Commander Fury

Hello, everyone. Yuzo Koshiro of Ancient here. It is with immense excitement that I can finally share some truly fantastic news with you all. On September 18, after years of hard work, my development partner Makoto Wada and I will release our passion project, Earthion, on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. Play Video When we first began developing Earthion, it was born from a deep love for the 16-bit era and a desire to revisit one of my favorite consoles ever, the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. I wanted to see what could be achieved on the original hardware with today’s advanced tools and three decades of gained knowledge. The response to the initial prototype was overwhelmingly positive, and it became clear this was a project we had to see through. We made the conscious decision to build Earthion natively for Sega’s 16-bit hardware, pushing it to the limit with stunning pixel art and a frenetic soundtrack, which I composed using its FM sound chip. We were not simply making a “retro-inspired” game; we were making a true 16-bit title for the modern age. I’m thrilled that PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 owners will soon be able to enjoy Earthion. Although it hails from a later era of gaming, PlayStation has been home to countless classic shooters that have pushed the boundaries of what was possible across its 30-year history. PlayStation continues to embrace retro arcade experiences, allowing them to reach new audiences. In creating Earthion, we drew on a lineage of shmup masterpieces from the 80s and 90s. We took cues from the very best the genre has to offer, creating a game that feels both familiar and fresh. The care we took in developing for 16-bit hardware has been extended to the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 releases. Working with Limited Run Games, we have gone to great lengths to ensure that the authentic experience is perfectly preserved for modern consoles. For those who want to feel like they are playing on a CRT television, we have included a suite of configurable scanline and screen filters. This allows players to replicate the nostalgic glow and visual fidelity of a classic setup, ensuring that the pixel art is displayed exactly as we intended—without a single detail lost. And of course, Earthion supports PlayStation Trophies for fans who want to put their skills to the test. Earthion is more than just a game to us; it’s a love letter to the golden age of shmups and the hardware that made them possible. We poured our hearts and souls into every pixel and every sound. We hope that when you get your hands on it on September 18, you feel the passion we have for this genre. Thank you for your support, and we can’t wait for you to experience this intergalactic adventure for yourselves. View the full article

Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com! Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or download here Hey, everybody! Sid, Tim, and Brett are back this week to discuss the release of Borderlands 4, indie hit Hollow Knight: Silksong, and 30 years of PlayStation memories. Stuff We Talked About Next week’s releases: Borderlands 4 | PS5 (out today) LEGO Voyagers | PS5, PS4 Frostpunk 2 | PS5 Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree | PS5 Dying Light: The Beast | PS5 Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter | PS5 Digimon Story: Time Stranger hands-on — New details revealed on the combat system and tropical Abyss Area. Hollow Knight: Silksong hands-on — Discover what’s new in the anticipated sequel, like mid-air healing, mantling on ledges, more challenging encounters, and more. Announcing PlayStation 30th Memories — We’re celebrating PlayStation history and you’re invited to be a part of it by sharing your memories. Head to PS blog for more details PlayStation Family App — This new mobile app gives parents more tools to guide their family’s PlayStation experience. 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 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

This month, step into the ring and dominate the squared circle in WWE 2K25, lead the Phantom Thieves in a new turn-based strategy adventure in Persona 5 Tactica, survive the unforgiving wilderness of the Amazonian jungle in Green Hell, or partake in a Holy Grail War set in Edo Japan in Fate/Samurai Remnant. Meanwhile, Legacy of Kain: Defiance brings vampiric action-adventure to PlayStation Plus Deluxe.  PlayStation Plus Extra and Deluxe | Game Catalog View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image WWE 2K25 | PS5, PS4 “The Wiseman” Paul Heyman hosts The Bloodline’s Dynasty, a new 2K Showcase celebrating one of the most historic family dynasties in wrestling. Relive legendary showdowns and create dream matches between The Bloodline and WWE Superstars and Legends. Intergender wrestling makes its long-awaited WWE 2K debut, alongside the return of chain wrestling, Underground and Bloodline Rules match types, barricade diving and more. Take control of your Superstar from the women’s or men’s divisions in a singular multi-gender MyRISE storyline where WWE Superstars infiltrate NXT and attempt to take control of the WWE universe. Discover new brawl environments, unlockable arenas, characters, ally storylines and more. * WWE 2K25 is releasing on September 16. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Persona 5 Tactica | PS5, PS4 Persona 5 Tactica is a turn-based strategy game, featuring an all-new story, the return of fan-favourite characters and brand-new allies and foes. After a strange incident, the Phantom Thieves wander into a bizarre realm where its citizens are living under tyrannical oppression. Surrounded by a military group named Legionnaires, they find themselves in grave danger until a mysterious revolutionary named Erina rescues them and offers an enticing deal in exchange for their help. What truth lies behind Erina and the deal she offers to the Phantom Thieves? Join the group as they lead an emotional revolution in this thrilling combat adventure. *Persona 5 Tactica is releasing on September 16 (except for Thailand). View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Green Hell | PS5, PS4 Green Hell is an Open World Survival Simulator set in the unique and uncharted setting of the Amazonian rainforest. Plunge into the open world survival simulation set in the extreme conditions of the unforgiving Amazon jungle. Use real-life survival techniques to craft, hunt, fight, and gather resources. Build a makeshift shelter or raise a fortress, but always remember to tend to your wounds and maintain mental health. Survive on your own, or try your chances in an up-to-4-player online co-op mode. *Green Hell is releasing in Singapore on September 30 and on September 16 in other Southeast Asia markets. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Fate/Samurai Remnant | PS5, PS4 “Your wish shall perish…” A Holy Grail War begins in Edo Japan. The curtain rises on a new Fate, an action RPG presented by Type-Moon and Koei Tecmo Games. The 4th year of the Keian Era, Edo Period. It has been several decades since the end of a turbulent, blood-soaked era. People were enjoying peace and tranquility, but a battle between seven pairs of Masters and Servants is about to begin as the “Waxing Moon Ritual” unfolds in the shadows. Miyamoto Iori, a young man in Asakusa, finds himself caught in the violence of a Holy Grail War. * Fate/Samurai Remnant is releasing on September 16 View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Crow Country | PS5, PS4 The creators of celebrated point-and-click murder mystery Tangle Tower return with a retro-inspired survival horror set in an abandoned theme park. The year is 1990 and Edward Crow, the owner of the Crow Country theme park, is missing. Two years after he suddenly closed his park, a mysterious young woman called Mara Forest arrives to explore the abandoned property and find its lost owner. Why did Crow really shut down Crow Country and what is Mara Forest’s connection to him? *Crow Country is releasing in Singapore on September 30 and on September 16 in other Southeast Asia markets. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image The Invincible | PS5 You are a highly qualified, sharp-witted astrobiologist named Yasna. Being entangled in a space race, you and your crew end up on the unexplored planet Regis III. The scientific journey quickly turns into a search mission for lost crewmates. Follow its trail, but be fully aware that every decision you make can bring you closer to danger. On her journey, Yasna will face decisions that will shape the outcome of the story. Help her make difficult choices and witness one of 11 possible endings to the deeply philosophical story. *The Invincible is releasing in Singapore on September 30 and on September 16 in other Southeast Asia markets. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Conscript | PS5 Conscript is a survival horror game inspired by classics of the genre, blending all the punishing mechanics of older horror games into a cohesive, tense, and unique experience. Set in 1916 during the Great War, you play as a French soldier searching for his missing-in-action brother during the Battle of Verdun. Will you be able to search twisted trenches, navigate overrun forts, and cross no-mans-land to find him, and ensure a home goes unbroken? Survive in an intense, harrowing atmosphere boosted by a unique pixel art aesthetic and oppressive sound design. Navigate intricate level design that promotes item management and route planning, whilst solving complex environmental puzzles. *Conscript is releasing in Singapore on September 30 and on September 16 in other Southeast Asia markets. PlayStation Plus Deluxe View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Legacy of Kain: Defiance | PS5, PS4 Continue Kain and Raziel’s epic conflict in this faithful emulation of the classic PS2 action-adventure title, Legacy of Kain: Defiance, playable on PS4 and PS5 for the first time. Take control of two powerful and highly evolved vampires: Kain, Emperor of Nosgoth and near-demigod, and Raziel, a wraithlike angel of death. Each equipped with their own legendary sword, Kain & Raziel must battle through a world poisoned by conflict and intrigue as they attempt to unravel their destinies and defeat the dark forces that seek to condemn their world to eternal damnation. * Legacy of Kain: Defiance is releasing on September 16 *PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and PlayStation Plus Deluxe lineups may differ by region. Please check PlayStation Store on release day. View the full article

At Sony Interactive Entertainment, we’re committed to providing safe play for gamers of all ages, including enhancing ways for parents to manage their children’s gaming experience. This includes the current parental control features available on the PS5 and PS4 console, such as playtime settings and age restriction settings for games. Today, we’re pleased to announce our next step in this commitment with PlayStation Family, a new dedicated parental control mobile app available on iOS and Android devices*. PlayStation Family app will be launching around the world starting today. PlayStation Family app is a new experience to help parents set up and manage their children’s gaming experience on PlayStation – straight from their supported mobile device. The app includes a number of new customizable features for parents to manage their children’s playtime, including an activity report, more visibility into what their children are playing, and approving extra playtime requests – all at the tap of a finger. Play Video Here’s a look at the features from PlayStation Family app: Guided Onboarding – Enjoy a thoughtfully guided experience setting up a child account easily with PlayStation Family app. Real-Time Notifications – Get notified what game a child is playing in real time. Approve or decline a child’s requests for extra playtime, restricted games, and communicate from a mobile device – you have the final say. Activity Reports – Review daily and weekly activity reports at a glance. Parents can see up-to-date information about a child’s playtime and activity. Manage Playtime – Set playtime limits for each day of the week. Children can enjoy more flexibility by requesting additional playtime from the console, while parents can approve or decline their requests from a phone or tablet. Manage Spending – Manage spending activity by adding funds, viewing balances, and setting a monthly spending limit for a child to buy content from the PlayStation Store. Content Filters – Choose and configure age appropriate content with a tap of a button. We’ve included presets that automatically apply recommended settings for different age groups, and every setting can also be customized individually to best suit each child. Social Interactions- Customize privacy settings and how your children connect and play. Manage access to social features. PlayStation Family app is available for download on the App Store and Google Play in most markets starting today. We’re excited to bring an easy way for parents to manage their children’s gaming directly from their mobile devices. This is just the beginning with our new mobile app – we’ll plan to continue adding enhancements to PlayStation Family app to evolve the experience over time. We hope you’ll enjoy it and we look forward to your feedback. *PlayStation Family app is compatible with iOS version 14 and Android 8 or higher. View the full article

