After shortening its name, Square Enix officially opened preorders for the long-awaited Triangle Strategy. If you’re looking to preorder the game ahead of its March 4 release on Nintendo Switch, here’s everything you need to know.

Triangle Strategy preorder bonuses

No preorder bonuses are currently available for Triangle Strategy. Nintendo games rarely include additional content for reserving an advance copy, and there are no retailer-exclusive bonuses. We’re still a few weeks out from its official release, so we’ll keep you posted if anything pops up.

Unsurprisingly, Triangle Strategy is a turn-based strategy game. You’ll take command of multiple characters as you work your way through a complex political narrative and an ongoing conflict involving three different forces. The action plays out on a battlefield reminiscent of Final Fantasy Tactics, although the game’s art style takes cues from Square Enix’s popular Octopath Traveler.

Much of the game remains a mystery, although a demo released in February 2021 gave fans their first hands-on experience with the long-awaited title. Square Enix said it used feedback from those sessions to improve the overall experience, and we can expect to see these updates when the Triangle Strategy arrives on March 4.

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Horizon Forbidden West doesn’t launch until February 18, but Amazon is already offering an impressive preorder discount for its official strategy guide. The hardcover book won’t release until well after Forbidden West (it’s currently slated for a March 31 arrival), but anyone who plans to hunt for its Platinum Trophy should take a close look at the offer.

All of that info is wrapped up in a gorgeous hardcover package–with artwork of Aloy facing off against some of her new foes. This is the lowest price we’ve ever seen for Horizon Forbidden West’s official strategy guide, so be sure to act on the deal while you can.

Still haven’t reserved your copy of the game? Check out our Horizon Forbidden West preorder guide for all of the details you need to know.

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Destiny 2’s upcoming Witch Queen expansion may task Guardians with the goal of reclaiming the source of their power from an ancient Hive god, but for a number of players, that’ll likely be a secondary goal when compared to the hunt for some epic loot. Destiny 2’s selection of Exotic weapons make for some of the best firepower around, and the latest expansion will have plenty of new gear to add to your arsenal.

The latest trailer has shown off some wild new guns and armor, which range from a weapon that can hurl explosive worms at enemies to a new Exotic Hunter helmet that will make the class an even deadlier menace in PvP modes:

Grand Overture – Slug launcher charges full auto missilesParasite – Worm launcher with increasing damageOsteo Striga – Swarming projectiles trigger a toxic blastTitan Glaive: Edge of Action – Place protective shieldWarlock Glaive: Edge of Intent – Deploy healing turretHunter Glaive: Edge of Concurrence – Tracking chain lightningHoarfrost-Z Chest – Stasis Wall replaces BarricadeOsmiomancy Gloves – Additional Coldsnap with enhanced seekingBlight Ranger Helmet – Reflected projectiles deal increased damage

It has been a big week for Destiny 2 developer Bungie, as yesterday saw the announcement that Sony was planning to acquire the studio for $3.6 billion. While this isn’t the first time that Bungie has been up for sale, it’s a noticeable acquisition that shows just how serious Sony is with its digital strategy of investing in live-service games, a field that Bungie has become an expert in with Destiny.

In other Destiny news, you can expect the return of two terrific weapons in the new season of Nightfall Strikes, while the game’s overall grind is also being fine-tuned to deliver a more rewarding experience.

For more on Destiny 2 and everything else that’s about to be released over the next couple of weeks, you can check out our feature on the biggest games launching in February 2022.

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February used to be a month with only a handful of noteworthy new releases in years past, but lately, the most romantic month on the calendar has become a hub of anticipation as developers prepare to launch some of their biggest titles for the year. This month is absolutely stacked with highly anticipated titles, as everything from Destiny 2’s latest expansion to Elden Ring will be out in the wild. It’s also a big month for hardware, with Valve’s Steam Deck releasing at the end of the month.

To see which games aren’t arriving on schedule, be sure to check out our feature on every game delayed in 2022 so far. It’s small, but like a Gremlin fed after midnight, it’s growing.

