Hey there, PlayStation Stars members! As we enter the month of August, get ready for a fresh wave of campaigns. We’ll have challenges lined up to test your skills, reward your efforts, and add unique digital collectibles to your collection. Be sure to stay connected through PlayStation App for the latest updates and surprises. Without further ado, let’s jump right into the campaign lineup awaiting you this August.
PlayStation Plus Games Catalog Campaign
Available August 1
There are hundreds of games in the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog for Extra and Premium/Deluxe members. The catalog is constantly being updated, so we’ll do our best to highlight gems monthly to play. When you play any one game, you’ll earn 50 points.
Calling all couch co-op enthusiasts! This month, we’ve handpicked a selection of games from the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog that are perfect for playing with friends and family. Try any one of these titles in August and earn 50 points.
It Takes Two
Human: Fall Flat
Overcooked 2
Earth Defense Force 5
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game
Worms W.M.D.
PlayStation Plus Monthly Games Campaign
Available August 1
New month, new PlayStation Plus Monthly Games. For this PS Stars campaign, PlayStation Plus members can play any one of the August Monthly Games and earn 50 points. Learn more on the PlayStation Plus Monthly Games blog post for August.
Survival of the Fittest
Available August 3
Survival of the Fittest this month features a set of great first-person shooter, free-to-play, and multiplayer games.
Play any one of the featured titles this month and snag the August “winner-winner chicken dinner – Tikka Masala” digital collectible.
Battlefield 2042
PUBG: Battlegrounds
CRSED
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II
PlayStation VR2 Showtime Campaign
Available August 10
If you have a PS VR2, this campaign is for you. Start the campaign in PS App, and then play any one of these PS VR2 titles to earn 50 points.
Moss [PS5]
Moss: Book II [PS5]
Swordsman VR [PS5]
Startenders: Intergalactic Bartending [PS5]
FYI, PS VR2 owners also can unlock the PS VR2 digital collectible. Did you get yours yet? If not, start the campaign and play to get yours today.
Wind Down with PlayStation
Available August 16
Releasing on a Wednesday, this chill campaign rewards your relaxing play with a special ‘Nice Cuppa’ digital collectible. To unlock your reward, start the campaign and play any one of the games featured.
The Wild at Heart
Scarf
Abzu
As a reminder, PlayStation Stars members can get digital collectibles or points by completing monthly campaigns. PlayStation Plus members enjoy additional opportunities to get points through exclusive campaigns and PlayStation Store purchases. Points received can be redeemed in your Rewards Catalog for PSN Wallet funds, select games, and limited release digital collectibles. Learn more about PlayStation Stars and join here.
Graves is alive, but former adversaries must now align against a new threat. The Konni Group has infiltrated Al Mazrah, forcing Farah and Alex to unite with Graves to fend off the greater enemy.
Modern Warfare II — Four new maps at launch, Havoc, Big Capture the Flag
Punta Mar (Core): This seaside retreat overlooks the beaches of Las Almas. Operators battle up and down the main road lined with shops and accommodations. Get a view from the rooftops or flank through the underpass and alleyways in this small map.
Strike (Core): Originally featured in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Strike returns to the series for Modern Warfare II. Battle in the hub of the city through the market, around the clock tower, and down the lengthy main street where danger awaits at every turn.
Deploy to two new Gunfight maps, Lounge and Canals, also launching with Season 05.
All bets are off in Havoc, Big Capture the Flag
Havoc: No Perk Packages, Killstreaks, or Field Upgrades allowed. In this wild take on Team Deathmatch, reaching certain elimination milestones will activate gameplay modifiers that affect both teams.
Get modifiers like Ammo Feeder which auto reloads weapons on eliminations, Boots Off the Ground for moon gravity, Flameshot to swap all loadouts to flame-tipped crossbows and Molotovs. Modifiers stack; the first team to earn 60 eliminations wins the match.
Big Capture the Flag: Play 20v20 Capture the Flag on Battle Maps. Go behind enemy lines as a lone wolf for the stealth play, or charge in with a big force using tanks, helicopters, and launchers.
The mid-season update will add a new Core Multiplayer map fashioned from Building 21.
Call of Duty: Warzone — Fort Resurgence, new vehicles, Champion’s Quest (Vondel BR Only)
Fort Resurgence: Battle in and around Al Mazrah’s Al Bagra Fortress joining the Playlist rotation alongside Ashika Island and Vondel later in the season.
New vehicles
MRAP: The MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) is a turret-equipped, heavily fortified cargo truck that trades speed for attack and defense. Appears sparingly.
Dirt Bike: Carve tight paths through the map, catch air, and pop wheelies with the Dirt Bike, a zippy transport for two that’s light on protection but big on style.
Champion’s Quest: Squads who win five Mini Battle Royale matches in a row on Vondel will unlock the Champion’s Quest. Gather the required elements — beware their strange effects — to construct the M.G.B. Tactical Nuke.
New DMZ features
The Konni Group has infiltrated Al Mazrah, Ashika Island, and Vondel. Shadow Company forces will no longer take the first shot at passing Operators, but friendly fire will not be tolerated.
Active Combat Zones: Test your luck in Active Combat Zones. Intel suggests that higher quality gear and supplies are typically found in these dangerous areas.
Disguise Field upgrade: Don the disguise of a DMZ Combatant from an AI Faction such as AQ Forces or Shadow Company. Members of the disguise’s forces will not fire upon the user, so long as they don’t blow their cover.
Battle Revive: Self-Revive mixed with Battle Rage, this temporarily improves your healing and Tactical Sprint abilities after getting up from Last Stand.
