Update 1.2 Released for Frontiers of Pandora

Massive Entertainment has rolled out Title Update 1.2 for Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, right on the heels of the game’s new expansion, Secret of the Spires. This update hits the scene just shy of the game’s first birthday.

This open-world adventure, inspired by James Cameron’s blockbuster movie series, has been evolving since its launch on December 7, 2023. Distributed by Ubisoft, it has benefited from numerous updates aimed at adding new features, improving stability, and squashing various bugs. The latest update does not deviate from this path, bringing a fresh region to explore and a host of bug fixes.

The update launched on November 28 alongside the much-anticipated story expansion Secret of the Spires. Players can now dive into the new Spires of the Clouded Forest area and enjoy an additional story campaign, side quests, activities, skills, and new gear. Although initially slated for a November 26 release, the expansion was pushed back due to a last-minute issue, according to the developers.

One of the significant highlights of this update is the PlayStation 5 Pro support. Players using the new console will experience the vibrant world of Pandora at 60 FPS in Quality Mode, compared to the standard PS5, which runs at half the frame rate under the same settings. The PS5 Pro also takes advantage of AI-driven upscaling technology, PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), offering improved image quality even for games that don’t specifically support this console.

Title Update 1.2 also enhances gameplay by allowing players to use skill points to unlock and upgrade new abilities for the game’s flying Ikran mount. The update fixes a plethora of known issues, such as players obtaining rewards without completing quests or looting.

For those looking to install the update, PC gamers will need to clear 24.32 GB of free space, while PS5 users will require 18 GB, and Xbox Series X/S owners will need 17.5 GB.

The Secret of the Spires expansion introduces new map areas, like the mysterious Tangled Peaks and Splintered Arches, among others. Players can enhance their bond with their Ikran by unlocking new skills and gear, facing aerial challenges, and engaging with novel flora and fauna.

Additionally, there’s been an update in progression mechanics across all platforms. Players can now use skill points to bolster their Ikran with abilities like Ikran Smash and Launch.

On the tech front, the PlayStation 5 Pro sees several performance upgrades. It now supports a 60 FPS Quality Mode, offers higher internal rendering resolutions, and integrates new machine learning-based upscaling technology for better graphics performance.

However, some issues remain unresolved. PC players running Windows 11 24H2 might notice performance dips as a temporary fix is in place, with a permanent solution in the works. There are also minor issues across various platforms, including slow loading of map icons and audio levels needing adjustment during certain quests.

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, set in the unexplored Western Frontier of Pandora, invites players to rediscover their Na’Vi roots and fight to protect their home from human invaders. Released on December 7, 2023, this action-adventure game supports both online co-op and multiplayer modes, running on the Snowdrop engine, with an ESRB rating of T for Teen. With approximately 20 hours of engaging gameplay, it offers an immersive experience despite receiving a fair rating on OpenCritic.