Like many other loot-based games, The First Descendant has already experienced its fair share of infinite loot farming locations. Intentional or not, the developer is now taking steps to fix one such location, but it is choosing to do? it in the best way possible.

A hotfix will buff all other farms, not nerf the infinite one

A recently discovered loot farming location in The First Descendant is capable of an unlimited output of loot. Called 'The Valby Run' by the community, the Strategic Outpost location within the Fortress can respawn enemy mobs infinitely. As a result, it's capable of offering item drops at around a 2-3 times higher rate than other locations, according to the developer.

Since this was completely unintentional a??nd because we're so used to it with other loot-based games, everyone expected this to get patched out sooner than later. Instead, the Director, Minseok Joo has announced Patch 1.0.4. Instea?d of removing the incredibly high efficiency of loot within this mission, all other Strategic Outpost locations will now match the efficiency.

The First Descendant Patch 1.0.4 notes

Although the developer originally stated no additional patch will?? be necessary next week, it will instead deploy a hotfix, titled Patch 1.0??.4. It will do the following:

• Reduce cooldown time for Vulgus Strategic Outpost
• Rebalance locations for collecting Void Fragments
• Update other farming locations to match efficiency equivalent to The Fortress Outpost

Far too often we see developers nerf everything fun and efficient into the ground to prevent players from progressing more quickly than intended. As a result, the rare buff-everything-else method the developers of The First Descendant are taking is much appreciated.

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While Destiny 2 is wrapping up its decade-long storyline with its The Final Shape expansion, a new looter shooter rival, The First Descendant, has just arrived on the scene. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC via Steam, it's too soon to tell if it will get as popular as Bungie's title, but The First Descendant's producer has dow??nplayed suggestions that the game will kill its competitor out??right.

Speaking with God is a Geek, producer Lee Beom-jun was asked how he felt about players already calling The First Descendant a potential "Destiny killer." Beom-jun says it's "an honour to be compared to great games," and describes the team as being huge fans of Destiny 2. In fact, it's the team's love of looter shooters that led to The First Descendant's creation. However, it sounds like he'd rather The First Descendant and Destiny 2 got?? to co-exist since there aren't many games like them to begin with.

"There aren’t as many looter shooters in the gaming market as we’d like," explains Beom-jun. "As a fan myself, I hope our game becomes a beloved title that stands the test of time alongside others a comrade [sic], rather than being seen as a 'killer.'" Some healthy competition could only benefit both The First Descendant and Destiny 2 as well and, while it's still early days, the former must be doing something right as it's attracted 185,754 players on Steam (per SteamDB) at the time of writing. Destiny 2, by comparison, has just over 50,600, but it's important to remember The First Descendant has the advantage of being brand-new. It'll? be interesting to se??e how the player counts compare later in the year.

Elsewhere in the interview, The First Descendant's director Minseok Joo was asked about the sort of content players can expect in the future. Firstly, every season will introduce a new playable character, and new locations will be periodically added as well. However, it sounds like new locations won't be as frequent since "we are focusing on expanding contents around the dungeons." Joo believes updates should offer new experiences, and simply adding more areas to run around in would get repetitive, which is why "we are preparing dungeons with new mechanics, traps, and challenges? to enjoy cooperative play."

As for seasonal events, Joo suggests they're not a priority at the moment since the team is "focusing more on strengthening the core of the game." Plus, if events do come to The First Descendant, you probably shouldn't expect ones themed on holidays like Halloween or Valentine's Day as seen in other games. Joo says this is?? becau?se "we would prefer to prepare events that fit the atmosphere of the game."

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Embark Studio's first-person shooter, The Finals, will enter season 2 on March 14. After many playtests, alphas, betas, and other early access chances for players, the game launched a few months ago. Now, as season 1 comes to an end??, it'll head into season 2 with loads of cool new abilities and updates. Here's what we ?know so far:

New gadgets and abilities in The Finals season 2

If you've played The Finals, you're familiar with the weight-based player classes and abilities that come with them. Each has its own unique set of equipment, weapons, abilities, and more. Now, season 2 will add even more new ways to play, regardless of which body type you? choose to enter i??nto The Finals with.

Heavy - Anti-Gravity Cube

The first new ability for season 2 is for the heavy class, an Anti-Gr??avity Cube. It does ??exactly what it sounds like, removes gravity from specifically targeted areas. Based on the trailer and info Embark gave us, the cube is throwable, like a grenade. Additionally, it affects just about everything around it.

We can't wait to see what k??ind of high-level plays players start making using this thing. It can lift objects to create or remove enemy cover, it can lift enemy players to throw them off an objective or ruin their aim, or it can lift you in a pinch to get out of an area quickly. However, you choose to use it, it looks like a lot of fun a??nd might add a bit more movement to the heavy's repertoire.

Medium - Dematerializer

It's safe to say Embark Studios didn't stress too much over coming up with unique and original names for the new The Finals abiliti?es. This one is also exactly what it sounds like. The Dematerializer gives players the ability to remove obstacles, walls, ceilings, floors, etc., in a flash. Just look at the place you want to remove and instantly create a hole.

This new medi??um ability is perfect for running or dropping through to a new area quickly, dropping a vault to cashout underneath it, or even just creating a new opening to shoot through. Like many abilities in The Finals, it's another mechanic that players will undoubtedly master and create clever ways to make clutch plays.

Medium - Data Reshaper

The second Medium class ability coming with season 2 is the Data Reshaper. Using it, players can turn harmless objects into deadly ones, and vice versa. Doing so on the fly can completely change the way a battle shapes out. Whether you're turning an enemy turret into a wet floor sign or turning a harmless trash can?? into an explosive canister, the Data Reshaper is sure to be extremely useful in The Finals.

Light - Gateway

As someone whose favorite online multiplayer experience of all time was Shadowrun the FPS, which allowed us to teleport through any wall instantly, the Gateway is the most exciting new ability of season 2. The Finals is all about speed and precision, and Gateway might be what establishes Light characters as the best option. ??Though many were previously easily overpowered by tanky heavy players, the Gateway allows them to teleport in a flash.

Additionally, the teleporter can be used to bring teammates in and out of an objectiv?e quickly. In other words, if your entire ?team is dead, you can eliminate their time running across the entire map.

New map, weapons, specialization, and more

Abilities aren't the only piece of new?? content coming to The Finals season 2 on March 14. The developers didn't give much detail on these other things but said they are coming as part of the update.

Brand new in The Finals season 2:

• 1 map
• Gadgets
• Specialization
• Weapons
• Weekly-rewarded career circuit
• Revamped ranked league
• Private matches
• More

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During The Game Awards, developer Neople and publisher Nexon revealed The First Berserker: Khazan, its upcoming hardcore single-player action RPG set in the Dungeon & Fighter (DNF) universe. In the reveal trailer we get a look at the anime-style story the ARPG will be based on. Khazan will be available on PC, PlaySta?tion 5, and Xbo?x Series X|S.

Players are ta?sked with surviving the relentless pursuit of imperial forces as they navigate numerous conspiracies aimed at killing Khazan as they overcome the harsh environments of the world. Along the way, players will recall their long-lost skills of battle through brutal torture and decimation of Khazan's enemies who stand against him.

