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Attention, Helldivers! Helldivers 2 x Killzone is back and this time, it’s back for good! It seems fitting that a year after their initial launch, we bring back this iconic content but now in a new and improved format and pricing – yes, we totally heard you all! Along with our partners at Guerrilla, we’re pleased to announce Helldivers 2 x Killzone is now officially a Legendary Warbond*, costing 1500 Super Credits. We couldn’t just add the same stuff as before and leave it, where is the fun in that(?!), so we’ve even added some extra content to round out the package. Play Video Not only is the content returning with extra items, but we want to continue to do right by everyone who purchased Super Store content from last year, therefore a whole load of people will be able to unlock this Legendary Warbond at no extra cost. Check out if you’re eligible below. Who gets what and how does it work: Players who have previously purchased any (even one) of the Killzone items, will have the whole Helldivers 2 x Killzone Legendary Warbond unlocked at no extra cost! Additionally, there is no medal vacuum here! The items previously purchased (and those which were gifted last December) will be medal unlocked. So no need to spend medals on the items you already own! Players who received the gifted items in December 2024 but didn’t pay for any single item, will have to pay the 1500 Super Credits to unlock the full Legendary Warbond. Not to worry, if you do pay for the Warbond; the gifted items will also be medal unlocked. Players joining after the Helldivers 2 x Killzone items left the store in December 2024 can access the Warbond by unlocking it for 1500 SC, and then enjoy redeeming medals on their favorite items just as usual. Let’s recap all the items included and dig into those new items as well. Weapons and stratagems Arm yourself with some of the best weapons Stål has to offer. Beginning with the StA-52 Assault rifle the pride of the Stål armory, providing you with the strength to decimate your foes. It boasts a high-capacity drum mag, great for providing sustained fire. StA-11 SMG with a helical-feed magazine, which provides a higher ammo capacity whilst making it more front heavy. This close-range weapon is the nightmare of the enemies of freedom. PLAS-39 Accelerator rifle, a high precision burst-fire rifle that will banish your foes after a short charging period. Armors and capes AC-1 Dutiful/ The Strength in Our Arms cape This heavy armor boasts a breathing apparatus built in to help both soldiers and colonists thrive, even when assigned to planets with atmospheres rated “suboptimal”, “extreme”, and “character building”. AC-2 Obedient/ Defender of Our Dream cape The muted colors and relaxed, high mobility fit make this light armor a favorite among long-distance snipers and hide-and-seek champions alike. Acclimated passive The passive of these armors provides 50% resistance to fire, gas, acid, and electrical damage. The Defender of Our Dream and Strength in Our Arms player cards are also returning along with the Assault infantry player title. New patterns The latest additions to round out this Warbond are the Extrasolar Ash patterns for your Exosuits, FRV, Hellpods and Pelicans. So start saving your Super Credits for December 18 at 7am PT / 2pm GMT / 3pm CET when Helldivers 2 x Killzone Legendary Warbond will be available for purchase from wherever you enjoy our game! *Requires base game, paid purchase of Super Credits, and game progression to unlock. Please note you will not be able to claim the Helldivers 2 x Killzone Legendary Warbond with a Premium Warbond token. View the full article

An info packed Monster Hunter Showcase revealed new features and monsters for the upcoming story-rich, turn-based RPG Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, coming to PlayStation 5 on March 13, 2026. The showcase also heated things up with an explosive blast of new details on Free Title Update 4 for Monster Hunter Wilds, bringing the towering Elder Dragon Gogmazios to the game in an epic hunt unlike any other. Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection Play Video Endangered Species and Invasive Monsters In Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, you’ll take on the role of the protagonist, who serves as the captain of the Rangers. The Rangers are dedicated to the discovery and protection of endangered species eggs, with a focus on restoring the ecosystem. With the Crystal Encroachment threatening the land’s natural order, and the increase in Invasive Monsters, you’ll play a vital role in the preservation of the land. Invasive monsters Powerful monsters that invade other monsters’ habitats, threaten other monsters, and take over their territory. Within the invasive monster’s den, endangered eggs may lie dormant. The Rangers may enter an Invasive Monsters’ den and find an endangered species’ egg, but recovering it will prove to be a challenge. Retreat battles Invasive Monsters are powerful and can’t be beaten using normal battle tactics. Pay close attention during battle and think tactically to force the monster to retreat to its den. After causing the invasive monster to retreat into its den, it’s time to enter in for yourself. Sneak around the sleeping monster and snag the endangered egg, then make a run for it before you get caught. Habitat restoration Through a new process called Habitat Restoration, monsters can put down roots in an area and rebuild their species. After hatching an endangered species egg, the monster can be released back into the wild. Eventually, a monster population will be restored, and their eggs can be found and hatched into Monstie partners. This process can be performed with both endangered species and regular monsters. Also, some special monsters can only be obtained through Habitat Restoration. When a monstie is sent to the wild, it increases the Ecosystem Rank of the area. Continue to raise the Ecosystem Rank to make it easier to obtain eggs for a specific Monstie. The higher the rank, the more likely it is to hatch a Monstie with special skills or genes. Dual-element monsters Raising the Ecosystem Rank and monsters can result in discovering monsters imbued with the specific element native to the area. These dual-element monsters are born with skills of a differing element than their usual one and can even affect their appearance. Protect monsters, preserve their ecosystems, and live out your duties by roleplaying as a true ranger. Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection evolves the series’ monster-raising mechanics with added RPG depth and new layers of strategy. Arkveld appears In addition to Chatacabra and Ray Dau, Arkveld from Monster Hunter Wilds also makes its way from the Forbidden Lands. Stay tuned for more information to come. You can pre-order Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection at PlayStation Store now. Monster Hunter Wilds Free Title Update 4 Play Video The Elder Dragon, Gogmazios, Arrives in the Forbidden Lands. Coming December 16 in Free Title Update 4, the mysterious and massive Elder Dragon dubbed the Giant Halberd Dragon. Gogmazios is covered in thick black liquid across its entire body, and seems to have a large object resembling a Dragonator lodged in its back. A monster as imposing as Gogmazios calls for a special type of hunt. Gather a team of eight, consisting of up to four hunters and four support hunters, including Fabius and the returning bowgun wielder Nadia. Challenging Gogmazios will require you to reach Hunter Rank 100 or above, as well as completing the Main Mission: A First Cry. After defeating Gogmazios in an Extra Mission, a repeatable permanent Event Quest will be available. Defeat Gogmazios repeatedly to earn materials for forging new Hunter armor and Palico gear. Gogmazios materials can also be used to upgrade your Artian Weapons beyond their current limits. Upgrade your Rarity 8 Artian Weapons to the new Gogma Artian Weapons, with bonuses from the current weapon transferred over. Gogma Artian Weapons have one Set Bonus Skill and one Group skill, chosen at random. Use the Gogma Reinforce function to either strengthen your existing bonuses or reroll for new ones. You’ll also be able to re-roll the Set Bonus Skill and Group Skill, allowing for even more set building possibilities. Transcendence Hunters at HR 100 or above can further enhance their armor through a process called Transcendence. This will increase the maximum level of your armor, with Rarity 5 and 6 armor sets gaining enhanced decoration slots. Enhance your armor and face the towering Gogmagios. Take on Arch Tempered Jin Dahaad. The fourth Arch-tempered monster, Arch-tempered Jin Dahaad, will appear in a permanent event quest starting on Wednesday, December 24. Defeating it will reward new materials to forge the Dahaad γ Hunter and Palico armor sets. This 9-star quest will require hunters to be at least HR 100 to challenge. New optional quests Take on new challenging Optional Quests that put you against a trio of 9-star monsters. Hunters who are confident in their skills can take on these high-difficulty quests and earn special nameplates as rewards. These rewards are only obtainable if hunters take on the quest from the very beginning and aren’t obtainable if you join midway through the quest. Also, Hunting Exercises, which pit you against tempered 9-star monsters, will be added with Free Title Update 4. Take on this new array of quests to test and hone your skills. New Support Hunters Nadia, a Light Bowgun wielding support hunter, will join you in the hunt against Gogmazios. In addition, Griffin, a Great Sword wielding hunter from the Ferrum Unit and Nightmist, a Light Bowgun wielding hunter from the Aurora Unit will be available to join as Support Hunters with Free Title Update 4. More event quests New Event Quests are on the way and will be released gradually in the weeks ahead, including quests that allow you to craft special equipment and quests that make it easier to obtain Heavy Armor Spheres to upgrade your armor. Festival of Accord: Lumenhymn The winter themed seasonal event, the Festival of Accord: Lumenhymn will take place December 19, 2025, to January 14, 2026. The Grand Hub will feature festive decorations, offering special meals and limited-time rewards including exclusive armor, gestures, and camp decorations. Additionally, various content such as login bonuses and event quests will be available. Like Fabius, Nadia will join as a support hunter during the event period. We can’t wait to see you in the dazzlingly decorated Grand Hub. Update Plans for 2026 and Beyond While the fourth title update will be the last major update for Monster Hunter Wilds, including new additional monsters, we plan to release a final update in February. In the February update, Arch-tempered Arkveld will be introduced as the final Arch-tempered monster. We’ll also add the Shatterseal Great Sword and the SOS Meeting Pendant to the game, which were both selected as the winners of the Monster Hunter Wilds Design Contest earlier this year. We also plan to release collaboration content commemorating the release of Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection. Look forward to the Royal Palico Rudy armor for your Palico, as well as a special pendant. We’ll announce the details of the February update in the future, so stay tuned for more information to come. We hope you’re looking forward to the release of both Monster Hunter Wilds Free Title Update 4 on December 16, and the launch of Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection on March 13, 2026! View the full article

