Category: PlayStation

At Sony Interactive Entertainment, we’re always looking for ways to connect our players with some of their favorite PlayStation games – that also includes playing with their favorite worlds in other ways outside of their PlayStation console. Today, we’re excited to share more details on a new collaboration with Hasbro’s Wizards of The Coast that introduces iconic PlayStation franchises to the Magic: The Gathering collectible trading card game.

Launching on October 27, the Magic: The Gathering Secret Lair x PlayStation Superdrop collaboration includes seven unique Secret Lair drops, each with unique cards depicting the worlds of The Last of Us, God of War, Horizon Forbidden West, Uncharted, Ghost of Tsushima, and more. Every card from each Secret Lair pack features iconic characters, key locations, and items reimagined as Magic: The Gathering cards. Wizards of The Coast worked closely with Naughty Dog, Santa Monica Studio, Guerrilla, and Sucker Punch Productions to capture the spirit of each game and bring them to life with stunning art and cards with unique mechanics.

Here’s a first-look at some of the cards from each of the Secret Lair drops, along with insights from PlayStation Studios on the collaboration.

Naughty Dog

Secret Lair x The Last of Us Part I

First revealed earlier today at MagicCon Atlanta, Joel and Ellie from The Last of Us Part I offer plenty of mechanical depth for players. Staying true to the experience players will remember from the award-winning game, the Joel and Ellie cards can fight on their own, or work together as an intimidating pair in Magic: The Gathering.

Secret Lair x The Last of Us Part II

The second Secret Lair drop with Naughty Dog brings together two survivors on their own intertwining journeys. Abby’s story has been adapted into a card that brings valuable resources at a price, while Ellie’s quest for vengeance leaves destruction in its wake. Together, the cards tell the story of The Last of Us Part II.

Secret Lair x Uncharted

Last but not least, Nathan Drake and his unforgettable adventures swing into Naughty Dog’s third Secret Lair pack, with all the reckless charm of Uncharted. Every attack is another expedition, every fight another narrow escape, and every victory another uncovered treasure.

“We have so many longtime Magic: the Gathering fans at Naughty Dog, so it was an awesome experience to work with the Wizards on the Coast team to bring these cards to life. Knowing their team are also big fans of our games created this wonderfully collaborative process as we imagined all the ways these sets could pay tribute to both The Last of Us games, as well as the entire Uncharted series.

“We’re grateful to the Wizards team for working with us on them. We’ve packed these cards full of memorable characters, moments, and Easter eggs from our franchises, and we can’t wait for fans to get their hands on them!”

–   Neil Druckmann, Studio Head and Head of Creative at Naughty Dog

Santa Monica Studio

Secret Lair x God of War: Greek

Santa Monica Studio teamed up with Wizards of the Coast to create two Secret Lair packs that trace Kratos’s journey—from unstoppable fury to a father shaped by love and legacy. The first Secret Lair pack (Greek) explores Kratos from the original trilogy as an embodiment of raw chaos.

Secret Lair x God of War: Norse

The second pack (Norse) brings Kratos and his son Atreus together, capturing their story of growth, patience, and legacy. Kratos shares his wisdom, strengthening and teaching his son, while Atreus gathers knowledge but remains brash and reckless without his father.

“When we heard there was an opportunity to be a part of a Secret Lair drop, we jumped at it! The team at Wizards of The Coast is incredible and it was an absolute pleasure bringing these cards to life with them. From the artwork to how the cards themselves functioned in relation to God of War was really something to behold. For instance, the way Kratos works in each drop is unique to where he was at each stage in the God of War timeline. Plus you throw in the additional interaction with Atreus and you have something we think fans are truly going to love.”

 – Cory Barlog, Head of Creative at Santa Monica Studio

Guerrilla

Secret Lair x Horizon Forbidden West

Guerrilla brings the world of Horizon with a Secret Lair pack that features the Meridian Savior herself, Aloy. Solid and balanced, this Magic: The Gathering card captures how she endures overwhelming odds by combining brains and grit.

“This collaboration was rather close to our hearts, as many of us at Guerrilla are longtime Magic: The Gathering fans. Horizon world is built on pillars such as its majestic nature, unique machines, and diverse tribes, and the Wizards of the Coast team did an amazing job bringing all of that to Magic format through stunning artwork and fitting card mechanics. We’re especially proud of how Aloy’s representation reflects her journey as a Seeker of the Nora, and how her knowledge of the Old World connects to Artifacts – the core theme around which the set is built. We can’t wait for players to bring Aloy to life in their decks and adventures!”

– Ilya Golitsyn, Lead Artist at Guerrilla

Sucker Punch Productions

Secret Lair x Ghost of Tsushima

Sucker Punch Productions and Wizards of The Coast capture the dual identity of Jin Sakai in the Ghost of Tsushima Secret Lair pack. In battle, every strike for Jin is a choice: the honorable standoff that cuts down foes with precision, or the unrelenting stealth of the Ghost, striking unseen.

“We are so excited to work with Wizards of the Coast on this collaboration. It was important for us to have Jin’s iconic silhouette represented along with the emotional arc of his journey from samurai to Ghost. We’re so happy the Sakai armor was brought to life surrounded by leaves carried on the wind, which is one of the most important parts of Ghost of Tsushima’s DNA.”

– Jason Connell, Creative Director, Sucker Punch Productions

The Magic: The Gathering Secret Lair x PlayStation Superdrop  will be available on October 27 at 9am PT / 5pm BST / 6pm CEST  on the Magic: The Gathering Secret Lair website*. Each Secret Lair drop will be available in foil and non-foil versions. 