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The annual The Game Awards ceremony is coming up, and thanks to the amazing titles we've received this year, the competition is tight. Host Geoff Keighley recently had a Twitch stream where he addressed questions from the public and spoke a bit about why Dave the Diver has found itse??lf in the Best Independent Game category.

As Keighley highlights, people interpret the term indie differently. While some might consider a game's budget, others will look at the team's size, and it's also possible to focus on the aesthetic or scale of the game. Consequently, some have argued that Baldur's Gate 3 is an indie game, or even Death Stranding which was created by an independent studio despite receiving major funding fro??m? PlayStation.

In the case of Dave the Diver, the game is made by Mintrocket which is a small, South Korean group. The group is a part of Nexon which is a very large publisher. Keighley explains that you could argue both ways, as the game could be considered indie in spirit, as it is made by a small team t?hat likely had a relatively small budget. However, this doesn't cancel the fact that it is still from a larger entity.

Ultimately, Keighley concludes that there are no set rules, and The Game Awards allows people to "use their best judgment." Although TGA judges have decided that it is an indie title, this ?is certainly not a viewp??oint shared by all.

As Zoey Handley argues, the indie category should be available for smaller developers without major financial backing to still receive the spotlight. Dave the Diver's nomination potentially signa??ls "that any major corporation can produce a game with pixel art graphics to buy away that recognition." One can easily see how this could end up pushing genuinely small creators out of their own category.

Geoff Keighley answers your burning The Game Awards questions

Keighley touched on several other topics as he addressed questions posed to him on Twitch. He confirmed that the security will be tightened this time around. This is to be expected, as troublemakers have found their way onto Keighley's stage a few times prior, including at this year's Gamescom Opening Night Live where a troll ran on stage demanding GTA 6. Though he wouldn't g?o into details for security reasons, he states the following: "we definitely have plans and we’re trying to do all we can to keep me safe, but also everyone watching the show, the audience, people participating in the show and everything."

He speaks about the po??ssibility of new categories being added to the event and confirms that it is something that is always being discussed. Categories that have been proposed include Best DLC and Best Remake, but Keighley explains that one of the problems is that there may not always be 5 or 6 great remakes a year to fill the category.

Keighley also mentions that there won't be any "world premier" title cards this year. This doesn't mean there won't be big announcements. Instead, because of the n??ebulous nature of the phrase "world premie??r," they'd rather just treat it all as great gaming content.

He speaks a bit about his relationship with FromSoftware's Hidetaka Miyazaki. He explains that he has worked with the Elden Ring director and that he is very grateful for his contributions to Summer Game Fest. A?? vie??wer asks Keighley what the trophies are made of. Interestingly, Keighley explains that they're "steel plated" and made in New Zealand.

For more traditional indie titles, check out the Best Indie Debut category. As Keighley explains, this category typically features games from small teams with minimal funding. These games a?ren't receiving help from large corporations which perhaps makes them indie in the purest sense.

The Game Awards stream globally on December 7, 2023. You can watch it on YouTube and Twitch.

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Dynasty Warriors 9 is getting another turn in the spotlight, this time in the form of a mobile game. Nexon and Koei Tecmo announced Dynasty Warriors M for a global release this winter. 

Dynasty Warriors M promises an action-RPG based on the ninth mainline entry, which left something to be desired when it launched in 2018. The mobile version for iOS and Android wi?ll be free-to-play with in-app purchases, offering over 50 Officers from five fact??ions to "collect and develop." Each Officer has their own tactics to employ across 520 stages and 13 regions.

According to Gematsu, a soft launch is live in Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines. While we wait for the worldwide launch, Nexon K??orea shared some cinematic trailers. This one highlights the Battle of ??Hulao Gate:

The last we heard of Dynasty Warriors 9 was the Empires expansion that launched in 2021. M isn't the first game to strike phones and tablets exclusively. Dynasty Warriors: Overlords recently mixed Musou combat with town building, quests, and very mobile-style events. As teased in some of the videos, M will cover territory familiar to anyone modestly well-vers??ed in the Three Kingdoms era. Settings like the Yellow Turban Rebellion and the Siege of Luoyang are deeply tread hack-and-slashing ground.

Will Dynasty Warriors M revitalize the greatest video game series ever? The official English Facebook page is live for anyone who wants to keep up with the game i??n the months leading up to its global release. 

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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 nostalgic.

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 out 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 descendant 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 t?o be fairly dull to play as, unfortunately. The unlockable descendants 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 whole asp?ect 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 firs??t 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 of 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 abra??sive 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 game. More intriguing loot would be a stellar addition, and the performances during cutsc?enes can be vastly improved. Most importantly, the gunplay could certainly be more creative as well if Nexon wants players to be invested in getting 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, Xbo??x Series S, and PC with cross-play functi?onality.

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

The post Hands-on: The ?Firs??t Descendant feels like a flashback, and not in a good way appeared first on Destructoid.

Nintendo Switch port arrives April 20, 2023

Nexon has a glut of exciting new info for fans of its highly enjoyable and ultra-aggressive scrapper DNF Duel �Not only is the vaunted "Grand Balance Patch" now live on all platforms, but the publisher has off?ered a release date for the Nintendo Switc??h port, and also revealed that multiple new characters will be rolling out across 2023.

The Grand Balance Patch represents the first major update to DNF Duel's frenzied and chaotic action, with a flow that favors aggression, flashy combos, and highly extensive damage. The patch hopes to bring some of the characters that were struggling a little �such as Grappler and Inquisitor �in line with some of the online monsters such as Swift Master and Dragon Knight. In addition, the patch offers higher HP for all characters, and overhauls the def??ense system to allow for more combo-stopping Guard Breaks.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIG1gEQqu??Kk&ab_channe?l=DNFDuel

You can check out the full list of character changes over on the official DNF Duel website. As previously noted, the overhaul appears to be more about bringing lesser fighters up than bringing stronger fighters down. This is in keeping with DNF Duel's div??isiv??e, (but in my opinion, welcome) aggressive style

In addition to the patch notes, Nexon announced that it will be launching a season pass for 2023, which will offer up five additional characters over the course of the new year. We already know that the sultry swordmistress, Spectre, will be the first of these new DLC fighters, but the identities of the? remaining four remain shrouded in mystery for the time being.

Great news to see that the title will be receiving another full year of support, at the very least, and here's to hoping that it will keep the anime scrapper live 'n' kicking on the competitive scene. It was also announced that DNF Duel is currently on sale on both PlaySt?atio?n and PC (via Steam), with a meaty 50% price discount. So, if you've been on the fence, now is the perfect time to get on board for a full year of sword 'n' sorcery action.

DNF Duel launches on Nintendo Switch April 20, 2023.

The post DN?F Duel balance upda?te now live, DLC characters en route, Switch port incoming appeared first on Destructoid.

Lush anime fighter getting re-evaluated

Nexon and Arc System Works have announced several new updates currently in the works for DNF Duel. The totally wild anime fighter will receive a fresh run of bug stomps and balance tweaks ?before the year is out, although no mention was made o??f any additional DLC characters.

