Category: PlayStation

PS Blog Game of the Year 2025: The Winners

Today, we reveal how your votes shaped the PlayStation Blog Game of the Year awards for 2025. This year’s voting saw nearly 1.5 million votes cast across the awards’ 19 categories, with your choices, and your choices only, deciding which games would earn the coveted top spots and accompanying trophies. 

As with every year, the awards are a chance for you to help highlight the experiences that made your gaming year, and by extension, the creatives who have crafted those games. And as with every year, there was an abundance of titles to select from, leading to some tough choices. 

Before we dive into the category winners, a thank you to all the creators whose collaborative work has brought PlayStation players so much enjoyment the world over these past 12 months. 

And without further ado, the games which received the most player votes in each category are… 

Best New Character

Platinum Trophy: Atsu (Ghost of Yōtei)

Gold Trophy: Hornet (Hollow Knight: Silksong)
Silver Trophy: Maelle (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)
Bronze Trophy: Hinako (Silent Hill f)

The category acknowledges the careful amalgamation of multiple creative disciplines, from concept design, through in-game modelling, to motion capture and voice work, that result in captivating characters. And 2025 was rich with iconic protagonists. 

That included Silent Hill f’s Hinako, with players unearthing her story as she faced horrors that corrupted and twisted her quiet hometown life. The tag-team delivery of Sandfall Interactive’s artistry and Jennifer English’s performance that etched Expedition 33’s Maelle in such vivid detail. The quiet confidence of Silksong’s Hornet, and the sublime animations that defined her every leap and strike. Yet it was Ghost of Yōtei’s Atsu that caught the most attention. Striking design, a growing, multi-disciplined combat style that thrilled the senses, and a deeply personal, fully-formed character arc that carefully interwove revenge and redemption across a dense open world rich with stories. Sucker Punch Productions and voice actor Erika Ishii, take a bow. 

Best Story 

Platinum Trophy: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Gold Trophy: Ghost of Yōtei
Silver Trophy: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Bronze Trophy: Silent Hill f

Silent Hill f’s small town horror. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach’s sweeping narrative. Ghost of Yōtei’s complex quest for revenge. All demanded dissection, but it was Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s whose endings quickly became essential post-game discussion, a sign a story has found a cultural echo. Beyond its disarmingly authentic dialogue and some incredible bits of wisdom (whee whoo whee whoo), perhaps the game’s most striking achievement is how elegantly it maintains the delicate balance between darkness and light: levity and warmth cutting through the heavy existential themes with precise, intentional timing. Clair obscur, if you will. 

Best Graphical Showcase 

Platinum Trophy: Ghost of Yōtei

Gold Trophy: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Silver Trophy: Battlefield 6
Bronze Trophy: Arc Raiders

With each passing year, creators turn growing familiarity with PS5 hardware to craft increasingly detailed depictions of worlds that edge towards photorealism. Despite danger hidden in every stairwell and creek, Arc Raiders players couldn’t help but take time to soak in the quiet, unsettling beauty of its many devastated battlegrounds. Equally Battlefield 6’s upped the franchise’s appetite for destruction, making it hard to ignore the wider spectacle even as you focused on survival. Plenty of you showed your appreciation of Death Stranding 2’s potent mix of evocative landscapes, sci-fi design and outstanding character models. 

But it was Ghost of Yōtei’s jaw-dropping foliage density, stunning use of ray tracing and rich detail with every aspect of life in Ezo that saw the most support as players named it the most graphically impressive PlayStation title of 2025.

Best Art Direction

Platinum Trophy: Ghost of Yōtei

Gold Trophy: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Silver Trophy: Hollow Knight: Silksong
Bronze Trophy: Silent Hill f

The diverse work of the Best Art Direction’s top four spoke to creators with strong visions when fashioning their respective virtual worlds. Silent Hill f wrapped the horror franchise’s hooks with the myths and culture of 1960s Japan, turning a peaceful small town into a labyrinth of terror. Team Cherry conceived an entirely new, equally captivating insect kingdom in Silksong’s oppressive Pharloom, making every corner and denizen – dangerous or otherwise – a must-see. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s painterly look drew inspiration from multiple art styles to dazzling effect, and made a great excuse to fire up the game’s Photo Mode. 

Yet it’s Ghost of Yōtei you voted on to take the top spot. Sucker Punch, building on successes of Ghost of Tsushima and an ever-growing confidence in utilizing PS5 hardware, who fashioned an evocative snapshot of the rural wilderness of 1600s Japan that demands to be explored.

Best Audio Design 

Platinum Trophy: Ghost of Yōtei

Gold Trophy: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Silver Trophy: Battlefield 6
Bronze Trophy: Hollow Knight: Silksong

Great audio design solidifies the world around you, combining SFX, 3D audio, music and more, making you feel relaxed, elated or fearful in an instant. Your picks for category winners are exemplary at this. The sound of a distant chant helps give you direction through an unexplored corner of Pharloom in Silksong. Picking out the stomp of approaching threats amidst a symphony of destructive explosions and crackle of gunfire in Battlefield 6. The roar of a sandstorm or the howls of BTs twisting your gut in Death Stranding 2. 

And for Platinum winner Ghost of Yōtei, it’s how Sucker Punch brought the sounds of Japan to life. Not just wildlife and fauna, but the crunch of swords, or the twang of the shamisen reverberating out of the DualSense controller’s speaker, and the sound of the wind whipping around you that make the Ezo feel like a real place waiting to be explored. 

Best Soundtrack

Platinum Trophy: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Gold Trophy: Ghost of Yōtei
Silver Trophy: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Bronze Trophy: Hollow Knight: Silksong

Plenty of great music caught your ear in 2025, with strong contenders – and voting – in this category. Ultimately your choices landed on four distinct scores. Christopher Larkin returned to Hollow Knight’s underworld for another acclaimed atmospheric score that helped define Silksong’s sprawling areas and its cast. Similarly Ludvig Forssell, alongside a star-studded lineup of artists, returned to Death Stranding 2 to define its soundscape once more. Composer Toma Otowa kept Ghost of Yōtei’s soundtrack powerfully authentic with Japanese instrumentation (and a nod to the low-fi beats produced for the game’s Watanabe Mode in collaboration with Cowboy Bebop’s Shinichirō Watanabe). 

