Supermassive Games has revealed how its upcoming horror shooter title Switchback VR will benefit from the PlayStation VR2’s new tech when it launches on February 22.
Switchback VR will see players blast their way through a series of rollercoaster levels steeped in the lore of Supermassive Games’ The Dark Pictures Anthology, while coming face to face — sometimes literally it seems — with the apparitions and monsters featured in titles including Man of Medan and The Devil in Me.
In a PlayStation Blog post, the developer detailed how it harnessed the upgraded capabilities of the PSVR 2 to intensify the experience and horror of their latest game.
Some monsters will be more likely to attack when the player blinks, for example, a feature which has been made possible by the improved eye-tracking tech built into the new headset, and other more insidious enemies will only move when you aren’t looking directly at them.
All the while, players will have to deal with demonic screams and whispers seemingly coming from all around, courtesy of the 3D audio headset that comes bundled in with the $549.99 PS VR2 hardware offering.
Failing to duck in time could also result in getting a smack to your virtual head from a low-slung wooden beam, triggering the haptic feedback system built into the headset.
Meanwhile haptics integrated in the headset and triggers of the Sense controllers will be used to “make each weapon feel unique”, and to simulate the feeling of careening down a bumpy track while being buffeted by rain, wind, and sand.
According to Supermassive, each Switchback VR level will feature multiple tracks and obstacles to ensure that “no two runs will be the same”.
In our review we gave the PlayStation VR2 a 9/10, describing it as “a quantum leap over its predecessor” that sets “a new standard for console VR gaming”. Be sure to check out IGN’s unboxing video to see how the new hardware stacks up against its predecessor.
Anthony is a freelance contributor covering science and video gaming news for IGN. He has over eight years experience of covering breaking developments in multiple scientific fields and absolutely no time for your shenanigans. Follow him on Twitter @BeardConGamer
Wild Hearts came in hot and fast earlier this week. So while other outlets will be delivering their final verdicts on Omega Force’s beast batterin’ simulator today, I’m afraid I haven’t had the chance to play enough of it to give it a fair shakedown yet. It’s good, though! I really like it, and as a huge Monster Hunter fan I’m pleased that there’s finally a worthy alternative to Capcom’s long-running series. Competition is good!
The latest Nintendo Download update for North America has arrived, and it’s bringing new games galore to the eShop in your region. As always, be sure to drop a vote in our poll and comment down below with your potential picks for the week. Enjoy!
Switch eShop – Highlights
THEATRHYTHM FINAL BAR LINE(Square Enix, 16th Feb, $49.99) – In this rhythm-action game, enjoy 385 carefully selected music tracks from across the entire FINAL FANTASY series. Meet cute versions of many classic characters and monsters from the series as exciting RPG battles play out alongside the rhythm action, where you’ll push buttons in time with the music to match triggers moving across the screen. Enjoy playing along to popular tracks from a total of 46 different games, featuring the latest music from FINAL FANTASY I to FINAL FANTASY XV in the main series, as well as remakes, spinoffs and various soundtrack CDs. Relive thrilling battles and soaring emotions alongside beautiful music and videos in THEATRHYTHM FINAL BAR LINE, available now. – Read our THEATRHYTHM FINAL BAR LINE review
Disney Dreamlight Valley’s new update “A Festival of Friendship” is now live on all platforms!
Solve the frigid mysteries of the Frosted Heights and befriend Village newcomer, Olaf.
Welcome Mirabel and her iconic Mini-Casita to the Valley.
In honor of Disney’s 100-year anniversary, discover the all-new Centennial Star Path.
Happy February, we hope you brought some winter clothing! Temperatures are dropping in Dreamlight Valley but that can only mean one thing – fun! The Disney Dremlight Valley team is happy to announce that “A Festival of Friendship” is now officially live for all platforms, introducing players to a whole new biome – The Frosted Heights. Plus, launching alongside this new update is the brand-new Centennial Star Path launched in honor of Disney’s 100-year anniversary celebration.
Unlike the rest of Dreamlight Valley, The Frosted Heights remains an almost inhospitable place for you and your Disney and Pixar friends thanks to its frigid temperature and tumultuous blizzard. The ever-wise Merlin, however, believes that the Frosted Heights can be brought back to more mild conditions, but players will have to enlist the help of Olaf, everyone’s favorite snowman, in order to unravel the mystery behind the area’s wintry dilemma.
