State of Play returns with its first show of 2023! Get ready for new looks at some anticipated games from our third-party partners, as well as a first glimpse at five PlayStation VR2 games set to arrive later this year. Then, settle in for more than 15 minutes of all-new gameplay details and updates on Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, the next game from Rocksteady Studios.
It all begins this Thursday at 1pm Pacific / 4pm Eastern / 9pm GMT / 10pm CET on Twitch and YouTube.
Regarding Co-streaming and Video-On-Demand (VOD)
Please note that this broadcast may include copyrighted content (e.g. licensed music) that PlayStation does not control. We welcome and celebrate our amazing co-streamers and creators, but licensing agreements outside our control could interfere with co-streams or VOD archives of this broadcast. If you’re planning to save this broadcast as a VOD to create recap videos, or to repost clips or segments from the show, we advise omitting any copyrighted music.
Hello, PS Blog pugilists! Survios developers here, excited to share some news about our upcoming PlayStation VR2 release of Creed: Rise to Glory – Championship Edition.
First up, the release date: We’re launching on April 4, 2023 — that means that in just a few weeks you’ll be able to step into the PS VR2 ring as Adonis Creed, son of heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, as you train hard in the gym under the tutelage of the legendary Rocky Balboa.
This is also following the March 3 release of Creed III in theaters nationwide, and Creed: Rise to Glory – Championship Edition will feature new characters, costumes, and arena options based on the film.
So, how exactly does Championship Edition differ with PS VR2? I’m glad you asked! Let’s dive in:
Enjoy enhanced fidelity with 4K/HDR support
Foveated rendering ensures the action looks best wherever you’re looking
See more of each match with a 110º field of view
Engage in more accurate combat with advanced controller tracking
Feel every punch with impact haptics in your PS VR2 Sense controllers and PS VR2 headset
Hear Rocky Balboa yelling from the corner thanks to 3D audio powered by PS5’s Tempest Audio tech
Get into each game more quickly than ever with lightning-fast load times
Take the fight online with cross-platform PvP and optimized matchmaking
In addition to the development team’s dedication to visual and performance upgrades, experience an expanded Creed universe with new story chapters, characters, and location based on Creed III.
This is all in addition to the features offered by the base Creed: Rise to Glory game, which includes multiple play modes, innovative mechanics like phantom melee tech and slow-mo counterattacks, cinematic boxing, and more.
Creed: Rise to Glory – Championship Edition launches April 4 for PlayStation VR2, but pre-orders for the Standard and Deluxe editions are live today at PlayStation Store with an additional 10% discount for PlayStation Plus members, and a limited-time exclusive, specialty Adonis Creed costume.
Priced at $39.99 / €39.99 Standard, $49.99 / €49.99 Deluxe, PlayStation Plus users will also receive a limited-time exclusive, specialty Adonis Creed costume along with a 10% discount on pre-orders. Owners of the original PSVR game can upgrade to the enhanced and expanded PS VR2 version for $19.99 (Standard Edition) or $29.99 (Deluxe Edition).
Thanks for sticking around until the end of the post! We’re thrilled to be bringing the Creed: Rise to Glory experience to PS VR2 and we can’t wait for you to get your gloves on it. Which opponent do you want to square up against first? Hit the comments below and let us know!
Gran Turismo players! The 1.29 update for Gran Turismo 7 arrives today February 20 at 10pm PST* / February 21 at 6am GMT / 3pm JST.
PlayStation VR2 (PS5 only) for Gran Turismo 7 arrives
With the 1.29 update at no additional cost, players will be able to for the first time experience all the races and game modes (excluding ‘2P Split Screen’ mode) with a whole new level of realism. PS VR2 players will also be able to access an exclusive ‘VR Showroom’ area from their ‘Garage’ or the in-game car dealerships where they can admire all the stunning details of the ultra-high-definition car models in a variety of locations and lighting settings.
GT7 takes full advantage of PS VR2’s next-gen features – Utilizing specially optimized HDR tone mapping, as well as foveated rendering from the eye-tracking feature (a technology that renders areas of the screen that the player is directly looking at in high definition), and dynamic 3D audio support, players will experience a whole new dimension of highly immersive gameplay.
