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The comic book origins of the 4 coolest costumes in Spider-Man PS4

Where did these 4 Spidey suits come from? Here’s the comic book backstory.

Insomniac’s Spider-Man for PS4 has been a massive success, and for good reason. The game was clearly made by and for Spider-Man fans, and Insomniac went above and beyond in representing the beloved character’s decades of history. One of the coolest ways Insomniac pays homage to the wall-crawler is through the unlockable alternate costumes. Below we’ll show you some of the coolest ones you can unlock and talk about the comics that they came from.

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The comic book origins of the coolest costumes in Spider-Man PS4

Spider-Man 2099

Spider-Man 2099 is the main star of his eponymous book in the Marvel 2099 comic line. Set in a dystopian cyberpunk future where most Marvel heroes are long gone, Spider-Man 2099 is the alter ego of Miguel O’Hara, a scientist who works for the evil megacorporation Alchemex. Miguel is a self-absorbed, cocky womanizer – the total opposite of Peter Parker.

After his employer tricks him into becoming addicted to the drug Rapture, Miguel attempts to experiment on himself to rid himself of the drug. However, a coworker sabotages the experiment, granting Miguel 50% spider DNA and giving him spider powers. Alchemex hunts down Miguel, who dons a bodysuit and Day of the Dead mask to evade them. (Miguel is the first Latino Spider-Man.)

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While early in his costumed career, Miguel focuses on escaping Alchemex and finding a cure for himself. But he slowly becomes more aware of the exploitation and oppression the people around him suffer. Inspired to turn his life around for the better, he publically proclaims himself to be the new Spider-Man, enemy of all megacorporations and champion of the people. Miguel proves himself to be one of the future’s greatest heroes, even eventually becoming worthy enough to wield Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir.

Miguel’s powers are similar to the original Spider-Man’s, though there are some sharp differences. For example, Miguel does not possess a spider-sense, but he does have highly enhanced senses of vision and hearing. He is able to see in the dark and “zoom” his vision in. While Peter Parker was able to cling to any surface with any part of his body, Miguel is only able to cling using talons on his hands and feet. These talons can also be used offensively, being strong enough to tear through flesh. In addition to talons, Miguel also has razor sharp poisonous fangs.

In current Marvel Comics continuity, Miguel is trapped in the present day. He frequently teams up with Peter Parker.

Spider-Man Noir

Spider-Man Noir debuted in 2009’s Marvel Noir comic storyline. Marvel Noir takes place during the Great Depression and features darker and grittier versions of their classic heroes. Spider-Man Noir is no exception.

In this universe, Peter Parker is mentored by famed reporter Ben Ulrich. Ben, under the alias of the Spider, uses his contacts in the criminal underworld to get information on the Goblin, the terrifying alter ego of Norman Osborn that controls all the crime in New York City. After sneaking into a warehouse full of the Goblin’s henchmen, he sees them unload a spider statue. The statue breaks open, freeing swarms of spiders, one of which bites Peter, causing him to dream of a spider-like god. When he wakes up, Peter realizes he has spider powers. Peter dons his uncle’s airman suit to become the brutal vigilante known as Spider-Man, stopping at nothing to bring down the Goblin.

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One of the main differences between the main Spider-Man and Spider-Man Noir is that Noir is perfectly willing to kill his enemies. He frequently uses a revolver and a Tommy gun in his war against crime. Unlike the main Spidey, Noir doesn’t use web-shooters. Instead, his powers gave him organic webbing. Noir uses intimidation and his large number of underworld contacts in order to get closer to the Goblin.

Spider-Man Noir will appear in the upcoming animated movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. He will be played by Nicolas Cage.

Scarlet Spider

Scarlet Spider is the alias used by Peter Parker clone Ben Reilly, star of the universally panned Clone Saga storyline from the 90s. The story is convoluted and filled with comic book nonsense, but we will do our best to briefly summarize it here:

After fighting the villain Jackal, who uses clones to fight Spider-Man, Peter wakes up in a room with an identical clone also in a Spider-Man suit, both thinking the other is an imposter. The two Spider-Men fight, but eventually team up to rescue Gwen Stacy from the Jackal. The clone seemingly dies in an explosion while trying to rescue Gwen. A disturbed Peter drops the clone’s body in a smokestack to get rid of it, but the clone survives and escapes. After following Peter and taking a look into his life, the clone (still thinking that he is the original Peter), adopts the name Ben Reilly, named after Uncle Ben and Aunt May. Ben becomes the Scarlet Spider, creating his own hoodie-like costume and fighting crime. He also constantly evades Kaine, another clone of Peter with murderous tendencies.

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The character was “revealed” to be the original Peter Parker. After massive fan outcry, Ben was killed off in a fight with the newly resurrected Green Goblin. His death inspires Peter (who ACTUALLY was the original all along) to retake his mantle of Spider-Man. Ben was recently resurrected in the “Dead No More: Clone Conspiracy” storyline. In this, he goes insane and becomes the new Jackal until he is defeated by Spider-Man. After his loss, Ben flees to Las Vegas in order to rediscover what it means to be a hero.

Got all that? No? Oh well, at least his costume is awesome.

Spider-Punk

During the crossover event Spider-Verse, in which Spider-Men from different realities team up to fight the villain Morlun, a reality is shown that features a never-before-seen Spider-Man. This hero is Spider-Punk, a vigilante who fights against the oppressive President Osborn using his spider powers and the power of rock and roll.

