Attention roleplayers, experienced and aspiring! If you’re currently craving adventure but are unable to get together with a group, expert Treehouse Dungeon Master Henry is here to help, with some advice on how to get started with online roleplaying platform Roll20…
Are you currently at an exciting moment in a tabletop roleplaying game, but unable to meet up with your group anytime in the near future? Or maybe you’ve suddenly found yourself with a lot of spare time and have always been intrigued by the idea of doing some pen and paper roleplaying with friends? Well, luckily for you, a while back some nerds decided to go and invent the internet, which has been further built upon (presumably lots more nerds were involved) until we’re at the point where roleplaying is now something that you can do from the comfort of your own home, without the need to meet people IRL!
In my roundabout way, I’m coming to the point that I’ve been exploring Roll20, an online resource for hosting or joining roleplaying sessions. If your newsfeed is anything like mine then recently you’ll been inundated with suggestions and lists of ways to take your roleplaying game online. There seem to be many options, and while I do advise doing some research to find which one best suits your needs, I am here to relate what Roll20 was like for a first-time user, and give some advice on things that may not seem obvious from the outset.
The Treehouse is now open again following four months of COVID-19 lockdown, but despite being back at work our crack team of games gurus are still not able to flex their ‘gamesplaining’ muscles on shift, as we’ve had to temporarily suspend our teaching service for social distancing reasons.
Not to be deterred, some of our team have put together the first in what will hopefully become a series of ‘quick teach’ videos on some of the games they’re excited about at the moment. Did we mention they also have some pretty mad video editing skills? What a clever lot.
Even if you’ve never touched a Nier game, I’d wager that you know exactly who 2B is. The iconic android has made myriad appearances in other games since Platinum released Nier: Automata in 2017, and the studio is showing absolutely no signs of slowing down. She’s already in Final Fantasy 14, Fall Guys, PUBG, Rainbow Six Siege, and a rhythm game excellently titled D4DJ Groovy Mix. Now, 2B is coming to The First Descendant.
I’ll admit, I’m not entirely surprised to know that 2B is on her way to The First Descendant. Nier: Automata is the perfect fit for Nexon’s live-service looter shooter – it felt like it was just a matter of time. Still, the free Steam game has quite an event on the way, as Nexon details at TFD’s Pax East panel.
“The community has been requesting this IP continuously, and we believe that it will match well with The First Descendant,” TFD producer Beomjun Lee says. “Although we’ve only shown some key images today, we will be sharing more details with a trailer showcasing our collaboration.”
“Unfortunately, the Nier: Automata collaboration will focus on decorations as we are in the process of solidifying the substance of our game. We decided to invest more in the content of Season 3 rather than other content related to the collaboration. However, in addition to the 2B and A2 outfits, we have prepared a damaged version of 2B with no skirt, with other motions and decorations as well.”
Lee assures that it’ll be just a few months before the Nier: Automata collaboration comes to The First Descendant, even if Season 3 is more of a priority. As for The First Descendant’s next major overhaul, director Minseok Joo recently admitted in an open letter that “there’s not much to do” in the game right now.
Nexon does have a plan for the game’s future, though. Instead of focusing on smaller updates, the team is putting almost all of its effort into Season 3, to make it “stronger and more complete.”
You can follow us on Google News for daily PC games news, reviews, and guides. We’ve also got a vibrant community Discord server, where you can chat about this story with members of the team and fellow readers.
If you like what you see, Cobra Paw is available to play in the Treehouse library where it has been a long-standing favourite. Or, you can get you hands on your very own copy from our shop using our shiny new ‘click and collect’ service… find it here.
This video was produced by Matt Turner, Jenny Garner and Patrick Lickman. Check out Patrick’s website here for more examples of his great editing work. Music courtesy of Sounds Like An Earful.
If this video leaves you with the urge to get your Indiana Jones on, Cobra Paw is available to play in the Treehouse library and to buy in our online shop, for UK-wide postal delivery or free click & collect.
