We’re quickly nearing the end of Destiny 2‘s second year, and the arrival of Shadowkeep. The Solstice of Heroes event has come to a close, but while there’s still time to do Moments of Triumph, the next month or so of Destiny 2 is likely to be a bit slower than the rest of the Season of Opulence. Now is a good time to clear out your Vault and chase the game’s best armor and weapons–like the armor pieces from the Dreaming City, which often carry Enhanced perks that will be useful even after Armor 2.0 drops with Shadowkeep. And a great way to get them quickly is with weekly Ascendant Challenges.

As always, we’ve continued to rotate through the available Ascendant Challenges; the specifics of what you have to do are the same, but it’s not immediately obvious where you need to go or what’s going to happen inside. Below, you’ll find a guide to help you out.

Before you try to tackle the Ascendant Challenge, the same requirements as always hold true; most notably, you need a Tincture of Queensfoil. This is a consumable item that you’ll happen upon while playing in the Dreaming City, although you can also buy them. Using a Tincture gives you the Ascendance buff, which allows you to see a Taken portal. It’s this portal you must go through to complete the Ascendant Challenge. Along with a Tincture, you have to grab the Ascendant Challenge bounty from Petra in the Dreaming City; it’s through this that you actually get your Powerful gear.

For the current challenge, the portal is located in Rheasilvia. In the northeast corner, head inside a building and go straight as far as you can. Turn right, and then go left in the next area to reach Harbinger’s Seclude. Go up a set of stairs and out the doorway on the right. Head straight through this area, through another doorway, and continue straight in the next zone. At the end of a bridge you’ll see a statue covered in Taken Blight balls; look for hidden Ascendant platforms to appear in the big open area in front of the statue starting on the right side of the room that will take you to the top, or jump up the blights themselves to reach the portal on top of the statue’s head. Check out the video above for a walkthrough. If you struggle to get up, take out your ghost and you’ll see some invisible platforms just off the slide of the area that can help you get up.

Going through the portal transports you to the Keep of Honed Edges in the Ascendant Plane. Platform your way across a series of rocks and you’ll find an area with three knights who are immune to damage. Kill all of the other enemies and the barrier protecting a sword will go away, allowing you to pick up the relic.

At this point, more enemies spawn in and one knight will begin attacking you. Kill the knight, and the other two will join the fray along with additional enemies. Take them all out, and you’ll again have to platform across a series of rocks, now with enemies to make things more challenging. There is debris moving through the area, and at least certain things you step on will disappear after a short period of time, so make sure not to linger. Make your way toward a platform with a large blue object on it to complete the challenge.

As in previous weeks, the chest you receive at the end of the Ascendant Challenge isn’t anything special. But the bounty you get from Petra offers Powerful gear for completing it; this can help to boost your Power level, so ensuring you have the bounty is essential.

Meanwhile, the quest for Thorn should keep players busy for a bit. It also represents another step forward in one of the biggest, most interesting running stories in all of Destiny lore–check out our lore catch-up guide for everything you need to know about the famous gun, its famous wielder, and what’s going on with the Drifter as the Season of the Drifter continues.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-ascendant-challenge-week-4-guide-aug-27-/1100-6462031/

Epic Games has rolled out another update for Fortnite. Patch 10.20 is now live across all platforms, and as usual, it adds another new item to the battle royale game, as well as something a bit more unexpected: a Borderlands crossover event. Here are the patch notes.

Headlining this week’s update is the Fortnite X Mayhem event. Players can visit Borderlands setting Pandora via a new Rift Zone, which lets you generate shield if you’re in the area long enough without taking any damage. There is also an assortment of challenges to complete and Borderlands-themed rewards to unlock, as well as a Borderlands Psycho Bundle cosmetics pack to purchase from the game’s store, which includes a Claptrap you can carry around on your back. The crossover event runs until September 10.

Additionally, this week brings a new throwable item called the Shield Bubble. As its name suggests, it creates a protective bubble that lasts for 30 seconds and negates projectiles and explosives, although other players are still able to walk through it. The Shield Bubble can be found as floor loot or in chests, supply drops, and vending machines.