Yet it was Lorien Testard’s work on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 that caught most ears. Its music showcased an impressive range, from unapologetically funky character themes to stripped-back spoken word, sweeping orchestral arrangements, and Alice Duport-Percier’s soaring vocals. Expertly woven through the game, it’s a score that you decided most deserved this year’s Platinum. 

Best Accessibility Features 

Platinum Trophy: Ghost of Yōtei

Gold Trophy: Battlefield 6
Silver Trophy: Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Bronze Trophy: Split Fiction

Developers continued to emphasize accessibility features in 2025 in myriad ways, and your votes showed your appreciation for creators’ efforts in this area. Battlefield 6 added controls for tinnitus-like sounds, Assassin’s Creed Shadows included tone indicators for its subtitles, and Split Fiction allowed players to skip difficult combat and platforming sections. 

But taking the win this year is Ghost of Yōtei, which took all the great features from Ghost of Tsushima and added in even more – from visual assists to help attacks stand out, to alternate-input options for touch and motion controls.

Best Use of DualSense 

Platinum Trophy: Ghost of Yōtei

Gold Trophy: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Silver Trophy: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Bronze Trophy: Battlefield 6

Developers flexed their growing familiarity with PS5’s unique hardware features in 2025. Battlefield 6’s weapons felt distinct thanks to adaptive triggers translating trigger pull and recoil to the players’ hands, while you felt the impact of explosions with the DualSense controller’s haptic feedback. Similar feedback immersed you in the rhythm of Expedition 33’s combat, while Death Stranding 2 transported you into Sam’s shoes, mimicking the trudge through snow or mud, the pull of heavy cargo, and more. 

All that said, voters threw the majority of their weight behind Ghost of Yotei’s DualSense controller implementation. Be it quality-of-life shortcuts, interactive moments such as camping, or the clash of steel during combat, hats off to Sucker Punch for another title cleverly tapping into unique PlayStation features.

Best Rerelease (Remaster) 

Platinum Trophy: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

Gold Trophy: Days Gone Remastered
Silver Trophy: Tomb Raider IV–VI Remastered
Bronze Trophy: Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles

A tight race for the coveted Platinum prize saw The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered ultimately take the crown. This enhanced version of the seminal 2006 RPG benefitted from massively upgraded visuals and polish, as did Bend Studios’ update to fan favorite Days Gone. Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered and Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles also saw strong support in Game of the Year Awards voting.

Best Multiplayer Experience 

Platinum Trophy: Battlefield 6

Gold Trophy: Arc Raiders
Silver Trophy: Marvel Rivals
Bronze Trophy: Split Fiction

Battlefield 6’s action-packed, large-scale multiplayer battles struck a nerve with PS5 players, earning a big Platinum trophy for Battlefield Studios. Hotshot Arc Raiders also saw strong support in the polls, with gamers appreciating its fresh take on the extraction shooter genre. Marvel Rivals and Split Fiction took the Silver and Bronze prizes, demonstrating the robust depth and breadth of multiplayer experiences released over the past year.

Best Ongoing Game 

Platinum Trophy: Genshin Impact

Gold Trophy: Marvel Rivals
Silver Trophy: Fortnite
Bronze Trophy: Honkai: Star Rail

Best Ongoing Game recognises those games whose original launch may be years past, but who continue to delight players with huge new content packs and seasonal updates to keep gameplay fresh and fans guessing what’s next. Launched only last year, young buck Marvel Rivals has already made its mark on the multiplayer landscape, rubbing shoulders with established titan Fortnite, which continued to produce fantastic crossover events with big name IPs and expanded its gameplay offerings. 

In the end, publisher MiHoYo pulled off that rarest of wins, earning two trophies in one category, thanks to your votes for two of their ongoing titles: Bronze for Honkai: Star Rail, and Platinum for Genshin Impact. 

Best Expansion 

Platinum Trophy: Lies of P: Overture

Gold Trophy: Helldivers 2: Heart of Democracy
Silver Trophy: Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Claws of Awaji
Bronze Trophy: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle – The Order of Giants

While many expansions continue the adventures of core characters, Platinum trophy winner Lies of P: Overture took a different approach, in the form of a sizable prequel that fills in the story prior to the events of the main game. That slimmer frame still boasted a complete package, distilling down what made the main game enticing, including a cavalcade of new challenging bosses to further sharpen your combat-honed skills on. 

Your votes went to other deserving winners as well: Helldivers 2 surprised players by putting them on backfoot as they fought on (and for) the streets of Super Earth in Heart of Democracy. Indy’s adventure in Rome expanded to fold in another ancient mystery by way of The Order of the Giants expansion, while Claws of Awaji sated Assassin’s Creed Shadows players eager for more ninja and samurai action. 

Best Sports Game 

Platinum Trophy: Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds

Gold Trophy: Forza Horizon 5
Silver Trophy: EA Sports FC 26
Bronze Trophy: Rematch

The all-star cast and reality-bending courses of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds took the checkered flag this year, with fellow racer Forza Horizon 5 not far behind. EA Sports FC and newcomer Rematch rounded out the list, with each representing different expressions of The World’s Game.

Best Independent Game 

Platinum Trophy: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Gold Trophy: Hollow Knight: Silksong
Silver Trophy: Dispatch
Bronze Trophy: Ready or Not

These smaller teams yielded big results! The majority of your votes weighed towards titles that included clever gameplay hooks or unique presentations to make for new and exciting experiences. From the vast world of Clair Obscur, to the superheroic drama of Dispatch, these imaginative indies prove the future of gaming lies in innovation and thoughtful iteration. 

Best PS VR2 Game 

Platinum Trophy: Alien: Rogue Incursion

Gold Trophy: Hitman World of Assassination
Silver Trophy: The Midnight Walk
Bronze Trophy: Zombie Army VR

Survios struck black goo with its virtuoso VR take on the iconic Alien series, which scored the Platinum award despite a tight race with IO Interactive’s Hitman: World of Assassination. The Midnight Walk’s moody adventure and Zombie Army VR’s red-meat combat also got recognized as being among the best of 2025’s PS VR2 offerings.

