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A significant update kicks off MultiVersus Season 2 today

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Later on today, MultiVersus Season 2 and a new Battle Pass launch.

The new Battle Pass will not have any tiers without rewards, according to the game’s official patch notes.

The amount of points needed to accomplish each tier was also adjusted, according to the notes, to make the Battle Pass feel gratifying and intriguing.

With Season 2, the game will also get an in-game store that will make it simpler for users to view and buy characters and cosmetics in one spot.
A new Big Head option has been introduced to the game’s recently added Silly Queue, which gives the game unusual modifications to make it more interesting. In this mode, characters have big heads and have shorter cooldown times.

Four unlockable skins are included in the Battle Pass; one is available for free upon reaching Tier 50 (Baker Street Tom & Jerry), while the other three need the purchase of the Premium Battle Pass (Astronaut Velma at Tier 1, Tea Time Reindog at Tier 42 and Maestro Bugs Bunny at Tier 50).

There will also be a number of commercial skins added, including the Samurai Batman skin from the game’s closed alpha.

The following are the complete patch notes:

SEASON 2 BEGINS

Season 2 starts with a new Battle Pass packed with content. We heard your feedback and made sure that there are no tiers without rewards. We also tuned the number of points required to complete each tier so that the Battle Pass feels both engaging and rewarding.

BADGES

You can now equip up to 3 badges and show them off to the MultiVerse!

THE STORE IS OPEN

Check out the new MultiVersus in-game store! All cosmetics and characters are all in one place now! Browse away!

MULTI-PATH TRAFFIC ACCELERATION

We’ve put in place some network traffic optimizations and Multi-Path Traffic Acceleration. This is just the beginning and we’re seeing promising results, but we will continue to improve our online experience for everyone!

MAPS

Scooby’s Mansion (No Roof)

  • Increased blastbox size by 10%.
  • Ringouts were coming a bit too fast on the map so we increased the size by a bit.

Space Jam Map Updates!

  • We’re now keeping score of baskets made!
  • Scoring a basket now awards points based on the distance thrown. Try for some difficult 3 pointers!
  • Basket scores will now be broadcasted on the BIG screen!
  • Attacking a player holding a basketball item will cause that player to drop the item. Try fighting for control of The Court!
  • The Court’s walls can no longer be attacked and will only break on a player wall bounce.
  • Space Jam is still only available in Custom matches or in the Lab.
  • Any feedback would be appreciated as we continue to hone in a version of the map for queue!

TUTORIAL

  • Intro tutorial has been simplified, removing a number of steps
  • VO clips have been added to the intro tutorial.
  • Players are now given the option to go into arcade or their first match after finishing the intro tutorial.

SILLY QUEUE

  • Jump into Silly Queue to try our BIG new ideas!
  • Our new game type is Big Head Mode! Characters will have large heads, and even larger cooldown reductions! Use your newfound knowledge to take home the win!

New items added to the game:

  • ‘Bounce Pad’: Place a spring pad that will launch anyone that steps on it upward.
  • ‘Proximity Mine’: A placeable mine that will detonate when enemies get close
  • ‘Drumstick’: Cooked chicken leg that will when thrown will turn hit enemies into Chickens for a short time

COSMETICS

  • Evil Morty (Unlockable with 1500 Gleamium)
  • Samurai Batman (Unlockable with 2000 Gleamium)
  • Fern (Unlockable with 2000 Gleamium)
  • Uncle Shagworthy (Unlockable with 2000 Gleamium)
  • Baker Street Tom and Jerry (Unlockable on tier 50 of the Free Battle Pass)
  • Astronaut Velma (Unlockable on Tier 1 of the Premium Battle Pass)
  • Tea Time Reindog (Unlockable on Tier 42 of the Premium Battle Pass)
  • Maestro Bugs Bunny (Unlockable on Tier 50 of the Premium Battle Pass)

GENERAL AND PERKS

  • Bug: Fixed an issue that was causing jumps to be rejected by the server when attaching to a wall.
  • School Me Once – Projectile block buff duration reduced to 1 second from 2 seconds
    • Stacked duration reduced to 2 seconds from 4 seconds
    • Block buff is no longer consumed by light projectile attacks
  • Ice To Beat You! – Stacks of Ice are now only applied by Heavy Projectiles

CHARACTER UPDATES

Legend:

+ Buff
– Nerf
~ Change

Arya

  • Signature Perk – Betrayal perk enrages allies/Arya but they will deal 3x weakened on hit down from 5x.
    • We were finding that weakened influenced the gameplay of Arya and their opponents too greatly at higher level play.

