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Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania (Xbox One) Review: Peeling Back

  by   Tim Lawrence  
October 12, 2021 7:01 pm in News

There aren’t many companies in the history of video games that have gone through as many different shifts in focus as Sega has. They’ve at, different times, been a major player in console gaming, a third-party developer, arcade developer, major publisher, and a PC developer, usually doing two of these things at once. And despite major setbacks throughout their layered history they’ve managed to always stay relevant to the video game industry at large.

It’s surprising then that Sonic the Hedgehog is really the only major character they’ve managed to produce. Sure, people who are serious hobbyists will recognize a handful of others but the Blue Blur is still the most recognizable in their lineup by a long shot.

That being said, for those of us that were video game kids in the early 2000’s there’s an often forgotten bunch of lovable little simians that are also ubiquitous with Sega. Super Monkey Ball has always been a noteworthy combination of cute little monkeys in what are essentially hamster balls, and just some of the most infuriating puzzles one can imagine. In true Japanese fashion these games have always been a juxtaposition of crazy-stupid-hard and adorable. Now for the 20th anniversary, Sega has put together this combination of the first three games remade, and graphically overhauled for modern hardware. It’s a game that has made me realize that there’s something comforting in the fact that despite being 20 years older than I was when those first three games came out, and having hopefully gotten a lot better at video games, some things never change. Let me tell you what I mean.

Are You A Banana Maniac?

For those who may not know: Super Monkey Ball is a series where you roll these adorable monkeys in plastic balls through suspended obstacle courses to the goal while collecting bananas. The twist is that you don’t control the monkeys themselves but instead tilt the environment to make the balls roll. Revisiting these games is a stark reminder of the creativity of that original development team. Despite there not being a jump input (at least initially, as you can buy one from the shop for a hefty amount of the in-game currency you get for completing levels) the short levels end up having a surprising amount of both verticality and complexity.

Banana Rage

The entire time I was playing through the main Story and Challenge mode I was thinking out loud to myself. though I was saying it with rather more adult language then, I’ll say it in more family-friendly words here. This game is very, very hard. It’s the kind of hard that sneaks up on you. The first three worlds of the story mode go by easily enough, thinking that you mostly have what it takes. But by the fourth world you are reminded that you are merely human. Not an ape. I found that the precision required became exact enough that I’m not sure playing this with a controller is a good idea. If you have a fight stick or something similar to an arcade style directional input, you might be better equipped to take in the games single-player offerings. People who like the challenge of incredibly exacting precision will probably love this game, just as they did when these three original games first came out.

The good news for those of us that care more about competing with others than just clearing objectives is that the game has extensive record keeping across all the game’s modes for directly comparing your scores with others. The leaderboards are the closest the game has to multiplayer as far as the traditional puzzle gameplay goes.

That isn’t to say that there isn’t fun to be had with friends. If you are up to the challenge, there are an insane number of courses to run, and a pretty wide variety of modes to play single-player for sure. All of it is considered on the aforementioned leaderboards to compete for online rankings.There’s also an extensive list of silly mini games to play with your friends locally. The offerings are reminiscent of games like Halo Reach, and the first Watch Dogs in how many different modes there are to play around with.

The party game aspect of Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania is impressively large with more than a dozen different games for local multiplayer. These games, like the single-player levels, have appeared in previous Super Monkey Ball games and they hold up well. If you have up to four friends around, then they’re likely going to be a worthwhile distraction. I didn’t find any of them to be particularly deep in and of themselves, but when considered as a group that doesn’t really matter. I was disappointed that there wasn’t an option for any online multiplayer. You can play the party games by yourself but they are clearly intended to be a group activity, so if you don’t have friends around physically then you’re not going to get the full experience from them.

The Best Banana Is a Banana You Earn 

Every time you complete levels in the non-multiplayer game you get awarded points. You can then trade these points for unlockable characters, including Sonic himself as well as Tails, and a handful of characters from some of Sega’s other franchises along with other monkeys from other Monkey Ball games. You can also unlock outfits for the main six characters, gameplay features and options. This was the part of the game I was most impressed with and it, and made me want to keep playing to unlock more of this cool stuff. It definitely elevates the rest of the product.

Good Banana or Bad Banana?

Ultimately I think Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania is a worthwhile play for those who don’t mind a stiff challenge, people who have kids that don’t mind a stiff challenge, or anyone nostalgic for the franchise’s early days. The graphical updates are solid and the game is appealing to look at. The music is as bumpy and of-the-era as it always has been. But I wouldn’t say that this is a game that will appeal to everyone so keep that in mind if you’re on the fence. Considering all this I’d say the game is a solid 7. But I’m giving all the preceding Banana jokes a lowly 4. They’re passable but I swear I’ll do better next time.

Score: 7/10

Pros:

  • A wide and varied list of game modes and levels
  • Worthwhile graphical updates
  • Fun unlockables

Cons:

  • Difficulty might put people off
  • Lack of online multiplayer

A review code for Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania was provided by the publisher and played on the Xbox One X. You can read SP1st and MP1st’s review and scoring policy right here

Tags: Review Sega Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania Super Monkley Ball

Tim Lawrence

Home > Features

Battlefield 2042 Beta Review – Deja Vu

  by   MP1st  
6:31 pm in Features

The Battlefield 2042 beta has come and gone, with players having to wait until it launches this November to get a taste of DICE’s latest first-person shooter. The pressing question now is: was the beta fun? There’s a lot to chew on here, and it isn’t something that’s easily answerable. However, we try our best to answer that in our Battlefield 2042 beta review (yes, it’s more of a hands-on impressions piece, but reviewed the beta experience as a whole).

For the beta, MP1st Editor-in-Chief Alex Co, and Managing Editor James Lara shares both their thoughts on the overall experience of the beta.

Alex Co:

“It’s a Beta”

First things first, people need to remember that what we played was a beta, and one that’s a few months old at that according to DICE. However, even so, this isn’t our first time playing a game’s beta, and we’re also realistic enough that we don’t believe every technical issues and whatnot will be fixed come November 19.

My experience with DICE’s betas and launch titles might be part of the reason why I’m kind of forgiving of some of the beta experience’s quirks. That said, if the majority of these major bugs aren’t fixed by launch, that’s a different story, as some are downright dangerous (the flashing screen bug happening on PS5 can literally make you dizzy).

As far as beta goes, this is kind of par for the course for DICE, as the studio has been known to release beta clients with quite a number of bugs in ’em. Remember the Bad Company 2 beta? The Battlefield 3 beta? Yeah, take out out the rose-tinted glasses, and you’ll remember meme-worthy bugs such as this:

For long-time Battlefield fans, it’s not startling to see a Battlefield game get released out into the wild, and have it riddled with bugs. Mind, I’m referring to the actual launch, and not the beta. More often than not, DICE’s games do have quite some bugs in them, and are patched out.

Not giving DICE an excuse for bungling the beta, but it is something that I anticipated. Time will tell if the final product is way better than the beta, but for now, it is what it is.

All-Out Warfare

Bugs aside, the more I played of the beta, the more I liked it. It might be because it’s been quite some time since we had a modern setting Battlefield game, or perhaps because it reminds me of Battlefield 4, but by the end of it, I was on board the Battlefield 2042 train. That said, I did have quite a number of concerns — ones that will be echoed by James in his section as well, given how much they sullied the gameplay experience.

While I am not overly concerned on how many rockets it takes to take down a chopper, lack of recoil and other stuff that can be patched relatively quickly, I am concerned about the Specialists, and how it not only confuses each squad composition, but even promotes less teamwork, which is something the franchise doesn’t need.

Now, you don’t even know what your squadmate or teammate can do outside of their Specialist skill. So if you’re with a character like Falck, you don’t even know whether they have a med pack, an ammo pack, or something else. Of course, given how the commorose was unavailable in the beta, it made telling teammates what you needed all the more harder (or nigh impossible).

During the beta period, I wasn’t revived as often as I did in past Battlefield games, and I wasn’t resupplied much, either. Usually, players ran with a rocket launcher, body armor, or something that will help them directly. I understand that players should be able to play the way they want, but the system now is heavily skewed to, well, just being selfish. Why equip an ammo box when you can just equip an RPG to go alongside your hook? Also, the proper Engineer class is gone now given there was no way to equip both a repair tool and any anti-vehicle weapon at the same time.

Fun but Concerned

I already wrote quite a few things on what I liked and didn’t like about the beta in our “Battlefield 2042 Beta: 5 Things That Need to Change, and 5 Things That Worked” feature, so I’ll spare from repeating myself. While I did have fun with the beta overall, I am a bit concerned about the product we’ll be getting come November 19. I am really, really hoping that a lot of the bugs are ironed out, and that DICE listens to player feedback — especially when it comes to the factions thing where players can’t even tell if a character is their friend or foe, which is just absurd when you think about it.

Overall, the beta managed to win me over, which isn’t saying much given I was looking forward to a new Battlefield game for the longest time. I’m cautiously optimistic that DICE will release changes based on beta feedback article, and we’ll get a lot of good news from it.

