For the first time since the release of Destiny 2, Xur the mysterious vendor that appears each week selling exotic weapons, armor, and other items, has arrived. This week, the Agent of the Nine can be found on Nessus, hanging out at the top of the map in the area marked Watcher's Grave.
In a change from the first game, an icon showing where Xur is appears on the map and can be tracked to make getting to him easier. Once you're in the Watcher's Grave, look up and you'll find him standing atop a tree. In exchange for your Legendary Shards, he'll sell you the items in the list below.
Generally, the response to Xur's offerings hasn't been positive as the items he's selling are available as loot drops fairly early in the game. The standout item is the Merciless fusion rifle, so grab that if you haven't got one already.
In other Destiny 2 news, the game's first raid, Leviathan, is out now. For everything you need to know about, check out GameSpot's in-depth Raid guide. Bungie has also said it is expecting to release the next update for Destiny 2 next week. In the studio's latest weekly blog post, it said this update--1.0.1.3--will address "some known issues." One of these is the "harmful imagery" that players recently discovered.
Blizzard will once again draw on its most recent game, Overwatch, for upcoming content in Heroes of the Storm. A pair of characters and a new map inspired by the shooter are on their way to HotS in the near future, as are new skins and an event.
On the character side, the first of the two is Ana, who in Overwatch serves as a hybrid sniper/healer that's also capable of mitigating healing done by the enemy team. Coming after her is the explosion-crazed Junkrat. No specific details for either character have been announced yet, but given Blizzard's usual pattern in the past, we'll likely be hearing about them soon.
The map is called Volskaya Foundry, which, as you can guess, is inspired by the Volskaya Industries map in Overwatch. It's the second Overwatch map to make it into the game, though the first one, Hanamura, has been temporarily removed so that it can be improved, possibly due to its complexity. This new one sounds more straightforward--albeit with a cool twist.
Volskaya is a large, three-lane map with conveyor belts that can speed up (or slow down) players' movement as they attempt to periodically capture points around the map. As in Overwatch, capture progress can be blocked by a single enemy; if one steps into the area at 99%, you'll have to deal with them before reaching 100%. Certain mercenary camps also yield sentry guns that can be placed around the map.
By securing the capture points, two members of a team can join together to control a giant mech called the Triglav Protector that can then be used to push a lane or generally wreak havoc. Much like the co-op character Cho'Gall, one player controls movement while another serves as the gunner. Only two players at a time can take control of it; Blizzard told GameSpot that it hasn't yet looked at characters or vehicles used by more than two players. But you'll have more of an opportunity to play with the Protector than just on Volskaya; Blizzard plans to introduce a single-lane Brawl mode called Bash 'em Smash 'em Robots where players can more freely use them.
Additionally, a new event is coming to the game that also draws inspiration from Overwatch. Pachimari Mania causes Loot Boxes to appear around the starting area during the pre-match phase. By scrambling to open them, players have a chance to unlock a new portrait, banner, spray, and emoji.
New skins and mounts were also announced today. Skins include the Shrike version of Ana from Overwatch, as well as Commandant Varian, while the mounts are Celestial Raptor and the Invisible Horse, all of which are pictured above. A specific release date for all of this content has not yet been announced.
Destiny 2's first Raid has finally gone live. Titled Leviathan, this latest dungeon series is packed with an assortment of challenging puzzles and boss fights to overcome. To help you get past all of its hurdles, we've gathered useful tips to follow as well as what you need to do to access the Leviathan Raid. We're currently diving straight into the Raid right now, so be sure to check back often as we update this feature with more details on how to beat each individual section.
For more guides for the game, including breakdowns of the three classes, along with our skill and ability galleries for the various subclasses, be sure to visit our Destiny 2 guides and walkthroughs roundup for more information on what's happening in the online world of the Guardians.
In order to access the Raid, simply select the Leviathan icon in the top right corner of the Director, which you can see in the image below. You'll also want to initiate a questline called On the Comms, which is unlocked at random after having spent time killing Cabal. Once you complete its major steps, you unlock a new step called Destroyer of Worlds that requires you to complete the Leviathan Raid. Doing so will net you a sweet prize after completing the Raid.
Major Raid Prerequisites
Aside from completing the On the Comms questline, make sure your Power Level is at least 270 before taking on the Leviathan Raid. Going in with anything lower is manageable, but be aware that entering the Raid with a lower Power Level could make you a detriment to your Fireteam. It's also recommended to enter the Raid with a full fireteam of six players.
Suggested Gear
Skyburner's Oath - The Skyburner's Oath fires solar slugs that do extra damage to Cabal and penetrates Phalanx shields. This is a handy weapon to use that'll assist your efforts to take down the loads of Cabal you'll encounter in the Leviathan Raid.
Rat King - The Rat King may seem like an odd choice to bring into the Raid, but it can be a worthwhile asset given it becomes more powerful as more members of your Fireteam have it.
Leviathan Raid Guide
Part 1: Embankment
After starting the Raid, proceed forward until you'll encounter enemies. These foes won't harm you unless you shoot them; attack them or run past them. Proceed up the slope and head through the door.
Part 2: Leviathan Castellum (Part 1)
Upon reaching the Castellum, you'll begin a trial that has you claiming and defending three Standard. To accomplish this, your group should separate into two teams: one to defend the a central point where the Standard are to be taken, and another to retrieve them from their respective bearers. Keep in mind that if the Cabal manage to get too close to the central point, then the trial will restart.
Once all three Standard have been returned, a door will open up the path ahead where you'll find the first of the Leviathan Raid loot chests, containing a Legendary engram, the Calus' Selected shader, and the Emperor Calus Tokena Token.
Part 3: Royal Pools
In the next section, you'll encounter four pressure plates, with a fifth located at the center. Each of these plates has an orb on it that imbues you with a one-minute buff that protects you from environmental damage. Make sure you and your teammates activate this buff before starting the trial, as standing in the water in this area without it will quickly drain your health. Once you're ready, have four of your teammates stand on each pressure plate.
The premise of the trial is as follows: four people must maintain position on their respective pressure plates to slowly raise a weight up a chain that will expose nine lanterns that you need to destroy. But as you'd expect, powerful enemies spawn, making the process significantly more difficult. As the assault wages on, make sure you and your teammates keep re-activating the buff. Once all the lanterns are destroyed, the trial will end and a loot chest will spawn containing an Emperor Calus Token.
Part 4: Leviathan Castellum (Part 2)
The next section has you once again defending and retrieving three Standards. However, this time around the central point you must defend has switched places with one of the points in the surrounding area. Regardless, utilize the same two-team strategy to complete the trial. After you've succeeded, a loot chest will spawn containing glimmer.
