Back to Blog
![]() ![]() Research consistently shows that calories are king when it comes to bodyweight changes ( 5 ). And how does one get lean? By being in a calorie deficit. Remember, if you want to lose belly fat, you need to get lean all over. Surprisingly, the answer is not hours of abdominal training every day instead, the solution is a consistent diet, intense weight training, and moderate amounts of cardio to facilitate fat loss. So, what's the best way to lose belly fat and gain muscle at the same time? Needless to say, if longevity, health, and being lean matter to you, then carrying a large amount of belly fat is not helping. The excess belly fat also starts to "crowd" around vital organs situated in the abdominal cavity, hindering their function. As visceral fat accumulates in the abdominal cavity, the belly and all its digestive innards start to protrude outward. In the case of belly fat, much of it is white fat tissue that surrounds internal organs that lie on the dorsal side of (read: behind) the abdominal wall this "internal" white fat is "visceral fat" - the main culprit of obesity's numerous harmful effects on the body ( 4 ). Having a portly waistline has many ramifications in terms of health and longevity. The aesthetic consequence of excess belly fat is a protruding gut. (The physiological roles of brown fat extend beyond the scope of this article, so we'll save that for a separate installment.) The majority of the fat tissue in humans is white fat, which is in charge of secreting fat-derived hormones called "adipokines." Humans also contain brown fat, a "healthy" fat that actually increases metabolic rate hence, brown fat tends to be higher in lean individuals. Moreover, not all body fat is the same-humans carry several types of fat tissue with distinct functions ( 3 ). The biological roles of fat tissue go well beyond insulating the body and serving as a long-term energy reservoir. You see, body fat (adipose tissue) is a complicated organ system. ![]() (Sorry folks, spot-reduction is a mainstream myth that just won't go away.) Where your body holds onto excess body fat is unfortunately out of your control, and you can't gain muscle if you're in a chronic calorie deficit ( 2 ). Alas, body recomposition is not as straightforward as one would hope. If we could target stubborn fat deposits like we could isolate specific muscle groups, it wouldn't be that complicated to lose fat and gain muscle. Let's face it: belly fat is the bane of any fitness enthusiast. Don't worry - this guide provides a calorie-cycling template to help with your body recomposition journey. Intuitively, the "workaround" is to have intermittent higher-calorie days to support muscle growth and consume fewer calories on other days to facilitate fat loss. You can't have excess calories and a deficiency of calories at any given moment. Well, doing so is incompatible with the laws of thermodynamics and what we know about human biochemistry: anabolic processes like muscle hypertrophy require a surplus of energy (calories), whereas catabolic processes like burning body fat necessitate an energy deficit. Many fitness enthusiasts take umbrage with the claim that it's not possible to lose fat and build muscle at the same time. ![]() While you theoretically can't build muscle and lose body fat simultaneously, body recomposition is possible with strategic calorie-cycling and diligent training. (Hence, fat-free mass (FFM) is synonymous with LBM.) For body recomposition, the goal is to increase FFM as this is a corollary of being leaner and more muscular ( 1 ). LBM is your total body weight minus fat mass. Another way to look at it is that body recomposition aims to increase the proportion of lean body mass (LBM) to fat mass. In other words, it's when someone wants to lose fat and gain muscle (thereby reducing body fat percentage). What is Body Recomposition?īody recomposition is the process of improving body composition. This guide will outline all the finer points of body recomposition and help you get started on the right foot with an 8-week diet and workout protocol to lose fat and gain muscle. However, this shouldn't discourage you! Body recomposition is achievable with the right diet, training, and supplement regimen. Countless hours of cardio and crunches aren't the answer, either (unless your goal is to be skinny/thin, which is not synonymous with being lean and muscular). If you want rock-hard abs, you need to be lean all over - generally under 10% body fat if you're a man and sub-12% body fat if you're a woman. Can You Lose Fat and Gain Muscle at the Same Time? ![]()
0 Comments
Read More
Back to Blog
