It’s a lot of good news overall, but the console versions are remarkably straightforward to talk about as opposed to a slightly more complex situation on the PC. As always, we’re happy to dive right into it all. Let’s go.

A Superb-Looking Fighter

We’re very happy with the art style and how evocative it is of the comic books that likely brought many of the game’s players on board in the first place. The Unreal Engine 5 foundation makes for a strong visual presentation of the stylized animations that the excellent character models pull off, their facial details communicating their reaction to situations very convincingly indeed. A lot of their innate personalities slip through, from Spider-Man’s smug self-assurance to The Hulk’s barely-contained fury, and the accompanying visual effects that accompany their attacks, supers, and transitions are all handled well, allowing the spectacle of each battle to shine through across all playable platforms.

The stages that battles take place on are also well-designed with a lot of environmental detail in the foreground as well as in the background. There’s a lot going on at any given moment, and it helps set the scene very well as you try to observe what’s going on while fending off attacks from all angles against a talented opponent. Of course, we’d understand if the animation quality on each attack proves enough of a distraction, as it’s quite lovely across the board and really sells a unique vibe to each character and adds impact to each hit.

PS5 Pro vs PS5 Versions

On consoles, jumping into a battle is a breeze thanks to extremely fast loading times, particularly during transitions into matches or rematches. Overall, this one’s a technically impressive title that’s making good use of its hardware to bring a very unique art direction to life, the tech and creative vision working very well together to achieve that. It’s easily among the finest lookers among contemporary fighting games today.

But as happy as we were with that, it was a tad disappointing to see no options for graphics/performance modes, or even any toggles on either the PS5 or PS5 Pro. For a title that’s Pro-Enhanced, we expected to find some options to fiddle around with, but alas, there were none to be found. It’s only a nitpick since both consoles target and manage to sustain a locked 60 PS, making the action flow along quite smoothly.

Speaking of meeting targets, the PS5 Pro makes excellent use of PSSR to produce a crisper upscaled image at 4K, with fine details, edges, and distant background elements looking noticeably cleaner. Of course, that’s not to say that this one’s base PS5 version is bad on the graphical front, with only minor performance differences and perhaps occasional drops on the lower-specced console. The experience isn’t fundamentally different on the Pro, but it does look sharper on it.

That covers the console versions. It’s time to take on the PC version, and talk about the unfolding situations a little.

A Complicated PC Release

We’re getting this out of the way early: our experience with Fighting Souls on PC was excellent on a test configuration that consisted of a Ryzen 9 5950X, and an RTX 3080 Ti which was quite comfortable ahead of the recommended specs. The graphics menu on offer was quite modest, and while some players may not mind the limited selection, we’d have preferred a much broader range of advanced settings.

We went ahead with everything maxed out and DLSS Quality at 4K, and we’re given mostly excellent 60 FPS performance, with any drops coming from character introductions/transitions instead of the actual fights. Gameplay performance remained quite stable throughout our test weekend, with loading times similar to the console versions making getting to the next match quite quick.

Against the PS5 Pro, the PC version wins out when running the game at maxed settings with 4K DLSS Quality. We kind of expected that, but it’s very impressive how close the PS5 Pro gets to the experience on offer. Yes, the PC version had finer details, and more clarity with better native image quality, but the Pro did manage to put out a more consistent frame delivery. It’s quite a close contest between the two platforms this time around, and while the PC wins on the image quality front, the PS5 Pro isn’t too far behind.

However, the criticism that the PC version is receiving from other players bears mentioning. Reports of stuttering and frame-time problems, unexpected drops in frame rates, and inconsistent performance have come up from hardware that should be capable of running the game without problems. We’d advise keeping in mind that a fighting game is a lot more sensitive since 60 FPS isn’t just cosmetic, but a necessary part of a fun experience.

While we couldn’t reproduce any of the issues other players experienced on our test rig, the sheer number of complaints mean that Arc Systems Works must sit up and take notice before it loses out on a key part of its player base, a facet made even more crucial by its availability only on PC and PlayStation. But we’re quite confident that the PC version can be brought up to scratch with a little bit of timely intervention from the developers.

Console Versions Are Better, For Now

As far as its visuals and graphical performance is concerned, Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls is definitely an exceptionally attractive fighter regardless of the platform you’re playing it on. The PS5 presents you with excellent image quality, rock-solid 60 FPS, and very little to complain about as far as sustaining those targets goes. The PS5 Pro takes that up a notch with PSSR facilitating a cleaner version of the already solid presentation on board, but we think that not giving players options to tweak graphical settings is an omission.

Of course, the PC version should be the champion but since that applies only when it works as intended, we couldn’t honestly recommend that version of the game to you as it is right now. Yes, our test system gave us excellent results and we’ve nothing but good things to say about our own time with the game, but other players’ reports are troubling, unless Arc Systems Works manages to get some good fixes in before interest in the PC version of the game begins to wane altogether.

It looks like Fighting Souls does its best work on PC when everything is running as intended, but the PS5 Pro’s cleaner image closes the gap considerably over the already brilliant PS5 version. In fact, it gets close enough to the PC experience that the difference between the two systems can start to feel a little too close for comfort.

That’s all we’ve got for you with this one. Now if you’ll excuse us, we’ve got a bit more fighting left in our day.

