Schlagwort: ARPG

  • From Fur to Fury: The Legacy of Diablo’s Druid Class

    From Fur to Fury: The Legacy of Diablo’s Druid Class

    Reading Time: 5 minutes

    From Fur to Fury: The Legacy of Diablo’s Druid Class

    • Chelsea Leah, Blizzard Entertainment

    Summary

    •  The new Druid class comes to Diablo Immortal on July 3.
    • With changes in every iteration, the Druid always brings a blend of feral instincts, nature-based magic, and stoic survivalism.
    • Take a deeper look at the Druid class throughout the ages of Diablo and see how it has evolved.

    Picture this: you’re standing in the heart of a storm, lightning crackling in the sky, the ground trembling as if the earth itself feels your rage. Around you, wolves snarl and bears roar, ready to strike at your command. This is the primal power of the Druid, first introduced in Diablo II, making a triumphant return in Diablo IV, and soon to have their debut in Diablo Immortal on July 3.

    Druidsrepresent a fascinating blend of feral instincts, nature-based magic, and stoic survivalism. Let’s dive into the evolution of this iconic playable class.

    Origins of the Druid

    In Diablo lore, the Druids are a reserved and reflective people, deeply connected to nature and its primal forces. Though they share a historical link with the Barbarians, Druids follow their own path. Where Barbarians celebrate raw, unshackled might, Druids harness nature’s power with precision and balance. Picture them as the calm before the storm—until they morph into a bear and decimate their foes, that is.

    The Druid design pulls heavily from European (Celtic and German) myths and folklore, particularly the idea of shamans and natural spellcasters who draw power from the earth. However, the Diablo universe evolves these archetypes into something uniquely suited to its grim world, drawing a look and feel from the raw, primal essence of Sanctuary’s harsh wilderness, blending ferocity and mysticism in equal measure.

    The Druid’s Skill Set

    The Druid class skill kit offers a mix of nature-based elemental magic, shapeshifting abilities, and summoning loyal animal companions to aid in battle. Here’s what makes them a force to be reckoned with:

    Elemental Magic

    Druids wield the raw power of nature through earth-shattering spells, crackling lightning attacks, and poison damage. These abilities represent the destructive beauty of natural forces.

    Summoning Companions

    Choose from loyal wolves, towering bears, or ravenous vines, depending on the playstyle you favor. Your summons not only fight at your side but can be pivotal for drawing aggro or dealing critical damage.

    Shapeshifting

    Need even more power? Transform into a hulking Werebear for devastating melee attacks or a nimble Werewolf for swift strikes. This dynamic shapeshifting adds a visceral touch and lets you unleash your unique adventuring style.

    The Druid’s Evolution

    The Druid class has come a long way since its Diablo II debut. Each iteration refines the fantasy, addressing gameplay mechanics while holding onto the Druid’s core identity.

    Diablo II (2000)

    The Druid made an unforgettable debut, combining shapeshifting abilities with elemental magic to create a class deeply attuned to the forces of nature. Players could transform into a ferocious werewolf or a sturdy werebear, each offering unique tactical advantages that catered to different playstyles.

    Elemental abilities provided additional versatility, allowing Druids to unleash the devastating power of storms and flames. Armed with primal weapons like axes, clubs, and special polearms, the Druid’s combat style resonated with its connection to the natural world.

    Narratively, the Druid stood apart from other classes, with their isolation adding an air of mystique to enhance their lore.

    Diablo IV (2023)

    The Druid emerges as a class rich with dynamic possibilities. Earth and storm spells now deliver visually striking abilities, including summoning earthquakes to disrupt foes or unleashing lightning storms for devastating long-range attacks. Players can seamlessly transition between human, werewolf, and werebear forms during combat, and for further customization, specific items enable them to adopt their preferred form as a default, opening hybrid strategies like a resilient, earth-powered werebear or an agile, storm-infused werewolf.

    Adding to the versatility, Totems return as specialized off-hand items, enriching the Druid’s arsenal with tailored bonuses that complement their iconic staves, axes, and clubs. These tools allow for builds that ensure a personalized experience. The Druid’s lore gains depth in their role as guardians of the wild and their command over nature’s elements.

