Hi everyone! Time to level up this Lunar New Year! Purchase a new PlayStation®5 and stand to win prizes such as PS5 Digital Edition – 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Bundle, PlayStation Portal Remote Player, PlayStation Store gift cards, Sony Bravia TV and more.
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(NOTE: please check campaign URL for promotion details in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand)
From 17th January to 2nd February, there will be discounts on PlayStation 5, PS VR2, DualSense wireless controllers, PULSE Elite Wireless headset and PULSE Explore wireless earbuds, applicable in participating retailers (https://www.playstation.com/local/retailers/).
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(NOTE: please check campaign URL for promotion details in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand)
From 17th January – 17th February 2025, purchase a PS5 console, submit the entry form and stand to win rewards in participating countries/regions* – including the grand prize of a Sony Bravia TV. Additionally, entrants who own PS Plus Membership during campaign period will qualify for special prizes that include PS5 Digital Edition – 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Bundle, DualSense Wireless Controller – Monster Hunter Wilds Limited Edition and PlayStation Portal Remote Player.
Dear Trailblazers: On behalf of the Honkai: Star Rail development team, I want to wish you a wonderful New Year! May your journey through the infinite cosmos continue to bring excitement as we embark together on this romantic space adventure. Today, I’m thrilled to share more about Version 3.0 “Paean of Era Nova,” launching January 15. This update introduces the long-awaited world of Amphoreus and begins an epic new chapter in our main story. The Trailblaze Mission in Amphoreus will be released in two parts across eight versions, from 3.0 to 3.7, making it the largest story arc in Honkai: Star Rail to date. Get ready to embark on the “Hero’s Journey” with new playable characters — Aglaea and The Herta, plus the Trailblazer: Remembrance unlocking a new Path!
Amphoreus, the Eternal Land
Leaving Penacony the Planet of Festivities behind, the Astral Express embarks toward Amphoreus under Black Swan’s guidance, seeking both to replenish Trailblaze Fuel and uncover the mysteries of this celestial body — a realm so enigmatic that even the Aeon of Trailblaze, Akivili, could not reach, its existence hidden from most of the cosmos. From the outside, Amphoreus appears as a chaotic vortex, its existence impossible to detect or understand. Similarly, its inhabitants remain completely unaware of the outside universe. Unlike other worlds, they do not know of the concept of “Aeons,” instead worshiping deities known as “Titans.” According to legend, twelve Titans created Amphoreus: Three who wove fate, three who shaped the heavens and earth, three who molded life, and three who brought calamity.”
Yet this realm’s history is steeped in tragedy. In ancient times, the arrival of three Titans — “Strife,” “Death,” and “Trickery” — sparked a civil war among the gods. Soon after, a mysterious force known as the “black tide” swept across the world. None know its origins, but all life touched by it loses sanity, with even the mighty Titans proving vulnerable. Over millennia, between the black tide gradually consuming Amphoreus and the gods waging endless war, the world fell into eternal night. Now, in humanity’s final sanctuary — the Holy City of Okhema — only the protection of Kephale, the Worldbearing Titan, stands as the last barrier against the black tide. And now, the Astral Express, arriving as an unexpected force from beyond this world, is destined to change the course of Amphoreus’s fate, but how? Well, that’s for you to find out, dear Trailblazers!
The Beginning of the Hero’s Journey
As mentioned earlier, the Trailblaze Mission on Amphoreus will span across eight versions, forming an epic and grand narrative. In the upcoming Version 3.0, you will officially set foot on this eternal land and embark on your own Hero’s Journey. Upon entering Amphoreus, the Trailblazer and Dan Heng first descend into a region known as the “Abyss of Fate.” Legend says three Titans — Time, Passage, and Law — once wove here the threads of time, space, and rules that would govern Amphoreus, determining the fate of all creation. Now this land lies in eternal night, with only emptiness echoing through its grand architectural remains.”
As the story unfolds, the Trailblazer’s group will return to the Abyss of Fate, pierce through the mists, delve deep into the temple, and finally gain audience with Oronyx, the Titan of Time. Through this encounter, the Trailblazer embarks on the Path of Remembrance, gaining the ability to “draw strength from the past.” Meanwhile, players will meet a new companion who, due to their mysterious origins and tendency to only make “Mem” sounds, is temporarily named “Mem.” Beyond their adorable appearance, Mem plays a crucial role in combat. The Trailblazer can summon Mem during battles, where it gradually charges Energy. Once fully charged, it provides Mem’s Support that allows a designated character to immediately takes action and deal additional True DMG, turning the tide of battle. Together with Mem, the Trailblazer will surely overcome the various challenges that await in Amphoreus.
Following the winding path beyond the Abyss, players will reach Okhema, the Holy City built into the mountainside. Bathed in the eternal dawn light of the Worldbearing Titan’s protection, this city will serve as a crucial base for the trailblazing expedition through Amphoreus. Among its most distinctive landmarks stands the Marmoreal Palace, a grand baths. More than just a place for bathing and relaxation, it functions as the city’s heart, a public gathering space fostering daily social connections among residents. And Okhema has much more to offer beyond its architectural marvels. Here, you’ll encounter a variety of fascinating creatures. Among them is the dromas, a loyal helper of the Amphoreans, known for their strength in carrying both people and goods. The Dromas is a creation of Georios, the Earth Titan, one of the Three Titans of Foundation. A specialized Dromas Workshop can be found within Okhema, dedicated to crafting and training these remarkable creatures. Scattered throughout the city, you’ll also find a host of chimeras, each with its unique traits. Their colors, personalities, and temperaments vary greatly—some are quick to anger, others delight in mischief, and still, others offer their help to humans in whatever way they can.
