Category: PlayStation

Five years ago, Sucker Punch took us to new frontiers on “Tsushima Island”, where we were introduced to Jin Sakai, a samurai struggling between abandoning his code of honor and protecting his home from the first Mongol invasion of Japan.

Three hundred years after the events of Ghost of Tsushima, a new warrior has risen. In Ghost of Yōtei, Atsu seeks revenge on the Yōtei Six after they ruthlessly slaughtered her family. As she takes on each of her enemies with an “underdog vengeance”, Atsu traverses the open world of Ezo and adopts the spirit of the onryō to pursue justice on those who took everything from her.

Ghost of Yōtei takes players through a sensory-driven, open world that offers players a unique perspective and experience. The original score, composed by Toma Otowa, is the perfect accompaniment to immerse you in a cultural adventure as you unlock hidden levels of beauty and brutality. East meets West when the sounds of traditional Japanese instruments merge with the modern Western influences to create a one-of-a-kind score that fully captures Atsu’s journey.

Ghost of Yōtei – Official Soundtrack Listening Party | October 15

The PlayStation Studios Music team and Sony Music Masterworks are thrilled to invite you to the official soundtrack listening party celebrating the recent release of Ghost of Yōtei!

Join our 60-minute livestream on Wednesday, October 15 at 5:00 PM PT, featuring exclusive commentary, behind-the-scenes stories, and insights into the production of the game soundtrack.

We’ll be joined by four talented speakers, each offering their own unique perspective and contribution on the creative process behind the music and characters that bring Atsu and the open world of Ezo to life. 

Toma Otowa

Toma Otowa is a multi-award-winning film and game composer based in Los Angeles. He has worked on such Hollywood blockbuster films as Thor: Ragnarok, Croods: A New Age, Lego Movie 2, and Hotel Transylvania 3 with veteran film composer and DEVO frontman, Mark Mothersbaugh.

Otowa’s video game work includes Resident Evil 5, Afrika, Kinect: Disneyland Adventures, Halo 2: Anniversary, Knack, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, which he co-composed with Mothersbaugh.

Jason Connell

Jason Connell is a Creative Director on Ghost of Yōtei and was Creative Director and Art Director on Ghost of Tsushima, leading lighting, cinematography, and concept direction. He has more than 20 years of game development experience, over half of which have been with Sucker Punch. Alaska-bred, he loves adventuring with his wife and two children. Jason lives in a beanie 99% of the time and abuses the word awesome.

Brad Meyer

Rev. Dr. Bradley D Meyer is an Audio Director at Sucker Punch with over 27 years of experience in game audio. He’s fortunate enough to have led the team that won both the BAFTA and D.I.C.E awards for best Audio in 2020 for Ghost of Tsushima. Brad now leads the team on Ghost of Yōtei. He has lectured extensively about game audio at universities and conferences around the world. He is an ordained minister and a Doctor of Metaphysics and Immortality, and you wouldn’t know if he didn’t plaster it everywhere his name appears.

Erika Ishii

Erika Ishii (all pronouns) is a well-known figure in games, animation, and comedy. They star as main character Rook in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Sektor in Mortal Kombat 1, Valkyrie in Apex Legends, and in October 2025 will play the titular lead in Ghost of Yōtei. Erika is considered an especially chaotic regular cast member on comedy streamer Dropout’s shows including Dimension 20, Game Changer, and Make Some Noise. They have appeared with Critical Role, hosted Marvel red carpets, and recently performed as a special guest in the Off-Broadway theater production Dungeons & Dragons: The Twenty-Sided Tavern. Erika is the proud co-creator of the record-breaking narrative play and storytelling collective Worlds Beyond Number, along with Aabria Iyengar, Brennan Lee Mulligan, and Lou Wilson.

Now Streaming: Ghost of Yōtei Original Soundtrack

The Ghost of Yōtei original soundtrack by Toma Otowa is now streaming on all major platforms! This symphonic odyssey intricately weaves the haunting gravity of what Atsu has lost and carves the path of who she will choose to become. Listen now wherever you get your music.

