Commander Fury

We’re not quite done with 2019 yet! Let’s welcome the new decade by taking a look at the last one’s final PS Store downloads chart. Notably, The Witcher III: Wild Hunt nabbed the #7 spot last month. I wonder why… Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Grand Theft Auto V, and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order sit comfortably atop the PS4 chart, while virtual reality behemoths Beat Saber, Superhot VR, and Job Simulator rule the PS VR list. As we kick of this brand-new year, what are your predictions for January? PS4 Games 1 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Grand Theft Auto V 3 Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order 4 NBA 2K20 5 Star Wars Battlefront II 6 Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege 7 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition 8 Madden NFL 20 9 Minecraft: PlayStation 4 Edition 10 Marvel’s Spider-Man 11 Need for Speed Heat 12 EA Sports FIFA 20 13 Red Dead Redemption 2 14 God of War 15 EA Sports UFC 3 16 Assassin’s Creed Odyssey 17 Resident Evil 2 18 The Forest 19 Rocket League 20 Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint PS VR Games 1 Beat Saber 2 Superhot VR 3 Job Simulator 4 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR 5 Arizona Sunshine 6 Batman: Arkham VR 7 Creed: Rise to Glory 8 Astro Bot Rescue Mission 9 Blood & Truth 10 Until Dawn: Rush of Blood Free-to-Play Games 1 Fortnite 2 Apex Legends 3 Brawlhalla 4 Dauntless 5 Warframe 6 America’s Army: Proving Grounds 7 DC Universe Online 8 3 on 3 Freestyle 9 Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation 2 10 H1Z1: Battle Royale DLC and Expansions 1 Fortnite – Polar Legends Pack 2 Fortnite – The Wavebreaker Pack 3 Star Wars Battlefront II: Celebration Edition Upgrade 4 Fortnite – Darkfire Bundle 5 Fortnite: Save the World – Standard Founder’s Pack 6 Red Dead Online: One Time Special Offer – 25 Gold Bars 7 Destiny 2: Shadowkeep 8 Dragon Ball FighterZ – Broly (DBS) 9 Beat Saber – Green Day Music Pack 10 Mortal Kombat 11 Kombat Pack View the full article

Nioh fans, I just wanted to provide a message of gratitude on behalf of Team Ninja and myself to all of the folks who played our Nioh 2 Open Beta last month. It was a tremendous learning experience for us as we carefully examined you guys playing the demo. We really appreciate the massive amount of responses submitted to our questionnaire after the play through. Our team has thoroughly read and reviewed everyone’s constructive feedback, and with that input we are working diligently towards fine-tuning the build for the final game. On a side note, the Nioh 2 Open Beta demo and its save data can now be deleted. For those of you who have earned The Mark of The Demon Slayer, rest assured it will not be removed even if the Open Beta demo data is deleted. At this time, I’d like to give you guys a brief update on some key features that we are currently working to improve for the final version. In order to address some of the portions that felt unreasonably difficult, we will be adjusting the balance for all Yokai actions and strengthening several of the special moves and making them more manageable to use. There will be modifications made to control the level of punishments in the Dark Realm such as adding merits where the maximum Ki damage is increased against enemy Yokai as well as the overall management of the player’s Ki will be refined. These are just a few of the many improvements we are making as we will also expand and improve the tutorial elements, enhance the action and level design, add additional settings to the character creation system, improve the UI, sound, online mode and so much more… Needless to say, we are combing through every facet of the game, sharpening every detail to ensure that the final product is battle-tested for your enjoyment in the coming months. You can read a fuller account of what we’re looking to address (click each page to expand), plus the results of player feedback from the Open Beta, below. I’m looking forward to many exciting Yokai adventures with the launch of Nioh 2 later this year. Thanks again for all the support. Cheers samurai! View the full article

Welcome to 2020! We’re kicking things off this year with a slightly late Players’ Choice poll for the final month of the last decade. A bit of a slower month, but not without its stars: Untitled Goose Game was a hoot (a honk?) at holiday parties worldwide, Arise: A Simple Story wove a beautiful tale of life and death, and Wattam brought back the trademark weirdness expected of any Keita Takahashi game. Let us know who you’re voting for in the comments — and tell us which backlog games you cleared out over the break! How does it work? At the end of every month, PlayStation.Blog will open a poll where you can vote for the best new game released that month. Soon thereafter, we’ll close the polls, tally your votes, and announce the winner at PlayStation.Blog. PlayStation Store will also showcase some top Players’ Choice winners throughout the year. What is the voting criteria? That’s up to you! If you were only able to recommend one new release to a friend that month, which would it be? In keeping with our long tradition in the Game of the Year Awards, remastered or re-released games won’t qualify. Ambitious, larger-scale rebuilds and remakes like Shadow of the Colossus and Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy will. How are nominees decided? The PlayStation.Blog and PlayStation Store editorial teams will gather a list of that month’s most noteworthy releases and use it to seed the poll. Write-in votes will be accepted. Players’ Choice: What Was December’s Best New Game? View the full article

Travel the globe in pursuit of unimaginable treasures and *checks notes* cause untold amounts of property damage as a goat? Didn’t see that one coming! More on Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection and Goat Simulator, your new games available for free until February 3: Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection Play Video Play Video From the groundbreaking storytellers at Naughty Dog, comes the genre-defining epic that revolutionized adventure storytelling, rebuilt by Bluepoint Games with the power of the PS4 system. Follow the perilous journey of Nathan Drake across the globe, from humble beginnings to extraordinary discoveries. Meet an unforgettable cast of characters as Drake puts life and friendship on the line in a race against ruthless enemies to uncover unimaginable treasure. Uncharted The Nathan Drake Collection includes the single-player campaigns only for Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, and Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. Goat Simulator Play Video Play Video The title says it all, really. Hurl an immaculately rendered goat with blisteringly accurate physics at all manner of objects. It’s the definitive goat simulation experience. Oh — actually, it’s a totally bonkers fling-em-up that has you launching a goat at things. A lot of things. Experiment and see what happens! Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection and Goat Simulator will be available from January 7 to February 3. With January’s games fast approaching, this means you only have a few days left to grab Titanfall 2 and Monster Energy Supercross – The Official Game. They’re available until January 6, so act fast! For more information about PS Plus, visit our webpage. View the full article

Early on in A Plague Tale: Innocence, the De Rune siblings pause in the middle of a silent church yard. After their ancestral home was attacked, they’ve been on the run through the fields and villages of war-torn, plague-infested medieval France, with angry villagers and the Inquisition hot on their trail. Older sister and protagonist Amicia is determined to keep her sickly brother Hugo safe, urging him to keep moving forward, but Hugo runs off to marvel at a flower growing in the weeds. He picks it up, placing it in Amicia’s hair, and whispers, “It will protect you. And it’s pretty.” Cue: my heart breaking. A Plague Tale is a moving experience from start to finish, its characters the spark of light in the darkness, a reminder of humanity in the midst of horror. Amicia is a formidable and smart young girl, taking on responsibility that most would sooner throw themselves to the rats over rather than face. Moving through the world and protecting Hugo is no easy task, but she’s level-headed through the mayhem. Protection often comes in the form of her slingshot, which becomes increasingly more threatening as she discovers new alchemical concoctions to toss at soldiers and rat swarms alike. It’s a simple but satisfying mechanic, like in an early battle where Amicia must target the boss’ armor hinges until she can brain the brute directly. While I took glee in finding new ways to unleash my slingshot prowess, Amicia herself will question her own morality, commenting in horror when she realizes she’s killed someone. Her moments of reflection were a refreshing reminder of what makes us human. Her brother Hugo stands as the biggest reminder. A sickly child with little knowledge of the world outside his bedroom walls, Hugo takes in every environment with fresh eyes. Like his flower picking moments, he also chases after animals, giggling with delight despite their grisly surroundings. There are natural moments of sibling rebellion, but their relationship is believable and Hugo never feels like a burden. Hugo is often the key to solving environmental puzzles, pulling levers and crawling through tiny openings to keep them moving forward. It also helps that his voice actor is absolutely adorable. As the origins of his illness come to a head, Hugo becomes center of some of the game’s most enthralling sequences, adding a supernatural twist on an otherwise grounded tale of woe. Beyond the De Rune siblings, A Plague Tale’s biggest stars are those dang rats. Y’all, these are some very good video game rats. They erupt from the shadows in bloodthirsty swarms, moving together like waves crashing against the walls and one another. Seeing the carnage they unleash if Amicia and Hugo step out of the light and into their tiny, frenzied clutches is a sight to behold. Their presence makes environmental puzzles come to life, whether it’s lighting bonfires to clear a path or perfectly timing Amicia’s steps during lightning strikes. I’m endlessly torn between whether their introduction scene or the end-game sequence where they are controlled by the vile Grand Inquisitor is one of my favorite moments in gaming this year. Asobo Studio’s macabre stealth adventure is filled with these harrowing enemy encounters, intriguing environmental puzzles, and a lot of rats. But it’s the quiet moments in the middle of the madness where humanity and hope rise above the horror that makes A Plague Tale a favorite. View the full article

I’ve always had a soft spot for music-driven games. Rhythm games like Guitar Hero, Rez, or Thumper play almost subconsciously for me as someone with a musical background so I first approached Sayonara Wild Hearts with a similar mindset. However, as I made my way through the game I discovered that it’s so much more than just pressing a button to the beat. Sayonara Wild Hearts not only fuses music and gaming together, it’s also a nuanced love letter to both mediums. What starts as an on-rails “endless runner”-type experience with simple shiny object collection morphs into a Panzer Dragoon-like shooter, then into a mind-bending multi-dimensional track racer, then into a 2D platformer, then into a… well, I shouldn’t spoil too much of the ride. Sayonara is a celebration of dozens of gameplay mechanics you’ve likely experienced in your personal gaming journey, all fused into a simple, yet deceptively layered, control scheme involving just one button and one analog stick. Developer Simogo conducts a clinic on how to layer in more nuanced gameplay concepts to the player without ever using explicit on-screen button prompts or tutorials. This clean control scheme lets the real star of the show — the music — shine. Sayonara Wild Hearts is presented over the course of a couple dozen 2-4 minute levels (similar to a music album) with original songs propelling you through each one. The game is sequenced like a proper album, with tempo changes, memorable hooks, and upbeat melodies buoying moodier, more contemplative tracks. My playthrough of Sayonara was a sublime one, melding equal parts anticipation and bewilderment over the adventure’s developing narrative, the aforementioned music, and the mind-bending visuals that accompanied each track. Vibrant neon cityscapes melted away into high-speed robotic animal chases through verdant forests. It was impossible to guess where the game was going to take me next, so I happily let go and gave in to its propulsive ride. Sayonara Wild Hearts is fast-paced and some levels get pretty tricky, but the game will offer to assist you if you fail too many times. I always declined, as each challenging section seemed within reach of my abilities, but it’s reassuring that the option exists for a simpler gameplay experience. Multiple score ranking tier goals kept me revisiting levels to optimize routes and scan for hidden pickups. The more I play Sayonara Wild Hearts, the more it dawns on me just how seamlessly its gameplay, music, and story complement each other. This is a game that defies a single genre, but the sum of its parts makes it unforgettable and is perhaps the most unique, yet naturally playable title I’ve experienced all year. View the full article