In his series, Spider-Punk becomes the symbol and leader of a punk youth movement that fights against the government and its drones. In true punk style, the comic is stylish, loud, and unsubtle. This incarnation of the hero is Hobie Brown. In the mainstream Marvel Universe, he’s a young African-American inventor who is one of Spider-Man’s oldest allies. Spider-Punk hates being referred to as such, instead preferring to be called Spider-Man. Later on, he fights against time-traveling supervillain Kaine the Conqueror, who has become a CEO that sells Spider-Punk’s image. Spider-Punk fights him to take his image back as a symbol for revolution and freedom instead of a cheap, catchphrase-spouting mascot.

What are your favorite unlockable costumes in Spider-Man? Are there any costumes you hope make it in as DLC? Let us know in the comments below!

Fallout 76 has a genius way to deal with griefers and trolls

Fallout 76 has a genius way to deal with in-game jerks.

Griefing. Griefing never changes.

Since the dawn of man, there have always been people who get their kicks out of ruining games for others. Today, things are no different. Griefers run amok in basically every popular online game. They’ll burn down your painstakingly built house in Minecraft, feed the enemy team in League of Legends, and shoot the ball into their own goal in Rocket League. They’re annoying and can ruin the game for people who want to play the way the developers designed.

In Fallout 76, Bethesda’s first foray into multiplayer for the Fallout franchise, steps have already been taken to discourage griefing. In a post-post-apocalyptic world filled with super mutants and raiders, the last thing you want to worry about is some angry 12-year-old troll.

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At QuakeCon 2018, Fallout 76 game director Todd Howard discussed how the game was balancing PVP combat with griefing. He described how he wanted there to be some element of danger coming from other players because it fits the theme and world of Fallout. However, the game isn’t designed for players to just massacre each other on sight, a la DayZ.

If a player attacks you out of nowhere, the damage is severely reduced. Howard compares this initial reduced attack to lightly slapping a stranger in a bar to see if they want to fight (an action we HIGHLY recommend you don’t do in real life). If the player who was attacked accepts the fight, then both players will start dealing full damage to each other.

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Even though unprovoked attacks do reduced damage, they are still able to kill players. A player who kills another in this way doesn’t gain any experience points or caps from their corpse. The attacking player is then labeled as a “Wanted Murderer.” This player is then marked on the map with a large bounty on their head, alerting every player in the vicinity.

No weapons or armor are lost upon death, though you do lose any collected crafting materials. If you truly do not want to join in the PVP experience you can turn it off entirely. Additionally, if a player keeps following you and harassing you, there are built-in options to block or ignore them.

Griefers, raiders, and everyone in between can join the battle when the Fallout 76 beta releases on October 23 on Xbox One. PC and PS4 players can join in a week later on October 29.

Life is Strange 2: What we know so far

Here’s everything we know about Life is Strange 2.

life is strange 2 sean and daniel diaz — Life is Strange 2

Life is Strange is back. The latest entry in the coming-of-age mystery series has put in strong showings at E3, Gamescom, and PAX West.

Based on everything that’s been revealed so far, it looks to be a big improvement on everything fans have come to love about the series. Get a taste of the game below with the first 20 minutes of gameplay, then read on for everything we know so far about Life is Strange 2.

New Characters

Previous games in the series focused on high school students Max Caulfield and Chloe Price and the mystery surrounding star student Rachel Amber’s mysterious disappearance. The twist was that Max had the supernatural ability to turn back time, which led to some mind-bending time travel moments as the two girls worked to unravel the mystery.

This is the first game in the series to depart from the two characters, instead focusing on Sean and Daniel Diaz. Players will be controlling Sean, a 16-year-old living in Seattle with his dad and younger brother Daniel. In the video above, we see Sean dealing with typical teenage problems: talking to his crush, asking Dad for spending cash, and messing with his brother. His problems are about to get a lot bigger, though.

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An unfortunate incident with a cop ends with the cop dead and the two brothers on the run across the United States, heading for their father’s hometown in Mexico. Here’s the mysterious part: we don’t know what kind of powers Sean has… or even if they’re Sean’s powers.

From the trailer above, we can assume that it’s some kind of telekinesis ability that sends both the cop and his squad car flying. It’s hard to tell, though, if it’s Sean that sends out the telekinetic blast or Daniel. If it’s Daniel, it would certainly fit with the theme of the game, which DONTNOD has stated will be focusing on Sean and the protective foster-father figure he has to become for Daniel.

Improved Story

Unlike the past two games, which focused on the singular fictional town of Arcadia Bay, Oregon, this game is structured like a road movie, following the brothers on their journey down the West Coast. The development team has cited both “Into the Wild” and “Of Mice and Men” as inspirations. Like previous games, the story will be episodic, with each episode focusing on a particular location on the brother’s journey. The first episode, “Seattle,” will focus on Sean and Daniel’s day-to-day life in that city and the incident that sets them on their journey.

One of the most criticized elements of the first game was the dialogue, which was littered with cringe-inducing outdated slang and forced meme references that sounded more like an adult trying to be hip than the actual way that teens talk to each other. This was greatly improved in Life is Strange: Before the Storm, and has continued to be improved for Life is Strange 2. The dialogue here is natural and the characters are distinct and feel developed, making the heartbreaking moments hit that much harder.

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The story of this game is also going to tie into the story of The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit. Captain Spirit was a free game released back in June to serve as a sort of teaser trailer for Life is Strange 2, showcasing the improved graphics, gameplay, and dialogue. The game followed Chris, a young boy with a troubled father, as he adopts his superhero alter ego to solve problems around the house. Eventually, Chris discovers his imaginary powers are all too real. DONTNOD has confirmed that Chris will be making an appearance in LiS2, which begs the question: will Max and Chloe be making an appearance too?

