Category: PlayStation

Packed show, right? Clocking in at just over an hour, today’s State of Play ran the gauntlet of exciting updates to upcoming SIE Studios titles and games coming from our third party partners, as well as surprise new reveals and upcoming demos. Oh, and there was the small matter of God of War, with the announcement of a remake of the original God of War trilogy and the surprise reveal of God of War Sons of Sparta, which is out now on PS5.

We’ve got the full show for you to rewatch below. Underneath that, we recap all the key details of every announcement and include the full trailers for your viewing pleasure, and for several titles, further details and insight by the game creators in a selection of dedicated PlayStation Blog articles. 

007 First Light

State of Play debuted a brand-new story trailer for 007 First Light, offering PlayStation 5 players a deeper look at IO Interactive’s original take on the origin of James Bond. The video offers a glimpse of Bond’s exploits in Iceland, which puts him on MI6’s radar as a potential recruit for its newly revived 00 programme. The programme will see Bond cross paths with its training instructor, former 00 agent John Greenway, with two needing to work together to take on 009, a former British operative now turned rogue and on the loose. 

More new 00 secrets are shared in a new PlayStation Blog article. 

4: Loop

Following up from last December’s reveal, Bad Robot Games Chief Creative Officer Mike Booth joined us at State of Play to delve into the core gameplay loop, mechanics and more of the four-player co-op shooter 4: Loop. You can check out the full breakdown in the video above, and read more from Booth in a dedicated PlayStation Blog article, including news on upcoming beta opportunities. 

Find out more about 4: Loop. 

Beast of Reincarnation

This one-person, one-dog action RPG launches on PS5 August 4. Set in sci-fi inspired far-future Japan against the backdrop of a devastated world, Beast of Reincarnation follows Emma, a blight-corrupted outcast and her four-legged companion Koo, a malefact whose kind is supposedly a danger to the world. You’ll need to switch between Emma’s real-time, sword-based combat and directing Koo through a command system similar to a turn-based RPG. 

Game Freak shares more details on the game world and lore in an accompanying PlayStation Blog article. 

Brigandine Abyss

A blast from PlayStation’s strategic past returns this year in the form of Brigandine Abyss, a new entry in the single player fantasy strategy RPG, the first title of which was released on the original PlayStation back in 1998. Now, six years after the release of Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia, the series once again brings players to a fantasy world where battles take place on a hex grid.

More on how classic staples mix with brand-new systems in a PlayStation Blog article from the game’s creators. 

Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse

Adventurers, get ready to crack that whip as the legendary 2D action-exploration series returns this year on PS5. Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse recaptures the gothic action in a whole new way as development duties are shared between Konami, Evil Empire, and Motion Twin. New weapons and abilities join classic tools, all envisioned with a brand new art style. 

Find out more about the game’s story and mechanics in this PlayStation Blog article.

Control Resonant

Remedy Entertainment shares new details on Control Resonant’s shapeshifting weapons, navigating gravity anomalies, and more. Learn how you’ll navigate a Manhattan unpredictably reshaped by otherworldly forces and battle fearsome forces by using our own supernatural abilities, including a shapeshifting weapon. 

Find out more from Remedy Entertainment in a PlayStation Blog article. 

Crimson Moon

Welcome to a gothic world full of angels, demons, and ancient gods. In this action-adventure RPG Crimson Moon, developed by ProbablyMonsters, you’ll battle alone or join forces with a friend. Be ready though, as co-op amplifies the intensity, with dynamic difficulty scaling and enemy composition ensuring every mission feels fresh and personal. Whether fighting side-by-side or carving your own path, the goal remains the same. Purge the darkness and reclaim the city. The game launches later this year on PS5. 

Discover a breakdown of the game’s features in this PlayStation Blog article. 

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Darwin’s Paradox

Octopus Darwin slithered into State of Play with two announcements. First, a release date: April 2. Secondly, the surprise announcement, not only of a demo, but a demo that will be available tomorrow, and that demo’s content is directly inspired by Metal Gear Solid! Play the Tactical Octopus Action demo tomorrow on PS5, and pre-order the full game to get two exclusive skins. 

Dead or Alive 6 Last Round 

A double hit of Dead or Alive news at State of Play. First off, Dead or Alive 6 Last Round will be slugging its way onto PS5 on June 25. This definitive version of the 2019 brawler will launch simultaneously with both standard and free-to-play editions, with the latter featuring 4 fighters from the fuller 29-strong roster. And Team Ninja confirmed work is underway on a brand new entry into the series, sharing a first tease, which you can watch above. 

