In Everspace 2, take to the stars through a sprawling sci-fi adventure story that spans multiple star systems. In the role of Adam, a former military clone pilot trying to find his place in a dangerous universe, you’ll be able to explore more than 100 handcrafted locations while piloting one of nine different ship types/classes. The universe is a colorful delight, filled with Outlaw bases, spacefaring alien life, ancient structures, ruined starbases, and many exciting secrets to discover.
As a space-based flight-action RPG, gameplay is everything. This is especially true in a game with a sizable main campaign and many side areas to explore as players can spend more than a hundred hours ferreting out every secret. Nailing the feeling of spaceflight is something the team has been laser focused on over the last six years of development—it’s vital that flight feels right whether pilots are navigating tight spaces in derelict space stations, weaving between asteroids while dodging blasts from Outlaw ships, or flying through live mining equipment on the surface of a developing planet.
While we developed Everspace 2 for console, one of the core concepts kept in mind is that hands speak to the brain—the tactile sensations of game feedback can translate directly into player immersion. When players are thrust into fast-paced dogfighting combat against outlaw ships, drones, and alien patrols, they need to feel like their ship is an incredibly responsive extension of themselves to survive.
By using the haptic feedback, dynamic adaptive triggers, and speaker features of the DualSense wireless controller, our designers give PlayStation players unique ways to become even more immersed in moment-to-moment combat than on any other platform.
Designing with DualSense controller features in mind, we want Everspace 2 to communicate as much as possible to the player. Through haptics and speaker feedback players get an immediate response when activating devices and consumables, speaker notifications when cycling primary and secondary weapons, and can react to warnings of incoming missiles and other threats.
Nothing in a space dogfight is more dangerous than running out of energy—that moment where you’ve brought an enemy into your sights, pulled the trigger, and found you’ve run dry can quickly turn for the worse. When using a DualSense controller, players receive reports on weapon and boost depletion as force feedback on the triggers and a depletion sound is being played through the controller speakers. Vital information, especially when going in for a kill during a frantic firefight.
An all-important split second can make the difference between a sniper drone’s rail gun shot ripping by and that same shot tearing through your hull. Using the adaptive trigger-based boosting which allows players to change from regular speed to boosted based on the depth of trigger pull, you have even finer control over those split-second velocity adjustments. There’s quite nothing like making a quick dodge maneuver by boosting forward and closing into range where your autocannons can turn the enemy into a short-lived ball of flame and scrap.
Pilots in Everspace 2 have nine different ship types that can be purchased from ship dealers in-game, each with their own play style and ultimate ability. Players who love highly maneuverable ships will love the Interceptor while those who want to be able shrug off missile hits while unleashing massive firepower will enjoy the Gunship. From sweeping lightning attacks to massively destructive blasts, each ship’s ultimate is made even more satisfying through feedback and trigger sounds through the DualSense controller speaker.
PlayStation 5 space fans can play Everspace 2 in 60 fps when the game launches August 15! With companions to meet, many locations to explore, and customization options to unlock, there’s plenty to see and do over the course of the 30 hour story campaign.
Overwatch 2: Invasion has arrived. Experience all-new OW2 Invasion story missions, a new support hero, new skins and cosmetic rewards, and all-new ways to play. Read on for an exclusive look at the new map, Suravasa, a beautiful garden sanctuary in the heart of India, and everything it has to offer.
Discover the exotic gardens of Suravasa
Overwatch 2 already features beautiful temple locations like Nepal, Ayutthaya, and Busan, but it is the gardens of Suravasa, one of Overwatch’s largest and most intricate maps ever created, that will captivate your imagination.
A key element in the design of Suravasa is water. The map has more water-based environment art effects than any map in Overwatch 2. Woven through the environment art are paths lined with waterfalls, fountains, aqueducts, and ponds. Be careful to watch your step, though—you wouldn’t want to fall into the lagoons where the local alligators make their home.
Suravasa’s massive design is punctuated by its five distinct Flashpoints, each with their own look and feel-more on this below
Flashpoint brings non-stop action like never before
Overwatch 2 is not just about eliminating your opponents. There are four different game modes in the 5v5 action-packed gameplay of Overwatch 2, all completing different objectives. These can be as simple as pushing a payload or capturing an area of the map from your opponents. With Flashpoint, we’re taking many of the fun mechanics of our other game modes and creating a non-stop brawl that will test players at all skill levels. Teams will converge at a Flashpoint and try to capture it before the opponents. When a team does capture a Flashpoint, it will be a running firefight to the next one as it unlocks right away without stopping. Whoever can capture three Flashpoints first wins the match!
Suravasa and the Flashpoint game mode is now available in unranked today, with it also coming to Competitive Play coming at a later date.
Burst down your opponents with new Support hero Illari
Overwatch 2 features over 30 heroes across three roles, Tank heroes, which dominate the front line; Damage heroes, which flank and deal massive damage; and Support heroes, which help support their team with healing and utility. In Overwatch 2: Invasion, our newest Support hero, Illari, joins the ranks. What sets Illari apart from other supports is that she has a very damage-focused kit so that you can heal your team while dominating the opposition.
