Both Sony’s PlayStation Network and Nintendo’s Eshop online services are currently suffering outages. The timing of these isn’t ideal, given that it’s Christmas day and many new PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch owners are likely trying to connect to the services to redeem or play games.
Sony has acknowledged the issues on Twitter, saying it is “aware that some users are having issues redeeming vouchers on PSN.” However, reports from Twitter users trying to play their PS4s suggest the issues extend beyond just the ability to redeem vouchers, and that people are having trouble connecting to the online service as a whole.
Nintendo, meanwhile, has also said it is working on addressing connection issues some people are having. “We apologize for any issues you may be experiencing with Nintendo eShop,” it said in a tweet. “We are working on it and hope to have this resolved soon.”
While various members of the GameSpot staff have encountered some outage today with both services, the PlayStation Network and Nintendo eShop seem to have largely recovered and, currently, the earlier issues have smoothed out. Those having trouble connecting to the PlayStation Network or Eshop should give it a little time and it will no doubt sort itself out. There’s probably lots of turkey and stuffing for you to eat in the mean time.
This downtime is nothing compared to the nightmarish scenario from December 2014, when both Xbox Live and PlayStation Network were hacked and unavailable for considerable amounts of time. Thankfully, it doesn’t look like we have a repeat of that right now.
Atlus unveiled two new trailers for the upcoming Persona spin-off rhythm games during a festive streaming event. Alongside the trailers–which you can watch below–Persona 3: Dancing Moon Night and Persona 5: Dancing Star Night got official release dates in Japan; both will launch simultaneously on May 24, 2018 for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita along with a few special edition bundles. There’s currently no word on release dates for either game in North America.
The “Dancin’ All-Star Triple Pack” is exclusive to the PlayStation 4 and includes both games in addition to a downloadable version of Persona 4: Dancing All Night, which released on June 25, 2015 in Japan (September 29, 2015 in North America) and was previously exclusive to the PS Vita. The bundle will also include the soundtrack for both new games in a four-disc set, all packed into a special edition box designed by series art director Shigenori Soejima.
Those who want the PS Vita versions can get the “Dancin’ Deluxe Twin Pack” which packs both new games along with their soundtracks on a four-disc set and a ton of DLC costumes. The costumes are for both games and call back to other Atlus franchises such as mainline Shin Megami Tensei, Devil Summoner, Devil Survivor, and Digital Devil Saga.
Cover art for both Persona 3: Dancing Moon Night and Persona 5: Dancing Star Night.
Fans of Persona 3 will recognize the characters and locations featured in the new extended trailer. The main character is busting moves on the roof of Gekkoukan High School, Yukari is getting her groove on at the Port Island Station, and Mitsuru and Akihiko are both getting footloose atop Tartarus. Gameplay appears to be similar to Persona 4: Dancing All Night with the six-step rhythm system and character dialogue outside of the playing through songs. Characters appear to be rendered in their respective 3D models during dialogue in place of drawn portraits, something previously seen in Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth. Also, the club-inspired velvet room from the Persona 4 dancing game makes a return.
In the trailer, you can hear remixes of the songs “Time,” “When The Moon Reaches For The Stars,” and “Mass Destruction,” but there will be many songs to play through. Below is the full tracklist:
Brand New Days (Yuyoyuppe Remix)
Mass Destruction
When The Moon’s Reaching Out Stars (Hideki Naganuma Remix)
Want to be Close (ATOLS Remix)
Shinsou Shinri (Lotus Juice Remix)
Deep Break Deep Breath (Yuu Miyake Remix)
Soul Phrase
Light the Fire Up in the Night ‘Kagejikan’ + ‘Mayonaka’
Burn My Dread (Novoiski Remix)
When the Moon’s Reaching Out Stars
Time (Atlus Kitajoh Remix)
Wiping All Out (Atlus Kozuka Remix)
A Way of Life (Atlus Kitajoh Remix)
Heartful Cry (Atlus Konishi Remix)
Light the Fire Up in the Night ‘Kagejikan’ + ‘Mayonaka’ (Sasakure.UK Remix)
Mass Destruction (Tetsuya Kobayashi Remix)
Subete no Hito no Tamashii no Tatakai (T.Komine Remix)
Burn my Dread
Subete no Hito no Tamashii no Tatakai (Daisuke Asakura Remix)
Kimi no Kioku (Atlus Meguro Remix)
Our Moment
Moonlight Serendipity
Mass Destruction (Persona Music Fes 2013)
Burn my Dead -Last Battle-
Brand New Days
Persona 5: Dancing Star Night
Coming off the heels of the eccentric jazz-fusion soundtrack of Persona 5, Dancing Star Night brings the cast and music together for another sonically-pleasing trip to Tokyo. In the trailer we see the cast getting their groove on at Shibuya Station, Shujin Academy, and in several palaces. Even Morgana is seen getting in on the fun at Kamoshida’s palace and Futaba’s showing off her moves at the pyramid of her own palace. Dialogue appears to also use 3D character models in place of drawn portraits, as seen when Caroline and Justine invade the Leblanc attic. Like Persona 4: Dancing All Night, the six-step rhythm system is used to play through the game’s songs.