This video was produced by Matt Turner and Patrick Lickman. Check out Patrick’s website here for more examples of his great editing work. Music courtesy of Sounds Like An Earful.
In the latest update of Fisch, the developers introduced a new landmark in the Second Sea called Treasure Island. This island is different from other points of interest because it doesn’t show up on your screen with markers. Instead, it’s a secret location that you can only reach by using the Golden Whale. If you’re interested in finding out how to get there and what to expect, this Treasure Island location guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
Crazy Man NPC Location in Fisch
Not so crazy after all!
First, you’ll need to find a character in Fisch known as the Crazy Man NPC. He’s located on the Isle of Beginning in the Second Sea. To reach him, get on your boat and sail directly to the GPS coordinates (X:-371, Y:80, Z:-347). When you arrive, look for an older man with a bald head standing near the shoreline. This is the Crazy Man. Talk to him, and he’ll tell you about a mysterious place called Treasure Island. He’ll also mention that you can get there with the help of the Golden Whale, which shows up near the island.
Golden Whale Spawn Location in Fisch
Isn’t he cute?
Normally, the Golden Whale won’t be visible because it only shows up during Tornado Weather. So, you’ll need to wait until the weather changes. Once you notice the tornado weather has started, go back to the island. You should see the Golden Whale near the edge of the island. After that, talk to the Crazy Man NPC again. This time, he’ll tell you to get on the Golden Whale with him.
The decore is a little dated, if you ask me.
Right after you board the Golden Whale, you’ll be taken inside its interior. You’ll stay there for about five minutes while the whale travels to Treasure Island. During this time, you have a couple of things you can do. You can try catching rare fish from the pool found inside the whale, or you can visit the Merchant inside and buy some bait to help with your fishing.
Now this is a real TREASURE island.
When the five-minute timer inside the whale ends, you’ll arrive at Treasure Island in Fisch. On this island, you can catch special types of fish that aren’t found anywhere else. You also have the option to buy the Treasure Rod, which can help with fishing. If you have any items you’re curious about, you can take them to the Treasure Appraiser to learn more about their value or purpose.
How to leave Treasure Island in Fisch
I missed the Whale.
You can always exit Treasure Island in Fisch using the same Golden Whale that helped you reach the island in the first place. The Golden Whale will be present on the northern edge of the Treasure Island map near the Crazy Man NPC, as shown in the above image.
And that is all for our Fisch Treasure Island location guide. Check out our Fisch Codes for some freebies that can help you afford the cool new Rods.
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The game begins with players receiving their secret role card, determining whether they’re on team villager, trying to track down a possible werewolf in their midst before it’s too late, or team werewolf, trying to lie low and avoid detection. Certain village team roles come with special powers, giving players nuggets of information to help put them on the scent, while others act as instruments of chaos adding extra layers of intrigue.
Cue the night time phase: all players place their character cards face down in front of them and close their eyes. The various roles then trigger one at a time, letting the relevant players peak at other cards around the table, swap roles around, or perhaps lock eyes with a fellow werewolf. The game comes with a handy app to talk you through the steps, complete with (optional) spooky disco soundtrack. Then daybreak arrives, giving players a matter of minutes to exchange information, hurl accusations, and finally… decide who to lynch! If the majority vote for a werewolf, it’s victory for the villagers, but if not, the werewolves win the day.
This game needs 5+ players to shine, and the range of roles in the box leaves you with plenty of options for switching things up.
If you haven’t yet played this absolute blockbuster of a modern classic, consider your party plans sorted! There are no hidden roles here, just plenty of tension and occasional opportunities for feeling like a genius… or the opposite.
The game set-up is a five by five grid of word cards in the centre of the table, selected randomly from a sizeable stack. Players form two teams, red and blue, then each team selects a ‘spymaster’ who will be their clue-giver for the rest of the game. The two spymasters sit where they can both see a card which allocates each word in the central grid to either the red team, the blue team, a decoy beige category… or one final option which I’ll come back to.
