By Chris E. Hayner on Nov 09, 2018 10:52 pm
When it comes to figuring out how successful a movie was with audiences, the box office returns are normally a pretty good thing to research. However, once upon a time, there was another way to figure out how big of an impact your film had. During the 1980s and 1990s, a slew of movies were adapted into cartoons to further appeal to kids. After all, if your movie becomes a cartoon, you can make more toys to sell, and more toys equals more money. And while most of the animated series made perfect sense--of course Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures made a great cartoon--others were a bit questionable. The very idea of a Rambo cartoon is puzzling. GameSpot dug back through cartoon history to dig up the best and craziest cartoons based on old movies for your viewing pleasure. How many of these did you watch? And what did we miss when it comes to your favorites? Sound off in the comments below!
1. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1995-2000)
You might not remember it, but Ace Ventura: Pet Detective ran for three seasons over five years. After two years on CBS, it took a nearly two-year break before jumping to Nickelodeon for its final 15 episodes. Surprisingly, there was also a computer game based on the cartoon--but not on the movie. Image: Warner Bros. TV
2. The Real Ghostbusters (1986-1991)
This is the gold standard of cartoons adapted from movies. The Real Ghostbusters--which also became Slimer and the Real Ghostbusters for a time--ran for seven seasons and turned the movies into an even more kid-friendly adventure. It also led to a massive toy line. Image: Sony Pictures Television
3. Extreme Ghostbusters (1997)
This sequel to The Real Ghostbusters introduces a new crop of heroes, with Egon returning as the lone original. Taking advantage of the late-'90s obsession with the word "extreme," this new Ghostbusters was anything but. However, it was a fun, short-lived way to expand the Ghostbusters animated universe. Image: Sony Pictures Television
4. Back to the Future (1991-1992)
While Back to the Future Part III was a pretty definitive end for the franchise, that didn't stop them from making a cartoon, following Marty, Doc, Doc's Family, and Einstein the dog. Naturally, Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox did not return to voice their characters, though the former did appear in live-action segments at the beginning and end of each episode. What may surprise you, though, is both Mary Steenburgen (Clara Clayton Brown) and Thomas F. Wilson (Biff Tannen) did reprise their roles for the animated series. Image: NBCUniversal Television Distribution
5. Clerks: The Animated Series (2000)
This one is weird for a number of reasons. Based on the Kevin Smith movie, this was not a cartoon for children. It saw the return of practically the entire Clerks cast, plus the addition of Alec Baldwin as rich weirdo Leonardo Leonardo. It was also canceled after two episodes by ABC. However, six episodes were produced and eventually released on DVD. Image: Buena Vista Television
6. Beetlejuice (1989-1991)
If you watch Tim Burton's Beetlejuice movie, which can be pretty graphic, it may be surprising that they turned it into a children's cartoon. That said, the animated Beetlejuice series ran for four seasons and even got its own line of toys. As you can probably guess, Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder did not return to voice their characters. Image: Warner Bros. TV
7. The Karate Kid (1989)
Instead of a fighting tournament, The Karate Kid sends Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi on an adventure around the world to find a magical shrine, with a new sidekick joining their quest. The cartoon is such an insane departure from the movies, that it should come as no surprise it only lasted a single season. Thank goodness for Cobra Kai. Image: Sony Pictures Television
8. The Mummy: The Animated Series (2001-2003)
While based on Brendan Fraser's The Mummy movie, this cartoon centers on the 14-year-old son of the main characters, as their family is chased around the world by Imhotep. Image: NBCUniversal Television Distribution
9. Dumb & Dumber (1995-1996)
Yet another Jim Carrey movie adapted into an animated series. It follows the film, continuing the adventures of Harry Dunne and Lloyd Christmas as they continued to be incredibly stupid. Now, though, they have the purple beaver as a sidekick. Why not? Image: Warner Bros. TV
10. Jumanji (1996-1999)
Though based on the original movie, the Jumanji animated series has a lot in common with Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. In this cartoon, two kids are sucked into the game's jungle on each turn and have to solve clues to go back home. While there, they befriend Alan Parrish--played by Robin Williams in the movie--and explore the wild with him. Image: Sony Pictures Television
11. Police Academy: The Animated Series (1988-1989)
This is another bizarre example. The original Police Academy film was rated R by the MPAA. The sequels that followed ranged from PG-13 to PG, but basing a cartoon for children on a Rated-R movie is a risky bet--though it's one that happened a few times in the '80s. It worked well enough to earn the series 65 episodes and an extensive line of toys, though. It should be noted that the Zed action figure dropped his pants, if you were wondering how classy these toys were. Image: LBS Communications
12. RoboCop: The Animated Series (1988)
RoboCop is an incredibly graphic and vulgar film, filled with violence. Yet, somehow, it got two cartoons. The first only ran for 12 episodes, but its very existence is remarkable. Naturally, it wasn't as violent as the movie. Image: MGM Television
13. RoboCop: Alpha Command (1998-1999)
The second RoboCop cartoon was far more successful, with a higher-quality animation style earning it 40 episodes before it was canceled. Image: MGM Television
14. Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures (1990-1991)
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure lends itself perfectly to an animated series and this cartoon is a lot of fun. However, what's most notable about it is the cast. Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter voiced their characters in the first season. The second season saw the duo replaced by two actors that were also going to star in a live-action adaptation that was canceled after seven episodes. The animated series was then dropped. Image: MGM Television
15. The Mask Animated Series (1995-1997)
The last cartoon based on a Jim Carrey movie on this list but perhaps the craziest. This series crossed over with the Ace Ventura cartoon, creating some kind of shared Carrey universe. In the crossover, the green mask gets attached to Ace Ventura's butt. That is not a joke. Warner Bros. TV
16. Men in Black
Though based on the Men in Black film, the animated series takes place in an alternate timeline where Agent K doesn't retire and have his memory wiped. He and Agent J are joined by Agent L, who was introduced at the end of the first movie, as they fought aliens invading the planet. Image: Sony Pictures Television
17. Rambo: The Force of Freedom (1986)
As you've seen thus far, making cartoons out of adult movies was commonplace in the 1980s. However, even this is taking things to the extreme. First Blood and Rambo: First Blood Part II are intense and unsettling action movies about a Vietnam War veteran that goes on killing sprees. Yet somehow, they were adapted into an animated series that saw Rambo lead a team of heroes around the world to fight an evil organization known as S.A.V.A.G.E. And in case you're wondering what that's short for, it's Specialist-Administrators of Vengeance, Anarchy, and Global Extortion. Image: StudioCanal
18. Godzilla: The Series (1998-2000)
If the world needed anything, it's a cartoon based on the 1998 Godzilla movie starring Matthew Broderick, right? In this animated series, the giant lizard teams with Broderick's character and a group of environmental crusaders (and a robot, of course) in a fight against other mutant monsters. Somehow it lasted two seasons. Image: Sony Pictures Television
19. The Oz Kids (1996-1997)
What happens when The Wizard of Oz and Muppet Babies gets mashed up? The Oz Kids! In the series, Dorothy is a mom, and it's her two kids, along with Toto Jr., that go on adventures to Oz. Once there, they meet up with the kids of the Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, and more. If you're wondering how the Scarecrow and Tin Man managed to have kids, you are not alone. Image: Walt Disney Television
20. The Robonic Stooges (1977-1978)
Imagine a world where the Three Stooges are so popular that they get a cartoon set in the future, where they are bionic superheroes. It exists, and it's as crazy as it sounds. Unfortunately, by the time the show was in production, the original Stooges had died, leading to them being voiced by other actors. Image: Warner Bros. TV
21. Street Fighter (1995-1997)
This peculiar adaptation is based on a mix of the arcade game and the live-action movie. In it, Col. William F. Guile leads his team of Street Fighters around the world as they work undercover to defeat M. Bison and his criminal empire the only way they know how--through martial arts. Image: Discotek Media
22. Alienators: Evolution Continues (2001-2002)
Evolution, starring David Duchovny, Seann William Scott, and Julianne Moore, was not a box office hit or a critical darling. And yet, somehow, it was turned into a cartoon. Of course, with a name like, Alienators: Evolution Continues, the animated series wasn't very obvious about its status as a sequel to the film. However, in the United Kingdom, it was known as Evolution: The Animated Series. Image: NBCUniversal Television Distribution
By Chris E. Hayner on Nov 09, 2018 10:51 pm
100. Vandal Savage
First appearance: The Flash (Season 2, Episode 8) The main antagonist during the first season of Legends of Tomorrow is a major dud. Savage is the type of mustache-twirling villain who isn't threatening, let alone scary. Thankfully, the show has yet to revisit him. Image: The CW
99. Rip Hunter
First appearance: Legends of Tomorrow (Season 1, Episode 1) After leading the Legends in Season 1, Rip's character took a strange turn thanks to brainwashing by the Legion of Doom in Season 2. While it was a refreshing change, evil Rip was short lived. Image: The CW
98. The Calculator
First appearance: Arrow (Season 4, Episode 12) While The Calculator is a world-renowned cyber-criminal, Arrow fans only briefly saw that side of the character. After all, nobody wants to hate Felicity's dad. Image: The CW
97. Constantine Drakon
First appearance: Arrow (Season 1, Episode 1) Prior to being the Green Arrow, Oliver was The Hood. In the Arrow pilot, The Hood comes face-to-face with a corrupt CEO's head of security named Constantine. He may only appear once, but he's still officially Oliver's first villain. Image: The CW
96. Captain Boomerang
First appearance: Arrow (Season 3, Episode 7) The Captain is a former member of the Suicide Squad and deadly with a boomerang. While he might be able to outsmart Oliver in some of their Season 3 encounters, he ends up in the shadow of most other villains in the Arrowverse. Image: The CW
95. Atom Smasher
First appearance: The Flash (Season 2, Episode 1) Atom-Smasher was one of the many metahuman enemies Team Flash has come up against and is definitely the least interesting of the bunch. It's easy to see why when all he really does is grow bigger and smash things. Image: The CW
94. Solovar
First appearance: The Flash (Season 3, Episode 13) While this giant albino gorilla -- and leader of Gorilla -- is impressive, he's too little too late to the party. Thanks to Grodd, The Flash fans already have plenty of experience with huge ape villains. Image: The CW
93. Cooper Seldon
First appearance: Arrow (Season 3, Episode 5) How did Felicity's ex-boyfriend from her goth phase make the list? After hacking his way into trouble in Star City, he ends up joining forces with Damien Darhk. All told, though, he's near the bottom of the list when it comes to Darhk's henchmen. Image: The CW
92. Baron Reiter
First appearance: Arrow (Season 4, Episode 2) Beron Reiter is responsible for a lot of Oliver's misfortune on Lian Yu in the Season 4 flashbacks. He's pretty forgettable, though, given how that season is regarded as one of the show's worst. Image: The CW
91. Abra Kadabra
First appearance: The Flash (Season 3, Episode 18) Abra Kadabra has amazing potential as a baddie on The Flash. He's a time traveler from another dimension and has powers that heavily resemble magic. Unfortunately, he also looks and acts like a cheesy Las Vegas magician, which doesn't help him. Image: The CW
90. The Mist
First appearance: The Flash (Season 1, Episode 3) This meta-human can turn himself into a poisonous gas, which should be useful in killing superheroes. Unfortunately, he is wasted as one of far too many villains-of-the-week in the first season of The Flash. Image: The CW
89. Cyrus Gold
First appearance: Arrow (Season 2, Episode 7) The biggest misstep with Cyrus is his name. In the comics, Cyrus Gold is widely known as Solomon Grundy--the reanimated villain with superhuman strength. Unfortunately, Arrow never takes him that far. Instead, he's a test subject of Brother Blood's. While he does gain some strength, it's not enough to become the iconic character comic fans know. Image: The CW
88. Everyman
First appearance: The Flash (Season 1, Episode 19) This metahuman is a shapeshifter, which could make him a major villain in the Arrowverse, with the ability to become anybody--including The Flash. Unfortunately, he is largely forgotten after being killed off in Season 1. Image: The CW
87. Amunet Black
First appearance: The Flash (Season 4, Episode 5) Though she has the ability to control metal and gets a kick out of controlling Killer Frost, Amunet sort of ended up being a good guy. Still, she has a cool power and a mean streak. For now, though, she just doesn't add up. Image: The CW
86. Dr. Light
First appearance: The Flash (Season 2, Episode 5) Dr. Light shoots concentrated blasts of light from her hands, is trying to kill The Flash, and is the Earth-2 doppelganger of Barry Allen's girlfriend. She has all the makings of a great villain but her role essentially sees her ushering in Zoom as the new primary antagonist. Image: The CW
85. Alchemy
First appearance: The Flash (Season 3, Episode 1) As the leader of the Cult of Savitar, Alchemy was set to be a major force of evil on The Flash. Instead, he's sent to different earths to prepare them for Savitar's arrival, rather than being his own villain. Unfortunately, Savitar ends up not being all that impressive, which can also be said of Alchemy. Image: The CW
84. Shrapnel
First appearance: Arrow (Season 2, Episode 10) Shrapnel doesn't have special powers or a bloodlust for Oliver Queen. He's just an insane serial bomber who doesn't last long enough to become a more notorious villain. He does briefly join the Suicide Squad, though. Image: The CW
83. Reactron
First appearance: Supergirl (Season 1, Episode 3) Thanks to his super suit, Reactron can fly, has superhuman strength and can fire blasts of concentrated energy at his enemies. He's still no match for Supergirl. Image: CBS
82. Anthony Ivo
First appearance: Arrow (Season 2, Episode 5) The doctor plays a big role in Season 2's flashbacks to Lian Yu. His obsession with a mysterious serum and his eventual pleading for Oliver to kill him show he isn't truly evil, just driven mad after the death of his wife. Image: The CW
81. Rival
First appearance: The Flash (Season 3, Episode 1) This speedster villain was created thanks to the Flashpoint timeline. Born Edward Clariss, he isn't quite as bad as Savitar--if only because he only lasts two episodes. His cartoony costume does him no favors, though. Image: The CW
80. Jeremy Tell
First appearance: Arrow (Season 4, Episode 3) Tell, also known as Double Down, pulls playing cards from his tattooed skin. While they can cut through just about anything, he is essentially a less exciting version of X-Men's Gambit and ultimately becomes one of Damien Darhk's lackies. Image: The CW
79. The Mayor
First appearance: Arrow (Season 2, Episode 4) The Mayor's only appearance on Arrow was a single episode. His attack on a charity event makes him stand out among the show's villains, though. Image: The CW
78. Zaman Druce
First appearance: Legends of Tomorrow (Season 1, Episode 4) Druce, a Time Master, partnered with Vandal Savage to hunt down Rip Hunter and the Legends. While he may have been working with the absolute worst villain in the Arrowverse, Druce is even more devious than Savage due to his personal connection to Rip--he is the Legend's former mentor. Image: The CW
77. Non
First appearance: Supergirl (Season 1, Episode 8) Like Kara Zor-El herself, Non is a Kryptonian. However, while Kara becomes Supergirl, Non is a warlord set on destroying the world. He is nowhere near as impactful as his wife, Astra, though. Image: The CW
76. Edward Fyers
First appearance: Arrow (Season 1, Episode 5) A mercenary from Season 1, Edward is yet another in a long line of flashback villains. While his fights with Oliver on Lian Yu are impressive, he's unable to leave a lasting impression. Image: The CW
75. Bronze Tiger
First appearance: Arrow (Season 2, Episode 2) An associate of China White, Bronze Tiger gets major points for the metal claws he wore--which look rather similar to Wolverine. He always plays second fiddle to somebody, though, whether it's China or members of the Suicide Squad later on. Image: The CW
74. Clyde Mardon
First appearance: The Flash (Season 1, Episode 1) Clyde holds the distinction of being the first metahuman villain on The Flash, with the ability to manipulate weather. Unfortunately, he is rather forgettable, unlike his brother Weather Wizard. Image: The CW
73. Anarky
