Explore the dark, twisted realm of Wraeclast when Path of Exile 2 Early Access launches today on PS5. With extensive endgame systems, customizable skill and build progression, new Ascendancies, and more – there’s lots to explore and uncover. Players have six character classes, each of whom has been cast aside for various reasons.
A redefined combat system
Command legions of the dead from a distance, or wield a hammer, bow, or go full-on artillery. Six classes stand before you, each one a gateway to untold carnage:
Monk: Swift and deadly, a blur of motion that leaves nothing but mangled bodies in its wake.
Sorceress: A master of destruction, weaving spells that tear through enemies and scorch the earth itself.
Warrior: A savage force, wielding deadly weapons with brutal efficiency, tearing foes apart with raw power.
Ranger: Silent, swift, and deadly, a hunter in the shadows who strikes with lethal precision.
Mercenary: Crossbow in hand, ready to bring ruin from afar, a relentless force of calculated destruction.
Witch: A dark sorceress who commands the minions of the abyss, bending them to her will as they tear apart all in their path.
With the new Uncut Gems, your power knows no bounds. Unlock a vast array of skills, mixing and matching Support Gems that transform your abilities — making them faster, deadlier, and more destructive, depending on your playstyle.
Epic boss fights
Every step leads you closer to unspeakable horrors.The Iron Count will test your resolve with a barrage of vicious attacks. And beware of Zicoatl, the Warden of the Core, whose snaking heads writhe with malice, ready to strike down anyone who dares challenge it.
And if you think you’ve mastered it all, completing Act 1 through Act 3 will unlock Cruel Difficulty for the endgame which requires you to complete the campaign all over again. Expect a whole new level with more brutal challenges, but better rewards for those who can survive the carnage.
In-depth endgame systems
Seven distinct endgame systems await. Players can also access special passive trees which boost the reward of your maps and change how various mechanics work in the endgame. To become stronger, complete the Trials of Ascendancy. The Trial of Sekhemas will challenge your limits and grant unimaginable power that boosts character progression. The Trial of the Chaos God is another way of Ascending but requires a token from a strange entity. As you enter each room of the Trial, the stakes are high. The same also goes for the downsides as it becomes more perilous than the last.
Co-op with a friend
You are not alone in this, though. Journey into the deadly continent of Wraeclast with a companion, or go in a group of six.
Take the first steps into Path of Exile 2 Early Access on PS5 today and face the horrors that await.
Last week, we asked you to dive into Stellar Blade’s newly released photo mode to highlight the Nier: Automata DLC costumes using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights:
marka_gameshares Eve in 2B’s classic outfit, and Adam’s themed bot at her shoulder.
sorathlunashares Lily, Eve, and Adam’s Nier themed costumes.
FrameCaptureVPshares Eve approaching Emil in the Wastelands.
crisg_artshares Eve striking a heart pose in 2B’s outfit
Valkyrion126shares Eve strike a pose in the A2 YoRHa Type A No.2 outfit.
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: PlayStation 30th Anniversary
SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on December 11, 2024
Next week, celebrate 30 years of PlayStation history! Share pics of your favorite PlayStation consoles, games, or collection through the years using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.
It’s a special time of year in the GT calendar as we head to Amsterdam in the Netherlands for the World Finals of the Gran Turismo World Series 2024. After three rounds of spectacular racing in Montreal in July, Prague in August and Tokyo in September, the points at the top of the tables are tantalizingly close as the action returns to Theater Amsterdam, the scene of 2023’s World Series Showdown.
As ever, the Toyota Gazoo Racing GT Cup final is the warm-up event for World Finals weekend and takes place at 16:00 CET on Friday, December 7. Always competitive, the TGR GT Cup will feature a mix of established World Series stars, aiming to make a winning start to their weekends, with some newcomers to the international scene keen to establish themselves. The 24 racers from around the world race in two heats before a Grand Final decides the 2024 champion.
