Last week, we asked you to highlight favorite companions in Dragon Age: The Veilguard using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s heroic highlights:
_xFenrirshares scout Lace Harding posing with her bow and arrows on her back.
LadyCalzoneshares a portrait of Mourn Watcher Emmerich bathed in the green glow of his staff.
devilishbrycevpshares a portrait of Veil Jumper elf Bellara.
esterinaskashares Shadow Dragon mage Neve in the middle of an incantation.
jdbolzanshares a portrait of dragon hunter Taash looking sullen.
xLightningWolfxshares Grey Warden elf Davrin in the heat of battle.
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: Gathering SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on November 27, 2024
Next week, it’s time to come together. Share a moment that had characters gathering together in the game of your choice using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.
Dear Trailblazers, greetings from the Honkai: Star Rail dev team! It’s been a while, but today we’re thrilled to bring you more information about version 2.7, A New Venture on the Eighth Dawn which launches on December 4, the last chapter before the Astral Express sets its sights on the mysterious realm of Amphoreus, known as the Eternal Land. This update closes our chapter in Penacony and paves the way for a new story in version 3.0.
In the previous story arc, Black Swan suggested the Crew venture to Amphoreus — a realm so enigmatic that even the Aeon of the Trailblaze, Akivili, never managed to reach. Curious yet cautious, Miss Himeko the Navigator decides to gather any available intel about this destination. Meanwhile, the Crew makes a final stop in Penacony, reuniting with old friends and creating lasting memories in one last farewell before they set forth on their next daring journey.
Old friends returning to the spotlight
The memories of that performance at the Penacony Grand Theater feel as vivid as yesterday. It’s not just the Astral Express or Penacony that’s awakened from its dream — Sunday has, too. Reflecting on it, there’s something deeply stirring about sharing the stage with Mr. Sunday once more. Stepping down from his role as the head of the Oak Family, he’s chosen to “Descend to the mortal realm and walk their lands. See what this world is truly like.” Casting aside blessings from both Harmony and Order, Sunday is setting out to pursue his vision of a utopia as a mere mortal. This time, he returns to Penacony, thanks to the aid of a secretive Pepeshi called Wonweek, with one wish: to give a final, unforgettable performance before embarking on his new journey. Accordingly, his robe and hood serve not only to give him a fresh appearance but also to hide his true identity for his last dance in the Planet of Festivities.
As a 5-star Imaginary character, Sunday has unique Support capacities, and his Skill causes an ally to immediately take action and increase their DMG dealt. If that ally has a Summon, then both the ally and the Summon can immediately take action and further improve the DMG Boost effect. When Sunday uses his Ultimate, he regenerates Energy for one ally, and makes that ally and its Summon – The Beatified. A halo is bestowed on the ally who becomes The Beatified and increases their CRIT DMG.
Another character soon to arrive is Fugue, who we know as our old friend Tingyun. Once a tactful foxian girl, she now finds her name, appearance, and even identity stolen. Fate, however, has left her a slender thread of hope, though the mark of Destruction still stirs restlessly within her. Tingyun barely escaped death after her encounter with Phantylia during version 1.2’s main storyline and was saved only by the intervention of Madam Ruan Mei from the Genius Society, who granted her a second chance at life. Recently, Himeko and Welt visited Madam Ruan Mei and took it upon themselves to bring Miss Tingyun home, renewing her journey back to where she belongs.
Fugue is a 5-star Fire character who is skilled at supporting one ally to reduce Toughness regardless of the enemy’s Type Weaknesses. While Fugue is on the field, enemy targets are afflicted with the Cloudflame Luster state. When Cloudflame Luster is reduced to zero, the target takes Break DMG once again. Moreover, when teammates attack Weakness Broken enemy targets, they deal Super Break DMG. And that’s not all — Fugue can use her Technique to increase ally characters’ Break Effect. When she uses her Ultimate, she deals Fire DMG to all enemies, and this instance of attack ignores Weakness Type to directly reduce all enemies’ Toughness.