Rounding out the patch are some balance changes and adjustments. As Epic previously announced, the controversial BRUTE mechs have finally been nerfed. The developer has also re-enabled the recent Junk Rift item following an issue with it, while the Storm Flip, Drum Gun, and Storm Scout Sniper Rifle have all been vaulted.

You can see all of the changes and additions Epic has made to Fortnite: Battle Royale below, while the full patch notes can be found on the developer’s website.

Fortnite: Battle Royale Update 10.20 Patch Notes

Weapons & Items

• Shield Bubble
  • Rare item.
  • Found from Floor Loot, Chests, Supply Drops, and Vending Machines.
  • Lasts for 30 seconds.
  • Creates a large bubble that blocks projectiles and explosives. However, players can still run through it.
    • Projectiles and explosives can be fired from inside the bubble but cannot go outside of it.
    • The bubble’s emitter has 400 HP. Destroying it deactivates the bubble.

• B.R.U.T.E.
  • The B.R.U.T.E.’s map icon will remain visible to all players after players board one. The icon will follow the vehicle as it moves.
    • This is to increase awareness of a B.R.U.T.E.’s presence and location to all players in the match.
  • The B.R.U.T.E. changes below were implemented between August 22-23.
    • Decreased the maximum amount of rockets fired by the B.R.U.T.E. in a single charge from 10 to 6.
    • Decreased the rate at which the rockets are fired from the B.R.U.T.E. by 56%.
    • The B.R.U.T.E. no longer grants materials to the driver and passenger when stomping or dashing through the environment.
    • Returned the explosion radius of B.R.U.T.E. missiles back to their original range.
      • We had decreased the explosion radius by 42% in the August 22 hotfix. This change in particular felt like an overswing, making it too difficult for the B.R.U.T.E to hit targets with less rockets and mobility. So on August 23 we brought the damage radius back (in core modes) to where it was before August 22. We’re continuing to closely evaluate the B.R.U.T.E. changes to make sure they align with our goals.
        • As of v10.20, these changes are now also in Arena & Tournament playlists.
    • Increased the dash cooldown from 3 seconds to 5 seconds.
    • Decreased the velocity gained from boosting while in air by 33%.
    • Adjusted the variability of spawn rates for storm phases 1, 2, and 3 in core modes.
      • Note: These adjustments do not affect the spawn rates in Arena and Tournament playlists. You can find those spawn rates in the v10.10 Patch Notes.
      • Storm phase 1
        • Increased the maximum number of B.R.U.T.E. spawns from 5 to 6.
        • Reduced the chance for 0 B.R.U.T.E.s to spawn from 29% to 14.3%.
        • New spawn rates
          • 14.3% chance to spawn 0.
          • 14.3% chance to spawn 1.
          • 14.3% chance to spawn 2.
          • 14.3% chance to spawn 3.
          • 14.3% chance to spawn 4.
          • 14.3% chance to spawn 5.
          • 14.3% chance to spawn 6.
        • Old spawn rates
          • 29% chance to spawn 0.
          • 14.3% chance to spawn 1.
          • 14.3% chance to spawn 2.
          • 14.3% chance to spawn 3.
          • 14.3% chance to spawn 4.
          • 14.3% chance to spawn 5.
      • Storm phase 2
        • Increased the maximum number of B.R.U.T.E. spawns from 3 to 5.
        • New spawn rates
          • 16.7% chance to spawn 0.
          • 16.7% chance to spawn 1.
          • 16.7% chance to spawn 2.
          • 16.7% chance to spawn 3.
          • 16.7% chance to spawn 4.
          • 16.7% chance to spawn 5.
        • Old spawn rates
          • 25% chance to spawn 0.
          • 25% chance to spawn 1.
          • 25% chance to spawn 2.
          • 25% chance to spawn 3.
      • Storm phase 3
        • New spawn rates
          • 25% chance to spawn 0
          • 25% chance to spawn 1
          • 25% chance to spawn 2
          • 25% chance to spawn 3
        • Old spawn rates
          • 33% chance to spawn 1
          • 33% chance to spawn 2
          • 33% chance to spawn 3
    • Decreased the material cost of using the gunner’s overshield from 200 to 75.
    • Increased the Health of the B.R.U.T.E from 1000 to 1250.
• Junk Rift
  • The Junk Rift has been re-enabled in all modes.
• Vaulted
  • Storm Flip
  • Drum Gun
  • Storm Scout Sniper Rifle