To learn more about this collaboration, visit the Magic: The Gathering website*.

*The products featured in this post are manufactured and sold by independent third-party licensees under license from Sony Interactive Entertainment or its affiliates. These products are solely the responsibility of the licensees. Sony Interactive Entertainment and its affiliates disclaim all liability arising from or related to the manufacture, sale, or use of these products. If you click on a third-party link, you will leave the PlayStation ecosystem. Please note that PlayStation’s Privacy Policy will no longer apply, and the collection and use of your data will be governed by the third party’s privacy practices. We encourage you to review their privacy policies and understand your rights before engaging with them.

Set to launch in 2026 on PlayStation 5, MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls is a 4v4 team-based fighting game brought to life through a collaboration between Arc System Works — the studio behind the Guilty Gear series and Dragon Ball Fighter Z — PlayStation Studios, and Marvel Games. Featuring unique anime-inspired visuals, the game brings high speed, explosive combat packed with nonstop intensity. Every match promises dramatic, unpredictable showdowns that keep the action going.

At August’s Evolution Championship Series (EVO) and throughout the closed beta test, players were able to assemble a team of four out of six iconic characters: Captain America, Iron Man, Ms. Marvel, Star-Lord, Storm, and Doctor Doom.

At Tokyo Game Show 2025, happening from Thursday, September 25 to Sunday, September 28, Spider-Man and Ghost Rider (Robbie Reyes) will join the roster, expanding the playable character count to eight.

Spider-Man

A fast, agile fighter armed with versatile web attacks

Spider-Man’s key strength is his versatile offense built around his signature move, Web Zip. This technique lets him fire webs from the ground or air in multiple directions, then sling himself at high speed along a chosen path. He can also use Web Zip to launch upward diagonally for aerial strikes or dive down from above for sudden ambushes. His unpredictable moves will keep opponents constantly on edge.

Web Zip unlocks a variety of follow-up moves

When Spider-Man’s Web Zip connects with an opponent, you can follow up with powerful attacks like Zip Kick, a swift follow-up strike, or Web Slam that crushes opponents with his web. When blocked, or if Web Slam is chained too often, the move transitions into a Web Snare that drags opponents closer. Spider-Man can also shoot his web upward to hang in mid-air, baiting foes into performing anti-air attacks. Combining Web Zip with its various follow-up attacks keeps the pressure high and fuels Spider-Man’s chaotic high-paced offense.

Mix melee and projectiles for maximum pressure

Spider-Man comes equipped with a versatile toolkit, including those similar to special moves in traditional fighting games. His projectile attack, Web Shot, fires a blob of web that can also be used midair. You can switch between medium and heavy to shoot multiple webs in succession. It’s effective for zoning but risky if opponents anticipate it and jump in, due to its long animation. His rush skill, Arachnid Assault, shifts into a somersault kick when executed in the air. When used airborne, you have i-frames against other aerial attacks, making it valuable not only as a combo finisher but also as an anti-air move.

Versatile attacks that enhance both attack and defense

Web Bomb plants a lingering explosive. Although it can be destroyed by enemy attacks, it’s useful for disrupting movement. His counter skill, Spidey-Sense, shifts Spider-Man into a special stance that lets him evade attacks and throws while automatically striking back. It proves handy for deflecting attacks right as you’re recovering from a knockdown or interrupting enemy combos.

Spider-Man also has a unique ability: crouch-walking. While I didn’t have a chance to try it, his extremely low stance may help him slip under certain projectiles while advancing. The combination of his core movesets, including projectiles, rush moves, and anti-airs, alongside his arsenal of quirky skills like Web Zip, makes Spider-Man extremely versatile and dynamic.

Ghost Rider

A tactical fighter equipped with a unique gauge

Ghost Rider wields a unique gauge called the Vengeance Gauge, designed to resemble a car or motorcycle tachometer. Managing this gauge is integral to his gameplay. It builds as he uses his skills, boosting both hit count and damage the higher the meter climbs. However, when the gauge maxes out, Ghost Rider collapses to his knees and suffers a long recovery, forcing players to carefully manage the meter so it doesn’t overload.

Powerful abilities that evolve based on the Vengeance Gauge

Hellfire unleashes flames and has a short recovery, which makes it tough for enemies to counter when blocking, and is perfect for applying pressure or setting up a combo. Penance Driver is a powerful command throw great for breaking defenses, and both light and heavy versions allow him to lunge forward to grab foes from mid-range. Judgment Cradle, his ranged chain attack, can branch into a feint, low, or overhead, giving him another way to crack defenses. Rounding out his arsenal is Hell Scorcher, which sets the ground ablaze to create an area of lingering flames that deals continuous damage.

The key is to build the Vengeance Gauge without losing control

To reduce the Vengeance Gauge, players must rely on unique moves, powerful supers, ultimate skills, or even tagging in a teammate. One such move, Revelator Chain, spins Ghost Rider’s chain in a flurry of strikes that drain the gauge with each hit. Holding down the button extends the move, allowing him to continuously attack while lowering his gauge. Another option is Hell Throttle, which engulfs Ghost Rider in flames to damage nearby foes. While this move cuts down the gauge significantly, it leaves him wide open, so timing is key.