While El Sin Nombre is keen on getting into Paris for some reason, Price is looking for an “archer” (perhaps referring to the artillery system of the same name). How this mission ties into the hunt for Makarov remains to be seen, but it’s not long before they face opposition from another force.

Not cops, but “they still bleed the same,” per Valeria, so it’s good to know the series’ penchant for corny writing is intact. High-speed chases through the streets are on the menu, but players will also drive an APC and engage in explosive shootouts.

Of course, the biggest reason for all these teases is to encourage players to pre-order Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 ahead of its October 23rd launch on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. This will provide seven days of advanced access to the campaign, so you can judge for yourself how much of a leap it is over previous years.

For those looking forward to multiplayer, head here to learn more about Kill Block. A new mode, it essentially crafts maps from modules, resulting in over 500 unique configurations.

Speaking to IGN, lead gameplay designer Sergey Mohov revealed that originally, Remedy prototyped a means to switch forms on the Aberrant, your main weapon. However, the desire to make everything “feel immediate and visceral” ultimately led to its removal.

“We want everything to feel immediate. You press the button, the thing happens. That’s the philosophy of design. You press Square, Dylan does the attack. You press R1, Dylan does the ability. There’s no, ‘I’m switching to the mode of this, and then I am pressing another button or holding a modifier key’. We did prototype all of these things, and those slowed down the combat quite a lot, and we don’t want you thinking about that.”

Another mechanic that you won’t find is parrying or deflection – which is interesting since Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is one of its inspirations. Aside from dodging, Dylan’s only means defense is conjuring a shield from surrounding rocks. But otherwise, the development team is avoiding what’s become one of the more popular combat systems over the years.

“We did prototype parry and deflect mechanics, and decided to remove them,” said Mohov. “The idea behind the combat system of Control Resonant is that offense is the best defense. When we implemented these kinds of defensive mechanics, we noticed that we’re waiting for enemies to do something to press the button in return. And that just didn’t seem to fit the philosophy that we had for the combat system.”

Like its other inspiration, DOOM (2016), ripping and tearing through enemies is the modus operandi, either slicing them apart with the Aberrant’s dual-blade mode, Flurry, or breaking their stance with the two-handed hammer to execute them. Classic abilities from Control also come into play, and Remedy isn’t messing with the ease of use flinging a massive rock at any enemy entails.

Control Resonant is available on September 24th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

This guide for Beast of Reincarnation is a complete listing of all 14 Armors with their locations, as well as a quick look at the few cosmetic skins currently available.

All 14 Armors

Light Gambeson

Unlocked by default.

• 17 Defense
• Low Enemy Awareness
• 5 Spirit Stone Slots

Chain Mail

Chapter 1, within a Strongbox in the vicinity of the Cliff-Facing Tower campsite in the Ogouchi Buffer Zone.

• 25 Defense
• 50 Flame Resist
• Extreme Enemy Awareness
• 4 Spirit Stone Slots

Garb of Tranquility

Chapter 2, within a Strongbox right around the Ruins Slope: Approach campsite in the Ancient Civilization Zone.

• 23 Defense
• 60 Acid Resist
• Nonexistent Enemy Awareness
• 4 Spirit Stone Slots

Thick Cuirass

Chapter 2, within a Strongbox in the vicinity of the Tunnel Ruins: Interior campsite in the Ancient Civilization Zone.

• 29 Defense
• 60 Poison Resist
• Medium Enemy Awareness
• 4 Spirit Stone Slots

Floral Wraps

Chapter 3, within a Strongbox near the Old Sagami Colony: Approach campsite in The Great Wall Terraces.

• 31 Defense
• 50 Acid Resist
• Low Enemy Awareness
• 6 Spirit Stone Slots

Insulating Mail

Chapter 3, within a Strongbox in the Mountain Village in The Great Wall Terraces.

• 32 Defense
• 70 Lightning Resist
• Extreme Enemy Awareness
• 5 Spirit Stone Slots

Leather Garb

Chapter 4, within a Strongbox right next to the Cave Depths campsite in the Pilgrim’s Zone.

• 34 Defense
• 80 Flame Resist
• High Enemy Awareness
• 4 Spirit Stone Slots

Scale Coat

Chapter 5, within a Strongbox around the Ruins Approach campsite in the Matsukawa Zone.

• 31 Defense
• 70 Poison Resist
• Extreme Enemy Awareness
• 5 Spirit Stone Slots

Mirror Guard

Chapter 5, within a Strongbox at the Library Hall of the Matsukawa Colony in the Matsukawa Zone.

• 45 Defense
• 80 Acid Resist
• High Enemy Awareness
• 5 Spirit Stone Slots

Dance Attire

Chapter 6, within a Strongbox located midway between the The Branching Nushi campsite and the Collapsed Pipes: Approach campsite in the Fuji Frontier Zone.

• 39 Defense
• 60 Flame Resist
• 60 Lightning Resist
• Low Enemy Awareness
• 6 Spirit Stone Slots

Amber Breastplate

Chapter 7, within a Strongbox around the cargo containers at the Giant Tree: Root Depths campsite in the very beginning of the Giant Tree Zone.

• 49 Defense
• 90 Acid Resist
• Extreme Enemy Awareness
• 6 Spirit Stone Slots

Silver Cuirass

Chapter 7, within a Strongbox located inside a massive nest around the Cableway – Line 2: Terminal Stop campsite in the Giant Tree Zone.