Additionally, the limited 5-star characters General Jing Yuan and Firefly, will return in the first and second halves of the version 2.7 warp event respectively. Their formidable support makes them invaluable allies for your future journeys.
More gameplay features for version 2.7 and beyond
Beyond new characters and storylines, version 2.7 also offers Trailblazers a truly immersive experience. Step aboard the Astral Express’ new Party Car — a place where elegance and nostalgia blend seamlessly. Guests are welcomed to a spacious reception area, set against a sleek marble bar and accompanied by a classic bartending robot. With the vast Cosmos as your view, you can savor a drink with the Express Crew or reflect quietly by the window, letting the scenery stir your thoughts.
Download the image
Download the image
Download the image
Ascend the stairs, and you’ll find the Trailblazer’s very own quarters. In the Cosmic Home Décor Guide event, transform a once-empty storage room into a personal haven, with areas like a cozy bedroom and bathroom. As you gather furniture using Express Funds earned from tasks, your space takes shape piece by piece, mirroring your journey through the stars.
Download the image
Download the image
Download the image
And there’s more exciting news: the Relic system will also be receiving an update in version 3.0. You’ll be able to choose a Relic’s Main Stat and Subsidiary Stats using specialized tools during synthesis! By using a certain amount of the new item, Wishful Resin, alongside Self-Modeling Resin, you can set both the Main and Sub Stats for a Relic simultaneously.
Last but not least, before we take a bow, Pom-Pom discovered something special while tidying up the storage boxes for the Trailblazer! From the version 2.7 update until the end of version 3.2, Trailblazers can claim a Gift of the Express, allowing them to select one regular 5-star character of their choice. Our trailblazing expedition continues with old friends and new allies alike—let’s set off together and keep fighting side-by-side!
That concludes our insights on version 2.7. Stay tuned, as there are still more surprises waiting in the wings. I hope you are excited, because our old ally Herta, the renowned master of the eponymous Herta Space Station, is clearly fully prepared for the adventures that lie ahead when version 2.7 launches on December 4.
Major League Baseball’s exciting 2024 season has wrapped and with MLB The Show 24’s Season 4 content arriving tomorrow*, we at San Diego Studio wanted to take a moment to share a sneak peek at the future of this franchise.
MLB The Show 24 Season 4
Beginning tomorrow, all fans can enjoy every card in MLB The Show 24 as we move into Season 4 with the release of 2024 Finest with more content coming. Yes, this also means cards in your inventory from previous seasons in MLB The Show 24 can be enjoyed again!
MLB The Show 25 Diamond Dynasty
We appreciate the feedback from our community and have also decided that Sets and Seasons will not be returning in MLB The Show 25, allowing every card to be used freely throughout the year. While we look forward to sharing more about our live content plans for MLB The Show 25 at a later date, our Season 4 approach gives you a sense of the direction of MLB The Show 25.
We are also excited to share that you, our fans, will be able to earn rewards in MLB The Show 24 to jump-start your MLB The Show 25 experience! Beginning tomorrow, you can start earning Now & Later MLB The Show Packs in playable content all throughout Diamond Dynasty! Each Now & Later MLB The Show Pack earned in MLB The Show 24 will grant an MLB The Show Pack in MLB The Show 25**.
As we work to develop the most authentic and realistic Major League Baseball experience possible, we wanted to share a sneak peek of what is to come next year in MLB The Show 25.
Road To The Show: Deepen the player’s journey before being drafted, and return control to how a player develops and grows in new and interesting ways.
Diamond Dynasty*: With Sets and Seasons retiring, our fans can look forward to all-new elements of the Diamond Dynasty experience blended with what they love most about it.
Franchise: Improved trade evaluation metrics are coming along with a new fun and engaging offseason experience.
Gameplay: With the expansion of quick time events, defensive AI, and pathing updates, enjoy more engaging moment-to-moment gameplay.
