Digital Phablet

Tag: Before

  • Things We Wish We Knew Before Completing NTE

    Things We Wish We Knew Before Completing NTE

    Open-world gacha games are really popular right now, and Neverness To Everness is a new hit in this genre. Unlike many typical gacha games, it shows a lively city where you can drive cars and enjoy various mini-games.

    Besides the main story, it also has a management simulation mode where you can become the city’s business boss. This helps boost your reputation in Hethereau and allows you to buy better vehicles and items. It can feel a bit overwhelming at first, so here are some simple tips to help you out.

    ### Don’t Build Too Many Characters

    One common mistake new players make is trying to unlock a lot of characters right away. These games are very strict with their resources, and while it seems like you’re getting plenty in the beginning, those resources run out quickly once quests stop. It’s best to plan your resources from the start by focusing on four to six characters. Once you pick your main team, keep it to just four. Having a solid team is more important than having multiple mediocre ones.

    ### Use Your Character Pixels Wisely

    Your Character Pixels are essential for getting most of the materials in the game. You get some expansion materials like Hunter Guides, Dye, or Beetle Coins through quests, but eventually, you’ll run out. When that happens, you’ll need to spend Pixel points to get more. They’re also the only way to get items that let you upgrade your characters, arcs, or esper abilities. Pixels only regenerate every six minutes, so spend them carefully.

    > A helpful tip: Don’t use your Character Pixels on Console upgrades until higher levels unlock golden consoles.
    > In early gameplay, focus on ascension materials for your main characters first. After that, spend Pixel points on experience materials if needed. Later, most of your Pixel resources should go toward leveling up your consoles.

    ### Don’t Ignore the City Tycoon Features

    Once you start exploring Hethereau, you’ll quickly encounter the City Tycoon mode. This part of the game involves managing different activities like fishing, racing, and shopkeeping, all by upgrading your Tycoon level. Increasing your Tycoon level also unlocks powerful characters like a fully awakened S-class hero and her unique Arc. You can earn Fons weekly through this system by spending City Stamina, so it’s a key part of your game experience. Nearly half of your gameplay revolves around the City Tycoon, so it’s important to keep it in mind.

    ### Always Look Around Thoroughly

    Even if you’ve played many open-world gacha games, Neverness To Everness surprises you with its hidden interactions and items. For example, you can find Griddy lockers around the city—opening them with keys earns you free rewards. You can also spot wallets or groceries left on the streets, which can be collected or stolen from civilians. These don’t give huge rewards but add an extra fun layer to exploration. If your vehicle feels slow, you might find better ones on the streets that you can take.

    ### Mark Important Exploration Items

    While exploring Hethereau, keep an eye out for red symbols. These usually mark Oracle Stones or Gifts from “21.” Giving Oracle Stones to the witch grants cool rewards, and Gifts are chests that give items when you interact. Once you collect these, the icons disappear from your map. To keep track, mark their locations yourself, so you can find them later and get 100% exploration completion, especially when using outside resources.

    ### Don’t Waste Your Annulith

    Annulith is the rarest and most valuable currency in NTE. As you progress, you’ll encounter banners where you can spend Annulith to pull characters. There are two types: limited and standard banners. Limited banners rotate every three weeks, using Solid Dice, while standard banners stay in the game permanently, using Fabricated Dice. If you don’t have Dice, you can craft one with 160 Annulith. Since standard banners are always available, avoid spending Annulith on Fabricated Dice; most of your Annulith should be saved to make Solid Dice for limited banners.

    > A key tip: Never waste Annulith just to regenerate Character Pixels. For low-spending or free-to-play players, conserving Annulith is crucial.

    If you’ve gotten a limited character you really want, you can also use Annulith to try for the character’s signature Arc in the Arc banner.

    ### Read Character Abilities Carefully

    As you gather more characters, especially through pulls and the selector, it can be overwhelming to keep track of them all. Still, it’s very important to read each character’s abilities carefully. You might understand a character’s role generally, but knowing the details can unlock their full potential. For example, a support character might be providing buffs that you’re not using properly because you didn’t read about them.

    ### Fons Are Hard to Get

    Fons are a crucial currency for gameplay, but they are hard to find early on. Once quests run out, most of your activities either require Fons or are mini-games that give Fons as rewards. While you can earn a good amount over time, it’s smart to use them wisely. For instance, don’t buy every vehicle as soon as you can afford it; save Fons for better options later.

    —

    This version aims to be clear and straightforward, avoiding technical or AI-specific phrases, and maintaining all key details and advice from the original.

  • Things We Wish We Knew Before Completing Tides of Tomorrow

    Things We Wish We Knew Before Completing Tides of Tomorrow

    Tides Of Tomorrow may seem like just another decision-based game in a crowded market, but it has a unique feature: your choices can be influenced by decisions made by players who visited the same story segment before you. In this game, decisions from others can also affect your experience.

    The game features a post-apocalyptic world, mainly revolving around three factions. As you explore different areas, you’ll learn more about plastemia, a condition affecting the world, while making choices that determine the ending. Here’s how to have a better experience:

    ### Your Choices Are Important

    As you progress through the story, remember that your decisions can have significant consequences. Some choices directly impact the game later, and even minor decisions can lead to big changes. For example, when choosing which areas to visit first, the order can unlock special dialogues and cutscenes, or even cause you to skip some story parts entirely.

    ### Choose Your Tidewalker Partner Carefully

    The gameplay is divided into separate instances: each time you visit an island, you experience a new story segment. Before starting each, you select a Tidewalker to follow, and their decisions will influence how you’re treated in that part. If your Tidewalker behaves poorly to locals, they might treat you with suspicion or block access to specific areas. It’s best to pick a Tidewalker who leaves plenty of ozen and scrap in their area’s special chest, as this is valuable for your journey.

    ### Use Your Ozen Wisely

    Ozen is the most critical resource in the world of plastemia. Since there’s no cure for its effects, you need ozen to manage symptoms. After each story segment, you’ll typically need to use at least two ozen bottles. While early on, it’s easy to gather enough, it becomes scarcer and more expensive later, so use it strategically. Avoid giving it away unless necessary, and keep a stockpile for yourself.

    ### Keep an Eye on Your Surroundings

    The gameplay, while decision-driven, is fairly linear. You visit islands, experience their stories, and then leave. However, each island has hidden spots where you can find scrap, ozen, and Mereid Eggs—keys to building resources. Gathering scrap and ozen from these locations is vital, especially since running out can abruptly end your run. Always look for these secret areas and items to extend your journey.

    ### The Game Is Highly Replayable

    Because the game’s ending depends on your choices, you can replay it multiple times to unlock various endings. Unlike some games, you can’t save mid-run and come back; each new attempt requires starting from scratch. Fortunately, the many branching decisions and different outcomes make replaying enjoyable, letting you explore all possible endings without boredom.

    ### Focus on Your Traits

    Your choices can influence your traits, which might seem like simple stats early on, but become increasingly important later. During the story, many options require specific trait levels, such as unlocking a secret message by maxing out your cooperative trait. Building and maintaining these traits can unlock additional lore and secrets.

    ### Don’t Ignore Ocean Events

    Throughout your journey, you’ll encounter ocean events before visiting new islands. These special missions don’t cost health and usually reward you with ozen or scrap. Be sure to check for these events before starting a new mission, as once passed, you can’t revisit them later. Participating in these missions can provide valuable resources to help you survive longer.

    ### Upgrade Your Ship When You Can

    Your ship can be upgraded for 100 scrap at the steering wheel, increasing its health. Upgrades aren’t mandatory but are helpful, especially later when facing multiple enemies firing tracking bullets. Having at least two or three upgrades can make it easier to avoid damage and survive tougher fights during the later parts of the game.

    By paying attention to your choices, managing your resources carefully, and exploring hidden areas, you can improve your chances of reaching different endings and fully experiencing everything Tides Of Tomorrow has to offer.

  • Things to Know Before Playing HumanitZ 1.0: Completing and Solving

    Things to Know Before Playing HumanitZ 1.0: Completing and Solving

    HumanitZ officially launched in early 2026. After years in Early Access and thousands of players surviving in this world, the game received a major update that changed many systems and what players can expect moving forward. For example, both the upgrade system and infection mechanics were completely redesigned.

    Whether you’re a returning player or new to the game, here are some simple tips and advice to help you handle the zombies more easily. Let’s review some beginner tricks for HumanitZ.

    How to Choose a Profession

    When you start a new game, you’ll pick a profession for your character. Options range from Unemployed to Electrical Engineer, and your choice depends on how you want to play. Check out our guide to understand each profession better.

    Your choice will influence your gameplay for many hours, but you can unlock additional professions later. To do this, reach level 30 for your second profession and level 60 for the third. Keep in mind that leveling up is slower now compared to Early Access.

    Note: After selecting your profession, you’ll also need to choose an Affinity. If you’re just starting, it’s best to skip this for now to avoid making things more difficult early on.

    Starting Zone, Leave the Rest for Now

    Before beginning your adventure, you’ll select a spawn point. This determines where on the map you’ll appear, affecting resource availability, nearby buildings, and zombie presence.

    For beginners, the best choice is the Starter Spawn, which is straightforward. However, if you’re looking for a greater challenge, explore other spawn points that can increase difficulty.