Find out more on Dead or Alive 6 Last Round in a new PlayStation Blog article. 

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach 

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach comes to PC on March 19, with pre-purchase starting today on Steam and Epic Games. New features and modes will be part of that release, and they’ll also be available on PS5 the same day as a game update! More details on those will be revealed in the future. 

Find out more about how Nixxes Software and Kojima Productions are bringing the game to PC. 

God of War

Two big announcements from Santa Monica Studio concluded today’s State of Play. First, confirmation that a remake of the God of War Greek trilogy is in early development. Secondly, the studio has partnered with Mega Cat Studios to create 2D action platformer God of War Sons of Sparta, which is out today on PS5! 

Everything you need to know in this PS Blog article.

Ghost of Yōtei Legends

Strike through March 10 on your calendars warriors, as that’s the day Ghost of Yōtei Legends launches. This supernaturally-charged, cooperative multiplayer update, will be available to all Ghost of Yōtei players as part of the game’s 1.5 update. With distinct character classes to learn and earn cosmetics for, three mission types to conquer and the promise of a Raid in the coming months, you better warm up that sword arm.

Sucker Punch Productions break down the game’s modes further in an accompanying PlayStation Blog article. 

John Wick

Saber Interactive is working with the creators of the action movie franchise to create a previously unseen chapter in the life of John Wick, which lets you play as the Baba Yaga himself. The studio is promising the signature elements from John Wick movies to be present in the game, from the unique use of camerawork; bold and cinematic environments; and extremely distinctive gun-fu action and intense driving experiences. The game is coming to PS5, but release date and official title is not yet known.

Saber Interactive reveals more about the game in a PlayStation Blog article.  

Kena: Scars of Kosmora

Ember Lab returns with an all-new adventure as an older, renowned Spirit Guide Kena travels to the mysterious island of Kosmora. Spirit companions will be a big part of Kena’s journey, charming buddies that travel with you, grow over time, and unlock new powers as your bond deepens. There’s still spirits to be cleansed, and new elemental gameplay expands the strategy and depth to combat. Kena: Scars of Kosmora launches this year on PS5 and PC. 

Ember Lab explains how partnering with PlayStation Studios has empowered them to craft an even larger world.  

Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered

The remastered dark fantasy classic launches March 3 on PS5 and PS4, with a robust set of new features to get your fangs into. Alongside refinements to visuals, controls, and camera design for modern audiences, and a host of archival content, the game’s Deluxe Edition will feature a playable demo of Defiance’s cancelled sequel, Dark Prophecy. 

Crystal Dynamics talks through the remaster in a new PlayStation Blog article. 

Marathon

It’s not long until Marathon’s launch on March 5, but players eager to start their exploration of Tau Ceti IV won’t even need to wait that long: Bungie has announced n Server Slam on Feb 26. PS5 players will be able to experience select content from the full game, as well as earn a tiered gear package and grab a special emblem and banner which will be available in the full experience. Oh, and the studio also came to State of Play with a brand-new gameplay trailer in tow. 

More from Bungie and Marathon in this PlayStation Blog article. 

MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls

Ready those colorful costumes, superhero fans. MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls punches onto PS5 and PC August 6, with pre-orders opening Feb 19. Alongside the release date, State of Play revealed three new additions to the roster in the form of Magik, Wolverine and Danger, and in a supporting PlayStation Blog article, the creators confirmed an Episode Mode and detailed the different editions that’ll be available at PlayStation Store. 

Get the full news from this PlayStation Blog article. 

Metal Gear Solid Collection Vol. 2

Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 launches August 27 this year on PS5. Packaging together Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, and the series’ first portable title Metal Gear: Ghost Babel as a bonus title along with some extras that’ll thrill long-term fans of Konami’s stealth series. 

Full details on what’s in the collection in this PlayStation Blog article.  

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Mina the Hollower

Shovel Knight studio Yacht Games joined State of Play to share new gameplay and a PS5 demo for Mina the Hollower. The action adventure launches this spring on PS5, and promises to be the creator’s largest game yet, boasting a densely packed world with over 25 unique bosses, 60 trinkets to discover, weapon upgrades, a level up system, new game plus, hundreds of gameplay modifiers, a fishing mini-game, tons of puns, and so much more. You can try it yourself tomorrow, when a limited time demo drops on PS5.

