doesn’t leave the greatest of first impressions. It looks great, even at this early stage, and its character models are impressively detailed. It just lacks any real charm — characters are one-note blank slates, and as good as they look they lack any real character. I was able to go hands-on with three of the playable Descendants, and each feels a little on the dull side, full of one-liners but not a lot else. Still, it was nice to have at least some dialogue after the half-a-dozen lines I’ve heard from my Destiny Guardian over the last eight years. There’s also a limited color palette of grays, blacks, and browns that can make it feel a little flat to look at, but things do get more vibrant as more areas are unlocked. With the initial cutscene out of the way and the first of my Descendants selected, things started slowly; third-person combat is snappy and responsive, but it really hit its stride with the addition of a grappling hook. Hooked It’s here that the game starts to grow in confidence, and starts to tease out more of its systems. Combat in looting games, for the most part, has often been a very flat experience. Diablo’s isometric dungeons have staircases, and Destiny uses set-dressing to make many of its Strikes feel more vertical than they actually are, but The First Descendant is the first loot-driven game since EA’s much-maligned Anthem that feels like it wants players to think differently. It’s worth noting that there’s no flight, but the grappling hook is incredibly liberating nonetheless. Flinging my large, tank-like character, Ajax, up to a ledge before crashing down with a ground pound felt great, and everything feels much more agile than the clunky (but fun) Outriders. Each Descendant has their own abilities, too, with an ice-wielding mage or a soldier-type with a powerful arm gadget also included in the trifecta of starting options. Still, throwing my huge tank-style character into the fray before backing up to deploy a shield always felt fun, akin to a Destiny Titan or an Outriders Devastator. Let’s talk about Loot, baby It’s tough to assess a game of this nature so early on because so much of its development post-launch will be informed by the community it (hopefully) builds. Things like currencies, drop rates, and perks will always be in flux. Still, at this early stage, The First Descendant splits its loot into two categories — weapons and runes. The former is straightforward, and as fun, as the gunplay is, there are some things to iron out, namely that sniper rifles lack the kind of impact you’d hope for and can be hard to aim given the kinetic nature of combat. Players also have access to three weapons at a time, but you need to press a button to cycle through all of them — there’s no option (as far as I could tell) to hold the button and switch more quickly. On the other hand, runes are used to enhance your armor along your journey. They’re fun to build with, with increased fire rate and reload speed ones offering obvious boons, but I’m left hopeful we’ll see more exciting additions in the full game that can really diversify character builds. On the subject of characters, there are plenty of options, with each offering unique abilities akin to Warframes. Their powers are easy to grasp, and can fulfill almost MMO-like roles such as support, DPS, and the aforementioned tank. Big Boss One of The First Descendant’s big selling points is in its boss battles, where up to four players tackle a huge monster. In the beta, at least, the focus is on cooperation (I wasn’t able to tackle one of these behemoths solo), and leaning into those defined roles feels great. It’s certainly a spectacle, but it’s not particularly inspired as it revolves around hitting weak spots. Between missions, you’ll visit Albion, collecting new quests and tweaking your characters a la Destiny 2’s Tower. You can also venture into more open areas to take on smaller missions out in the field. Some of these involve destroying items, killing a certain number of enemies, or any other standard fare, and while they’re not particularly challenging they are fun to sit back and relax with. Final Thoughts The First Descendant’s setting and structure may feel a little paint-by-numbers, but there’s an awful lot of fun to be had with its classes, weapons, and mobility options. If Nexon can mix up mission objectives and offer some great loot to chase, I can see it becoming a regular option in my rotation of loot shooters. The First Descendant’s beta begins on Steam on October 20.
