A new year is filled with new possibilities for games, and the indie scene is a great place for innovation to thrive. Today, we showcased five indie titles coming to PlayStation, revealing release dates, updates, and a surprise or two.
Forever Skies | Coming to PS5 April 14
Far From Home showcased some new co-op gameplay for Forever Skies, along with the official release date. Survive the skies with your friends and brave new worlds filled with threats that desire to halt your progress. Players who pre-order now will be gifted with the Supporter Pack DLC and 72-hour early access.
For those looking for a classic adventure of a hero’s journey, The Knightling is here to scratch that itch. We were introduced to the mysterious land of Cornered Bosk in the new trailer to celebrate its summer release date. A sprawling forest with a giant whirlpool in the middle that is swallowing everything. Can you become the knight you’re meant to be in this tale from Twirlbound?
Enter the dystopian ruins of Sanzu City in Possessor(s) as you fight to survive as a human who is possessed by a demon. The pair attempts to form a symbiotic relationship to survive this hellscape, finding themselves in battle with other demonic hybrids. This fast-paced action side-scroller from Heart Machine blends high stakes and art.
Learn the origins of the magical Swap ability and see how swapping textures in Ruffy and the Riverside changes how you approach platforming and combat in this completely hand-drawn world. Zockrates Laboratories adventurous bear will hit the ground swapping this June.
This labor of love by sole developer Sam Eng, Skate Story is coming to PlayStation. To mark the announcement, they’ve shared a new gameplay trailer, which shows the demon made of glass you’ll play as shred through obstacles in the Underworld on their quest to consume the moon. Be prepared to meet a cast of zany characters and sell your soul for the best board.
When Lunar debuted in North America in 1993, it was a standout in the emerging Western market for Japanese RPGs. Lunar featured detailed, animated cinematic cutscenes, plenty of voice acting, high-quality music, and–most importantly–an endearing story packed with engaging and memorable characters. While it wasn’t the first CD-ROM-based JRPG to hit the market, it was one that left a powerful impact on everyone who played it.
A sequel, two PlayStation remakes, a PSP outing and more further broadened the audience for Lunar. More than 30 years after the series’ debut, Lunar and Lunar 2 are coming back to the realm of PlayStation with the Lunar Remastered Collection. To give some insight into what makes the Lunar games special–and to stir fond memories among longtime fans–we talked to Matthias Pergams, Producer over at GungHo Online Entertainment America.
Silver Standard
“LUNAR was one of the first JRPGs on the CD-ROM format, with animated cutscenes, in-game voice acting, and even an opening theme song,” Pergams explains. “The series gained a dedicated following both within and outside Japan, paving the way for the genre as a whole. It’s a work that has a unique historical significance.”
The original Lunar has been remade and re-released a few times for various platforms (along with Lunar 2, to a lesser degree), so we were curious as to why the PlayStation “Complete” versions of the two games were chosen as the base for the remasters. “Each version is different and possesses unique merits, so we actually struggled quite a bit with this question. Ultimately, the choice came down to which version we felt represented the series best. For us, it was the PlayStation version”.
As this is a “Remaster” rather than a “Remake,” we were wondering if there were any major gameplay or story changes that players familiar with the original games would notice. “The overall story and gameplay will remain the same as the original release,” Pergams assured us. “We feel that the original still holds up today, and wanted to preserve the gameplay as it was envisioned by original developer GAME ARTS. We have added a variety of quality-of-life features to make gameplay smoother, such as an adjustable Battle Speed-Up option in both games, a toggleable option for a unified inventory system in Lunar 1 designed to simplify the item management process, and also the ability to customize the behavior of individual character AI during Lunar 1’s battles.”
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“In this Remaster Collection, we have prepared a Classic Mode for fans who prefer to play the game with the dots as they were back in the day – an environment where you can play the game with almost the same graphics as in the PlayStation 2 era. We have also prepared a CRT filter for this mode, which we hope fans will try and see.” – Matthias Pergams
Remastered Luster
So what is new and improved in this remaster? “The most visible changes are the graphical updates, which include remastered graphics, in-game effects, UI, animated cutscenes, bromides (in-game collectible card items), and more. Perhaps the biggest feature is the new aspect ratio, as we’ve expanded the size of the screen to accommodate that of modern TVs. All the above features are in the “Remastered Mode.” The other is “Classic Mode”, which allows users to play the games with the graphics of the original PlayStation version.
One major topic of discussion among longtime Lunar fans is the voice acting. When the announcement post went up here on the PlayStation Blog, it was revealed that there would be an all-new cast. How did the team select the new voices? “Our priority when recording was making sure that we preserved the identity of each character through their new voice actors. We considered how we wanted each character to sound. Once we locked that down, we started looking at voice actors who were close to that, and then selected them based on how well they captured what we were envisioning. The end product is something we’re proud of.”
“We also had all the vocal songs in Lunar 1 and 2 sung by the voice actresses of Luna and Lucia respectively, which we modeled after the original Japanese version of the game,” Pergams noted.
“We asked Mr Iwadare to write a new song for this piece. The song is called ‘Looking up at TERRA’. It is used in the game selection screen, so I hope fans will listen to it.” – Matthias Pergams
The famous cutscenes are getting a touch-up, too. “One of the key features of Lunar is the animated cutscenes, so we took a great deal of care with them during the remastering process. The original scenes still hold up well today, so our main goal in remastering was to touch them up for modern audiences, rather than change the content itself. We think the results speak for themselves!”
