By Chris Pereira on Nov 23, 2017 11:49 pm
Black Friday is almost upon us, but we're already neck-deep in early ads, deals, and offers. We've done our best over the last week-plus to round up and highlight deals you might care about from specific retailers and for individual platforms, but parsing it all can be intimidating. There are countless deals to be had, and not all of them are necessarily good. Notably, many of the year's biggest games are on sale. That includes some of fall's big releases, including games that have only been released in the past few weeks--titles like Call of Duty: WWII, Assassin's Creed Origins, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, and South Park: The Fractured But Whole. You're certainly being rewarded if you were patient and didn't pick these games up right away. But what are the best deals for Black Friday 2017? In the gallery above, we've rounded up what we think are some of the finest offers out there this year. These include deals on individual games, consoles, and accessories. We've taken into account the newness of the items in question, as well as how likely you are to see comparable deals in the near future. Cyber Monday is right around the corner and is sure to bring more deals, and we'll continue to report back as more deals pop up. For our comprehensive coverage, you can check out our roundup of all the Black Friday 2017 deals. You can also head to our specific retailer and platform posts through the links below. - Black Friday 2017: All The Game And Tech Deals
- All The PS4 Black Friday 2017 Game, Console, And Accessory Deals
- All The Xbox One Black Friday 2017 Game, Console, And Accessory Deals
- All The Nintendo Switch Black Friday 2017 Game, Console, And Accessory Deals
- All The Nintendo 3DS Black Friday 2017 Game And Hardware Deals
- Best Buy Black Friday 2017 Game Deals
- GameStop Black Friday 2017 Game Deals
- Target Black Friday 2017 Game Deals
- Toys R Us Black Friday 2017 Game Deals
- Walmart Black Friday 2017 Game Deals
- Microsoft Store Black Friday 2017 Game Deals
- PlayStation Store Black Friday 2017 Game Deals
- Xbox Live Black Friday 2017 Game Deals
- Humble Store Black Friday 2017 Fall Sale Game Deals
- GOG Black Friday 2017 Game Deals
- Origin Black Friday 2017 PC Game Deals
- Ubisoft Story Black Friday 2017 Game Deals
- Best Buy Black Friday 2017 TV, Movie, And Tech Deals
- Target Black Friday 2017 TV, Movie, And Tech Deals
- Walmart Black Friday 2017 TV, Movie, And Tech Deals
- Newegg Black Friday 2017 PC Hardware Deals
- Micro Center Black Friday 2017 PC Hardware Deals
- Kohl's Black Friday 2017 Game Deals
- Costco Black Friday 2017 Game Deals
- Amazon Black Friday 2017 UK Game Deals
- Game Black Friday 2017 UK Game Deals
Call of Duty: WWII -- $40 (Best Buy)
The newest game in the Call of Duty series, WWII, is only a few weeks old, and you can already get it for 33% off at Best Buy. CoD games tend to retain their value for a long time, so this is likely to be the best price you'll find in the near future. All The Call Of Duty Black Friday 2017 deals
Assassin's Creed: Origins -- $35 (Best Buy / Target)
Assassin's Creed Origins is the first game in the series after a year off, and it takes players to a new setting in Egypt. It drops to $35 at Best Buy and Target less than a month after release. Assassin's Creed Origins Black Friday 2017 Deals
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus -- $25 (Best Buy / GameStop)
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus has been acclaimed as one of the year's best shooters, and just a couple weeks after its launch, it's less than half price. The digital prices are also strong, going for just $30 on PS4 and Xbox One (or $36 if you don't have Xbox Live Gold). All The Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus Deals
PS4 -- $200 w/ $50 gift card (GameStop)
There are numerous places selling the 1 TB PS4 Slim for around $200. That includes GameStop, which makes that even better by throwing in a $50 gift card. A strong alternative is Kohl's, which offers $60 in Kohl's Cash with purchase of the system, but you have a limited time to use that money (November 26 - December 6). You Can Get A PS4 Now For $200
Xbox One S -- $190 w/ $25 gift card (Target)
As with the PS4, we're seeing pretty standard deals bringing the Xbox One S down to $190 without any bundled games. Target sweetens that deal with a $25 gift card, while Kohl's will give you in Kohl's Cash (but, again, that must be used between November 26 and December 6). The Microsoft Store also has some nice bundles available, provided you're interested in the specific contents. Xbox One Black Friday 2017 Deals
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy -- $20 (GameStop)
The newest entry in the Uncharted series, The Lost Legacy, is one of Sony's biggest exclusives of the year. Although it's not quite as substantial as Uncharted 4, it's still a worthwhile experience, and Black Friday sees its price cut in half. PS4 Black Friday 2017 Deals
DualShock 4 -- $38 (GameStop)
Many retailers are offering a blanket $20 discount on PS4 controllers, but GameStop and Walmart go a bit further, offering them for $38 and $39, respectively. Walmart is notable because it sells the exclusive Blue Crystal controller, while the Red Crystal controller (pictured above) can only be found at Best Buy for $40. PS4 Black Friday 2017 Deals
1 Month Of Xbox Live Gold / Xbox Game Pass -- $1 each (Microsoft)
New subscribers to either Xbox Live Gold or Xbox Game Pass (Microsoft's Netflix-style service, where you download games to play as part of a subscription) can get their first month for only $1. The latter adds new games monthly, with December's Game Pass titles including Gears of War 4. Subscribing to Xbox Live Gold, meanwhile, will let you claim the free Games With Gold titles, which you can play for as long as you're a subscriber. This deal is available now. Get Xbox Live Gold, Xbox One's Game Pass For Just $1 Right Now If You're A New Subscriber
1 Year PlayStation Plus Membership -- $40 (Amazon / Best Buy / GameStop)
Whether you're a current subscriber or not, you can pick up a year of PlayStation Plus for just $40 right now--about as cheap as it goes at any point during the year. This will entitle you to online multiplayer and the monthly free PS Plus games. PS4 Black Friday 2017 Early Deal Gets You PS Plus Membership For Cheap Right Now
Steam Link -- $5 (GameStop / Steam)
Steam Link allows you to stream games from your computer to any HDMI-capable display on your local network (ideally over a wired connection, but wireless is supported). It's a nice item to have, and at only $5, you can ensure your PC games are playable in every room of your house. GameStop will offer this on Black Friday, and Steam itself is already offering that price as part of its Steam Autumn Sale. Steam Black Friday 2017 Sale Begins GameStop Black Friday 2017 Ad Early Deals
Brutal Legend and MDK -- Free (Humble Store / GOG)
Prior to Steam's Black Friday sale, the Humble Store and GOG have kicked off their own Fall and Black Friday sales, respectively. These discount numerous PC games, but both are also offering free games--Brutal Legend and MDK--for a very limited time. GOG's Black Friday 2017 Early Deals: Hundreds Of PC Games On Sale Right Now Humble Store's New PC Sale Discounts 1000-Plus Games Ahead Of Black Friday Claim the Brutal Legend freebie here Claim the MDK freebie here
Philips SHP9500S -- $48 (Newegg)
