The End To A Kill: Hitman 3 Ending Explained

One of the most interesting additions to 2021’s Hitman 3 is the clear focus on narrative storytelling. The first two games certainly provided a spine to follow, but the third entry doubles down, delving into Agent 47’s backstory and providing a meaningful resolution to the plot IO Interactive has been setting up for the last four years. 

The Hitman world has a few major characters and organisations that players should be familiar with before diving in. Of course, there’s Agent 47, our quiet but effective protagonist, a genetically-modified clone built to be the perfect assassin. Then there’s Diana Burwood, 47’s handler who provides him with information about his contracts and assists during missions. They both worked for the International Contract Agency, a for-hire assassination conglomerate that specialises in whacking influential and usually inaccessible people. This is the basic premise that runs through all of the Hitman games — 47’s day job involves carrying out extravagant hits for the ICA and on occasion, some other organisations.

Hitman 3: The Story So Far

Hitman 3 is the last entry in IO Interactive’s World of Assassination trilogy, which kicked off in 2016 with Hitman. In this game, 47 and Diana collaborate to take on a series of seemingly disconnected contracts. They kill many high-value targets, but it is slowly revealed that the missions have all been coordinated by someone known as the Shadow Client, who is using 47 and the ICA as a smokescreen to dispatch of particular members of an evil organisation known as Providence, which is basically Hitman’s version of The Illuminati.

At the end of Hitman, Diana is approached by a member of Providence, who enlists their help in taking down the Shadow Client, in exchange for information about 47’s shadowy past. In Hitman 2, 47 and Diana hunt the Shadow Client for Providence, and find out his identity — Lucas Grey, or Subject 6. Grey is a clone created in the same lab as 47, and they were friends during childhood. At the time, they vowed to take revenge on their creators, but it didn’t pan out and 47 had his memories wiped. It turns out that the evil scientist who created Grey and 47 was a member of Providence, which is why Grey has been using 47 to take down the organisation all these years later, using the Shadow Client alias.

Grey notes that Providence is controlled by three influential leaders known as the Partners, but they need to capture a character known as the Constant, who is pretty much the mastermind behind it all, who knows where the Partners are. They capture The Constant and he spills the beans, but reveals to Diana that 47 killed her parents way back when, which jeopardises their cushy relationship.

Hitman 3 Ending Explained

So! With all that in mind, Hitman 3 opens with 47 taking down the Partners with the help of Lucas Grey and Diana Burwood. Once that’s done, it’s revealed that The Constant Arthur Edwards set up their deaths in a pesky power sweep. Grey is captured just after, but before he commits suicide, he tells 47 that Diana has been compromised by Providence (because The Constant of Providence showed her that 47 killed her parents) and that he needs to replace Burwood with Grey’s handler, a hacker called Olivia Hall.

47 and Hall are then hunted by ICA assassins — the organisation that used to employ 47 and the now-compromised Burwood. 47 makes short work of the assassins and then heads to China to infiltrate the ICA headquarters. 47 exposes the ICA to the public and wipes all of the data they have on him and Diana from the servers. This was a smart move because Burwood hasn’t actually betrayed 47 — she’s just working with The Constant as a double agent. She’s playing ball in order to become the new leader of Providence so she can dismantle it from the inside, or so we’re led to believe.

In Mendoza, 47 takes out a target so Diana can become the new Constant and execute her plan, but in a big twist, she incapacitates 47 at the end of the mission and hands him to the current Constant Edwards, who wants to wipe his memory and turn him into his own personal assassin. In a dreamlike sequence, 47 successfully fights the effects of the neurotoxin with the help of Grey and Burwood, regaining consciousness on a train occupied by Edwards and his Providence goons in the Carpathian Mountains. 

This was all part of Burwood’s plan — 47 still has his memories and is now in a position to take out Edwards and defeat Providence for good. So, In one final assassination mission, he kills Edwards (or injects him with the amnesiac serum that was meant for 47) and escapes, leaving everything behind. With Edwards dead, Burwood destroys Providence and comes to terms with 47 killing her parents. In the final scene, 47 and Burwood speak over the phone, noting that while they have left the ICA and Providence behind, there will always be a need for the dynamic duo so long as there are evil elites to keep in check.

There we have it! The ending suggests that 47 and Burwood will continue to work together without the backing of the ICA or any other shadowy, dangerous organisation. They’re now a freelance, highly effective assassination duo ready to rid the world of corrupt elites. 

Here are the best superhero games you can play today

Superhero games. Once a laughing stock of the early video game era, now a major player with all of the biggest developers and publishers vying for their licenses.

The debate between what actually are the best superhero video games will no doubt continue for years to come. A major aspect of that conversation focuses on the best Marvel games and the best DC titles to grace console or PC – understandably, as both still remain titans of the industry. And for good reason, these properties have stood the test of time, cementing themselves at the top of the ladder of what it means to make a superhero, whether that be comic book, movie, TV, video game, or otherwise.

That’s why we thought it was time to take a look at what are the best superhero video games you can play today. So, grab your cape, suit up and get ready to fight for truth and justice.

Batman: Arkham Asylum 

Let’s start off with arguably the most important game on this list. Back in 2009 when word leaked that the little known British studio known as Rocksteady was working on the Batman license, there was naturally a bit of trepidation. Instead, the developer went on to reinvent the superhero genre and deliver one of the best games to this day. 

While returning Joker back to Arkham Asylum, the Clown Prince of Crime springs a trap that sees the Caped Crusader go up against a slew of his rogue’s gallery throughout the night. One of the most inspiring decisions from all of this was to have many of Batman: The Animated Series regulars voice the cast. Arkham Asylum is a triumph in every way imaginable.

Spider-Man (2018)

Known for Spyro, Ratchet & Clank, and the Resistance series, Insomniac has always been one of the most popular developers around. That popularity exploded further when the studio brought beloved web-slinger Spider-Man into the modern era with style. Following a 23-year old Peter Parker, as he balances life as a research assistant as well as your friendly neighbourhood Spidey, the reboot gave us a refreshing look at just what it means to be Spider-Man. 

The character has always circled around the top 10 superhero games discussion – be that Spider-Man 2, Ultimate Spider-Man or Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions – yet Insomniac’s reinvention now puts the 2018 title very much in contention with the best of the best – certainly, the best Marvel game out there today. 

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order

The first Marvel game to be published by Nintendo, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 takes place in an entirely different universe from its predecessors, while retaining the classic brawler combat. 

Following the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy and X-Men as they look to stop Thanos from gathering the Infinity Stones (sound familiar?), the Koei Tecmo developed title offers tons of customisation, over 35 playable characters from the get-go, and instant replayability. That’s all before the generous expansion pass, adding another 11 characters to the roster. 

Injustice 2 

A fighting game with a genuinely good story? Say it ain’t so. Well, yes, actually, Mortal Kombat developer NeatherRealm Studios went above and beyond to create an incredibly compelling narrative, on top of the fantastically creative and super satisfying combat system that you would come to expect from Ed Boon and the team. 

Introducing a new non-intrusive RPG-style system, while featuring a roster of 28 playable characters, from Wonder Women to Gorilla Grodd and Superman to Swamp Thing, Injustice 2 is a knockout for superhero and fighting fans alike. 

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes

There’s a clear understanding of what to expect from a LEGO game. Solid universal gameplay, loveable comedic beats and a sandbox to play with your favourite toys as you please. LEGO Marvel Super Heroes was the first one to solidify that concept, bringing about a genuine sense of chaotic fun for the superhero genre. At over 150 characters to unlock, the ‘bricktastic’ action-adventure still holds the record of being the best-selling LEGO game to date. 

Spider-Man: Miles Morales

Miles time to shine finally came to light in the 2020 action-adventure sequel/spin-off from Insomniac Games. Only two years after the debut of Spider-Man (2018), the studio returned – now owned by Sony – with an Uncharted: Lost Legacy-sized experience that tightened a lot of the story but doubled the heart, as we lived the life of Miles, his family and the streets of Harlem. All of which culminated in a superb experience that helped usher in the beginning of the PlayStation 5. Peter who?

Batman: Arkham City

Rocksteady had its work cut out after receiving universal praise of 2009’s Arkham Asylum, and yet, in many ways, the studio exceeded them. The second instalment in the Arkham trilogy pits Batman against Hugo Strange, the founder of Arkham City, who also happens to know the former’s secret identity.

With combat enhanced, gadgets expanded and a tighter storyline, Arkham City perfects what was already a near-perfect formula, delivering not only one of the best superhero video games, but one of the best Batman stories across all media. 

Honourable mentions: Batman: Arkham Knight, Batman: The Telltale Series, DC Universe Online and The Wonderful 101.

Of course, as ever, this is all subjective. What are your favourite superhero games as of 2021? Let us know in the comments. 