We hope you’re having a wonderful holiday! We’re taking it easy over at PlayStation HQ, but we couldn’t resist looking back at some of the biggest and best trailers of 2019. We’ve gathered a few of our favorites below; feel free to reminisce with us! Did we miss any? Share your faves in the comments! Call of Duty: Modern Warfare – Reveal Trailer Play Video Play Video Death Stranding – Release Date Reveal Trailer Play Video Play Video Devil May Cry 5 – Final Trailer Play Video Play Video Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot – E3 2019 Trailer Play Video Play Video Final Fantasy VII Remake – E3 2019 Trailer Play Video Play Video Final Fantasy VIII Remastered – E3 2019 Trailer Play Video Play Video Ghost of Tsushima -The Ghost Play Video Play Video Godfall – Reveal Trailer Play Video Play Video Marvel’s Avengers – E3 2019 Reveal Trailer Play Video Play Video Marvel’s Iron Man VR – Announce Trailer Play Video Play Video Monster Hunter World: Iceborne – Gameplay Reveal Trailer Play Video Play Video Mortal Kombat 11 Kombat Pack – Official Terminator T-800 Gameplay Trailer Play Video Play Video Predator: Hunting Grounds – Reveal Trailer Play Video Play Video Resident Evil 3 – State of Play Announcement Trailer Play Video Play Video Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice – Official Launch Trailer Play Video Play Video View the full article

As someone familiar with FromSoftware’s prior works, I approached Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice with (what I believed to be) earned confidence. After all, surely those who’ve conquered the Souls series and acquired Bloodborne’s Platinum Trophy would be adequately prepared for a stealthy shinobi adventure through 15th Century Japan. For the first several enemy encounters, this feeling held true. Whether I was sneaking across rooftops or engaging foes head-on, Sekiro’s agility and unique Prosthetic Tools made quick work of simpler foes. Their basic spears and melee weapons just couldn’t compete with deadly shuriken, a massive retractable axe, or Sekiro’s own legendary blade. But then some heavy-duty baddies mopped the floor with me, followed by a boss riding a horse so large it appeared like someone described an animal they’d only read about in ancient texts. And somewhere in there I stumbled across Lady Butterfly’s lair. Humbling encounters, one after the other. Rattled but resolute, I kept playing. And soon, the combat clicked. Each slice, footstep, and movement had to be a deliberate action. Am I whittling away at their health or dealing progressive Posture damage to stagger them? Maybe it’s a combo as I weave in Prosthetic Tools and various Shinobi Arts into a fluid, overwhelming assault. The right use of tools, weapons, and abilities led to victory, while missteps or bad parries could deplete my own Posture and, well, down I go yet again. This constant fear of a mistimed counterattack or an unexpected enemy maneuver made every weapon in the game feel lethal. We’ve all played games with swords, guns, gun swords, laser swords — just about every modifier “gun” or “sword” could ever have attached to them — yet in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice anything with a pointed edge felt suitably dangerous. And every duel, whether in a dusty wooden temple or a forest bursting with fall colors, demanded full attention. These intense feelings coalesce in the game’s formidable boss battles. Anyone who triumphed over Genichiro or stood their ground after “defeating” the Guardian Ape should recall the nail-biting mania of each showdown, where the momentum could shift at any second and victory quickly becomes a cocktail of futility and despair. And hoo boy that final boss. I leapt up from my couch upon dealing the final Deathblow. If that all sounds difficult — it is! FromSoftware’s reputation is alive and well in Sekiro. But it’s the feeling of victory, seemingly against all odds and against enemies expertly designed to ruin your day, that makes the uphill struggle worth it. I was frustrated. I nearly gave in. But unforgettable moments of victory, imaginative enemies, and the omnipresent “one more try-ness” of the game kept pulling me back in. Without a doubt, Sekiro leapt out to me as one of the most memorable games of the year, constantly knocking me down but always providing the means to pull myself up again. View the full article

Where do I start? Death Stranding, as is true of just about anything Hideo Kojima works on, has been the subject of intense speculation since it was first revealed on stage at PlayStation’s E3 2016 press conference. With Kojima-san striking out on his own, starting a new studio (upon which he has staked his very name), and entering a partnership with Sony Interactive Entertainment to publish his studio’s first project, expectations were high. Is it even possible to live up to that level of hype? I think it is. In particular, there are two kinds of players who I think will get a particular thrill from this bizarre, ambitious experience: Players who enjoy the organic, deliberate, and meditative qualities of open-world games. Players who love to optimize, min-maxing their way to victory regardless of the task at hand. The world of Death Stranding is one that begs to be explored and discovered, home to sweeping vistas and hidden nooks alike, and dotted with Preppers: people who live their lives in isolated bunkers following a cataclysmic event known as the — you guessed it — “Death Stranding.” As rugged everyman Sam Bridges, your task is to find and reconnect these people and, with any luck, instill hope for the future of America along the way. Preppers are generally few and far between, which means Sam needs to be well-prepared before setting out on a delivery. Planning your route is a surprisingly tactile and thoughtful process, achieved with the help of map you can tilt in 3D space by holding your finger on your DualShock 4’s touch pad. Of course, there’s always Plan B: set a marker for your destination and wing it. This becomes more of a practical option later in the game once you’ve unlocked plans to build more tools and vehicles, many of which are situation-specific, but all of which will ease your travels considerably. Delivering medicine to someone posted up in the mountains? Bring a few ladders and climbing anchors. Expecting to run into resistance from hostiles? Pack a Bola gun for quick, non-lethal takedowns. Think you’ll need to trek through an area plagued by supernatural, nearly invisible creatures trapped between the planes of life and death? There are ways to make that less daunting, too. Making sure Sam gets rest between big deliveries or after a narrow escape is imperative to your mission’s success. Your stamina meter behaves mostly as you’d expect, but your maximum endurance will decrease over time as you perform more strenuous tasks, necessitating a nap in a private room located at any of the game’s major destinations. Stamina can also be recovered by simply letting Sam sit down anywhere in the world. If you spot a cairn in the wild, that means another player is resting there and you’ll recover more quickly there — a hint of Death Stranding’s asynchronous play at work. One nice touch: if you don’t interact with the game for a bit, Sam will take it upon himself to take a break wherever he’s at, making for a pleasant sort of quasi-screensaver while he rests up. The way Death Stranding approaches character progression feels like a more organic and nuanced evolution of the traditional XP-based leveling system we’re all oh-so-familiar with. When a delivery is completed, Sam is graded in various areas like delivery time, cargo weight, and cargo condition. Excelling in these (and other) areas will make Sam more proficient at them, eventually granting him bonuses to things like stamina, maximum cargo capacity, and balance. Making multiple highly rated deliveries to Preppers will strengthen Sam’s bond with them, too, often leading to new tools and cosmetic bonuses gifted to him as he earns their trust. This is an open world you can explore at your own pace — I spent over a hundred hours making deliveries all over America, strengthening bonds and hoarding materials to build roads and upgrade structures, before I decided to wrap up the main story. The gameplay loop here is an addictive one, especially if discovering new tools and upgrades to further tighten that loop sounds like your kinda jam. But the real magic of Death Stranding becomes apparent once you realize you aren’t just building these structures and paving these roads for yourself. Everything you do has the potential to help other players during their own travels, and as you make your way further into Sam’s odyssey you’ll start thinking less about how to make your own trek easier, and more about how you can help those who follow in your footsteps. The confidence with which Kojima Productions has executed on the vision of its namesake is admirable. Nobody has made a game like this before, but Death Stranding feels so absolutely sure of what it is, sending players on a journey that, in some ways, seems to mirror the one Kojima-san himself embarked upon a few short years ago: a quest to bring people together through sheer force of will, striving to deliver things nobody thought possible. View the full article

Last week, we asked you to head to a galaxy far, far away and share your favorite moments from Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. From daring lightsaber duels to detailed portraits, you shared shares using The Force…aka, using #PS4share and #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights: Cal is caught up in a duel for the ages in this share by Felix_Fredholm. Cal wades through some water in this serene shot by DotPone. Up close and personal with Cal, in this share by EliteGamingP. Kirill_Skulkin shared this full portrait of Cal, lightsaber and all. lorsteibel has Cal up against the wall. PeteyReilly shares a mossy moment with an AT-AT. Search #PS4share and #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 Share by: 9am Pacific on Wednesday, January 1, 2020 2019’s year in gaming may be coming to an end, but we can’t help taking a look back. Share your favorite moments from games released this year using #PS4share and #PSBlog for a chance to be featured in the new year. View the full article

Whoa, it’s already the end of the year? *Blinks* Apparently, time flies when amazing games drop one right after the other! In these final holiday weeks of 2019, we’d like to say thank you for all your support throughout the year. Both the PlayStation.Blog team and the creators of the aforementioned amazing games hope your holiday season is full of happiness, cheer, and (of course) lots of downtime to work on the backlog. Grab some nog, coffee, cider, or whatever your holiday drink of choice may be and scroll through our delightful collection of cards from our friends and partners around the world. The joyous image above came with a special message from the artist: “With The Rage of the Gods driving my pencil, I combined my love of the God of War series with my passion for 2D art and animation to create this image. I’ve been a huge fan of Kratos ever since I experienced the original game back in my hometown of Bristol, England many years ago. His sanguinary tale of revenge was truly compelling and, over the years, has grown into so much more. Working on this illustration was a huge honor!” – Romina Tempest View the full article