First appearance: Arrow (Season 4, Episode 2) While his time as a low-level HIVE member of easily forgettable, Anarchy's disfigurement and obsession with killing Damien Darhk and the Green Arrow make him someone you want to watch. Unfortunately, his failure keeps him from landing higher on the list. Image: The CW
72. Savitar
First appearance: The Flash (Season 3, Episode 6) The main villain of Season 3 of The Flash is also one of the very worst the of the series. The show's repetition of using speedsters as adversaries makes him not that interesting. Plus, the reveal that a different version of Barry Allen--the hero--was the villain all along ended up being poorly done. Image: The CW
71. Tobias Church
First appearance: Arrow (Season 5, Episode 1) Tobias Church is a villain who would rank higher on the list had he of lasted longer. What worked so well about the character is the fact that he's not superpowered, mystic or from another Earth. He's just a vicious crime lord. Image: The CW
70. Music Meister
First appearance: Supergirl (Season 2, Episode 16) Music Meister is one of the sillier villains to appear in the Arrowverse, with the ability to hypnotize people and take their powers. He's single-handedly responsible for the musical crossover, though, so he cannot be forgotten. Image: The CW
69. Ricardo Diaz
First appearance: Arrow (Season 6, Episode 6) This drug kingpin was a member of Cayden James' group of villains in Season 6 Arrow. It remains to be seen how he'll be remembered in the long run, as this wasn't the show's best season--largely due to the villains. Still, he tried. Image: The CW
68. Kuasa
First appearance: Vixen (Season 1, Episode 2) After debuting on the animated Vixen series, Kuasa arrives on Legends of Tomorrow as a follower of Mallus. As the granddaughter of Amaya and with the ability to manipulate water, she's already a great Legends of Tomorrow villain with room to become even better. Image: The CW
67. Murmur
First appearance: Arrow (Season 3, Episode 16) Murmur may not have been a major villain in the Arrowverse, but his simple presence is creepy enough to make him memorable. With his mouth sewn shut, he eventually becomes the right-hand man of Damien Darhk in his war against the Green Arrow. Image: The CW
66. Al-Owal
First appearance: Arrow (Season 2, Episode 5) This member of the League of Assassins is a master assassin in his own right. However, his death at the hands of Sara Lance, who snapped his neck, keeps him from becoming a bigger force. Image: The CW
65. Brick
First appearance: Arrow (Season 3, Episode 10) Danny Brickwell is a notorious criminal with practically superhuman strength. After becoming feared throughout Star City, he's able to align himself with Damien Darhk. Still, even with the killing of Rebecca Merlyn, Brick doesn't leave much of a mark on Arrow. Image: The CW
64. The Dollmaker
First appearance: Arrow (Season 2, Episode 3) While the Dollmaker may only be a nuisance to Team Arrow for a single episode, the way this twisted serial killer would treat his victims as toy dolls is pretty unforgettable. Image: The CW
63. Rainbow Raider
First appearance: The Flash (Season 1, Episode 8) While the Rainbow Raider may seem like a minor villain, he's the one behind the first true crossover: Flash vs. Arrow. With his power to manipulate people with his eyes, he's able to turn the heroes against each other. Image: The CW
62. Metallo
First appearance: Supergirl (Season 2, Episode 1) Metallo is a worthy villain for Supergirl, due to being powered by Kryptonite, her one weakness. However, the same Kryptonite also becomes his undoing when it becomes unstable and explodes. A villain that defeats himself can only be so memorable. Image: The CW
61. Multiplex
First appearance: The Flash (Season 1, Episode 2) Given the power to instantly create an unlimited number of clones of himself, Multiplex has the opportunity to be one of The Flash's best villains. Unfortunately, it takes very little for the team to end the threat he poses, keeping him from landing too high on the list. Image: The CW
60. Clock King
First appearance: Arrow (Season 2, Episode 14) Clock King is one of the few villains to raise trouble on both Arrow and The Flash, and he did so without any special powers. However, neither show treats him as a major opponent of Green Arrow or The Flash, preventing him from becoming too iconic. Image: The CW
59. Bug-Eyed Bandit
First appearance: The Flash (Season 1, Episode 18) The Bandit is another villain that jumped shows. While her army of robotic bees makes her memorable, she's little more than a nuisance on either show. Image: The CW
58. Zoom
First appearance: The Flash (Season 2, Episode 1) No speedster villain is ever going to live up to Eobard Thawne. While Zoom may responsible for introducing the multiverse on The Flash, in the end he's a pretender to the speedster villain throne. Image: The CW
57. Trajectory
First appearance: The Flash (Season 2, Episode 16) There's no other way to say it: The Flash is lousy with speedster villains. Still, while Season 2 villain-of-the-week Trajectory may not have the longevity of Savitar or Zoom, she makes an impact as the first female speedster on the show. Bonus points for creating a serum to obtain the Speed Force herself. Image: The CW
56. Red Tornado
First appearance: Supergirl (Season 1, Episode 6) As an android with the ability to manipulate air and create tornadoes and fly, the Red Tornado is one of Supergirl's trickier enemies. However, Supergirl's heat vision proves to be too much for the sentient droid in the end. Image: The CW
55. Mirror Master
First appearance: The Flash (Season 3, Episode 4) When it comes to interesting powers, the ability to turn mirrors into portals is hard to beat. Still, that can only take you so far in terms of fighting, as Mirror Master finds out. Image: The CW
54. Isabel Rochev
First appearance: Arrow (Season 2, Episode 1) In Season 2, Isabel's hands were in many evil groups, from Deathstroke's to the Church of Blood. After taking on the alter ego of Ravager, alongside Deathstroke, she solidified herself as one of Oliver's bigger villains of the season. Image: The CW
53. Evelyn Sharp
First appearance: Arrow (Season 4, Episode 19) Though she was originally a member of Team Arrow, Evelyn's betrayal of Oliver and the crew shook them to their very core. Siding with Prometheus, she has proven to be a valuable asset. Image: The CW
52. Indigo
First appearance: Supergirl (Season 1, Episode 15) Indigo, otherwise known as Brainiac 8, might be the most powerful villain Kara has ever faced on Supergirl. She's a synthetic being from another planet that has many of Kara's own powers, plus the ability to shapeshift into a human to blend in with the world. Image: The CW
51. Derek Sampson
First appearance: Arrow (Season 5, Episode 3) After being thrown into a vat of chemicals--which is very similar to The Joker's origin--this drug dealer now has mutated powers that make him far more dangerous to Team Arrow. His joining forces with Prometheus makes him even scarier, though it ultimately was a losing battle. Image: The CW
50. Cyborg Superman
First appearance: Supergirl (Season 1, Episode 4) The original Hank Henshaw managed to avoid death thanks to Project Cadmus. However, his survival includes being turned into an unstoppable killing machine. While he was able to defeat Supergirl at one point and remains alive, he is ultimately little more than Lillian Luthor's pawn. Image: The CW
49. Black Flash
First appearance: The Flash (Season 2, Episode 23) Black Flash is essentially what's left of Zoom following his defeat at the hands of The Flash. After being captured by Time Wraiths and bound to the speed force forever, he now resembles a decayed corpse in a speedster costume. Image: The CW
48. Astra
First appearance: Supergirl (Season 1, Episode 1) Like her husband, Non, Astra is a powerful Kryptonian warlord and a commander of their army. She is the Kryptonian that's had the biggest negative impact on Kara; her forces nearly destroyed the world. Image: The CW
47. Amanda Waller
First appearance: Arrow (Season 1, Episode 22) As the former director or ARGUS and leader of the Suicide Squad, Waller is never directly involved in the fight, which makes her a brilliant villain. Instead, she sent minions to do her bidding. Image: The CW
46. Black Siren
First appearance: The Flash (Season 2, Episode 22) What makes Black Siren so effective as a villain that she's an Earth-2 doppelganger of Laurel Lance, a dead superhero. It's an asset she's used time and again to torment Team Arrow and her Earth-1 father Quentin Lance, proving how ruthless she is. Image: The CW
45. Clifford DeVoe
First appearance: The Flash (Season 4, Episode 1) The latest big bad on The Flash was just...kind of weak. He wreaked havoc on Barry's life throughout Season 4, even landing him in prison at one point. In the end, though, he went out with a whimper. He's certainly not the worst villain The Flash has ever had, but a good example of why stretching one big bad out for an entire season can get tiring.. Image: The CW
44. Deadshot
First appearance: Arrow (Season 1, Episode 3) As the primary member of the Suicide Squad, Deadshot holds the distinction as one of the few villains to appear in all of the first five seasons of Arrow, though his Season 5 cameo was a hallucination. It goes to show the importance of this assassin and master marksman. Image: The CW
43. Konstantin Kovar
First appearance: Arrow (Season 5, Episode 6) Two words: Dolph Lundgren. Lundgren portraying the Russian gangster who tormented Oliver in his pre-Green Arrow life made him exciting to watch. What's more, the fight scenes between Konstantin and Oliver stand up as some of the show's best and most vicious. Image: The CW
42. General Eiling
First appearance: The Flash (Season 1, Episode 5) General Eiling started off in Season 1 of The Flash as a thorn in the team's side. After initially attempting to turn a meta-human into a weapon of mass destruction, he eventually becomes mind-controlled by Grodd. Through it all, Eiling has survived, so chances are he'll be back one day. Image: The CW
41. Silver Banshee
First appearance: Supergirl (Season 1, Episode 14) Cursed with superhuman strength and a deadly scream, Silver Banshee proves dangerous to Supergirl on her own. It was teaming with Livewire that truly shows the villain she can be, though. Image: The CW
40. Livewire
First appearance: Supergirl (Season 1, Episode 4) After acquiring the ability to manipulate electricity, she finds her true power in teaming with Silver Banshee. The duo makes for a formidable force against Supergirl. Image: The CW
39. General Shrieve
First appearance: Arrow (Season 3, Episode 14) In the Season 3 flashbacks, General Shrieve's quest had him attempting to topple China with a biological weapon. He succeeded in killing thousands, but Oliver and Maseo eventually put a stop to him. Image: The CW
38. Girder
First appearance: The Flash (Season 1, Episode 6) With the ability to transform his body to steel, Girder easily outmuscles Team Flash in Season 1. However, it's his reanimation as a zombie in Season 2 that makes Girder become the stuff of legend. Image: The CW
37. Golden Glider
First appearance: The Flash (Season 1, Episode 16) Captain Cold's sister might not be as great of a villain as he is, but she certainly did pick up some of his style. She also has the distinction of having a weapon that turns anything she wants to gold, which is rather impressive. Image: The CW
36. Pied Piper
First appearance: The Flash (Season 1, Episode 11) While Pied Piper's only real metahuman power is super hearing, his brain is his most dangerous weapon. The former STAR Labs employee is able to hack into the facility's computers to find a way to stop The Flash, even if it's temporary. Image: The CW
35. Talia al Ghul
First appearance: Arrow (Season 5, Episode 10) Talia is the eldest daughter of Ra's al Ghul and half-sister of Nyssa. In Season 5, she fights side-by-side with Prometheus in his quest to destroy Oliver Queen. Ultimately, though, she faces off against her sister and loses, proving Nyssa to be the superior sibling. Image: The CW
34. Weather Wizard
First appearance: The Flash (Season 1, Episode 15) The brother of Clyde Mardon ended up with similar metahuman powers--only far more powerful. That, combined with his quest for revenge over his brother's death, makes Weather Wizard an exciting villain to watch. Image: The CW
33. Cupid
First appearance: Arrow (Season 3, Episode 6) Many Arrow fans might think Cupid is the biggest villain yet, simply because they were forced to watch a fake wedding between Oliver and Felicity, rather than the real thing. Still, Cupid's Green Arrow obsession makes her do some terrible things. Image: The CW
32. Reign
First appearance: Supergirl (Season 2, Episode 22) While the full impact of Reign has yet to be established, already this Kryptonian world killer has shown to be a villain Kara will have a hard time overcoming. In the Season 3 winter finale, Reign actually defeated the Girl of Steel, at least temporarily. Image: The CW
31. The Huntress
First appearance: Arrow (Season 1, Episode 7) Though she's been absent since Season 2, The Huntress remains a very personal enemy on Arrow. She's Oliver's ex, and he tried time and again to keep her away from becoming a vigilante. Ultimately, the vendetta she had against her father overtook her and she now resides in prison. Image: The CW
30. Maxwell Lord
First appearance: Supergirl (Season 1, Episode 2) While Supergirl is largely populated with aliens and monsters as villains, Maxwell Lord is very human and resembled Lex Luthor with his genius intellect and penchant for evil--even creating the Bizarro clone of Supergirl. By the end of Season 1, though, the two became allies. Image: CBS
29. Killer Frost
First appearance: The Flash (Season 1, Episode 23) Killer Frost is as deadly as they come, and when Caitlyn Snow transforms into the evil ice queen, all bets are off. Still, if Frost wants to crack the top ten, she's going to have to be more of a villain than a hero. Image: The CW
28. King Shark
First appearance: The Flash (Season 2, Episode 4) If anything, The Flash deserves credit for bringing such an unconventional villain to the small screen. With appearances in Seasons 2 and 3, this massive metahuman is half-man, half-shark, and one of the most dangerous foes Team Flash ever battled. Image: The CW
27. Maseo Yamashiro
First appearance: Arrow (Season 3, Episode 1) What makes Maseo such a good and scary villain is that he was once not only a close friend of Oliver, but also his mentor. However, after joining the League of Assassins and serving at the side of Ra's al Ghul, he became one of his most bitter enemies. Image: The CW
26. Andrew Diggle
First appearance: Arrow (Season 3, Episode 14) The younger brother of John Diggle is one of Arrow's most heartbreaking villains. After being recruited by HIVE, he became one of Damien Darhk's most useful allies; his personal connection to Team Arrow made them vulnerable. Image: The CW
25. China White
First appearance: Arrow (Season 1, Episode 2) A major figure in Season 1, China White was one of the first assassins Oliver crossed paths with as the Hood, and she left a lasting impression. She last appeared in Season 5, proving she's not done yet. Image: The CW
24. Cayden James
First appearance: Arrow (Season 5, Episode 19) He's a supervillain, an evil hacker, and the former lead of Helix. It took almost no time for James to make his presence known and his misguided vendetta against Oliver Queen was very interesting to watch. After all, he managed to break up the team and, in the end, Oliver is headed to prison.Image: The CW
23. Queen Rhea of Daxam
First appearance: Supergirl (Season 2, Episode 8) The Queen of Daxam--and mother of Mon-El--was Supergirl's most notorious alien foe. She set out to invade Earth as revenge for turning her son against her. In the end, it was Mon-El that was her undoing. Image: The CW
22. Trickster
First appearance: The Flash (Season 1, Episode 17) Trickster is one of the most unforgettable villains in the Arrowverse. Mark Hamill plays the role, which he originated on the 1990s version of The Flash--one of the new show's few connections to the original. Image: The CW
21. Vigilante
First appearance: Arrow (Season 5, Episode 7) One of Arrow's most interesting villains was one of its most mysterious. The identity of Vigilante, a gun-wielding masked maniac, was a closely-guarded secret. In the end, his connection to Dinah Drake helped in tearing Team Arrow apart. Image: The CW
20. Time Wraiths
First appearance: The Flash (Season 2, Episode 17) Time Wraiths are essentially the guardians of the Speed Force. They hunt down speedsters that misuse their powers--which Barry Allen has done numerous times. What makes them so scary and evil is the mystery that surrounds them, much like anything regarding the Speed Force. Image: The CW
19. Nora Darhk
First appearance: Arrow (Season 4, Episode 9) The daughter of Damien Darhk and Ruve Adams is shaping up to be one of the very best the Legends of Tomorrow have faced. After growing up with her father, she's now become a follower of Mallis with a deep hatred for heroes. Image: The CW
18. Sebastian Blood
First appearance: Arrow (Season 2, Episode 2) As the leader of the Church of Blood, Sebastian spent much of Season 2 working with Deathstroke to take over Star City. However, Blood being elected mayor caused Deathstroke to change course, making the two enemies. Image: The CW
17. Ra's al Ghul
First appearance: Arrow (Season 3, Episode 4) The Demon's Head and leader of the League of Assassins managed to actually kill Oliver, resurrect him, and recruit him into the League. He was easily one of the Green Arrow's most dangerous villains. Image: The CW
16. The Count
First appearance: Arrow (Season 1, Episode 12) The man behind the Vertigo drug who tried to kill Felicity early in the series was one of Oliver's most significant Season 1 foes. He returned in Season 2 as Count Vertigo to continue his evil ways, cementing him as one of Arrow's finest baddies. Image: The CW