Take your Gran Turismo 7 experience to new heights with PS VR2 (launching February 22).
Experience Gran Turismo Sophy in Race Together mode (PS5 Only)
Gran Turismo Sophy is a revolutionary superhuman racing AI racing agent developed in a collaboration between Sony AI, Sony Interactive Entertainment and Polyphony Digital. “Gran Turismo Sophy Race Together” mode gives Gran Turismo players of all levels and abilities the opportunity to go head-to-head against GT Sophy in GT7. The special mode, available as a time-limited in-game event (From Feb 21 to end of March), is a first look at GT Sophy in GT7 and is designed to maximize the fun and excitement of racing against GT Sophy for everyone. Player feedback on this initial special feature will be used to continually improve the GT Sophy Race Together mode feature for future releases.
In GT Sophy Race Together mode, players can race against GT Sophy in a series of four circuits of increasing difficulty, as a Beginner / Intermediate / Expert driver. In each of the four races, the player races against four GT Sophy cars of different performance levels. Players can also challenge GT Sophy in 1VS1 mode, where GT Sophy and the player race one-on-one with identical car configurations and settings, which showcases the superhuman racing skills of GT Sophy. The excitement of GT Sophy Race Together mode is enhanced with GT7’s new emoticon feature, which displays emoticons on the GT Sophy cars throughout the race to react to the in-game action.
The mode can be accessed directly from the top right panel on the GT7 World Map, and the player can start a race against GT Sophy once the player has reached Collector Level 6. For more information on GT Sophy, please refer to the official site.
Grand Valley returns with Highway 1
A Gran Turismo classic, Grand Valley returns to the series with an all-new look. The full ‘Highway 1’ layout is a challenging course featuring full-throttle high speed sections along with tight winding technical corners. The shorter 2000m ‘South’ layout features harsh elevation changes and blind corners to keep drivers on their toes. An expansive environment where the ocean meets the mountains, as well as large bridge and tunnel sections makes for a dynamic location that recreates the excitement of driving the world’s great winding seaside roads.
5 new added cars
Honda RA272 ’65
The F1 machine that garnered Honda their first victory.
With their innovative ideas and forward-thinking engineering skills, Honda has achieved a number of technological revolutions. A great example of this is their first endeavors in F1 in 1964 when there were still relatively unknown as a car manufacturer. The machine they developed was the RA271 which used an aluminum shell over a space frame body, with a 1.5L V12 engine in an unusual transverse midship position. Its uniqueness however would be its downfall and it failed to make any achievements in its debut year. In 1965, Honda put the machine through a radical overhaul resulting in the RA272. The RA272E engine was a more efficient version of the previous V12 using lightened components. The construction of the rear suspension was changed from an inboard to an outboard setup, which allowed the weight to be reduced from 525 kg to 498 kg, a major improvement. At the steering wheels sat Ronnie Bucknum in his second year as well as new driver Richie Ginther.
Italdesign Exeneo Vision Gran Turismo Street and Off-Road Mode
A high-performance luxury car prepared as a ‘beautifully wrapped gift’.
Italdesign was founded in 1968 in Turin, Italy, and has designed and engineered more than 300 production cars and premiered more than 100 concept cars at the most important world auto shows. Many of its pieces have been featured in Gran Turismo. Some of the cars designed by Italdesign have gone on to become genuine movie stars, such as the De Lorean DMC 12, which starred in the ‘Back to the Future’ trilogy, or the Lotus Esprit, which was driven by Roger Moore in ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’. The Italdesign Exeneo Vision Gran Turismo continues the long Italian tradition of Gran Turismo automobiles, though updated with cutting-edge technology. Inspired by the 2013 all-road, mid-rear engine, compact GT Italdesign Parcour, this concept car features four different chassis settings (track, snow, off-road and urban), and was designed to be driven both on circuits and off-road tracks. A powerful V10 midship engine, together with two 200 kW (268.2 BHP) electric motors, assures a total output of 910 kW (1,219.9 BHP) of power, allowing the Exeneo VGT to reach a top speed of 236.1 mph, with an acceleration from 0 to 62.1 mph in 2.5 secs. A 7-speed gearbox, Individual Wheel Drive (IWD) and KERS recovery system complete the power train. To ensure maximum stability, intelligent suspension adapts automatically to different types of terrain.