Merry citizens of Gallowmere, Tis the season of comfort, joy and second chances! I bring you the jolly news that the MediEvil Short-Lived Demo is being resurrected at PlayStation Store today with additional content! Get your hands on this free download to claim the Sir Dan’s Helmet item, traverse the Graveyard and Hilltop Mausoleum and fight your way to the Stained Glass Demon. Are you up to restoring some cheer to the kingdom this holiday? And in the spirit of our 25th anniversary, the development team at Other Ocean has provided us with an in-depth look at how they meticulously updated Sir Dan’s model for the PlayStation 4. Please take a look, and share the spirit of Sir Dan this holiday season! Nick Bruty, Art Director (Other Ocean) Sir Daniel’s look is so central to the game that if we didn’t get it exactly right it wouldn’t feel like Medievil at all. With the original PS1 model being so lo-res we knew we needed to add much more detail and shape. It was going to be a whole new Dan but had to feel exactly like the old Dan. We knew it would take many iterations to get it right so we made sure to give Dan as much production time as possible with our only deadline being the first video release for marketing, about midway through production. However, the process wasn’t as grueling as we thought. The concept artists had already been at work on many areas of the game and we had really dialed in the style. But there was one thing that bothered us from the original. Dan had surprisingly short arms. He got away with it more being so lo-res but now it just looked wrong. We made some adjustments, so that they were more proportional to Dan’s lanky legs. This felt right and the animation looked better for it. It was a great feeling to read the first feedback on Dan’s new look. Seeing fans put up comparisons between the old and new. Everyone seemed to really feel we kept the spirit of Dan and enjoyed the new additions. What really brought Dan to life was the extra polygons and bones in Dan’s skull, allowing our animators to get far more expression from Sir Dan’s bony face. Alyssa Fernandez, Concept Art (Secret 6) When we started our redesigns of Dan, our first steps were to definitely go back and learn as much as we can about his story and the original creator’s intentions. We wanted to keep true to his iconic look and silhouette. Dan’s armor pieces were concepted to highly consider function — allowing Dan’s mannerisms, quirks (skeleton in armor!), and attacks to be animated fluidly while still being grounded in design. Dan’s skull underwent many iterations, referencing designs from the past MediEvil games — striking a balance between the grit of the PS1, to the humorous and modernized shapes from Resurrection. Joel Codorniz, Rigging (Secret 6) Dan is a very unique character to rig, since he is basically a skeleton that wears armor. We had a number of revisions just to get the feeling right on his armor, and his face. Dan doesn’t have a jaw like other characters so we had to do different experiments and testing. We did the approach of separating the bone and armor, so that we can be flexible in capturing his goofy personality and showcasing the weight of his armor. Jem Bernaldez, 3D Modeling (Secret 6) For Dan’s materials, we initially started with something more “pristine and clean” with his armor, given he is the “hero” of the story. As we developed a deeper understanding for Dan, we shifted to a more tattered look and feel to his armor, but decided to keep his skull a bit cleaner, to support his iconic look. Julie Almoneda, 3D Modeling (Secret 6) We made sure to model and sculpt Sir Dan as close to the concept art provided as possible. Especially his skull since it had to support a lot of stylized emotions. So we provided enough polygon density to carry the various emotions, but also balanced it with optimization so the model would render clean inside the engine. We had to constantly think between the physics of a hard skeleton/skull of a human body paired with the animated,cartoony and goofy skull of Sir Dan. To be able to support complex animations and expressions, we added controls in almost every part of his body including the parts of his armor for the supporting body language. Justin Rosenthal-Kambic, Animation (Other Ocean) Looking back to the limitations of the PS1 era in the late 90’s, the original team at SCE Cambridge Studio did an admirable job with the barest of bones to give Dan a few quirks that conveyed just enough of his personality. When it came time to build our rig and animate Sir Dan ourselves, we explored and expanded upon those broad-strokes of the original and developed a facial rig that gave us the flexibility to serve both our in-game and cinematic needs. Thanks to a much increased poly count, (60 vs 1,734) and far more joint support, we were able to create a wide variety of emotions to flesh out our interpretation of who Dan was and how he should act in his unique resurrected situation. I was particularly excited to set up the ability to squash/stretch Dan’s skull which helped in exaggerating some of his more emotional actions, most notably when he tears off his arm or when he munches on that chicken drumstick. Emily Chen, Animation (Other Ocean) There were a lot of moments where you can see what the original game wanted to do, but couldn’t convey because of limitations. Discussing these scenes with our cinematic artist was especially fun because we got the chance to make the shots clearer and yet we still stayed true to the original content. It was especially fun to play around with Dan’s facial expressions even without a jaw to work with. Overall, the complexity of our rig gave us the ability to max out his poses. For example, separating his head from his neck or stretch out his body for exaggerated poses. Norm Badillo, Art Production (Other Ocean) With the advancements in technology and the power of the PS4, bringing Sir Dan up to modern standards and expectations took a lot of thought and care from the team to make it happen. The process from investigation, concept, experimentation, collaboration, and animation resulted into the embodiment of something special for the fans and the franchise. All the pieces together took Sir Dan to the next level and is definitely something we are all very proud of. From all of us on the development team, thank you very much to all of our wonderful MediEvil fans out there – your support has been invaluable, and we hope we met your expectations with our latest MediEvil adventure. Happy Holidays! View the full article

Dreams of a Resident Evil 2 remake have been swirling in my head since 2005. My imagination ignited the moment I unlocked Leon’s Raccoon Police Department outfit in Resident Evil 4. Seeing the outbreak survivor in his updated, detailed RPD uniform battling parasitic threats with RE4’s revolutionary over-the-shoulder gunplay set my mind wild imagining what a remake of RE2 could look and play like. Fast forward to 2019, and Capcom has delivered on fervent fan expectations that have been marinating for over two decades. Capcom’s stunning 2002 remake of the original Resident Evil is perhaps the finest horror game ever made, so quality expectations were high heading into the RE2 remake. The modern third-person gunplay merges seamlessly with the traditional, atmospheric survival horror trappings. Don’t let the empowering aiming system fool you into thinking this is a guns-blazing action game – zombies can shrug off more bullets than ever. Enemies’ toughness and agility places the priority on subduing and evading rather than destroying everything, which ratchets up the tension of every encounter. Ammo and health are still your precious, limited lifeblood. Beyond the intuitive gunplay changes, this remake adds meaningful new gameplay options. Knives can be used both offensively and as get-out-of-jail-free-card defensive weapons, introducing new strategic options. A crafting system similar to RE7’s lets players make the ammo they prefer. Multiple stylish ’90s fanny packs can be found to expand your inventory. Capcom nails the details and expertly embellishes existing survival horror systems. The fearsome Tyrant (aka Mr. X) crashes the party in the main RE2 campaign, unlike the 1998 original where he patiently waited to terrorize you until the second playthrough. Tyrant is a hulking, unstoppable, trenchcoated menace — and I adore him. The bio-weapon is an unrelenting slasher movie tribute injected into an already intense zombie apocalypse. His heavy, oppressive footsteps thud throughout the police department and constantly remind players they’re in danger. His ability to endlessly stalk you throughout most of the building makes ducking into a safe room more relieving than ever. Tyrant is an encapsulation of what Capcom gets right about this remake, capitalizing on his full gameplay potential from the original game while staying true to the somewhat grounded universe of RE. Resident Evil 2 was an ambitious sequel back in 1998, packing two PlayStation discs — one for Leon S. Kennedy and another for Claire Redfield. After players finished the game with one character, they could play through the horrific events from the other’s perspective. The remake preserves this ingenious formula, offering brave players four distinct playthroughs. Replaying RE2 is where the game (and series) truly sings, enabling players who once felt like they were barely scraping by to become zombie-dodging masters. Memorizing the RPD layout, expertly navigating the labyrinthine sewers, and unlocking bonus weapons (unlimited ammo!) for subsequent playthroughs is part of the full RE2 experience. Over 20 years after the celebrated original, the Resident Evil 2 remake earns’ PlayStation’s Editors’ Choice as a defining horror experience. This remake shows that the Capcom team — who invented the genre in 1996 — still deserves the mantle of masters of survival horror. RE2 is manages to be consistently nerve-wracking, smooth, and entertaining. The fun’s not over, either — the recent announcement of ESCAPE has me thrilled to survive Raccoon City once again. View the full article

Choosing your favorite game of the year is always difficult. You may have a frontrunner and a few others that really leapt out at you, but truly determining which was your flat-out favorite? The one you’d hang your hat on for a given year? Tough stuff. Welp, get ready for an even more challenging decision — choosing a game that stood above the rest for the entire decade. Gaze in despair at the list of absolute monsters below and try to narrow it down to only one. It’s impossible! And that’s why our first-ever Game of the Decade poll allows you to choose three games, in no particular order, as your favorites. Don’t see your preferred game below? Write it in at the bottom of the poll and we’ll be sure to make note of it. When voting ends on January 5, we’ll tally the votes and see which games walk away with Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards. We have some guesses as to the winners, but truth be told this was such a strong decade that there’s no way to really predict those top entries. Better get started! PlayStation.Blog Game of the Decade View the full article