Team Lexus heads the points table in the Manufacturers Cup. But its talisman, Igor Fraga (BRA), winner of Round 1 in Montreal, will not be at the World Finals due to Super GT racing commitments in Japan. Harald Walsen from Chile deputises, but second-placed Team Porsche hopes to make up the four-point deficit while warding off Team BMW, just a further point adrift.
With a single driver having represented each team in Rounds 1-3, all three will join forces in Amsterdam and share the racing and team strategy duties. The Manufacturers Cup action can be seen live at 19:00 CET on Friday.
On Sunday, December 8 at 16:00 CET the Nations Cup takes centre stage. Frenchman Kylian Drumont’s flawless win in Tokyo propelled him to the top of the standings. He leads by a single point from a three-way tie for second made up of three former champions: Spain’s Jose Serrano; Montreal winner Takuma Miyazono of Japan; and the winner of Round 2 in Prague, Italy’s Valerio Gallo.
Download the image
Download the image
All the action will play out in front of a live audience at Theater Amsterdam. If you can’t make it don’t miss out and watch the live streams:
Saturday, December 7
Toyota Gazoo Racing GT Cup – PST 07:00 | EST 10:00 | UTC 15:00 | local time CET 16:00 | JST 00:00 (Sun)
Manufacturers Cup – PST 10:00 | EST 13:00 | UTC 18:00 | local time CEST 19:00 | JST 13:00 (Sun)
Sunday, December 8
Nations Cup – PST 07:00 | EST 10:00 | UTC 15:00 | local time CET 16:00 | JST 00:00 (Mon)
There are plenty of ways to get involved in the World Series in Gran Turismo 7. By clicking on the Predict the Winners campaign banner on the GT7 World Map, players can receive one million credits for each of the TGR GT Cup, Nations Cup, and the Manufacturers Cup with votes cast right up to the start of the final race of each.*
Simply watching the broadcast in-game also unlocks some special gifts in GT7 through the Viewers Gift campaign.
Players can also take part in two special challenges in Gran Turismo 7 that reflect car and track combinations on show at the World Finals: Red Bull X2019 on Nürburgring 24h and Gr.3 on Spa-Francorchamps.
My name is Jenny, and I’m the Communications Director for Ivy Road, the indie studio currently developing Wanderstop. Our team is proud to announce that Wanderstop will be released on PlayStation 5 on March 11, 2025. We are eager for the chance for players to step into Alta’s shoes and contribute to PlayStation’s tradition of representing impactful, emotional storytelling in games.
A Mysterious Tea Shop
In Wanderstop, you’ll play as a former tournament fighter named Alta who has to put her troubled past aside to tend a charming shop and brew tea for its various customers. One would anticipate that after a lifetime of dedication, determination, and constant competition, Alta would welcome the opportunity to slow down. But Alta isn’t quite like everyone else, and this golden opportunity for rest is something she wishes she could escape. Instead of fighting, Alta must spend time growing and harvesting the ingredients needed for tea and mixing them in an unusual tea-making contraption, speaking with the many travelers who pass through the shop, learning their stories, and making tea to match their unique requests.
In your downtime, you might tidy up around the clearing, decorate the shop in your style, or just sit on a bench with a cup of tea and listen to your own thoughts. Maybe doing nothing at all is okay. The shop demands patience and rejects those who have come only in the pursuit of growth unchecked.
Inspired by Personal Experience
Creative Director Davey Wreden’s experience with burnout initially inspired the concept of Wanderstop, and as the team and project grew, each member brought their perspectives to the table. We also drew from the groundwork of many narrative and cozy games that have also explored challenging topics.
In our release date announcement video, we had the opportunity to share a bit of Davey’s journey. Years ago, he wrote and directed two games – The Stanley Parable and The Beginner’s Guide – and after finishing those games, he felt incredibly burnt out. In the hopes of bringing some balance to his life, and to inspire a healthier work/life balance, he started to explore making a cozy game. As he progressed, he discovered that playing cozy games can provide lots of relaxation – making them still contain the stresses and challenges that all game development holds.
