GTA V Heists: Every Heist In Grand Theft Auto Online

One of the most enduring elements of Grand Theft Auto V’s wildly popular multiplayer partition is the online Heists, which players can enjoy with up to four friends. Added back in 2015, some two years after release, they can be credited with rejuvenating the game and turning it into the runaway success it is today. With the announcement of The Cayo Perico Heist, we thought it’d be a good opportunity to round up all of the heists currently available in the game, offering a brief summary of the events and rewards players can expect when they come together to tackle these high risk, high reward challenges. Here’s every Heist in Grand Theft Auto Online.

Every Heist In Grand Theft Auto Online

The Fleeca Job

$11,500 Setup Cost

This is the first heist players can start in GTA Online (and here is something to help you kickstart your criminal career), for story mode character Lester Crest. With two players rather than four, you’ll have to scope out a bank conveniently located on a motorway, and then procure an armoured car for the getaway drive. You’ll also have to pick a player to act as the Driller, who will unlock the vault and let you access the loot.

The Prison Break

$25,000 Setup Cost

This next heist introduces you to Agent 14, who will ask you to save a Russian professor from Bolingbroke Penitentiary. With four setup missions, you’ll have to steal a plane from an airfield, hijack a prison transport bus, cosplay as copper and silence some lawyers, with the party split up across the map. Then you’ll have to commit to the prison break, evading jets to fly Rashkovsky to the safe zone in the plane you recovered.

The Humane Labs Raid

$25,000 Setup Cost

The Humane Labs Raid is another four-player heist where you have to raid a research lab for a data drive, in a Splinter Cell fashion. The setup involves retrieving keycodes, picking up weaponised Merryweather trucks and stealing a Hydra jump jet with an installed EMP. Then you’ll split into teams, with some infiltrating the lab and the others holding off security and transporting the duo in, before leaving in a Valkyrie gunship.

Series A Funding

$25,000 Setup Cost

This heist has five setup missions and involves Trevor, one of the campaign protagonists. You’ll steal coke from frat boys, and various other drugs from areas all over the map. Then you’ll have to defend the shipment from all of the factions you stole from as you take it to the buyer at the El Gordo Lighthouse.

The Pacific Standard Job

$25,000 Setup Cost

The final heist from the initial update is a big one, as you rob The Pacific Standard Bank in the centre of town. For setup, you’ll need to hijack an armoured convoy and steal a set of powerful motorbikes to escape with the dyed dosh. Then the main event has you controlling a crowd of people while your friends hack and blow up the vault.

The Doomsday Heist

$25,000 Setup Cost (per Act)

Split across three escalating acts, The Doomsday Heist is a multi-part epic that begins once you’ve bought a high-tech Facility and registered as a CEO or MC President. In Act 1, you’ll steal data and disrupt rogue agents; Act 2 sends you diving deep in submarines and racing jets to stop a Russian defector. And finally, Act 3 culminates in a sci-fi showdown involving orbital cannons, missile silos, and a jetpack finale against the megalomaniacal Avon Hertz. Each act includes multiple prep missions and setups and supports 2–4 players, perfect for smaller squads.

The Diamond Casino Heist

$25,000 Setup Cost (per Act)

Added alongside the casino’s grand opening, this four-part Heist has you planning the ultimate inside job. First, you’ll need to purchase and outfit an Arcade as your front, then scope out the Diamond Casino itself -photographing entry points, security, and staff. Once you’re ready, pick from three approaches: go in loud (Aggressive), sneak through undetected (Silent & Sneaky), or trick your way in disguised (The Big Con). Each approach offers multiple outcomes, and failure isn’t final – you can adapt and improvise in the middle of the heist.

The Cayo Perico Heist

Up to $100,000 Setup Cost (per Act)

This is the first GTA Online heist built for solo players as well as teams of up to four. To kick it off, you’ll buy a Kosatka submarine, your mobile HQ for infiltrating Cayo Perico – a private island controlled by drug lord El Rubio. After scoping the island during a rave, you’ll choose your infiltration and escape routes, gather intel on secondary loot, and decide how you want to take down the compound. Whether you go in guns blazing or sneak through underground tunnels, the payout depends on what you steal – and how cleanly you get out.

Every Skilled Character You Can Recruit to Your Team in Watch Dogs: Legion

The anti-establishment hacker group returns to liberate the streets of a dystopian London from the grip of private military firm Albion (and a few other enemies) in Watch Dogs: Legion. After Aiden Pearce and Marcus Holloway starred in earlier games, this time you can play as almost anyone—from spies and secretaries to loan sharks and living statues.

Each team can hold up to 48 operatives, including recruits and potential recruits (just scan people to add them to your watchlist). But some characters offer unique perks that make them especially useful. That’s why we’ve put together a list of key skilled operatives you should definitely try to recruit for DedSec.

Anarchist

Location: Southwark
The Anarchist is built for brawls, equipped with a Studded Truncheon and a Smoke Grenade to blind enemies. They’re also immune to gas and wear a Mouth Guard that reduces melee damage.

Beekeeper

Location: City of London
The Beekeeper uses a swarm of robotic bees to stun enemies. They carry an Overcharger weapon, are immune to shocks, and have a shorter arrest time if caught.

Drone Expert

Location: Lambeth
The Drone Expert can hack faster and temporarily turn enemy drones into allies. Their Dive Bomb gadget sends a drone flying at enemies, and they can summon a custom Shock Drone to attack with lasers.

Football Hooligan

Location: Islington and Hackney
This tough fighter delivers powerful knockouts with their K.O. Punch. They take less damage after drinking and can call in friends to fight alongside them using the Rally Cry ability.

Getaway Driver

Location: Reward for freeing Tower Hamlets
The Getaway Driver comes with a custom ride, a crowbar for close combat, and a hacking skill that pushes cars out of the way. They’re also immune to Chase Drones thanks to their Anti-Chase perk.

Hacker

Location: Camden
Hacking is a huge part of the game, and the Hacker makes it even easier. With an expanded hacking radius, they can grab access keys from a distance, use the Shock Hack to damage enemies, and occasionally earn bonus ETO (the in-game currency).

Professional Hitman

Location: Nine Elms
Armed with a Desert Eagle and a G36 assault rifle, this veteran killer is great for stealth or chaos. They can perform instant gun takedowns, dodge attacks, and deal extra damage to Albion enemies.

Spy

Location: City of Westminster
The Spy is equipped with a silenced P9 pistol, a spy watch that disables enemy weapons, and a high-tech spy car with missiles and cloaking. They also take less damage thanks to their physical fitness.

Uniformed

While not technically “skilled” operatives, certain recruits come with Uniformed Access – letting them walk into restricted areas unnoticed. These include Construction Workers, Paramedics, and Albion Contractors, among others. They’re incredibly useful for stealthy missions.

Want to build the ultimate DedSec crew? These operatives are a great place to start.

The Ultimate GTFO Beginners Guide

GTFO is a tough game, full of tense atmosphere that hides unspeakable horrors in its darkest corners. This is no run and gun affair, you’ll need to take your time, ammo is scarce and should you alert too many enemies you will likely be overrun. Because of that, we’re going to help you out with a GTFO beginners guide, offering some tips on how to survive the complex for newcomers.

The Rundown

Firstly, you’re going to want to know what you’re in for when taking on missions or expeditions from the Warden. In GTFO you will find an area called the Rundown. This is where you’ll pick your expedition from. There are various levels to the Rundown and the deeper you go, the more difficult your challenge will become. Lower levels won’t be unlocked until you have completed a mission from the tier above.

