For those of you still waiting for Dead Island 2, Deep Silver is giving us another opportunity to crush some zombies. Dead Island: Survivors is a mobile tower defense RPG based in the Dead Island universe. Waves of zombies will rush towards your base, while you set up traps to prevent them from coming in. Some Dead Island fans were worried about this game being a mobile adaptation. However, the graphics and gameplay are surprisingly well done. This is more than just a little distraction from Dead Island 2’s Gamingdevelopment. Here are some tips and tricks to get you started in this new Dead Island game.
While there are tower defense games that feature playable characters, it’s pretty uncommon for mobile ones. Take advantage of this opportunity to fight directly in combat. Each character has their own unique skills, so it’s best to pick the one that fits your playstyle. Regardless of who you play, you should use your character to make up for some of your traps’ downfalls. For example, if you have a lot of traps near one zombie entrance, but very little near the other, you should be using your character to make up for your weaker area. You can also use the character to distract the zombies for a bit, while your traps recharge. Be careful of doing this too much though, since you’ll lose the round if your hero dies.
Plan out a route for the zombies
Barricades are a cheap and effective way to force the zombie hordes to take a certain path. You can use these to force all zombie entrances to go down the same route. Then, using your remaining metal, you can set up traps along this path. This way, zombies will always be hit by your traps, instead of being able to walk around them.
Get resource hordes before survivors
Rescuing all survivors is your main goal, so you may get the urge to go straight for survivor hordes when you see them. However, they may be too strong for you. It’s typically better to build up your metal and gem resources by taking on those hordes first, and then upgrading your traps and heroes before fighting the more important missions.
Buy and use consumables
It may be tempting to avoid using consumables, since they cost the same resources it takes to upgrade your inventory. However, these consumables are cheap and powerful. You can use the grenades to knock enemies down and give your traps time to reset, and you can use the health potions to save yourself in a pinch. You’ll find the resources well spent with these.
Upgrade your cards and take advantage of free items
There’s a daily suitcase available for free under the shop menu. You’ll also get free items from achievements and by killing large amounts of zombies. Make sure to keep upgrading your cards, especially the ones you use the most, as you get more of the resources from these.
Spending money
Most of the microtransactions in this game revolve around skipping time-consuming actions. So if you’re not willing to wait the time to open a second chest, or improve a turret (some of which can take very long waits), then feel free to spend your gems on this. However, you’re best off spending them on upgrades for your units and turrets. If you don’t spend them this way, it may take some grinding to get the resources you need to upgrade your stuff. Thankfully, unlike some free-to-play mobile games, Dead Island: Survivors is completely playable without using microtransactions (as long as you have a lot of patience). Gems are obtainable in game without spending any money. The only real benefit of spending money is saving time.
Forget Fortnite: Check out the 10 best free to play games ever
Looking to cruise through the Injustice 2 story campaign and then head online to crush the competition? In the famous words of Ra’s al Ghul, “if you devote yourself to an ideal, and if they can’t stop you, then you become something else entirely.” Let’s hope that “something else” is the top of the leaderboards, right?
While there are no quick and dirty techniques that can substitute for solid practice, these are some general tips and tactics to make sure you don’t end up like poor Shazam near the end of the first Injustice. (Spoiler alert: It didn’t end well.)
While there’s no ‘one size fits all’ with Injustice 2, there are a handful of attacks that every character has. With a roster of around 30 characters, it can be extremely daunting trying to learn how to play as each one of them.
Lucky for us, there are some moves that are shared by everyone:
Block:
While this game has no true universal block button, moving backward allows your character to block attacks. This doesn’t make you immune to everything, though; your feet are still exposed, and opponents may try to hit you from above, so know when to block and when to go on the offensive. You can also block an enemy’s super move, so when you see the quick cutaway of them preparing to execute it, start blocking immediately!
Don’t underestimate the value of dashing, either to escape an enemy’s impending hit or (more likely) to close the distance between the two of you so you can wail on ’em. Try following up a dash with a jump and you’ll see how many different angles you can create where an opponent may not expect your next attack to come from.
Bounce Cancel:
Dashing at certain points during a combo can throw in a bounce cancel at the cost of two bars of meter. This can lead to some very long and extremely damaging juggle combos or transitions. Again, every character can do this, which means learning how to do it should take priority over combos or special moves specific to any one character.
Unlike its prequel, Injustice 2 has a full-on upgrading system that allows for your characters to unlock and equip new gear and substitute in powerful alternate abilities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek83HFwjefw
Don’t be discouraged if you get beaten again and again by those ‘level 20 recommended’ missions in Multiverse. If you’re tackling them with a level eight character, the odds are not in your favor. Try and play through some of the easier missions, preferably ones that give you epic gear, or gold or platinum crates. The more of these you unlock and slap on, the closer you’ll get to that tough enemy’s stats. Then it’s just a matter of winning the match now that you’re on a level playing field.