Dying Light 2 (Feb. 4)

Dying Light 2

After years in development, Techland’s Dying Light 2 is finally ready to infect the world with a look at how civilization will survive decades after the zombie apocalypse began. Set in a new dark age of human history, Dying Light 2 promises hundreds of hours of content, tough decisions that’ll have actual ramifications on the world around you, and a whole lot of parkour to master as you dodge and dive around all manner of deadly threats. Dying Light 2 is launching on February 4 for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

Sifu (Feb. 8)

Sifu

How far would you be willing to go to enact your revenge? In Sifu, that’s a question that you’ll answer with kung fu and a magical talisman that’ll save you from death by subtracting a few years off of your lifespan as you kick and chop your way through hordes of enemies. Developed by Slocap–the studio behind Absolver–players will have to put their lives on the line as they master dozens of martial arts moves while hunting down five dangerous assassins. Sifu arrives on PlayStation and PC on February 8.

Horizon Forbidden West (Feb. 18)

Horizon Forbidden West

Sony is kicking off 2022 with a trip forward in time, reuniting players with plucky adventurer Aloy in Horizon: Forbidden West. Set centuries from now and in a world where giant robot machines have usurped humanity’s position at the top of the food chain, Forbidden West sees Aloy embark on a quest to find the source of a mysterious plague that is a threat to both organic and mechanical life. Developer Guerilla Games is expanding the world of Horizon, and you can expect new biomes to explore, skills to master, and enhanced combat options to take advantage of–which you’ll definitely need if you want to survive a tangle with giant robot snakes. Horizon Forbidden West is a PlayStation exclusive.

Destiny 2: The Witch Queen (Feb. 22)

Destiny 2: The Witch Queen

2022 is shaping up to be a big year for Destiny 2, as the next chapter in Bungie’s cosmic sandbox introduces a deadly new Hive threat led by the Witch Queen Savathun. Faced with the threat of undying Hive forces known as the Lucent Brood, players will need to explore new locations, master the power of Glaive-type weapons, and uncover Savathun’s true goal. All that, as well as new Strikes, Raids, PvP content, and a year’s worth of seasonal events that’ll roll out in the aftermath of the Witch Queen’s campaign.

Elden Ring (Feb. 25)

Elden Ring

Easily one of the most anticipated releases of the year, Elden Ring combines From Software’s talent for challenging action and role-playing depth with contributions from Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin in the lore and narrative world-building department. Set in a vast open-world, Elden Ring prioritizes combat and exploration in the six main areas of the Lands Between, rich customization options, and deadly battles against gruesome enemies. Elden Ring launches February 25 for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

Steam Deck (Feb. 25)

Originally scheduled for launch last year, Valve’s Steam Deck console is finally hitting markets during one of the busiest PC gaming months of 2022. It might turn out to be a smart move, as fans will be able to show off not only what their favorite games look like on the handheld PC, but also the latest titles as detailed above. Available in a range of configurations, the Steam Deck will cost anywhere between $400 to $650 depending on the model you choose. Just remember to avoid opening the console up, in case you value your life. If you managed to get in the earliest wave of reservations, the Steam Deck will start shipping on February 28.

Life is Strange Remastered Collection (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, Stadia) – February 1Dying Light 2 (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S) – February 4Maglam Lord (PS4, PS5, Switch) – February 4Sifu (PC, PS4, PS5) – February 8OlliOlli World (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch) – February 8Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, Kingdom Hearts 3 + Re:mind (Switch via Cloud) – February 10CrossfireX (Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S) – February 10A Memoir Blue (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch) – February 10Edge Of Eternity (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S – February 10Lost Ark (PC) – February 11Not Tonight 2 (PC) – February 11Infernax (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch) – February 14Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch) – February 15Touken Ranbu Warriors (PC, PS4, PS5) – February 17The King of Fighters 15 (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S) – February 17Total War: Warhammer 3 (PC) – February 17Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection (Switch) – February 17Horizon: Forbidden West (PS4, PS5) – February 18Destiny 2: The Witch Queen (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S) – February 22Martha is Dead (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S) – February 24Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream (PC, PS4, Switch) – February 25Grid Legends (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S) – February 25Elden Ring (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S) – February 25Steam Deck launch – February 25Leap (PC via Steam Early Access) – February TBC

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Microsoft’s Xbox division may be busy making certain that its proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard proceeds smoothly, but the deal still has a few legislative barriers to overcome. One of the biggest hurdles in Microsoft’s path is the Federal Trade Commission, which will hold an antitrust review of the company’s plan to add some of the biggest gaming intellectual properties to its portfolio.