Announced during the weekend's CEOtaku tournament, the first update will fix several technical issues that have troubled DNF Duel since launch, including screen freezing during online battles and input issues that are exclusive to the PC/Steam platform. These and other problems will be addressed in a new patch, which is scheduled to drop on all platforms at "??the end of September"... which is now, to be honest.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=o02qkoTwnvg

Then, in December, a new balance update will be applied to DNF Duel, taking a look at some of its stronger and weaker characters. While chaotic and powerful combos are part of the fighter's make-up, there are still a few characters who could stand to be a little less dominant, (looking at you, Swift Master), and so the December update will attempt to bring the entire roster a little more in-line �hopefully without putting the brakes too hard on DNF's unique, aggressive, and devastatin??g style. It is believed that the patch will focus far more on buffing lesser characters than nerfing the upper tiers.

Production Director Kodani also noted that the team was working on "something else," but did not offer any further information, other than that it was "exciting" and that the DNF community should look forward to it. This seems ??to suggest some form of additional content, perhaps characters, modes, or some technical upgrade. For now, we will simply have to wait and? see.

DNF Duel is available now on PlayStation and PC platforms. It's a rad fighter, well worth checking out.

The post New bug ‘n’ balance updates headed to DNF Duel this year appeared first on Destructoid.

Just keep punching, Apollo...

Nexon and Arc System Works have released the first "major" balance update to their fun but somewhat outrageous fighter DNF Duel �and, to the surprise of both no??body and everybody, it seem??s that the utter mayhem that is the colorful anime fighter is set to continue, with little in the way of sensible action.

Version 106 brings with it only a handful of ??changes, mostly targeting the very powerful wind mage Swift Master �arguably the most troublesome fighter in a roster filled with troublesome fighters. A?lso feeling the sting, albeit mildly are the dashing and deadly Hitman, the hard-punching Striker, and the up-close-and-personal Grappler (who honestly needed buffs, not nerfs).

And... erm... that's pretty much it. The rebalance features a slew of changes for Swift Master, and one-to-three changes for three other characters. The DNF Duel community has reacted to the balance update with both a little confusion and a little apathy �clearly exp?ecting far more in the way of character rebalance efforts in the hyper-aggressive fighter. But nope. That's your lot for this round, it seems.

While this might be something of a controversial statement, I "get it." Nexon wants DNF Duel to be an oppressive fighter, it wants players to perform devastating combos with relative ease, and it wants its class-based roster to feel incendiary at worst and overpowered at best. This is, in essence, the distinct identity of DNF Duel, and while it can sometimes make for a frustrating experience online, it is ultimately the chaotic path that the title chooses to walk. Personally, I'm fine with it. And I got destroyed on stream. But I do think that maybe ArcSys could stand to put the roster under the microscope a little more.

DNF Duel is avail?able now on PlayStation and PC platforms.

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The Killing Game Show

As part of the Gamescom Opening Night Live presentation, publisher Nexon and developer Embark showed a blink-and-you'll-miss-it trailer for their upcoming game show shooter, The Finals.

The trailer offers very little in the way of context, but seemingly The Finals will focus on an ultra-violent "game" of survival, with players competing in a do-or-die competition to win big bucks and other prizes. Previously released footage featured rat-a-tat gunplay an??d bombastic explosive-based combat, with some vehicular mayhem and roof-jumping verticality thrown into the mix.

//youtu.be/Gq-R9GjW-Ik

The concept would suggest we might be looking at a battle royale affair, perhaps with highly customizable player characters, but we'll have to wait a little longer for Embark Studios to play its hand and offer us a little more info on The Finals and its Smash T.V.-style landscape of killing for kash.

Embark Studios also talked up the game's sense of destru??ction.

"A skilled contender might go in guns blazing, but with environmental destruction in your arsenal, that’s just the start of what you can wield against your foes! All of our arenas can be altered, used, or ??reduced to rubble �and not just by you."

The Finals is currently in development for PC. Steam playtests are scheduled to begin "soon." Interested players can request access to join on Steam.

The post Do you hav??e what it takes to make it to The Finals? appeared first on Destructoid.

Striking down with great vengeance

Nexon's rad new fighting title DNF Duel has received its first post-release update, bringing a small fistful of important changes to the ru??le-breakin' brawler. Now available on both PlayStation and PC, Update 103 brings a couple of much-needed c??haracter tweaks as well as adjustments to various modes on PC.

First and foremost, Crusader's reign of holy error is over, (for the most part), as d??eveloper Arc System Works has removed the truthsayer's devastating "Sacred Upper" infinite combo loop. That's not to say that Crusader is no longer a threat �dude is a monster �but at least that's one particularly silly weapon removed from his arsen?al.

In addition to this major fix, several other characters have received bug stomps that couldn't wait for a larger balance check down the line. Grappler's "Break Do??wn" will now connect on a crouching Enchantress, so no more?? hiding for the sneaky magical maiden. Striker's Airwalk has had an adjustment made to its gravity mechanics, while Lost Warrior's Mysterious Pierce will now interact more consistently when it collides with opposing projectiles. As if that mf'er needed any more help.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=gf0ZlqM1yfQ

On PC, several changes have been made to optimize player interaction with offline modes. Training Mode will no longer be confused when dealing with recorded actions made via custom button layouts, while keyboard players will no longer find themselves randomly isolated from their controls durin??g online matches. In regards to full balance changes and mechanic tweaks, a further major update is expected at some point in the near future.

Don't buy into the naysaying. DNF Duel is an accessible, silly, and fun fantasy fighter? �boasting a fun cast, cool visuals?, and tight online play. It is available now on PlayStation and PC platforms.

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Wonder Wheel

So, you're playing Nexon's fab new fighter DNF Duel and you're already neck-deep in staggeringly bust battlers. Still, I know what you're thinking: "An abundance of plus frames are all well and good, but what I need is someone truly broken." Well, help is at hand, as I'm going to take a couple of minutes to inform you how you can unlock DNF'??s holiest of unholy boss characte?rs, The Lost Warrior.

It's a fairly simple affair. All you need do is embark upon Story Mode with any character of your choice. Once you've battled th?rough each chapter and reached "Th??e Gate," then the mischievous herald Nemyr will siphon all of your hero's gathered "Will" and then use it to bring about the coming of her foretold champion: The Lost Warrior. Unfortunately, as is often the way in anime, this act does not work out too well for poor old Nemyr. Adios, toots.

Then it is time for you to face the Chrono champion himself. It's not an easy fight, thanks to Lost Warrior's full-screen attacks, teleportation skills, and Time Stop ability, but I would recommend zoning yer boy out. For some reason, he seems to struggle against projectiles. Once you have defeated Lost Warrior, then the credits roll, and he will be readily available for use in Ar????cade, Training, and Online modes. Lost Warrior even comes with his own tutorial and combo challenges. Neat.

