The 5 Best Boss Fights In Games

Often, the most memorable aspect of any game worth its salt are the boss encounters. Frequently characterised as mesmerising battles in which spectacle is equalled only by the skillful demands it places on the player, we’ve come up with five of the best big baddie battles available in games right now.

Isshin the Sword Saint – Sekiro

In every way that a final, end-of-game boss should be a toweringly difficult and thorough test of everything that you’ve learned, so is Sekiro’s Isshin the Sword Saint just that. A screamingly fast and highly devastating combatant who evolves in leaps and bounds from one phase of the fight to the next, defeating Isshin the Sword Saint isn’t just an achievement, it’s a platinum-plated celebration of a player’s overwhelming skill, reaction speed and battlefield IQ. A true end-of-game big bad if there ever was one.

Kuze – Yakuza 0 

Longtime Dojima family lieutenant Daisaku Kuze is a force to be reckoned with, make no mistake. An elder statesman Yakuza officer who rather than retire behind a desk has vowed to remain on the street in order to keep breaking skulls, in Kuze’s mind player protagonist Kiryu is a vagrant, believing him to be an arrogant upstart villain who wants nothing more than personal glory at the expense of the Dojima family.

Emboldened by a seemingly inexhaustible supply of righteous fury, Kuze proves to be a more than formidable combatant and a constant threat to Kiryu. The eventual result? Players must fight an increasingly miffed Kuze some five times across the duration of the game in order to finally put down this very hard old man who just doesn’t know how (or wants to) quit. Whether he’s charging Kiryu on a bike with a pipe in hand or goading the Yakuza series frontman into a brawl in a torturer’s basement, each and every scrap with Kuze lingers long in the memory.

Mr. X – Resident Evil 2

Imagine a massive undead version of the Terminator that soaks up bullets like Brock Lesnar does red meat, and you’re somewhat close to the intimidating spectacle that is Resident Evil 2’s Mr. X. A relentless force, Mr. X’s thunderous footsteps are a grim prelude to the chase that invariably follows as he shows up both when you least expect it and when you least need him to. Look, if your heart doesn’t jump out of your chest each time the fedora wearing Mr. X storms onto the scene, then there’s something wrong.

Ornstein & Smough – Dark Souls

You see, depending on the order in which you vanquish Orstein and Smough, both the fight and the rewards you get for coming out the other side can vary greatly. For instance, if you fancy an easier scrap, dispatching the lanky Ornstein first will nab you the armour of his partner as soon as the fight is over. Conversely, those who crave a challenge can flip the order and attempt to kill Smough first, which not only makes the battle much harder but grants extra loot at the end. 

Ragnaros – World of Warcraft Classic

One of the most defining memories for anyone who played World of Warcraft at the time of its initial release was Ragnaros, the super popular MMORPG’s first honest-to-goodness raid boss. A gargantuan fire elemental titan, the Ragnaros battle in the depths of Molten Core was World of Warcraft’s first-ever 40-man raid, in which every player and every class had a vital role to play in a hugely epic scrap that spanned multiple phases. To this day, there still really hasn’t been another boss battle in Blizzard’s long-running MMORPG effort that has come close and so we duly salute the big fiery lad in the lava pit.

So what was the most satisfactory boss fight you’ve had? Comment below and head over to the Green Man Gaming Community to see what all our gamers have to say.

A Beginners Guide To Getting Started In Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord

Mount and Blade II: Bannerlord continues to stand out in the action RPG genre, offering an expansive, sandbox-style experience set in the land of Calradia. For both newcomers and veterans of the series, the game’s rich world and complex mechanics can be overwhelming. However, with the right tips, you can quickly immerse yourself in the game and start building your legacy. Here’s a set of essential tips to help you get started or refine your gameplay in the ever-evolving Mount and Blade II: Bannerlord.

1. There’s No Shame in Playing on Easier Difficulty

One of the key attractions of Bannerlord is its challenge, but if you’re struggling, don’t feel bad about starting on an easier difficulty. Mount and Blade II offers a wide range of customizable difficulty settings. Starting on very easy mode can give you a better chance at survival, especially in the early hours of the game. Don’t forget: the game allows you to adjust the difficulty at any time, giving you the flexibility to fine-tune the challenge as you gain more experience.

The difficulty options aren’t just about overall difficulty; they can be fine-tuned to suit specific aspects, such as combat damage or enemy movement speeds. This flexibility means you can tailor the experience to your liking and gradually ramp up the difficulty as you become more proficient.

2. Don’t Skip the Combat Tutorial

Combat in Mount and Blade II: Bannerlord can be tricky, especially for new players. Even if you’re a veteran of the series, it’s a good idea to revisit the combat tutorial. The tutorial covers essential mechanics like timing, blocking, and manoeuvring your troops – skills that are crucial for surviving in both large-scale battles and one-on-one skirmishes.

Over time, combat mechanics have been fine-tuned with updates, making the tutorial even more useful for understanding the intricacies of weapon handling and mounted combat.

3. Use Multiple Save Slots

As you adventure through Bannerlord, you will undoubtedly encounter moments of unexpected failure, especially during large-scale battles or when facing powerful factions. Bannerlord’s autosave feature can be unforgiving, so having multiple save slots is a smart strategy. You can save frequently in different slots to ensure that if things go wrong, you won’t have to backtrack too far.

This practice remains important with the release of new updates, as various changes to the game can impact your strategies or outcomes in battle, making quick access to earlier saves a useful tool.

4. Recruit Companions Early

Companions, known as “mates” in the game, are essential to your army’s success. These hero-class characters bring much-needed abilities such as healing, leadership, and specialized skills. They’re also significantly more powerful than regular troops.

Make sure you recruit companions early on to help you with both combat and non-combat roles. Companions can also be levelled up, so investing time in them early can make your army much more formidable down the line. New patches have introduced additional companions and customization options, making this even more beneficial as you progress.

5. Don’t Hoard Gold – Spend Wisely

Gold is essential to building and maintaining your army, but early on in the game, you should prioritize quantity over quality. Recruiting a larger number of lower-tier soldiers can help you win early battles without bankrupting yourself.

That said, don’t waste gold on unnecessary luxuries. Focus on building your forces, and remember that Bannerlord’s economy is dynamic, meaning you’ll need to stay mindful of the costs of maintaining a larger army as you expand and progress in the game.

6. Use Archers to Your Advantage

Archers continue to be one of the most effective unit types in Mount and Blade II: Bannerlord. Their ability to deliver devastating damage from a distance, particularly in large-scale battles, is crucial. A solid strategy is to position archers behind your front line of melee fighters, allowing them to rain arrows on enemies while staying relatively safe.

Make sure you position your archers carefully to avoid friendly fire. Recent patches have adjusted archery mechanics, improving their accuracy and effectiveness, making them even more important as a core part of your army.

7. Build Workshops for Steady Income

Building workshops remains one of the most reliable ways to earn money in Bannerlord. Workshops provide a consistent stream of income with minimal risk compared to caravans, which can be vulnerable to enemy attacks.

The addition of new workshops and locations in the latest updates gives you even more options for creating passive revenue streams, and the ability to expand these businesses can help fund your military campaigns with a stable cash flow.

8. Focus on Completing Main Quests Early

While it’s tempting to get lost in side activities like bandit hunting and looting, completing the main quests in Mount and Blade II: Bannerlord is critical for gaining early-game power and unlocking new features. The main quests will help you build your clan’s influence and provide important rewards that will benefit your empire-building efforts.

Even if you’re focused on creating your own story, don’t neglect these quests – they provide structure and context to the world of Calradia, helping you navigate its complex politics.

9. Carry a Shield at All Times

Shields are one of the most valuable pieces of equipment you can carry in Mount and Blade II: Bannerlord. No matter how skilled you become, there will be times when you’re surrounded by enemies or need to buy time for reinforcements to arrive. A large shield can absorb incoming damage, giving you the breathing room you need to regroup or counterattack.

Recent patches have made shields even more viable, with improved stats and the ability to block a wider range of attacks, making them even more critical in both one-on-one duels and larger battles.

Once you’re comfortable with the basics of the game, you can dive deeper into Mount and Blade II: Bannerlord’s many factions, trade systems, and political dynamics. If you’re looking to enhance your strategy further, guides to factions and maps are excellent resources for understanding Calradia’s intricate world. Whether you’re interested in learning more about factions or exploring the expansive map for strategic opportunities, there’s always something new to discover.

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Map and Faction Location Guide

After years of anticipation, Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord has delivered on its promise of large-scale medieval warfare, deep sandbox gameplay, and a vast, living world. Central to that world is its map – the continent of Calradia – a dynamic battlefield where politics, trade, and open warfare shape every campaign.

Whether you’re chasing down roaming bandits or building your own empire, understanding the layout of the land and the factions that inhabit it is key to your success. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the world map and the factions that dominate it.

The Map of Calradia

Calradia is a richly varied continent filled with deserts, forests, mountains, and plains, each home to a unique culture. With eight major factions and countless minor ones, every part of the map tells a story — from snowy northern tundras to sunbaked southern sands.