Remixes of “Wake Up, Get Up, Get Out There,” “Life Will Change,” and “Last Surprise” can be heard in the trailer. But there’ll be plenty more for fans since series composers Shoji Meguro, Atsushi Kitajoh, and Ryota Kozuka are all working together alongside other artists for remixed versions. Below is the entire tracklist:
Rivers in the Desert
Wake Up, Get Up, Get Out There (Jazztronik Remix)
Keeper of Lust
Blooming Villain (Atlus Konishi Remix)
Hoshi to Bokura to (Tofubeats Remix)
Tokyo Daylight (Atlus Kozuka Remix)
Wake Up, Get Up, Get Out There
Rivers in the Desert (Mito Remix)
Blooming of Villain
Life Goes On
Price
Whims of Fate (Yukuhiro Fukutomi Remix)
Beneath the Mask (KAIEN Remix)
Will Power (Shacho Remix)
Last Surprise (Taku Takahashi Remix)
Haha no Ita Hibi (Atlus Kitajoh Remix)
Life Will Change (Atlus Meguro Remix)
Jaldabaoth ~Our Beginning
Last Surprise
Life Will Change
Groovy
One Nightbreak
Rivers in the Desert (Persona Super Live P-Sound Bomb 2017)
What started out as a quiet, quirky stream of an empty chair and a yule log on the official Overwatch channel has morphed into an equally quiet and even quirkier internet phenomenon. Over 30,000 people are watching Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan sit silently in the chair and stare and the camera. (As I’ve been writing this story, the number keeps going up, and at the time of publish, it’s sitting at 39,434.)
Moments captured on Twitter, and Jeff’s changing blinking patterns and shifting in the chair, prove that it’s not a loop (or if it is, it’s a very long one). If you want to experience the Christmas Eve magic yourself, you can tune into the stream at the bottom of this article.
Twitter user DeathETM captured the epic boom mic drop here.
Lucas Baker has been inviting Mary Kish to his party ever since she set foot in the Baker Mansion.
On this episode of Resident Kinevil, Mary finally accepts. She also gets extremely mad at Lucas, and discovers that she has to complete the same puzzle she did on the last episode. And it annoys here.
Join former GameSpot producer Mary Kish and current GameSpot producer Mike Mahardy every Saturday at 3 pm PT as they play through every numbered entry in the Resident Evil series. You can catch up on previous episodes on the show’s page here, or on its YouTube channel here.
There was no shortage of amazing games this year, with many offering hundreds of hours worth of content to dive into. But as it goes with all large-scale, mechanically complex adventures, there’s often a learning curve you need to get adjusted to. You need only look at games, like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Divinity: Original Sin II, and Destiny 2, which are all games that offer a multitude systems and mechanics that you might not get all at once. With so many of this year’s biggest games being so involved, we’ve gathered all of our beginner’s guides below for your reference.
This year was a fantastic year in gaming. If you want to see our choices for the best games this year, check out our Game of the Year 2017 Top 10 List. And for more on our picks of the best games of the year across various categories, as well as features focusing on the year’s performance for PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Switch, check out our Best of 2017 hub.
