Valve is honoring the 20th anniversary of Half-Life 2 with a celebration that includes a brand-new two-hour documentary, a developer commentary update, and more.
The studio updated fans on the festivities on its website today, revealing a gift basket full of goodies for fans new and old. While it’s not quite the Half-Life 3 announcement fans have waited two decades for, it’s still more than enough to help with the wait.
Topping the list of announcements is a two-hour making-of video from the Secret Tape team behind the Half-Life 1 documentary. Valve says die-hard fans can start watching the Half-Life 2 documentary today for a behind-the-scenes look at how the studio handled running out of money, getting hacked, building its PC storefront Steam, and more. It’s an in-depth peek behind the curtain at a pivotal moment in gaming history, but the festivities don’t stop there.
Half-Life 2 owners can also now enjoy a new update that adds everything from additional content to ironed out wrinkles. This includes access to the original Episode One and Episode Two expansions, which have been bundled into to the base experience at no additional cost. Valve adds that it reassembled the original Half-Life 2 team to provide commentary tracks for the entire game.
Steam Workshop support and Steam game recording are just two more bonuses that have been added to help celebrate Half-Life 2’s 20th anniversary, with even more included in the form of general touch-ups and fixes. Some of the update’s changes include rebalanced lighting, cleaner horizons, new graphics settings for things like blood and fire effects, and an overhaul for aim-assist.
“Every map in Half-Life 2 has been looked over by Valve level designers to fix longstanding bugs, restore content and features lost to time, and improve the quality of a few things like lightmap resolution and fog,” the studio explains.
If you’re interested in Half-Life 2 and want to check out the 20th anniversary update, you’re in luck; Valve has made the game free to own until November 18. That means you get the entire sequel experience, including its two expansions, at no cost whatsoever – as long as you click that download button in the next few days.
Half-Life 2 has long been hailed as one of Valve’s best projects and one of the most important video games ever made. In our original review, we called it a “amazing” and gave it a 9.7/10. Fans have combed over every detail of the first-person sequel since its release on November 16, 2004, and once the 20th anniversary update is live, there will be even more to uncover. While it’s true that Half-Life 3 still hasn’t been confirmed to be in the works, the goodies revealed today should help with the wait until a sequel is actually, really revealed. There’s also the VR-exclusive Half-Life: Alyx, which we gave a 10/10.
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.
Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.
Shines Over: The Damned is now available for preorder on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.
Unique design that pulls you into a richly conceived world.
Challenging gameplay beloved by fans of first person horror adventure.
Immerse yourself in a world filled with mystery and darkness. Developed by Juan-Mod Studio, Shines Over: The Damned features a unique horror narrative that grips you from the start. Explore vast lands with your faithful dog, a German Shepard. Face the horror and experience a unique atmosphere.
Your loyal German Shepherd is more than just a companion; it plays a crucial role in navigating the world and providing emotional depth during key moments in the story.
Shines Over: The Damned is now accessible to a whole new audience, bringing its unique experience to Xbox players. Whether you’re an Xbox Series X|S player or enjoying the game on Xbox One, you can dive into this immersive world November 26, and preorder today.
Innovative Design Pulls you in
The art style of Shines Over: The Damned stands out for its dark and immersive atmosphere, complemented by a soundtrack that heightens the experience. Every visual element contributes to the narrative and world-building. Shines Over: The Damned has been developed with megascans technology a unique technology for hyper-realistic environments. Being an environmental game, all the environments have been made with realistic textures of elements with very high definition. This gives the game a realistic look and feel all the way through.
A Game that Hits the Ground Running
Since its initial launch in March, 2024 on PlayStation 5, Shines Over: The Damned has received great reviews from around the gaming community as a pleasant surprise with a thought-provoking story. It’s hard to define within a genre, and we agree with Softpedia’s review that Shines Over: The Damned deserves “its own category”. We are so excited to bring the game to Xbox and watch Xbox fans make it their next must-play Xbox title.
Shines Over: The Damned is a journey you won’t want to miss. This game redefines the horror experience with its rich narrative and captivating art style. Whether you’re a fan of psychological thrillers, survival horror, or simply enjoy exploring rich and beautifully crafted game worlds, Shines Over: The Damnedoffers something for everyone. Don’t wait – preorder today and join the ever-growing community of players who have already been drawn into this unforgettable tale when it launches November 26.
Shines Over: The Damned will take you into a unique experimental horror experience in first person, where your senses will be tested and your reality questioned.
