A Genshin Impact leak has revealed more details about the upcoming story tied to the new Natlan region. Developer HoYoverse has already released multiple teaser videos confirming that Travelers will soon be able to step foot into Genshin Impact's Pyro nation, better known as Natlan.
HoYoverse announced that their free-to-play open world gacha game Genshin Impact is getting a major update at the end of the month. Version 5.0 will add the sixth nation of Teyvat which will come with various content and new areas to explore.
Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect from the 5.0 update, which is titled ‘Flowers Resplendent on the Sun-Scorched Sojourn’.
New Nation: Natlan, the Nation of War, and Nation of Pyro, reveals the first three of six tribes
Open to early and mid-game players: Map unlock criteria – complete all Mondstadt Archon Quests and reach AR 19; Archon Quest unlock criteria – complete all of Liyue's Archon Quests and reach AR 28.
Transform into Natlan's Saurians: Tepetlisaurus (burrow underground, climb cliffs), Koholasaurus (swim), Yumkasaurus (reach great heights)
Tribes: Children of Echoes, Scions of the Canopy, People of the Springs
Characters: Kinich (5-star, Dendro, Claymore), Mualani (5-star, Hydro, Catalyst), Kachina (4-star, Geo, Polearm)
Banner: 1st – Mualani, Kachina, Kaedehara Kazuha; 2nd – Kinich, Raiden Shogun
Bonus to celebrate the anniversary
The new nation is called Natlan, and HoYoverse provided a good description of the new region.
The road to Natlan will open with an unlocked Teleport Waypoint that is accessible to players, even beginners and intermediates, who have completed the Prologue of the Archon Quest in Mondstadt.
Known as the Nation of Pyro, Natlan is located west of the Sumeru desert. The people of this nation are divided into six main tribes. The dragons of Natlan, more commonly called Saurians, are the result of a long evolution and have evolved to coexist with humans, and they have even become their faithful companions. With Version 5.0, players will be able to explore three of the six tribes, as well as encounter three types of Saurians who live together with the locals.
Mastering the abilities of the different Saurians can prove decisive in exploring the towering cliffs and flowing springs, and players can transform into a Saurian by indwelling them. The Tepetlisaurus are Saurians good at tunneling undergrounds and climbing cliffs, and they are the companions of choice for the Children of Echoes who call the canyons their home. The Yumkasaurus can pull themselves in the chosen direction and reach great heights with ease. They have taken up residence among the Scions of the Canopy, a tribe living suspended from the walls of steep cliffs. As for the Koholasaurus, they can move quickly on water and liquid Phlogiston, which explains why they are commonly seen with the People of the Springs near the sea.
Natlan, also known as the Nation of War, honors her warriors at the Stadium of the Sacred Flame, where the Champion of each tribe is chosen through a tournament. This is where the main story unfolds, as the player, accompanied by local warriors Kachina, Kinich, and Mualani, travel to the Stadium. To begin Natlan's Archon Quest, players need to reach Adventure Rank 28 and above, and have completed all of Liyue's Archon Quests.
New Characters
Those looking forward to the new characters will get to play around with Mualani and Kachina the moment Version 5.0 is in the first phase along with the Kaedehara Kazuha rerun. The new 5-star Kinich will debut during the second half and come with the Raiden Shogun. The stories for Natlan’s new characters will be available through the Tribal Chronicles, the new three-act quest chain.
Genshin Impact 4th Anniversary Celebration
The game’s 4th anniversary is just around the corner and HoYoverse is bringing back the special daily login event as players can earn up to ten Intertwined Fate, 1,600 Primogems waiting in their in-game mail, two exclusive gadgets — the Firstborn Firesprite and the Kabom Box, and more.
Furthermore, players can also invite a 5-star character from the Standard Wish lineup to their team for free. More updates on the Character Event Wish, Weapon Event Wish will be announced at a later date.
Genshin Impact’s Version 5.0 goes live on August 28, 2024.
2K and Firaxis have revealed more information about Sid Meier's Civilization VII at gamescom 2024. After first publishing a teaser trailer at Summer Game Fest 2024, the companies revealed the release date and gameplay details for the new game at the European gaming event.
A new trailer for Civilization VII appeared first during the gamescom 2024 Opening Night Live stream. It showed a quick montage of in-engine footage, including buildings from various civilizations and units from different ages. The main highlight of this trailer was the release date announcement.
The new game will be available on February 11, 2025. While prior entries used to appear first on PCs with consoles like Nintendo Switch getting them later on, this trailer's ending segment hints that Civilization VII will be available simultaneously on not only PCs but also the PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox platforms.
Soon after that, Firaxis held an official gameplay showcase stream dedicated to the game on the series' official YouTube channel. The new game will have civilizations tied to each of the three different eras, and the leader character the player chooses is no longer tied to their original civilization.
For example, while Hatshepsut is originally related to Egypt, the player can choose to have her lead the Aksum civilization instead in the Antiquity Age. As the game progresses in age, the player will have to choose a different civilization for Hatshepsut to lead, such as Songhai or Mongolia in the Exploration Age, and Buganda in the Modern Age.
2K has also updated the game's Steam page with additional bonus editions that provide both in-game content at launch and post-launch DLC that 2K will release in the future. People who have pre-purchased any edition of the game—including the standard version before release—can get the native American civilization Shawnee and Tecumseh as a playable leader.