All of these updates and changes were done with the blessing and supervision of the original staff. “Throughout development we frequently consulted GAME ARTS, the original development studio, and incorporated their feedback,” explains Pergams. “We also consulted other development staff, including the original composer, scenario writer, and character designer. Their input has been invaluable in maintaining the spirit of the original games during the remastering process.”
One such individual who revisited Lunar for this remaster is famed character designer Toshiyuki Kubooka. The team originally weren’t sure if he would be on board. “He’s extremely busy these days, so when we first reached out to him, we didn’t know if he’d accept our offer! But he was kind enough to draw not just one, but a total of three completely new art pieces for the game.”
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Pergams also passed along a message from Kubooka-sensei to fans. “At first, I was surprised because it’d been a while since I’d worked on anything for Lunar, but I was really happy to have the chance to draw the cast again. Drawing them felt like meeting up with old friends again, so I had fun doing it. The art took longer than I expected, which inconvenienced everyone at Gungho America, but they were very transparent and cooperative so I’m grateful to them as well.”
New frontiers
Lunar was well-loved in North America and Japan, but–aside from the aforementioned PSP release–Lunar’s presence in Europe was nonexistent. We asked Pergams about releasing Lunar 1 and 2 Complete in Europe for the first time, and if they have anything they would like to say to players thinking about trying these games for the first time. “First and foremost, thank you for considering the Lunar series! I think the core ethos of the series can be summed up in one word: ‘Adventure’. I believe the Lunar series captures the essence of the classic adventure, in which you set out into an unknown world, meet trustworthy friends, defeat evil, and find true love. All adventures are valid and worth having, but there’s something nostalgic and unforgettable about the one Lunar provides.”
To finish things off, we wanted to see if Pergams had any advice for new players. “Don’t be afraid to use items! In many games, it can feel like a mistake to spend hard-earned money on temporary items rather than on permanent upgrades like weapons. However, items—particularly recovery items—can make a world of difference in a tough boss fight. We also recommend trying out the games’ Auto Battle system, alongside the new Battle Speed-Up option, for smooth progression. However you decide to play, we hope you enjoy the Lunar games!”
Howdy, Helldivers! Have you ever wanted to be a space cowboy, enforcing the fair laws of Super Earth on the edges of our galaxy, protecting our most remote colonies from undemocratic threats? Then step up, pardner, and claim your sheriff’s star with the new premium Warbond: Borderline Justice!
We’re heading out to the Wild West with the weapons this time. First up, let’s take a gander at the new R-6 Deadeye lever-action hunting rifle. You can look forward to killin’ time bullseying bugs and rounding up squids and looking cool while you do it.
But a lawman is nothing without his trusty sidearm. And instead of individual shots, the LAS-58 Talon “revolver” secondary is energy-based, meaning a slow and steady hand can keep on shooting without overheating. But if you need to bring the kind of heat that can’t be measured by degrees, the Talon can do it.
Another classic cowboy loadout item is the TED-63 Dynamite that comes with a variable timer and leaves an explosion that’s sure to straighten the curves, flatten the hills, and take down any roaming patrols among the willows.
Do you ever get a hankering to rise up above the herd and get a bird’s eye on the action? Could be that the LIFT-860 Hover Pack is just what you’re looking for–when the joint starts jumping, you can rise and hover for a little while and still aim or use ADS.
Helldivers are made out of muscle and blood and that’s why we have to keep you armored up. The GS-17 Frontier Marshal is a regulation standard medium Helldiver set, but it still manages to conjure up the look of hard living on the galactic frontier, hunting Bile Titans for sport.
But if you want to look less like a running gun and more like the sheriff of Vernen Wells, I might suggest the GS-66 Lawmaker heavy armor, complete with cowboy holster and bandolier. Both sets of armor look great with either the Reaper of Bounties cape or the Way of the Bandolier cape.
No matter which look you choose, you’ll be mighty good with the Gunslinger armor passive, which gives your secondary increased reload speed, increased draw/holster speed, and reduced recoil.
With Borderline Justice, you’ll also unlock a new player title, Super Sheriff, to let everyone know you’re their huckleberry–the galactic border colonies can rest a little easier on your watch. We’re also providing player cards that match each cape, and you’ll also get a brand new booster: Sample Extricator! When you put down a big enemy, there’s a small chance it’ll drop a sample to toss in your saddlebags.
Cowboy hats might be outlawed by the Helldiver uniform code, but you can still say your howdies and farewells with the Tip Hat emote.
If all that doesn’t light your fires, then I don’t know what will. Put the hammer down, divers, and give ‘em hell when Borderline Justice arrives on March 20!
Revealing itself like a hidden blade, Assassin’s Creed’s razor-sharp and refreshing combination of history, science fiction, and parkour-based action turned heads everywhere when it first emerged on our screens back in 2007. The result was a series rich in lore and unforgettable characters, spanning games, comic books, and even a Hollywood movie.
So with Assassin’s Creed Shadows sneaking up on its March 20 PlayStation 5 launch, here’s the perfect place to arm yourself with everything you need to know about the main strand of the series’ 13 titles.
Assassin’s Creed – 2007 – PlayStation 3 – Ubisoft
Introducing the world to 12th-century assassin Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad, the fresh-faced sandbox action stealth game presented the concept of the Animus, a machine which allows people to relive the genetic memories of their ancestors. In this case, Altaïr’s life during the Third Crusade of the Holy Land is seen through his unsuspecting 21st-century descendant, Desmond Miles, as a winding plot unravels across both timelines.