    Diablo Immortal (2022):

    The Druid’s entry as the 9th playable class channels an untamed, primal energy, embracing a neolithic essence that stands apart even from the Scosglen Druids of Diablo IV. This version is wild and reckless, wielding the raw forces of nature with ferocity rather than control. Characterized as a hermit with a quirky and enigmatic personality, the Sharval Druid thrives in isolation, adding an unpredictable melee/summoner hybrid charm to the battlefield.

    With Wild Magic at their command, their focused skillset and adaptability make them a versatile and fearsome force, while their eccentric, hermitic persona brings an air of mystique to the fast-paced mobile world of Diablo Immortal. Whether shaping the battlefield with elemental fury or summoning swarms of loyal creatures, this Druid iteration offers a uniquely feral experience.

    Join the Pack

    Balancing nostalgia with innovation, the Druid has maintained its identity while adapting its skills to fit the evolving mechanics of the Diablo universe.

    The Druid’s fantasy is timeless. Whether you’re commanding the forces of nature, shapeshifting into feral beasts, or summoning animal allies, the class provides an immersive and customizable experience. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of smashing your enemies as a Werebear, followed by unleashing a storm of ravens to clear the battlefield. It’s gameplay that walks the line between serenity and ferocity.

    What’s your favorite Druid moment in Diablo? Share your stories on our forums or on social media via X and Instagram and join the Diablo community to stay updated on the latest news.

    The post From Fur to Fury: The Legacy of Diablo’s Druid Class appeared first on Xbox Wire.

    Website: LINK

  • New Pinnacle Bosses in Path of Exile: Secrets of the Atlas, and Tips To Take Them On

    New Pinnacle Bosses in Path of Exile: Secrets of the Atlas, and Tips To Take Them On

    Reading Time: 6 minutes

    New Pinnacle Bosses in Path of Exile: Secrets of the Atlas, and Tips To Take Them On

    • Mark Roberts, Game Director

    Summary

    • Path of Exile: Secrets of the Atlas is available on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One on June 13.
    • Secrets of the Atlas sets Path of Exile up for a new series of Endgame Bosses, Crafting Systems, Unique Items and much more as the game also steps into a new storyline to prepare for many future expansions.
    • The expansion brings back a fan-favourite character and introduces three new Pinnacle Endgame Bosses that will truly put your skills to the test.

    The new Path of Exile expansion, Secrets of the Atlas, arrives on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One today. Explore a new additive Atlas storyline, face three new Pinnacle Endgame Bosses, and find a perfect companion in a new Mercenaries of Trarthus challenge league. Here, we’ll also share some tips on how to approach these powerful new foes.

    Secrets of The Atlas

    With one of Path of Exile’s most iconic characters, Zana, returning after many years from a mysterious disappearance, you will search for her and begin a new saga of the Endgame.

    Bringing back Zana sets Path of Exile up for a new series of Endgame Bosses, Crafting Systems, Unique Items and much more as we also step into a new storyline to prepare for many future expansions.

    The Secrets of the Atlas expansion comes with three very unique, very distinct bosses that now act as the Endgame Pinnacle content for this expansion.We wanted to have Zana be integral to these and have her memories be the source of their design. Specifically, very potent memories coming from places of either trauma or even admiration.

    We took some concepts of Memories she had and translated them into new bosses.

    The first memory sees Zana trying to get her father’s attention while he’s working and accidentally tipping over a candle, burning some of his books.

    The books burn, he douses the flames and then angrily retaliates, yelling at her, at this moment she truly felt fear and that acts as a potent memory which has now malformed into her father turning into a boss named The Incarnation of Fear. The boss is strong, scary and physically powerful, depicting how she saw him in this moment.

    The Incarnation of Fear is a physically powerful being capable of taking you down just using his fists. On top of that he is infused with intense flames that he can channel into powerful beams and spheres to block your movement and restrict your positioning.

    This fight relies on you to intelligently consider where you are standing at all times, and make sure you aren’t restricting your playspace in a way that would result in your demise. All while trying to avoid his powerful physical attacks.

    The second and third memories are similar, one is an Incarnation of Neglect, where he was lost in his work and thus ignoring Zana and refusing to give her attention.

    The Incarnation of Neglect uses devices and machinery to his advantage. He summons powerful laser beams that will sweep through the arena, causing you to perform almost a dance to avoid dying.

    Every so often he uses a number of puzzle boxes to do an advanced version of this skill, testing your reaction times and making sure you’re able to maneuver with precision.