Citroën DS 21 Pallas ’70
A historic vision of the future from France.
Citroen were committed to front-wheel drive, and this DS is their masterpiece, made with all the most cutting-edge technologies of the time. It first appeared at the 1955 Salon de l’Automobile. While many other manufacturers were still producing cars in the pre-war style, the DS was a stunning vision of the future. With its avant-garde aerodynamic body and revolutionary hydropneumatic suspension system it was nicknamed the ‘flying saucer’. Development was lead by Andre Lefebvre, while the comparatively large 4.8 m long body was design by Italian Flaminio Bertoni, who had also worked on the classic 2CV. With such a forward-thinking design, the popularity of the DS did not wane for some time. Including various equipment and engine upgrades, the car continued to be produced for 20 years. In 1964, the ‘Pallas’ grade was added with luxury interior and exterior fixtures. Then in 1967, the car was given a more modern visage with the 2 round headlights replaced by 4 headlights in covered units.
Porsche 911 Carrera RS (901) ’73
A first in Porsche 911 history, the elusive RennSport.
Appearing in 1973, the 911 Carrera RS 2.7 was the first model in the long history of the Porsche 911 to feature the RS badge. RS stands for ‘Rennsport’ or simply ‘racing sport’ in English, and as this name suggests it was developed as a homologation model for the FIA’s Group 4 category. The 2.4L engine from the base model 1973 911 S has been enlarged to 2.7L, now producing 207.1 BHP. The front end features an air dam which allows for the addition of an oil cooler. The rear of the car features the iconic duck tail spoiler as standard, with stretched rear fenders to house the new wider rear tires. The Carrera RS 2.7 was available in 3 grades: Touring, Sport and Racing, though even the luxury Touring model weighed less than 1,100 kg.
Scapes
‘‘Drift Stage’ and ‘Move the camera up and down’ have been added to the featured section. Support for drift photos has also been added with this update. A tutorial will be available the first time you play after the update, which guides you through the steps for taking drift photos. Follow the on-screen advice and have fun shooting the perfect drift shots.
*Internet connection and Gran Turismo 7 game required for update
Kristen Zitani – Senior Content Communications Specialist, SIE
Thanks to Cory Schmitz for our beautiful logo and 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.]
Last week, we asked you share the love, by highlighting romance in the game of your choice using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s romantic shares:
Comput_ART shares Aloy making a heart with her hands in Horizon Forbidden West
ForgottenJasmin shares Cloud and Tifa embracing in Final Fantasy VII Remake.
Mur4dQ shares Cody and May from It Takes Two standing in front of a broken clock
_nvrheardofit shares Markus and North pressing palms together in Detroit: Become Human
skykiller1000 shares Ellie showing Dina her tattoo in The Last of Us Part II
CarrotsCaptures shares a set of Light Elf and Dark Elf lovers from God of War Ragnarök.
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: Horizon Forbidden West
SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on February 22, 2023
Next week, we head back to the future of Horizon Forbidden West to celebrate its one year anniversary. Share epic moments from Aloy’s adventure using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.
It’s hard to believe that it’s already been one year since Horizon Forbidden West launched. On February 18, 2022, Guerrillas were eagerly waiting at their workstations as the game started rolling out to our global community.
Describing the feeling of a game launch day is challenging, though any developer in our industry will inherently understand the mixture of excitement, nervousness, and anticipation as we start seeing your reactions come in. We spend most of the day refreshing social media, checking stats, and reading through initial feedback — whilst, of course, sharing a moment with the team, relishing in the incredible achievements and outcomes of over four years of work, now out in the world.
This past year, saw more than just the launch of Horizon Forbidden West; we also released a LEGO Tallneck into the wilds, created a dedicated TikTok channel, and dropped a lot of new merch, like the OST vinyl and a collection with ASOS. We were even able to finally meet some of our fans in person again at Twitchcon and gamescom!
It’s been heart-warming to see the impact Aloy and her story have had on you, and we are so grateful for how our community expresses love and joy for our franchise. One of my personal joys is to scroll through the #BeyondTheHorizon hashtag and see the breathtaking Photo Mode shots from the virtual photography community; did you know you all spent a collective 211,000 hours in Photo Mode?