15. Dominators
First appearance: Invasion! crossover While not the greatest Arrowverse villains, the Dominators alien race are the craziest. Nobody on any of the shows had faced an enemy quite like these beings that almost got away with world domination. Image: The CW
14. Black Arrow
First appearance: Crisis on Earth-X crossover Thanks to Crisis on Earth-X, viewers got to see what Oliver Queen would be like if he were a Nazi, and the results were horrifying. The Black Arrow is more ruthless than the Green Arrow could ever be and does it all for the Reich. Image: The CW
13. Overgirl
First appearance: Crisis on Earth-X crossover As with the Black Arrow, Overgirl was the Earth-X version of Supergirl--a Nazi Girl of Steel. Given how wholesome and good Supergirl is, seeing her exact opposite on screen was jarring. Image: The CW
12. Ruve Adams
First appearance: Arrow (Season 4, Episode 9) While Ruve may not have had the supernatural powers of her husband, Damien Darhk, she was perhaps even more manipulative than he could dream of being. So manipulative that she used Oliver's war with her husband to blackmail him out of the mayoral election--becoming mayor herself. Image: The CW
11. Grodd
First appearance: The Flash (Season 1, Episode 21) When Grodd was first introduced as a meta-powered ape in Season 1 of The Flash, he was a sight to behold. However, when Team Flash went to Gorilla in Season 3, Grodd was established as one of the best villains ever. Image: The CW
10. Heat Wave
First appearance: The Flash (Season 1, Episode 10) Captain Cold's partner in crime is more psychotic than his friend, and a much bigger fan of inflicting pain. Still, as evil as Heat Wave can be, it's hard not to love how corrupt his mind is. Thankfully, he switched sides to become a Legend of Tomorrow. Image: The CW
9. Captain Cold
First appearance: The Flash (Season 1, Episode 4) Captain Cold was not only the first major villain to face The Flash, but also among the to first to do it with flair. Captain Cold was so memorable he became a fan favorite and ultimately a hero on Legends of Tomorrow. Image: The CW
8. Nyssa al Ghul
First appearance: Arrow (Season 2, Episode 14) As the daughter of Ra's al Ghul, Nyssa was often seen as a villain simply by association. Her place of esteem within the League of Assassins established that. However, her love for Sara Lance was often her saving grace, which kept Nyssa from going completely to the dark side. Image: The CW
7. Lillian Luthor
First appearance: Supergirl (Season 2, Episode 1) After being introduced in Season 2, Lillian Luthor--mother to Superman's foe Lex--has become a dominant force on Supergirl. She's the leader of Project Cadmus, which has declared war on aliens and wants the Girl of Steel dead. Her son had to get his awfulness from somewhere, and it seems Lillian is where it comes from. Image: The CW
6. Anatoly Knyazev
First appearance: Arrow (Season 2, Episode 4) Anatoly has been a thorn in Oliver Queen's side since first introduced in Season 2. The former KGB agent and Bratva leader was Oliver's mentor in the underworld before turning against him. The feud between these two is as personal as it gets. Image: The CW
5. Damien Darhk
First appearance: Arrow (Season 4, Episode 1) Damien brought a new wrinkle to Team Arrow's villains--the mystic. With his supernatural powers, Damien was able to push the Green Arrow to the brink and ultimately kill Laurel Lance. Image: The CW
4. Malcolm Merlyn
First appearance: Arrow (Season 1, Episode 4) One of the best Arrowverse villains is also one of the first. From the very beginning, there was something devious about Malcolm. Between his time as the Dark Archer to his angling to become the Demon's Head, he proved time and again he was only out for himself. Image: The CW
3. Prometheus
First appearance: Arrow (Season 5, Episode 1) Prometheus broke the Green Arrow by essentially making him look in the mirror. Showing Oliver Queen his worst self nearly destroyed not only Team Arrow, but also Oliver himself. Image: The CW
2. Deathstroke
First appearance: Arrow (Season 1, Episode 13) Oliver Queen's sometimes friend, often foe, has been pushing the Green Arrow to his limits since he was stranded on the remote island of Lian Yu. Between that and his rich comic book history, Deathstroke is hard to beat. Image: The CW
1. Eobard Thawne
First appearance: The Flash (Season 1, Episode 1) There are none more devious or destructive than Eobard Thawne. This villain from the future made The Flash's life absolutely miserable, and he did it while posing as Barry Allen's mentor, Harrison Wells. Image: The CW
By Chris E. Hayner on Nov 09, 2018 10:50 pm
It's spooky movie season, which means different things to different people. Some love their psychological horror films, while others love a good zombie apocalypse. Still, there are also more than a few fans of the slasher sub-genre that somehow keep those movies successful, even decades after the end of the supposed boom. What makes a good slasher movie, though? Of course, you can always point to the final girl, like Halloween's Laurie Strode, as a big selling point. The idea that, for the most part, someone survives whatever is trying to kill them. Beyond those figures, though, it's the killers that make slasher movies interesting. As the years have rolled on, it's the killers, themselves, that have become pop culture icons, for better or worse. While we all love Nancy Thompson from A Nightmare on Elm Street, it's Freddy Krueger that people dress up as. Likewise, while a new Halloween movie wouldn't have happened without Jamie Lee Curtis returning as Laurie, it's impossible to imagine her going toe-to-toe with anyone other than Michael Myers. With that in mind, we've revisited arguably too many slasher movies to figure out who the best big screen killers of all time are. Once we had the best 12 figured out, we simply ranked then on how awesome they are. Because let's be honest, the mark of a great slasher killer is how memorable they remain even years after they've left theaters. If this somehow isn't enough horror goodness for you, make sure to check out our rankings of the Friday the 13th, Halloween, and George Romero zombie franchises.
12. Billy Chapman
First appearance: Silent Night, Deadly Night Billy Chapman deserves more credit than he's given as a slasher killer. Silent Night, Deadly Night is a movie that is largely forgotten by modern audiences, but this film about a many who has a psychotic breakdown and takes to killing on Christmas Eve while dressed as Santa Claus is a classic. While the movie spawned a franchise--there are 4 sequels and a remake--it's Billy that made Silent Night, Deadly Night such a weird and fun thing to watch.
11. Pinhead
First appearance: Hellraiser The thing about the Hellraiser franchise is it's mostly bad. Pinhead, the central evil in most of the films, though, is very memorable. I mean, he's a ghostly white figure with needles sticking out of his head. How do you forget that? It's thanks to Pinhead and his fellow Cenobites--the name of his species--that so many disturbing kills were pulled off throughout the series, though the movies only get worse as time goes on.
10. Death
First appearance: Final Destination This is a peculiar one. You can't actually see this killer, but it's perhaps the most deadly. In Final Destination, a group of teens manages to avoid dying in a horrible accident when one of them has a vision of it unfolding. However, after avoiding their fates, Death must now take them out. That premise was repeated throughout five films, and there's something fun about each one of them. Death, as it turns out, can be very creative when it wants to.
9. Norman Bates
First appearance: Psycho It was Norman Bates that uttered the line, "We all go a little mad sometimes." While Psycho arrived long before even Halloween, this 1960 horror movie can easily be classified as a slasher. Norman, in many ways, set the stage for what slasher killers would become. He's a man who has fallen over the edge of sanity and given into the urge to kill. Of course, for him, he thinks it's his mother doing the dirty deeds. As we all know, though, she's dead and he's wearing a wig.
8. Jigsaw
First appearance: Saw Somehow, there have been 8 Saw movies, dropping unsuspecting victims into the worst escape rooms of all time. Behind just about all of them is the Jigsaw Killer, otherwise known as John Kramer. What makes Jigsaw so good--and hard to watch--is how inventive he is. Instead of outright murdering people, he essentially challenges them to complete gruesome obstacle courses that kill them in over-the-top ways. Seriously, what mind thought up the reverse bear trap? Sadly, though, the Saw movies are less about Jigsaw than the gore he inflicts. The franchise helped a resurgence of "torture porn" films that are far more focused on blood and guts than developing any character.
7. Chucky
First appearance: Child's Play If you were a child of the '80s and had a My Buddy or Kid Sister doll, Child's Play was pretty much the scariest thing you could imagine. Chucky, the Good Guy doll possessed by the spirit of a serial killer, has no problem slashing down everything in his way. For seven movies, Chucky raised all kinds of hell while making jokes. Honestly, if anything takes away from the mystique of Chucky, it's all the jokes. The sillier you get, the less scary you are.
6. Mrs. Voorhees
First appearance: Friday the 13th Sure, Jason is the more important name in slasher history, but he's nothing without his mother. While Jason didn't get his hockey mask until Friday the 13th: Part 3, he didn't even appear, as an adult, in the first film. Instead, it's revealed after several bodies have dropped that it's actually Pamela Voorhees that's murdering campers, in a twisted quest for vengeance after blaming camp counselors for her son's death. Pamela launched the Friday the 13th franchise and left an impressive trail of bodies in her wake.
5. Ghostface
First appearance: Scream The slasher franchise was dead and buried, but just like the killers that haunted so many dreams, the genre was resurrected by Scream. Ghostface, a mantle worn by multiple people throughout the four Scream films, became the new face of slasher movies. With meta references at the ready, Ghostface patterned itself after a wide range of classic villains and kickstarted a resurgence of slasher movies. Unfortunately, titles like I Know What You Did Last Summer weren't quite as good as A Nightmare on Elm Street.
4. Leatherface
First appearance: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre What made Leatherface so scary in the first Texas Chainsaw Massacre is that the film opened with the idea that it was based on a true story. Of course, that's not exactly true, but the idea of a cannibal killer in Texas--or even an entire family of cannibals--was downright terrifying. Arm that killer with a loud chainsaw and a mask made out of the skin of victims, and you have something special.
3. Jason Voorhees
First appearance: Friday the 13th When slasher killers are parodied, it's usually Jason that serves as the template. While he appeared briefly in the first film, it wasn't until the sequel when he became an iconic slasher. He's a giant and menacing force wearing a mask, wielding a machete, and stalking horny teenagers at a summer camp. When you think of slasher movies, that's probably the image that first comes to mind. Of course, with 12 movies to his credit, that's not surprising. And while they've varied in quality--never forget that Jason went to space--this killer has the most films under his belt. Now if he'd just move on from the death of his mom.
2. Freddy Krueger
First appearance: A Nightmare on Elm Street Freddy is a nightmare come true, which is what makes him so scary. Over 9 films--if you include Freddy vs. Jason and the 2010 A Nightmare on Elm Street reboot--Freddy and his glove of knives have been haunting the dreams of kids who grew up in the '80s and '90s. The idea of a child killer who now haunts the nightmares of kids, hunting and killing them, is bone chilling. That said, there was some silliness as the Nightmare franchise went on. Freddy killing a kid using the NES Power Glove is great comedy, though not necessarily scary.
1. Michael Myers
First appearance: Halloween It's hard to argue against Michael Myers as the best slasher killer of all time. After all, he's the one that launched the genre craze. And while it's been argued for years who deserved the honors between him, Freddy, and Jason, the answer is simple. Michael, as introduced in the first movie and again in the 2018 film, is evil and chaos incarnate. His killing is random and doesn't really serve an ulterior motive. Yes, that was muddled in the films that followed. Thankfully, though, that piece of the Myers legacy has been retconned. Instead of a killer seeking some sort of vengeance, Michael is just demented and evil and there's nothing scarier than that.
By Chris E. Hayner on Nov 09, 2018 10:49 pm
The first season of Mayans MC has come to an end and what a story it told. Sons of Anarchy fans hoping for a nice and easy follow up to the original series were in for a shock quickly, as they learned this particular club is riddled with fractures among its members. Still, through new characters, a different location, and a healthy dose of references and Easter egg nods to Sons of Anarchy, Mayans MC has managed to become an exciting show to watch. One that, quite honestly, we can't wait to have return. How closely were you paying attention to this season, though? Did you realize the show was stuffed with Sons of Anarchy references, ranging from bringing back fan-favorite characters to even small nods to former plots? After watching this season, we've dug through so much Sons of Anarchy lore that it's as if the original show never ended. Thankfully, that's amounted to a pretty comprehensive collection of the Easter eggs dropped into Mayans MC by co-creator Kurt Sutter and his creative partners on the series. How many of these did you spot? And what did we miss? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
1. RIP SAMCRO
The references to Sons of Anarchy start from the opening seconds of Mayans MC. Signaling the end of one era and the beginning of another, EZ Reyes runs over a dead crow--the spiritual representation of Sons of Anarchy. In the original series, crows were often shown in relation to the club, including the series finale when one is shown after the death of Jax Teller.
2. Welcome Back, Gemma
Also appearing in the first episode of Mayans is the former SAMCRO queen herself, Gemma Teller. Gemma pops up in a flashback to EZ's time at Stockton State Prison, which we'll get to. She doesn't have much to say, other than calling EZ and Emily "a**holes." Then again, this is Gemma we're talking about, so it works.
3. Serving time at Stockton State Prison
Stockton State Prison may not be a place in the real world, but it has a lot of history in the Sons of Anarchy universe. Whenever a club member got locked up, this is where they landed. Most notably, it's where Otto spend his entire run on the show. Knowing that it's where EZ went after he was sentenced, putting him behind bars at a time when the majority of SAMCRO was locked up, created numerous crossover opportunities in the future.
4. It's not Mayans without Alvarez
And what would the Mayans be without El Padrino? While the Season 1 finale sets up an interesting story for Alvarez leaving the club to work for Miguel Galindo, his importance to this club cannot be understated. Having Alvarez, a regular figure on Sons of Anarchy, come to Mayans MC not only legitimized this group but the show as a whole. He's the bridge between the two series, helping fans more easily slide into this new piece of the world.
5. We missed you, Chucky
When Chucky first popped up on Mayans, something felt right about it. On Sons of Anarchy, he was the little compulsive masturbator that could and knowing he's not only survived this world but thrived in it makes us happy. Now, though, after being won by Coco in a poker game, he works for the Mayans.
6. Nothing good comes from the Galindo Cartel
The Galindo Cartel was bad news on Sons of Anarchy, beginning with their arrival in Season 4 of the original show. With Mayans, they're an even more powerful force thanks to their new leadership in Miguel Galindo.
7. Leave a message after the beep
This particular Easter egg doesn't really mean anything for the larger story of this universe, but it's a very clever wink to fans of the franchise. In the episode "Búho/Muwan," a card is seen with a phone number written in it. Had fans called the number immediately following the episode, they would have heard the voice of Gemma Teller. "Hi, you've reached the Teller-Morrow Garage. Nobody's here to take your call--because we're all f***ing dead," she said.
8. Lincoln Potter is back to cause trouble
Where the Galindos go, so goes Lincoln Potter. Chances are this is the last Sons of Anarchy face you expected to see on Mayans MC, but his introduction on the new series has really helped to drive this first season--and whatever is to come.
9. A clever way to run guns and a nod to the past
This is another clever nod to Sons of Anarchy that doesn't necessarily mean anything larger. It was the Season 2 episode "Eureka" that saw SAMCRO hiding the guns they were running in bedrolls, making what looks like a charity run an easy opportunity to move their illegal firearms. When the Sons reemerge on Mayans, it's revealed they're still trafficking their weapons the same way.
10. The return of the crow
While the series premiere of Mayans MC showed a dead crow being eaten by a dog, the Season 1 finale turns the tables. Now the dog is dead, being eaten by crows. This makes it clear that something big is coming and SAMCRO is going to be involved.
