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We have watched the Void stretch across the galaxy for too long. The threat posed to our Liberty is too great and we can no longer stand by as the Illuminate gain ground. Helldivers, you are needed on the battlefield of a new frontier–one more wild and uncertain than any we have faced prior. We must venture into their haunted abyss, the Void, and liberate it back into Super Earth’s control. Today’s Devoid of Liberty release also coincides with Helldivers 2 entering the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog. Starting today, Helldivers 2 will be available to PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium members. Journey to the Void Getting into the Void presents a unique challenge. High Command has ordered reconnaissance missions to gather as much intel as possible in order to give us an advantage. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image The planets within the Void’s reach have been altered–strange mutations have left a permanent mark on planets, and intelligence reports suggest that these changes are even more significant the closer the planets are to the Void itself. What lies inside? View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Complete new missions You will be given new objectives to conquer–destroy Illuminate spires and gateways, complete data reconnaissance, and infiltrate Illuminate structures with your team. New secondary objectives will also become available, from eradicating Void mutations to extracting materials for research, as well as the opportunity to open a secondary extraction zone on the map to potentially evacuate your squad faster. Exterminate new threats As you fight your way toward the Void, you’ll encounter new, hideously mutated organisms. We have received intelligence reports that indicate these metamorphosed creatures are emerging from the heart of the Void–they are ghoulish diversions wrought into existence by the Illuminate scourge to threaten our freedom. The Wretch View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image The nimble Wretch moves fast and can easily overwhelm weaker fighters and dodge their counter-attacks–don’t let it get the jump on you. The Crusher View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image On a relentless death march, the Crusher can take heavy damage and also dish it out. Wear it down before it regenerates. Dive with more impact We aren’t sending you in without backup. You may now gain all 300 ranks of security access and privileges, as well as new rank titles. We have commissioned SEAF platoons to aid in completing operations. They’ll arrive on dropships to fight alongside you and your squad, offering medical support via stims, but also give a boost to your morale when you salute, shake hands, and–of course–hug them. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image This is our opportunity to strike and avenge the citizens, SEAF, and Helldivers lost in the Battle for Super Earth. PlayStation Plus Join the fight for galactic freedom as acclaimed co-op shooter Helldivers 2 arrives in the Game Catalog – included with PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium*, starting today. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Want more good news? The Helldivers 2 community is about to take on an epic collective challenge: eliminate 500 million enemies by August 18 to unlock four Helldiver PlayStation avatars. Join the fight and help the community reach the goal! View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Helldivers 2 Super Merch store Helldivers 2 Super Merch is now available for those dedicated to the pursuit of Liberty and Democracy. Super Earth recognizes your accomplishments with special merchandise for purchase; complete in-game achievements in Helldivers 2 to unlock this merchandise on the Helldivers 2 Super Merch store**. Want to see what Helldivers 2 Super Merch is available to you? Simply sign on to the Helldivers 2 Super Merch store using your preferred platform. The latest update, Devoid of Liberty*** is live now! Take back the galaxy, divers–give these squids hell. *PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and PlayStation Plus Premium/Deluxe lineups may differ by region. Please check PlayStation Store on release day. Digital PS5 games available to stream from your library will vary over time, region, and country. PlayStation Plus is subject to a recurring subscription fee taken automatically until cancellation. Terms apply: play.st/psplus-usageterms ** The Helldivers 2 Super Merch program is currently only available in certain regions. For the full list of supported countries please visit here. ***Gameplay requires internet access and paid-for subscription on console (sold separately). View the full article

Last month, the team at Insomniac Games and Marvel Games shared lots of new details and reveals at San Diego Comic-Con for Marvel’s Wolverine. Today, we’re giving a first look at the PS5 Digital Edition – Marvel’s Wolverine Battle Yellow Limited Edition Bundle, which features a PS5 Digital Edition that captures the raw ferocity of Wolverine alongside a matching DualSense wireless controller and a game code for Marvel’s Wolverine. Play Video View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Inspired by Insomniac’s Battle Reborn suit and claws, the PS5 Digital Edition – Marvel’s Wolverine Battle Yellow Limited Edition Bundle will be available globally and channels Logan’s unmistakable intensity through a bold yellow finish. The design brings in Wolverine’s exposed claw marks and lets players peek under the hood of the PS5 Digital Edition and see what’s underneath. The DualSense wireless controller also features furious slashes inspired by his famous claws, giving players a striking way to bring the game into the palm of their hands. The DualSense Wireless Controller – Marvel’s Wolverine Battle Yellow Limited Edition will also be available for standalone purchase globally. It was important for us to capture the primal energy of Wolverine in this new look for the PS5 console, and it has been fantastic collaborating with Insomniac Games and Marvel Games on the design. We worked alongside Jock, the Scottish graphic artist who contributed to the key art for Marvel’s Wolverine and whose work across comics helped inspire the bold, graphic tone of this limited edition design: “I wanted to show Wolverine at his fiercest for Marvel’s Wolverine Limited Edition PS5 Console bundle and accessories. I still draw all my artwork traditionally, so the opportunity to marry cutting-edge hardware with the energy and looseness of hand-drawn ink is incredibly exciting. I’m stunned by how well the console and accessories captured the raw energy of the drawing, bringing Wolverine to life in a completely unique way. ” – Jock, Graphic Artist “His [Jock] illustrative works have the energy and dynamics needed to capture the kinetic and violent nature of our hero. One whose primary interaction with the world is with unbreakable Adamantium claws. Jock’s illustrations are grounded and raw and perfectly personify Wolverine.” – Marcus Smith, Insomniac Games View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image If you already own a PS5 (model group – slim) or PS5 Pro console, you’ll be able to purchase PS5 and PS5 Pro Console Covers – Marvel’s Wolverine Battle Yellow Limited Edition in limited quantities through local retailers. These console covers include covers for both PS5 consoles with disc drives, and consoles without disc drives. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image We’re also revealing another special PS5 Pro console cover design for players looking to channel another side of Wolverine. Inspired by the adamantium bonded to Logan’s skeleton and claws, the PS5 Pro Console Covers – Marvel’s Wolverine Adamantium Limited Edition feature the same dramatic claw-slashed details with a premium metallic finish that evoke Wolverine’s raw power and let players peer into the PS5 Pro console. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image A matching DualSense Wireless Controller – Marvel’s Wolverine Adamantium Limited Edition also features the same metallic finish and will be available for separate standalone purchase. You can purchase the Marvel’s Wolverine Adamantium Limited Edition PS5 Pro console covers and DualSense wireless controller design in limited quantities through local retailers. In Singapore, DualSense Wireless Controller – Marvel’s Wolverine Adamantium Limited Edition will be available exclusively through select retailer channels in limited quantity. More details will be shared on later date through retail channels. Insomniac Games is bringing an all-new original action-packed experience with Marvel’s Wolverine, and we hope you enjoy these designs inspired by the game and character. We can’t wait for players to experience Marvel’s Wolverine on PS5 when it launches beginning September 15, 2026. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Marvel’s Wolverine Limited Edition Bundle and Accessories Purchase Information Marvel’s Wolverine PS5 Digital Edition bundle and accessories are available for pre-order starting August 19 at 10 AM local time, with Suggested Retail Price (SRP) as below: PlayStation 5 Digital Edition – Marvel’s Wolverine Battle Yellow Limited Edition Bundle SGD 849 / MYR 2,799 / IDR 11,399,000 / THB 20,990 DualSense Wireless Controller – Marvel’s Wolverine Battle Yellow Limited Edition SGD 115 / MYR 419 / IDR 1,549,000 / THB 2,890 / PHP 5,411 / VND 2,399,000 PlayStation 5 Console Covers – Battle Yellow Limited Edition SGD 101 / MYR 369 / IDR 1,359,000 / THB 2,590 / PHP 4,767 / VND 2,099,000 PlayStation 5 Pro Console Covers – Marvel’s Wolverine Battle Yellow Limited Edition SGD 101 / MYR 369 / IDR 1,359,000 / THB 2,590 PlayStation 5 Pro Console Covers – Marvel’s Wolverine Adamantium Limited Edition SGD 101 / MYR 369 / IDR 1,359,000 / THB 2,590 DualSense Wireless Controller – Marvel’s Wolverine Adamantium Limited Edition SGD 115 / MYR 419 / IDR 1,549,000 / THB 2,890 / PHP 5,411 / VND 2,399,000 Marvel’s Wolverine Limited Edition PS5 Console bundle and accessories will be available beginning September 15 in limited quantities. Check our website for more details. View the full article

We’re excited to share that Phantom Blade Zero is now available for pre-order. We’re also sharing a deeper look at the game in a special Phantom Blade Zero gameplay deep dive State of Play broadcast, streaming August 17 at 7:00pm PT / 10:00pm ET | August 18 at 3:00am BST / 10:00am Beijing Time / 11:00am JST. Today’s new extended trailer isn’t enough to cover our intricate gameplay systems, dynamic combat, and the dark wuxia land we call the Phantom World. That’s why our upcoming State of Play takes a much closer look at what you can expect from Phantom Blade Zero. You may have recognized a familiar face at the end of the pre-order trailer. Donnie Yen has served as creative consultant for Phantom Blade Zero since 2023, bringing his martial arts and action filmmaking expertise to our combat design to help deliver an authentic kung fu experience. He also takes on the role of Facial & Motion Capture Actor for Mó Yuan, our protagonist Soul’s father. What you saw in the pre-order trailer is only the beginning. Battling enemies atop a speeding wagon and crossing blades with former comrades like The Hunt are just the opening moments of Soul’s journey. The Phantom Blade Zero gameplay deep dive State of Play will introduce never-before-seen characters central to our story while showing just how expressive players can be with their individual builds. We’re looking forward to finally sharing more of what we’ve been working on. Play Video Until then, Phantom Blade Zero launches on October 29, 2026, and is available to pre-order now on PlayStation 5. Pre-ordering Phantom Blade Zero grants early unlock of the Treasure Basin accessory and the Legacy outfit. Both items can also be obtained through in-game progression. We’re excited to share much more during our special standalone State of Play on August 17 and hope you’ll join us on the PlayStation Twitch and YouTube channels! Regarding co-streaming and video-on-demand (VOD) Please note that this broadcast may include copyrighted content (e.g. licensed music) that Sony Interactive Entertainment does not control. We welcome and celebrate our amazing co-streamers and creators, but licensing agreements outside our control could interfere with co-streams or VOD archives of this broadcast. If you’re planning to save this broadcast as a VOD to create recap videos, or to repost clips or segments from the show, we advise omitting any copyrighted music. View the full article