Assassin’s Creed set the tone for the genre for generations to follow, but most importantly, it was a pioneering leap forward for its even more popular sequel…
On PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 (via backwards compatibility), the following three titles are available as part ofAssassin’s Creed The Ezio Collection
Assassin’s Creed II – 2009 – PlayStation 3 and – 2016 – PlayStation 4 (Enhanced) – Ubisoft
Continuing Desmond’s story, this crafty follow-up surprised everyone by sneaking away from Altaïr and dropping us into the Italian Renaissance Era. Ezio Auditore da Firenze was now the historical recipient of the Animus, delivering a story of revenge that saw the likes of Leonardo da Vinci and Niccolo Machiavelli weaved into his quest. Even Desmond himself was granted more agency as he became entrenched within the modern-day Assassin Brotherhood.
If Assassin’s Creed cut new cloth for its iconic style and timeless gameplay, the sequel only helped sharpen its impact as Ezio became a fan-favorite character.
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood – 2010 – PlayStation 3 and – 2016 – PlayStation 4 (Enhanced) – Ubisoft
Set immediately after the events of Assassin’s Creed II, Ezio was the focal point again for this swift and deadly sequel, as he aimed to expand and recruit members into the Assassin Brotherhood across Rome. While retaining the new notoriety system from the previous game that tracked your social infamy and wanted level, Brotherhood introduced the ability to enact assassinations via horseback, perform heavy weapon throws and use a crossbow and poison darts. Ezio could also call upon apprentice assassins for asset-earning missions or help.
Most notable was the inclusion of a fantastically devious multiplayer mode for the first time in the series, which let you hunt down friends and then drift away into a crowd like you were never there…
Assassin’s Creed Revelations – 2011 – PlayStation 3 and – 2016 –PlayStation 4 (Enhanced) – Ubisoft
Concluding the Ezio trilogy, Revelations featured the now-aged assassin traveling to Constantinople to find five keys needed to unlock Altaïr’s secret library that has the potential to end the war between Templars and Assassins. Meanwhile, a comatose Desmond is forced to achieve full Animus synchronization with Ezio and Altaïr to save his own mind.
Revelations granted Ezio even more mobility with zip lines and the new Hookblade, which not only provided quicker traversal but could also be used in combat, yanking targets into a close-range attack, throw or even theft. Random events with NPCs and Templar ‘stalkers’ also kept players on their toes.
Assassin’s Creed III – 2012 – PlayStation 3 and – 2019 – PlayStation 4 (Remastered) – Ubisoft
Setting the franchise in North America for the first time, Assassin’s Creed III drew a line under Desmond’s ongoing mission to prevent a global cataclysm. This time, his path to the past was via the memories of an 18th-century Templar called Haytham Kenway, and Kenway’s illegitimate son – Ratonhnhaké:ton, who becomes the assassin Connor.
Assassin’s Creed III unleashed a vast number of changes and improvements, with a greater focus on rural environments. Connor could duel-wield, perform a wider variety of counters, combos, and takedowns, and even use enemies as human shields. Animal hunting and naval combat were also introduced, and dramatic weather changes such as snow and rain impacted gameplay. In short, it was an (American) revolution for the series.
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag – 2013 – PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 – Ubisoft
With Assassin’s Creed III whetting the appetite for travel, Black Flag truly set the player free. Expanding on the previous game’s naval exploration and combat, Black Flag’s focus on the high seas during the Golden Age of Piracy allowed for a wider range of attacking enemy vessels, treasure trekking across underwater shipwrecks, sea animal hunts, and a variety of ocean-based side missions.
Combining exploration on both land and sea to such an extent gave Welsh pirate Assassin Edward Kenway unparalleled freedom, mirrored by Kenway’s ability to not only free-aim but also use up to four flintlock pistols together. Not a bad trick to have up one’s sleeve in a world with the likes of Blackbeard, Calico Jack, and Benjamin Hornigold.
Assassin’s Creed Rogue – 2014 – PlayStation 3 and – 2018 – PlayStation 4 (Remastered) – Ubisoft
True to its title, Assassin’s Creed Rogue allowed players to control Assassin-turned-Templar Shay Patrick Cormac, offering a dramatic twist of focus for the series. The result was a fascinating spin on expectations across all levels of the gameplay.
While much of the previous elements remained – naval combat and exploration, and a vast open world, albeit mostly set across the icy North Atlantic and mid 1700s New York City – Shay has access to a wider access of projectile weapons, and he’s constantly under threat from Assassins. There are even missions where you must intercept and defend an Assassin target from their hooded assailants.
Assassin’s Creed Unity – 2014 – PlayStation 4 – Ubisoft
Released at the same time as Assassin’s Creed Rogue on PS3, Assassin’s Creed Unity, brought the franchise to PS4 for the first time, powered by an all-new game engine. While the chilly Rogue focused on a different narrative direction to previous titles, Unity’s jaunt across Paris during the French Revolution warmed things up with a gameplay first for the series: an optional co-op campaign for up to four players.
Collaboration, shared resources, and highly customizable weapons and gear that affected your playstyle were all prominent, as you assumed control of Assassin Arno Dorian.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate – 2015 – PlayStation 4 – Ubisoft
19th Century Victorian era London was the next stop, arriving with two more series of innovations. Not only were there twin Assassin protagonists that players could switch between – Jacob and Evie Frye – but Evie’s inclusion marked the first time you could play as a female Assassin in the mainline titles.