You have no name, no memory, no weapons. There are no friends to protect you. You are alone except for your faithful German Shepherd dog, who will guide you through this dark world and stay by your side.
Immerse yourself in a mysterious and terrifying walking simulator with your faithful companion, where jump scares, tension, and environmental puzzles surround you, and danger lies in wait.
Beware of the horrors that await you in Shines Over: The Damned. You have been warned…
Licensed games can be a great way to build interest with a familiar property, but they can also be fraught as various stakeholders weigh in on its creative direction. Xbox CEO Phil Spencer is aware of these challenges, and they’re one reason he’s “not the biggest fan” of committing resources to licensed games.
Speaking with the Game File newsletter, Spencer talked about some of the “complexities” that come with making licensed games, especially when it comes to putting them on subscription or streaming services.
“We’ve seen it in racing games that have to get delisted, because you lose certain licenses,” Spencer said. “So I’m always very careful, if we’re going to take on a license, that we’re doing it for creative reasons, [that] the team has a goal around what they want to do.”
When it comes to Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which is being developed with input from Lucasfilm Games, Spencer say that MachineGames’ passion for the property was reason enough to take on the license.
I think what you see in Indiana Jones is a team that really loves Indiana Jones and that world
“I think what you see in Indiana Jones is a team that really loves Indiana Jones and that world. The story is, to me, one of the strongest parts of that game—the way you feel like you’re Indiana Jones from a first person perspective,” Spencer said. “So it’s clear that’s something they wanted to do. But, for us, given the [intellectual property] that we have that we own. I’m a big fan of us using the IP that we haven’t even revisited.”
As for whether or not the Indiana Jones license might eventually expire, Spencer said, “I feel great about our partnership with Lucas and Disney, all up, on that. They’ve been good partners. We’re obviously doing Blade with Arkane Lyon with them. I was just out there visiting with that team.”
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is out December 9 for Xbox and PC, with the PS5 release set for spring 2025. You can read our full hands-on preview right here.
Kat Bailey is IGN’s News Director as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.
Over the past few console generations with built-in storage, gamers were typically stuck with however much storage they bought the console with. With the PS5, Sony made a surprising move by including an internal M.2 PCIe slot to install an off-the-shelf SSD to supplement the internal storage. Given that this is the same company that paired the PS Vita and PSP with ludicrously expensive memory cards, this was a welcoming change of space, especially given the paltry 825GB of storage you have to work with. Now, you can install high-end PC SSDs like the Corsair MP600 Pro LPX, our number one pick, to load even more games, nearly as fast as the extra-special drive that’s built into the console itself.
TL;DR – These Are the Best SSDs for PS5:
There are a few restrictions. First, you need a PCIe 4.0 or Gen 4 drive or better. This interface allows for SSD speeds up to 7,500MB/s, which is a huge improvement over the 3,500MB/s for Gen 3 M.2 SSDs. You’re also going to need an M.2 drive. The actual physical size of the drive doesn’t matter, with the PS5 having screw holes for every size of M.2 drive on the market right now. However, most of the time you’re going to want to stick with an M.2 2280 drive – they’re the most common M.2 drives on the market.
We also recommend getting an SSD with a built-in heatsink. There are size restrictions on the heatsink itself, it can’t be taller than 11.25mm. Luckily there really aren’t many SSDs out there that won’t fit. Your PS5 SSD needs a heatsink because PCIe 4.0 SSDs have a tendency to create a lot of heat when under load, and the little cubby where the SSD slot is located isn’t exactly ideal for passive airflow over the drive itself. So, you’ll need a heatsink just to make sure your drive doesn’t overheat and throttle its performance. You can either get an SSD with a built-in heatsink, or get a seperate heatsink, either way will work just fine.
As for capacity, choose however much storage you think you’ll need. Most people will probably be fine sticking with a 1TB drive to supplement their system. This will essentially double your available storage, and can store a ton of games, or at least allow you to install Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and like two other games. You can of course splurge for a giant 4TB drive as well, allowing you to create a huge archive of games, just be aware that these capacious drives have a much higher price tag.
A healthy amount of SSDs are available that pair perfectly with the PS5’s M.2 slot. Given there’s more competition than even just a couple of years ago, you’ll find plenty of high-speed, low-cost drives for a sub-$100 price tag. If you’re looking to amp up storage, you’ll find the price of these drives rises exponentially; bigger drives, like the upcoming 8TB SSD from Western Digital, will run you well over $500.