As the last survivor of a warrior group of protectors called the Inti, she taps into the power of the sun to strike down enemies and support her allies.
Equipped with a powerful Solar Rifle, she fires a beam of sunlight that can do powerful precision damage but can also heal her allies. She can also deploy her Healing Pylon, which can keep nearby allies alive on the objective or in tight chokeholds. If she needs to escape a dangerous situation, her Outburst ability will knock back opponents and propel herself to safety.
Every hero also has an ultimate ability, which you build up during gameplay, which can change the course of a match at the right moment. So when things get intense, her Captive Sun ultimate ability fires a massive ball of solar energy, which will leave opponents Sun Struck, making them vulnerable to lethal explosions if they take too much damage. Skilled players can combine Captive Sun with their teammates’ ultimates to create lethal combos that will send the entire opposing team back to the spawn room.
When you first play Overwatch 2, you’ll have access to a selection of heroes to jump into battle with, but you can unlock Illari instantly with the Invasion Premium Battle Pass for 1,000 OW Coins, now available in the in-game shop. If you are new to Overwatch 2, you can also unlock Illari with the Complete Hero Collection, which grants access to every hero in the game instantly, including all Overwatch 2 heroes along with 3 Legendary skins and 3 Epic skins for select heroes, 1,000 Overwatch Coins for the in-game shop and 1,500 credits to unlock more cosmetics in the Hero Gallery.
Answer the call in the latest chapter of the Overwatch 2 story
When you have conquered your opponents through the markets and temples of Suravasa, and you’re looking for a new challenge, you can team up with your friends to take part in the all-new OW2 Invasion story missions. Throughout the exciting co-op campaign, you’ll face swarms of Null Sector bots as you fight through three missions across the cities of Rio de Janeiro, Toronto, and Gothenburg, all while progressing through the rich lore and story of Overwatch 2. Challenge yourself against powerful enemies like the Stalker and the Artillery war bots and earn new rewards as you complete the challenges for each mission.
You can answer the call with the Overwatch 2: Invasion Bundle available at PlayStation Store, which includes access to all Invasion story missions and 1,000 Overwatch Coins. Completing each of the Invasion story missions unlocks a new Legendary skin and access to Sojourn as a playable hero in your PVP games. You can also upgrade to the OW2 Invasion Ultimate Bundle, including Null Sector-themed Legendary skins for Cassidy and Kiriko, and the Invasion Premium Battle Pass, featuring 80 tiers of rewards to level up your look.
Challenge yourself in the King’s Row: Underworld co-op event
OW2: Invasion also features a brand new free-to-play co-op event available for a limited time only, King’s Row: Underworld. Free to play for everyone, join your friends and work to stop Null Sector from taking over the Omnic Underworld in King’s Row. It will be up to you to reactivate and bring the combat-modified TS-1 push bot to the bunkers that hold innocent Omnics hostage. Just be ready to handle waves of Null Sector forces, including a powerful new support unit that will keep devastating OR-14 attack bots repaired from your attacks. The fun doesn’t end after your first completion; you’ll be jumping back in every week for new challenges, heroes, and ways to play that update weekly throughout the Underworld event live through September 4.
Overwatch 2 is free-to-play, as are the PvP matches and the new King’s Row: Underworld event. Answer the call and save the world today. Available on PS5 and PS4.
Today we’re excited to share new details on Lords of the Fallen gameplay. The new info includes visiting Mournstead for the first time, from the harrowing Defiled Sepulchre to the towering heights of Pilgrim’s Perch. Let’s explore the atrocities that plague these lands and await players when it launches on PS5 October 13.
Before taking first steps into the world of Lords of the Fallen, everyone must complete one crucial task, the creation of their first character using our extensive character creator. Players forge their characters in either their own image or what’s lingering in their mind’s eye, ranging from a small and nimble Exiled Stalker to a large bearded Udirangr Warwolf; you are only limited by your imagination. After finally creating your character players are summoned to the Defiled Sepulchre, our tutorial location, the first plane everyone will experience; here players are taught how to survive these treacherous lands, and the undertaking required to dispel the darkness. After players acquire a taste for battle, they’re set free to explore our semi-open world, challenging Rhogar sorcerors, Umbral manifestations, and even all-consuming sentient mounds of flesh.
Mournstead awaits
Mournstead exists in constant parallel, enticing all potential adventurers who yearn for honorable renown. The expansive universe of Lords of the Fallen calls out for discovery – from the soaring cliffside of Pilgrim’s Perch to the unending blazes that burn the city of Calrath. As you step into the shadow realm of Lords of the Fallen, you will uncover that each significant location is intricately linked with at least two others, granting you the liberty to carve your own path. Take heed – as the bearer of the lamp, exercise great caution as you set forth on your expedition, for it will be fraught with danger and perils beyond words. Those who are willing to wager their lives may unveil a realm overflowing with immeasurable treasures.