This month, stalk the streets of ancient Baghdad in Assassin’s Creed Mirage, cut down demons across a fallen empire in Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, shred through hell’s underworld in Skate Story, or soar among the clouds in Granblue Fantasy: Relink. All these titles and more are available in December’s PlayStation Plus Game Catalog lineup. Meanwhile, Soulcalibur III brings arcade action to PlayStation Plus Deluxe. All of these will be available to play December 16, aside from Skate Story, which released into the service December 9. PlayStation Plus Extra and Deluxe | Game Catalog View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Assassin’s Creed Mirage | PS5, PS4 Play as a cunning young street thief seeking answers in this majestic Middle Eastern open world. Experience the home of the original Assassins in this exciting narrative-driven, open world adventure. In this smaller scale, back to basics Assassin’s caper, you play Basim, a young street thief seeking answers. Roam the richly-detailed, reactive and vibrant streets of 9th century Baghdad, uncovering the mysteries of the past as you fight to secure your future. Stalk the shadows and become the ultimate assassin. Enjoy 6 hours of extra gameplay with Valley of Memory, the major update that expands Basim’s story and introduces the breathtaking new region of AlUla, with gameplay improvements across the full game. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty | PS5, PS4 184 AD, Later Han Dynasty China. The land is overcome by chaos and destruction. The imperial dynasty that prospered for many years is now about to collapse. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a dramatic, action-packed story of a nameless militia soldier fighting for survival in a dark fantasy version of the Later Han Dynasty where demons plague the Three Kingdoms. Fight off deadly creatures and enemy soldiers using swordplay based on the Chinese martial arts, attempting to overcome the odds by awakening the true power from within. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Skate Story | PS5 You are a demon in the Underworld, made out of glass and pain. The Devil has given you a skateboard with a simple deal: Skate to the Moon and swallow it — and you shall be freed. Ollie, kickflip, and grind your way through the ash and smoke of The Emptylands as you take on a seemingly impossible quest. Learn to master your weight and motion to conquer the weeping concrete. Savour the ritualistic beauty as you set your feet to pop a perfect kickflip. Skate fast to destroy vicious demons, help a forgetful frog, and save other tortured souls on your journey from fragile beginner to hardened skater. Push through hell and discover The Devil’s greatest weakness: humility, perseverance, and a disgustingly sweet backside tailslide. All you need is your skateboard. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Granblue Fantasy: Relink | PS5, PS4 Explore the Sky Realm, a floating archipelago set against a great blue expanse, and battle to decide its fate in this 3D action RPG. Become captain of a skyfaring crew as you sail with a colourful cast of crewmates on your quest to find Estalucia, a legendary island said to lie beyond the sky’s end. Visit the Zegagrande Skydom and unveil a web of intrigue that will embroil you in a battle for the fate of the entire Sky Realm. Create a party of four, each with unique weapons, skills and combat styles, and master a deep real-time combat system with team-based techniques including Link Attacks and Chain Bursts. Take on quests, battle enemies and score valuable loot solo, or party up with friends for up to four-player co-op. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Planet Coaster 2 | PS5 Reach new heights of creativity, management, and sharing as you construct the theme parks of your dreams combining epic water rides and coasters to delight and thrill your park guests. Balance thrilling your guests with managing your budget – populate your park with amazing efficiently powered attractions and the right amenities to boost your rating and become a theme park master. Enhanced and improved building and pathing tools let you create spectacular, true-to-life theme parks, complete with sprawling plazas. Dive into a world of creativity with nine distinct themes, from returning classics like Pirate and Western, to exciting new additions in Viking and Mythology. With thousands of themed customisable pieces at your fingertips, every creation will be truly unique. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Cat Quest III | PS5, PS4 Play as a swashbuckling privateer in this 2.5D open-world action RPG set in a fantastical pirate-themed world, the Purribean — an archipelago swarming with Pi-rats searching for the Northern Star. a long-lost mythical treasure. Alongside your trusty spirit companion, set sail through the Purribean in your very own ship! But beware, the seas are dangerous, and a mutiny is nigh as the hordes of Pi-rats under the order of the Pirate King hunt you down… Cat Quest III is playable either solo or in local co-op. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Lego Horizon Adventures | PS5 Journey to a distant future, where the land is made of Lego bricks and lush nature has reclaimed the Earth. Join hunter Aloy as she battles to save Earth from an ancient digital demon, and a gang of sunworshippers who want to live in a world without shade so they can soak up the rays while everything burns. Hunt machines on your own as Aloy, or unlock colourful heroes Varl, Teersa, and Erend, and use their unique skills to defeat enemies and overcome challenges. Share the fun with another player online, or via innovative couch co-op on a single screen, so you’re always in the same world together. PlayStation Plus Deluxe View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Soulcalibur III | PS5, PS4 Chosen by history, a man becomes a warrior. Engraved into history, a warrior becomes a hero. Enjoy this timeless tale of swords and souls, transcending history and worlds, destined to be told forever. Experience Soulcalibur III, originally released on PlayStation 2, enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and custom video filters. The Soulcalibur series is a weapon-based fighting series of games where players put their mastery of their character’s weapon to the test. The game features the Chronicles of the Sword mode that fuses real-time simulation with versus fighting-style action. In Soul Arena, choose between Quick Play for relentless battles against CPU opponents and Mission mode for fights set under special conditions. *PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and PlayStation Plus Deluxe lineups may differ by region. Please check PlayStation Store on release day. View the full article

This is Lindsey, game director at Timberline Studio. Today, I’d like to tell you more about how the concept of flavor is integral to how we built our cooking and gameplay systems in Beastro, our upcoming crunchy-cozy deck builder, coming to PS5 in Spring 2026. We know that’s a lot to unpack up there, so let’s get into it. Play Video Flavor as biomes In the world of Beastro, our regions are broken up by flavor types: bitter, salty, sour, sweet, and umami. Each of these flavors has its own culture, creatures, and color palettes. And depending on where a character hails from, it will define their palate and what they want their food to taste like! Over the course of our four chapters, you’ll venture into these various flavor biomes to fight off the monsters that have invaded from another realm. It’s up to you to fight them off and protect the flavor spirits in these lands. You’ll first find yourself in The Marshlands, the nearest region of the Umami Wilds. The Umami lands, and its denizens are signified by their depth of life and heartier ingredients. Mushrooms are the foundation of this region and the mossy, mishmash of land they thrive in. This biome is full of deep greens and browns. We wanted it to feel dense, enveloping, and comforting at the same time. I often think of Umami as a big bowl of stew, and we seek to hit that energy in the characters and environment. ​​ Our heroes, the Caretakers Word spreads quickly that ravenous monsters have arrived and that they are wreaking havoc on the flavor wilds. Heroes from the flavor factions, the Caretakers, are sent to protect everyone and quell the tide of the invasion; however, none of them are capable of battling on an empty stomach. Soon, these Caretakers arrive in our quaint little town of Palo Pori in search of a meal, but they get more than a full stomach. The food our chef, Panko, prepares with the help of the fire god, Flambé, unlocks the power of the flavor spirits from within the ingredients, granting magical abilities to the Caretakers, allowing them to engage in unique card battles with the monsters. Each Caretaker has their own motivation that’s driving them to defeat the monsters. As champions for their people, they all seek to leave their mark on the world and show they can save the world on their own. The Umamis seek to bring everyone together, particularly the friendly creatures in the wilds who lack the skills to fight off the monsters. Oyshi, our Umami Caretaker, is always happy to offer a safe home to a small creature in need. And our third playable Caretaker, Kalan, hails from the land of Bitter. The Bitters are known as the protectors of this world, entrusted with the responsibility to ensure the survival of all flavors… and they take this responsibility very seriously. Kalan is very single-minded, looking to reinforce the Bitter’s role as the protectors. Kalan has less stamina than the other Caretakers, but his palate leads him toward the healing properties of many Bitter ingredients. It’s important to eat your leafy greens. Because of their devotion to a flavor many others would choose to avoid, they feel they’re just a little bit better than everyone else, and Kalan’s more than willing to remind you of that. They prefer their coffee black, as why would you ruin a lovely bitter thing with another flavor? Unlocking the magic of flavor While the first Caretaker may have arrived due to hunger, Oyshi soon helps recruit the others to Palo Pori to unlock flavor magic of their own. As the chef, it’s up to you to balance their desired flavors and the magic you think they’ll need to be successful in the wilds. Palo Pori and the restaurant in Beastro are built around a concept of: from town to table. Many of the ingredients you use are grown, gathered, or fished out of the sea to cook up the meals for the Caretakers. As you sauté, chop, boil, roast, and assemble your meals through the various mini games, you’ll find yourself developing a nice flavor profile for your caretaker as you balance and enhance the flavors of your meal. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image This is all done through “mise en place,” where you place your ingredients and determine how to create the best well-rounded meal for your visitor and one that unlocks the magic and effects they’ll need to defeat the monsters, because not only does each ingredient have a flavor, it has a power level… and many of them have effects too! You’ll have to discover, learn, and experiment with how different ingredients combine to unlock new powers that will make each caretaker stronger and allow them to battle more ferocious foes with every round. We can’t wait to tell you more about our game, but for now, we’ll leave you with a new Gameplay Trailer that shares a bit more about the mechanics we mentioned above. Time for me to get a snack! Thanks for taking the time to learn about Beastro! View the full article

