Last month, we sought revenge, conquered the shadows, and stormed the battlefield. Some big new releases included Ghost of Yōtei, Battlefield 6, Ninja Gaiden 4, Ball x Pit, and Digimon Story: Time Stranger.
How does it work? At the end of every month, PlayStation Blog will open a poll where you can vote for the best new game released that month. After the polls close we will tally your votes, and announce the winner on our social channels and PlayStation.Blog.
What is the voting criteria? That’s up to you! If you were only able to recommend one new release to a friend that month, which would it be? Note: re-released games don’t qualify, but remakes do. We define remakes as ambitious, larger-scale rebuilds such as Resident Evil 4 (2023) and Final Fantasy VII Remake.
How are nominees decided? The PlayStation Blog editorial team will gather a list of that month’s most noteworthy releases and use it to seed the poll.
We’re approaching the five year anniversary of the PS5 console’s launch, and it’s amazing to see the number of incredible experiences PS5 has brought to players everywhere – and there are more adventures to come. Through these past five years, our players have shared their reactions of awe, excitement, and surprise at the extraordinary moments they’ve witnessed while playing PS5. That’s the inspiration for our new ad campaign – we’re capturing the spirit of these moments when the most unexpected and unforgettable experiences happen on PS5.
The ad campaign, launching today, will feature three distinct stories:
The Greatest Stunt Jump Ever
The Unexpected Catch
Everyday Problems in Extraordinary Vehicles
In addition to the ad spot, we’re also bringing some of these unexpected moments into the real world, physically. From November to December, players may come across some of these themes inspired by the campaign in various locations around the world – such as UFOs landing in Australia, Spain & Germany or mysterious creatures found in Mexico, Italy & the UK.
We look forward to seeing more reactions and extraordinary moments that our fans share online with the world. There are many more incredible journeys to come as it often happens on PS5!
Hey, everybody! Sid, Tim, and Brett are back this week to talk about the new indie darling Ball x Pit, the long journey to a Death Stranding 2 platinum, Silent Hill f, and the Battlefield series’ first battle royale foray.
Stuff We Talked About
Next week’s releases:
Satisfactory | PS5, PS4
Cairn | PS5
Unbeatable | PS5
I Hate This Place | PS5
Loulan: The Cursed Sand announced for PS5 — Loulan explores the tale of the archaeological discovery of the Xiaohe Princess. Learn about the gameplay inspirations for this action-adventure game of a mummy who wields the power of sand.
Battlefield: Redsec — The new free-to-play battle royale mode allows up to 100 players to compete for dominance of the battlefield on their new map, Fort Lyndon, which features a wrecked Los Angeles.
NBA The Run announced — A new arcade basketball game is coming to PS5 that combines streetball with the pick-up-and-play aspects of classic basketball titles from decades past.
Resident Evil series history — Prepare for Resident Evil Requiem with a look back at the series’ history and its roots on PlayStation. See how one mansion redefined the horror genre.
Brett Elston – Manager, Content Communications, SIE
Thanks to Dormilón for our rad theme song and show music.
[Editor’s note: PSN game release dates are subject to change without notice. Game details are gathered from press releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]
Last week, we asked you to get in the spooky season spirit and share frightening moments from the game of your choice using #PSshare #PSBlog, including from this month’s PlayStation Plus selection. Here’s this week’s highlights:
ibis_monkshares a foggy area with demon masks hanging in Ghost of Yōtei
secondcaptureshares a gigantic enemy head being faced in Mortal Shell
MdeavorVPshares some frightening body modifications made in Cyberpunk 2077
wingsforsmilesshares Agent Saga Anderson shining a flashlight on an enemy in Alan Wake 2
PattyGnandshares the teen girls of Lost Records: Bloom & Rage levitating in a purple-lit circle
call_me_xaviishares a creepy Poppy sighting through some blinds in Poppy Playtime
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: Costumes SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on November 5, 2025
Next week, let’s see those Halloween costumes. Share characters from the game of your choice wearing unique armor sets or anything outside their default outfit. Use #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.