Batman

  • Glide – Hurtbox z-axis issue was causing attacks to unintendedly miss Batman, while he glided.
  • Grounded Down Attack – Delayed branching into dodge and jump on hit to prevent endless chaining back into itself.
  • Aerial Down Special – Removed the ability for this move to combo back into itself in order to prevent endless chaining.
  • Signature Perk – Bouncerang Weakened stacks applied reduced to 3 from 5.
    • The power level this gave for very little effort made this perk feel unfair to opponents of Batman so we reduced it a little.
  • Aerial Side Attack – Able to cancel into wall slide 5 frames earlier

Black Adam

  • General – Fixed issue where the electric tether hitbox would linger after the visuals faded.
  • Grounded Side Attack – Much smaller hitboxes for all 3 jabs to better match the visuals.
  • Grounded Neutral Attack – Removed hitbox on Black Adam’s arms
  • Grounded/Aerial Up Special – Liftoff triggers 3 frames earlier
  • Grounded/Aerial Side Special – Increased the acceleration and hitstun of the projectile slightly.
  • Grounded Up Attack – Added armor on startup

Bugs

  • Aerial Neutral Attack – Branches into jump earlier
    • We wanted to reintroduce some combo paths back to Bugs Bunny, while avoiding his infinite loop. We hope this change does that.

Finn

  • Weight – Reduced weight from 55 to 49
  • Aerial Neutral Attack – Active hit frames start 2 frames later
  • Armored Buns – Block buff is no longer consumed by light projectile attacks

Garnett

  • Bug – Fixed a bug that was causing her arm hurtboxes to stay on during attacks when they were not intended to.

Gizmo

  • Grounded Up Attack – Added ammo to popcorn; 3 ammo returns 1 every 10 seconds
    • This was added to prevent a strategy that rewarded very passive gameplay in singles.
  • Grounded/Aerial Neutral Attack – Arrow going through popcorn increased damage from 8 to 10, knockback scaling increased from 12 to 13, base knockback increased from 1250 to 1350.
  • Bug Fix – Fixed issues where the arrow would be destroyed when it shouldn’t be.

Harley

  • Weight – Weight increased to 48 from 44
  • Grounded/Aerial Neutral Special – Bat bomb hitbox now better accounts for z-axis and hits more reliably.
  • Grounded Side Attack – Jump and dodge cancel window for jab 1 and jab 2 now comes later.
  • Grounded Side Attack – Knockback angle on jab 2 pushed up more to prevent a looping infinite combo
  • Grounded Side Attack – Can cancel to other attacks 1 frame earlier on hit.
    • We’re testing these changes to remove an infinite combo. We understand this removes some combo routes from Harley, but we felt it was unhealthy for the game and opponents facing it. We’ll continue to evaluate Harley’s power level after this change and welcome any-and-all feedback on these changes.

Jake

  • Neutral Special – The wall bounce angle has been adjusted to be higher when spitting opponents into vertical walls
    • This was changed to prevent a skill-check Knockback-influence (KBI) that could instantly ringout players even at low damage.

Lebron

  • No-Basketball Down Special (No Basketball) – Defense now properly blocks (and steals!) other LeBron basketballs.

Morty

  • Gounded Neutral Attack – Jab 3 hitbox size reduced by 15% to better match and visually align with Hammer Morty’s size.

Rick

  • Bug Fix – Fixed issue where portaling would kill Rick while in the grace area
  • Bug Fix – Fixed bug where Rick can use ground down attack while on cooldown
  • Neutral Attack – Addressed inconsistencies in projectile priority for uncharged laser

Shaggy

  • Aerial Side Attack – Allowing ground momentum movement even when charging the knee. This should allow movement to carry and not get halted for better feel.

Steven Universe

  • Bug Fix – Fixed issue where Steven or his allies would be hit twice while under the effect of Steven’s neutral dodge shield
  • Grounded Down Special – Watermelon seed hurtbox shrunk to better match visuals.