Assassin’s Creed Origins is an immense game packed with an abundance of quests to complete and new systems to experiment with. From the get-go, the game quickly pushes you forward, lightly familiarizing you with its mechanics and expansive skill trees, while putting you on a path towards the numerous regions of its vast world. With so much to do all at once, you’re likely to get overwhelmed–or even worse–you’re likely to neglect essential information that could be of great help to you. That’s why we’ve put together a beginner’s guide focused on helping you through the game’s early hours. Put these handy tips into practice and you’ll be a master Assassin in no time.
This year’s Call of Duty multiplayer mode beckons. Trading in its sci-fi path to return to its roots, Call of Duty: WWII’s multiplayer mode brings several new things to the table. Abilities and loadouts are now fully customizable and there’s a brand-new mode called war mode. Whether you’re a recruit or a veteran, that plight might seem a little overwhelming, and we’ve got just the guide to make jumping in a breeze.
Destiny 2 is one of those sequels that’s easy to get into without having played the first entry. But for a game that can be described as Halo with an RPG-style progression and loot system, it can feel like a foreign experience even for shooter veterans. If this is your first time playing, here’s what you should know to make the most of the first five or so hours in Destiny 2.
Whether you’re a seasoned Guardian or a newcomer joining the good fight against the Red Legion, Destiny 2 presents a few challenges early on that you’ll need to overcome before you head out in the galaxy to rebuild your power and influence. There have been many changes to the core mechanics and systems of Destiny that will feel a bit strange to returning players, and not all of it is explained in depth for newcomers. To help you out, here are some essential Destiny 2 tips to get you fighting fit.
Original Sin II is a difficult game that eagerly punishes your mistakes in combat or even when talking to NPCs. With so many factors to consider as you explore, it can be tough to survive. To help newcomers to the series, we’ve gathered nine tips to know before you set off to Fort Joy and into the world of Rivellon.
It’s dangerous to go alone in the world of Breath of the Wild; the unwary can perish in a matter of seconds. That’s why we’ve compiled beginner’s tips to help you become a veteran survivalist of Hyrule. For a condensed take on what you need to know, watch the video above. Otherwise, check out our comprehensive guide for the full details.
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds can be an intense multiplayer experience, but the only way to really learn how to play it is to actually jump in. The battle royale-style game pits up to 100 players against each other, with the single goal of being the last player standing. Now that it’s on Xbox One in addition to PC, it’s a good time to jump in and try to get the coveted chicken dinner.
With no tutorial, single-player mode, or other traditional ways to pick up how the game works, most players just have to spend lots of time getting killed in PUBG in order to learn the ropes. But with a little information about the essentials, you can cut the learning curve significantly. Here are 12 essential tips to get you started in PUBG that’ll help you hit the ground running.
Unlike the last few Mario games, Odyssey fits into the same gameplay mold as Super Mario 64 and Sunshine. It presents large, open areas and lets players hop, skip, jump, and buttstomp their way around in search of collectibles. Nintendo has put in subtle gameplay mechanisms that can help you on your quest to get Power Moons–both obvious and hidden. Some of these systems are explained in-game but may be easy to miss, while others are left a bit vague. We’ve put together a collection of tips that’ll give you a little leg-up, and get you skipping on your way to rescuing Peach. You can also check out the condensed video version of the guide above.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus does a great job of explaining its game mechanics thanks to a simple tutorial system. While these introductions explain basics like movement, stealth, and combat, there are still some things that would be good to know when starting a new game. What difficulty should you choose? Is it worth searching every inch of every level to find all of the game’s collectables? And how does that early story choice affect your game going forward? The answers to these questions and more can all be found in this list of 10 things we wish we knew before starting Wolfenstein II.
Never Stop Sneakin’ isn’t a game that’s shy about showing its influences. If anything, it wants you to know right from the title screen–with a fully voiced, self-referential theme song blaring in the background–that you’re in for a parody of Hideo Kojima’s absurdly over-the-top, yet narratively earnest Metal Gear Solid. Out now on the Nintendo Switch, Humble Hearts’ Never Stop Sneakin’ (the same team behind Dust: An Elysian Tail) goes a lot further than you’d expect with its bizarre but loving sendup to Konami’s already strange stealth-action series.