As a thank you for one year of passion, support, and excitement about Horizon Forbidden West, we want to indulge you with a small token of appreciation in the form of new PlayStation avatars, which will be available to download from PlayStation Store tomorrow.
Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts for embracing Aloy and her continued story in Horizon Forbidden West. We are now looking forward to our Burning Shores expansion, coming to PS5 on April 19, which sees Aloy pursue a sinister threat in the deadly, volcanic ruins of Los Angeles. And if you want to experience the world of Horizon from a completely different angle, Horizon Call of the Mountain is launching next week on PSVR2.
If you wish to be a great Wild Hearts hunter you must rely on all your senses, not simply your sight, in order to successfully stalk and defeat your prey. The snapping of tree branches in the distance to your right, the plodding thuds that send vibrations through your body as impossibly heavy feet meet the earth, they all tell you plainly that a Kingtusk is passing through the forest. You ready your weapon, testing the bowstring which thrums reassuringly in your hand. You are ready.
This should give you a taste of how the PlayStation 5 DualSense wireless controller makes each and every hunt in Wild Hearts unforgettable. The hunt begins on February 17. Keep reading to discover what you can expect when you enter the land of Azuma and take on the mighty Kemono.
Haptic feedback
The beauty of the land around you can be both a blessing and a distraction while you pursue your massive prey. Your sense of touch can help ground you, keeping you focused on your pursuit as well as giving you vital feedback that can make the difference between victory and failure. Whether you are using a Karakuri to evade an attack or practicing with your weapons in Minato, Haptic feedback will sometimes speak louder than the mightiest Kemono’s roar.
A wooden gate – somewhat past its prime – blocks your way. You begin to push through it, but it’s surprisingly sturdy. Feel the resistance as it fights against you before, inevitably giving way to your strength.
You pursue your prey, leaping over gnarled tree roots and rocks that litter the forest floor. It begins to outpace you, but suddenly you see a spring Karakuri, a sure sign that luck is on your side today. You leap onto it, feeling the vibrations (thanks to your DualSense controller) as if through your own feet, and make up valuable ground quickly.
Of course not all sensations you experience through Haptics will be strictly necessary for the hunt. You may find it both useful and soothing to take time to interact with the gentler wildlife throughout Azuma. Make a new friend (or two) with a gentle pat on the back.
As a hunter, you must be one with your chosen weapon. You must know its weight, its speed, the sensation it makes as it contacts your prey or as you loose an arrow. As you might expect, a hefty maul will feel quite different from wielding a more delicate bladed wagasa, and in time you will come to know each one better via your DualSense controller.
Adaptive triggers
Carefully you take aim, pausing only long enough to draw in a breath. The reactive trigger as you ready your bow emphasizes its power, your commitment to protecting your people, and the respect you have for your giant prey. As you release your breath your arrow flies, dealing the Kingtusk a final, devastating blow.
3D Audio
The beauty of Azuma extends beyond what you can see. All around you the sounds of nature fill the air. Birds sing and chirp above you, the wind dances through a chime creating a soft melody, water rushes by with a soothing murmur. Enjoy the peacefulness of natural sounds all around you with realistic 3-D audio. At least until that peace is shattered by the roar of an enraged Kemono.
Life in Minato creates its own melody, made up of the chatter of villagers as they gossip or barter. Listen carefully and you may even be lucky enough to catch someone singing a folk song.
Hunt with friends
For some, the thrill of the hunt is best savored alone. But even the most deadly hunter may face a beast they cannot take down on their own. In Wild Hearts you can unite with up to two friends (or other players) to stalk and hunt your prey. Hunting in a party will enable you to expand your battle plans and special missions. And with Fast Loading you will be able to experience the game with your friends even more quickly.
Pre-order the Wild Hearts Karakuri Edition
Leave a lasting impression on your fellow hunters with the Wild Hearts Karakuri Edition which includes the base game and six items: the Karakuri Samurai and Karakuri Ninja cosmetic armor sets, a decorative Tsukumo Lantern, and three Emotes. If you pre-order the Karakuri Edition you will also receive the Ferocious Kemono Emote and five Chat Stamps.