If you liked what you heard, tune in to Twitch | YouTube on Wednesday, October 15 at 5:00PM PT / 8:00PM ET to join the Ghost of Yōtei soundtrack listening party! Ghost of Yōtei is now available on PS5.

Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com!

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or download here

Hey, everybody! Kristen and I are back this week to celebrate the launch of Ghost of Yōtei, discuss upcoming releases, and share the latest news. This episode also includes an interview with Erika Ishii, voice of Atsu from Ghost of Yōtei.

Stuff We Talked About

• Next week’s release highlights:
  • Ghost of Yōtei| PS5 (out now)
  • Digimon Story: Time Stranger | (out today)
  • Battlefield 6 | PS5
  • Little Nightmares III | PS5, PS4
  • Dreams of Another | PS5, PS VR2
• PlayStation 30th anniversary merchandise — A new large-format photography book is coming in Spring 2026, featuring a rich look at the history of the consoles, including hundreds of unseen images.
• My Hero Academia: All’s Justice character episodes — The new anime arena fighter is coming to PS5 on February 6, 2026, and you can get a first look at the new modes.
• Call of Duty Black Ops 7 hands-on — Get a full report of the multiplayer, zombies, and more as the latest entry looks to push the series forward.
• PlayStation Plus Monthly Games October
  • Alan Wake 2
  • Goat Simulator 3
  • Cocoon

The Cast

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Kristen Zitani –  Senior Content Communications Specialist, SIE

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O’Dell Harmon Jr. – Content Communications Specialist, SIE

Thanks to Dormilón for our rad theme song and show music.

[Editor’s note: PSN game release dates are subject to change without notice. Game details are gathered from press releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]

MARVEL legends, assemble! Coming to PlayStation 5 in 2026, MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls is a 4v4 team-based fighting game created in partnership with Arc System Works — renowned for Guilty Gear and Dragon Ball Fighter Z — PlayStation Studios, and MARVEL Games.

The game has captured the attention of both fighting game enthusiasts and MARVEL fans alike. We spoke with Arc System Works Producer Takeshi Yamanaka, Game Director and Lead Battle Designer Kazutoshi Sekine, and SIE PlayStation Studios XDEV Senior Producer Reed Baird about the game’s standout features, unique elements, and the debut of Spider-Man and Ghost Rider as playable characters at Tokyo Game Show 2025.

From Japan to the world – a tribute to MARVEL and its fans

PS Blog: How was the title MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls chosen?

Yamanaka: A beam of light flashes between the characters when they’re swapped, and we interpreted that light as a “soul,” which inspired the inclusion of “Fighting Souls” in the title. However, “MARVEL Fighting Souls” alone didn’t capture the Japanese identity we wanted to convey, especially when one of the project’s goals was to deliver something special from Japan to a global audience. That’s why we added the Japanese word “Tōkon,” which means fighting spirit.

With heroes and villains able to join forces, is the game meant to be an epic yet chaotic crossover of MARVEL characters?

Yamanaka: I can’t reveal specifics just yet, but each character has their own detailed lore and backstory. As for why heroes and villains can team up, we’ll have more to share in future updates.

What was most important to you when bringing MARVEL characters into a fighting game?

Yamanaka: We made sure to respect each character by retaining their iconic elements that fans know and love. At the same time, our goal was to showcase our unique Japanese perspective and the Arc System Works identity within the designs. MARVEL Games responded most strongly to Iron Man and Storm. With Storm, I believe we were able to deliver the vision they were hoping to see from Japanese creators.

What did you prioritize in terms of presentation?

Sekine: We gave the character select screen a fresh, distinctive look, drawing on both American comics and Japanese shōnen manga for inspiration. Matches that conclude with a stage transition or a super move are presented in a manga panel style, creating a unique effect unlike anything before.

Spider-Man and Ghost Rider were made playable for the first time. What was the concept behind Spider-Man’s design?

Sekine: Our intention with Spider-Man was to faithfully capture his defining traits while making him truly enjoyable to play. We wanted to make him easy to pick up, reflecting his role as the “friendly neighborhood” hero. We fine-tuned the way he plays, and I wanted to make sure we include Spidey Sense*, which has never appeared in a fighting game before.

