Hiya, PlayStation foodies. Tj here, serving up a big plate of news for our experimental food art game, Nour: Play With Your Food. It’s a game that you might have seen around before. Perhaps you caught a glimpse of some of our wild ramen and boba tea out in the wilds of the internet or at a game event, but now we’re finally ready to say that you will be able to satisfy your virtual food cravings on September 12 when Nour launches on PS5 and PS4. For now, we have a little trailer as a treat featuring an original song by Tobi Lou.
I’ve spent years making this game, yet I still discover new sights, sounds, and emergent mechanics. Nour’s outward beauty is balanced by an inner mechanical depth. Let’s discuss Nour’s secret sauces that make it a unique experience.
Tools
In the real world, kitchen tools come with all sorts of safety warnings. But not in Nour! Use the blowtorch, knife, salt shaker, and more to slice, squish, season, char, and paint your food. Use multiple tools on the same food to stack their effects, making your dream dish a reality.
Spells
And since this isn’t the real world, we’ve taken a few creative liberties with how you can play with your food. Combine your wizard’s hat and chef’s hat (actually, that would look sick) using Nour’s spells. Form culinary constellations, stunning ice sculptures, or undo gravity altogether. This is a brand new type of kitchen.
Feel free to combine these different systems to create interactions that no chef has thought possible. When you’re done, be sure to whip out the Camera tool to capture your masterpiece.
Nour is unconventional and wild, and it was a joy to make. We set out to make a game with no goals or objectives other than experiencing the joy of freely interacting with the highly detailed virtual representations of delicious food and snacks we enjoy every day. Now we’re almost done, and if you think that idea for a game sounds fun, we hope you give Nour a shot when it releases on September 12.
Even more secret sauce is to be revealed in the final game.
Last week, we asked you to share moments from the fantasy MMORPG Tower of Fantasy using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights:
call_me_xavii shares a white haired woman and man jumping away from a two-headed dog
dpruttz_vp shares a player riding a motorcycle across a neon-lit street
chic2ky shares a lake-view landscape surrounded by red leaved trees
xenobitz shares two characters talking in front of a large crescent moon light sculpture
shiyu_Eva shares a player swimming near a colorful coral reef
liuyixie shares a futuristic pyramid city structure floating above a desert.
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: Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on August 30, 2023
Next week, we’re hopping into the mech world of Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon. Share epic moments using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.
In Fortnite Battle Royale Chapter 4 Season 4, Vampire Kado Thorne has made the Island his home. Your mission is to infiltrate and extract valuable goods from his three properties: Sanguine Suites, Relentless Retreat, and Eclipsed Estate.
The fate of the Island is at stake, and pulling off the height of heists is the last resort. So, are you in?
Every rosy resort has a Thorne
Thorne has built three luxurious properties across the Battle Royale island — but beyond the lavish exteriors of Sanguine Suites, Relentless Retreat, and Eclipsed Estate are heavily fortified lairs complete with security cameras, laser alert grids, and guards. Gear up before you go in.
Wam, blam, Rocket Ram
In addition to existing and unvaulted weapons, you can now boost through the skies or through a wall with the Rocket Ram. Add to your arsenal with the Infiltrator Pump Shotgun, Scoped Burst SMG, Twin Mag Assault Rifle, or auto-firing Briefcase Turret.
Mythic items of legend
In the depths of Sanguine Suites, Relentless Retreat, and Eclipsed Estate, you can find Mythic items from Fortnite’s history like The Foundation’s MK-Seven Assault Rifle, Midas’ Drum Gun, Zyg and Choppy’s Ray Gun, and more. Grab one and escape before Thorne’s defenses defeat you.
Sink your teeth into the Nitro Fang
Once out of the building, it’s time to escape — look no further than the Nitro Fang by Victory Motors. If opponents are on your tail, use the Nitro Fang’s handbrake to make lock-tight turns. If you’re more of a highflier, point your Rocket Ram skyward and zoom into the distance.
Ragtag and ready
Leading the heist team is maverick Nolan Chance, who auto-unlocks with the purchase of the Battle Pass. Chance’s team includes Piper Pace, the getaway driver, Fish Thicc, the muscle, Mae, the hacker, and Antonia, the masqued maven. Villain Kao Throne also makes his appearance in the Battle Pass, and Jedi Ahsoka Tano arrives in Fortnite later in the season.