Self-Revive Box: A box full of Self-Revive Kits to keep your squad fit.
Scuba mask: A dual-use mask that breathes underwater and in the gas.
In the mid-season update, play Armored Royale using the new MRAP vehicle. Fortify and repair it and use its mobile Buy Station to get the advantage over your opponents.
General overview — Faction Showdown, new weapons and Operators
Faction Showdown: From August 4 through 16, Operators who eliminate 50 enemy Operators can choose between joining Task Force 141 or the Shadow Company. Take up your faction’s position on the Season 05 Battle Map to earn faction-specific rewards.
All community Operator eliminations will be tracked during the event, with extra rewards given to the faction that earns the most eliminations. Complete all of your faction’s challenges to be eligible for these final rewards, unlocked in a new Battle Pass Sector and including a free Operator skin, a universal weapon camo, and a one-hour Double Battle Pass XP token.
Shadow Company joins BlackCell: Players who purchase BlackCell will unlock Shadow Company’s own Operator Arthur and his faithful companion Merlin. Also get 1,100 COD points, an advanced starting position in the Battle Pass, and more.
New weapons
Season 05 adds two new weapons at launch and four additional weapons in the mid-season. The launch weapons are earned for free in the Battle Pass:
FR Avancer (assault rifle): A high fire rate and high recoil define this assault rifle that shreds in the hands of a capable Operator.
Carrack .300 (sniper rifle): This semi-automatic sniper rifle is effective against distant targets and well worth equipping in larger environments.
Plus unlock two new sidearms, an new SMG, and a new melee weapon all arriving in the mid-season, expanding your loadout options.
New Operators
Add six new Operators to your roster, including the CEO of Shadow Company himself, Commander Graves. He is joined by Operators Oz, Arthur, Mila, and Velikan, the previous warden of Building 21 who is looking for revenge.
Watch for the return of the mercenary Mace at the mid-season update.
Call of Duty celebrates 50 Years of Hip Hop
Celebrating five decades of hip hop culture. Get other related rewards and special bundles within the season launch window.
Free Wartracks: As part of the celebration, all players will receive free hip hop Wartracks for logging in between 8/7 through 8/16. Go online in Modern Warfare II or Call of Duty: Warzone on each of those days to receive a new Wartrack spanning three decades of hip hop.
Lara Croft
Play as the legendary treasure hunter and video game icon Lara Croft in a new Operator bundle arriving in the mid-season.
Season 05 Combat Pack
Plus, don’t forget that PlayStation Plus members can download the Season 05 Combat Pack, headlined by the Oni Operator’s skin Oni Eclipse featuring the sleek Shadow Company inspired armor.
And from August 2 at 10am PT through August 3 at 10am PT, Sony players will additionally receive an exclusive Double Player XP bonus.
Season 05 of Modern Warfare II launches August 2
Purchase Modern Warfare II on PlayStation today and get access to a load of content across three modes, including the ability to unlock 14 exclusive Operators for use across both games. Modern Warfare II owners also get Premium XP while playing Call of Duty: Warzone, awarded at the end of every match.
It’s a big day in the Dreamiverse, folks. Try not to go off the rails with excitement as we reveal that our arcade puzzler, Tren, will be pulling into the station exclusively in Dreams on August 1. On top of that, Dreams will also be coming to PlayStation Plus Game Catalog (available to all PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium members) that very same day. That’s er… next week. Wow, that’s real soon. We’d better get those wheels moving.
Good news for all budding Trengineers, then. We’re also trying to keep our composure, as our latest Mm Original has been an absolute labor of love from us here at Media Molecule. This is by far the biggest creation that Mm has released since the initial launch of Dreams way back in 2020 (oof, we feel old).
Still, you might be asking: what even is Tren? Well, to use some BeechCorp* marketing speak, Tren is a remarkable toy engine that challenges you to solve a series of puzzles by getting it from one end of the track to the other. Sound easy? You might think otherwise once you’re faced with the flips, tricks, and acrobatic feats required to complete some truly wild tracks.
Nostalgia trip
We first revealed Tren back in 2021 at our in-game community convention, DreamsCom, and it’s only grown in scale and ambition since then. Tren began life as the brainchild of our creative director John Beech, who saw the potential of using Dreams to create an ode to his childhood. At its heart, Tren is a game all about the joy of play – after all, while we all have to grow up eventually, you don’t have to lose that spark of childlike wonder.
In John’s own words:
“Hi all, it’s me, John Beech (sometimes CEO of BeechCorp), popping in to say a few words about Tren.
Designing and working on Tren has been a huge career highlight for me. Starting out as a solo passion project I worked on in my spare time, to a full Mm Original experience utilizing all the great skills and talents of the wonderful people at Mm, every moment has been a joy.
It’s chock full of personal Easter eggs and references, not just from me, but everyone in the studio who worked on it too.
It’s been built with love, care, and respect for what came before, and I cannot wait to see what the incredible Dreams community does with the Tren kit once they get their hands on it.”
We’ll also be catching up with the rest of the Tren team live on launch day at 5 pm BST over on our Twitch channel while streaming our very own playthrough of the game.
– John Beech, CEO, BeechCorp
The Tren bootscreen. Can you feel the nostalgia? [Captured on PS4™ Pro]
Tren is a homage to classic wooden train sets, with an Mm twist. [Captured on PS4™ Pro]
Hew-it-yourself
With the release of Tren, we’ve also included a new kit featuring over 550 elements, which you can play around with to make your very own Tren tracks. And, as part of the Play & Edit feature in the template, you can alter any of our tracks to create your own delightfully devilish challenges for other players to sweat through.