This month, step into the ring and dominate the squared circle in WWE 2K25, lead the Phantom Thieves in a new turn-based strategy adventure in Persona 5 Tactica, survive the unforgiving wilderness of the Amazonian jungle in Green Hell, or partake in a Holy Grail War set in Edo Japan in Fate/Samurai Remnant. All these titles and more will be available Tuesday, September 16 in this month’s PlayStation Plus Game Catalog lineup*. Meanwhile, Legacy of Kain: Defiance brings vampiric action-adventure to PlayStation Plus Premium.  PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium | Game Catalog View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image WWE 2K25 | PS5, PS4 “The Wiseman” Paul Heyman hosts The Bloodline’s Dynasty, a new 2K Showcase celebrating one of the most historic family dynasties in wrestling. Relive legendary showdowns and create dream matches between The Bloodline and WWE Superstars and Legends. Intergender wrestling makes its long-awaited WWE 2K debut, alongside the return of chain wrestling, Underground and Bloodline Rules match types, barricade diving and more. Take control of your Superstar from the women’s or men’s divisions in a singular multi-gender MyRISE storyline where WWE Superstars infiltrate NXT and attempt to take control of the WWE universe. Discover new brawl environments, unlockable arenas, characters, ally storylines and more. *Both PS4 and PS5 versions of WWE 2K25 will be download only View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Persona 5 Tactica | PS5, PS4 Persona 5 Tactica is a turn-based strategy game, featuring an all-new story, the return of fan-favourite characters and brand-new allies and foes. After a strange incident, the Phantom Thieves wander into a bizarre realm where its citizens are living under tyrannical oppression. Surrounded by a military group named Legionnaires, they find themselves in grave danger until a mysterious revolutionary named Erina rescues them and offers an enticing deal in exchange for their help. What truth lies behind Erina and the deal she offers to the Phantom Thieves? Join the group as they lead an emotional revolution in this thrilling combat adventure. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Green Hell | PS5, PS4 Green Hell is an Open World Survival Simulator set in the unique and uncharted setting of the Amazonian rainforest. Plunge into the open world survival simulation set in the extreme conditions of the unforgiving Amazon jungle. Use real-life survival techniques to craft, hunt, fight, and gather resources. Build a makeshift shelter or raise a fortress, but always remember to tend to your wounds and maintain mental health. Survive on your own, or try your chances in an up-to-4-player online co-op mode. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Fate/Samurai Remnant | PS5, PS4 “Your wish shall perish…” A Holy Grail War begins in Edo Japan. The curtain rises on a new Fate, an action RPG presented by Type-Moon and Koei Tecmo Games. The 4th year of the Keian Era, Edo Period. It has been several decades since the end of a turbulent, blood-soaked era. People were enjoying peace and tranquility, but a battle between seven pairs of Masters and Servants is about to begin as the “Waxing Moon Ritual” unfolds in the shadows. Miyamoto Iori, a young man in Asakusa, finds himself caught in the violence of a Holy Grail War. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Crow Country | PS5, PS4 The creators of celebrated point-and-click murder mystery Tangle Tower return with a retro-inspired survival horror set in an abandoned theme park. The year is 1990 and Edward Crow, the owner of the Crow Country theme park, is missing. Two years after he suddenly closed his park, a mysterious young woman called Mara Forest arrives to explore the abandoned property and find its lost owner. Why did Crow really shut down Crow Country and what is Mara Forest’s connection to him? View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image The Invincible | PS5 You are a highly qualified, sharp-witted astrobiologist named Yasna. Being entangled in a space race, you and your crew end up on the unexplored planet Regis III. The scientific journey quickly turns into a search mission for lost crewmates. Follow its trail, but be fully aware that every decision you make can bring you closer to danger. On her journey, Yasna will face decisions that will shape the outcome of the story. Help her make difficult choices and witness one of 11 possible endings to the deeply philosophical story. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Conscript | PS5 Conscript is a survival horror game inspired by classics of the genre, blending all the punishing mechanics of older horror games into a cohesive, tense, and unique experience. Set in 1916 during the Great War, you play as a French soldier searching for his missing-in-action brother during the Battle of Verdun. Will you be able to search twisted trenches, navigate overrun forts, and cross no-mans-land to find him, and ensure a home goes unbroken? Survive in an intense, harrowing atmosphere boosted by a unique pixel art aesthetic and oppressive sound design. Navigate intricate level design that promotes item management and route planning, whilst solving complex environmental puzzles. PlayStation Plus Premium View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Legacy of Kain: Defiance | PS5, PS4 Continue Kain and Raziel’s epic conflict in this faithful emulation of the classic PS2 action-adventure title, Legacy of Kain: Defiance, playable on PS4 and PS5 for the first time. Take control of two powerful and highly evolved vampires: Kain, Emperor of Nosgoth and near-demigod, and Raziel, a wraithlike angel of death. Each equipped with their own legendary sword, Kain & Raziel must battle through a world poisoned by conflict and intrigue as they attempt to unravel their destinies and defeat the dark forces that seek to condemn their world to eternal damnation. *PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and PlayStation Plus Premium/Deluxe lineups may differ by region. Please check PlayStation Store on release day. View the full article

There’s a very specific moment in Little Nightmares III that encapsulates the game so perfectly that it sticks with me long after I’ve finished my hands-on. Bandai Namco’s demo, ahead of the game’s PS5 and PS4 release on October 10, knew exactly what it was doing. Picture the scene: I’ve assumed the pigtailed Alone, partner to the raven-masked Low, who is controlled by Bandai Namco’s Global Project Manager Lina Chaghouri. About 40 minutes in, we’re trapped in a shadow-soaked room containing an eerily unmoving man lying in a magician’s box – the type that typically has the magician sawn in half but still miraculously remains whole at the end of the performance. Our only way out? Via an exit too high to reach. After a minute, I realise that the body’s exposed feet act as a handle. Grim. So I guide Alone over to it and pull. With Lina’s help, the box eventually splits into two, but so does the man. His entrails messily leak out as we guide the box to the end of the room so we can escape. It’s macabre, darkly humorous, and demonstrates the essential co-operation that makes Little Nightmares III so wonderfully compelling. Expanding from Little Nightmares II It also happens to be a favourite moment of Coralie Feniello, Bandai Namco’s Global Producer on the game. “In concept, it’s quite simple – pulling, pushing, picking up stuff are all tactile actions that make you feel like a child in that world. And this one is just pulling two boxes, but the setup and the setting of the place makes it memorable. I love having the player do something which is kind of immoral, but it’s the only way for them to get out of a situation.” Fans of the popular horror puzzle platformer series will find these sorts of gruesome scenarios familiar. But what separates Little Nightmares III – thankfully without the entrails – from its siblings is the game’s focus on co-op play. While Little Nightmares II eventually allowed you to journey with an AI companion, its sequel not only has this feature from the start but also lets a second player control either Low or Alone, as a fully-fledged two-player game. “We learned things from Little Nightmares II and did a lot of playtests,” reveals Coralie. “We basically had to design the game three times, including adding things like cute flavour animations that are specific to single player. We started by designing the multiplayer first, because we wanted to make sure that the AI would behave like a human player. And through every playtest we’ve done, we’ve been checking the player’s enjoyment.” Balancing horror with a friend Chances are, another frightening thought might now be creeping into your head – does the addition of human co-op diminish the scares? “Maintaining horror during co-op can be complicated and was something we thought about a lot at the beginning of development,” says Coralie. “Supermassive Games has been doing multiplayer on the Dark Pictures Anthology for years now, and so it was good for us to work with them on that aspect. “From early playtests, we found that it was fine, and actually created a different type of atmosphere. Sometimes you’ll have players who will get scared because the other player is scared, out of empathy. You’ll also share laughs and experience a wider range of emotions, but I don’t think it’s breaking the scariness.” This tallied with my experience, where the presence of another player created a co-dependency that brought its own sense of dread. Little Nightmares III is driven not just by its creaking, rain-swept, and murky atmosphere but also by tense set pieces where poor collaboration leads to a speedy death. The enemies in the Carnevale demo, both misshapen and grotesque giants and terrifyingly quick puppets, caught Lina and I lacking many times. Sometimes it was because I wasn’t quick enough to smash the decapitated skulls that Lina shot off as the headless puppets stalked her. Another time was an elaborate multi-tiered hide and seek section, which required us to sneak around a kitchen while a giant fed the guts of a corpse to his screaming puppet child. We needed to grab a crank while they were distracted, and I either was too slow to grab it or to find a hiding space after snatching it, resulting in a swift end. I’m used to stomaching my own mistakes, but the pressure to ensure my partner didn’t suffer from my slights only added to the tension. “What’s interesting is that things sometimes take longer to solve in multiplayer,” says Coralie. “You’d think that having two brains makes you go faster, but instead you fight or discuss. It’s not necessarily easier to solve a puzzle.” The power of visual storytelling Despite its intimidating rooms of sudden lightning flashes, rabid chattering puppets, and unidentified things being beaten like a piñata, there are plenty of other, less horrifying moments in Little Nightmares III that rely on fun cooperation. During my time, we hoisted each other up to platforms, repeatedly jumped on a stubborn trapdoor to break through it, and one part had Low open a furnace hatch in order for me to throw coal into it, which activated platforms for us to proceed. A reliance on each other and keenly observing the environment was essential to staying alive, given that the series’ creative choice of keeping its characters mostly voiceless is continued here. “That was quite complicated when conveying moments of the story,” says Coralie. “So we put more elements into the environment instead of having a lot of cutscenes.” It’s a design philosophy extended to the creation of its characters, too. “We always start with a shape,” explains Coralie. “So pigtails for Alone, and the beak for Low. Then you really need also to have some bright colors like the blue cape and green jumpsuit, because that’s super important in a dark environment, but that’s a core pillar of what we call a ‘charming horror’ game, where the children are a ray of hope in it all.” It’s essential to hang on to that hope when you’re surrounded by terrifying, wide-eyed puppets that lurk and loom. You and a friend will be able to see for yourself when Little Nightmares III launches on October 10. View the full article

