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On Demand Reviews – 2021

Category: Gaming

Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Lower: The whole lot new on Iki Island

Nifty Nev
Gaming, Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut, PlayStation 5, PS5, Sucker Punch |

Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut took the 2020 game we fell in love with and revamped it for the PlayStation 5. If the Last of Us 2 didn’t exist, Ghost of Tsushima would have arguably taken home every award at the 2020 game awards, including Game of the Year. We’ll likely see the same results with 2021’s nominees. But, with such positive fan feedback, the team at Sucker Punch knew they had to deliver on something special. With plenty to unpack, let’s talk about everything new on Iki Island in Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut.
Warning: Minor spoilers ahead! We won’t be giving away any character-building or story progression spoilers in this article. We’ve only mentioned new abilities to unlock, enemies you’ll fight, and collectibles you’ll find on Iki Island.

Tales of Iki Island

Again, we won’t be giving away any spoilers for the story itself. However, the Iki Island expansion dives deep into Jin’s past as we learn more about the relationship between Jin and his father, Kazumasa. The Eagle has sunk her talons into Iki Island by way of a hallucinogenic poison. Once she’s taken control of Iki, she’ll set her sights on Tsushima. If Jin’s already defeated the Khan, he’ll see the Eagle as the next threat to his home. If not, he’ll know he can’t win a war on two fronts.
Before players leave for Iki Island, Jin makes it clear that the Sakai name is not welcome there. He’ll have to cover his insignias if wearing the Sakai Clan armor and must not speak his true name to residents of Iki. From now on, our protagonist is known as Jin from Yarikawa. As the story unfolds, you’ll learn why the Sakai clan is not welcome on Iki Island.
Other than the main quest, Iki has plenty of side quests and rumors for players to tackle. There are, however, no long tales such as Sensei Ishikawa or Lady Masako’s storylines.
New techniques
Jin was already the deadliest man on Tsushima. Now with a few new techniques at his disposal, he’s about to become the most lethal man on Iki Island. Funny enough, it’s Jin’s horse that’ll be learning these new moves.
As far as our Samurai hero is concerned, Jin can learn two new exploration techniques to help him find new locations on Iki island. The Wind of Harmony will guide Jin to Animal Sanctuaries around Iki. The Wind of Concentration will show him the way to Archery Challenges. We’ll get into both of these new editions later on.
Horse abilities and upgrades

Jin’s horse will learn Horse Charge shortly after arriving on Iki. If you’ve got a handful of technique points leftover from your previous adventures on Tsushima, you can upgrade Horse Charge to its full potential. You’ll find Horse Charge upgrades under the Ghost Techniques tab. So, what is Horse Charge?
While riding your horse, press L1 to trigger Horse Charge. Jin’s horse will stampede toward a group of enemies and trample any that get in its way. Horse Charge is a great way to take out those roaming bands of Mongols and build up Jin’s Ghost Stance along the way. Hop off, trigger Ghost Stance, and clean up any Mongols that aren’t already covered in hoof prints.
To further improve your Horse Charge, you can equip Horse Armor, specifically the Sakai Horse Armor. Unlock this by completing The Legacy of Kazumasa Sakai, a brand-new mythic tale unique to Iki Island.
Finally, Jin can unlock Saddle Bags for his horse, which will hold reserve ammo when Jin maxes out his carry capacity. For example, if Jin is holding the maximum amount of arrows possible, any additional arrows he picks up will transfer to his horse. If you’ve played Red Dead Redemption 2, you’ll understand how this works in a way. Of course, your saddlebags can only hold so much, but Jin can transfer ammo to himself by approaching his horse and pressing Left on the D-Pad. It’s a great way to re-up on ammo before taking down a Mongol stronghold.
New Mythic Tales
Mythic Tales are one of the coolest features in Ghost of Tsushima. The Director’s Cut adds two brand-new Mythic Tales to Iki Island: The Legacy of Kazumasa Sakai and The Legend of Black Hand Riku. Of the two, The Legacy of Kazumasa Sakai is worth doing first, as you’ll unlock the Sakai Clan Horse Armor for your mount. However, Black Hand Riku will net players a new set of armor.
Sakai Banners
Scattered around Iki Island are Sakai Banners that work similarly to the Sashimono Banners on Tsushima. However, Jin can use the Guiding Wind to take him from banner to banner while on Iki Island. Collecting them will unlock new dye for your horse armor. Believe us when we say that these dyes are some of the coolest cosmetics in the game.
Hot Springs, Bamboo Strikes, and Shinto Shrines
Upgrade your health and resolve even further by finding new Hot Springs and Bamboo Strikes on Iki Island. Yes, everyone’s favorite golden bird flew to Iki to guide players to these locations. They can also set the Guiding Wind to take them there if they’ve unlocked the appropriate exploration techniques.
There is one new Shinto Shrine on Iki Island located off the southeast coast, on a small island called Nakajima Island. There, you’ll also find a Sakai Clan Banner, plenty of supplies, and Mashira’s Bite, an awesome-looking sword kit. There are no Inari Shrines on Iki Island, though. Fox dens, apparently, are native to Tsushima.
Progressive charms

Progressive is the only way we can describe four new charms added to Iki Island. The first time you encounter an Animal Sanctuary, be it monkey, deer, or cat, you’ll unlock a charm specific to that sanctuary. Upon your first Archery Challenge, you’ll unlock the Charm of Concentration. Each subsequent discovery and completion will upgrade those charms. Let’s go into more detail.
Archery Challenges
There are eight Archery Challenges scattered all over Iki. You can use the Wind of Concentration to find them all, but don’t get stuck on them. Upon discovering the first challenge, you’ll unlock the Charm of Concentration. This minor charm gradually increases your concentration by one-tenth of a second as you gain upgrade points toward it. Accumulate points by completing all three Archery Challenge time milestones. Hitting all seven targets in seven seconds is no easy task without the right gear and charms for the job.
Animal Sanctuaries
There are three types of Animal Sanctuaries on Iki Island: Deer, monkey, and cat. Each type has three of its own sanctuaries for players to find and complete. However, each sanctuary plays the same way. Jin will sit with his flue and play a tune from his childhood to calm and lure the animal. You’ll physically move your controller up and down, following the song track. The only way we can describe it is Ghost of Flute Hero without the buttons.
Deer Sanctuaries unlock and upgrade the Charm of Subaru’s Might, a Ranged Charm that locks onto an enemy’s head after aiming your bow for 3.5 seconds. The time decreases as you complete Deer Sanctuaries and upgrade the charm.
Monkey Sanctuaries unlock and upgrade the Charm of Mashira’s Protection, a Defense Charm that extends your perfect parry window for six seconds every time you heal. However, healing now costs two Resolve. Upgrading it will increase the time duration.
Cat Sanctuaries unlock and upgrade the Charm of Nekoma’s Hunt, a Stealth Charm that allows you to throw a Kunai at a target 15 meters away during a Chain Assassination. Upgrading this charm will increase the distance at which a Kunai can be thrown.
New enemies
There are several new enemies that Jin will encounter on Iki island. While the mechanics you’ve learned thus far will help you deal with these enemies, it’s how you implement those mechanics that increase your chance of survival.
Shamans are the first new enemy that Jin will encounter. They are The Eagle’s spiritual lieutenants and cause other enemies to attack relentlessly. While under a Shaman’s spell, enemies will attack Jin on all fronts instead of one or two at a time. They are harder to stagger and don’t ever let up on the attack. Therefore, Jin should prioritize Shamans whenever he hears one chanting. Thankfully, killing them is not that hard.
Shamans are technically spear-wielding enemies and thus weak to Wind Stance. Approach one and hold Triangle to launch a Typhoon Kick. Then, roll toward the Shaman and press Square to kill them while they’re still on the ground. The kill window is pretty big, so don’t worry if they look like they’re about to get up. If you’re having trouble locating the Shaman, enter focus by pressing the trackpad. You’ll hear the Shamans chanting above everything else and be able to pinpoint their location.
Multi-weapon enemies are new to Iki Island and will put your stance-switching skills to the test. You’ll need Wind and Water Stance unlocked to fight these guys, as they’ll switch between swords, shields, and spears. Pay attention to which weapon they’re using, and switch to the necessary stance. Thankfully, multi-stance Brutes don’t exist.
Spear Brutes, though, are how Iki Island has taken the game’s biggest enemies and made them deadlier. Wielding a double-ended, spear-like Darth Maul, these Brutes pack a serious punch and are near impossible to perfectly dodge away from. Switch to Moon Stance, and kick them in the face until you break their guard. Their attack can be interrupted with a well-placed kick, too.
Replay missions/duels