Maintaining a high but not maxed-out Vengeance Gauge empowers Ghost Rider’s skills, giving him an advantage. Combos enhanced by these boosted abilities can shave off massive chunks of an opponent’s health bar, which feels immensely rewarding. However, in the heat of battle, it’s easy to let the gauge max out, which will leave you completely vulnerable. Mastering Ghost Rider clearly requires practice and precision.

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Ghost Rider demands tactical gameplay and constant gauge management, but his over-the-top style with whipping chains and spewing flames makes him a thrill to both play and watch. He is a challenging but highly rewarding character, so don’t be afraid to give him a shot.

Dive into an all-new Marvel Universe, filled with iconic Marvel heroes and villains, fan-favorite stages, and an intuitive gameplay system with MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls!

We here at Naughty Dog are honored to celebrate The Last of Us Day 2025, our annual recognition of the franchise that has meant so much to you, our incredible fans, and the teams at Naughty Dog who have contributed to the series over the years.

It’s been a busy year for The Last of Us, and we’re grateful for your incredible support of Joel, Ellie, and Abby’s journeys. So we’re excited to commemorate TLOU Day with you all in some fun, new ways:

The Last of Us Part II Remastered on PlayStation Plus

The Last of Us Part II Remastered is now available on PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium!* PlayStation 5 players can experience the stories of Ellie and Abby, alongside extra modes like No Return, Guitar Free Play, and more. We’ve been overjoyed by the reception to additions like the roguelike mode No Return from fans who have already played, and can’t wait for more of you to jump in.

And for PC players who have yet to play either entry on the series, good news: The Last of Us Part I and The Last of Us Part II Remastered will both be on sale starting next Monday, September 29 through October 6 as part of the Steam Autumn Sale!

The Last of Us Part II Remastered: No Retournament

Dozens of Dogs competed in our first-ever internal No Retournament, putting their skills to the test in the fan-favorite No Return mode introduced in The Last of Us Part II Remastered.

We wanted to offer a peek into our studio coming together for this thrilling event, so watch our recap below:

New The Last of Us Merchandise

We have a first look at Dark Horse’s incredible The Last of Us: Part I and Part II Scripts collection:

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Check out this new statue from our partners at Dark Horse offering an up-close look at the imposing Bloater. 

Our friends from YouTooz have also released new The Last of Us Monitor Buddies, so Ellie and Joel can keep watch while you work or play. YouTooz also released three new plush figures: Joel, Ellie, and Shimmer the horse.

Finally, Fangamer brought back the fan-favorite Brock the Brick plushie, and introduced Lev’s iconic shark plushie from The Last of Us Part II. 

TLOU Wallpapers and more

You may have seen our graphic designer Jason Ferry’s amazing work across our website, merchandise, and partnership collaborations. He’s even grown mold at home to use in his designs – don’t worry, he hasn’t turned into a Runner just yet. Here’s Jason to explain what he’s been up to:

“I’ve grown so much slime mold over the past year people have started calling me Mold Man. To celebrate TLOU Day, we’ve used the mold imagery to create six wallpapers for mobile and desktop. You can download them here, and carry my mold on the go, like a pro.” 

We’re also introducing new Animated Avatars and Avatar Frames for the Steam Points Shop. They’re designed in pairs, creating complex scenes when used together.

And with Halloween right around the corner, celebrate the holiday and TLOU with a set of nine The Last of Us Jack-O-Lantern stencils.

Submit your favorite Jack-O-Lanterns here by October 24 for a chance to be featured on the Naughty Dog social channels this Halloween!

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Thank you for celebrating another The Last of Us Day with us! It’s a privilege to see your love for the series through beautiful art, inspired cosplay, and amazing Photo Mode shots, all of which inspires us to keep making memorable games for you.

*The Last of Us Part II (PS4) and The Last of Us Part II Remastered (PS5). Game Catalog varies over time, region/country, and plan. PS Plus is an ongoing subscription subject to a recurring subscription fee taken automatically (at the then-current PS Store price) at the frequency you choose until cancellation. Terms apply, see play.st/psplus-usageterms.

In Possessor(s), you’ll play as Luca, a girl trapped in the ruins of her city in the aftermath of an attack by extra-dimensional demons.

Luca doesn’t exactly have a lot of experience fighting anyone… she used to be a pretty regular kid! But Sanzu City is full of demons who need killing, and Luca doesn’t exactly have any weapons lying around to kill them with.

To defend herself and Rhem, her allied demon, Luca will have to scrounge for makeshift weapons all over Sanzu. Rhem will give her the power to turn some of the simple household items she finds into much-more-deadly ones.

Wield what you have

Luca has two kinds of attacks: Weapons, which she can use at any time to batter her enemies, and Special Weapons, which spend Charges. Luca can earn additional Charges of her Specials by making successful hits with her regular Weapon.

When Luca wakes up in the ruins of Sanzu, the only Weapon she can find is a pair of kitchen knives. But soon, she’ll start collecting some even stranger items.

In the Campus, Luca can get her hands on an Electric Guitar. She can charge it up and perform a massive ground smash, sending a shockwave at her enemies. The Guitar is a slow but powerful weapon. When you’re wielding it, you’ll have to choose your timing well!

In the Sunken City housing development, Luca might find the Hockey Stick. This weapon is great for performing quick, deadly sweeps, and hitting enemies who are standing further away. Its attacks can also be chained into aerial combos against flying or juggled enemies.

Luca can pair either of these Weapons with up to three Special Weapons by assigning them to different directional inputs. This allows you to build your own combos.