You’ll want to ensure you install an NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD with maximum dimensions of 110 x 25 x 11.25 mm or 4.33 x 0.984 x 0.442 inches, including the heatsink. Clearly, the PS5 has some cramped, shallow quarters, leading to high temps, rendering a heatsink necessary to prevent bottlenecking or damage to the drive. Luckily, most drives come with an optional heatsink, but if you need to venture out on your own to grab one, be sure it fits height requirements of under 8mm above the SSD or 2.45mm below.
Beyond size requirements, you’ll need at least a PCIe 4.0 SSD, that can reach sequential read speeds of 5500MB/s or faster. Most SSDs will have a rated sequential read speed and write speed advertised, so you can get a pretty good idea of how fast it’ll be by looking at the box. When you go to install a PS5 SSD, it will run the drive through its own speed test, which will tell you definitively if it’s fast enough to run PS5 games. In my experience, this speed test peaks at around 6,500MB/s, so drives that are significantly faster than this aren’t really worth getting for the PS5. These days, most PCIe 4.0 drives are rated for aroun 7,000 – 7,500MB/s, so you’ll be spoiled for choice.
Another thing you’re going to want to take a look at is the warranty of the drive. This is more than just marketing hype, most SSDs will be rated for an amount of time, usually 5 years, along with an endurance rating, measured in TBW. This stands for ‘Terabytes Written’ and measures how much data can theoretically be written to the drive over its lifespan before it fails. This doesn’t mean that a drive rated for 700TBW will fail after you fill it 700 times, but instead that it should last at least until that point.
You’ll also want to look at the type of NAND memory the SSD is built from. There are three types of NAND that are typically used: QLC, TLC and MLC. The main difference between the three are endurance, with QLC lasting the least amount of time, and MLC being the most durable. Of course, this will also affect the price of the drive, with QLC drives usually being the most affordable drives on the market, with MLC NAND typically found on the most expensive SSDs on the market, and are generally meant for creative professionals, rather than gamers. All of the drives on this list are using TLC NAND, which naturally falls somewhere in the middle.
Given the PS5 only offers 825GB of space and the PS5 Slim has 1TB, you’ll more than likely want and/or need more storage. Games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Baldur’s Gate 3 take up well over 100GB each when installed, so you’re storage will fill up quickly. The M.2 expansion slot lets you add 250GB-8TB of speedy internal storage. 1TB seems to be the sweet spot between capacity and price, but if you’re looking to put your massive gaming library on one console, you’ll want even more space. Luckily, most mainstream PCIe 4.0 SSDs come in capacities up to 4TB, so you can really build up a library if you have the budget for it.
Beyond an internal SSD, which should be your preferred storage option, you can use an external hard drive. Some external SSD offerings hit relatively high speeds. You can’t run PS5 games on them. However, it will save you the hassle of redownloading larger games, while PS4 titles can be played right on the drive.
Looking for assistance in installing your PS5 SSD after puchase? Be sure to check out our guide on how to upgrade your PS5 storage. Luckily, you don’t need to be hardware aficionado to figure it out.
1. Corsair MP600 Pro LPX
Best PS5 SSD
The Corsair MP600 was one of the first SSDs that were actually advertised as a PS5 SSD, and to this day it remains one of the best. While it can’t keep up with some newer SSDs – especially those built on PCIe 5.0 – the PS5 can’t really take advantage of much faster drives anyways. And given the fact that you can find the Corsair MP600 for as little as $80 for a 1TB version, it doesn’t make sense to get anything else.
This SSD is rated for a sequential read speed of 7,100MB/s, with write speeds up to 5,800MB/s, which puts it well into the territory of PS5-compatible drives. In reality, those speeds will only be reached on PC, with the PS5 rating it around 6,500MB/s. That’s still more than fast enough to load most PS5 games as fast, or even faster than the main SSD built into the system.
However, the 1TB version of the Corsair MP600 has a durability rating of just 700TBW, or terabytes written. This essentially means the drive is warrantied to run well until it’s written 700TB over its lifetime. Given that means filling the drive 700 times, though, it’s unlikely most PS5 gamers will ever reach that number. Instead, this is only really an issue if you’re ever going to want to rip this drive back out of your PS5 Pro and throw it into an editing rig or something. Most people will never even come close to that 700TB.
