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THEME: Assassin’s Creed Shadows SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on March 26, 2025
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Hello, Rovers! I’m excited to share new information on upcoming Wuthering Waves content on behalf of the entire dev team. Cross-platform open-world ARPG Wuthering Waves has been live on PS5, with support for data-sharing across PS5, PC, and mobile devices, offering a seamless gaming experience on different platforms. With the new version 2.2 Tangled Truth in Inverted Tower set to launch on March 26, the game will introduce new characters, maps, gameplays, and more content—plus, players will receive a free 5-Star weapon as a reward for completing the Main Quest.
New main quest: Venture into Avinoleum to unveil the truth behind Cartethyia and Sentinel
In reflection on the story of version 2.0, the mysterious girl Cartethyia and the missing Imperator harbor deep secrets that remain to be uncovered. The upcoming version 2.2 will feature the new Main Quests: The Maiden, The Defier, and The Death Crier. This adventure kicks off at Beohr Waters, located behind Porto-Veno Castle, and leads Rover to an inverted region in mid-air known as Avinoleum—an exploration that uncovers the past. The history of Rinascita and the truth about Sentinel will gradually come to light within this inverted seminary. During the quest, rovers can obtain the 5-Star Sword Bloodpact’s Pledge for free.
New Resonator-Cantarella & Rover: Aero
The new 5-Star Resonator Cantarella, known as the 36th Lead of the Fisalia family, will debut in version 2.2. As a Havoc Resonator armed with a Rectifier, she embodies the deep-sea and poisonous themes that define her family. In combat, Cantarella wields her umbrella, launching attacks with the aid of highly toxic jellyfish. Her unique attack method allows her to gather a special energy Trance. Once she harnesses this energy, executing heavy attacks on the ground can trigger the Mirage state, creating a surreal effect reminiscent of an underwater realm. When Cantarella consumes her Forte Gauge for attacks against foes, she can heal all team members. When certain conditions are met, her Resonance Skill can hinder enemy movement. Upon activating Resonance Liberation, she can carry out coordinated attacks for an extended duration, while her Outro Skill amplifies damage for both Havoc and Resonance Skills for the incoming Resonators.
In version 2.2, following Spectro and Havoc, Rover will unlock a new attribute: Aero. Rover: Aero can conjure a one-handed sword, swiftly maneuver through the air, and strike their foes. Upon meeting specific conditions, Rover’s aerial attacks can also heal the entire team. Aero Rover can unleash Resonance Skill while airborne, and transform all Negative Status effects on enemies into Aero Erosion Effect. Activating the Outro Skill further increases the maximum stacks of Aero Erosion Effect. When Rover builds up enough energy during battle, they can summon a massive sword to crash down from the sky onto their target. After releasing Resonance Liberation, Rover will inflict Aero Damage on enemies while simultaneously healing all teammates.
New Companion Story: Cantarella – A Fleeting Night’s Dream
Cantarella’s Companion Story, A Fleeting Night’s Dream, will also become available in version 2.2. In this tale, a mysterious letter from the Ghost Girl guides Rover to a celebration—Night of Remembrance, taking place in Egla Town. Here, a girl in a red hat will unveil the hidden past tucked away in Porto-Veno Castle. Join Cantarella as we journey to the Sea of Ghosts, lifting the veil on the untold story waiting to be discovered.
New map, new gameplay
As the story unfolds, Rover will journey to a new region—Avinoleum. Once celebrated as the most magnificent seminary in Ragunna, it now towers towards the heavens alongside Sentinel, nearly out of reach. This area still bears the scars of the past, with countless Tacet Discords lingering from the Dark Tide outbreak. To protect against these Tacet Discords and prevent the Dark Tide from descending from above, the gravity in this region has been entirely reversed, with the dome now facing down toward the ground.
Rover will face new gameplay challenges, including Gravity Adjustment, while delving deep into the Avinoleum. This area is home to numerous Gravity Calibrators, and as long as they are activated, players can alter the direction of gravity.
In the year 2024, Wuthering Waves reached the milestone of 30 million downloads worldwide in the first month of its official release, garnering numerous accolades, including PS Blog’s Players’ Choice. This is just the beginning.
Following the game’s launch on the PS5, we’re striving through unremitting efforts to bring thrilling content to players worldwide. Version 2.2 will live on March 26—Rovers, embark on the adventure into the inverted tower with Cartethyia and Cantarella to uncover the hidden truth and Rinascita’s untold past.
Slender: The Arrival VR by developer Blue Isle Studios is the unholy union of a horror phenomenon and an innovative gaming peripheral. Together, they deliver a holistic horror experience to players looking for a game that can shake them to their core.