Sid Meier's Civilization VII will be available for PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, and Xbox One on February 11, 2025.
The post Civilization VII Release Date and Gameplay Revealed appeared first on Siliconera.
Square Enix released a Chrissy Costanza music video for the FFXIV “Give It All” Arcadion Raid song, as well as shared the official English lyrics for the track. The song debuted alongside the 7.01 Dawntrail Raid AAC Light-heavyweight Tier.
In FFXIV, you hear the song “Give It All” during AAC Light-heavyweight M4. The Orchestrion Roll for the track is also a basic rarity reward from a Treasure Coffer from the fight. The idea is that Wicked Thunder is “performing” the track. In reality, it is a The Primals song with Costanza providing the vocals. Previously, the company shared the track following its release. However, now the additional video and lyrics are also available.
Here are the full, official “Give It All” FFXIV Arcadion Raid song lyrics:
Tonight our city bleeds red, blue, and green
As I walk in the dark unseenYet like the grey the sky is draped in
The colors in my heart have fadedGone
They're gone
They're gone
All goneA girl looks to the stars and dares to dream
On the world she'd make her mark, it seemedThis phantom in my mirror starin' back
I realize that girl isGone
She's gone
She's gone
I'm goneClimbed every mountain, made it to the top
I had it all, or so I thought
Traded tomorrow for a lie
And found the price too highThe clock is ticking counting down to naught
I'm outta time but it won't stop
I'll bet my life before it's lost
That final line I'll crossThere ain't no going back
No going back
No going back
NoWhat light's left here inside
I'll suffocate
If that's what it takes, ohAnd those who look to cast me aside
or turn their backs and leave me to dieYou can try, can try, come try,
But I will surviveNo going back
No going back
Won't ever
(no) Never again, noAin't no going back
No going back
No coming back from the edgeLook in my eyes, yeah I know you understand
(somebody help, my misery's taking me)
I've made up my mind, now there ain't no going back
(somebody help, I'm losing what's left of me)
I've made up my mind, now my heart's demanding
I'm ready to fight til there's one left standing
Tonight, lightning'll strike, thunder will fall
(and) You're gonna give it allTo me
To me
To me
To me, I gotta believe
You'll set
Me freeTonight my circle finally comes complete
One last step from the dark, I breatheThe music's swellin', crowd is chantin'
And for this moment fear's an after-thought
It's gone
It's gone
All goneI look out to the crowd and there I see
A thousand little girls--all meI've turned the tables, yeah I'm fightin' back
I'll bring the lightnin', now it'sOn
It's on
It's on
You're goneClimbed every mountain, made it to the top
I had it all, or so I thought
Traded tomorrow for a lie
And found the price too highThe clock is ticking counting down to naught
I'm outta time but it won't stop
I'll bet my life before it's lost
That final line I'll crossThere ain't no going back
No going back
No going back
NoWhat light's left here inside
I'll suffocate
If that's what it takes, ohAnd those who look to cast me aside
or turn their backs and leave me to dieYou can try, can try, come try,
But I will surviveNo going back
No going back
Won't ever
(no) Never again, noAin't no going back
No going back
No coming back from the edge, no more
Next, here’s the “Give It All” music video from YouTube, which features gameplay footage from FFXIV, Solution Nine, and the Arcadion Raid. Note there are spoilers for all the AAC Light-heavyweight Tier fights in the video below, and not just the Wicked Thunder one.
Both standard and Savage versions of the AAC Light-heavyweight Tier Arcadion fight are available in the game. The more difficult version of the Raid debuted at the end of July 2024 in patch 7.05.
Final Fantasy XIV is available for the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, and the Arcadian Raid series are part of the Dawntrail patches.
The post See the FFXIV ‘Give It All’ Arcadion Raid Song Lyrics, Music Video appeared first on Siliconera.
The list of new PS5 and PS4 games for the week beginning August 19, 2024, has gotten shorter this week but does include a couple of bigger AAA releases. The catch is that only PS5 owners get to enjoy them. The highlight of the week will be action RPG Black Myth: Wukong, although there’s also multiplayer shooter Concord
Here are all of the PS5 and PS4 games currently set to be released throughout the week of August 19 to 25, 2024.
A total of 19 games are coming to PS5 this week, while PS4 players get a slightly shorter list of 16 titles. Black Myth: Wukong, the action RPG based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, is making its console debut exclusively on PS5. The game is supposed to come to Xbox Series X|S later but has been delayed due to optimization issues.
Meanwhile, PS5 exclusive multiplayer shooter Concord makes its debut at the end of the week, although early access begins tomorrow, August 20. The game is available to preload right now.
Finally, PSVR 2 players miss out this week as there are no new games due to be released this week.
The post PS5 and PS4 Releases: Every Game Release Date for Week Beginning August 19, 2024 appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.
Single player, story-driven adventures are what Red Thread Games do best. Their latest is now available - Dustborn on Xbox, PlayStation, PC
The post Dustborn: Hope, Love, and Robots in a Post-Apocalyptic World appeared first on TheXboxHub.
Ready to serve for the win? Tiebreak is the official game of the ATP and WTA - and it's available to play today on Xbox, PlayStation and PC.
The post Tiebreak Aces Onto Consoles: Experience the Most Realistic Tennis Game Yet appeared first on TheXboxHub.
Turtle Beach refresh their brilliant Stealth 700 Headset, announced alongside some charging options and Nintendo Switch gear.