Best PS4 Game 

Platinum Trophy: Hollow Knight: Silksong

Gold Trophy: Elden Ring Nightreign
Silver Trophy: Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
Bronze Trophy: Call of Duty: Black Ops 7

Recognised with Bronze, Silver, and Gold trophies across other categories, it’s in Best PS4 Game that Hollow Knight: Silksong claims the Platinum. Team Cherry’s utterly captivating and tensely challenging 2D platformer wasn’t without staunch competition, from FromSoftware’s multiplayer take on its acclaimed Elden Ring series, the fresh spin on arcade racing dynasty in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, and the heavyweight of Call of Duty returning to the PS4 frontlines with Black Ops 7. 

Best PS5 Game 

Platinum Trophy: Ghost of Yōtei

Gold Trophy: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Silver Trophy: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Bronze Trophy: Arc Raiders

In a year full of acclaimed games, it’d be tough to pick a shortlist. And that proved true for Best PS5 Game, which saw your votes nearly evenly split throughout the whole period of the polls being open. It was only in the closing hours that the winning order was solidified. Though a later release this year, Arc Raiders quickly attracted plenty of heat, spawning numerous gameplay clips and stories by players detailing narrow wins and surprise betrayals. Death Stranding 2’s suite of new and retooled mechanics made Sam Bridges’ biggest challenges a joy for players to experience, while Expedition 33 found a unique groove in its take on turn-based combat, and combined it with a story and world that has electrified many of you. 

Following a tight race, in the end, the  Platinum went to Ghost of Yōtei. Sucker Punch’s sophomore effort improved on every aspect of the first game, then layered on top of that new features, a new cast, and new story. 

Studio of the Year 

Platinum Trophy: Kojima Productions

Gold Trophy: Sandfall Interactive
Silver Trophy: Sucker Punch Productions
Bronze Trophy: Team Cherry

As we tally up the votes, it’s clear that several studios have left an indelible mark on 2025. Sandfall Interactive’s debut showcased their absolute confidence in their identity, while Sucker Punch and Team Cherry released hugely anticipated adventures to critical acclaim. 

However, it was Kojima Productions who claimed the Platinum trophy for Studio of the Year after the release of Death Stranding 2 and a ‘round the world’ tour to showcase their work. While the game reached new and existing fans alike, the studio tapped into pop culture, connecting them with their audience on a level few studios can achieve. 

Most Anticipated Game of 2026 and Beyond

Platinum Trophy: Marvel’s Wolverine

Gold Trophy: Resident Evil Requiem
Silver Trophy: 007 First Light
Bronze Trophy: LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight

In recent years, the Most Anticipated Game category has proven to be the most fiercely fought of the entire awards. This year was no different, with an extensive list of new games to look forward to, and you showing your excitement for all with votes cast far and wide, and the most write-in votes of the entire awards. 

Yet the race was particularly tight between the top two placements.  The final result? Resident Evil Requiem earns Gold, but it’s Marvel’s Wolverine that takes the Platinum this year.

The secrets behind Ghost of Yōtei’s The Spider Lily General myth

“I wouldn’t go in there,” warns traveling storyteller Ugetsu, as Atsu approaches two large and looming wooden doors. “Because you may not return.”

It’s a caution many Ghost of Yōtei players loved to ignore. As the trigger point for revered side-quest The Spider Lily General, that ominous gate is the start of a haunting mythological adventure that lingers long in memory after its completion. Only fitting for a game that launched so close to Halloween.

I spoke to Creative Directors, Nate Fox and Jason Connell, to find out the inspiration and secrets behind The Spider Lily General, and how they felt about the optional quest’s popularity. But, similar to Ugetsu, I must warn you – there are spoilers ahead. You might want to play this mission before venturing any further…

The quest’s origins

“The Spider Lily General was actually one of the earliest missions in the game and one of the first Mythic Tales we created,” reveals Jason. “It came from one of our designers and writers, and we dissected what makes a great Mythic mission, how they’d look and feel.”

While these particular side-quests can be inspired by historical figures, The Spider Lily General was crafted as an original tale to represent the trauma of war. The titular warrior’s battle prowess and armour turned him into a legend, but after retiring, the General accidently injures his daughter during a sparring session. Seeing his child die from a wound he inflicted poisons the General with unrelenting grief, leading to him haunting the forest. And now looters hunt for his armour, often dying by the ghost’s sword.

“We knew we wanted the story to maybe have some tragedy associated with it,” says Jason. “And at some point the writer suggested it could be a point of reflection for Atsu, who helps him heal. She’s fighting him, but understands his trauma.”

But why spider lilies? Was there some specific symbolism in their use, given the myth says they sprouted wherever the General spilled his victims’ blood?

“They’re actually toxic, and in real life they’re planted in graveyards to keep away animals,” explains Nate. “So they represent death, as well as connecting to emotional relationships. They also had a functional in-game purpose – early playable feedback suggested it was a bit hard to understand where to go and what to do in the mission because the area is so large. So the lilies made it clearer how to move through the mist.”

Developing horror

The practical use of the lilies were just one of many mechanical aspects Sucker Punch had to consider for a quest which took on such an eerie feel in contrast to much of the main game.

“We don’t have a lot of experience with that sort of horror tone,” says Nate. “So there were specific ways to make it feel like the world is not as you know it. The little maze, a music stinger, and hearing people wailing in the distance. Or reaching a bunch of enemies before a mist rolls in and you then find them all slaughtered.

“There’s also the use of negative space, like when you start the quest and go up a staircase with the mist coming down and the spider lilies going up, with old corpses present… but nothing is attacking you. That long walk is simply there to immerse you in the tone.”

Early development concepts of the Spider Lily mission by Sucker Punch.

“We were inspired by elements from past survival horror games,” explains Jason. “The prototypes explored weird camera angles. It was really challenging, but even if we didn’t use them it set the vibe for what we were trying to achieve.