Spymasters take turns to provide a clue to their teams in a specific format: a single word that relates to one or more of the words of their colour in the grid, plus a number which indicates how many words the clue links to. Coming up with the clues is fiendishly tricky, but once that’s done, spymasters simply sit back and maintain a poker face as their team members decide how to interpret their new information, and make a guess at which word(s) in the grid the clue relates to. Each word guessed correctly is covered by a card of the team’s colour, bringing them one step closer to victory. Incorrect guesses either end the turn (beige words), give points to the other team (words of the opposing colour) or, possibly… LOSE THE ENTIRE GAME, in the case of the one black word on the grid: the DEADLY ASSASSIN.
With so much at stake, there’s no shortage of tension here, and few moments in gaming are as satisfying as thinking up or cracking a particularly great clue… or as nerve-wracking as watching your team confidently take hold of the wrong end of the stick. This game works well with four players and brilliantly with six, and if you can’t get together in person there’s an awesome free online version here.
If you’ve mastered Codenames and aren’t put off by the idea of getting your head around a few more rules, we’d strongly recommend Decerypto – check out the review here to find out why.
I was really into pokemon cards when I was little, not so much playing the game (Mostly because I didn’t know how) but collecting them. But that was years ago. I’ve recently decided to whip them out again and am trying to create a 60 card playing deck. I have more than enough, but I can’t figure out how to properly make it. I actually have already created one, however, I got it completely wrong. As in, 15 Pokemon, 10 Trainer, and 35 Energy cards type wrong. I understand this isn’t how a deck should be made, however, there doesn’t seem to be anything on how to balance the card types out correctly.
What should the ‘ratio’ be? (For lack of better words).
The new Hirakumi Style in Volleyball Legends is a powerful, defense-focused style inspired by Hirugami Sachirō from Haikyuu. Known for its unmatched blocking ability, it’s perfect for players who enjoy saving points and controlling the game from the front line. If defense is your strength, this style is worth unlocking using the steps in this Hirakumi Style guide.
How to Unlock Hirakumi Style in Volleyball Legends
Just like all other Styles and Abilities in Volleyball Legends, the Hirakumi Style is unlocked through the gacha system. To get started, tap on the Style icon located at the bottom of the main screen. This will take you to the area where you can roll for Styles. You can choose between using Lucky Spins or Default Spins to try your luck at getting the Hirakumi Style.
Hirakumi is a Godly-tier Style, which means it’s quite rare. If you use Default Spins, the chance of getting it is only 0.5%. That’s why it’s a good idea to use Lucky Spins instead, as they give you a better chance: around 5%. Before you start spinning with Lucky Spins, make sure you select Hirakumi under the Godly Tier. This helps the system focus your rolls toward that specific Style.
Hirakumi Style Stats in Volleyball Legends
That’s some vertical leap, huh.
Here’s a clear breakdown of the Hirakumi Style in Volleyball Legends, along with what makes it stand out:
Hirakumi stands out in Volleyball Legends as the only character with a maximum Block stat. This makes him incredibly effective at shutting down attacks from any other character in the game. His blocking ability allows him to stop even the strongest spikes completely when timed correctly.
While his movement speed is quite low compared to others, he makes up for it with his strong defensive presence. If you’re the kind of player who prefers to control the pace of the match through solid defense and precise timing, Hirakumi is a great choice.
Players who stay near the net and focus on reading the opponent’s moves will get the most out of his role, using it to deliver game-changing blocks.
And here are the Stats:
Block – 100%
Bump – 20%
Dive – 30%
Jump -100%
Serve – 90%
Set – 50%
Speed – 10%
Spike – 40%
That is all for my Hirakumi Style guide. Check out our Volleyball Legends Style Tier List to see more relevant Styles that can help you become the king of the court.
