Commander Fury

Celeste is a game about believing in yourself and the journey to discover what you are capable of.

While that may seem like quite the lofty statement for a 2D platforming game with a retro pixel-style aesthetic, being able to take away such an insightful and empowering feeling from a game is precisely what makes Celeste one of the best games of 2018.

Let’s start with the game itself. At its core, Celeste is a precision platformer where your eventual goal is to climb a mountain. Early on, you’re taught two moves: how to dash (press square and a direction), and how to wall climb (hold L2). The controls are snappy and fluid — at any given moment you feel in total control of your character. Jumping and dashing quickly become second nature, which is critical for game like this, because Celeste is hard.

Moments after starting the game, players are thrust into life-endangering situations. Bottomless pits, spike-lined floors, seemingly impassable chasms, and other deadly obstacles combine to create an almost overwhelming sense of anxiety at first glance. “How the heck am I supposed to do this?”, players may wonder.

This is where Celeste’s brilliant design begins to shine through. Once you start attempting these daunting obstacles, you start to formulate ideas on how it could be possible.

“Well, if I just drop here instead of using my dash…”
“What if i use this moving platform for extra momentum in my jump?”

Celeste rarely punishes you for dying — within seconds of failure, you respawn close to the challenge you were attempting, fresh for another go at it. Having that smooth, almost-instant intermission between attempts encourages you to take chances. You will die a lot in Celeste, but each death comes with a sense of renewed purpose rather than defeat.

Eventually, you’ll conquer what you may have initially regarded as impossible and carry that feeling of accomplishment into the next challenge. The game does a great job of layering on additional mobility elements and challenges at a perfect pace, building on what you’ve already learned while also making sure your next goal is clearly in front of you. This results in a continuous sense of being tested to the best of your abilities, so that any glimpses of self-doubt tend to be outweighed by the visibility of success being so close.

As you progress through the game, a meaningful narrative starts to develop with the game’s main character, Madeline, who has set out on a journey to climb Mt. Celeste to get away from her life in the city. But the further she climbs, the more setbacks get thrown her way, sowing self-doubt and causing Madeline to question whether she should be attempting the climb in the first place.

Memorable characters such as Mr. Oshiro, a ghostly hotel owner who can’t let go of his past, or Theo, a happy-go-lucky selfie chaser, cross paths with Madeline, providing not just conversation, but foils for her own journey of self-actualization. Our heroine interacts with them reluctantly at first, viewing them as obstacles and time-wasters on her own journey. But by lending her assistance, she ends up learning more about herself.

Just like Madeline, I didn’t think about the bigger picture of my journey while I was in the middle of it. My first playthrough was hyper-focused on just conquering the video game challenges in the moment. It was only after I had completed the main game that I was able to take a step back and really reflect on how far I had come. I moved on to the game’s challenging post-story “B-Side” levels with a sense of “Ok, this seems doable if I hop here and drop here” rather than “This seems impossible!” The skills I needed to conquer those challenges were already within my abilities, I just needed to discover them.

One of the elements I noticed early on, is that the game tracks how many deaths you have on each level. My first inclination as a competitive gamer was defeatist: “Ugh, I have so many deaths. I’m bad at this.” But after playing through the game I developed a new perspective: each one of those deaths was a learning experience. I began to see high death counts as a badge of honor for my perseverance, rather than blemishes on perfection. It’s a mindset I’ve tried to apply to other parts of my life as well. Therein lies Celeste’s greatest achievement — its potential to change a person’s way of thinking not only in playing a game, but outside of it as well.

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Photo Mode has allowed us all to soak in the rich detail of the game worlds we’re sometimes too busy saving to appreciate. It’s also turned us from players to photographers, pouring over the perfect composition and fine-tuning our filters for the most eye-catching shot.

In 2018, we asked you to show off your best snaps in our Share of the Week series by sharing on Twitter and Instagram using #PS4share and #PSBlog. Here are just some of our personal favorites. Or, as we like to call them, our new desktop wallpapers.

What was your Share of the Year? Kick off 2019 by sending us your best shot from the 2018’s year in gaming using #PS4share and #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

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Firesprite’s PS VR horror roguelike The Persistence is not only my favorite VR game to date, it’s now one of my favorite games of the entire PS4 generation. This forward-thinking VR shooter mashes up elements from BioShock, Deus Ex, and Bloodborne in ways that left me gasping.

The appeal of a roguelike lies in its heightened stakes, the rush of knowing that each decision you make matters so much more. The Persistence elegantly weaves those tropes into its premise, and the game is far stronger for it.

Each time you die, you “print” a new body to carry on with your progress. Harvesting stem cells and DNA allows you to upgrade your future bodies with invisibility, enhanced melee attacks, and other survival perks that will come in handy aboard the crippled spaceship The Persistence.

The game offers a smorgasbord of control schemes, each tuned to a specific type of VR player. VR veteran? Proceed directly to full, uncompromised dual-analog stick FPS controls. Prone to VR motion discomfort? Choose the option that reduces camera movement. Not sure which to choose? Try the middle-of-the-road option. They all work great.

The Persistence packs a million little UI and UX touches that take advantage of PS VR’s featureset. To pick up an item, you simply stare at it. A brief animation plays, and now it’s in your inventory. It’s a small detail, but it always feels satisfying, and it solves the annoyance of having to hammer the X button to collect loot.

Shooting is a pleasure too, because you simply move your head to align the targeting reticule. Ditto with swapping weapons: just hold R1 and glance at the gun you want to equip. This allows you to carry a lot of weapons and quickly decide what’s the best fit for any encounter. You constantly feel empowered, but challenged.

The procedurally-designed levels are vastly more convincing than any I’ve encountered in other games. Each run feels like a completely different experience, with weapon fabrication stations, enemies, items, hazards, and rooms sprinkled about in a way that feels handcrafted, rather than generated by some soulless AI. There are even optional, random “event” rooms… but the less said there, the better.

It’s even a great stealth game, with a short-range teleporter and brutal melee mechanics that bring enjoyable twists to well-worn genre standards.

Add in a massive arsenal of exotic weapons and bizarre experimental gadgets (check out that Ivy Serum) and you’ve got one of the best horror sandbox games ever released. And it’s on PlayStation VR. What are you waiting for?

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Greetings, Boundless players of PlayStation! What a great couple of months it’s been since the game hit PS4 — we’ve seen some truly mind-blowing builds, epic group hunts, and so much more. I just wanted to check in and let you all know that we’ve still got a lot more lined up for you as we move into the bold future of Boundless.

We’ve been working hard on Boundless since launch, with regular updates hitting the game every couple of weeks, and now we’re excited to reveal our biggest release so far, Empires, which makes it easier and more fun than ever to play Boundless with your friends.

We’ve also seen two great seasonal events to coincide with Halloween and the winter season, bringing brand-new character customizations and gameplay events to the game. We’ve also recently released some incredibly cool LED blocks, which players are able to use to really let their creativity fly.

We’re really excited about the addition of LED blocks. This might sound like a small addition, but these are a real game-changer for builders, as each block can be tinted and programmed to blink at a different rate. These allow for a touch of flair on many builds, and even let players experiment with simple animations when combining several different blink patterns. This is a great chance for the Boundless players to showcase their creativity, and it’s something which we think will really shake up the look of some of the most impressive builds in the game. Multi-colored disco dance floors are just the tip of the iceberg.

On top of all this, we’re pleased to announce the imminent release of the most major feature since launch in the form of our guilds system, alongside an universe-wide messaging system which will make communication more seamless than ever.

We know that many of our players love to enjoy Boundless together, and as with any Sandbox MMO, the social aspects of the game are hugely important to getting the most out of the fun on offer. Guilds are our way of making it even easier and more rewarding to play with friends, and we’re really looking forward to seeing which groups can rise to power first.

It’s a vast, complicated system, but the broad strokes of it are that groups of players can now be formally brought together in a guild. This guild will then control its own resources, with different levels of authority attainable within the group. Prestige will be built up for the whole group through the actions of its members, and beacons or settlements can be assigned to a guild too.

The system will allow for huge cooperative builds, massive organized group hunts, and even complex social and political events to be put together within the structured framework of a centralized group of players. Starting as a lowly Operative, a player might eventually rise to the coveted role of Director. We can’t wait to see which groups rise to power first — it’s going to be brilliant to be a part of.

We’re really just at the beginning of the road for Boundless. Other features we’ve got in the pipeline include the menacing Hunter creature, which is our first addition to the ecosystem. Of course, we’re not stopping there — our roadmap includes the Boundless version of farming, so look out for news on that soon!

We want players to be able to play however they feel, and that goes for how they’re represented in-game too. With that in mind, we’re also working on bringing a new selection of character faces to the game, to go alongside the body paints we recently added. This, along with the new character customizations we’re working on, will allow for some truly unique looks for your in-game avatar.

It’s a super exciting time to be a part of the Boundless universe, and we absolutely cannot wait to share the next adventures with you all. See you all in the game folks!

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You know, I’ve never really been much of a hunter.

It’s not for lack of trying — I’ve dipped a toe into Capcom’s monstrous waters a couple times in the past, but its myriad systems, weapon types, and nigh limitless ways to take down fearsome creatures made for too feisty a beast to tame.

Monster Hunter: World stripped away just enough of the Byzantine quirks accumulated by the series over its 14-year history to seduce me into giving the storied series one more shot. And wow — am I ever glad I did.

