Official PlayStation Podcast Episode 499: Facehuggin’ Fun

Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com!

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or download here


Hey folks! This week the gang returns for a quick episode to discuss the news and upcoming releases. Plus, we get into hands-on impressions of the eerily immersive PS VR2 game Alien: Rogue Incursion coming in December.

Stuff We Talked About

  • Next week’s release highlights:
    • Metro Awakening | PS VR2
  • Alien: Rogue Incursion PS VR 2 hands-on details
  • Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind details
  • Horizon Zero Dawn Remaster pre-launch details
  • PS Plus Monthly Games November
    •  Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged
    •  Ghostwire: Tokyo
    •  Death Note Killer Within
  • Theatrhythm Final Bar Line
  • Darkest Dungeon

The Cast

Sid Shuman – Senior Director of Content Communications, SIE

Tim Turi – Content Communications Manager, SIE

Brett Elston – Content Communications Manager, SIE


Thanks to Dormilón for our rad theme song and show music.

[Editor’s note: PSN game release dates are subject to change without notice. Game details are gathered from press releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]

Share of the Week: Ghosts and Ghouls

Last week, we asked you to highlight ghosts and ghouls haunting your favorite games using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s spooky highlights:

crisg_art shares the Turtle Treasure’s Spirit from Black Myth: Wukong.

call_me_xavii shares a ghastly face from Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden.

lunar9p shares a ghost with long hair and a hat dressed in white from Ghostwire: Tokyo.

DexM_ds shares an undead skeletal archer from Demon’s Souls.

secondcapture shares a red-hooded skeletal figure from Mortal Shell.

AkiraAoyama_VP shares a floating Hiss from Control.

Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week?

THEME: Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered
SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on November 6, 2024 

Next week, we’re Focusing in on Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered. Share epic moments from Aloy’s original adventure using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

Death Note Killer Within launches Nov 5 as part of the PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup 

Hi everyone! Today, we are thrilled to announce Death Note Killer Within, a brand new online social deduction game for up to 10 players where you can play as iconic characters from the Death Note franchise. The key to this game is the Death Note, for the human whose name is written in this note shall die! But beware, this deadly note lies hidden among you and the other players, setting the stage for a thrilling game of strategy and deception. Play as Kira and judge other players with the Death Note or play as L and gather clues to arrest the killer. Get ready to uncover the truth and outsmart your opponents to win.  

Death Note Killer Within is coming to both PS5 and PS4 on November 5, and is included in the PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup for November


Death Note Killer Within launches Nov 5 as part of the PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup 

Game overview

In Death Note Killer Within, there are four unique player roles: Kira, Kira Follower, L, and the Investigator. Players can select their desired role at the start of the game, but depending on various selection factors, the system will assign each player a final role based on availability. Players will be split into two teams: team Kira and Kira Followers, whose primary objective is to eliminate L, or team L and the Investigators, whose goal is to arrest Kira. 

The game progresses through two main phases: a cycle of Action Phase, where players can gather clues and complete their respective tasks, and a Meeting Phase, where players come together to discuss and attempt to arrest Kira based on suspicious behaviors during the Action Phase. 

If L is eliminated during the Action Phase, team Kira wins. However, if Kira is arrested during the Meeting Phase, the Death Note will be disposed of and Team L wins. Alternatively, by completing various objectives during the Action Phase, players can contribute to leveling up their team Progress gauge and the first team to max out their Progress gauge will win the game.

Player roles

If you are “Kira”, you will start with the Death Note and use it to eliminate NPCs and other players. However, to judge a player, you need an ID with the player’s real name. You can obtain this by staying close to a target for a short amount of time, but don’t act too suspicious or you will be questioned during the Meeting Phase.

As a “Kira Follower”, your job is to steal Investigators’ IDs and work secretly together with Kira, communicating privately with a Transceiver. In addition, the Death Note can be transferred between Kira and a Kira Follower so even you can become the next Kira! Make the transfer at the right time to deceive other players.

“Investigators” play an important role in identifying the real Kira as they gather clues to support the deduction. Be aware of suspicious players who get too close to you as your ID might get stolen if they are Kira or a Kira Follower. Investigators also carry out objectives such as asking NPCs for testimonials, which helps reveal information about Kira. 