Their task to find a piece of Eden and free the Big Smoke from Templar rule was aided by the ability to use carriages as transport, and a ‘kidnapping’ mechanic where the twins could hold an enemy hostage to blend in and access restricted areas. Sneaky.
Assassin’s Creed Origins – 2017 – PlayStation 4 – Ubisoft
Jumping all the way back to Ptolemaic Egypt and gently rebooting the series, Assassin’s Creed Origins explored the bloody beginnings of the Assassin Brotherhood (the Hidden Ones) and Templar Order (the Order of the Ancients) conflict. The vengeful Bayek of Siwa is our gateway to the past this time, channeled via former Abstergo Industries employee Layla Hassan in the modern-day era.
Offering more role-playing elements than its forebears, Origins featured a greater focus on leveling up systems and progression, intricate crafting, and complex combat mechanics that also allowed Bayek to enter a frenzied state or perform brutal finishing moves.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey – 2018 – PlayStation 4 – Ubisoft
Leaning on the more mythological aspects of Ancient Greece, Odyssey continued Layla’s story in the modern day while giving players the chance to become one of King Leonidas’s descendants, Kassandra or Alexios. While the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta was central to its narrative, Odyssey built on the firm foundations set by Origins’ RPG-inspired elements, adding dialogue choices and NPC relationships, branching quests, and even multiple possible endings.
Naval combat also made its welcome return, and a ‘mercenary system’ expanded on the earlier game’s ‘stalker system’, with richly written bounty hunters targeting you. Oh, and let’s not forget the tense encounters with mythological creatures such as the Sphinx and Minotaur…
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – 2020 – PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 – Ubisoft
If the title didn’t give it away, Valhalla placed players into the Viking invasions of 873 AD, running alongside the final part of Layla’s globe-trotting modern-day story. Valhalla reintroduced the Assassin/Templar war’s prominence in the series, entangling Viking raider protagonist Eivor – who you can choose to be male or female – into their growing conflict.
Further refining the previous games’ mechanics, Valhalla brought back the player settlements mechanics that were last fully explored in Black Flag, as well as offering the chance to enjoy drinking contests, fishing and the hilarious insult hurling flying competitions.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage – 2023 – PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 – Ubisoft
With its more direct and linear story, focus on stealth over action, and reemphasis on parkour-based movement, Mirage was a pushback to the series’ roots. Even the modern-day narrative was reduced to give players more time in 9th Century Baghdad with street thief turned Master Assassin, Basim Ibn Ishaq, who we first encountered in Valhalla.
And now? It’s not long before we experience the next stage of the Assassin/Templar war, this time in 16th-century Japan alongside shinobi Fujibayashi Naoe, and legendary samurai Yasuke, in Assassin’s Creed Shadows on March 20.
But remember: “Nothing is true, everything is permitted.”
Agent 47 is about to become much more dangerous. With Hitman World of Assassination lining up its PS VR2 shot on March 27, Senior Game Designer Eskil Mohl and Lead & Senior Technical Designer Toke Krainert understood the assignment – and delivered some essential intel on the game.
What are some of the cool things players can do now in the game via VR?
Eskil: We now have an incredible amount of new interactions. There’s a scene where you get a safe combination and you can visibly read it in your hand. The tactile sensation of actually looking at a note like this feels amazing. Every little set piece in the game before was a button press, and now you actually reach out and touch stuff. We were initially afraid they wouldn’t hold up visually and audibly, so we were nicely surprised. Another one is that you can look away or use your arm to hide your eyes from flashbang grenades.
Toke: There are so many ways of playing the game, and I think it just gets better in VR. It opens up that toolbox even more.
Eskil:The other day Toke had one thing in his left hand, and another in his right, and he threw them up and caught them. And he suggested he’d try juggling three things – he was like, technically it’s possible, right?
How has combat been changed by putting the game into VR?
Eskil: It’s significantly improved. Now you can use an items and weapons wheel instead of pausing the game. And with the weapons you feel way more badass. Before putting it in VR, entering combat was almost a fail state because of how often you’d die, but now it’s a lot of fun.
You can holster your gun on your back, and you also need to manually eject the magazine, use your other hand to grab a new one, insert it and then ready the weapon. It took a long time to implement, but it’s so rewarding.
Was there a temptation to keep all of the game in first-person?
Eskil: Absolutely. For instance, in a scene where you’re stirring soup, we created a first-person prototype, and it felt clunky and a little disorientating. And in other places you couldn’t really get that useful overview of the area you’re in, especially when it comes to knowing where the enemies are. So certain scenes should feel more like a safe spot where you can get a strategic advantage, and it actually felt better in third-person.
Did you feel like you had to make more things interactive, given players were now seeing the game world differently?
Eskil: Yeah. When you’re in first-person it changes your perception of the game and tactility of what you’re interacting with. But when balancing the game we couldn’t make everything interactive.
Toke: We inherited things from the original version of the game, and when I used to be a Level Designer we’d dress locations with items and try to find a good balance of things to pick up. But not all of them, because then you are just littered with props. And if we made everything interactive in VR you would also just have a whole room full of little toy blocks you can throw around. It would be a bit silly!
Did you have to tweak the difficulty balance given the players are now using more tactile and intuitive controls? Eskil: It was a huge worry for me. Now you can dual wield anything, and things like the quick throw feature make you way more lethal and agile.
Toke: But while you have more freedom, you also have more responsibility for the execution of actions that were previously automated. So aiming requires more deliberate motions, reloading takes time, and you have to keep track of where the items are, physically.