After collaborating with other members of the team, like co-founder and writer, Karla Zimonja, art director Temi Olujobi, and lead designer, Steve Margolin, the game’s central themes and questions evolved. Rather than simply creating a cozy experience, there was a tension that they began to explore. What happens when you have a protagonist who isn’t excited about or willing to engage with a cozy world? The coziness, rather than simply being the solution to her inner turmoil, became a point of contention for our protagonist, Alta, and it also became an interesting design element for us as a team.
We looked towards many of the games already out that’ve explored these intersections of burnout, grief, fatigue, and healing, as well as previous research articles on topics like player motivation and the work on coziness from Project Horseshoe. Our hope was to continue expanding on the ways that these types of games provide spaces for players to reflect and address potentially challenging issues.
Let Your Mind Wander
In Wanderstop, there are ample activities a player can do to pass the time. Let your interests guide you to the tasks that bring you the most fulfillment. Players who enjoy decorating can take their time arranging plants in the garden and around the shop, petting adorable pluffins, and finding trinkets scattered about the glade. Periodically, visitors will arrive, providing an opportunity for conversation. Talk with them, see what’s on their minds, and perhaps take on a request to brew their favorite tea. Need a moment to yourself? Create your own cuppa, find a spot to sit, and take in the sights and sounds of the clearing. The music – composed by C418 — shifts dynamically based on your actions in-game and provides a relaxing soundtrack to reflect on.
These verbs of Wanderstop – brew, decorate, talk, sit, drink tea – all support our goal for you: that you find your own sense of meaning and connection to this world and Alta’s journey when it comes to PS5 March 11, 2025.
Since the launch of PlayStation Tournaments on PS5, we’ve continued to bring together a community of competitive gamers and esports fans on PS5 to test their skills and compete at a regional and global level. In the spirit of celebrating our community, we’re excited to announce PlayStation Tournaments: XP, a new live studio event that invites the top competitive gamers globally on PS5 for a unique in-person team-based competition.
On January 18, 2025, the first-ever PlayStation Tournaments: XP competition will be held live in London. Qualifying players from across the globe and the competitive gaming community on PS5 will represent teams Triangle, Circle, Cross, and Square to earn points during the competition and vie for the title of champion, in addition to winning exclusive prizes.
Through online qualifiers via PlayStation Tournaments on PS5, players will have a chance to compete to earn their trip to London, while fans at home will be able to tune into the event live stream, watch all the action, and win prizes.
How to qualify for PlayStation Tournaments: XP
To battle for a chance to compete in London, play in any PlayStation Tournaments: XP Open Qualifier on PS5. Open Qualifiers will start today for Tekken 8 and EA Sports FC 25. Open Qualifiers for Fortnite will start on December 6, and Astro Bot will start on December 13, 2024. See here for full details on the rules and times for each qualifier.
Players who win an Open Qualifier will be invited to a regional online Closed Final. After winning a Closed Final, the player will then earn a spot to compete in the live PlayStation Tournaments: XP event and a ticket to London, including flights and lodging.
Gear up for PlayStation Tournaments: XP in London on January 18, 2025
When qualifying players arrive in London, they’ll be seeded into one of the four teams (Triangle, Circle, Cross, and Square) and compete across several exciting live broadcast matches to earn points (called “XP”) for their team.
Each team will feature a Team Captain and Specialists, which are a crew of community favorites who specialize in one of the four featured titles. These Team Captains and Specialists will represent, cheer on, and coach their team through the tournament. We’ll be unveiling the full roster of Team Captains and Specialists in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!
After four rounds of competition and surprise mini-games, the top two teams will compete to become the first-ever Champions of PlayStation Tournaments: XP.