For example, Luca’s Computer Mouse Special is great for knocking enemies into the air, where they can be juggled by the Hockey Stick’s aerial combo. The Cell Phone special shocks enemies around the player, which may stun them long enough for her to smash them with her Guitar.

One of Luca’s strange Specials is a pair of cool Sunglasses. Activating them right before an enemy strikes you allows you to do a massive counterattack! My favorite Special, however, is her Katana. It’s the only one of her Weapons which is genuinely a weapon – Luca finds it in the Mall! It works as a gap-closer, helping Luca zoom close to her enemies and damage them with a powerful swipe.

Search the city

To find these weapons, Luca will have to search every inch of Sanzu City. The city is overgrown and destroyed, and a lot of the places that used to be familiar to her now feel strange and dangerous.

The SanZooQuarium, a local aquarium she used to visit on field trips, is now full of possessed sea creatures… and demonic penguins with something suspicious to sell you. She’ll have to fight her way past shattered fishtanks to find the last human hiding there. What kind of deal did he strike with these demons to keep himself alive? Luca will have to find him and get some answers!

Luca can also explore her old high school Campus. The classrooms and libraries are now filled with possessed books, filing cabinets, vases, and lamps. There’s a human hiding here, too – Luca’s old teacher, Professor Foss. He wants to help her… but he seems unwell, and he might be hiding a secret in the basement of the school. Luca will have to get some answers from him, too!

Survive with what you have

Luca and Rhem are all on their own in Sanzu. But with Rhem’s powers, and Luca’s tenacity, they’ll be able to hold back an army of demons with a pile of scrounged items. To see how she does it, you’ll have to check out Possessor(s) at release for PlayStation 5 on November 11!

Where Winds Meet is an ambitious free to play open-world ARPG that seeks not just to emulate but to embody the very soul of Wuxia.

Wuxia is a captivating genre typically found in fiction and cinema, featuring warriors from ancient China performing superhuman martial arts feats, think Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon or House of Flying Daggers. The world of Wuxia is often mistakenly conflated with Kung Fu. But where traditional Kung Fu emphasizes the realistic, disciplined mastery of martial arts, Wuxia is a seamless blend of martial prowess, eastern philosophical depth, and aesthetic elegance. In this world, warriors glide across rooftops, inner energy defies gravity, and even everyday objects can become instruments of profound beauty and deadly precision.

Central to this mission is its combat system, where weaponry is far more than a tool for violence – it is a demonstration of character, philosophy, and art. Weapons in Where Winds Meet are deeply integrated into the core gameplay of its Wuxia open world. Players can equip two weapons simultaneously and easily switch between them during combat. Weapons are a crucial component that determines the player’s fighting style; players can learn different weapons based on their interests and flexibly replace or match them. The combination of weapons with various Martial Arts and Internal Arts forms the core element of character build in the game.

Where Winds Meet features a wide arsenal of weapons: Spear, Sword, Dual Blades, Rope Dart, the enigmatic Mo blade, and more, each meticulously crafted with distinct weight, speed, and feel. Yet among these, one stands out as an embodiment of Wuxia’s spirit – a weapon that should be impractical, yet in this world becomes poetry in lethal motion – the umbrella.

The Umbrella: where poetry meets combat

In reality, an umbrella is merely a shelter in the rain, but in the Wuxia world of Where Winds Meet, it becomes a vessel for romance and lethality. It’s soft yet sharp, defensive yet aggressive. It’s light as a feather but can strike like a storm. When it opens, it can shield you. When it closes, it becomes a blade. We drew inspiration from classics – like the umbrella vs. pole blade fight in Zhang Yimou’s movie, “Shadow”- but we also wanted to add our own flavor.

A key priority for us was ensuring that even the most fantastical movements feel believable and impactful. To achieve this, we partnered with Action Director Wei Tung, a multi-award winner (Hong Kong Film Awards, Golden Horse Awards) whose legendary filmography includes Bruce Lee’s Fist of Fury, Kung Fu Killer, As Tears Go By, and Swordsman II.

Behind the scenes motion capture

Rather than relying solely on digital animation, Mr. Tung insisted on real martial artists performing every move. All actions, including solo techniques, were captured with at least two stunt actors interacting – this preserved the sense of impact, reaction, and spatial awareness.

We employed full-body simultaneous motion capture, requiring performers to execute every movement with perfect coordination. The result is a combat system that feels visceral, intentional, and cinematically expressive, whether you’re wielding a sword, a spear, or an umbrella.

Ranged Assault – delicate form, overwhelming force

The Floating State – a dance above the battlefield

Heavy Blow- returning strike with weight and impact

Solo Combat – a portable stronghold

Partnered Combat – the umbrella as a fighting companion

A living world: the seasonal journey ahead

We believe that a Wuxia world should continually grow and unfold. That’s why Where Winds Meet will be structured around a seasonal update model, with each season lasting approximately three months and introducing new map areas, gameplay and narrative to explore.

Our launching season will include two expansive regions – Qinghe and Kaifeng – each with its own story arc, allowing players to delve deeper into the game’s storyline and unravel their character’s past.

The seasonal updates will differ in focus. Some may advance the main plot through new regions and characters, others may introduce new gameplay and time-limited in-game activities, or enhance social features and character progression. Most importantly, we will continuously optimize and adjust the gaming experience based on feedback from the player community. It’s our way of building this world with our players, not just for them.

A shared wuxia dream for all

For us, Where Winds Meet is more than a game – it’s an invitation to experience Wuxia as we’ve always imagined it. We aim to take the romanticism, the philosophy, and the grounded-ness of Wuxia and weave them into a living, breathing, and endlessly evolving world. We can’t wait for you to enter this world with us!

