Presentation

The game starts well, with a charming art style and a soft-spoken narrator. There’s an air of mystery that sets up the adventure quite well at first. Sadly, the game goes from mysterious and evocative to boring really fast.

The narrator won’t stop talking, and by the time I get to the Island, it’s hard to remember everything that was said or why it even matters. Without any emotional connection with anything that is going on, it becomes hard to care about the plot.

When you finally get to control the main character, the first NPC greets you with walls of text. By that point, I was starting to wonder if I’d ever get to play the game.

What makes this all the more disappointing is the game’s intriguing backdrop, rooted in the mythology of the Canary Islands. Guayota introduces players to the rich lore of the Guanche people, which is a refreshing break from the more common mythologies explored in games.

Unfortunately, this cultural depth is overshadowed by the game’s excessive exposition, making it hard to appreciate the unique setting.

The sad part is that the voice acting is not bad. In fact, the art of the game is great. The animation and cutscenes are charming, and the beach itself looks great and invites exploration, but they lose all their charm rather quickly considering how they overstay their welcome at the beginning of the game.

Exploring the beach teleports you to a frozen mountain, making me feel like I skipped a section of the game. From there, you’ll get into ancient buildings where the puzzles are located, and all the colors seem to be sucked out of the screen.

This sudden shift in the environment—from a vibrant beach or jungle to a bleak, color-drained temple—mirrors the game’s tonal inconsistency. While the visual contrast is likely intentional, it often feels more jarring than atmospheric.

The darker environments, though fitting for the game’s themes, can also make navigation frustrating and significantly detract from the vibrant visuals of the island. It doesn’t take long for dark corridors and stone walls to feel old.

The Game

When it comes to gameplay, Guayota is a puzzle game that mixes problem-solving based on position and pure logic with precision-based challenges that don’t seem to match very well. The puzzles can be fun, and I was enjoying myself at first, but they did start feeling repetitive after a while.

More often than not, I’m confused by what Guayota wants me to experience. The game introduces me to a dash command that is used to go through static walls. The dash mechanic feels out of place, with no urgency or precision required, making it just one example of the game’s many issues.

To make things worse, the game’s dual-realm system transports you to a completely different challenge. Failing in the light world forces you into the dark world to complete a different version of the puzzle.

While this concept could add depth, it often feels disjointed, interrupting the flow and making progress feel more like a chore than a challenge. Instead of enhancing the puzzle-solving experience, this mechanic frequently disrupts it, leading to frustration rather than satisfaction.

As mentioned previously, this is the main theme of my experience with Guayota. I always felt like the game consistently got in the way of the fun, whether through excessive exposition or disruptive mechanics.

This is particularly disappointing because there were moments when I genuinely enjoyed solving puzzles and exploring. Unfortunately, the puzzles and the scenery started feeling repetitive, and every time I got caught enough times by a trap while trying to figure out a puzzle, the game would prevent me from trying again by tossing me into the dark world.

The Verdict

Guayota has all the elements of a great puzzle adventure—a unique mythological setting, charming visuals, and a variety of brain teasers—but it squanders much of its potential through frustrating mechanics and poor pacing. The game frequently interrupts your progress with unnecessary exposition and disjointed transitions, making it difficult to stay engaged.

While there were moments I genuinely enjoyed solving Guayota’s puzzles, these are often overshadowed by design choices that end up hindering fun instead fostering it. Ultimately, Guayota leaves you feeling more frustrated than fulfilled, despite its intriguing premise and occasional flashes of brilliance.

Where to Find All Merchants in Baldur’s Gate 3

Act 1

Although there are many merchants in Act 1, most of them are relatively easy to come across. The most important merchants you’ll want to talk to, of course, in the first map are Dammon, who is directly tied to Karlach’s questline, and the Zhentarim merhcants you can help save from the Gnolls near the Risen Road which can offer players with some of the better early magic weapons, and an optional encounter with a spectator.

Act 2

When you reach the Shadow-Cursed Lands and take on Ketheric Thorm and the Sharran Gauntlet, there are plenty of NPCs to interact with that offer powerful new items to aid in your impending face-off with Myrkul’s chosen.

Act 3

Act 3 has even more merchants than Act 1. There are way too many places to visit, and way too many things to buy. Boney sells scrolls, which are always useful for those playing a Wizard, and Danthelon’s Dancing Axe has good weapons and it’s fairly easy to find.

Carmen and Figaro have many clothing and dye options for players, Vicar Humbletoes and Nansi Gretta have scrolls, and Dammon will be back with weapons and armor. Make sure to visit Lorroakan’s Projection at Sorcerous Sundries since he has rare scrolls and good magic items.

Before being abducted by the Nautiloid, Gale held close relations with Mystra, the goddess of magic – and even shared a romantic relationship with her.

How To Increase Gale’s Approval in Baldur’s Gate 3

Gale can be a bit hard to figure out. He’s a heroic and kind-hearted individual, but is also extremely driven by ambition and logic. Gale appreciates when you save lives and make decisions that benefit others, such as choosing to save the tiefling camp in Act 1. Additionally, showing an interest in magic and allowing him to rant about his interests will also build up your relationship.

Gale’s Likes

• Demonstrating intelligence
• Protecting allies and other NPCs
• Showing magical knowledge
• Using nonviolent solutions to problems
• Displaying kindness to others
• Petting Scratch & the Owlbear cub at camp
• Respecting other people’s privacy and boundaries – especially his early on
• Giving him Magic Items to consume in Act 1

Gale’s Dislikes

• Unnecessary violence
• Recklessness
• Ignorance to the world around you
• Lack of curiosity
• Distrusting him

How To Romance Gale

To romance Gale, you need to make your decisions with his approval in mind. It’s the same process you go through when looking for approval of any character in the game. There are numerous instances and encounters at the campsite with Gale that could shape his perception of you.

Act 1 Romance Choices

There are way too many ways to make Gale like you during Act 1. The Wizard of Waterdeep will notice and approve of your behavior every time you save NPCs from danger, demonstrate heroism, show empathy, avoid unnecessary violence, and engage in intelligent conversations. Just make sure to entertain his curiosity, act like a hero, and take his concerns seriously.

Act 2 Romance Choices

One of the most effective ways to romance Gale is by completing his companion quest, “Wizard of Waterdeep”. However, there are other things that you can only do in Act 2 to make Gale like you more:

• Shuffle the board in the game between Mol and Raphael
• Do not drink Jaheira’s wine when you first meet her
• Tell Arabella you found her parents dead.
• Ask Elminster why you’re facing the Absolute alone if even the gods know about its threat.
• Let Gale teach you magic.

Act 3 Romance Choices

In Act 3, several dialogue choices can influence Gale’s approval. For example, inside the House of Hope, refuse to remove your clothes and pledge your body to Raphael’s personal incubus, Haarlep. You can also persuade Gale to join you in bed with the Drow twins. When he expresses his doubts, tell him: “Your body looks great“ to earn his approval.

Overwatch 2 continues the legacy of its predecessor, “Overwatch 1”, by maintaining the original roster and expanding it with new additions. The game is constantly evolving, with new Heroes joining the ranks regularly.

What Order Did Overwatch 1 and 2 Heroes come out?

Check below all Overwatch 2 heroes listed by release date:

Base Roster

To start off, these are the characters who were released in Overwatch’s base roster in no particular order: 

Post Launch Overwatch 1 Heroes

After the base roster, here is every newcomer from both the first game into the second. Their names listed will go from when they were released. 

Overwatch 2 New Heroes Release Order

Blizzard seems set on releasing a steady roster of new heroes to help keep the game fresh. It’s hard to complain; Overwatch isn’t the competitive, acclaimed FPS that it used to be. Now, most of its playerbase is looking for ways to invent fun team comps and having a good time with their friends.

Don’t get me wrong, the game needs balance, and the characters should be fun without being broken. But, it’s gonna be a while before Overwatch 2 gets back to where the franchise once stood, if it ever gets as popular as the original. It’s hard to tell if the devs can keep the characters diverse in terms of mechanics, but they’ sure’ve hit the mark with recent support heroes like Illari and Lifeweaver that challenge the game’s norms and elevate the FPS title’s skill ceiling.

What Order Do You Unlock Overwatch Characters?

You can unlock characters, including some of the new heroes released after Overwatch 2, in a specific order that’ is’s not tied to the hero release order of the first game. The characters will be unlocked as you’re playing the game. The more you play, the more heroes you unlock. However, some Overwatch 2 characters can only be unlocked by completing a special challenge or buying them from the shop.

I find this an effective strategy to keep players invested in the game. The process of unlocking each character doesn’t take long, providing players with constant goals. By the time all characters are unlocked, players are likely to have developed a liking for the game and continue playing. This approach helps Blizzard expand the game’s player base, even if it’s temporary, thereby enhancing the experience for dedicated players.

Seluvis’s Basement Location in Elden Ring

Seluvis’s secret room can be found beneath some illusory flooring in between Renna and Ranni’s Rise in the Three Sisters section of Caria Manor. Attacking the pavement in question will open up access to players, letting them travel downward into the basement.

Players will know they are at the correct location of Seluvis’s secret room if they’ve spotted aristocrats wielding staffs nearby. They are not exactly difficult enemies, and appearing in an area that is mostly void of enemies serves more as a tell as opposed to being obstacles in the player’s way. I found it easy to defeat these enemies with a few swings of my sword.

Check out the image below for the exact location of Seluvis’s basement:

Make sure to avoid the giant dragon in the area unless you feel confident enough to take it down. I made the mistake of getting too close and having to start over from the last Site of Grace after dying.

After venturing into Seluvis’s secret room, players should immediately be able to ascertain why exactly it is that Seluvis has entrusted them with the duties of delivering potions to other individuals and the potential consequence of such deeds. Littered about the grounds of Seluvis’s basement are motionless husks of test subjects Seluvis has conducted experimented upon. This matter is only made more apparent by the illusionary wall at the end of Seluvis’s secret room, depicting the outcome of the player’s decision regarding their potion delivery quest.