The atmosphere is one of the biggest tools we have. You paint the whole scene with mood. We made the spooky moon a little bigger and changed the lighting and colour grading to get the right black level. Sound design is a big thing, too, as well as the music, like the special track during the duel.”

Its influence on the wider game

Similar to the impact The Spider Lily General had on players, its early inclusion to Ghost of Yōtei’s development helped set a high bar not just for the other Mythic quests, but also for the entire adventure.

“The mission paved the way to ensure that the rest of the game had that level of quality and majesty,” says Jason. “A lot of the core parts of what makes the atmosphere and visual style of a Ghost game distinct got re-pioneered in that moment – and it reminded us of how important it is to use really great visual attractions to draw the player in.”

“That’s one of my favourite things about the mission,” agrees Nate. “When you’re riding your horse in this expansive field, the player has the choice of where they want to go. But when you look at the forest, it’s got a little bit of mist on it and you see this beautiful pagoda popping up out of the top, and it really excites your curiosity. The player discovers the story under their own power. It’s a powerful experience.”

The impact of myth on players… and the studio

The work and thought gone into The Spider Lily General is reflective of the entire game, but the team is happy with how players have responded to this particular mission, especially given how invested the studio was in creating the Mythics.

“Nate and I were pretty excited about the way they came out in Ghost of Tsushima,” says Jason. “So we knew that we wanted to build them again in their own new way for Ghost of Yōtei. And it’s cool to see people really enjoy The Spider Lily General. It’s got a lot of the hallmarks of a Ghost game in its roots. So as creators it’s really joyful to see people take photos and talk about why they like that mission.”

“We set out to make a game that is an anthology of stories where the player is invited to really wander, and follow their curiosity,” says Nate. “And The Spider Lily General is a great example of the kinds of things you can discover by going out there and exploring, in its own self-contained short story.

“It has a really strong beginning, middle, and end, with characters you get to know. Everyone in the team is very proud of how it came together.”

Ghost of Yōtei is available for PS5 now.

Aaero2: Black Razor Edition – how PSP and Guitar Hero led to this rhythm-action game

Let me tell you how a PlayStation in a Welsh recording studio sparked a three-decade journey into the rhythm-action genre. This is the birth of our upcoming game, Aaero2: Black Razor Edition, which is available now on PS5..

As the 90s came to an end, my band had just signed our first record deal and we were living at a recording studio in Wales, recording our first EP. One evening, with my guitar parts, the bass and drums already in the bag, the drummer and I noticed a PlayStation under the TV in the lounge. There were two games; Colin McRae Rally and PaRappa the Rapper. We played a lot of Colin McRae before deciding to give the other odd-looking game a go. That’s where it all started for me and rhythm games. I’ve been obsessed with video games since I was little. The revelation that playing music and playing video games had a crossover point was huge.

Aaero2: Black Razor Edition – how PSP and Guitar Hero led to this rhythm-action game

Entering the games industry

After relentless hustling and following the least orthodox route imaginable (Musician > Engraver > Tattoo Artist > Architectural 3D Artist > Video Game Artist) I landed my first game job as an environment artist at Codemasters. It was at Codemasters – the home of Colin McRae Rally – that I first worked with Dan. A brilliant programmer and I’m struggling to find the right words. Let’s go with ‘enigmatic eccentric’. The PlayStation 2 was brand new and the bleeding edge of gaming. It was such an exciting time to be making games.

B-Boy, PSP, and the music/game connection

In 2002, a group of six guys broke away from Codemasters and Rare to form a new studio called FreeStyleGames. They were working on an exclusive game for PlayStation 2 and PSP called B-Boy. The connection of music and gaming was irresistible. Dan and I migrated over. In addition to art, the B-Boy project and smaller team structure allowed me to get involved in the music/audio side of things as well as game design.

Guitar Hero and the golden age of rhythm gaming

Keeping with the Hip Hop vibe, we went on to make a DJ game which caught the attention of Activision and became DJ Hero. They asked if we could help make content for Guitar Hero. Yes. Yes I can! I hired a team of absolutely incredible musicians and designers. Some musicians at the time scoffed at Guitar Hero and suggested people should play a real guitar instead of wasting time on games, but we disagreed. It was introducing people to music they otherwise may not hear and letting them appreciate it on a whole new level.

The birth of Mad Fellows and Aaero

Dan and I left FreeStyleGames in 2013 to form Mad Fellows. While people often mention Rez when describing Aaero, and it was indeed one of my favourite games, it wasn’t the biggest influence. It was actually most inspired by Gitaroo Man. The use of analog sticks to trace the music comes from my love for iNIS’ timeless classic. I still keep my PSP to hand so I can have a blast through the songs every now and then.

Meeting Wired Productions

While showing an early version of Aaero in 2015 at EGX in London, we first met the guys from Wired Productions. As a massive fan of Arcade Paradise, I had been talking to Leo (Managing Director of Wired Productions and co-founder of Black Razor Records) about how much I loved the soundtrack. The authentic 90s tracks really captured the vibe of the era, and the opportunity to bring this music into Aaero2 as the Arcade Paradise Music Pack was a dream come true. The Lania Kea Music Pack just naturally flowed on from that, and at that point we realised Aaero2 had evolved into something new.

Full circle

Aaero2: Black Razor Edition represents the culmination of many years of experience in music games from both Mad Fellows and Wired Productions. Its release on PlayStation feels like a huge milestone in a three-decade-long personal journey as a gamer and game developer.

Aaero2: Black Razor Edition Is out now on PS5.

Marathon ViDoc highlights the extraction shooters’ dark world and survival challenge

Behind the scenes the team here at Bungie has been incredibly hard at work on Marathon, our brand-new PvPvE extraction shooter* – where the dark sci-fi world of Tau Ceti collides with tense survival FPS gameplay.

In Marathon, players scavenge the lost colony of Tau Ceti IV as a bio-cybernetic Runner while surviving against hostile UESC security forces, rival Runners, and unpredictable environments to seek their fortune.

Today’s ViDoc shares a new look at Marathon’s gameplay and immersive sci-fi setting. The team also explores updates since Alpha, like improved visual fidelity, proximity chat, solo play, and a new Runner shell: Rook.