11. What did you do, Happy
Of all of the people it could have been, Happy was the killer? When SAMCRO member Happy arrived in the Mayans MC Season 1 finale, it was exciting to see. Now, though, knowing he's the man who killed EZ's mom, it sets up a heartbreaking Season 2. What's more, it could very well end up putting SAMCRO and the Mayans at odds with each other, leading to even more Easter eggs when the show returns.
By Array on Nov 09, 2018 09:41 pm
It's hard to believe that Red Dead Redemption 2 has been out for a couple weeks now. To think we were all desperately awaiting its launch only some time ago. It's even crazier to think that Rockstar only spoonfed us small details about how the game would play in the two or so months before its launch. But now we've got the game and everyone is slowly learning all there is to know about its story and myriad gameplay systems. Some have even been fortunate enough to beat the roughly 50-hour game. In our time spent playing Red Dead 2, we've grown to love so much about it. This adventure across the sprawling frontier of the Old West is packed with all sorts of thrilling and emotional moments, as well as an attention to detail across its systems and locations not often seen anywhere else. Our love for Rockstar's latest effort only continues to grow with every hour we spend in its world. In this feature, you'll find 20 things that we at GameSpot adore about Red Dead 2. Contained are brief musings on all the tidbits we enjoyed, such as the game's night sky, spending time at the Van der Linde camp, or just the way Arthur twirls his revolver back into his holster. If you haven't already read our Red Dead 2 review, be sure to read it! GameSpot's Kallie Plagge wrote: "While Red Dead Redemption was mostly focused on John Marston's story, Red Dead 2 is about the entire Van der Linde gang--as a community, as an idea, and as the death rattle of the Wild West. It is about Arthur, too, but as the lens through which you view the gang, his very personal, very messy story supports a larger tale. Some frustrating systems and a predictable mission structure end up serving that story well, though it does take patience to get through them and understand why. Red Dead Redemption 2 is an excellent prequel, but it's also an emotional, thought-provoking story in its own right, and it's a world that is hard to leave when it's done." Though, if you're more in the market for guides, we've got you covered. Be sure to check out our guides roundup containing features highlighting all the tips you should know before playing and things the game doesn't tell you. And if you want to have some extra fun, read our feature detailing the game's cheat codes. Anyway, what do you love most about Red Dead 2? Don't hesitate to write your dissertations in the comments below!
Staring at the Night Sky
One of my favorite activities in any good-looking video game is to spend time admiring the sky, and in this regard, Red Dead 2 does not disappoint. In particular, the nighttime skies are breathtaking. As a kid, I wanted to be an astronomer, but having always lived in areas where light pollution is unavoidable, it was difficult to fully appreciate what the sky really looks like at night. Plenty of other games offer a nice night sky to take in--even something like Skyrim, which was never an especially good-looking game, has gotten me to strain my character's neck to look up at the stars. But Red Dead 2 (which I'm lucky enough to be playing on Xbox One X) is a visually stunning game, and there are few, if any, sights in it that I love to sit and admire more than the skies at night. Whenever nighttime rolls around, rather than let Arthur catch some Zs or do some thievin', I try to find an elevated or isolated area where I can take it all in. Whether it's trying to spot constellations or simply taking in the gorgeous nebulae, it's one of the most peaceful, serene, and enjoyable ways to take a break from the the regular outlaw life. At least, until a bear or wolf catches you off-guard and mauls you to death. But hey, there are worse ways to die than under that beautiful night sky. -- Chris Pereira, Engagement Editor
You Can't Take Anything For Granted
I'm sure you've heard many variations of why so-and-so loves Red Dead 2's open world, and for good reason. It's unquestionably gorgeous, varied, and bustling with life in ways that lend credence to the sense of time and place. But enjoying the wilderness and taking advantage of more civilized distractions requires you to take care of Arthur, which is sometimes easier said than done given all that he goes through. He has to regularly eat or sleep, and if he wants to be in the good graces of those around him, he must also bathe and dress to fit in, not to mention visit the barber once in a while. Though we are privileged to be able to see all that is Red Dead 2's amazing open world, there's a level of responsibility that comes with every choice. That give-and-take relationship makes each step along the way feel like the small piece of a grand adventure where nothing can be taken for granted. -- Peter Brown, Managing Editor
How Hostile Nature Is
A thing I love to do in Red Dead 2 is watch nature take place around me, either hidden away in a bush or from afar with binoculars--just watching to see what the animals of the world do when Arthur isn't shooting arrows or bullets at their vitals.I was looking around inside a shack near a frozen lagoon to the north of the map and heard roaring and commotion outside, which was pretty stark against the relative silence of the frigid northern area. On the ice there was a huge grizzly bear guarding a freshly killed white-tailed deer, with three wolves circling the carcass and the hairy behemoth above it. Keeping my distance I watched as one brave (stupid) wolf lunged forward before being crushed in between the bear's jaws and tossed aside. The rest of the wolves were actually visibly perturbed by seeing what was likely the alpha of the pack get completely crunched by a blood-covered beast the size of a stagecoach.Each turned their tail and ran and I was left viewing this magnificent creature savor the meal it so viciously defended. It was really one of the most memorable scenes I've had in the game so far--at least until I put a bolt action round through its eye because I needed its pelt, that is. -- Dave Jewitt, Video Producer
The Amazing Soundtrack
A lot of noise (sorry) has been made about Woody Jackson's score for Red Dead 2. It dynamically lifts and accentuates the game's poignant moments, amps up during combat, and is a comforting partner while you're roaming the plains. There's no shortage of catchy ditties ("I got a girl in Valentine, who likes to drink that fancy wine" is a real earworm), and sitting around a campfire as Arthur and the rest of the Van der Linde gang sing along is always a memorable, yet completely missable, activity that brings you ever closer to the members of the ragtag troupe. I encourage you to go check it out every time you hear someone drunkenly belt out a few bars. Josh Homme's crooning Cruel, Cruel World is a perfect ending song to the long, emotional journey, and just as Far Away by Jose Gonzalez will forever be associated with crossing the border into Mexico in the first game, so will D'Angelo's Unshaken be intrinsically linked to key moments in Red Dead 2. -- Lucy James, Video Producer
Arthur's Diary: Musings Of A Desperado
Arthur Morgan's struggles are constant. If lawmen, bounty hunters, and other bandits weren't enough, the world has become a mudslide beneath his feet. As an outlaw, he's desperately trying to find footing in an age trying to bury him and his kind. His life is a tempest of clashing ideologies, foolhardy ambition, and questionable schemes. Arthur Morgan is a man in turmoil. So much so that, at times, it can be hard to get a sense for who he is and who he wants to be. However, for each noteworthy moment of his life (of which there are many) there's an entry in his diary, and this is easily my favourite part of Red Dead 2. The memoirs scribbled into the leatherbound notebook provide the raw, honest truth of his experience. It chronicles everything from train heists and bank robberies to fleeting encounters with odd folk and ventures into unfamiliar parts of the world. In charming prose and surprisingly good sketches, Arthur lays himself bare on page. He spends so much of the game caught in the crossfire of other people's words and bullets that his perspective is often lost. The diary is a place where his voice is the loudest, and it's a heartfelt one, sometimes speaking of happiness and hope, other times of doubt and frustration. Games regularly stumble with humanizing their heroes and making them relatable, especially when those heroes are doing morally questionable things. But Arthur's diary gave me an honest, personal insight into the mind of a very complicated man. -- Tamoor Hussain, Editor
You Can Let The Horse Drive
There are a lot of things I like about Red Dead 2, but there are plenty I also find frustrating. The game's overall pace can be grating, with a lot of activities and systems feeling more like working a fairly irritating job than escaping into the Old West. That's why the system that lets you turn on horse autopilot is my favorite thing in the game. Set your destination on your map, get your horse up to speed on the trail, and activate the cinematic camera, and you can just set the controller down and relax. The ability to leave the driving to the horse made Red Dead 2 so much better for me, fixing what was honestly among the most tedious parts of the game. Horse autopilot, as I like to call it, is an essential feature. It changes something about Red Dead 2 that at first felt like it was completely disrespectful to players' time--guiding your horse down endless trails with nothing much but scenery to look at--into a chance to relax between gunfights and hunting sessions. -- Phil Hornshaw, Editor
Everything That Happens At Camp
It's possible to wander around the world of Red Dead 2 and rarely drop by the Van der Linde gang's camp, but those stops between missions to drop off supplies and money are always my favorite. It started with a party that kicked off after one of the story missions, but every visit back to camp holds some hidden gems if you just listen and look around. The interactions between other members of the gang can be telling looks into their characters--or just tidbits of ongoing animosity between them. Still, those small character moments are often when Red Dead 2 is at its best, giving you a sense that the gang is a realistic group of people who rely on each other, clash with each other, and have history with each other. Getting a glimpse of John Marston's troubles with Abigail, Hosea's creeping worries that maybe Dutch really doesn't have a plan, Charles' struggles with his identity--they all make the world a lot more realistic than painstaking animations of brushing your horse or skinning animals ever could. -- Phil Hornshaw, Editor
Horses Nuzzle Each Other!
You spend a lot of time on horseback in Red Dead 2, as well as feeding, brushing, and generally caring for your steed. Rockstar has done a pretty good job of making the animals feel realistic and natural--they get scared of gunfire and predators and require calming under stress. They'll rear up and toss you when they don't like what nonsense you're getting up to, and an agitated horse will definitely kick you halfway across the West if you get too close at the wrong time. Like a lot of things in Red Dead 2, though, the best thing about horses is how they act when nobody's messing with them. The game is full of elements that make horses seem more realistic, and we're not just talking about how they poop sometimes or how their balls shrink in response to weather. Specifically, horses are nice to each other. It's moments like watching two horses nuzzle each other that makes it all the more heart-wrenching when yours falls down a ravine because you're an idiot of a rider and you have to put it out of its misery. -- Phil Hornshaw, Editor
A House Robbery That Takes Some Turns
There are a lot of secretly great missions in Red Dead 2, but one that stuck with me in particular had some ridiculous emotional swings. It starts in Rhodes, where you can meet a homeless old man named Compson who has fallen on some seriously hard times. He asks you to go to his repossessed house, break in, and steal some important items out of it before the bank gets to them. What follows is a Gone Home-style meandering through the detritus of the old man's life. You find a variety of notes, letters, pictures, and even drawings by little children, that allow you to track the man's life from relative wealth and prominence, to destitution. Part of what makes the story work is that, unlike most notes found in games like this one, Red Dead 2 provides voice-over narration for each one that add a lot of character. The mission starts as a sad story about Compson's decline as his wife dies and child disowns him, until you find the hidden room beneath the house and the ledger that reveals his former trade: tracking down escaped slaves. It's Arthur's eventual, disgusted confrontation with Compson that elevates the whole thing, though, as you realize that Compson has gotten what he deserves, but he'll never understand why that's the case. For a mission that's largely walking through a house and finding objects, this one is definitely one of Red Dead 2's heavier moments and features a great bit of writing. -- Phil Hornshaw, Editor
An Awkward Bath
It's little things in Red Dead 2 that make it stand out. You can change clothes, shave, and add pomade to your hair at your tent, for instance. And if you head into town, you can get yourself a bath, just like a real cowboy. It's lucky that Red Dead 2 isn't so realistic that you can smell Arthur Morgan, because the experience would probably not be present. At one point, I wandered into a building in one of Red Dead 2's towns, where a man offered me the opportunity to bathe. Why not, I figured, since I was flush with cash and not doing anything in particular at that moment, in true Wild West fashion. And when the game prompted me again to ask if I wanted a "Deluxe Bath," I again thought, why not? What results from that decision is a scene in which a woman physically bathes Arthur and the pair make small talk. The scene isn't a sexual encounter, but it comes off as one in which both parties are feeling pretty awkward the entire time. At one point, Arthur remarks, "Some parts of me might never have been this clean." The woman bathing him laughs and replies, "I'm not really sure what to do with that!" The bath really doesn't escalate into anything more than a bath, but it was good for a laugh and a moment that made me feel almost as uncomfortable as Arthur for initiating it. Those little moments make RDR2 a lot of fun to explore--and it was enough to send me googling to find out what hygiene in the Old West was actually like (spoiler: not great). -- Phil Hornshaw, Editor
The Start Of A New Day
There are many special touches throughout the story that show off Arthur's personality. However, some of the most impressionable moments that gave me pause happened when starting up the game. Upon loading the save file, you'll find Arthur waiting around in the last place you left off, usually passing the time in his own sort of way. In some cases, you'll see him leaning against a lamppost outside a saloon, sleeping against a rock, or resting atop his horse as he admires the scene around him. You'll never know where things will pick up with him when loading up the game. What makes these scenes so noteworthy is how they often frame Arthur against the backdrop of the environment. Not only does this give him and the setting a proper sense of scale, but it also presents a feeling of isolation, which is in keeping with his outlaw lifestyle. The game often presents these moments as lonely periods of reflection, wistfully taking in the scenery before getting back to when you assume control. These little moments, however brief they are, offer a surprising amount of humanity to the character and his place in the world, which is a nice reminder to have when starting up your next session in his boots. -- Alessandro Fillari, Editor
Jack Marston Is A Precious Angel
There's a lot to take in around camp in Red Dead 2, but one of my absolute favorite ways to spend time is watching, eavesdropping on, and interacting with Jack Marston. At around four years old, Jack is by far the youngest member of the Van der Linde gang and as such is the main beacon of hope, purity, and innocence in everyone's lives. In an early mission, you take Jack fishing as a favor to his mother, Abigail, and he gets bored and instead makes a necklace out of flowers for her. He's the perfect child, really. Even just helping him on and off your horse is adorable. He also looks really dapper in 1899 clothing and sometimes stands with his arms behind his back like he's thinking really hard about the world, but he's probably thinking about the storybook he accidentally left at the gang's previous camp. In short, I would kill or die for Jack Marston. -- Kallie Plagge, Reviews Editor
You Can Pet Dogs
What is the point of putting dogs in games if you can't pet them? The dogs in Red Dead 2 are just doing their best with their short lives and we owe it to them to give pats at every opportunity. In addition to petting dogs, you can also praise them (or scold them, but you can ignore that prompt). You can't pet cats, which is unfortunate and suggests some kind of animal hierarchy, but it's nice to give love to dogs in addition to your trusty steed. Sometimes the dog will even follow you around a bit. Also, without spoiling anything, be sure to study dogs the way you would wild game. Some of them have very good descriptions. -- Kallie Plagge, Reviews Editor
Getting Drunk With Lenny
Early on in Red Dead 2, there's a story mission that comes out of nowhere. It seems more like the kind of side mission you'd do toward the end of a game when you're just messing around, but nope--this one's required. In it, you go out with Lenny, one of the best members of the Van der Linde gang, for a drink. One drink quickly turns into many, many drinks, and pretty soon you're both hammered and having a fantastic old-timey night. Eventually, you lose Lenny somewhere in the saloon, at which point you have to stumble around looking for him. The normal prompts you'd see elsewhere in the game--greet, antagonize, calling someone's name--are scrambled, resulting in Arthur shouting things like "Lemmy" or in you picking the option to "gret" someone. It's truly one of the funniest missions I've done in a long time. -- Kallie Plagge, Reviews Editor
You Can Just Stumble Upon A Serial Killer's Murder Scenes