    Get or Craft a Weapon Quickly

    You can fight zombies with your fists; knocking them down allows you to hold G to choke or grab and kill them. But these attacks take time, use up half your stamina, and make you vulnerable to other zombies. They’re only practical for one-on-one fights.

    That’s why it’s crucial to find or craft a weapon early—guns, knives, or improvised axes made from stones work. Remember, noise attracts zombies, so be cautious while fighting or looting.

    Starting Quests Are Helpful

    On your first steps, you’ll see a quest window at the bottom left corner. These beginner quests offer simple tasks that teach you how to gather resources and craft items.

    While they might seem minor, these step-by-step guides are very helpful, especially for new players. If you prefer to go at your own pace, you can disable these quests in the game settings.

    How Infection Works

    In the latest version, each time you’re hit by a zombie, your infection level starts to rise. You’ll notice a small green skull icon next to your health bar indicating your infection status.

    If a zombie just hits you, your infection increases slowly. But if they grab and bite you, the gauge fills up by half. Reaching 100% means death.

    To handle this, use medicine to reduce infection by 50% or craft an Infection Inhibitor, which gradually decreases your infection over time. Managing infection is vital to surviving longer.

    Unlock Multiple Skill Trees

    In version 1.0, skills are now tied to professions or specific skill groups. To unlock these groups, complete designated tasks in-game, like crafting a bow and arrows or killing a certain number of enemies with that weapon.

    Some groups might take hours to unlock, especially if you’re new, but investing time in unlocking skill trees greatly enhances your combat ability, traversal, survivability, and building capacity.

    Learn How to Build Storage Containers

    Inventory management is key in HumanitZ. Besides backpacks, you can craft Storage Containers to keep many items safe. You can build multiple containers and place them in buildings for easy access.

    To craft one, you’ll need seven wood, one scrap metal, and ten nails. Building storage containers helps you organize your loot and expand your carrying capacity.

    Use Console Commands if You Die Too Often

    If you find yourself dying repeatedly and want an easier experience, you can use console commands when playing solo. Open the chat and enter commands to activate God Mode, spawn items, or gain experience instantly.

    This allows you to escape difficult situations or just experiment with the game without restrictions. Use this feature wisely to tailor your experience.

    These tips aim to make your journey in HumanitZ smoother and more enjoyable without removing the game’s challenge. The game’s excitement relies on testing your skills—not just making everything easy.

  • Things to Know Before Completing StarRupture and Solving Its Challenges

    Things to Know Before Completing StarRupture and Solving Its Challenges

    Many open-world survival and factory simulation games are out there, but few combine both genres. That’s why StarRupture is such a unique game in the industry. When you first start playing, it can be challenging to get into, but once you do, you’ll find an entire planet ready for exploration.

    If you enjoy building your base and optimizing production, there’s plenty for you here as well. The game can feel a bit overwhelming at first because there’s a lot of information to absorb, but these tips can help you have a smoother experience and enjoy the game more.

    StarRupture is currently in Early Access, so some features mentioned here might change over time.

    How to Unlock the Map

    When you land on Arcadia-7, pressing the map button won’t do anything initially because the map feature isn’t unlocked right away. You don’t have to play the whole game without it, though. Progression involves satisfying large corporations back on Earth by sending them various crafted items. One of these, the Moon Energy Corporation, will reward you after completing certain orders. Once you reach level three with this corporation, the map becomes available, which you can access by pressing “M” on your keyboard.

    To reach level three, you need to complete two more orders for the Moon Energy Corporation after finishing the tutorial. Right now, the game doesn’t have a mini-map — the full-screen map will automatically show your explored areas once unlocked. You can uncover more by exploring around and removing the fog of war.

    Harvesting Ores and Managing Your Mining Tool

    One of the first things you’ll do in Arcadia-7 is use your mining tool to collect ores and meteorites, which is part of the tutorial. These resources are essential for crafting and building your base. While mining, you’ll notice a heating bar at the bottom of your screen. If this fills up completely, your tool will overheat, making it take longer to cool down. To prevent overheating, press the reload button on your tool just before the bar fills up.

    Switching Characters Anytime

    At the start of the game, you’ll choose from one of four characters. Their personalities influence dialogue but don’t affect gameplay directly. If you accidentally pick one you didn’t intend to, you can change your character at any time using the Regeneration Chamber, which is located on your ship or built in any habitat using 100 Basic Building Materials. These chambers also serve as respawn points, but only one can be active at a time. If you’re heading into a dangerous area, it’s smart to set up a habitat with a new regeneration chamber nearby, so you have a place to respawn.

    Always Keep Plenty of Ammo

    Enemies will respawn after each planet wave, which makes exploration potentially dangerous, but they won’t stop appearing. The only exception is inside fully explored outposts. Since enemies keep respawning in different locations, it’s important to carry a lot of ammunition. Different guns require different ammo types, and during a single expedition, you could use over 500 rounds. Since ammo can be crafted with basic materials, it’s easy to restock.

    How to Unlock Your First Weapon

    You start with your mining laser, which can take out small groups of enemies, but you’ll need a proper weapon for larger hordes. To unlock your first gun, reach level two with Griffits Blue Corporation by completing one of their orders after the tutorial. This unlocks the UPP-7 Pistol, which holds nine rounds per magazine. The game also features more advanced weapons like:

    • MAR-9 “Phantom” (Assault Rifle)
    • SLAMS-12 (Shotgun)
    • M175 “Grim” (Machine Gun)

    You can unlock these by spending War Bonds after upgrading your Equipment Station.

    Dealing with Wave Explosions

    There’s a warning when increased Ruptura activity is detected, signaling an incoming wave. After the countdown, a massive explosion occurs, which can instantly kill you if you’re caught outside or unprotected. The planet remains very hot afterward, causing continuous damage. The best way to avoid this is to hide inside your habitats. Remember, underground caves and abandoned outposts do not prevent heat damage. To prepare, always carry at least one Meteorite Heart and some basic building materials so you can quickly craft shelter if a wave hits unexpectedly.

    Keep an Eye on Structure Lights

    If you’ve played factory simulators, managing multiple structures can be overwhelming, especially as you expand. In StarRupture, each building has a light indicator with three different colors:

    • Blue: The building is functioning properly.
    • Red: The power grid is short on energy; you need more generators.
    • Yellow: Something’s stopping the building from working normally, such as missing input materials or not selecting a recipe.

    Apart from your base, exploring abandoned structures and outposts reveals loot and resources, often marked by yellow lights indicating they’re worth checking out.

    Spot Enemy Weaknesses

    While exploring, you’ll face various enemy types. Some are common and easy to defeat, others are rarer and more challenging. Every enemy has a weak spot; for most, it’s their glowing red eyes. Others, like certain crab enemies, have body parts like a tail that shields them. Shooting these weak points will save ammo and make battles quicker, allowing you to explore more in less time.

  • Things We Wish We Knew Before Completing Alchemy Factory

    Things We Wish We Knew Before Completing Alchemy Factory

    Managing and automating processes have always been central to gaming, and Alchemy Factory combines both perfectly. When you start the game, you begin with just a few basic recipes and a tutorial on crafting, but it doesn’t provide detailed guidance. As an alchemist and crafter, you’ll need to figure out most tasks on your own, which can feel overwhelming—especially when trying to automate everything in the later stages of the game. Luckily, some simple tips can help reduce that stress.

    Sell Items That Are Not Needed
    Early on, you’ll open your shop with a small stock of items. The game features many materials, but you can only sell certain items. You can identify these sellable goods in the recipe book’s goods section. Hovering your mouse over items in your inventory also shows their selling prices—these are your key indicators of what you can sell. Keep in mind, you can’t sell items immediately after making them, as they’re often needed for early quests. It’s best to stockpile enough of a certain item before selling, so you can use them later for crafting or furniture. Once you’ve met these conditions, selling surplus items can generate income that’s vital for your progress—it’s generally better than taking loans.

    You Must Multitask
    One major mistake in this game is focusing on just one task at a time. This game can become quite overwhelming because you need to pay attention to manual tasks that require your input every few seconds, like planting crops or crafting items such as rope or healing potions. You have to check on these frequently to replant or harvest at the right time. This constant attention becomes less of an issue at higher levels, as you’ll unlock automation for farming and other processes, allowing you to manage multiple tasks without constant supervision.

    Rotate Your Conveyor Belt
    In the early game, you’ll likely find managing conveyor belts tricky. Although both straight and sloped belts are available, adjusting their direction isn’t always straightforward. The easiest way to rotate a conveyor belt is by holding the left mouse button while creating it and dragging it to your desired path. To make multiple curves, you can stop dragging after each turn and start again. Holding down the mouse button also helps to place multiple items quickly and adjust their height, which is especially useful for items like the Conveyor Lifter.

    Don’t Fear Closing Your Shop
    As you level up, new research options unlock, including new buildings and crafting recipes. During the early game, these new options aren’t too complicated, but after level three, they can become overwhelming. To avoid mistakes with new machinery and recipes, it’s a good idea to close your shop temporarily or stock up on items that won’t run out quickly. This allows you to focus on learning the new mechanics without pressure, reducing errors and making it easier to manage multiple tasks at once.

    Manage Your Builds from the Start
    The game emphasizes automation, and as your workshop grows, keeping track of where to add logs, stone, or other materials becomes more difficult. To prevent late-game chaos, it’s best to plan and manage your building layouts early on. This will help you automate more processes from the beginning, saving time and effort later.