Stripe

  • Weight – Weight reduced to 46 from 52.
  • Bug Fix – Implemented fixes to Stripes teleporting with chainsaw.

Tom and Jerry

  • Aerial Up Special – Kicked rocket explosion hitbox now better accounts for z-axis.
  • Aerial Up Special – Kicked rocket without Jerry attached is now properly classified as a projectile.

Velma

  • Bug Fix – Fixed several issues where Velma’s speech bubbles would be destroyed when they shouldn’t be.
  • Aerial/Grounded Neutral Special – Megaphone is now classified as a projectile. Early hits are Light projectile hits, Final hit counts as a Normal projectile hit.
    • Megaphone now applies projectile perks
    • Megaphone is more reliably blocked by other projectiles and projectile-blocking effects
    • Megaphone will ignore invulnerable fighters including those with a projectile sidestep buff
  • Aerial Up Attack – Has 2 less active frames at the start of the hit frame.
  • Grounded Side Special – Added 12 seconds of cooldown
    • Velma’s Side Special is commonly used as a quick “pitstop” tool that serves as a means to supply her allies with constant gray health and armor when engaging enemy teams. Providing Velma’s Side Special with cooldown allows us to provide a gate so that Velma players aren’t able to consistently “micro armor” their allies (and self). This adjustment to Velma’s Side Special will ideally still allow Velma players and their allies to more mindfully strategize around this move.

As Editor here at GeekReply, I'm a big fan of all things Geeky. Most of my contributions to the site are technology related, but I'm also a big fan of video games. My genres of choice include RPGs, MMOs, Grand Strategy, and Simulation. If I'm not chasing after the latest gear on my MMO of choice, I'm here at GeekReply reporting on the latest in Geek culture.

Gaming

Will Stellar Blade be available for PC?

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It’s quite possible. Fans all over the world are interested in Shift Up’s highly anticipated action-adventure game, Stellar Blade. With its captivating post-apocalyptic setting reminiscent of Nier and a compelling protagonist named Eve, it’s no wonder the game has generated such widespread attention.

The game consistently impresses with its stunning visuals and high-octane action, leaving players in awe with each new trailer.

Yet, just like other noteworthy second-party and third-party game releases, fans are pondering: Will Stellar Blade be available on PC?

In this article, we delve into the details to determine the platform availability of the highly anticipated title.

Will Stellar Blade be available on PC? Allow me to provide you with the answer.

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Unfortunately, Stellar Blade will not be available on PC, at least not initially. Currently, the game is only available on PlayStation 5 starting on April 26, 2024.

Regrettably, it appears that there is no indication of a potential PC release for Stellar Blade in the future. In most cases, trailers for PlayStation timed-exclusive titles conclude with a disclaimer that specifies the duration of their exclusivity.

In the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth launch trailer, it is explicitly stated that the game will only be accessible on other platforms starting on May 29, 2024.

Regrettably, when it comes to the stellar blade, there is no indication of such.

It’s important to note that Sony Entertainment Interactive published Stellar Blade, unlike Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. This means that the chances of it being released on PC or other platforms in the near future are even slimmer.

However, it is worth noting that there is a chance the game might be released on PC in the future, given PlayStation’s track record of bringing their exclusive titles to the platform. However, it could be a while before this comes to fruition.

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Gaming

A Review of Fallout 4

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After nearly ten years since its initial release, Bethesda has brought Fallout 4 to the PS5, offering enhanced technical performance that one would anticipate from a leap to a new generation. Does the open-world RPG still hold up in 2024?

Answering that question is quite challenging, I must say. While opinions may vary, it’s worth noting that Fallout 4 has its fair share of critics. However, one cannot deny the allure of its captivating gameplay loop, which keeps players hooked with its constant exploration, mutant battles, and character progression. The loop in question has undoubtedly stood the test of time, and Fallout 4 continues to captivate players with its addictive character development mechanics. From acquiring loot to distributing perk points, the game offers a truly engaging experience.

Fallout 4’s post-apocalyptic Boston is yet another example of Bethesda’s talent for creating immersive worlds that captivate and divert your attention from your intended path. This map is incredibly dense, providing adventure at every corner. This open world is incredibly immersive, captivating players for hours on end. The various character progression systems add depth and complexity to the experience.