Red Dead Online’s Legendary Animals Guide

Mastering the hunt can be a tough challenge in Red Dead Online. Even for seasoned hunters, locating Red Dead Online’s legendary animals can be the ultimate test. Thankfully, we’re here to give you all the information you need before you head out into the wide unknown in search of your prey. Will you be a hunter or researcher? That’s between you and the animals.

Finding Red Dead Online’s Legendary Animals

Before you start hunting down the elusive legendary animals, you’ll first need to reach level 5 in the Naturalist role. This is the role tied to researching and tracking legendary creatures. You’ll earn progress by completing tasks for Harriet (like photographing, sedating, and killing animals), and soon you’ll be well on your way to unlocking the legendary animal map.

Once you hit level 5 in the Naturalist role, you’ll be given the legendary animal map, which provides some general clues about where certain legendary animals might be found. Keep in mind that the map offers only a rough idea of their locations, not precise spots. This will help you begin your search for these rare creatures.

There are several ways you can gather more information about legendary animals and their locations:

Harriet’s Missions

Harriet will offer you various missions that allow you to track legendary animals. These missions often involve fending off enemies or other threats while tracking down the animals. Be mindful of one thing: Harriet does not like it if you kill animals, so you’ll need to sedate them rather than kill them if you want to keep her happy and progress in the Naturalist role.

These missions will respawn over time, so if you’re lucky, Harriet will have a new one available when you’re ready for it.

Free-Roam Events

There are two important free-roam events that might help you locate legendary animals:

  1. Protect Legendary Animal – In this event, you and other players will be tasked with rescuing a legendary animal from poachers and escorting it to safety. While doing so, you’ll need to fend off attackers, adding an extra layer of danger.
  2. Wild Animal Tagging – During this event, you and other players will tag and sedate various creatures out in the wild. Occasionally, a legendary animal will spawn during this event, so it’s a good idea to participate in it when you can.

Free-Roam

If you’re feeling adventurous and want to go off the beaten path, you can search for legendary animals directly in free-roam. Legendary animals spawn in specific locations on the map, though they may appear in various spots within those general areas. If you’re near a legendary animal when it spawns, you’ll get a notification at the top left of your screen and see a special icon appear on your minimap.

To make your search easier, Harriet’s pheromones can be used to narrow down the locations of specific legendary animals. These pheromones provide a helpful way to focus your efforts, but they won’t pinpoint the exact location—just the general area.

Red Dead Online’s Legendary Animals Locations

Below is a list of legendary animals and their general locations across Red Dead Online. While these locations are mostly accurate, please keep in mind that spawn areas can occasionally shift due to game updates.

  • Banded Gator – Saint Denis
  • Chalk Horn Ram – Scarlett Meadows
  • Cogi Boar – Bluewater Marsh
  • Cross Fox – Bayou Nwa
  • Emerald Wolf – O’Creagh’s Run
  • Gabbro Horn Ram – Rio Bravo
  • Icahi Boar – New Austin
  • Inahme Elk – Spider Gorge
  • Iguga Cougar – Great Plains
  • Iwakta Panther – Braithwaite Manor
  • Katata Elk – Cumberland Forest
  • Marble Fox – Ambarino
  • Maza Cougar – Gaptooth Ridge
  • Midnight Paw Coyote – Strawberry
  • Milk Coyote – Blackwater
  • Mud Runner Buck – Flat Iron Lake
  • Moon Beaver – Kamassa River
  • Moonstone Wolf – Cumberland Forest
  • Night Beaver – Roanoke Ridge
  • Nightwalker Panther – Bolger Glade
  • Ozula Elk – Cholla Springs
  • Ota Fox – Scarlett Meadows
  • Onyx Wolf – Ambarino
  • Payta Bison – Little Creek River
  • Red Streak Coyote – Pike’s Basin
  • Rutile Horn Ram – Rio Bravo
  • Sapa Cougar – New Austin
  • Shadow Buck – Annesburg
  • Sun Gator – Lakay
  • Snow Buck – Aurora Basin
  • Tatanka Bison – Heartland Overflow
  • Teca Gator – Lannahechee River
  • Wakpa Boar – Stillwater Creek
  • Winyan Bison – Lake Isabella
  • Zizi Beaver – Owanjila

Now you should be ready to search out these rare beasts. Legendary animals offer some of the most rewarding encounters in Red Dead Online, and with the right knowledge, you can track down these creatures with ease. Remember that certain creatures may spawn in different areas depending on updates or time of day, so keep an eye out for new spawn locations or events.

For more Red Dead Online advice, why not check out our beginner’s tips article or our guide to making money in the Wild West.

Sekiro Endings – How Many Endings Does Sekiro Have?

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is built with replayability in mind and as such the game includes no less than four endings in order to keep players interested. The four endings that you can get in Sekiro are the Shura, Immortal Severance, Purification and Return endings, with each one requiring its own special requirements in order to be unlocked. Naturally, because we’re super nice around these parts, we’ll be going through the first three endings and what you need to do in order to unlock them. Stay tuned too, as we’ll show you how to get the Return ending soon!

Sekiro Endings – How To Get The Shura Ending

To achieve the Shura ending there are a number of prerequisites that you need to satisfy. First, you need to carve your way through the game, laying waste to all the bosses. Then, you must ensure that you nab the Shelter Stone, the Lotus of the Palace and the Mortal Blade items. Next, when it comes to choosing a path in regards to the Iron Code you’ll need to uphold The Iron Code in order to continue on. Following the Iron Code will trigger two special bosses, Isshin and Emma who must both be defeated. Once these two have fallen, the Sekiro Shura ending will start which prevents you from exploring your current game save. Unlocking the Shura ending also provides Sekiro with the One Mind combat art skill that can be used in later playthroughs. The Shura ending is technically Sekiro’s ‘bad’ ending, as it shows our protagonist becoming consumed by evil spirits and giving up his humanity. Heavy stuff. 

Sekiro Endings – How To Get The Immortal Severance Ending

Of all the endings in the game to achieve, Sekiro’s Immortal Severance ending is arguably the simplest. Essentially Sekiro’s ‘normal’ ending, all you need to do is refute the Iron Code, fight the Owl boss and then proceed through the game as you otherwise would do without pursuing any extracurricular activities. Once the final boss has face planted, you’ll get the Immortal Severance ending which shows Sekiro separating young master Kuro from the dragon blood curse, while leaving his own fate in grave doubt. 

Sekiro Endings – How To Get The Purification Ending

As it turns out, Sekiro’s Purification ending (which also doubles up as the game’s ‘best’ ending) is also one of its trickiest to achieve. First things first, when you’re given the Iron Code choice from that vaguely murderous owl, you should choose to remain loyal to Kuro. This will then trigger a difficult fight against the Great Shinobi Owl. Once defeated, you’ll need to find Kuro and Emma in Kuro’s room and talk to them until they have both run out of dialogue. At this point you’ll then need to get behind the wall ahead of Kuro and eavesdrop on the conversations between Emma and Kuro. After this, you’ll need to speak to Emma, agree with what she says about Lord Kuro, rest and then speak to her again (you can find her at Old Grave Sculptor’s Idol).

Head over to Dilapidated Temple Sculptor’s Idol and eavesdrop again on Emma and the Sculptor via the hole in the wall. Go inside the temple, speak to Emma and ask her about what she’s hiding at which point she’ll give you the Father’s Bell Charm item. You must then use the charm inside the Dilapidated Temple as it will warp you to an alternate version of the Hirata Estate – but only if you have already defeated the Lady Butterfly boss. Here, you must fight and defeat the Owl Father to obtain the Aromatic Flower. Proceed through the rest of the game as normal, then defeat the Corrupted Monk and the Divine Dragon to obtain the Divine Dragon’s Tears. Finally, you must then meet Lord Kuro outside of Ashina Castle, defeat the final boss and give the Divine Dragon’s Tears and Everblossom to Lord Kuro to get the purification ending.

Can’t get to any of these ending? You might need also our Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice boss guide.

Pokémon Sword & Shield’s Best Starters

Choosing your starter in a Pokémon game can feel like a huge decision. What you pick in those first few minutes can shape your entire adventure. Pokémon Sword and Shield’s starters are no exception – you’ll choose a companion who’ll be with you through every badge, every rival battle, and every Elite Four takedown.

Whether you’re diving into Sword and Shield for the first time or replaying it for a nostalgic trip to Galar, we’ve put together a guide to help you pick the best starter for your journey – based on stats, type matchups, and how the game unfolds.

Of course, you can always go with the one that just feels right. Anyone who’s suffered through Red and Blue’s first few gyms with Charmander knows it can be worth the struggle. But if you’re looking for the most optimized run? Read on.

