The stream will feature three development team members outlining the story, new activities and expected rewards. Based on how Act 1 concluded, there may be more clues about the mysterious individual manipulating events on Nessus and causing the Vex to act strange. Saint-14 may also become involved, given the revelations experienced thus far.

Alongside new activities and loot, each Act introduces new Artifact mods and unlocks further ranks in the Battle Pass, so stay tuned for more details. Episode 1: Echoes concludes with Act 3, but two more Episodes – Revenant and Heresy – are in the works. The former features a new potion-crafting system, while the latter returns to the Dreadnaught from The Taken King.

Announced during the developer’s Anime Expo 2024 panel, the modern Sigma Star Saga runs on Limited Run Games’ Carbon Engine. While noting it wasn’t a sequel, the development team said there might be one “down the road.” As with Risky Revolution, the title will be available on a Game Boy Advance cartridge.

First available for the Game Boy Advance in August 2005, Sigma Star Saga is a combination of side-scrolling shoot ’em ups and top-down role-playing gameplay. Players control Allied Earth Federation pilot Ian Recker, working as a double agent in the Krill Empire. There are six planets to explore and over 70 items to customize one’s ship. Stay tuned for more details on the re-release’s changes in the coming months.

Safiya Llewellyn-Fayyad, or Safi, is touted as a poet and a people person keen on helping Max open up. Things take a turn for the worst, however, when she’s murdered one night out of the blue, causing Max to reawaken her time-bending powers. However, instead of rewinding, she enters a parallel timeline.

In this timeline, Safi is still alive (alongside other changes), which would be good news if her killer wasn’t still on the loose. Max hopes to solve the mystery of her friend’s death by jumping between timelines. Interestingly enough, Safi is confirmed to be the daughter of Caledon’s president, Yasmin, though how that will factor into the proceedings remains to be seen.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure launches on October 29th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC, with the Nintendo Switch version arriving later. It doesn’t support save transfer but respects the first game’s endings, allowing players to choose their desired outcome when starting.

As the trailer highlights, Reinhardt is Optimus Prime, Bastion is Bumblebee, and Sojourn is Arcee. Meanwhile, Ramattra is Megatron, Prime’s arch-nemesis (and sometimes ally). Suffice it to say that the animation work is exceptional and some of the best yet from the team at Blizzard.

The collaboration likely features a new limited-time mode and free skin (alongside the usual balance changes), so stay tuned for further details. Unfortunately, the cosmetics featured in the trailer will likely require real money to purchase. If the pricing is similar to the Cowboy Bebop skins, expect to pay $20 each per skin.

Building stronger relationships with companion characters will be a key component of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, which is unsurprising for a BioWare RPG, with player choices defining how Rook’s dynamic will change with each of his allies. That will be represented through Relationship Levels, which each character will have with Rook. Relationship Levels will be affected by each companion’s personal quests, their problems, and more, and will also determine how a character interacts with Rook.

“Relationships are key, not only romance but friendships,” says game director Corinne Busche. “We wanted to lean into not just the relationships the characters have with you but the relationships they have with each other. It’s a found family, and at the end of the day, they need to trust they all have each other’s back.”

And of course, strengthening Rook’s relationships with their companions will have not just narrative results, but also mechanical ones.

Every time a character’s Relationship Level goes up, they will receive a skill points, which you’ll be able to use in skill trees that won’t be as vast and complex as Rook’s trees, but will still allow you to invest in different customization options. Companions will additionally also have access to a total of five abilities each, but each character will only be able to equip three of them at a time.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard will launch this fall for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Thankfully, no. In a statement provided to VG247, Capcom has officially confirmed that “licensed music is returning” in Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster. Of course, we still lack the specifics- we don’t know, for instance, whether the entire original soundtrack will be returning as is, or if we can expect at least some songs that were present in the original game to be MIA in the remaster. Either way, fans can rest assured that the original’s beloved license music isn’t being completely done away with for the remaster.

One thing that we know will not be the same in the remaster is the voice of protagonist Frank West, with Terence J. Rotolo – who voiced the character in the original – confirming that he wasn’t asked to reprise his role for the return of the franchise.

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster launches on September 19 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Check out its PC requirements through here.

A new release candidate will receive a “thorough review” this August, and based on the results, it will either start the process towards a release date or address further issues. It’s understandably holding back on further release pronouncements until then. The team is making “slow but steady” process, yet “unresolved issues” remain that currently “harm the player experience.”