Eskil: Yeah, so that is probably part of why it levelled itself out, in a way.
Were there specific points during development where you felt an ‘Eureka’ moment in the transition to VR?
Toke: In the beginning, when we were still figuring out the degree of fidelity in the game, we were prying a crowbar in a door for the first time and it cracked open. Suddenly it felt physical. Like, ‘oh, now it’s a VR game’. That became an indicator for how we did all those other world interactions.
Eskil: Yeah, that was a really nice moment. And when we were originally using keys in the game, we initially just had the player hold the key to the door and it would spring open. Then Toke took it to the next level and said we could actually have it so you could put the key in the lock and turn it to open the door. It felt amazing.
Have any of your favorite missions changed because of how you experienced it in VR?
Toke: For me, it’s probably the train level. It’s very linear. Players had mixed feelings about it and so did I, even though I worked on it, but now that you can play with all of these amazing weapons in VR, it’s just turned into a playground. You’re given one cool weapon after the next, and things to throw around, with a lot of armoured enemies coming at you, so you really have to practice those mechanics. It’s really fun now.
Eskil: It’s the sort of level which isn’t a typical Hitman level. It’s a bit too action gamey – but now in VR, it rocks. I had the same feeling in the Colorado section of the game. Players often rate it close to the bottom in popularity. But going gun blazing is so much fun.
Hitman World of Assassination launches on PS VR2 March 27.
Hey, everybody! Sid, O’Dell, Tim, and Brett are back this week to discuss MLB The Show 25 early access, including an interview with San Diego Studio Gameplay Director Chris Gill. The crew also swaps Monster Hunter Wilds stories and highlights this week’s news.
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.]
Last week, we asked you to join the hunt and share rapturous moments from Monster Hunter Wilds using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights:
shimo_psshares their hunter and Palico sitting atop their Seikret.
KAMIgion__Ujeanshares an action-filled moment fighting a monster in the desert
Lny_Trpr_EE7shares a Palico chilling with a frog on its head
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: Monster Hunter Wilds – Monsters SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on March 19, 2025
Next week, the hunt continues. Capture highlights of your favorite monster quarry in Monster Hunter Wilds using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.
MLB The Show 25 Early Access starts today, March 14, and it’s your chance to get a jump on the competition this year. Get ready to experience all-new Programs, Events, Packs, and Player Items as you step onto the diamond this year.
With so much new content for you to enjoy during Early Access, we thought now would be a good time to give you a rundown on what you can expect to find so that you can take a lead on your opponents before MLB The Show 25’s Full Launch on March 18. So let’s dive into where you’ll be spending your time, and effort, in MLB The Show 25 Early Access.
(Early Access is available globally for anyone who purchases the Digital Deluxe Edition of MLB The Show 25).
Early access to-do List
Storylines: The Negro Leagues – Season 3
Relive baseball history in Storylines: The Negro Leagues – Season 3. Experience the career highlights of Negro Leagues Legends James “Cool Papa” Bell, Wilber “Bullet Joe” Rogan, and Norman “Turkey” Stearnes through a blend of gameplay, historical footage, and informative storytelling as you complete historic moments featuring these legends to your Diamond Dynasty lineup.
New Mode: Diamond Quest
Try out Diamond Quest, a brand-new roguelike board game mode, where rewards are yours to earn through Moments, boss encounters, and more. Select a quest with the chance rewards you’re looking to earn then discover encounters & treasure, and win stadiums to get your mitts on those rewards. Escape your Diamond Quest by defeating stadium challenges on the board but remember, losing a stadium challenge will result in you forfeiting your quest and all of the treasure earned.
Tutorial Quest Rewards:
20th Anniversary Juan Soto, RF, New York Mets (79 OVR – Rare reward)
20th Anniversary Aaron Judge, RF, New York Yankees (81 OVR – Epic reward)
Topps Now Garrett Crochet, 87 OVR, Chicago White Sox (Epic reward)
Breakout Bryson Stott, 87 OVR, Philadelphia Phillies (Epic reward)
New Mode: Weekend Classic
The first Weekend Classic will take place on April 11, so make sure to play Ranked before then and raise your rating, so you can earn amazing rewards.
Returning Favorite: Inning-Based XP Reward Path
Grind your way to the end to unlock up to two sellable versions of our 1st Inning XP Reward Path bosses:
Postseason Manny Ramirez, LF, Boston Red Sox (88 OVR)
All-Star Mark McGwire, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals (88 OVR)
Contributor Adrian Beltre, 3B, Los Angeles Dodgers (88 OVR)
Other exciting programs for Early Access include, but are not limited to:
Team Affinity: My Journey Programs
Ranked
Battle Royale
Cactus League Event
Starter Program
Pipeline Program
Spring Breakout Program
1st Inning Boss Collection
Live Series Collection
Mini Seasons
Conquest Maps
Challenge of the Week 1
Cornerstone Programs
My Legacy Programs
Early Access has just begun, but there’s even more to look forward to during Full Launch on March 18th. Experience brand-new player items, programs, and packs found across all of your favorite modes, including Storylines, Diamond Dynasty*, Road to the Show, and more.
MLB The Show x Homage Apparel Drop
Mark your calendars, the latest MLB The Show x Homage collection drops March 18. Celebrate the launch and 20 years of MLB The Show with our first officially licensed line of apparel.
Get ready to enjoy all this amazing content, and more, only available in MLB The Show 25. Forge your journey and live your baseball dreams from high school to the Hall of Fame.Be sure to subscribe to our social channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Sign up for The Scouting Report, and visit TheShow.com for more details about everything MLB The Show.