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The First Descendant Preseason: End date, Battle Pass, new weapon, more – Dexerto
The First Descendant Preseason: End date, Battle Pass, new weapon, more Nexon GamesThe First Descendant is the new looter shooter from Nexon Games and it started with a Preseason at launch. Here’s when the Preseason ends and all the content that came along. After the likes of Destiny 2 and Warframe, The First Descendant is the brand-new game to join the live-service looter shooter space. It’s a completely free-to-play experience with full crossplay and cross-progression support bolstered with tons of characters, weapons, and fast-paced action against gigantic bosses. Similar to Ubisoft’s XDefiant, you can play the Preseason for a few weeks before Season 1 takes over. If you’re wondering what the duration of this Preseason period is and what content it brought, here’s everything you need to know. The First Descendant Preseason duration The First Descendant Preseason started on July 2 and will end on August 29, 2024, running for eight weeks. This was confirmed by Lee Beom-jun, the game’s Producer in an interview with This Is Game where it states: “The Season 1 update takes place in the 9th week after a total of 8 weeks of pre-season.” Preseason Battle Pass cost and content The First Descendant Preseason also comes with a Battle Pass. It costs 500 Caliber or $10 with 96 rewards in total – all divided within 12 pages with 8 rewards in each. Coupled with free and premium tracks, there is plenty to claim for every type of player. That means, if you don’t want to spend real money but still earn rewards, you have that option as well. You also get the Sigvore’s Proof, which is the ultimate launcher in the Battle Pass. That’ll be an instant unlock for Premium Pass owners whereas free riders will have to wait longer. The game’s Director, Joo Min-seok, confirmed there will be other content such as “Daily Challenge, Weekly Challenge, Season Challenge, etc” apart from the regular Battle Pass. Now that it has been released, check The First Descendant PC system requirements so that you can prep your rig accordingly. The devs are celebrating the game’s launch with special drops on Twitch for the majority of July 2024. Make sure you don’t miss out on them.
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The First Descendant players want dev to learn from Warframe’s customization – Dexerto
The First Descendant players want dev to learn from Warframe’s customization NEXON GamesThe First Descendant players want the developers to add the option to dye default skins like in Warframe, which they say will alleviate the game’s grind to unlock characters. As suggested by a player on the game’s subreddit, The First Descendant would benefit from the Warframe mechanic, which allows players to customize default skins with various colors, giving them unlimited uses of dye. Not only would this give players more options to customize their characters, players believe it would help address another issue: the game’s grind-dependent character unlock system. The poster explains the need for such a system, saying “I’m tired of seeing blue bunnies running everywhere.. this s*** is tedious.” In addition to being a fan-favorite character for both her powerful skills and design, Bunny is so often used by players because she is by far the easiest Descendant to unlock. The rest, including the starter characters you didn’t pick, require a lot of grinding unless you’re willing to spend real money on Caliber, the game’s premium currency. That’s led to plenty of maps being full of nothing but Bunnys, mostly in her default appearance. Though the game does include the option to recolor some looks, they are exclusive to a handful of Premium skins. Both The First Descendant’s character unlock system and microtransactions for customizations – including expensive skins and dyes – have been widely criticized, it’s no surprise that other players are seconding the poster’s proposal. “There is no reason the default skin shouldn’t be able to use dye’s, it’s silly that even the ultimate Descendants can’t dye their outfit,” said one. “It’s the best thing Warframe has done for customization. And absolutely ridiculous none of the other big players do it,” commented another user. Others pointed out that the game’s alpha and beta tests included a similar option, but it’s nowhere to be seen in the launch version. Given that the concept existed in previous builds of the game and with Season 1 on the horizon, The First Descendant players can only hope the developers reintroduce the option to dye default skins in a future update.
