Commander Fury

If you’re new to PlayStation (or just looking to try a new game) you’re absolutely spoiled for choice with PlayStation Plus, which will let you dive into games which helped define PlayStation over the past 30 years. There are far too many games to cover in this humble feature, but here’s an extensive selection that is available for you to enjoy right now via PlayStation Plus. Over 30 games from 30 years? Better charge up your controllers… PlayStation ​​ Jumping Flash | Sony Computer Entertainment | Exact & Ultra | 1995 True revolutions in gaming don’t come around too often, but when a cute looking robotic rabbit by the name of Robbit leapt onto our screens, it helped pave the way for the future. Jumping Flash holds the Guinness World Record as the “first platform video game in true 3D”, which is even more impressive given it’s entirely from a first-person perspective. A real game changer. Twisted Metal | Sony Computer Entertainment | SingleTrac & Sony Interactive Studios | 1995 Demolition derbies in games weren’t all too common when Twisted Metal crashed onto the scene, mixing aggressive high impact driving with vehicular combat that redefined the entire genre. Between its deathmatch-style gameplay and the introduction of everyone’s favorite demonic ice cream truck driver Sweet Tooth, Twisted Metal paved the road for many others to follow. Tekken 2 | Namco | Namco | 1996 True, the original Tekken helped set the stage for the then fresh genre of 3D fighting games, but its sequel established the series as something that could truly go toe-to-toe with its rivals. Its hard-hitting cast and tight gameplay have become a staple of the genre. Not to mention the franchise holds the world record for the longest running story in video games without reboots, retcons, or revisions – that’s a lot of people being thrown from, off or into something from a great height. Resident Evil Director’s Cut | Capcom | Capcom | 1997 Horror has always had its place in gaming as far back as 3D Monster Maze in 1981, but it was Resident Evil which crafted the crimson blueprint for horror and all of its sub-genres, since. In particular, Capcom’s classic merged American horror movie schlock with innovative puzzles and genuinely brilliant – and now iconic – jump scares, all set against bleeding edge pre-rendered backgrounds. Survival horror has never been the same, and that’s exactly the way we like it. The original captivated and terrified players back in 1996. The Director’s Cut, featuring some gameplay tweaks, launched one year later. Ridge Racer Type 4 | Namco | Namco | 1999 A juggernaut amongst racing games, Ridge Racer had already established its rapidly earned credentials by the time Type 4 hit the track. So this particular entry solidified what everyone had already known or suspected with one of the best entries across the entire series. From its coin-op roots to a now expertly amalgamated engine of arcade driving and realism, Type 4 was Ridge Racer perfected. Ape Escape | Sony Computer Entertainment | Japan Studio | 1999 Not many knew what to make of this quirky and colorful platformer when it was first unveiled, but once it was in players’ hands, everything became wonderfully clear. Introducing the possibilities of the DualShock analog controller, Ape Escape’s innovative control scheme, playful visuals and downright cuteness stole the hearts of everyone who played it, just like the peppy primates of the series itself. PlayStation 2 Fantavision | Sony Computer Entertainment | Japan Studio | 2000 How many real-time firework themed puzzle games have you played? Chances are, when Fantavision first exploded into view, very few, if any at all. Still enchantingly novel after all these years, Japan Studio’s game was an unforgettable and spectacular showcase of particle effects on PS2. TimeSplitters | Eidos Interactive | Free Radical Design | 2000 First-person shooters were in somewhat of a renaissance by the time TimeSplitters arrived, in no small way due to the team behind it. Free Radical Design had the pedigree and talent to skilfully refine the punchy gameplay style and split-screen multiplayer modes that they already popularized, igniting the spark of a new fan-favorite franchise. Dark Cloud | Sony Computer Entertainment | Level-5 | 2001 Seeing the stunning looking Dark Cloud for the first time raised many questions – was it an RPG? A city builder? An action game? The answer? Yes. Inventively mixing genres with procedurally generated dungeon-crawling, Dark Cloud was ahead of its time, and a great demonstration of what PlayStation 2 could bring to our swiftly evolving medium. Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy | Sony Computer Entertainment | Naughty Dog | 2001 It’s easy to take for granted how much Jak and Daxter was doing under the hood of its bright, bold and brash sci-fi fantasy platform adventuring. But crafting an expansive and open 3D world full of puzzles, distinctive characters, and collectibles, without loading screens was no easy task. Naughty Dog not only pulled it off, but created a popular series with an incredibly dedicated audience. Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus | Sony Computer Entertainment | Sucker Punch Productions | 2002 Stealth games had become a massively popular genre in the early 2000s, but very few were deviating from the military espionage formula that had helped make it so big. In crept Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus, with its creative ‘toon shaded’ visuals and slick gameplay, proving it was possible to be seriously sneaky and stylish, without being solemn. PlayStation 3 Resistance: Fall of Man | Sony Computer Entertainment | Insomniac Games | 2006 Alternate World War II history, interstellar invaders and an engaging narrative – there was plenty to enjoy in Insomniac’s fan-favorite first-person shooter. Resistance: Fall of Man impressed not just as a launch title, but as the springboard for a number of superb sequels which followed. Play Video God of War III | Sony Computer Entertainment | Santa Monica Studio | 2010 *Note: GoW III Remastered released in 2015 on PS4 Before he became a dad, Kratos was chopping it up with the Greek Pantheon, his quest for vengeance arriving at its brutal third-part climax. Here, everything was bigger – the set pieces, violence and even the characters. The latter literally, given the immense visual spectacle of the game’s opening where Kratos fights a veritable army while on the back of the titan Gaia. The 2015 PS4 Remastered version is available to enjoy on PlayStation Plus. Play Video Heavy Rain | Sony Computer Entertainment | Quantic Dream | 2010 *Note: Heavy Rain released in 2016 on PS4 As a striking combination of impressive visual flair and arresting interactive cinematic gameplay, very few games were doing what Heavy Rain was doing when it launched on PS3. The thriller marked Quantic Dream as a developer to watch, handily helped by a horrifyingly brilliant in-game scene where one of the four protagonists is told to choose between a selection of sharp tools and then… well, if you know, you know. Play Video Assassin’s Creed Ezio Collection (PS4) | Ubisoft | Ubisoft Montreal | 2016 (Includes Assassin’s Creed 2 | Ubisoft | Ubisoft Montreal | 2009, Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood | Ubisoft | Ubisoft Montreal | 2010, Assassin’s Creed Revelations | Ubisoft | Ubisoft Montreal | 2011) Ubisoft’s stealth series has become legendary thanks to the deeds of one Ezio Auditore da Firenze, the protagonist of the franchise’s many entries. Capturing three of his major escapades from the PS3 era, Assassin’s Creed Ezio Collection is a series hitting its parkour platforming stride across rich open worlds and fascinating historical settings. Play Video Far Cry 3 | Ubisoft | Ubisoft Montreal | 2012 *Note: Far Cry 3 Classic Edition released in 2018 on PS4 Mixing the first-person shooter genre with an open world setting is a staple of the Far Cry series, but this sequel is where its potential became clear for its sequels. A densely crafted world of hostile wildlife, reactive human enemies, engaging missions, and smart progression systems all made for an impressive experience, elevated via an outstanding performance by Michael Mando as the game’s demented antagonist, Vaas. PSP Play Video LocoRoco | Sony Computer Entertainment | Japan Studio | 2006 *Note: LocoRoco Remastered released in 2017 on PS4 It’s impossible to describe LocoRoco without using the word “adorable”. Sure, its puzzle platforming, charmingly cartoony visuals and well-thought-out controls which used the shoulder buttons to help control the titular LocoRoco were all wonderful. But have you ever had colorful, wide-eyed blobs of joy serenade you as you play? Me neither. Play Video Patapon | Sony Computer Entertainment | Pyramid & Japan Studio | 2008 *Note: Patapon Remastered released in 2017 on PS4 While we’re on the topic of song, the wonderfully compelling pata-pata-pata-pon drum beat that accompanies this rhythm-based strategy signals one of the most delightfully weird games on PSP. Its endearing uniqueness earned two sequels and a PS4 remaster, so I know I’m not alone in my admiration. Play Video Echochrome | Sony Computer Entertainment | Will & Japan Studio | 2008 It’s not often you’ll see modern day visual and gameplay innovations in the puzzle genre, but the striking perspective changing, environment shifting mechanics of Echochrome not only achieves that feat, but remains one of the few games directly inspired by both artists M. C. Escher and Oscar Reutersvärd. PS Vita Play Video Gravity Rush | Sony Computer Entertainment | Japan Studio | 2012 *Note: Gravity Rush Remastered released in 2016 on PS4 Defying gravity? Just another day for Kat, a super powered amnesiac who simply wants to help the people of Hekseville and discover the mysteries of her past. Gravity Rush’s novel use of vertical based gameplay in an open world was a refreshing change of pace from other action-adventure games, turning combat scenarios into thrilling topsy-turvy capers. Play Video Hotline Miami | Devolver Digital | Dennaton Games | 2013 – also on PS3 “Do you like hurting other people?” asks a mysterious man in a chicken mask, early on in Hotline Miami. It’s a question that sets up one of the main themes of Dennaton Games’ frenetic, punishing and utterly compelling top-down shooter. Influencing many other titles in its wake, Hotline Miami remains one of the most successful indie games of all time, with an absolute all-timer of a soundtrack. The game eventually released on PS4 and PS5, which is available through PlayStation Plus. Play Video Tearaway | Sony Computer Entertainment | Media Molecule | 2013 *Note: Tearaway Unfolded released in 2015 on PS4 While Media Molecule made its mark with the iconic LittleBigPlanet, its step into the papercraft world of ValleyFold was as cute as it was creative. Tearaway delivered a parcel of delightfully different styles of gameplay, using the touchscreen, camera, and rear touch panel in a number of wildly inventive ways. This was mimicked via Tearaway Unfolded, an expanded version of the original launched on PS4, which used the DualShock 4 wireless controller in a similarly imaginative manner, and it’s this game that is available on PlayStation Plus. PlayStation 4 Play Video Bloodborne | Sony Computer Entertainment | FromSoftware | 2015 Bloodborne’s gothic city of Yharnam is not one you’d want to live in, with its terrifying beasts, cosmic horror, and otherworldly mysteries. And yet, there’s not a single one of us which would turn down the chance to return to its dark streets. FromSoftware’s classic and combat heavy action-adventure RPG stunned players on its arrival, and continues to draw acclaim via its masterful gameplay and unforgettable narrative. Play Video The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | CD Projekt | CD Projekt Red | 2015 Based on the hugely popular Andrzej Sapkowski fantasy novels and steeped in Slavic folklore, it didn’t take long for The Witcher 3 to be recognized as one of the greatest games of all time. Its rich and changing open world, complex narrative and spectacular visuals still remain some of the best in the genre, as witnessed in its enhanced PS5 port, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition, which launched in 2022. Play Video Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Naughty Dog | 2015 *Note: The Nathan Drake Collection released in 2015 on PS4 (Includes Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune | PS3 | Sony Computer Entertainment | Naughty Dog | 2007, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves | PS3 | Sony Computer Entertainment | Naughty Dog | 2009, Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception | PS3 | Sony Computer Entertainment | Naughty Dog | 2011) You didn’t think we’d forget about Nathan Drake, did you? Naughty Dog’s charismatic adventurer became a fast favorite with fans via his globe-trotting adventures that mixed shooting, stealth, combat, puzzles, platforming, exploration, massive set pieces, and wisecracks. This was one series that did it all, but never lost sight of the heartfelt storytelling that made it so successful. PS4’s Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection collected the first three titles. Play Video Shadow of the Colossus | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Bluepoint Games | 2018 Shadow of the Colossus was a technical marvel when it first hit PS2 in 2005. GenDesign stunned players with an expansive world inhabited by mysterious, towering creatures. Bluepoint Games’ remake in 2018 faithfully retold the tale for a new generation while capturing the beautiful melancholy of the original. The act of climbing colossi and puzzling out their weaknesses is still a wondrous experience today. The game’s twist ending and novel commentary on players’ habits for conquest help the understated narrative stand the test of time. Play Video God of War | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Santa Monica Studios | 2018 Heralded by a near-deafening roar of the E3 crowd on its 2016 reveal, God of War’s triumphant return signaled a new era for Kratos. While retaining the bone-crunching violence the series was known for, the thoughtful consideration of its consequences and effect on families developed the series into something which had grown up with Kratos in more ways than one. Play Video Final Fantasy VII Remake | Square Enix | Square Enix Business Division 1 | 2020 What would any list be without a Final Fantasy game? Returning to one of the most beloved RPGs ever made could have been a massive mistake, but Final Fantasy VII Remake put all fears to rest with a stunning and well considered version of the PlayStation original, expanding its story in surprising new ways. An enhanced version, Final Fantasy VII Intergrade, also hit PS5 a year later. Play Video Ghost of Tsushima | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Sucker Punch Productions | 2020 *Note: Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut released in 2021 on PS5 Visually gorgeous and narratively ferocious, Sucker Punch crafted an open world action-adventure that felt both fresh and lived in. It captured the flavor of classic Akira Kurosawa samurai movies, blending beauty with brutality, not being afraid to let you indulge in its quieter moments. Humanity, hot springs and haikus, slicing against swords, samurai and standoffs. PS5 Play Video Demon’s Souls | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Bluepoint Games | 2020 Remaking the PS3 action role-playing classic was a tall order that Bluepoint Games surmounted, enhancing its finely honed gameplay with new weapons, items, armour and features, while utilizing the power of PS5. Although still technically a predecessor to the likes of Dark Souls and Bloodborne, Demon’s Souls held its own in this modern revisit. Play Video Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Insomniac | 2020 Leaping onto PS5 to help the console’s launch back in 2020, this new adventure captured the spirited freedom and unbridled joy of web-swinging, and its confident storytelling, spectacular set pieces and amazing combat made for an experience that fans and newcomers alike just couldn’t put down. Play Video Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Insomniac | 2021 The adventures of the universe’s best Lombax and his robotic companion reached an outstanding high point showcasing the hardware grunt of PS5 via its near instantaneous portal travel and creative use of the DualSense wireless controller. Bright, breezy and offbeat, Insomniac’s bouncy shooter platformer was a delight for all. Play Video Returnal | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Housemarque | 2021 When narrative form and gameplay function merge into a seamless whole, the result can be utterly captivating, as seen in Returnal. Taking an ever-repeating-yet-different roguelike shooter structure and encasing it within a story about an astronaut trapped in a time loop, Housemarque’s casket of mysteries is a compelling voyage of literal self-discovery. Play Video The Last of Us: Part I | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Naughty Dog | 2022 Humanity. Trauma. Forgiveness. Naughty Dog’s powerful and haunting tale of a post-apocalyptic world stays with anyone who experiences it – and bringing it up to date on PS5 with enhanced visuals, combat, and enemy AI only made an action-adventure classic all the more essential. If you’ve only watched the staggeringly good TV series but not played the game, well, now there’s no excuse. View the full article