Questioning Seluvis

Now that players are made aware of the goings-on beneath the ground of the Three Sisters, they’re free to use that knowledge as leverage. Head into Seluvis’s Rise and converse with Seluvis; a new dialogue option should have opened up that would allow players to inquire why Seluvis’s secret room even exists. Seluvis, upon hearing such inquiries, will scold the player for their breach of personal privacy but will acquiesce to the player’s demands for a puppet if asked.

Seluvis will give players the option to pick from his collection freely. The choices available include Finger Maiden Therolina Puppet, Jarwight Puppet, and Dolores the Sleeping Arrow Puppet. I recommend picking Jarwight Puppet, which I found to be the strongest out of the options.

Players don’t have to contemplate their choices too much if they’ve collected starlight shards during their exploration of the Lands Between, since the remaining puppets will be made available to the player later down the line, with starlight shards being the trading currency.

Can You Miss The Seluvis Storyline?

It is important to note that this opportunity to confront Seluvis about his puppet room will become void after substantial progression is made through Ranni’s storyline. If the player’s already acquired the secret treasure of Nokron as Ranni desired, Seluvis will be found dead at his tower, with his corpse lootable for the Preceptor Set and his Bell Bearing containing the sorceries you’ve yet to purchase. After the fact, his corpse can still be interacted with as a way for players to obtain puppets, again, using starlight shards. Players should also check up on Pidia, as there’s some event that’s also occurred on his end.

What’s In Seluvis’s Basement?

Aside from Seluvis’s shop and secret shop, players can also find the following items:

• Memory Stone
• Finger Maiden Therolina Puppet
• Jarwight Puppet
• Seluvis’s Potion
• Seluvis’s Bell Bearing
• Seluvis’s Introduction

What Can You Buy from Seluvis in Elden Ring?

Here are the tables with items you can buy from Seluvis’s shop and his secret shop:

Seluvis’s Shop

Puppet Ashes Shop

Who is Preceptor Seluvis in Elden Ring?

Preceptor Seluvis is a mysterious figure in Elden Ring, serving Ranni the Witch. Although this sorcerer will help you by providing Ashes and Sorceries, he is anything but thrilled by his mistress’s decision to enlist “a Tarnished like you”.

How to Solve the Regression Alone Reveals Secrets Puzzle

Elden Ring really enjoys giving their players open-ended puzzles. Just like in Chelona’s Rise, you are given a single line to work with and nothing else. It can be quite difficult to figure out what you need to do when all you are told is “Regression alone reveals secrets”.

Is it telling you that you need to go back alone or maybe you need to do the opposite, so go forward with someone? Luckily the answer is quite simple. If you’re not an Incantation user, you may have a bit of trouble solving the puzzle.

In order to reveal the secret, you will need to use the Law of Regression Incantation. If you don’t have it you can pick it up from any Incantation vendor that you give the Golden Order Principia prayerbook to. Once you have the incantation, you will need 37 Intelligence to equip and use it. If you don’t have the Intelligence, you will either need to respec at Rennala in the Grand Library or level up until you get 37 Intelligence.

With the Law of Regression Incantation equipped, you will need to go back to the statue and simply cast the Incantation in front of it. The reward you will get for solving this riddle is a huge lore revelation. If you were looking for some super-powerful weapon or spell, you will be disappointed. However, if you want to know more about the story of Elden Ring as you play along then you can’t miss this.

How to Get the Golden Order Principia Prayerbook for the Law of Regression Incantion

Players must acquire the Golden Order Principia prayerbook to get the Law of Regression Incantation. Players can find this book by fast-traveling to the Erdtree Sanctuary Site of Grace and reaching the top level.

Once at the Erdtree Sanctuary Site of Grace, go outside to the right of the Site of Grace and walk up the large tree root to get to the balcony. Once your on the balcony, head outside the door and immediately take a left and jump onto the roof of the building. Here you will find an open window, jump through this window, and you’ll find another giant tree root. Walk across this tree root to find the Golden Order Principia Prayerbook on the hanging chair.

While you’re up here, you can also obtain the Erdtree Bow on the balcony directly across the hanging chair!

If you need any more help with Elden Ring, make sure to check out our other Elden Ring guides.

How to Use the Fake Portrait of a Noble Before His Death in BG3

Although the ‘Fake Portrait of a Noble Before His Death’ seems to be a key item in a quest line involving Oskar Fevras, it’s just a miscellaneous item. It appears Oskar may be selling counterfeit versions of costly paintings in Act 3 to earn some money. If you want, you can buy this and other paintings from him and drop them in your camp to decorate it; while simultaneously implying that his life could have taken a different turn if someone had rescued him from the Zhentarim hideout in Act 1.

The ‘Free the Artist’ Quest Line

The portrait is related to Lady Jannath’s estate, located south of the House of Grief and north of the Steel Watch Foundry. If you explore the estate, you’ll discover that Lady Jannath and Oskar share a romantic relationship, and she has been searching for him. Calling back to Act 1, if you exhaust Oskar’s voicelines in the Zhent’s hideout after deciding you do want to help him, you’ll learn he was set to marry before needing to ‘think things through’ and getting captured by the Zhents.

To properly finish complete his questline, you will need to help him out during Act 1. Here’s how to reunite Oskar and Lady Jannath:

1. Free Oskar from the Zhentarim hideout in Act 1 by persuading Brem, the trader in the hideout to set him free or by buying his freedom.
2. Look for Oskar in Baldur’s Gate during Act 3 at Lady Jannath’s Estate to the west of the Lower City, north of the Steel Watch Foundry. There is a Dragonborn standing guard at the front door that will give advise the player not to enter, but ultimately won’t do anything if you do.
3. Toggle ‘Non-Lethal Attacks’ to being active on the ‘Passives tab’.
4. Knock out Oskar, who is threatening Lady Jannath in her room.
5. Loot Oskar and get the key from him after he’s knocked out and talk with Lady Jannath to find out about all the strange paranormal activity effecting their home.
6. Reach the Atelier at the top of the manor. Note: You may need to find creative methods of getting to the top without constantly being knocked down by the cursed skulls throughout the house.
7. Take the Painting of a Smiling Maiden in the Atelier and place on the Painting Stand.
8. Go behind the secret door that opened and read the letter.
9. Read the letter inside the locked chest.
10. Get the Torch of Revocation from Mystic Carrion in Philgrave’s Mansion, located south of Sorcerous Sundries and Felogyr’s Fireworks in the abandoned house.
11. Use the Torch of Revocation to destroy the Painting of a Smiling Maiden in the Atelier.
12. Return to Oskar and Lady Jannath’s bedroom and speak with them to trigger the quest’s finale.

Moving forward, the optimal way to conclude this quest is by attempting to persuade Kerri that her behavior is out of character. Go for persuasion checks whenever you can. That said, this is a moment for you to roleplay how your character would respond to the following conversation moreso than just deciding what the “right” choice would be.

If you let Oskar stick around in the land of the living after the fact, he will offer to take you back into the Atelier to paint a portrait of the hero that saved him and his troubled marriage.

“They didn’t seem right” or “They were magnificent”?

To obtain this quest for Varré in the first place, players must defeat one of the demigods and meet the Two Fingers at Roundtable Hold. When first meeting Varré at the start of the game, he’ll recommend that the player defeats Godrick the Grafted first, which can prove to be a quick and easy way to achieve this task.

The next time you meet Varré will be at Rose Church in Liurna of the Lakes, where he’ll ask you what you think of – as he describes – the supposed “masters of the grace”. To continue his questline, players must choose “They didn’t seem right” to gain new dialogue from Varré.

However, this choice doesn’t matter very much. Saying “They were magnificent” simply has Varré feign agreement with you, and you can speak with him again to receive the prompt a second time. Following each of Varré’s prompts will simply let you continue with his quest; there is nothing major that you’ll miss if you join his side, despite how consequential his words are made out to be.

This is a trait that, surprisingly, is shared with numerous other important NPCs. This includes Ranni the Witch and the loathsome Dung Eater. There are still certain questlines that the player can miss out on in certain contexts, but there’s no need to worry about this choice Varré gives you.

Varré’s Quest Progression and Rewards

To advance Varré’s questline, players must meet him again at Rose Church in Liurna of the Lakes. Here, Varré will ask about the Two Fingers. Regardless of the choice made, players can continue the quest by re-engaging with Varré. The quest involves invading other players’ worlds using the Festering Bloody Finger and soaking the Lord of Blood’s Favor at the Church of Inhibition.

Completing these tasks rewards players with the Pureblood Knight’s Medal, which grants access to Mohgwyn Palace. This area is significant for progression and farming valuable resources.

Who is White-Faced Varré in Elden Ring?

White-Faced Varré is a mysterious and influential NPC players encounter early in their journey. He serves as a guide, introducing the concept of the Two Fingers and the importance of defeating demigods. His questline, while initially seeming complex, provides valuable rewards and deeper lore about the game’s world.

Elden Ring is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Should you Tell Roderika About What the Blacksmith Said in Elden Ring?

You should tell her what the blacksmith said. This will set Roderika on the path to becoming a Spirit-Tuner, which is essential for upgrading your best Spirit Ashes and starts a quest later in the game concerning the Blacksmith. There’s no downside to this choice.

If you try to return to the shack you found her at and give her the item, you will notice that she is missing. This is because she has taken up residence in the Roundtable Hold and should be your first clue that there is more to this NPC than meets the eye.

After you give her the item, you may notice a new option appears when talking to the Blacksmith to talk about Roderkia. Asking him about it will make him tell you that she has great power from his perspective.

He says she has the ability to become a Spirit-Tuner, something that has not been talked about by any other NPC at this point. From here you have two options, You can either tell Roderika about what the Blacksmith said and have her start down the path to become a Spirit-Tuner, or let her keep standing around the Roundtable hold doing nothing.

Obviously, as mentioned before, you will want to tell her about what the Blacksmith said and get her started down the Spirit-Tuner path. There is no real downside to telling her about this, it is the only way to upgrade your Spirit Ashes and it begins a quest later in the game concerning the Blacksmith.

A lot of things in Elden Ring can seem really confusing about what you should do. But when it comes to this choice, there really is no choice. You should always tell Roderika about what the Blacksmith says.