This month, stalk the streets of ancient Baghdad in Assassin’s Creed Mirage, cut down demons across a fallen empire in Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, shred through hell’s underworld in Skate Story, or soar among the clouds in Granblue Fantasy: Relink. All these titles and more are available in December’s PlayStation Plus Game Catalog lineup*. Meanwhile, Soulcalibur III brings arcade action to PlayStation Plus Premium. All of these will be available to play December 16, aside from Skate Story, which released into the service December 8. *Digital PS5 games available to stream from your library will vary over time, region, and country. PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium | Game Catalog View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Assassin’s Creed Mirage | PS5, PS4 Play as a cunning young street thief seeking answers in this majestic Middle Eastern open world. Experience the home of the original Assassins in this exciting narrative-driven, open world adventure. In this smaller scale, back to basics Assassin’s caper, you play Basim, a young street thief seeking answers. Roam the richly-detailed, reactive and vibrant streets of 9th century Baghdad, uncovering the mysteries of the past as you fight to secure your future. Stalk the shadows and become the ultimate assassin. Enjoy 6 hours of extra gameplay with Valley of Memory, the major update that expands Basim’s story and introduces the breathtaking new region of AlUla, with gameplay improvements across the full game. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty | PS5, PS4 184 AD, Later Han Dynasty China. The land is overcome by chaos and destruction. The imperial dynasty that prospered for many years is now about to collapse. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a dramatic, action-packed story of a nameless militia soldier fighting for survival in a dark fantasy version of the Later Han Dynasty where demons plague the Three Kingdoms. Fight off deadly creatures and enemy soldiers using swordplay based on the Chinese martial arts, attempting to overcome the odds by awakening the true power from within. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Skate Story | PS5 You are a demon in the Underworld, made out of glass and pain. The Devil has given you a skateboard with a simple deal: Skate to the Moon and swallow it — and you shall be freed. Ollie, kickflip, and grind your way through the ash and smoke of The Emptylands as you take on a seemingly impossible quest. Learn to master your weight and motion to conquer the weeping concrete. Savour the ritualistic beauty as you set your feet to pop a perfect kickflip. Skate fast to destroy vicious demons, help a forgetful frog, and save other tortured souls on your journey from fragile beginner to hardened skater. Push through hell and discover The Devil’s greatest weakness: humility, perseverance, and a disgustingly sweet backside tailslide. All you need is your skateboard. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Granblue Fantasy: Relink | PS5, PS4 Explore the Sky Realm, a floating archipelago set against a great blue expanse, and battle to decide its fate in this 3D action RPG. Become captain of a skyfaring crew as you sail with a colourful cast of crewmates on your quest to find Estalucia, a legendary island said to lie beyond the sky’s end. Visit the Zegagrande Skydom and unveil a web of intrigue that will embroil you in a battle for the fate of the entire Sky Realm. Create a party of four, each with unique weapons, skills and combat styles, and master a deep real-time combat system with team-based techniques including Link Attacks and Chain Bursts. Take on quests, battle enemies and score valuable loot solo, or party up with friends for up to four-player co-op. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Planet Coaster 2 | PS5 Reach new heights of creativity, management, and sharing as you construct the theme parks of your dreams combining epic water rides and coasters to delight and thrill your park guests. Balance thrilling your guests with managing your budget – populate your park with amazing efficiently powered attractions and the right amenities to boost your rating and become a theme park master. Enhanced and improved building and pathing tools let you create spectacular, true-to-life theme parks, complete with sprawling plazas. Dive into a world of creativity with nine distinct themes, from returning classics like Pirate and Western, to exciting new additions in Viking and Mythology. With thousands of themed customizable pieces at your fingertips, every creation will be truly unique. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Cat Quest III | PS5, PS4 Play as a swashbuckling privateer in this 2.5D open-world action RPG set in a fantastical pirate-themed world, the Purribean — an archipelago swarming with Pi-rats searching for the Northern Star. a long-lost mythical treasure. Alongside your trusty spirit companion, set sail through the Purribean in your very own ship! But beware, the seas are dangerous, and a mutiny is nigh as the hordes of Pi-rats under the order of the Pirate King hunt you down… Cat Quest III is playable either solo or in local co-op. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Lego Horizon Adventures | PS5 Journey to a distant future, where the land is made of Lego bricks and lush nature has reclaimed the Earth. Join hunter Aloy as she battles to save Earth from an ancient digital demon, and a gang of sunworshippers who want to live in a world without shade so they can soak up the rays while everything burns. Hunt machines on your own as Aloy, or unlock colourful heroes Varl, Teersa, and Erend, and use their unique skills to defeat enemies and overcome challenges. Share the fun with another player online, or via innovative couch co-op on a single screen, so you’re always in the same world together. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Paw Patrol: Grand Prix | PS5, PS4 No track is too big, no racer too small! Race around Adventure Bay with all your favorite Paw Patrol pups and up to 4 players at once – but look out for the obstacles left by mischievous Mayor Humdinger! The Paw Patrol are on their fastest mission yet, to win the Pup Cup! Drive around iconic locations including Adventure Bay, Jake’s Snowboarding Resort and The Jungle to find out who will be crowned the winner. Play with friends in this multiplayer championship, where you can pick any of your favorite pups including Chase, Skye or Marshall. But watch out, because sneaky Mayor Humdinger could be just around the corner to turn your race into a crazy catastrophe! View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Paw Patrol World | PS5, PS4 Explore the world of Paw Patrol like never before, in a 3D action adventure where anything is possible. Play as your favorite pups, drive their vehicles and save the day by taking on fun rescues and missions. Freely roam Adventure Bay, Jake’s Mountain, the Jungle and Barkingburg, in missions designed for pre-school players. Enjoy a brand-new story and play flashback missions inspired by classic Paw Patrol episodes, either in single-player or with a friend in split-screen co-op mode. And customize your game with countless collectibles, like emotes, pup tags, postcard stamps, costumes, vehicle stickers, and artworks for the Chickaletta Exhibition. PlayStation Plus Premium View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Soulcalibur III | PS5, PS4 Chosen by history, a man becomes a warrior. Engraved into history, a warrior becomes a hero. Enjoy this timeless tale of swords and souls, transcending history and worlds, destined to be told forever. Experience Soulcalibur III, originally released on PlayStation 2, enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and custom video filters. The Soulcalibur series is a weapon-based fighting series of games where players put their mastery of their character’s weapon to the test. The game features the Chronicles of the Sword mode that fuses real-time simulation with versus fighting-style action. In Soul Arena, choose between Quick Play for relentless battles against CPU opponents and Mission mode for fights set under special conditions. *PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and PlayStation Plus Premium/Deluxe lineups may differ by region. Please check PlayStation Store on release day. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Sony Pictures Core Movie Credit Promo | December 11 – January 12** Purchase any 12-month PlayStation Plus membership and get movie credit(s) to spend on the Sony Pictures Core app. Dive into epic blockbusters like Venom The Last Dance, 28 years later, Karate Kid Legends, Anaconda, and more***—your next movie marathon starts here****! **Offer valid between December 11, 2025 to January 12, 2026. Offer available only where no other discount applies. Cannot combine or stack offers. Number of movie credits varies based on plan and membership status. Offer only available when purchased on PS5, Web browser and Mobile (PS App). PS Plus is subject to a recurring subscription fee taken automatically until cancellation. Terms apply: play.st/psplus-usageterms. Separate download of the Sony Pictures Core App is required to redeem Movie Credits. Must be 18+ to register for a Sony Pictures Core account. Movie Credits must be claimed and redeemed in App by January 12, 2026. Sony Pictures Core terms apply: https://www.sonypicturescore.com/termsofservice ***Titles and availability vary by market. ****Regions: Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Mexico, Canada, United States. View the full article

Each year brings unforgettable memories for our PlayStation community across the globe, and 2025 was no different with the launch of memorable games like Ghost of Yōtei, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Blue Prince, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. To reflect on another momentous year in gaming, we’re launching PlayStation 2025 Wrap-Up starting today. From today through January 8, 2026, PS5 and PS4 players can access their PlayStation 2025 Wrap-Up experience* to view their gaming achievements for the year, including most played games and genres, total hours played across single-player and multiplayer titles, a personalized PlayStation Plus playlist, and trophy milestones. There’s also insights around gameplay with accessories like PlayStation VR2, PlayStation Portal remote player, as well as your most used DualSense wireless controller design. The 2025 Wrap-Up experience will continue to update through the end of the year, so be sure to check back again before January 8 for your full 2025 summary. Players who complete the experience can redeem a unique glass-themed avatar as well as access their summary card – check out my 2025 summary below: View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Explore your PlayStation 2025 Wrap-Up at https://wrapup.playstation.com – and share your favorite gaming moments from 2025 in the comments below. *Users need to have a PlayStation account in their region, be of adult age or over and, have played games on a PS4 or PS5 console for at least 10 hours between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025. Users who have not consented to the collection of “Full Data” from their PlayStation 5 system settings in 2025, will be unable to participate in the Wrap-Up campaign. Users located in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australasia, India, and Russia, who have not consented to the collection of “Additional Data” from their PlayStation 4 system settings in 2025, will be unable to participate in the Wrap-Up campaign. View the full article

Two iconic franchises have come together to combine the authenticity and realism of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 with the exciting, mysterious world of Stranger Things. An adrenaline-packed journey into the universe of the cult series awaits fans and simmers alike, led by Murray Bauman, from the original cast, and his team! Enter the world of Netflix’s Stranger Things to help Hawkins, a town under lockdown, heavy patrols, and supernatural threats. Think you have what it takes to fly a Bell UH-1H Huey and help the residents of Hawkins in their latest encounters with the dangers that destroyed their hometown? Try your hand at five exhilarating missions, shady supply ops, close-call chases, and high-stakes rescues… all of it pulling you deeper into the city’s worst fears. No spoilers, but “Yeah, it gets intense!” as Murray would say. And, if you’re ready to visit Hawkins, Indiana, even after the credits roll on the crew’s last strange adventure, you will be able to explore a highly detailed map and re-creation of the town with more than 40 iconic locations made famous by the show. Starcourt Mall Hawkins Middle School Hawkins National Laboratory Hawkins Junkyard The legacy of Hawkins will live on, long past the airing of the final episode. Come see for yourself in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024: Stranger Things expansion available December 9 and watch Stranger Things Season 5 only on Netflix. The sky is calling! View the full article

Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com! Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or download here Hey, y’all! Sid, Tim, Brett, and Kristen are back this week after the Thanksgiving holiday, and diving right into Arc Raiders and Ghost of Yōtei NG+. Stuff We Talked About Next week’s releases: Skate Story| PS5 Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 | PS5 Terminator 2D: No Fate | PS5 PS Blog 2025 Game of the Year Polls — The polls are now open! Make your voice heard by casting your vote in 19 categories before Monday, December 8 DualSense Wireless Controller – Genshin Impact Limited Edition – Pre-orders begin December 11, with launch starting from January 2026. What we’ve been playing: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Ghost of Yōtei New Game+ Ball x Pit Arc Raiders System Shock remake The Cast View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Sid Shuman – Senior Director of Content Communications, SIE View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Tim Turi – Content Communications Manager, SIE View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Brett Elston – Manager, Content Communications, SIE View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Kristen Zitani – Globlal Content Content Communications Manager, SIE Thanks to Dormilón for our rad theme song and show music. [Editor’s note: PSN game release dates are subject to change without notice. Game details are gathered from press releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.] View the full article

Last week, we asked you to share snow-filled views from the game of your choice using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here’s this week’s snowy highlights: SheikhSadi80 shares Atsu riding out to a shrine on a snowy hill in Ghost of Yōtei rorottino shares Sam snowboarding on a carrier in Death Stranding 2: On The Beach. RhodWulfLeon shares Kratos on the ice with a wolf in God of War Ragnarök. secondcapture shares a student riding a Hippogriff over snowy grounds in Hogwarts Legacy. treeblazah shares Aloy overlooking a snowy vista in Horizon Forbidden West. discophotomode shares a glamorous snow-themed outfit from Infinity Nikki. 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: Zoomed Out SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on December 10, 2025 Next week, zoom all the way out and share panoramic shots using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured. View the full article

Hi, this is Emeric Thoa, creative director at The Game Bakers, and I’m joined by Art Director and Writer Mathieu Bablet. Today, we’d like to tell you a bit about the story of Cairn and its main character, Aava. Play Video So far, we’ve been highlighting the ultra-realistic climbing simulation in Cairn — a completely new climbing system that’s easy to pick up but creates surprising tension when you venture onto the walls of Kami, the mountain no one has ever reached the summit of. But Cairn is more than just a climbing game. As you climb Kami, you’ll also have to survive in the mountain — finding food, water, and places to rest. It’s also a human adventure: the story of a determined alpinist, and perhaps more than that — a reflection on mountaineering itself, on what drives people to push themselves beyond their limits to climb mountains. Cairn tells the story of Aava, an experienced mountaineer determined to do the impossible: reach the summit of Kami, alone. Emeric: How would you describe Aava — her personality, her motivations? Mathieu: Aava is a climber with a mind of steel, forged through years of climbing that have demanded a lot from her as she kept breaking records. She’s demanding, perfectionist, and can’t stand failure. And when she conquers a difficult route, when she pauses for a moment on a ledge with a breathtaking view, she feels free. It’s for moments like these that she climbs — that’s her main drive. Emeric: What I love about Aava is feeling her determination — even though it sometimes makes her a bit tough. Was it intentional to make her somewhat solitary? Mathieu: After watching a lot of documentaries about climbers and mountaineers, one clear pattern emerged: this discipline, as liberating as it is, comes with its share of sacrifices and trade-offs. You have to harden your body, harden your mind, and sometimes set your emotions aside. Such individual feats often leave marks on the people around these athletes. Emeric: That said, not all climbers are the same. In Cairn, Aava crosses paths with a certain Marco — who is he? Mathieu: Marco is also a climber, younger than Aava. In fact, he’s a bit like Aava before she became the accomplished mountaineer she is in the game. He’s carefree, someone who climbs purely for the joy of it, not for the pride of reaching the top. Through him, Aava rediscovers a bit of the simple pleasure of climbing. Emeric: And there are other characters and encounters Aava will have along her ascent? Mathieu: Cairn is a true adventure game, with an emotional and meaningful story. Even though it’s a solo ascent, Aava will meet people on the mountain and reveal more of her personal story. This happens through exchanges with those she’s left behind — Naomi, who regularly checks in on her, and her agent Chris, who’s constantly chasing after her! But also through encounters with other climbers on the mountain — those alive like Marco, and those who never made it back down. And then there’s the troglodyte civilization, or what remains of it — incredible climbers and rock carvers who lived in seclusion high in the mountains. Cairn is the story of Aava and her passion for the mountains, told through these encounters and places to discover — showing what drives humans to go beyond their limits to reach new heights. Emeric: We could have made Cairn just a climbing simulation, but for the whole Game Bakers team it was important to go further — to tell a story that moves us. Mathieu, for you, what’s the most important part of this story? Mathieu: For me, Cairn is about Aava’s obsession — a kind of relentless drive that keeps her from thinking about anything but the ascent of Kami. That feeling of determination is what I want players to experience throughout the game, along with all the consequences that come with such a quest for the absolute. Emeric: That’s also what made me want to create a game like Cairn. I was fascinated by that very tangible sense of determination you find in mountaineering stories (like in Taniguchi’s manga The Summit of the Gods). It made me wonder — what would I be willing to give everything for? What’s my summit? And what’s yours? Get ready for the climbing thrill when Cairn hits PS5 on January 29! View the full article