According to a person familiar with the matter and interviewed by Bloomberg, the FTC plans to analyze the takeover and see what impact it will have on its competition. Such matters are sometimes overseen by the Justice Department, although both agencies are responsible for antitrust reviews of mergers.

According to the report, the FTC will investigate Activision’s gaming portfolio with Microsoft’s consoles and hardware systems to see if the takeover could harm its rivals by cutting off access to some of the biggest games that are released globally. The FTC’s authority is only for the US though, and it’s likely that other international organizations with similar authority will also need to be won over for the deal to be approved.

Recently, the FTC has stated that it plans to more aggressively police such deals, especially when it concerns the biggest technology companies in the country. FTC Chair Lina Khan has already used the agency’s power to block two massive takeovers, particularly Nvidia’s plan to buy Arm Ltd. and Lockheed Martin Corp.’s move to buy Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc.

While Microsoft still plans to honor current multiplatform agreements and release several Call of Duty games for the next few years, it remains to be seen if the series becomes an Xbox-exclusive or if it even sticks to an annual release date schedule.

It’s worth noting that when Minecraft came out, Microsoft continued to publish the game on competing platforms and became one of the largest publishers on PlayStation due to its popularity.

The acquisition of Bethesda was a different story though–not counting previous deals with Deathloop that were honored–as the upcoming Starfield will be a PC and Xbox Series X|S exclusive.

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Most modern PCs are manufactured in a way that shows off the hardware running inside of them, but few gaming rigs can top the appeal of a custom design. Especially when that one-of-a-kind rig is modeled after Doom’s iconic BFG weapon. The ultimate-and biggest–gun in any version of Doom, this weapon of mass demonic destruction was the inspiration for a new build by Mark Celica of Mark’s Fabrication. Taking several design cues from the Doom Eternal version, Celica created a unique work of art that you can see more of in the video below.

“I found that its original shape had a rich and curvy sci-fi style, and after I added some elements of my own, I think it felt more in line with my own style,” Celica said. “What’s special about it are the laser lighting effects and the design which enables it to lift. I used an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card in this computer mod, an Intel i7 10700K for the CPU, the motherboard is an ASRock Z490, and I used 16GB of ZADAK memory.”

The end result is a titanic frame housing multiple parts on a spinning base. Similar to the BFG cannon seen in Doom Eternal–you can’t just shoot a hole into the surface of Mars–the build shines with lights, lasers, and awe-inspiring presence.

As for the game its based on, Doom Eternal’s devilish 6.66 update recently added a horde mode to the game. If you’re looking to take on the limitless forces of hell in this challenging mode, you can check out our guide on milestone rewards and top tips to memorize before you start playing.

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Indie developer Aggro Crab Games has put out a strong statement against NFTs. The studio condemned one of its business partners, publisher Team17 after it had announced it would begin selling NFTs. Aggro Crab has only worked on one game together with Team17 so far, and that was 2020’s Going Under.

The statement reads, “We believe NFTs cannot be environmentally friendly, or useful, and really are just an overall ****ing grift. Please do not harass employees at Team17 or the devs under their umbrella, as this decision seems to have taken everyone off guard and likely came from the very top.”

“Needless to say, we will not be working with them on further titles and encourage other indie developers to do the same unless this decision is reversed. I ****ing hate it here,” says founder Nick Kaman and creative director Caelan Pollock.

sigh pic.twitter.com/I4PIQB6o1H

— AGGRO CRAB (@AggroCrabGames) January 31, 2022

The backlash from the online community was strong enough that the publisher has since deleted its Tweet of the NFT announcement. NFTs have been a hot-button topic in the games space, with companies such as Ubisoft going all-in on the venture, while audiences and developers remain skeptical about them.

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We’re barely one month into 2022, and the gaming industry’s shake-ups have been severe. Microsoft and Sony are snapping up studios left and right. And only a scant few weeks after Microsoft announced its acquisition of Activision Blizzard–creator of one of the biggest gaming franchises in the world, Call of Duty–Sony announced that it’s bringing Bungie into the fold.

It’s hard to keep track of the numerous acquisitions and announcements from Sony in the past year, so we’ve put together a comprehensive picture of what Sony’s business looks like at this moment.