Valorant announces its newest initiator, Tejo – the well-dressed man of action – has officially joined the Agent roster. Hailing from Colombia, Tejo will undoubtedly shake up the gameplay with his unique kit that flushes out enemies using a top-down approach. Tejo requires you to analyze the situation mid-round and use abilities to help clear the way for your team strategically. Based on the enemy’s playstyle, where are they likely to be? Can you use their location to your advantage and get them in a vulnerable position? Play Video “We had a gameplay opportunity where we wanted to have an Initiator who thought of the map a little differently – more top-down instead of taking angles one by one. We wanted to try adding a couple of abilities with outputs like flushing that was really exciting for creating these windows of power,” noted Ryan “Rycou” Cousart, game designer for Tejo. Initiators need to do things precisely. We’ve all been there – looking up Agent guides on YouTube, heading to a custom to test out a lineup, ghosting through the walls to see if it landed correctly. Tejo offers Initiator players something different by being able to accurately place utilities using the map in more precisely targeted areas, instead of relying on the perfect-pixel lineups that some utilities with bigger footprints may rely on. This allows you to be more precise with what you want to do but with the trade-off of having a smaller area of impact. To effectively use his precise utility, Tejo needs some info — and like other Initiators, he’s good at gathering that info himself. “Since Tejo can provide information about where the enemies are, it allows him to be a lot more consistent with the value he can bring,” stated John Goscicki, Agent team lead. “Tejo is one of the few Initiators without a flash so he’ll be more effective with another Initiator like Breach or KAY/O where you can create these really fast, explosive takes.” The idea of this Agent being an Initiator who leads a team with strong game sense goes along with the perception of someone who is experienced on the battlefield and in life. “The phrase we used a lot was just ‘man of action.’ We’ve all seen the movies, read the books where you just see the dude in the button-up, in the blazer, just coming and destroying everyone,” noted Goscicki. “He’s the rugged professional – his shirt is unbuttoned and he’s ready for action. He’s not like Chamber where every detail about his attire matters to reinforce the idea of landing the perfect shot. Tejo is going to run in there through all the explosions and everything’s got to be loose, wavy, and comfortable.” Everyone can play Tejo but those with strategic game sense can make him really shine. Step up to the challenge and learn to use him to your advantage before everyone else. If the new Agent isn’t enough excitement already, check out the new PlayStation Plus offerings which include various in-game items, such as Snowball Gun Buddy, Celestial Player Card, Sentinels of Light Spray, Sovereign Spray, and Radianite Points. As Tejo would say, “We can stand around all day talking about killing them… or we just do it.” Valorant is free-to-play on PS5 now. View the full article

Happy New Year! Kick off your 2025 gaming sessions by taking on (and taking out) a league of corrupted super heroes and race on both sides of the law with the PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for January. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit and DEEEER Simulator: Your Average Everyday Deer Game launch January 7 for PlayStation Plus members*. Let’s take a closer look at the games. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League | PS5 Take down The Justice League yourself in single-player or team up with friends in multiplayer co-op in this genre-defying, action-adventure third-person shooter from Rocksteady Studios, creators of the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham series. Featuring an original narrative set within an expansive open-world city of Metropolis, the game puts the four DC Super-Villains on a collision course with an invading alien force and DC Super Heroes who are now laser-focused on destroying the city they once vowed to protect. All the while, the Suicide Squad must be mindful of the lethal explosives implanted in their heads that could go off at the first sign of defiance. Each squad member has their own unique moveset with enhanced traversal abilities to freely explore the dynamic open-world of Metropolis, along with a variety of weapons to customize, and skills to master. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered | PS4 Feel the thrill of the chase and the rush of escape in Need for Speed Hot Pursuit. Unleash a savage sense of speed both as an outlaw and a cop in the world’s hottest high-performance cars. Outsmart the heat or take down lawbreakers with the tactical weaponry at your disposal in a heart-pumping, socially competitive racing experience. Updated with enhanced visuals, cross-platform multiplayer – including the asynchronous competition powered by Autolog – plus all additional DLC content, this is the ultimate edition of Criterion Games’ critically acclaimed Need for Speed debut. It’s time to reignite the pursuit. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image DEEEER Simulator: Your Average Everyday Deer Game | PS4 DEEEER Simulator is a game in which you take on the role of your average, everyday deer. Use your stretchy neck, your stabby horns, and everything a deer has in its arsenal to tear through the city. Frolic and play with the other animals or decimate the city till there’s nothing left in this “slow-life town destruction game”. Get up to enough naughtiness and you’ll have to face off against some extra-tough animal police. Kung fu master sheep, bears who transform into police cars, and rabbits with ridiculously over-developed ears… They’re all out to get you! Live life as a deer in the city and unleash your true potential! And don’t forget to uncover the dark secret behind the city… All three games will be available to PlayStation Plus members on January 7 until February 3. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Last chance to download December’s games PlayStation Plus members have until January 6 to add It Takes Two, Aliens: Dark Descent and Temtem to their game libraries. *PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup may differ in certain regions. Please check the PlayStation Store on launch day for your region’s lineup. View the full article

Happy New Year! Kick off your 2025 gaming sessions by taking on (and taking out) a league of corrupted super heroes, race on both sides of the law and escape office life with the PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for January. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit and The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe launch January 7 for PlayStation Plus members*. Let’s take a closer look at the games. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League | PS5 Take down The Justice League yourself in single-player or team up with friends in multiplayer co-op in this genre-defying, action-adventure third-person shooter from Rocksteady Studios, creators of the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham series. Featuring an original narrative set within an expansive open-world city of Metropolis, the game puts the four DC Super-Villains on a collision course with an invading alien force and DC Super Heroes who are now laser-focused on destroying the city they once vowed to protect. All the while, the Suicide Squad must be mindful of the lethal explosives implanted in their heads that could go off at the first sign of defiance. Each squad member has their own unique moveset with enhanced traversal abilities to freely explore the dynamic open-world of Metropolis, along with a variety of weapons to customize, and skills to master. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered | PS4 Feel the thrill of the chase and the rush of escape in Need for Speed Hot Pursuit. Unleash a savage sense of speed both as an outlaw and a cop in the world’s hottest high-performance cars. Outsmart the heat or take down lawbreakers with the tactical weaponry at your disposal in a heart-pumping, socially competitive racing experience. Updated with enhanced visuals, cross-platform multiplayer – including the asynchronous competition powered by Autolog – plus all additional DLC content, this is the ultimate edition of Criterion Games’ critically acclaimed Need for Speed debut. It’s time to reignite the pursuit. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe | PS4, PS5 The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe is an expanded re-imagining of the critically acclaimed, award winning indie game The Stanley Parable from 2013. Everything that was in the original Stanley Parable is here, preserved just like it was back in 2013. But The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe also dramatically expands the world of the original game with new content, new choices, and new secrets to uncover. The labyrinth has just gotten bigger. In addition, the game has been visually upgraded to reflect modern technology while faithfully preserving the tone of the original game. Accessibility features have also been added to the game, including localization of in-world text, colorblind options, and content warnings. And just as before, the impeccable voicework of Kevan Brighting will accompany you every step of the way. All three games will be available to PlayStation Plus members on January 7 until February 3. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Last chance to download December’s games PlayStation Plus members have until January 6 to add It Takes Two, Aliens: Dark Descent and Temtem to their game libraries. *PlayStation Plus Game Catalog lineup may differ in certain regions. Please check the PlayStation Store on launch day for your region’s lineup. View the full article

We’re already at the end of 2024? They say time flies when you’re having fun, and boy, did we ever have a blast this year. We started with top-notch RPGs Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, dove headfirst into the multiplayer chaos of Helldivers II, enjoyed gorgeous combat in Stellar Blade, went on a nostalgia trip with Astro Bot, revisited old gaming grounds in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree and Silent Hill 2 and so much more. But with a new year comes the promise of many new gaming experiences, and the first four months of 2025 are already jam-packed with standout titles. Let’s look at some of the great games you’ll have the opportunity to experience in the next few months. Note: all release dates are subject to change. January 17 | Dynasty Warriors: Origins Play Video Gaming’s most epic retelling of the historical Three Kingdoms saga returns in its most ambitious entry yet. Dynasty Warriors: Origins begins at the start of the story, as a new martial artist hero encounters the soon-to-be-legendary figures Guan Yu and Zhang Jiao just as history takes drastic turns. Origins features the most detailed battlefields in the series to date, each one packed with soldiers that you and your allies must overcome with a mix of action and strategy. Whether you’re a fresh-faced recruit or a seasoned Warriors expert, Origins is bound to surprise and exhilarate with story and action. Publisher: Koei Tecmo | Developer: Omega Force | PS5 January 23 | Synduality: Echo of Ada Play Video Mecha combat and exploration combine in a gorgeous but dangerous post-apocalyptic third-person shooter. Based in the same universe as the Synduality: Noir anime, Echo of Ada is a stand-alone story based in a future where the remnants of humanity have been forced into small clusters due to the double threat of deadly rainfall and the vicious creature it spawns. As an apprentice Drifter, you use a mech called a Cradlecoffin to collect essential energy sources, accompanied by an intelligent and powerful AI called a Magus. Customize your mecha and use Magus’s abilities to conquer the fierce Ender creatures and other players. Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment | Developer: Game Studio | PS5 January 30 | Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Play Video Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, the acclaimed, award-winning sequel, is swinging on over to PCs early next year. This game is a web-slinging open-world adventure on the streets and in the skies around New York City. It stars Peter Parker and Miles Morales, two of the greatest to don the Spider-suit. They’ll use a repertoire of skills and gadgetry–along with the fan-beloved symbiote suit–to battle Kraven and his gang of Hunters. Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Developer: Insomniac Games | PC February 11 | Sid Meier’s Civilization VII Play Video Strategy fans, get ready for the game that will consume you. Yes, the legendary Civilization series has returned. Once again, you’ll lead your little pocket of humanity to grow and thrive over the ages into a culture envied the world over. Choose one of three distinct historical ages–Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern–each offering bespoke gameplay elements and playable civilizations–and confront a challenging Crisis before moving into the next historical period. With leaders, you can choose to be independent of your civilization, follow the path of established history, or veer off into wild what-if scenarios. Publisher: 2K | Developer: Firaxis Games | PS5, PS4 February 14 | Assassin’s Creed Shadows Play Video One of the most beloved and revered series in gaming returns with a new setting, dual protagonists, and all of the mystery and intrigue you’ve come to expect. Set in Sengoku-era Japan, you’ll control both female ninja Naoe and samurai warrior Yasuke in an ever-changing open world filled with friends, foes, quests, and secrets. Not only will you use the series’ trademark stealth elements to explore and take down foes and targets, but you’ll also be able to utilize new tools and wield various traditional Japanese weapons. Your skills and senses will prove as essential to victory as your prowess with the blade. Publisher: Ubisoft | Developer: Ubisoft | PS5 February 14 | Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered Play Video It’s time to revisit an oft-forgotten period in the history of one of gaming’s leading ladies. Lara Croft returns to the spotlight with three more remasters of vintage Tomb Raider titles. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation, Tomb Raider Chronicles, and Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness. Besides a host of graphical improvements and a choice between classic and modern controls, players will have access to a brand-new photo mode with plenty of poses and outfits to create cool, stylish showcases for Lara. Publisher: Aspyr | Developer: Crystal Dynamics | PS5, PS4 February 21 | Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Play Video Longtime followers of the Like a Dragon saga know that Mad Dog Goro Majima has typically been slightly strange. His latest escapade, however, is wickedly bizarre even by Majima’s standards. After getting stuck on a faraway island and losing his memories, Majima emerges as a new man: a scoundrel of the seas! But since he’s still Majima at heart, prepare for delightfully unhinged seafaring beatdowns. Use Majima’s Mad Dog and Sea Dog combat styles to lay the smackdown on punks on the shores of Honolulu and Madlantis, or take to the seas for really old-school cannon combat…alongside all the odd jobs, minigames, and karaoke you’ve come to love from the series. Publisher: Sega | Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio | PS5, PS4 February 28 | Monster Hunter Wilds Play Video No matter where you go in the vast universe of Monster Hunter, there’s no shortage of really, really big game to take down. When a region is called Forbidden Lands, you know it’s probably bad news–and everyone thought it was completely uninhabitable. That is, until a young boy from the Forbidden Lands shows up, saying that a monster called the White Wraith ransacked a previously unknown settlement. Time to grab your weapons and gear to hunt down that sucker (and a whole rogue’s gallery of nasty critters). Whether you hunt in the Forbidden Lands solo or online with companions, you’re bound to have a thrilling adventure. Publisher: Capcom | Developer: Capcom | PS5 March 6 | Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars Play Video Staging a rebellion against a corrupt government isn’t easy, but the odds look slightly better when you’ve got 107 friends standing behind you. Suikoden I & II HD Remaster is a collection of two of the original PlayStation’s finest turn-based RPGs, each featuring a twist-filled story of conflict, heartbreak, friendship, and perseverance in times of war and strife. In both games, you’ll go from a small band of rebels to building a formidable fortress by recruiting members of the 108 Stars of Destiny, warriors, wizards, and lovable weirdos who unite under your banner to fight for your cause. Publisher: Konami | Developer: Konami | PS5, PS4 March 25 | Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of The Rings Game Play Video What if you could just spend your days among happy little hobbits in the lush green lands of the Shire? That’s the question answered by Tales of the Shire, a cozy little life-sim game focused on the daily existence of delightful little demi-humanoid hobbits. Travel to the village of Bywater and enjoy some of the finest fishing, crop-raising, foraging, and culinary delights the Shire has to offer, taking in the sights and sounds of daily life–all while getting to know your fellow hairy-footed neighbors better. Publisher: Private Division | Developer: Weta Workshop | PS5 April 21 | Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image One of the longest-running, most beloved fighting game series of all time returns in a big way. Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves brings the saga of Terry Bogard, Rock Haward, and the eclectic citizens of Southtown back to center stage with gorgeous new visuals, finely-tuned combat, and an all-new Rev system that enhances movement and offense options. The cast of characters includes returning favorites like Mai Shiranui, Joe Higashi, and B. Jenet, newcomers like Preecha and Vox Reaper, and Street Fighter guest stars Ken and Chun-Li. Longtime Fatal Fury fans and newcomers alike will enjoy City of Wolves’ stylish visuals, fast-paced gameplay, and cinematic presentation. Publisher: SNK | Developer: SNK | PS5,PS4 To discover more anticipated games of 2025, head to playstation.com. View the full article