Hello, everyone! We’re Chaos Manufacturing—an indie development team on a mission to combine combat, story, and music so that they work in harmony to create game experiences that players will never forget. We’re excited to reveal our debut game, SOL Shogunate, a single player third-person action RPG that brings fluid, spectacle-driven combat to a sci-fi universe that pays homage to the majesty of feudal Japanese tradition. The game unfolds across a striking alternate future where the way of the sword is law. A shattered heir, a stolen legacy Players step into the role of Yuzuki, the lone survivor of a once-powerful samurai family. After a rival clan massacres her family, she becomes a ronin, carving a bloody path of vengeance through the moon’s gleaming megacities. These “Lunar Glass” cities create artificial gravity for their inhabitants, enabling sustained lunar life and a variety of ecosystems. Shogunate infrastructure also features wonders such as space elevators, high speed rail, and districts that maintain the veneer of Earth’s cultural comforts. Beneath the bright skylines lie sprawling industrial zones where workers toil unseen to sustain the shogunate’s influence. Yuzuki’s story leads her deeper into the heart of the lunar frontier, revealing the forces that shaped her past and threaten her future. Play Video Swordplay forged from past and future Combat in SOL Shogunate emphasizes precision, timing, and adaptability. Yuzuki is the ultimate space samurai, genetically modified for the future of combat, and master of classically-designed weapons reengineered for the battlefields of tomorrow. Players can channel various types of energy into attacks to expose weaknesses, stagger foes, and create new tactical opportunities. As her abilities grow, and her enhancements evolve, new techniques shift how battles flow and how players overcome increasingly dangerous enemies. Unforgettable action Music is like a cheat code for emotion and a great song can make any experience more memorable. One of our goals is to combine exciting gameplay with awesome original music that will get your pulse racing. Our epic encounters will blend choreography and visual spectacle, each paired with music that responds to the action on-screen. We’re collaborating with Japanese rock artists including AliA to create multi-stage encounters that should feel like starring in electrifying music videos, every strike amplified by driving, emotionally charged tracks. Lunar cities shaped by history SOL Shogunate is Chaos Manufacturing’s love letter to Japan, as every member has been deeply inspired by its history, culture, and media. Each metropolis on the moon, for example, draws inspiration from a different era of Japanese history. These environments act as both living spaces and reflections of the shogunate’s reach across the solar system. To navigate these zones, players will traverse vertical districts using gravity assist gear, and even uncover hidden layers within each biome, discovering clues that will unlock mysteries about SOL Shogunate’s rich backstory. Looking ahead Chaos Manufacturing is still in the early stages of development on SOL Shogunate. Please visit the official SOL Shogunate website for all the latest updates! View the full article

The gods created man, and man created stories. In the beginning there was Romancing SaGa, the first entry in a classic 16-bit RPG trilogy. The beloved adventure was later remade on PS2, titled Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song-. On December 9, Red Art Games will release an enhanced version of the PS2 game on PS5 and PS4, titled Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered International. This new International version is the most comprehensive, featuring new characters, tougher challenges, as well as numerous QoL improvements including French, Italian, German and Spanish localization, the ability to switch between English and Japanese voices and more, making it perfect for longtime fans and first-time SaGa players. Before we head back into the world of Mardias, I was honored to have the opportunity to interview Akitoshi Kawazu, the original creator of the SaGa series and both producer and director of the 2005 version. Kawazu-san was kind enough to answer a few questions we had about the game, the SaGa series’ grand 36-year history, and his personal thoughts in the process. Could you tell us how the idea of the first Romancing SaGa title came into being? I had always wanted to make a grand fantasy RPG in the style of The Lord of the Rings. With our previous experience and the new hardware available, I knew that now was the time to take on that challenge. And then came Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song-. What were the challenges associated with the development of the 2005 version for PlayStation 2 ? The biggest challenge was figuring out the limits to which we could push the PS2’s expression capabilities. New team members wanted different expressions than those found in the original version, but if we strayed too far it wouldn’t be faithful to the original. Development was all about striking a balance. In the PS2 version, the original 2D pixel art was completely remade into a full 3D game. In terms of battles, new systems such as BP management and combos were introduced, adding greater strategy and drama to each encounter. The music, composed by Kenji Ito, was also boldly rearranged, giving players a fresh and powerful listening experience even if they were familiar with the original. In addition, features such as the class system and proficiencies were added, reflecting the trends of the time and making the game more accessible and comfortable to play. It must be something special to see the game brought back to life in the PS5 version. What was it like to be in the room when Square Enix was discussing remastering the game? What was at the forefront of your minds then? Another full remake would be required to fully use the capabilities of the PS5, and that wasn’t the goal of this project. That said, we knew that we didn’t want to waste the potential of its high specs, so we tried various approaches to see what was possible. We also discussed what kinds of additional elements we wanted to include. In the remastered version, several new elements and improvements have been introduced to further enhance the player experience. New playable characters have been added, along with high-difficulty bosses designed to challenge even veteran players. A newly written scenario by Akitoshi Kawazu expands the story and world of the original, while Kenji Ito’s music has been boldly rearranged, offering a fresh and dynamic listening experience. In addition, various quality-of-life features—such as improved UI, a battle speed-up option, and post-clear data carryover—make the game more accessible and enjoyable for both new and returning players. Romancing SaGa has a long history. Over 30 years and counting! What makes the game such a reference in the JRPG genre that it even now remains so fun to revisit? I think it’s because we highly prioritized giving the player a large degree of freedom. Games are enjoyable because they operate under a certain set of rules, but those rules aren’t fun if they’re there only to suit the designers’ whims. A big part of the game’s appeal is in getting the player to remember their playing experience long after they’ve finished. How does Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered International’s story differ from the original Romancing SaGa’s? The basic premise and story flow remain the same, but we added multiple elements reminiscent of short fantasy stories so that players would be able to enjoy the world’s lore a little more. In this remastered version, numerous new events have been added that were not present in the original 1992 release. New storylines include the introduction of the Volunteer Brigade, which guides players through basic game systems and progression, as well as additional episodes that further develop certain characters — such as Marina and Flammar, who are now playable. There are also special events that can only be experienced on a second playthrough or later, offering players more depth and replay value. Among the many protagonists of Minstrel Song, who’s your favorite? Can you explain why? I think the most protagonist-like of them all is Albert, a young man battered about by the whims of fate. One of the most striking elements of this title is its artistic direction by Tomomi Kobayashi. Could you tell us why you chose to feature her art in the game? We went with Tomomi Kobayashi because her use of delicate lines and bright colors inspire the player to use their imagination. I would go so far to say as the development team—myself included—were even more stimulated than the players. The reason the characters come to life can be directly linked back to Kobayashi-san’s designs. Regarding the “Minstrel” mentioned in the title. In the Romancing SaGa series, a Bard always appears in each installment. What would you say is the role of the Minstrel? The minstrel is there to provide an objective view of the world. While he does empathize with the protagonists, he is someone who loves everything about the world, including the fiends that reside there. I don’t like it when a story overemphasizes the protagonists’ emotions to the exclusion of other aspects of the world, so I make a concerted effort to include characters who are able to provide a more universal outlook. Regarding the music in this title — the remaster seems to have further enhanced its presence, elevating the overall gameplay experience. In the PlayStation 2 version of Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song-, many tracks were boldly rearranged from the original Romancing SaGa, and new compositions were also created. Could you share any particular stories or memories about the process of arranging or composing these new pieces? We rearranged the music in order to take better advantage of the PS2’s breadth of sound and music capabilities. Kenji Ito, who composed the original, did a lot of work on the overall project, with his fresh arrangements and new songs often bringing our sound engineers to tears. For a long time, the Romancing SaGa series has mainly been developed with Japanese players in mind. How do you feel about Red Art Games’ overseas release of Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered International, which now includes additional localizations in four European languages? My decisions at the time meant that the original didn’t make it overseas for a very long time. I am incredibly pleased that this work can now be enjoyed in the land where the fantasy genre got its origins in the languages of the people who live there. ​​ How would you like to see the SaGa series develop in the future? Are there any new directions or challenges you would like to explore? I would like to continue bringing fantasy RPGs with a modern flair to audiences, including by remaking previous titles. Thank you so much for your time, Mr. Kawazu! And thank you, dear reader, for coming this far! The game will be available December 9 on PlayStation Store for PS4 and PS5. 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 November, players flocked to new multiplayer combat thrills in the form of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, while Battlefield Redsec continued to draw in high numbers on the free-to-play charts, joined by new release Where Winds Meet. Also on PS5, acclaimed episodic superheroic adventure Dispatch climbed further up the charts as its concluding episodes dropped on PlayStation Store during November. Check out the full listings below. What titles are you playing this month? Top PS5 Full and PSN Games US/CanadaEUCall of Duty: Black Ops 7Call of Duty: Black Ops 7ARC RaidersEA SPORTS FC 26DispatchARC RaidersBattlefield 6Battlefield 6NBA 2K26DispatchEA SPORTS FC 26Grand Theft Auto VEA SPORTS Madden NFL 26UFC 5Grand Theft Auto VMinecraftGhost of YōteiThe Witcher 3: Wild HuntMinecraftINAZUMA ELEVEN: Victory RoadEA SPORTS College Football 26Forza Horizon 5Marvel’s Spider-Man 2It Takes TwoClair Obscur: Expedition 33Hogwarts LegacyMLB The Show 25Clair Obscur: Expedition 33Forza Horizon 5NBA 2K26UFC 5Ghost of YōteiMortal Kombat 1Marvel’s Spider-Man 2The Outer Worlds 2Football Manager 26 ConsoleIt Takes TwoAnno 117: Pax RomanaHogwarts LegacyS.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl *Naming of products may differ between regions *Upgrades not included Top PS4 Full and PSN Games US/CanadaEURed Dead Redemption 2 Red Dead Redemption 2Batman: Arkham KnightEA SPORTS FC 26Call of Duty: Black Ops 7A Way OutA Way OutUnravel TwoGrand Theft Auto VThe ForestRed Dead RedemptionGrand Theft Auto VThe ForestMinecraftMinecraftBatman: Arkham KnighttheHunter: Call of the WildAssassin’s Creed SyndicateMiddle-earth: Shadow of WarNeed for Speed HeatEA SPORTS FC 26Assassin’s Creed OriginsUNCHARTED The Nathan Drake CollectionHogwarts LegacyThe Walking Dead: The Telltale Definitive SeriesAssassin’s Creed OdysseySTAR WARS Battlefront IICall of Duty: Black Ops 7CupheadUncharted: The Nathan Drake CollectionMortal Kombat XMiddle-earth: Shadow of WarFar Cry PrimalFar Cry PrimalTom Clancy’s Ghost Recon BreakpointMafia: TrilogyUnravel TwoRed Dead RedemptionAssassin’s Creed OdysseyTom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint *Naming of products may differ between regions *Upgrades not included Top 10 VR2 Required Games US/CanadaEUAlien: Rogue Incursion VRAlien: Rogue Incursion VRBeat SaberMetro AwakeningArizona Sunshine RemakeHorizon Call of the MountainMetro Awakening Beat SaberJob Simulator Arizona Sunshine RemakeVRacer HoverbikeThe Dark Pictures: Switchback VRThe Dark Pictures: Switchback VRVRacer HoverbikeThe Walking Dead: Saints & SinnersJob SimulatorAmong Us 3D: VRKayak VR: MiragePistol WhipCreed: Rise to Glory – Championship Edition *Naming of products may differ between regions *Upgrades not included Top 10 Free to Play (PS5 + PS4) US/CanadaEUWhere Winds Meet (F2P)Battlefield REDSECBattlefield REDSECWhere Winds Meet (F2P)FortniteFortniteRobloxRobloxCall of Duty: WarzoneCall of Duty: WarzoneMarvel RivalsRocket LeagueRocket LeagueeFootballPUBG: BATTLEGROUNDSPUBG: BATTLEGROUNDSApex LegendsAsphalt LegendsAimlabsFall Guys *Naming of products may differ between regions *Upgrades not included View the full article