*In this game, Spidey Sense allows Spider-Man to evade attacks and throws while automatically striking back.

What about Ghost Rider?

Sekine: Ghost Rider’s standout mechanic is the “Vengeance Gauge,” designed to resemble a tachometer. When the gauge overheats, Ghost Rider becomes vulnerable, but when it hits the red zone, his abilities grow stronger. This system encourages Ghost Rider — typically a long-range fighter — to move in close. Managing the gauge is tricky, but the exhilaration of entering the red zone perfectly captures his fiery spirit.

Reed: That kind of mechanic is exactly what makes Arc System Works stand out. Storm, which you mentioned earlier, also fights in ways we’ve never seen before, which is very exciting.

How has the feedback been from past demos and the closed beta test (CBT)?

Yamanaka: We’ve received a lot of feedback, and I didn’t expect it to be so overwhelmingly positive. Of course, we also received constructive criticism, and we will use that to make meaningful improvements.

Sekine: At EVO, the demo stations were always packed, which spoke volumes about how beloved MARVEL is and showed how well this game is meeting those expectations. The players’ passion is what keeps us going.

Yamanaka: A father stood by as his kids played, their faces glowing with big smiles. As a creator, seeing people enjoy the games I worked on is profoundly rewarding.

Lastly, do you have any words for fans looking forward to the game? Are there other details you’d like them to look for?

Reed: I hope playing this game will become a cherished memory for players. I still remember being deeply moved by fighting games when I was a kid. We’ve poured a lot of love into this project, and with the theme of “from Japan to the world” in mind, we hope to reach fans all over the world.

Yamanaka: We put considerable thought into the role of music in fighting games, so I’d love for players to pay attention to the soundtrack. Listen closely to how the music shifts as the battle unfolds.

Sekine: The CBT proved that battles run smoothly online, and the stage designs are a highlight in their own right. Our aim is to present MARVEL in a new light while also evolving the team-based fighting genre. The game is full of hidden treasures, and we can’t wait for players to discover them.

For the first time ever, Call of Duty fans are getting back-to-back Black Ops games with the release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 this year. Leaping ahead to the future of 2035, the game is a direct sequel to the story told in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 — but what’s really interesting is the way it builds on the foundation set by Black Ops 6, with its introduction of systems like Omnimovement and the return of round-based Zombies.

At Call of Duty: Next, I got a chance to jump into the combat boots of David Mason and a few other operators. I played on six new Multiplayer maps, tried out the updated Omnimovement, cleared Zombies off the new Wonder Vehicle, and picked a few dropzones on Warzone’s new Resurgence map and updated Verdansk.

You can check out just about everything we saw (and a few more things) in Black Ops 7’s open beta, which launches on October 5 if you pre-ordered the game, and on October 7 for all players.

Without further ado, let’s get to all the juicy hands-on action.

Gameplay Evolution

Even Omni-er Omnimovement: Treyarch is building on the foundation it established with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 last year, making a few tweaks and adjustments to the Omnimovement system that allows you to run, slide, and dive in any direction. The big one is wall-jumping—you can now fling yourself into the air with a wall jump to bounce around corners, cross gaps, and confuse opponents. You can chain up to three jumps together, but each jump will cost you some momentum. Other additions include moving while mounted and a new finisher that lets you attach a grenade to another player and kick them toward their friends.

Movement as a loadout option: While Omnimovement still offers a lot of agility to every player, Treyarch has made some adjustments to the system by turning a few elements into Perks. The double-time Tac Sprint, for instance, now requires a specific Perk and comes with the trade-off that your normal sprint is slower when you equip it. But other Perks boost movement too, like Lightweight, which increases your movement speed and lets you slide and dive farther, and Dexterity, which lets you reload faster and aim down sights during dives and slides.

Overclock your stuff: Getting good at nailing enemies with frag grenades while they’re flocking to the hard point? In Black Ops 7, successfully using items like equipment, Scorestreaks, and Field Upgrades builds up progress that allows you to Overclock those items, unlocking an upgrade that makes them more powerful. You can choose your Overclocks when you select your loadout, with each Scorestreak, Field Upgrade, and piece of equipment offering two possibilities, allowing you to tailor your preferred playstyle.