The map is larger and more complex than in Mount & Blade: Warband, and faction placement affects everything from strategy to trade routes to tactical engagements. Let’s look at each major faction and its territory.

Vlandians

  • Location: Western Calradia, near the coastline
  • Inspiration: Normans/Feudal Europeans
  • Leader: King Derthert
  • Troop Specialization: Heavy cavalry and crossbowmen
  • Faction Bonus: +20% experience to troops from battles

Vlandia is a powerful feudal kingdom with strong economic centres and well-defended borders. Their heavy cavalry and elite crossbow units make them a formidable force both defensively and offensively.

Sturgians

  • Location: Northern Calradia, across snowy forests
  • Inspiration: Norse/Slavic cultures
  • Leader: Prince Raganvad
  • Troop Specialization: Heavy infantry and shock troops
  • Faction Bonus: -20% movement speed penalty in snow

Sturgia excels in infantry-focused warfare and is adapted to harsh northern terrain. Their economy benefits from fur trading and woodcutting, making them rugged and resourceful.

Northern, Southern, and Western Empires

  • Location: Central Calradia (split into three regions)
  • Inspiration: Byzantine Empire
  • Leaders:
    • Northern Empire – Senator Lucon
    • Southern Empire – Empress Rhagaea
    • Western Empire – General Garios
  • Troop Specialization: Balanced units with strong cataphract cavalry
  • Faction Bonus (All Empires): +20% construction speed for town projects, wall repairs, and siege engines

Once a unified empire, the Calradic Empire has fractured into three competing states, each claiming to be the legitimate successor. They dominate the centre of the map, making them geopolitically pivotal.

Aserai

  • Location: Southern Calradia, mostly desert terrain
  • Inspiration: Pre-Islamic Arab tribes
  • Leader: Sultan Unqid
  • Troop Specialization: Mixed cavalry and infantry
  • Faction Bonus: 30% cheaper caravans, 10% less trade penalty

The Aserai control vast deserts and rely on commerce and mobility. Their mixed armies are especially effective in open terrain, and their economy thrives on trade and caravans.

Khuzait Khanate

  • Location: Eastern Calradia, steppe region
  • Inspiration: Mongol tribes
  • Leader: Khan Monchug
  • Troop Specialization: Horse archers and light cavalry
  • Faction Bonus: +10% campaign map speed for cavalry units

The Khuzaits dominate the steppes with blisteringly fast armies. Their horse archer units are perfect for hit-and-run tactics, making them deadly in open-field engagements.

Battanians

  • Location: Western highlands and forests
  • Inspiration: Celtic tribes
  • Leader: King Caladog
  • Troop Specialization: Archers and guerrilla infantry
  • Faction Bonus: -10% movement penalty in forests

Battania is a rugged kingdom of skilled archers and forest warriors. They excel at ambush tactics and defensive play in rough terrain.

Each faction in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord brings unique strengths, regional advantages, and strategic challenges. Whether you prefer fast cavalry warfare, infantry-heavy armies, or balanced, empire-building playstyles, your faction choice will shape your journey through Calradia.

A Meticulous Analysis On The Writing Of ‘V’ From Devil May Cry 5

Major spoilers for Devil May Cry 5 are contained within this article.

Devil May Cry 5 excels at intertwining tremendously enjoyable gameplay with a world which emits a sense of ecstatic awe from us as we venture through the desolate hellscape which has grasped the city of Red Grave. Main protagonists Nero, Dante, and V all share a similar motive to viscously eradicate the demons roaming the streets. Needless to say, each protagonist has their own endeavours which they wish to undertake. No other protagonists ultimate goal is as mysterious as that of V’s. The character of V exhibits a sense of mystery from the very flourishing moments of the story; making us question if he has any more sinister intent held captive within his soul.

Who is V? What is his story?

V has a convoluted past which he has evolved from; born from Dante’s brother Vergil when he separated his body into two parts: demon and man. Vergil is the main antagonist of Devil May Cry 5 who has become a mass of twisted flesh exhuming abhorrent nature after separating his former self in two. Namely transforming into “Urizen”. There is no crystal-clear correlation between Urizen and V until later in the story when V combines himself once again with Urizen, transmuting himself back into one amalgamation of both counterparts. V is the embodiment of mystery and uncertainty which makes V such a compelling character. This all interlinks with the thought-provoking writing which is present throughout the entirety of the plot.

Philosophy, mystery, and a whole lot of William Blake references.

Games can draw out many different emotions from us but nothing is more powerful to draw out these emotions than writing which transcends familiarity. V’s writing has been intricately crafted to ensure players have different opinions about V’s true motives throughout the story. V is trapped within a constant perceived state of preternatural alienation for being different from everyone within the world, his only true companions may be seen as his “minions” Griffon, Shadow, and Nightmare. Although he is polite to everyone he meets, there is still something which is hidden underneath the surface, simmering steadily beneath his softly spoken voice.

V always has a book by his side to read from; it is obvious that V takes effusive amounts of pride in being able to articulate his thoughts through not just his own words, but others whose work has been passed down for generations. There is vital significance held within the quotes that V says throughout the game. Before we can have a look at these quotes we first have to understand and analyse V’s own inner cerebral consciousness. The most prominent piece of narrative which allows us to do this is as follows: “I’ve tried to hold together my crumbling flesh with whatever demonic power I have left but… I’m approaching my limit. In separating and regaining my human soul, I’ve realised the gravity of the crime I’ve committed. I’ve realised how important everything was; everything I’ve thrown away in my pursuit for power.”

Not only does this quote showcase V’s sense of reality but it showcases that he realises how futile his journey really was. He has given up hope for the power he sought knowing that he cannot venture too much further without falling to the cracked ground beneath him. There is a clear aspect of both Existentialism and Nihilism exhibited here at the same time, V chooses his own fate. His own choices. V is not Vergil nor Urizen. He is V, so he has his own will, it is not shared but he realises the eventuality that it will be if he wants to live.

As aforementioned, the poet William Blake is a prominent subject in V’s mind who he clearly takes inspiration and comfort from. Intriguingly the poem which V quotes the most from is Proverbs of Hell, fitting is it not? Considering the universe of Devil May Cry. The writers of V have devised perfect symbolism which links to V’s motives. Proverbs of Hell is not just any poem from Blake’s work—no—Proverbs of Hell is a tale about a god manifesting itself in the human mind. Akin to the link between V and Urizen, everything interconnects and through these references we gain a much more coherent understanding of V. “If the fool would persist in his folly, he would become wise.” Just as V persisted in pursuing Urizen and his eventual fate, he became wise and stronger once again by becoming Vergil.

Conclusion

V enraptured me throughout my playthrough of Devil May Cry 5 for his uniqueness and diverse writing. After finishing the game I immediately began learning more about V and I wanted to share my findings with you all. I hope that this article has allowed you personally to garner further knowledge about the character. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have an abundance of demons to slay once again… and perhaps some William Blake poems to read on top of that.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps Multiplayer Guide

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is undoubtedly one of the best Metroidvanias around. Moon Studios somehow built on the expertly crafted first game and delivered a completely improved sequel full of character, amazing artwork, and a beautiful story. You might have questions about the new entry though, like, what even is Ori, can I buy a plushie, or what is the Ori and the Will of the Wisps Multiplayer? 

Ori and the Will of the Wisps Multiplayer

So, the bad news is that there is no full multiplayer in Ori and the Will of the Wisps. You can’t team up with a friend to take down the dreaded spider boss in co-op, and you can’t smash your friend into a wall using a hammer in a deathmatch either. Granted, the second option would be a little out of character for the game, but hey. 

However, there is a touch of multiplayer in the game, but whether or not you’ll enjoy it properly is based on how much you like racing against your friends. You see, there are things called Spirit Trials in this new game, and they basically function like time trials. 

The Spirit Trials 

The Spirit Trials are actually a lot of fun. Each one challenges you in a different way, with the aim always being to progress through it as quickly as possible. You’ll end up using all of the tools at your disposal, and revisiting them later on in the game with more abilities under your command makes for an exciting way to flex your digital skills. 

The fact that you can do all that with a view to trashing the scores that your friends leave is just the cherry on top. It’s a shame there isn’t a full co-op mode or something similar for the Ori and the Will of the Wisps multiplayer, but the Spirit Trials are an entertaining step towards something more solid in the future. Maybe Ori 3 (Orthree?) will have something more substantial. That being said, there’s nothing wrong with such a well-made single-player game either.

How to catch a Golden Trout in Animal Crossing New Horizons

With tons of fish to catch in Animal Crossing New Horizons, the Golden Trout is among the rarest. If you plan to go fishing for this prized catch, there are a few things you’ll need to know before you set out for a day of fishing. Here’s everything we know about how to catch a Golden Trout in Animal Crossing New Horizons.

When to Catch, Where to Find, and How to Sell

As you might have learned already, there are certain fish in New Horizons that can only be caught in specific months of the year at specific times of day – and the Golden Trout is one of them. In New Horizons, the Golden Trout can be caught between 4pm – 9am in the months of March, April, May, September, October, and November.

