Commander Fury

Deck13 returns to PlayStation 4 with The Surge 2 on September 24, bringing back and expanding on hardcore combat, limb targeting system, and deep character customization. The game ups the ante by placing you in a sprawling city devastated by a cataclysmic event where you must fight to survive with your personalized exo-rig and combat drone. Inside the high walls of Jericho City, trapped in a technological apocalypse that threatens to consume everyone within, players will have to fight to survive and uncover the truth of the disaster. Cult members hopped up on drugs, nanomachines monstrosities, looters, and security forces will try to stop you wherever you go while a mysterious girl leads you to parts unknown. In anticipation of the release, we sat down with David Müller, Concept Artist at Deck13, to learn more about the art process. Hello David! Please describe your position at Deck13, what it entails and how it fits within the larger picture that is the creation of a video game like The Surge 2. I have been Concept Artist for Deck13 for roughly four and a half years now. As a concept artist I focus on character, armor, and weapon designs. Sometimes I help with UI/HUD elements like achievement icons, I create fake companies used in the game (so much fun!), and I do promo stuff, like cover artworks, postcards, posters or comics. I work closely with game design, animation, character artists and outsourcing partners, so that the ideas I come up with are doable and not too crazy. The challenging part for the Surge franchise is the layer system of a character. You have the basic model with clothing, the exo-rig, the gear-set with the possibility to have big weapons attached to it. Armor and weapon designs should be optionally combinable among each other without too many clipping errors. For The Surge 2 there was another layer mounted on top of the armor set at different positions: the drone carrier. What’s at the heart of Deck13’s sci-fi aesthetic? Is there a formula? Is this a combination of current-day references and anticipation? How can modern times influence the creation of a sci-fi setting and is the worst destined to happen? I would say in its core, our sci-fi aesthetic is to give a glimpse into what could be happening in the close future, observing current developments and trends, so yeah: current-day references and anticipation is a big part. The formula is to stay grounded as much as possible and draw a believable dystopia with a pinch of hope to make it believable and exciting. It’s funny when you look up how artists and writers imagined the future in their works centuries ago. It’s always interesting to see what actually came true, because most of the time it is just the idea that came to be, not the execution. The face of the future we can imagine is always just a distorted reflection of the present. A first look at the first few pages of The Surge 2 comic, “Out of the Ashes” — included in the Limited Edition The Surge 2 features creatures that seems to be coming from a distant world. What goes into creating brand-new “species”? What were your inspirations? What makes a good monster in your opinion, and what are some of the best monsters out there, games or movies? Every new concept starts with a lot of research. I always try to get as much input from every possible angle and source as possible. I do get my inspiration from almost every medium. Film, music, technology (machines, cars, planes, etc. for shapes and ideas), photography, paintings, drawings (old and new) and of course concept art. Just don’t steal unique ideas or concepts! I try to build on top of existing stuff I like, until almost everything that it was has been overwritten by my own style. That’s one way to get to the goal. A good monster needs to be believable in my eyes. It needs to be crafted like it could actually be a part of our world. If it needs to have some extraordinary elements, I’d try to build that on top of the core concept. The exception proves the rule of course, so if that “out of this world” element you want to pitch is the main idea for your monster design, go for it. It doesn’t have to work in the real world, but it should look like it could. If I would have to pick five awesome monster designs spontaneously, it would be: H.R. Giger’s Alien design, the fantastic creatures of Moebius, the Predator (especially that face), the classic Werewolf and Katsuhiro Otomo’s shapeshifting monstrosities (e.g. Akira). Concept art from “Out of the Ashes” The Surge 2 is set in Jericho City, a metropolis under quarantine that is far from the industrial identity of the CREO complex. What kind of challenges did you face in putting this world together? In terms of character designs and weapons, it was a challenge to combine the existing world of Surge 1 with the new companies, weapons, and factions of Surge 2. It needed to be connected but the new stuff also had to be able to stand on its own. Since Surge 2 plays outside now, we had to come up with new ways to combine the existing “tool” melee combat design of the isolated factory with firearms. We have been able to accomplish a combination of close and ranged combat, that feels fresh and easy to use mid-fight through our drone. The player drone design itself was a real beast to handle, because there’s so much stuff that builds up on it (armor designs, weapon attachments and the drone carrier), but it is one of the things I am most proud of. I think it could work in real life — I want that backpack! You’ve given our readers an exclusive look at the first pages of the “Out of the Ashes” comic that is only available by pre-ordering The Surge 2’s Limited Edition. Why this choice of medium? What can people expect from it, and what excited you most about putting it together? If you remember Iron-Maus from The Surge 1, we already played around with comic book references in the past. With The Surge 2, we were given the chance to provide players a new way to experience the story by providing a real comic for players to flip through and learn something they won’t discover anywhere else. We decided we should use this unique opportunity to fill the gap between The Surge 1 and 2 and continue the story of Warren, our hero from the first game. I love comics, so I was happy they asked me to do this. For me, the thing I liked the most was translating the characters I created for the game into another form of media – especially the comic medium. To see that it works was a great reward! I was also able to show two completely different drawing techniques here too (cover art and pages), which was really fun! You can see more early sketches from our later-abandoned Iron Maus-themed comic here. The Surge 2 brings the nanomachine nightmare of Jericho City to players everywhere on September 24 on PS4. Pre-orders are now available and come with the URBN Gear Pack, which includes a new armor set, two new weapons, and other cosmetics and equipment. View the full article

Hi all! Excited to share first details on PlayStation’s next State of Play, which will air Tuesday, September 24 at 1:00pm Pacific Time / 4:00pm Eastern TIme. We’re preparing a pretty hefty show, weighing in at around 20 minutes and sporting a fresh new look. And we’ll have some great news to share with you, including new game reveals, new content from PlayStation’s Worldwide Studios, and a host of other updates. Should be fun! Oh, and it probably bears mentioning: Don’t expect any updates related to our next-gen plans in this episode. You can watch live on Twitch, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook, as usual. Can’t wait to see what you think! And definitely keep that feedback coming – we read everything! View the full article

I’m Hannah Nicklin, Writer and Narrative Designer at Die Gute Fabrik. Earlier this year we were delighted to ​announce Mutazione​ to you via our GDC Teaser Trailer, and to release some exclusive ​garden gameplay footage​. Today, I’m delighted to tell you that the game is now live… ​and​ with a launch discount of 10%! Mutant Soap Opera In Mutazione you play as Kai as she travels to the strange and secretive community of Mutazione to visit her ailing Grandfather, Nonno. There’s lots you can do each day: explore your way through an in-game week of small-town drama and scenic hangout spots, engage with the magical musical gardening mechanic… But today we wanted to give you a little insight into the wonderful cast of characters! The ‘ensemble cast’ is part of the heart of the Mutazione experience. You don’t have to find your drama, laughter, tension and resolution all in the same person. Instead, on any given day in Mutazione, you will be able to follow the main plot — unpicking the mystery at the heart of the game — but you can also have or overhear hundreds of other conversations with members of the community, which will add to your understanding of the past and present. You’ll meet people like Tung, who plays drums in the local band, is unsure of what he wants to do with his life, and is addicted to a telenovela in a language he doesn’t speak. And Miu, who brings in meat for Mori’s Stir Fry and the weekly BBQs via her nightly hunts, and who is reluctant to speak about her dark past… Then there’s Graub and Ailin, who are expecting a baby, but have conflicting ideas about exactly how that should be. And there are moments of levity alongside every piece of drama. For example the Sausages, whose main job is shovelling manure, are always trying to discover the get-rich-quick scheme that will make them all millionaires. These are just a few of the characters you can talk to and spend time with over your time playing the game. I like to describe the game as having ‘multiple middles’ rather than multiple endings. We use the in-game journal to tell you which conversations are the key ‘story beats’ (and which will move time forward) giving the player to explore each time of day as much or as little as they would like. You can absorb every conversation possible, follow just the subplots of your favorite characters, or just hit the key story beats. We also like to talk about the game as a ‘mutant soap opera’ – because one thing that soap operas are so good at is examining how choices made by members of a community long ago can have ripples that last for generations. And instead of having ‘goodies’ and ‘baddies,’ you just have people, where lightness and darkness can exist in equal measure. Many people have worked over the past few years to bring the community of Mutazione to life. As well as the story, it also has wonderful magical musical gardens to play with, and a beautiful and unique art style. We hope that you come to love the world and the cast of Mutazione as much as we have. The launch discount will be live for a week after launch, so get in now, and tell your friends! View the full article