On May 13, Slender: The Arrival VR will utilize the platform-defining features and capabilities of PS VR2 to summon the horror icon in its most terrifying incarnation yet — and I’m excited to share what makes this upcoming release the best way to experience our title!
Immersed in virtual terror
It’s been over a decade since the release of the original Slender: The Arrival, and the 10th Anniversary Update significantly enhanced the graphics and elevated the overall gameplay experience. Every shadow, every model, and every hair-raising encounter with the mysterious Slender Man was rendered in stunning detail using the latest Unreal Engine 5 technologies. Slender: The Arrival VR remains true to the original game while adapting elements to the full-scale immersion VR.
The PS VR2 is a groundbreaking peripheral, and it allowed us to enhance the strengths of Slender: The Arrival further. Atmospheric, gameplay, and audiovisual stimulation combine to transport the player to another dimension.
A key part of the Slender: The Arrival VR experience is the feedback received when The Slender Man is in your area. The detailed haptic feedback in the PSVR2 Sense controllers won’t be the only way you feel Slender Man’s presence, as the PS VR2 headset vibration feedback makes it seem like he dwells within the player’s own mind.
Oh, and the vibration function isn’t reserved for Slenderman. There are other enemies to fear in Slender: The Arrival VR.
With all these new additions and more, The Slender Man’s presence is more eerie and intimidating than ever before. Knowing that he is nearby is scary enough in flatscreen, but in VR, he can appear anywhere in your field of vision. Sound queues are also more realistic and immediate, adding to the immersion and tangible sense of gnawing dread.
A Slender reimagining
Slender: The Arrival VR features all of the new additions included in the 10th Anniversary update, from the enhanced visuals to the brand-new storyline and characters.
The team has also implemented a range of VR accessibility options so that all players who want to step into the world of Slender: The Arrival VR can do so comfortably. There’s a bespoke interactive menu for VR and multiple comfort settings, including standing/seating modes, snap and continuous movement, and sensitivity sliders.
The Slender Man is a paranormal icon that has long terrified the curious-minded worldwide. It stands tall (really tall, actually) alongside long-established horror mainstays. Similarly, the original Slender: The Arrival remains the official, proven, and definitive adaptation of The Slender Man to the gaming world.
By expanding and deepening its gameplay with the PS VR2 headset, we’ve provided players with a unique and engaging experience that creates a more intimate connection with the world they explore — something arguably most important… and frightening… in the survival-horror genre that they will get to experience on May 13.
We’re just a few weeks away from The Last of Us Part II Remastered arriving on PC on April 3, and we here at Naughty Dog wanted to make sure players were prepared for the journey ahead. Whether it’s your first time experiencing Ellie and Abby’s acclaimed stories, or you’ve previously played and are excited to jump in via a new format, we have plenty of quality-of-life features and even new content in store.
PC features detailed
The PC version of The Last of Us Part II Remastered brings with it all the improvements and new features added in the PlayStation 5 version released in 2024, such as the roguelike survival mode No Return, Guitar Free Play, and hours of developer commentary.
And in partnership with our friends at Nixxes Software and Iron Galaxy, Part II Remastered has been brought to PC with plenty of PC-centric quality-of-life features that further bring the snow-covered mountains of Jackson, Wyoming, and the rainswept streets of Seattle, Washington to beautiful life.
This version of The Last of Us Part II Remastered is optimized for PC with:
Nvidia DLSS 3 Super Resolution support1
AMD FSR 3.1 and AMD FSR 4 support with upscaling and frame generation1
VSync and framerate cap options, including an uncapped framerate option2
DirectStorage support, and more.
It has been developed with features designed specifically for PC, including:
Adjustable Texture Quality
LOD Distance Range
Volumetric Quality
Shadow Quality
Ambient Occlusion
Reflections Quality
and more
The Last of Us Part II Remastered on PC will feature support for Ultrawide monitors3, so players will be able to take in the stunning vistas of Jackson and the harsh streets of Seattle with gameplay supported in 21:9 ultra-wide, 32:9 super ultra-wide and even 48:9 resolutions with compatibility for triple-monitor setups.
And take in every chapter of Ellie and Abby’s journeys in stunning 4K resolution2 while playing either via various supported controllers as well as keyboard and mouse controls. And immerse yourself in the story with 3D audio surrounding you in every tense moment of action and each quiet scene of exploration.4
Keyboard and mouse control support includes a host of new control customization options, like full control remapping, primary and secondary bindings for keyboard and mouse control, an adaptive mode that allows players to combine keyboard and controller inputs, and more. Part II Remastered on PC will feature full gamepad support, while DualSense controllers are supported and feature full haptic feedback5.
As our team and partners have been hard at work on this version, we’ll also be introducing a host of bug fixes and various improvements to offer as smooth a play experience as possible.
