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Hitman 3 Best Sniper Rifles Revealed (All Hitman 3 Snipers Ranked)

Aaronnluke — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 21:02:49 +0000

The best thing about Hitman 3 is that, as the last installment of the World of Assassination trilogy, it’s a culmination of the two games before it. Not only that, Hitman 3 can also be seen as a culmination of every Hitman game ever released, taking the best parts from each game in the 20+ year-long franchise and creating something truly unique. And what would a Hitman game be without a sniper rifle?

Sniper rifles are staples when it comes to Hitman. They’re almost just as iconic as Agent 47 himself, because there’s nothing stealthier than taking a backseat approach and taking out your target from miles away. Almost every one of these rifles makes it a breeze to climb atop a radio tower and shoot your target and not spawn any suspicion. Emphasis on “almost,” as although Hitman has a great selection of sniper rifles, some of them are simply better than others.

So, climb up to your favorite vantage point and look down your scopes, because we’re about to inspect the best sniper rifles in Hitman 3. Maybe even enjoy the quiet tune of Ave Maria, if that rifle’s more your speed.

21. Bartoli Woodsman Hunting Rifle

The Bartoli Woodsman Hunting Rifle. Though it should have been better, every list needs its first entry

While all of the sniper rifles on this list could be called “hunting” rifles, none of them quite match that description like the Bartoli Woodsman Hunting Rifle does. The Bartoli is just that, a hunting rifle, but since it was made for hunting animals in the woods, it has none of the fancy perks a master assassin would need for the job. It has a good rate of fire, but with no zoom, suppression, and with little damage, it’s not worth all the effort to unlock.

Good rate of fire
No special perks
Not worth the effort to unlock

Perks: None

Unlocked by completing Mastery level 20 in Dartmoor.

20. Druzhina 34 DTI

The Druzhina 34 DTI - when complexity fails

The Druzhina 34 DTI is an all-around decent weapon. A common theme you’ll find with all of these lower-rated weapons is that none of them are bad. Each weapon on this list serves a purpose, but saying that doesn’t make it any easier to find the purpose of the Druzhina 34 DTI.

The DTI has great pierce, but that is the only good thing to say about this weapon. It has a slow fire rate and is very loud, meaning the only purpose this gun serves is being another random unlockable you might never use.

Great pierce
Slow fire rate
Very loud

Perks:

Piercing

Unlocked by completing Mastery level 15 in Mumbai.

19. Jaeger 7

The Jaeger 7 is a blank canvas anyone could enjoy

The Jaeger 7 is kind of a blank canvas. There’s nothing wrong with it, but as the basis of so many other great sniper rifles, there isn’t much of a reason to stick with this one. It’s a great sniper to start out and learn the basics with, especially since it’s one of the easiest to unlock. It has the scout perk, meaning it’s easy to aim with, and it has a faster than average rate of fire, but since it’s also kind of weak, it doesn’t hold its own when compared to the other guns on this list.

Good weapon to learn with
Fast rate of fire
Weak damage

Perks:

Scout

Unlocked by completing Mastery level 5 in Paris.

18. Druzhina 34

The Druzhina 34 is a big step up, but there's still a long stairwell to climb

The Druzhina 34 is another weapon that is not bad by any means and is a great step up from its sibling weapon, the aforementioned DTI. The Druzhina 34 has great pierce, being able to kill two NPCs with one shot, an extended magazine and a great scope. Why is it so low on the list, then?

The Druzhina 34 has terrible recoil, meaning it can be annoying to use at times. Along with its slow rate of fire and how loud it is, this gun isn’t all that worth it to use, especially with how difficult it is to unlock. At least it’s better than its brother.

Great pierce
Difficult to unlock
Very loud

Perks:

Extended Magazine
Piercing

Unlocked by completing Mastery level 20 in Mumbai.

17. Jaeger 7 “Tiger”

The Jaeger 7 "Tiger." My favorite thing about this weapon is the design, which doesn't go very far

The Jaeger 7 “Tiger” is a variant of the Jaeger 7, and although it’s better than the standard Jaeger, it’s not by a lot. There’s a lot of good to be said about the “Tiger,” like its extended magazine and how it has one of the highest rates of fire out of any sniper rifle in the game, but there’s some bad, too. It’s loud, so if you’re shooting from the wrong spot the whole map could be after you. Not to mention that its terrible recoil makes it annoying to use at times. However, I like the tiger skin pattern.

High rate of fire
Interesting gun skin
Terrible recoil

Perks:

Extended Magazine
Rate of Fire

Unlocked by completing level 15 Mastery in Bangkok

16. Jaeger 7 Lancer

The Jaeger 7 Lancer. You can't go wrong with this one

Coming in with another variant of the Jaeger 7, the Jaeger 7 Lancer is a combination of the best parts of the standard version and the “Tiger.” Well, it doesn’t have the cool tiger pattern, but I digress. The Lancer is the first in what I call the “medium” category of guns that all have the blueprints of the greater weapons but just fall short for simple reasons. The Lancer can be a little difficult to unlock, but I would say this is the first gun on the list that is worth the effort.

The Lancer has good piercing, a great scope with various levels of zoom, and marksman. Like I said – blueprints. But here’s the simple reason why it falls short: the Lancer is loud. It has a standard rate of fire, but again, it lacks the silencer perks that make the latter weapons so great.

Great scope
Standard rate of fire
Loud

Perks:

Piercing
Marksman
Variable Scope

Unlocked by completing Mastery level 20 in Sapienza.

15. Sieger 300 Viper

The Sieger 300 Viper is one in a set of twins

The Sieger 300 Viper is a variant of the Sieger 300, a sniper we will mention in a minute. It is basically the same gun as its sibling weapon, with only minor differences. It’s a silenced rifle with a great scope that you can rely on to always pull through, but every gun ahead of it has those same qualities and more. The only reason the Viper is below its sibling is because it’s harder to unlock, and since it’s the same as the Sieger 300, which is easier to unlock, it just makes it less useful.

Great scope
Reliable
Silenced

Perks:

Versatile Scope
Suppressor
Marksman

Unlocked by completing Mastery level 20 in Mendoza.

14. Sieger 300

The Sieger 300 is the Viper's identical half

The Sieger 300 is like the Jaeger 7 in that it serves as the basis for many different weapons; but if the Jaeger 7 is a blank canvas, the Sieger 300 is painting that’s halfway finished. There’s still work to be done, but this weapon already has its own set of perks that make it worthwhile. Along with a variable scope, the Sieger 300 has a suppressor that silences each shot. The only reason that this weapon sits where it does is because it still falls short of the rest of the weapons on this list.

Silenced
Great base weapon
Great scope

Perks:

Versatile Scope
Suppressor
Marksman

Unlocked by completing Mastery level 15 in Colorado.

13. Sieger 300 Tactical

The Sieger 300 Tactical is one member of a pretty amazing family

The Sieger 300 Tactical is a variant of the Sieger 300 and is only a tiny bit better than its predecessor. The two guns are very similar, having the same perks and uses, but the Tactical has advanced accuracy. Not to mention it’s also a little bit easier to unlock. Though, at the end of the day, determining which gun is better than which is up to preference, as both serve exactly the same purpose.

Easy to unlock
Silenced
Good accuracy

Perks:

Versatile Scope
Suppressor
Marksman

Unlocked by completing Mastery level 10 in Isle of Sgáil.

12. The Golden Dragon

The Golden Dragon is such a pretty and interesting weapon

The Golden Dragon is one of the most interesting looking weapons on this list. Its description says it’s a custom Bartoli Woodsman Hunting Rifle, meaning it has the best qualities of the standard Bartoli but with its own Chinese-inspired style, complete with a golden dragon on the barrel. But looks aren’t everything when it comes to a sniper rifle

The Golden Dragon is quiet, with a great scope, and a beautiful design. However, it doesn’t have very good pierce, despite having the piercing perk. Although there is a lot of good to be said about this gun, it’s still just not as great as the others.

Beautiful design
Great scope
Silenced

Perks:

Piercing
Variable Scope
Marksman
Suppressor

Unlocked by completing all escalation levels of the Lee Hong Derivation.

11. The Majestic

The Majestic is another beautiful weapon I just adore

The Majestic is another original looking gun, like The Golden Dragon. However, that is not the only similarity. The Majestic and The Golden Dragon are practically the same gun in use, with both of them having Bartoli bases and having the same scope and suppression perks. That makes The Majestic a great gun, because its fraternal twin is a great gun, but if they’re the same, there’s the argument to be made of why this one is better. Honestly, it’s a matter of personal preference, but because I prefer the silver peacock detailing, The Majestic gets its spot at #11.

Better design
Silenced
Great scope

Perks:

Piercing
Variable Scope
Marksman
Suppressor

Unlocked by completing the Pride Profusion escalation.

10. Jaeger 7 Tuatara

The Jaeger 7 Tuatara is a sleek weapon with with no faults

The Jaeger 7 Tuatara is another variant of the Jaeger 7. It’s another solid sniper rifle capable of doing almost anything you would want it to do. It’s silenced but still packs a punch with the piercing perk. The scope is great, so this is one of the best Jaeger 7s you can use. The Tuarata is a very trustworthy weapon.

Trustworthy
Silenced
Great scope

Perks:

Piercing
Marksman
Suppressor
Versatile Scope

Unlocked by completing Mastery level 20 in Haven Island.

9. Druzhina 34 ICA Arctic

The Druzhina 34 Arctic is another weapon with a design I just love

The Druzhina 34 ICA Arctic is a variant of the Druzhina 34. It’s an arctic variant, hints the name, with a white design which looks like it has been exposed to wind and snow. The gun is a huge step forward for the Druzhina 34 line, which lacked in every aspect, and stands firmly as a solid weapon with a great scope and pierce. It’s basically the same as the Jaeger 7 Tuatara, with the same perks and uses. However, when it comes to preference, the Druzhina Arctic has a more appealing look.

Appealing design
Great scope
Trustworthy

Perks:

Piercing
Marksman
Suppressor
Versatile Scope

Unlocked by completing Mastery level 20 in Siberia.

8. ICA Woodsman Hunting Rifle Covert

The ICA Woodsman Hunting Rifle Covert is a huge step up from its varient weapon

Now this is a real hunting rifle. The ICA Woodsman Hunting Rifle Covert is a pretty long name for a gun that doesn’t need that big of an introduction. The Bartoli Covert is a variant of the Bartoli Woodsman Hunting Rifle, a simple hunting rifle unlocked in Dartmoor. The newer version, the Covert, is everything that gun could have been and so much more.

The Bartoli Covert is a great weapon. It’s silenced, with great piercing, and a much better scope than its predecessor. It has a fast rate of fire too, so really, there are only good things to say about this gun. This is a hunting rifle a hitman would use, but then again, what Agent 47 does requires more than just a hunting rifle.

Silenced
Great scope
Huge improvement from its counterpart

Perks:

Piercing
Suppressor
Marksman
Variable Scope

Unlocked by completing 17 Sniper Assassin challenges.

7. Jaeger 7 Green Eye

The Jaeger 7 Green Eye is the representation of envy, so it may be okay to be a little jealous of this one

The Jaeger 7 Green Eye is another variant of the Jaeger 7 and one of the best there is. It has some of the best perks out of all the Jaeger 7s, and I really like the green accents. It feels a little weird complimenting the looks of a gun that is supposed to represent envy, but here we are.

The Green Eye has an amazing scope with various levels of zoom, along with being silenced and with good pierce. There isn’t much more to say about the Green Eye. It’s an all-around great weapon that stands tall with the elites of this list.

Amazing scope
All-around great weapon
Interesting green accents

Perks:

Piercing
Marksman
Suppressor
Versatile Scope

Unlocked by completing The Envy Convention in the 7 Deadly Sins DLC.