It’s not because you should tell her what the blacksmith said that you should always do everything an NPC says in Elden Ring, especially if you want them to stay alive. But in this one situation, nothing bad can happen. If you need any more help with Elden Ring make sure to check out our other guides.

Who is Roderika in Elden Ring?

Roderika is initially found in a shack on the way to Stormveil Castle. She appears fragile and scared, speaking about her fear of being grafted onto a spider monster. Her transformation into a Spirit-Tuner, facilitated by your intervention and the blacksmith’s guidance, allows you to upgrade your Spirit Ashes, enhancing your combat capabilities significantly.

Elden Ring is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

The Best Build in The Land Beneath Us

All the following weapons work with the best Overkill build in The Land Beneath Us, but I recommend you to try your best to get at least one with a healing property.

Weapons

You need at least Fork and Dish for this build to really come online. Try your best to visit event rooms to upgrade your Relics since this is what really makes this build come online.

Relics

The core idea of this build is to use at least one weapon that heals you when you trigger Overkill and to utilize only weapons with the Overkill property. A weapon’s Overkill is triggered every time you defeat an enemy with that weapon. However, the most crucial part of the build is the relics that make Overkill truly overpowered.

• Dish: Activates the Overkill effect twice.
• Fork: Adds 1 Shield to Sven every time Overkill is triggered.

The rest is flexible, but I recommend Guard Up since it always adds a shield when starting a room and can heal you when you take damage if enhanced. Shield is a cumulative resource that can stack up to 10. When you have Shield and are hit by an attack, you lose 1 Shield instead of taking damage.

The Blend Beneath Us

The visuals of The Land Beneath Us are not necessarily original, but they get the job done. The game has that same minimalist pixel art style without outlines that we’ve seen in many indie games lately, but combined with simple 3D platforms and a modern-looking UI. Other games pulled out the combination of retro and modern elements, but here I feel like it makes the game look like it’s struggling to find an identity. It doesn’t look bad, but it doesn’t look entirely cohesive either.

This is sad because mixing retro and modern visual elements often lead to very unique looking games, but the problem might be the lack of variation and personality in the floors you explore. I wish the game had more distinct scenarios and made more use of this pixel art and 3D blend to provide more distinct backgrounds and environmental storytelling instead of another red or blue room with random monsters.

Speaking of monsters, I didn’t really feel any sense of coherence or belonging to the creatures I was facing. More often than not, they seemed to be there only so I could kill them and move on. Although there’s nothing wrong with it, it does contrast with the game’s initial effort to provide so much lore and context to what you’re doing.

Generally speaking, the art is functional, and there’s nothing inherently wrong with it, but for a game that spends so much of your time with a long lore exposition dump before it lets you play, I was expecting a bit more.

The Plot In Front of Us

In The Land Beneath Us, you play as Sven, a Soul Harvester summoned by an odd AI in a weird sci-fi lab. As Sven, you must rescue The Creator so the world can go back to harvesting Soul Energy, the ultimate solution to a very troubling energy crisis. As you advance, you will meet new characters, learn more about your past, and the AI’s true intentions.

Frankly, I didn’t care much about the plot. Sven is cool, and I love his design, but I felt like the quirky AI is trying too hard to be funny with references and tropes that are decades old by now. I get the idea of making a Claptrap-like character who can deliver some jokes from time to time, and I do believe it can work no matter how many times it has been done, but I still feel like it could have been toned down a bit. I also feel very disturbed by the one pixel in Sven’s helmet that makes it look crocked for some reason.

That said, it’s not like I hate the writing or the characters in this game. There’s a lot to be admired here. Whether you agree or not with the message that the game is trying to pass, or how it is ultimately delivered, it’s very clear that the team had a clear vision of what the game’s plot was meant to be.

The Land Beneath Us uses absurd fantasy and sci-fi concepts to make the player think about the consequences of going too far, the value of life, the sense of self, and other ethical dilemmas. As I said, there is a message that the developers were trying to pass, but although I severely dislike preaching in games, I feel like The Land Beneath Us presents its themes in a way that makes the players think critically about it more than hammering down a message into their heads, and I commend the writers for it.

Tactical Turn-Based Roguelite

The gameplay is by far the best and most original part of The Land Beneath Us and the main reason you will play this game. I was very impressed by the way that FairPlay Studios Co. was able to provide an experience that reminds me of Crown Trick while being its own thing.

This game is a turn-based tactical game on a square grid, but not in the way you think. The weird thing about turns in this game is that they all happen at the same time. Every time you take your turn, all the enemies on the map do too. So, how does it work? You can see where you can move, the range and reach of your weapons, and the enemies’ attack trajectory on the grid.

Enemies don’t necessarily attack every turn, but they will always telegraph their attacks, and if you move into one of those squares or stay there, you will take damage. Each weapon you find must be equipped in one of your four slots. Each slot represents a direction: up, down, left, or right. These weapons only attack in that direction. If you have a spear in your down slot and a gun in your left slot, neither weapon will ever attack enemies above you or to your right.

I know it sounds odd and complicated, but it is the core of the tactical aspect of The Land Beneath Us. To make it even better, the game doesn’t have any sort of timer. It won’t rush you, so you have all the time in the world to make the best decision. After a while, you will get used to the enemies and their attack patterns, making you speed through the first floors of the dungeon while always having the option of carefully considering the best next move when things get more complicated.

Weapons might have special properties, like reaching 3 squares afar, attacking two enemies in a 2-squares long line, or healing you when an enemy is defeated. There are many weapons, and you’ll most likely find some more interesting than others. Although I’m not a fan of the weapon allocation system, I won’t hold it against the game because it is a very creative, very unique tactical battle system, and I have nothing but good things to say about it.

As soon as the game started, I was hooked by the battle system, but the rest of the game made me wish that more care was put into the rest of it. Enemies feel a bit bland and over-simplistic at first. The game does have a slow start and waits too long before letting you use its more fun mechanics. Unlocking new weapons should be interesting, but it only makes upgrading them much harder since you need to get the same weapon from a chest to upgrade the ones you have.

There’s also the problem of overpowered abilities or builds that are significantly abusable. Don’t get me wrong, the game is good and worth trying, and I do love the battle system of The Land Beneath Us, but I believe that some minor tweaks could have made this game so, so much better.

The Verdict

Although I was never compelled to listen to the annoying AI and understand Sven’s true purpose, The Land Beneath Us does put good effort into providing a good plot and charismatic characters. As for the gameplay, I was shocked by how much better this game is than Fallen Knight, FairPlay Studios’s previous game released on Steam.

I find it undeniable that The Land Beneath Us is a fun game worthy of its price tag, but I can’t get rid of that feeling that this title is a few balance patches away from greatness. That said, I still recommend it to Roguelite fans and players who enjoy a slower, tactical game. If you like both, this game will feel like it was tailor-made for you.

The First Descendant Release Date Window

The First Descendant is scheduled for summer 2024. Sadly, the exact release date has not been announced yet. However, there’s a good chance that we will know more about the launch date on June 7, as Lee Beam-Jun, the game’s producer, recently teased us with that date in a blog post. What makes the announcement of a release date more likely is the fact that there will be no more beta access before the game is released.

This is not bad news, though, since Nexon doesn’t want to announce the game’s launch before they are sure it is ready to be played. Being such a high-profile third-person shooter aRPG, it’s probably a good idea to polish the game as much as possible before its release.

Fortunately, as far as we know, the game has not been delayed. The First Descendant is on track, and we should be able to play it this year before the summer is over.

On What Platforms Will The First Descendant Be Available?

The First Descendant will be available on many platforms. As far as we know, it has been confirmed for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S and X. Being such a good-looking game, it makes sense that it won’t be available on Switch.

On top of that, The First Descendant is going to be a free-to-play game, so almost all gamers will have access to it on their preferred platform. Although this may be good news, one can only hope that the monetization in this game is not predatory.

Retro Music and Retro Visuals

Made by a small team, Horizon Chase 2 is a game created with a clear vision, which I admire. It wasn’t trying to do anything except provide a good experience that mixes the exciting gameplay of titles like Top Gear and Lotus Turbo Challenge. Like the first game, Horizon Chase 2 has simple graphics that look retro. However, the game looks much better than its predecessor and appears more stylized and less dated. While I have nothing against the original look, I love the new visuals, and they are very fitting for a sequel.

As for the music, you get exactly what you expect. The music matches the aesthetics of the game perfectly. The upbeat songs have catchy melodies and give me a nostalgic feeling that makes me feel relaxed and happy while driving a car dangerously fast under the sun in a California beach city. Barry Leitch is really good at what he does, and it shows. Horizon Chase 2 has one of the best soundtracks I’ve ever heard in a retro indie game.

Like any good game of the genre, Horizon Chase 2 trades realism for speed. The fast-paced gameplay and frenetic feel of the game keep you on your toes and force you to release the gas pedal while never really slowing down much. So, most of the time, you’ll be speeding up and dodging other racers, but sometimes you’ll have to release the accelerator for a bit just so you won’t be thrown off the road during a curve.

There’s something relaxing about being over 200 km/h and knowing that you have absolute control of your car. The arcade aspects of Horizon Chase 2 kept me always feeling like the best driver ever, seeing the houses and trees disappear as fast as they appear while I dodge the cars of other racers who are not good enough to keep up with me.

Same but Different

In Horizon Chase 2’s World Tour mode, you will compete in eight different countries on over 80 tracks all over the world. But that’s not the only way to experience the game since there is a Tournament mode with different difficulty settings.

Horizon Chase 2 has a Multiplayer mode that allows you to compete against other players both locally and online and is by far one of my favorite couch games right now.

Spin-Outs

While this game only has 10 cars for players to choose from, you can customize and upgrade your vehicles. Also, I felt that the cars are more distinct from one another this time around. Hitting other cars while driving a pickup truck felt way less punishing than with smaller cars, and I really like that. That said, it does feel odd that the number of cars available for the players has been significantly reduced.

The one thing that might disappoint some players is how repetitive the game can feel after a while. There are not many mechanics in Horizon Chase 2, so after hearing all the songs and racing on 20 different tracks, I don’t doubt that some players might feel the game is repetitive. That said, I doubt this will be an issue for most fans of the genre since this is not any different from what you’d get in any arcade racer from the 90s. Besides, the many different tracks and locations more than make up for it.