The Last of Us Part II Remastered on PC offers a wide range of graphics settings and presets, to ensure the best possible experience on hardware ranging from high-end PCs to handheld gaming devices. Below you’ll find an overview of recommended specifications for a variety of graphics presets.
New No Return content
Additionally, coming at launch for The Last of Us Part II Remastered on PC will be a host of new content for our fan-favorite No Return mode. Two new characters are being introduced for the mode – The Last of Us Part I’s Bill and Marlene. Like with each No Return combatant, these characters offer their own unique playstyles, and should offer both new and returning fans an exciting new opportunity to test their mettle. Bill is a “Smuggler” playstyle who can access a custom pump shotgun from dead drops, and receives double rewards from drops as well. He’s stronger against melee attacks but can’t dodge. Marlene, meanwhile, features a “Risk Taker” playstyle that includes a Custom Assault Rifle, “All or Nothing” gambits, can reroute her No Return path once per run, and more.
Four new maps have also been added to No Return. Overlook, which is set high above the city of Seattle and features plenty of verticality, is the memorable site of a Seraphites encounter in the campaign. School is, during the campaign, the abandoned elementary school in which Ellie and Dina face off against the W.L.F. Streets is set in the overgrown Seattle neighborhood of Hillcrest, while Nest will be familiar to players who have played as Abby through an Infected-infested building. We’ve been so overjoyed about the reaction to this mode since Part II Remastered debuted on PS5 last year, and we hope these new maps further offer more variability and thrills as players tackle new runs.
Speaking of PlayStation 5 players, fear not – this new No Return content, as well as accompanying new Trophies and additional bug fixes – will be available day-and-date with the PC launch via a free downloadable 2.0.0 patch.6
PlayStation Network log-in bonuses
Last but not least, Part II Remastered on PC will support PlayStation overlay and PSN Trophies with an optional account for PlayStation Network log-in.
While not required, those on PC who do sign in with their account for PlayStation Network will also gain access to 50 in-game points to activate bonus features, as well as a new skin for Ellie featuring Jordan A. Mun’s jacket from our new game in development for PS5, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
Get a first look at the skin below:
PS5 players will also be able to unlock the Jordan’s jacket skin, as it will be included in the 2.0 patch and unlockable via in-game bonus points.
We can’t wait for PC players to experience this incredible journey, and for both PC and PS5 players to enjoy our new suite of content in just a few weeks. For now, you can pre-purchase The Last of Us Part II Remastered on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store ahead of the April 3 release.
1Compatible PC and display device required. 2Compatible TV or display device required. 3Compatible PC and graphics card required. 43D audio via built-in TV speakers or analogue/USB stereo headphones. Setup required. 5Wired connection required to experience the full range of in-game DualSense controller features. 6Internet connection required.
The Gran Turismo World Series 2025 is set to be a classic with a live events calendar that includes London, Berlin, Los Angeles, and culminates with World Finals in Fukuoka, Japan in December.
Anyone with a copy of Gran Turismo 7, an internet connection, and a PlayStation Plus membership can compete to try and qualify for a place (subject to eligibility criteria) at the thrilling Gran Turismo World Series international events, where they will race in front of an in-person and global broadcast audience.
Players can sign up in Sport mode in Gran Turismo for the Nations Cup – racing to represent your home country or territory – and/or the Manufacturers Cup, racing for your favourite manufacturer.
The action gets underway with the Online Qualifiers, starting with:
Manufacturers Cup – Wednesday, April 2 to Saturday, April 19
Nations Cup – Wednesday, April 23 to Saturday, May 10
The calendar for the Gran Turismo World Series 2025 live events is as follows:
Round 1 – London, UK | Saturday, 7 June Round 2 – Berlin, Germany | Saturday, 20 September Round 3 – Los Angeles, USA | Saturday, 8 November World Finals – Fukuoka, Japan | Saturday, 20 and Sunday, 21 December
All the live events will be open to the public and details of how to buy tickets will be posted on the Gran Turismo website and social channels. Full details of the Gran Turismo World Series 2025 and how to get involved can be found here. A more in-depth look at the rules and a link to the terms and conditions can be found here.
A fantastic 2024 season saw Team Lexus, comprising Spain’s Coque López, Kanata Kawakami of Japan, and Chilean Harald Walsen (who stepped in to replace the absent Igor Fraga of Brazil), crowned Manufacturers Cup Champions at the World Finals in Amsterdam. Japanese driver Takuma Miyazono re-took the Nations Cup crown that he last won in 2020 with a masterful performance in front of a sell-out crowd.
The action in 2025 should be no less exciting and will be watched closely by Gran Turismo World Series partners Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR), Mazda, Brembo, and Fanatec.