In these times of eternal night and chaos, Okhema, sheltered under the Worldbearing Titan’s protection, remains humanity’s final sanctuary and beacon of hope. Local legend tells a romantic tale: Kephale shall one day open their eyes, leading humanity to triumph over the black tide and forge a new world. From beneath this holy city, a group of human heroes known as the Chrysos Heirs embarks on a quest for flame, shouldering the mission to reclaim the twelve Titan Coreflames and restore Amphoreus to glory. In future stories, the Trailblazer will join their journey, fighting alongside the Chrysos Heirs in this legendary expedition.
In Version 3.0, Trailblazers will also explore the unique city-state of Castrum Kremnos. It was named after the Blade of Fury that dangles high above the city, and it is also where the Strife Titan resides, thus making it the place where the seventh Coreflame slumbers. In the second half of the Trailblaze Mission, players will borrow the power of the Oronyx to return to the past and experience Castrum Kremnos during its golden age. There, they will discover one of the mechanisms the Trickery Titan Zagreus left behind: The Hand of Zagreus. This mechanism can be used to lift heavy obtains, pick up items, smash open pathways, and obliterate enemies easily in special circumstances. It serves as a major aid to exploration. In Version 3.0’s climactic Trailblaze Mission, Trailblazers and the Chrysos Heirs will face numerous challenges before engaging in a final battle with Nikador, the Strife Titan, to reclaim the Coreflame of Strife. Known as the “Lance of Fury,” Nikador and its followers hold a fanatical devotion to war and combat. To defeat them, Trailblazers need to collect “Glory” stacks to shatter Nikador’s “Titanic Corpus.”
The final area of Version 3.0 unfolds in the Vortex of Genesis, the grand sanctuary and birthplace of Amphoreus. This sacred site, home to the primordial essence of the Twelve Titans, is said to be where the Miracle of Genesis will one day manifest. Here, the Chrysos Heirs will return the reclaimed Coreflames after overthrowing each Titan. Above, constellations light up the night sky, representing the journeys of those who came before. The Flame-Chase Journey, a thousand-year odyssey of trials and perseverance, has now reached its turning point. The road ahead will be forged by the Trailblazers, standing alongside the Chrysos Heirs to continue the legend!
Companions of the Flame-Chase Journey
Version 3.0 will invite two new and powerful 5-star characters to join the player’s teams. The first is the esteemed#83 member of the Genius Society, an Emanator of Erudition: Madam Herta. Since Herta first debuted, she made a deep impression via her unique Herta puppets and idiosyncratic behaviors on the space station. It is said that her true self resides in a place on the Cosmos’ edge, and she rarely reveals herself to others. It is only today that she has finally shown herself. The Herta is an Ice-Type Erudition character that is skilled at AoE DMG. In battle, she can apply Interpretation on enemies, and ally characters attacks can also further apply Interpretation. With the increase of Interpretation stacks, The Herta’s abilities can increase powerful hits of DMG based on their high Interpretation stacks on specific targets and multiple enemies besides. Additionally, The Herta’s Ultimate can also Transfer the highest Interpretation stacks to Elite or stronger enemies, before dealing Ice DMG to all enemy targets.”
The second character making her debut is Aglaea from Amphoreus. She bears the divine authority of “Romance,” and is one of the earliest Chrysos Heirs to embark on the Flame-Chase Journey. As Okhema’s dressmaster, Aglaea isn’t just a legendary hero of Amphoreus, but she is also a major figure in recruiting new Chrysos Heirs to embark on the world-saving journey after the Flame-Chase Journey was interrupted prior. As the first limited 5-star Remembrance character, Aglaea can summon her memosprite Garmentmaker in battle to fight alongside her. They demonstrate a duet dance aesthetic in combat. Additionally, through their cooperation, Aglaea and her Garmentmaker can synchronize attacks on enemies. This new joint attacking mechanism not only increases the Garmentmaker’s SPD, and also adds a new layer of rhythm and variability to combat, allowing an exquisite dance for two to unfold at a charming cadence.
In addition, in the first half of Version 3.0, there will also be a special Warp event. Limited 5-star characters Lingsha, Feixiao, and Jade will be making reruns. In the second half, the 5-star characters Boothill, Robin, and Silver Wolf will also be making a limited return. These characters will serve stronger reinforcements, walking side by side with Trailblazers to embark on a journey across Amphoreus. Aside from this, March 7th will gain a Preservation outfit. It can be claimed after unlocking the “Characters” function and logging in during the Version 3.0 period. Meanwhile, the Honkai: Star Rail Trailblazer Edition PS5® Physical Disc Bundle will soon be available for purchase, both online and in physical stores!
System Optimizations
Lastly, we’ve listened closely to player feedback and, in this major Version 3.0 update, have implemented several system optimizations to improve the gameplay experience! Among the new additions is the “Flying Amphora”. Smashing a Flying Amphora will grant you a boost in movement speed as you traverse the open world. Meanwhile, to ensure new players can easily enjoy the main storyline of Amphoreus, we’ve also made adjustments so that after completing the “Silent Galaxy” Trailblaze Mission, you can head directly to Amphoreus without difficulty. Version 3.0 also brings updates to the new Leveling Guide system that allows Trailblazers to evaluate their character’s strength, with recommendations on Character Level, Light Cone, Traces, Relics and more. We’ve also introduced the “Wishful Resin” and “Variable Dice”, allowing targeted modification and redistribution of a Relic’s Main and Sub Stats, offering more flexibility in developing companions. But that’s just the beginning — many more exciting improvements await your discovery!
These are just some exciting updates in Version 3.0 — there’s plenty more to explore and enjoy! We wish you all a year filled with adventure, growth, and great moments in Honkai: Star Rail.
January 17 will bring Dynasty Warriors: Origins, a thrilling new addition to the Dynasty Warriors series to PlayStation 5, and we recently had the opportunity to play the tactical hack-and-slash action ahead of its release.
