Complete the following achievements to unlock Microsoft Gamerscore points.
Achievement
How to unlock
Campaign Strategy (30 points)
Destroy 10 of Slim's re-election billboards.
Danger Close (30 points)
Kill 30 enemies using Proximity Mines.
Herbalist (50 points)
Reach the Max Herbalism level.
Mr. Green Thumb (30 points)
Fully upgrade the Grow House.
That Good Connect (30 points)
Sell a single batch of weed for $10,000 or more.
Trap Game Strong (30 points)
Successfully trigger 10 Vehicle Traps.
Ammo (Exploit)
Progress through the game to the point where you meet Cassandra, after which the mobile arms dealer should become an available option. You can then get free ammo refills if you call the dealer to your position, then switch to a different weapon. Equip that other weapon, then switch back to the weapon that prompted you to call the dealer in the first place. This process will refill that weapon's ammunition at no cost to you. Keep in mind, though, that the exploit is likely to be fixed with a future software patch.
Avoid Losing Money
You have to manually store the money you earn inside the safe. It is advised that before you go on a mission where you may die that you visit the safe to store your money so you avoid losing half of the money in your wallet if you die.
Barclay Mills Playboy Locations
November, 1963 - As you head uphill on the road leading from Delray Hollow and into Barclay Mills, check the back deck of the first house on your left.
February, 1964 - Follow the road leading from Delray Hollow and through the hills. On your right, you should find a small garage near a home. Check that deck's back deck to find the magazine sitting on a table.
September, 1963 - Near the district's northeast side, as you approach from the west (just down the road from the hills area), leave the road near the first house you reach above the shantytown. In an adjacent house, you'll find the magazine issue.
January, 1964 - In the industrial area located at the district's west side, check the large warehouse located just north from the railroad tracks.
Bayou Fantom Playboy Locations
June, 1962 - Check a small island near the Bayou's western end. Look for a small cottage and boathouse, positioned along the northern bank. Check inside the buildings to find the magazine resting on a table.
August, 1968 - On one of the central islands, you'll see a large cove with a wrecked galleon. At the center of that island, you'll find a hut with the magazine issue inside.
June, 1968 - Start from the large cove near the center of the bayou and head northeast to find a cluster of fishing huts. To the south from there, across some water, you'll spot a single shack with a dock. There, you can find the issue.
July, 1968 - Access the shantytown located near the center of the Bayou area. Then check the deck of the second-to-last building near the settlement's western side.
March, 1962 - Near the southeastern end of the bayou, look for a warehouse next to some railroad tracks. Check the woods behind the compound and you'll spy a small house. Inside waits the magazine issue.
Building Your Fortune
Perhaps the best way to earn money in the game is through rackets. You assign underbosses to a racket, and then you can periodically visit them to collect whatever they earned for you during your absence. It's important to visit them often, though, since there are limits to how much money they'll keep safe on your behalf. It's also worth progressing the story missions, since completing them will raise the cap and also give you new ways to build your fortune. In particular, try to play until at least the point when you meet Donovan, who you will find on a bench in Barclay Mills. And once you have put away $140,000, you can also hire someone to collect racket money on your behalf, so that you can spend your time and energy elsewhere.
Delray Hollow Playboy Locations
August, 1964 - Located in your basement room at Sammy's bar. It is positioned on the desk across from your bed.
August, 1966 - Check the laundromat down the street from Sammy's bar. It is in the manager's office, which itself is located along the left of the hallway past the Employee's Only door, on the left side of the laundromat.
November, 1967 - Check the southwest corner of the central island in the Hollow. In a small green house, down the street from the bridge that leads into the bayou, the magazine is sitting on a desk positioned along the south wall.
May, 1964 - Positioned on the far end of the bar at the Double Barrel Bar, which is located across from the abandoned amusement park on the Hollow's south island.