Let’s get this out of the way early: Monster Hunter is weird. That will probably never change, and I suspect that weirdness is part of what keeps fans coming back each time Capcom releases a new entry. I mean, it’s a co-op action-RPG where players wield swords larger than their own bodies to hunt fire-breathing T-rexes and giant, fluffy balloon bats. Other quirks, like the adorable Palicoes (basically talking cats) that accompany you on quests and cook pre-hunt meals, continue to stack more of this charming weirdness on top of World’s satisfying, crunchy core gameplay and an expertly tuned progression loop to keep players hungry for just one more hunt.

Let’s zero in on that progression loop for a sec. It’s a multi-layered affair, starting with players collecting parts from defeated monsters and bringing them back to camp to build new weapons and armor. Simple enough, right? Well, bear in mind that to get certain drops, you need to break certain parts off these critters during an encounter. Hammer wielders, for instance, are especially well suited for cracking off a Barroth’s horn, while a sharp sword will more easily sever that Anjanath tail you’ve been looking for.

Unlocking High Rank hunts opens up an all-new, more powerful suite armor to chase, with its own set of required monster parts. And if you play long enough to get to end-game status, you’ll start mixing and matching perks and abilities from different pieces of armor to build loadouts that are well-suited to specific types of battles. You’ll want a high Elderseal stat when squaring up against Elder Dragons, for example, or maybe you want to spec into the “Earplugs” perk if you’re planning to take down the… annoyingly vocal Bazelgeuse.

This is all just scratching the surface of what makes Monster Hunter: World tick, but Capcom has done an admirable job putting need-to-know info up front and letting players gradually discover the game’s intricacies as they fall further and further down the rabbit hole. Ongoing seasonal events, franchise crossovers (Geralt is coming!), and the recent announcement of gargantuan new expansion Iceborne tell us that while Monster Hunter: World has already made a name for itself in the PS4 library, it has no intention of resting on its laurels. I may not have been a hunter before, but I’m happy to have, at long last, joined the MonHun ranks.

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Video game prequels are tricky. These games are tasked with simultaneously advancing the gameplay experience while rewinding the narrative. Sometimes we get gameplay mechanics that don’t gel within the world established by the original, or new stories that are about as impactful as dynamite without a fuse.

Rockstar Games’ latest opus, Red Dead Redemption 2, not only avoids all these prequel pitfalls, it also pulls off the moonshot of enhancing John Marston’s original genre-defining adventure from the previous game.

Like Marston before him, anti-hero Arthur Morgan comes across as a typical cowboy at first, then opens up to reveal surprising depth. The stoic protagonist has a wry wit, refreshing self-awareness, and general nuance that makes him feel believable and relatable. He’s the kind of guy that won’t flinch when busting a fellow outlaw out of jail, but still takes the time to teach a young boy to fish. Arthur’s fellow gang members — like the charismatic leader Dutch and revenge-driven Sadie — offer a colorful, morally fluid contrast to our hero’s development.

While John Marston has an important supporting role in Arthur’s tale, this game connects to the original Red Dead with impressive elegance. We won’t spoil specifics for you here, but every moment with John in Red Dead Redemption 2 adds valuable context and weight to the events of the previous game. Don’t be surprised if you feel like firing up PlayStation Now to relive John’s remarkable tale.

Red Dead Redemption 2’s trail splits off from the original with its unprecedented attention to detail. The talented Rockstar devs have crafted animations for everything from simply picking up a can of beans to skinning a deer with unnerving realism. Even shop catalogues are elaborate, in-universe ads rather than basic menus. The experience is less traditionally “video gamey” than the original and more of a cowboy life simulation.

Adjusting to Rockstar’s new focus on meticulous detail takes some time, but eventually the deliberate nature of the game pulls you deeper into the gang’s hard living. For example, money is scant early on, so you’re encouraged to hunt for game to earn money. You’ll need to track your prey, shoot it, follow its bloody trail through the woods, finish it off, and then either skin it on site or stow the whole corpse on your horse to sell it later. Be careful though, because your meat will spoil if you don’t get it to a butcher in time. This grounded gameplay forces players to be deliberate, and strongly reinforces the vibe of frontier living .

Speaking of the frontier, Rockstar’s Wild West is a postcard-worthy spectacle. Beautiful locales like snowy mountain peaks, green-splotched prairies, and swamps canopied with cypress trees offer so many stunning landscapes that Bob Ross himself would blush. These locations are brought to life with realistic weather effects and convincing animal life. Fleeing a pack of snarling wolves snapping at your spurs while a thunderstorm rolls across the planes is just one memorable example of how this world seems so uniquely alive.

Rockstar’s interpretation of the Wild West offers more fun beyond the solitary cowboy tale. Posse up with friends in Red Dead Online to take on narrative-driven missions, sometimes featuring characters from the main game. Additional activities like stealing horses or hijacking wagons become more intense when fending off rival players looking to steal your haul. Rockstar has already started refining the economy and overall experience of Red Dead Online, and if GTA Online is any indication, gunslingers everywhere have a lot to look forward to.

The gaming world stops to pay attention when Rockstar releases a new game, and it’s for good reason. The uncanny realism of Red Dead Redemption 2’s world, along with its top-in-class narrative, make it one of 2018’s must-plays.

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Alright! December is out, January is in, and we’ve got one more poll in which we humbly request your participation.

I know we just asked you to vote in our annual Game of the Year awards, but do your old pal Justin a favor and help us crown a winner for December. The polls will close Sunday night, and next week we’ll tally up the votes and update this post with the winner. But hey, you know the drill by now!

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I remember when Quantic Dream first introduced us to Kara back in 2012. Originally just a tech demo, the short about an erroneously sentient android begging not to be disassembled was haunting and beautiful. The tech itself was gorgeous and lifelike beyond anything I had seen before, but hearing Kara cry out, “I’m scared!” was what stayed with me years later.

Seeing that idea brought to fruition as Detroit: Become Human is nothing short of stunning. Kara is joined by fellow leads Markus and Connor to weave a moving tale about empathy, choice, and what it actually means to be human. Over the course of the story, the player’s perspective shifts between these three protagonists, each living a different life and trying to figure out its place in the world. The story’s pacing is well thought out, and I never tired of any of these characters as they grappled with the concept of sentience in ways that could spell out life or death at any moment.

And there are oh so many ways it can spell out death. Plenty of narrative adventure games argue that the choices made in the game matter, but I’ve never seen that play out in so many ways as Detroit. About a week after the game was released, I huddled together with a handful of coworkers who had all finished their first playthrough, and I was shocked to learn of the wildly different conclusions we had all reached. Some of us got a character killed, some made choices that benefitted androids and others sided with humans. Most importantly, not one of us felt dissatisfied with the ending we had reached. This would be a praise-worthy accomplishment for any game with branching narrative, and it is doubly so here considering the baffling number of ways the story can diverge in Detroit.

In an interesting touch, you’re regularly faced with the enormity of ways the story can change throughout the game, as each chapter presents you with a decision flowchart that lays out the path you struck, and the tendrils and branches of opportunities you’ve missed.

Making a game that lends itself to so much replayability also means that Quantic Dream needed a cast of characters worth going back for again and again. While my empathy for Kara had been building up since 2012, I immediately connected with Markus’ unflaggingly hopeful vision in the face of intense adversity (that android graveyard scene…whew, boy). What surprised me the most was how much I rallied behind android detective Connor. Of the three leads, he’s the one most determined to stick to his coding and be, well, robotic. Instead, watching his objective and analytical view slowly melt away as he built a relationship with his human partner Hank made the largest impression on me. He was the one android that I refused to play differently across my playthroughs because I just couldn’t stand the thought of him staying devoid of life.

Narrative aside, the way that Quantic Dream brought these characters to life is a technical marvel. This game is so dang pretty, from its gleaming environments to its almost impossibly lifelike motion capture. I don’t think I’ve ever paused a game so many times just to say “Look at their pores!” at much as I have with Detroit. Even if you only play through Detroit once, it’s worth it to see state-of-the-art motion capture at its finest.

Detroit: Become Human treads some familiar narrative ground within the sci-fi genre, but its follow through on giving the player ample, meaningful choice and its impressive technical display makes it one of the brightest gaming highlights of 2018.

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You need to play Astro Bot Rescue Mission immediately.

It’s not just that the titular hero Astro is adorable (he is). It’s not even just because the levels are a marathon of creative platforming experiences (they are). It’s because in a year filled with excellent takes on the virtual reality medium, Japan Studio have expertly threaded the needle to create an insanely fun platformer that will stand as a landmark for what all VR games should aspire to be.

I was shocked at how well I fit into the whole world as the player. On top of controlling Astro, the player adds a helping hand through the DualShock 4, which manifests within the game and serves as a specialized tool that made me feel actively part of the world in a way that no other VR title has before. This third-person perspective also creates a twist on traditional platforming, pushing you to move your head and body to help solve puzzles and guide Astro on his mission. It’s a perfect fit for PS VR, and you’ll find yourself forgetting the world around you while following alongside Astro.

The worlds and levels are inventive, animated with crisp color and capped off with larger-than-life boss fights that had me feeling just as small as Astro. I found myself gawking at the quirky level designs and replaying worlds so I could take in every detail. Manipulating the environments to clear a path for Astro feels completely natural, the controls intuitive and easy to grasp just minutes into playing. I can honestly say I’ve never felt more comfortable in the PS VR headset, and not a moment went by that I didn’t have a smile on my face.

It’s always exciting to watch the creativity that springs from a new medium. As a platformer alone, Astro Bot Rescue Mission is a delightful and gratifying game that would be a joy to play even in 2D, but the way Japan Studio has wielded their understanding of PS VR catapults it into a new stratosphere of fun to make it an essential PS VR game, and one of the best gaming experiences of the year.