To find a Golden Trout in Animal Crossing New Horizons, you’ll need to travel to the highest point on your island and cast your line. This means you’ll need to have built a ladder, which will unlock after building Nooks Cranny. Obviously, you’ll also want to make sure you have a fishing pole or two handy for the trip.

Lastly, you’ll need to walk along the beach and collect a decent amount of clams to craft into fish bait at Resident Services. With your bait, pole, and ladder in hand, you should be all set to begin your hunt for a valuable trout, assuming its the right month and time.

Using your ladder, travel to the highest point on your island and make your way to a body of water. If you don’t see a fishing spot, throw some bait in the water and then cast your line. Since the Golden Trout is one of the rarest fish in the game, it’ll likely be a while before you reel in the big catch.

To recap, to catch a Golden Trout in Animal Crossing New Horizons:

  • Make sure you have a ladder, fishing pole, and bait in your inventory
  • Check the date and time to make sure a Golden Trout can be caught
  • Travel to the highest point on your island and find a pond to fish in
  • Keep fishing until you reel in the big catch

While it may seem like a lot of work, the seasonal fish is actually quite valuable. Specifically, the Golden Trout can be sold at the shop for 15,000 Bells – not a bad day’s work, huh? However, if you’re feeling generous, you can also donate your catch to Blathers at the museum, who will proudly display your prized catch.

For more tips check out our full Animal Crossing New Horizons Beginners guide and join the Green Man Gaming Community site to join the conversation with all our gamers.

Gears 5 Best Relic Weapons Guide

Over the years the Gears of War franchise has offered players hours upon hours of content to get stuck into. Everything from challenging campaigns, competitive multiplayer, horde mode and more. Not only that, there’s also two other areas that the franchise has always been good at, and that’s collectibles and achievements. 

It started with cog tags – gears’ version of dog tags, and the Seriously 1.0 achievement which needed you to get 10,000 kills in multiplayers matches. Since then, they’ve evolved to include more ridiculous versions of ‘Seriously’ and the collectibles expanded to include documents and files with lore attached to them to build on the world of Gears of War.

The Gears 5 collectables and achievements are no different. With over 90 different items for players to find and the base game featuring 68 achievements for the completionists amongst us. 

Gears 5 Collectibles

Across the 4 acts of the campaign collectable items in Gears 5 are split between a few different types, cog tags, files and documents. Then you have other items like glasses, watches, pictures and more. But probably the most fun Gears 5 collectables to squire are the Relic Weapons, of which there are 17 to collect. Mainly because these actually have an impact on gameplay and provide you with new and exciting versions of Gears 5 weapons that mostly cause maximum devastation in a typical Gears of War fashion. I want to share with you some of the best ones! For the completionists out there Relic weapons are worth tracking down as there are some Gears 5 achievements tied to them. 

Boomshot Relic 

This changes the Boomshot to hold three explosive rounds and lets you fire them all by holding down the trigger. Which means you can deal massive damage in a short amount of time – perfect for when the Locust start to swarm you. 

Longshot Relic

People say two heads are better than one. But Gears 5 says two shots are better than one! The Longshot Relic provides you with a bonus extra shot when you perform an active reload successfully. Exactly what you want when popping heads from afar. 

Torque bow Relic

Normally I’d say that bigger explosions are better. HOwever, in the Torque bow’s case the relic version removes the explosive tip. In exchange you get a much quicker reload time. If you’re accurate with headshots then this bonus can prove deadly. 

Lancer Relic

The Lancer is an iconic weapon. When you think Gears of War you think of chainsaw assault rifles. You therefore cannot have a list of best weapons without it. The Lancer Relic gives players the ability to perform a rifle-butt that stuns enemies, setting them up for the kill with the weapons chainsaw. We all want more chainsaw action in Gears and this is the perfect weapon to help you do that. 

Overkill Relic

What could possibly make a shotgun more destructive, why, making it automatic of course. If you’re looking to clear out enemies when you’re in a tight spot the Overkill Relic will gladly assist you. 

When it comes to Gears 5 collectables, you’ll be kept busy for hours searching for them all. The Relic weapons are just there to make that journey a little more interesting.

How to earn Bell Vouchers in Animal Crossing New Horizons

Animal Crossing New Horizons offers players the opportunity to purchase a unique item known as Bell Vouchers. These nifty little tickets will definitely come in handy as you progress through the game and want to purchase more items from the shop. So, what are Animal Crossing New Horizons Bell Vouchers and how do you get them?

What are Bell Vouchers in Animal Crossing New Horizons?

Simply put, in Animal Crossing New Horizons Bell Vouchers are a special ticket that can be purchased from the Nook Stop to receive Bells in exchange for Miles. The golden ticket will cost 500 Miles and can be redeemed for 3,000 Bells. So if there is an item you’ve been wanting to purchase, but don’t have enough Bells, a voucher might be a good option for you.

To get a Bell Voucher in New Horizons, you’ll need to have upgraded Resident Services from a tent to an actual building. Once you’ve done that, you’ll find Bell Vouchers for sale in the Nook Stop terminal. With the golden ticket in hand, you can redeem your voucher by visiting Timmy and Tommy at Nook’s Cranny.

If you aren’t able to upgrade Resident Services yet, you’ll need to convince Tom Nook to build Nook’s Cranny and have three new villagers move onto the island before you can begin building. Once the villagers move in, you should be able to build a new Resident Services.

To recap, here’s how to get Bell Vouchers in Animal Crossing New Horizons:

  • Upgrade Resident Services from a tent to a building
  • Visit the Nook Stop
  • Purchase a Bell Voucher for 500 Miles
  • Visit Timmy and Tommy to redeem your voucher for 3,000 Bells

It’s also worth noting that while you can turn Miles into Bells, it doesn’t appear that you’ll be able to turn Bells into Miles. I guess Tom Nook’s island monopoly functions on a delicate economical system.

Looking for more Animal Crossing tips and tricks? Check out our full Animal Crossing New Horizons Beginners guide and head over to the Green Man Gaming Community site to join the conversation with all our gamers.

Animal Crossing New Horizons Beginner Tips – 5 Things You Need To Know

If you’re new to the world of Animal Crossing, it can be quite intimidating. With so many areas to explore, things to craft, and items to collect, New Horizons can begin to feel like a burden if you’re not sure what’s going on. To help you feel more at home, here are a few Animal Crossing New Horizons beginner tips and tricks to help turn your island into your own paradise.

Pay Your Debts Quickly

Say what you will about Tom Nook as a person…errr racoon, but he is quite the businessman. He’s convinced you and a bunch of strangers to move to a desolate island and is charging you to do so! Towards the beginning of the game, he will inform you that you owe him 5,000 Nook Miles and 50,000 Bells.

While this sounds like a lot, don’t worry, because it won’t be too hard to gather the Miles and Bells needed to pay off your debts. If you’re looking to pay off what you owe quickly, there is a fish in the game that can be sold for 15,000 Bells, which will go a long way to paying off your debt. If you’re interested, here’s a guide for how to catch a Golden Trout.

Once you’ve settled your debts, you’ll be able to ditch the tent and build a home of your own. Additionally, you’ll also be given more storage, which you’ll quickly realise you desperately need.

Don’t Break the Rocks

I know it’s tempting to eat a piece of fruit and crush a rock – but don’t – you’ll regret it. You see, if you break a rock, it’ll take a full day (a legit 24 hours) to come back and it will spawn somewhere random on your island.

Instead, you’ll want to use a shovel or an axe to hit the rock, without ingesting any fruit. Not only will this prevent the rock from breaking, but it’ll give you multiple items at one time, whereas if you break a rock, it’ll only drop one item. If you’ve already broken a rock or two, don’t worry, just be more mindful in the future.

You’ll Be Able to Get Better Tools

Let’s be honest, the toolset you start the game off with sucks, but as with most games, you’ll be able to upgrade your tools as you progress in the game so that they won’t be constantly breaking on you. Thankfully, you can purchase the “Pretty Good Tool Recipe” at the Nook Stop to get a completely new set of tool recipes.

The set can be purchased for 3,000 miles and will give you upgraded recipes for your axe, shovel, net, fishing rod, and watering can. Of course, these new recipes will require more materials to craft, but it’ll definitely be worth it.

Miles can be Turned into Bells

If you’re like me, you’re wondering why one island needs two different kinds of currency – seems unnecessary. Anyhow, if you’re trying to buy something and find yourself running low on Miles, you can purchase a Bell Voucher to turn some of your Miles into Bells. The voucher will cost 500 Miles and can be redeemed for 3,000 Bells.

Plant Money Trees Whenever Possible

Despite the popular “money doesn’t grow on trees” adage, it turns out that in New Horizons it actually does. Once you’ve unlocked a shovel, you can grow a money tree by planting and digging up a glowing spot on the ground.