If you become “L”, unlike normal investigators, he has special actions that enable him to obtain valuable information during the Action Phase, such as commanding other players to investigate and setting up surveillance cameras. L can also facilitate discussion in the Meeting Phase to narrow down suspicious players. Strategically use your special actions to take one step closer in uncovering the truth and arrest Kira.

To win, you must work together

Death Note Killer Within encourages players to work together as a team to accomplish their goals. Each of the four roles has its own gameplay characteristics. Depending on your assigned role, a wide range of strategies can be formulated, and each randomized scenario develops into a high-stakes game of tactics.

For example, the Death Note can be transferred between Kira and Kira Follower, allowing them to misdirect investigators. L can narrow down suspects by giving instructions during the Action Phase and guiding discussions during the Meeting Phase to efficiently advance his team’s deductions.

Investigate and deceive in style

Customize your game avatar with hats, glasses, masks and various accessories to stand out from the crowd. But that’s not all, you can even choose a custom nameplate and select special animations to be displayed during key moments in the game.

Let’s get the deduction party started!

Death Note Killer Within is coming to both PS5 and PS4 on November 5, 2024 and will support both online cross-play and voice chat. Invite your friends and challenge each other in different roles to see who has the wits to successfully deceive other players and win the game.

On launch day, the game will also be available to PlayStation Plus members as part of November’s Monthly Games, so be sure to check it out! 

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind remixes 90’s arcade games, out December 10

“Let’s make a 90’s arcade game!” This sounded like a pretty good idea to us at Digital Eclipse back in 2022, when the first seeds of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind took root. 


Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind remixes 90’s arcade games, out December 10

Arcade gaming was firing on all cylinders when MMPR debuted in 1993. The 16-bit home era was well underway and the original PlayStation was still a year from its release in Japan, so coin-operated games still raked in tons of tokens. So if we wanted to give the Power Rangers the high-energy arcade game they always deserved but never got, let’s make the ultimate version of the game that never existed. 

The result is Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind, a love letter to the franchise which launches on December 10 on PS5 and PS4. We hinted that the game was more than merely a brawler when we announced the project this past summer, and with about 70% of the gameplay focused on beating up Rita Repulsa’s army of Putty Patrollers, anyone looking to clean house with melee attacks and combos should feel very comfortable. The remaining gameplay takes inspiration from Sega’s innovative super-scaler games, like Space Harrier and Out Run. Before polygons ruled the earth, these games simulated 3D movement with a series of fast-moving 2D sprites. These are designed to deliver fast, in-your-face scrolling action, and we thought they’d be a perfect way to let MMPR fans take down some of the Rangers’ most famous foes. 

Case in point: Players can expect to travel through the canyons and rooftops of Angel Grove in the first segment of Rita’s Rewind, learning about the twisty time-travel plot and encountering enemies that simply shouldn’t appear this early in Rangers history. But after brawling and defeating Goldar, Rita Repulsa predictably throws her magic wand down from her lunar palace to give her champion a second chance – and turn him into a skyscraper-sized behemoth.

That’s where the super-scaler gameplay comes in. Each Ranger jumps into their appropriate Dinozord and charges into the Z-axis in hot pursuit, blasting all obstacles and enemies with powered-up weapons like missiles and dual lasers. This gameplay really draws on that Sega legacy, throwing back to games like Galaxy Force and After Burner – constant movement, waves of insistent enemies, and powerful attacks to take them out of your way. 

Once Goldar is caught, the gameplay shifts again, this time to a first-person fighting game, where the Power Rangers form the mighty Megazord to slug it out directly with the boss. It’s his face versus your fists, once again utilizing that 2.5D visual approach found in vintage arcade games. Each player gets a chance to wear the boss down, contributing whatever they can to the cause and ultimately defeating the bosses with the Power Rangers’ ultimate weapon: teamwork. 

Mixing all these different genres felt like the right thing to do to keep Rita’s Rewind perpetually fresh, but it was a heck of a lot of fun for us, too. We love brawlers, but they can get repetitive; we’re hoping that mixing in racing, blasting, and punching will make Rita’s Rewind a thrill for players who have always dreamed about what Jason, Trini, Zack, Billy, and Kimberly’s game would have been like had they walked into an arcade in the mid-1990s.