Each Rundown is set to last a certain period of time – typically a few months. Once that timer expires all the expeditions within it will be wiped and replaced by a new Rundown and new missions. Don’t expect to know much about what you will be facing. Developers Ten Chambers keep pretty tight lips about what’s down there.

Loadouts

Each player will have access to a Main weapon, a Special weapon, a Tool and a Melee weapon. In each of these slots, you have various options to pick from. Each one will be beneficial in some way, so picking what is best partly comes down to personal preference. However, pay attention to the information about each weapon as it provides details on its effective range plus how much damage it will do and how much ammo you will be provided with. My personal preference is to try and pick something that is good at medium range coupled with close range.

As for the Tool slot, for GTFO beginners I’d recommend making use of the Bio Tracker as much as possible as it will provide you with information on enemy numbers in rooms and through doors. Both the Sentry Turret and Mine Deployer are very useful for creating choke points. Finding the best placement may take some trial and error, but they will be very effective at thinning numbers when things get hectic. Beware that you can be damaged by your own mines and turret. Also, the turrets will start shooting as soon as they spot an enemy so be careful when you place them.

Take It Slow

Once you’re finally on an expedition, remember to take it slow. Try to use your melee weapon wherever possible as it will let you silently take down enemies. Making noise is a bad move as it will alert others in the area. Communication is an important part of GTFO and taking your time allows you to better plan your attacks.

Terminals

Terminals are dotted around the map and can be interrogated for vital information such as the locations of objectives, resources and other useful things. You will need to learn how to use and make the most of them.

Enemies

There are numerous enemy types that you’ll encounter – although I won’t spoil what exactly. However, be aware that for the most part they will be in a ‘sleeping’ state; should they wake from this state they will immediately alert others and attack you. Taking them out whilst sleeping is the best option. Enemies pulse and glow. Basically when this happens just stand completely still until they stop, if you keep moving they’ll wake up.

Everything New In Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered

Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered offers an exhilarating experience for both long-time fans and newcomers to the Need for Speed franchise. Originally released in 2010, the iconic Hot Pursuit title continues to be celebrated as one of the series’ best. Now, with the remastered version, both veterans and fresh players can jump into the action and experience all the high-speed thrills once again – this time with a slew of modern enhancements.

The Ultimate Racing Experience

Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered brings the intense, high-speed chases of the original to a new generation of gamers. Whether you’re racing as a law-abiding officer or evading capture as a rebellious driver, you’ll feel the rush of racing through open-world environments. Tactical weapons and strategic gameplay make each pursuit unique as you attempt to outsmart your opponents and take down criminals – or stay one step ahead of the law. With its seamless blend of heart-pounding races and competitive gameplay, the remaster is a must-play for racing enthusiasts.

Cross-Platform Play

One of the most significant advancements in modern gaming is cross-platform play, and Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered fully embraces this feature. Whether you’re playing on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, you’ll be able to connect with friends, join head-to-head pursuits, and compete in races across platforms. The game uses Autolog, an advanced social feature that lets you track your progress, challenge friends, and enjoy the game together, no matter the device.

All the DLC, All in One

The remastered edition of Need for Speed Hot Pursuit includes all the previously released DLC packs that expanded the game’s content. From the Super Sports Pack to the Lamborghini Untamed Pack, you’ll gain access to over 6 hours of additional gameplay, new challenges, and extra content to explore. Additionally, there are new achievements, customizable wraps, car colours, and an updated photo mode to capture your finest racing moments. With these bonus features, the remaster provides even more reasons to dive back into the game or experience it for the first time.

Enhanced Visuals for a Modern Feel

A hallmark of any remaster is its visual upgrade, and Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered does not disappoint. The game has been enhanced with higher-resolution car models, more detailed environments, improved shadows, and better draw distances. Whether you’re playing on PC at 4K resolution and 60fps or enjoying it on PlayStation 4 Pro or Xbox One X in 4K at 30fps or 1080p at 60fps, you’ll experience the game in its finest form. Even the Nintendo Switch version delivers a satisfying experience with 1080p at 30fps in docked mode, making it accessible for players on the go. Expect improved textures, particles, and reflections, which give the game a polished, modern look that elevates the high-speed action.

With its classic gameplay, modern enhancements, and the inclusion of all DLC content, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered is a thrilling ride through time, designed for both new and returning players. The remaster brings the iconic Hot Pursuit experience to modern platforms, preserving the high-octane fun while introducing new features that keep the adrenaline flowing.

Ready to jump into the action? The Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered is available now for all major platforms, offering a fast, fun, and visually stunning racing experience that’s perfect for players of all skill levels.

How To Play Star Wars Squadrons Co-Op

It can be lonely in space, but in Star Wars Squadrons co-op modes you don’t need to face space alone. You can take up to four friends in Star Wars Squadron’s multiplayer co-op modes, forming your very own mini squadron as you battle through the stars. Remember; in space no-one can hear you scream, unless you turn on voice chat.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a veteran of the war amongst the stars or new to taking flight, let us guide you through the different multiplayer modes you can play through in co-op in Star Wars Squadrons.

Star Wars Squadrons Co-Op Multiplayer Modes

When you decide to head into Star Wars Squadrons’ multiplayer modes, you’ll have to first decide which mode you want to dive in to. There are two main options in Star Wars Squadrons, Dogfight and Fleet Battles.

Dogfight

This team deathmatch mode sees up to ten pilots face off against each other in a fight to the death. If you’ve played any deathmatch mode in other games, you’ll be instantly at home with how this works. You can team up with up to five friends in a party and play this co-op, or be matched with other players online.

Fleet Battles

Fleet Battles is the flagship mode for Star Wars Squadrons and the main focus of its multiplayer co-op modes. In Fleet Battles you and up to four other players, either in a party you’ve formed or through matchmaking, will take on another team of five pilots (either real players or AI) to destroy the opposing team’s flagships.

As you battle it out in Fleet Battles mode you’ll first engage in a dogfight before taking on capital ships, then ending it with an assault on your opponent’s flagship. Just remember, while you’re trying to destroy your opponent’s flagship, you’ll need to defend your own as well.

Forming a Co-Op Party in Star Wars Squadrons

The key to forming a co-op party in Star Wars Squadrons is through the in-game Social Menu. It’s here you can invite up to four other friends to join your party prior to jumping into Dogfights or Fleet Battles.

Once you’ve gathered your team you can dive right in, selecting the game mode from the Multiplayer Menu will keep your team intact as you start your star war.

In Star Wars Squadrons you can also invite friends to join your game once it’s started, or hop in if there’s space for you if you see a game in progress. From the Social Menu select your friend and either invite them to your game or press Join Game to dive into theirs, and if there’s room and or they accept the invitation, you’ll be flying alongside each other in no time.

In addition to playing with friends online on the same system, Star Wars Squadrons features cross play across PC, PS4, and Xbox One. You’ll have to have each other added to your EA Friends in order to do this which may require each other’s EA ID, but once you’ve got them on your list inviting them to play follows the same rules as above.

Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla’s Characters

Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla is sure to be filled with brilliant characters that help sell the fantasy of being a Viking during the invasion of Britain. Each Assassin’s Creed game heads to new historical locales, taking the series to places such as Rome during the Renaissance, Ancient Egypt and Greece, and even the high seas during the golden age of piracy. Now we’re off to 873 CE and Anglo-Saxon England, where you’ll be determining the fate of a Viking clan as you fight for land and survival.

Walk back through the annals of time with us as we look at everything we know about Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla’s characters ahead of the game’s launch.

Eivor

Eivor is who you’ll be playing as in Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla and is the main character. Playable as either male or female as it was in Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey, the game’s story will be identical no matter which gender you choose to play as.