Where Winds Meet will be free to play and will launch globally on November 14, 2025. The game is now available to wishlist on PlayStation Store. An exclusive pre-order bundle for PS5 is also available, including an outfit pack, a PS5-exclusive namecard background and more:

As revealed in today’s State of Play, the God of War 20^th Anniversary limited edition DualSense controller launches this October. Designed to evoke the legendary Ghost of Sparta’s ashen skin and scarlet tattoo, the controller pays homage to Kratos, who has taken on countless roles and endless challenges across Ancient Greece and the Nine Realms.

Join us in celebrating two decades of God of War with a controller that reflects Kratos’ journey spanning four console generations, two handheld systems, and more than a dozen games, beginning with Santa Monica Studio’s God of War for the PlayStation 2 console.

Associate Art Director Dela Longfish from Santa Monica Studio shares more on the controller’s iconic Kratos-inspired design:

“In honor of God of War’s 20th anniversary this year, we were thrilled by the opportunity to celebrate this milestone with a new DualSense controller design.

When we were deciding how best to embody the series, we immediately thought the form of the controller lent itself perfectly to Kratos’ omega tattoo. No matter which God of War game you’re playing, the shape of his red ink against the gray of his ash-covered skin is one of the most iconic elements of Kratos’ look across both Greek and Norse sagas. Our team made sure to represent both of these key tones in the color selection for the controller to make every aspect an authentic homage to the design that has defined Kratos for over two decades. 

We hope fans enjoy the controller and can’t thank everyone enough for all of the support you’ve shown Santa Monica Studio over the years!”

The DualSense wireless controller – God of War 20^th Anniversary Limited Edition will be available in limited quantities for a recommended retail price of SGD 119 / RM 419 / Rp 1,549,000 / THB 2,890 / PHP 4,890 / VND 2,399,000. Pre-orders start on October 3, 2025 at participating retailers. The exact launch date and availability for the controller may vary by country/region.   

Today’s State of Play packed a lot into its runtime. First gameplay looks from upcoming heavy hitters, new game reveals, release date confirmations, and more. Want to catch up on the entire show? Find out more about the different announcements? This article has you covered. 

Firstly, you can rewatch the full show below. Underneath that, we expand on each of the games featured in the show with the key headlines, full trailers, as well further details and insight by the game creators in a selection of dedicated PS Blog articles. 

Battlefield 6 

Step into the boots of Dagger 13 as Battlefield 6 unveils its globe-trotting single player campaign. This elite Marine Raiders unit is determined to stop Pax Armata, a private military corporation seeking to reshape global power as world order teeters on the edge of collapse. Switch between members and command the rest of your unit to support you in this military thriller. 

Single Player Creative Director Roman Campos-Oriola discusses its narrative structure, locations and introduces the squad in a PS Blog post. 

Chronoscript: The Endless End

Navigate a world of words in a PS5 exploration-based 2D action-adventure, coming from the same creative minds of RPG Time! The Legend of Wright, DeskWorks Inc., in collaboration with Shueisha Games. 

Find out more gameplay details from the game’s producer in a dedicated PS Blog post. 

Code Vein II

Code Vein II launches January 30, 2026 on PS5, pairing the release date confirmation with all-new gameplay for State of Play. The trailer gave us a closer look at the action RPG sequel that will have players explore a future world in which vampires and humans coexist, fighting alongside trusted partners and facing fierce battles with powerful vampires. 

Bandai Namco breaks down the mixture of weapons, supernatural powers, and ability to summon a partner character that’ll form the backbone of the game’s combat in a PS Blog post. 

Crimson Desert

Embark on an open-world action-adventure March 19 next year when Crimson Desert launches on PS5. To mark the release date news, Pearl Abyss unveiled a brand-new trailer focused on the story and events that will propel you across the vast continent of Pywel.

Pearl Abyss unpack the story, PS5 features and pre-order bonus items in a dedicated PS Blog post. 

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Deus Ex Remastered 

Asypr turns its remastering magic to the original cyberpunk immersive sim. In collaboration with Eidos Montreal, Aspyr is reviving Deus Ex for a PS5 remaster, looking to in Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Mankind Divided to redefine their predecessor’s control scheme, and infusing visuals with new lighting, dynamic shadows, rebuilt character models and much more. The game launches February 5 on PS5. 

The studio outlines how it’s modernizing the futuristic thriller for the PS5 and takes aim at a February release date this year in a new PS Blog post. 

Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered

The original PS2 Dynasty Warriors 3 introduced many of the series’ core staples, such as two-player simultaneous play, and the officer development system. Come March 19 next year it’ll be reborn on PS5 in the form of Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered, built on Unreal Engine 5 and featuring numerous enhancements. 

Koei Tecmo share what players can expect for the remaster, including content from the standalone expansion Dynasty Warriors 3: Xtreme Legends in a PS Blog post. 

God of War 20th Anniversary Limited Edition DualSense wireless controller

Celebrate God of War’s 20th Anniversary with a limited edition DualSense controller. Launching this October, this controller pays homage to Kratos with a design that evokes  the legendary Ghost of Sparta’s ashen skin and scarlet tattoo. Pre-orders open October 3. 

More pre-order details plus insight from Santa Monica Studio Associate Art Director Dela Longfish, who shares more on the controller’s iconic Kratos-inspired design in a dedicated PS Blog post. 