Meanwhile, players will also discover how the power of family and understanding can help bring another Disney friend back to Dreamlight Valley – Mirabel! The Madrigal family’s most well-known family member, and the Mini-Casita she calls home, was whisked away from Dreamlight Valley at the onset of The Forgetting. Players will need to work with Mirabel and use her skills at resolving family conflicts in order to bring her and the Mini-Casita back to Dreamlight Valley.
Everyone in Dreamlight Valley loves a party and who couldn’t be excited about a party 100 years in the making! For 100 years, Disney has tapped into the spirit of creativity and imagination to delight audiences of all ages around the world. It’s time to celebrate that legacy with the all-new Centennial Star Path! This season features new Dream Styles for both Mickey and Minnie, as well as a range of new furniture, clothing, and motifs!
Cozy up next to the fire or grab a warm blanket for the frigid temperatures and wintry adventure waiting for you in “A Festival of Friendship.” The entire team couldn’t be more thrilled for the launch of this new update, and to continue bringing improvements to the game with our Early Access. We hope you have a great time with Disney Dreamlight Valley’s “A Festival of Friendship” update.
This Founder’s Pack grants early access to the game and contains exclusive items.
This pack contains:
• Early Access to Disney Dreamlight Valley
• All the exclusive cosmetic items from the Standard and Deluxe Founder’s Packs
o From the Standard Founder’s Pack: 9 decorative items, 3 motifs & 2 wearable items
o From the Deluxe Founder’s Pack: 1 animal companion, 10 decorative items, 3 motifs & 7 wearable items
• 20,000 Moonstones* (in-game currency)
o These Moonstones can be used to activate the premium Star Path**, granting extra rewards for 7 seasons.
• Exclusive Ultimate Regal Fox animal companion
• Exclusive Ultimate Clothing Set (2 wearable items)
• Exclusive Ultimate Ears Headband and Jersey (2 wearable items)
• Exclusive Ultimate Furniture Set (13 decoration items)
• Exclusive Ultimate Wall & Floor Coverings (2 decoration items & 2 color variants)
• Exclusive Ultimate Design Motifs (3 motifs to use in the Touch of Magic tool***)
*Moonstones are an in-game currency that can be collected for free by performing tasks in the game or be purchased using real money. They are used to unlock the premium track of the Star Path (a battle-pass-inspired system that grants in-game cosmetic items as a player completes various tasks and missions). Moonstones can also be used to accelerate progress in the Star Path. Additionally, Moonstones can be used to purchase cosmetic items from the in-game store that will be added later on as part of early access.
**The Star Path is a season-based mission system inspired by the idea of a “Battle Pass” and used to reward players for completing various missions and tasks. The player has a full season to complete a set of duties to receive exclusive cosmetic items (clothing items, companions, furniture sets, etc.). The duration of a season will be determined during early access based on community feedback. The plan for now is to make each season last one month.
***The Touch of Magic is an in-game tool that allows the player to create custom T-shirts, backpacks, Mickey ears headbands, etc. Using a variety of colors, shapes and motifs, players will be able to create an infinite number of combinations and express themselves in unique ways!
For more details on the Founder’s Pack and its contents, please visit https://gameloft.helpshift.com/hc/en/66-disney-dreamlight-valley/
This Founder’s Pack grants early access to the game and contains exclusive items.
This pack contains:
• Early Access to Disney Dreamlight Valley
• All the exclusive cosmetic items from the Standard Founder’s Pack
o 9 decorative items, 3 motifs & 2 wearable items
• 14,500 Moonstones* (in-game currency)
o These Moonstones can be used to activate the premium Star Path**, granting extra rewards for 5 seasons.
