GAMESPOT
Composer Jack Wall wrote the music for Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2, but he did not return for Mass Effect 3 and has not worked with developer BioWare since. What gives? We don't know the whole story, but Wall said in an interview that Mass Effect director Casey Hudson "was not particularly happy with me at the end."Despite that, Wall told The Guardian he was "so proud" of the score for that game, going on to note that it received a BAFTA nomination, even if the game overall "didn't go as well as [Hudson] wanted." The music for Mass Effect 3 was written by a team including Sascha Dikiciyan, Sam Hulick, Christopher Lennertz, Cris Velasco, and Clint Mansell.Discussing what sounded like a strained relationship with Hudson, Wall admitted, "Fallouts like that happen; it's just part of the deal." This type of working experience was a rarity for Wall, though. "It's one of the few times in my career that's happened, and it was a tough time, but it is what it is," he said.Continue Reading at GameSpot
Marvel Comics has one of the best rosters of superheroes and supervillains, and you're able to smash them against each other in Marvel Rivals now that the game is available to play on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. A free-to-play team-based competitive shooter that has kicked off the Dracula-themed Season One update, Marvel Rivals is developed by NetEase and features playable characters from superteams like the Avengers, X-Men, and Guardians of the Galaxy.So far, dozens of heroes and villains are in the game, giving players a diverse group of portal-manipulating wizards, not-so-jolly green giants with astonishing anger management issues, and a fictional K-pop sensation to use in combat. Set in a universe where Doctor Doom and his 2099 incarnation have mucked about with time and created an anomaly called the Timestream Entanglement, this event eventually leads to heroes and villains battling each other in 6v6 battles across destructible environments.For a closer look at how these characters stack up when compared to each other, you can also check out GameSpot's tier lists on the best Vanguard, Duelist, and Strategist characters to play as. Iron ManA tech-savvy powerhouse, Iron Man looks like a versatile character with plenty of powerful tools in his arsenal. He can attack foes with his Repulsor rays, unleash a barrage of missiles, and can go airborne. Spider-ManWith the proportionate speed, strength, and agility of a spider, Spider-Man is an agile option for anyone looking to disrupt the momentum of the opposition. Thanks to his web-shooters, he can temporarily trap opponents and leave them in a vulnerable state. HulkInterestingly, it looks like players will be able to take control of both the Hulk and his puny alter-ego, Bruce Banner. Once Banner hulks out, he gets an enormous health bar boost and he uses a variety of ground-and-pound techniques to smash foes. As part of the team-up gameplay mechanic, Hulk can even channel excess gamma radiation into Iron Man and supercharge the armored Avenger's energy attacks. Black PantherThe defender and ruler of Wakanda, Black Panther can slash away at the competition with his Vibranium claws and summon the power of the Panther God Bast in battle. LokiThe god of stories, Loki hasn't forgotten his trickster roots and can confuse enemies by summoning a mystical doppelganger. Loki can even shapeshift into one of the opponents, using their unique skills to cause some chaos. StormBriefly seen at the end of the Marvel Rivals trailer, we're not too certain how Storm plays in the game just yet, but we do know that this mutant weather goddess is no pushover. In media, Storm's weather-manipulating powers allow her to summon lightning, fly with air currents, and even create tornadoes. NamorAn oceanic powerhouse, Namor can dish out some pain with his trident or summon a squid-like familiar for some extra firepower. Doctor StrangeVery little has been shown of Earth's Sorcerer Supreme, but from what we have seen so far, it looks like this master of the mystic arts can use portals to safely close gaps and can stop time with the Eye of Agamotto. MagikMagik looks like the last person you want to have invading your personal space, as she can send you flying with her Soulsword. And if that wasn't bad enough, she can transform into her demonic form, DarkChylde, and make use of new abilities to level the playing field. GrootEveryone's favorite tree titan, Groot hits hard and from a mid-range distance thanks to his flexible limbs. This Guardian of the Galaxy can also team up with Rocket Raccoon for some extra devastation. Rocket RaccoonRocket might be a bit of a glass cannon with his small health bar, but he could also be hard to pin down as he comes equipped with a jetpack and can quickly scale buildings. When he's not dodging attacks, he can fight back with his long-range weapons and team up with Groot during matches. Star LordBriefly teased, Star Lord can be seen with his trademark Element Guns. In other Marvel games, these blasters allow Star Lord to fire various elemental rounds, and with a bag of technological tricks at his disposal, he usually allows for flexible playstyles in those games. MantisMantis hasn't been seen in action yet, but if she's anything like her comic book or MCU counterpart, she'll likely be a close-quarters combat specialist who can immobilize enemies with her empathic powers. Peni ParkerOne of the standout stars from the Spider-Verse, Peni Parker doesn't have Peter Parker's arachnid-themed powers, but she does have a powerful mech suit armed with lethal appendages. Luna SnowPreviously seen in games like Marvel Future