Duels in Ghost of Tsushima are the best fights in the game. Boss battles are both cinematically pleasing and hard enough to make you want to pull your hair out. In Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut, you can replay all the duels you’ve previously beaten. When you go to replay a duel, you’re told that it offers a “uniquely challenging experience.” So what does that mean?
Well, it just makes the duel harder than it was originally. Your opponent deals more damage, and they take more damage.
Other than duels, you can replay Mongol strongholds. Again, you’re prompted with the same message and are given a new set of bonus challenges than before.
The Hidden Cove Tournament
Shortly after completing the first few Tales of Iki, you’ll unlock the Hidden Cove Tournament. Here, Jin will face off against four unique opponents with Bokken Sticks, Japanese wooden swords used for training. Each opponent fights with a different combat style and will throw different moves at Jin that he’ll have to parry or dodge away from. There is no penalty for losing, but you do have to defeat the first three opponents before facing the fourth and final enemy.
However, upon beating the fourth opponent, he’ll become available as a vendor known as the Crimson Dye Merchant.
The Crimson Dye Merchant
Your recently bested opponent will offer one item free of charge from his shop. He has a unique inventory of Sword Kits, Armor Dyes, hats, and masks available with his patented crimson color. Choose your free gift wisely. Everything else will cost you those hard-earned flowers.

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Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Reduce: The best way to beat Archery Challenges

Nifty Nev
Gaming, Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut, How To, PlayStation 5, PS5, Sucker Punch |

Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut comes with a sake cart full of new content. Players will venture to Iki Island, where they’ll dive deeper into the backstory of clan Sakai. They’ll also gain access to several new abilities, mechanics, and challenges that will grow their legend further than the Ghost could have imagined. Archery Challenges are a new edition that has players testing their skills. Spread across Iki Island, these challenges are far more than aiming and shooting. Here’s how to beat Archery Challenges in Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut.

What are Archery Challenges?

There are eight Archery Challenges spread out across Iki Island. After completing the first challenge, you’ll unlock the Charm of Concentration, a minor Ranged Charm. The Charm of Concentration gradually increases your concentration as you level it up. Concentration is Jin’s ability to slow time and make well-placed headshots.
At each Archery Challenge, Jin will be faced with a set of red lanterns placed at different distances in front of him. He’ll have three timed milestones to beat, which you can think of as bronze, silver, and gold. Each “medal” will earn you points towards your Charm of Concentration.

Bronze: 22 seconds = 1 point
Silver: 15 seconds = 2 points
Gold: 7 seconds or less = 3 points

Sounds easy, right? Well, it’s not. Most players should be able to shoot the targets in under 15 seconds after a few tries. However, doing it in seven seconds is impossible without the right gear and settings. Even then, you’ll have to prove you’re better than Sensei Ishikawa and the legendary Tadayori himself. Here are all the best tips and tricks we can think of to win Archery Challenges in Ghost of Tsushima Directors Cut.
Unlock Tadayori’s Armor

First and foremost, you’ll need to head back to Tsushima Island and complete The Legend of Tadayori, a mythic tale available in Act I of the main story. Jin will learn the tale of a legendary archer who singlehandedly defended Azamo Bay while wearing a suit of armor blessed by the Kami. Like every other Mythic Tale, it’s a great story, and we won’t spoil it any further. However, reading ahead will spoil the end reward and what it does.
Upon completion, you’ll unlock Tadayori’s Armor, which boosts your Archery skills, particularly nock speed, reload speed, and concentration. Fully upgraded, Tadayori’s armor will increase your nock and reload speed by 30% and your concentration by two seconds. It’ll also restore 50% of the concentration meter whenever you land a headshot. However, that’s not important when it comes to Archery Challenges on Iki Island. You’ll want to upgrade Tadayori’s Armor to level three for the best results. However, it can be done with level two. Tadayori’s Armor also makes for some great archery shots in Photo Mode.
Unlock the Charm of Efficiency
Next, you’ll need to complete The Sensei and the Student, the second tale in Sensei Ishikawa’s storyline. Upon competition, you’ll unlock the Charm of Efficiency, a minor ranged charm that boosts your nock and reload speed by 15%. Combine this charm with Tadayori’s armor for a 45% boost to nock and reload speed.
Level up Charm of Concentration
Without all the luck in Tsushima on your side, you will not be achieving gold on Iki Island Archery Challenges off the bat, even with all the buffs Tadayori’s armor has to offer. Go around and level up your Charm of Concentration as much as possible by achieving silver on all eight challenges. Then, head back and use your buffed concentration time to go for gold.
Turn on aim assist and target lock

Yes, these exist, and you’ll be kicking yourself for not knowing about them. Aim assist will lock onto targets when you aim near them, and target lock allows you to cycle through targets while aiming.
To turn on aim assist: Pause > Options > Accessibility > Aim Assist > Toggle On
To turn on target lock: Pause > Options > Gameplay > Target Lock > Toggle On or Swap on Defeat
Aim assist is self-explanatory and makes Jin’s life 1,000% easier when it comes to archery. (It even works in Legends mode). To use target lock, press Up on the D-Pad to cycle between targets. If you toggle Swap on Defeat, you’ll automatically switch targets when the first one dies. For the sake of Archery Challenges, it’s best to do it manually. With aim assist on, Jin will compensate for arrow drop as long as you draw the bow all the way back. Switch targets as soon as you let go of the arrow to save precious time.
Even with both of these on, it’s still not guaranteed that you’ll switch between targets flawlessly. Sometimes, targets are too far apart, and you’ll have to aim near them again to lock on. However, once you start shooting at a cluster of targets, the target lock kicks in.
Pre-aim the right- or left-most target
With aim assist and target lock on, pre-aim the left- or right-most target while the timer counts down. As soon as it says “Go!” fire your arrow. You can even try jumping the metaphorical gun to save time. The worst that can happen for shooting too early is having to restart the challenge.
It also helps to practice how far back you must draw your bow to hit each target. If the target is closer, you may only have to draw the bow partially. Memorizing which targets need full draws will save you valuable time.
Use your Concentration ability
Even with all the right gear and aim assist, you still can’t shoot and swap between every target in seven seconds. You have to exhaust your concentration meter, and even then, you’ll find yourself hitting 7.3 or 7.1 seconds. Knowing when to use your concentration meter is key.
Shoot the first two targets without concentration. Then, trigger concentration by clicking R3 and shoot as many more targets as you can before it runs out. Once it runs out, shoot any remaining targets.
How to find Archery Challenges

Other than stumbling upon them naturally, Jin can use the Guiding Wind to bring him to the nearest undiscovered Archery Challenge on Iki Island. This new feature can be unlocked once you’ve made it to Iki Island. Under the Techniques tab, scroll down to Exploration, and unlock the Wind of Concentration ability. Make sure you have a technique point to spare.
Once unlocked, scroll back to the Map tab and press Right on the D-Pad to set a new Guiding Wind target. Select Wind of Concentration, call your horse, and head off on your Archery Challenge adventure in Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut.
We also have a separate guide on where to find every Archery Challenge on Iki Island.