What was your favorite game of 2018? Click here to vote in the PlayStation.Blog Game of the Year 2018 Awards!

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While we’re spending the holidays happily sinking time into our favorite PS4 games of the past year (or revisiting some classics), we already have an eye on what’s to come for our console. And we’re not the only ones.

Even while they’re busy working on their own projects, our favorite developers are also looking forward to seeing what their colleagues across other studios have been working on. We reached out to ask them what they personally cannot wait to play and why.

1. The Last of Us Part II

As chosen by…

“Ellie is back, and I can’t wait to find out what happened to her since The Last of Us. How did she evolve, being a teenager in such circumstances? How did the harsh world impact her? Has the world around her changed? So many questions!”

Angie Smets, Executive Producer, Horizon: Zero Dawn, Guerrilla

“Naughty Dog are excellent storytellers. I absolutely loved The Last of Us and can’t wait to lose myself in the sequel!”

Adam Badowski, Director, Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt RED

“Hands down The Last of Us Part II. Anything from Naughty Dog should be the top of anyone’s list at this point, but The Last of Us was such an incredible journey and I can’t wait to see what comes next.”

Alex Barnes, Designer, The Persistence, Firesprite

2. Resident Evil 2

As chosen by…

“Resident Evil 2 Remake will be one I won’t want to miss. I spent so many hours on the original one on PS1 but I could never unlock the Tofu Survivor. My gamer life’s biggest drama.”

Nic Doucet, Creative Director, Astro Bot Rescue Mission Japan Studio

3. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

As chosen by…

“I love all of From Software’s games and am chomping at the bit for this. I loved playing Tenchu: Stealth Assassins when it came out on the original PlayStation so I’m super hyped about this one!”

Emily Newton Dunn, Systems Designer, Dreams, Media Molecule

“I can’t wait to play it!”

Kazunori Kadoi, Director, Resident Evil 2, Capcom

“As a fan of From Software and Bloodborne, in particular, I’m looking forward to Sekiro: Shadow’s Die Twice.”

Tam Armstrong, Co-founder, Moss, Polyarc

“Without a doubt, I’m most excited about Sekiro on PS4 next year. I’m using its release as a deadline because I know work is going to take a hit when I start playing!”

Derek Yu, Creator, Spelunky 2

4. Dreams

As chosen by…

“Dreams has made it to some people’s ‘Most Anticipated Games’ lists for multiple years; at least true for me since The Last Guardian came out. This is going to be worth the wait.”

Shuhei Yoshida, President, Worldwide Studios

5. Ghost of Tsushima

As chosen by…

“The gameplay shown by the devs from Sucker Punch was stunning! The environments look beautiful, the lighting sets the mood perfectly and the combat looks just as fierce as samurai sword fighting should be — absolutely brutal. The studio also managed to capture the atmosphere I expect from a game in this setting. I can’t wait to play it!”

Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz, Game Director, Thronebreaker: Witcher Tales, CD Projetk Red

“I’m very interested in seeing how a historical game set in Japan developed by Sucker Punch Productions will unfold.”

Hiroyuki Sakamoto, Game Director, Yakuza Kiwami 2, Sega

“I was a big fan of Tenchu back on the PS1, both the gameplay and the universe. So I’m super excited for a good Feudal Japanese universe to explore in Ghost of Tsushima. Probably the hypest hype I’ve had in recent hypes.”

Steve Filby, Producer, Dead Cells, Motion Twin

“The combat looks incredible while the visuals and the world we get to explore are breathtaking. An open world action game of this caliber set in feudal Japan is a dream come true.”

Yoshinori Takahashi, Director, Soul Calibur VI, Bandai Namco

6. Catherine Full Body

As chosen by…

“With a new character joining the cast, I’m interested in seeing how the story and feel of the gameplay will change and be reconstructed from the last game.”

Ryousuke Horii, Planner, Yakuza Kiwami 2, Sega

7. Death Stranding

As chosen by…

“Hideo Kojima has always been a huge inspiration for me and I can’t help but to tune both eyes and ears in the direction of any project with his name on it. I respect him and his team’s unconventional approach to their games and always striving to do something unique. Death Stranding is no different, and it has prompted many conversations with my friends and family and the game is not even out yet! Hideo and his team are working on a very intriguing new universe and I am looking forward to learning more about it.”

Damoun Shabestari, Creative Producer, Firewall Zero Hour, First Contact Entertainment

8. Anthem

As chosen by…

“I can’t wait to try the game and, most importantly, see what kind of long-term gameplay loop they’ve crafted!”

Yuya Tokuda, Director, Monster Hunter World, Capcom

9. Kingdom Hearts III

As chosen by…

“Without a doubt, Kingdom Hearts III. I’ve always been a huge fan of the worlds of Disney and Square Enix coming together, and this one—which now features Pixar movie characters and settings—has me super excited.”

Bryan Intihar, Creative Director, Marvel’s Spider-Man, Insomniac Games

10. Cyberpunk 2077

As chosen by…

“Assuming that I ever finish Red Dead Redemption 2, this is the world I want to get lost in next. At E3 this year I watched an interview with one of the designers (I think it was Miles Tost) from CD Projekt RED and just seeing how excited he was about all the systems and detailed world design that are in the game was infectious. The longer gameplay reveal just completely blew me away and I can’t wait to make my own way in that world.”

Dominic Robilliard, Creative Director, Concrete Genie, Pixelopus

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In every Assassin’s Creed game, there is a moment where the assassin clambers up to some high-reaching vista — a tower, a balcony, maybe even a ship’s mast — and briefly focuses their eagle eye on the land below them before bounding forward into a leap of faith.

The thrill is usually in the leap, a reflection of the quick, fluid, sneaky gameplay that was once the foundation of the series. With Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, the thrill is now in the climb, and the expansive beauty that waits at the top as a reward.

I’m a longtime fan of Ubisoft’s history-hopping stealth series, even with its various tweaks and mechanical changes through the years. Some entries took bold, broader strokes like Black Flag or last year’s Origins, but Odyssey tosses red paint all over the canvas to create something familiar but lusciously fresh. The world of Ancient Greece is a sight to behold, and it’s gleaming with new opportunity at every corner.

Rather than simply chasing vengeance or upholding tradition, Odyssey is a journey of action and choice. There’s not yet a brotherhood or creed to follow. Instead, you are bound to your own ambitions, whatever that may mean. You’re a mercenary with big dreams, exiled from Sparta with a whole world ahead of you waiting to be explored. For me that meant playing as a witty and empathetic Kassandra, fighting against man or myth to reunite her family. For others that could mean taking a more bloodthirsty approach, seeking revenge and nothing more. Others might fight for brutish glory on the field of battle and arena. Even still, others might ignore the clash of armies and instead head out on the open sea as a pirate. Each quest is a choice, and those choices reflect throughout the entire game and open doors unlike ever before. The series has always allowed for exploration aside from the story, but in Odyssey even the main quest branches out in ways had me giddily criss-crossing my way across the map, discovering new adventures and secrets.

The series similarly reinvents itself by ditching what was once thought of as the essence of being an Assassin: the Hidden Blade. I’ll admit even I was a bit wary of this change heading into Odyssey… until I kicked my first enemy off a hill with a Spartan Kick. The shift to special moves weaved alongside the history of your new main weapon, the Spear of Leonidas, is a natural one for the series, and it gave me a shot of adrenaline with each enemy encounter. Combat becomes a flurry of flexibility and stealth is absolutely still a mainstay, but the broader skill set makes for more engaging and strategic combat, from the smallest animal encounter to full scale conquest battles.

What makes Odyssey such a standout is its rich and captivatingly human characters. Kassandra is genuinely funny, and a total delight to play as no matter what tone you choose to pursue. I’ve sailed right past objectives and docks on my sea galley The Adrestia just to listen to my naval captain Barnabas and the ancient historian Herodotus squabble about fact or fiction. I romanced a randy old woman who originally had me fetching aphrodisiacs for her poor, exhausted husband (who similarly begged me to, uh… give his wife a hand). Even when the main quest branches off into smaller tasks, they lead to characters each on a bewitching journey of their own. In a world with so much to do, it’s these moments that keep me coming back for hours with no end in sight.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey elevates the entire series to new heights, making it a joy for loyal fans and a brilliant entry point for folks that just didn’t even know where to begin with previous entries. It’s easily one of the best games this year, and a knockout in the decade-long franchise.

What was your favorite game of 2018? Click here to vote in the PlayStation.Blog Game of the Year 2018 Awards!

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It’s the dilemma we face every single year. Too many great games, so little time. So, need a refresher course in what came out this year? Or just looking for personal recommendations from those that know gaming inside-out? Us too. That’s why we asked a selection of PlayStation developers for their personal recommendations of the lesser-known PS4 games released in 2018

1. Gorogoa

As chosen by…

“I’ve never played a game like this before. Very original and elegant puzzle game, set in a mysterious world that is beautifully crafted. The game’s story touches on themes of magic and ambiguity. It unfolds while you use shapes, color, and physics to discover how each scene is connected to another.”

Angie Smets, Executive Producer, Horizon: Zero Dawn, Guerrilla

2. Dead Cells

As chosen by…

“It has a very addictive gameplay between Dark Souls and Castlevania with a well-executed visual style. Infuriating at times but it has that ‘one more go’ thing going.”

Nic Doucet, Creative Director, Astro Bot Rescue Mission Japan Studio

“It’s a fantastic rogue-like dungeon crawler with great combat, lots to explore and a really stylish way of sign posting the fun to come. Great progression system too! Love it!”