Since first launching in 1998, the Thief series of stealth games helped define the genre, maintaining notoriety across several games spanning nearly three decades. Steven Gallagher (Creative Director at Eidos-Montréal) and I are here to give PlayStation Blog readers the first glimpse into the next iteration of the franchise, Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow.
Thief VR is coming to PlayStation VR 2 on PlayStation 5 on December 4, available for pre-order on the PlayStation Store now. We’re also sharing the latest gameplay trailer captured on PS VR2. This trailer demonstrates how Thief VR is an opportunity to step into the boots of a Master Thief and embody what makes the franchise unique in a compelling new take by developer Maze Theory and publisher Vertigo Games, aided by the OG Thief creators at Eidos-Montréal.
Takes a thief to make plans for a thief
Every great Thief game includes an array of tools and challenges that naturally encourage avoiding combat using stealth, numerous solutions to any problem, and requiring close attention to your surroundings using all senses. It can be challenging at first, but taking your time can make it feel incredibly rewarding. Levels are fairly open and non-linear to support player agency—a trademark of the immersive sim genre. Allowing players to do what they want, not what they’re told, says Steven, is a staple in allowing their own unique narrative to emerge.
Utilizing dark shadows to progress through darker plots, powerful, oppressive atmospheres, plus a bit of dry wit are all signature elements of Thief storytelling—and each aligns with the immersive simulation of VR. “The sense of presence VR provides makes the experience all the more intense and engaging,” says Steven. “The immediacy of being able to naturally use your head to watch your back as your hands pick locks with the help of haptic feedback, is as real as it gets to being in the City.”
Darkness is a solo thief’s only ally. PS VR2 OLED lenses have a stronger, more natural contrast, giving a competitive advantage in the shadows. Next-gen sound integration helps players listen closely for danger. There’s a sense of tangible anticipation and intimacy created by sneaking around in the dark in VR —peeking around corners —before slipping in through a window with your actual head and hands.
Feels like old times…
Thief VR blends classic stealth gameplay with next-generation immersion. Players embody an up-and-coming thief named Magpie through the dystopian fantasy steampunk world known as the City. As Magpie, they will be encouraged to use their variety of tools, keen observation, and creativity to stealthily remain unseen from guard patrols as they infiltrate noble manors to steal ancient artifacts (and more?), while under the watchful eye of a familiar thief called Garret.
Thief VR is made by fans for fans. Familiar ears will recognize the iconic Stephen Russell as Garrett, but there are plenty of other connections as well. For example, from a gameplay perspective, the stealth mechanics and engaging gameplay of Thief: The Dark Project (1998) and Thief II: The Metal Age (2000) were the main inspirations for the gameplay pillars of Thief VR.
Together with Steven, we’re connecting Thief titles across time and console generations. Since joining Eidos-Montréal in 2008, his experience working on animation, cinematics, and, eventually, narrative design for Thief (2014) has been invaluable as the brand consultant for Vertigo and Maze Theory. He’s also kept a secret locked away in Thief’s VR history.
“Towards the end of Thief (2014), Eidos-Montréal tried creating their own playable VR demo as part of Sony’s Project Morpheus, the first iteration of PlayStation VR”, Steven reveals. “Unfortunately, we weren’t particularly experienced in making VR back then, so the overall product ended up being a bit hard to play.”
Since a great video game narrative is the result of the player and the protagonist feeling like one, VR has been and continues to be a natural choice for the franchise. We’re especially thrilled to have his help bringing Thief VR finally into the light of day, using the latest technology on PlayStation VR2.
We’re not leaving without what we came here for
Previous experience as a Thief isn’t necessary to feel like one yourself when playing Thief VR. Everyone is invited to become their own fully present Master Thief in a world created nearly 30 years ago. VR has unlocked a new level of the palpable tension that Thief games are known for. We’re looking forward to seeing how PS VR2 players get themselves in and out of suspenseful situations without getting caught starting December 4.
Pre-orders are live now, and for a limited time, a 10% discount will be available.