Nioh was first released in early 2017 as a dark samurai fantasy RPG full of action, bandits, and Yokai (monsters, spirits, and demons from Japanese folklore). The game, which takes place in the wastelands of the Sengoku period, was a hit and sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide. I got to try the first ever hands-on trial of the highly anticipated sequel, Nioh 2 at TGS 2019 and it did not disappoint. Though we only had 15 minutes to play the Cherry Blossom Cursed Village mission, it was enough to get a glimpse of the sequel’s exciting features, upgraded battle system and customized character game play. Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect in Nioh 2: Customize Your Own Character The first thing to know about Nioh 2 is that you get to create and customize your own character. In the first Nioh, players took the role of William, an Irish Samurai pursuing the alchemist Edward Kelley. Though the trial version we played only had a limited number of options, the full game will allow you to pick or randomize your samurai’s gender, head, hair, make-up, body type, and voice. You can also set which type of Yokai power you want at this stage… but more on that later. Creating your own character really adds to the immersive feeling of the story. I’m sure people will spend a lot of time here and it’ll be interesting to see other players come up with. Experience New Abilities In Nioh 2, your samurai not only uses a variety of deadly weapons but is also able to unleash Yokai powers and rain supernatural fury on your enemies. We can see this brand-new playstyle in the trailer released for the closed Alpha version testing held in May and June (below). Play Video Play Video You can see in the trailer how your character uses these new Yokai powers in fierce battles with various Yokai. I will get to this more in a bit, keep reading! Test Your Skill With Familiar, But Challenging Gameplay As I began exploring the Cherry Blossom Cursed Village, I tested out the combination of a quick attack with the □ button, and a strong attack with △. I moved along checking the difference of movements and their effects among the three different Stances, Offensive High-Stance, Defensive Low-Stance, and Balanced Middle-Stance. The Ki system seems to be unchanged from the first Nioh. Ki is the stamina you need to execute every move, and without it, your character will not be able to perform any actions. Enemies also have a visible Ki Gauge as well, requiring you to strategize when to strike and when to defend. I found this element to be one of the most enthralling — and challenging — aspects of this samurai hack and slash game. Also, by pressing R1 at just the right time after attacking, the “Ki Pulse” is activated and you can replenish lost Ki (this should already be muscle memory for experienced players). Additionally, this move can be used to dispel patches of “Yokai Realm,” the area surrounding Yokai that gives them buffs and can lower your Ki regeneration rate. Ki Pulse comes in handy in Nioh 2, so don’t forget about it! The first foe that I encountered in the Cherry Blossom Cursed Village was some type of flying Yokai with homing attacks. Because it was difficult to get close to it with my sword, I used my bow and with one headshot, its Ki was gone. After that, it only took another strong attack to finish it off. Piece of cake! But never let your guard down in this Yokai-filled game: The moment I felt like I had a handle on things and that all my experience from playing the original Nioh had paid off, I was killed by a Gaki! For those who aren’t familiar, a Gaki is a small, creepy, and ghoul-esque Yokai. My first mistake was assuming it was harmless and I could just walk up to it and hack and slash away. When I tried to do this, it jumped on me, transformed into a giant creature, and I was, as the game puts it, “freed from this mortal coil.” When you die, your Amrita (or the experience you gain) and your Guardian Spirit will be left on the spot. If you get killed again upon restarting, your Amrita is lost for good. I found this aspect of the game incredibly challenging and made the stakes much higher. As I said before, never let your guard down if you want to survive in Nioh 2. After learning my lesson from my previous encounter with the Gaki, I ran straight back to the Shrine after I had recovered my Amrita. When you’re at the Shrine, you can use your Amrita to level up your character’s stats. Even with the short amount of game play time that I had, there’s no doubt that the fights in Nioh 2 are extremely challenging and that you can easily die at any moment. But as you level up, gain new abilities, and collect special weapons and items with unique properties, the game makes players feel like fighting the impossibly difficult Yokai is possible. On that topic, I was also able to confirm that there is a “Summon Visitor” option in the Shrine menu. Though not available in the trial version I played, the final version of the game will allow collaborative multiplayer functionality so you can battle Yokai with friends online. Fight Yokai with Yokai powers! As I continued playing, I faced a spear-wielding Yokai called an Enki. An Enki is a gigantic monkey-like ogre that flies around chaotically while swinging its spear at you. I had no chance fighting it head on, so I thought I could use a combination of side dodges with my quick and strong attacks. This didn’t work, and I ended up spending the majority of my time defending. That’s when I finally got to try out a “Super Attack.” These vary based on which Guardian Spirit type you choose when you first create your character (I chose Brute). Right before the Enki was about to perform a big attack (signaled by a light particle that appears right next to it) you press the R2 and ○ buttons at the right moment, and it transforms your character into a Yokai! Because I chose Brute, I was transformed into a Red Ogre-like Yokai and it blocked the enemy’s big attack then knocked it down. This allowed me to land a number of consecutive hits on the Enki which also filled my Spirit Gauge. Once your gauge is full, you can then press △ and ○ to use a “Yokai Shift” move which involves wielding a huge hammer. The feel of this new move is close to entering the Living Weapon of the original Nioh that unleashes the power of Guardian Spirits. Similar to that ability, there is a time limit. After finally defeating the Enki, a new path opened, and I acquired an item called a Soul Shard. When a Soul Shard is set to the Guardian Spirit, you get even more powerful Yokai skills. However, before you can use the Soul Shard, you have to purify it at a Shrine since it’s covered in Yokai Realm. As with Amrita, if you die while holding a Soul Shard that hasn’t been used, you will drop it. Because death lurks behind every corner in Nioh 2, I recommend that you head straight to a Shrine after obtaining a Soul Shard. I then followed the newly opened path which triggered a video and introduced me to a boss of the Cherry Blossom Cursed Village. It was a giant horse-like Yokai with a long-stretching saw and it required my full attention just to dodge its attacks. Before I knew it, I was killed without a chance to understand its attack patterns. I felt despair and hopelessness not knowing how to fight back. It reminded me that Nioh’s sequel was back with a vengeance and that it was going to be just as difficult as the original one… if not more so. I couldn’t let things end there. The second time around, I got to understand its attack patterns a little bit better and did manage to hit back… until I got caught and was ripped apart by its huge saw again. After my second death, my time was up. 15 minutes was way too short to find out about this boss’s weakness and how to take it down. Final Thoughts The feeling of achievement you get when discovering a way to defeat a strong enemy in Nioh 2 (like the Enki) is incredibly satisfying. After leveling up and upgrading equipment, you should start to see the path to victory against strong bosses that seemed undefeatable at first. Every aspect of Nioh 2 makes the most of Yokai powers and how you combine these with different combinations of Guardian Spirit types, weapons, and attacks. The result is incredibly exciting and builds on the tactical essence of the original game. From the despair of fighting an impossibly difficult Yokai to the satisfaction of finally beating it, Nioh 2 has proved to be a rewarding sequel to its predecessor. View the full article

You might think you know what you’re getting from a title featuring the world’s most iconic heroes. But following Marvel’s Avengers showing at Gamescom 2019 it’s time to think again; these are unique and original versions of the characters with new powers, new abilities and, crucially for the wider storyline, a world that sees them in a new light. Developer Crystal Dynamics is set to release a game that takes everything you think you know and expand on it past anything we’ve seen before. “We stake our reputation on it!” Studio Head Scot Amos explains. “Just like we approached Lara Croft back in 2013, we want to show the world how we do things in a new and original way.” If that’s the driving force behind the team, it certainly shows in the early build showcased this week. There are five studios working on the game, which sounds huge, but Scot assures works “in an almost magical way.” “Four of the five studios have collaborated many times in the past, and the fifth is a new studio created by our people, so we know who we’re working with — if we didn’t have those relationships, it’d be tough.” So, is there a ‘Team Thor,’ a ‘Team Hulk,’ and so on, each focusing on their own Avenger? “Not quite,” explains Scot. “Inside of Crystal Dynamics we have our ‘PET team’ — the Player-Enemy Team. They’re the heart and soul of all the character design, the move sets and the combat styles. Then you have the Heroic moves that you’ll have seen in the demo, which are things you’ve never seen these guys do before. “These have been fun to invent, because people expect Thor to throw the hammer, they expect Iron Man to fly — but now he has these lasers, and rockets? What can I do with these? We may have seen versions of these throughout their history, but we’re bringing it all together in an original way.” With a virtually unparalleled history to draw from to create these characters, distilling all of that down to say “this is our vision” is a challenge that Scot and the team have met head-on, working with Marvel to get their Avengers just right. “Shaun Escayg, our Creative Director, along with Bill Rosemann, VP & Creative Director at Marvel Games and his team, collaborate on everything,” says Scot. “Marvel, from the beginning have been great and pushing us to be authentic, but also original. They have 80 years of content to draw from, and it’s not just how they play, it’s how they look and interact. “So there’s been a process where they’ll let us go in our own direction while still drawing on that history, saying, ‘Hey remember this comic, or this one panel where Hulk did X,Y,Z — what’s your take on that?’ And we love that. We’re huge fans first and foremost.” We begin the game at A-Day — a celebration of the Avengers. But very quickly that changes, and they’re not looked at as the heroes they once were, and the whole world view changes. It wasn’t something that Scot and the team approached lightly… “When we started on our first draft of the story, we had a lot of things to consider,” Scot explains. “We wanted our game to disband the Avengers and have the player bring them back together again so you’re not just saving the world, you’re saving the Avengers. After A-Day they’re bruised and battered, they’ve lost all hope because they feel they let San Francisco be destroyed and failed their leader, Captain America.” “Fortunately, the team at Marvel Games said, ‘We love it! You can tear them down, build them back up, rebuild the team, and show the humans behind the masks.’ That’s one way that Marvel Super Heroes have always been so brilliantly written, that you have a Super Hero with normal everyday problems that they have to deal with — and building a game around that has been a real treat.” While no single character proved more challenging than the rest to the creative team, Scot explains that the real challenge for designing these characters was from the interplay between them. “You look at how Thor plays, how Widow plays, how Hulk plays — we’re talking flight, or shooting and grappling, or massive strength — and they’re all so different. So, the challenge was to be able to balance those differences so they each play their role in the game without any one being overpowered or too dominant, but at the same time never feeling that you’re playing the same character in a different skin.” And it’s that interplay that is sure to be a huge part of a newly unveiled mode: the four-player co-op Warzones, featuring Warzone Missions that let you and your friends put your own Avengers crew together from the roster that you’ve been levelling up throughout the Hero Missions of the main campaign. “It’s a co-op experience where you’ll need to decide which role you want to play,” Scot says. “For example, someone can take crowd control with Thor, while another player puts Iron Man into the air, or leads from the front with Hulk.” “We also wanted Warzones to be versatile enough that you can play as your levelled-up characters, with all the high-level perks and upgrades that you’ve earned, but still have lower-level friends join you. So we had to figure out how to dynamically scale the world so that if you have a low-level Hulk and super upgraded Thor, there’s still a way to play together and it won’t feel unbalanced.” Our hands-on time with Marvel’s Avengers at Gamescom was a relentless blast through its opening stage. Not a tutorial as such, but an introduction to each of the core Avengers, how they play their distinct role in the team, and the powers, weapons and abilities they use to face down the enemy, as San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge crumbles around them. And just as Scot and the team hopes, each character feels very distinct from the others and fully-formed as a hero in their own right — and that’s just the start. When Marvel’s Avengers launches in May 15, 2020, you’ll be free to assemble your own team and see how this unique spin on the much-loved legends has evolved. View the full article

Hey, everyone! I’m Bailey, Marketing Coordinator for Aksys Games, and I’m so excited to tell you about our upcoming game, Ghost Parade, from Indonesian developer Lentera Nusantara Studios. It’s a side-scrolling metroidvania platformer with a unique, delicate art style and an addictively challenging gameplay experience. Basically, I’m obsessed with it. I also have really good news: it’s coming to PS4 October 31! Yep — ghosts on Halloween. We do love to get into the holiday spirit (so to speak) here at Aksys. Suri decides to take a shortcut through the woods. Ghost Parade follows the adventures of Suri, a young girl who gets lost in the woods while trying to take a shortcut home from school. There, she encounters numerous ghosts, many of whom join her on her quest after being charmed by her bravery and kindness. When Suri discovers that greedy humans are threatening to destroy the forest and its mystical inhabitants, she knows she must act before her newfound friends lose everything they hold dear. To learn more about Suri’s backstory, you can read the official Ghost Parade comic on the Aksys Games site! Choose three ghosts at a time to join Suri’s team. More good news: pre-orders are now open, and anyone who pre-orders Ghost Parade from the Aksys Online Store will receive 20% off. Additionally, the first 1,000 pre-orders will receive the 22-song, 56-minute soundtrack, featuring a stunning score from various Indonesian bands and musicians. Before you join the parade, I’d love to fill you in a little on the background of the game. Ghost Parade, in spite of its ethereal appearance, doesn’t hesitate to offer a real challenge, even to the most experienced platformer players. Suri reaches a save point. (She’s going to need it!) Suri has the ability to swing a lantern in a melee attack or throw rocks from afar in order to protect herself from the dangers of the forest, but not every threat can be neutralized with an offensive maneuver. Suri must navigate the woods with care, or she may find herself on the wrong end of a poison spike or the victim of severe fall damage. Fortunately, Ghost Parade puts myriad save points in Suri’s path, so players don’t have to redo much any time they die. There is a description of each spirit Suri encounters in the Journal section. There are a whopping 70 ghosts in Ghost Parade, 30 of whom can join Suri as companions, lending their specialized abilities in order to aid her in battle. Players can enlist a team of three ghosts at a time, unlocking special bonus abilities by selecting the right combinations. The ghosts, inspired by Indonesian legends and folktales, are designed to have unique personalities and cute appearances. Earn skill points as you level up to buff Suri’s attack, defense, and ghost power! “In Ghost Parade, we don’t want to make the ghost characters scary and antagonizing, like ghosts are in other games,” said a spokesperson for Lentera Nusantara Studios. “We want the audience to know more about our lelembut [spirits], rather than be frightened by them.” Suri faces off against various tough bosses, like the Mosquito Queen. Ghost Parade comes from Lentera Nusantara Studios, who drew heavily on Indonesian culture to develop the sights, sounds, and spirits of the game. The team began work on the game in 2015, drawing inspiration from varied sources like Spirited Away and Pokemon. They sought to create a game with a pro-environmental message, in an effort to raise awareness of cultural conservation and the lasting damage of deforestation. Be careful! Certain plants and animals are poisonous! Before we depart, we’d like to leave you with a special treat. Here are two songs from Ghost Parade’s soundtrack: You heard them here first! Keep an eye out for Ghost Parade, launching this Halloween on PS4. View the full article

