Latest news with #Assassin'sCreedShadows
The Citizen
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
NAG magazine unveils winter edition with Doom: The Dark Ages
Doom: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal. The winter issue of NAG magazine, featuring Doom: The Dark Ages on the cover, has been praised for its artwork. NAG magazine launched its latest gaming read on a cold winter Friday afternoon in Johannesburg. Artwork NAG publisher Len Nery said that previous issues of the magazine had been much sought after, with the winter issue expected to garner the same interest. 'Chris, our incredible designer, had a chat about the look and feel of this cover and he's always been pushing for it to be purely about the artwork, having as little as possible writing on here. The issue looks so well-designed and amazing, and we are proud of this'. WATCH Len Nery speaking about NAG's winter edition ALSO READ: Assassin's Creed Shadows transports gamers to feudal Japan What is Doom: The Dark Ages? The new Doom is likely to enthral gamers with its gameplay. Doom: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal that tells an epic cinematic story worthy of the Doom Slayer's legend. In this third instalment of the modern Doom series, players will step into the blood-stained boots of the Doom Slayer in a never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell. The Dark Ages is a dark fantasy, sci-fi single-player experience that delivers the searing combat and over-the-top visuals of the incomparable Doon franchise, powered by the latest idTech engine. Availability As the super weapon of gods and kings, shred enemies with devastating favourites like the Super Shotgun while also wielding a variety of new bone-chewing weapons, including the versatile Shield Saw. Players will stand and fight on the demon-infested battlefields in the vicious, grounded combat the original Doom is famous for. Doom: The Dark Ages is now available, having launched on May 15, 2025, on PlayStation 5, PC (via Steam, and the Microsoft Store), and Xbox Series X/S. It is also available as a day one launch title for Xbox Game Pass subscribers. NOW READ: WATCH: 'Resident Evil Requiem' release date revealed: A new era of survival horror begins
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
How to complete A Critical Encounter quest in Assassin's Creed Shadows?
(Image via Ubisoft) The latest story update of Assassin's Creed Shadows introduces a charismatic ally, Rufino, through A Critical Encounter quest. The multi-stage mission expands the League's fight against Templars. To unlock the ally, the players must navigate sabotage, infiltration, and decisive eliminations. With success comes more powerful game rewards and some valuable new companions. Here is the complete breakdown of how to tackle the quest in an effective way. Find Rufino and initiate the mission Completing Way of the Blacksmith's main quest and having access to Yasuke, head right to the hideout. Near the southeast entrance, look carefully. Ruffino is not immediately obvious. He remains concealed in the nearby foliage. His position can be revealed by the objective marker hovering above bushes. To interact with him will begin A Critical Encounter quest. Assassin's Creed Shadows - New Story Update: A Critical Encounter (PS5 Pro | 4K 60FPS) Rufino explains the connection he has with Tomiko, his ally and immediate threat—sensitive Templar research or the Templar-linked group that operates near Osaka. He then tasks Yasuke and Naoe with the destruction. The initial phase sets a complete stage for a larger confrontation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo While the quest is playable with either of the protagonists, Naoe's stealth skills remain advantageous. Note: The choice of your dialogue options will not impact the story. Ensure to pick the responses freely. As the cutscene would end, the objective would shift to sabotaging enemy research on the ship. Sabotage Templar ship and the research Rufino will direct you to the large vessel that's anchored west of Izumi Settsu region's Sakai town. Travel east to Osaka synchronization point for better proximity. Secure the small boat that's nearby to sail out to the target ship. There, approach the stern for best climbing access to the deck. Use Eagle Vision immediately as you board to identify objectives and guard. There, you will see three distinct research crates that remain marked clearly