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ESO newbie’s information: How one can get began in The Elder Scrolls On-line

Nifty Nev
ESO, Gaming, How To, mmorpg, RPG, The Elder Scrolls Online |

Despite offering hundreds of hours of content to explore, The Elder Scrolls Online is surprisingly easy to jump into. Skyrim fans, in particular, will have an accelerated learning curve to conquer, with many similarities between its single-player world and that of the MMORPG.
However, just because it’s newcomer-friendly doesn’t mean The Elder Scrolls Online is a simplistic game — in fact, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Between a unique combat system, deep crafting mechanics, multiple PvP and PvE options, and hundreds of quests, there’s a lot to wrap your head around.
If you’re looking to make the most of your first few months with The Elder Scrolls Online, here are some beginner tips and tricks to get you on the right track.
Further reading

Pick the right class

Before you can do anything else, your first task is creating a character. Thankfully, all available classes are viable options for first-time players — better yet, every weapon in the game is usable by every class, so you don’t need to worry about getting locked out of certain playstyles.
With that being said, each class offers its own unique set of abilities, and you’ll want to look at each one carefully before proceeding. ESO classes include Necromancers, Wardens, Dragonknights, Sorcerers, Nightblades, and Templars.
Once you’ve picked a class, you’re then free to level up nearly every skill in the game. Want to be a Sorcerer that uses a Greatsword? Just equip one and start slaying foes. Or perhaps you’d rather be a Heavy Armor wielding Archer — whatever you want to be, ESO gives you the freedom to craft your character however you see fit. You can also take advantage of the Skill Advisor system, which will recommend skills based on your preferred playstyle.
Learn ESO’s combat system

Combat in The Elder Scrolls Online will be familiar to anyone who has played Skyrim, although it comes with a few big twists. Namely, you’ll need to learn a technique called Weaving and understand how to toggle between weapon sets while watching cooldowns for DoTs and AoE attacks. Here’s a basic overview of what you need to know:

Light attacks: Basic attacks that deal low damage.
Heavy attacks: Deals big damage and can sometimes interrupt enemy attacks.
Skills: Unlike Skyrim, you’ll have a sizeable Skill Bar at the bottom of the screen for special attacks. From invisibility and dash attacks to arrow storms and explosive spells, this is where you’ll deal the most damage to your enemies.
Weaving: One of the best ways to increase your DPS is through Light Attack Weaving. This means you’ll want to mix a basic Light Attack in after every skill you use. Not only does this help conserve your Stamina and Magicka, but if done properly, it will speed up your attacks. There’s a lot more to it than that, but simply mixing up your attack pattern is a great place to start.
Dodging: You can avoid incoming attacks by rolling, although it’ll drain a bit of Stamina. Useful to avoid deadly AoE attacks or incoming projectiles.
Blocking: Absorb incoming attacks and reduce their damage.
Bash: Perform a Light Attack while Blocking to Bash your opponents and interrupt certain abilities.

Take your time to master these skills before moving on to more difficult content. The basics are surprisingly easy to grasp, but it’ll take a bit of time before you figure out the best way to rotate through all your abilities. If you need more guidance, you can check out this official Combat Guide from ZeniMax Online Studios.
Finish the main quests
One of the first tasks you should work toward is completing the main story. Not only will this grant you a bunch of experience, but it’ll introduce you to many of the places and faces you’ll see throughout the world of Tamriel. It’s also one of the more engaging questlines you’ll come across in the MMO genre — and it’s definitely worthy of your time.
Join the Fighters and Mages Guild
If you need to take a break from saving the world, head off into your local town, and join both the Mages and Fighters Guild. You’ll be able to join regardless of which class you choose, and they’re a welcome diversion from all the stress of being the Vestige — they’re also a great source of experience in the early game and will open up new skill lines for your perusal.
Dive into Dungeons

With the basics of combat behind you — and plenty of questing under your belt — you’re ready for your first real bit of cooperative action. The Elder Scrolls Online provides you with a robust Group Finder that’ll pair you up with three other adventurers before sending you off into one of its many Dungeons — instanced zones that see you facing off against hundreds of enemies and defeating a final boss.
The best part of Dungeons? They offer bonus experience for the first Random Dungeon of the day. At the very least, you should try to take advantage of this massive source of XP. If you happen to have an Experience Scroll — which is often passed out as daily login rewards — make sure you have it activated before diving into the Dungeon to watch your level skyrocket after completing the activity.
Outside of Dungeons, you’ll find a wealth of PvE opportunities scattered about Tamriel, including Dark Anchors, World Bosses, Trials, Arenas, and more. Feel free to dive into these at your own pace, as they have a lot to offer you in terms of experience and rewards, but with so much ground to cover, don’t feel bad putting these off until you’re a higher level.
Try your hand at Battlegrounds
No good MMORPG is complete without its fair share of PvP, and The Elder Scrolls Online has enough depth to its competitive multiplayer offerings to keep you engaged for years. Cyrodiil might be the most tempting — featuring a massive open-world and 200 player battles — but you’ll first want to dip your toes into Battlegrounds. These are small-scale conflicts that pit three teams of four against each other in a variety of matches, including twists on Capture the Flag, Deathmatch, and Territory Control.
Just like Dungeons, Battlegrounds offer bonus XP for your first match of the day. You’ll need to place first or second to earn the bonus, so pair up with a few of your friends, get a game plan together, and prepare to reap the massive XP rewards. If you don’t have a consistent group of friends online, fear not — Battlegrounds uses the same Group Finder as Dungeons to make sure you can always find a match.
Unlock Continuous Attack for faster movement

There are very few skills in The Elder Scrolls Online that are universally beneficial. With dozens of skill lines and a multitude of playstyles, each character should be specialized as you see fit. However, every character in ESO can benefit from Continuous Assault — a passive skill that grants Major Gallop and increases your Mount Speed by a staggering 30%.
To unlock Major Gallop, you’ll need to first unlock the Assault line by heading into a Cyrodiil campaign through your Menu screen. Start the basic training exercises until the Assault Skill Line is unlocked, and spend one Skill Point to learn Continuous Attack.
Not only will this come in handy during end-game PvP, but anyone doing a bit of questing will quickly appreciate the speed boost. Beyond that one skill, feel free to spec out your character as you see fit.
Begin your crafting career
By now, you’ve probably spent most of your time in Tamriel hacking away at Daedra, roaming the vast open world, or engaging in PvP combat. But much like Skyrim, there’s more to The Elder Scrolls Online than just combat — and one of the first non-combat endeavors you’ll want to undertake is crafting.
Whether you’re looking to craft jewelry, heavy armor, swords, or staves, crafting is a massive part of the ESO experience. The basics are rather straightforward — gather materials in the wild or break down unwanted gear to earn components, then forge these into a new item — and the game does a great job of walking you through the basics.
In fact, many players spend the majority of their time crafting and completing writs instead of dungeon diving — so make sure you take a few hours to explore everything it has to offer.
Upgrade your horse every day

The Elder Scrolls Online takes a unique approach to upgrading your mounts. Instead of buying faster or stronger ones from Stablemasters, you’ll instead upgrade all your mounts at once. Every 20 hours, you can head over to a stable and increase one of three stats:

Speed: Impacts mount’s top speed.
Stamina: Impacts how much damage a mount can take before you fall off.
Carrying Capacity: Adds inventory slots for your horse, extending your available storage.

Each of these can be upgraded to 60% of its base value, and it’s in your best interest to upgrade one every day. Since you can only perform a single upgrade every 20 hours, you’re looking at well over 100 days of waiting before all three are fully upgraded.
Keep in mind that mounts from the Crown Store — that is, the premium currency marketplace — might look fancy, but they don’t confer any in-game benefits. They’re beholden to the same Speed, Stamina, and Carrying Capacity stats as the rest of your stable, so don’t worry about other players getting the upper hand by throwing down real cash.
Champion Points are just the beginning

Hitting the max level of 50 is just the beginning of your ESO experience. Leveling beyond that will grant you Champion Points (CP), which can be used to level up a variety of passive abilities with a newly unlocked Constellations menu — similar to what you’ve seen in Skyrim. Stamina, Health, and Magicka can all be further improved with CP and quickly become a powerful way to specialize your build.
However, Champion Points are just one aspect of The Elder Scrolls Online‘s end-game. By the time you reach this level, you’ve likely completed the main quest — which means other Alliance stories are now open to you. You’ll also be able to take part in Veteran Dungeons and Veteran Battlegrounds — challenging new takes on older content.
Then there’s the previously mentioned Cyrodiil, Trials, Dark Anchors, and Arenas. You’ll also want to join a Guild to tackle some of the most difficult PvE and PvP content in the game. If you’d rather hang your hat and give up the life of an adventurer, you can purchase and customize dozens of homes across Tamriel or spend all your money acquiring fancy crafting recipes and selling your creations to other players.
Explore Tamriel at your own pace
No matter how you cut it, there’s a lot of ground to cover in The Elder Scrolls Online. Having been on the market for several years now, thousands of hours’ worth of content is scattered throughout its world. Take your time, tackle quests and activities that pique your interest, and slowly work your way toward level 50. This beginner’s guide is only scratching the surface of what’s available to you, but it should give you a productive way to spend your first dozen hours with the game and set you off in the right direction.