Hey PlayStation fans. I’m Kyle, the lead designer on ReadySet Heroes from Robot Entertainment. With our October 1 launch quickly approaching, I got a chance to hang out with the PS Underground crew for a play session and an introduction to “Walrus Hockey.” In our last blog post, Elyse introduced some of the enemies you’ll encounter while crawling through the dungeons. This time I’d like to show you some of what you’ll see at the end of the dungeon and after the crawl by detailing some of our brawls and bosses. The Brawls After the dungeon crawl, a round of ReadySet Heroes concludes with an all-out brawl. The brawl brings together all players, decked-out with their gear from the crawl, to compete in one of five objectives. Here I want to go over a couple of my favorites. Snail Race Snails usually aren’t the ideal creatures for a race, but these big guys have a need for speed. Each team has their own snail, and the snail that travels the furthest by the end of the brawl wins. You’ll need to speed up your snail to win. Smack berry bushes scattered around the level with your weapon to grab berries. Throw the red berries into your team’s flower cannon to launch the berry to your snail. When your snail takes a bite, it’ll give him a boost. You can also sabotage your opponents by throwing the poison berries into their flower cannons. These berries slow snails down by making them a little queasy. Finally, keep an eye out for golden berries. These berries give your snail a huge speed boost. They’re great for catching up to the pack or securing the lead. Walrus Hockey Walrus hockey is all about trying to feed sushi to giant walruses. Each team has their own walrus rotating around the ice rink. Players use their weapons to send sushi flying across the ice and into the mouths of their walruses. The team that consumes the most sushi wins. Much like in snail race, you can sabotage your opponents. This time, you’ll need to hit the stinky fish heads into their walrus. This subtracts a point and causes their walrus to duck under the water for a few seconds. This leaves your opponents unable to score. Walrus hockey also has a golden sushi. The golden sushi is worth five points. It’s often a game changer. In snail race and walrus hockey, you still have to manage fighting the opponent players while trying to complete the objective. Finding the right balance between combat and feeding the snails and walruses is the key to victory. The Bosses The dungeon crawl in ReadySet Heroes is on a timer. You have less than ten minutes to defeat enemies, navigate through traps, and find loot. But if you’re quick enough, you’ll have a chance to take on a boss. The bosses are difficult battles, but defeating them gives you the best chance of finding epic and legendary items. Here are two of the bosses you’ll encounter. The Mischievous Warden of the Dead – The Nekomancer The Nekomancer is the boss you’ll find haunting the graveyards. To halt your loot-gathering, she wields a giant scythe, creates ghostly firewalls, and summons skeleton minions. When the Nekomancer first spawns, she shuffles her coffins and you’ll want to find which one she’s hiding in. Guess the wrong coffin and you lose precious time. After the coffin sequence, the Nekomancer goes into her ghost form and can’t be damaged. You’ll need to use the flaming skulls from defeating her skeleton minions to light the level’s pyres. When the colors of the pyres match the color of the Nekomancer’s eyes, she will exit her ghost form, giving you a chance to deal damage. Here’s a little Easter egg: the sounds you’ll hear the Nekomancer making are actually the voice of my cat, Karma. I used a handheld recorder to capture her performance and then our audio director, Rodney, modulated and implemented it. The Stone Guardian of the Forest – Olek You’ll find Olek watching over the woodlands and quickly discover that he was not created to politely greet intruders. Olek has two attacks. He begins by spinning around the level, pulverizing anything that gets in his path. During his spin, you won’t want to try to hit him with melee attacks. Try attacking from range, or wait until he gets dizzy and falls. When Olek recovers, he’ll activate his arm cannons and blasts energy shots. When Olek reaches half health, he removes his head, which becomes another obstacle to overcome. The head continuously spins around the room shooting energy shots while Olek performs his other attacks. Defeat these bosses for your best chance at a legendary drop. And remember, the Nekomancer and Olek are just two of the bosses you’ll be up against. I’m excited for you to experience these and the rest of our bosses and brawls when ReadySet Heroes launches on October 1 on PS4 and PC. View the full article

Have you ever watched a cool animal and thought, wouldn’t it be so much fun if I could do that? In Tamarin, you get to be a cute little agile monkey that leaps through beautiful forests, fjords and mountains. But have you seen a real tamarin? What’s special about them is not just how adorable they look, but how they have such energy as they leap. Ever since our game’s development started in 2013, we’ve wanted to bring this feeling to your fingertips through tight, dynamic controls. Alternating gameplay – how does that work? The gameplay structure throws you into a varied and surprising experience by alternating between two styles of play: First, you have action areas that play like a third-person shooter. Running on two legs, the tamarin can hold weapons and throw shurikens. The intensity builds as insect enemies work in groups and create formations in the air. As you head into the forest, an army of ants intelligently hide and ambush as they attack you. But once the tamarin gives away his weapons, he is free to turn into the animalistic creature that he is. The little furball can roll, flip, swim, jump, sneak and so on through the open 3D landscape as he stumbles upon friends and enemies. If you’re looking for the feel of adventure and 3D platforming, this is it! But what’s most enjoyable is doing what tamarins do best: leaping through the air at high speed, finding new places to go, or catching something that is just about to slip away. You’ll put these abilities to good use when the tamarin encounters electric fireflies buzzing around — mysteriously uneager to get caught. Using their electric powers will be key to finding the ants’ secret underground tunnels. What are we doing to nature? Tamarin is about nature, traveling the world, and seeing wildlife and new locations. There are so many beautiful places in the world. These days, fires are burning down huge forests and a lot of species are going extinct. The game has a deeper meaning if you can find it. Leaving the open forests that the insects have invaded and going deep down, our main character faces the fight of his life to save nature and his missing tamarin family. In a web of passageways holding together the interconnected world of Tamarin, surprise is always around the corner. Watch out for dancing ants! Tamarin will be available Q4 2019 on PS4, and is now available for preorder. View the full article

Summer isn’t over just yet, and neither are the savings at PlayStation Store! During September Savings, bring the heat with Spyro Reignited Trilogy, burn rubber in Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy or dive into the storied Sinking City – all for up to 70 percent off. Dig into the full lineup below, but don’t delay! PS Store’s September Savings ends October 1st at 8 AM Pacific. PS4 Games Title $Sale $Original 2DARK $8.99 $29.99 A PLAGUE TALE: INNOCENCE $29.99 $49.99 ABSOLUTE DRIFT: ZEN EDITION $3.59 $11.99 ACE OF SEAFOOD $5.99 $11.99 ACT IT OUT! 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$9.99 VIRRY VR: WILD BUNDLE $9.99 $24.99 VIRRY VR: WILD ENCOUNTERS $7.99 $19.99 WALES INTERACTIVE BUNDLE $35.99 $59.99 WALES INTERACTIVE VR BUNDLE $17.99 $29.99 WAR THUNDER – ‘Z-20 KARL GALSTER’ $24.99 $49.99 WAR THUNDER – AMX-30 MOD. 1972 PROTOTYPE PACK $24.99 $49.99 WAR THUNDER – CENTURION MK 5 AVRE PACK $24.99 $49.99 WAR THUNDER – HMCS HAIDA PACK $24.99 $49.99 WAR THUNDER – IAR 316B PACK $17.49 $34.99 WAR THUNDER – M26 PERSHING ARIETE PACK $17.49 $34.99 WAR THUNDER – MAGACH 3 PACK $24.99 $49.99 WAR THUNDER – TYPE 5 HO-RI ADVANCED PACK $17.49 $34.99 WAR THUNDER – USS COWELL DD-547 PACK $24.99 $49.99 WAR THUNDER: WAR THUNDER – P26/40 PACK $9.99 $19.99 WARHAMMER: CHAOSBANE $41.99 $59.99 WARHAMMER: CHAOSBANE DELUXE EDITION $48.74 $64.99 WARHAMMER: CHAOSBANE MAGNUS EDITION $59.99 $79.99 WARHAMMER: VERMINTIDE 2 $14.99 $29.99 WARHAMMER: VERMINTIDE 2 – BACK TO UBERSREIK $7.49 $9.99 WARHAMMER: VERMINTIDE 2 – SHADOWS OVER BÖGENHAFEN $7.49 $9.99 WARHAMMER: VERMINTIDE 2 – ULTIMATE EDITION $27.49 $54.99 WE ARE THE DWARVES $3.74 $14.99 WRC COLLECTION $21.99 $109.99 YASAI NINJA $1.49 $2.99 YOOKA-LAYLEE $9.99 $39.99 ZEUS QUEST REMASTERED $3.59 $8.99 ZIGGURAT $7.49 $14.99 PS3 Games Title $Sale $Original BIOSHOCK $3.99 $9.99 BIOSHOCK 2 $3.99 $9.99 BIOSHOCK INFINITE $5.99 $19.99 BLOOD OMEN: LEGACY OF KAIN (PSONE CLASSIC) $1.19 $5.99 DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION $2.99 $19.99 DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION – DIRECTOR’S CUT $5.09 $29.99 DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION EXPLOSIVE MISSION PACK $1.04 $3.49 DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION TACTICAL ENHANCEMENT PACK $0.59 $1.99 DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION THE MISSING LINK $1.19 $5.99 DUKE NUKEM FOREVER $3.99 $19.99 FAIRY FENCER F $4.99 $9.99 GRAND THEFT AUTO V $9.99 $19.99 GRIMGRIMOIRE (PS2 CLASSIC) $4.99 $9.99 JUST CAUSE 2 $1.99 $19.99 KANE & LYNCH 2: DOG DAYS $2.99 $14.99 LEGACY OF KAIN: SOUL REAVER (PSONE CLASSIC) $1.19 $5.99 LIFE IS STRANGE COMPLETE SEASON $3.99 $19.99 MAFIA II REMASTER $7.49 $29.99 MURDERED: SOUL SUSPECT $1.49 $14.99 OLLIOLLI $3.89 $12.99 PERSONA 5 $11.99 $19.99 RACE THE SUN $2.49 $9.99 SKULLGIRLS ENCORE $1.99 $9.99 SPEC OPS: THE LINE $5.99 $29.99 THE DARKNESS II $7.99 $39.99 THE WITCH AND THE HUNDRED KNIGHTS $9.99 $19.99 THIEF $1.49 $14.99 TOMB RAIDER (PSONE CLASSIC) $1.49 $9.99 TOMB RAIDER 2 (PSONE CLASSIC) $0.89 $5.99 TOMB RAIDER DIGITAL EDITION $1.99 $19.99 TOMB RAIDER III (PSONE CLASSIC) $0.89 $5.99 TOMB RAIDER: THE LAST REVELATION (PSONE CLASSIC) $0.89 $5.99 TOMB RAIDER: UNDERWORLD $1.49 $14.99 ULTIMATE ACTION TRIPLE PACK $8.99 $29.99 PS Vita Games Title $Sale $Original A ROSE IN THE TWILIGHT $2.99 $9.99 AXIOM VERGE $9.99 $19.99 CHICKEN RANGE $2.59 $12.99 CLAIRE $3.74 $14.99 CROIXLEUR SIGMA $7.49 $14.99 DANGANRONPA 2: GOODBYE DESPAIR $9.99 $19.99 DANGANRONPA ANOTHER EPISODE: ULTRA DESPAIR GIRLS $14.99 $29.99 DANGANRONPA V3: KILLING HARMONY $19.99 $39.99 DANGANRONPA: TRIGGER HAPPY HAVOC $9.99 $19.99 DEMON GAZE $7.99 $19.99 DEMON GAZE II $11.99 $29.99 DRINKBOX VITA COLLECTION $6.24 $24.99 FERNZ GATE $8.99 $14.99 FRANE: DRAGONS’ ODYSSEY $8.99 $14.99 GOD WARS FUTURE PAST $8.99 $29.99 HITMAN GO: DEFINITIVE EDITION $1.99 $7.99 HTOLNIQ: THE FIREFLY DIARY $2.99 $9.99 LARA CROFT GO $2.49 $9.99 NIDHOGG $4.49 $14.99 OLLIOLLI $3.89 $12.99 OLLIOLLI2: WELCOME TO OLLIWOOD $5.99 $14.99 RACE THE SUN $2.49 $9.99 SID MEIER’S CIVILIZATION REVOLUTION 2 PLUS $4.99 $19.99 SKULLGIRLS 2ND ENCORE $9.99 $24.99 SPY CHAMELEON $2.99 $4.99 TALES FROM SPACE: MUTANT BLOBS ATTACK $1.99 $7.99 View the full article