Once you’ve dug up the glowing spot, you can plant up to 10,000 Bells in the hole and the tree will produce three bags of however much you bury. So if you bury 10,000 Bells, your tree will produce 30,000 Bells in a few days. Not bad, huh?

We hope some of these Animal Crossing New Horizons beginner tips and tricks have been beneficial to you. Now that you know how to start, get out there and turn your island into your own personal paradise!

Complete Guide To Red Dead Redemption 2 Treasure Maps

Being an Old West outlaw has very few perks – there’s a distinct lack of job security, no danger pay and the possibility of a cougar tearing you to pieces every time you wander in the Wild West. However, perks of the lawless job include treasure maps, a relic of a bygone era that can lead to precious loot in Red Dead Redemption 2’s campaign and Red Dead Online. In this article, we’re going to show you how to find treasure maps across both modes, how to redeem them and their rewards. 

Treasure Maps in Red Dead Online

Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned veteran, you’ll most likely be familiar with treasure maps in Red Dead Online. You’ll get one for finishing the tutorial, and then subsequent treasure maps will unlock as you rank up. You can also get treasure maps for clearing out Gang Hideouts which crop up at random points on the map.

Open up your satchel when you receive one and you should see it at the top of your inventory. Open it up and the game will zoom out to a map mode, offering a vague cross-section of the map for you to study. This part is random – treasure chests and lockboxes can appear in different parts of this map marker, so make sure you explore them in their entirety. Crucially, you need to activate Eagle Eye, which is what you usually use to track down animal trails and hunt prey.

Once you’ve turned the world grayscale, you want to wander around until you feel a vibration in your controller and follow the strength of the vibration. Beyond that, you can also use Eagle Eye to spot chests if you’re within a certain vicinity (this can be upgraded through the Collector role.)

You’ll see small particles floating around the top of the chest, highlighting it in yellow. There you go!

Treasure Maps in Red Dead Redemption 2 

In Red Dead Redemption 2’s campaign, things are a little different. You have to buy or stumble into treasure maps to kick off the contained missions they provide. Each treasure is more developed than the online counterpart and requires a good few more steps to be completed. 

Le Tresor Des Morts

How to unlock: This map is available to those who purchased the Special and Ultimate Editions of Red Dead Redemption 2. 

Jack Hall Gang

How to unlock: Stumble into Maximo Valdespino, treasure hunter after you complete Chapter 2. If you can’t find him, eventually you’ll be able to find the map at your local Fence. 

Poisonous Trail

How to unlock: Head to Cairn Lodge in Ambarino, near Cairn Lake, and look under the bed for a lockbox.

High Stakes

How to unlock: You’ll find this map via a random encounter with a lost man near Riggs Station or Cumberland Falls – again if you can’t find him, buy the map from your local Fence. 

Landmarks of Riches

How to unlock: This is a PC-exclusive treasure map that can be unlocked by heading to the Obelisk, a point of interest marked on the map near Strawberry.

The Elemental Trail

How to unlock: Head to the Sea of Coronado in New Austin and look for a corpse – shoot the rope to drop the body and loot it for the map.

Mount & Blade Bannerlord Multiplayer

Now that Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord has officially launched and received multiple updates post-release, it continues to grow into the expansive medieval sandbox experience fans have long hoped for. With deep campaign mechanics involving warfare, politics, trade, and family-building, plus an evolving multiplayer offering, Bannerlord is more than just a sequel – it’s a platform for all kinds of medieval mayhem.

Here’s where things stand with multiplayer, co-op campaign hopes, and what you can expect in the future.

Is There a Co-op Campaign in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord?

As of now, Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord does not support a native cooperative campaign mode. Taleworlds Entertainment previously acknowledged that implementing full campaign co-op was too complex to include at launch or in the early post-release updates.

However, there are a few key points worth noting:

  • Taleworlds has not ruled it out entirely. Co-op support has been discussed as a potential future DLC or post-release feature, though nothing official has been confirmed as of early 2025.
  • There has also been mention of a potential battle-only co-op, where players could join fights together even if they cannot explore the campaign map cooperatively.

The Modding Community to the Rescue

The Mount & Blade modding scene is as active as ever, and several co-op campaign mods are already in development or available in early forms. While these are often community-led projects and may require workarounds or have limitations, they show promising signs of turning the dream of campaign co-op into reality.

One standout is the “Bannerlord Online” mod, which transforms the single-player world into a persistent multiplayer sandbox where players can meet, fight, trade, and explore together. It’s still evolving, but it’s worth checking out if you’re itching for shared adventures in Calradia.

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Multiplayer Game Modes

Even without a co-op campaign, Bannerlord’s multiplayer modes offer engaging, competitive combat with tactical depth. As of now, here are the key multiplayer experiences available:

Captain Mode

  • Team-based battles (up to 5 players per side)
  • Each player commands their own squad of AI soldiers
  • Objectives revolve around capturing flags or eliminating the enemy team
  • Strategy is essential – coordinating troop movement and communicating with allies can turn the tide
  • Customizable unit types separate from the single-player campaign

Captain Mode provides a satisfying blend of RTS and action, and its large maps encourage tactical flanking, ambushes, and long-range engagements.

Skirmish Mode

  • 6v6 PVP matches
  • Players spend points to deploy troops, with a tradeoff between unit strength and number of respawns
  • Emphasizes resource management, class selection, and adaptive tactics
  • Includes a perks system for deeper customization and loadout flexibility

Skirmish Mode is fast-paced and rewards smart, team-focused decision-making. Whether you go in as a heavy cavalry monster or a swarm of light infantry, there’s room to experiment and adapt.

The Future of Multiplayer in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord

Taleworlds has expressed interest in expanding the multiplayer offering with at least four core modes total, though new official modes beyond Captain and Skirmish have yet to be formally added. The community continues to speculate about potential additions like:

  • Siege battles (already a popular modded experience)
  • Battle Royale-inspired survival modes
  • Custom lobbies with full battle editors or campaign-style features

With ongoing support and a healthy modding ecosystem, there’s a good chance we’ll see multiplayer evolve in new directions — especially with community feedback continuing to shape development.

While Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord still lacks native co-op campaign support, its multiplayer offerings provide solid competitive experiences, and the active modding scene is filling in the gaps for fans seeking shared adventures. Whether you’re leading troops into battle, crafting a dynasty in single-player, or jumping into the fray with friends online, Bannerlord offers unmatched freedom in medieval warfare.

For now, keep an eye on updates, dive into mods, and join the community — Calradia has never been more alive.

Aeronautica Imperialis: Flight Command Takes To The Skies On PC This May

Fans of deep, turn-based airborne combat strategy will be cheered to hear that Green Man Gaming has expanded its published line-up with Aeronautica Imperialis: Flight Command, an entirely brand new entry into the Warhammer 40,000 universe which will release for PC this May.

Based upon the hugely popular Games Workshop property of the same name and emerging from veteran UK studio Binary Planets, Aeronautica Imperialis: Flight Command puts players in the shiny (or not so shiny) shoes of a high-ranking Flight Commander in the Imperial Navy or a Skwadron Kommanda of the Ork Air Waaagh!

Flight Command Takes Warhammer 40,000 To The Skies

With a veritable fleet to command in turn-based tactical combat scenarios, players will wage war both in the skies and on ground-based targets as they take control of a wide range of Warhammer 40,000 craft including Marauder Bombers, Thunderbolts, Bombas and Fightas as each side struggles for aerial superiority.

Channeling this conflict is the cinematic single-player story campaign that Aeronautica Imperialis: Flight Command encompasses. An entirely self contained campaign set on the classic Rynn’s World setting that is linked together with jaw-dropping cinematic sequences, in Aeronautica Imperialis: Flight Command’s single-player campaign players will take players on a sky-soaring odyssey stuffed with intense dogfights, spectacular ground strikes and much more besides.

Beyond the epic single-player campaign of Aeronautica Imperialis: Flight Command are eight mission-based scenarios that players can get stuck into too – either as single-player skirmishes, or against other players in online multiplayer competitive encounters.

An Airbourne Strategy Effort That Everybody Can Enjoy

Deftly suited for armchair generals and tactical newcomers alike, Once players have been suitably coached by the ten training missions of Aeronautica Imperialis: Flight Command, a bounty of tactical opportunities become available. These include crucial actions such as permitting players to dish out commands to various fleet elements, directly affect ship controls such as altitude and speed, while also enabling the deployment of a wide range of devastating weapons systems.

Key to Aeronautica Imperialis: Flight Command are the functional differences that exist between the two very different Imperial Navy and Ork Air Waaagh factions, as each has a set of unique units and abilities that the other does not.

Ultimately though, Aeronautica Imperialis: Flight Command empowers players to wage war in the skies like never before, putting a massive range of large and small ships at their fingertips in the sorts of scenarios that just haven’t been explored in previous video game adaptations of the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

“Following the creation of our Digital Partners Programme at the end of last year, we are very proud to now announce our first game under this new system and couldn’t be happier that it’s Games Workshop licenced title” commented Ian McGregor, Chief Marketing Officer for Green Man Gaming. 