Esports fans can tune into the PlayStation Tournaments: XP livestream on January 18 to cheer on a team and watch the event. On the PlayStation Twitch and YouTube channels, fans can watch the action in real time, from intense 1v1 matches to interviews with Team Captains. To follow along each team’s progress, a Specialist from each team will be streaming their perspective, giving you an inside look at the action. Viewers will even be able to earn points for your team and win prizes through polls in chat.
PlayStation Tournaments: XP is a celebration of the players, competitors, and fans who make our competitive community a great group to be a part of. Whether you’re competing in London or cheering on from home, we can’t wait for you to experience this new in-person competition. Stay tuned for the latest PlayStation Tournaments: XP details at compete.playstation.com.
What’s it like bringing a K-Pop hit from Barbie the Album into a VR Rhythm game? It’s kinda like opening the doors and walking into a party — with a lot of pink all around you.
Hi, I’m Falcon from Kluge Interactive and this is the new Synth Riders Experience – Barbie Dance ‘n Dream. It’s a Barbie-fueled ride to Fifty Fifty’s “Barbie Dreams (feat. Kaliii).” In fact, this is the first time Barbie joins a VR rhythm game — and it’s available right now!
Here’s a small taste of what you can experience yourself right now in Synth Riders with this new DLC.
You’ll soak in some rays at the beach, groove at the roller disco, and dance through Barbie dreams in Synth Riders’ latest musical journey. It’s a whole new audio-visual Experience, from the team that delivered the one-of-a-kind immersive tracks collaborating with Muse, The Offspring, and Lindsay Stirling – to name a few.
Associate Creative Director Jaime Nunez-Lopez told me “The idea of Barbie dreaming that she´s on a journey through different dream worlds really fit the Synth Riders game mechanics and perfectly matched the theme of the song itself.”
And, really, we needed an excuse to have pink dolphins in a game!
Jaime adds, “It’s really all about bringing a huge smile to your face by the time the song’s done.” So pull out that power pink wardrobe and get yourself ready for the Synth Riders Experience — Barbie Dance ‘n Dream!
We can’t wait to see all of you dressing up in pink for the occasion!
When Producer Hironobu Sakaguchi first contacted me about Fantasian, I had decided that this would be the last video game title which I’d produce the full soundtrack for, solely on my own.
Because this was going to be my final full soundtrack project, I wanted to give it everything I had. I rearranged my office—cluttered with non-work-related things that were there for fun—into something I call the “Fantasian mode,” so that I could corner myself creatively. In the end, I spent several months dedicating myself to composing, and I have no regrets. Please enjoy Fantasian Neo Dimension, the culminating work that tops off my 30-plus years long career of composing full video game soundtracks!
Today, I’ll be introducing five of my favorite tracks from Fantasian Neo Dimension’s soundtrack.
1. Main Theme of Fantasian
Composing the main theme for a game is always a headache. I try to approach it with the mindset of “creating a track that’s better than anything I’ve ever made,” but progress tends to be slow when I take things too seriously. Sometimes, my creativity flows once I let go and realize “this is what I know how to do best.” This was the case for the Main Theme of Fantasian.
2. Prickle and Clicker’s Theme
A clumsy, outdated robot that’s certainly not the latest model – an incomplete being with fragmented speech, but is endearing precisely because of these qualities. These were the kind of things I thought about while I was making this track. It has an awkward, bumpy feel to the tune, right?
3. Shangri-La
This one is a track that I personally really like. This track features scat vocalization which goes like “lan lan~♪,” but it would be nice to do a live performance of a version that includes lyrics someday.
4. God Realm
Is music considered “proper” only when it has a beautiful melody on top of beautiful chords, played with a beautiful tone? If so, is it an “improper” piece of music when it has a graceless melody layered on top of eerily sounding chords, performed haphazardly? Being in this field for so long, there are times when I question myself about what exactly defines “proper music.”