Fight and Marvel Super War, Seol Hee AKA Luna Snow mixes ice-manipulating powers with K-Pop style. In the debut trailer, it looks like Luna can team up with Namor to enhance his water-based skills in combat. Scarlet WitchAnother character who made a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance, the Scarlet Witch is a magic-wielding titan in Marvel comic books, film, and television. We're not certain what she can do just yet, but the official gameplay screenshots for Marvel Rivals suggest that she'll use her arcane powers to hex opponents. MagnetoThe mutant master of magnetism is looking swole in Marvel Rivals, but beyond that, details on Magneto are scarce. From what we have seen so far, it looks like he'll be a defensive character in the same vein as Overwatch's Reinhardt, as he can generate magnetic shields to block projectile attacks. The PunisherBetween Asgardian gods, Avengers, and mutants, Frank Castle might seem like an odd fit for this superhero game. The vigilante is undeniably talented when it comes to using weapons, and it looks like he'll be the Bastion of Marvel Rivals, as he can use a gun emplacement to lock down a part of the battlefield. HelaThe most chilling duelist in the roster, Hela can summon the powers of Nastrond to conjure cursed crows and swords in battle. VenomThe slimy symbiote pounces onto the battlefield as a heavyweight Vanguard-class brawler in Marvel Rivals. Not only can Venom dish out massive damage, but he can also stay in the fight longer thanks to his health-siphoning abilities. Adam WarlockAlso known as the Golden Guardian of the cosmos, Adam Warlock is a strategist who can keep your team fighting fit thanks to his multiple healing and resurrection abilities. Captain AmericaFittingly, Captain America is a beefy star-spangled tank in combat. As a Vanguard character, he can soak up damage, protect teammates, and smash through enemies. Winter SoldierA Duelist type, the Winter Soldier excels at eliminating a cluster of enemies with his explosive rounds. Combined with his other abilities, this Cold War assassin hits hard from multiple ranges. ThorThe god of thunder is a great character for drawing enemy fire thanks to his high amount of health and powerful Thorforce abilities. A one-man army, he can easily throw himself into the middle of a superhero fracas and wreck the opposition. Jeff the Land SharkHe might look cute, but Jeff is an adorable monster in the hands of someone who knows how to use him properly. Able to heal and boost his allies, Jeff can also defy the laws of physics and swallow up the opposition with his powerful ultimate ability. PsylockeShe might be a bit of a glass cannon, but when you master Psylocke's ability to sneak her way behind enemy lines and slash her way back to her team, she becomes a force to be reckoned with. Moon KnightThere's a high learning curve when it comes to Moon Knight, but mastering this Duelist-type character's various abilities is worth it as he's one of the best damage-dealers in the game. Not only does he have impressive mobility, but his skills also allow him to dish out pain across wide sections of a map as well. HawkeyeFittingly, Hawkeye is a rewarding character for skilled players to use. His bow allows him to dish out absurd amounts of damage with a single charged arrow, and even if enemies close the distance in an attempt to take him down, his close-range skills make him dangerous when he's backed into a corner. WolverineWolverine hasn't been a popular choice since he debuted, but a recent update has fine-tuned the legendary X-Man and turned him into a lethal brawler. In the best scenario, you'll want to throw Wolverine into a mob so that he can chip away at them, as his healing abilities and close-quarters skills turn him into a mutant menace on the battlefield. Iron FistFew things in life are as terrifying as an Iron Fist player on a collision course for your Marvel Rivals character. The martial arts legend can demolish a health bar with ease, and in the right hands, he makes up for his low health with hard-hitting combos and impressive survivability. Squirrel GirlShe's beaten Dr. Doom with nothing but her furry friends, and in combat, Squirrel Girl is a beginner-friendly character thanks to her explosive primary attack and her ability to take out groups of enemies from a (relatively) safe distance. Black WidowYou'll need plenty of practice to become an ace Black Widow player, but once you do, you'll find that she's a cool sniper who can easily find tactical positions on the map to ply her deadly trade. Cloak and DaggerThe first duo in Marvel Rivals, Cloak and Dagger occupy the Strategist slot in the game's roster. The pair are at their best when they support their team with healing abilities and buffs, but they can also turn a battlefield into hostile territory thanks to their Eternal Bond ultimate ability. Mister FantasticAt the time of writing, it's still early days for Mister Fantastic, the stretchy super-genius and leader of the Fantastic Four. What we do know so far is that he's a Duelist-type character who can absorb damage and bounce back from danger thanks to his rubber body. The Invisible WomanWhile you'll never see her coming thanks to her signature powers, The Invisible Woman can also support her allies with healing orbs, force-fields, and an ultimate attack that can turn the tide of battle in her favor. Human TorchThe hot-headed duelist of the Fantastic Four, Johnny can take to the skies and hurl fireballs at enemies. Armed with a wide range of abilities, it looks like the Human Torch excels at corraling enemies and melting them with his flames. The ThingIt's clobberin' time! As you'd expect from the Thing, his rocky exterior allows him to soak up damage and deliver powerful knockout blows as soon as he closes the distance between himself and a target. Upcoming Marvel Rivals charactersSeveral other characters have reportedly been leaked so far, and it looks like the Marvel Rivals roster is set to grow substantially if these heroes and villains are added to the game:AngelaBladeCaptain MarvelDeadpoolEmma FrostHit-MonkeyJean Grey (Phoenix)MODOKThe HoodUltronValkyrie
