Monster Hunter Wilds: hands-on report

I recently had the opportunity to play Monster Hunter Wilds, the next installment in the hunting action series Monster Hunter, and take on a single-player quest to hunt the fanged beast Doshaguma. 

Seamless, load-free traversal

Handler Alma gives players a quest to hunt down Doshaguma in the Windward Plains. Players can now take two weapons into a quest, so I selected a Switch Axe and a Light Bowgun, securing a versatile tactic of both close and long-range combat.

Once prepared, I embarked on a journey to the Windward Plains on my very own ridable Seikret. Expecting a familiar loading screen, I was instead greeted by a seamless transition into the field. That’s right, base camp is now seamlessly integrated into the game’s vast world.

Riding the nimble, invaluable Seikret

The Seikret boasts an autopilot option, which gave me a hands-free ride to the location Alma marked on my map. The beast of burden’s ability to traverse rough terrain reminded me of the Jagras and Kestodon companions from Monster Hunter World.

Even in autopilot mode, players retain control over the Seikret with the left analog stick, allowing them to deviate from the path if they spot something that piques their interest. Once done exploring, the Seikret will resume its automated journey to the Doshaguma’s locale. I was pleasantly surprised that I could still collect items and wield weapons while riding my mount..

Large Dung Pods repel packs of monsters

Upon arriving at the destination, I was met by a pack of Doshaguma, the largest of these  being the quest target. After I landed a hit on the boss, the rest of the pack instantly stampeded me. Dealing with multiple monsters and the boss simultaneously added to the challenge of this hunt.

To break up the pack, the newly introduced Large Dung Pods are deemed highly effective. Firing the stinky pod at the pack causes a noxious explosion that breaks the group up. After a quick chuckle at the humorous sight of the repulsed monsters, it was time to give chase.. With a whistle I called my feathered mount – who remains nearby during my clash – back to my side. Back in the saddle, I resumed my hunt. 

SOS flare summons NPC support hunters

While on my hunt for Doshaguma with Palico, an SOS Flare tutorial popped up on the screen. Existing Monster Hunter players know an SOS Flare allows players to recruit other players during quests for multiplayer play. However, in Wilds, you can enjoy the same feature and also summon NPC hunters. I’m sure Wild players will find this unique feature—allowing them to enjoy a four-player multiplayer challenge, even when playing solo—quite refreshing.

New Wound System and Focus Mode elevate the hunt

When attacking the Doshaguma with the Slash Axe, I noticed glowing red spots began to form at the impact points and quickly learned that targeting these weakpoints dealt significantly more damage. Holding the L2 trigger to activate the Focus Mode effectively maximizes the damage. In Focus Mode, a targeting reticle on the screen and a red highlight on the monster’s wounds make it easier to aim, and players can also wield a special Focus Strike for extensive damage. 

Switching between weapons made easy

I didn’t forget to test my other weapon, the Light Bowgun. In Wilds, weapons can be switched even while riding the Seikret. As mentioned, the Seikret can be summoned with a whistle amid combat, and players can switch weapons with the right directional-button while riding on its back. In addition to these remarkable features, players can now use healing items or a whetstone while riding this reliable companion. 

The L2 trigger, which previously activated the Aiming Mode for ranged weapons like the Light Bowgun in Monster Hunter World, now also functions as the new Focus Mode in the upcoming title. Players familiar with the Light Bowgun will likely adapt to this new Focus Mode rather quickly. When aiming a monster’s wound, landing a significant hit triggers a notification for wound destruction, creating an exemplary chance for additional attacks on the incapacitated monster.

Dramatic hunting in sandstorms 

As I pursued my Doshaguma target, the weather took an unexpected turn, plunging me into a sandstorm. While it’s unclear if the hunting progress had anything to do with this change, the darkening skies and rumbling thunder heightened the thrill of the hunt’s impending climax.Lightning striking the ground nearby also caught me completely off guard. I assume that the ability to adapt to weather changes is a key factor in successful hunts.


Although my time hunting down and ultimately defeating the Doshaguma was short, I was able to experience pleasant and seamless traversal, break up packs, play with support hunters, test out the new Wound System and Focus Mode, switch weapons, and witness drastic weather changes during the playtime. I’m excited to see what other Monster Hunter Wilds information Capcom is planning to share ahead of its 2025 release.

Floatopia is coming to PS5 in 2025

Hello, PlayStation community! I’m Zane, the Lead Game Designer of Floatopia. Today, we’re thrilled to show you the World Premiere trailer for a new life simulation game where you travel in a superpowered world and meet new friends. We look forward to bringing Floatopia to the PlayStation community and joining you on your journey above the clouds.