Part 5: Pleasure Gardens
The next trial is trickier than the previous two. First, eliminate the enemies you see before heading towards the massive golden statue. Have two of your teammates pick up orbs and charge them at the light beams scattered around the area. An opening should appear beneath the statue; remaining members should then grab the pollen inside. The members up top must then guide pollen holders to special flower scattered around the area. But be careful, there are six Warhounds wandering the area that can make short work of your teammates if spotted. You also have a limited time to get the pollen holders to a flower before a Warhound's Psionic Howl resets your progress. Regardless, once pollen holders reach a flower, those up top must fire their orbs at the flower to imbue their teammates with a strength buff. Do this two to three times to build up enough power.
Once powered up, the pollen holders should then attack the Warhounds. But if a Warhound sees your teammates, they have one minute to damage them and retreat to the safe room below the golden statue. Rinse and repeat this process until the Warhounds are dead. Keep in mind that you only have three solid chances to defeat all six Warhounds, as the safe room will lock up after the third attempt. You'll then get Irrigation Key and a loot chest will appear on top of the safe room containing random loot and an Emperor Calus Token.
Part 6: Leviathan Castellum (Part 3)
Once again the same principle applies here. Simply utilize the same two-team strategy to obtain the Standards and complete the trial. A loot chest will spawn containing more glimmer.
Part 7: The Gauntlet
To start the trial, jump onto the round platforms to summon enemies. Steadily kill them to fill up the meter under each pillar in the room. Two orbs will eventually spawn; have two of your teammates pick them up. This transports them into tunnels in the surrounding area.
Those in the tunnel need to run through gates with rows of circles on them. Energy barriers close off these uniquely designed gates, so tunnel runners need to quickly call out which gate's row of circles has a red one. Teammates outside then have a limited time to shoot at the rows of glowing triangles on the corresponding gate that doesn't contain a red circle. Successfully doing this will open up the gate, clearing the path for the tunnel runners. The two tunnel runners converge and throw their orbs into an energy fountain.
Once you have completed this three games, your entire team can go to the middle and grab an orb and run through the tunnels. After the entire team throws their orbs into the energy fountain, the trial will end.
Part 8: Emperor Calus
After clearing the third Castellum challenge, you'll be led to Emperor Calus' throne room. To initiate the battle, shoot the cup from his hand, and he'll start spawning enemies into the room for you to fight. Eventually, Calus will teleport three players into a purple dimension to do battle with a giant projection of his head, while the other three will be left to defend themselves in the throne room. Four Psions then spawn in the throne room each with a symbol floating above them--make sure your teammates don't kill them.
Those transported inside the purple dimension will each notice a different symbol on the Calus projection's forehead. Each player needs to shout out the symbol they see to their teammates in the throne room. The players back in the real world must then kill the Psion aligned with the symbol that wasn't called out. This lowers the barrier surrounding the Calus projection's head.
The Calus projection will then begin to spew skull projectiles. When this barrage is over, orbs will spawn that can take the players back into the throne room. At this point, everyone should climb on whichever platform is glowing in the throne room in order to receive the Force of Will buff. Fire at Calus until he becomes invincible, and then move to the next glowing platform to shoot at him again. Make sure to avoid his attacks during this portion of the fight; it can instantly wipe out your team. Rinse and repeat this process until he goes down.
New content for Destiny 2 continues to roll out. Following the Leviathan Raid earlier this week, Crucible players now have a high-end challenge as well. Trials of the Nine is now available, but only for a limited time.
There are a number of pre-requisites for accessing Trials of the Nine, as it's not intended for just anyone. Like other Crucible modes, Trials is a 4v4 mode, but it's one that Bungie describes as "high intensity." To participate, you'll need to have completed the campaign, fulfilled the Call to Arms Milestone (where you simply play enough Crucible matches before the weekly reset) at least once, and have a Power level of at least 260.
While you'll have to tick all of those boxes to even be allowed in, you'll also need to form a Fireteam in advance. Additionally, Trials is one of Destiny 2's activities where your equipment is locked, so be sure to review what you have equipped and get ready before diving in.
Provided none of that stands in your way, Trials will pit you against other teams of four in an attempt to win a total of seven matches before losing three. Successfully doing so will complete the newly added Trials of the Nine Milestone, the reward for which is Spire access. Trials progress resets as part of the aforementioned weekly reset. We'll report back as more details about Trials are uncovered.
Books outlining strategies, expanding the lore, or showing off the art of video game worlds are commonplace. Video game cookbooks, on the other hand, are not something you find quite so often.
Following up on the World of Warcraft: The Official Cookbook, Chelsea Monroe-Cassel has a new recipe collection on the way, this time inspired by Hearthstone. The Innkeeper's Tavern Cookbook promises to include over 50 "Hearthstone-inspired eats, cocktails, and mocktails" according to the book's description.
Although theory- and deck-crafting use very different skills from food-crafting, the creativity and skills required for home chefs have obvious parallels to the gaming world. The book's publisher, Insight, shared three recipes from Inkeeper's Tavern, which you can check out, and try yourself, below.
Polymorph Puffs: Made with lamb sausage--a grown-up version of pigs-in-a-blanket
Blood of the Ancient One: An Old Gods-inspired take on the Bloody Mary
Fireside Log: Roll cake with a distinctive blue spiral when you cut through it.
Hearthstone: Innkeeper's Tavern Cookbook will retail for $22 and is set to release on November 7, though pre-orders are available now. If you want a taste of what might be in store, we put together a video last year making a Delicious Chocolate Cake from Monroe-Cassel's previous Warcraft book.
Retro peripheral manufacturer 8bitdo announced today that its SN30 Pro and SF30 Pro controllers for the Nintendo Switch will hit store shelves on December 10 this year. Preorders are now open through Amazon and carry a price tag of $50 USD. The SN30 Pro sports the color scheme of the original Super Nintendo controller released in North America; the SF30 Pro rocks the Super Famicom controller's color with red, green, blue, and yellow face buttons.
Both the SN30 Pro and SF30 Pro are fully featured with two shoulder buttons, two triggers, and two analog sticks that click downward. In addition to working with the Switch, they're compatible with Windows PCs, macOS systems, and Android devices. These controllers connect through USB-C and work wirelessly through bluetooth. There's currently no word on the approximate battery life of the controllers' lithium ion battery.
Take a closer look at 8bitdo's gamepads:
SN30 Pro (top), SF30 Pro (bottom)
These retro gamepads also come with rumble vibration, a turbo function, and motion controls for Switch users. While they work with Android devices, the smartphone clip shown in the photos is sold separately for $8 USD.
8bitdo previously released non-Pro versions of the SN30 and SF30, which didn't include analog sticks, or triggers. We previously reviewed Hyperkin's take on an SNES-style controller in the X91 for Xbox One and PC, you can check out what we said here.