Web design company about us page design6/24/2023 ![]() And, just in case there was any doubt, the research also shows that trust produces leads and sales. Research shows that pictures of people (as opposed to things) increases user trust. Users will be evaluating your page asking: Is this a business I can trust to deliver? And one excellent way to build trust with potential customers is by including photos on your page. Doing business on the internet is all about trust. Including images on your “About Us” page isn’t just about making it look pretty (though that certainly helps)-it’s about building trust. ![]() Explain your core business using plain English in an engaging way. That might look great to the execs but it doesn’t mean anything to the average user. Why? Because, in their words, “ marketese and blah-blah text ruled the day on many sites.” So don’t just copy-and-paste your company mission statement onto your page. NNG actually found that the ease of finding out what a business does from their page has dropped 9% over the past five years. The key thing to remember here is not just that you need to say what you do you have to say what you do in a way that’s easy to understand. Chances are, if a user can’t figure out what your business does from your “About Us” page, they won’t stick around to find out. We speed-dated (i.e., checked out the “About Us” pages) 10 Xero (accounting software) accountancy firms in the Waikato, New Zealand, and found that 20% of the pages we assessed still left us with no idea what the business does. This might seem like a no-brainer but it’s a surprisingly tricky thing to get right, especially if your business deals in a jargony, technical field. It’s crucial that your “About Us” page says what goods or services your business provides. So here are some tips for making a top-notch “About Us” page, so you can speed-date your way to more customers. Just follow the link below to your closest hosting: Add and layout content quickly with stacks and blocks. If you haven't tried Rocketspark's website builder, give us a free 30-day test drive. Why? Because nowadays people expect more. Nielsen Norman Group (NNG) recently found that, while the usability of “About Us” pages has improved 9% over the past five years, paradoxically, user satisfaction has actually dropped from 5.2 to 4.6 (on a 1-7 scale). And that might not be as easy as you think. ![]() They’re on the prowl for the right business and you only have a few short moments to win them over. So think of your “About Us” page as speed-dating with a potential customer. Often it’s your “About Us” page-the page that introduces yourself to your website visitor, tells them what you do and builds a rapport that will hopefully turn them into a customer. ![]()
Back to Blog
Sql queries xteam codes channels6/24/2023 ![]() ![]() Statement syntax, at first, we specify the column names and separate them with a comma if we use a single column weĭon’t use any comma in the SELECT statements. Here’s an appendix of commonly used commands. This keeps data accurate and secure, and it helps maintain the integrity of databases, regardless of size. SQL operates through simple, declarative statements. SELECT statement is used to retrieve data from the data tables. SQL, S tructured Q uery L anguage, is a programming language designed to manage data stored in relational databases. The SELECT statement can be described as the starting or the zero point of the SQL queries. We will use this table in our demonstrations in this article. Column 1 is the name and column two is the result (0Success, 1Warning, 2Fail). We can say that data tables are the main objects of the databases because they are holding the data in the relational databases.Īssume that we have a table that holds the history class students’ details data. I have a simple SQL query that returns a table with two columns. The Data Team builds data infrastructure to power approximately 80 of the data that is accessed on a regular basis. Most simply, we can define the relational database as the logical structure in which data tables are kept that canĪ table is a database object that allows us to keep data through columns and rows. The Data Team is responsible for data that is defined and accessed on a regular basis by GitLab team members from the Snowflake Enterprise Data Warehouse. Rob Sewell is waiting for a message and it comes in two parts. This course contains good SQL video tutorials to explain both the basic and advanced SQL and. Sending Messages from SQL Agent to Microsoft Teams. In this article, we will use the T-SQL standards in the examples. This is a free SQL course provided by Stanford University. (T-SQL) language is an extended implementation of the SQL for the Microsoft SQL Server. SQL is the abbreviation of the Structured Query Language words and, it is used to query the databases. At first, we will take a glance at the main notions that we need to know about in order to write database queries. In this article, we will understand and gain the ability to write fundamental SQL queries. Join over 16 million developers in solving code challenges on HackerRank, one of the best ways to prepare for programming interviews. ![]() ![]() Essentially, SQL language allows us to retrieve and manipulate data on the data tables. ![]()
Back to Blog