The post Turtle Beach: Level Up Your Gaming Experience with These New Products appeared first on TheXboxHub.
Now available on Xbox, PlayStation and PC, House of Golf 2 is set within a sprawling house, and makes your golf ball very small indeed.
The post House of Golf 2 brings wacky mini-golf to your couch on Xbox, PlayStation and PC appeared first on TheXboxHub.
From out of nowhere, racing towards Xbox, PlayStation, Switch and PC is the exhilarating high-speed racing of Phantom Spark.
The post Inspired by Trackmania & WipeOut, Phantom Spark Ignites on Consoles & PC appeared first on TheXboxHub.
Will you Rewind or Die?
The post Rewind or Die? Can You Survive the Night Shift? appeared first on TheXboxHub.
A spooky adventure, Murder is Game Over: Streaming Death releases on console. Will you be able to get to the bottom of the mystery?
The post Beware the Seaside Curse – Murder is Game Over: Streaming Death Brings Spooky Adventure to Console appeared first on TheXboxHub.
Space-themed puzzles. Real-time strategy. Short campaign. Endless Mode. Turn to Mine releases on Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch with just about enough in the tank to warrant a look.
The post Blast Off with Turn to Mine: A New Space Puzzler appeared first on TheXboxHub.
2K and Firaxis have revealed more information about Sid Meier's Civilization VII at gamescom 2024. After first publishing a teaser trailer at Summer Game Fest 2024, the companies revealed the release date and gameplay details for the new game at the European gaming event.
A new trailer for Civilization VII appeared first during the gamescom 2024 Opening Night Live stream. It showed a quick montage of in-engine footage, including buildings from various civilizations and units from different ages. The main highlight of this trailer was the release date announcement.
The new game will be available on February 11, 2025. While prior entries used to appear first on PCs with consoles like Nintendo Switch getting them later on, this trailer's ending segment hints that Civilization VII will be available simultaneously on not only PCs but also the PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox platforms.
Soon after that, Firaxis held an official gameplay showcase stream dedicated to the game on the series' official YouTube channel. The new game will have civilizations tied to each of the three different eras, and the leader character the player chooses is no longer tied to their original civilization.
For example, while Hatshepsut is originally related to Egypt, the player can choose to have her lead the Aksum civilization instead in the Antiquity Age. As the game progresses in age, the player will have to choose a different civilization for Hatshepsut to lead, such as Songhai or Mongolia in the Exploration Age, and Buganda in the Modern Age.
2K has also updated the game's Steam page with additional bonus editions that provide both in-game content at launch and post-launch DLC that 2K will release in the future. People who have pre-purchased any edition of the game—including the standard version before release—can get the native American civilization Shawnee and Tecumseh as a playable leader.
Sid Meier's Civilization VII will be available for PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, and Xbox One on February 11, 2025.
The post Civilization VII Release Date and Gameplay Revealed appeared first on Siliconera.
Square Enix released a Chrissy Costanza music video for the FFXIV “Give It All” Arcadion Raid song, as well as shared the official English lyrics for the track. The song debuted alongside the 7.01 Dawntrail Raid AAC Light-heavyweight Tier.
In FFXIV, you hear the song “Give It All” during AAC Light-heavyweight M4. The Orchestrion Roll for the track is also a basic rarity reward from a Treasure Coffer from the fight. The idea is that Wicked Thunder is “performing” the track. In reality, it is a The Primals song with Costanza providing the vocals. Previously, the company shared the track following its release. However, now the additional video and lyrics are also available.
Here are the full, official “Give It All” FFXIV Arcadion Raid song lyrics:
Tonight our city bleeds red, blue, and green
As I walk in the dark unseenYet like the grey the sky is draped in
The colors in my heart have fadedGone
They're gone
They're gone
All goneA girl looks to the stars and dares to dream
On the world she'd make her mark, it seemedThis phantom in my mirror starin' back
I realize that girl isGone
She's gone
She's gone
I'm goneClimbed every mountain, made it to the top
I had it all, or so I thought
Traded tomorrow for a lie
And found the price too highThe clock is ticking counting down to naught
I'm outta time but it won't stop
I'll bet my life before it's lost
That final line I'll crossThere ain't no going back
No going back
No going back
NoWhat light's left here inside
I'll suffocate
If that's what it takes, ohAnd those who look to cast me aside
or turn their backs and leave me to dieYou can try, can try, come try,
But I will surviveNo going back
No going back
Won't ever
(no) Never again, noAin't no going back
No going back
No coming back from the edgeLook in my eyes, yeah I know you understand
(somebody help, my misery's taking me)
I've made up my mind, now there ain't no going back
(somebody help, I'm losing what's left of me)
I've made up my mind, now my heart's demanding
I'm ready to fight til there's one left standing
Tonight, lightning'll strike, thunder will fall
(and) You're gonna give it allTo me
To me
To me
To me, I gotta believe
You'll set
Me freeTonight my circle finally comes complete
One last step from the dark, I breatheThe music's swellin', crowd is chantin'
And for this moment fear's an after-thought
It's gone
It's gone
All goneI look out to the crowd and there I see
A thousand little girls--all meI've turned the tables, yeah I'm fightin' back
I'll bring the lightnin', now it'sOn
It's on
It's on
You're goneClimbed every mountain, made it to the top
I had it all, or so I thought
Traded tomorrow for a lie
And found the price too highThe clock is ticking counting down to naught
I'm outta time but it won't stop
I'll bet my life before it's lost
That final line I'll crossThere ain't no going back
No going back
No going back
NoWhat light's left here inside
I'll suffocate
If that's what it takes, ohAnd those who look to cast me aside
or turn their backs and leave me to dieYou can try, can try, come try,
But I will surviveNo going back
No going back
Won't ever
(no) Never again, noAin't no going back
No going back
No coming back from the edge, no more
Next, here’s the “Give It All” music video from YouTube, which features gameplay footage from FFXIV, Solution Nine, and the Arcadion Raid. Note there are spoilers for all the AAC Light-heavyweight Tier fights in the video below, and not just the Wicked Thunder one.