Floatopia is coming to PS5 in 2025

Embark on a journey in the clouds

Our story is set in a fantastical world filled with superpowers that can be acquired through just a phone call. Unfortunately as the protagonist, you find that all the best superpowers in the world have already been taken, leaving you with – well, frankly, the much less impressive ones. This situation has led you into a dead end job, and you feel marginalized and underappreciated. But, by chance, you come across a floating island and there, you join others with similarly “useless” superpowers. Together, you embark on a healing journey, exploring the new chapters of your lives.

This world is made up of unique miniature toys with an art style that is bright, fresh, and full of fantasy. It feels as if you handcrafted it piece by piece. Here, you will see residents that look like figurines, houses made from milk cartons, and stations seemingly crafted from clouds. We have put a great deal of effort into the details of this magical world, utilizing high-quality rendering techniques, exquisite material details, and delicate lighting… These elements work together to showcase the game’s unique miniature world, creating a believable and immersive experience.

In Floatopia, you can travel with your own island to explore various fantastical realms. We integrate fantasy elements based on different regional cultures and natural landscapes, and plan to regularly update the game with new realms for a rich and novel experience.

Let’s build a beautiful life together

We hope that beyond traveling, you can truly “live” in Floatopia. Here, you can meet residents with unique superpowers and personalities, and share in the joy of becoming friends! The game also features whimsical fauna and flora, magical crops with superpowers, and much more. As long as you keep exploring, you’ll encounter countless wonders and adventures.

We want you to unleash your creativity. Our diverse themed decorations offer a high degree of freedom in gameplay, allowing you to build an island that’s uniquely yours.

We’ve designed numerous natural opportunities in Floatopia for you to connect with strangers and build friendships. Of course, you can also invite your friends to throw a party and fully enjoy your time together! 

A delightful and healing journey

Our vision is to create a whimsical, heartwarming, and fantastical world through the continuous release of engaging, high-quality, and cross-platform content. We aim to provide you with a relaxing and joyful dream vacation in Floatopia. Let’s embark on this journey together!

Floatopia will be arriving on PS5 in 2025, and we can’t wait to share more exciting news with you! Thank you for your support. See you then.

Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero – creating the Majin Buu saga

Joining us today is the main producer of the highly anticipated game Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero Jun Furutani. This game has generated a lot of buzz in the gaming community, and we are thrilled to talk with him about it.

In Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, the team has taken this legacy series to new heights. Today, we have the privilege of peeking into the creative process behind the game, exploring the inspirations and challenges the team faced during development, and getting an inside look at what makes this installment so unique.

To understand the challenges behind this project, we will be asking Jun Furutani some questions about characters from the iconic Majin Buu saga, which will be playable for the first time in Europe at Gamescom 2024, giving attendees a first-hand experience of these beloved transformations and abilities. With that in mind, let’s dive into the details and explore what makes these characters and their transformations so special!

What challenges did you face when animating Majin Buu’s unique abilities and transformations?

First, the characters that can transform are getting stronger in the game. That’s why we have made adjustments that allow you to experience them in terms of tactile comfort, such as their speed and number of attacks, as well as their status.

However, it has been difficult to adjust so as not to upset the overall balance of the game, partly because of the large number of characters. Majin Buu has many special moves, and compared to human characters, he has many unusual movements, such as extending his arms and making his body look like a ball, so it was a little challenging. Hope you will pay attention to those points as well.

How did you ensure that the game’s combat system reflects the intensity of the Majin Buu Arc battles?

What we value is the recreation of the actions depicted in the original work. Many techniques of the characters active in the Majin Buu arc are modeled after scenes from the story. For example, Ultimate Gohan’s normal attack movements are based on his fight with Super Buu, and he has a special throw that only activates when fighting Super Buu. We have paid attention to these details so that players can recreate the original scenes and experience the excitement firsthand.

Are there any unique interactions between Majin Buu Arc characters and other characters in the game?

There are special interactions between certain characters before and after battles, and in this game, there are also characters who have interactions with characters from Dragon Ball Super. We hope you will enjoy these elements as you have in previous games.

How did you approach the storytelling for the Majin Buu Arc within the Episode Battle mode?

It’s not limited to the Majin Buu arc, but in order to deepen the experience of playing as a character, you can enjoy challenging battles against powerful enemies, and in some scenes, you can see a special ending depending on the outcome of the battle. I hope this feature will have everyone who plays wondering “What would have happened if I had done this in that battle?” and that leads them to try something new next time!

What are you most proud of in terms of the Majin Buu Arc content in Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero?

This may overlap with the previous question, but I would like you to pay attention to the detailed reproducibility of the action. I would like everyone to experience the fun of fighting through a famous scene firsthand.

How did you handle the portrayal of Majin Buu’s absorption abilities in the game?