Earning money
Collect money from rackets to earn a good amount of money. Your underbosses control rackets and collect money directly from them. You will need to visit your underbosses to get the money. There is a cap on the amount they can hold for you at a time. If you do not collect it, they will stop bringing money in from the rackets. Keep visiting your underbosses on a regular bases to collect the money. The cap will increase with game progression. Progressing through the story and having all three underbosses to command will unlock new ways to earn money, like Stealing Dead Drops and Following Bagmen. However, this method will not become available until you progress through the main storyline to meet Donovon on a bench in Barclay Mills. Progressing through the main storyline is important, especially getting closer to Vito Scaletta. Reach $140,000 to unlock the ability to hire someone to collect the racket money. This will allow you to Steal Dead Drops and Follow Bagmen instead of worrying about collecting racket money.
Easy "Bon Appétit!" achievement
Alligators can be found in the rivers of the Bayou area (south of map). Stop a car on the road and shoot the civilian inside. Then, drop their body in the water near an alligator to get the "Bon Appétit!" achievement.
Easy "Custom 358" achievement
This achievement requires a fast sports car, like the De'Leo Stiletto, which can be found (rare) randomly driving around in the Frisco Fields region (north-west of map). Other high-end sports cars also work, like the Samson Duke and Samson Opus, which both can be found (rare) randomly anywhere in the game. The route you want to take goes from south-west Frisco Fields over the bridge to Barclay Mills, through the tunnel and down the hill. Just follow the main road after passing the bridge. Since you will be driving downhill, you can easily keep your speed. Later in the game, you can also unlock upgrades that improve the speed of your vehicle. Thus, if you have any trouble, you can wait until later in the game.
Easy "Flambé" achievement
A great farming spot to do this is where you encounter Molotov enemies for the first time, which is in the second story mission called "The Home Fires Burn", taking place in the Bayou. At the start of the mission, make sure you grab a weak pistol and keep it for later. After finding Baka, an enemy will throw a Molotov at you and you see a tutorial prompt on how to use Molotovs. Hide behind cover and one of the enemies on the right will always throw a Molotov at you. It usually takes him 20 seconds to throw it. He will shout "Throwing Molotov" or "Firebomb" or "Fire from the Sky" when he is about to throw it -- that is when you must shoot him with the pistol. It is important you use a low-damage pistol, otherwise your weapon might kill him. If you time it right, he will drop the molotov and burn himself. Run down to the other enemies and let them kill you (do not use checkpoint restart, as it may not track progress properly). Repeat this ten times to get the "Flambé" achievement. If something goes wrong, always let the enemies kill you. There are limited opportunities to get this achievement in the game. If you miss this opportunity, it is recommended you try this during a new game.
Easy "I'm Goin' In!" and "Softened 'Em Up" achievements
Rackets are part of the story. After a few missions, you will learn how to attack racket bosses and unlock their objectives on the map. To lure them out, you must complete certain objectives that are marked on the map. Each racket has two enforcers. They are marked by a skull icon on the map. For the "I'm Goin' In!" achievement, do not go to these skull icons when doing the racket objectives. Instead, you will have to do all the other objectives to cause enough havoc to the racket. Collect all the money at the objectives. Interrogate informants to find new objectives. Sometimes there are also vehicles driving around that belong to the racket -- destroying them also counts as damage. After causing enough damage, talk to your contact to get the "I'm Goin' In!" achievement (before going to the actual racket Boss fight). For the "Softened Em' Up" achievement, do the exact opposite and kill the two enforcers (marked by skull symbols on map). There are a lot of rackets in the game -- so you will have plenty of chances to get these achievements.
Easy "Never Saw It Coming" achievement
A good place to kill an enemy within two seconds of kicking open a door is when you kick open your very first door in the game -- in "The Home Fires Burn" (second story mission). Keep some enemies alive before kicking open the door to the Baka mini-boss. You cannot kill Baka -- so it does not work on him. After kicking open the door, turn around and shoot one of his goons. This is best done with a rifle or shotgun. Note: There are limited opportunities to do this throughout the story. If you miss this opportunity, it is recommended you try this during a new game.