Bug Fixes

• Fixed an issue in which the Junk Rift was not destroying B.R.U.T.E.s on impact.
• Weapons and items received from Vending Machines no longer differ from the weapons and items displayed upon receiving them.
• Fixed an issue in which Chug Splashes were able to be deployed quicker than intended.
• The Combat Shotgun no longer becomes more inaccurate for a short period of time after players swap to it from a weapon best used while aiming down sights (such as Sniper Rifles).
• Shockwaves now properly affect members of the Horde.
• Fixed an issue in which Small Shield Potions would not fill players’ Shield to 50 if it was at 49.
• Fixed an issue in which Stink Bombs would do less damage to players using a B.R.U.T.E.
• Gunners in a B.R.U.T.E. who aren’t accompanied by a driver will no longer have an obstructed view while in the volcano vortex.
• Hoverboards can no longer be ridden by a B.R.U.T.E.
• The damage state of a B.R.U.T.E. now appears when players with a vehicle Wrap equipped enter a B.R.U.T.E. that was previously unoccupied.
• Reloading a B.R.U.T.E.’s shotgun no longer makes it unable to fire missiles.
• Fixed an issue involving the B.R.U.T.E.’s air slam dealing more damage to Horde spawners than intended.
• The self-destruct timer of a B.R.U.T.E. can no longer be paused.
• Switching seats in or exiting a B.R.U.T.E. while it is loading missiles no longer makes it unable to emote.
• Entering a B.R.U.T.E. no longer causes players to lose the ability to use weapons or items on exit.

Gameplay

• Pandora
  • At the oasis near Paradise Palms, a Rift Beacon has created the Pandora Rift Zone.
    • Part of the Fortnite X Mayhem collab.
    • This Rift Zone highly resembles the planet Pandora. However, it’s more than just a model; even the rules of the planet apply!
      • While at the Rift Zone, players will begin to generate Shield after 4 seconds of not taking damage.
    • Pandora will be available until September 10.
• Tilted Town
  • Added traversable paths that connect the town to the surrounding hills.
    • This is to improve the experience in late-game circles that take place at Tilted Town.
• Returned the time between subsequent Turbo Build placements from 0.05 seconds to 0.15.
  • This is intended to level the playing field regarding ping when it comes to turtling.
  • The first placement of a structure using Turbo Build remains the same.
• Moving Storm
  • Safezones will no longer move while shrinking in the later phases of a match.
  • Note: This change does not affect Arena and Tournament playlists.
  • This change was implemented on August 23.

Bug Fixes

• Going inside the Tilted Town Rift Zone while using a B.R.U.T.E. no longer causes the screen filter and no-building effect to remain after leaving the Rift Zone.
• Getting knocked out of a B.R.U.T.E. no longer causes players to enter an unintended Down But Not Out state in which they’re able to walk/run and unable to be revived.
• Fixed an issue in which members of the Horde would not attack players in a B.R.U.T.E.
• Damaging a B.R.U.T.E. no longer counts towards the Storm Surge damage threshold.
• Players inside indestructible buildings can no longer be damaged by a Junk Rift.
• Destroying a Chest or ammo container by destroying the object it is placed on will now open it.

Art & Animation

Bug Fixes

• Fixed an issue in which Catalyst’s left arm would clip through multiple backpacks in the lobby while idle.
• The Y0ND3R Outfit and EQ Wrap now animate correctly on PlayStation 4.
• Boarding a B.R.U.T.E. inside the Tilted Town Rift Zone and then exiting the Rift Zone while in the B.R.U.T.E. no longer causes the player’s Outfit to be unable to return to the equipped Outfit.

