Category: PlayStation

Today is my lucky day because I get to talk about Tomba with legendary creator Tokuro Fujiwara. Before leaving Capcom to develop Tomba, Fujiwara worked on many games, including some you might have heard of, like Mega Man, Resident Evil, and Commando. 

Tomba is a colorful action platformer originally published by Sony Computer Entertainment and beloved by hardcore PlayStation fans. In an era where side-scrollers were being left behind for polygon-pushing 3D gameplay, Mr. Fujiwara decided to do something different: a beautiful blend of old and new, something truly unique.  

Now, after almost twenty years, Tomba returns to PlayStation on August 1 with new features as Tomba Special Edition

Alena Alambeigi: In 1997, when you made Tomba, most developers focused on making 3D games like Tomb Raider or Crash Bandicoot. You instead decided to mix 2D sprites with perspective-shifting 3D environments. Why?

Tokuro Fujiwara: Tomba runs on 3D technology, with gameplay designed around 2D principles. This is why it’s described as a 2.5D game. I think 2D games have a certain kind of charm that 3D doesn’t. I also wanted to push the limits of what could be done. To bring my vision to life, I needed to use 2D principles along with 3D CG visuals. This allowed me to create something that felt new on the PlayStation. 

There were times when I wondered if I should go 3D instead, 3D games have a very clear sense of space. In 2D, all the action takes place on a flat plane, and multiple layers provide a sense of depth. This means you have to design the game in creative ways so that the different layers don’t conflict. This results in something interesting that can only be achieved with 2D. 

Alambeigi: What do you hope new players will take away from Tomba Special Edition?

Fujiwara: Tomba has many side quests. These come in different varieties and are hidden throughout the game. I encourage players to seek them out. Various items allow players to learn new moves, expanding how levels can be beaten. I hope players search and seal away the Evil Pigs scattered throughout the world, which will unlock even more to see! There are many discoveries to be made. I hope players can relax and enjoy the world of Tomba.

Alambeigi: Speaking of genre-bending gameplay. Tomba feels like an open world despite being described as a side-scrolling platformer. This was largely due to how nonlinearly the levels could be played. Was this done intentionally, or was it something that just happened through development?

Fujiwara: I had envisioned this open-feel game from the very beginning. It was all a blur when things started, but as development progressed, it began taking shape. 

You could consider Tomba an open-world title, a term that was rarely used back then. There’s a wide area with a lot of different content in it. You encounter, discover, and collect various things as you move around. For example, you have to complete certain tasks in Tomba, but you can wander around freely and complete them however you like. Some tasks and main objectives can even be skipped entirely. Many of the ideas I envisioned for Tomba back in the day were ideas we see in open-world game design today.

I initially wanted to include 100 quests, but the final game exceeded that. It was hard work for the team to fit it all together on a timeline. What started out as vague ideas in my head ballooned into an amount of content so large it blew my mind!

Alambeigi: The original PlayStation was a massive leap in gaming technology. What was it like to experience it back then? 

Fujiwara: Game development is an ongoing battle against technology growth. This was the case back then and is still true today. I felt that the PlayStation was such a remarkable improvement in terms of hardware, allowing for greater possibilities. Games went from being rendered in pixels to CG. Game developers had to learn many new skills. Expectations ballooned along with the scope of game ideas. Development environments evolved, which made things challenging but exciting for developers. The introduction of the PlayStation and the advancements from that era still impact games today.

Alambeigi: Finally, why do you think it’s important to bring Tomba back now?

Fujiwara: Tomba has been around for a long time, but continues to be loved by many. I’ve long wished that the game could be accessible to more people on modern systems. Now that the opportunity is here, I think PlayStation fans today will get a ton of enjoyment out of Tomba 

Tomba Special Edition leaps onto PlayStation 5 on August 1, with PS4 to follow.

Last week we asked you take a leap in the game of your choice and share using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s jumping highlights:

DexM_ds shares Celene leaping over obstacles in Returnal.

sorathluna shares Jin leaping from his horse in Ghost of Tsushima

Hedronik shares Eivor making a leap of faith in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.

Dario_OtherEyes shares Yuffie leaping in Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade.

Tigas_VP shares a Cal leaping down to strike the Spawn of Oggdo in Star Wars Jedi Survivor

secondcapture shares the ballerina doing a graceful backflip in Bound.