Easy "New Bordeaux Drifter" achievement
Go to the following location in the open world (also shown in the video). You can go there at any time. There is a safehouse/respawn point there. A car is parked in front of the respawn point. There is a good chance it is a "Berkley Gypsy". If you get a different car, kill yourself and you will get a new one (or drive away and come back later). Drive the car up the road, and then drift through the mud on the left side of the road. To drift, hold the brake and handbrake for a short moment and pull the left stick all the way to the left/right. You must drift for 5 seconds or longer in one go to get the "New Bordeaux Drifter" achievement.
Easy "Next Time Swim Faster" achievement
Alligators can be found in the rivers of the Bayou area (south of map). Just jump in the water and swim around until an alligator kills you to get the "Next Time Swim Faster" achievement.
Easy "One Good Turn" achievement
It is likely you will get this achievement naturally. Get a fast car and drive along the highway. Then, pull the handbrake and steer left or right. You have to make a 180 degree or more turn. Make sure you are driving fast enough or it will not count.
Easy "Recruited To 5th SFG" achievement
A great place to get five headshots in five seconds is at French Ward police station (in center-north of map). There are many cops close together. Hide behind a wall or car and throw a "Screaming Zemi" in the garage where three cops are standing. It will lure all the cops from the police station. They will all stand around the Screaming Zemi to investigate. Take out your weapon (pistols and rifles work best) and quickly shoot them in the head. If you fail, let them kill you. You will respawn in a nearby safehouse and can try again. The Screaming Zemi is unlocked after defeating the first Racket Boss, very early in the game. You can buy it at any time from the Arms Dealer (who you can call from the weapon wheel).
Easy "Sending A Message" achievement
This can be done anywhere against policemen and any enemies. After the first few story missions, you will learn how to perform brutal takedowns. At the end of a melee combo, hold B and release it at the right time. You will see a short quick time event with a button prompt. A small circle will fill up and you must release the button at the right time to perform a special type of takedown. There will also be an audio cue when you have done it correctly. Simply cause some chaos, let the police spot you, run up to them, perform three melee attacks in a row, then hold B. You must perform three of these finishers in a row, no other kills are allowed. It is recommended to bring some adrenaline shots to refill health and play on the Easy difficulty.
Easy "Testing The Shock" achievement
This achievement requires a fast sports car, like the De'Leo Stiletto, which can be found (rare) randomly driving around in the Frisco Fields region (north-west of map). Other high-end sports cars also work. There is a construction site in the north-western corner of Frisco Fields (by the water). It has a large ramp made of dirt. Start driving from the end of the map to the ramp at the construction site. With enough speed, you will be able to reach 50+ meters easily. The car must land on its wheels to get the "Testing The Shock" achievement. There are many other ramps all over the map. Later in the game, you can also unlock upgrades that improve the speed of your vehicle. Thus, if you have any trouble, you can wait until later in the game.
Easy "Wrecker" achievement
You can execute ten vehicle takedowns while being chased by the police. Bring a pistol with enough ammo and drive at high speeds. Then, press Y to aim at the police car's tires and shoot them when the little hit-marker turns green. You can toggle between the tires by pressing LB. At fast speeds, the police car will go up in flames and flip upside down. It only counts when the police car flips. Sometimes you only need to shoot one tire, sometimes two. To target them, you will also need to look behind you by pressing the Right Analog-stick. This does not have to all be done during one chase. You can let them kill you and refill ammo and do it again.
Play It Safe
When you head out on a mission, you're putting your fortune at risk. You can place money in a safe if there's a risk that you'll meet an untimely end. Missions increase that risk, so you should make a habit of depositing most of your walking around money in the safe before you try to move the story forward that next step. Then, if you fail the mission and lose half of the money currently on your person, the loss is less of a disaster.
Screaming Zemi
This throwable item is unlocked when you have completed the first Racket mission of the game which involves killing Merle Jackson and taking over his nightclub. You can also purchase Screaming Zemis from the Arms Dealer Associate via the weapon wheel.
Various Achievements
Complete the following achievements to unlock Microsoft Gamerscore points.
Achievement
How to unlock
.45 in My Hand (25 points)
Complete ".45 in My Hand".