But that's not all. There is also a secret hidden version of Lost Warrior in DNF Duel, dubbed "Strengthened Lost Warrior." As the name suggests, this version of the character ups the cheapness by a hefty factor, and may in fact be using some sneaky button-reading tech... At least it feels that way, and as a Mortal Kombat II veteran, I should know.

To fight Strengthened Lost Warrior, simply reach the final stage of DNF Duel's Arcade Mode without losing a ro??und. You can recognize the variant character by his shock of white hair.

Beating Strengthened Lost Warrior will earn you a meaty score and also unlock? a trophy/achievement.

//youtu.be/BqaHE0JwIJ8

Ok, so I jest a little about DNF Duel's broken nature, and for sure it's an absolutely wild fighter. But, as I wrote in my recent review, it is also fast-paced, engaging, and easy to learn, with? a cool cast of characters, dynamic animation, and superlative online connectivity. Put mildly, it's a helluva lot of fun, and well w?orth checking out for both fighting game veterans and newcomers.

DNF Duel is available now on PlayStation and PC platforms.

The post How to unlock Lost Warrior and chall??enge Strengthened Warrior in DNF Duel appeared first on Destructoid.

Striking down with great vengeance and furious anger

Well, I called it �back when I reviewed Nexon's awesomely fun fighter DNF Duel earlier this week, I distinctly noted that I expected 20 infinite combos to drop within w?eek o??ne, and it seems that a whole host of 'em were found by Day Two, with the holy warrior Crusader being the worst offender.

In videos spreading throughout the FGC like wildfire, the gospel-lovin' bone-breaker has demonstrated his utterly ridiculous touch-of-death combo, one that can essentially be repeated until the opponent is no more, with no window to break (hence "infinite"). What's more, while many fighting game infinites are usually very circumstantial, the Crusader combo can be pulled off with relative ease. As long as he has a dot of conversion and decent Mana, then the loop can be started from alm?ost any hit confirm.

And Stop. Hammer Time.

//twitter.com?/w?innie3s/status/1542622167929692170?s=20&t=3W0YaFTxmauew4DgrTaS6g

The DNF Duel community is already experiencing a sense of Total Freakout, especially given that this weekend will likely see the new fighter experience its first run of local tourneys. Hold yourself. I'm in no doubt whatsoever that developers Arc System Works/Eighting will stop Crusader's reign of terror before too long. Other DNF characters �such as the hard-punching Striker and the violent judoka Grappler �have also demonstrated staggering levels of loop-de-loop action, such is the way of DNF's highly aggressive and accessible playstyle.

Don't let this story frighten you away from trying the new release out. It's a great fighter with a colorful roster and wild, dynamic action. While nobody obviously wants infinites in any fighting title, it is the overall chaos that makes DNF what it is, giving it a distinct identity in a crowded market. Embrace the st?ate of carnage that is the game's brand.

Yesterday, I saw someone call DNF "The Mario Kart of fighting games" and boy howdy, is that ever a snug fit. DNF Duel is avai??lable now on PC and PlayStation platforms.

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Before it was even officially out a full day

Nexon's absurdist, highly enjoyable fighting title DNF Duel launched yesterday, and it wasn't even 24 hours be??fore modders were already adding popular anime and gaming heroes into the PC edition of fast-paced fighter �such is the way of the F?GC and its incredibly talented modding community.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe9RmGZGwfU

The first that caught my eye was this wonderful skin of Persona 5's button-down bookworm Makoto Nijima, whose skin fits like a glove over DNF's martial arts cutie-pie, Striker. Created by modder Monkeygigabuster, the skin sees the school president rocking her "Queen" biker persona, throwing out fists and feet in keeping with her own martial arts expertise. A video from YouTuber DanteLive4Game spotlights the skin in action. Makoto is available to download over at GameBanana. Incredible work.

//twitter.com/WistfulHopes/status/1541846287011573760?s=20&t=zsIWqUgAfzpfxQiI??d0RrIg

Another popular modder, Ryn, has also opened the door for crossover fighters wanting to show up on DNF Duel's wild battleground. Ryn is already working on a fresh DNF mod, which will see Dragon Ball Z's Goku going Super Saiyan in the guise of DNF's poster boy, Berserker. There's still some work to be done to complete Goku's moveset, but he's already looking pretty comfortable. Mods such as these are made somewhat easier thanks to Arc System Works' utilizing similar software for its games. So don't be surprised if we see more Dragon Ball FighterZ, Guilty Gear, or BlazBlue characters in the future.

DNF Duel, which is now available on PlayStation and PC platforms, is a fighter spun-off from the Korean MMO series, Dungeon Fighter Online. As I stated in my review yesterday,? it is a highly aggressive but very accessible entry to the fighting game genre, that embraces a sense of proactive combat and wanton chaos. The community is only just beginning to get stuck into the new title, which is surprising some players with its fast-paced nature and explosive visuals. In general, feedback has been very positive.

Oh, and if you're wondering who is to??p tier, the answe?r is Everybody.

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Does Not Fail

Ever since Capcom released Street Fighter II 30 years ago, the fighting game genre has attempted to strive for perfection. Oh sure, the methods, modes, mechanics, and artistic styles for every ring-rocker are very different, but every one of these games is pushing toward the same goal: the captu??re of a community; a passionate player base that will keep said fighter alive, kicking, and perpetually on its feet, lest it falls to a 10-count like so many contenders that have come before.

Today, it is incredibly rare that a developer makes a "bad fighter." Whether billion-dollar franchises such as Tekken, Mortal Kombat, and Street Fighter itself, to mid-size slugfests such as The King of Fighters, Guilty Gear, and Skullgirls, to cultish outliers such as Melty Blood, Samurai Shodown, and Them's Fightin' Herds, almost every modern fighter �regardless of budget, visual style, or gameplay �brings its A-game. This is reflected in the fact that all of the above have delivered great efforts in the past 10 years. The days of Kasumi Ninja, Ballz, and Survival Arts are long dead. And they can stay that way, Jack.

No, the true goal of a fighting game today is not to simply be "great." They're all great. The challenge today is to survive; build a community; retain full lobbies; be repped at tournaments; to hold their own against more recognizable brands. That is the true fight, the real challenge, and it is one that now stands before DNF Duel, Nexon's long-awaited Dungeon Fighter Online spin-off. The FGC is eating well right now, and next year is set to bring more food to the table.

DNF Duel has what it takes to be a contender, no doubt about it, but it has a helluva scrap on its hands.

DNF Duel (PC [reviewed], PS4, PS5)
Developer: Arc System Works, Eighting
Publisher: Nexon
Released: June 28, 2022
MSRP: $49.99

DNF Duel, as previously stated, is an adaptation of Neople's 2005 MMO Dungeon Fighter Online, more commonly known as "DFO." Given that game's natural proclivity for frenzied fist-throwing against lush fantasy backgrounds, it is a no-brainer that this world would translate so easily to the fighting game genre. While Neople has already provided a universe packed with lore to provide a backdrop to the action, Nexon has wisely chosen two veteran studios to adapt DFO for the one-on-one stage.