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:  Hidden

SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on June 5, 2024

Next week, we’re going into sneak mode. Share moments where characters are hidden in the game of your choice using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

We are delighted to finally announce the launch date for Silent Hill 2. Since our first announcement in 2022, we have been met with passionate expectations from fans across the globe. In order to meet such high expectations, we have taken ample polishing time and carefully decided on when we would be able to deliver the game with confidence. This game is at its best, a remake with respect toward the original. We have revealed one gameplay movie and one new trailer to accompany the start of pre-orders, so please give it a look.

The 13-minute gameplay footage that we revealed during the Silent Hill 2 Transmission showcases exploration in the town and the hospital so that players will have a better idea of what actual gameplay will be like. The new trailer revealed during the PlayStation broadcast includes scenes with Angela and the Otherworld.

Play Video

Next up, Bloober Team Creative Director Mateusz Lenart talks through new gameplay and narrative details for Silent Hill 2.

Play Video

Silent Hill 2 Remake – What to expect

The original Silent Hill 2 ignited our imaginations. When we set out to create the remake, our main goal was to recapture that same spark by fully fleshing out Team Silent’s original vision using cutting-edge technology.

So how exactly does our remake compare to Konami’s original game? Let’s take a closer look under the hood to find out from the point of narrative and gameplay.

Narrative and gameplay

Story and characters

Silent Hill 2 is known for its gripping and multilayered storytelling, and that’s something we wanted to preserve in the remake. The setting of some events may change, but their impact on the story will remain the same. Even when new locations are introduced, we’ve sought to refer to the original whenever possible so that returning players will feel right at home when they venture out into the foggy streets of Silent Hill again.

The central characters from the original story, James and Maria, are at the heart of our remake as well. Their emotional arcs have been preserved, with great care being given to showcasing their emotions with motion capture technology. This allows us to employ “show, don’t tell” techniques more often, which is why some of the dialogue has been slightly altered to add an extra layer of nuance to the character dynamics.

As many fans are already aware, we did not use the original voices to create the remake. This was due to many factors, both creative and technical. Relying solely on preexisting dialogue would’ve been limiting and would mean that many gameplay improvements, such as player guidance, could not be introduced. Instead, we’ve decided to employ an all-new cast of voice actors who’ve brought their A-game to channel the performances of the original game. We believe that Luke Roberts and Salóme Gunnarsdóttir were born to play James and Maria, respectively, and both have approached their roles with the kind of care and nuance that the original characters deserve.

Camera and combat

Overall, we wanted players to feel more in control of James in our remake, while maintaining the pervasive feeling of dread that characterizes the original. Therefore, we decided to go with an over-the-shoulder camera that supports greater gameplay immersion and the feeling of being in the game’s space.

However, this does not mean that we are changing the style of the game itself. Players will still be afraid to venture out into the fog, where limited visibility provides ample cover for a variety of monsters lurking outside the player’s field of vision. Meanwhile, James’ radio builds tension and creates a sense of uncertainty about what is out there, waiting for them in the dark, and also provides helpful audio cues for players to base their movements on.

The combat in this remake is designed to allow for a wider variety of approaches – the player’s arsenal of actions has been expanded, while also preserving the feeling of playing as an inexperienced everyman. James is not a skilled fighter and he doesn’t feel overpowered. His range of attacks is very limited, so he must use more prudent tactics, stay mindful of his surroundings and, if necessary, run instead of fighting. The way he deals with enemies is never a flashy spectacle, but rather a desperate struggle for survival.

Giving James more opportunities led to changes in how the enemies he encounters fight as well. He will still have to deal with familiar opponents from the original game, but returning players will notice how their movements and attacks have been fleshed out in order to make them more distinctive and unpredictable in combat scenarios. For instance, going against the frantically aggressive Nurse will pose a completely different challenge than a skirmish with the silent and stealthy Mannequin.

Puzzles

The puzzles in the game have been slightly altered to present a new spin on their original designs, but still maintain their eerie connection to the game’s overall theme and narrative. We’ve taken great care to build upon the memory of the original Silent Hill 2 by sometimes twisting and confounding player’s expectations with regards to certain puzzle solutions, in a kind of a tribute to the inventiveness and playfulness of the original game.

We believe that this approach, alongside the numerous and often surprising references to the original present in the game, will bring joy to fans of the classic Silent Hill 2, while at the same time offering them something new and interesting to solve. We like to think of it as our way of expressing love for the original game – by enriching the experience, while still being mindful of preserving its essence.