Many of the options for over-ear headphones can break the bank, but the Philips SHP9500S are a nice, reasonably priced option, with 50mm drivers and a steel headband. All The Newegg PC Hardware Black Friday 2017 Deals Newegg store page
27" LG 4K Monitor w/ FreeSync -- $300 (Newegg)
4K is all the rage these days, and while you'll need a powerful GPU to take advantage of it, you'll want the actual display to be high quality, too. LG's 27-inch LCD monitor features FreeSync support for those with the proper AMD cards, and the current $350 price is dropped an additional $50 with the promo code BF17FLYER36. All The Newegg PC Hardware Black Friday 2017 Deals Newegg store page
PowerSpec G314 Pre-Built PC -- $1000 (Micro Center)
If you want to start gaming on PC but don't want to deal with the fuss of putting one together yourself, Micro Center has a nice pre-built system for only $1,000. The only caveat is that this is limited to in-store pickup (at least at the time of this writing), but it's a strong offer for a system with a Core i5-7600K, GTX 1070, 16 GB of RAM, and a 480 GB SSD. All The PC Hardware Black Friday Deals At Micro Center Micro Center store page
AMD Ryzen 1800X -- $320 (Newegg)
The AMD Ryzen 1800X is a powerful, highly rated CPU with an MSRP of $500. Getting it for $320 is a steal for its level of performance--and you'll also get a free Champions Pack for Quake Champions with purchase. All The Newegg PC Hardware Black Friday 2017 Deals Newegg store page
Doom -- $15 (Best Buy)
One of the best shooters in recent years, Doom, drops to a mere $15 on PS4 and Xbox One. With a stellar soundtrack and some seriously intense action, that might be one of the best ways to spend your cash this Black Friday. PS4 Black Friday 2017 Deals Xbox One Black Friday 2017 Deals
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Explorer's Edition -- $49 (Walmart)
Nintendo first-party games often keep their high prices for a long time, so it's not terribly surprising to see so few detals on the company's games. One notable exception is the new Explorer's Edition of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which includes some additional bonuses (but not the DLC season pass). All The Nintendo Switch Black Friday 2017 Deals
Persona 5 -- $29 (Walmart)
Perhaps the best RPG of the year, Persona 5, can be yours at just under half price on Black Friday. That's a great deal for a game that can easily last you more than $100 and which has some of the best-looking menus in any video game ever. PS4 Black Friday 2017 Deals
Disgaea 5: Complete Edition -- $20 (Best Buy)
Although not a wholly original game, Disgaea 5 is a worthwhile part of the Switch's library, offering a style of strategy RPG that's hard to come by right now. All The Nintendo Switch Black Friday 2017 Deals
South Park: The Fractured But Whole -- $29 (Walmart)
The repeatedly delayed South Park game brings a healthy dose of crude humor, and despite launching just last month, you can find it a hair under half price at Walmart on Black Friday for PS4 and Xbox One. South Park: The Fractured But Whole Black Friday 2017 Deals
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia -- $20 (Best Buy)
As part of the resurgence of the Fire Emblem series, Nintendo decided to make one of the franchise's earliest games, Fire Emblem Gaiden, as Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia. It introduces some mechanics unlike what you might be accustomed to in Fates or Awakening, such as areas that you can freely roam in 3D. Best Buy will cut its price in half to $20.
By GameSpot Staff on Nov 23, 2017 02:48 am
How To Be A Nazi-Killing Machine
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is a no-nonsense narrative-driven first-person shooter focusing on mowing down as many Nazis as possible. Between stealth, perks, dual wielding, and ax throwing, there's a lot to think about when entering a hostile environment. There's also plenty of collectables and activities to accomplish between missions aboard the Evas Hammer Resistance, the main base of the Resistance. To help you better your chances of survival in Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus for PS4, Xbox One, and PC, we've compiled 10 essential beginner's tips to follow. Be sure to check out our full review of Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, along with our 10 Things We Wished We Knew guide before starting your Nazi-killing campaign. For more info on the sequel, head over to our guide on everything you need to know about the game, and along with our video on the History of Wolfenstein.
For more tips and guides on Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, head on over to our dedicated hub for all things treasure hunting and Nazi-slaying.
How Do Health And Armor Work?
The Health and Armor pickups that Blazkowicz finds in the heat of battle are the only things keeping him from death's door. After an intense battle, you'll pretty much want to spam the pickup button when clearing through the aftermath of the carnage. Armor protects you from enemy fire and will tick down as you take damage. Armored enemies will always drop pieces of armor and scrap, which add to your counter. So be sure to loot them after defeating them. Along with restoring your base health, restoration items also have an "Overcharge" mechanic. Any health pickups that put Blazkowicz's health above 50 puts him in an Overcharged state. His health can eventually get to 200, but will continuously tick down until it reaches 50. The best strategy to use is to pick up health and get in the action and put that extra health to good use before it's gone.
How To Remain Stealthy
It's always a good idea to start an area with stealth, especially in an area with a commander. You can always tell if there's a commander nearby with an icon that appears at the top of the screen, indicating your distance from a commander. If that icon turns red, get ready for a fight because you've been spotted. There are different ways to stay out of sight. You can sneak up behind enemies and execute a stealth takedown, silence your Pistole with a weapon upgrade and get a few quiet shots in, you can throw hatchets to take down enemies with a well aimed throw. If you choose the latter, be sure to go retrieve your ax if you can while staying hidden. Be sure to take advantage of the lean maneuver to keep yourself hidden. If you want to see what is waiting around a corner, lean instead of walking out and exposing yourself. Don't worry about the dead bodies you find along the way. Other enemies will notice them, but they won't sound the alarm. A good strategy to use is to silently take down an enemy with a stealth takedown or a silenced weapon, and then sit back and silently snipe the other enemies who approach the dead body to investigate.
Using The Map
If you're obsessed with collecting stuff, Wolfenstein II has you covered. There are nearly 400 different items to collect throughout the game from the different levels and the main hub aboard the Evas Hamer. Fortunately, you don't have to check every nook and cranny to find them all. The handy map in the mission menu reveals where everything is hidden. This makes finding the game's many collectables much easier for completionists. Additional maps are also scattered around the levels, offering additional intel on item locations. While these items can still be found without the maps, it's always best to stay up on item locations, especially if you think you may have left one behind.