Many Destiny veterans were disappointed that they had to wait an extra week before the first appearance of Xur, but he's finally here. The mysterious merchant has shown up for the first time in Destiny 2, and there are some notable changes to the way he operates.
The most immediate change is in regards to Xur's location: He is no longer confined to social spaces. He'll actually show up on planets in Patrol zones, potentially in curious spots, as his debut showing on the branch of a giant tree demonstrates. The way in which you find him has also changed pretty significantly.
Bungie has apparently deemed the prospect of hunting for him across entire planets too daunting. Although he's not shown on the main Director screen, zooming in to view a specific planet now shows an icon for him on the map. You can even set a waypoint to guide you right to him, which will come as a disappointment for those who looked forward to the task of tracking Xur down.
As in the first game, Xur still sells Exotics (see what Xur is selling this week here). And as we previously learned, he does so in exchange for Legendary Shards, not Strange Coins. That will provide you with some extra reasons to consider how you want to spend Legendary Shards, which are obtained by dismantling Exotic and Legendary items, throughout the week.
Xur will return each Friday and stick around until Sunday. Today also marks the debut of another part of the game, as the Trials of the Nine multiplayer mode will come online for the first time. That is set to go live at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET / 6 PM BST.
We're giving away three (3) PES 2018: Pro Evolution Soccer - Legendary Editions (PS4) and Fidget Spinners by Konami! Scroll down below to enter.
Competition ends Friday, September 15th at 5:00 PM PT. Three (3) winners will be contacted via email. Entry is open to United States residents only, void where prohibited.
NBA 2K18 launches digitally today for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One (with its physical release for the latter two platforms arriving on September 19). However, those who plan on picking the basketball game up on Nintendo's console better have a microSD card handy.
As pointed out on NeoGAF by users Pokemaniac and ggx2ac, NBA 2K18 requires a hefty 22.9 GB of space to download on Switch. What's more, each save file for the game takes up 5 GB--a larger file size than many full Switch titles, such as Pokken Tournament DX, which only requires 3.2 GB to download. That's problematic considering that the console only comes with 32 GB of internal memory, roughly 25 of which are actually usable.
Even if you plan to hold off and buy the physical version when it releases on October 17, you'll still need to have a microSD card, according to Nintendo's support website. While the game itself is 6.8 GB large, its software update takes up 16.1 GB, which accounts for the digital version's massive size and why you'll need a microSD card regardless of which you pick up.
Microsoft is designing a new system for mastering games that will mean faster downloads and less hard drive space used for its Xbox One and Xbox One X games. According to Digital Foundry, the internal name for the system is Intelligent Delivery, and it will split game content into tagged chunks. Players will be able to download only the chunks they need or want to play the game, rather than downloading the complete game with all content.
For example, Xbox One users won't have to download 4K assets meant specifically for the Xbox One X when they buy their game, saving loads of wasted space on your Xbox One hard drive. Another example, reportedly given by Microsoft, is games with multi-language support. Players won't have to download audio assets in languages they don't want, saving even more space. Digital Foundry reports this represents a significant amount of data, particularly in sports games.
Dividing content into chunks and tagging it will apply to gameplay-specific content too; players can delete game modes they're not using, for example. Microsoft is recommending the Intelligent Delivery system only be used for new games, but the technology can technically be applied to existing games. It's not clear how widely publishers will adopt it, however, as there's no indication using the system will be mandatory.
The new system also reopens the door for games with multiple discs, with essential data on disc one and additional or optional data on subsequent discs (right now, Microsoft is offering the option for two disc mastering, but the technology allows for up to 15 discs of content).
There's no mention of when Intelligent Delivery will be rolled out, but with the launch of the Xbox One X just a couple of months away (on November 7), it could be coming soon. Microsoft says the Xbox One X is the most pre-ordered console in Xbox history, and you can click here to check out all the enhanced games coming to the console.
The influence of the 1982 classic Blade Runner can be felt across three decades of sci-fi, and it's hard to think of a dystopian, urban sci-fi movie that hasn't been impacted by it in some way. With the long-awaited sequel Blade Runner 2049set to hit theaters next month, it has been revealed that Cowboy Bebop director Shinichiro Watanabe is making a new anime short set within the Blade Runner universe.
As reported by Kotaku, Watanabe's film is called Blade Runner Black Out 2022. As the title suggests, it is set three years after the original movie, during a massive power outage in futuristic Los Angeles. A teaser for the project has been released, in which Watanabe states: "The work that has influenced me the most in my anime profession would be, of course, Blade Runner." Check it out below:
Blade Runner Black Out 2022 is set to hit Sony Picture Japan's YouTube channel on September 26. It has also been revealed that it will have a score by noted electronic musician Flying Lotus (real name Stephen Ellison). Ellison tweeted: "Doing something with Watanabe was a dream of mine. Cowboy Bebop is one of the greatest! Seeing Blade Runner imagery set to my music was a beautiful feeling."
We're halfway through September, and that means the Games With Gold selection is about to partially change. Today marks the last chance for Xbox Live Gold members to claim some of the free Xbox One and Xbox 360 games currently available to them.
A total of two games return to their regular price after today. On Xbox One, it's the last day to grab Trials Fusion, the physics-based platformer/racing game. On Xbox 360, it's another racing game, Hydro Thunder Hurricane. Thanks to backwards compatibility, Hydro Thunder can be played on Xbox One. Claiming the games will allow you to continue playing them for free even after they go back to their regular prices. You can hit the links below to add them to your library.
Tomorrow, September 16, brings with it two new additions to September's Games With Gold lineup. Battlefield 3 will be available for Xbox 360 and Xbox One owners, while those with the newer console can also grab Oxenfree. Forza 5 also remains free through the end of the month.
September 2017 Games With Gold
Xbox One
Trials Fusion (August 16-September 15 -- last chance)
Splatoon 2's next free DLC is on the way tonight. In addition to another free weapon, Nintendo is bringing back a great map from the original Splatoon.
Beginning at 7 PM PT/10 PM ET, players will be able to pick up the Heavy Splatling Deco from the Ammo Knights weapon shop. The Deco is a modified version of the standard Heavy Splatling. It features the same stats as the regular gun, but it boasts a bedazzled ink tank and comes outfitted with a different sub weapon and special.
In Splatoon 2, the Heavy Splatling Deco's sub weapon is the Splash Wall, which allows players to place a temporary barrier of ink on the map. Its special is the recently added Bubble Blower. Once the special is activated, players can release up to three large bubbles that will float around the stage and explode when shot with your team's ink.
Arriving alongside the Heavy Splatling Deco is Kelp Dome, one of the best stages from the first Splatoon. This map is modeled after a self-contained ecosystem and features grated walkways between its different sections. Nintendo has also added some "new twists" to the stage, such as extra grates and more turf to ink. You can see screenshots of it below.