The performance is short, but like the original work, it is designed to highlight the absorbed character. Not only do Buu’s character and techniques change, but you can also enjoy reversals in a battle like those in the story, with status boosts and ki recovery.

What was the inspiration behind the visual effects for the Majin Buu Arc characters’ attacks?

We have heavily referenced the original anime, especially scenes with distinctive actions that differ from normal movements. For example, when Super Saiyan 3 Goku deflects Majin Buu’s Kamehameha using both hands, we incorporated it into the game. In the game, when deflecting a Kamehameha with Super Perception, Goku uses both hands, unlike other characters.

Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, the first entry in the Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi series in more than 15 years will be released October 11 on PlayStation 5, with early access opening on the October 8 when pre-ordering the Deluxe and Ultimate editions. The game is now available for both physical and digital pre-order.

Little Nightmares III: co-op gameplay detailed in new trailer

In Little Nightmares III, players follow the journey of Low & Alone, two best friends looking for a way out of the Nowhere.

Trapped within the Spiral, a cluster of distorted areas within the Nowhere, they will have to work together to survive in a dangerous world full of delusions and escape the grasp of an even greater threat lurking in the shadows.

Little Nightmares III returns to Gamescom with a brand-new trailer, highlighting the synergies between the two characters and teasing new environments to explore!


Little Nightmares III: co-op gameplay detailed in new trailer

Co-operative features and new puzzle-solving mechanics

Little Nightmares III is the first game in the franchise to feature 2 players online co-operation. The latest trailer shows some of the co-operative gameplay mechanics that will be useful when players play together in co-op, or solo with the other character controlled by AI. 

Low and Alone, the two playable characters, are both best friends and very complementary. They each have an iconic item: the bow for Low and the wrench for Alone. 

Working together will be key to progress in the game. For example, in the trailer we see that Low can bring down smaller enemies with his bow, while Alone has to finish them off on the ground with her wrench. 

You can also see Low put his bow to good use at the end of the trailer, saving Alone from the petrifying glare of Monster Baby. 

However, teamwork isn’t only about using items. It is also about clearing the way for your partner so they can help you move forward in turn. You’ll need to be proactive and take initiative for both of you to make it through. 

“The relationship between the two characters is very strong, and we were keen to explore that bond in the game. It is even more relevant when we see them working together to escape the many threats that make up the Nowhere”, mentioned Wayne Garland, Little Nightmares III Game Director at Supermassive Games.

New settings, faithful to Little Nightmares’ atmosphere

Teamwork is at the heart of the trailer, but it’s not the only new thing players will experience as they play through the game’s compelling story. By including co-op, we wanted to offer something fresh for the players, unique to Little Nightmares III, while retaining the beautifully disturbing atmosphere of the series. 

You’ll feel it in the new environments, which are full of mysteries and revelations. You’ll also find the same tension and suspense as these two charming new characters face even greater risks than before, searching for a glimmer of hope in a world filled with darkness.

Necropolis is a good example of a new type of location in the game. In spite of its abandoned state and warm desert colors, the city feels eerie and unsettling. Don’t be fooled by this windswept, brightly lit environment. Danger is everywhere, and Monster Baby is easily roused when new toys tumble into her crib… 

In the trailer, you can also spot a variety of other regions of the Nowhere, each one more unsettling than the last. Some of them might be reminiscent of places you might have explored in previous Little Nightmares games, like dank and gloomy vents and the gears and pistons of pitiless machinery. Some are more unfamiliar, like a rickety Ferris wheel, a shadowy circus tent, or a massive, complex clockwork mechanism. 

You’ll have to be patient before we can tell you more about these places and their inhabitants! More news about Little Nightmares III will be revealed in the near future, so stay together, little ones.

Little Nightmares III will be released in 2025 on PS5 and PS4.

Sonic x Shadow Generations interview: Shadow the Hedgehog’s new Doom Powers detailed

The launch of Sonic x Shadow Generations is coming fast this October, and everyone is curious to know more about Shadow the Hedgehog’s new Doom Powers!


Sonic x Shadow Generations interview: Shadow the Hedgehog’s new Doom Powers detailed

The team just released a trailer all about the Doom Powers, highlighting each unique ability and how they provide new twists for Shadow’s platforming and combat. The trailer also showcased gameplay from new stages calling back to fan-favorites such as Chaos Island from Sonic Frontiers and Radical Highway from Sonic Adventure 2, as well as iconic boss challenges like Metal Overlord from Sonic Heroes. Eagle-eyed viewers might also catch a glimpse of the reimagined hub world, White Space, where players will get the opportunity to test out and master Shadow’s new moves while they explore, unlock stages, and uncover collectibles.