Sure, the exhilarating thrills of 2025 are close to being loaded onto our screens within moments, but there’s still time to bask in the glories that 2024 brought. From brilliant Bots and a beautifully blocky LEGO world, to epic fantasy adventures and remastered classics, there’s been everything for everyone. A year of expansive RPGs Play Video It was an enchanting 12 months for massive and magical lands full of spell casting heroes, pointed ears and sky dwelling towns. Persona creators Atlas stepped into a brave new world with its fantastical Metaphor ReFantazio, and with it scooped an abundance of well-deserved praise thanks to its thoughtful combat mechanics, slick presentation and that battle theme. Play Video Similarly, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth aced the unenviable task of reimagining one of the most influential RPGs of all time and maintaining the momentum of its prior, the massively successful Final Fantasy VII Remake. Sticking with the fantastic, fast-paced action RPG Granblue Fantasy: Relink delivered some much-welcomed co-op combat to go with its sprawling story, while Dragon Age: The Veilguard rounded out the year with a hugely compelling quest and a suitably stirring soundtrack by composer royalty Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe. Play Video On a slightly more grounded level – well, relatively speaking – Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth provided some punch to any RPG fans who preferred mean streets over spell sheets, via its entertaining combat system and fun expansion of the rich Yakuza universe. A year of classic remasters Not to be outdone by the onslaught of new titles inspiring imaginations, there were an impressive array of classics coming back with more than just a fresh lick of paint. Which was more than appropriate for Disney’s Epic Mickey, which saw the iconic mouse return with new abilities to match his beautifully updated visuals. Play Video Speaking of icons, Lara Croft fans had a treasure trove of familiar delights to unearth in Tomb Raider I–III Remastered, and she wasn’t the only one resurfacing archaeological wonders, either. Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged brought back George Stobbart and Nico Collard’s quest to discover the arcane secrets of the Knights Templar in a 4K enhanced version of the adventure favourite. Play Video In galaxies a bit farther afield, Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster and Beyond Good & Evil – 20th Anniversary Edition both delivered on sci-fi delights across the FPS and action-adventure genres, respectively – with an equally epic turnout in fan-favourite fantasy RPGs via Grandia HD Collection and Persona 3 Reload. Oh, and for the players craving remastered zombie action? Capcom had its finger on the trigger, as Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster lumbered onto our screens with an array of… well, brainy improvements. Actually, while we’re on the subject of horror… A year of horror and retro-inspired scares Play Video While many remasters sent hearts aflutter, there were a sprinkling of games returning to give other hearts a real jolt. Silent Hill 2 stepped out of the mists in frightening form with a stunning remake that took us back to nightmarish encounters with Pyramid Head, albeit with a high presentational fidelity that only enhanced the unforgettable story. Play Video There was also a creepy cavalcade of new titles that were just as powerful at making the hairs on your controller-holding arms stand up on end. For those who love retro touches, Crow Country perfectly wrapped timeless survival horror gameplay within the familiar 1990s PlayStation visual style. Similarly, Fear the Spotlight played with an old school aesthetic to give its creepy narrative an intense edge, while the ‘80s also made a comeback via the amusing and disturbing asymmetrical multiplayer thrills of Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game, based on the 1988 cult classic movie. Play Video If you preferred a more modern scare, Still Wakes the Deep delivered a well written, utterly haunting and claustrophobic psychological – and cosmic tinged – horror. Although going full cosmic was also terrifyingly easy with the in-your-face frights of VR combat adventure Alien: Rogue Incursion. And in your living room, everyone can hear you scream… A year of character platformers Play Video Making a mark on the platform genre isn’t easy, but 2024 provided a blueprint that we’ll all be eager for others to follow in the future. Of course, the big flag bearer this year has been the endlessly inventive and charming Astro Bot. Team Asobi’s fun and feature-packed adventure became an instant classic due to its imaginative level design, wonderful use of the DualSense wireless controller and some unforgettable cameos. Play Video But let’s not forget a couple of slick sleeper hits, either. Another Crab’s Treasure introduced us to the aquatic Soulslike action-adventure world of Kril, an irate hermit crab capable of using the discarded junk around him as weapons and armour. On the slightly breezier side, Penny’s Big Breakaway was a bright and colourful callback to an era of kinetic and fast-paced platformers, with the titular hero out to clear her name while being pursued by Emperor Eddie’s army of madcap penguins. It’s exactly as wild as it sounds. A year of creative art design Play Video 2024 also played host to some of the most memorable looking games that not only had a distinct visual identity, but also played well, too. The beautifully crafted stop-motion animation of Harold Halibut contributed to its 10-year development process, with physical dioramas scanned into the game, resulting in a striking aesthetic for the charming graphic adventure. Play Video The powerful use of colour and contrast were the visual hallmarks of beautiful puzzle-driven platformer Neva, while slapstick adventure Thank Goodness You’re Here! leaned entirely into its absurdist humour with a bright and bold style reminiscent of classic – and equally eccentric – British comedy comic books. Play Video Also coming in bold, but additionally blocky, was LEGO Horizon Adventures, a playful spin on Horizon Zero Dawn. Its visual inventiveness was highlighted by the revelation that everything you see in the game, including its imposing and impressive machines, can be built using real world LEGO bricks and sets. Play Video Which games and their appropriate trends were your favourites for 2024? View the full article

Hello everyone! 2024 was another incredible year for indie games, and today, I’m very excited to share 11 of my favorite titles that were released on PlayStation this year. Pacific Drive Pacific Drive is a ‘road-lite’ survival game, where you navigate a stormy, mysterious forest with your car as your only companion. Each time you set off on an excursion, your car will slowly breakdown due to strange anomalies, and you must return safely back to your garage. Otherwise, you’re required to start over. You can restore and upgrade your car with resources gathered during your runs. Each trip into the wilderness is unique and randomized, which makes the gameplay all the more engrossing and addicting. Animal Well The pixel-art world of this beautiful game feels nostalgic yet somehow completely novel, with its surreal lighting that illuminates the map. Animal Well is a Metroidvania with a world filled with endless surprises. The sense of accomplishment you’ll feel after conquering its challenging platform sections and cryptic puzzles is truly unique and exhilarating. V Rising The massively popular vampire survival PC game is now available on PlayStation. Players awaken as weakened vampires and hunt for the blood of enemies and animals to regain strength and acquire their powers to conquer the map. As vampires, players are vulnerable to sunlight. You must hide in the shadows and avoid sun exposure in order to survive during the daytime. SCHiM When you were a child, did you ever pretend that you could only move around by jumping from shadow to shadow? SCHiM allows you to relive those nostalgic moments by playing as a frog-like creature who can only navigate the map by hopping between shadows. It’s also a visually stunning game with its unique color pallet and art style. The Plucky Squire Plucky Squire is a charming action adventure where you jump between 2D and 3D worlds. One moment, you’re enjoying a 2D action game inside the pages of a storybook, but the next second, you’re embarking on an adventure in the outside 3D realm, and before you know it, you’re back inside the book, solving puzzles. Full of delightful gimmicks, the game delivers an experience that players of all ages can enjoy. Palworld An indie game coming from Japan, Palworld is an open world, crafting and survival game full of adorable creatures (Pals), that took the gaming world by storm. The gameplay loop of collecting Pals, expanding your base, and venturing out further out into the world is very addicting and hard to put down. Neva The latest title from the visionary team behind GRIS, a beautiful yet heartbreaking adventure game released back in 2018. Neva chronicles the story of the player and a wolf cub, Neva, who together embark on a journey through a vibrant world that progresses from season to season. The story is told without dialogue, and the ending will move you to tears. Fear the Spotlight Fear the Spotlight is an atmospheric horror adventure featuring a retro low-polygon art style reminiscent of the original PlayStation era. Two teenage girls sneak into school after hours, only to be separated by disturbing paranormal activities. They must solve puzzles and stay out of sight of the monster who wanders the hall to be safely reunited. Slitterhead From the mind of Keiichiro Toyama, the legendary creator behind Siren and Gravity Rush. During the ‘90s, Kowlong, Hong Kong, is faced with a series of gruesome murders. The player is a body-less entity that possess NPCs roaming the streets in order to battle Slitterheads, a monster that feasts on human brains. Finishing off the monsters as ordinary middle-aged men and women is an absolute blast. Nine Sols A new game brought to life by Red Candle Games, the studio behind Detention and Devotion. Taking inspiration from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Nine Sols is a hardcore action game centered on deflection-based combat. Pulling off a perfect parry and counterattack is tremendously rewarding and invigorating. The atmosphere blends cyberpunk with ancient Chinese mythology and Taoism, is also unique and fascinating. Balatro A fusion of poker and roguelike? You might think, “What’s that?” But once you start, you won’t be able to stop. This worldwide hit game is the creation of a single developer. Incredible! View the full article

Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com! Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or download here Hello folks! This week, the crew shares their favorite games of the year in the final show of 2024. Plus, Kristen returns to share her top games from past PlayStation console generations to celebrate the 30th anniversary. Thank you to all the developers who made this such a special year in gaming and to all the listeners for coming along for the ride. Here’s to a great year in gaming for 2025! Stuff We Talked About Listeners and developers share their favorite PlayStation games to mark the 30th anniversary Kristen highlights her top games through past PlayStation console generations 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 get in the holiday spirit with the newly released Winter Wonter level of Astro Bot, and share moments exploring using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights: VrPhotoGamess shares Astro surrounded by jingle bells in the Festive Fellow outfit. MdeavorVP shares Astro in the Festive Fellow outfit gliding down a rail CaGamer_07 shares Astro in the Festive Fellow outfit next to a snowman in an igloo Pfannkuchenns shares Astro posing in a photo spot while reindeer and a present-filled sleigh fly by doodlecep shares Astro in the Festive Fellow costume jumping beside a decorated tree MBaw96 shares the animal bots gathered underneath festive Astro fireworks Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week? THEME: Share of the Year SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on December 31, 2024 Next time, we’re looking back at an amazing year of gaming. Share your favorite moment captured in a game you played in 2024 using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured in Share of the Year. View the full article

Hello Travelers. The Genshin Impact dev team is delighted to embark on another year of adventures with you in the world of Teyvat. Along with our heartfelt New Year’s wishes, we’re excited to share that Version 5.3, Incandescent Ode of Resurrection, will be arriving on January 1. Starting from the first day of 2025, it’s time to team up with Mavuika, the Pyro Archon, and Citlali, in the final battles against the Abyss looming over Natlan. While the people of Natlan gather to turn the tide of their long war, the people of Liyue reunite for the annual Lantern Rite to embrace a new year. The new character, Lan Yan, and many old friends are waiting in Liyue to light up the night sky with Xiao Lanterns. To spice up the annual celebration, bountiful rewards are available for you to claim, including Primogems ×1,600 and the new glider Wings of Fate’s Course Intertwined via in-game mail, Intertwined Fate ×10 via a daily login event, a free 4-star Liyue character via completing the Lantern Rite event, and a new outfit for Xiangling via accumulating Festive Fever in the event. Blaze a radiant path, burn away the shadowy swaths After a brief respite, the final battle is at hand. Warriors, blessed by the guidance and protection of the Ode of Resurrection, will stand against the monsters rising from the Abyss in the newest Archon Quest Chapter V: Act V Incandescent Ode of Resurrection. Alongside Mavuika, Citlali, and other warriors, every effort, including the power of the Ruler of Death, will be devoted to banishing the darkness that threatens to swallow the land, no matter the cost. Additionally, the power of Pyro will finally be granted to the Traveler at a pivotal moment. To boost your combat abilities for the final battle, travel to the cave near the Masters of the Night-Wind. There, you will encounter the Wayward Hermetic Spiritspeaker, a powerful Boss, who can move quickly and conjure up multiple clones in battle. Once you have proven your worth, another formidable Weekly Boss — the Lord of Eroded Primal Fire, the Abyssal Mimic Dragon awaits your challenge. Additionally, the Pyro Traveler may gain unexpected advantages in this battle. The Radiant Sun and Obsidian Star Two ladies who will shine in the legendary war to come may be recruited to your party as 5-star playable characters: Mavuika, the Pyro Archon and a claymore wielder, and Citlali, the most powerful shaman of her tribe and a Cryo catalyst user. Both illuminate their people’s paths with centuries of wisdom, exploration, know-how, and battle prowess. From a little girl of the Scions of the Canopy to the Pyro Archon who dazzles and protects all of Natlan like the sun, Mavuika’s journey has never been easy. Yet, she never wavered. Upon completing the latest Archon Quest, Mavuika’s Story Quest will be unlocked. In combat, Mavuika can crush her opponents with her claymore or charge into battle on her Flamestrider, a one-of-a-kind construct in Teyvat. Her Elemental Skill can summon the All-Fire Armaments, which can take on two forms. Tap to cast “Divine Name Unleashed,” and the Armaments become Rings of Searing Radiance, following Mavuika or the active character and dealing constant Nightsoul-aligned Pyro DMG. Alternatively, hold to unleash Ancient Name Unbound, transforming her All-Fire Armaments into the Flamestrider. When Mavuika mounts the Flamestrider, she can deal Pyro DMG to opponents in her path. Meanwhile, if nearby party members hit opponents with their Normal Attacks or consume Nightsoul points, she can accumulate Fighting Spirit. When her Fighting Spirit exceeds a certain amount, she can use her Elemental Burst to enter the Nightsoul’s Blessing state, mounting her Flamestrider to perform a powerful AoE Pyro attack. With her Elemental Burst, Mavuika will also enter the Crucible of Death and Life state, boosting her abilities and making her more resistant to interruption. The Flamestrider is not only a weapon but also a versatile tool for exploration. Equipped with a hidden backup propulsion module, it allows Mavuika to scale cliffs, charge across rugged terrain and waters, and glide in mid-air. In addition, having Mavuika in your party will decrease the party’s Nightsoul Transmission cooldown by 20%. The Flamestrider blazes across the land, unrestrained and proud, a testament to her unyielding spirit. Carried on the wind, the memory of a young lady’s confident words lingers: “I can shoot those cornflakes in your kitchen from right here.” The sun shines brilliantly, yet the stars never cease to glow at night. As the most powerful shaman of the Masters of the Night-Wind, Citlali can sense changes in the Ley Lines and feel the wounds across all of Natlan from their long war with the Abyss. Due to the damage sustained by the Night Kingdom in the war, she has been aiding the lost wandering souls who can no longer return to it. In her downtime, the respected “Granny Itztli” may prefer to stay in her remote abode alone, surrounded by light novels and snacks. She is also accompanied by her little companions Itzpapa and Citlalin, who not only add comfort as cushions and pillows but also provide various forms of support in combat and exploration. In combat, Citlali can deploy shields and summon Itzpapa with her Elemental Skill. When her Nightsoul points exceed a certain amount, Itzpapa will deal AoE Cryo DMG to nearby opponents. Her Elemental Burst summons both little companions and creates a Spiritvessel Skull. When the skull explodes, it will deal Nightsoul-aligned Cryo DMG and restore a fixed amount of Nightsoul points to Citlali. Additionally, when Citlali is in the Nightsoul’s Blessing state, enemies hit by Frozen or Melt reactions have reduced Pyro and Hydro RES. She can maintain her Nightsoul’s Blessing state to buff the party when you switch to other characters in battle. Team up for another year of adventure Elsewhere in Teyvat, Liyue is currently basking in warmth and harmony as its people prepare for the arrival of Lantern Rite and the new year. In the streets of Liyue, you may encounter a new character, Lan Yan, an Anemo catalyst user, along with many familiar faces, some of whom will debut with fresh new looks in the upcoming update. The new 4-star character, Lan Yan, is a descendant and inheritor of the renowned Qimen Arts. She is a graceful and nimble artisan, lauded as a master craftsman in the Chenyu Vale Artisans Association. In combat, Lan Yan wields the Swallow-Wisp Shield, a secret art passed down through her family for generations. When she dashes forward and hits a target, she leaps backward into the air. Furthermore, this dash attack changes the Elemental Type of her shield to Hydro, Pyro, Cryo, or Electro, allowing it to absorb the corresponding Elemental DMG and deal the corresponding Elemental DMG in return. For Version 5.3 Event Wishes, the first phase will feature the debuts of Mavuika and Citlali, while the second phase brings reruns of Arlecchino and Clorinde, alongside the debut of Lan Yan. To recruit more Liyue characters, players can complete special festival requirements to invite one free 4-star Liyue character, including Lan Yan. Additionally, some 5-star Liyue characters, including Ganyu and others, can be obtained through a new round of Chronicled Wish. More fun events await you Meeting friends is exciting, and participating in fun events doubles the joy. In Lantern Rite, try the mini-game Custom Gift Envelope to design envelopes tailored to your companions’ unique preferences. Plus, don’t forget to create envelopes filled with wishes for friends, family, or other Travelers, sealing your thoughts and memories into these tokens of affection. Also try out Immortal Combat, a Tetris-like game that allows you to use Rattan Figures to gain buffs and defeat opponents. Or try Drills by Lamplight, where you make use of stratagems during battle to boost your score. Dive into these mini-games and gather more Festive Fever to unlock a trove of exciting rewards including Xiangling’s new outfit, New Year’s Cheer. Additionally, Hu Tao’s new outfit, Cherries Snow-Laden, will be on sale with a limited-time discount. The festive cheer manifests through music as well. With Repertoire of Myriad Melodies, the rhythm game feature is now added as a permanent mode and you can start playing, composing, and sharing your custom scores anytime with a special Gadget in your inventory. Want to take on some super-tough battles? In “On the Trail of Behemoths,” you can take on challenges of different difficulties and face off against four powerful Bosses solo or with a friend. Last but not least, we want to say thank you to everyone who joined us on this fantastic journey in Teyvat! Together, we’ve created so many wonderful memories. Now, it’s time to release the Xiao Lanterns and celebrate Lantern Rite again. It’s also the perfect moment to ignite your inner fire and boldly embrace the as-yet-unknown, exciting adventures awaiting us in the year ahead. View the full article