A new year is filled with new possibilities for games, and the indie scene is a great place for innovation to thrive. Today, we showcased five indie titles coming to PlayStation, revealing release dates, updates, and a surprise or two.
Forever Skies | Coming to PS5 April 14
Far From Home showcased some new co-op gameplay for Forever Skies, along with the official release date. Survive the skies with your friends and brave new worlds filled with threats that desire to halt your progress. Players who pre-order now will be gifted with the Supporter Pack DLC and 72-hour early access.
For those looking for a classic adventure of a hero’s journey, The Knightling is here to scratch that itch. We were introduced to the mysterious land of Cornered Bosk in the new trailer to celebrate its summer release date. A sprawling forest with a giant whirlpool in the middle that is swallowing everything. Can you become the knight you’re meant to be in this tale from Twirlbound?
Enter the dystopian ruins of Sanzu City in Possessor(s) as you fight to survive as a human who is possessed by a demon. The pair attempts to form a symbiotic relationship to survive this hellscape, finding themselves in battle with other demonic hybrids. This fast-paced action side-scroller from Heart Machine blends high stakes and art.
Learn the origins of the magical Swap ability and see how swapping textures in Ruffy and the Riverside changes how you approach platforming and combat in this completely hand-drawn world. Zockrates Laboratories adventurous bear will hit the ground swapping this June.
This labor of love by sole developer Sam Eng, Skate Story is coming to PlayStation. To mark the announcement, they’ve shared a new gameplay trailer, which shows the demon made of glass you’ll play as shred through obstacles in the Underworld on their quest to consume the moon. Be prepared to meet a cast of zany characters and sell your soul for the best board.
When Lunar debuted in North America in 1993, it was a standout in the emerging Western market for Japanese RPGs. Lunar featured detailed, animated cinematic cutscenes, plenty of voice acting, high-quality music, and–most importantly–an endearing story packed with engaging and memorable characters. While it wasn’t the first CD-ROM-based JRPG to hit the market, it was one that left a powerful impact on everyone who played it.
A sequel, two PlayStation remakes, a PSP outing and more further broadened the audience for Lunar. More than 30 years after the series’ debut, Lunar and Lunar 2 are coming back to the realm of PlayStation with the Lunar Remastered Collection. To give some insight into what makes the Lunar games special–and to stir fond memories among longtime fans–we talked to Matthias Pergams, Producer over at GungHo Online Entertainment America.
Silver Standard
“LUNAR was one of the first JRPGs on the CD-ROM format, with animated cutscenes, in-game voice acting, and even an opening theme song,” Pergams explains. “The series gained a dedicated following both within and outside Japan, paving the way for the genre as a whole. It’s a work that has a unique historical significance.”
The original Lunar has been remade and re-released a few times for various platforms (along with Lunar 2, to a lesser degree), so we were curious as to why the PlayStation “Complete” versions of the two games were chosen as the base for the remasters. “Each version is different and possesses unique merits, so we actually struggled quite a bit with this question. Ultimately, the choice came down to which version we felt represented the series best. For us, it was the PlayStation version”.
As this is a “Remaster” rather than a “Remake,” we were wondering if there were any major gameplay or story changes that players familiar with the original games would notice. “The overall story and gameplay will remain the same as the original release,” Pergams assured us. “We feel that the original still holds up today, and wanted to preserve the gameplay as it was envisioned by original developer GAME ARTS. We have added a variety of quality-of-life features to make gameplay smoother, such as an adjustable Battle Speed-Up option in both games, a toggleable option for a unified inventory system in Lunar 1 designed to simplify the item management process, and also the ability to customize the behavior of individual character AI during Lunar 1’s battles.”
Download the image
Download the image
“In this Remaster Collection, we have prepared a Classic Mode for fans who prefer to play the game with the dots as they were back in the day – an environment where you can play the game with almost the same graphics as in the PlayStation 2 era. We have also prepared a CRT filter for this mode, which we hope fans will try and see.” – Matthias Pergams
Remastered Luster
So what is new and improved in this remaster? “The most visible changes are the graphical updates, which include remastered graphics, in-game effects, UI, animated cutscenes, bromides (in-game collectible card items), and more. Perhaps the biggest feature is the new aspect ratio, as we’ve expanded the size of the screen to accommodate that of modern TVs. All the above features are in the “Remastered Mode.” The other is “Classic Mode”, which allows users to play the games with the graphics of the original PlayStation version.
One major topic of discussion among longtime Lunar fans is the voice acting. When the announcement post went up here on the PlayStation Blog, it was revealed that there would be an all-new cast. How did the team select the new voices? “Our priority when recording was making sure that we preserved the identity of each character through their new voice actors. We considered how we wanted each character to sound. Once we locked that down, we started looking at voice actors who were close to that, and then selected them based on how well they captured what we were envisioning. The end product is something we’re proud of.”