Hello! I’m Blake from the Ironwood Studios team and we’re proud to introduce Whispers in the Woods, a major narrative and gameplay expansion to Pacific Drive. When Pacific Drive first launched in February 2024, players joined their trusty station wagon to brave the haunting, anomaly-filled Olympic Exclusion Zone. The game’s unique blend of driving, tense exploration, and scrappy car maintenance quickly resonated with fans of car and survival games alike. Now, we are excited to bring players back to the driver’s seat and back to the Zone in Whispers in the Woods, coming later this year for Playstation 5. Play Video Return to the Zone Whispers in the Woods takes you on a brand-new adventure back into the Olympic Exclusion Zone. Available after your first few hours in the game, the expansion can be pursued alongside your main campaign and explores the rise of a terrifying group of anomaly obsessed fanatics hidden deep within the depths of the forests. With their appearance, the expansion brings a change to the woods of The Zone unlike anything you’ve seen before. Not only do new anomalies roam the forests, but massive effigies adorned with cryptic symbols fill the landscape as the game’s atmosphere takes on a darker more horror focused tone. “From the very beginning, we knew we wanted to take the mysteries of the Olympic Exclusion Zone in a new direction for this Expansion.” says Cassandra Dracott, Creative Director at Ironwood Studios. “We had heard so much feedback and so many stories about the fear people had experienced in Pacific Drive and in With Whispers in the Woods, we knew we wanted to lean hard in that direction.” It’s not just a tonally different experience either. We’ve added an entirely new fully voiced narrative in the expansion and with it, we are able to continue building on the world of the game and the surreal nature of the Zone. We’ll leave you to theorize what happens next – but it wouldn’t be Pacific Drive if we weren’t also giving you new experiences to have with your 4 wheeled companion. Discover Artifacts Whispers in the Woods brings more of everything you’d hope for in a Pacific Drive expansion. New items, car parts, cosmetics, junction types, and anomalies await. We’ve even added new behaviors to old anomalies to help keep you on your toes. The largest and most significant addition however, are the brand new Artifacts. “As you collect these mysterious objects, you will have to contend with their unpredictable car and world altering effects, forcing you to constantly adapt and change your strategy on the fly.” adds Richard Weschler, Lead Designer on Whispers in the Woods. Created by our mysterious group of fanatics, Artifacts are the expansion’s gameplay centerpiece. Inspired by our quirk system, each Artifact is imbued with a condition and an effect said condition creates. Perhaps every time you jump, your car horn honks. Maybe when your car horn honks it also takes damage. While some may grant you strange advantages, others will add twists and turns to how you play. Artifacts can even play off of each other to create chain reactions. It is up to you to figure out which Artifacts are the right ones for your time in the Zone. No matter what type of Artifact you and your wagon find, two things are true: collecting many of them will be critical to your time in the Whispering Woods, and if you hold too many, much more dangerous things deep within the forests will slowly awaken. A major expansion for new and returning players Since its release, we are proud to have more than one million players globally. In the 18 months since launch, we’ve continued to support the game with multiple free updates like April 2025’s Endless Expeditions update, which added endless trips into the Zone, doubled the size of the radio tracklist, and added the suspend run feature. Whispers in the Woods however, is the studio’s most ambitious update yet. With hours of new gameplay and story content, plus an explorable region close to one-third the size of the base game, the expansion represents a significant step forward for both new and returning fans and we’re incredibly excited for everyone to experience it. “We see this release as both for our longtime players and a welcome sign for newcomers,” Cassandra adds. “If you’ve been driving through the Zone since day one, Whispers in the Woods is going to add a brand new, more terrifying take on the Olympic Exclusion Zone. And if you’re just starting out, this expansion marks the best version of the game to date with new systems and content to find and explore.” Whether you’re returning to your familiar station wagon or starting fresh on your first trip into the Zone, Pacific Drive: Whispers in the Woods offers a haunting new journey and we can’t wait for you to experience it later this year on Playstation 5. View the full article

With Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate, the Destiny development team launched a new saga for Guardians everywhere. In the expansion, players explore the planetoid of Kepler, located on the edge of the Sol system, offering intrigue, adventure, and access to strange powers that Guardians used to solve puzzles, defeat enemies, and progress deeper into the location’s mysteries. Today, the next chapter in the story is unveiled with the Ash & Iron major update. Ash & Iron will feature, among other rewards and activities, a new Exotic Mission (coming in October) and a new three-player activity known as Reclaim. A fast-paced and constantly evolving Fireteam Ops activity, Reclaim will find Guardians searching for Golden Age tech in the Plaguelands, which just so happens to be the foothold for antagonist Maya Sundaresh. “The Vanguard is sending Guardians in on what feels like a form of guerrilla warfare — short, sharp strikes to reclaim territory and recover Golden Age assets before they can be turned against us,” said Destiny 2 design lead Clayton Kisko. “The Vex are the primary force holding these zones, but they’re not alone. Reclaim is all about methodically dismantling Maya’s presence, uncovering what her motivation is for pursuing the Golden Age technology, and reestablishing control in an area that’s been contested for too long.” What will be standing in Guardians’ way is more than just those pesky Vex. One of the pillars for Reclaim was variety and dynamic challenge. “No two runs should feel exactly alike,” said Destiny 2 creative director Ben Wommack. “One run might ask you to defend a point under waves of enemies, while the next could push you to unlock a Vex code password. Enemy lineups shift between the different versions of Reclaim, and enemy compositions shift between runs. You may face off against Vex forces in one activity and a different enemy faction the next. Bosses are randomized, and between activities, each comes with its own set of mechanics that evolve in higher difficulties.” The strategic elements that result from those dynamic challenges give Reclaim its replayability, offering players multiple ways to complete an encounter. “You might uncover hidden chests tucked away in the environment, track down and eliminate roaming high-value targets, or choose from any of the available encounters scattered around the space — each with their own mechanics and enemy compositions,” said Destiny senior design lead Jason Reynolds. “You’ll also find research objects that can be gathered and turned over to the Vanguard to advance the mission. The ‘problem’ isn’t just about surviving the fight in front of you, it’s about deciding how you want to move the progress meter forward. Do you split up to cover more ground and gather efficiently, or stick together and muscle through one encounter at a time?” That Golden Age tech that you’re hunting for in Reclaim is more than just a sci-fi MacGuffin, too. Uncovering Golden Age devices will offer a chance at buffs that will change a fireteam’s approach to an encounter. “They aren’t entirely predictable, which adds to the excitement, but they also reward exploration and awareness,” said Kisko. “A team that communicates, checks side paths, and experiments a bit is going to have a better chance of uncovering these advantages than one that just burns straight through the objective. It’s another way for us to reward attentiveness and teamwork. And how about this for a tease: We have one that makes you eternally radiant AND amplified for the remainder of the activity.” “When you layer in the Golden Age buff system, suddenly every run becomes a mix of tactical decisions and on-the-fly problem solving,” said Wommack. “That’s the essence of Reclaim: different fireteams can succeed in different ways, and your choices shape the path through each playthrough.” The new Reclaim activity is available today with the launch of the Ash & Iron major update in Destiny 2. In addition, today Bungie revealed the next expansion in the Fate Saga, Destiny 2: Renegades, inspired by the Star Wars universe. Following the events of The Edge of Fate, players will defy the Vanguard to pursue Drifter across Sol, navigating a world of shadows and syndicates in the new social hub, Tharsis Outpost, as they work across story missions to build a crew and resist a rising faction tied to the Nine. Play Video At the heart of Renegades is the Lawless Frontier, a chaotic, cooperative new game mode, where players take on a variety of high-risk jobs and contracts to earn reputation, unlock all-new Renegade abilities that change the tide of battle, and wield weapons that include the iconic Praxic Blade and an energy-based arsenal from the new Blaster archetype. Beyond this frontier, players will venture off-planet to face unique challenges in a new dungeon launching shortly after release. Destiny 2 Renegades is available for pre-order now and launches on December 2. 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While the world was officially introduced to PlayStation back in 1994, this month heralds another special occasion in PlayStation history worth celebrating. September 2025 marks 30 years since PlayStation launched in North America and Europe, bringing players together across the world with the gift of gaming. To keep our 30th anniversary celebration going, we want to see and hear your stories with PlayStation over the last three decades. To do that, through the month of September we’re inviting players to share the memories of your journey with PlayStation. Here’s how: How to Participate Starting today through September 23, 2025, players can share pictures or videos of their memories with PlayStation – unboxing a console from the original PlayStation to PS5, receiving one as a gift, holding a favorite controller or PlayStation exclusive title – on X or Instagram using the hashtag #PlayStation30Memories*. Make sure to tell us your name, where you’re from, and the story behind your memory. At the end of that submission window, we’ll select memories to be included in a 30th Anniversary highlight reel to commemorate our journey together and share on our blog and social channels. We can’t wait to go on this trip down memory lane with you, and to continue making new ones. *By posting a photo or video with the #PlayStation30Memories hashtag to X or Instagram between now and September 23, 2025 you are agreeing that Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC may use the content (including your social media username, name, and location) as described in your post, edit and display it alongside other content and to promote it as part of the PlayStation 30th Anniversary campaign. Posts should comply with the X and Instagram terms of service (as applicable). This promotion is not associated with or sponsored, endorsed, or administered by X or Instagram. View the full article