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The First Descendant players slam “rage inducing” grind to unlock characters – Dexerto
The First Descendant players slam “rage inducing” grind to unlock characters NexonThe First Descendant doesn’t make it easy for players to unlock new characters without playing for them, leaving players frustrated with the RNG-based grind for materials. While there’s the option for players to purchase the base Descendants ($6-20USD) or Ultimate Descendants ($70-100 USD), people clearly want to sidestep the steep cost and unlock all these characters without paying. However, the process of getting enough materials to get new characters takes a long time. Base Bunny gets spoon-fed to the player early on via the main quest, but other characters aren’t so simple. Getting just a single new character can take days of grinding and waiting if you don’t feel like paying for them, and that grind isn’t guaranteed, either. Some blueprints like those on the Ultimate Descendants have a 2-3% drop rate. It make take tens if not hundreds of attempts to get everything you need for a new character. It’s also possible for the character you worked so hard for to be a downgrade compared to who you already have, although that’s a problem that can be avoided by reading our The First Descendant character tier list. This led to a variety of posts with players showing just how close they were to unlocking the character they wanted. They’ve been spending hours upon hours grinding through missions only to get gated by one material RNG just won’t give them. “Done this same mission for 5+hrs and not once has it dropped the singular piece I actually need. I do now have a boat load of amorphous mats but only a few shape stabilizers,” the original poster said. “You have every run 20% chance that it drops…. that theoretically means you can run 100 times and get nothing…. because every time the game roll the dice new with a 20% chance to get it… it doesn’t memorize or make a note how many time you have played the mission,” one player explained. The truly random nature of these drops means it may take players days of grinding the same missions over and over just to get a new Descendant. Drop rates on these blueprints are so inconsistent that players believe the developers are lying about the odds, though no evidence to back that up has been presented. Nevertheless, they’re frustrated with the system, calling the RNG process “rage inducing” and “abysmal”. That said, this sentiment isn’t entirely universal. Though the majority of players think gating base character unlocks behind a progression wall of this size is frustrating, some people love the grind. “I’m ashamed to admit this but I kinda love grindy looter shooters. Already 6,260 hours into Warframe, I could see myself putting a couple thousand into this if they improve and further support the game,” said one player. Those who love putting dozens and dozens of hours into getting new gear love the challenge required and the reward at the end of it, and those players are likely to be the ones who stick with the game long-term. Considering The First Descendant has consistently hovered around 200k players at peak hours on Steam since it launched, the difficulty of getting new characters hasn’t convinced people to put the game down.
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The First Descendant players slam major issue with Transcendent mods – Dexerto
The First Descendant players slam major issue with Transcendent mods Nexon GamesThe First Descendant includes a complex system of modules that vastly alter how well each character functions. Some of the most desirable are Transcendent modules, but players have identified a major flaw. In a post on Reddit, one player shared their belief that too many Transcendent mods have unclear or hidden effects that may render them seemingly useless in the eyes of the community. Many were quick to agree, giving their own examples of convoluted instructions attached to modules. One said, “Yeah, it feels like it’s translated using AI sometimes. Regenerative Braking for Lepic says something like, ‘It sometimes regenerates MP when using the skill…’ What skill? So I looked at it on another screen, and it’s cleared up as it says, ‘It sometimes regenerates MP when using skills.’ Just removing a word and making the skill plural cleared it up.” Another added, “Exactly. And if their reasoning, for why it’s not clear, is to make it less complex or more ‘simple’ they can easily make it as a ‘press button to view detailed information’.” Interestingly, this hasn’t been an effort on the developer’s part to hide any potential negative effects, as one response noted, “I find it hilarious that some of the mods are actually better than they state as well. “I was building my Ultimate Bunny, and the mod to make her 3rd skill do more damage but also hit fewer targets greatly reduces the cooldown of the skill, but the duration stays the same. Nowhere does it mention reduced cooldown, so I had to switch my build up a lot.” In actuality, the lack of clarity on Transcendent modules has been a symptom of a wider issue with The First Descendant. Localization problems and issues with instructional clarity have been present across the board, with much of the game remaining an enigma to large portions of the community.