In fact, one of the concepts that drives a lot of what we do at Digital Eclipse is the desire to make games the way you remember them playing, even if your memories have made those experiences a little sweeter and cooler than they might have actually been back in the day. Our goal with Rita’s Rewind is to make a game that could have existed, and certainly should have existed, but probably wouldn’t have existed with all this variety in one place. Since we have the benefit of looking at arcade gaming in the rearview mirror for 30 years, we’ll take advantage of that to try to deliver something better than you would have remembered.  

Rita’s Rewind will debut on PS5 and PS4 on December 10, and you can pre-order it now. When that day comes, we hope you enjoy heading back to the 1990s with us, both in terms of Power Rangers history and arcade gameplay – even if it’s your first visit. 

Alien: Rogue Incursion PS VR2 hands-on report

The Alien franchise has left a long, deep acid burn on the video game medium ever since the release of the first film in 1979. Whether hiding in lockers in Alien Isolation, blasting waves of creatures in Aliens: Fireteam Elite, or guiding a Marine squad to tactical victory in Aliens: Dark Descent, the series’ rich legacy has left plenty of room for creative interpretation.

With Alien: Rogue Incursion, celebrated VR developer Survios is aiming to make another major contribution to the Alien gaming legacy. This big-budget, immersive PlayStation VR2 experience promises to make players feel like they’re actually inhabiting the dark, brooding world of the films, from navigating the shadowy hallways to wielding authentic Marine firepower against the titular threat.

Ahead of the game’s launch on PS VR2 this December, we went hands-on with a pre-release build of this single-player survival-horror adventure. Here are some highlights of our experience.

An immersive VR Alien fantasy 

Survios set out to make players feel firmly planted in the oppressive Alien universe, so don’t expect a cakewalk. Ammo and healing items are scarce, xenomorphs can deliver fatal one-hit blows, and hissing steam vents keep you on edge throughout. Rogue Incursion’s high-fidelity VR presentation is a knockout, with a level of visual detail and polish that puts it among the upper echelon of VR titles. You’ll know what we mean when you stare an encroaching alien in its dripping face and it feels like it’s mere inches away. 

The perfect organism

Xenomorphs behave how you’d expect: they’re ominous and unpredictable. Sometimes they’ll slink through a doorway, upright and imposing. At other times they’ll drop to all fours, scuttling forward malevolently. They’re also highly mobile and seemed to take different routes depending on our position, clambering along walls and ceilings or dropping down from vents behind us. Knowing these threats can hit from any angle will keep your head swiveling as you scan the murky environments for threats, keeping your M41 pulse rifle trained on suspicious shapes lurking in the shadows. It all looks and feels ultra faithful to the first two films.

On-body inventory

The stakes are high, but Survios has you covered with a slick on-body inventory powered by the PS VR2’s Sense controllers. Reach over your right shoulder to grab your pulse rifle, clutch a healing stim from your left wrist, or draw a revolver from the holster on your hip. In just a few minutes, the intuitive inventory system became second nature, allowing us to keep our attention focused on encroaching hostiles and staying alive for a little while longer.

There’s something moving and it ain’t us

While there’s plenty of alien-blasting action, Rogue Incursion leaves ample room for quiet, tense moments where we bypassed locked doors or reprogrammed security discs to proceed further. Luckily, we were armed with the iconic Motion Tracker from the second film, and it’s something we quickly came to rely on. Reaching to our right bicep equipped the device, allowing us to track enemy (and ally) movements as we prowled the darkened corridors. This life-saving device can even be placed onto a surface to act as an extra set of eyes as you explore or reload your weapon. Don’t go off-world without it!

Welcome to the retro-future

The Alien universe’s technological aesthetic was solidified from the first moments we saw the Nostromo’s CRT computer monitors, chunky keyboards, and assorted analog gear. Survios pays thoughtful tribute to this tech, so expect to get up close and personal with plenty of 80’s-style gadgets in Rogue Incursion. The PDA tablet is a perfect example. Retrieved by reaching to your right arm, this handheld device can help you save your game and can be slotted into computers to download data. It also clunkily unfolds to reveal a large virtual touchscreen map, which in a clever touch can be scrolled through using your in-game finger. 