This is kind of a weird one, sure, but I really geeked out over it. I was riding in the bayou, minding my own business, when I spotted an eerily lit tree just off the main road. I did what anyone alone at night would do: I got off my horse to investigate. I then discovered a headless torso hanging from the branches, intestines spilling out onto the ground. Around the back of the tree, I found the head and part of a map (which was in its mouth, something Arthur wasn't too pleased about). And then I realized what I had found: a serial killer. Well, a clue to finding the serial killer, anyway. Now, Red Dead 2 is set in 1899, shortly after Jack the Ripper in London and H.H. Holmes in Chicago, so I appreciated the realism. I was also completely not expecting anything like it, and to find a crime scene like this totally at random in an enormous open world was exciting. It's a weird, obtuse mission to solve, and it's the perfect combination of gruesome, creepy, and a little bit cheesy. Basically, I like solving murders. -- Kallie Plagge, Reviews Editor
Arthur Doesn't Know All the Words to Songs
Arthur and the Van der Linde gang are big fans of music. You can often hear them singing together while sitting by a campfire, rowing a boat, or riding drunk on horseback. It's a pleasant quality of the gang that never stops being endearing--especially speaking from the perspective of someone who loves impromptu singalongs among friends. What adds to this is how Rockstar has curated a selection of songs for the game that are either contemporary to the time or even much older. The attention to detail helps cement a sense of authenticity to the world and its inhabitants' exposure to popular music. However, this believability in music is elevated in how the game's characters sing these songs. One thing you'll notice during the big celebration in camp during Chapter 2 is the fact that Arthur doesn't know all the words to the songs sung by the campfire. I loved this little detail, as it expressed a sincerity to Arthur, showing that while he may not know all the words, he at least cares to join alongside his friends and share in that moment. It's fun hearing the great joy Arthur feels singing certain lyrics. It's delivered so infectiously as to bring a smile to your face--in that same way you feel when you sing along to a song you love with your friends. Red Dead 2 does a splendid job of showcasing the eternal unifying power that music can supply in these intimate moments shared amongst its characters. You don't need to know the words to participate. You need only surrender and come together as family for those short yet sweet few minutes. -- Matt Espineli, Editor
You Can Twirl Your Pistol Back Into Your Holster
If you've watched enough Western films, you'll likely be a fan of all the tense yet elegant quickdraw duels that often take place. But the best is what follows after the bullets stop flying, when the lone gunfighter on-screen twirls their revolver back into the holster of their gun belt. As if their near effortless accuracy wasn't already enough to cement their dominance in a gunfight, they gotta go on and add that stylish flourish at the end. It's almost cocky, but gosh, don't I just love it. That's why it brings me such joy to see this maneuver made available to you in Red Dead 2. Sure, you can just holster your gun with the simple press of L1/LB, but if you press it twice, you'll twirl it right back into your gun holster just like the best of 'em. I love Western films with nearly every fiber of my being, so to be able to twirl your gun at the end of every gunfight is a dream come true. If Rockstar decides to release DLC, my one wish would be for them to add different twirling animations. Heck, what if they end up adding more in Red Dead Online? Don't even get me started. -- Matt Espineli, Editor
Greeting NPCs
One aspect that makes Western films so captivating to viewers is how they capture a simpler, more personable time in American history where towns were small and folks were just trying to eke out a living in the wild countryside. There was a self-determined freedom there that is ever-so-distant from the aloofness of modern civilization--one that appeals to countless generations of American audiences. As a modern viewer, I found these settings charming despite their romanticized depictions often acting as a means to express an idealized vision of American identity and politics. To see a chaotic world where hospitality remains paramount often gives warmth to the dramatic proceedings taking place between gunfighters, outlaws, and those caught in the crossfire. Red Dead 2 offers you access to this geniality with the ability to greet NPCs. While the system isn't overly complex, I can't help but love taking the time to just walk up to someone in town and greet them. A simple "howdy" allows me to participate in the cheeriness of that hospitality, to express a kindness to folks who probably have it just as tough as Arthur--if not harder. After all, living out in the West wasn't easy no matter what version of it you look at. Not everyone responds in kind, but to be able at least give them the time of day is an aspect of Red Dead 2 that makes its world all the more believable and enchanting. -- Matt Espineli, Editor
Highway Robbers Can Appear at Random and Pull You Over
After spending enough time riding across the world on horseback, you're inevitably going to have to deal with some of society's more lawless inhabitants. Imagine my surprise being pulled over by some highway robbers for the first time. It occurs seemingly at random, and you're given a couple options towards how to react. You can either shoot first and ask questions later, or even comply with their demands only to turn the tables at an instant with some precise quickdraw. Whatever you choose to do, one thing is clear: These moments are awesome. The story offers you plenty of opportunities to feel like a stoic and graceful gunslinger, but it's in these confrontations that spring out organically in the world that you get to enact those moments with your own tilt on Arthur's morality. There's nothing pushing you any which way; just your own instincts and your own philosophy in that moment. Of course, they're wonderful for reenacting some of your favorite Western film moments too, but let's not get into that--unless you want another 600 words on all the quickdraw holdup scenes I'm hopelessly trying to act out (to varying degrees of success). -- Matt Espineli, Editor
The Bar Brawls: Let's Dance, Raccoon Man
My love for Red Dead 2 was solidified after a bar fight. Not the Valentine bar fight everyone runs into with Tommy, but coincidentally, it would be my second fight in that bar. I figured I'd revisit that rowdy watering hole to soak in the atmosphere on my own time. I'm instantly drawn to what appears to be the town drunk rambling loudly, wearing a raccoon-skinned hat. I listen to Raccoon Man's rant about how only real men defecate indoors, and how he once "killed a pack wolves with [his] bare hands." His only audience is an unimpressed bartender, so I walk closer to the drunk, showing that I am in fact interested. Raccoon Man gets one look at me and decks me across the face. What follows is an intense two-minute bar fight that leaves me barely alive, but victorious. Bloody faced with the entire bar watching, I walk over Raccoon Man's unconscious body, pick up his staple hat, and wear it as I walk out the bar. Roughly 10 real-time hours later, I go back to Valentine and find myself visiting the bar again. Sure enough, Raccoon Man is there, tucked away in the far back corner of the bar at a table, mumbling to himself. I approach him, curious if he was too blacked out to remember me. He does not react to me, and I'm bummed… until I notice he's bald. The idea pops instantly. I sprint out of the bar, grab his raccoon hat from my horse, bust back through the swinging doors wearing the man's prized headwear with one ultimate question on my mind: "Will he notice me now?" The second I step into his eyesight, from across bar packed with people, he stands up, and beelines towards me. We fight once more, gloriously, till sundown. And once again, he stays down. -- Rob Handlery, Senior Video Producer
By Alessandro Fillari on Nov 09, 2018 06:31 am
Lost And Legendary Arms
Red Dead Redemption 2 on PS4 and Xbox One features a massive arsenal of weapons, from basic six-shooters and lever-action rifles to powerful shotguns and sniper rifles. In addition to the weapons you can buy from a gunsmith or pick up from run-of-the-mill fallen enemy, there are also many special weapons hidden in the world for you to find. Much like the side missions you come across, it's very easy to permanently miss out on some of these weapons, especially if you don't take the time to examine an area further or loot a dead bandit's corpse. After spending many hours roaming the wilderness and towns of Red Dead Redemption 2's depiction of late-1800s America, we've amassed a large amount of melee weapons and firearms for Arthur to use when fighting against rival gang members and angry vagabonds. There's a surprising amount of items to find, some of which break away from the Western setting and reference cultures that have since disappeared in the face of the new century. To avoid spoilers, we've omitted some mentions of weapons that you can acquire late in the game, though we plan to update this feature in the coming weeks. So for now, here's an extensive list of weapons along with their locations. If you just can't get enough of Red Dead Redemption 2 and want more info, be sure to check out our galleries and features focusing on Fishing, the many legendary animals, and an extensive breakdown of the Core systems. You can also check out GameSpot's new weekly show Quickdraw, where we highlight and examine some of the game's most fascinating and impressive details each Friday.
Firearm: Flaco's Revolver
In-game description: A rare Cattleman Revolver, featuring delicate engravings and a carved ivory handle. Previously owned by the late gunslinger Flaco Hernandez, defeated in a duel at Cairn Lake, this gun has an ammo capacity of six rounds, and a can use Regular, High Velocity, Split Point, Express and Explosive revolver ammo.
Location: Flaco's Revolver
After accepting the Gunslinger mission in Valentine--The Noblest of Men, and A Woman--you can examine the photos of the various characters. To find Flaco Hernandez, examine and read his photo to unlock his mission, which is located near Cairn Lake, southeast of Colter to the northern section of the map. Pick up the gun near his body to acquire his revolver.
Firearm: Granger's Revolver
In-game description: A rare Cattlemen Revolver, with a dark metal finish and covered in custom engravings. Previously owned by the late gunslinger Emmet Granger, defeated in a dual near Flatneck Station, this gun has an ammo capacity of six rounds, and can use Regular, High Velocity, Split Point, Express and Explosive revolver ammo.
Location: Granger's Revolver
After accepting the Gunslinger mission in Valentine--The Noblest of Men, and A Woman--you can examine the photos of the various characters. To find Emmit Granger, examine and read his photo to unlock his mission. Just east of Flatneck Station, you can find him at his pig farm. After completing his tasks, you'll engage in a duel. Afterwards, you can pick up his signature firearm.
Pistol: Midnight's Pistol
In-game description: A rare Mauser Pistol, this weapon features gold-plated engravings and a black wooden grip. Previously owned by the late gunslinger Billy Midnight, defeated in a duel on a train departing Rhodes, this gun has an ammo capacity of ten rounds, and can use Regular, High Velocity, Split Point, Express and Explosive pistol ammo.
Location: Midnight's Pistol
After accepting the Gunslinger mission in Valentine--The Noblest of Men, and A Woman--you can examine the photos of the various characters. To find Billy Midnight, examine and read his photo to unlock his mission. At the post office in Rhodes, talk to the clerk to figure out where he is. After boarding the train, talk to Billy Midnight, which will lead to a quick chase. Eventually, you'll engage in another duel. Pick up his firearm from his body, and you'll acquire his gold-plated Mauser Pistol.
Shotgun: Rare Shotgun
In-game description: A rare Double-Barreled Shotgun with faded brass tarnish and adorned with carvings. Previously owned and cherished by a lonely woodsman living in solitude amongst the trees and wildlife of Roanoke Ridge. This gun has an ammo capacity of two rounds, and can use Regular Buckshot, Incendiary Buckshot, Slug and Explosive Slug shotgun ammo.
Location: Rare Shotgun
Though it's known as the Rare Shotgun, you can find this weapon in a couple locations. The first is north of Annesburg, located at a small cabin in Manito Glade. Take out the angry recluse and pick up his gun. The second can be dropped from cave hermit directly west of Hanging Dog Ranch, just north of the Little Creek River near Wallace Station.
Melee: Ancient Tomahawk
In-game description: A traditional native Tomahawk with a striped bound shaft and polished sharp blade. Although showing some signs of its age, this weapon has been well maintained by one of the locals. This melee weapon was found lodged in a broken wooden target, overlooking Calumet Ravine in the Grizzlies.
Location: Ancient Tomahawk
Can be found sticking out of a broken target on the east side of Calumet Ravine, overlooking the river below. This is located east of the Wapiti Indian Reservation.
Melee: Antler Knife
In-game description: A rare knife, with a handle manufactured from the antler of a stag, and part of the blade snapped off near the crossguard. This weapon was taken from the scene of a fight between a large bear and hunter, which occurred near Hanging Dog Ranch in Big Valley. Neither side won.
Location: Antler Knife
Found on a dead bear who was killed by the hunter he crushed. Located directly northwest of Hanging Dog Ranch near Little Creek River.
Melee: Broken Pirate Sword
In-game description: An old and rare pirate cutlass, with a long snapped blade and decorative golden handguard. This relic was found lodged inside an abandoned boat, run adrift in the swamplands surrounding Saint Denis. With a longer range than most bladed melee weapons, this is still practical combat weapon despite its age.
Location: Broken Pirate Sword
On a wrecked boat located on the small islands southwest of Saint Denis, you'll find a skeleton with an old pirate sword.
Melee: Civil War Knife
In-game description: An old Bowie knife with a solid blade, worn wooden handle and large D-shaped handguard for protection. This weapon was commonly used by Civil War soldiers, and is covered in rust. It was found in a storage room underneath the ruined Fort Brennand in Roanoke Ridge, New Hanover.
Location: Civil War Knife
Found in the basement of Fort Brennand, an abandoned fort southwest of Van Horn. To find the basement, go into the building to the right of the entrance of the fort and go down the ladder inside.
Melee: Hewing Hatchet
In-game description: This old and worn Hatchet has a flat edge along one side of the blade and is designed for hewing, the process of converting logs into lumber. This melee weapon was found in a tree stump near Moonstone Pond in the Grizzlies, next to an abandoned shack. This Hatchet can also be thrown.
Location: Hewing Hatchet
On the south shore of Moonstone Pond, you'll find the hatchet resting in a tree stump.
Melee: Rusted Double Bit Hatchet
In-game description: A rare Hatchet, featuring a rusted double-bladed head: one razor-sharp side for chopping and cutting; and a dull side for splitting wood. This melee weapon was found in a tree stump near Annesburg Mine in Roanoke Ridge, and has been worn by the elements over time. This Hatchet can also be thrown.
Location: Rusted Double Bit Hatchet
Found in a tree stump outside a shack between Elysium Pool and O'Creagh's Run.
Melee: Viking Hatchet
In-game description: A rare ancient Hatchet, engraved all over with Nordic patterns and bound with leather. This melee weapon was found at an old stone altar in the Roanoke Valley area of New Hanover, lodged into a skull. This Hatchet can also be thrown.
Location: Viking Hatchet
Northeast of Beaver Hollow you'll find a small ruin made by ancient Vikings. While you can find the hatchet resting on a stone table, heading into the tomb will also lead you to the Viking Helmet, one of the game's more unusual items to find.
By Tamoor Hussain on Nov 09, 2018 06:22 am
Red Dead Redemption 2 is out now, and it explains the majority of its gameplay systems that you'll be interacting with across the many hours you can play it. However, since it's so big, some of the information can be doled out over the course of multiple hours. This is a smart decision that means players aren't overwhelmed from the outset, but you may find yourself asking questions that the game isn't ready to answer yet or that you simply missed. Just as you'd expect, the open-world game is overflowing with things you can do, as you can read about in our Red Dead 2 review. Should you choose, you can sink a huge number of hours into exploring the vast American wilderness and enjoying the beautiful environments it presents, hunting animals to provide for your friends and family, or robbing trains to--well, provide for your friends and family in a less wholesome way. To help you hit the ground running we've put together a number of tips that that'll help you get along better earlier in the game. These should serve as a primer to jumping into the world of Red Dead Redemption 2, so we've included a bunch of some of smaller things that, once we realised them, made for smoother play sessions. Alongside those, there's information that the game tells you, but perhaps doesn't stress upon as much as it should. Crucially, this is all spoiler free, so you're in no danger of hearing about that moment where [REDACTED]. For more Red Dead Redemption 2 tips we've got spoiler-free guides on how the morality and honor systems work, the best way to make money, and some information on how weapon customization functions. If you're planning to spend a bunch of time fishing, we've got a guide for that too. Make sure to also watch Quickdraw, our weekly Red Dead Redemption 2 video series. In the first episode we looked at previous Rockstar games that have influenced RDR 2. The second episode, meanwhile, is a story recap of the original Red Dead Redemption.
Fit As A Fiddle
Red Dead Redemption 2 gets surprisingly in-depth with information on the health and well being of its main character, Arthur Morgan. And to really make the most of these you should head into the "Player" menu in the pause screen and select "Arthur." You'll be presented with information cards that clue you into the state of your Health, Stamina, and Dead Eye cores, which dictate how quickly each of these attributes regenerates. To guarantee you're operating at peak performance you need to maintain your Cores by eating, resting, and generally keeping Arthur in good shape. You'll also get information on the actual numerical percentage of how much core you have remaining. Temperature and weight impact stats for health and stamina respectively, so if you're layering up in the heat or walking around in the chillier parts of the world as if it's a warm summer's day, you'll see Arthur's health drain faster. Similarly, if your Arthur is thick with two Cs, stamina will take a hit but your health will be boosted slightly. However, if he's on the thinner side, health will be impacted negatively, but your stamina will improve a bit. All outlaws are beautiful in our eyes, but if you have a specific playstyle in mind it's important to watch your weight and manage it to suit you.