The Tren Set features over 550 elements for you to create the Tren tracks of your Dreams with. [Captured on PS4 Pro]
Tren’s a really personal game for everyone on the Tren team, and they’ve worked so hard to capture the feeling of being a kid opening up a new toy. We hope it fills you with the same spirit of wonder that we all felt the first time we saw it.
You can make some devious tracks in Tren. [Captured on PS4 Pro]
As you can see here, Tren tracks can quickly go off the rails. [Captured on PS4 Pro]
The world map offers some more chill environments for you to tootle around. [Captured on PS4 Pro]
Plus more
As if that wasn’t enough, Dreams will 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. If you haven’t yet explored the wilds of the Dreamiverse, this is the perfect opportunity to look at the phenomenally creative stuff the Dreams coMmunity has been up to.
All aboard for Tren, then. And if you’re new to the world of Dreams, there’s truly never been a better time to jump in with PlayStation Plus. See you over in the Dreamiverse!
*(The fictional, and ever-so-slightly sinister, corporation behind Tren. For more information, stay tuned to our socials – we think we’ve found a game manual in the attic…)
Dreams requires an internet connection and a PS Plus membership. PS Plus is subject to a recurring subscription fee taken automatically until cancellation. Age restrictions apply. Full terms: play.st/psplus-usageterms
Greetings, mercenaries! To kick off the summer season, we announced at Summer Game Fest that Crossfire: Sierra Squad will be arriving in August. Welp, August is just around the corner, so it’s time to let you know officially that the game will launch at PlayStation Store on August 29th! Add it to your wishlist today for a reminder come launch.
New immersive experience
Crossfire: Sierra Squad is a brand-new game built from the ground up for VR. We’ve been working hard to make the game an immersive and intuitive experience that gets you into the action immediately. We’ve fine-tuned the in-game mechanics to come up with a game experience that we believe you’ll want to play over and over, both solo and with friends, in a world you’ll want to spend a lot of time in. Our goal is to bring all fans of military FPS games together, regardless of experience level, into an exciting and shared VR adventure – solo or co-op with up to 4 players on a team.
One of the key ways we’ve been able to do this is by taking full advantage of the innovative features of PlayStation VR2. With Crossfire: Sierra Squad, we set out to push the boundaries of what is possible in the virtual reality space, and provide a completely immersive world for our players. We aim to usher in the next wave of VR gameplay by increasing the number of ways that players feel connected – literally – to the in-game world.
Clear and crisp sights and sounds
We know that one of the most important factors in VR immersion is the connection between how you move and what you see. In addition to the high-res graphics (4K HDR @ 90/120Hz) offered by the headset, we’ve fully employed PlayStation VR2’s advanced eye tracking and foveated rendering, combining to provide players the sharpest and smoothest visuals possible with no lag between actual and on-screen movement. Couple this with thoughtful sound design and PS VR2’s 3D audio capabilities, and we have a sensory experience that engulfs mercenaries in the world of Crossfire from the start.
Can you feel it?! Yes!
Crossfire: Sierra Squad capitalizes on PlayStation VR2’s revolutionary haptic feedback system, which offers nuanced and intuitive tactile elements. Our mercenaries will feel every shot fired, every recoil and every explosion through multiple haptic points integrated into PS VR2’s headset and controllers, adding an extra layer of realism that intensifies the experience. Our goal with this increased level of immersion is to bring the gameplay to a whole new level, where mercenaries truly feel like they are an integral part of Sierra Squad, rather than mere spectators.
Trigger finger feedback
PlayStation VR2’s controllers feature adaptive triggers that dynamically adjust resistance based on in-game actions. This allows players to feel varying levels of tension, simulating a genuine sense of touch. How do we harness and use this power for good? By giving each weapon in the game its own unique feel, we’re able to crank up the feeling of realism a notch. Picture this – you’re aiming down sights holding a sniper rifle, and before you squeeze off the epic shot, you partially pull the trigger to hold your breath and steady your weapon for a better chance of eliminating your target before completing the pull and sending your enemy into oblivion. That’s just one example, we can’t wait for you to try them all!
We excited for you to jump into our 13 main campaign missions (single-player), 50 squad campaign missions (single-player or 2-player co-op), and Horde Mode (up to 4-player co-op). Grab 39 types of weapons including pistols, rifles, and explosives that give you creative ways to dispatch 17 types of enemies. Engage enemies with seemingly superhuman strength, equipped with top-of-the-line weaponry, as well as drones, bosses, and heavily armed vehicles, all driven by soldiers hell-bent on your destruction. Bring your A-game because they’ll be bringing theirs. Mark your calendars, Crossfire: Sierra Squad launches August 29 on PlayStation VR2. See you then, mercenaries!
Can you believe half of 2023 is over already? Time flies when you’re having this much fun gaming. While 2023 has already been one wild year for PlayStation gamers, the killer lineup for the rest of 2023 is every bit as exciting.
In the words of the wise Samuel Drake: “I always felt that we were destined for something great.” So without further ado, let’s look at some of the most anticipated releases hitting PlayStation in 2023.
Immortals of Aveum
Don’t be a spongy back-row spell-slinger–it’s time to become a frontline battlemage and kick some serious butt in this dynamic fantasy-themed first-person shooter by new developer Ascendant Studios. Take control of Jak, a gifted youth lifted out of the slums to become a Magnus Battlemage warring against the overwhelming armies of the tyrannical Rasharn. Skillfully utilize an arsenal of stunning magic spells–both offensive and utilitarian–to battle foes and explore the various levels. Equipping Magic Rings, Sigils, Totems, and Bracers to augment and transform Jak’s skills to build him into your ideal magical mercenary. Fantastical worldbuilding, dazzling visuals, and loads of secrets to uncover make for a refreshing take on the FPS genre.