    Stay Focused on Quests
    You can spot your mailbox outside the shop, just below the open/close sign, which notifies you about new quests. These quests come in several types:

    • Main quests (permanent, leveling up your character and unlocking new recipes and upgrades),
    • Carpenter quests (permanent, unlocking new recipes at certain times),
    • Sample quests (permanent),
    • Urgent quests (one day, offering high rewards but requiring quick completion),
    • Random quests (lasting a few days, providing small amounts of money),
    • Bulk orders (taking several days and offering high rewards but demanding many different items).

    Completing quests is your primary way to earn cash. Keeping an eye on these can significantly support your progress.

    Manage Your Money Wisely
    Money management is crucial. Your current funds appear at the top right of the screen, and coins also exist physically in your inventory. You can store extra coins in chests—these won’t show on your HUD—allowing you to save for larger purchases like seeds, ore, wood, or stone. It’s smart to keep at least 2,000–3,000 coins available at all times to cover typical expenses.

    Sell a Wide Range of Items
    After reaching level three and higher, your shop can stock many different items. Some, like wooden gears, sell cheaply but take up little space. Others, such as the Mortar, are expensive but require more shelf space. Providing a variety of items in your store increases customer satisfaction and boosts your reputation, leading to more visitors. Balancing low- and high-priced items is key to building a good reputation while managing your stock efficiently.

  • Things to Know Before Starting Your RV Journey: Completing and Solving

    Things to Know Before Starting Your RV Journey: Completing and Solving

    RV There Yet? is a quirky and survival-focused road trip game for you and up to four friends. Together, you’ll travel through tough terrain and face off against dangerous wildlife, all while trying to keep your fragile RV and crew alive.

    Surviving on the open road will be both fun and frustrating. The game features realistic physics and requires you and your friends to use different problem-solving skills. From fixing broken parts to staying alive, these tips will help keep your engine running and teammates moving toward the next checkpoint of your adventure.

    Stock Up On EpiPens

    One of the most helpful survival items in the game is the colorful EpiPens. You can find them right at your spawn point near the tent and scattered along your journey.

    Though not labeled explicitly, EpiPens are used to revive teammates who have been knocked out due to injuries like snake bites or falls. They are shared among your group, so anyone can use them without needing to equip them separately. Approaching a knocked-out teammate will automatically give you the option to revive them.

    Use EpiPens wisely — they aren’t guaranteed to be present at every stop. If you run out, don’t worry—checkpoints have graves that can revive any players who couldn’t be brought back along the way.

    How To Heal From Regular Damage

    The manual mentions using beer and cigarettes for strength or stamina boosts, but it doesn’t specify how to heal normal injuries. Burgers are used to heal players who have taken damage but aren’t dead or poisoned.

    Cook a burger on a disposable grill and eat it to recover from minor injuries like falls. Remember, the grill has limited uses, and finding more at your next stop isn’t always guaranteed. Be careful with healing items—you’ll want to use them sparingly.

    Know When To Run

    Survival is key, and snakes are a common threat that players often overlook. You’ll often know a snake is nearby by its rattling or hissing sounds. They can be tricky to spot, so if you hear a hiss, watch your step closely.

    Trying to attack a snake usually just provokes it, with no real damage to the creature but potentially serious harm to you. The best approach is to avoid them entirely. If they block your path, throw something from a safe distance and hope they slither away.

    Change Your Look

    Customizing your character adds a lot of fun to the game. It helps your teammates tell you apart and adds personality. You can find different hats and glasses scattered along the route at checkpoints and stops.

    Once equipped, these cosmetics stay in your inventory. To change your look, sit in the RV’s bathroom; it will automatically open the customization menu in the mirror opposite.

    Tip: Check the rock in the lake opposite your spawn point early on for new cosmetic items before starting your journey.

    Buckle Up

    Driving the RV takes practice, and even experienced players will face tricky moments. When sitting as a passenger, you can roam freely—try cooking burgers on the sliding grill or playing darts, even when you’re not in control of the driving.

    However, damage to the RV can be dangerous. When the vehicle gets hit, the walls and ceiling may break apart, and if you’re not strapped in, you can be thrown out. Falling out on flat roads might be funny, but on mountain terrain, it can be deadly.

    Attaching Items

    The game’s manual briefly mentions where to put items inside the RV. It doesn’t specify what items go where or what can be stored for later.

    Tools like the Flipomatic 2000 can only go on the roof—never inside the RV. Items you find along the way, such as antidotes, can be stored inside the vehicle. Keep in mind, larger items take up more space or multiple spots.

    Be sure to repair the roof ladder early, especially if it’s broken, since tools like the ladder are needed to access roof storage. Without it, you might have the necessary tools but no way to reach them in emergencies.

    Different RV Damage Types

    Your RV will take damage, and it happens quite easily. The damage bar at the top of the screen indicates what repairs are needed. Each color shows a different problem, guiding you on which tool to use for fixing it.

    If tools are lost, more can typically be found at checkpoints and repair points, so keep looking—supplies are replenish-able.

    RV Area Repair Tool Tool Location
    Outer Body Repair Hammer, Scrap Metal Inside the RV, Checkpoints/Interest points
    Tires Power Drill Inside the RV
    Engine Motor Oil Checkpoints/Interest points
    Frame Welding Machine Garages

    Remember To Park Up

    Getting the RV in the right spot is important. Practicing driving helps, but always remember to put the RV in park when stopping. Just turning the engine off isn’t always enough—plopping the vehicle in park prevents it from rolling away.

    Even when you’ve spent time winching the RV up a hill, forgetting to park can cause it to roll back or tip over, especially on rough terrain. Taking this small step can save you from big trouble later on.

  • Things to Know Before Playing Waterpark Simulator: Completing & Solving Tips

    Things to Know Before Playing Waterpark Simulator: Completing & Solving Tips

    Starting out in Waterpark Simulator can feel a bit daunting. Running a busy water park means managing money, rides, staff, and guest happiness—all while keeping everything running efficiently and making a profit. Although the game is full of silly fun, it also has a lot of complex gameplay elements.

    Here are some key tips for beginners to help you start strong, avoid common mistakes, and build a water park that not only succeeds but keeps visitors coming back. From managing staff wisely to spotting troublemakers and more, here’s what you need to know to make your first splash.

    Prevent and Remove Naughty Visitors

    An annoying but funny part of the game is dealing with troublemaking guests. You can spot them by looking for the devil emoji above their heads. These visitors may sneak in without paying or leave a “present” in the pool. Always be attentive to the emoji—whether they’ve done something or not. If you see it, remove them immediately to prevent further damage or mess. Use the boxing glove at the front desk for an extra punch.

    Note: Not all troublemakers sneak in. Keep an eye on the emoji, not just whether they have a bracelet indicating they paid.

    How to Properly Use Trash Cans

    Trash cans are a simple way to keep your park clean. When you place one from the building menu, a directional arrow appears—this tells customers which way they’ll walk to use it. Use this to guide customer traffic efficiently. Also, notice the yellow area around the can, which shows its effective range. If visitors are outside this zone, they won’t go there for trash, so you might need more cans or better placement to keep litter under control.

    Unlock the Water Gun ASAP

    Getting the water gun is a fun upgrade. It allows you to spray down smelly visitors or clean certain areas faster—plus, it helps earn extra XP, especially when visitors enjoy water fights. Keep in mind, the water gun can perform cleaning tasks quicker than a mop, saving inventory slots for other tools. However, it doesn’t give you Research Points when cleaning, so weigh its benefits carefully early in the game. More pocket space unlocked through the Research Table helps keep all your tools handy.

    Always Check the Water in Your Pools

    Pools degrade over time—cracking and discoloration happen if you neglect them. If they break, they drain and get marked “out of order,” preventing guests from swimming and ruining their fun. To fix this, use the hammer to repair damaged pools, but remember to refill them afterward—guests won’t care whether the water is there or not; they’ll jump in regardless, which can lead to injuries and negative feedback.

    Note: In cases of guests getting severely injured, you’ll need to call an ambulance, which arrives automatically and costs extra.

    Use Life Preservers Wisely

    When your park is new, you’ll only have one life ring to rescue drowning visitors. Keep it with you at all times to respond quickly. As you progress and earn Research Points, you can unlock a stand with multiple life preservers—meaning you can place more rings around the park. A handy trick is to drop a few rings into the pools early in the day. Drowning visitors may bump into them and save themselves, saving you time and resources.

    Hiring Staff You Need

    While tempting to hire everyone right away, focus on using your Research Points wisely, especially early on. The first priority should be hiring a Ticket Agent—this frees you up to handle cleaning, fixing, and ejecting sneaky visitors. Handle the morning rush yourself, as staff might not admit the first 10-15 visitors quickly enough, causing frustration. After that, you can assign staff to other roles.

    Recommended hiring order:

    1. Ticket Agent
    2. Hot Dog Vendor
    3. Lemonade Vendor
    4. Cleaner
    5. Restocker
    6. Ice Cream Vendor
    7. Janitor
    8. Additional Cleaners

    The Trick for Distributing Flyers

    Handing out flyers can be frustrating—many people on the street may ignore them or already have tickets. To maximize effectiveness, print your flyers before opening and hand them out immediately as you start your day. When the park opens, quickly run out with flyers in hand; after the initial rush, patience levels are higher, and it’s easier to get flyers into potential visitors’ hands.