Emily Newton Dunn, Systems Designer, Dreams, Media Molecule

“It’s very interesting to see a game which captures the same unique feeling I have when playing the Dark Souls series — failing the challenge presented before you, knowing exactly what you did wrong and also how to do it better next time. These types of games make you truly work to come out victorious and bring great satisfaction when you do.”

Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz, Game Director, Thronebreaker: Witcher Tales, CD Projetk Red

“I love Dead Cells! I cannot stop playing Dead Cells because of the ultra tight controls and deep combat with gorgeous visuals. The game keeps you on your toes with a world that changes and the number of biomes with unique enemies. It’s addicting in the best way possible, I’m still hunting for the last remaining Runes! Oh and Slashers are intense!”

Damoun Shabestari, Creative Producer, Firewall Zero Hour, First Contact Entertainment

“If you didn’t get to play Dead Cells yet, go check it out for their brilliant mechanic progression (and everything else).”

Tam Armstrong, Co-founder, Moss, Polyarc

“One of the best indie titles of this year is, without doubt, Dead Cells. This game is a gorgeous 2D action game with fluid animations and a killer gameplay that combines the best elements from metroidvania games and roguelikes.”

Yoshinori Takahashi, Director, Soul Calibur VI, Bandai Namco

3. Pixel Ripped 1989

As chosen by…

“You are in a classroom, holding a handheld game system trying to play it while the teacher is looking the other way, all in VR. This is a PS VR gem of 2018, from a developer in Brazil.”

Shuhei Yoshida, President, Worldwide Studios

“I think Pixel Ripped 1989 is well worth a play on PSVR. It triggered some great retro nostalgia in me!”

Stuart Tilley, Game Director, The Persistence, Firesprite

4. Tetris Effect

As chosen by…

“I don’t know if this fits the definition of an indie game, but in terms of games that are not your typical AAA game experience, I really loved Tetris Effect.”

Kazunori Kadoi, Director, Resident Evil 2, Capcom

“It takes a widely known game, Tetris, and introduces a whole new experience by utilizing the latest technologies with precision and polish. Anybody can play it and can experience the fascinating elements firsthand, and it is something I recommend to everyone.”

Ryousuke Horii, Planner, Yakuza Kiwami 2, Sega

“I’m usually don’t play puzzles games, but I can’t recommend Tetris Effect enough. This game is just as relaxing as it is mesmerizing, and over the holidays I can’t wait to try it out in PS VR!”

Bryan Intihar, Creative Director, Marvel’s Spider-Man, Insomniac Games

5. Owlboy

As chosen by…

“Definitely check out Owlboy if you haven’t already – it’s a lovingly crafted 2D pixel-art action adventure, with great action and gameplay mechanics.”

Hideaki Itsuno, Director, Devil May Cry 5, Capcom

6. Abzu

As chosen by…

“This game released in Japan earlier this year and really makes you think about the methods that games use to present moving experiences. I am very impressed with how the game is set up, so that regardless of being a casual or seasoned gamer, without detailed explanation, the game will draw you into its gorgeous world instantly.”

Hiroyuki Sakamoto, Game Director, Yakuza Kiwami 2, Sega

7. Apollo 11 VR

As chosen by…

“I don’t know if you can call this indie but in terms of something people might have missed, I thought Apollo 11 VR showed how we can push the potential of VR even further. It was both immersive and educational, so I hope that it gets more attention and we can get something like it again with a bigger budget.”

Yuya Tokuda, Director, Monster Hunter World, Capcom

8. Minit

As chosen by…

“Definitely check out Minit if you haven’t already – it’s just a fun, scrappy, inventive little game.”

Derek Yu, Creator, Spelunky 2

9. Guacamelee 2

As chosen by…

“I had an absolute blast with the first one and its expansions, so I was excited for the sequel and I think that the peeps at Drinkbox did a really really great job, well worth a playthrough.”

Steve Filby, Producer, Dead Cells, Motion Twin

10. Yoku’s Island Express

As chosen by…

“This beautiful game exudes pure joy from the moment it boots it up. It is addictive, imaginative and has tons of depth as the ‘open world pinball adventure’ mechanics open up. It was clearly a work of passion and the love in every corner of its inventive world just shines out. I have recommended this game to so many people this year, and each and every person that tried it loved it just as much as I did.”

Dominic Robilliard, Creative Director, Concrete Genie, Pixelopus

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A rebuild of a 34-year-old puzzle game on a console powerhouse doesn’t scream game of the year, does it? And yet here we are. And rightly so. Tetris Effect is an utterly compelling game for PS4, whether experienced in PS VR or not.

The puzzler’s purity is unquestionably why it’s as playable in 2018 as it was back in 1984. But there’s a coldness to that perfection — it’s as clinical as a chess game or mathematical equation. Tetris Effect reinvigorates all aspects of the classic with new rhythm-action mechanics that breathe life into the formula without robbing the original concept of its elegance.

The concept is simple, the effect intoxicating as Alexey Pajitnov’s timeless work is reinterpreted by celebrated game designer Tetsuya Mizuguchi. The latter takes a lifetime of experimentation with interactive, multi-sensory experiences and lets himself and his team run wild to extraordinary effect.

This is a collaborative dynamic you didn’t see coming. Far from a Frankenstein’s monster: this is as electrifying as a Beethoven/Beyoncé mashup. Tetris has never felt so alive.

Mizuguchi has pedigree in this genre and there’s much of his celebrated PSP puzzler Lumines here. The main spine of Tetris Effect is Journey mode: multiple levels — grouped into playlist-style stages — each with a carefully curated pairing of unique visualizer and original song. The track listing is eclectic, the visuals beautifully abstract.

Every level is reactive to how you play. Tetromino turns add to the song’s beat and ignite an accompanying visual spark, line-clears evolve the level’s look while also increasing the backing track’s tempo and complexity. You’re always chasing high scores, but simultaneously you’re artist, DJ and music video producer.

Cleared lines turn into electronic fish shoals that swim away. A tetromino tap ignites neon light trails onto a quiet city street or cause a sea of drums to beat in unison. Line clear-cued sunrises reveal a sky of twinkling hot air balloons or cause weary desert wanderers to transition into astronauts joyriding on the moon.

Everything is connected and all constructed to further immerse you in a puzzle-solving trance, rewarding you for every success or pushing you to correct any mistake with visual and audio motifs.

You chase multipliers both for the long-term satisfaction of a leaderboard entry and the immediate fix of another sensory explosion. Every change causes eyes to widen, heart to race. Every beat pulsed out of your DualShock 4 is echoed by a nodding head, a tapping foot. It’s mesmerizing, euphoric.

Yet even when you beat Journey mode, there’s reason to return. The longevity of Tetris Effect and the reason it’s now daily routine for me to fire the game up is Effect mode, an all-encompassing label for multiple gameplay variations and community events.

The variations each offer a unique spin on traditional Tetris gameplay (clear 40 lines as fast as you can in Sprint, eradicate ‘dark’ blocks in Purify, or survive random effects in Mystery, for example).

But crucially each highlights your current best score and top grade. It’s a simple but enticing detail: most evenings I’ll scroll through to see which mode I’ll try to do better in (spoiler: it’s the insanely fast Master mode. It’s always Master mode). It’s perfect for three minutes or three hours.

The routine is similar at weekends, but with one key addition: Weekend Rituals. Certain modes will be activated as ‘events’ for 48 hours only, with any points earned across them added to a cumulative total as you — and every other player on the planet — try and hit a high score milestone before the clock runs out.

While other online games idolize single victors, it’s lovely to see Tetris Effect celebrate community achievement, with the game’s social feed name-checking each contribution. It feels rewarding to be part of a larger whole, feeding a competitive urge to be the contributor with the biggest points share and giving me a reason to try out different modes.

Overall, it’s a brilliantly conceived package. Pure. Beautiful. Alive. It’s equally joyous, addictive, stressful, chilled, manic. It’s hard to discuss Tetris Effect without slipping into seemingly contradictory superlatives. Yet these juxtapositions happily coexist here, perfectly locking into place like well-placed-tetrominos.

What was your favorite game of 2018? Click here to vote in the PlayStation.Blog Game of the Year 2018 Awards!

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Teaching your son to hunt in God of War. Partnering with a robo-pal in Astro Bot Rescue Mission. Sharing stories around a campfire in Red Dead Redemption 2…the list of amazing gaming moments goes on and on this year.

We reached out to a selection of PlayStation developers to share their personal favorite gaming moments from 2018. We’d love to hear yours as well in the comments. Be warned though: spoilers ahead!

1. Experiencing ancient Greece in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

“Walking around Acropolis as if I was living in 431 BC felt incredibly cool. I’ve always loved Greek mythology, and this moment made me realise how many times I tried to picture that ancient world. [Ubisoft] brought it alive (so vividly) with a wonderful interpretation of the ancient Greek stories.

Angie Smets, Executive Producer, Horizon Zero Dawn, Guerrilla

2. Returning home in God of War

“Kratos returning home to dig out whatever was hiding under that rug in his house (spoilers!!). That entire scene was charged with so much intensity. Loved it!”

Nic Doucet, Creative Director, Astro Bot Rescue Mission Japan Studio

3. Finding the perfect horse in Red Dead Redemption 2

“Capturing the white Arabian horse in the wilds in Red Dead Redemption 2. Then coming in and telling everyone about it at work.”

Emily Newton Dunn, Systems Designer, Dreams, Media Molecule

4. Beating the last Valkyrie in God of War

“Going through the big emotional journey with Kratos and Atreus to the end and getting two new realms to explore and seven more (total nine) Valkyries to beat. What a treat 2018 has given me and millions other gamers!”