MLB The Show 23 includes some serious updates and additions to gameplay. Read all about them below ahead of launch on March 28.
Defense
High Fielding attributes matter more now than ever before. The disparity between players in games with high vs low fielding attributes is more noticeable. Players with lower Fielding attribute will feature worse start transition animations when contact is made off the bat far more frequently than those with high Fielding attribute.
When it comes to our throwing interfaces, we have a couple to select from depending on player skill and engagement level. Our more player-friendly interfaces, Buttons and Analog, rely heavily on the Arm Accuracy attribute which has been tuned to be in line with MLB statistics. Elevate your game with the Button Accuracy Meter where you are in complete control of your throws.
If using the Button Accuracy throwing interface, consistent with last year’s game, the green portion of the meter (indicates a throw that will be accurate to the fielder), scales based on the Arm Accuracy attribute. However, the functionality of the meter has changed. Universally, the speed of the meter needle is slower than in years past. This is intended, as it helps facilitate the upcoming changes. In previous years of The Show, the meter was consistent, meaning the green spot was always in the middle. Repetition with this mechanic led to ease of use for many players. Now, on difficult infield plays and long outfield throws, the green portion of the meter will dynamically move. This change increases realism while also adding additional skill to defense.
On force throws to first base, players will experience a yellow portion of the meter. This section indicates the dirt ball region of the meter, leading to balls being thrown in the dirt. The frequency of the play being made is based on the first baseman’s Fielding attribute. Visit custom practice to experience and perfect the changes to fielding and throwing.
Two new quirks have been added/revamped on defense. These two quirks are Break Outlier and Pick Off Artist. A pitcher with Break Outlier loses break at a slower rate than those without the quirk. A pitcher with Pick Off Artist leads to 2x the chance of a successful pick-off.
Offense
The pitcher-batter dynamic is better than ever with the revamped competitive gameplay engine. And don’t worry Casual or Simulation fans, we have also tuned and balanced those gameplay styles.
One of the major attribute updates to MLBTS23 we have redefined the Clutch Attribute. With runners in scoring position, clutch attribute directly replaces contact. This helps to facilitate more realism. The battle between a batter’s Contact attribute and a pitcher’s hits per 9 innings (H/9) attribute is directly replaced with batter Clutch and Pitcher Clutch with RISP.
Two new quirks have been added on offense. These are Bad Ball Hitter and Table Setter. A batter with Bad Ball Hitter will excel at hitting pitches outside of the strike zone. A batter with Table Setter excels with no runners on base.
Animations
We’ve added over 5,000 gameplay animations to MLB The Show 23. From rob foul ball, dives, batting stances, additional hot shot variety at the corners and as always new animations for fielder urgency and efficiency.
Gameplay styles
Gameplay Styles are meant to create unique experiences for all players. Gameplay style tuning for Casual and Simulation are continuously taking place. However, the biggest gameplay style change revolves around Competitive Gameplay Style.
Competitive gameplay style is the default for all Online Head-to-Head* games and all Diamond Dynasty* modes. Competitive Gameplay Style can also be accessed by visiting the gameplay settings and toggling the Gameplay Style setting under General Difficulty.
The goal of this Gameplay Style is to increase the consistency of good input for producing good results and bad input for producing bad results, without going too far from baseball strategy and basics. Players will notice more swing and misses, fewer popups and choppers, and the hits put into play are slightly better to make up for fewer being put into play.
Player clarity, visual updates in game, and functionality improvements
Updates to the in-game displays have been made. The largest focus for visual display updates revolved around increasing clarity amongst the player base.
Swing feedback
Swing feedback is a piece of art that appears in the bottom left corner of the screen after a swing attempt is made. This feedback displays Batter Attributes, Pitch Location, Pitch Type, Swing Timing, and Plate Coverage Indicator Placement. It is meant to help describe the outcome of the hit. Although it is difficult to achieve perfection through this art, strides were made to increase precision and accuracy of the art. Previous versions of MLBTS swing feedback displayed Swing Inputs on the left and the outputs on the right. Now the swing feedback is a story that can be read from left to right, top to bottom.