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The First Descendant players slam “greedy” microtransactions that ruin customization – Dexerto
The First Descendant players slam “greedy” microtransactions that ruin customization NexonThe First Descendant players believe the game’s microtransactions are too “greedy” and want the devs to make changes. The First Descendant is currently the top-selling game on Steam, with the free to play looter shooter taking the crown from Elden Ring. Despite receiving mixed reviews, poor performance on PS5, and issuing compensation to address the buggy launch – The First Descendant has proven incredibly popular. In fact, the game recently received a whopping 229k concurrent players on Steam, making it the seventh most-played game. However, while it may be receiving a lot of attention players are already calling out Nexon over its “greedy” use of microtransactions. Posting on the official The First Descendant Reddit page, the game’s community was quick to highlight how expensive customization options are. “Not a whole lot micro about a $5 single-use paint,” wrote one player. “It sucks because I really enjoyed the couple of betas I played of this game, but I knew it was too good to not be completely f*cked up by Nexon greed. I don’t mind paying for some stuff in a game, especially a F2P game – hell I could maybe even justify paying that for a permanent use single paint color…The longer the servers are up the less interested I am.” It’s not just the cost of the single-use paint that has players feeling frustrated, as many believe it greatly limits the game’s customization options. “Yeah not being able to color default characters is super lame,” replied one commenter. “One of the fun things in games like this is the endless character customization. Having tons of paid skins and paints in the shop is fine, but you should be able to use the ones purchased on any skin as much as you want. Otherwise, that is crazy greedy and detracts from that aspect of the game a lot.” Others were also put off by the price of the Descendant skins, which can be purchased from the in-game cash shop using Caliber. Caliber is the game’s premium currency and can not be unlocked for free – instead, players must use real-world money to obtain it. While premium skins aren’t exactly new to F2P games, it’s the price of them that has the community up in arms. “I saw the big Bunny skin they have for her, and thought cool I will get that expecting I dunno £20 max, and it’s over 30 f*cking quid – no f*cking way I’m spending that on a single skin.” While The First Descendant character skins and single-use paint cosmetics don’t impact the overall gameplay, it’s clear that the community wants the devs to address these prices.
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The First Descendant players slam “annoying” Void Shard grind – Dexerto
The First Descendant players slam “annoying” Void Shard grind The First Descendant, Reddit: Icy_Conversation_605The First Descendant players are at their wits’ end with the Void Shard grind, branding it as the “most annoying thing in the game.” Void Fragment missions challenge players to defeat waves of monsters before a timer runs out. Once all enemies are vanquished, players can break the Void Fragment to collect Void Shards, essential for starting Outpost Missions. The goal is to gather Amorphous Materials to unlock new characters. This gameplay loop is designed to be engaging and goal-oriented, keeping players hooked as they progress. But that’s not the story players told on The First Descendant Reddit forum. Here, TFD players slammed the Void Shard grind game loop as “terrible” and “exhausting.” Players’ major issue with this gameplay loop is the low Amorphus Material drop rate. As one player put it “you regularly do a dozen+ and get nothing or maybe 1 or 2 trickling in.” This gameplay loop requires players to use characters of every element to boost drop rates, endure lengthy waits, and grind through mission after mission, all for a meager drop rate of “20-25%.” Another major gripe is the shared Void Shard expense. As one frustrated player noted, “If someone else starts the mission spending their shards, it will take yours too if you join, even though it’s completely unnecessary.” This means that even when collaborating on an Outpost mission in this co-op looter shooter, both players must spend their Void Shards to earn rewards. The First Descendant players aren’t shy about it: They want faster, more rewarding Void Shard farming and consistent Amorphous Material drops. Despite the complaints, The First Descendant continues to thrive. Nexon’s game boasts an average of 129,160 daily players, and one dedicated gamer has even managed to conquer the grind and unlock all Ultimate Descendants without spending any money.