“We also had all the vocal songs in Lunar 1 and 2 sung by the voice actresses of Luna and Lucia respectively, which we modeled after the original Japanese version of the game,” Pergams noted.
“We asked Mr Iwadare to write a new song for this piece. The song is called ‘Looking up at TERRA’. It is used in the game selection screen, so I hope fans will listen to it.” – Matthias Pergams
The famous cutscenes are getting a touch-up, too. “One of the key features of Lunar is the animated cutscenes, so we took a great deal of care with them during the remastering process. The original scenes still hold up well today, so our main goal in remastering was to touch them up for modern audiences, rather than change the content itself. We think the results speak for themselves!”
All of these updates and changes were done with the blessing and supervision of the original staff. “Throughout development we frequently consulted GAME ARTS, the original development studio, and incorporated their feedback,” explains Pergams. “We also consulted other development staff, including the original composer, scenario writer, and character designer. Their input has been invaluable in maintaining the spirit of the original games during the remastering process.”
One such individual who revisited Lunar for this remaster is famed character designer Toshiyuki Kubooka. The team originally weren’t sure if he would be on board. “He’s extremely busy these days, so when we first reached out to him, we didn’t know if he’d accept our offer! But he was kind enough to draw not just one, but a total of three completely new art pieces for the game.”
Download the image
Download the image
Download the image
Pergams also passed along a message from Kubooka-sensei to fans. “At first, I was surprised because it’d been a while since I’d worked on anything for Lunar, but I was really happy to have the chance to draw the cast again. Drawing them felt like meeting up with old friends again, so I had fun doing it. The art took longer than I expected, which inconvenienced everyone at Gungho America, but they were very transparent and cooperative so I’m grateful to them as well.”
New frontiers
Lunar was well-loved in North America and Japan, but–aside from the aforementioned PSP release–Lunar’s presence in Europe was nonexistent. We asked Pergams about releasing Lunar 1 and 2 Complete in Europe for the first time, and if they have anything they would like to say to players thinking about trying these games for the first time. “First and foremost, thank you for considering the Lunar series! I think the core ethos of the series can be summed up in one word: ‘Adventure’. I believe the Lunar series captures the essence of the classic adventure, in which you set out into an unknown world, meet trustworthy friends, defeat evil, and find true love. All adventures are valid and worth having, but there’s something nostalgic and unforgettable about the one Lunar provides.”
To finish things off, we wanted to see if Pergams had any advice for new players. “Don’t be afraid to use items! In many games, it can feel like a mistake to spend hard-earned money on temporary items rather than on permanent upgrades like weapons. However, items—particularly recovery items—can make a world of difference in a tough boss fight. We also recommend trying out the games’ Auto Battle system, alongside the new Battle Speed-Up option, for smooth progression. However you decide to play, we hope you enjoy the Lunar games!”
Howdy, Helldivers! Have you ever wanted to be a space cowboy, enforcing the fair laws of Super Earth on the edges of our galaxy, protecting our most remote colonies from undemocratic threats? Then step up, pardner, and claim your sheriff’s star with the new premium Warbond: Borderline Justice!
We’re heading out to the Wild West with the weapons this time. First up, let’s take a gander at the new R-6 Deadeye lever-action hunting rifle. You can look forward to killin’ time bullseying bugs and rounding up squids and looking cool while you do it.
But a lawman is nothing without his trusty sidearm. And instead of individual shots, the LAS-58 Talon “revolver” secondary is energy-based, meaning a slow and steady hand can keep on shooting without overheating. But if you need to bring the kind of heat that can’t be measured by degrees, the Talon can do it.
Another classic cowboy loadout item is the TED-63 Dynamite that comes with a variable timer and leaves an explosion that’s sure to straighten the curves, flatten the hills, and take down any roaming patrols among the willows.
Do you ever get a hankering to rise up above the herd and get a bird’s eye on the action? Could be that the LIFT-860 Hover Pack is just what you’re looking for–when the joint starts jumping, you can rise and hover for a little while and still aim or use ADS.
Helldivers are made out of muscle and blood and that’s why we have to keep you armored up. The GS-17 Frontier Marshal is a regulation standard medium Helldiver set, but it still manages to conjure up the look of hard living on the galactic frontier, hunting Bile Titans for sport.
But if you want to look less like a running gun and more like the sheriff of Vernen Wells, I might suggest the GS-66 Lawmaker heavy armor, complete with cowboy holster and bandolier. Both sets of armor look great with either the Reaper of Bounties cape or the Way of the Bandolier cape.