What to do when things get overcomplicated? Turn to the man who keeps it simple: the newest addition to the Icon Series, Khaby Lame. The most popular creator on TikTok breaks into the Battle Pass to help the team take down Thorne.
We got to chat with Jann Mardenborough, the “gamer to racer” subject at the heart of the Gran Turismo movie, with topics ranging from his experience in GT Academy to stunt driving for the film about his incredible life.
Check out a new clip from the movie before Gran Turismo hits US theaters August 25:
It goes without saying that your story, going from Gran Turismo fan to pro driver and subject of a Hollywood movie, must be very surreal. Now that the film is so close to release, what does this moment feel like for you?
It felt surreal the first time I heard about the film being considered in the first place, and it’s still weird even now. I still can’t get over the fact that my story is “forever.” I’m still trying to process that my journey, my family name, is now immortalized for future generations to see. I like thinking this is something my grandkids can look back on and be proud of.
Going back to the beginning, what made you decide to become an entrant in GT Academy? Was there a specific “Eureka!” moment?
I had wanted to be a racing driver since I was five or six years old. But, as I got older, the dream felt less and less attainable coming from a “normal” family, with two parents who live relatively normal lives and perform normal jobs. I didn’t know anyone who could sponsor me, so I shelved that idea while I was at school. I was too young to enter the first GT Academy, but I was also too busy with school at the time regardless.
It wasn’t until 2011 that the stars aligned. I had just dropped out of uni about three months prior, and I found myself in a position to put all my eggs in one basket.
I thought, “Let’s just see how far I can take this.”
What was the GT Academy training experience like, and what were the most difficult adjustments to make when racing on a real track for the first time? What differences stood out to you most when you first started driving professionally?
The biggest adjustment had to do with my vision. At home, I had always played GT on a tiny 17-inch screen. That’s what I used for years.
Then, when I got in a real car and had an instructor sitting next to me, who had a mirror that allowed him to watch where my eyes were focusing, it became clear that I would constantly look at the floor instead of looking ahead down the track. Your field of view is radically different in a car compared to when your view is constrained to a small TV; during a race, you’ll often be driving in the opposite direction of where you’re actually looking. This took months of reprogramming and adjustment.
The rest felt easy—even when, at 19 years old, I first got behind the wheel of a 485-horsepower GTR at Silverstone Circuit. As I was strapping myself in I thought, “Okay, how is this going to feel now? And, well, it felt normal. From the breaking and throttling inputs, to the way the car would steer and pitch around corners, driving the car felt oddly familiar. Aside from the additional sense of vibration and feedback through the steering wheel and seats, the car handled the way that GT had prepared me for.
It probably helped that at 19 I felt a lot less risk averse. I just wanted to go fast and develop as quickly as possible.
Does this relatively straightforward adjustment period attest to the quality of the simulation in the GT games? Would the experience have been vastly different if you hadn’t spent so much time with them?
Of course. I had no professional racing experience otherwise: I had never karted nor driven on a track, and my first time driving on an expressway was in transit to GT Academy. At that point in my life, I had only ever driven within 30 or 40 miles of my home in Cardiff. All my friends were there and we never had a reason to drive anywhere else.
I was a blank slate, which I think worked to my advantage. I didn’t have any other preconceived ideas about how to drive a racing car or take it to its limit. All I had was the game, and this made it easier for me to internalize all the instruction I was getting. I didn’t have to unlearn any bad habits or bad advice.
At least for me, the Gran Turismo games allowed me to circumvent the tens of thousands of dollars some parents pay in preparing their children to become a pro race driver. I was able to skip all that because of the game.
Aside from lending your life story to the premise of the film, you also got the opportunity to perform stunt driving sequences on behalf of the actor depicting you. What was that like, and how else were you involved in the production?
I was first approached about driving in the film early last year, and the producers were a bit wary, warning me that I’d have to do a lot of waiting around. But that didn’t bother me. I just said, “I’m in; this is going to be amazing.” I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to be part of such a fundamental aspect of the story, which felt a lot more significant than, say, a walk-on cameo.