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Looking for a social activity that’s basically COVID-proof? Allow us to present… two-player board games! If you’re lucky enough to live with at least one other person of a game-playing age and inclination, this is a fun thing you can do without the leaving the house, inviting anyone round, or (once you have the game), even spending money!
Convinced? Great! Here are some of our favourite games for two to help you prepare for whatever comes along next…
Hive, aka ‘insect chess’, is a strong contender for my favourite two-player game EVER, which is maybe surprising given my complete ambivalence about actual chess. This neat strategy game packs bags of depth and replayability into a handful of tactile Bakelite pieces, and will fit in a handbag or even a (large) pocket if you buy the mini version.
The game itself has just a handful of rules, and absolutely zero set-up beyond tipping the pieces out of the bag and splitting them by colour. On a turn, either add a new piece to the playing area or move a piece you’ve placed already. Pieces feature different types of insects that move in different ways. In the basic version of the game there are just five species to get your head around: ants, grasshoppers, beetles, spiders and the all-important queen bee.
You win the game if your opponent’s queen is completely surrounded by other pieces, regardless of whether those pieces are yours or theirs. There are just a couple of additional rules relating to placement and movement, but that’s basically the whole game (check out the Shut Up and Sit Down review here for a more complete run-through if you like to dot the ‘i’s and cross the ‘t’s).
Once you’re under way, this simple set of rules magically transforms into a quick-yet-satisfying playing experience that will get those mental cogs turning just enough without causing total burn-out, and will almost certainly leave you coming back for more.
As if that wasn’t enough, sturdiness of the pieces and lack of a board make this a game you can play pretty much anywhere. We’ve played Hive in the pub, in the park, even on a picnic blanket at a festival. Admittedly some of these settings might not be immediately relevant, but a game this durable will still be going strong when they are!
Once upon a time, way back when we were taking our very first steps into modern board gaming, Andy went on a quest to find a great two-player game for us to take on holiday, and came back with a neat little box containing Jaipur. We hadn’t played that many Euro-style games by this point, and initially I confess that the Middle-Eastern marketplace theme and apparent excess of camels left me a touch sceptical. But, as soon as I got to grips with the carefully balanced back-and-forth of the gameplay, my scepticism dissolved, and even the quantity of camels began to make sense.
Jaipur is a two-player card game in which players compete for the approval of the Maharaja, which they can gain by becoming the richest merchant in two out of three rounds of trading in the city of Jaipur’s market place.
The game mainly consists of a deck of cards containing a mixture goods to be traded and a WHOLE LOT of camels. The options on a turn are simple: either take one goods card or ALL THE CAMELS from the market place for free; swap goods cards from your hand and/or camels from your herd with the same number of goods from the market place; or, sell a set of matching goods to gain victory points (the more cards sold at once the better in terms of gaining points).
It’s straightforward on the surface, but with a hand limit of seven cards there are quickly some difficult choices to be made, and the more cards you take from the market the more new ones will appear before your opponent’s next turn and the higher the chance of them being able to claim something especially nice and shiny.
Again this game is super-portable, and packs a lot of depth and replayability into a neat little box. Plus, the recently-released second edition has given it a fresh coat of paint, making it extra vibrant and appealing.
If you prefer your games to have an engaging theme, or at the very least to contain cute plastic animals, Ice Team might be right up your ice floe. The aim of this simple, two-player race game is to get your team of polar bears from one end of the board to the other as quickly as you can, acquiring as many fish as possible along the way.
The modular race course can be arranged in different ways and there’s some randomness in the set-up, so the obstacles you’re tackling will be different each time. The rules for movement are simple: pick a bear and hop it to an adjacent ice berg tile or swim in a straight line across open water. Bears can leap-frog over each other should the opportunity arise, and some of the ice berg tiles do different things, from providing you with fish to letting you satisfyingly surf to the next spot.
There’s a bit of chance involved in winning, with the number of fish you acquire being partly determined by dice rolls, but there’s plenty of strategy too, especially when it comes to making your adorable team work together effectively.