It should be no surprise that there’s a terrifying-yet-terrific variety of high-profile essentials and indie classics available on PlayStation Plus via your PS4 and PS5. And with the spooky season upon us it’s only right to dive into some devilish delights that can turn your Halloween – and any future fangs-givings – into a night to remember. Grab a warm beverage, and make sure your blood is suitably chilled before we begin…
Silent Hill 2 (PS5) | Game Catalog
For fans of… Tense and psychologically brutal survival horrors.
Why you should play: As remakes go, Silent Hill 2 is among the best. It modernises elements of its gameplay and controls, and revamps the presentation of the PlayStation 2 original without losing any of its sinister atmosphere and heart-thumping challenge. If you didn’t fear getting lost in unknown mists before…well, this will change everything.
Game modes: A taut single-player mode with multiple endings keeps you coming back to this reborn classic.
Until Dawn (PS5) | Game Catalog
For fans of… Slasher flicks with an all-star Hollywood cast, and branching narratives where your choices really do matter.
Why you should play: Eight friends trapped on a remote mountain retreat with a mysterious killer. If that setup isn’t enough to hook you, then Until Dawn seals the deal by forcing you to make decisions that can change the lives of the unlucky eight. If someone dies, the game continues without them, leaving you to carry the weight of your actions for the rest of the story. Ruthless? Absolutely. Utterly compelling? Always.
Game modes: While designed as a single-player game, it’s easy to bring friends into Until Dawn by passing the DualSense wireless controller to a friend each time another character becomes the focus.
V Rising | Game Catalog
For fans of… Gothic open worlds, where you can indulge your action-packed, aristocratic vampire fantasy.
Why you should play: If you ever wanted to become vampire royalty, then Stunlock Studios’ engaging blend of action role-playing and empire building should satisfy that moonlit craving. It’s not just about hard fought battles of blood, and skulking in the shadows to quench your weakened vampire’s thirst, but also rebuilding and personalizing your very own castle, complete with servants, treasure, and (of course) coffins.
Game modes: You don’t have to wander the world of Vardoran alone. A flexible and vast online multiplayer mode lets you join forces with other human-controlled vampires – or go to war with them if your blood runs a little hotter.
Alan Wake 2 | October Monthly Game (Available until Nov 3, 2025)
For fans of… Twin Peaks-esque existential survival horror, where the meta narrative bleeds into the game’s main story.
Why you should play: Surreal and darkly eldritch, Alan Wake 2 grabs you by the eyes and pulls you into a mind-bending adventure where reality is shaped by the horrors of our imagination. Between the dual protagonists of telepathic FBI agent Saga Anderson and trapped writer Alan Wake, you’re in for a nightmarish and gripping exploration of what it means to confront our own limitations. To say more would ruin the game’s many novel surprises.
Game modes: With its focus on a nerve-wracking single-player, Alan Wake 2 rewards the game’s completion with a New Game Plus mode called The Final Draft, which features an expanded ending, along with a tweaked narrative, collectibles, and a new difficulty setting.
For fans of… Zombie style open worlds, where overwhelming odds are the order of the day. Oh, and bikes.
Why you should play: A wild wilderness full of feral, flesh hungry Freakers, unpredictable weather, roving human gangs, and vicious animals? That’s what awaits you in this fast-paced, post-apocalyptic action-adventure, rife with explosive weapons, big set pieces and rip-roaring motorbikes.
Game modes: Switching things up is the more action oriented Challenge Mode, which tests you to complete objectives under different conditions, such as defeating endless hordes.
For fans of… Terrifying yet fun multiplayer survival slasher romps.
Why you should play: Don’t let Dead by Daylight’s seemingly simple hide and seek concept fool you – this 4vs1 asymmetrical multiplayer game captures the intense thrills of classic 80s monster movies. As four of you try to survive against one relentless killer, the procedurally generated environments ensure every run is brutally unpredictable.
Game modes: Dead by Daylight’s bot-driven single-player is great for practicing, but its main online multiplayer is where the fun is, especially with friends. Look out for modifiers and variant modes like 2v8 and the darkness enveloping Lights Out.
For fans of… Chilling survival horror, played via a Blair Witch-style found-footage perspective.
Why you should play: Blending elements from both classic and modern horror films, Outlast 2 increases its tension by mostly removing the ability to fight back against its cultist antagonists. Combined with video camera style first-person perspective viewpoints, jump-scares and creepy flashbacks, this is a horror fan’s dream (…or nightmare, if you prefer).