Choosing Weapons To Dual Wield
Taking cues from Wolfenstein II, B.J. can dual-wield almost every weapon he gets his hands on. That means you can hold two of the same weapon type or mix and match them--such as holding a shotgun and machine gun at once. There are a couple good strategies to use when dual wielding your weapons. It's never a bad idea to choose one ranged weapon and a second weapon for close quarters. That way, you can eliminate enemies who are right in your face, and others who are charging in. There really isn't a "one size fits all" approach to dual wielding, and you'll have to assess the situation and plan accordingly. For instance, if you're up against a Panzerhund, you're going to want range. The shotgun, as powerful as it is, isn't going to do much for you. Equip two Sturmgewehrs and start pelting it from long range. You can still dual-wield if you're trying to be stealthy. Equip dual silenced Pistoles to quickly and silently eliminate Nazis without making a sound. However, there is a tradeoff to using two weapons at once. Keep in mind that dual-wielding isn't as accurate as just holding one weapon and aiming down sight.
Weapon Upgrades
Weapon upgrade kits are scattered around the game world and are for one-time use. While you may be eager to put these kits to use and boost your gear, there are a couple things to consider before committing.. Each gun has three possible upgrades to unlock. Those upgrades can be turned off at will from the weapon menu, and can all be equipped at the same time. Once you apply an upgrade, it cannot be undone. Take careful consideration in how you use these kits, as they're put to better use matching your particular playstyle. If you want to stick with a stealthy approach to battles, unlock that silencer for the Pistole first. Since there isn't a sniper rifle in the game, unlocking the ranged scope for the Sturmgewehr isn't a bad choice. Each of the weapon upgrades have their uses, so there is never really a bad choice.
Getting The Most Out Of Your Perks
After spending some time taking out the Nazi hordes, be sure to take a look at your progress on the perks page. While in action, you'll occasionally see prompts about various milestones, such as the number of heavy weapon kills and headshots you've landed. Head into the perks page to view your current progress across the Stealth, Mayhem, and Tactical trees. Once you accomplish a milestone, you can take advantage of the new boost to B.J's performance. If you see a perk you like, switch up your playstyle to make some progress towards unlocking it. Always keep an eye on the perk page, and put in the work to unlock the best skills that fit your Nazi-killing playstyle.
Juggling Heavy Weapons
As you're mowing down Nazis en masse, you'll eventually encounter tougher variants that need extra effort to put down, but the heavy weapons they drop. These guns come in either the Lasergewehr or Dieselgewehr. While they pack a serious punch, they can slow you down significantly. Plus, the heavy weapons need to warm-up before letting loose with their power. It's best to assess the situation and see if it's a good time to use one of these power weapons. If you're surrounded by a bunch of Nazi foot soldiers who have you pinned down, then it may be better to hold off on using them. The heavy weapons, while powerful, can turn you into an easy target, which is undeniably true on harder difficulties. If you're up against a huge enemy tank, then definitely pick up a heavy weapon and use it. That's when these weapons work best. These heavy weapons are also a good way to conserve energy. Like the Laserkraftwerk and Dieselkraftwerk smaller arms, these heavy weapons run on electricity or fuel, which can be found in dispensers scattered around most levels. If you're low on ammo for the guns in your inventory, heavy weapons can bail you out in a pinch.
Navigating The Evas Hammer
The enormous U-boat known as the Evas Hammer is the base of the American Resistance, and can be daunting to explore when finding your way around it between missions. The ship has long hallways, and dozens of different rooms where the crew holds meetings and just hangs out. As the story progresses, the ship's crew will expand, opening more areas to explore. It's a good idea to explore the ship early and then check out the new areas once the crew expands. If collectables are your thing, the Hammer is littered with them, but don't go crazy trying to collect them all from the beginning. Many of these collectables are behind locked doors and can only be found later in the game when those areas unlock. The hammer isn't only reserved for getting to know your crew. It can also be used for getting to know your weapons. Set put together a shooting range in the lower levels of the ship. You can check out any guns you've unlocked and take them for a spin. There's even a leaderboard so you can see who's the best marksman on the crew. Don't get your hopes up though. There's no reward for coming in first.
What To Do With Enigma Codes
While searching the bodies of fallen commanders, you'll collect an Enigma Code. While they don't seem useful initially, collecting these code will increase the perk that extends the length of time between when B.J. is spotted and the commander alarm sounds. Later in the game, you'll use these codes to unlock the location of other commanders scattered across the country. You'll then be able to charter a course to find and eliminate them in Deathcard missions. The Enigma Codes themselves come up while exploring the Evas Hammer, which will lead to cutscenes with members of the crew.
Save Often
Wolfenstein II has a pretty good checkpoint system that autosaves your progress whenever you complete a task, kill a target or enter a new area, but you can also save and load your game whenever you wish. If you don't trust the autosave system, be sure to take advantage of the game's manual saves. Manual saves can especially be useful during Deathcard missions. There aren't any checkpoints in the Deathcard missions. So, if you die in the middle of one and didn't save your game, you're headed all the way back to the beginning of the mission. Some of these missions can be lengthy with a bunch of enemies, so be sure to save your progress before you go charging into an area with a Panzerhund and other armored Nazis.
By GameSpot Staff on Nov 23, 2017 02:42 am
The Spoils Of War
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus does a great job of explaining its game mechanics thanks to a simple tutorial system. While these introductions explain basics like movement, stealth and combat, there are still some things that would be good to know when starting a new game. What difficulty should you choose? Is it worth searching every inch of every level to find all of the game's collectables? And how does that early story choice affect your game going forward? The answers to these questions and more can all be found in this list of 10 things we wish we knew before starting Wolfenstein 2. Be sure to check out our full review of Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, along with our beginner's guide on everything you need to know when diving into the Nazi-killing campaign. For more info on the sequel, head over to our guide on everything you need to know about the game, and along with our video on the History of Wolfenstein.
For more tips and guides on Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, head on over to our dedicated hub for all things treasure hunting and Nazi-slaying.
Choosing A Difficulty
Don't take the choice of difficulty lightly. Wolfenstein II can get difficult even on the medium settings. If things get too intense, you can change the setting up on the fly at any time without penalty. The difficulty only affects the gameplay and doesn't have an impact on the story. There are six difficulty choices with one extra hard option that's added after you complete the game. The "Can I play, Daddy?" is the easiest difficulty and is as easy as it sounds. On this difficulty, you can easily go toe-to-toe with any mechanized Nazi in the game and soak up nearly all the bullets that are sent flying your way. The hardest difficulty, "Mein Leben," is just like the original hardest difficulty, but you only get one life to live. Dying means game over. Choose the best difficulty for you. If you're looking for a challenge that can even be a little frustrating at times, try one of the harder difficulties. If you're more into experiencing the story, go for an easier one. The game doesn't punish or reward you either way other than the trophies or achievements you earn from completing the game.