• 52 Defense
• 60 Lightning Resist
• 60 Poison Resist
• Medium Enemy Awareness
• 5 Spirit Stone Slots

Ornate Robe

Chapter 8, within a Strongbox near a gate control panel at the fortress in the Crater Zone.

• 54 Defense
• 80 Flame Resist
• 80 Lightning Resist
• Low Enemy Awareness
• 5 Spirit Stone Slots

God Tree Guard

Chapter 12, within a Strongbox located between two stairways around the Sewage Works: Ingress in The Capital.

• 59 Defense
• 80 Acid Resist
• 80 Poison Resist
• High Enemy Awareness
• 6 Spirit Stone Slots

All Cosmetic Skins

Purifier’s Garb

Unlocked by default for Emma

Oni’s Hat

Exclusively unlocked for Emma through the Deluxe Edition DLC.

Black Shiba Skin

Exclusively unlocked for Koo through the Deluxe Edition DLC.

Brown Shiba Skin

Exclusively unlocked for Koo through the Deluxe Edition DLC, or for Pre-Orders.

Those are all the Armors and cosmetic skins to be found in Beast of Reincarnation.

This guide for Beast of Reincarnation is a complete listing of all 22 Swords, as well as both bows and the projectiles that can be used with them, and their respective abilities and effects.

All 22 Swords

Mechblade (Standard)

Unlocked by default.

Melee Attack: 27

Element: Slash

Purifier

Unlocked by default.

Melee Attack: 27

Element: Slash

Cirrus Sword

Chapter 1, obtained from the Retired Gatekeeper at the Nushi’s Lair: Gate Approach campsite in the Ogouchi Buffer Zone.

Melee Attack: 27

Element: Impact

Mechblade (Light)

Chapter 1, in the tent atop the Ruined Tower in the Ogouchi Buffer Zone.

Melee Attack: 27

Element: Rupture

Purity

Chapter 2, either purchased for 4,390 Amber from the Ancient Golem in the Ancient Civilization Zone, or from Brad.

Melee Attack: 27

Element: Slash

Mechblade (Heavy)

Chapter 2, post-Lacerta, in the Reservoir in the Ancient Civilization Zone.

Melee Attack: 27

Element: Impact

Thunderwave Sword

Chapter 2, upon defeating the Agile Golem in the Ancient Civilization Zone.

Melee Attack: 21

Element: Electric

Bell Sword

Chapter 3, either purchased for 5,850 Amber from Golems after The Great Wall Terraces, or from Brad

Melee Attack: 27

Element: Impact

Hunter’s Sword

Chapter 3, obtained from the Storyteller Golem at the Great Forest: Entrance campsite in The Great Wall Terraces.

Melee Attack: 27

Element: Poison

Sunrise Sword

Chapter 4, at the start of the Pilgrim’s Zone in the vicinity of the Scorched Grasslands campsite.

Melee Attack: 21

Element: Flame

Resonance Sword

Chapter 5, within a cave in the Matsukawa Zone.

Melee Attack: 27

Element: Slash

Hazebringer

Chapter 5, in a cage at Matsukawa Colony in the Matsukawa Zone.

Melee Attack: 27

Element: Acid

Shark Cutter

Chapter 6, in the vicinity of the Bridge Control Room: Approach campsite in the Fuji Frontier Zone.

Melee Attack: 27

Element: Slash

Fall Thunder

Chapter 7, upon defeating the boss in the Giant Tree Zone.

Melee Attack: 27

Element: Electric

First Moon

Chapter 7, obtained from a Curious Golem in the Giant Tree Zone.

Melee Attack: 27

Element: Slash

Spring Storm

Chapter 8, atop the platform in the centre accessible via the Lake Base: Interior campsite in the Crater Zone.

Melee Attack: 21

Element: Rupture

Winterwake

Chapter 8, either purchased for 9,750 Amber from Golems after the Crater Zone, or from the Cleanse Walker.

Melee Attack: 21

Element: Rupture

Silverlight

Chapter 9, in the center of the circular area just prior to the boss in the Inukami River Zone.

Melee Attack: 27

Element: Slash

Black Blossom

Chapter 12, obtained automatically at the start of The Capital.

Melee Attack: 21

Element: Slash

Camellia

Chapter 12, upon defeating Kunai and Kirin, obtained from within the Cleanse Walker.

Melee Attack: 21

Element: Impact

Kanzashi

Unlocked in New Game+.

Melee Attack: 27

Element: Slash

Big Dipper

Exclusively unlocked through the Deluxe Edition DLC.

Melee Attack: 27

Element: Slash

All Ranged Weapons

Spring Thunder Crossbow

Unlocked by default.

Ranged Attack: 20

Reload Speed: 1.0-1.4

Zangetsu Bow

Chapter 1, after defeating some Golems while in search of the Foreman.

Ranged Attack: 200

Draw Time: 1.0

All Arrows

Acid Arrows

Arrows fitted with tubes of acid. Inflicts enemies with corrosion.

Ranged Attack: 49

Element: Acid

Corrosion Buildup: 50

Limit: 5

Arrows

Arrows that excel at dealing raw damage, especially upon enemy weak spots.

Ranged Attack: 97

Element: Ranged

Limit: 10

Explosive Arrows

Arrows fitted with explosives and a movement sensor. Explodes when enemies draw near.