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The First Descendant players praise July 11 hotfix as “huge win” – Dexerto
The First Descendant players praise July 11 hotfix as “huge win” NexonThe First Descendant community has dubbed Hotfix 1.0.2 a “huge win,” one that proves Nexon Games listens to feedback. Despite mixed reception, The First Descendant has already built a passionate community of players, many of whom have been quick to share feedback about the bug fixes and gameplay improvements they want implemented. Developer Nexon Games has wasted no time executing these critiques. The title’s July 11 hotfix added the much-coveted matchmaking feature for Hard Mode, optimization improvements for PC, and a host of bug fixes. To the delight of players, the 1.0.2 changes also improved drop rates for Encrypted Vaults and rid bosses of their vexing Immunity Spheres. As far as the community is concerned, this marks a big step in the right direction. Numerous players have expressed as much in The First Descendant’s subreddit, with one Redditor writing a post labeled, “Hotfix 1.0.2 is a HUGE win!” The user elaborated further, “While this doesn’t undo Nexon’s rep for releasing and abandoning games, this is a huge step [towards] proving that they actually want to properly support this game.” Another player in the subreddit said that though The First Descendant feels like an “amalgamation of Destiny and Warframe,” they’re at least pleased to see developers taking user feedback to heart. Others claim The First Descendant hotfix has boosted their excitement for the game’s future. “Removing sequenced boss spheres, limited free skins for challenges, no nerfs, increased drop rates from vaults… I think this bodes well for the future of this game,” the Redditor wrote. Shortly after launch, players slammed Nexon for the shooter’s “greedy” microtransactions, citing the company’s history of aggressive monetization. The latest update doesn’t address these complaints, but some users say the new changes make them want to spend money, especially if Nexon keeps up this momentum. Time will tell if the company can continue following through in this regard.
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The First Descendant players discover one skin that will make devs “millions” – Dexerto
The First Descendant players discover one skin that will make devs “millions” NEXON GAMESThe First Descendant community have already crowned the best skin in the game, with Ultimate Bunny becoming the most sought-after cosmetic since launch. The third-person shooter, powered by Unreal Engine 5, launched globally on July 2 with a higher Steam player count than Fall Guys and Manor Lords. SteamDB reported the peak player count hit 229,257 on Day 1, prompting many others to jump on the hype train. One of the biggest talking points so far has been the strengths of one character, called Bunny, with it sitting at the top of many tier lists. However, that’s not the only reason people have been talking about it. The First Descendant fans are losing it over Ultimate Bunny On July 3, players were devastated by issues with game servers, although before that a few were sharing their experiences in the game. A player spotted a revealing Bunny skin called Ultimate Bunny, posting on Reddit: “Lawd Jesus.” A number of others chimed in, as many clamored for servers to return so they could unlock it for themselves. “Ultimate Bunny alone will prolly make em millions,” a user predicted. Another said: “How do I get this skin?” If you’re in the same camp and want to unlock it, there are a few steps you need to take. And be prepared to spend some serious gold, too. How to get it To get Ultimate Bunny in The First Descendant, there are two methods players can choose from. 1. Buying it You can buy the Ultimate Bunny form via the in-game store for 3,000 Caliber ($60) or for $100 in purchasing the Bunny Bundle. 2. Crafting the skin To craft Ult Bunny, you need 2.7 million gold in total and 14 ingredients to complete everything you need. You will need Enhanced Cells, a Stabilizer, a Spiral Catalyst and Code. Read our full guide here on how to get Bunny and Ultimate Bunny, with a full list of ingredients beyond the four main things. For more information on Bunny in The First Descendant, check out this guide on skins and our best Bunny build here.
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The First Descendant players discover key hidden movement mechanic – Dexerto
The First Descendant players discover key hidden movement mechanic Nexon GamesAmid all the chaos in The First Descendant, you might be missing out on a key hidden movement mechanic discovered by players. Sure, you can use the Grappling Hook for quick traversal in The First Descendant, but nothing comes to eliminating the stun effect and walking straight away after landing from a high-up area. The game’s Preseason has been a success followed by a healthy player count, hitting an all-time peak on Steam. Out of the many things tried and tested by players, they have found a movement mechanic that cancels the landing animation. This is done by shooting a weapon right before landing on foot and saving your Descendant from getting staggered or stunned. “Didn’t even know about this….W,” said one player. A fellow player commented: “Bunny just got even faster.” Bunny is the fastest character in the game, thanks to her Electric Attribute and similar Active Skills. She’s also the second Descendant you unlock while completing the campaign, which means most players will have her. Some players are also sharing other ways to cancel the stun. “Anything that causes animation on your character will cancel it,” said one. “Or you could just hit your double jump before you land,” chimed in another. One player noticed that canceling the reload of a weapon is also possible: “Basically when you reload any gun if you wait for the last 1/5 of the “loading bar” you can immediately end the reload by doing any action. You can also be always aiming and reload while aiming and it’ll end sooner.” The First Descendant is the latest looter shooter from Nexon and features a ton of content, which can be intimidating for new players. However, when the community brings something like this to the table, it certainly makes things easier. If you’re new and just getting started with The First Descendant, check out our Ultimate weapons and character tier lists for a headstart.