How The Story Changes Based On Who You Sacrifice In The Beginning
Wolfenstein II doesn't load a previous save from decisions made in Wolfenstein: The New Order, but it does replay a segment from that game. At the beginning, Blazkowicz has the choice to sacrifice Fergus or Wyatt. This will not only change your companions aboard the Evas Hammer between missions, it also changes your weaponry. Wyatt is a zany character who enjoys listening to his music and studying the metaphysical aspects of the world. Fergus is a wisecracking englishman who is in a constant battle with his robotic arm. Both characters add a little something different to Wolfenstein II's narrative. Fergus and his arm are definitely worth conversing with. The big thing to consider is the gun you'll get depending on who you choose. Choosing Fergus gives you the Laserkraftwerk and Wyatt gives you the Dieselkraftwerk. Both of these guns can be recharged throughout most levels with electricity plugs or gas pumps that are located on walls. The Laserkraftwerk is the more practical weapon in most combat situations. It shoots a powerful blast of electricity that vaporizes human targets in a single shot. The Diselkraftwerk works as a grenade launcher. It fires projectiles that can stick to surfaces and be detonated later. The projectiles can also be stuck to patrolling enemies without them knowing, which makes for some interesting strategies.
How The Perks Work
Wolfenstein II has a detailed perk system that rewards the specific way you play. You can check out the perk page from the character screen. There are six perks in each of the three different categories: Stealth, Mayhem, and Tactical. Nearly every kill you perform throughout the game will increase your level for a specific perk. For example, every stealth takedown will increase your mastery of that perk. Performing more of them will increase your speed while crouching. Racking up kills while dual-wielding weapons will increase the amount of ammunition you can carry. No matter your play style, you'll increase your perks making you a stronger, faster Blazkowicz. Stealth and Mayhem are the best categories to strengthen first. You should start every area with a few stealthy kills until you're spotted. Once that happens, it's best to switch to dual-wield weapons for maximum firepower. Being able to carry more ammunition is always a good thing.
What Weapon Should You Upgrade First?
Weapon upgrade kits are scattered around the game world and are for one-time use. There are a couple things to consider when upgrading your weapons. Each gun has three possible upgrades to unlock. Those upgrades can be equipped and unequipped at will from the weapon menu, and can all be equipped at the same time. Weapon upgrade kits cannot be reused, so choose wisely. The pistol suppressor is the best upgrade to choose first. It completely silences all gunfire from this weapon, giving you silent ranged attacks for when you're trying to be stealthy. The Sturmgewehr, or assault rifle, has the Marksman scope upgrade, which is also a good candidate for an early upgrade. This adds a scope and turns the weapon into a single-shot rifle instead of fully automatic. There isn't an upgrade to manage the gun's recoil, so changing it to single shot helps make the Sturmgewehr easier to manage especially when dual-wielding two of them. The best part: you can remove the scope while the weapon is equipped to turn it back to a fully automatic gun if you wish. If you're thorough enough, you'll have more than one upgrade for your favorite weapons by the end of the game. Endgame content also allows you to find more upgrades to further strengthen your arsenal.
Does Being Stealthy Pay Off?
The short answer: yes, being stealthy pays off. As soon as the "signal detected" icon appears at the top of the screen, that means a commander is nearby. That's usually a good indication that you should stay quiet. It's not always easy, or even possible, to stealthily eliminate these threats, but it will make your life much easier if you can. If you're spotted by anyone before eliminating an enemy commander, the commander will trigger an alarm and Nazis will storm your position. If you're able to take out the commander before that happens, you'll have to deal with far fewer enemies. Early on, you'll have a lot of stealthy attacks that you can use to kill Nazis while being hidden in the shadows. You achieve stealth takedowns by sneaking behind your enemies. There's the hatchet throw that counts as an automatic kill if you land it. The Pistole and Maschinenpistole can both be outfitted with silencers that make them completely silent. Be sure to lean around corners to see if an enemy has his back turned. This ensures that you stay hidden without revealing yourself.
Choosing Contraptions
Later in the game, Blazkowicz will be able to choose one of three contraptions without being given much information on them. The stress of choosing just one of these devices may be too much to bear, but fear not, you'll be able to find the other two through side missions later in the game. Set allows you to choose between three contraptions, which include: the Constrictor Harness which allows Blazkowicz to stealthily squeeze into very tight quarters, the Ram Shackles which provide the ability to crash through certain walls, and the Battle Walker that extends his legs like stilts to reach high platforms. What the game doesn't tell you is that these contraptions give you specific perks that aid your playstyle. The Constrictor Harness helps with stealth by making your footsteps completely silent, the Ram Shackles prevent you from being knocked over from explosions, and the Battle Walker grants the Quick Draw and Adrenaline perks--while also slowing time when viewing the weapon wheel, also stopping the loss of overcharged health. These perks are active immediately after equipping one of these contraptions, making them extremely valuable. Choose the contraption that best fits your playstyle.
Are the Collectables Worth Getting?
Like many single-player games, Wolfenstein II is littered with collectables. There are 366 in all, which includes Gold, Starcards, Concepts, Max's Toys, Deathcards and Records. None of them will give you any enjoyable perks, or beef up your arsenal. They're more or less to give you a few nice items to search for so you can say you found the whole collection. To answer the question simply, no, these objects aren't really worth putting in the time it takes to find them. Deathcards are the only ones that can be considered worthy of your time, as they are essentially rewards for killing commanders thus completing smaller side missions after you've completed the game. These missions revisit past events from the story, but have slight changes in the environments and enemies you encounter. Deathcards missions are the majority of the endgame content. Other than that, pick up the items you come across, but don't feel obligated to find everything. Keep in mind that the map in the mission menu shows where to find different collectables. There's no big secret to where everything is, which makes it even more like busy work.
Are The Deathcards Worth Collecting?
The Deathcard missions are fun, small missions toward the end of the game. They take place in areas that you've already visited, but each mission has slight changes to the area that change the gameplay. If you didn't get your fill of killing Nazis during the story, definitely check out the Deathcard missions and kill all the high-ranking captains. Each commander that you kill throughout the game drops an enigma card. These cards can be used at the enigma machine on the Hammer. If this hasn't been introduced to you yet, don't worry. It'll be introduced later in the game. These simple puzzles unlock the location of high ranking Nazi commanders. You can then set a course to their location and take them out. Each of these officials carries a Deathcard that you can collect to cross their name off the list. Be careful. These officials carry powerful grenade launchers that can drop you in one or two shots, so don't take them lightly. Take them out from a distance if you can. Each Deathcard mission has collectables to find, including weapon upgrades. So, if you're looking for stages to strengthen your weapons, check out the Deathcard missions.