Undecided on your gaming plans for the holidays? Let PlayStation Store help with a sleigh-full of discounted delights! We’re rounding off 2024 with one of the biggest promotions of the year, featuring numerous games and DLC, all reduced for a limited time*. That includes the likes of EA Sports FC 25, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, NBA 2K25 and God of War Ragnarök. And there are many more. So many, in fact, we can’t fit the entire list here. Preview a selection of the offers below, then, when the promotion starts on December 20, head to PlayStation Store to find out your regional discount. A Plague Tale: Innocence A Plague Tale: Requiem AEW: Fight Forever After the Fall® – Complete Edition Afterimage PS4 & PS5 Agatha Christie – Murder on the Orient Express Age of Wonders 4 Akimbot Among Us VR Angry Birds VR: Isle of Pigs Anno 1800™ Console Edition – Standard Another Crab’s Treasure Arizona Sunshine® 2 Arizona Sunshine® Remake ARK: Survival Ascended ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON – Deluxe Edition PS4&PS5 ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON PS4&PS5 Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure Assassin’s Creed Mirage & Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Bundle Assassin’s Creed Mirage Master Assassin Edition Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – Complete Edition Assassin’s Creed® Mirage Assetto Corsa Competizione ASTRO BOT ASTRO BOT Digital Deluxe Edition Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key (PS4 & PS5) Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key Ultimate Edition (PS4 & PS5)… Atlas Fallen: Reign of Sand Atomic Heart – Premium Edition (PS4 & PS5) Atomic Heart (PS4 & PS5) Avatar The Last Airbender: Quest for Balance Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora™ Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora™ Ultimate Edition Back 4 Blood: Standard Edition PS4 & PS5 Back 4 Blood: Ultimate Edition PS4 & PS5 Baldur’s Gate 3 Baldur’s Gate 3 – Digital Deluxe Edition Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden Barbie Project Friendship™ Bassmaster® Fishing PS4™ and PS5™ Battlefield™ 2042 PS5 Beyond Galaxyland (PS4 & PS5) Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition Bleak Faith: Forsaken BloodRayne 2: ReVamped Bloomtown: A Different Story Bluey: The Videogame Borderlands 3 PS4™ & PS5™ Borderlands 3: Super Deluxe Edition PS4™ & PS5™ Borderlands Collection: Pandora’s Box Braid, Anniversary Edition Bramble: The Mountain King Bratz™: Flaunt Your Fashion Breachers Brotato PS4 & PS5 Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 – Cross-Gen Bundle Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 – Vault Edition Call of Duty®: Vanguard – Cross-Gen Bundle Caravan SandWitch CARRION CATAN® – Console Edition Super Deluxe Chernobylite Complete Edition Chivalry 2 King’s Edition PS4 & PS5 Cities: Skylines – Remastered Clock Tower: Rewind COCOON CONSCRIPT – Digital Deluxe Edition Construction Simulator – Gold Edition Contra: Operation Galuga PS4 & PS5 Core Keeper Creature Lab Cricket 24 Crime Boss: Rockay City CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION DIGITAL DELUXE EDITION PS4 & PS5 CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION PS4 & PS5 Crown Wars – Sacred Edition Crusader Kings III: Royal Edition Cult of the Lamb Cult of the Lamb: Unholy Edition CYGNI: All Guns Blazing Darkwood Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle Dead by Daylight PS4® & PS5® Dead Island 2 Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster Dead Space DEATHLOOP Deluxe Edition Deep Rock Galactic PS4 & PS5 Demeo Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles PS4 & PS5 Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles Ultimate Edition Destroy All Humans! 2 – Reprobed: Dressed to Skill Edition Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition Diablo® IV – Expansion Bundle Diablo® IV – Standard Edition Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons Dragon Age™: The Veilguard DRAGON BALL FighterZ PS4 & PS5 DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE 2 DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT Legendary Edition Dragon’s Dogma 2 Deluxe Edition DREDGE – Digital Deluxe Edition Dungeons 4 Dying Light 2 Stay Human PS4&PS5 DYNASTY WARRIORS 9 Empires DYNASTY WARRIORS 9 Empires Deluxe Edition DYSMANTLE EA SPORTS FC™ 25 Standard Edition PS4 & PS5 EA SPORTS™ College Football 25 EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL 25 EA SPORTS™ MVP Bundle (Madden NFL 25 Deluxe Edition & College Football 25 Deluxe Edition)… EA SPORTS™ PGA TOUR™ EA SPORTS™ WRC 24 EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 6 DELUXE EDITION PS4 & PS5 EARTH DEFENSE FORCE: WORLD BROTHERS 2 PS4 & PS5 Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes Empire of the Ants Enotria: The Last Song – Deluxe edition Escape Academy Evil West Exoprimal PS4 & PS5 Expeditions: A MudRunner Game – Supreme Edition (PS4 & PS5) Expeditions: A MudRunner Game (PS4 & PS5) Fabledom Fallout 4 Far Cry® 6 Game of the Year Edition FAR CRY®6 Standard Edition PS4 & PS5 FATAL FRAME: Maiden of Black Water PS4 & PS5 FATAL FRAME: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse (PS4 & PS5) Fate/Samurai Remnant Digital Deluxe Edition(PS4 & PS5) Fate/Samurai Remnant(PS4 & PS5) Fernbus Coach Simulator FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE & REBIRTH Twin Pack FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE Digital Deluxe Edition FINAL FANTASY XVI FINAL FANTASY XVI COMPLETE EDITION First Responder Simulation Bundle: Police Firefighting Forspoken Fort Solis Funko Fusion Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed Ecto Edition Ghostrunner Ghostrunner 2 Ghostrunner 2 Brutal Edition Ghostwire: Tokyo Deluxe Edition Gloomhaven Gold Edition Goat Simulator 3 God of War Ragnarök Gotham Knights Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising Deluxe Edition Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising Standard Edition Granblue Fantasy: Relink Digital Deluxe Edition Granblue Fantasy: Relink Special Edition Granblue Fantasy: Relink Standard Edition Grand Rush VR Highway Car Traffic Racing Simulator Grand Theft Auto V (PlayStation®5) Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition (PS5 & PS4) GreedFall – Standard Edition Greyhill Incident Grocery Market Simulator Manager Grounded PS4® & PS5® Guilty Gear -Strive- Gun Club VR GUNDAM BREAKER 4 PS4 & PS5 GUNDAM BREAKER 4 Ultimate Edition PS4 & PS5 GYLT Harold Halibut Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions Deluxe Edition PS4 & PS5 Haven Hazelight Bundle Hell Let Loose HELLDIVERS™ 2 Hellsweeper VR High On Life HITMAN World of Assassination – Deluxe Edition Hogwarts Legacy + Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions Deluxe Editions Bundle… Hogwarts Legacy PS5 Version Home Safety Hotline Horizon Forbidden West™ HOT WHEELS UNLEASHED™ 2 – Turbocharged – Deluxe Edition PS4 & PS5 HOT WHEELS UNLEASHED™ 2 – Turbocharged – Legendary Edition PS4 & PS5 HOT WHEELS UNLEASHED™ 2 – Turbocharged PS4 & PS5 Hotel Renovator – Five Star Edition HUMANKIND™ Heritage Edition PS4 & PS5 Hunt: Showdown 1896 – Premium Edition Hunt: Showdown 1896 – Starter Edition Hunting Simulator 2 Elite Edition IMMORTALS FENYX RISING – GOLD EDITION PS4 & PS5 Insurgency: Sandstorm – Gold Edition [PS4 & PS5] Insurgency: Sandstorm [PS4 & PS5] Into the Radius Iron Harvest – Complete Edition Isonzo JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R Deluxe Edition PS4 & PS5 Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash PS4 & PS5 Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash Ultimate Edition PS4 & PS5 Jurassic World Aftermath Collection PS4 & PS5 Jusant Just Dance 2025 Edition Just Dance 2025 Ultimate Edition KeyWe Kingdoms and Castles Kong: Survivor Instinct Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess PS4 & PS5 Lake PS4 & PS5 Lakeview Cabin Collection LEGO® Harry Potter™ Collection LEGO® 2K Drive Cross-Gen Standard Edition LEGO® Horizon Adventures™ LEGO® Horizon Adventures™ Digital Deluxe Edition LEGO® Star Wars™: The Skywalker Saga Galactic Edition LEGO® Star Wars™: The Skywalker Saga PS4 & PS5 Lies of P Life is Strange: Double Exposure Life is Strange: Double Exposure Ultimate Edition Life is Strange: True Colors – Deluxe Edition PS4 & PS5 Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth PS4 & PS5 Like a Dragon: Ishin! Digital Deluxe Edition PS4 & PS5 Little Nightmares II PS4 & PS5 Lords of the Fallen Deluxe Edition MADiSON MADiSON VR Maneater Apex Edition Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy PS4 & PS5 Marvel’s Midnight Suns Enhanced Edition Marvel’s Midnight Suns Legendary Edition for PS5™ Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Digital Deluxe Edition Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered Medieval Dynasty MEGATON MUSASHI W: WIRED Deluxe Edition MEGATON MUSASHI W: WIRED Standard Edition METAL GEAR SOLID – Master Collection Version PS4 & PS5 METAL GEAR SOLID 2: Sons of Liberty – Master Collection Version PS4 & PS5 Metaphor: ReFantazio PS4 & PS5 Metro Awakening Metro Exodus Minecraft Legends MLB® The Show™ 24 Digital Deluxe Edition PS5® and PS4® MLB® The Show™ 24 PS5® MONOPOLY® Monster Energy Supercross – The Official Videogame 6 PS4 & PS5 Monster Hunter Rise + Sunbreak Monster Hunter Rise PS4 & PS5 Monster Jam™ Showdown – Big Air Edition PS4 & PS5 Monster Jam™ Showdown PS4 & PS5 Morbid: The Lords of Ire MORDHAU Mortal Kombat 11 Mortal Kombat™ 1 Mortal Kombat™ 1: Khaos Reigns Kollection Moss MotoGP™24 PS4 & PS5 Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Moving Out 2 Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Quest of Memories MX vs ATV Legends – 2024 Monster Energy Supercross Edition MXGP 2021 – The Official Motocross Videogame MY LITTLE PONY: A Maretime Bay Adventure My Little Pony: A Zephyr Heights Mystery NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS Deluxe Edition PS4 & PS5 NBA 2K25 All-Star Edition NBA 2K25 Standard Edition Need for Speed™ Unbound Need for Speed™ Unbound Ultimate Collection Neon White NEW WORLD: AETERNUM New World: Aeternum Deluxe Edition NHL® 25 Standard Edition NHRA Championship Drag Racing: Speed For All Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 – Ultimate Edition Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway Turbo Edition Nikoderiko: The Magical World No Man’s Sky PS4 & PS5 Nobody Wants to Die OCTOPATH TRAVELER II PS4&PS5 OCTOPATH TRAVELER PS4&PS5 ON THE ROAD – The Truck Simulator ONE PIECE ODYSSEY Deluxe Edition PS4 & PS5 Outcast – A New Beginning Outer Wilds Outer Wilds: Archaeologist Edition Outward Definitive Edition Overcooked! 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SpongeBob SquarePants™: The Patrick Star Game SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories Deluxe Edition PS4 & PS5 Squirrel with a Gun STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R – PS4 & PS5 STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™ Star Wars Outlaws Star Wars Outlaws Ultimate Edition STAR WARS™ Battlefront Classic Collection STAR WARS™: Dark Forces Remaster Stay Out of the House PS4 & PS5 SteamWorld Heist II STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN Digital Deluxe Edition PS4 & PS5… Street Fighter™ 6 Street Fighter™ 6 Ultimate Edition Street Outlaws 2: Winner Takes All STRIDE: Fates SunnySide Survival: Fountain of Youth – Captain’s Edition Sword and Fairy: Together Forever PS4™ & PS5™ SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream Premium Edition SWORD ART ONLINE Last Recollection PS4 & PS5 Swordsman VR Synapse System Shock Tactics Ogre: Reborn Tales of Arise – Beyond the Dawn Ultimate Edition PS4 & PS5 Taxi Life – Supporter Edition Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed – Digital Deluxe Edition Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge TEKKEN 8 TEKKEN 8 Ultimate Edition Terminator: Resistance Enhanced Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown – Gold Edition Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown – Silver Streets Edition Tetris® Effect: Connected Tetris® Forever That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles The 7th Guest VR The Casting of Frank Stone™ The Crew Motorfest Cross-Gen Bundle The Crew Motorfest Ultimate Edition The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes PS4 & PS5 The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me PS4™ & PS5™ The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR The Elder Scrolls Online The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition – PS5 & PS4 The Grinch: Christmas Adventures The Karate Kid: Street Rumble THE KING OF FIGHTERS XV Standard Edition PS4 & PS5 The Last Stand: Aftermath The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie Ultimate Edition The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition The Pathless PS4™ & PS5™ The Quarry for PS5™ The Room VR: A Dark Matter The Sinking City PS5 Deluxe Edition The Smurfs – Dreams PS4 & PS5 The Smurfs – Village Party The Texas Chain Saw Massacre The Walking Dead: Destinies This Bed We Made TIEBREAK – Ace Edition TimeSplitters TimeSplitters 2 TimeSplitters: Future Perfect Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands: Chaotic Great Edition Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege Operator Edition Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege Ultimate Edition Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft TopSpin 2K25 Cross-Gen Digital Edition TopSpin 2K25 Grand Slam® Edition Towers of Aghasba Townsmen VR Trailmakers Train Sim World® 5: Standard Edition PS4 & PS5 Transformers Beyond Reality TRANSFORMERS: Galactic Trials Trepang2 Tropico 6 – Next Gen Edition Truck and Logistics Simulator Twelve Minutes Two Point Campus UFC® 5 UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes Undisputed Unknown 9: Awakening UNO® Until Then VALKYRIE ELYSIUM PS4&PS5 VALKYRIE PROFILE: LENNETH Vampire Hunters PS4 & PS5 Vampire: The Masquerade – Justice VENDETTA FOREVER Vertigo 2 Viewfinder VISAGE Visions of Mana Digital Deluxe Edition PS4 & PS5 Visions of Mana PS4 & PS5 Waltz of the Wizard Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun (PS4 & PS5) Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters PS4 & PS5 Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader – Voidfarer Edition Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 – Ultra Edition Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin – Ultimate Edition Watch Dogs: Legion – Ultimate Edition PS4 & PS5 Watch Dogs®: Legion PS4 & PS5 Wayfinder We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie Special Edition PS4 & PS5 Welcome to ParadiZe Welcome to ParadiZe – Zombot Edition What Remains of Edith Finch White Day 2: The Flower That Tells Lies – Complete Edition Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? – New Edition PS5 WILD HEARTS™ Karakuri Edition Withering Rooms Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty (PS4 & PS5) Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Complete Edition (PS4 & PS5) Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition WWE 2K24 40 Years of WrestleMania Edition WWE 2K24 Bray Wyatt Edition WWE 2K24 Cross-Gen Digital Edition XIII Yakuza: Like a Dragon Legendary Hero Edition PS4 & PS5 Yakuza: Like a Dragon PS4 & PS5 Ys IX: Monstrum Nox Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA Ys X: Nordics – Digital Deluxe Edition Ys X: Nordics – Digital Ultimate Edition *The Holiday Sale promotion runs from Friday, December 20 00.00am PST/GMT/JST until Friday, January 17 11:59 PM PST/GMT/JST. Some titles in the promotion are only discounted until January 6. Please check the individual product pages on PlayStation Store for more information. View the full article

