PvPvE
Ongoing coverage on PvPvE.
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Marathon's new endgame map has finally been unlocked, but it's only open on weekends
The new Cryo Archives map for the game Marathon has been unlocked, offering an intense PvPvE experience. Access to this map is currently restricted to weekends.
Marathon's Cryo Archive drops tomorrow and it sounds like almost every aspect of it will be a pain in the shell
Bungie announced that the Cryo Archive mode for Marathon will be available starting tomorrow, March 20th, exclusively on weekends. This new mode requires a team of three players and features six interconnected wings with a central hub, intense combat against security forces and other Runners, and challenging extraction stakes similar to raids. Players will need to gain security clearance to access vaults containing powerful loot and uncover deeper secrets of Marathon.
Players unlock Marathon’s Cryo Archive end game zone and trailer by solving alternate reality game (ARG)
Players have unlocked Marathon's new end-game zone, Cryo Archive, and its accompanying trailer by solving an alternate reality game. This high-intensity PvPvE zone features six wings and seven Vaults, requiring players to be Level 25 with specific loadouts. The article also details the upcoming Ranked Mode, its mechanics, and rewards, alongside information on the Marathon Collector's Edition and recent game updates.
Marathon's Cryo Archive goes live Friday as a weekends-only "raid-style" PvPvE map: "So please, do…
Bungie is launching Marathon's "Cryo Archive" endgame activity this Friday, March 20, which will be available only on weekends. This raid-style PvPvE map requires players to reach Runner Level 25, unlock all six factions, and have a loadout value of at least 5,000 credits. A sponsored kit will be available for a one-time use to lower the stakes on the first attempt.
Throne and Liberty talks about server merge impact, a new accessory, and upcoming PvP and PvE content
Amazon's associate franchise lead Tico discussed the impact of recent server merges in Throne and Liberty, promising adjustments based on player feedback. The April 2nd update will introduce new co-op dungeons, updates to existing content, a new PvP battlefield, and a new brooch accessory. A player survey will also launch in early April to gather further feedback.
XLGAMES’ extraction shooter The Cube, Save Us has entered free-to-play early access
XLGAMES and Studio Cube have launched their extraction shooter, The Cube, Save Us, into free-to-play early access. The PvPvE game, set on a post-nuclear Earth where players enter an alien Cube to scavenge and survive, was initially slated for a late 2025 release but was delayed due to performance issues. The developers have stated that the free-to-play model will not be pay-to-win, with only cosmetic items available for purchase.
‘THE CUBE, SAVE US’ Launches Globally in Steam Early Access Today (March 18) as Free-to-Play
XLGAMES announced that its post-apocalyptic extraction action game THE CUBE, SAVE US, developed by Studio Cube, has launched globally on Steam in Early Access as a free-to-play title. The game features PvPvE combat in a devastated Earth setting, with players exploring the 'Cube' for resources and survival. Paid items will be limited to cosmetic customization, ensuring skill-based competition.
Marathon Review — You Get What You Give | Console Creatures
Bungie's Marathon is a tense PvPvE extraction shooter available on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Players act as cybernetic Runners on Tau Ceti IV, completing contracts and battling AI and human opponents while trying to exfiltrate successfully.
Arc Raiders update nerfs notorious Il Toro shotgun from basically every angle: pellet damage, fire rate, dispersion,…
Arc Raiders developer Embark Studios has released Patch 1.20.0, which nerfs the controversial Il Toro shotgun. The adjustments address the weapon's damage per second and effectiveness at range, a change many players had requested to balance the PvPvE experience.
Marathon Guide – Lockdown Event
This guide details the Lockdown world event in Marathon, a Dire Marsh exclusive that triggers approximately fifteen minutes into a run. The event involves a multi-wave defensive mission against the UESC AI across three locations, requiring players to collect and insert 'Lockdown Drives' into UESC Security Caches to unlock valuable loot. Players are advised to bring an Antivirus Pack, ample ammo, and Cardio Kicks for efficient traversal, while also being prepared for potential encounters with other Runner teams.