Enter Arc System Works (Guilty Gear, BlazBlue), and Eighting (Bloody Roar, Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom), two respected developers equipped with skills that will indeed pay the bills. This is Nexon's wisest core decision for DNF Duel. While the fighter steps into the ring sporting an unknown and unproven brand (at least among western audiences), the publisher has ensured that it has recognizable developers?? with proven track records working to deliver a competent and solid fighter.

And "competent" is an understatement. DNF Duel is straight-up wicked.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwlu9JtD98o

A four-button 2.5D fighter, DNF Duel offers the player both simple and standard inputs. That's not simple or standard, like the upcoming Street Fighter 6, both controls exist concurrently, which can present some confusing first impressions. DNF wants to be all things to all players; a fun smack-around for beginners; and a deep, complex fighter for veterans. And, despite this lofty ambition, DNF somehow manages to achieve both of these goals, if at th??e?? cost of some initial stumbling.

The four-button layout corresponds to Weak (W), Medium (M), Skill (S), and Magic (MS). The player holds back to Block or uses a dedicated Block button. Maneuverability consists of walking, crouching, jumping, backstepping, running, and dodging (an invincible forward movement with slow recovery, ala The King of Fighters' roll). As a rule of thumb, Weak links to Medium, Medium to Skill, and Skill to Magic, so even new players can perform satisfying chains ?with relative ease.

Skill blends Heavy & Special. Much like Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, or Super Smash Bros. hitting Skill and any direction performs a fairly light special attack. In general?, forward + S is a projectile or dash attack of some sort, down + S is a defensive move or anti-air, while back + S is something more subjective �perhaps a parry or a command grab, as defined by the fighter themselves. The Magic button works with similar directional input, although these attacks are a little meatier and a lot more damaging. Magic attacks may include huge projectiles, environmental traps, launchers, or teleports. With me so far? Ok.

Secret of Mana

Skill attacks are free to use, but Magic attacks drain the player's Mana meter, with each attack costing a set amount of Mana dependent on its power. Mana auto-replenishes after use, and replenishes faster if you use the standard input instead of the simple input, (for example, QCF + MS instead of simply forward + MS). By combining standard attacks, Skill attacks, and Magic attacks, players can bust out powerful and visually arresting combos with ease, offering accessibly entry not just to new DNF players, but to new fighting game players, pe?riod.

And it doesn't end there. Once a player is below 30% health, then their character enters "Awakening." This is a comeback state which activates the character's unique passive skill �maybe you become faster, like Kunoichi, score heavier chip damage, like Launcher, or regain health on hit, like Berserker. In addition, an Awakened fighter gains access to a one-button Super, resulting in some gorgeous, and hilariously OTT animations. Time it well �if you whiff the move, you lose it. Sorry, MK Krew.

In addition to the above, there are also combo-breakers, strategic ways to extend your Mana meter, and even the ability to convert your grey life into Mana itself �risking it all for the ability to go HAM. In DNF Duel, ArcSys and Eighting have attempted to create a fighter that would allow two new players to engage in flashy anime warfare at the simple press of a few buttons, but not at the cost of sacrificing the opportunity to create a deep, strategic, and highly competitive fighter. ??And, amazingly, it seems that the developers have pulled it off.

DNF plays with anarchic delight. Sure, it tends to lean toward chaos over precision at times, but that's fine. While DNF occasionally feels as though the combatants are tossing nukes at each other, rather than engaging in human chess, stick with it. There is method to this mayhem. I fully expect release week to result in the discovery of about 20+ infinite combos, such is DNF's love of overkill, but all fighters typically find their niche only after they are in the public's mitts. Ba?lance will be struck, and we'll all be having a blast in the meantime.

DNF Duel embraces its sense of wanton c??haos, and we should too. Why should we always whisper? It can feel great to simply scream.

Knockout Cast

DNF Duel admittedly lacks some of the expensive visual polish and slick presentation of ArcSys' flagship fighter, Guilty Gear Strive. The spirit is there, but the budget is not. There is a notable step-down in presentation and cinematic flair. DNF is still a sharp-looking game, with a roster of likable characters, given life through cool animations, dynamic intros, and outrageous moves. Oh, and almost everybody is hot af, with a lascivious level of design horniness I'm yet to experi???ence outside of the Marvelous! oeuvre.

"Almost everybody is hot af." Stick?? that on your accolades t?railer. I double dare ya.

In or out of the bedroom, there is somebody here for everybody, be it the crunchy judoka pressure of Grappler, the airborne, controlled chaos of Swift Master, the meat-and-potatoes rushdown of Striker, or the complex-but-cute shenanigans of my new Goth daughter, Enchantress. In fact, the hardest decision you'll make in DNF might be picking your main. I still haven't found my muse, they're all so interesti??ng.

Word to the wise: You'll be facing hundreds of Launchers in month one. You think Skullgirls' Peacock is a zoning nightmare?.. Launch??er makes her look like fucking Zangief.

Speaking of online, the servers are not going live until launch day, and thus I was unable to check them out. I did, however, play the beta earlier this year. And �aside from some initial technical hiccups �I found DNF's online smooth and reliable, thanks to the modern powers of rollback netc?ode. As always with online stability, your own personal experience may vary. Crossplay is, di?sappointingly, not supported. Here's hoping that Nexon can add this feature down the line.

Where's there a Will?

DNF Duel features several modes for single and offline VS. play. There are standard Vs. and Arcade Modes, as well as a Survival Mode. The latter operates much like that of Street Fighter V's effort, with the player sacrificing sco??re for between-round boosts and upgrades. There is also a full tutorial, as w??ell as the requisite, fully-featured Training Mode, which includes combo trials for all 16 characters.

Story Mode equates to an arcade ladder for each character punctuated by short narrative cutscenes. These sequences afford personality, background, and investment to our cast of heroes as they travel the world in a literal battle of "Wills." This mode also features some delightful splash art, as well as fan-pleasing cameos from DFO regulars such as busty barkeep Sushia, pirates Captain Luther & Lu??dmilla, and the beautiful but mysterious celestial being, Nemyr. Yep, more hotties. Hotties e??verywhere.

While the narrative is a tad rote, the solid voice a?cting, handy glossary, and healthy sense of humor keep the action ticking along nicely. This engagement does crumble upon meeting the final boss, who suffers from agonizing "button-read" syndrome. Like so many Japanese fighters, you typically waltz your way through to the finale, only to face down a frustrating foe?? who has miracle defense in close quarters, yet stumbles openly into projectiles at range. It makes for something of an anti-climax.

Eye of the Tiger

DNF Duel has higher ambition than many would give it credit for. By taking an attractive MMO fantasy universe and marrying it to the sublime showdowns of an ArcSys/Eighting fighter, Nexon's newfound scrapper is headed down the aisle full of vim and vigor, hell-bent on finding its measure of success in a generation chockful o?f excellent, well-estab??lished fighters. But, recalling our intro, it is not enough to "only" be a great fighting game anymore. (And that $50 price tag sure doesn't help.)

It will be up to the players to take a chance on the underdog, spotlight it at locals, create content, and spread the word. DNF is a solid, exciting, and enjoyable fighter. It's not the most marketable, nor does it carry the biggest budget, but it has the tools necessary to carve itself a piece of the fighting game pie. I'm telling you that DNF is worth checking out, but, ultimately, the summer season will d?ecide whether the community offers the underdog a foothold. It deserves a place at the table. I hope that it finds one.