For quite some time, From Software was primarily known for their mech-based action games. The crown jewel of these games is Armored Core, which debuted on the original PlayStation and established a series that garners a devoted fanbase over two decades later.
With the announcement of Armored Core (1997), Armored Core: Project Phantasma, and Armored Core: Master of Arena coming to PlayStation Plus Classics, now’s the perfect time to take a trip into this series’ history.
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Armored Core | PlayStation | 1997
Armored Core found its origins through a collaboration between From Software and Shoji Kawamori, one of anime’s premier mechanical designers. In the earliest days of the original PlayStation’s life, From Software and Kawamori thought of an idea for a game about player-customizable mechs. Eventually, the concept evolved into being able to attach modular parts to a central unit, known as an Armored Core. From there came a story about Earth ruined by the Great Destruction, a corporate-ruled dystopia, and the Ravens, mercenary mech pilots with no allegiances beyond the power of money.
Armored Core released in Japan and North America in 1997, with a European release hitting in 1998. The game stood out not only for its in-depth customization, resource management, and mission-driven progression, but a complex yet interesting control scheme that made players feel like they were in the cockpit of a custom-built mecha. The story also went in different directions depending on the missions you chose, creating a game that rewarded multiple playthroughs.
Armored Core will be available with PlayStation Plus Premium starting March 18.
Armored Core: Project Phantasma | PlayStation | 1998
In response to player enthusiasm and feedback, Armored Core received two immediate expansion follow-ups. Project Phantasma is a more story-driven prequel to the original AC that introduced the wildly popular Arena mode, where players duel with other mechs to climb ranks and earn fabulous prizes.
Armored Core: Project Phantasma will be available with PlayStation Plus Premium starting March 18.
Armored Core: Master of Arena | PlayStation | 1999
Master of Arena, as the title suggests, builds upon the Arena mode by making it the core focus. Being a direct sequel to Project Phantasma, both of these games allowed you to import save data from previous titles, keeping all of the hard-earned weapons and customizations you’d earned. The original PlayStation Armored Cores set the stage for what came later, developing key features that define the series to this day. Kawamori’s involvement also continued throughout the series, giving the mechs of AC a distinct look and feel that set them apart.
Armored Core: Master of Arena will be available with PlayStation Plus Premium starting March 18.
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Armored Core 2 | PlayStation 2 | 2000
From Software was one of the earliest developers to embrace the power of the PlayStation 2, and among their early crop of PS2 titles was a sequel to Armored Core. (In fact, it was a launch title alongside the PlayStation 2 in North America in 2000.) The story of AC2 occurs several decades after the original PlayStation AC titles, taking the Raven to a terraformed Mars where civil war rages. Besides a hefty graphical upgrade, Armored Core introduces the Overboost mechanic, allowing mechs to move quickly when engaged though it guzzles energy rapidly. New Radiator, Extension, and Inside parts also allow for greater mech customization.
A follow-up, Armored Core 2: Another Age, soon followed, taking the story back to Earth and its political struggles while featuring over 100 new missions for players to partake in. The Japanese release of AC2AA in 2001 is noteworthy since it was one of the first PS2 games to allow online play with the PS2’s Network Adaptor.
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Armored Core 3 | PlayStation 2 | 2002
Armored Core continued on the PS2 in 2002 with the release of the third-numbered title. While Armored Core 3 didn’t follow the story from the previous games, its setting remained very familiar: a ruined planet Earth where humans live in underground enclaves called Layered and are overseen by a mysterious, possibly malevolent AI named The Controller. New gameplay additions include Consorts–allied units that aid you during missions–and the ability to remove weapons mid-mission to reduce weight and improve performance. AC3 also saw the return of the fan-favorite Arena mode, which AC2AA lacked.
AC3 got a follow-up using the same engine in Armored Core 3: Silent Line. The titular Silent Line is the new threat on the Earth’s surface that emerged in the wake of AC3’s events. This storyline continued through 2004’s Armored Core: Nexus, though the changes to the gameplay–including adding, removing, and adjusting several types of weaponry–meant that players couldn’t import their data from the earlier AC3 titles. Two follow-ups to Nexus, Nine Breaker and Last Raven, completed the AC3 storyline. Several titles in this cycle would also see ports to the PSP.
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Armored Core 4 | PlayStation 3 | 2006
Armored Core 4’s debut brought high-definition mech combat to the PlayStation 3 with style. Once again, the story was rebooted with the familiar premise of corporations dominating the lives of Earth’s populace and hiring mercenaries to do their dirty work. The new-generation Armored Cores, called NEXTs, feature upgraded new technology like Primal Armor, varied Boost options, and a new pilot interface called the Allegorical Manipulation System–so advanced that only a select few psychic individuals, known as Lynx, can use it.
AC4 revamped the control scheme from previous games, aiming to make the experience more intuitive for both new players and grizzled series veterans. The heat management system was removed and a new Quick Boost movement option was implemented, greatly affecting mech control and mobility. Visually, the HD fidelity of the PS3’s graphics allowed for incredible detail in the environments, where your mech’s combat actions directly affect your surroundings. A direct follow-up, Armored Core for Answer was released in 2008 and picks up a decade after AC4’s story left off. Armored Core for Answer tells the story of conflict between humans and corporations that fled for safety in floating cities called Cradles and the rebel force, ORCA, fighting the corps’ overbearing influence from the surface.