“Games Workshop are worldwide leaders in tabletop miniatures gaming, and the Warhammer 40,000 brand is a supreme testament to that. After 45 years at the top, it’s not surprising that Games Workshop has an incredibly dedicated and enthusiastic fanbase, and we can’t wait to show what we’ve been working on, whilst also welcoming a whole new audience of passionate gamers to this phenomenon.” 

Game Features:

  • Fully licensed models that come straight from Games Workshop
  • Turn-based strategy like never before – a deep yet visually engaging combination of simultaneous turn-based strategy and atmospheric cinematic action.
  • Choice of two factions – the noble Aeronautica Imperialis or the savage Ork Air Waaagh! 
  • Seven unique self-contained story driven scenarios.
  • All scenarios can be played against single player AI or head-to-head online.
  • An engaging single player campaign.
  • A robust training system suited for tactical rookies and veterans alike.
  • In-depth tactical elements including altitude, pilot commands and a wide range of weapon systems.

Published by Green Man Gaming, Aeronautica Imperialis: Flight Command will launch on Steam for PC in late May 2020 priced at £18.99 / $24.99 / €22.99.

For more details you can join the official Discord or head over to the official website.

How To Make Money On The Grand Theft Auto 5 Stock Market

Cash is king in San Andreas, and nowhere is the chaotic crush for capital more obvious than in the game’s volatile stock market, where you can buy and sell shares to make money fast in the game’s campaign mode. In this guide, we’re going to show you how to do this most effectively and make the maximum return on investment from your hard-earned cash. Here’s how to game the stock market in Grand Theft Auto 5.

Use Assassination Missions

The easiest way to make a lot of money very quickly is to use Lester’s Assassination Missions to disrupt the stock market and swing the pendulum in your favour. Keep playing through the narrative until you reach a mission called The Hotel Assassination, which is given to Franklin by Lester Crest, the dorky heist master. Complete that mission to unlock a string of assassinations where you’ll be tapped to take out CEOs and other high-profile VIPs. 

You can use these missions to game the stock market by investing and pulling your money out of rival stocks to make tons of cash. However, keep in mind that the longer you wait in-game to conduct these optional missions, the more money you can invest in the stock market. At the end of GTA V you’ll be a lot more well off than you are when these missions first become available, so consider waiting until you’ve got millions in the bank to spend on investments.

How To Use The BAWSAQ And LCN

First off you want to head to your phone and pull up the stock market. Before the events of each mission, you should follow the below tips to invest in a stock that will afford you a high return once you finish and pull your cash out. You should invest all of your money from all three characters into the one stock listed for the maximum payout. You can also advance time by making any of the protagonists sleep and checking your portfolio on your phone – this should inform you when the best time to cash out is. It’s also beneficial to invest on a Monday, but not essential. 

The Hotel Assassination 

  • Pre-mission: Invest in Beta Pharmaceuticals
  • Post-mission: Sell Beta Pharmaceuticals for profit, then invest in Bilkinton Research, wait three days and sell at a high return 

The Multi Target Assassination

  • Pre-mission: Invest in Debonaire stocks
  • Post-mission: Sell Debonair for a profit, then invest all cash into Redwood Cigarettes. Wait two to four days by sleeping in the game and sell stocks at a massive return. 

The Vice Assassination

  • Pre-mission: Invest in Fruit Computers
  • Post-mission: Sell Fruit Computers for a profit, then invest all cash into Facade. Wait two days by sleeping in the game and sell stocks at a massive return before they drop. 

The Bus Assassination 

  • Post-mission: Invest in Vapid stocks and wait two in-game days then sell the stocks for a high return.

The Construction Assassination

  • Pre-mission: Invest in Gold Coast stocks 
  • Post-mission: Sell Gold Coast stocks for a high return. You should now be rich beyond your wildest dreams.

Beyond the above, there’s also this handy website which provides stock data for every item on the BAWSAQ, which you can use to make informed decisions on investments and make money outside of the assassination missions.

From Pixels to Power-Ups: The Evolution of R-Type

Most gamers know that space is full of some weird stuff, and that, for the most part, it’s the kind of stuff you’re better off blowing up with a spaceship. While Space Invaders might be the most famous example of what’s wrong with space, R-Type taught us to keep calm in the face of the impossible.  

So let’s make our methodical way through the alien horrors of the R-Type series.

Use the Force

R-Type was released in the dawning modern age of gaming, after the crash of the early 80s. While initially an arcade game, it also found its way onto home consoles. Like the contemporary series Gradius, R-Type redefined the side-scrolling shoot-em-up, with developers Irem bringing a new vision to the genre.

Even today, many people think of side-scrolling shooters and bullet hell games as frenzied, reactive affairs. Yet R-Type set itself apart by slowing things down, introducing a deliberate pace that rewarded memorisation and pattern recognition over twitch-based reflexes. While punishingly unfair, that unfairness only lasted until the player learned how to navigate through on subsequent lives.

R-Type featured a unique visual identity, drawing heavy influence from H.R Geiger, particularly his contributions to the Alien franchise. Like many Japanese games before and since, R-Type merged the technological with the organic, with stages transitioning from the blackness of space to weird womb levels dominated by mutated horrors. The ultimate source of the ruckus in R-Type was the bio-engineered weapon species called the Bydo, which, inevitably, turned against mankind. In R-Type, it’s the player’s job to stop them getting their weird tentacles everywhere by saddling up in an R-9 “Arrowhead” spaceship.

R-Types most iconic gameplay feature was the Force (no, not that Force). A Force was a glowy blob the player could obtain over the course of a level. Players had the option of positioning a Force at the front or rear of the spaceship or leaving it to fly and fire independently. Crucially, the Force was also indestructible, which meant that canny players could use it to intercept and block enemy attacks, opening up new responses to enemy attack patterns. High-level R-Type play is defined by this cunning and advanced use of the Force module.

R-Type received lavish praise on release and is still regarded as one of the best shoot-em-ups ever. Critics cited its crisp, colourful graphics, exciting gameplay and unique approach to the genre. It did, however, receive some criticism for its extreme difficulty, which calls to mind the kind of criticism (justified or otherwise) levelled against modern hardcore games like the Dark Souls series or Cuphead.

Geiger Counter

R-Type II was an anticipated follow-up to the success of the original game. As a sequel, it didn’t bring many new changes to the series, acting more as a refinement and slight expansion on the original. It featured new weapons, more enemies on-screen at any one time, and an even sharper difficulty curve than the original game.

In many ways, it was designed to appeal to players who had already mastered the series’ first outing. Levels were even more claustrophobic than before, both due to the game’s overall darkness and its more cluttered level design.

The SNES port, titled Super R-Type, was a reimagining of R-Type II. The most notorious change Super made to its parent title was the removal of in-stage checkpoints. This made a hard game even harder—hard enough to alienate some gamers.

R-Type III: The Third Lightning was the first R-Type game to skip the arcades, released only on the SNES. Its primary departure from the previous games was the introduction of new Forces, which opened up new gameplay styles. The introduction of the Hyper Wave Cannon added a risk/reward dynamic to the game, giving players access to a powerful new weapon at the potential cost of their ship overheating. Like its predecessors, it released to strong reviews, and it received a port to the Game Boy Advance roughly a decade after its initial release.

Delta Wave

Bringing things into the 3D era, R-Type Delta was released for the PlayStation in 1999. Though it retained the side-scrolling gameplay of its predecessors, it updated the series with 3D graphics, creating a 2.5D visual style that allowed enemies to emerge from and disappear into the background, and for levels to wrap around corners, among other visual tricks.

Players could choose from multiple ships, each with different weapon styles. Delta introduced the Dose System, which allowed the Force modules to absorb energy, which players could then unleash in a ship-specific ultimate attack. Delta received strong reviews and the classic shoot-em-up style gave R-Type a unique throwback vibe in a sea of fully 3D games.

Final Frontier

As its name suggests, R-Type Final was intended as a last hurrah for the series at the time of release. Developed for the PlayStation 2, Final once again featured full 3D environments, but its stand-out feature was the huge range of ships on offer, with over 100 ships available to the player.

R-Type had always featured H.R. Geiger-inspired near-sexual imagery, inspired by his work on Alien, but Final abandoned all pretence, with the last acts of the game playing out against a backdrop that can only be described as two human silhouettes getting jiggy with it. All told, Final received positive reviews and seemed set to end the mainline franchise on a positive note.

While we’ve covered the linear sequence of the R-Type games, there were also several spin-offs and experimental R-Type games over the years, like R-Type Leo and R-Type: Flash of the Void. While most kept to the same basic formula, the two R-Type Tactics games took things in a new direction. They fused series staple gameplay elements with elements from tactical role-playing games, creating something decidedly different to R-Type’s core philosophies.

After a long period of silence, R-Type is set to make a comeback with the ridiculously named R-Type Final 2, and it didn’t help fan scepticism when the announcement landed on April 1st. Yet it turned out to be no joke, and Final 2 is in active development with an expected release on PlayStation 4, Switch, Xbox One, and PC. There’s little information about what Final 2 will bring to the series as yet, but fan expectation is sure to be high after a sixteen-year hiatus.