PlayStation Store kicks off a season of savings tomorrow morning with a massive month-long Holiday Sale. Round 1 sees deals up to 50 percent on more than 1,500 titles guaranteed to get you out of the cold and into the game. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking cinematic landscapes of Death Stranding – making its PS Store sale debut. Dive into battle with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, build your empire in Grand Theft Auto V: Premium Online Edition, and much, much more. Take a first sneak peak at just a fraction of the Round 1 lineup below, then head over to PS Store bright and early Friday for the full list of titles. Round 1 of PlayStation Store’s Holiday Sale ends Thursday, January 5. But be sure to keep an eye out for the Round 2 roster refresh, with even more deals running through January 16. PS4 Games Title $Sale $Original A WAY OUT $14.99 $29.99 ACE COMBAT 7: SKIES UNKNOWN $29.99 $59.99 ACE COMBAT 7: SKIES UNKNOWN DELUXE EDITION $42.49 $84.99 AFTERPARTY $15.99 $19.99 ANTHEM $11.99 $59.99 ANTHEM LEGION OF DAWN EDITION $15.99 $79.99 ARIZONA SUNSHINE (VR) $13.99 $39.99 ARK: SURVIVAL EVOLVED $14.99 $49.99 ARK: SURVIVAL EVOLVED EXPLORER’S EDITION $35.99 $89.99 ARKHAM TRILOGY BUNDLE $14.99 $59.99 ASSASSIN’S CREED ODYSSEY $14.99 $59.99 ASSASSIN’S CREED ODYSSEY – DELUXE EDITION $19.99 $79.99 ASSASSIN’S CREED ODYSSEY – GOLD EDITION $24.99 $99.99 ASSASSIN’S CREED ODYSSEY – ULTIMATE EDITION $29.99 $119.99 ASSASSIN’S CREED LEGENDARY COLLECTION $65.99 $199.99 ASTRO BOT RESCUE MISSION $17.99 $19.99 ATELIER RYZA: DIGITAL DELUXE EDITION $64.79 $71.99 ATELIER RYZA: EVER DARKNESS & THE SECRET HIDEOUT $53.99 $59.99 BATMAN: ARKHAM VR $5.99 $19.99 BATMAN: RETURN TO ARKHAM $5.99 $19.99 BATTLEFIELD 1 $4.99 $19.99 BATTLEFIELD V $15.99 $39.99 BATTLEFIELD V – YEAR 2 EDITION $29.99 $49.99 BATTLEFIELD V and EA SPORTS UFC 3 Bundle $25.19 $59.99 BLACK DESERT DELUXE EDITION $24.99 $49.99 BLACK DESERT STANDARD EDITION $14.99 $29.99 BLACK DESERT ULTIMATE EDITION $49.99 $99.99 BLASPHEMOUS $16.74 $24.99 BLOOD & TRUTH $19.99 $39.99 BORDERLANDS 2 VR (VR) $24.99 $49.99 BORDERLANDS 3 $38.99 $59.99 BORDERLANDS 3 DIGITAL DELUXE BUNDLE $51.99 $79.99 BORDERLANDS 3 SUPER DIGITAL DELUXE BUNDLE $77.99 $119.99 BORDERLANDS: GAME OF THE YEAR EDITION $14.99 $29.99 BORDERLANDS: THE HANDSOME COLLECTION $14.99 $59.99 BOXVR (VR) $17.99 $29.99 BROFORCE $3.74 $14.99 BURNOUT PARADISE HD $9.99 $19.99 BUS SIMULATOR $29.99 $39.99 CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS GOLD EDITION $19.79 $59.99 CALL OF DUTY: INFINITE WARFARE $19.79 $59.99 CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE $39.59 $59.99 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare – Battle Pass Edition $63.99 $79.99 CAR MECHANIC SIMULATOR $19.49 $29.99 CASTLEVANIA ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION $9.99 $19.99 CASTLEVANIA REQUIEM SYMPHONY OF THE NIGHT & RONDO OF BLOOD $9.99 $19.99 CATHERINE: FULL BODY $29.99 $59.99 CATHERINE: FULL BODY DIGITAL DELUXE EDITION $39.99 $79.99 CHILDREN OF MORTA $14.73 $21.99 CITADEL: FORGED WITH FIRE $31.99 $39.99 CITIES: SKYLINES – MAYOR’S EDITION $34.99 $99.99 CITIES: SKYLINES – PLAYSTATION4 EDITION $9.99 $39.99 CODE VEIN $35.99 $59.99 CODE VEIN DELUXE EDITION $55.99 $79.99 CONTROL BUNDLE $38.99 $59.99 CONTROL DELUXE PRE-ORDER BUNDLE $51.99 $79.99 Crash Bandicoot Bundle – N. Sane Trilogy + CTR Nitro-Fueled $41.24 $74.99 CRASH BANDICOOT N. SANE TRILOGY $19.99 $39.99 CRASH TEAM RACING – DIGITAL DELUXE $35.99 $59.99 CRASH TEAM RACING – STANDARD EDITION $23.99 $39.99 Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled + Spyro Game Bundle $41.24 $74.99 DANGANRONPA 1/2 RELOAD $19.99 $39.99 DARK PICTURES – MAN OF MEDAN $17.99 $29.99 DARK SOULS III $14.99 $59.99 DARK SOULS III – DELUXE EDITION $21.24 $84.99 DARK SOULS REMASTERED $19.99 $39.99 DAYS GONE $19.99 $39.99 DAYS GONE DIGITAL DELUXE EDITION $24.99 $49.99 DAYZ $29.99 $49.99 DEAD OR ALIVE 6 $29.99 $59.99 DEAD RISING 4: FRANK’S BIG PACKAGE $19.99 $39.99 DEATH STRANDING $40.19 $59.99 DEATH STRANDING DIGITAL DELUXE EDITION $53.59 $79.99 DETROIT: BECOME HUMAN $14.99 $19.99 DETROIT: BECOME HUMAN DIGITAL DELUXE EDITION $22.49 $29.99 DEVIL MAY CRY 5 (WITH RED ORBS) $19.79 $59.99 DEVIL MAY CRY 5 DELUXE EDITION $23.09 $69.99 DEVIL MAY CRY HD COLLECTION & 4SE BUNDLE $22.49 $44.99 DISNEY CLASSIC GAMES: ALADDIN AND THE LION KING $19.79 $29.99 DIVINITY ORIGINAL SIN 2 DEFINITIVE EDITION $29.99 $59.99 DOOM – FULL GAME $5.99 $19.99 DRAGON BALL FIGHTERZ $14.99 $59.99 DRAGON BALL FIGHTERZ – FIGHTERZ EDITION $28.49 $94.99 DRAGON BALL FIGHTERZ – ULTIMATE EDITION $32.99 $109.99 DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE 2 $14.99 $59.99 DRAGON QUEST XI: DAY ONE EDITION $29.99 $59.99 DYING LIGHT: THE FOLLOWING – ENHANCED EDITION $13.99 $19.99 EA SPORTS UFC 3 $5.99 $19.99 EFOOTBALL PES 2020 LEGEND EDITION $39.99 $79.99 EFOOTBALL PES 2020 STANDARD EDITION $29.99 $59.99 ENTER THE GUNGEON $7.49 $14.99 ERICA $6.99 $9.99 EVERYBODY’S GOLF (VR) $20.99 $29.99 F1 2019 $20.99 $59.99 F1 2019 LEGEND EDITION $24.49 $69.99 FALLOUT 4 GAME OF THE YEAR EDITION $23.99 $59.99 FALLOUT 76 $19.99 $39.99 FALLOUT 76 TRICENTENNIAL BUNDLE $29.99 $59.99 FAR CRY 5 $14.99 $59.99 FAR CRY NEW DAWN $15.99 $39.99 FAR CRY NEW DAWN – DELUXE EDITION $19.99 $49.99 FAR CRY NEW DAWN COMPLETE EDITION $29.99 $99.99 FAR CRY NEW DAWN ULTIMATE EDITION $38.99 $129.99 FARMING SIMULATOR 19 $26.79 $39.99 FARMING SIMULATOR 19 – PREMIUM EDITION $53.59 $79.99 FARPOINT $13.99 $19.99 FIFA 20 $29.99 $59.99 FIFA 20 CHAMPIONS EDITION $39.99 $79.99 FIFA 20 ULTIMATE EDITION $49.99 $99.99 FINAL FANTASY IX DIGITAL EDITION $12.59 $20.99 FINAL FANTASY VII $9.59 $15.99 FINAL FANTASY VIII REMASTERED $13.39 $19.99 FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD REMASTER $12.49 $24.99 FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE $24.99 $49.99 FINAL FANTASY XIV Online Complete Edition $29.99 $59.99 FINAL FANTASY XV ROYAL EDITION $17.49 $34.99 FOR HONOR COMPLETE EDITION BUNDLE $32.99 $99.99 FORAGER $15.99 $19.99 GENERATION ZERO $20.09 $29.99 GOD EATER 3 $29.99 $59.99 GOD OF WAR $14.99 $19.99 GOD OF WAR DIGITAL DELUXE EDITION $22.49 $29.99 GRAND THEFT AUTO V: PREMIUM ONLINE EDITION $14.99 $29.99 GTAV: PREMIUM ONLINE EDITION & MEGALODON SHARK CARD $39.59 $89.99 HELLBLADE: SENUA’S SACRIFICE $14.99 $29.99 HITMAN – GAME OF THE YEAR EDITION $11.99 $59.99 HORIZON ZERO DAWN COMPLETE EDITION $14.99 $19.99 HUMAN FALL FLAT $6.74 $14.99 HUNTING SIMULATOR $9.99 $39.99 INFAMOUS SECOND SON $14.99 $19.99 JAK AND DAXTER BUNDLE $17.99 $39.99 JUDGMENT $29.99 $59.99 JUMP FORCE $29.99 $59.99 JUMP FORCE – DELUXE EDITION $44.99 $89.99 JUMP FORCE – ULTIMATE EDITION $49.99 $99.99 JURASSIC WORLD EVOLUTION $19.99 $49.99 JURASSIC WORLD EVOLUTION DELUXE EDITION $24.74 $54.99 JUST CAUSE 3 $4.99 $19.99 JUST CAUSE 4 – COMPLETE EDITION $24.49 $69.99 JUST CAUSE 4 – GOLD EDITION $20.99 $59.99 JUST CAUSE 4 – RELOADED $13.99 $39.99 JUST DANCE 2020 $25.99 $39.99 KILLING FLOOR 2 $9.89 $29.99 KILLING FLOOR: INCURSION (VR) $9.99 $19.99 KINGDOM HEARTS COLLECTION $32.99 $99.99 KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5 +2.5 REMIX $24.99 $49.99 KINGDOM HEARTS III $19.79 $59.99 L.A. NOIRE: THE VR CASE FILES $22.49 $29.99 LEGO DC SUPER-VILLAINS $17.99 $59.99 LEGO HARRY POTTER COLLECTION $6.99 $19.99 LEGO JURASSIC WORLD $9.99 $19.99 LEGO MARVEL AVENGERS $5.99 $19.99 LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES $5.99 $19.99 LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES 2 $5.99 $19.99 LEGO STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS $4.99 $19.99 LEGO STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS DELUXE EDITION $7.49 $29.99 LEGO WORLDS $7.49 $29.99 LIFE IS STRANGE 2: COMPLETE SEASON $19.99 $39.99 LITTLEBIGPLANET $14.99 $19.99 MADDEN NFL 20 $35.99 $59.99 MADDEN NFL 20 – SUPERSTAR EDITION $39.99 $79.99 MADDEN NFL 20 – ULTIMATE SUPERSTAR EDITION $49.99 $99.99 MARVEL VS CAPCOM INFINITE DELUXE EDITION $23.99 $59.99 MARVEL VS CAPCOM: INFINITE – STANDARD EDITION $9.99 $39.99 MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN: GAME OF THE YEAR EDITION $19.99 $39.99 MEDIEVIL $20.09 $29.99 MEDIEVIL – DIGITAL DELUXE $26.79 $39.99 MEGAMAN 11 $14.99 $29.99 MHW: ICEBORNE MASTER EDITION DIGITAL DELUXE $46.89 $69.99 MLB THE SHOW 19 $17.99 $29.99 MLB THE SHOW 19 ALL-STAR EDITION $23.99 $39.99 MONSTER ENERGY SUPERCROSS-THE OFFICIAL VIDEOGAME 2 $17.99 $59.99 MONSTER HUNTER WORLD: ICEBORNE MASTER EDITION $40.19 $59.99 MONSTER HUNTER: WORLD $14.99 $29.99 MORTAL KOMBAT 11 $23.99 $59.99 MORTAL KOMBAT 11 PREMIUM EDITION $35.99 $89.99 MOSS (VR) $19.79 $29.99 MXGP5 GAME US $24.99 $49.99 NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: ULTIMATE NINJA STORM 4 $14.99 $59.99 NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: ULTIMATE NINJA STORM 4 ROAD TO BORUTO $24.99 $49.99 NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: ULTIMATE NINJA STORM LEGACY $20.99 $69.99 NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: ULTIMATE NINJA STORM TRILOGY $19.99 $39.99 NARUTO TO BORUTO SHINOBI STRIKER $14.99 $59.99 NARUTO TO BORUTO: SHINOBI STRIKER DELUXE EDITION $22.49 $89.99 NBA 2K20 $29.99 $59.99 NBA 2K20 DELUXE EDITION $39.99 $79.99 NBA 2K20 LEGEND EDITION $49.99 $99.99 NEED FOR SPEED HEAT $40.19 $59.99 NEED FOR SPEED PAYBACK $4.99 $19.99 NEED FOR SPEED RIVALS $4.99 $19.99 NHL 20 $29.99 $59.99 NHL 20 DELUXE EDITION $34.99 $69.99 NHL 20 ULTIMATE EDITION $39.99 $79.99 NI NO KUNI II DELUXE EDITION $27.19 $79.99 NI NO KUNI II: REVENANT KINGDOM $20.39 $59.99 NI NO KUNI: WRATH OF THE WHITE WITCH $34.99 $49.99 NIOH LIVE $14.99 $19.99 ONE PIECE WORLD SEEKER $23.99 $59.99 OUTWARD $15.99 $39.99 OVERCOOKED 2 $14.99 $24.99 OVERWATCH LEGENDARY EDITION $19.79 $59.99 P5 ULTIMATE CORRECT SPID $42.49 $84.99 PALADINS CHAMPIONS PACK $14.99 $29.99 PERSONA DANCING: ENDLESS NIGHT BUNDLE $29.99 $59.99 PLANTS VS ZOMBIES BATTLE FOR NEIGHBORVILLE $29.99 $39.99 PROJECT CARS 2 $14.99 $59.99 PROJECT CARS 2 DELUXE EDITION $22.49 $89.99 PVZ: BATTLE FOR NEIGHBORVILLE SEASONS EATINGZ EDITION $37.49 $49.99 RAGE 2 $19.79 $59.99 RAGE 2: DELUXE EDITION BUNDLE $25.59 $79.99 RAINBOW SIX SIEGE DELUXE EDITION $9.99 $39.99 RATCHET & CLANK $14.99 $19.99 RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 $29.99 $59.99 RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 ULTIMATE EDITION BUNDLE $39.99 $99.99 REMNANT: FROM THE ASHES $27.99 $39.99 RESIDENT EVIL 2 DELUXE EDITION $23.09 $69.99 RESIDENT EVIL 2 REMAKE $19.79 $59.99 RISK OF RAIN 2 $20.09 $29.99 ROCKET LEAGUE $9.99 $19.99 SAINTS ROW IV RE-ELECTED $4.99 $19.99 SEA OF SOLITUDE $12.99 $19.99 SEGA GENESIS CLASSICS $14.99 $29.99 SEKIRO $38.99 $59.99 SHADOW OF THE TOMB RAIDER : DEFINITIVE EDITION $23.99 $59.99 SHADOW OF WAR DEFINITIVE EDITION $14.99 $59.99 SHENMUE I & II $11.99 $29.99 SID MEIER’S CIVILIZATION VI $38.99 $59.99 SLAY THE SPIRE $19.99 $24.99 SMITE ULTIMATE GOD PACK $14.99 $29.99 SNIPER ELITE 4 $11.99 $59.99 SONIC FORCES DIGITAL STANDARD EDITION $9.99 $19.99 SOULCALIBUR VI $17.99 $59.99 SOULCALIBUR VI DELUXE EDITION $26.99 $89.99 SPYRO REIGNITED TRILOGY $19.99 $39.99 STAR WARS BATTLEFRONT II $12.49 $24.99 STAR WARS BOUNTY HUNTER $4.99 $9.99 STAR WARS JEDI FALLEN ORDER – DELUXE EDITION $55.99 $69.99 STAR WARS JEDI FALLEN ORDER – STANDARD EDITION $49.79 $59.99 STELLARIS $19.99 $39.99 STELLARIS: CONSOLE EDITION – DELUXE EDITION $29.99 $59.99 STREET FIGHTER: 30TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION $19.99 $39.99 STREET OUTLAWS $19.99 $39.99 SUPER MONKEY BALL BANANA BLITZ HD $29.99 $39.99 SUPERHOT $9.99 $24.99 SUPERHOT VR (VR) $16.74 $24.99 SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET $11.99 $39.99 SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET – COMPLETE EDITION $20.99 $69.99 TALES OF VESPERIA: DEFINITIVE EDITION $19.99 $49.99 TEKKEN 7 $12.49 $49.99 TEKKEN 7 – ULTIMATE EDITION $29.99 $99.99 TERRATECH $16.24 $24.99 THE CREW 2 $14.99 $59.99 THE CREW 2 GOLD EDITION $24.99 $99.99 THE DIVISION 2 $11.99 $59.99 THE DIVISION 2 GOLD EDITION $19.99 $99.99 THE DIVISION 2 ULTIMATE EDITION $23.99 $119.99 THE ELDER SCROLLS ONLINE $7.99 $19.99 THE ELDER SCROLLS ONLINE ELSWEYR $19.79 $59.99 THE ELDER SCROLLS ONLINE ELSWEYR COLLECTOR’S EDITION $26.39 $79.99 THE ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM SPECIAL EDITION $13.99 $39.99 THE ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM VR $17.99 $59.99 THE ESCAPISTS 2 $6.79 $19.99 THE JACKBOX PARTY PACK 3 $14.99 $24.99 THE JACKBOX PARTY PACK 5 $17.99 $29.99 THE JACKBOX PARTY PACK 6 $20.99 $29.99 THE LAST OF US REMASTERED $14.99 $19.99 THE OUTER WORLDS $44.99 $59.99 THE SIMS 4 $9.99 $39.99 THE SIMS 4 DELUXE PARTY EDITION $19.99 $49.99 THE SIMS 4 PLUS CATS & DOGS BUNDLE $24.99 $49.99 THE SURGE 2 $29.99 $59.99 THE WALKING DEAD: THE TELLTALE DEFINITIVE SERIES $24.99 $49.99 THE WITCHER 3: WILD HUNT COMPLETE EDITION $14.99 $49.99 TOM CLANCY’S GHOST RECON BREAKPOINT $19.79 $59.99 TOM CLANCY’S GHOST RECON BREAKPOINT – GOLD EDITION $32.99 $99.99 TOM CLANCY’S GHOST RECON BREAKPOINT – ULTIMATE EDITION $39.59 $119.99 TOM CLANCY’S RAINBOW SIX SIEGE GOLD EDITION $24.49 $69.99 TOM CLANCY’S RAINBOW SIX SIEGE ULTIMATE EDITION $38.49 $109.99 TRAILS OF COLD STEEL III DIGITAL DELUXE PREORDER $55.99 $79.99 TROPICO 6 $41.99 $59.99 UFC 3 CHAMPION EDITION $8.99 $29.99 ULTIMATE CHICKEN HORSE $8.99 $14.99 Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 $9.99 $24.99 UNCHARTED 4: A THIEF’S END $14.99 $19.99 UNCHARTED: THE LOST LEGACY $14.99 $19.99 UNTIL DAWN $14.99 $19.99 WATCH DOGS 1 + WATCH DOGS 2 STANDARD EDITIONS BUNDLE $14.99 $59.99 WATCH DOGS 2 $12.49 $49.99 WATCH DOGS 2 – DELUXE EDITION $14.99 $59.99 WOLFENSTEIN II: THE NEW COLOSSUS $11.99 $59.99 WORLD WAR Z THE GAME $19.99 $39.99 WWE 2K20 $29.99 $59.99 WWE 2K20 DIGITAL DELUXE EDITION $44.99 $89.99 YAKUZA 0 $9.99 $19.99 YOUNGBLOOD DELUXE BUNDLE $19.99 $39.99 YU-GI-OH! LEGACY OF THE DUELIST $9.99 $19.99 ZOMBIELAND: DOUBLE TAP- ROAD TRIP $19.99 $39.99 *Note: All games and pricing are for US only and subject to change. View the full article