“We understand this is disappointing, and it’s not what we had hoped for either. However, we are committed to keeping you informed throughout this development process, even if the updates aren’t always what we’d like.”

Cities: Skylines 2 launched in October 2023 for PC and currently has a “Mixed” rating on Steam, with 52 percent of user reviews positive. The city-builder has faced criticism for its performance issues and lackluster updates. Releasing the paid Beach Properties DLC this past March didn’t help either (currently “Overwhelmingly Negative” on Steam). Stay tuned for further updates on the console versions in the meantime.

Void Fragments

Wandering through the different Battlefields, you may have noticed structures that can’t be damaged through weapon use. These are called Void Fragments, essential for unlocking the Void Fusion Reactors dotting the landscape. The key to activating these is to have a Descendant of the corresponding element. If you find a Fragment is vulnerable to electricity, then you need to use Bunny, while pillars weak to ice necessitate Viessa.

Use an ability to deal damage, and you’ll initiate a series of enemy waves. Upon defeating a wave, continue to attack the Fragment with your ability and fight through the subsequent waves. Once this is complete, you’ll receive Void Shards. One thing to note is that you can continuously farm the same Void Fragment for Shards, which confers XP and Gold alongside a chance to drop Modules.

Void Fusion Reactors

However, you can’t just gather Shards from any Void Fragment. Depending on the Fusion Reactor, you’ll need specific types of Shards. Check the map for the requirements of the Reactor and then look for corresponding Fragments to get the Shards. It helps to have Descendants of varying elements on standby to farm the different elemental Fragments.

Upon activating a Void Fusion Reactor, you must defeat some bosses, which should be easy enough to handle if you meet the level requirement. Doing so will confer rewards like Reactors, weapons and Modules, with the most powerful – Transcendent Modules – having a one percent drop chance. It’s thus worth farming Void Fusion Reactors for the same, and they also provide Gold, XP and Mastery Level XP. Since Mastery Levels will increase inventory slots and mod capacity, the higher levels are worth grinding out.

However, that’s not all. A Reconstructed Device will also become available after clearing the Void Fusion Reactor. It allows for opening Amorphous Materials – similar to Void Relics from Warframe, they have a chance of providing specific rewards (including materials to research new Descendants). If you’re not a fan of the Void Intercept Missions or want a break from them, then Void Fusion Reactors are an alternative. Just make sure you’re at a point in the game where Amorphous Materials are dropping on the regular to take full advantage of this.

Encrypted Vaults

Something else to watch out for on the Battlefield is an Encrypted Vault. Opening them is essential since they’re required for completing missions and obtaining Negative Ion Particles for crafting. First, ensure you have a Code Analyzer – the Regular version is used to open them in Normal difficulty fields. The Precision version is necessary for Vaults on Hard difficulty fields.

Next, watch out for the little holographic bits on the ground. Initiate a scan, and a sound will play. Follow it and keep scanning until it gets louder and leads you to the Vault. Upon consuming a Code Analyzer, you must complete a timed-button press mini-game. If you fail, the Code Analyzer is consumed, and you’ll need another. The Regular versions are easy enough to procure, dropping from just about any Normal mission, but be careful when using higher rarity Analyzers.

Leveling Resistances

If Path of Exile and many other action RPGs have taught anything, it’s that the resistance stats aren’t to be underestimated. The same goes for The First Descendant, especially if you play a less tanky character like Bunny or Viessa. Equip Modules like Heat Release, Perfect Antivenom, Antifreeze Solution and Insulate Conductor to become immune to their corresponding status effects. Polygenic Antibody will also raise all attribute resistances by +60, so it’s worth equipping. Level them as you progress the story, lest you’re at the mercy of bosses chunking your shields and HP with elemental attacks.

Avoid “Recommended Modules”

This is more of something that you can and should ignore. On the surface, it sounds like a nice quality-of-life feature – why bother modding each weapon, when you can click the Recommended Modules button? As anyone who’s played Warframe will tell you, the game isn’t great at equipping the desired Modules on a weapon or Descendant. Furthermore, as you progress and receive better Modules, there may be specific elemental damage types or builds you want to lean into. Manually equipping and optimizing these will always be preferable in the long run.