and need to be destroyed. The first is on deck, the second is inside the cabin, and the third lies upstairs, near a hidden chest that contains Floral Kusarigama of Tangling. Employ shuriken, kunai, or melee attacks to shatter them. Once you eliminate the third crate, proceed urgently to the bow of the ship. Rufino faces a dangerous Contractor there. Handle confrontation, secure Rufino as an ally, and complete the quest Engage the Contractor who guards Rufino. The mini-boss needs focused combat, exploiting the opening after attacks. Defeating them and the remaining guards will secure Rufino's safety. To speak with him further would conclude a specific sabotage objective, but the mission would broaden significantly. Note: To defeat the contractor will sharpen the combat skills, specifically for the players who favor the brute strength of Yasuke. Rufino will reveal the larger threat—Seta River Killers. There are 8 new Templar targets who will appear on the objective board now. To eliminate them all will become your next task. The hunt forms the questline's continuation core and demands strategic assassinations across the region. Once you eliminate all the eight Seta River Killers, it will complete A Critical Encounter storyline. Rufino will then formally pledge himself to League. He will become a permanent ally who can be summoned during combat encounters. The unique skillset of his includes the use of a pistol and inflicting bleed damage on foes. To complete the quest chain will even give you some tangible rewards. You can expect a distinctive Critical Role banner to adorn Hideout. Yasuke would gain access to a new potent teppo firearm. All these prizes, together with the Rufino combat capability, would complete the encounter in a highly rewarding way. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ubisoft cuts Assassin's Creed Shadows price, adds Nightmare Mode with update 1.0.6
Ubisoft has slashed the price of Assassin's Creed Shadows by 25% while simultaneously releasing Title Update 1.0.6, which introduces a punishing new Nightmare difficulty mode and adds Critical Role voice actor Robbie Daymond as a recruitable character named Rufino, among other updates. The sale reduces the game's price from $69.99 to $52.49 through the Ubisoft Store, running from June 24 to July 24. The timing coincides with the release of the 1.0.6 update, which targets both hardcore players seeking greater challenges and newcomers looking for enhanced accessibility. New Nightmare Mode tests expert players The headline feature of Update 1.0.6 is the Nightmare difficulty setting, designed for what Ubisoft calls "expert players willing to test their skills and earn proper bragging rights." This mode significantly alters core gameplay mechanics, requiring perfect timing for parries to avoid damage and making stealth more challenging by having protagonist Naoe generate noise even while crouching. Enemy AI becomes "smarter, faster, and more aggressive," while combat resources like adrenaline and rations become scarcer. Critical Role collaboration brings new ally The update introduces Rufino, voiced by Critical Role's Robbie Daymond, as part of a new free story quest called "A Critical Encounter." Players can recruit this character after completing a storyline involving a shadowy conspiracy targeting influential commoners. The collaboration extends to a purchasable Critical Role Weapon Pack featuring themed gear for both main characters. Additional improvements include the long-requested ability to display headgear during cutscenes, expanded regional alert systems that trigger guardian pursuits across provinces, and new "Ultra Low" visual settings for PC players with limited hardware. The update also delivers over two dozen bug fixes addressing gameplay, quest progression, and visual issues that have affected players since the game's March 2025 launch. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Mint
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
How data analytics has transformed cricket