Gran Turismo 7 

Kazunori Yamauchi, the producer of the Gran Turismo series, joined us at State of Play to announce that, as of June 2025, the series has sold 100 million units globally. To celebrate, GT7 owners can enjoy a Spec III Update for the game, coming this December. Billed as the biggest update to the title yet, it includes new features and content, including two brand-new F1 race circuits, 8 new vehicles, circuit experience, data logger feature and more. Take a first look in the trailer above. 

Halloween

October 31 comes early to PS5 next year. IllFonic brings the iconic horror series – and the world of Haddonfield – to interactive life on September 8, 2026. Halloween takes shape in the form of a standalone singleplayer story or dynamic asymmetrical multiplayer matches as you play the Boogeyman himself, Micheal Myers, or a resident intent on stopping his nighttime rampage. 

The goals of Myers or a Haddonfield local – and how they’ll achieve them – are discussed by IllFonic in PS Blog post. 

Last Epoch

Journey through the world of Eterra, traveling across distinct eras of its history alone or with up to three companions in online co-op in Lost Epoch. Newly confirmed for PS5, this action RPG will launch alongside its first major expansion, Last Epoch: Oryboss, and promises genre-defining skill customization, a deep rewarding loot system, and all previous seasonal content.

Eleventh Hour Games discuss more on character classes, battle strategies and endgame content in a dedicated PS Blog post. 

Let It Die: Inferno 

In this roguelite survival action game, out December 3 on PS5, take on the role of an immortal explorer, called a Raider, descending and exploring the depths of Hell. You’re not alone as you delve: you’ll encounter other players as well as the grotesque denizens in Hell Gate, and need to survive battling both. Your success will hinge on a strategic combination of unique weapons and special abilities. 

This PS Blog post has first details on the PvPvE title that returns players to the Let It Die world.

Marvel’s Wolverine

Marvel’s Wolverine is set to launch on PlayStation 5 Fall 2026, as Insomniac Games in collaboration with Marvel Games deliver an original take on the beloved Marvel character. The studio unleashed its first gameplay trailer which shows how it intends to deliver the ultimate Wolverine fantasy, with fast, fluid, and ferocious combat; exhilarating, action-packed set pieces, and a gripping story that taps into the core tenets of one of the most compelling comic book characters of all-time.

Find out the locations this upcoming global thriller will take Logan, some of the familiar faces he’ll encounter, as well as the reveal of the game’s key art and more in a dedicated PS Blog post from Insomniac Games. 

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 takes flight on PS5 December 8. Pursue your aviation career with dynamically-generated missions, compete against other pilots, and explore the most detailed digital twin of the world to date. Set out on your global adventure with a large fleet of aircraft, and enjoy the full game in PS VR2 with a free update that will be available in 2026.  

Find out more in a dedicated PS Blog post.

Nioh 3 

Koei Tecmo joined State of Play today to offer a fresh look at its upcoming action RPG Nioh 3, introducing some of the key characters and more of its gorgeous combat. And, along with all that? A release date: February 6, 2026 for PS5. 

PlayStation Plus 

We’re days away from TLOU Day, and to celebrate, The Last of Us Part II will be available on PlayStation Plus Game Catalog from September 26.* And the hits keep coming. October’s PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup of Alan Wake 2, Goat Simulator 3 and Cocoon is available October 7, and coming to the PlayStation Plus Premium Classics range later this year is the pair of fighting classics – Tekken 3 from the original PlayStation and PS2’s Soulcalibur III, as well as PS2 adventure Tomb Raider Anniversary. 

*The Last of Us Part II (PS4) and The Last of Us Part II Remastered (PS5)

PlayStation Pulse Elevate Wireless speakers

Some more hardware news in today’s State of Play. The PlayStation Pulse Elevate Wireless speakers bring the PlayStation audio and chat experience to your desktop with planar magnetic drivers, multi-device connectivity, and PlayStation Link wireless technology. 

Get a closer look at the speakers, and a deep dive into the tech behind them in a new PS Blog post. 

Saros

Housemarque debuted an extended look at Saros’ world, combat and mechanics. And if you were excited by what you saw, you won’t have long to wait: the game launches March 20, 2026 on PS5. You can learn more about the game in a dedicated PS Blog post from the studio below. 

Housemarque Creative Director Gregory Louden digs into the game’s core combat mechanics, and how its story will unravel during your journey through the shape-shifting, hostile alien planet of Carcosa in a new PS Blog.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds 

The Blue Bomber leaps from the platforming stage to join Sonic and pals on the race track! Mega Man is coming to Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, and he’s not alone. Proto Man is also competing, and racers will take to the course of a reimagined Dr. Wily’s Castle from Mega Man 2. The Mega Man DLC pack will launch early 2026 as part of the Season Pass Digital Deluxe Edition. 

The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin

Explore the world of an iconic Japanese manga and anime series when The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin launches January 28 next year on PS5. Alongside the release date confirmation, today’s State of Play also featured a new gameplay look at the free-to-play open-world RPG, which can be enjoyed solo or with other players. 

Netmarble set the scene for its new PS5 game, explaining its story, gameplay and why it’s a great introduction to the series for newcomers in a PS Blog post. 

Zero Parades – For Dead Spies

Today’s State of Play revealed the first-ever gameplay of Zero Parades – For Dead Spies, the new narrative-first espionage RPG from Disco Elysium studio ZA/UM. You play as Hershel, a brilliant yet unfortunate operant in a world where trust is scarce, betrayal is just around every corner, and failure is inevitable. 