Kelp Dome isn't the only new map coming to the game soon. During this week's Nintendo Direct broadcast, Nintendo revealed Snapper Canal, an all-new stage set beneath a bridge. What makes this map unique is that it's divided in half by a river, so players will have to figure out how to bypass it to reach the center portion and gain the advantage. A new brella weapon called the Tenta Brella was also announced, though Nintendo hasn't said when either will be available in the game.
In a press release, Activision said that Destiny 2 set a day-one sales record on the PlayStation Store. The company shied away from many comparisons to the original Destiny, presumably because that game sold more overall at launch due to being available on two more platforms with sizable install bases (Xbox 360 and PS3). However, Activision said that Destiny 2 surpassed the first game's launch week digital sales and "engagement." The former is to be expected given the industry-wide shift toward digital games; the latter seems to be in reference to the number of people playing online simultaneously.
Activision CEO Eric Hirshberg noted that the company saw "engagement at the highest ever week-one concurrency for the franchise." Bungie CEO Pete Persons added that Destiny 2 has attracted more than 1 million concurrent players for eight days in a row.
Despite being one of Nintendo's biggest franchises, the Metroid series has lain dormant now for nearly a decade, making this week's release of Metroid: Samus Returns a major occasion for 3DS owners. Notwithstanding last year's cooperative spinoff, Metroid Prime: Federation Force, Samus Returns is the first proper game in the series since 2010, not to mention the first traditional side-scrolling entry in over 13 years.
Rather than continuing the series' story, Samus Returns retells the events of Metroid II. With the aid of developer MercurySteam, Nintendo has completely reimagined the Game Boy title, revamping its visuals, expanding the scope of its map, and introducing new power-ups to the adventure.
Reviews for Metroid: Samus Returns are now available online, and judging by the game's critical reception thus far, it appears to have been worth the long wait for Metroid fans. GameSpot critic Peter Brown called it "both a return to form and a look to the potential future for 2D Metroid games" in our Metroid: Samus Returns review. We've rounded up a sample of other reviews below; for a broader look at the game's reception, be sure to visit GameSpot sister site Metacritic.
Game: Metroid: Samus Returns
Developer: MercurySteam/Nintendo
Platform: 3DS
Release date: September 15
Price: $40/£35
GameSpot -- 9/10
"As the first 2D Metroid game in over a decade, Samus Returns faces unfairly high expectations. Mercury Steam's involvement, a team known to play fast and loose with classic game traditions, was also a potential red flag for some. In hindsight, there was never anything to worry about, and a lot to look forward to. Samus Returns is both a return to form and a look to the potential future for 2D Metroid games, where combat plays a bigger role and exploration involves clever thinking rather than persistent guessing. Fans get more than they bargained (and hoped) for, and everyone else gets an excellent 2D action game with one of the most captivating and capable video game heroes around." -- Peter Brown " style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #6DC6DD;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">Full review]
IGN -- 8.5/10
"While it's been marketed as a remake of Metroid II: The Return of Samus for Game Boy, Metroid: Samus Returns is more of a much-needed reboot of the 2D Metroid games we know and love. It's a safe, modern take on Super Metroid, one of the greatest games of all time. Aside from some repetitive boss fights and hand-cramping controls, it's nearly everything I could ask for as a fan of old-school Metroids." -- Sam Claiborn " style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #6DC6DD;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">Full review]
Polygon -- 9/10
"To call Metroid: Samus Returns a remake feels unfair. Remakes are old games with new coats of paint: an upgrade in resolution here, reworked artwork there. Samus Returns is far more than that. It's a top-to-bottom reimagining, bringing the bones of a game that's over 25 years old into the modern era with fantastic results." -- Russ Frushtick " style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #6DC6DD;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">Full review]
US Gamer -- 5/5
"All told, Samus Returns is a strong comeback that stakes a legitimate claim on being the best game on the 3DS. MercurySteam has executed on this remake wonderfully, sliding in seamlessly with the rest of the series. It's been a long, frustrating seven year wait, but it's great to have Metroid back. Here's hoping it won't be leaving again any time soon." -- Kat Bailey " style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #6DC6DD;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">Full review]
Game Informer -- 9.75/10
"Samus' last 2D adventure was in 2004 with the GBA release Metroid: Zero Mission, which was a remake of the original Metroid. Despite the lengthy hiatus between 2D entries, I was initially disappointed to hear that MercurySteam's Metroid project was another remake. However, Samus Returns has enough unique content that it feels like a worthy sequel. MercurySteam's first outing with the franchise is also different enough from the recent fan remake AM2R, so fans shouldn't hesitate to pick up this rare gem. This might be Samus' first 2D adventure in more than a dozen years, but it's a great reminder of why we fell in love with the franchise in the first place." -- Ben Reeves " style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #6DC6DD;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">Full review]
Destructoid -- 8/10
"Maybe the next 2D Metroid will take more chances, but Returns is far better than I expected it to be. The faux magic system, while shallow, adds some panache to the action, as do the combat animations that work within the confines of the engine." -- Chris Carter " style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #6DC6DD;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">Full review]
It's once again a packed week of releases for PlayStation 4. A number of high-profile titles arrive on the console this week, including a slew of sports games, a new Dishonored, and much more.
Headlining this week's releases is Dishonored: Death of the Outsider, a new standalone installment in Arkane's acclaimed series. In this title, players assume the role of Billie Lurk, a former assassin on a quest to reunite with her mentor Daud and hunt down the titular Outsider. Death of the Outsider releases on Friday, September 15. The standard version retails for $30, while the digital Deluxe Bundle, which also includes Dishonored 2 and the Imperial Assassin's Pack, runs for $60.
Available now for both PS4 and Vita this week is Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana, the latest chapter in the long-running action-RPG series. This installment sees series hero Adol Christin shipwrecked on a "cursed island," where he begins to have dreams of a mysterious, blue-haired girl. In true series fashion, Adol must battle monsters, rescue other shipwrecked passengers, and ultimately unravel the mystery of the island. Ys VIII retails for $60 on PS4 and $40 on Vita.
Sports fans have a lot to look forward to this week. NASCAR Heat 2 and Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 are out now for PS4, while NHL 18 and NBA Live 18 release on September 15. Those who pre-ordered NBA 2K18 can also begin playing early on September 15, four days before the game officially launches.
Some other notable releases this week include the Inside/Limbo Double Pack, the animal-themed real-time strategy game Tooth and Tail, the uncensored version of the classic Neo Geo fighter Samurai Shodown V Special, and the crazy-looking corn game Maize. You can find the full list of this week's releases below.