    Use Umbrellas as Transport

    Running in the game is fast, especially if you enable always-run in settings. But as your park grows, you won’t be able to be everywhere at once. For quick travel, use umbrellas as a form of transportation—bouncing from one to another is efficient and safe, since falling doesn’t cause damage. Consider placing umbrellas around your park in a string to create bounce pads. This makes getting from point A to B faster and allows you to respond more quickly to emergencies.

  • Essential Tips for Completing and Solving in Borderlands 4

    Essential Tips for Completing and Solving in Borderlands 4

    Unlike previous entries in the series, Borderlands 4 is an open-world game. When you arrive from the oppressive prison complex onto the shores of Clap-Trap’s paradise (which is basically hell), it can feel overwhelming at first.

    But don’t worry too much. This is still a classic Borderlands game—focused on shooting everything that moves until you’re a loot-fueled machine with a treasure chest full of shiny weapons. To help you get started and adjust to the main changes, here are some important tips.

    Don’t Explore Until You Get Your First Vehicle
    It might be tempting to start wandering around right away, but it’s better to stick with the main story until you finish the “Down and Outbound” mission. This quest rewards you with your first Faction Town and a digistruct vehicle. You can summon this vehicle anytime by pressing right on the D-pad or pressing X on a keyboard—no Catch-A-Ride stations needed on Kairos.

    Having a vehicle makes traveling much easier. It can even glide over water, so it’s worth unlocking before you start exploring on foot, which can be exhausting without it.

    Your Repkit Has More Uses Than Just Healing
    Borderlands 4 introduces the Repkit, a stim that you inject yourself with for a quick health boost. But it’s not just for healing. You can find different Repkits that come with extra perks. For example, some increase reload speed or have more charges, making them more useful beyond just healing. Keep an eye out for these upgrades—they can work well with your build and add new layers of strategy.

    Grenades Now Have a Cooldown
    Grenades are no longer unlimited. Instead, they have been replaced by “Ordnances,” which include grenades, throwing knives, and heavy weapons like the Fermionic Monsoon shown above. You don’t need to loot ammo to refill them anymore; they now have a cooldown timer after each use.

    You Can Fish for Free Guns Using Your Grappling Hook
    Borderlands 4 isn’t a relaxing game, but you can go fishing in Kairos. There are spots around the map where you’ll see splashes in the water. Using your grappling hook, you can pull in junk and weapons from these spots. It’s a handy way to find gear between fights, and you can sell what you catch at vending machines for quick cash.

    The Minimap Isn’t Enabled by Default
    The game’s compass helps keep track of objectives, but in tight spaces filled with enemies, it can be hard to see where everyone is. Luckily, there’s still a radar, but it’s off by default. To turn it on, go to the options menu, select the “Gameplay” tab, and at the bottom, toggle “Radar Display” to ‘On’. You’ll then see both the compass and a radar for better situational awareness.

    Boss Rematches Offer Better Loot
    Another new feature in Borderlands 4 is the ability to rematch bosses at Moxxi’s Big Encore machines. For a small fee, you can reset story bosses, side quest bosses, and world activity bosses to earn more XP and better loot.

    You can also queue for boss rematches from the main menu via the matchmaking options. Additionally, if you want to replay specific quests, you can do so from the “Replay” tab in the Missions menu—useful if you missed any optional objectives.

    Upgrade Your Backpack As Soon As Possible
    Many utilities—like cosmetics—are now managed through the player menu. The SDU, for example, can be accessed anytime, without visiting a vendor. From this menu, you can upgrade your weapon ammo capacity, inventory limit, bank storage, and how much of your lost loot is saved, using tokens earned through collectibles and challenges.

    Starting ammo is already quite high, so investing tokens into your backpack early is a good idea. This prevents constantly sorting through your inventory during the early part of the game.

    The Hover Pack Lets You Dodge
    Early in the game, you get a hover pack that does what it sounds like. Unbeknownst to many, you can also use it to dodge. On PC, press shift plus a direction key. On consoles, tap B or Circle while moving sideways, forward, or backward. Mastering this movement expands your traversal options and helps you avoid damage, making fights easier and survival possible longer.

    Respeccing Is Cheap and Easy, So Do It Early
    If your current build isn’t fun, you don’t have to restart the game. Respeccing is unlocked after completing the “Down and Outbound” mission and costs just enough cash to be affordable early on. Use this feature to tweak your skills and abilities until you find a playstyle that suits you. When you do, focus on finding loot that complements your chosen build.

  • Essential Tips We Wish We Knew Before Completing Mage Arena

    Essential Tips We Wish We Knew Before Completing Mage Arena

    Mage Arena stands out among many PvP games because you get to speak the spells and see your character cast them. While this might be the main appeal, there are many other interesting features you might not notice unless you’re aware of them.

    During a match, the goal is to capture the enemy’s flag and defeat all their players. Once their flag is taken, they cannot respawn, and you win. A few tips can help you reach this victory quicker.

    Keep Your Base Closed
    One of the most important tips is to always keep your base door shut. When you spawn in, you’ll start in a castle with a large grassy room. You need to open the main door to go outside. If you leave it open, enemies can walk right in and steal your flag. After entering or leaving your base, you can close the door again. If enemies get in with the door closed, they’ll have to spend time opening it, giving you a chance to react if you aren’t around.

    Craft Before You Leave
    At the start of each game, inside your base, you’ll find a chest with six random materials, a tree trunk for crafting items, and a giant figure to make soups. Before heading out, craft the best items possible using these resources. Both you and your opponents spawn with a spellbook and a torch, so crafted items can give you an edge early on. You can use the recipe book beside the tree trunk to see what you can make. Once you get used to the recipes, you’ll memorize what each item does, making crafting more efficient.

    Capture Other Biomes
    The game map is divided into different biomes—like crystal, snow, swamp, and mushroom. You can capture flags in these biomes, which grants you experience points (EXP) for your spells. The map shows your current spell level; the higher the level, the more damage your spells do. Larger maps offer more tiles, but the actual tiles you get are random. To capture a biome’s flag, you need to find the specific way into its location. Capturing these flags increases your spell levels; for example, maxed-out spells like fireball become extremely powerful, but can also be deadly if you’re not careful.

    Learn Each Biome
    Understanding how each biome works can give you advantages. For example, in the lava biome, entering the central building and climbing the spiral stairs grants access to extra spells. The crystal biome has its flag hidden deep inside a cave accessible through various holes. There’s also a graveyard biome with the Mausoleum, where you can find the Excalibur sword—an incredibly powerful weapon that defeats all enemies instantly and remains in your inventory after death unless dropped by an opponent.

    Enter Enemy Bases Easily
    To infiltrate enemy bases without manually interacting with doors, you can use specific tactics. Having Bounce Mushrooms in your inventory allows you to jump onto them and be shot into the enemy base wall, entering inside. Alternatively, crafting a Levitator spell enables you to fly over walls directly into the enemy’s base. Though more challenging, this method provides free entry without dealing with mushrooms. Remember, if you get defeated, you’ll lose your Levitator and need to start over.

    Watch for NPC Enemies
    Besides battling other players, you’ll encounter various non-player enemies across biomes. For instance, in the lava biome, two sorcerers chase you in the central building, casting spells. In the swamp, giant frogs hide underwater and can suck you in with their tongues if you’re too close. The Mausoleum also features skeletons and wraiths. These foes can defeat you easily, so stay alert. Sometimes, NPC sorcerers might attack you randomly as well.

    Return to Your Base Frequently
    Your base is crucial because it’s the safest place. You can teleport back quickly by holding the “B” key, making it ideal for regrouping with teammates. When you arrive, you might find items dropped outside by goblins, useful for crafting or preparing for the next fight. Regularly returning ensures you don’t lose your flag and helps coordinate strategies with your team.

  • Completing Shadow Labyrinth: Insights for Problem Solving

    Completing Shadow Labyrinth: Insights for Problem Solving

    Shadow Labyrinth is a Metroidvania platformer where you embody a soul who can’t wield a sword with traditional hands. Instead, you use a mechanical arm to assist you. One of the standout features of the game is a twisted rendition of the classic Pac-Man, allowing you to consume your foes whole.

    The game encompasses a variety of expansive areas, and, as is typical of the genre, your progress is often restricted by specific abilities. However, you’re bound to enjoy the adventure from beginning to end, especially if you remember a few tips to enhance your gameplay.

    Explore Every Path

    When diving into a Metroidvania like Shadow Labyrinth, taking a linear approach just to follow the main storyline doesn’t do the game justice. The true enjoyment lies in navigating a vast world where not all paths are necessary for completion, yet many hide the toughest challenges.

    Along the main route, you might face some formidable enemies and a couple of minibosses. But it’s in these side paths that you’ll encounter truly unique and tough adversaries waiting to test your skills. Plus, there’s a rewarding treasure waiting at the end of those paths.

    Most yellow and red crystals, which contain vital items for HP increases and regeneration, are often tucked away in these side areas. By exploring them, you not only make the main quest easier, but you’ll also understand why Shadow Labyrinth is such an exceptional game.

    Activate Gaia Mode When Needed

    After defeating your second main boss, an older version of PUCK, you acquire a special ability that allows you to transform into a giant mech. You start the game as this powerful creature, showcasing its capabilities, but activating it requires some setup.