Streamlined Gameplay

Gameplay itself has also received an overhaul for the series’ latest entry. Now running on Unreal Engine 4, Life is Strange has received a huge graphical overhaul. Animations are smoother and characters are more detailed; one major criticism of the first entry in the series was that lip movements weren’t well-synced with dialogue, leading to some weird uncanny valley moments. Here, everything flows and movements are much less stilted.

Dialogue trees and object interaction prompts are also more streamlined to make the game environment seem less cluttered. A big part of Life is Strange is exploring and interacting with the incredibly rich and detailed environments. The interaction interface and changes to the dialogue tree allow players to fully explore these environments, easily find hidden details and Easter Eggs, and never get overwhelmed.

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As we already know, we’ve yet to see the actual nature of the powers in this game. With Max, a simple button push would allow players to reverse the time stream to a moment of their choosing. How the telekinetic powers in this game will behave is still something of a mystery: whether it’ll players controlling the powers directly, commanding Daniel to use them, or not interacting with the powers at all, as was the case with Chloe in Life is Strange: Before the Storm. It’s a major aspect of the game that has yet to be fully revealed, and it seems that we’ll have to wait until the first episode releases to find out exactly how these powers will fit into the gameplay as a whole.

Like the first two games, Life is Strange 2 seems poised to be a poignant and compelling title, and the improvements that have already been showcased are sure to turn heads. Episode 1 releases today for Microsoft, PS4, and Xbox One.

Preview: Team 17’s Planet Alpha is simple, tense and spell-binding

In the 90s, side-scrolling adventure games were the cream of the crop, and titles were built on a simple premise; overcome enemies and obstacles to make it all the way right to the end of the level. With the advent of 3D environments and isometric perspectives, interest in side-scrollers waned over time. It was only recently that the gaming community has seen a resurgence in the classic game formula, largely on the part of indie developers looking to bring new life to the genre.

Though it fits this basic mechanic, Team 17’s Planet Alpha is more than just a side-scroller. Here’s why.

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Captivating Credits:

Right from the start of the game, Team 17 clearly sets its adventure apart from other titles of its type, establishing a tone of mystery, desperation, and dread; it’s a game with an artistic personality. Rather than opening to a menu screen, players load Planet Alpha to find themselves staring at a humanoid in a retro spacesuit, standing on some sort of ancient platform on an alien world. There are no keys, no instructions, no interface, and no dialogue — just one sentient life staring forward, waiting for something to happen.

So, we just start moving to the right. And then we notice: our protagonist is limping. What happened to them? How did they get here? Where are they headed? Who is that other alien standing back there on that cliff? We aren’t told. We just keep on moving right, and the game soft cuts through a variety of barren environments, implying the passage of time as our hero (let’s call him/her the Explorer) makes the long trek forward through an alien desert. It’s ominous, artful, and engaging, all without uttering a single word of exposition.

The developer skillfully uses this introductory period to share its credits, hovering developer names softly over open areas of the screen as we watch the Explorer drag onward, finally collapsing before a cave mouth that looks suspiciously humanoid. This seems like the end of quite a long journey…

The Endless Pilgrimage:

And yet, it just goes on from there. We find our avatar lying down in a new place, jostle them awake, and then again move ever forward; the Explorer runs, walks, or jumps through beautiful, sometimes stunning settings, seamlessly blended together in a diverse and strange world. There are no load times, no more soft or hard cuts, and still never a word of dialogue an hour or more into the game. The only sounds to be heard are those around us or off in the distance, and an eerie, ethereal score that further immerses the player in the wonder and danger of this alien world.

With the exception of a few different button prompts for learning to crouch, push, and manipulate alien technology, the game relies heavily on us to figure out each puzzle, obstacle, and situation for ourselves. Softly highlighted, marked objects indicate something in the environment you can manipulate in order to progress forward. There are no verbal cues or text hints to help you, further adding to the feeling of isolation and the air of mystery the game successfully conveys at every turn.

One of the most interesting aspects of the gameplay is the importance of the day/night cycle; in particular, using nature’s day/night cycle as a means of traversing obstacles or evading enemies.

Can’t sneak past one of the game’s extremely deadly invading killer robots? You might just need it to be dark enough so the plant life to curls up its daytime blossom to form a large, person-size obstruction. Luckily, the game gives you access to powerful ancient platforms that let you manipulate the cycle itself. Over time, you use this power in new and interesting ways, each one feeling novel and unique, but never so complicated that the player is left completely in the dark (pun intended).

What a Wonderful World…

To call Planet Alpha a beautiful game is an understatement, and the art team for this title deserves high praise. Each and every environment has something interesting to look at, and while areas can appear similar, none are exactly the same.

For a game that does not attempt to communicate photorealism, every location has a distinct feeling; the creatures here are truly alive, that strange monolith in the distance is really there, the stars are actually traveling across the sky above this field, the cavern the Explorer crawls through is as vast a network as it appears.

With a visual style somewhat similar to No Man’s Sky, every setting is immersive to the point that the player feels that if they chose to, they could turn right or left and continue on through the same living world without missing a beat.

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To that end, the pacing is a part of the game that most players will never notice simply because it’s so well-constructed. ‘Boss events’ — which involves puzzle solving, not fighting — don’t feel staged or abrupt. Little flavor elements of the game, such as passing through a field of huge, foraging beasts, are treated with the exact amount of grandeur, never requiring you to stop and look at the world around you unless you truly want to. And when the Explorer does finds itself unable to move forward, the player doesn’t have to travel far to find some kind of solution.