• Exclusive Deluxe Celestial Sea Turtle animal companion
• Exclusive Deluxe Clothing Set (5 wearable items)
• Exclusive Deluxe Ears Headband & Jersey (2 wearable items)
• Exclusive Deluxe Furniture Set (8 decoration items)
• Exclusive Deluxe Wall & Floor Coverings (2 decoration items)
• Exclusive Deluxe Design Motifs (3 motifs to use in the Touch of Magic tool***)
*Moonstones are an in-game currency that can be collected for free by performing tasks in the game or be purchased using real money. They are used to unlock the premium track of the Star Path (a battle-pass-inspired system that grants in-game cosmetic items as a player completes various tasks and missions). Moonstones can also be used to accelerate progress in the Star Path. Additionally, Moonstones can be used to purchase cosmetic items from the in-game store that will be added later on as part of early access.
**The Star Path is a season-based mission system inspired by the idea of a “Battle Pass” and used to reward players for completing various missions and tasks. The player has a full season to complete a set of duties to receive exclusive cosmetic items (clothing items, companions, furniture sets, etc.). The duration of a season will be determined during early access based on community feedback. The plan for now is to make each season last one month.
***The Touch of Magic is an in-game tool that allows the player to create custom T-shirts, backpacks, Mickey ears headbands, etc. Using a variety of colors, shapes and motifs, players will be able to create an infinite number of combinations and express themselves in unique ways!
For more details on the Founder’s Pack and its contents, please visit https://gameloft.helpshift.com/hc/en/66-disney-dreamlight-valley/
It’s time to make yourself a cup of hot cocoa, grab a cozy blanket, and join the new Festive Star Path!
Welcome to Disney Dreamlight Valley’s early access! Show your love for Disney with exclusive outfits that celebrate the classic Disney Parks themes, along with beloved characters such as Mickey Mouse. This Founder’s Pack grants early access to the game and contains exclusive items.
Disney Dreamlight Valley is a hybrid between a life-sim and an adventure game rich with quests, exploration, and engaging activities featuring Disney and Pixar friends, both old and new.
Once an idyllic land, Dreamlight Valley was a place where Disney and Pixar characters lived in harmony—until the Forgetting. Night Thorns grew across the land and severed the wonderful memories tied to this magical place. With nowhere else to go, the hopeless inhabitants of Dreamlight Valley retreated behind locked doors in the Dream Castle.
Now it’s up to you to discover the stories of this world and bring the magic back to Dreamlight Valley!
Discover the Secrets of Dreamlight Valley
Free the Dream Castle from the insidious grip of the Forgetting, and unlock the unique Realms of well-loved Disney and Pixar characters. Each Realm has its own challenges, with puzzles to solve and friends to bring back to Dreamlight Valley. Free the Dream Castle from the Forgetting’s grasp and unlock the Realms of great queens and kings such as Anna and Simba. Each Realm contains unique challenges with puzzles to solve in the quest to bring friendship back to the Valley.
You’ll start your adventure in the Valley, but your journey will take you to infinity… and beyond! Explore what lurks in the Forest of Valor and brave the deepest caverns as you take on challenges from iconic Disney and Pixar heroes and villains. Who knows who—or what—you might discover.
Forge Friendships with Disney & Pixar Characters
Garden with WALL•E, cook with Remy or kick back and fish with Goofy. What better way to collect, craft, and rebuild the Valley than with a friend! From beautiful princesses to nefarious villains, every Dreamlight Valley resident brings their own story arc, quests, and rewards. Meet up in daily hangouts and make friends with some of your favorite Disney and Pixar characters.
Restore the Valley to Its Former Glory
Free the Valley from the grip of the Forgetting and return Dreamlight Valley to its former greatness by making it your own. In Dreamlight Valley, you can build the perfect neighborhood that is just for you with a fully customizable layout, creative landscaping, and thousands of decorative items.
Will you settle on the Beach next to Moana, or call Buzz Lightyear your next-door neighbor in the Plaza?
Express Your Disney Style
Bring out your inner princess, villain, or Disney bounder! Assemble unique outfits and decorate your home with thousands of fantastic items. Using the Touch of Magic tool, you can even create your own designs using Disney and Pixar decals!
With the in-game Camera, get ready to snap a sunset selfie with Rapunzel, a culinary creation with Remy or simply cherish a moment.
A Game in Constant Evolution
New content means that there’s always something fresh to explore. Meet new characters in the Valley, check out the latest clothing and furniture collections in Scrooge’s Store, and complete challenging in-game events! Be sure to dream your way back to Dreamlight Valley regularly to discover new adventures!