3. Don’t be afraid to burn meter
Your meter on the lower left of the screen can be spent in a number of different ways. While your go-to may be to save it all up for a wager or a super move, don’t underestimate what a well-placed block escape or roll escape can do.
Most useful of all might be meter-burning special moves, which can totally change where the opponent lands after, or how much damage or what effect it has on them. Starfire’s ‘burning desire’ can be meter burned to knock opponents down, while The Atom’s beakers meter burn for a huge variety of possible combinations.
Don’t shortchange yourself of what’s in a character’s arsenal just because you want to save up for a wager or end with a flashy super move. Once you know a character well, you’ll quickly discover that you can do far more damage with a long combo that includes meter burn attacks and transitions than you could with a single super move:
4. Know who you’re fighting
It’s important to know what makes your character tick, but it’s equally important to know who you’re up against. Say you’re playing as Supergirl. She has a variety of ranged attacks, teleport hits, stuns, and dash attacks. Put her against a ranged powerhouse like Dr. Fate or Green Arrow and her best bet is to close the distance with her teleports and dash attacks. Stay too far away and you may be quickly overwhelmed by their powerful reach and zoning. Pit Supergirl against a close quarters brawler, like Bane or Gorilla Grodd, and you’ve got a very different scenario.
Always try to angle a fight so you prioritize your character’s advantage against the opponent you’re fighting, be it range, zoning, long combo chains, strength, or speed. Likewise, try to avoid putting yourself in a situation that favors your opponent’s wheelhouse.
5. Keep them in the corner
One consistent rule of thumb for any fighting game is to try and keep the enemy cornered. Injustice 2 features heavy use of juggle combos, and these become 10 times easier if the only direction the victim can go is up, not backward. This works both ways, so don’t linger with your back to the wall unless you’re trying to goad them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFKU–DUJu0
You may be tempted to try and force a transition on your opponent, and this can be wise. But weigh your options carefully – could you do perhaps more damage while you’ve got the enemy cornered here? If the answer is yes, instead add your transition as a tag-on to your combo by squeezing in a bounce cancel instead of just going for the usual heavy attack to initiate one.
Additionally, all characters can grab the enemy. If you aren’t moving forward while doing so, that grab attack will end with you throwing the character behind you. This is a great way to turn the tables on an enemy that has you cornered, and opens you up to dish out your own juggle combos and transitions. The same strategy applies to characters who can teleport behind enemies.
Taking a character into practice mode (accessed via the single player menu) is the safest way to explore their unique move set, combos, and special abilities. Many of the combos in this game require a specific rhythm and timing to execute correctly in addition to just pushing the buttons in order. For example, Bane’s combos ‘raw deal’ and ‘hard time’ might take some repetition on your end before you can perform them consistently.
In addition to giving the player unlimited time to get the feel for a character’s move set, playing in Practice also allows you to customize how the AI acts and reacts within this mode. Some moves only work against opponents in the air. Go ahead and set the AI to jump repeatedly. Or some attacks like Batman’s ‘cape parry’ or Joker’s ‘joybuzzer’ only work as a counterattack. Set the AI to attack you so you can try them out properly.
Finally, you can always see how much damage you are doing per hit. When you’re practicing or reviewing a fight through theater mode, keep an eye on this as you string combos together. The higher the number, the more damage you are doing. For starters, try and learn at least two different combos per character that land in the 300-400 range. Get comfortable slipping these into your routine while peppering the enemy with your special attacks and you’ll quickly grow accustomed to seeing openings where you can hit them with your best stuff.
Dark Souls honors the age-old tradition of difficult video games. The newest release, Dark Souls: Remastered, holds true to itself with familiar enemies and environments. Don’t let the improved frame rates, graphic textures, and summoning abilities fool you – this game still enjoys thrashing unsuspecting players into oblivion.
Whether an old fan coming back for a second taste or a first timer looking to prepare themselves for the challenge, we’ve got a few lessons from Soulsborne veterans that will help smooth your experience.
Prepare to Die
This isn’t just a catchphrase, it’s a tenet inseparable from the game’s core.
On the surface level, Dark Souls’ design is meant to kill in a number of different ways; sneaky corners conceal hidden enemies, boss attacks are often timed to catch those who dodge too soon or too late, and deadly cliffs are generously spread throughout your precarious path. However, in a strange way, these pitfalls are also fair: masterful players have historically completed no-hit, no-death runs, which means that skill and knowledge can overcome any trial within the game.
On a spiritual level, Dark Souls is meant to give you a REAL sense of pride and accomplishment. Dying once, twice, or even 50 times isn’t a sign of failure to a Soulsborne player, it’s a spice that makes victory 100 times more satisfying. Our first attempt to defeat the bosses Ornstein and Smough on a solo playthrough ended after 20 deaths, but was probably the greatest single gaming moment of all time.