And Yet, Deadly…

Some of the game’s most valuable teaching moments are those in which the Explorer is completely and utterly obliterated by one of the game’s many and diverse hostile enemies. When the Explorer takes damage, the colorful palette of the game fades into the greyscale. Given enough time, the color will return, but often threats are so large, fast, or powerful that our avatar is quickly and hilariously snuffed out.

Thankfully, the living, breathing nature of Planet Alpha is such that you are not the only prey — indeed, some of the most satisfying moments of the game are when you have an opportunity to put your enemies in view of one another, and watch them fight while you skate past.

Sprinkling seemingly random bits of mortal danger in between vibrant, gorgeous views gives the player an experience that is somehow both leisurely and tense. When you turn the page to the next chapter, will there be a beautiful valley of floating petals, or a dark chasm of War of the World’s-inspired tripods with lasers? The game rarely gives you hints of what’s ahead, rightly realizing that that’s part of the fun. By putting the player constantly at the mercy of their own mix of uncertainty and curiosity, Team 17 keeps our interest in what’s to come, and grants us constant awareness of our own fragile insignificance.

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Made with Love, Played with Love:

While many contemporary sidescrollers are fun and worth your time, it’s rare to find one as wonderfully crafted and detailed as Team 17’s Planet Alpha. The game is special; a side-scroller that keeps you often impressed, sometimes afraid and always engaged. Players looking for a casual-yet-immersive, familiar-yet-different gaming experience will find a lot to love here, and on September 4, we hope to travel to the end of the road with our courageous little Explorer.

These are the 5 best gaming consoles

It can be difficult to decide which game console to buy. There are so many brands out there, it may be confusing to figure out what consoles are current and worth looking into. Thankfully, our Softonic Solutions community has voted on the best consoles are out there right now! Here are some of their picks:

5. PlayStation Vita

For a handheld console, the PS Vita has a surprisingly large selection of games. Along with that, you can access PSNow wherever you have Wi-Fi. It’s one of the best portable consoles out right now, and definitely worth looking into if you’re looking for something portable.

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4. Xbox One S

The Xbox One S is reasonably priced, and undoubtedly a strong contender for the best home console. The Xbox One has many games that are exclusive only to itself and PC, making it a great as an alternative platform to some of your PC favorites, such as Ori and the Blind Forest, and most of the Halo series.

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3. Nintendo Switch

This gaming system was revolutionary by being both a handheld and home console. Fans of indie games will love this system, as Nintendo has focused heavily on allowing indie companies to make games for the Switch. It’s also great for taking on the go, since it can play fully detailed home console games wherever!

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2. Xbox 360

Despite its age, the Xbox 360 is still a viable gaming device, with some classic games that you won’t be able to access as easily on newer consoles. Although the Xbox One is backwards-compatible, the Xbox 360 has a lot of charm that’s hard to look past. If you’re looking for something a little more old school, than the 360 is the way to go.

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1. PlayStation 4 Pro

Not only does PlayStation carry some of the best games available, but the PlayStation Network is one of the best gaming services to date. The PS4 Pro lets you access a variety of applications and games available for your system, with great online functionality.

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Don’t forget to check out our Softonic Solutions page to see the full list of the best game consoles, and vote on your favorites!

How to use alchemy, bombs, and oils in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher series puts the player in the mud-stained boots of the grim and gritty Geralt of Rivia: A ladies’ man, a cunning hunter, and a master swordsman. As such, when it comes to combat and allocating perk points, a lot of players will gravitate towards increasing Geralt’s skill with his blades or the potency of his combat signs like Quen or Igni.

The game mechanic and corresponding skill tree that’s often overlooked is alchemy, as is the case in so many fantasy RPGs. But is it deserving of this treatment in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt?

Let’s find out.

Oh, and if you’ve been living under a rock and haven’t gotten around to playing Witcher 3 yet, here’s a download link for you:

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Unlike other famed video game protagonists, Geralt of Rivia is not a one-man army. He’s not Dragonborn, he’s not Starkiller, he’s not Kratos. He’s not immortal, he’s not blessed by the gods. Geralt is defined by his witcher training and by his years of experience, and he bears the scars from both.

It’s one of the things we love about him the most – Geralt has made it this far largely because he’s resourceful, knows his quarry, and plans meticulously. This is precisely why alchemy goes hand in hand so well with being a witcher.

Use oils for a leg up

Your swords can cut down humans and monsters alike, but the longer the skirmish takes, the longer you’re at risk of getting walloped by a golem, or blinded by a water hag. Trust us – neither is a situation you want to find yourself in. In this way Geralt is like the Batman of fantasy RPGs:

He’s brooding, he’s somber, and he knows to strike when he has the best chance of coming out on top. Proper planning is key when going up against harder creatures – particularly on the game’s higher difficulties.

Endrega nest giving you trouble? Try putting insectoid oil on your silver sword. Superior insectoid oil will add a mighty 50 percent increase to your damage every time you hit an insectoid monster, and will last for 60 hits. Could you defeat the monsters without using it? Probably, but the fight will take longer and every time you get hit your equipment will degrade. Why make things harder on yourself and on your wallet?

Alchemy is best used in tandem with the in-game bestiary. What’s so cool about the Witcher’s monsters is that every creature has its resistances and its weaknesses. Exploiting an enemy’s weakness is what witchers were trained to do. Approach a fight with the proper oils applied and you’ll see why they treat preparation so importantly.

