Share of the Week – Season: A letter to the future

Last week, we asked you to embark on a journey to record the past in Season: A letter to the future using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights:

shimo_ps shares Estelle riding her bike up an inclining road

MrNeverNeverman shares a portrait of Estelle with her headphones on

Sarokeye shares Estelle sitting in a field with a friend

oolongchafun shares Estelle riding through a lantern-lit grove

call_me_xavii shares Estelle walking her bike along a mountainside 

sparkling_Port9 shares Estelle approaching a cobblestone bridge. 

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: Romance
SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on February 15, 2023

Next week is all about romance. Share romantic characters or settings from the game of your choice using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

Nintendo Admits Switch Sales Unlikely to Continue Growing at the Same Pace

Nintendo has admitted that Switch sales are unlikely to grow at the same pace going forward as the console prepares to enter its seventh year on the market.

Following its financial results being released earlier in February, Nintendo shared the English version of its investors Q&A session which revealed that the Switch’s best selling year might be behind us.

“Nintendo Switch is coming up on its seventh year of sales in March, and we see this as uncharted territory in the history of our dedicated video game platforms,” said Nintendo director and president Shuntaro Furukawa. “Under these circumstances it is hard to imagine that hardware sales will continue to grow at the same pace they have to date.

“Nintendo is still hopeful that sales could increase, however, through the launch of new games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom or from customers buying a second console.

“There are titles under development for Nintendo Switch, and new titles will continue to be proposed going forward,” Furukawa said.

“We are seeing both new demand and multiple system demand for the hardware, so we think there is still room for growth in sales. To that end, we want to maintain a high level of engagement with the hardware and create new demand not only by releasing new titles but also by working further to convey the appeal of existing titles.”

No console since the original NES, which launched in Japan in 1983 and wasn’t surpassed until the SNES launched in 1990, had been on the market for seven years. Nintendo hardware usually remains the company’s premiere option for five or six years.

The console is certainly performing well for Nintendo, however, as it’s now surpassed 122 million units sold and become the third best selling console of all time. As Nintendo noted, the upcoming launch of Tears of the Kingdom will also likely cause a spike in sales, even despite the $10 price increase.

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelancer and acting UK news editor. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.

Industries of Titan review: a curious hybrid builder that’s less than the sum of its parts

Industries Of Titan started out as an ambitious concept. A hybrid of a factory layout/logistics sim, integrated into a city builder, combined with an RTS, all wrapped up in a satirical dystopia encouraging you to be the most appalling villainous hypercapitalist possible.

All of those parts are present, and as a bonus it’s incredibly gorgeous, with strong voice acting and a distinctive soundtrack that will haunt my head for weeks. Most of its parts are made to a high standard, it’s tragic that its final design just doesn’t work at all.

Of all things, IOT reminds me of Fragile Allegiance. You’re a ‘founder’, sent to an already colonised and abandoned Titan to build a new city at the behest of the Council. You’re a ‘founder’, sent to an already colonised and abandoned Titan to build a new city at the behest of the Council. First, by salvaging its ruined buildings for minerals and isotopes, then mining for surface deposits, all of which goes back into your building resources. Curiously, you never combine two resources to produce a third, you can only upgrade minerals through a tier system. Higher tier resources are more potent, meaning, for exmaple, a building site will accept 100 raw minerals or four higher tier units. It’s a bit strange, but it mostly works.

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Mobile leaks point to an April release for spacefaring RPG Honkai: Star Rail

Honkai: Star Rail is the first turn-based RPG in the Honkai / Genshin Impact universe, and its final beta started earlier today on PC and mobile. Pre-registration has now closed, but you might be able to gain access through the game’s FAQ page. While HoYoverse haven’t announced a release date for their cosmic fantasy adventure, eagle-eyed fans have spotted a potential April date on the IOS App Store.

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Reminder: Splatoon 3’s Chocolate Splatfest Is This Weekend, Which Team Will You Pick?

Update: Starts 11th Feb.

Update : Here we go! Splatoon 3’s chocolate-themed Splatfest is almost here.

It’s a pretty simple question this time around, but one that has the NL staff fiercely divided — “What’s your favourite chocolate?” As always, let us know what yours is by voting in the poll below, plus you can get more details on Splatfests from our guide.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for February 13 to 17

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!