The Verdict

Horizon Chase 2 is an outstanding arcade racing game. Although it has only 10 cars, it has customization options, over 80 tracks, a captivating art style, and improves upon virtually everything else compared to its predecessor. The game feels more polished, the art direction is much more realized, and the gameplay is just as fun. While I still feel there was room for more improvements, Horizon Chase 2 looks better, feels more polished, and has more identity than its predecessor, despite the similarities between the two games.

This fast-paced first-person retro shooter is something else. It’s a game created with love and care, packed with references to a bygone era that will make you feel nostalgic. It hooks you with a system that criticizes our dependency on dopamine while simultaneously using it to keep you playing. It’s pretty genius, honestly.

You Have 10 Seconds

Mullet Mad Jack has a straightforward concept that, while not necessarily original, is executed brilliantly. You only have 10 seconds to live, and each enemy you kill adds a few more seconds to your timer, allowing you to keep pushing forward. The objective is to advance while performing stylish skills to keep yourself alive. When you reach the end of a stage, you can select an upgrade in a robust roguelite style, which you keep for the next stage.

Each phase is divided into 10 sections, culminating in a boss fight. After defeating the boss, you lose all upgrades and start over, but with additional mechanics introduced. As the game progresses, it increases in complexity and difficulty, but not in a way that feels overwhelming or frustrating.

The upgrades feel a bit unbalanced, but there might be builds I’m not using correctly. You have melee weapons, shotguns, and my favorite, the SMG, which is as strong as a pistol but allows you to hold the trigger while aiming for the robots’ heads.

I particularly like the idea of wasting a few seconds to look around and see if there’s a better way to clear the room. Instead of rushing in and shooting all bots on sight. It’s a risk-reward system that can be incredibly rewarding.

For instance, realizing that a red barrel will kill all the robots in the room can instantly restore all the seconds you’ve lost, rather than picking off each enemy one by one, which can be risky and lead to your death.

However, if you spend too much time looking for something like explosive barrels or items to grant you more seconds, you might waste precious time and end up with nothing. It’s a delicate balance that adds depth to the gameplay.

It took me a while to understand why Mullet Mad Jack is fun, but once I got the hang of it and the rhythm of the game, I was hooked. It’s a very clever game in its design, from its visual feedback to the length of each section, and it cleverly breaks the pace with boss battles that let your brain rest for a bit.

The Art of Mullet Mad Jack

The game evokes the crazy retro-futuristic aesthetics of 90s’ cartoons while using an art style reminiscent of anime from that decade. The main character is your typical tough guy of that era, who looks suspiciously like Kurt Russell, and he has to save a green-haired influencer that looks just like any hot girl from a 90s’ manga.

The visuals are well complemented by the synthwave music playing in the background as you blast robots’ heads, creating a good marriage of art styles. The soundtrack and sound effects make the game feel good to play. However, the colorful corridors, enemies, and explosions can be very confusing at times, making it hard to understand what’s going on. But I guess that’s the price to pay for such a colorful and identifiable art style.

Self-Aware, But A Bit Much at Times

You are “The Moderator,” a guy who will kill robots for a pair of shoes, doing so during a live stream to keep the audience entertained. If they lose interest for 10 seconds, you die. This seems to be a critique of Twitch or any other streaming platform, where you need to keep the audience engaged with stylish kills to earn more seconds and stay alive.

The story is as silly as it sounds, filled with 90s tropes about how corporations control everything and you exist only to consume and be a slave. While there’s some truth to that, the game could have toned down the preaching a bit, as it gets annoying after a while. Thankfully, it doesn’t dwell too long on these themes, allowing you to enjoy the game without too much distraction.

The Verdict

If you’re looking for a game that you can beat in about four hours, Mullet Mad Jack is certainly worth its price tag. It’s a fun game that can be played casually and offers different difficulty settings for those who don’t want to deal with its unforgiving nature. However, if you get really good at it, the higher difficulties are available for those who seek a greater challenge. While the highest difficulty feels impossible to me, I’m sure some players will love the torture of battling mobster androids.

Given that this game combines genres I’m not particularly fond of, and I still had a lot of fun, I can confidently say that if you like retro shooters and roguelikes, you’re going to enjoy your time with Mullet Mad Jack.

Some players might not even know, but you can actually defeat your enemies without killing them in this game. This approach not only adds a layer of complexity to the gameplay but also rewards players with the coveted “Life Saver” trophy.

How Not to Kill Enemies When Fighting Them in Rise of the Ronin

You can keep your enemies alive by using wooden weapons when fighting them. Even if you sneak behind them or hit them with a critical attack, having a wooden weapon will ensure that the enemies don’t die after they are defeated.

Preparing for Non-Lethal Missions in Rise of the Ronin

Before embarking on a non-lethal mission, it’s crucial to prepare adequately. Here are some steps to follow:

• Unequip any lethal weapons: This ensures that you don’t accidentally kill an enemy during the mission. No swords, no guns, and no spears.
•  Equip wooden weapons: Wooden weapons often deal less damage, so players who want a direct confrontation with enemies while using wooden weapons must be good at Countersparking to deplete the enemy’s Ki and perform critical attacks.
•  Upgrade your wooden weapons: It is a good idea to upgrade wooden weapons so they won’t be that much worse than regular weapons.
•  Upgrade your stealth options: Upgrading the stealth options in the Dexterity skill tree will help you remain hidden and avoid unnecessary conflicts.

Strategies for Non-Lethal Gameplay

Once you’re ready, it’s time to put your skills to the test. Make sure to follow the tips below and I’m sure you’ll be the best non-lethal Ronin in Yokohama:

• Avoid Direct Confrontation: The key to easily completing non-lethal missions is to rely on Stealth as much as possible. Sneak behind enemies and press the Triangle button. As long as you have a wooden weapon equipped, your character will incapacitate the target instead of assassinating them.
•  Master Countersparking: I had more success in direct confrontations when I decided to parry the enemy’s attacks using Counterspark instead of attacking them. That way, I was able to perform Critical Strikes more often, dealing more damage in the process.

Stopping street fighters and other events in the open world with a wooden weapon causes the NPCs to notice that you are skilled enough to overpower the hostile villagers and keep them alive instead of unnecessarily killing them.

Silver Coins are more than just shiny trinkets in this game. They serve as a premium currency, setting them apart from the regular money you earn from selling items. These coins are your ticket to acquiring special items that can’t be bought with regular money. If you want to increase your stats by farming Treatises in Rise of the Ronin, you better learn how to get Silver Coins.

How to Earn Silver Coins in Rise of the Ronin

You gain Silver Coins by completing objectives such as petting cats, defeating fugitives, and completing Camera Missions. Let’s delve into each of these methods:

Complete Side Objectives

Tackling Ronin, Bond, or Grass Roots Missions not only advances your game but also adds a few Silver Coins to your stash.

Send out Pilgrim Dogs

Early in the game, you’ll unlock the Pilgrim Dog feature. Send your dog on a pilgrimage with some money, and it’ll return with rewards, including Silver Coins.

Complete Camera Missions

After completing the Locating the Camera Mission, you’ll start seeing camera symbols on the map. Visit these locations, snap the right picture, and you’ll earn rewards, including Silver Coins.

Hunt Down Fugitives

Fugitives are formidable foes in “Rise of the Ronin”. Each fugitive boasts a unique combat style, making them a challenging adversary. But the thrill of the hunt is worth it, as defeating fugitives unlocks items that can be purchased with Silver Coins.

Pet Cats

Cats aren’t just cute companions in this game. They’re also a source of Silver Coins. Listen for their meows, find them on the map, and pet them to earn three Silver Coins per feline friend.

Understanding your companions’ preferences and fighting styles can significantly enhance your bond with them. This, in turn, unlocks a variety of benefits including new weapons, outfits, items, and gestures. Sometimes you might even get access to new fighting styles and Stat bonuses.

The Best Gift for All Companions in Rise of the Ronin

The Knot of Destiny is the best universal gift in Rise of the Ronin. It will increase your favor and bond with any character you gift it to, and it also works with all companions. This item can be acquired through various means such as completing random encounters, quests, and opening chests.

Since this is a somewhat rare gift to find, don’t give it to any character. I gave all my Knots of Destiny to Taka, because why wouldn’t I, but you should find the character you like the most or save it for characters who like items that you don’t have.

Character-Specific Gifts

The best gifts for each character are marked with a paper heart icon. While the Knot of Destiny is universally appreciated, each companion also has their unique preferences. Gifts that align with a character’s interests can rapidly boost your bond with them. For instance, Taka likes photographs and Make up, Dayu likes cats, cat toys, and poetry, and Igashichi likes foreign books.

If you’re wondering how to determine the perfect gift, talk to them and select choose the “I’ve got something for you” option to open the Gifts menu. Once there, you’ll see all the gift items you have.

Also, make sure to save Dandy’s Kit, Milk Chocolate, and other western items for Ryoma. He likes things made by foreigners, and he is the one who gives you a pocket watch that lets you skip time, so you better be nice to that precious, eccentric Ronin.

How to Get Gifts in Rise of the Ronin

The Knot of Destiny and other top-tier can sometimes be acquired as loot drops in random combat encounters. Sometimes you’ll find these items in chests, too. However, the most certain way of getting gifts is buy buying them from Peddlers. You’ll find them going from one village to the next on the roads that connect them when exploring the open areas of the game.

Decisions in Rise of the Ronin are anything but shallow. They shape your journey and the narrative of the game. The choices you make might result in impactful consequences. You might make new enemies, gain new allies, and significantly change the course of your journey. People will live or die based on what you do.

Should You Kill Gonzo in Rise of the Ronin?

You should not kill Gonzo in Rise of the Ronin because you can later recruit him as an ally. Gonzo is a character you encounter in a notable mission where you fight alongside him to gain his allegiance. This mission is part of the core story and has bonus objectives like defeating formidable foes. The main objective is to defeat Gonzo and decide his fate. He will promise you his loot, although you can take it even if you slice his throat.