This Week's New PS4 Releases
September 12
Bloody Zombies
Butter & Friends: Babysitter Sim
DreamBreak
Get Over Here
Happy Dungeons
Inside/Limbo Double Pack
Maize
Manifest 99 (PSVR)
NASCAR Heat 2
Planet of the Eyes
Pro Evolution Soccer 2018
Samurai Shodown V Special (Cross-Buy with Vita)
Time Recoil
Tooth and Tail
Transcripted
Trulon: The Shadow Engine
VR Karts (PSVR)
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana (Also available on Vita)
Reluctant hitman John Wick is heading back to screens. It has been confirmed that John Wick: Chapter 3 will hit theaters in 2019, with Keanu Reeves returning in the lead role.
Lionsgate has announced that the movie will debut on May 17, 2019. This is the first time that a film in the action franchise has premiered in the summer, which shows the increasing popularity of the series. While the first movie made a modest $88 million worldwide, this year's John Wick: Chapter 2 has earned more than $171 million.
John Wick director Chad Stahelski first spoke about a potential third movie in May. He said: "We're currently in the middle of writing it right now. It's more [about] how fast can we get our s**t together. But I would assume that if not by the end of this year, [filming will start by] the beginning of next year."
Stahelski also hinted at what fans could expect from John Wick: Chapter 3 in terms of the movie's scale."We want, not so much to go bigger on the third one, but to show you more of the intricacies of the world," he said. "I feel like there are all these different subtleties that I skipped over in part 2, that I'd like to go back to and show you the inner workings of different parts of New York.
A John Wick TV show is also in development. In June, Stahelski revealed that the working title is The Continental, named after the series' chain of hitman-friendly hotels. "It's very tied to the film [in that] it's about the Continentals all over the world, how certain people come into that world, and what happens in relation to those people," he said. "I think the world is very vast. It's something that studio seems very, very intent on [making] and very, very behind."
Last month saw the first of three promotional short films for the upcoming sci-fi sequel Blade Runner 2049. The second has now arrived--this one shows Guardians of the Galaxy star Dave Bautista getting involved in some trouble on the streets of futuristic Los Angeles. As before, it has an introduction from director Denis Villeneuve--check it out below:
This follows the first clip from the movie, which was revealed earlier this week. It featured LA detective K (Ryan Gosling), searching for clues in a post-apocalyptic wilderness, and included an appearance from Walking Dead star Lennie James.
Blade Runner 2049 also stars Harrison Ford, Jared Leto, Ana de Armas, and Robin Wright. It's produced by Ridley Scott, who directed the classic original movie. The sequel hits theaters on October 6, 2017.
In a recent interview with Slashfilm, Villeneuve revealed one of the main reasons that he decided to take on the sequel. "I said to myself, 'They will do it. No matter what we think, the studio will move forward and will make it.' I don't know if I'll succeed, but I know I will give it all my love and all my skills," he said. "I will work so hard. I didn't want it to fall into the hands of someone that wouldn't. I was afraid to see a sequel to Blade Runner, but I said, at least if I do it, I will have some control over it. At least then I can blame only myself."
Villeneuve went on to explain that he hoped to match the original film in terms of tone and pacing. "There was a melancholia in the first movie, a nostalgic feeling of loneliness and existential doubt," he said. "A kind of inner paranoia about yourself that I wanted to keep alive in the second movie. I wanted to keep the film noir aesthetic alive, as well. That was very important."
Bungie has released a teaser trailer for "Trials of the Nine," the next big event happening in Destiny 2. Described as "high intensity Crucible combat," the Trials of the Nine event kicks off on Friday, September 15, at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET. So it's right around the corner.
Trials of the Nine will be the second major new activity added to Destiny 2 this week. The first was the much-anticipated Leviathan raid, which unlocked on September 13. Of course, it was swiftly beaten, and you can see which team did it and how right here.
You need to be Power level 260 or above to get into the Leviathan raid. You can check out GameSpot's Leviathan raid tips here to find out everything you need to know.
Keep checking back with GameSpot for lots more on Destiny 2's Trials of the Nine event and more in the days and weeks ahead.
Like in the original game, Exotics are the most desirable items for you to obtain in Destiny 2. While you're sure to get your hands on some through loot drops from enemies or chests, there are also those that you can obtain through a specific process.
There will likely be more uncovered in the days and weeks ahead, but to help kickstart your Exotic collection, we've rounded up the ways in which you can get your hands on several right now. You're guaranteed to get one piece of armor fairly early on by completing story missions, but these guides should give you some targets to aim for (or an idea of what's required if you want something specific). One word of caution: You may want to wait before completing quests that reward you with an Exotic, as your Power level will determine how strong it is. By waiting, you'll ensure you get a higher-level weapon without needing to infuse it.
We'll continue to update this guide with more walkthroughs in the days ahead. For more, check out our roundup of Destiny 2 guides, tips, and tricks.
Coldheart (Exotic Trace Rifle)
Coldheart is very straightforward to obtain: if you pre-ordered the game, you'll get it--eventually. As with the bonuses for purchasing Destiny 2's Deluxe edition, you first need to complete the campaign. Once you've done so, you can simply head to the Gunsmith (located at the Farm) to acquire it.
Sturm (Exotic Hand Cannon)
Once again, completing the campaign is a prerequisite for getting your hands on Sturm. With that out of the way, head to Nessus and start the mission O Captain (at Exodus Black, near Failsafe). Make your way through it and you'll receive the sidearm Drang, and then receive a request to talk to Rahool. You'll have to bring him a number of Engrams--five Legendaries and one Exotic--and kill 10 Fallen on Nessus using Drang. Rahool will then send you to Tyra Karn at the Farm, who will send you to Nessus to kill 10 Fallen without reloading (though it seems you can kill a few, reload, and then kill a few more to make progress). After that, you'll have to 10 powerful Fallen on Nessus using Drang. Head back to Tyra and she'll send you to the Exodus Crash Strike on Nessus where you have to kill the Servitor named Kendriks-7. Go back to Tyra, and Sturm is yours.
MIDA Multi-Tool (Scout Rifle)
Again, you'll need to complete the campaign to qualify for this. Work your way through the various missions available in the European Dead Zone, culminating in the mission titled Enhance, which will net you the MIDA Mini-Tool. (Take note that this step involving Enhance is currently bugged--make sure you have more than one Energy Weapon slot available when completing the quest.) With that in hand, head to Banshee-44 at the Farm to receive a new mission: using a scout rifle, land 50 precisions shots and then get 25 multi-kills without reloading. Go back to Banshee-44 for the next quest, which tasks you with dismantling five Rare (or better) scout rifles. Returning to Banshee-44 will give you another quest, this time to rack up 50 kills while in mid-air with the MIDA Mini-Tool. With that complete, see Banshee-44 for your new MIDA Multi-Tool.