Rapid studio acquisitions in 2021

Prior to 2020, Sony picked up studios at a slower pace than Microsoft. But in late 2020, PlayStation boss Jim Ryan dropped hints that Sony would be looking to acquire more studios–a tease the company has made good on. Housemarque (Returnal), Bluepoint Games (Demon’s Souls remake), Firesprite (The Playroom), Nixxies, and co-development studio Valkyrie all joined Sony in 2021.

It’s quite the variety of studios, and not all are household names. Nixxies specializes in PC ports, Valkyrie has co-developed quite a few games across different platforms, and Bluepoint Games specializes in remasters (although it will initially develop an original game).

Now with Bungie, Sony has made its first acquisition of 2022. It’s not looking like it’ll be the last one, either. According to Gamesindustry.biz’s Christopher Dring, Sony is looking to buy more studios following Bungie.

Sony’s First-Party Studios

Bend Studio (Days Gone)Bungie (Destiny 2)Bluepoint Games (Demon’s Souls Remake)Firesprite (The Playroom)Guerrilla Games (Horizon Zero Dawn, Horizon Forbidden West)Housemarque (Returnal)Insomniac Games (Ratchet & Clank series, Marvel’s Spider-Man, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales)Media Molecule (LittleBigPlanet)Naughty Dog (Uncharted, The Last of Us , The Last of Us Part II)Nixxies Software (known for PC ports)Pixelopus (Concrete Genie)Polyphony Digital (Gran Turismo)Sucker Punch Productions (Ghost of Tsushima)Team Asobi (Astro’s Playroom)Valkyrie Entertainment (God of War’s co-dev; known for co-developing games)xDev (Sackboy: A Big Adventure’s co-dev; known for co-developing games)San Diego Studio (MLB The Show)Santa Monica Studio (God of War)

First-Party Titles And Future Releases

Sony’s first-party titles also received much acclaim and praise in the last couple years. That’s been the company’s long-term strategy–developing critical darlings and releasing them at a slower pace–so far, in contrast to Microsoft’s approach of acquiring more titles in order to beef up Xbox Game Pass.

That’s the key–so far. With the number of acquisitions made in 2021 and Bungie coming under Sony’s banner, it’s likely Sony is changing track to proactive procurement of studios–which means we can expect more first-party titles.

The Last of Us Part II (2020), Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales (2020), Ghost of Tsushima (2020), and Horizon Zero Dawn (2017) can be counted among Sony’s recent first-party hits. Upcoming releases include Horizon Forbidden West and Gran Turismo 7. See below for a list of future titles.

PlayStation’s Future First-Party Releases (Confirmed Dates)

Horizon Forbidden West–February 18, 2022Destiny 2: The Witch Queen–February 22, 2022Gran Turismo 7–March 4, 2022Marvel’s Spider-Man 2–2023MLB The Show 22–April 5, 2022

PlayStation’s Future First-Party Releases (In-progress/Release Date TBA)

Bend Studio’s (Days Gone Dev) unnamed new IPBungie’s non-Destiny unnamed new IPInsomniac Games’ Marvel’s Wolverine Media Molecule’s Tren Naughty Dog’s unnamed standalone multiplayer

Subscription Wars

Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft’s subscription service, poses a form of competition to Sony that PS Now and PS Plus don’t address. For $10 a month (at the lowest tier) and offering many popular first-day releases (third-party games like Back 4 Blood and Rainbow Six Extraction, and all first-party games like Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5), Game Pass is undoubtedly the best gaming subscription service on the market right now.

Sony plans to compete with Game Pass by revamping PS Now and Plus into a combined subscription service codenamed Spartacus, according to a Bloomberg report. The subscription service’s target launch date is Spring 2022, but very little is known about it currently.

Regarding first-party releases, PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan said in a 2020 GamesIndustry.biz interview, “We are not going to go down the road of putting new release titles into a subscription model. These games cost many millions of dollars, well over $100 million, to develop. We just don’t see that as sustainable.”

Whether this plan will change in the future for Spartacus remains to be seen, but continued acquisitions could be a path to bolstering its hypothetical library and expanding its live-service footprint and transmedia efforts.

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It’s been a big month for acquisitions, and another one has just been announced. The New York Times has bought Wordle, the viral daily word game. Creator Josh Wardle says he is working with the Times to move the game over to the NYT site, where it will remain free “initially,” with your current win streaks and other records intact.