As part of this process I got to meet some legendary stunt drivers—like Steve Kelso, who drove for Talladega Nights, as well as the driver for Kitt in Knight Rider. These super experienced guys were all part of the team and it was an honor to learn from them.
Otherwise, I’ve been involved with the project since the first script was written back in 2019, and all of the people I’ve worked with at Sony Pictures have been awesome. The producers have been very generous in involving me and taking my input on each script draft.
Once on set, I was asked if I wanted to help review the dailies, but I declined because that’s not my world. I was happy with the script and the cast, and wouldn’t know how to properly assess unfinished footage. That’s not my world.
With Gran Turismo nearing release, where do you see your career going from here?
I can only look ahead by about two years, since anything beyond that is too hard to predict, but I really want to do Le Mans. That race is my goal for next year. I’d also want to return to Japan to compete in Super GT. But I’m very flexible right now; I want to race into my late 40s as a professional. I haven’t peaked as a driver and I’m still hungry.
What do you hope the audience will take away from learning your story?
I hope people take away that you can do anything you dream and set your mind to. Of course, it’s not going to be easy, but you only have one life—why would you spend years doing something that doesn’t satisfy you or give you purpose? So, I hope the story in Gran Turismo can help motivate people to take a different path in their lives, where they feel more satisfied and complete. I’m very lucky that I had this opportunity when I was 19.
To close things out, we’ve got a rapid fire set of questions:
What’s your personal favorite game in the series?
I’m torn between Gran Turismo 2 and 3. Both were massive advancements over their predecessors and had a profound impact on me when they came out. Gran Turismo 2 had the better car and track selection—and the best intro—but the visual upgrades in GT3 were profound. I still have very fond memories of playing that game for an entire summer when it came out.
Favorite car to race with in Gran Turismo?
The Toyota GT-One in Gran Turismo 2—the LMP car.
Favorite car to drive in real life?
The Nissan GTR GT500 car that I drove in Japan from 2017 until the end of 2020. It’s a proper race car: two liters, 700-horsepower, lots of downforce, and weighs a ton.
Favorite racetrack in GT?
Grand Valley Speedway, hands down. I wish it was real because it’s just so gorgeous and has an incredible atmosphere.
Favorite track to race on professionally?
Sportland Sugo, a little circuit in Sendai (north of Tokyo). It’s like a miniature Nürburgring.
Favorite music track from the GT series?
“My Favourite Game” from GT2 and, of course, “Moon Over the Castle.” They’re both still on my workout playlist because I’m fueled by nostalgia!
Hello–It’s unbelievable to me that it has been seven years since No Man’s Sky was released, and to celebrate today we are releasing our largest update of the year – No Man’s Sky Echoes.
Our aim with Echoes is to breathe new life into the universe, with a new robotic race, our first race introduced since launch in 2016. We have also overhauled space combat with a focus on creating truly epic space battles, introducing freighter to freighter battles for the first time.
New robot race
In Echoes, travelers will discover a never-before-seen, long-hidden race of robots with rich new story content–engaging in robot assignments and rituals to earn a huge array of mechanical parts to create their own robotic avatar.
New pirate freighters bring huge space battles to the universe. Defend fleets from pirates. Fly through enemy trenches to sabotage their shields, and destroy them!
Players can search out and assemble their own sci-fi ceremonial staff. Level these up with unique technology to mine and battle your way through the universe.
Travelers can now search for, trade, and scrap weapons, allowing players to become Multi-tool scrap merchants. Travelers can also choose from a wider array of weapons and tools, including the staff and a new powerful Atlas weapon.
Chronicle your journey
This year we introduced the ability to store a catalog of player’s most wondrous discoveries. A new holographic museum allows you to decorate and display your favorite weird and wonderful discoveries in your base for others to visit and see.
The Voyagers expedition starts soon for the adventurers who seek to explore the universe and catalog its marvels. Together with a Twitch Drops campaign this brings a host of new content and rewards for players.
Improved quality dynamics on PS VR2
Rendering quality, stability and performance has improved across the board in this update. In particular, for PS VR2 players, foveated rendering brings a large quality improvement throughout the game. Whether you’re standing on a vista overlooking a planetary landscape, or marveling at the beauty and expanse of the solar system, the virtual universe has never looked better.
These are just a few of the things that PlayStation players can look forward to when diving into the Echoes update today.