The original Metal Gear Solid is one of my favorite games, but even I can admit that it’s starting to look its age as it approaches its 20th anniversary. Never Stop Sneakin’ seems to agree, and goes all in when parodying the game and the era it came from. As a throwback to games from the era of the original Playstation–complete with a low-res aesthetic and focus on elaborate if somewhat jarring story beats–Never Stop Sneakin’ sticks pretty close to the source material that it’s lampooning, but goes a bit further with its own story. When former Vice President Amadeus Guildenstern builds a time-machine to kidnap all of history’s presidents–vowing to become the president for all of eternity–it’s up to the best Sneakin’ agents to invade his island headquarters, amass resources, and create a counter-time machine to stop the evil madman’s plans before it can be set into motion.
As your agent comes to blows with Guidenstern’s army, they’ll encounter the villain’s evil cabinet–which includes Vice President Helicopter (a sentient helicopter holding a political position), and the vampiric health secretary, Dr. Acula. While it may seem like low-hanging fruit to poke fun at MGS, Never Stop Sneakin’ does it in a way that tells its own story effectively, while still coming off as endearing and tongue-in-cheek. It pokes fun at the inherent ridiculousness of Kojima’s homage to western action-films, such as scenes with characters making elaborate and absurd introductions, and poking fun at over-long cutscenes. But above all, it celebrates–in its own weird way–what makes Metal Gear so beloved.
When you’re not waxing poetic with your handler–you’ll head out into the field to raid Guildenstern’s island bases for supplies and POWs to flesh out your operation. As the title suggests, Never Stop Sneakin’ is a stealth-action game, where movement and timing are key. While you’ll dash through each floor of the base and get the drop on your enemies in the broad sense, this game simplifies many of the more nuanced mechanics found in traditional stealth-action games. Using only the control stick or touch screen, you’ll move your agent to evade enemy vision and sneak up behind them for an attack–triggered automatically when in close proximity. Despite the number of things to keep track of, such as enemy cones of vision, security camera and turret blind spots, and procuring keycards to open locked rooms, Never Stop Sneakin’ keeps things pretty simple. Each level is done at a brisk pace, only lasting a few minutes each, with your performance graded right after.
It can be very satisfying to clear several straight missions without failure, where pulling off chain kills and amassing an arsenal of randomized perks–which offer buffs to hacking, stealth, and gaining bonus points–can make you feel all kinds of skillful in your mission. Unfortunately, the core gameplay can oftentimes come off as a bit one-note. To put it plainly, the game you play during the first hour is the same game you’ll play after the many more hours it takes to beat the main story. Moverover, Never Stop Sneakin’ isn’t that difficult. Along with AI that doesn’t really react much to your behavior–sticking to its patrol routes even when nearby guards are sacked– there are a number of support items like smoke grenades and your pistol that will instantly get you out trouble when you’re discovered.
The lack of scaling difficulty can make the longer stretches of the game, where you’ll have to clear 12 consecutive floors without failure, feel like a chore. It can be fun battling Vice President Helicopter and the rest of the cabinet early on, but encountering the same bosses numerous times thereafter can turn them into tedious, routine affairs–which misses a strong part of the series it’s trying to parody.
The core gameplay of sneaking and looting enemy bases struggles to have the same lasting charm as its story, which remains one of the high points. The story remains a fun and amusing sendup throughout–which made me want to continue playing, just to see what sort of dumb plan the main villain has up his sleeve. It’s just a bit disappointing how the core gameplay peaks early, and that the game doesn’t show any growth beyond character and weapon skins, and additional perks found after story missions.
Never Stop Sneakin’ feels like it overstays its welcome at times–but as a whole, it manages to evoke a strong sense of nostalgia for one of the PS1’s most iconic games. Despite how much ground Never Stop Sneakin’ retreads, I still found myself enjoying parts of its replication of a bygone era where games were just starting to tell grander and more elaborate stories with growing tech to back it up. While this parody may be best experienced in small doses, it still has its heart in the right place, and knows exactly how to make fun of the series it has tremendous respect for.
“Warlocks weaponize the mysteries of the universe to sustain themselves and devastate their foes.” While this caption of Destiny 2’s mage isn’t incorrect, it’s not especially helpful as the only descriptor for the Warlock when deciding your class.