Shuhei Yoshida, President, Worldwide Studios

5. Every choice matters in Detroit: Become Human

“This game really elevated storytelling in video games to the next level. The enormous amount of information players are presented with really makes it feel like every single choice matters.”

Kazunori Kadoi, Director, Resident Evil 2, Capcom

6. The bond between father and son in God of War

“My choice is not one particular moment, but rather a continuous set of moments forming something bigger throughout the entire game. What I particularly liked about this installment of God of War is how the relationship between Kratos and Atreus evolved as I progressed deeper into the adventure. When playing, I could feel a bond forming between both characters. Kratos, the stern father, opening himself to his son and Arteus, the initially shy ‘boy’ rebelling against his father — both learning from each other. It’s a wonderful journey. ”

Adam Badowski, Director, Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt RED

7. Sublime metropolis management in Cities: Skylines

“I loved how easy it was to control Cities: Skylines using PlayStation 4’s Dualshock 4 controller!”

Hideaki Itsuno, Director, Devil May Cry 5, Capcom

8. The rich storytelling of Detroit: Become Human

“I was a bit perplexed when I had to wash dishes in-game since I had just finished all my real-life chores to be able to play the game, but the amazing storytelling and rich world pulled me right in. At that point I knew that I was in for many sleepless nights.”

Yoshinori Takahashi, Director, Soul Calibur VI, Bandai Namco

9. Shootout in Strawberry in Red Dead Redemption 2

“Red Dead Redemption 2’s chapter 2 mission called ‘Blessed Are The Meek’. The gameplay was relatively laid back up until that point, but the intense gun battle you encounter after rescuing Micah got my adrenaline pumping.”

Hiroyuki Sakamoto, Game Director, Yakuza Kiwami 2, Sega

10. Meeting the World Serpent and battling Baldur in God of War

“God of War was full of powerful moments but these particular two really stood out to me — meeting Jörmungandr and the first fight with Baldur. When it comes to the former, seeing the World Serpent for the very first time, I was amazed by both his colossal scale and gentleness.

The encounter was stunning — and watching the giant awaken from the Lake of Nine felt almost mesmerizing. You could truly admire the size difference between Kratos and Jörmungandr and their meeting obviously left its mark in my memory, given I immediately thought of it when coming up with my favorite gaming moments of 2018.

On the other spectrum, we have the sheer brutality of the encounter following Baldur’s visit to Kratos’ house. Their initial exchange, Baldur’s demeanor and the events that followed, all contribute to this being a very memorable moment.”

Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz, Game Director, Thronebreaker: Witcher Tales, CD Projetk Red

“‘Jaw dropping’ is such an overused phrase, but that’s exactly how I looked when experiencing the Stranger fight in God of War. It was truly the perfect mix of gameplay, spectacle, and narrative.”

Bryan Intihar, Creative Director, Marvel’s Spider-Man, Insomniac Games

11. Adventuring with your robo-pal in Astro Bot Rescue Mission

“My favorite moment this year in gaming was in Astro Bot Rescue Mission. The feeling of joy you get when you save members of Astro Bot’s crew and they jump into the DualShock 4 controller is just incredible. Astro Bot has taken my nostalgia of previous platform games to a whole new level with the technology of the PS VR. You can’t help but smile when Astro Bot looks back at you and waves.”

Damoun Shabestari, Creative Producer, Firewall Zero Hour, First Contact Entertainment

12. The world-building of Red Dead Redemption 2

“The world and environment was really impressive, especially the horses and other wildlife.”

Yuya Tokuda, Director, Monster Hunter World, Capcom

13. Controlling Kratos in battle during God of War

“God of War! Just the whole thing… I mean damn. The moment for me I appreciated the most was probably when I was watching my girlfriend play and she asked me to get past a few enemies she was finding difficult. This was the first time I picked the game up, and it just felt right. The controls were so on point. Loved it. That and when I realised that the voice of Kratos was Teal’c from Stargate… Nerdgasm!”

Steve Filby, Producer, Dead Cells, Motion Twin

14. PS VR’s lineup in 2018

“The stellar line up of game for PSVR has been my highlight of 2018. Wipeout, Moss, Beat Saber, Firewall, Astro Bot, Tetris Effect (and of course, The Persistence) are just a few of the belters that I’ve loved playing and being involved with.”

Stuart Tilley, Game Director, The Persistence, Firesprite

15. Leading the march in Detroit: Become Human

“The protest march scene in Detroit Become Human. It was a fresh experience, feeling as though I was a hero when leading the march, with android followers joining one by one. At one point, I was also raising my voice while playing the game.”

Ryousuke Horii, Planner, Yakuza Kiwami 2, SEGA

16. Returning to an epic battle in Shadow of the Colossus

“Playing the third boss fight again in the remastered Shadow of the Colossus brought back so many good memories!”

Tam Armstrong, Co-founder, Moss, Polyarc

17. Going downtown in Tetris Effect

“The first thing that comes to mind is playing Downtown Jazz for the first time in Tetris Effect and literally going, ‘Wow, this is cool’.”

Derek Yu, Creator, Spelunky 2

18. That single camera take in God of War

“An unbroken game camera is a feature that sits right at an apex between creative vision and technology. Great moments often come from that type of pressure. Having the camera sit over the shoulder for a God of War game was already a bold choice, but combine that with it never looking away and you have a new high water mark for immersive cinematic gameplay. It must have been a relentless and exhausting endeavor for everyone involved – but it was so, so worth it.”

Dominic Robilliard, Creative Director, Concrete Genie, Pixelopus

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God of War defies hyperbole. Almost every effusive thing you may have heard about Santa Monica Studio’s hit is borne out through gameplay. It’s a study in contrasts. It’s brutal, but sensitive; fast, but methodical; huge and sprawling, but intimate and focused; loud, but quiet.

It is first and foremost a fabulous action game. Experts will love the infinite ways they can approach any given battle. Novices will appreciate that they can smash on R1 and R2 and wail their way through the game effectively, if a bit inelegantly. Kratos’s boomerang-like Leviathan Axe is a masterclass in satisfying weapon design, adding weighty impact to every fight. His fledgling son, Atreus, boldly fires both colorful quips and helpful elemental arrows into the fray as well.

It’s a big game, too, with lots to see and do. God of War is famously set against the wondrous backdrop of Norse mythology — another pantheon for Kratos to make waves in. Speaking of water, exploring the Norse realms as father and son is hugely rewarding. Every moment spent battling Draugr, helping Wayward Spirits, and soaking in the vivid world is a delight.

Somehow, though, the giant ogres, dragons, cat-lizards, and jaw-dropping vistas all play second fiddle to the rocky relationship between father and son. If you really want to know the true secret behind God of War’s artistry, the reason it won so many critical accolades and such ardent love from fans… well, look to its uncanny insight into dysfunctional families.

Kratos isn’t a good role model, or even a particularly good guy. But he’s trying to change his ways, to “be better.” His inexperience as a father — rendered in a brilliantly subtle, award-winning performance by Christopher Judge — is both awkward and moving. Underneath that gruff exterior, you see, Kratos is scared: of the responsibility of parenthood, and by the reckless anger he sees in his son, an anger that serves as a mirror to his own deicidal past.

Atreus, meanwhile, would rather be almost anywhere else than traveling with dear old dad. He bristles at Kratos’s attempts to control him, and resists his cautious approach to danger. He’s smart and spirited, but he’s young and impatient.

Against all odds, the connection between this unlikely pair deepens and matures over the course of their epic quest. They grow and learn from each other. And, layer by layer, they gradually shed the psychological armor they’ve both built up. Until, by the time the game ends, they’ve become a true family.

God of War’s story is remarkably deep and personal. Material of this caliber is rarely explored in the interactive medium, and the execution here is virtually flawless.

God of War is one of the best games of the year, and the generation.

What was your favorite game of 2018? Click here to vote in the PlayStation.Blog Game of the Year 2018 Awards!

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I spent a good chunk of my teens and 20s striving to master games like Dance Dance Revolution, DrumMania and Beatmania IIDX (not to mention your Guitar Heroes and Rock Bands), and I’ve been a vocal champion of virtual reality since the early “Project Morpheus” days. Beat Saber combines these two passions in an addictive, “why-did-it-take-this-long-for-someone-to-do-this” experience that — yeah, I’ll say it — is a mandatory addition to any PlayStation VR owner’s library.

You probably know the gist of this one, as it’s been making the rounds on YouTube for a while: the player, equipped with dual sabers, slashes through oncoming blocks to the beat of high-energy tunes — many composed in-house by Jaroslav Beck. Beck, co-founder of Beat Games, has contributed his musical talents to big properties including Blizzard’s Overwatch and Hollywood juggernauts like Star Wars and Terminator..

Witnessing expert players at work in Beat Saber can be daunting, but I posit that Beat Saber is one of the most accessible rhythm games of all time. Stay with me here.

Mechanically speaking, Beat Saber isn’t an especially complicated game, but rhythm games are almost always confusing when you first start trying to learn them. For some reason though, every time I’ve showed someone Beat Saber and watched them play their first song, they’ve picked it up almost immediately.

The one-to-one control setup of Beat Saber goes a long way. Take DDR as an example: stepping on arrows as the corresponding on-screen arrows get to the right spot seems simple enough, but there’s a disconnect between the digital arrow on the screen and the physical one you need to step on. It feels great once you clear that mental hurdle, but connecting those metaphorical dots takes some time. In Beat Saber, you are literally slashing through a “physical” object that exists directly in front of you. Removing that step of the learning process gets new players straight to the “Wow, this game is really fun!” part.