6. Jaeger 7 Covert

The Jaeger 7 Covert is another sleek weapon you can't go wrong with

The Jaeger 7 Covert is another variant of the Jaeger 7 and is a great step in the right direction for the Jaeger 7. The Covert is a trustworthy weapon and has one of the best perks in the game, subsonic. That, coupled with the suppressor perk, makes this weapon practically silent. It also has a fast fire rate and good recoil, so the Jaeger 7 Covert is a solid option for when choosing a sniper rifle. Not to mention that it’s very easy to unlock.

Solid weapon
Practically silent
Fast rate of fire

Perks:

Subsonic
Suppressor
Scout

Unlocked by completing the “Who’s Sniping Who?” challenge in Berlin.

5. Sieger 300 Advanced

Now were truly stepping into greatness with the Sieger 300 Advanced

The Sieger 300 Advanced is one of the best variants of the Sieger 300. This gun may not be as good as the last few on this list, but there’s one thing about this weapon that sets it apart from the rest: an interesting detail and callback that makes this gun fun to use.

The Sieger 300 Advanced has a good scope and silencer, but my favorite thing about it is that, when looking down the scope, it plays the tune of “Ave Maria,” a callback to the earlier Hitman games. It’s such a fun easter egg that fuels most players with nostalgia. Though nostalgia isn’t enough to make this gun number 1.

Good scope
Plays “Ave Maria” when looking down scope
Drives nostalgia

Perks:

Suppressor
Marksman
Variable Scope

Unlocked by completing Mastery level 20 in Hokkaido.

4. White Sieger 300

The White Sieger 300 may not be too different from the next few guns, but it has some amazing qualities

Now, you might notice a common theme with three of these next four weapons. The White Sieger 300 is an arctic variant of the Sieger 300, but what makes it so good is that it’s a reskin of its sibling gun, the Sieger 300 Ghost. No spoilers, but you might see where this is going.

The White Sieger 300 is an amazing weapon. It has an amazing scope and, with the subsonic and suppressor perks, it’s practically silent. It can do everything you want it to do. And the arctic look of this gun is interesting and fits in with the level it can be unlocked in. The only reason this gun isn’t higher is because it’s more difficult to unlock than its sibling.

Amazing scope
Practically silent
Interesting arctic theme

Perks:

Extended Scope
Suppressor
Subsonic
Marksman

Unlocked by completing the Proloff Parable escalation in the Carpathian Mountains.

3. The White Ruby Rude 300 Sniper Rifle

The White Ruby Rude 300 Sniper Rifle is one of my absolute favorite weapons in Hitman 3

Man, and I thought the Bartoli Covert had a long name. The White Ruby Rude 300 Sniper Rifle is a variant of the Sieger 300 and is basically the same as the White Sieger 300 and the Sieger 300 Ghost, which is why it is placed so high. I don’t think I need to go into so much detail into why it’s so good.

The Rudy Rude is my go-to weapon. Not because it’s better than the last two on this list, but because I like the interesting colors and design. It’s perfectly paired with a certain jumpsuit that Agent 47 can wear as well. The Ruby Rude is an outstanding weapon, but it can’t beat the original.

Great design
Amazing scope
Practically silent

Perks:

Extended Scope
Suppressor
Subsonic
Marksman

Unlocked by completing either The Faux Pas, The Entrepreneurs, or the Clichés missions in the Elusive Target Arcade.

2. Hackl Leviathan Sniper Rifle Covert

The Hackl Leviathan Sniper Rifle Covert is one of the best guns in Hitman

Now, for our runner up we have the Hackl Leviathan Sniper Rifle Covert, an amazing gun that really deserves its spot at number 2. The Leviathan just looks like an amazing gun, and is the sniper rifle with the most amount of perks in the game. There’s nothing it can’t do.

The Leviathan has a whopping 5 perks. It has an amazing scope, great piercing, and is practically silent with the subsonic and suppressor perks. It’s all around an amazing weapon. The only reason the Leviathan isn’t in first place is because it’s slower than the gun in the number one spot. It’s still one of the best weapons in the game, but I think most people know what’s coming next.

Amazing scope
Great Pierce
Practically silent

Perks:

Subsonic
Suppressor
Extended Scope
Piercing
Marksman

Unlocked by completing Mastery level 20 in Chongqing.

1. Sieger 300 Ghost

Lastly, the Sieger 300 Ghost is a gun that is well-known for being the best sniper in the game

And to no one’s surprise, the Sieger 300 Ghost takes its spot as the best sniper rifle in Hitman 3. The Ghost is the best variant of the Sieger 300, and deserves its great reputation. I’ve mentioned the Ghost in earlier entries, as the Arctic and Rude Ruby are basically the same, but you can never beat the original.

The Ghost takes everything good about the guns before it and strips the bad, leaving nothing but it an amazing weapon. It has an amazing scope, great Pierce, and is silenced. Also, it shoots faster than the Leviathan, which is honestly the only reason why it’s above it. You can’t go wrong with the Ghost.

Amazing scope
Silenced
A great culmination of all the rifles before it

Perks:

Suppressor
Subsonic
Marksman
Extended Scope

Unlocked by completing the Cheyevo Calibration Marrakesh.

Sniper rifles have been a staple of the Hitman series since the introduction of Hitman: Codename 47. So, it makes sense that the last game in the series would have so many of these iconic weapons. And though not all of them are equal in greatness, I hope this list can show you which ones are truly worth the time and effort..

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Main Image caption:

Hitman 3 has the largest array of sniper rifles in the entire franchise, so it's about time we ranked them all.

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[Guide] Yakuza Kiwami Best Fighting Style - What To Choose

RedBaron_97 — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 04:22:40 +0000

Hey, y’all! We’re here today with a guide on how to best utilize Yakuza Kiwami’s Fighting Mechanic i.e. the Styles!

Introduced in Yakuza 0, this was a revolutionary way to diversify your average Yakuza playthrough, giving you a chance to execute those perfect combos, cancels and style switching at the same time. Since Majima was also playable, it was open to 8 styles of playthrough. Now that Yakuza Kiwami is Kiryu focused, we’re down to 4 styles namely:- Brawler, Rush, Beast and Dragon.

One thing to be noted is that to upgrade these styles, you need experience points in this game compared to money in Yakuza 0. So, gather around, kyoudai! Time to enlighten you new players and veterans alike on how to make the best use of these styles!

4. Brawler Style

“KIRYU CHA-“ Majima’s Last words before getting beaten to a pulp.

First off on the list, we have the Brawler style which is Kiryu’s basic style after you finish the prologue and ACTUALLY start the game. Also one of the starting of the three styles

This one’s the rough-and-tumble fighting style focused on the general beating and pounding of enemies with balanced speed and power. You can say it’s the “poor man’s Dragon style”. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great style and sure to be one of the most powerful when you max out this variation!

One weakness this style does have is that it’s considerably slower than the Rush and Dragon styles but adequately faster than the Beast style. BUT it can be used for generating Heat with your combos and executing those epic Heat Actions!

What’s good about Brawler Style:

Balance of speed and power makes for perfect combos against enemies.
Eventual combos lead to Heat generation which in turn gives more Heat Actions.
Being drunk gives you an edge in this style as you get no physical damage when in Brawler style.
Resolute Counter is a brawler-exclusive ability where you get to hit back at enemies hitting you unexpectedly.
Heat Actions with not just fists but accompanied objects as well. Weapon items count too.

Choose Brawler Style if:

If you want those sweet Heat Action finishers to be used on enemies.
If you want to break up a group of enemies.
If you want to gang up against a single enemy.

3. Rush Style

OOF! That’s gotta hurt.

Up next, we have the Rush Style, also known as Kiryu’s “Speed” Style, another one of the three styles that you’re wholly familiar with if you’ve played Yakuza 0.

It’s in this style that Kiryu can either run towards an area safe from the onslaught of the incoming enemy damages or do multiple quicksteps and do some counter dodging. If you’re in a long sequence boss fight, which is the tradition of Yakuza games, you can use this to move much faster and get to the destined waypoint via this method.

There are, however, downsides to this Style. It’s got increased speed but the damage it does is ridiculously low. Apart from that, you can’t properly guard from attacks but instead you can “weave” your way out of it. Quicksteps have been increased but they reduce your Heat with it.C

What’s good about Rush Style:

Increased Speed gives chance to manoeuvre out of enemy attacks.
Barrage of combos makes stunning enemies easier.
An increased amount of quick steps for better evasion.
Can get behind boss/enemy backsides for maximum damage.
Chances of enemies hitting you become slim to none.

Choose Rush Style if:

If you want to stun enemies constantly and slide away like a snake.
If you want to land barrages on a single enemy or boss without taking damage.
If you want increased movement and mobility.

2. Beast Style

“WATCH OUT WATCH OUT WATCH OUT! BOOM! R.K.O.!”

Next, we have the Beast Style, also known as Kiryu’s “Power” Style and the last of the three styles you’re wholly familiar with if you’ve played Yakuza 0.

Compared to the previous two styles, this one has MORE Power and attack damage and it absolutely shines during random encounters in the streets of Kamurocho. It also utilizes any lying objects or weapons mid-combat without having the need to pick them up, making it all the more versatile! The “Resist Guard” ability, exclusive to the Beast Style, has Kiryu take reduced damage from everyone without faltering and gives the opportunity to break those mobs apart!

Since Beast Style has more power, it has VERY LESS mobility and moving from one place to another is a drag in itself. It has no quickstep but instead an evasive roll which makes Kiryu susceptible to further damage.

What’s good about Beast Style:

Utilization of nearby objects mid-combat without having the need to pick it up via the button prompt.
Massive damage is given to enemies making for quick battles.
“Resist Guard” lets you stand tall without having to falter.
Awesome for breaking away mobs of enemies which can cause trouble later on.
Heat Actions with this Style can cause massive damage to enemies as well as bosses, making for useful tactics.

Choose Beast Style if:

If you’re in an open space with objects lying around to be used as weapons against enemies.
If you have multiple enemies to face.
If you want to deliver the maximum amount of damage with brute force.

1. Dragon of Dojima Style

What happens when Kiryu is totally done with Majima? This.

And now, we have the famed Dragon of Dojima style! Kiryu’s signature fighting style from the original Yakuza series all the way till now.

This style is the culmination of all the three above Fighting Styles with greater speed, power and precision. If you remember playing Yakuza 0, you unlock this style by playing through the Kamurocho Real Estate Royale and you get all the moves for it. It’s great for those epic beatdowns and Heat Action animations.

Here’s the annoying part, for the sake of playing and upgrading the Style, IT’S BEEN NERFED DOWN AND YOU HAVE TO FIGHT MAJIMA TO GET THE WHOLE STYLE BACK! 10 Years in the joint … has made Kiryu a numbskull and he’s forgotten this style as a whole. But once upgraded, it is so worth it.

What’s good about Dragon Style:

High attack power with over-the-top counters makes Kiryu a formidable force to deal with.
Simple combos will give devastating damage once fully upgraded.
Cool and Satisfying Heat Action animations for the player to see.
Weapons would give special damage like with the Pummeling Bat and Demonfire Dagger combined when unlocked Essence of Mad Dog: Demon.
Tiger Drop. Enough said.

Choose Dragon of Dojima Style if:

If you want to one-shot enemies around you with the Tiger Drop.
If you want to feel overpowered by unlocking all skill trees of this Style.
If you want to utilize your parry skills.

And with that, we conclude our best fighting styles list for Yakuza Kiwami! I really hope it helped you. That’s about it. See ya.

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Main Image caption:

Behold! The Four Styles of Kazuma Kiryu.

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[Top 15] Yakuza Kiwami Best Weapons From Early To Late Game (And How To Get Them)

RedBaron_97 — Mon, 16 Jan 2023 16:00:18 +0000

Hey everyone! It’s me, back again with another list! Today we’ll be looking at the best weapons from Yakuza Kiwami which can be attained in early, mid and late game as well.