Filter as Junk

If there’s one thing The First Descendant gives you a lot of, it’s loot, but there’s a finite amount of inventory space. Since you’ll pick up everything, it’s easy to run out. Fortunately, the Filter as Junk function comes out. Available in your equipment screen for Reactors, weapons and External Components, it allows for segregating loot based on rarity, weapon level and Unique Abilities. You’ll still pick up items meeting the criteria, but the filter will mark them as junk. You can thus open your equipment screen and hold down the button to Dismantle Junk, which clears them out quickly. While there’s still some inventory management required, it cuts down on the busywork significantly.

When to Dismantle (and Not Dismantle) Weapons

Aside from items denoted in the junk filter, you may be tempted to dismantle a weapon simply because you don’t like it. Maybe your build doesn’t benefit from it, or it’s just a weapon type that you never use. Perhaps a better option is available. Either way, try hanging on to and consuming it to level up other weapons instead at the Workbench. You’ll need a Phase Exchanger, crafted from materials obtained by dismantling weapons, with Ultimate Weapons requiring the higher-level Precision Phase Exchanger. The best method is to hang on to the higher-level and rarity loot while marking the less desirable items as junk to dismantle for materials. If you’re unsure whether to dismantle or keep a weapon, especially if it has a good roll, store it – you can adjust it later with an Adjustment Control Axis.

The Access Menu

It’s been said before, but the Access menu is probably the most valuable tool in The First Descendant. From here, you can discover where every item, crafting material, weapon, Amorphous Material, etc. drops from. Even better, selecting Acquisition Info will bring up a list of missions where you can farm said items (if they’re unlocked, of course). It’s incredible, especially since you can track bigger projects like Descendants and their requirements.

Crafting Thunder Cage

Another thing that bears repeating is to craft Thunder Cage. You’ll obtain the materials for researching it while playing through the story, but must go to the Research lab to begin the process. As tempting as it can be to ignore, it’s a worthwhile detour since this can become your first Ultimate Weapon (and it takes four hours of real-time to research, so it’s best to get it out of the way before continuing to play). Its Unique Ability is also ideal for clearing out multiple enemies with electric damage, which is great in horde-like activities.

Level Up Sub Modules

Sub Modules alter your Descendant’s charged melee attack, turning it into something like Shock Punch or Tonfas. As rudimentary as the melee combat can feel, it’s worth leveling up those Sub Modules. They’ll increase your overall mod capacity, which means more space to equip other essential Modules.

Opinions aside, however, there’s no denying that Nexon’s free-to-play shooter has many issues, ranging from irritating to frustrating, that it needs to sort out and fix immediately. Let’s take a look at ten such things here.

Matchmaking in Hard Mode

As you properly dive into the end game, Hard mode becomes available for many activities. Infiltration Operations, for example, have more modifiers to up the difficulty, and you can tack on some more for an increased Kill Score (which raises the chance of certain rewards). The same goes for Special Operations and Void Intercepts, the latter required to open different Amorphous Materials. In theory, it’s not a terrible way to repurpose a lot of existing content. The problem is the lack of matchmaking, making things much more challenging than they need to be and effectively handicapping solo players, especially since you must redo segments like bosses if you die before they’re slain (that too with limited lives).

Looking for Group

The only option then is to play with friends, but what if (no offense) you don’t have any, or at least any online at the time? Why isn’t there a Looking for Group tool? Even Bungie eventually smartened up and added the Fireteam Finder, allowing players to create listings in-game and seek out others to help them in group activities. Your options in The First Descendant include going to Albion HQ and messaging random players (like many were wont to do in Destiny 1). Maybe they’ll join you for the activity in question. Maybe they’ll immediately leave and flame you for the unwanted invites – roll the dice and find out. If Nexon is deadset on no matchmaking for its Hard mode content, then an in-game LFG tool is the least it could offer.

Kicking AFK Players

I feel like I’m in a time machine, reading some of the complaints for this game since they mirror many of the issues that Destiny 1 had at launch. That includes the lack of options to kick AFK players. Say you’re on a mission, whether it’s a Void Intercept or a particularly difficult Infiltration Operation. The assistance of your team is paramount, but you get that one player who idles around and does nothing. You can’t kick them, and the game itself lacks anything to detect their AFK behavior, so you can do nothing but watch as they leech off of hard work and reap the rewards. It’s 2024 – the fact that this is still something that happens in a looter shooter is baffling.