The gripping tale of a ‘nameless hero’
Dynasty Warriors: Origins follows the drama surrounding China’s Three Kingdoms period, from the Yellow Turban Rebellion to the Battle of Red Cliffs. At the beginning of the game, the protagonist gets caught up in a battle with Guan Yu against the troops of corrupt officials. The Yellow Turban Rebellion was never portrayed in detail in previous installments of the series. Still, this game goes into depth around the origins and woes of the Yellow Turbans, as well as the perspectives of each general belonging to the defeated troops.
The struggle of choosing sides amid a slew of enthralling warriors and heroes
The protagonist is a traveling martial artist suffering from amnesia. However, his body still remembers how to handle weapons, allowing him to wield his skills tactfully in every battle. Since he is not loyal to a specific kingdom or sovereign, he can deepen bonds with various forces and join them on the battlefield. However, the protagonist must eventually face a pivotal choice – whether he will serve and support the aspirations of Cao Cao, Suan Jin, or Liu Bei. All three are brilliant warriors, which makes the choice even more difficult.
All three are intriguing, and you will develop special bonds with them throughout the story. Deciding who to support is made all the more difficult since each one will woo you to join their side. After thinking long and hard, I ultimately chose to support Liu Bei, as I had been fighting alongside him since the very beginning of the game. It is a difficult decision since choosing one side means you will have to cross blades with those you once fought with.
An even more exhilarating and gratifying hack-and-slash action
In this game, players will not only enjoy the exhilarating ‘1 vs 1,000’ gameplay with easy to learn controls that is characteristic of the Dynasty Warrior series but also large-scale tactical battles that are equally thrilling and rewarding.
As in the previous entries, you can dominate regular enemies by mastering the combo of swift normal attacks and powerful, strong attacks. However, renowned generals and leader-class officers are surrounded by a protective aura called Fortitude, which prevents you from dealing significant damage. To deplete enemy fortitudes, the player must target an opening after an enemy’s attack, leverage Battles Arts, a set of unique moves available for each weapon, or Parries, a powerful counter that leaves the enemy vulnerable.
Dominate your foes with Musou Attacks and Companion attacks
Powerful Musou Attacks can be triggered when the Musou Gauge reaches a certain level, and they can eliminate enemies in a wide area. In addition, you can activate War God Rage mode when the Musou Gauge is built up to two levels, as well as the super-powerful True Musou attack. In some battles, you can bring an allied general as your Companion. You can directly control your companions by switching to them and unleashing their unique attacks. You can also trigger the Extreme Musou Attack in tandem with your companion, which is a blast to use.
Experience unprecedented scale as thousands of soldiers clash on the battlefield
Dynasty Warriors: Origins takes full advantage of the power of PS5 to realize an unprecedented scale of battle in the series’ history. In some battles, you will witness massive groups of enemies clash on the field, which is a spectacle on its own. Every soldier on the battlefield employs their own strategy, whether under the command of their leaders or with their own volition, causing the state of battle to shift rapidly.
The importance of maintaining your troop’s Morale
Morale is an important factor during battles. Morale rises when enemy generals are defeated, or you seize enemy strongholds. When morale is high, your soldiers’ powers are bolstered to your advantage, but on the other hand, morale can fall when allied generals are defeated or your strongholds are captured. There were stressful moments when I was needed in multiple places at once, but overcoming those challenges was extremely satisfying.
Command your Bodyguards with strategic Tactics and repel Grand Tactics deployed by Large Forces
Dynasty Warrior: Origins will bring back the Bodyguard system. Using Tactics, you can command these bodyguards to perform various actions, such as raining arrows or charging with spears. Also, when a massive number of soldiers gather, a Large Force will be formed. These large forces can deploy Grand Tactics, dramatically shifting the tide of battle. These intense group assaults involve troops charging in one after another with spears or stone throwers firing firebombs. Though these attacks are a spectacle to witness, they’ll inflict significant damage on your allies, so make sure you deal with them swiftly.
The story of this latest installment in the series offers a unique perspective into the historical drama from the eyes of a ‘nameless hero,’ and the intense battles and unprecedented scale of the battlefields are gripping and immersive. Dynasty Warriors: Origins is for the die-hard fans of the series, as well as those new to the franchise who are eager to explore the epic tales behind the Three Kingdoms and their heroes. Experience the grand battle on January 17 on PS5.
As 2024 came to a close, we asked you to take a look back and share your favorite screenshots you took while playing in 2024 using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are the Share of the Year highlights:
cuterboy296shares Astro Bot in the God of War themed level tossing the Leviathan Axe.
riainwonderlandshares a back to back portrait of Aloy and Rost from Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered.
themarkplumbshares a close up portrait of Abby in newly released skin in The Last of Us Part II Remastered.
calisarah1998shares Kay Vess walking out of a structure in Star Wars Outlaws.
domo_vpshares a Na’vi aiming a bow and arrow with a planet center framed in the background in Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
TakaSanGamesshares Eve striking a pose with her weapon in Stellar Blade
Gib84Gshares a group of Space Marines standing in their armor in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2.
DexM_dsshares the Destined One carrying a bird on his arm in Black Myth: Wukong
__Auron__shares the protagonist nun framed by dramatic lighting in Indika.
MBaw96shares the protagonist and wolf from Neva underneath a larger spirit wolf falling in the sky.
Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week?
THEME: New Game SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on January 15, 2024
Did you unwrap a new game over the holidays? Next week, share moments diving into a game you’ve never played before using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.
December wrapped up another fun year of gaming. What did you enjoy most about last month’s title lineup?
How does it work? At the end of every month, PlayStation Blog will open a poll where you can vote for the best new game released that month. After the polls close we will tally your votes, and announce the winner on our social channels and PlayStation.Blog.