We’ve brought The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III all around the world, starting from the first English build at MCM London Comic Con to being playable at Gamescom in Germany, E3 and Anime Expo in California, Japan Expo in France, and PAX West in Washington. Finally, we’re excited to finally bring the highly-anticipated demo right to your home! Available today at PlayStation Store, this demo contains the entire prologue and carries over save data to the full game. In Trails of Cold Steel III, you play as Rean Schwarzer, a graduate from Thors Military Academy who’s starting his new life as an instructor at the academy’s branch campus. Heralded as a war hero, he and his peers of the renowned Class VII played a pivotal role in the empire’s civil war a few years prior. Now, the peace is disturbed once again and Rean must lead his students — the new generation of Class VII — through this darkness to find a brighter future. From left to right: The new Class VII consists of Juna Crawford, Altina Orion, and Kurt Vander. The demo also contains an in-game library with information on the previous two installments, along with character bios and other terminology — perfect for both a veteran’s refresher or a beginner’s first look. So anyone can jump into Trails of Cold Steel III with confidence and without missing a beat! Aside from familiar mechanics like fishing, new features are brought to the table such as the Vantage Masters mini-game. The combat system has also been improved, thanks to the addition of Brave Orders and the Break System. Brave Orders provide party-wide buffs to give an upper hand for a certain number of turns, and are specific to each character. The Break System is shown as a blue bar underneath the enemy’s health. Damaging the enemies will decrease their Break meter until it’s depleted to zero, to which they become “Broken.” A “Broken” enemy drops its items, is more susceptible to damage, has their buffs cancelled, and is unbalanced by all attacks and crafts! Also, don’t forget to take advantage of this exclusive deal for PS Plus members: preorder the Digital Deluxe Edition for 25% off an awesome set of the full game and the Premium Cosmetic Bundle, along with Juna’s Lloyd Bannings costume and Rean’s Unspeakable costume. This offer is available until Trails of Cold Steel III releases for PS4 on October 22. Now that you’ve got the rundown, download the demo today and let the legend of Class VII begin anew! View the full article

A new update for Blood & Truth is available for download starting today, with five fresh challenges that are compatible with the PS VR Aim Controller, and a new Hard Mode to dial up the action. Things are about to get a lot tougher! Skeet Challenges Time to take your skills to the next level with a new set of challenges where clay targets are flung in the air. It’s all about a steady hand and good aim so lock, load and get ready. 1. Authentic Skeet In our Authentic Skeet experience, you move between eight stations shooting at high and low clays launched as singles or doubles. 25 is a perfect score but we’ll be timing you to sort the hotshots from the wannabes. 2. Extreme Skeet Move between eight stations on London’s rooftops, shooting high and low clay launches as singles and doubles. Look out for additional targets between stations for extra points. 3. Endurance Skeet Here, clays are launched from high towers. Lose a life for every clay you miss. You have three lives but can earn a lost life back with three consecutive hits. Hit as many clays as you can before you run out of lives. 4. Puzzle Skeet Hit three targets to release a colored clay. Lights switch on with each hit target tell you which color clay you need to shoot next. Hit the Clay to move on to the next set of targets, miss and you need to hit the three targets again to relaunch the clay. 5. Action Skeet This is our training challenge, which includes static and launched targets. You can polish your skills in here. One more thing: we’ve hidden a gnome in every challenge. Can you spot them? Destroying all gnomes located across the Skeet Shooting Challenges unlocks the new GNOMAGEDDON Trophy. Hard Mode Blood & Truth makes you feel like you are in an action movie, but our new Hard Mode is really going to throw you into the heart of the missions! You can now play individual missions in Hard Mode or the entire story using the New Game+ feature, which is unlocked upon completing the story in Cinematic or Normal difficulty. Complete the whole story in Hard Mode and you’ll unlock a new Trophy! Top survival tips Stay on the Move! Enemies are a lot more accurate, especially from a distance, so you have less time to peak out from cover to make your shots before you start taking damage – especially when facing multiple enemies. Try to get in multiple shots before your enemies can react. Don’t forget to shoot enemies on your way into cover. Prioritize taking out enemies you don’t have cover from. Remember, enemies are less accurate against moving targets… Watch that health Not only are enemies more accurate, but you have less health to start with and your recovery is slower. If your accuracy is good – you’ll be fine, but miss shots and you will need to take cover. When your health is low, make sure you stay in cover and wait for it to regenerate before moving on. Careful with Precision Mode Precision Mode gives you a massive advantage against enemies, but in the new Hard Mode you have less time to use it. Shooting your first enemy gives you a slight extension but you have to wait longer to use it again. If you manually cancel Precision Mode before it runs out your cool-down is shorter. Precision mode plus movement means enemies are less accurate and you are faster than them. Explode-able items come with some free slow-mo so make it count! Make your shots count With more accurate enemies and lower health you really need to get maximum bang for your buck. Equip silencers to take out enemies without alerting their mates. Use your second hand to support the gun to dampen recoil. Unlock and equip your guns with sights and laser lines for big accuracy boosts. We have added online leaderboards* for every mission in Hard Mode so you can see how you measure up to other Blood & Truth players from all over the world. Our best players from the development team have managed a point score of 7,186 on the Action Skeet Challenge. Can you beat it? Let us know on Twitter! Tag @LondonStudioHQ and #BandTHighScore with your best score. *Internet connection required to access online leaderboards. View the full article

Hey guys, how’s it going? I’m KK, SNK’s community manager, and today I’d like to talk a bit about the basics of Samurai Shodown. Upon first glance, many claim that Samurai Shodown seems difficult due to its weapon-based combat, but the underlying mechanics are actually quite simple. Each character has a light, medium, and heavy slash attack as well as a kick. This is very similar to other fighting games out there, however what makes Samurai Shodown special is its Rage system. Unlike other games where characters have a POW or Energy bar that goes up with every landed hit, the Rage Gauge only goes up when you take a hit (or perform a Just Defense). The Rage Gauge can only be used when it’s at full capacity, and will empty itself at once after a short amount of time. During Max Rage, players earn a buff to their attack power, and they now have access to their Weapon Flipping Technique or WFT. The WFT disarms an opponent, which can greatly turn the tables in your favor. But say you’re down a round and knocking on death’s door. You’re not just going to lie down and die, are you? GET HEATED by performing a Rage Explosion (by pressing light, medium, and heavy slash at the same time or L2). This will put you instantly at Max Rage, and not only will you get the added attack bonus and unlocked WFT, but you can now perform a Lightning Blade attack. The Lightning Blade is a one-time use attack that scales according to your HP and remaining Rage Gauge. Claim victory in one fell swoop, just like in your favorite anime! Did you know? Samurai Shodown features a new character every month until February! Last month, Hell froze over when Rimururu took the stage. This month, we have everyone’s favorite umbrella boy, Shizumaru, cutting into action. Who is Shizumaru? You wouldn’t get many answers even if you asked him, since he doesn’t know himself! But from what we do know, we can say that he’s a troubled lad traveling the lands in search of an answer to this question: Is the murderous rage that lurks deep in his heart the result of a demon, or is it his true self? What makes Shizumaru unique? Shizumaru has a lot of tricks up his sleeve to not only survive in battle, but to claim it. Firstly, he has the ability to use his umbrella in-air to softly float down. This can mess up your opponent as timing is everything, and messing that up by coming down slowly or suddenly can net you a chance to ruin their day. Secondly, Shizumaru can charge his weapon for a devastating attack. But that’s not all, you can still continue to attack even while you charge up your attack. Simply release the button you chose to charge the attack to let it rip. He may look small and weak, but come on; this is Samurai Shodown. We all know looks can be deceiving. Shizumaru will be available for all players starting September 16! View the full article