This story is developing…

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In Netmarble’s mobile action RPG Marvel Future Revolution, just after the tutorial, you’re given a choice: Eight of Marvel’s most famous heroes are yours to control, but it’s up to you to choose. One of these heroes you’re going to choose as a main character, while three more can fill free character slots to alternate with your main whenever you like. It’s a tough call, narrowing the eight down to four and then eventually one, so let’s lay out what makes each character unique and choose the best squad for brand new Marvel Future Revolution players.

Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow.

Black Widow

Black Widow is as straightforward a character as you could ask for in Marvel Future Rev, focused entirely on damaging single targets. She’s not going to be healing teammates or called in for support often, she is there to kick butt and take names, that’s it. As you build her, she will add some area-of-effect tools to her arsenal, giving her some abilities in crowds, but the majority of her play time will be focusing on taking down one enemy at a time as quickly as possible. If you’re the kind of player who loves rushing into battle head-first, Natasha Romanoff here should be your pick.

Build Recommendations:

CostumeMidgardia Two pieces increases attack by 5.7%Three pieces increase critical damage by 34.7%Four pieces increases Firearm Expert skill class by 6SpecializationsCustom AttacksSingle target damage increased by 21%Fatal StrikeCritical damage with firearms increases by 50%Receiving IntelDamage dealt to enemies with less than 50% health increased by 25%SubdueDamage to immobile/debuffed targets increased by 30%SkillsExplosives Expert – High Explosive GrenadeGrenade that deals 106% Flame damage and sends enemies into the air Cooldown: 12.2 secondsRequired Stamina: 12Effect: Knock down and Burn (damage taken increased by 20% for 6 seconds) affected enemiesGuard Break: LowFirearm Expert – Sniper ShotSnipes the enemy for 587% damage Cooldown: 20.6 secondsRequired Stamina: 37Effect: NoneGuard Break: LowMaster Spy – Launch StrikeApproach an enemy quickly, then launch them into midair Cooldown: 8.6 secondsRequired Stamina: 12Effect: Knocks down affected enemiesGuard Break: HighWidow’s Wire – Taser NetShoots an electric net dealing 109% Shock damage, trapping enemy Cooldown: 9.6 secondsRequired Stamina: 13Effect: Shock (25% decreased attack for 6 seconds) and Snare (immobile for 5 seconds) affected enemiesGuard Break: LowestSteve Rogers, Captain America.

Captain America

Much like the M4 Sherman in World War II, Marvel Future Revolution’s version of Steve Rogers is an American tank. An already high defensive base stat can be further buffed to make him one of the most stalwart characters in the game, while also boosting his attack power in the process. Throw Cap out in front of a group of enemies and watch him absorb damage like a sponge while shield-bashing his way to a quick win.

Build Recommendations:

CostumeSecret Wars Two pieces increases defense by 5.7%Three pieces increase HP by 8.7%Four pieces increases Captain’s Leadership skill class by 6SpecializationsBattle PreparationWhenever Captain America uses a health-restoring item, defense is increased by 20%PassionEvery successful attack also heals Captain America 3% of damage dealtUnyielding WillAutomatically regains 37.5% of total health when health falls below 30%Vanguard20% of Captain America’s Defense is converted to AttackSkillsCaptain’s Leadership – Captain’s PatienceCreates a barrier with durability equal to 18% of Captain America’s max HP Cooldown: 40.1 secondsRequired Stamina: 27Effect: NoneGuard Break: N/AHero’s Duty – Mighty ComboA multiple-hit combo totaling 668% damage Cooldown: 19.1 secondsRequired Stamina: 36Effect: NoneGuard Break: MediumSentinel of Liberty – IndomitabilitySpins at a high speed dealing 324%-834% damage Cooldown: 35.3 secondsRequired Stamina: 35Effect: Vibranium Release (30% more damage when using the Vibranium meter), knocks down affected enemiesGuard Break: HighSpearhead – Lead The ChargeDashes at enemies with shield raised, dealing 174% damage Cooldown: 6.7 secondsRequired Stamina: 13Effect: Knocks back affected enemiesGuard Break: MediumCarol Danvers, Captain Marvel.

Captain Marvel

Captain Marvel is a textbook “glass cannon,” or a character that can deal tremendous amounts of damage but can’t withstand a lot of damage herself. Luckily her best skills are ranged attacks, so there’s no need for her to swoop in and take on enemies face-to-face. Keep her at arm’s reach, fire off her many energy attacks, and be in awe as chunks of HP simply disappear from enemy life bars.