ZA/UM dive further into the game’s features debuted in today’s trailer, including Dramatic Encounters, Exertion and Conditioning, in a PS Blog post. 

Monster Hunter Wilds Free Title Update 3 arrives on September 29, featuring a special collaboration with Square Enix’s MMORPG, Final Fantasy XIV Online! The update includes the additional monster Omega Planetes, a wide variety of collaboration content from the world of Eorzea, and much more.

In early October, Final Fantasy XIV Online will also add collaboration content from Monster Hunter Wilds, including the Guardian Arkveld. We hope you check out the fun collaboration content in both games!

Monster Hunter Wilds – Free Title Update 3

Embark on a new quest in Monster Hunter Wilds, which begins with the arrival of the characters Alpha and Omega from Eorzea, the setting of Final Fantasy XIV Online.

After downloading the update, hunters who are at least Hunter Rank (HR) 41 or higher and have completed the main mission “What Lies Ahead” can take on a new special extra mission in the Iceshard Cliffs.

Additional Monster: Omega Planetes

Omega Planetes has traveled across dimensions! Having descended into the Forbidden Lands, the Omega frame now bears a new name—one that sets it apart from the others.

Omega Planetes will spawn a Nerscylla Clone as it charges its powerful Delta Attack. Defeating the Nerscylla Clone will generate a powerful shield for you and your allies to take shelter in, so be sure to work together to take it down. Other creatures like the Morbol Seedling and the Cactuar—said to have wandered in from the otherworldly realm of Eorzea, will also appear in this special collaboration.

Two Jobs from Final Fantasy XIV join the Hunt

The two-handed sword wielding Dark Knight, who unleashes powerful techniques with the power of darkness, and the Pictomancer, who attacks by bringing paintings to life, are two unique jobs reinterpreted with unique gameplay mechanics in Monster Hunter Wilds.

Dark Knight

Activating the skill Soul of the Dark Knight on the Bale Armor α series armor unlocks the special action: The Blackest Knight. Using The Blackest Knight from the item bar consumes your own HP to generate a powerful barrier. The Greatsword “Shadowbringer” also features a unique dedicated weapon skill.

Pictomancer

Using Soul of the Pictomancer lets you unleash powerful spells with Pictomancy via the item bar. Cast three different spells in sequence and finish with the powerful Mog of the Ages spell. 

Pictomancy deals high damage to monsters in Final Fantasy XIV Online and possesses high damage potential in your hunts, so don’t forget to take advantage of it! 

Enjoy a variety of content from the collaboration, including Palico equipment, a Seikret Decoration, Pendant, Gesture, Hunter Profile background, poses, nameplate, and title!!

Arch-Tempered Nu Udra emerges in Free Title Update 3

The third Arch-Tempered monster, Arch-Tempered Nu Udra, arrives as a permanent Event Quest on Wednesday, October 22.

Defeat Arch-Tempered Nu Udra and obtain materials to forge the Nu Udra γ series hunter armor and the Udra γ series gear for your Palico. Hunters taking on this challenge will need to be at least HR100 or higher to accept this quest. 

Celebrate Autumn with the Festival of Accord: Dreamspell Seasonal Event

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Autumn comes to the Grand Hub during the Festival of Accord: Dreamspell! Enjoy the spooky splendor of the new decorations and meals in the Grand Hub, and obtain various rewards like limited-time gear, gestures, and camp decorations when the event runs from October 22 to November 12. We look forward to greeting you in the Grand Hub and its mysterious and unique autumn vibe!

Additional Systems and Other Features

Select a quest completion animation priority

Want a certain completion animation to play after completing a quest? You can now use the Quest Clear Animation Priority setting to select your certain animations to be prioritized at the end of a hunt. Select your favorites to customize your hunts even further!

Additional quest completion animations will be available as paid DLC. Both the Handler Set and the Smithy Set will be available on PlayStation Store after the release of Free Title Update 3, both as part of Cosmetic DLC Pack 3 and as individual purchases. 

Four nostalgic gestures arrive as free downloadable content

Check PlayStation Store to download the free gestures after the release of Free Title Update 3. 

New Event Quests

More new Event Quests are coming after the release of Free Title Update 3, including quests where you can obtain materials for crafting special equipment and rarity 8 Artian Parts, as well as a challenge quest against Seregios.

We’re also introducing a Free Challenge Quest against Arch-Tempered Nu Udra, where you’ll aim to complete the quest as fast as possible to earn exclusive rewards. This quest will be available for a limited time, so make sure to stay tuned to the Monster Hunter social accounts for more information in the future.  

Paid DLC content

Cosmetic DLC Pack 3* will be available alongside Free Title Update 3 and features a variety of items that can be obtained as part of the pass or purchased separately. 

*Cosmetic DLC Pack 3 is not included in the Cosmetic DLC Pass. It may take some time for the content to appear in the store.

Free Title Update Roadmap

Free Title Update 4 arrives this December, marking the explosive return of the Giant Halberd Dragon, Gogmazios. The update will also further build upon endgame elements and introduce various other improvements, so we hope you look forward to it! 

We hope you continue to enjoy Monster Hunter Wilds!

Next week, October 2, Ghost of Yōtei launches on PS5. We’ve gotten a taste of the  revenge-fuelled journey to come by way of State of Play, got to grips with the versatility of the game’s multi-weapon combat, discovered how encounters with allies and threats will shape our exploration of the Ezo’s beautiful, rugged landscapes, and even sampled its soundscape. 