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Armored Core V | PlayStation 3 | 2012
Armored Core V launched on PS3 in early 2012. The Earth is once again a complete mess, with the remaining population gathering in a single habitable city ruled over by the megalomaniacal Father. The player joins the Resistance forces as a mercenary to challenge Father’s dictatorship.
The shift to using Roman numerals in the title hinted at some changes under the hood, and AC5’s gameplay was a marked shift away from the speedier, action-driven combat of the more recent entries to a more careful, tactical style of play that harkened back to the early PlayStation installments. The Armored Core units were physically smaller, allowing them to take advantage of environmental features like taking cover and launching surprise attacks. Missions could now involve a whole squad of AC units, with an Operator who gives guidance throughout. New Overed Weapons provided incredible power with some massive drawbacks, while a new Scan mode let players shift into a non-combat mode to analyze enemies and conserve resources.
2013’s Armored Core: Verdict Day resumes the plot 100 years after AC5’s events, throwing players into a war between three powerful entities vying for control of newly uncovered Towers filled with mysterious technology. The team-focused gameplay of AC5 was enhanced further by introducing customizable AI-controlled Armored Cores called UNACs into the mix.
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Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon | PlayStation 5 | 2023
We finally come to the Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon. Ten years after the release of Armored Core Verdict Day, fans finally had the all-new Armored Core title they had been clamoring for. Not only was AC6 a long-awaited return to form for the storied series, it succeeded in bringing many new fans into the series–many of whom were totally new to mech-based combat games. With the massive success and acclaim AC6 has seen, it feels like a new era for the series–we’ll just have to wait and see where From Software takes Armored Core from here.
PlayStation Store welcomes a new promotion tomorrow: Mega March! For a limited time*, you can enjoy discounts across a variety of games on the storefront, including the likes of Dynasty Warriors: Origins, Diablo IV and many, many more.
Get a preview of just some of the game deals below, then head to PlayStation Store when the promotion goes live to see the full list and find out your regional discount.
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
60 Seconds! Reatomized
Ace Attorney Investigations Collection
ACM – Deluxe Edition
AEW: Fight Forever
AFL 23
Alaskan Road Truckers
Alien: Isolation – The Collection
Aliens: Dark Descent
Angry Birds VR: Isle of Pigs (PSVR2)
Another Crab’s Treasure
AO Tennis 2
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy
Arcade Game Series: Pac-Man
Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure
Assassin’s Creed III Remastered
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey – Deluxe Edition
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey – Gold Edition
Assassin’s Creed Origins – Deluxe Edition
Assassin’s Creed Origins – Season Pass
Assassin’s Creed Rogue Remastered
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate – Season Pass
Assassin’s Creed Unity
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – Meteor Expansion
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – Ragnarok Edition
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Deluxe PS4 & PS5
Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection
Asterigos: Curse of the Stars Deluxe Edition
Astral Ascent
Batman: Arkham VR
Bayonetta & Vanquish 10th Anniversary Bundle
Bee Simulator
Ben 10
Beyond the Dawn Ultimate Edition
Biped
Bloodborne Complete Edition Bundle
BloodRayne 2: ReVamped PS5
BloodRayne: ReVamped PS5
Builder Simulator
Bus Simulator
Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop – Gold Edition
Call of Duty Ghosts & Season Pass Bundle
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare – Digital Pro Edition
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
Call of Duty: Black Ops III – Zombies Chronicles Edition
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare – Digital Deluxe Edition
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered
Call of Duty: WWII – Digital Deluxe
Call of Duty®: Black Ops Cold War – Standard Edition
Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare®
Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions – Deluxe Edition
Cartel Tycoon
Cat Quest III: The Fur-tastic Trilogy
CATAN® – Console Edition
Catherine: Full Body
Cities: Skylines – PlayStation 4 Edition
Cities: Skylines PS5
Clock Tower: Rewind
Code Vein
Code Vein – Season Pass
College Football – AFB Bundle
Construction Simulator
Contra Anniversary Collection
Contra: Operation Galuga
Core Keeper
Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled
Crysis Remastered Trilogy
Darkest Dungeon
Darkest Dungeon II
Darkest Dungeon: Ancestral Edition
Darkest Dungeon®
Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle PS5
Dead by Daylight: Donut Chapter
Dead Cells: DLC Bundle
Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania Bundle
Dead Island 2 Expansion Pass
Dead Island 2 Main Game
Dead Island: Definitive Edition
Dead Rising 2
Dead Rising 2: Off the Record
Dead Rising 4: Frank’s Big Package
Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster
DEATHLOOP Deluxe Edition
Demeo
DEMON SLAYER : KIMETSU NO YAIBA THE HINOKAMI CHRONICLES
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles Core Add-on Bundle
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles Ultimate Edition
Demon’s Souls Digital Deluxe Edition
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Diablo® IV Base Game Bundle
DIGIMON SURVIVE
DiRT Rally 2.0: Game of the Year Edition
Dishonored® Definitive Edition
Dishonored®: Death of the Outsider™
DOOM 3
DOOM Eternal Deluxe Edition – PS4 & PS5
Dragon Age: Inquisition Deluxe Edition
Dragon Ball Xenoverse
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT Legendary Edition
