The First Descendant feels like a callback to the Xbox 360 and PS3 era. There are hordes of enemies to defeat with your friends as you level up your character and guns. You're eliminating many surrounding enemies and protecting points of interest. For some folks, that might sound great! As for me, I went back to my bed and fell asleep (literally) after playing an hour or two of The First Descendant. I'm over it. But...there's an intriguing [good] Genshin-like aspect that might draw me in.

[caption id="attachment_403320" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

The First Descendant is derivative of past games and lacks personality

Shooting foes in the face and getting loot from them is nothing new, and unfortunately, The First Descendant doesn't do a great job of bringing something new to the table. There are some cool abilities like casting ice spells and being able to whip yourself up to a higher platform, but other than that, I truly felt bored with the concept of this game. You're defeating waves of hordes that act as bullet sponges and require little strategy to remove. There's one enemy that has a shield, and you need ice to freeze them in place so they're open. Other than that, there's nothing exceptional in terms of its game design from the two or three hours I've played of The First Descendant. 

The guns you collect also don't feel unique. In the modern shooter landscape (take Borderlands for example), guns often feel different from one another. The First Descendant lacks any personality when it comes to its weapons at this early point in the game. I've felt like I've played this game 10 times already in titles like Destiny, Outriders, and other shooters of this type. However, if you're missing a game like this, I could see you dropping in with your friends over crossplay for something nost??algic.

The weapons are lacking

Later on in The First Descendant, you can build special weapons like the Thunder Cage and The Last Dagger, but with so many materials needed for both of them, it may take you a while to acquire these in your arsenal. I was able to check them o?ut in this ?preview build as a level 40 character and to be honest, they are a little underwhelming. I'd be annoyed if I spent so much time trying to get these weapons and then getting disappointed.

Something that adds something new to the formula, however, is the module system. You can add upgrades to your guns and your character like increased defense or better weakpoint damage against foes. Hopefully, Nexon gets creative with these modules as the game progresses like Nier Automata's Plug-In Chip system.

[caption id="attachment_403323" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

A third-person shooter that's like Genshin?

As you play through the game, you can unlock new characters to play as. Each de??scendant has their own abilities to offer to the table. Valby, for example, can hover around the battlefield with her water skills and can entrap enemies into bubbles. Meanwhile, Bunny zips around at lightning speed and can fire a streaming laser of electric chaos. The first few descendants available to players seem to be fairly dull to play as, unfortunately. The unlockable descendan??ts you play as seem to make up for the lack of creativity within the weapons.

I liked the personalities of Valby and Bunny, similar to Genshin Impact's Venti and Kazuha. This whol?e aspect of the game has potential.

Even though the guns aren't that impressive, the actual feel of the gameplay is stellar, and it runs smooth like butter in Unreal Engine 5. The environments and characters look clean, and shooting down waves of enemies does look fantastic on screen. Aiming down sights is agile, and I felt like I was in control at all times. The art design is a bit too basic for my liking and perhaps should have gone in a more daring direction like another Unreal Engine 5-powered game Immortals of Aveum, which had levels at a grander scale. Fighting on a moving mech was so awesome, and you don't get that thrill in this shooter The First Descendant, at least in this preview build so far.

I wanted to skip the cutscenes

While I dug a lot of the character work, the lore is so dreadfully dull. The explanation of what's happening in this world in the first 20 minutes of this game is excruciating, and there are a lot of wooden ??performances that should have been re-recorded. I truly just didn't care about the story in any inkling and wanted to skip the cutscenes so badly.

In addition, the audio was hard to listen to. The gunfire is extremely loud and off-balanced, causing me to miss some o?f the dialogue. I've set the audio effects to 3 while every other audio setting is at 5 or 6, and it's still too abrasive for my ears.  I'll need to lower?? it even further.

[caption id="attachment_403332" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

The First Descendant needs work

As The First Descendant hasn't been fully released yet, I hope there's still time to tweak the gam?e. More intriguing loot would be a stellar addition, and the performances during cutscenes can be vastly improved. Most importantly, the gunplay could certainly be more creative as well if Nexon wants players to be invested in gett?ing the best loot in the game.

On the other hand, there's a solid foundation. The visuals look tremendous with a smooth frame rate, and shooting at enemies, however basic they are, feels satisfying. Each of the unlockable characters also provides new abilities to tinker with. I'll check this game's official release to see if it lives up to its potential. The First Descendant will be released as a free-to-play game on PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC? with cross-play functionality.

[This writer was provided with a PC preview code by the publisher]

The post Hands-on: The First Descendant feels like a flashback, and not in a goo?d way appeared first on Destructoid.

"Project Rene"

Based on a job listing posted by Electronic Arts, the next game in The Sims franchise may be free to play. According to the listing, developer Maxis is looking for a Head of Marketplace & Monetization for the newest entry to The Sims franchise (code-named Project Rene). For reference, Maxis recently confirmed via a post on the Electronic Arts Blog that Project Rene is the next entry in The Sims franchise.

A couple of the responsibilities? of this position indicate ??the game could be adopting a free-to-play model:

• Own Project Rene’s in-game marketplace of content and ugc (free and paid), and manage a data-informed player-centric player purchase journey - maximizing value to players, optimizing player spend patterns, and minimizing player churn.
• Own pricing of all content in this free-to-enter game, ensuring we have an optimal pricing and content architecture. Provide guidance to content teams on in-game content needs to meet player demand.