    If you’re able to survive these, he will channel powerful explosions and beams from his staff using shocking lightning and arctic ice magic, get hit by these and you will be slowed, or even frozen, and that will surely cause you to be eviscerated by the lasers.

    Another is the Incarnation of Dread, a more positive memory, but one where she saw her father getting praise and being idolized by others. She was happy for him, but was afraid she would never achieve his standards and forever be in his shadow.

    The Incarnation of Dread is a tactically complicated fight but one that is befitting of its role as a Pinnacle Boss. It uses a combination of all of the Elements and Chaos to try to defeat you.

    Using its large limbs to slam you, tear you apart, all the way to using its neck which can literally split in two to create portals to summon magical homing projectiles it will prove formidable. Its most terrifying ability however is its bullet-hells, which will truly test the skill of the player as they must dodge and weave through waves of projectiles in order to stay alive, while trying to kill him and interrupt his abilities.

    Each of these requires a well-designed, well-built and thought out endgame character to have the best chance. However, the world is your oyster, either invest heavily in defence to protect yourself from their disastrous abilities, or stack offence to try to burn them down quicker, or take something well-balanced in the middle and get the best of both worlds!

    Step into the Memories

    In this Endgame storyline, you will meet a mysterious new character named Eagon, who is trying to discover his own origins. Using a gauntlet of his own creation, Eagon is able to link to memory threads and open portals to new areas for you to investigate. These areas are influenced by the same memories which created the pinnacle bosses, who wait for you at the end of each memory thread. Defeating them will grant you new unique items, memory-influenced maps, and new crafting currencies you can use to manipulate the influence these memories have on items.

    Path of Exile: Secrets of the Atlas is available today on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.

    Path of Exile

    Path of Exile

    Grinding Gear Games

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 451
    ★★★★★

    Get it now
    Xbox One X Enhanced

    Earn devastating skills and valuable items as you fight your way through the dark continent of Wraeclast. With unrivaled character customization, Path of Exile is an award-winning online Action RPG created by hardcore gamers, for hardcore gamers.

    The post New Pinnacle Bosses in Path of Exile: Secrets of the Atlas, and Tips To Take Them On appeared first on Xbox Wire.

    Website: LINK

  • Aniimo: Breaking Down This Beautiful Creature Collector – Sign Up for a Closed Beta!

    Aniimo: Breaking Down This Beautiful Creature Collector – Sign Up for a Closed Beta!

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    Summary

    • Learn more about Aniimo, the creature collecting action-RPG revealed at Xbox Games Showcase. 
    • Aniimo is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud as an Xbox Play Anywhere title in 2026. 
    • Sign up for a closed beta today! 

    It’s been an exciting time for the whole Aniimo team as, during the Xbox Games Showcase, we were finally able to open the doors of Aniimo to players and welcome them to our passion project; an open world creature collecting action-RPG.  

    This is truly the game of our dreams. We’ve been focused on crafting something new and unforgettable, laying the foundations for a magnificent open world with immense potential. All of us are excited to have players join us in discovering the world of Aniimo, and getting them involved in the next step of development by sharing valuable feedback with us during an upcoming closed beta test.  

    If you’re keen to know more, let me break down our new game for you:

    The Aniimo 

    Thanks to Aniimo, we have discovered a fascinating bunch of creatures called, you’ve guessed it, Aniimo. These are magical beings who we are getting to know better every day.  The Aniimo have captured our curiosity, and we’re constantly learning more about them – their personalities, abilities, charm, our own emotional connections with them and how they adapt to Idyll, the world that they live in. One example is Budclaw, a shy crab-like Aniimo who is good at digging and navigating different terrains, but can’t see too well underground. That’s a good trick to know because if it hits a rock it will go dizzy and be easier to catch. Another is Nimbi, the cloud-shaped sheep who reacts to its environment, making it incredibly light and able to jump to huge heights – but who behaves very differently in thunderstorms.  

    This world is so rich and detailed that we’re still seeking more Aniimo out, learning about them, capturing them, battling with them, developing and evolving them, and we’re excited to be able to now have players join us on this journey of discovery.  

    Aniimo screenshot

    The Gameplay 

    When players join us in the world of Idyll they will gradually embark on their own unique journey of exploration. This is a multiplayer game in a fully open world. Players can choose the areas they want to explore, and the narrative will be shaped by their choices. Everyone’s adventure will be different.  