The free Spec III Update 1.65* brings an exciting mix of high-performance machines, classic icons, and cutting-edge technology to Gran Turismo. From Ferrari’s latest track-bred GT3 to Polestar’s electric powerhouse, plus new circuits, events, and features, there’s something for every racing enthusiast.** The new paid Power Pack DLC for GT7 on PS5 brings 50 new races across 20 themed categories, including 24-hour races, six unique cars specially tuned by Gran Turismo, tail-to-nose battles with Gran Turismo Sophy 3.0, and bundled with 5,000,000 in-game Credits for $29.99 USD through PlayStation Store.*** Spec III Update and the Power Pack Add-on for Gran Turismo 7 is available Thursday, December 4 at 00:00 local time. *2:00am BST / 4:00pm JST. More information and details on Spec III Update and Power Pack Add-on available at the Gran Turismo website. Play Video Spec III Update 1.65 8 new cars** Ferrari 296 GT3 ’23 (Can be purchased from Brand Central) A pure racing evolution of the 296 GTB, the GT3 drops the hybrid system for a 600 hp 3.0L twin-turbo V6. Built by Oreca, it debuted at the 2022 Spa 24 Hours and raced at Daytona in 2023. An Evo version arrives in 2026. Ferrari 296 GTB ’22 (Can be purchased from Brand Central) Ferrari’s first V6 twin-turbo road car in decades, paired with a PHEV system for 830 hp. It accelerates 0–62 mph in 2.9s and tops 205 mph. Compact design echoes the 250 LM, blending tradition with innovation. FIAT Panda 30 CL ’85 (Can be purchased from Used Cars) Giugiaro’s minimalist masterpiece, the Panda was a practical FWD hatchback with flat panels and hammock seats. Engines ranged from 652 cc to 903 cc, and a pioneering 4×4 model appeared in 1983. Gran Turismo F3500-B (Can be purchased from Brand Central) A tribute to ’90s F1, this formula car swaps the V12 for a high-revving V8 producing 700+ hp. It’s lightweight, responsive, and fitted with adjustable front wings. Mine’s BNR34 GT-R N1 base (Can be purchased from Brand Central) Mine’s tuned R34 GT-R blends street style with track prowess, clocking sub-1-min laps at Tsukuba. Restored in 2021, it remains a legend among enthusiasts. Mitsubishi FTO GP Version R ’97 (Can be purchased from Used Cars) A stylish FF coupé with up to 197 hp via MIVEC tech and advanced INVECS-II transmission. Polestar 5 Performance ’26 (Can be purchased from Brand Central) A 5m electric GT with 872 hp, 1,015 Nm torque, and 416-mile range. It features a bonded aluminum frame, with the performance edition sporting magnetorheological fluid dampers, and 350 kW fast charging. Renault Espace F1 ’95 (Can be purchased from Legend Cars) Europe’s first minivan, with a 3.5L V10 F1 engine producing 788 hp. Built by Matra, it hits 196 mph and accelerates to 62 mph in 2.8s—a true motorsport oddity. Tracks The following two new tracks have been added. Yas Marina Circuit (Length: 5,281m / Elevation Change: 11m / No. of Corners: 16 / Longest Straight: 1233m) Located in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, the Yas Marina Circuit stretches across Yas Island on the Persian Gulf and is one of the most modern circuits in the world, sitting next to a marina, luxury hotels and theme parks. This challenging layout features a carefully constructed mix of long straights and low speed technical sections and has already played home to a number of famous racing moments. It is also known for being one of the only tracks to hold twilight races which run through the evening. ​​ Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve (Length: 4,361m / Elevation Change: 5m / No. of Corners: 14 / Longest Straight: 1173m) Named to celebrate the life and achievements of late Canadian F1 driver Gilles Villeneuve, the historic Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve was opened in the city of Montreal in Quebec, Canada in 1979. The layout features many consecutive corners twisting left and right where drivers will need to choose the correct line and get into a rhythm. The final chicane is an infamously difficult section that exits at the Wall of Champions, so called as 3 champions crashed into the wall at the 1999 F1 Canadian Grand Prix. Dunlop Tires Originally founded in the UK and now operating from Japan, Dunlop Tires have been added. After the update, tires featured in the Tuning Shop and default tires on special cars will feature Dunlop designs. (Excluding certain vehicles) World Map / ‘Power Pack’ Pavilion The Power Pack pavilion has been added to the World Map. The sailboat icon will appear at the bottom right of the map after completing Menu Book No. 9: Championship: Tokyo Highway Parade. The Power Pack is a paid DLC for PS5 only that aims to deliver a realistic racing experience, featuring 50 races across 20 categories all presented as full track sessions with practice, qualifying and the race. Collector Level The Collector Level cap has been raised from 50 to 70. For levels gained above 50, players will be rewarded with unlimited invitations for use in Brand Central. World Circuits The following new events have been added to World Circuits: European Sunday Cup 400: Goodwood Motor Circuit Japanese FF Challenge: Blue Moon Bay Speedway – Infield A Nissan GT-R Cup: Circuit Gilles – Villeneuve Ferrari Circuit Challenge: Yas Marina Circuit World Touring Car 800: Yas Marina Circuit Super Formula: Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve Gr.1 Prototype Series: Yas Marina Circuit Weekly Challenges Mission Challenge and Time Trial events have been added to the Weekly Challenges that unlock after viewing the ending. Alongside Special Race, these events will be available for limited time period. Data Logger The new Data Logger feature has been added. This feature is available in non-racing modes like Time Trial, Licenses and Circuit Experience. Players will be able to load data from the previous attempt or from replays to view and compare data such as racing lines, throttle and brake inputs, speed, and engine RPM all in real-time. Café / Seasonal Menu The Seasonal Menu has been added to the Café as new post-ending content. Collect different cars each season to unlock extra rewards. ​​ Café / Extra Menus The following new menus have been added to Extra Menus. Extra Menu No. 48: Alfa Romeo Legends（Collector Level 70) Extra Menu No. 49: Legendary Road Racers（Collector Level 66 and above) Extra Menu No. 50: Audi TT（Collector Level 52 and above) Extra Menu No. 51: Mazda（Collector Level 57 and above) Scapes The following locations have been added as featured Curations in Scapes. Yas Marina Circuit Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve Tuning Shop Additional Light Location In Additional Light Location, extra lighting has been added to create brighter, more beautiful photos in situations where the car can appear too dark, like with strong backlighting. Play Video New paid Power Pack DLC On December 4, the highly anticipated Gran Turismo Power Pack DLC arrives on PlayStation 5 version of Gran Turismo 7 as a paid Add-On ($29.99 USD), delivering a brand-new game mode based around the theme of real racing and comes bundled with 5,000,000 in-game Credits.*** The Power Pack represents a new challenge in Gran Turismo, offering a new format in pursuit of the true racing experience. The new game mode offers a variety of motorsports challenges, including full racing weekend formats FROM practice to qualifying to the main race, as well as 50 new events across 20 themed categories, including the 24-hour races, all inspired by global automotive and motorsport traditions. AI Agent Gran Turismo Sophy 3.0 is used exclusively throughout all the races for more realistic tail-to-nose racing action. Upon completing the Menu Book No.9 Championship: Tokyo Highway Parade, a sailing boat will appear at the bottom left of the World Map. Clicking on this Pavillion will take you to a screen where the Power Pack can be purchased from the PS Store. Intense, tail-to-nose battles with Gran Turismo Sophy 3.0 The Power Pack exclusively features the latest version of Gran Turismo Sophy 3.0 for the most realistic and intensive AI challenge in GT to date. 50 events over 20 categories including 24-hour races Travel the world of racing, participating in One-Make series to full scale race days featuring Gr.1 and Gr.3 cars in 24-hour endurance challenges and unique races. Receive special cars available in the Power Pack Completing a race earns you Stars according to your finishing position. Collecting these Stars enables you to purchase various bonuses, including six unique cars specifically tuned by Gran Turismo. The more stars you earn, the more cars you can add to your collection. *Internet connection required for update. **Credits (paid or via game progression) required to purchase vehicles. *** Update 1.65 required. Menu Book No.9 is required to access Power Pack features. View the full article