We got together with Sonic Team Creative Officer, Takashi Iizuka, to chat on why this game was the perfect opportunity to give Shadow new abilities, and how they offer new, action-packed ways of navigating different stages and boss battles.

Why are Shadow’s Doom Powers important to the story and gameplay?

Iizuka-san: In terms of gameplay, the team wanted to make Shadow Generations’ action more unique to differentiate it from what Sonic can do, so we added the Doom Powers. Shadow’s new powers are essential because they give him new ways to attack enemies and traverse the world, giving our team more to build upon in each stage’s level design. While we can’t share much about the story, the Doom Powers play an essential role in Shadow’s journey and development throughout his campaign, giving him more powers to save the world. Shadow receives these when he awakens to the power of darkness in the game, so players will see how closely they tie into the narrative when the game comes out later this year.

How did you choose the final selection of Doom Powers we see in the game? Why were these powers right for Shadow?

Iizuka-san: Shadow is a dark, anti-hero character, so the Doom Powers had to embody a sense of danger and mystery that can be seen in Shadow’s actions and movements. The level designers also incorporated many ways the Doom Powers can be used in this platform action game, so they are not just additional combat moves. Shadow can use Doom Powers to platform around the world.

How are these powers different from Shadow’s existing powers in previous games?

Iizuka-san: When designing the levels in Shadow Generations, we wanted to make the most of Shadow’s existing move, Chaos Control, which enables him to find new platforms to run through each stage and find new ways of attacking bosses. However, with only Chaos Control, the core of Shadow’s gameplay is very similar to what Sonic can do, so we introduced the Doom Powers to give the game more unique action. Not only does it increase the variety of things you can do in the platform action stages, but it also allows for great exploration and traversal abilities in the 3D White Space Hub World for Shadow.

What was the design process like when conceptualizing the idea and designing the look of each power?

Iizuka-san: The idea for the Doom Powers came up when we realized we needed to give Shadow new abilities and powers to create new gameplay formats. It was important to provide Shadow abilities that Sonic can’t do to make the action more enjoyable, while ensuring each power reflects his dark, anti-hero character. As the name suggests, the Doom Powers draw energy from Black Doom, so that was taken into consideration in the design of all the Doom Powers.

What Doom Powers are you most excited for fans to experience?

Iizuka-san: Doom Wing, the black wings that come out of Shadow in the Summer Game Fest trailer, was an impactful idea early in the design process, so we wanted to make it the coolest looking of all the Doom Powers. The wings that come out of Shadow make you think of a devil, which goes well with Shadow’s dark hero elements and allows us to present something cool and new, something we couldn’t do with Sonic.

Sonic fans – get ready to embrace Shadow’s dark side and use his new power to take on Black Doom and save the world! When the game launches this fall, be sure to try out all different kinds of paths and methods with each Doom Power to find new ways of completing each stage and battle.

Sonic x Shadow Generations is available for pre-order now starting at $49.99 on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 consoles. To learn more about various pre-order incentives, head to PlayStation Store or Sonic x Shadow Generations official website. Fans who buy the Digital Deluxe Edition can play the game three days early and receive additional content.

Unbeatable: new song and immersive PS5 gameplay detailed for the rhythm-based anime adventure

Unbeatable is a stunning hand-drawn anime-inspired rhythm adventure game. Experience what it means to be a band on the run – music is illegal in this world, but you won’t let that stop you. Follow Beat & her bandmates through their journey of self-discovery blending live song performances, spectacular set pieces and quirky rhythm challenges.

Explore a detailed open world and engage in branching conversations with several unique characters. Featuring a 100% original soundtrack alongside guest tracks and musical collaborations.

After revealing the game this summer with the memorable track “Memorize” (You see what we did there?) We are now excited to highlight a brand new track here on the PS Blog.

Introducing “Future People”


Unbeatable: new song and immersive PS5 gameplay detailed for the rhythm-based anime adventure

How do we even come up with new songs like this? Well, best to ask Clara Maddux, who is one half of the band Peak Divide who provides all the music for the game.

Has anyone seen Clara?

Oh there she is!


“Hi hi!! I’m Clara! I focus on a lot of the songwriting for Unbeatable. Since the music for the game is inherently intertwined with the narrative, the sound team has made an effort to squeeze as much emotional juice as we can from our collective musical brains to compliment it.

For me personally, I’ll try to find something in my life that parallels a story beat I’m writing music for. Most of the noodling I do before a song takes form is honestly just figuring out what that connection is, but once I’m able to picture it in my head, it’s much easier to relate to a character and tap into what they might be feeling.

Sometimes I’ll even just make a song to process emotions and then suddenly, oops, it’s an Unbeatable song because we’ve found a way to tie it into the story. Hopefully that just means the songs turn out all the more meaningful!!”