Now that the game is finally out on PC, we’ve fleshed out the strengths and benefits of each Guardian, so you know what you’re getting into, whether that’s playing within your stylistic comfort zone or experimenting with an unfamiliar role. Included in this primer are descriptions of the first subclasses you get with each class, which you automatically obtain shortly after the prologue.
The Titan is the go-to if you want to feel like a space marine, a powerhouse that can turn the tide of battle on its sheer strength. In skilled hands, it can stand its ground in a firefight, partly due to its two class ability barriers. Its vertical ability, Lift, modifies mobility with increased height, control, and your initial momentum burst. They’re versatile tanks and unlocking multiple subclasses will allow you to further emphasize offense or defense.
You start off with the defense-centric Sentinel, the new Void element Titan subclass that replaces the previous game’s Defender. Its passive abilities reward melee actions with defensive benefits, shields and health restoration to be exact. If you’re having that Captain America itch, one of the Code of the Aggressor passive abilities grants you a extra shield throw, complementing the Sentinel Shield super. Its melee prowess makes it primed and ready for the frontline, supported by its various barriers. If you feel your fireteam lacks defensive support to balance out its offense, this subclass is for you.
Hunter
If you’re used to playing the rogue, try your hand at the Hunter, the Guardian known for its agility, craftiness, and stealth. All classes feature some form of mobility, but the Hunters take it up a notch using exclusive dodge skills, with bonuses in weapon reloading or melee energy. It also upgrades its double jump with a triple jump, high jump, and strafe jump. If you like feeding off your situational awareness in large spaces, the Hunter’s prowess in ranged combat and talents in getting out of dicey situations will suit your needs.
If you like complementing this nimble class with the melee expertise of a samurai, you’ll be pleased with the Hunter Arcstrider subclass to start, which replaces the Bladedancer from the first game. Its super, the Arc Staff is an energy staff you wield acrobatically against your foes. The two passive ability paths capitalizes on the fleet-footedness of this subclass. Following the Way of the Wind offers benefits in increased sprinting, shortened dodge cooldowns, and reduced damage with using the Arc Staff. Way of the Warrior is suited for the more assertive type, granting dodge recharges and attack damage boosts as you amass kills.
Warlock
Warlocks are Destiny 2’s space mages. Compared to the other classes, the Warlock’s mobility leans toward horizontal movement, making it tough to target. Its team-healing benefits are only overshadowed by its potent attack spells. As the support class of Destiny 2, this Guardian is best in the hands of those are actively aware of where your fireteam is at all times. This is to take advantage of the Warlock’s main class abilities: Healing Rift, which is a close proximity healer, and Empowering Rift, which increases attack.
The Warlock Dawnblade replaces the previous game’s Sunsinger and this starting subclass is best suited for those who look to take full advantage of the Warlock’s mobility. It’s super, Daybreak, strikes from the sky, turning Solar Light into lethal blades. The Dawnblade’s wings aren’t just for show. By choosing the Attunement of the Sky passive abilities, you can recharge energy with airborne kills. Winged Sun and Icarus Dash lets you attack and dodge midair, while Swift Strike are flaming melee attacks briefly boosting your movement and reload speed. If you want to get the most out of Daybreak, choose Attunement of the Flame. It has a set of passives that enhances the super especially if you’re the bloodthirsty type.
Each class in Destiny 2 sports an array of different abilities and subclasses. Whether you’re a Titan, a Warlock, or a Hunter, it can be difficult to understand how to properly utilize what your class has to offer, especially if you’re a newcomer to the Destiny series. To help you become the best you can be, we’ve created in-depth guides detailing how to best play each class in the game.