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This 1080p gaming monitor deal at Dell will prevent $200

Nifty Nev
25-inch Dell S2522HG Gaming Monitor, Deals, Dell 2021, Gaming, gaming deals, Gaming Monitor deals |

Gamers, take your marks — this can be the best time of year to equip yourself with these gaming monitor deals, desktop monitor deals, and gaming PC deals. These gaming deals have everything you need to dominate, and right now, at Dell, you can score $200 off this 25-inch Dell 25 S2522HG Gaming Monitor. It’s down to $250, a massive drop from its regular price of $450. The right monitor will make you a player no matter what the game, so don’t miss out on this deal today!

The right gaming monitor can immerse you in your games like nothing else, but the 25-inch Dell S2522HG offers way more. Yes, the visuals are absolutely fantastic. The 25-inch screen with 1920 x 1080 resolution gives you the clearest images and sharpest details. Meanwhile, the ultra-thin bezels on three sides reinforce the expansiveness of the display. And with a refresh rate of 240Hz, you’ll never miss a thing, as it quickly renders fast-moving visuals. Plus, you’ll never have to worry about motion because of this gaming monitor’s 1ms gray-to-gray response time.
In fact, this monitor will give you the smoothest, liveliest, most uninterrupted gaming experience. You’ll avoid distortions, like stuttering and screen tearing, because it supports both Nvidia’s G-SYNC and AMD’s FreeSync. There’s also a downlighting feature that illuminates your keyboard and mouse in lower-light environments. And to ensure your comfort as well as your overall dominance, they’ve equipped this monitor with a fully adjustable stand so that you can find the best angles — whether it’s for some chilled-out gaming or to put you in the middle of the action.
But this monitor is about so much more than just visuals. Serious gamers will love the extra features on this monitor, like its ambient lighting. Meanwhile, specially designed vents on the back of the monitor disperse heat, keeping you and your monitor cool and collected. Brightness is controlled used a direct current so that on-screen flickering is minimized, and ComfortView software will reduce blue light emissions, keeping eye fatigue at bay and making sure you stay alert and at the head of the pack during even the longest gaming sessions. How cool is that?

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Dominate the competition with the gear available in our gaming deals roundup below.

We strive to help our readers find the best deals on quality products and services, and we choose what we cover carefully and independently. The prices, details, and availability of the products and deals in this post may be subject to change at anytime. Be sure to check that they are still in effect before making a purchase.Digital Trends may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers.

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Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Reduce: Tips on how to unlock Sarugami Armor

Nifty Nev
Gaming, Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut, How To, PlayStation 5, PS5, Sucker Punch |

Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut made sure to include new Mythic Tales. Arguably one of the most interesting parts of the base game, Mythic Tales tell stories of Japanese folklore, sending Jin on epic quests to unlock legendary items. Gosaku’s Armor and Tadayori’s Armor are just two of many examples. New to Iki Island is the Sarugami Armor and The Legend of Black Hand Riku. Here’s how to unlock the Sarugami Armor in Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut.

The Tale of Black Hand Riku

Upon arriving on Iki Island, you’ll be free to travel anywhere you’d like. Unlike areas of Tsushima that were locked by story progression, Iki Island is wide open. However, we suggest completing the main tale called Jin from Yarikawa before embarking on Mythic Tales.
Open your Journal, tab down to Mythic Tales, and track The Legend of Black Hand Riku. Follow the Guiding Wind to the storyteller, and listen to the story of Black Hand Riku, a ruthless pirate who was overthrown by his crew. Thankfully, his cursed Sarugami armor saved his life, but the mutiny left him blind. The captain had to rely on his pet monkey to guide him to safety. Riku is starting to sound a lot like Captain Barbossa from Pirates of the Caribbean.
Jin’s journey will take him to the base of Thunderhead Cliffs and down into a dark cave on the northeast coast of Iki Island. While exploring the cave, you’ll find plenty of flaming arrows and unlit braziers. Shoot the braziers to light the path and explore the cave. You’ll pick up notes along the way, presumably written by Riku himself. The notes tell of a man who’s become one with darkness, obsessing over the treasures he’s collected. Out with Captain Barbosa, in with Gollum from The Lord of the Rings.
How to beat Black Hand Riku
Jin finally comes face to face with Riku himself, claiming to have been “reborn in the darkness.” Out with Gollum, and in with Bane, we guess. Either way, Riku uses the same moves you’ve grown accustomed to in boss fights. Like most duels, you’ll be using Stone Stance to fight. Parry blue attacks and dodge away from red ones.
Be careful when you lock swords with Riku. He’ll follow up with a quick attack that can be parried if you know it’s coming. Also, look out for a whirlwind attack, and dodge backward to get out of range.
Sarugami armor stats

Once defeated, Jin will claim Riku’s armor for himself. Its description reads, “Imbued with the power of a fearsome monkey spirit, pushing its owner to embrace risk and danger.” The description is an excellent nod to what the Sarugami armor does.
While wearing the Sarugami armor set, your regular parry is disabled, but your perfect parry becomes a chain of three attacks. The Sarugami armor, in a sense, buffs your perfect parries with the Heavenly Strike ability. Perfect dodges also damage nearby enemies. You’ll see a significant increase in your resolve gains, and your perfect parry/dodge window is broader.
Upgrading the Sarugami armor to level four increases resolve gains by a massive amount. It also broadens the perfect parry/dodge window even more and blinds enemies upon perfect dodges instead of damaging them.
So is the Sarugami worth it? Yes, but only if you level it up all the way. Furthermore, you have to be a skilled player to take advantage of it. Otherwise, you’re handicapping yourself. You’ll see how much you rely on normal parries once they’re stripped away from you. However, upgrading the Sarugami armor and opening that window a little more makes it easier to use.
What to pair with Sarugami Armor
Charm-wise, you’ll want to equip any charms that further increase your perfect parry window, overall defense, and resolve gains. Here are some good ones to use:

The Charm of Amaterasu: Killing enemies restores a moderate amount of health.
The Charm of Mashira’s Protection: When you heel, your perfect parry and dodge windows are extended for a limited time. Active for six seconds. (This charm is unique to Iki Island and can be upgraded by finding and completing Monkey Sanctuaries.)
The Charm of Broken Barriers: Breaking and enemies defense grants 15% of resolve.
The Charm of Unyielding II: Majorly reduces damage taken while at 50% health or less.
Hachiman’s Favor: Killing enemies restores a minor amount of health.

Cosmetic-wise, the Petals’ Caress headband and Mashira’s Bite sword kit match the base green color of the Sarugami Armor. You can find both of these items on Iki Island. What good is the Ghost if he isn’t looking fashionable?

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Is Splitgate cross-platform? Every thing we learn about cross-platform help

Nifty Nev
1047 Games, first person shooter, Gaming, How To, Splitgate, Video Games |

Splitgate is the latest craze in the first-person shooter space, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a fun, fast-paced shooter that borrows elements from Portal and Halo, effectively blending old with new. Now that Splitgate has reached a much wider audience, you might be thinking about giving it a try. Fortunately, this game is free to play and is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
Though, what about playing with friends on other platforms? After all, competitive shooters are much more fun with friends. Does Splitgate offer any sort of cross-platform support? This is a feature that has started being implemented in multiplayer games more frequently, so consumers have grown to expect it. Here, we’ll show you everything you need to know about Splitgate‘s cross-play support.
Recommended reading:

Is Splitgate cross-platform?

Thankfully, Splitgate does offer cross-play for all platforms. This means you can pair up with anyone across any platform, making it easy for everyone to play together. And you’ll want to squad up with friends, regardless of their platform, since you get bonus XP when you have others in your group. By default, cross-play is enabled, which ensures wait times are as low as possible. You can disable this feature to restrict your search to only your own platform, but keep in mind that this could greatly increase wait times.
To disable cross-play, press the Menu button from the main Splitgate screen. From here, navigate to Settings, and then tab over to Privacy, where you’ll see a checkbox for cross-play. If you uncheck it and back out to the main menu, your search will be limited to the platform you’re on. Though, we almost always recommend leaving cross-play enabled.
How to add friends from other platforms

Although Splitgate offers cross-play, adding friends from other platforms isn’t as apparent as it could be. If your friends are on your platform already, it’s quite easy to get paired up with them, but otherwise, you might need an explainer. From the main menu, you’ll notice the game features slots for each friend that can join your squad — up to four-player teams total. Under each slot, it’ll have either an X on PlayStation or A on Xbox, so press that button on your platform to go to the Friends menu.