James Lara:

Attack of the Clones

The new specialist system that DICE has introduced in Battlefield 2042 takes front and center when it comes to my gripes. While the beta only had four Specialists available, the final release promises a total of ten Specialists to choose from, regardless of which team you are on. With 128 players on a given map, 64 between each team, even with an additional six others to choose from there isn’t going to be a lot to tell them apart. I mean, they have that small enemy/teammate icons overhead, but just looking at them, down to their physical appearance, you won’t be able to tell which Specialist belongs to which side of the war.

This is because DICE has done away with faction-locked characters, and instead throws a pool of hired guns in one massive all-out war. The result? A Battlefield game that doesn’t have quite the same narrative impact as past ones. And I know, this is a online multiplayer, why does the narrative even matter, especially in a game that won’t have a single-player. To that I say, does that really need to be explained? Well, I guess so.

I won’t sugarcoat things by saying Battlefield is an authentic realistic war game, because it isn’t — far from it. However, there has always been some level of it that players have come to appreciate in past Battlefield games. There has always been this idea of a power struggle between factions, and playing on one side over the other added a level of immersion. Maybe you are with the Russians in one match, or the Americans in the other, but regardless whichever team you ended up being on you could always tell who the enemy was.

BF2042 just blurs that line up with a bunch of Webster Mackay killing each other on a map. I mean, who am I? Jet Li from the 2001 film, The One? Am I supposed to find all my clones so that I can become the strongest one in all the timelines? It sure feels that way when I really don’t understand who I’m fighting.

I think for me, and a lot of other Battlefield players out there, you just feel removed from the game. Having to see the same face, some friendly some foes, and hearing the exact same dialogue and voice as your teammates coming from an enemy fighting for a different nation. It just doesn’t work in my opinion. Not only are they in dire need of customizations, but I think the Specialists need better distinctions between what team they are on. Perhaps a recoloring? Different uniforms? I’m not sure, but some form of improvement is needed. I feel like it is like this for the sole purpose to sell players skin, but I guess we will see in the final release.

And that’s just the start of the issues with the Specialist system. Let’s talk about the “class” system, or rather the lack of it. Battlefield 2042 does not feature a class system such as the ones seen in basically all the Battlefield games before it. It’s a puzzling decision made by DICE because it’s one of those mechanics that makes you think “well, if it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it.” And the class system, albeit has it some balancing issues, never was a broken one to begin with.

So the reasoning behind getting rid of it is an absolute headscratcher, but I’ll give the studio the benefit of the doubt for wanting to try something different. The thing is, that new way isn’t all that engaging, if at least for the promotion of squad play. I would say how Specialists feel are the same way that operators feel in Call of Duty Warzone. They’re there, but they don’t really do anything outside of being skins that players can use.

battlefield 2042 beta

Battlefield 2042 does give some unique, hero-like abilities to Specialists, such as McKay with the grappling hook, Casper with a recon drone, Boris’ sentry turret, and Falck with the S21 Syrette Pistol. On paper, it does appear that these Specialists would fall into respective classes, but in reality that just isn’t the case.

Take the medic role. You would assume that Falck would fill that, however with how gadgets work, she may instead be rocking some anti-air rockets, ammo crates, armor plates, or anything else that isn’t a med kit. It’s counterproductive to the whole squad playstyle that we have all grown to love about the Battlefield franchise, and if anything, enforces more of a solo, lone wolf game style.

Don’t get me wrong, I do like the idea that I can use any primary and secondary weapon, rather than be restricted to using just one type. However, I don’t like that there are essentially zero roles to be filled, and it doesn’t help either that we can’t see what our squad mates are using. Maybe not a problem playing with a squad of friends with mics, but going into matches with random players I would have to sit there and guess what they were using, which to be frank, is a waste of time.

BF2042 doesn’t feel like a squad-based game at all, and that to me is the biggest problem with how the Specialist system is being handled. I don’t think it’s a bad one, its just one that needs more refining. Make gadgets the Specialist traits, that way we know who is playing a medic, a recon, ect. It’s fine being able to use any gun you want, because to me that was one of the many reasons why I never played as a medic in past Battlefield titles, but now that I can use any weapon I choose, that sounds like a killer idea to me.

An F12 Twister That Hurts Like a Fly

Then there’s the destruction and general physics of BF2042. I brought this up with Alex a few times saying that DICE really shouldn’t have focused on the numbers games, but instead double down on everything they had scaled back previously. I mean, the glory days of full scale destruction that Bad Company 2 gave us are long gone, however, since the release of Battlefield 3, up to even BFV, there has been some considerable amount of it here and there. Sadly, based on the beta, BF2042 features the smallest amount of it, at least based off the one available map.

Battlefield 2042 Spawns

I’m not surprised by this at all, because when DICE first announced that Battlefield 2042 would feature a total 128 players on a single map, I instantly assumed this meant that most of the destruction was going away. The beta just proved that to me. Yes, you can drive around in a tank and demolish some of the walls here and there, and there are some terrain deformations, as well as noticeable structure damage, but for the most these are all just visuals changes, rather than gameplay changes from past BF games.

I’m not saying some buildings can’t have all their walls completely demolished, but compared to past Battlefields it just feels lacking. I personally think it’s due to the increased player count and map size. The more players you have, the less resources you can actually pool in for other cool features, least so I’ve been told from others.

Even the tornado that spawns randomly in matches doesn’t hold a lot in terms of destructive force. Its certainly is cool to look at, but when you’ve actually lived through a tornado before, or seen the aftermath, you really can’t help but think “that’s it?!” Like, where is the scarring it leaves as it moves around the map, and the buildings it’s supposed to rip apart as it flies past them? It’s disappointing, especially compared to say, Battlefield 4’s Levolution mechanics where large portions of the map change after a catastrophic event.

For what is considered to be the next-generation of Battlefield, I don’t think it does a very good job at showing that. I’m hoping that’s different in the final release, but I wouldn’t hold my breath — at least for the large scale maps. Hopefully, smaller variations could potentially have a higher level of destruction due to less players. Doubtful, but one can hope.

Battlefield 2042 Beta Survey

Now, there are a number of other problems I did have with the beta, such as the lack of a leaderboard, leaning mechanics, all the different prone options, being able to tell enemies apart from allies, and so much more. Despite some of my big issues, and the huge technical ones that I didn’t talk because, it is a beta, I will say, with it over, I just can’t wait to jump back in. There was so much dumb stuff I was able to do during the beta, and I think 2042 shines the most when it comes to its sandbox experience.

Flying around in a jet from one end of the map to the other was a blast, as was seeing all the crazy action in-between, both on foot and by vehicle.

It may be focusing on the idea of creating those only in Battlefield moments, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing at all. Those moments, though random in past Battlefield games, open up for everyone to experience them anywhere and at any time.

I have my complaints, but I really did love the overall feel of the beta. Yes, it lacks polish, and it has some core issues, but I can’t just help feel hyped up by what I played. DICE just needs to get the pieces together properly and they could potentially have the best Battlefield released thus far. I know that’s big to say after the above complaints and general impression from the community, but I do think they can pull this off. I guess time will tell, and hopefully they listen.

What did you think of the Battlefield 2042 beta? Sound off down in the comments below and let us know!

Battlefield 2042 will be released this November 19 on the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Tags: Battlefield Battlefield 2042 DICE

MP1st

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Back 4 Blood Known Issues Listed by Turtle Rock

  by   James Lara  
6:06 pm in News

In case you missed the news, Back 4 Blood is now officially available worldwide. While players are certainly clocking in the kill count in this much anticipated horde survival, some have taken notice to some rather strange bugs. Well fret not, as developer Turtle Rock has made it loud and clear that they see them, and have even released a list of known Back 4 Blood issues that they are working on.

Here are some known Back 4 Blood issues as highlighted by the studio on their Trello board. 

Back 4 Blood Known Issues:

Fixes Coming Soon

  • Fix for Doc, Hoffman, Jim, and Karlee not unlocking in Solo Campaign

Currently Actively Working On

  • Solo campaign progression – Investigating enabling earning of Supply Points and Achievements while playing Solo Campaign
  • Matchmaking Stability
  • Uneven Swarm matches
  • Ultrawide monitor support
  • Too many Cleaner in campaign – Sometimes players can end up with 6-8 Cleaners in the game, more than the 4 maximums.
  • Dropping out of matches and reconnecting causes primary weapon to disappear.
  • Applied Ultimate Edition Cleaner and Weapon Skins reset to Default Skins when signing back into game with that same character.
  • After Chapter completion, usernames sometimes appear with numbers in them.
  • Dying while using ADS will make the player respawn having the effect of the ADS zoom.
  • Ping on Intel Folder pickup doesn’t say “card here.”

To Do (Issues that are acknowledged and will be addresses later)

  • Text size on cards not ideal for most TVs.
  • Player’s name in Rescue Pod displays as bot’s name.
  • User’s secondary weapon is unloaded after transferring to any map in game.
  • Finding secret-interactable accomplishments are not being unlocked within the in-game accomplishments list despite being triggered as fulfilled in-game. Note: Achievements are unaffected and still work.
  • Could spawn 3 of the same Ridden class if picked all at once in Swarm.
  • Failsafe for matching into a Swarm game where the other team leaves/disconnects
  • Players who quickplay into a match will load with: no copper, base amount of ammo, and with basic weapons.
  • Player can sometimes quickplay into finale maps right at the end.
  • Model moves erratically when crouching/hitting the punching bag in Fort Hope.