Last month, the team at Insomniac Games and Marvel Games shared lots of new details and reveals at San Diego Comic-Con for Marvel’s Wolverine. Today, we’re giving a first look at the PS5 Digital Edition – Marvel’s Wolverine Battle Yellow Limited Edition Bundle, which features a PS5 Digital Edition that captures the raw ferocity of Wolverine alongside a matching DualSense wireless controller and a game code for Marvel’s Wolverine. Play Video View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Inspired by Insomniac’s Battle Reborn suit and claws, the PS5 Digital Edition – Marvel’s Wolverine Battle Yellow Limited Edition Bundle will be available globally and channels Logan’s unmistakable intensity through a bold yellow finish. The design brings in Wolverine’s exposed claw marks and lets players peek under the hood of the PS5 Digital Edition and see what’s underneath. The DualSense wireless controller also features furious slashes inspired by his famous claws, giving players a striking way to bring the game into the palm of their hands. The DualSense Wireless Controller – Marvel’s Wolverine Battle Yellow Limited Edition will also be available for standalone purchase globally. It was important for us to capture the primal energy of Wolverine in this new look for the PS5 console, and it has been fantastic collaborating with Insomniac Games and Marvel Games on the design. We worked alongside Jock, the Scottish graphic artist who contributed to the key art for Marvel’s Wolverine and whose work across comics helped inspire the bold, graphic tone of this limited edition design: “I wanted to show Wolverine at his fiercest for Marvel’s Wolverine Limited Edition PS5 Console bundle and accessories. I still draw all my artwork traditionally, so the opportunity to marry cutting-edge hardware with the energy and looseness of hand-drawn ink is incredibly exciting. I’m stunned by how well the console and accessories captured the raw energy of the drawing, bringing Wolverine to life in a completely unique way. ” – Jock, Graphic Artist “His [Jock] illustrative works have the energy and dynamics needed to capture the kinetic and violent nature of our hero. One whose primary interaction with the world is with unbreakable Adamantium claws. Jock’s illustrations are grounded and raw and perfectly personify Wolverine.” – Marcus Smith, Insomniac Games View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image If you already own a PS5 (model group – slim) or PS5 Pro console, you’ll be able to purchase PS5 and PS5 Pro Console Covers – Marvel’s Wolverine Battle Yellow Limited Edition directly from PlayStation where direct.playstation.com is available* and in limited quantities through select retailers outside of these regions. These console covers include covers for both PS5 consoles with disc drives, and consoles without disc drives. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image We’re also revealing another special PS5 Pro console cover design for players looking to channel another side of Wolverine. Inspired by the adamantium bonded to Logan’s skeleton and claws, the PS5 Pro Console Covers – Marvel’s Wolverine Adamantium Limited Edition feature the same dramatic claw-slashed details with a premium metallic finish that evoke Wolverine’s raw power and let players peer into the PS5 Pro console. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image A matching DualSense Wireless Controller – Marvel’s Wolverine Adamantium Limited Edition also features the same metallic finish and will be available for separate standalone purchase. You can purchase the Marvel’s Wolverine Adamantium Limited Edition PS5 Pro console covers and DualSense wireless controller design where direct.playstation.com is available* and in limited quantities through select retailers outside of these regions. Insomniac Games is bringing an all-new original action-packed experience with Marvel’s Wolverine, and we hope you enjoy these designs inspired by the game and character. We can’t wait for players to experience Marvel’s Wolverine on PS5 when it launches beginning September 15, 2026. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Marvel’s Wolverine Limited Edition Bundle and Accessories Purchase Information Marvel’s Wolverine PS5 Digital Edition bundle and accessories are available for pre-order starting August 19 at 10 AM local time. The following are available at direct.playstation.com* and through select retailers. PlayStation 5 Digital Edition – Marvel’s Wolverine Battle Yellow Limited Edition Bundle $649.99 US / £569.99 GBP/ €649.99 EUR / ¥96,980 JPY RRP DualSense Wireless Controller – Marvel’s Wolverine Battle Yellow Limited Edition $84.99 US / £74.99 GBP/ €84.99 EUR / ¥12,480 JPY RRP The following are exclusively available through direct.playstation.com in regions where it is available* and select retailers outside of these regions: PlayStation 5 Console Covers – Battle Yellow Limited Edition $74.99 US / £64.99 GBP / €74.99 EUR / ¥9,980 JPY RRP PlayStation 5 Pro Console Covers – Marvel’s Wolverine Battle Yellow Limited Edition $74.99 US / £64.99 GBP/ €74.99 EUR / ¥9,980 JPY RRP PlayStation 5 Pro Console Covers –Marvel’s Wolverine Adamantium Limited Edition $74.99 US / £64.99 GBP / €74.99 EUR RRP DualSense Wireless Controller – Marvel’s Wolverine Adamantium Limited Edition $84.99 US / £74.99 GBP/ €84.99 EUR RRP Marvel’s Wolverine Limited Edition PS5 Console bundle and accessories will be available beginning September 15 in limited quantities. Check our website for more details. *Regions where direct.playstation.com is available: U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Austria. Visit direct.playstation.com for more details. direct.playstation.com Purchase Information: Starting August 19, 2026 at 7:00am PT / 10:00am ET in the U.S., and 10:00am local time in the U.K., France, Germany, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, players will be able to pre-order Marvel’s Wolverine PS5 Digital Edition Console bundle and accessories through direct.playstation.com, while supplies last. When ordering directly from PlayStation, enjoy free launch day delivery for eligible pre-orders. Visit direct.playstation.com for more details. View the full article

I feel surprisingly emotional today. Ten years ago, on 9th August 2016, PlayStation Travellers across the universe set foot on their first alien planet in No Man’s Sky. The first words from their exosuit rang out in their helmet: “Hazard protection active”. Perhaps you were there ten years ago, or perhaps you joined later. All around the universe, other Travellers have woken up on countless other planets, light years apart from each other. They took their first steps on their first planet and brought a new unexplored universe into existence together. Since then, millions of players have made No Man’s Sky their home, built insane bases, built communities, made friends, and created custom ships that look like everything from Spongebob Squarepants to entire Cathedrals. Play Video Over the last decade, the No Man’s Sky players have joined us in another type of journey as we grew, expanded and deepened what No Man’s Sky could be. With now 40 major updates, all free, we have expanded our sandbox universe with base-building, exocraft, settlements, mechs, pets, living ships, expeditions and rebuilt the universe several times over. On PlayStation we introduced support for PSVR, then PS5, and then PSVR2. Allowing players to immerse themselves in the universe in much deeper ways. PlayStation Travellers have been there since the dawn of this new universe; it’s kind of our Big Bang moment! Since then, tens of millions of Travellers have spent hundreds of millions of hours exploring and sharing their discoveries and the universe is more vibrant now than it ever has been. Voyagers released last year saw more players than we’ve had since launch… and still, all these years later players have explored less than 1% of the planets in No Man’s Sky. In a similar way our small team feels we have a lot left to explore in what No Man’s Sky can be. In the background we are busy cooking on our next game Light No Fire, and big things for the future of No Man’s Sky. More will follow! Our journey continues. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View the full article

It’s time to see which PS5, PS4, PS VR2, and free-to-play games topped last month’s download charts. In July, Call of Duty: Black Ops II dominated the charts for PS5 and PS4 in the US and EU. While I Am Cat became the number one PS VR2 game in the US and EU. Check out the full listings below. What titles are you playing this month? PS5 Games US/CanadaEUCall of Duty: Black Ops IICall of Duty: Black Ops IICall of Duty: Black OpsCall of Duty: Black OpsEA Sports College Football 27Assassin’s Creed Black Flag ResyncedAssassin’s Creed Black Flag ResyncedEA Sports FC 26EA Sports FC 26PalworldHalo: Campaign EvolvedMinecraftPalworldHalo: Campaign EvolvedNBA 2K26Escape the BackroomsMinecraftNBA 2K26Escape the Backrooms007 First LightUFC 6UFC 6The Mound: Omen of CthulhuThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt007 First LightIt Takes TwoEchoes of AincradGrand Theft Auto VMLB The Show 26Resident Evil 4Grand Theft Auto VBackrooms: Escape TogetherAvatar Legends: The Fighting GameThe Mound: Omen of CthulhuBattlefield 6Forza Horizon 5Call of Duty: Black Ops 7Gran Turismo 7It Takes TwoBattlefield 6 *Naming of products may differ between regions *Upgrades not included PS4 Games US/CanadaEUCall of Duty: Black Ops IICall of Duty: Black Ops IICall of Duty: Black Ops IIIEA Sports FC 26Batman: Arkham KnightRed Dead Redemption 2Red Dead Redemption 2Batman: Arkham KnightCall of Duty: Black OpsCall of Duty: Black OpsGang BeastsA Way OutCall of Duty: Modern WarfareThe ForestEA Sports FC 26Call of Duty: Modern WarfareThe ForestCall of Duty: Black Ops IIIDestiny – The CollectionAssassin’s Creed OdysseyMortal Kombat XMortal Kombat XNBA 2K26God of WarA Way OutUnravel TwoMinecraftMinecraftGod of WarGang BeastsDevil May Cry HD CollectionThe Last of Us RemasteredDying LightDevil May Cry HD CollectionMiddle-earth: Shadow of WarDying LightBloodborneMiddle-earth: Shadow of WarResident Evil 5Mafia: Trilogy *Naming of products may differ between regions PS VR2 Games* US/CanadaEUI Am CatI Am CatSynapseJob SimulatorBeat SaberCreed: Rise to Glory – Championship EditionJob SimulatorMetro AwakeningThe Walking Dead: Saints & SinnersBeat SaberCreed: Rise to Glory – Championship EditionAlien: Rogue Incursion VRAlien: Rogue Incursion VRHorizon Call of the MountainAmong Us 3D: VRArizona Sunshine VR RemakeZero Caliber VREscape – Backrooms Horror VRArizona Sunshine VR RemakeAmong Us 3D: VR *PlayStation Store purchases only. Game upgrades or games bundled with hardware not included Free to Play (PS5 + PS4) US/CanadaEURobloxFortniteFortniteRobloxMarvel RivalsRocket LeagueRocket LeagueeFootballCall of Duty: WarzoneCall of Duty: WarzoneTom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege – Free AccessFall GuyseFootballValorantApex LegendsAsphalt LegendsFall GuysTom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege – Free AccessAsphalt LegendsStumble Guys View the full article

Last week, we asked you to share moments about Edward Kenway’s pirate ship, the Jackdaw, using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights: _GenieCrazy_ shares the Jackdaw facing off against a British ship gh_holy_mash shares the Jackdaw sailing into the rising sun WarDragon989 shares a smoky view of the pirate flag waving off the Jackdaw during a battle lucaslu_ckli shares Edward crouched on the ship’s bow crisg_art shares the Jackdaw’s sails open and sailing at full speed Photomode_Raro shares a view of a whale breaching as Edward steers the ship Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme, or be inspired by other great games featuring Photo Mode. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week? THEME: Big Walk SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on August 12, 2026 Next week, grab some friends and share moments spent puzzling together in Big Walk, available now as a PlayStation Plus Monthly game. Use #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured. View the full article