In the meantime, R-Type fans can enjoy the classics in the form of R-Type Dimensions, which includes full 3D remakes of R-Type and R-Type II, seamlessly integrated with the classic versions so that players can switch between the two with a button press. The original version of Dimensions was released in 2009 on the Xbox 360, but saw a recent, 2018 port to Steam, Switch, and PS4 under the title Dimensions EX.

While the side-scrolling shoot-em-up has largely disappeared, the spirit of R-Type persists in the popular resurgence of demanding, hardcore games best typified by the Dark Souls series. Perhaps one of the closer descendants of R-Type is Cuphead, a game that shares its fiendish difficulty based on pattern recognition and memorisation.

Bullet hell games of this style are rare now, with modern indie bullet hell games more often embracing a frenetic, adrenal pace. But with R-Type Final 2 on the horizon, series fans won’t have to accept substitutes for much longer.

All Factions in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord – Complete Guide

Just like in Mount & Blade: Warband, the world of Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is shaped by its diverse and often conflicting factions. Set in the continent of Calradia during a time of political fragmentation, Bannerlord introduces eight major factions—each with unique cultures, unit rosters, and strategic positions.

Here’s your complete guide to all the major factions in Bannerlord, including their strengths, lore, and military specialities.

Aserai

The Aserai are desert-dwelling people who inhabit the arid southern lands of the Nahasa. Inspired by pre-Islamic Arab tribes, the Aserai excelled at versatile cavalry warfare and trade. Their military lineup includes fast-moving light cavalry, deadly horse archers, and strong skirmishers. The Aserai benefit from cheaper trade penalties, making them excellent merchants.

Strengths:

  • Strong cavalry
  • Great economy and trading perks
  • Effective desert warfare

Battania

Battania controls the dense forests and rugged highlands of western Calradia. Drawing inspiration from Celtic and Pictish tribes, the Battanians are master ambushers with some of the best archers and guerrilla tactics in the game. Their troops get bonuses in forest battles, and their infantry are formidable in close-range combat.

Strengths:

  • Top-tier archers (Battanian Fian Champions)
  • Forest combat bonuses
  • Strong ambush and skirmish tactics

Khuzait Khanate

The Khuzait dominate the eastern steppe, drawing heavy inspiration from the Mongol Empire. Their armies are defined by light and heavy horse archers, giving them incredible mobility and ranged damage. Khuzait cavalry can quickly encircle and harass enemies, making them deadly in open-field battles.

Strengths:

  • Best horse archers in the game
  • Fast-moving armies
  • Strong in open terrain

Northern, Southern, and Western Empire

The once-unified Calradic Empire has splintered into three rival factions after the death of the emperor. All three Empires share a similar culture, troop tree, and unit roster, but they have different leaders, locations, and political goals.

Northern Empire

Located in the heartland of Calradia and led by a council-oriented leadership, the Northern Empire claims legitimacy through tradition. It borders Battania, Sturgia, and the Khuzait Khanate.

Southern Empire

Ruled by Rhagaea, the widow of the last emperor, the Southern Empire claims dynastic legitimacy. It is geographically isolated by deserts and mountains, giving it a natural defensive edge.

Western Empire

Led by the military strongman Garios, the Western Empire believed in strength through force. It’s the most aggressive of the three factions and borders both Vlandia and Battania.

Shared Empire Traits:

  • Balanced troop tree with strong heavy infantry and siege capabilities
  • Excellent armoured cataphract cavalry
  • Effective in siege warfare and set-piece battles

Sturgia

Inspired by Norse and Slavic cultures, Sturgia dominates the northern, snow-covered forests of Calradia. Their military focuses on heavy infantry and shock troops, including the iconic Sturgian Berserkers. While their cavalry is lacking, they’re strong in harsh terrain and brutal melee combat.

Strengths:

  • Excellent heavy infantry
  • Forest and snow bonuses
  • Strong early-game units

Vlandia

Vlandia, located in the fertile west, is a feudal powerhouse modelled after the Normans and other early medieval Western European states. Vlandians rely on elite crossbowmen, shock cavalry, and a feudal military structure. They also benefit from increased influence gain, helping them dominate the political game.

Strengths:

  • Top-tier cavalry and crossbows
  • Large starting territory
  • Strong feudal governance and vassal system

Each faction in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord offers a unique playstyle and strategic opportunity, whether you’re drawn to the raw cavalry power of the Khuzaits, the dense forest ambushes of Battania, or the disciplined might of the Empire’s legions. Whether you’re fighting for unification or conquest, your choice of faction shapes everything from your battle tactics to your political goals.

A Complete Resident Evil 3 Enemies Guide

Released on April 3, 2020, Resident Evil 3 Remake offers a terrifying reimagining of the 1999 classic, bringing a new level of horror to Raccoon City. Alongside Jill Valentine, players will encounter a terrifying roster of creatures that will stop at nothing to hunt you down. From classic undead horrors to mutated bio-weapons, here’s a look at the confirmed enemies and monsters that you’ll face in the remake.

Resident Evil 3 Remake Enemies List

Nemesis

The towering Nemesis is undoubtedly the most iconic enemy of Resident Evil 3, and the remake brings him to life in ways that make him more menacing than ever. As the relentless bio-weapon tasked with hunting Jill Valentine, Nemesis is a constant threat throughout the game. His presence is terrifying, and his AI has been significantly improved for the remake—he can appear at unexpected moments, chasing you through the streets of Raccoon City, and even wielding weapons like a rocket launcher. The game emphasizes the constant danger of Nemesis, making him an unforgettable antagonist.

Zombies

Raccoon City’s zombies make their return, and they’re more terrifying than ever. These reanimated corpses are the backbone of the Resident Evil series, and their presence is as chilling as always. In the remake, the zombies are quicker and more aggressive, with improved AI that makes them more unpredictable. Whether they’re lurking in shadows or stumbling towards you in the street, these classic enemies will be a constant source of fear.

Hunter β

The deadly Hunter β returns in the remake, and these creatures are a terrifying evolution of the original Hunter from the Resident Evil series. With their amphibian-like appearance, Hunter βs are fast and lethal, making them one of the most dangerous enemies in the game. They attack with deadly leaps, and their enhanced agility makes them difficult to evade. These creatures will keep you on edge every time they appear.

The Gravedigger

The Gravedigger is a memorable boss battle in Resident Evil 3 Remake, and it’s just as terrifying as it was in the original game. Created from a mixture of T-Virus-infected corpses, the Gravedigger is a massive, worm-like creature that will emerge from the underground to attack you. The battle with the Gravedigger takes place in a sewer area and adds a unique layer of horror to the game, making it one of the standout encounters.

Sliding Worms

These disgusting worm-like creatures are the offspring of the Gravedigger, and they emerge from the sewers to add more horror to an already nightmare-inducing setting. Sliding Worms are small, but they’re incredibly aggressive and can swarm you in numbers. If you’re not careful, they can overwhelm you in tight spaces, making them an unsettling addition to the game’s roster of enemies.

Giant Spiders

For fans of creepy crawlies, the Giant Spiders return in Resident Evil 3 Remake, and they’re more horrifying than ever. Created as a result of the T-virus infection, these large, grotesque arachnids scuttle across walls and ceilings, creating moments of pure terror for anyone with arachnophobia. They can appear unexpectedly, and their sheer size and venomous bites make them formidable foes.

Crows

Crows, infected by the T-Virus, make a brief but unsettling appearance in the remake. While they aren’t the primary threat, they do add to the overall sense of dread and unease in Raccoon City. These aggressive, mutated birds are capable of swarming players and attacking in large groups, making their presence all the more terrifying.

In Resident Evil 3 Remake, you’ll face off against a terrifying array of creatures, each more horrifying and deadly than the last. From the unstoppable Nemesis to the grotesque Gravedigger, every enemy adds a layer of tension and danger as you try to survive the nightmarish streets of Raccoon City. Whether you’re dodging a rocket-wielding Nemesis or trying to escape from a swarm of giant spiders, Resident Evil 3 Remake ensures that danger is always lurking around the corner.

Prepare yourself for a heart-pounding experience as you navigate through the ruins of Raccoon City, fighting to survive against a terrifying cast of enemies.

Escape from Tarkov Best Settings

Escape for Tarkov has recently released the 0.12 patch. Along with the additional content and in game changes there has also been some tweaks on the settings side. Whilst it’s not a game with perfect performance it is slowly getting better. But what are best Escape from Tarkov graphic settings.

Best Performance

For a lot of us high frame rate is key, so here are a few pointers for helping to boost those numbers. 

Textures – Running textures on low will help give a bigger boost to your overall FPS, but Escape from Tarkov is a good looking game, so you don’t want to make it look ugle. Having textures on Medium is a good middle ground. 

HBAO (Horizon-Based Ambient Occlusion) – This is a resource eater. Turn it off. Sure it can make your game look more realistic, but if you’re looking for performance increases this is one to have off. 