Clara Maddux, Composer & Musician, D-Cell Games


See! Clara knows about this stuff.

Anyway, Unbeatable isn’t just about cranking up the tempo and shredding through tracks—it’s about getting you into the rhythm. The newly dropped track “Future People” proves just that, by flipping the script with a slower, more melodic groove that expands the game’s killer soundtrack. This track isn’t just versatile—it’s a curveball that forces you to rethink your rhythm game strategy. Who says rhythm games have to be all speed and no soul? With “Future People,” it’s all about getting into the zone, savoring every note, and owning the moment.

That doesn’t mean you can’t kick it up a notch though, increasing the difficulty will keep you on your toes (and maybe make you break a sweat).

Just remember, playing on normal is perfectly fine, we’re not here to judge, we’re here to make you bob your head and make you feel something.

The world pulses to (the) beat

In Unbeatable, music isn’t just the soundtrack—it’s the lifeblood of the world. As Beat, the game’s relentless protagonist, you’re not just moving through a city— you’re completely in tune as every step is in sync with the underground rhythms that defy the silence imposed by the no-fun-allowed regime. The world around you doesn’t just echo with the beat; it drives you forward, like a rebellious marching band, that refuses to be silenced.

Sense the beat

You want special features? We’ve got special features! Feel the heartbeat of the city in your hands with the haptic feedback features of the DualSense controller.

Feel the heartbeat of the city in your hands with the haptic feedback features of the Duel Sense controller. You can literally (figuratively) keep your finger on the pulse during your playthrough for that extra level of (music notes emoji) Immersion (Music notes emoji).

The adaptive triggers also come into play during some of the mini-games, to really make you feel like you’re sticking it to the man. Or wall, like, when you stick posters on the wall, specifically.

This is of course only a glimpse of what we have in store for Unbeatable so keep an eye out for more killer (news) beats.

Unbeatable will launch on PS5 in 2025.

Silent Hill 2 hands-on report

Silent Hill 2, a remake of the iconic 2001 PS2 survival horror game, takes players on a journey as the main protagonist, James Sunderland. Venture through the mostly deserted town of Silent Hill, a place filled with memories of his late wife Mary, as he comes to terms with these memories while encountering monsters and a cast of characters. The remake launches on PS5 October 8.

I recently had the opportunity to play the highly-anticipated remake. Join me for a chilling recap that stretches from the opening scene to the imposing boss encounter with Red Pyramid Thing (a.k.a. Pyramid Head).


Silent Hill 2 hands-on report

The story begins in a grimy public restroom

The game begins with James recollecting the content of the letter he received from his deceased wife in the dimly lit public restroom of the observation deck at the outskirts of Silent Hill. Back in 2001, the level of dirt and detritus in this bathroom was a high-watermark for realistic, atmospheric visuals in games.

At first glance, I noticed that although the public restroom was almost proportionally identical to the original, it looked more detailed and realistic, with graffiti and scribbles on the walls, dirty floors, and a filthy toilet bowl. This instilled eeriness as if to foreshadow the grueling journey that James was about to embark on.

A new, immersive over-the-shoulder perspective

The first thing that struck me when I started the game was the new over-the-shoulder perspective. While the original’s overhead perspective felt like I was watching a movie, the remake’s updated view put me closer to James’ point of view, supporting greater immersion and the feeling of being in Silent Hill. 3D Audio also deepens the immersion, making swishing leaves and James’ footsteps feel audibly real.

Thickening fog shrouding James’ state of mind

In the original game, the observation deck in the opening scene was shrouded in fog, whereas in the view is clear in the remake. At first… As James approaches the town the fog grows denser, almost symbolizing his state of mind and evoking anxiety in the player.

The first area that James visits is the eastern district of Silent Hill. At first the in-game map didn’t look much different from what I had remembered in the original, but I was soon proven wrong. The houses, apartments, shops, and other buildings are dramatically improved, with intricate details that were not present in the original. The detailed chairs, flowerpots, abandoned trash, and other props all faithfully recreat the ambiance of the fog-shrouded streets of Silent Hill.

The more explorable buildings add more fun

As I was exploring the town, I was surprised to find that the remake boasted more buildings James could go into compared to the original. In some instances, he had to smash window panes to break into the building. Ammunition and recovery items were hidden inside, making exploration vital and, at the same time, more rewarding. However, the monsters lurking inside these buildings meant I had to stay vigilant and engaged, adding an extra layer of challenge to the game.