That’s all for now, and we should be expecting a patch to drop real soon addressing some of these issues. We will be sure to keep you posted when that drops, so keep an eye out on our Back 4 Blood news feed! Our Back 4 Blood review should be hitting the site soon, so watch out for that.

Tags: Back 4 Blood Turtle Rock Studios
Avatar photo

James Lara

A gamer at heart, James has been working for MP1st for the last decade to do exactly what he loves, writing about video games and having fun doing it. Growing up in the 90's gaming has been in his DNA since the days of NES. One day he hopes to develop his own game.

Home > News

Saints Row Gameplay Footage Showcases the Size of Santa Ileso

  by   MP1st Staff  
4:45 pm in News

We’re still a few months away from its release, but that fact did not stop Volition from releasing new Saints Row gameplay footage, with this latest one showing just how big and diverse the city of Santa Ileso is. Check out the exclusive first look of Santa Ileso in Saints Row from Game Informer below.

As shown in the footage, the game is still very much in the midst of development as it was missing several key features. For one, while the minimap circle is visible on the lower left, it lacks the actual map that shows where you should go. You can still see the markers for the different locations and activities, though.

The footage also jumped between day and night cycles, and also showed off various parts of the city. There are both urban and rural areas to be seen, as well as a commerce district filled with high-rise buildings, all making for a nice contrast in Santa Ileso.

What do you think? Are you impressed with the early footage shown for Saints Row? Let us know in the comments below!

Source: Game Informer

Tags: "Saints Row" Deep Silver Volition volition

MP1st Staff

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Super Animal Royale Howloween 2021 Event Debuts on October 19

  by   MP1st Staff  
4:21 pm in News

Pixile Studios has announced the official kickoff date for one of their biggest in-game events, as the Super Animal Royale Howloween event will officially debut next Tuesday, on October 19. This announcement was made via their official Twitter page, and it’s notable for a lot of reasons, especially for those who are enjoying Super Animal Royale on consoles.

While not explicitly mentioned, this iteration of the Howloween event will be the first time for players on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Google Stadia following Super Animal Royale’s official release back in August 26, 2021. For PC players, this will be their third Howloween, and while no official news or information has been sent with regards to this event, you can check out the game’s official Steam page to find out what happened in the past two October events.

The last Howloween event introduced an all-new night mode plus various cosmetics that players can earn just by participating. Expect Pixile Studios to release the comprehensive details on Howloween 2021 for Super Animal Royale in the near future.

What do you think? Will you be participating in the Super Animal Royale Howlowee event? Which platform are you currently enjoying the game on? Let us know in the comments below!

Tags: Pixile Studios Super Animal Royale

MP1st Staff

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NBA 2K22 Arcade Edition Trailer Dropped, Exclusive on Apple Arcade This Oct. 19

  by   MP1st Staff  
3:45 pm in News

Following the release of NBA 2K22, 2K Games has now announced their entry for the iOS games side of yearly sports titles with the NBA 2K22 Arcade Edition trailer. This iOS title will be exclusive to Apple’s gaming platform, Apple Arcade, this October 19. Check out the trailer down below.

2K Games has also shared some key information about the upcoming Apple title:

In the all-new The Association mode, players can be the GM or Head Coach of their favorite NBA Franchises and build their own NBA dream teams, while in MyCOURT, players can level up stats with special drills in a custom court tailored to their individual athletes. Fans can also compete head-to-head with a friend in Online Multiplayer mode, play 3v3 street basketball in Blacktop mode, start a personal NBA journey in MyCAREER mode or jump into Quick Match featuring the latest 2021-22 NBA rosters.

NBA 2K22 Arcade Edition will be playable across across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV devices starting October 19.

Source: 2K

Tags: NBA 2K nba 2k22 NBA 2K22 Arcade Edition

MP1st Staff

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Diablo 2 Resurrected Update 1.05 Patch Notes for October 12

  by   James Lara  
3:18 pm in News

Blizzard Entertainment has released the Diablo 2 Resurrected update 1.05 (PS5 version 1.005) patch for this October 12. It’s a small one, with some minor fixes so don’t expect a whole lot.

As per Blizzard, the new Diablo 2 Resurrected update patch is starting to make its way out onto platforms, with PS4 and Xbox consoles receiving it first. This patch will also be available on PC, the Nintendo Switch, and PS5 shortly.

Update (October 14): For those looking for the changes in October 15 patch for next-gen, head on over here.

Diablo 2 Resurrected Update 1.05 Patch Notes | Diablo 2 Resurrected Update 1.004 Patch Notes

GENERAL

  • Improvements to character deletion to help users from accidentally deleting their characters.

STABILITY AND PERFORMANCE

  • Various crash/stability fixes

For those who haven’t yet, be sure to read our full Diablo 2: Resurrected review now! Here is what our reviewer had to say about the classic remake.

Despite Blizzard’s recent track record of poor decisions and mishandling of the Warcraft 3 remake, in the case of Diablo 2 Resurrected, Blizzard shows they’re able to deliver on a solid remaster that improves the visuals and effects of the game, while still maintaining its classic charms.

Overall, Diablo 2: Resurrected is a great way to celebrate the original classic, and bring the game to a new audience.

Source: Blizzard forums

Tags: Blizzard diablo Diablo 2 Resurrected
Avatar photo

James Lara

A gamer at heart, James has been working for MP1st for the last decade to do exactly what he loves, writing about video games and having fun doing it. Growing up in the 90's gaming has been in his DNA since the days of NES. One day he hopes to develop his own game.

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COD Vanguard Zombies Mode Reveal Set for Oct. 14; Warzone Battle Pass Offers Vanguard Content

  by   MP1st Staff  
2:58 pm in News

It’s not a Call of Duty game without the anticipated Zombies mode accompanying it, and Sledgehammer Games has dated the official COD Vanguard Zombies mode reveal this Thursday. At the same time, Warzone players are in for a treat, as the latest Battle Pass for the game offers new exclusive content related to Call of Duty: Vanguard.

As revealed on the official Call of Duty Twitter account, the Zombies mode reveal for COD Vanguard is set for October 14. Players should expect some kind of ‘sinister twist,’ as noted by the tweet.

https://twitter.com/CallofDuty/status/1447974289299451911

On the battle royale side of Call of Duty, Warzone players are now eligible for additional battle pass levels. Check out the official tweet from developer Raven Software below.

As noted in the tweet, there are 24 additional Battle Pass tiers to uncover, all for COD Vanguard, so if you’re an avid player of Warzone, make sure to check that out.

Stay tuned here at Mp1st for the official Zombies reveal for COD Vanguard this Thursday, October 14.

Tags: Call of Duty call of duty: vanguard Call of Duty: Warzone Raven Software Sledgehammer Games

MP1st Staff

Home > News

Overwatch Update 3.19 Released, Halloween Terror Rewards and Schedule Revealed

  by   MP1st Staff  
2:29 pm in News

Blizzard Entertainment has released the Overwatch update 3.19 patch notes for October 12, and this one is for the game’s big Halloween Terror 2021 event. Head on down below for the complete patch notes for Overwatch update 3.19.

Overwatch Update 3.19 Patch Notes:

SEASONAL EVENT: HALLOWEEN TERROR 2021

Overwatch Halloween Terror returns!

During this spine-chilling in-game event, expand your collection with spooky new cosmetics and experience our limited-time PvE brawl in the chilling tale of Junkenstein’s Revenge. Face the terror of six Junkenstein’s Revenge Challenges, diabolical twists on Dr. Junkenstein’s sordid plans. Plus, overcome weekly challenges by playing Quick Play, Competitive Play, or Arcade to earn a series of unique rewards! Throughout the event, unlock new seasonal items—including legendary skins like Draugr Reinhardt, Satyr Lucio, and Vampire Hunter Brigitte—to add to our growing collection from previous years.

COMPETITIVE TEAM DEATHMATCH (S4)

Season 4 of Competitive Team Deathmatch has begun!

GENERAL UPDATES

Tuned reverb (or acoustic spaces) to address feedback regarding clarity in certain interior locations

HERO UPDATES

Mercy

New Hero Setting Guardian Angel Target Priority

  • “Facing Target Only” (Previously “Guardian Angel Prefers Beam Target: Off”): Guardian Angel will only ever fly the the ally you are aiming at.
  • “Prefer Beam Target” (Previously “Guardian Angel Prefers Beam Target: On”): Guardian Angel will fly to your beam target if you have one, if not it will attempt to use the ally you are aiming at.
  • “Prefer Facing target” (NEW): Guardian Angel will fly to the ally you are aiming at. If there is not one, it will attempt to use your beam target.
  • Behavior change: Holding down the button for Guardian Angel while using “Toggle Guardian Angel: On”, will now activate once a valid target is found.