2. Crucial T500
Best Budget PS5 SSD
The Crucial T500 is the best-value SSD around, with nice performance bump from P5 Plus, which previously held this spot. For just over $100, comes a drive offering 1TB of storage with a heatsink attached – only $15 more than the non-heatsink model – and is perfectly sized to slot into the cramped quarters of the PS5. Not only does this drive double the storage on the console, but the hassle of finding and spending extra cash on an absolutely necessary heatsink that fits can be avoided.
Afraid of losing fast speeds with such a great-priced SSD? Don’t be, as the T500 keeps up with the best high-performance drives thanks to the Micron TLC 3D NAND flash memory – a solid step up from the QLC NAND seen in many budget SSDs. Max read speeds of up to 7,300 MB/s can be expected from the 1TB drive. Write speeds aren’t shabby either, hitting up to 6,800MB/S. So, everything from game boots and saves to transferring massive gameplay clips will be fast and seamless.
If 1TB doesn’t seem like enough storage, bumping up to the Crucial T500 2TB SSD sees a big increase in storage space and even faster speeds. The TBW rating is also doubled to 1,200 compared to the 1TB drive, though it still offers the same 5-year warranty found on most SSDs. Unfortunately, a 4TB option isn’t available for the biggest game library.
3. Samsung 990 Evo Plus
Best PS5 SSD Without Heatsink
While you can spend a lot of cash on a PS5 SSD, I’ve always preferred drives that deliver excellent performance, without a bloated price tag. That’s essentially what the Samsung 990 Evo Plus provides. It does have a lower endurance rating than the more expensive 990 Pro, but that’s not something you really have to worry about if you’re plugging an SSD into a console. Plus, the 2TB drive I tested is still rated for 1,200 TBW (terabytes written), which is more than most gamers will ever actually use.
What’s more important is speed. Now, while the drive is rated for up to 7,250MB/s sequential read speeds, the PS5 storage test that runs when you install a new drive rated it at 6,137MB/s. That’s still more than fast enough for PS5 games to run on it, and in my testing it loaded Metaphor: Refantazio in just 4.37 seconds, a bit faster than the native drive at 4.47 seconds. That’s just a 10ms difference in loading time, but hey, at least you know it’s not going to load your games slower, right?
One thing to keep in mind is that the Samsung 990 Evo Plus is a DRAM-less SSD, which means lower peak performance in pro workloads. However, while it does mean this drive has lower peak performance than it would with a dedicated DRAM cache built-in, the PS5 can’t take advantage of its full rated speed anyways, so it really doesn’t matter. What does matter, though, is Samsung doesn’t currently sell the Samsung 990 Evo Plus with a heatsink attached, which means you’re going to need to pair it with one of your own. Luckily, SSD heatsinks are generally just a few bucks on Amazon, and you could probably get away without one, too.
4. WD_Black P40
Best External PS5 SSD
The WD_Black P40 is not your traditional hard drive. Instead, it’s an external SSD that connects to the PS5 over USB, skipping the hassle of using a screwdriver to open up the M.2 expansion slot on the console. Plus, it’s not exclusive to the PlayStation, so this 1TB works perfectly as an external SSD for Xbox or PC. However, some caveats come with this storage solution.
Unlike the internal SSDs we recommended in this guide, the WD_Black P50 can’t run PS5 games that are installed on it. Their file data can be stored quite happily, saving the hassle of redownloading the almost 100GB Spider-Man 2 whenever you want to get back to web-slinging. At least PS4 titles can still be played directly from this USB drive, making space for newer PS5 games on the internal storage.
Though the WD_Black P40 can’t hold a candle to the speeds of internal PS5 SSDs, it’s significantly faster than typical hard drives, tapping out at an impressive 2,000MB/s read speed with a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 connection. That speediness can be especially handy for quickly transferring data from the PS4 to PS5 when setting up the new console.
PS5 SSD FAQ
Is an SSD worth it for PS5?
A good chunk of the PS5’s internal 825GB SSD is taken up by system files, leaving you with a little over 650GB of usable storage space. The PS5 Slim adds a bit more storage, and the PS5 Pro further updates the storage up to 2TB. If you dedicate yourself to only a few games at a time those smaller storage amounts should probably be enough. But if you like having several games on the go, or are a fiend for live service games that tend to balloon in size as more updates and content packs are added, you’ll soon find yourself hitting the limits of the PS5’s storage. At that point, get yourself an SSD. It’s one of the best PS5 accessories you can invest in.