Ranged Attack: 97

Element: Explosive

Limit: 3

Fire Arrows

Arrows dipped in an incendiary agent. Inflicts enemies with burn.

Ranged Attack: 49

Element: Flame

Flame Buildup: 50

Limit: 5

Poison Arrows

Arrows fitted with tubes of toxins. Inflicts enemies with poison.

Ranged Attack: 49

Element: Poison

Poison Buildup: 50

Limit: 5

Thunder Arrows

Arrows fitted with a charged stone. Inflicts enemies with shock.

Ranged Attack: 49

Element: Electric

Lightning Buildup: 50

Limit: 5

All Bolts

Acid Bolts

Bolts fitted with tubes of acid. Inflicts enemies with corrosion.

Ranged Attack: 4

Element: Acid

Corrosion Buildup: 10

Limit: 12

Bolts

Bolts suited for firing in quick succession. Deals high damage to weak spots.

Ranged Attack: 5

Element: Ranged

Limit: 24

Explosive Bolts

Bolts fitted with explosives and a movement sensor. Explodes when enemies draw near.

Ranged Attack: 10

Element: Explosive

Limit: 8

Fire Bolts

Bolts dipped in an incendiary agent. Inflicts enemies with burn.

Ranged Attack: 4

Element: Flame

Flame Buildup: 10

Limit: 12

Lightning Bolts

Bolts fitted with a charged stone. Inflicts enemies with shock.

Ranged Attack: 4

Element: Electric

Lightning Buildup: 10

Limit: 12

That is every single weapon and projectile to be found in Beast of Reincarnation.

It extends beyond the visual fidelity and stylized violence to gameplay systems that bring audiovisual feedback, enemy reactions, and mechanical rewards to lend an impact to every move you make in a combat loop where those decisions are often made quickly on the fly.

Does it feel too good to be true? We can’t honestly say it doesn’t, and there are a few concerns along the way in this one. But let’s begin with what we like.

Building on Inspirations

It’s easy to compare anything with a good parry system to Sekiro and fail to see unique additions that it brings to the table. Beast of Reincarnation’s facing the same situation, but Way of the Sword is certainly a lot more than a parry-based combat loop. It’s one where your blocking technique could set up the next few moves in a fluid combo that you build on the fly, responding to your enemies with speed and precision.

You could opt to just block and attack and get some basic protection against a light attacks, or try to parry that attack to create an opening for some serious damage thanks to Musashi’s sword getting a temporary damage buff when you pull one off. Deflect that attack, and you’re directly draining your enemy’s stamina, slowly chipping away at their composure before you open them up for devastating finishing blows.

Of course, Issen counters are where you risk it all, allowing you to get in some devastating damage at the cost of a very tight timing window that needs you to know precisely when to use it in a tough fight. We often found ourselves saving them for the very last chunk of a hard encounter, bringing it out as a means to ensure a victory that might otherwise be out of reach.

But their presence, amid all the other options you have at your disposal in response to any enemy taking a swing at you is quite exciting, and a great way of using defence more creatively than just waiting for the right moment to parry. Of course, the shared health and stamina system is another parallel that does work similarly, making each fight into a personal duel where Musashi wears a foe down to unleash a Break Issen.

Of course, he’s also vulnerable to low stamina, so you’re on your guard, strategically using your defensive options in an approach where you’re encouraged to take the fight to your enemies, but use each blow to your advantage no matter who among you is throwing it. That’s a combat loop that immediately differentiates itself while being immensely challenging and satisfying. Just the moment where a dramatic pause and camera angle accompany a well-executed Break Issen is a reward on its own, but the standard counter’s high-risk, high-reward potential in a fight made it so darn rewarding to execute correctly.

It made reading enemy attacks and responding to them become a natural part of how we were approaching combat encounters, the mechanic helping to bring the other systems into the loop with ease. It’s encouraged defensive mastery by being a defining part of the series since Warlords, after all. If you’re the type who likes to stand their ground and repel attacks instead of constantly striking and retreating, this one’s an absolute treat.

It’s in how a good defence that blends parries and reflects directly feeds your offence, making Musashi a very dangerous protagonist once you allowed him to read his enemy’s moves and respond accordingly. Defensive moves, when managed correctly, could leave you with a damage buff facing an enemy who was totally open to your most devastating attacks. Of course, that’s as good a place as any to throw in Oni Powers, which use absorbed souls to power attacks that break through enemy defenses or ones that add explosive movements that you can then use to great effect.

Of course, even downing an enemy leaves you with ways to control the next few moments of a fight, giving you a choice of where to strike for more damage or extra health or souls. It’s a system where the fight happens in your hands and in your mind, and it’s a lovely interpretation of a samurai using a demonic arm to survive intense battles. However, it’s time to dive into those concerns we mentioned.

Conflict Everlasting

While the enemies we’ve seen so far in Way of the Sword have certainly been a test of our brains and brawn, it’s that very challenge that has us worried if every foe we’re yet to face can manage to find ways to keep us on our toes. It’s easy to see ourselves coming back to this area with enough new skills and better gear to make decimating these hapless opponents be an activity that would be high on fun, but low on the glory befitting a samurai such as Musashi.

In an ironic twist of fate that the franchise is no stranger to, it’s the enemies Musashi is scheduled to mow down who are going to determine just how much his character’s skills blossom as the adventure wears on. They’re going to have to force him to use every tool at his disposal, pushing him into desperate encounters where even a single miscalculation of a case of abd timing can shift the favor of the fight in one direction or the other.