Yacht Games introduce the game’s central character and dives into gameplay in a new PlayStation Blog article. 

Neva: Prologue

Set years before the events of the original game, this prologue tells the story of how Alba and the wolf cub Neva first met. You must guide the cub through the blighted wilderness, facing new enemies and endure perilous trials together. New gameplay mechanics and all new locations are promised. This DLC launches February 19. 

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PlayStation Plus

Multiple games were announced to be coming to PlayStation Plus. Co-op puzzler Big Walk is launching day one into PlayStation Plus Monthly Games later this year, while PlayStation Plus Premium members can enjoy two Classics in the form of Tekken Dark Resurrection (originally released on PSP), out March, and Time Crisis, out May. 

February’s Game Catalog lineup was also announced at State of Play. Quickly swap between both Spider-Men as you explore an expanded Marvel’s New York in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, race for supremacy across a shared open world in Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown, embark on an intimate, emotional journey through a fading land in Neva, or capture fleeting moments on a reflective road trip in Season: A Letter to the Future. Meanwhile, Disney Pixar Wall-E brings platform adventure to PlayStation Plus Premium. All these titles and more are available in February’s PlayStation Plus Game Catalog from February 17. 

See the full PlayStation Plus Game Catalog list in this PS Blog article. 

Pragmata

Today’s State of Play brought us a closer look at Capcom’s new intriguing sci-fi adventure,giving us a glimpse into its world and the threats that protagonists Hugh and his android companion Diana will face. Get ready to hack and fight your way through enemy threats April 24 on PS5. 

Project Windless

Coming to PS5, Project Windless is a dark fantasy open-world action RPG inspired by the Korean novel series The Bird That Drinks Tears. The game will tap into a point thousands of years before the source material, having you play as one of the Rekons, a nomadic warrior race of humanoid birds, known for their immense physical strength and size. 

Krafton Montreal Studio outline the massive battles and open exploration you can expect in the game in a new PlayStation Blog article. 

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Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition 

The classic 1995 platformer receives a feature-packed Anniversary Edition, and it’s launching digitally on PS5 February 13! Developed by Digital Eclipse, this definitive edition lets you play multiple versions of the original, take on 120 additional levels pulled from the bonus level packs. It includes a faithfully reimagined soundtrack by composer Christophe Héral, optional enhanced gameplay features, an interactive documentary and a never-before-playable prototype, giving you an inside look at how Rayman’s gameplay was developed. 

All the details in this PS Blog article.

Resident Evil Requiem

We’re just over two weeks away from Capcom’s latest installment of its iconic horror series, launching on February 27. At State of Play, the publisher debuted the game’s launch trailer, which was full of new tantalizing story teases and powerful action beats. Sit back, and enjoy the new footage. 

Rev.Noir

Konami brought the first glimpse of their new JPRG to State of Play. Rev.Noir is set in a world played by a deadly phenomenon known as lightfall, which instantly kills anyone it touches. The story follows a memory-lost boy and a mysterious girl as they set out on a journey to put an end to the catastrophe. 

Saros

Housemarque unpacked some of the tantalizing gameplay features of its sci-fi shooter ahead of its April 30 launch on PS5. Armor upgrades to better fit your playstyle, an intriguing Modifier system to let you adjust Carcosa’s dangers to your tastes. Fast travel to unlocked biomes. Then there’s the world-altering eclipse events which escalate the threat against you, as corruption affects enemies, weapons and artifacts. A challenge not for the fainthearted. 

Find out more from Housemarque in a PlayStation Blog article. 

Silent Hill: Townfall

This new entry into the horror franchise offers a new town to explore, horrific enemies to fight and evade, and story-driven puzzles that help deliver a new but distinctly Silent Hill tale of mystery, tragedy and loss. The perspective shifts to first person, and a new yet-retro portable CRT TV device will be both a useful tool in encounters and a way to unveil more of the story. 

More on the new device and Screen Burn Interactive’s spin on the iconic series in this PlayStation Blog article. 

Star Wars: Galactic Racer

Take part in a runs-based, high-stakes reinvention of racing born in the lawless Outer Rim of the Star Wars galaxy, coming to PS5 later this year. Today we got a first glimpse of gameplay, spanning different planets, and highlighting different racing vehicles and characters, all of whom are competing in the unsanctioned racing circuit where only the bold survive.