Also known as the Wolf-Kissed, Eivor leads their clan of norsemen away from Norway in search of new lands, resources, and a place to call their own. Landing in Anglo-Saxon England and forming a new settlement, they also become initiated into the secrets of the Hidden Ones, gaining a Hidden Blade to use against their foes. Eivor had a harsh childhood which shaped much of their future, losing their parents Varin and Rosta and becoming adopted by King Styrbjorn.

Sigurd Styrbjornson

Sigurd is the elder brother of Eivor, through Eivor’s adoption by King Styrbjorn. Sigurd, along with Basim, are the pivotal characters behind much of what happens in Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla’s plot. Whilst Eivor was raiding Southern England, Sigurd departed on a journey to raid the distant lands of the East. There he found more than he was bargaining for, making the acquaintance of a Hidden One named Basim Ibn Ishaq. These two returned to Eivor’s side, gifting Eivor their Hidden Blade in the process.

Basim Ibn Ishaq

A member of the precursor to the Assassins, Basim is one of the Hidden Ones. Making a friend in Sigurd he travelled to Norway to meet with Eivor, encouraging them to lead the norsemen away from their ancestral lands to England. He also inducted Eivor into some of the secrets of the Hidden Ones, telling them of the Templar’s plot to control both England and the Norse..

King Styrbjorn

Though not the father of Eivor by blood, Styrbjorn stepped readily into this role after learning of the death of Varin and Rosta. Adopting Eivor he raised them alongside their son, Sigurd. Styrbjorn raised Eivor and Sigurd into strong warriors for the Raven Clan, however a rift grew between the king and Sigurd which ultimately caused his son to leave for Constantinople.

Now you should be acquainted with some of the most important characters and main characters in Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla. What are you looking forward to most in this latest entry in the Assassin’s Creed series? Head on over to our community forum and get talking.

Watch Dogs: Legion – Everything You Need to Know About Its Multiplayer Modes

Watch Dogs: Legion officially launched on October 29, 2020, for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, and Google Stadia. Since then, it has also become available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

Set in a near-future, dystopian London, Legion plunges players into a post-Brexit surveillance state where a private military corporation known as Albion has seized control of the city. As a member of the underground hacker group DedSec—framed for a series of bombings—you must fight back, uncover the truth, and recruit everyday citizens to join your resistance.

Developed by Ubisoft Toronto, Legion offers a compelling single-player campaign where you can play as virtually any character in the game world, each with unique abilities and backstories. Your goal is to rally London’s people, liberate boroughs, and take down the oppressive powers ruling the streets.

What About Multiplayer?

Multiplayer was not available at launch, but Ubisoft released the free online update on March 9, 2021, after a short delay from the original December 2020 plan. The update brought a robust set of multiplayer features as part of Watch Dogs: Legion’s ongoing post-launch content.

Online mode exists separately from the main campaign, meaning your recruited operatives in single-player do not carry over. Instead, players build a new DedSec team specifically for multiplayer activities.

Watch Dogs Legion Multiplayer Modes Explained

The online component adds several gameplay modes designed for both cooperation and competition:

Open-World Co-Op

Team up with up to three friends to explore London together, complete co-op missions, and take on spontaneous events across the open world. You’ll each bring your own recruits into the fold, creating strategic synergies in your squad.

Tactical Ops

These high-stakes missions are designed for four players and require careful teamwork, coordination, and communication. Tactical Ops are longer, more challenging experiences that play like heists or raids—perfect for those seeking a test of skill and cooperation.

Spiderbot Arena (PvP)

This fast-paced PvP mode puts up to eight players in control of armed Spiderbots in a free-for-all arena battle. Think Robot Wars, but faster, deadlier, and with a DedSec twist.

Invasion Mode

Returning from previous Watch Dogs titles, Invasion Mode pits players against each other in a deadly game of digital hide-and-seek. One player must hack the other without being detected, while the target must find and eliminate the intruder before it’s too late.

Whether you’re diving into Watch Dogs: Legion for the immersive single-player experience or teaming up with friends for online chaos, there’s a wealth of content to explore and a city to reclaim. Welcome to London. Now, let’s take it back.

Yakuza: Like A Dragon Jobs – What Do They Do?

The jobs system which sits at the core of Yakuza: Like A Dragon essentially dictates the key traits of the characters that use them. From providing specialised attacks to buffing up particular stats, each job can pretty shape the offensive strategy of every character in the game. The best way to think of jobs in Yakuza: Like A Dragon is as if they’re classes, as each one provides unique role-based benefits, strengths and weaknesses.

Yakuza: Like A Dragon Jobs – How Do You Get Them?

In Yakuza: Like A Dragon, jobs are split into three primary categories – character specific jobs, male specific jobs and female specific jobs. By dividing the jobs available in the game between these groups, Yakuza: Like A Dragon encourages players to diversify their group and seek out additional companions that exist beyond the core group of characters.

Many jobs in Yakuza: Like A Dragon have certain conditions which must be fulfilled in order for you to use them, such as reaching a desired experience level or chapter in the game. You can change a character’s job by heading over to the Hello Work office and choosing which new job you’d like to use – so long as you meet the aforementioned designated requirements.

Yakuza: Like A Dragon Jobs – How Do You Increase Your Job Rank?

Rather than just being static, jobs can be enhanced by improving their job rank. Like any JRPG worth its salt, players can not only gain regular experience to level up in the traditional sense, but beating tough bosses and laying waste to enemies in battle also provides a bounty of job points too.

When these job points are used to increase your job rank, not only do you stat increases on that particular character, but new skills are also learned that can be taken into battle. Whether that’s unlocking a new weapon style or enabling the use of a range of support and party assist abilities, each job in Yakuza: Like A Dragon provides players with sufficient creative latitude to define their play style however they see fit.

Here’s the kicker though – because your basic abilities and stat increases are carried over from one job to another, it makes sense to obtain and increase the level of as many jobs as you possibly can in order to maximise the number of abilities and skills that you’ll have at your disposal. After all, you can never have too many skills in your arsenal to unleash at any given time.

Yakuza: Like A Dragon Job Set – What Does It Include?

A special pack of downloadable content, the Yakuza: Like A Dragon Job Set includes a pair of special classes that can only be used by particular characters.

With the Devil Rocker job, players can not only unleash the madness and destruction performance, but also leverage guitar weapons in combat as well. The Devil Rocker job can be used by Ichiban, Zhao, Naba, Joon-Gi and Adachi.

Next up, the Matriarch job enables the two main female characters in Yakuza: Like A Dragon to go to town on their foes with heavy weapons and the hugely damaging Naginata spear. The Matriarch job role can only be used by Eri and Saeko.

Mafia Definitive Edition Characters and Voice Actor Guide

After 18 years, Illusion Softworks open-world 2002 mobster game Mafia has been remade for modern consoles. Developed by Hangar 13, the game has been rebuilt from the ground up, recreating 1930s Lost Heaven in all its gritty glory. As part of the remastered Mafia: Trilogy package, Mafia Definitive Edition launched on September 25, 2020 for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

If you’ve already started digging into the game, you may have noticed a few changes beyond the bump in graphical fidelity and atmosphere. Hangar 13 made the decision to recast the game’s English cast to service the newly developed story with motion capture to add a new cinematic layer to the narrative. This means that your old favourite characters may not sound the same as they did in 2002. If you’re trying to figure out who is who in Mafia Definitive Edition, follow along with our handy guide to the new voice cast and all of the game’s main characters, prefaced by a small primer for the game’s narrative to get you up to speed.

Mafia Definitive Edition Story Primer

Mafia Definitive Edition is set in 1930s America during the Prohibition era in the fictional city of Lost Heaven. You play as taxi driver Thomas Angelo, an ambitious soul who gets mixed up in the Salieri crime family, making friends and enemies across the game’s narrative.