Audio

• Adjusted the shape of the Junk Rift’s audio attenuation from a sphere to a capsule.
  • This is to make Junk Rift objects more audible when spawned up high.
• Reduced the volume of the Minigun’s overheat audio.

Bug Fixes

• The Frag Grenade’s fuse sound no longer occurs as it is thrown.
• The Battle Bus’ audio no longer plays from the wrong location on Starter Island.
• Fixed an issue in which the spawn sound effects of Junk Rift objects would not play if the thrown projectile hit a player.

UI

Bug Fixes

• Fixed an issue involving players being unable to see Challenges upon logging in for the first time during Season X.
• The input UI for the B.R.U.T.E.’s gunner mode no longer displays the wrong inputs for players using a controller.
• Fixed an issue in which the player icon wouldn’t update properly while players have their Locker Outfit set to Random.
• A rounding error no longer occurs in the Health and Shield meters after applying Bandages or Small Shields.
• Fixed an issue that caused the Social Panel to show an incorrect set of Team Members.

Replay

• Local replays now have the same HUD as that of server/broadcast replays.
• After a player is eliminated in a replay, the camera will now follow their teammates or the player who eliminated them.
• Reordered and slightly modified the replay HUD controls.
  • As part of this, the button used to access the player list has been removed. However, players can still access the player list using the map screen.
• On August 20, we disabled server streaming replays on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One to improve stability and address performance issues.

Bug Fixes

• Fixed an issue in which some of the smaller Junk Rift objects would not be hidden in replay rewinds after hitting the ground.
• Thrown Junk Rift projectiles no longer duplicate in replays.
• Junk Rift objects hitting the ground in replays no longer causes assets to appear.
• Fixed an issue involving the Junk Rift’s audio effects not occurring in replays.

Mobile

• iOS will now optimize content during players’ first run of the game after patching. This will help reduce hitching and load times when waiting for the Battle Bus to leave.
• 60FPS support has been re-enabled for iPhone 8.
• Updated the images that appear on-screen during the patching process.

Bug Fixes

• Playlist tiles, “New” tiles, and Event page tiles will now display the correct images.
• Fixed collision issues between characters and some cosmetics.
• Fixed an audio issue when using the B.R.U.T.E on Android.
• Backing out of cinematics no longer causes a black screen.
• The font alignment has been corrected in the Challenges menu.
• Fixed an issue in which ammo belts would float while players were in a B.R.U.T.E.
• Fixed an issue in which Autofire was active against some vehicles.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/fortnite-1020-patch-notes-borderlands-3-crossover-/1100-6469417/

Last month, Nintendo pulled back the curtain on the Switch Lite–a smaller, more affordable iteration of its popular hybrid system. Unlike the standard Switch, which is able to function as either a handheld or home console, the Lite is tailored specifically for portable use. As a result, it’s missing some of the system’s most distinctive features: It isn’t able to connect to a television, it has no built-in kickstand, so you can’t set it up for tabletop play without an additional accessory, and it eschews detachable controllers in favor of a solid body design.

That Nintendo is releasing a newer version of the Switch should come as no surprise. The company has a long history of refreshing its gaming hardware every few years. However, these revised systems have generally supplanted their predecessors; the DS Lite, for instance, was an all-around upgrade over the original DS, while the New 3DS boasted slightly more powerful hardware than the standard 3DS, as well as a second analog nub–a feature 3DS owners had long been clamoring for.

The Switch Lite, by comparison, feels more akin to the toast-shaped 2DS; it utilizes the same internal components as the base Switch but in a more compact (and kid-friendly) form, and it removes extraneous elements in an effort to reduce the system’s price. All of that is to say that the Switch Lite won’t appeal to everyone.

Still, the system certainly has its charms. We recently had a chance to check the Switch Lite out at a demo event in New York, and now that we’ve gotten some hands-on time with it, we have a much better understanding of its benefits and tradeoffs. We’ll post our full review of the new console closer to launch, but in the meantime, if you’re on the fence about picking one up, here are some pros and cons to consider to help you decide if the Switch Lite is right for you.