We’ve already seen a foe wielding a weapon that grows more powerful the more of Musashi’s blood it tastes, and having such a foe in what’s likely an early section of the game indicates that there are other ways that our hero’s foes are going to try messing with his groove. But it could also mean that there isn’t too much variation in boss mechanics, with each one affecting one crucial system or the other in ways that might quickly become predictable. Indeed, predictability is probably the enemy we’d say poses the biggest threats in Musashi’s fight.

Every instance of a drawn blade often felt like it could end badly, we worry whether enough upgrades are going to deepen the mechanics instead of overpowering the challenge that’s on offer. Enemy variety is certainly a factor in that equation, and of course, using that variety to force unique ways to use the systems on offer to make Musashi’s responses feel fluid and unique to the unfolding situation.

But has Way of the Sword set expectations a tad too high? Can every encounter in the game offer the same weight and intensity we’ve seen in that curated gameplay segment? Are advanced capabilities going to complement the ISsen system instead of trivializing it? We’re going to have to wait and see if the full release is able to give us satisfactory answers to these questions. But of course, what we’ve seen is evidence that there is certainly a lot of potential on offer.

Way of the Sword seems to recognize that it doesn’t need to have the largest moveset of 2026, overwhelming players with combos to learn and forget while they rely on the basics on easy difficulties to experience the story. Instead, it expands the utility of a focused set of actions, making each outcome you’re aiming for feel earned, distinct, consequential, and, most of all, spectacular. Your every move strengthens your blade, upsets your enemy’s balance, or takes a bold risk for the ultimate payoff.

Making those choices is a part of what makes Way of the Sword feel like it’s a combat loop that’s going to keep feeding itself, bringing depth to its systems the more we get to engage with it. Something this good does come of crashing and burning because it flew too close to the sun, but if it’s able to sustain itself at the lofty heights the slice of it we’ve seen manages, this upcoming title could reawaken a dormant franchise in a year where it’s already dropped some legitimate hits.

Musashi might be the icing on a cake that has already given us a lot of modern gaming’s best flavors, although the rewards in his adventure are going to need some work on your part. We believe it’s all going to be worth it, though, and that Way of the Sword is going to stand out despite Phantom Blade Zero, Beast of Reincarnation, and Mortal Shell 2 putting up a competitive fight.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

The Pathogen Returns

Very little is known about Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2’s plot, though you will return to the UAS Endeavor from the first game. And while narrative designer Jake Kriegman didn’t want to give too many details away, he told AVP Galaxy in a recent interview at SDCC 2026 that the pathogen is back. What pathogen? Oh, just the one that mutated the Xenomorphs on LV-895, resulting in untold horrors. It apparently holds the key to connecting both games, so finding out the “how” and “why” could form the crux of the Colonial Marines’ latest excursion.

Less Than Silent Observer

A big change from the original is that your Marine is now more vocal. Instead of simply calling out certain things in missions, they’ll now speak to NPCs on the Endeavor, and even banter among each other. It may even add a bit more charm to the cutscenes, seeing as we’re going from a silent protagonist to a bona fide Marine (with hopefully enough quips to bear).

Appearance Customization

The character customization has also seen upgrades with separate lower and upper-body options, helmets, and a range of decals for decorating equipment (including a colorway for the chest armor). Even your guns can look incredibly distinct with three decals, allowing for even more slick possibilities.

Hunter Class

We’ve already gone over all the new classes in Fireteam Elite 2 and how they’re effectively evolutions over the previous game. While we’re yet to dive deep into the Medic, the Hunter’s kit has finally been revealed. Wielding a railgun and particle emitter as its signature weapons, it also has a Particle Pulse that can be upgraded into a beam or a Cryo Pulse to slow enemies. Meanwhile, the Stasis Bolt further encumbers them and increases damage dealt. If you’re a fan of weak point damage, then No Rest is the perk for you, while No Mercy increases stopping power for the same.

Machinist Class

But that’s not all, as even the Machinist has finally been detailed. As an evolution of the Technician, you have the plasma emitter and plasma discharger as signature weapons alongside a Sentry Turret, which can be upgraded into a Gas Turret or a Rumble Turret to slow enemies. Your Bodyguard Drone can either dish out artillery or shred enemies, and Perks like Cross-Platform Synergy let you provide much-needed damage resistance and healing for teammates near your turrets.

Alpha and Beta, Meet Gamma

Veterans from the first game will remember that it didn’t always send you out to die alone. If no other players were available, the AI-controlled Synths named Alpha and Beta would join the fray, sometimes for the worse in Hardcore Mode with friendly fire on. Well, they’re back and now have defined roles. Alpha fights at mid-range while Beta stays even further back with a sniper. They’re also joined by Gamma, who’s described as the “nutcase” that keeps a shotgun for close encounters.

Three Enemy Factions

What would an Aliens game be without a variety of live targets? In keeping with offering the same number of missions as the first game and its expansion combined, Fireteam Elite 2 also includes all their enemy types: Xenomorphs, Pathogen-Mutated Organisms and the Weyland-Yutani Combat Synths.