Is There a New Game Plus?
There isn't a New Game Plus mode. Do not try to start a new game after completing a game. If you do try to start a new game on the profile with the completed game, it will erase all of your game saves and start a brand new game. Nothing will carry over and statistics will be erased. While there is no way to replay exact missions from the story, you can hunt down remaining Kommandants in the Deathcard missions. Deathcard missions take place in areas from the main storyline, but with new twists. Environments and the enemies encountered are slightly different, making each area feel new again. After the credits, you are transported back to the U-boat where you can set courses for these missions.
By Matt Espineli on Nov 23, 2017 02:33 am
Skills of the Assassin
There are a lot of abilities to choose from in Assassin's Creed Origins, and you obviously want to choose wisely. While you can eventually get every abilities, doing so takes a lot of time, so you want to take care with what you pick first. Abilities are divided across three major categories: Warrior, Hunter, and Seet. Each accommodates different play styles ranging from stealth to full offensive. Whether you want to be a master of combat or a skilled wielder of tools, there's a wealth of abilities that'll benefit your experience. To help you get the most out of your adventure, we've gathered our recommendations of the most useful abilities in the game. If you want a more general look at how to better play the game, check out our beginner's guide covering essential tips and tricks. You can also read our guide detailing tips we wish we knew before starting. For even more guides, check out our Assassin's Creed Origins guide roundup containing all our tips and walkthroughs. Out now for PS4, Xbox One, and PC, Assassin's Creed Origins is the latest entry in the long-running Assassin's Creed franchise. Unlike past games, which continually pushed the ancestor timeline forward, this entry is a prequel. Set in Egypt, you play as Bayek, a warrior whose struggle against the corrupt forces of the time leads him towards becoming the first Assassin. Check out our Assassin's Creed Origins review, and for more about Assassin's Creed Origins, check out our feature detailing everything you need to know about the game. And if you're looking to get caught up on the series' narrative, read our Assassin's Creed story recap.
Seer Ability: Dawn & Dusk (Requires 1 Ability Point)
Dawn & Dusk should be one of the first abilities your purchase. It allows you pass the time of day at will, which is handy when you want to attack camps at night. In addition, some quests even require you to meet a certain character at a particular time of day, so it's in your best interest to unlock Dawn & Dusk, as it spares you the burden of having to wait around (in-game days take forever).
Warrior Ability: Parry (Requires 1 Ability Point)
A gold standard of Souls-like games, Parry allows you to deflect an enemy blow. It takes some quick reflexes to perform, but doing so leaves your enemy open for consecutive blows. It's an ability well worth having for the tactical advantage it can give you, especially once you learn to master the timing required.
Warrior Ability: Air Attack (Requires 1 Ability Point)
During an infiltration, an Air Assassination is a flashy, yet rewarding way to off an enemy. But when your unsuspecting prey sees you, it's rendered useless. That's why the Air Attack ability is a great contingency plan for these sticky situations; it can be used execute a devastating attack on a foe from above even if they're alerted by your presence. It can also be a great way to get the jump on a group of enemies (literally), allowing you to instantly slaughter one and then be ready to battle the rest with your sword and shield already out.
Hunter Ability: Chain Assassination (Requires 3 Points)
The Chain Assassination ability is essentially about killing two birds with one stone. It allows you to automatically kill a nearby guard with a throwing knife after performing an assassination. If you've played any of the recent Far Cry games, then this offensive stealth ability will be familiar to you.
Warrior and Hunter Ability: Weapon Bearer/Bow Bearer (Each Requires 1 Ability Point)
Both Weapon Bearer and Bow Bearer are abilities that are essential to nab. Each lets you swap between two weapons on the fly. This might not seem useful at first, but the ability to cycle between secondary weapons becomes indispensible during unexpected encounters. These abilities also eliminate the need to have to keep going into the menu to switch out weapons.
Seer Ability: Buy Materials (Requires 2 Ability Points)
Having trouble gathering materials to craft an upgraded piece of armor? If you're lacking the time and patience required to gather all the essential components, then unlock the Buy Materials ability. It allows you to purchase crafting components from Blacksmith and Weaver shops, making it easier to nab those much-needed materials you're struggling to find. The convenience factor definitely outweighs the time it takes to gather the materials on your own.
Hunter Ability: Eagle Harass (Requires 2 Ability Points)
While Senu is a valuable tool for infiltration and objective hunting, she can also be an effective offensive tool. With the Eagle Harass ability, she can distract enemies and even assist you in combat.
Seer Ability: Sleep Dart (Requires 1 Ability Point)
When you're sneaking around, it helps to have a ranged weapon that causes less commotion than an arrow into somebody's head. Sleep Darts are the perfect alternative that can incapacitate an enemy, while putting nearby guards in a search phase to get them moving away from their stations. It's great for creating openings to sneak through or setting up a multi-kill surprise attack on small enemy groups. But be careful: whoever you sink a dart into will only remain asleep for a short while, so make every second count.
Seer Ability: Backstore (Requires 2 Ability Points)
It's tough finding rare quality gear out in the wild. Luckily, the Backstore ability lets you purchase rarer quality gear from shops, thus sparing you of the inconvenience of having to rely on probability to get some of the better gear the game has to offer.
Hunter Ability: Elite Ranger (Requires 3 Ability Points)
If you've recently played The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Horizon: Zero Dawn, you'll be happy to know that AC Origins also lets you do the slow-motion mid-air bow shot. The Elite Ranger ability is a little further down the Hunter tree, but it comes highly recommended for setting up ambushes or making quick headshots during fast-paced stealth runs.
Warrior Ability: Attack & Push (Requires 1 Ability Point)
Attack & Push is an effective way to hit an enemy and force them to the ground, giving you an opportunity to unleash a flurry of attacks upon them while vulnerable. It can also be used strategically near cliffsides or pits to push enemies off to their deaths. Be sure to pull out this attack in the game's gladiatorial combat sequences for some gruesome environmental deaths.