It has already been a pretty busy year for the small No Man’s Sky team with the launch of the Fractal and Interceptor updates, along with the major Singularity expedition. Fittingly Echoes marks our 7th anniversary by making our universe more exciting, dangerous and interesting to explore. No Man’s Sky Echoes is out now on PS5, PS4, PS VR2, and PS VR.
Sonic Superstars is set to release on October 17, 2023, on PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®5.
Sonic Superstars is a brand-new high-speed action game that combines the classic feel of the 2D side-scrolling Sonic series with crisp 3D graphics.
A new adventure begins for Sonic and his pals, Tails, Amy, and Knuckles, in the mysterious Northstar Islands, inhabited by gigantic creatures. With your newfound Emerald Powers, stop Dr. Eggman and Fang, who plan to use these creatures for their devious schemes!
This is the first title in the series to feature local multiplayer. Enjoy adventuring with up to four players in the story mode. The battle mode can be played online or offline. When online, you can participate in a variety of battles with up to eight players from around the world!
Whether you’re flying solo or playing with friends and family, enjoy Sonic Superstars to the max!
New Trailer Featuring Multiplayer Gameplay Revealed!
The latest trailer for Sonic Superstars provides a detailed look at various parts of the game, including footage of local four-player co-op and the online battle mode. Make sure to check it out!
Please look forward to the launch of Sonic Superstars!
Today PlayStation players received big updates on a trio of exciting upcoming devices: the PlayStation Portal remote player, the PlayStation Pulse Explore wireless earbuds, and the newly revealed PlayStation Pulse Elite wireless headset. In addition to a PS Blog article detailing the products, pricing, and more, I also had the opportunity to get my hands on the in-development devices and test-drive them. Read on for details on new upcoming ways to experience your favorite PlayStation 5 games.
Download the image
PlayStation Portal remote player
Formerly codenamed Project Q, this is PlayStation’s new option for fans who want more ways to play their PS5 library. Imagine a DualSense wireless controller split down the middle with a high-definition LCD display inserted in the middle, and you’re halfway there.
DualSense controller experience
The PlayStation Portal remote player spares no expense delivering the true DualSense controller experience. Everything from the grippy texture of the sticks to the throw of the triggers felt like home. I trotted through Cooling Springs in Astro Bot’s Playroom, feeling the familiar crunchy grit of a sandy beach with the haptics and adaptive trigger tension of a spring-fired jumping suit. Your hours of muscle memory playing with the DualSense controller will translate one-to-one with PlayStation Portal.
High-definition display
The device boasts a sizable 8-inch LCD 1080p display running at 60hz for up to 60fps gaming. During my hands-on session, PS5 hits like Astro Bot’s Playroom, God of War Ragnarök, and Returnal looked crystal clear on the screen. No detail was lost, from the dark alien ruins of Returnal to the bubblegum-bright, cheerful tech-platforming stages of Astro’s Playroom. The generous size of the screen also made in-game UI and menu text legible at a comfortable arm’s length distance.
Download the image
Touchscreen touchpad
PlayStation Portal has a screen where the DualSense controller’s touchpad usually lives, but the device still supports similar functionality thanks to touch-responsive areas of the screen. Extending your thumbs towards the bottom corners of the display brings up two transluscent rectangles onscreen, representing a virtual touchpad. One moment in Astro Bot’s Playroom requires players to “zip” up a suit with a swipe up on the touchpad – the new virtual version makes this feel like second nature.
Impressive performance
During my demo with the PlayStation Portal remote player, I was impressed by the responsive and smooth gameplay from the very first seconds. Precision platforming felt tight and responsive in Astro’s Playroom, as did landing critical shots and dodging enemy projectiles in Returnal. Tapping the PlayStation button and navigating to the PS5’s home menu provided the exact same intuitive experience we’ve come to know and love, and it looked clean and clear on the 8-inch display.
(Additional context: PlayStation Portal was connected to the same local wi-fi network on the 5GHz band channel, but other wi-fi channels work too. A wired ethernet connection from the PS5 to your wireless router is recommended.)
Button setup
Your fingers will naturally find most of the DualSense controller buttons in the places you’d expect (e.g. face buttons, shoulder buttons, triggers, Options, Create button, etc. A couple of notable changes include the PS button found on the left side of the device and the mute microphone button on the right.