New Enemy Types

But while you’ll be spraying and shooting against familiar threats, several new types have been added to the mix. The Harbinger, for example, is a Pathogen-Mutated Organism with multiple arms and an enormous mouth, capable of chasing and pinning Marines. The Xenomorph Siren functions to alert nearby allies, so you’d best take it down quick. Even the Synths brought some backup with the Bulwark Automaton, which boasts heavy armor and can knock players down up close.

Difficulty Changes

Of course, how easy of a time you have will depend on the difficulty as much as your teammates. Casual, Standard, and Intense return as the default difficulties alongside Extreme and Insane, which should once again require completing the campaign to unlock, as before. However, they don’t play the same as before. On the higher end, friendly fire is still a thing, but abilities can also hit allies. Ammo boxes also have a limited supply of ammo, and while enemies have less health, you can expect higher Threat Level enemies to appear in greater numbers.

Crouching

Reviving allies and meleeing enemies who get too close are tenets of the core gameplay, but Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 adds a completely understated new tactic: Crouching. Yes, it may seem simple at first, but it opens up a whole new dimension of combat at higher difficulties, since ducking beneath friendly fire means more ways to control chokepoints without the frustration of hurting your teammates. Just don’t turn into too much of a sitting duck for the Xenomorphs.

Elemental Damage and New Types

Incendiary and Electric damage from the original return, once again bringing damage over time and stuns to enemies while offering varying degrees of effectiveness (Xenomorphs canonically hate fire, for example). However, Cryo rounds have also been added to the mix, freezing enemies for maximum crowd control potential, while Piercing damage is great for getting through armor. Interestingly, it seems there are other types to look forward to in the late game, including Morphic damage.

New Horde Mode Maps

Horde Mode returns and this time, it offers three brand-new maps – Blacksite, Crash Landed and Crusher. Each offers a distinct experience, whether it’s a more open space to fight in or numerous floors that maintain the claustrophobic hallways, recreating that classic Alien feel. You may even find a few cinematic references here and there.

Horde Mode Changes

Of course, Cold Iron Studios has fundamentally changed how Horde Mode plays. Challenge Cards are available from the outset, and all of them will be activated in a match. Also, rounds now consist of five increasingly difficult waves, though you can always continue fighting for the chance of better rewards. With all factions randomly thrown into the mix, this is the mode where coordination and min-maxing will truly shine.

PC Requirements

In terms of hardware required on PC, you’ll need an AMD Ryzen 5 2600 or an Intel Core i5-8400 with, oddly enough, 10 GB of RAM and an Nvidia RTX 2060 at the very minimum. This allows for 1080p/30 FPS gameplay on the Low setting. Recommended specs include Ryzen 5 5600G or a Core i5-12600, 16 GB RAM and a Radeon 6700 or an RTX 3070 for 1080p/60 FPS on High settings. Overall, not too shabby, but regardless of your configuration, 35 GB of installation space is mandatory.

Rain’s Jackson’s Star Pack

Perhaps the strangest part about Fireteam Elite 2 is that it has DLC that isn’t included with the Premium Edition. And this isn’t extra missions or such – instead, the Rain’s Jackson’s Star Pack, which costs $9.99, adds a modified Pulse Rifle with an underbarrel that deals Cryo damage and a Colony outfit inspired by Marie Raines Carradine from Alien: Romulus. There’s also, as Steam describes it, “a full loadout of traits, perks, augments, decals, and colorways.” Maybe these are early unlocks for traits, perks and Augments already in the game, but we’ll have to wait and find out.

However, if you’re looking to compete and excel online or delve deeper into the systems while slowly mastering each character – maybe to complete all those combo challenges – it can take some time. Fortunately, we have a few tips that should get you going and igniting the battlefield in no time, starting with the most obvious…

Find the Most Comfortable Fighter

This is fighting game 101, and it’s a no-brainer in Fighting Souls. Each character may have a basic combo you can pull off, but fully maximizing their potential means leaning into their Unique Skill and weaving their abilities into combos. And on that note: You don’t always have to lean into the meta. If Magik or Blade isn’t working for you but Spider-Man is, take the time to give the web-crawler a chance (especially with how balanced the majority of the roster is outside of the absolute top picks). Ease-of-use rating is one thing – find your comfort pick above all.

Learn the Match-ups

Marvel Tōkon is intriguing because its 4v4 format allows for focusing on a single character. After all, the entire team shares one Vital Gauge, so why not avoid tagging altogether? Besides missing out on combo extensions, a higher Skill Gauge, and more Assemble uses, you’re also kneecapping yourself. Not every character is ideal for every situation. So while mastering one character is ideal, you should branch out into other styles to counter any potential opponent.

Unlock More Teammates ASAP

Every match starts with two characters – one point and one assist. You’ll want to unlock the others ASAP for another reason beyond those stated above: It slightly increases the Vital Gauge. This may not seem like a lot, but it can be the difference between victory and defeat…or needing a few more hits to defeat an opponent if they have their full team.

How to Gain More Teammates (Besides Wall Breaking)

Speaking of which, you don’t need to wall break and initiate a stage transition to unlock a new teammate (though it’s encouraged for the potential wake-up on a recovering opponent). They can also join in on successful wall splats, where an opponent slams against the boundary of that section. You could also throw a round since that automatically adds an ally, though it’s meant to be more of a consolation than anything else.