Yakoh Shinobi Ops

Four player online, isometric shinobi action sneaks onto PS5 next year in the form of Yakoh Shinobi Ops. Work together to infiltrate heavily guarded enemy territory, combining your unique ninjutsu abilities to avoid traps, evade soldiers and escape an ever-present, unstoppable Pursuer who threatens to end your run prematurely. 

Full details on the compelling co-op adventure from the game’s creators in a new PlayStation Blog article.

Battlefield 6 and Redsec Season 2 begins on February 17 at 4:00am PT (12:00pm UTC), as the war with Pax Armata infiltrates the mountainsides of Germany in a grueling assault to reclaim a once owned NATO airbase. 

Season 2 will be released in 3 phases: Extreme Measures, Nightfall, and Hunter/Prey, featuring high-intensity maps, critical gadgets, iconic new hardware, and vehicles for waging the ultimate all-out war experience. 

The first phase for Season 2, Extreme Measures, takes the thrill of all-out war to another level, introducing VL-7 psychoactive smoke, distorting the battlefield with its non-lethal hallucinogenic effects, as well as new expansive map Contaminated, to be released in Battlefield 6, along with 3 new weapons, 2 new gadgets, and the return of the legendary AH-6 Little Bird in both games. The free-to-play Redsec experience will also include limited-time modes where intense, mind-bending combat will test your squad to their limit. 

Later on in Season 2, Nightfall introduces darkness across Battlefield 6 and Redsec, the new Hagental Base map and a new POI. The final phase of Season 2 – Hunter/Prey – features the limited-time Operation Augur in Battlefield 6, plus a new vehicle, melee weapon, and more.

As a PlayStation Plus member, prepare for any danger that lies ahead in Season 2 with your free Toxic Tide Pack. Featuring a Pax Armata Soldier Skin, two Weapon Packages, a Vehicle Skin, and more items to help you navigate the relentless tides of war.

Last year was a big year for No Man’s Sky. Even we struggle to know how we pulled off so many large updates last year –  Worlds Part II and Voyagers were both transformational and released in the same year, interspersed with smaller but significant updates in Relics, Beacon and Breach. As we head into our 10th year post release, our small team is excited for our first update of the year.

Our new update is called Remnant and it introduces something that we’ve been wanting to give players since the very beginning – a gravity gun!

The Gravitino Coil is a powerful new anti-gravity module for your multi-tool. It turns No Man’s Sky into a physics playground. Allowing you to grab large objects and fling, toss or carefully carry them around the world.

Salvage and debris that could always be found on planets can now be collected and recycled for rare and highly prized resources. New trucks, tipping flatbeds and haulers can be constructed, to transport resources back to industrial yards for reclamation. You can work alone or join a salvage crew with friends. 

It creates this really fun and tactile new loop of searching for wrecks, loading trucks full of cargo and hauling across the alien landscape to industrial yards to gain new loot and rewards.

Sorting and depositing materials in these all-new Waste Processing Plants will reap great rewards. Some of the scrap is highly volatile though and must be transported extremely carefully. It’s hard to resist over-stacking your truck, finding one more piece you think you can cram in, and then trying desperately to transport this house of cards on the back of your flatbed.

Our gravity gun is an industrial tool, but it can also be used as a ballistic weapon, grabbing sentinels or fling heavy objects, turning them into projectiles. 

Vehicles can be hugely customised, to create bespoke trucks and haulers for your needs. Build your own brightly coloured incinerators, spider legged sci-fi explorer or heavily armed military vehicles with tank tracks.

The Remnant Update comes with a limited-time community expedition. It brings travellers together in convoys to clean up and reclaim a planet covered in wrecks and salvage. Perhaps you’ll be a hauler, or the gravity gun wielding ground crew or maybe a scary yard operator.

There are beautiful rewards, including dozens of new vehicle parts, and an all-new beautifully crafted armour set, with plush, padded fabrics and ornate steam punk detailing.

2026 represents 10 years since we launched on PlayStation and I couldn’t be prouder. For any game to reach such a milestone is a privilege. It wouldn’t be possible without your continued support and we genuinely appreciate it.

Our journey continues.