Both standard and Savage versions of the AAC Light-heavyweight Tier Arcadion fight are available in the game. The more difficult version of the Raid debuted at the end of July 2024 in patch 7.05.
Final Fantasy XIV is available for the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, and the Arcadian Raid series are part of the Dawntrail patches.
The post See the FFXIV ‘Give It All’ Arcadion Raid Song Lyrics, Music Video appeared first on Siliconera.
Mai Shiranui will be making her return to the Fatal Fury series in SNK's newest fighting game Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. A trailer for her came up as the latest announcement for the game at gamescom 2024. The game appeared with a new trailer featuring Mai in both a brand new design for the new entry and her classic look.
You can take a look at the gamescom 2024 Mai Shiranui Fatal Fury trailer here:
The trailer showcased Mai Shiranui's combos and highlighted her design through the ages before revealing her new black jacket and pants ensemble. It showed off some of her specials and supers as well. After that, SNK revealed the classic look, which involves the red and white kunoichi dress from her previous appearances.
Mai Shiranui is one of many stars making their way to Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. Characters like B. Jenet, Terry Bogard and Rock Howard will also be taking the stage alongside new fighters.
The trailer also featured a release date for Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves: April 24, 2024. That was followed by the contents of the special edition. The special edition will feature the base game and the first season pass, featuring five new characters to play as, for $59.99. In addition, pre-orders of Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves will give players the Fatal Fury 2 look for Terry Bogard and along with three-day early access. So people who pre-order can play starting on April 21, 2025.
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves will be available on the Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox Series S/X and PC on April 24, 2024.
The post Mai Shiranui Returns in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves appeared first on Siliconera.
During gamescom 2024 Opening Night Live, HoYoVerse announced a Genshin Impact Xbox Series X release date. The game will come to the console on November 10, 2024, following the 5.0 launch on August 28, 2024.
The Xbox Series X version of Genshin Impact came up in the gamescom 2024 trailer for the title. For the most part, the video focused on the 5.0 update. We got to see the three new characters joining in August 2024 in action. These are the five-stars Mualani and Kinich and four-star Kachina.
This is the second Genshin Impact trailer to appear recently. On August 19, 2024, there was a Natlan-focused one. It highlighted certain areas we’ll visit and creatures we’ll encounter in the new region.
This announcement means Genshin Impact is only missing on one major console. The Switch version of the title was announced not long after launch. However, it’s since been absent over the years with no updates. It is unknown if this means it might not appear on a Nintendo platform until a Switch successor appears.
Genshin Impact is available on the PS4, PS5, PC, and mobile devices, and the Xbox Series X release date is November 10, 2024.
The post Genshin Impact Xbox Series X Release Date Set at Gamescom appeared first on Siliconera.
The hit title developed and published by poncle, Vampire Survivors, is finally making its way to the PlayStation family of consoles this month.
The BAFTA ‘Best Game’ award winner, Vampire Survivors has seen a release on many platforms including smartphones, and today the developers at poncle have announced it is PlayStation’s turn. Vampire Survivors and all of its post-launch updated content is coming to the PlayStation family of consoles on August 29. On the Steam platform alone, poncle’s breakout title still sees thousands of daily players (according to SteamChartz) and has garnered over 200,000 positive Steam reviews.
The Roguelike title puts players behind the capable pixels of one of the many cast of characters tasked with pushing back the hordes of the night. It’s worth mentioning all of the previously released DLC (including the Among Us Emergency Meeting! mashup) will be launching at the exact same time, so fans can get a full fix of poncle’s offerings. CGMagazine’s review of poncle’s breakout title says “It never feels like you’re playing the same game twice. Whether you’re trying to hit the 30-minute mark, completing missions to unlock new characters or items, or upping the difficulty to really challenge yourself, there is always something exciting to do.”
we said summer… it's still summer
— Vampire Survivors
Vampire Survivors will be coming to PS4 & PS5 on August 29th (yes, 2024)
To absorb all of the available content available, fans will have to shell out just under $14 to snag all of the content poncle has released since Vampire Survivors launched back in 2022, where it was only available on Steam. Now, the title is available on nearly every platform, with the PlayStation family of consoles letting the night into their ranks on August 29.
A Genshin Impact leak has revealed which Opening Characters and Special Guest characters will feature in the Imaginarium Theater during Version 5.0. The challenging game mode pushes Genshin Impact players to invest in their characters' builds and obtain Primogems and other rewards.
Bandai Namco Entertainment announced the second Open Network Test (ONT) for their upcoming game Gundam Breaker 4, which features new modes, missions, and an interesting collaboration content with an iconic video game figure.