I've never been much of a sports viewer, but headlines have always been my hook. So, while the records Sri Lankan bowler Muttiah Muralitharan set in the 1990s and 2000s meant little to me, I was absorbed by the news reports of the three rounds of biomechanical testing he underwent to prove that his 'doosra' wasn't bending the rules. I still have no idea how many wickets he took, but I do remember that the machine took 250 photos per second and provided a 3D rendering of his bowling action. It seemed so cutting-edge, so unprecedented, so automated a way to measure what I'd always thought was a matter of personal skill and achievement. It was among the early demonstrations of data analysis in sports, and I, for one, had never seen anything like it. Now of course, we all have all sorts of trackers strapped to our wrists to tell us how much energy we've expended walking to the fridge for a snack. Naturally, then, for professional athletes, data gathering is at a whole other level with tracking software and machine learning transforming the game. Data analysts are now integral to sports teams, generating statistical breakdowns to explain ball speeds, angles of delivery and each player's strengths and weaknesses. Coaches don't just impart wisdom and technique, they optimise play based on these analyses. We take a deep dive into the world of cricket analytics, which has not only changed the way athletes perform but also how teams are picked, and the ways fans watch the sport. We don't just support a home team or fall in love with a player's form and grace anymore; we pick and choose depending on projections that give the likelihood of success. Even in fantasy leagues, it's data that's the MVP. The print issue of Mint Lounge dated 31 May 2025, which takes a deep dive into the world of cricket analytics. Look around you—a small doll with a mischievous smile might be strapped to a bag. They're called labubus and are trending world over. Even mobile phones are getting more personality thanks to anime-inspired charm bracelets and covers. Fashion is tapping into 'toycore"—the marriage of fashion and cuddlies. Pooja Singh unpacks the somewhat bizarre toycore trend that is a throwback to a lost childhood. The Assassin's Creed franchise is among the world's most popular games, giving players the experience of an open world, close links to actual historical events, and a narration that connects the protagonists of each game. Now, Assassin's Creed Shadows takes all these elements to give fans a setting that many had demanded—medieval Japan. Shouvik Das dives into the immersive world of Assassin's Creed Shadows, where players navigate a beautifully crafted medieval Japan and lose themselves in the intricate storyline. The drying of mahua flowers and the liquor-making process that follows is an age-old practice in Madhya Pradesh, but there's more to this indigenous flower than spirits. The juice can be turned into flavourful syrups and pulps that make great replacements for maple syrup, white sugar and other imported or processed sweeteners. Pastry chef Bani Nanda travelled in Madhya Pradesh to learn all about 'mahua', and she writes about the process of creating liquor and syrup and the ideas it sparked for new pastries and cakes. Back in Delhi, she experimented with the dried mahua flowers, mahua liquor and mahua syrup she brought back to create a beautiful entremet with mahua syrup sponge, chironji praline, salted caramel and mahua ganache. Microsoft laid off about 6,000 employees earlier this month; the US government has fired more than 600,000 staff this year. Most forecasts indicate lay-offs will continue, with greater incursion of AI into spheres that were dependent on human skills. This has an outsized impact on the morale of professionals, who left high and dry, or teetering on the edge, vulnerable to being fired any day. Being laid off is, needless to say, tragic, but it's also hard for those who have to do the dirty job of firing people. The middle managers and human resources executives who have to be the bearers of bad news become collateral damage in the process, writes Somak Ghoshal, while offering some suggestions about delivering bad news with grace and empathy. Fans of Lego, the popular building sets, travel the world in search of new sets and unusual pieces—but the Danish toy company has finally opened a store in India, in Gurugram. Spanning 4,500 square feet, it is the brand's largest store in South Asia and has everything from the Friends and Icons to the Technic and the Botanicals collections as well as fully built sets on display and play tables, and other popular features for adult fans of Lego. The store seems all set to become a place for fans of the popular building sets to congregate, build, and create a community, writes Tushar Kanwar, a lifelong Lego fan who has got his young daughter hooked to the toys.