In an unprecedented and unforeseeable event, the Cyborgs have returned to once again threaten the liberty and sovereignty of Super Earth and its inhabitants. This nightmarish turn of events follows the discovery that the Automatons seized the schematics for the Star of Peace with the intent to build one for themselves and use it for their dark and violent purpose. They have been tasked by the Cyborg Legion to carry out these crimes.

The Helldivers have been ordered to take on the dark and grim streets of Cyberstan’s cities and stop this collusion of bots and Cyborgs in its tracks!

The factory cities

Now Super Earth is taking the fight to the heart of Cyberstan. Drop into the bot homeworld and prepare to breach the fortress walls of their massive factory cities. Fight through the inhospitable landscapes that power the Automaton war machine: industrial complexes that are heavily defended with hazards around every corner.

The community of Helldivers must work together to clear a path through Cyberstan’s factory cities–choose which cities to destroy, making sure to bring down every building and leave no bot standing as you democratize these heartless machines.

New mission & objectives

Your primary mission will be to stop the production of more Cyborgs, as well as compromise Automaton defenses trying to stand in your way. Helldivers will also have the opportunity to clean up: destroy their mega factories building by building, and tear down the symbolic statues of the war criminals and terrorists revered by Cyborg scum in order to further destabilize and demoralize their regime.

But beware–an old familiar threat rises in these dark, foreboding streets: the Cyborgs have returned with new weapons of mass destruction.

Old enemies return

You must face down three new types of enemies in the Cyborg subfaction. Outsmart the Agitators, who command the Automaton legion in the field, are heavily armored and can take control of enemy squads, making tactical decisions on the battlefield.

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Fight them while the Cyborg Radicals rush you from every side to make the fight up close and personal. They are the most extreme vision of a wretched Cyborg-run future: they push their bodies to the limit with cybernetic and bio-enhancements, turning themselves into a mockery of humanity.

And finally, fight the Vox Engine: the Voice of the Cyborg Legion. This war machine, piloted by a high-ranking Cyborg officer, rolls across the battlefield, blaring Cyborg’s propaganda. It is armed with dual laser cannons, rockets, laser gatlings–all to ensure no one can stop the spread of their message.

Helldivers call for aid

And Super Earth shall answer! Along with the recently-deployed Siege Breakers Warbond which features defensive assistance like the G/SH-39 Shield, Helldivers will also be able to purchase the War Horses set of armor in the Superstore.

Global reinforcement limits

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Sending reinforcements to Cyberstan is a great risk for Super Earth, which means it will be essential for the Helldivers to stay alive for as long as possible.

Every death will be counted in the Battle for Cyberstan, using a Galactic Reinforcement Counter marking the finite number of Helldivers able to be deployed. If the counter reaches zero, it means we have lost the Battle for Cyberstan.

Helldivers, we cannot lose to this renewed Cyborg threat. Your objectives must be completed while ensuring maximal lifespans for all divers. Stim your squadmates, bring defensive stratagems, and survive as you fight your way across Cyberstan, destroying the factory cities together!

The latest Helldivers 2 update, Machinery of Oppression, is live now!

*Requires base game, paid purchase of Super Credits, and game progression to unlock.
Gameplay requires internet access and paid-for PlayStation Plus membership (sold separately) on PS5.  

Tune in live this Friday for 60+ minutes of news, gameplay updates, and announcements from game studios across the globe. February’s State of Play will spotlight eye-catching third-party and indie games headed to PS5, along with the latest from teams at PlayStation Studios.

State of Play broadcasts live February 13 5:00AM at Bangkok/Jakarta | 6:00AM Singapore/Kuala Lumpur/Manila on YouTube and Twitch, and will be broadcast in English with Japanese subtitles also available. We’ll see you then!

Regarding co-streaming and video-on-demand (VOD)

Please note that this broadcast may include copyrighted content (e.g. licensed music) that PlayStation does not control. We welcome and celebrate our amazing co-streamers and creators, but licensing agreements outside our control could interfere with co-streams or VOD archives of this broadcast. If you’re planning to save this broadcast as a VOD to create recap videos, or to repost clips or segments from the show, we advise omitting any copyrighted music.

It’s been nearly one year since the launch of Monster Hunter Wilds! Thank you to all of the hunters out there for your support. Today, we’re sharing details on our Ver 1.041 update arriving on February 18, as well as details on the first anniversary in-game event.

Monster Hunter Wilds – February update

After the update arrives on February 18, we’ll be kicking off a series of events to celebrate the first anniversary. Log in between February 18 and March 19 to receive a free special item pack. We’ll also be giving everyone one free Character and Palico Edit Voucher as well. 