Fluid, responsive combat
Confront relentless legions of Adyr, or crumble and yield to the depths of despair – your legacy hinges on your tactical approach in Lords of the Fallen. As you embark on your mission to conquer the shadows, the seamless integration of melee, magic, and ranged abilities will aid you in your survival. Seize the opportunity to assign up to four extra magical or ranged skills to your controller, instantly bestowing upon you an extensive array of combat choices. This intricate system not only enriches the spectrum of combat, allowing you to weave together an almost boundless series of combinations, but it also quickens the tempo of battle by eliminating the need for constant ability swaps. Armed with this arsenal at your fingertips, you are poised to obliterate all adversaries in your path.
Uninterrupted online co-op
Annihilation awaits those who neglect to confront the terrors of our realm. Nevertheless, assistance is readily available to modest fighters who set aside their pride. By tapping into vestiges scattered throughout Mournstead, one can summon support from a companion or another destined soul that can assist you on your quest. The realm of Lords of the Fallen can be faced jointly, without interruption, throughout your entire quest.
Death and umbral
In the realm beyond the living lies a realm of torment, known as Umbral. Access to this parallel world can be attained by employing the Umbral Lamp, or by meeting an unwilling or sacrificial death. Embarking on this parallel journey bestows upon you the power to peer beyond the veil, bridging the two domains for your benefit. You can uncover nightmarish bridges spanning vast chasms in the Umbral realm, or reveal concealed treasures that assist you in your mission. Nevertheless, exercise utmost caution, O Bearer of the Lamp, for prolonged exposure leads to the corruption of your mind by invading malevolent forces.
We hope you enjoyed this peek at what’s coming when players enter the lands of Lords of the Fallen, launching on PS5 October 13.
Last week, we asked you to think pink and share pink-colored moments from the game of your choice using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s pink highlights:
ForgottenJasmin shares the couple from Haven gliding across a field
MdeavorVP shares a fox with glowing symbols on its fur
Sefwick shares the dancer from Bound striking a pose surrounded by ribbons and angular artillery
Defalt368 shares a young version of the Sifu protagonist with a staff in the alleyway
dougsvest shares the main character of Sable drifting across a desert and houseboat
Pintinho375 shares protagonist Mimi riding on a boat in the middle of a lake
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: Heartwarming SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on August 9, 2023
Submit heartwarming moments from the game of your choice using #PSshare #PSBlog hashtags by August 9 for a chance to be featured. Selected shares will be highlighted August 11.
Greetings, Travelers. This is the Genshin Impact dev team, and we’re proud to announce that Genshin Impact Version 4.0, As Light Rain Falls Without Reason, will arrive on Aug 16. In today’s blog, we’d like to take you to Fontaine, the upcoming fifth nation of Teyvat, where culture, art, and technology flourish under an intricate system of justice and trial.
For Travelers who have completed the Archon Quest Prologue Act III: Song of the Dragon and Freedom, a Teleport Waypoint at the northeast of the Sumeru desert will be unlocked, revealing the nation of Fontaine on the far shore atop a majestic waterfall. Ascend the waterfall, and you will see an aquabus that is ready to take you to the major locations of Fontaine as you cruise along the canals. Once aboard, you can enjoy a scenic tour guided by the special Melusine crew member. You can freely explore this area and tons of World Quests when you arrive at Fontaine, but Fontaine’s Archon Quest will only unlock if you have completed the last Archon Quest, Caribert.
A judgment, but also a performance
Presided over by Focalors, the current Hydron Archon, and the God of Justice, Fontaine has an intricate judicial system that provides a unique power named Indemnitium for people’s daily life. For example, it is used as energy to run the aquabuses and lights in households. The Indemnitium is generated through the process of trials via the Oratrice Mecanique d’Analyse Cardinale, a machine that harvests people’s belief in justice. Therefore, trials have become important public events at the magnificent Opera Epiclese, where magic, farce, tragedy, and various performances also occur. It will also be the stage for Fontaine’s Archon Quest, where the magician duo Lyney and Lynette will put on their first show, or trial at the Opera Epiclese.
From the Opera Epiclese, one can see the Court of Fontaine, the main city, reflecting the true beauty of Fontaine’s artistic attainments in the fields of architecture, entertainment, technology, and lifestyle. In this hub of culture and art, restaurants, opera houses, couture stores, workshops, and all manner of businesses thrive along lively streets packed with well-dressed individuals, creatures, and patrolling clockwork meka. However, apart from the glamorous upper town and bustling midtown, the city seems to have a seedy side in its sewers.
Dance with clockwork meka
Fontaine is also famous for leading technologies, and Travelers may have already benefited from some of their inventions, such as the Kamera. Aside from the Indemnitium generated from the belief in justice, the Fontaine Research Institute learned to control another power source, the Pneumousia, to provide energy for the clockwork meka, including those performing duties in the city and those hostile in the wild.
The dancing meka duo Coppelius and Coppelia is one of the most intimidating yet elegant inventions. In the new dual boss challenge Icewind Suite, you can choose to challenge either Dirge of Coppelia and Nemesis of Coppelius, each performing a distinct combat sequence inspired by dance moves and figure skating. Once activated, Coppelius or Coppelia will unleash ferocious but graceful attacks that deal Cryo damage as it spins or dances.
Dive into underwater legends
As the nation is surrounded by water, Fontaine offers unique underwater adventures. It is said that today’s city was rebuilt near its drowned sites and that some creatures still live there. Certain areas of Fontaine can even allow Travelers to dive underwater for the first time.