As you all may know by now, Kiryu always stumbles upon enemies, whether he’s taking a stroll, going to do assignments, or just standing there minding his own business. The goons in Kamurocho just don’t know when to quit. These weapons are sure to help repel some of these bugs in your way rather quickly!

So let’s get this started, shall we?

15. Gentleman's Umbrella (Early)

This reminds me of when my Mama grabbed one of these umbrellas.

First on the list, we have the Gentleman’s Umbrella. Great for some ass-whooping. Especially in early game.

You can get this weapon in two ways. The first is you can buy this from Don Quijote at Nakamichi Street for ¥5200 a piece, and the second you can find the E-1 Locker Key at Taihei Boulevard next to the Millennium Tower where you can get this umbrella as a reward.

As the Yakuza series is famous for its over-the-top action animations with the weapons, you can equip this weapon and use it in Heat Action to full maximum effect of the weapon. I would advise using this weapon in heat actions only as it counts as 1 use, so it’s better to fill up that Heat bar and use it when full.

What makes Gentleman’s Umbrella a good weapon:

Can be purchased any time from the Don Quijote store at Nakamichi Street.
Does a considerable amount of damage to enemies.
One of the best early weapons in-game with callbacks to previous entries in the franchise.

Gentleman’s Umbrella full details:

Attack: 96
Durability: 15

How to get Gentleman’s Umbrella: Purchase the weapon at Don Quijote for ¥5200 a piece or get the key to E-1 Taihei Boulevard Locker.

14. Steel Knuckles (Early)

… And there are moments where Kiryu can get very awkward at times.

Up next, we have the Steel Knuckles which can be obtained by completing “The Yakuza’s Apprentice III” substory in-game.

If there’s one thing the Yakuza games are famous for, other than the beat ‘em up action, is the side content it provides. Especially the substories where you can get items and weapons upon completing them. The photo above is taken from one of the substories where you get the “Steel Knuckles” upon completing the 4 parts of it.

This substory can be accessed in Chapter 4 which makes it good enough for a jump start against enemies! As described above, use it during Heat Actions for more damage and cool animation.

What makes Steel Knuckles a good weapon:

Attained for free by completing a substory.
Sufficient damage is given to enemies.
Free money and Experience accompanied with the weapon by completing the substory.

Steel Knuckles full details:

Attack: 90
Durability: 24

How to get Steel Knuckles: Complete “The Yakuza’s Apprentice III” substory.

13. Golden Blackjack (Early)

As you can see, one of the lockers contains the Golden Blackjack. A very useful weapon.

Next, we have the Golden Blackjack which can be obtained by opening the F1 Locker. That’s about it. Serious.

This may seem like an unconventional weapon but trust me when I say that it WILL help you throughout the whole game. As explained in the above line, just find the F1 Locker Key which is located in front of MEB, use it and voila, you’re good to go.

The great thing about this weapon is that you can “Knockback” enemies with it and gain additional XP with it! Perfect for grinding early game and becoming OP in your own right.

What makes Golden Blackjack a good weapon:

Additional XP is gained after fights; making for quick upgrades.
Perfect chance to knock out enemies in a quicker time.
High Attack damage, making for a good early-game weapon.

Golden Blackjack full details:

Attack: 180
Durability: 16

How to get Golden Blackjack: Get the key for F1 Locker at Taihei Boulevard.

12. Masterwork Dagger (Early)

That’s about the only photo I could find regarding the dagger… and the sidequest as well.

And now, we have the Masterwork Dagger which can be attained by completing the substory “The Yakuza’s Apprentice IV”. Don’t worry, this is the last part of The Yakuza’s Apprentice substory series since there are 4 in total.

If you’re a player like me who does side-quests first, or in this case, substories and other side activities, alongside the missions then you’ll definitely enjoy this particular substory series. It doesn’t have much durability but it makes up for the attack damage that it gives.

Oh, and it has one of the highest damages in the early weapons category, so there’s that too.

What makes Masterwork Dagger a good weapon:

Perfect chance to knock out enemies in a quicker time.
Daggers make for amazing Heat Actions.
High Attack damage, making for a good early-game weapon.

Masterwork Dagger full details:

Attack: 220
Durability: 14

How to get Masterwork Dagger: Complete the substory “The Yakuza’s Apprentice IV”.

11. Marlin Cannon (Early)

So, yeah. It’s a cannon alright …. But shaped like a fish.

Marlin Cannon is next on the list, and veteran Yakuza players would definitely recognize this weapon from the get-go.

Here’s the thing regarding this weapon, it’s not part of a reward from the substory and it’s definitely NOT part of a chapter completion reward either. It’s part of the free DLC given away by the developers of the game. (A rare sight in today’s gaming landscape as well.)

To get this DLC item, you need to talk to Bob Utsunomiya (the green afro-haired joker guy in a white suit). Since it’s a free update, you’ll get it for free. (Duh.) It doesn’t have much ammo but what it does have is INFINITE durability. You can whack those enemies all you want. Perfect for an early jump-start.

What makes Marlin Cannon a good weapon:

Infinite durability makes it usable for melee as well.
Perfect chance to knock out enemies in a quicker time.
High Attack damage, making for a good early-game weapon.

Marlin Cannon full details:

Attack: 100
Durability: ∞
Ammo: 7

How to get Marlin Cannon: Talk to Bob Utsunomiya at Tenkaichi Street Entrance to receive this item.

10. Double Feathered Fans (Middle)

This substory is a great callback to Yakuza 0 in general.

The Double Feathered Fans make a good addition to the list and for good reason. You can get this weapon by completing the substory “Memories of the Bubble”.

One thing about this weapon and this substory as a whole is that it is a callback to the Bubble Economy Era of Japan i.e. 1988 which is the main setting for the prequel of this game, Yakuza 0. Everything from the costume, weapon and even the dialogues recalling the events of that time brings back memories for Kiryu and veteran Yakuza fans. (Newbies can count too since 0 is the gateway game for most Yakuza fans.)

Apart from all the nostalgic value, it’s got great damage like the rest. To access this substory, you need to go to Debolah. I accessed this area mid-game so the quest and weapon reward from this game didn’t hamper my progress at all. Oh, it’s got the ability to Stun enemies too.

What makes Double Feathered Fans a great weapon:

Stuns enemies providing an edge during combat.
Perfect chance to knock out enemies in a quicker time.
Considerably high damage even during mid-game.

Double Feathered Fans full details:

Attack: 216
Durability: 20
Stun effect on enemies

How to get Double Feathered Fans: Complete Substory “Memories of the Bubble”

9. Patriarch’s Driver (Middle)

So, no photo of the weapon. A Coliseum will do, considering that you get the weapon from there.

Moving up, we have the Patriarch’s Driver which can be attained from the Coliseum if you have enough yen for it.

The reason why I’ve placed this in mid-game category is that you need to have your level high enough to beat tough opponents coming in the bouts and in mid-game (around Chapter 11. I know, it’s a bit late in the game but you’ll know why later), you have considerable XP to get new abilities. Or if you’re lucky, when fighting Majima in the Majima Everywhere system, you may get this weapon as a drop from him.

Just grind your way through the matches, collect enough money and voila, you’ll get the bat. Now, whip those goons to shape with it.

What makes Patriarch’s Driver a great weapon:

Perfect chance to knock out enemies in a quicker time.
Considerably high damage even during mid-game.
Cool Heat Action animations

Patriarch’s Driver full details:

Attack: 195
Durability: 22

How to get Patriarch’s Driver: Fight matches in Coliseum or as an item drop in hidden Majima battles in Majima Everywhere.

8. Baiken (Middle)

That’s the secret shop within the Beam DVD store where you’ll get the weapon. And many more.

Baiken’s next in the list which you can get after unlocking the Nunchaku Mastery skill in the Dragon of Dojima style by reaching Rank S in Majima Everywhere.

It’s probably the most expensive Nunchaku in the already expensive secret weapons store for ¥990,000 BUT it’s worth the price if you’re mid-game and save up a lot of money like me during walkthroughs.

High attack damage along with “Staggering” effect on enemies makes for a great weapon. Oh, and it may comein handy during Legend difficulty.

What makes Baiken a great weapon:

Staggering effect on enemies gives you an edge during combat.
Perfect chance to knock out enemies in a quicker time.
High Attack damage even during mid-game weapon.

Baiken full details:

Attack: 340
Durability: 20

How to get Baiken: Available for purchase in Beam after attaining Nunchaku and Tonfa mastery skill in Dragon of Dojima style.

7. Dragon Grudge Fists (Middle)

Just Kiryu setting up goons straight with his Brawler style.

Probably the second most powerful knuckles in the list which can be attained after finishing the Coliseum along with other weapons.

One of the longest durability weapons, this knuckle set can set goons straight in a quick manner of time. To get this, just finish the Coliseum matches and you’ll get the option to buy this weapon for the required points at the coliseum.

What makes Dragon Grudge Fists a great weapon:

Cool Heat Action Animations
Perfect chance to knock out enemies in a quicker time.
High attack and durability make for a good weapon choice mid-game.

Dragon Grudge Fist full details:

Attack: 285
Durability: 32

How to get Dragon Grudge Fists: Finish Coliseum matches and buy it off for the required points.

6. Tiger Bagh Nanka (Middle)

Well, being OP does have its advantages.

The strongest knuckle set in the weapons makes its way to the list! And you can get this in the same method as above.

What gives an edge over all the knuckles is that it’s got the highest Attack damage and a “Staggering” effect on the enemy. It doesn’t have much durability though but the attacks make up for it! Especially if you use it during Heat Action.

What makes Tiger Bagh Naka a great weapon:

“Staggering” effect on enemies provides an edge in battle.
Perfect chance to knock out enemies in a quicker time.
Very High Attack damage, making for a good mid-game weapon.

Tiger Bagh Naka full details:

Attack: 300
Durability: 20

How to get Tiger Bagh Naka: Finish Coliseum matches and buy it off for the required points.

5. Yinglong Tonfa (Late)

FINALLY! A photo with the required weapon in use.

And we’ve moved up to the late-game weapons which are DEFINITELY worth the grind. Starting with the Yinglong Tonfa.

If you’ve played Yakuza 0, you may remember Jun Oda from Tachibana Real Estate, well, that guy had a Tonfa for a weapon. And BOY did it hit hard!

The same can be said of this weapon as well. Just simply gather the required CP (which will be at the end of the game, considering you require 10 CP AFTER spending 25 CP on the previous four weapons from the clown guy Bob Utsunomiya. Oh, and you need Tonfa and Nunchaku Mastery unlocked for this as well.

What makes Yinglong Tonfa a superb weapon:

Cool Heat Action animations
Perfect chance to knock out enemies in a quicker time.
High damage and durability of the weapon; fit for use against higher level and more difficult enemies as well.

Yinglong Tonfa full details:

Attack: 270
Durability: 28

How to get Yinglong Tonfa: 10 CP Points required after spending 25 CP on the previous four weapons while unlocking Nunchaku and Tonfa mastery skill in Dragon of Dojima style.

4. MJM56-55 Exorcist (Late)

Jingu finally gets a taste of being unfair in a fight.

Unexpectedly, next on the list we have the MJM56-55 Exorcist Shotgun with killer damage and ammo in the shotguns category!

The weird thing about this weapon is that it costs ¥1,555,500 AND is only available from the secret weapons shop during the finale before you get to fight Jingu and your kyoudai, Akira Nishikiyama.

But the damage and ammo capacity makes it worth the cheesing of these bosses! Especially Jingu in Legend difficulty. Works on other goons too.

What makes MJM56-55 Exorcist a superb weapon:

Cool Heat Action Animations.
Perfect chance to knock out enemies in a quicker time.
Very High Attack damage makes it ideal for cheesing bosses.

MJM56-55 Exorcist full details:

Attack: 250
Ammo: 21

How to get MJM56-55 Exorcist: Reach the finale and buy it from the secret weapons shop in Beam for ¥1,555,500.