With enticing visuals, accessible-yet-deep gameplay, and a roster of varied, exciting characters, DNF Duel rises above its cult branding to offer one of 2022's most dynamic, explosive slugfests. While its lofty price tag and niche IP might see DNF struggle to get through the ropes, once the bell sounds it easily holds its own against its contemporaries. Time will tell whether this particular entity cracks the scene long-term but, either way, DNF Duel is l?aser-focused on ensuring its presence is felt... Right on your jaw.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

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The Silver Fox

Surprise! Turns out that Nexon is still not done revealing characters for its upcoming fighter DNF Duel, which is literally less than six days away from launch. Today's DNF Duel trailer introduces us to the Lost Warrior, who carries with him the undeniable presence?? and physical aura of a potential boss character.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqaHE0JwIJ8

The Lost Warrior, as you can see in the video above, carries himself with the visual appearance of primordial times, but with a fighting style and mastery of magic beyond his years, suggesting that he may be capable of visiting multiple worlds and eras. Lost Warrior commands the battleground with devastating large strikes, reminiscent of King of Fighters' Rugal. The silver fox ??i??s also capable of switching positions with his opponent and rounds off the battle by repeatedly slamming his foe into handy nearby mountains. Ouch.

Lost Warrior is, officially, the final character to join the DNF Duel launch roster, which now totals 16 distinct and unique fighters. I'm still pretty much at a loss for who I'm gonna be digging into, but Enchantress and Inquisitor are both pretty solid calls for me. I hope to share my findings on Nexon's underdog fighter with you all soon. In the meantime, maybe check out the previous trailers for Berserker, Grappler, Hitman, Inquisitor, Striker, Ranger, Dragon Knight, Vanguard, Kunoichi, Crusader, Ghostblade, Launcher, Troubleshooter, Swift Master, and Enchantress.

DNF Duel launches on PlayStati?on and PC platforms June 28.

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Choose Your Fighter

It's been a long time coming, but we are now one week away from the launch of Nexon's cool-looking fighter, DNF Duel. Y'all excited? I know I am, just for the roster at the very least. The publisher has chosen to stoke the hype fire one last time by releasing the game's opening cinematic.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruRh8RGLRVM

Originally announced in 2019, (and widely covered by yer boy since), DNF Duel is a one-on-one fighter adapted from the popular Korean MMO Dungeon Fighter Online. DNF Duel repurposes an arsenal of DFO classes as individual roster members, including Fighter, Grappler, Inquisitor, Dragon Knight, Kunoichi, and many others. With gameplay designed by Guilty Gear's Arc System Works, and some very impressive visuals, DNF Duel?? is looking to make an impact in the coming FGC summer season.

DNF Duel will feature rollback netcode on PS4 and PC, though will sadly not support crossplay, at least not at launch. In addition to online battles, the fighter will include a single-player story mode, training facilities, survival mode, a gallery, and more. There is no denying that it is ??an unknown IP in the fighting game world, and is up against stiff competition from current and upcoming games. But it looks like Nexon's underdog hopes to come out swingin' and carve a niche all of its very own.

DNF Duel will launch on PlayStation and PC platforms June 28. Be sure to check out the dynamic character trailers for Berserker, Grappler, Hitman, Inquisitor, Striker, Ranger, Dragon Knight, Vanguard, Kunoichi, Crusader, Ghostblade, Launcher, Troubleshooter, Swift Master, and Enchantress.

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Who do you voodoo?

Yes indeed, we are less than a month away from the long-time-coming launch of anime fighter DNF Duel and publisher Nexon is still dropping cha?racter reveal trailers. Who's that clomp, clomp, clomping her massive-ass shoes down the hallway? It's the pint-sized voodoo queen hers??elf, Enchantress!

Bedecked in Gothic-Lolita fashions and wearing an equally heavy look of mischief, Enchantress might be the smallest and youngest competitor to enter the DNF Duel ring, but what she lacks in size she makes up for in frightening black magic abilities. An expert in the ways of voodoo and the dark arts, Enchantress is able to conjure up projectiles and other w??eaponry twice her size, while also holding her own in CQC thanks to her super cute broomst??ick.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAbrqLes3dQ&t

If that wasn't enough, then the opposition might also find themselves on the business end of her scary stuffed toy companion, who can be given life and form, offering up several? attack options, and even growing to monumental size to finally put the hexclamation mark on the battle. A true puppet player, Enchantress and her sinister arts are certainly not to be taken ?lightly. Spooky!

While the fighting game community is understandably frothing at the mouth due to the reveal of a certain Capcom sequel, I think we'd all be fools to sleep on DNF Duel. With gameplay designed by Guilty Gear's Arc System Works, (ably assisted by fight fanatics Eighting), and a really cool,  varied roster of characters, DNF Duel is looking better and better by the week. Throw in the previously announced rollback netcode and several single-player features, and I think we have ourselves an unde??rdog contender worth keeping an e??ye on. I can't wait to check it out...

...But who to play? Th??ere's too many cool char??acters!

DNF Duel will launch on PlayStation and PC platforms June 28 �after you take a look at Enchantress, why not check out the previous character trailers for Berserker, Grappler, Hitman, Inquisitor, Striker, Ranger, Dragon Knight, Vanguard, Kunoichi, Crusader, Ghostblade, Launcher, Troubleshooter, and Swift Master.

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He's Like the Wind

With the arrival of each recent DNF Duel character trailer, I've been left thinking "That's probably about it" and yet publisher Nexon continues to surprise us with more and more pugilists debuting in the flashy-looking fighter �Today sees the arrival of the young and powerful mage: Swift Master.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzL-iMD_ckg&t

As demonstrated in the above trailer, Swift Master holds fearsome control over the winds, which he uses to manipulate and confuse his opponent on the battlefield. Of diminutive stature and mischievous nature, Swift Master's battle plan appears to involve using bursts of air to attract, deflect, and launch his opponent, following up with an array of air combos and juggle-enhanced specials. Swift Master looks very set-play based, and as such may prove to be one of DNF Duel's more complex but dangerous characters.

With the arrival of Swift Master, the DNF Duel roster has reached a healthy total of 14 highly unique characters, which is nothing to be sniffed at when it comes to an underdog, untested fighting IP. While the launch of the Dungeon Fighter Online spin-of?f is bearing down on us, there remains plenty of time for Nexon and Arc System Works to introduce us to more of its hard-hitting, (and compell?ingly hot), roster.

DNF Duel will launch on PlayStation and PC platforms June 28 �after you take a look at Swift Master, why not check out the previous character trailers for Berserker, Grappler, Hitman, Inquisitor, Striker, Ranger, Dragon Knight, Vanguard, Kunoichi, Crusader, Ghostblade, Launcher, and Troubleshooter.

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If you got a problem, yo, I'll solve it...