Today, December 3 – Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) held the PlayStation Partner Awards Japan/Asia to celebrate some of the best PlayStation 5 titles that debuted through the year, made by creators in Japan and Asia. Read on for a rundown of all the games that received awards at this event. For the 2025 PlayStation Partner Awards, the traditional Users’ Choice Awards, Partner Awards, and Grand Awards returned, alongside the Accessibility Award and the brand-new PlayStation Indies Award. The Accessibility and PlayStation Indies awards celebrate the commitment to diverse play made by creators, as well as recognizing their creativity, development skill, and appreciation from PlayStation players. PlayStation Partner winners were honored by long-standing members of Sony Interactive Entertainment’s executive team, including President and CEO of SIE, Hideaki Nishino, alongside the Senior Vice Presidents of Global Partner Development & Relations division, Pete Royea, Kiichiro Urata, and Phil Rosenberg. The PlayStation Partner Awards remains a celebration that honors the creativity of talented developers, and celebrates the amazing variety of hit titles that PlayStation communities in Japan and Asia enjoyed throughout the year. Grand Award Awarded to the top five titles developed in the Japan / Asia regions with the highest worldwide sales between October 2024 and September 2025*. Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero | Bandai Namco EntertainmenteFootball | KonamiMarvel Rivals | NetEase GamesMonster Hunter Wilds | CapcomZenless Zone Zero | HoYoverse Partner Award Awarded to titles developed in the Japan / Asia region with top-ranked worldwide sales between October 2024 and September 2025**, with particularly noteworthy commercial accomplishments. Elden Ring Nightreign | FromSoftware, Inc. / Bandai Namco Entertainment Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater | KonamiPath of Exile II | Grinding Gear GamesSilent Hill f | KonamiWuthering Waves | Kuro Games Accessibility Award Awarded to titles developed by Japan / Asia studios that launched in 2025, notable for the high quality and development effort of their accessible gameplay implementations, including alternative control schemes, colorblind modes, audio description, and more. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii | SegaMonster Hunter Wilds | Capcom PlayStation Indies Award A new PlayStation Partner Awards category, recognizing the variety and creativity of independent game creators and studios working in Japan/Asia. The title list was curated from 12 outstanding indie titles produced in Japan and the broader Asia region, then voted on by PlayStation players. Said John Vega, Global Director of the Indies team: “It is an honor to introduce the inaugural PlayStation Indies Award chosen by you, the players. This award recognizes some of the awesome Indie titles that have released on PlayStation over the past year from our partners across Japan and Asia and celebrates their impressive creativity. PlayStation loves Indies!” Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist | Binary Haze InteractiveNine Sols | Red Candle GamesUrban Myth Dissolution Center | Shueisha Games Users’ Choice Award Awarded to the top five titles released in the Japan / Asia region between October 2024 and September 2025, selected by user votes in the Japan/Asia region, out of the top 30 titles with the longest total game play time. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 | Kepler InteractiveDynasty Warriors: Origins | Koei TecmoMonster Hunter Wilds | CapcomSilent Hill f | KonamiWuthering Waves | Kuro Games * Calculated based on physical sales as well as digital sales made through PlayStation Store (including additional content and in-game currency). ** SIE’s own indicators, such as player numbers, are also factored into the selection of nominees. Listed publishers are that of the Japanese PlayStation Store. Here are messages from the recipients of the “Grand Award” to all the players. DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO (Bandai Namco Entertainment) “We are truly honored to receive this distinguished award. As the first new installment in the series in 17 years, this title was made possible thanks to the incredible support of our many fans. This award is the result of the passion and enthusiasm everyone has continued to bring to the game, even after its release. We would like to take this opportunity to once again extend our sincere gratitude. Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue working on future developments.” – DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO Team eFootball (Konami) “We are deeply honored to receive the prestigious GRAND AWARD. From the release of the very first Winning Eleven on PlayStation to its rebranding as eFootball, the series is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. We would like to extend our gratitude to all the players around the world who have continued to support us. With the world’s biggest football event approaching next year, we expect an even more exciting season ahead. Our development and operations teams will continue to work together to deliver an even more passionate and enjoyable football experience. Thank you for your continued support of eFootball.” – Konami General Producer Junichi Taya Marvel Rivals (NetEase Games） “We are truly honored that Marvel Rivals has received this recognition. Our heartfelt thanks go to PlayStation for their tremendous support, to our team and Marvel Games for their ongoing efforts, to our partners for their hard work, and to the millions of players who have continued to support our game and show us love. In the past year, we have introduced over 40 superheroes to players through Marvel Rivals. Moving forward, we will strive to deliver even richer content. We look forward to players continuing to explore this diverse Marvel universe, stepping into the roles of superheroes who save the world, and enjoying the fast-paced battles. Once again, we express our gratitude to PlayStation and our players for their unwavering support! We will closely monitor player feedback and are committed to providing even more exciting content in the future!” – NetEase Games Lead Producer Weicong Wu Monster Hunter Wilds (CAPCOM) “Our entire team is truly honored to receive both the GRAND AWARD and the ACCESSIBILITY AWARD, as well as a nomination for the USERS’ CHOICE AWARD. This game was developed with the goal of creating a deeply immersive hunting-action experience that could be enjoyed by both longtime fans of the series and newcomers. Based on player feedback, we are continually refining and updating the game to deliver an even more comfortable and exciting hunting experience. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has played Monster Hunter Wilds, and we look forward to your continued support.” – CAPCOM Producer Ryozo Tsujimoto Director Yuya Tokuda Zenless Zone Zero (HoYoverse) “We are deeply honored that Zenless Zone Zero has received the GRAND AWARD for the PlayStation® Partner Awards 2025, and we would like to sincerely thank players worldwide and PlayStation for their support of Zenless Zone Zero, who have witnessed the growth and evolution of Zenless Zone Zero over the course of a little over a year. This award is both a testament to and recognition of the journey we’ve shared together, and it will continue to inspire us to create even better gaming experiences with passion, dedication, and sincerity. The adventure in New Eridu continues onwards, and we will continue to be driven by your support and feedback to work harder to shape the unique charm of Zenless Zone Zero — pursuing a distinctive artistic style, creating exhilarating combat experiences, and delivering richer and quality content through continuous updates and optimizations. We look forward to exploring the secrets of New Eridu together with our Proxies as we head towards a future full of endless possibilities for Zenless Zone Zero.” – HoYoverse Producer Zhenyu Li View the full article

Hi everyone. It’s been a few months since our first dev log. We’re balancing time between working on the game and sharing our progress. Today, we wanted to give you a look at the creative process with some key members of the development team who have shaped the game. Creating a “Judas Simulator” People often think our games start with the story, but we pretty much always start with a core design element. In BioShock, it was the Big Daddy and Little Sister bond. In Infinite, it was the companion character, Elizabeth. In Judas, it’s the dynamic narrative. We asked ourselves, “How do we tell a fully realized story where the characters can respond in real time to even the smallest choices the player makes?” Figuring out how to do that on a systemic level took many years. Eventually, the pieces formed around our main character, Judas. “The project began with us wanting to tell stories that are less linear, that react to the player and unfold in ways that no one’s ever seen in one of Ken’s games. That told us a lot up front about what we’d need: namely, characters with strong, competing objectives, who each had a stake in everything the player did. Starting with that framework, we spent a lot of time thinking about those characters, their conflicts, the right setting to force them all together, and the systems underpinning it all. For a long time, there wasn’t even a set protagonist — just sort of a cipher, a blank slate. Eventually, the story and world started to coalesce into something specific, and we needed to figure out who the player character should be. As a rule, you want to put your heroes in the last place they ever want to find themselves. So, what kind of person would really struggle to deal with all these relationships and warring interests? And I remember that was the point where Ken came up with this monologue that kicked everything off.” – Drew Mitchell, Lead Narrative Designer “I often come up with ideas when I’m out on runs, and one day I thought of this speech that would define this character that we were trying to figure out. This speech popped my in my head as I was struggling through the third mile. I only eat at vending machines, because I don’t like interacting with waiters. Restaurants are more complicated: there are greetings and “hellos” and “Is this table okay?” And I’m thinking, “Why should I care what you recommend? You’re not me!” But I’m not supposed to say that, so I just have to count the seconds until the interaction can end, devise socially acceptable ways of saying “Go f*** yourself.” Because for me, conversation is a prelude to failure. Vending machines never ask me a question that I don’t know the answer to. The exchange is reduced to the transaction: money in, product out. Why can’t people be more like that?” – Ken Levine, Studio President & Creative Director Caption: Judas Concept Art This stream of consciousness became the touchstone we kept coming back to for the character and ultimately the entire game. “Judas,” as she came to be known, understands machines in a way she can never understand people. That became her greatest strength… and greatest weakness. We put her in a science fiction world, a colony ship filled with robots — a futuristic setting that makes someone like her extremely powerful. But it’s also a world where personal success hinges on how well you can conform to the rules, because dissent would lead to the failure of the mission. That makes her an outlaw, a pariah — a Judas. That tension at the heart of the character came to inform everything about the game, which we stopped thinking of as an FPS and started calling a “Judas Simulator.” Everything comes back to that core idea of you interacting with the world as Judas. “Where I think Judas differs the most from BioShock or BioShock Infinite is right there in the name. The game is named after her. Booker and Jack were strangers in a strange land, just like the player. Judas is a native of the Mayflower. In fact, she’s at the center of the events that set the story in motion. She’s got history with this world and the people in it — most of it very, very bad. Her story is about so much more than getting off a sinking ship, and it gives the player so many ways to determine how her journey plays out. It’s always a risk to hand the player a really defined, really vocal character to control. You always worry about creating dissonance between them. So, it’s been great to see testers stop and ask themselves, “What would Judas do here? How would she react?” It shows they’re in conversation with the character and taking her and the journey seriously.” – Drew Mitchell, Lead Narrative Designer The Mayflower We want to communicate this world as best we can, not only through lore, but visually. A unique challenge in creating our colony ship setting, is that it’s a much older space to craft for player exploration. Rapture and Columbia existed as they were from their foundings. But the Mayflower is decades into its voyage, and it’s changed immensely since its departure. “At the beginning of its journey, it was a more practical, conventional, modular starship. But over the course of its mission, due to conflict between factions of people and ideals, it’s changed into what you see now. And we’re working on communicating this through the environment. Like with any city with significant history, if you start digging up the street, you would find layers of the city’s past. Older eras of street long buried, forgotten, and built over by the roads upon which you now walk. With the Mayflower as a generational starship, we want to imbue this world with the same sense of time, history, and credibility; this is a civilization that went through eras of conflict and rebirth. And having the characters and the architecture of the world reflect those layers of the onion is a powerful mechanism for visual storytelling. This allows players to act as a sort of historian and architect as they explore the Mayflower. Through uncovering more, you’ll make increasingly informed decisions with the story and characters on your journey.” – Nathan Phail-Liff, Studio Art Director Another factor in creating this setting is that the world itself is dynamic, not just the story and characters. Just like with the dynamic narrative, we had to train the system on what makes good environments by using sophisticated tagging and rulesets to populate the world with believable design elements. “We basically identify the puzzle pieces and buckets of content that we want to make up the setting of the Mayflower. One example is living quarters. We don’t just have one type of space — we have different categories: VIP Pilgrim Quarters, Regular Pilgrim Dorms, all the way down to Violator Quarters. The art team creates the set pieces and materials for each of these quarters and the design team does deep dives on how all those pieces can fit together in a variety of layouts that feel grounded for the theme and support gameplay. When assembling the layouts in game, the system has to understand the various buckets of puzzle pieces and the hierarchy of the content so it can stitch it together in a meaningful way that supports the storytelling. More exclusive and fancier places can have high ceilings, giant windows, and grand lobbies. But the Violator space is in the lower, grungy, underbelly of the ship and you have to take what we call the “Stairway to Hell” to get to them — separating these spaces both visually and physically.” – Karen Segars, Lead Artist In our previous games we would do all of this by hand, but that doesn’t allow for the dynamism we are chasing. So, we took on this challenge of teaching the system how to be a storyteller and an interior decorator, creating a ruleset that we trust so it can populate the world in believable, compelling ways that allow for reactivity in a way you’ve never seen in our previous games. Would you kindly? We would love to know what you would like to read more about in future Dev Logs. So please, let us know on our socials or through email what you’re most interested in about Judas and how we’re creating it. View the full article