Dragon Quest Builders 2
Dragon’s Dogma 2 DeluxeEdition
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen
DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing (BASE GAME)
DREDGE
DREDGE – The Pale Reach
Dying Light – Hellraid
Dying Light: The Following – Enhanced Edition
DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS
DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS Digital Deluxe Edition
Dysmantle
End of Zoe_PS5
ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights
ENDER MAGNOLIA
Exoprimal_PS5
Extra Content Shop All Access Voucher PS4 & PS5 (PS5)
Fallout 4
FANTASIAN Neo Dimension
Far Cry 4
Far Cry 5
Far Cry New Dawn – Ultimate Edition
Far Cry® 6 – Game of the Year Edition
FAR CRY®6 Standard Edition
Fear the Spotlight
FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES Remastered Edition
Final Fantasy IX – Digital Edition
Final Fantasy VII
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH
Final Fantasy VII Remake
FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE & REBIRTH Twin Pack
FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE
Final Fantasy VIII Remastered
Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster
Final Fantasy XV – Royal Edition
FINAL FANTASY XVI
First Responder Police Firefighting Bundle
Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise
Five Nights at Freddy’s VR: Help Wanted
Football Manager 2024 Console
For Honor – Standard Edition
For Honor – Ultimate Edition
Forspoken Digital Deluxe Edition
FRONT MISSION 2: Remake
Funko Fusion + Bob Ross Bundle
G.I. JOE: WRATH OF COBRA
Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection
Ghostwire: Tokyo Deluxe Edition
God Eater 3
God of War
God of War Ragnarök
Golden Idol Mysteries
Golf With Your Friends – Olympus Odyssey Course
Golf With Your Friends – Peaceful Pines Course
Gran Turismo 7 Standard Edition
Graveyard Keeper: Last Journey Edition
Gravity Rush Remastered
Greedfall
GRID Legends (PS5)
Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Future Tone Bundle
Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Future Tone Mega Mix Encore Pack
Hell Let Loose – Ultimate Edition Upgrade Bundle
Hellblade: Senuas Sacrifice
Hello Neighbor: Search and Rescue
High On Life
High On Life Bundle
High On Life: High On Knife
HITMAN 3 – Trinity Pack
Homefront: The Revolution
Hotel Renovator – Five Star Edition
House Flipper
House Flipper – Garden
House Flipper – Luxury
House Flipper – Pets
House Flipper 2
House of Golf 2
Human: Fall Flat
Humankind Heritage Deluxe Edition
Hunt: Showdown 1896
Hunting Simulator 2 Elite Edition
inFAMOUS Second Son
Infinity Strash: DRAGON QUEST The Adventure of Dai
Injustice 2
Injustice: Gods Among Us – Ultimate Edition
Inscryption
JUJUTSUKAISEN
Jurassic World Evolution 2: Park Managers’ Collection Pack
Just Cause 4: Reloaded
Killer Frequency
Killing Floor 2
Killing Floor 2 – Ultimate Edition Upgrade
Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix
Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue
Kingdom Hearts III – Re:Mind
KINGDOM HEARTS Melody of Memory
Kingdoms and Castles
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1-2 Remastered™
LEGO DC Super-Villains
LEGO DC Super-Villains – Season Pass
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 – Season Pass
LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens Deluxe Edition
LEGO The Incredibles
LES MILLS BODYCOMBAT
Life is Strange 2 – Complete Season
Life is Strange 2 – Episode 2
Life is Strange: Double Exposure
Life is Strange: Double Exposure – Ultimate Edition
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth – Ultimate Edition
Little Nightmares
LIVE A LIVE (PS5)
Madden NFL 25 – AFB Edition
Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite – Character Pass
Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite – Standard Edition
Mass Effect™ Legendary Edition
Medieval Dynasty
Mega Man 11
Mega Man 30th Anniversary Bundle
Mega Man X Legacy Collection
Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1+2
Mega Man X Legacy Collection 2
Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection
Megaman Battle Network Legacy Collection
METAL GEAR SOLID 1
METAL GEAR SOLID 2
METAL GEAR SOLID MASTER COLLECTION Vol.1
Metal Gear Solid V: The Definitive Experience
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor – Game of the Year Edition
Middle-earth: Shadow of War – Definitive Edition
Miraculous: Paris Under Siege – Deluxe Edition
Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten
Monster Hunter Stories
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin Deluxe Edition
Morbid: The Lords of Ire
Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns Expansion
Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns Kollection
Mortal Kombat 11
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate Add-On Bundle
Mortal Shell
MotoGP™22 PS4 & PS5
MudRunner – American Wilds Edition
MX vs ATV Legends – 2024 Monster Energy Supercross Edition
MXGP 24: The Official Game
My Friend Peppa Pig: Complete Edition
My Hero One’s Justice
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 Full Burst
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Legacy
Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker – Season Pass 2
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm
Need for Speed™ Hot Pursuit Remastered
Neva
NHL 25
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom
NieR:Automata Game of the YoRHa Edition
OCTOPATH TRAVELER 2 Main
Okami + Kunitsu-Gami Bundle
Okami HD
One Piece: World Seeker
Onimusha: Warlords
Outcast – A New Beginning
Overcooked! + Overcooked! 2
Overpass 2
Pacific Drive: Deluxe Edition
Palworld
Party Animals
Party Animals Deluxe Group
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
Paw Patrol The Movie: Adventure City Calls
PEAKY BLINDERS: THE KINGS RANSOM VR
Persona 3 Reload Digital Deluxe Edition
Persona 4 Arena Ultimax
Persona 5 Tactica
PGA Tour 23
Phasmophobia
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy
Pillars of Eternity: Complete Edition
Planet Coaster 2
Planet Zoo: North America & Europe Bundle
Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville: Deluxe Edition