In the spirit of giving and holiday joy, Monster Hunter has something perfect for hunters looking for a light-hearted break from the super serious “save the New World” quest. We have a slew of seasonal activities for hunters in both Monster Hunter: World and Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, so grab a hot drink and listen to what we have in store! If you’re playing Monster Hunter: World (or thinking about getting started), now is the best time to join the hunt and partake in the Winter Star Fest up at the Astera Gathering Hub. And if you’re a Master Rank hunter on Iceborne (by the way, the expansion’s currently on sale for 25% off!), the Holiday Joy Fest also awaits you in the Seliana Gathering Hub! During both Winter Star Fest and Holiday Joy Fest, you’ll get to hunt for some pretty neat exclusive seasonal rewards. The big star of the show is a new Snowman item, only available for Iceborne players. We’ve taken our brand-new snow rendering technology — developed specifically to display the dangerous expanse of the Hoarfrost Reach — and decided to use it… for fun! Here’s how it works: as you log into and partake in the Holiday Joy festivities, you’ll get a Snowman. Take this item to any hunting locale and “build” a fully-fledged snowman complete with a face, hat, some holiday lights and even a scarf! Now the real fun begins when you and other players in the quest go up to the snowman to gather some snow and… well, I think you know what to do from there. Hint: aim with L2, throw with Square. Land enough snowball hits on a fellow hunter and they’ll get a silly snowman head of their own. Try it out… but just make sure there are no monsters around — they don’t get the full concept of “fun” and don’t hold back their punches. And because the Holiday Joy fest is all about bringing joy with you wherever you go, you can actually place the Snowman in other environments too, even outside snowy areas… including the Volcanic region! Enough about snowballs though… we’ve got a couple more holiday items to talk about. If you’re looking for a warmer atmosphere, look no further than the Seliana Gathering Hub. For the entire duration of the festival, it will be fully decked out for the occasion. And as usual, you can craft unique event gear. The event armor this time is the Oolong set for hunters and the adorable Shishi-mai costume for Palicoes. In addition, we also have a few peculiar pieces of equipment debuting this seasonal event as well: Mad Scavenger Pickaxe (Long Sword) Duffel Penguin Mask (Headgear) Sealed Dragon Cloth (Headgear) Buff Body (Armor Set) On top of all that, the third and final round of the Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds collaboration is coming up on December 26 at 4:00pm PST. Complete the quest “Firebreak” to craft the Banuk armor set, upgrade Aloy’s Bow into the Master Rank Aloy’s Adept War Bow and craft the Master Rank Palico Watcher Set. The Banuk armor is actually broken apart into individual pieces so you can mix and match this with other armor in the game. So whether you’re in the mood for snowball fights with your fellow hunters or heated battles against fearsome monsters (by the way, the Safi’jiiva Siege is also live until Jan 5! Now is the perfect time to join the hunt. Stay warm, and happy hunting! View the full article

Stepping foot into The Outer Worlds, I was ready to tread some familiar RPG ground. A newcomer ventures forth into an unexplored world, only to meet companions, treasure, and danger at every turn. After Fallout: New Vegas and Pillars of Eternity, I thought I had Obsidian all figured out. That is, until I traipsed into the canning town of Edgewater and experienced the deranged locals and their capitalist nightmare society firsthand. The Outer Worlds scratches a delightfully familiar itch for RPG adventure lovers, but truly knocks it out of this galaxy with its morbidly hilarious sci-fi world-building. Unfrozen from 70 years of cryosleep on a lost ship, I dropped headfirst into a colony system founded on good ol’ fashioned capitalism. From the moment I stepped foot on Terra 2, townsfolk couldn’t wait to pitch me on how wonderful life is, how they can’t get enough of Spacer’s Choice saltuna, and how working is what gives their lives great meaning. That’s all well and good, if it weren’t coming out of the mouths of sickly malnourished factory workers who will gladly inform you suicide is a crime (for stealing from the workforce, of course!). Every planet and community I encountered was passionate about a different facet of this philosophy, sometimes rationally but often to the point of idiocy. But their conviction completely sells it, making every character incredibly authentic despite the absurdity of their beliefs. And boy are some of them absurd. A distress signal might lead to a scientific community where extreme lengths are being taken to retrieve all-important research for…toothpaste. I held an entire conversation with a Spacer’s Choice salesmen wearing their moon-faced logo as a mask who will only respond with corporate approved slogans with increasing distress (TASTE THE FREEDOM!). More than one settlement involves run-ins with folks secretly hoarding freakishly large vermin-like sprats. Even NPCs are worth eavesdropping on for the laughs, as player actions shift the balance across the colony. I delighted in the option to match the absurdity by docking my character’s Intelligence points, unlocking the endlessly entertaining Dumb dialogue options and opening up a whole new can of chuckles. The Outer Worlds’ companions provide sharp commentary about this world on the brink. Each unlocked a new perspective on the madness unfolding around our adventures, to the point that I’d agonize over which two to recruit. Do I mix Parvati’s earnest and thoughtful consideration with Felix’s daydreaming idealism? Let Vicar Max and Ellie go toe-to-toe on philosophy? Companions’ attitudes towards Halcyon’s decaying society bring added insight to every quest, often reacting to my choices throughout the campaign. Nothing had me in stitches more than the interactions between in-ship A.I. ADA and janitor robot companion S.A.M. Ultimately, the companions’ humor in the face of Halcyon’s bleak reality elevates the entire Outer Worlds experience, and justifies multiple playthroughs. The irony of being cogs in a soul-crushing machine is that at its center is a lush, flourishing landscape. Halcyon’s planets are beautiful, filled with plants and terrain that are a feast for the eyes. The dangerous creatures stalking around each environment are exceptionally realized, down to down to specific and detailed anatomical drawings shown during load screens. I reveled in the chance to root out a Primal nest or confront vicious Mantiqueens on Monarch. Every location has personality, from the ramshackled Iconoclast settlement to the glittering upper class city of Byzantium. Halcyon’s open world is varied but not so expansive that it feels exhausting, allowing me to explore every corner of the colony to my heart’s content. The Outer Worlds blasts into the stratosphere of topnotch RPG adventures and solidified itself as a favorite with its inventive and quirky worldbuilding, intergalactic capitalism hijinks, and hilarious dialogue. Obsidian has built a bonkers world that’s just begging to be played in again and again. View the full article