Well I'll be durned, I was sure that last week's explosive "Launcher" trailer was the last character trailer we'd be seeing for Nexon's upcoming scrapper DNF Duel �and yet the funky looking fighter keeps on giving with a brand new video revealing the gun-toting, swooneriffic desperado, Trou???bleshooter.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=7luVBKogBKk&t

As you can see from the above video, Troubleshooter is another DNF Duel firearms user, though has more of an old west, gunslinger aesthetic when compared to the hi-tech talents of Launcher. In the preview, we see the old dawg utilizing his ?meaty-looking sidearms at both long and short distances, while also laying several traps in order to control space. Troubleshooter looks to be a somewhat complex character, but one that can easily control their opponent's space, shutting down options and presenting risk from all angles.

He's also handsome as all hell, teasing the viewer with roses and sweet nothings. DNF Duel may be the horniest fighter to come down the line in some time, frankly. You'll be able to join the love-in very soon, as DNF Duel will finally launch on PlayStation and PC platforms June 28. While you wait for its impending arrival, you have enough time to check out the character trailers for Berserker, Grappler, Hitman, Inquisitor, Striker, Ranger, Dragon Knight, Vanguard, Kunoichi, Crusader, Ghostblade, and Launcher.

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Lock 'n' Loaded

Plucky underdog fighter DNF Duel may only be a couple of weeks away from launch, but that fact, apparently, will not prevent it from revealing even more roster members. Check out this new trailer from publisher Nexon, which gives us our first in-action look at what may prove to be DNF Duel's final launch roster fighter: Launcher.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTbz8Ouj6z0&t

In a somewhat terrifying 30 seconds, our tech-savvy, firepower-obsessed gal lets rip on her opposition with a ridiculous variety of firearms �all of which seem practically conjured out of thin air. From rocket launchers to miniguns, las??er rifles to Bayonetta-style twin guns, Launcher not only comes loaded for bear, but is seemingly fully equipped for every single eventuality. The new girl closes out the round by calling a devastating cyber-cannon onto the playfield, voguing like a true diva as her opponent enters the stratosphere.

Many anime fighters as of late have introduced at least one firearms-based character, and usually with extremely effective results, (I'm looking at you, Happy Chaos). Whether Launcher proves to be just as frustrating to deal with as her bang-bang brethren remains to be seen, but her debut trailer certainly makes an impact. ??I'm not ready to face a bevy of these ladies in an online capacity. That's for sure.

Rollback don't fail me now.

DNF Duel launches June 28 on PlayStation and PC platforms. While you wait for its impending arrival, you have enough time to check out the character trailers for Berserker, Grappler, Hitman, Inquisitor, Striker, Ranger, Dragon Knight, Vanguard, Kunoichi, Crusader, and Ghostblade.

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Online features Online Modes

Nexon's decision to drop a brand new trailer for each and every feature in its incoming fighter DNF Duel is certainly... a choice, but I suppose it helps to communicate to the fighting game community that the plucky ??underdog ??title will be stepping into the ring loaded for bear when it arrives in June.

This latest lightning-fast video focuses specifically on DNF Duel's online options, which include Ranked Vs battles, a full online ranking system, player profile cards, and a replay library �an invaluable tool when it comes to rewatching and reassessing everything that you and your chosen fighter might have gotten right, or so very wrong. In all, the online options for DNF Duel look pretty standard, though it should be recalled that the Arc System Wor??ks-developed fighter will utilize snazzy rollback netcode.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsIqL9NgAYs

After its gallery of exciting character trailers, and more than a fistful of feature trailers, DNF Duel has pretty much laid out its statement of intent over the past 15 or so months. Entering into a busy-busy market that is already packed out with great fighters, the scrapper is looking to cut itself a piece of a very popular pie. In DNF Duel's corner is a fantastic development team and some cool-looking characters, working against it is its niche Dungeon Fighter Online branding and relative publisher obscurity.

But, when all is said and done, it looks pretty durn rad, and with a fresh summer of fighting game tournaments on the horizon, DNF Duel is sure to come out swinging. Whether it ends up taking a spot on the championship podium or simply flat on its back, looking at the lights... well... that'll be up to the communi?ty.

DNF Duel launches June 28 on PlayStation and PC platforms. Be sure to check out the character trailers for Berserker, Grappler, Hitman, Inquisitor, Striker, Ranger, Dragon Knight, Vanguard, Kunoichi, Crusader, and Ghostblade.

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A Striker, a Berserker, and a Dragon Knight walk into a bar...

Publisher Nexon has released a very short video offering the first glimpses of the story mode for its upcoming fighter, DNF Duel. The anime scrapper, which launches on PlayStation and PC next month, will see the classes of MMO Dungeon Fighter Online gather for some solid one-on-one slugfestin'

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV7yyGP0YgM&t

Even from this short video, we can already see that DNF Duel will feature the deep lore and delightful melodrama of its MMO source material. In the clip, we see Berserker going, umm, berserk, the spritely Striker dodging trouble in the woods, and the noble Dragon Knight having a bit of a lie-down. The scenes have full voice acting and sport some very nice, comic-book style artwork. In addition, the new trailer also includes a look at a gallery mode, as well as an in-game glossary �no doubt to help newcomers get up to speed in the world of Dungeon Fighter Online.

DNF Duel, first revealed back in the winter of 2020, has spent the past year turning heads with its dramatic and action-packed trailers, rad character designs, and promises of enthralling battles powered by silky-smooth rollback connections. Recent betas, (poorly timed to coincide with other popular betas and game releases), did not exactly set the FGC alight, but many players found enjoyment in DNF Duel's specific brand of fantasy carnage. Having ??covered the title every step of the way since its initial reve??al, I'm very anxious to check out the scrappy underdog in its final form.

DNF Duel launches on PlayStation and PC June 28.

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Mysterious new fighter teased

We finally have a launch date for Nexon's cool-looking fighting game DNF Duel. As revealed by the publisher this past weekend, the Dungeon Fighter Online spin-off will jump into the ring on June 28, launching on PlayStation and PC (Steam) platforms. A price point was not announced?.

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

The short trailer above gives us a lightning look at some of the game's eccentric cast of characters, pulled from the Korean MMO's class system. The trailer winds up with the first glimpse of an as-yet-unnamed new fighter, which fans believe is DNF Duel's take on Mechanic. They seem a tad overdressed for the job, honestly, but perhaps they're a "Mechanic" in the Charles Bronson sense. Wouldn't that be neat?

DNF Duel will be entering a very crowded fighting game market, standing against titles such as Tekken 7, Dragon Ball FighterZ, and the upcoming Street Fighter 6. It also appears that, despite being on the market, DNF Duel did not make the cut for this summer's EVO 2022 festivities. Hopefully, the new game will have a spot at the scene in the form of a side-tourney. It could really help put eyes on the contender. Having d?evelopers Arc System Works and Eighting in its corner will help it get its foot in the door.

DNF Duel launches June 28 on PlayStation and PC. I wouldn't be surprised if we don't get another beta before then. In the meantime, be sure to check out the character trailers for Berserker, Grappler, Hitman, Inquisitor, Striker, Ranger, Dragon Knight, Vanguard, Kunoichi, Crusader, and Ghostblade.