Grookey

Grookey is your Grass-type starter, and like all Galar starters, they’re charming from the get-go. Grookey evolves into Thwackey at level 16, and then into the powerhouse Rillaboom at level 35.

Rillaboom boasts the highest HP of the trio and hits hard with physical attacks. If you want a starter that can soak up damage and strike back just as hard, Grookey’s a solid pick. Plus, it has a strong showing early in the game’s gym circuit.

Scorbunny

This fiery little rabbit is all about speed and offense. Scorbunny evolves into Raboot at level 16 and then becomes the quick-footed Cinderace at level 35.

With great Attack and Speed, Scorbunny is built for aggressive playstyles. It also has the highest Special Defense of the three, helping it survive against tougher opponents later in the game. If you want fast-paced battles and quick victories, this is your starter.

Sobble

Sobble is your Water-type starter and maybe the most emotionally expressive Pokémon in the series. It evolves into Drizzile at level 16 and then into the sleek, sharpshooting Inteleon at level 35.

Sobble excels in Special Attack, making it ideal for players who prefer to stay at a distance and blast through opponents. While its defences are on the lower side, careful strategy can turn Inteleon into a devastating special attacker.

Best Pokémon Sword and Shield Starter

It all depends on your playstyle. But if you’re looking for a stat-based breakdown:

  • Early Game Advantage:
    Grookey shines in the early gyms and can tank hits better than the others.
  • Late Game Strength:
    Scorbunny takes the lead later on, with high speed and offensive capabilities that scale well into the post-game.

That said, always choose the Pokémon you love. You’ll be spending a lot of time together, and no stat sheet beats that bond.

So – who’s your pick in Pokémon Sword and Shield? Whether it’s for the look, the type, or the battle strategy, there’s no wrong choice. Just go with your gut – and maybe a Poké Ball or two.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Romance Options

After being introduced in Odyssey, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla romance options are back, with a number of options to pursue each with their own requirements. The romance options are a mixture of one-off flings and more meaningful relationships. If you’re looking to start a relationship with someone new, you will have to break it off with your current partner. Here’s how to follow through on some of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla romances. 

Bil

Bil is just hanging out by a frozen pond in the Rygjafylke mountains. She wants you to dive into the lake/pond and find her comb. Use your Viking skills to retrieve the comb and Bil will then lead you away and ask if you want to comb her hair. I can only assume this is the Nordic equivalent of Netflix and Chill. 

Broder

Weddings are often said to be romantic occasions, and I guess Broder has really gotten swept up in it all. At his sister’s wedding to King Oswald he will proposition you for a good time. 

Randvi

This relationship option can actually have an influence on the story. Randvi is Jarl Sigurd’s wife, so as you might imagine he won’t be too pleased if you jump into bed with her. You’ll need to complete three main missions at the Alliance map before a quest line to basically go on a date with Randvi pops up – involving a day trip to Grantebridge. 

Gunlodr 

During the Asgard section this Assassin’s Creed Valhalla romance option will present itself. If you gift Gundolr Thor’s bridal bracelet. Once you get to know them the option for romancing them will become available. 

Petra

In order to unlock Petra as a romance option you’ll first need to upgrade your settlement to level 2. She will then set up a Hunter’s Hut. This will open up some quests to hunt legendary animals. Upon completing all these missions you’ll be able to go on a date with Petra. 

Tarben

Another option that has a settlement prerequisite is Tarben. First you will have to build a bakery. This will allow you to start doing missions for Tarben, eventually you will be given the chance to go fishing with them and a romance option will arise. 

Stigr

Also known as Stigr the Amorous, he can be romanced if you win Hemthorpe’s Flyting duel. Which is kind of like a rap/insult battle. He will be so impressed with your skills that he will take quite the liking to you. 

Tewdwr

Tewdwr is a great drinking buddy and if you attend his ealdorman celebrations you can drink away the night and either partake in some chicken chasing which is a plutonic non-romance option. Or you can pick a little bit of romance. 

Vili

Towards the end of the Snotinghamscire, you will be given the chance to speak with Vili whilst sitting at a campfire. At this point you can either choose to accept his advances or rebuff them. He might be a little hurt by your rejection but he will still join your settlement.  

There are still more Assassin’s Creed Valhalla romance options for you to discover, but now you know who most of them are!

The History Behind Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game

You might be hearing a whispering right now that Scott Pilgrim is back. Social media is ablaze with people talking about it after years of silence. The reason being this online susuration is that Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game is back after years of being unavailable. After long, long years of being unable to play or get their hands on the game, fans are finally able to play this marvellous beat ‘em up again.

Scott Pilgrim has a long history through several different mediums, so in honour of the game getting a brand new release, let’s take a trip through time and look at the history of Scott Pilgrim.

Scott Pilgrim

The whole series started in the head of Canadian comic book author and artist Brian Lee O’Malley. This six-part graphic novel series tells the story of Scott Pilgrim; slacker, musician, and walking disaster.

The books focus on Scott as he falls in love with Ramona Flowers and in the course of doing so has to fight off the dastardly League of Evil Exes. Of course, it doesn’t turn out that simple, in part because as he starts falling for Ramona he’s actually dating another person, Knives Chau.

The series combines razor-sharp dialogue,stunning art, brilliantly dynamic fight scenes and a message about growing up which resonated with a lot of people. It’s no wonder Scott Pilgrim won award upon award and plaudits from pundits the world over. 

Of course that could’ve been the end of it, but over here in our world we gained the power of movie adaptations, and that led us to…

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World burst onto screens in 2010. Directed by Spaced, Shaun of the Dead, and Hot Fuzz director Edgar Wright, it’s a film almost unlike anything out there. With a frenetic visual style and a billion references to music and video games drenching its every second, it’s a film that feels like a graphic novel in screen form.

Not only is a feast for the eyes, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World features an absolutely astounding soundtrack. On it you’ll find Beck, The Bluetones, T. Rex, Metric, Blood Red Shoes, The Rolling Stones, Broken Social Scene, and others. 

The cast also deserves particular attention. Many household names you’ll recognise in 2021 saw early appearances in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. For the lead roles you’ve got Michael Cera (Arrested Development) as Scott Pilgrim and Mary Elizabeth Winstead (10 Cloverfield Lane, Birds of Prey) as Ramona Flowers. 

In addition you’ll be able to spot Kieran Culkin (Igby Goes Down), Chris Evans (Captain America), Anna Kendrick (Pitch Perfect), Brie Larson (Captain Marvel), Alison Pill (Star Trek: Picard), Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation), Brandon Routh (Legends of Tomorrow), Jason Schwartzman (Rushmore), and many, many more.

If you haven’t seen it, we’d heartily recommend following up your read of the Scott Pilgrim series with the film. And for a dessert, why not check out…

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game

Here we are, the reason why Twitter is abuzz with Scott Pilgrim. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game launched in 2010 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, surprisingly almost everyone with its brilliant side scrolling beat ‘em up action, beautiful pixel art, and ear-worming Anamanaguchi soundtrack. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game was that rare thing, a movie tie-in that not only was a great game, it was a worthy companion to the graphic novels and film that preceded it.

But then, disaster struck. In December 2014 the game was delisted absolutely everywhere. No-one could get their hands on it anymore due to licensing issues. 

Six long, dark years passed…

Then, with the ten year anniversary coming up, both Bryan Lee O’Malley and Edgar Wright got in touch with Ubisoft via the power of Twitter to ask for a re-release. Ubisoft, for their part, replied with a thinking emoji, and so the internet rumour cycle began spinning.

In September 2020 Ubisoft announced Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game – Complete Edition, an update and remaster of the original game including all DLC. On the 14th of January it was released for PC, Xbox, Stadia, PlayStation, and Switch, and it’s just as good as we remember it being. All the tracks and all the action has been preserved, updated, and tweaked making it the best version it can be.

How To Play Hitman 1 and 2 In Hitman 3

Agent 47’s returning in the next installment of the long-running Hitman series, bringing more exotic locations, more exquisitely planned murders, and more disguises than you can shake a silverballer at. Hitman 3 is releasing on the 20th of January, 2021, and much like its predecessor you can import your progress and levels from the previous games and play them with all the new upgrades.

Depending on how you plan on picking up Hitman 3 there are a couple of different ways to import your Hitman (2016) and Hitman 2 progress and levels into the new game. There’s a blog post about it over on IO Interactive’s website, but here’s a simpler description of how it works.

Importing from Hitman 2 to Hitman 3

Regardless of which platform you’re playing on, the fundamentals of importing your Hitman (2016) and Hitman 2 progress into Hitman 3 remains the same. IO Interactive have stated that all current Hitman 2 players will be able to import their progress into Hitman 3. As this, by way of the Legacy Pack, can also include all Hitman (2016) levels and progress, this will mean you can make sure that Hitman 3 contains all your Hitman 1 and 2 progression.

