Guardian’s Log: The Nexus (Destiny gameplay recap)

With the leadership of the House of Winter in disarray, the eyes of the Tower turned back to the threat of the Vex. An ancient machine had been awakened and with it, the whole planet would be transformed into another link on their galactic network.

Log

The access to this ‘Nexus’ was through an old Ishtar dig site. I circumvented the Vex patrolling the old city as I made my way through

The door to the dig was sealed and was in Fallen territory. While I had faced harder foes, three High Servitors were no easy targets and the leaderless house are still a threat when confronted

Evidence of the Golden Age dig and their discoveries of ancient Vex activity were present as we travelled down into the planet

The Golden Age facility gave way to rough hewn caverns exposing the crystalline deposits… fascinating under less dire circumstances

I had to watch my step… the Vex have dug deep into Venus

A huge device pulsing with energy that was ripping into the planet, this was the Nexus, a machine to rebuild a world.

The machine was swarming with Vex, but as we cleared them out the true protector – a massive Hydra who bombarded the area with firepower from behind an impenetrable shield. This wasn’t just a sentry, this machine was the Nexus – the coordinating mind for the Vex plans on Venus. With it gone, their plans are halted for now – but without access to the Black Garden we cannot halt their plans forever.

Grimoire

Sekrion, Nexus Mind

Dedicated to the sole purpose of transforming the entire planet Venus into a machine linked into the Vex network, Sekrion coordinates an army of Vex units to excavate and defend the Nexus site. When the site came under attack his body’s separate components dropped down and assembled into his body to defend the Nexus.

The Nexus

A vast machine converting the raw materials of Venus into the machinery of the Vex

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Opinion

I was glad to get back to the Vex after some Fallen-based missions. This Strike was a fun one to play with a boss that was challenging but not impossible to solo. I don’t normally care about loot but the rewards from this one were pretty cool!

Species of the week: Eiroch

Designation: Non-Sentient

Homeworld: Various across Heleus cluster

Fandom: Mass Effect

Appearances: Andromeda

Eiroch are large creatures found across the Heleus cluster on worlds including Voeld. They are bipedal but use all four limbs for charging before using their forelimbs to maul their prey. As well as their bulk they have large bony plates on their heads and backs as protection. Their large size has made them a target for the Kett, who have genetically modified them to be attack beasts called ‘Fiends’.

Ran into one of these beasties while exploring Voeld, it was inconveniently charging me while I tried to scan it!

Species of the week: Bloodmount

Designation: Non-Sentient

Homeworld: Sera

Fandom: Gears of War

Creatures native to the subterranean Hollow, they have been adapted as mounts by the Locust horde. These creatures moved on their hands, using the spikes on their hind limbs to attack enemies up close. The creatures would charge directly at their prey, heedless of any damage they incurred.

Gears has so many wacky creatures I love it!!

Pilot’s debriefing: Secrets and Spies (Star Wars: Squadrons gameplay recap)

Pilot reporting: Tarro Blackfeather

Callsign: Titan Three

I have arrived. After years of demotion and assignments beneath my tactical skill – all thanks to my traitorous former commander – I have been returned to my proper station by an ally who recalls my worth. It was good to do battle with Rebels once again

This assignment came right from the top – from Admiral Sloane herself. We finally had a lead on the rebellion’s Starhawk project, led by the traitor Javes, and it was time to uncover the meaning behind this enterprise which prompted the theft of our remaining Star Destroyers.

The Star Destroyer Overseer, operating out of the Talcene system (a far cry from it’s mighty victories at Jeyell and Pothor), is my new base of operations. Captain Kerrill brought me onboard personally – not only for my skills as a pilot but in recognition of the score we both have to settle

Our assignment was to provide cover for an extraction. Agent Thorn was undercover at Hosnian Prime and had uncovered key intelligence on Starhawk.

After briefly getting to know my new squadron we got to our transports and headed into enemy territory.

We jumped straight into enemy territory, over the ecumenopolis planet where the so-called New Republic felt safe. I admit a certain satisfaction at hearing the panicked comm chatter following our arrival. Our target was one of many orbital stations – we made quick our approach.

Our first task was the outer defences – I made quick work of their missile platforms.

Under advisement from my new squadron leader I took out their generator to allow us to more easily eliminate their defences. This squadron will soon realise I am an advantage.

The station launched fighters but we worked together to eliminate them and the remaining cannons on the station. The… unconventional loadout of my TIE Fighter was not unwelcome in this task.