As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Santa Monica Studio, we’re turning back the clock on some of the most memorable art from God of War — art that helped define the franchise that built our studio. From in-house concept artists still with us today to numerous legendary artists of our past, we asked each to select their most inspired God of War art piece that made a significant impact on them or the franchise. Many of these contain never before shared behind-the-scenes sdetails… and certainly some perhaps you never knew. Charlie Wen – Former Concept Artist (“Kratos Legendary Napkin Design” – God of War) It has to be the napkin sketches I did when I first captured who Kratos was going to be. After going through several iterations of the main character, I was having a bit more clarity of who Kratos was, and came prepared for a lunch/design session — armed with multiple pens, even a brush pen. Then, as ideas started to flow, I realized I had no sketchbook — good thing the restaurant had napkins. A vision of Kratos came to me that needed to get out of my head and onto paper (or napkin) — he had wide double blades attached to his forearms by chains that he would fling around. The napkins soon filled with Kratos flying through the air with double blades. I remember going through several napkins to the point that 90% of Kratos’s finished design came out in that lunch session. As for the napkin sketches, most of them probably got crumpled in some jean pocket and eaten by the wash… but thankfully, not all of them. Cecil Kim – Former Concept Artist (“Suicide Bluffs – God of War”) I did this piece early in the God of War 1 production, which means we knew Kratos will jump off the cliff at the beginning of the game. What a depressing start of a game! I also remember we tried to emphasize how emotionally beaten he is leading up to this point. I remember they (probably design team, David Jaffe) were telling me Kratos could barely drag himself up to the top which was the original plan. (I did not know what event took place before this. Which was the final Zeus battle at the end of the game!) That’s why you see a narrow trail leading up to the top on the left side of the cliff in my artwork. Also, we were a fairly small art team back then; Ken Feldman, who was in charge of the level, also sat with me and shared his challenge to build all the areas with the graphical limitations we had. So no trees! I needed a perfect angle to show everything, so I made all the rocks in a stylized way, rather focus on a dark, chill tone of the area. Unfortunately, you do not see this view in the opening scene but you can feel and smell the same air if you know what I mean! Scott Seeto – Former Concept Artist (“Icarus” – God of War II) Ultimately I’ll have to go with Icarus. One: it is always fun to design a crazy character and show it in their features and pose. It may not have been a big character but he was fun to do! Two: I was satisfied with the outcome of the illustration. For sure, some things could have been done better on it, but for time I had on it, I was pleased. Three: it is hard to see and it did not make it into the game I do not think. As part of his craziness, I originally thought of him holding a deceased cat all the time as a pet (it must have been a late night when I thought of it)! I would like to add, my time as a concept artist on God of War was a blast! Andy Park – Former Concept Artist (“Kratos vs Poseidon” – God of War III) I would have to say the concept design illustration I did of the first main boss of God of War 3, Poseidon, was pretty special for me. I remember getting the prompt of a water-based behemoth that the Poseidon god would transform into and thinking what a fun challenge that was going to be to tackle. However, as I was letting my imagination run wild with the possibilities of this kind of creature that would attack Kratos in several simply massive ways I caught myself thinking, “How the heck are they going to pull off any of these things?” It’s one thing to design it but a totally another thing to make come alive in a 3D gameplay environment, and with the limitations of the PS3 platform engine. Well, it was a pleasure to design a crazy boss character like this that has never been seen in the God of War franchise, if not even the entire PS3 line of games, but it might have been an even bigger pleasure to see the amazing team execute this in reality for the game. A special shout out goes to Max Ancar making a character made of water come alive! Poseidon was definitely my favorite design I got to do during my long run on the God of War franchise. Erik San Juan – Former Concept Artist (“Amazonian Warrior” – God of War Ascension) During pre-production for God of War: Ascension, the concept team had a month of “blue-sky” design time where we would toss around crazy ideas. With the mysterious fate of Kratos at the end of God of War 3, we knew we wanted to give him a successor — a new hero who would go looking for him. Not unlike the most recent entry in the series, we imagined that he had a hidden daughter and began sketching ideas of what she would look like. Other ideas we tossed around were using Artemis as the focus with similar rage and vengeance as Kratos — even concepting her to be a Centaur with magical powers! Shown here was my only contribution to the team with a tattoo design on her face. Once we knew we were bringing back Kratos in a Prequel these designs would later evolve into the Amazonian Warrior that we see in Ascension. Santa Monica Studio is an incredible environment for creativity and I will always carry fond memories like these of my time working with such amazing artists. Luke Berliner – Present, Lead Concept Artist (“Canyon Bull” – God of War: Ascension) I did this concept eight years ago when I first joined Santa Monica Studio on God of War: Ascension, I was so proud of it and felt like I was finally starting to understand what makes something work in a God of War game. Flash forward to today and this image is hung on the wall as you enter our internal space. I walk by it every day. When I look at it now years later I see how much I have grown as an artist at Santa Monica Studio and it’s fun to see how our games have changed too. Joe Kennedy – Present, Senior Concept Artist (“The Hunt” – God of War 2018) The team chose the comic medium for “The Hunt” since it was an ideal tool that could simultaneously visualize components of gameplay and storytelling. The scene is a vertical slice of God of War that I had the creative freedom to visualize how Kratos and his son, Atreus, would begin this new journey. It was great to see the concepts illustrated in The Hunt maintain integrity throughout the development process and the team helped see it into the final game. Yefim Kligerman – Present, Concept Artist (“The Ancient” – God of War 2018) I chose this concept of the Ancient because it shows a different take on the very common rock monster. I was able to integrate some curves to break up the solid rock shapes, as well as explore the humanity of this old magical being. The Ancient was always a great prompt to work off of because it’s supposed to be one of the oldest things in this world, a living being powered by magic and created as monument for prayer. Annis Naeem – Former Concept Artist (“Helheim” – God of War 2018) I had been struggling to get a look and feel for Helheim until this pivotal piece. The brief was that it would be extremely cold and icy but it wouldn’t be a frozen wonderland. The walking dead that were infused together on the bridge, the stormy look, the towering columns/gates. Some of the elements in the painting were inspired by Zdzislaw Beksinkski and how he paints bony super structures. Jin Kim – Former Concept Artist (“Helheim Hræsvelg” – God of War 2018) My portion of contribution to the project was mainly on the realm of Helheim. For that reason, I chose the artwork with the eagle chained up on top of the Helheim monolith because the eagle is such an iconic creature to the realm. Things shown in this shot can represent almost everything happening in Helheim from the Sea of Knives to the cold weather that the eagle is creating by its giant wings, giant monoliths connected with the bridges that the dead walk on and so on. I personally grew fond of this one because of how long I was working on this place and how I thought it was so cool to have a cold version of Hell was back then. The team back then was struggling with the decision on how to have the eagle’s appearance in the realm, and I remember when they finally brought the task of concepting the scene to me to have the eagle in the very center of the Helheim, I was very excited to paint the shot. It was really nice to see everyone’s reaction when we showed the concept to people too. It also felt like a good collaboration with other artists because of some of the elements in the painting that were designed by other concept artists, and it was really nice to orchestrate them in one illustration. This was a good finale to the whole Helheim-concepting act to me. Dela Longfish – Present, Lead Concept Artist (“Draugr” – God of War 2018) The Draugr were one of the earliest characters I worked on. Knowing this was a character we would see in almost every area in the game we explored a wide range of looks for what they could be. I eventually explored an idea of a character whose body is dead but was unnaturally being brought back to life by the pure will of its spirit. To further complement that, I made their bodies broken and fractured, to sell the idea that they were no longer from the land of the living. Abe Taraky – Present, Senior Concept Artist (“Týr” – God of War 2018) When Kratos and Atreus discover the flooded area, they are amazed at the opulence and destruction of the temple. In support of these two themes, I ensured that every design choice added to this duality. A good example of this is the monolithic statue of Tyr that sits on the temple entrance. Its jewel encrusted shield, weapon and armor plating, stands in stark contrast to large hole at its chest and flames that engulf its helmet. Early on, this helps the player question the environment and wonder, what manner of god built such a temple and why was it was destroyed? Vance Kovacs (“A Call From The Wilds” – God of War 2018) The set of images for PlayStation Experience were special for me. Specifically, this one, as it aimed to capture the boy in a fading moment of solemn beauty and inevitable death. Jose Cabrera (“Faye’s Funeral” – God of War 2018) The reason is just that it somewhat helped me reconnect with the loss of my own mother, which is something that happened when I was a teen, and I had encapsulated that memory to have it as something that wouldn’t affect me at all. Working on this piece made me remember her. I can guess most developers had their little personal moments during the development because the game touches some very primal fibers here and there. Make sure to hit up the PlayStation Store where we have a very special Santa Monica Studio showcase, featuring sales on many of our PlayStation 4 games, and a journey through our history. You can also now watch our full-length feature documentary, Raising Kratos, on your PlayStation console free, through the PlayStation Store as well. Thank you once again, your unwavering support these past 20 years has truly transformed us. View the full article