Release Date: August 22 | Publisher: Electronic Arts | PS5
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
Time to get down and dirty with From Software’s intense mech combat simulator. Fight for the future of the partially-ruined planet Rubicon with your own customized Armored Core mech, equipping parts to customize attack and mobility to your preferred playstyle. You’ll play through various missions, facing both Armored Core pilots from rival factions and megalithic mecha monstrosities. Complete missions and objectives. Use the new Assault Boost maneuver to get up close and personal with enemies to stagger them in intense, and strategic fights. With multiple endings and endless customization, Armored Core VI will send you on the mission of a lifetime.
Senior year of high school conjures up many images and memories: prom, class rings, old friends, impending extinction… okay,maybe that last one only matters in the hyper-specific case of Goodbye Volcano High. This emotionally charged, narrative-driven indie gem takes us back to the age when dinosaurs ruled Earth. Contrary to what you may have heard, young dinos were filled with just as much teen angst, insecurity, and weird feelings as modern-day humans. Join the band VVorm Drama and their companions as they navigate the ups and downs of an eventful senior year through a branching narrative–and rhythm mini-games–that promises to end with an Earth-shattering bang.
Release Date: August 29 | Publisher: KO_OP | PS5, PS4
Sea of Stars
To those wishing upon heavenly bodies for a majestic classic-style, turn-based RPG: your wish has been granted. Sea of Stars sails to us from Sabotage Studios, the talented team behind indie megahit The Messenger, and even takes place in the same shared universe. Follow the two Children of the Solstice in their quest to master Eclipse Magic and defeat the wicked alchemist Fleshmancer. Enjoy sumptuous sprite-based visuals filled with colorful detail and lively animation–a perfect complement to the tactical turn-based battles with timed hits, multi-character combo attacks, and a unique locks mechanic to interrupt attacks.
It’s been a long time coming, but Larian Studios’s Baldur’s Gate 3 is almost here. The forces of darkness are rising once again, and the fate of the Forgotten Realms is in your hands. But first, you need to find a way to get this disgusting Mind Flayer parasite out of your body, and you’re going to need some help with that. Find traveling companions–CPU-controlled Origin Characters, handmade companions, or online friends–to aid you with your adventure. With a massive world to explore, classic Dungeons & Dragons mechanics, multiple difficulty settings (including an absolutely brutal Tactician setting), extensive character customization, and a truly thrilling narrative that gets downright wild, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a take-no-prisoners fantasy RPG experience.
Release Date: September 6 | Publisher: Larian Studios | PS5
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The Crew Motorfest
Who among us does not like to make vehicles go vroom? And what could possibly be better than lots of shiny, speedy cars wheeling freely through the breathtaking tropical vistas of Hawaii? The Crew Motorfest takes players to the sun-kissed island of O’ahu in a freeform open-world driving experience unlike anything else. The new Playlists feature presents you with carefully crafted sets of missions to immerse you in specialized facets of car culture. Cruise the island solo, or cooperate to compete in challenges with other players online in ongoing live events. Collect a mega-garage of old and new cars to ogle and drive as you please. In this paradise, the car world is truly your oyster.
Release Date: September 14 | Publisher: Ubisoft | PS5, PS4
Mortal Kombat 1
Sometimes you need a good old-fashioned timeline refresh to keep things in order. At least, that’s what the recently anointed Fire God Liu Kang decided. The latest in NetherRealm Studios’ storied fighting game saga brings both beloved and brand-new characters back to the tournament stage with a new timeline and plenty of new tricks. Along with the long-awaited return and revamp of the Air Kombat combo system, players will be able to utilize the new Kameo feature to call in fighters from different MK timelines to aid them in battle briefly. And, of course, you’ve got buttery-smooth online versus play and plenty of the elaborate fatalities that define the MK franchise.
Release Date: September 19 | Publisher: WB Games | PS5
Eternights
Who says love can’t bloom on the battlefield? Studio Sai’s Eternights offers a unique fusion of romance simulation and adrenaline-pumping action. Faced with an encroaching disaster of apocalyptic proportions, some teenagers in Seoul are still trying to live as normally as possible inside an underground bunker, which means youthful hormones are in full swing. Use in-game apps to meet, talk to, and bond with potential partners, each with their own unique personalities, and remember that the dialogue choices you make have far-reaching repercussions. Use the power of the connections you’ve made to augment your combat abilities and conquer the mutated monsters lurking within the dangerous Wall.
Release Date: September 21 | Publisher: Studio Sai | PS5, PS4
Assassin’s Creed Mirage
The latest in the storied Assassin’s Creed saga puts us in the robes of Basim, a young thief eking out a living on the streets of 9th-century Baghdad. But Basim has potential, and he soon comes under the tutelage of master assassin Roshan and becomes a Hidden One, learning the art of careful killing. Revamped character animations and the widest range of movement yet seen in an Assassin’s Creed game make sprinting across rooftops and prowling the city streets feel more fluid and engaging than ever before. Utilize your arsenal of tools, your feathered companion Enkidu, and the new Assassination Focus skill to tactfully take down multiple targets in a row while remaining undetected.