3. Golden Pistol (Late)

Ah, the ever-popular Golden Pistol. One of the few weapons with Infinite Durability.

On the third entry, we have the Golden Pistol! A fan-favourite, this pistol is used for almost every single encounter in late-game! Or in Legend difficulty too.

You get this weapon as the final CP reward from Bob Utsunomiya AFTER collecting all the CP Reward weapons from him.

There’s no explanation required for this weapon, it’s got infinite ammo making it the ideal weapon to cheese bosses and anyone coming your way. It’s got only 50 damage though but shooting constantly at the enemies makes it up for it!

What makes Golden Pistol a superb weapon:

Infinite Ammo provides an edge during the combat segments
Perfect chance to knock out enemies in a quicker time.
Cool Heat Actions accompanied by the weapon make it a sight to behold.

Golden Pistol full details:

Attack: 180
Ammo: ∞

How to get Golden Pistol: Buy the weapon for 30 CP points from Bob Utsunomiya AFTER purchasing ALL the previous weapons for the required CP.

2. Pummeling Bat (Late)

Slugger Majima’s iconic baseball bat is now in the hands of the Dragon of Dojima.

On #2, we have the Mad Dog of Shimano’s iconic baseball bat, the pummelling bat available after getting Rank SSS in Majima Everywhere.

It doesn’t have much damage. I mean, 20. WHAT KIND OF DAMAGE DOES THIS BAT GIVE!? But ir makes it up for the infinite durability and wacky woo-hoo action that you can perform on enemies as well as cheesing bosses.

To get this, you need to reach Rank SSS in Majima Everywhere system which is very tedious to do during grinding but definitely worth the time.

What makes Pummelling Bat a superb weapon:

Infinite Durability makes it perfect for cheesing bosses.
Perfect chance to knock out enemies in a quicker time.
Cool Heat Action animations.

Pummelling Bat full details:

Attack: 20
Durability: ∞

How to get Pummelling Bat: Reach Rank SSS in Majima Everywhere system.

1. Demonfire Dagger (Late)

In an alternate universe where Kiryu is known as the Mad Dog of Dojima and Majima known as the Dragon of Shimano.

And on the top of the list, we have the fan-favourite Demonfire Dagger, Majima’s iconic tanto or knife!

This knife is attained only by completing the Majima Everywhere system by defeating Majima once and for all after reaching the highest rank and getting ALL the upgrades for this fight.

It is DEFINITELY worth the top spot considering it’s one of the few weapons with infinite durability and some epic Heat Action animations. ALSO, you can combine its use with the Pummelling Bat as well!

What makes Demonfire Dagger a superb weapon:

Can be used with Pummelling Bat for dual damage.
Perfect endgame weapon.
Amazing Heat Action animations.

Demonfire Dagger full details:

Attack: 30
Durability: ∞

How to get Demonfire Dagger: Complete the Majima Everywhere system.

And with that, we conclude our best weapons list for Yakuza Kiwami! I really hope it helped you. That’s about it. See ya.

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Main Image caption:

If there’s one thing everyone needs to know, it’s that you don’t mess with the Dragon of Dojima. At All.

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[Top 5] The Last of Us Best Weapon Upgrades (And How To Get Them)

milkpaper — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 15:02:20 +0000

Although The Last of Us is known for its tear-jerking storytelling and immersive gameplay, it’s also a game that challenges even the most proficient of gamers, especially at higher levels such as Grounded and Survivor modes.

Weapon upgrades are an important part of TLOU’s gameplay and can be acquired through finding weapon parts and toolboxes throughout the game at workbenches dotted along Joel and Ellie’s route:

Source: IGN

To help you out in your battles against the infected, we’ve put together a guide to the weapon upgrades you should prioritise in your playthrough of The Last of Us.

5. 9mm Pistol - Reload Speed

Joel’s trusty 9mm pistol, acquired right at the beginning of the game in Boston, whilst simple, proves to be one of the most effective weapons in the game. Besides having some of the most easily available ammunition in the game, even in harder modes, the 9mm becomes one of the more powerful weapons in Joel’s arsenal - with the right upgrades. Here’s why you should start out with reload speed:

With more plentiful ammo, the 9mm is useful in firefights where speed and frequency are key.
Faster reloading means more damage in a shorter amount of time, vital in a weapon with one of the lowest damage ratings.
Reload speed often comes in clutch when caught off guard by a rogue clicker, and the 9mm can easily take these suckers out with an accurate headshot.

4. Pump Shotgun - Recoil

Given to the player by Bill during the fourth chapter of the game, the shotgun is a powerful weapon that is sure to cause some pretty gnarly damage to anyone unlucky enough to find themselves at the end of it.

However, the shotgun suffers from its poor range and reload speed, making it less effective during some of the more intense encounters you can find yourself in as you play against infected and hunters alike. The recoil upgrade proves to be one of the most effective for this killer weapon for these reasons:

Recoil kills two birds with one stone - not only can you reload faster, but Joel maintains more of his stance allowing better shot accuracy between reloads.
Improved reloading speed is key in a weapon with only 2 base capacity.
Maximised control over the shotgun allows for more accuracy in where your shotgun spread lands and can allow for more coverage in attacks on multiple enemies.

3. Melee Weapons - Sharps Upgrade

Whilst not technically a weapons upgrade in the traditional sense of the game (melee upgrades can be crafted at any time with a binding and sharps item and have limited durability), these upgrades can prove incredibly important even for players who prefer the reliability of a gun - not to mention the infamous ‘shiv glitch’ that can be achieved with the availability of an upgraded and base melee weapon.

There are a variety of melee weapons available throughout the game, with the higher durability weapons (such as the baseball bat or, a personal favourite, the pipe) being the most worthwhile to upgrade. Here are a few reasons it’s worth choosing that melee upgrade over the shiv I see you hovering over:

An upgraded melee weapon can take out at least one or two enemies in one hit, useful when you don’t have a machete to hand (an example of a sharp melee weapon, a rarer variant of melees).
Melee weapon upgrades are one of the more useful uses of sharps items in the games, with nail bombs as a close second.
Let’s face it - taking out a runner with a nail-covered baseball bat looks pretty badass.

2. Hunting Rifle - Scope

Found by Joel after the first majorly tear-jerking loss of the game (no spoilers here, I’ve got you), the rifle is the most powerful weapon found in The Last of Us - at least at the beginning of the game.

There’s not much point upgrading the power or armour piercing properties of this OP weapon, and whilst the clip capacity and reload speed upgrades are nice to have, there’s one upgrade that makes this weapon the perfect sidekick for anyone wanting to take full advantage of the range of this weapon: the scope. Here’s why this nifty little attachment is the most important upgrade you can get for your rifle:

Increased accuracy in headshots ensures that you don’t waste a single bullet in killing your enemies with this weapon that promises to get the job done in one shot.
The scope is one of the cheaper upgrades for this weapon, making it a no-brainer.

1. Weapon Holster

And, finally, the most valuable upgrade you can get in The Last of Us: the weapon holster. Again, whilst technically not a specific weapon upgrade (although it is purchased in much the same way), the weapon holster is invaluable in its importance to Joel’s fighting capabilities.

Not only does it help all play styles, allowing you to configure your hot-key layout in whatever is most efficient for you and your weapon preferences, it makes battles that much more accessible, allowing you to switch between your weapons of choice with ease. The weapon holster is an underrated hero in your battles against your foes in The Last of Us, and by far the most utilisable upgrade of them all.

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What upgrades are most helpful for Joel and Ellie in their battles against the infected and hunters alike?

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[Top 15] The Last of Us Best Quotes That Are Legendary

milkpaper — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 13:57:00 +0000

If there’s one thing no one’s debating about The Last of Us, it’s that writer Neil Druckmann is phenomenal at what he does. Time and time again, this game has been praised for its writing prowess, and it’s a well-deserved compliment - but what lines exactly show just how excellently written this game is? I’m here to count down the top 15 legendary The Last of Us quotes that left a resounding impact on players, and made the game the one we know and praise today. (MAJOR SPOILERS IMMINENT - you have been warned!)

Note: it is recommended that you watch each YouTube link for the quote named. Each link takes you to the exact moment of the quote, and I recommend you watch them to jog your memory. Time-coded links have been pasted below embedded videos. Enjoy!

15. “That’s alright. I believe him.”

https://youtu.be/ACwss-xAieU?t=84

Starting with a smaller line that most look over, this moment from the Winter chapter of the game comes at a point of high tension - arguably the highest, before the end of the game itself - when Joel is interrogating a pair of hunters for the location of their base.

This is the first time in the game where we focus directly on the acts of violence Joel is willing to carry out for Ellie, and they are brutal. This is not a kill for survival, but a kill for protection - he is cruel and unnecessary in his actions, and yet the passion in them is somewhat admirable.

We flinch as the blow comes towards the screen, echoing the perspective of the victim, but we know why Joel does what he does. This line shows just how far he is willing to go.

14. “And just so we’re clear about back there… it was either him or me.”

https://youtu.be/hZhoT_ZQceI?t=88

Following a life or death situation wherein Ellie directly saves Joel’s life for the first time, Joel says this. Throughout the game, we watch Ellie and Joel bicker over many things, but this is the first time they seem to concede to each other. After scolding Ellie for not following his instructions and following him through a hotel, allowing her to save his life, there is a steely section of underlying tension between the two as they find a way through the abandoned building.

But when Ellie is finally entrusted with a gun by Joel, a sign of respect and maturity, he finally acknowledges Ellie’s importance. This is the base that allows their relationship to grow - that he finally allows her to know that she is important in her own right, and that this isn’t a one-sided deal. It’s not smooth-sailing from here - the pair still have much to learn from each other - but we finally have some tenderness between our deuteragonists.

13. “You have no idea what loss is.”

https://youtu.be/1gsn8jRvkQ4?t=82

Of course, for all of the progress the previous quote showed, there are many lapses. One of my favourite sections of the game, taking place in Jackson, Mississippi, involves Joel attempting to bestow his task in escorting Ellie onto his estranged brother, Tommy.

There are a few reasons that might explain this decision, with the most likely being that Joel feels himself becoming attached to Ellie in the same way he was to his daughter Sarah, and cannot face what he sees as an inevitable loss again. When Ellie finds out that this is Joel’s plan, she attempts to run away, causing Tommy and Joel to pursue her and find her in an abandoned house in the countryside where this conversation takes place.

Ellie, ultimately, is a child. She is trying to understand Joel, mostly through her own lens of loss and trauma, but she cannot, and Joel is not afraid to tell her this. “You have no idea what loss is,” whilst on the surface level may feel like an invalidating statement, is so much more complex in this world than it would be in ours.

Ultimately, Ellie doesn’t have any idea what loss is, at least not in Joel’s context - Joel, who lost not only his daughter, but his entire world and way of life. But some of the most beautiful character development in his regard takes place in the next quote on this list…

12. “I’m sorry, Joel.” “That’s okay, Ellie.”

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

In the penultimate section of the game, where Ellie and Joel travel across the city looking for the final destination of the Fireflies, they share many touching and insightful conversations - a lull in the fast-paced action of The Last of Us before the final push. One of them is recorded in its entirety in the video above, and I highly recommend watching all 53 seconds of it.

Ellie has come to understand what Joel meant when he told her she had no idea what loss was - it wasn’t that he didn’t empathise with her, with her own losses, but that he had experienced such a different variety and extent of loss that she could never understand. And, by the end of the game, she knows this.

I’m glad this interaction isn’t a cut scene. I think it’s unusual that it isn’t - it seems like for the gravity of this conversation, it should be - but I’m glad it isn’t. By now, Joel and Ellie have become comfortable with each other, and with the weight of the world they live in, the weight of that which they are doing. It makes sense that this conversation is so casually brought up.