Decoctions are more than just trophies

There are two types of potions you can use in Witcher 3: Potions and decoctions. Potions are more run-of-the-mill and primarily serve as temporary buffs: Full Moon increases your maximum vitality for a full minute; Black Blood damages vampires and necrophages whenever they wound Geralt. Useful for sure, and definitely not to be underutilized. Decoctions, however, take it to the next level.

Decoctions are created with rare ingredients, some of which you’ll only come across once in a playthrough. These are things like mutagens found on unique earth elementals, forktails, leshens, or werewolves. In other words, it’s not stuff you’ll find a street peddler selling! You can, however, buy formulae. Learn the formula to make a decoction for one such creature, and once you acquire the proper ingredients you’ll be able to craft it.

Decoctions can do a variety of things, ranging from increasing Geralt’s vitality per kill, to growing attack power over the course of a fight, to even things like unlimited sprint or jump outside of combat. Each decoction is completely unique, and every one you get adds another tool to your arsenal. By mid-late game you’ll want every bit of help you can get.

Are bombs even useful?

Yes. Oh, yes they are.

If you’re uninspired by a lackluster grapeshot or dancing star, remember that these, too, need to be upgraded as you progress further in the game! A superior Devil’s Puffball will last 20 seconds longer than a regular one, and in the heat of combat, that difference is huge. Additionally, much like the oils, certain monsters will have vulnerabilities to different bombs. Learn how to craft each one and keep them upgraded as often as your budget will allow.

Don’t be afraid of running out of supplies

This is a big one. To players who are leery of using bombs, oils, and potions because it’s a finite resource, we hear you. You’ll be thrilled to know that this is not the case! When we saw that our griffin decoction had only one use, we were prepared to horde it until the final boss. Imagine our excitement when we learned that decoctions, potions, bombs, and oils can all be resupplied very easily.

Any time you meditate (accessible from both the RPG menu and from the combat wheel (LB on controller)) it will replenish all of your used supplies, provided you have strong alcohol on your person. This means items like alcohest, dwarven spirit, or mahakaman spirit.

If Geralt has even one of these in his inventory all your stuff will be capped off for immediate reuse. Strong alcohol can be found practically anywhere, too. Just open a barrel in the nearest city or talk to a traveling merchant. There’s no reason to be shy about using your supplies!

How does this toxicity meter work?

Witcher or not, the potions and decoctions Geralt imbibes are still toxic and would kill lesser men. Check out this description of the trial of the grasses to see what we mean.

Every potion and decoction has a toxicity level and will fill up that much of the green bar you can see on either the HUD or from the inventory screen. As long as your combined potions fall within Geralt’s limit, you can use varying combinations of effects. Use this to stack buffs like increased damage or vitality regen.

Is it worth your points or your mutagens?

It really depends on your build. For those who are unfamiliar with how to use mutagens, the short explanation is that they can give you an increased buff if they’re put next to corresponding skills you have equipped. For example, red mutagens increase Geralt’s attack power. The more powerful the mutagen, the higher the bonus. Likewise, if that mutagen is modifying three equipped abilities the overall bonus it gives is stronger than if it was just modifying one or two.

Complicated? A little bit. Check out this picture:

The green mutagens you harvest are buffed by your equipped alchemy perks. As you can see, our Geralt has an extra 450 vitality just from two equipped alchemy perks. That can make a surprising difference in a fight. Obviously, this isn’t even doable unless you have the alchemy perks to begin with, so yeah you’ll have to equip a couple. Again, it’s all about the build you want. If you’re trying to tank, wear heavy witcher gear and stack your alchemy mutagens for a truly massive vitality bonus.

As for the alchemy perks themselves, we found they were all quite useful, especially when stacked. Fixative, for example, gives blade oils more charges before wearing off. Pyrotechnics adds or increases damage to all your bombs. The question wasn’t so much whether we liked the perks, but more whether we valued them over our martial skills. That much is up to you to decide. If you’re interested in seeing what a full-out alchemy build would look like in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, check out this video:

We hope this guide will help players feel a little love for alchemy in The Witcher 3, and that you’ll consider its perks and gameplay on your playthrough! Now harvest some pringrapes and get back on the trail!

What to play while waiting for Fallout 76

Take me home, country roads: Fallout 76 is officially on the way. Bethesda has confirmed that we have four months to go until the next entry in the Fallout series hits, and based on what we know so far, this entry is going to feel a little different than the other Fallout games we know and love. Looking to scratch that Fallout itch while you wait for the game to come out? Here are five games you can play while you wait for those country roads to take you home.

5. Grand Theft Auto V

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The biggest change coming in Fallout 76? It’s going to be multiplayer. Set in a huge game world at least four times the size of the Fallout 4 map, most of the characters you encounter in the game are going to be other players. So then, why Grand Theft Auto V? Though there probably won’t be much overlap as far as story goes (unless Vault 76 houses a team of professional bank robbers), the online aspects of the titles seem pretty similar. Grand Theft Auto V’s sprawling online mode puts you on a huge map with many other players as you complete missions cooperatively or competitively and build your character. It seems likely that Fallout 76 is going to play pretty similarly to GTA Online.

4. Fallout 3

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Though it might seem like cheating to tell you to replay another Fallout game, Fallout 3 makes the list for good reason. Fallout 76 is going to be a prequel, following settlers from Vault 76 in the recent post-apocalypse as they work to rebuild the world. We know Vault 76 is located somewhere in the hills of West Virginia; Fallout 3 is set close by in the ruins of Washington D.C. Lore-wise, it seems likely that these two games will have a lot of overlap. Play Fallout 3 to get a refresher on the geographical area, Vault-Tec, and most importantly, the Enclave. We know the villainous remnants of the U.S. government has a large presence in the area, and it seems likely that they’ll make some kind of appearance in Fallout 76.