[caption id="attachment_389857" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Electronic Arts[/caption]

Plenty of paid DLC wouldn't be new for The Sims

Anyone that has kept up with The Sims 4 should not be surprised by this news. Despite releasing almost a decade ago, The Sims 4 receives frequent updates in the form of paid DLC. In fact, The Sims 4 b?ase ?game will become free-to-play at the end of last year. Exist??ing DLC ranges from $4.99 for a collection of skins and furniture to $39.99 for a full-fledged expansion pack. H??owever, without any sort of discount, someone wanting to experience all content will have to spend some cash. While there is plenty of content to explore, someone looking to play it all would spend well over $1,000.

Evidently releasing paid content for The Sims is working, so it's easy to see financially why Electronic Arts would make this decision. Project Rene does not currently have a release date or window. However, Maxis recen?tly started playtesting the gam?e in a closed setting, so we may hear more soon.

The post The next game in the Sims series may ???launch as free-to-play appeared first on Destructoid.

Don't Pay to Play

Gaming can quite quickly become an expensive hobby. The non-stop conga line of fantastic games this year has made it harder than ever to play without hurting your wallet. Not every wor??thwhile experience has a price tag o?n it, however. With the following PS5 titles, you'll have a blast without spending a cent.

[caption id="attachment_387340" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image by Respawn Entertainment.[/caption]

10. Apex Legends

When it comes to free-to-play games, fans of first-person shooters have more than enough to pick from. Apex Legends is a battle-royale style game featuring a cast of characters serving as either Recon,?? Support, Skirmisher, Assault, or Controller. With a good variety of guns and maps, it is a title that easily hooks players for hours at a time.

[caption id="attachment_387345" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image by Bungie.[/caption]

9. Destiny 2

Yet another first-person shooter appears on the list in the form of Destiny 2. It has managed to remain relevant thanks to constant expansions, including Lightfall in 2023. With Sony's acquisition of Bungie, it appears the franchise ??will be supported for a long t?ime to come.

[caption id="attachment_387344" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image by Digital Extremes.[/caption]

8. Warframe

The third-person shooter Warframe was first released in 2013, and it has maintained popularity since. It uses a mix of both procedurally generated and fixed levels that have players using guns and stealth. With new expansions regularly released, it's always a good time to start playing Warframe.

[caption id="attachment_387342" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid.[/caption]

7. Sky: Children of Light

Sky is a game that is best experienced instead of described. Players who enjoyed titles like Journey and Flower will instantly fall in love with Sky. Much like the aforementioned titles, Sky features a minimalistic style of storytelling along with multiplayer elements implemented in unexpected ways. Play Sky, it may be the best thing you do all week.

[caption id="attachment_387339" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image by Maxis Studios.[/caption]

6. The Sims 4

The popular life simulation game The Sims 4 went free-to-play in 2022, breathing new life into a somewhat dated game. Although the controls on consoles are occasionally awkward, The Sims 4 is definitely worth playing. It has earned its longevity through its expansive gameplay, detailed character creator system, and quirky humor that has charact??erized the franchise for years.

[caption id="attachment_387343" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image by Epic Games.[/caption]

5. Fortnite

It's hard to make any free-to-play list without including Fortnite. Over five years after its initial release, it has since grown into a phenomenon en??compassing celebrities, music concerts, and various other gaming franchises. Nevertheless, it remains ol' reliable when it comes to exciting bat??tle royale gameplay.

[caption id="attachment_387359" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image by Blizzard.[/caption]

4. Overwatch 2

The first-person shooter Overwatch 2 is one of th??e most popular games of its type around. Gameplay is fast-paced and fun, with a learning curve that's not too steep. The player base is very active, ensuring you can jump into ??the action at any time.

[caption id="attachment_387341" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid.[/caption]

3. Rocket League

When it comes to addictive gameplay, it's hard to do better than Rocket League. Released in 2015, it has players playing soccer with rocket-powered vehicles. It h??as since developed a competitive scene, though casual players can still easily join at any time. In 2020, it went free-to-play, opening the game to an even wider audience.

[caption id="attachment_387338" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid.[/caption]

2. Fall Guys

Fall Guys launched in August 2020, and it was an immediate record-breaking hit. Though it may not make as many headlines in 2023, Fall Guys is still a silly battle royale game with an active user base. Much like the show Takeshi's Castle, players are tasked with completing an assortment of games and obstacle courses. Little beans are the competitors, which makes thi??ngs all the more sillier.

[caption id="attachment_387336" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

1. Astro's Playroom

Astro's Playroom is bundled with the PS5, and it familiarizes players with?? the features of the DualSense, as well as the blinding speed of the console's SSD.?? It is, without a doubt, a must-play for every PS5 owner, and years later it remains one of the best showcases of the PS5's abilities.

The game features gorgeous visuals that reference many classic PlayStation franchises, and the platforming gameplay is both fun and varied. The only wish now is that the PSVR 2 receives a similar title.

There is a good variety of free-to-play games available on PS5, and they'll satisfy fans of sports games, shooters, and platformers. Upcoming free-to-play games to look out for include the soccer game UFC, as well as the MMORPG Throne and Liberty.

The post 10 best free games to play on PS5 right now appeared first on Destructoid.