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.
Can you believe it? 2023 is already in full swing, but that doesn’t mean you can’t buy your friends and family members a brilliant gift. If you’re looking for the best gift ideas for the PlayStation gamer in your life, look no further. We’ve scoured the internet for what is sure to be the most popular gifts this season, so check out the many great PlayStation gift recommendations below to make your shopping this year a breeze.
PS5 Consoles Available Now
If you haven’t yet been able to secure one, have no fear, PS5 consoles are finally here. That’s right you can currently order a PS5 without any stress at Amazon and several other retailers. I’ll leave a quick link just below before we move on to the rest of the gifts.
Essential PS5 Gifts in 2023
Recently scored a PS5 for you and your family? Well, you’re going to need to get suited and booted with all the essential accessories over 2023, so here are the very best PS5-themed gifts to make sure your loved one is making the most out of their console. From boosting their internal SSD storage to the very best gaming headset, we’ve got you covered.
Top 3 PlayStation Themed Gifts for 2023
Aside from the obvious gift of the PS5 console itself, these are a few of the best gifts you can get the PlayStation gamer in your life this holiday season.
Best PlayStation Apparel Gifts
Buying clothes for someone else is never easy. But, if they’re into PlayStation, then there’s plenty of great options to choose to showcase their fandom including a couple sweet bomber jackets, t-shirts, pullover hoodies, hats, socks, and so much more.
Best PlayStation Collectibles and Toys Gifts
For the collectors out there, PlayStation has plenty of great options to add to a display shelf or show off on a desk at work or home. Check out these great PlayStation collectibles and toys gifts below.
Best God of War Ragnarok Gifts
It’s no surprise that God of War Ragnarok is one of the most anticipated games this year, so we’ve rounded up plenty of great gifts to celebrate the new release including artwork books, apparel, and more.
Best PS5 and PS4 Games Gifts
In the two years the PS5 has been out, there have been plenty of must-play titles including the recent God of War Ragnarok, Horizon Forbidden West, Returnal, The Last of Us: Part I, and so many more. Check out some great gift ideas across both PS5 and PS4 below.
Best IGN Store PlayStation Gifts
We’ve even got some great PlayStation gifts available on the IGN store including collectible items such as the LEGO Tallneck set from Horizon Forbidden West, and Joel and Ellie statues from The Last of Us, as well as plenty of sweet apparel.
Best PlayStation Gifts Under $50
If you’re looking for some great stocking stuffers or PlayStation gifts that won’t break the bank, we’ve got you covered below with some of the best PlayStation gifts under $50.
Matthew Adler is a Commerce, Features, Guides, News, Previews, and Reviews writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @MatthewAdler and watch him stream on Twitch.
Dredge long, but I’m calling it one of my favourite games of the year, right now, in February. Black Salt Games’ sinister fishing RPG is gripping and enchanting in a way I didn’t anticipate. I’ve spent hours exploring its murky waters and my constant shock at what unsettling creatures my hook brings in is seemingly never-ending. Its eldritch world keeps pulling me back with its mystery and malevolent horror, and its sense of atmosphere and tension is incredible. Basically, I’m completely enraptured, hook, line, sinker. Dredge already feels like one of this year’s greatest indie horrors and all this, from a fishing game of all things.
Horizon Call of the Mountain knows what its job is: to ride the popularity of Horizon Forbidden West and spearhead Sony’s new foray into virtual reality gaming, the PlayStation VR 2. It really goes for it by placing less of a focus on the expansive story of Forbidden West and much more on spectacle, often wowing with the sights it places in front of you. On that level it’s a remarkable technical showcase that lets you have a good deal of excitement when taking the handbrake off and handing you control of its exhilarating combat. It’s therefore a slight shame that it often operates at a much more relaxed pace, which does allow you to frequently take in the beauty of its world, but prevents itself from thrilling consistently from start to finish. When it does all click, though, and those heights are hit, a very fun time is there to be had.