November was filled with action-packed experiences, puzzling goodness, dazzling exploration, and more. Did Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Lumines Arise, or Where Winds Meet, or something else top your most-played lists for the month? 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

As the launch of Genshin Impact Version Luna III approaches on PlayStation 5, which features the new playable character Durin and fresh updates to the story in Nod-Krai, we’re excited to reveal the DualSense Wireless Controller – Genshin Impact Limited Edition. The new controller features an ethereal white, gold, and green palette adorned with arcane glyphs of a fantasy realm, including emblems of Traveler Twins Aether and Lumine and their trusted companion guide, Paimon. Play Video To create this special design, inspired by the magical realm of adventure within Genshin Impact, our teams at Sony Interactive Entertainment collaborated closely with HoYoverse. Here’s Wenyi Jin, President of Global Publishing and Operation at HoYoverse, to share more about the controller: “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to present the DualSense Wireless Controller – Genshin Impact Limited Edition to our players and fans around the world. The controller features iconic design elements inspired by Genshin Impact’s beloved Traveler Twins and Paimon, celebrating years of adventure and companionship in Teyvat, alongside our cherished memories with the community. We hope that Travelers will enjoy the company of the controller and continue to expand their adventure in Genshin Impact!” 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 and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Begin an epic fantasy adventure, build your team, and master the seven elements with this new limited edition controller. Players can continue their saga on PS5 with innovative console and DualSense controller features that enhance the gameplay experience – explore Teyvat and uncover its secrets with features including immersive haptic feedback, support for breathtaking 4K visuals, and lightning-fast loading times. Starting from January 21, 2026, the controller will launch in select markets across Asia, including Japan. Pre order will start from 11 December 2025 in select retailers (https://www.playstation.com/local/retailers-list/). View the full article

As the launch of Genshin Impact Version Luna III approaches on PlayStation 5, which features the new playable character Durin and fresh updates to the story in Nod-Krai, we’re excited to reveal the DualSense Wireless Controller – Genshin Impact Limited Edition. The new controller features an ethereal white, gold, and green palette adorned with arcane glyphs of a fantasy realm, including emblems of Traveler Twins Aether and Lumine and their trusted companion guide, Paimon. Play Video To create this special design, inspired by the magical realm of adventure within Genshin Impact, our teams at Sony Interactive Entertainment collaborated closely with HoYoverse. Here’s Wenyi Jin, President of Global Publishing and Operation at HoYoverse, to share more about the controller: “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to present the DualSense Wireless Controller – Genshin Impact Limited Edition to our players and fans around the world. The controller features iconic design elements inspired by Genshin Impact’s beloved Traveler Twins and Paimon, celebrating years of adventure and companionship in Teyvat, alongside our cherished memories with the community. We hope that Travelers will enjoy the company of the controller and continue to expand their adventure in Genshin Impact!” 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 and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Begin an epic fantasy adventure, build your team, and master the seven elements with this new limited edition controller. Players can continue their saga on PS5 with innovative console and DualSense controller features that enhance the gameplay experience – explore Teyvat and uncover its secrets with features including immersive haptic feedback, support for breathtaking 4K visuals, and lightning-fast loading times. The DualSense wireless controller – Genshin Impact Limited Edition will be available in limited quantities for a recommended retail price of $84.99 / €84.99 / £74.99 / ¥12,480. Pre-orders start on December 11, 2025 at direct.playstation.com as well as from select retailers. Starting from January 21, 2026, the controller will launch in select markets across Asia, including Japan. Additionally, starting from February 25, 2026, the controller will launch in North America, Central and South America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. The exact launch date and availability for the controller may vary by country/region. direct.playstation.com Purchase Information Starting December 11, 2025 at 10am ET in the U.S., and 10am local time in the U.K., France, Germany, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, players will be able to pre-order the DualSense wireless controller – Genshin Impact Limited Edition through direct.playstation.com in limited quantities. 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

It’s been a year of big new releases, long-awaited sequels, must play indies, and some surprises along the way. Today, we start the celebration of PlayStation gaming by asking you, the players, to cast your vote for your favorites of the year: the PS Blog Game of the Year Awards 2025 polls are now open! We’re highlighting exemplary work from passionate studios worldwide across 19 categories. So help us celebrate the creatives whose hard work and exceptional craft have made this year’s gaming experiences memorable, with fantastic gameplay, great characters, outstanding art direction, unforgettable soundtracks, and much more. The selections in each category are extensive, and you’ve further choice via the write-in option in each to add a title that, for you, best represents that category this year. As ever, the only votes counted in these awards are those cast by you, the players. Those games earning the majority of votes by the time polls close will be recognized with Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum PS Blog trophies when we reveal the results in a few weeks. As ever, there are some guidelines regards the categories and their nominees: Best PS5 Game category is defined as games that have been newly released this calendar year, rather than previously released titles with new updates. (This includes games released after the November 30 cutoff for 2024’s PS Blog Game of the Year nominees.) As with the majority of the other categories, Best Multiplayer Experience focuses on titles released in 2025. Best Ongoing Game focuses on titles that have seen new, large-scale content or game-changing updates launch over this past year. Best Rerelease refers to games that have been upgraded, ported, or remastered but are otherwise similar to their original game. This category does not include full-scale remakes of older titles, which are eligible in other categories. Cut off for inclusion in this year’s nominees list was November 30. Titles releasing after this date aren’t eligible for inclusion, but will be eligible for nomination and voting in next year’s PS Blog Game of the Year awards. If a title won a Platinum Trophy in the Most Anticipated category any previous year, it won’t be eligible for inclusion this year to allow other titles a chance to shine. As such, Grand Theft Auto VI is excluded from The Most Anticipated Game of 2026 and Beyond category as it earned a Platinum in that category in the 2023’s Awards. So, cast your vote in the polls below to support your favorite games and developers. Don’t delay though: voting closes next Monday, December 8 at 23.59pm PT. So scroll below and get clicking. Good luck to all the nominees! Best New Character View Poll Best Story View Poll Best Graphical Showcase View Poll Best Art Direction View Poll Best Audio Design View Poll Best Soundtrack View Poll Best Accessibility Features View Poll Best Use of DualSense View Poll Best Rerelease (Remaster) View Poll Best Multiplayer Experience View Poll Best Ongoing Game View Poll Best Expansion View Poll Best Sports Game View Poll Best Independent Game View Poll Best PS VR2 Game View Poll Best PS4 Game View Poll Best PS5 Game View Poll Studio of the Year View Poll Most Anticipated Game of 2026 and Beyond View Poll View the full article

Last week, we asked you to prepare a feast by sharing photos of a harvest from the game of your choice using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here’s this week’s highlights: doodlecep shares a mini harvest of crops from Grounded fwto_ shares Atsu using her yari to spearfish in Ghost of Yōtei secondcapture shares a dish being offered in Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess SheikhSadi80 shares Sam feeding Lou in Death Stranding 2: On The Beach ​​ Photomode_Raro shares a riverboat filled with produce in Assassin’s Creed Mirage capturedbygii shares Henry standing in a wheat field in Kingdom Come: Deliverance II 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: Snowy SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on December 3, 2025 Next week, let it snow! Share snowy moments from the game of your choice using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured. View the full article

We are thrilled to announce that Bootstrap Island is officially coming to PlayStation VR2 in 2026. This will be the most immersive version of Bootstrap Island yet, powered by the advanced features of PS VR2. Built exclusively for high fidelity hardware, it aims to deliver realism, tactile interactions, and a powerful sense of presence. And now we are bringing that vision to PS VR2. Bootstrap Island pushes your survival instincts to their limits Bootstrap Island is a realistic yet intense survival adventure inspired by Robinson Crusoe and other classic tales. After a brutal shipwreck, you awake as Daniel, a 17th-century survivor stranded on a deadly tropical island. To survive, you must learn fast and face wild beasts, powerful forces of nature, and the secrets hidden deep within the jungle. Ruthless survival experience There is no hand holding, no guidelines, and no second chances. Only your instinct, skill, and determination matter. Bootstrap Island is a ruthless roguelike where every decision carries consequences. You will gather food and fresh water, hunt fish and wildlife, and prepare for the dangers of nightfall. When darkness arrives, the beasts attack. You will need to learn how to light fires and how to load and shoot a flintlock pistol because you will rely on it. Animals are not the only threat. Rain, storms, sickness, quicksand, territorial animals, and poisonous fruits are constant dangers. Dynamic open world Bootstrap Island features a highly realistic, systems driven world where everything reacts. Day and night cycles, weather, fire, and liquids interact in complex and often unpredictable ways. The island can be explored freely. Beaches, riverlands, jungle, and other biomes offer different resources. Every interaction encourages experimentation and instinctive problem solving. You just have to be creative. Progression to survive longer Every death teaches you something valuable. You learn by doing, adapt your strategy, and unlock new items that help you survive longer in future runs. As you stay alive longer, you gain access to satchels for inventory, a building book for constructing shelters and defenses, and equipment such as a musket for stronger firepower. Medicine found in bottles helps you fight sickness. You will begin to notice subtle changes in the environment. Survival comes from knowledge, preparation, and experience. Immersive narrative Uncover the story of the survivor, the life before the shipwreck, and the uncertain future that awaits. As you explore, you will discover who you are, why you were on the ship, and whether your presence on the island is a coincidence or something more meaningful. There are signs of other people. Whether they are hostile or friendly is something you will discover on your journey. Randomized sessions No two runs are ever the same. Each session reshuffles resources, events, weather patterns, and the types of creatures that hunt at night. The island is always changing. Items found in chests, territorial dangers, and weather conditions all shift from run to run. Adaptation is essential. PS VR2 takes our survival vision to its full potential From the beginning, our goal for Bootstrap Island was to create a VR experience so believable that players forget the real world, with every interaction from lighting a fire to gathering resources feeling natural, grounded, and physically intuitive. To achieve this, the game is built on interconnected systems where fire, water, weather, physics, and animal behavior constantly influence one another, creating moments that feel alive and unplanned. For us, VR has always been more than technology; it is a medium capable of evoking presence, emotion, and wonder. PS VR2 allows us to fully express this vision for the most realistic survival experience in VR through features such as foveated rendering for exceptional clarity and performance, headset vibration that intensifies dramatic moments like storms and near death encounters, and adaptive triggers with advanced haptics that create lifelike sensations including thunder strikes, bow tension and pistol recoil. Together, these capabilities make the PS VR2 release of Bootstrap Island the most immersive version of the game. Bootstrap Island is developed by a small indie team at Maru VR, and although this is our first premium game, we have created more than 40 VR experiences over the past eight years to understand the medium and learn how to push its potential. View the full article