*Internet connection required for online features and software updates. **An internet connection, MLB The Show account, and purchase of MLB The Show 25, once available, is required to receive your Now & Later MLB The Show Pack in MLB The Show 25.
As we head into the holiday season, we’re excited to celebrate another year of amazing PlayStation experiences with our community with PlayStation’s Black Friday offers that begin this week. From November 22, players and gift givers can explore a range of amazing offers on games and more on PlayStation Store*.
Players who join PlayStation Plus from November 22 through December 5 can save up to 30% on a 12-month membership. Current PlayStation Plus Essential members can save 25% on the remainder of their membership when upgrading a current plan to PlayStation Plus Extra, or save 30% when upgrading from PlayStation Plus Extra to PlayStation Plus Deluxe.
With PlayStation Plus Extra and Deluxe, get access to monthly games, exclusive discounts, online multiplayer, and hundreds of PS4 and PS5 titles through the Game Catalog and Classics Catalog, including hit titles like The Last of Us Part I, Grand Theft Auto V, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and many more*.
PlayStation Store
Download the image
From November 22 through December 2, offers on hundreds of PS5 and PS4 digital games are also coming to PlayStation Store, including popular titles like EA Sports FC 25, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, Hogwarts Legacy, and much more. Visit PlayStation Store when the promotion begins on November 22 to view the full selection and find out your local savings.
*Products may have different sales periods. See specific offer details on product detail pages.
**Availability of Classics and Game Catalog varies over time, region/country, and plan. See https://www.playstation.com/Plus for details and updates on PlayStation Plus offerings. PlayStation Plus is an ongoing subscription subject to a recurring subscription fee taken automatically (at the then-current PS Store price) at the frequency you choose at purchase until cancellation. Terms apply: play.st/psplus-usageterms
Gran Turismo players! Update 1.54 brings an rush of exciting cars, events, and challenges, including an update to the Gran Turismo Sophy AI agent for the classic Trial Mountain Circuit and Tokyo Expressway – East Clockwise. Be sure to not miss the Gran Turismo World Series Celebration Race where you can experience the same races featured in this year’s grand final!
Update 1.54* for Gran Turismo 7 will be available as of Wednesday, November 20 at 10:00pm PT / +1 Day, 6:00am GMT / +1 Day, 3:00pm JST.
Five new cars added this month
Download the image
Download the image
Ford Escort RS Cosworth ’92
(Can be purchased from Used Cars)
A WRC homologation special with a unique double-decker wing design.
Ford bagan their 1990s World Rally Championship (WRC) campaign powered by the Sierra RS Cosworth 4×4. Then in 1992 came the Escort RS Cosworth, a homologation special developed for even higher performance. The original Escort was a masterpiece, widely being used in rally races in the late 60s going into the 70s. Years later, Ford Europe took the compact body of the 5th generation Escort, installed the highly tuned four-wheel drive powertrain from the Sierra, and adorned the rear of the vehicle with a large dual-level wing to complete the fearsome makeover. At the heart of the beast lies a longitudinally mounted 2L turbocharged twin-cam engine built by Cosworth, as per the car’s name. The bore-stroke ratio has been overhauled, resulting in a total 1,993 cc displacement, and producing 223.9 BHP/30.4 kgfm on the stock tune.
On the four-wheel drive system, the central differential uses a combination of viscous coupling and planetary gears for maximum reliability. The Escort RS Cosworth began production in 1992, and gained homologation status the next year when it would start full-scale competition in the WRC’s Group A category. The “Cossie”, as fans called it, took a 1-2 finish in the round 3 Portugal Rally and went on to achieve two consecutive victories in rounds 5 (Tour de Corse) and round 6 (Acropolis) before repeating the achievement in rounds 11 and 12 (San Remo and Spain) reinstating Ford’s reputation as a strong contender on the rally circuit.
Download the image
Download the image
Mercedes-Benz W 196 R ’55
(Can be purchased from Legend Cars)
A legendary F1 car that made motorsports history.