It helps, too, that many of the songs on the game’s electronic / techno-heavy soundtrack are especially well-suited to its slash-dancing gameplay. This is accentuated by expertly crafted note charts for each song: Regardless of which difficulty you play on, moving as the game instructs you to makes you feel like you’re, well… dancing. And as it turns out, dancing is a pretty good way to burn some calories! My smart watch has gotten used to me being a pretty sedentary person, so this sudden shift toward a more active lifestyle (some of the expert-level songs are intense) is probably pretty confusing for it. Sorry, little buddy!

Beat Saber is the first new music game I’ve played since Rock Band that feels this fresh and promising. It’s rekindled my love for the genre, reinforced my belief in the future of virtual reality, and, with any luck, will help me live a healthier life. How many Game of the Year nominees can claim that?

What was your favorite game of 2018? Click here to vote in the PlayStation.Blog Game of the Year 2018 Awards!

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Greetings PlayStation Nation! Let’s take a quick look at the free games for January, which will be available January 1, 2019 to February 5, 2019.

First up, we have Steep. The mountain is yours to explore in this massive open world sports game. Drop in to the most epic mountains, and ski, wingsuit, snowboard, and paraglide your way to victory. This game is for those looking for a little excitement this winter season.

Next up, we have Portal Knights. Step into the fantastic and unknown in the delightful action-RPG. You can explore alone or team up with up to three other friends in cooperative multiplayer*. This is a delightful romp of a game that is sure to please many of you.

This month’s PlayStation Plus lineup also includes:

• Zone of the Enders HD Collection, PS3
• Amplitude, PS3
• Fallen Legion: Flames of Rebellion, PS Vita (Cross Buy with PS4)
• Super Mutant Alien Assault, PS Vita

And as a reminder for those Warframe players, Digital Extremes’ dev team has you covered! The Warframe: PlayStation Plus Booster Pack III has a little bit of everything to jump start your game. This includes 100 Platinum, 100,000 Credits, Quanta (a Corpus laser rifle), Quanta Obsidian Skin, 7-Day Affinity Booster, and a 7-Day Credit Booster. PS Plus members can get the pack for free from now until January 15, 2019.

And that’s it! See you next month!

*Internet connection and PS Plus membership required to access online multiplayer.

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Destiny has always been about the chase. Whether you’re knocking out a quick 15-minute Strike for a daily powerful gear drop or convincing your raid team to make one more attempt for that ultra-rare Exotic drop, Destiny is at its best when that next thing you want is just within reach.

Destiny 2: Forsaken puts the chase front and center with an engaging storyline, a cornucopia of compelling new loot options and a host of Triumphs (more on those in a bit) to pursue with your friends. Mix all of that with the unparalleled feel of a Bungie shooter and you have a game that has enthralled me for over 500 hours of playtime in 2018.

Forsaken’s premise is straightforward enough: avenge the death of your friend, the wisecracking Cayde-6. It’s an unexpectedly personal — and surprisingly effective — storytelling shift, especially when compared to the more ambiguous space-opera yarns that Destiny has spun in the past. Hunting the eight Barons responsible for Cayde’s murder is a propulsive experience, and each showdown is unique enough that the idea never outstays its welcome.

Once players see that journey to its conclusion, though, the true endgame of Forsaken reveals itself in the most stunning destination Bungie has crafted to date: The Dreaming City. Without spoiling anything, this new locale is home to an epic mystery worth uncovering on your own, involving multi-week narrative threads spanning the reaches of space and time. A host of new activities also begin to open up to players, including a raid-like experience for smaller fireteams, creating an unprecedented anticipation for reset Tuesdays and the new rewards that await.

The randomized weapons and armor perks of Destiny 1 have returned in Forsaken, so players can keep chasing that “God Roll.” This may seem like a minor change, but having the right perks can mean the difference between a weapon feeling like a bucking bronco or a finely tuned headshot machine. As a result, even if you get a piece of loot you already own, it’s still exciting to see if the perks on this version are “the one.”

Random drops are only part of Forsaken’s loot pursuit, though. Sometimes-mysterious, often-intricate quests for Exotic and pinnacle weaponry give players a more defined path to high-powered gear, and can usually be chipped away at while working toward other goals. With the effort it takes to get some of those pieces, they also double up as items to show off the hard work you’ve put into the game (and in some cases, how lucky you are). Few things in gaming feel as fulfilling as knocking out multiple goals simultaneously and seeing those sweet completion toasts.

Forsaken’s launch heralded the arrival of many quality-of-life updates, but perhaps none as game-changing as the new Collections and Triumphs systems, which act a vast menu of every item and activity that one can obtain and do in Destiny 2. Collectors and Trophy hunters will love the ability to track myriad objectives (like defeating 200 enemies with a magnetic grenade or completing the raid without a single death) and gear across the breadth of game modes, some even awarding unique cosmetic rewards such as ultra-rare player titles (another new addition in Forsaken). At first glance, many of these Triumphs may seem overwhelming, but don’t think too much about those up front — playing the game naturally will usually get you on the right track toward completing at least one Triumph seal. For me, completing most of the weekly content got me close to obtaining a few seals, which in turn kept me motivated to push through and set off after those last few items. There’s that chase again!

Of course, many of Destiny’s trickier challenges are better tackled with friends — if you have a kindred spirit in pursuit of a specific Triumph or piece of gear, all the better! (Editor’s note: We’ll get that Shattered Throne ship some day… -JM)

When Destiny is firing on all cylinders, there’s nothing like it. The expertly tuned goal / reward loop makes the hours just melt away, and Forsaken provides the best the series has to offer in terms of story, progression, and endgame activities to keep that chase going. If you’ve ever liked what Destiny has to offer in terms of FPS loot chasing, cooperative or competitive play, highly coordinated end-game raiding, mysterious lore that always seems to hint at a grander master plan, or all of the above, now is the perfect time to build your legend.

What was your favorite game of 2018? Click here to vote in the PlayStation.Blog Game of the Year 2018 Awards!

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Joyful movement can raise a game’s quality to lofty heights. That’s why it’s so impressive for Marvel’s Spider-Man to swing in and make the core act of traversal a constant wonder. The game is one of 2018’s biggest hits because it layers satisfying combat and a sincere story onto the foundation built by Insomniac’s jubilant web-swinging.

Swinging from webs in Marvel’s Spider-Man is intuitive and freeing. Simply holding the R2-button turns every movement into a ballet of blue and red. If you can imagine a complex, death-defying route between skyscrapers or across rooftops, you can execute it with finesse. This experience would be entertaining even if Spider-Man were swinging through an empty city, but Marvel’s New York is brimming with colorful characters, engaging activities, and enough hidden collectibles to make Comic-Con’s merch section envious. The city that never sleeps, indeed.

The story the writing team has spun is compelling and authentic. The game stars a full-grown Peter Parker, whose daily battles range from the Super (Kingpin, Rhino, Electro and the rest of the Sinister Gallery) to the human (having a job, paying rent, and maintaining healthy relationships). Parker’s human flaws – including his complicated relationship with Mary Jane – make him a relatable and likeable hero. The overall narrative’s twists and turns are enough to keep even the most casual Spider-Man fans coming back for more.

Dealing justice as the heroic web slinger is a triumph in combat design. Players battle crowds of thugs, juggling deadly targets like musclebound bruisers and punks armed with rocket launchers. It’s a gleeful experience zipping between enemies, webbing them to walls, and flinging objects like manhole lids and mailboxes. A suite of gadgets and skill upgrades evolve the crime-fighting experience, offering advantages like sticky Web Bombs and the ability to disarm crooks from afar. Stealth sequences are also liberating, with Spidey’s mobility enabling him to dart through the shadows and satisfyingly web enemies to nearby surfaces.

Marvel’s New York is the ideal playground for fighting crime and free-wheeling exploration. The amount of collectibles, side missions, and emergent vigilante opportunities is plentiful without being overwhelming. You truly feel like a Super Hero when you’re swinging along the tops of skyscrapers, receive a police radio call, then swoop down to stop a gang of goons from stealing a car or committing a robbery. Challenge missions like hunting down Black Cat’s calling cards and tackling Taskmaster’s trials also flesh out Spidey’s original universe. Even smaller collection-based objectives, like finding Peter Parker’s many stashed backpacks, provide novel nods to the prolific character’s legacy. Who doesn’t want to discover a fan-made Spider-Man plushie?

The many strengths of Marvel’s Spider-Man coalesce into one of the best Super Hero games ever. Even better, the adventure continues with worthwhile DLC story chapters that feature the likes of Black Cat, Hammerhead, and more. Whether you’re a devout comic book reader, lover of Marvel’s cinematic blockbusters, or just a fan of amazing video games, don’t miss one of 2018’s masterpieces.

What was your favorite game of 2018? Click here to vote in the PlayStation.Blog Game of the Year 2018 Awards!

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Game makers create trailers to do many things — inform, entertain, tease, and much more. These stylistically diverse snapshots of creative game universes are not only fun, in-the-moment videos used to learn more about upcoming games, they’re also a great way to reflect on the most memorable announcements, reveal, and launch trailers of the year.

This past year was a stunner — not just in terms of huge launches like God of War and Red Dead Redemption 2 — but tons of other games, too. We got a closer look at the mysterious Death Stranding, a tantalizing taste of Cyberpunk 2077, and updates on a plethora of enticing independently produced titles. Feast your eyes on some of our favorite trailers and videos of 2018, and let us know your top picks in the comments!