5.Kina (Destiny) [featuring Yuria Miyazono]
The time Sakaguchi needs to write song lyrics is astonishingly short. In the past, whenever I’d send over a completed melody his way, usually his first draft would be ready by the next day, or the day after that. I wish I could say that this track followed suit, but in this particular case, I believe his lyrics were written first, and I created a melody to go along with them. Regardless, I recall that I was able to complete this track very quickly and smoothly, with no bumps on the road. Speaking of which, Yuria Miyazono’s vocals are so beautiful…
Discover these tracks for yourself in-game when Fantasian Neo Dimension launches on PlayStation Store December 5, 2024.
Bleach Rebirth of Souls is the latest console game from the legendary Bleach franchise, where fan favorite characters can unlock powers, engage in combat, and turn the tide of the battle with one strike of their sword.
To get fans and players excited for Bleach Rebirth of Souls, we’ll be showing some exclusive content of Sosuke Aizen and Shigekuni Genryusai Yamamoto, as well as an introduction to the game’s unique battle system.
New character reveals
The new characters, Sosuke Aizen and Shigekuni Genryusai Yamamoto have been revealed in the release date announcement trailer. Their character trailers will drop soon, but below is a tease of the two iconic characters.
As the Captain of Squad 5, Sosuke Aizen is infamous for his crime of high treason against the Soul Society. He has a Spiritual Pressure unlike any other, far surpassing that of other Soul Reapers. His immense strength is amplified by his unique ability to manipulate his attacks and shift the tide of the fight to his advantage.
As the Head Captain, Shigekuni Genryusai Yamamoto stands at the pinnacle of all Soul Reapers, wielding the most powerful fire-based Zanpakuto capable of incinerating everything in its path. With unmatched firepower and mastery over his abilities, Yamamoto is a formidable force, ready to face any opponent who dares to challenge him.
Combat system basics
At its core, the basic strategy is reading the opponent’s moves, attack, guard, counter, and decreasing Reishi. Winning a battle involves cutting down an opponent’s Reishi (HP) and destroying their Konpaku (lives). All playable characters have unique abilities to accomplish this goal through various mechanics so using movement abilities for positioning becomes key to finding opportunities to strike.
Before diving into the combat overview, let’s introduce some important game terms:
Reishi Gauge: A player’s health gauge. Every time a Reishi gauge is cut down, the player’s Konpaku takes damage.
Konpaku: A player’s remaining health. Destroy all of the opponent’s Konpaku to win the fight.
Fighting Spirit Gauge: Accumulated over time and by taking damage. When enough of this gauge has accumulated, a player can activate the Awakening. If a player has a full gauge when using Awakening, they will move into a Kikon channel state, which increases the power of the Kikon Move.
Awakening: Elevates a player to an empowered state with enhanced abilities and increased Konpaku destruction power.
Kikon Move: An ability that directly destroys an opponent’s Konpaku.
Guard Gauge: Decreases when a player guards an opponent’s attacks. If the gauge is fully depleted, a player will not be able to guard temporarily (Guard Break).
Spiritual Power Gauge: Accumulated when attacking an opponent. The gauge is consumed to activate a Spiritual Pressure Move.
Spiritual Pressure Move: Special actions that differ per character that includes empowered abilities, counter skills, etc.
Hohô: Movement ability to quickly close the distance and get behind an opponent.
Reverse Action: There are three types of Reverse Actions; Soul Reverse (increase Spiritual Power and recover Reishi), Chain Reverse (continue a combo and increase Spiritual Power), and Burst Reverse (cancel an opponent’s combo and recover Guard Gauge).
Turn the tide of the battle
To destroy the opponent’s Konpaku, players must either damage the Reishi gauge or, when the opponent’s remaining Reishi falls below 30%, activate a Kikon Move. Additionally, a Kikon Move can be triggered when the opponent is under Guard Break. However, if a player uses a Kikon Move in an ancillary manner, the number of Konpaku destroyed will be reduced.