Basically, if you’re prepared to die and get back to the fight, you’ll eventually overcome any difficulties. Even Blighttown, we promise.
Speaking of which…
A Quick Note on Blighttown
We suggest running. There aren’t many good items here, and it’s not great for farming souls. Sprint down to the poison swamp, hug the right wall until you find the drain bonfire, and use that as your Forward Operating Base (FOB) to fight Chaos Witch Quelaag.
If you really want to fight your way through, we commend you. Battling through Blighttown’s hellish quagmire automatically awards you with Dark Souls Veteran status.
Choose your Playstyle
Dark Souls doesn’t provide enough levels to become excellent at every classification: you need to choose what to be, then invest in that. Here are a few general categories, along with their pros and cons.
The Two-handed Boss. This is our favorite. Rather than using a shield, the two-handed boss should wield a damage-heavy weapon like the Zweihander (which is available early on) and keep weight down in every other way. Pros: You deal massive damage, roll quickly, and feel awesome. Cons: Player vs. player (PvP) is hard because Ultra Greatswords can be parried (knocked away by a shield, during an attack, to create an opening for deadly counterattacks). Also, you’ll take slightly more damage, but armor in Dark Souls doesn’t do much anyway.
The Tank and the Knight, two sides of the same coin. Both use a shield in one hand and a weapon in the other, but tanks wear more armor and heavier shields to increase poise at the cost of speed. Pros: Shields are a great way to keep safe while learning the mechanics of the game. Cons: One-handing weapons reduces damage considerably!
The Sorcerer. Grab a catalyst and fire soul weapons! This has been called the game’s “Easy Mode” because sorcerers can stand far away from enemies. Pros: Safety and cool-looking spells. Cons: A much slower playthrough, weakness to quick enemies, difficult PvP, and low damage against enemies with magical defense. Don’t be scared, sorcerers are really great.
The Pyromancer. Like the sorcerer, pyromancers cast magic from a distance. However, the pyromancer’s tool – a pyromancy flame – can be used by almost anyone and weighs nothing. Many users fall in love with this build because the game makes starting out with a few fireballs quite easy, and leads to greater attacks. Pros: Damage, fun, and FIRE. Cons: Numerous levels must be allocated that could be used for endurance, health, and other aspects.
The Thief. Here, everything about speed matters! Keep weight low, carry a fast-moving weapon, and hold the buckler shield. Dodging easily is a pro, but the biggest benefit comes from the ability to avoid parries, parry others, and punish slower attacks. The con is high damage taken.
The Creative. Many players find interesting combinations with surprising results. Want to use a whip or a claw weapon? Cast dark spells exclusively? Go for it, and let us know how it works for you!
The no-no’s. There are two things you should probably stay away from: Clerics and archers. Throwing lightning as a Cleric may sound awesome, but the slow casting and low damage make the build terrible. Archers also do very little damage with arrows and need to constantly buy arrows, since they do not regenerate at bonfires like miracles or sorceries. We’re not saying you can’t try these builds, we just strongly advise against it.
Remember, whatever you choose, have fun with it! Any type of character can be used well in the right hands and the game rewards those who are clever and persistent.
Keep Notes
What locked doors did you see? Where did you find that one pathway? Since Dark Souls has no mini-map, navigation can become difficult. This becomes even more of an issue as the game progresses and new areas open up, forcing the player to backtrack multiple times. Even after fast traveling becomes available, locations still are difficult to find. A journal might be the key to remembering if you’re avoiding walkthroughs.
Friend Up
Having too much trouble with a boss? That’s what the summoning system was created for! It allows you to bring other Dark Souls players – called “Phantoms” – into your world to help. There are a few things to know:
Summon signs will appear as glowing white runes on the ground. Pressing the interact button over one will allow you to summon the player into your world, after about 20 seconds.
A number of restrictions affect summoning sign visibility:
Internet connection. If you’re not playing online, you can’t connect to other players. Also, consoles may require you to have a special account: Xbox Gold or Playstation Live, for example. Joining the online community is well worth the cost, in our opinion.
Humanity. Only a character that is human can summon phantoms, a hollow cannot. Humans become hollow by dying: the icon at the top left of your screen will become dark, and your character will suddenly look like a zombie. To solve this issue, gain humanity by killing enemies or using the “humanity” item. Then, rest at a bonfire and select “Restore Humanity”. Boom.
Character considerations. Your weapon, the item you’re invading with, and your covenant can affect what players are available. This was designed to ensure early players aren’t being invaded by godlike, high-level masters. The system can complicated, but you can get around summon restrictions by password-matching in the settings menu.
Password. If you’re not seeing summon signs, you may still have a password restriction set. Removing this will allow you to see the summon signs of random players once again.
Finally, remember that you can place your own summon sign by getting the White Sign Soapstone from Solaire of Astora, and NPC found on a balcony just after defeating the Taurus demon in Undead Burg.