Marathon review: Brilliant extraction tension and frustration - Notebookcheck
Bungie's Marathon is a tense PvPvE extraction shooter available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Players take on contracts as cybernetic Runners on Tau Ceti IV, battling AI and human opponents while attempting to exfiltrate with their loot.
Hands on: After 60 hours, Marathon is already one of my favorite shooters in years
After 60 hours of gameplay, Marathon is shaping up to be a standout extraction shooter with a stylish cyberpunk aesthetic and deep gameplay. The game offers diverse playstyles, from solo stealth to intense PvP encounters, and features a compelling narrative tied to player progression. While the user interface and audio can be inconsistent, the core experience is highly engaging and promises significant replayability.
Marathon’s punishing PvP gameplay loop is taking its toll on less-skilled players, but that’s likely by design
Marathon's punishing player-versus-player (PvP) gameplay loop is reportedly taking a toll on less-skilled players, leading to frustration and difficulty progressing. While Bungie markets the game as a tough extraction shooter where death is a learning experience, some players feel overwhelmed by highly skilled opponents, even after many hours. This difficulty may be by design, potentially impacting the game's long-term player retention if the population becomes dominated by expert players.
Pixelnest announces Cosmo Cargo
Pixelnest Studio has announced Cosmo Cargo, an inventory autobattler roguelite with a PvE focus set in a sci-fi universe. The game is slated for release on PC, Mac, and Linux via Steam, with a playable demo available on itch.io. Pixelnest Studio, founded in 2014, is known for titles such as Steredenn and Steredenn: Binary Stars.
Quinfall outlines update plans for monsters, world bosses, PvP features, and more sources of currency
Vawraek Technology has outlined upcoming updates for the sandbox MMORPG Quinfall, focusing on enhancing high-level monsters with improved rewards and strategy, and scheduling world bosses for regular spawns. The plans also include new PvP content such as a new map, arena modes, and a revised olympic war system, alongside increased availability of the tera currency through various activities. Most of these changes are expected within the next 15 days.
Arc Raiders received 'substantial negative PvP sentiment' during testing, causing the devs to second-guess its big pivot before realising it was really frustration with weapons and matchmaking
Embark Studios' Arc Raiders initially faced negative player sentiment regarding its PvP elements during testing, leading developers to reconsider the game's direction. This frustration stemmed from issues with weapons and matchmaking, ultimately shaping the game into its current PvPvE extraction shooter format.
No one at Embark could describe Arc Raiders before its extraction shooter pivot, leading to 'playtest battles' of competing directions for the game
Embark Studios' extraction shooter Arc Raiders underwent significant development pivots, moving away from its initial PvE concepts due to a lack of clear direction. Production director Caio Braga detailed how internal playtest battles and conflicting visions led to the game's eventual focus on the extraction shooter genre, leveraging the studio's experience with The Finals.
RWR 2 (RUNNING WITH RIFLES 2) announced with a teaser trailer
Running With Rifles 2 has been announced with a teaser trailer, serving as a sequel to the popular top-down tactical shooter. The new installment will feature a significantly larger world map, destructible environments, and enhanced AI for bots and commanders. The game will focus on a campaign with solo, co-op, and a dedicated PvE mode, though a release date and specific platforms have not yet been confirmed.
"UESC is still a menace, don't worry" - Marathon community debates PvE nerfs following game's first major balance patch
Marathon players are debating Bungie's recent balance patch, which reduced PvE enemy health and boss shield durability by 10-25 percent. While some players welcome the change for improved survivability and resource management, others lament the loss of challenge and the game's previously intense combat feel. Developers emphasize that the core threat of the UESC remains, with adjustments focused on ammo conservation and rewarding player awareness.
How to get the free Skill Point in Diablo 4 Season 12 Mangled Message
This guide explains how to complete the 'Mangled Message' objective in Diablo 4 Season 12 to obtain a free Skill Point. The guide details the three tasks required, including participating in the Ceremony of Slaughter event, and notes that the Skill Point must be claimed on a fresh level 1 character.