No matter which look you choose, you’ll be mighty good with the Gunslinger armor passive, which gives your secondary increased reload speed, increased draw/holster speed, and reduced recoil.
With Borderline Justice, you’ll also unlock a new player title, Super Sheriff, to let everyone know you’re their huckleberry–the galactic border colonies can rest a little easier on your watch. We’re also providing player cards that match each cape, and you’ll also get a brand new booster: Sample Extricator! When you put down a big enemy, there’s a small chance it’ll drop a sample to toss in your saddlebags.
Cowboy hats might be outlawed by the Helldiver uniform code, but you can still say your howdies and farewells with the Tip Hat emote.
If all that doesn’t light your fires, then I don’t know what will. Put the hammer down, divers, and give ‘em hell when Borderline Justice arrives on March 20!
Revealing itself like a hidden blade, Assassin’s Creed’s razor-sharp and refreshing combination of history, science fiction, and parkour-based action turned heads everywhere when it first emerged on our screens back in 2007. The result was a series rich in lore and unforgettable characters, spanning games, comic books, and even a Hollywood movie.
So with Assassin’s Creed Shadows sneaking up on its March 20 PlayStation 5 launch, here’s the perfect place to arm yourself with everything you need to know about the main strand of the series’ 13 titles.
Assassin’s Creed – 2007 – PlayStation 3 – Ubisoft
Introducing the world to 12th-century assassin Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad, the fresh-faced sandbox action stealth game presented the concept of the Animus, a machine which allows people to relive the genetic memories of their ancestors. In this case, Altaïr’s life during the Third Crusade of the Holy Land is seen through his unsuspecting 21st-century descendant, Desmond Miles, as a winding plot unravels across both timelines.
Assassin’s Creed set the tone for the genre for generations to follow, but most importantly, it was a pioneering leap forward for its even more popular sequel…
On PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 (via backwards compatibility), the following three titles are available as part ofAssassin’s Creed The Ezio Collection
Assassin’s Creed II – 2009 – PlayStation 3 and – 2016 – PlayStation 4 (Enhanced) – Ubisoft
Continuing Desmond’s story, this crafty follow-up surprised everyone by sneaking away from Altaïr and dropping us into the Italian Renaissance Era. Ezio Auditore da Firenze was now the historical recipient of the Animus, delivering a story of revenge that saw the likes of Leonardo da Vinci and Niccolo Machiavelli weaved into his quest. Even Desmond himself was granted more agency as he became entrenched within the modern-day Assassin Brotherhood.
If Assassin’s Creed cut new cloth for its iconic style and timeless gameplay, the sequel only helped sharpen its impact as Ezio became a fan-favorite character.
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood – 2010 – PlayStation 3 and – 2016 – PlayStation 4 (Enhanced) – Ubisoft
Set immediately after the events of Assassin’s Creed II, Ezio was the focal point again for this swift and deadly sequel, as he aimed to expand and recruit members into the Assassin Brotherhood across Rome. While retaining the new notoriety system from the previous game that tracked your social infamy and wanted level, Brotherhood introduced the ability to enact assassinations via horseback, perform heavy weapon throws and use a crossbow and poison darts. Ezio could also call upon apprentice assassins for asset-earning missions or help.
Most notable was the inclusion of a fantastically devious multiplayer mode for the first time in the series, which let you hunt down friends and then drift away into a crowd like you were never there…
Assassin’s Creed Revelations – 2011 – PlayStation 3 and – 2016 –PlayStation 4 (Enhanced) – Ubisoft
Concluding the Ezio trilogy, Revelations featured the now-aged assassin traveling to Constantinople to find five keys needed to unlock Altaïr’s secret library that has the potential to end the war between Templars and Assassins. Meanwhile, a comatose Desmond is forced to achieve full Animus synchronization with Ezio and Altaïr to save his own mind.
Revelations granted Ezio even more mobility with zip lines and the new Hookblade, which not only provided quicker traversal but could also be used in combat, yanking targets into a close-range attack, throw or even theft. Random events with NPCs and Templar ‘stalkers’ also kept players on their toes.
Assassin’s Creed III – 2012 – PlayStation 3 and – 2019 – PlayStation 4 (Remastered) – Ubisoft
Setting the franchise in North America for the first time, Assassin’s Creed III drew a line under Desmond’s ongoing mission to prevent a global cataclysm. This time, his path to the past was via the memories of an 18th-century Templar called Haytham Kenway, and Kenway’s illegitimate son – Ratonhnhaké:ton, who becomes the assassin Connor.