It was wonderful to see the launch of the PlayStation 5 Pro console a few weeks ago. For those interested in the in-depth technical aspects of PS5 Pro, we’ve put together a video describing the bits and bytes behind the console: how it came together, how it works, and why it’s the first step in an exciting new journey for gamers. You can watch below! Note: the below video is focused on the technology behind PS5 Pro and doesn’t feature new game announcements or new gameplay footage. Play Video In the presentation, you’ll learn what the “advanced” in “Advanced Ray Tracing” really means, the difference between FLOPS and TOPS, and some of the challenges involved in developing the efficient machine learning hardware needed for PSSR – the AI-driven upscaling featured in PS5 Pro. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image At the end of the presentation, I also do something that we typically don’t do at SIE – I touch on how our learnings with PS5 Pro will fuel our future ambitions in our never-ending quest to push the boundaries of play. AMD has been a fantastic partner for SIE for many years now, and I’m honored to announce that we have begun a deeper collaboration with a focus on Machine Learning-based technology for graphics and gameplay. Both AMD and SIE share many of the same goals related to advancing the medium of video games. Watch the presentation to learn more about this exciting plan! View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image We also did an encore presentation of this lecture before an audience including journalists from Digital Foundry, IGN, and Wccftech. Keep an eye out for their coverage, and more discussion of RDNA, ray tracing, and machine learning. View the full article

The polls for the PlayStation Game of the Year 2024 awards closed last week and with the numbers crunched – totalling over 1.6 million votes globally – we can reveal this year’s top contenders across the 19 categories, as shaped solely by your choices. While four titles earned trophies per category, there were numerous games that received support from players worldwide, either through selecting from shortlists or write-in options. A thank you to those who voted, and of course, to those creators and teams whose creativity and craft has been shared and enjoyed on PlayStation consoles the world over. Before we dig into the winners, a quick reminder on the category guidelines: As with the majority of the other categories, Best Multiplayer Experience focuses on titles released in 2024. Best Ongoing Game focuses on titles that have seen new, large scale content or game-changing updates launch over this past year. Best Rerelease is categorized as titles that, in the main, feature upgraded visuals and some QoL improvements but otherwise hew close to their original launch version. This category does not include full-scale remakes of older titles. Those are eligible for Game of the Year consideration. Due to the polls closure date, some titles weren’t eligible for inclusion. Those titles will be eligible in next year’s Awards. If a title won a Platinum Trophy in a category any previous year, it won’t be eligible for inclusion in the same category this year to allow other titles a chance to shine. As such Grand Theft Auto VI isn’t included in The Most Anticipated Game of 2025 and Beyond category – as it earned the Platinum in 2023’s Awards. Congratulations to everyone who released titles this year. Best New Character Platinum Trophy: Eve (Stellar Blade) Gold Trophy: Jane Harrow (Call of Duty: Black Ops 6) Silver Trophy: Emmrich Volkarin (Dragon Age: The Veilguard) Bronze Trophy: Ryoma Sakamoto (Rise of the Rōnin) The Best New Character category received the highest number of write-in votes, so a shout out to – amongst others – Metaphor: ReFantazio’s Strohl, Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail’s Wuk Lamat, and Helldivers 2’s General Brasch, all of whom have fans across the globe. The majority of the votes however were split between Stellar Blade’s Eve, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’s Jane Harrow, Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s Emmrich Volkarin and Rise of the Rōnin’s Ryoma Sakamoto. Best Story Platinum Trophy: Silent Hill 2 Gold Trophy: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Silver Trophy: Stellar Blade Bronze Trophy: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 The Best Story category had strong competition this year, including new gripping narratives in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Stellar Blade. Two unforgettable remakes duked it out for top position: Silent Hill 2 and Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth. The votes for number one were remarkably close. Ultimately, James Sunderland’s surreal return trip to Silent Hill took the top spot. Bloober Team and Konami’s remake of this PS2 classic captured the dreamlike essence of the original title while enhancing it with high-fidelity facial capture to add extra nuance to the town’s troubled visitors. We’ll see Silent Hill 2 in our restless dreams for years. Best Graphical Showcase Platinum Trophy: Black Myth: Wukong Gold Trophy: Astro Bot Silver Trophy: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Bronze Trophy: Stellar Blade You know that moment when you’re playing a game and you just have to stop and say wow? 2024 has been choc-full of those thanks to a line-up of gorgeous games which have pushed the boundaries of what is possible graphically. Adventures like Stellar Blade and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth brought a realistic style to their fantastic worlds, while the bright and playful planets inhabited by Astro and his bot buddies captured the hearts (and eyes) of gamers everywhere. Perhaps one of the most memorable of those moments is the opening of Black Myth: Wukong, which sees you raising your staff in a stunning fight amidst the clouds. But that’s just the beginning; the action epic’s towering mountains, dense forests and glistening snowfields really highlighted just how beautiful PS5’s visuals can be, helping it claim this year’s Platinum trophy. Best Art Direction Platinum Trophy: Astro Bot Gold Trophy: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Silver Trophy: Silent Hill 2 Bronze Trophy: Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero The games of 2024 brought top-tier artistic visions to life, from harrowing horrors to fantastical creatures. Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero captured the source material perfectly, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth featured top-tier character and boss design, while Silent Hill 2 beautifully recaptured the moody atmosphere of the PS2 original with a fresh aesthetic. However, Team Asobi’s Astro Bot leaped up to claim top prize in the category. The platforming adventure’s Bots sport loving homages to classic game characters decked out in gear that thoughtfully distills the original character design. Each stage is a visual banger to boot, including inventive knife-juggling ghosts, traditional Japanese architecture, and outlandish sci-fi contraptions. Congrats to Team Asobi. Best Audio Design Platinum Trophy: Astro Bot Gold Trophy: Silent Hill 2 Silver Trophy: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Bronze Trophy: Stellar Blade This year our ears rang with clashing metal, buzzing gadgets, and small towns creaking and moaning, breathing detailed life into the environments we played through. But it was Astro Bot’s all-encompassing auditory adventure that blasted it to the top spot. From Astro’s pitter patter adjusting to whatever terrain he crossed, to the squishes, bangs, and pows of his power suits, every level filled players’ ears with a galaxy of sound. Best Soundtrack Platinum Trophy: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Gold Trophy: Astro Bot Silver Trophy: Stellar Blade Bronze Trophy: Silent Hill 2 2024 featured stiff competition in the soundtrack department. Astro Bot introduced new tracks we’ll be humming well into 2025. Silent Hill 2 brilliantly recaptured Akira Yamaoka’s eclectic and moody sounds, and Stellar Blade’s soundtrack was, well, stellar. However, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth secures the top position for Best Soundtrack. It’s no wonder, as the original PlayStation game is considered to have one of the greatest soundtracks in the history of the medium. Each track in Rebirth is stunningly fleshed out with broader instrumentation, from the soothing town of Kalm to the rousing boss battles against Sephiroth. This year, one of the best soundtracks ever only got better. Best Use of DualSense Platinum Trophy: Astro Bot Gold Trophy: Stellar Blade Silver Trophy: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Bronze Trophy: Silent Hill 2 If you’ve heard the clash of Eve’s blade ring out from its speaker, or felt the pitter-patter of the rain in Silent Hill, you know how much more immersive the DualSense can make your games. And this year, many developers made the most of its features to make their games more terrifying, challenging and enjoyable. With Astro Bot, winner of this year’s Platinum trophy for use of DualSense, Team Asobi built on what they created in the past. From rolling Astro around in a LocoRoco-inspired world to clearing the path with a blow of your breath, every element of the adventure is developed with the controller in mind, adding to the enjoyment of an already joyful game. Best Accessibility Features Platinum Trophy: Astro Bot Gold Trophy: The Last of Us Part II Remastered Silver Trophy: Silent Hill 2 Bronze Trophy: Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered Team Asobi has not only crafted an epic, nostalgic adventure paying homage to PlayStation’s extensive 30-year history, they’ve also championed accessibility by design! High contrast visuals, a streamlined, Access Controller-friendly control scheme, and truly unique implementation of haptic feedback with visual cues in tow, ensure players can explore a bevy of vibrant worlds alongside Astro. Best Multiplayer Experience Platinum Trophy: Helldivers 2 Gold Trophy: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Silver Trophy: Fortnite Bronze Trophy: Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero Dispensing peace doesn’t come easy, but the taste of liber-tea is that much sweeter when shared with a team. This year players united under the Helldivers 2 flag of democracy to fight off bots and bugs. Whether you dropped in with friends or completed mission objectives with strangers online, we salute you. Best Ongoing Game Platinum Trophy: Fortnite Gold Trophy: Final Fantasy XIV Online Silver Trophy: Call of Duty Bronze Trophy: No Man’s Sky Nothing lasts forever, but some games have evolved into an ever-growing ecosystem. Constant updates bringing new fierce competitions in Gran Turismo 7, rebuilding a universe from the ground up in No Man’s Sky and exploring new frontiers in Final Fantasy XIV Online. With constant innovation, never-ending stories, and a whole galaxy to explore there was one game that has withstood the test of time above the rest. Fortnite. Whether it’s dancing with Snoop Dogg, tackling teams with the TMNT, or just hanging with your best friends and anime characters, Fortnite appeals to the imagination of us all. Add in modes like LEGO, car racing, and even an FPS, and you have a game that is greater than the sum of its parts. Best Expansion Platinum Trophy: Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Gold Trophy: God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla Silver Trophy: Final Fantasy XVI: The Rising Tide Bronze Trophy: Alan Wake 2: The Lake House Wanted to explore more of Kratos’ history? God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla delivered. Craved a new Final Fantasy XVI story? 2024 had you covered. Needed more Alan Wake in your life? Yup, got that too. There was no shortage of expansions of already fantastic games this year. God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla took you to the trials of the Norse afterlife, while Alan Wake 2: The Lake House acted as an unnerving addendum to an already terrifying adventure. Meanwhile, we left the Lands Between to journey to the Land of Shadow in Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. Easily one of the biggest expansions of the year, it brought dozens of new enemies and bosses to face, a whole new map to explore and countless new ways to grow your Tarnished’s armoury. The sheer amount of content aside, Shadow of the Erdtree also introduced one of FromSoftware’s most challenging boss fights ever, adding a delicious and deadly cherry on top of an incredible adventure. Best Sports Game Platinum Trophy: EA Sports FC 25 Gold Trophy: WWE 2K24 Silver Trophy: F1 24 Bronze Trophy: NBA 2K25 High-scoring action was plentiful for sports game players in 2024. F1 24’s improved Dynamic Handling dazzled adrenaline junkies with realistic heart-pumping races, while WWE 2K24 came off the top rope to deliver nostalgia by bringing back fan-favorite match types. The competition was strong but EA Sports FC 25 took home the chip, securing the Best Sports Game title for 2024. The new FC IQ feature overhauled tactics and delivered the most strategic control over gameplay in the franchise’s history. EA Sports FC 25 also made it easier to pick up and play with friends in the 5v5 Rush mode, as smaller teams bring more time on the ball for players who want to be close to the action. Best Rerelease Platinum Trophy: The Last of Us Part II Remastered Gold Trophy: Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered Silver Trophy: Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Bronze Trophy: Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics The Last of Us Part II Remastered kicked down the door at the beginning of 2024 with its impressive visual enhancements, crisp frame rate, and new No Return mode that offered new challenges once players completed the emotionally charged story. Crisp foliage, dense shadows, and detailed character design pushed this release to be players’ definitive version of the game. Best Independent Game Platinum Trophy: Balatro Gold Trophy: Palworld Silver Trophy: Phasmophobia Bronze Trophy: Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2 (Flat Version) The frights of Phasmophobia and Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2 kept players on their toes, and monster-taming adventure Palworld helped them build community. But this hand ultimately went to Balatro, which built a deck of roguelite fun that turned poker on its head and kept players locked into its hypnotically fun gameplay loop all year. Best PS VR2 Game Platinum Trophy: Resident Evil 4 VR Mode Gold Trophy: Metro Awakening Silver Trophy: Phasmophobia Bronze Trophy: Cooking Simulator VR Immersive horror frights proved a strong draw for PS VR2 players. Despite launching this time last year, Resident Evil 4 VR Mode is still a vivid memory for many, pulling in the majority of player votes as Capcom sublimely adapted the thrills of its survival horror franchise for VR. Vertigo Games brought the post-apolycaptic world of Metro to VR, adding in immersive features while retaining that franchise’s taut, oppressive atmosphere. Phasmophobia proved supernatural escapades are best with company, and Cooking Simulator VR delighted with its culinary chaos. Best PS4 Game Platinum Trophy: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Gold Trophy: Metaphor: ReFantazio Silver Trophy: Sonic X Shadow Generations Bronze Trophy: Persona 3 Reload Some of 2024’s best games launched on both PS5 and PS4 this year. Atlus delivered two RPG bangers with Personal 3 Reload and Metaphor ReFantazio. Sega also expanded on its hedgehog love letter in Sonic X Shadow Generations, featuring a new campaign. What a year for Sega! Despite the strong competition, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 secures the Best PS4 Game victory this year. Treyarch and its development partners delivered a gripping, action-packed campaign, ushered in the return of round-based Zombies mode, and offered the endless excitement of genre-defining multiplayer. Congrats to the Call of Duty developers for this year’s achievement. Best PS5 Game Platinum Trophy: Astro Bot Gold Trophy: Black Myth: Wukong Silver Trophy: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Bronze Trophy: Stellar Blade Great gaming experiences launched across the entire stretch of 2024, and four in particular were seemingly top of mind for many voters. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s lavish and expansive RPG adventure kicked things off back in February. Stellar Blade’s sci-fi action unleashed itself on PS5 two months later, with Black Myth: Wukong’s own take on tight combat mechanics leapt into the fray in August. But it was the platforming adventures of Astro Bot, released in September, that netted the majority of votes. Studio of the Year Platinum Trophy: Team Asobi Gold Trophy: Bandai Namco Silver Trophy: Shift Up Bronze Trophy: Arrowhead Games No video game would exist without talented people and teams pouring their passions into the medium. Every year, we are privileged to experience the imagination and ideas that took years to bring to life. We had one of the greatest satire multiplayer experiences, a new staple in the action-adventure genre, and a team putting out multiple hits in a calendar year. Still, the studio that captured the hearts of players was Team Asobi. Through Astro Bot, Team Asobi tapped into the simplistic yet hard-to-master, joy of playing a video game. From invoking feelings in seasoned gamers they may have forgotten, to being a new gamer’s first magical experience. They prove to players they have the talent to bring out the best in the art form. Most Anticipated Game of 2025 and Beyond Platinum Trophy: Ghost of Yōtei Gold Trophy: Marvel’s Wolverine Silver Trophy: Death Stranding 2: On The Beach Bronze Trophy: Monster Hunter Wilds Hotly-anticipated heavyweights line the horizon of 2025 onwards. Players haven’t long to wait either: Monster Hunter Wilds launches in just over two months. While its beast-fighting delights kickstart the year, Sucker Punch’s latest adventure will bring sword clashes, exploration and more to 2025 in the form of Ghost of Yōtei. And with Insomniac’s and Kojima Production’s latest works also part of PlayStation’s future, there’s a lot to be excited about. View the full article