Flume eating ass burning man6/24/2023 ![]() Undeterred by public opinion Flume - openly speaks about boundary-breaking experimental electronic music, psychedelic-induced visuals and that video with Mixmag. Without a doubt, Flume has earned his place as a commercial electronic music success story. He continues forging a path of his own, experimenting with sensual sound design and visual aesthetics to come into his full-fledged form as an entertainer. His new and improved live sets present Flume not only producing, but spray painting, breaking shit, and overall, having a good ass time. However, if you choose to check out Flume live, you’ll have an even more immersive experience. ![]() Produced by long-time collaborator Jonathan Zawada, it takes us on a literal trip with Streten, traveling through Western Australia and enacting seemingly mundane tasks with the spin of a psychedelic aesthetic - pouring a fizzy drink in his gas tank, driving around the desert in his technicolour car and hiking to unreal peaks. The mixtape visualizer for the album is an interesting peek into the Flume psyche. ‘Hi This is Flume’ reveals his most recent explorations in “computer music”, giving new life to old feelings. Read this next: Setting the scene: how Flume burst out of Australia His live shows permeate electrifying energies from Flume himself to the crowd enticed to join him. The production landed him in the limelight of music festivals around the world from Bonnaroo to Auckland with DJs from Martin Garrix to Disclosure playing his tracks out. ![]() ![]() Spearheading the EDM sub-genre of future bass, most know Flume for his popular track, ‘Never Be Like You’ taken from his 2016 Grammy award winning album, ‘ Skin.’ With ethereal sparkles of sound, dynamic synth chords, and a softly sweet serenade from Canadian singer Kai, ‘Never Be Like You’ is a shining example of Flume’s ability to take his audience through a journey of emotions. A leader of the EDM world, a key figure in opening new frontiers through his live shows and more recently, a magnet of controversy.Īt 27-years-old, Harley Streten is continuing to ride the wave of success he’s found himself on over the last five years. For someone who proclaims over the course of an extended chat with Mixmag that “streaming is king” and ”rap is king”, one could argue that Flume also falls into the king category. ![]()
Back to Blog
Meteoearth app android6/24/2023 ![]() There are lots of free weather apps that give you an extended forecast. The app is not overpriced, but having to buy the extended weather forecast strikes me as over the top. Frankly, I think those extra charges are ludicrous. Three months is available for $1.99 and a year is $5.99. Also, MeteoEarth provides a one-day forecast, but access to long-range forecast information requires a subscription, which is available via in-app purchase. First, it could use a help function though, because its many powerful features aren't immediately intuitive. ![]() I spent some time using the app and found it powerful, but I have a few complaints. It's a cool feature and a shame that it's not free.By subscribing, you are agreeing to Engadget's Terms and Privacy Policy. Outdoor enthusiasts can configure the WU app to monitor specific weather conditions and receive notifications of optimal conditions for whatever outdoor activity they enjoy. Unfortunately, it's locked behind a paywall. While these features enhance the app's functionality, there is one standout feature that sets WU apart. In addition to the weather data, the app includes an air quality index, information on moon phases, and the ability to track multiple locations simultaneously. Whether it's noting similarities to the previous day's weather or advising against outdoor activities due to high pollution levels, the commentary provides valuable insights. It presents temperature, precipitation, and wind data clearly, along with a simple comment that offers daily tips. The main screen resembles a car speedometer but for the weather. Regardless of its name, the WU app, developed and maintained by IBM, boasts the best user interface on our list. This enhanced experience is available for $4.99 per month or $29.99 per year. Simple ad removal costs $1.99 per month or $9.99 per year, while the premium membership unlocks advanced features, offering more frequent and detailed updates at shorter intervals. While the app does contain ads, The Weather Channel offers two premium membership options to remove them. Whether it's staying informed about breaking weather conditions in your area or tracking weather forecasts for sporting events, the app seamlessly integrates live broadcasts for an immersive experience. Through the app, users can access a wide array of videos and news stories. The Weather Channel also has the advantage of being part of a larger news network. What sets it apart from other apps is the meticulous attention to detail, presenting microdust levels and a wealth of comprehensive data. Alongside the standard weather data, it delves deeper into providing additional information such as air quality, heat index, and UV index. The Weather Channel's app stands out in several ways. ![]() Get rid of ads forever with the premium package for a one-time fee of $16.99, giving you unmatched weather insights. With this upgrade, you gain access to advanced radar, a 168-hour forecast, and a strikingly detailed 45-day forecast. Each detail has its own animated emoji menu that makes scrolling through the data easy to identify and fun to look at.