This menu has a lot of options you can tab through, which are shown at the top. Tab over to the Add Friends section, and you’ll be able to input an ID, regardless of the player’s platform. Your ID is shown at the top of the screen, so you can give that to a friend so they can add you instead. Navigate down to Enter Your Friend’s ID, where you can type in their code to get them added.
Once you’ve added your friend(s), tab back over to the Friends sub-menu, and you can then navigate between your platform’s friend list or your general Splitgate friends list (on all platforms). Select the friend and then press Invite to Party to send them an invite. You will now be in the same squad until you disband.

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The very best USB-C displays for 2021

Nifty Nev
best monitors, best USB-C monitors, Computing, Gaming, Monitors, USB-C, USB-C port |

The amazingly versatile USB-C port is more necessary than it’s ever been. From battery charging to ultra-fast data transfers, we’ve gotten used to USB-C, and it has become important to find accessories that include USB-C connectivity.
Even some of the best monitors have been a little slow to jump on the USB-C bandwagon, but there are now a number of strong options on the market. After hundreds of monitor reviews, our top USB-C pick is the affordable Dell 27 Ultrathin — although we also have options from multiple brands to consider as alternatives.
The best USB-C monitors

Dell 27 USB-C Ultrathin Monitor S2719DC
Dan Baker/Digital Trends

This 27-inch Dell monitor dazzles with its beautiful design, iPhone-thin screen, and bezel-less display. However, there’s also a lot going on inside, including excellent brightness, great color range, and HDR tech for its 2560 x 1440 IPS display. While the screen only offers a 60Hz refresh rate, it does include AMD’s FreeSync tech plus some blue-light filters for late-night use, so there is some gaming potential here.
In addition to the Thunderbolt 3/USB-C port, there’s HDMI 2.0 and a couple of USB-A 3.0 ports. Overall, the stylish design and strong specs on this Dell model make it an easy recommendation for all kinds of purposes — and it’s fairly affordable, too. The one notable drawback is that a 27-inch screen may not be the right size for everyone.
We’ll also point out that the Dell S2719DC is relatively affordable compared to many USB-C monitors, making it a good entry point when first upgrading to a USB-C display.
BenQ PD3220U
Dan Baker/Digital Trends

This 4K, 32-inch BenQ monitor is a particularly strong option for artists and designers who need an excellent display and the latest connections — but don’t want to pay anywhere near the price of something like the Apple Pro Display. There are also features to quickly switch between different types of content and multiple computers if necessary, as well as dual viewing files. Color accuracy is excellent, too, making this monitor ideal for professional editing. The display also can be moved into portrait or landscape positioning.
If you have a lot of accessories to work with, you’ll be pleased to know the monitor includes two Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports, two USB-A, a Micro USB, two HDMI, and a DisplayPort. As with all large monitors, make sure you have enough room on your desk for this model.
Note that the BenQ PD3220U is another monitor in high demand so you should sign up for alerts and pre-order options to find out when new shipments come in.
Lenovo ThinkVision P27h-20

Lenovo’s 27-inch QHD monitor has great color accuracy right out of the box, with 99% sRGB and 99% BT.709 perfect for those working in visual design, photography, or video editing. The 2560 x 1440 resolution gives you plenty of screen space to work with, and the anti-glare coating makes it easy to concentrate no matter what your work situation looks like. Brightness is rated at a healthy 350 cd/m2, and many different adjustments and color profiles are available to help customize the experience just for you.
In addition to USB-C, the Lenovo ThinkVision P27h-20 comes with HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.2, and a collection of USB 3.1 ports. If your home or work office needs a higher-grade monitor that can also connect to the latest cameras or mobile devices, this may be the one for you. You may also want to take a look at our favorite docking stations as well.
LG UltraGear 27GN950-B

Gamers will love this high-end USB-C monitor, with a 27-inch UHD Nano IPS display that supports DiaplyHDR 600, G-Sync, and FreeSync Premium Pro. It also offers a 1-millisecond response time at a 144Hz refresh rate, with 98% covered of the DCI-P3 color gamut (and calibration options if you’d like to tweak further).
We’re also big fans of the design, with a sturdy frame, borderless display, and RGB backlighting that you can put into sound sync mode to shift based on audio cues. The LG UltraGear 27GN950-B also is entirely adjustable in every way, including vertical/horizontal switching, and it is VESA-compatible for a variety of mounting options. In addition to USB-C, the monitor comes with USB-A 3.0, HDMI 2.0a, and DisplayPort connection options. This excellent collection of features is ideal for a high-end gaming setup (and suitable for editing work as well), but it does come at a high cost.
Read our full review of the LG UltraGear 27GN950-B here
ViewSonic ColorPro VP2771

This ViewSonic monitor is an excellent option for people who want a professional USB-C monitor but don’t necessarily care about ultra-HD resolution. The monitor is 27 inches long and 1440p. It has a simple calibration and emphasizes image quality (100% sRGB and 4.39 trillion color palette), making it a terrific model for photographers.
The ambient light sensor is a bonus feature if you have unorthodox working hours or otherwise find yourself up during the wee hours. This feature automatically reduces the monitor brightness when it’s dark outside. Other connections include USB 3.1, HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort, and mini-DisplayPort. ViewSonic’s most significant features are its commitment to precise color accuracy and its method of helping you work during all hours of the day. If these are features that get you excited, then the ViewSonic ColorPro VP2771 might just be the ideal monitor for you.
LG Ultrafine 27MD5KL-B

The Ultrafine line is a particularly good match for a Mac computer like the Mac mini. If you are a professional or serious amateur working in a visual field like photography, video editing, graphic design, etc., this 27-inch monitor is a swift recommendation for pairing with a Mac!
In addition to the 5K IPS display with built-in compatibility for MacOS (99% color gamut for DCI-P3), the monitor also includes three USB-C ports for all your latest accessories, and a Thunderbolt 3 port with power delivery for swiftly recharging phones, cameras, and similar devices. Brightness settings can go up to 500 nits, and the monitor includes built-in speakers, a cam, and a mic for getting work done remotely or listening to some tunes.
If the LG Ultrafine 27MD5KL-B has any faults, it’s the price — paying more than $1,000 for a monitor may not be in the cards for every designer. But it’s certainly one of the best options if you work with a Mac and want a monitor that can really deliver!
Research and buying FAQ

What is a USB-C monitor?
It’s a computer monitor with a USB-C port. You can learn more about USB-C with our handy guide here, but it’s the latest and greatest USB-C port that fixes many shortcomings of previous USB connections and enables the fastest data transfer rates with the newest accessories. A USB-C port will require specific USB-C cables to work properly.
Are USB-C monitors worth it?
In the long-term, yes. USB-C is still a pretty new standard right now. That said, it is quickly becoming the primary USB connection that devices use. New devices and accessories tend to have USB-C connections, including even some iPad Pros. So, regardless you are probably going to want USB-C capabilities eventually. 
Do not be concerned if this is not a necessity for you personally right now, it is not an immediate concern for all people. If your accessories are a couple of years old, they probably don’t use USB-C. Therefore you wouldn’t get much out of a USB-C monitor, especially if you are happy with the way things are already. 
Alternatively, if video connections are essential to you for a job or hobby, then upgrading to a USB-C monitor could be a necessary quality-of-life improvement.
Why are USB-C monitors so expensive?
The answer to that is simple: they are new. The physical USB-C port is generally more expensive to purchase and install than are older USB ports. The manufacturing process has not had as long to develop properly, and the ports are only showing up on newer monitor models, which are naturally more costly than old models. That combination equals out to higher prices, at least for now. We project prices stabilizing as USB-C starts to become the ubiquitous standard.
Does USB-C support multiple monitors?
Yes, they can. Multi-monitor setups depend on having compatible video ports. USB-C can handle video, and so as long as your PC or laptop has a USB-C output, everything should work out smoothly. You can find adapters that can create workarounds, but that is not an ideal situation in a multi-monitor setup. Check out our guide for more info here. 
Is Thunderbolt 3 the same as USB-C?
USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 are similar technologies in that they use the same port, but they have quite different capabilities. Thunderbolt 3 is a separate standard with its own unique hardware needs. Some USB-C ports have Thunderbolt 3 (often designated by a lightning bolt symbol), and some do not. Thunderbolt 3 adds greater speeds, better video output support, and compatibility with devices that may require a Thunderbolt 3 connection to work.
Can you connect HDMI to USB-C?
Like DisplayPort, USB-C does have an “Alt Mode” option for HDMI that allows for connections to HDMI devices. You will need a USB-C port with the compatible Alt Mode, and an HDMI cable adapter made to work with USB-C.