    There are two battle modes in the game. By capturing an Aniimo you can engage in real-time battles with other Aniimo, and grow your own Aniimo’s strength and skills. But beyond having a creature with incredible abilities and powers, wouldn’t it be even better if you could experience those powers for yourself? By “twining” with the Aniimo, a spiritual connection takes place, essentially enabling us to become our chosen creature, and experience the game in a totally new way.  

    We can move through the world as an Aniimo, battle as an Aniimo and explore the world of Idyll through the unique features of the Aniimo we have twined with. This feature also immerses us more fully in the Aniimo’s society – the everyday exchanges and habits that the Aniimo have developed amongst themselves. 

    Aniimo screenshot

    The Open World 

    Idyll is a huge, living world, but there are bigger reasons for travelling around it than simply to see the sights. Each Aniimo reacts to the different environments and conditions and adapts their behavior accordingly. For example, an Aniimo may be able to leverage terrain to burrow and dodge attacks, or use special vision to spot danger, which takes the discovery of the world to a whole new level.   

    Aniimo screenshot

    Join the Closed Beta  

    This is just the beginning! We can’t wait to welcome players to Idyll and introduce you to the Aniimo! Our closed beta test will open for PC players later this summer and more information on how to participate can be found here.

    Aniimo
    Xbox Play Anywhere

    Aniimo

    Kingsglory Games

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    Aniimo is a next-gen open-world creature-catching ARPG set to launch in 2026.

    Website: LINK

  • No Rest for the Wicked: Where Moon Studios Is Heading Next After Ori

    No Rest for the Wicked: Where Moon Studios Is Heading Next After Ori

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    It’s been a little more than three years now since you’ve last heard from Moon Studios on Xbox Wire. We’ve been very much looking forward to this day and we couldn’t be prouder of our team for having just announced No Rest for the Wicked at The Game Awards 2023.

    As you all know, our studio made its bones and built its foundation on Xbox. Ori and the Blind Forest started development as an Xbox 360 title, but ultimately got released on the Xbox One on March 11, 2015. Thanks to all of you, Ori became a gigantic success for our studio and, also thanks to you, we were then able to make a sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, which we shipped on March 11, 2020. Just like we did on Ori and the Blind Forest, we poured our heart and soul into this sequel, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps became a tremendous success as well.

    But we’ve been hiding a little secret all along. Even before we started our venture on Ori and the Will of the Wisps, we were prototyping a new game: a top-down action role playing game. And we loved it. However, it quickly became clear that our studio was still too young to embark on this journey; and since we received hundreds of emails from all of you wanting us to make a sequel to the original Ori… well, that’s what we did!

    In 2018, we sat down and decided that we were ready to finally kick this ARPG into production. We showed the prototype of No Rest for the Wicked to numerous publishers and decided to partner up with Private Division this time.

    No Rest for the Wicked Screenshot

    Our goal was highly ambitious. We looked at all the ARPGs on the market and pondered on the ideas and dreams we had back in the early 2000s when we played games like Diablo 2 religiously. We all believed that Moon Studios could have a great impact on this genre.

    Even though Ori is a ‘Metroidvania’ game, I always considered it a platformer at heart. It was our ‘Mario’, and the idea of Moon Studios making a ‘Zelda’ based on all the things we had learned during the production of the Ori games tickled all of us. We thought it’d be interesting to take inspiration from all these games to ultimately craft an entirely new recipe, and I think that’s what we’ve accomplished!

    No Rest for the Wicked Screenshot

    No Rest for the Wicked is our entirely fresh and new take on the ARPG genre. This game stands upon the shoulders of our history on Xbox, the great things this genre has accomplished, and the outstanding developments we’ve seen in the gaming industry. It is infused with the Moon Studios magic that made Ori so special, with fresh, innovative ideas! You can see some of what we’ve achieved in our announcement trailer – giving you hints at the story and combat mechanics – but we have so much more to tell you…

    No Rest for the Wicked Screenshot

    We can’t wait to show you all a full deep-dive into No Rest for the Wicked during our ‘Wicked Inside’ digital showcase – on March 1, 2024, via our channels.

    I hope we’ll be able to make all of you past, present, and future Ori fans proud! And to everyone, we hope you check out this passion project of ours!

    Website: LINK