Recoverable Health

Your Vital Gauge doesn’t just consist of the orange or blue health bar up top, or the red portion that’s consumed when a combo ends. There’s also recoverable health, aka the grey bar, which activates upon taking damage from skills and Super Skills, though there are other exceptions. As long as you don’t take any direct damage, it will slowly recover. Deadpool’s entire gimmick also revolves around this, so it’s best to get acquainted with grey health sooner or later.

Mix Up Link Combos

Link Combos are pretty easy to pull off – simply mash the Light, Medium or Heavy buttons in succession. Of course, that can get predictable, so you’ll want to start mixing things up by hitting Light into Medium into Heavy or some combination of the same (though there are some restrictions). And if that’s not enough, try using different directional inputs to catch an opponent low or with an overhead.

Easy Launches and Follow-ups

Mastering aerial combos will put you on the fast lane to success, but how do you even launch an opponent? Besides using an assist, press down and Heavy attack after a Light, Medium, and Heavy combo. Then hold the Medium attack button to automatically jump into the air and continue the combo.

When to Assemble

Assemble has such a wide variety of uses, whether it’s tagging to another character after their assist, or extending a combo from the same. You could also use Assemble Smash since that’s a great way to initiate wall breaks, not to mention the different counters which we’ll get into later. Just make sure to remember the different assists available and which corresponds to what direction.

Quick Skill Button

When starting, the Quick Skill Button will become your best friend, since it allows for initiating different skills without quarter circle inputs and whatnot. It can even be used to unleash Super Skills if you have enough Skill Gauge. As a means to quickly learn what each character’s skills have to offer, it’s a pretty good tool. However…

Learn the Inputs

You should learn the actual inputs for these skills for one simple reason: They’ll deal more damage than those unleashed by the Quick Skill button. It really is that straightforward and is just as important as unlocking your entire team, even if it can be tougher to nail.

Master the Counters (and the Counter-Counter)

We’ve talked about the Assemble Counter in the past and how it’s an incredible tool for counter-attacking against an enemy, especially given its long window. However, it’s important to note that you’ll be leaving yourself wide open if they don’t hit you in that time frame, exposing both you and a partner to heavy punishment. The same goes for a Crossover if the opponent uses a Reflect, but it’s much more fatal if they time it perfectly for a Perfect Reflect since this will disable Assembles for several seconds.

Unique Assists

Besides Aerial and Shooter Assists for their anti-air and ranged capabilities, you should get comfortable with each character’s Assault Assist. Initiated by pressing back and the Assist button, it activates their unique skill, which can have various benefits (like Doctor Doom’s laser keeping an opponent grounded). This is one area where experimentation is really required, so find the right one that fits your playstyle.

Tagging

If calling an assist and then swapping to them feels awkward, good news – there’s a dedicated button for raw-tagging. The problem is that doing so on the ground or even in mid-air will leave both characters vulnerable (though the recovery time for the latter is quicker). Always attack first and then tag, since you’ll get enough time to initiate a follow-up with the tagged character.

Play the Corner

Playing the corner is another core tenet of fighting games, and that’s especially the case here. Beyond bringing in more teammates, wall splats afford more opportunities to keep whaling on an opponent with little opportunity for them to fight back. Even if you leave them to fall, it can make for a strong wake-up, allowing for even more punishment.

Avoid Spamming the Same EX Attack Mid-Combo

Combo extension is surprisingly nuanced in Fighting Souls, as you’re encouraged to make use of aerials, EX Skills, Assembles, Super Skills, and more to keep things going. There’s just one caveat: Try not to use the same EX Skill twice in a row. If you do, the combo limit will max out (as shown by the bar beneath the number of hits turning red), thus ending it immediately. It’s not always a bad idea, especially if you want to follow up with an oki – just make sure that you’ve already planned for this.

But the mechanical foundations of its gameplay loop were definitely interesting back then, and have since made it quite a popular title in the illustrious franchise’s lineup. Indeed, it’s popular enough to warrant a free update that brings a graphical bump to the familiar game while adding an entirely new mission, complete with an antagonist who makes even El Sueño seem harmless by comparison?

But is it enough of a celebratory nod to 25 years of Ghost Recon? Does the new update make Wildlands feel more current-gen than the original version? Can the return of the Predator event be enough to put The Ghosts back in the limelight? Probably not, and that’s a shame.

Let’s get the new 4K/60 fps update out of the way early. Yes, it makes the graphics quite smooth while the visuals received a nice upgrade. Lighting and reflections look a lot better, although low-light situations do become problematic, a flaw I’m going to touch upon again a little later. However, the pop-in from the original release, along with character models and textures that look very outdated by modern standards, make it obvious that this one’s a last-gen title on a current-gen system.

However, the one upside here is that my base PS5 managed 60fps even in intense firefights and other resource-heavy situations, allowing for a very smooth experience and markedly better gunplay thanks to how much easier aiming is when there are more frames in play. I only wish that the load times had been better optimised, as getting in and out of the action took long enough for me to notice, which is saying something today.

Of course, the new Last Rites mission is the star of the show and its premise is interesting enough. Taking around one to two hours to finish, Last Rites is accessible directly from the main menu with no prerequisites. It sees the Ghosts return to Bolivia, where a new handler presents them with a fresh target: La Llorona. She’s a feisty one, and presented as an antagonist so unhinged, putting her out of her misery almost feels like a mercy. Of course, she’s inspired so much zealous fervor within her ranks that getting to her requires some meticulous work. Well, the Ghosts have never walked away from a challenge now, have they?