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Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Minimize: All Iki Island Archery Problem places

Nifty Nev
Gaming, Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut, PS5, Sony, Sucker Punch |

Jin Sakai is back and better than ever, thanks to the upgraded release of Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut. Aside from taking advantage of the PlayStation 5’s hardware to improve visuals and performance, Sucker Punch went the extra mile by adding in an entirely new region with this expansion. Set on the titular Iki Island, Jin will have a new quest to complete that hits very close to home for this conflicted samurai-turned-ghost. Just like the main game, though, the main quest is just one part of what you can do on this brand new island.
Iki is home to all sorts of side content, including side quests, collectibles, and brand new challenges, like the Archery Challenges. These are sort of the companion to the bamboo challenges from the main game, only instead of testing your skills with the blade, you’re given unique tests for your aim and speed with a bow. Completing the first will reward you with a brand new charm, and doing the subsequent challenges will further improve that charm’s effects. Iki is a big place, so we’ll guide you to each Archery Challenge location here.
Further reading

How Archery Challenges work

Unlike the bamboo tests from the base game, where you just needed to hit a series of increasingly long button strings in the correct order to succeed, Archery Challenges in Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut ask you to not only be precise with your arrows but also speedy. Each challenge tasks you with hitting 22 targets in a given location, with a different grade given for how fast you can hit them all.

Bronze: All targets hit within 22 seconds.
Silver: All targets hit within 15 seconds.
Gold: All targets hit within 7 seconds.

Obviously, you will want to go for gold. However, seven seconds may seem downright impossible. And at first, you might be better off saving your gold attempts for after you’ve at least gotten silvers on each of the eight challenges and then trying them again. The reason being that the Charm of Concentration, which you earn for doing the first Archery Challenge, increases how long you can remain in concentration mode while aiming, which slows down time. Every challenge you beat increases that time limit more and more.
Other ways to help with these challenges include equipping Tadayori’s Armor, which also boosts concentration time and reload speed, plus any minor charms you have that further boost your bow skills. Finally, if you’re really struggling, Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut includes some very handy accessibility options, specifically aim assist, that will make lining up your shots much easier.
East of Lone Spirit Falls
This Archery Challenge is almost impossible to miss since it is so close to where you start off when your first arrive on Iki Island. Just go slightly east from the Lone Spirit Falls between the rivers. Some archers will approach you and introduce the rules of Archery Challenges.
Yahata Forest
From Yahata Forest on the eastern coast of Iki, simply start going south. You’ll quickly encounter the group of archers hitting targets in a meadow full of pink flowers.
East of Kidafure Battleground
To the east of Kidafure Battleground, the next challenge is on the western bank of the Zasho river. The archers you’re looking for are taking shots at targets lined up by a waterfall near a field of tall grass.
South of Kidafure Battleground
From the middle of Kidafure Battleground, go south just past the small lakes, but not so far as to hit the river feeding into Laka Nagata. The archers you’re looking for are shooting at lanterns they’ve positioned at the abandoned huts.
Rider’s Promontory

Way up top at the northern end of Iki is Raider’s Promontory. The challenge is on the western island, but the path to the actual challenge will be inaccessible when you arrive. Instead, take a detour to the left of the path and utilize some grappling points to reach the challenge.
Senjo Gorge
From the far north to the far south, head from Weeping Mother’s Meadow southwest to the edge of Senjo Gorge. You’ll know you’re in the right spot when you see all the vibrant purple trees. Find the archers and take on their challenge.
Raiders Memorial
Sticking to the south and not too far from the previous challenge is Raiders Memorial. Unlike the other challenges, this one is a bit more hidden than the others. Here is where you learned about the memorial for warriors who were slain by Tadayori Nagao, who you might recall from one of the base game’s mythic tales. If you haven’t done that tale yet, you will need to head back to the main game and do so before you can access this challenge.
Once you’ve done that tale and have the Tadayori armor set, wear it here, and speak to the man at the top of the stairs to unlock this Archery Challenge.
West of Saruiwa
Finally, on the far southwest coast of a narrow peninsula on Iki is our last challenge. Right between Saruiwa and Sarubashi, this challenge is almost impossible to miss. You will find the archers set up right on the beach, waiting to test your skills with a bow and arrow.
If you get at least a bronze score in all eight challenges, you will earn yourself the Pride of Ishikawa trophy, so it’s worth it to track them all down and give them at least a good shot.

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The best wireless mice for 2021

Nifty Nev
best of everything, bluetooth, Buying Guides, Computing, Gaming, Logitech, Microsoft, Wireless Mice |

Wireless mice are a dime a dozen, but only a select few make our list of the best. It doesn’t matter if you’re shopping on a budget, focused on gaming, or have ergonomic needs, there’s a wireless mouse for you.
We’ve rounded up the top wireless mice available in 2021, from a large trackball mouse like the Kensington Expert to an inexpensive portable powerhouse like the Microsoft Mobile Mouse 1850. Our top pick, however, is the Logitech MX Master 2S. It’s comfortable, has excellent battery life, and comes with simultaneous multidevice support.
If you don’t mind a wire and want a few more options, make sure to check out our guide to the best mice. If you’re looking for savings, check out the best wireless mouse deals going on now.
The best wireless mice

The best wireless mouse: Logitech MX Master 2S

Building on the sterling legacy of its predecessor, the MX Master 2S is a sublime wireless mouse offering great accuracy, comfort, and features. With an adjustable sensitivity ranging from 200 to 4,000 dots per inch (DPI), it supports fan-favorite sensitivities and use styles.

Also found on our list of the best ergonomic mice, the MX Master 2S features great thumb and finger rests, with a shape that caters to different grip types and helps prevent repetitive strain injury and carpal tunnel. The 500mAh fast-charging battery lasts up to 70 days, so you won’t need to worry about running out of juice.
However, one of the Logitech MX Master 2S‘s best features is multidevice support. It can pair with up to three devices at once and switch between them at the touch of a button. With support for both Logitech’s unifying receiver and Bluetooth technology, you don’t even need to switch the wireless receiver.
The best minimalist mouse: Microsoft Surface Mouse

Although it targets Surface owners who want a little more functionality than the standard touchpad, the Surface Mouse is equally capable on any system you choose. It’s elegant, streamlined, ergonomic, and, most importantly, lasts up to a year on two AAA batteries.
Even though it’s a Microsoft product, the Surface Mouse is compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 8.1, MacOS, and Android. It uses Microsoft’s own “BlueTrack” technology for the low-energy Bluetooth connection.
The scroll wheel and mouse switches are rated for thousands of hours of use and an enormous number of actions. The Surface Mouse also ships with a one-year warranty, so you’re covered if you face any short-term problems. The Microsoft Surface Mouse is not packed with loads of extra features, but that’s the point of a minimalistic mouse!
The best gaming mouse: Logitech G Pro Wireless

Logitech has a lot more competition in the gaming peripheral space than some of its other markets, but that doesn’t mean it’s not at the top of its game in this space. The G Pro Hero is one of our favorite gaming rodents with good reason: A 16,000-DPI optical sensor, a 1ms latency, and an acceleration of up to 400 inches per second for high-speed gaming.