Festival of Accord

If you missed one of the previous Festival of Accord seasonal events or just want to revisit their good vibes, you’re in luck. During the anniversary event, we’ll be re-releasing past seasonal events on a weekly rotation. Get special equipment, login bonuses, and more from each event.

Here’s a look at the upcoming schedule:

• Blossomdance: February 18th – February 25th
• Flamefete: February 25 – March 4
• Dreamspell: March 4 – March 12
• Lumenhymn: March 12 – March 19                                                                    

10-star Arch-tempered Arkveld is here

Starting February 18, Arch-tempered Arkveld will appear as a permanent Event Quest. Additionally, the four apex predators of each locale will also appear as ★10 Arch-tempered monsters (Rey Dau, Uth Duna, Nu Udra, Jin Dahaad).

Besting all ★10 Arch-tempered Arkveld Event Quest and special environment quests will unlock a high-difficulty Free Challenge Quest: the ★10 Arch-tempered monsters Hunt-a-thon quest. All these quests offer a significant challenge that’s sure to test the skills of even the most seasoned hunters, so be sure to give them a try.

The winners of the Original Weapon and Pendant Design contest are here

This update introduces the winning community-created weapon and pendant designs from the Original Weapon and Pendant Design Contest that was held last year. Take on the permanent Event Quest, Every Hunter’s Dream, to obtain both the weapon and pendant.

Thank you again to many community members who submitted their amazing designs for the contest.

A collaboration with Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

To commemorate the release of Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, we’re introducing a special collaboration where you can obtain a one-of-a-kind Royal Palico Rudy Costume α Palico equipment and special Monstie-themed pendants.

Make your way through the new side missions to unlock special free quests focused on egg transport. Some eggs are highly potent, and delivering these increases your additional rewards. Good luck delivering those Monstie Eggs to camp for Rudy.

New Event Quests will appear weekly

New event quests will continue to come to Monster Hunter Wilds. These include unique quests where you can obtain special pendants, quests featuring the least hunted monster, and quests where you can obtain the dazzling armor sets Gala Suit α and Felyne Star α.

And finally, the final Free Challenge Quest, Arch-tempered Arkveld, will be available from March 19 to March 31, so stay tuned.

Nearly all event quests, with some exceptions, will become permanently available beyond February 18. There are more event quests beyond those introduced here, so stay tuned.

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That wraps up the info for the February update. We hope you continue to enjoy your adventures in Monster Hunter Wilds. Happy hunting.

Hey PlayStation Blog readers, ever hear the story of the FBI Space-Time Police Special Agent Romeo, who takes down space-time criminals in search of his lost girlfriend? No? Well, you’ll be able to find out when Romeo is a Dead Man launches on February 11! 

We’ve uploaded one final trailer for you all today featuring some brand new music that’ll be in the game. Seeing is believing as they say, so take a good hard look.

As you can see we’re getting some pretty serious artists to contribute to the game’s soundtrack, further reinforcing Romeo is a Dead Man as a dead-serious action-adventure game. How serious exactly? Well, we asked Grasshopper Manufacture CEO, director, and scenario writer Goichi Suda (pictured left) and co-director and scenario writer Ren Yamazaki (pictured right) to find out.

The character clicked as soon as they realized Romeo was also DeadMan

Daisuke Koyama: Is the game based on Shakespeare’s play? What made Romeo’s story take the form it has now? 

Goichi Suda: It’s not entirely based on Shakespeare, no. The protagonist was always named Romeo, and if we were going to include a character named Juliet at all we figured it’d be something of a cameo at first. While writing the script, though, we noticed she became more of an important character as it went along. 

Romeo and his grandfather Ben are pretty clearly based on the old man/young man dynamics you see in Back to the Future or Rick and Morty, and we originally figured it would be about their journeys through space-time. But when we threw Juliet in there, it was like a missed connection or something slowly taking shape into a full-blown relationship. In other words, we never really thought too hard about making this into a “tragedy” like the original play. 

So Suda-san originally came up with the character of Romeo and wrote the basic scenario for the game, and then Yamazaki-san turned it into a full script, right? What kind of character is Romeo to you? 

Ren Yamazaki: Compared to previous protagonists Suda has written, I think he’s quite a serious and straightforward character with no hidden agenda. 