In 1996, id Software smashed through to another dimension – in one sense of the word, pioneering first-person shooters in the third dimension with the release of Quake, and in another, hurtling players feet-first into Quake’s otherworldly realm – a place beyond our reality where kinetic combat and a moody eldritch setting took FPS players to new heights. 30 years later, Quake has inspired countless hours played and frags tallied locally or online in Deathmatch, not to mention real-world connections and a major role in the rise of FPS esports with QuakeCon, North America’s largest LAN party (also celebrating the big 3-0 this year!). To ring in the 30th anniversary of Quake, just in time for the 30th anniversary of QuakeCon, MachineGames, in collaboration with id Software, return to bring you a brand-new episode for the iconic FPS: Play Video Available today as a free update for Quake on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, Dawn of the Machine features a full 19-map campaign accompanied by a brand-new soundtrack and Deathmatch map. Dawn of the Machine is a celebration of Quake’s history and influence on the developers at MachineGames and id Software. Following the team’s work on Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants DLC, Lead Level Designer Andrew Yoder at MachineGames approached the studio’s Game Director Jerk Gusfafsson about an expansion for Quake. Gustafsson, Yoder and the rest of the team that worked on similar projects – dubbed internally as Quake Club – set forth three major goals for what would become Dawn of the Machine. First and foremost, of course, was celebrating Quake’s 30th anniversary. “We wanted to create something that felt authentic to the spirit of the original game: Horror! Action! Madness!” says Yoder. As such, players will face deadly twists on familiar entries from Quake bestiary such as the Rocket Ogre, Demo Dog, and Blood Shambler, rising to the challenge with new weapon variants like ricochet-blasting Laser Cannon and the lightning-infused Super Axe for classic, fast-paced Quake carnage. The second goal the team pursued was giving veteran Quake players a new experience. Previous Quake episodes released by MachineGames alongside id Software, such as Call of the Machine and Dimension of the Machine, featured a traditional hub structure which reset the player’s progression between major areas. Instead, Dawn of the Machine has players battle through a continuous episode with continuous progression, which according to Yoder provided the team with “a challenge, requiring much more coordination and iteration to create.” To set the stage for its design, Dawn of the Machine has players back in the boots of Quake’s battle-hardened protagonist Ranger as he escapes an illusory dimension where time folds back onto itself. As the looping cycle of time progresses, so too will players as they discover ways to break the loop, uncover upgrades to their health and ammunition supplies and eventually take down The Nightmare Machine, the source of Ranger’s planar prison. “Nothing you see can be trusted,” says Yoder, “but there is a path to break through the illusion, defeat the schemes of the outer gods and escape.” An early boss battle concept (left), plus early level plans (right) for what would become The Matriarch of Decay. Both underwent significant iteration during the production of Dawn of the Machine. The third goal in developing Dawn of the Machine was allowing the multifaceted and multitalented team at MachineGames and id Software to exercise their skills collaboratively on a smaller project compared to a modern AAA video game project. Some members of the Quake Club have made their own maps since the game’s release in ‘96 while others, including Yoder, have joined in more recently, making Quake Club a place for anyone on the team to contribute something to the project. “Quake Club has always been an opportunity for the team to learn and have fun,” says Yoder, adding that high-quality modding tools and Quake’s relative visual simplicity to the photorealism of modern day AAA titles allow team members to pitch in their expertise, even for tasks normally outside their area of specialization. As one example, Dawn of the Machine’s new soundtrack came about from an offer from Christian Plogfors, Advanced Level Designer at MachineGames. In addition to contributing two levels to the episode, Plogfors created a soundtrack with a dark, ambient tone expertly suited to the trippy, ethereal world of the expansion. “Christian proceeded to make a fantastic set of tracks that give the episode its own identity,” says Yoder. “The whole episode is so much stronger thanks to his contribution, stepping outside his normal role and bringing his other skills and passions to serve the project.” Reflecting on 30 years of Quake, Yoders says the opportunity to make Dawn of the Machine has been a privilege. “The team here owes a lot to Quake and its legacy,” he says, “Quake Club and our work wouldn’t exist without the wider Quake community and our friends at id Software.” View the full article

Ghost Recon Wildlands: Last Rites is a major free update out now on PS4 and PS5. It revitalizes the game with new content, including a thrilling linear story mission, gameplay customization features, 4K and 60 FPS on PS5 and PS5 Pro, and more. To learn more about what you can expect, we spoke with Ubisoft Bordeaux’s Creative Director Olivier Leonardi and Live Strategy & Analytics Director Yossef Benzeghadi in a new interview. Play Video Wildlands launched nearly a decade ago. What can you tell us about the community still engaging with the game? Yossef Benzeghadi: Wildlands is a beloved gem within the Ghost Recon community, and taking down the Santa Blanca Cartel is fondly remembered. Either Solo or up to four players co-op, it’s a unique blend of open world and a fun immersive tactical military third person shooter that really stood the test of time. Back in the day, I was part of the Wildlands live team, and we really took the time to picture all the gameplay behaviors, player profiles, and playstyles we could see emerging in the game from the whole community. It acted as our golden compass throughout postlaunch. It led to the release of various fan-favorite content, still available today of course, such as our challenging Ghost Mode, or multiple Clancy-verse missions featuring Splinter Cell or Rainbow Six Siege. There was one key element that really stuck to me to this day – a group we initially called “Sandbox Players.” To be honest, at first, we did not really understand what the heck they were doing in our Bolivian Wildlands. Digging more, and more, notably thanks to community interviews and data-informed playtests, it finally clicked: they were role playing, ranging from cooperative mil-sim to simply adding extra optional layers of challenges on top of the game just for fun, taking hours to complete one mission perfectly. We had tons of players leveraging everything the game had to offer to transcend their gameplay experience to the next level. The level of customization and the overall freedom of choice the game offers were praised all around and for us that’s one of the main reasons players are still engaging with Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands today. With Last Rites, we are following up on that legacy, and there’s never been a better time to jump in. First, break down the features you’re adding in Last Rites, and why you added them. Yossef: First, and by popular demand, we are very happy to confirm 4K and 60 FPS on PS5 and PS5 Pro. To allow even more flexibility for role play fans and to bring more accessibility and freedom of choice to everyone, we are also adding various new settings to experiment with. With our new Ghost Parameters in the game’s Options menu, you can enable instant death or limitless revives, choose to have one or two primary weapons, and decide whether you keep remaining unused ammo when reloading or not. With our new World and Session Settings in the game’s Lobby page, you control the world itself. From the weather and time of day to alarms and jammers and even the rate of enemy patrols, you can craft your very own experience. You can even enable friendly fire in co-op, either to enhance realism, or allow some light PvP role play scenarios with your friends should you want to. We are also expanding existing categories from the Options menu with increased player agency. HUD and UI are more customizable than ever, and our new Difficulty settings now allow players to deep dive and tweak various elements such as Enemy Perception, Endurance, Vehicle Breakability and much more. Then, there’s Last Rites itself. It’s a brand-new story-driven mission you can jump into right away. Set in a darker, more oppressive Bolivia, the Ghosts enter a region controlled by Los Penitentes, a new fanatical cult united by faith, sacrifice, and violent justice. Coming from all walks of life, its members turn the environment into a constant threat, drawing the Ghosts into a tense narrative of betrayal and moral ambiguity. They are led by an enigmatic new foe, La Llorona. In addition, we’ve added tons of customization for your Ghost character and teammates, and many weapons and equipment have been unlocked for free, including previously unreleased camos and unobtainable challenge rewards. All Ghost War PvP classes can now be unlocked for free in the in-game store alongside many other items. And yes, we are adding some new Character Smith items to celebrate Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon 25th Anniversary, with a mysterious Operator Skin you unlock by completing Last Rites. A special thanks to the talented team at Ubisoft Bordeaux who made it all possible. Finally, PlayStation Plus members can get their hands on a brand-new exclusive Iconic Skin of La Llorona, unlock the powerful P416 Micteca, and embrace their presidential chic with the new 4-SHUR Blue Leader Sunglasses. Last Rites has been created in part due to that community feedback. How did you actually gather and prioritize that? Olivier Leonardi: We met our community leaders and had a very open conversation with them. The goal was to turn raw community feedback into actionable insights that improved player experience while supporting the game’s core principles. We did so across multiple channels, structured it into themes, and prioritized based on player impact, intensity, and alignment with several player profiles. We know that a large part of our community are avid role players, so we crafted some of the features around their requests. Yossef: Working on Last Rites was quite an archaeological ride. Very early on the project, we broadly shared all insights and knowledge we gathered on Ghost Recon Wildlands during its postlaunch at the time, which was extremely valuable for the team. It served as a mirror to reflect on what we could do and explore on Last Rites, a vision which we fine-tuned over time thanks to those precious community discussions we had that Olivier mentioned. Notice we have been talking a lot about role play so far; this is the prime example of something we would have loved to explore further back in the day and are very happy we could prioritize now. At the same time, and for the same reasons, we know a lot of our players just love well-crafted and story-driven missions, and that’s why we are also delivering on that front with Last Rites. Talk to us about the new story content – Where did La Llorona come from, conceptually? Olivier: La Llorona has become an untouchable icon, a resurrected arbiter of justice, revered by the Bolivian people almost as a saint. Gathering devoted followers to her cause, she compels them to wear masks, erasing their individuality and demanding absolute obedience. These disciples, known as Los Penitentes, act as the ruthless executors of her will, delivering merciless retribution to anyone connected to the events that sealed her fate. We wanted this new antagonist to be quite dark and complex, but also someone that was deeply wounded, betrayed by the people she loved and trusted. La Llorona survived, but survival came at a cost. The betrayal destroyed her sense of belonging, leaving her suspended between who she was and what she’s becoming. Her vengeance isn’t just directed outward; it’s a way to reclaim control, to make sense of that pain, after what she experienced. She becomes a force of raw justice and destruction. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image The mission is described as “unsettling” and the narrative shifts as players progress. How far did you push the tone, and why did you want to go darker this time? Olivier: We wanted to introduce this new mission as a very standard incursion, putting players back into Nomad’s boots, leading the Ghosts to do what they do very efficiently, but things quickly turn into something else; the familiar Bolivian environment becomes weird and the Ghosts start witnessing the wrath of La Llorona, aiming at anyone who might be accountable for what happened to her, especially the corrupt Bolivian government and its armed wing: Unidad. The more the Ghosts advance in her territory, the more they discover her twisted personality and how devoted her disciples are. Through different documents and audio recordings scattered across the world, players will be able to discover more about her goals and what she represents for the Bolivian people. Predator content returns with this update. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image What do you hope players take away from Last Rites – is there a single experience or moment you’re most proud of? Olivier: I think the moment at Varga’s villa, the reveal of La Llorona with her weeping widow mask, the confrontation with her Los Penitentes cultists, and what Nomad discovers there is both a strong gameplay and story moment. That changes everything for Nomad, and he’s confronting Emily Price, his CIA handler, trying to understand what causes this brutal transformation. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image New to the game? Play Ghost Recon Wildlands with Ubisoft+ Classics, available as a standalone subscription, and included for PlayStation Plus Extra and PlayStation Plus Premium members. Ghost Recon Wildlands Standard and Definitive Editions are also available for purchase at PlayStation Store. The new Definitive Edition includes the base game, the Season Pass, and the Year 2 Pass, alongside 4 additional content packs: Quick Start, Deluxe, Nightfall Protocol, and Cold Eye. For current owners, a Definitive Edition Upgrade is also available. View the full article