PlayStation Portal boasts extra functions, so some additional buttons are in the mix. Volume buttons are located at the top right, and the power button on the top left. The PlayStation Link button, used to connect the device to a Pulse Elite or Pulse Explore is on the left.
3.5MM audio output/input
Have a different pair of wired headphones you want to use? If they’ve got a 3.5MM jack you can plug it into the bottom of PlayStation Portal.
Good news today for audiophiles, as we have the first details and hands-on (ears-on?) report for a duo of new wireless audio devices. Before diving into the robust features that make each unique, let’s dig into their shared functions.
Immersive audio quality
Both the Pulse Explore wireless earbuds and Pulse Elite headset take PlayStation audio quality up a big notch. Both devices sport planar magnetic drivers, which are more commonly found in the high-quality headsets game audio engineers use. Put simply, unlike typical cone-shaped drivers, these flat (planar) drivers convey a wider range of nuanced sounds. Combine this with PlayStation’s potent 3D audio and players are in for a crisp, immersive experience.
PlayStation Link wireless technology
A fourth announcement was PlayStation Link wireless technology. This new tech allows the PS5 console, PlayStation Portal, Pulse Explore wireless earbuds, and Pulse Elite headset to achieve low-latency, lossless audio. The vision is to enable players to bounce between devices at home, freely swapping between their PS5 and PlayStation Portal to play games and bringing their audio devices along for the jump.
Both the Pulse Explore wireless earbuds and Pulse Elite headset come with a PlayStation Link USB adapter, which plugs into your PS5 or PC for low latency, lossless audio.
Bluetooth compatibility
Both the Pulse Explore and Pulse Elite also support Bluetooth audio, allowing users to enjoy a rich audio experience with a wide range of devices.
Pairing and using multiple devices
One unexpected benefit of this new function will allow players to pair and listen to multiple devices in a single session. For example, I experienced a demonstration that involved receiving a phone call while playing God of War Ragnarök on the PS5 console. The Pulse Elite headset was paired to the PS5 console through the PlayStation Link USB adapter, while the phone was paired through Bluetooth – so I heard the phone ringing through my Pulse Elite headset. After answering the call, the call audio seamlessly mixed with the game audio, allowing me to continue playing uninterrupted while chatting. This is great news for anybody who loves to use alternative voice chat platforms or multitask by watching their favorite show or content creator on another device.
AI-enhanced microphone noise reduction
Ever been “that person” toggling the mute button in party chat as you munch your favorite snack? Or worse, been on the receiving end of a friend chewing their food with abandon? Thankfully Pulse Explore and Pulse Elite come equipped with AI-enhanced microphone noise reduction to smooth away repetitive background noise like loud munching, noisy traffic, vacuum cleaners, and the like. The example I experienced involved my caller loudly crumpling a piece of paper near their phone’s mic, which the AI-enhanced noise reduction quickly muffled.
Download the image
Pulse Explore earbuds hands-on
Charging case
The black and white charging case sports a similar futuristic aesthetic to the PS5 itself. When closed, the compact curved design features a USB-C port on one side, allowing you to charge the earbuds. The white cover can be slid back to reveal the earbuds themselves. Notably, the magnetic sliding action of the cover has a satisfying click to it when opening and closing – I couldn’t stop playing with it. The earbuds are magnetically attracted to small contacts within the case, ready to be popped off for use.
Equipping the wireless earbuds
The uniquely designed earbuds come with four ear tip sizes to help users find the right size for their ears. From there, the Pulse Explore earbuds are inserted into each ear with a slight twist motion, resting with the PlayStation logo upright. The Pulse Explore wireless earbuds feel secure and light, allowing you to stay focused on the game as the crisp audio immerses you in the game.
Volume and Link buttons
Players can adjust the volume with up / down buttons on each earbud. Each also has a Link button, which can be used to reconnect and switch to paired devices. Finding the buttons by feel and adjusting the volume is an intuitive and quick experience.
Download the image
Pulse Elite wireless headset hands-on
Premium over-ear form factor
The new wireless headset sports a comfortable fit with a flexible band that stretches across the top of the head. The earpads cup the ears with a perfect balance between luxurious softness and secure firmness. The headset has a lightweight feel and any awareness of them being atop the head melts away after diving into gameplay.