How that works, however, changes depending on the system you’re playing on. Let’s dive into that.

Importing from Hitman 2 to Hitman 3 on Console

On consoles it’s easy. Simply head over to IO Interactive’s website, press the button, and start the transfer from Hitman 2 to Hitman 3.

You’ll see your Hitman 2 player profile, XP rank, location mastery levels, location mastery unlocks, challenge progress, challenge unlocks and Elusive Target suits/unlocks all transfer over. 

To access Hitman 1 and 2 levels in Hitman 3, simply make sure you have Hitman 2 installed on your console when you start Hitman 3. It’ll detect that you have the game and give you access to the levels you had access to in Hitman 2.

It’s important to remember a couple of things. One is that you can only transfer on each platform, so you can only go from Hitman 2 PlayStation to Hitman 3 PlayStation, and the same for Xbox players.

The other thing to remember is that you can only do this once. So if you perform the transfer and carry on playing Hitman 2, any progression you make there will stay in Hitman 2.

Importing from Hitman 2 to Hitman 3 on PC

Importing your progression will remain the same, however, accessing Hitman 1 and 2 levels on Hitman 3 will be slightly different. As Hitman 1 and Hitman 2 are included in Hitman 3 as part of the Access Pass system, you’ll need to own the relevant Access Pass in order to play those levels – at least for Hitman 1 levels.

The way it works on PC is that you will be able to claim the Hitman 1 GOTY Access Pass for the first 10 days after Hitman 3 launches, free, for all Hitman 3 buyers or pre-purchasers. The other option is to already own Hitman (2016) on the EGS platform. This will unlock Hitman (2016) levels in Hitman 3.

In regards to Hitman 2 levels, a recent update from IO Interactive means that PC players who already own Hitman 2 will be able to import their levels to the third game in the series –  free of charge. At the time of writing, the exact system to do this hasn’t been put in place, but keep your eyes peeled nearer to the launch date for more information. 

So there you have it, now you should be set to dive into Hitman 3 with all your progression and access to all your favourite levels. What’s your favourite Hitman level? Head on over to our community forum and have your say.

Nioh 2 Best Builds Guide – Dual Swords, Stats & Tips for Success

Success in Nioh 2 isn’t just about wielding powerful gear or mastering flashy abilities—it’s about building a character that complements your playstyle while balancing offence and defence. Whether you’re new to the game or diving into New Game Plus, having a solid build can make all the difference. From early experimentation to endgame optimization, here are some of the best builds to help you thrive in the world of Nioh 2.

Nioh 2 Best Build For Beginners

It’s fair to say that early on in Nioh 2, builds don’t really matter a whole lot since your characters stats, gear and abilities are nowhere near mature enough. As such, it’s advisable that you spend a lot of time experimenting and testing out different weapons in order to find the play style that suits you the best. To help with this, you’ll need the Book of Reincarnation which allows you to reset your levels and skills. This item can be bought from the blacksmith once you have rescued Senji Toyo in the second main story mission titled ‘The Best Born of Smoke and Flames’.

While there is a lot to be said for discovering what play style suits you best early on, there are nonetheless a number of universal truths that once grasped will help a great deal in the early going. The first of these is that understanding enemy attack patterns is key as this will allow you to reduce the amount that you are hit, while simultaneously encouraging you to pursue a more aggressive, damage dealing playstyle. Equally, survivability is also crucial early on as well, so levelling up Heart and Body to 10 will provide you with a robust base to fall back on whilst you learn attacking fundamentals with your chosen weapon.

Finally, when it comes to weapons, it’s worth noting that different weapons scale with specific stats. For me personally, using Dual Swords early on proved to be effective, not least because it provided a greatly appreciated balance between high damage ranges and enhanced mobility. Again though, depending on your play style, your mileage may vary.

Nioh 2 Best Build – Dual Swords

Nioh 2’s best build is one that utilises Dual Swords since much of what makes it such a good weapon early on also translates well into the mid-game and endgame too. The beauty of Nioh 2 is that sheer amount of creative latitude that it permits the player to tinker and experiment with stats, skills and gear. So don’t worry if you don’t nail the requirements for this build exactly correctly, since you may very well discover some wrinkles and tweaks that work best for you.

The important thing to remember is that one of the best weapons in the game for this build, the Type 2 Odachi, scales your stats in largely a similar way. This means that the Heart and Stamina stats will start at C and evolve from there, enabling a wide variety of builds that use Dual Swords as a result. Principally, a Dual Swords build really excels once players begin to add in additional points in Constitution for Light Armor as they approach the endgame. The benefit of taking this approach is that it plays directly into the Dual Swords penchant for dealing extremely high amounts of damage while dodging. Additionally, as you soar past level 100 and beyond, it’s also worth piling in some points on the Magic stat too, as this will allow you to pair the weapon with a decent magical enhancement or talisman.

Nioh 2 Best Build – The Stats

As you hurtle towards the Nioh 2 endgame your stats (again your particular mileage may vary) while using a Dual Swords build should look something like this:

  • Constitution 25
  • Courage 10
  • Dexterity 5
  • Heart 30
  • Magic 15
  • Skill 99
  • Stamina 5
  • Strength 10

Hitman 3: VR, Multiplayer and Episodic Structure Explained

Agent 47 is back on assignment in 2021 and IO Interactive is not playing around in terms of how much content they’re baking into Hitman 3. With past missions being brought to the next-gen bundle alongside virtual reality support and more, there’s a lot to understand ahead of the game’s launch. 

In light of all this potentially confusing knowledge, here’s everything you need to know about some of the game’s main features ahead of schedule. Hitman 3 will arrive on January 20, 2021 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch (via cloud), Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Google Stadia and PC. 

Hitman 3 Virtual Reality Support, Explained

Revealed during the June 2020 PlayStation 5 event, Hitman 3 marks the third entry in the World of Assassination trilogy, which has our bald agent globetrotting to take out all kinds of mischievous marks. The confirmed locations (more on those here) for Hitman 3 hi-jinks are as follows:

  • Dubai
  • Dartmoor
  • Berlin
  • Chongqing

All of these new areas, and every location from Hitman and Hitman 2 will also be playable in the game’s PSVR virtual reality mode — “play the entire World of Assassination trilogy in VR” is the line IO is running with.

The developers in the video linked above explain how unique Hitman 3 feels in virtual reality due to its sandbox gameplay. Most VR games are very linear, whereas Hitman can be distracting and full of immersive opportunities to use your imagination. This is what IO Interactive plans to capitalise on with the game’s unique PSVR mode. The gifs and clips seen so far paint it as a great fit for the platform, as 47 garrottes and clubs his way through legions of unsuspecting guards. 

How the disguise system works in virtual reality sounds like one of the game’s most fascinating features… how much will body language or even in-game speech matter in the face of a prying guard? I guess we’ll find out next week. 

Hitman 3 Multiplayer, Game Modes and Structure Explained 

For the third entry, Hitman is changing its lineup of game modes slightly. There is of course a full-fat single-player campaign to dig into as is to be expected. Elusive Targets where you take down marks with tricky criteria will also return, and Escalations will test Agent 47’s skills once more. Contracts Mode will also allow players to literally choose their targets and pull off remarkable assassination feats.

However, there will be no ‘Ghost Mode’ 1v1 multiplayer in Hitman 3 as IO shifts focus onto other areas of the game. The combo-shooting Sniper Assassin mode will return in Hitman 3, and can be played on existing maps. However, the co-op aspect of the mode (at least in Hitman 2) will be shut down in the run-up to the third game’s launch. 

Also, this time around there is no episodic structure to the game. In the previous World of Assassination Hitman titles, new maps appeared in the months following release. Yet for Hitman 3, all of the six maps will be available at launch in January 2021. Whether this level list will be expanded upon post-launch is another question. Hopefully we’ll hear more about that closer to launch.

Rocket League’s Ranking System Explained

Since Rocket League went free-to-play, there have been a number of changes, including a surge of new players and updates to the ever-evolving competitive ranking system.

Ranks

Over the years, Rocket League’s competitive ranks have gone through several iterations. The current system has 8 different ranks, each with a number of divisions within them. The ranks are as follows:

  1. Bronze I, II, III
  2. Silver I, II, III
  3. Gold I, II, III
  4. Platinum I, II, III
  5. Diamond I, II, III
  6. Champion I, II, III
  7. Grand Champion I, II, III
  8. Supersonic Legend (this rank does not have divisions)

Each rank, except for Supersonic Legend, is divided into three divisions: I, II, and III. As you progress, you’ll move between these divisions, and your rank may fluctuate based on your performance in matches.

Getting Ranked

To gain your initial competitive rank, you’ll need to play 10 placement matches in a specific playlist (1v1, 2v2, or 3v3). Once you’ve completed your placement matches, your rank will be determined based on your performance.