What speed SSD should I get for PS5?
You’ll need an SSD that’s rated with a read speed of at least 5,500MB/s. In practice, it’s difficult not to find a PCIE 4.0 drive that ticks that box. The higher the speed the better, but unless you’re looking to regularly transfer lots of files back and forth from your drive, anything 6,500MB/s or above should do you absolutely fine.
When is the best time to buy a PS5 SSD?
PS5 SSDs are a surprisingly expensive add on to any PS5 console purchase. Prices have dropped pretty signicantly over the years, but if you’re hoping to save as much money as possible, there are a few different times that are best for buying an SSD. The first big one is Amazon Prime Day, which usually takes place in July every year. After that, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are an excellent time to find big discounts on PS5 SSDs online.
Are PCIe 5.0 SSDs worth it for the PS5?
No, it is not worth buying a PCIe 5.0 SSD for PS5. The PS5 supports PCIe 4.0, and though PCIe 5.0 drives are backward compatible with PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 3.0, the console can’t take advantage of the full read and write speeds of the latest drives. That means it’s not worth the extra money, especially when you can often find PCIe 4.0 SSDs for far less.
Jackie Thomas is the Hardware and Buying Guides Editor at IGN and the PC components queen. You can follow her @Jackiecobra
Xbox Design Lab is a one-stop shop that allows you to create your very own controller. From the controller itself to every external component, Xbox Design Lab is a hugely customizable platform that lets you create controllers for yourself, or as a truly personal gift for the Xbox player in your life.
But before you get started, There are a lot of options to choose from – let us break down every single one, to help you create the perfect Xbox controller:
Choose Your Controller
The key question before you begin using Xbox Design Lab is: which Xbox controller do you want to design?
Xbox Wireless Controller – Starting at $69.99 USD, the Xbox Wireless Controller is our standard model, bringing you high performance at an affordable price. With textured triggers and grips, a hybrid D-Pad, and Bluetooth technology that allows you to connect it to multiple devices. Click here to start creating an Xbox Wireless Controller.
Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2– Starting at $149.99 USD, the Elite Series 2 makes our premium controller better than ever. With refined components, paddle slots offering extra options, adaptable elements like adjustable thumbsticks and hair trigger locks, and rubberized grips as standard, this controller delivers pro-level performance. Click here to start creating an Xbox Eliter Wireless Controller Series 2.
Customize Components
Once you’ve chosen your controller, Xbox Design Lab gives you 10 different customization options, allowing you to make a controller that’s uniquely yours. And if you can’t quite decide as you go, Xbox Design Lab allows you to preview your controller at any time, as well as save designs to your own personal gallery, allowing you to create multiple options to compare before you pick the final one.
Body
Applied to the entire front case, your choice of Body makes a statement. With the Xbox Wireless Controller, choose from a variety of matte finishes, or from a selection of gorgeous patterns, including the swirling Vapor designs, the multi-toned Shift patterns, bold Camo looks, our vibrant Pride design, or special, game-inspired designs like the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 top case and the Fallout top case. With the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, choose from matte finishes, our new Cipher series – which adds a transparent case that allows you to see through the case to the components inside, or game-inspired designs.
Back
Your choice of Back encompasses everything behind the grips on your controller. With all the standard colors available in the Body category, you can choose to match the front of the controller, or create a two-tone pop of color.
Grips
For a small extra cost, you can add rubberized back and side grips to your Xbox Wireless Controller, offering an extra level of control in the hand. Rubberized grips come as standard on the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2.
Bumpers
Your choice of Bumper color encompasses the two buttons on the top of the controller, and the case in between them. On the Xbox Wireless Controller, choose from all the standard colors available for the Body and Back. For the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, choose from an array of metallic finishes.
Triggers
The Triggers are key to controlling many games, and come with multiple options. With the Xbox Wireless Controller, all the standard colors are available, but Xbox Design Lab also offers a variety of metallic options, allowing you to add a stately point of difference from the rest of the design. On the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, choose from a series of metallic designs that can blend in with your bumpers, or choose a different tone to create a standout design.
D-Pad
On the Xbox Wireless Controller, choose from all the standard colors available in other categories, or pick a metallic hue. On the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, pick from the classic four-direction D-Pad, or our unique Faceted design for extra control. Both D-Pad choices offer a variety of single-tone metallic finishes, or pick our new multi-toned Chroma designs for a truly standout look.