At the outset of Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Miyamoto Musashi is fixated on freeing himself from the Oni Gauntlet. This mystical artifact, through a strange twist of fate, has become bound to our hero. But the stubborn young samurai doesn’t want the gauntlet’s powers. Musashi’s sole desire is to prove himself by his hands alone. However, as the journey unfolds, Musashi’s views gradually shift and expand. He begins to embrace the path he’s found himself on, becoming more open to his new place in the world. Play Video The action game starts to open up after the early moments. Missions with tighter scopes flow into a wider location that offers new challenges to overcome and more room to explore our growing arsenal of abilities. This final gameplay preview picks up right where the Onimusha: Way of the Sword Demo leaves off. After Musashi duels rival swordsman Sasaki Ganryu on the stage of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, he’s transported to an otherworldly dimension, the “Oni Refuge.” It’s a surreal landscape where gravity is a suggestion. Islands float in the sky, and we conjure ruins from thin air. Then the Genma barge in. Invading from the depths of hell, these demons clash with the sacred scenery, but they’ll soon meet Musashi’s blade. We swiftly cut them to shreds. When our katana connects with Genma, they’re carved apart at the angles our sword travels through their twisted forms. We call it dynamic dismemberment. This system splits them in two across the torso, hacks them from head to toe, and… well, you get the picture. Before long, Musashi plucks an Oni Bow from the wreckage of this realm. Finally, we can return fire against Genma archers. The bow also allows us to solve environmental puzzles that require range. Our arrows can trigger traps, too. Eventually, they’ll even come in handy during a duel, severing a boss from its power source, once Musashi returns to Kyoto. After excising the Genma from the Oni Refuge, the clouds of Malice looming above Kyoto begin to lift. Yet darkness still lingers here. Our next stop in Japan’s ancient capital is Rokudo Chinno-ji Temple. It’s one of many real-life locations in the game. Legends say it exists at the crossroads between our world and the gates of hell. For Musashi and his allies, this sanctuary becomes home. It’s their base of operations in the fight to save the city. Kyoto is a vast location far larger than anywhere we’ve seen in the game. However, our ability to wander and explore its streets has bounds at the moment. Hellish structures erupt from the earth and a toxic fog sweeps through town, forming blockades that imprison any locals who haven’t yet fled the demonic corruption. Our quest to liberate Kyoto begins by sealing rifts where Genma manifest in our dimension. These creatures spawn in all shapes and sizes, but Musashi slays them and absorbs their souls all the same. We’ll make use of these. Alongside treasures we discover, souls help us upgrade gear and unlock new abilities to face what awaits on the path ahead. This trail eventually leads to Kiyomizu-zaka slope, a pilgrim road that climbs up the hillside to the temple where we started this journey. Here lies the key to unlocking much of Kyoto. But to even enter this place we must first face some truly formidable foes. Back in the Oni Refuge, we had a run-in with Daidara, a towering Genma with a hulking frame and bottomless appetite. The gluttonous giant’s hunger even extends to devouring our hard-earned souls. We’re forced to make tactical decisions in the heat of battle about when to absorb souls, or risk losing them to Daidara’s ravenous maw. This isn’t the only Genma after something of ours. Another offers to free Musashi from his gauntlet… at the cost of his entire arm. Our hero considers this deal, if only for a moment. Though Musashi has warmed up to his Oni Gauntlet, he still hopes to remove it. It’s a wish Rasho-gan is only too glad to grant. This multi-armed monster has been posing as a deity at Yasui Konpiragu Shrine. Here, he fulfills worshipers’ desires in the worst possible ways. Constructed from the body parts of his victims (like the leg of a man who longed to be rid of knee pain), Rasho-gan wields his extra limbs to throw everything he has at us, including uprooting trees, boulders, and even entire buildings to crush Musashi. Escaping Rasho-gan’s clutches with our lives drives us to make full use of the game’s deep arsenal of combat techniques. For our efforts, the shrine guardians reward us with Oni Strength. Musashi accepts this new power, and we can now tear down the demonic barriers around Kyoto. Now it’s time to take down the source of the toxic fog choking the city. This life-sapping mist emerges from eerie plants, and it clears when we chop them down. However, Byakue stands in the way of our gardening. Before we can fell the final tree, this animalistic Genma charges in. As we brawl, the brute gets coated in its own blood and grows wilder. Skill alone may allow Musashi to outlast this creature, but another strategy proves wise. Delivering fewer but more devastating blows soon tames the beast. After completing the mission, the evil haze over much of Kyoto clears. The townsfolk come out and rejoice. Now, more of the city is open for us to explore. This is just the start of our action-packed adventure. It’s one that players can look forward to experiencing for themselves when Onimusha: Way of the Sword launches for PlayStation 5 on September 4. Pre-orders for the game are available now at PlayStation Store. View the full article

In Indonesia, there is a saying that perfectly captures the core concept of our game, 1998: The Toll Keeper Story—”A mother’s love knows no bounds, spanning across all time.” This beautiful sentiment slowly but surely transforms into a harsh reality when that very maternal instinct is tested against a backdrop of escalating, threatening chaos. This is Dewi’s story. While deeply inspired by our own homeland’s history, the events of 1998 in Indonesia, where a severe monetary crisis triggered widespread social unrest that victimized innocent groups, remain tragic yet universally relevant today. It often feels as though the world refuses to learn from the mistakes of the past. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Dewi, alongside other characters like Heru and Sinta, does not stand there to fight a massive tide that is far beyond her control. Day after day, from inside the toll booth she operates, she witnesses the raw human struggle for survival, all while fighting tooth and nail to keep her own baby safe and healthy. This entire conflict unfolds through a document and currency-checking mechanic that will feel instantly familiar to fans of Papers, Please. Amidst the routine, Dewi’s toll booth becomes a sanctuary where affected citizens air their grievances, regardless of whether they support or oppose the government of that era. The choices Dewi makes will ultimately shape the conclusion of her story. Without ever intending to romanticize the tragedy that inspired it, this narrative will be brought to life through hand-drawn cutscenes, rendered in the GameChanger Studio’s signature art style. A diary at the end of each day will also serve as a space to reflect on the deep anxieties Dewi faces, both as a woman and as a mother. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image With the features offered by the PlayStation 5, we are confident we can make Dewi’s journey even more immersive. The answer to this ambition lies in the Haptic Feedback technology, which will adapt uniquely to the various types of vehicles passing through Dewi’s booth. These vibrations will serve not only as vital gameplay clues but also as a physical representation of the earth-shattering challenges Dewi must endure while navigating her pregnancy. We hope that the emotions and message we wish to convey through Dewi’s journey in 1998: The Toll Keeper Story will leave a lasting, profound impression on you when you experience it on the PlayStation 5. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Trailer link: : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4YT-R7l6wM Store link: https://store.playstation.com/en-id/concept/10018178/ View the full article

Earlier this year, we introduced Crimson Moon, our gothic high renaissance action RPG. You play as a Nephilim, a powerful half-human, half-angel warrior sworn to reclaim the fallen city of Gildenarch from the demonic corruption consuming it. Today, we’re excited to announce that Crimson Moon is only weeks away, launching on PlayStation 5 on September 1. Play Video Over the past few months, we’ve shared more of Crimson Moon’s brutal melee combat, replayable hunts and challenging boss encounters. Today, we’d like to focus on one of our favorite ways to experience the game: two-player online co-op. Every hunt is better together While Crimson Moon is fully playable solo, every hunt can also be tackled in two-player online co-op. Co-op isn’t simply about having another player dealing damage. Every hunt dynamically scales between solo play and two-player co-op, ensuring encounters remain challenging however you choose to play. You’ll also share a communal life pool throughout each hunt. If your partner falls in battle, you’ll have the opportunity to revive them and keep the hunt alive – but each death brings your team one step closer to failure. Those are the moments we love most. A perfectly timed rescue as a boss enters its final phase, a desperate last-second victory… or watching an overconfident partner meet their demise when everything was going so well. Whether you’re coordinating Weapon Arts, experimenting with different builds, or standing shoulder-to-shoulder against towering bosses, co-op adds a whole new layer of teamwork to every hunt. Built for PlayStation 5 We’re committed to making Crimson Moon feel right at home on PlayStation 5. Players on PlayStation 5 Pro can take advantage of native support for upgraded PSSR, helping deliver a sharper image as you explore the blood-soaked streets of Gildenarch and battle the horrors lurking within. One adventure, two editions From the beginning, our goal has been to create an action RPG packed with replayability, satisfying progression, and memorable co-op, while offering exceptional value to players. Crimson Moon launches for $19.99, while Crimson Moon: Deluxe Edition will be available for $29.99. The Deluxe Edition includes the Ceremonial Armor Set, the Axe of the Gods – a guitar-shaped axe worthy of any legendary Nephilim – and access to our upcoming Post-Launch Content Expansion. If you decide you’d like to upgrade later, the Crimson Moon: Deluxe Edition Upgrade will also be available for $10, giving Standard Edition players access to all Deluxe content whenever they’re ready. As a thank you to the PlayStation community, every PlayStation player – whether they choose the Standard or Deluxe Edition – will receive the exclusive Sonai Magistrate Armor Set at launch. We’ll see you in Gildenarch From your first steps inside Sanctus Clypeus to your final stand against the legendary Dead Gods, every hunt is an opportunity to discover powerful new gear, experiment with different builds, and push deeper into Gildenarch’s increasingly dangerous Wards. Gather your allies, for the hunt begins on September 1. View the full article

Hi everyone, I’m Josh Zammit, design director at Hangar 13 working on the Man of Honor expansion* for Mafia: The Old Country. We’re super excited to share the first look gameplay above, and I’d like to reveal a bit more about the Free Ride content included in the DLC. Man of Honor features two new story chapters set in the earlier days of Enzo Favara’s service to the Torrisi crime family, letting you team up with respected mafioso Ennio Salieri to settle old scores. In addition to the two new story chapters, owning the Man of Honor expansion grants you access to a new set of exclusive jobs and extreme challenges we’re adding to Free Ride mode, along with new collectibles and locations added to the Valle Dorata map. Play Video If you haven’t played Mafia: The Old Country yet, Free Ride mode lets you explore the Sicilian countryside at your own pace, or take on a collection of repeatable Challenges separate from the critical path that include combat encounters, stealth missions, and different kinds of races. In the new Man of Honor Free Ride content, you’ll take on new assignments from Salieri himself, who has set up shop in a Porto Almaro warehouse where he spends his days devising new schemes and smuggling stolen goods. Longtime Mafia fans know Salieri well, given his central role as the Don of his own crime family in the city of Lost Heaven, where the original Mafia and Mafia: Definitive Edition take place. Making Salieri the focal point of Man of Honor lets us showcase who he was before his emigration to America and subsequent rise to power, deepening his backstory in a really engaging way. Though still feared and respected in Sicily, this younger Salieri is much scrappier and has to hustle to get his cut of the Family’s various rackets. With Salieri as your new point of contact for Man of Honor’s Free Ride content, you’ll drop by his hideout to pick up two types of contracts: Challenges and Jobs. Salieri’s Challenges follow a similar format to the ones you can currently take on in Free Ride mode, but with amped-up difficulty that will test the mettle of even the most seasoned soldato. Salieri’s Jobs introduce brand-new mission types, tasking you with tracking down your objective and dealing with anyone who tries to get in your way. Seeking hidden caches of valuable loot, towing high-value vehicles back to Salieri, delivering stolen trucks full of precious-but-fragile goods—whichever job you take, success will line your pockets with extra Dinari. You can spend those ill-gotten gains to add new outfits, Charms, weapons, vehicles, and horses to your collection, all exclusive to this expansion. As you can see in the gameplay footage, the unique weapons and Charms you can earn in Man of Honor gave us space to play around with perks that push just beyond the bounds of period-accurate realism. For example, take the Rimbalzu throwing knife, which bounces to a second target so you can quickly and silently take down multiple enemies from the shadows. It would take near-impossible skill to throw a ricochet between targets every time, but the effect is incredibly fun and empowering, especially for players who prefer the stealthy approach. We wanted to design fresh and exciting weapons for a range of playstyles, and the added stopping power of these additions to Enzo’s arsenal can help give you an edge during Salieri’s most difficult assignments. Along with all the new items and missions on offer, there are plenty of optional activities you can seek out as you explore the Valle Dorata. Keep your eyes peeled for collectible Wanted Posters which, in keeping with a fun series tradition, use members of our development team (myself included) in period-accurate attire for their mugshots. You can also soar through the air in your turn-of-the-century automobiles via added Stunt Jumps, or destroy delivery trucks loaded with sulfur to hit back at the people who betrayed Salieri. The Man of Honor expansion for Mafia: The Old Country arrives next week on August 14. We can’t wait to see how you tackle the new content in Free Ride mode, and what the fans think of a younger Ennio Salieri in the added narrative content. Until then, mafiosi. *Base game required. Some content requires unlocking via gameplay. View the full article