A splash of pop music-infused color comes to PS4 next week. Sayonara Wild Hearts is a dreamy, arcadey game that features motorcycles, dance battles, and an energetic soundtrack to tie it all together. Groove and battle to the beat on PS4 September 19. For a full list of new games coming to PlayStation next week, read on. And enjoy The Drop! AI: The Somnium Files PS4 — Digital (Retail Out 9/23) In a near-future Tokyo, Special Agent Kaname Date is on the case of a mysterious serial killer. Date must investigate crime scenes as well as dreams on the hunt for clues. Hone your detective skills in this thrilling sci-fi murder mystery with 30+ hours of gameplay and multiple endings. Bus Simulator PS4 — Digital Your bus. Your route. Your schedule. Whether in the industrial or harbour zone, downtown, in the surrounding villages or the business park, experience the exciting everyday life of a bus driver in a vast and freely drivable urban area. So what are you waiting for? Your shift has already started! Castle Crashers Remastered PS4 — Digital Hack, slash, and smash your way to victory in this Remastered edition of the popular 2D arcade adventure from The Behemoth! At 60FPS, Castle Crashers Remastered delivers hi-res visuals like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Up to four friends can play locally or online and save your princess, defend your kingdom, and crash some castles! Gnomes Garden Lost King PS4 — Digital The princess of our fairytale kingdom grew up and got married long ago. But one day, her beloved husband went hunting and didn’t come back. Where did he go? Gnomes Garden is a fun fantasy strategy game about a world of gnomes. Save the king and return prosperity to the kingdom! Groundhog Day: Like Father Like Son PS VR — Digital You’re stuck in a time loop as Phil Connors, Jr., back in Punxsutawney for Groundhog Day in this virtual reality sequel to the iconic hit movie. Don’t worry, Ned will show you the way. But watch that first step — it’s a doozy! So why don’t you stay here a while? Inferno 2 PS4 — Digital (Out 9/19) The ultimate twin-stick action-RPG/shooter is here! The sequel to Inferno+, Radiangames’ critically-acclaimed twin-stick action-RPG, Inferno 2 boasts even more devious levels, more weapons, more upgrades and powers, more enemies, and more customization, along with more insane explosions and particle effects. Lost Castle PS4 — Digital (Out 9/19) The world’s favorite dungeon crawling Roguelike, Lost Castle is finally here with this impressive PS4 Edition! Running at 60fps, including all content available elsewhere, play with up to four friends online or offline and experience an adventure enjoyed by 1.5 million players worldwide. Massira PS4 — Digital (Out 9/16) “Massira” is a story driven, puzzle adventure game with a “low poly” style, where you will experience an unforgettable adventure in the shoes of a girl and her grandmother, who make a trip from Syria to Europe, all seen through the eyes of the little one. Mowin’ & Throwin’ PS4 — Digital (Out 9/16) A perfect addition to your party game library! Use lawn gnomes to mow your yard and throw things to keep your neighbors from beating you! Play as lawn gnomes and wreck your neighbor’s yard by throwing rocks, fertilizer bags, and psychedelic mushrooms. Surprisingly fun! Mutazione PS4 — Digital (Out 9/19) A mutant soap opera where small-town gossip meets the supernatural. Join Kai as she arrives in the mysterious community of Mutazione to care for her ailing grandfather. Discover scenic hangouts, magical gardens, new friends, and old secrets… They can survive an apocalyptic meteor strike, but can they survive their small-town drama? Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered PS4 — Digital, Retail (Out 9/20) Journey back to the other world in Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered. Level-5’s classic tale returns with improved graphics and performance. Join Oliver as he embarks on an adventure through a world inhabited by new friends and ferocious foes alike in the hopes of bringing back his mother after a tragic incident. Niffelheim PS4 — Digital (Out 9/20) Survive in this hostile world, ransack the neighbor lands, explore dangerous dungeons and find your way to Valhalla. Warriors remain warriors even after death. Set out on the path to the last challenge and prove yourself to the Gods. Crush anyone who dares to attack your lands. Each fallen enemy brings you closer to Asgard! Overland PS4 — Digital (Out 9/19) Take care of travelers on a post-apocalyptic road-trip across the US in this turn-based survival game. Fight scary creatures, rescue stranded survivors, and scavenge for supplies. Just remember, there are consequences for every action. Get ready for dramatic escapes, hard choices, arguing about whether or not that dog gets rescued, and the end of the world. Rebel Cops PS4 — Digital Lead a rag-tag squad of cops in rebellion against their town’s new criminal power, and see how long you can hold out in this unforgiving turn-based spin-off game from This Is the Police. You’ll be desperately short on supplies, and a single shot can cost a cop his life. Sayonara Wild Hearts PS4 — Digital (Out 9/19) Sayonara Wild Hearts is a dreamy arcade game about riding motorcycles, skateboarding, dance battling, shooting lasers, wielding swords, and breaking hearts at 200 mph. As the heart of a young woman breaks, the balance of the universe is disturbed. Let’s Pop! Scheming Through the Zombie Apocalypse: The Beginning PS4 — Digital Scheming Through The Zombie Apocalypse: The Beginning is the first episode of an episodic adventure game. Help Hank & Larry find food and loot to survive through the harsh zombie infested streets by convincing other animals to do the work for you! Featuring fully voiced dialog, experience a funny adult themed zombie apocalypse story. The Sojourn PS4 — Digital (Out 9/20) Traverse a thought-provoking puzzle game and its immersive color-drenched world of light and shadow. The Sojourn takes place in a mysterious land, where lights guide you forward and the world reveals itself to be full of challenges. Overcome these intricate and ever more demanding obstacles to uncover the nature of reality. Truck Driver PS4 — Digital, Retail (Out 9/19) Build your career as a Truck Driver! Haul a wide range of cargo and make a name for yourself amongst the local community. Start from the bottom, take on jobs, buy new trucks & parts and become a respected Truck Driver! Witching Tower VR PS VR — Digital Immerse yourself in the dark fantasy world of the Witching Tower, a VR Action Adventure in which you solve puzzles, fight enemies, and uncover secrets. Explore the labyrinth of the Tower, unraveling each level’s new mysteries and unique gameplay mechanics. The information above is subject to change without notice. Sabaton Metal Kingdom Takeover Social House Party and Play Takeover Korn – The Nothing Spider-Man: Far From Home Annabelle Comes Home Valor Bare Knuckle Season Premiere Wednesday, 9/18 at 10PM ET on FX PlayStation Vue has your favorite sports, news and must-watch shows. The information above is subject to change without notice. View the full article

Platinum is no longer reserved for shades of blonde or trophies. PlayStation Plus Platinum Weekend starts now with savings up to 50 percent. Head off into the Oregon wilderness with the wind in your hair and freakers on your back in Days Gone, cruise around the streets of GTA V’s Los Santos, or get crazy with Rage 2 Deluxe Edition – just in time for the game’s first DLC Rise of the Ghosts later this month. Check out the full lineup below, Plus members – but don’t dawdle. PlayStation Plus Platinum Weekend ends 9/16 at 8AM PT. PS4 Games Title $PSPlus $Original BLOOD & TRUTH $19.99 $39.99 CRASH TEAM RACING NITRO-FUELED $29.99 $39.99 CRASH TEAM RACING NITRO-FUELED – NITROS OXIDE EDITION $44.99 $59.99 DAYS GONE $41.99 $59.99 DAYS GONE DIGITAL DELUXE EDITION $45.49 $69.99 GRAND THEFT AUTO V $15.00 $29.99 GRAND THEFT AUTO V: PREMIUM ONLINE EDITION $15.00 $29.99 GTAV: PREMIUM ONLINE EDITION & GREAT WHITE SHARK CARD $26.99 $44.99 GTAV: PREMIUM ONLINE EDITION & MEGALODON SHARK CARD $45.00 $89.99 GTAV: PREMIUM ONLINE EDITION & WHALE SHARK CARD $35.99 $59.99 HORIZON ZERO DAWN COMPLETE EDITION $14.99 $19.99 KINGDOM COME: DELIVERANCE ROYAL EDITION $27.99 $39.99 MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN: SILVER LINING $5.99 $9.99 MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN: THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS $14.99 $24.99 MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN: THE HEIST $5.99 $9.99 MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN: TURF WARS $5.99 $9.99 METRO EXODUS $30.00 $59.99 METRO EXODUS GOLD EDITION $50.99 $84.99 MORTAL KOMBAT 11 $41.99 $59.99 MORTAL KOMBAT 11 KOMBAT PACK $27.99 $39.99 MORTAL KOMBAT 11 PREMIUM EDITION $69.99 $99.99 MOTOGP19 $34.99 $49.99 RAGE 2 $30.00 $59.99 RAGE 2: DELUXE EDITION $40.00 $79.99 RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 $35.99 $59.99 RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2: SPECIAL EDITION $47.99 $79.99 RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2: ULTIMATE EDITION $50.00 $99.99 THE INPATIENT $9.99 $19.99 THE TOM CLANCY’S FRANCHISE BUNDLE $30.00 $99.99 TOM CLANCY’S THE DIVISION 2 – YEAR 1 PASS $23.99 $39.99 TOM CLANCY’S THE DIVISION 2 GOLD EDITION $50.00 $99.99 TOM CLANCY’S THE DIVISION 2 STANDARD EDITION $30.00 $59.99 TOM CLANCY’S THE DIVISION 2 ULTIMATE EDITION $60.00 $119.99 TOM CLANCY’S THE DIVISION FRANCHISE BUNDLE $30.00 $99.99 WATCH DOGS 2 $15.00 $59.99 WATCH DOGS 2 – DELUXE EDITION $17.50 $69.99 WATCH DOGS 2 – GOLD EDITION $25.00 $99.99 WATCH DOGS 2 – SEASON PASS $12.00 $39.99 WOLFENSTEIN: YOUNGBLOOD DELUXE EDITION $29.99 $39.99 WWE 2K19 $15.00 $59.99 WWE 2K19 DIGITAL DELUXE EDITION $22.50 $89.99 Note: All pricing is for U.S. only and subject to change. View the full article

Marvel’s Spider-Man swung onto PS4 last year with an explosively fun Photo Mode, allowing you to show off your heroic feats (and selfies). Every week since, regardless of the Share of the Week theme, we have been blown away by the amazing Spidey moments you’ve shared using #PS4share and #PSBlog. Here are just a few of the highlights to celebrate one year: Who needs streets when Spidey can sprint up the side of a wall, like this share by @Javik122. @NoviKaiba23 has a great sense of depth in this rocking share. The Noir Suit has never looked cooler, as shared by @olsen_big. Spidey packs a hefty punch in this share by @Soradu78. @truestory989 nails that classic web-slinging pose. @visualcam9 shows Spider-Man in a heated moment. Search #PS4Share and #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme. Want to be featured in next week’s Share of the Week? Theme: Control Share by: 9am Pacific on Wednesday, September 18 Grab your service weapon and step into the surreal and action-packed world of Control. Share your weirdest moments as the bureau’s director Jesse Faden using #PS4share and #PSBlog for a chance to be featured. View the full article

Now that the crazy rhythm-sports game Super Dodgeball Beats is out on PlayStation 4, let’s take a look back at how the look-and-feel of the game’s insane ensemble came about. When creating a game, we always set out to find reference material that matches a style we want to nail down. We spent ages looking at rhythm games, arcade classics from the 90’s, and just started putting out sketches like crazy. After some failed attempts, we found our style in the vein of anime and manga-ish concepts. There is a lot of influence from old Toriyama stuff, as well as from some more modern series. As Spanish developers, I think deep down there’s even a little bit of classic Spanish comic-work in there! Once we had our references clear, we had to establish our own style and story. We wanted the main driving force of the visuals to be humorous and absurd. Characters had to be larger than life and over-the-top. That gave way to characters like Sir Goldzillo, a rather posh gentleman in a dinosaur suit, which you can’t help but wonder “why are these guys even playing dodgeball?” The only exception to this rule is the main characters, as they were created at a very early stage, even before we had the name of the game. We wanted our heroes to be normal and grounded in reality. We used our main heroes as the “bottom line”; everyone else had to look crazier and wilder than them — or they were thrown out! Some of the characters were a lot easier to conceptualize than others. I remember spending almost two entire days just drawing concepts of Roboombox (a giant robot boss character) until we found something we could work with, while Tengu was greenlit even before I finished the first sketch! In the end we had to discard a lot of cool ideas, but it was lots of fun to see our roster take shape and grow in colorfulness and variety. It was 100% worth it. Of course, once a character was given the green-light the next thing was to bring it to life. We considered some options here: To use skeletal animation was cheaper, quicker and could produce some smooth and good enough results. Going 3D was also considered for a very short while, but we ultimately decided that to bring home the point of old-school anime and manga, there would be no better option than classic frame-by-frame animation. All in all, I’m pretty sure designing and animating the characters in Super Dodgeball Beats has been the most fun I have ever had working on a project. Conveying the quirkiness of every character through its animations was quite a challenge, but a very enjoyable one. Here’s to hoping everything goes well and we can work on another batch of characters someday! View the full article