The only thing you have to gain from keeping Gonzo alive is forming a bond with him in the future, gaining one more ally to fight Taka, one of the first bosses of the game. However, recruiting Gonzo is not a straightforward process. After sparing his life in the battle mission, you encounter him again later causing trouble to others near Yokohama. Upon defeating again, you have the option to either finish him off or recruit him to your crew.

What Happens if You Kill Gonzo?

If you decide to kill Gonzo, the game rewards you with loot, but Gonzo’s death is permanent. You will lose the opportunity to recruit him forever unless you start the game all over again. While the overall storyline remains largely the same, Gonzo can surely make your life easier as an extra ally in the early missions that take place around Yokohama.

Treatises are items that you usually get from certain vendors by spending Silver Coins. You can get them from the Cat Geisha, Usugumo Dayu, in the american embassy, and several other places. However, you won’t see them among your items. So, what do you do with those and how do you use them?

How to Increase Your Stats with Treatises in Rise of the Ronin

• Open the menu by pressing the touchpad
• Navigate to the Stats tab
• Press the Triagle button
• Select the Treatises you want to use

Treatises are unique items that must be used from the Stats tab of the game’s menu. Once there, press Triangle to select the item you want to use. There are five kinds of Treatises in Rise of the Ronin, one for each Stat (Strength, Intelligence, Dexterity, and Charisma) and one that increases your Skill points, the Treatise of Enlightenment.

Although the Stat Treatises are the best ones, Treatises of Enlightenment is one of the ways you can farm Skill Points. If you purchase those items while fighting enemies and visit Shrines, you can accumulate a significant amount of Skill Points and unlock a bunch of techniques that will make the Protagonist much stronger.

That said, be careful when spending your points. Treatises are hard to come by and are costly as well. You’ll soon realize that you need way too many Silver Coins to buy all these items in Yokohama. Although there are always fugitives to be caught, Silves Coins are also used to buy rare weapons, cosmetic items, and gifts for your allies and I sure want to make the cat lady happy. It’s not like you’ll not have the chance to buy more Treatises later, but it is a time investment for sure.

The Blue Demon is just one of the many formidable enemies you’ll meet throughout your journey in Team Ninja’s version of 19th-century Japan. Boss battles are certainly one of the best things about this game. They are always flashy, and exciting, and can make you feel like a badass Samurai master once you learn their patterns and parry all their attacks.

Is It Possible to Defeat the Blue Demon in Rise of the Ronin?

Yes, it is possible to defeat the Blue Demon in the Black Ship in Rise of the Ronin. It is challenging but not impossible, and doing so unlocks a silver trophy called “Tears of a Blue Demon.” However, whether you win or lose, the game carries on in the exact same way. That said, the plot remains the same no matter what. So, unless you are a trophy hunter, you can relax and let the Blue Demon beat you since the story will remain the same.

The Blue Demon uses quick attacks, so mastering the Counterspark is crucial to stopping his blows and filling his panic bar. He also uses a grappling rope to pull your character closer for an immediate attack. If red barrels are on the main deck, use your grappling rope to throw them at the boss when he’s attacking another character.

If you’re mad at the fact you were defeated by the Blue Demon, don’t worry too much. You’ll have a chance to fight him again eventually. Just keep playing the game and advancing the main quest to get the rematch you desire. By the time it happens, you’ll probably be much more familiar with the game’s mechanics and will be ready to take him on.

Rise of the Ronin is a game that employs well-known mechanics. The game map is filled with icons indicating side quests and objectives. Completing these tasks rewards the player, although not all rewards are exciting. However, among the plethora of junk items, you occasionally stumble upon a rare piece of gear that significantly enhances your avatar’s appearance or skill points. Those rewards are definitely worth pursuing.

The Role of Cats in Rise of the Ronin

The cats in Rise of the Ronin gain significance once you’ve established a bond with the geisha named Usugumo Dayu. After forming this connection, you can visit the pleasure district and report to Usugumo Dayu in the same house about the cats you’ve found.

The more cats you find, the more rewards she’ll have for you. However, these rewards are not free; you will need to pay for them with silver coins. The most coveted items are the Treatises and decorative items. For example, you can purchase an Incense Basket, which increases the frequency of visits from characters who have a fondness for plants or incense.

Usugumo Dayu also offers a variety of attire, including humorous helmets and beautiful traditional Japanese clothes. If you’re interested, she has an epic Katana, leather gloves, and a fedora hat. I was particularly drawn to these items, and thanks to them, I was able to style my protagonist as a hipster Ronin for a while.

As you find more cats, your bond with Usugumo Dayu strengthens, eventually unlocking the Ikebana item. This item increases the visit frequency for the Veiled Vow, adding another layer of depth to the gameplay in Rise of the Ronin. If you want to increase your bond with Dayu, make sure to talk to her whenever you have the chance. She likes poetry and cats, so find gifts that relate to those two things to significantly increase your bond to her.

Note that some cats won’t be waiting for you to pet them. There are cats, like the one in the Pleasure District, that will run away when you approach. You’ll have to crouch and slowly get closer to prevent disturbing the cat. The rest works just like with any other cat, press R1 to pet it and then report to Usugumo.

Team Ninja did a great job providing players with an amazing character creator. It has a lot of options that allow you to shape your character’s face, body, hair, and even their voice. However, are you committed to the appearance you chose at the beginning of the game, or is there an option to alter your character’s look later on?

How to Change Your Character’s Appearance in Rise of the Ronin

You can change your character’s appearance in the Longhouse. There, select Relax and then Appearance to change the way the protagonist’s looks. The Longhouse, which is a resting place, becomes accessible as you progress through the main storyline. Talk to Ryoma, help him in the city, and you’ll eventually have a place to rest that also works as a Veiled Edge banner for you to rest, turn your experience into Skill Points, and Fast Travel to it.

The game is pretty lenient when it comes to changing the protagonist’s appearance. You can modify everything about them, almost as if you were creating a character from scratch. Even the voice can be changed. That said, you won’t be able to change the other Blade Twin’s appearance. That will be locked for the rest of the game, so whatever you decided regarding the other Veiled Edge’s appearance, that’s what they will look like until the end of the game.

You can also change the way your gear looks in the Longhouse. Getting new equipment will unlock new skins for your gear. Once you decide to change the appearance of your items in the Longhouse, you can equip something else to the same slots. The appearance chosen in the Longhouse will be maintained, instead of your appearance immediately changing based on whatever new item you end up equipping later.

The Journey of a Lone Veiled Edge

Rise of the Ronin starts by introducing their fictional clan, the Veiled Edge. These are no ordinary warriors. Although often portrayed and referred to as Samurai, Veiled Edges are always trained in pairs and are as skilled in the way of the Samurai as they are in the way of the Shinobi.

Team Ninja made a smart decision in having you create both initial characters. This might help players feel more attached to both Veiled Edges, making them feel the impact of future events and decisions more intensely.

The introductory mission does a great job of showing what you can do in the game, the many ways you can play it, and how no matter what your build looks like, you might have to adapt and come up with different approaches to navigate through certain areas. That said, it doesn’t take long for the game to throw its first major twist at you, changing the dynamics of your character and how they navigate the events of a Japan that is changing due to the constant interference of the Western world.

Another interesting feature of Rise of the Ronin is the Bond system. You can create bonds with characters and regions. The stronger your bond, the more rewards you get. These characters will influence your destiny as much as you’ll influence theirs. In fact, some of these alliances unlock characters and you can bring up to two allies with you on certain missions. You can even switch between characters to try out new playstyles and resurrect your Veiled Edge if you’ve taken too much damage instead of starting over immediately.

Although the story in Team Ninja games is never stellar, Rise of the Ronin is an improvement over Nioh and Wo Long. This plot may not be necessarily memorable, but it does a good job of showing the many sides of the conflict that took place in that era between the pro-shogunate samurai and the Japanese expulsionists. Side quests do a great job of fleshing out the Civil War by showing both sides and helping you understand the characters’ motivations. You even get to pick a side, which will affect how the events play out in your playthrough.

The Land of the Rising Sun

Let’s be honest, Rise of the Ronin is not the best-looking game on the PS5. Many other PlayStation games are much more visually striking than this one, especially those that take place in Japan. Yet, this game doesn’t look bad at all. It manages to deliver graphics akin to the best-looking PS4 action RPGs while also providing features that are only possible on the PS5.

The open areas of this game are vast. The grass moves with the wind, the flowers and trees provide a beautiful landscape throughout most of the surroundings of Yokohama, and the authenticity with which feudal Japan is represented here is absolutely charming. You will be running, riding, and gliding over large areas at 60 frames per second and will barely encounter loading screens.

The truth is, this game would not be possible on a PS4 without some serious downgrades. I just love riding during the sunset looking for trouble in this beautiful land. I also love being a badass samurai facing four warriors at once during the rain in a flower field without frame drops. That’s a commendable achievement by Team Ninja worth mentioning.

Rise of the Ronin doesn’t have a single open world for you to explore. It actually has open areas with villages to save, criminals to hunt, plenty of side quests, and many hidden items. However, each area is large enough to contain an entire game, so moving from one to the next was a pleasant, if not overwhelming, surprise. Thankfully, you can return to a previous area and complete the missions you’ve skipped if you want to. Doing so can even alter the events of the game, which is a neat touch.

The Way of the Warrior

Most people would agree that the most important aspect of an Action RPG is the action. If that’s your primary concern, then you’re in for a treat because this is certainly one of the best combat systems ever made by Team Ninja.

It seems that they took everything they’ve learned from Nioh and Wo Long, combined the best parts of each, and improved it all significantly. The Ki system is back. You spend Ki to attack, dodge, or block, but you can press the R1 button to perform a Chiburi right after an attack. If done correctly, your character will shake the sword to get rid of the blood on it and regain a portion of the Ki you spent.

Additionally, you can hit Triangle to parry attacks. By doing so, you’ll perform an attack that has a long recovery and might make you vulnerable. However, pressing Triangle at the right time will cause you to perform a Counterspark, the game’s parry. It depletes the enemy’s Ki and allows you to attack right after with a full Ki bar.