Mint
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Assassin's Creed Shadows review: Vast and beautiful, with a story mode
Among all of the world's most popular games, Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed franchise is one of the most recognizable names globally. By itself, the lore created by this 18-year-old game series has been a landmark experience in gaming—giving players the experience of an open world that can be explored freely, close links to actual historical events in its storyline, and a narration that connects the protagonists of each game with multiple previous ones. Now, Assassin's Creed Shadows takes all of these elements to give fans of its franchise a setting that many forums had demanded for years—medieval Japan. Straight off the bat, Assassin's Creed Shadows does a fantastic job of recreating Japan in the late-1570s. This is not just because of the visuals, which are undoubtedly poignant, realistic and befitting of the game's set-up—the design of the terrain's layout, including the hideouts and the strategically placed side quests alongside the 22 main mission levels, actually makes Assassin's Creed Shadows a title that gamers can continue to explore well beyond finishing the main storyline. For those without prior context: this is the 14th game in the 18-year history of Ubisoft making Assassin's Creed. The plot is simple: players don the shields and armours of a fictional member of the ancient Order of the Assassins—dropped in the game within real historical context and events. The goal is largely to defeat an opposing faction—for the most part, the Knights Templar that sought to establish order in medieval and ancient societies with an iron fist. But through this journey, the game has evolved to offer historical clues for players, including links and tributes to older games within the main game itself. Also read: Inside India's first Lego store in Gurugram Assassin's Creed Shadows, too, has the same spirit. You play either as Yasuke, a former imprisoned slave, or Naoe—the daughter of master assassin Tsuyu and Nagato, a leading member of the resistance faction Iga ikki. Both the characters have their strengths and limitations—Yasuke is a humongous force of nature, capable of breaking down doors with sprints and going on a rampage as enemy numbers escalate. Naoe, meanwhile, is ideal for stealth and swift assassinations—throughout the game, you'd often find Naoe's nimble-footed approach to be ideal. As you set off in the game, you realize that the storylines and character developments have still remained one of Ubisoft's biggest strengths, making Assassin's Creed Shadows stand on the same podium as some of the world's best third-person role-playing narrative-driven games—such as The Witcher, The Last of Us, Uncharted and Control. You get absorbed with Naoe's predicament, and you find Yasuke's journey a fulfilling one as you progress through the game. It's important to note here that as you progress in the game, choosing the normal and expert difficulty settings will need you to invest heavily in upgrading your gear, attire and weaponry. If you're not a hardcore gamer and would rather enjoy the game's story, there is a 'story' mode where the combat is toned down to the bare minimum, with protagonists barely ever taking a hit. What's interesting is that even in the story mode, Ubisoft has ensured that players stay immersed enough in tactical movement and swift combat to get the most of the ideal experience of Assassin's Creed Shadows. But, the presence of such a mode increases the appeal for such a game with those who do not want to go into extreme levels of combat. Back to the story, though, and about halfway through the game, you realize just how massive the world of Shadows really is. For the average casual gamer playing about two hours a day, it took almost a full month to finish the main story levels of Assassin's Creed Shadows. With side quests and additionally discoverable regions to explore, it can easily take up to three months to really straddle the full expanse of the game. As you go through the game, you can't help but feel that the exchange of dialogues and the narrative stretches on for a bit too long. While most combats are nearly ideal, some design elements interfere with the smoothness of the gameplay—in certain battles for instance, Yasuke's weight and armour levels just do not come through. Such glitches can become increasingly frustrating, especially since after a point, you tend to feel that even the story is rather loose, and should have been much crisper to let the game's open world shine through more. The present-day binding narrative, which plays right at the onset to set you up for the game, also feels rather forced—surely, there could've been a better way to establish context and history to the assassin's journey. That said, Assassin's Creed Shadows put forth a glorious insight into just how fun this game series always was, and in many ways, continues to be. It may come across as tedious, and those who are not good at combat-and-stealth gameplay may even struggle to finish it or continue beyond a point. But, perseverance lets you discover various parts of medieval Japan where the sights are gorgeous, and getting to the top of the pole still gives you the 'master of the world' appeal that has remained intact since the very first of this series. Is it worth playing, then? Definitely. Assassin's Creed Shadows' biggest 'fault' per se is in just how big the game is—and that's not necessarily bad for those at whom the game is aimed at. Is it the best that the series has offered to date? Based on pure visuals, some would certainly say so. Played on: Xbox Series S; Price: ₹4999 onward; Developer and publisher: Ubisoft. Also read: Computex 2025: All things AI to come from the annual computer show