SSR (Screen Space Reflections) – SImilarly you don’t need SSR on and will save on some processing power. 

Anisotropic Filtering – This affects how sharp the games textures look at a distance. Having it switched off can save a lot of resources although some feel it makes the game look a bit weird. 

Overall Visibility – Having this cranked up can use up unnecessary PC power. Finding the sweet spot will probably be unique to your PC, but setting to 1000 is a good starting point. 

Shadow Quality – Not only do higher shadow settings use more resources, it also makes it tougher to see your enemies. Go for a Medium setting for a good balance of nice visuals and performance. Or Low is you don’t care how the game.

Other Useful Settings

There a multitude of useful Escape from Tarkov settings. Here are a few more tips on the general settings that should help you overall. 

Lobby FPS Limit – Just set it to 60, there’s no real upside or downside. 

Game FPS Limit – Go for Max which is 120fps. You’re going to want as many frames as possible when playing. The worst is when you could be getting more, but you’ve limited it for no reason. 

Vsync – Off. A lot of people say having Vsync on causes input lag. That’s the last thing you want in a game where quick reactions are key. 

Sharpness – This one comes down to a personal preference and doesn’t hugly impact performance. 

Z-blur – This setting blurs your image whilst turning your head or running. Just turn it off. 

Noise – Noise adds a film grain effect. Having it on doesn’t really improve anything, but switching it off, will make the game look better. 

Grass Shadows – Having this on simply makes it harder to spot people lying down in grassy areas. Do yourself a favour and turn it off.

Chromatic Aberrations – Turn this one off. Having it on reduces some of the clarity of your image. With it off you’ll have a better chance of spotting sneaky people!

For most of Escape from Tarkov best settings, it comes down to your individual rig and personal preference. But utilising some of these should help to give you a performance boost in some areas. Whilst also providing some better clarity on your image.

Ten Reasons To Be Excited For Baldur’s Gate 3

Somehow, Baldur’s Gate 3 is now a thing – an actual thing that you’ll be able to play when it releases in Early Access later this year. Perhaps more surprising than that fact is that Baldur’s Gate 3 is also shaping up to be mind-shatteringly good, and if you don’t believe the hype, here are ten reasons why you probably should.

1. Baldur’s Gate Is Back!

This is a point that cannot be stressed enough really. Given that there is a finite limit to how many times one can replay the Bioware/Black Isle developed Baldur’s Gate games from two decades ago, to say that fans have been hungering for more adventures in Baldur’s Gate and the wider Sword Coast setting is quite the understatement indeed. It’s almost time to return to one of the RPG genre’s most compelling fantasy settings and we couldn’t be happier. 

2. The Folks Who Developed The Divinity: Original Sin Games Made This

Unless you’ve been lounging under a particularly heavy rock for the last five years, you’ll know that Belgium based outfit Larian Studios has put out a couple of stone-cold RPG bangers with Divinity: Original Sin and Divinity: Original Sin 2. As such, the fact that Wizards of the Coast have trusted them with the development of Baldur’s Gate 3 should be quite the cause for celebration – not least because it looks like they’re going to craft one of the best fantasy RPGs in an age. No pressure folks. 

3. The Visuals – Just Look At It

Using an evolved version of the same game engine that powered the Divinity: Original Sin titles, Baldur’s Gate 3 simply looks incredible. With finely detailed, organic-looking environments and a camera that zooms in close to characters during dialogue scenes, revealing a wealth of lifelike detail and a range of artistic flourishes, Baldur’s Gate 3 will certainly be a treat for the eyes, to say the least.

4. You Get To Define Your Own Origin Story

As was par for the course in the superlative Divinity: Original Sin games, Baldur’s Gate 3 also provides players with substantial creative latitude to define the origins of their protagonists. By allowing players to determine everything from traits, class type, histories, through to relationships and world outlook, bespoke origin stories will intersect with non-linear quests to create playthroughs that are rife with nuance and uniqueness. 

5. Breathtaking Amounts Of Player Choice

Neatly underscoring the superb origins system is the sheer amount of player choice that Baldur’s Gate 3 looks set to permit. Much like its classically revered predecessors, Baldur’s Gate the Third would appear to be very much an advocate of letting the player decide their own destiny. From a massive variance in the previously mentioned origin stories, through to a massive amount of branching dialogue and quests with multiple endings, Baldur’s Gate 3 is poised to absolutely ruin your social calendar. 

6. The Mind Flayers Are The New (Old) Big Bad

If you have even a cursory knowledge of Dungeons and Dragons, you’ll likely be familiar with the tentacle faced Mind Flayers. Essentially the Bad Eldritch Lads of the Forgotten Realms Dungeons and Dragons setting, the Mind Flayers have implanted a parasite in your head which slowly corrupts you over the course of the adventure in a bid to turn you into an insidious agent for evil. Worse (or better) still, is the fact that you can telepathically communicate with other folks who also find themselves afflicted with the same parasite too. Fun!

7. Innovative Turn-Based Combat That Rewards Imagination

Though the notion of turn-based and initiative driven combat is hardly a new one in the RPG genre, Larian Studios wields the concept with an innovative flair in Baldur’s Gate 3. Chiefly, there is a newfound focus on creative mischief that we really haven’t seen elsewhere before. 

For example, a new Shove command allows you to quite literally propel enemies into pits, barge them into traps and nudge them off ledges. Elsewhere, an intriguing Dip ability allows you to quite literally submerge your weapon into elements in the environment, such as putting a club into a fireplace to set it ablaze, or fortifying a shield by dumping it in a pool of enchanted waters. 

8. Legendary Heroes From Forgotten Realms Past Could Well Return

Though Baldur’s Gate 3 is set 100 years after the events chronicled in Baldur’s Gate 2, and both the titular city and Sword Coast region have changed as a result of the passage of time, it looks extremely likely that heroes and key characters from previous games could well return. Certainly, it’s worth bearing in mind that many races in the Forgotten Realms setting do not age in the regular sense, so don’t be surprised in the slightest if folks from previous games crop up throughout Baldur’s Gate 3. 

9. Baldur’s Gate 3’s Many Secrets Demand Vertical Exploration

In the RPGs of old, which not only included the Baldur’s Gate prequels but also similarly templated efforts such as the Icewind Dale and Torment titles, discovering secrets was largely a case of piling points into the ‘Detect’ ability/stat and stumbling across concealed loot in the environment. Well, Baldur’s Gate 3 takes things further. A lot further.

By employing an evolved version of the same game engine that gave such vibrant life to the Divinity: Original Sin games, Baldur’s Gate 3 hides a veritable avalanche of secrets high in nooks and crannies of areas that can only be reached by making generous use of that shiny new Jump command. Such a dynamic doesn’t quite turn Baldur’s Gate 3 into a full-tilt platformer, but it does breathe refreshing life into exploration in a way that the genre hasn’t really seen until now. 

10. Online Cooperative Multiplayer That Allows Players To Do Their Own Thing

Tapping in neatly into the fond memories of being huddled around a table with friends as a game of Dungeons & Dragons tabletop gets underway, so too does Baldur’s Gate 3 embrace a similar approach to community play as it allows up to four players to tackle its mammoth offering together in cooperative fashion via online play.

More than that, Baldur’s Gate 3 allows players to split away from their party too – so you could have one player in town fetching supplies, while miles away, the rest of the group plunders its way through a subterranean dungeon stuffed full of baddies. Nice.

With no release date set but an early access coming later this year, join the Green man Gaming Community site and stay up to date with the latest gaming updates.

Top 10 Best VR Games for PC

Ah VR, what a wonderful new horizon. If gaming is about escapism, then VR is about helping you truly live another life. The chance to explore new worlds, and have them be so realistic you could touch them, is something that only really exists when you’ve got a VR headset on, and maybe a cat trying to get your attention and scaring your half to death. If you’ve just picked up a headset, then you’ll need to know all about this list of best VR games for PC. 

10. SUPERHOT

You may well have already played SUPERHOT on console or on PC normally, but I promise you it’s not the same game in VR. Well, I mean, it is the same game, but in VR it’s elevated to an entirely new realm. Punching a giant orange humanoid is intensely satisfying, but so is cutting a bullet as it races towards you, throwing the knife at your attacker, and then yeeting a plate at his friend just to assert your dominance. Just get it, join the cult. 

9. VR Dungeon Knight

This is by far and away the smallest game on this list. Made by just one person, VR Dungeon Knight is a dungeon crawler with a real emphasis on allowing for multiple playstyles. It’s still in Early Access, but that just means it’s always getting updated with new classes, weapons, and playstyles. It’s a horrifically overlooked gem of a game, but hopefully, we can all change that together, because it really is one of the best VR games on PC. 

8. Pistol Whip

Pistol Whip dares to ask the question “What if John Wick was turned into a rhythm game?” and what it results in is one of the best VR games on PC, and one of the best rhythm games in a long time. Granted, Beat Saber is excellent too (and we’ll get to that), but Pistol Whip is just so intensely dirty in its beats. Every track warps the world around you, and you get extra points for shooting in time with the music. It’s just an incredibly satisfying experience and one that you’d be a fool to miss out on. 