But even with all of that technology under the hood, it weighs less than 3 ounces, making it comfortable to use for all hand sizes, but not so lightweight that it escapes across the desk. Its ergonomic shape makes it supremely comfortable in our long gaming tests, and thanks to tweaks to its overall shape, there’s no accumulation of dirt and grime over time.
If you don’t like the default button mapping, the G Pro Wireless supports Logitech’s free desktop software so you can remap any of the peripheral’s eight buttons. You also can tweak the polling rate and the logo’s cool RGB lighting, then save it all to the mouse’s onboard memory for use on different systems.
The G Pro Wireless remains our top pick for wireless gaming, but Logitech’s own G502 offers some stiff competition. It’s slightly more expensive, but the mouse enjoys a 25,600-DPI sensor and wireless charging through the Logitech Powerplay charging mouse pad.
The best mobile mouse: Logitech MX Anywhere 2S
Logitech manages to cram great speed and functionality into this compact wireless mouse, making it a comfortable fit for your hand.

It includes two well-positioned left buttons for your thumb and a clickable button behind the scroll wheel, bringing the total usable buttons to seven. That scroll wheel is both durable and fast, although you also can click the wheel to enter a click-to-click mode for more precise work.
The 4,000-dpi sensor allows the mouse to run across most surfaces. It’s powered by a rechargeable battery that lasts for up to 70 days on a single charge … not bad at all. That means you don’t need to swap out batteries continuously but at the cost of connecting the peripheral to your PC for a recharge.
You can pair the Logitech MX Anywhere 2S with your Windows, MacOS, or Linux PC in several ways — via the provided USB cable, Bluetooth, or by using the included Logitech Unifying Receiver (2.4GHz wireless). It supports the Logitech Easy Switch platform, too, meaning you can pair up to three compatible computers and switch between them with a simple button press.
The best ergonomic mouse: Logitech MX Vertical

If you spend a lot of time computing and want to minimize long-lasting effects like carpal tunnel syndrome, an ergonomic mouse is ideal.
The MX Vertical’s design is a level above any of its competitors with a look that resembles a sculpted piece of cloud, perfectly molded to fit your hand. This design relieves physiological stress, potentially minimizing fatigue and the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.
The Logitech MX Vertical is one of the most comfortable and intuitive mice we’ve ever used despite its unique, on-the-side design. It considers wrist position, so it’s designed in a way that that feels more natural. This means you’ll be less likely to have carpal tunnel complications down the line.
The best budget mouse: Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 1850

The Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 1850 is an economical, no-frills mouse. It doesn’t have many customizable aspects like click force, but at under $20, it’s a great budget buy.

One unique feature of this mouse is that it has an ambidextrous design to use it — and benefit from the grip — whether you’re right-handed or left-handed. It’s compact, too, so you can easily throw it in a backpack or briefcase. You can store the included nano-transceiver inside the mouse when it’s not in use, and it’s barely noticeable when plugged into a USB-A port.
The Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 1850 comes with an AA battery that will last for about six months of everyday use before you’ll need to replace it. If something goes wrong with the mouse, you can take advantage of its three-year warranty. This budget-friendly mouse works with Windows 10, MacOS, and Android. 
The best wireless trackball mouse: Kensington Expert
Kensington
There are two types of trackball mice: Mice that put the trackball on the side and mice that put it in the center. The Kensington Expert wireless mouse fits in the latter category with a large trackball in the center and a scroll ring around it. Navigating is easier with a larger trackball, and the design is ambidextrous.

The mouse has four buttons positioned around the trackball, and you can customize them using the bundled KensingtonWorks software. You can remap your basic right and left clicks, but also customize some buttons to trigger macros or act as media keys. More importantly, KensingtonWorks allows you to customize the trackball sensitivity. It’s hard getting used to a trackball, but the Kensington Expert gives you granular control over mouse movement and scrolling.
For connecting, you can use the 2.4GHz receiver, Bluetooth, or both across devices. The mouse can run for up to a year on two AA batteries thanks to its auto-sleep functionality, and it comes with a wrist rest to reduce wrist strain. There are other trackball mice on the market, but it’s difficult to find one that beats the Kensington Expert.
The best wireless mouse for large hands: Logitech M720 Triathlon
Logitech
The Logitech M720 Triathlon is perfect for large hands. It’s a full-size mouse with a generous bump in the rear, providing enough material to rest comfortably in your palm. Outside of the fact that it’s large, the M720 is a great mouse. It comes with an optical sensor, eight remappable buttons, and up to two years of battery life with a single AA battery.

It comes with unique features, too. The standout is Flow, which allows you to seamlessly use the mouse across computers and operating systems. It’s a software/hardware hybrid feature, allowing you to not only move the mouse between screens, but also move text, images, and files across them. Additionally, you can switch the scroll wheel between precision and speed modes — slowing down or speeding up the scrolling speed — and scroll horizontally by tilting the wheel to the side.
Like most Logitech peripherals, the M720 Triathlon connects through Logitech’s Unifying receiver that allows you to connect up to six accessories at once. It also supports Bluetooth, but you shouldn’t need to use it. Out of the box, the M720 works natively with Windows, MacOS, Chrome OS, Linux, and iPadOS.
The best ambidextrous mouse: Razer Viper Ultimate
Razer
There are multiple excellent ambidextrous mice on this list, including the Kensington Expert, Microsoft Surface Mouse, and Logitech MX Anywhere 2S. So, we’re using this slot to recommend something a little different. The Razer Viper Ultimate is undoubtedly a gaming mouse, fit with a 20,000-DPI sensor and weighing just 74 grams. It’s also a comfortable mouse regardless of your dominant hand, with two customizable thumb buttons on either side.

The Viper Ultimate can last up to 70 hours on a full charge, and you have a few different charging options. The recessed micro USB port allows you to charge the mouse while using it in wired mode, or you can purchase the mouse with a dock. In addition to cable-free charging, the dock provides a convenient spot for the USB receiver, bypassing any issues with connectivity.
Although the Viper Ultimate is built for gamers, Razer offers the mouse in a few different colors, and you can turn off the RGB lighting through the Razer Synapse software.
The best USB-C wireless mouse: Logitech MX Master 3
Logitech

The Logitech MX Master 3 is an updated version of the 2S version we recommend as our top pick. However, the two mice are almost identical. They both feature the same Darkfield sensor, the same number of buttons, and a similar design and size. The 2S even is better in a few areas, with a higher polling rate and slightly lower latency. That said, the MX Master 3 has a key advantage: USB-C for charging.

That makes plugging in the charging cable easier, but also introduces fast charging. You can extend the life of your MX Master 3 by three hours with a one-minute charge. On a full charge, the mouse can last up to 70 hours.
Like Logitech’s previous flagship, the MX Master 3 comes with all the bells and whistles. It features Logitech Flow for transferring between screens, application-specific shortcuts, and a dedicated gesture button to quickly switch between windows. The MX Master 3 is the best wireless mouse made better. It’s just a shame its price is so notably higher.
The best wireless Apple mouse: Magic Mouse 2

Apple’s iconic Magic Mouse remains the best choice for Mac fans. The more recent Magic Mouse 2 is available with the classic silver color scheme, fit with a white top shell. Apple also offers it in Space Gray with a darker underbelly and black upper shell. It doesn’t matter if you want to use the Magic Mouse 2 with an older iMac, an iPad Pro, or a brand new MacBook Pro, you can match your mouse with the rest of your setup.

Keeping in line with the previous version, the Magic Mouse 2 only features a single physical button. Apple does a lot with that button, though. You have access to standard right and left clicks, as well as multitouch support for gestures. Once you learn how to use the Magic Mouse, it feels like second nature.
There are some clear downsides, though. The mouse is small, which might be uncomfortable depending on the size of your hand, and you can’t use it while it’s charging. Still, Apple’s design language and common-sense features win the day, making the Magic Mouse 2 an easy recommendation for Mac users.
Wireless mouse research and buying FAQs
Wireless mice come in so many different shapes, styles, and designs, and the selection can be overwhelming if you’re in the market for a new mouse. Whatever your preferences are for your next mouse, there are a few key things to consider when choosing a wireless mouse, including battery life, tracking accuracy, latency or speed, grip, and the number of buttons or dials for added control and flexibility.