11. “Ellie, get off your horse, give it on back to Tommy… Go on, don’t make me repeat myself.”

https://youtu.be/g-qHkvR6yzI?t=8917

I’m not sure anyone else shares the same experience, but this was the first line in The Last of Us that made me sob. There is something about the silence of Joel’s decision, the gap between his cruel “we are both going our separate ways” and the quiet acceptance of his love for Ellie that solidifies the paternal relationship they have forged in the fire of their pain and loss.

So although this quote may not be jaw-dropping on its own, it is a line that changes the course of the game, and the relationship between our deuteragonists, forever.

10. “This everything you were hoping for?”

https://youtu.be/pMjdl_uYXgE?t=118

It’s a simple question, and it almost leaves you wanting more. But in this quiet moment before the main tension of this gorgeous game about humanity, connection, and love, it is all Joel needs to ask of Ellie as she looks out upon the world she never got to experience truly. The moment with the giraffes is one of the most iconic from the game, where, as they travel through the city, Joel and Ellie encounter a tower of giraffes moving through the naturally reclaimed city centre. So this simple question asked earnestly and hopefully, articulates so much about their relationship and futures.

9. “Once upon a time, I had somebody that I cared about. It was a… partner. Somebody I had to look after. And in this world that sort of shit’s good for one thing. Gettin’ ya killed.”

https://youtu.be/Dva39_9v5bw?t=1201

Now, for our first quote that doesn’t come from either Joel or Ellie, we have one from Bill - the friend that owes Joel a favour whom we encounter in the first location outside of Boston. Throughout this chapter, the story of Bill and his previous partner is uncovered, revealing the first of a few queer stories in The Last of Us franchise.

The heartbreaking retrospective Bill gives here of this person, from a reasonably and understandably jaded perspective of post-apocalyptic relationships, reflects upon the general themes at the beginning of the game about the danger of attachment in this world. For all that Bill was a hardened and crass character, it’s impossible not to empathise with him in this moment, and as the rest of his tragic story is told.

8. “You make every shot count.”

https://youtu.be/bKIGP2vjwo8?t=56

Hailing back to the conversation that takes place when Joel first entrusts Ellie with a weapon, as she covers him from the scaffolding outside of a hotel in Pittsburgh that they narrowly escaped through Ellie’s inability to follow orders, Joel utters this iconic line as he bids farewell to Ellie - possibly for the last time.

Of course, we know that Joel survives (provided you make it through the battle unscathed) but the gravity of this line reflects upon the seriousness of the world they live in. The fact that this line feels like a routine piece of advice, despite its implications, is another indicator of this. You’d best believe that any The Last of Us player is making every shot count - we don’t have the spare ammo not to.

7. “You’d just come after her.”

https://youtu.be/f1r00mtMQp8?t=3814

Following the final battle of the game, as Joel escapes a hospital filled with armed guards, an unconscious Ellie in his arms, he is confronted by the leader of the Fireflies: Marlene.

As Marlene barters with Joel, trying to convince him of the impact saving Ellie will have on the world, it becomes clear that Joel’s love for the girl he holds, and the protective instinct he has for her, far outweighs anything this woman could say or do to stop him. So when faced with the choice to spare her, or eliminate the threat she poses to Ellie’s future, he hardly hesitates, explaining himself with this stark and simple sentence. We all know Joel is right, even if we think Joel’s decision might be wrong.

6. “Oh, baby girl. It’s okay.”

https://youtu.be/fN3IleNM1fc?t=13

Not everyone may have caught this (although I suspect, by this point, everyone who has played The Last of Us more than once has), but in the aftermath of Ellie’s standoff with David - the creepy man who kidnaps her during Winter - as she collapses in Joel’s arms, he utters this.

The only other time we hear Joel use this pet name is during the prologue when he refers to his late daughter Sarah lovingly as he puts her to bed. So in this moment, where Joel is finally given the chance to protect someone he loves in a way he couldn’t with his daughter, we hear him use the nickname again.

5. “Guilt didn’t make me cross a city full of soldiers, Ellie.”

https://youtu.be/8DPWSKR7p-M?t=2393

Whilst this quote isn’t from The Last of Us, it is from its fantastic DLC, The Last of Us: Left Behind. The DLC explores the backstory of Ellie and her friend Riley in the events leading up to them both being bitten by the infected, with a dual narrative filling in the gap of time when Ellie is taking care of Joel after he is injured at the university.

What is most touching about this stunning addition to the game is the way it explores the importance of both Ellie’s relationship with Joel and with Riley, and the similarities and differences between the two. From conversations with Riley, we are informed that at some point the pair had a falling out before Riley left for an indeterminate amount of time to join the Fireflies, cutting off contact with Ellie. Although they slowly repair this gap across the events of the story, it is an underlying tension that explores many of the intricacies of teenage friendships in this unique context in a way we don’t get to witness in the main game.

At one point, Riley retorts to Ellie’s accusation of guilt with the quote above, putting into perspective the dedication and love in their relationship with each other.

4.“No matter how hard you try, I guess you can’t escape your past. Thank you.”

https://youtu.be/mmwhpEPdpzY?t=31

It pains me that this is an optional conversation. The possibility that people choose not to pursue Ellie’s offer of the photo of Joel and Sarah is a painful possibility because this interaction between the two characters proves to be one of the most tender and revealing of the entire game.

Although Joel refuses the photo earlier in the game when offered it by Tommy, it is revealed when playing as Ellie (if you check the contents of her backpack) that she had picked the picture up. If you choose to speak to Ellie at this moment, she will return the picture to you, and Joel will say this, seemingly accepting the duality of his past and present.

A touching detail in The Last of Us: Part II when exploring Joel’s house is that this picture is framed and placed on a dresser in his home, right alongside a picture of him with Ellie.

3. “I’m still waiting for my turn.”

https://youtu.be/IOdNSgJEra0?t=502

In the final conversation between Ellie and Joel, closing out the game with a tear-jerking and memorable final cutscene, Ellie says this, describing the losses she has sustained both throughout the game’s events and before. It is this line that reveals her survivor’s guilt, and the lasting impact of her trauma on the way she feels about her life.

Besides highlighting the pain that comes with Ellie’s realisation that her immunity, supposedly, means nothing, this line epitomises the nature of existence in this world, where ‘the last of us’ live in a perpetual state of waiting for their turn.

2. “I struggled for a long time with surviving. And you- no matter what, you keep finding something to fight for.”

https://youtu.be/IOdNSgJEra0?t=520

And, following almost directly on from the quote above, Joel responds with this: his own experience of survivor’s guilt. Through so much loss from the very first day of the pandemic, Joel has felt like no one else in our world, but like so many in theirs, what it means to survive when those you love do not. Through this line, so succinctly and characteristically written, he simultaneously tells Ellie that she is what he fights for now, and that, one day, she will find something to survive for as well.

1. “There are a million ways we should’ve died before today and a million ways we can die before tomorrow. But we fight, for every second we get to spend with each other. Whether it’s two minutes, or two days - we don’t give that up.”

https://youtu.be/8DPWSKR7p-M?t=3202

This quote isn’t technically from the main game, but it is from the DLC, Left Behind, which I would argue is as important as the game itself. If you haven’t played it, I cannot recommend it enough - it is a vital addition to the game.

At the end of Left Behind, Ellie’s best friend Riley says this, over a cut to Ellie dragging Joel out of a shopping mall on a makeshift sledge-stretcher, as they both struggle with the acceptance of their fate now they have been bitten. At this point, they both believe they will die - this is before Ellie knows that she is immune - and the gravitas of this quotation over the implicit comparison with Ellie’s future relationship with Joel, shaped entirely by the loss of this friend and the events of this loss, encapsulates all that The Last of Us is about.

Because Riley is right - in this world, and in ours, we fight for the moments we spend with each other. If living through our own pandemic has proven anything, it is this. And as Ellie and Riley attempt to defy the odds of their fate (and it is not lost on me that one of them actually does), Ellie carries forward this philosophy, fighting through things no teenager should have to in order to protect those who she loves, and learns to love.

She doesn’t give that up, and in saving Joel, in fighting for humanity’s second chance, she does so in Riley’s name.

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Joel and Ellie's relationship develops across The Last of Us with many picture-perfect scenes.

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[Top 5] The Last of Us 2 Best Skills To Get First (Abby and Ellie)

milkpaper — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 13:13:38 +0000

When playing the second instalment of Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us, a game that almost dwarfs the previous game in its size alone, there are many more skill tree decisions to make than we ever have before - especially given our time is split between 2 protagonists.

So, it’s time to get chugging those Flinstones gummy vitamins you found in that abandoned pharmacy again (in-game, of course - do NOT try this at home, I promise you it won’t give you the ability to make bullets). Here are the best 5 skills to get in The Last of Us 2 - for both Ellie and Abby - and the ones you should prioritise when making choices in your skill tree.

Ellie

5. Listen Mode Movement Speed I & II [Survival tree, cost 30/40]

Ellie sneaks through a section in the new prone position.

Okay, okay, the first one is obvious - it’s the first skill upgrade you can unlock in the game. But that’s why I’ve paired it with part II of this skill - in a game where stealth is even more important than it was in its predecessor, listen mode is a crucial game function that any grounded player will berate you for not taking advantage of. With part II of this skill, the days of slowly creeping around trying to get the best angle on those crucial white noise patterns are gone, allowing you to move swiftly as you navigate the city for threats. There’s a reason this skill is the first you unlock, and this is it.

4. Craft Silencers [Stealth tree, cost 20]

Ellie sneaks, prone, holding a gun with a makeshift silencer attached.

In my first playthrough of TLOU2, I doubted the efficacy of silencers. I was disenchanted with the notion of the things after being ripped off in Red Dead Redemption 2, where the small devices always seemed to do very little for me.

But somehow, these rolled-up t-shirts shoved inside a cut-up water bottle manage to completely silence your shots in The Last of Us. Crafting them may just save your life when stuck in a stealth situation with just a few too many wary enemies, and not enough arrows.

Note: I would recommend against the ‘improved silencers’ upgrade for Ellie unless you are buying it to access further upgrades - there aren’t many situations in which Ellie can get away with that many stealth kills with that much ammo, and you’re better off finding other ways of stealth killing if the need comes and you’re out of silencers.

3. Faster Stealth Kills [Stealth tree, cost 60]

Ellie performs a brutal stealth kill in the Seattle suburbs.

Linked to the above skill upgrade, faster stealth kills come in handy when trapped in those situations with just a few too many enemies and not enough cover to covertly take them out under the radar. This is where speed becomes key, and having faster stealth kills also means you can save crucial arrows (or ammo for your silenced weapon) you may have wasted trying to get those sneaky kills in quick.

2. Aim Stability Increase [Precision tree, cost 30]

Ellie takes aim at one of the more horrific TLOU enemies - stalkers.

Of course, it doesn’t matter if you have silencers or arrows if your aim is off. The Last of Us has always been a hard game, and Part II is no exception - the higher your game difficulty, the more scarce resources such as ammunition will be, and as Joel says in Part I, you have to “make every shot count.”

Aim stability increase calms those shaky hands Ellie seems to have (she’s been through a lot, to be fair) and allows more clarity and confidence in your shot taking. You got this, kid.

1. Listen Mode Range [Precision tree, cost 40]

And lastly, what I would argue is the best upgrade in both games: listen mode range. What most people (myself included) seem to struggle with most when playing Grounded mode is the fact that listen mode is turned off. So, if you’re playing a non-grounded run, you better take advantage of that skill - you’ll miss it later!

In a game where stealth is ultimately the most important skill to hone, being a master of your spatial awareness is key, so the larger your listen mode range is, the better. Don’t underestimate the power of knowing every move of your enemies.