When a game suffers fumble after fumble, it’s easy to overlook any good qualities that may have graced it. Two Worlds II is one such game, and it’s a real shame. While its prequel is the butt of many a joke (namely for its game-breaking bugs, lackluster plot, shoddy voicework, and uninspired quests), Two Worlds II, while leaps and bounds more sophisticated a title, sadly did not fare much better under the public’s scrutiny.
This is such an unfortunate outcome because, while there are certainly flaws to this game, there’s also kernels of something really special if you sift through it with a wide enough net.
For every success, there’s a failure immediately following. The most obvious example of this is the game’s overall aesthetic. Character models are surprisingly polished for a game that came out in 2011 (the same year as Bethesda’s similarly-themed Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim), and in some ways perhaps are even better looking. Environment art and lighting are gorgeous, ranging from the wilds of the Savannah to islands, to bustling cities, to the nightmarish Swallows of act two. It all looks great until you start trying to make your way through it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pSJoriX6ZU
To call the animations ‘clunky’ would be charitable. Sprinting is difficult to control and looks awkward, melee swings are jittery and unwieldy, and archery seems to lack any real punch on impact. On top of all that, the rendering of it all is slow, especially with a character’s hair and armor. For all the immersion that comes with a game that looks this good, poor rendering will pull the player right back out again.
The few people who did like the original Two Worlds are quick to point out the game’s outstanding sense of wanderlust. While there was a (loosely) story-driven narrative, the distance spanning from plot point to plot point was immense and rife with powerful enemies. Players relied on the sparse and expensive teleport platforms to travel distances quickly, or maybe stumble upon the rare horse if they were lucky. The result was that going from point A to point B really wasn’t an option, and it all created a very special sense of long trekking and exploring every bend and gully.
Needless to say, these fans who did move to Two Worlds II were sorely disappointed to find that the wanderlust element was far reduced. Not to say that the game is a corridor – far from it – but there are definitely distinct areas that you won’t be able to reach until certain plot points are fulfilled. The map doesn’t make that very intuitive, either, crammed with markers and quests that are difficult to navigate or distinguish between.
Plot
The plot of Two Worlds II starts off strong, with a good old-fashioned prison break. The player character is rescued with little explanation by a team of orcs. The abundance of dialogue in the prologue is deceptive, misleading us into believing we are in for a game with rich recurring characters or perhaps even NPC followers. The prologue alone introduces a rogue, a mage, a ranger, a blacksmith, a fighter, and a prophet – all of whom feel like they’d be tied pretty tightly to the story. This is not the case.
After the prologue is complete, there’s hardly any reason to speak with these characters again, which is sad since they were well-written and well voice-acted. It’s almost like the lead writer finished the first act and then wiped his hands of it and handed it off to someone with a vastly different idea. On top of all that, the story is based around you saving your sister, Kyra, even though the entirety of the first game revolved around the same thing. But maybe that isn’t fair to complain about, judging by popularity of rescue-the-princess titles like Legend of Zelda or Mario …
So for all of these complaints, what are this game’s uniquely good qualities?
Why play solo when you can be a fellowship?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JQWT6OWHzc
While not the only game of this niche to attempt multiplayer, this one does a surprisingly good job of it. There’s a PvP mode, a village building simulator, a Crystal Capture game, and best of all a team-oriented dungeon crawl called Adventure Mode. Here up to eight players can work together fighting through seven different (albeit linear) maps. When you have a handful of low-level players all spelunking through the same cave, you’re in for a good time. Because the game features such a variety of builds, it can actually be quite conducive to strong teamwork and strategy. Mages can buff other players, turning the party invisible with an AoE spell, or even resurrecting players that die nearby. Rogues can use distraction arrows or ice arrows to thin the herd. Warriors can use powerful flurries and counterattacks to make short work of even the mightiest of monsters. If you let yourself get immersed in the team roleplay, the game will make it worth your while.
Spells are only limited by your imagination … and your character’s wallet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibn5-tnw0Vs
Perhaps the greatest feature of this game, the magic system is where Two Worlds II really shines. While most games will let you spend perks to unlock new spells and powers, this game takes a different approach. Rather than give players the recipe for each spell, Two Worlds II instead merely gives the players the ingredients. Spells are divided into water, air, fire, earth, and necromancy, then further subdivided (ie fire yields fire, power, and force). A carrier is then added to your spell to determine how it manifests, be it a missile, a summon, monolith or trap. Lastly, you can tag on a modifier to include things like homing, ricochet, spray, damage over time, or protection. In this game, if you can think it, you can probably craft a spell to do it. Magic serves as your back door to solving really every puzzle, provided you’re talented and creative enough to make the spell, and that’s a really cool feeling. Magic that is used to wipe out hordes of zombies and rain meteors can just as easily be used to open locks, walk on water, or levitate. If you want to see just how crazy this can get, check out these videos:
Invest in any skills you want
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oqdeEwPxIQ
When you level up in Two Worlds II, you are never constrained to any one avenue of gameplay. Players who’ve been allocating perks for warrior can just as easily start spending those points on magic or ranger abilities if they want to branch out. While this isn’t a wholly unique concept (you can just as easily find this is a game like Skyrim or Path of Exile, or even the first Two Worlds), we were grateful that it was included here as well. For a hefty price, Soulpatchers can also allow you to redistribute your skills if you decide you made a mistake. The end result is that there’s plenty of room for error, or on the flip side you may intentionally put those points into mage skills once you’ve collected enough cards to make it worth the shift. It’s up to player choice, and that’s always a good thing.