After placement, your rank is influenced by your Matchmaking Rating (MMR), which adjusts with each win or loss. MMR is a hidden value that tries to match you with players of similar skill, and it’s used to determine your overall rank. Although your MMR is not displayed in the game, you can track it using third-party websites like Rocket League Tracker.

Additionally, if you play in a team mode like Duos or Threes, the game will consider your teammates’ MMR when calculating the match outcome. This means you might face a wider range of ranks. For example, if you’re in Platinum, you might be matched with players from Gold or Diamond ranks.

Getting Rewards

At the end of each season, Rocket League rewards players based on their highest achieved rank. To qualify for a reward at a specific rank, you must secure a set number of wins within that rank. For example:

  • To earn the Bronze season reward, you need 10 wins in Bronze rank matches.
  • To earn the Silver season reward, you need 10 wins in Silver rank matches, and so on.

Once you’ve accumulated the necessary wins at a certain rank, the reward for that rank is “unlocked,” and you don’t need to continue playing to maintain eligibility. However, rewards are only distributed at the end of the season.

It’s important to note that rewards are based on your highest achieved rank during the season, not necessarily where you end up at the conclusion of the season.

Inactivity and Soft Reset

If you don’t play a particular competitive playlist for an extended period, your rank in that playlist may undergo a slight soft reset. This means you’ll need to play placement matches again to re-establish your rank. This ensures that your rank remains relevant to your current skill level.

Season Duration and Rank Reset

Seasons typically last for several months. At the end of each season, there’s a reset, and players must complete placement matches to determine their new rank for the upcoming season. The reset is designed to keep the competitive environment fresh and exciting.

Conclusion

Rocket League’s ranking system is designed to match players with similar skill levels, ensuring balanced and competitive gameplay. As the game evolves, it’s important to stay updated with any changes to the ranking system to continue climbing the competitive ladder. With its high skill ceiling, Rocket League offers a challenge for players of all skill levels—whether you’re just starting or aiming to reach Supersonic Legend.

Fortnite Performance Mode Explained

With video games demanding more and more resources from your PC’s and taking up more hard drive space than ever before. It’s nice to see developers taking the time to address these issues by giving players the options for saving space and running games more efficiently. Fortnite is the latest game to allow players to gain some valuable frames per second and save some of that precious space on your hard drive with the introduction of Fortnite Performance mode.

Performance Mode

What exactly is Performance Mode? Currently available in alpha on PC Fortnite’s Performance Mode is an opt-in option that aims to provide significant performance gains by lowering some of the visual quality. Performance Mode is designed to lighten the load on both your CPU and GPU. For anyone already running the game on lower settings or are running on less powerful hardware, this should enable you to run Fortnitebetter than ever before.

With Performance Mode only being in Alpha at the moment it is only available for both the Battle Royale and Creative mode. Users should see a prompt asking them whether they want to try out performance mode. But it can also be manually switched on and off in the in-game settings under the ‘video’ menu. Scroll down to ‘Rendering Mode’ and you should see it there. It must be noted that Save the World will become unavailable whilst Performance Mode is enabled. In order to access it again you will need to switch performance mode off and restart your game. 

Performance Mode is meant to offer improvements to all users that opt-in. However, there are certain hardware requirements that should help in offering an overall smoother experience. Having 6gb of RAM or installing the game on an SSD will help reduce the amount of stutters and hitches that you may have previously noticed. 

Some examples of how the game currently runs on low end PC’s before and after enabling Performance Mode show an increase of frames per second of around 20-40 depending on the system. This is a significant improvement and should really help the game feel a lot smoother for many players. 

Saving Space

Another benefit coming with Fortnite Performance Mode is that ability for users to opt-out of any high-resolution textures for the game. Accessible through the Epic Games Launcher if you select Fortnite in your library and click the three dots next to the launch option. Go into options you should see the option to uncheck high-resolution textures. All in all this should save you around 14gb worth of space. Quite a large chunk of space saving, I think you’ll agree.

Whether you enjoy the game or not, it’s great to see that even after being out for years Fortnite is still being improved upon and supported both in terms of content and the games performance. This kind of support is what makes it one of the most successful titles in recent years. Fortnite Performance Mode is available to opt-in to right now, so if you’re looking for a smoother gaming experience, I’d suggest taking a closer look.

Cyberpunk 2077: The Best Free Cars Available

No matter what you’ll be spending a fair amount of time cruising around in Night City. Naturally you’re probably going to want to do that in some style. When it comes to Cyberpunk 2077 cars, you’ve got a lot to choose from. With over 50 vehicles, you’re never short of options for what to drive. That being said, you’re probably only interested in the best or fastest cars. We’re going to let you know how you can get your hands on Cyberpunk 2077’s best and most unique cars that you don’t need you to spend your precious eddies on. Very mild spoilers ahead, but we will keep it as free from them as possible.

Rayfield Caliburn

There are a number of ways to get hold of the Rayfield Caliburn. Some become available to buy but will set you back over 100,000 eddies. However, there is one that you can aquire completely for free, you just need to know where to look. Once you have the story mission ‘Ghost Town’ you’ll be able to get it. Play through the mission, and at the end you’ll find yourself in a mine. Don’t leave the area, instead locate a large blue container, inside it you will find yourself a nice shiny Rayfield Caliburn, free to drive away. Once you leave the area in the car, it will automatically be added to your garage. If you’ve already completed the mission and missed the car, don’t fret, you can simply travel back to the mine and grab it. It will still be there.

Delamain No.21

It won’t take long for you to become acquainted with the Delamain Luxury taxi services. After a few main story missions you’ll be offered some side jobs from Delamain called Epistrophy. One particular job named ‘Don’t lose your head’ offers the reward of Delamain No.21 car. Although the reward is based on the outcome of the quest, you must reset the Delamain AI core and delete the AIs to get the car as a reward. It might not be the most luxurious or fastest Cyberpunk car, but it’s still a nice unique vehicle to get. 

Porsche 911 Turbo 930

The Porsche 911 Turbo is probably one of the most unique looking cars in the whole game and it can be yours for free. In order to trigger the ‘Chippin’ In’ mission that gives you the Porsche as a reward, you’ll need to finish the Tapeworm missions. These are split into 4 and are basically conversations with Johnny Silverhand. They’re all main missions though so you won’t miss them. Once done, Chippin’ In will be triggered. Complete that and Grayson will provide you with details on the cars whereabouts.

Villefort Alvarado “Vato”

Another unique, but missable Cyberpunk vehicle. This one can be obtained by completing the mission Beat on the Brat: The Glen. It is an optional reward at the end of the quest, so if you want it be sure to pick the right choice! 

That’s just a few of the more interesting Cyberpunk 2077 cars you can acquire, there’s plenty more out there if you’ve got the eddies.

Top 10 Moments In Film & TV That Gamers Will Recognise

Games are a very unique, yet young medium. The result is that the inter-medium trend we tend to think of is the liberal borrowing of cinematic techniques by the triple-A games industry. That’s all starting to change. Although we haven’t historically had the highest quality translations of gaming properties in this largely one-sided love affair, recent films like Sonic the Hedgehog (2020), and Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019), and TV shows like The Witcher (2019) have all seen positive critical receptions. Now seemingly every gaming property under the sun seems to be getting adapted from Borderlands to Uncharted.

Contrariwise, we’re now getting directors who grew up with video games tipping the scales of influence. Who needs direct film adaptations when games can inspire in subtle and not so subtle ways a generation of filmmakers? ‘ Some academics even suggest games are helping to reshape film at everything from “narrative, structural, visual and philosophical levels.”

Given the sheer breadth of experiences and genres gaming encapsulates, ‘like a video game’ is a largely empty phrase unless made more specific. So here are five serious and five not so serious moments wherein gamers will recognise their hobby in film and television. 

Can you pick out the more direct influences from my more ‘fun’ parallels? Only one way to find out!

Warning: some spoilers ahead!

1 – Soundtracks – It Follows

Hands up who was stupefied with a massive smile to boot when they heard Disasterpiece’s telltale synth stylings in the 2014 film It Follows? 

Synthwave is an electronic music microgenre that’s massively popular among contemporary horror filmmakers and was inspired by both 70s-80s horror and science-fiction cinema as well as video games. An excellent example of these reciprocal media relationships being formed. In fact, author Nicholas Diak credits Grand Theft Auto: Vice City with largely spawning the synthwave and vaporwave genres, saying that it shifted “attitudes toward the ’80s … from parody and ambivalence to that of homage and reverence.”

It Follows brings all these influences together in one fell swoop. Not only does Disasterpiece pay homage to old horror and sci-fi with its soundtrack, but by composing soundtracks for both films and games they manage to bridge the gap. Anytime Jay’s theme comes on (e.g. the lipstick scene above) it sounds like a track directly ripped from 2012’s indie puzzle-platformer Fez. Which makes sense, since Disasterpiece composed it. 