    A mech icon will appear in the top-left corner when it’s ready for use—this is your lifeline in critical situations. At times, you may find yourself near defeat, surrounded by enemies. In these moments, activating Gaia gives you an advantageous escape.

    Gaia can even help you take down minibosses early in the game before its activation timer runs out.

    Collect Materials Whenever Possible

    Aside from being an unstoppable mech, Gaia has a unique ability: you can devour stunned or defeated enemies. However, you only have a brief window to do this before their bodies disappear. Consuming enemies not only recharges Gaia, but it also provides essential materials.

    These materials are crucial for upgrading your abilities and purchasing various perks throughout your journey in the Labyrinth. Early in the game, be sure to consume every enemy you encounter. This foresight prevents future hunting missions for materials.

    Keep in mind that while Gaia can consume enemies directly in front of it, it can’t reach through walls. Timing is key here—it uses up a lot of your ESP, and inappropriate use can leave you vulnerable.

    Pay Attention to Your Map

    As you wander through Shadow Labyrinth, you’ll likely pass by special items hidden from view, either behind walls or otherwise concealed. Fortunately, your map can assist during these moments. Check it frequently, as certain items will be marked even if you can’t see them directly.

    Close proximity may reveal hidden paths and other items you might need. This feature also aids in locating destructible walls, guiding you in the right direction.

    Regenerating HP Is Challenging

    One of the appealing aspects of a Metroidvania is its souls-like design where you save only at specific checkpoints. In Shadow Labyrinth, there are different types of checkpoints: some have an orb, while others do not. The orb-less checkpoints allow HP regeneration but don’t refill your life tank or give you teleport options.

    If you die at these checkpoints, you’ll revert back without a way to heal, making certain areas quite perilous if you’re not careful.

    Familiarize Yourself with Your Enemies

    With HP recovery being difficult, learning your enemies’ behaviors is crucial for progression. While many smaller foes have similar patterns, larger enemies often have unique abilities.

    For instance, the bigger warriors encountered in the Sky-High Tree strike slowly but pack a punch, while smaller foes tend to swarm and utilize quick dash and jump attacks. Recognizing these patterns will help you avoid traps and counter effectively.

    Repeat Boss Fights

    On your journey, you’ll face numerous bosses. Some will have notable introductions, while others may unexpectedly block your path. The nice part is you can redo certain boss fights.

    Whenever you spot a yellow skull icon on your map, it indicates a miniboss you’ve already defeated. Reentering that area will reignite the fight, allowing you to farm materials for essential items, enhancing the game’s replay value.

    Your Dash Provides Strict Immunity

    From your initial encounter with bosses, you’ll quickly notice their formidable, agile attacks that often cover a wide area. Mastering the dash is essential for evading these threats. When you trigger a dash, you gain almost a second of immunity, allowing you to evade incoming assaults.

    Though the timing might take a little practice to master, once you get the hang of it, you’ll find dodging becomes second nature as you progress through the challenges of Shadow Labyrinth.

  • Completing Persona 5: The Phantom X—Solving Key Insights To Know

    Completing Persona 5: The Phantom X—Solving Key Insights To Know

    With the recent release of Persona 5: The Phantom X, fans of the franchise are diving right in. While many elements feel familiar, this game introduces several important changes that alter how it is played.

    But don’t worry! We’re here to guide you through all the new features, helping you connect your social accounts and summon your Personas effortlessly. While there’s a lot to learn, following this guide will make the once daunting aspects clear and manageable.

    Understanding Leveling in Persona 5: The Phantom X

    If you’re transitioning from previous Persona games, one of the main changes to note is the leveling system. The way Wonder, your main character, levels up is distinctly different from how the other characters do.

    First, unlike the rest of the cast, Wonder is the sole character who gains experience from combat in dungeons. While this method can yield some early levels, it’s not the most efficient route. For the best experience gain, focus on the following:

    • Complete your daily missions. Tasks like fusing Personas or taking on part-time jobs are essential.
    • Finish your missions. These missions often involve building social links, which enhance your gaming experience.
    • Work through Realm Of Repression missions. These are highly effective for leveling Wonder. Completing one encounter can multiply your experience significantly if you use your stamina wisely.

    This list highlights some key strategies for leveling Wonder efficiently. Be aware that many methods rely on daily resources that reset after a certain period. If you try to grind after depleting these resources, it might feel less productive.

    Wonder also features a skill tree accessible in the Thieves menu. You can unlock new abilities by earning “Schema” through obtaining and registering new Personas in the Velvet Room’s Persona Compendium.

    Leveling Your Other Party Members

    Arai celebrating after defeating her foes in Persona 5 The Phantom X.

    Training your other party members is a more straightforward process. Access this feature through the Thieves menu; once there, select a character and hit Training. You will need two sources of materials to enhance your team: Fragrance Bottles and Training Materials. The materials facilitate level increases, while fragrance bottles help in upgrading hidden abilities. It is crucial to alternate using both types of materials, as you won’t reach the next level until you’ve upgraded the corresponding hidden ability.

    You can find these materials in treasure chests during dungeons, but the most efficient way to gather them is through Realm of Repression missions, which complements leveling Wonder effectively. Just remember, the limit on your party members’ levels is tied to Wonder’s level. Even with all the necessary materials, a party member cannot level up beyond what Wonder has achieved.

    If you find yourself needing a higher-level Fragrance Bottle, you can exchange lower-tier bottles for the next level at a three-to-one ratio at the workbench.

    Prioritize the Beginner Banner

    The Newcomer Contract Banner in Persona 5 The Phantom X.

    As you play, you’ll earn many Golden Tickets and have offers available in the Contracts menu. Initially, it’s wise to focus on the “Newcomer Contracts” banner. This banner has a lower threshold for obtaining a five-star character, allowing you to choose among Ann, Morgana, and Ryuji. Plus, there’s a discount that lets you make 50 pulls for only 40 Gold Tickets.

    Note that while you are guaranteed a five-star character after reaching the maximum pulls, your selection may not be the one you want since some banners feature multiple five-star options. For example, the Phantom Magician banner ensures you’ll receive Joker after 80 pulls.

    It’s worth mentioning that there’s no soft pity feature right now in Persona 5: The Phantom X. So, unlike other gacha games, you may need to hit the hard pity ceiling for a higher chance of getting the five-star character you desire.

    Playing regularly will also teach you the game mechanics, expose you to shopping options, contracts, and more. During exploration, keep an eye out for exclamation marks in your menu, as they indicate new activities with the potential for items, experience, or other rewards.

    For instance, if you see an exclamation point near Awards, Plans, or Goals, there’s an award ready for collecting. An exclamation mark over Tutorials means a tutorial is available, which may not seem thrilling, but completing it grants you additional currency.

    While some exclamation marks, such as those in the Thieves menu, might be easy to ignore since they indicate standard actions, in the early game, it’s beneficial to check them out for potential rewards.

    Focus on Completing Daily Content

    Wonder in the Velvet Room in Persona 5 The Phantom X.

    Although Persona 5: The Phantom X can feel like an exciting new entry in the series, it remains a gacha title, meant for daily engagement rather than marathon sessions. So, even on days when you aren’t inclined to play, take ten minutes to log in and accomplish the following:

    • Log in to collect your daily Hoot-n-Loot.
    • Grab the free daily item pack available in the shop.
    • Complete four daily goals.
    • Utilize your energy in the Realm of Repression, especially when it is maxed out.
    • Make use of your action points if you’re nearing capacity.

    The theme is clear: avoid letting resources that automatically regenerate reach their maximum limits. If they do, use them right away since sitting on them does not benefit you. Resources that passively restore are crucial, and you want to ensure they are actively helping you progress.

    You can triple any activity meant to reward you, just avoid doing this with anything marked as “new,” as you won’t triple all the rewards.

    Maximizing Your Limited Meta Jewels

    Wonder facing the giant cube and receiving a reward for completing the Realm Of Repression in Persona 5 The Phantom X.

    Meta Jewels are among the most valuable currencies you’ll find in Persona 5: The Phantom X. You earn them through daily challenges, but even with a steady influx, you’ll often find yourself short. Thus, strategic use is essential for making daily progress.

    While you might be tempted to spend them on gacha pulls (150 jewels equals one pull), this may not be the best approach early in the game. If Wonder isn’t adequately leveled, your sessions could devolve into frustrating grinds. Instead, participate in Realm of Repression events to level Wonder up effectively. You can use Meta Jewels to purchase coffee, which replenishes energy, allowing you to buy five coffees a day at a cost of 60 jewels each. This strategy is highly recommended during the early game.

    However, if you’re close to the threshold for a gacha pull, investing your Meta Jewels into achieving that pull can be more beneficial. As you progress, consider saving your Meta Jewels to make bigger rolls on upcoming banners, especially if a favored character is set to feature.

    Evenly Level Your Party for Diverse Enemy Encounters

    persona5-the-phantom-x-press-image-1.jpg

    Your success in clearing challenges like Memento Trials and tackling various enemy encounters hinges largely on your party’s composition. In true Persona style, attacking elemental weaknesses is crucial. It won’t take long before you face battles that become nearly impossible without the right team setup.