The shuttle Gladius was carrying our extraction crew. I made sure it was escorted all the way to the hangar.

More fighters came from the surface but the complacent fighters of the so-called New Republic stood no chance against our efficiency. The team did their part and were back to our transports by the time the fleet arrived.

I look forward to hearing Agent Thorn’s debriefing and learning how we can truly strike back at the Rebels

Data Files

Terisa Kerril

Terisa Kerril is an honourable commander who respects talent and dedication in her pilots. Growing up abandoned on the streets of Coruscant, she was given a purpose by the Empire and has repaid it with loyalty and service. After demotion following Lindon Javes’ betrayal at Fostar Haven, she now commands the Star Destroyer Overseer.

Willard Waylin

A graduate of the Imperial Adacemy on Arkanis. Waylin has no interest in piloting but has a talent for maintaining and upgrading starfighters. After Endor he has adapted to the times and will customise starfighter for missions outside standard operating parameters.

Agent Thorn

An Agent of the Imperial Security Bureau, Thorn was able to successfully infiltrate the New Republic government at Hosnian Prime and uncover actionable intelligence on Project Starhawk.

Orbital Station (Hosnian Prime)

A number of these orbital platforms are positioned in high orbit over Hosnian Prime. They have three hangar bays connected to a central structure, which can accomodate the shuttles and cargo craft delivering supplies as well as launch the station’s own dedicated fighter squadrons. The station is defended by laser cannons mounted on the hull.

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Opinion

It was fun to get back into a TIE fighter again as it felt like it had been a while of doing New Republic. ‘d initially expected to bounce between the factions each mission but I like how the story is playing out. I definitely wasn’t expecting Hosnian Prime as a location and flying over a city planet was a cool aspect. I The squadron all seem interesting too and I’m intrigued to see where the next mission takes me.

Guardian’s Log: Winter’s Run (Destiny gameplay recap)

Not willing to accept the loss of their Kell, the House of Winter raided the Prison of Elders in the Reef and sought to liberate an Archon to replace their lost leadership and rise again, we were dispatched to make sure they stayed down

Log

Once again we ran through the Fallen lair, with human victims hung up to adorn the entrance. Yeah, we weren’t going to let them rebuild.

We pushed into the caves but we weren’t the only ones. The Vex were assaulting them too – clearly they didn’t want the Fallen to gain an Archon either.

It was a long way to our destination so I liberated one of their Pykes to speed things up. I’m sure no one missed it!

We passed by the Ketch of the Fallen Kell. The area was now an open warzone between the Vex and the Fallen.

Any chance of circumventing the action was barred by a sealed hatch. I was forced to turn and face waves of Vex reinforcement while my Ghost breached Fallen security protocols.

After what felt like an age we were through. There was heavy Fallen security around their prize – a captured prison cell.

There was only one way to ensure the Fallen were deprived of their Archon. We opened the cell and took him down permanently. The House of Winter’s threat is diminished… for now at least.

Grimoire

Aksor, Archon Priest

A powerful Archon, seemingly of the House of Kings by his iconography, who can commune with the Prime Servitors of the Fallen. He was captured and imprisoned by the Fallen of the Reef but was rescued by desperate remnants of the House of Winter in the hope that he would become their leader.

Prison of Elders cryo cell

These chambers keep the prisoners of the Reef contained in Stasis unless released from the outside.

Harpy

Harpies are fast-moving aerial Vex units who typically deploy in small swarms to overrun enemies.

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Opinion

I had a lot of frustration with this one. I had to restart a few sections over and over because I kept getting overrun until I realised the problem was that I was using a Hand Cannon and the sacrifice of accuracy for power just wasn’t working for me. I switched to a rifle and breezed through!

So… I played Halo 2: Anniversary (Uprising)

I played some more Halo 2 and, well, this level was ok. I think Easter Egg hunting ruined this one for me as I spent most of the time over on the edges of the map and circumvented a lot of the action. Still, not every level can be a banger!

The remaster really shows off the beauty of the Halos. This look at the Control Room is just majestic.

I’m definitely appreciating the emotional impact of the overthrow of the Sangheili in this playthrough. Perhaps it’s having spent more time with the as allies in Halo 5 and other media that I felt sorry for Thel. Also, it gave the added challenge of trying not to blow up the survivors with my Scarab gun!!