Thanks to a special blessing, you don’t have to worry about running out of oxygen underwater. But you will be given an Aquatic Stamina bar which will be consumed by sprinting underwater. You can collect Recovery Orbs to restore your stamina, or even pass through the Turbulent Bubbles to accelerate your movements.
Combat is also different in the water. To attack underwater, you need to harness the ocean’s wisdom by absorbing unique abilities from special creatures in order to defend yourselves, break traps, and unlock treasures ensnared by seaweed.
Another new boss awaits in an underwater cave, but thankfully, you can also use your combat skills on land. The Armored Crablord, Emperor of Fire and Iron not only has the defense ability like an iron crab, but also unleashes vicious Pyro attacks through its body organs. More stories, mysteries, and history of the past are also buried deep beneath the waters.
Recruit the fontaine siblings
The first three playable Fontaine characters are siblings: the magician duo Lyney and Lynette, and Freminet the diver. Travelers who reach Adventure Rank 25 and above can even claim Lynette for free through the latest seasonal event.
Lyney is the reliable elder brother of the three, and he is known as one of the most dazzling magicians in Fontaine. As a five-star character, he is skilled with his bow and brings Pyro-element tricks during combat. When Lyney fires charged Prop Arrows, it can summon a magical Grin-Malkin Hat that can taunt nearby enemies. At the climax of his combat performance, Lyney turns into a Grin-Malkin Cat, burning the enemies nearby and igniting fireworks to end the fight.
Different from her elder brother’s extroverted persona, Lynette stays low-profile as a magician’s assistant with keen observation, always assisting her brother Lyney from behind the scenes. By entering a high-speed Pilfering Shadow state, this 4-star Anemo sword user can approach the enemies in a flash and follow up with a piercing Enigma Thrust. At the height of her Elemental Burst, Lynette uses skillful sleight of hand to summon a large Bogglecat Box that deals Anemo damage at intervals, and it is also able to fire Vivid Shots that deal DMG from the corresponding element.
Armed with maritime knowledge, the youngest brother Freminet is an exceptional diver, but prefers to stay out of the limelight. This 4-star Cryo character wields a claymore and prefers calm, icy strikes when entering the Pers Timer state upon casting his Elemental Skill. This professional diver will borrow the power generated from fully-pressurized Pers to inflict powerful Cryo and Physical damage. By unleashing his Elemental Burst, Pers Timer is boosted with higher efficiency and increased combat capabilities.
Lyney, Lynette, and Yelan’s rerun will be available during the first half of Event Wishes in Version 4.0, followed by Zhongli and Tartaglia’s reruns. Meanwhile, Freminet will make his debut in the second half of wishes. Satisfy prerequisite conditions, and you can even invite Lynette for free in a limited-time event.
More game quality-of-life features
With abundant new adventures to explore, we will also introduce several significant functions and features in the upcoming Version 4.0 to boost the visual, control, and game performance on PlayStation.
To further enhance lighting effects and to boost its degree of realism, we are introducing a brand-new feature, Global Illumination (GI), in certain areas of Teyvat. A key aspect of GI is indirect lighting, namely how light bounces and scatters off surfaces onto others. Unlike direct lighting as the only light source, GI allows objects, especially their colors, to be affected by multiple indirect lights from surrounding objects. For example, with GI enabled, walls, windows, or any other building parts may get affected by indirect lighting from nearby red tiles, creating a softer and more natural-looking shadow with a subtle reddish hue.
Thanks to the powerful GPU, we will also add two features to enhance immersion underwater: the swarm simulation and soft-body simulation. The former mimics how a swarm of creatures move and is able to present amazing phenomena such as fish tornadoes where each individual fish has its own moving pattern, but together, they form a big herd that is moving simultaneously. The latter is used to depict the water plants swaying with the gentle ebb and currents, adding an enchanting allure to the underwater exploration.
Meanwhile, we’re also experimenting with motion-controlled aiming using the DualSense wireless controller on PS5 and Dualshock 4 on PS4. By tilting or rotating the DualSense or Dualshock 4 controller, players can now fine-tune the aimed shots more precisely using the controller’s built-in accelerometer and gyroscope. For instance, if you want to aim up with your bow at birds flying overhead, you only need to tilt your DualSense controller upwards, akin to the way one would aim in the real world. Additionally, gameplay on PlayStation will also gain a loading speed boost, with special mention to that on PlayStation 4.
Last but not least, at the imminent release of Version 4.0, we’d like to express our heartfelt gratitude for every player’s support on the journey. The curtain on Fontaine’s story is about to rise, and we will see you in the next chapter.
With our latest Mm Original, Tren, out today in Dreams, we decided to catch up with Media Molecule creative director (and BeechCorp CEO) John Beech. Here, he talks to us about bringing his personal project in-house to Mm, how his childhood experiences of play inspired the toy train game, and how his relationship with toys and play has changed as he’s grown from a little kid into a big one.
As a reminder, Dreams is also be available as a Monthly Game for all PlayStation Plus members to redeem from August 1 – September 4 and add to their library. Dreams will also come to the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog for Extra and Premium members starting August 15.