Experience the magic of the holidays in Stellar Blade. Xion, adorned with warm, festive lights, is ready to welcome you with the spirit of hope and humanity. Join us for a special event designed to bring joy and comfort to your everyday life. A Xion filled with seasonal romance awaits you on December 17! Holiday scenery in Xion View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image A colorful Christmas tree brightens Xion, transforming the once cold city square into a cozy, festive space with warm lights and decorations. The Last Gulp, where Xion’s citizens gather after peace is restored, is also decorated for the holidays. In the camp, the seasonal BGM ‘Dawn (Winter)’ and ‘Take me away’ create a relaxing atmosphere. These romantic tunes will enhance your holiday relaxation by melting away battle tension. A surprise gift from Santa A new mini-game has arrived in Xion, offering a break from survival struggles. Enjoy the gameplay and earn rewards upon completion. The Santa Dress for Eve is designed as an adorable and festive appearance. The I’m No Santa costume for Adam has a humorous twist. Complete the look with the Santa Girl hairstyle and personalize it with accessories such as Snow Crystal Glasses, Wreath Earrings, and Sleigh Ear Cuffs. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image The newly added Rudolph Pack cosmetic for the Drone is an endearing item reimagining Rudolph leading Santa’s sleigh. With a red nose and cute horns, this Drone is sure to brighten up your holiday. Set the season as you please On/Off feature has been newly added for the seasonal events and NieR:Automata DLC content. You can now enjoy the game whenever and however you want. Always with a heart full of gratitude Create unforgettable memories with these gifts prepared in Stellar Blade this cold winter. The dev team put extra touch to this update to deliver a joyful holiday to all. May the streets of Xion that were once cold, and empty be filled with the wonders of the season. We strive to bring joy to your life. Have a warm and happy holidays with Stellar Blade! View the full article

Hi everyone! Hope you have been having good holiday season so far! We are happy to share the Holiday Sale in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam that will feature discounts on PlayStation peripherals (e.g.: PS VR2 and DualSense wireless controller) and select blockbuster PS5 titles (e.g.: ASTRO BOT and Stellar Blade). Holiday Sale 2024 promotion starts from December 19th 2024 till January 1st 2025, just in time for holiday gifting season, in participating retailers: https://www.playstation.com/local/retailers/. Please see below for full details of Holiday Sale 2024 in in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Singapore PeripheralsOriginal SRPPromotion SRPPlayStation VR2SGD 869SGD 599Pulse Elite Wireless HeadsetSGD 199.90SGD 173.90Pulse Explore Wireless EarbudsSGD 295.90SGD 256.90 PS5 Game TitlesOriginal SRPPromotion SRPASTRO BOTSGD 79.90SGD 67.90Gran Turismo® 7SGD 97.90SGD 40.90God of War™ RagnarökSGD 97.90SGD 40.90Marvel’s Spider-Man 2SGD 97.90SGD 54.90Rise of the Ronin™SGD 97.90SGD 54.90The Last of Us™ Part II RemasteredSGD 67.90SGD 54.90Stellar BladeSGD 97.90SGD 67.90Ghost of Tsushima Director’s CutSGD 97.90SGD 40.90Helldivers 2SGD 54.90SGD 40.90LEGO Horizon AdventuresSGD 79.90SGD 54.90 Malaysia PeripheralsOriginal SRPPromotion SRPPlayStation VR2MYR 2,799MYR 1,859Pulse Elite Wireless HeadsetMYR 699MYR 609Pulse Explore Wireless EarbudsMYR 999MYR 869 PS5 Game TitlesOriginal SRPPromotion SRPASTRO BOTMYR 249MYR 209Gran Turismo® 7MYR 299MYR 129God of War™ RagnarökMYR 299MYR 129Marvel’s Spider-Man 2MYR 299MYR 169Rise of the Ronin™MYR 299MYR 169The Last of Us™ Part II RemasteredMYR 209MYR 169Stellar BladeMYR 299MYR 209Ghost of Tsushima Director’s CutMYR 299MYR 129Helldivers 2MYR 169MYR 129LEGO Horizon AdventuresMYR 249MYR 169 Thailand PeripheralsOriginal SRPPromotion SRPPlayStation VR2THB 22,190THB 14,890Pulse Elite Wireless HeadsetTHB 5,190THB 4,490Pulse Explore Wireless EarbudsTHB 7,790THB 6,790 PS5 Game TitlesOriginal SRPPromotion SRPASTRO BOTTHB 1,990THB 1,690Gran Turismo® 7THB 2,290THB 990God of War™ RagnarökTHB 2,290THB 990Marvel’s Spider-Man 2THB 2,290THB 1,290Rise of the Ronin™THB 2,290THB 1,290The Last of Us™ Part II RemasteredTHB 1,690THB 1,290Stellar BladeTHB 2,290THB 1,690Ghost of Tsushima Director’s CutTHB 2,290THB 990Helldivers 2THB 1,290THB 990LEGO Horizon Adventures THB 1,990THB 1,290 Indonesia PeripheralsOriginal SRPPromotion SRPPlayStation VR2IDR 10,599,000 IDR 7,319,000 PlayStation®VR2 Horizon Call of the Mountain bundleIDR 11,499,000 IDR 7,319,000 Pulse Elite Wireless HeadsetIDR 2,499,000 IDR 2,179,000 Pulse Explore Wireless EarbudsIDR 3,599,000 IDR 3,129,000 PS5 Game TitlesOriginal SRPPromotion SRPASTRO BOTIDR 879,000 IDR 729,000 Gran Turismo® 7IDR 1,029,000 IDR 439,000 God of War™ RagnarökIDR 1,029,000 IDR 439,000 Marvel’s Spider-Man 2IDR 1,029,000 IDR 579,000 Rise of the Ronin™IDR 1,029,000 IDR 579,000 The Last of Us™ Part II RemasteredIDR 729,000 IDR 579,000 Stellar BladeIDR 1,029,000 IDR 729,000 Ghost of Tsushima Director’s CutIDR 1,029,000 IDR 439,000 Helldivers 2IDR 579,000 IDR 439,000 LEGO Horizon Adventures IDR 879,000IDR 579,000 Vietnam PeripheralsOriginal SRPPromotion SRPPlayStation VR2VND 17,890,000VND 12,790,000Pulse Elite Wireless HeadsetVND 3,999,000VND 3,479,000Pulse Explore Wireless EarbudsVND 5,699,000VND 4,949,000 PS5 Game TitlesOriginal SRPPromotion SRPASTRO BOTVND 1,499,000VND 1,249,000Gran Turismo® 7VND 1,799,000VND 749,000God of War™ RagnarökVND 1,799,000VND 749,000Marvel’s Spider-Man 2VND 1,799,000VND 999,000Rise of the Ronin™VND 1,799,000VND 999,000The Last of Us™ Part II RemasteredVND 1,249,000VND 999,000Stellar BladeVND 1,799,000VND 1,249,000LEGO Horizon Adventures VND 1,499,000VND 999,000 View the full article

Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com! Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or download here Hey gang! This week, Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi stops by to discuss his latest game, Fantasian Neo Dimension. Plus, the PlayStation 30th anniversary celebration continues as the crew shares their favorite games on PS5 and PS VR2. Through the end of the year, we’ll continue featuring picks from listeners and developers (and Kristen will return to share her top PlayStation games from the past 30 years). Stuff We Talked About Next week’s release highlights: Flint: Treasure of Oblivion| PS5 Alien: Rogue Incursion | PS VR2 Interview w/ Hironobu Sakaguchi (begins at 4:41) Special listener and developer’s favorite PlayStation games segment The podcast crew highlights their top games on PS5 and PS VR2 (discussion to be continued…) 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 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, asked you to share your favorite PlayStation games, consoles, and gaming collections using #PSshare #PSBlog to celebrate PlayStation’s 30th anniversary. Here are this week’s nostalgic highlights: View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image dwardlozano shares the in-game 30th anniversary celebration in Astro Bot. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image call_me_xavii shares a picture of their old PS One. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image silentgear1 shares their expansive PlayStation collection, which includes the full God of War gaming lineup. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image MrioMoreno5 shares a collection of games across the generations that spell out PS. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image rumunskibugarin shares Castlevania: Symphony of the Night booted up on PS1, surrounded by a PS2, a PSP, and PS VR2 headset. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image UnlimitedGamesX shares their PlayStation collection laid out by era, with PS1, PS2, PS3, and PS Vita. Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week? View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image THEME: Astro Bot – Winter Wonder Level SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on December 18, 2024 Next week, we’re blasting back into Astro Bot to explore the newly released Winter Wonder level. Share moments jumping through the snow and presents using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured. View the full article