Baby, You're a Rich Man (10 points)
Earn $500,000.
Before They Bury You (100 points)
Complete "Before They Bury You.
Big Earner (15 points)
Receive $10,000 in earn from one Underboss.
Bon Appétit! (15 points)
Feed a body to an alligator.
Burn Like Napalm (30 points)
Complete "Burn Like Napalm".
Can't Trust a Rat (15 points)
Kill 15 Racket Informants.
Cash in Hand (10 points)
Save $150,000 between your wallet and the bank.
Certainly Was Exciting (30 points)
Complete "Certainly Was Exciting".
Closed Casket (15 points)
Perform 50 Brutal Takedowns.
Code 112 (15 points)
Steal a Police car.
Combat Specialist (15 points)
Kill 300 enemies using Takedowns.
Custom 358 (15 points)
Drive at 120 mph or faster for 20 seconds.
Cut & Run (15 points)
Complete "Cut & Run".
Everyone Will Notice (15 points)
Complete "Everyone Will Notice".
Family (15 points)
Reach the Loyal state with all three Underbosses.
Fish Gotta Eat (15 points)
Complete "Fish Gotta Eat".
Flambé (15 points)
Make 10 enemies kill themselves with their own Molotovs.
For Old Time's Sake (15 points)
Complete "For Old Time's Sake".
Hole in Your Pocket (15 points)
Spend at least $500,000.
I Need a Favor (25 points)
Complete "I Need a Favor".
I'm Goin' In! (15 points)
Attack a Racket without killing any Enforcers.
IRA Don't Ask (25 points)
Complete "IRA Don't Ask".
Insurance Risk (15 points)
Escape a Police Zone after being chased for 2 minutes.
It's a Brave New World (15 points)
Complete "It's a Brave New World".
Jesuit in New Mexico (15 points)
Complete "Jesuit in New Mexico".
Just You and Me (15 points)
Keep only one Underboss alive until "Yet Here We Are".
Little Late for That (15 points)
Complete "Little Late for That".
Live Another Day (15 points)
Recruit 15 Racket Informants.
My Name is Lincoln Clay (15 points)
Complete "My Name is Lincoln Clay".
Never Saw it Coming (15 points)
Kill an enemy within 2 seconds of kicking open a door.
New Bordeaux Drifter (15 points)
While driving, drift for at least 5 seconds.
Next Time Swim Faster (15 points)
Get eaten by an alligator.
No Loose Ends (15 points)
Kill all of the Racket Bosses.
One Good Turn (15 points)
Make a 180 degree turn at high speed without hitting anything.
Pray on the Way Up (15 points)
Complete "Pray on the Way Up".
Racketeer (15 points)
Get the maximum earn from one of your Rackets.
Real Nice Time (30 points)
Complete "Real Nice Time".
Recruited to 5th SFG (15 points)
Perform 5 headshots in 5 seconds.
Sending A Message (15 points)
Chain together 3 or more Brutal Takedowns.
Shh, shh (15 points)
Perform 100 Stealth Takedowns on enemies.
Softened 'Em Up (15 points)
Completely weaken a Racket by killing all of its Enforcers.
Somethin' I've Gotta Do (15 points)
Complete "Somethin' I've Gotta Do".
Standard Communication Grid (15 points)
Wiretap the Delray Hollow Smack Racket.
Sure Thing, Boss (15 points)
Unlock all Associates.
Testing the Shocks (15 points)
While driving, perform a 50-meter jump and land on your wheels.
The Connection to Cuba (15 points)
Complete "The Connection to Cuba".
The New Boss (15 points)
Flip 16 Racket Bosses.
The Poor Sumb**** (15 points)
Complete "The Poor Sumb****".
There's a War Goin' On (15 points)
Complete "There's a War Goin' On".
Trust (15 points)
Reach the Loyal state with one Underboss.
We Partners Now (15 points)
Complete "We Partners Now".
We're in This Together (15 points)
Keep all Underbosses alive until "Yet Here We Are".