It’s been a really long wait, but Hollow Knight: Silksong, Team Cherry’s sequel to the beloved side-scrolling search-action game Hollow Knight is finally here. The game introduces a whole lot of changes and additions to what made Hollow Knight great, expanding on both the formula of a classic and some key elements of the side-scrolling exploration-action genre in general. Here’s a semi-spoilery look at what I’ve seen in Pharloom so far — we won’t talk about the story or any major developments, but if you want to discover all the new mechanics and touches yourself, dig into the game before reading on. Spoiler warning: If you’d like to avoid light spoilers for Hollow Knight and Hollow Knight: Silksong, do not continue. Silksong makes healing a whole new tactical decision Hollow Knight’s healing system is one of its essential features, setting the pace of combat and creating an intense risk-reward calculus within every fight. As long as you’ve got enough Soul stored up from hitting enemies, you can hold Circle to heal a single point of health at any time — but you need to stand still for about three seconds to do it. Silksong gives you a faster, more versatile heal. You still charge it by hitting enemies — gathering Silk rather than Soul — but hitting Circle once activates Bind, a healing move you can use anywhere, even in mid-air. Instead of getting one point of health back, you get three, but you can only heal when your Silk is full and healing always costs all your Silk. And like in Hollow Knight, Silk powers some of your strongest abilities. Those adjustments to healing completely change the calculus of when and where to heal, setting a faster tempo for combat in Silksong that’s just as tactical. Enemies are smarter and more defensive You’ll often find your opponents feinting, backstepping, and guarding against your attacks and trying to counter. Many opponents are aggressive, but also defensively minded, forcing you to think about your moves and fight carefully. This feels like a story choice as well as a gameplay one; in Hollow Knight, most enemies were almost like zombies due to a strange infection. The enemies of Silksong are aggressive and dangerous, but often still have their wits about them, and it shows in how they fight. Leaping to ledges is quick, agile, and easy Hornet is more acrobatic than Hollow Knight’s protagonist, with the ability to grab the edges of platforms and pull herself up. You can also jump straight from the edge of a platform to your next ledge, which speeds up platforming significantly. Mantling also seems to provide a few invincibility frames — great if you’re on the run from a pesky flying enemy. The world is full of other characters (and more straightforward side quests) Unlike in Hollow Knight, which took place in a ruined kingdom, Silksong’s setting of Pharloom is very much alive. You’ll meet plenty of people on your journey, many of whom will give you side quests. Those quests are now tracked in your menu, a marked departure from the minimalist, Souls-like approach in Hollow Knight. It’s worth checking back in at settlements you find and with characters you meet, too, as their stories unfold. You can set traps for your enemies… You’ll eventually unlock all the abilities that Hornet used against you in boss fights in Hollow Knight. These include the thread traps she can set that are activated if enemies walk into them or hit them with an object, throwing knives, and a whole lot of other options. There’s a large variety of tools to unlock, giving you a lot of options for how to approach a fight. …and they’ll set them for you Pharloom is full of deadly traps, and certain locations have some particularly devious ones. Hollow Knight had the occasional breakaway floor, but in Silksong, you need to keep your wits about you, lest you break a tripwire and get skewered by spikes. You’ve got a huge number of character build options Alongside tools and traps are Hornet’s Crests, which you can unlock throughout your adventure. Crests change your whole combat style — the Wanderer crest gives you speedy attacks with a shorter range, for instance, while the Beast crest’s strikes are more like raking claws over your enemies and cover a larger area. Crests all have different layouts for charms, affecting your loadout, and some come with different takes on your Bind ability. When you Bind while wearing the Reaper crest, for instance, you get a short period where your attacks will generate more Silk — great for boss fights where you need to heal often. The game is full of gorgeous little touches With such a long development, Team Cherry has had time to put in a lot of great little extras. Watch for tiny ants to carry the pieces of your defeated foes back to their homes for dinner. And once you unlock the musical Needolin, try playing it for different characters to see what happens. This only scratches the surface of what there is to discover in Hollow Knight: Silksong. You can start your journey up Pharloom’s pilgrim trail right now — grab it at PlayStation Store. View the full article

It’s been a hot minute since the last Digimon game graced our screens, but the wait is nearly over – Digimon Story Time Stranger will be advancing the series in fresh ways when it hits PS5 on October 3. I was lucky enough to spend some time with the monster-taming RPG to find out what evolutions await. An intriguing story, set within stunning sights My introduction to this new era of Digimon was bookended by two separate story beats. The first was the opening of the game, where I chose Dan Yuki (and then later Kanan Yuki, but my choice didn’t affect the story) of ADAMAS, a secret organisation charged with investigating and fixing anomalous phenomena. And it just so happens there’s one in Shinjuku. A trek across my starting point in Tokyo led to an encounter with some Digimon within a perilous underground section, a broken and abandoned office space, and eventually a fraught battle on top of a skyscraper. While this created a good foundation for the game, the second story section was a comparative explosion of colourful fantasy, letting me explore the Digital World’s Abyss Area. Sure, Tokyo has its charms, but the Abyss Area’s beautiful and unapologetic depiction of the Digimon culture ranks as one of the most impressive sights in the series to date. Between the clear pools, shimmering rock formations, and a group of Digimon revering MarineAngemon singing and dancing, it was an unforgettable set-up that truly showed off the glossy, anime-style visuals. It has a mature side The Digimon series is no stranger to deep themes and topics, so fans will be happy to hear that even this curated playtest showed signs that Time Stranger isn’t going to shy away from big questions. Between the two story sections, there were already clear indications that there’s an exploration of interspecies war between the Digimon and Titans, the pressure of societal expectations, and even the navigation of mental health when I was visiting Shellmon and trying to discover why they haven’t left their home. There are still plenty of light-hearted laughs Even when the stakes are high, Digimon Story Time Stranger doesn’t forget its Saturday morning cartoon influences, either. Any brooding is balanced by its desire to have fun and deliver a lightness of touch, whether it’s through the idle animations of your party members, its joyful voice acting, humorous dialogue choices when talking to NPCs, or the ability to collect a variety of incidental cards and costumes. Not to mention that, yes, you can ride some of the Digimon in your team via the DigiRide option. Does it make traversing the environment any quicker? Only in some cases. But is it fun to see your agent hop on Leomon’s shoulder as you romp through a kaleidoscopic land of wonder? Oh yes. Starting out with familiar RPG elements Digimon Story Time Stranger’s tried and tested battle system has plenty of familiarities to get you started. My first encounter with the cute digital monsters offered me a choice between the Data mammal Patamon, Vaccine sea beast Gomamon, or Virus little devil DemiDevimon. As usual, this is a gentle intro to the ‘rock-paper-scissors’ attribute system that sets up the turn-based battle mechanic – Vaccine is strong against Virus, Virus is powerful against Data, and Data is best against Vaccine. But on top of that, they can possess four other attributes and 11 elements such as Water, Plant, and Dark, meaning there are a vast combination of how your 450+ Digimon can shape up. Which translates into varied and strategic combat to figure out how to exploit your enemy’s vulnerabilities. DigiAttacks, new Personality system, and more What’s more of a surprise is the intricacies added to the battle system. For one, enemies are now visible on-screen, so you can sometimes avoid them or trigger pre-emptive strikes by pressing R2 for a DigiAttack, which can instantly defeat weaker foes. I also got to play with the Personality system, which is designed to make each Digimon more individual. Depending on where your beastie lines up within the 16 different personality types, bracketed into Philanthropy, Valor, Wisdom, and Amicability, you’ll benefit from stat and skill perks. For example, ‘Friendly’ gives Defence and Attack buffs when coupled with the Slow Starter personality skill, which provides attack boosts from round four onward. These personalities can be changed based on mini conversations you have with your Digimon, too. During quiet moments, you can engage with your pals, who will ask curious questions. My Leomon enquired if I was being reckless and that maybe I should take a break. When I replied with gratitude, they responded that they simply didn’t want me to collapse, which then turned their personality to Philanthropy. Another time, my Dinohyumon asked the surprisingly philosophical question if we can overcome anything by being brave, to which I responded that “other things mattered, too”. He sighed with “ugh, that’s tough,” and I was given the option to replace an old personality skill with the new one of First in Line, so in subsequent battles, he always got to act before everyone else. Handy. So many mysteries to uncover In the near couple of hours I played, it was clear that Digimon Story Time Stranger was rife with secrets. I briefly got to explore the In-Between Theatre, a multi-dimensional space populated with odd faceless beings and managed by recurring character Mirei Mikagura. While the Theatre could be used to travel to other areas, there were clearly other uses and elements it was hiding beneath its luxurious décor. There were also lots of nice little gameplay elements to keep things fresh, including a thrilling chase sequence where I had to escape from a brutal MetalGreymon, and the ability to use R2 when exploring to blast through obstructions and also receive hints when noteworthy items were nearby. There’ll be plenty more to discover across time and space when Digimon Story Time Stranger releases on October 3 on PS5 – and based on my experiences you’re going to have the time of your digital life. View the full article

This past week players snuck through Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and shared memorable moments using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights: Michael_Jambor shares a detailed close-up of Snake’s face AreeLyBadPun shares a faceoff with a crocodile georgie_1986_ shares a sharp-looking scientist crisg_art shares Snake ready for the hunt mungui_zero shares tactical tree action TakaSanGames shares a delicious meal 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. As for next week…Share of the Week will be taking a short break! Check back in a few weeks when we focus our lens on Fall games. 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. August continued sports supremacy as Madden NFL 26 led the charge on the charts in the US, while Mafia: The Old Country had success on both the US and EU charts for PS5, and Delta Force dominated the free-to-play charts in both the US and EU. Check out the full listings below. What titles are you playing this month? PS5 Games US/CanadaEUMadden NFL 26Mafia: The Old CountryReady or NotGrand Theft Auto VMafia: The Old CountryReady or NotGears of War: ReloadedForza Horizon 5College Football 26MinecraftGrand Theft Auto VMETAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATERMETAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATERGears of War: ReloadedMinecraftThe Crew MotorfestForza Horizon 5Clair Obscur: Expedition 33Call of Duty: Black Ops 6It Takes TwoHELLDIVERS 2Among UsDemon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2Hogwarts LegacyWWE 2K25The Witcher 3: Wild HuntClair Obscur: Expedition 33CarX StreetMidnight Murder ClubWWE 2K25Mortal Kombat 1GroundedMLB The Show 25F1 25CarX StreetSplit FictionGroundedNo Man’s SkyPhasmophobiaRaft *Naming of products may differ between regions *Upgrades not included PS4 Games US/CanadaEURed Dead Redemption 2Red Dead Redemption 2Batman: Arkham KnightA Way OutA Way OutBatman: Arkham KnightBattlefield 4Grand Theft Auto VNeed for Speed HeatNeed for Speed HeatGrand Theft Auto VUnravel TwoMortal Kombat XMinecraftMinecraftBatman: Return to ArkhamBatman: Return to ArkhamBattlefield 4STAR WARS Battlefront IIAssassin’s Creed SyndicateMiddle-earth: Shadow of WarWatch Dogs 2Alien: IsolationAssassin’s Creed UnityGang BeastsThe ForestWatch Dogs 2Mortal Kombat XThe Walking Dead: The Telltale Definitive SeriesAssassin’s Creed OdysseyCall of Duty: Black Ops IIIMiddle-earth: Shadow of WarTom Clancy’s Ghost Recon BreakpointKingdom Come: DeliveranceThe ForestMafia: TrilogyBloodborneBattlefield VInjustice 2Assassin’s Creed Origins *Naming of products may differ between regions PS VR2 Games* US/CanadaEUBeat SaberBeat SaberCreed: Rise to Glory – Championship EditionCreed: Rise to Glory – Championship EditionAlien: Rogue Incursion VRJob SimulatorAmong Us 3D: VRAlien: Rogue Incursion VRJob SimulatorKayak VR: MirageSkydance’s BEHEMOTHSkydance’s BEHEMOTHGORN 2Among Us 3D: VRPavlovDead Land 2 VRArizona Sunshine 2Flight Simulator Delivery 2025 VRBefore Your EyesHorizon Call of the Mountain *PlayStation Store purchases only. Game upgrades or games bundled with hardware not included Free to Play (PS5 + PS4) US/CanadaEUDelta Force (F2P)Delta Force (F2P)RobloxRobloxFortniteFortniteTom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege X – Free AccessTom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege X – Free AccessCall of Duty: WarzoneCall of Duty: WarzoneRocket LeagueRocket LeagueMarvel RivalseFootballFall GuysAsphalt LegendsAsphalt LegendsFall GuysApex LegendsVALORANT View the full article