Have you taken on the pride and responsibilities of being the strongest, most selfless class in Destiny 2? Good. With the Titan focusing on defense and heavy strikes, there is a plethora of ways to maximize your damage output to better assist the fireteam and keep all eyes on you. However, doing so takes a bit of finesse and a refined discipline. [How To Be The Best Titan]
How To Be The Best Hunter
You’ve decided to save the solar system with the staff-wielding talents of the Hunter class. Not only did you pick a well-rounded savior skilled in gunplay and melee combat, you’re also going to look awesome when you rack up those kill counts. The base abilities and the power of your Super can take you far, but we have tips on how to make the most of this crafty and agile class. [How To Be The Best Hunter]
How To Be The Best Warlock
The Warlock class has refined its spectral, elemental powers to offer much more to the fireteam’s chemistry. With the Titan focusing on defense and heavy strikes, and the Hunter utilizing fast and hard hitting moves with finesse, the Warlock has upped their Space Wizard game to offer more support to their allies in the heat of battle–all the while getting in a some serious damage when it counts. If you want to have the power of the Warlock at your fingertips, there’s a few things to consider while trying to be an efficient Space Wizard, and how to properly use those skills with other Guardians without missing a beat. [How To Be The Best Warlock]
Whether you’re a seasoned Guardian or a newcomer joining the good fight against the Red Legion, Destiny 2 presents a few challenges early on that you’ll need to overcome before you head out in the galaxy to rebuild your power and influence.
There have been many changes to the core mechanics and systems of Destiny that will feel a bit strange to returning players, and not all of it is explained in depth for newcomers. To help you out, here are some essential Destiny 2 tips to get you fighting fit.
From the opening hour, players are stripped of their powers and have to relearn what it means to be a Guardian of the Light. Although you start off with the familiar Striker, Voidwalker, and Gunslinger subclasses, you’re quickly introduced to the new subclasses of Destiny 2: the Warlock’s Dawnguard, the Hunter’s Arc Strider, and the Titan’s Sentinel. Thankfully, these are easy to pick up, complementing the other subclasses quite well, while bringing in new character abilities and skills that make for interesting changes to combat and exploration. However, the core systems of classes have changed up a bit from the last game, so choosing your skills and abilities is more important than ever.
In Destiny, each subclass gave you a set of perks and skills to choose from, focusing on recharge rates for certain skills, buffs for main attributes, and bonus traits for the class. The subclasses of Destiny 2 now take advantage of unique ability trees that alter your character and fit a certain playstyle in battle. In addition to selecting grenade types and jump techniques, four sets of unique perks are divided into two distinct trees. These change up the type of role your subclass takes on. For instance, the Sentinel’s Code of the Protector class tree allows Titans to take on a number of defensive abilities, including the return of the Ward of Dawn skill from Destiny–as opposed to the Code of the Aggressor class tree focusing on offensive abilities. If you’re going into a certain class that resonates with you, it’s worth thinking about what you’ll role have in a fireteam, and how you can work alongside others.
The Economics Of The New Golden Age
With the destruction of the Tower, the in-game economy has gone through many changes. Various forms of currency and components from the original Destiny have been phased out, ultimately making for a more streamlined and focused system in the sequel. Strange Coins, Motes of Light, Armor Materials, and Exotic Shards are no longer in play, making Glimmer, Silver (microtransaction currency), Gunsmith Materials, and Legendary Shards among the most important items to have in your inventory. There’s much less busywork in handling materials, which many returning players will find appealing considering the amount of items that were introduced over the years.
Legendary Shards are now some of the most valuable resources you’ll have in Destiny 2. With the returning infusion feature–allowing you to sacrifice weapons to make others stronger–you can make use of these shards to boost weapons, while also activating unique weapon and armor mods. Moreover, the enigmatic and elusive merchant Xur will make a return, now accepting Legendary Shards instead of Strange Coins as his currency of choice. Xur now travels beyond the safety of the social spaces, so you’ll be able to find him hiding out in the open areas of the various planets.
Activities In The Open World
Destiny 2 features much larger worlds to explore, and the game takes advantage of the space to give the Guardians more options when looking to improve their gear and inventory. To go along with these new areas, new activities such as Adventure missions have been introduced. These take players on small story quests where they interact with the various NPCs of the area.The Lost Sectors, meanwhile, are a series of dungeons scattered around the different zones, and each one contains both powerful enemies and valuable loot.
In addition to the new locations, the tried-and-true Patrol and Public Events have also seens some changes. One major change happening with Public Quests are new heroic modifiers. By performing a specific action during a public event, such as destroying Glimmer extraction machines or disabling enemy vehicles, you’ll trigger a modified instance within the Public Event–spawning stronger enemies and delivering greater rewards. To make this easier to embark on compared to the last game, Public Events and other activities are now shown on the map (along with event timers), so finding these events will involve much less hassle.