    Wonder’s versatility with a range of Personas is advantageous, but having a diverse party increases your chances of success significantly. While you might have some constraints at the start, the game offers ample Golden Tickets, Platinum Tickets, and Meta Jewels to expand your roster effectively.

    Acquiring New Personas

    persona5-the-phantom-x-press-image-2.jpg

    Having a variety of Personas for Wonder is essential for overcoming tougher challenges. Aim to collect Persona Seals, which you can find while exploring dungeons, but the majority will come from the Realm of Repression.

    Your priority should be to obtain seals for each elemental category. Better yet, aim for two of each type, which will come in handy during Velvet Room Challenge Battles. Remember to level up all acquired Personas, as materials for this can also be gathered in the Realm of Repression.

    You can teach a Persona skills associated with relevant elements, but note that while this is useful for activating elemental weaknesses, when performing a Once More attack, Wonder will use a move based on their base element. This can be less effective for executing chain combos that stun multiple enemies.

  • What We Wish We Knew Before Completing Scum: Solving Tips

    What We Wish We Knew Before Completing Scum: Solving Tips

    As yet another entry in the open-world survival crafting genre, Scum offers familiar elements found in similar games while introducing a wealth of distinctive features. Upon starting the game and selecting your preferred server, you will parachute down to an expansive, uncharted landscape. Your first priority is to touch down safely on the ground.

    From that point forward, the game only becomes more challenging. You’ll begin with nothing but the clothes on your back, which you’ll need to discard shortly after. Fortunately, there are numerous items you can find to help you thrive in this vast world, provided you employ effective survival strategies.

    Manage Your Temperature Effectively

    Body temperature is vital in Scum, yet new players often overlook it. In your Metabolism tab, you’ll notice your body temperature starts at a normal level of 36.6°C. As your character feels colder or warmer, this temperature will fluctuate.

    You can easily monitor your temperature changes on the left side of the screen, where your character’s conditions are displayed. If you’re only slightly uncomfortable, it’s usually not a major issue. However, if your discomfort escalates, here’s how to stabilize your temperature:

    • If you’re feeling cold, either add more layers or start a fire. If rain is causing your chill, find shelter to stay dry. Just be cautious; fires can attract unwanted attention from other players, especially at night. It’s safer to set your fire away from roads.
    • Conversely, if you’re feeling too hot, strip off some clothing or take a swim. It’s best to remove your clothes before entering the water to keep them dry. You can stash them in your inventory or drop them temporarily.

    Prioritize the Right Items While Looting

    Scum showing phone and advanced lockpick in inventory.

    As you advance in Scum, your loot will grow from minimal to plentiful, moving from dense forests to small settlements and finally into larger towns and remains of civilization. However, your inventory space is severely limited, especially if luck isn’t on your side.

    This is why it’s crucial to prioritize what you carry. For instance, a smartphone is invaluable as it can help you complete quests and earn currency. The more you play, the more you’ll realize that some items are rarity, which affects their importance in your inventory.

    For example, always keep a toolbox, no matter how much space it consumes.

    You should also make room for Bobby Pins, Safety Pins, and Screwdrivers as they aid in lockpicking.

    Scum showing the crafting menu.

    Even if you’re already experienced with survival crafting, Scum presents a unique hurdle with its multitude of menus. Beyond inventory management, you’ll also navigate through Crafting, Health, and Metabolism tabs. Here’s a brief overview of each:

    Crafting

    This section contains all the craftable items and includes three sub-tabs. You’ll mainly focus on the first unless you’re setting up a base or cooking.

    Health

    Here, you can monitor your character’s health conditions and find treatment options.

    Metabolism

    This is arguably the game’s most crucial tab, revealing how urgently you need to relieve yourself while providing insights into your body’s nutritional status, including proteins, carbs, and vitamins. This tab also tracks your temperature and skill levels.

    Familiarizing yourself with these tabs early on will significantly boost your chances of survival.

    Utilize Focus Mode for Navigation

    Scum showing south, west, and north directions.

    Focus Mode can be activated by right-clicking in Scum. If it doesn’t activate automatically, just move around a bit before trying again. This mode enhances your aim for shooting puppets or other NPCs with your firearm or bow.

    Once you advance in Awareness and Survival skills, a special compass will appear when you enter Focus Mode, assisting you in navigating effectively without referring to the tiny red dot on the map.

    Plan Your Meals Ahead of Time

    Scum showing the food menu.

    The food and hydration systems in Scum are more intricate than many other survival titles. It’s essential to maintain proper nutrition, as each food item offers specific amounts of protein, carbs, fats, and other essential nutrients. A balanced diet is crucial.

    Keep your protein level high while keeping your energy below 50 percent to maximize your skill advancements. Make it a habit to carry some food items with you for convenient access.

    Failing to store food and scavenging for it at the last minute could result in wasting precious time or getting caught without the right items.

    A sound strategy is to gather mushrooms during your travels and hunt any animals you encounter. With some meat and edible mushrooms on hand, you can whip up nourishing recipes once you obtain vegetables.

    Scout Locations Before Diving In

    Scum looking at a cupboard you can loot.

    Scum features various server types, some of which are more peaceful due to lower player counts, while others allow for intense PvP encounters. High-population servers are common, and you’ll often face opponents looking to defeat you.

    Additionally, certain zones have high-level NPCs and mechs, making it critical to survey an area before charging in for loot. Here are the steps to follow when scouting:

    • Use Focus Mode to examine the entrances of buildings and spot any open doors. An open door generally indicates that a player has been there recently.
    • If there are no open doors, look for NPCs nearby. If the only enemies are puppets, you’re in a relatively safe area. But take extra caution if you see humans with weapons.
    • Even after scouting, move carefully and slowly in high-population servers to avoid attracting attention.

    Expand Your Inventory Whenever Possible

    Scum showing high inventory space.

    As previously mentioned, inventory space limits your exploration since you can only carry so much. While building a base with storage chests is one solution, it is a time-consuming process. Instead, consider these alternatives for increasing your inventory:

    First, focus on acquiring or crafting a better backpack. After securing your initial one, aim for the highest quality available. While exploring, you may stumble upon various backpacks, but these are rare and take time to locate.

    Hiking backpacks are the best option in Scum, and you might find them in gas stations.

    Additionally, look for clothing that provides extra inventory slots. Layering clothes can also increase your available space. For instance, wearing a sweater over a shirt and a jacket on top can significantly boost your inventory. Just remember, having more clothing will increase your character’s heat.

    Sandbox Mode is Ideal for Learning the Basics

    Scum drone mode activated.

    Throughout your time in Scum, you’ll come across numerous mechanics to learn. One effective way to accelerate this learning process is by using the sandbox mode. Accessible from the main menu, this feature allows you to experience the game solo and employ various console commands.

    You can also activate Drone Mode by pressing Ctrl + D in the main menu before entering sandbox. This mode enables you to explore areas quickly, providing an excellent opportunity to familiarize yourself with the game’s mechanics.

  • Starlink Approved for India, Awaiting Final Security Reviews

    Starlink Approved for India, Awaiting Final Security Reviews

    Elon Musk’s Starlink Granted License for Commercial Operations in India

    Elon Musk’s Starlink has officially received authorization to launch its commercial services in India from the country’s telecom ministry, as reported by two sources to Reuters on Friday. This marks a significant milestone for the satellite internet provider, which now needs to demonstrate compliance with national security regulations.

    This approval is a positive development for Musk, especially considering ongoing tensions with former President Donald Trump, which have put $22 billion worth of SpaceX contracts and related government projects at risk.

    Starlink becomes the third company to obtain a license from India’s Department of Telecommunications, following Eutelsat’s OneWeb and Reliance Jio, both of which have also been cleared to operate in India.

    Neither Starlink nor the Department of Telecommunications responded immediately for comments.

    The approval comes after Musk’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a recent visit to the United States, where they discussed the long-delayed launch plans for Starlink and India’s apprehensions regarding security protocols.

    Starlink has been waiting since 2022 for licenses to operate in India. Although this approval clears a vital hurdle, the company still has several obstacles before it can commence commercial services.

    In addition to the current approval, Starlink requires another license from India’s space regulator, which a source familiar with the situation indicated is "close" to being secured. The company must also prove it meets security requirements through extensive testing and trials.

    "This process will take at least a couple of months, and it’s going to be thorough," noted one of the sources. Only after receiving a green light from Indian security officials will Starlink be able to market its equipment and services to customers.

    In an unexpected turn of events, Indian telecom giants Jio and Bharti Airtel announced a partnership with Musk in March to offer Starlink equipment in their retail locations, although they will continue to compete in providing broadband services.

    Musk and billionaire Mukesh Ambani of Jio had been at odds for months over how India should allocate spectrum for satellite services. Ultimately, the Indian government sided with Musk’s view that the spectrum should be assigned rather than auctioned.

    In May, the country’s telecom regulator proposed that satellite service providers contribute 4% of their annual revenue to the government as a fee for providing services. Local players have criticized this as "unjustifiably low," arguing it could jeopardize their businesses.

    Deloitte projects that India’s satellite broadband service market could reach $1.9 billion by 2030, making it a lucrative opportunity for entities like Starlink and Amazon’s Kuiper, which is still awaiting its own license.