Marathon ViDoc highlights the extraction shooters’ dark world and survival challenge

Captured on PC

On Tau Ceti, death is the first step.

Your journey begins in the proving grounds of Perimeter, where you’ll get your cybernetic legs under you and learn the basics of how to extract alive. Then, the anomaly-scarred Dire Marsh ups the ante and takes you to the remains of the human colony that’s filled with more danger and bigger rewards. As you grow your vault and survival skills, you’ll make your way to Outpost, the UESC’s forward base of operations with patrols, locked rooms, and loot that will have you tempting fate at each turn.

But, all of that leads up to the endgame. Hanging high above Tau Ceti is the looming UESC Marathon, which houses the Cryo Archive – the first deck you’ll be able to explore aboard the derelict colony ship. Solve raid-like security measures to unseal frozen vaults and pillage the artifacts within. Every cramped corridor forces you into conflict with fully-geared enemy crews racing for the same prize. Breach the seventh vault to challenge an entity that even the UESC fears.

Captured on PC

Unsteady truces, unforgiving worlds, and unforgettable experiences await you on Tau Ceti IV. With huge thanks to our incredible community, we’ve been able to playtest and gather feedback to ensure that we’re building Marathon with our players in mind. We’ve made several improvements, including:

  • Proximity chat, to make on-the-fly alliances – or break them – in the field
  • Rook, our solo scavenger experience
  • Solo Runner queue, so you can test yourself against Tau Ceti’s most challenging odds
  • Updates to visual fidelity across the board, to further immerse you in the world

Whether you were with us back in April for our first Alpha or you’re just joining us now, there’s a rich world full of lore and loot for you to discover when your cybernetic biosynthetic shell takes its first steps into our new world.

Captured on PC

We’ve built Marathon to shine on PlayStation 5, with the goal of delivering smooth, intense combat – whether you’re playing with your crew for a night full of runs, going it solo, or filling into teams of up to three. The PS5’s hardware is perfectly suited for us to bring this dark and gritty world to life, and we can’t wait for you to get your hands on it.

Marathon releases in March 2026 at the target price of $39.99/€39.99/£34.99, with additional regional pricing to be announced.

Keep up with the latest news from our team at Bungie by wishlisting Marathon for PlayStation right here.

If you want to join in on the discussion and chat with the dev team, make sure to head over to the Marathon Official Discord! We’d love to hear your stories, get your feedback, and share what’s coming next as we chart the path forward.

We can’t wait for you to join us on Tau Ceti soon.

*Bungie.net account and internet connection required. Paid for PlayStation Plus membership (sold separately) required on PS5.

PlayStation Plus membership subject to recurring subscription fee taken automatically until cancellation. Age restrictions apply. Full terms: play.st/psplus-usageterms.

Seasons greetings 2025 from PlayStation Blog and friends

Another year has come and gone, but we can’t help looking back at the incredible gaming memories made in 2025. The PlayStation Blog team wants to thank you for your support all year long, and wish you a happy holiday season.

And we’re not alone! We gathered season greetings from our talented friends and studios from across the industry. So grab a cup of cocoa and, and enjoy this year’s collection of holiday greetings. Cheers to 2026!

2K Games (WWE 2K25) ❅ 505 Games ❅ Acquire Corp ❅ Activision ❅ Annapurna Interactive ❅ Arc System Works ❅ Arrowhead Game Studios ❅ Asobo Studio ❅ Astragon ❅ Bandai Namco Entertainment ❅ Behaviour Interactive ❅ Bend Studio ❅ Blizzard Entertainment (Diablo IV) ❅ Blizzard Entertainment (Overwatch 2) ❅ Bloober Team ❅ Bloober Team (Chronos: The New Dawn) ❅ Bluepoint Games ❅ Bokeh Game Studio ❅ Bungie ❅ Capcom ❅ Chrono Studio ❅ Clouded Leopard Entertainment ❅ Crystal Dynamics ❅ Dark Star ❅ Digital Extremes ❅ Dragami Games ❅ Enhance ❅ Enigmatrix ❅ Firaxis Games ❅ Firesprite ❅ Funcom ❅ Gearbox Software ❅ Gemdrops Inc. ❅ Gryphline ❅ Guerrilla ❅ GungHo Online Entertainment ❅ Hangar 13 ❅ HB Studios / 2K Games ❅ Housemarque ❅ Insomniac Games ❅ Inti Creates Co. ❅ Kalypso Media ❅ Klei Entertainment ❅ Koei Tecmo ❅ Konami ❅ Level 5 ❅ Media Molecule ❅ Midgar Studio ❅ Mintrocket ❅ Moon Hood ❅ Naughty Dog ❅ nDreams ❅ NetEase (Ananta) ❅ NetEase (MARVEL Rivals) ❅ NetEase (Naraka: Bladepoint) ❅ NetEase (Once Human) ❅ NetEase (Sea of Remnants) ❅ NetEase (Where Winds Meet) ❅ Nexon (The First Berserker Khazan) ❅ Nexon (The First Descendant) ❅ Nihon Falcom ❅ Nippon Ichi Software ❅ Nuverse ❅ Outerloop Games ❅ Outright Games ❅ Outright Games (Bluey: The Video Game) ❅ Pearl Abyss ❅ Pocketpair Publishing (Never Grave) ❅ Pocketpair Publishing (Palworld) ❅ Polyphony Digital ❅ Raw Fury ❅ RecRoom ❅ Red Candle Games ❅ Resolution Games ❅ Saber Interactive ❅ San Diego Studio ❅ Santa Monica Studio ❅ Sega ❅ Serenity Forge ❅ Shueisha Games ❅ SNK ❅ Spike Chunsoft ❅ Steel Wool Games ❅ Sucker Punch Productions ❅ Supermassive Games ❅ Team ASOBI ❅ Thatgamecompany ❅ The Game Bakers ❅ Tripwire Interactive ❅ Turtle Rock Studios ❅ XL Games ❅ ZA/UM ❅