The Fast-Dealing Property-Destroying Game

Honkai: Star Rail is an absolute behemoth of a free-to-play game right now, surpassing 20 million downloads in a single day. I’ve been trying to put some time into it since it launched, but I don't think I've even reached the titular Star Rail yet as another mobile game has hogged all of my attention over the past week or so. Monopoly Go! is a new, free-to-play competitive board game from Hasbro and Scopely, the latter of which is best known for its work on The Walking Dead: Road to Survival and Star Trek Fleet Command.

Monopoly Go! is a casual take on the classic board where you roll two die to move your piece around the iconic board, collecting cash or paying taxes along the way. Everything you know from Monopoly is here, but the rules have changed enough that Monopoly Go! is an even mo?re ruthless version of the property-buying game.

That’s saying something because Monopoly has always been a take-no-prisoners experience. Anyone who had the misfortune of landing on a hotel-adorned Park Avenue space owned by your older brother can attest to just how mean-spirited this game can be. That is by design and why we mostly stuck to playing Sorry! when I was a kid. In Monopoly Go!, your goal isn’t just to collect money from your friends and strangers. You’ll still do that because what is Monopoly if you’r??e not learning to hate landlords? But? you’re also actively trying to destroy their properties while robbing them blind.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwfoZy3mNTI

When you boot up the app, it’ll encourage you to sign up your fr??iends as all F2P games are wont to do these days. Friends and strangers alike will pop up on your board in various spaces. If you manage to land your piece on one of those spaces, they'll pay you rent. The goal of the game is to earn enough money to complete landmarks across various maps (such as a torii on the Tokyo map). Build all five landmarks and max out their upgrades, and you’ll move to the next map. It’s simple enough, but you can really throw a wrench into your friends' plans by landing on a railroad space.

Railroads in Monopoly Go! will activate one of two activities: Shut Down or Bank Heist. If you get Shut Down, you’ll get a chance to partially demolish a landmark one of your acquaintances has built. They can block it, but only a certain number of times.?? Landing on a Bank Heist will open up a match-3 mini-game that’ll let you rob your friends and family of all their money if you’re lucky. Sadly, for the people who’ve decided to add me as a f??riend in their game, I’ve been very lucky in that regard over the past week.

Going bankrupt carries no real penalty as it’s impossible for you to go into debt, but it can provide a major setback for your progress, such as when I managed to steal about $17,000,000 from another pla?yer during a Mega Heist. That player has since given up on the game, as have quite a few of the people who were in my circle for the first five days or so.

Unfortunately, it seems tha?t I will be joining them soon enough. There are several deal-breakers here that will have me deleting the app, probably by the time this article goes live. It’s really aggressive with its in-game ads, I have the absolute worst luck of landing on the Go to Jail space, and it’s the type of free-to-play game where it’s almost necessary to keep opening up the app in case there is a 30-minute limited time event that could give you a massive advantage. I’m keen on the F2P market, but not so much when a game keeps my notifications ringing throughout the day.

If I were in the market for a new mobile F2P game to kick around for the next few weeks, Monopoly Go! wouldn't be a bad choice as it can be amusing from time to time. But with Honkai: Star Rail here, and my resurgent interest in Marvel Snap, I thin?k I've given it just about as much time as I can.

Monopoly GO is available now on iOS and Android platforms.

The post Monopoly Go! is a?? rather ruthless take on the c?lassic board game appeared first on Destructoid.

PC and other platforms to continue

Hi-Rez Studios has announced that it will be ending service for the Nintendo Switch version of free-to-play shooter Rogue Company this summer. The First Watch-developed multiplayer title will hit the lights on June 20, 2023. A??s of today, all in-game stores have been closed.

"After a lot of discussion, thought, and conversations across our team, we’ve made the difficult decision for Rogue Company to end support for our Nintendo Switch version, with our final date of support being June 20," wrote the developer in a statement. "This choice wasn’t made easily or without concern for our community, however we realized that the performance of our Switch port was not up to our standards, and we wer??e unable to provi?de the level of support our players deserved."

"We understand the impact this decision may have on our community and would like to assure you that we have worked diligently to find workarounds for various Switch-specific issues in the past. Unfortunately, significant technical and process challenges prevent us from continuing support for this platform, and we believe this is the best choice for Rogue Company."

Hi-Rez notes that it intends to fully focus its efforts on the PlayStation, PC, and Xbox versions of Rogue Company going forward. The studio suggests that Switch players utilize the Hi-Rez account linking/cross-progression service i?n order to continue playing o??n another platform with all of the content and statistics from their Switch edition.

Rogue Company launched in open beta in late 2020, before finally receiving an official release in May 2022. It is ??available now on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platforms, with tentative plans for a mobile por??t.

The post ??Rogue Company ends se??rvice on Nintendo Switch June 20 appeared first on Destructoid.

That's All Folks!

Player First Games has announced that it will be taking its cartoon crossover fighter MultiVersus offline this June �The open beta, which first launched in July of 2022, will be closed down ahead of the title's official launch, whic??h is now tentatively set for "early 2024."

"Throughout our Open Beta, we’ve been working hard to build the best gameplay experience, and we appreciate all of the inspiration you’ve given us. Our Open Beta has been an important learning opportunity for us and a stepping stone to the next phase of MultiVersus."