  • Essential Tips for Completing Your Nice Day of Fishing

    Essential Tips for Completing Your Nice Day of Fishing

    A Great Day for Fishing

    A Great Day for Fishing might seem like a casual fishing game, but it packs in some exciting RPG elements as well. Patience is key here, just like in real fishing. However, that doesn’t mean you should relax too much. Instead, you’ll need to be attentive and strike at the right moments.

    You take on the role of an NPC who loves fishing. Your mission? Save the world from evil, and the only way to do that is through your fishing skills. Along the way, you’ll meet various characters who can assist you, but having a few tips before diving into the game can make your adventure smoother.

    Avoid Rapidly Hitting the Attack Button

    One of the main mechanics in A Great Day for Fishing is the need to hit the attack button quickly to lower a fish’s health and catch it. You might feel tempted to mash that button, but hold off! If you don’t time it right, it’ll become increasingly difficult when the fish turns aggressive.

    Repeatedly pressing the button could cause you to lose health as you deplete your fishing line’s stamina. It’s wise to wait a moment after each attack, as most fish won’t go down in just one hit. During these aggressive phases, you’ll also need to either dodge or parry the fish’s attacks.

    Tip: If parrying is challenging, just keep holding the dodge button until the fish is finished with its attack.

    Use Your Attack Spells First

    Magic spells are incredibly effective and can deliver significant damage to fish. These spells charge slowly and consume stamina, so it’s wise to use them upfront before switching to regular attacks. This strategy will allow your spells to recharge quicker for future use, especially crucial during boss battles with high health.

    Quick Tip: Save your healing spells by buying potions from the shop.

    Level Up Gradually

    As you go on quests, you’ll get limited chances to catch fish. When facing the first boss, you’ll likely be under-leveled—around level six—but ideally, you should aim for at least level ten for a smoother victory.

    Always take the time to level up before challenging stronger foes. Some quests might require specific fish, which can be harder to catch at lower levels. Aim for the recommended levels shown for each fish—this will make things easier.

    Explore Your Surroundings

    The NPCs in the game are filled with valuable advice and hints, so chatting with them is beneficial, especially when you’re stuck. You might also come across useful items scattered across the map, which can help heal status ailments while fishing.

    As you navigate your boat, keep an eye out for treasure chests in the water. They contain valuable items, including experience orbs, gear, and potions. Watch out for aggressive fish trying to bite your fishing line while you collect treasure!

    Pro Tip: Quests often have helpful tips, so make sure to read through any text carefully.

    Always Bring Enough Bait

    Running low on bait can be a common issue, especially since some fish require several attempts to catch. Make sure to stockpile enough bait for practice and leveling up.

    Collect early-game baits like Garlic and Palm Nuts, which grow back quickly. Picking garlic whenever you dock in town will ensure you always have enough for your fishing trips.

    Adjust Your Line Range

    Cast your fishing line from about three blocks away from your target area; this makes it less cumbersome to re-position. As you advance, streams may open up, complicating your line’s placement. These streams will alter the line’s direction, so be ready to adjust your placement by moving up or down as needed.

    Upgrade Your Gear

    Prioritize improving your fishing line’s health and your stamina by obtaining better gear. New rods can increase your attack power and help you tackle tougher fish and bosses.

    Consider catching all available fish and speaking to the Statue of Thidon for powerful new spells.

    Save Items for the Last Phase of Boss Fights

    During the early phase of a boss fight, do not use all your items. The final phase will be significantly tougher, with constant attacks from the boss.

    Keep some potions handy for health recovery when on the brink of defeat. Use any buffing items in this phase to gain an advantage and minimize the duration of the boss’s final relentless assault.

  • What We Wish We Knew Before Completing RuneScape: Dragonwilds

    What We Wish We Knew Before Completing RuneScape: Dragonwilds

    Runescape: Dragonwilds is a captivating survival and crafting game where you begin your journey from the very basics and gradually prepare to challenge dragons. With a wealth of activities available, the various skills and crafting components can be a bit intimidating, especially if you’re new to this genre.

    If you’re just diving into the game, these tips will help guide you toward mastering the essentials and uncovering the mysteries of Ashenfall, allowing you to grow in power and experience.

    Grinding Is Worth It

    In survival-crafting games, repetitive tasks can become a grind, and Runescape: Dragonwilds is no exception. However, the effort put into resource gathering pays off significantly over time. Initially, you will need to invest several hours in gathering materials and increasing your skill levels, but as you progress, new spells and abilities will help streamline your efforts.

    Build Storage Crates Early On

    With so many resources at your disposal, managing your inventory space can become a challenge. To address this, it’s essential to create storage crates in your home or a safe location early in the game. This allows you to store items and prepare for further exploration without feeling cluttered and overwhelmed.

    As you venture into new areas, tougher enemies may confront you, and the risk of death is real. In such instances, having items stored safely in crates ensures you won’t lose them.

    Enhance Your Woodcutting and Mining Efficiency

    Mining and woodcutting are crucial but often tedious tasks within the game. Each swing of your tools consumes stamina, so positioning your view correctly is vital. If you aim right, you can hit multiple trees or mineral nodes with a single swing, maximizing your output.

    You can also utilize spells to speed up these activities. The key is to aim carefully with these spells to affect as many targets as possible, reducing the time spent gathering.

    Use Spells Without Hesitation

    Spells do require runes, which might make some players reluctant to use them frequently. However, rune essence is unlimited, as rune nodes regenerate over time. Since most spells require minimal runes while providing significant advantages, don’t shy away from casting them liberally. You can easily gather more runes if you run low.

    Keep in mind that runes are weightless and aren’t lost upon death, allowing you to carry a large quantity without penalty.

    Don’t Stay Cooped Up at Home

    After building your initial shelter, it’s tempting to stay close to home. While it’s nice to gather resources there, it’ll prevent you from discovering all the exciting content the game has to offer. Explore fearlessly, and if you become fatigued, use a spell to create a tent or construct a small hideaway to rest and recover before continuing your adventures.

    Get a Bow Quickly for Hunting

    While a bow isn’t strictly necessary for hunting, it significantly simplifies the process. Many early-game animals can be taken down with a single, fully charged shot. You can always switch to a more blunt weapon for tougher foes. Hunting yields valuable resources like meat, which you can cook using various ingredients.

    Additionally, a bow can be a useful tool in combat. You can sneak up on enemies and score critical hits, often taking down early-game adversaries with just a couple of shots.

    Establish a Small Base Near Challenging Areas

    As you travel through the game world, you may encounter some formidable enemies. If you die facing these opponents, you’ll have to backtrack from your home. To mitigate this risk, consider setting up a small base complete with a bed near difficult zones. When you rest at this base, you can respawn there if you perish, saving you a long walk back.

    Eventually, you can also create Lodestones to fast travel between locations, further enhancing your convenience.

    Treasure Chests Replenish Over Time

    One unique element of Runescape: Dragonwilds is that chests can refill with loot after a period. If you’ve raided a treasure chest, remember its spot and check back a few days later, as it may once again be filled with treasures. Making a note on your map can help you keep track of these locations for future reference.

    Keep in mind that chests located in higher-level areas often yield better rewards, so it’s smart to revisit them after a few in-game days.

    These tips should help you get started on your journey in Runescape: Dragonwilds. Dive into the adventure, gather your resources, and prepare to conquer this expansive world!

  • What We Wish We Knew Before Diving into Wizardry Variants: Daphne

    What We Wish We Knew Before Diving into Wizardry Variants: Daphne

    Wizardry Variants Daphne is an intricate universe brimming with unexpected twists. As you navigate through a host of characters and obstacles, the game presents numerous methods for tackling challenges. You’ll have spells to learn, allies to recruit, and a wealth of mysteries to discover.

    While seasoned RPG players may recognize many familiar gameplay mechanics, newcomers will encounter fresh concepts that add to the experience. From combat techniques to managing character stats, a few helpful tips can enhance your adventure in this realm.

    Create A Neutral Character

    At the start of your journey in Wizardry Variants Daphne, you’ll face a series of questions that will define your character. Your responses—reflecting your moral compass—will culminate in a personality formed by your choices.

    Each answer may illuminate one of three colored lights, indicating the type of character you’re shaping:

    • Red signifies an evil inclination.
    • Blue represents a good disposition.
    • Yellow indicates a neutral stance.

    Opting for a neutral personality grants you more versatility when assembling your party and equipping your team. This neutral alignment allows for easy collaboration with characters that lean more towards lawfulness or chaos.

    Note: Once you make your choices, they cannot be changed, so think carefully before proceeding.

    Grind XP Through Auto Move In Dungeons

    After your initial dungeon exploration, you can repeat the journey as many times as you wish. For quicker runs, enable Auto Move with enhanced speed, allowing the game to guide your character through randomized paths.

    Keep an eye on the mini-map in the top-right corner to help with navigation. You can choose your auto-movement direction through this feature. Each playthrough will feel spontaneous and engaging, preserving the thrill of exploration.

    When you open treasure chests, you might face a timing mini-game to unlock them. Doing this successfully allows for safe treasure acquisition. If you prefer, you can also ask another party member to handle it.

    Tip: Utilize your right arm’s ability to repair or restore items. This can help revive fallen teammates or repair specific artifacts.

    Reverse Bones And Equipment

    As you delve into dungeons, you’ll discover various loot, including opportunities to restore found equipment or acquire brand new items after certain encounters. You’ll need to decide which items to assign to your team.