Elevator action

Our hands-on session culminated in a frantic battle against waves of aliens as we waited for an elevator to arrive. We called on all of our gear and skills to hold the line. We blasted flammable barrels to ignite xenomorphs, under the watchful eye of our strategically placed Motion Tracker device. There were many intense close calls, usually forcing us to flee and heal or fumble fresh shells into our shotgun. Suddenly, a spiked tail burst through our chest, ending our game. But we didn’t dread a restart because the unpredictable actions of the aliens made each new attempt feel fresh and interesting.

Devils in the details

Survivos’s VR expertise was on full display throughout our play session. We were wowed by some of the small, thoughtful details that made the world feel complete, such as using your hand to wipe blood from our eyes or off a computer monitor. The game’s physicality is a huge asset, and as we grew accustomed to removing and replacing weapons and gear from our body, muscle memory took over and the feeling of reality crept in. Reloading a revolver? Press the Circle button to eject the cylinder and shake out the empty casings before reloading each individual bullet. Firing a pulse rifle? Be sure to stabilize the stock with your other hand, or the 10mm explosive-tip caseless rounds will launch into the ceiling instead of at the approaching alien. 

Needless to say, we were impressed. Get ready to step into the boots of space marine Zula Hendricks when Alien: Rogue Incursion deploys on PS VR2 on December 19.

Official PlayStation Podcast Episode 498: Voice of the Veilguard

Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com!

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or download here


Hey folks! This week the team got to sit down with Bioware Game Director Corinne Busche and Creative Director John Epler to talk Dragon Age: The Veilguard. We also discuss the newly released Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero and Fear the Spotlight.

Stuff We Talked About

  • Next week’s release highlights:
    • Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered | PS5
    • Dragon Age: The Veilguard | PS5
    • Life is Strange: Double Exposure | PS5
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 pre-launch overview
  • Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered first look at bosses and new map details
  • Monster Hunter Wilds Open Beta Test launches on PS5 next week
  • 10 great horror games available with PlayStation Plus
  • Interview with Corinne Busche and John Epler (begins at 12:59)
  • Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero
  • Fear the Spotlight
  • Silent Hill 2
  • Theatrhythm Final Bar Line

The Cast

Kristen Zitani –  Senior Content Communications Specialist, SIE

Brett Elston – Content Communications Manager, SIE

O’Dell Harmon Jr. – Content Communications Specialist, SIE


Thanks to Dormilón for our rad theme song and show music.

[Editor’s note: PSN game release dates are subject to change without notice. Game details are gathered from press releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]

Share of the Week: Costumes

Last week, we asked you to share gaming characters you’d like to dress up as for Halloween using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights:

ForgottenJasmin shares a katana-riddled samurai with a basket for a helmet from Ghost of Tsushima: Legends.

sorathluna shares a red-headed witch wearing an owl mask from Hogwarts Legacy.

AkiraAoyama_VP shares the quirky janitor Ahti from Control.

BitarHector shares Aloy striking a pose in one of the Oseram blue and red beaded armors from Horizon Forbidden West.

juniaxe shares Claire Redfield in her classic red leather jacket in Resident Evil 2.

Kirill_Skulkin shares a hulking blue Space Marine armor set from Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2.

Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week?

THEME: Ghosts and Ghouls
SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on October 30, 2024 

Next week, we’re ready to get haunted. Share ghastly ghosts and (non-gory) ghouls from the game of your choice using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

Phasmophobia’s PS VR2 features detailed 

Gather your friends, grab your EMF Reader and prepare for spine-chilling ghost hunts because Phasmophobia is finally coming to PS5 and PS VR2 on October 29, 2024. Just in time for Halloween! Whether you’re an experienced ghost hunter or a new recruit eager to join the supernatural fray, we can’t wait to welcome everyone on PS5 and PS VR2, especially the latter. If you’re up to the task, ghost hunter, you’ll find a genuinely haunting and immersive experience waiting for you in virtual reality. Here’s a look at some of the standout features you can expect when you put on your PS VR2 headset. 