One of Destiny 2's many additions to existing systems is the concept of Heroic Public Events. These are harder versions of the standard Public Events you run into throughout the world and, as such, provide an opportunity to earn better loot. Unlocking them, however, is not quite as simple as pressing a button to jack up the difficulty.
The process for activating a Heroic Public Event varies from one to the next. There is a specific set of steps you (or the other players around) have to follow; these need to be repeated within the time limit each time you want to attempt a Heroic. The video above provides a step-by-step breakdown of what you need to do for each Public Event, which should make it easy to identify exactly where to go and what to do. You'll also find the instructions for each Heroic below--be mindful to do everything before the event's time limit expires. For more, check out our roundup of all of our Destiny 2 guides, tips, and news.
Injection Rig Heroic Public Event
Start out by killing a Psion, and then shoot a vent at the top of the rig. Although you'll be taking damage, be sure to destroy it. Kill the next Psion and destroy another vent located in the middle of the rig. Kill a third Psion and then destroy the vent that becomes exposed at the bottom of the rig. You may need to run around the middle in order to see which part of it has opened up to take damage. This process will cause a boss, Infiltrator Valus, to spawn, whom you'll need to defeat.
Destroy The Arsenal Walker Heroic Public Event
The goal here is to obtain the three Scorch Cannons surrounding the area, each of which is encased in a dome. As usual when dealing with a walker, attack one of its legs until it collapses. This will cause it to drop three Arc Charges, which you'll then need to carry to one of the domes containing a Scorch Cannon. The dome will have a place to deposit the Arc Charge, and you'll need to bring a total of two to each dome to get your hands on the weapon. Eventually, a second walker will be deployed, and you'll have to defeat both of them to finish.
Glimmer Extraction Heroic Public Event
At each of the sites throughout the event, there is a device that is extracting Glimmer. Destroy each of these before eliminating all of the nearby enemies. Then, at the final site, you'll have to guard a pile of Glimmer while standing in a designated area to complete a transmat process. Stay in the area as much as possible, as the transmat has to finish before time runs out.
Cabal Excavation Heroic Public Event
Stand near the drill to make progress, and eventually a Cabal Thresher ship will fly in nearby. Do everything you can to quickly destroy it, as it only sticks around for a limited time. If you manage to do so, a Centurion boss will spawn who needs to be defeated to complete the Heroic.
Witches' Ritual Heroic Public Event
Start out by killing a pair of Wizards while standing on the designated circles on the ground. At this point, you'll need to stand on one of the circles and destroy two shards--one is above and to the left of the big portal that enemies are coming through, and the other is above and to the right. This will cause a Hive Knight boss to spawn in; defeat him, and you're all done.
Ether Resupply Heroic Public Event
Before taking out the giant Servitor, quickly kill all of the smaller ones around the area. Once they've been dealt with, the main enemy becomes more challenging. Defeat it and you're done.
Taken Blight Heroic Public Event
The initial goal here is to destroy the giant Blight ball, which is immune to regular damage. In order to hurt it, you'll need to obtain the Blight Receding buff by going into the nearby Blight-infested area. Step back outside with the buff and deal as much damage as you can to the big Blight ball. Once you've destroyed it, the Blightmaker boss spawns in, and you'll have to defeat it to complete the Heroic.
Spire Integration Heroic Public Event
In addition to protecting the main conduit, players have to go around and stand on nearby pads. There are three in total that need to be captured, and once that's done, a Hydra will spawn in that needs to be defeated.
Like the first Destiny (and many other games for that matter), the newly released sequel Destiny 2 lets you spend real money on a currency system called Silver. This takes place in Destiny 2's Eververse Trading Company store, which becomes accessible at Level 20. The character Tess Everis operates the store again, and here is a breakdown of the cost.
Destiny 2 Microtransaction Pricing:
500 Silver -- $5
1110 Silver -- $10
2300 Silver -- $20
5800 Silver -- $50
Everis sells Bright Engrams, which are sort of like loot boxes from Overwatch. It works out to 200 Silver for one, three for 500, and five for 800. Decode them and you'll earn special rewards like Exotic weapon ornaments, a Sparrow, emotes, or something else. As Polygon explains, there is a chance you could get an elemental weapon mod, which can affect gameplay and may be controversial because of that. Weapon stats can be "slightly" enhanced with these mods, and there are also armor mods and one for subclass abilities to make them regenerate faster.
Additionally, you can buy Destiny 2 emotes with Silver--and there are some cool-looking ones. For example, Spicy Ramen shows your character cooking and consumer spicy ramen while Flip Out displays your Guardian flipping a table over. There are also shaders, which has caused some anger among fans. Check out this video from YouTube's DestinyOverwatch to see all the Eververse items you can buy now.
Players continue to come to grips with the changes in Destiny 2, many of which are for the better. Some of these involve obtaining new gear and decrypting Engrams, a process which has been radically simplified.
As we've pointed out previously, you'll notice that Engrams drop less frequently than in the original Destiny. That means you can more frequently acquire new gear and equip it without first taking a trip to the Farm, which is certainly nice. But when you do obtain an Engram, there are two key bits of information to be aware of.
The first is that there's no sense in holding onto Engrams, as their Power level is determined when they're dropped. In other words, grinding your level or Power up before decrypting an Engram won't have an effect on it. In fact, by waiting, you may end up finding that it's underpowered relative to your current gear, forcing you to waste materials to infuse it in order to bring its Power level up.
Better yet is what Destiny 2 project lead Mark Noseworthy confirmed on Twitter recently: You no longer have to equip your best gear when decrypting. The game automatically determines what your best possible loadout is and uses that figure when dictating the Power of an Engram. As a result, you're essentially free to use whatever gear you want--you're no longer impacting the strength of your drops by using a lower-level piece of gear you prefer.
Bungie's highly anticipated shooter Destiny 2 is finally here, and we'll have continuing coverage in the days and weeks ahead. For now, we're collecting all the big details to know about, including our review in progress, recent news stories, and other key particulars. You can keep checking back with this story as we learn more about the shooter.
Editor Kallie Plagge shared her thoughts on the first 20 hours and came away feeling generally impressed and eager to keep playing. She has now started over with the game having launched and will document her progress in a Destiny 2 review diary (now updated for the final time) over the next few days as she plays more. You can look for Kallie's full review in the days ahead.
Destiny 2 Review
"I haven't finished the main story yet, but so far it's a clear improvement over Destiny's much-maligned storytelling," Kallie said. "Like the beta, Destiny 2 begins with an attack on The Tower by a Cabal faction called the Red Legion. But rather than being thrust into situations with little to no context, as was so often the case in Destiny, each mission of the Red War arc has objectives that make sense within both the mission itself and the grand scheme. Locating a missing Cayde-6, for example, is important to the fight against the Red Legion, since he's a powerful Hunter. But fighting waves of Vex to get to him also makes sense, as he's trapped in a Vex teleporter, and that small bit of context makes that moment feel distinct from others where you're killing the same enemies."