Clever microphone storage
The Pulse Elite wireless headset has a microphone built into it, which can be extended with a simple pull of the mic’s tip. This allows for more precise mic placement with a simple motion. Muting the mic is as simple as pressing its button, which activates an orange indicator light visible in the periphery.
Storage with built-in charging
The Pulse Elite wireless headset comes with a charging hanger to hang your headset in a convenient location of your choosing. A power cable can be routed into the hanger which charges the headset through contacts located inside the headband.
Download the image
Takeaways
I walked into my hands-on time unsure of what to expect from this new selection of liberating PlayStation products, and stepped away excited to fit the devices into my daily gaming experience. The Pulse Elite wireless headset and Pulse Explore wireless earbuds deliver new levels of immersive 3D audio and user-friendly functions that make them worthy additions for PlayStation fans. My mind continues to race with possible new applications for the PlayStation Portal remote player around the home, enabling me to play my favorite PS5 games off the couch.
Stay tuned for more info on pre-order details and availability for the PlayStation Portal remote player and Pulse Elite wireless headset and Pulse Explore wireless earbuds.
If you’re a fan of RPGs, there’s a chance you’ve joined the ranks of millions of players around the globe who have fallen in love with Persona. Great characters, lengthy and engrossing stories, and challenging, strategic gameplay have built Persona into one of the premiere RPG series. Once you’re pulled into the universe of a Persona game, it’s an experience that will leave you craving more. To satisfy that hunger for top-class gaming experiences, Atlus is releasing two Persona titles over the coming months: the strategic spinoff Persona 5 Tactica out November 17 and the highly anticipated remake Persona 3 Reload launching in February 2024, both releasing on PS5 and PS4. We had a chance to play both games recently, so read on and learn more about what to expect!
Persona 5 Tactica: New realm of royal regard
Persona 5 Tactica is a very different experience from the preceding series. It’s not a remake–rather, it’s a spin-off featuring the beloved Phantom Thieves gang we came to love in Persona 5 and Persona 5 Royal being whisked away to a whole new genre. Sometime during the events of Persona 5, the team sits in Leblanc, watching the news and discussing events, when they see a report about a missing politician. No sooner than the report ends the TV starts going haywire and everyone finds themselves in a strange new place with their Phantom Thieves garb on. It’s not a Palace, but it does seem like a place with ties to royalty, with a visual theme akin to historical France… and a laughing villainess named Marie.
This otherworldly kingdom has been overrun by spectral Legionnaires, and their tyranny is only kept in check by the Rebel Corps led by the enigmatic Erina, who the Phantom Thieves quickly find common ground with. But the rules of engagement in this realm are quite different from their usual battles.
Join the grid-based revolution
The enemy skirmishes in Persona 5 Tactica take place on a grid. Here, during your turn, you can position individual characters and have them perform various actions: ranged gun attacks, close-range melee strikes, or a variety of Persona techniques that consume SP.
The crux of combat involves positioning. Each character has a unique movement range that can be affected by their current position and terrain. Additionally, characters can use obstacles and barriers on the battlefield as cover to reduce or nullify damage from enemy gunfire. The range and use of Persona skills can also be affected by that character’s location.
Where the strategy starts to get deep and juicy is figuring out how to manipulate the enemy into a disadvantage while holding the upper hand in your own position. Close-range melee strikes can knock down enemies or even push them into a different place on the map–but they can also leave you as a sitting duck on the enemy’s turn if you aren’t careful. Hitting an enemy’s weakness can knock them down and grant the attacking character an extra opportunity to move and attack, but that same rule applies to your foes, as well. Carefully downing enemies and maneuvering members of your squad into a triangle formation allows you to perform a multi-character Triple Threat attack, delivering a massive blow to multiple enemies caught in the crossfire. But even in the heat of battle, sometimes the best strategy is to wait and see–being in the right place at the right time might just grant some benefits.
You won’t have to wait too much longer to take up the mask once again and join the rebellion–Persona 5 Tactica launches November 17 on PS5 and PS4.