The easiest comparison to help explain how Disintegration is so different from other first-person shooters is Titanfall. It’s less about comparable story concepts — far-future factions at war, or similar aesthetics — characters and worlds whose weathered design tell of turbulent histories. It’s more that both games try out new ideas in the FPS space. Titanfall brought parkour flair to character movement and paired it with the ability to pilot an arsenal-packed exoskeleton. Disintegration’s twist has you strapped to an airborne bike known as a Gravcycle, and hands you command over a group of support troops with unique abilities. It’s a design approach that makes more sense given the game’s origins: it started out as a real-time strategy title. But the earliest builds did little to differentiate the game in an already-crowded market. Marcus Lehto (President and Game Director) and his team at V1 Interactive realized this as they pivoted development towards the more enticing prospect of an RTT/FPS hybrid. More Images from Disintegration The robotic troops remained, but the player camera became an in-world vehicle: the Gravcycle. From this, you would issue commands and use your onboard weaponry to directly contribute to the war effort. This added interaction meant increased danger: you’re now a target for opposing forces. “We took our time to find that right sweet spot, where you are engaged in combat but also able to manage that group of units in a fluid and tactical way,” explains Lehto about fine-tuning the core gameplay mechanic that has you juggling two different, yet interlinked playstyles. Commanding your crew Regardless of whether you play the single player story campaign or multiplayer, the gameplay mechanics are broadly the same. The twin sticks allow you to move your Gravcycle omnidirectionally; L2 and R2 fire your onboard weapons. The D-pad selects one of your ground troops. Once done, a UI reticule pops up to signify the targeted zone that’ll be the focus of that troop’s special ability, which is activated with the press of a shoulder button. Your weapons and their abilities all have cooldown periods. The story campaign’s key difference in terms of mechanics is time dilation. “Time will slow down, allowing you to issue multiple unit abilities in a time frame where you couldn’t normally do so,” says Lehto. Multiplayer crews have been built to fulfill particular roles in combat. As such, you won’t be able to switch out individual units. In campaign, you’ll rotate through different units to get a feel for all the special abilities in the game. Your Gravcycle is limited to a height of about six stories, while your troops are restricted to a distance of some 50 feet away. Order them to investigate anything within that radius and they’ll react contextually: opening doors, stealing reactors, engaging with enemy forces. You can also call them back at any point. “Treat the Gravcycle – with its weapons and cooldowns – as your right hand, and the units on the ground as your left hand.” Lehto goes on to outline how the idea is that there’s never a lull on the battlefield. “You’re always actively doing something.” In addition, the studio is balancing the power levels to emphasize how essential your troops are to survival. “It’s not just Gravcycle to Gravcycle, as you shoot it out like any other first person shooter,” says Lehto. “You can try and play that way, but it won’t go very well for you.” A quick blast with multiplayer In the 5v5 multiplayer mode Retrieval, pre-set crews have loose roles similar to healers, tanks and such. Strategizing the right crew combo from a team perspective is important: there’s no time for dallying on the battlefield. This game mode is fast. The map I played on is a compact industrial zone with small open spaces linked by tight corridors, while pylons and walkways that crisscross between buildings will challenge for Gravcycle pilots. Dotted across the area are reactors which teams will need to either attack or defend. With a total of up to 40 support units battling it out on the ground and 10 Gravcycles zipping around in the sky above, there is a lot to take in. But despite a barrage of new techniques to absorb I had a blast over a two-round match. Stylistically, the enemy faction are based on Italian supercars. The inspiration for you and the other outlaws? 60’s-era muscle cars. The single player campaign and its story The story campaign is a “really different beast when it comes to player experience,” says Lehto. Exploration is front and center, interspersed with “pockets of combat” as you encounter a variety of threats, unique to the campaign, as you complete missions. Its slower pace over a number of expansive maps will let you learn about the world and get to grips with the game’s toolbox. And why are you battling it out on this future war-torn Earth? Some as-yet unexplained calamity strikes Earth, forcing humanity to integrate their brains into robotic bodies for protection. Those that enjoy the change and want it to be permanent (the enemy known as the Rayonne) hunt down those that don’t (that would be you). Yet rather than a war fought by supersoldiers, it’s a fight taken up by ordinary people, who you’ll get to know over the course of the campaign. You take over the role of Romer Shoal, an ace pilot leading a resistance team fighting the Rayonne. I ask if the light humor seen in the game’s reveal trailer is indicative of the overall tone. Lehto answers in the affirmative, namechecking Joss Whedon’s Firefly as an inspiration. “I wanted them to behave like normal humans, with a variety of different backgrounds and opposing views… we want that more complex nature to show when it comes to their banter and their interactions.” The world and its backstory is intriguing, the gameplay mechanics a curious hybrid of styles that cause you to think about more than your targeting reticule. Together, they make for a strategic shooter that promises to be more than a novelty mash-up. I look forward to returning to this robotic frontier in the near future. View the full article

Avast ye! Lauren Irvine, Community Manager at Survios, here to welcome you to the most pirate-tastic game on PSV-ARRRRRR: Battlewake. Let’s take the plunge into those sneaky skills that’ll set you apart upon the seas! Battlewake’s vehicle-centric naval combat transforms you into a mythical, magic-wielding Pirate Lord at the helm of a ship outfitted with three sets of weapons. These top six tips straight from the Survios devs will give you the edge on your fellow pirates as you battle for dominion in the ever-churning waters of New Urth. 1) Use Yer Anchors! Yar, it be extremely satisfying to seize and spin your ship’s wheel, but when the battle really heats up, it won’t get you where you need to be as efficiently as yer anchors! Located on either side of the wheel, grabbing and pulling an anchor can allow you to execute game-changing hairpin turns around your enemies, environmental obstacles, and even krakens and maelstroms. 2) Keep an Eye on Yer Arms! Those fancy tattoos and armor aren’t just there to make ye look pretty. They act as cooldown indicators for your Pirate Lord’s unique special power: when the tattoos or sigils glow bright blue, you’re ready to summon a smashing tentacle (Rev), targeted wave blast (Zhang), an exploding bone shield (Calavera), or surging speed boost (Diego). 3) The Environment Helps & Hinders Alike! Always stay aware of yer surroundings, for the lush, elemental seascapes of New Urth are as deadly as they are lovely, and they will give you no quarter. Arctic glaciers can pin and crush you, meteors can sink you, and there are always good old-fashioned rocks to get in your way. Take advantage of the environment based on your playstyle: sneak up on enemies, lure them into traps, gain quick cover with sharp turns, and more. 4) Don’t Immediately Flip That Coin! When the coin for yer ultimate materializes, the temptation to immediately use it is so irresistible—but resist ye must (sometimes)! Your Pirate Lord’s ultimate power has a fairly long cooldown, so when the coin appears, assess your situation and see if that giant Kraken is really warranted (yet). 5) Use All the Weapons at Yer Disposal! Each ship comes outfitted with different weapons on the front (bow), sides (starboard/right and port/left), and rear (stern) of the ship; the weapons will activate depending on where you’re aiming to fire with your controller. Use this to your positioning advantage, keeping these tips in mind: the most bombastic finisher weapons are located on starboard and port, and all ships are more prone to critical hits in their stern! 6) Mix ‘n Match Ships, Captains & Controls to Yer Playstyle! We get the drill: ye want to hit the high seas, so ye grab the first ship in port and raise the anchor. But the four ships available to you boast distinctively different stats that can make for interesting pairings depending on your playstyle and your Pirate Lord’s powers. (And, thanks to community demand, you can also toggle on Advanced Helm Controls to disable the default autogrip.) Additionally, you can upgrade and level up your ships with a higher weapon count and increased health; before ye know it, yer ship will be the most feared in New Urth! We are most gracious to all of you for supporting Survios and playing Battlewake. We’ll have an interesting challenge for all you gold-hoarding Pirate Lords out there later this month, so in the meantime, get to earning yer sea legs and we’ll see you ’pon the tides of war! View the full article

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is the chance that Dragon Ball fans around the world have been waiting for. You’ve read the manga, watched the anime, and played the games, but here comes an entirely new experience created by Dragon Ball fans, for Dragon Ball fans. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is an Action RPG that lets you live the life and story of Goku. We are excited to announce that Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is releasing January 17, 2020! So look out for it then and be sure to pre-order your copy today. However, before you become the legendary Z Warrior, we took some time to talk to Producer Ryosuke Hara to share new information on what Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot has in store for Dragon Ball veterans and newcomers: What is something about this storyline that only hardcore DBZ fans will appreciate? We’re reproducing many detailed scenes that only the diehard fans would recognize. Many of the previous Dragon Ball games, due to the nature of them being a Fighting Action Game, focused a lot on reproducing the main and most epic fights of Dragon Ball Z. But since Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is an Action RPG, we’re also able to shed light on events that occurred in between the iconic fights. We’re also featuring original stories that will be told for the very first time, through unique sub-quests and dialogue. And some settings have even been newly created by the author Akira Toriyama. So I hope this is something the hardcore DBZ fans would appreciate. For DBZ newcomers, what arc should they most look forward to, and why is it important to the overall storyline? I would have to say the Saiyan Arc. Aside from it being the first arc in Dragon Ball Z, it’s the moment where Goku discovers his Saiyan blood-line, and also his name “Kakarot”. And I really believe that this is when the story and world of Dragon Ball began to growing into an incredible scale. It was recently revealed that Goku and Piccolo DMV episode will be playable as a side mission. What kind of gameplay can we expect for this? Obviously since you don’t have a driver’s license before this episode, this is the first time you’re going to be driving a car in Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot. Once you arrive at the Driving School, you’ll have the pass the test with a Time Attack type of mini-game. And after to clear this episode, you’ll be able to drive your car out on the field. Needless to say, it’s a lot faster to fly. But a good means of traveling if you want to take a breath and relax. What is your particular focus on implementing RPG elements into the gameplay for the first time in PS4 DBZ games? What do you want your fans to enjoy especially? Our biggest focus was designing the bosses as an “RPG Boss.” As many of you already know, the fights in Dragon Ball Z aren’t always fair: Goku’s adversaries often start with a much higher power level or have a wide range of attacks. This dynamic is hard to convey in a PvP fighting game, since players need to come to battle on equal footing. But since this action RPG has players fighting against the CPU, we’re able to more closely reproduce the fights of the show. The HP, power, and movesets of the game’s major villains can exceed Goku’s capabilities, giving you the feeling that you’re up against truly unstoppable foes. How does the player enhance their abilities and learn new skills? Aside from leveling up your character by fighting against enemies, eating is also a very important feature when it comes to powering up your character. Unlike in many other RPG games, in Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, eating food will not only give you temporary, but permanent buffs as well. So if you feel that the enemy is too strong, go out on the field to gather ingredients, bring them back to Chichi, and do what Goku loves to do: eat. Also, by collecting the Z Orbs that are out in the field, you can proceed through the Skill Tree to obtain passive skills. Do you think that newcomers or casual fans can also enjoy DBZ: Kakarot, not only hardcore DBZ fans? Most definitely. That’s even one of the reasons why we decided to create a game focusing on the story of Dragon Ball Z. With the success of Dragon Ball Super and the movie Dragon Ball Super: Broly, I’m sure there are many fans who have newly become Dragon Ball fans. And we thought now would be a good time to re-introduce the Dragon Ball Z lore, which is loved across the world and generations. So we hope the newcomers would play the game, as if they’re watching the anime. What kind of sub-quests and side stories does DBZ:K have? Please tell me your favorite one? There are sub-quest and side stories that focus on characters from the original Dragon Ball, as well as interaction between characters that may not have had much connection in the anime, such as Piccolo and Ox-King. My personal favorite would be a side-episode focusing on Gohan and Android 16. Here, you will discover the connection that Gohan and Android 16 had before the fight against Cell. So I’m sure playing this side-story, will bring even more emotion when Gohan evolves into Super Saiyan 2. The new character, Bonyu has recently been announced. Why did you decide to include a new character like this? As mentioned in an earlier answer, upon developing this game, we have received a number of new setting regarding Dragon Ball from the author Akira Toriyama. That’s when we discovered that there was a former member in the Ginyu Force, called “Bonyu, the brains.” Not only was she strong, but she was calm and wise, making her the most superior fighter within the force. However, she left the Ginyu Force because she didn’t like the Special Fighting Pose, and no one knows where she is, and what she’s doing now. In Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, when Goku is heading back to Earth from Namek using Ginyu’s Space Pod, he finds the Battle Data of Bonyu. And by taking the data to the Capsule Corp. Training Room, you will be able to go up against a Virtual Fighting Data of Bonyu. So I hope everyone would look forward to discovering how she fights. Never before has the story and universe of Dragon Ball Z been so faithfully realized for the fans to experience. We are so excited to share this exciting title with the world when it releases January 17, 2020. View the full article