We did it! We picked the best games of 2019! Good job, everybody! Despite this year’s significantly shorter voting period — about a week, compared to the 2-3 weeks we usually give you — we actually got a similar turnout at the polls. Across all of this year’s categories, we ended up with nearly a million votes! Death Stranding walked away with the most Platinum Trophies this year, but we saw strong support for crowd favorites like Sekiro, FFXIV Shadowbringers, Kingdom Hearts III, No Man’s Sky Beyond, and Resident Evil 2 as well. What a year! I feel like I’ve been saying this a lot over the past few months, but thank you. We weren’t sure about trying to get these results live before we all head out for the holiday break, but your enthusiastic response at the polls tells me we made the right call. Now then, without further ado: the winners! Oh, PS: Game of the Decade. Polls open tomorrow. Best Narrative Death Stranding Death Stranding captured voters’ hearts and minds with its introspective analysis of connectedness amidst a ravaged civilization. Days Gone scored big with voters, too – its gritty, heartfelt performances and life-or-death stakes likely playing a key reason. Fans also showed up to support Modern Warfare’s murky worldview, and the Kingdom Hearts III’s long-awaited reunion of old friends. Days Gone Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Kingdom Hearts III Honorable Mentions:FFXIV: Shadowbringers, The Outer Worlds, A Plague Tale: Innocence Best Graphical Showcase Death Stranding Cutting-edge mo-cap, palpable weather effects, and the stunning beauty of a world ravaged by Timefall comfortably propelled Death Stranding to the top spot. Meanwhile, the grotesque creatures of Resident Evil 2, bone-rattling realism of Modern Warfare, and sssmokin fury of DMC5 made Gold, Silver, and Bronze a close race (and hard decision) for fans. Resident Evil 2 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Devil May Cry 5 Honorable Mentions:Days Gone, MHW: Iceborne, Mortal Kombat 11 Best Art Direction Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice The striking, historical Japan locales of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice captivated enough PlayStation fans to score Best Art Direction in 2019. Devil May Cry’s cool factor secured second place with voters thanks to its flashy weaponry and outlandish demon designs. Pulling up in third place is Control, which won over players with its brutalist architecture, shifting surreal environments, and Jesse’s transforming Service Weapons. Devil May Cry 5 Control Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers Honorable Mentions:The Outer Worlds, CTR: Nitro-Fueled, MHW: Iceborne Best Soundtrack Death Stranding Music is sparse when making deliveries in Death Stranding’s cratered wilderness, but Low Roar’s somber tunes and Ludvig Forssell’s moving, synth-laced score resonated with fans to the tune of a Platinum trophy. Kingdom Hearts III benefitted from yet another rich, varied soundtrack, with Devil May Cry 5 and Days Gone also receiving honors from PS Blog readers. Kingdom Hearts III Devil May Cry 5 Days Gone Honorable Mentions:FFXIV: Shadowbringers, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, MHW: Iceborne Best Multiplayer Call of Duty: Modern Warfare FPS fans showed up in numbers to vote for Modern Warfare is this year’s Best Multiplayer category. Infinity Ward’s latest netted the most votes thanks to its intense and buttery smooth gameplay. Apex Legends captured a sizable portion of players’ imaginations with its colorful first-person spin on the battle royale genre. Following closely in third and fourth place are MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers and Death Stranding with its unique asynchronous multiplayer. Apex Legends FFXIV: Shadowbringers Death Stranding Honorable Mentions:Borderlands 3, MHW: Iceborne, CTR: Nitro-Fueled Best Role-Playing Game Kingdom Hearts III A nailbiter, with voters backing Kingdom Hearts III and The Outer Worlds in nearly equal measure – a true clash between the RPG genre’s Eastern and Western interpretations. Voters also strongly supported the team play-centric Monster Hunter World: Iceborne and MMO juggernaut FFXIV: Shadowbringers, demonstrating the genre’s unmatched diversity. The Outer Worlds Monster Hunter World: Iceborne Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers Honorable Mentions:The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III, Path of Exile, Dragon Quest Builders 2 Best Action Game Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Every vote counts, and in this competitive category the One-Armed Wolf narrowly walked away the victor, while Devil May Cry 5’s over-the-top action and iconic cast of characters rocketed it up the charts. Capcom also nabbed the Bronze trophy for its heart-pounding update to RE2’s Raccoon City outbreak. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Devil May Cry 5 Resident Evil 2 Honorable Mentions:CoD: Modern Warfare, Days Gone, Death Stranding Best Sports Game Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled Voters’ nostalgia revved into high gear for this whimsical remake of the beloved Crash Team Racing, totaling more than double the votes of second place. The silver goes to global football phenomenon FIFA 20, while NBA 2K20 and MLB The Show 20 follow up in third and fourth position. FIFA 20 NBA 2K20 MLB The Show 19 Honorable Mentions:eFootball PES 2020, Madden NFL 20, F1 2019 Best Ongoing Game Final Fantasy XIV The long-running Final Fantasy XIV took home this year’s Platinum Trophy for “Best Ongoing Game,” fueled by this year’s excellent Shadowbringers expansion and the consistent stream of content updates and developer communication the team behind this beloved MMORPG has become known for. Monster Hunter World, Rainbow Six Siege, and No Man’s Sky are taking home Trophies today as well, thanks to muscular support from their respective communities. Monster Hunter World: Iceborne Rainbow Six Siege No Man’s Sky Honorable Mentions:Fortnite, Destiny 2, Apex Legends Best Independent Game A Plague Tale: Innocence Voters swarmed to vote for Asobo Studio’s artful adventure, A Plague Tale: Innocence, earning it the most votes by over double the next runner up. The wondrous space exploration of Outer Wilds plants a flag in second place, while action RPT Indivisible and challenging platformer The Messenger grab third and fourth place. Outer Wilds Indivisible The Messenger Honorable Mentions:Slay the Spire, Sayonara Wild Hearts, Frostpunk Best PlayStation Console Exclusive Death Stranding Voters showed commanding support for Kojima Productions’ unconventional epic Death Stranding, though Bend Studios’ made a strong showing with the gritty Days Gone. Days Gone MediEvil Judgment Honorable Mentions:Concrete Genie, MLB The Show 19, Blood & Truth Best Performance Norman Reedus (Sam Porter Bridges) // Death Stranding Norman Reedus literally embodies Sam Porter Bridges with loads of custom facial animations and a gruff, understandably hesitant attitude towards the insane world around him. When he feels exhausted by the weight of the world on his shoulders, we feel it too. Mads Mikkelsen, Sam Witwer and Claudia Doumit also gave strong performances that made this year’s winners especially notable. Mads Mikkelsen (Cliff) // Death Stranding Sam Witwer (Deacon St. John) // Days Gone Claudia Doumit (Farah) // Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Honorable Mentions:Melissa Hutchinson, Ashly Burch, Tommie Earl Jenkins Gaming Moment of the Year Resident Evil 2: Mr. X encounters Tyrant. Mr. X. Strong fedora man. Whatever you call him, encountering RE2’s unrelenting monster captured the imagination of voters and secured Gaming Moments of the Year. Death Stranding nipped at RE2’s heels in second place with its harrowing BT attacks. The climactic final moments of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order rallied enough intergalactic fan votes to follow in third place by fewer than 100 votes. Trailing in fourth position was the surreal, nightmarish battle with Sekiro’s persistent Guardian Ape. Death Stranding: Getting caught by BTs for the first time Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order: “That scene” near the end Sekiro: Guardian Ape Surprise Honorable Mentions:CoD Modern Warfare: The flashback sequence, Days Gone: Taking down your first horde, Control: Ashtray Maze Best PS VR Experience No Man’s Sky Beyond Something of an upset here, with the spacefaring No Man’s Sky Beyond and the daredevil Ace Combat 7 taking top honors thanks to meticulously realized, immersive virtual experiences. Blood & Truth and LA Noire also racked up strong showings from PS VR players. Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown LA Noire: The VR Case Files Blood & Truth Honorable Mentions:Concrete Genie, Trover Saves the Universe, Everybody’s Golf VR Best PS4 Game Death Stranding Another big win for Death Stranding, an unconventional open-world epic that captured players’ imaginations with its stark world and relatable themes of connection and relationships. After that, it was a four-way shootout for second place, with RE2, Kingdom Hearts III, Sekiro, and Days Gone coming within a percentage point or two. Resident Evil 2 Kingdom Hearts III Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Honorable Mentions:Days Gone, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, FFXIV: Shadowbringers Most Anticipated Game Cyberpunk 2077 A big finish for the hotly anticipated Cyberpunk 2077, which managed to squeak out a lead against Final Fantasy VII Remake and Ghost of Tsushima for the win. No pressure, CD PROJEKT RED! Final Fantasy VII Remake Ghost of Tsushima Marvel’s Avengers Honorable Mentions:Persona 5: Royal, Elden Ring, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Studio of the Year Kojima Productions No surprises here – Kojima Productions’ Death Stranding was the 2019 game that got everybody talking. Whether you loved or hated the methodical, meditative gameplay, you couldn’t ignore it. Capcom scores big kudos in a close second place showing for a banner year that included Resident Evil 2 and Monster Hunter Iceborne, while Square Enix and Respawn earned respect for strong multi-release showings. Capcom Square Enix Respawn Honorable Mentions:Bend Studio, Obsidian, Infinity Ward View the full article

Hi PlayStation Fans! The ReadySet Heroes team has been hard at work on an all-new “Survival” mode that I’m excited to finally tell you all about. “Survival” is a cooperative PvE mode with game-to-game progression and unlocks. And for the first time in ReadySet Heroes, four players can fight together on the same team! Best of all, the update is out now and to celebrate we’ve reduced the price by 30% to just $13.99 for a limited time during the holidays!* “Survival” takes place in new, larger dungeon rooms created specifically for this mode. Players fight waves of enemies in each room until reaching Treasure Time where they can equip new weapons and armor before moving deeper into the dungeon. The goal is to clear as many rooms as you can of enemies. The game ends when an entire team falls before Treasure Time. It only takes one teammate to survive and revive everyone in the next room. So be careful when timing your attacks and dodges. Go too slow though, and you’ll feel the pain. The more time you spend in a game of “Survival,” the more difficult the enemies become, scaling in both health and damage. Gameplay required to unlock some characters and skins To take on these stronger enemies, you’ll have to make use of the new perks and character levels. Perks are bonuses that you equip before each game. They can increase your chances of finding epic and legendary treasure, letting you deal more damage with certain types of weapons, reviving your teammates, or even dealing a critical hit. The number of perks you can equip depends on the level of your character. The more you play with certain characters and perks, the stronger they’ll become. Higher level characters begin with more shards, so higher stats. Each character has their own strengths and weaknesses in their shard distribution. And higher level perks increase the power of the bonus they apply. Level up your characters and perks to make it deeper and deeper into the dungeon. You also unlock new perks as you play, with over 50 in all. Gameplay required to unlock some characters There is one more thing standing between you and Treasure Time: legendary enemies. We’ve added new tough variations of enemies that are bigger and stronger than their common counterparts. The deeper you go, the more likely you are to run into some of these guys. And watch out when you do. They can’t be knocked back and their attacks can’t be interrupted. You’ll have to master your arsenal to take them down. “Survival” can be played solo, split screen, and online.** And this mode has a new Friends Only feature, which allows you to launch a private online game with your friends without needing to launch matchmaking. Gameplay required to unlock some characters Finally, if you’re playing ReadySet Heroes in split screen, you can turn on the character levels and perks from “Survival” mode and use them in “Crawl n’ Brawl” mode! We’ve got some more plans for ReadySet Heroes in December, including a weekend to play ReadySet Heroes for free from December 19 to December 23 (PlayStation Plus won’t be required to play online multiplayer as a part of the free trial) and a sale so your friends can join in the fun over the holiday period, taking the price down by 30% until December 23. As always, see you in the dungeons! *30% reduced from $19.99, valid from December 12 to December 23. **Internet connection and PlayStation Plus membership (sold separately) required for online multiplayer. View the full article