What is the voting criteria? That’s up to you! If you were only able to recommend one new release to a friend that month, which would it be? Note: re-released games don’t qualify, but remakes do. We define remakes as ambitious, larger-scale rebuilds such as Resident Evil 4 (2023) and Final Fantasy VII Remake.
How are nominees decided? The PlayStation Blog editorial team will gather a list of that month’s most noteworthy releases and use it to seed the poll.
It’s been a minute, but the Savage Planet franchise continues! We’re back for number two… same folks, same franchise, same studio, but with a new name: Raccoon Logic.
Formerly Typhoon Studios, we originally developed Journey to the Savage Planet (originally released in 2020 and currently available as part of the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog). Now our new sci-fi co-op adventure Revenge of the Savage Planet, a comical survival story of explorers entertaining themselves to death, is set to blast off on PS5 and PS4 in May 2025.
You’ll build and customize your own habitat, explore the alien landscape, scan everything, catalog everything and hopefully figure out how to survive. With more planets, our sequel is a bigger and brighter universe. With co-op from the start and a new third person perspective, you’ll run, jump, shoot and collect your way through four vibrant planets, crafting and upgrading your abilities while uncovering hidden secrets within.
Today we’re revealing a fifth, secret planet filled with some… not so natural creatures, while members of our team share insight into the design philosophies behind its creation.
First, check out the video below!
In this new world, exploration is still a must! There are creatures to capture, lakes to swim, mountains to climb, rails to grind, and a secret den of fun to uncover. Our fifth world features an interior lair, a stark contrast to our organic and natural open worlds, with the goal of making our world anything but predictable! Here’s some of our team to explain more:
A world inspired by retro arcades and 90’s entertainment
“Filled with fresh challenges, insane verticality, and unique modified creatures, this final world answers all the game’s lingering questions.“
– Studio Head, Reid Schneider
“Our digital juxtaposition is a narrative vehicle to reinforce the mystery of something beyond the natural sights of our planets. We speak to Slappi’s character through this dark and dangerous lair he created. Of course, we still have all the weird and wacky alien creatures we’re known for.“
– Lead Designer, Steve Masters
“The sound design went in the opposite direction as well, contrasting our instrumentation with a very digitally produced feeling. We began with a pinball machine meets game show set tone, but as it evolved, we focused on being inside a giant computer with playful 8-bit sparkles.“
– Audio Director, Cameron Jarvis
“We wanted to bring entertainment value and robot toys are intriguing and fun! We looked back to various retro arcade gaming sources of inspiration to develop this nostalgic vibe. We embodied a hard surface modeling style with retro wave neon colors paying homage to 90s entertainment.“
– Art Director, Erick Bilodeau
Local and online co-op
In Revenge of the Savage Planet, there are many ways to play, including online co-op with cross-play and couch co-op (local split screen). And if you aren’t feeling up to sitting on the same couch with another real human being, we also have single-player mode!
“Our systematic design approach creates extraordinary interactions and outcomes that you can explore and experiment with. We’ve designed it into the world, the characters, your entire experience. Every time you play, you’ll discover something new and experience it differently.“
– Producer, Noemie L’Ecuyer
Wishlist on PlayStation Store to stay informed of the May launch week specials, including an in-game trash panda suit and launch discount. Pre-order, purchase, and launch details to be revealed soon.
Thanks for supporting the Savage Planet franchise. Revenge of the Savage Planet launches on PS5 and PS4 in May 2025. Onward and upward!
There are few modern video game icons as influential and well known as Lara Croft. Blasting her way onto PlayStation back in the polygonal era of 1996, gaming was never the same after Tomb Raider launched.
Since then, PlayStation has been in lockstep with the British archaeologist-adventurer, with every mainline canon game getting its time to shine. And with Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered coming to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 on February 14, now’s the perfect time to revisit them.
Introducing the young British aristocrat to the world, Tomb Raider set the scene with a quest to discover the three pieces of an ancient artifact known as the Scion.
The result is a global and twisting trek across locations such as Greece, Egypt, and Atlantis, with what was then a revolutionary blend of 3D levels, gun-toting action, puzzle solving and acrobatic traversal. And who can forget that heart-stopping T-Rex encounter?
Tomb Raider II – 1997 – PlayStation – Eidos Interactive, Core Design
Now a more seasoned adventurer, Ms Croft began the search for the mystical Dagger of Xian, said to possess the power to transform its bearer into a dragon. In an attempt to claim it before the dangerous cultists of the Fiamma Nera, Lara blasts her way across Venice, Tibet, and even back at her mansion in England.
Expanding in every way on the already massively successful formula, with new weapons, the ability to climb walls and larger levels, Tomb Raider II also introduced controllable vehicles such as boats and snowmobiles, marking the start of a beautiful relationship between Lara and practically anything with a motor (and even some without).
Tomb Raider III: The Adventures of Lara Croft – 1998 – PlayStation – Eidos Interactive, Core Design
Four fragments of an ancient, power granting meteorite. Grisly experiments. Nods to the movie classic, The Thing. Lara’s third outing went big, pitching her across Nevada, the South Pacific Islands, and Antarctica to get the job done – with the novel option to play the middle locales of the game in any order.
As with Tomb Raider II, this sequel featured smarter enemies and equipped Lara with an even wider move set such as monkey swings and a stamina limited sprint. It also introduced dynamic lighting, weather and smoke effects, giving the series a serious visual punch.
Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation– 1998 – PlayStation – Eidos Interactive, Core Design
Compared to its self-assured prequels, The Last Revelation carried a more tentative tone as Lara’s attempt to claim the Amulet of Horus accidentally unleashes the malevolent Egyptian God, Set, who possesses her former mentor.