Foveated Rendering: Frights with performance in mind 

One of the key advantages of Phasmophobia on PS VR2 is the inclusion of foveated rendering. This innovative technology allows the game to deliver a higher, more stable framerate, ensuring that the intense moments of supernatural suspense stay smooth and immersive. How does it work? The PS VR2’s eye-tracking system detects exactly where you’re looking and focuses its processing power on rendering that area in full resolution. Everything in your direct line of sight is sharp and clear. This strategic allocation of resources leads to a significant boost in performance, meaning you can enjoy fluid, responsive gameplay even during the tensest ghost encounters.

Crystal clear visuals at native PS VR2 resolution 

In addition to the performance boost from foveated rendering, Phasmophobia on PS VR2 benefits from the headset’s native resolution of 2000 x 2040 pixels per eye. That’s a lot of pixels packed into your ghost-hunting goggles! The game also runs at a 60Hz refresh rate with 120Hz reprojection, ensuring smooth visuals as you explore every eerie hallway, attic, and basement in search of evidence. Whether you’re identifying ghosts from EMF spikes, deciphering spirit box responses, or watching for ghostly apparitions, the added sharpness and clarity help bring each investigation to life in terrifying detail. 

A tool belt designed for ghost hunting 

One of the features exclusive to the PS VR2 version on the console version of Phasmophobia is the tool belt, which is designed to make ghost hunting more intuitive and streamlined in VR. Managing equipment is crucial to success, and with the tool belt, you’ll have access to up to three pieces of gear at a time. Need to swap out your EMF reader for a camera while holding on to a crucifix for protection? No problem. With the tool belt, swapping gear is as simple as reaching down, grabbing what you need, and staying focused on the paranormal activity around you.

Cross-play with PS5 Players 

Ghost hunting is always better with friends, and Phasmophobia on PS VR2 makes sure you won’t be ghostbusting alone. PS VR2 players can team up with those on PS5 or PS5 Pro, creating a seamless cross-play experience for console gamers. Whether you’re diving into the investigation in VR or playing on a flat screen, you’ll be able to coordinate with your team, track evidence, and outwit dangerous ghosts together. The ability to play with friends across different PlayStation systems ensures that no one has to miss out on terrifying ghost hunts. 

Coming October 29, 2024 

Mark your calendars, because Phasmophobia is bringing its blend of cooperative ghost hunting and hair-raising horror to PS5 and PS VR2 on October 29, 2024. Gather your friends, prepare your equipment, and get ready for the fright of your life! Add Phasmophobia to your wishlist today


Phasmophobia’s PS VR2 features detailed 

Helldivers 2: Truth Enforcers Warbond launches Oct 31

If there’s one thing we love here on Super Earth, it’s the truth. We’ve even got a whole Ministry dedicated to the creation, fine-tuning, and wide distribution of it. It’s about time we gave our Helldivers some Ministry of Truth-approved equipment to match our deep, enduring love of and commitment to the Truth. With these tools, you will become one of Super Earth’s official Truth Enforcers.


Helldivers 2: Truth Enforcers Warbond launches Oct 31

Being a Truth Enforcer means showing your allegiance to Super Earth’s superiority as the arbiters of truth. The best way to demonstrate loyalty? By carrying the PLAS-15 Loyalist plasma pistol. Come on, it’s got “loyal” in the name already. It also allows you to shoot semi-auto style, or you can charge it up for a shot with more kick.

We have two infallible primary weapons available in Truth Enforcers, too. First up is the SG-20 Halt: a pump-action shotgun, similar to the Punisher, that can alternate between stun rounds and armor-penetrating flechette rounds. You can stun foes with accuracy and pierce through their lies with little arrows of veracity. If that’s not enough raw sincerity to take them out, you’ve also got the SMG-32 Reprimand, which is a heavy SMG. It also has a cool slap reload, just like in the accurate, true-to-life movies you love. 

It’s not enough to signal your Enforcer status with weapons alone, however. You’re also going to need some new Helldrip. For our light armor-loving comrades, you can tap into your bureaucratic spirit with the UF-16 Inspector in crisp, stain-free white with red accents and a coordinating cape, the “Proof of Faultless Virtue.” It’s giving overseer. Squad Leader.

But let’s say you want something a little more hefty and protective, in which case I recommend the UF-50 Bloodhound medium armor and the “Pride of the Whistleblower” cape, picking up on those deep, official-looking reds. And because we want our Helldivers to stand strong against all who oppose the truth, both of these armors have the Unflinching passive, which reduces staggering when hit.