Standard Edition and Deluxe Edition details

The deluxe edition includes various DLCs, such as a digital artbook full of concept art for the town of Silent Hill and its monsters, a digital soundtrack with tracks by Akira Yamaoka, and a Pyramid Head mask made from a pizza box (Note: The digital artbook and soundtrack will be distributed in the form of a bonus application. The contents will not be available for download in specific audio formats, such as MP3.). The Pyramid Head mask is available as a cosmetic item for in-game characters.

If a pre-order is placed, the standard and deluxe editions will include a Mira the Dog mask and a Robbie the Rabbit mask (*PlayStation 5 exclusive) DLC as pre-order bonuses. Likewise, each mask can be used as a character’s cosmetic item. Deluxe edition pre-orders also come with 48-hour early access. These are great deals full of content, so we recommend pre-ordering and purchasing through the PlayStation Store.

We will be revealing more information for Silent Hill 2 as the launch date approaches, so stay tuned. Our other titles, Silent Hill: Townfall and Silent Hill 2f, are also currently in development. We will follow up on these games when the time comes, so please look forward to more.

Gran Turismo players! This month’s update brings back a few of the classic GT legends including the Honda NSX GT500 and the Nissan Skyline GTS-R ‘87.  

Update 1.48* for Gran Turismo 7 will be available as of Wednesday, May 29 at 11:00pm PST / May 30 at 7:00am BST / 3:00pm JST.

Play Video

5 new cars added this month

Honda Civic SiR･II (EG) ’93
(Can be purchased from Used Cars)

The top-grade 5th generation Civic balances speed with comfort.

The Civic, now equipped with a VTEC engine and much faster, passed the baton to the 5th generation model in September of 1991. The body was available in a 3-door hatchback, the newly christened “Ferio” 4-door saloon, and the 5-door shuttle. The car’s tagline called it the “Sports Civic”. Engine variety increased due to the further development of the VTEC system. The base models were equipped with the carbureted 1.3 L and 1.5 L, on top of these were the easy to drive 1.5 L SOHC VTEC and the more fuel efficient 1.5 L VTEC-E. 

The top of the line was crowned with SiR model, which featured the high performance 1.6 L DOHC VTEC. All cars used Honda’s new standard double wishbone suspension. The SiR model, which served as the face of the “Sports Civic” boasted 9.9 BHP more power than the previous generation, achieving 167.7 BHP. Also for the suspension, the spring rate, amount of suspension stroke, etc. were revised, and were set to be more sports oriented. As with previous models, the SiR aimed for lower weight through simplified equipment, while the SiR･II featured a full suite of comfort amenities such as automatic air conditioning, power windows, and a genuine leather wrapped steering wheel.

Honda NSX GT500 ’00
(Can be purchased from Legend Cars)

A new design with a lower centre of gravity was the key to victory for this JGTC champion.

During the 2000 All-Japan Grand Touring Car Championship (JGTC), the three big automakers Honda, Toyota and Nissan engaged in an unprecedented war for the GT500-class title. The NSX development team decided on major changes to the 2000 model even going so far as repositioning the transverse mounted engine. Mounting a V-type engine in a transverse layout helps to shorten the length of the vehicle, but the layout creates problems in routing the exhaust pipes coming from the two-cylinder banks. Previously, the NSX’s exhaust pipes had ran under the engine, but the development team decided to re-route them to the sides and lower the engine itself. However, in this configuration the gearbox, which was mounted on the side of the engine, would be in the way. To make space for the exhaust pipes, the team set about redesigning a smaller gearbox. The result was a completely bespoke transmission that employed formula car gears, which are thinner and more compact than regular gears.

Five NSX teams were entered for the 2000 season. Among them, the Castrol Mugen NSX team, along with Takata Dome NSX, took on the role of advanced-development “works cars” inside the NSX camp. The Takata Dome NSX showed overwhelming performance, taking win. However, the unique weight handicaps in the JGTC rules resulted in the team missing out on the championship title. In its shadow emerged the Castrol Mugen NSX, putting in one solid run after another. It was driven by Ryo Michigami and Osamu Nakako, with Nakako being replaced by Hidetoshi Mitsusada halfway through the season. The Castrol Mugen NSX team were able to deftly handle the weight handicaps incurred from its 1st place finishes and went on to glory as the series champion.

Nissan Skyline GTS-R (R31) ’87
(Can be purchased from Used Cars)

An unlikely monster machine born from the elegant lines of the 7th gen. Skyline.