Ten Dates Box Art

Ten Dates – February 14
Xbox Play Anywhere

Ten Dates is the sequel to the interactive rom-com, Five Dates, taking place in the post-pandemic world. Throughout the game, your choices and interactions will either strengthen or weaken your relationship with your date. Amidst a branching, multi-directional chain of conversation topics and deep-dive questions, Misha and Ryan are faced with ice-breaker games, awkward scenarios, and unexpected truths. Will either find love?

Wanted: Dead Box Art

Wanted: Dead – February 14
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A new hybrid slasher/shooter from the makers of Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive. The game follows a week in life of the Zombie Unit, an elite Hong Kong police squad on a mission to uncover a major corporate conspiracy. Play as Lt. Hannah Stone, a hardboiled Hong Kong cop, and plow through mercenaries, gang members and private military contractors in a spectacular cyberpunk adventure.

Cities: Skylines – Remastered Box Art

Cities: Skylines – Remastered – February 15
Game Pass

An award-winning, best-selling management game now remastered for Xbox Series X|S with all its robust city-simulation gameplay and unique charm along for the ride. Design, build, and manage the city of your dreams, from public services to civic policies, and challenge yourself to grow from a simple town to a bustling metropolitan hub. Available on Cloud and Console.

Geometric Sniper - Blood in Paris Box Art

Geometric Sniper – Blood in Paris – February 15

As a sniper, you’ll have to pay attention to the details and find the perfect moment to shoot. Your targets know they are wanted and will try to hide in a variety of ways. Have the patience to establish a clear shot, memorizing the information for each mission.

Launcher Heroes Box Art

Launcher Heroes – February 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A tactical, artillery, party game where you try to knock your opponents off the world. Use an assortment of items such as bombs, rockets, and jetpacks to help you navigate and destroy the terrain. Play locally or online (up to 6 players in total) in a variety of game modes.

Pocket Watch Box Art

Pocket Witch – February 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A little witch has been locked away in a dungeon filled with traps and deadly roving enemies — and it’s up to you to help her escape! Pocket Witch is a precision platformer presented in retro pixel art style, where the little titular witch must overcome a series of brainteasing challenges to thwart the evil sorcerer who imprisoned her.

W.A.R.P. Box Art

W.A.R.P. – February 15

Face inertia, acceleration, and gravity in a challenge that requires pinpoint accuracy. Use each weapon and even the space hazards to your advantage and face the most difficult trials across three different modes: Adventure, Landing, and Survival (Arena) for different challenges!

Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart Box Art

Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart – February 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Race around Cretacia in a prehistoric kart championship for up to 4 players of all ages, where you can play as your favorite dino friends and even bump into the mysterious Giganotosaurus himself! Outrun dangers like hot lava eruptions from Mount Oblivion or feel the power of the famous Giganotosaurus Roar. Charge through the pack by picking up special skills that give you a shortcut, or a jetpack-powered boost… or a way to knock out your rivals.

Pinball FX Box Art

Pinball FX – February 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Discover brand new exclusive tables created for Pinball FX, or find your favorites among more than 80 unique and visually enhanced favorites from Zen’s extensive digital pinball library. Relive the most iconic moments from entertainment powerhouses like Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Marvel, Universal Studios, and many more. Enjoy accurate re-creations of the most famous pinball machines of all time with Williams Pinball, or have fun with Zen’s original creations.

Shadow Warrior 3: Definitive Edition Box Art

Shadow Warrior 3: Definitive Edition – February 16
Game Pass

Trek across a mythic Asian land infused with the magic and technology of ancient samurai, now overrun by the demonic yokai from Japanese folklore. Experience the Definitive Edition of Shadow Warrior 3 with tons of new features and modes with fast-paced gunplay, razor-sharp melee combat, and a spectacular free-running movement system. Available on Cloud, Console, and PC.

CometStriker DX Box Art

CometStriker DX – February 17
Xbox Play Anywhere

An arcade action shooter featuring dodging, strategic power-ups, and intense boss fights! A world devouring, living space station has set its sights on your planet. Help Lt. Comet Striker on his journey to recover the Ancient Power Cores from various worlds to power the Planetary Defense Cannon, his world’s only hope against this cosmic menace!