Suda: I wanted to write the story of a good-natured young man maturing over time. Travis, the protagonist of the last scenario I wrote—No More Heroes 3—had a wild and violent journey, so I wanted a protagonist who’d be the exact opposite of that.

He ended up being a masked protagonist, too.

Suda: I always wanted Romeo Stargazer to be a character that left a strong impression not just through his in-game skills and weapons, but as a character too. Our past titles feature all sorts of characters who are loved by gamers, so I really thought hard about how to make Romeo a character who’d be just as praised. When Romeo got the DeadMan moniker along the way, he really started to come to life in a way that made me confident in him. I thought to myself, like, “Romeo really is DeadMan!” and then it all kind of fell into place. That’s why we made it the title, too. 

The action itself is quite the strong-style hack-and-slash, isn’t it?

Yamazaki: Yeah, I was firm about that. So many different aspects and systems of the game changed throughout development, but in my discussions with our main programmer, Hironaka, we made sure the battle system delivered a strong sense of action from the beginning to the end of development.

How’s the combat balanced?

Suda: In a full course dinner, the ingredients used are usually pretty standard no matter where you go, right? Looking at this game’s development as a full course meal, when it comes to graphics, sound design, and also the actual gameplay, we ended up using all sorts of ingredients that you normally wouldn’t find in a regular kitchen. But no matter what ingredients we were handed we used them to our fullest ability, which I think is our strongest point as a studio. We kept making adjustments right to the very end to create a perfect rhythm to our own course meal.

Is there anything about the action you paid particular attention to?

Suda: The big finisher—Bloody Summer—I paid a lot of attention to how exactly it felt, and to that end the general movement of swords were refined meticulously so that it would feel as authentic as possible. I’m pretty sure I also made a lot of adjustments to the actual moment of impact, but that was years ago development-wise now and I’ve totally forgotten what exactly I requested (laughs). Action games are the kind of thing that get better and better with each and every minor tweak. 

We also paid special attention to how many enemies appear and where in each level. Each time I played through the game to make adjustments, I imagined myself to be playing it for the first time and really considered the emotions that come with that. Even on a first playthrough, I really wanted it to feel as smooth as it is challenging, and I think we got a good balance there. The end result is obviously dependent on the players, so I’m really looking forward to seeing how it’s received by the public.

Romeo uses both swords and guns. Was it hard to balance the action between the two? 

Yamazaki: When you think of it at a pure game design level, close combat weapons and ranged weapons are kind of polar opposites in terms of action. I paid a lot of attention to creating situations where both would be valid options to use. Of course, shooting an enemy from outside their own range of attack is still the strongest method of attack, technically. 

That’s specifically why we introduced the Bloody Summer system, the crazy finisher move that only charges when you attack enemies with close combat weapons. Sure, it’s riskier because there’s far more of a chance of taking damage as well, but that’s the gamble. It’s safer to hit enemies from afar with your guns, but the gauge doesn’t fill. Basically it’s a battle of merits and demerits that has to be figured out moment-to-moment to ensure your victory.

There’s also the Bastard system where you summon support characters. Where did this idea come from?

Yamazaki: We were already experimenting with gimmick skills outside of the main character’s regular move set in Travis Strikes Again and No More Heroes 3. Bastards are kind of a natural evolution of what we were doing there. Suda was pretty adamant about adding in a crafting system in the game, and when we were brainstorming on two separate skill and crafting systems, we realized it might be more interesting if they were connected to each other. There’s a ton of variations to make, so be sure to switch them out whenever you can.

Suda: The Bastards really have a nice sense of presence in the game itself. They alter the way you approach battles, and you really have to think about how you raise them, not to mention what the ideal loadout is at any given time. If you raise them right, they end up being stronger than your regular weapons. Also, on PlayStation, when you harvest Bastards from the soil they react to the adaptive triggers. 

That’s one way of using them. Do you have any Bastards you’re particularly fond of? 

Suda: The one I used right to the end was called Mictlantecuhtli. Definitely my strongest. Also, FrostBolt, which freezes enemies. 

Yamazaki: It was SuicideAttack for me, which blows itself up. The more you raise it, the stronger it gets. I think it’ll be fun for everyone to come up with their own combinations. Make sure to give a try! And if you do, keep playing all the way to the end–the second half in particular’s got quite the surprises in store. 