Assassin’s Creed III unleashed a vast number of changes and improvements, with a greater focus on rural environments. Connor could duel-wield, perform a wider variety of counters, combos, and takedowns, and even use enemies as human shields. Animal hunting and naval combat were also introduced, and dramatic weather changes such as snow and rain impacted gameplay. In short, it was an (American) revolution for the series.
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag – 2013 – PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 – Ubisoft
With Assassin’s Creed III whetting the appetite for travel, Black Flag truly set the player free. Expanding on the previous game’s naval exploration and combat, Black Flag’s focus on the high seas during the Golden Age of Piracy allowed for a wider range of attacking enemy vessels, treasure trekking across underwater shipwrecks, sea animal hunts, and a variety of ocean-based side missions.
Combining exploration on both land and sea to such an extent gave Welsh pirate Assassin Edward Kenway unparalleled freedom, mirrored by Kenway’s ability to not only free-aim but also use up to four flintlock pistols together. Not a bad trick to have up one’s sleeve in a world with the likes of Blackbeard, Calico Jack, and Benjamin Hornigold.
Assassin’s Creed Rogue – 2014 – PlayStation 3 and – 2018 – PlayStation 4 (Remastered) – Ubisoft
True to its title, Assassin’s Creed Rogue allowed players to control Assassin-turned-Templar Shay Patrick Cormac, offering a dramatic twist of focus for the series. The result was a fascinating spin on expectations across all levels of the gameplay.
While much of the previous elements remained – naval combat and exploration, and a vast open world, albeit mostly set across the icy North Atlantic and mid 1700s New York City – Shay has access to a wider access of projectile weapons, and he’s constantly under threat from Assassins. There are even missions where you must intercept and defend an Assassin target from their hooded assailants.
Assassin’s Creed Unity – 2014 – PlayStation 4 – Ubisoft
Released at the same time as Assassin’s Creed Rogue on PS3, Assassin’s Creed Unity, brought the franchise to PS4 for the first time, powered by an all-new game engine. While the chilly Rogue focused on a different narrative direction to previous titles, Unity’s jaunt across Paris during the French Revolution warmed things up with a gameplay first for the series: an optional co-op campaign for up to four players.
Collaboration, shared resources, and highly customizable weapons and gear that affected your playstyle were all prominent, as you assumed control of Assassin Arno Dorian.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate – 2015 – PlayStation 4 – Ubisoft
19th Century Victorian era London was the next stop, arriving with two more series of innovations. Not only were there twin Assassin protagonists that players could switch between – Jacob and Evie Frye – but Evie’s inclusion marked the first time you could play as a female Assassin in the mainline titles.
Their task to find a piece of Eden and free the Big Smoke from Templar rule was aided by the ability to use carriages as transport, and a ‘kidnapping’ mechanic where the twins could hold an enemy hostage to blend in and access restricted areas. Sneaky.
Assassin’s Creed Origins – 2017 – PlayStation 4 – Ubisoft
Jumping all the way back to Ptolemaic Egypt and gently rebooting the series, Assassin’s Creed Origins explored the bloody beginnings of the Assassin Brotherhood (the Hidden Ones) and Templar Order (the Order of the Ancients) conflict. The vengeful Bayek of Siwa is our gateway to the past this time, channeled via former Abstergo Industries employee Layla Hassan in the modern-day era.
Offering more role-playing elements than its forebears, Origins featured a greater focus on leveling up systems and progression, intricate crafting, and complex combat mechanics that also allowed Bayek to enter a frenzied state or perform brutal finishing moves.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey – 2018 – PlayStation 4 – Ubisoft
Leaning on the more mythological aspects of Ancient Greece, Odyssey continued Layla’s story in the modern day while giving players the chance to become one of King Leonidas’s descendants, Kassandra or Alexios. While the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta was central to its narrative, Odyssey built on the firm foundations set by Origins’ RPG-inspired elements, adding dialogue choices and NPC relationships, branching quests, and even multiple possible endings.
Naval combat also made its welcome return, and a ‘mercenary system’ expanded on the earlier game’s ‘stalker system’, with richly written bounty hunters targeting you. Oh, and let’s not forget the tense encounters with mythological creatures such as the Sphinx and Minotaur…
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – 2020 – PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 – Ubisoft
If the title didn’t give it away, Valhalla placed players into the Viking invasions of 873 AD, running alongside the final part of Layla’s globe-trotting modern-day story. Valhalla reintroduced the Assassin/Templar war’s prominence in the series, entangling Viking raider protagonist Eivor – who you can choose to be male or female – into their growing conflict.