Once the Ki is reduced to zero, you can perform a critical strike. Critical strikes are often deadly and have awesome, brutal animations that make the idea of living and dying by the sword anything but glamorous. Since hitting attacks also reduces the enemy’s Ki, a skilled player will be quickly performing one critical strike after another. Once you get to that point, I promise this game will have you hooked. It feels amazing to defeat four samurais by parrying three out of four attacks in a row and performing one critical strike after another.

Your character can carry two melee weapons at once, and each has several different styles that you can unlock by completing quests and side objectives. You can equip up to three styles per weapon, and some styles have advantages against others. So, you’ll find yourself constantly changing the way you fight without necessarily switching weapons to gain an advantage against certain enemies.

I’m still impressed by how Team Ninja managed to make combat interesting and keep the enemies always feeling fresh even though you’ll mostly be facing other humans. There are so many combat styles that you will never feel entirely comfortable predicting the timing of an enemy’s attack. If you get too comfortable, the enemies will make you pay by suddenly changing their attack patterns.

On top of that, there are many ways you can build your Veiled Edge. You might want to specialize in a weapon that demands strength, such as a Katana or an Odachi, or you can choose a Dexterity based build and sneak behind the enemies instead of facing them head on. You can also focus on long ranged weapons, or come up with a hybrid build. All those options paired with the many weapons and fighting styles the game provides result in nearly endless ways to experience this game.

An Imperfect Gem

If I’m being completely honest, there’s not much to complain about with Rise of the Ronin. The story is not outstanding, but it gets the job done. The game isn’t the best-looking PS5 game out there, but it has beautiful and immersive landscapes that you can explore for miles without encountering any loading screens. So, although it’s not groundbreaking, I feel like Team Ninja gets the job done where it matters.

As for the side content, it can become repetitive at some point. After all, you’ll be mostly fighting enemies, collecting items, and then reporting them to an NPC. However, the best part of this game is its combat system. I appreciate that the many quests available allow me to frequently put my skills to the test and try new ways to face enemies. I always wanted to fight when I had the chance because the combat is that good.

The worst part of Rise of the Ronin is its loot system. For reasons I’ll never understand, Team Ninja decided to stick with the most criticized design choice of their past games. The loot system is the same as in Nioh and Wo Long. You’ll often find new hidden items that are marginally better than yours, making you not even feel the difference. Sometimes, the weapons you find have far worse stats and are only good for selling.

The only exciting thing about finding items in Rise of the Ronin is the fact that you can then change a new item’s appearance to make your gear look any way you want. That said, I’d prefer not to have so many junk items in my inventory. If they had just one weapon for each skin they’ve made, they’d still have way too many weapons. It’s quite frustrating to loot the enemies only to find three Greatswords that look the exact same way and are worse than my current Katana.

The Verdict

If it seems like the game has a lot going on, it’s because it truly does. There are different builds, playstyles, long-ranged weapons, mini-games, and so much more. If you roam around the map, you’ll soon find yourself saving villagers, petting dogs, parkouring over rooftops, delivering presents to your favorite geisha, and forgetting about the main quest quite often. Even after nearly 100 hours of fighting thugs, I’m still eager to try new combat styles. Parrying a sequence of attacks and finishing off a tough enemy with a critical strike never gets old.

It’s easy to dismiss Rise of the Ronin as a game that doesn’t bring anything new to the table. If you’ve played Nioh, Elden Ring, Wo Long, and Assassin’s Creed, you’ll feel like you’ve seen this game before at one point or another. While it’s true that this game may not be groundbreaking and its mechanics might feel familiar, it doesn’t make Rise of the Ronin a bad game. Team Ninja managed to implement elements seen in different games and blend them masterfully without straying away from the game’s theme and tone.

The more I played Rise of the Ronin, the more I appreciated all the work and effort that the developers put into making this game a reality. Each time I felt the game was becoming stale, the introduction of something new revitalized it, enhancing my appreciation for my journey as a Veiled Edge in 19th-century Japan.

The Best Queen’s Blood Cards in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

The strategy behind this deck is pretty simple. You must make sure that you will win at least one lane, and that lane is the one where you place your Chocobo Jockey. The rest of the cards are here to help you to make that happen.

Titan is a strong opener that allows you to guarantee a spot for Dio. Dio and Space Ranger are there to help you come back from lanes where the enemy has an upper hand or to assure you that you’ll win the lane where Chocobo Jockey is located.

This strategy is often enough to make you win the game by winning a single lane. However, if things start going south, you can always count on Griffon and Grandhorn to shake things up and surprise your opponent. As soon as I got these cards, I used this deck up to the end of the game.

• Cactuar: This card raises the power of allied cards on affected tiles by 3 while this card is in play.
• Crystalline Crab (2): This card raises the power of allied cards on affected tiles by 2 while this card is in play. Grab two of these.
• Spearhawk: This card raises the power of allied cards on affected tiles by 2 while this card is in play.
• Amphidex: This card costs 1 to be placed and has a power of 1. The first time this card is enhanced, it raises its own power.
• Space Ranger: Raise power by 1 for each other enhanced or enfeebled allied and enemy cards.
• Zemzelett: This card has a cost of 2 and a power of 4. It raises power by 2 for each enfeebled enemy card.
• Titan: This card costs 2 and has a power of 5. When played, it raises position ranks by 2.
• Chocobo Jockey: If you win a lane where this card is placed, increase the points you gain from that lane by 10.
• Dio: Raise power by 1 for each other enhanced allied and enemy card.
• Grandhorn: This card has a cost of 0 and a power of 3. It destroys an allied card and replaces it.
• Griffon: This card has a cost of 0 and a power of 1. It destroys an allied card and replaces it. It also adds the power of the destroyed card to an allied card on the affected tile.

How to Activate the Fungi Forest Tower in the Gongaga Region in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Your journey begins at the tower. As you’ll be able to tell instantly, you can’t get to the tower by just moving toward it. It’s at an elevated area that you won’t be able to reach normally.

Once you arrive, position yourself so that you’re facing south, towards the river. Your next destination is the small island that lies just across the river.

To reach the island, you’ll need to cross the river. Upon arrival, you’ll notice a stone staircase. This is your path forward. The staircase leads to another one, this time on your left. Ascend this staircase to find yet another one, this time on your right.

Climb all the way to the top of this third staircase. Once you reach the top, make a left turn. You’ll find a small path that curves around in a U-turn. Follow this path. It will lead you towards a bridge located on the eastern side of the rocky island.

As you make your way across the bridge, keep your eyes peeled to your left. You should spot a giant mushroom. This mushroom is crucial for the next part of your journey. You’ll need a green chocobo to continue.

If you’re not already riding a big green bird, press R1 to call a chocobo. Once the chocobo arrives, guide it towards the mushroom. The chocobo will use the mushroom as a springboard to perform a long jump. If executed correctly, you and your chocobo will land right in front of the Fungi Forest Tower.

And there you have it. It is pretty obvious once you know how to do it, much like the Expedition Intel 3 in the Grasslands. I took forever to figure out this one, so I hope I was able to help you save some time. The Gongaga Region song is nice, but not after spending hours trying to find your way to a Remnawave Tower.

In recent times, there has been a flurry of rumors surrounding the British Royal Family. One of the most talked-about topics is the health and public absence of Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge. There are even those who believe the Dutchess died after an abdomnial surgery. This has led to speculation and questions about the line of succession to the British throne.

Will Prince Harry Become King of the United Kingdom?

The short answer is, it’s highly unlikely. The line of succession to the British throne is not influenced by personal circumstances. It is determined by birth order and regulated by Parliamentary statute. Prince Harry is the third child of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana.

He is currently sixth in line to the throne, following his older brother Prince William, and William’s three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Regardless of the veracity of the rumors about Kate Middleton, which appear to be unfounded, Prince Harry’s position in the line of succession would remain unaffected.

Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, received this title from the Queen on his wedding day. Even though he has withdrawn from his royal responsibilities and no longer uses the prefix “His Royal Highness,” his status as a prince by birth and his possession of the dukedom remain unchanged.

The loss of the His Royal Highness prefix does not affect Prince Harry’s place in the line of succession. He remains eligible to inherit the throne one day. However, it would require very extraordinary circumstances for him to become king, given his current position in the line of succession.

So, while Prince Harry remains a prince and a duke, it is highly unlikely that he will become king. The line of succession is a matter of law and tradition, and it cannot be changed by personal circumstances, public opinion, or rumors.

In the large Overworld of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, there are numerous objectives that players need to complete. One such objective is the Activation Intel 6: Ravine Tower, which is just the activation of a Remnawave Tower in the Corel Desert. This guide will help you navigate through the Corel Desert, reach the Remnawave Tower, and activate it.

How to Complete the Ravine Tower Objective in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Begin your journey in the southeast area of the Corel Region map. Your destination is a tower situated beyond a cliff in the Corel Desert. 

Drive the Buggy Into The Cliff

To reach this location, you’ll need to summon your buggy. Despite the daunting height of the cliff, rest assured that your buggy is built to withstand such a fall.

Upon landing, you’ll find yourself at the base of a series of rock formations. Look up towards the tower. You should notice trees adorned with pieces of fabric. Throw you hook there to climb and reach the tower.

Climbing the Remnawave Tower

Once you’ve reached the tower, your next task is to ascend it. This involves climbing multiple ladders until you reach a broken one that would have led to the control panel.

Activating the Ravine Tower

Search for a tree with a piece of fabric tied to one of its branches. Use this fabric to throw your grappling hook. Instead of swinging away, swing back towards the tower. This maneuver will allow Cloud to reach the top of the Remnawave Tower.

Upon reaching the top, you can activate the tower, thereby completing the Activation Intel 6: Ravine Tower objective. This tower will reveal nearby World Intel objectives, such as rare fiends and a Moogle House.

How to Find the Fiend Intel 6: Unholy Union World Intel in the Corel Desert in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

First, travel to the southeast area of the map in the Corel Region. Make your way toward the Ravine Tower, the Remnawave Tower located after a cliff in the Corel desert.

In order to get there, you must first call your buggy and drive it off the cliff. Don’t worry, though. The buggy can resist falling from this height.