7. Beat Saber

See, told you we’d get to it. Beat Saber is probably one of the games that could be considered VR’s killer app. It’s an astounding display of music meets lightsabers, and it’s the kind of thing that can only work in VR too. It hits a similar part of the brain to Guitar Hero, especially as you progress through the difficulty levels and have to try and deflect an unending stream of boxes coming at your face. Just buy the damn game. 

6. Asgard’s Wrath 

While everyone has heard of Beat Saber, far fewer people have heard of Asgard’s Wrath. The word you’ll see bandied about whenever someone talks about Asgard’s Wrath is ambitious. It’s ambitious in its scale, its systems, and its immersion. There’s nothing that comes close to it when it comes to being the whole package. If you imagine it to be like Skyrim in VR, but made especially for VR, then you should immediately understand why people like it so much, and why you should hurry up and join them.

5. Until You Fall

Until You Fall is a roguelike melee game where you have to hack and slash your way through denizens of a corrupted planet. The thing that makes it truly special is the combat, while swords in VR can often feel good, the actual combat can sometimes be rather basic. Until You Fall has you parrying strikes, dodging, and using special abilities with ease. It can be horrifically difficult, but every single moment will have you in awe of your own excellence just before throwing a new boss at you and reminding you where you belong.

4. Robo Recall 

This game is free as long as you own the Oculus controllers. Free. You’re an agent tasked with cleaning up a robot uprising. It’s all very tongue in cheek though, so don’t expect it to be a horrifying experience. Robo Recall allows you to grab enemies and then throw them at each other, use them as shields, or just tear them about bare-handed. It’s all wonderfully tactical and the arcade-style missions allow for nigh-infinite replayability too. 

3. In Death 

Another roguelike you absolutely must own. Instead of melee combat though, In Death is all about archery baby. You have to shoot your way through purgatory and into other realms, each of the enemies you fight can easily kill you, so you have to be very careful if you want to survive. The movement is really cool too, you can either throw a shard which allows you to teleport, or shoot an arrow if you want to go further. There’s something wonderful about only using one tool in a game, and In Death does it very well.

2. Budget Cuts 2

Stealth is weird in VR, and also much harder than in a normal game. This is largely because of the viewpoint, you are your camera, so looking around a corner automatically exposes you. Budget Cuts, and Budget Cuts 2, laugh in the face of this by allowing you to open up holes in space/time and then letting you peer through them. You also get a really cool bow in the second one, which is why its here instead of the original game. 

1. Boneworks

Physics-driven VR experiences can often feel like little more than tech demos. It’s annoying because they’re usually the most exciting thing about VR. Thankfully, Boneworks takes all of those little tech demos and rolls them into one incredible interactive world. You can punch enemies to death, hold them at arm’s length, yeet bricks at things, turn handles. Basically, you fully immerse yourself in the world, and it’s one hell of a game as a result. 

Remembering The Star Wars 1983 Arcade Game

While 1983 might not seem that long ago in cinema terms, it’s ancient history on the video game timeline. 

People still talk about the Return of the Jedi today, for instance, while 1983’s Star Wars (aka Star Wars: The Arcade Game) is very much from a long, long time ago. Since then, there have been over one hundred games tied to the Star Wars brand.

Yet gamers should take some time out every now and then to remember the history of their hobby, no matter how ancient. So let’s take a visit to the Old Republic to remember the game that put Star Wars on the video game map.

Before the Dark Times

In terms of choice, quality, technology, and popularity, it wouldn’t be hard to make a case for the gaming industry being in the middle of a Golden Age right now. Perhaps it’s not a coincidence that this era’s flaws—excessive commercialisation, predatory mechanics, over-saturation, and a helping of Sturgeon’s Law—were just as prevalent in the historically-recognised Golden Age of Gaming.

The Golden Age is usually said to have run from 1978, the year of Space Invaders, to around 1983. The age, in general, marked the rise of arcades. With them came the early evolution of gaming from a niche hobby to an entrenched element of popular culture, echoing the similar evolution that took us from the insular world of late 90s consoles in the post-arcade years to the all-pervasive gaming world of the modern-day.

For those old enough to remember it, 1983’s Star Wars still weighs in as one of the best video games of all time. It was a culmination of video gaming’s Golden Age and, in fact, was one of the last great examples of that age.

Despite its wild popularity, the Star Wars franchise didn’t crack the gaming world until the original trilogy was nearly over. The first Star Wars game, The Empire Strikes Back, released in 1982, a year before the final movie in the original trilogy. But it only took one game for Star Wars to take over arcades.

A New Hope

By modern standards, Atari’s Star Wars was hopelessly primitive. Its gameplay was modeled on the climax of A New Hope and consisted of three phases. The first was a dogfight in the skies (or space, anyway) above the Death Star. The second was the approach to the Death Star trench across the no moon’s surface. The third was the flight through the trench, the aim being to reach the end and unleash that fateful proton torpedo. Players could select three difficulty levels (or “Waves”), the easiest of which would omit the second phase. On completion, the game would loop back to the beginning, becoming harder.

In an unexpected twist, there were no demands on the player to wrack up a huge kill count. In fact, players only needed to survive to fire the torpedo heard around the galaxy—to “use the Force”, which would lead to a huge payout of bonus points. It was a peculiar nod to the objectives of the movie and speaks to the game’s relative sophistication. It even calls to mind similar easter eggs in modern games, like the Far Cry series’ “wait and win” secrets.

All of this action was sketched out in vector-based wireframes, calling to mind the visuals of Luke’s targeting computer from A New Hope. Vector graphics were still new-ish to gaming at this time, and they allowed for complex yet clear visual constructs and a sense of true 3D, which hadn’t been achieved in such fidelity before. Even to modern gamers, the graphics look crisp and recognisable. No mean feat at the time.

In 1983, Atari’s Star Wars was mind-blowing. The quality of the vector graphics blew away contemporaries and the synthesised audio was astounding for its time, creating recognisable interpretations of A New Hope’s most iconic lines at a time when voices weren’t a common feature in games.

Naturally, the Star Wars license bolstered the game’s popularity, too. Young gamers in 1983 were just as mad for Star Wars as they are today, and they had fewer outlets for their obsession to boot.

Sadly, there’s a physicality to arcade games that can’t be easily replicated or explained for the benefit of younger gamers. Gamers playing Star Wars in 1983 controlled the iconic X-wing via a flight yoke. The sit-down cabinet took that level of immersion even further and, combined with the visuals and audio, the experience was the full HOTAS set-up or even the VR of its time.

Atari’s Star Wars received a 1985 sequel in the form of The Empire Strikes Back, which released as a conversion kit for the original. It updated the action to the snowfields of Hoth and the blockade around the planet, with the player controlling Luke and Han respectively.

Its gameplay was largely unchanged, and with the waning of the Golden Age and the related decline of arcades, Empire saw less attention than its predecessor. As the game came in the format of a conversion kit, many arcade owners didn’t see the point in upgrading the original Star Wars cabinets to the new edition.

Still, Star Wars ‘83 and its sequel weren’t entirely lost to future generations. Though many players may have missed them, both games could be found buried as easter eggs in the GameCube’s Star Wars Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike.

The legend of the Star Wars 1983 arcade game survived into future games in the franchise, too. Future titles echoing the space battles of the franchise were inevitable, eventually leading to the wild popularity of the X-Wing series of games and other dogfighting titles, like the aforementioned Rogue Squadron, Star Wars: Starfighter, and the spaceborne elements of Battlefront II (both the old and new version).

The Last Jedi: Fallen Order

The history of Star Wars video games has turned out to be oddly circular. As George Lucas himself would have it: “It’s like poetry, it rhymes”.

Atari’s Star Wars belonged to a tiny pool of Star Wars games, most of them straight adaptations of scenes from the movies. In the following decades, Star Wars would balloon as a franchise to create the ascended fanfic playground of the old Expanded Universe. Video games were no exception, and Star Wars games ran the entire gamut from releases that still make Top 10 Best Games lists to offerings that would win a video game equivalent of a Golden Raspberry Award.

With Disney’s acquisition of Star Wars, the Expanded Universe was retired to become the Legends brand. With it went the free-for-all on Star Wars in video gaming, as EA became the sole license holder for Star Wars video games. This narrowed the gaming universe of Star Wars back down to two canonical properties: DICE’s Battlefront series and Respawn’s Jedi: Fallen Order, bringing the Star Wars brand in gaming full circle.

If there’s a lesson to take from this, it’s probably that the appetite for a Star Wars dogfighter with all the bells and whistles the times can muster will always be the way to a Star Wars gamer’s reactor core. Even fresh off the high of Jedi: Fallen Order (and however they felt about The Rise of Skywalker), fans would be as happy to see a new space adventure in 2020 as they were in 1983. It is, after all, right there in the name of the franchise. Do you have fond memories of Atari’s Star Wars or the games it helped inspire? Comment below and share your nostalgia.