Thumbsticks
On the Xbox Wireless Controller, thumbsticks can take on any of the standard colors available on the rest of the controller. Take more control with the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 – pick the color of the metal base, as well as separate colors for both the thumbstick ring and topper.
ABXY Buttons
On the Xbox Wireless Controller, pick from seven different designs for the iconic Xbox buttons, from classic colored looks to different two-tone treatments. With the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, get even more choice with 20 different treatments, including colored variants that allow you to create even more specific looks.
View, Menu, Share Buttons
On the Xbox Wireless Controller, choose from 5 different designs for the central buttons on your controller. With the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, pick from 24 color options to help bring your design to life.
Engraving
For that final touch, both controller types allow you to add a 16-character engraving. Add a name, a Gamertag, or a personal message to make the controller truly theirs.
Pick a Pre-Made Design
If you’re looking to create a controller to celebrate a particular game, we may already have what you need. Xbox Design Lab is always adding new ‘Inspired By’ designs that celebrate games on Xbox – pick a pre-configured design, make any changes you see fit, and show your fandom. There’s also the Xbox Design Lab Game Collection, which offers extra-special designs for the likes of Fallout and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 – all of which can be customized further.
Choose Some Elite Extras
If you’re opting for an Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, Xbox Design Lab offers a number of extra adjustable elements for the premium controller, all of which can be customized to fit your design. The Carrying Case and Charging Pack helps you take your controller anywhere in safety. The Paddle Pack adds a number of easily added extra paddles for the back of your controller, which can be used by adjusting options on your console. The Thumbsticks and D-pad Pack offers both D-Pad options and multiple interchangeable thumbsticks to let you swap how you want to play, game-by-game. And the Everything Pack includes all of the above in a single package. If you already own an Elite Series 2 controller, you can also opt to purchase the additional accessories packs by themselves.
Adaptive Thumbstick Toppers
We collaborated with community members, charity organizations, and a hospital involved in adaptive gaming and 3D printing to design complimentary 3D printable files for adaptive thumbstick toppers with Xbox Design Lab. Available to download, these designs can be 3D printed to create thumbsticks that meet multiple accessibility needs – and are available for both the Xbox Wireless Controller and Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2. Xbox Design Lab also offers thumbstick topper designs for the upcoming Xbox Adaptive Joystick, coming in early 2025 for select Xbox markets.
You now have everything you need to start creating a unique Xbox controller – head over to Xbox Design Lab to start experimenting!
Hey y’all, Episode 500 is finally here! Thank you to all the loyal listeners for making this momentous episode possible. Can you believe the show started back in 2011? Whether you’ve been with us for the entire run or are a new listener, we appreciate you.
This week, the crew hears from listeners and developers about some of their favorite PlayStation games and memories. The podcast crew also dives into their favorite games on the original PlayStation and PlayStation 2. But the celebration doesn’t end here! We’ll continue to feature listeners and developers leading up to PlayStation’s 30th anniversary on December 3.
Stuff We Talked About
Next week’s release highlights:
Spirit Mancer | PS5
Towers of Aghasba (Early Access) | PS5
Stellar Blade x Nier: Automata DLC and Photo Mode
Players Choice Winner – Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero
PlayStation Plus Game Catalog for November:
Grand Theft Auto V
Dying Light 2: Stay Human
Like a Dragon: Ishin
MotoGP 24
The Sims 4: Island Living
And more…
LEGO Horizon Adventures is out now
Special listener/developer favorite PlayStation games segment
The podcast crew highlights personal top games for the original PlayStation and PS2 (to be continued…)
The Cast
Download the image
Sid Shuman – Senior Director of Content Communications, SIE
Thanks to 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.]
Following up on Metroid Prime was never going to be easy. Although many (this writer included) were sceptical of Retro Studios’ abilities to move Metroid into the 3D, first-person realm, the team not only managed to put its own spin on an established Nintendo franchise successfully, but it also created one of the greatest games of all time.
How the heck are you supposed to top that? Well, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes doesn’t quite reach the same heights as its predecessor, and it’s often regarded as the lesser entry in an eventual trilogy (though to be honest, even the worst Prime game is better than the majority of games out there). That said, it will always remain one of my personal favourites in the franchise thanks to its bold experimentation with parallel worlds.
How Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind Remixes Lore While Staying Authentic
Dan Amrich, Content Editor, Digital Eclipse
Summary
Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind is a 2D brawler with a 90’s look, coming to Xbox Series X|S in December.