Game modes: Outlast 2 keeps its terror up close and personal with a finely honed single-player mode.
For fans of… One of the most iconic series going, but also those who like a little dark laughter with their slaughter.
Why you should play: Virtual reality lends itself perfectly to horror, and what better setting for PlayStation VR2 than the macabre and ever disturbing animatronics world of Fazebear Entertainment? Tasks like managing food in the Pizzaplex and helping robotic performers prepare for their show might not sound scary, but believe me, in Five Nights it’s something that will haunt you forever.
Game modes: While there’s no multiplayer mode, Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2consists of 40 different minigames, with a variety of them only unlocked if others are completed first.
For fans of… Puzzle-driven murder mysteries, soaked in the neon-lit 1980s.
Why you should play: How many other games have you assume the role of a late-night radio talk-show host? But this isn’t just some drowsy dialogue with the denizens of Gallows Creek – they’re being hunted by an enigmatic killer and you’re they’re only hope. Every call can be the difference between life and death as you’re solving puzzles, gathering clues, and engaging in branching narrative with eccentric personalities.
Game modes: The single-player mode features four different endings depending on how many callers you save and if certain characters survive, so there’s incentive for multiple playthroughs.
The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan
For fans of…
Glossy and filmic branching narrative horror adventures.
Why you should play: It’s not just the high quality production values which make Man of Medan so impressive. It refines the interactive drama genre into an enthralling paranormal horror where any of the five main characters can die. Your choices not only affect their fate, but their relationships, the main storyline, and how it ends, with intriguing premonitions of possible future events adding to the tension.
Game modes: The single-player story mode is accompanied by Movie Night, a 2 to 5 player couch co-op which assigns a player to each character, and Shared Story for two online players. The Curator’s Cut also lets you see scenes through other characters’ perspectives, with new choices and scenes.
Hello Neighbor | Game Catalog
For fans of… Mischievous yet hair-raising stealth horrors.
Why you should play: If you’ve ever wondered what your neighbors get up to, rest assured it’s not as mysterious as Mr Peterson’s attempts to stop you from discovering what’s in his basement. It’s easy to be caught off guard by the colourful visuals, but between the smart artificial intelligence of Peterson and the game’s reflective exploration of trauma, Hello Neighbor is a decidedly different type of scare.
Game modes: Infiltrating Mr Peterson’s basement is a solitary affair, but a Friendly Mode makes it a bit easier.
For fans of… Unadulterated and genre defining survival horror action.
Why you should play: The unflinching franchise that became an instant classic. If you wanted to find out how Resident Evil began, there’s no better way than going back to the source of the fabled t-Virus. Flesh eating zombies, conspiracies and iconic characters – the first three titles of the series are fan favourites for a reason.
Game modes: Resident Evil 2 features two single-player campaigns and several unlockable mini-game missions, such as The 4th Survivor and Tofu Survivor. Resident Evil 3 also has The Mercenaries – Operation: Mad Jackal, which is faster paced and more action heavy than the main mode.
For fans of… Deliberately paced ghost stories that will stay with you longer after you’ve finished them.
Why you should play: Stealth goes hand in hand with survival horror, so this unnerving voyage to survive the cursed mountain village of Hanuda strongly emphasises its unique Sightjack ability to see through the eyes of the corpse-like Shibito. Observing yourself via your undead stalkers is deeply unsettling, uniquely heightening the anxiety.
Game modes: Completing Siren earns you access to Time Attack mode, which challenges you to speed run the game, while a secret puzzle mode called Brain Cell Revival / Zuno is also unlockable by picking up the relevant in-game archive.
Crow Country | Game Catalog
For fans of… Old school survival horrors inspired by ‘90s PlayStation classics.
Why you should play: Taking its lead from some of the older titles on this list, Crow Country offers the best of both worlds, with its well considered and traditional sense of game design and aesthetics, dipped with options for modern controls and camera movement. The result is a challenging and suitably sinister nod to what made the genre popular in the first place.