3. Horizon Zero Dawn

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Horizon Zero Dawn takes a decidedly different look at the potential fall of humanity. Where Fallout predicts death by nukes, Horizon predicts death by robots. In the aftermath of the machine apocalypse, humans revert to an almost primitive state, grouping into various settlements and large tribes. These tribes are constantly butting heads to fight for food, supplies, and power. With players of Fallout 76 doing the same, Horizon may offer a preview of what the online world of the new game might look like. We don’t know yet what the world of Fallout was like so close to when the bombs dropped, but it seems likely that other people are going to be just as much of a threat as the irradiated creatures that are also roaming West Virginia.

2. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

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Though it may not seem like it at first glance, Metal Gear Solid V and Fallout 76 have quite a bit in common. Specifically, we’re looking at the multiplayer aspect of MGSV. Players are able to build a private army and go head to head with other players, infiltrating enemy bases to steal important supplies and kidnap personnel to help build up their own forces. Oh, and you can’t forget about the nukes. According to Bethesda, stockpiling and using nukes will be a big part of Fallout 76. Same goes for Metal Gear Solid V. Players have to option to build or steal nukes, and although it means a pretty hefty addition to your arsenal, it also means you become a much larger target for other players. We don’t know yet exactly how nukes are going to affect the multiplayer gameplay of Fallout 76, but it seems like a good idea to start practicing how to handle the mother of all bombs?

1. Rust

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Rust is an online game where players fight for food, shelter, and survival in a hostile world where any situation can quickly turn deadly. Sound familiar? It should, since this sounds an awful lot like the world of Fallout 76. In Rust, players are able to gather survival necessities and build their own shelters. We don’t know yet whether basic survival is going to play as large of a role in 76 as it does in Rust, but it couldn’t hurt to be prepared. What we do know is that base building is going to be returning to Fallout 76, and that’s also a huge aspect of Rust. Whether it be building shelter or shooting it out with other players, playing Rust seems like the best way to prepare for your return to the post-apocalyptic world of Fallout.

We’ve got just about four months to go until Fallout 76 releases. With these five games to help you prep, you’ll make that time fly by. You’ll also have a leg up on the competition when it’s finally time to head into the irradiated Blue Ridge Mountains and make your mark on Fallout’s new online world.

This is everything we know about Fallout 76

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Fortnite Battle Royale: Guide to Season 5 Week 3 challenges

As usual, Fortnite: Battle Royale’s weekly challenges have been leaked. The season 5 week 3 challenges will launch on Thursday, July 26, but thanks to the leak you will be able to prepare mentally for the challenges to come. As always, there are free challenges and those that require a Battle Pass.

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Free Challenges of Week 3 of Season 5 of Fortnite: Battle Royale

Challenge: Deal damage to opponents in a single game

To complete this challenge, you will have to do 500 damage in a single round. It is the most organic challenge of all. When playing Fortnite, you will likely complete it almost without even trying.

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Challenge: Use a launch pad

Finding a launch pad depends on a bit of luck. All you can do is keep taking out enemies until one appears. Then you just have to build the platform and shoot off into the heavens. Easy right?!?

Challenge: Follow the treasure map found in Flush Factory

The map has been leaked, so many YouTubers have already worked hard to find the exact location of the treasure in the last few hours. Here is the leaked map:

And here is the place where the map will be. It is on the hill west of Fatal Fields.

Season 3 Week 5 Battle Pass challenges for Fortnite: Battle Royale

Challenge: Search chests in Fatal Fields

For this challenge, the best thing you can do is land directly on Fatal Fields and run to a chest location. It’s okay if you die opening one or more chests since your progress will be saved. Keep opening chests for two or three games and you’ll complete the challenge without too much bother.

You will find the chests in these locations:

Challenge: Eliminate opponents in Haunted Hills

For this challenge, the best thing you can do is land directly in Haunted Hills. Once landed, start taking people out like there is no tomorrow.

You will find chests with loot in these locations:

Challenge: Shoot a Clay Pigeon at different locations

Fortnite’s First Anniversary has brought numerous celebratory activities and one of them is clay pigeon shooting. You have to go to five locations with special machines, pull the lever and shoot the flying object. It will be easier if you have a friend pull the lever for you.

You’ll find clay pigeon machines in Pleasant Park, Shifty Shafts, Bridge, Loot Lake and Paradise Palms.

Challenge: Explosive Weapon Eliminations

Gather as many grenades as you can, look for a fort or an enclosure with enemies … and turn their hiding places into a living nightmare! The other option is to find a missile launcher.

The 5 best Telltale games

If you’re someone who plays games for the story, you’ve no doubt heard of Telltale Games. Telltale puts the story front and center and gives the player the power to shape that story in any way they see fit. Usually taking place over a season of multiple episodes, players are given the power to make significant choices that can affect how the rest of the game plays out. Each game becomes uniquely your own depending on how you play. Though the choices you make in their games can be difficult, deciding which games to play doesn’t have to be. Here’s a list of their five best titles.

5. Minecraft: Story Mode

Ever found yourself wishing that Minecraft had a little bit more to offer? If so, Minecraft: Story Mode is the game for you. You take on the role of Jesse, a newbie Minecraft player. Jesse and a group of friends take on an epic quest to find a group of five adventurers who, once upon a time, saved the world. Their journey takes them to the far corners of the Minecraft world, from a mysterious mansion to floating sky cities to the Nether and more. Celebrity guest appearances, including a few by certain well-known Minecraft YouTubers, make this game into every Minecraft player’s dream.