Dragon Quest is one of the most acclaimed and influential series in gaming. If you’ve ever played a Japanese (or Japanese-inspired) RPG, it probably owes a debt to this amazing franchise. And it all started with Dragon Quest I and Dragon Quest II. These games captivated players by sending them on epic adventures across expansive worlds full of imaginative locales, while battling all manner of monsters. It was an experience like few others. Play Video New Gameplay Overview Trailer offers a look at exploration, combat, party lineup, and more. Now these games are hitting PlayStation consoles for the first time in Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake. These are no simple retro revivals though – both games have been fully remade and enhanced, with new features that make them feel fresh and modern without sacrificing their original charm. They’ve been rebuilt in the stunning HD-2D visual style made famous by series like Octopath Traveler, and feature additional content, gameplay improvements, tons of quality-of-life features like objective markers and auto-battle features and much more. It’s basically two of the most respected RPGs ever made, but made better. If you’re a fan of the genre, they’re a must-play. But what went into the game and their many enhancements? We spoke to Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake Producer Masaaki Hayasaka to find out: Why did you decide to remake Dragon Quest I and II? There have been lots of ports and remasters of Dragon Quest I, II and III released over the years, but there hasn’t been a full remake in a very long time. Octopath Traveler established the HD-2D graphical style, and with HD-2D graphics, the more retro a game is, the more its true value is revealed. Since the titles that make up the Erdrick trilogy are the most retro of all the Dragon Quest titles, and the starting point of the franchise as a whole, we realised that the HD-2D style would be a perfect fit, and so we resolved to remake them. Why did you decide to include both remakes in one package? The main reasons behind this were to do with the practicalities of production. If we had decided to release Dragon Quest I and II as separate titles, then there would have been a lot to consider: like how we price the games appropriately for the amount of content, how that pricing would affect players’ perceptions of the games, what to do about release windows etc. Another big factor behind this decision was that releasing both games as a single set would mean that we could present players with a package that wraps up the Erdrick Trilogy quicker than having two separate releases. Making everything separately would have taken much more time. Why did you feel that HD-2D was the right visual style to rebuild these games? As I mentioned previously, the more retro a game is, the more HD-2D really shows its true value. Having worked on HD-2D titles ever since the launch of Octopath Traveler, I got to see for myself how the HD-2D style came into existence, and how it was received by the world. Also, the Live a Live remake—also made by Square Enix’s Team Asano—was the first instance of a HD-2D remake title, and that was very well received, so it gave me confidence as I embarked on this project. It’s a very beautiful game. How did you approach the challenge of turning 2D environments into visually impressive 3D ones? The most difficult thing about converting 2D into 3D was the environments. For this remake, we more-or-less adhered to the structures of the environments from the original game, from the placement of the buildings in the towns to the positioning and path making of the staircases in the dungeons (I would love for someone to look at the environments from directly above and compare them with the original game!). So even though the game’s visuals have been changed significantly, I wanted people who played the original game to still be able to rely on their memories of it — to be able to say, “I seem to remember that if I go over here, then I’ll find this thing… Yep! There it is!”. Taking aspects of the original game that were designed in 2D and recreating them in 3D while still preserving the structure of the original really puts your level-design skills to the test, but the map team and the planning team did a fantastic job, which meant that we were able to achieve just what we set out to do. Why did you decide to release this after Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake? When I think about I, II and III, I think that Dragon Quest III was the most complete title out of the three, including in terms of its game mechanics. Dragon Quest III was also a cultural phenomenon in Japan, and I had some discussions with Yuji Horii in which he said he’d like to see the Erdrick Trilogy remade with Dragon Quest III coming out first as a sort of entry point, so that was how the Dragon Quest III remake got started. So it was decided at the very beginning of the project that we wanted the games to be played in the order III, I, II. Do you need to have played Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake to enjoy these games? Dragon Quests I, II and III all tell standalone stories, so of course players can enjoy these games without having played Dragon Quest III. However, these remakes offer a fresh retelling of the story of Erdrick in chronological order starting with Dragon Quest III, followed by I and II, and there are certain twists and turns in store that will be particularly surprising if you play the games in that order, so I would like for people to play the HD-2D remakes in the order III, I, II, and from a developer standpoint as well, I recommend playing them in that order! Why do you think Dragon Quest I and II still hold up as great games, even so many years later? I think a big part of it could be that these titles hold the distinction of being the starting point of the Dragon Quest series, which has endured for around 40 years, as well as the starting point of JRPGs themselves. I think that you could say this of other IPs as well, but when you find a series that you like, you naturally reach a point where you want to play the first title in the series. On top of that, Dragon Quest was a pioneering title that influenced many of the JRPGs that came after it. And so when people actually try Dragon Quests I and II for themselves and get a sense of all these elements that have appeared again in all kinds of JRPGs, I think they come to understand why it’s such a masterpiece. For many people, particularly regions outside Japan and America, this will be their first time experiencing these games. Why should RPG fans be excited to play these titles? Recently, a lot of RPGs have adopted more action gameplay elements, but this remake respects the original, and it’s presented in a classic command-battle RPG style. The enemy encounters are random as well, rather than being triggered by walking up to monsters on the map. So conversely, titles like this are actually rare nowadays, and it feels like we may have gone full circle, to the point that they’re now considered fresh again. As I mentioned previously, these games have influenced a huge number of JRPGs—it isn’t really possible to talk about JRPGs without mentioning them—so I believe that people are going to find them really interesting to play, precisely because of when they’re coming out. What were your key priorities when you started development of these games? When we were working on the recent HD-2D remake of Dragon Quest III, our goal was to avoid tampering with the original as far as possible, and to only add a little embellishment. For this title, however, our approach was that we could change as much as we wanted to, as long as the core of the game was still intact, and we placed great importance on the knowledge that we could make changes. That being said, if we had made too many changes, then we would have transformed the game into something completely different. But if we had restricted ourselves too much on what we could change, then people would have said, “why not just play the original?”. So we were particularly careful about finding that balance, and I think that in the end, we landed on something that is really good. How have you made these games more convenient for modern players? When we were working on the Dragon Quest III remake, we did a lot of work to improve playability. We added an autosave feature, a quick restart following a game over, location guides, destination markers, difficulty options, enemy weakness indicators, UI control improvements etc., etc. And for this game we have also included the Short-Cut Commands feature, which allows players to set shortcuts for their favourite commands to specific buttons, which should scratch the itch for most players. So I think that this game offers an appropriate level of user-friendliness for a modern title. Both games feature additional scenarios. Why did you want to add these into the games? The original games were obviously released in the order I, II, III, but as I said earlier, we’re releasing them in the order III, I, II this time around. The revelation that the original Dragon Quest III had a narrative connection with Dragon Quest I was hugely impactful, but we couldn’t replicate that in the remakes. So instead, we decided to release them in the order that the events of the Erdrick Trilogy take place, starting with III, followed by I and II, and we decided to make the most of this by adding some new story elements. Without spoiling anything, what additional story elements do people have to look forward to in the games? I think the phrase, “epic conclusion” just about sums it up. We added some elements of foreshadowing in the recent Dragon Quest III remake, including some mysteries that don’t get tied up in that game, and for this title, we have incorporated all sorts of content: some things that aren’t addressed at all in the original game, some things that we think fans of the original will be curious to know more about, and some twists that I don’t think anybody will see coming. I think that there are quite a few surprises in store for anyone playing this game. I can’t wait to hear what everybody makes of this once the game is out. How difficult was it to add elements to these games so that they felt natural, but didn’t detract from the original charm? During development, we had to keep in mind that we wanted to strike the balance between making changes wherever we saw fit, without undermining the original game, so this was something that was constantly playing on our minds. However, we also had Horii-san on our side, so we were constantly having discussions with him, and we were able to move forwards with development one step at a time. Why have you added the Princess of Cannock as a new playable character in Dragon Quest II? We wanted to come up with something that would make this title stand out. There are a lot of examples of remakes of mainline Dragon Quest titles adding new vocations or new party members, and we were aware that these had been very well received by fans. The recent remake of Dragon Quest III included the new monster wrangler vocation. Since this game is a sequel to Dragon Quest III, we knew that we had to come up with a standout new feature that measured up to the monster wrangler, and so we came up with this idea for the Princess of Cannock. She appears in the original game as well, and just like the game’s protagonist, she too is a descendant of Erdrick, so there was a lot of speculation among fans that she might become a party character at some point. I don’t think there’s anybody better suited to the role than her. What lessons did you learn from Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake and how have they helped you develop this title? Dragon Quest III taught me that everybody has their own opinions on what they think a remake title should look like. The more famous a game is, the greater the variety of people’s opinions about what they expect to be included and what would be the best approach. And this isn’t just true of players; it’s true of developers as well. It’s physically impossible to satisfy everyone’s desires for a remake, so you have to try and find the best approach that you think will please fans the most, while also taking into account time constraints and the limitations of the game structure as well. The scope for what we’re changing is much bigger for this remake of Dragon Quest I and II than it was for the Dragon Quest III remake, so the decision-making process for which of those opinions we adopt and which we disregard was considerably more difficult. That being said, our stance during development was always to take the approach that we knew would please the largest number of people. What have been the most challenging things about developing Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake? That would have to be the story. For RPGs, the story is the root out of which everything else grows. The environments, character sprites and other aspects of the game are the branches and leaves that grow out of that root, so development can’t move forwards until the story is decided upon. The more you tweak the story, the more difficult it is to remake the game, and for this game we certainly made some major enhancements to the story. We spent a lot of time on the story, including discussions and tweaks with Horii-san, so I think you could say that this was a pretty major challenge. How did you overcome these challenges? A lot of very dependable staff joined the project partway through, both internally and externally. Thanks to them we were somehow able to figure it out. If those people hadn’t joined the project, then I think it would still be unfinished even now. I think that this is true of any project, and not just games, but ultimately it all depends on the talents of each individual member of the team. I am truly grateful to each and every member of this team. What are you most excited for fans to discover when they play Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake? I can’t reveal any details yet, but I think that the new story content will really resonate with a lot of Dragon Quest fans, regardless of whether they’ve played the original or not. I hope fans will look forward to this. Also, just like with the Dragon Quest III remake, Dragon Quests I and II feature a lot of famous lines of dialogue, events and characters. Try to spot all the different references as you play through the main story! I hope that people will really enjoy this title that serves as both the starting point of the Dragon Quest franchise, and the starting point of JRPGs in general! And I also hope that people will enjoy seeing the story of Erdrick through to its conclusion! Many thanks to Hayasaka-san for answering our many questions about the game. Here’s one more you might have: when can I play it?! Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake launches October 30, 2025 on PS5. It’s available to preorder now – we can’t wait for you to discover what these two games have in store! View the full article