įor those seeking an even more immersive weather experience, the Weather app offers a premium version that unlocks a treasure trove of enhanced predictions. What elevates the user experience is the creative use of animated menus for each data point. From wind speed and radar time-lapse to moon cycles, earthquake warnings, air quality, and even indexes for activities like running, driving, and flying, this Weather App leaves no stone unturned. As you delve deeper into the app, you'll discover the staggering range of data it offers. The home screen shows a large animated menu to display the weather clearly along with temperature highs and lows. ![]()
Back to Blog
Rambox bed mat6/24/2023 ![]() ![]() Designed specifically for exterior use, the BedRug Bed Mat offers ultimate truck bed protection and is resistant to staining, bleach, oil, and even battery acid! BedRug Truck Bed Mats will not absorb water and at 3/4" thick are XLT absorbent, meaning they are easy on your knees, and your cargo. You Save: 41.10 ( 22) Fits the following Ram Models. 6.4 Bed Mat with Ram logo, includes tailgate cover (available for Conventional Beds and RamBox) 153.90 MSRP: 195.00. The BedRug Truck Bed Mat is made of polypropylene and features a unique design that looks and feels like carpet, but is a heck of a lot more durable. Extra thick - a full 3/8-inches provides up to 50 more protection than other bed mats. Bed Mats 20 Product Results Filter by Vehicle Search New Vehicle Search Within Results Filters In Stock. The 3/4 padded layer provides dent and impact resistance while offering a cushion for your knees while crawling around in your truck bed. Other Name: Mat Kit-Bed - Exterior Replaces: 82212996, 82207422AB, 82207422. BedRug Truck Bed Mats are made from the same material as the BedRug complete bed liner, but cover only the floor of the bed of your truck. You'll be left with a smooth flat surface and maintain the exact shape and features of your truck bed. If you have a "drop in" liner, it will not fit. ![]() The BedRug XLT Truck Bed Mat will fit your truck if it has no liner, or a spray in liner. Protecting the entire floor and tailgate section of the truck, the BedRug XLT Truck Bed Mat is made specifically for your make and model of truck, meaning it will match the contour and shape of your truck bed floor. If you're looking for the best in truck bed protection that not only is high quality, but also both fits and looks great, the BedRug XLT Truck Bed Mat is the perfect solution for you. ![]()
Back to Blog
Pwsafe 2 locked keyboard on iphone6/24/2023 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() * The application is locked after the time specified in the settings * Load your database and type the strong password once. * Use a strong password for your database Typing such a password on a mobile phone every time you unlock your database is time-consuming and error-prone. random and LONG) password including upper and lower case as well as numbers and special characters. You should protect your password database with a strong (i.e. * directly offer the Copy Username/Password notifications if exactly one entry matches the currently visited URL * go to the screen displaying all entries for the currently visited URL ![]() * bring up a screen to load/unlock a database if no database is loaded and unlocked If you need to lookup a password for a webpage, go to Menu/Share. Install "Keepass2Android Offline" if you don't want to grant this privilege. * Access Internet (required for accessing files via FTP/WebDav). * search dialog with all search options from KeePass 2.x. * support for editing entries including additional string fields, file attachments, tags etc. This shields you from clipboard based password sniffers (see below) * Integrated Soft-Keyboard: Switch to this keyboard for entering user credentials. You can use "Keepass2Android Offline" if you don't need this feature. * Access files from the cloud or the web (Dropbox, Google Drive, SkyDrive, FTP, WebDAV). * QuickUnlock: Unlock your database once with your full password, re-open it by typing just a few characters (see below) * integrates with nearly every Android browser (see below) The backend uses the original KeePass libraries to handle file access to ensure file format compatibility. The user interface is based on Keepassdroid, ported from Java to Mono for Android. kdbx-files, the database format used by the popular KeePass 2.x Password Safe for Windows and other desktop operating systems. Keepass2Android is an