Drop Rates

There are mixed opinions about drop rates currently. Some feel that the best items and materials should be rare and that’s fair. Others think that abysmally low drop rates that run in the single digits are just straight-up unfun and that’s also fair. Considering how many rewards are tied to a low drop rate, I’m inclined to agree – some more guaranteed sources would be ideal.

Also, raise the drop rates or implement methods like a knockout system in harder activities where players have an escalating chance to receive the rarest item with each completion. Maybe there’s some concern that players will run out of things to grind for, but the bigger issue is grinding for hours and not getting what they want, potentially causing them to leave and not return. It’s happened before in other loot games and it can absolutely happen here.

Encrypted Vaults

The concept of Encrypted Vaults isn’t bad – find some holographic doodads, ping them and follow the sounds to find the Vault, “???”, profit. It’s the third step where the problems begin and seemingly never end. First, you need a Code Analyzer to open it. Next, you need to complete a timed-button press mini-game. Miss the inputs within the given time, thus failing to open it, and the Vault won’t open.

Also, your Code Analyzer is consumed. Better get another one (and hopefully it wasn’t a Precision Code Analyzer, which is rarer). The more annoying thing is that even if you successfully hit the many inputs, you don’t slightly extend the time (and the timing is iffy). I get it – Nexon wanted to rip off the lockpicking mini-game from Warframe. Unfortunately, it’s one of the few copied mechanics that feels significantly worse than its inspiration.

Caliber Purchase Issues

Caliber is the premium currency, meaning have to pay real money for it. Used for directly purchasing Descendants, accelerating research and whatnot, it’s pretty important. If players aren’t receiving Caliber after purchasing it, that’s a big problem, yet somehow it’s occurred a couple of times within the first few days of launch. Perhaps it will be resolved sooner rather than later, but regardless of how you or I feel about the monetization, there’s nothing worse than paying for something in a game and not getting it.

Consumable Paint Jobs

Speaking of terrible monetization, why the heck are paint jobs consumable? Why do players only get one use out of paint colors and then have to spend the cash for more? Has Nexon not learned from Destiny 2, which received backlash for this at launch? Warframe has you pay for entire sets of color palettes, but they have unlimited uses. It’s one thing to sell Ultimate Descendants at absurd prices to skip the grind, but shaking down players for paint? Absurd.

Boss Design

A new hotfix is available and nerfed Eterllick the Tracker’s use of shield skills per phase. That’s good. Bosses like Devourer still don’t scale well for four players, leading to endless frustration. That one boss in that story mission can easily chunk down your health with fire damage, even if you have Fire Resist Modules. Then there’s the Dead Bride with her annoying immunity phases, especially if your teammates don’t prioritize breaking her parts. Ordinarily, a challenging boss would be nice, but this isn’t a Souls-like. There are plenty in The First Descendant that need a few balance passes to reduce their more annoying characteristics.

HUD Customization

If you’ve seen any gameplay, especially on consoles, the heads-up display can get a little…busy. Between displaying objectives, items you’re tracking, the map, your abilities and so on, there can be some clutter. While the HUD can be turned off for a more immersive experience, it would be nice to remove some information for a cleaner appearance. Add a dynamic option as well, turning the HUD invisible after some time for good measure.

Melee Combat

Aside from the absolute lack of melee weapons, melee combat just lacks punch overall. Whether you’re initiating a grapple strike, using a charged or uncharged melee or abilities like Sharen’s electric slash, they all lack impact. The first order of business is to revamp the system to be less clunky, then add some greatswords, lances and whatnot into the mix. Turn them into heavy ammo weapons if necessary, but they’re a must.

Speaking with VGC, Game Science confirmed that Black Myth: Wukong won’t allow players to change the difficulty, while players can also expect varying levels of challenge across the length of the experience. As per the studio, there will be plenty of boss encounters that will involve a lot of trial and error, which means, similar to Soulslikes, you can expect plenty of deaths to tough bosses.

“You can’t change the difficulty,  but the difficulty doesn’t remain the same for the whole game,” Game Science said. “The philosophy is that players fight like a hero. When we were developing the game we had to make a lot of hard choices.

“The route we chose was to make the player have lots of tries so that after each battle they could think about what is the best combat method for this fight specifically.”

Black Myth: Wukong is due out on August 20 for PS5 and PC. The game is also in development for Xbox Series X/S, but there’s no word on a release date yet.