Even by Grinding Gear Games’ standards, the newly released Conquerors of the Atlas expansion for Path of Exile is huge and turns the Atlas endgame inside out. In the previous endgame storyline, players discover an ancient, primordial force that roams the Atlas of Worlds, pursue it to the center of the Atlas, and, if they’re skilled enough, defeat it, sealing it away. But what if another group of Exiles were the ones who managed to rid the Atlas of the Elder? What if those Exiles threatened your world? And, most importantly, how on earth do we make this canon? The initial idea for this storyline was an attempt to work actual player behavior into the storyline. Namely, that once the big, bad evil of the current Endgame content (the Elder) was defeated, players would… just keep playing. There’s only so many times you can run a Shore map before you lose your mind. In Conquerors of the Atlas, you’ll discover what the consequences of long-term exposure to the maddening, twisted worlds of the Atlas can do to the unwary, and you’ll mount a last defense against new foes. Introducing five incredibly difficult boss encounters, socketable Atlas “Watchstones” which allow you to reveal once-hidden maps and control the difficulty of the maps you challenge, and a slew of new rewards to unlock, Conquerors of the Atlas will provide dozens, if not hundreds, of hours of new challenges for even the best Path of Exile players, and at least an hour of confusion for returning players who didn’t pay attention to the announcement. Also included in this expansion are new currency items and powerful new ways to augment your equipment, unlocking countless new character builds. All of this is coming alongside the Metamorph Challenge League. In the Metamorph Challenge League, you can take samples from any monster in Path of Exile and assemble them into a potent boss enemy, capable of using skills from the monsters whose samples you’ve used. That’s right — you can build your own boss! The boss you create shifts forms between all the sampled monsters, making for a fight that is dynamic both in gameplay and visuals. And if players die because the boss is too hard, they only have themselves to blame! The balance team is finally off the hook. Just kidding! The balance team is never off the hook. Once you reach the Atlas (and start exploring the vast changes), you’ll even be able to take samples from the powerful map bosses. The tougher the enemy you create, the more richly you’ll be rewarded. If you’re lucky, you’ll even get some Catalysts, a new type of currency that enhances certain properties on your rings, amulet and belt. We’re incredibly excited to see how players fare against all the new challenges, and even what challenges they give themselves through the Metamorph system. And, as always, it’s all 100% free to play. We hope you’ll join us! View the full article

PlayStation Now fans, as we head into the new year, we wanted to give you an early look at the PS Now games lineup for January. Starting January 2, PS Now subscribers can enjoy Horizon Zero Dawn, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, and Overcooked! 2, which will be available to stream and download on PS Now for a limited time. These titles will join the PlayStation Now library of more than 800 PS4, PS3, and PS2 games in all. Take on the role of skilled hunter Aloy as you explore a lush world inhabited by mysterious mechanized creatures in this exhilarating blockbuster action-RPG. Nature has reclaimed the ruins of a forgotten civilization, and pockets of humanity live on in primitive hunter-gatherer tribes. Their dominion over the new wilderness has been usurped by the Machines – fearsome mechanical creatures of unknown origin. Horizon Zero Dawn includes the original game, The Frozen Wilds expansion, and additional in-game bonus content. (Available to download (PS4 system only) and stream through April 7, 2020) Uncharted: The Lost Legacy follows fan-favorite treasure hunter Chloe Frazer on her journey to recover an ancient artifact and keep it out of the hands of a ruthless warmonger. Enlisting the aid of renowned mercenary Nadine Ross, they venture to India’s Western Ghats to locate the Golden Tusk of Ganesh. In her greatest journey yet, Chloe must confront her past and decide what she’s willing to sacrifice to forge her own legacy. Includes access to Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End Multiplayer and Survival modes. (Available to download (PS4 system only) and stream through April 7, 2020) You’ve saved the world from the Ever Peckish. Now a new threat has arisen and it’s time to get back in the kitchen to stave off the hunger of The Unbread! Journey back to the Onion Kingdom and assemble your team of chefs in classic couch co-op or online play for up to four players in Overcooked! 2. Don’t forget to check out December’s lineup of games including PUBG, Wolfenstein: The Old Blood, and Formula 1 2019, which are available until March 2, 2020. You can also catch up on Persona 5 and Middle-Earth: Shadow of War through February 3, 2020. If you haven’t tried PlayStation Now yet, now’s the perfect time to give it a spin with the seven-day free trial* for PS4 and PC. Download the more than 300 PS4 (and PS2) games in the service to play on your PS4 or PS4 Pro system, or stream any of the 800+ PS2, PS3, and PS4 games to your PS4 or PC. And with our new low prices, you can jump into the action for just $9.99 monthly** or $59.99 yearly***. Stay tuned for more updates on PS Now. Happy gaming! *Terms apply. New Subscribers only. Credit card or PayPal required. See here for details. **Ongoing subscription with a $9.99 (+applicable tax) recurring fee charged every month until canceled. Other terms apply. See here for details. ***Ongoing subscription with a $59.99 (+applicable tax) recurring fee charged every 12 months until canceled. Other terms apply. See here for details. View the full article

December’s content update for Gran Turismo (Patch 1.53) will be available Tuesday, December 17th at 8:00PM PST (Internet connection required) The Legendary WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Returns to Gran Turismo Sport WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is a race circuit situated 100 kilometers south of San Jose in the heart of Silicon Valley in Northern California, United States. A technical circuit made up of mid-low speed corners, it is encircled by desert so grip can be an issue as the surrounding sand often blows onto the track. Therefore, drivers need to be able to maintain precise control over their speed at all times as any errors in estimation will result in them going off track or crashing. Its dynamic elevation changes are shaped by the landscape and are a signature of the circuit, with the famed 15-meter downhill-plunging “Corkscrew” its highlight. Laguna Seca is a circuit that offers thrilling racing not seen elsewhere. New Vehicles Ford GT ‘17 Porsche 911 Carrera RS Club Sport (993) ‘95 Toyota Crown Athlete G ‘13 Volkswagen Golf GTI ‘83 Toyota Crown Athlete G Safety Car Rennault Sport Megane R.S. Trophy Safety Car Dodge Charger SRT Hellcast Safety Car Featured Car – Ford GT ‘17 From 2005 to 2006, Ford produced the Ford GT, a remake of the GT40 which saw success in the Le Mans 24 hour race in the 1960s. At the 2015 Detroit Motor Show, they announced a 2nd generation model with further advancements. The body was also a structure combining aluminum front and rear sub-frames, and the body panels were made of carbon for thorough weight reduction. The power unit was not the traditional V8, but a twin turbocharged 3.5L V6. Producing 646 BHP and 76 kgf m combined with a 7 speed DCT transmission, the car marked a top speed of 216.2 mph. GT League Beginner League – two new rounds added to the Z Heritage Amateur League – two new rounds added to the Super Formula Championships Professional League – two new rounds added to the Midship Challenge Endurance League – one new round added to the Gr.1 Prototype Endurance Series Remember, you can find all the latest GT info here at PlayStation.Blog and on the official Gran Turismo website. Until next time, drivers, we’ll see you out on the track. View the full article

We’re thrilled to announce a massive new content update for BoxVR out today, adding 12 new workouts and over 140 minutes of brand new music. BoxVR is a boxing-inspired virtual reality game, that turns your PlayStation VR into a fat-burning personal trainer, challenging players to jab, weave, dodge, squat and uppercut during high-intensity workout routines. Based on popular player requests, BoxVR will receive over 40 new music tracks spanning across a wealth of genres, including 80s Electro, Rock and Metal. Opening up voting to the game’s community, we asked our players what new types of music they wanted to work up a sweat to, and after a tremendous response on social media, the top picks are now being added in this major update. These tracks will be introduced with 12 new, adrenaline-pumping workouts utilizing the music to create electrifying routines to burn it up. The workouts have been choreographed by professional fitness instructors to deliver a true workout from the convenience of your home Ianthe, our Head of Fitness, has also crafted a fitness challenge for January. We will feature a new class each day — progressively getting harder and longer throughout the month. Keep an eye on our social channels to take part! Designed to be used by players of a variety of fitness levels, BoxVR provides users the opportunity to workout from home, tackling an array of choreographed routines of varying lengths and intensity in single-player and with up to five other people in real-time challenges. Players can also create custom workouts, to further push their own limits and adding endless content to the game. “BoxVR has made a powerful impact in virtual reality, expanding the horizons of the industry far beyond what many may have anticipated from the hardware. We have proven that not only is there a dedicated and vast community of players who are passionate about alternative fitness, but that VR’s potential is endless.” said Sameer Baroova, Co-founder of FitXR. “We are extremely excited to be working directly with the community and enhancing the core experience with new content, and we are eager to see how our players engage and train with it.” BoxVR has been awarded Best VR Fitness Game of the Year by VR Fitness Insider and has grown to a community of over 100,000 customers looking to revolutionize their workout with VR. View the full article

Today we’re excited to introduce the DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment to gamers of all skill levels who enjoy playing competitively. This new attachment elevates your gameplay by delivering more versatility and performance, while maintaining the comfort and feel of the DualShock 4 wireless controller you’ve come to love. Its sleek design, with two programmable and highly tactile back buttons, allows you to utilize more of your hand to shorten your response time and gives you more flexibility in competitive gameplay. Responsive Back Buttons and High-fidelity OLED Screen: The two back buttons can map up to 16 different actions such as triangle, circle, R1 and R2 to name a few and provide amazing tactile feedback, so you can jump and slide without missing a beat. The attachment also features an integrated OLED display that provides real time information around button assignments. Highly Configurable: A dedicated button allows you to remap back button inputs on the fly, so you are always prepared no matter what game you’re playing. Furthermore, you can save and choose up to three different profiles for use in various games and there is also a headset pass-through for connecting any 3.5mm wired headset to the controller. Developed by PlayStation: The product is tested and approved for all of your favorite PlayStation 4 and PlayStation VR titles, and is built with the ergonomics of the DS4 in mind. The Back Button Attachment launches in US and Canada on January 23, 2020, for SRP $29.99 USD, $39.99 CAD, so make sure to pick one up if you’re looking to play and compete at your best. Looking for a place to show off your skills? Don’t forget to check out the official PS4 Tournaments: Challenger Series to compete against both friends and others in the PlayStation community, with several opportunities to win, including FIFA 20 PS4 Tournaments* happening now. For more information about the Challenger Series, please visit playstation.com/tournaments and in the US, visit the Competition Center at compete.playstation.com. *Active PS Plus membership required. Must be 16+ and member of an eligible country. Void where prohibited. See full rules: https://esl.gg/FIFA20Series-Ruleset View the full article