The Last of Us Part II

If you’ve played The Last of Us, you know that Ellie can be both tender and brutal. This captivating showcase of The Last of Us Part II from E3 2018 shows us how extreme those dualities have become.

God of War Story Trailer

Kratos and Atreus steal the show in God of War, but their world is vividly brought to life with an unforgettable supporting cast. This intriguing trailer offers a better look at the rest of the characters, from the witty and wise Mimir to the crude and blunt Brok.

Death Stranding E3 2018 Trailer

This lengthy look at the story, world, and gameplay of Kojima Productions’ much-anticipated Death Stranding reveals the most insightful look into the mysterious game so far. Yet for every morsel gleaned, it raises as many questions.

Marvel’s Spider-Man E3 2018 Showcase Demo Video

If we only knew then what we know now. This E3 2018 video demonstrates how beautifully Marvel’s Spider-Man weaves together intense gameplay with compelling story, concluding with a dramatic tease of one of Spidey’s mysteriously Sinister enemies.

Mortal Kombat 11 Reveal Trailer

Scorpion and Raiden face off once again in a bloody, unending contest. This first look at NetherRealm’s latest is absolutely brutal, and reveals multiple incarnations for Scorpion stepping into the fray.

Ghost of Tsushima – E3 2018 Gameplay Debut

Sucker Punch’s upcoming open-world samurai adventure is both vicious and beautiful. This extended E3 2018 video highlights the game’s haunting beauty, concluding in a dramatic clashing of swords amidst falling crimson foliage.

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Be Greater Extended Trailer

Everyone faces the depths of despair and self-doubt at some point. True heroes emerge from the other side of these trials more resolute, ready to take on any challenge.

Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled Reveal Trailer

This surprising reveal wowed viewers of The Game Awards 2018. Crash’s cart-racing classic is back,more colorful and spirited than ever.

Tetris Effect E3 2018 Announce Trailer (PS VR)

Hypnotizing, kaleidoscopic visuals. Silky, entrancing music that sticks in your brain for hours. A unique twist on the genre-defining puzzle play of Tetris. The announce and launch trailers for Tetris Effect have it all.

Falcon Age Gameplay Trailer (PS VR)

Admit it — you always thought it would be cool to be a falconer. This trailer for the upcoming PS VR game offers a glimpse of what it’s like to raise birds of prey, outfit them with tiny hats, and even fist bump, err… talon bump them?

The Pathless Reveal Trailer

This reveal trailer sheds light on what’s next from Giant Squid, the creators of Abzu. The colorful art style brings the daring adventurer’s mysterious world to life, yet the beauty is tinged with a touch of sadness.

Beat Saber Gameplay Trailer (PS VR)

The lyrics call out Beat Saber’s unending goal to slice and dice blue and red blocks while an infectious beat thrums along. This trailer offers an enticing taste of what diving into the rhythmic, entrancing PS VR experience is like.

Hitman 2 Live-Action Launch Trailer

The team behind this clever delivered a tantalizing two-for-one with this trailer: star appeal and a darkly humorous inside joke.

MediEvil Announce Trailer

Sir Dan is back! This gloomily fun reveal trailer (under)takes us back to the classic hack-and-slash platforming of MediEvil. Astounding before-and-after shots showcase how developer Other Ocean Interactive is resurrecting this beloved classic.

God of War – Midgard Mishaps

This highlight reel of early development bugs and bloopers range from the hilarious to horrifying. Whether it’s Atreus endlessly warning about invisible Draugrs or character models contorting into grotesque shapes, this video has it all.

PlayStation Classic: Play History Make History

This colorful video brings us back to the early days of 3D video games, featuring chunky polygons and the birth of iconic video game series.

Astro Bot Rescue Mission Launch Trailer (PS VR)

Astro Bot’s PS VR adventure features some excellent platforming, but the game features an added layer of interaction. Players can fling shurikens, hose down flowers, and more using their DualShock 4. This trailer perfectly captures the joy of tinkering in Astro Bot’s world.

Shadow of the Colossus Story Trailer

Wander’s quest to save his fallen love at any cost holds a dear place in the hearts of all PlayStation fans. Seeing him gallop through the lush fields on Agro and scaling the behemoth Colossi in this remastered masterpiece is breathtaking.

Monster Hunter World Behemoth Update

If the piano arpeggios or adorable Moogle didn’t get Final Fantasy fan’s blood pumping, seeing the ferocious Behemoth invade Monster Hunter: World sure did. This exciting crossover heralded one of the most challenging hunts in the entire game.

Seikro: Shadows Die Twice Reveal Trailer

From Software’s new samurai hero turns a lost limb into a mechanically impressive advantage in this look at Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. The nimble swordsman also faces off with enemies with tricks of their own, such as a warrior on horseback wielding a deadly retractable spear.

Cyberpunk 2077 Reveal Trailer

The possibilities on display in CD Projekt Red’s dystopian vision of the future boggle the mind. This trailer gives us a look at seedy bars, high-tech boxing matches, violent backwater ruffians, and much more.

Red Dead Redemption 2: Official Trailer #3

From the tense strings playing throughout to the crack in Dutch’s voice, this third trailer for Rockstar’s Wild West opus artfully conveys the desperate times descending upon the Van der Linde gang.

Spyro Reignited Trilogy: All Scaled Up Reveal Trailer

Fans had been hungry for remakes of the classic Spyro games ever since the Crash N. Sane Trilogy stoked the flames of nostalgia. Toys For Bob answered the call with this gorgeous first look at the Spyro Reignited Trilogy.

Minit Gameplay Trailer

How much can you accomplish in one minute? This trailer offers a look at the retro adventure awaiting players who are interested in questing 60 seconds at a time. Take note of the video’s length, too…

Moss Launch Trailer

The colorful and mysterious world that Quill inhabits is inviting on its own, but this launch trailer perfectly conveys the game’s blend of storybook charm and enchanting mystery.

Capcom Beat ‘em Up Bundle Launch Trailer

Vintage 90s nostalgia captured perfectly by Capcom

Capcom’s one-time arcade mascot, Captain Commando, teleports us back to the dim, neon-lit golden age of standup cabinets featuring top-tier co-op beat ’em ups. Hope those kids find their way home, though…

Destiny 2 Forsaken: Last Stand of the Gunslinger

Bungie’s trailer for Destiny 2’s Forsaken expansion is an emotional kick in the gut for fans who’ve grown attached to everybody’s favorite witty Exo — Cayde-6. Rewatching this trailer is a reminder of how much we miss you, buddy.

Guacamelee! 2 Launch Trailer

Drinkbox Studio’s launch trailer for Guacamelee! 2 is a piñata explosion of candy-colored fun. The catchy mariachi music ties together the visual fiesta on offer with this side-scrolling adventure.

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At first glance, Motion Twin’s acclaimed roguelike platformer Dead Cells could be accused of being a little light on content – just a handful of ‘biomes’ and four bosses to master. Yet somehow the plucky French studio turned in 2018’s premier time-sink – a game that grabs you from the get-go and refuses to let go.

In the months since launch it’s become pure gaming comfort food – I cannot put the thing down. So why, given its leanness, has it got its hook in so deep? Let’s break it down:

Perfect ‘game feel’

Think of a game. Disregard its narrative, level design, puzzles and visual design. Would the simple act of moving around and interacting with that game’s world still be fun? If the answer is yes, that’s great ‘game feel’ in action. It’s a rare quality, but Dead Cells nails it.

Movement in Dead Cells is supremely polished, with every action offering a delicious snatch of environmental feedback. The way doors splinter like balsa wood when you crash through them; the shower of gold when you bust open a coin cache; the mechanical crunch of the game’s elevators whirring into motion. Every interaction is a joy.

And can you name a more satisfying ‘ground pound’ in all of gaming than the breathtaking “THHHHUNK” its nameless protagonist makes as it power-slams into the ground? It’s rivalled maybe only by Kratos’ axe-catch as the most pleasing button-press of 2018.

Given that Dead Cells demands you play the same levels over and over and over again for modest incremental reward, its ‘feel’ is completely central to its success. It’s often a game where the journey – not the destination – is the reward. And that journey is a loop, not a line, so round and round and round I go…

Secrets, riddles and rumours

Dead Cells wears its influences on its sleeve. Its sprawling map design is cut from Castlevania-hued cloth; its procedural generation engine doffs its cap to Spelunky; and the oblique, less-is-more world building is pure Dark Souls.

It’s a game stuffed with secrets and riddles. Who is the protagonist? Why are they here? What’s behind all those locked doors? What – and, more importantly, where – is the creature that’s escaped from the Toxic Sewers? Dead Cells is in no hurry to show you everything it has to offer, and even on my 213th run it’s offering up new surprises.

A friend recently bragged to me that he’d found a hidden room containing a game-altering Dark Souls-esque bonfire. That was news to me – and the longer I played without finding it, the more I suspected it was a fanciful Chinese whisper that had caught fire in the virtual playgrounds of the internet. Then, sure enough, 80-plus hours in and on my umpteenth play through, I rolled through a gap in the wall to find the chamber exactly as described.

With every playthrough, Dead Cells answers a few questions, and poses a few more, refusing to let you put it down and move on to the next thing.

Must. Collect. Everything.

Games have used all manner of elaborate infographics and flowcharts to communicate player progression through the years. Some are elegant, some are migraine-inducing – but none are as delightful as Dead Cells.

At the start of every run, just outside the door to the first area, your accumulated power-ups dangle from the ceiling in a dazzling array of glass jars, glimmering in the torchlight. It’s a beautiful visual mechanic.