Similarly to how a Disneyland ride borrows from whichever film it’s based on, Call of the Mountain takes the Horizon experience and condenses it into something much more bitesize while trying to keep the same flavour. This is exemplified best by the Pirates of the Caribbean-like opening, in which your peaceful river cruise is rudely interrupted by the likes of a soaring Stormbird and towering Tallneck dino-bot. It’s a real credit to the work that developer Firesprite has done in translating Guerrilla’s original art design into something more impressive than any TV screen could do justice to – both in the stunning vistas this world offers and the trademark machines that populate it.
The first time you see the scale of some of these creatures really is a sight to behold, not only from the shift to true first-person perspective emphasizing their true size, but with their presence felt further thanks to the haptic feedback felt both in each controller and the headset itself: as you quite literally feel the ground shake with every step as these massive machines pass by. It’s a real showcase for the PS VR2 right off the bat, with huge spectacle blending with small detail – right down to the delicate ripples your fingers make in the water and the rude splashes made by the feet of giant machines.
Blockbuster opening aside, over the course of its roughly six-hour campaign Call of the Mountain takes the essence of Horizon’s gameplay and boils it down into a much more manageable set of tools that works in VR. Rocky landscapes to explore, hostile machines to take down, puzzles to solve – it’s all here. What’s notable, however, is that this is very much a linear experience that stands in sharp contrast to Zero Dawn or Forbidden West’s vast open worlds. An inquisitive mind is occasionally rewarded with fun side activities, such as stacking rock cairns or collectible archery targets to hit, but mostly you’ll be guided down a funneled path. This narrow approach naturally works well in VR, even if some of the inherent exploration that Horizon normally offers is lost.
If you suffer from any level of vertigo, this may not be the game for you.
There are two movement options to choose from: a “gesture”-based system that moves you around when holding two buttons and imitating a walking motion with your arms, and a more traditional analog stick-based system. After trying both I opted for the former for most of my playthrough, despite both coming with their pros and cons. At first, the gesture system didn’t strike me as overly intuitive, but once I got to grips with it I preferred it simply because it made me feel far less nauseous when playing for long stretches (by which I mean about 30 minutes). I did, however, find myself switching to the analog sticks whenever entering combat, as the dodge mechanics associated with this moveset (a flick of the right stick) made for a much easier time. Everyone’s mileage on this will obviously vary based on your VR tolerances, so I’d recommend trying out both to see which suits you best.
Now’s the time to say that if you suffer from any level of vertigo, this may not be the game for you. I’m not too terrible with real heights, but here I did start to feel a little queasy when looking down at some of the ludicrous distances I could fall from. There are quite a few opportunities for potential plummets as well, thanks to the sheer amount of climbing you’re asked to do. Climbing cliffs. Climbing vines. Climbing ice walls. Climbing rock faces by lodging dual pickaxes into them. Almost so much climbing that you may find yourself wanting to climb the walls of your house as well.
Now, I wasn’t naive enough to think that a game called “Call of the Mountain” wouldn’t involve some climbing, but I was taken somewhat off guard when I found that it really is the majority of what you’ll be doing here, especially in the early hours. Climbing isn’t overly challenging, but honestly reaching for handhold after handhold gets quite dull after you’ve scaled your third or fourth outcrop. It does get slightly more interesting once tools such as the grappling Grabcaster are introduced, and the immersion of it all as the wind swirls around your ears and the excellent music swells as you reach the next peak is undeniable. Although some ascents offer slightly more excitement than others, I can honestly say I never found climbing to be consistently fun. It’s frustrating then, that it dominates much of what you’ll be doing in Call of the Mountain, in particular when compared to its much less frequent but infinitely more exciting combat sections.
Largely taking place in mini arenas, these gladiatorial battles against all manner of unfriendly machine are often the highlight of each mission. It’s where the immersion of it all really beds in as you briefly forget what era of Earth you’re living in and the rhythm of combat takes hold. Armed with the signature Horizon weapon of a bow and arrow, you’ll quickly find yourself aiming for enemy weak points using the PS VR2’s impressive eyeball tracking tech, and then quick-dodging out of the way of flying melee attacks before ducking and weaving your head out of the way of projectiles.