Follow the team in a brand-new story inspired by 30 years of Power Rangers lore.
Rita’s Rewind captures the personalities of the original Rangers cast, and features voice talent from X-Men ’97.
You know what’s fun? Time travel. It’s particularly useful when you’re making a game based on a huge franchise with 30 years of history – like, say, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. So, if you’re going to add to that rich lore, you’d better be prepared to consider three decades of worldbuilding across TV, movies, games, and comics. This is exactly what the team at Digital Eclipse took on during the making of Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind.
Devoted fans know every episode, every battle, every line of dialogue. Rangers history means a lot to fans because it represents the hours of imagination and emotion they’ve invested in these characters and events that have brought them so much joy, and as such, crafting a new story worthy of that franchise and, by extension, the respect of its fans, is no small task.
Our springboard for the story of Rita’s Rewind was the 30th anniversary Netflix special, Once & Always. In the special, Robo Rita – a synthetic, 100 percent evil evolution of the franchise’s original villain, Rita Repulsa – creates a time portal and kidnaps Power Rangers from different eras.
Rather than simply retell that story, we thought up a “what if?” scenario – if you’re an evil sorceress with a time portal, wouldn’t you be tempted to go back in time and mock your earlier self for all those dumb mistakes? Imagine battling your greatest foes during their earliest, weakest days and using all your future knowledge to obliterate them in the past. It’s a dream team and a nightmare scenario at the same time. (And just to be clear, none of this is canon, so chill out and have fun.)
Our story team enjoyed digging deep into Rangers lore to come up with something that felt new, but remained aligned with everything fans know by heart. Once we decided on the core plot, we came to some realizations: If Robo Rita knows the same 30 years of history that fans know, she can start plucking enemies from other eras and dropping them where they don’t belong, which can both confuse and delight fans. The feathered Tenga Warriors, a staple of MMPR season 3, now appear early in our first episode, which takes place in season 1.
And which of Rita’s creepy champions could we borrow from other timelines in the name of interesting gameplay mechanics? Weaving elements from different periods of Power Rangers history makes every detail even more important to incorporate. It’s not something that writes itself — it can actually get kind of tricky. But like I said, it’s also fun.
We also worked hard to get the personalities of Jason, Kimberly, Billy, Trini, and Zack dialed in, and accurately reflect their characters from the early years of MMPR. For instance: Billy’s always going to use the most perplexing, erudite verbiage possible to explain science stuff to his teammates; otherwise, he wouldn’t sound like Billy. And when Kimberly doesn’t quite grasp what Billy’s talking about, Trini often steps in to put it in plainer terms. We think those types of elements make a project “feel right” as a Power Rangers adventure. Hopefully, fans who see those details will realize our dev team respects the franchise as much as they do.
Throughout Rita’s Rewind, we’ve tried to balance Power Rangers authenticity with nostalgia, which often polishes memory into something more than it actually was. As a “what if” retelling of the first 20 or so episodes of the TV show, the story of Rita’s Rewind takes place in the mid-90s, so we wanted to make our gameplay an idealized version of the arcade games of that era, too.
In gameplay segments that recall some of arcade gaming’s greatest titles, Rita’s Rewind players will drive at high speed, fight giant monsters, blast hundreds of enemies, and punch anything that gets in their path. Brawlers are back in a big way lately, thanks to innovative development teams injecting new life into a long-abandoned genre. We’re honored to have the chance to contribute to this renaissance, and we think we’ve got a game that will feel very familiar yet ultimately fresh.
In fact, when we showed Rita’s Rewind at PAX West this year, we heard some people walk by our brand-new game and shout “Oh yeah, I remember playing that back in the day!” Uh, no, you don’t – but thank you, because that’s exactly our goal.