Last month was filled with adventures big and small, sports action, and spiritual battles! Some big new releases included Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, Denshattack, Halo: Campaign Evolved, Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game, and more. Which game was your favorite? How does it work? At the end of every month, PlayStation Blog will open a poll where you can vote for the best new game released that month. After the polls close we will tally your votes, and announce the winner on our social channels and PlayStation.Blog. What is the voting criteria? That’s up to you! If you were only able to recommend one new release to a friend that month, which would it be? Note: re-released games don’t qualify, but remakes do. We define remakes as ambitious, larger-scale rebuilds such as Resident Evil 4 (2023) and Final Fantasy VII Remake. How are nominees decided? The PlayStation Blog editorial team will gather a list of that month’s most noteworthy releases and use it to seed the poll. View Poll View the full article

Even from its first full reveal in 2025, Beast of Reincarnation was making all the right noises. Roaring through the crowd of impressive action role-playing games, Game Freak’s trek into a post-apocalyptic Japan blends the mythological with the mechanized into something fresh – helped by a “one woman and her dog saving the world”’ narrative. But that’s not everything Beast of Reincarnation brings to the PlayStation 5 wilds. After spending a lot of time with the full game ahead of its August 4 release, I experienced a touching story, in-depth game mechanics, intense Souls-like combat, and quite possibly the most adorably blighted giant dog companion anyone could wish for. A world of mutated mystery 4026 Japan is not a place we would recognize. Plants, birds, beasts, and even humans have been overwhelmingly corrupted by a strange cataclysm called the Blight. Entire Blight forests have spread their poison far and wide, pushing the remnants of humanity into scattered settlements. And chief of all the mutates are the Nushi, powerful and often colossal beings who spread fear and destruction wherever they roam. The cause of all this is said to be the fabled Beast of Reincarnation, which resurrects every 100 years. And so one person is tasked to end this cycle of doom… Humanity’s last hope Blighted from birth, Emma is an outcast with no memory of her origins. She’s initially stoic and near emotionless, punished by her colony for her affliction. But her condition also makes her valuable, able to absorb the powers of each defeated Nushi to herself, with the aim of using that power to kill the Beast. Of course, as the game progresses you discover it’s not that simple, but for us as players it makes Emma the perfect character to explore beautiful but sinister forests, the crumbling ruins of civilization, water logged underground bases, and mysterious habitats. Parry or die Emma is an incredibly versatile protagonist, feeling light and agile on the DualSense controller. She’s equipped with swift sword swipes via R1 that can be chained into a combo, projectile weapons including bolts and arrows that can offer a tinge of resistance when pulled on an adaptive trigger, a nimble dodge with a tap of the Circle button, and a block and parry using L1. And this is where Souls fans will rejoice – because that parry is the key to survival. Fighting against early beasts and basic corrupted golems – humans who escaped the Blight by trapping their souls inside a machine – was fun and easy enough but hacking away on R1 won’t get you very far against the smarter, tougher, or larger foes. My first encounter with Chapter One’s tricky boss, a colossal deer-like Nishi, was just a hint of what was to come, its vicious and repeated antler attacks requiring parries to open up a counterattack. Later in the game, mini-bosses and enemies with more complex unblockable assaults required pin-point parries and counters to win. Timing is everything. Wielding the power of corrupted nature Thankfully, that’s not everything to Beast of Reincarnation’s layered combat system. Antagonists can be staggered by reducing their relevant meter with multiple attacks and leaving them open to a finisher using R1. I was also able to perform instant kills on grunts by sneaking up on them or taking satisfying headshots with a projectile. While the Square button unleashes Emma’s devastatingly effective Nushi Skills and Blade Arts combos. But mastering Emma’s Blight abilities is the real game changer. Tapping R2 when a jump point is highlighted in the environment fires out root-like tendrils of her hair to yank Emma to higher areas. Similarly, holding down R2 creates a temporary hair platform that Emma can walk across, and the Cross button raises Emma high into the air with her locks. Using her verticality as a distancing technique was not only valuable in combat, but it meant I could utilize a ‘death from above’ assassination with R1. This levelled the field against multiple enemies who have a cone of vision I could exploit and led to a rewarding victory in a particular fight against a tough pike-wielding golem and his small army. And then there’s Emma’s best boy by her side… Genuinely, Koo is the bestest of boys The large wolf-like Koo is the perfect battle companion, able to be directed to attack enemies, or utilising his powerful Bloom Arts, a turn-based menu style special attack which you select using Triangle. If I was able to time my following button press correctly during the short corresponding mini-game, Koo’s Bloom Arts skills were invaluable, especially as the Fluorescence Points used to unleash them are earned via successful parries. When combined with Emma’s time slowing Entanglement Overdrive after pressing L3 and R3 together, the duo quickly became a formidable force in my hands. Koo also guides you to objectives with a visual pheromone indicator, barks when he finds something of interest, and even brings back items to Emma. While Koo has his own life bar, he’s hardy and capable, and you can expand his skill slots by increasing Emma’s rapport with him via petting him (creating a pleasing tremble of the DualSense controller haptics), giving him treats, and keeping him clean via a shower available in the Cleanse Walker, Emma’s mobile base. Food, systems, and skill trees There’s a lot of hidden depth in Beast of Reincarnation, too. Multiple weapons can be found and enhanced, skill trees for both Emma and Koo meant I was unlocking more abilities as I progressed, different enemy types fought each other on sight making combat even more entertaining, and the presence of the mysterious Violet – who only Emma can see and hear – offered intriguing questions to the narrative. And that’s not even mentioning the importance of food. Emma and Koo will only naturally heal from their wounds if their hunger gauge isn’t empty. But food also offers bonuses to stats like HP, Attack, and Defense, so they’re not just another resource check. And better yet, Emma’s surrogate little sister Kagura can cook meals from ingredients you find on the field, her culinary skills increasing the more you engage with her, and her meals becoming more expansive and beneficial based on the recipes you bring back. I was even able to raise a chicken for eggs and grow crops on the Cleanse Walker to give Kagura more food options, with different seedlings having various harvest times. A beastly battle Emma and Koo’s adventure is a lengthy one, full of intrigue and tender narrative beats to accompany its rousing and challenging combat. So if you’re game for the hunt, you better sharpen your sword skills ahead of Beast of Reincarnation’s PS5 release on August 4. View the full article

Launching September 24 on PlayStation 5, Silent Hill: Townfall marks the latest entry in the iconic psychological horror franchise. In this article, we bring you insights from Motoi Okamoto, producer for the Silent Hill series at Konami and Jon McKellan, writer and director at Scotland-based developer Screen Burn Interactive. Could you share why you chose Screen Burn as the development team for this title? Motoi Okamoto: We were introduced to Screen Burn by Annapurna Interactive, who co-published the title with us. Annapurna has an incredible track record of success with narrative and art-driven indie games, so we fully trusted their taste. I had personally played Screen Burn’s previous titles Stories Untold and Observation, and both were fantastic, so I felt confident leaving the project in their hands. When asking Jon to handle the narrative, were there any specific requirements or guidelines regarding what makes a game “Silent Hill?” Okamoto: While Konami does have an internal “bible” or storyline guidelines, I believe the most crucial part of the process is for the developers and writers themselves to analyze the Silent Hill series and build their own bible. Handing over a thick manual from our end wouldn’t necessarily resonate with a team. That’s why we ask every development team we collaborate with to go through that personal discovery process. What were your thoughts on setting the game in Scotland? Jon McKellan: Scotland is where we grew up; it’s the environment most familiar and natural for us to depict. To create a meticulous, persuasive setting, we felt it was essential to build a world we knew inside and out. That’s why we chose Scotland. On top of that, Scotland is naturally a very foggy region, making it a perfect fit for Silent Hill. There were times when we’d take photos outside and think, “We’re literally standing in Silent Hill right now…” Okamoto: Silent Hill frequently collaborates with development studios worldwide. Through these partnerships, we can blend diverse regional cultures and perspectives to deliver fresh, innovative horror experiences. This title marks the first full-length Silent Hill game to adopt a first-person perspective. While Silent Hill: The Short Message (released in 2024) also used first-person viewpoint, it was a smaller standalone experience. Despite being developed by different teams, did that title influence Silent Hill: Townfall? Okamoto: Beyond having different developers, the production timelines were completely different, so there was no direct exchange of technical know-how. The fact that both Silent Hill: Townfall and Silent Hill: The Short Message ended up in first-person was purely coincidental. McKellan: Since there was no overlap, our team at Screen Burn was able to play Silent Hill: The Short Message with a completely fresh perspective. For Silent Hill: Townfall, a first-person viewpoint was an indispensable foundation for integrating the mechanics around the CRTV device. Honestly, the CRTV couldn’t work from any other perspective. While the first-person view brings many changes compared to traditional titles in the series, we took great care to maintain that distinct, atmospheric Silent Hill feel and presentation. What was the motivation behind evolving the series’ iconic radio into the CRTV? McKellan: The concept of changing the radio to the CRTV was there from the very start of development. In the earliest stages, it was a standard radio, but we set a challenge for ourselves: how could we make the radio an active tool rather than a passive one? By turning it into a visual device where you can watch video signals in addition to hearing audio, the possibilities exploded—from how we handle narrative presentation to how it integrates into gameplay, like stealth. Plus, as you might be able to tell from Screen Burn’s past games, figuring out how to manipulate slightly outdated analog technology is right up our alley. Are there scenes that simply couldn’t exist without the CRTV? McKellan: So much of the presentation and gameplay was designed around the premise of the CRTV. Rather than asking “Which scenes couldn’t exist without it?”, we approached development by asking, “How can we best leverage this device to its fullest potential in every moment?” Could you tell us more about your meticulous, almost obsessive, dedication to recreating retro gadgets and environments? How do you feel that enhances the Silent Hill experience? McKellan: Older analog tech and gadgets mean a lot to us, and we have a real fondness for them. Nostalgic elements like these are things that not just us, but players everywhere have touched and experienced, evoking a sense of familiarity. We deliberately designed moments that play against those nostalgic feelings. In a modern context, analog technology feels a bit unstable, unreliable, or hard to trust completely. We wanted to create a situation where players have to rely on this device to survive, even while feeling uneasy about relying on it too much. As for our environmental design, we take pride in saying it borders on obsession. Believing that a place actually exists is what makes players truly care about it, and making players care is the most important thing of all. Red and black are used very prominently in this game. What was the intention behind this color palette? McKellan: Part of it is simply that they are a striking pair of colors, but as you progress through the game, players will discover that these two colors hold a deeply symbolic and vital significance for our protagonist, Simon. The creatures in Silent Hill: Townfall feel tougher than in previous entries. Is the game balanced to favor stealth over combat? McKellan: We’ve provided players with multiple options to handle encounters. Rather than forcing a single playstyle, we want players to experiment and discover which approach feels most effective or suitable for each situation as they fight to survive. How did you approach the concept of multiple endings? McKellan: The endings in Silent Hill: Townfall aren’t determined by a simple binary choice at the end. Instead, the culmination of the player’s actions throughout their playthrough dictates which ending they reach. We designed this freedom so that the ending feels genuinely earned based on the player’s unique journey. Okamoto: All three main endings can be reached right from your first playthrough, whereas the secret ending becomes accessible after clearing the game once. It follows a structure similar to the original Silent Hill and Silent Hill 2, meaning players won’t be forced to replay the game two or three times just to see all primary endings. Could you share how PS5 features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers enhance the game’s presentation? McKellan: Through the DualSense wireless controller’s adaptive triggers, players won’t just feel the weight of firearms—haptics allow you to literally feel the footsteps of certain approaching creatures right in your hands. Motion control (gyro) also enables intuitive aiming. Early in development, I was actually a bit skeptical about how well motion controls would fit, but once we implemented them in-game, it felt so natural that I couldn’t go back to traditional controls. Using motion controls, you can also manipulate the map as if holding it directly in your hands. Additionally, certain puzzles require you to physically tilt the CRTV—mimicking the everyday motion of holding up a phone to search for a signal, which is another fun way we’ve integrated the motion controls. As a producer, how do you feel about the DualSense controller’s adaptive triggers and haptic feedback? Okamoto: The Silent Hill series has historically been praised for its visuals and sound, but with the PS5, being able to bring the sense of touch into the horror experience feels like a massive step forward. 3D Audio is another crucial element for modern horror. How have you used sound design to heighten the terror in Silent Hill: Townfall? McKellan: Because Silent Hill: Townfall is played in first-person, your visual field of view is naturally restricted, making audio far more important. We intentionally created situations in which players must rely heavily on subtle noises and audio cues to perceive threats lurking beyond what their eyes can see. Silent Hill: Townfall launches on PS5 September 24. View the full article