On getting players into the action as fast as possible

It seems in classic Grasshopper style, the story itself and its presentation is trying to confuse players. The opening sequence is pure chaos.

Suda: The opening in particular is full speed ahead, yeah. I think it’s quite the good composition, if I do say so myself. If we’re gonna cause some ruckus right off the bat, we might as well equally get the player in the thick of the action as fast as possible so they don’t have to think too long about it. I’m just glad if they can enjoy the action right from the start. 

Yamazaki: I’ve been at the company for quite some time now, so I’m really used to Suda’s storytelling style. I guess from that perspective, it’s nothing too unusual for me. It’s, like, yeah, business as usual. Of course, I understand it’s probably confusing to first-time players, but that confusion itself is fun to see. I’m especially excited for how people will react to the story as a whole.

Suda: There’s plenty of things that go unused over the course of game development. I really hate just leaving things on the cutting room floor, so I try to use as much of it as possible. The opening to the game used to be much longer, but due to a variety of factors it turned into what it is now. Of the things that seemed like they might go unused, we tried to put all of them in full right from the get-go, so the opening is basically the best possible outcome of it. We wanted players to feel this kind of rush going into it that leads them straight into the action. 

Right, a longer opening makes people impatient. Is that how you convinced the staff, too? 

Suda: Actually, about half the staff working on Romeo is a Dead Man were joining Grasshopper for the first time, and I probably think they felt a huge kind of anxiety about it throughout the entire production. 

How do you mean?

Suda: I think for the most part everyone made it not really understanding what kind of game it would eventually turn into. I think only around debugging time did most people really start to see the whole shape of the game as it was.

Why do you think that happens?

Suda: Our development style is kind of ad-libbed, I’d say. Basically we bring a bunch of ideas to the meetings and develop them just through talk and pick apart what seems like something worth implementing, and for the most part we just pick the most interesting ideas and ad-lib ways to put them in. But as the number of staff involved with development increases, that becomes more and more difficult. At a sheer numbers level, it’s hard to communicate those ideas to every member of every section of the company.

Sounds very ad-libbed to me.

Suda: But I think that feeling of a bunch of interesting ideas packed into one is what sets Grasshopper games apart. Especially when it comes to action games, they’re not really something where you decide on a super rigid spec sheet from the beginning and follow it all the way through—it changes throughout development. You basically have to keep polishing really small parts to make the overall product better.

That kind of ad-libbing and improvisation is what connects the chaos of the game’s opening to the various forms of expression we see used in the rest of the game too, right?

Yamazaki: Of course, Suda’s directing style and the new staff are one thing, but about half the staff is made up of long-time members who more or less understand the unique culture that makes the base of our development cycle. I’m not sure if that’s an advantage or a disadvantage, but that’s precisely where that bold flavor unique to our games comes through; I think that really works for the people who enjoy it, and is more of an acquired taste for a first-timer. It’s kind of like a ramen shop with a thick, strong broth. 

But you don’t plan on changing that, do you?

Yamazaki: There are definitely times we consider making things a more general, salty flavor for the 

public at large; though, I’m not sure it works out that way even when we try (laughs). Usually I start out that way, but somewhere along the way I get bored with the blandness and end up putting a bunch of spice in without even realizing.

Suda: There are already enough “orthodox” games out there to begin with, and I don’t think it’s our place to compete with them. The world is already overflowing with “perfect” games that look like something Dekisugi-kun (from Doraemon) would make. But if they were all Dekisugi-kun games, then there’d really be nothing interesting. We definitely need more Nobitas in the world, and I think our studio is one of them. Whether or not Doraemon is with us, who knows? (laughs)

Embrace the chaos on February 11

How was the interview? Our quirky action game’s got a strong backbone to it. It definitely requires a bit of skill; each enemy’s got its own characteristics and combat changes with each weapon. Also, the stronger you make Romeo, his weapons, and support characters through mini-games, the battle encounters themselves evolve with it. This thing’s got some pretty satisfying punch to it, if I do say so myself.

Do what you want, however you want it. If I was to measure what kind of excitement we want to deliver, imagine you order ramen and gyoza, and then you get what looks just like ramen. But then you finish the soup, and bam, at the bottom of the bowl: there was your gyoza the whole time! You’ll be like, “whoa, who knew video games could be this free?” Anyway, we hope you can feel the overflowing passion, joy, and pure human spirit that radiates from Romeo is a Dead Man. Give it a try!