Players can damage an opponent’s Reishi Gauge in two ways, Quick Attack and Flash Attack. While both attacks can decrease an opponent’s Guard Gauge, Quick Attacks can be unleashed quicker and are used to easily accumulate Spiritual Power,while Flash Attacks inflict greater damage to Reishi. These attacks can also be used in succession as a combo, and using Hohô will extend the combo attacks.
There are also other abilities like the Signature Move, a unique action which can be activated without consuming gauge, as well as a Spiritual Pressure Move, which can be activated with accumulated Spiritual Power. Strategically timing these skills will give a player the upper hand on their opponent.
Along with basic abilities, players can activate the Awakening state in the form of signature Bleach skills like Shikai, Bankai, and Resurrección. Awakening can be activated when a player accumulates a certain amount of Fighting Spirit, enhancing a character’s abilities and Konpaku destruction power. Activating Awakening can be crucial in overturning the tide of the battle, bringing victory from the edge of defeat!
Bleach Rebirth of Souls is coming to PS5 and PS4 on March 21, 2025. Pre-order the game today and receive the Toshiro Histugaya and Yoruichi Shihoin Thousand-Year Blood War costume set!
Explore a wild and unrelenting new frontier when Monster Hunter Wilds releases on February 28 on PS5. We recently got to play through the main missions of Chapter 1, going up against colossal enemies including the new monster Quematrice and exploring the Scarlet Forest.
Weapons now come with built-in Equipment Skills
In previous series’ entries, various hunt-aiding skills were primarily granted through armor, talismans, and decorations, which you combined to create your build. However, in Monster Hunter Wilds, even weapons available early in the game come with built-in Equipment Skills tailored to the weapon type. For example, the Great Sword Buster Sword I features Critical Draw, while Bone Blade II offers Focus and Attack Boost. Since this game allows you to switch between two weapons during a hunt, it’s easier to leverage different skill combinations if you bring both a melee and a ranged weapon.
Face off against the Brute Wyvern, Quematrice, and its fiery attacks
The hunter, after escorting the siblings, encounters the Brute Wyvern, Quematrice. This monster is a new addition to Monster Hunter Wilds. They take bites at the hunter once provoked, and also spread a flammable substance ignited by dragging their long tail along the ground. Getting hit by this attack leaves the hunter in a Fireblight state, which causes health to gradually deplete over time. As part of the first main mission, the huntert learns to deal with this ailment by utilizing Nulberries or evading tactfully.
Seamlessly transition from the Windward Plains to the Scarlet Forest
Later in the quest, the hunters head to the Scarlet Forest to investigate Doshagumas. I was amazed that I could ride my Seikret all the way from the plains to the forest without traveling back to base. The area transition was seamless with no loading screens, and it shows you how truly vast and connected the ecosystems are in this game.
The Scarlet Forest is characterized by its towering trees and peculiar red-colored water. Its landscape is entirely different from the sandy deserts and rocky formations of the Windward Plains, offering a refreshing change of scenery. Along the way, I came across creatures not found in the Windward Plains, as well as a hideout inhabited by a Lynian tribe called Wudwuds. I’m particularly excited to explore more of the Scarlet Forest when the game launches.
Beware of the Lala Barina with its scarlet silk and dominating attacks
The first large monster you’ll encounter in the Scarlet Forest is the Temnoceran, Lala Barina. This monster strikes from anywhere – from the trees while hanging by its thread, or from the air ready to ambush. When it shoots out red spores to attack, it opens its thorax to reveal tufts of scarlet hair that resemble a blooming rose. I managed to evade all the spore attacks but getting hit carries the risk of inflicting Paralysis.
A thrilling hunt with the Congalala
The next monster I encountered in the Scarlet Forest was the Pink Fur Beast, Congalala. While absent from Monster Hunter World, this fanged beast appeared in several past entries in the series. Its defining traits include its pink fur and of course, the foul fart attacks that can inflict Stench status.