Surprise! The Sulfur demo is available today on PlayStation 5. Sulfur is a fast-paced FPS roguelike where guns evolve, enemies mutate, and cooking is as important as shooting. To celebrate the release, we’ve put together a new trailer and the Top 5 things you can do right now in the demo. Almost everything you see in the new trailer can be played for free in the demo today! Play Video 1. Customize your weapons Loot isn’t just about firepower, it’s about personality. Pick your favorite weapon out of the 20+ unique guns available in the demo and use strange scrolls to transform them into something completely new. Rechamber a revolver to fire 12 gauge shells, enchant a SMG to launch railgun bullets, or equip an automatic shotgun with a laser sight and hunting scope. Construct cursed firearms with enchanted projectiles, bouncing bullets, or anything else you can think of. In Sulfur, every aspect of your firearm is modifiable. Verify your age to view this content. Verify your age to view this content. 2. Cook food you didn’t know you wanted Between fights, toss scavenged ingredients into your cauldron and see what happens. Some foods give bonuses only when cooked, others can be consumed raw. Experimentation is half the fun! Once you discover a new recipe, it will automatically be stored in your recipe book for quick crafting in the future. Verify your age to view this content. Verify your age to view this content. 3. Explore ever changing levels After each death or extraction, the caves are randomized. Progress deeper with each new life carrying more upgrades and wisdom. Reach deeper floors to uncover more secrets. Encounter strange NPCs, scarier enemies, and random ambushes. Each time you descend, the caves change. Strange NPCs, new ambushes, deeper secrets – no two runs are the same. And remember, your life is only as valuable as your gear. Verify your age to view this content. Verify your age to view this content. 4. Manage your loot like your life depends on it Because it does. Your bag never feels big enough for everything, which forces tough choices. Do you carry an extra gun, collect armor sets, or save room for more trinkets? Most of the equipment from the full game has a chance to drop in the demo. End-game gear is extremely rare but can be obtained if you’re persistent (or lucky). Barter with NPCs to get more stuff for your stash. Even in the demo, you’ll get a taste of late-game chaos before the full release. Verify your age to view this content. Verify your age to view this content. 5. Outsmart enemies Since Sulfur is a roguelike FPS, each run teaches you something new, whether it’s a recipe, or a weapon combo that works – one you’ll swear by, or one you’ll swear over. Even if you lose all your uninsured items when you die, the church’s collection box will return some money to keep you afloat. Find out what works for you and reequip yourself by trading with the vendors at the church. The new Sulfur trailer shows all this in action, but nothing beats trying it yourself. Download the demo today on PlayStation 5 and step into the world of Sulfur! See you there! View the full article

We’re thrilled to share an extensive look at 007 First Light, our third-person action-adventure game featuring a fully re-imagined original James Bond origin story. Built in-house at IO Interactive with our Glacier engine, we’re incredibly proud to share this wholly original Bond experience created from the ground up, one that blends the sharp tension of espionage with the bold spectacle the franchise is known for. In this special State of Play, we showcased footage from two missions that highlight the game’s immersive design and cinematic flair. From a covert operation at a high-stakes chess tournament in Slovakia, closing with a high-altitude showdown, to an infiltration of a lavish gala in Kensington, London, these missions offer a glimpse into the living and breathing worlds that Bond will navigate as he discovers the world of espionage. Play Video Play Bond, your way From day one, we’ve designed the game so you can approach your objectives how you want, through what we call the Creative Approach. Maybe you’ll slip in unnoticed and reach your goal without anyone knowing you were there. Maybe you’ll go in loud, using every weapon and gadget at your disposal. Or maybe you’ll use a bit of both, and improvise, turning whatever the situation throws at you into an opportunity. As part of the Creative Approach, there are different aspects of James Bond’s set of skills that are reflected: Spycraft is your toolkit for the quieter side of the job. You can eavesdrop on conversations for intelligence, lift a keycard from a distracted guard’s pocket, or piece together clues from environmental details others might overlook. Every bit of information can open a shortcut or give you a way around a challenge, or a crowded security room. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Instinct is Bond’s natural aptitude in gameplay form, reflecting his quick thinking and adaptability. It’s a limited resource that will fill itself as you take down enemies, complete objectives etc… You can use it to lure a guard toward you for a silent takedown, bluff your way past someone who’s getting suspicious, or give you a bit more time to take the perfect shot during a firefight. Gadgets from Q Branch are an essential part of your toolkit, giving you plenty of possibilities to tackle each situation you face. You might hack a camera system to clear a path, cut through a locked door with a laser, or distract a guard long enough to slip by. We want them to feel like natural extensions of Bond’s skillset, not just one-off tricks. As you progress through the missions, you will unlock more gadgets, empowering you through your journey to become a fully-fledged spy. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Combat in 007 First Light is built to feel true to Bond, with control, efficiency, and visceral. You’ll swap between precision gunplay and up-close brawls without missing a beat. In tight spaces, Bond can throw an opponent over a railing, smash them against a wall, disarm them in one smooth motion, or use the nearest object to incapacitate them. Melee skills include parries, throws, and takedowns, designed to look cinematic but still feel responsive in your hands. When encounters escalate to lethal force being used, Bond earns his License to Kill, allowing him to use his marksmanship with firearms being thrown into the fight without slowing down. And because gadgets are part of his combat toolkit, you will be able to use them expertly to disorient an enemy before taking him out. The mix of melee, ranged weapons, and gadgets means every encounter feels unpredictable, personal, and very much like stepping into the 007 fantasy. The full Bond experience A feature we’re also very proud to introduce is one of the driving sequences, which will be present throughout the game. As you saw in the gameplay deep dive, you will have to use your skills behind the wheel during high-speed chases and other tense situations to make sure Bond gets to his objectives, especially if he has to take a shortcut. We also wanted to deliver on the action set-pieces that have been part of the franchise’s history and include big moments that reflect the stakes of the world of espionage, including being thrown out of a plane in full flight. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Meet the cast Our introduction to 007 First Light would not be complete without revealing our amazing ensemble cast of voice and motion capture actors, who deliver tremendous performances: Patrick Gibson as James Bond Priyanga Burford as M Alastair Mackenzie as Q Kiera Lester as Miss Moneypenny Lennie James as Bond’s mentor, John Greenway Noemie Nakai as Miss Roth View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Thank you for joining us for this first real taste of 007 First Light, and we hope you enjoyed it just as much as we had creating it. We can’t wait for you to step into Bond’s shoes and see how you’ll earn the number! 007 First Light launches on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro on March 27, 2026. Pre-order now and get an upgrade to 007 First Light – Deluxe Edition at no additional cost. View and download image "Deluxe Edition includes 24hour early access, 4 exclusive outfits, 1 new weapon skin, and a Gleaming Skin Pack." Download “Deluxe Edition includes 24hour early access, 4 exclusive outfits, 1 new weapon skin, and a Gleaming Skin Pack.” close Close Download this image View the full article

Last month, we traveled through the dark and explored new shores. Some big new releases included Madden NFL 26, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Midnight Murder Club, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, and Sword of the Sea. 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 the full article

Prepare for a deep dive on 007 First Light! During this special State of Play, the development team at IO Interactive declassifies new gameplay on James Bond’s upcoming espionage action-adventure thrill ride. Catch the show live on PlayStation’s Twitch and YouTube channels on September 3 at 11am PT / 7pm BST / 8pm CEST. Back at June’s State of Play, we unveiled the game’s Reveal Trailer, offering your first look at IO Interactive’s unique take on Bond. In this upcoming State of Play, tune in for over 30 minutes of gameplay featuring a playthrough of Bond’s first mission as an MI6 recruit. The action includes everything from high-speed car chases to on-foot stealth sequences and shootouts. Stay tuned after the playthrough for insights from IO Interactive on the intense espionage gameplay. We can’t wait to show you what the team has been cooking up on September 3. View the full article

Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com! Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or download here Hey, everybody! Kristen, Tim, and I are back this week to discuss taking up the mantle of Big Boss in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, soul surfing in Sword of the Sea, the biggest news stories of the week, and more. Stuff We Talked About Next week’s release highlights: Metal Eden | PS5 Hirogami | PS5 Hell Is Us | PS5 Hollow Knight: Silksong | PS5, PS4 Cronos: The New Dawn | PS5 Everybody’s Golf: Hot Shots | PS5 NBA 2K26 | PS5, PS4 Romeo is a Dead Man sneak peek — New info on combat and puzzles, along with the major story beats of its ludicrous narrative. Helldivers 2 update — Enter the Terminid Hive Worlds and battle underground monsters when the Dust Devils Premium Warbond lands September 4. Lumines Live release date — Try out the limited-time demo for PS5 to experience the new multiplayer mode and more before the game launches on November 11. GT7 1.62 update — Add the sleek Chevrolet Corvette CX to your collection and other eye candy with the latest batch of new vehicles. No Man’s Sky Voyagers update — Customizable multi-crew starships are now available. Cruise the galaxy as a unit and face new challenges.. New Judas details — See how your decisions impact gameplay and other insights from Creative Director Ken Levine. Skate hands-on — Play Early Access starting September 16 for free and explore San Vansterdam and its many choice spots. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance dev interview — Learn what steps were taken to create a modern take on the classic action platformer The Cast View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Kristen Zitani – Senior Content Communications Specialist, 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 O’Dell Harmon Jr. – Content Communications Specialist, 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 surf through the deserts and oceans in Sword of the Sea using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights: HappyMoonInc shares Wraith riding down a chain surrounded by sealife. fogsblue shares Wraith riding an orca after freeing the sea on a new region MdeavorVP shares Wraith falling in darkness alongside gold currency View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image LazareGvimradze shares a look up at Wraith doing a trick over sealife on the hoversword hedgehog860 Wraith riding an orca with another floating nearby Photo_Ra_Phy shares Wraith and their companion riding in a bubble 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: Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on September 3, 2025 Next week, sneak through the world of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and share Naked Snake’s most epic moments using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured. View the full article