Sometimes, NPCs in games are just a way for the developers to communicate with players in the context of the story. Those in-game discussions are usually meant to guide players to their next step, but apparently the Avowed community really wants the companions to shut up about their character getting upgraded gear. Obsidian Entertainment has released a day-one patch for Avowed, and near the top of the community requests was a note that companions will be making a lot fewer comments about players needing better armor or weapons.One of the other community-requested changes is that players can no longer sell upgrade materials to merchants because it makes it harder to upgrade their characters without those resources. According to Obsidian, there is a plan to make a long-term solution that would allow players to buy those materials back from the merchants.Most of the changes are quality-of-life improvements, including making companions more viable in combat situations by starting them out with increased health and by letting them be revived with 75% of their maximum health instead of the previously set amount of 50%. Only two of the new changes are directly related to crashes, specifically when casting Corrosive Siphon on destructible objects as well as some "rare leaks and crashes" when the game is paused.Continue Reading at GameSpot
Radio has always been a big part of the Grand Theft Auto series, with the celebrity hosts and playlists full of real-life bangers making the game's world come alive. A prominent claims that DJ Khaled will host one of GTA 6's radio stations, with the station also playing some of his songs.Leaker The Ghost Of Hope on X is usually known as a Call of Duty insider, but this time deviated from their usual wheelhouse to report about DJ Khaled's apparent role in Rockstar's highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6. "DJ Khaled will feature in Grand Theft Auto 6 to host his very own music station that will also play his songs," Hope said in a post. "There is potential for other real-life artists to be included as well on their own radio stations."Continue Reading at GameSpot
Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 2, aka Lawless season, starts on Friday, and it's bringing us an early dose of something we thought we'd have to wait until at least the fall for: a new Grand Theft Auto. Not literally, of course. Epic is not collaborating with Rockstar Games here--they're just adding a new urban location on the map called Crime City, and we'll be spending much of our time this season stealing stuff from vaults, armored cars, and the train, and each other. Yep, sounds like GTA to me.It's amusing timing, given that the very long awaited Grand Theft Auto 6 looks like it might actually come out this year, a decade and two console generations since GTA 5 launched back in 2013. But even with a proper new GTA title finally peeking its head above the horizon, Epic beat them to the punch with Lawless season.Not convinced by the comparison? Let's take a look at the season trailer.Continue Reading at GameSpot
GAME INDUSTRY
Nintendo has announced the discontinuation of its My Nintendo Gold Points program starting March 24, 2025. Read more
Fingersoft COO Ville Rauma has left the Finnish developer after working there for 11 years. Read more
NetEase Games has confirmed layoffs have occurred within a US support studio for Marvel Rivals. Read more
Alternative app store Aptoide has fully launched its service on iOS in the European Union. Read more
TOUCH ARCADE
Welcome to the latest episode of The TouchArcade Show! We were short on time this week so it’s a bit … Continue reading "Nintendo Switch Part Deux – The TouchArcade Show #611"
Oh hello there. Yes, we ARE still alive, thank you for asking. We took an unintended month-long hiatus due to … Continue reading "Where Have We Been!? – The TouchArcade Show #610"
In this week’s TouchArcade Show we’re all over the map, as usual. We kick things off with my experience going … Continue reading "Polar Express is SCARY – The TouchArcade Show #609"
In this week’s exciting new episode of The TouchArcade Show we kick things off with a lengthy discussion about Eli’s … Continue reading "Remember Payphones? – The TouchArcade Show #608"
In this week’s episode of The TouchArcade Show I give a recap of the past 2 weeks of my life, … Continue reading "They Put the Power Button WHERE!? – The TouchArcade Show #607"
USA TODAY GAMING
DIGITAL TRENDS
As per a fresh leak coming out of China, the iPhone 17 Pro will be able to charge other devices via reverse wireless power transfer.
Netflix has released its list of the 10 most popular TV shows for the last week. The top shows include the return of Love Is Blind and a Black Hawk Down doc.
The Signature S950 join the HP100 SE as the second model in Grado's Signature series.
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition acts as a great entry point for anybody who's been too intimidated to try the series before.
Anyone looking for a good roguelike on Xbox Series X knows there are a ton of options within the crowded genre. These are the best of the best ones to play.
BUZZFEED TECH
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