Holiday card from Sucker Punch Productions


Holiday card from Guerrilla


Holiday card from Housemarque


Holiday card from Insomniac Games


Holiday card from Bloober Team


Holiday card from Bungie


Holiday card from NetEase (Marvel Rivals)

br>Holiday card from Team Asobi


Holiday card from Naughty Dog


Holiday card from Activision


Holiday card from Sega


Holiday card from Santa Monica Studio


Holiday card from Polyphony Digital


Holiday card from Capcom


Holiday card from Bend Studio


Holiday card from Gearbox Software


Holiday card from Bluepoint games


Holiday card from Media Molecule


Holiday card from Konami


Holiday card from Koei Tecmo Games


Holiday card from Firesprite


Holiday card from San Diego Studio


Holiday card from Mintrocket


Holiday card from Bandai Namco Entertainment


Holiday card from Tripwire Interactive


Holiday card from Pocketpair Publishing (Never Grave)

Holiday card from 2K Games (WWE 2K25)


Holiday card from Crystal Dynamics


Holiday card from Astragon

Holiday card from Pearl Abyss


Holiday card from NetEase (Where Winds Meet)


Holiday card from Behaviour Interactive


Holiday card from Blizzard Entertainment (Diablo IV)


Holiday card from Funcom


Holiday card from Hangar 13

Holiday card from 505 Games


Holiday card from Firaxis Games


Holiday card from Outright Games (Bluey: The Video Game)


Holiday card from Arc System Works


Holiday card from SNK


Holiday card from The Game Bakers


Holiday card from Enigmatrix


Holiday card from Chrono Studio


Holiday card from NetEase (Ananta)

Holiday card from Annapurna Interactive


Holiday card from Digital Extremes

Holiday card from Enhance


Holiday card from Asobo Studio


Holiday card from nDreams


Holiday card from Gemdrops Inc.


Holiday card from Acquire Corp


Holiday card from Gryphline


Holiday card from Inti Creates Co.


Holiday card from Spike Chunsoft.


Holiday card from Kalypso Media


Holiday card from Blizzard Entertainment (Overwatch 2)


Holiday card from Raw Fury


Holiday card from Bloober Team (Chronos: The New Dawn)


Holiday card from NetEase (Naraka)


Holiday card from Klei Entertainment


Holiday card from Level 5


Holiday card from Nexon (The First Descendant)


Holiday card from Supermassive Games


Holiday card from Midgar Studio


Holiday card from Saber


Holiday card from Moon Hood


Holiday card from Thatgamecompany


Holiday card from Nexon (The First Berserker Khazan)

Holiday card from HB Studios / 2K Games


Holiday card from Nihon Falcom


Holiday card from Clouded Leopard Entertainment


Holiday card from Nuverse


Holiday card from Outerloop Games


Holiday card from RecRoom


Holiday card from NetEase (Once Human)


Holiday card from ZA/UM


Holiday card from Serenity Forge


Holiday card from Pocketpair Publishing (Palworld)


Holiday card from GungHo Online Entertainment


Holiday card from Resolution Games


Holiday card from NetEase (Sea of Remnants)


Holiday card from Shueisha Games


Holiday card from Outright Games


Holiday card from Steel Wool Studios


Holiday card from Turtle Rock Studios


Holiday card from Dragami Games


Holiday card from Bokeh Game Studio


Holiday card from XL Games


Holiday card from Red Candle Games


Holiday card from Dark Star


Holiday card from Tencent

Share of the Week: Zoomed Out

Last week, asked you to step back and take in the view, sharing zoomed out moments using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here’s this week’s highlights:

​​

marcospnabz shares Sam at the top of a mountain peak in Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

​​

JarrinWasHere shares Bayek sliding down a pyramid in Assassin’s Creed Origins

FrameCaptured shares Wander taking in the vast landscape of Shadow of the Colossus.

AkiraAoyama_VP shares Amicia walking through a field in A Plague Tale: Requiem

Chimychingles shares Atsu approaching a clifftop shrine in Ghost of Yōtei

​​

SwayamGaikwad25 shares Gustave gazing out at the Paintress in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme, or be inspired by other great games featuring Photo Mode. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week?

THEME: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on December 17, 2025 

Next week, we’re taking to the skies. Share aerial feats using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

Capcom The Game Awards recap: Resident Evil Requiem, Pragmata, and Mega Man: Dual Override

Greetings to all the PlayStation fans! Did you get a chance to watch The Game Awards 2025? Alongside celebrating the standout titles of the year, the show saw a wave of exciting new game announcements.

Capcom had three big reveals at the show: Pragmata’s release date, the unveiling of Mega Man: Dual Override, and the return of Leon S. Kennedy as the second protagonist of Resident Evil Requiem. Let’s review the details here in this PlayStation Blog.

Capcom The Game Awards recap: Resident Evil Requiem, Pragmata, and Mega Man: Dual Override

Pragmata launches April 24, 2026

Pragmata is a sci-fi action-adventure game that follows spacefarer Hugh Williams and an android girl Diana in a futuristic lunar setting. The game offers a unique gameplay system that seamlessly blends puzzles and action, earning widespread acclaim at multiple game shows around the world.

The release date for Pragmata has officially been announced for April 24, 2026! Pre-orders are also open today.

In addition to the Standard Edition, a Deluxe Edition will also be available, featuring exclusive skins for Hugh and Diana, a starting weapon skin, remixed BGM, a Diana emote set, and special development art materials.

Pre-ordering the physical edition or digital edition comes with an exclusive pre-order bonus: Hugh’s “Neo Bushido” costume and Diana’s “Neo Kunoichi” costume.

Make sure to pre-order now to get your hands on these bonus items!

Capcom The Game Awards recap: Resident Evil Requiem, Pragmata, and Mega Man: Dual Override

Mega Man: Dual Override arrives in 2027

Mega Man: Dual Override arrives in 2027, the same year the series will celebrate its 40th anniversary.

We look forward to sharing more information in the future, but in the meantime, we hope you take note of Mega Man’s new look and the familiar whistle at the end of the video.

Please wait a little longer for more information about the Blue Bomber’s next adventure.

Capcom The Game Awards recap: Resident Evil Requiem, Pragmata, and Mega Man: Dual Override

Leon S. Kennedy returns in Resident Evil Requiem

Last but not least, Resident Evil Requiem. Along with FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft, it has been announced that Leon S. Kennedy will be joining as the second protagonist of the game.