Here’s what you need to know about the 2nd Open Network Test.
Dates
Pre-Download: From 00:00 SGT on Wednesday, 7 August 2024
Day 1: Saturday, August 10, 2024 (Session 1: 17:00 SGT to 22:00 SGT)
Day 2: Sunday, August 11m 2024 (Session 2: 08:00 SGT to 13:00 SGT, Session 3: 17:00 SGT to 22:00 SGT)
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4
New Features
Diorama Mode: Available for trial during the ONT
Two Additional Missions
Seven New Mobile Suits: Expanded roster for a more dynamic experience
Pac-Man x Gundam Breaker 4 Collaboration
Bandai will be doing a unique collaboration between Gundam Breaker 4 and the iconic Pac-Man as players will face a giant Pac-Man-themed Gundam RX-78-2 and can earn a special Emblem to customize their Gunpla.
Check out the trailer for the collaboration content below.
Lastly, Bandai announced that early purchasers of the physical editions for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch in Southeast Asia will receive a limited-edition Gundam Breaker 4 mouse pad (shown below), available at select retailers while stocks last.
Gundam Breaker 4 is set to release on August 29, 2024 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam.
PGDX 2024 featured numerous developers, big and small, showcasing their titles during the 3-day event. On day 2, Atlus and Sega took center stage to present their upcoming JRPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio, with Atlus’ game designer Naoto Hiraoka leading the showcase.
A Message from the Game Director
The showcase began with a video of Metaphor’s game director, Katsura Hashino, sharing a few words about the JRPG. He provided a quick overview of the concept and vision for the title, which takes a high-fantasy route instead of the modern setting familiar from the Persona and Shin Megami series.
Hashino emphasized that Metaphor marks a return to the basics of JRPGs while retaining the distinctive art style seen in recent Atlus titles. If you’ve played Persona 5 or Persona 3 Reload, you know what I’m talking about.
The Development Team
During the showcase, Hiraoka highlighted the impressive development team behind the game:
Director: Katsura Hashino (Shin Megami Tensei 3, Persona 3)
Character Design: Shigenori Soejima (Persona 3, Persona 4, Persona 5)
Composer: Shoji Meguro (Persona 3, Persona 4)
Concept Art Designer: Koda Kazuma (NieR: Automata)
Gauntlet Runner Design: Ikuto Yamashita (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
Archetype Design: Yujio Himukai (Etrian Odyssey series)
While the showcase was mainly focused on Metaphor: ReFantazio, Hiraoka then shared the importance of Southeast Asia, especially the Philippines as Atlus titles have a strong fanbase in the region.
Filipinos have been feeling the presence of Sega recently as the region was treated with multiple events hosted by Sega to promote Persona 5 Tactica at Moon Rabit Cafe back in October 2023, then Persona 3 Reload at High Grounds Cafe at the start of this year. Sega was also present at previous events such as ESGS 2023 where they had theirbooth featuring their recent and upcoming titles for con-goers to give their titles a try.
With Metaphor: ReFantazio being a new IP for the company, Hiraoka hopes it will receive similar enthusiasm from Filipino fans.
Soon after, giveaways were given to those in attendance.
Metaphor: ReFantazio is set to release on October 11, 2024, for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC (via Steam). You can learn more details of the game’s combat here, or if you’re interested in the different editions available, Altus is offering an Atlus Brand 35th Anniversary edition that comes with tons of bonus items.
Despite the success of Destiny 2’s The Final Shape expansion, which concluded the 10-year-long light versus dark saga, developer Bungie has been hit with another major layoff wave. This is their second layoff wave since being acquired by Sony in 2022. This decision affects 220 employees, which is 17% of the studio’s workforce.
Destiny 2 The Final Shape received an impressive 89 critic score and a 7.8 user score in Metacritic, the franchise’s highest score to date. According to Steamdb, Destiny 2 reached its second all-time peak as the launch of The Final Shape expansion garnered 314,634 concurrent players on one platform, a couple of thousands shy from it’s all-time peak on Steam.
“These actions will affect every level of the company, including most of our executive and senior leader roles,” said Bungie CEO Pete Parsons in an announcement post at Bungie’s official website.
Parsons then explained how the company reached this decision:
“For over five years, it has been our goal to ship games in three enduring, global franchises. To realize that ambition, we set up several incubation projects, each seeded with senior development leaders from our existing teams. We eventually realized that this model stretched our talent too thin, too quickly. It also forced our studio support structures to scale to a larger level than we could realistically support, given our two primary products in development – Destiny and Marathon. “
“Additionally, in 2023, our rapid expansion ran headlong into a broad economic slowdown, a sharp downturn in the games industry, our quality miss with Destiny 2: Lightfall, and the need to give both The Final Shape and Marathon the time needed to ensure both projects deliver at the quality our players expect and deserve. We were overly ambitious, our financial safety margins were subsequently exceeded, and we began running in the red.”
Another major change within the company is that one of Bungie’s incubation projects, described as an “action game set in a new science-fantasy universe,” will be transferred out of Bungie, with development continuing under a newly formed studio within PlayStation Studios.
It’s hard to have a clear idea of the future of Destiny 2 as the game is coming off the final conclusion of a narrative they’ve been telling since the franchise started back in 2014. After the conclusion of The Final Shape expansion, new stories are slowly being told to carry the effects of the saga’s conclusion, but many, including myself, are unsure if Bungie’s plans for the series will be able to replicate the same success.