The line between supernatural horrors and the psychological struggles of characters is often blurred between Silent Hill games, but it might never have been as hazy as it is in Silent Hill: Townfall. I recently played about four hours of the first-person survival-horror game, in which protagonist Simon finds himself in a foggy Scottish town full of horrors, but seemingly can’t quite make out what’s real and what’s only in his mind. My preview began at the start of Townfall, with Simon apparently responding to a letter asking him to return to the mysterious town of St. Amelia. One moment it appears Simon is drifting towards the dock aboard a boat. The next, he bursts out of the water and pulls himself ashore as if he’s just awoken there. The details of Simon’s arrival to St. Amelia seems intentionally ambiguous. He sets off into St. Amelia, trying to find out what’s going on, but it seems to be abandoned. As you make your way down the city streets, he hears shouting and sees flashes, implying there’s a protest or a riot — only to discover the town square is empty of people. Is Simon hallucinating, or are dark forces leading him on in St. Amelia? It’s impossible to say, especially after Simon answers a ringing pay phone and hears a cryptic voice pushing him to find a woman named Zoe. He’s suddenly transported into an underground structure hued in red light, which indicates it as part of Silent Hill’s twisted version of the real world, known as the Otherworld. Exploring the structure leads Simon, impossibly, to an apartment, where you discover the hand-held TV that is Townfall’s most important item. Tuning signals on the TV provides hints about how to solve puzzles, and you’ll need it to access an elevator that somehow returns you to the streets of St. Amelia. A foggy past As writer and director Jon McKellen explained, the puzzles you’ll face in Townfall are also direct hints about the story. The signals you find on the CRTV are directly related to St. Amelia’s and Zoe’s pasts, providing clues about who she was and where she might have gone. Visiting Zoe’s empty apartment reveals that she’s a nurse, leading to the clinic where she worked. A set of three scales sits in her office, each awaiting an object that was important to her — but which she felt symbolized her failures, which led her to disappear from her job. In Zoe’s apartment, you find her ID badge, and in the nearby pharmacy, you can find a prescription Zoe ordered, but discover that she mistakenly called in the wrong dosage. When you make your way to the apartment of Zoe’s coworker, you collect her medical bag with a broken stethoscope inside, the symbol of her inability to truly hear her patients. Zoe’s story is inextricably linked with that of the town, which seemed to have suffered some sort of medical outbreak, and with Simon, even though he doesn’t know who she is. Verify your age to view this content. Verify your age to view this content. This town is full of monsters Townfall is the first Silent Hill game in which you’ll fight creatures in first-person, and compared to other recent titles like Silent Hill 2 or Silent Hill f, the change in perspective makes for some harrowing moments. A third-person camera makes it a little more viable to potentially dodge attacks and move around enemies, but in first-person, your options narrow to facing the threat head-on, or making a run for it. That adds an intensity to every battle, especially since it can be easy for Simon to get overwhelmed. While following in Zoe’s footsteps, Simon learns that St. Amelia isn’t completely empty. Marauding the streets are faceless, writhing creatures, wrapped in industrial straps and sporting axe blades for faces. Luckily, you can sometimes find pieces of wood to use as clubs to defend yourself, although these aren’t plentiful. If a monster sees you and attacks, you can block its vicious charges and swings with your melee weapon by holding L2. The trick is then to strike back with R2 when you see an opening. But combat is fast and frenetic, and enemies don’t go down easily. What’s more, your makeshift club can only survive the onslaught for a couple of battles. Combat in Townfall is only something to resort to if you have no other choice. A much better option is to avoid enemies altogether. Turning the CRTV to certain signals allows you to see monsters through walls and fog, and you can duck behind walls, cars, and fences gives you a chance to stay out of sight. Hold L1, and you can peek over or around objects to see what’s awaiting you. If something does spot you and give chase, the town has small spaces like closets, sheds, and half-opened doors where you can duck in and hopefully hide yourself until the danger passes. Verify your age to view this content. Verify your age to view this content. A later section of the preview, in which the Otherworld invades the streets, sends you through the yards and alleys of a neighborhood. Here, I faced a new type of creature, which fires vicious tentacles from its chest to attack at range, or can grab and overpower you almost instantly, especially if your health is low. Verify your age to view this content. Verify your age to view this content. Luckily, I also had a new weapon: a revolver. It might be more of a liability than a real defense, though. The gun is powerful but incredibly loud, and while it was good for quickly killing enemies, it always made the situation worse by drawing more. It also reloads slowly when you hit Square as Simon presses each cartridge into the cylinder individually. Stealth is, again, the best option here, and you can pick up small objects like bottles and bricks to throw as distractions, or use machines you come across, such as radios or TVs, to draw an enemy away so you can slip around them. A PS5 Pro-enhanced experience Townfall channels an uncanny realism in St. Amelia, thanks to making heavy use of the PS5’s features. Its visuals are enhanced by the PS5 Pro, and it leans on aspects of the DualSense controller to create a singular experience. The game uses a 2.35:1 aspect ratio to create a cinematic experience, and sports both a 30FPS Quality setting and 60FPS Performance setting. The developers at Screen Burn visited and photographed real coastal towns in Scotland in order to recreate their look and feel, and Townfall uses PS5 Pro’s upgraded PSSR to create a town that looks incredibly realistic at high resolution. Ray tracing to create hauntingly beautiful environments, whether they’re full of fog in the regular world, or bathed in oppressive red light in the Otherworld. Haptics feedback with the DualSense controller adds a lot of intensity to combat, from the smash of a wood plank against an enemy, to the blast of blocking a counter-attack. Townfall also makes use of the DualSense’s gyroscope for certain controls, making them feel more tactile. With motion controls enabled, when you use the CRTV to hunt for signals in radios or other devices, you’ll need to physically move and twist the controller to tune in. You can also use motion controls with firearms, moving the whole controller to carefully adjust your aim and land headshots at key moments. Though my time with Silent Hill: Townfall left me with plenty of questions and a lot of mysteries, its twisting psychological machinations captured exactly what I like about the series. Its emphasis on tough combat and stealth mechanics also give it plenty of ways to make you jump out of your seat. You can try to keep your cool when Silent Hill: Townfall launches on September 24 on PlayStation 5. View the full article

Hello PlayStation Blog community! I’m back for the last time (…maybe) to share what to expect in the latest and final, free Ball x Pit update. Titled The Naturalist Update, players can expect more of what they love when it releases next week on August 6 and I’m here to share a brand new trailer, gameplay clips, and give you some content details of what to expect in the next update. Play Video To give a little backstory, it turns out we couldn’t stop making content for this game. We had a little breathing room before release and a pile of ideas we didn’t want to waste, so we honestly just… kept going. Which would explain all of that extra chaos making its way to you as free content. We’ve been so excited to see what new ball combinations the community has been cooking up after each and every update, tuning into your videos and content on social channels has been amazing. So for that, we thank you! 2 new characters Players of Ball x Pit: The Naturalist Update will come across two new unlockable characters, each with opposite personalities. The Ballbearer doubles down on firepower (literally), giving you double the amount of ball slots to build an arsenal at the cost of giving up passive items entirely. The Hoary Hoarder takes the opposite approach, lugging around an oversized backpack stuffed with gear. They only have room for two ball slots, but make up for it with twice as many passive slots, letting powerful item Evolutions do the heavy lifting. 11 New Balls Lightning Bug lights up the battlefield by spawning a firefly with every bounce. Each one seeks out the strongest enemy before zapping nearby targets with a burst of lightning. Mosquito Kingdom slowly builds a buzzing swarm, spawning one or two mosquitoes whenever it hits an enemy. The mosquitoes hunt down the weakest target on the field, dealing between 100-150 damage with each attack, and if one lands the killing blow, well, you simply recover a small amount of health back. Drill tears through enemies from behind, piercing straight through them and dealing extra damage along the way. Flesh starts off weak, dealing only half damage, but it rapidly increases in speed with every bounce until it becomes a blur tearing across the screen. Armageddon calls down a destructive meteor shower the moment it hits an enemy. The first impact marks the target, then flaming meteors rain across the area, dealing heavy damage to every enemy caught within a three-tile radius. 5 New Passives Platinum Dumbbell rewards clean shots, giving your balls a damage boost that lasts until they finally collide with the back wall. Inglorious Hammer keeps the pressure on after a bounce, causing balls that hit a wall or the back of the arena to immediately strike a random enemy for reduced damage. Remote Detonator turns every kill into another explosive opportunity. Whenever an enemy goes down, it spawns a level 1 Bomb Ball whenever an enemy dies, keeping the chain reaction going and filling the battlefield with even more booms. ..aaand of course there’s more that we don’t want to spoil! The team and I appreciate your time for reading and all the support surrounding the game since launch, and we hope you’re excited as we are to finally jump into the final free content update! Ball x Pit: The Naturalist Update will be available for all PS5 players next week on August 6. View the full article