Release Date: October 12 | Publisher: Ubisoft | PS5, PS4
Alan Wake 2
It’s been 13 years since famed horror author Alan Wake vanished while investigating in the town of Bright Falls, Washington. Now, accomplished FBI agent Saga Anderson arrives in the quaint northwestern hamlet to investigate a potential string of serial murders. But when she finds Alan Wake’s lost novel drafts, the world starts to get very weird around her. Are the words changing reality? And where is Alan Wake? Immerse yourself in Remedy Entertainment’s captivating survival horror adventure, where fiction and reality twist in the scenic Pacific Northwest. You’ll need to take control of both Saga and Alan to unravel the mystery behind the game’s winding narrative.
Release Date: October 17 | Publisher: Epic Games | PS5
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Two Spider-Men star in this stunning web-slinging epic exclusively on the PlayStation 5. Taking control of beloved heroes Peter Parker and Miles Morales, you’ll web-sling, cling, and use the new Web Wings to traverse the dizzying heights of the Big Apple, now including the Brooklyn and Queens areas. Here you’ll encounter some of the comics’ most fearsome villains, like Kraven the Hunter and the iconic arch-rival Venom. Use unique character skills, like Black Suit Peter Parker’s long-reaching tendrils and Miles Morales’ bioelectricity, in intense enemy showdowns that are more bombastic than ever before. Don’t ignore your Spider-Senses: be sure to mark October 20th down as a date not to be missed.
Release Date: October 20 | Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | PS5
Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
Kiryu Kazuma may have attempted to leave the limelight in Yakuza 6, but it seems like no matter what happens, the life of a yakuza always follows him. As an undercover agent, Kiryu–excuse me, Joryu– keeps tabs on the seedy underbelly of Osaka’s Sotenbori and Yokohama’s Isezaki Ijincho districts… along with the mysterious Castle. The action-driven brawls of Kiryu’s original outings return, allowing you to swap between two equally punishing fighting styles, Yakuza and Agent. When you’re done with your missions, you’ll enjoy a variety of fan-favorite minigames like a fighting arena, Pocket Racing, and the always-captivating Hostess Club management sim. Discover the new scheme consuming Japan’s underworld… when you’re not managing the best club in town.
Release Date: November 9 | Publisher: Sega | PS5, PS4
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
Step again into Pandora’s lush, wondrous world in this follow-up to the theatrical megahit Avatar: The Way of Water. As a Na’vi kidnapped as a youth and raised by the RDA, you’ve managed to escape their clutches and return home — but 15 years away from your homeland has made your own birthplace seem strange and hostile. You’ll need to re-learn the ways of the Na’vi as you aid them in their struggle against the RDA’s encroachment. As you explore the never-before-seen Western Frontier of Pandora, you’ll use various Na’vi and human-made tools to navigate and fight against both Pandora’s natural dangers and the destructive forces of the RDA.
Release Date: December 7 | Publisher: Ubisoft | PS5
Hey there, fellow wanderers. I’m Sky, the creative mind behind Tower of Fantasy— Brace yourself for an electrifying open-world RPG experience on PS5 and PS4 because we’re launching the ultimate adventure on August 8. And guess what? It’s free to play, so get ready to dive in without spending a single coin. But wait, there’s more. Our incredible pre-order deals are still up for grabs. Get your hands on the Deluxe or Ultimate Edition, and you’ll be rewarded with a head start of 48 hours to embark on your thrilling adventure and other exclusive prizes that are way more valuable than what you’d get buying them in-store.
Get a taste of joyous multiplayer exploration
From day one, we’ve crafted a world where you can go solo or team up for some action-packed co-op fun. The open world is your playground, and you’ll bump into thrill-seekers on the way. Call your buddies to catch stunning sunrises and sunsets over Aida, take down massive world bosses as a team, and unlock some awesome cooperative treasure chests. Oh, and get this—in the PlayStation version, hidden surprises exist in those hard-to-reach spots. But no worries. Team up with some friendly folks and go wild, scoring gacha goodies and generous growth rewards. And brace yourself for brand-new boss battles that’ll push your skills to the limit.
Immerse yourself in the mesmerizing world of Mirroria
Get ready to be blown away as you step into the breathtaking city of Mirroria, where the neon lights dance and excitement lurks around every corner. When the thrill of exploration and combat wears you down, immerse yourself in the glitzy life as a Mirrorian. This metaverse hub is your one-stop shop for unforgettable entertainment. Gather your posse and head to the iconic Livehouse, where heart-pounding music and electrifying performances ignite the stage. If you need speed, buckle up and unleash yourself in exhilarating races, battling with fellow racers. There’s even more to explore. Step into The Entertainment Center or Joy Square, where you can challenge your friends by playing arcade games, bowling, and even a round of mahjong.
Accumulate those hard-earned prizes, and trade them in for exclusive items and stunning appearances that’ll have heads turning.
Rule the open world with epic rides
Vehicles have been a core feature we’ve carefully planned for you wanderers from the get-go. After all, what’s open-world exploration without some sick rides, right? We went all out, mixing and matching different styles to create a killer collection of mounts. From kickass motorcycles and bio-inspired horses to war machines resembling starships, we have a fantastic variety for you. For those who prefer to team up with friends, we’ve got you covered with water motorcycles and mechanical camels that’ll let you ride side by side.
But wait, it gets even better. Get ready to be enchanted by the fusion of ancient Eastern charm and modern mechanical prowess—the custom-made ride, Enigmatic Stag, tailored exclusively for Domain 9. This incredible vehicle draws inspiration from the majestic deer and runs on pure energy, making it the perfect companion for navigating Domain 9’s challenging mountainous terrain. But hey, wanderers, hold on tight because the ride might get bumpy—it’s all part of the thrilling experience.