Step into the world of terror with FBI analyst Grace, then embrace the thrill of survival alongside veteran agent Leon. Their contrasting gameplay styles and intertwined stories deliver a dual experience that will be sure to chill players to their very core.

To prepare for the release on February 27, 2026, a Deluxe Edition featuring additional downloadable content, such as character costumes, is available for preorders. Don’t miss this opportunity to get your hands on the special costumes.
 

I hope you enjoyed the three big announcements made by Capcom.
Capcom is also planning a Resident Evil Showcase early next year to share more information about the game before its release, so make sure you mark your calendars.

Thank you very much for reading to the end. We hope your year-end and New Year are packed with fun and unforgettable gaming moments!

Tomb Raider: Catalyst and Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis coming to PS5

Your next adventures await. In collaboration with Amazon Game Studios and Crystal Dynamics, the legacy of Lara Croft continues with two new games coming to PlayStation 5. Join Lara for her biggest adventure yet in Tomb Raider: Catalyst (2027), plus a true reimagining of her debut adventure, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis (2026). At the heart of both adventures, Lara Croft, confident, complex, and extremely accurate with two pistols, will be voiced by the talented Alix Wilton Regan.

Tomb Raider: Catalyst and Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis coming to PS5

Tomb Raider: Catalyst

Coming 2027

When ancient secrets and mysterious guardian forces are unleashed by a mythical cataclysm, Lara races to uncover the truth beneath the fractured landscape of Northern India before the world’s most notorious treasure hunters can use its power for their own gain. As the ancient world collides with the present, Lara must decide who to trust among rivals and allies, prevent a catastrophe, and protect a secret that could reshape the future.

Get ready to embark on the largest Tomb Raider adventure to date. Tomb Raider: Catalyst features a vertically rich platforming playground of seamless wilderness layered with hidden depths of discovery. Lara will explore dense jungles, scale towering mountains, and descend into mysterious ruins using her richly customized adventure tech. With unmatched wit alongside athletic prowess, there are no secrets she can’t overcome.

Tomb Raider: Catalyst and Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis coming to PS5

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis

Coming 2026

Some legends are destined to be retold. As Lara Croft, explore exotic locations lost to time — from the jungles of Peru to the ancient ruins of Greece, the deserts of Egypt, and a mysterious Mediterranean island shrouded in myth. Traverse treacherous landscapes, solve deadly contraptions, and face lethal predators as you hunt for the scattered pieces of the Scion, an artifact of immeasurable power.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Tomb Raider in 2026, we’re honoring its origins for new players, while delivering even more of the engaging experiences longtime fans know and love — stylish acrobatics through lost tombs, discreet secrets scattered across alluring environments, and intricate puzzles filled with eureka moments that leave us yearning for discovery.

Developed in partnership between Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is a true reimagining of Lara Croft’s 1996 debut game. Whether you’re a veteran raider or ready for your first adventure with Lara, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis instills a new sense of discovery to the original through modern game design, stunning graphics, and new surprises.

Welcome to the next chapter of Tomb Raider

Want extra outfit options for Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis? Sign up for an Amazon Games iD account and get the exclusive Mediterranean Wetsuit Outfit when you link your Amazon Games iD to your PlayStation Network account. The outfit will be available in-game at launch.

Wishlist Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis today at PlayStation Store and stay tuned for future updates.

The Helldivers 2 x Killzone items return as a Legendary Warbond Dec 18

Attention, Helldivers!

Helldivers 2 x Killzone is back and this time, it’s back for good! It seems fitting that a year after their initial launch, we bring back this iconic content but now in a new and improved format and pricing – yes, we totally heard you all! 

Along with our partners at Guerrilla, we’re pleased to announce Helldivers 2 x Killzone is now officially a Legendary Warbond*, costing 1500 Super Credits. We couldn’t just add the same stuff as before and leave it, where is the fun in that(?!), so we’ve even added some extra content to round out the package.

The Helldivers 2 x Killzone items return as a Legendary Warbond Dec 18

Not only is the content returning with extra items, but we want to continue to do right by everyone who purchased Super Store content from last year, therefore a whole load of people will be able to unlock this Legendary Warbond at no extra cost. Check out if you’re eligible below.

Who gets what and how does it work: 

  • Players who have previously purchased any (even one) of the Killzone items, will have the whole Helldivers 2 x Killzone Legendary Warbond unlocked at no extra cost! Additionally, there is no medal vacuum here! The items previously purchased (and those which were gifted last December) will be medal unlocked. So no need to spend medals on the items you already own!
  • Players who received the gifted items in December 2024 but didn’t pay for any single item, will have to pay the 1500 Super Credits to unlock the full Legendary Warbond. 
  • Not to worry, if you do pay for the Warbond; the gifted items will also be medal unlocked.
  • Players joining after the Helldivers 2 x Killzone items left the store in December 2024 can access the Warbond by unlocking it for 1500 SC, and then enjoy redeeming medals on their favorite items just as usual.

Let’s recap all the items included and dig into those new items as well.

Weapons and stratagems

Arm yourself with some of the best weapons Stål has to offer.

Beginning with the StA-52 Assault rifle the pride of the Stål armory, providing you with the strength to decimate your foes. It boasts a high-capacity drum mag, great for providing sustained fire.

StA-11 SMG with a helical-feed magazine, which provides a higher ammo capacity whilst making it more front heavy. This close-range weapon is the nightmare of the enemies of freedom.

PLAS-39 Accelerator rifle, a high precision burst-fire rifle that will banish your foes after a short charging period.

Armors and capes

AC-1 Dutiful/ The Strength in Our Arms cape

This heavy armor boasts a breathing apparatus built in to help both soldiers and colonists thrive, even when assigned to planets with atmospheres rated “suboptimal”, “extreme”, and “character building”.

AC-2 Obedient/ Defender of Our Dream cape

The muted colors and relaxed, high mobility fit make this light armor a favorite among long-distance snipers and hide-and-seek champions alike.