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4. Game of Thrones

Come on, admit it: every “Game of Thrones” fan has wondered at some point or another whether they could survive the cutthroat world of Westeros. Telltale’s Game of Thrones lets you put yourself to the test. Whether it be fighting your way through legions of House Bolton bannermen or navigating the political intrigue of King’s Landing, this game makes players feel like they’re part of the show. Players take control of the Forresters, bannermen to House Stark who are caught up in the political treachery of Westeros and must fight to survive. Though these characters don’t appear in the show, fans need not worry. Plenty of other favorites, such as the Mother of Dragons herself, make appearances as well.

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3. Batman

“I’m Batman.” These are two words that everybody’s wanted to utter at some point in their lives. Telltale’s Batman lets every armchair caped crusader live out their superhero fantasy. All the familiar Batman characters are back, but with unique interpretations that make this title stand out. Will you play Batman as a benevolent hero, or will you indulge his more ruthless streak? Also of note is the Crowd Play feature introduced in this game. This allows an audience to vote on the choices made in the game using their phone or computer, so grab some friends and get playing. The end result can lead to some interesting scenarios, both onscreen and off!

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2. The Walking Dead

Telltale’s The Walking Dead is one of their most acclaimed titles, and for good reason. The story and characters in this entry are particularly strong. Players control Lee Everett, an ex-college professor and escaped convict, in the opening days of the zombie apocalypse. He soon finds himself having to care for Clementine, a young girl with a story of her own. The grim decisions that the TV series is known for return in this game full-force, except this time, you’re the one calling the shots. How far will you go to survive and protect the ones you care for?

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1. Tales from the Borderlands

Tales from the Borderlands could easily be called Borderlands 3, and is a must-play for any fans of the series. Tales from the Borderlands takes place soon after the events of Borderlands 2. Players take control of Rhys, an ambitious employee of the Hyperion Corporation, and Fiona, a ragtag con artist from Pandora. The two soon find their paths intertwining in ways that they never expected as they pursue another one of the infamous Vaults and try to find the true purpose of the Atlas Corporation’s mysterious Gortys Project. The series brings back the humorous, sarcastic writing that Borderlands is known for while also bringing in some unexpectedly poignant, emotional moments and decisions that linger long after the game is finished. Beloved characters from the main series also return, including a fan-favorite handsome antagonist in a particularly show-stealing performance.

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Whether it be fast-paced fights or nail-biting decisions, Telltale Games offer something for everyone to enjoy. Check out the games on this list and start making the story your own.

5 reasons we prefer Star Wars Battlefront 2005

The 2017 release of EA Star Wars Battlefront 2 was met with infamously mixed responses. The main outcry was centered on the loot crate debacle and pay-to-win progression, but there was more to it than just that. Hopeful fans are still looking wistfully back at Star Wars Battlefront 2 (2005), a game released years ago by the now-defunct Pandemic. Starry-eyed and wishful, it’s easy to wonder what might have been had they kept some of the key features that made that title so successful.

But exactly what were these features?

Despite the many adjustments, tweaks, and updates that EA Star Wars Battlefront 2 has undergone over the past six months, there are a good many design choices that set the game on a very different trajectory from the start. While there are numerous small elements, we’ve put together a list of what we think are the five biggest selling points from Battlefront 2005, elements that we never got to experience in EA’s.

If you’re interested in seeing for yourself and trying Battlefront 2005 firsthand, you can grab it here:

Star Wars Battlefront 2 (2005) Download

5. Players can’t change classes unless they die

Our first gripe is a small one, but one that we feel nonetheless deserves attention. The main game mode in the 2005 Battlefront was Conquest; a variant that focused on capture-and-hold tactics where the posts controlled allowed for unit spawn. There were two ways to win: Eliminating all the enemy reinforcements, or capturing all the command posts so that they couldn’t spawn any more units in to contest you.

These command posts served a second purpose, however: Players could use them to switch their selected class on the fly, alternating as needed between the engineer, sniper, infantry, or heavy trooper classes. This feature was not present in the very first Star Wars Battlefront (released in 2004), and its inclusion was such a radical improvement that they zeroed in on it multiple times throughout the tutorial mission – a level where the objectives could only be completed by switching classes. Pandemic really wanted to instill that mechanic in its players right off the bat.

We were surprised this feature was never implemented in EA’s Battlefront 2 since it so proudly highlighted the introduction of four playable classes available to the player. After the initial decision on a class the player is stuck with it until their death. Only then can they quickly decide whether they want to try a different approach. The reason for this choice is probably to allow players to more often choose whether they want to spend battle points on power-up classes or vehicles like the jet trooper or an AT-ST, but having to die just to get that choice? It seems counter-intuitive.

It’s especially frustrating when the game encourages you to stay alive to “earn 2x battle points.” Die and you have to start from scratch. We acknowledge that this isn’t a “design flaw” per se, but the choice is odd. We can’t help but feel its inclusion would have been a nice improvement.

4. Players can ride vehicles together

This isn’t the last time we’ll be bringing up EA’s Battlefront 2’s lack of co-op features. This point is more an example of where its missed. The 2005 Battlefront featured and implemented vehicles very differently than EA chose to. In the original, players could see a vehicle on the map, run to it, and ride it. It made sense, it was fun, it was an option for every player. Even the worst players in the match could beeline towards the nearest AT-AT walker or AAT for a chance to even the playing field. But that’s not even the biggest reason this design choice was so cool.

http://www.gamersdecide.com/pc-game-news/10-awesome-star-wars-games-play-2016/page/0/1

While vehicles in EA Battlefront 2 were power-ups unlocked by spending battle points, they were much more useful in Pandemic’s Battlefront 2.