Intense, up-close-and-personal combat

Fighting the terrible creatures of Silent Hill feels entirely different from the original. Monsters in earlier stages of the 2001 original are rather passive and can bludgeoned to death without much recourse.  In the remake, some enemies can now counterattack between player’s attacks. Successfully dodging these counterattacks and timing retaliation have adds a new engaging later to gameplay. The new, over-the-shoulder perspective also gives players a closer look at the grotesque foes.

Puzzles that challenge your wisdom and observation skills

The Silent Hill series is celebrated in the Silent Hill series, and that aspect of gameplay is present in both the 2001 original Silent Hill 2 and the remake. I had a chance to play new puzzles where I had to collect multiple items to combine in order to solve them. Still, I encountered puzzles with clever references to the original, so I’m sure this will bring joy to fans of the original Silent Hill 2 and offer them something new to solve. It is also good to know, for those who are not avid puzzle solvers, that the difficulty level for puzzles can be set separately from that of game action elements such as combat level.

Newly renovated apartments

Remember the Wood Side Apartment and the Blue Creek Apartment from the beginning of the story? Well, their layouts have changed significantly from the original version. While the overall story remains the same, the locations where James finds items and puzzles and encounters enemies are entirely different, consequently challenging returning players to come up with a new approach for the remake.

Fans of the 2001 original remember loading screens when traversing between rooms. In the remake James can seamlessly move around the building. But be careful when dashing into a room. I was so focused on making progress that I was ambushed by a monster that made me jump.

Frantic Pyramid Head

The Pyramid Head encounter at the end of the apartment has also evolved significantly. James confronts the humanoid monster in a larger, more intense warehouse-like area than the original’s small room. Watching the iconic villain stalk towards you while dragging his massive, sparking blade across the ground is still an intimidating sight.

Pyramid Head’s movements and attacks are fairly slow. Staying calm is key to dodging its attacks or maintaining a safe distance. However, each blow from Pyramid Head is devastating, as I discovered when it swung its arm and sent James flying through the air.

As my time at the event was limited, I’m sure there must be some highlights that I missed. But for now, I will have to wait to explore every nook and cranny of the streets and buildings of Silent Hill until it launches on PS5 October 8.

Share of the Week: Essential Items

Last week, we asked you to dive into your inventory to share essential items from your favorite games using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights:

call_me_xavii shares Alan holding the angel lamp light clicker from Alan Wake II.

laya_photo shares a detailed close up of Kratos’ weapons in God of War Ragnarök.

sorathluna shares Jin’s katana blade held out near a butterfly in Ghost of Tsushima.

Valkyrion126 shares Eve holding a master core from Stellar Blade.

RhodWulfLeon shares a close up shot of Aloy’s Focus being used in Horizon Forbidden West.

horace0816 shares the P-Organ from Lies of P.

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: Teachers
SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on August 21, 2024

Next week, we’re going back to school and shining a light on gaming mentors. Share moments with characters that teach or impart knowledge from the game of your choice using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

Genshin Impact welcomes the sixth major nation of Teyvat with version 5.0 going live August 28

Greetings, Travelers! As Genshin Impact approaches its fifth year, we are excited to welcome the sixth major nation of Teyvat — Natlan, in the upcoming version 5.0 Flowers Resplendent on the Sun-Scorched Sojourn going live on August 28. Known as the Nation of War or the Nation of Pyro where Saurians have lived alongside humans since time immemorial, Natlan and her people are distinguished from other nations not only by their unique tribal traditions and natural environments, but also by their agility and their unparalleled movement capabilities blessed by the power of Pyro. Today, we’ll share some useful tips to help you explore this new region like a local or in the form of a Saurian!

We would also like to invite all Travelers who have completed Archon Quest Prologue: Act III Song of Dragon and Freedom in Mondstadt to visit Natlan using an unlocked Teleport Waypoint located at its entrance. Travelers who reached Adventure Rank 28 or above who have completed the Archon Quest Chapter I: Act III A New Star Approaches in Liyue can move on to the Archon Quests in Natlan without having to first complete the prerequisite quests of other nations.

Become a Saurian

The dragons in Natlan are called Saurians, and they are the result of a long evolution and coexisting with humans. Located west of the Desert of Hadramaveth in Sumeru, Natlan has a varied panorama ranging from canyons and cliffs to flowing waters and hot springs, and even dangerous volcanoes. Version 5.0 will offer the opportunity to meet three of the six local tribes, the Children of Echoes, the Scions of the Canopy, and the People of the Springs, to discover how their members move in steep and difficult-to-cross landscapes thanks to their respective Saurians.

For reasons that are still unclear, Travelers are unable to unlock the power of the Pyro element upon their arrival in Natlan, but you will be able to transform yourself into a Saurian temporarily by indwelling them or their Spiritsconce to roam around during your adventure!