Greetings, Travelers! We’re excited to announce that Genshin Impact Version Luna I, Song of the Welkin Moon: Segue, will be released on September 10. This update, which marks the beginning of the year-long Song of the Welkin Moon version series, will also introduce a major new region, Nod-Krai. The new version series will tie together past story clues and characters, answer some long-standing questions, and reveal more about the secrets of the moon. The stage for these events is Nod-Krai, a new self-governing region at the edge of Teyvat. Blessed by pure moonlight, Nod-Krai is a land rich with a unique and powerful energy which has attracted various individuals and factions, all with their own goals and ambitions which often lead them to conflict. However, it is also this very same energy that will be crucial to your journey, guiding you as you explore the region and solve its mysteries. 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 We invite all Travelers who have finished the Mondstadt Archon Quest “Prologue: Act III – Song of the Dragon and Freedom” to enter Nod-Krai. You can access the region via a Teleport Waypoint at its entrance. If you have also completed “Chapter I Act III – A New Star Approaches” in Liyue, you will be able to start the new Archon Quests in Nod-Krai immediately. Gather under the moonlight Moonlight pierces the haze, casting rippling shadows toward the unknown. To uncover a new Fatui scheme related to the “Ancient Moon’s Remnants,” Travelers must set sail from Natlan, heading north to the self-governing region of Nod-Krai located at the southernmost part of Snezhnaya. Nod-Krai is a land where an ancient elemental energy called Kuuvahki can be found. This unique power influences the lives of its people, but it also draws factions with competing goals, leading to constant conflict. Walk the paths of this land, Traveler, and see with your own eyes how these factions seek and harness this potent energy. In Version Luna I, Travelers can explore three distinct island areas within Nod-Krai. Your journey begins in Nasha Town, where the residents have woven the ancient energy of Kuuvahki into their everyday lives. Here, street signs hum with a gentle energy, and clever devices retain the traces of ancient power. Head west, and you will find the Clink-Clank Krumkake Craftshop, home to the whimsical inventors Aino and Ineffa. Continue westward and you will find yourself at Hiisi Island, where you will enter the lands of the Frostmoon Scions. The devotees here, who brook no blasphemy towards the moon, worship the moon goddess Kuutar while fiercely guarding the purity of their faith. Yet, in the shadows, unseen forces are stirring up a crisis. Further north along the coast, the Fatui’s Kuuvahki Experimental Design Bureau stands over ancient ruins. The Fatui have come here to build war engines fueled by Kuuvahki. You can choose to face them head-on or infiltrate quietly to uncover their secrets. As you explore Nod-Krai, you may also encounter the Wild Hunt, a dangerous force emerging from the Abyss that leaves a trail of destruction in its wake. Standing against this darkness are the Lightkeepers, an ancient order that defends the freedom and peace of the land. They carry special lanterns that change color to warn of the kind of danger that is coming. 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 Meanwhile, Columbina, who once served as the Fatui’s Damselette, has left them and is now lingering in her homeland of Nod-Krai. Here, she is revered as the Moon Maiden. Interestingly, the statues of the Idol of the New Moon found throughout Nod-Krai bear a striking resemblance to Columbina’s appearance before she joined the Fatui, hinting at her past identity. Now, she has her very own haven, the Sanctuary of the Silver Moon Court, located near Hiisi Island. Walk there by the moonlight, fulfill her requests, and you may earn her assistance on your journey. In the new Archon Quest, the Traveler will assist Lauma, the Moonchanter of the Frostmoon Scions. Join her to confront the Fatui and uncover the secrets behind their faith in the moon goddess. You will also see for yourself the unwavering resolve of the Lightkeepers as you fight alongside Flins, a warrior of their order, to defend the land. This adventure will also introduce you to new allies, such as the merchants of Nasha Town, while also presenting a menacing debut of the Fatui Harbinger Sandrone, the Marionette. Fight alongside new allies and unleash the power of the Moon In Nod-Krai, certain characters blessed by the moon can channel the ancient energy of Kuuvahki in combat through their Moon Wheels. This unique ability triggers special Lunar reactions. Both Lauma and Flins are among the characters who have this ability. As a Moonchanter of the Frostmoon Scions, Lauma listens to her people, soothes their worries, and safeguards their covenant with the land. Gentle, wise, and deeply connected to nature, she has earned the trust of her companions. Even the small creatures influenced by Kuuvahki seem to share this trust, approaching and interacting with her whenever she is near. Lauma can even transform into a cervitaur, allowing her to dash swiftly across the land. In battle, this 5-star Dendro Catalyst user can give her team a decisive edge with a new Elemental Reaction: Lunar-Bloom. Once the Bloom reaction is triggered with Lauma on the team, she can convert it into a Lunar-Bloom reaction. This creates a valuable combat resource called Verdant Dew, which Lauma can then use to deal significant Lunar-Bloom damage with the potential for CRIT Hits. In combat, Lauma can periodically deal AoE Dendro DMG and further support the team by lowering enemies’ Dendro and Hydro RES. Her combat style is focused on collecting Verdant Dew from Lunar-Bloom reactions and converting it into more Lunar-Bloom damage. Flins is a 5-star Electro Polearm user known for his noble and aristocratic bearing. This veteran Lightkeeper who has long dedicated himself to defending Nod-Krai’s freedom and peace can even hear the whispers of the Wild Hunt while on exploration. In battle, Flins deals powerful Lunar-Charged DMG and can adjust his strategy on the fly. For situations that require multiple instances of Lunar-Charged DMG in a short period, he can use his standard Elemental Burst. In fast-paced, high-tempo combat, Flins can enter another state with his Elemental Skill which allows him to unleash a special Elemental Burst that costs less energy on a more frequent basis. In addition, Aino, the Whiz-Kid Mechanic, is a 4-star Hydro Claymore user who can be invited to the Traveler’s party for free via the new Archon Quest. In combat, Aino can also attack enemies with Hydro DMG. Beyond their roles in battle, these three new friends have their own day-to-day lives to live, and small, everyday joys to savor. With a new feature called Meeting Points, you can chat with them, help build these points throughout Nod-Krai, and unlock more of their stories by progressing through certain events. Visit the Clink-Clank Krumkake Craftshop where Aino and Ineffa are always hard at work, or step into the Frostmoon Enclave to read the legends among the Frostmoon Scions together with Lauma. Or, stop by Flins’s home to listen to the long-guarded tales of the Lightkeepers. In the first half of Version Luna I, Lauma will make her debut alongside a rerun for Nahida. The Chronicled Wish will also feature the return of several Sumeru characters. In the second half of the update, Flins, Yelan, and Aino will join the Event Wishes. Wander through the Moon-blessed land As you gaze at the sky as blue turns to black and the pale moon rises, you may wonder why this ancient energy attracts so many to its power. Traveler, when you enter Nod-Krai, you will find traces of Kuuvahki everywhere throughout the land. As you walk through Nod-Krai, you will notice strange objects shimmering with the power of Kuuvahki, typically glowing with either a red or blue unipolar field. These fields behave in a very curious way: two of the same color will push each other away, while different colors are drawn together. Step close enough to one of these fields, and you may enter an empowered state. In this state, you can solve puzzles, collect items, and even gain an advantage in combat. Sometimes, standing near a special field will even allow you to perform a special jump, revealing paths that would otherwise be out of reach. Nod-Krai is home to a special elemental creature with various forms known as the Kuuhenki. When you are near certain plants, like the Moonshine Violet, you can gain Kuuvahki energy, which allows you to harness the power of the Kuuhenki and move freely. In this state, you can drift near the mist patches in the area. Patches of a different color will draw you in, while patches of the same color will push you away. As the Kuuhenki glides through the air, it leaves behind bright trails called Moonlanes. Hitch a ride on these lanes to move quickly, switch paths, and interact with nearby objects. Deal wisely with the enemy The dangers and challenges of Nod-Krai are a constant reminder to the Traveler to act with caution. However, one should also be brave enough to face danger head-on at the same time. In the region’s other areas, you will encounter enemies that demand careful handling, as many are influenced by the ancient energy of Kuuvahki. For example, when you face the cave-dwelling boss, the Radiant Moonfly, you can temporarily boost your abilities by healing your HP to its maximum. Not all challenges involve fighting belligerent foes. You can hone your battle skills using Knuckle Duckle, a duck-shaped combat machine built by Aino. Effects like Electro-Charged or Lunar-Charged attacks can provide you with a combat efficiency boost. Interestingly, when Aino or Ineffa interacts with the machine, it can trigger extra dialogue options. You might even obtain special items that change their appearance. What’s more, there will also be more seasonal events and optimizations which will bring you bountiful rewards and make your adventure an easier one. In celebration of the fifth anniversary of Genshin Impact, we have prepared various gifts to thank our Travelers, including 10 Intertwined Fates, 1,600 Primogems, two exclusive gadgets, and a free 5-star standard banner character of your choice. Know that when you see the signs of the new moon, the story of Version Luna I is about to be unveiled. Let us set out for the new region, Nod-Krai, as we turn a new page in the story, and bask in its cold moonlight. View the full article

I’m thrilled to share that Lost Soul Aside is officially out today on PlayStation 5 console and PC via Steam and the Epic Game Store, and you can also jump in with a free playable demo starting today! Play Video From the very beginning, this project was born out of a dream to create fast, fluid, and visually striking action gameplay, and I’m incredibly excited that you can now experience the full adventure – or get a taste of it with the demo. Blades flash like lightning. Movements blur like wind. This is the heart of Lost Soul Aside and today marks just the start of your journey. Play Video Demo beginner’s guide: The art of high-speed combat In this demo trailer, Kaser and Arena join forces to overwhelm enemies with their lightning-fast, high-octane combat style. The trailer showcases radically distinct weapon techniques, split-second combat performances, and breathtaking dance of clashing blades, embodying the game’s combat philosophy – “Strikes roar like thunder, evade fade as phantoms.” This playable demo features an early-game boss challenge and a mid-game adventure stage, allowing players to experience Lost Soul Aside’s signature combat system: Core combat: fast-paced, seamlessly smooth, and endless-combos. Seamless weapon switching: Sword (split-second strikes) and Greatsword (earth-shattering power) enable endless combo variations, making battles flow like poetry in motion. Aerial combat: Launch enemies mid-air and strike with unstoppable combo storm. Boss encounters: Face off against enemies like Rose Queen, Holy Knight Commander Victor, and the titanic Ancient Mecha. Master movement, timing, and counterattacks to survive. Combat tips: Precise Dodges, Precise Blocks, Energy Burst Pursuits Perfect Dodge: Evade at the last moment to trigger a special counterattack. Precise Block: When blocking an enemy’s powerful attack right as the blue circle warning appears, you’ll stagger them and create an opening. Burst Pursuit: When a blue glow appears on Kaser, press the Burst Pursuit button to unleash a spectacular strike. The journey starts now Whether you’re a hardcore action gamer or someone who loves exploring breathtaking fantasy worlds, now’s your chance to dive in. The full game is available now, and you can also try it free with the playable demo on both PlayStation 5 console and PC via Steam. If you haven’t already, check out our behind-the-scenes video in our previous article to see how the world, combat, and characters came to life. Thank you for all your support over the years. Now go push your limits, master every combo, and show us what you’ve got. View the full article