As for Bungie as a studio, it’s incredibly sad that the success of The Final Shape expansion didn’t stop the bleeding. It seems that the layoffs were inevitable, and the success of the expansion merely determined the extent of the impact. The loss of 220 employees is significant, more than double the number of layoffs from October 2023 when the company laid off 100 employees. This is demoralizing to see, especially since Bungie was acquired by Sony in 2022, with leadership promising no layoffs post-acquisition. This is obviously not the case.
The future of Destiny 2 is now uncertain within its community. Some players remain optimistic, while others consider The Final Shape expansion as the “true end” of the game. For players who have committed to the game for years, it’s a hard pill to swallow seeing such an amazing expansion followed by job losses. As of this writing, 850 employees remain at Bungie, focusing on Destiny 2 and continuing development on their next shooter title, Marathon.
Are you a player of Destiny 2? What do you think about the layoffs and the future of the franchise?
The next live service content drop for the action RPG Diablo IV is Season of the Infernal Hordes, which launches on August 7 at 1 a.m. SGT (GMT +8).
Hell is the theme for the fifth season of Diablo IV as players head to hell once more and face the Fell Council, a familiar entity for you Diablo 2 veterans. The Season will come with a new endgame content called Infernal Hordes which sounds like a wave-based horde mode best played with a group of players. On top of this, there will be new unique and legendary gear to spic up and the build craft meta.
Infernal Hordes: This wave-based feature can be tackled solo or with friends. Between waves, select Infernal Offerings—boons or banes—to increase the challenge and enhance the final rewards. The Infernal Hordes feature is accessible on both Realms, interwoven through a Seasonal Questline on the Seasonal Realm, and unlocked after a brief Questline on the Eternal Realm at World Tier III.
Fell Council Showdown: At the end of each Infernal Hordes run, face off against the Fell Council. With 5 members in total, 3 are randomly selected for each encounter. Prepare for unique abilities and various combinations that will keep you on your toes.
Hellbreach Dungeons: Available in the Seasonal Realm, these dungeons offer a glimpse of what’s to come in Infernal Hordes. Complete these dungeons to earn Burning Aether, which can be spent on chests at the end.
New Gear: Over 50 new Uniques and Legendaries are being introduced this season, and they’ll be available beyond the season’s end. Collect these powerful items by defeating enemies across Sanctuary and in the Infernal Hordes.
Seasonal Progression: Collect caches dropped by powerful Hell servants to unlock Seasonal Progression. The Infernal Hordes feature is one of the best ways to boost your reputation and earn caches throughout the season.
Battle Pass: Progress through the Season Journey and complete the new Battle Pass, which includes 28 Free Tiers and 62 Premium Tiers, for even more rewards.
The current season, called Loot Reborn, is a turning point for the game’s live service offering as the game’s itemization was completely overhauled, making it a more streamlined but satisfying experience, especially those that grind hours on end at endgame. So far, the reception of the four season has been rather positive compared to the first three seasons.
Blizzard will discuss more about Season of the Infernal Hordes this Friday, August 2, at 2 AM PHT (GMT +8).
It’s a long list of changes coming next week, so if there’s one item in particular you wish to read on, you can see the full rundown here on Blizzard’s post.
Warner Bros. Games has officially acquired Player First Games, the developer behind the recently launched MultiVersus, a free-to-play platform fighter video game.
Player First Games will continue its operations under the leadership of its co-founders, Tony Huynh and Chris White. Huynh, the Head of Player First Games, and White, the Head of Technology at Player First Games, will now report to Carlos Barbosa, Vice President and Studio Head of Warner Bros. Games San Diego.
David Haddad, President of Warner Bros. Games, expressed his enthusiasm about the acquisition:
“We have worked with Player First Games over several years to create and launch MultiVersus, and we are very pleased to welcome this talented team to Warner Bros. Games. The bright and creative team at Player First Games adds to our extensive development capabilities.”
Tony Huynh also shared his excitement:
“Our team is excited to join the Warner Bros. Games family, and we feel that this will be great for MultiVersus overall. We are working to make the MultiVersus game experience the best it can be and having our development team integrated with the publisher is optimum for the players.”
MultiVersus, developed by Player First Games with production support and live management by Warner Bros. Games San Diego, features an ever-expanding roster of popular characters from Warner Bros. Discovery franchises. The game is available now as a free download for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 consoles, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One consoles, and PC.
The fighting game will soon enter its second season as it was announced in Evo 2024 that Samurai Jack and Beetlejuice will be joining the fighting game
This acquisition could be a double-edged sword. For Warner Bros. Games, this bolsters their portfolio even more, especially in the fighting game genre considering they have Mortal Kombat in the mix. For Player First Games, this could either bolster their efforts in supporting the game in the long run or struggle to meet both expectations from Warner Bros. and the community that has stuck with them during the open beta phase.
Only time will tell but Warner pushing through with this acqusition shows promise with the developer’s potential in the long run, beyond MutiVersus.
In a recent Blizzard livestream, Blizzard and various Diablo IV team members unveiled our first good look at Diablo IV’s upcoming new class called the Spiritborn debuting when the Vessel of Hatred expansion goes live later this year.
It’s an entirely new class based on the new region called Nahantu, where the expansion will take place. It’s a unique class that calls up four Spirit Guardians to help him fend off the hellish monstrosities found in Sanctuary.