Tommy starts out as a driver for the Salieri family and he rises through the ranks to become a Made Man, assisting with Salieri’s many lucrative rackets and protecting the business from outside influence and rival gangs.

The main antagonist in Mafia is Don Morello, of the Morello Crime Family, who attacks Salieri and his cohort across the course of the game, resulting in a vicious mob war. The Morello gang use corrupt cops and underhand tactics in an attempt to undermine Salieri’s dominion, leading Tommy to thwart assassination attempts and take out informants. However, Tommy eventually becomes disillusioned with his colleagues and their methods, which creates an interesting conflict between the game’s main characters, and leads to a number of twists.

In the Definitive Edition, the game has been rewritten to tell a more sophisticated story than the original, but most of the beats remain the same.

Mafia Definitive Edition Characters and Voice Actors

Tommy Angelo is played by Andrew Bongiorno
Sam is played by Don DiPetta
Paulie is played by Jeremy Luke
Don Salieri is played by Glenn Taranto
Sarah Angelo is played by Bella Popa
Frank Colleti is played by Steven Oliver
Don Morello is played by Saul Stein
Detective Norman is played by Dameon Clarke
Sergio Morello Jr is played by Matt Borlenghi
Ralphy is played by Ward Roberts
Vincenzo is played by Paul Tassone
Lucas Bertone is played by Thomas Gorrebeeck
Luigi is played by Robert Cabrini
Carlo is played by Joe Chambrello
Salvatore is played by Jordi Caballero
William Gates is played by Mykon Olivier
Joey Cracker is played by Guy Nardulli

Ghostrunner: Abilities, Powers & Missions Overview Guide

The slick, fast-paced cyberpunk action game Ghostrunner oozes action-packed gameplay based around speed, precision and momentum and looks fantastic in motion. With its wonderful-looking dystopian setting, Ghostrunner is an excellent adventure. With that in mind, we’re going to take a look at some of the Ghostrunner abilities and what players can expect from missions.

What is Ghostrunner?

Ghostrunner missions will see you hacking and slashing your way to the top of the Dharma tower to confront the tyrannical Keymaster. The Dharma tower is humanity’s last shelter after a world-ending cataclysm left humanity on the brink of extinction. Mara is the Keymaster and rules over what remains with an iron fist. With little regard for human life the strong prey on the weak. A crescendo of violence approaches and as the most advanced blade master ever created you will be at the forefront.

Featuring a one-hit kill mechanic you will need to be swift and accurate as you dish out your devastating attacks. Utilise your superior mobility to gain the upper hand, outsmart your enemies and take them down before they take you down.

Ghostrunner is meant to be a challenge, you will encounter death quite a lot and as such there are also a large number of checkpoints meaning you won’t need to keep retracing your old steps. Adapt and learn quickly and you will progress.

The Ghostrunner’s Moves and Abilities

You are a Ghostrunner – the 74th one in actual fact, and as such you have the upper hand on your enemies with a suite of powers to make use of. Speed and mobility will be your greatest assets but there are other Ghostrunner abilities that will provide you with that edge.

Wall run – you can run across walls to traverse large gaps.

Dash or Blink – you’re able to dash in any direction to either close distance or dodge out of the way of incoming projectiles. With the one-hit kill mechanic this will be a vital skill to master in order to progress.

Grapple – As the Ghostrunner you will have access to a grapple ability that allows them to latch on to certain items and propel them through the air towards them or past them. Useful for jumping gaps or getting behind enemy shields for an attack.

Tempest – acting like a force push, the Tempest ability allows you to create a force from your hand and fire it at an enemy to knock them back or off of platforms. The Tempest ability also has another use and can be used to deflect projectiles back at enemies. You only have to time the use of it correctly in order to deflect shots.

That’s just a few of the Ghostrunner abilities for players to master. There will undoubtedly be more to uncover as you play and climb further up the tower. With missions designed with motion in mind, Ghostrunner is fantastic fun and provides players with great adventure to master.

Crusader Kings 3 – All The New Features

After eight long years of playing Crusader Kings 2, stubborn grand strategy fans will be very pleased to learn that the game has received a brand spanking new sequel with a suite of new features to make the transfer between games peaceful, but interesting. Paradox Development Studios Crusader Kings 3 launched on Microsoft Windows via Steam and Xbox Game Pass for PC on September 1, 2020, and has since been met with much critical acclaim.

Yet if you’re a series veteran with tons of hours in Crusader Kings 2, you might still be on the fence about your purchase of the next entry. What new features does this game bring to the table, and why is it worth upgrading? In this short guide, we’re going to run through some of the new features in Crusader Kings 3 that distance the game from its predecessor.

The overhauled UI and accessible tutorials

One of the most important new features in Crusader Kings 3 is the UI overhaul, which has simplified a lot of the more stubborn aspects of the interface and made it easy to understand for new players.

This is tied into the extensive tutorial system — new players can start their adventure in Ireland and learn as they play rather than being thrown into the deep end. It’s fantastic for newbies and lets you learn on the job rather than reading pages and pages of guides before you start. Grand strategy games are known for their complexity, so hats off to Paradox for implementing such accessibility.

One of the best parts of the UI is that you can hover over any word you don’t understand and the game will explain it. You can also trap explainer boxes to hover over the words within them and explain those too, if necessary. There’s even a gigantic encyclopaedia that covers everything you need to know if you have further questions.

3D Animated Characters

Every character in Crusader Kings 3 is fully animated. The game makes the leap from 2D to 3D models with intricate features that reflect inherited traits, illness and congenital defects. This really brings the game to life and makes the visual presentation a lot less stoic than previous entries in the series. It also makes roleplaying easier, especially when you use the barbershop to modify how your ruler and their relatives look to fit your playstyle.

The Lifestyle system and dynasty trees

New to Crusader Kings 3 is the lifestyle system, which lets players pick an RPG-style skill tree to follow for their current ruler until they die. As soon as you’re given control you’ll be asked to pick between the Diplomacy, Martial, Stewardship, Intrigue or Learning skill trees, with important benefits tied to each. Perhaps you want to make your ruler a mischievous manipulator with the scheming Intrigue tree and then pivot to a Martial strategist with your heir when your dynasty needs to expand.

The choice is yours! Every skill tree features useful unlockable abilities that can be game-changing for a dynasty’s fortunes when used properly. You can also gain Renown by being a successful ruler, which you can then use to advance your dynasty tree to achieve abilities that affect your entire dynasty instead of just your current ruler.

Hooks and Dread

The favours system has been expanded in Crusader Kings 3, and players can now fabricate and obtain Hooks on other players. This means you can scheme to find out potentially earth-shaking secrets about your rivals and then turn those details into blackmail and important leverage. You’ll get some hooks on family members just for being related to them, but you can also work to acquire hooks on your rivals, which are even more useful.

You can keep a hook and use it at a crucial moment later down the line to force a marriage or make one of your vassals accept some vicious terms when you’re negotiating tax and levies. The best part about the hooks system is that you can often use a hook to negate the loss of opinion you would usually suffer from the act you’re trying to commit. This means there is an even greater incentive to scheme and spy on your rivals and friends. If you know their secrets you can make sure they never turn against you! If you take advantage of people, torture captives and generally be an aggressive nuisance you’ll also accumulate a new currency called Dread, which will make the rest of the world fear you for your lack of empathy and crafty ness. Use this new resource wisely alongside the Hooks system to dominate continents and rule the world!

Control Ultimate Edition Differences – What Does It Offer?