In addition to its flatulence, Congalala unleashes powerful belches, making its arsenal of Stench-inflicting moves particularly troublesome. It’s a good idea to bring plenty of Deodorants with you to remove the Stench during battle. Its swift arm strikes, delivered with surprising agility for such a large creature, also pack a punch. On top of that, it sometimes retreats into a group of smaller Congas and attacks as a pack.
A deadly struggle against Scarlet Forest’s apex predator, Uth Duna
Chapter 1 concludes with the hunt for the Uth Duna, a Leviathan that rules the Scarlet Forest as the apex predator. This monster frequently employs water-based attacks that inflict Waterblight, making stamina recovery more difficult. Its most spectacular move is a devastating body slam after soaring into the air, not only dealing massive damage but also toppling large trees in its path. When the Uth Duna unleashes this attack, it’s best to focus entirely on evasion.
Uth Duna is a formidable foe, but thankfully, Olivia, a member of the Forbidden Lands Expedition Team, provides support during this mission. With Uth Duna’s attention divided, it becomes easier to launch attacks from the sides or rear. However, Uth Duna also exhibits a unique behavior: it secretes bodily fluids that mix with water to form a protective veil around itself and alters its appearance. While in this state, the veil reduces the damage from the hunter’s attacks, so focus on targeting areas without the veil protection. Utilizing Focus Mode to target vulnerable spots will be the key to success.
My playthrough this time focused on the main missions in Chapter 1, but I cannot wait to gather materials through optional quests and explore the vast beautiful world of Monster Hunter Wilds when it launches on February 28 on PS5
*The video and images were captured from a version under development and may differ from the final product.
Today, December 3, marks PlayStation’s 30th anniversary. To celebrate, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) hosted the 2024 PlayStation Partner Awards in Japan Asia (hereafter PlayStation Partner Awards), honoring all the incredible games and talented developers who released their games on PlayStation within the Japan/Asia region.
In addition to celebrating the success of the 2024 PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 titles (October 2023 through September 2024), this year’s awards also recognized exceptional games created by Japanese and other Asian developers released on legacy PlayStation platforms over the past 30 years – the original PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, and PlayStation 4. Read on for a rundown of all the games that received awards at this event.
Games are listed in alphabetical order.
Excellence Award
Awarded to the title developed in the Japan/Asia region that have had a consistent and significant impact along with commercial success over the past three years*.
Genshin Impact (HoYoverse)
Grand Award
Awarded to the top three titles developed in the Japan and Asia regions with the highest worldwide sales between October 2023 and September 2024*.
Black Myth: Wukong (Game Science Interactive Technology) Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree (FromSoftware, Inc / Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.) Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Square Enix Co. Ltd)
Partner Award
Awarded to titles developed in the Japan/Asia region with top-ranked worldwide sales between October 2023 and September 2024*, with particularly noteworthy accomplishments.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 (Capcom Co., Ltd.) Honkai: Star Rail (HoYoverse) Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (Sega) Persona 3 Reload (Atlus Co., Ltd) Tekken 8 (Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.) The First Descendant（Nexon） Zenless Zone Zero（HoYoverse）
Special Award
Awarded to PS5 titles developed in collaboration with SIE outside the Japan/Asia region that achieved outstanding success within Japan/Asia between October 2023 and September 2024*.
Rise of the Ronin (SIE, developed by Koei Tecmo) Stellar Blade (SIE, developed by Shift Up)
Users’ Choice Award
Awarded to the top five titles released in the Japan/Asia region between October 2023 and September 2024, selected by user votes in the Japan/Asia region, out of the top 30 titles with the longest total gameplay time.