open source password manager application for Android. It takes a bit of work to set up, but once it gets going, it's a handy way to securely store passwords and autofill log-in screens. If you like Keepass on Windows, Keepass2Android is a way to use the open-source password manager on your Android phone. So if you'd rather just download, install, and start using a password manager that syncs automatically across your platforms, Keepass2Android is probably not the app for you. SEE: The 5 Best Android Password Managers to Keep Safe Your Passwords ConsĮxtra work: Keepass2Android is suited to those who don't mind fiddling with their apps in the setup process. If you want to run Keepass on other platforms, you might need to do a bit of digging to find the apps for those other OSes or browsers. Its community has ported the open-source tool to Linux, Mac, Android, and iOS, as well as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, and other popular browsers. You can, of course, just create a new database if you don't use Keepass on other platforms.įree: The app is free to use on the Android platform.Īvailable across platforms: The Windows version of Keepass is the official build of the password manager. The Android app can read to and write from the database. Works with Windows Keepass database: If you already Keepass on Windows, you store the Windows password-manager database in the cloud to access from your Android device or you can copy the database to your phone. You can copy and paste your username and password from the database to the log-in screen or turn on the autofill service to automatically populate log-in fields. The database is encrypted using the industry-standard AES-256 and protected with your master password. Stores and secures passwords: Keepass2Android can store your passwords locally on your phone or in a cloud service, such as Dropbox. Keepass2Android is an unofficial port to Android of the popular open-source password manager KeePass on Windows. ![]()
Back to Blog
![]() From the user interface to the mouse gestures and keyboard shortcuts, everything will be under the command and control of the users.Įpic Privacy Browser is a secure and chromium-based web browsers that provide a safe and secure environment for browsing. The best about Vivaldi Browser is that it is a highly customizable web browser. Having this browser in the system means having a personal and powerful web browser under your own full command and control. It integrates almost all those features and functions that are essential for searching points of view. It is an advanced web browser that integrates some features of Chromium technology. It is specially designed for users who have to work for unlimited hours on the internet. The developers of Opera have developed this amazing Browser however, it is entirely different from Opera itself. This web Browser gives the user more screen size so that they should be able to focus more on the web pages without interruptions in the shape of ads. Vivaldi Browser is a Chromium-based web browser that provides the users with the option of setting it either at Chromium interface or Chromeless user interface. The main highlighted features are to kill ads with the integrated adblocker, availability of hi-speed download manager, smart form filler, YouTube video downloader, fully customizable toolbar, own set of themes & plugins to extend the functionalities of the browser, advanced anti-tracking system, one-click Facebook integration option, photo enhancement features, customizable new tab page, flexible web page translation, full support of mouse gestures, flexible options & settings, and a lot of others. There is no requirement for additional plugins and extensions as its own independent extensions will improve its performance. It is one of the fastest web browsers that ensures the security and privacy of the users by restricting the website to track the performance and behavior of the users over the internet. This Browser is a way to enjoy distraction-free browsing as it automatically blocks all ads that annoy and distract the users during the searching. Slimjet Web Browser is a Chromium code-based ad-free web browser that delivers a smooth and fast browsing speed. Moreover, it also provides a fast browsing speed to the users because it automatically stops the traces, scripts, and ads from being uploading and downloading to ensure the maximum browsing speed for the users. ![]() There are proper tools that filter every web page before the users approach these. Whereas, in terms of functionalities, it is entirely different from the normal web browsers as its way of working is entirely different from theirs. Its interface is just like Internet Explorer, Firefox, and other browsers. It also has its own infrastructure of plugins and extensions that let the users extend its features and functionalities. Based on Chromium technology, it provides a secure and safe environment to its users to ensure their safety and security. Whether