Here’s what to expect from the new class:
SPIRITBORN
The Spiritborn are an entirely new class in the Diablo series that call upon the strengths of four Spirit Guardians: Jaguar, Gorilla, Eagle, and Centipede. They are masters of hand-to-hand combat with a versatile playstyle that allows them slay demons with the aid of spirit energy.
Hailing from the brand-new Nahantu region, the Spiritborn have a rich history that revolves around their dedication to protecting the Spirit Realm, a ghostly reflection of Sanctuary where the souls of the jungle have a purpose beyond life.
The Spirit Guardians represent the connection between humans and the natural world. The warrior sees her strength in the Gorilla, the hunter sees his speed in the Jaguar, the strategist sees their vigil in the Eagle, and the apothecary sees her practice in the Centipede and the decay it devours.
Utilize the new Skill Tag, Incarnate, to embody the traits of a Guardian and receive a passive bonus.
New Legendaries and Uniques tailored to the Spiritborn will be available with the Vessel of Hatred expansion. These items can lean into different playstyles of the Spirit Guardians, augment or amplify skills, or amplify a player’s inherent power.
A new class quest will be available for the Spiritborn once players have reached Level 15. Embarking on this quest will allow players to become attuned to the ways of the Spirit Guardians and unlock the Spirit Hall.
Use the Spirit Hall to enhance a Spiritborn build by choosing a Primary Spirit for a special bonus and the addition of the Spirit’s Skill Tag to all Skills. At Level 30, players can choose a secondary bonus from the same Guardian or a different one that will either strengthen the bond or intertwine it with another Guardian’s mechanics.
Diablo IV’s first expansion, Vessel of Hatred, will launch on October 4, 2024 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC.
Grinding Gear Games revealed the 3.25 update of their ever-popular action RPG Path of Exile. Titled Settlers of Kalguur, the July expansion contains various balance improvements set to shape up the meta and add new content when the expansion goes live on July 27.
Settlers of Kalguur will add a long list of balance work, but just like previous seasons, a new league will be introduced.
Here’s what you need to know about the Settlers of Kalguur Challenge League:
“In the Settlers of Kalguur Challenge League, players will help Kalguuran pioneers build the town of Kingsmarch and establish trade between Wraeclast and their homeland. Players will focus on mining exotic resources, hiring and protecting skilled workers to construct and defend the town, and build out a harbor to establish and manage trading. Once the town is constructed and trade is underway, players will be able to buy and sell currency and other stackable items in the Currency Trade Market, and craft and recombine powerful weapons and items on the Runesmithing Table.
Ascendancy classes will be refreshed with the addition of the new Warden class, as well as a rework of the Gladiator. The Warden will replace the Raider class, focusing on elemental attacks, damage mitigation and a specialization in Tinctures, which can now be found throughout the land. The Gladiator class maintains powerful skills for Bleeding and Block, along with receiving newly designed skills including the opportunity to invest in Retaliation Skills, a new type of skill that allows you to unleash devastating damage upon meeting certain conditions in combat.
Endgame content will see changes to many Scarabs, a 6th Map Device Slot, new encounters in Tier 16 and Tier 17 Maps, updates to Blight and Ritual and more. There will also be a set of new Chisel types and a massive increase in the drop rate of Valdo's Puzzle Boxes.“
The developers shared the patch notes for update 3.25 and as expected, it’s quite extensive as it tackles various changes to certain skills concepts and even adds quality-of-life changes. For those interested in deep diving into the changes one by one, patch notes are right here.
The reveal of 3.25 also came with the developers improving console performance on PS5 and Xbox Series X as the action RPG is now taking “full advantage of PS5 and Xbox Series hardware” as you can expect a huge reduction in load times and texture pop-in. Good news as console performance has been criticized as of late, especially players on the PS5.
Grinding Gear Games also announced that they are hard at work in developing Path of Exile 2 and that the first closed beta test for the sequel will happen soon, encouraging players to sign up for a chance at being the select few to try out the game before launch.
The Settlers of Kalguur expansion goes live on July 27, at 4 AM (GMT+8).
Bandai Namco Entertainment and FromSoftware have delivered an expansion for their blockbuster action RPG Elden Ring that hits all the spots and chews up any player naive enough to think that their overpowered characters stand a chance against the new content. It’s roughly 20-30 hours long, depending on a player’s eagerness to explore and their skill in dealing with the most difficult encounters. This is no picnic. This is no half-baked add-on to satisfy the masses. This is a true expansion in every sense of the word, and despite a hefty price point, it’s probably the best piece of DLC ever released.
Off the bat, it’s smart for FromSoftware to gatekeep the Shadow of the Erdtree by requiring players to defeat a specific boss on the main path, plus an optional boss that’s guarding the entrance to the DLC. The optional boss, whom less than half of players defeated before the DLC’s release, was a great test for players thinking of rushing into the new content, as the area where said boss resides is normally only reachable after 50+ hours of game time (faster for veteran players, of course). With this in mind, I had to replay the game to prepare myself for the new content as I made a new character and also revisited my old characters, since the last time I played Elden Ring was back in 2022.
I was rusty, and with good reason. But no matter how much I prepared for the DLC, it wasn’t enough. I never felt a sense of ease while exploring this new area. The bosses were unforgiving, something that I and most of the soulslike community greatly appreciated. There’s no sense of respite or big opening, as once you enter the boss' domain, you’ll need to bring your best as they’ve tailored these fights with the expectation that players engaging with them are seasoned and well-equipped.