We also got a special treat for PS owners—the exclusive racecar Icy Blue Blooming, available in the Ultimate Edition. With this, you can enjoy an adrenaline-fueled joyride through Mirroria’s thrilling racetracks or any corner of Domain 9, experiencing heart-stopping drifts and extreme speeds. And with the immersive haptic feedback of the PS5 controller, you’ll feel like you’re in the driver’s seat, living the most exhilarating race of your gaming life.
A familiar presence, introducing Ming Jing
After the launch on PlayStation, wanderers across Domain 9 can encounter a familiar figure known as Ming Jing, now bearing a new identity and responsibility. In Aesperia, he stands as the composed and solemn leader for the refugees, while in Domain 9, he carries a fresh mantle of power and duty.
We aimed to exude a distinct Eastern charm in Ming Jing’s design. The elements of the tortoise and snake are perceived as Xuanwu. It is one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese constellations. It’s a revered deity in Chinese religion. With this Xuanwu totem, Ming Jing’ can summon divine power and create formations to attack enemies.
When crafting his weapon, we emphasized a fusion of modern technology with Ming Jing’s unique personality. This mysterious weapon reflects Ming Jing’s composed and cool-headed character in any situation.
Get ready to encounter this enigmatic figure and harness the power of Ming Jing as you venture into this epic world.
Exciting times ahead on PlayStation
The buzz is accurate, and we can’t wait to share the latest updates from Tower of Fantasy. Get ready to forge new friendships, unravel mysteries, and embark on a Free to Play adventure like no other in Tower of Fantasy. Grab your controller and let the magic unfold. We can’t wait to meet you on PlayStation. Wanderers, adventure awaits!
FromSoftware has brought the Armored Core series back out after over a decade to give us what is shaping up to be one of the series’ best entries yet. The upcoming Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon takes cues from the studio’s most recent titles but retains everything fans of the mech action series have come to love. What we get is a title that doesn’t forget its complex mech simulator identity while still finding fresh ways to advance its formula for a new generation.
During a recent hands-on event, Bandai Namco allowed us to enter the armory, craft a mech of our choice, and visit planet Rubicon to work as a freelance mercenary and get a substantial taste of Armored Core VI’s first chapter. Read on for all the details we could squeeze out from five hours of playtime.
Continuous customization is key
As soon as you jump into Armored Core VI, you’ll find out that the Armory–where you can build and edit your Armored Core (AC for short)–will be where you’ll spend a significant chunk of your time. Maintaining and customizing your AC is a necessity to meet the arduous demands of being a freelance mercenary. Unlike its sibling “Souls” titles, Armored Core VI’s gameplay loop consists of completing various missions, which can involve defeating a mysterious organization of invisible cloaked ACs, taking on an entire army, or even dueling against a colossal mech. Due to the ever-shifting nature of the game’s mission objectives, it’s essential to take advantage of all your personalized AC options so that you may defy expectations and live another day.
Options to make a dream (or nightmare) mech
In Armored Core VI, you’re able to fully customize and swap out the body parts, core, weapons, boosters, defensive mechanisms, and weight class of your AC. Continually customizing your AC can be essential to survival. For example, at times, you might need access to faster mobility, meaning Schnieder legs and their high-jumping and speed capabilities are a must. Other times you may need the Caterpillar tank legs to support a massive load of heavy weaponry and armor to keep you in the fray against a sea of enemies. Armored Core VI gives you the freedom to take on missions with whichever parts combinations you need to get the job done (while also looking aesthetically pleasing doing so).
Style makes the mech
Speaking of aesthetics, you not only have the ability to edit the capabilities of your AC, but the visuals, too. While the series has always allowed players to change the parts and colors of AC units, you can now change its condition and texture as well. This means you can make your mech look fresh off the production line, or like a rusted antique discovered in a long-abandoned facility (as we did with our rustic Nine Ball knockoff).
OS Upgrades
This customizable option is new to the series and offers additional adjustments to your AC that change the feel of piloting your mech. For example, some upgrades allow for faster turning, the ability to use swappable handheld weapons instead of equipping larger shoulder add-ons, or give added armor for the new Assault Boost maneuver. Each of these OS Upgrades can completely change the playing field, especially when fighting against tough opponents, such as the case of being able to swap from a machine gun to a heavy-hitting bazooka on the fly to more readily devastate a staggered enemy.
For veteran fans: An OS upgrade that might pique your attention is manual targeting, which restores the classic style of aiming without the help of auto-targeting from earlier entries. Be sure to equip it if you want a particularly old-school challenge.
Weapons on weapons
The vast wealth of customization options available also extends to weapons. There are so many combinations to try out, each with the potential to completely change the way you play the game. Given the unique feel of each weapon, you’re encouraged to experiment not only to see what works best for you but also to better overcome the various threats in missions. For instance, when you need more tailored firepower to get around enemy shields, you might want to equip plasma missiles that fire upward and into an arc to hit foes from behind. Or you could even equip an energy blade that can knock the shield out of their hands with a single strike. There are many viable weapon loadouts for a variety of situations, so how you equip your AC in a mission is entirely up to you.
Armory stations let you customize mid-mission
Armored Core VI emphasizes constantly changing your loadout to suit the situation, but sometimes the demands change in the middle of a mission. Thankfully, there are Armory stations available in certain areas, allowing you to customize your AC on the fly before tackling specific sections ahead. For example, the beginning of a mission might require you to stay on your toes fighting multiple speedy enemies, while the boss at the end may necessitate more firepower. During key moments, Armored Core VI isn’t against letting you hit the dressing room for a style change to show up prepared.