Fantasian Neo Dimension launched December 5 on PS5 and PS4. This Mistwalker RPG features the creative work of two industry icons, both legends in the genre. First, there’s composer Nobuo Uematsu, who has lent his talents to the game’s score, the last full game soundtrack he’ll produce solo, capping off an incredible 30-plus years of work. Last week, he walked us through just some of his favorite pieces. Today, we talk to the second creative force involved, game producer and Mistwalker CEO Hironobu Sakaguchi. The creator joined us earlier this year on PS Blog to discuss the game’s PS5 release. Our new chat, which you can hear in full on the Official PlayStation Podcast later today, casts the net wider to discuss his thoughts on the RPG genre, his long term working partnership with Uematsu-san, and marking both Mistwalker’s 20th anniversary and PlayStation’s 30th. Play Video Note: this interview is condensed for clarity and brevity. Hear the full conversation on the new Official PlayStation Podcast, launching later today. Playstation Blog: You’re well regarded for your work in the RPG field, and RPGs are known for compelling team ups with disparate characters. For you, what makes a great character party? Hironobu Sakaguchi: You want your cast of characters to have a wide range of both personality and diverse backgrounds, different character settings and stories. As they traverse this world and go on their adventure, I think seeing the shift and change in characters is one of the most attractive things you can experience as a player of an RPG. On the game mechanics side, of course, which is equally important, specifically in Fantasian Neo Dimension, each character has their own rather unique set of attributes. Some characters might be more heavily skewed in defense, others might be more adept at magic, or some might do DPS, in the form of physical attacks. But that unique attribute or element that they bring to the table, in combat is going to become invaluable. So in Fantasian Neo Dimension, you can swap out your party and team members without consuming one of your turns, which makes your team composition and combat quite dynamic. PSB: The game features wonderful, hand-crafted dioramas. Where did they end up? Did you adopt any for your own home? Sakaguchi: The dioramas, rather unfortunately, over time, the paint will chip, and a lot of the clay will melt, and overall, they just simply will deteriorate over time. By the nature of how they’re crafted, so very few have kind of survived as is, and it’s impossible to store it. So the ones that have were either preserved and given to different players as a giveaway or presented to team members, core team members who worked on the game, and we did save a good portion of the props in each individual diorama, and those have been transformed into those gifts. But by and large, the so-called base, or a lot of the structural elements of these dioramas had to unfortunately be disposed of. So I would say most of the dioramas you see in Fantasian Neo Dimension are no longer in this world, and I understand that that might seem a little melancholy, and almost fleeting in a way, but there is some kind of poetic beauty in that as well. PSB: Fantasian Neo Dimension includes select Final Fantasy tracks. Why those particular tracks, and how did you decide to pick them? Sakaguchi: I don’t know how well known this is, but I am a huge Final Fantasy XIV fan, and I practically live in the world of FFXIV. And there are certain tracks the composer of FFXIV, Masayoshi Soken, composed that play respect to what Uematsu-san has done in previous [games]. You can tell it’s almost an arrangement of Uematsu-san’s melodies and different compositions. As I was test-playing Fantasian, I had FFXIV running in the background, which I think was one of the battle scenes. And playing Fantasian, and hearing this music in my own environment, prompted me to think “wow, this is really, really cool, and I could feel the respect that was paid to the old Final Fantasy games”. And as a fan, it was a personally very, very fun experience. So I talked to [FFXIV] producer Yoshida-san and said, on a whim, hey, would it be possible to do something like this, to which I had a positive response. And around that same time, there was, of course, Final Fantasy VII Remake, the Pixel Remaster series. So I felt that in a way, Uematsu’s tracks, of course, because he composed all of them, including Fantasian, synergized very well with the experience that is Fantasian. It felt very fun, and quite natural. And it is not often, I think, in one video game, you get to hear almost like this chronology of what Uematsu-san has done over the years, both old and new. And throughout the game, I think there is a lot of respect paid towards the music and the history of Final Fantasy. PSB: Is it possible to sum up what your career, long collaborations with Uematsu-san mean to you? Sakaguchi: Recently, I had the opportunity to take the stage with Uematsu-san at Tokyo Game Show, and it felt quite different from when we would interact with each other in private, being on stage, I think there was a different kind of honesty that came to the surface, one of which was whenever Uematsu-san composes something, he is very mindful of making sure the player emotion is guided and sculpted on the right track, and he tries to pull out a wide range of emotion from his players. But of all the emotion, it seems to be sort of that warmth or passion that humans can experience is one that particularly stood out and reminds us how nice it is to be human in the end. So having worked and collaborated with Uematsu-san together for so long, perhaps it’s a little overly sentimental, but I think at its core, how we both feel and resonate, and this is something that, you know, we kind of bounced back and forth on stage at Tokyo Game Show, is that that sort of emotional component, the sentimental component. If you translate it to something perhaps a little more palatable, I think the product of video games is, of course, a digital experience. Yet even through this digital, inanimate object, you’re able to bring out this wide range of emotion in humans and remind us what it is and what it means to be part of this larger ecosystem. PSB: Mistwalker celebrated the momentous milestone this year, 20 years since inception. Did you mark it in any particular way? Sakaguchi: It’s interesting you bring that up, as I have been counting, and it is our 20th anniversary this year. I just thought to myself, Oh, perhaps he’s right. So when founding Mistwalker, I of course left Square Enix behind and formed this independent studio. Part of the reason being in Square Enix, a lot of my responsibilities has shifted from making games to managing and operating and almost running a business to which, of course, there were some elements of that that were fun, but I realized I wanted to live to create, and I think that’s what Mistwalker was intended to do, and that’s what I find the most enjoyable as part of the process of creating, creating games. So here we are, 20 years later, and I’m still able to create, and perhaps for years in the future, but the fact that Mistwalker has allowed me and our teams to be able to find a home for that creative energy, I think it really shows it’s done its job. PSB: What would you like to see of the RPG genre in the years ahead? Sakaguchi: Implementing and using the latest and cutting edge technology, I think, to maximize the expression and strive for that next level of what it means to deliver an experience or a story to a person is quite important to the RPG genre. And I think that that is something that is a common denominator or a through line for the entire Final Fantasy series at large. But of course, the RPG genre is more than just implementing and integrating the latest technology. There are different kind of mechanics and system improvements that can be made. Likewise the dioramas, or in this case, artistic expression, I think, is another field in which RPGs can kind of see itself moving into. That is something that we did in our case, instead of using exclusively the latest technology trying to express and depict the story through something that would allow players to feel that warmth that I mentioned a little earlier. All of these, I think, contribute to a step forward in a certain direction. And to do that, I think it’s more looking beyond just what the technology can do, but how you can deliver these stories. And in some ways, I think that’ll translate to a much more diverse catalog and portfolio of RPGs, which perhaps is how the genre should be. PSB: You must have collected numerous keepsakes from across your titles, awards, etc, to a point that I imagine you have very little space at home anymore. Are there any particular keepsakes that stand out to you? Sakaguchi: I really don’t have that many keepsakes. In fact, I throw most of them into storage somewhere, and tend to forget about them. But if there is any one item that perhaps stands above the others, I would say it’s that physical version of [the original] Final Fantasy. Because if I had not created that, I don’t think my creative career would have come nearly as far as it did in this so-called timeline. So I think giving birth to [the original] Final Fantasy and the subsequent franchise that it then spawned from is a huge, huge fork in my life. Play Video PSB: PlayStation celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. What PlayStation games did you personally enjoy? Or what’s the first thing that comes to mind when you’re thinking about PlayStation? Sakaguchi:I would have to say Final Fantasy VII. Because at the time, the specs of the PlayStation was unlike any other console on the market at the time. It was head and shoulders above anything, and it was just an amazing, amazing platform. So it would not be an overstatement to say that without the PlayStation, there would be no Final Fantasy VII. I don’t even think we would have thought to make a game in that manner. So, of course, in all of my conversation with Kutaragi-san, we had hinted that the birth of the PlayStation has also triggered the birth of Final Fantasy VII, and all the doors that Final Fantasy seven has opened up for both me and the company. So it was again a huge, huge revolution, a huge shift in the entire game industry, and I think both on the hardware and the software side, a massive leap forward. View the full article

As 2024 comes to a close, we can’t help but look back at an incredible year of gaming. The PlayStation Blog team wants to thank you for the moments we’ve shared this year, and across PlayStation’s last 30 years. Before we press start on a new year, we’ve gathered some season’s greetings from our talented friends and colleagues from across the industry. Cheers to all the memories to come in 2025! 2K Games (PGA Tour 2K23) ❅ 2K Games (Topspin 2K25) ❅ 2K Games (WWE 2K24) ❅ 505 Games ❅ Acquire ❅ Activision ❅ Amazon Games (New World Aeternum) ❅ Amazon Games (Throne and Liberty) ❅ Arc System Works ❅ Bandai Namco ❅ Bandai Namco (Bleach: Rebirth of Souls) ❅ Bandai Namco (Death Note Killer Within) ❅ Bandai Namco (Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream) ❅ Behaviour Interactive ❅ Bend Studio ❅ Blizzard Entertainment (Diablo IV) ❅ Blizzard Entertainment (Overwatch 2) ❅ Bluepoint Games ❅ Bokeh Game Studio ❅ Capcom ❅ CI Games ❅ Digital Extremes ❅ EA Games (FC 25) ❅ Far From Home ❅ Fast Travel Games (Radius) ❅ Fast Travel Games (The Midnight Walk) ❅ Firaxis Games ❅ Fireshine Games ❅ Firesprite ❅ Game Studio ❅ Gameloft (Asphalt Legends Unite) ❅ Gameloft (Disney Dreamlight Valley) ❅ Gameloft (Disney Speedstorm) ❅ Gearbox Software ❅ Gemdrops Inc. ❅ Giants Software ❅ Guerrilla ❅ Gumbo Machine ❅ Hangar 13 ❅ Happinet ❅ Hazelight Studios ❅ Housemarque ❅ Insomniac Games ❅ Inti Creates ❅ IO Interactive ❅ Kakao Games ❅ Kalypso Media ❅ Koei Tecmo ❅ Konami ❅ Media Molecule ❅ Milestone ❅ Mintrocket ❅ Mojang Studios ❅ Nacon Studios ❅ NetEase (Ananta) ❅ NetEase (Naraka: Bladepoint) ❅ NetEase (Where Winds Meet) ❅ NetherRealm Studios ❅ Nexon (The First Berserker Khazan) ❅ Nexon (The First Descendant) ❅ Nihon Falcom ❅ Nixxes ❅ Outright Games ❅ Papergames ❅ Passtech Games ❅ Pearl Abyss ❅ Plaion ❅ Raw Fury ❅ Remedy Games ❅ Roblox ❅ Rogue Factor ❅ Saber Interactive ❅ San Diego Studio ❅ Santa Monica Studio ❅ Shueisha Games ❅ Spike Chunsoft (AI: The Somnium Files) ❅ Spike Chunsoft (Kamaitachi no Yoru x3)) ❅ Square Enix ❅ Steel Wool Games ❅ Steel Wool Games ❅ Stunlock Studios ❅ Sucker Punch Productions ❅ Tarsier Studios ❅ Team 17 ❅ Team ASOBI ❅ Tencent ❅ Tripwire Interactive ❅ Ubisoft (Assassin’s Creed Series) ❅ Ubisoft (Brawlhalla) ❅ Ubisoft (The Crew Motorfest) ❅ Ubisoft (Star Wars Outlaws) ❅ Ubisoft (XDefiant) ❅ Unbroken Studios ❅ Warner Bros. Games ❅ Warner Bros. Games (Hogwarts Legacy) ❅ Warner Bros. Games (MultiVersus) ❅ Wired Productions ❅ ZA/UM ❅ Holiday card from Team ASOBI Holiday card from Guerrilla Holiday card from Sucker Punch Productions Holiday card from Konami Holiday card from Insomniac Games Holiday card from Remedy Games Holiday card from Santa Monica Studio Holiday card from Square Enix Holiday card from NetherRealm Studios Holiday card from Nixxes Holiday card from Supermassive Games Holiday card from Firesprite Holiday card from Mintrocket Holiday card from 505 Games Holiday card from Koei Tecmo Holiday card from Housemarque Holiday card from Roblox Holiday card from Digital Extremes Holiday card from Warner Bros. Games (Hogwarts Legacy) Holiday card from Media Molecule Holiday card from Capcom Holiday card from Ubisoft (Assassin’s Creed Series) Holiday card from Bend Studios Holiday card from NetEase (Ananta) Holiday card from Activision Holiday card from Firaxis Games Holiday card from Gameloft (Disney Dreamlight Valley) Holiday card from Behaviour Interactive Holiday card from San Diego Studio Holiday card from Blizzard Entertainment (Diablo IV) Holiday card from Kakao Games Holiday card from Bandai Namco Holiday card from Pearl Abyss Holiday card from Bluepoint Games Holiday card from Gearbox Software Holiday card from Blizzard Entertainment (Overwatch 2) Holiday card from Gameloft (Asphalt Legends Unite) Holiday card from Bokeh Game Studio Holiday card from Ubisoft (Brawlhalla) Holiday card from Bandai Namco (Bleach Rebirth of Souls) Holiday card from Amazon Games (New World Aeternum) Holiday card from Acquire Holiday card from Gameloft (Disney Speedstorm) Holiday card from Ubisoft (The Crew Motorfest) Holiday card from Bandai Namco (Death Note Killer Within) Holiday card from Amazon Games (Throne and Liberty) Holiday card from EA Games (FC 25) Holiday card from Far From Home Holiday card from Fireshine Games Holiday card from Giants Software Holiday card from Gemdrops Inc. Holiday card from Arc System Works Holiday card from Happinet Holiday card from Ubisoft (Star Wars Outlaws) Holiday card from Rogue Factor Holiday card from IO Interactive Holiday card from Steel Wool Games Holiday card from Gumbo Machine Holiday card from Papergames Holiday card from Fast Travel Games (Radius) Holiday card from Hazelight Studios Holiday card from Kalypso Media Holiday card from Tripwire Interactive Holiday card from Tarsier Studios Holiday card from CI Games Holiday card from Fast Travel Games (The Midnight Walk) Holiday card from Milestone Holiday card from Spike Chunsoft (AI: The Somnium Files) Holiday card from Nacon Studios Holiday card from NetEase (Naraka: Bladepoint) Holiday card from Game Studio Holiday card from Nippon Ichi Holiday card from 2K Games (PGA Tour 2K23) Holiday card from Hangar 13 Holiday card from Plaion Holiday card from Tencent Holiday card from Passtech Games Holiday card from Raw Fury Holiday card from Saber Interactive Holiday card from Bandai Namco (Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream) Holiday card from Nexon (The First Berserker Khazan) Holiday card from Shueisha Games Holiday card from Wired Productions Holiday card from Inti Creates Holiday card from Spike Chunsoft (Kamaitachi no Yoru x3) Holiday card from Warner Bros. Games (MultiVersus) Holiday card from ZA/UM Holiday card from Nexon (The First Descendant) Holiday card from Gameloft (The Oregon Trail) Holiday card from Outright Games Holiday card from 2K Games (Topspin 2K25) Holiday card from Stunlock Studios Holiday card from Warner Bros. Games Holiday card from NetEase (Where Winds Meet) Holiday card from 2K Games (WWE 2K24) Holiday card from Ubisoft (XDefiant) Holiday card from Unbroken Studios Holiday card from Mojang Studios Holiday card from Nihon Falcom Holiday card from Team 17 View the full article