The little things make these DLC bosses far more difficult in comparison to those in the base game. Foes that dual-wield are the worst, as there’s always a lingering second attack that punishes those too reliant on the i-frames of their character’s dodge, or who find refuge in their high-poised shield block. Some combos feel like they go on forever, something that personally tested my stubbornness while learning their move sets. Every major boss felt like a massive roadblock. I’ve spent hours on several encounters, resulting in this review coming out rather late as I’ve been struggling with some of them, and this is exactly what I wanted and expected from the DLC.
“Git gud?” Definitely. As in any soulslike game, the feeling of finally achieving victory over these monstrosities brings a unique high that I’ll always appreciate. It feels like a heavy fog has lifted, resulting in a new path filled with other encounters ready to deliver a similar feeling.
Messmer the Impaler was one of the toughest bosses that stood out for me, but what I appreciate about FromSoftware’s boss fight philosophy is that some bosses feel difficult or easy depending on the player’s playstyle and build. As I progressed through the DLC, I saw colleagues and friends express that one particular boss or another was far more difficult than the ones I personally found challenging. I had a conversation where I was saying that Messmer and the final boss tested my limits, but Rellana and another boss were far more punishing for them. Each boss brings a new set of challenges, either forcing players into familiar places or uncomfortable positions through sheer pressure. You need to keep adapting.
Beyond the boss encounters, Shadow of the Erdtree’s open world delivers yet again with a strong sense of exploration, rewarding those eager to upturn every rock in the hopes of finding something rewarding. The quality of the environments is on par with the base game. Some might even argue that the art direction has improved. FromSoftware’s design philosophy has emphasized how exploring is king, and each new weapon or item entices me to give it a shot, and since I’m using a character with a crazy amount of materials, upgrading them to make them viable for the DLC content was a breeze.
My new favorite is the Milady weapon, equipped with a unique moveset that somehow decimates new enemies, breaking their poise and leaving them open for easy punishment. The DLC not only provides new weapons but also new Incantations, Spells, crafting items, armor sets for flair, and a lot more.
When you explore and gain the new DLC items, don’t think it’ll be a breeze going from one new boss to another, as the open world has its fair share of crazy enemies that could be mini-bosses in their own right thanks to their crazy move patterns. I never felt safe despite being over level 150+, as they designed the DLC to make every hit and every damage taken mean something, keeping the tension. The unfamiliar will be punished by this world, and no amount of health or leveling up will prepare you for ambushes and traps found in either the new dungeons or locations.
There’s a sense of balance in the DLC as the game gets a bit more manageable if players pick up Scadutree Fragments and Spirit Ash Blessings found in the new map, another major incentive to explore the land.
As mentioned in my initial impressions on the DLC, you will come across items called Scadutree Fragments as you explore the new location. These items increase a player’s damage output and enhance their damage mitigation. Spirit Ash Blessings improve your summons and increase the life total of your trusty steed, Torrent, making them all more resilient against the expansion’s most deadly foes.
Simply put, there will be more room for error with these upgrades. It doesn’t necessarily make the game easier, but it will make the difference whether your character can survive three boss attacks instead of two. I like the additions, as it brings the experience back to its roots - ergo, despite your level and weapons, these encounters will always feel like you’re always a few seconds away from revisiting the ‘You Died’ screen for the nth time.
The Shadow of the Erdtree expansion also has its fair share of storytelling in the most FromSoftware way. Things are still vague, but there’s a series of new characters introduced that provide more context to this part of the world, with new details that will entice lore enthusiasts that pieced the Elden Ring world together. Remember those living pot creatures? We get more information about them. You might find a piece of added lore by simply stumbling upon a deep dungeon complex with a short boss waiting at the end.
I was never much of a fan of the storytelling style of FromSoftware’s soulslike games, and if you’re on the same boat, don’t expect much to change here, as they embrace their style and deliver it the same way as they did in the base game.
This is one of the meatiest expansions I’ve ever encountered in a video game. It could be its own game. All of the additions Shadow of the Erdtree makes are everything a Soulsike fan could hope for, as they’ve delivered a challenging experience with fresh ideas not only in the boss encounters, but in the environments, enemy variety, and even new items that freshen up the co-op and even player versus player space. While many think the price point for the DLC is a bit steep, I can clearly say what you get here more than justifies the asking price, and if you love Elden Ring, you should definitely not skip Shadow of the Erdtree.
Verdict: 5/ 5 (Exceptional)
Fascinating boss battles that are challenging and unique
A massively beautiful new location filled with novel surprises, enemy types, and encounters
New equipment and spells freshens up the two-year-old game, encouraging new builds revolving around them
Scadutree Fragments and Spirit Ash Blessings are a great solution to preserve the game’s unique experience
Price point might feel a bit steep for some
The requirements to access the DLC are necessary but intimidating
Beaten all of the key bosses (missing some optional)
Explored most of the new location (I think)
Played the DLC through two characters
*This review is based on a review copy provided by the publisher
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The Red Planet awaits as Qubyte Interactive release MARS 2120 to PC and consoles.
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Bringing a classic up-to-date after two decades, is a rebooted, reworked, revamped STAR WARS: Bounty Hunter on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, PC.
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