Persona 3 Reload: Back to the old-school
Persona 3 Reload is a ground-up remake of the groundbreaking PS2 RPG that established many traditions for Persona games that followed. Our demo took us into two distinct portions towards the beginning of the game: the first few levels of the ever-morphing maze Tartarus, and a challenging team expedition/boss battle on a monorail ride gone haywire.
Winding mazes of Tartarus
Tartarus is a towering, many-floored domain of malevolent Shadows that emerges during the Dark Hour, a period of time late at night imperceptible to most of humanity… save for a handful of students at Gekkoukan High School. It’s up to these students, the Special Extracurricular Execution Squad, to attempt to conquer the maze, level by level, night by night, until its mysteries unravel–not an easy task when its shape is constantly transforming!
We took the starting SEES expedition lineup, consisting of the player hero character, ace archer Yukari, and sarcastic slacker Junpei, for an initial expedition through the dark and winding mazes of Tartarus. The isometric view of the original has been replaced with a more traditional third-person perspective, which really allows players to enjoy the much-enhanced exploration and navigation features.
Touch a shadow in Tartarus, and it’s off to the turn-based, weakness-exploiting combat Persona fans have come to love. Unlike the original, you have full control of all party members from the get-go–no awkward CPU-controlled combat choices–and a revised menu interface both adds immense style and makes flying through menus a breeze. If you’ve been on a Tartarus trek in the past, you might be pleased to know that all that old knowledge of enemy behavior from older versions of P3 still applies here–but with new Persona skills from later games added into the mix, you’ve now got even more options in a heated battle.
Battle under a full moon
The second part of the demo – a battle under the full moon on a shadow-controlled monorail about to go off the rails–was a bit more straightforward but also considerably more intense. The trio is forced to hurry and prevent a mass-casualty disaster–including a timed encounter with a resilient and very suggestive boss with a seemingly endless supply of summoned shadow minions to do her bidding, forcing lots of strategic skill use. Here we got to see some of Yukari and Junpei’s character traits shine through as they reacted to the crisis, resulting in some big team bonding in the end.
The gameplay and storytelling of Persona 3 Reload remain just as engaging as it always was, and it’s all bolstered by the improved visuals of both the environments and the characters. The character models in particular are stunning, looking like they leaped straight from the pages of character designer Shigenori Soejima’s sketchbook into the game. Whether you’re a veteran Persona fan or a relative newcomer, there will be plenty to experience and/or remember when Persona 3 Reload releases in February 2024.
The time to finish them is near once again. While Mortal Kombat 1 is the twelfth entry in the long-running series, NetherRealm Studios has managed to find a way to recreate the iconic fighter yet again, forging a new era for the franchise after the events of Mortal Kombat 11.
Upon sitting down for some dedicated hands-on time with the game’s story mode and all-new Invasion mode, I discovered a fighter that embodies everything that makes Mortal Kombat the series that has earned a dedicated fanbase and molds it into something new, packing in a cinematic, twist-filled story, new modes and gameplay mechanics. It’ll be a must for anyone who’s found themselves quoting that iconic line “Finish Them!” over the years. So get over here, and read on for more details.
A cinematic tale for a new era
A new Mortal Kombat title means a new story mode: hours of entertainment for anyone ready to enter a new realm. These games have become known for hosting some of the best movie-like story modes in gaming, and Mortal Kombat 1 is no different.
Mortal Kombat 1 isn’t just a new era in name alone. The game occurs in a fresh timeline created by the newly crowned Fire God, Liu Kang. Characters’ roles have switched, and designs changed, such as Kuai Liang—The second Sub Zero— being the Scorpion of this world. Starting as soon as the first chapter, which I could fully explore, these surprises made themselves evident. I don’t want to spoil anything, but there are many jaw-dropping moments, with Ed Boon even teasing the wildest ending in franchise history.
An RPG in my Mortal Kombat
Invasion is a new mode where you explore a board game-like map that I found to be a welcome addition. In it, I took my party of characters on an adventure where I could level them up, equip them with tons of loot, and take on hordes of enemies while unlocking new areas across the map.
Invasion mode isn’t just there for a good time. While traveling the realms, you’ll find yourself unlocking in-game kurrency, concept art, and more goodies you can enjoy in other modes.