Hi, I’m Jesus Iglesias, game director here at Saber Interactive. We recently revealed that our upcoming title Turok: Origins is coming to PS5, so we gathered some burning questions around the fresh announcement. I’m excited to share additional details on the upcoming release of Turok: Origins with PlayStation Blog. Play Video Can you talk more about third person and why you decided to take that route? We’re all big fans of the previous games and the franchise overall. But ultimately we wanted to explore a different direction from the previous Turok titles. Saber has a rich history of making third-person shooters and our experience in that space gives us a unique opportunity to evolve the franchise while keeping familiar elements that make for a great Turok experience. We’ve created a fresh take on the classic Turok franchise that fans both old and new will enjoy. What’s your perspective on the history of the Turok franchise? Traditionally, Turok is a very eclectic franchise, mixing elements as diverse as dinosaurs, aliens, and robots. We feel we have begun a new chapter for the franchise with Turok: Origins. How does Turok: Origins fit in the Turok lore? Turok​: Origins​ fits seamlessly into the Turok universe as the legendary Turok Warriors unite to save humanity from an aggressive alien species and total annihilation. As the story unfolds, players will discover ancient mysteries that tie into the Order of the​ ​Turok and its history. Why do you think the appreciation for Turok has been so enduring? We believe it has a little something for everyone, fitting very well into the imaginations of players who like to explore strange, fantastic worlds throughout the universe, adventuring around new planets, new creatures and enemies and of course, fighting dinosaurs. What are some of the most exciting challenges and opportunities in bringing Turok back to a modern age? The challenges with bringing Turok back are similar to those we face with any major project. The gaming market is very competitive, and there are always new and interesting things we need to be ready for. But we see Turok as a very exciting opportunity because it has such a strong legacy with unique features that make it stand out with the dinosaurs, aliens, action, and exploration. Should players have played the original Turok to enjoy/understand this one? Players do not need to have played previous Turok games to understand and appreciate Turok: Origins. This is an all-new, stand-alone adventure. Why does Turok: Origins include co-op instead of just being a single-player experience? While Turok: Origins can definitely be enjoyed as a single-player experience, we also wanted to make a game that friends can experience together. Since the story ties into the lore ​and history ​of the Order of the Turok and features more than one Turok, we saw it as an opportunity to introduce co-op to the franchise. Stay tuned for updates on Turok: Origins, coming to PS5. View the full article

Citizens of Super Earth! Do not fear the resurgence of Illuminate scum – the Helldivers will be ready to fight them in the streets, at your doorsteps, and on the city borders and boundaries! The Ministry of Defense is authorizing the sale and distribution of the Urban Legends Premium Warbond* to all Helldivers, available starting now! Play Video You’ve been fighting in swamps, deserts, and frozen wastelands with our finest weapons. But what kind of kit do you need to make a dent in the invading forces when it comes to your own streets? Fighting in colonies means narrow streets and close encounters, so we’re introducing our first melee secondary weapon with the SQC-19 Stun Lance. This extra-large poker will give you good range and pairs perfectly with the SH-51 Directional Shield stratagem. We think you’re going to appreciate some stationary firepower–something you can call down into a city center to put a dent in those Illuminate Harvesters. The E/AT-12 Anti-Tank Emplacement will allow you to liberate even the most heavily armored of enemies using the most democratic of firepower. But what if you’re facing down a horde of Voteless and the Anti-Tank just won’t take out enough of them at once? I know what I’m going to call down: the A/FLAM-40 Flame Sentry. A stationary, high-powered flamethrower turret. Be careful with this one, though, Helldiver–if the red ammo canister takes too much fire, the whole sentry will go up in flames, taking anyone nearby with it. While you’re busy holding off the onslaught with the shield and lance, you can get some additional help from the new Armed Resupply Pods booster, which upgrades your resupply pods with a tiny top-mounted turret to fend off stragglers while you make your way to the ammo drop. Just remember to keep your head down on approach! Turn yourself into an immovable object for the enemy with the SR-18 Roadblock heavy armor. With a crested, Spartan-style helmet and imposing pauldrons to bulk up your shoulders, you’re sure to look the part. But if you’re feeling like you need an agile light armor to move fast in the streets, there’s also the SR-24 Street Scout that’s giving some S.E.A.F trooper vibes. Both of these armors feature the Siege Ready passive, which increases your primary weapon reload speed by a whopping 30% and your primary ammo capacity by 20%! Urban Legends has two capes with a gray and yellow color scheme that looks great with either armor set: the Greatcloak of Rebar Resolve with an extra large skull design, and the sleek, asymmetrical Holder of the Yellow Line cape. The Illuminate threaten our colonies with slavery and death. We have chosen our words carefully–perhaps they should have done the same. The “This is Democracy” emote will show those squids that Super Earth will not be conquered. There are also coordinating player cards for Rebar Resolve and Holder of the Yellow Line, as well a new set of urban camouflage patterns, Concrete Jungle, for your hellpods, shuttle, exosuit, and the brand new FRV which will be available soon! And like our previous Warbonds, we’re including plenty of Super Credits to unlock. The citizens of Super Earth’s colonies will rest a little easier knowing you’re armed with the latest from the Ministry of Defense. Gear up, Helldivers, and make the streets safe again with Urban Legends–available today! *Requires base game, paid purchase of Super Credits, and game progression to unlock. View the full article

We’re back! You have been dying to know what’s next for us, and I’m thrilled to finally be able to answer: Naughty Dog’s next game is Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, currently in development for the PlayStation 5 console. We’ve been working on this brand-new adventure since 2020! This game is shaping up to be our wildest, most creative story yet. If you haven’t already, check out the announcement trailer: Play Video Intergalactic stars our newest protagonist, Jordan A. Mun, a dangerous bounty hunter who ends up stranded on Sempiria – a distant planet whose communication with the outside universe went dark hundreds of years ago. In fact, anyone who’s flown to it hoping to unravel its mysterious past was never heard from again. Jordan will have to use all her skills and wits if she hopes to be the first person in over 600 years to leave its orbit. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Beyond that, we’re keeping everything about the story under wraps – at least for now. What we can tell you is that this game lives up to the Naughty Dog tradition of creating an emotional, character-driven epic journey. Our narrative goals are rivaled only by our gameplay ambitions. This will be the deepest gameplay in Naughty Dog’s history, taking our learnings from our previous franchises and pushing them beyond anything we’ve ever done before. Jordan is played by the talented Tati Gabrielle, who leads a stellar cast (pun intended!). Eagle-eyed players might spot some of the other cast members in the trailer. We’ll reveal more of our ensemble down the line. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Our incredible voyage into the cosmos also needs an equally incredible soundtrack. As tremendous fans of their work, I’m excited to announce our collaboration with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross who’ll be scoring Intergalactic! The guys are cooking, and the trailer is just a small tease of their work for the game. We know you’re eager for more – and trust us, we’re very eager to share more with you. For now, though, it’s time to put our heads back down and keep cranking away on Jordan’s adventure. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image On behalf of the entire team at Naughty Dog, thank you to all our fans! Your support allows us to work on our dream games, bringing these wonderful new worlds and characters to life. We can’t wait to show you more! See you on the other side, Neil Druckmann Naughty Dog Studio Head View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View the full article

We’re thrilled to announce after nearly two decades, the Onimusha series is returning with Onimusha: Way of the Sword, a brand-new swordplay action game coming in 2026. Play Video Onimusha first debuted with Onimusha: Warlords back in 2001, with swordplay combat based on the “Issen” counterattack mechanics. Introduced as a staple in the series, the mystical Oni Gauntlet bestowed the ability to absorb souls from the Genma, who were monstrous deformed creatures from another world. At The Game Awards 2024, we came back with a swing—or should we say slash. Onimusha: Way of the Sword is set in Kyoto in the early Edo period. The nefarious Malice has transformed the historic city into a dark twisted haven for the return of the demonic Genma. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image 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 A lone samurai steps forth, wielding the legendary Oni Gauntlet, and engages in brutally graceful sword fights, wiping his brow of sweat and blood. What path will he take, and what is the reason behind those battle-worn eyes? Stay tuned for more information on Onimusha: Way of the Sword, coming to PlayStation 5 in 2026. To all the Onimusha fans who have waited this long for our reawakening, thank you for all the support you’ve shown us over the years. We’re back. View the full article

We here at Naughty Dog are thrilled to finally announce that The Last of Us Part II Remastered will be available on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store on April 3, 2025. Originally released for the PlayStation 5 console earlier this year, Part II Remastered allows players to continue the acclaimed story of The Last of Us with a definitive version featuring the award-winning campaign, new modes, improved quality, and more. But before diving into how that experience is making the jump to PC, watch our announcement trailer below. Play Video The Last of Us Part II Remastered is designed to let players who have never experienced this story to do so in the best way possible, while also offering those replaying the story to deepen their appreciation for its creation, mechanics, and all the incredible work done by our team at Naughty Dog. “We’re all thrilled to bring The Last of Us Part II to the PC audience, including all the great new features we added in the Remastered version for PS5,” The Last of Us Part II Remastered Game Director Matthew Gallant said. “We hope players enjoy the captivating story, rich combat mechanics, extensive behind-the-scenes commentary, and test their skills in the roguelike mode No Return. We’re working hard to ensure that the game feels great on this new platform, and has the high performance and robust features that PC players expect.” View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Part II Remastered for PC, made along with our development partners at Nixxes Software and Iron Galaxy Studios, features the award-winning campaign focused on Ellie and Abby’s thrilling journeys, and brings with it all the new features the PS5 version introduced. That includes our thrilling and fan-favorite No Return roguelike mode, a series of levels left on the cutting room floor featuring developer commentary called the Lost Levels, a Guitar Free Play mode, and more. You can read about these in our original deep dive about Part II Remastered features to learn more, but we can’t wait for a whole new set of players to experience these offerings. We’re also proud to confirm Part II Remastered will be newly optimized and enhanced for PC. The teams at Nixxes and Iron Galaxy have been hard at work in concert with Naughty Dog to ensure The Last of Us Part II Remastered is a thrill for PC players from the jump. We’ll be delving further into the PC-specific features and specs as we get closer to launch. “We are honored and excited to be working closely together with Naughty Dog and Iron Galaxy on bringing The Last of Us Part II Remastered to PC. Our highly skilled and motivated team is working hard to make sure players have a great experience on PC. We’re combining our experience, in-house technology, and passion for this game series to deliver a scalable and high-performance port that players expect from us,” Coen Frauenfelder, PC Product Director at Nixxes, said. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Ahead of its launch, you can wishlist The Last of Us Part II Remastered on both Epic and Steam: Steam Epic Game Store link to come soon The Last of Us Part II Remastered is intended to be the definitive way to play a game that has meant so much to our studio and to so many players. We are so excited to offer this adventure for the first time on a new platform and bring Ellie and Abby’s emotional, unforgettable adventure to a new audience (and those of you wanting to experience it again). While we’re excited to share more with you in the months ahead of launch, if you haven’t already, be sure to play The Last of Us Part I on PC, available via Steam and the Epic Games Store, and catch up on the story before Part II Remastered arrives. View the full article

The time has come, Helldivers. The War has changed. These are dark times for freedom loving citizens everywhere. Our galaxy grows cold from the embrace of old enemies returning and darkens with the threat of new horrors emerging. We must now stand together in Super Earth’s light and oppose these sinister tidings. These Omens of Tyranny. Play Video The Illuminate return Missing for almost a century, the Illuminate will challenge our recruits more than the other factions they have faced. They are advanced, highly-intelligent beings wielding powerful technology that appears to average citizens like a kind of dark magic. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image At the end of the First Galactic War, the Helldivers worked together to eradicate the Illuminate. We believed we were successful, and for nearly 100 years, we have lived in relative peace, holding the Terminid and Automaton threats at bay. Thanks to our continued recruitment and training of new Helldivers, we have held these two fronts with complete, unmitigated success. But now the Illuminate have emerged seemingly out of nowhere. Even though we don’t know the true origin of the invasion, we have no choice now but to suppress three factions in the Galactic War. The Illuminate are spreading through mind control, abducting citizens of weaker dedication to democratic ideals and brainwashing them for a dark purpose which is still yet unknown to us. These mind-controlled citizens have been twisted and corrupted into a menace we call The Voteless–Super Earth’s own people turned against the principles of Democracy and fair elections, losing their ability to vote entirely. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image The intentions behind the Illuminate invasion are still unclear. Right now, they remain as smaller bands of insurgents, staging attacks, building mysterious structures, and abducting citizens before disappearing again. It’s up to us to stop them from getting their totalitarian tentacles any deeper into Super Earth’s domain. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image The fight at our doorstep Omens of Tyranny is bringing the fight into the streets, with new mission areas inside Super Earth’s many colonies. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Our colonies are being ravaged by these invaders, turning our once bright and sunny streets filled with smiling citizens into dark ruins, overrun by Voteless and Illuminate. Arm yourselves with your trusted tools of destruction and rid our colonies of this scum. But it won’t be easy. Gone are the wide-open spaces that Helldivers are accustomed to fighting in. Cities mean closer quarters, dark alleys, and forked paths where one wrong turn means meeting a horde of Voteless to liberate. You’ll need your best and brightest squad to navigate them carefully. Go easy on the gun, Chief With all these new developments, there won’t be time to take driver’s ed. courses, Helldiver. A Fast Recon Vehicle “FRV” will now appear in the colonies, ready to plow through the Illuminate at high speed. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Keep following the Major Orders issued by Super Earth High Command and you will get the keys to your very own FRV–a brand new, top-of-the-line manual transmission reconnaissance and combat vehicle. The whole squad can ride together, and your passengers can even lean out of the windows to lay down some suppressive fire as you shift gears and speed to your next destination. Just one question left: Who’s driving? There’s more to discover yet, and we can’t wait to get you back into the fight. The newest major update for Helldivers 2, Omens of Tyranny, featuring the return of the Illuminate faction, is now live! High Command has ordered all Helldivers to report to their Super Destroyers – it’s time to give these squids hell. Introducing DualSense Wireless Controller – Helldivers 2 Limited Edition Play Video Eliminate bugs, bots and squids with the Super Earth Ministry of Defense’s sleek new DualSense Wireless Controller – Helldivers 2 Limited Edition, sporting the iconic yellow and black armor paint scheme. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image The DualSense wireless controller – Helldivers 2 Limited Edition will be available in limited quantities for $84.99 / €84.99 / £74.99. Pre-orders start on December 20, 2024 at participating retailers, with launch on February 6, 2025. The exact launch date and availability for the controller may vary by country/region. direct.playstation.com Purchase Information Starting Friday, December 20 at 10am ET in the U.S. and 10am local time in the U.K., France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Austria, and Portugal, players will be able to pre-order the DualSense wireless controller – Helldivers 2 Limited Edition exclusively through direct.playstation.com. Helldivers 2 soundtrack now on vinyl View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Suit up, Helldivers! The Helldivers 2 (Original Game Soundtrack) vinyl is being prepared for deployment. It features: · Translucent bright yellow disc · Incredible music by Wilbert Roget, II · Single-pocket jacket with credit insert Pre-order now and join the fight for freedom! View the full article