The current resurgence of 90’s nostalgia isn’t limited to games; bands like Oasis and Blur are back on stage, and the celebrated X-Men animated series has returned as X-Men ’97. As a result, we were thrilled when we were able to leverage the talents of three actors who worked on that series, as well as several other professionals. Here’s a quick cast rundown:
Red Ranger: A.J. LoCascio (“Gambit,” X-Men 97 and “Han Solo,” LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga)
Yellow Ranger: Holly Chou (“Jubilee,” X-Men 97 and “Chiki,” Blue Eye Samurai)
Black Ranger: Isaac Robinson-Smith (“Bishop,” X-Men ’97 and “CO Cunningham,” Batman: Arkham Shadow)
Pink Ranger: Christina Vee (“Shantae,” Shantae and “Noel Vermillion,”BlazBlue)
Green Ranger: James Willems (“Dolph,” Camp Camp and “Rich Dad,” Psychonauts 2)
Robo Rita: Ally Dixon (“Eep,” The Croods: Family Tree and “Nikki Narwhal,” Thelma the Unicorn)
That leaves the Blue Ranger, which is where things get personal. I’ve been a SAG/AFTRA actor for several years before joining the team at Digital Eclipse (that’s me singing in The Sims: Bustin’ Out for the original Xbox!), so I was honored to be able to perform the role of Billy. I’m proud to add my voice to a professional cast that delivers dialogue with intensity and energy, offering a perfect match to the game’s frenetic arcade action.
From super-scaler gameplay segments that feel like they came straight from a vintage arcade to a story filled with chronological impossibilities, every critical element of Rita’s Rewind revolves around time. There’s just one more critical date: December 10, 2024, which is when you’ll be able to play the game on Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. We hope you’ll enjoy spending time with Rita’s Rewind!
Lara Croft’s legendary adventures continue on February 14 with the release of Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered! As we patiently await her return, we’d love to take a moment to explore some enhanced features created specifically for this remaster.
This latest collection not only revitalizes Lara’s adventures but also brings back a fan-favorite feature Photo Mode to capture all the thrilling moments you encounter.
Explore and capture iconic moments
As you swan-dive back into Lara Croft’s darkest adventures, you’ll have the ability to capture and share in the beauty and excitement of your adventures with your friends.
Whether you’re scaling the Great Pyramid of Giza in The Last Revelation, sneaking through a high-security complex in Chronicles, or uncovering dark secrets in the shadowy streets of Paris in The Angel of Darkness, Photo Mode lets you freeze, frame, and capture your most memorable moments.
Photo Mode features
New Poses and Outfits: In addition to including all of the poses and outfits from Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, this new collection will include even more as an added bonus. Tailor each shot to reflect her adventurous spirit and style.
Customizable Shots: Set up your scenes with ease using adjustable camera angles, depth of field, and zoom effects. Create the perfect composition to showcase the remastered environments.
Dynamic Expressions: Choose from a range of expressions to bring Lara’s character to life in your photos. Highlight her bravery, determination, or curiosity with ease.
Seamless Integration: Use Photo Mode anytime during gameplay to capture those spontaneous, unforgettable moments. Whether it’s a breathtaking view or a dramatic encounter, your perfect shot is always just a menu away.
Step-by-Step Guide
Activate Photo Mode: Photo Mode activates by holding down both of your sticks on the DualSense controller.
Frame Your Shot: Adjust the camera angle, zoom, and depth of field, using the on-screen controls and find your desired composition.
Hit the Dressing Room: Pick from various outfits from across the Tomb Raider I-VI Remastered collection. Equip her with different weapons for an added touch of sass.
Express Yourself: Select Lara’s expression to convey the right mood for your shot. What are we feeling today: a victorious and joyful smile, or a bombastic side-eye?
Strike a Pose: Pick your favorite pose from across our Tomb Raider I-VI Remastered collection! Whether it’s a fierce battle stance or a triumphant pose, have fun customizing it to your liking.
Capture and Share: Once you’re satisfied with your shot, use the Create button on your controller. Share your best shots with the community and join fellow fans in celebrating Lara Croft’s legacy.
How about a First Look?
As you swan dive into even more details around Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered, the Photo Mode feature isn’t the only exciting addition! Alongside capturing epic moments, fans can look forward to new collectible achievements and unique art badges, each one a striking tribute to Lara’s legacy.
And for those who remember the heart-pounding encounters with the nearly indestructible mini-bosses, we’re thrilled to showcase a new look at two of Lara Croft’s most formidable foes: the relentless Bronze Bull and the fearsome Minotaur from The Last Revelation.
Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered launches on PlayStation 4 & PlayStation 5 on February 14, 2025. Head over to PlayStation Store to pre-order if you haven’t already.
It was also complaint-provoking in the fairly long period where I didn’t understand what it’s trying to do. Reaching that point, luckily for you, means we can cut out a lot of the “confused whingeing” subsection of those notes. Though it still has its shortcomings, I’ve come to appreciate that I was reading Kingdoms all wrong. Although it talks big about characters, politics, and religion, they’re not what it’s about. It’s about building.