The definitive version of Remedy’s 2019 third-person shooter Control, the Control Ultimate Edition brings together the base game and all of the DLC and expansions which have been released since launch. As an added bonus, PS4 and Xbox One folks who purchase Control Ultimate Edition will also gain a free upgrade to the enhanced PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions of Control when they release later on too.

The Base Game

If you’ve not yet played Control (what on earth have you been doing?), then the Control Ultimate Edition is absolutely the best place to acquaint yourself with Remedy’s astoundingly compelling shooter.

A masterwork marriage of third-person shooter mechanics and sophisticated narrative beats, Control casts players as Bureau of Control special agent Jesse Faden who must uncover the whereabouts of her wayward brother and fight back an invading supernatural force known only as the Hiss, which threatens to undo humanity as we know it.

As Jesse plunges ever deeper into the bowels of the Oldest House, she uncovers all manner of strange events, warped realities, corrupt governments and shocking tragedies in one of the most outlandish and wholly satisfying stories that Remedy has ever told.

Deftly leveraging the sort of open-ended level design that the studio has long been known for, players will wreak a special kind of carnage on their enemies as Jesse unleashes a two-pronged assault of cutting-edge firepower and telekinetic devastation. To say there’s nothing else quite like Control would be something of an understatement.

Included DLC, Expansions

Expanding the base Control experience in new, interesting and often unexpected ways, the Control Ultimate Edition includes the following DLC and expansion content.

Oh and if you haven’t completed the base game, you might not want to read any further as spoilers follow.

The Foundation

In Control’s first fully fledged expansion, The Foundation sees our flame-haired protagonist enter an all-new section of the Oldest House to combat a highly deadly Hiss variant. In addition to bringing new side quests, mods and abilities to the table, the Foundation expansion also brings a sizable number of recordings and documents for the player to collect.

AWE

Encompassing reality breaking ‘Altered World Events’, Control’s AWE expansion whisks players off to a previously unexplored area of the Oldest House where a mysterious, slumbering power has lurked for years.

Boasting some of the most ambitious level design seen anywhere in either the base game or its first expansion, Control’s AWE expansion is an eye-opening affair that directly crosses over with Remedy’s earlier supernatural adventure Alan Wake, as Jesse Faden lays waste to all-new foes in worlds that are both new and warmly familiar.

PS5, Xbox Series X Upgrades

Certainly a nice bonus to have for console folk, Control Ultimate Edition allows current generation console players to upgrade to the next generation versions of Control at no extra cost. Boasting higher resolution, improved framerates, greater levels of detail and ray traced visuals, Control on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S looks to be a massive leap over the current generation versions of the game.

Control Ultimate Edition is out now, for more head over to the Green Man Gaming Community Site.

Exploring Mortal Shell’s Lore and Story

Mortal Shell is a rewarding and deep combat-driven RPG that features a story that seamlessly weaves itself into the dark world that surrounds you. Filled with lore and backstory, Mortal Shell builds a world that’s as tantalising as it is oppressive.

Playing as the Foundling inhabiting a protective Shell that also grants you extra abilities, you’re not directly given many reasons for your actions. If you just look at what the Foundling is told, you may come away confused. Thankfully, the world is rich with detail and extra information that helps build up a more clear picture of the world’s story. In particular, inscriptions and etchings give you details that help fill out the world, giving you more detail than just that in the main story.

We’re here to look into Mortal Shell’s lore and story, giving you our best idea of what’s happening in the game and in its backstory.

Mortal Shell’s Story

Key to understanding Mortal Shell’s story is looking at the history of the game’s world and how it’s reached the state it is when the game begins.

It’s the Wormfish that is at the heart of Mortal Shell and is probably the most important ingredient in its heady mix of scifi, fantasy, and dark gothic horror. Humanity has been seeking immortality since the birth of sin. Many different sources and much experimentation was undertaken in this search for life everlasting, but it was in an unlikely place that the answer was found.

The Wormfish, a visitor from the Void, held the key to humanity’s undying future. We do not know in what form this took but as an inscription states, “A worm split asunder becomes something new.” This may be a reference to the Unborn, which are the source of much of the game’s plot.

The Unborn are a parasite that travels with the Wormfish, they appear to be drawn to immortality, and when humans took the Dark Gift and became undying they started drawing the Unborn to themselves. These were known as the Revered.

One Revered, the Dark Father, began to consume his own Unborn. This twisted his form into a grotesque parody of human life, in addition, he was imprisoned for all eternity. His Unborn being harvested for the use of others. Inside each Unborn a gland can be found which, when consumed, grants certain powers. These can be glimpses of the future, access to the Void itself, and more.

In order to retain one’s humanity, sacrifices had to be made to feed the Unborn. These gifts of humanity, or Sacraments, came in the form of flesh and blood or even memory itself. Unfortunately over time these sacrifices and the influence of the Devout, immortal caretakers of the Unborn’s Sacraments, caused a terrifying madness to descend on humanity.

The Devout in turn were twisted by consumption of the Tar, a byproduct of Unborn glands, turning them into inhuman monsters.

The Foundling

In Mortal Shell you play as the Foundling, a pale creature that possesses unique abilities in the world. It seems you were intended to be a Seedling, an offspring of the Dark Father who would birth Unborn, giving humanity access to their pure nectar.

As you discover more about the world you find out that It seems humanity’s fall was caused by worshipping false gods and a desire to become gods themselves. Throughout the game you seek down the truth, and tear glands from fallen Revered and Devout, as you put an end to humanity’s hubris. Facing the final boss, The Unchained, it becomes clear that you, not them, are intended to ascend and take your place in the pantheon. The child, at last, surpasses the father.

The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope Cast & Characters

Supermassive Games is renowned for attracting top-tier Hollywood talent to bring its experimental horror titles to life, with The Dark Pictures Anthology being no exception. With the success of Until Dawn featuring stars like Rami Malek and Peter Stormare, and Man of Medan starring Shawn Ashmore, Supermassive has consistently recruited big names for their interactive horror experiences. Little Hope, the second entry in The Dark Pictures Anthology, continues this trend with an impressive cast, featuring a blend of rising stars and seasoned actors who help shape the chilling narrative.

In this guide, we’ll delve into the details of the cast and their respective roles in The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope, providing insight into their careers and the characters they portray.

What to Expect in Little Hope

The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope is a survival horror game released on October 30, 2020, for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Following the events of Man of Medan, it is the second instalment in the anthology series. The game is primarily single-player, though it offers two multiplayer modes: Shared Story, a co-op experience for two players online, and Movie Night, where up to five players take turns controlling different characters while navigating the eerie narrative.

The story revolves around a group of college students and their teacher who find themselves trapped in the seemingly deserted town of Little Hope, a place steeped in the history of 17th-century witch trials. As the characters investigate the town’s dark past, they experience strange, supernatural events and are forced to confront their own horrifying visions of past lives. The choices you make throughout the game will shape the fates of the characters, as they struggle to unravel the mystery of Little Hope and its chilling secrets.

Cast and Characters

Pip Torrens as The Curator

Pip Torrens plays The Curator, the mysterious narrator who appears across The Dark Pictures Anthology games. A guiding figure, The Curator comments on the player’s choices, offering cryptic insights into the unfolding narrative. Torrens is a well-known English actor, with notable roles in The Crown as Otto von Bismarck, Preacher as Herr Starr, and The Danish Girl. His voice and performance bring a layer of depth and intrigue to the series.

Alex Ivanovici as John, James and Joseph

Alex Ivanovici portrays multiple roles, playing John, James, and Joseph, three of the main characters linked to Little Hope’s tragic past. Ivanovici has appeared in films and games such as 300 (2006), Outlast (2013), Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (2016), and The Outer Worlds (2019), demonstrating a versatile talent for bringing a wide range of characters to life. In Little Hope, he embodies the weight of history as he navigates through the town’s horrific and mysterious past.