Saving humanity from Set has Lara journey through a greater variety of indoor and outdoor areas as she fights across the streets, ruins and canyons of Cairo and Alexandria, as well as the Pyramids of Giza.
Along with a less polygonal looking Croft, her fourth outing introduced more new moves and the ability to combine items in her inventory to craft puzzle pieces or create enhanced weapons. We’ll come back to this element later…
Coming soon to PlayStation Store as part of Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered.
Presumed dead after the events of The Last Revelation, Chronicles featured Lara’s nearest and dearest reminiscing over her past, revealing her hunt for the Philosopher’s Stone in Rome, searching for the Spear of Destiny off the coast of Russia, fending off Hellspawn in Ireland as a teenager, and infiltrating a high-tech facility in New York – complete with cyborg assassins.
Coming soon to PlayStation Store as part of Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered.
PlayStation 2 era
Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness – 2003 – PlayStation 2 –Eidos Interactive, Core Design
Having survived the events of The Last Revelation, Lara eventually resurfaces in Paris, only to be framed for the murder of her former mentor.
True to its title, The Angel of Darkness featured a more tonally sinister story compared to previous games in the series, with PS2 powered visuals to match its new style and revamped controls. It also introduced a dialogue system, an upgradable stamina bar, and a second playable character in antagonistic partner Kurtis Trent.
Coming soon to PlayStation Store as part of Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered.
Rebooting the entire series and balancing Lara’s bold sense of adventure with a more grounded emotional core, Legends saw Ms Croft searching for the mythical sword Excalibur as a way to help find her missing mother.
Increasing the locations that Lara typically explored (from Japan and Peru to Nepal and Kazakhstan) but taking a back-to-basics approach to her weapons and gear, Legend reformatted the series’ controls, combat, enemy AI, and even crafted a custom physics engine to give the gameplay a fresh yet familiar feel.
By this point the series had hit a great balance between series reverence and new mechanics, remixing the very first Tomb Raider’s story while following the events of Legacy, in an enhanced engine.
Lara’s weapons cache was given a bump, while the iconic style of the first game was preserved as much as possible, albeit with more contemporary considerations across the puzzles and level design to help integrate elements from Legend, such as the grapple to traverse the environments.
Rounding off the Legend timeline, Underworld saw Lara search for Thor’s hammer in order to enter the Norse underworld, Helheim, and discover the truth of her parents’ ultimate fate. The game smartly used real world analogues for the mythological locations, taking Lara to places such as Jan Mayen Island and the Arctic Circle.
Underworld took advantage of the powerful PS3 hardware with more expansive environments, motion captured animation (via Olympic gymnast Heidi Moneymaker) and a raft of new moves and weapons, including… Thor’s hammer. Oh yes.
The series’ storytelling style took a more grounded and filmic focus with this second reboot of Lara’s adventures, tracking her development from a frightened young traveller to a steel nerved survivor. Stranded on a mysterious island off the coast of Japan, Lara has to find her friends and escape before the violent Solari Brotherhood cult murders them all.
Starting off with rudimentary weapons that can eventually be upgraded (fulfilling the promise of The Last Revelation’s early crafting style system), Tomb Raider is all about stealth and survival in a savage, more open environment, complete with changeable weather effects and dramatic lighting.
Tomb Raider also became the first game in the series to feature an online competitive multiplayer mode, so can you expand the hunt to your friends, too…
Rise of the Tomb Raider – 2015 – PlayStation 4 –Square Enix, Crystal Dynamics
The leap to PS4 meant the sequel to 2013’s Tomb Raider remains one of the series’ most aesthetically impressive entries, with improved motion capture technology to include facial animation.
Seeking to finish her later father’s research on the mythical city of Kitezh and its immortality granting artifact, Lara finds herself in Siberia in a fight for her life, not just against the paramilitary organisation Trinity, but more hostile wildlife, too. The guerilla style combat was developed further, albeit with a wider weapons and skill set selection for Lara to utilise.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider – 2018 – PlayStation 4 –Eidos-Montreal, Crystal Dynamics
Capping off the Survivor trilogy, Shadow of the Tomb Raider saw Lara attempting to prevent a Mayan apocalypse she unwittingly unleashed. Set mostly in Mexico and Peru, the story covers a more philosophical awakening for Lara, exploring the cultural impact of her actions as she evolves into the more recognisable version of her character.
As the beautiful visuals took another step forward, so did the game’s stealth elements, with the ability to hide in the undergrowth from enemies, or camouflage Lara with mud. Not that she’s hiding anymore – animated series Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft picks up from where Shadow of the Tomb Raider left off in the series’ continuity.
With Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered rappelling onto PS4 and PS5 by February 14, the world doesn’t have long to wait before Lara returns once more. Dust off your inexhaustible twin pistols and grab an uncommonly rugged backpack – it’s time to go adventuring…
The latest PS5 accessories get a new look with the Midnight Black Collection – bringing the galaxy-inspired Midnight Black colorway to the PlayStation Portal remote player, DualSense Edge wireless controller, Pulse Elite wireless headset, and Pulse Explore wireless earbuds.
These accessories perfectly complement the Midnight Black PS5 accessories already available, including the DualSense wireless controller and PS5 console covers.
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Each Midnight Black accessory features a unique, rich shade of black, with sleek detailing on various buttons and accents such as the PlayStation logo. The Midnight Black design extends to the included charging case for Pulse Explore earbuds, charging hanger for Pulse Elite headset, and carrying case for DualSense Edge controller. The Pulse Elite wireless headset and Pulse Explore wireless earbuds will also include a felt grey carrying case.
The new Midnight Black Collection will be available at the following suggested retail prices (SRP):
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PlayStation Portal remote player – Midnight Black: SGD 295.90 | MYR 999 | IDR 3,599,000 | THB 7,790
The new Midnight Black collection launches on February 20, 2025, with pre-orders beginning on February 6 in participating retailers. Availability may vary by country/region, so be sure to check your local retailer for availability.