Once you get down, there is your hook to climb the rock formations. If you look upwards when the camera is facing the tower, you should see trees with pieces of fabric tied on them. That’s what you’re going to use to climb. Then, pass through the tower and keep going forward.

You’ll have to cross a natural formation that looks like a rock bridge. You will probably have to fight a flying creature on your way there. Keep moving forward until you finally see another way up, like a ramp on the side of the mountain. When following this path, you will see a passage to your right.

Ignore that passage for now and keep moving upwards. Climb that natural ramp, and you’ll notice an old structure with pipes. Look for a tree with a piece of fabric tied on it and use it to throw your grappling hook and move toward the structure.

Once you throw your hook to the metal platform, turn to your right to see those yellow climbing rocks. Move towards that area and climb them.

Once you get up there, the structure should be to your left, and to your right, you will notice another piece of fabric that you can use to throw the grappling hook.

Your objective is not to move towards the structure but to move to a passage that should be on your right if you’re facing the structure under the piece of fabric.

Once you get there, keep moving forward, and you will be in the area of interest. You’ll be facing two very dangerous fiends.

How to Fight Flying Monsters in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

To attack flying enemies with Cloud, you must dodge and then either hit or hold the attack button. If you’re controlling Sephiroth, he attacks flying enemies when you hold the attack button.

Whenever you have an ATB charge, you can cast a spell on a flying enemy. Most spells, including Fire and Thunder, will hit flying enemies without any issue. Check below how to attack flying enemies with each character in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth:

Cloud

If you dodge and immediately mash the Square button, Cloud will throw blade beams toward the target. If you dodge and immediately press and hold down Square, Cloud will dash toward the target, even if it’s flying.

Cait Sith

Cait Sith also has a similar mechanic in which he uses long-ranged attacks by attacking right after dodging.

Aerith and Barret

Aerith’s and Barret’s basic attacks are all ranged, so they can always attack flying enemies.

Tifa

Tifa can attack flying enemies by using Synergy Skills that will launch her upward or directly toward a flying enemy. When controlling Tifa, hold the block button and check the available Synergy Skills. The ones that throw her at a flying enemy are usually performed by holding R1 and then pressing either Square or Triangle.

Yuffie

When playing as Yuffie, you can throw her weapon at an enemy by pressing Triangle and then use her Ninjutsu by mashing the Square button. You can also use an ATB bar to add an elemental type to her ranged attacks, making Yuffie a great character to help fill the stagger bar of enemies who are vulnerable to elemental damage.

Red XIII

Finally, we have Red XIII. Although Red is an awesome and powerful character, he is the one who struggles the most against flying creatures. You can try holding the block button to fill his Vengeance gauge, which will unlock his Siphon Fang attack, which can reach higher than his basic attacks. However, your best shot at reaching flying enemies without spells when controlling Red is to use spells or his Stardust Ray attack, which costs 2 ATB bars.

Piko is the chocobo that Cloud will be using in the upcoming race. He is also the first chocobo Cloud wrangled. However, he nearly died in the desert and needs proper nutrition for a quick recovery. That’s where Greens come in. Surprisingly, and luckily, many people in Corel Prison seem to have Greens.

The Location of All Greens for Piko in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

All six Greens required for Piko are located within the confines of Corel Prison. However, obtaining these Greens involves more than just simple interactions with the characters. Players will need to engage in various activities and complete certain tasks to acquire all six Greens.

Remember, while only three Greens are required to progress the story, finding all six Greens allows players to purchase Chocobo Gear set from Esther, which can be beneficial for the upcoming race.

Corel Prison Thugs

The first Green can be obtained by confronting a group of three thugs near the Queen’s Blood players in the central northern part of Corel Prison. Players will need to make their way through a house at the end of the path and engage in a battle with the trio to obtain the Greens.

Truth and Lie Minigame

The second Green is a reward for participating in the truth and lie minigame. This minigame is located in the southeastern part of Corel Prison, on the path behind the weapon and item vendors. You need to determine which swindler is telling the truth. There’s no definitive answer as any of them could be lying. You must check what they’re saying, or just take a look at our guide to save yourself some time roaming around Corel Prison.

Bail Jumper Bartender

The third Green can be obtained by interacting with the Bail Jumper bartender in the upper-left of Corel Prison. Players will need to accept and complete the bartender’s subquest, The Bartender’s Untended Garden, to receive the Green. Essentially, you’ll need to explore an abandoned area marked on your map and fight some monsters.

Beast Battleground

The fourth Green is a reward for participating in the Beast Battleground arena. This arena is located in the south section of Corel Prison, and players will need to complete the namesake sub-quest to secure the Green.

Queen’s Blood Players

The fifth Green can be obtained by engaging with a trio of Queen’s Blood players at the House of Cards. Players will need to accept and complete a sub-quest to secure this Green.

Desert Rush Booth

The final Green is located near Piko’s pen, at the Desert Rush booth. You’ll need to play the game and score enough points to win the Green. However, it’s relatively easy as the Green is the prize that requires the fewest points.

When gathering Greens for Piko, you’ll eventually have to make a deal with a Swindler. He’ll ask you to point out which of his apprentices is telling the truth. Luckily for you, we know the answer.

Which Swindler is Telling the Truth in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth?

Well, it depends. Only one swindler will be telling the truth at any given time. Don’t worry, though. You don’t have to roam around and check if their stories are true. Just check the answers below for each swindler. If any of them tell you a story that matches one of the lines below, select that swindler. That is the one telling the truth:

• The drinks at the bar are watered-down
• The weapon ship sells elixirs, and no noise is allowed
• Meditations of the Outlaw is in stock, and you can find it in the bookstore
• Gus has a picture of a Stamp in his room
• The name of the monster is Test Zero

If they say anything else, they are lying. If you select the wrong one, you’ll have wasted your money, and the swindler telling the truth will change. Once you answer this correctly, the master swindler, ironically claiming to be a man of his word, will give you the Greens you need to help Piko.

This is a very distinct part of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth about making players pay attention to their surroundings. This game relies on many different mechanics, mini-games, and interesting characters, making it a very robust, feature-rich JRPG. This is not the only quest that requires you to pay attention to your surroundings.

Stuck in a Rut is another quest that also demands the same, although in a different way. The pink Cactuar section in Costa del Sol is also similar. However, this objective is one of the most demanding. With the corrected answers listed in this article, you’ll have no trouble finishing this part of the quest.

Unlike in the original Final Fantasy VII, Cloud is the captain of the Seventh Infantry and needs to find all the members of this unit to deliver a stellar performance. Finding all troopers will also help with your performance, unlocking higher difficulties that increase your points.

Where to Find the Seventh Infantry Units in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

While some troopers are quite easy to find, others took me quite a while. You’ll find a couple of troops outside the shopping mall, but most of them will be inside, either talking, drinking, or even singing in a secret club for bald people.

Western Side of Junon’s Main Street

The first and easiest unit is on the western side of the main street, looking at Junon’s big cannon. It’s quite a sight to behold due to its massive size.

Eastern Side of Junon’s Main Street

The second unit is on the eastern side of the main street. They are near the indoor shopping center’s entrance. They seem quite excited about the inauguration as they take pictures of themselves near a cardboard cutout of President Rufus Shinra.

The Full Arsenal Weapon Shop

The third group is inside The Full Arsenal weapon shop, near the front entrance that leads to the main street. They are staring at a model of Junon’s cannon.

Mysterious Club in the Shopping Center

The fourth group is inside a club in the shopping center, which is an excellent recreation of the original club for fans. Once inside, you can see a fun cutscene and then recruit the Infantry members.

Materia Store in Junon’s Shopping Center

The fifth group, which is quite easy to spot, is in the Materia store of Junon’s shopping center, on the right side of the shop.

Third Floor of the Item Shop

The sixth group is located on the third floor of the item shop in Junon’s shopping center. You’ll find one of the troopers buying a brooch for his girlfriend.

Second Floor of the Shinra Barracks

The seventh group is on the second floor of the Shinra Barracks, located in the middle of Junon’s shopping district. These troopers, who are being interviewed, are easily visible when you go to the higher floors.

Top Floor of the Shinra Barracks

The eighth group is also in the Shinra Barracks, but they are on the top floor. I initially missed them, so make sure to check upstairs.

Basement Storeroom of the Shinra Garrison

The ninth group can be found in the basement storeroom of the Shinra Garrison. Look for a group discussing tactical formations near miniatures.

Le Sourire Bar

Finally, the last Seventh Infantry unit can be found at Le Sourire. It’s a fancy bar located at the northern end of Junon’s shopping center. To get there, you’ll need to go up some stairs as the bar is on the second floor.

Where to Find All Ziplines in the Corel Region in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

There are 8 ziplines near Costa del Sol, and those are the ones that you must find to complete this quest. Here’s the location of all of them so you can easily complete this quest.

The first zipline is the closest to Costa del Sol. It’s located on the northwest of the first Remnawave Tower you’ll find when leaving the retreat.

You can see the second zipline from the first one. They are near one another as you can see on the map above. Just make sure to stop by there before moving on.

The third zipline is a bit further, to the southwest from the second one. It’s located off the road, between the road and the shore.

From there, move toward the north until you find a Chocobo Stop. When you find it, move to the east. There, you’ll find the fourth zipline.

The fifth zipline, NC-5 Zipline, is located in a green area between the shore and the road. After leaving Costa del Sol, where the road splits, look for an area where the distance between the two roads widens. That’s the area where you’ll find the fifth zipline.

The sixth zipline is pretty much in the same area where you find the fifth one. They are next to one another, so look around from the fifth and you’ll find another one nearby.

From Costa del Sol, take the right path at the fork in the road, then take the next left. The NC-7 Zipline will be on your right side.

The final zipline is located close to the seventh one. From the last zipline, move north and you’ll see it next to the road.

How to Complete the Seaside Inn Side Quest in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

You must find all the ziplines and take the items on top of them, near the area where you go down the zipline. For reasons beyond me, the Johnnies left their stuff up there. Once you’ve retrieved these items, return them to the requesting Johnny clone. The implementation of the Costa del Sol retreat in the game is quite meta.