Build Recommendations:

CostumeCarol Corps Two pieces increases attack by 5.7%Three pieces increase critical hit rate by 11.6%Four pieces increases Energy Impact skill class by 6SpecializationsBattle AwakeningWhen Captain Marvel’s health is critical, she receives 2 seconds of invincibility and restores 35% of her healthEnergy EnhancementAttack power increases 20% when a battle lasts longer than 6 secondsPhoton AccelerationAttack is increased 15% when flying. Defense is increased 15% when groundedShield NeutralizationAll Cosmic Energy Class skills have increased Guard damageSkillsPhoton Blast – Photon FocusFocused photon beam that deals up to 1,544% damage to a single target Cooldown: 32.3 secondsRequired Stamina: 52Effect: NoneGuard Break: LowPhoton Buster – Focal Energy ShotFires energy spheres at a single target for up to 444% Cooldown: 13.7 secondsRequired Stamina: 24Effect: NoneGuard Break: LowPhoton Charge – Blast ConeShoots a linear area-of-effect cone that deals up to 146% damage to multiple enemies. Energy explosion after original attack deals additional damage. Cooldown: 14.7 secondsRequired Stamina: 17Effect: Explosion after original attack increases damage dealt to affected enemies by 15% for 5 seconds.Guard Break: LowPhoton Energy – Photon OverflowShoots energy blasts into the air, creating a wide area-of-effect energy shower dealing up to 455% damage Cooldown: 17.0 secondsRequired Stamina: 33Effect: NoneGuard Break: LowThe Sorcerer Supreme, Doctor Stephen Strange.

Doctor Strange

The Sorcerer Supreme, as one might assume, will not be dealing out buckets of damage during a battle. He has plenty of powerful offensive abilities, of course, but supporting the rest of the team is where Doctor Strange shines. Use his strong buffing and debuffing abilities to enhance the rest of your team while turning even the mightiest enemy into a cardboard cutout.

Build Recommendations:

CostumeSakaar Two pieces increases attack by 5.7%Three pieces increase health by 8.7%Four pieces increases Touch of the Vishanti skill class by 6SpecializationsShifting SandsAll enemy debuffs have 30% increased durationSpirit of LightWhen three Touch of the Vishanti class skills are equipped, debuffs received have 37.5% decreased durationWill of the DestroyerAttack is increased by 25%, while skill cooldowns are decreased by 15%Wind of TruthWhen one Touch of the Vishanti class skill is equipped, Ultimate Skill Gauge recovery is boosted 25%SkillsAstral Projection – Astral WalkDoctor Strange becomes ethereal, floating through enemies and dealing 142% damage in a linear area Cooldown: 11.9 secondsRequired Stamina: 15Effect: All affected enemies have damage dealt to them increased by 15% for 5 secondsGuard Break: MediumBook of the Vishanti – Lesson of WisdomCasts a spell that decreases allies’ skill cooldown by 15% for 10 seconds Cooldown: 40.2 secondsRequired Stamina: 21Effect: NoneGuard Break: NoneEye of Agamotto – Tranquil GuardianCasts a spell that makes nearby enemies float in mid-air, removes all debuffs from the entire party, and makes the party immune to debuffs for 10 seconds Cooldown: 25.1 secondsRequired Stamina: 27Effect: NoneGuard Break: NoneMirror Dimension – Shield of MirageCreates a small Mirror Dimension around allies, recovering all allies’ Guard gauges by 20% and decreasing Guard damage received by 20% for 10 seconds Cooldown: 25.2 secondsRequired Stamina: 23Effect: NoneGuard Break: NoneTony Stark, Iron Man.

Iron Man

Tony Stark is the Iron Man-of-all-trades in Marvel Future Revolution, performing moderately well in every area but has no standout attributes. Unless you’re dedicated to Stark Industries, he’s the kind of character that you’d use to learn about the game, and then eventually move away from once you realize what kind of player you want to be. That said, there is a lot to like in Iron Man’s kit, should you decide to stick with him.