Leave The Gun, Take The Materials
With the improved loot and engram system, gear in Destiny 2 flows freely and is more readily available. You’ll constantly be finding new gear and equipment during the first half of the game, making equipment swaps and loadout changes a regular thing. With this in mind, it’s important to save your Glimmer and other resources when starting out in new areas of the game. As new story quests, adventure missions, and faction rewards are constantly popping up, you’ll seldom find yourself in spots where you have to spend cash and resources to get over a leveling hump.
Of course, when you’re finding all this improved gear, you’ll amass an inventory of weapons and armor that is of no use to you. When this happens, don’t be afraid to dismantle your old gear for Glimmer and Weapon Parts, as this can be turned into the Gunsmith at the social space in exchange for new rewards. This loop will help you stay ahead of the game and keep you in the action.
With Destiny 2 now out for players worldwide, there’s still much to uncover in the new worlds you’ll explore in your pursuit for more power and better gear. Check back with us at GameSpot for more tips on leveling up fast, finding the Lost Sectors, and figuring out which class is right for you.
Destiny 2 is one of those sequels that’s easy to get into without having played the first entry Destiny. But for a game that can be described as Halo with an RPG-styled progression and loot system, it can feel like a foreign experience even for shooter veterans.
If this is your first time playing, here’s what you should know to make the most of the early first five or so hours in Destiny 2, after you pick your class, of course. After you’ve played through the prologue, be sure to check out our collection of guides for all your Destiny 2 questions.
Whether you’re spending time in The Farm base or taking down war beasts in the field, you’ll almost always see other players. Forming a Fireteam is one of the most popular ways to play Destiny 2, but that doesn’t mean you should rush to buddy-up. The story missions–which are what you should focus on first–are well-suited for solo play. It’s also best to get used to the unique mechanics and game flow before joining friends, especially if they’re more experienced. By playing solo during the initial hours, you’re able to quickly decide and try out the various mission types Destiny 2 quickly introduces.
Mix Up Questing
Beyond the missions that advance the story, Destiny 2 is heaped with activities that can make you appropriately leveled and well-equipped for many campaign challenges. While exploring a planet, there are public events that introduce you to one form of Destiny 2’s cooperative multiplayer, Crucible PvP matches, and opportunities to take down high-value targets solo. Whatever you’re in the mood for, you’re rewarded with experience and loot drops. You should also keep an eye on Milestones, that can keep you on top of what you need to do next, and later introduce rewarding challenges that refresh weekly.
Watch Your Cooldowns
No matter your class, you’ll quickly earn a lot of abilities including the utterly magical power of creating grenades. Whenever your super ability is recharged, you’ll get a clear, unmissable on-screen notification. This doesn’t happen with your other powers that are subjected to a cooldown, like your equipped grenade, class ability, and charged melee attack. These abilities are immensely useful in the field and activating one when you need it the most can be very gratifying. Conversely, attempting to use an ability before it’s fully charged can throw you off, so keep an eye on those three squares on the lower left corner of your screen.
Power Number Isn’t Everything
There’s a reason why the Power Number is the largest font size out of all the on-screen text in the character menu. It’s a status symbol that represents an average of the power of your equipped gear. It’s also a reliable grade that determines whether you’re qualified to take on a given mission. Always having your highest-rated gear can make you well-rounded but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re playing to your strengths. Depending on your play style, a weapon with a lower power number might be more useful to you because it has, say, better stability or impact. Same goes for a weapon’s perks, everything from increased handling to faster reload when the magazine is empty. When you are ready to leave a piece of gear behind, you can sell weapons by dismantling them.
Be Situationally Aware
The majority of Destiny 2’s battlegrounds are open areas where enemies are almost as mobile as you. Jumping into the fray for close quarters melee can lead to a ton of kills, but an aggressive scrum can overwhelm you quickly, which can be frustrating in restricted areas where resurrection is not available. Along with watching your cooldowns, you should also check your radar frequently to get a general idea of your targets. And knowing when to make a brief retreat to heal is as important as knowing where to retreat. So it also helps to be aware of good cover spots you might’ve passed before your current firefight.