The mysteries of Death Stranding continued to unfold this week at Tokyo Game Show, where celebrated game director Hideo Kojima debuted a whopping 48 minutes of new gameplay, giving the most in-depth peek at the fractured world Sam Bridges hopes to save. Here are some details we noticed: Preparation Is Key First, we see Sam likely preparing for a mission by picking his equipment and balancing his cargo. His loadout isn’t just attached to his back; he seems to meticulously equip his suit and to carefully select attachments for his arms as well. How these different attachments and options affect his capabilities in the field remain to be seen, but it seems like it’ll be worth it to get things just right before setting out. Plot Your Own Course Before leaving the facility, Sam also takes a moment to examine the map, which can be shifted into a topographical view that takes all the area’s hills, valleys, and bodies of water into account. Players can place markers to plot a specific course, as well as prepare necessary equipment like ladders, anchors, and boots for the journey ahead.  You’re Not The Only One Exploring This World While we’re pretty sure you won’t be bumping into direct contact with other players in this world, it seems you may come across things they’ve built or left behind.* There are clear signs of other travelers like yourself using equipment to cross gaps and scale mountains, making you the benefactor of their generous intrepidness. Be sure to leave them a like for their troubles — it’s not yet known what purpose that serves, but at least it will make them feel deservedly appreciated. Treat Yourself Given the responsibility placed on Sam’s shoulders, both literally and figuratively, Death Stranding encourages moments of tranquility and recuperation. We see Sam taking some time to rest in the grass, with prompts for him to massage his shoulders, stretch his legs or sneak in a quick nap. He’ll stop to play a tune from a quest-given harmonica or bathe in a Recharging Spring, prompting the BB to respond with appreciative coos and likes. On The Move Sam can move at different paces despite being loaded to the brim with cargo and equipment. We see Sam equip an “Active Skeleton” that lets him run faster and farther. He also pulls off some rather epic jumps despite his massive pack of cargo — getting around should be a lot more interesting once you acquire one of these. We can also see Sam steal a MULE truck for a quick escape, and later on, ride a motorcycle, illustrating that traversal in Death Stranding can take many forms. Lighten The Load Sam can also equip a Floating Carrier: a hovering palette of sorts that Sam can pack cargo onto, and be pulled along behind him as he walks. This should make a big difference in terms of Sam’s capacity to transport goods, speeding up deliveries and allowing for more flexibility should he come across lost cargo he doesn’t want to leave behind. That Floating Carrier Can Carry You, Too Later in the video we see Sam hop onto his empty Floating Carrier to zoom down from his high vantage point and stealthily approach a MULE camp. This sort of speedy, convenient traversal hints at multiple ways to approach a challenge, giving Sam an even more efficient way of getting down beyond the rope and ladders we’ve already seen. Don’t Be A Drag Sam finds himself in danger in the second half of the footage, when his sensor alerts him to nearby activity. We see him struggle to shift his weight and break free from the BT’s tar covered grip, and eventually be dragged into combat with a more formidable foe. If running isn’t an option, as it appears in this section of gameplay, then removing packages to keep Sam lighter during combat is. He’ll need to move swiftly to lob Hematic and EX Grenades (we’ll let you guess what those are made from) or use the Anti-BT Handgun from a distance. Should you survive, don’t forget to grab your discarded cargo. Make Meaningful Connections Sam isn’t alone in the world of Death Stranding. We see him complete a couple deliveries throughout the new footage, one to return lost cargo and the other in which he approaches a larger facility and is met with a hologram version of one of its residents. Upon delivery completion, each facility representative greeted Sam to thank him for his trouble and allowed him to add their base to a larger sprawling Chiral Network. It seems these forged connections are at the heart of his journey. Those are just some of the details we caught in the new footage. Did we miss anything? What stood out to you? Let us know in the comments, and prepare to take on the world of Death Stranding when it launches November 8 on PS4. *Internet connection required for asynchronous multiplayer features. View the full article

Hey fans! As promised, I’m back with more information about — and insight into — Nioh 2’s anticipated consumer demo, playable this week at Tokyo Game Show! To whet your appetite and give you a glimpse into what we’re showcasing, we have also prepared a new trailer and a host of new information and visuals to commemorate the occasion. As you begin this adventure, we introduce you to a gorgeous new area which we call The Village of Cursed Blossoms. This is the opening level of Nioh 2, and as the name suggests, it’s an amalgamation of natural beauty and menacing peril. These disparate themes play a major role throughout Nioh 2… but more on that later. Impressed by the protagonist’s prowess, Toukichiro passionately talks about his dream to become successful, believing that the tumultuous time and rampant yokai will work to his advantage. More Images from Nioh 2 As developers creating a game founded on Japanese aesthetics, we’ve always hoped to design a level covered by cherry blossoms in full bloom. So it brings us great joy and satisfaction to finally make it a reality in Nioh 2. Lucky for us, a well-known area for sakura trees called Chidorigafuchi is right next to the Team Ninja studio! This gave us the opportunity to refine our visuals with great detail and accuracy. Yokai are an essential cornerstone of this franchise, and we take careful consideration when adding these mythical creatures into the game. When choosing new Yokai to implement, we go far beyond simply choosing the most popular or well-known versions. Instead, we meticulously select each creature based on their unique characteristics to effectively complement specific integrations. This approach ensures a wide range of variation and scope, which is super important in keeping players engaged and challenged! Unveiling her true face and her Guardian Spirit, who is this woman who exhibits great hatred for yokai? Speaking of Yokai, our latest demo features Mezuki — a terrifying beast adorned with a grotesque mug and wielding a deadly saw-like weapon. Its debut should make quite an impression with the players testing their Yokai combat skills at TGS. One word of advice for those looking to go toe-to-toe with Mezuki: When in the Dark Realm, ruthless Yokai become even fiercer and more powerful. Tread carefully and strike effectively. Players will also encounter smaller creatures called Sudama (Sudama are actually Kodama that turned into Yokai) in The Village of Cursed Blossoms. As in their former incarnation, they are not violent but they display an unrelenting thirst for material possessions. To provide some perspective, the background image in our key art represents the contrast between the world of men and the realm of Yokai, which is a central theme of the game and the motivation behind our new half-breed protagonist. Given this duality, the Sudama was created as an antithesis to the Kodama. Magami is a Guardian Spirit taking the shape of a wolf, and is known to be kin to the mountain spirits. It hunts down beasts that vandalize crops, and so it is worshiped as the sacred protector of harvest and wealth. It is also said to provide protection from fires. There’s so much more Nioh 2 info I’d like to share, but I’ll save it for next time. As we prepare to finalize the game and set our sights on our early 2020 launch, I want to leave you with a special message from our producer, Yasuda-san: “Since receiving feedback from the closed alpha session, we have been diligently working on the game with great enthusiasm. To be honest, we’ve had to overcome many trials and errors during the process of designing Yokai action mechanics such as “special moves,” “Yokai moves,” and the visual presentation of the “Dark Realm.” However, we are now quite satisfied with where we are at. It goes without saying that the improvements won’t stop until launch and we’ll continue to keep you updated with our progress. Stay tuned for more information in the coming months, and please enjoy the exciting new demo for TGS as well as the batch of new content we’ve prepared.” – Fumihiko Yasuda // Producer View the full article

Hello! I’m the one half of Simogo that is not Gordon. We’re mostly known for making small, boutique-y games, often story and interface-driven. We try to do things others aren’t and surprise both ourselves and what audience there might be for those things. So, after making three slow and thinky games (Year Walk! Device 6! The Sailor’s Dream!), we wanted to make something that was a little more gut than brain. That turned out to be Sayonara Wild Hearts, which is coming to PlayStation 4 on September 19. Sayonara Wild Hearts doesn’t have clear distinction between cutscenes and gameplay. When we started, we only had a doodle in the corner of a notebook of lady wearing a mask. Some early doodles before we knew what we were actually making. We thought that we would be making some dark surreal thing about tarots, masks, travelling on a motorcycle through dreamscapes and endless darkness, to some fusion of surf rock and taiko drums. We asked our friend Carl if he wanted to create and animate some cool biker ladies and soon we made a prototype, which was cool and all. The Fool – the protagonist of Sayonara Wild Hearts. But as we played it one day we had a playlist of really energetic pop songs on, and just then and there we immediately said “No! This is it,” and steered in a new direction. The game we were making simply had to have a pop soundtrack and it needed vibrant colors and energy to match it. Soon enough Jonathan and Daniel were producing a pop album and through some star alignment and an encounter at a record shop here in Malmö a year earlier, Linnea was recording vocals for them not long thereafter. All opponents are based on Major Arcana tarots – as are many vehicles, other objects you’ll encounter in the game. Around this time we had also been thinking about how uninviting games have become. We thought about how it’s always dudes saving the world, convoluted systems and too many buttons to keep in mind. We wanted to make a game that would be as inviting to people who typically don’t play as it would be to people like ourselves who miss old arcade games, and still capture the thrill of a good action game. We also came to the conclusion that to make this game as inclusive as possible, it would have to be as enjoyable to watch and listen to as it was to play. A scene from the first stage in which a diamond butterfly appears in a young woman’s dream and leads her through a highway in the sky. We met with the lovely people of Annapurna Interactive, they dug what we were doing and we dug what they were doing, and their support allowed us to expand the team even more with two programmers and a UI artist (Björn! Jensen! Åsa!). The gameplay varies a between stages. This is from an early dance inspired battle stage. All of these ideas, concepts and people came together and created Sayonara Wild Hearts. Let’s Pop! View the full article

Hi everyone! My name is Idir and I’m Associate Producer on No Straight Roads. We have some exciting news today revealing the amazing voice cast that will be appearing in the Japanese version of the game, as well as the composer. If you haven’t heard of No Straight Roads before, it’s a music-based action-adventure set in the world of Vinyl City, where our two heroes Mayday & Zuke must lead a musical revolution to take back the city from a corrupt EDM empire. The game plays like a traditional third-person action game but is inspired heavily by music. You can move and attack freely, and switch between Mayday & Zuke at any time, but keep an ear out for the music as enemies will always attack to the beat! First up, we have Ayane Sakura who will be co-starring as Mayday, one of the game’s main playable characters and guitarist of indie rock band Bunk Bed Junction. Sakura-san has lent her voice to many games and TV shows previously, but you might recognize her from Psycho-Pass and My Hero Academia. We’re also excited to confirm Jun Fukuyama (Joker in Persona 5) will be co-starring as Zuke, Bunk Bed Junction’s drummer and the game’s second playable character. As well as playing Joker in Persona 5, Fukuyama-san has featured in many other games and TV shows, including Code Geass and Dissidia: Final Fantasy. Joey Bizinger, aka YouTube’s The Anime Man, will also be playing the role of the ‘Music Elitist’, a supporting character that players will encounter while exploring the world of Vinyl City. For the music, we’re collaborating with Masahiro “Godspeed” Aoki. He’s known to have been the composer of Final Fantasy XV: Comrades and the Sengoku Basara series, and the last part of the new No Straight Roads trailer features one of his pieces for the game. As a small team making our first game, we’re so grateful to have such incredible voice talent appearing in the game and are really excited to show you our new trailer giving you a first glimpse at their performances. Thanks for checking out our trailer and we can’t wait to show you more ahead of the game’s release in early 2020. View the full article