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One Man and his Ghost

It's been quite some time since we heard from the rad-looking anime fighter DNF Duel, but fortunately, Nexon has blessed us with its presence once again, dropping a hair-raising trailer for?? yet another surprisingly sexy combatant. Seriously, this particular fighting game does seem particularly horny... Or maybe that's just me.

The short, sharp preview gives us a look at the newest addition to the DNF Duel roster, Ghostblade. This mysterious samurai, clearly not one for lounging in the sun, has a very deliberate but devastating fighting style �with gameplay reminiscent of SNK's great Samurai Shodown. The ghostly ??figure cuts down his foe with huge, deceptively ranged strikes �offering Ghostblade excellent attack and defense capabilities. If that wasn't enough, then his super sees him call upon an ancient spirit from the past to land the killing blow.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Dr4FIUwp0M&t

Ghostblade joins what is already a very cool, unique, and charismatic roster of DNF Duel characters, all based upon classes and warriors from the popular South Korean MMO Dungeon Fighter Online. DNF Duel turned heads back in late-2021 following a slight but intriguing beta test weekend. Though the IP flies a little under the radar, having fighting game experts Eighting and Arc System Works in its development corner will certainly help DNF Duel make an impact in what?? is, currently, a very crowded fighting game market. I'm looking forward to it.

DNF Duel launches on PlayStation and PC platforms this summer. I would not be surprised if we didn't get another open beta weekend before then, as the studios will be looking to iron out any nagging issues before the big launch. Oh, and be sure to check out the previous trailers for characters Berserker, Grappler, Hitman, Inquisitor, Striker, Ranger, Dragon Knight, Vanguard, Kunoichi, and Crusader.

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Who is your favorite duelist?

Following on from this past weekend's open beta, publisher Nexon announced that its spin-off fighter DNF Duel will offic?ially launch in summer 2022 on PlayStation and PC �Additional platforms were neither confirmed nor denied.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=gf0ZlqM1yfQ

Over the past few days, curious fighting game players got their hands on the untested title via an open beta on PS4 and PS5, which offered up online play and... well... not a whole lot else. It can't be denied that the beta was very rough around the edges, but the game itself showed a ton of promise. I'll be offering up my brief thoughts in the very near future. So many fun characters, and it appears that Crusader is already some?thing of a meme superstar!

DNF Duel, a spin-off of popular MMO Dungeon Fighter Online, sees a very attractive and magnetic cast of characters battling it out in typical 2D anime fashion. Arriving like a bolt from the blue, Nexon peppered the past fortnight with character trailers before dropping the open beta almost out of nowhere. It wa??s certainly an interesting way to build hype and it worked a treat �given the buzz for the title I saw around the online FGC. While the beta had its fair share of issues, the early gameplay was sound, and with a good six or so months to go until release, developers Arc System Works and Eighting clearly have plenty of time to iron out the creases and get things ship-shape for what could be a grand launch.

DNF Duel is scheduled to release summer 2022 on PlayStation and PC. Be sure to check out the character trailers for Berserker, Grappler, Hitman, Inquisitor, Striker, Dragon Knight, Vanguard, Kunoichi, and Crusader.

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Say Your Prayers

Nexon has spent the past fortnight getting the fighting game community all hyped up for its incoming scrapper DNF Duel, an all-new one-on-one fighter based on the popular MMO Dungeon Fighter Online. After two straight weeks of increasingly exciting character trailers, fans will have the chance to check out an open beta on PS4 and PS5 from today.

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

All interested parties need do is download the game client on their PlayStation platform of choice, and you should be good to go. The beta will run from today until Monday, December 20. Though publisher Nexon has been incredibly thin on the details, including what modes are available, which characters will be selectable, and what method of online technology DNF Duel will use �it seems that a selection of informative videos pertaining to the title's mechanics will be dropping later this afternoon, with Nexon finally confirming that DNF Duel will utilize the much-vaunted rollback netcode. Nea??to.

Of course, it wouldn't be a day without a new DNF Duel character trailer, and you can check out the preview above for a look at the Crusader, a hulking behemoth of a man who uses his huge frame and holy hammer to bring the lord's will to his opponent �one crushing blow at a time. Crusader's super sees?? him reach out to the heavens, raining down the power of Lord Lemidios on his foe's hapless body and soul. Crusader looks very much to be our tank. He's on a mission from God.

DNF Duel is in development for PlayStation and PC platforms for an unknown release date. Be sure to check out the previous trailers for Berserker, Grappler, Hitman, Inquisitor, Striker, Dragon Knight, Vanguard, and Kunoichi.

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What a terrible night to have a curse...

Nexon is keeping the hype engine for its upcoming fighter DNF Duel finely oiled, machine-gunning out character trailers at a steady rate. This morning is no exception, and sees the DNF Duel spotlight shine on the cursed warrior, Vanguard.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDILXAi8YjA

As you can see from his short introductory preview, Vanguard is a classic "monster hunter" type, carrying the style of a stoic adventurer with a twinkle of charm in his eye. Very Castlevania. No whip for yer boy, however, as Vanguard prefers to bring the pain via his enchanted Demonic Lance, which offers him a combination of both strength and range. The short trailer sees him making swift work of the lovely Dragon Knight. Leave her alone! Vanguard's deliberate and suppressive fighting st?yle will no doubt make him a nightmare to deal with should the player end up trapped in a corner.

Vanguard joins the ever-expanding roster of DNF Duel, which seems to be rounding out quite nicely despite the lack of a release date. It won't be long before we can check the game out for ourselves, as developers Eighting and Arc System Works have announced an open beta on PS4 and?? PS5 platforms this coming weekend. The action kicks off from December 17 and you can bet your sweet bippy that I'll be there. I'm incredibly curious to check out the new kid on the block.

DNF Duel is currently ?in development for PlayStation and PC platforms.

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Ooh, that looks like a bit of a nick

Nexon might not be interested in offering us a release date, or even a platform, but it has already begun dropping character trailers for DNF Duel, its impressive-looking fighter set within the universe of popular MMO Dungeon Fighter Online.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=93h5eY2BErM

The first DNF Duel character trailer takes a look at the wild Berserker, who falls into the anime trope category of "Wild, laughing madman who loves blood." The video sees the crazy-maned maniac carving up a storm with his powerful blade, further emboldening these powers with miraculous control of his own lifeblood. A momentous and cinematic super sees Berserker conjure up a Blood Dragon to take a bite out of his hapless opponent. Our boy then has a bit of a laugh about matters. The Berserker is the first official character announcement for the DNF Duel roster.

As previously reported, Dungeon Fighter is very much an untested entity in the fighting game market, but is already off to a good start thanks to some attractive previews �such as the above video �and has pedigree fighting game developers such as Eighting and Arc System Works in its corner. Whether the final title is able to carve out a niche among the Guilty Gears and Street Fighters of this world is up for debate, but DNF Duel is certainly up for the ruck and isn't looking too shabby at all... Still, Nexon would do well ?to drop the most rudimentary details about the title before it continues the hype train.

DNF Duel is current??ly in development for unknown platforms.

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