Mm: How did Tren go from something you were working on individually to being picked up by Mm?
John Beech: Tren was probably one of the first games that helped define that process of little projects becoming something larger within Dreams. But Mm has always had this game jam culture where we’re encouraged to make weird and wonderful things, and just experiment. Originally, Tren was more of a personal project, just something I was making in my spare time. I think I started initially by working on it during some Friday game jams at work, and then I took it home and I continued working on it in my spare time a lot.
And at some point, I think I was showing it off because I was really excited about it, and the leadership team at Mm approached me and said, “John, we really like what you’ve done here. This looks really cool. Is this something you would actually like for us to take on board and for you to do at work full time?” At that point, Tren had grown into such a fully formed idea in my mind that I jumped at the chance to fully create my passion project.
What’s changed about making Tren since that happened?
From then on, we’ve really taken the time to explore what it means to transition it from a personal project to a fully-fledged Mm approved release. This has included bringing various people on board, defining what the sign-off process is, the green lights and the milestones, and all that production gubbins and working out how to bring this to life. So it’s been a really big team effort that’s sort of coalesced around that initial seed of excitement for Tren.
Tren has this almost childhood toy box-style aesthetic with the wooden trains and track pieces. Do you often use your childhood experiences when creating your own games?
Absolutely. Especially with Tren I wanted to bring to the game my vision of the world, and show just how joyous that spark of creativity can be. Whatever you design has to have a sense of authenticity because you’re actually pulling from your direct first-hand experiences. In the case of Tren, it came from my love of playing with those toy trains as a kid. I really wanted to grasp that sense of nostalgia and make something that those who love trains would enjoy. But then there’s also a sort of meta-narrative within Tren, which relates heavily to me, as my dad used to make lots of toy train sets when I was very young, and it was the thing that I would bond with him over. He’d come home from work and start making these little toy trains, so I would always hang around and watch and learn and get involved with whatever he was working on.
How has your relationship with toys evolved as you’ve grown up?
Now I have a child of my own, and I sort of understand the view from the opposite side. My daughter, Betty, would love to come and play with me all the time, but I have to work. She doesn’t quite understand when I’m working that she can’t just start playing toy trains with me. So it’s giving me that wonderful dual view of the world of being a child compared to being a parent. For me, Tren represents that parent-child connection, and so I hope that it resonates with people who are playing it, and that it appeals to adults as well as children. I think that approach really leads the sense of wholesome authenticity.
In a similar way to you playing with wooden trains your dad made, do you want Betty to play Tren eventually?
100%. So the cool thing about it is that I’ve bought a lot of toy trains now for “research” purposes. Betty plays with them, and regularly we go down to the living room, and we make a train set together, and it’s actually really helpful for Tren development. So I can look at how I’ve laid out a train track in our living room and then relate that directly to Tren. Many of the environments that I’ve created within Tren’s world are based on my own house because I’ve been slowly renovating it over the last two years, which is coincidentally about how long I’ve also been working on Tren. So I literally look around me – and I’ve got a brick wall here, and everything’s exposed, and I’ve got bits of plasterboard, and so it was very easy for me to bring that chaotic house renovation style to Tren – and of course, bring Betty along for the ride.
Tren is available to play now on PS5 and PS4, exclusively in Dreams.
The fighting game genre has many notable franchises. One of the earliest to earn iconic status is Mortal Kombat. It punched its way onto the arcade scene in 1992 and quickly found its way to the home console market, wowing players with at-the-time realistic visuals and controversial over–the–top gore. That controversial content ushered in the now-industry standard ratings system, but Mortal Kombat’s legacy has been defined by much more than that. For over 11 mainline installments, the series built gameplay innovations and an ever-growing roster atop its core 1-on-1 fighting system.
Ahead of the series returning to–and recreating–its “roots” with Mortal Kombat 1, now is an amazing time to look at how it evolved through the eras.
Last October NetherRealm celebrated the Mortal Kombat series’ 30th anniversary.
The klassic era
Mortal Kombat | Release: 1992 | Arcade Mortal Kombat 2 | Release: 1993 | Arcade Mortal Kombat 3 | Release: 1995 | Arcade and PlayStation Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 | Release: 1995 | Arcade and PlayStation Mortal Kombat Trilogy | Release: 1996 | PlayStation Mortal Kombat 4 | Release: 1997 | Arcade and PlayStation
Arcades were shaken to their core when Mortal Kombat hit the scene in 1992. The series takes characters from across the realms to fight and test their might in a martial arts tournament. It’s unveiled that the tournament is an ancient ritual to stop a half-dragon warlord of an otherworldly realm from invading and conquering Earth. Our fate lies in the hands of a martial arts prodigy, a special forces agent, and a movie star in way over his head. The series shifts toward full-on wars between the realms, time-traveling shenanigans, and alternate-timeline insanity. Making MK home to one of the wildest and most entertaining story rides in gaming.
Unlike its brethren fighting series, Mortal Kombat used a more realistic aesthetic with digitized graphics to create the cast of the game instead of the then-popular sprite work. This and the gore of the game stole the show, making Mortal Kombat stand out from the competition. Thanks to the game’s “Fatality” finishers, complex inputs that’d activate a highly creative and overly gory animation as one kombatant finished off the other for good, the game quickly went down in ‘90s pop culture history, helping push the perceived need for a videogame age rating system.