2 – QTE Boss Resolutions – Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

We all know that when you have a seemingly unassailable foe there’s no better way to overcome them than by putting your X or square button-pressing skills to the test. 

It might seem a silly parallel at first, but even in film and TV, most important scenes with antagonists simply have different rules to dealing with everyone else. Since so many villains are beloved, not only do you want your antagonist to go out with a bang, but these end scenes often carry the entire weight of the themes and narrative on their shoulders too. A symbolic struggle as in Rise of Skywalker, then, very much presents the way a game would solve this encounter. Vigorously press a button to struggle to victory instead of a standard fight for enhanced pacing and cinematic presentation. It certainly invites a comparison to 2008’s Star Wars: The Force Unleashed which bookended every fight with QTEs and similarly had an encounter with the Emperor.

3 – Sports Broadcasting Graphics

I have it on good authority that companies like ESPN have worked with game companies for years “to match broadcasting graphics for things like on-screen information (e.g. first down line in Football).” This is on top of their ongoing moves into the esports space.

When sports games started to offer detailed in-game stats, networks like ESPN sought to emulate the game design so that there was seamless integration across the mediums and thus improved cross-marketing potential. Now if only sports games could stop emulating the mid-game ads of networks in return.

4 – There & Back Again Levels – Mad Max: Fury Road

Ah, backtracking. You know level five? Level eight is that but in reverse at a different time of day. But the enemies are different this time! Oh, and level ten is the first level repurposed to boot. 

I’m alluding to Halo: Combat Evolved, of course, which I adore in spite of this. Mad Max: Fury Road emulates this gaming trope when the characters decide to return to the Citadel (of which they’ve been desperately running from the entire film) exactly back the way they came. However, I think it can be argued for both cases that returning to locations has thematic value and can also show you how things have progressed over time.

5 – Database Over Narrative (Zack Snyder’s Justice League)

We take it for granted now that deleted scenes and many alternate versions of a film exist (on the cutting room floor). We might even get to see an alternate version like the upcoming “Snyder Cut” of Justice League or various director’s cuts. This was once considered a congeries of revolutionary and blasphemous – that we’re watching just one out of a “database” of a film’s possibilities. It’s a transition in mindset that’s been helped along by the interactivity and less limited possibility space of video games. 

When Doom was released in 1993, it helped transform what being a fan of a piece of entertainment truly entailed. id Software released the game alongside the game’s code as shareware and now modding is often considered an integral part of the fan experience on PC. The same is true for fan cuts of films and machinima made using games. 
As video games now emphasise choice, diverging paths, unique experiences, and mods more than ever, so to do certain film fans clamour for choice in the “true, definitive versions” of films. Especially if they suspect studio meddling or it’s not “their Star Wars,” for instance. It’s a different time indeed.

6 – Detective Vision Bullet Trajectories – The Wire

Yes, I only want this here because it’s one of the best scenes in television. You got me. Detective games have a real obsession with bullet trajectories, though. The only difference between this scene and most games is that video game detectives all instinctively have “detective vision” at hand and are able to sense exactly where everyone was standing from some ethereal dimension. I can’t look at detective scenes the same way again after video games.

7- Visual Language – Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

Aesthetic choices like slow-motion combat scenes, camera perspectives like side-on, first-person, a GTA-esque car driving viewpoint, etc, and specific aesthetics evocative of video games like Sucker Punch or in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’s references are all commonplace in modern cinema and TV. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World certainly models its cinematic language on video games’ visual language as the graphic novel did.

What’s also interesting is the disruption of the traditional single frame of cinema with the widespread normalisation of “multiple screens and windows” or “spatial montage” within cinematic language now, in part due to gaming’s influence.

8 – Side Quests With Moral Decisions – The Witcher 

The oddest thing about Netflix’s TV adaptation of The Witcher is the way in which many episodes took the form of near-standalone side quests complete with moral choices that are now rife in gaming. Of course, it being a TV show robs you of any agency to actually make those choices, which makes watching these scenes play out a bizarre experience at times.

It’s but a nod to the game series, then, but I can imagine The Witcher being well-suited to being adapted as a Netflix “interactive special” at some point.

9 – Game Engines On TV – Time Commanders

Time Commanders was a TV series produced for BBC Two in the UK from 2003 to 2005.  Teams of four would play through major historical battles as historians commented on how their strategies and tactics compared to real-life events. It was great. 

Whilst it was never clarified on the programme itself due to rules against product placement, the “game” being played was actually a very lightly modified version of Rome: Total War. I’m sure many Rome: Total War players at the time were provoked into a double take when they saw the programme.

10 – Everything – The Mandalorian 

The Mandalorian is as close as a TV show can get to a video game. It has allusions to everything we’d recognise as action game mechanical mainstays. Armour, weapon, and ability upgrades, turret sections, weak point boss fights, defending against waves of enemies, sniper missions, fetch quests, healing, having upgrades removed, escort missions, marking enemies through walls for stealth sections, etc. Since games have helped fill the Star Wars void for decades, a TV show built for gamer sensibilities sounds on the money. 

Ultimate Nioh 2 Boss Guide – How Many Bosses Are There?

There are no less than 42 bosses in Nioh 2. That figure includes all of the bosses you’ll come across in the expansions too. Yep, that’s a whole lot of badness.

Nioh 2 Bosses – Who Is The First Boss?

Mezuki is the first boss in Nioh 2. He’s a required fight that you cannot avoid.

Nioh 2 Bosses – Who Is The Final Boss?

Excluding the DLC expansions, Otakemaru is the final boss in Nioh 2. Otherwise that honor goes to the Lightning God of Yomi in the Darkness in the Capital expansion. 

All Nioh 2 Bosses – Weaknesses, Boss Skills Guide 

The bosses in Nioh 2 are all susceptible to an element which deals them major damage and equally, some bosses also drop special Boss Skills too. These special skills are unique abilities that have a chance to drop from certain bosses and do not carry a skill point cost when obtained. Without further ado then!

  • Mezuki – Weak against fire, doesn’t drop a Boss Skill
  • Enenra – Weak against water, doesn’t drop a Boss Skill
  • Gozuki – Weak against water, doesn’t drop a Boss Skill
  • Yatsu-no-Kami – Weak against lightning, doesn’t drop a Boss Skill
  • Imagawa Yoshimoto – Weak against poison, drops the Punish The Proud and Windswept Boss Skills
  • Kamaitachi – Weak against purity, doesn’t drop a boss skill
  • Tsukahara Bokuden – No special weaknesses or resistances, doesn’t drop a Boss Skill
  • Saito Yoshitatsu – No special weaknesses or resistances, drops the Dragon Fang, Dragon Claw and Dragon Horn Boss Skills
  • Hachisuka Koroku – Weak against lightning, drops the Second Wind and Water Drop Boss Skills
  • Shinata Katsui (Human Form) – No special weaknesses or resistances, drops the Deadly Spiral Boss Skill
  • Tatarimokke –  Weak against fire and purity, doesn’t drop a Boss Skill
  • Obsidian Samurai – No special weaknesses known, drops the Spirit Storm Boss Skill
  • Magara Naotaka – No special weaknesses or resistances, drops the Swirling Snow Boss Skill
  • Honda Tadakatsu – No special weaknesses or resistances, doesn’t drop a Boss Skill
  • Azai Nagamasa –  Weak against lightning and purity, drops True and Through Boss Skill
  • Onryoki – Weak against water and confusion, doesn’t drop a Boss Skill
  • Oda Nobunaga – No special weaknesses or resistances, doesn’t drop a Boss Skill
  • Saika Magoichi – Weak against paralysis, doesn’t drop a Boss Skill
  • Gyuki – Weak against lightning, doesn’t drop a Boss Skill
  • Kasha – Weak against poison, water, doesn’t drop a Boss Skill
  • Ryomen Sukuna – Weak against poison, purity, lightning, doesn’t drop a Boss Skill
  • Maeda Toshiie – No special weaknesses or resistances, drops the Bracing Breeze and Triple Threat Boss Skills
  • Shibata Katsuie (Yokai Form) – Weak against water and poison, drops the Deadly Spiral Boss Skill
  • Tokichiro – Weak against paralysis and poison, drops the Ultimate Sign of the Cross and the Double-Headed Slice Boss Skills
  • Hattori Hanzo – No special weaknesses or resistances, drops the Storm of Strikes Boss Skill
  • Daidara Bocchi –  Weak against fire, doesn’t drop a Boss Skill
  • Shuten Doji – Weak against poison, doesn’t drop a Boss Skill
  • Lady Osakabe – Weak against purity, doesn’t drop a Boss Skill
  • Maeda Keiji – No special weaknesses or resistances, doesn’t drop a Boss Skill
  • Kashin Koji – Weak against purity, doesn’t drop a Boss Skill
  • William – No special weaknesses or resistance, doesn’t drop a Boss Skill
  • Otakemaru – Weak against purity, doesn’t drop a Boss Skill