Further refining the previous games’ mechanics, Valhalla brought back the player settlements mechanics that were last fully explored in Black Flag, as well as offering the chance to enjoy drinking contests, fishing and the hilarious insult hurling flying competitions.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage – 2023 – PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 – Ubisoft
With its more direct and linear story, focus on stealth over action, and reemphasis on parkour-based movement, Mirage was a pushback to the series’ roots. Even the modern-day narrative was reduced to give players more time in 9th Century Baghdad with street thief turned Master Assassin, Basim Ibn Ishaq, who we first encountered in Valhalla.
And now? It’s not long before we experience the next stage of the Assassin/Templar war, this time in 16th-century Japan alongside shinobi Fujibayashi Naoe, and legendary samurai Yasuke, in Assassin’s Creed Shadows on March 20.
But remember: “Nothing is true, everything is permitted.”
Agent 47 is about to become much more dangerous. With Hitman World of Assassination lining up its PS VR2 shot on March 27, Senior Game Designer Eskil Mohl and Lead & Senior Technical Designer Toke Krainert understood the assignment – and delivered some essential intel on the game.
What are some of the cool things players can do now in the game via VR?
Eskil: We now have an incredible amount of new interactions. There’s a scene where you get a safe combination and you can visibly read it in your hand. The tactile sensation of actually looking at a note like this feels amazing. Every little set piece in the game before was a button press, and now you actually reach out and touch stuff. We were initially afraid they wouldn’t hold up visually and audibly, so we were nicely surprised. Another one is that you can look away or use your arm to hide your eyes from flashbang grenades.
Toke: There are so many ways of playing the game, and I think it just gets better in VR. It opens up that toolbox even more.
Eskil:The other day Toke had one thing in his left hand, and another in his right, and he threw them up and caught them. And he suggested he’d try juggling three things – he was like, technically it’s possible, right?
How has combat been changed by putting the game into VR?
Eskil: It’s significantly improved. Now you can use an items and weapons wheel instead of pausing the game. And with the weapons you feel way more badass. Before putting it in VR, entering combat was almost a fail state because of how often you’d die, but now it’s a lot of fun.
You can holster your gun on your back, and you also need to manually eject the magazine, use your other hand to grab a new one, insert it and then ready the weapon. It took a long time to implement, but it’s so rewarding.
Was there a temptation to keep all of the game in first-person?
Eskil: Absolutely. For instance, in a scene where you’re stirring soup, we created a first-person prototype, and it felt clunky and a little disorientating. And in other places you couldn’t really get that useful overview of the area you’re in, especially when it comes to knowing where the enemies are. So certain scenes should feel more like a safe spot where you can get a strategic advantage, and it actually felt better in third-person.
Did you feel like you had to make more things interactive, given players were now seeing the game world differently?
Eskil: Yeah. When you’re in first-person it changes your perception of the game and tactility of what you’re interacting with. But when balancing the game we couldn’t make everything interactive.
Toke: We inherited things from the original version of the game, and when I used to be a Level Designer we’d dress locations with items and try to find a good balance of things to pick up. But not all of them, because then you are just littered with props. And if we made everything interactive in VR you would also just have a whole room full of little toy blocks you can throw around. It would be a bit silly!
Did you have to tweak the difficulty balance given the players are now using more tactile and intuitive controls? Eskil: It was a huge worry for me. Now you can dual wield anything, and things like the quick throw feature make you way more lethal and agile.
Toke: But while you have more freedom, you also have more responsibility for the execution of actions that were previously automated. So aiming requires more deliberate motions, reloading takes time, and you have to keep track of where the items are, physically.
Eskil: Yeah, so that is probably part of why it levelled itself out, in a way.
Were there specific points during development where you felt an ‘Eureka’ moment in the transition to VR?
Toke: In the beginning, when we were still figuring out the degree of fidelity in the game, we were prying a crowbar in a door for the first time and it cracked open. Suddenly it felt physical. Like, ‘oh, now it’s a VR game’. That became an indicator for how we did all those other world interactions.
Eskil: Yeah, that was a really nice moment. And when we were originally using keys in the game, we initially just had the player hold the key to the door and it would spring open. Then Toke took it to the next level and said we could actually have it so you could put the key in the lock and turn it to open the door. It felt amazing.
Have any of your favorite missions changed because of how you experienced it in VR?
Toke: For me, it’s probably the train level. It’s very linear. Players had mixed feelings about it and so did I, even though I worked on it, but now that you can play with all of these amazing weapons in VR, it’s just turned into a playground. You’re given one cool weapon after the next, and things to throw around, with a lot of armoured enemies coming at you, so you really have to practice those mechanics. It’s really fun now.
Eskil: It’s the sort of level which isn’t a typical Hitman level. It’s a bit too action gamey – but now in VR, it rocks. I had the same feeling in the Colorado section of the game. Players often rate it close to the bottom in popularity. But going gun blazing is so much fun.
Hitman World of Assassination launches on PS VR2 March 27.