Comparatively simplistic to the mechanics of today’s fighting titans, the original Mortal Kombat packed in tons of systems seen in the series now. Aside from the aforementioned Fatalities, special moves inputted with simple direction and button combinations (no need for the circular motions), and a dedicated block button are franchise staples. Also, juggle combos-which entail launching your opponent into the air and following up with another attack-are still some of the most hype maneuvers to see, even in the upcoming Mortal Kombat 1. All in all, the original Mortal Kombat is an amazing piece of history to revisit and see where it all started.
Mortal Kombat returned to the arcades a year later, in 1993, with the direct sequel, Mortal Kombat 2. This dug more into the story and events behind the kombat and diversified the Fatalities, including the rage-inducing Friendships and Babalities.
The fighting system was also refined. MK2 added a crouching punch, buffed the roundhouse kick, made crouching punches and kicks more unique from one another, and lowered all-around attack recoveries to allow more combos. Famously, the gameplay was tweaked to run a bit faster than its predecessor, making MK2 a great step up in terms of fun, quality, and challenge.
Mortal Kombat 2 was fast. But Mortal Kombat 3 introduced a run mechanic, allowing characters to literally charge toward their opponent, creating even more combo and pressure opportunities. Speaking of combos, MK3 debuted unique character combo chains. Stage transitions, Mercy finishes, and Animalities also show up for the first time. As with its predecessor, new characters joined the roster, including kompetitive character Kabal, who debuted and would go on to be one of the most used characters in the tournament scene for the game.
Despite these additions, MK3 was seen as a bit of a disappointment due to the lack of certain fan-favorite characters like Scorpion and Kitana. This prompted Midway’s release of Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, an expansion of the title. The gameplay is largely the same, with a few move list additions, balance changes, and the first appearance of the 2-vs-2 mode.
While a version of MK3 was the franchise’s debut on PlayStation, Mortal Kombat Trilogy marked the first new title in the series to release on Sony’s home console. Being somewhat of a “Best of” celebration of the Mortal Kombat series, the game is built on systems introduced in UMK3, but returns missing characters and stages from MK1 and MK2 to the roster. It also debuts the Aggressor Bar, which boosts attack damage and speed for any kombatant when filled. This title also is where Brutalities originate.
Mortal Kombat’s fourth entry is the first time the series left the digitized real actors and went to 3D polygonal graphics. The game shares many similarities with its predecessor UMK3 like the return of the run button and combo chains—albeit, with a maximum damage cap to stop broken combos—but introduces a weapon mechanic that allows each character to pull out a special weapon. The biggest change here is the move towards 3D fighting arenas. While characters still largely move on a 2D plane, sidestepping is possible, giving a peak at the future of the series.
The 3D Era
Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance | Release: 2002 | PlayStation 2 Mortal Kombat: Deception | Release: 2004 | PlayStation 2 Mortal Kombat: Armageddon | Release: 2006 | PlayStation 2 Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe | Release: 2008 | PlayStation 3
Deadly Alliance took the Mortal Kombat series in a new direction, iterating on MK4’s transition into 3D and improving it further. Ditching the run mechanic and 2D style, Deadly Alliance introduced more variation in character move lists. Each kombatant comes equipped with two hand-to-hand and one-weapon combat styles, all of which can be swapped at the press of a button. This title also comes with Konquest mode, the series’ first dedicated story mode, and the debut of the Krypt, a mode where you open up coffins using in-game points to unlock various secrets.
It was followed up by Deception, which expanded the 3D era of the franchise with the addition of stage transitions, interactive stage weapons, insta-kill stage hazards, and a combo-breaking maneuver. This title also introduced Hara-Kiri to the franchise: Self-destruct match enders that are the opposite of Fatalities. These allowed the losing player to input a Fatality-like combination before the winner to end the match on their terms instead of being finished off.
Armageddon is seen by many as the end of the 3D era, and follows the groundwork set by Deception and Deadly Alliance. However, the addition of launcher air combos similar to those in the new Mortal Kombat 1, a parry system, and the ability to create a kharacter and fatality added just enough flavor to make this another well-received entry.
Finally, there’s Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. While largely its own thing, it did introduce a rich cinematic story mode that’d become standard for future Mortal Kombat titles.
The new era
Mortal Kombat | Release: 2011 | PlayStation 3 Mortal Kombat X | Release: 2015 | PlayStation 4 Mortal Kombat 11 | Release: 2019 | PlayStation 4
2011’s numeral-less entry returned the series to its 2D roots and served as a reboot of sorts, recounting the storyline of the first three games but with a timeline-tampering twist: a future Armaggeddon-era version of Raiden sending a message of warning to his earlier self.
The gameplay is reminiscent of MK2, with all the speed, cheap projectiles, and high-damage kombos intact. Aside from the groundbreaking cinematic story mode, the gameplay brings a few new additions, including the super-combo X-Ray attacks and non-franchise guest characters, such as Freddy Krueger and Kratos (who is exclusive to the PS3 version). There is also the debut of assist attacks in the game’s new 2-vs-2 tag match mode.