Mapped Shortcut
This is a very small quality of life improvement that has a big impact. You'll spend a whole lot of time going into and out of the map in Red Dead Redemption 2. Its world is vast and although there are key locations that you'll travel to, along with waypoints to guide you there, the game also cultivates a wanderlust. Sometimes, this may mean going out into the wild west to hunt, and if you're looking for a specific animals you'll need to head to particular spots. Other times you may just want to trot around to see what strange situations and scenarios present themselves to you. Initially, getting the map up can seem like a two-step process: pressing the start button to bring up the pause menu, then selecting the map option. However, you can expedite this by instead holding the start button down, which will take you straight to the map. This is a common thing in modern open-world games but it isn't explicitly mentioned so it can be an easy to miss detail.
Circle of Life
Hunting is a crucial part of Red Dead Redemption 2. It brings in resources for you and the rest of your gang to survive off, but also lets you build a deeper connection with the world around you through study and observation. When you come across an animal to hunt, don't just go all Yosemite Sam on it. Instead, be more Elmer Fudd and take it slow. Be sure to use the study prompt as you'll get an entry in the "Animals" section of the Compendium that tells you a little more about it. This includes details on how they behave, the best weapons to use to bring them down cleanly (and thus increase their value), and what they can be used for. Early in Red Dead Redemption 2 you're taken out on a hunt and given a runthrough of how it works. It's all fairly simple, but there are two main tricks that help considerably. The first is masking your own scent. Press in the analogue sticks to activate Eagle Eye and you'll see an aura emanating off you--that's your own body funk, don't be ashamed, you're a rough and ready outlaw living off the land and farting into the winds whenever it suits you--this is the good life. You'll need to make sure those wisps of B.O. aren't being carried towards the animal, as they're super judgemental about odors and will bolt. If you're out on a tricky hunt we recommend heading to a vendor first, as they'll usually sell you an item to mask your smell, or you can craft one. Also hit the baths regularly; there's a limit to how much you can smell like sun baked horse poop. The other tip is to attract the attention of an animal locking on to them and then pressing square (on PS4) or X (on Xbox One). This causes the animal to raise its head and leaves it in the perfect position to be brought down cleanly. We recommend trying to use a bow as often as possible when hunting, as it's quieter and better for getting clean kills. Don't forget to give your pelts to Pearson back at the camp, or one of the Trappers that appears. They will hold on to them them for you to come back and use for crafting later.
Hop The Fence
At a certain point in the game you'll complete a mission and meet a Fence. No, we're not talking about a wooden partition typically used to enclose outside areas and made of posts connected by either boards, rails, or wires, we're talking about the criminal variety of Fence. These folk will buy stolen goods from you, which is handy if you've just five-finger discounted a carriage or horses. However, they'll also more than happily take small ticket items off your hands, so if you're the robbing and heisting type, Fences will be your best buddies. However, if you're fresh off committing a crime and have a bounty on you, you'll need to first pay off this off at the Post Office, as Fences won't chat to you otherwise.
Pistols At Dawn
The basics of shooting in Red Dead Redemption 2 are familiar, simple, and intuitive. However, your gun has more uses than filling folks with lead. In fact, it can also be used to get what you want out of a person without killing them. The thundering clap of gunfire has a way of persuading people to be more compliant, so if you take out your gun, hold the aim button, and then press up on the directional pad, Arthur will point his gun into the air. When you fire, you may find people a little more deterred from acting out. While many will usually comply for fear of losing their lives, others may ignore you. You can usually tell whether it's going to work based on the other person's demeanour. The cowardly types tend to stop dead in their tracks, but if you're robbing someone and they have a defiant attitude, you may be out of luck. Nevertheless, it's worth a shot into the sky. For those after a gun-focused tip that's useful in combat, hit the square or X button while aiming to execute a dolphin dive. The game has a cover system to keep you safe when the bullets are flying, but the dive is a handy way of minimizing risk when moving point to point.
Wicky Wicky Wild Wild West
For those who enjoy exploring the nooks and crannies of far-off virtual lands, Red Dead Redemption 2 provides plenty to uncover. One of the most immersive ways to experience it all is to turn off the in-game map and rely on your own sense of direction and navigational skills to get around. If you hold down on the directional pad and opt for turning off the minimap, characters that you ride with will be more forthcoming with directions, which makes for a more natural--and authentic--form of discovery. If you find yourself struggling, however, you can always just tap down again to briefly bring up the map to get your bearings. While you're out and about, keep your eyes peeled for smoke in the sky; where there's smoke, there's usually a (camp)fire, and this more often than not will either lead to a side-mission or a memorable random encounter. Similarly, listen for things happening in your environment, as you may hear someone shouting for help or beckoning you to come over as you pass by. Sometimes it's easier to just use public transport to get where you need to, and to make use of fast travel you can hop on a taxi coach or a train. These are usually only available in towns, but if you upgrade Dutch's quarters in the camp, you can then also purchase a map for Arthur that allows him to return to certain previously visited locations.
Gimmie The Loot, Gimmie The Loot
Money makes the world go round, and you'll need to keep a constant influx of cash to get by. While exploring the world and doing missions, it's common to come upon abandoned camps with lots of items up for picking. Sometimes you'll have to walk up to individual items and snatch them up, but you may also stumble upon a bunch of goodies in close proximity to each other. In these situations, simply hold down the loot button and Arthur will pocket the valuables as smoothly as one of Fagin's boys. One of the most consistent sources of cash and goods is the bodies of your fallen enemies. Naturally, you'll be taking out a whole lot of people, and you should make it a point of stripping them of their valuables while you're at it. As with the previous game, enemies you've killed are marked on the map with a small 'x', so once battles have subsided, ensure you head over to all the corpses and recover your spoils.
Horseplay
As the saying that we just made up this second goes, "A cowboy is only as good as the horse he or she rides in on," so you'll want to spend time strengthening your bond with your noble steed. The easiest way to deepen your bond with your horse is through positive reinforcement. When you're moving at a *checks Google* "two-beat trot," press in the left analogue stick and Arthur will tell his horse how much he values it and how it's the bestest and bravest. From our experience, the cooldown on this is around 14 seconds, so you could min-max wholesome horse compliments to build your bond quicker. As your bond grows, your horse's health and stamina will improve, you'll be able to whistle for it from further away, and it'll come to you even if you're in combat. It'll also cross deeper water and rougher terrain, and if someone tries to steal it, they'll have a much harder time. Other abilities such as rearing, skid turning or stopping, and even dressage also become available. There's also some tricks to riding a horse properly, as well as best practices. If you tap the X or A buttons in time with your horse's gallops you'll reduce the rate at which it uses stamina, which means you can run faster for longer. Make sure to also give it regular breaks and feed it often. As the other saying we just made up goes, "A healthy horse is the wind beneath a gunslinger's feet." When you're riding long distances you also have the option to use the cinematic camera. If you set a waypoint on the map and there's a direct line along a defined route there, then switch to the cinematic camera, your horse will stay true and all you've got to do is hold the run button down.
The Right To Bear Arms
Red Dead Redemption 2 has a diverse range of weaponry available for you to implement in your cowboying ways. For quite a few hours you'll find yourself limited to the basics: six-shooters, rifles, and shotguns--and the more basic versions of them at that. If you're the kind of person who finds themselves frequently staring down the barrel of a gun with another poor soul in your crosshairs, you may be tempted to save up some cash to try and get new, more powerful weapons. If that's what you want to do, go ahead; it's the wild west and you're an outlaw so be the master of your own destiny and all that. However, if you want to save yourself a bit of cash and get your hands on some powerful weaponry, spend time focusing on doing the main story missions. Unsurprisingly, the game is very generous in giving you useful rewards when completing these missions, so if you follow the critical path you'll get showered with new guns, items, and equipment. Resisting the urge to ride out into the wild lands of America with nothing but a gun and your horse to make a name for yourself may be difficult, but stick with the gang for a bit in the early game and it'll be worth your while in the long run.
Wish You Were Here
Finally, here's a quick tip that will keep FOMO at bay. Make sure to do the missions that appear as white icons around your camp. These are usually activities that you undertake alongside other members of the Van der Linde gang, and provide some nice characterization moments. These will disappear after a while, either because they're time sensitive or because narrative advancements wipe them away. If one of these pops up, make sure to prioritize them over the yellow, core missions. Those will always be there, waiting for you.
By Matt Espineli on Nov 09, 2018 06:10 am
You've got access to a great arsenal of weapons in Red Dead Redemption 2. There are all sorts of six-shooters, rifles, and shotguns to outfit yourself with that are appropriate to the game's western-theme. What's even cooler is how each gun in the game is accurate to the technology of the time, meaning you'll actually find a few semi-automatic weapons here and there. As you'd expect, you can purchase guns at weapon shops located in any of the game's towns. You can only carry a few on your person at first--one side-arm and two primary weapons. Eventually you'll grab an extra holster that allows you to carry an additional side-arm. Otherwise, any additional weapons you purchase will be stashed away in your horse's saddlebag. With so many weapons to discover in Red Dead Redemption 2, we've gathered together the best ones we've found so far. Included in the screenshots ahead are close-ups of each weapon, as well as some details on their statistics, which are broken down into Damage, Range, Fire Rate, Reload, Accuracy, and Condition. You'll notice in each screenshot that some meters are not fully filled in; this indicates a weapon's max potential when outfitted with additional gun parts. Be mindful that these meters can decrease over time with repeated use, so be sure to clean each of your weapons with gun oil to keep it in tiptop shape. You can find out more in our in-depth guide highlighting how gun customization works. Red Dead Redemption 2 is out on October 26 for PS4 and Xbox One. For our full thoughts on how Rockstar's latest open-world adventure turned out, read our RDR 2 review. Though, if you've never played the original Red Dead Redemption and are curious if you're going to be able to jump into this sequel with no problems, be sure to read our feature answering that question. On the guide front, check out our feature offering some handy beginner's tips you should know. In addition, check out our money guide, as well as as our feature with all the outfits we've found so far. Which weapons do you love using the most? And which are you striving to get your hands on? Let us know in the comments below.
Schofield Revolver
Double-Action Revolver
Carbine Repeater
Springfield Rifle
Lancaster Repeater
Rolling Block Rifle
Sawed-Off Shotgun
Lancaster Repeater
Repeating Shotgun
Carcano Rifle
Semi-Auto Shotgun
Cattleman Revolver
Litchfield Repeater
Pump-Action Shotgun
Varmint Rifle
Volcanic Pistol
Semi-Automatic Pistol
Mauser Pistol
Bolt-Action Rifle
By Matt Espineli on Nov 09, 2018 06:08 am
Just like its predecessor, Red Dead Redemption 2 has a ton of outfits for you to wear. Instead of fulfilling certain conditions to unlock them, you can now walk into any of the general shops scattered throughout the world and purchase some new clothing from their catalog. While you grab a certain outfit set as a whole, you can also purchase their parts to mix-n'-match the pieces you like best. Another new mechanic relating to clothing is the ability--or requirement--to manage your temperature. There are varying climates in Red Dead Redemption 2's world, so you'll have to outfit yourself with the appropriate attire--or else Arthur's health will be affected. If the weather is hot, you'll need wear light clothes in order to prevent your Health Core from draining; the same occurs during colder climates where you need to wear heavier jackets to withstand the intense climate conditions. There's a wealth of clothes you can purchase and even craft throughout your journey. If you're curious about all the different sets you can get and where you can find them, then you're in the right place. We've gathered together every outfit we've found so far, their locations, what you need to craft them, and details on the weather conditions they can worn in. We'll be adding to this guide in the coming days with even more outfits and details, so be sure to check back often. Red Dead Redemption 2 is out on October 26 for PS4 and Xbox One. For our full thoughts on how Rockstar's latest open-world adventure turned out, read our RDR 2 review. Though, if you've never played the original Red Dead Redemption and are curious if you're going to be able to jump into this sequel with no problems, be sure to read our feature answering that question. On the guide front, check out our feature offering beginner's tips you should know, as well as our money guide. We've also got articles detailing how long the game is and how gun customization works. But before you jump into all that, tell us which outfits you think are the coolest! Go ahead and voice your opinions in the comments below.