A vast heavy metal adventure
Aside from the customization, Armored Core VI showcases its ambition in plenty of other areas as well. From its movement options to the mission maps, the game has tons of content to sink your teeth into.
Movement made to master
Armored Core sets itself apart from Dark Souls and Elden Ring by emphasizing vertical and horizontal gameplay and movement. While the Souls games take place entirely on the ground, Armored Core requires you to adapt to the situation by taking to the skies and using all the space offered to you to complete your mission. Staying on the ground as you would in the Lands Between will result in a swift defeat.
Hours of missions to complete
FromSoftware has packed Armored Core VI with tons of varied missions to take on, each different from the last. Some missions will send you into an arena to take on another AC pilot one-on-one; others will pit you against an entire army as you attempt to destroy their power plant. Regardless of the task at hand, you’ll need to constantly adapt to your enemies and their surroundings to succeed.
Giant and varied battlegrounds
Each mission also features a vastly different map to explore and conquer. The unique setpieces present a memorable experience and allow for different play styles each time. You can go in guns blazing, sneak around like a metal assassin, or even blitz through without attacking enemies at all.
A story-filled adventure
Armored Core VI is suffused with FromSoftware’s brand of subtle storytelling. Each mission begins with a briefing from your commander and, at times, an introduction to a new force or player in the war for planet Rubicon. Once a mission is underway, the game expands on these small and intertwined plotlines by introducing characters and other little pieces of lore that build up this larger picture of the world around you. You’ll also impact these plotlines through the choices you make. One mission we played presented us with the choice of either being a ruthless mercenary and killing an enemy rebel, or ignoring them and sticking to the job of destroying their power supply. Whatever choice you make, you’ll experience a game full of personality.
Modes and replayability galore
Armored Core VI also features a variety of different modes, such as the Arena, where you’ll face off against another AC pilot in a battle to the death with the goal of ranking up. Along with the main missions, these modes offer tons of replayability, letting you take on things in a new style, follow a different story path, or simply rack up more money so you can buy that new set of legs you wanted from the shop.
The PlayStation 5 experience
Playing on the PS5 adds an extra layer of immersion thanks to fast loading times, keeping you in the gameplay and away from loading screens. The PS5 version also features 3D audio, which makes it genuinely feel like you’re in the middle of an intense mech firefight.
Sabotage was founded with a clear goal: presenting our own definitive editions of the game genres we grew up playing. By combining retro aesthetics and modern design, we shoot for experiences that capture what we love about games of old while leaving behind the elements we feel might hold them back today.
We knew from the beginning that out-of-combat controls would be an important aspect to tackle for our modernized take on classic turn-based RPGs, and one of the pillars of Sea of Stars.
Sea of Stars will be available as a PlayStation Plus Game Catalog title on launch day
We’re extremely excited to confirm that Sea of Stars will be joining the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog catalog (available for all Extra and Premium members) on launch day, August 29. It’s incredible for us to imagine how many more players worldwide will experience Sea of Stars and join the conversation around our project.
After working on this game that is so dear to us for five years, we’re now only a few weeks away from release, and we’re happy to share this moment with the PlayStation community.
Try it for yourself: PlayStation demo now available
You can get a taste of the Sea of Stars’ traversal system in the demo now available on both PS4 and PS5.
The demo features areas that will be part of the final game, but we made sure to pick a slice that did not reveal any major spoilers from the main story. It is designed to give a hint of context but mostly showcases some gameplay systems and mechanics around dungeon crawling and combat. It aims to provide a sense of the tone and vibe without giving away major points of the journey.
It’s not exactly the final product, but we feel this playable slice represents what we are shooting for. We hope you will enjoy it!
Why is traversal so important to the vision?
Too often, we have fought epic monsters only to have then go out of our way to reach the next objective because a fallen tree was blocking the way. With Sea of Stars, we set out to move as far away from tile-based movement as possible to create something that would feel lighter and more seamless, while allowing for a more varied moveset, and in turn, offer more opportunities for players to interact with the environment during their adventures. We wanted exploration to be as fully fleshed out as combat.
The broad strokes of traversal were approached with the intention of sustaining a sense of tactileness to the surrounding environments, inviting players to touch everything they see and for the game to acknowledge their actions. The vision took the form of a promise we wanted players to hear while playing: “If it looks like you can grab on and hoist up, it’s because you can. And if the ledge is clear, feel free to jump off and see if there is a treasure down there–you can always climb back up afterward. Set aside any gameplay rules you have come to expect, look around and act on what seems to make sense physically, and the game will catch you.”
Now that’s certainly easier said than done, and we might as well simply demand catchy music, engaging combat, and a compelling story while we’re at it, but we still gave it our best shot.
A big part of keeping level layouts engaging is ensuring they contain a lot of micro-loops and interactions that allow us to play with the pacing, whether it is with movement speed, varied animations, or little modules that players have to decide how to traverse, often with more than one possibility, all linked seamlessly into the wide open areas that support the story we are telling.
Starting from the classic camera perspective, our characters move in eight different angles with movesets that include swimming, climbing, jumping off and hoisting up ledges, tightrope walking, and perhaps a future upgrade or two, which we won’t get into here for spoiler reasons. The MVP here is definitely hoisting since it allows for a lot more verticality in the gameplay than is usually seen in games of the genre.
In short, fleshing out the player’s moveset beyond walking in four angles and climbing in one angle gave us what we needed to break free from the classic bound-to-the-grid movement we wanted to modernize.