it is about protecting data, creating a unique ID, or submitting personal entries, it is surely the best of all. It renders fast and innovative features for faster and secure web browsing. Hopefully, someone knowledgeable will be able to tell me how to restore the Restore button (so to speak), or at least how to find the list of tabs open at the time of the crash.SRWare Iron is an ultra-fast web browser based on the combined technology of both Chrome and Chromium. I'm far from a developer, but I'm comfortable poking around under the hood as long as I have specific instructions. The operating environment is Windows 7 Pro 圆4 and Iron Version. Any assistance would be most greatly appreciated, especially since internet searches bring up precious little specific to Iron. So I'm willing to put a fair amount of effort into recovering them. This was not an informal browsing session, but was instead a long list of sites used on a daily basis. ![]() Using History would be difficult, if not impossible, since many of the lost tabs have been open for months/years. I strongly suspect that the list of tabs open at the time of the crash is available somewhere within Iron, but where, and how can it be accessed? ![]() Apparently, in Chrome one can right click in the tab bar to bring up that option, but that's not working for me in Iron. In any case, I cannot find a way to re-attempt a restoration of the lost tabs. Restore has always worked in the past so it's possible I accidentally closed the restore box instead of hitting the Restore button. ![]() Upon restarting the machine & Iron I tried using the restore button to recreate the lost session but nothing happened. ![]()
Back to Blog
Ipad versions 20186/24/2023 ![]() If you intend to keep your iPad attached to a physical keyboard, either model is worth considering, but the larger version offers extra screen size for multitasking and a little more battery life. The larger model is the smallest 12.9-inch iPad Apple has made, but it’s still a big tablet.įor that reason, I’d suggest you stick with the 11-inch model if you expect to use your iPad Pro frequently as a pure tablet - in other words, without Apple’s Smart Keyboard Folio accessory. If you frequently use the virtual keyboard, you’ll find it impossible to thumb-type with both hands while cradling the device in landscape orientation, and struggle even in portrait mode. Some reviewers have casually suggested that prior 9.7-inch and 10.5-inch iPad users could easily move up to this year’s 12.9-inch model, but I generally disagree: Depending on the way you use your iPad, that switch could be a huge mistake. ![]() ![]() Removing edge tapering makes the aluminum-bodied iPad Pros feel like solid bricks - more serious tools, like the classic iPhone 4 minus its dense stainless steel, yet with soft rather than sharp screen edges. Weighing just over 1 pound, the 11-inch model feels as light as its recent predecessors, while the 12.9-inch model doesn’t feel that much heavier - at around 1.4 pounds, it’s actually 0.1 to 0.2 pounds lighter than the original iPad, and the weight is more comfortably distributed across a larger surface area.Īs you might guess, the key difference between the new models is screen size, and that turns out to be a critical differentiator between the 11- and 12.9-inch models. Apart from a larger camera lens and bulge, the new models are only 5.9mm thick, a relatively small dip from the prior iPad Pros’ 6.1mm (11-inch) and 6.9mm (12.9-inch) bodies, but a gigantic reduction from the first iPad’s tapered 13mm back. Placed next to each other, the 11-inch Pro is just a little narrower and taller than the original iPad (above), while also being slightly wider and shorter than the prior 10.5-inch Pro (below), but both 2018 models are thinner than their predecessors. They share the same flat sides, minimalist front design, and spartan back, though the new models continue to trim away as much external fat as possible while evolving internally. While some have suggested that Apple adopted an all-new iPad Pro design this year, the latest models are actually highly refined versions of the very first iPad. But as has been the case year after year before, these Pro tablets won’t actually be able to replace Pro laptops for most professional users.Īs much as I’d love to use an iPad Pro instead of a MacBook for work, the 11-inch model remains as much a pure tablet as the first iPad, and the 12.9-inch model still isn’t ready to fully supplant a laptop, even when either is equipped with Apple’s latest detachable keyboard. They’re both ultimately limited by software - both iOS and third-party apps - though I fully expect that millions of people will want to try their hardest to make one of these new iPad Pros work for them, anyway. They look professional, feel fantastic in the hand, are thin enough to fit anywhere, and have the best iPad accessories Apple has ever made. Judged strictly by their hardware, the new iPad Pros are legitimately awesome. Screen and battery aside, they both share the same internal components, notably including a processor with a Pro laptop-matching CPU and a console-matching GPU. An all-new model with an 11-inch screen has the same general dimensions as prior 9.7-inch and 10.5-inch iPads, while the “third-generation iPad Pro” with a 12.9-inch screen now has the footprint of a standard sheet of paper. ![]() The new iPads were pitched as more powerful than 92 percent of current laptops, and the most capable members of an already 400-million-iPad dynasty. When Apple introduced its latest iPad Pros last month, it was finally ready to make that claim, albeit in a nuanced way. ![]()