You never see a true ninja attack coming. So it’s only appropriate that none of us predicted Joe Musashi sneaking back onto our screens when Shinobi: Art of Vengeance was announced at The Game Awards in 2023. It’s been eagerly anticipated since, but the 2D action platformer is finally ready to unsheathe its blade on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 August 29. Less of a surprise was the reveal that Lizardcube was tasked with Shinobi’s razor-edged return. The developer is no stranger to breathing life into Sega’s classic IP, with its slick work on WonderBoy: The Dragon’s Trap remake and Streets of Rage 4 proving its pedigree. “Back in 2021 Sega wanted to revive an older IP and hinted if I had anything in mind,” says LizardCube CEO and Art/Creative Director Ben Fiquet. “I’m a Shinobi kid, so I quickly pitched my vision for that. Because we make 2D titles, when I create drawings it’s like rendering what will be the same in the final game.” The actual art of Vengeance This immediate visualization provided a relatively easy win in terms of Shinobi’s striking aesthetic, something Ben describes as “a continuation of their style; a bit more Japanese, but still very French and very Lizardcube”. With Ben revealing that he grew up on beautifully animated 16-bit platformers like Aladdin, it’s easy to see what inspired that look. But from there the challenge became working out how to mix classic Shinobi authenticity with a contemporary feel. “It was a bit different compared to working on Streets of Rage or Wonder Boy because Shinobi has more iterations,” explains Ben. “At first I wanted to make something more like a direct follow up to the original Shinobi games. But I quickly realized that it wasn’t as fun as I remember. Gameplay-wise you can lose yourself by going too far in the other direction, too, but Shinobi has always been changing with the times. So we wanted to make a modern game but with the appeal of the first titles.” “We felt that a slow-paced, methodical 2D game wouldn’t quite match the tastes of modern players,” agrees Toru Ohara, Sega of Japan’s Chief Producer. “We decided to focus on delivering exhilarating, satisfying action, and make the most of Lizardcube’s strengths — their distinctive art style and their expertise in 2D games.” Cutting into the combat The big secret weapon in keeping that classic Shinobi feel with an up-to-date gloss? A katana. And kunai. And Ninpo. And… okay, let’s just wrap it all up into the development team’s focus on fast, fluid, personalised combo-driven combat. “We quickly realized we wanted to push the combat further,” says Ben. “So we added more systems. That sort of thing can snowball when you’re making it, given it mixes platforming with fighting. But it’s very satisfying to be able to fight your way through levels, and more ninja-like by being swift and chaining combos.” That wasn’t to say that the process of crafting this system was entirely smooth. “The prototype we had was very different to what we ended up with,” Ben reveals. “After a playtest we saw something was missing so we went back to the drawing board.” The result was the inclusion of the execution system, which rewards the player with stylish finishing moves and resources to spend on upgrading Joe’s abilities. Which played nicely into the freeform system that sits at the centre of Shinobi’s compelling and polished gameplay. “Lizardcube wanted to prioritize freedom of choice and allow players to perform actions that look cool,” says Toru. “I’ll admit I had some concerns at first, but as the system took shape, I realized that being able to unleash the move you want, when you want, created a tremendous sense of exhilaration. “I often explain it like this: in the early stages, the character controls like one from an action game, but by the mid-to-late game, it starts to feel more like controlling a character in a fighting game. Being able to create that kind of fresh gameplay experience was a very pleasant surprise.” “And you can mash buttons and still do something cool, and maybe end up with an execution,” laughs Ben. “We’ve already seen players do amazing things in the demo, with speed runs and combos.” Bosses now, villains next If you’ve not yet played the demo – and you should – the question some of you now might be asking is, “can I perform these combos and executions on the bosses?” Yes, you absolutely can. And those boss fights remain spectacular in their own right, something Ben is keen to keep as a surprise for you to discover yourself. Although when pressed, he admitted he has a couple of favourites. “The monkey boss Kozaru at the end of the first stage,” he admits. “And the boss of stage five. It’s a vampire Yakuza, but I can’t say anything more than that.” Which led us to talk about the Villains Stage DLC coming at a later date, featuring boss characters from other Sega titles, the first being Sonic the Hedgehog’s arch rival Doctor ‘Eggman’ Robotnik. “I hoped people would see this game as one of Sega’s many iconic IPs making a comeback,” says Toru. “So I thought it would be interesting to go beyond the original Shinobi world.” “We wanted to acknowledge the amazing presence that these IPs have,” agrees Ben. “As well as offer other little references here and there. Shinobi is kind of a serious game. But also silly, in a way.” What Ben is referring to is the wry sense of humour present across Lizardcube’s games which keeps things from getting too dark in Shinobi. Sure, it’s occasionally bloody, brutal and visceral, but the dev team also leans into its inherent absurdity, too. “Joe only says one word through the entire game, which is very much an intentional joke,” says Ben. “And he’s the most obvious ninja you’ll see, dressed in white and red, riding his dog and fighting demons. But it still works. The premise is silly, but you have to treat it with respect. I just want people to have fun and help keep the IP alive.” Stay sharp because this is one action platformer you won’t want to miss – Shinobi: Art of Vengeance launches on August 29 for PS4 and PS5. View the full article

Play psychic super spy, get ready to experience the unique, dark fantasy world and reshape the world with a photo with the PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup for September. Psychonauts 2, Dragon Marked For Death and Viewfinder will be available to PlayStation Plus members from September 2. Let’s take a closer look at the games. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Psychonauts 2 | PS4 Razputin “Raz” Aquato, trained acrobat and powerful young psychic, has realized his lifelong dream of joining the international psychic espionage organization known as the Psychonauts! But these psychic super spies are in trouble. Their leader hasn’t been the same since he was rescued from a kidnapping, and what’s worse, there’s a mole hiding in headquarters. Combining quirky missions and mysterious conspiracies, Psychonauts 2 is a platform-adventure game with cinematic style and tons of customizable psychic powers. Psychonauts 2 serves up danger, excitement and laughs in equal measure as players guide Raz on a journey through the minds of friends and foes on a quest to defeat a murderous psychic villain. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Dragon Marked For Death | PS4 Dragon Marked For Death is a side-scrolling 2D action RPG that can played solo or with up to four players in local or online multiplayer.You play as the survivors of the Dragonblood Clan who set out to take revenge on the Kingdom of Medius, who destroyed their home and captured the Dragonblood Oracle, Amica. To obtain the power they need to enact their revenge, they forge a pact with the Astral Dragon Atruum. Use your newly acquired powers to take on quests from villagers and raise your status in the kingdom. How you perform in these quests can have a direct effect on the game’s final outcome. Quests aren’t all about defeating enemies, though. You’ll guard a ship’s passengers from monsters, search for hidden treasure, rescue a princess from a castle under siege, and a lot more! View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Viewfinder | PS4, PS5 Use an instant camera to challenge perception, redefine reality and reshape the world. View the world through a new lens in this charming and unique first-person puzzle adventure. Reshape a wealth of stunning environments through your instant camera’s viewfinder in order to solve a variety of mind-bending puzzles. Bring photos, paintings, sketches and postcards to life as you reshape reality and slowly uncover the surprising mysteries that lie behind this colourful world. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Last chance to add PlayStation Plus Games for August to your library PlayStation Plus members have until September 1 to add Lies of P, Day Z and My Hero One’s Justice 2 to their game library. View the full article

Get ready — SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance arrives on Friday, August 29! The iconic SHINOBI series returns in an all-new 2D action platformer created by Lizardcube, the team behind the hit brawler Streets of Rage 4 and SEGA. This title brings Joe Musashi‘s quest for revenge to life with a vibrant hand-drawn look. Players must overcome stages filled with obstacles and take down foes with a vast array of combos. Master the game’s combat and discover what it means to be a ninja. Currently, a free DEMO of this game is also available. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Journey Through a Stylistic New World Venture through more than a dozen unique stages, ranging from military bases to the scorching desert. As you travel through these vibrant locations, you must use every Ninjutsu at your disposal to solve platforming puzzles and discover hidden routes. Each character and stage have been crafted in stunning detail, letting players fully immerse themselves in Joe Musashi‘s journey. Master the Way of the Shinobi In SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance, smooth and dynamic animations blend with fast-paced action to create an unmatched combat experience. Unleash Joe Musashi’s vast ninja arsenal, including his Katana, Kunai, Ninjutsu arts, and Ninpo to vanquish your foes. Enhance his abilities with Amulets, execute combos, use the right techniques to adapt to your situation, and create your own battle style! Story When the legendary Shinobi Joe Musashi, master of the ninja arts, finds his village burned to the ground and his clan turned into stone, he must set off on a quest for vengeance, ready to face an unparalleled evil. Characters and Stages Joe Musashi The protagonist and the head of the Oboro Clan, a tribe of ninjas that has protected peace from within the shadows for generations. Though he’s a man of few words, his clan puts their utmost trust in him. Lord Ruse The mastermind behind paramilitary organization ENE Corp. He commands his troops with callous tact and an iron fist. Fearing the might of the Oboro Clan, he sets in motion a plan to eliminate them once and for all. …and more! Stage: Oboro Village On a training excursion to Oboro Village, Musashi and his students encounter rival ninjas and discover that the village is under attack. Master jumping, rolling, and other basic commands as you glide across the dojo and bamboo groves! Stage: The Chase When Ruse leaves Oboro Village alongside a colossal beast, Musashi gives chase atop Yamato. Race through this bonus stage while dodging flames, kunai, and other hazards! … and more! Digital Deluxe Edition Also Available! You can currently pre-order SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance on the PlayStation Store! Pre-order before 12:59 PM on August 29 (JST) to get 10%* off your purchase! The Digital Deluxe Edition is also available for pre-order, which includes the base game, a Starter Pack filled with in-game items, the SEGA Villains Stage (releasing early 2026), which features bosses based on iconic SEGA villains, Digital Art Book + Soundtrack. Contents of the Digital Deluxe Edition Base Game Digital Deluxe Upgrade Starter Pack (Ghost Outfit, Medic Lite Amulet, and In-Game Currency) SEGA Villains Stage (Coming Early 2026) Digital Artbook and Soundtrack *The PlayStation Store discount is only available for PlayStation Plus subscribers. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance Product Information: TitleSHINOBI: Art of VengeanceRelease DateAugust 29, 2025 (Fri)PlatformPlayStation®5 / PlayStation®4 *No physical version available for PlayStation®4LanguagesSubtitles: Japanese, English, Korean, Chinese (Traditional, Simplified)Websitehttps://asia.sega.com/shinobi-art-of-vengeance/en/CopyrightⒸSEGA View the full article