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:
Download the image
Download the image
Download the image
Download the image
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!
Download the image
Download the image
Download the image
Download the image
Download the image
Download the image
Download the image
Download the image
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 20th 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 20th 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
Ghost of Yōtei’s Photo features
Tracking Shot
Record up to 16 placement positions for your camera for an animated tracking shot when you hit Triangle.
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!
Tokyo Game Show promotion comes to PlayStation Store on 24 September*! Enjoy up to 75% off on a huge range of incredible games until 8 October. Highlighted titles include DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Metaphor: ReFantazio and ARMORED CORE™ VI FIRES OF RUBICON™.
Head to PlayStation Store to enjoy savings now!
PlayStation Plus
Players who join PlayStation Plus during 24 September to 8 October can save up to 33% on a PS Plus 12-month membership!
Current PlayStation Plus members can save up to 33% on the remainder of their membership when upgrading a current plan to PlayStation Plus Extra or Deluxe.**
With PlayStation Plus Extra and Deluxe, get access to monthly games, exclusive discounts, online multiplayer, and hundreds of games through the Game Catalog and Classics Catalog, including hit titles like Ghost of Tsushima, Cyberpunk 2077 and many more. Explore the Classics Catalog with PlayStation Plus Deluxe, try select games like the epic DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH with Game Trials, and more.**
*Tokyo Game Show Promotion starts on 24 September 00:00 JST and concludes on 8 October 23:59 JST. Each title may have different sale periods. Please refer to the information in the title details page. Games featured in this promotion may not be part of this year’s Tokyo Game Show.
**Availability of Classics and Game Catalog varies over time, region/country, and plan. See https://www.playstation.com/Plus for details and updates on PlayStation Plus offerings. PlayStation 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 at purchase until cancellation. Terms apply: play.st/psplus-usageterms
SEGA is thrilled to announce Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties, is coming to PlayStation5, PlayStation4 on February 12, 2026.
Download the image
Debuting on PlayStation 3 in 2009, Yakuza 3 returns, revitalized with cutting-edge technology. This evolved edition brings Okinawa to life, featuring more intense battles, added cutscenes that bring depth to the story, and minigames chock-full of replay value. Kiryu’s back in the brawl, continuing the fight to protect those he holds dear.
This title also includes Dark Ties, which stars Yoshitaka Mine, Kiryu’s adversary.
Follow Mine on his journey from working as a venture company’s founder to becoming a full-fledged yakuza member. After losing everything, Mine sets off in an attempt to form a connection that would fill the void in his heart.
In Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties, you can enjoy the passionate drama of two men — “Kazuma Kiryu” and “Yoshitaka Mine” — all in one game.
STORY：When the peace is shattered,the Dragon of Dojima makes his return.
After the Omi Alliance conflict, Kazuma Kiryu leaves the Tojo Clan in Daigo Dojima’s hands and moves to Okinawa with Haruka. There, he spends his days running Morning Glory, an orphanage tied to his foster father, Shintaro Kazama.
However, a government-sponsored resort deal threatens his newfound peace.
Morning Glory is caught in the crossfire, a Tojo Clan succession dispute erupts, and a conspiracy engulfs the political world.
When the maelstrom of conflicts converges, Kiryu steps into the fray once more.
BATTLE：Fight as Kiryu in His Prime Using Two Different Battle Styles
In Yakuza 3 Kiwami, Kiryu has two fighting styles at his disposal: the Dragon of Dojima Style and Ryukyu Style.
The Dragon of Dojima Style transforms you into an unstoppable force of nature. This style has been completely revamped, boasting the most diverse moveset in the series.
The Ryukyu Style utilizes traditional Okinawan weaponry, allowing for an exhilarating and technical playstyle. Master the 8 available weapons to dish out devastating attack combos.
ADVENTURE：Revel in the Nature and Tradition of Okinawa
At the Morning Glory Orphanage in Okinawa, you can experience “Life at Morning Glory” content that lets you enjoy the daily life of Kiryu and the children.With the team battle content “Bad Boy Dragon”, you can fight alongside a local ladies’ team to protect the streets of Okinawa.
Entertainment
In Downtown Ryukyu and Kamurocho, there are plenty of ways to cut loose.
Pose for the perfect shot at the Print Club, aim for strikes in bowling, and enjoy a series of other staple minigames—including golf, darts, karaoke, UFO Catchers, gambling, and mahjong!
STORY：A Man Drawn into the Heart of the Underworld
The year is 2007.
Yoshitaka Mine is the successful founder of a startup company, but he loses everything when his colleagues stab him in the back.
Wandering aimlessly through Kamurocho, he witnesses a gruesome conflict between yakuza.
The sight of the subordinates sacrificing themselves for their boss was everything Mine had been longing for—a bond that transcended material gain. The survivor of this assault is Daigo Dojima, the sixth chairman of Japan’s largest yakuza clan.
Hoping to find such a bond himself, Mine decides to acquaint himself with Tsuyoshi Kanda, a Tojo clan lieutenant.
Witness Yoshitaka Mine’s story, from his first steps into the criminal underworld to his ascent through the ranks of the Tojo Clan.
BATTLE：Ruthless Combat
Mine wields a stylish fighting style based on shootboxing.
He waits for his foes to slip up, beating them down using a string of elegant combos. You can also freely sweep through the air to toy with your enemies.
Additionally, Dark Awakening will completely transform your moveset, allowing you to unleash a barrage of brutal strikes and a dark special move that can knock the life right out of your opponents.
ADVENTURE：Paint Kamurocho red as Mine
Kamurocho, Tokyo
The city that never sleeps; a place where greed and desire run rampant.
Visitors always find themselves captivated by the restaurants, bars, and amusement facilities that line its streets. It is home to the Nishikiyama Family offices and other key locations.
In addition, unique content such as the “Kanda Damage Control” which aims to turn Kanda into a charismatic figure, and the exclusive battle spot “Underground Fight Club” for Dark Ties, where you can enjoy battles with various rules, are also available.
Entertainment
A plethora of minigames can be found throughout Kamurocho. Watch as the typically stoic Mine takes on billiards, the batting center, darts, and other series staples! You won’t want to miss his rendition of the fan-favorite karaoke track, “”Baka Mitai!””
You can also play minigames alongside Tsuyoshi Kanda at certain venues. Prepare to discover a whole new side of Mine you’ve never seen before!
Tune in live this Wednesday for more than 35 minutes of reveals and news from developers around the world. We’ll share new looks at anticipated third-party and indie titles, plus updates from some of our teams at PlayStation Studios – including an extended look at Saros, Housemarque’s mysterious new title arriving next year. Look forward to nearly five minutes of gameplay captured on PS5.
The next State of Play begins September 24 at 2pm PT / 5pm ET / 11pm CEST | September 25 at 6am JST on YouTube and Twitch, and will be broadcast in English with Japanese subtitles also available. 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.