BUG FIXES

GENERAL

  • We’ve made additional changes to improve the detection of AFK players at the start of a match, including when attackers are forced back into their spawn rooms by an aggressive defense.
  • Fixed a rare bug that could cause players to die immediately after the respawn timer expires before returning to the spawn room
  • Fixed a bug that caused the waveform asset on voiceline previews to not animate properly

MAPS

Busan

  • Fixed a bug that allowed Symmetra turrets to shoot through one sided collision around the point on the Downtown map

Lijiang Tower

  • Fixed a bug that caused some third person sound effects to sound muffled when near the point on the Night Market map

HEROES

Ana

  • Fixed a bug that caused the reticle effect on her scope to appear incorrectly when the Haroeris skin is equipped

Ashe

  • Fixed a bug that caused her ankles to bend awkwardly when positioned on certain uneven terrain

Bastion

  • Fixed a bug with the Sand Castle skin description that references Summer Games 2021 rather than Summer Games 2020

D.Va

  • Fixed a bug with the MEKA Activated highlight intro being centered incorrectly when previewed in a loot box on the Kanezaka map

Echo

  • Fixed a bug that caused several Mercy skins to not display their friendly clone visual effects hair overlays when using the Valkyrie ability

Genji

  • Fixed a bug with deflect sound effects not ending if the ability is canceled early if the Pacific All Star Genji skin is equipped

Mercy

  • Fixed a bug that could cause Guardian Angel to be canceled if the target moves away quickly

Reinhardt

  • Fixed a bug that allowed Reinhardt to perform an extra jump after falling from high area while performing Earthshatter

Sombra

  • Fixed a bug that caused spectators to be unable to see an invisible Sombra while spectating her in third person

Symmetra

  • Fixed a bug that caused Photon Barrier to continue to block damage after the visual effects despawn

Torbjorn

  • Fixed a bug that caused both the hammer and rivet gun to appear together during the Overload emote if the Ironclad or Chief Engineer Lindholm skins are equipped

In addition to the patch notes, Blizzard also revealed the rewards and schedules for this big Halloween Terror 2021 event. Check them out below.

JUNKENSTEIN’S REVENGE – WEEKLY CHALLENGES

  • Play 9 / 18 / 27 games in Quick Play, Arcade, or Competitive Play to earn rewards.
  • Winning games counts as playing two games.
  • All Junkenstein’s Revenge missions will be available throughout the event (Vengeful Ghost, Volatile Zomnics, Mystery Swap, Frenzied Stampede, Three They Were, Shocking Surprise)
  • Week 1
  • Play 9 Games | Skeleton Genji Spray
  • Play 18 Games | Skeleton Genji Player Icon
  • Play 27 Games | Skeleton Genji Epic Skin
  • Week 2
  • Play 9 Games | Einherjar Zarya Spray
  • Play 18 Games | Einherjar Zarya Player Icon
  • Play 27 Games | Einherjar Zarya Epic Skin
  • Week 3
  • Play 9 Games | Clown Roadhog Spray
  • Play 18 Games | Clown Roadhog Player Icon
  • Play 27 Games | Clown Roadhog Epic Skin

NEW COSMETICS

  • Aside from the Weekly Challenge rewards, new rewards consist of five Legendary Skins:
  • Draugr Reinhardt
  • Satyr Lucio
  • Vampire Bat Echo
  • Coffin Bastion
  • Vampire Hunter Brigitte

That’s about it for the patch, as well as rewards and schedules for Overwatch Halloween Terror 2021.

Source: Blizzard forums

Tags: Blizzard Entertainment Overwatch

MP1st Staff

Home > News

New Destiny 2 Weekly Reset October 12, 2021 and Eververse Rotation

  by   MP1st Staff  
2:01 pm in News

It’s Tuesday, and that means another heaping of activities are live for players to complete in Destiny 2 is now live! The new Destiny 2 weekly reset October 12, 2021 refresh of activities is now live, with details listed below, along with the Eververse rotation of items for sale.

New Destiny 2 Weekly Reset October 12, 2021 and Eververse Rotation:

Nightfall – The Ordeal: Lake of Shadows

Modifiers:

  • Nightfall: Adept
    • Empath: Enhanced radar. Take increased damage from melee.
  • Nightfall: Hero
    • All previous modifiers
    • Champions: Unstoppable: This mode contains Unstoppable Champions, which cannot be stopped without an Unstoppable mod.
    • Champions: Overload: This mode contains Overload Champions, which cannot be stopped without an Overload mod.
    • Champions: Taken: This mode contains both Overload and Unstoppable Champions, which cannot be stunned without an Overload or Unstoppable mod, respectively.
    • Hero Modifiers: Extra Shields
    • Grask’s Bile: Incoming environmental damage increased. Knockback damage and distance increased.
  • Nightfall: Legend
    • All previous modifiers
    • Equipment Locked: You will not be able to change your equipment after this activity starts.
    • Match Game: Enemy shields are highly resistant to all unmatched elemental damage.
    • Legend Modifiers: Locked Loadout & Match Game & Extra Shields
  • Nightfall: Master
    • All previous modifiers
    • Attrition: Regeneration is greatly impaired. Defeating enemies may create wells of Light.
    • Master Modifiers: Champions: Mob & Locked Loadout & Match Game & Extra Shields
    • Champions: Mob: This mode contains additional Champions.
  • Nightfall: Grandmaster
    • All previous modifiers
    • Epitaph: Taken combatants generate blight geysers when defeated.
    • Chaff: Radar is disabled.
    • Grandmaster Modifiers: Extinguish & Limited Revives & Contest & Join In Progress Disabled & Champions: Mob & Locked Loadout & Match Game & Extra Shields
    • Extinguish: If your fireteam falls in a Restricted Zone, everyone is returned to orbit.
    • Limited Revives: Limited fireteam revives. Gain additional revives by defeating Champions.

Rewards:

  • Nightfall Exclusive Drop: The Militia’s Birthright (Grenade Launcher)
  • Powerful (Tier 1) reward: Get 3 points by completing runs. Higher difficulties grant more points.
  • Pinnacle reward: Get a score of 100k. Since modifiers are fixed, this requires a high difficulty run.

Weekly Crucible Rotator: Team Scorched

Everyone on both teams has a Scorch Cannon. Be brave.

Vanguard Burn: Solar Singe

The other modifieres rotate daily, check out the Daily Reset Thread for them!

Europa

  • Eclipsed Zone: Asterion Abyss
  • Empire Hunt: The Technocrat: Defeat Eramis’s technology expert, Praksis, the Technocrat.
  • Exo Challenge: Simulation: Safeguard: Simulated Skill-Set Training: Test your defensive abilities amongst a Vex onslaught.

Legacy Activities

  • Moon:
    • Wandering Nightmare: Nightmare of Jaxx, Claw of Xivu Arath (Hellmouth)
    • Trove Guardian is in Hellmouth
    • Nightmare Hunt: Anguish: Defeat the Nightmare of Omnigul.
    • Nightmare Hunt: Pride: Defeat the Nightmare of Skolas, Kell of Kells.
    • Nightmare Hunt: Servitude: Defeat the Nightmare of Zydron, Gate Lord.
  • Dreaming City: Strong Curse
    • Petra is at Rheasilvia.
    • Weekly Mission: Dark Monastery – Provide recon for Petra’s forces by investigating strange enemy activity in Rheasilvia.
    • Ascendant Challenge: Ouroborea, Aphelion’s Rest
    • Blind Well: Taken, Plague: Inomina

Eververse Bright Dust Offerings

Name Description Type Cost
Concentrated Mattergem An Upgrade Module ionizer created from refined Mattergems. Consumable 200 Bright Dust
Glimmershard A shard with the ability to generate Glimmer during combat. Consumable 250 Bright Dust
Scavenger’s Boon A transmutation device with the ability to create planetary materials. Consumable 250 Bright Dust
Ghastly Durance Emote 3250 Bright Dust
Lepidoptera Ship 2000 Bright Dust
Pumpking Projection Equip this item to change your Ghost’s projection. Ghost Projection 1500 Bright Dust
Basalt Toxic Equip this shader to change the color of your gear. Shader 300 Bright Dust
Roboraptor Hunter Bundle Contains a full set of Roboraptor Hunter universal ornaments. Bundle price will be reduced for each item already owned. Package 6000 Bright Dust
Canis Luna Hunter Contains a full set of Canis Luna Hunter universal ornaments. Bundle price will be reduced for each item already owned. Package 6000 Bright Dust
Skeletal Hunter Bundle Contains a full set of Festival of the Lost 2019 Hunter universal ornaments. Bundle price reduced for each item you already own. Package 6000 Bright Dust
Skerren Corvus Hunter Bundle Contains a full set of Festival of the Lost 2018 Hunter universal ornaments. Bundle price reduced for each item you already own. Package 6000 Bright Dust
Strange Brew Multiplayer Emote 4250 Bright Dust
Magnificent Dance Emote 700 Bright Dust
Chiropteran Shell Ghost Shell 2850 Bright Dust
Mad Machinery Vehicle 2500 Bright Dust
Infected Seeker By the time you’ve seen it, it’s already too late. Ship 2000 Bright Dust
Omnigul Mask A mask to celebrate Festival of the Lost 2019. Mask Ornament 1200 Bright Dust
Fanged Projection Equip this item to change your Ghost’s projection. Ghost Projection 1500 Bright Dust
Dawn and Dusk Equip this shader to change the color of your gear. Shader 300 Bright Dust
Cerulean Divide Equip this shader to change the color of your gear. Shader 300 Bright Dust
Vanguard Magnus Gloss Equip this shader to change the color of your gear. Shader 300 Bright Dust
Polished Sea Stone Equip this shader to change the color of your gear. Shader 300 Bright Dust
Fallen Arrival Modifications for your ship’s transmat systems, so you’ll always arrive in style. Transmat Effect 450 Bright Dust
Arachnophile Modifications for your ship’s transmat systems, so you’ll always arrive in style. Transmat Effect 450 Bright Dust
Shattered Shrieker Modifications for your ship’s transmat systems, so you’ll always arrive in style. Transmat Effect 450 Bright Dust

Weekly Records

Name Description Objectives Rewards

No more records this season!