Battery life
Battery life on wireless mice vary greatly, and most modern mice last between a few months to even a few years on a single charge, or replaceable batteries. While older mice may rely on replaceable batteries — like the AA variety that you can conveniently pick up if your battery dies — a lot of newer ones have internal lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. Rechargeable internal batteries are not only better for the environment, as they result in less waste, but can save you money in the long run since you won’t have to keep buying new batteries.
When choosing a mouse with a rechargeable battery, it’s important to note what type of connector or cable is used to recharge. Some older mice may rely on the aging micro USB standard, while more modern ones use USB-C. Some of Apple’s first-party mice use a Lightning connector. Depending on what devices you have in your ecosystem, you may have to carry yet another cable just to charge your wireless mouse for travel.
Aside from rechargeable batteries, another benefit with a more modern mouse is that the cable that you use to recharge your mouse can also transform your wireless peripheral into a wired one. This is not only useful when you need to work on a project when the battery runs out, but a wired mouse can also help to reduce any lag or latency in use.
What type of mouse should I get?
Optical LED mouse are often cheaper than their laser counterparts while still offering accurate and reliable tracking. The main difference is that LED mice work best on a flat, uniform surface, such as a fabric-covered mouse pad. Laser mice offer more versatility and can work on a number of different surfaces that prove challenging for LED mice. While laser mice are more accurate, they can be over-sensitive in certain environments.
What does DPI mean?
Mouse sensitivity is measured in dots per inch, or DPI. The greater the DPI, the higher the sensitivity. Higher sensitivity means that you can move the pointer further distances on your screen with less hand movement. This can be useful if you use multiple high resolution monitors, or for moving quickly in certain games. However, high-end professional gamers tend to use lower sensitivities — sub 1,000 DPI, and some considerably so — as it improves accuracy.
More advanced mice will allow you to adjust the DPI, sensitivity, and pointer acceleration through software, and these settings are often found in the Control Panel on your PC, or in a bespoke application. Be sure to download the latest software and drivers available for your model. An adjustable DPI through software will ensure that you have the best mouse for different types of games and applications.
What wireless technology should my mouse use?
Most modern wireless mice will rely on Bluetooth to connect to your PC or Mac. However, some office or gaming mouse can also ship with their own wireless adapters. The adapter plugs into your computer’s USB port, and the mouse communicates with the adapter using radio frequency in the 2.4GHz spectrum.
Logitech is one manufacturer that uses its own adapter, though many of the company’s products give you the option to switch between Bluetooth or using its proprietary adapter. The adapter allows a number of Logitech peripherals to connect simultaneously, and the advantage of using the adapter is that speeds and accuracy can be improved while latency is minimized.
What does latency mean?
When it comes to input, latency is a measurement of lag. In recent years, wireless mice have improved on latency, so you’ll experience less lag when you move the mouse to when that motion is reflected on your computer screen. For general applications, latency isn’t as important, but a mouse that lags is not ideal for gaming. With modern advancements, latency is almost non-existent on wireless mice, and performance is generally on par with wired solutions.
Design and ergonomics
If you’re traveling, you may want to choose a lightweight and compact mouse that can easily slip into a travel bag. However, you may want a bigger mouse with a more ergonomic design if you need a tool for use at your desk. A mouse that better fits your palm will be better in the long-term, leading to less hand and wrist strain. If you’re left-handed, there are also a few models that are designed for southpaw users, so be sure to check those out as well.
In general, most mice fall into one of three categories depending on the type of grip you prefer. Larger models rely on the palm grip, allowing you to rest your entire palm across the mouse. Smaller mice are optimized for the fingertip grip, where you grab the mouse with your fingertips and move it, while mice with a narrow design are used using a claw grip, where the palm rests on the rear of the mouse and the finger rest on the top of the mouse.
Buttons and controls
Most mice will come standard with two buttons and some even come with a scroll wheel. Having a scroll wheel can be useful if you’re scrolling through websites, large PDF files, or long documents, and it’s a standard feature of many office mice.
Gaming mice come with additional buttons on the top or sides that can be remapped to trigger specific controls or actions. These can be useful if you’re working in specific applications, as the buttons can be configured as shortcuts. If you don’t have a complex workflow, having too many buttons can cause unnecessary confusion and frustration, especially if they trigger an unintended action when pressed.
If you want to use gestures with your mouse, you can consider a mouse with a touchpad on the top surface, such as Apple’s Magic Mouse 2. The touchpad allows you to swipe as you would on a touchpad or trackpad on your laptop and brings added convenience when navigating your PC or Mac.

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5 Pokémon that might be wonderful in Pokémon Unite

Nifty Nev
Aggron, Ditto, Eevee, Gaming, Nintendo, Nintendo Switch, Pokemon, Pokemon UNITE, Scizor, switch |

Earlier this week, the Pokémon Unite Twitter account revealed that storied tank Blissey would be the next playable Pokémon added to the game. Since launch, the developers have already released Gardevoir and offered Zeraora as a redeemable freebie in addition to the game’s launch roster of heavy hitters.
Despite all of the game’s famous faces and powerful ‘mons like Pikachu, Charizard, and Gengar, Unite still feels like it’s missing a little something. Here are five Pokémon we think would be great additions to this MOBA’s lineup.
Aggron

As it stands now, the Unite roster has no Steel types. It also has only one Pokémon that originated in Generation 3: Absol. As representative of Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald the Disaster-type Pokémon is, the roster could stand to gain a few more Pokémon from Hoenn.
Aggron, a Rock- and Steel-type ‘mon from Ruby and Sapphire, would be excellent as a melee Defender, as Steel types are generally tanky powerhouses with few weaknesses. (The game needs more Defenders, too.) It also has a big, imposing model that would almost certainly strike fear into the hearts of the opposing team. Aggron’s move set could include attacks like Iron Tail, Protect, and Iron Defense, all of which would allow it to take a few hits on the frontline and protect faster, less-bulky Pokémon like Gengar and Cinderace.
Scizor

In a similar vein to Steel types, Unite is suffering from a distinct lack of Bug types. Scizor, a Bug- and Steel-type, is one of the fastest Pokémon in the base games and has a nasty attack stat to go with it, making it a great choice for a future Speedster Pokémon. With moves like X-Scissor and Slash, Scizor could pack a punch and get out fast.
Scizor evolves from Scyther, a slightly slower but no less imposing Bug -type from Generation 1. Scizor has appeared in other Pokémon spinoff games before, like Pokkén Tournament, so it would make sense for it to appear in another fighting-focused title.
Eevee

One of Unite‘s coolest mechanics is the ability to evolve midbattle. Evolution grants your Pokémon more power and lets you style on the opposing team even more. Who would be more suited to that than Eevee, the Evolution Pokémon? Eevee was the headliner in Pokémon Let’s Go, Eevee! and the starter Pokémon in Pokémon XD, so it’s arguably almost as much a figurehead of the franchise as Pikachu is.
While its stats and moves aren’t much to look at initially, the ability to choose to evolve into one of several different Pokémon based on the way a Unite Battle is going would introduce a lot of strategy to the game. (Other Pokémon that have more than one possible evolution could also take advantage of this.) Even letting Eevee evolve into a random form in the middle of battle would be a lot of fun: You’d never know what to expect!
Ditto

Similar to Eevee, Ditto’s stats and moves aren’t worth anything on their own. Its unique quality is that it can transform into an opposing Pokémon on the battlefield, copying its health, type, and moves. Being able to transform into a Pokémon that’s within a given range to Ditto would be a fun, dynamic way to engage in team fights. This ability would likely only last for a certain amount of time, after which Ditto would need to retreat and protect itself from more powerful Pokémon. Beyond the strategy it would add to the game, playing Ditto would also be a great way for new players to learn the moves and abilities of the game’s roster.
Mewtwo

This one might be cheating a little bit, because I don’t think Mewtwo should be a playable character. Instead, Mewtwo would be a great choice for the next nonplayable legendary that appears on the battlefield near the end of a match, like Zapdos does now. Like Scizor, Mewtwo has appeared in Pokkén Tournament as well as Super Smash Bros., meaning that Nintendo knows its power and status as a legendary fighter. Mewtwo’s strong Psychic-type moves would make it a tough foe to face at the end of a match and a powerful ally if you win it over. Unlike most Pokémon, Mewtwo also has a little bit of a backstory as a failed clone of Mew. An event or other special occasion would be a great way to show off Mewtwo’s power.
Based on the rate that Nintendo has been revealing new Pokémon, it’s likely that Unite‘s roster will grow exponentially in the next few months, especially considering the game’s impending mobile release in September. While it’s unlikely that established mechanics will be upended by something like Eevee’s multiple evolutions or Ditto’s transformational abilities, it’s still fun to consider the potential across the seemingly endless number of Pokémon.

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