The first Saurian you may indwell is a Tepetlisaurus. They are faithful companions taken in by the Children of Echoes, the tribe known for its expert miners and talented dancers inside the canyon. Transforming into a Tepetlisaurus allows you to burrow underground and climb cliffs. By indwelling a Yumkasaurus, you will be able to move travel through mid-air swiftly, reach high places with ease, and experience for yourself why the Scions of the Canopy that hang from steep cliffs with ropes, adore these Saurians as extreme sports enthusiasts. If you approach the People of the Springs, a laidback tribe who is known for their hot springs, try indwelling the Koholasarus to take a dip in the water, hot springs, and even the flowing Phlogiston streams in the air.

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Use a new resource

In the Nation of Pyro, the Pyro element can materialize as a unique resource known as Phlogiston. Phlogiston comes in different forms and can be utilized by the locals as a brand-new resource in movement or combat. Once you indwell a Saurian, you may notice that your skills will consume a separate Phlogiston bar located to the right of your Saurian form. Natlan’s characters also have a Phlogiston bar which appears above their HP bar. Throughout your journey, you may come across Phlogiston, either as harvestable resources, or useful tools such as the Spiritways of flowing Phlogiston, offering fast tracks to the Koholasarus and warriors from the People of the Springs to travel.

Warriors of Natlan can further enhance their abilities through the ancient ritual of Phlogiston Engravings, and thus gain the Nightsoul’s Blessing. Glowing patterns will appear on characters under the influence of the Nightsoul’s Blessing, granting them an advantage in combat.

Team up with local warriors

As the Nation of War, Natlan has experienced countless crises and dangers in numerous battles in which both locals and Saurians have fought valiantly. The Ancient Names of brave warriors are passed down from generation to generation to honor their legacy. At the Stadium of the Sacred Flame, each of the six tribes designates a Champion from among the greatest warriors who make up its ranks, and we will have the opportunity to recruit three of them from the Children of Echoes, the Scions of the Canopy, and the People of the Springs. Each of these Champions is distinguished by unique traits and abilities reflecting their tribe.

Our first companion from Natlan is Kachina, a four-star Geo polearm wielder from the Children of Echoes. Not only will we meet her from the very beginning of our journey, we can even recruit her for free as a reward for completing Act I of Natlan’s Archon Quest. Kachina is able to summon Turbo Twirly and ride it to scale walls and cliffs in daily exploration, and also unleash ground-slam attacks to deal AoE Geo DMG in combat.

Kinich, famous for his hunting skills in the Scions of the Canopy, is a five-star Dendro claymore warrior who wields the grappling hook expertly, so as to swiftly swing through the air and easily reach great heights, or link to enemies and perform Loop Shots to deal significant damage. Interestingly, Kinich is accompanied by the Almighty Dragonlord, Ajaw, who is capable of unleashing dragon-breaths at intervals to deal AoE Dendro DMG when Kinich casts his Elemental Burst.

If you’re visiting the People of the Springs, Mualani, the owner of a watersports equipment store and a renowned local tour guide, is your ideal companion. Fond of watersports including swimming, surfing, and beach volleyball, this five-star Hydro catalyst wielder can mount her Sharky Surfboard and quickly move across water, liquid Phlogiston, and flat ground. In combat, as Mualani surfs around on her Sharky Surfboard, she can mark enemies in her path and inflict Sharky’s Bites on them, dealing increased Hydro DMG after multiple hits.

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Natlan’s three playable characters are able to locate and mark local specialties, which benefits their entire party while interacting with certain harvestable items: Kachina can restore Stamina, Kinich can increase Movement Speed, and Mualani can restore Phlogiston. In version 5.0’s Event Wishes, Mualani and Kachina will debut in the first phase along with Kaedehara Kazuha’s rerun, and Kinich’s debut will come with the Raiden Shogun in the later phase.

Try the Tribal Chronicles

To better unveil the history and heroic tales of each tribe, the Reputation System returns to Natlan through the Tribal Chronicles, a new series of three-act narrative quests for each tribe that weaves together traditions, stories, and people that replaces the Story Quests in Natlan. Visit each tribe’s Obsidian Totem Pole to unlock their Tribal Chronicles, as well as their Bounties and Supply Notices. Completing these Tribal Chronicles not only provides a deeper and immersive understanding of the customs and culture of different tribes but also earns Tribe Reputation EXP and rewards for the corresponding tribe.

In addition, World Quests, exciting stories, as well as Archon Quests await you in Natlan with many surprises and rewards. However, we will leave Travelers to explore all this new content at their own pace. The Sacred Flame burns with an incandescent glow, and ignites the hearts of the brave! We look forward to seeing you in-game when Genshin Impact version 5.0 goes live August 28!