Become a Hybrid Combat Specialist: In Black Ops 6, choosing three Perks of the same type unlocked a Combat Specialist bonus that amped up a specific playstyle. Black Ops 7 gives you a little more freedom; you can now mix two of one type of Perk with one of another to unlock a Hybrid Combat Specialist bonus, so you can mix and match a little more and still get useful benefits.

Near-future technology: Black Ops 7’s setting in the 2030s brings some new robotic and drone threats that you can deploy in battle as Scorestreaks. The D.A.W.G. is a dog-like combat robot; the Rhino is Treyarch’s take on the Juggernaut, a robot wielding a minigun you pilot into battle; HKVs are Hunter-Killer Drones that are deployed from aircraft and seek out targets once they hit the ground; and the VOTL Warship returns from Black Ops 2 with some new upgrades to terrorize from the skies.

Share the load(out): Ever wonder what weapon and Perks the person who just took you out was using? You can see the loadouts of opponents on the Kill Cam, and in the launch version of the game, you’ll actually be able to nab their Gunsmith customizations for yourself. Gunsmith codes will let you share your weapon builds with friends or online, so if you ever see a gun you wish you were taking into battle, you can have it.

Guns—lots of guns: Black Ops 7 will bring 30 new weapons compared to Black Ops 6, and thanks to its near-future setting, that’ll include 16 that are all-new to the franchise.

Multiplayer

Black Ops 7 will launch with 18 multiplayer maps—15 new 6-on-6 maps, plus three remastered maps from previous games, and two large-scale 20-vs.-20. I fought across six of the new maps, which will appear in Black Ops 7’s multiplayer beta.

Maps

Blackheart — Round and floating, Blackheart is a lot like a small oil rig, laid out like a wheel. At the center is a room where teams converge for big fights, while the outer edges have longer sight lines for sniping and setting ambushes.

Toshin — A Japanese cityscape with lots of small interiors, tight corners, and crashed cars and trains that can be useful for cover, or might explode at the wrong moment. There are numerous ways to slip between locations in Toshin, provided you can find the right vent or elevator shaft.

The Forge — The paramilitary organization known as The Guild also appears to be a corporate entity that enjoys showcasing and selling its robotics and drone technology. The Forge is a facility that serves as a testing ground on the outside and a sleek showroom on the inside.

Exposure — Set near a series of solar panels, Exposure is something of a prefabricated industrial site where you can clamber over buildings and slip between structures for ambushes.

Cortex — Cortex gives off heavy supervillain lab vibes, with lots of spooky-looking tubes and panels to use as cover. It’s a map with exteriors that loop around a series of interior pathways, providing multiple ways to approach a given objective.

Imprint — A snowy mountain fortress, Imprint combines open exterior spaces with sparse cover, and tighter interior corridors and vertical areas where it pays to be aware of your surroundings..

Modes

In addition to a few classic Call of Duty modes—Team Deathmatch, Domination, and Hardpoint—I also tried the new Overload mode at Connect. In the beta, you can also expect to play Kill Confirmed and Search and Destroy.

Overload — A new 6-vs.-6 mode, Overload, creates some frantic dashes, big team fights, and huge momentum swings. Two teams attempt to grab an overload device, and once one team has it, their goal is to reach one of two designated locations on the opposing team’s side of the map. If they can carry the device to one of the designated spots, they score a point; however, if the device is dropped, the other team can pick it up. As soon as a point is scored, the device respawns somewhere in the middle of the map, triggering another mad dash to grab it.

Skirmish — We didn’t play it, but at launch, Black Ops 7 also offers a massive new 20-vs.-20 mode that has its own dedicated maps to give you plenty of room to mix it up.

Zombies

In Black Ops 7, Treyarch builds on last year’s return of round-based Zombies with new maps and modes, along with new monsters to threaten you along the way.

Ashes of the Damned — The new map available at launch is the biggest Call of Duty has ever seen. It’s comprised of multiple locations to navigate and explore. They’re all linked together by roads, but between each of the main areas is a dense, deadly fog you’ll need to cross.