Brawler's Outfit
Location: Included in your initial outfit selection Wearable Climates: - Average Weather
- Hot Weather
The Grizzlies Outlaw
Location: Included in your initial outfit selection Wearable Climates:
The Gunslinger
Location: Included in your initial outfit selection Wearable Climates: - Average Weather
- Hot Weather
The Innocent
Location: Included in your initial outfit selection
The Pursuer
Location: Included in your initial outfit selection Wearable Climates: - Average Weather
- Hot Weather
The Rebel
Location: Included in your initial outfit selection Wearable Climates:
The Ruffian
Location: Included in your initial outfit selection Wearable Climates: - Average Weather
- Hot Weather
The Summer Gunslinger
Location: Included in your initial outfit selection Wearable Climates: - Average Weather
- Hot Weather
The Winter Gunslinger
Location: Included in your initial outfit selection Wearable Climates:
The Chevalier
Location: Rhodes General Store Wearable Climates: - Average Weather
- Hot Weather
The Corson
Location: Rhodes General Store, Saint Denis Tailor, Strawberry General Store, Velntine General Store, Wallace Station General Store Wearable Climates: - Average Weather
- Hot Weather
The Earl
Location: Rhodes General Store Wearable Climates: - Average Weather
- Hot Weather
The Gambler
Location: Rhodes General Store Wearable Climates: - Average Weather
- Hot Weather
The Heartlands
Location: Rhodes General Store Wearable Climates: - Average Weather
- Hot Weather
The Bretagne
Location: Saint Denis Tailor Wearable Climates: - Average Weather
- Hot Weather
The Deauville
Location: Saint Denis Tailor Wearable Climates: - Average Weather
- Hot Weather
The Saint Denis
Location: Saint Denis Tailor Wearable Climates: - Average Weather
- Hot Weather
The Bear Hunter
Location: Saint Denis Trapper Components: - Legendary Bear Hat ($40): Legendary Bear Pelt x 1
- Legendary Bear Coat ($28): Legendary Bear Pelt x 1, Perfect Bison Pelt x 1
- Legendary Bar Roper ($34): Legendary Bear Pelt x 1, Perfect Bull Hide x 1
- Boar Riding Gloves ($15): Perfect Boar Pelt x 1, Perfect Rabbit Pelt x 2
Wearable Climates:
The Beast of Prey
Location: Saint Denis Trapper Components: - Legendary Cougar Flop Hat ($19): Legendary Cougar Pelt x 1, Turkey Feather x 2
- Legendary Cougar And Wolf Vest ($42): Legendary Cougar Pelt x 1, Legendary Wolf Pelt x 1
- Legendary Wolf Batwing Chaps ($34): Legendary Wolf Pelt x 1, Perfect Goat Hide x 1
- Bull Fowler Boots ($29): Perfect Boar Pelt x 1, Perfect Bull Hide x 2
- Legendary Cougar Riding Gloves ($20): Legendary Cougar Pelt x 1, Perfect Boar Pelt x 1
Wearable Climates:
The Bounty Hunter
Location: Saint Denis Trapper Components: - Plantation Slouch Hat ($15): Perfect Bison Pelt x 1
- Beaver Hunting Jacket ($21): Perfect Cow Hide x 1, Perfect Beaver Pelt x 1
- Sheepskin Vest ($20): Perfect Sheep Hide x 1
- Pronghorn Half Chaps ($7): Perfect Pronghorn Hide x 1
- Buck Riding Gloves ($5): Perfect Buck Pelt x 1
Wearable Climates:
The Bronco Buster
Location: Saint Denis Trapper Components: - Elk Flop Hat ($12): Perfect Elk Pelt x 1
- Coyote Scout Jacket ($20): Perfect Ox Hide x 1, Perfect Coyote Pelt x 1
- Huntsman Vest ($25): Perfect Sheep Hide x 1, Perfect Deer Pelt x 1
- Boar Fringed Shotgun Chaps ($25): Perfect Boar Pelt x 2
- Pigskin Rifleman Gloves ($8): Perfect Pig Hide x 1
Wearable Climates:
The Rattler
Location: Saint Denis Trapper Components: - Ram Sombrero ($10): Perfect Ram Hide x 1
- Outdoorsmen Vest ($22): Perfect Pronghorn Hide x 1
- Javelina Half Chaps ($18): Perfect Collared Peccary Pig Pelt x 1, Perfect Snake Skin x 1
- Iguana Range Gloves ($27): Perfect Collared Peccary Pig Pelt x 1, Perfect Iguana Skin x 2
Wearable Climates:
The Death Roll
Location: Saint Denis Trapper Components: - Legendary Alligator Gambler's Hat ($22): Legendary Alligator Skin x 1, Perfect Snake Skin x 2
- Legendary Panther Cloak ($45): Legendary Alligator Skin x 1
- Legendary Alligator Fowlers ($35): Legendary Alligator Skin x 1
- Legendary Panther Ranger Gloves ($30): Legendary Panther Pelt x 1, Perfect Gila Monster Skin x 2
Wearable Climates:
The Desperado
Location: Saint Denis Trapper Components: - Beaver Drifter Hat ($20): Perfect Beaver Pelt x 2
- Wolf Coat ($25): Perfect Ram Hide x 1, Perfect Wolf Pelt x 1
- Billy Vest ($32): Perfect Armadillo Skin x 2, Perfect Goat Hide x 1
- Boar & Bull Fowler Boots ($31): Perfect Ox Hide x 1, Perfect Boar Pelt x 1
- Winter Calvary Gloves ($25): Perfect Rabbit Pelt x 1, Perfect Muskrat Pelt x 2
Wearable Climates:
The Dreamcatcher
Location: Saint Denis Trapper Components: - Legendary Beaver Flop Hat ($22): Legendary Beaver Pelt x 1, Legendary Boar Pelt, Cardinal Feather x 1
- Legendary Bison Vest ($30): Legendary Tatanka Bison Pelt x 1
- Legendary Bison Batwing Chaps ($32): Legendary Tatanka Bison Pelt x 1
- Legendary Boar & Bison Fowlers ($37): Legendary Boar Pelt x 1, Legendary Tatanka Bison Pelt x 1
- Legendary Beaver Calvary Gloves ($18): Legendary Beaver Pelt x 1
Wearable Climates:
The Ghost Bison
Location: Saint Denis Trapper Components: - Legendary White Bison Hat ($45): Legendary White Bison Pelt x 1
- Legendary White Bison Coat ($29): Legendary White Bison Pelt x 1
- Option 1 - Legendary Elk Half Chaps ($16): Legendary Elk Pelt x 1, Perfect Sheep Hide x 1
- Option 2 - Legendary Elk Moccasins ($30): Legendary Elf Pelt x 1, Perfect Goat Hide x 1
- Legendary Elk Range Gloves ($13): Legendary Elk Pelt x 1
Wearable Climates:
The Huntsman
Location: Saint Denis Trapper Components: - Legendary Coyote Mountain Hat ($23): Legendary Coyote Pelt x 1
- Legendary Pronghorn Coat ($35): Legendary Pronghorn Hide x 1, Perfect Moose Pelt x 1
- Option 1 - Legendary Coyote Half Chaps ($20): Legendary Coyote Pelt x 1, Perfect Fox Pelt x 2
- Option 2 - Worksman's Pride Boots ($28): Perfect Cow Hide x 1, Perfect Goat Hide x 1
- Legendary Pronghorn Range Gloves ($17): Legendary Pronghorn Hide x 1, Perfect Muskrat Pelt x 1
Wearable Climates:
The Marauder
Location: Saint Denis Trapper Components: - Muskrat Calvary Hat ($15): Perfect Rabbit Pelt x 4, Perfect Muskrat Pelt x 1
- Principal Vest ($18): Perfect Cow Hide x 1, Perfect Dear Pelt x 1
- Bull Fringed Shotgun Chaps ($18): Perfect Bull Hide x 1
- Smoke Skin Calvary Gloves ($26): Perfect Boar Pelt x 1, Perfect Snake Skin x 1
Wearable Climates:
The Mountain Man
Location: Saint Denis Trapper Components: - Grenadier Hat ($24): Perfect Muskrat Pelt x 1, Perfect Beaver Pelt x 1
- Ram Shotgun Coat ($45): Perfect Ram Hide x 1
- Country Vest ($25): Perfect Buck Pelt x 1, Perfect Beaver Pelt x 1
- Elk Riding Gloves ($12): Perfect Elk Pelt x 1
Wearable Climates:
The Night Wrangler
Location: Saint Denis Trapper Components: - Coyote Gambler's Hat ($16): Perfect Coyote Pelt x 2
- Cougar Cutaway Coat ($39): Perfect Cougar Pelt x 2, Perfect Black Bear Pelt x 1
- Wilderness Vest ($28): Perfect Wolf Pelt x 1, Perfect Panther Pelt x 1
- Moose Half Chaps ($10): Perfect Moose Pelt x 1
- Badger Rifleman Gloves ($10): Perfect Badger Pelt x 1
Wearable Climates:
The Stalker
Location: Saint Denis Trapper Components: - Legendary Ram Hat ($17): Legendary Ram Hide x 1
- Legendary Moose Hunting Jacket ($24): Legendary Moose Pelt x 1, Perfect Wolf Pelt x 1
- Legendary Ram Batwing Chaps ($33): Legendary Ram Hide x 1
- Legendary Moose Moccasins ($22): Legendary Moose Pelt x 1, Perfect Cow Hide x 1
- Legendary Ram Rifleman Gloves ($12): Legendary Ram Hide x 1, Perfect Boar Pelt x 1
Wearable Climates:
The Trophy Buck
Location: Saint Denis Trapper Components: - Raccoon Mountain Hat ($21): Perfect Raccoon Pelt x 1, Perfect Beaver Pelt x 1, Hawk Feather x 2
- Legendary Buck Vest ($26): Legendary Buck Pelt x 1, Legendary Ram Hide x 1
- Legendary Fox Moccasins ($40): Perfect Elf Pelt x 1, Legendary Fox Pelt x 1
- Legendary Buck & Fox Range Gloves ($28): Legendary Buck Pelt x 1, Legendary Fox Pelt x 1
Wearable Climates:
The Wrangler
Location: Saint Denis Trapper Components: - Goat Flop Hat ($12): Perfect Pronghorn Hide x 1, Perfect Goat Hide x 1
- Trapper's Cloak ($32): Perfect Sheep Hide x 1
- No Man's Vest ($27): Perfect Panther Pelt x 1, Perfect Goat Hide x 1
- Two Toned Moccasins ($15): Perfect Buck Pelt x 1
- Moose Range Gloves ($22): Perfect Moose Pelt x 1
Wearable Climates:
The Cumberland
Location: Strawberry General Store Wearable Climates: - Average Weather
- Hot Weather
The Dolton
Location: Strawberry General Store Wearable Climates: - Average Weather
- Hot Weather
The Faulkton
Location: Strawberry General Store Wearable Climates: - Average Weather
- Hot Weather
The Millesani
Location: Strawberry General Store Wearable Climates: - Average Weather
- Hot Weather
The Clairmont
Location: Valentine General Store Wearable Climates: - Average Weather
- Hot Weather
The Dewberry Creek
Location: Valentine General Store Wearable Climates: - Average Weather
- Hot Weather
The Valentine
Location: Valentine General Store Wearable Climates: - Average Weather
- Hot Weather
The Vaquero
Location: Valentine General Store Wearable Climates: - Average Weather
- Hot Weather
The Calumet
Location: Wallace Station General Store Wearable Climates: - Average Weather
- Hot Weather
The Drover
Location: Wallace Station General Store Wearable Climates: - Average Weather
- Hot Weather
The Estate Boss
Location: Wallace Station General Store Wearable Climates: - Average Weather
- Hot Weather
The Roscoe
Location: Wallace Station General Store Wearable Climates: - Average Weather
- Hot Weather
By Edmond Tran on Nov 09, 2018 06:05 am
Red Dead Redemption 2 Guide: How To Make Money
As a wise man once said: "cash rules everything around me", and if Arthur Morgan had lived to see 1994, he'd probably agree. As you might expect, the keys to progression in Red Dead Redemption 2 don't lie in stockpiling experience or skill points, but cold hard cash. It's a rich man's world out in the old west, and if you have a good wad of money in your wallet, you can use it to buy better guns and equipment, feed yourself, groom your horse, buy new duds, customize the hell out of everything you own, and give you and your campmates a more comfortable way of living, among other things. But like real life, it ain't easy getting rich. The Van Der Linde gang begin the game in a poor financial position, and for a long time you'll find yourself doing tasks for little to no reward, and feel like you're getting nowhere. But don't fret, there are plenty of avenues to make some bread in Red Dead 2. Here are all the ways we've discovered so far. It's spoiler free, and you don't even have to be a jerk all the time. There are actually some money-related advantages to being a good guy, so you should carefully consider the approach you plan on taking with your version of the character. Diligence is one key aspect to making money, as you'll want to loot corpses, but there's more to it than ensuring you don't leave cash lying around on the ground after a fight. Read on for a full list of ways too make money quickly and easily. Red Dead Redemption 2 is out now for PS4 and Xbox One. If you want know exactly how Rockstar's latest open-world adventure turned out, check out our Red Dead 2 review. For more guides, read our feature offering beginner's tips you should know, as well as our money guide. We've also got articles detailing how long the game is and how gun customization works. But do you have any money making tips? Let us know all about them in the comments below.
Loot Every Corpse
Have you played a video game in the past five years? Then this should be a no-brainer: loot everybody you see. You'll find ammo and consumable items which are always helpful, but you'll also often find a small amount of cash and valuable items which you can later sell. The act of looting is a bit more labored in Red Dead Redemption 2, but don't worry--after huge battles, Arthur will get the chance to comb the battlefield for spare change, and here's a tip--keep holding down the loot button and Arthur will automatically move on to a nearby body as soon as he's done. Also be sure to loot interior locations with cabinets and drawers (you can use Arthur's hunting sense with L3 + R3 to highlight lootable items), as well as the saddlebags of any remaining horses.
Rob People And Stores
If you have no hesitations about being a badder-than-average cowboy, you can easily rob people on the street at gunpoint and ask them to hand over whatever they have. You can do the same to shopkeepers and get access to the cash register and any illicit business they may or may not be hiding in the building. Just be aware that these kinds of situations don't always go down well, depending on who you deal with--you need to be prepared for the consequences if a job goes south.
Rob Trains
If robbing a lot of people in a short amount of time is something that appeals to you, then keep an eye out for any trains that might be nearby. There's some effort involved in actually getting on there and dispatching any guards, but after that, you basically have whole carriages full of people just handing things over. Just make sure to cover your face and know when to peace out.
Rob Stagecoaches
Stagecoaches can also be pretty profitable, and they're a little easier to get under control. There are a number of ways to get one to stop with either by using your moxie or your muscle and once you've got things under control you can break into the lockbox at the rear of the carriage by either using a lockpick or just shooting the lock. Later in the game, you'll get access to characters who can give you hot tips on where to intercept particularly lucrative stagecoaches.
Fence Your Looted Valuables
Alright, so you know all those rings, jewelry bags, buckles, gems, and pocket watches you've picked up? That stuff is no good to you, so sell it! Well, maybe keep just one pocket watch. You can either donate these items via the donation box to have it go straight to the gang's communal funds, or you can find a fence later in the game (there aren't any near the starting towns) to have that money go straight into your pocket.
Fence Stagecoaches and Horses
As you progress through the story, Arthur and friends will meet characters who will take any stolen stagecoaches or horses you've come into possession of and give you a bit of cash for them. This is a bit of a drag, since you have to physically bring them back and the take isn't amazing, but worth considering if it's only a short detour. You can still sell horses at regular stables, but you won't get as much from them. You can also break in wild horses and sell them to a stable--you'll also get more for it depending on your bond with it.
Hunt Animals, Then Sell Them.
When you're living on the road and off the land, hunting and fishing is a part of life. Animals have a number of uses--you can skin them and use their pelts in crafting, cook their meat for sustenance, and donate their carcasses and meat to Pearson back at camp to keep the camps food supplies up. But if your own supplies are well-stocked, you can also sell all animals and fishes to the butchers you find in towns. The selling price is based on the hunt quality, and the return is not great, but if you're already on your way into town a quick stop to hunt a boar is a good way to make few bucks for your next meal.
Hunt Down Bounties
Alright, time to be a goody-goody. Optional wanted bounties will occasionally pop up during the game--you'll typically find posters in a town's Sherrif's office. You'll get a reasonable amount of money for hunting down these criminals and bringing them in, and it's usually worth doing them to get those extra little bits of storytelling.
Upgrade Dutch's Tent In Camp
One of the first upgrades you can request for your camp is to improve Dutch's tent. This will supposedly encourage gang members to be more proactive in contributing to camp funds, but honestly, the difference is almost negligible.
Always Help Venom And Bear Trap Victims
Red Dead Redemption 2 is full of little encounters to discover while exploring the open world. One of these encounters involves snakes, and the other involves bear traps. If you ever stumble across someone like this asking for help, do something! They won't give you anything immediately, but some time later, you'll run into them hanging out in front of a store. They'll recognize you, and offer to let you buy almost any one item from the store they're at and put it on their tab. This could mean anything from a free gun to a new hat, and potentially save you a couple hundred dollars.
Help People For Information
Help people in other types of random encounters, and they'll often give you tips on where to find more avenues for money, like homesteads ripe for robbery. So yeah, it pays not to be a jerk sometimes. Well, until you need to be a jerk and rob someone's house. But they're mostly bad people, honest.
Play Some Minigames
I'm no good at poker. But if you are, then it can be a pleasant way to earn a bit of easy cash. Red Dead Redemption features games like poker, blackjack, dominos, and five-finger fillet, all of which can be played for money.
Do Missions
By far the most lucrative way to make money in Red Dead Redemption 2 is to just play the game--do the story missions, do the side missions, do the stranger quests. Some of them will only get you a small cash reward, some of them won't reward you at all, sure. But some of them will involve the activities mentioned, like stagecoach holdups and home robberies, and are more lucrative. Some of the major story missions will see you walking away with thousands of dollars. On top of that, missions will occasionally give you new guns and items, saving you a bit of money if you can just hold out a little longer before buying that sweet bolt-action rifle. So if you're low on cash, don't get too down in the dumps--there are a lot of avenues to make money no matter what kinds of activities you enjoy doing in Red Dead Redemption 2, so just follow your heart, and the rewards will come.
By Dan Auty on Nov 09, 2018 05:57 am
The western has had a long and strange history, which has seen it change from being one of the most popular movie genres, for decades until the 1960s, to one of the least popular in the '80s and '90s. But while interest in the Old West has varied, it's an era that has continued to fascinate filmmakers, from the earliest days of cinema to the present day, both in the US and in other countries. This is a genre that allows directors to experiment with conventions, address social and political issues, and introduce other genres into mix--from horror westerns to comedy westerns, via brutal bloodbaths, thrilling action, and haunting introspection. Some of the greatest actors and directors of all time became famous for their work in the western, and there are exceptional examples still made every year. The influence of the western stretches beyond the theater, too--to TV, comic books, and video games. When Red Dead Redemption was released in 2010, it was met with rave reviews and massive sales. This was a game that threw the player into an incredibly immersive version of the old west and Mexico, one that drew heavy influence from western movies. Grizzled hero John Marston was clearly based on Clint Eastwood's Man with No Name, the violence was straight out of Tombstone or a Peckinpah movie, and the grand vistas of the west took their inspiration from the classic movies of John Ford and John Wayne. Red Dead Redemption 2 has finally released on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and fans can expect an even more detailed, immersive world in which to work, kill, and explore. If you've been playing it to death since its launch, chances are that you're just about finished and are likely in the mood for more stories like it. Lucky for you there's a pantheon of amazing Western films out there that'll satiate your desires. Here are 15 must-see westerns that show the great breadth of the genre. Let's saddle up and ride into town. If you're keen to learn more about the upcoming open-world western, read our Red Dead 2 review. Red Dead Redemption 2 is adding a bunch of exciting new mechanics that are incredibly exciting and intriguing, so be sure to check out our in-depth feature showcasing them all. Though, if you're more intrigued about the game's development and some of its major inspirations and influences, you should read our feature discussing how previous Rockstar games, like Bully, Max Payne 3, and L.A. Noire impacted its mechanics. In the meantime, tell us which western films you love the most in the comments below!