CyberHeroes Arena DX Box Art

CyberHeroes Arena DX – February 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Choose your robot, create your build, and destroy all cyber monsters to survive in this mecha-themed rougelite. Collect money to buy skills and items to complete missions and unlock other playable robots.

Dark Burial: Enhanced Edition Box Art

Dark Burial: Enhanced Edition – February 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A retro-styled puzzle platformer where you play as a sentinel who must fight his way through enemies and light signal fires, warning people that a dark army that is fast approaching. The Enhanced Edition includes 8 new levels, 1 new boss, partially improved graphics and gameplay.

Rise of the Fox Hero Box Art

Rise of the Fox Hero – February 17 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A colorful 3D platformer with fun combat and puzzle elements. Armed with a sword and a shield, you will help the fox jump, fight, and solve puzzles throughout four different chapters and 32 different levels. Explore colorful and beautiful environments and find all the collectibles while battling tons of different enemies. And beware — by the end of each chapter, an epic boss fight awaits!

Road Stones Box Art

Road Stones – February 17

Become the savior in this action-packed strategy combining arcade and strategy gameplay inspired by the tower defense genre. Stop the hordes of undead monsters whose sole aim is to destroy any living thing. Can you be the brave and bold hero that is desperately needed in this monster-infested kingdom?

Rooftop Renegade Box Art

Rooftop Renegade – February 17

An action platformer all about speed and flow. Evade capture by navigating through futuristic skyscrapers, channeling powerful abilities from your hover blades. Boost through levels under constant bombardment, avoid dangerous hazards and make split second decisions that mean the difference between a new personal best or total wipeout.

Tales of Symphonia Remastered Box Art

Tales of Symphonia Remastered – February 17

Dive back into Tales of Symphonia, an exciting and beloved action RPG, now with enhanced graphics and improved gameplay! In a dying world, legend has it that a Chosen One will one day rise from amongst the people and the land will be reborn. The line between good and evil blurs in this epic adventure where the fate of two interlocked worlds hangs in the balance. Follow the journey of Lloyd Irving as he and his friends try to save both worlds.

Wild Hearts Box Art

Wild Hearts – February 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Experience a unique twist on the hunting genre where technology gives you a fighting chance against fearsome beasts infused with the ferocious power of nature itself. Take on these creatures alone or hunt with friends in seamless co-op. Pre-order the Karakuri Edition to receive six pre-order exclusive items, the Ferocious Kemono Emote, and five Chat Stamps.

Related:
Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Madden NFL 23, Atomic Heart, Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, and More<br>
Next Week on Xbox: New Games for February 6 to 10
Next Week on Xbox: New Games for January 16 to 20

Players’ Choice: Best of PS5

Since PS5 launched in 2020, millions of players have soared over the Forbidden West, broken the cycle on Atropos, faced the gods of Midgard, and saved Astro’s friends across the Playroom. PS5 owners have guided their team to glory, faced down their opponents in enormous battles, and discovered unbelievable worlds across hundreds of games.


Players’ Choice: Best of PS5

And now, with more PS5s available than ever before, those looking to explore these worlds will have a much easier time doing so. New players will join the community with a wealth of adventures to choose from and there’s even more games on their way.

But where to start?

For some new players, that question could be a daunting one. To help guide these players, we’re looking to you, the gamers who are already with us, to highlight some of PS5’s best games, use of DualSense Wireless Controller and more to date. 

Cast your vote in the Players’ Choice: Best of PS5 polls, and we’ll put together a list of your  must-try games and features for new PS5 owners to get started with. The lists below are a starting point, but you can add your own comments in each category if you think we’ve missed anything.

Votes can be cast until February 16, 2023 at 6:00am PT / 2pm GMT, and we’ll reveal the most popular choices across our social channels over the coming weeks.
While you await the results, take a look forward to what you can expect on PS5 in 2023.

V Rising is overhauling the magic system in May’s free expansion

V Rising continues its early access with a free expansion coming in May. It’s meaty, overhauling a few areas of the game including magic progression, spellcasting, and lair building in preparation for the endgame. But it’s also “giving you more of what you already love” with new weapons and spells, boss battles, areas, and factions. Quite a lot to sink your teeth into, then.

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