Will Poulter as Andrew, Anthony and Abraham

Will Poulter plays three key characters—Andrew, Anthony, and Abraham. Poulter is a well-known actor, recognized for his performances in films such as Midsommar (2019), The Revenant (2015), and Black Mirror (2017). His ability to portray complex and intense characters makes him a standout in Little Hope, where he plays multiple roles connected to the town’s dark history. His experience in psychological horror, particularly in Midsommar, adds a unique intensity to the game’s narrative.

Ellen David as Angela, Anne and Amy

Ellen David takes on the roles of Angela, Anne, and Amy in Little Hope. David’s acting career spans several decades, with notable appearances in Assassin’s Creed II (2009), Watch Dogs (2014), and Arthur (2011). She brings a sense of gravitas to the game, portraying characters from different periods, all of whom are caught up in the mystery of Little Hope’s haunted past. Her performances help create a deep emotional connection with the player as she faces horrific events tied to her various incarnations.

Kyle Bailey as Daniel and Dennis

Kyle Bailey plays Daniel and Dennis, two characters central to the storyline in Little Hope. Bailey’s previous acting credits include a range of television roles, and his performance in Little Hope demonstrates his ability to navigate complex psychological drama. As both Daniel and Dennis, Bailey’s characters are deeply entwined with the game’s core mystery, and his ability to portray vulnerability and strength plays a crucial part in the player’s emotional journey.

Caitlyn Sponheimer as Taylor, Tanya and Tabitha

Caitlyn Sponheimer portrays three different characters—Taylor, Tanya, and Tabitha. Sponheimer’s previous roles include appearances in The Boys (2019) and April in Autumn (2018). In Little Hope, she brings a dynamic energy to each character, each with her own story and connection to the town’s witch trial history. Her performances provide a sense of realism and relatability, making the horror elements of the game hit even harder.

Scott Haining as David

Scott Haining plays David, a character whose fate is tied to the twisted events unfolding in Little Hope. Haining is best known for his roles in British television series like Waterloo Road, Doctors, and My Parents Are Aliens. In Little Hope, his performance adds to the eerie atmosphere of the game, with his portrayal of David being integral to the overarching mystery.

Skye Burkett as Mary and Megan

Skye Burkett plays Mary and Megan, two significant characters in the game’s chilling narrative. Burkett is a relatively new face in acting but shows her range and skill in these roles, where she brings life to characters linked to the historical witch trials and their haunting consequences.

David Smith as Reverend Carver

David Smith portrays Reverend Carver, a key figure from Little Hope’s grim past. Smith’s previous television roles include appearances in Emmerdale, Coronation Street, and Waterloo Road. In Little Hope, he plays a pivotal role in the unfolding story, acting as one of the key antagonists whose actions have a long-lasting impact on the game’s tragic events.

Little Hope’s cast is filled with talented performers, each contributing their unique skills to create a rich, immersive experience. With these characters, the game weaves a tale of horror, history, and mystery, making every choice feel consequential in the pursuit of uncovering the truth behind Little Hope’s dark legacy.

How to beat all the Terraria Bosses

There’s a lot of bosses in Terraria and each one provides a thorough test of your abilities and your preparation. Taking them on requires practice, skills, the right equipment, and of course – knowledge.

We can’t help with the others, but we can help load you up with all the info you need to know which order is best to take on Terraria’s bosses, and how you can take them down.

Pre-Hardmode Terraria Bosses

King Slime
1. Summon – Slime Crown
2. Strategy – A Slime Banner can be a big help, but otherwise stay mobile and watch its jumps to defeat it in no time.
Eye of Cthulhu
1. Summon – Suspicious Looking Eye
2. Strategy – For the first phase concentrate on using fire arrows. During its second phase simply dodge its charge attack then dive in for damage when it misses.
Eater of Worlds
1. Summon – Worm Food or break 3 Shadow Orbs
2. Strategy – Head to the surface and use penetrating weapons to take it down. Carefully manage loose segments to make sure you’re not overwhelmed.
Brain of Cthulhu
1. Summon – Bloody Spine or break 3 Crimson Hearts
2. Strategy – Focus only on the Creepers in phase 1 as the Brain cannot take damage. Phase 2 begins when the Creepers are dead, use platforms to keep out of the way and use your most powerful weapons to take it down.
Queen Bee
1. Summon – Abeemination or break its Larva
2. Strategy – Dodge its charging attacks and return the favour, then use piercing weapons to destroy its spawns as they appear.
Skeletron
1. Summon – Activate the Old Man’s Curse or kill a Clothier Voodoo Doll equipped Clothier.
2. Strategy – Use piercing weapons to target both the hands and the skull. When it uses its spinning attack, use ranged weapons to deal massive damage.
Wall of Flesh
1. Summon – Throw a Guide Voodoo Doll into lava.
2. Strategy – Run, run, and never stop. Kill The Hungry wherever you can then focus on the eyes and the mouth. When Leeches appear, use melee or penetrating weapons against them, and keep running.

Hardmode Terraria Bosses

Queen Slime
1. Summon – Gelatin Crystal
2. Strategy – Use the same tacticas as the King Slime boss but be warned, she moves much faster. When she pauses, kill smaller slimes to make sure you’re not overwhelmed. When at under 50% health she’ll fly, dodge her attacks and take her out.
The Twins
1. Summon – Mechanical Eye
2. Strategy – Take them out one at a time, we recommend going for Spazmatism first as that’ll help deal with the Cursed Inferno damage.
The Destroyer
1. Summon – Mechanical Worm
2. Strategy – Fight as you would the Eater of Worlds, though as it doesn’t split into segments, you shouldn’t find this too much of a challenge.
Skeletron Prime
1. Summon – Mechanical Skull
2. Strategy- Only the head needs to die for you to win, though destroying limbs makes the fight much easier. The safest way to win is to focus on the arms first.
Plantera
1. Summon – Plantera’s Bulb
2. Strategy – In the first phase simply kite and attack. Second phase requires precise dodging to avoid lunges. Kill tentacles whenever possible as they can overwhelm quickly.
Golem
1. Summon – Lihzarhd Power Cell at a Lihzahrd Altar
2. Strategy – Take down the fists first then the head, then focus on the body as you dodge the head’s fireballs and eye beams and the body’s leaps.
Empress of Light
1. Summon – Prismatic Lacewing
2. Strategy – During the day Empress of Light will be enraged, however she will always drop the Terraprisma if fought during daylight hours. Armed with a wide array of attacks, you’ll be dodging bolts, dash attacks, rays of light, spiralling stars, and a sword swarm. Just stay in the fight and deal damage when you can to whittle this boss down.
Duke Fishron
1. Summon – Fish in the ocean biome with a Truffle Worm
2. Strategy – Dodge its ramming attacks in phases 1 and 2 then get its health down. When it hits phase 3 be extremely wary as it will teleport and go invisible before ramming.
Lunatic Cultist
1. Summon – Kill all Cultists at the dungeon entrance
2. Strategy – Kill it as quickly as possible as its attacks get stronger over time and it can summon Phantasm Dragons or Ancient Visions as well as clones of itself.
Moon Lord
1. Summon – Celestial Sigil or defeat the Celestial Pillars
2. Strategy – The final boss of the game is a tough challenge. Attack its eyes though be warned True Eyes of Cthulhu will spawn when they’re destroyed. Defeat the core to win, you’ll be spending a lot of time hiding under solid blocks to escape damage or using a flying mount to dodge.