It’s Literally A Smaller Switch With Fewer Features

Whether this is a pro or a con will come down to personal preference, but the Switch Lite is very much the same piece of tech, just in a smaller form factor. The system interface and menus are identical to the standard Switch, and while you can’t physically attach controllers to the console, pairing them works the same way–you’ll need to go into the Controller menu and press the synch button on your Joy-Cons or Pro Controller.

Games also seem to run just as well on the Switch Lite as on the standard Switch. We got to play three titles on the system at the demo event–Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Super Mario Maker 2–and noticed no discernible difference in terms of performance during our hands-on time. However, there were a couple of control quirks, particularly when playing Super Mario Maker 2, that we’ll elaborate on further below.

PRO: It’s Lightweight And Comfortable

The Switch Lite is designed strictly for portable use, and it certainly succeeds in that respect. Thanks to its smaller size, the system is easier to tote around than a standard Switch. Because it forgoes detachable parts for a solid body, it also feels sturdier than the base model, and it’s much lighter and more ergonomic, conforming to your hands better.

Nintendo Switch vs. Switch Lite

The system also offers some control improvements over a regular Switch. Much has already been made about the Switch Lite’s proper D-pad, which is certainly a boon when playing some games like the aforementioned Mario Maker 2, but its analog sticks are also a little bit larger and more flexible than those found on the Joy-Cons. As a portable device, the Switch Lite is all-around more comfortable to use than a standard Switch.

CON: You’ll Need To Buy Separate Controllers If You Want To Host Multiplayer Games

Because of its emphasis on portability, the Switch Lite doesn’t lend itself nearly as well to hosting local multiplayer gaming sessions. With the original Switch, you could set up an impromptu match in, say, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate effectively anywhere by flipping the system’s kickstand out and passing one of its Joy-Cons to another player, but the Switch Lite lacks both of these features.

Despite these omissions, it’s still technically possible to host these kinds of multiplayer sessions on the Switch Lite, but you would need to jump through a number of hoops to get there, and the experience seems like it would be less than ideal. First, you would need to prop the system up somehow, be it by purchasing a stand for it or leaning it against another object. You would also need to own separate controllers for each player to use, offsetting any of the money you would save by springing for the cheaper Switch model.

Of course, if you and your friends own a copy of the same game, you can still play with them wirelessly using the Switch Lite. However, it’s clear the system is intended to be more of a personal device than a communal one like the standard Switch, so if being able to set up a multiplayer session anywhere is an appealing feature to you, then you’d likely be better served by the original model.

CON: Some Games Aren’t Suited For It

Since the Switch Lite doesn’t come with Joy-Cons, it lacks those controllers’ unique features, namely HD rumble and the IR camera. There are also some games that won’t work with the system at all, such as the Nintendo Labo line. The DIY titles require you to slot the system into the Toy-Cons you construct, but the Switch Lite’s size and lack of detachable controllers means it won’t fit into the cardboard peripherals.

Another thing to note is that a few games, such as Super Mario Party and 1-2-Switch, don’t support handheld mode. If you’re really interested in those titles, you would need to purchase a pair of Joy-Cons and find some way to prop the system up in order to play them on a Switch Lite.

Beyond those few exceptions, most games should work just fine on the system. As previously mentioned, however, Super Mario Maker 2 has a unique control quirk: the game plays differently in handheld mode than when docked. In handheld mode, you can only use the touch screen to edit levels in the Course Maker; you can’t use the system’s buttons to lay down parts or select on-screen icons, so the only way to do either of those on the Switch Lite is to use your finger or pick up a stylus for the system. It’s certainly not a deal-breaker, but it is something to be aware of.

PRO: It’s Very Pretty

This is an entirely superficial point, but dang is the Switch Lite very pleasing to look at. The system is launching in three colors–yellow, turquoise, and gray–and all of them look lovely in-person, as you can see in our Switch Lite photo gallery from Gamescom. You may not have the freedom to mix and match Joy-Con colors as you could on a standard Switch, but the Lite’s solid body contrasted with its white buttons make it much more eye-catching.