The main difference? They could hold multiple players.

That AAT you saw on the streets of Theed? In Battlefront 2 2005 that could house both a driver and another player to operate the cannon up top. The clone AT-TE could have three players at once. The clone gunship? Four.

There was something special and exciting about you and three friends piling into a clone gunship during a space battle and manning the different positions. Your pilot navigated through enemy fire on the way to the opposing flagship, gingerly landing in their docking bay. The enemy AI pour out into the hangar area as the ship goes on full alert. The gunship you landed is getting shot by rockets, so you and your buddies are forced to pile out, dodging lasers and diving for cover while returning fire.

It grew to white-knuckle insanity trying to escape the flaming ruins of the flagship you and your friends sabotaged together. Then to be greeted by a victory screen as you boost away from enemy fighters?

Glorious.

Playing with your friends was such an integral element of the 2005 Battlefront, and the lack of it in EA Battlefront 2 brings us to our next big point:

3. Playing with friends was accessible and encouraged, local or online

Playing local splitscreen was a huge part the FPS genre in its early days. Series like Unreal Tournament, Ghost Recon, Call of Duty, Halo, and James Bond all found massive success from it, and splitscreen gaming evolved into a huge part of the FPS culture. Pandemic’s Battlefront 2 was a cornerstone of this evolution, and it took the formula to the next level with its class-based roleplaying, multi-person vehicles, and its (albeit limited) mechanics for commanding the game’s AI infantry.

EA Battlefront 2 does have local play, but it’s pretty restricting. By “restricting,” we mean that there’s no online co-op to speak of. There is splitscreen in arcade mode, but the game’s arcade mode really feels like an introduction to new players more than an actual real fleshed-out gametype. Even then, that local play is only available on console. PC players don’t get any co-op at all (and yet the game is still priced the same for both). Comparing this to Pandemic’s Battlefront 2, the lack of local play goes beyond co-op.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxYOgWmTS8w

Splitscreen in Battlefront 2 2005 could also get competitive. At the start of the match, players can pick which faction they wanted to play as … and it didn’t have to be the same as the other players. Walking through the bot-congested halls of Polis Massa only to suddenly come across another player was a tense moment, and the firefights between the two of you would often decide the fate of the match.

Working together or fighting each other, local play created an extremely engaging atmosphere in Battlefront 2 2005 and it added a whole other dimension of strategy and excitement to the game. EA missed the mark here.

2. Galactic Conquest

Next up we had to mention EA’s exclusion of one of the original Battlefront’s defining game modes: Galactic Conquest. A Risk-style strategy mode that starts the player off owning only one planet on a simulated galaxy map. The way to win here was to conquer all the galaxy, which is at the beginning owned by the enemy faction. Each planet conquered earned you galactic credits to build, buff, and expand your army. It was a strategic chain of singular missions with a broad tug-of-war in the background. The enemy side always starts with the advantage, but over the course of the game, it shifts to your favor.

https://www.moddb.com/mods/star-wars-battlefront-conversion-pack/images/kotor-galactic-conquest5

Galactic Conquest had been a core game mode in both Pandemic’s Battlefront games, and was a key component to its replayability and longevity. It added depth to every match and challenged players to think on a more tactical level before jumping into a firefight. It’s an angle that’s lacking in EA’s Battlefront 2, and we really miss it.

1. AI bots

Of all the differences we’re covering here, we think this one’s the biggest. Battlefront 2 2005 had AI bots on every match and it completely changed the way the game felt. The huge waves of enemies, the constantly respawning units on both sides, the Jedi cutting through swathes of infantry to get to the next command post – it all felt like we were dropped into a pivotal moment in the titular “war.” Here’s a video of the rare EA Battlefront 2 player who hadn’t first played Battlefront 2005, and his thoughts on what AI add to the mix:

The only game modes that feature AI in EA’s Battlefront 2 are the campaign, arcade mode, and Starfighter Assault. The latter of which was one of our favorites largely due to its inclusion of bots. We’re not alone in thinking this either. Disclaimer: Angry Joe is angry. May contain NSFW language.

Putting “battlefront” in the title of your game implies just that – a peek at the surrounding war zone through the eyes of an infantry soldier, scout, or pilot. Compare, for instance, Kashyyyk from Pandemic’s battlefront 2 to EA’s:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZnJfL6DYSQ

Pandemic’s map is less vibrant, far smaller, equally linear, and largely open. EA’s is massive, colorful, breathing, and lush. But play it and you’ll see where the problem lies – the amount of time you spend in an actual firefight in EA’s Battlefront is absolutely dwarfed by the amount of time walking from fight to fight.

STAR WARS™ Battlefront™ II_20180224131957

Larger maps aren’t always a great thing, especially when the only enemies to fight are the enemy players. Sure they’re way tougher than the laughably incompetent AI from Battlefront 2 2005, and sure it’s more rewarding when you gun down enemy players rather than nameless bots, but a healthy mix is what made EA’s Starfighter Assault so enjoyable. If they could incorporate ground AI into the online game modes, it would make a dramatic difference, and one that we think is for the better.

If EA makes a Battlefront 3, we hope to see some of these aspects included in its design. Would that be enough to renew fans’ dreams of one day having a game to match the awesome fun of the original Battlefront 2?

Hmm. Clouded the future is.