You can be a bard.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGvuOBo5rQU
Anybody who has played Witcher 3 can tell you how addicting a good mini-game can be. There’s a reason Gwent became a standalone game! Two Worlds II has a dice high-low simulator, a dice-based poker game, a clever pickpocketing mechanic, and – best of all – a full-fledged busking system. Players who find a flute or a harp can take advantage of a mini-game reminiscent of Guitar Hero. Get good enough at it, find yourself a busy throng of people in a marketplace, and suddenly you’re earning auras (the game’s currency) enough to purchase that heavy plate mail you had your eye on. You can collect or purchase new music for different instruments, and – surprise of all surprises – if you and another player in multiplayer time it just right you can actually play the full song!
In the end, Two Worlds II is undeniably a flawed game. It pushed the envelope in many avenues where the first game laughably failed, but still doesn’t really compare with the wildly successful Elder Scrolls, Dragon Age, or Witcher. But that’s the beauty here – it isn’t those games. Two Worlds II succeeds in other areas, and frankly, we wonder what a game like Skyrim would be like if it did try to emulate the magic system of Two Worlds II, or what Witcher would be like if it incorporated a pickpocketing mechanic. If you’re willing to look past the game’s faults, you might be surprised to find you wish more fantasy RPGs did share these elements from Two Worlds II.
https://guides.gamepressure.com/twoworldsii/
We’re looking forward to Two Worlds III, and hope that they can get the core mechanics ironed out enough that all the uniquely special aspects that this franchise possesses can really shine through next round.
Now available on mobile devices, Pokémon Quest is a free-to-start RPG. The player takes control of cube-shaped versions of the original 151 Pokémon on their adventure to explore Tumblecube Island. Here are some tips on starting your journey
About a month ago, the Pokémon Company excitedly announced their upcoming Nintendo Switch title, Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu & Eevee. Along with this, Pokémon announced (and soon after released) its first Nintendo Switch title: Pokémon Quest.
Now available on mobile devices, Pokémon Quest is a free-to-start RPG. The player takes control of cube-shaped versions of the original 151 Pokémon on their adventure to explore Tumblecube Island. Here are some tips on starting your journey:
Choosing your starter
Every Pokémon journey begins with picking your starter Pokémon, and this game is no exception. You get to choose between some classics: Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Charmander, Pikachu, and Eevee. The most common suggestion is to go with Charmander. Pokémon Quest doesn’t have a typical type chart, instead giving you type bonuses for certain expedition sites. Charmander is usually recommended because fire is nice to have early in the game, and is a rare type compared to water, grass, and normal.
Another good option is Bulbasaur. Not only does it have the best defense of the starter Pokémon, but it also has the ability to heal itself. Pokémon will automatically revive after some time of being knocked out as long as you have at least one Pokémon left. Starting with Bulbasaur lets you survive longer, so your other Pokémon have more time to revive.
Recruiting Pokémon and Battling
In most Pokémon games, you typically use Poké Balls to catch your Pokémon in. In this game, however, you attract Pokémon to your camp by making different recipes. Each recipe attracts different kinds of Pokémon. Some attract water types, while others attract red Pokémon. Once you’ve created a dish, the recipe will be saved in your cookbook, and you’ll be able to recreate it. So it’s best to mix and match for a bit until you’ve found some good recipes. It’s up to you to decide what kind of Pokémon you want to catch.
Just like the catching system, the battling in this game is unlike any other Pokémon game to date. Essentially, you send off three Pokémon into a dungeon, and have little control over them once they are in. You have the choice to set the Pokémon onto “auto” or not, but either way, they will control their own movements. If you take “auto” off, however, you are able to control their attacks and make them scatter if they are taking a lot of damage. You should focus on equipping your Pokémon and training them up before taking on difficult areas, since you won’t have much control once they are in.
Should you spend money on the game?
Being a free-to-start game, Pokémon Quest comes with its own form of microtransactions. Unlike most free-to-start games, Pokémon Quest only has a few in-app purchases. Instead of having a continuous way to spend money, Pokémon Quest has three packs to choose from. Along with these, you can purchase a $30 bundle that will give you all three packs, and extra bonuses as well. If you do plan on spending any money on this game, then this bundle is definitely worth the cost compared to the other options. Without purchasing this bundle, the game is definitely beatable, but will take a lot more grinding. The bonuses from the bundle will save you a lot of time, but ultimately it’s up to you whether you’d want to spend the money or not. We recommend trying the game for a bit, before you decide whether it’s worth it.