Notable Armor Rolls

Only notable rolls (stat total >= 59 or single stat >= 26) are listed here.

Class Name Vendor Type MOB RES REC DIS INT STR Total Cost
Titan Cinder Pinion Gloves Crucible Gauntlets 26 2 2 6 11 6 53 25 Legendary Shards & 1000 Glimmer
Titan Calamity Rig Gloves Gambit Gauntlets 16 13 2 16 6 7 60 25 Legendary Shards & 1000 Glimmer
Hunter Calamity Rig Vest Gambit Chest Armor 13 2 16 6 23 2 62 25 Legendary Shards & 1000 Glimmer
Hunter Wildwood Vest EDZ Chest Armor 2 14 12 13 16 2 59 25 Legendary Shards & 10 Dusklight Shard
Warlock Calamity Rig Gauntlets Gambit Gauntlets 2 8 18 2 26 2 58 25 Legendary Shards & 1000 Glimmer

We’ll update this post with the text version once it’s available.

Post has been updated with the text version.

Thanks, Reddit !

Tags: Bungie Destiny Destiny 2

MP1st Staff

Home > News

Battlefield 2042 BF3 Classes for Portal Leak; Event Log to Be Centered With “Nicer Style”

  by   James Lara  
1:59 pm in News

If you participated in the Battlefield 2042 beta this past week, you are more than likely aware of the major change to the class system DICE introduced with Specialists. Now, players don’t select a specific classes, but instead can choose from a set of operators that don’t fit one particular role. If you’re one of the many players who want a return to the original class-based system featured in past Battlefield titles. Well, seems like we will be getting something like it, at least in Battlefield Portal, A new leak resulting from a bug in the beta has given us our first look at the Battlefield 2042 BF3 classes in action. 

Down below you’ll find some “leaked” footage of the classes that will be available in Battlefield Portal. Unlike the core mode featured in the Battlefield 2042 beta, it does appear that these classes/operators will have locked equipment and weapons. Gadgets for example can’t be used across all the operators here as rockets and anti-air weaponry will only show up for the Engineer class, whereas Support gets access to claymores and such. Have a watch below! 

I got to say, this is definitely looking to be the classic Battlefield experience that many are hoping for. Fingers crossed that this makes it into the core modes of Battlefield 2042 and not just Portal or Hazard Zone.

And on the subject of things making it to the final release, If you didn’t like how the event log (where it showed your XP for healing, reviving, etc.) were presented in the beta (on the right side), don’t fret, as DICE has confirmed that it’ll be on the center, and will even have different coloring and messaging! This was confirmed by DICE dev elenarie over on ResetEra where they mention:

This is definitely good news, as even we had trouble noticing how many XP we got and whatnot given it’s all on the right side. For more on Battlefield 2042, don’t forget that this October 14, DICE will finally unveil our first look at the game’s Hazard Zone mode.

Tags: Battlefield Battlefield 2042 Battlefield 3 DICE
Avatar photo

James Lara

A gamer at heart, James has been working for MP1st for the last decade to do exactly what he loves, writing about video games and having fun doing it. Growing up in the 90's gaming has been in his DNA since the days of NES. One day he hopes to develop his own game.

Home > News

Wasteland 3 Update 1.25 Out This October 12 for Version 1.6.1

  by   James Lara  
1:48 pm in News

Developer inXile Entertainment has began rolling out the Wasteland 3 update 1.25, which addresses a ton of bugs introduced in the latest and final DLC, the Cult of the Holy Detonation. This patch is also tagged as Wasteland 3 hotfix 1.6.1 by the studio.

Wasteland 3 Update 1.25 | Wasteland 3 1.6.1 Patch Notes:

Cheyenne Mountain (Cult of the Holy Detonation)

  • Cheyenne Entrance:
  • Updated a cryo landmine to let you avoid it more easily when interacting with a nearby chest. We agree, it was a cheap shot.
  • If they die, Boris and Natasha will no longer return from the grave when saving and reloading.
  • Research Level:
  • Adjusted the pacing of the Particle Accelerator combat in the following ways:
  • Increased the armor of the Particle Cannons.
  • Reduced the max enemies that can be on the battlefield at one time while increasing the spawn rate of enemies to improve pacing.
  • The encounter will spawn fewer zealots and evangelists, in favor of spawning more initiates.
  • Security Level:
  • Improvements have been made to Sister Strontium. She’ll pull you in from a more reasonable distance, and the guard there will do a better job of detecting you if called.
  • Improvements have been made to Caul in the Security Level. You’ll no longer get detected by enemies while stuck in his conversation.
  • The Holy Detonation:
  • Resolved an issue where Cultists would occasionally spawn in spaces they couldn’t move out of.
  • Improvements have been made to the final combat encounter; there’s now less chance of being boxed in by enemies while navigating that area.
  • We’ve increased the movement speed of the final boss to make that encounter a bit faster-paced.
  • Nuke Grenades now properly deal explosive damage. They should be MUCH more effective now.
  • The Uranium Sprayer’s special ability now only sprays on enemies, reducing the chances of awkward situations with your squadmates.
  • “Increased the volume of the Skin Flute” is a patch note I never thought I’d write but here we are.
  • The crane cutscene in the Loading Dock encounter will now reveal the fog of war in a larger area, making it easier to see. When they said “make a cutscene” we didn’t mean it to be a literal cut scene.
  • Fixed a bug where a certain party follower would lose their special status effect buff if you reloaded the game. Let the projectile vomit flow!
  • The smashable wall in the Security Level now makes a sound when destroyed. Your smashing experience will now be significantly more satisfying.
  • The song ‘Down in the Valley to Pray’ will now loop properly during the Research Level combat encounter.
  • The song ‘Power in the Blood’ now plays properly in the Power Storage Facility encounter.
  • The fog of war on one of the random World Map Cultist encounters will now reveal the map properly.
  • The Proteus will now play the correct death animation if killed in the Observation Level. If you thought the Proteus was gross before, woo buddy…
  • The Surge Blaster is now not so literal. We fixed an exploit in the final battle where using that weapon to stun a certain spawner could cause all enemies to stop spawning.
  • Theo Curie now appropriately reacts to players’ radiation state, and will no longer acknowledge you as “glowing” when your party doesn’t have any stacks of Holy Radiation on them. Even brilliant scientists make mistakes, apparently.
  • Fixed a couple of reactions from the stalkers who mock you throughout Cheyenne Mountain.
  • [Controller] Fixed a bug where an invisible switch was accidentally accessible to a player while using a gamepad in the Loading Docks.

The Battle of Steeltown

  • We resolved an issue that could result in an infinite friendly turn during combat with the Ghost Gang at Steeltown’s Exterior. ‘Infinite friendly turn’ sounds like a beautiful state to be in, but it’s really not.

Co-op

  • [Consoles] We resolved an issue that could cause a player’s game to freeze when the partner left the game unexpectedly.
  • We resolved an issue that was preventing the guest player from creating the Flesh Prince in the Cheyenne Mountain secret lab. Sounds harmless enough.

Source: inXile

Tags: InXile Entertainment wasteland wasteland 3
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James Lara

A gamer at heart, James has been working for MP1st for the last decade to do exactly what he loves, writing about video games and having fun doing it. Growing up in the 90's gaming has been in his DNA since the days of NES. One day he hopes to develop his own game.

Home > News

Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League Marketing Stunt Has You Messaging Amanda Waller, Recording Surfaces

  by   MP1st Staff  
1:12 pm in News

Video games are no stranger to extreme advertising, and the latest one from Rocksteady Studios showcases their next big title, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, and you personally messaging Amanda Waller for a good bit of information about the game. Head on below for the recording of that marketing stunt for Suicide Squad.

The stunt began with a Twitter post from the official Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League account, as they shared a US phone number which can be contacted directly.

MP1st messaged the number, which leads to an automated reply from Amanda Waller — the defacto head of the Suicide Squad program. Waller asks for A.R.G.U.S. clearance from the messager and refers to another link.

suicide squad kill the justice league amanda waller

Calling the number, however, leads to this call, in which Waller accuses you of prank calling, amongst other things. Listen to the voice recording below captured by our own Jimmy Lara.

Jimmy Lara · Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League Call recording

While there may be a ton of questions still left in your mind with regards to the game, it’s quite possible we’re going to hear more about it soon. DC Fandome is coming this October 16, and we can expect Rocksteady to share some insight for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League for the big event.

What do you think? Are you impressed with Rocksteady’s marketing stunt for the game? Make sure to let us know in the comments down below!

Tags: Rocksteady Studios suicide squad suicide squad: kill the justice league

MP1st Staff

Home > News

Destiny 2 Update 2.31 Patch Notes; Deployed for Update 3.3.1 Festival of the Lost This Oct. 12

  by   Alex Co  
1:08 pm in News

Bungie has rolled out the Destiny 2 update 2.31 patch, or what the studio calls Update 3.3.1! The big news here is that Festival of the Lost is back this year once again to bring some Halloween festivities, and there are also bug fixes, crossplay UI tweaks and more.