Build Recommendations:

CostumeMark 1 Two pieces increases attack by 5.7%Three pieces increase critical hit rate by 11.6%Four pieces increases Artificial Intelligence skill class by 6SpecializationsAlgorithm ImprovementDecreases a J.A.R.V.I.S Class skill cooldown by 25% for 10 secondsAnti-Armor BulletIron Man’s Armor Penetration stat increases by 30% when attacking an enemy with less than 50% healthArtificial AnalysisDamage to Super Villains increased by 30% for 8 seconds after using a Weapon Cartridge Class skillRepulsor AmplificationSkill damage is increased 6% for every Repulsor Class skill equippedSkillsArtificial Intelligence – Weakness ScanAttack that deals 73% damage while pushing back enemies. Cooldown: 27.8 secondsRequired Stamina: 10Effect: Increases Attack for 10 secondsGuard Break: N/AExtra Firepower – Incendiary BombDodges out of harm’s way, then launches an explosive that deals 145% Flame damage Cooldown: 16.7 secondsRequired Stamina: 22Effect: Inflicts Burn (damage taken increased by 20% for 6 seconds) on affected enemiesGuard Break: HighMicromissiles – EMP ShotA electromagnetic pulse that deals 198% damage Cooldown: 13.8 secondsRequired Stamina: 23Effect: Removes buffs from and decreases movement speed of all affected enemiesGuard Break: HighTactical Satellite – Party Time ProtocolCharges at an enemy for 330% damage while summoning two suits to aid the party Cooldown: 40.3 secondsRequired Stamina: 31Effect: Knocks down all affected enemies. Summoned Iron Man suits last for 15 seconds and attack at 18% of Iron Man’s Attack stat.Guard Break: LowPeter Parker, your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.

Spider-Man

While other heroes on the team are suited for inflicting huge damage, Spider-Man’s approach is a bit different. While his focus is on damaging enemies, the webslinger is much better at inflicting sustained, continuous damage thanks to high agility stats. To use a boxing analogy, rather than knock out a bad guy with a huge haymaker, Spidey here is going to jab and jab and jab until he wins the battle.

Build Recommendations:

CostumeSpider-Man Noir Two pieces increases attack by 5.7%Three pieces increase dodge rate by 11.6%Four pieces increases Web Shooter Mastery skill class by 6SpecializationsElectro’s Agility40% of Spider-Man’s dodge rate converts into damage dealtGreen Goblin’s MadnessTotal damage increased by 28.5, but Defense is lowered by 18.8%Transcended SenseMax dodge rate increased by 15%Web Cartridge – CorrosionEnemies receive 40% more damage while cocoonedSkillsSpider-Bot Swarm – Spider-Bot ShooterMultiple Spider-Bots are summoned, which shoot Web Shots that damage enemies and interrupt attacks. Cooldown: 26.5 secondsRequired Stamina: 15Effect: Summoned Spider-Bots last for 10 seconds and attack at 18% of Spider-Man’s Attack stat. Web Shots stack Web* on damaged enemiesGuard Break: N/ASpider-Wrap – Web CollapseShoots webs at a single enemy for 138% damage, then pulls nearby enemies to the damaged foe Cooldown: 10.7 secondsRequired Stamina: 16Effect: Knocks down affected enemy on hitGuard Break: HighWeb Craft – Web GripSpider-Man creates massive hands with his web, then swings them around for 223% damage. Cooldown: 15.9 secondsRequired Stamina: 21Effect: Knocks down and stuns affected enemies for 3 seconds. Stacks Web* on affected enemiesGuard Break: N/AWeb Shooter Mastery – Focused Web-WrapA focused web shot deals 569% damage and interrupts enemy attacks. Cooldown: 23.3 secondsRequired Stamina: 33Effect: Stacks Web* on affected enemiesGuard Break: Low

*When an enemy’s max Web stacks are reached, that enemy is cocooned and loses 30% movement speed and 15% accuracy for 7 seconds.

Peter Quill, aka Star-Lord, the leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Star-Lord

Star-Lord in the comics and movies is a brash, overconfident hero that annoys his enemies as much as he hurts them. Here in Marvel Future Revolution his skill set matches that persona, with abilities that inflict damage-increasing statuses on enemies rather than just inflicting damage. Keep your Star-Lord in the back of each battle, offering help to the other members of the team like a true Guardian of the Galaxy.