I wasted ages trying to unlock the Cowardly Grunt achievement on this level. I found the falle, even heard his dialogue but after several attempts, including restarting the level twice, the achievement still wouldn’t unlock! Thinking of it, this is probably why I’m not so keen on this level!!

Unlocking the terminal was one of the coolest parts of the level for me. Seeing more of the Heretic’s conversation with Guilty Spark and digging into the history of the Covenant was really cool and I love finding more of the ancient Covenant.

Digging more into the story of the Arbiters and how the mausoleum grew was a lot of fun. I’d love a game set in this time period!

I love Rtas! Meeting up with him and seeing the beginning of his respect for and alliance with the Arbiter was cool.

Achievements

My Work is Done

Halo 2: Collect the Librarian toy in Uprising

This one is seriously off the beaten track! Without YouTube guides I’d have had no chance of finding this one!

Scholar

Halo 2: Activate Terminal 11 on Uprising

I did manage to find this one once I knew the general area.

Species of the week: Reaver

Designation: Non-sentient

Homeworld: Sera

Fandom: Gears of War

Reavers are flying creatures native to the massive underground Hollow beneath the surface of Sera. They have been tamed and used as flying mounts by the Locust hordes, laying down suppressive fire from above and landing as ground assault if needed.

Got a bit further in Judgement and tackling Reavers on the bridge was a fun sequence.

Guardian’s Log: Scourge of Winter (Destiny gameplay recap)

While the Vex are a troubling complication, the threat of the Fallen on Venus cannot be ignored. After preventing them accessing our archives we took the fight to them, leading a raid against their Kell

Log

I’d scouted the Fallen lair when patrolling the surface, but now it was time to go deep, deep within. The Fallen boiled out of their cave like ants from a nest. I took them down, one at a time.

The caves of the Fallen went far into the strata of Venus. The House of Winter has a huge presence here, perhaps as much as the House of Devils on Earth.

I could tell we were getting close – Elite guards decloaked and attacked. They were definitely more ferocious but in the end they were just Fallen and they died like the rest.

Pushing through we found the centre of their lair – a massive Fallen Ketch. I’d only seen one once before just after I was brought to life by my Ghost. This massive starship was clearly their headquarters – there was nowhere to go but inside.

The ship was a warren, with fanatical Fallen swarming out of every opening. I passed the massive Pilot Servitors that guide them in their raids across our system.

The raid ended in the throne room, face to face with the Kell himself. Gorging on ether, this Fallen towered over all the rest and did not go quietly but I was not going to go down either and in the end he succumbed to my fire

The throne of the House of Winter now stands empty. Let us hope that the lack of leadership will send them scurrying away.

Grimoire

Ketch

These massive starships carry Fallen Houses across the stars.

Pilot Servitor

These massive Servitors are essential for Fallen space travel, making them reliant on them for their society to survive.

Draksis, Winter Kell

Draksis is the ruthless leader of the House of Winter, who pillage Venus for Golden Age treasures. He wears the colours of the House of Devils, perhaps recalling the time he allied himself with them at the battle of Twilight Gap before returning to Venus and angaging in battle with the Vex.

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Opinion

This was a fun one. Getting to see the Ketch upo close was very cool. However, I do find it odd that the focus is shifting fully to the Fallen, I was expecting to have more time battling the Vex before moving on to Mars.

Species of the week: Profrogg

Designation: Non-Sentient

Homeworld: Tatooine

Fandom: Star Wars

Apperarances: Battlefront

Profroggs are small rodent-like creatures native to Tatooine. They have powerful incisors and sharp claws, but these are largely used for digging and their first response on being approached is to scurry away. The creatures live in large underground warrens called ‘towns’.

I’m digging through my old Xbox Screenshots (before Microsoft delete them all!) and came across this critter which I loved spotting in Battlefront

Species of the week: Anrisaur

Designation: Sentient

Homeworld: Coda

Fandom: Anthem

Appearances: Anthem

Anrisaurs are one of the many fauna native to the unfinished world of Coda. They have reptilian and crustacean characteristics, having a hard carapace that is near-invulnerable to small arms fire.

Anrisaurs are extremely protective of their territory and will attack immediately if approached or provoked, puncing on their prey or attacking them at range by spitting acid or lashing out with their long tongues.

I bough Anthem for cheap in the black friday sale and I remembered playing the beta where I lobbed a grenade into open space, which immediately resulted in me being attacked by a trio of these creatures!!