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However, this is where the game begins to show some weaknesses, especially when compared to more contemporary standards. Technical limitations that were already dubious when Fallout 4’s release in 2015 hinder the gameplay experience. It’s quite disappointing to encounter a loading screen every time you enter or exit an interior location, which feels incredibly outdated, even with the significantly improved load times of the PS5 version.

Additionally, comparable restrictions limit the game’s overall scope. Now, it’s clear that one wouldn’t anticipate a radiation-soaked wasteland to be bustling with life, but Boston can’t help but come across as lacking ambition. As you journey through different locations, you’ll notice a noticeable lack of action. Even well-known settlements such as Diamond City and Goodneighbor, which are supposed to be bustling hubs of activity and trade, feel disappointingly empty with a population of only around 30 NPCs.

This illusion may have been somewhat passable back in 2015, but after almost a decade, it’s clear that the game’s outdated engine is to blame for many of its glaring flaws. It’s undeniable that some aspects of Fallout 4’s design haven’t aged well, especially considering how much the open-world genre has evolved in the past decade. While it’s not fair to expect a complete remake in the 2024 re-release, there are certain aspects that could have been improved upon.

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Fallout 4 undeniably possesses an alluring atmosphere, capturing that eerie sense of wonder that has become synonymous with the series. There is a unique experience in scaling the remnants of a decrepit skyscraper and surveying the desolate landscape, immersing oneself in the inherent solitude while the game’s subtly captivating music softly plays in the distance.

When it comes to immersion, let’s delve into Fallout 4’s take on role-playing. Upon its release, numerous dedicated Fallout fans expressed their dissatisfaction with the game’s decision to introduce a fully voiced protagonist, along with the limited dialogue choices that accompanied this change. Truly, the absence of morally ambiguous decisions in this game is quite noticeable, especially when comparing it to titles such as Fallout: New Vegas or even Fallout 3. The side quests often guide you towards two predictable options, where you can either embody a beacon of hope or a deranged maniac, and the latter option never truly feels authentic, given the protagonist’s predetermined, almost heroic role in the story.

Emerging from a two-century cryogenic sleep, the protagonist must navigate the treacherous landscape of post-apocalyptic America to save their kidnapped infant son, who was taken from the very same cryogenic facility. In this particular situation, deviating from the main questline may not contribute to the overall narrative coherence. However, it must be acknowledged that the story presents significant opportunities for making impactful decisions that can greatly influence the game world, especially when aligning oneself with pivotal factions.

Once again, it’s worth noting that there is limited opportunity to delve into your character’s personality and motivations in Fallout 4. As a result, the game can be seen as a regression compared to its predecessors. Furthermore, the side quests tend to be quite forgettable. The main plot of Fallout 3 had its fair share of issues, but it managed to find balance by incorporating some wild and unpredictable misadventures. The sequel, on the other hand, lacks personality, featuring one-dimensional characters and unremarkable dialogue. It heavily relies on self-referential storytelling, which can be immersion-breaking.

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If you’re interested in seeing faction plotlines come to a conclusion, you’ll have to go through a plethora of ‘radiant’ filler quests. These are the types of games that provide little context and simply place a procedurally generated objective marker on your map, instructing you to “go here, do something.” While the prospect of embarking on an adventure and uncovering hidden treasures is certainly enticing, the overall experience feels somewhat lacking in depth and emotion. It’s hard to ignore the excessive filler content that hinders your progress towards important narrative milestones.

However, it is worth mentioning that the gameplay loop of Fallout 4 is incredibly captivating, and combat plays a vital role in this experience. While it may not boast the most polished shooting mechanics compared to other games on the market, it undeniably stands out as the most enjoyable Fallout installment to date. The action in the game is filled with a satisfying and almost comical bloodlust. Whether you’re sniping super mutants with precision or hacking raiders to bits with modified chainsaws, the result is a spectacle of skulls popping and limbs flying.