Be fleet of foot to survive a post-apocalyptic cityscape alone or with pals, buddy up to walk and talk your way through a pleasant puzzle-filled world, or take a solo trip into a dystopian future for a brooding slice of psychological survival horror with the PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for August. Dying Light 2 Stay Human: Reloaded Edition, Big Walk and Signalis will all be available to PlayStation Plus members* from Tuesday August 4 until Monday August 31. Let’s take a closer look at each of the games. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Dying Light 2 Stay Human: Reloaded Edition | PS5, PS4 In Dying Light 2, survival meets action adventure as you attempt to endure a hostile, post-apocalyptic world. Rival factions across The City aren’t the only enemy – a virus has turned a vast majority of the human population into monsters. Take on the role of Aiden Caldwell, a wanderer with the power to change the fate of The City, but your exceptional abilities come at a price. Haunted by memories you cannot decipher, you set out to learn the truth – and find yourself in a combat zone. Hone your skills to defeat your enemies and make allies. Unravel the dark secrets behind those that wield power, choose sides and decide your destiny. Play in up to four-player co-op: host your own games or join others and see how their choices have played out differently than yours. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Big Walk | PS5 Big Walk is a cooperative multiplayer adventure about teamwork and talking. Set out with your friends through a wide-open world full of challenges, puzzles, and discoveries. You’ll need to work together to find your way around, stay in contact using an assortment of tools and toys, and figure out new ways to communicate when you suddenly find yourself speechless. Adventuring aside, there’s plenty of time to just hang out. Sit and watch the sunset, or steal your friend’s binoculars and kick them into the ocean. Spending time with friends is the best part of a big walk. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Signalis | PS4 Awaken from slumber and explore a surreal retrotech world as Elster, a technician Replika searching for her lost partner and her lost dreams. Discover terrifying secrets, challenging puzzles, and nightmarish creatures in a tense and melancholic experience of cosmic dread and classic psychological survival horror. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls PlayStation Plus Pack Starting August 6**, all PlayStation Plus members can acquire a MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls PlayStation Plus Pack from PlayStation Store. This pack contains two sets of items: Five Avatars inspired by characters from MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, featuring Captain America, Storm, Spider-Man, Doctor Doom, and Ghost Rider. A set of in-game Result Screen Character Poses featuring 20 characters, including Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel, Star-Lord, Peni Parker and more. The pack will be available in the PlayStation Plus section of PlayStation Store on your PS5 or PS4 console or PlayStation Plus web page, starting August 6*. PlayStation Plus members need to redeem and download the pack to access its contents. The Avatars will appear in the Avatar section of your profile page on your PS5 or PS4 console. The Result Screen Character Poses are accessible and selectable in the PS5 version of MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls once the game and pack are downloaded onto your PS5 console. *PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup may differ by region. Please check PlayStation Store on release day for more information. **MARVEL Tokon: Fighting Souls PlayStation Plus Pack is available until August 6, 2027. View the full article

Hi, PlayStation community! I’m Matt from Monster Couch, and I’m super excited to share that Flamecraft is coming to PlayStation 5 later this year. In the meantime, if you’re curious to see what awaits you in Flamecraft’s whimsical town, the demo is available today on PlayStation Store! The demo lets you visit a selection of the town’s unique shops, meet some of the cheerful Artisan and Fancy Dragons you’ll encounter in the full game, play against bot opponents across three difficulty levels or gather up to five players for local multiplayer. To help you get started, we prepared a tutorial that will walk you through the basics of being a Flamekeeper. Play Video But what is Flamecraft really about? Let’s start from the beginning… You keep the letter folded in your pocket, though the ink is smudged and the edges are gently singed. It serves as a reminder of who you were before coming to town and meeting such wonderful new friends. “Welcome, Flamekeeper! We are delighted that you have agreed to make your way to our quaint little town on such short notice. The artisan dragons have been very excited to begin this grand project, but it has been quite difficult sorting out what that even is without a translator. They are eager to start immediately, and we are not sure what they intend to do with all this wood, stone, and sheep.” Now it is your time to burn bright. Flamecraft is a cozy, turn-based strategy game where tiny Artisan Dragons and local shopkeepers work together in a whimsical shopping district full of magic. In Flamecraft, you become a Flamekeeper—one who’s skilled in the art of conversing with dragons. Your main task is to help the dragons find their perfect homes by placing them thoughtfully in shops, where they can work their magic and delight the townsfolk with their craft. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image As a Flamekeeper, you’ll play dragon cards, manage resources, and build powerful combos with enchantments and Fancy Dragons, each with their own unique abilities. But remember that every dragon you place and every shop that appears in town becomes part of a shared engine that every Flamekeeper can use—that means your opponents, too. As the town grows, so do the possibilities, so strategize and plan your moves carefully to build your Reputation. Each turn, you’ll choose whether to visit a shop to gather resources or enchant it using magical artifacts. Enchanting a shop allows you to fire up all dragons working there, combining their powers into satisfying combos that reward careful planning. Along the way, you’ll also befriend extraordinary Fancy Dragons, whose unique abilities and special scoring opportunities can boost your strategy as you compete for the coveted title of Master of Flamecraft. There are many paths to victory, whether you focus on chaining enchantments or making the most of Fancy Dragons. With a huge variety of Artisan Dragons, plenty of unique shops, and a different setup every game, every match is a chance to try something new. Flamecraft has three ways to play: solo, locally with friends or bot opponents, or online with Flamekeepers from around the world. Solo Mode lets you play at your own pace while completing achievements to unlock pieces of an original story, following the dragons and townsfolk as they work toward an ambitious shared dream: building a lighthouse whose beacon will guide Artisan Dragons from distant lands to a place they can finally call home. If you’d rather play with others, you can set up a custom local game with friends, family, and bot opponents for up to five players sharing a single console, or try the Online multiplayer and choose between Short Matchmaking, Long Matchmaking, or Custom Online Games. And if you feel there’s a lot to learn—fret not! The fully narrated interactive tutorial is voiced by Becca Scott, the beloved tabletop personality behind Good Time Society, who guides you through the game’s mechanics step by step while introducing you to the wonderful world of Flamecraft. A small reward even awaits those who complete it! From the very beginning, our goal was to build a warm, cheerful, and wholesome game that’s welcoming to everyone. We wanted this enchanting world to feel alive, so we handcrafted a vibrant 3D town and filled it with beautifully animated shops and characters, lively dragons, a whimsical soundtrack, and countless little details that make it feel cozy and relaxing. I’m incredibly proud of our team and everything they did to make Flamecraft feel so special. If you enjoy cozy strategy games or maybe you need more whimsy in your life, check out what awaits you in the shopping district! Tiny dragons await! See you in town! View the full article

Last week, we asked you to share swashbuckling moments from Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights: kerplaaaah shares Edward swinging off the Jackdaw by rope artenpixels_ shares the Jackdaw getting drawn into a waterspout tornado _GenieCrazy_ shares Edward overlooking some ships with his cutlass drawn gh_holy_mash Edward steering the Jackdaw away from a sunken ship Photomode_Raro shares Edward cuddling an island cat fbcarlos.vp shares Edward wading through alligator infested waters Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme, or be inspired by other great games featuring Photo Mode. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week? THEME: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced – Jackdaw SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on August 5, 2026 For the next two weeks, hoist the sails and share shots aboard the Jackdaw in Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced. Use #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured. View the full article

Hello everyone, I am Takeshi Yamanaka, producer of MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls. Earlier today at San Diego Comic-Con, we hosted the panel MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls — Behind the Battle. where we shared several new announcements and updates about the game. Today I would like to recap those reveals here on PlayStation Blog. Phoenix Cyclops confirmed as the first year 1 additional character Play Video We’re excited to announce that Phoenix Cyclops (voiced by Ray Chase), will be the first additional character joining MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls as part of Year 1 content. Cyclops is one of Marvel’s most iconic X-Men leaders. In MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, however, this version of Cyclops draws inspiration from his Phoenix Five incarnation from Avengers vs. X-Men, sporting a bold new look infused with the fiery cosmic power of the Phoenix Force. In addition to powerful Optic Blasts and exceptional hand-to-hand combat abilities that define the character, this Cyclops also possesses the Phoenix Force, so expect Scott Summers to bring the heat! .We’ll have more to share about how these abilities are incorporated into his gameplay, so please stay tuned for future updates on his fighting style. A high-octane anime opening Play Video Have you had a chance to watch our newly revealed opening movie? For this opening, we set out to combine the spirit of classic fighting game openings with the charm and energy of beloved anime openings from the early 2000s. We hope you’ll enjoy the world created through its animation and rock-inspired theme song. The opening movie, as well as the cinematic sequences featured throughout Episode Mode, were produced by the Japanese animation studio Sanzigen. Like our team, Sanzigen continues to push the boundaries of high-quality 2.5D expression, and they did a remarkable job bringing the world of MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls to life. The opening theme song features two iconic Japanese rock vocalists: Keiko Terada of SHOW-YA and mayu of NEMOPHILA. Their powerful and captivating dual vocals bring an even greater sense of energy and excitement to the game. The lyrics were written by Kanata Okajima, while composition and arrangement were handled by MEG (MEGMETAL). The opening animation was directed by Daisuke Suzuki of Sanzigen. As a passionate Marvel fan himself, Suzuki’s enthusiasm can be felt throughout the entire production. We hope you’ll enjoy the opening movie, and we’d love to hear your thoughts on social media. Insomniac Games Collaboration Costumes View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Through our collaboration with Insomniac Games, we’re pleased to bring costumes inspired by the worlds of Wolverine to MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls. Wolverine Battle Reborn Suit will be available starting September 1st, and all players will be able to download it at no additional cost. During development, we had the opportunity to visit Insomniac Games’ studio and share an in-development version of the game with their team. Their valuable feedback and advice were a tremendous source of encouragement throughout development, and we’d like to once again thank everyone at Insomniac Games for their support. As previously announced, the Ultimate Edition also includes a costume inspired by the Advanced Suit 2.0 featured in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Historically, alternate costumes have been relatively limited in Arc System Works titles. With MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, however, we’ve placed a much greater emphasis on costume development as one of the ways players can enjoy their favorite characters in new ways. We have plans to continue adding a variety of costumes in the future, so please look forward to what’s ahead. Join our Open Beta on July 24 View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Launch is now just around the corner, and we’re excited to welcome players to the MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls Open Beta, taking place from July 24 through July 26. The Open Beta will be available to everyone on PlayStation 5 consoles and PC.* In addition, while we originally planned for the Open Beta roster to include 15 characters, we’ve decided to make Green Goblin playable as well. We hope you’ll take this opportunity to experience our team-based battles firsthand with a diverse roster of heroes and villains. This will be your final opportunity to play the game for free before launch, so if you’re considering picking up MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, we encourage you not to miss this chance. As we count down to launch, we’ll also be sharing special countdown illustrations created by members of the development team and an exciting lineup of Marvel guest artists. We hope you’ll enjoy those as well. For us, launch day is not the finish line—it’s the starting point. Following release, we’re planning a variety of updates, including new characters, new stages, and more. Your enthusiasm and support continue to inspire us every day. Thank you for supporting MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, and we look forward to seeing you in the fight. *Account for PlayStation and internet connection required to participate in Open Beta. View the full article