In-game directional button functionality
Left on the directional buttons now display live, up-to-date, Statcast numbers. Right on the directional buttons now display important pitcher/batter matchups, attempting to present all factors that impact the at-bat. This includes vital attributes that dynamically swap in and all active quirks. Up on the directional buttons remains relatively consistent to previous years of MLBTS, with slight functionality updates, including the ability to bring in a pitcher that’s being warmed up without needing to navigate back into the bullpen.
Settings updates
Settings terminology, organization, and descriptions have been updated to better inform players as for what each gameplay setting does. There are now two new settings that allow for increased customization of Pre-Pitch displays while on offense and defense. These new settings can be found under Display and aim to allow for increased control over what information is presented on screen prior to a pitch being thrown. These two settings are Pitch Select Displays and Batter Controls Display.
Additional visual updates
The runner windows displayed in the top right for a first base runner and top left for a third base runner no longer appear. This camera can now be seen in the top right baserunning diamond during pre-pitch. Logic is tied to which runner is shown in the camera, leading to the most viable runner displaying based on the bases currently occupied. Now that space has been created in the top left corner of the screen, important information can be displayed here such as Road to The Show base gains increase or decrease, moment tracking, and Dynamic Difficulty updates.
Custom practice updates
We’ve added some important functionality to Custom Practice. It now has a couple important additions. While batting, players can now finetune specific pitch locations around the Strike Zone. This tool is very useful for improving your eye and improving at specific problem areas. In previous years, players could solely turn specific pitches off or on. This functionality has been expanded upon, allowing players to choose the frequency of pitches thrown through a slider mechanism.
Attribute descriptions
MLB The Show has a lot of attributes, and if you’re new to the franchise, you might not know what they all mean. Be sure to check out the handbook/strategy guide located in the pause menu in game. The attribute descriptions can now also be found in the Diamond Dynasty * Handbook. These descriptions provide insightful information as for how each attribute functions and interacts with gameplay. The goal here is to ensure all players have the information needed to make the best possible decision when forming a squad or making an important managerial decision in game.
To access these descriptions, players can navigate to Diamond Dynasty* > Home > Standing, Stats, & History > Handbook > Attribute Descriptions.
Passive quirks changes
We’ve removed passive quirks from MLB The Show 23. Simplifying the quirk system seems to be the best approach here, as there was general confusion as for what Active Quirks did vs Passive Quirks. Universally, we hope this change leads to more clarity since only the quirks that impact gameplay is displayed.
Updated options explorer
The options explorer audio and art have been updated. This is a great area for players to learn the mechanics offered within MLB The Show. The general rule of thumb for gameplay mechanics is that the more control a player has over the mechanic, the less ability the CPU has to influence gameplay.
MLB rule changes
Changes to Extreme Left and Extreme Right shifts are now implemented into MLB The Show 23. These changes set a good baseline but will need tuning based on real life strategy seen throughout the MLB season.
Online H2H/Co-op*
Improvements to online stability are continuously being worked on to provide the best experience possible.
For those co-op* players, Play Now Co-Op* now offers the ability to toggle the rotational patterns prior to loading into game. Rather than being locked into rotating roles per inning on defense and rotating per at-bat on offense, teams can now choose additional rotation patterns.
MLB The Show 23 Gameplay Feature Premiere
You can watch the deep dive into all the changes and additions coming to gameplay on demand at your own convenience on Twitch and YouTube .
MLB The Show 23 Technical Test Info
The tech test is live until February21, players 18 or over in U.S. and Canada with a PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or Nintendo Switch** internet-connected console can participate in the MLB The Show 23 Technical Test.
We want to deliver the best version possible of MLB The Show 23 and to do that we need everyone’s help to stress test the servers, online match-making, cross-platform play, online co-op, and more in addition to gathering feedback on gameplay.
The best news? No need to sign up, it’s open to everyone eligible. ** Download for free on the PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, or Nintendo eShop beginning February 15.
“For more detailed information on MLB The Show 23 you can read the FAQ here.” *Online features require internet connection and console-specific online multiplayer subscription.