Destiny 2 Update 2.31 Patch Notes | Destiny 2 Update 3.3.1 Patch Notes:

ACTIVITIES 

The Corrupted 
  • Reduced the knockback buff from the “Sedia’s Durance” activity modifier on Nightfall difficulty from +40% knockback to +20% knockback, which may help a few of you complete Grandmaster difficulty.
  • Removed an Unstoppable Phalanx Champion from the Ransack Ogre encounter.
      • During the Ransack Ogre encounter, an Unstoppable Phalanx Champion would spawn in the Ascendant Plane when the Ogre boss reached 50% health.
          • That Champion was easy to miss, and you couldn’t backtrack there to defeat it once you killed the Ogre.
          • After this Champion ruined hundreds of Platinum completion attempts, we’ve snapped it out of existence.
          • It’s gone.
          • Dust.
          • Destroyed.
          • It will never see the light of day again.
          • That’s what it deserves.
  • Fixed an issue that blocked completion of The Corrupted Nightfall scoring Triumph.
Dreaming City 
  • Fixed an issue where a wall of Taken miasma could appear in a doorway in Rheasilvia during Freeroam, when it shouldn’t be there.
Trials 
  • Currency rewards lockout at three, five, and seven wins no longer clear on ticket resets.
  • Added a playlist tooltip to indicate that Cross Play must be enabled to access Trials.
  • Trials passages only display warning message if the player account owns a ticket.
Momentum Control 
  • Removed Anomaly and The Dead Cliffs from Momentum Control rotator.
      • Note: We’re looking at map offerings in all 6v6 playlists, and are expecting some changes in a future update.

UI/UX 

User Interface
  • Added more granularity options to the text chat profanity filter setting.
  • Updated the sign on experience to show a single toast after character select if you have one or more pending Bungie Friend requests, instead of a unique toast for every pending request.
      • The experience when receiving a new Bungie Friend request while playing the game has not changed.
      • Known Issue: This notification toast may appear blank for some players, but no invites are affected. This issue is already being investigated.
  • Player Search UI now has audio feedback.
  • Reverted a change to the text chat auto-hide default value that launched with Season 15.
      • The default value is once again On.
  • Fixed an issue where the text chat auto-hide setting could revert to the Season 15 default value of Off under various conditions.
  • Fixed an issue where voice chat settings would not consistently appear on non-PC platforms.
  • Fixed an issue where booting a fireteam member sometimes left a blank entry in the Roster or Fireteam UI.
  • Fixed an issue on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 where some header text on the Manage Invites tab of the Roster would sometimes scale down more than expected.
  • Fixed an issue where online Roster contacts were not sorting alphabetically for Friends and Clanmates.
  • Fixed an issue where blocking a player through a fireteam invite did not hide interaction options that are expected to fail when interacting with a blocked player.
  • Fixed an issue where red notification text would sometimes be missing when attempting to invite a player to your fireteam if their privacy settings would not allow them to join.
  • Fixed an issue affecting multiple Collections and Triumphs screens where entering a sub-screen or changing tabs on a screen would cause UI to show the default tab on the parent screen.
      • This fix also improves consistency when looking through tabs inside Collections category sub-screens.

INVESTMENT AND ABILITIES 

Weapons 
  • Horror’s Least Pulse Rifle no longer drops at zero power.
  • Increased drop chance for an Adept Nightfall weapon from a Platinum Grandmaster Nightfall to 100%.
  • Fixed an issue where Overflow and Shoot to Loot perks could double magazine sizes on some weapon archetypes.
      • Note: We have identified an issue where the Demolitionist perk no longer refills ammo when casting a grenade, and are looking to resolve this in Hotfix 3.3.1.1.
Abilities 
  • Fixed an issue where players were unable to use Glacial Quake’s light attack or activate sprint after a Glacial Quake heavy attack.
Vendors 
  • Previews are now enabled for gear that can be focused on Saint-14.
  • Players who reset any of their ritual reputations (Crucible, Gambit, or Vanguard) a second time without collecting the Ritual Reputation Ornament can now claim the ornament from the respective vendor.
  • Vanguard Tokens and Sunset Destination Material Tokens (Io, Mars, Titan, Mercury) that remain in players inventories have had their descriptions updated to indicate that they have no value and can be safely dismantled.
What’s New in Destiny 2 Festival of the Lost 2021?

Here’s the info per the press release:

Haunted Sectors

Three new tales in the form of Haunted Sectors are ready for the fearless (or foolhardy). Headless creatures stalk the dark crevasses of the Moon, a Guardian is hunted on Nessus, and the shocking result of a Vex Mind and an Exo merging into something new and terrifying.

Rewards for the Brave

Unlock the new Legendary Jurassic Green Pulse Rifle to strike fear into the hearts of your enemies, cruise around in an Exotic Sparrow to show off your courage, and more rewards are up for grabs during the Festival of the Lost. Eva will also offer the Bump in the Night emblem to Guardians who haunt the Haunted Sectors.

#TEAMDINO

The community had their say earlier this year with #TeamDino, bringing an end to one of Bungie’s most difficult decisions. Dinosaur-inspired ornament sets are now available in the Eververse store.

Source: Bungie (for patch notes)

Tags: Bungie Destiny Destiny 2
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Alex Co

Father, gamer, games media vet, writer of words, killer of noobs.

Home > News

Halo Infinite Season Pass Leaked, More Than Half of Free Levels Have No Rewards

  by   MP1st Staff  
12:39 pm in News

Halo Infinite is no stranger to leaks by now even with a couple of months on the horizon before its official release, and the latest one has the Halo Infinite Season Pass leaked online, which showcases what prospective players can expect from the first-ever battle pass implementation in a Halo title.

As shown in images floating around on Reddit, it appears that there are currently 120 levels for the Season Pass. Like most passes, there is a free tier and a paid tier, and those who want to stick to the game’s free-to-play multiplayer model will be happy to hear that. However, what’s a little bit disappointing is how stingy the rewards are for the free tier of the Season Pass, as it appears that more than half of the levels have no actual rewards. Check out the images of the leak below.

halo infinite season pass

halo infinite season pass

As always, with everything datamined or rumored, take this one with a grain of salt until officially confirmed by the developers.

What do you think? Are the free tier rewards for the Halo Infinite Season Pass worth grinding? Let us know in the comments below!

Thanks, GeauxAndrew !

Tags: 343 Industries Halo Halo Infinite

MP1st Staff

Home > News

EA Madden 22 Update 2.01 TU3 Brings New Features This October 12

  by   Alex Co  
11:42 am in News

EA Tiburon has released the EA Madden 22 update 2.01 (PS5 versuib 1,006) patch this October 12, which is also called Title Update 3 (TU3), or also known as the October Update! This brings new scouting features in Franchise mode, Ranked mode in The Yard, gameplay tuning changes, and more.

Note there are changes to both the current-gen and last-gen versions of the game, which are all listed below in the patch notes.

EA Madden 22 Update 2.01 Patch Notes | Madden 22 TU3 Patch Notes | Madden 22 October Update Patch Notes | Madden 22 Update 1.006 Patch Notes:

Madden NFL 22 (Xbox Series X|S & PS5):

Key Highlights:

  • New Scouting feature in Franchise mode
  • Ranked mode in The Yard now available
  • New gameplay abilities, tuning, and updated pass coverage
  • Additional NFL Authenticity updates

NFL Authenticity Updates:

  • 99 Club Cleats and new Jordan 5 low and mid cleats added
  • Panthers and Saints Stadium renovations added
  • Browns 1960’s helmet updated
  • Colts 1960’s jersey updated
  • Multiple mouthpiece placement issues fixed
  • Some heads appearing grey on Gen 4 fixed
  • Lighting issues around shadows are fixed across multiple stadiums.
  • New throwback uniforms added for 49ers, 1980’s Away, 1994 Away, 1998 Home/Away
  • New Likeness added for the following players:
    • Brandon Aiyuk
    • Ja’Marr Chase
    • Caleb Farley
    • C.J. Henderson
    • Darnay Holmes
    • Jaycee Horn
    • Javon Kinlaw
    • Trey Lance
    • John Johnson III
    • Dalton Schultz
    • Gerald Everett
    • Xavier McKinney
    • Sean Murphy-Bunting
    • Kenneth Murray Jr
    • Michael Pittman Jr
    • Patrick Queen
    • Trey Sermon
    • Laviska Shenault Jr
    • DeVonta Smith
    • Patrick Surtain II
    • Kadarius Toney
    • Jaylen Waddle
    • Antoine Winfield
    • Rock Ya-Sin

Gameplay Updates: 

New Abilities

  • Run-Off Elite – Players with this ability will distract defenders for longer with their runoffs
    • DEV NOTE: Receiver Run-offs are when the receiver fakes as if he is running a pass route downfield. This is done to pull the defenders away from the LOS and give the ball carrier more room if he gets to the edge. Some Receivers are masters at pulling this off and making the defender feel like it is a real route he is running, that is what this Ability emulates.
  • On The Ball – Players with this ability are much less likely to be fooled by WR runoffs.
  • Precision Kicker – Kickers with this ability can see the entirety of the kicking arc
  • Crusher – Defenders with this ability will cause heavy fatigue penalties when tackling a ball carrier with a hit-stick tackle.
  • Demoralizer – Defenders with this ability will clear a ballcarrier’s progress towards entering the zone with a hit-stick tackle.
  • Mind Reader (X-Factor) – When activated, defenders can see offensive play art via coach cam.
    • DEV NOTE: This powerful X-Factor Ability can only activate once the defensive player possessing the Ability gets in the zone by landing three successful Hit Sticks on Simulation or Arcade or five successful Hit Sticks on Competitive. You will be able to view your opponent’s play art when you bring up Coach Cam. To knock the player out of the zone, you will need to gain 30 yards on offense. This X-Factor will not be immediately available in Madden Ultimate Team, but it will be available in Franchise.