Wish you could play the classic Star Wars: Jedi Academy with all-new options? Dust off that old copy and jump back into the game!
To anyone unfamiliar with Star Wars: Jedi Academy, this 2003 game developed by Raven, Vicarious Visions, and Lucasarts was the final installment of their Dark Forces franchise. Most famous for mixing shooter elements with lightsaber mechanics that were both intuitive and elegant, it was this happy unity of hack n’ slash and FPS that made the game so successful.
For those of you who are familiar with the game, you probably know that the campaign is three acts of non-linear missions separated and punctuated by story-driven multi-part missions that were a little more plot heavy. Upgradable force powers served as the RPG element while the player character (Jaden) also gradually progresses to learn different lightsaber styles, including the option to dual-wield or use the famous doublesaber like Darth Maul.
The first playthrough of this game is a dream: It’s got the exciting combat, the logical level design, the tried and true Star Wars mythos, and even multiple endings for light side and dark side. Despite all that, there’s one modern aspect where this game falls short, and it’s an important one:
Replayability.
We’re not saying the game is short, with the average run through the main story typically taking around nine hours on average. We’re saying that once you’ve completed that story, there’s not much to do other than play the same missions over again. This game came out before the time of ‘Campaign Plus’ or other such modes that increase the difficulty but allow for a second playthrough with your endgame character and stats (something we think would have been a great addition to this game).
The PC version of this game has a drop-down for console commands if you press ‘Shift + ~‘ during the game. Here’s where the fun stuff begins. Now for those of you pointing fingers and accusing us of cheating, remember that we played this game numerous times before using any of the upcoming commands, and we’d strongly encourage you to do the same. Remember, this is a way to add more hours of replayability to the game, not to cheapen your experience with what we think is a fantastic experience!
Once you’ve opened the drop-down for console commands, the first thing you’ll need to do is type ‘helpusobi 1’ (haha) to enable the game to register codes. From that point you can enter any of the following to achieve these results:
Jedi Knight®: Jedi Academy
1. addsaberstyle fast OR addsaberstyle strong –
This will allow for you to add the additional lightsaber forms that are only unlocked later in the game. Being able to switch between the given styles from square one makes the experience far more tactical without really altering the difficulty of the game.
2. sabercolor 1 ‘color’ –
While this is merely an aesthetic difference, it means you can change lightsaber colors whenever you feel like a change of pace. This includes the otherwise forbidden red lightsaber, which makes your evil playthrough exponentially more immersive. It may seem like a small change, but when you’re desperate to freshen up your eighth or eighteenth run through the campaign, size matters not.
3. setforceall 3 –
This code will give you all the Force powers at their highest level. By the time you’ve beaten this game as many times as we have, it’s sometimes more frustrating than fun to have to play the early levels without your full arsenal of force powers. While having to pick and choose carefully adds a deeper level of strategic choice, the gameplay from level to level is much more fun when you can Force choke or heal without having to spend level after level building up to it. Plus, you get to do all the neat little acrobatics and flourishes, and that stuff is cinematic no matter what level you’re on!
Jedi Knight®: Jedi Academy
4. saber 1 saber 1 –
Allows you to use dual lightsabers like the player character can do late game. Usually, this is only restricted to the third act, but we think that’s a shame given the rock-paper-scissors style of combat that depends so strongly on what kind of saber style you pick. Also once you’ve made that choice you are locked in, which means that while a single saber might be better in one level, you might wish you’d chosen dual sabers later on. You can also change the colors of the blades by using the ‘sabercolor’ code above.
5. saber dual_1 –
Similar to the above code, this allows for the player to use a doule-ended lightsaber immediately (and you can change its colors, too). All the same justifications for dual sabers apply here, with the added bonus that you also unlock the option to kick with this. Considering how many pitfalls and catwalks there are early in the game, having a double-ended lightsaber early on may radically change the way you approach each encounter.
And you can find many more codes here if you’re looking to add still more.
If all these codes still aren’t enough for you, we’ve got one more ace up the sleeve: Star Wars: Move Duels 2.
This mod takes you through the climactic fights of the prequel trilogy as well as several battles from the Force Unleashed series (including Starkiller as a playable character). So if you’ve ever wanted to play as Darth Maul against Qui-Gon on Tatooine or test your skill against Count Dooku or General Grievous, this mod makes it all happen and it uses lines directly from the films. Did we mention it’s also 100% free to download? Regardless of whether you like the story campaign of Jedi Academy, the lightsaber combat of this game makes playing these famous scenes extremely fun for any Star Wars fan.