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The First Descendant players call out major issue with Premium Battle Pass – Dexerto
The First Descendant players call out major issue with Premium Battle Pass NexonThe First Descendant has courted controversy since its release for what some consider predatory monetization practices. The Premium Battle pass has now also come in for criticism, with players unhappy at the rewards on offer. In a post on Reddit, one player lamented the lack of catalysts and activators included as part of the Premium Battle Pass rewards. Crystallisation Catalysts are an important item in The First Descendant, allowing players to change the Module Socket Type on owned weapons or their Descendant. Though they are very useful, they are also relatively easy to farm via several unique methods. The same is not true of Energy Activators, which are extremely time-consuming to earn. Energy Activators expand module slots for weapons and Descendants, and coming across them during gameplay is very difficult. Many players underneath the post felt that, at the very least, Activators should be included as part of the Premium Battle Pass offering. One said, “The main reason I didn’t opt into buying it. If it rewarded a non-ult Descendant or two Descendant slots, then maybe. No cata or energies is instant no from me.” Others shared other rewards they felt should be included. They said, “I agree with an Activator, Catalysts are a lot easier to get by comparison. Hell would be nice if they added a free character slot to the BP. I’m pretty sure people would appreciate it, considering how cheap it is to unlock it anyway.” A third added, “Catalysts are not the problem. Activators are! Trying to get those blueprints are next to impossible. We should be able to choose our rewards after we use the right material, I reckon, because it’s hard enough just to get some of them in the first place.” Whether developer Nexon will reconsider the current Battle Pass offering remains unclear, but they are yet to intimate that changes could be on the way.
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The First Descendant players call out major flaw with boss fights – Dexerto
The First Descendant players call out major flaw with boss fights Nexon GamesThe First Descendant has some fairly spectacular boss fights, and they act as the game’s main set-piece moments. Unfortunately, players have one major gripe that severely mars the experience. In a post on Reddit, one player pointed out that many of the game’s bosses can do significant damage that can’t be dodged or avoided (other than by using cover). Bosses such as Swamp Walker and others have missile barrages and other highly explosive ranged attacks. These track the player perfectly, not allowing them to dodge no matter how well-timed their movements are. The major issue with this is that many of the Descendants available to players are specifically designed with movement in mind. Essentially, eliminating this from their toolkit quickly hurts the fun available to players of characters where speed and agility are the priority. Many were quick to agree with the original post. One said, “Executioner and Pyromaniac with the giant elemental globe that homes in on you while spitting out smaller orbs that track you. If I don’t hide behind something to destroy the large globe, I have to face tank it immediately to destroy it, or it spends its entire duration spinning around the arena, pelting me with its hot zappy discharge.” Another added, “The tracking on some of the mission barrages literally can’t be dodged unless you’re behind cover, I can’t count the number of times a Walker’s mission barrage did a full 180 to me when I’ve grappled away.” A third shared their feeling that the system feels like an unnecessary punishment. They said, “Some of the attacks are just laserbeams that will perfectly track you until you’re behind cover no matter how much you’re moving or how fast. It doesn’t feel like I died because of anything I did wrong; it feels like I died because they decided I would, so I will.” Nexon is yet to announce any major changes to the way boss fights work in the game right now. As such, some are likely to remain considerably more frustrating than others, particularly for those using Bunny or other similar Descendants.