"We know there’s still a lot of work to do. As a result, we have a clearer view of what we need to focus on, specifically the content cadence of new characters, maps and modes to give you more ways to enjoy the game, along with updated netcode and more matchmaking improvements. We’ll also be reworking the progression system based on your feedback and looking at new ways for you to connect with your friends in the ga?me."

//twitter.com/multiversus/?status/1640383551974825984?s=20

The FAQ notes that all purchased content will carry over into the main game, but refunds will not be issued for?? any items, battle pass contents, or either DLC that players have purchased during the past year's beta phase. Following the server closure on June 25, 2023, players will still ?have access to local Vs. matches and the fighter's training mode, known as "The Lab". Player First Games suggests that the relaunch will see the arrival of new modes, features, and characters.

MultiVersus is available in open beta now u??ntil June 25, 2023 on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platforms. Player First Games expects to relaunch the title in early 2024.

The post MultiVersus beta going offline in June, official launch ??expected in 2024 appeared first on Destructoid.

Racing Suit Baloo is just So. Weird.

Mickey, Goofy, Donald and chums are preparing y to crash into a stand full of screaming fans in a fiery wreckage, as licensed racer Disney Speedstorm is preparing to leav??e the starting grid and burn into Early Access April 18.

While the final release of the curious new road-ripper will be free-to-play, the Early Access edition will only be open to those who have purchased one of the various special editions of the title, all of which feature various unlockable characters as well as an abundance of (quite literal) Mickey Mouse Money. Once the Early Access period �which will take place on PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Switch platforms �concludes, then Disney Speedstorm will launch proper as a free-to-play release.

//www.youtub??e.com/watch?v=3Q7DoSIDyBg&ab_channel=PlayStation

"We’re eager for fans to start their engines by joining us on the Disney Speedstorm racetracks throughout Ear?ly Access and battle each other as iconic racers on stunning tracks inspired by Disney and Pixar films," says Gameloft's game manager Aska Suzuki. "We can’t wait to he?ar our community’s feedback and to work together to create a game that is reactive to the needs and wants of the players as we plan to offer a constantly evolving racing experience."

The three Disney Speedstorm pre-order packages are as follows. Each co?ntains Early Access... access.

Standard Founder’s Pack ($29.99 / �9.99)

Early access to Disney Speedstorm
Racer unlock: Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck
Additional racer unlock of your choice
4,000 tokens (in-game currency)�br /> 2 Golden Pass credits
Exclusive founding member racing suit for Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and the chosen racer
Exclusive founding member kart livery for Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and the chosen racer
Exclusive founder’s motto and avatar

Deluxe Founder’s Pack ($49.99 / �9.99)

Early access to Disney Speedstorm
Racer unlock: Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Mulan
Additional racer unlock of your choice
7,000 Tokens (in-game currency)�br /> 2 Golden Pass credits
Exclusive founding member racing suit for Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Mulan, and the chosen racer
Exclusive founding member kart livery for Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Mulan, and the chosen racer
Exclusive founder’s motto and avatar

Ultimate Founder’s Pack ($69.99 / �9.99)

Early access to Disney Speedstorm
Racer unlock: Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Mulan, Captain Jack Sparrow, and Hercules
Additional racer unlock of your choice
12,000 Tokens (in-game currency)�br /> Three Golden Pass credits
Exclusive founding member racing suit for Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Mulan, Captain Jack Sparrow, Hercules, and the chosen racer
Exclusive founding member kart livery for Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Mulan, Captain Jack Sparrow, Hercules, and the chosen racer
Exclusive founder’s motto and avatar
Kart wheels and wings for Donald Duck kart

Related: Wha?t is in the Disney Speedstorm Founder’s Pack??? �Answered on PrimaGames

The post Disney S?peedstorm ac?celerates into Early Access in April appeared first on Destructoid.

Steal Your Heart (And Wallet)

Just in case you liked Persona 5 a little too much, publisher Perfect World Games has announced the coming of a brand new release within the slick 'n' stylish RPG franchise, situated within the much-loved "free-to-play mobile title with in-game purchases" genre �Presented for your consideration: Persona 5: The Phantom X aka Persona: Phantom of the Night.

//www.youtube?.com/watch?v??=g88lHDhbEQI&ab_channel=GamersPrey

Developed by Black Wings Game Studio, Persona 5: The Phantom X will see an entirely new gang of Phantom Thieves stealing hearts and purchasing microtransactions against the backdrop of a depressed Tokyo populace. The new title will feature all of the typical action players have come to know from?? the series �from attending school classes and enjoying local activities to battling demons and exploring alternate universes. Both Sega and Atlus' dedicated P-Studio will supervise production.

//www.youtube.c??om/watch?v=upvfxp00Bv4&ab_channel=GamersPr??ey

Two new trailers showcase The Phantom X's very nice visuals, and also reintroduce us to The Velvet Room, complete with what appears to be a whole new assistant. I'm certainly not denying that it looks like a legitimate and authentic spin-off of the Persona series' biggest-selling release, (and that new owl companion is super cool) but by its core F2P w/ in-game purchases concept, it's difficult not to view the title immediately with a raised eyebrow and an impending sense of expensive dread. Am I being presumptuous? Perhaps, but then, we've all had more than enough experience with these titles.

Here's hoping our new Phantom Thieves will buck the trend.