If Mortal Kombat (2011) can be seen as a modern MK2, then Mortal Kombat X is UMK3. Like its ancestor, X reintroduces the run button, which amplifies combos and lets you apply even more pressure on an opponent. Brutalities also return, but this time appear as finishing blows that are triggered when certain requirements are met. The biggest change is the addition of three different variations for each character that you can choose from during character selection. These alter the cast’s movesets and basically make them entirely different characters.
Whereas 2011 and X sped things up, Mortal Kombat 11’s gameplay was more methodical and focused on slow decision-making, with the intent being on buffing defense. This was implemented by introducing flawless blocks, a perfectly timed block that allows you a brief window to perform a reversal, while breakaways allowed players to escape juggles.
The offense also gained some new swag in the form of Fatal Blows, a new standard super move replacement for X-Rays that players can only use under 30% health. There are also Krushing Blows, powerful attacks that can be used when specific requirements are met during kombat. The defining feature of MK11 is its customization, which, like X’s variations, can completely change a character’s move list. However, this time around, you get to decide which moves a character keeps and changes.
Mortal Kombat 1
The Mortal Kombat series has evolved many times over the decades, and it’s looking to do so once more with its next reboot, Mortal Kombat 1. So far, we’ve seen this new entry take some pieces from many of its predecessors to make something all new. You can learn more about it with our hands-on report and interview with series co-creator, Ed Boon.
You can witness this latest evolution when Mortal Kombat 1 releases on September 19 for PlayStation 5.
A seasoned wizard who infects her foes with the irresistible urge to dance. A high-level sorcerer who sows the seeds of chaos in battle with strategically placed portals. A bard that wields the psionic powers of a mindflayer (a.k.a illithid). Who will you become at the pinnacle of your power in Baldur’s Gate 3? That’s completely up to you.
In Baldur’s Gate 3, your late-game build can be as varied as you want it to be and can be changed at any time, giving you an opportunity to experiment with different spells and discover the class that complements your playstyle best.
Introducing illithid powers
In Baldur’s Gate 3, you and your companions each carry the burden of a parasite that dwells within you, a tadpole placed deep inside your brain that poses a constant looming threat of illithid transformation.
But as dangerous as these creatures may be, they are also a source of great power. For those who wish to experience their power, you need only to surrender to the tadpole within you and consume the parasites you find in jars and skulls throughout the Forgotten Realms.
Each consumed tadpole unlocks a new tadpole power in a skill tree of 25 powerful illithid abilities. These powers are split into five branches. Some can be used to manipulate and control those around you, pushing them to say things in dialogue they otherwise would not. Others endow you with psionic abilities to push and pull enemies like ragdolls in battle. You can even become a displacer beast, the iconic and monstrous tentacled feline from the D&D bestiary. The deeper you go through the illithid skill tree, the more powers you’ll discover.
Yet, while a tadpole can provide you with powerful benefits, it also requires sacrifice. Give in to the parasite within you and become half-illithid to gain the most potent mindflayer abilities at higher levels. In turn, you may lose a part of yourself. And remember, not everyone in your party will agree with your decisions to explore your psionic side, and your companions’ perception of you can undergo a significant shift based on your approach.
Respect your destiny
Whether you only want to make a few tweaks to your existing character build or you’re looking to experiment with completely new playstyles and class combinations, respecting your characters can be done at any time.
A simple trade of gold with a mysterious campmate is all that is needed to restart your build with new starting proficiencies, attributes, spells, and cantrips. This will affect your playstyle and abilities and alter your roleplaying experience as the world around you responds differently in dialogues to reflect your new class.
Respeccing isn’t limited to your customized protagonist either. Companions and pre-authored Origin characters can also be given completely new specializations. Already want to play a Rogue, but love the idea of Astarion by your side from here to Baldur’s Gate? You can respec Astarion into a Wizard, a Fighter, or whatever else you think suits him best. A suggestion? A Raging Barbarian Astarion is something everyone should see before they die.
However, this comes with some warnings and caveats, as some of our Origins stories are heavily tied to their classes. A non-cleric Shadowheart or a Wyll without his Warlock Pact will impact the roleplay options in dialogue and story. And while nothing will break, and their stories can still be told, it won’t be the exact story we intend for you to experience.
The freedom to craft your own build
Late-game builds in Baldur’s Gate 3 can be extremely varied if you want them to be. With Multiclassing, players have the freedom to apply points into any class when they level to forge class hybrids of their own making: warriors who wield arcane spells, rogues who are masters of divine magic, or spellcasters who dabble in martial arts.
Given the full range of possible combinations, having some background as a D&D player is recommended to make the most of this feature. But should you wake up and choose chaos, deciding to instead just evenly spread all your points into every class for no strategic reason whatsoever, the choice is yours – and obviously, there’s an achievement for doing that.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is coming to PlayStation 5 on September 6.