At PlayStation, we’re always looking to create meaningful and engaging experiences that celebrate our players. For PlayStation Plus, we have a big month with Horizon Forbidden West joining our Game Catalog, giving PlayStation Plus Extra, and Premium/Deluxe members a chance to experience a post-apocalyptic world with distant lands to discover, striking characters to meet, and enormous awe-inspiring machines to fight. Additional blockbuster titles include Resident Evil 7 Biohazard, Borderlands 3, and more which will be added in the Games Catalog next week. In addition to these games, we wanted to take this month one step further and provide you with over a week long of activities to thank you for supporting us on our PlayStation Plus journey.
Starting from today through February 24, PlayStation Plus members can find a range of activities to participate in during PlayStation Plus Festival of Play – from earning digital collectibles, to joining tournaments, to getting exclusive double discounts on select popular games from PlayStation Store. Activities for those who are not PlayStation Plus members are available as well.
Download the image
God of War Ragnarök Game Trial
(for PlayStation Plus Premium/Deluxe members)
Starting February 15
Get a taste of what it’s like to journey into each of the Nine Realms with Kratos and Atreus as they search for answers while Asgardian forces prepare for the prophesied battle that will end the world. As a PlayStation Plus member you’ll have access to God of War Ragnarök with a 3 hour time-limited trial starting February 15. Trophies and save progress from this trial will carry over if you decide to purchase the full game.
PlayStation Plus members will receive a “Festival of Play Party Favor” digital collectible for checking into the ‘A Gift from PlayStation Plus’ campaign and playing any game.
With Horizon Forbidden West joining the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog starting on February 21, you can get “A Gift from the Past” digital collectible by checking into the “Welcome to the Forbidden West” campaign and earning the following trophies. This campaign is only available to PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium/Deluxe members who have yet to earn these trophies.
“Save the Daunt”
“Attend the Embassy”
“Obtain 3 Stripes at a Hunting Ground”
“Used Dyed Flowers”
“First Rebel Camp Completed”
“First Tall Neck Overwritten”
Download the image
PlayStation Plus Double Discount
(for PlayStation Plus members)
February 15 – February 24
We are kicking off our Double Discount promotion for PlayStation Plus members this week. Check out the sale here.
We’re kicking off a new contest for your opportunity to win a Sony Bravia XR OLED 55A75K TV, Dolby Atmos Soundbar HT-A5000 and a Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones. You can participate by going to our website and answering three questions about PlayStation Plus. You’ll have until Feb 24th at 11:59 PM local time to answer the questions. For more details, head to the website.
We’re planning to hold an online multiplayer during the weekend of February 18-19 so you can go head-to-head with other players online during these dates even without a PlayStation Plus membership.
Additionally, PlayStation Stars members can earn a special digital collectible commemorating the online multiplayer weekend just for participating in this event. Be sure to check in the “PlayStation Stars: Free Online Multiplayer is Live” campaign.
Download the image
PlayStation Tournaments
(for players with or without a PlayStation Plus membership)
February 18 – February 19
There will be a number of PlayStation Tournaments happening during this timeframe, featuring FIFA 23, NBA 2K23, and Guilty Gear. Also, since our online multiplayer weekend starts during this same timeframe, those without PlayStation Plus members will also be able to participate in the tournaments happening in this timeframe. Players who participate will get a chance to win a PlayStation Plus membership. Please see our website for details.
Again we want to thank all of our players for your support throughout the years. The success of PlayStation Plus starts with you, and we are greatly humbled by the feedback and passion we’ve received from all of our players. We hope you’ll enjoy PlayStation Plus Festival of Play, and all the games we’ve got lined up for this month’s Game Catalog.
From the minds behind Wave Break and Fujii, Funktronic Labs brings you The Light Brigade—a roguelike VR shooter. Featuring intense PlayStation VR2 gunplay and immersive light magic, The Light Brigade puts you in the middle of heart-pounding action.
A twilight that won’t end and survivors hanging on to the hope of bringing light back to the world. This is the journey you will embark on when you first awake, beckoned by a mysterious voice. Arriving at the Last Temple, you are greeted by Mother and anointed as a member of the Light Brigade. As the sun continues to dim, humanity’s last hope is to release the trapped souls of the dead before it’s too late.