By Matt Espineli on Nov 23, 2017 02:32 am
Rise of the Assassin
Assassin's Creed Origins is an immense game packed with an abundance of quests to complete and new systems to experiment with. From the get-go, the game quickly pushes you forward, lightly familiarizing you with its mechanics and expansive skill trees, while putting you on a path towards the numerous regions of its vast world. With so much to do all at once, you're likely to get overwhelmed--or even worse--you're likely to neglect essential information that could be of great help to you. That's why we've put together a beginner's guide focused on helping you through the game's early hours. Put these handy tips into practice and you'll be a master Assassin in no time. If you want a look at some of the cool things you can do in the game, check out our guide detailing tips we wish we knew before starting. You can also read our guide highlighting the 12 best abilities. For even more guides, check out our Assassin's Creed Origins guide roundup containing all our tips and walkthroughs. Assassin's Creed Origins is out now for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. It's the latest entry in the long-running Assassin's Creed franchise. Unlike past games, which continually pushed the ancestor timeline forward, this entry is a prequel. Set in Egypt, you play as Bayek, a warrior whose struggle against the corrupt forces of the time leads him towards becoming the first Assassin. Check out our Assassin's Creed Origins review, and for more about Assassin's Creed Origins, check out our feature detailing everything you need to know about the game. And if you're looking to get caught up on the series' narrative, read our Assassin's Creed story recap.
Approach Enemies Cautiously
AC Origins isn't like past games where you can charge through a fort and easily kill an enemy battalion. Levels determine enemy power and ability now. If you get surrounded, you can be easily killed if you're not properly leveled or equipped with the right weapons and armor. When exploring the world, pay attention to enemy levels. Consider how you can dispatch foes efficiently. Whether it's by stealth killing them one by one or fighting them in a controlled environment, try to be more meticulous in your approach.
Sidequests Are Essential To Progression
As you play, there's often an inclination to keep progressing the story. While you're free to do so, know that story missions recommend you be at a particular level to survive, as they often have enemies and targets that can make short work of you. To prepare yourself for these missions, complete as many side quests as you can for hefty boosts to your XP, and then invest any earned points towards new skills. This may all seem like a given, but the need to keep earning XP to upgrade Bayek's strength is pivotal to your success against the tougher foes you'll find in the game's main missions.
Attack Camps At Night
If you're having a tough time infiltrating camps, try hitting them at night. Most of the guards will be asleep, making for reduced sentry counts and easy assassinations. To make this easier, be sure to acquire the Dawn & Dusk skill to advance time at will--which spares you the trouble of standing around all day while waiting for the game's world to turn to night.
Overpower Is Your Friend
While you might feel inclined to tough out a combat encounter with nothing but the strength of your skill and reflexes, know that every attack you make builds up your adrenaline bar. Once you've got enough stored, you have access to the Overpower ability that--depending on the weapon you're using--can unleash a devastating attack or strength buff that helps turn tough battles in your favor. Be judicious with how you use Overpower. Instead of unleashing it on any unsuspecting foe, try saving it for the highest-level enemy in a group. If you want to upgrade its effectiveness, look into unlocking the other Overpower skills to enhance its strength even further. Overpower Chain Throw is a favorite of ours, as its "two bird with one stone" kill chain is invaluable.
Pay Attention To Guaranteed Damage
When you point your bow at an enemy's head or approach an enemy for a stealth takedown, you'll notice a red indicator fill up their health bar. This represents the amount of damage you're guaranteed to inflict upon them. Keep track of the red indicator, as there will be times when a particular attack won't kill a foe. Always pay attention to this to ensure that you take the best course of action.
Senu: Reconnaissance And Combat Expert
Senu is a valuable tool for infiltration, combat, and objective hunting. She can tag guards for your reference, and if you obtain the Eagle Harass ability, she can distract enemies and even assist you in combat. Use Senu to get a read of what's ahead, as well as to pick up on any important points of interest in the world.
Be A God Of Crafting
The components you obtain from hunting and exploring the world are paramount towards upgrading your gear. Whenever you enter a new region, take control of Senu to find and track whatever animals and components are out in the world. To find out what you need to improve your equipment, simply highlight the piece you wish to upgrade in the crafting section at the bottom of the Gear screen. It's important to take time to gather the necessary materials to upgrade your gear, as you always want to be equipped with best armor possible. If you're really struggling to get what you need, you can resort to dismantling weapons to gain additional materials. Never neglect crafting--lest you purposefully want to be underpowered against stronger foes. If that's a challenge you seek, then you're better off changing the difficulty to Hard.
Loot All Things
New to AC Origins is the introduction of a loot system, which ensures that there's always gold, weapons, armor, and crafting materials to pick up from just about anything you can investigate, from the dead bodies of elite Greek guards to shiny ceramic pots. We cannot overstate this enough: do not forget to loot. It can be easy to get caught up killing guards, thinking you'll get around to it once everyone's dead. But more often than not, the flow of a mission pushes you forward, making it easy to forget about all that loot. If this task is a tough habit for you to build up, try investing in the Assassination Loot or Kill Loot skills, which allow you to automatically pick up loot after dispatching a foe. It helps to alleviate the pain of having to grab everything manually.
Unlock Fast Travel Points
Whenever you enter a new area, make it a goal to unlock all of its fast travel viewpoints. Not only does it make getting across long distances easier, it also grants you 100+ XP and an increase to Senu's perception skills.
By Matt Espineli on Nov 23, 2017 02:27 am
Important Details To Keep In Mind
Assassin's Creed Origins is a dense action-RPG with no shortage of mechanics to master and interesting details within its world that don't make themselves readily apparent. After spending numerous hours with the game, we've learned a fair number of tips that we wish we knew before starting the game. Click ahead to find out what we discovered. If you want a more general look at how to better play the game, check out our beginner's guide covering essential tips and tricks. You can also read our guide highlighting the 12 best abilities. For even more guides, check out our Assassin's Creed Origins guide roundup containing all our tips and walkthroughs. Out now for PS4, Xbox One, and PC, Assassin's Creed Origins is the latest entry in the long-running Assassin's Creed franchise. Unlike past games, which continually pushed the ancestor timeline forward, this entry is a prequel. Set in Egypt, you play as Bayek, a warrior whose struggle against the corrupt forces of the time leads him towards becoming the first Assassin. Check out our Assassin's Creed Origins review, and for more about Assassin's Creed Origins, check out our feature detailing everything you need to know about the game. And if you're looking to get caught up on the series' narrative, read our Assassin's Creed story recap.
You Can Sell Your Junk Instantly
Throughout your journey, you accumulate a ton of loot that actually serves no functional purpose aside from being sold. To quickly offload this junk, simply go to the sell screen of a vendor and hold down on the D-pad to automatically sell everything. No sorting required.