With each PlayStation 5 system software release, we’ve introduced new features designed to enhance the many ways you can access your favorite content, navigate your console, or create new gaming memories with friends. Today, we’re thrilled to roll out a new PS5 system software beta that introduces new accessibility features as well as audio options that allow 3D Audio powered by Tempest 3D AudioTech to be enjoyed on compatible Dolby Atmos-enabled HDMI devices such as sound bars, TVs, or home theater systems. The beta also includes more options to quickly find games and console tips, new ways to connect with other players and customize your multiplayer sessions, and support for larger-capacity M.2 SSDs (up to 8TB).
While beta access will be limited to invited participants in select countries*, we plan to release the update globally later this year. If you’re selected to participate in the beta, you’ll receive an email invitation today when it’s available to download. Some features available during the beta phase may not make it into the final version or may see significant changes.
Without further ado, here are some of the highlights from the beta release:
New Accessibility Features
Use a Second Controller for Assistance. You can now assign a second controller to one account as an assist controller, and use two controllers to operate your PS5 console as if you were using a single controller. This feature introduces a new way for you to enjoy games collaboratively with others or help a friend or child navigate a particularly challenging section of a game.
To use an assist controller, go to [Settings] > [Accessibility] > [Controllers] > [Use Second Controller for Assistance], and then turn on [Use Assist Controller].
You can use an assist controller when your main controller is a DualSense or DualSense Edge wireless controller, or a PS5-supported third-party controller.**
System UI Haptic Feedback. You now have the option to turn on haptic feedback effects while navigating your PS5 with your DualSense controller, DualSense Edge controller, or PS VR2 Sense controller.
When enabled, system sound effects for certain events will also be reflected physically through haptics, such as moving focus, reaching the end limit of a scrollable section, checking a box, or when you receive a notification or boot up a game. This optional feature enhances immersion and is particularly useful for players with some level of sight or hearing disability, who appreciate the additional feedback on their inputs.
To turn on this feature, go to [Settings] > [Accessibility] > [Controllers], and then turn on [Haptic Feedback During Console Navigation].
Support for compatible Dolby Atmos-enabled audio devices
3D Audio powered by Tempest 3D AudioTech can now be enjoyed by those who own compatible Dolby Atmos-enabled HDMI devices such as soundbars, TVs or home theater systems. Tempest 3D AudioTech specifically renders to the Dolby Atmos audio devices in use – including overhead channels – allowing for even greater levels of immersion in the audioscapes of PS5 games. ***
To turn on Dolby Atmos, go to [Settings] > [Sound] > [Audio Output] > [Audio Format (Priority)], and then select [Dolby Atmos].
Social feature enhancements
Party UI update. You can now invite a player into a closed party without automatically adding the player into the group or creating a new group. Additionally, players can now send open or closed party invitations to groups instead of only individual players.
Share Screen Preview. When someone’s sharing their screen in a party that you can join, you’ll now see a preview image of their Share Screen, even before you enter the party.
Join friends’ game sessions easily. You can now easily see which of your friends are in an activity you can join under the [Friends] tab.
The Joinable icon will be displayed next to friends who are playing a game you can join.
You can join a friend’s game directly by pressing the options button and selecting [Join Game], or by selecting the ”Join” button on their profile card.
Game Hub tournaments tile. In the game hub, you can now see how many tournaments you’ve entered and the highest place you’ve achieved, as well as the start time for the next tournament. You can select the tile to see the full tournament list.
React to messages with emojis. You can now add reactions to messages with emojis, which makes communicating with friends quicker and easier.
Ease-of-use features
Search for games in your library. You can now search for games within your game library.
Game Help improvements. Game Help cards have been improved.****
In addition to in-progress activities, you can now see available, previously available, upcoming, and completed activities.
When a card is selected, its details are now displayed on the right side of the card, making it easier to find objectives and their corresponding hints.
Discover new features. Browse useful tips for getting the most out of your PS5 and learn about new features in the new Discover Tips section.
Go to [Settings] > [Guide & Tips, Health & Safety, and Other Information] > [Guide and Tips], and then select [Discover Tips] to view all the tips.
Mute PS5 beep sound. You can now mute or adjust the volume of the PS5’s beep sound when turning it on or off, or putting it in rest mode.
Go to [Settings] > [System] > [Beep Sound].
To adjust the beep sound volume, select [Volume].
To mute the beep sound, turn on [Mute Beep Sound].
Support for larger-capacity M.2 SSDs
You can now use an M.2 SSD with a maximum capacity of 8TB (up from the previous 4TB limit) to expand storage space on your PS5 console.
Important: M.2 SSDs must meet the requirements outlined on this page. Please read the page linked above carefully before purchasing any M.2 SSDs for use with your PS5.
We always appreciate hearing your feedback as we continue our journey to enhance the PS5 user experience. Please let us know what you think in the comments section below!
*PS5 beta access will be available to selected participants in the U.S., Canada, Japan, U.K., Germany and France (same countries as our last system software beta). **A DualSense Edge wireless controller cannot be used as an assist controller. Some of the DualSense features, such as motion sensor, haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, will be automatically turned off when the controller is being used as an assist controller. ***Media app providers can update their apps on PS5 to support Dolby Atmos audio, giving users another way to experience immersive audio in movies, TV shows, and more in the future (these app updates are not currently supported in the PS5 beta.) ****A PlayStation Plus subscription is required to use Game Help.