Immersive gunplay meets powerful light magic
The Light Brigade is set in a historical fantasy world, reflected in the World War-inspired weaponry. From the Gewehr 43 rifle to SMG M3 and Nambu Type 14, this wide array of weapons is pulled from a historic time period. However, the feel of these guns is even more important than the aesthetics.
Designed with realism in mind, physics-based gunplay like aiming, shooting, and reloading bolt-action rifles, machine guns, and pistols feels incredibly immersive and tactile. In PS VR2, this creates intense gunfights that put you directly in the center of the action. To add to these engrossing battles, you also have magic at your fingertips, allowing you to pair gunslinging and spellcasting beautifully. From infusing your rifle’s bullets with light magic, to raining fireballs on enemy hordes, magic spells provide the perfect complement to your rifle and combat arsenal.
The Light Brigade Weapon & Attachment – Concept Art
The many roguelike layers
You begin your journey as a lowly recruit, and set off with only a standard-issue rifle. But soon after entering the Sunken World, you will begin to loot enemies and discover treasure chests containing various gun modifications.
You can attach magic charms to your rifle and activate them mid-battle to imbue your bullets with light magic, turning them into explosives or armor-piercing rounds. Red-dot reticles provide better aim, while poison barrels cause damage-over-time effects, offering more tactical ways to take down enemy groups.
If you are shot down by enemy fire during a run, you enter into a Weakened Soul state. In this state, you are susceptible and must survive long enough to retrieve your lost soul. If you die again before reaching your corpse, you suffer permadeath and are sent back to the temple HQ to start a fresh run.
The Light Brigade Temple and Hero NPC – Concept Art
Allies at the temple HQ and around the world
With the world hanging in the balance, you need all the help you can get. The Light Brigade features asynchronous online functionality where you will come across fallen allies whose souls you can release. Other times, another player will appear as a friendly Light Brigade soldier that can trade supplies with you… or they may be reincarnated as an enemy soldier you need to defeat. You will know when an NPC is an online player by their username and online status. In addition, you can participate in daily run challenges that combine all online player progress to succeed.
Several NPC allies are also trapped within the Sunken World and they need your help to escape. Once you free them, they will return to the temple and some may unlock new shops that allow you to spend your well-earned Rank Points to improve your weapons, abilities, etc. From the enigmatic Mother, to the war veteran Samson and wily Jude, these unique NPCs have a backstory and a reason for fighting as well, and as you continue your journey you will get to know them better.
Climb the ranks to victory
As a member of the Light Brigade, your duty is to free the souls trapped in enemy territory. By cleansing these souls, you gain experience that increases your class Rank. When you increase your class Rank, you gain Rank Points that you can spend to upgrade your weapon with the Blacksmith and improve your current class passive abilities and spells.
By gaining experience in your current class, you can also unlock new classes such as the dual-wielding Pistolier, the rapid-firing Assault class, or the long-range Sniper. These classes let you change up your play style with new weapons and load-outs, providing more variety for your runs.
Procedurally generated battlegrounds
Shifting battlegrounds, evolving runs
The Sunken World is pieced together from the old memories of the fallen, so things are constantly shifting and changing. Each new run, you will notice that your surroundings have moved around, forcing you to traverse carefully in new, hostile environments. Using WFC (wave function collapse) technology, battlegrounds are infinitely procedurally-generated to keep your runs fresh and exciting.
Collect tarot cards, player upgrades, and weapon attachments
Tarot cards add variety to your arsenal
On top of a slew of weapons, charms, and attachments you loot on your runs, you will also collect an array of magical tarot cards, each with unique powers, buff/debuffs, and passive abilities. When you acquire stronger versions of these cards, they stack on top of your existing effect, creating devastating combos. Combining all these tools and looted upgrades with new weapons and playstyles, truly opens the game up to make each run feel completely unique.
Uncover the truth of the Light Brigade
What plunged the world into darkness? Who are the Obsidian Forces and what do they want? As a member of the Light Brigade, it is up to you to discover the answers to these questions and more. But what will you do with that knowledge? What choice will you make in the end? The Light Brigade will be available on February 22 for PS VR2. Pre-order now for a discount of 15% with PlayStation Plus membership.