Since Todd Howard’s big announcement at this year’s E3, Bethesda fans have been buzzing about the official announcement of an Elder Scrolls 6. The nature of Bethesda Softworks (and really any triple-A game company) is to be very hush-hush. As such, the information available to the general public about Elder Scrolls 6 is scant, consisting largely of guesswork and speculation. So we’ll give you the facts first, then dive into the most popular theories.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_yG2hBZMl0
So exactly how much do we know for certain? At this juncture, not a whole lot. In 2016, Bethesda outright claimed that they were not even working on the game. That much has been the company’s stance on the subject the past few years. “I could sit here and explain the game to you,” said Howard in a 2016 interview, “and you would say, ‘That sounds like you don’t even have the technology — how long is that going to take?’ And so it’s something that’s going to take a lot of time, what we have in mind for that game.”
At E3, Todd Howard explained that both of their newest projects, Fallout 76 and Starfield, were currently playable, while the new Elder Scrolls game was still in pre-production. Considering that Fallout 76 is scheduled to be released November 2018 and that Starfield’s release date has not yet been announced, we’re likely not going to be getting Elder Scrolls 6 until late 2019 at the very earliest. We’re disappointed, too.
While Bethesda continues to remain tight-lipped regarding where the game will take place, excited fans have already begun voraciously dissecting all they can from the announcement trailer. While nothing has been confirmed, there are several clues we can glean here.
First and foremost, the broad sweeping landscape shots pretty much confirm the expectation that this title will be another sprawling open world sandbox of a game, the genre that Bethesda Softworks is known for, particularly when it comes to the Elder Scrolls. The topography of the trailer has also lent some insight as to where the next installment might take place: The more stalwart fans excitedly point out the coastline in the distance and the crater that may be Azura’s Crossing, both of which hint that we may be in the High Rock or Hammerfell regions.
As little as is known about the game’s location, less still is known about the story, core gameplay or the RPG elements, but given how little time has passed since E3, we can only anticipate that more information will be made public as the year goes on and Bethesda draws closer to their release for the new Fallout and Starfield.
Considering Todd Howard’s deep appreciation for the growing community of actively modding fans, as well as the deliberate inclusion of modded content readily accessible for Skyrim: Special Edition on both the PC and Xbox 1, it seems safe to say that the game will certainly see plenty of modded content. Bethesda has even said the yet-to-be-released Fallout 76 will be moddable as well.
We, for one, are looking forward to a great many playthroughs of Elder Scrolls 6 with or without the addition of community mods (but mostly with them)!
Steam summer sale 2018: Our top 10 picks for under $10
If you’re looking for a fun, comedic multiplayer experience with a huge amount of gameplay variation and creative spell combinations, this is the game for you. Less than three dollars, now is a great time to give this game a chance. Since it was released back in 2011, there’s a ton of content and reviews readily available online if you want to check it out beforehand.
Immensely popular and extremely addicting, see what the hype is all about! Easy to pick up yet difficult to master, join up with a group of friends either online or via splitscreen and try your hand at this fast and furious propane-fueled take on soccer.
Practically every title in this franchise is on sale right now for under ten dollars. For veterans, this is a great time to snag any titles in this series that you haven’t gotten the chance to experience yet. For novices, there’s no time like the present to grab one or two of these games to see if it’s your cup of tea.
If you’re a fan of the Tomb Raider license (or even if you’re not), for under three dollars, this is an unforgettable experience. Play as Lara Croft as she goes on her first adventure to a mysterious island rife with danger and intrigue. Released in 2013, this game holds up surprisingly well in the gameplay and graphics departments, and features a great mix of combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving.
While EA’s Battlefront 2 had an infamously mixed response, the original Battlefront 2 from 2005 remains a gem of a shooter game. We should know. We’ve sunk well over 300 hours into this game. With its online capability recently restored, highly intuitive gameplay, multiple game modes, and full campaign, it’s a fantastic $4 investment. Did we mention it has mod support too?
With last year’s release of Shadow of War, anybody looking to get their feet wet before grabbing the game might consider buying Shadow of Mordor first. Though Shadow of War boasts many notable improvements to the formula, Shadow of Mordor introduces the nemesis system and open world gameplay that its sequel improves upon. For the price, this sale is a very economical way to test the waters of this popular series.
With Netherrealm and WB Games releasing their most recent additions to its Injustice 2 roster a few months back, players who are unfamiliar with the series might consider grabbing the prequel while it’s on sale. For less than the cost of lunch at McDonald’s, the Ultimate Edition of Injustice is a highly replayable game featuring a solid story, a large number of playable characters, and all the DLC costumes and characters. A must-have for any fan of Mortal Kombat and/or the DC universe.
Sid Meier’s Civ series is known for two things: addicting “one more turn” gameplay, and long matches. Those two elements combine to make Civ 5 one of the most engaging and in-depth real-time strategy games on the market, and it’s a title we keep coming back to when we want to really sink our teeth into a game. While the most recent Civ 6 is not priced quite so low yet, for under $8, Civ 5 should sate you and then some if you’re on a budget.