For Destiny veterans, a lot has changed in Destiny 2, while the game will also see many newcomers to the series. Whichever boat you fall in, we'll have plenty of guides to help you succeed in the days and weeks ahead.
Unlike the first Destiny, Destiny 2 is available only for new-generation consoles, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. It's also coming to PC, but not until October 24. Returning players will get rewards and a nice little memorial.
Destiny is available in Standard, Digital Deluxe, and a Game + Expansion Pass Bundle. The Digital Deluxe edition comes with a Legendary emote and the Cabal Empire-themed emblem. It also includes the Expansion Pass, which comes with two expansions to be released later. The Game + Expansion Pass Bundle is pretty self-explanatory.
Here are the prices:
Standard -- $60/£55/$100 AU
Game + Expansion Pass Bundle --$90/£80/$140 AU
Digital Deluxe -- $100/£90/$150 AU
People who pre-ordered Destiny 2 will receive the Coldheart Exotic rifle, the Kill-Tracker Ghost, and the Salute emote.
According to Destiny 2's store pages, the game weighs in at 30.9 GB on PS4 and 34.98 GB on Xbox One. The PC version's file size may end up being larger, but we don't know yet.
What Is And Isn't Available In Destiny 2 Now?
While Destiny 2's first Raid, Trials, Guided Games, and in-game Clan features are not available, you can play the full campaign and the Crucible multiplayer mode. Additionally, Destiny 2's first Nightfall Strike is available now.
The raid kicks off at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET / 6 PM BST on September 13 (3 AM AET on September 14 in Australia). Trials will become available at the same time on September 15 (16 in Australia). The in-game Clan features will go live in the next several days, Bungie said, but for now you can access Clan-management systems through Bungie's website.
If you're willing to take a break from leveling up, the Farm social space holds an intriguing secret that you might have overlooked. " style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #6DC6DD;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">More details and mild spoilers here]
How To Kill Those Annoying Phalanx Enemies
In the original Destiny, defeating Phalanxes usually involved either chucking a grenade behind them, or shooting the tiny bit of arm visible sticking outside their shields. In Destiny 2, they've been granted a brand new weak spot, smack in the middle of those shields. Ping that glowing spot with a few shots and the shields retract, stunning the jerks in the process. " style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #6DC6DD;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">Lots more details here]
Known Issues, Technical Problems, And Server Queues
Destiny 2's release is poised to be massive, likely straining the game's servers. To allow for a better experience, Bungie is using a system MMO players are familiar with: server queues. Bungie has warned that players may not be able to immediately access the game. In order to "regulate player population to provide stable conditions for Destiny gameplay," server queues can pop up in Destiny 2 just as they could in the previous game. In other words, you may have to wait in line before you can play. Additionally, there are a number of issues to be aware of.
One of the shortcomings of Destiny 1 was that content was not released fast enough to meet players' expectations. For the sequel, Bungie is working with outside studios like High Moon and Vicarious Visions to create and release content faster. We know there are two paid expansions coming, and recently, a leak suggested the first expansion is called The Curse of Osiris and will be out in December. It'll supposedly add a patrol zone on Mercury, a social space, and a storyline centered around Osiris.
Keep checking back with GameSpot in the days and weeks ahead for lots more on Destiny 2.
Among the many smaller changes in Destiny 2 is one concerning shaders, the items used to re-color your gear. Many players have responded negatively to the way they function as consumables, and now Bungie has responded with an explanation of why the adjustment was made.
Whereas Destiny 1 allowed you to freely switch between any shader you had obtained (which was then applied to all of your armor), those in Destiny 2 are single-use consumables, meaning you'll need to repeatedly acquire a single shader if you want to change the look of a bunch of items. Of course, there are other changes at play here, too, like the fact that randomized rolls on items are gone, meaning you won't be dismantling them as frequently. But because shaders can be obtained by spending real-world money, players have complained that this change was motivated purely by greed. As a result, players are quite angry, as this popular thread on Reddit demonstrates.
No doubt in response to the frustration regarding the subject, Destiny 2 director Luke Smith took to Twitter today to provide some insight into why shaders now work the way they do. "Shaders are earned through gameplay: leveling, chests, engrams, vendors," he explained over a series of tweets. "We expect you'll be flush w[ith] shaders as you continue to play. When you reach Level 20, shaders will drop more often: vendor rewards, destination play, and endgame activities.
"Shaders are now an ongoing reward for playing. Customization will inspire gameplay. Each planet has unique armor and shader rewards. With D2, we want statements like, 'I want to run the Raid, Trials, or go back to Titan to get more of its Shader' to be possible."
The explanation is unlikely to convince angry players, though it remains to be seen if this is one of those changes that becomes accepted as people spend more time with the game. For more, check our Destiny 2 review diary and roundup of everything you need to know about Destiny 2.
Destiny 2 is out today, and most people are rushing to blast through the campaign and get ready for next week's Raid. But if you're willing to take a break from leveling up, the Farm social space holds an intriguing secret that you might have overlooked.
Mild spoilers for Destiny 2 secrets ahead. If this is something that you want to try and discover on your own, you'll want to skip the rest of this story.
Originally revealed on the Destiny Reddit forum by user Myndit, you can (temporarily) unlock a nifty glowing look and the ability to jump really high in the social space by following a very specific series of steps. We've outlined exactly what you need to do in the video above, but here's the shorthand to activate and complete the Farm's Scouting Patrol. Note that you can complete these initial steps in whatever order you'd like.
Head over to where Tess Everis is selling her wares.
Hop on top of her tarp, and take a running jump toward the watermill building.
Walk to the waterwheel and walk on top until you see text pop up that says "Sentry Ranks" and "Wheel Boost" completed. From here, your character will glow blue, and you can jump higher.
Walk along the wire connecting the water mill to the tall building that the Postmaster is parked in front of.
Follow the next set of wires connecting that building to the other tall structure where you meet Suraya. You'll automactially activate "Sentry Ranks x4" and "Vertigo Completed."
Next, you'll head to the camp fire at the opposite end of the Farm from the soccer field.
Activate "Scouting Patrol." You'll glow red and be able to jump even higher (though beware, you still take falling damage).
Follow the glowing lights (around 10 in all) until you've hit them all, after which, you'll get to keep the cool glowing effect called "Commander's Blessing" until you either leave the Farm or die.