Black Myth: Wukong (Game Science Interactive Technology) Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Square Enix Co. Ltd) Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (Sega) Rise of the Ronin (SIE, developed by Koei Tecmo) Stellar Blade (SIE, developed by Shift Up)
PlayStation Generations Awards
Awarded to titles chosen by users in the Japan and Asia regions from each PlayStation generation – the original PlayStation, PS2, PSP, PS3, PS Vita, and PS4. All games are previous “PlayStation Partner Award” winners.
PlayStation Generations (1994 and beyond) Final Fantasy VII (Square Enix Co. Ltd.)
PlayStation 2 Generations (2000 and beyond) Final Fantasy X (Square Enix Co. Ltd.)
PlayStation Portable Generations (2004 and beyond) Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (Capcom Co., Ltd.)
PlayStation 3 Generations (2006 and beyond) Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.)
PlayStation Vita Generations (2011 and beyond) Persona 4 Golden (Atlus Co., Ltd)
PlayStation 4 Generations (2013 and beyond) Elden Ring (FromSoftware, Inc / Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.)
* SIE’s indicators, such as player numbers, are also factored into the selection of nominees. Listed publishers are those of the Japanese PlayStation Store.
Here are messages from the recipients of the “Excellence Award” and “Grand Award” to all the players.
Genshin Impact
(Hoyoverse)
* Photo of the HoYoverse team’s resident cat.
“I would like to express our sincere gratitude to our players and PlayStation! This new award marks a significant milestone in our journey over the past four years, reflecting the precious memories and moments of companionship shared with our players, as well as the long-lasting, stable, and trusting partnership we’ve built with PlayStation.
The world of Genshin Impact is filled with endless possibilities, and our adventure is far from over. This year, we’ve arrived at Teyvat’s sixth nation — Natlan. Here, Travelers can join forces with Natlan’s warriors and Saurian companions, soaring through the skies and delving into the earth, exploring the vast world to their hearts’ content. And moving forward, we will continue to create exciting and fresh content to show our appreciation for your continued attention and support.”
– Dai Wei Game Designer HoYoverse
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
(FromSoftware, Inc / Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.)
“Thank you to all the gamers who have spent their time playing Elden Ring.
We will continue to strive to deliver exciting and meaningful games to our fans.”
– FromSoftware, Inc Elden Ring development team
“Thank you so much for this very prestigious award. Although there was a longer wait for the Shadow of the Erdtree compared to our previous DLCs, we’re delighted that so many players picked up the expansion to explore the all-new story in the Realm of Shadow. We’re only able to continue receiving such awards nearly three years after the main game’s release, thanks to our loyal players continuing their journey in the Lands Between and keeping the game and community thriving. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has played the main game and DLC. Thank you very much.”
– Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. Elden Ring development team
Black Myth: Wukong
(Game Science Interactive Technology）
“It is an incredible honor to receive the Grand Award. This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of everyone at Game Science Interactive Technology and the support of our valued partners, as well as the enthusiastic response from all Black Myth: Wukong players.
The inspiration for Black Myth: Wukong comes from Journey to the West, one of China’s ‘Four Great Classical Novels.’ Thanks to this masterpiece written over 400 years ago, and the fusion of China’s rich cultural heritage with the latest advancements in game development technology, we were able to create an action RPG that brings the grandeur and beauty of Chinese mythology to life. Moving forward, we will continue listening to player feedback, exploring cutting-edge technology, and creating more exciting gameplay and thought-provoking stories.
Thanks to our distribution platforms and to every Destined One who has joined us on this westward journey!”
– Feng Ji Founder & CEO, Game Director Game Science
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
(Square Enix Co. Ltd)
“I am thrilled that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth was chosen for the Grand Award – which is only awarded to the top three Japanese/Asian titles with the highest worldwide sales – especially since Final Fantasy VII Remake received the same honor. I am truly grateful to the many fans who have supported this game and made it possible for us to receive this esteemed award.
The Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy will finally conclude with the next installment. The team is working incredibly hard to make it a rewarding finale, so we hope that you will continue to support us.”
