It's fun to discover a video game on your own, but every so often, you need a helping hand. We're here to be that hand. This year, Kotaku made a regular habit out of publishing "Before you start" guides to give players spoiler-free tips on how to get the most out of a given video game.
Maybe you got some new games as gifts in the last few weeks, or perhaps you grabbed something in a Steam sale and are looking to dive in? Save yourself some time with some Kotaku-approved tips.
Before You Start… Tips for Playing Mass Effect 3 The Best Way
Mass Effect 3 has finally arrived (and with it, the reaper invasion). While the concluding chapter in the three-game space opera can be played in a number of ways -player choice is, after all, one of its driving forces - More »
Before You Start... Tips For Playing The Witcher 2 The Best Way
Today marks the release of The Witcher 2: Enhanced Edition on both Xbox 360 and PC. Sure, those of us with a powerful gaming PC probably played through this game one or more times. More »
Before You Start: Tips for Playing Diablo III the Best Way
Diablo III is upon us, and while the more dedicated fans of Blizzard's action role-playing franchise are well on their way to total demon domination, players new to the series might need a little help getting started. More »
Before You Start… Tips For Playing Torchlight II The Best Way
Torchlight II comes out tomorrow on Steam. It's a whole lot of fun, and it's different from Diablo III in some very interesting ways.
If you're planning on playing the game, I thought I'd look back at my first 30 hours with it and offer some basic pointers. More »
Before You Start... Tips For Playing Borderlands 2 The Best Way
Borderlands 2 is a tough game. Tougher than I remember the first game being, in fact. It's also an incredibly large game, with plenty of side quests, challenges and achievements to burn through.
Now that I've finished the game and seen a lot of what it has to offer, I thought I'd lend a hand... More »
Before You Start… Tips For Playing Resident Evil 6 The Best Way
Are you going to play Resident Evil 6? Get your button mashing fingers ready, prepare yourself to twirl some analog sticks, and tape the following advice to your fridge. More »
Before You Start: Tips for Playing XCOM: Enemy Unknown the Best Way
Saving the world ain't easy. It takes strategy, preparation, determination and more than a little luck. More »
Before You Start: Tips For Playing Far Cry 3 The Best Way
Ubisoft's tropical action game Far Cry 3 comes out today. It's massive, it's open-world, and it's a hell of a lot of fun. More »
Before You Start: One Tip For Playing Journey The Best Way
Here at Kotaku, we like to put together lists of tips for getting the most out of some games. Skyrim, Far Cry 3, Arkham City, games like that.
Journey isn't really a game like those other ones. More »
We hope to offer you may more helpful tips in 2013.
(Top photo via Shutterstock)