Today, we’re turning our focus to the game’s Photo Mode.

Like its predecessor, Ghost of Yōtei will give players free reign to freeze the on-screen action at (almost) any point and access a multitude of adjustments to freely mould the moment into an eye-catching still photograph, an evocative cinemagraph, or an impressive tracking shot. Let’s look through the feature set, as well as some suggestions as how to use those settings to snap your way across Ezo. 

Note: The example shots below avoid any story spoilers, and are all taken early on into the game, and around the opening area. 

Beginner’s guide and tips 

If you’re interested in trying out Photo Mode, you’ll find a list of tips and example shots. It’s in no way exhaustive or a deep dive into the technical aspects of photography, but more reflecting on things I consider when taking photos myself. To my fellow virtual photographers: feel free to add your own tips in the comments section!

The basics

• Photo Mode activation is activated by tapping right on the D-Pad. You can activate it at almost any point, be it exploring, in the middle of combat or even when lining up the perfect long range shot. 
• You can reset individual settings within their submenus, or reset to default with Square (a confirmation prompt avoids an accidental full reset). The game will save your last set of customisation settings even if you dip in and out of Photo Mode. 
• There’s an auto-focus mode that can be toggled on and off.  

Try these focus lengths for portraits, landscapes

Ghost of Yōtei’s Photo Mode camera has a focus mode stretching from 12mm – 300mm, which covers pretty much any type of setup you need. There’s a general rule of thumb on which focal lengths are a good fit for certain shot types. But it’s not a hard rule: getting creative with focus lengths can lead to great compositions. My advice? Keep experimenting. 

Landscapes: 24mm or below. 

Portraits: 35mm is good for those environmental ‘slice of life’ snaps, 50mm for headshots, 80mm for full body portraits of single subjects (especially if you combine with a narrow field of focus, which turns everything in the foreground and background blurry, keeping attention on the subject).

Macro shots: In Ghost of Yōtei, 100mm upwards can help you zoom in on finer details, or bring us up close to moments in the far distance.  

Take time to look around 

Got your shot? Great. But before you leave Photo Mode, investigate the surrounding landscape with a pan of your camera around. You might catch sight of an until then unobserved detail – be it an NPC interaction, nearby wildlife, or even an alternate composition for your existing shot. 

[right] This eagle was but a distant speck over Atsu’s shoulder during a portrait.

Play with natural light to get the shot right

You’ve got time on your hands. Cycle through a 24-hour day to test how the accompanying daylight or nighttime lighting impacts your shot. You may welcome harsher shadows due to a midday sun, the softer, warmer light of golden hour (the time just after sunrise or just before sunset), or enjoy the epic nighttime sky. You can also shift natural light until it illuminates a specific part of the photo that you want to draw attention to.   

Same shot, a few hours apart. Overcast sky and weak sunlight makes for a strong, but cool first image. Scrubbing the timeline to golden hour coupled with a slight tweak of cloud cover makes for a warmer take in the second shot. Additional tip: tilt the camera angle by a few degrees to inject extra energy into the shot (called a Dutch Angle).

Day and night portraits. The first uses the rising sun to profile Atsu, with part of her body in shadow. The second, moonlight, with Atsu placed in the lower third of the shot, emphasising the sheer scale of the night’s sky behind. 

Animated Vs Still Camera

As default, Photo Mode’s camera is set to animated. Atsu and other characters will remain still, but movement caused by the wind, or flocks of birds in flight, remain unaffected. Perfect if you want to generate a cinemagraph-style shot. A dedicated Particle option lets you introduce moving leaves, embers, insects, or birds (as well as the volume of each), with the Wind Direction option helpfully dictating which way particles will flow.  

In the first image, we went with a wide focus (24mm or so) to capture the size of the galloping herd and used a Dutch Angle to add a sense of energy. Leaf particles suggested debris being kicked up by hoofs. One mistake I made: I should have chosen Violet Petals as Particles to keep consistent with the flowers in the field. 

The second shot is the exact same instance, but using my own advice to pan the camera round to test a different composition, removed particles and changed time of day to golden hour.  

Colour grading: set mood, direct focus, get artistic 

Ghost of Yōtei’s excellent colour grade options is partly why my photo count is already in triple digits. I’ll snap multiple versions of shots with different colour grades. Let’s take a look at some executions. 

Above are four photos at the same location. The only differences? Switching colour grades, and introducing heavy fog. A serene landscape scene is given an almost abstract artistic twist with a few tweaks. 

I wanted to highlight the figures in the bottom left to better emphasize the scale of this landscape. I could alter the time of day to find a point when their stretch of field was flooded with sunlight. But a quick colour grade switch gave the area the pop I needed.

Here’s a more creative treatment of colour grading. The Maple Colour Grading desaturates an image of all but the colour red. It helped me notice – and highlight – the scratches on Atsu’s hands. Gingko Colour Grade does similar for yellow, as you can see in the second photo.  

Get creative, experiment 

As always, it’s how you put everything together to create the final result. I love discovering how Colour Grades and tinkering with Exposure and Contrast really adds extra oomph to a key moment, or sets me off in an entirely different creative direction. 

Even a duel gone wrong offers opportunity. Caught by activating Photo Mode as my opponent landed the death blow, orientating the shot to portrait, dialing up contrast and leaning on Maple Colour Grading to emphasize reds. 

Your turn

You’ll be able to test out Photo Mode yourself from October 2, and look out for a Share of the Week requesting entries for Ghost of Yōtei in the very near future!