Truth Enforcers also includes new cosmetic patterns for your hellpods, exosuits, and Pelican-1. The Inconspicuous Black Pattern looks as mysterious as it does ceremonial. Equip these and you’ll bring immediate order to the chaos of other divers in your squad. To fully walk the walk and demonstrate your commitment to Super Earth’s order to the team, you can equip the new player title, Free of Thought.

You’ll also be able to secure the At Ease emote, giving your Helldiver a stoic, commanding, order-following vibe. This Enforcer isn’t the type to laugh at all these pull-my-finger emote jokesters on the squad. You know they need proper clearance and permits for that.

Don’t worry–we didn’t forget about the booster, either. Have you ever wanted just a little bit more stamina on the battlefield? Have you ever thought, while being chased by a Terminid horde, I’d die to have just a bit more gas to go the distance. If that sounds like you, Helldiver, then I have some good news: the new Dead Sprint booster may drain your health once your stamina is at zero, but it will enable you to keep outrunning the enemy.

The spread of truth and justice across the galaxy is a big job, Helldiver, but a real Truth Enforcer has the tools and the talent to do it. The Truth Enforcers Premium Warbond* lands on October 31!

*Requires base game, paid purchase of Super Credits, and game progression to unlock.

(For Southeast Asia) An Open Beta Test for “Monster Hunter Wilds” has been announced! A deeper look into the newly revealed trailer #5!

We’ve got some adventurous announcements to make for those who are eagerly awaiting the release of Monster Hunter Wilds on February 28!

First, we invite you to participate in the Open Beta Test in October to traverse the dynamically-changing locales, examine the diverse ecology, and test your hunting skills on PlayStation®5. We will also be offering special bonuses to those who participate.

PlayStation®Plus subscribers will have early access to the Open Beta Test from Tuesday, October 29 at 10:00am GMT+7 / 11:00pm GMT+8 until Thursday, October 31 at 9:59am GMT+7 / 10:59am GMT+8.

Those who are not PS Plus subscribers can also participate in the Open Beta Test from Friday, November 1 at 10:00am GMT+7 / 11:00am GMT+8 to Monday, November 4 at 9:59am GMT+7 / 10:59am GMT+8.

Today, we’ll be sharing information about the newly released trailer, as well as special experiences you can enjoy on PlayStation®5. Make sure to watch until the end!


(For Southeast Asia) An Open Beta Test for “Monster Hunter Wilds” has been announced! A deeper look into the newly revealed trailer #5!

 Monster Hunter Wilds: 5th Trailer | The Black Flame| PlayStation®5

New locale – Oilwell Basin

The Oilwell Basin is a new locale where the expedition team arrives. As the name implies, the area is brimming with oil wells, which will periodically burst into violent flames.

Azuz, the Everforge

In the Oilwell Basin, there’s a community that has settled around a large fire forge, where people skilled in the art of forging reside. Please look forward to what stories await you in Azuz.

New monsters with unique ecology to discover in the Oilwell Basin

The Black Flame

A mysterious monster the people from Azuz call the “Black Flame.” 

Fanged Beast, Ajarakan

With a distinct well-developed shell that covers its back, Ajarakan is active during the Inclemency of the Oilwell Basin, the Firespring, and turns into a sweltering red when it rubs its shell against itself.

Brute Wyvern, Rompopolo

A monster that inhabits areas with deep oil silts. 

As you may have noticed, monsters in the Oilwell Basin have adapted to the changing environment with their unique ecological anatomies.

What did you think of the new trailer?

What will the hunter and the expedition team witness in this area? Expect new findings, deeper mysteries, and a story that will expand into the vast reaches of the land.

What you can experience in the Open Beta Test

The Monster Hunter Wilds Open Beta Test includes three pieces of content: Character Creation, the Story Trial, and the Doshaguma Hunt. Traverse the Windward Plains to experience a changing ecosystem rife with opportunity.

Character Creation

Identical to the full release, Character Creation in the Open Beta Test allows players to select their physique and other characteristics (physique does not affect the player’s ability to play the game). Character designs created in the Open Beta Test can be carried over to the full release of the game (game progress will not be carried over). During the Open Beta Test, you can redo Character Creation as many times as you like, so why not take this opportunity to create your favorite Hunter and Palico?