Persona 5: The Phantom X / Persona: Phantom of the Night is in development for iOS and Android platforms. There is no release date, but players in China can already sign up for an "Infiltration Test" over on the official website.

Related: 8 Things You Need ??to Know Before Playing Persona 5 Royal on PrimaGames

The post Persona: Phantom of the Night is an? incoming free-to-play mobi??le game appeared first on Destructoid.

Yet another nostalgia-tinged mobile title bites the dust

Square Enix has announced that it will be shutting down service for mobile RPG Echoes of Mana �The f?ree-to-play RPG, which launched in April 2022, will hit the lights on May 15, 2023, just a pip over 12 mont??hs on from its initial launch.

"We regret to announce we have made the difficult decision to discontinue the Echoes of Mana app service," reads a statement posted to the official website. "From the Echoes of Mana Production Team, we a??pologize for the abrupt announcement but are? sincerely grateful for the support we’ve received from our players."

"Since Echoes of Mana‘s launch on April 27, 2022, we’ve strived to provide an incredible and enjoyable gaming experience for our players every day that could exceed the day before. However, we’ve come to the conclusion that it would be difficult to continue maintaining the app experience, and to therefore end the app service. Our remaining time together may be short, but we hope to see you in Echoes of Mana still as we continue to bring exciting content and ?updates that y??ou’re sure to enjoy."

As of today, players can no longer purchase "Spirit Crystals" and are encouraged to spend all that t??hey currently have in their inventory ahead of the title's closure in May.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=L??hTkT9Vi??GP8&ab_channel=SquareEnix

Echoes of Mana is the latest in a myriad of free-to-play, live-service, or gacha titles to abruptly announce coming closures �with many of the affected titles only 12 months or so into their lifespan. The past year has seen similar announcements for a slew of mobile and console RPGs and action games, including Apex Legends Mobile, Crossfire X????, Battlefield Mobile, Final Fantasy: The First Soldier, Knockout City, the GO strategy series, Dragalia Lost, Sakura Wars, Tales of Crestoria, Tales of Luminaria, and The Witcher: Monster Slayer.

As previously noted, one would be wise to think on before investing their time, money, and emotions into these endeavors, as more and more titles have seen the plug abruptly pulled on their services. And, in some cases, regardless of whether the release has proven profitable or otherwis?e.

The post Echoes of Mana to end service ju?st one year ??after launch appeared first on Destructoid.

The highly-anticipated ATLA mobile RPG is finally here

Avatar: The Last Airbender is widely considered to be one of the best animated series of all time, so it's not terribly surprising that it's getting another video game adaptation nearly twenty years after it premiered. Fans of the show are always clamoring for more content, so here's hoping that the new mobile action RPG Avatar Generations lives up to the hype. Created by Crystal Dynamics Eidos Entertainment in collaboration with Navigation Games, the free-to-play title is now available on the iOS App Store and the Google Play Store.

As of now, the events of Avatar Generations will follow the adventures of Aang and company from the original series, but subsequent updates will touch on additional Avatar eras like The Rise of Kyoshi and The Legend of Korra. Players who start the game right now will get some welcome rewards, including Aang and Appa as characters to add to their squad. In classic RPG fashion, players will meet various characters from the show and be able to add them to their traveling party, including Katara, Sokka, Zuko, and Toph. Each character has their own? set of abilities and special strengths as well, so you'll have some options in how you want to build your team.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV3wPu0sgfM

Along with the launch of the game, CDE also shared a new gameplay trailer, which shows off the game's turn-based combat and the adorable chibi art of the characters as they travel in the overworld across the Four Nations. While Avatar Generations is completely free to download, there will be some in-app purchases for "exclusive items, cosmeti??cs, and more." I guess it wouldn't be a free-to-play?? game without microtransactions, right?

You can check out the official Avatar Generations website for any future updates about the game, as well as some events on the horizon. As a fan of the Avatar series, I'm excited to give this one a shot!

The post Mobile RPG Avatar Gene?rations launches with ??a new gameplay trailer appeared first on Destructoid.

Technical Difficulties. Please Stand By.

Publisher GungHo Online Entertainment has made the bold announcement that it will be suspending service of its online multiplayer title Deathverse: Let it Die on all platforms �Come July 18, the free-to-play shooter will be taken offline, where it will enter a period o?f "redevelopment", pending relaunch.

"There is no doubt that we experienced some challenges since the launch of our game, particularly with regards to in-game matchmaking and lag. We deeply apologize for these issues that may have caused an inconvenience to our players," reads a statemen??t from developer SuperTrick Games.

"While we have tried various solutions to some degree of success, we have not been able to resolve the underlying problems. As a result, the development and operations teams have made the decision to temporarily suspend the game’s services while we redevelop Deathverse: Let It Die. This was a difficult decision for us to ??make. However, we believe that re-releasing? the game with significant improvements will allow it to be enjoyed by a wider audience as well as our current players."

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhU??l22KG_?g8&ab_channel=GungHo

"Thank you so much for your constant support of Deathverse: Let It Die. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who enjoys and enriches the game and its community [...] We will be doing our utmost to prepare for the re-release so that our current community? can enjoy the game alongside many more new players in the future. We greatly appreciate your understanding and support."