Not only is it a place where the main characters can relax for a bit, but it’s also the most playful and light chapter of the game. You’ll see Johnny clones, chase pink Cactuars, and play some weird kind of soccer that only allows pets to play. I hope you enjoy this section of the game as much as I did.

When players arrive in Nibelheim, they will encounter a pivotal moment when they gain access to the Shinra Mansion. Here, they are introduced to a mysterious character named Vincent Valentine.

Who Should You Tell Vincent that the Enemy Is in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth?

Vincent, a former member of the Turks, poses a question to the player’s character, Cloud: “Your foe? And who his foe might be?” This question offers three potential responses: Shinra, Wutai, or Sephiroth. Each choice triggers a different reaction from your team members, but none alter the game’s outcome.

If you declare Shinra as your enemy, Cait Sith, who works for Shinra, becomes uneasy. This response might also upset Vincent due to his past affiliation with the Turks. If you choose Wutai, Yuffie will express her displeasure, prompting Cloud to claim that he is joking (though it’s not a particularly funny joke, Cloud). However, if you identify Sephiroth as your enemy, no additional dialogue is triggered.

Regardless of the chosen response, Cloud ultimately reveals that Sephiroth is indeed the enemy. This revelation compels Vincent to assist Cloud and his team. Although Vincent doesn’t become a playable character, he joins the group as a companion for the remainder of their journey.

This interaction highlights the intricate narrative and character dynamics that make Final Fantasy VII Rebirth a captivating experience for players. It demonstrates how the game’s dialogue choices can influence character relationships and how party members react to each situation.

So, when Vincent asks, “Your foe? And who might that be?” in the Shinra Mansion, remember that your answer will resonate with your team members, but it won’t significantly alter the story, other than eliciting a reaction from Yuffie or Cait Sith. You can use this opportunity to see Cloud trying to be funny or Cait Sith nervous, but in the end, Cloud will always say that the real enemy is Sephiroth.

Once you arrive at Costa de Sol after completing the main quest in Junon, there will be a point in the game when you’ll be controlling Tifa and Aerith. To get beach clothes, they will have to participate in some activities designed to encourage socialization in the beach retreat One of them involves finding pink Cactuar paintings and taking pictures of them.

Where to Find the Cactuars in Costa del Sol in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

When this quest starts, you’ll be given a map that you can check by pressing L1. However, the map doesn’t make it entirely clear where to find each Cactuar in FF7 Rebirth. Note that you must use the zoom mentioned in the map you were given when taking each picture.

The first Cactuar is pretty obvious and is right in front of you on the Surf & Suntan’s signboard. I missed that one because I was looking for green Cactuars, but those are the impostors. All Cactuars you need to photograph are pink and look pretty much the same way. The zoom here should be at 40%.

The second one is on the weird rock formations near the deck. Check the northern platform, walk all the way to its edge, and you’ll find one of the pink Cactuars there. The zoom should be about 70%.

It’s time to move towards that green football field near the rock formation. It’s close to the ‘Fun While it Lasts’ Main Scenario. It’s close to the Fun While it Lasts Main Scenario. The pink Cactuar will be painted on the rock next to a green Cactuar. You only need a 10% zoom when taking a picture of this one.

The last one is painted on a fire hydrant in the southern area of Costa del Sol. Head toward the heliport and check the area near the water for fire hydrants. One of them will have a pink Cactuar painted on it. Take a picture of it zooming in 30%.

How to Get the Mindflayer Crown in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

To obtain the Mindflayer’s Crown, you must defeat the Mindflayer and hope it drops the item. However, this optional boss fight won’t be available until you have visited all the Lifesprings in the Junon region. If you manage to unlock all the Remnawave towers in this region, you will be able to see the locations of the four Expedition Intel objectives that you must complete.

The first one is located quite near Junon. Move northeast from the local Chocobo ranch and you’ll see a Lifespring Owl that will take you to the Lifespring.

Expedition Intel 2 is located on an island next to a bunch of shipwrecks. It’s pretty much in the middle of the Junon region.

The third Lifespring is in a rocky area to the northeast of the Junon region. There are many other objectives for you to complete around it, too.

The last one is the furthest and is located in the southwest of the Junon area. If you’re doing the region’s side quests, you’ll eventually be taken to that area. That said, you can go there earlier if you want.

With all that out of the way, Chadley will reveal that a menace has been identified in the Region and will mark your map with the location of this optional boss battle.

The Mindflayer is a significantly powerful creature and can be quite dangerous to face if you’re unprepared. One of the most effective ways to deal damage to it is by using Cloud’s synergy skills with Tifa and spending ATB bars to build up Synergy Abilities since they will help stagger the Mindflayer.

In the original Final Fantasy VII, Yuffie could be found in a forest. Her plotline involved her quest for more materia, leading her to even steal from your party at some point. That said, when it comes to Yuffie and how she joins you in FF7 Rebirth, the plot is quite different.

How to Recruit Yuffie in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

You must complete all the events of the main storyline in Costa del Sol for Yuffie to join your team. She will show up a few times as you advance in the main storyline, but you won’t be able to recruit her until after she helps you defeat Hojo’s robot. Once that part of the game is finished, she will basically beg to join your team. Up to that point, you should not worry about recruiting Yuffie. Unlike the original game, Yuffie won’t be hiding in the forest trying to ambush you and steal your materia. She is a much more fleshed-out character this time, with great moments and quite some time in the spotlight.

Should You Recruit Yuffie in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth?

When Yuffie pleads to be part of the team, you have the choice to decline. Regardless of your decision, Yuffie will become a member of your party, but the scenes that unfold will vary based on your response. If you wish to witness Yuffie’s persistent attempts to convince you of her value to the team, opt to refuse at every given opportunity. Unlike in the original game where Yuffie was an optional character, she will now becomes a part of your team no matter what, enriching the gameplay experience and the story of FF7 Rebirth overall.

Not being an optional character means that Yuffie has many important moments in the main story. She is also an extremely versatile character who can deal a good amount of physical and elemental damage and is great at both short and long-ranged combat.

How to Reach the Corel Desert in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

To get to the Corel desert, you’ll need to climb Mount Corel first and keep progressing in the story until you get the buggy, a ridable vehicle. Then, you’ll get to roam around the Corel desert freely and reach pretty much any area of it.

If you’re trying to reach the desert to complete Johnny’s Side Quest and grab the Tonberry King’s Crown, you must first get the buggy, then use Fast Travel to reach Johnny’s location. Once you arrive, use the buggy to cross the lake and reach the other side.

The buggy will make your life much easier when traveling through the desert and you can even use it in the area of the Corel Region where Costa del Sol is located. That said, some areas might be hard to cross in the buggy due to its size. Sometimes, a chocobo is just more practical.

Stealing the Tonberry King’s Crown for Johnny

If you intend to fight the Tonberry King, make sure to have a character with Steal materia. You might be able to purchase this materia in most shops of the region, but Yuffie will already have one with her when she joins the team.

Use characters who can attack the Tonberries from afar, like Barret, Aerith or Yuffie, to avoid getting stabbed and insta-killed by the knife attack that Tonberries are known for. However, if you are good with Tifa and make good use of her mobility, you’ll be able to dodge most of the attacks and increase the Tonberry King’s stagger bar rather quickly.

You can only get the crown from the Tonberry King once he drops it. It happens when the Tonberry King takes a certain amount of damage. While his crown is on the floor, the Tonberry King will move toward it. During this brief period, the Crown can be targeted by Steal as if it were a different creature. You must have an ATB charge and use Steal on the crown before the monster retrieves it. If you use Steal and target the Tonberry King, you’ll get nothing.

If by any chance you’ve fought the Tonberry King before talking to Johnny, or if you failed to get his crown, you can always return to the desert later when you’re stronger or more prepared. To try again, return to the same arena where you fought this optional boss and hold the Triangle button.

At some point, while controlling Cait Sith and exploring Shinra Manor, you’ll need to discover the combination of a vault to proceed. Hojo will tease you by saying that the combination is somewhere in the room. Luckily for you, we have the answer.

What is the Combination for Hojo’s Vault in Shinra Manor in FF7 Rebirth?

The combination of the Shinra Manor vault door is 36 10 59 97. You can find painted on the wall behind some heavy carts near the wall. Don’t forget to use one of those carts to climb on the elevated area where a container is located.

To change the numbers of the Vault, you will have to rotate your analog stick. Rotating the analog stick in one direction increases the number, and rotating it in the opposite direction decreases it. Once you get the combination right, confirm it, and the door will open.

I recommend you save the game right there if you want to make sure you’ll get a bunch of free items. As soon as you advance, you’ll be prompted to throw boxes at targets moving on an industrial conveyor belt. If you hit those boxes, you’ll get items the same way you would when destroying Shinra boxes in any other part of the game.

You might get potions, elixirs, ether, and more. I hope you’re familiar with how Cait Sith’s Moogle mechanics work at this point. Particularly when it comes to throwing boxes and selecting a target area. It’s not easy, but with practice and a little bit of luck, I’m sure you can get enough items to save some Gil.

At first, activating Remnawave towers is as simple as finding one and interacting with it. As the game progresses, it won’t take long for you to realize that some are much trickier. That said, we know how to guide you to the top of the Riverside Tower. Let’s dive in!

How to Complete the Activation Intel 4: Riverside Tower objective in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

As you approach the tower, check the rock formation to the North of it. You’ll see there’s an area with yellow stones, indicating that you can climb it.

Once you’re up there, turn around to face the tower and look for a piece of fabric tied to a rod. If you’re facing the tower, you should see the metal rod on the top right side of your screen. You will see a button prompt to throw your hook and hang from the top of that rock to the upper area of the Remnawave Tower 4 in the Corel Desert.

Now, all that’s left to do is find the control panel and activate the Remnawave Tower with the weird-looking tool Chadley gave to you back in the Grasslands. If you can’t activate towers at all, you most likely forgot to do one of the most important things in the game, which is to talk to Chadley as soon as you get to Chocobo Bill’s ranch. If that’s the case, travel back to the Grasslands and make sure to talk to the young cyborg as soon as possible.