Abby

5. Momentum [Close Quarters tree, cost 40]

Playing as Abby, you’ll find yourself in considerably more gritty hand-to-hand battles than with Ellie, making melee upgrades a priority. One of the first and most important of these is momentum, giving you the ability to perform a second ‘strike’ action in a short period of time following a strike kill. Although these attacks can only be performed against stunned enemies, they are incredibly powerful, making the ability to perform two consecutively invaluable.

4. Crafting Hunting Pistol Ammo [Firearms tree, cost 20]

Somehow, Abby's homebrew bullets work just as well as army issued ones...

Don’t ask me how Abby manages to craft literal bullets out of scrap metal and her hands, but if Ellie’s water-bottle silencers work, I don’t see why these bullets can’t (video game logic, eh, Naughty Dog?)

Although some might find the incendiary bullets a more appealing skill upgrade (because who doesn’t love fire?) I’d argue that the hunting pistol is an all-around more powerful and efficient weapon, and the more ammo you can get for it, the more critical shots you can get in on your enemies with this powerful, nifty weapon.

3. Faster Health Kits [Close Quarters tree, cost 50]

The value of any health upgrade can't be underestimated in The Last of Us, including Abby's first unlockable upgrade pictured above.

Distinct from improved health kits, faster health kits become increasingly important in the later stages of the game, as you become increasingly inundated with enemies from all sides. The ability to heal quickly is important both in stealthy and overt operations - every second counts.

2. Faster Prone Movement [Covert Ops tree, cost 40]

Stealth is an important aspect of The Last of Us, especially when you don't know your enemy...

Depending on how fond you are of the prone function in The Last of Us 2 (something I personally hope is added in the new The Last of Us: Part I), this skill may or may not be worthwhile.

But, again, in those later stages of the game where stealth becomes increasingly vital, and you have many more opportunities to utilise that tall grass as cover, prone movement may just become your best buddy, and it’s nicer to be able to go a little faster than the initial crawl Abby is equipped with.

1. Improved Silencers [Ordiance tree, cost 40]

Abby comes pre-equipped with the ability to create silencers, so you might as well skip ahead to the increased durability skill upgrade. Although this skill upgrade feels a little wasted on Ellie, Abby’s ability to use these DIY silencers is incredibly useful in areas where stealth is needed, and there are a few too many to leave to hand-to-hand. Just make sure you use your shots well - I’ve wasted a few too many silencers in my time.

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What skills can Ellie and Abby develop across their journeys?

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The Last of Us Remastered vs Original [Top 5 Differences]

milkpaper — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 19:38:31 +0000

Now that the long-rumoured The Last of Us remake has been announced by Naughty Dog, with a stunning preview trailer to boot and a Playstation 5 release date set for September 2nd, I think it’s time we revisit the original overhaul of this genre-shaping game.

Although The Last of Us came out on Playstation 3 in 2013 a remaster was developed just 13 months later, following the autumn release of the Playstation 4 in 2013. Whilst the differences between these two games are on a much smaller scale than what we can expect from The Last of Us: Part I, it’s important to check back on the things that went such a long way in updating The Last of Us for PS4.

Here are the key differences between the 2013 and 2014 editions of The Last of Us.

5. Gameplay improvements

Players can experience gameplay as smooth as Joel's stealth skills in the remaster of the game.

Surprisingly, gameplay improvements are not the most important difference between these two versions of the game, although many were implemented as a part of the remaster of The Last of Us, much to the game’s benefit. Besides improved loading times during cutscenes, creating a much smoother and seamless gaming experience, other advancements such as an upgrade from 30 fps to 60 fps gave The Last of Us: Remastered an edge over the original version of the game.

However, due to the limited extent of gameplay improvements, and the common criticism of the framerate increase as “jarring” - including criticisms from reporters at IGN and The Telegraph - these differences only place in fifth.

4. Improved graphics

Although we might find The Last of Us: Remastered's graphics stunning, Joel might not appreciate them as much...

Whilst the timeframe between the two releases was relatively short, the differences in graphical quality are still noticeable and impressive enough that they are more impactful than gameplay improvements. With many textures being improved, shadow silhouettes specified, and a step up from 720p to 1080p, The Last of Us: Remastered truly looks and feels like a different and more refined game.

Improved lighting systems and a higher draw distance also go very far in improving the atmosphere and realism of the game, making improved graphics a significant difference between the two game versions, and these improved graphics have served this game well in the years since its release.

3. Audio commentary

Experience the behind the scenes of the cinematic portions of the game, only in the remaster.

Not many players may seek out the audio commentaries of their favourite games - in fact, they’re not a very common inclusion in video games, but one that seems to fit perfectly with The Last of Us’ cinematic nature. With the Remastered version of The Last of Us, players can choose to unlock a commentary featuring Neil Druckmann (writer and creative director), Troy Baker (Joel Miller) and Ashley Johnson (Ellie) who provide creative insights into the cinematics that take place throughout the game.

Whilst The Last of Us already does so much to push the genre of video games in the artistic spaces they hold, this audio commentary solidifies the position of this game as artwork and is worth a playthrough from any TLOU fan looking to find out more about the inner workings of the game.

2. DLC inclusion

Riley and Ellie look down in contemplation at the end of The Last of Us: Left Behind.

Originally an optional downloadable add-on, The Last of Us: Left Behind (alongside expansions for the online multiplayer mode) is included by default in The Last of Us: Remastered.

Whilst most video game DLCs unlock additional content, such as skins, weapons, textures and the like, The Last of Us (as ever) utilises its DLC to provide us with a new adventure into the backstory of Ellie, taking us through the emotionally tumultuous situation that landed her with Joel in the first place, as well as filling in some of the time gap between Autumn and Winter in the main game.

Making it an automatic inclusion in the remastered edition of the game feels like a natural step, and makes a beloved, but sometimes overlooked, part of the game much more accessible to those playing for the first time. If you haven’t played Left Behind yet, I highly recommend that you do, and I cannot wait to see it overhauled in September.

1. DualShock 4 feature integration

Although our most important tool is the controller, it's clear what Joel's is.

Lastly, my favourite difference between The Last of Us and its remastered counterpart: the DualShock 4 controller. Of course, the DualShock controller is already known for the importance it has held in demonstrating the key role of gaming peripherals in improving experience and immersion for players, and the DualShock 4 proves this point more than ever.

The small details added to The Last of Us: Remastered with the integration of the DualShock 4 enhances a game that already felt so touchingly real into an experience that assures you everything has been accounted for. Light indicators on the controller reflect the level of damage you have sustained in-game - red for low health, green for high, rather intuitively - but that’s not all.

Artefact recordings found in-game on tape recorders and similar are played through the speaker on the controller, adding a sense of realism that, despite being somewhat gimmicky, really does feel like a neat touch added with care. Even the flashlight sounds come from the controller, making you feel like you’re holding the tool in your own hands.

Whilst these small details are small, they are important, and show just how dedicated the folks at Naughty Dog are to crafting the experiences we have as players. I have every confidence we’ll find the same attention to detail in The Last of Us: Part I, and can’t wait to see what Easter eggs we have in store for us in September…

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What more can players scavenge from the remastered version of The Last of Us?

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[Top 8] Best Arkane Studios Games That Are Amazing

more_or_less_been — Sun, 20 Mar 2022 00:11:18 +0000

These days, it's tough to find an FPS that offers a unique gaming experience, but that's where knowing Arkane Studios's development history can help.

Arkane Studios is one of the few developers that creates FPS games outside of the military shooter genre like COD and Battlefield. While some of their titles contain flaws, their best provide some of the most unique gaming experiences available. Below are 8 Arkane Studios games that we’ve listed from good to great:

8. Wolfenstein: Youngblood

While Youngblood looks great, it doesn't feel that way compared to other entries in the rebooted Wolfenstein franchise.

Wolfenstein: Youngblood - Free Roam Gameplay (by Throneful)

Starting at #8 is Arkane’s least acclaimed game (according to Metacritic) — Wolfenstein: Youngblood. It’s a spin-off title from the mainline Wolfenstein series, set 20 years after Wolfenstein: The New Colossus.

In it, you play as either Jessie or Zofia Blazkowicz, B.J. and Anya’s twin daughters. After their father’s sudden disappearance, the twins follow his tracks to Nazi-occupied France. Playing with a buddy or an A.I. companion, you run and gun through a futuristic Paris in search of your father and more Nazis to shoot.

Opinions on Youngblood are pretty divided. Several major gaming outlets have given it decent reviews, saying it’s more of MachineGames’ action-packed gameplay blended with Arkane’s open and layered level design. But user reviews paint a different picture.

Microtransactions, bullet-sponge enemies, a grindy RPG leveling system, and a shoddy companion A.I. were just some of the issues players said they had with the game. On top of all that, Youngblood just feels like an underwhelming diversion from an otherwise great story-driven shooter franchise. For those reasons, Wolfenstein: Youngblood sits at #8 on this list.

7. Dishonored: Death of the Outsider

Death of the Outsider is a quality piece of DLC, with some changes to gameplay & expansions to the story, but not much that satisfies beyond what the main games have offered.

Dishonored: Death of the Outsider Gameplay (by StealthGamerBR)

At #7 is Dishonored: Death of the Outsider, a standalone expansion to Dishonored 2. In the game, players control Billie Lurk, a member of Daud’s Whaler Assassins. After the events of Dishonored 2, Lurk tracks down and saves her mentor from a group of Cultists who worship the mysterious Outsider. Daud tasks her with finding a weapon that can kill the otherworldly being. After receiving powers from the Outsider itself, Lurk works to steal the special weapon and kill it once and for all.

Death of the Outsider has similar gameplay to the previous games but includes several tweaks that make it a wholly different experience. Players are given three Void powers that are unlocked from the start of the game. You can also regenerate energy without consuming any potions. This makes the game a more streamlined Dishonored experience, giving you the freedom to experiment during missions.

Owing to its place in the Dishonored franchise, Death of the Outsider takes the #7 spot because it changes just a few mechanics, but doesn’t present anything fresh or new.

For fans of the series, it’s a quick refreshment, but also a cut-down version of the previous games. On top of that, it concludes the overarching plot of the series in a way that many fans found unsatisfying and cheap. In the end, it’s a decent expansion but doesn’t hit as high as its predecessors.

6. Deathloop

With the abundance of style and inventiveness that Arkane is known for, Deathloop is a PS5 exclusive that surely grips players with its mechanics, but might put off some gamers with its many bugs and poor A.I.

Deathloop- Stealth Kills - PC Gameplay (by Swifty Unknown)

The #6 Best Arkane Studios Game is their most recent release: Deathloop. In it, you play Colt Vahn, a man tasked with killing the Visionaries, eight people responsible for maintaining an eternal time loop on a research station in a subarctic island called Blackreef. Players must kill all 8 targets before midnight in order to close the loop or else they’ll repeat the same day all over again.

Simple enough if it weren’t for Julianna Blake, the Visionaries’ bodyguard, who relentlessly hunts Colt down before he can get rid of all 8 targets. As a multiplayer component, players can invade each others’ games as Julianna and kill other players so that they are forced to restart their time loops.

While not being the first game to do so, Deathloop shows off what’s best about Arkane Studios — their ability to bring a unique art style to their games along with new and inventive mechanics.

However, the game has too many tangible flaws to it, including numerous bugs and optimization issues, a clunky and unresponsive A.I., and a repetitive gameplay loop. Though Arkane attempted something innovative, it’s hard to say they delivered significantly more than Dishonored with more guns and a Sixties theme.

5. Dark Messiah of Might and MagicWhile it looks pretty old and has a pretty lackluster story, the main draw of Dark Messiah is it's simple, fun fighting mechanics with light RPG elements that might remind you of that one game called "Skyrim".

Dark Messiah Gameplay Highlights (by nothing right)

At #5 on Arkane Studios’ list of top titles is Dark Messiah of Might and Magic. Set in the fantasy world of Ashan, Dark Messiah has you play a wizard apprentice known as Sareth. You fight to protect the people of Stonehelm and seek a powerful artifact called the “Skull of Shadows” in order to prevent an army of undead from unleashing a horde of demons. In his quest to keep it out of the wrong hands, Sareth discovers his ties to the Skull and the fate of the world.