Launching in May of 2022, Deathverse: Let it Die is a hard-hitting multiplayer battler set against the backdrop of a ruin??ed world, having been devastated by a cataclysmic natural disaster. In this new age, ?the people are entertained by a violent game show, Death Jamboree, which sees warriors from all corners of the globe battle it out for big cash prizes and the satiation of bloodlust.

While at a glance a typical battle royale title, Deathverse stands apart from its many contemporaries thanks to its cool steampunk aesthetic, its wild and classy character designs, and its TV-style presentation, even encouraging Twitch viewers to get in on the action with a pseudo-betting system and viewer votes. Unfort?unately, the title? is yet to secure a large audience, with some pointing at a boring grind mechanic and a plethora of issues with connectivity and matchmaking.

Hopefully, the coming downtime will allow the developers to relaunch Deathverse in a cleaner, tauter state, le?st Death Jamboree join the litany of shows that find themsel?ves not renewed for season two.

The post Deathverse: Let it Die to suspend service in July for ‘redevelopment’ appeared first on Destructoid.

Mickey pumps the brakes

[Update: Gameloft released a new CGI trailer to help keep the engines purring for Disney Speedstorm.]

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0-7YTl6Sg8

Gameloft has announced that its cartoonish karter Disney Speedstorm will no longer meet its initially planned 2022 release date �The free-to-play racer has been pushed back ??to 2023, when it will launch on PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch platforms.

"We have been working diligently to craft an amazing racing experience for Disney Speedstorm, capturing our vision of the exciting magic fans enjoy in their favorite Disney and Pixar characters and games," said Gameloft in a statement posted to Twitter. "We want fans to not only be entertained, but to enjoy a fast-??paced and competitive racing experience they will return to play for years to come."

"With this in mind and after careful consideration, we have decided to delay the worldwide release of Disney Speedstorm to meet our expectations and provide players with a more immersive racing experience, customization offerings, game modes, and more. Fans are invited to join us on the speedway when Disney Speedstorm launches in 2023 on PC and consoles."

First revealed in February of this year, Disney Speedstorm is a curious-looking title that will adapt The House of Mouse's huge litany of characters and worlds to the racetrack in rubber-burnin', power-slidin' action. Players will select characters and vehicles based on series such as Monsters Inc., Pirates of the Caribbean, Mulan, Beauty and the Beast, and ??other famous franchises before tearing up themed tracks in online and offline play. Given the enormity of the Disney catalog, Ga??????????????????????????meloft is liking hoping for a long-life title, with new karts, tracks, and racers added over the ensuing seasons.

Disney Speedstorm is cur?rently in development for PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.

The post Disney Speedstorm delay: ?Themed racer to launch in 2023 (Update) appeared first on Destructoid.

For a grand total of six payloads defended

Blizzard Entertainment's Overwatch 2 engaged over 35 million players in its first month of release, it has been revealed via Activision Blizzard's most recent financial report. The team-based shooter sequel, which went free-to-play upon launch, hi?t PC and console platforms on October 4.

The number is more than double that of the title's predecessor, which pulled in some 15 million players during its first month of release back in 2016. Of course, this comparison is somewhat suspect, given that Overwatch was a full-priced title and its sequel is freely available to all. Still, the huge launch will be popular among the folks at Bli??zzard, and ??provides a very strong base for the developer to build upon.

Despite this success, however, the general consensus toward Overwatch 2 has been mixed. While many critics and fans have been impressed by the sequel's character models, visual effects, and new games & modes, many players have found frustrating in the overall gameplay, the influx of "no price, no stake" players, and the maligned Battle Pass mechanic, which replaces OW's goodie-fi??????????????????????????lled loot boxes ??with a paid grind of rewards �weirdly unsatisfactory as it rolls out its drip-feed of boring extras.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGgqyer-qr4

Additionally, criticism has been leveled by some players at OW2's overall meta �an incredibly aggressive slant that has seen character damage levels skyrocket, and often leaves more defensive or support players twiddling their thumbs. I, as a years-long Mercy main, have experienced this push for firepower personally. And while my Mercy skills are (modestly) great-to-excellent, I've found myself a little irrelevant in OW2 �far more useful to my team as... well... anyone carrying a machine gun, frankly. I used to second Reinhardt, but now I've dropped him entirely, as?? pl??ayers are simply refusing to shield.

Of course, these are still early days. There will be a player drop-off, there will be balance tweaks, there will be a readjustment to the five-on-five team sync strategy. Overwatch 2 has clearly done a very fine job at pulling in the eyes and ears of players right out of the gate, but retention is key, and it will be interest??ing to see how the sequel plays out over the course of its first year.

Overwatch 2 ??is available now on PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.

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Heading for Tony Stark levels of wealth?

Free-to-play mobile card game Marvel Snap has already gotten off to a smashing start, having raked in a staggering $2 milli?on USD in revenue since its launch just one week ago. Available on PC and mobile platforms, the?? card combat title has already been downloaded by some 5.3 million players.

Marvel Snap is a strategic card battler that focuses on the heroes and villains of the legendary comic-book universe. Players engage in battles, single-player challenges, and objective-based modes with ?their chosen hand of heroes, set against the backdrop of famous locales from the Marvel universe. Part of the title's attraction is in slick visual style and library of quality Marvel artwork, as well as its speedy gameplay �The average battle takes around three-to-four minutes.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNuq6E3enZQ

The data, which was compiled by AppMagic and reported by mobilegamer.biz, shows that the United States has, unsurprisingly, been the most popular territory for downloads, counting for some 1.3 million players and $1.2 million in revenue. Marvel Snap's second territory of popularity is Brazil, with 433,000 players, and then Italy, with 342,000. The iOS version of? the title has the lion's share of the player base.