Pass Coverage

  • Hook Zones:
    • Fixed an issue causing the Mid-Read defender in Tampa 2 to drift the wrong direction vs. trips, leaving the TE open off the snap. This fix makes sure the Mid Read is opening with that vertical by #3 and carrying it better vertically downfield
  • Curl-Flat Zones:
    • Improved Curl Flat Zone logic so they would prioritize out breaking routes instead of shading under verticals. Also improved some logic so Curl Flats and Quarters Flats won’t chuck out breaking routes that were causing them to give up any leverage they had to cover the sideline.
  • Flat Zones:
    • Improved Cloud Flat Zone logic to better carry vertical routes to protect the fade and improve their facing direction immediately following the chuck
    • Fixed an issue so Cover 2 Sink soft-squat defenders could better shade receivers in the flat
    • Fixed an issue preventing Hard-Flat defenders from covering Inside Receivers and Tight Ends in Bunch and Close formations running Flat Routes and the flat portion of wheel routes
  • Man Coverage Alignment/Matchups:
    • Improved Man Defender motion logic so man defenders will properly follow and align when their receiver motions across the formation when the AI team is using the CB Matchups
    • We fixed an issue causing man-coverage assignments to incorrectly swap when the offense motioned a receiver across the formation.

Dynamic Gameday

  • Fixed an issue with the Colts Home Field Advantage failing to show the Hat-Count visual that could be used as pass/run play-tell
  • Tuning to the ‘Adrenaline’ M-Factor so instead of infinite stamina, it now reduces the rate of stamina drain.
  • Fixed an issue causing a logo to appear over players heads instead of a question mark for specific M-Factors
  • Fixed an issue sometimes causing the ‘Shook’ play-art to remain on the field after the snap

Play Art

  • Fixed an issue causing the WR Icons to stay visible after making a defensive adjustment
  • Fixed an issue preventing the art from updating to the correct route after making a hot-route on the RB and then sending him in motion to the slot
  • Fixed an issue preventing art from updating on Speed Option plays after flipping the play
  • Fixed an issue causing the art to sometimes disappear on defense when hot-routing a defender to blitz while inside the tackle box
  • Added scaling to Play-Art inside of The Yard when backed up into either end zone

QB Contain

  • Tuning to QB Contain behavior so contain defenders will get more depth off the snap
  • Tuning to open up disengage angles to allow contain defenders to anticipate better getting off blocks to more quickly react to QB’s dropping back too far behind the line of scrimmage

Tackling

  • Fixed a rare issue preventing a QB slide from being ruled down
  • Fixed a rare issue that could allow a defender to warp off the ground from a diving tackle into a standing wrap tackle

General

  • Fixed a blocking issue preventing the blocking RB from picking up an edge rusher vs. Nickel 3-3-5 Wide flipped
  • Addressed an issue where QBs would be able to scramble deep in the offensive backfield at full speed until they found an angle to get around Pass Rushers.
    • DEV NOTE: QBs will start to fatigue faster and slow down when trying to scramble 15+ yards behind the line of scrimmage. This reflects the realistic amount of effort and energy loss QB’s suffer in real life when scrambling so deep in the offensive backfield.
  • Fixed an issue causing players sometimes to start the second half of the game extremely fatigued
  • Fixed an issue causing the user-controlled player to get stuck running on touchbacks during kickoffs
  • Fixed an issue causing sideline characters sometimes to warp or pop randomly
  • Fixed issues around the Deadeye abilities triggering in the wrong situation. Inside Deadeye was not only triggering on passes to targets inside the numbers but targets outside the numbers as well
  • Fixed a rare issue that could result in an Offensive Pass Interference penalty to be called after a defender would hit-stick a receiver while running his route
  • Tuning to inaccurate passes to make passes more inaccurate when the QB has scrambled to 15 yards or more behind the line of scrimmage
  • Fixed a rare issue that could result in the referee saying a call had been reversed via a challenge even though the play result had not been reversed

Franchise Updates:

  • New Scouting Update Available
  • Tuned the logic for the MVP award via boosting weight of sacks, greater emphasis on touchdowns, and more significant penalty for turnovers
  • Fix to some teams missing their draft picks on the active/preseason roster
  • Addressed an issue with Weekly Strategy fatigue where CPU/auto manage rep teams get too fatigued by the end of the season
  • Addressed an issue where running backs had very high yards-per-reception in simulation
  • Fixed an issue where the right tackle position did not appear in the trade menus.

Face of the Franchise Updates:

  • Fixed a progression issue preventing players from getting progress in their player class during the road to the draft
  • Updated road to the draft to reflect difficulty settings chosen during hospitality settings
  • Resolved multiple crashes impacting player experience

The Yard:

  • The Yard: Ranked has been added. The Yard: Ranked will allow you to earn Gear, Cred, and Madden Ultimate Team packs all year long. Earning Tier Points will allow you to place on the leaderboard. You can earn extra Tier Points each game by completing in-game goals known as “Props”. Rank up, Prestige, and show the world who’s the best in The Yard!
  • Miscellaneous stability fixes

Presentation and User Interface:

  • Completed authenticity improvements across pre-game flows
  • Miscellaneous stability fixes

Madden ID Updates:

  • Fixed numerous crashes and softlocks impacting player experience
  • Fixed issues related to point purchasing flows with 1st party
  • Fixed an issue where players were incorrectly receiving progress for the General player class instead of the class they were playing

Madden Ultimate Team Updates:

  • Various UI updates across the mode
  • Fixed an exploit where users were able to exceed the AP limit

Madden NFL 22 (Xbox One, PS4, PC, Stadia)

Key Highlights:

  • New scouting feature in Franchise mode
  • Ranked in the Yard now available
  • New gameplay abilities and tuning

NFL Authenticity Updates: 

  • 99 Club Cleats and new Jordan 5 low and mid cleats added
  • Panthers and Saints Stadium renovations added
  • Browns 1960’s helmet updated
  • Colts 1960’s jersey updated
  • Multiple mouthpiece placement issues fixed
  • Some heads appearing grey on Gen 4 fixed
  • Lighting issues around shadows are fixed across multiple stadiums.
  • New throwback uniforms added for 49ers, 1980’s Away, 1994 Away, 1998 Home/Away
  • New Likeness added for the following players:
    • Brandon Aiyuk
    • Ja’Marr Chase
    • Caleb Farley
    • C.J. Henderson
    • Darnay Holmes
    • Jaycee Horn
    • Javon Kinlaw
    • Trey Lance
    • John Johnson III
    • Dalton Schultz
    • Gerald Everett
    • Xavier McKinney
    • Sean Murphy-Bunting
    • Kenneth Murray Jr
    • Michael Pittman Jr
    • Patrick Queen
    • Trey Sermon
    • Laviska Shenault Jr
    • DeVonta Smith
    • Patrick Surtain II
    • Kadarius Toney
    • Jaylen Waddle
    • Antoine Winfield
    • Rock Ya-Sin

Gameplay Updates:

New Abilities

  • Run Off Elite – Players with this ability will distract defenders for longer with their runoffs
  • On The Ball – Players with this ability are much less likely to be fooled by WR runoffs.
  • Precision Kicker – Kickers with this ability can see the entirety of the kicking arc
  • Crusher – Defenders with this ability will cause heavy fatigue penalties when tackling a ballcarrier with a hit-stick tackle.
  • Mind Reader – When they enter the zone, they can see offensive play art via coach cam.
  • Demoralizer – Defenders with this ability will clear a ballcarrier’s progress towards entering the zone with a hit-stick tackle.
  • Mind Reader (X-Factor) – When activated, defenders can see offensive play art via coach cam.
    • DEV NOTE: This powerful X-Factor Ability can only activate once the defensive player possessing the Ability gets in the zone by landing three successful Hit Sticks on Simulation or Arcade or five successful Hit Sticks on Competitive. You will be able to view your opponent’s play art when you bring up Coach Cam. To knock the player out of the zone, you will need to gain 30 yards on offense. This X-Factor will not be immediately available in Madden Ultimate Team, but it will be available in Franchise.

Pass Rush

  • Addressed an issue where QB Contain assignments would allow the QB to run underneath the defender and get outside the pocket
  • Addressed an issue where QB Contain defender did not disengage at the appropriate time once the QB broke the pocket and started scrambling

Franchise Updates:

  • New Scouting Update Available
  • Tuned the logic for the MVP award via boosting weight of sacks, greater emphasis on touchdowns, and more significant penalty for turnovers
  • Fix to some teams missing their draft picks on the active/preseason roster
  • Addressed an issue with Weekly Strategy fatigue where CPU/auto manage rep teams get too fatigued by the end of the season
  • Addressed an issue where running backs had very high yards-per-reception in simulation
  • Fixed an issue where the right tackle position did not appear in the trade menus.