It’s a set of combat options that gradually builds over time as well, as new ammo types are introduced and your arsenal expanded. As stronger foes present themselves, naturally more firepower is needed, and with it the levels of excitement to find increase – a thrilling fight against a colossal Thunderjaw being a particular highlight. Preparing yourself for encounters becomes increasingly more important as you build all sorts of elemental arrows in a pleasing crafting system that lets you manually attach arrowheads, explosives, and flights, thus further creating a tangible connection to the world.
More gratifying than crafting arrows though is, of course, firing them – and in this regard Call of the Mountain has really nailed it. Now, my real-world archery experience may only stretch as far as giving it a go when 11 years old on a school trip, but in my expert opinion this feels pretty damn good. There’s a real pleasing “ping” to the way each arrow flies off of the bowstring and haptic feedback tickles your palm, and then an even greater thrill as it slams into whatever is unfortunate enough to be in its way and sets them aflame thanks to explosive Blaze. Unlike the climbing, it just never gets old to watch sparks fly and machine parts fall off as the fundamentally brilliant Horizon combat successfully makes its way into the virtual reality space.
It’s a highly satisfying cadence that works really well in VR thanks to its enthralling but never overwhelming speed, but is also forgiving if you happen to get blindsided by a roaming Scrapper, for example. If you do manage to take some damage you can find a pocket of peace amongst the mayhem by going for a snack break and refilling your health bar by munching on some fruit. A health bar is smartly located on one of your hands (much like we saw in Half-Life: Alyx) meaning it’s never more than a quick glance away, like checking the time on a watch, and always in view when aiming down sights. All in all, the interface of Call of the Mountain is very cleverly implemented, making it feel like a tangible part of your character and not a series of distracting floating boxes that threaten to take you out of the beautiful world.
The fundamentally brilliant Horizon combat successfully makes its way into the virtual reality space.
Puzzles also pop up here and there and, again, serve as a welcome break from climbing. Did I mention there’s a lot of climbing? The problems are sometimes fun but never overly difficult, and once the novelty of actually physically picking up gears and slotting them into position myself wore out they became yet another minor obstacle on the way to the next combat encounter or story moment.
That story is serviceable, but one that is definitely engineered in order to facilitate big moments and fun cameos rather than tell a layered tale itself the way the previous two Horizons have. Here you play as Ryas rather than Aloy – he’s a Shadow Carja rebel who must complete a series of tasks in order to atone for his crimes. His internal monologues are mercifully limited in a smart maneuver that allows you to experience this world first-hand yourself and not be distracted by voices in your head.
Naturally, things escalate as the plot thickens, and the second half of the campaign becomes much more engaging than the first thanks to the action increasing in both quality and quantity. A personal highlight is the aforementioned Thunderjaw cat and mouse section, which conjures up memories of Jurassic Park at its rousing best. There are a few little nods scattered throughout for big Horizon fans to find of value here – familiar faces like Aloy drop in to say hello – but don’t necessarily come in expecting a dense new chapter in this universe’s lore.
Outside the main story you’re free to explore your small home base, take a closer look at artifacts collected on your expeditions, and chat with friends made along the way. It’s also home to the pleasant safari mode: a largely tranquil alternative version of the opening boat cruise which shows off a selection of the Horizon bestiary in its natural habitat. It’s short, sweet, and a reflection of the Disneyland-like nature of Call of the Mountain as a whole – an impressive technical showcase for PS VR2 which uses the inherent wonders of the Horizon world to sprinkle thrills into its sometimes-lazy river ride.
Check Out This Awesome Sale on Nintendo Switch Games
There are some great deals here to check out, with some of my personal favourite Switch games included just below as well. Sonic Frontiers for £32 is a great deal and one of my top games from 2022, and LEGO Star Wars is absolutely one of the best portable games on the market at the moment. I’ve left all the relevant links, just below.
AD: Avast One Individual Down to £23.99/Year (was £79.99/Year)
Looking for comprehensive protection for your digital life at a price that won’t break the bank? Look no further than Avast One Individual. For a limited time only, you can get offering the top-of-the-line digital security suite for just £23.99 per year – that’s a massive 70% off the regular price of £79.99.
With Avast One Individual, you’ll get all the features you need to stay safe online, including advanced antivirus protection, a powerful firewall, and cutting-edge anti-phishing technology. Plus, you’ll get real-time alerts to keep you informed of potential threats and the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your digital life is protected by one of the world’s most trusted names in cybersecurity.