Dark Messiah is a first-person action RPG with a single-player story mode and an online multiplayer mode. The multiplayer includes team deathmatch and a 1v1 Colosseum mode. In the story mode, players build their characters according to their preferred playstyle by selecting specific skills such as magic spells, melee attacks, stealth abilities, and more.

The interesting thing about Dark Messiah is that both critics then and players today recognize how great its combat system is. There are numerous reviews stating how Dark Messiah’s fun and intuitive combat were the basis of multiple replays, making it a precursor for action RPGs like Dark Souls.

For its dated visuals and simple narrative, Dark Messiah stands at #5 on this list, yet its beloved combat design is a sign that, early on, Arkane Studios was a success in the making.

4. Arx Fatalis

For the expanding niche of gamers looking for classic titles to enjoy, you should find a way to play this. It's a game from the same vein of Immersive Sims like System Shock 2, with some of its own innovations you'll definitely enjoy playing around with.

Arx Fatalis - Gameplay (by John GodGames)

#4 is Arx Fatalis, Arkane Studios’s first released game. It is a first-person action RPG that was inspired by the games of Looking Glass Studios, known for famous immersive simulation titles like Thief and System Shock 2.

The game is set in a fictional world with a failed sun, causing all creatures on the surface to find shelter in giant underground caverns. In one of these caverns live several races including Trolls, Goblins, Dwarves, and Humans, each inhabiting different levels of the cavern.

Your character awakens in a prison cell and escapes, only to discover that you must defeat a God of Destruction before it arises and destroys your home. Following this is a non-linear plot where you explore the cavern and collect items to forge a sword that can defeat the God of Destruction.

With influence from immersive sim games, Arx Fatalis includes crafting systems, point-based character progression, and open-ended gameplay that allows players to choose how they complete quests, with each choice leading to different consequences.

For a first game, Arx Fatalis is a great reflection of the immersive sim genre while also adding its own innovation to the genre - the mouse gesture spellcasting system. A simple but amazing idea that shows Arkane, even in its beginnings, has been among the most unique game development studios in the industry.

3. Dishonored 2

More Dishonored, but that's about it; the sequel pushes the story forward, brings us to a new setting, expands the world, and offers new styles of gameplay to enjoy, but it doesn't feel original or distinct from the first game.

Dishonored 2 - Brutal Gameplay (by Volound)

#3 is Dishonored 2, the sequel to the highly-acclaimed stealth-action game. The story is set fifteen years after the first game, with Emily Kaldwin peacefully seated on the throne with her father Corvo by her side. But when a mysterious killer begins eliminating her dissenters, Emily is suddenly deposed by a Brigmore Witch named Delilah, who reveals herself to be Emily’s half-aunt and true heir to the throne of Dunwall.

Escaping from the dreary isles of Dunwall to the Mediterranean-inspired locale of Karnaca, players get to face new enemies, traps, and environments as either Corvo or Emily. Players must search for a way to remove Delilah from power and return Emily to the throne — hopefully without killing too many people along the way.

Dishonored 2 deserves its third place, as it's still an amazing game with excellent visuals, more stealth-action fun, and several new ways to play and experiment. But the original had a simple story of revenge and rescue, with several expansions that built upon the amazing setting and lore of Dunwall and its Empire.

In its sequel, motivations seem repeated and plots retreaded — fight and/or kill bad guys and put Emily back on the throne. A good sequel stands apart from its original, playing off its narrative and mechanics well, but also taking new and adventurous risks.

2. Dishonored

The game that put Arkane on the AAA map, and for good reason. Gamers are still making speedruns and trick assassination videos, experimenting with the games systems. On top of a great story and well-crafted world, Dishonored is a must-play for gamers then and in the future.

Dishonored Stealth High Chaos Gameplay (by StealthGamerBR)

The #2 spot goes to the first Dishonored, one of the best modern stealth-action FPS titles in the past console and PC era. Set in London-esque Dunwall, the game places you in the silent boots of Corvo Attano, bodyguard to the Empress of the Isles. When the Empress is killed and Corvo framed for it, he becomes an outlaw to clear his name and take revenge.

With the help of a mysterious being called the Outsider, you gain a set of supernatural abilities that turn you into a fearsome assassin. But will your bloody work spell doom for the city or bring it back from the brink?

Dishonored’s stealth is above average compared to most other stealth titles, but its combat and supernatural abilities blend together to reward player experimentation and mastery of the game’s mechanics. To this day, there are videos of players performing insane speedrun assassinations using the game’s various mechanics.

While most developers who made FPSs were focused on bringing action-packed shooter experiences to players, Arkane presented something new. Dishonored’s art style was singular for its time, while its gameplay mechanics begged for multiple playthroughs and experimentation.

The story itself isn’t anything special, but its world and atmosphere are enough to make players feel immersed enough to keep coming back for more. Among their many other titles, Dishonored is a tough one for Arkane to beat, but the easiest to have fun playing.

1. Prey

"Synthesis" is the term that comes to mind with Prey, as in that it is a combination of all the games Arkane has made and have been influenced by. To longtime gamers and fans of Immersive Sims, this is the sudden return and celebration of a genre that could use some more appreciation.

Prey Walkthrough Gameplay (by PLAYGAMES)

The #1 spot goes to one of the most successful reboots in gaming, Arkane Studios’s Prey — not to be confused with Human Head Studio’s 2006 game and its tragically unreleased alien-bounty hunting sequel.

Prey, released in May 2017, is a first-person shooter containing elements from numerous genres, including RPGs, open-world, stealth-action, immersive sims, and Metroidvanias. These coalesce to create a title that is rarely seen among FPSs, much less contemporary games.

The game is set in an alternate timeline when the 1960s Space Race led to humanity making contact with alien lifeforms known as the Typhon. After researchers were killed in an attempt to study them, the life forms were abandoned.

Decades later, you play Morgan Yu, brother/sister of a researcher at TranStar Corporation, Alex, who invites you to Talos I, a space station where TranStar now conducts research on the Typhon once again.

The violent creatures get loose and cause havoc throughout the station. Stranded and in serious danger, Morgan has to find ways to fight and destroy the Typhon, then somehow get off the station alive.

There is a lot to say about Prey, but it can all be summed up by saying that it is a one-of-a-kind experience for gamers. It takes elements from all of Arkane’s past titles and influences, then blends them together to make a game filled with deep, intricate systems that support and react to your decisions. And that is without mentioning its mind-bending plot and amazingly diverse environmental and level design. There’s so much to say, but not enough room to say it. Just play Prey. You won’t regret it.

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You know them for "Dishonored", but Arkane is more than a one-hit wonder.

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[Top 15] Best Roguelike Games That Are Extremely Fun (2021)

Luminosity1337 — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 11:17:44 +0000

15. Slay the Spire (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch)

Climb the Spire!

Slay The Spire is a unique roguelike that integrates a hectic deck-building system into its gameplay. Developed by Seattle-based indie game studio MegaCrit Games, this game follows the story of a cast of mysterious adventurers and their climb up the menacing Spire.

The game’s unique gameplay loop even inspired other games such as Monster Train and One Step from Eden. If you love the idea of combining a card game with classic turn-based RPG gameplay, you will fall in love with this game. The added layer of complexity enables a ton of fun play styles. This game isn’t like your bread-and-butter min-max builds.

Use cards to destroy your enemies!

14. Darkest Dungeon 2 (PC)

Time to die again.

Darkest Dungeon 2 is the sequel to the brutally difficult Darkest Dungeon, a Gothic Horror dungeon crawler developed by Red Hook Studios. The early access version, released on Oct. 26, 2021, is currently available on the Epic Games store. Darkest Dungeon 2 puts you into the shoes of the protegee of the mysterious Academic.

The gameplay differs in many ways from its predecessor. Instead of clearing out a single town of darkness, your journey now takes you all across the world. In the sequel, you finally see the horrors that the Ancestor unleashed on the world. You will ride past ravaged towns, snowy plains, and steep mountainsides on your journey to defeat the great evil.

In an interesting new twist, the affliction system has been replaced with the affinity system. How your party feels about each other will dictate whether you save the world, or seal its fate. It should provide a familiar but sufficiently different experience for fans. Plus, having the fate of the world rest on you not being socially awkward is a fear of many gamers.

The darkness hides many dangers…….

13. Spelunky 2 (PS4, PC, Switch)

Spelunk into the sequel!

Spelunky 2 is the sequel to a critically acclaimed 2D platformer, Spelunky. Developed by Mossmouth in cooperation with Blitworks, this sequel focuses on the previous protagonist’s daughter. Ana’s parents have gone missing, and she must brave through traps, monsters, and natural hazards to find them.

While you will encounter some familiar locales, there are also new areas like the lava world Volcana. One of the biggest updates is a complex liquid physics system, which plays into the puzzles of the world. Whether you’re a returning fan or a newbie, Spelunky 2 is an easy platformer to jump into, but incredibly brutal to master.

The most fun looking rage inducer!

12. Rogue Legacy (PC, Xbox One, Switch, iOS, PS4)

Definitely takes legacy literally

Rogue Legacy is an action-packed 2D platformer developed by Cellar Door Games. It is another great addition to the Metroidvania genre, but with a roguelike twist. Where in most Metroidvanias, the “castle” is preset and doesn’t change, Rogue Legacy’s castle is procedurally generated.

When your character dies, you start over, but in a unique twist, the new character is the dead character’s descendant. Think of this as a Castlevania speedrun for an offshoot of the Belmont family. With each death, your descendants grow the family base, improve their armory, and learn more skills in their quest. All of this for the singular goal of conquering the castle.

I'll beat your castle no matter how many nephews it takes!

11. UnderMine

Undermining my free time, more like.

UnderMine is an Adventure RPG developed by Thorium. The premise is simple: delve deep and discover the UnderMine’s secrets, no matter how many peasants it takes you.

Get upgrades by mining gold, defeating enemies, and rescuing characters to help you in future adventures. It’s a very standard roguelike, but the solid execution makes UnderMine a familiar yet fun adventure.

The underground hides many treasures…...

10. Wizard of Legend

Make your legend known.

Wizard of Legend is a hectic dungeon crawler that’s all about one thing: speed. Developed by Contingent99, this game rewards quick thinking, reflexes, and spells, so make sure you’ve got the energy for this fast-paced adventure.

Every challenge is procedurally generated, and full of hazards that you must quickly overcome. If you’re a fan of time crunch games, then Wizard of Legend is perfect for you.

Stay frosty! (That hurt me more than it hurt you)

9. Dead Cells (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Android, iOS, Switch, Linux)

Wonder if you have a mitochondria?

Dead Cells is a Metroidvania with roguelike elements developed by Motion Twin, similar to the likes of Rogue Legacy.

You control a sentient cluster of cells that possesses a decapitated body in a dark cell. You must find out what you are and who everybody else is. But first, you have to not die from the hundreds of enemies looking to send you back to the start.

Dead Cells is incredibly fast-paced, and its most fun feature is its complex combat system. With every death, you move and fight faster. What starts as a weak crawl eventually turns into a full-blown sprint to the finish line.

Bloody good fun!

8. Dwarf Fortress (PC, macOS, Linux)

The oldest game on this list by far!

Dwarf Fortress is the strangest game on this list, and for many good reasons. It’s part management, part roguelike, and all insane. It’s a game you have to play for yourself to truly understand. Developed by two brothers, Tarn and Zach Adams, this game was technically released in 2002 but has been getting updates consistently to this day.

For those who love complex text-based games where you can play God (and fail miserably), give this game a shot. It’s weird, but you might like that.

If this is confusing to you, just wait till you actually start playing.

7. Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

It's time for the midnight mass, children.