Full details on Marvel x Fortnite Battle Royale Chapter 5 Season 4: Absolute Doom, live today

Marvel’s diabolical despot Doctor Doom has seized a foothold on the Battle Royale Island after obtaining the devastating power of Pandora’s Box. Whatever it takes, Doctor Doom and his army of loyal henchmen must be defeated! Join Marvel Heroes Gwenpool, the Wakandan royal Shuri, and War Machine to defend against Doctor Doom’s legions in Fortnite Battle Royale Chapter 5 Season 4: Absolute Doom available today!


Full details on Marvel x Fortnite Battle Royale Chapter 5 Season 4: Absolute Doom, live today

Battle against Doom’s domain

Take on Doctor Doom’s domains, and the legions guarding them, in new POIs stationed around the map.

Castle Doom emerges

Castle Doom casts dark shadows over the island, with its forge burning hotter as Doctor Doom’s empowered armor inches closer to completion. Time is of the essence, Heroes.

The nearby Doom’s Courtyard Landmark.

Battle at The Raft

Doctor Doom has summoned The Raft to the Island, in a bid to recruit like-minded allies amongst a prison of extraterrestrial threats and supervillains.

Inside of The Raft.

Explore Doomstadt

Doctor Doom governs over the Latverian village of Doomstadt from his castle on high, surveilling all within his dominion.

The nearby Fractured Four Landmark.

Doctor Doom’s henchmen have begun excavating the Island in search of artifacts. When downed, they can be persuaded to change their minds and fight alongside you. Everyone deserves a second chance.

Suit up, Heroes

Our heroes brought a whole lot of firepower to stop Doctor Doom’s assault.  

Gauntlets vs Shield

Rain havoc from the palms of your hands with Doom’s Arcane Gauntlets, back and better than ever. A suitable counter is charging into battle with Captain America’s Shield, now unvaulted and updated with new capabilities.

Grab the Dual Micro SMGs

Embrace the spray to make quick work of foes with the Dual Micro SMGs, which comes in a potent pink Mythic version after a rendezvous with Gwenpool. Two guns are definitely better than one. 

Equip War Machine’s Arsenal, Auto Turret & Hover Jets

Discover the latest in human-platform weapon systems. Unleash a hailstorm of bullets and rockets at your enemies with War Machine’s Arsenal, shoulder-mount War Machine’s Auto Turret for supporting fire, and turn the tide of battle from above with War Machine’s Hover Jets. 

Let loose a missile barrage to blast through enemy defenses.

Stock up on firepower and Medallions

Your rivals best prepare for their… doom. Hit them with pinpoint precision by taking aim with the Monarch Pistol. Track down and eliminate the Doombot in the Castle Doom throne room to get your hands on the Mythic version. Be sure to also grab the Siphon Medallion, which grants health and Shield Siphon from eliminating opponents.

Thaw out the Striker Burst

The Striker Burst Rifle returns in moddable form. Recapture the Raft prison and claim victory over the pristine Emma Frost to earn the Mythic version and her Reveal Medallion. This Medallion occasionally reveals the location of nearby enemies!

Blast-away Shotgun 

Also surgical when aiming down sight is the Sovereign Shotgun, a trusty boomstick for the mid-range fight. Defeating Mysterio in Doomstadt will reward you the Mythic version and his Stealth Medallion, which gives temporary invisibility while crouched.

Carry-over weapons cache

Several weapons have been unvaulted for Absolute Doom. The Striker Burst Rifle, Shockwave Grenade, and more are at your disposal. 

Jump into the action with the Absolute Doom Battle Pass

Earn XP across Fortnite Battle Royale, creator-made islands, LEGO Fortnite, Rocket Racing, and Fortnite Festival to unlock rewards in the Absolute Doom Battle Pass, available for 950 V-Bucks. You can earn up to 1,500 V-Bucks back by leveling it up, as well as some pretty super Outfits: 

  • Gwenpool (unlocked right away!): “I played the Galactus Event. That makes me an Avenger, right?”
  • War Machine: Ace pilot, military veteran, and trusted armored ally of Tony Stark.
  • Peelverine: Nanamantium-infused skeleton with a ripen-eration mutant ability.
  • Emma Frost: A devious and brilliant mutant psychic with an unbreakable will.
  • Captain Jonesy: Take up the shield of justice.
  • Mysterio: An inventive supervillain with illusions of grandeur.
  • Shuri: The genius Princess of Wakanda and current Black Panther.

Doom’s Outfit will be earnable from Battle Pass Quests starting in September, where you can take up the mantle of the mad Doctor himself. The Absolute Doom Battle Pass will be available to progress in until November 1 at 11PM PT / November 2 @ 2 AM ET.