Perfect PS5 1TB SSD with Heatsink for £84 (Incredible Deal)
This is a very good deal on PS5 SSDs, especially as you don’t need to further invest in a separate heatsink for the Netac NV7000. Plus, if you want o go even further, 2TB for just under £147 is an incredible offer and well worth considering if you’re still on your base PS5 storage.
Here’s a great deal for those who are loving the latest HBO hit, The Last of Us. Yes, this is based on the game as many of us know, and many of us might also know that there’s a sequel to that game. The Last of Us Part 2 is a critically acclaimed darling (with a few controversies thrown in), and it can be picked up for just £8.39 if you’re a PS Plus member right now (down from £34.99).
These are the best random-ish deals that I want to highlight, but can’t necessarily fit anywhere else. A favourite of mine today is definitely the unisex hoodie blanket, down to just £12.99. This is a great price considering you’re looking at £20-30 anywhere else for a similar quality blanket. My top tip for when you buy one, wash it immediately on its own, once it’s dry it’ll be 10/10 comfort.
There’s some great deals floating around at the moment for PS5 and Xbox bundles, and they even include the hottest game right now, Hogwarts Legacy. You can currently get the PS5 with Hogwarts Legacy Bundle for just £516.98 at Argos. (There’s also a bunch of other superb bundles to check out just below as well).
Overall that works out at £479.99 for the PS5, and just £36.99 for Hogwarts Legacy, about £23 off the new game already. Make sure to just click the ‘Money Off Bundles’ section which will take you to all the current bundle offers Argos has got, including the new Hogwarts Legacy deal. See our full 9/10 review for the game here.
Amazing Discounts on Anker Tech Right Now
There’s some great deals on Anker headphones, USB cables and more at Amazon right now. My favourite is definitely on the Soundcore Q45 Adaptive Noise Cancelling Headphones, dropping down to just £97.99. This is a great option for an affordable but amazing set of headphones (instead of dropping £300 on a Bose or Sony set).
With Keeper, you can store all of your passwords, credit card info, and other sensitive data in one secure, encrypted digital vault. Plus, they use top-notch encryption technology to keep your stuff safe and have added bonus features like password generation, password sharing, and two-factor authentication.
Where to Preorder The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom in the UK
The best Tears of the Kingdom (or Breath of the Wild 2 as many of us called it for years) preorder deal in the UK is still at Hit for £49.85, or ShopTo for the same price. In case you’re wondering, both ShopTo and Hit are 100% legit UK retailers. We’ve linked out to both of them before, and have had no complaints! I’ll leave all the relevant links down below for Tears of the Kingdom preorders.
Where to Preorder Tears of the Kingdom Collector’s Edition and Amiibo
Preorders for the Collector’s Edition are currently sold out everywhere, including Smyths, GAME, and ShopTo. Amazon currently has a listing up, but has not gone live with it yet.
You can also register your interest in the Collector’s Edition, or the Link – Tears of the Kingdom amiibo (£12.99) from Nintendo right now in the UK. Otherwise, follow and set notifications on for @IGNUKDeals on Twitter as we’ll tweet when more preorders go live.
Metroid Prime Remastered Is Now on Nintendo Switch
After years of rumors, Metroid Prime Remastered is real. If that wasn’t exciting enough, Nintendo has already released the game digitally. But, if you’d prefer to wait for a physical copy, it’s out on March 3, 2023, and can be preorder right now from the links below.
“full-on update-sized update” would be coming to Team Fortress 2 this summer, getting us all excited at the thought of new content after years in maintenance mode. Valve have now quietly edited their original announcement blog post, walking back the hype while emphasising the community-developed aspects of the update.
Wild Hearts came in hot and fast earlier this week. So while other outlets will be delivering their final verdicts on Omega Force’s beast batterin’ simulator today, I’m afraid I haven’t had the chance to play enough of it to give it a fair shakedown yet. It’s good, though! I really like it, and as a huge 
Dredge long, but I’m calling it one of my favourite games of the year, right now, in February. Black Salt Games’ sinister fishing 
“full-on update-sized update” would be coming to