"The Ghosts return to Bolivia, where a new handler presents them with a fresh target."

The story has the twists and turns you’d come to expect from a Ghost Recon title, although one of them came early enough for it to feel like quite a curveball, and in a good way. Things are presented to you on the go just like in the base game, and you’re going to be spending your time traversing the new sub-region this mission’s locked into, with new information being presented to you with each objective you complete. It’s interesting, and definitely among the highlights of the update for me. It’s well-placed, well-written, and definitely more than capable of holding my interest.

The voice acting is effective, while the presentation feels a little too similar to the rest of the game to stand out. That the main Campaign’s fight against Santa Blanca only receives a passing mention is probably a good thing, since it frees this side chapter from having to force references to events from the rest of Bolivia into the fray. It helps keep Last Rites focused on its antagonists, and that’s a very good thing given that they come across as a viable threat.

However, the objectives themselves are nothing more than an excuse to send you from one place to the next, with armed compounds you must infiltrate to either collect intel yourself or perhaps send your drone to eavesdrop on a high-ranking member of La Llorona’s organization. Good luck finding something important in the dark, though. The low light performance was a serious downer, making it very annoying to navigate indoor environments.

You get to take the same vehicles that the base game offered, while some of them come with cool paint jobs to add a bit of celebratory flair to things. Of course, driving those vehicles is as frustrating as it’s ever been with their tendency to wildly oversteer and spin out of control at even the slightest bit of hard turning. What’s even more annoying is that dying or failing an objective respawns you at a considerable distance away, forcing you to endure another round of frustrating driving to return to where you were.

It’s slightly disappointing that a story that’s quite intriguing isn’t backed up by gameplay that matches it. Lackluster objectives are joined by an enemy AI that remains largely unchanged from the rest of the game, along with stealth options like Sync Shot that can let you command your teammates to just clear entire patrols without a single one of them being any the wiser. That thing seriously needs a nerf on its cooldowns given how it trivializes a lot of the game. Is it fun? Hell, yeah! Is it anything we haven’t already seen in Wildlands? Sadly no.

"The default setting is probably more than enough for casual players, but the more hardcore Ghosts amongst you are going to appreciate what’s on offer and how it makes things more demanding if that’s how you push your sliders."

I found myself tearing through missions on both Arcade and Normal, while greater difficulty options turned the tables on me more often than not. Of course, the new customization options are most welcome, letting you tweak everything from enemy behaviour and damage values to weapon restrictions, friendly fire, weather, and HUD elements until you’ve shaped the experience into something that feels just right for you. The default setting is probably more than enough for casual players, but the more hardcore Ghosts amongst you are going to appreciate what’s on offer and how it makes things more demanding if that’s how you push your sliders.

Enemy aggression and awareness are pretty great, although I’d say that it’s a very familiar AI given how many times we’ve seen it before. Wildlands might have been good for its time, but it’s too lacking by modern standards to make this free update do any wonders. Yes, the returning Predator event should give you a few more hours of fun, but it’s essentially as good now as it was then, and there isn’t much more to say about it.

As far as the free update goes, you’re getting a visual bump, a new standalone mission, customization options, and not really much else. Last Rites is definitely good enough to make Wildlands veterans come back to Bolivia for a time, but can it make them stay? That depends on how addictive they found the original base game. But for new players, if you weren’t already sold on Wildlands, it isn’t likely that Last Rites is going to work any miracles.

As a part of a game that’s still listed as a PS4 title, it’s probably worth taking advantage of the trial weekend to just dive into Wildlands and get through it if you don’t own a copy of the game. The current PlayStation Store discount is also quite tempting if Ghost Recon is something you’ve enjoyed over the years, or are curious about trying out. But as a purchase, it isn’t something I can recommend wholeheartedly in a world where titles like Ready or Not make for far better experiences.

Last Rites is enough of a firework show to mark a milestone that many other franchises in modern gaming would be envious of. But other than that, it isn’t much more than an interesting side chapter in Bolivia, far removed from Santa Blanca while retaining the main campaign’s limitations, and that’s probably its biggest weakness. It’s still fun if you’re playing it for free, though.

This game was reviewed on PlayStation 5.

Following a suggestion that pre-orders were split between both editions, he responded. “Actually, it is skewing more to the premium edition.” Zelnick then added, “That might be a reflection of the fact that the most avid consumers are the ones who are pre-ordering now.”

While that’s certainly true, especially with all the hype around Grand Theft Auto 6 leading up to launch, the Ultimate Edition offers exclusive access to five stores. These provide services such as vehicle mods, hairstyles, makeup, nail work, streetwear, tattoos, and more. Of course, you also receive other benefits such as Vice City outfits and tattoos, but this is the first time that actual locations are locked off in single-player.

Grand Theft Auto 6’s Ultimate Edition costs $99.99, but its Standard Edition is no slouch, retailing for $79.99 – the only new title after Mario Kart World to be priced the same this generation. It’s out on November 19th for Xbox Series X/S and PC with an Extended Look premiering on August 27th via Netflix.

Analyst firm Newzoo estimates that it reached $260 million in sales within the first week of pre-orders going live. Zelnick didn’t corroborate that figure, but he said current pre-orders were “unprecedented and astonishing” in a recent investor call.