This is rad and all, but shout me when Jessic?a Drew shows up.

Marvel Snap is available now on PC, iOS, and Android platforms. You can check out CJ Andriessen's thoughts on the title right here. Additionally, to help you get started, check out our own Eric van Allen's beginner tips right here. I hav??en't personally played either of them yet, (I feel bad when I beat people), but I'm sure that th?ey know what they're talking about.

The post Marvel Snap rakes in $2 million in launch w??eek revenue appeared first on Destructoid.

Snap into a slim Jimmy-6

I recently went on a little book-buying bonanza, readying my little library for the cold autumn and winter nights that’ll soon be coming to my wee corner of the world. Most of my purchases were novels designed to make me look intelligent and well-informed when guests see them on my shelves. But one was a pure nostalgia purchase. Earlier this year, Abrams Books released a compendium of The Uncanny X-Men trading cards that were illustrated by Jim Lee. These cards were a massive part of my childhood. I used to have an incredibly thick binder that had hundreds of ?these cards in it, and every once in a while, I would thumb through its pages, gawking at my collection.

While sentimental, the book’s decision to limit one side of one card per page makes it a rather annoying read. But I’ve enjoyed reading it because of all those wonderful memories it unearths in the catacombs of my mind. The cards of Marvel Snap have had a similar effect.

Marvel Snap (Android [reviewed], iOS, PC)
Developer: Second Dinner
Publisher: Nuverse
Released: October 18, 2022
MSRP: Free-to-play w/ microtransactions

From developer Second Dinner, a team founded by several people who helped develop Hearthstone, Marvel Snap is a quick-paced card bat?tler that pits characters from the Marvel universe into a numbers game. The rules are simple: eac?h player will build a deck of 12 unique cards from those they’ve unlocked and then play those cards in one of three locations. Each card has an associated cost and power, and the player who can build the most power at two of the three locations, or by a larger margin if you tie at one or two of the locations, wins.

Most cards are equipped with either ongoing or on-reveal abilities that can boost your hand or set back your opponent. The locations themselves, each based on an iconic locale in the Marvel Universe, can have gimmicks that greatly alter the e?ffectiveness of your deck. Some can be very beneficial, like doubling the strength of abilities for cards played there. Others are a hindrance, like locations that destroy any card you play there. Depending on which cards you have in your deck, you won’t know the full scope of these location gimmicks until you reach the third round.

There are six rounds in total in each match, and the amount of energy you’re given in each round corresponds which round you’re in. Unspent energy does not carry over, so if you don’t play a card in round two, you’ll still start the third round with three points of energy. Cards with low e?nergy costs don’t offer too much in the way of power, but they can prove clutch if you’re able to augment their stren?gth with more powerful cards in your deck.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNuq6E3enZQ

Putting together a compatible deck is very much a trial-and-error process. But with most matches wrapping up in around three minutes, it didn’t take me too long to put together a few decks of cards that complement each other. There is no greater feeling than seeing a well-planne?d strategy come to fruition thanks fine-tuned deck and a bit of luck in the draw.

Actua??lly??, there is a greater feeling than that, and that’s when your opponent decides to snap.

The eponymous snap of Marvel Snap is what can best be described as upping the ante. At any time during a match’s six rounds, you can press the Cosmic Cube at the top of the screen to snap. Players are encouraged to do th?is when they think victory is in the bag as it doubles the number of Cosmic Cubes at play. These cubes determine your season rank, and I let out many cackling laughs watching my opponents snap only for me to steal victory from them with an Odin or Devil Dinosaur. If you or your opponent does snap and you don’t think you can actually win based on the cards in your hand, you do have the option to escape while losing only the number of Cosmic Cubes currently in play.

Let's talk Mister Money

With all this talk about Cosmic Cubes, I should address the many different systems and currencies in place here. Marvel Snap has two main currencies: gold and credits. Gold can?? be purchased with real money—it can also be earned in-game—to spend in the shop on credits or variants of the cards that are already in your possession. Card variants do not provide any benefit over the standard version; they’re just an opportunity to let the game’s artists get really creative with their beautifu?l artwork.

Credits are used to upgrade the rarity of cards, which in turn, increases your collection level. The more you build your collection level, the more cards you’ll unlock. Though predetermined at first, the cards you unlock with your collection will eventually be randomized, and it can be a punch to the gut to play? against those with powerful cards you haven’t unlocked yet.

Unless there is some wild caveat I’m missing, players should be able to earn every card available in the core game by increasing their collection level. Arguably, this levels the playing field a bit, as all deck builds have an element of chance associated with them. However, if somebody manages to pull The Infinuat, that might give them an insurmountable advantage. With so many cards still missing from my collection, it’s tough to say right now just how balanced this game is. I would like to think the people behind Hearthstone know what they’re doing, but even Magic the Gathering is still creating cards that later get smacked with the ban hammer.