Which new Midnight Black accessory design is your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and head to PlayStation.com for more details on the latest PS5 accessories.
The latest PS5 accessories get a new look with the Midnight Black Collection – bringing the galaxy-inspired Midnight Black colorway to the PlayStation Portal remote player, DualSense Edge wireless controller, Pulse Elite wireless headset, and Pulse Explore wireless earbuds.
These accessories perfectly complement the Midnight Black PS5 accessories already available, including the DualSense wireless controller and PS5 console covers.
Download the image
Each Midnight Black accessory features a unique, rich shade of black, with sleek detailing on various buttons and accents such as the PlayStation logo. The Midnight Black design extends to the included charging case for Pulse Explore earbuds, charging hanger for Pulse Elite headset, and carrying case for DualSense Edge controller. The Pulse Elite wireless headset and Pulse Explore wireless earbuds will also include a felt grey carrying case.
The new Midnight Black Collection will be available at the following recommended retail prices (RRP):
Download the image
PlayStation Portal remote player – Midnight Black: 199.99 USD | 219.99 EURO | 199.99 GBP | 34,980 YEN
Download the image
Pulse Explore wireless earbuds – Midnight Black: 199.99 USD | 219.99 EURO | 199.99 GBP | 34,980 YEN
Pulse Elite wireless headset – Midnight Black: 149.99 USD | 149.99 EURO | 129.99 GBP | 22,980 YEN
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DualSense Edge wireless controller – Midnight Black: 199.99 USD | 219.99 EURO | 199.99 GBP | 34,980 YEN (new DualSense Edge controller pricing in EURO and GBP also applies to the original white version)
The new Midnight Black collection launches on February 20, 2025, with pre-orders beginning on January 16 at 10am local time (10am ET in the U.S.) on direct.playstation.com. Participating retailers will also begin pre-orders starting January 16. Availability may vary by country/region, so be sure to check your local retailer for availability.
Which new Midnight Black accessory design is your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and head to PlayStation.com for more details on the latest PS5 accessories.
If you’re new to PlayStation (or just looking to try a new game) you’re absolutely spoiled for choice with PlayStation Plus, which will let you dive into games which helped define PlayStation over the past 30 years. There are far too many games to cover in this humble feature, but here’s an extensive selection that is available for you to enjoy right now via PlayStation Plus. Over 30 games from 30 years? Better charge up your controllers…
PlayStation
Jumping Flash | Sony Computer Entertainment | Exact & Ultra | 1995 True revolutions in gaming don’t come around too often, but when a cute looking robotic rabbit by the name of Robbit leapt onto our screens, it helped pave the way for the future. Jumping Flash holds the Guinness World Record as the “first platform video game in true 3D”, which is even more impressive given it’s entirely from a first-person perspective. A real game changer.
Twisted Metal | Sony Computer Entertainment | SingleTrac & Sony Interactive Studios | 1995
Demolition derbies in games weren’t all too common when Twisted Metal crashed onto the scene, mixing aggressive high impact driving with vehicular combat that redefined the entire genre. Between its deathmatch-style gameplay and the introduction of everyone’s favorite demonic ice cream truck driver Sweet Tooth, Twisted Metal paved the road for many others to follow.
Tekken 2 | Namco | Namco | 1996 True, the original Tekken helped set the stage for the then fresh genre of 3D fighting games, but its sequel established the series as something that could truly go toe-to-toe with its rivals. Its hard-hitting cast and tight gameplay have become a staple of the genre. Not to mention the franchise holds the world record for the longest running story in video games without reboots, retcons, or revisions – that’s a lot of people being thrown from, off or into something from a great height.
Resident Evil Director’s Cut| Capcom | Capcom | 1997 Horror has always had its place in gaming as far back as 3D Monster Maze in 1981, but it was Resident Evil which crafted the crimson blueprint for horror and all of its sub-genres, since. In particular, Capcom’s classic merged American horror movie schlock with innovative puzzles and genuinely brilliant – and now iconic – jump scares, all set against bleeding edge pre-rendered backgrounds. Survival horror has never been the same, and that’s exactly the way we like it. The original captivated and terrified players back in 1996. The Director’s Cut, featuring some gameplay tweaks, launched one year later.
Ridge Racer Type 4 | Namco | Namco | 1999 A juggernaut amongst racing games, Ridge Racer had already established its rapidly earned credentials by the time Type 4 hit the track. So this particular entry solidified what everyone had already known or suspected with one of the best entries across the entire series. From its coin-op roots to a now expertly amalgamated engine of arcade driving and realism, Type 4 was Ridge Racer perfected.
Ape Escape | Sony Computer Entertainment | Japan Studio | 1999 Not many knew what to make of this quirky and colorful platformer when it was first unveiled, but once it was in players’ hands, everything became wonderfully clear. Introducing the possibilities of the DualShock analog controller, Ape Escape’s innovative control scheme, playful visuals and downright cuteness stole the hearts of everyone who played it, just like the peppy primates of the series itself.
PlayStation 2
Fantavision | Sony Computer Entertainment | Japan Studio | 2000 How many real-time firework themed puzzle games have you played? Chances are, when Fantavision first exploded into view, very few, if any at all. Still enchantingly novel after all these years, Japan Studio’s game was an unforgettable and spectacular showcase of particle effects on PS2.
TimeSplitters | Eidos Interactive | Free Radical Design | 2000 First-person shooters were in somewhat of a renaissance by the time TimeSplitters arrived, in no small way due to the team behind it. Free Radical Design had the pedigree and talent to skilfully refine the punchy gameplay style and split-screen multiplayer modes that they already popularized, igniting the spark of a new fan-favorite franchise.