Story Trial / Doshaguma Hunt

In the Story Trial where you can experience the opening of the game, you will play through the beginning of the story in an uninterrupted and seamless experience to defeat Chatacabra, which also includes a basic tutorial.

In the Doshaguma Hunt, take on the titular Doshaguma (alpha) that leads the herd.

Both quests can be enjoyed in multiplayer using an SOS Flare to connect with other online players. If players are unable to gather, up to three NPC support hunters will join to assist in the hunt.

The quest counter, which can be accessed by talking to Alma, the Handler, allows you to set the number of multiplayer players and other conditions in detail. You can set the number of players to four, or you can call one NPC support hunter and hunt alongside a Palico, etc.

Open Beta Test Bonus

By participating in the Open Beta Test, players will receive a Pendant and item pack that can be used to decorate their weapons and Seikret in the full release. These bonuses will be available as downloadable content. Enjoy decorating your weapons and Seikret in the full release of the game on February 28.

Now let’s review the Open Beta Test schedule!

PlayStation®5

PlayStation®Plus subscribers will have early access to the Open Beta Test from Tuesday, October 29 at 10:00am GMT+7 / 11:00pm GMT+8

A minimum of 18 GB of free space is required on the PlayStation®5.

All PlayStation™Network account holders

(Those who are not subscribed to PlayStation®Plus can also participate.)

Date: Friday, November 1 at 10:00am GMT+7 / 11:00am GMT+8 until Monday, November 4 at 09:59am GMT+7 / 10:59am GMT+8. 

Pre-downloading is scheduled to begin at 10:00am GMT+7 / 11:00am GMT+8 on Thursday, October 31, 2024. 

A minimum of 18 GB of free space is required on the PlayStation®5.

Start times may vary.

For more information, please visit the official Monster Hunter Wilds website.

  • Discover a special experience with PS5®.

Today, we are also happy to reveal the DualSense wireless controller – Monster Hunter Wilds Limited Edition. 

Starting on November 22, 2024, players from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, and Vietnam will be able to pre-order the controller from select retailers for SGD 119 / MYR 419 / IDR 1,549,000 / THB 2,890 / PHP 4,890 / VND 2,399,000. 

The DualSense wireless controller – Monster Hunter Wilds Limited Edition will be available from February 28, 2025, day-and-date with the launch of Monster Hunter Wilds. Availability may vary by country/region, so be sure to check your local retailers.

DualSense® Wireless Controller

Haptic feedback

Feel every moment in your hands with haptic feedback, which allows you to enjoy precisely expressed vibrations in a variety of scenes, from natural phenomena such as lightning strikes to the roar of a monster.

Integrated speaker

The controller’s Integrated speaker emits the sounds of the Seikret and other endemic life. You can hear the breath of nearby living creatures.

Supports Tempest 3D audio technology

With state-of-the-art acoustic technology, you can hear the pulse of nature and life as if you were surrounded by it.

Adaptive triggers

Another supported feature is adaptive triggers, which change the button resistance depending on the situation. The adaptive resistance allows players to zoom in and out of the map more intuitively and improves usability while exploring vast locales.

Motion sensor

The accelerometer and gyroscope allow intuitive camera operation. This improves maneuverability during Focus Mode and long-range weapon aim, making it easier to target monsters.

Expect an immersive experience that only the PlayStation®5 version of Monster Hunter Wilds can provide.

Summary

That is all for today!

Although gameplay in the Open Beta Test will be limited, we hope you will be able to experience the seamless immersive experience, the dynamically-changing environment, and realistic monster ecology.

Monster Hunter Wilds is now available for pre-order. Make sure to get the Hunter Layered Armor, Guild Knight Set, and Hope Charm.

Pre-ordering at PS Store will also include the PlayStation®Store exclusive pre-order bonus Monster Hunter Wilds Digital Mini Art Book.

Hunters around the world, we’ll see you in the Open Beta Test! Monster Hunter Wilds will release on PlayStation®5 on Friday, February 28.

Online multiplayer in the full version requires a PlayStation®Plus subscription. Broadband Internet access is required.