Destiny 2's launch this week is just the beginning. As you'd expect, there is a lot more content and activities coming, including quite a bit of fresh material this month. As part of Bungie's newest blog post, the studio shared a schedule of Destiny 2's first-month activities, which include the Inverted Spire Nightfall Strike, followed by the mysterious Leviathan raid on September 13 at 10 AM PT/ 1 PM ET / 6 PM BST.
Later in the week, on September 15, Destiny 2's Trials of the Nine event kicks off. On that same day, the Exotic dealer Xur arrives to sell his wares--unfortunately for those expecting to see him today, there's another week to wait. You can see everything coming to Destiny 2 during its first month in the image below.
Looking ahead to October, Bungie will add even more new activities, one of which is the Iron Banner multiplayer event. Not only that, but it sounds like a change is coming to the Leviathan raid, as Bungie says you'll have "new ways to have your prestige tested."
Bungie's Halo games had great music. Destiny 1 did as well. And this continues with Destiny 2, which has a score that is memorable and drives you into the game further and pulls you along with its orchestral themes and driving tone. If you want to listen to Destiny 2's score outside of the game, Bungie has now released all of it on YouTube.
All 33 tracks, spanning more than 2.5 hours of music, from the Destiny 2 official soundtrack are available to stream through the YouTube playlist below.
Destiny 2's music was composed by Michael Salvatori, Skye Lewin, C. Paul Johnson, Rotem Moav, and Peter Schlosser. In a statement, the composers talked about what they wanted to achieve with Destiny 2's music.
"'What makes a Guardian a Guardian?"' This is the central question posed by Destiny 2," they said. "In creating the music that will drive you through moments of loss and recovery, we have asked that same question of ourselves. The new soundtrack was composed to capture the somber spirit of a civilization confronting immense tragedy, and also to inspire bravery in the hearts of our heroes as they stand together and fight to reclaim all that they hold dead. We hope that you enjoy the music that accompanies this bold new adventure. Be brave all over again, Guardians."
You can buy Destiny 2's OST from the Bungie Store for $10 to get a digital copy, not a physical one. The soundtrack comes with options for MP3, Lossless, and Flac formats. Additionally, it has liner notes from the composers, along with a code to unlock a player emblem called "Resonant Chord" for Destiny 2.
Clans have returned in Destiny 2, but this time around the feature is properly implemented into the game. You now have access to a multitude of tools and features to manage and maintain your Clan. In addition, members of your Clan have the opportunity to unlock special perks, earn end-game rewards, and host solo players seeking out people to play with in end-game activities.
With so much to understand about Clans in Destiny 2, we've compiled a beginner's guide detailing everything you need to know about what they are and how to access them.
Clan Q&A
What Are Clans?
Clans are communities that can be accessed in-game that are created and managed by players. They allow its members to play and progress together, communicate, and build up a community.
What Are the Benefits of Joining a Clan?
You can earn experience, level up, and obtain rewards when other members progress through the main campaign and participate as a group in normal or end-game activities. Progression can be viewed anytime in the Clan Profile in the game and the Destiny Companion via Bungie.net or the mobile app. Keep in mind that there's a weekly cap of 5000 XP per character.
It's also possible to obtain special perks, which are unlocked as your Clan gains experience and reaches certain Clan levels. You can receive perk benefits by obtaining the Clan Banner item from Hawthorne after unlocking the Farm social space and joining a clan. Be mindful that Clan Perks and Levels reset with each new Destiny 2 season.
You even gain Weekly Clan Engrams. However, in order to earn them, at least half of a fireteam attempting the activity must belong to the Clan. Like perks, Weekly Clan Engrams reset with each new Destiny 2 season.
Lastly, you can participate as Clan guides in Guided Games to help solo players through endgame activities
How Do I Join a Clan?
In order to be eligible to request to join a Clan or to receive Clan invites, you need to link your platform account to your Bungie.net profile. Once you've done so, you can use the Destiny Companion to search for Clans to join. Alternatively, a Clan leader can send you a direct invitation.
It's worth noting that you can only belong to one clan per Destiny account. In addition, if you have Destiny accounts on multiple platforms, you can have each account be in the same Clan or in different Clans.
How Do I Create a Clan?
Go to the Clan page in the Destiny Companion and highlight the Create Clan option. During the creation process, you can set the Clan Name, Motto, and Mission Statement. You can even choose your Clan's membership parameters. For example, you set Clan enrollment to Invite Only, or you can make joining completely open to the public. Regardless, only Clan Founders and Clan Admins can accept or deny requests to join the Clan.
Once a Clan is made, you're free to set the Clan Banner, change Clan settings (including the name and motto), shift Clan Founders and Admins, or edit Clan management tasks. Keep in mind that Clans must have a total of at least two members to start earning experience, as well as for the Clan, Clan Roster, and Clan Banner to show up in Destiny 2. Total Clan membership is limited to 100 players.
How Do I Communicate With My Clan?
Clans can communicate in real time using the text chat feature in the Destiny Companion. Also, every Clan has a dedicated private forum that can be used to post messages to their community.
Can I Change Clans?
It's possible to join a new Clan while already a member of a different Clan only if the new Clan you wish to join has an "Approval Required" enrollment. Once your new Clan request is approved, it'll automatically be converted into a pending invitation. This precaution is put in place to prevent a requesting player from being removed from their old Clan without notice. Be wary; changing Clans can impact your Weekly Clan Engrams and Clan Perks.
Can I Leave a Clan?
If you're a basic Clan member, it's possible to leave a Clan. But keep in mind that doing so impacts what Clan Perks and what weekly Clan Engrams you can access.
However, if you're a Clan Founder, you cannot leave or join another Clan until you've re-assigned the Founder role to another member or are the last member of the Clan (in which case leaving deletes the Clan).
Bungie's highly anticipated shooter sequel Destiny 2 launched this week for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One--and it was a massive success, it seems. In a blog post today, Bungie said "millions" of players have jumped into the game and reached the new social space, the Farm, in just two days since the game launched on September 6.
The developer went on to say that it expects more players to pick up the game in the days and weeks ahead, and promised there will be many more activities to play in the future. Destiny 2 launches for PC in October, so game sales stand to grow further still when the game is released through Blizzard's Battle.net next month.
"We've taken our first steps on a new journey as a community," Bungie said. "We expect more players to join our ranks in the days and weeks that will follow. Veterans of our community know that Destiny is not just a story about heroes, but also a world that evolves with you. New rituals will begin. New challenges will be revealed. New platforms will come online. New legends will rise."
Bungie also published a schedule for Destiny 2's first-month activities, including the Leviathan raid, Guided Games, Trials of the Nine, and more. Check out the image above to get all the specifics on what's coming and when.
Looking to October, Bungie said players can expect a set of "new challenges," including the first Iron Banner event and an update to the raid.
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