As with Factions, Towers, and similar modes in past Mortal Kombat titles, NetherRealm Studios promises a constantly updated experience with Invasion. As the title states, the mode is based around different enemies and factions invading other realms in an attempt to konquer them, such as a Scorpion from a different reality invading the new era. Invaders will make themselves known throughout the game’s lifespan, and with each comes a new challenge, more traversing, and more unlockables to acquire.
The greatest surprise of Invasion is how well NetherRealm has used it as a love letter to the entirety of Mortal Kombat. While exploring each map, you’ll run into different minigames, such as classic Arcade Towers to take on and others like Test Your Might. These are excellent ways to break up the pace of random encounters and discovering keys to continue the journey.
Battles for true kombatants
This time around, you’ll not be fighting alone. Mortal Kombat 1 introduces an assisting partner as a main battle mechanic that can be used throughout each of your bouts. These side characters can’t be tagged into, but at the press of a button will jump in for a few seconds to throw out an attack to aid you in battle. You can use them to grab, throw projectiles, extend combos, and even help out for an X-Ray or Fatality finisher if the situation calls for it. They look cool and add a new layer to Mortal Kombat, not seen since the tag team mode of Mortal Kombat (2011).
With Mortal Kombat’s reality resetting again, the characters have followed suit. This allows NetherRealm to provide new styles to old faces and even bring back some faces we haven’t seen for some time, like Li Mei and Havik. This gives the series a breath of fresh air and makes for a roster with nothing but diverse playstyles.
The game offers some nice audio cues to help during the midst of battle through the DualSense controller: players will hear when the battle begins, their health is low, and different meters fill during fights.
You can be at the helm of Earthrealm’s protective forces alongside Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, Li Mei, and more klassic characters when Mortal Kombat 1 hits PlayStation 5 on September 14.
Granblue Fantasy is a known player when it comes to mobile games. It dominated the market for nearly a decade, and with new content released weekly since its inception, it is one of gaming’s most expansive MMORPGs. With millions of players worldwide, countless storylines, and a plethora of colorful characters, the franchise now enters a new unknown world — console gaming.
A whole new fantasy
Granblue Fantasy: Relink is a spinoff title in the universe of Granblue for PlayStation. It features a never-before-told story centered around the Captain, the player character, as they explore the Sky Realm. Unlike the main series, the game features a sizable single-player campaign and four-player co-op mode.
With the shift to console gaming, Cygames wanted battles to feel like spectacles, and they do. Compared to previous games in the series, Relink is an action RPG where players choose from four different adventures on a team at a time, which adventurer you choose significantly changes your battle experience. From quick and nimble range characters to heavy damage-dealing warriors, see the MMO DNA as fights unfold, and remember to remain ever-present through the colorful spectacle of battle. Enemies shoot out status effects, work to separate you from your party, and try to stop links from happening, which are combo attacks with party members. Link together all four members to perform flashy combos that deal massive damage to anything that moves.
RPG for all
Considering fans of the franchise may come from mobile, anime, and other media areas, the combat and gear design are streamlined while not alienating more seasoned gamers. Instead of a sprawling open world, the game is divided into large open area levels. Customize your gear and team before entering to tackle those specific challenges.
There are two assist modes for those new to action-adventure RPGs or gaming altogether. Assist mode is played using only one analog stick and one button to combo and attack, while full assist mode is played with just one analog stick, as the characters auto-attack and combo in every altercation.
Exploration is encouraged as hidden bosses, and treasures exist for those willing to seek them out. The characters themselves also help bring the world to life, with constant playful banter going on while exploring and even during fights.
Outside the main story, a four-player co-op mode focuses on tackling the quest for that authentic MMORPG experience. There are over 100 right out the gate, centering around challenging bosses and raiding new areas. Thoughtful teamwork is required, but you’re free to change your loadout for each individual and take them on at your own pace.
Story and spectacle
Ancient gods known as Primal Beasts rule this world, and evil forces seek to unleash them upon the land. Cross paths with them at different points in the story, each one being unique and featuring large-scale battles against creatures that reach into the sky or change the landscape–lending to impressive gameplay moments.
For those looking to learn more about the universe, the anime adaption Granblue Fantasy The Animation will get you up to speed on all you need to know before getting into the game.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink looks to live up to its storied legacy and is a title to check out if you’re a fantasy fan across any genre. Coming to PS5 and PS4 on February 1, 2024.