Game modes: In contrast to its regular Survival mode, Exploration mode removes enemies from the game. Conversely, Murder of Crows mode ramps up the difficulty.
We’re now just about four months out before Resident Evil Requiem arrives on February 27, and to celebrate, we’ve released a Road to Requiem video celebrating the history of the series, and opened pre-orders.
Resident Evil Requiem Digital Deluxe Edition and pre-order details
Plus, there’s a cool pre-order bonus featuring Grace’s Costume: Apocalypse.
We also have a Deluxe Edition packed with extra content like 5 costumes including Grace’s Costume: Dimitrescu, 4 weapon skins, 2 screen filters, 2 charms, an audio pack, and additional files to find in-game.
In Resident Evil Requiem, you’ll meet Grace Ashcroft, a new protagonist for the Resident Evil series. As an FBI agent, she possesses a sharp analytical mind that serves her well, yet she suddenly finds herself thrust into an extraordinary situation.
You’ll also experience the series’ classic survival horror through combat, investigations, puzzles, and resource management. Gameplay allows you to freely switch between first and third-person views to face the horrors in a way that suits your playstyle. Even if you haven’t played a Resident Evil game before, you can jump right in, though long-time fans will notice plenty of familiar touches through the game.
And on PlayStation 5, you’ll find yet another layer of immersion while playing thanks to the unique features of the DualSense controller such as its haptics and adaptive triggers.
A Resident Evil series history
To coincide with the start of Resident Evil Requiem pre-orders, we thought it fitting to talk a little about the history that Resident Evil has had with PlayStation. Mentioning everything would turn this blog post into a novel, because it’s quite lengthy.
So instead let me touch upon some key moments. It starts from the way beginning almost three decades ago when the original Resident Evil was released on PlayStation in 1996. At the time it became one of PlayStation’s most popular games ever! It featured Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine searching for their missing teammates, but they end up stumbling across an abandoned mansion. Things went wrong. Zombies arrived. Resident Evil made its namesake.
The next entries Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 were also released initially on PlayStation in 1998 and 1999 respectively and brought the action directly to Raccoon City from the eyes of Leon Kennedy, Claire Redfield, and Jill Valentine.
When Resident Evil 4 was brought to PlayStation 2 in 2005, a special chapter called Separate Ways was added exclusively for the console. This allowed us to see Ada Wong’s side of the story during her own mission to research Los Illuminados.
Moving forward in time, Resident Evil 7’s first demo was a timed PlayStation exclusive, and the Kitchen demo was released separately on PlayStation VR. This entry introduced Ethan Winters and the first-person perspective to the series. You could even play the entire game in PS VR as Ethan searched for his wife Mia.
Resident Evil Village continued Ethan’s story as he searched for his daughter Rose. Similar to some past demos, the Maiden demo was released as a timed exclusive for PlayStation where you played as one of the servant girls trying to escape Castle Dimitrescu.
Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village are of course available now on PlayStation, alongside the reimagined remakes of Resident Evil 2, 3, and Resident Evil 4.We encourage you to experience these pivotal titles in the Resident Evil series for yourself if you’ve yet to have the chance.
Resident Evil has had almost three decades worth of history with PlayStation, and it’s been fun taking a look back at some of those great moments. We’re happy to bring Resident Evil Requiem to PlayStation 5 on February 27, and we hope you’re looking forward to it. We definitely are.
Paw your way through a decaying cybercity, write (or rewrite) racing history and play commander of a wobbly army with the PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup for November. Stray, EA Sports WRC 24, and Totally Accurate Battle Simulator will be available to PlayStation Plus members from Tuesday November 4 until Monday December 1.
Let’s take a closer look at the games.
Download the image
Stray | PS4, PS5
Lost, injured and alone, a stray cat must untangle an ancient mystery to escape a long-forgotten city. Stray is a third-person cat adventure game set amidst the detailed neon-lit alleys of a decaying cybercity and the murky environments of its seedy underbelly. See the world through the eyes of a stray and interact with the environment in playful ways. Stray is developed by BlueTwelve Studio, a small team from south of France mostly made of cats and a handful of humans.