During the PlayStation State of Play broadcast back in May, one surprise star of the show was the announcement that an iconic character is coming to PS4. A few months later, at Gamescom 2019, the team behind Predator: Hunting Grounds let a lucky few get their hands on an early build of the game to see how it’s shaping up. Attendees assumed the roles of Predator and Fire Team for some asymmetrical multiplayer battles that proved to be nerve-shreddingly tense, action-packed and shout-out-loud fun all at the same time. After we were done tearing up the jungle in a hail of gunfire and plasma bolts, we sat down with studio Head Charles Brungardt and Creative Director Jared Gerritzen sat down to explain how they’re crafting this Predator franchise tie-in. Play Video Play Video Your four-player squad has a job to do Just like the original 1987 movie, your Fire Team is dropped into the jungle with a mission to complete. In the level we played this meant infiltrating a militia camp, stealing data from various points and uploading it, before making an escape. But of course, there’s another combatant stalking from the trees that the Fire Team haven’t banked on. “We want to almost make the Fire Team forget that there’s a Predator,” says Charles. “So then when he does come, the tension has been building for a while and you’ll be like ‘oh crap!’ when he attacks.” What to say: “I ain’t got time to bleed.” The tension is palpable Predator movies are memorable not just for incredible fire fights and action sequences, but for the creeping dread of being stalked by an unseen enemy. Unlike Dutch, Dillon and the crew, you’ll know that there’s a Predator out there watching you — but that doesn’t make it any less nerve-racking. “When the Predator cloaks, he makes a clicking sound. When you’re playing as the Fire Team, focused on the objectives and you hear that click, you’ll start freaking out,” Jared says. “My favourite moments are when the Predator is hunting you but you’re mudded up so he can’t see you, and he’s directly overhead, moving through the trees. That’s when the tension really gets you.” What to say: “There’s something out there waiting for us, and it ain’t no man. We’re all gonna die!” Stealth is vital for both sides “Mudding up is a mechanic that we pulled in from the first movie,” Jared explains. “It covers your heat signature so the Predator can’t spot you as easily. But then, when you do mud up, you’ll be vulnerable for a little while you’re looking down — and that’s when the Predator can pounce.” In one of the games we played, that’s exactly what happened. Towards the end of a match, in a desperate race to reach the chopper, one of the IllFonic guys stopped to cover himself — but it was too late. The Predator was quickly on top and liberating his spinal cord from his body. Of course, the Predator is a master of stealth. “The Predator not only sees heat, but from farther away he sees sound bubbles when weapons are fired,” adds Jared. “The Fire Team have melee weapons and can take out the NPCs silently and take the perimeter. Then, when they need to go loud, it’s best to do it as fast as possible then get out before the real danger hits. “You can customize weapons, characters and loadouts to play in a specific way, so you can build a super-stealth guy and not give up your location, making it tough for the Predator to find you. But usually, he will!” What to say: “She says the jungle… it just came alive and took him.” Hunter and hunted roles can flip at any point “In the first film the Fire Team are focused on their mission, but then the Predator starts hunting them. By the end of the movie, that’s turned around and the hunter and hunted roles are flipped. That was the inspiration for our game,” Charles explains. “So when you play as the Predator, you’ll feel big and badass, but you can have that turned around on you as well.” What to say: “Get to the choppaaaaaaa!” The Predator is tough — but not invincible Getting the balance right between Predator and Fire Team is a vital part of making a four-vs-one fight work and is something that the team at IllFonic are spending a lot of time perfecting. “The Predator has a finite amount of energy, so when he’s cloaked, using heat vision or firing his Plasma Caster, it depletes his energy bar. That’s one way we’re balancing him — you can’t just run around cloaked, using heat vision and popping off shots all the time,” says Jared. “His helmet can get blown off which makes him even more vulnerable as he won’t have heat vision any more, and you won’t be able to aim the Plasma Caster, so the shots will be a little off.” What to say: “If it bleeds, we can kill it.” Authenticity is important — but Predator: Hunting Grounds has its own place “We’ve worked with Fox a lot to make sure the authenticity is there, and how we can add more to the canon of the movies,” says Charles, explaining that their game is an evolution of what has happened throughout the movies. But fans of the Predator franchise will see plenty of call-backs, from the way the Predator moves through the treetop canopy to what happens when he’s cornered. “The Yautja are an almost samuari-like race and they’d rather die an honourable death than be taken down. He’s got wrist blades on the left, self-destruct on the right, and the Plasma-caster on his shoulder. They were the three things our Predator had to have from the off,” explains Jared. “If you’re wounded so badly that you can’t heal, then the honourable thing to do is to make your last stand and take everyone out with a nuke. The Fireteam may have enough time to get away — we show you the blast radius that you’ll need to escape — but it’s a fun way that the game can end.” What to say: “What the hell are you?” View the full article

To all the seasoned ship captains, cruising the stars and exploring the unknown in deep space, and the fresh ensigns looking to make a name for themselves… this is for you. Star Ocean First Departure R, the HD remaster of the classic sci-fi RPG and first installment in the Star Ocean series, is coming to PlayStation 4 on December 5. On top of the enhanced graphics and multiple full voiceover options in this version, all of the characters feature new and updated looks, thanks to the prolific Star Ocean series character illustrator Katsumi Enami. The Square Enix team sat down with Enami-san to talk about his work on the Star Ocean series, his approach to redesigning some of the series’ most beloved characters, and his background as an illustrator. SE: How did you get your start as an illustrator and how did you begin working on the Star Ocean series? KE: Originally, I worked at a game company designing graphics, mainly drawing backgrounds/environments. Despite being responsible for backgrounds, I wanted to draw characters and started posting my illustrations to a personal website I had created. At that point, I started to receive several requests to illustrate for “light novels” so I found the courage to leave my job to begin my career as an illustrator. At that time, the work I had done for “Baccano!” served as an impetus for receiving more jobs in the direction of character design. As for the Star Ocean series, it all began when I was given the opportunity to work on the character illustrations for “Star Ocean: The Last Hope.” SE: What do you like most about creating artwork for the Star Ocean series? KE: The game is set in an expansive world based in outer space where a variety of races and cultures exist. The range of physical appearances and outfits makes it appear as though each one is based on a completely different lore, even within the same title. I consider this — attempting to distinguish them from one another as I draw them — to be both a challenge and a pleasure. Particularly on “Star Ocean: The Last Hope,” the armor with a mechanical feel was something I had never had a chance to draw until then, so there was a bit of personal satisfaction for being able to accomplish drawing something of that nature. SE: How did working on Star Ocean: The Last Hope differ from working on Star Ocean First Departure R? How has your method/process of illustration changed over the years? KE: There was a moment of regret on my part after taking on “Star Ocean: The Last Hope” as it involved depicting a lot of Sci-Fi armor, and drawing mechanical objects was not my forte. That said, after finishing the illustrations, I felt that the detailed designs gave the mechanical objects a weightiness that gave the finished product a level of quality/texture that goes beyond my own design capabilities. “Star Ocean First Departure R” is a port of the original game, so the original designs served as a basis. In order to honor the original designs that fans adore, rather than drastically changing or modernizing them, I was conscious of maintaining parts of the original designs, while updating some aspects so they could be appealing to modern players. Compared to “Star Ocean: The Last Hope,” the characters’ outfits are simpler. It didn’t allow any room to cut corners with the help of dense details, so I considered the best way to dress the characters with their outfits in order to generate a good atmosphere. As for differences in the production process, the work on “Star Ocean: The Last Hope” was relatively simple as illustrations were generated from available designs. “Star Ocean First Departure R” was similar in that I was drawing available designs, but there was an added element of giving them a sense of atmosphere that would make them relevant for this day and age. SE: How did you approach updating the original artwork for Star Ocean First Departure R? Did you collaborate with the original artist? KE: I believe key art and character illustrations were everything for many games from the past, where they focused on character images to help supplement and expand on the player’s imagination. For this title, I believe the opportunity was presented to me as the illustrator that worked on “Star Ocean: The Last Hope,” so illustrating in a way that generates the feeling that it is all part of the same series is something I tried to keep in mind during the process. I have not met the artist who worked on the original game, but I am one of many who played the game with those designs, so I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to illustrate them myself. SE: Of the three new illustrations released thus far (Roddick, Millie, Dorne), which character was your favorite to draw and why? KE: I would have to say Dorne. Regardless of the project, I always love supporting characters. There may be instances where I get over-enthusiastic and run wild with my imagination, giving them too much character. On the contrary, I find it challenging to create the hero or heroine, attempting to depict the handsomest or cutest characters. There have been many instances where they are overshadowed by the personality exuded by supporting characters, so I try to be mindful about avoiding such an outcome. SE: Star Ocean as a series has had a fair number of guest artists contribute artwork and designs, including yourself and others like Akiman (Street Fighter) and Kou Yoshinari (Valkyrie Profile). What does it feel like to work on a series that has such a diverse body of aesthetic and design? KE: Back when I was a student and I was playing games all the time, Akiman’s “Street Fighter” illustrations were an aspiration. Every time there is a new illustration for Star Ocean by Akiman, I feel a sense of happiness, knowing that I am working on the same series. In regards to Kou Yoshinari, I remember looking at Valkyrie Profile and thinking how high level character designs had become. I felt concerned for my future as I started to set out on the same path, and remember his presence being quite stimulating. I am extremely happy to be involved in a title with many wonderful designers; at the same time, the pressure is constant as it feels like a competitive field where my current self is being compared against such illustrators. SE: Are there any other Star Ocean characters you would like to draw in an official capacity? KE: There are many, so there would be no end if I were to draw everything, but perhaps Maria. Generally speaking, I prefer to draw characters that are pretty over cute, and cool over handsome. Given the fact that I have the opportunity to partake in a title with so many characters, if there is an opportunity to do so, I would love to take on all of them. SE: Do you have any advice for young artists/illustrators? KE: In this day and age, there are so many methods to showcase your artwork, so the competition is greater, making it harder to make a living out of this profession and have people remember your name. In order to make drawing your profession, I feel like success or failure depends on whether you have something to offer that aligns with someone’s objective when they happen to stumble upon your work while looking for an artist. I feel like these opportunities will increase by showcasing pieces that are polished and display the skills required for your target genre and industry. Star Ocean First Departure R launches on December 5 on PS4. Pre-order now to immediately receive a commemorative PS4 theme featuring some of the newly drawn illustrations by Enami-san, in addition to a digital mini soundtrack from the Star Ocean Live 2019 concert when the game launches on December 5. Pre-order today. About Katsumi Enami Katsumi Enami is an illustrator who hails from Hiroshima prefecture. He worked as a graphic artist after joining Compile Co., Ltd., while posting and sharing his illustrations online. His artwork caught people’s attention, which led him to work on providing illustrations for the Baccano! novels. From there, he would go on to illustrate and create character designs for other light novels and video games. For the Star Ocean series, Enami created all the character illustrations for Star Ocean: The Last Hope and Star Ocean First Departure R. He also contributed multiple character illustrations to the smartphone title Star Ocean Anamnesis. View the full article