Dark Cloud | Sony Computer Entertainment | Level-5 | 2001 Seeing the stunning looking Dark Cloud for the first time raised many questions – was it an RPG? A city builder? An action game? The answer? Yes. Inventively mixing genres with procedurally generated dungeon-crawling, Dark Cloud was ahead of its time, and a great demonstration of what PlayStation 2 could bring to our swiftly evolving medium.
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy | Sony Computer Entertainment | Naughty Dog | 2001 It’s easy to take for granted how much Jak and Daxter was doing under the hood of its bright, bold and brash sci-fi fantasy platform adventuring. But crafting an expansive and open 3D world full of puzzles, distinctive characters, and collectibles, without loading screens was no easy task. Naughty Dog not only pulled it off, but created a popular series with an incredibly dedicated audience.
Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus | Sony Computer Entertainment | Sucker Punch Productions | 2002
Stealth games had become a massively popular genre in the early 2000s, but very few were deviating from the military espionage formula that had helped make it so big. In crept Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus, with its creative ‘toon shaded’ visuals and slick gameplay, proving it was possible to be seriously sneaky and stylish, without being solemn.
PlayStation 3
Resistance: Fall of Man | Sony Computer Entertainment | Insomniac Games | 2006
Alternate World War II history, interstellar invaders and an engaging narrative – there was plenty to enjoy in Insomniac’s fan-favorite first-person shooter. Resistance: Fall of Man impressed not just as a launch title, but as the springboard for a number of superb sequels which followed.
God of War III | Sony Computer Entertainment | Santa Monica Studio | 2010 *Note: GoW III Remastered released in 2015 on PS4
Before he became a dad, Kratos was chopping it up with the Greek Pantheon, his quest for vengeance arriving at its brutal third-part climax. Here, everything was bigger – the set pieces, violence and even the characters. The latter literally, given the immense visual spectacle of the game’s opening where Kratos fights a veritable army while on the back of the titan Gaia. The 2015 PS4 Remastered version is available to enjoy on PlayStation Plus.
Heavy Rain | Sony Computer Entertainment | Quantic Dream | 2010 *Note: Heavy Rain released in 2016 on PS4
As a striking combination of impressive visual flair and arresting interactive cinematic gameplay, very few games were doing what Heavy Rain was doing when it launched on PS3. The thriller marked Quantic Dream as a developer to watch, handily helped by a horrifyingly brilliant in-game scene where one of the four protagonists is told to choose between a selection of sharp tools and then… well, if you know, you know.
Assassin’s Creed Ezio Collection (PS4) | Ubisoft | Ubisoft Montreal | 2016 (Includes Assassin’s Creed 2 | Ubisoft | Ubisoft Montreal | 2009, Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood | Ubisoft | Ubisoft Montreal | 2010, Assassin’s Creed Revelations | Ubisoft | Ubisoft Montreal | 2011) Ubisoft’s stealth series has become legendary thanks to the deeds of one Ezio Auditore da Firenze, the protagonist of the franchise’s many entries. Capturing three of his major escapades from the PS3 era, Assassin’s Creed Ezio Collection is a series hitting its parkour platforming stride across rich open worlds and fascinating historical settings.
Far Cry 3 | Ubisoft | Ubisoft Montreal | 2012 *Note: Far Cry 3 Classic Edition released in 2018 on PS4
Mixing the first-person shooter genre with an open world setting is a staple of the Far Cry series, but this sequel is where its potential became clear for its sequels. A densely crafted world of hostile wildlife, reactive human enemies, engaging missions, and smart progression systems all made for an impressive experience, elevated via an outstanding performance by Michael Mando as the game’s demented antagonist, Vaas.
PSP
LocoRoco | Sony Computer Entertainment | Japan Studio | 2006 *Note: LocoRoco Remastered released in 2017 on PS4 It’s impossible to describe LocoRoco without using the word “adorable”. Sure, its puzzle platforming, charmingly cartoony visuals and well-thought-out controls which used the shoulder buttons to help control the titular LocoRoco were all wonderful. But have you ever had colorful, wide-eyed blobs of joy serenade you as you play? Me neither.
Patapon | Sony Computer Entertainment | Pyramid & Japan Studio | 2008 *Note: Patapon Remastered released in 2017 on PS4
While we’re on the topic of song, the wonderfully compelling pata-pata-pata-pon drum beat that accompanies this rhythm-based strategy signals one of the most delightfully weird games on PSP. Its endearing uniqueness earned two sequels and a PS4 remaster, so I know I’m not alone in my admiration.
Echochrome | Sony Computer Entertainment | Will & Japan Studio | 2008
It’s not often you’ll see modern day visual and gameplay innovations in the puzzle genre, but the striking perspective changing, environment shifting mechanics of Echochrome not only achieves that feat, but remains one of the few games directly inspired by both artists M. C. Escher and Oscar Reutersvärd.
PS Vita
Gravity Rush | Sony Computer Entertainment | Japan Studio | 2012 *Note: Gravity Rush Remastered released in 2016 on PS4 Defying gravity? Just another day for Kat, a super powered amnesiac who simply wants to help the people of Hekseville and discover the mysteries of her past. Gravity Rush’s novel use of vertical based gameplay in an open world was a refreshing change of pace from other action-adventure games, turning combat scenarios into thrilling topsy-turvy capers.
Hotline Miami | Devolver Digital | Dennaton Games | 2013 – also on PS3 “Do you like hurting other people?” asks a mysterious man in a chicken mask, early on in Hotline Miami. It’s a question that sets up one of the main themes of Dennaton Games’ frenetic, punishing and utterly compelling top-down shooter. Influencing many other titles in its wake, Hotline Miami remains one of the most successful indie games of all time, with an absolute all-timer of a soundtrack. The game eventually released on PS4 and PS5, which is available through PlayStation Plus.