Smash Statues of Ptolemy
You'll often run into statues of the corrupt King Ptolemy XIII throughout Egypt. If you see one, enact Bayek's rage against Ptolemy's reign and smash it. Doing so nets you a quick and easy 150 XP, a fine reward for expressing one's disfavor of the King.
Don't Forget To Upgrade Your Weapons
While it might seem tempting to sell a Legendary weapon once it becomes obsolete, don't. In Assassin's Creed Origins, you can visit a blacksmith to upgrade your weapons, and since Legendary weapons carry valuable perks, it's best to hold onto these in case you need them later on.
Reload Your Quest Objective
While playing, have you ever screwed up in a mission and wanted desperately to restart at the last checkpoint? It's not readily apparent at first, but you can actually do this in AC Origins through what's called the "Reload Quest Objective" option. To access this, press pause, highlight the Quests tab, and then press the triangle/Y button. This comes in handy, especially for all the perfectionists out there who want to do a perfect stealth assassination on a mission's primary target.
Get Dawn & Dusk
Dawn & Dusk is an incredibly useful ability that allows you quickly pass the time of day. It's handy when you want to attack camps at night but don't want to wait for time to pass. In addition, some quests even require you to meet a certain character at a particular time of day, so it's in your best interest to unlock the ability, as it spares you the burden of having to wait around.
Exit The Animus
Similar to earlier AC games, you're free to exit the Animus at any time to play as modern-day protagonist, Layla. To do so, enter the pause screen and simply hold up on the D-Pad. There's not much to explore in the tomb where she has set up shop, but there's a wealth of emails and documents you can read on her laptop. It's worth noting that you don't actually need to approach her computer to access them; simply press pause and read away! This is a must for hardcore fans of the series, as there's plenty of tidbits included in these documents that allude to past games.
Visit The Nomad Bazaar
In your journey, you'll inevitably run into Reda, a young nomadic merchant offering rare items for sale. He's signified on the map as a turquoise camel. Keep in mind, these items aren't cheap, so make sure to have enough money before stopping by. If you have free time to spare, Reda also gives out special real-world daily event quests you can take on that'll reward you with a mystery item upon completion. While the worth of these endeavors is completely up to chance, they're well worth doing just to see what you might get.
Search Camps
Every camp you invade has a specific number of treasures to collect and captains to kill. While fulfilling these tasks might seem superfluous, completing them actually nets you a nice XP bonus. If you're struggling to find a camp's treasure chests, hold up on the D-pad to highlight lootable objects in your vicinity
Unlock Weapon Bearer and Bow Bearer
Both Weapon Bearer and Bow Bearer are abilities that let you swap between two weapons on the fly. This might not seem useful at first, but the ability to cycle between secondary weapons becomes indispensible during unexpected encounters. For example, if a stealthy attempt at killing a guard with your hunter bow suddenly goes south, you can instantly switch to a light bow to quickly murder the now alarmed foe. These abilities also eliminate the need to have to keep going into the menu to switch out weapons.
Auto-Riding Mount
Are you too lazy to ride your mount to your current mission objective? No problem! AC Origins lets you set your mount to automatically follow a path to the next destination. Simply hold the X/A button and relax as your mount does all the work for you.
There's A Photo Mode
It's easy to miss the fact that AC Origins actually has a photo mode. To activate it, simply click both thumb sticks. The mode comes complete with a wealth of filters and adjustable sliders for your photo- editing pleasure. Make sure you take a good photo though, as it actually gets uploaded onto the 'net for other players to see and enjoy when they view the map screen.
By Matt Espineli on Nov 23, 2017 01:33 am
Choosing a Race That Suits Your Playstyle
With the Switch port of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim finally out, there are a wealth of new players jumping into the classic adventure for the first time. As those who've played the game know, choosing a race for your character is an important decision. Each race sports its own distinct characteristics, skills, and playstyles. To help you decide which one is right for you, we've compiled general details on each. Skyrim is out now on Nintendo Switch. For more on how it fairs on Nintendo's convertible console, you can read our The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim on Switch review. Critic Kallie Plagge says it's "one of the best Switch ports currently available." If you're curious the game's Amiibo support, here are all the items that unlock when you scan a Zelda Amiibo. The game was first released in 2011 for PS3, Xbox 360, and PC, before coming to PS4 and Xbox One in October 2016 through the Special Edition. A version of the game for the PS4's PlayStation VR is out now.
Argonian
Argonians make for great thieves and assassins, possessing Skill bonuses in lockpicking, sneaking, and light armor. As an added perk, they also have the ability to breathe underwater. And with a high resistance to disease, Argonians are a great fit for those looking to play a resilient, stealthy character that can navigate environments in ways that others cannot.
Breton
If you're interested in spellcasting, Breton is a solid choice. They sport a 25% Resistance to Magic and a proficiency at most kinds of magic. Their Dragonskin ability is incredibly useful, as it allows them to absorb 50% of magical damage inflicted upon them and convert it into Magicka. In addition, Breton receive small bonuses in Conjuration and Alchemy.
Dark Elf
Dark Elves offer a great balance of stealth and magical talent, which makes them ideal as thieves or assassins. While they easily fall into these roles, their proficiency in offensive magic shouldn't be underestimated; Dark Elves wield the highest starting statistic in Destruction spellcasting. This race is recommended if you enjoy a mix of stealth, magic, and swordplay.
High Elf
Thanks to their increased Magicka and Magicka regeneration traits, High Elves make for great starting Mages. As one of the most gifted races in the arcane arts, High Elves are a prime choice if you're looking to commit fully into spellcasting.
Imperial
Imperials sport a broad skill set that makes them a great fit for those interested in creating their own hybrid class builds. They're well rounded, but their lack of focus could cause issues if you don't have a plan. Imperials also sport an interesting perk that makes them more gold, as well as an ability that allows them to stop enemies from attacking for 60 seconds.
Khajiit
The Khajiit's proficiency in stealth makes them exemplary thieves, assassins, and archers. With their claws, they make for strong hand-to-hand combatants, as they get a natural +15 attack bonus. Khajiit also have the ability to see in the dark, which is of great use when sneaking up on or avoiding enemies. Be wary; Khajiit encounter a fair amount of racism from NPCs.
Nord
Nords are one Skyrim's native races; their strength and natural resistance to frost magic makes them perfect as warriors, barbarians, or scouts. The race sports a distinct starting ability called Battlecry, which causes enemies to flee in terror. In addition, Nords receive a skill bonus when wielding heavy two-handed weapons.
Orcs
Orcs are well suited for warrior roles, as their natural skills align with physical combat; the variety in their skill bonuses also allows them to become incredibly powerful. It helps that Orcs can go into Berserker Rage, an ability that allows them to deal double damage and take half damage from enemies.