    You may also encounter bones that can be reversed, which allows you to gain new allies. Head to the Ruin to bring these bones back to life and welcome new companions into your party.

    Assess which bones to use based on your current team composition. A strong setup typically includes a Knight to shield a crucial character like a Priest, ensuring your party remains healthy in combat.

    Inherit Skills From Allies

    Part of leveling up your party involves leveraging skills from characters not currently in use. These inactive allies can enhance your main characters through skill inheritance.

    Visit the Training Room in the Adventurer’s Guild to choose which skills to adopt. Select the allies from whom you want to inherit skills for the active members of your team.

    Note: For example, if Eckart boasts impressive resistance and damage, you can enhance his effectiveness by selecting another character with similar stats.

    Distribute Stats Based on The Character

    When adding a new ally to your party, you’ll need to allocate points across various stats based on the character’s class and race. A typical distribution pattern might look like this:

    • Thief: DEX / SPD / STR / LUK
    • Knight: VIT / PIE
    • Fighter: STR / DEX / VIT
    • Priest: PIE / VIT
    • Mage: IQ / SPD / VIT

    Proper allocation will align with each class’s strengths, improving your combat encounters throughout the game.

    Use Inns Effectively

    After exiting a battle, always make a point to visit an Inn. This will ensure your allies can rest and progress in their levels. Interacting with other patrons at the Inn can also uncover vital information.

    You’ll need to choose the type of Inn to stay in, which varies in quality—ranging from the least to most desirable options.

    Type Conditions
    Stable Poorly managed; only suitable if you’re low on resources and in need of a brief recovery.
    Economy Room Cleaner than a Stable; your go-to option when resources are scarce.
    Private Room Much cleaner, with the added potential to earn potions during rest.
    Royal Suite Exceptionally clean, offering the best restocking of potions available.

    Tip: If you’re low on funds, consider visiting the Temple to resurrect fallen allies instead of opting for a Stable stay.

    Keep The Combat Dynamic

    Each character’s role in battle can change depending on how you deploy them. If combat isn’t set to auto, start fights by sending in your Knight or Fighter for major damage output. Keep your Priest on standby for healing efforts.

    Mixing and matching your equipment is also key. Different weapons come with unique effects based on their hidden properties, making them more or less effective in battle. For instance, utilizing elemental advantages or increasing critical damage during boss fights can turn the tide.

    By diversifying your approach, you can navigate combat encounters more safely. For example, when facing a group of goblins, different character combinations with varying weapons will facilitate a more effective attack rather than relying solely on a single ally.

    Tip: Always monitor status effects. Characters under the influence of paralysis or other effects will encounter significant setbacks in their combat effectiveness.

    Identify Allies And Items Worth Getting

    As a guiding principle, sell lower-quality, one-star items while keeping equipment that can benefit your party members. Generally, top-tier items are among the three stars or higher. Certain stats may only suit specific character classes.

    Interact with NPCs to gain new allies and gear, but be strategic about whether to continue your journey with them. Assess your team’s current needs before making a decision.

    Early in the game, you’ll meet a character selling bones named Adam. While his attitude may be rough around the edges, he can serve as a valuable companion as you set out on your quest.

  • Lessons Learned: What We Wish We’d Known About Nunholy

    Lessons Learned: What We Wish We’d Known About Nunholy

    Nunholy places you in the shoes of three formidable vampire hunters battling against dark forces. As you fight off vampires and other menaces, navigating a treacherous world demands careful planning. You will need to choose the right character and hone various skills, giving you plenty of options to explore.

    This game’s roguelike features combine different combat styles, ensuring that each game feels unique depending on the choices you make during your adventure. A few strategies can help you efficiently embark on your journey.

    Picking Your Vampire Hunter

    In Nunholy, you’ll meet three unique characters: Preiya, Marie, and Sain, each with distinct combat styles. Your choice will depend on your personal play style.

    • Preiya shines in close combat.
    • Marie is great at dealing damage from a distance.
    • Sain combines melee and ranged attacks for creative combos.

    If you’re new to this genre, Marie’s your best choice. She offers a balanced skill set that makes early battles, including the first boss fight, more manageable. Her abilities allow for substantial area damage, which is advantageous in group settings.

    When playing as Marie, focus on firing single shots rather than holding down the trigger to avoid overheating your weapon.

    Gathering and Upgrading Artifacts

    Viewing an artifact in Nunholy

    As you complete levels, you’ll find special items called artifacts that enhance your gameplay. These artifacts increase your damage output just by being in your inventory. Each artifact includes a unique bonus that can impact your game. For example, a sturdy gem might grant you +15 physical damage, while a musket allows you to shoot fire-infused rounds. Be selective when collecting artifacts.

    After acquiring an artifact, you may upgrade it during the level’s conclusion, but only if you’ve cleared all enemies first. Always ensure that you are enhancing an artifact you find useful, rather than upgrading just for the sake of it. If you mistakenly upgrade the wrong item, don’t stress too much; a new opportunity to upgrade will come along in the next round.

    If you stumble upon a musket artifact early in the game, be sure to prioritize its upgrade. It significantly boosts your chances of landing critical hits thanks to the fire damage.

    Incorporate Rhythm into Your Movement

    Viewing your abilities in Nunholy

    Fast-paced battles can be overwhelming for new players, who may believe there’s only one way to approach the combat. Thankfully, a key to mastering movement in Nunholy is understanding rhythm.

    As you attack while running or dodging, keep a rhythmic pattern in mind. For instance, you might establish a combat routine like hit-hit-dodge-hit, or if you prefer a more defensive style, dodge-dodge-hit-dodge may suit you better.

    Developing this muscle memory will aid you in grappling with more complex aspects like enemy patterns, level layouts, and character stats. Balancing your focus will often dictate the outcome of battles. Regardless of the character you select, your ability upgrades will shape how impactful your attacks are. For instance, Marie can inflict considerable area damage versus Sain, who may specialize in a particular setup. The choice is yours!

    Try Out Various Builds

    Playing as Sain in Nunholy

    The real charm of Nunholy lies in its flexibility. The more you explore different characters, the more combat and movement techniques you’ll discover. To maximize your effectiveness, center your build around your combat style and the types of enemies you confront. You might want to consider a few different styles:

    A melee tank build focuses on outputting high close-range damage while withstanding hits, which works well for Preiya. Alternatively, a glass-cannon build emphasizes ranged attacks that require precision, making Marie an ideal pick. Lastly, the classic hybrid build offers a balanced approach using both mid-range attacks and crowd control, which is best suited for Sain.

    Selecting Ultimate Abilities

    Choosing an Ultimate in Nunholy

    As you progress, you will have opportunities to upgrade abilities that expand your combat strategy. However, you will also encounter special levels with a moon icon that contain ultimate abilities. These abilities recharge over time and unleash powerful effects depending on which you choose. Selecting the right one can be challenging, especially at first.

    If you’re still mastering the game, opt for an ultimate ability like Bat Swarm. This skill summons bats that inflict blood damage upon your enemies while you maintain your regular attacks. It’s a great distraction that requires minimal management, allowing you more focus on your combat style. Additionally, be sure to purchase garlic items whenever available to enhance your defenses.

    When facing a large group of foes, summon Bat Swarm as soon as they spawn for maximum effect.

    Anticipate Enemy Behavior Based on Ranks

    Fighting a boss in Nunholy

    Major foes, including bosses, are categorized by ranks. Before entering a battle, you receive a warning stating “Threat Level:” followed by the enemy’s rank. Each rank signifies distinctive traits that influence the enemy’s movements and attacks.

    Rank Traits Best Strategy
    Knights Quick, but predictable. Work on your dodging skills.
    Barons Aggressive and deliver heavy AoE damage. Maintain distance.
    Counts Summon minions or evil forces that follow you. Concentrate on dispatching the summons first.
    Dukes Employ strong assaults with various moves. Adjust your attacks to counter the enemy’s patterns.

    Upon defeating a specific vampire, you’ll unlock a new ability (Legacy of the Martyr). Choose one that aligns with your playstyle; this will shape how challenging future bosses will be. Thankfully, you’ll have plenty of time to practice your new buffs.

    Engage with NPCs Wisely

    Talking to an ally in Nunholy

    Throughout your journey in Nunholy, you will encounter various allies who offer intriguing dialogue and essential services. These can include healing items, defensive perks, and item upgrades. The better you know them, the higher the chance of finding useful items during your run. So, make it a point to interact with them instead of just rushing through the levels.

    You can give allies Rubies each time you interact with them, which builds goodwill and offers you affinities and lasting buffs. Early in the game, it’s wise to gain support from allies who can enhance your survivability through healing and garlic items.

    Learn from Every Death

    Getting an upgrade from Calina in Nunholy

    Fortunately, dying in Nunholy isn’t as punishing as in other roguelikes. Instead of losing all your progress during a run, permanent buffs will help you carry your advancement forward. However, keep some considerations in mind as you play each round.

    First, monitor the upgrades you pursue in each run. Are you focused on investing in damage early? Or do you err on the side of caution by mainly boosting your health? Identifying this trend will help improve your gameplay since it’s easy to develop habits that aren’t advantageous over time. Also, create a save file for each vampire hunter. This allows you to switch between them and find which character, weapons, and styles suit you best.

    When discussing upgrades with Calina, scroll to the bottom to see abilities you might want to unlock in the future. This helps you set long-term goals!