Meet Ol’ Tessie — To get around in Ashes of the Damned, you’ll need a ride, and that’s the new “Wonder Vehicle,” Ol’ Tessie. The truck starts as a bit of a clunker, but you can repair and upgrade it to turn it into a proper zombie-smashing crew transport—and even install a Pack-a-Punch Machine in the truck bed. You’ll need Ol’ Tessie to be tough, since the fog is home to unkillable zombies, as well as gremlin-like Ravagers that will attack your vehicle.

New ways to play — Zombies adds two new modes in Black Ops 7 that we didn’t play at Connect: Survival and Cursed. Survival mode takes place on smaller maps—in the beta, you’ll see locations taken from Ashes of the Damned—to provide a quicker, more frantic Zombies experience that still includes uncovering secrets while you fight for your life. And for the really hardcore Zombies fans, Cursed mode will offer an even steeper challenge.

Warzone

Haven’s Hollow: A new Resurgence map, Haven’s Hollow is set in Appalachia and draws inspiration from the Zombies maps Shattered Veil and Liberty Falls—before the undead ravaged the latter. The map features nine Points of Interest, including open fields at one end and a small but densely populated town at the other, with numerous buildings to hide in and rooftops to snipe from.

Updated Verdansk: Two Points of Interest are coming in Black Ops 7’s first season—the all-new Signal Station, and a remastered version of the Factory.

Try Multiplayer and Zombies in the Black Ops 7 Beta

Players who pre-order Black Ops 7 will get early access to the Black Ops 7 beta, running October 2-5. Activision is also offering an open beta for all players, no pre-order required, from October 5 to 8. 

The beta includes all the multiplayer maps I fought across at Connect: The Forge, Exposure, Blackheart, Imprint, Toshin, and Cortext. It also packs the new Overload mode, as well as classics Team Deathmatch, Domination, Hard Point, Kill Confirmed, and Search and Destroy.

The beta goes beyond multiplayer to include Zombies, as well. Starting on October 3, you’ll be able to try the new Vandorn Farm map and Survival mode.

Black Ops 7 introduces numerous small yet highly targeted and meaningful changes to Black Ops 6’s foundation, while offering a substantial amount of new content across all its modes. 

But you don’t have to wait to see for yourself—check out all Treyarch and Raven have to offer this week in the open beta. The full game launches on November 14.

In My Hero Academia: All’s Justice, you can relive the Final War of My Hero Academia with cinematic visuals in Story Mode, and experience new My Hero Academia action in flashy, over-the-top 3v3 battles featuring a giant roster of characters and their Quirks!  

In our latest trailer, we revealed new modes such as the Team Up Mission mode where you can become a student of U.A. High Class 1-A and experience hero life on the streets based on never-before-seen scenarios made for the game.  

In addition to the Team Up Mission mode, you can see a quick preview of another newly revealed mode: Hero’s Diary.  

Today, we’re here to introduce Hero’s Diary in more detail along with a first look at additional footage! 

What is Hero’s Diary? 

In Hero’s Diary, you can enjoy game-original episodes depicting the unknown daily lives of the U.A. High 1-A students, along with battles based on those stories. 

These episodes include never-before-seen interactions, such as moments between classmates during breaks from lessons, or rivals pushing each other to improve. You’ll also get to see a different side of the characters outside of the battles in the main game! 

Each of the 20 characters in Class 1-A has multiple Memories to unlock, so you can discover untold stories of your favorite characters. 

Hero’s Diary unlock conditions 

By clearing the Team Up Mission, you can unlock game-original, special moments with Deku, Bakugo, and other members of Class 1-A! The special moments will be unlocked based on the progress of the Team Up Mission.  

In these Team Up Missions, you become a U.A. High 1-A student, including Deku, and take on training exercises set in a virtual space. Based on an original game scenario, you’ll team up with your fellow 1-A classmates and experience hero life firsthand. You can freely move around the city using each character’s unique Quirk-based actions. In addition to the main scenario and missions, there’s a wide variety of sub-missions to enjoy such as freerunning, item searches, and intense battles – experience it all in this unique mode! 