Back to Blog
Troy total war saga6/24/2023 ![]() ![]() You have other recruitment options outside of battle too with Agents. But rather than being the Minotaur of legend, instead, these are warrior versions of these myths, and so in this case, you recruit a hulking great warrior with a bull skull helmet, blurring the line of fantasy and reality, but certainly avoiding absurdity. If you build up enough favor, you can earn specific boons for your armies that can turn the tide of battle.Īs well as this, you can also recruit some mythical units such as the legendary Minotaur. ![]() You can pray to numerous Greek gods, to earn their favor, as well as build temples and conduct sacrifices in their honour. These characters aren’t just flesh and blood but also the divine, and Creative Assembly have embraced this part of its source material too. ![]() However, dedicated players will appreciate the need to constantly flex to maintain the advantage, and will reap the rewards for doing so against stronger opponents.Īncient Greece has always been famous for its legends and myths, not least Homer’s Iliad, which dictates the events and characters of this game. Differentiating units mid-battle now also requires more concentration. In practice, the battles do feel slightly flatter than previous titles because of the lack of diversity. New terrain of Long Grass, Mud and Sand impact movement speed and visibility, which again forces you to reconsider where your advantages lie. So for example heavier units move slower, but are stronger, and can take a frontal assault easier than light counterparts. Infantry are therefore ranked by weight, and their usage in battle changes based on this. The battles feel different as well, as they are almost entirely infantry-focussed, given the rarity of mounts at the time the Trojan War is postulated to have taken place. All provinces have a centre, with several surrounding settlements, each geared to one resource, making them a critical consideration when choosing where to invade to top up your coffers. But wood and stone are used as well to construct buildings in your settlements, and clay and gold to recruit the most advanced military units, and build premium buildings. ![]() You’ll still have to manage food, mainly to feed your people and recruit basic units to your armies. The first one that becomes apparent from the outset is that Troy integrates a Multiple Resource Economy. The support is well-executed, and that’s important, because despite having plenty of the hallmarks of a Total War title, A Total War Saga: Troy also has a lot of new ideas too. And there’s also your Advisor who will guide you through various facets of play too. A simple press of F1 will bring up the overlay and allow you to hover over any section for useful tips. The Total War Help overlay makes a welcome return should you have a query on what each part of the puzzle is for. You set the level of support you require at the start of each Campaign, tailoring your experience. Your time is spent keeping your citizens happy, your settlements flourishing and your armies alive as you expand your influence, reputation, and empire.įans will feel right at home, but newcomers can expect a gentle point of entry too. You can only complete a certain number of tasks before ending your turn, and every other warring faction on the map then has their turn. You move your heroes around the overworld map – Ancient Greece – and engage in battle with individuals or cities should you wish to conquer them. Whilst the realistic strategy that Total War prides itself on is still present, there’s more than a flourish of the mythical and the fantastical, akin to the Ancient Greek legends from the time, and frankly Troy is all the better for it.įirst off, there are plenty of mechanics and workings in this game that series veterans will lap up and feel instantly familiar with it. Not only does this take us back further in history than we’ve ever been in a Total War title, but it’s also clear there’s a willingness to do things a little bit differently too. But few conflicts are as infamous as the mythical Trojan War, the focus of Creative Assembly’s latest installment, A Total War Saga: Troy. Throughout the Total War franchise, many conflicts have been faithfully recreated with the series’ familiar brand of strategy and bloodshed. ![]() |