Traversal design: a concrete example
As mentioned earlier, the use of traversal can support different intentions. In the following example, it’s used as a way to teach the players to swim, or rather, that it is part of the actions available to them in Sea of Stars. For our levels to rely on swimming moving forward, we must first ensure that the players have learned the action, and that they will know to look for bodies of water in the future.
Here’s how the player’s volition is leveraged in the game’s early stages to make sure they teach themselves swimming in an empowering way instead of reading a pop-up card. First, let’s look at an early design sketch that leads to the final version of the swimming tutorial section found in the final game.
Pictured below is the moment where the level’s design organically presents the swimming feature. After a short fight, the main path leads to a single way forward, leaving the player with only one option to progress: walk the plank.
To support players who are unaware that swimming is even a thing yet, a clear path is emphasized by the level’s art, pointing to an inviting call to adventure of jumping off a ledge into a pool of turquoise water which compels players to try a jump action and discover what happens.
All environments have been designed to be tactile and reinforce the players’ habit of reflexively experimenting with them to discover new things by themselves without the need for intrusive tutorials or UI indicators that would break the immersion.
This is just one example, of course. Traversal gameplay has been designed inch by inch to be presented as sequences that support progression and flow throughout the game.
Simply put, when players are not fighting or reading dialogue, they are exploring, or rather, traversing. Even though players are free to explore at their own pace, deliberate pockets like these are present everywhere, each serving different intentions, whether it is helping to assimilate narrative information, cooling down after intense combat, offering an optional moment of contemplation, or learning a new skill through an invisible tutorial.
Sea of Stars will be available on PS4 and PS5 on August 29. Stay tuned.
Last week, we asked you grab a fedora and share gaming moments that capture the spirit of noir using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights:
call_me_xavii shares Leon Kennedy from Resident Evil 4 in a suit and fedora
Defalt368 shares Misty and Jackie from Cyberpunk 2077
Photoingame shares a shot from the back of Batman’s cowl in Batman: Arkham Knight
DexM_ds shares the cat from Stray investigating a broken robot laying in the street
sorathluna shares a trenchcoat wearing ghost from Ghostwire: Tokyo
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: Pink
SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on July 26, 2023
Next week, we’re thinking pink. Share moments from the game of your choice focused on shades of pink using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.
It’s been an excellent season for gaming on PlayStation, and there are still fun experiences coming right around the corner. We had a chance to get hands-on with some upcoming indie titles from Team 17, and here are the games you should be looking out for in the dog days of summer.
Moving Out 2
If you’ve been in the mood for a fun couch co-op or an online game to unwind with, then Moving Out 2 is a must-play. The folks from Devm Games and SMG Studio decided to feature twice as much content as the original title, adding new gameplay mechanics, such as sorting furniture, objects that can’t fit through particular doors (been there), and hidden items that unlock a cast of diverse characters representing race, gender, and accessibility. The biggest improvement comes in the form of the whacky dimensions you travel to, which have different rules when it comes to moving. Whether it’s the swaying rooms of a hotel held up by a giant or the sticky situations caused by the candy dimension, as you wrestle with items, the adaptive triggers of PS5’s DualSense wireless controller respond in kind, adding that real-world flavor of trying to force an item through with a buddy who thinks you just need to twist it more.
Release date: August 15 Platform: PS5/PS4
Blasphemous 2
Another powerhouse sequel, Blasphemous 2, is a challenging 2D exploration adventure that picks up after the events of Wounds of Eventide. The devs at The Game Kitchen created a beautiful hand-drawn-like art style that adds personality to the stoic main character. As unforgiving as combat can be, the combination of haptic feedback and adaptive triggers sells the adrenaline rush of battle. You can feel the incoming attacks of a boss, the pushback of deflecting a hit, and of course, the swings of your weapon, which differ depending on what arms were chosen at the start of the game. You’ll be rewarded with genuinely immersive combat if you wish to test your reflexes in a dark, yet beautiful world.
Release date: August 15 Platform: PS5
Gord
Gord is an interesting mix of genres from former Frostpunk and The Witcher 3 developers – Covenant.dev – to bring Slavic folklore to the mainstream. At its core, it is a town building simulator with population management and survival mechanics thrown into the mix. It is a bleak title not for the faint of heart, but the trials and tribulations you go through to keep your village alive are captivating. Everything from cutting deals with monsters that hide in the dark to sending people on dangerous errands for the good of the masses. Combining that with dealing with the emotional trauma of villagers caused by your actions and outside forces is a tricky tightrope to manage, but the motivation to keep everything running and your people alive makes this an unexpected emotional journey.
Release date: August 8 Platform: PS5
Classified: France ‘44
Bringing to light the lesser-known story of the Allied special forces sent to weaken the opposition in the weeks leading to D-Day, Classified: France ‘44 is an evolution of the modern tactics game from developers at Absolutely Games. No playthrough will ever be the same because the mission you have access to will change depending on who you recruit, the skills you learn or don’t, and the success of each assignment. Outside the endless possibilities of the story progression, the gameplay is a drawn-out chess match of managing morale, weapons, reloading, soldier placement, and abilities. Changing mission objectives, enemy reinforcements, and even your skill in staying undetected or not all play into the unpredictability of war and the strategy to adapt to it.
Release date: 2023 TBD Platform: PS5
As we prepare for fall blockbusters, these exciting titles from Team 17 will keep you occupied with their variety of gameplay and stream of replayability. Whether you want to get lost for hours on a solo adventure or laugh with a friend, you can have that and more all summer long on PlayStation.