All Nioh 2 Bosses (Tengu’s Disciple DLC) – Weaknesses, Boss Skills Guide 

  • Benkei – Weak against purity, confusion and fire, drops the Roar Power Boss Skill
  • Uminyudo – Weak against fire, doesn’t drop a Boss Skill
  • Miinamoto no Yoshitune – Wek against corruption, purity, drops the Kurama Sword Dance, Sacred Bird Flight and Sacred Bird Cry Boss Skills
  • Nue – Weak against water, doesn’t drop a Boss Skill
  • Taira no Kagekiyo – No special weaknesses or resistances, doesn’t drop a Boss Skill

All Nioh 2 Bosses (Darkness in the Capital DLC) – Weaknesses, Boss Skills Guide 

  • Minamoto no Yorimitsu – Weak against poison, corruption and fire, drops the Severing Spin Boss Skill
  • Tsuchigumo – Weak against purity, fire, doesn’t drop a Boss Skill
  • White Tiger – No special weaknesses or resistances, doesn’t drop a Boss Skill
  • Ashiya Doman – No special weaknesses or resistances, drops the Luminous Blade Talisman Boss Skill
  • Lightning God of Yomi – Weak against purity, doesn’t drop a Boss Skill

Hitman 3 Locations: Every Confirmed New Location In The Game

The next Hitman game is right around the corner, with Hitman 3 launching on January 20, 2021 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, Google Stadia and Nintendo Switch. As well as allowing players to import all of the levels from Hitman and Hitman 2, Hitman 3 will feature six brand new locations to explore. So far, three of them have been revealed to the public as we approach launch, and in this article we’re going to run through each one, talking about the various details we can glean from their reveal trailers. Hopefully this will sate fans who are clamouring for a killer conclusion to the World of Assassination trilogy.

Dubai 

Dubai in the United Arab Emirates was the first location to be revealed for Hitman 3, when the game was first announced earlier this year.  You’ll be exploring the Burj Al-Ghazali, which is IO’s take on the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. 

Agent 47 will be way up above the clouds in this mission, travelling across beams in an oxygen mask and infiltrating a business event, Mission Impossible-style. This is where IO’s new Glacier engine will be put to work, as the developers simulate tons of posh punters for you to wade through as you chase your target.

Dartmoor

This clearly ‘Knives Out’ inspired mission takes Agent 47 to a manor in Devon in the south of England. Beyond the gorgeous material work and perfectly dreary British weather, the Dartmoor level starts with 47 acting as a detective trying to crack the case of a suicide that was almost definitely a murder.

This mission interests me the most out of all of them that have been revealed so far. It doesn’t look like there’s an obvious target here but there are many moving parts, which should make for a fascinating sandbox to play around in.

Chongqing Province

The third location that has been revealed for Hitman 3 is Chongqing Province in China. Specifically, you’ll be visiting a neon-lit district with rain-slicked roads and signs a-plenty. This claustrophobic environment is full of incredible technical details, as you scarper through run-down flats and hunt your target. 

The trailer showed off just how powerful the game’s new engine is, as you could see individual raindrops pouring down 47’s face. What we’ll be up to when we arrive in China is anyone’s guess, but I’ll certainly be taking lots of screenshots!

Beyond the three locations that have already been revealed, the refinements provided by the Glacier engine will come to maps from Hitman 1 and 2, so there’ll be plenty of content available on launch day should you race through your new missions.

Do you have any ideas for the remaining three Hitman 3 maps? Let us know in the comments below. Personally, I’d like to see 47 take on Lake Como, or sun it up in Santorini! 

The Best Upcoming PC Games Of 2021

2020 will hopefully end with a whimper, not a bang, then we can all move on to 2021. With The Game Awards behind us and a year of things being postponed, we’re more ready than ever for all the brilliant games that’ll come out over the coming twelve months.

We’ve taken a peek into the future (via dark magics) and come back with what we think are the best upcoming PC games of 2021. Let’s go!

Hitman 3

The Hitman series has had a resounding comeback since 2016, and Hitman 3 looks to continue with another finely crafted entry in the longrunning murder-em-up series. Hitman 3 seems to be what we want from a Hitman franchise, more levels, more ways to exploit systems, and more Heath Robinson-esque murder in what we’re confidence will be one of the best games of 2021.

Deathloop

In the gaming world it’s probably fair to say there’s never been a run like the one Arkane’s on. The Dishonored series, Prey, Dark Messiah, and even Arx Fatalis show a studio that absolutely loves exploring systems. Deathloop is ready to take that to the next level, in a time-looping hunt across a pulpy seventies-style island. We can’t wait.

Kerbal Space Program 2

The original Kerbal Space Program taught us about physics, managing space programs, and budgets. Now we’re going even further into space with Kerbal Space Program 2, a game which promises to expand on everything that made the original a staple on so many PC gamers hard drives. That’s why this is, without a doubt, one of the most anticipated upcoming games of 2021.

Humankind

Amplitude Studios have a history of making brilliant strategy games and Humankind looks to be their most ambitious game yet. In it you’ll decide the fate of humanity over the course of our entire existence in a game spanning aeons. See if you can fix the world – or make it worse! It’s your choice.

Stalker 2

The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series has captivated gamers right from the start with its evocative Chernobyl world filled with alien creatures and mysteries that bend space and time. In Stalker 2 we’ll get to explore it with more fidelity and depth than ever before, and it’s for that reason alone that makes it one of the most exciting games we’re looking forward to in 2021.

Sable

In Sable you glide and explore as your character, the titular Sable, sails down desert dunes. With an art style that could be ripped right out of a Moebius comic, Sable is frankly one of the most beautiful looking games ever devised. We can’t wait to get our hands on it, and will be eagerly anticipating this upcoming game in 2021.

Evil Genius 2: World Domination

Sometimes you don’t want to be good, sometimes you need to play on the naughtier side of life. In Evil Genius 2: World Domination you’ll set up your own base, staff it with hired mooks, build traps to keep out pesky do-gooders, and generally live your best evil life. We can’t wait, we’ve got some things to work out.

Halo Infinite

Picking up after the end of Halo 5, Halo Infinite sees Master Chief take up the reins again to save humanity in a more personal story. 343 Studios are back at the helm again to give us this slice of Halo action, and whilst we don’t have a huge amount of details just yet, it definitely promises to be one of the best games of 2021.

Oddworld: Soulstorm

The rebooted Oddworld, Oddworld New ‘n’ Tasty, was a remake of the first game and also took the series in a brand new direction. In Oddworld: Soulstorm you’ll play as Abe as you try to save your life and the lives of your fellow Mudokons. It looks to be thrilling, tense, puzzle platforming stuff, and we’re definitely excited about this new sequel.

Resident Evil Village

With Resident Evil VII and the 2 and 3 remakes, Resident Evil is back in a big way. Now the eighth main entry in the series is coming and we’re heading to more snowy climes. Following on after a few years from the end of VII, Village will play similarly in a first person perspective. We can’t wait to see what this next game has for us in the long running and ever-surprising series.

That’s what we think will be the absolute highlights of 2021 in terms of PC games, though of course we’re prepared to be surprised as there’s always something that arrives unannounced. What are you looking forward to in 2021? Head over to our community forum and let us know.

Immortals Fenyx Rising Character Creation – Everything You Need To Know

In Immortals Fenyx Rising you’ll not just reach the fabled peaks of Mount Olympus, you’ll be tangling with all manner of creatures from the depths of Greek mythology as well as the titans and gods themselves. As such, it makes perfect sense then that when you’re cutting about the place and engaging in such heroic hijinks your character looks the part – and this is where Immortals Fenyx Rising character creation suite comes into play.

Immortals Fenyx Rising Character Creation – What Can You Do With It?

The first thing that you should understand about Immortals Fenyx Rising character creation is that it’s geared exclusively towards shaping the cosmetic appearance of the titular hero, rather than anything that might directly affect how they play.

Immortals Fenyx Rising Character Creation – How To Create Your Very Own Greek Mythological Hero

Once you’ve made it past the first set of introductory cutscenes which set the stage for the struggle between mortal hero Fenyx and big bad Typhon, you’ll be able to create your character – it’s here that you can visually meld your hero into the form you prefer.

In the beginning, the first option that you are presented with is not only how you’d like to define the body type of hero, but also the colour that you want their skin to be. Fancy having a blue-hued hero? You crack on.

With the body sorted, the character creation suite then moves onto the head and eyes portion of our hero. Here, you not only have a number of different head-shaped presets to choose from but also the ability to change the eye colour of our plucky hero. Want a hero with shining, golden eyes? You got it.