Also, the Heroes and U.A. students that appear in the Main Menu and Team Up Mission map will change depending on the time of day! 

Talking to them might trigger original conversations or even battle missions! So, if you see a character you’re interested in, be sure to strike up a conversation! Clearing these missions might even earn you a reward…!? 

On top of unlocking the Hero’s Diary, once you clear Team Up missions you will also unlock Archives Battles where you can relive iconic battles from the past.  

These are just a few of the many experiences to look forward to when My Hero Academia: All’s Justice launches on PlayStation 5 on February 6, 2026!  

Pre-orders have just started so be sure to get an Early Unlock for two playable characters as a pre-order bonus. Details on the characters will be revealed later, so stay tuned!

PlayStation and Klook, a leading travel and experiences platform in Asia Pacific, invite you to embark on the Ghost of Yōtei Hokkaido Tour, a curated journey through Hokkaido, inspired by the landscapes that shaped the game’s world. This exclusive tour brings fans, gamers, and travelers closer to the real-life locations that influenced the Sucker Punch development team during their reference trips. Booking starts from today (30 September 2025) and the tour will commence from 3 November 2025.

Discover the Real-World Inspiration Behind Ghost of Yōtei

From Edo-period villages to dramatic volcanic valleys, the tour uncovers the authentic settings that breathe life into the game:

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Noboribetsu Date Jidai Mura, living history village of Hokkaido during Edo-era.

Noboribetsu Date Jidai Mura
Experience the Edo period at this living history village. Try your hand at Japanese archery, shuriken tossing, and even dress as a samurai. Explore the Katana Museum, a recreation of Katakura Kojuro’s samurai residence, and climb the Fire Watchtower for a unique perspective on Edo-era life.

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Hell Valley, which inspired key moments in the game. 

Noboribetsu Jigokudani (Hell Valley)
This volcanic landscape, alive with steaming vents and jagged cliffs, inspired the game’s mist-shrouded fortresses and Oni domains. The local legends of demons and the many oni statues found here directly influenced the game’s mythos and atmosphere.

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Tranquil waters of Lake Toya  

Lake Toya
With its tranquil waters, onsen culture, and the majestic Mount Yōtei as a backdrop, Lake Toya inspired the game’s serene hot spring scenes. Take time to relax, soak in the hot springs, and enjoy the peaceful scenery.

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Mount Yōtei, the symbol of Hokkaido

Mount Yōtei
The namesake of the game, Mount Yōtei—known as “the Female Mountain” by the Ainu—stands as a symbol of Hokkaido and a constant presence in the game’s landscape. Enjoy breathtaking views from Nakayama Pass and Lake Hill Farm, and see the mountain that anchors both the story and the scenery.

Experience Ghost of Yōtei in a New Way

Join the Ghost of Yōtei Hokkaido Tour on Klook and immerse yourself in the beauty and culture of Hokkaido. Whether you’re a fan of the game or a curious traveller, this tour offers a unique opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the developers and discover the inspiration behind the adventure.

Ghost of Yōtei Giveaway Campaign

To celebrate the partnership between PlayStation and Klook, we’re launching the Experience Ghost of Yōtei Campaign! Here’s how you can participate:

• Watch the Campaign Video
  Pay close attention to the video below and follow the instructions in this post for a chance to win a Ghost of Yōtei Collector’s Edition, a Klook travel voucher (worth USD 100), or exclusive Ghost of Yōtei merchandise.

• Photo Mode Giveaway
  There will be two giveaway campaigns where you can share your in-game shots that capture the spirit of the Beauty and the Hunt to stand a chance to win Ghost of Yōtei Collector’s Edition, Ghost of Yōtei Limited Edition Peripherals, a Klook travel voucher (worth USD 100) or Ghost of Yōtei merchandise set. Sharpen your photo mode skills and get ready to capture your best moments once Ghost of Yōtei launches on PS5 on October 2, 2025. Visit the campaign website for more details and follow @PlayStationAsia on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

Ready to Begin Your Journey?

Explore Hokkaido, celebrate its rich culture, and experience Ghost of Yōtei like never before. Book your spot on the curated day tour via Klook and join the adventure!