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The First Descendant players call for major change to “boring” boss mechanic – Dexerto
The First Descendant players call for major change to “boring” boss mechanic NexonFans are slamming a recurring boss mechanic in The First Descendant for its lack of originality and artificially extending combat in an unfun way. As a PvE game, The First Descendant pits players against large mobs of enemies, stronger elite units, and massive boss monsters. As the bosses are a single target, the players should be able to overcome them by throwing all of their best skills at them. The problem that players are having is with the boss’s “orb” mechanic. This is when you damage an enemy to the point where it spawns several orbs, which the player has to destroy, as the boss cannot be damaged while they’re in play. Unfortunately, the developers may have relied on this strategy a little too often, as fans on The First Descendant’s Reddit page are criticizing the orbs, as they’re too present in the gameplay and grind things to a halt when they appear. “Wait till you get to the version where you have to kill the orbs in the spawn order of the orbs, oh and the boss moves around so you can lose track of them,” one player wrote, while another said, “As soon as a saw how often and obnoxiously bosses were being shielded, I had a feeling this would be one of the major complaints.” The First Descendant’s rocky state at launch has exacerbated the issue, as pointed out by one player: “The mechanic is made worse when you fight a boss in a cave, and the orbs clip through the roof, can’t even touch ’em unless ya kite him out haha.” One player summed things up perfectly: “It’s a gimmick and an obnoxious one at that. You could change that to anything else in the world and it would improve the game.” The First Descendant is hardly the first hero-based looter shooter. Over the years, we’ve seen countless gameplay gimmicks for bosses in different titles, so it’s unclear why this game leans so heavily into temporary invincibility while the player deals with additional units. It could be a case of cutting down on development time, as it’s quicker to repurpose an existing mechanic than to create a new one. Hopefully, this choice doesn’t turn people away from The First Descendant at launch, as boring repetition is a great way to make people stop playing your game.
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The First Descendant players are recreating Stellar Blade’s controversial Skin Suit – Dexerto
The First Descendant players are recreating Stellar Blade’s controversial Skin Suit Shift Up / Nexon GamesThe First Descendant’s Ultimate Bunny skin is one of the most popular cosmetics in the game, and players have used it to recreate Stellar Blade’s Skin Suit. The First Descendant features plenty of characters for players to choose from, but the most popular is Bunny. This lightning-fast character has quickly caught the eye of the game’s community, which is largely down to the eye-catching nature of her unlockable skins. Amongst the most popular is none other than the Ultimate Bunny skin. This cosmetic doesn’t leave much to the imagination and has quickly whipped the game’s community into a frenzy, with many claiming the skin will make Nexon millions. However, one player has successfully managed to recreate Stellar Blade’s Skin Suit which has residents of Albion turning their heads. Posting on the official The First Descendant Reddit page, one player shared an image of their Ultimate Bunny skin. Instead of having the usual black and white design, OP has used the leather brown matte color to recreate Bunny’s skin color. This has only added to the revealing nature of the Ultimate Bunny skin, and shares striking similarities to Stellar Blade’s Skin Suit. This is especially true given both cosmetics, at least aesthetically, lack any real defensive armor. “A lot of people are going to have double take when they see you,” joked one commenter. Others joked how the added fanservice will give them an edge in combat: “Guys, OP has a very clever strat, they’re gonna distract the enemy with this skin to get free shots in.” If you’re a fan of Stellar Blade or just wish to unlock the Ultimate Bunny skin for yourself, then you can buy it from the in-game store for 3,000 Caliber ($60) or for $100 in purchasing the Bunny Bundle. For those that don’t mind grinding, then you can craft it. You will need to grab 14 ingredients to complete it, including the likes of Enhanced Cells, a Stabilizer, a Spiral Catalyst, Code, and have 2.7 million gold. The full list of upgrade materials can be found in our Bunny and Ultimate Bunny guide here, while all The First Descendant Bunny skins are featured in our hub. If you’re looking to increase your DPS, then our best Bunny build has you covered.