Acclimated passive

The passive of these armors provides 50% resistance to fire, gas, acid, and electrical damage.

The Defender of Our Dream and Strength in Our Arms player cards are also returning along with the Assault infantry player title.

New patterns

The latest additions to round out this Warbond are the Extrasolar Ash patterns for your Exosuits, FRV, Hellpods and Pelicans.

So start saving your Super Credits for December 18 at 7am PT / 2pm GMT / 3pm CET when Helldivers 2 x Killzone Legendary Warbond will be available for purchase from wherever you enjoy our game! 

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

Please note you will not be able to claim the Helldivers 2 x Killzone Legendary Warbond with a Premium Warbond token.

(For Southeast Asia) PlayStation Plus Game Catalog for December: Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, Skate Story and more

This month, stalk the streets of ancient Baghdad in Assassin’s Creed Mirage, cut down demons across a fallen empire in Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, shred through hell’s underworld in Skate Story, or soar among the clouds in Granblue Fantasy: Relink. All these titles and more are available in December’s PlayStation Plus Game Catalog lineup. Meanwhile, Soulcalibur III brings arcade action to PlayStation Plus Deluxe. All of these will be available to play December 16, aside from Skate Story, which released into the service December 9.

PlayStation Plus Extra and Deluxe | Game Catalog 

Assassin’s Creed Mirage | PS5, PS4 

Play as a cunning young street thief seeking answers in this majestic Middle Eastern open world. Experience the home of the original Assassins in this exciting narrative-driven, open world adventure. In this smaller scale, back to basics Assassin’s caper, you play Basim, a young street thief seeking answers. Roam the richly-detailed, reactive and vibrant streets of 9th century Baghdad, uncovering the mysteries of the past as you fight to secure your future. Stalk the shadows and become the ultimate assassin. Enjoy 6 hours of extra gameplay with Valley of Memory, the major update that expands Basim’s story and introduces the breathtaking new region of AlUla, with gameplay improvements across the full game.

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty | PS5, PS4

184 AD, Later Han Dynasty China. The land is overcome by chaos and destruction. The imperial dynasty that prospered for many years is now about to collapse. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a dramatic, action-packed story of a nameless militia soldier fighting for survival in a dark fantasy version of the Later Han Dynasty where demons plague the Three Kingdoms. Fight off deadly creatures and enemy soldiers using swordplay based on the Chinese martial arts, attempting to overcome the odds by awakening the true power from within.

Skate Story | PS5

You are a demon in the Underworld, made out of glass and pain. The Devil has given you a skateboard with a simple deal: Skate to the Moon and swallow it — and you shall be freed. Ollie, kickflip, and grind your way through the ash and smoke of The Emptylands as you take on a seemingly impossible quest. Learn to master your weight and motion to conquer the weeping concrete. Savour the ritualistic beauty as you set your feet to pop a perfect kickflip. Skate fast to destroy vicious demons, help a forgetful frog, and save other tortured souls on your journey from fragile beginner to hardened skater. Push through hell and discover The Devil’s greatest weakness: humility, perseverance, and a disgustingly sweet backside tailslide. All you need is your skateboard.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink | PS5, PS4

Explore the Sky Realm, a floating archipelago set against a great blue expanse, and battle to decide its fate in this 3D action RPG. Become captain of a skyfaring crew as you sail with a colourful cast of crewmates on your quest to find Estalucia, a legendary island said to lie beyond the sky’s end. Visit the Zegagrande Skydom and unveil a web of intrigue that will embroil you in a battle for the fate of the entire Sky Realm. Create a party of four, each with unique weapons, skills and combat styles, and master a deep real-time combat system with team-based techniques including Link Attacks and Chain Bursts. Take on quests, battle enemies and score valuable loot solo, or party up with friends for up to four-player co-op.

Planet Coaster 2 | PS5

Reach new heights of creativity, management, and sharing as you construct the theme parks of your dreams combining epic water rides and coasters to delight and thrill your park guests. Balance thrilling your guests with managing your budget – populate your park with amazing efficiently powered attractions and the right amenities to boost your rating and become a theme park master. Enhanced and improved building and pathing tools let you create spectacular, true-to-life theme parks, complete with sprawling plazas. Dive into a world of creativity with nine distinct themes, from returning classics like Pirate and Western, to exciting new additions in Viking and Mythology. With thousands of themed customisable pieces at your fingertips, every creation will be truly unique.

Cat Quest III | PS5, PS4

Play as a swashbuckling privateer in this 2.5D open-world action RPG set in a fantastical pirate-themed world, the Purribean — an archipelago swarming with Pi-rats searching for the Northern Star. a long-lost mythical treasure. Alongside your trusty spirit companion, set sail through the Purribean in your very own ship! But beware, the seas are dangerous, and a mutiny is nigh as the hordes of Pi-rats under the order of the Pirate King hunt you down… Cat Quest III is playable either solo or in local co-op.

Lego Horizon Adventures | PS5

Journey to a distant future, where the land is made of Lego bricks and lush nature has reclaimed the Earth. Join hunter Aloy as she battles to save Earth from an ancient digital demon, and a gang of sunworshippers who want to live in a world without shade so they can soak up the rays while everything burns. Hunt machines on your own as Aloy, or unlock colourful heroes Varl, Teersa, and Erend, and use their unique skills to defeat enemies and overcome challenges. Share the fun with another player online, or via innovative couch co-op on a single screen, so you’re always in the same world together.

PlayStation Plus Deluxe

Soulcalibur III | PS5, PS4

Chosen by history, a man becomes a warrior. Engraved into history, a warrior becomes a hero. Enjoy this timeless tale of swords and souls, transcending history and worlds, destined to be told forever. Experience Soulcalibur III, originally released on PlayStation 2, enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and custom video filters. The Soulcalibur series is a weapon-based fighting series of games where players put their mastery of their character’s weapon to the test. The game features the Chronicles of the Sword mode that fuses real-time simulation with versus fighting-style action. In Soul Arena, choose between Quick Play for relentless battles against CPU opponents and Mission mode for fights set under special conditions.

*PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and PlayStation Plus Deluxe lineups may differ by region. Please check PlayStation Store on release day.