Download the image
EA Sports WRC 24 | PS5
From the team that developed the award-winning Dirt Rally series comes the brand-new official game of the FIA World Rally Championship. Built on the foundations of over 25 years of Codemasters’ celebrated rally game heritage, EA Sports WRC lets you get behind the wheel of the WRC, WRC2 and Junior WRC cars from the 2024 season, complete with the current drivers, teams and liveries. Design and drive your dream rally car with the debut of Builder mode and rewrite history by racing in recreations of recent events and major historical highlights in Moments mode. Additional modes include Career, Championship, Time Trial, Cross-platform Multiplayer, Regularity Rally and a detailed livery editor, making for the complete WRC experience.
Download the image
Totally Accurate Battle Simulator | PS4, PS5
Be the leader of red and blue wobblers from ancient lands, spooky places and fantasy worlds. Watch them fight in simulations made with the wobbliest physics system ever created. When you grow tired of the 100+ wobblers at your disposal you can make new ones in the unit creator. You can also send your wobblers to fight your friends or strangers in online multiplayer.
Download the image
Last chance to add PlayStation Plus Games for October to your library
PlayStation Plus members have until Monday November 3 to add Alan Wake 2, Goat Simulator 3 and Cocoon to their game library.
Redsec is Battlefield’s first-ever free-to-play Battle Royale game, and it’s launching today. But it’s not just Battle Royale – this experience includes Gauntlet, a round-based elimination mode that samples from the franchise’s rich Multiplayer history, as well as Redsec’s Portal Community Creations, an ever-evolving sandbox from our community developers.
However, your first steps into Redsec will more than likely come in the form of the Battle Royale Initiation playlist:
Battle Royale initiation
In BR Duos, eliminate hostels, track intel, and dodge the chemical ring on a condensed map.
Battle Royale Initiation is built for new players as a low-stakes learning environment. In this variant, you and a squadmate can drop into a match with the following key differences:
This version of Fort Lyndon is significantly smaller than its full version.
Players who can access this mode are limited to newer players.
A 48-player maximum, inclusive of Bots.
Your path towards victory will involve the following:
Dropping in
Choose your class
Assault – The ultimate frontline fighter, skilled at punching through enemy defenses. Dominate close to mid-range encounters and limit the enemy’s ability to fight.
Engineer – The battlefield’s leading vehicle and equipment technician. Execute repairs to keep allies combat effective, or strike hostile armor with force to break their attack.
Support – The backbone of any combat unit for defense and sustained fighting. Heal and resupply friendly forces, while fortifying defensive positions to keep them protected.
Recon – The perfect intelligence and counterintelligence operative. Neutralize targets from a distance, or infiltrate, gathering intel and disrupting hostile forces.
You also get to choose a Sidearm, a small personal defense weapon that is great in a pinch, but is not meant to carry you through an entire match.
Next, get ready to parachute into Fort Lyndon. Either you or your duo will be labelled as the Squad Leader; when the Squad Leader calls for a jump, both of you will leap out of the infiltration plane.
At any point, the non-Leader can break away from the formation and continue dropping on their own. However, we highly recommend that new players stay in formation. Your parachute will automatically deploy when you get close to the ground. Alternatively, you can manually deploy the parachute to delay landing in favor of a more intentional landing spot.
Securing better weapons, ammo, and armor
Scavenging for weapons, ammo, and armor become the tools for survival.
These are all available through a variety of crates found in the map; look for giant rectangular boxes that are green (Common), red-and-black (Rare), or red with Class symbols (Class Chests). Look for vehicles that can be opened to contain more items, as well as locked vaults.
Crates can also contain ammo, which is shared between all weapons in a given weapon category. While there are other ways to gain more ammo, like picking it off eliminated enemies or getting an Ammo Resupply Call-In, the easiest way to restock is to use the Support Class’ Supply Box.
Completing Contracts
Your primary mission in Battle Royale is to eliminate all enemies. Second are Contracts, objectives that can be accepted on your full map screen and reward powerful items. Whenever a Contract becomes available to choose, you will receive a prompt below the compass on your HUD.