But the tragic thing? Some of the jars are empty. Just a vacant space where a shiny, precious little tchotchke could reside. Put your ear up to the TV and maybe you can hear them whisper: “Fill me. Fill me. Fill me”. So, no matter how dispiriting your most recent demise, back you go into the fray for one more go-round on Dead Cells’ Sisyphean spinning top.

Player choice matters

There are bits of Dead Cells I really don’t care for. The Toxic Sewers are a wretched ordeal; the Conjunctivius boss fight does not jive with my play style at all; and you may as well arm yourself with a rusty spoon than wield that infernal Broad Sword.

And that’s fine, because the game doesn’t force you to endure any of the above. The experience is almost entirely customisable, from the route you take through the game, to the items you decide to pick up.

Whether you want to stay in your comfort zone and spam turret skills from a safe distance, road-test some of the game’s more esoteric powers, or throw caution to the wind and attempt to unlock those speed-run gates – Dead Cells is there for you, offering a different experience every time.

A perfect learning curve

Like all great games, Dead Cells delivers on the “easy to play, hard to master” maxim. It gradually drip-feeds you items, powers and hard-won experience until, without noticing, you’ve evolved from a pitiful weakling into a mutant-wrecking agent of mass destruction. It’s a game you’re constantly improving at – even when you’re failing miserably.

I remember comparing notes with colleagues the first weekend after launch. I was eight hours in and had come up against the first boss a couple of times. I could never conceive of a time where I would be capable of taking that thing down. Fast-forward 80 hours of playtime and it’s a breeze.

Right now I feel the same way about Hand of the King on NG+. Every time I face it, I last a few seconds more. And en-route to that inevitable defeat I sharpen my skills, buff my RNG stat, unlock a new item or two, and inch a little closer to victory. Any day now, then I can finally put this game down and move on. Right?

What was your favorite game of 2018? Click here to vote in the PlayStation.Blog Game of the Year 2018 Awards!

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Spyro has charged back into our lives, horns first! PlayStation has a rich history with the lovable purple dragon, and returning to his original adventures is a whimsical homecoming. This remastered trilogy is much more than an upscaled nostalgia trip thanks to how well the timeless formula of the originals has aged.

Spyro the Dragon was a pioneering game in the fledgling years of 3D platformers. Original developer Insomniac Games captivated players with liberating, exploration-friendly gameplay. Climbing up to a stage’s high point and gliding to collect far off gems was a magical revelation back in 1998, and that formula has aged beautifully thanks to the wizards at Toys For Bob.

We live in a magical era of blockbuster games that rival Hollywood productions, yet returning to the simple, pure world of Spyro is a breath of fresh fire air. For example, your goal in the first game is to free your dragon brethren, collect all the gems, and toast the villainous Gnasty Gnorc. That’s it.

This distilled experience allows players to relish the joy of combing through expertly designed levels hunting each shiny collectible. Chasing down those pesky dragon egg thieves and flaming every last Gnorc restores the soul, just like butterflies rejuvenate Spyro’s little dragonfly helper, Sparx.

Speaking of Sparx, Toys For Bob have made tons of wondrous quality-of-life-changes, like the dragonfly’s ability to point at the nearest gem. This optional feature saves tons of time spent scouring the map for that last bit of treasure. A new minimap feature lets you see whole levels at a glance and spot potential secrets hidden around blind corners. To bring it all together, the Guidebook has been unified across all three titles, which makes tracking level completion info a breeze. Like Spyro himself, the littlest things can make the biggest difference.

The sequels that followed the first game — Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage and Spyro: Year of the Dragon — are also delightful. Collecting oodles of gems and crucial items like orbs and dragon eggs to unlock new areas to explore is still the goal. These sequels also spice things up with minigames like Spyro hitting the ice for some hockey, or blasting rockets at baddies with militaristic penguin, Sergeant James Byrd. Quirky characters like Hunter the Cheetah and Elora the Faun also expand Spyro’s lovable world. The entire cast has also received a flattering makeover.

Even the most beautiful treasures naturally tarnish over time, yet the crafty devs at Toys For Bob have expertly restored these Spyro classics well beyond their original luster. The Spyro Reignited Trilogy is visually stunning whether you’re comparing the remastered games to your memories or going in with fresh eyes.

The onscreen action rivals today’s prettiest CG films. Spyro’s spunky attitude is keenly conveyed through detailed animations, from impatient tail swishes to his curious eyes darting playfully. He’s undeniably adorable. Every burst of fire breath exemplifies the skill and love that went into this remaster, like how the flames illuminate the environment and scorch patches of grass. Every second sparkles.

The Dragon Realms where Spyro lives are exciting and beautiful locales to visit. Like the inventive worlds from the game, Spyro Reignited Trilogy perfectly injects captivating, innocent joy into our gaming libraries this year.

What was your favorite game of 2018? Click here to vote in the PlayStation.Blog Game of the Year 2018 Awards!

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Wow! Did 2018 overhear all our praise about last year’s lineup and refuse to be bested? From the word “go” this year has delivered an embarrassment of video game riches. Celeste and Monster Hunter: World kickstarted the cavalcade of hits, and the pace didn’t let up all the way through holiday juggernauts like Red Dead Redemption 2. It was also a tremendous year for PlayStation exclusives, with showstoppers like Marvel’s Spider-Man and God of War setting records for the platform.

So, there are a ton of amazing games to look back on for this year’s Game of the Year awards. That’s why we need your votes to help decide the best of the best. Many of the categories below will be familiar from previous years, but there are some new additions to look out for. Multiplayer has been split up into competitive and cooperative as games continue to evolve in the online space. Best Sound Design is an opportunity to shed light on the subtle ways audio designers bring their worlds to life.

Important note: As always, any game that previously won a Platinum Trophy in the “Most Anticipated” category is barred from another nomination in that category.

The polls below are open now and will stay that way until the year ends at 11:59pm Pacific on December 31. Don’t forget to tell a friend to vote in the polls as well!

As we wrap up 2018, we here at PlayStation.Blog want thank you for your continued support. We hope you have an incredible holiday, and we’ll see you in the new year to keep the nonstop celebration of video games going.

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Hey everyone,

Thank you all for your love for Marvel’s Spider-Man over these last few months. After the release of the game, and the first two chapters of Marvel’s Spider-Man: The City That Never Sleeps, we’re really excited to release the conclusion of the three-part DLC series today with Marvel’s Spider-Man: Silver Lining.

As with the previous chapters of Marvel’s Spider-Man: The City That Never Sleeps, we have a brand new Just the Facts trailer starring the one and only J. Jonah Jameson. I hope you enjoy these trailers as much as I do — I can’t think of any better way to get a sneak-peek of what’s in store in the newest chapter of Marvel’s Spider-Man: The City That Never Sleeps than hearing JJJ rant about it!

You can purchase Marvel’s Spider-Man: Silver Lining for $9.99 USD MSRP on PlayStation Store. Of course, if you haven’t tried any of the post-launch content yet, you also can buy the Marvel’s Spider-Man: The City That Never Sleeps bundle of all three chapters for $24.99 USD MSRP. Haven’t played Marvel’s Spider-Man yet? The Digital Deluxe Edition is an especially good value at $79.99 USD MSRP, as it includes the full game and all three chapters of Marvel’s Spider-Man: The City That Never Sleeps.

We’re very excited about this month’s new Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse animated film from Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures, currently in theaters. As you may know, one of the unlockable suits in this DLC chapter is Peter Parker’s suit from the animation film. It was a thrill working with the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse team. To celebrate, we’re offering a special promotion where users who pre-order Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse animated film from PlayStation Store will receive a voucher for Marvel’s Spider-Man: Silver Lining DLC*, a dynamic theme, and avatars as their pre-order incentive**. Pre-order the movie from PS Store, and then unlock and swing around in the animated film’s version of Peter Parker’s suit in Marvel’s Spider-Man: Silver Lining!

It’s been a crazy ride for us here at Insomniac Games as we have spent the rest of 2018 developing this additional content for Marvel’s Spider-Man. We’ve been so grateful for all of your notes, comments, feedback, and support over these last few months. We hope you enjoy Marvel’s Spider-Man: Silver Lining.

And we have one last surprise for you. Today we rolled out update 1.13 for the title to prepare for today’s DLC release and it’s available to all players with an internet connection to download. This update adds a new suit to the game that many of you have been requesting since the game’s release in September. The “Webbed Suit” first made its appearance in 2002, and thanks to our collaboration and efforts with Marvel Games, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and PlayStation, we are finally able to add this oft-requested suit to the game. Happy Holidays!

That’s it for us for now — but for all the latest, be sure to follow Insomniac Games on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

*Marvel’s Spider-Man required to play Marvel’s Spider-Man: The City That Never Sleeps’ chapters. Base game not included.
**Limit one (1) per account on PlayStationNetwork. Voucher expires March 25, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. PST.

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Seasons greetings, everyone! It’s hard to believe we’re already almost halfway through PlayStation Store’s five-week Holiday Sale. So in the spirit of savings – we’re adding a flash sale to the holiday mix.

Starting tomorrow, scoop up Red Dead Redemption 2, Just Cause 4 and more – all for up to 30 percent off. PlayStation Plus members save extra on the Call of Duty: Black Ops 4/Destiny 2/Overwatch Ultimate Action Pack and select Black Ops 4 editions.

Check out the full lineup below, then head over to PS Store tomorrow morning before the Holiday Flash Sale ends December 26 at 8 a.m. PT.

Note: All pricing is for U.S. only and subject to change.

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