Conclusion

The Switch Lite lacks the versatility of the standard Switch, which makes its appeal much narrower, but it does have some benefits over the original model for those looking for a strictly portable experience. The system launches alongside The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening remake on September 20. In addition to the three launch colors, Nintendo is also releasing a special Pokemon edition Switch Lite on November 8, a week ahead of Pokemon Sword and Shield. For more information about the console, including where you can reserve one, be sure to check out GameSpot’s Nintendo Switch Lite pre-order guide.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/is-the-switch-lite-for-you-the-pros-and-cons-of-ni/1100-6469410/

Capcom has released compilations of the classic Mega Man and Mega Man X games, and now another spin-off collection is in the works. Capcom has announced the Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch with a release date of January 21, 2020.

The collection includes six games: Mega Man Zero 1-4, Mega Man ZX, and Mega Man ZX Advent. It promises an artwork gallery, music player, and a new Z Chaser mode with leaderboard. The Zero and ZX games were notoriously difficult, so this compilation also includes a “Casual Scenario Mode” and “Save Assist” to let you enjoy the story at your own pace.

The Mega Man Zero and ZX games appeared on the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS platforms. They take place hundreds of years after the Mega Man X games and star the sword-wielding Zero with a new art style and surrounded by a different cast of characters. They were notable for their use of an open-world area and a more RPG-like power-up mechanic. ZX allowed you to play as a male or female protagonist for the first time in the series.

These were also among the earliest games made by Inti Creates, which has gone on to develop the Mega Man-like series Azure Striker Gunvolt, along with other retro-styled games Blaster Master Zero and Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon.

The collection was leaked before the announcement with a brief appearance on the PlayStation Store in Hong Kong, but now Capcom has made the announcement official with additional platforms.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mega-man-zerozx-collection-announced-coming-januar/1100-6469411/

The world of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is massive. Geralt’s adventure takes him to four distinct fantasy locales (five if you include the Blood and Wine expansion), from White Orchard through to Velen and the Skellige Isles. There are small towns, sprawling cities, and miles of countryside, forests, and rivers between them. The map in Cyberpunk 2077 is smaller by comparison, but developer CD Projekt Red says its latest open-world is much denser.

In an interview with Gamesradar, Cyberpunk 2077 producer Richard Borzymowski explains how the studio built the setting of Night City. “If you look at pure surface, right–square kilometres–then Cyberpunk 2077 might be a little bit smaller than The Witcher 3,” he says. “But when it comes to the density of content, you basically take the world of The Witcher and squeeze it right in, deleting the wilderness between this.

“Obviously this is what we had to make because in The Witcher we were an open-world with vast lanes and forests in between smaller cities or bigger cities like Novigrad, but in Cyberpunk 2077 we’re set in Night City. It’s an integral part of the setting; it’s essentially a protagonist if you want to call it that, so it has to be denser. It wouldn’t give us the end effect we wanted to achieve if the city wouldn’t be believable […] so we packed it full of life.”

This density has already been showcased in numerous gameplay videos and trailers leading up to Cyberpunk 2077’s release, including the added verticality afforded by skyscrapers and other buildings.

In other Cyberpunk 2077 news, the game is expected to have a new game plus mode, and will feature a harder difficulty that turns off the game’s UI. In terms of additional modes, CD Projekt Red says it is looking into multiplayer. Producer Richard Borzymowski told GameSpot that while nothing could be confirmed, the team will “think [about expansions]” after game development is done.

CD Projekt Red is also hosting a stream on August 30 at 2pm EST // 11am PT // 6pm GMT // 8PM CEST, that will unveil a 15-minute edit of what was shown to attendees at Gamescom.

Cyberpunk 2077 launches April 16 2020 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, with an unannounced release date for Google Stadia.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/cyberpunk-2077-dev-compares-world-size-to-the-witc/1100-6469407/