This is a great choice if you’re looking for a game to engage a younger audience (the publishers recommend it for ages 8+), but we’re confident most adults will find it irresistible and more-ish too, and the theme feels just festive enough to make it ideal for Christmas but playable all year round!
Sometimes the premise of a game is so awesome that it’s enough to convince you to give it a try all by itself. We’ve persuaded a whole lot of people to try out Raptor at The Treehouse pretty much on the basis of theme alone, but the good news is that the gameplay is excellent too!
Raptor is an asymmetric game where one player takes on the role of a mother raptor, quietly minding her own business in the jungle/ desert (the board is double-sided) while tending her brood of babies. The other player takes control of a team of scientists, whose aim is to steal at least three of those babies away before the mother can get them safely off the board.
If you’re anything like us you already want to give this a go, but before you dive in let’s talk about how it works. Each player controls their pieces using a small deck of cards numbered one to nine. On each turn, both players draw three cards to choose from, and place the one they want to play face down. The chosen cards are revealed simultaneously (a mechanic we always love, incidentally), and determine who can do what. Each card has a particular power (adding new scientists to the board, say, or letting the mother raptor call some of her babies closer to her), but in order to activate that power the card must have a lower number than the other player. Whoever played the higher number instead gets to perform a number of actions (again, character-specific) equal to the difference in the numbers on the two cards chosen.
Every game of Raptor is guaranteed to be packed with narrative and drama. If the game has a flaw it’s that it seems to be harder to win as the raptors than the scientists, but that only makes victory all the sweeter when you do manage to get your brood to safety!
We know that for some people, competitiveness is a real barrier to enjoyment when it comes to board gaming, and probably never more so than when you’re stuck in a house together with no variety of opponents. Cooperative games offer a neat solution to this: all players work together to defeat the game, so you’re all on the same side and can rage or gloat as a team. The absolute classic of this genre is arguably 2008 release Pandemic in which players race to save the world from viruses, but although this saw a surge in popularity at The Treehouse back in March, we suspect the novelty of this particular theme has probably worn a little thin by this point!
Forbidden Desert was created by the same designer (Matt Leacock, in case you’re interested) and sees players stranded in the desert, racing to assemble a magical air ship from parts which have been scattered across the sand dunes, in order to escape to safety before their water supply runs out. So a bit like going on holiday somewhere hot, if you focus on the right bits!
Players take turns performing actions to bring everyone closer to their goal, moving around the board and excavating spaces to search for airship components. All the while, the sun beats down and a raging sandstorm roams the board, burying everything deeper and deeper under a layer of sand.
This game involves a bunch of really neat mechanics not to mention some great components, and can be played by up to five people if you have them available, although (like most cooperative games) it works beautifully with just two.
If all the options above sound a little too strategic, or if you’re up against some extreme board game scepticism, Tokyo Highway might be the answer. Ever since we added this to our library, we’ve been getting questions along the lines of “what’s that game they’re playing with the tiny cars? It looks so cool!”, and we can only agree: yes, it really does.
To be good at Tokyo Highway, you’ll need spatial awareness, a little bit of strategy, and perhaps most importantly, fine motor skills (don’t be fooled by the plastic tweezers that come with the game – they don’t help as much as you think!). The aim of the game is to place all of your tiny wooden vehicles on sections of your very own highway system, but in order to do this you’ll have to make it cross over and under your opponent’s roads in very specific ways, guaranteeing the creation of an urban planner’s nightmare!
This game is truly unlike any other we’ve come across, and has been known to lure in even the most doubtful gamers. Just make sure your table doesn’t wobble before you begin!
![How to Find the Golden Whale and Enter Treasure Island in Fisch [🏆TREASURE]](https://histream.ir/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fisch-treasure-island-location-and-golden-whale-location-guide.png)
![How to Get the Hirakumi Style in Volleyball Legends [UPD]](https://histream.ir/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/volleyball-legends-how-to-unlock-hirakumi-style.png)