1. The Man With No Name Trilogy (1964/1965/1967)
Dir. Sergio Leone For decades, the Italian film industry was known for churning out its own variation on successful American genres, whether horror, sci-fi, or crime movies. Sergio Leone's classic western trilogy--A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, and The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly--kickstarted the spaghetti western cycle that lasted throughout the late-'60s and '70s. It also made a star of Clint Eastwood, who would himself go on to direct several classic westerns. Leone's movies stripped the genre down to its most basic elements, as Eastwood's unnamed bounty hunter navigates a ruthless, immoral West with few words and lots of shooting. All three movies are marked by their violence, dark humour, and stylish direction, with Ennio Morricone delivering a series of iconic, inventive soundtracks.
2. Django (1966)
Dir. Sergio Corbucci If the Man With No Name is the best known of all the spaghetti western heroes, then Django is easily in second place. Unlike Eastwood and Leone's great character, Django has been played by a variety of actors across many films, and to date, there are more than 30 Django movies. But the man most associated with him will always be the Italian icon Franco Nero, who starred in Sergio Corbucci's classic original. Django is a former soldier who find himself caught up in a race war between American soldiers and Mexican bandits a few years after the end of the Civil War. Django is a gritty, thrilling movie with heavy political overtones that was highly controversial at the time for its levels of violence and torture, but now stands as a true cult classic.
3. The Great Silence (1968)
Dir. Sergio Corbucci Sergio Corbucci is best known for Django, but with The Great Silence, he delivered one of the all-time great spaghetti westerns. Set in the snowbound mountains of Utah (although shot in the Italian Dolomites), it features the great French actor Jean-Louis Trintignant as a mute gunslinger who roams the countryside, in pursuit of those he perceives as evil. His main target is Loco, a terrifying killer played by cult favourite Klaus Kinski. The Great Silence is about as pessimistic and cynical as westerns get, with the incredible location photography and intense performances making it a must-see, particularly in the beautiful restored blu-ray that was released earlier this year.
4. The Wild Bunch (1969)
Dir. Sam Peckinpah The late '60s was a watershed time for American cinema, when the depiction of sex and violence in studio movies increased, thrilling younger audiences but also causing considerable controversy amongst older viewers and critics. Sam Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch was a key movie at this time, one which waved farewell to an older era of western cinema. A group of veteran outlaws face the end of the line while they are pursued by their former gang-member turned lawman, and take on a dangerous mission for a corrupt Mexican general. The movie is best known for its incredible, blood-splattered, slow-motion final gun battle, but the whole movie is a masterpiece that is by turns brutally violent and deeply moving.
5. Once Upon A Time In The West (1969)
Dir. Sergio Leone While the Dollars trilogy are Sergio Leone's best known westerns, his true masterpiece is Once Upon A Time In The West. Leone planned to retire from the genre, but an offer from Paramount to direct and the chance to work with screen legend Henry Fonda convinced him otherwise. Fonda plays against type by portraying a ruthless killer, and the movie centers around a land battle over the construction of a railroad. It's a long and often slow film, but utterly engrossing, with a morally ambiguous characters and a dark, pessimistic tone very different to the more cartoonish fun of the Dollars movies.
6. McCabe And Mrs. Miller (1971)
Dir. Robert Altman Robert Altman tackled many genres across his long career, from the war comedy M*A*S*H* to the Hollywood satire The Player and the murder mystery Gosford Park, but his films are unified by his interest in character over story and a determination to do things his own way. McCabe and Mrs. Miller is his brilliant western, in which a gambler called John McCabe (Warren Beatty) sets up a brothel in a small town with the help of drug-addicted English traveller Constance Miller (Julie Christie). It's a strange film, with a loose structure, jarring editing, and disorienting sound design. But it's utterly intoxicating, the amazing photography, hypnotic atmosphere, and a fascinating refusal to play by the rules of the genre making it one of the best westerns of the '70s.
7. High Plains Drifter (1973)
Dir. Clint Eastwood By 1973, Clint Eastwood had already started his directing career, and followed his debut Play Misty for Me with his first western as director. High Plains Drifter is an offbeat movie that took influence from the work of Sergio Leone rather than other American directors, such as John Ford or Howard Hawks. Eastwood again plays an unnamed stranger who is hired to protect a town from some very bad men. But while the material was generic, the movie is not. The eerie tone and atmosphere feels more like a supernatural horror movie than a western, and it's packed with wonderfully surreal touches. It might not be as well known as some of Eastwood's other westerns, but it's up there with the best.
8. Unforgiven (1992)
Dir. Clint Eastwood The script for Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven was written by Blade Runner's David Webb Peoples, and was first given to the director/star back in the early '80s. But knowing that he was not yet old enough to play the role of veteran killer William Munny, Eastwood waited a decade, until he was in his 60s, to direct and star. The result was an all-time classic; a dark, brooding meditation on violence and redemption. The incredible cast includes Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, and Richard Harris, and the movie went on to win four Oscars. Unforgiven remains one of the most powerful westerns ever made, which strips away the clichés of the genre while also delivering so many of the elements that fans love.
9. Tombstone (1993)
Dir. George P. Cosmatos 1993 was the year of Wyatt Earp, with two movies released within six month of each other, both based on the legendary lawman. Kevin Costner's Wyatt Earp is a well crafted and very traditional western--but Tombstone is way more fun. It actually had lots of behind-the-scenes problems, with director George P. Cosmatos brought on to replace original director Kevin Jarre during production. But you wouldn't know it--it's a fast-moving, thrilling action western, with Kurt Russell perfectly cast as Earp, and a stellar supporting cast that includes a scene-stealing Val Kilmer (as Doc Holliday), Sam Elliott, Bill Paxton, and Michael Biehn.
10. Dead Man (1995)
Dir: Jim Jarmusch Jim Jarmusch made his name for quirky deadpan indie comedies in the '80s, and in 1995 he tackled his first pure genre movie. Of course, Dead Man is as strange and idiosyncratic as you'd expect from Jarmusch. For a start, it's shot in crisp black-and-white, and while many classic early westerns were obviously in monochrome, it's unusual choice for a modern one. Johnny Depp stars as William Blake, a man from the city who heads west after his parents die and his financée leaves him. This begins a strange trip in which he is accompanied by a Native American called Nobody. Depp spends much of the movie dying from a gunshot wound, and along the way Jarmusch offers a strange, darkly funny, and ultimately very moving film about mortality, technology, and coming to terms with the past. It also features a blistering solo guitar score by Neil Young, which he performed in a single take while watching the movie.
11. The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford (2006)
Dir. Andrew Dominik One of the best westerns of the 21st century, this is an adaptation of the 1983 novel of the same name, with Brad Pitt as legendary outlaw Jesse James and Casey Affleck as fellow bandit Robert Ford. The movie flopped at the box office and there were various behind-the-scenes battles between director Andrew Dominik, who wanted to make a dark, meditation on fame and legend, and the studio who (inevitably) hoped for a faster-paced, more action-packed move. The resulting film definitely favours Dominik's approach more, and this haunting, atmospheric, beautifully-made telling of this famous story lingers in the mind long after the end.
12. True Grit (2010)
Dir. Joel & Ethan Coen The Coen's brothers' previous attempt at remaking a classic movie--2003's The Ladykillers--was one of their worst films, so there was some trepidation about this new adaptation of the John Wayne favourite True Grit. But there was no need to worry. Jeff Bridges takes on the role of "Rooster" Cogburn, a hard-drinking, rule-breaking lawman, who is hired by a 14-year-old girl to find the outlaw who killed her father. The Coens blend their trademark quirky humor with more traditional western conventions in a hugely satisfying way. It's one of their most accessible movies and it turned out to be their biggest box office by far, making $252 million worldwide, a hugely impressive result for any western in 2010.
13. Django Unchained (2012)
Dir. Quentin Tarantino For his first western, Quentin Tarantino borrowed the name of the legendary spaghetti western hero, and delivers a movie that, like Sergio Corbucci's classic Django, uses the western format to address issues of race and prejudice. Jamie Foxx plays a slave who is granted his freedom in return for helping a bounty hunter (Christoph Waltz) track down a pair of killers. This initial quest soon turns into a search for Django's wife, who is being kept by a cruel landowner, played by Leonardo DiCaprio. As you'd expect from Tarantino, Django Unchained is a movie that skirts constantly around the edges of taste, but for those who can take some of the subject matter, it's hugely entertaining, as it lurches from serious social and historical commentary to over-the-top, blood spurting violence and back again. It also contains some of the most memorable acting in Tarantino's filmography, in particular Foxx's relentless, determined Django and DiCaprio's charming but rage-fuelled slave owner.
14. The Revenant (2015)
Dir. Alejandro G. Iñárritu The production of Alejandro G. Iñárritu's award-winning western survival movie was beset with problems--including budget overruns and crew members quitting--and when you watch it, it's easy to see why. There are few films that have created such a believably harsh environment for its characters, as we watch a recreation of the story of Hugh Glass, a frontiersman and fur-trapper who made an epic 200-mile journey across a savage landscape to get revenge on the men who left him for dead. Leonardo DiCaprio finally won an Oscar for his portrayal of Glass, and the movie is a harrowing, thrilling experience of the type only cinema can deliver.
15. The Hateful Eight (2015)
Dir. Quentin Tarantino Tarantino's second western is a very different movie to Django Unchained, and in many ways is most reminiscent of his classic debut Reservoir Dogs. Set mostly in one night, it places eight strangers in a stagecoach lodge during a blizzard. Things start tense and get worse from there, as bodies start dropping and paranoia start to creep in. This being a Tarantino movie, it's long and talky, but the dialogue is as sharp as ever and the incredible cast--including Tarantino veterans Kurt Russell, Samuel L. Jackson, Tim Roth, and Michael Madsen--make it utterly compelling viewing.
By Chris Pereira on Nov 09, 2018 02:59 am
Target's Best Black Friday 2018 Game Sales
Target has already released its Black Friday 2018 ad, and we've rounded up all of its deals in various categories, as listed below. But just what is worth heading out to Target (or browsing over to its website) for during Black Friday 2018? We're highlighting what we think are the retailer's best game deals this year to help you more easily plan ahead. We'll be doing the same with other retailers as their deals are revealed, along with a broader look at all the best deals to make shopping as pain-free as possible for you. Most of Target's gaming deals involve PS4 and Xbox One, with individual games (rather than accessories or consoles) representing the bulk of the offers. Still, there is a nice mixture of things, including a great doorbuster deal on a PS4 bundle with Spider-Man, as well as a free game for buying a Nintendo Switch. And while not every big fall release is on sale--you'll be paying full price for Red Dead Redemption 2, at least at Target--many others are discounted. Among others, those include NBA 2K19, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, and Forza Horizon 4. One thing to be aware of is that specific pricing can vary somewhat significantly from store to store. We've now gotten Walmart and Best Buy's respective ads, and they beat Target pricing in some cases. Luckily, all of this is coming out well in advance of Black Friday, so you should have time to make a plan. Black Friday this year takes place on November 23, although Target's deals will be available from November 22-24. Specific store hours on Thanksgiving Day will vary by location, as some states have previously banned stores from opening on Thursday. You can see the store's full ad on its website. Read on for all the best gaming deals at Target (in no particular order), and see all of our coverage in our Black Friday deals roundup.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey -- $35 (PS4/Xbox One)
The newest game in the Assassin's Creed Odyssey series is a good one, embracing the foray into Witcher-style RPG gameplay that 2017's Origins experimented with. It boasts a huge map, some fun naval gameplay, and a ton to do. It only just released in October, so $35 is a nice price to see so soon. Buy at Target: PS4, Xbox One See all the Assassin's Creed Odyssey Black Friday deals Read our Assassin's Creed Odyssey review
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 -- $45 (PS4/Xbox One)
Call of Duty games tend to hold their value for a long time, and significant discounts are uncommon. $15 off for a game that launched just last month represents a solid deal, and perhaps makes the asking price a bit more palatable if you're upset over the lack of single-player or only care about a single one of its modes (such as the new Blackout battle royale). Buy at Target: PS4, Xbox One See all the Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Black Friday deals Read our Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 review
God of War -- $25 (PS4)
One of the standout games from the first half of the year is God of War. The series formerly known best for its violence returned with a surprisingly touching father-son story--paired with some excellent combat featuring Kratos's new axe weapon, which works a lot like Thor's hammer. Familiarity with the franchise helps, but this is certainly a game you can jump into without having played the previous ones. Buy at Target Read our God of War review
NBA 2K19 -- $30 (PS4/Xbox One)
NBA 2K is routinely considered the best NBA sim series around, and this year is no different. While its microtransactions remain a sore spot for some players, $30 gets you a lot of game here, as you can focus on running a team, managing your own created character, or any number of other modes. Buy at Target: PS4, Xbox One Read our NBA 2K19 review
SoulCalibur VI -- $35 (PS4/Xbox One)
Another recent release, SoulCalibur VI released in late October and represented a welcome return for the weapons-based fighting game series. Alongside a robust character creator, it continues the series' proclivity for including fighters from other franchises--in this case, The Witcher's Geralt. Buy at Target: PS4, Xbox One Read our SoulCalibur VI review
PS4 with Marvel's Spider-Man -- $200
Although Target isn't selling Spider-Man itself at a discount, those who don't yet have a PS4 are in for a nice bundle. $200 for a PS4 on its own represents a decent deal, but Target is throwing in a free copy of Insomniac's fun open-world take on the webslinger to sweeten things. Read our Spider-Man review
Forza Horizon 4 -- $35 (Xbox One)
Forza's alternating release schedule continued this fall, with its Horizon sub-series of open-world games seeing the launch of Forza Horizon 4. It's an incredibly fun game that offers a surprising amount of variety for a racing game. One thing to be aware of before buying it is that, like all first-party Xbox One games, it's available through Xbox Game Pass, meaning you get complete access to the game for as long as you're a subscriber. If you want to own a copy, $35 is easily the cheapest price offered so far. Buy at Target Read our Forza Horizon 4 review
Xbox One S Minecraft bundle with $20 Target gift card -- $200
Those in the market for an Xbox One have a variety of options at Target this Black Friday. While this specific bundle includes Minecraft and a Target gift card, the store's ad says all Xbox One consoles will be $70 off, potentially letting you get any pack-in game you want.
Nintendo Switch with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe -- $300
While this doesn't represent a discount over Switch's standard price, we don't tend to see the system go on sale often (and certainly not outside of places like Ebay). As such, getting a $60 game (which itself, like most Nintendo games, is rarely discounted by much) for free by picking up the system isn't half bad, especially considering that Deluxe is a great package of Mario Kart content. Read our Mario Kart 8 Deluxe review
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle -- $25 (Nintendo Switch)
When Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle first leaked, it looked like a joke of an idea. In fact, it turned out to be a truly pleasant surprise, offering a take on XCOM-esque tactics gameplay that filled a void which otherwise still hasn't been well addressed on Switch. Kingdom Battle hasn't been discounted steeply often, so getting it for $25 is a bargain worth considering. Buy at Target Read our Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle review
Doom -- $15 (PS4/Xbox One)
If you're looking for a new game on the cheaper end of the spectrum, you could do far worse than Doom. The reboot offered a stellar blend of intense shooter gameplay and extreme violence, complemented by a great soundtrack. Buy at Target: PS4, Xbox One Read our Doom review
PS4/Xbox One controllers -- $40
Whether you already own a PS4 or Xbox One, or you're getting one for the first time this Black Friday, you may want to pick up extra controllers for some local multiplayer action. Regular prices on controllers are steep, but $40 is close to as cheap as we ever see official controllers go, so this represents a good opportunity to stock up on what you need.
Recent Articles:
| 
No comments:
Post a Comment