Build Recommendations:

CostumeSecret Wars Two pieces increases attack by 5.7%Three pieces increase critical hit rate by 11.6%Four pieces increases Battle Soundtrack skill class by 6SpecializationsGrand FinaleWhenever Star-Lord attacks an enemy with 50% or less HP, they take 25% more damageJet Boots ModificationThe first skill used by Star-Lord after a dodge skill deals 32.5% more damageRapidfire SprayOn every fifth use of a skill, that skill’s cooldown is halvedTolerance DecreaseDamage to immoble/debuffed targets increased by 30%SkillsBattle Soundtrack – Pump It Up!Increases Star-Lord’s Critical Hit rate by 25% for 8 seconds Cooldown: 25.2 secondsRequired Stamina: 12Effect: NoneGuard Break: N/ABlaster Charge – Cherry BombFires a charged shot for 137% Flame damage, while pushing enemies away Cooldown: 19.5 secondsRequired Stamina: 35Effect: Knocks back affected enemies and stacks Burn* on themGuard Break: LowElemental Cannon – Flame CannonballMultiple flame shorts create an explosion inflicting 329% Flame damage Cooldown: 24.2 secondsRequired Stamina: 30Effect: Knocks down affected enemies and stacks Burn* on themGuard Break: MediumProblem Solver – Rapidfire SpinShoots multiple blaster shots at an enemy for 630% Flame damage, also damages nearby enemies Cooldown: 19.5 secondsRequired Stamina: 35Effect: Stacks Burn* on affected enemiesGuard Break: Low

*When an enemy’s max Burn stacks are reached, any damage taken is increased by 20% for 7 seconds.

Uroro Monroe, the mutant known as Storm.

Storm

Storm is a crowd control queen, able to manipulate groups of enemies to her will while inflicting big damage on them. She has a strong DPS repertoire as well, but it’s her ability to shape a battle that makes her stand out. Some of her attacks take a long time to actually come out though, so she may struggle against faster foes.

Build Recommendations:

CostumeAstonishing Two pieces increases attack by 5.7%Three pieces increase Defensive Pierce by 11.6%Four pieces increases Deep Freeze skill class by 6SpecializationsBlizzardChill damage from Storm’s attacks is increased 6% for every Deep Freeze class skill equippedHeadwindDodge Skill gauge recovery is increased by 35%Heavy SnowAll Deep Freeze class skills have 27.5% less cooldownSnowy WindsWhen a Deep Freeze class skill is successful, an extra ice explosion deals damage equal to 105% of Storm’s attack (ability has a 5-second cooldown)SkillsAtmokinesis – Wall of FrostAn ice barrier is created that increases Defense by 27% and interrupts enemy attacks Cooldown: 37.7 secondsRequired Stamina: 11Effect: Stacks Chill* on affected enemiesGuard Break: N/AAtmosphere Control – Frozen SphereCreates and throws a sphere of ice for 103% damage. The area around the sphere then freezes and explodes, dealing more damage Cooldown: 9.1 secondsRequired Stamina: 14Effect: Knocks down and stacks Chill* on affected enemiesGuard Break: HighDeep Freeze – WhiteoutA major snowstorm is created, dealing 611% damage to all enemies Cooldown: 20.7 secondsRequired Stamina: 41Effect: NoneGuard Break: HighIcicle Crash – Icicle SpearA spear made of ice is thrown at enemies, dealing 233% damage Cooldown: 10.4 secondsRequired Stamina: 21Effect: Stacks Chill* on affected enemiesGuard Break: High

*When an enemy’s max Web stacks are reached, that enemy is frozen for 4 seconds and loses 30% movement speed and dodge rate for 7 seconds.

With eight heroes to choose from, who should be your first main?

Who Should You Choose?

For your first ever main hero, we suggest Iron Man as your lead. He’s versatile, he’s adept in multiple different styles, and his builds give you plenty of options while getting your feet wet in the early game. With the other three free slots we’d recommend Spider-Man, Black Widow, and Storm.

Spider-Man‘s constant damage and high agility will let you see how controlling a fast character can be to your advantage. The ability to cocoon enemies in place and let the damage characters do their thing is a huge plus as well.

Black Widow, if nothing else, will give you a glimpse into how “all damage, all the time” characters work. The abilities in her later levels have some of the most powerful attacks in the entire game, and it’s smart to get building on that firepower immediately.

Finally, Storm adds the element (no pun intended) of controlling crowds onto your team, scattering them with elemental attacks before moving in for the kill. As mentioned before her attacks do take some time to launch, but with the right team in front of her that should be an issue.

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