Though it still retained the same sporty appeal of the previous generation R30 model, the 7th generation R31 Skyline marked a change of direction for the line when it was released in August 1985. In the Japanese car scene of the time, there was a growing trend in both the sales and general popularity of luxury outfitted ‘high-society cars’, typically either 4 or 2-door models. In response to this cultural boom, the Skyline was repositioned as a luxury saloon. At its debut, the new model featured a somewhat understated line-up, featuring a 4-door hardtop, a sedan and an estate. Fans would have to wait until May 1986 for the anticipated 2-door coupé.

The real attraction of the 7th generation would show up much later still though. This was the GTS-R, released in August 1987 in a limited run of only 800 cars. The GTS-R was developed to reclaim the Group A racing title and was a very sporty model. The powerplant was based on the turbocharged RB20DET DOHC inline-6 featured in the GTS, which generated 177.5 BHP and 23.0 kgfm of torque. The GTS-R version added a stainless-steel exhaust manifold and a T04E turbocharger, achieving 207.1 BHP and 25.0 kgfm torque. This was a very special engine, earning itself the designation RB20DET-R.

The suspension and exterior were also modified. While the normal GTS-X had an automatic front spoiler that deployed according to vehicle speed, the GTS-R instead used a fixed spoiler, with the rear spoiler also being upgraded to a larger unit. In addition, the car was offered in an exclusive ‘Blue Black’ body colour.

Volvo 240 SE Estate ’93
(Can be purchased from Used Cars)

A historic model which taught the world to love the station wagon.

When people think of Volvo, they think estate cars. And when they think estate cars, they think Volvo. Such was the automobile scene for quite some time until the worldwide SUV boom began gaining momentum in the late 1980’s. One car that cemented this maxim was the 240 Estate.

The 240 series itself had debuted in 1974, made up of the ‘244’ 4-door sedan, ‘242’ 2-door, and ‘245’ 5-door wagon. The 3rd digit of the model number denoted the number of doors. It wasn’t until 1983 that all these models were consolidated into a single ‘240’ model. Additionally, when the car originally debuted it featured round headlights, the iconic square lamps were introduced later in 1979. The 240 retained most of its original styling throughout its production until 1993, though its safety features were kept constantly up to date with additions like airbags and ABS as standard equipment. Even in an era where sedans ruled sales figures, over one third of total production was made up of wagon models, proving just how popular the Estate was in the 240 line-up.One of the most notable features of the 240 Estate was its styling, which appeared square no matter what angle the car was observed from. It features a long front overhang to incorporate crumble zones, and on the rear as well a long overhang facilitates both impact absorption and extra luggage space. This resulted in the car’s characteristically long thin silhouette.

Volvo V40 T5 R-Design ’13
*Can be purchased from Brand Central

The globally successful Volvo that serves as a saloon, estate, and coupe.

The V40 was revealed at the 2012 Geneva show as a C-segment 5-door hatchback. Though it was positioned as Volvo’s entry-level model, the V40 would actually play a huge role in the Volvo catalogue as it served as the combined replacement for 3 different models: the conventional S40 saloon, the V50 family estate, and the sporty C30 3-door hatchback. To create a car that could provide the comfort of a saloon, the utility of an estate and the youthful, sporty styling of a coupe, the car was developed completely from scratch. While the base structure utilized a platform in common with Ford cars, the styling is innovative and has no trace of Volvo’s conservative image of the past. Incorporating design cues from the classic P1800 of the 60’s and its later 1800ES variant, the car has flowing lines and a soulful silhouette that can be interpreted as a coupe or an estate. The car was an immediate hit from its debut, attracting worldwide attention for both its aesthetics and utility, able to comfortably seat 4 adults along with all their luggage. The T5 R-Design is the sportiest model of the series. Its 210.1 BHP 2L inline-5 turbocharged engine provides quick acceleration performance, and its sports suspension and 18-inch wheels provide both sharp handling and a smooth ride. The special front bumper and rear diffuser provide additional aerodynamic performance, as well as giving it a bold look.

Café / Extra Menus

The following Menu has been added:

• Extra Menu No. 39: Racers of the Japanese GT (Collector Level 48 and above)

World Circuits (Event)

The following new events have been added to World Circuits:

• Europe Sunday Cup 400 – Kyoto Driving Park: Yamagiwa
• Japanese FF Challenge 450 – Autopolis International Racing Course: Short Course
• Japanese FR Challenge 450 – Autodrome Lago Maggiore: West
• World Tour Car 800 – Circuit de Sainte-Croix: A

Scapes

‘Move the camera up and down II’ has been added as a featured curation in Scapes.

*Internet connection and Gran Turismo 7 game required for update.