Despite the mode initially seeming like just another zombie-killing fest, the actual goal is to find and destroy the 3 floating skulls that are scattered throughout the Manor. These skulls are easy to spot as they’re big and float around in one spot, though they can attack you by spitting fire at you. They can take a decent amount of damage, but once you’ve plugged them enough times they’ll explode. Just make sure that you remain constantly aware of your surroundings, as it is while you’re trying to take out these skulls that you’re likely to be ambushed by zombies and potentially get killed.The thing with these skulls is that odds are that at least one of them will be hidden within a room that is initially locked, and those who played through Blood Ties will know that they’ll need the Master Key in order to get through. However, Lara’s Nightmare keeps things fresh by randomizing the location of the Master Key, so I won’t be able to tell you exactly where it is.

• Rise Of The Tomb Raider Gear Guide

However, in my time with the mode I found that it was most often in secret vault in the basement, or on a table in the main area of the basement. It can be in several different locations, though, so just keep your eyes peeled for a toolbox.As you’re wandering around the Manor you also want to be sure that you stay on the lookout for the numerous weapons that are scattered about, as you’ll need all the firepower you can get to achieve victory. You have four weapon slots for a pistol, machine gun, shotgun and bow, though you’ll find different variations of each that will be replaced by the latest variation you pick up. Do your best to fill all four slots, as this will not only help in taking down zombies but also taking down the final boss.However, if you find that you’re getting overwhelmed by the zombies and you’re dangerously low on ammo, there is a little trick that you can do to get to safety. If you remember the hallway that leads to the secret vault in the basement, you can go there to get away from the zombies.

You can also do this in the stairwell leading to the basement. In all my time with the game the zombies were not able to get through either of these passages, giving you a little breather to regroup and also getting all the zombies to crowd together to pick them off from a safe distance.Once you’ve taken out all 3 of the skulls the final boss skull will be summoned and appears in the grand hall. This battle is seriously tricky, as it is much bigger and takes much more damage to kill than the others. Also, it will summon hoards of zombies regularly to kill you, and will activate a forcefield that can only be removed by taking out the zombies it summoned. It also has several rocks floating around it, which you need to aim around in order to land your shots.The key to winning this battle is to keep moving, because if you’re sluggish you’re as good as dead. More zombies will continuously be summoned, so you need to take them out when they’re near you and keep moving around the grand hall’s upper level in a circular route so you don’t get surrounded.

When the boss’ shield goes down plug him as many times as you can, but do not get greedy. You may be able to get a lot of shots in, but if it comes at the price of getting surrounded by zombies it isn’t worth it. Instead, get as many shots in as you can and as soon as you sense zombies are closing in get on the move again.The strength of the zombies will increase as the battle wages on, with zombie dogs being summoned at one point that are incredibly fast and incredibly annoying.

You’ll want to have a machine gun or shotgun ready to deal with these puppies, as if you miss too many shots you’ll soon be overwhelmed and will probably die. As soon as you see the dogs appear forget about the boss for awhile and just focus on taking out the dogs, as they can take you down very easily.Using the above tips and tricks mixed with a little luck and perseverance should result in you eventually emerging the victor. If you did, congrats!

Rise of the Tomb Raider: tips to get you started on your quest to save the worldLara’s life’s hard. She’s constantly being shot at, set alight and thrown from cliffs on her endless mission to rescue humanity from itself, and Rise of the Tomb Raider continues on the series’s ever-violent path. Charting the steps Lara makes from the unwilling adventurer we saw in 2013’s Tomb Raider reboot to globe-trotting treasure plunderer, Rise throws many instruments of pain in your direction.

Rise Of The Tomb Raider Gear Guide

Fortunately, you get a few to chuck back yourself.These tips will help you get into the game with fewer failures and save some time. Rise is about exploration, character progression, hard-boiled combat and extensive platforming, and much of the information pertinent to each aspect can be less than obvious. Hit the next arrow. Help us help you. Spend your early Skill Points wiselyYou earn XP as you do stuff in Rise’s world, and every time you level up you get a Skill Point. These are used to unlock three skill trees. The temptation will be to go for a combat perk, but make Avid Learner your first learned skill.

You’ll find it in the Survivor section. This boosts the amount of XP you earn from reading Documents, discovering Survival Caches and more. More XP, more Skill Points, faster progression. The second upgrade should probably be Thick-Skinned (the first one in the Brawler menu), as this reduces general damage taken during combat. Remember, though, that combat skills aren’t the most important thing early on.

Eye for Detail, for example, makes it easier to find Challenge Objects with Survival Instincts. That means you miss less, get more XP and progress faster. This will give you the Skill Points you’ll need to unlock those combat upgrades when you need them: later in the game.Check out our separate for more in-depth information about how manage’s Lara’s progress. Use Survival Instinct all the timeSurvival Instinct is your key to unlocking the secrets of the game.

You activate it by clicking the right stick (R3). It’s a special view that shows you routes up trees, through walls and down hidden passages, as well as highlighting relics, documents and objects for crafting. You should get used to clicking the stick when you move into any new area. Remember, Rise is a game about exploration as much as anything else, and you’ll miss so much stuff if you don’t stop, look properly and check your Survival Instinct.Also, remember that Survival Caches are indicated by small flashing white light on the ground.