If you’re looking for hours of an excellent narrative story, solid stealth gameplay, tactical espionage, and player freedom that’s through the roof, it’s all here for less than ten dollars. Even if you are unfamiliar with the Metal Gear license, Hideo Kojima’s farewell to the franchise features some of his best work to date. Grab it now while it’s on sale!
It’s summer of 2018 and none of these games are fresh out of the oven by this point. But we can’t overstate the replayability or the charm of ANY title in this bundle. Featuring some of Valve’s best work, grabbing this while it’s a mere $2 is a STEAL, particularly if you haven’t experienced Portal’s excellent puzzles or Half-life’s superb level design and story-telling. Even if you have played them before, the Team Fortress 2 community is still going quite strong, and we guarantee hours of highly entertaining online competitive play. Just boot it up. We promise you’ll have fun.
Dungeons & Dragons defined the role-playing game as we know it today. The fantasy setting, character progression, and story-driven quests have delighted millions of players around the world, inspiring a host of movies, novels, and video games.
One of those games is Neverwinter: a story-driven, action MMORPG set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe. Unlike most MMORPGs, Neverwinter is entirely free to play, with no forced micro-transactions or subscription fees to complete the game’s many quests. With over 15 millions players already, it’s the perfect choice for novice and seasoned adventurers alike.
Neverwinter expands upon the rules laid out in the fourth edition of Dungeons & Dragons, picking up after the fall of the titular city as described in the first book in the Neverwinter Saga, Gauntlgrym. The evil Lich Queen Valindra wants to destroy Neverwinter forever, fomenting discord between the survivors that’s threatening to become all-out war. It’s up to you and your chosen companions to defeat Valindra and save Neverwinter from annihilation.
Neverwinter thrusts you into a massive world of over 35 questing zones, filled with bloodthirsty monsters, powerful bosses, and hordes of the undead. You’ll need the best team you can assemble from Neverwinter’s thirteen races and eight character classes. Should you be an Elven Wizard or a Dragonborn Rogue? Neverwinter lets you become the hero you’ve always wanted to be – just make sure you recruit a healer so your quest doesn’t end too soon.
Neverwinter’s gameplay engine is what you’d expect from a AAA MMORPG. The graphics are immersive, gameplay is fluid, and the action-RPG combat will get your palms sweaty. Every fight generates action points which you can use to perform special abilities, but you’ll need to be quick and accurate to take down your enemies – and don’t forget to bring lots of health potions.
Once you’ve thwarted Valindra’s plans for good, your journey certainly isn’t over. Neverwinter has an ever-growing number of free quests, campaigns, and dungeons. Campaigns are particularly fun, taking you to far-flung places where you’ll meet new characters and fight new enemies. Each campaign has a tree-like structure and to ascend you must complete each section in a specific order, whether that’s defeating a monster, recovering a special item, or clearing a dungeon.
Though unlikely, if questing every gets boring, you can create your own in Neverwinter’s Foundry. Community quests can be fun to do, though sometimes a tad frustrating – us gamers have a rather twisted sense of humour.
Neverwinter is available on PC, XBOX One, and PS4, making it one of the most accessible MMORPGs around. We’re awed by how much there is to do, and the developers seem committed to releasing new content in the future. While you can speed up your progress by buying gear, companions, or loot, you don’t have to, which is a pretty amazing boast for such a premium title.
If you’re a fan of Dungeons & Dragons, want a classic RPG with modern gameplay mechanics, or are simply bored with shooting games like Fortnite, give Neverwinter a try. You never know – you could be just the right kind of hero Neverwinter needs.
It’s a big moment for Niantic. Fire the confetti cannons: trading is here for Pokémon GO, and it promises to revolutionize mobile gameplay.
With this much-awaited update, Pokémon Trainers will be able to start using one of the game’s most iconic features. As you can imagine, it will now be possible to trade Pokémon with friends near you. What better opportunity to steal some regional Pokémon from your globe-trotting cousin when he returns from his trip around the world?
When trading your Pokémon, you’ll also be able to receive Candy and exclusive bonuses that will vary according to the capture distance of the two Pokémon exchanged.
Another important addition to the game is the Friends feature, which lets you connect with all your buddies and participate in Gym and Raid battles together. Specifically, you’ll now be able to send gifts to your friends to make them happy, and especially to increase your friendship level, allowing you to receive a slew of Raid and Gym battle bonuses and rewards for each level you pass.
As you can see, these two features may well change our way of playing Pokémon GO, which recently unveiled two new Shinies. To take advantage of Trading and Friends, you’ll have to wait a bit longer, specifically until the Pokémon GO Summer Tour kicks off June 30 at Safari Zone Dortmund in Germany.