Tearaway | Sony Computer Entertainment | Media Molecule | 2013 *Note: Tearaway Unfolded released in 2015 on PS4 While Media Molecule made its mark with the iconic LittleBigPlanet, its step into the papercraft world of ValleyFold was as cute as it was creative. Tearaway delivered a parcel of delightfully different styles of gameplay, using the touchscreen, camera, and rear touch panel in a number of wildly inventive ways. This was mimicked via Tearaway Unfolded, an expanded version of the original launched on PS4, which used the DualShock 4 wireless controller in a similarly imaginative manner, and it’s this game that is available on PlayStation Plus.
PlayStation 4
Bloodborne | Sony Computer Entertainment | FromSoftware | 2015
Bloodborne’s gothic city of Yharnam is not one you’d want to live in, with its terrifying beasts, cosmic horror, and otherworldly mysteries. And yet, there’s not a single one of us which would turn down the chance to return to its dark streets. FromSoftware’s classic and combat heavy action-adventure RPG stunned players on its arrival, and continues to draw acclaim via its masterful gameplay and unforgettable narrative.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | CD Projekt | CD Projekt Red | 2015
Based on the hugely popular Andrzej Sapkowski fantasy novels and steeped in Slavic folklore, it didn’t take long for The Witcher 3 to be recognized as one of the greatest games of all time. Its rich and changing open world, complex narrative and spectacular visuals still remain some of the best in the genre, as witnessed in its enhanced PS5 port, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition, which launched in 2022.
Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Naughty Dog| 2015 *Note: The Nathan Drake Collection released in 2015 on PS4 (Includes Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune | PS3 | Sony Computer Entertainment | Naughty Dog | 2007, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves | PS3 | Sony Computer Entertainment | Naughty Dog | 2009, Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception | PS3 | Sony Computer Entertainment | Naughty Dog | 2011)
You didn’t think we’d forget about Nathan Drake, did you? Naughty Dog’s charismatic adventurer became a fast favorite with fans via his globe-trotting adventures that mixed shooting, stealth, combat, puzzles, platforming, exploration, massive set pieces, and wisecracks. This was one series that did it all, but never lost sight of the heartfelt storytelling that made it so successful. PS4’s Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection collected the first three titles.
Shadow of the Colossus | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Bluepoint Games | 2018
Shadow of the Colossus was a technical marvel when it first hit PS2 in 2005. GenDesign stunned players with an expansive world inhabited by mysterious, towering creatures. Bluepoint Games’ remake in 2018 faithfully retold the tale for a new generation while capturing the beautiful melancholy of the original. The act of climbing colossi and puzzling out their weaknesses is still a wondrous experience today. The game’s twist ending and novel commentary on players’ habits for conquest help the understated narrative stand the test of time.
God of War | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Santa Monica Studios| 2018
Heralded by a near-deafening roar of the E3 crowd on its 2016 reveal, God of War’s triumphant return signaled a new era for Kratos. While retaining the bone-crunching violence the series was known for, the thoughtful consideration of its consequences and effect on families developed the series into something which had grown up with Kratos in more ways than one.
Final Fantasy VII Remake | Square Enix | Square Enix Business Division 1 | 2020 What would any list be without a Final Fantasy game? Returning to one of the most beloved RPGs ever made could have been a massive mistake, but Final Fantasy VII Remake put all fears to rest with a stunning and well considered version of the PlayStation original, expanding its story in surprising new ways. An enhanced version, Final Fantasy VII Intergrade, also hit PS5 a year later.
Ghost of Tsushima | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Sucker Punch Productions | 2020 *Note: Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut released in 2021 on PS5 Visually gorgeous and narratively ferocious, Sucker Punch crafted an open world action-adventure that felt both fresh and lived in. It captured the flavor of classic Akira Kurosawa samurai movies, blending beauty with brutality, not being afraid to let you indulge in its quieter moments. Humanity, hot springs and haikus, slicing against swords, samurai and standoffs.
PS5
Demon’s Souls | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Bluepoint Games | 2020 Remaking the PS3 action role-playing classic was a tall order that Bluepoint Games surmounted, enhancing its finely honed gameplay with new weapons, items, armour and features, while utilizing the power of PS5. Although still technically a predecessor to the likes of Dark Souls and Bloodborne, Demon’s Souls held its own in this modern revisit.
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Insomniac | 2020
Leaping onto PS5 to help the console’s launch back in 2020, this new adventure captured the spirited freedom and unbridled joy of web-swinging, and its confident storytelling, spectacular set pieces and amazing combat made for an experience that fans and newcomers alike just couldn’t put down.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Insomniac | 2021 The adventures of the universe’s best Lombax and his robotic companion reached an outstanding high point showcasing the hardware grunt of PS5 via its near instantaneous portal travel and creative use of the DualSense wireless controller. Bright, breezy and offbeat, Insomniac’s bouncy shooter platformer was a delight for all.
Returnal | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Housemarque | 2021 When narrative form and gameplay function merge into a seamless whole, the result can be utterly captivating, as seen in Returnal. Taking an ever-repeating-yet-different roguelike shooter structure and encasing it within a story about an astronaut trapped in a time loop, Housemarque’s casket of mysteries is a compelling voyage of literal self-discovery.
The Last of Us: Part I | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Naughty Dog | 2022 Humanity. Trauma. Forgiveness. Naughty Dog’s powerful and haunting tale of a post-apocalyptic world stays with anyone who experiences it – and bringing it up to date on PS5 with enhanced visuals, combat, and enemy AI only made an action-adventure classic all the more essential. If you’ve only watched the staggeringly good TV series but not played the game, well, now there’s no excuse.