Binding of Isaac is a heretical dark comedy roguelike developed by Edmund McMillen and Florian Himsl.

Isaac, a young boy who escapes into the basement of their home after his devout mother attempts to sacrifice him to honor her god. Are the dangers real, or are they all just in Isaac’s head? Who knows, just shoot them away with your tears!

Binding of Isaac is a fun game with a large and dedicated community. If the main game has nothing left to offer you, a series of mods and expansions will keep Isaac’s tears flowing

Mental torment has never looked this cute.

6. Enter the Gungeon (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch)

What's better than a guns and dungeons?

From the hyperactive developers at Dodge Roll Games and published by Devolver Digital, comes the bullet-hell ride that is Enter the Gungeon.

Legend tells of a massive bullet shot down from the heavens, which dug itself into the earth. The bullet’s carcass would form the infamous Gungeon, a constantly shifting maze guarded by the rabid Cult of the Gundead.

The game is an unholy marriage of roguelike and bullet hell. For those who already find a masochistic pleasure in the difficulty that roguelikes already come packaged with, adding a hundred bullets to the screen should give them even more things to be happy about.

This is actually one of the more peaceful moments in the game.

5. Into the Breach (PC, macOS, Linux, Switch)

Pacific Rim with Time Travel shenanigans

Into the Breach is a tactical, turn-based roguelike that pits mechs against gigantic monsters. The roguelike element is cleverly integrated into the plot through time travel. Every time you fail, your pilots will escape into another timeline. Think Pacific Rim meets Edge of Tomorrow.

It plays a lot like games such as XCOM and Fire Emblem. Field positioning and range matter. For those who want a fun roguelike that tests your tactical skill instead of your reflexes, give this game a shot.

Well, there’s always other timelines, right?

4. Risk of Rain 2 (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch)

World's most difficult raincheck.

Risk of Rain 2 is a sci-fi Third-Person Shooter developed by Gearbox Software. The sequel to the critically acclaimed game Risk of Rain, this sequel changes things up in a big way.

Instead of the platforming of the first game, the sequel is primarily an action shooter. The goal is to retrieve as much loot as possible and destroy anybody who stands in your way.

While those who loved the first game may miss the old elements, the style of the game still harkens back to the first game. Not to mention, it is a great entry point into the series for newbies.

At least they're adorable fire monsters.

3. Don’t Starve (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Android)

Simple enough goal. Right?

Don’t Starve is a survival sandbox game with one goal: Don’t Starve (shocking, I know). Developed by indie game studio Klei Entertainment, this game integrates an actual plot into the usual survival gameplay of its kind. The art style intentionally brings up images of old children’s books and plays well with the story.

Whenever you die, unless you have special items, that world is gone. Interestingly, dying is one of the best ways to farm experience. If you’re looking for a survivalist experience, stock up on supplies and delve into the world of Don’t Starve.

Just a totally normal cast of characters.

2. Dreamscaper (PC, Switch)

A literal dream game.

My personal underdog, Dreamscaper is an ARPG Roguelike that needs a lot more attention. It blends brawler and top-down shooter elements into a dreamlike gameplay cycle. The visual style is unique and vivid, and the story explores themes of depression and loss.

The roguelike element stems from dreams. Every night, your character sleeps and experiences a different nightmare. The game is made by a relatively young studio, and if there’s any game I would want you to try out on this list, it would be this one. Don’t sleep on this hidden gem!

Why even dream if you don’t give yourself lightsabers?

1. Hades (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Switch)

Zagreus, my beloved.

The undisputed roguelike winner of 2020, Hades is a roguelike ARPG (can you tell this is my favorite kind already?) developed by Supergiant Games.

The game centers around Zagreus, son of Hades and the Prince of the Underworld. His goal is to escape the underworld and reach the surface, but he has to climb out the hard way. His father’s minions block him at every turn, and some of them may be familiar to readers of Greek Mythology.

With the aid of his Olympian relatives, Zagreus vows to escape the Underworld, no matter how many deaths he has to go through.

Hades tells its plot through your deaths. Every time you die, you return to your father’s palace, where you may even be able to talk to bosses you’ve defeated. The seamless nature of gameplay and plot make Hades one of the best roguelikes in the past decade.

Thank you, god of explosions.

If you decide to play any of these games, let us know in the comments below! Roguelikes are only getting better with every generation, and I’m excited to make a new list by next year!

Also be sure to read:

15 More Roguelike Games You Should Check Out

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Top 15 Best Dark Anime of All Time

Marxxxist — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 05:45:59 +0000

If you’re into superstitions, black cats, and voodoo dolls, you may be livin’ the vida loca. Just kidding. I know I’ve definitely delved into some dark anime titles during my punk teen years. Here’s what I would like to dub some of the Top 15 Best Dark Anime of All Time that may just keep you up at night.

15. School Days

Mistakenly taken for a pure romance anime, School Days is about a high schooler named Makoto who becomes infatuated with Kotonoha, a quiet beauty who also goes to his school. Makoto ends up sitting next to a peppy girl in his class named Sekai, who has no trouble in setting the two up. While Makoto and Kotonhoa become an item, Sekai is left with feeling a pit of jealousy after developing her own feelings for Makoto herself. Honestly the anime can be a bit weird at times, but if you’re looking for something dark you can’t go wrong watching School Days. It can be so messed up with it’s love triangle and showing people will really go to great lengths for what they want.

14. Redo of Healer

Redo of Healer may be on the controversial end for anime forums, but that is kinda why I included it on this list. The show is mainly about revenge as Keyaru is a healer that was dubbed a hero by many, however, his title gets torn down by a princess who abuses him. And when I mean abuse in so many ways, you will have to watch the show to understand. Keyaru seeks revenge by traveling back in time, “re-doing,” what had been done to him. It’s messy, it’s disgusting and disturbing, but that’s what makes it so dark. I apologize in advance if you get grossed out, I warned you.

13. Black Bullet

Humankind has been defeated by Gastrea, a species of parasites, pushing humans to live in a small population away from the world. An organization known as the “Civil Security” is founded to eliminate the Gastrea. Rentaro and his partner, Enju are assigned a task by the party to save Tokyo from its ultimate demise. I found the show filled to the brim with action and adventure along with suspense that left cliffhangers so interesting you lose track of time watching it cause you just keep on going to the next episode.

12. No. 6

A sci-fi mystery, No.6 takes place after a war separates humanity into six different states. Shion and his family are elite members of state No.6, however all that gets changed when Shion decides to help out a boy named Nezumi who is a fugitive. The two reconnect after some time and discover the mysteries and secrets of what set the world apart. The show has dark elements that are so unpredictable and really get fans attention.

11. School Live

If you can handle stress, you can handle School Live. Again with the cute characters, comes a show with chibi like anime girls fighting off a zombie apocalypse. Their day to day lives all come into havoc and the group of girls all fight their way while taking care of each other, it’s horrendously cute but at the same time the show really manages to manipulate the viewer, along with its character focus on each of the main girls.

10. Full Metal Panic

I remember tuning into Full Metal Panic while traveling abroad. At first I thought it was a generic mecha anime,it has its own twists that left a soft spot in my heart, well, maybe more of a dark spot. Sousuke is a soldier assigned to protect Kaname Chidori, a girl that is a candidate to be of a “Whispered”, individuals with gifted ability in machine making. Having been raised a soldier all his life, Sousuke is at his most difficult mission yet, protecting Kaname and adjusting to an average teen life. What sounds like a cute rom-com series is actually an anime full of action, sci-fi and military combat, with a storyline that gets unexpectedly dark when the adversary to Kaname is a lot more familiar to Sousuke than he could imagine.

9. Jigoku Shoujo (Hell Girl)

A message board is used at the request of someone cursing another to go to hell, if written on the board, a little girl known as the Hell Girl is summoned. Without reason or judgment, she fulfills the wishes to take those people to hell, however with a cost. The person who writes the name is also at the end of the stick and will also be taken to hell with them. Dark and edgy, Hell Girl brings a new meaning to a double-edged sword, and showcases the lengths that people take when they really, really want to curse someone out. But also, at what cost?

8. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (When They Cry)

The Higurashi series is one of my darker anime category favorites. Hinamizawa is a village that appears to be your run of the mill small town. Keiichi Maebara moves to Hinamizawa and attends their traditional annual festival with his cute little friends, however, the story takes a turn when various murders occur across town, leaving Keiichi asking his friends some questions as they remain silent. The show has the whole innocent-dark vibe as seen by many of the top dark anime shows, which definitely makes the series more engaging for the audience along with its ominous vibes.

7. Ghost in The Shell

Scarlett Johansen, who? Western adaptations aside, Ghost in The Shell is one of the most well known anime to date. The dark psychological futuristic series is about Major Makoto Kusanagi and her missions in going head to head with cybernetic terrorist groups. Her biggest adversary being a hacker named Puppeteer leading her to a rabbit hole of the net with shocking discoveries about her own identity. Ghost in The Shell is a must watch for not only dark anime fans, but for any anime fan in general with its stellar plot ahead of its time.

6. Shinsekai Yori (From The New World)

Saki Watanabe is a 12-year girl gifted with psychic abilities. She and her group of friends attend a school for psychics, all seems well at the school until Saki starts to wonder what is the fate of the children who are unable to tap into their abilities. Saki and her friends try to get answers for their questions, leading them to an organization that abducts children. The beautiful animation style and dark truths of discovery in this anime are hard to come by, which I highly recommend.

5. Psycho-Pass

In the 22nd century, Japan’s law enforcement enhanced with the Sibyl System, meant to determine a citizen’s threat to society by understanding their mental state otherwise known as a Psycho-Pass. Akane Tsunomori is new to the job. With a righteous sense of justice, she works alongside Shinya Kougami, a veteran officer. However, through their missions, Akane begins to question justice and how the system may not be what it appears to be. I really enjoyed Psycho Pass, it’s a serious anime that deals with not only questioning of society of existential crises along with having mature audience themes that may just leave you overthinking about your own life.

4. Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Okay, okay, I know it looks super kawaii doki doki and jazz, but hear me out, don’t judge a book by its cover on this one. The series is meant to trick you into thinking it’s a cute little magical girl show. Madoka comes across a magical cat that grants her and her friends a wish in exchange of becoming magical girls, however, her transfer classmate, Homura warns them of the “opportunity,” that comes with consequences. I remember skipping over this series when looking for anime to watch, but one of my classmates strongly recommended it to me, where I was like, “are you serious, dude?” The hook is the deception of the show with its innocence that becomes much, much darker than you would expect!

3. Berserk

A stunning, dark horror fantasy, Berserk is about Guts, a mercenary who lives day to day to survive. He ends up working for a group called “Band of the Hawks,” led by Griffith known as the “White Hawk.” As Guts' loyalty and skills promote his rank in the guild, he soon realizes that Griffith lusts for power. The story and style for Berserk is truly one of a kind along with a twisted, dark storyline that literally gives me the heebie jeebies.

2. Death Note

How could I not put this on the list? Death Note is one of the most popular anime to exist with it’s story of Light Yagami and how he comes across a Ryuk, a Death God, otherwise known as a shinigami. Light comes across the Ryuk’s Death Note, a book where if a person’s name is written, the person dies. Light is determined to eliminate criminals in society at the use of the Death Note, however his efforts get tracked by the police and he comes across one of the best detectives in the industry, L. Death Note is an absolute dark supernatural classic that leaves many on the edge of the seats and screens with its thrills for more.

1. Monster

Dr. Tenma is a surgeon who gets caught up between saving a young boy and the town mayor. Saving the former over the latter damages the doctor’s reputation. As years pass, Dr. Tenma comes into contact with the boy he saved, however, he learns he saved a little “monster,” after learning that he is actually a literal human weapon. A dark seinen anime, Monster has been acclaimed by many mature audiences for its rich, twisted storyline that has the anime as a dark title mainstay on many charts.

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