The standout feature of the game is undoubtedly V.A.T.S., which grants you the power to manipulate time and execute visually stunning attacks on specific body parts. Even after nearly ten years, there is still no other system quite like it. The version of V.A.T.S. in Fallout 4 truly stands out, offering moments of pure chaos and excitement. Experiencing the exhilarating thrill of a deathclaw’s head exploding mere moments before its talons make contact with your face; being rendered speechless as a mini nuke hurtles directly towards you; obliterating grotesquely mutated wildlife with your beloved energy weapon, all captured in flawless slow motion. This is an exceptional experience.

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Regrettably, not everything that Fallout 4 does is met with universal acclaim. Despite being largely overlooked, the game’s settlement system continues to be a topic of heated debate. During your adventure, you’ll stumble upon small communities that you can nurture by collecting various items and utilizing specific materials to construct a wide range of structures. These include essential defenses like walls and gates, as well as intricate computer networks and ingenious mechanical contraptions.

The system itself is undeniably impressive, providing an immense amount of depth for players who truly want to immerse themselves in the experience. If you’re looking for a classic Fallout experience, settlements might come across as unnecessary baggage, adding unnecessary weight to an already content-packed game that can sometimes feel like busywork. It’s quite frustrating how settlements don’t immediately prove their value. The initial phase involves the monotonous task of collecting a vast amount of resources, and that’s just for the basic needs such as shelter, food, and water.

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While certain aspects of Fallout 4 may not have stood the test of time, it’s worth noting that the PS5 port does indeed deliver on its commitment to enhancing the game’s technical performance. The game’s performance mode, running at 60 frames per second, is impressively smooth overall, with only occasional minor hitches lasting for a fraction of a second in crowded areas. The smooth frame rate greatly enhances the gunplay, which can sometimes feel a bit twitchy. Additionally, the dynamic 4K resolution significantly improves the overall visual experience, making everything look better than ever.

From an artistic standpoint, this video game can be visually unappealing. It’s safe to say that the visuals were less than impressive back in 2015, and unfortunately, they haven’t aged well. The human character models leave much to be desired, with their lackluster facial features and lifeless expressions. The lip-syncing and facial animations are particularly disappointing.

In summary

The core gameplay loop of Fallout 4 remains strong, despite the fact that the surrounding adventure is starting to show its age, nearly ten years after its initial release. The addition of a smooth 60-fps performance mode will surely please many returning players. Roaming through post-apocalyptic Boston can still provide some enjoyment, especially with the reliable V.A.T.S. system at your disposal. However, it is undeniable that open-world games have made significant progress since the release of Fallout 4, which some may argue already felt outdated even at its launch in 2015.

Pros:

  • The open-world design is both dense and engaging
  • Engaging progression systems that keep you hooked
  • V.A.T.S. continues to impress
  • The performance on PS5 is impressively smooth
  • Significantly decreased loading times
  • Several poignant narrative moments
  • The soundtrack creates a captivating atmosphere

Cons:

  • Shows signs of significant deterioration in various aspects
  • Unremarkable side quests and forgettable characters
  • Lacking depth in the realm of role-playing
  • An abundance of mundane tasks
  • The character models are visually unappealing

Good 7/10

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Gaming

Gran Turismo 7 Update 1.46 introduces an exciting addition to the roster of exclusive cars available in the PS5 and PS4 racing game

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Gran Turismo 7 has just received an exciting update to version 1.46 on both PS5 and PS4. This latest update introduces a unique addition to the game: the Škoda Vision Gran Turismo, a car that you won’t come across in any other game. Škoda makes its debut in the franchise with a visionary study of a single-seater, all-electric racing concept car, designed exclusively for the Polyphony Digital racer.

Once you’ve downloaded update 1.46, you’ll have the opportunity to test drive not one but two additional cars: the AFEELA Prototype 2024 and the iconic Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 Sport Coupe ’70. Get ready for an exhilarating ride! Watch as they take to the track in the video above.

Additionally, the update introduces a new menu for players to tackle in the GT Café. At Collector Level 38, players have the opportunity to delve into the fascinating world of Ferrari 12-cylinder engines, gaining knowledge and expanding their collection. In World Circuits, players can look forward to exciting new events such as the Japanese Clubman Cup 550, the American FR Challenge 550, and the Vision Gran Turismo Trophy. For all the avid fans of Photo Mode, there’s an exciting opportunity to explore the captivating city of San Diego in a brand new Scape.

What are your thoughts on the latest update for Gran Turismo 7? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section.

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