So there you have it, every boss in Terraria’s pre-hardmode and hardmode, ready for you to dive in and take them on. Do you have a secret strategy or boss order you prefer? Head on over to our community forum and let us know.

The Best Community Created ‘Last Team Standing’ Game Modes in Grand Theft Auto Online

Grand Theft Auto Online has cultured a diverse community around itself over the past seven years, from casual players, to roleplayers, to the famed ‘Tryhards’, and creators. We are going to be focusing on the creators today. Thriving on crafting experiences for others to enjoy using Rockstar’s ‘creator mode’. Players will often find themselves joining a community created game mode at some point during their time playing GTA Online, so what are some of the best modes to sink your teeth into? To answer that question, we are going to be having a look through some of our favourites and delving into each one; examining them from their radiating core.

Rockets vs Insurgents — The Classic

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to pit armoured vehicles against a barrage of Rpg fire from rage induced players? Will now you no longer have to imagine! Throughout the years there have been many adaptations of the core concept for this mode. Explained simply, a team of players are armed with Rpg’s on a platform while the other team has access to Insurgents, where they have to use ramps to try and knock them clean off that platform.

My favourite version has a ramp which runs up along the side of a building towering over the player’s platform; this small—yet powerful—addition adds to the overall experience as players on the Rpg team now have to worry about multiple angles to be attacked from. Good team coordination is essential in order to consistently have the edge over the Insurgent team. The mode itself is one that intertwines tense, adrenaline pumping moments as insurgents skim past your character or you will be driving with methodical thought and accuracy in order to hit the opposing team. All in all, it’s abundantly fun and enjoyable to play.

RPG Bowling — “Niko! It’s Roman, Let’s Go Bowling.”

In GTA V we don’t have the extreme pleasure of Roman from GTA IV calling us every five minutes asking to go bowling. So, it appears that the GTA V community simply had to find a way to get around this. Bowling has now been incorporated into GTA Online in a very unorthodox, but brilliant, manner. Similar to the last mode we discussed, one team will be on a platform armed with rocket launchers to add more spice into the flavouring of normal bowling and to top that all off: sprinkle in another team with cars, jets, enormous bowling balls, and you’ve got a recipe for utter chaotic fun.

The sheer terror of seeing six bowling balls hurling down a massive ramp towards you with a phalanx of super cars following close behind them to knock you off is a sight to be remembered as you try to fire a perfect shot on them. This mode has just the right amount of strategy and chaos to make everything work out in the end. So, Niko can indeed go bowling today after years of refusing…with the extra incentive of potential death from a bowling ball, that would be rather ironic, wouldn’t it?

Hole — A Destruction Derby In The Sky? Yes, Please!

Although the name may not be very glamorous, the mode certainly is, an atmosphere of overwhelming intensity and enjoyment can be found within. A handful of teams have to try and push each other into the titular “Hole” in the center of the arena until their own team is the only one left. Each team is given a handful of vehicles to select from, these range from smaller buggies, to jeeps, and heavy trucks. Respectively, each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. The nifty buggies will be able to turn quickly and with delicate ease, but, at the same time, when hit by a heavy truck at full speed it’s going to be doing cartwheels as if it was training for the olympics. The heavy truck however will suffer from a much larger turning circle.

Players will have to choose wisely in order to succeed, their driving skills will be put to the test, and above all else, fun is always guaranteed in this mode.

Runners Vs Zentornos — The Famous Mode Of GTA Online

Creating an article about this subject and not including this mode would be like making a sandwich without butter. The mode revolves around a parkour style race where one team will be on a tight beam with obstacles to navigate across in order to reach the other side. The other team, however, has to use Zentornos, or any other car the creator has selected for the mode, and knock them off the platform before they reach the other side and arm themselves with a barrage of weapons and vehicles to eliminate the Zentornos in one swift strike.

A mixture of delicious mayhem and cunning tactics is once again present and this mode is a cult-classic within the GTA Online community; revamped time and time again to be enjoyed by a new set of players.

Conclusion

No matter what mode you choose to play in GTA Online, one thing is certain, you will always seem to find enjoyment from the strangest modes, and that’s the key of GTA Online’s custom modes, the strange and wacky are oftentimes the experiences that deliver the most enjoyment.

Marvel’s Avengers: Leveling Guide for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes

Marvel’s Avengers by Crystal Dynamics received a mixed response following its launch. While some players were captivated by the campaign and character-driven storytelling, others found the Destiny-style multiplayer grind less appealing. Still, a dedicated fanbase continues to enjoy the mission-based co-op structure and invest time in powering up their favourite heroes.

If you’re diving in – or returning after some time – you might find the levelling system overwhelming at first. This guide breaks it all down and offers effective strategies to level up your heroes efficiently.

Understanding Character Progression

There are two main systems to understand when levelling in Marvel’s Avengers:

Hero Level

This reflects your chosen hero’s skill development. As you earn experience (XP), your Hero Level increases up to a cap of 50. Each level grants one skill point, which you can spend across three trees:

Primary
Specialty
Mastery

These skill trees unlock new abilities and improve existing ones, allowing you to fine-tune your hero’s playstyle.

Power Level

Your Power Level is based on the gear equipped to your hero. Gear drops frequently and can be swapped out for better stats. There are six gear rarities:

Common (grey)
Uncommon (green)
Rare (blue)
Epic (purple)
Legendary (yellow)
Exotic (orange)

Each piece of gear increases your overall Power Level. As you progress, gear caps can be increased through upgrades using in-game materials. Initially, the soft cap is 130, which can be raised to 140 through upgrades, and even further using powerful artifacts.

Note: As of recent updates, the absolute Power Level cap has been raised beyond 150, allowing players to push into higher-level endgame content.

Efficient Ways to Level Up

1. HARM Rooms

The Holographic Augmented Reality Machine (HARM Room) is a training simulator located in the Chimera’s lower deck. While primarily designed for practising combat, it also provides steady XP. However, it can feel repetitive, so it’s best used for early levelling or challenge completion.

2. Hero Missions

Each time a new Avenger joins your team in the campaign, a Hero Mission Chain becomes available via the War Table. Completing these missions rewards XP, gear, and story content tailored to that hero. They’re an excellent way to build up new characters.

3. Focus on One Hero

To maximize efficiency, consider focusing on a single hero early on. While the campaign forces you to play as multiple Avengers, many missions offer flexibility in hero choice. Sticking to one allows you to reach high levels faster and gear up for tougher multiplayer content.

4. Explore the Environment

Levels are often larger than they seem, with hidden paths, chests, and side objectives. Use the in-game radar to track question marks and always investigate side paths for extra rewards, gear, and collectable resources.

5. Gear Perks and Catalyst Boosts

Most gear (excluding Common) includes perks that enhance various attributes like damage, defence, or status effects. For levelling, Catalyst perks are especially valuable. Look for perks such as the Prismatic Catalyst, which boosts XP gain and helps rank up Factions more quickly.

6. Villain Sectors

These missions pit you against campaign bosses like Taskmaster or Abomination and are excellent for farming XP and gear—especially near the level cap. They refresh daily and are available under Faction missions. They’re essential for late-game progress and resource farming.

Whether you’re a solo player enjoying the narrative or diving deep into the co-op multiplayer scene, Marvel’s Avengers offers a layered progression system that rewards dedication. Mastering the levelling mechanics and smartly managing your time will ensure you get the most out of your squad of superheroes.

Got your own tips or stories to share? Join the community and let your voice be heard – Avengers, assemble!

Crusader Kings 3 Character Creation Guide

If you want to roleplay as a bearded wizard-king without carefully plotting congenital traits, you’re going to want to learn how to use the character creation systems in Crusader Kings 3. The third game in Paradox’s Grand Strategy trilogy does not yet feature a ruler designer, so your options are somewhat limited, but mods can help fill in the blanks as we wait for the inevitable update which adds such functionality. In the meantime, here’s all the ways you can change how your ruler looks in Crusader Kings 3.