Face of the Franchise Updates:

  • Fixed a progression issue preventing players from getting progress in their player class during the road to the draft
  • Updated road to the draft to reflect difficulty settings chosen during hospitality settings
  • Resolved multiple crashes impacting player experience

The Yard:

The Yard: Ranked has been added! The Yard: Ranked will allow you to earn Gear, Cred, and Madden Ultimate Team packs all year long. Earning Tier Points will allow you to place on the leaderboard. You can earn extra Tier Points each game by completing in-game goals known as “Props”. Rank up, Prestige, and show the world who’s the best in The Yard!

Presentation and User Interface:

  • Completed authenticity improvements across pre-game flows
  • Miscellaneous stability fixes

Madden Ultimate Team Updates:

  • Various UI updates across the mode
  • Fixed an exploit where users were able to exceed the AP limit

If you haven’t picked the game up yet, check out our review of it right here.

Source: EA

Tags: Madden madden 22 nfl
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Alex Co

Father, gamer, games media vet, writer of words, killer of noobs.

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Battlefield 2042 Hazard Zone Trailer Premieres October 14

  by   Alex Co  
11:09 am in News

With Battlefield 2042’s launch a month away, EA has now decided it’s time we know more about the third mode that the game will feature at launch, and that’s Hazard Zone. EA has today announced that the Battlefield 2042 Hazard Zone trailer will premiere this October 14!

Here’s the brief teaser that accompanied the announcement:

Tune in on October 14th to discover Battlefield™ Hazard Zone, an all-new high-stakes multiplayer experience… Battlefield 2042 is a first-person shooter that marks the return to the iconic all-out warfare of the franchise. Adapt and overcome in a near-future world transformed by disorder. Squad up and bring a cutting-edge arsenal into dynamically-changing battlegrounds supporting 128 players*, unprecedented scale, and epic destruction.

Don’t forget, this isn’t a battle royale mode per DICE, though it does seem like one if we’re being honest.

In other Battlefield 2042 news, EA has sent out a survey yesterday asking participants what they thought of the beta, and this included the changes from a class-based system to Specialists. Read up on that here for more info.

Tags: Battlefield Battlefield 2042 DICE
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Alex Co

Father, gamer, games media vet, writer of words, killer of noobs.

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Red Dead Online Weekly Update October 12 Reset

  by   James Lara  
10:59 am in News

Rockstar Games has rolled out the Red Dead Online weekly update October 12 reset of activities and discounts! Same as before, for the recap, head on below for the list of new activities, discounts and more.

Red Dead Online Weekly Update October 12 Reset:

One of three precious gemstones — the yellow Il Sovrano — is making a pit stop in Rhodes en route to the States’ Fair in Sacramento. Should you find a way in and out of town, and manage to leave with the stone in your possession, you’ll earn 2X RDO$ and XP all week long.

Completing any Blood Money Opportunity with a Persistent Posse in tow between now and October 18 will yield a Reward for a free Ability Card and an Offer for 30% off any Weapon.

Call to Arms Bonuses and Extras

A wave of violence is sweeping across the frontier, meaning all Call to Arms maps are available once again to play — plus, you’ll earn double the usual XP for defending any location from wave after wave of attackers.

Team up with a Persistent Posse in any Call to Arms mode to receive a Reward for 3,000 Club XP. Additionally, players can earn one-time Capitale rewards by holding out and surviving the onslaught: reaching Wave 3 of any Call to Arms mode will land you 5 Capitale; reaching Wave 7 results in an additional 5 Capitale; making it all the way to Wave 10 will result in a sum of 10 additional Capitale, plus 2,000 Character XP.

All returning Red Dead Online players who log in to play this week will get 100 rounds of High Velocity Rifle and Revolver Ammo apiece to help them defend outposts from merciless attacks. Please allow up to 72 hours for your Rewards and Offers to arrive.

Other highlights for this week’s reset:

  • Double XP on Call to Arms
  • Call to Arms Bonuses: Survive Wave 3 for 5 Capitale, Wave 7 for 5 Capitale, and Wave 10 for 10 Capitale and 2,000 Character XP
  • Free Ability Card and Offer for 30% off any Weapon for completing a Blood Money Opportunity with a Permanent Posse
  • The Quick Draw Club No. 4 Available: players can earn the Huntingdock Coat, Dunster Outfit, Forester Poncho, and more
  • Free Ammo: 100 rounds of High Velocity Rifle and Revolver Ammo for logging into Red Dead Online this week
  • Discounts: 30% off Rifles, Ability Cards, Hats, and Mustangs, 40% off Ammo Crafting Pamphlets
  • Prime Gaming Benefits: Players who connect to Prime Gaming before October 25 will get a Reward for 40 Capitale and an Offer for 50% off the Mauser Pistol
  • Double RDO$ and XP for completing the Il Sovrano Opportunity
  • 3,000 XP Reward for playing Call to Arms with a Permanent Posse

Discounts

Whether you’re embarking on a crime spree or protecting a holdout from one, you’re going to need supplies and upgrades.

Those looking to shoot their way out of any disputes might want to visit the Gunsmith or crack open the Catalogue, as all Rifles are 30% off, while all Ammo Crafting Pamphlets are 40% off at the Fence.

Switch up your skill set by taking 30% off Ability Card Upgrades and spice up your look by taking 30% off all Hats. Finally, mount up at your local Stable: all Mustangs are 30% off this week.

Prime Gaming Benefits

Red Dead Online players who connect their Rockstar Games Social Club account to Prime Gaming before October 25 will get a Reward for 40 Capitale and an Offer for 50% off the Mauser Pistol.

That’s it for this week. Tune in next week for the next Red Dead Online update.

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James Lara

A gamer at heart, James has been working for MP1st for the last decade to do exactly what he loves, writing about video games and having fun doing it. Growing up in the 90's gaming has been in his DNA since the days of NES. One day he hopes to develop his own game.

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Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Launch Trailer Released Featuring Motley Crue

  by   MP1st Staff  
9:37 am in News

Ahead of the game’s release in a couple of weeks, Eidos Montreal has finally shared the Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy launch trailer. The trailer showcases the heavy 80s inspiration for the franchise, and you can see it clearly in this new Marvel title set for release this October 26.

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Launch Trailer

The developer also shared some behind the scenes information for this launch trailer for Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, including that kickass music that accompanies it.

Set to Mötley Crüe’s headbanging “Kickstart My Heart,” the launch trailer helps answer that question, showcasing just some of the chaotic action to ensue. Although their differences often lead them into trouble, on the battlefield, each of the Guardians contributes something special to the team; explosive specialist Rocket is well-equipped to dish out area-of-effect damage, Groot provides unparalleled defensive support, Drax powers through any resistance head-on and Gamora lends swift and precise swordsmanship to the squad. As Star-Lord, players will call the shots both on the battlefield and throughout the story.

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy is releasing this October 26 for the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and streaming via GeForce NOW. It will also be available on the Nintendo Switch via cloud streaming in select regions.

Tags: Eidos Montreal marvel's guardians of the galaxy

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Diablo 2 Resurrected Down Again This October 12 (Update)

  by   Alex Co  
9:10 am in News

Well, it seems this is a recurring theme, as Diablo 2 Resurrected down reports are once again surfacing this October 12, which makes this the fourth day in a row that Blizzard Entertainment’s RPG has experienced server issues!

Update (October 13): For those seeing issues from servers and logging in, Blizzard has acknowledged the problems. Check here for the server statues updates today.

Diablo 2 Resurrected Down October 12:

Update #2 (1:16PM): Blizzard says that the login issues have been resolved! Game on!

Update: Blizzard has issued an update to state that they are working on making the stable online. Stay tuned here for further updates.

On the game’s subreddit, multiple reports have once again surfaced of players stating they cannot connect to servers:

Daily Diablo 2 Ressurected is down
byu/1ps3 inDiablo

Diablo 2 ReDisconnected
byu/DeskiTop_ inDiablo

Servers down AGAIN!
byu/Fishey2k inDiablo

It’s server nap time again!
byu/Drakmeister inDiablo

Fortunately this time, the official Blizzard Entertainment Twitter is aware of the issue, unlike yesterday’s which took the account several hours before even acknowledging it. Here’s the latest statement from the studio:

Same as before, share which platform you’re on, and where you are in the world, so we’ll know where the game’s servers are out, and where it can be played. We’ll be updating the post throughout the day, as more announcements are made, so stay tuned.

Barring the server issues, our Diablo 2 Resurrected review went up yesterday where we gave it an excellent score (again, if there are no server problems), and said, “Despite Blizzard’s recent track record of poor decisions and mishandling of the Warcraft 3 remake, in the case of Diablo 2 Resurrected, Blizzard shows they’re able to deliver on a solid remaster that improves the visuals and effects of the game, while still maintaining its classic charms.”

Tags: Blizzard Entertainment diablo diablo II resurrected
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Alex Co

Father, gamer, games media vet, writer of words, killer of noobs.

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