Seasons in the Sunspot

As is the case with many popular free-to-play mobile games, Marvel Snap is making its money with a season pass. Right now, there is a Symbiote Invasion season that'll give you access to Miles Morales. Variants for Car??nage and Spider-Woman are part of the season as well, and the latter is particularly handy as she siphons power from cards played against her. If you can hit level 50, you'll unlock a variant for Morales, but you’ll need to pony up $10 and level your way up through the pass to get it.

Increasing your season pass level goes a bit slower than I would like. Th?e only expedi??ent way to do it is by completing daily and seasonal challenges, but these unlock over time. After speed-running through the first two chapters of the Symbiote Invasion, I was left twiddling my thumbs and fine-tuning my deck until the third set of challenges unlocked. While you're obviously encouraged to keep playing and winning those Cosmic Cubes, just beating your opponent provides a pitiful amount of XP. I guess when there are just 50 levels of unique rewards to the season pass, they don't want players powering their way through it.

And yet, that’s what I’ve been doing for the past week or so with Marvel Snap. At work and at home, I just can't put it down. With its structure and speed, it doesn’t feel as tactical as some of the other card games I’ve played, but it finds a way to be satisfying in its brevity. I really have no complaints about Marvel Snap?? with the Early Access period. Here’s to hoping that remains true now that it’s in general release.

_{[This Early Access review is based on a code provided by the publisher.]}

The post Early Access Review: Marvel Snap appeared first on Destructoid.

And only 46 were on the payload

It appears that, right off of the bat, Blizzard Entertainment's decision to go free-to-play with its hero shooter sequel Overwatch 2 has the required effect �The studio has announced that the charismatic multiplayer title ha??s already rocketed past 25 mill??ion players in its first 10 days of release.

The number far supersedes that of the original 2016 premium title, which hit around 15 million players during its early launch months.  Blizzard has also noted that daily player counts are already tripling those of the original Overwatch by almost 300%, though what pe?rcentage of these players are Reaper mains was not offered up at this time.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGgqyer-qr4

"The launch of Overwatch 2 has been such an important moment for Blizzard," said Blizzard president Mike Ybarra.  "This is only the beginning �there are so many possibilities to explore in the world of Overwatch, and we cannot wai??t for players to experience ever?ything the team is building for the live game."

Ybarra is likely referencing the upcoming PvE content, which was expected to form a core element of Overwatch 2 and yet is curiously missing entirely from the launch edi??t?ion.  It is believed that this content �including a "campaign" scenario and single-player missions �will arrive at some point in late 2023.  This will no doubt cause another spike in player numbers even if the sequel's popularity settles down over the coming months.

As a long-time Overwatcher, I have unfortunately not had the time to really delve into OW2 as of yet, but I did find it to be a finely polished and great-looking remix of the original release �especially the console editions.  Whether OW2 can be called a true "sequel", in the commonly accepted use of the phrase, is still up for debate.  Regardless, the brand is still clearly hot for the time being, ?as depicted by these numbers.  Whether such popularity remains once the launch hype dies down remains to be seen, and will be the true testament to the ??sequel's staying power.

Overwatch 2 is available now on PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch platforms.  You can read an abridged timeline of California's lawsuit against Activision Blizzard lawsuit, as well as the numerous accusations of toxicity leveled against the studio, right here.

The post Overwatch? 2 hits 25 million player milestone in 10 days appeared first on Destructoid.

DiabNo

Publisher Line Games Corporation and developer Needs Games have announced that their hack 'n' slash adventure Undecember has now launched worldwide �The free-to-play monster masher is available to download on PC (via Steam) and mobile platforms iOS and Android in all territories.

Set in the high-fantasy realm of Traum �a benevolent land created by the arrival of 12 divine beings �Undecember sees the calm and tranquility of this world shattered by the arrival of th??e 13th being, Evil God Serpens. With the land now infested with ravaging hordes of demons, ogres, and other unholy hellspawn, it is up to a party of hardy adventurers to take up steel, axe,? and bow, defeat the marauders, and offer Serpens a one-way ticket to oblivion.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=paXcwjTGDxY&t

As you can see from the trailer above, Undecember is a violent, action-packed dungeon crawler not dissimilar to Blizzard Entertainment's iconic series, Diablo. Offering up a 10-act story campaign, a selection of endgame challenges, Boss Raids, and a rock-solid "Chaos Dungeon", Undecember hopes to carve a niche out for itself, boasting some pretty attractive features including custom class building, a deep, rune-based skill ??system, cross-platform support, and co-op modes for up to eight players.

Dungeon-crawling fans waiting on the far-off release of Diablo 4, or mobile players who perhaps were not feeling Diablo Immortal, may do well to look at ?this contende?r and see if it ignites that fantasy fyre.

Undecember is now available to download on PC and mobile p??latforms. Any and all players who login during launch week will be able to take part in a special introductory event �offering up some exclusive gear, runes, and other in-game bonus items.

The post Undecember, a free-to-play hack ‘n’ slasher, now available worldwide appeared first on Destructoid.

Ba-da-bom-BAOWM-FOXY!

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Uc-kExqwd4

Activision Blizzard has released the official trailer for the newest hero heading to Overwatch 2 �/em> Kiri??ko is a young Japanese woman, a skillful practitioner of ninjutsu,?? who uses her stealth ability, mastery of martial arts, and seemingly almost supernatural skills in order to bring the win home for her team.