The Barbershop system

To make some quick and dirty changes to your ruler’s appearance, you want to use the Barbershop system. To alter your character’s hair style and clothing, simply right click on their portrait when you have your ruler’s character sheet open. This will give you the usual options to marry and cause other kinds of mayhem, but what you’re really looking for is a small icon in the upper right corner which looks like a pair of shears.

This will take you to the barbershop menu. You can use the barbershop on your ruler and their spouse(s), as well as all of your children should you wish to condemn them to a life of ridicule at an early age. The options for changing hair style and clothing are fairly robust, but you can’t really make a character your own without digging into the labyrinth of chaos that is the Steam Workshop.

Crusader Kings 3 Character Customization Mods

You might surmise that modding Crusader Kings 3 could be a tricky endeavour, given the game’s apparent complexity. However, this couldn’t be any further from the truth. Like many games on the Steam Workshop, all you have to do is subscribe to the relevant modifications and they’ll quickly load into the game upon launch. There’s even a super handy ‘Mods’ menu in the game’s launcher, where you can enable or disable particular mods, access mod tools and tinker with your set up to curate the in-game experience that you want.

With that in mind, you definitely want to check out SarcFa’s Custom Ruler Designer, a fully-featured event chain that lets you build a character from scratch, modifying how they look and how they play, with tons of congenital and aesthetic traits to choose from to build the character that you want to roleplay as. The mod isn’t finished just yet, but it contains everything you’re likely looking for if you wish to customise characters in Crusader Kings 3.

There’s also the Fullscreen Barbershop by Agamidae, which does what it says on the tin. This mod lets you model and take screenshots of your custom characters in specific, culture-relevant scenes, and also includes the Barbershop for Everyone mod, which lets you customize anyone on the map, rather than those just in your dynasty. If you want to make a mockery of your ruler rival, this is the mod you’re looking for.

To find out more about Crusader Kings 3 head over to Green Man Gaming’s Community site.

Exploring Mafia Definitive Editions Map vs. The Original

The Mafia Definitive Edition is just around the corner. With it being remade from the ground up, this Prohibition-era action-adventure game set in the fictional city of Lost Heaven is looking better than ever. Amidst all the visual upgrades the city of Lost Heaven itself has also undergone a few tweaks. Let’s take a look at some of the main changes to the Mafia Definitive edition map.

New Names

One of the more immediately obvious changes to the map is some of the changes of names of locations. These are some of the main suburb name changes that can be seen on the East side of the map.

Oak Hill renamed to Beech Hill
Hoboken is now known as Holbrook
New Ark has been renamed to North Park.
Central Island and the West of Lost Heaven have retained their suburb names.

New Places

The Mafia remake map has also seen some new places pop up. Whilst the whole map will look vastly different with a more densely packed city, taller buildings etc… There are some areas that have been expanded upon or are entirely new.

West of Little Italy and the Works Quarter has seen a big change to the Racing Circuit. It now extends much further and has a few ponds scattered around it.
The entire North of the map has seen a lot of changes with the addition of various ponds, new roads, and the brand new Lake Fyer sitting to the northwest of the dam. New building landmarks can be seen scattered around the countryside as well.
Heavens Peak is another new addition to the North which suggests a hill or mountain of some kind that overlooks the main city.
The Airport is another area that has undergone renovation. It now appears to be a lot larger with more buildings making up the main part of the airport.

Other Changes

There are a number of other changes that will be noticeable when actually playing the game. One of the major ones is that the whole map is now explorable from the start, removing the need for story progress.

There will now be more high-rise buildings within the city creating a more interesting skyline.
The density of the whole city has been altered with the addition of new buildings creating multiple new alleyways and shortcuts for players to take. This will make navigating the map a more enjoyable and varied experience. It will also make it a bit easier to run from the police.
Chinatown has seen some tweaks to its aesthetic and will now be more instantly recognisable.
You will see noticeable differences in both traffic and pedestrian activity between night and day cycles.
Tramlines have also been expanded and will now allow you to travel to more areas of the city.

There has been a lot of love and attention going into the Mafia Definitive Edition map and it looks like it will be better than ever for players to explore and carry out their nefarious deeds.

Payday 2: Mastering Heists – Stealth and Loud Builds Guide

In Payday 2, the thrill lies in pulling off the perfect heist, whether you prefer the silent, strategic approach of stealth or the adrenaline-pumping chaos of a loud assault. Optimizing your perk decks, skills, and equipment is crucial for success in either playstyle. This guide provides effective starting points for building your ideal stealth or loud heister.

Stealth: The Silent Operator Build

A stealthy approach demands precision, patience, and a build tailored for minimizing detection. Here are some suggestions for the best stealth build in Payday 2.

Perk Deck:

Burglar: This is the gold standard for stealth. It significantly speeds up crucial actions like bag moving, lock picking, and pager answering, making it indispensable for efficient heists. (Requires the Clover Character Pack)
Note: The Yakuza perk deck, while offering movement speed, is not recommended for stealth as the health penalties make it extremely risky.

Essential Skills:

Forced Friendship (Basic): From the Mastermind tree, this provides extra cable ties, vital for controlling civilians.
Transporter (Basic): From the Enforcer tree, this allows you to throw bags further, reducing the time spent exposed.
Parkour (Basic): Increases movement and ladder climbing speed, allowing for faster navigation.
Note: Skills such as Stockholm Syndrome, and High Value Target are other potential options in a Stealth build but are not necessarily optimal for most stealth scenarios.

Weapons:

High-concealment weapons are paramount. The Judge shotgun with a Silent Killer Suppressor and the Cavity 9mm pistol with a low-profile suppressor are excellent choices for their stopping power and discreetness.

Throwables:

Quiet throwables like shurikens, throwing knives, or playing cards allow for silent takedowns and distractions.

Loud: The Armored Assault

When subtlety goes out the window, a loud build ensures you can survive and thrive in the ensuing firefight.

Perk Deck:

Anarchist: This deck converts damage into armour regeneration, providing excellent survivability in prolonged engagements.
Sociopath: This deck focuses on aggressive play, rewarding kills with armour and health regeneration, ideal for close-quarters combat.

Essential Skills:

Iron Man (Basic): Significantly boosts your armour, essential for absorbing heavy damage.
Underdog (Basic): Provides a damage bonus when surrounded by enemies, a common occurrence in loud heists.
Scavenger (Basic): Increases ammo pickup range, crucial for maintaining sustained fire.
Body Expertise (Basic): Converts a portion of headshot damage to body shots, improving damage output.
Surefire (Basic): Increases magazine size for LMGs, SMGs and Assault rifles.
Steady Grip (Basic): Improves weapon accuracy, vital for controlling recoil during extended firefights.
Parkour (Basic): Increased movement speed is important even in loud heists.
Optical Illusions (Basic): Decreases the chance enemies target you.
Berserker (Basic): Increases damage as your health decreases, rewarding risky plays.

Weapons:

Loud builds prioritize high damage and ammo capacity. The RPK LMG and the SpecOps SMG are solid choices, but weapon selection is flexible. Choose what suits your playstyle and ensures you have ample ammunition.

Throwables:

Frag grenades and HE grenades are ideal for clearing groups of enemies and creating chaos.

Payday 2 offers vast customization, allowing you to adapt these builds to your preferences. Experiment with different combinations to find what works best for you. These builds provide a good foundation for both stealth and loud playstyles. Remember, the most important aspect is having fun and mastering the art of the heist.