Avoiding the Circle of Death, respawning, and achieving victory
The Circle of Death. One step into this area will near instantly down and eliminate you. Mind the red-shaded areas on your mini-map or heed the warnings on your HUD when it shows a red skull icon and a distance.
In Battle Royale, death is not always finite. In the first few minutes of every match, you automatically get a Second Chance, redeploying immediately from the sky. If you don’t use your Second Chance, you get a sizable chunk of XP, which is great for ranking up and unlocking more Loadout items.
Alternatively, Battle Royale includes Respawn Points where squad members can revive their allies. After activating a Respawn Point, stay within its radius for a short period of time to respawn all dead allies. If you are spectating from beyond, you are able to request a respawn.
The last remaining Battle Royale squad wins the match.
Tips for Battle Royal survival and victory
At the end of your Initiation journey, you should be ready to drop into Battle Royale.
Stick to your initiation zones. Learning the backstreets, rooftops, and corridors can give you an advantage over other new players who may be unaware of the surroundings.
Know your class. Remember to use everything your Class offers and ask a battle buddy with more experience to walk you through its basics.
Work with your team. Battle Royale is about surviving as a squad; don’t stray too far from squadmates, be sure to share enemy locations and precious high-value items, and remember to revive them whenever it is clear to do so.
Gauntlet – round-based elimination multiplayer
In Gauntlet, eight squads of four players each go head-to-head in a series of special operations that push every squad to their limit. If you like traditional Multiplayer FPS experiences, then you’ll love Gauntlet.
Gauntlet involves creating a custom loadout and pits squads against each other in a series of high-octane missions. Every mode includes a helpful in-game description and demonstration of how to play, including what actions score points for your squad. Failure to secure enough points results in elimination, while winning four modes in a Gauntlet match means victory.
Here are three quick tips to get started in this pick-up-and-play experience:
Watch the briefing. The small sequence before each operation gives a short demonstration of how it is played, as well as the points earned for each action.
Play the objective. Using what you learned in the briefing, focus on the actions that will score your team the most points.
Communication is key. Use the ping system, voice chat and text chat to effectively plan and execute coordinated efforts, otherwise be prepared to be reassigned or get sent back to the start of the Gauntlet.
Loulan: The Cursed Sand is an action RPG set along the ancient Silk Road in the Western Regions of China. You play as the Cursed Sand, a skeletal warrior wielding the power of sand and sets out to explore the lost kingdom of Loulan, battle mighty foes, and search for his beloved princess.
Inspired by the archaeological discovery of the “Xiaohe Princess,” the story follows the Cursed Sand, a royal guard resurrected after death, as he embarks on a tragic journey to find the lost Princess of Loulan.
For the protagonist, we drew inspiration from the Loulan mummies and the iconic desert sand of the Western Regions, creating a dual-form warrior:
In Sand Form, golden sand wraps his body — a balanced fighter who wields the power of sand.
When he unleashes the sand and forges a massive sand blade, he shifts into Bone Form — a powerful stance built for one-versus-many combat.
On his journey, he will face powerful factions ranging from the Loulan royal family, who embody the power of the sun, to the frost-bound spiders of the Western Regions.
We’ve reimagined iconic landscapes of the western region through a fantastical lens, from vast deserts to flowing rivers of sand.
Loulan is supported by SIE as part of the China Hero Project. We are a 16-member cross-regional team, aiming to deliver a rich, ancient Loulan world and a unique, immersive gameplay experience.
Our core team is made up of veteran gamers born in the ’80s and ’90s. We grew up playing action games and were deeply inspired by classics like the original God of War and arcade action games. Many of us have worked on action titles at studios in the U.S. and Japan, including Santa Monica Studio, FromSoftware, and PlatinumGames. We’re truly passionate about this genre and dedicated to pushing its boundaries.
At the same time, we’ve always been fascinated by fantasy worlds inspired by the ancient Silk Road — especially the mysterious and radiant kingdom of Loulan, once a shining jewel along that route. With this project, we aim to bring the beauty and enigma of ancient Loulan to life through a retro top-down camera perspective. Our goal is to blend classic arcade-style combat with modern gameplay innovations — such as the unique interaction between the protagonist and his sandblade. We truly hope players will enjoy the experience.