Redguard
Redguards possess a notable prowess in combat with their high proficiency for using one-handed weapons. Their poison resistance helps to withstand lethal poisons, while their Adrenaline Rush ability allows for amplified stamina regeneration. While Redguards make for good defensive warriors, they can also wield Alteration and Destruction magic, which makes them solid hybrid warrior/mage candidates.
Wood Elf
Wood Elves are ideal for anyone looking to specialize in archery; they possess the highest starting statistic for the skill. With a resistance to both poison and disease, they're viable candidates for anyone looking to be a thief, scout, or assassin. And they can even command animals to do their bidding if arrows aren't enough to do the job.
By Matt Espineli on Nov 23, 2017 01:27 am
Roaming Dragonborn
The Nintendo Switch port of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim gives longtime fans a chance to explore the world of Tamriel on the go. However, it also provides newcomers the opportunity to experience Skyrim for the first time. The game's world is immense, and at times, the path to success isn't clear. To help equip you with the knowledge needed to survive Skyrim on Switch's early runnings, we've gathered 13 essential beginner's tips. Skyrim is out now on Nintendo Switch. For more on how it fairs on Nintendo's convertible console, you can read our The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim on Switch review. Critic Kallie Plagge says it's "one of the best Switch ports currently available." If you're curious the game's Amiibo support, here are all the items that unlock when you scan a Zelda Amiibo. The game was first released in 2011 for PS3, Xbox 360, and PC, before coming to PS4 and Xbox One in October 2016 through the Special Edition. A version of the game for the PS4's PlayStation VR is out now.
Commit And Stick By Your Character Choice
Skyrim's character creation process rewards those who know exactly what they want, so it's important to have an idea about the kind of character you want to play before starting the game. When picking your character's race, make sure to commit to one with the skills, powers, and effects that suit your playstyle and the characteristics you want. For instance, if you want to want to fit the mold of a Thief class, it's best to choose Khajiit, as its base sneaking skill is the highest of all the races.
Freedom Is Fun, But Get To Whiterun First
Skyrim is a massive game that opens up rather quickly; with such freedom right out the gate, it's easy to start running around taking on side quests and doing whatever you please. However, if you're just starting the game, we recommend following the main quest line until you get to Whiterun. This way you'll at least have the "Shout" ability, a place to store your stuff, and a general understanding of your environment.
Accessing Amiibo Functionality
In the Switch version of Skyrim, you can use various Amiibo to get loot chests. These chests contain things like arrows, a random piece of armor, and food. If you use any Zelda Amiibo, you have a chance to get one of three Zelda-themed items: Link's blue tunic from Breath of the Wild, the Master Sword, and the Hylian Shield. To use an Amiibo, go to the Magic menu, then go to Powers. The Amiibo Power will be unlocked from the start. Select the Amiibo power to equip it, then cast it in the world using R. Once you've cast it, tap an Amiibo to the NFC reader to get a chest.
ABS (Always Be Sneaking)
Sneaking is an incredibly valuable skill to develop early on, as it's a useful way to get a preemptive strike on enemies; it also makes difficult missions later on in the game much easier. However, your chances of sneaking successfully is determined by your Sneak skill level, and the only way to improve it is by sneaking as much as possible. We recommend doing so whenever you get the chance, as the higher your proficiency in this skill, the better off you are in most combat encounters and sticky situations.
Not A Thief? Steal Anyway
Stealing may be discouraged in the world of Tamriel, but it's often worth taking whatever you can, as it rewards you potentially valuable items and equipment. Note that even if an item is marked red (indicating that taking it is theft), you still have the chance of stealing it without alerting the attention of nearby guards or hostiles; just make sure you're properly hidden from their sight. And remember: viewing red-marked possessions is not a crime, but taking them is.
Save, Save, Save Often
This might seem incredibly obvious, but it's always in your benefit to save your game as often as possible. Skyrim gives you the power to save anywhere, anytime you want, so make use of it. You never know what might happen when exploring the world or a dungeon; a particularly powerful creature could very well kill you out of nowhere, potentially taking from you hours of progress.
Visit The Guardian Stones Sooner Than Later
The Guardian Stones are special objects found along the road southwest of Riverwood, and northwest of Helgen near the river. There are three stones: the Mage Stone, the Thief Stone, and the Warrior Stone. Each allows you to level up the skills associated with that class 20% faster. It's possible to access the Guardian Stones directly after the game's introduction, so it's recommended you seek them out sooner than later. Be wary; you can only choose to activate one of the Guardian Stones at a time; though, you're allowed to switch between the stones at any time if you're looking to level up or utilize the respective skills each represent.
Remember, Fast Travel is Available From the Start
Like other open world games, Skyrim gives you the ability to fast travel to locations you've visited on the map. But it's worth noting that you can fast travel as soon as the game begins, well before the game tells you that you can do so.
Third-Person View Is More Than Just a Camera Angle
While Skyrim is primarily played from a first-person perspective, you can actually switch it to a third-person view. This can be a useful way to better your awareness of your surroundings, especially in the forest areas early on where wild animals can easily jump you if you're not careful.
It's Good To Sleep In-Game (And In Real Life Too)
As you explore Skyrim's vast world, you'll come across the ability to sleep in a bed. While this advances the passage of time in-game, it also grants you a "Well Rested" buff that increases all skill gains by 10% for eight hours. Keep in mind, this buff can only be triggered if you sleep in a bed you own or a bed at a local Inn.
Horse Thief
Can't afford a horse in the beginning? Just steal one! It won't stay with you, but it's a free and fast means of transportation you can take advantage of until you build up enough money to purchase a horse later on.
Smithing, Enchanting, And Alchemy Exist; Be Mindful Of Them
There are a lot of different optional skills in Skyrim, such as Smithing, Enchanting, and Alchemy. While it isn't mandatory to fully understand or utilize them early on, it's important that you at least pay attention to them. Be mindful of the weapons and items you obtain, and consider keeping certain ones for when you eventually need them to practice these skills. It's certainly worth your time in the long run, as utilizing these skills together can eventually allow you powerful perks, such as Mages casting for 0 magic in any school, Warriors doing massive damage, and Thieves becoming even sneakier.
Buy Training, Get Your Money Back
When you reach Whiterun, you'll find NPC followers who ask to join you in your adventure. Some can help train you in a particular skill as long as you have money to pay for it. For instance, a follower named Faendal can train you in archery. But there's a handy exploit you can use to take advantage of their training. First, pay your follower to train you. After they've done so, ask to take a look at their inventory and simply retrieve the money you gave them. Rinse and repeat this process until you've maxed out the skill.
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