They aren’t otherwise highlighted by Survival Instinct, so you need to pay close attention. Watch colours if you’re going for stealthEnemies in Survival Instinct are now lit either red or yellow. Red means they can see one another, meaning you’ll trigger and alert if you drop them as someone else will see. Yellow means no one else can see them and they’ll die without further incident, assuming you get a headshot.

Just kill them. Why not?If you want Survival Instinct to remain active so you can see the coloured markings on each enemy, you need to stay still. As soon as you move the game will return to its default world mode. If you’re looking to clear a group of enemies without causing a fuss (or drawing down reinforcements), get into cover, activate Survival Instinct and then watch. As the guards move away from each other, their colour will change from red to yellow. Pick your moment and waste them all.

Don’t forget to change Lara’s clothesYou can change Lara’s outfits at campfires (and only at campfires). The option’s hidden in the Weapons menu, oddly. Just go to the Outfits option, and you’ll be able to customise Lara’s look with a push of a button.This feature isn’t just cosmetic. You sometimes get granted different outfits from completing objectives, and they can affect Lara’s performance.

The Battle Worn coat, for example, is gifted by completing an optional Mission of one of the game’s main map areas. It reduces the delay between taking damage and regenerating health, so it’s obviously useful for combat. Do the Challenge TombsThis is easier said than done, as the entrances to the Tombs really are tough to find, but don’t just ignore them if you come across one.

The Tombs represent some of the best platforming puzzles in the game, showing off Rise’s movement mechanics to their fullest. You’re really missing out if you don’t take the time to complete them, so resist the urge to rush ahead.Successfully beating a Tomb nets great rewards.

The first one, Ice Ship, is presented to you very clearly, and completing it gives you the ability to speed-shoot arrows. Well worth the effort.

Don’t try to 100% areas first go: you have to come backThere’s a temptation to really take your time over the environments and try to discover everything they have to offer the first time you enter them, but you’re going to have to wait. There are many secrets in Rise only accessible once you’ve got further along into the campaign and unlocked better kit.

To smash planked entrances, for example, you need a shotgun.Certain objectives are going to make your life easier as you work through the story (completing the Tombs, for example, or the Missions – these grant you gear and skills), but you’re going to find it much easier to uncover the collectibles, such as Documents, Survival Caches and Relics, if you take your time to find the Explorer Satchels. These are the key to unlocking all the secrets in any level. You can do this later. There’s really no need to completely rinse each area before you finish the story. Reading Documents and collecting Relics boosts XP, thus giving you Skill Points, but I ended my run-through on around 60% and I was barely troubled. Once you’ve finished, go back and aim for the 100%. Hunt, but treat Rise’s wildlife with respectWhether or not you find dropping deer and bears fun, you’ll have to access your hatred for all things fluffy if you’re going to get on in Rise of the Tomb Raider.

Until you get enough skins, you won’t even be able to use your ice-axe as a melee weapon.A good place to kill deer is at the first base-camp. Take the time to kill a bunch of animals before you get properly started, at least enough to get you through the first few upgrades. You should aim to collect around ten skins.You must treat Rise’s animals with respect.

Wolves, for example, are dicks. They kill you.

You need to take them down with a ranged weapon before they get to you. Also, dropping an exotic animal, such as a bear or a large cat, is serious business.

You’ll have to run away, use alternate modes of fire and be prepared to punch out many arrows to bring down a grizzly. They’re tough. Even using an assault rifle is no quick fix, so get ready for some furry rumble. Remember to check your load-out at camp firesCheck your load-out! You must stop at a fire before you enter a hot area and ensure you have appropriate gear equipped. You can’t change weapons any other way, so don’t go thinking you can just swap over from your rifle to your AK when you’re getting swamped.

If you have the wrong stuff equipped you’re going to be in all sorts of trouble. Without wanting to spoil anything, there’s a section in which you’re stuck under an area and you have to keep popping up through holes to kill goons. I’d lumbered myself with a bolt-action rifle and an unfamiliar bow because I didn’t pay attention to my load-out at the preceding fire.

Don’t repeat my mistakes. It’s painful. Don’t ignore the bow: it’s a key weaponA natural temptation is to plough all your materials into gun upgrades, but you mustn’t ignore the bow.

It’s a key weapon. Think of it as a sniper rifle.

Once you’ve pushed through to the later perks, it’s a hugely versatile part of your armoury, one capable of dropping three enemies at a time with triple headshots, and it has fantastic range and power. You should also aim for Dead Eye, a second tier Hunter skill, as quickly as you can. Reset samsung m2070 printer. This gives you a red dot headshot indicator when you’re lining up both arrows and guns, turning the bow into a serious killing tool.Get used to it, because you’re going to be using it a lot.

Stealth is much more important than in the last game. Bushes have been added for sneaking, and you should take the hint. Some of these sections are seriously bruising, and if you attempt a straight up fight against a dozen armoured assault troops you are going to die.

Stay quiet and make sure your bow’s suitably upgraded. Finding it tough? Do Missions and ChallengesIf you’re having a hard time, it’s probably worth doing some of the Challenges and Missions in the hub areas. They’re usually easy to complete and can net you decent gear, such as new outfits and weapons. As noted earlier, the outfits can give you extra buffs and skills, so they’re not to be sneezed at.When you’re close to a mission pick-up point, you’ll see the message, “Ally nearby: optional mission available”. Find the person in question, speak to them and grab the quest.

They’re worth the loot.