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The First Descendant player grinds for 200 hours to unlock all Ultimate characters – Dexerto
The First Descendant player grinds for 200 hours to unlock all Ultimate characters Unsplash Glenn Carstens-Peters, The First DescendantOne First Descendant player unlocked every Ultimate Descendant in just two weeks without spending a cent, causing other players to advise them to “touch some grass.” The First Descendant has faced criticism for its microtransactions and slow progression system. Even players slammed the “rage-inducing” grind that is unlocking characters in the game. The game has $5 skin paints and $15 character skins. It also sells “Boost” items that increase progression by 30% for 3 to 30 days to ease the grind. Despite criticism, one player managed to unlock all Ultimate Descendants just two weeks after the game’s launch. This player proudly showed off screenshots on a Reddit thread displaying their unlocked Ultimate Descendants, including Ultimate Gley, Ultimate Lepic, Ultimate Ajax, Ultimate Viessa, and Ultimate Bunny, without making any purchases. They also provided receipts by displaying the store with the purchasable bundles still available. Some players in the TFD community congratulated the player on their dedication and skill, but most nudged them to go touch some grass. One player teased, “Well, looks like you got about 14 hours MAX to grass touch before you need to get back to the grind!” while another jabbed, “Still sane, Descendant?” The player’s response was clear: “I’m all tapped out of sanity. I plan to spend a lot of time outside now!” According to this player, they have spent 200 hours of playtime to get the Ultimate Descendants. They also shared their strategy so other players could get them too. “Build a strong foundation early. A good weapon and a decently built character lower farming time.” Despite the microtransaction issues, The First Descendant keeps growing. The game reached 10 million players in just one week. Popular streamers like Asmongold have defended its in-game purchases, arguing its microtransactions are “actually good.”
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The First Descendant player destroys Devourer with ultimate “No Launcher” Gley build – Dexerto
The First Descendant player destroys Devourer with ultimate “No Launcher” Gley build NexonDevourer is an incredibly tough boss to defeat in The First Descendant and some players are losing their minds over creating the perfect build to destroy him. The First Descendant promises players epic boss battles on vast worlds where they can team up with others and secure the area by wiping out the evil alien faction. Nexon’s looter shooter features a massive roster of characters, each with their own distinctive skill set and modules that make them deadly for enemies. One of the most formidable bosses in the game is Devourer, and players are finding this foe so tough that they are experimenting with character builds to find its weak spots and defeat it in a single run. One Reddit user shared that they were able to destroy Devourer quickly using an Ultimate Gley build with no launchers. In a video, they show themself going up against a Hard-mode Devourer and defeating it in seconds using a stacked set of build with ultimate modules. The player used a level 100 Eternal Willpower Assault Rifle that was upgraded to 378,287 DPS and had 76 modules applied to it. Furthermore, their Gley build used 79 Module Capacity with a Mastery Rank 12 and character Level 40 with a Level 100 Frozen Phase Reactor. Here’s the complete module allotment in their build: 10 Shortsword Skill Modules – 8 MP Conversion Control Modules – 6 Focus on Singular Attack Modules – 6 Focus on Non-Attribute Battle Modules – 8 Stim Accelerant HP Modules – 13 Maximize Toxic Resist HP Modules – 8 HP Collector Support Tech Modules – 6 Nimble Fingers Modules – 8 Increased HP Modules – 8 Skill Extension Modules – 8 Increased Defense Modules – The above-listed modules increased the attack damage majorly of the Gley build and increased its max HP by 449%. Looking at the clip several First Descendant players turned in their amusement and raised questions to the user who posted it. One such player said, “This looks much better than the launcher, I can’t see anything with people shooting those nonstop.” To the comment above the original user replied, “I suspect this will scale much better vs launcher build. Launcher can’t build crit rate reliably. It also can’t hit weak spots consistently. Launcher also forces you to be in melee range as its projectile velocity is laughable. In my opinion, this should be the go-to build for infinite ammo Gley.” Another player asked the user why they were using two of the same weapon in different slots, to which they replied, “I have two variations one for mobbing and one for bossing. Bossing one has a colossus damage bonus.” If you’re wondering about the best build for Gley, we’ve got you sorted with a detailed guide on the best modules and weapons you’d need to claim more EXP and weapons while completing missions in The First Descendant.