To mark the year’s end and to start the holiday celebrations early, we’re pleased to make December’s PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup a special one, with additional bonus titles available to PS Plus members* in select regions. Hunt machines as you save the Earth from an ancient digital demon, battle frenzied swarms of bioengineered creatures, survive psychological trials, go topside to loot for resources in a futuristic world, or exterminate demons in Heaven. LEGO Horizon Adventures, Killing Floor 3, The Outlast Trials, Synduality Echo of Ada and Neon White will be available to PlayStation Plus members from Tuesday December 2 until Monday January 5*. Let’s take a closer look at the games. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image LEGO Horizon Adventures | PS5 Join hunter Aloy as she battles to save Earth from an ancient digital demon, and a gang of sunworshippers who want to live in a world without shade so they can soak up the rays while everything burns. Hunt machines on your own as Aloy, or unlock colorful heroes Varl, Teersa, and Erend, and use their unique skills to defeat enemies and overcome challenges. Share the fun with another player online, or via innovative couch co-op on a single screen, so you’re always in the same world together. Need an extra challenge? Replay levels that change to test your skills and unlock new surprises, or check the Mother’s Heart Community Board for ways to help the village. See if you’ve got what it takes to ace every aspect of the game! View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Killing Floor 3 | PS5 The next evolution in the first-person action horror franchise, Killing Floor 3 resurrects the gut-churning combat the series is famed for, pitting up to six co-op players against waves of enemies across a variety of maps. Reared and released by the megacorp Horzine, frenzied swarms of bioengineered creatures stalk the streets. The only hope humanity has at stopping them is the rebel faction Nightfall. Their Specialists have honed a unique set of skills and proficiencies to turn the tide, with a multitude of merciless weapons and gadgets that melt through zeds, as well as the new ability to dash and climb across the carnage. Gear up, customize your loadout and get even before what’s left is lost to the darkness. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image The Outlast Trials | PS4, PS5 Red Barrels invites you to experience mind-numbing terror in this first-person psychological survival horror that can be played solo or with up to three other players online. You’ve been abducted by the Murkoff Corporation and trapped inside their facility. Your goal: earn the right to be released back into society. In order to do so, you must complete Trials and MK-Challenges. In pure Outlast fashion, the core gameplay involves avoiding enemies, hiding from them, and trying to run away. Murkoff will provide tools you can use to increase your stealth capabilities, create opportunities to flee, slow down enemies, and more. However, you will have to earn those tools and work hard to improve them. Whatever the number of players in your party, it’s about surviving and getting out. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Synduality Echo of Ada | PS5 Synduality Echo of Ada takes place in 2222, years after a mysterious poisonous rain called The Tears of the New Moon wiped out most of humanity and birthed deformed creatures that now hunt the population. Amidst the calamity, humans are forced to build an underground haven to survive. Take on the role of a Drifter whose goal is to collect the rare resource known as AO Crystals. In your quest, you must collaborate with your artificial intelligence partner to face xenomorphic creatures known as Enders and survive the hazards on the surface. Rise from the underground to a surface world infested with hostile Enders, toxic rains, and other enemies, as you fight to loot for resources. Ride your Cradlecoffin, cooperate with your Magus, and stay alert around other players. One false move is all it takes to lose both your mecha and precious supplies, left to be scavenged by the remaining survivors. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Neon White | PS4, PS5 Neon White is a lightning fast first-person action game about exterminating demons in Heaven. You are White, an assassin handpicked from Hell to compete with other demon slayers for a chance to live permanently in Heaven. The other assassins seem familiar, though… did you know them in a past life? Collect Soul Cards to attack your foes or discard them to use unique movement abilities, and compete for the best times by cleverly combining cards to discover massive shortcuts. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Last chance to add PlayStation Plus Games for November to your library PlayStation Plus members have until Monday December 1 to add Stray, EA Sports WRC 24 and Totally Accurate Battle Simulator to their game library. *PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup may differ by region. Please check PlayStation Store on release day for more information. View the full article

Over the years, Destiny 2 players have been accustomed to many different roles in their time as Guardians. Serving Mara Sov as a member of her Queens Guard, acting as Mithrax’s second-in-command as a Slayer Baron, and even becoming a Weapon of the Nine in Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate. Now, with Destiny 2: Renegades set to launch on December 2, the Guardian will find themselves taking on a new role, as a Renegade finding adventure among the crime syndicates of the Lawless Frontier. Play Video As the old saying goes, a successful job requires the right tools. With Renegades, Guardians will dip into a new set of weapons: Blasters (aka heat weapons). Inspired by the blasters made famous in the Star Wars films, this new weapon archetype wears its design influences proudly while also providing players with some new advantages (and considerations) when diving into battle against Dredgen Bael’s Imperium. “Heat weapons are kind of in the DNA of Bungie, looking back at the Covenant weapons from Halo CE all the way through Reach,” said Destiny sandbox designer Mercules. “Even before we knew we’d be working on a Star Wars-inspired expansion, we had been wanting to do heat weapons. A couple years back, we were interested in implementing something inspired by Halo’s heat system into Destiny 2, but knew it was going to take quite a bit of effort to get it working, so we kind of filed the idea away for a better time. And what better time than now?” The sandbox team spent time discussing how that heat system could be updated for the modern needs of Destiny 2. “There was a big focus on making the weapons feel like they fit into the game’s existing sandbox. It was important to us that the heat weapons would look, feel, and perform differently, while still merging into Destiny 2’s gameplay.” First and foremost, heat weapons fire ammo directly from reserves. This means there is no reloading of a magazine; instead, the reload mechanic controls the weapon’s venting, allowing the player to dissipate some of the weapon’s heat. (Note that players can run out of ammo for heat weapons that use Special or Heavy ammo). Heat weapons use several heat-centric stats, including cooling efficiency (how long it takes for the weapon to cool down after being fired), vent speed (how quickly heat dissipates while venting), and heat generated (how much heat is created during firing). Perks like heatsinks and a new masterwork option, as well as mods unlocked at higher Gear Tier, will all affect how it reacts and performs under fire. There are also a trio of new heat-specific perks, as well as a pair of origin perks that interact with heat. One of the new perks makes you deal more damage when in a high heat state (and enemies defeated while in that state explode) and another dramatically reduces your heat when you pick up Orbs or elemental baubles. The team wanted to make several types of heat weapons, each with their own niche. Primary ammo heat weapons, by default, deal more damage to powerful PVE combatants. One sub-family, Balanced Heat Weapons, excel at laying down sustained fire. “With some build crafting you can do crazy things like firing nearly 100 rounds from an Auto Rifle before overheating,” Mercules said. The Dynamic Heat Weapons are focused on putting out a lot of damage very quickly. As Mercules explains, “Since they natively cool down fast, you can backpack them and use them effectively in weapon-juggling rotations.” Each of Renegades’ new heat weapons features a unique visual design, and they all clearly wear their Star Wars influence on their metaphorical sleeve. From the Uncivil Discourse Hand Cannon to the Refurbished A499 Sniper Rifle, there is plenty for fans to geek out about, just like the Bungie team did during development. “For me personally working on these weapons and Renegades as a whole has literally been a dream come true,” said Mercules. “When I was a kid, I had two dreams: One was to work at Bungie (maker of my favorite game, Halo), and the other was to work on Star Wars (my favorite fictional universe). Never in my wildest dreams did I get to think I’d do both at the same time!” Whether navigating the underground syndicates of Tharsis Outpost, wielding powerful heat weapons in the new Lawless Frontier activity, or preparing to forge their own Praxic Blade, adventure awaits when Destiny 2: Renegades launches on December 2. View the full article

Helldivers, high-ranking officials in the Ministry of Defense have accused you of being the best. And if you’re the best, then you’re going to need to be outfitted with the best, which is why the Ministry has fast-tracked the deployment of the Python Commandos Premium Warbond*–arriving to your Super Destroyers on December 2! Play Video Weapons & Stratagems Let’s talk firepower first. Python Commandos is loaded with three brand new stratagems and a new primary. The Ministry of Defense received thousands of requests from squad commanders for a minigun and we’re excited to finally give our Helldivers access to the M-1000 Maxigun! Belt-fed with ultra-high ammo capacity, this one is sure to make those bugs bleed. This Warbond also includes another addition to the line-up of faithful sidekicks for your Helldiver: the AX/FLAM-75 “Guard Dog” Hot Dog. This drone is equipped with a flamethrower to coat your foes in the fires of freedom before returning to your backpack to refuel. But if you don’t want to burn the jungle down, consider doing your deforestation with the CQC-9 Defoliation Tool. If the machete doesn’t cut it–whether it’s a tree or an enemy–surely this will! And finally, Python Commandos has a new and unique primary weapon: a combination assault rifle and grenade launcher called the AR/GL-21 One-Two. Heavy to wield, but the damage dealt is heavy too, making your primary slot more versatile than ever with two guns in one! Armors & Capes Python Commandos features two armor sets and, like Viper Commandos before it, they both let you get those guns out for some fresh air. First up is the RS-20 Constrictor light armor set. It’s also the official uniform for the League of Patriotic Arm Wrestlers, so it’s guaranteed to give your squad bigger and more rippling biceps to intimidate the enemy. But if you’re carrying the team, maybe you need the RS-40 Best of Prey: a heavy armor set patterned after legendary Helldiver, Ronald Mambo and his famously powerful and burly physique. Both of these armors are equipped with the Rock Solid passive, which makes your Helldiver more steadfast against staggering and ragdolling attacks. You’ll also have two capes and coordinating player cards available: Foe Rent Asunder, which is pre-tattered to give a battle-worn appearance, and Mark of the Constrictor, for Helldivers who strangle out any anti-democratic behavior they encounter. Patterns & Emotes Along with all this, you’ll get access to the Front-Leaning Rest Position emote–now you can drop and give ‘em 20 anytime! Python Commandos also includes the Chameleon Camo pattern for your FRV, Exosuit, Hellpod, and Shuttle. The finishing touch is to get the whole team coordinated with the Python Commando player title and organize a swift strike on anything that stands between you and extraction. The Python Commandos Premium Warbond is dropping in on December 2, divers. Get ready to deliver the venom of Liberty directly into the heart of evil! View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image *Requires base game, paid purchase of Super Credits, and game progression to unlock. View the full article