Today, we revealed tons of new story details about Marvel’s Wolverine at San Diego Comic-Con, including our exciting new Story Trailer! But we know that not everyone can make it to SDCC in person, so let’s catch you up on everything that went down during our panel. Insomniac Games’ Creative Director Marcus Smith, Game Director Mike Daly, Sr. Project Director Jess-Reiner-Reed, and Narrative Director Walt Williams were joined by the game’s cast, Liam McIntyre (Logan/Wolverine) and Krizia Bajos (Jean Grey), and Eric Monacelli, Executive Producer on Marvel Games on stage. We dove deep into our game’s story and characters, and teased what’s to come for fans in September. Get the full scoop! Play Video The Story Trailer To kick things off, we surprised fans with a brand-new Story Trailer during our panel. Our trailer sets the stage with an enraged Logan confronting Jean Grey in an abrupt moment of vulnerability. We also spotlight The Hand as one of our new enemy factions, alongside Deathstrike, one of our big bads. New art featuring Logan vs. The Hand Our team dropped brand new art from the game as well, which shows Logan going head-to-head with The Hand in their trademark red garb. Logan and The Hand share a history that players will uncover as they tear through the game’s story. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Marvel’s Wolverine x MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls We’re also thrilled to announce our collaboration with Arc System Works to bring Wolverine’s suit from MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls to Marvel’s Wolverine, offering a unique, stylized look for Wolverine in our game which can be unlocked through game progression on Day 1. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Together with Arc System Works, we’re also excited to reveal that our Marvel’s Wolverine Battle Reborn suit will be available in the upcoming MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Best of all, it’ll be available free for all MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls players starting September 1. Composer details revealed During the panel, it was revealed that award-winning composer David Fleming crafted the music behind Marvel’s Wolverine. Fleming delivers enormous impact to our story, with musical cues and swells that dynamically shift alongside Logan’s intense journey around the globe. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image You can listen to a track from the game Amazon Spotify Apple YouTube Full game soundtrack will be released on August 28, 2026. Digital Prequel Comic available Fans can also get up to speed on the narrative events leading up to Marvel’s Wolverine main story by reading the prequel comic, written by Insomniac Games’ Narrative Director Walt Williams with beautiful art by Luke Ross and a stunning cover by Iban Coello. The prequel comic sets up Logan’s arduous relationship with members of Team X in a mission to protect mutant kind. It’s available starting today! The prequel comic is available as an exclusive SDCC giveaway, and you can read it online via Marvel Unlimited. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Marvel’s Wolverine available to pre-order now Marvel’s Wolverine releases on September 15, 2026 for PlayStation 5 consoles. You can wishlist and pre-order the Standard and Digital Deluxe Edition via the PlayStation Store. You can also pre-order the Standard Edition via PlayStation Direct. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View the full article

Halo: Combat Evolved is a landmark game that helped define the experience of early console first-person shooters. But with Halo: Campaign Evolved, Halo Studios has introduced a number of changes to bring the game into the modern era. Halo’s debut on PlayStation uses new mechanics, tweaked controls, haptic feedback, and adjusted weapons to make this a fresh spin on a shooter icon. Play Video Here are 13 ways from throughout the 10 missions of the Halo campaign, as well as its three new bonus missions, that Halo: Campaign Evolved enhances and modernizes the classic. Modern, familiar controls Played today, the original Halo’s controls feel a little different, thanks to its release before shooters tended to have standard features and button layouts, and because controllers had fewer buttons overall. Halo: Campaign Evolved uses the kind of layout players expect, with adjustments like placing grenades on L1, weapon swapping on triangle, and reload on square, among a bunch of other subtle but welcome tweaks. Of course, you’re welcome to customize control layouts as you please. Sprinting for speedy getaways Campaign Evolved introduces a sprint ability you can activate anytime by pressing L3, making it possible to pick up speed at key moments when you need to get to cover or escape groups of enemies as they throw down against one another. It’s not drastically faster than Master Chief’s movement speed in the original, but it helps players control their pace. New driving options Another key change tweaks the controls to the iconic but sometimes imprecise Warthog vehicle. By default, Halo: Campaign Evolved gives the Warthog standard, recognizable vehicle controls, allowing you to steer it with the left analog stick, control the camera with the right stick, hit the gas with R2, and brake and reverse with L2. You can still use the classic look-based steering and analog stick-based gas controls if you want, but for those of us who constantly flipped Warthogs full of Marines, these controls will be an improvement — and most other vehicles, like Covenant Ghosts or the Scorpion Tank, have controls that are mostly true to the original. A health system keeps you in the action Recharging health has become a mainstay of many shooters, and while Halo always gave you a recharging set of shields, it originally required you to hunt for health packs to keep Master Chief in top shape. Campaign Evolved gets rid of health packs and instead makes both your shields and health recharge, but your health recharges at a much slower rate. The system keeps fights intense as you still have to keep an eye on your shields to stay alive, without forcing you to stop and hunt down health pickups in the middle of the action. Enemy encounters get a remix There are a lot of big battles in Halo, and if you’re a fan of the original, you’ll recognize where enemy waves will stream in or when dropships will deliver Covenant reinforcements. But Campaign Evolved adds slight tweaks to many encounters. For instance, when searching for escape pods when you first land on the Ring World, you’ll see Covenant deployments that now include Jackals wielding Beam Snipers, which are enemies that first popped up in Halo 2. You’ll also run into Flood-infected Hunters in later levels. These little changes to enemy force deployment will keep you on your toes, while still allowing battles to feel familiar. Powered-up power ups Like the classic game, Halo: Campaign Evolved includes the Covenant Overshield and Active Camouflage. Now, however, these aren’t activated the second you pick them up, but instead are stored; you can activate them by pressing R1. It’s a slight but impactful change that lets you save the power-ups for when they’re most useful. New chances for vehicular mayhem It’s not just new enemies that might appear in places you don’t expect. Campaign Evolved sometimes introduces different objects or vehicles in new locations. For instance, when boarding the Truth and Reconciliation through its gravity lift, you’ll find a Wraith tank waiting in the hangar with a turret you can use to wreck Covenant defenders. Those little tweaks make Halo: Campaign Evolved feel a little more realistic within the world of Halo even as they change up some fights. Bumming a ride In later Halo games, it became possible to jump aboard and hijack vehicles from their drivers. Campaign Evolved introduces this ability to the original campaign, so you can snag an enemy Ghost or Banshee if you’re quick and turn it against them. Just be careful — Elites can and will try to hijack your vehicles, too. Aiming down sights Campaign Evolved enhances all the game’s weapons with some new features and updates. You can now aim down sights with all the guns for a little extra precision. Weapons still handle the way they always have — the Assault Rifle still sprays bullets even when you’re tuning your aim — but the slight adjustment helps Halo’s shooting mechanics work and play similarly to other games in the genre. Weapons get a glow-up Speaking of weapons, Campaign Evolved also features reworked sound design for its guns, and coupled with the haptics of the DualSense controller, gives them quite a bit more heft. Especially with guns that felt a little lighter, like the Covenant Plasma Rifle, the adjustment helps make your shots feel like they’re truly doing damage, both from the punchier, more intense sound effects, and the rumble in your hand that conveys the kick of each gun. The shotgun in particular really feels like you’re wielding some raw Flood-dismembering power. An enhanced arsenal Halo: Campaign Evolved adds a number of weapons to your repertoire from other games in the series, such as the SMG, Needle Rifle, Fuel Rod Cannon, and Beam Rifle. The new guns give you a lot more options in many fights, while adding a different wrinkle to some battles. Flood charging toward you carrying SMGs can be particularly deadly, for example. You can now even pick up Elites’ Energy Swords and turn the Covenant’s most powerful weapons against them. New missions and new surprises While not every gun from later Halo games makes it into the main campaign, you’ll still get a chance to use some of them. Campaign Evolved includes three bonus missions set about a year before the events of the original Halo, starring Master Chief and Sgt. Major Johnson. In those missions, you’ll find the pulse-firing Battle Rifle, the Brute Plasma Rifle, and the Spike Rifle, which are handy inclusions since you’ll also face Brutes, the tough, gorilla-like enemies that first hit the scene in Halo 2. Even more replayability Halo: Campaign Evolved goes beyond remixing the original Halo to offer more new ways to play the game, and more reasons to explore it. Halo originally sported two-player couch co-op; Campaign Evolved offers that experience, plus four-player online co-op, so you can form a whole fireteam of friends to take on the Covenant and Flood. You can also hunt down new secrets, including terminals that expand on the story and collectible Skulls, which unlock gameplay modifiers from fan favorites to all-new enticing takes. These might do anything from amping up the difficulty by removing your heads-up display, to making Grunts explode in a shower of confetti. And if you really want a challenge, try bumping up Campaign Evolved to the tough Heroic or downright ridiculous Legendary difficulty. With these tweaks, Halo Studios does an excellent job of maintaining the feel of the original hit FPS, while introducing adjustments that make it even better than you remember. Halo: Campaign Evolved is available July 28 on PlayStation 5. View the full article

Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero made its mark in 2024 as the latest installment of the Budokai Tenkaichi series after 17 years. The game launched with more than 180 characters on day one and currently has over 200 playable characters! However, what is Dragon Ball without surpassing your limits? The Sparking Zero team decided to take it further with the upcoming Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero – Super Limit-Breaking Neo DLC. This new DLC is jam-packed with new characters, stages, a solo mode, and more. Play Video The game has several solo-mode options, including Episode Battle, which features branching story paths, the creative Custom Battle mode, and the later-added Survival Mode. Super Limit-Breaking Neo offers a new solo mode for fans to enjoy called “Limit Breaker Journey”. This new solo mode allows players to experience a new way to immerse themselves in the world of Dragon Ball and the characters they know and love. Players can choose their favorite character and develop them into the fighter that best suits their playstyle. Now, how does one develop their character? Limit Breaker Journey features an interactive map where players can select their destination to trigger different events or battles. The goal is to gain EXP from different encounters and obtain something special called Battle Arts. Utilizing your SP, which can be used to obtain new abilities and stats, you can equip Battle Arts to unlock special effects such as limited-time boosts to your ki-based attacks or attack power increasing in Sparking mode. You can receive Battle Arts from special encounters with specific characters. However, there is a limit to how many Battle Arts you can equip, so use your SP wisely. As you level up your SP, you will receive points that can be allocated amongst 6 different stats. Players can freely allocate their points to customize their character to fit their preferred style of play. As you continue to train your character, you may run into battles with special conditions, events that involve collecting the Dragon Ball, and even encounter some pretty tough enemies after you fulfill certain in-game conditions. You can repeat the run with the same character to continue training the character, and once you’re done with the challenge, you can bring your character to showcase your strength against your friends in player matches and in offline battles. Choosing your favorite character to train is an exciting element in Limit Breaker Journey, and believe it or not, the Super Limit-Breaking Neo DLC offers around 30 new playable characters. Many characters have been revealed, but fans can enjoy a sneak peek of the Ultimate Blasts of Mercenary Tao and Grandpa Gohan below. The new characters added to the game will also feature unique interactions that you cannot see anywhere else when entering battle. Players will be able to enjoy exclusive interactions between the new characters added and the others from across the series, a beloved feature in the Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero. Another beloved feature from Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is the immersive stage destruction, and the DLC adds four new stages: Kami’s Palace, Kame House, Bitter Tundra, Stratosphere (Earth and Planet Vegeta). The intensity of battle is enhanced with the destructible features and you can even experience the Kami’s Palace being destroyed down to even the ground itself. Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero continues to bring the power with Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero – Super Limit-Breaking Neo. The DLC launches on July 30, 2026, and fans will be able to enjoy free updates that include new features such as Sparking Boost and Chain Blast. Whether you train your favorite character to suit your playstyle or want to take your intense battles into the stratosphere, there’s something for every Sparking Zero fan to enjoy. Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero – Super Limit-Breaking Neo launches on July 30, 2026. View the full article