Once you’ve settled on an acceptable head model and eye colour, you’re then whisked off to the hairstyle selection screen. Largely self-explanatory, you have a surprising degree of freedom here as you are provided with ample options for not only changing the hairstyle of our brave warrior, but yep you guessed it, the colour too. 

Next up are the facial features. In this section of the creation suite, you can do a number of cool things from giving Fenyx colourful tattoos and markings to all manner of scars and other neat-looking facial details.

Separate from the head and eyes portion of the creation suite, you’re also able to customise the eyebrows of our protagonist, allowing you to change the shape and hue of them however you see fit.

If you like beards you’ll be in for a treat here as the character creation suite lets you muck around with a number of different styles and hues until you settle on one that you like. Even better still, you can completely mix and match these beards with any other choice that you’ve made in the character creation suite up until that point. 

Finally, the concluding section of Immortals Fenyx Rising character creation is a voice assignment where you can pick from a pair of voice types to define how your hero will sound when they decide to get chatty during the game. 

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Best Weapons: Equip Eivor with the Ultimate Arsenal

If you’ve been digging into Assassin’s Creed Valhalla over the past few weeks, you’re likely on the lookout for the best weapons in the game. The system has changed since the days of Origins and Odyssey, and now you’re not picking up hordes of loot every time you wipe out a camp. Instead, you’ll find specific treasures, denoted by ‘Wealth’ markers on the game’s map screen. You’ve got a chance of unlocking a piece of armour or gear for Eivor when you open one of these chests, which are hidden throughout the world.

But what if you just want to skip straight to the best weapons in the game, without any of the hassle? In this guide, we’re going to point you towards some of the most powerful equipment in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, showing you how you can easily find them and add them to your arsenal.

Yngling Seax 

This is my personal favourite weapon in the game, especially if you’re going for a stealthy build. You can pick it up really early on, in Norway. Specifically, this dagger is in the Rygjafylke region, southwest of Nottfall at a place called Eikundarsund. It’s inside of a building covered in banners, being defended by a tough enemy.

Petra’s Arc

Easily the best bow in the game, Petra’s Arc is a Predator Bow that allows you to zoom in and take out enemies with pinpoint accuracy. You can unlock it by defeating the formidable cattle that is Aelfred’s Battle Sow, which you’ll be able to find in Suthsexe, south of Lunden. You’ll know you’ve found it when you will see a gigantic swampy pen. Take it out and you can head back to your settlement to turn in the quest at the Hunter’s Hut and get the bow.

Excalibur

This one is naturally a touch more tricky to unlock: you’re going to have to find all of the ‘Treasures of Britain’ which are dotted throughout the map to finally wield Excalibur. You’ve no doubt found a few already that you can grab, but if not, YouTube is your friend. You’ll also have to take out three Zealots, and then head underneath Stonehenge to pull the sword from the stone. It’s worth it though, as it deals unbelievable heavy damage.

Thor’s Hammer, Mjolnir

This incredibly powerful weapon also demands a lot of the player, as they can’t actually wield it before they collect every piece of Thor’s Armour in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. This means you have to kill all three Daughters of Lerion, and then defeat every member of the Order of the Ancients, the in-game cult. Only once you’ve completed all of these parameters you will be able to visit Hordafylke in Norway, where the hammer is hidden in a chasm in the tundra, north-east from the ‘K’ in Hordafylke on the map screen. You’ll only be able to pick it up if you wear the rest of Thor’s armour, but believe me, it’s worth it!

FNATIC miniSTREAK Keyboard & React Headset – Review

With esports franchises ever growing in popularity it’s no surprise to see more and more branch out with their merchandise. London based organisation Fnatic is no expectation with the release of various peripherals featuring their branding now available. We take a look at the miniSTREAK TENKEYLESS Keyboard and REACT ESPORTS PERFORMANCE HEADSET.

Before diving into the review, we would like to remind you that both of these super cool accessories are up for grabs in the Green Man Gaming Black Friday Giveaway. Enter now!

miniSTREAK TENKEYLESS Keyboard

When moving from a non-mechanical keyboard to a mechanical keyboard I was a little unsure of how much I would like it. Typically mechanical keyboards are a lot noisier and they have a distinctly different feel to them when using the keys. As someone who regularly plays with friends via discord and streams I didn’t want something that was going to be bleeding in a lot of background noise. 

Thankfully the miniSTREAK TENKEYLESS is about as loud as my previous keyboard. The Speed Silver Mechanical Switches aren’t silent, but I’ve found them to not be any more intrusive than what I previously used – I’ve also had no complaints from friends with excessive clicking and clacking. However, if you are more concerned with the sound from the keyboard there is the option for the Silent Red miniSTREAK as well. 

I play a lot of FPS shooters and something that is very important in many of them is movement. You want to be confident that your keyboard is going to respond exactly how you want it to. The Speed Silver Switches with the miniSTREAK offer exactly that kind of precision and responsiveness.

The Speed Silver Switches featured in the miniSTREAK have the lowest spring resistance of the CHERRY MX family and due to that there is a super lightweight feel to the keys. At first it took a little getting used to. Moving from higher resistance keys meant I was accidentally pressing WSAD whilst resting my hand. But after a few hours and getting used to the lower resistance of the lighter feel of the Speed Silver Switches you will find them incredibly responsive to your actions. 

With a full RGB spectrum of colours to play around with, the miniSTREAK also integrates perfectly with the FNATIC OP software. When using FNATIC OP you have full access to customise the look and colours of your keys with various preset options available. But more importantly you’re also able to assign different profiles for your keyboard, set custom keybinds from the app, and also record custom marcos using the keyboard itself. 

The miniSTREAK TENKEYLESS features a robust aluminum build that feels sturdy, well made and looks great. The sleek design missing the ten numpad keys makes it a small package that will compliment the smallest of setups. For those with a larger space it allows for more freedom of movement with your mouse, something I am grateful for. 

At around £100 the miniSTREAK might sit slightly at the higher end of keyboard price ranges, but the quality of the product speaks for itself. It’s top of the range CHERRY MX keys, excellent design and build, plus the bountiful customisation options make it a great choice of keyboard. Plus, if you’re a FNATIC fan it’s a great way to showcase your support. Even though I’m neutral,  the miniSTREAK is now my go to keyboard for all video gaming. 

React eSports Performance Headset

With headsets becoming my normal source for audio when gaming, watching shows, listening to music or anything else I do on my PC I need something that is going to be comfortable for a whole day. I also need something that is going to fit over my glasses without causing any issues. 

When first trying the REACT ESPORTS PERFORMANCE HEADSET the comfort of it was instantly noticeable. The large, soft protein leather ear cups are filled with memory foam which provide a super comfy feel that doesn’t press too hard against your head whilst also feeling secure enough to not fall off. There is no interference from the ear cups with my glasses either. Even after wearing them for long sessions of gaming and working the headset was still very comfortable with a snug fit around my ears whilst remaining breathable and not making my ears too hot. 

Much like the miniSTREAK the REACT also feels like it’s made with high quality materials. The headband is a mixture of robust steel, with a soft padding on the inside ensuring maximum comfort and durability. The ear cups are also just as solid in design and feel.

The REACT headset connects via a 1.2m 3.5mm cable and comes with an additional 2.0m extension cord. Providing you with the flexibility to suit your setup. The extension also features a splitter for when using the detachable microphone. 

Whilst the sounds you hear are the most important asset of a headset, if you don’t have a standalone mic, you’re going to also want a decent way of communicating with others. The detachable mic easily plugs into the headset and offers a good level of quality. I’ve tested in comparison to my USB mic and whilst the quality may not be quite as clear as the dedicated option, there is still a good level of clearness to the sound from the mic. Furthermore, the microphone doesn’t allow for much background sound to bleed in. I typed quite furiously whilst talking and not talking to see how much of an effect it had and there wasn’t much of the keyboard sound bleeding through.

As I’ve said, what you hear is the part that people are most interested in. The REACT ESPORTS PERFORMANCE HEADSET features 53mm Esports Drivers that offer precise directional sound with individual sound chambers. Through usage I’ve had no issues with identifying the direction and origin of sounds when playing games such as Destiny 2 and Escape from Tarkov. Additionally, they operate as an excellent headset for listening to music. 

Whilst the REACT is designed with video games in mind, you could easily make this headset an everyday headset. 

The visual design of the headset is also something that I like. They’re subtle with the Fnatic logo adorning each ear cup, coupled with additional branding engraved into the headband. There’s also a nice textured mat finish to the ear cups that looks great. Overall they look excellent.

Want one of these bad boys now? Head over to our giveaway right now, and check if you’re still in time! Otherwise, shop all things Fnatic here.