The W 196 was produced by Mercedes-Benz after their return to motorsports in 1951, developed under the 2.5L engine regulations that Formula 1 had introduced in 1954. It was developed in tandem with a model for sports car racing that shared the same basic components. The W 196 entered the F1 competition, while the W 196 S competed in sportscar races with both cars finding success in their own fields. The chassis was based on a tubular steel space frame, and first appeared in its debut race at the 1954 French Grand Prix with a streamlined body covering the front and rear wheels with an aerodynamic shell.
However, after the subsequent British Grand Prix it became apparent that this body style obstructed the driver’s view and required too much maintenance, so for the German Grand Prix onwards, the car primarily ran with the open-wheel style body, saving the streamline design for high-speed circuits only. These were not the only two body types though, the chassis was configured with thre different wheelbase lengths, two types of brakes, and two engine positions for a total of seven variations. The engine used was an inline-8 design constructed similarly to two four-cylinder banks joined longitudinally. At its peak, it produced 285 BHP from the 2,496 cc displacement and propelled the car to a top speed of 180.2 mph. The W 196 went on to dominate the 1954 and 1955 F1 World Championships, winning two consecutive drivers champion titles for Juan Manuel Fangio.
Download the image
Download the image
Porsche 911 Turbo S (992) ’20
(Can be purchased from Brand Central)
The top performance model of the eighth generation 911.
The icon of the Porsche line-up for over 60 years, the 911 entered its eighth generation in 2018 under the ‘992’ codename. On its exterior, the 992 is a refinement of the motifs introduced by its predecessor the 991. The body size has increased slightly, but extensive efforts were made to keep weight down by increased usage of aluminum. Another notable change is the narrow body base model from previous generations was scrapped. A point of note on the car’s construction is the new MMB modular development platform. This flexible platform comprises a front axle, floor and rear axles with the ability to adapt to a rear-engine or midship design by adjusting the position of the rear axle. On the powertrain, a move was made towards downsizing, with the base model featuring a 3L turbocharged flat-6 engine.
The power output is tuned according to the model, with Carrera models producing 379.7 BHP while Carrera S models produce 443.8 BHP. The standard transmission is an eight-speed PDK unit, with a seven-speed manual available on the Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S models. In April 2020, the Turbo S model was added to the 992 family as the top-level performance model. Featuring a slightly shorter stroke than previous Turbo S models, this 3,745 cc flat-6 twin-turbo powers its four wheels with a colossal 641 BHP/800 Nm (81.6 kgfm).
Download the image
Download the image
Porsche Mission X ’23
Can be purchased from Brand Central
A hypercar concept to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Porsche.
June 1948, the first ever car to bear the Porsche name, the 356 ‘No. 1’ Roadster is approved, setting in motion the rise of one of the greatest sports car brands in history. 75 years later on the same date in 2023, the company unveiled a new concept, an interpretation of a possible future of sports car technology that takes inspiration from Porsche’s numerous classic car legends. This concept is known as the Mission X.
The two-seater fully electric concept of a hypercar is actually relatively compact, at only 4,500 mm long and 2,000 mm wide. Measuring just under 1,200 mm tall, the low-slung design features an almost sculptural form with bold lines, which goes to show that a hypercar doesn’t necessarily need to look hyper-aggressive. Within each area of the exterior lives the motifs of historic racing cars. The headlights are a reinterpretation of the quad lights that adorned cars like the 906 and 908, while the doors use the same upward opening motion as the legendary 917 endurance car. Moving to the rear, an illuminated clear ‘Porsche’ logo sits in the centre of the light units which extend out from the side of the body. Looking carefully, the Porsche emblems on the bonnet and steering wheel feature an updated, more modern interpretation of the classic logo. The interior expresses a strong affinity with motorsports. The steering wheel uses an open yoke style design, fitted with paddle shifters and several mode switches. The passenger seat can be fitted with a stopwatch module created by Porsche Design, featuring both analog and digital timers. Additionally, the driver can press the record button on the multi-purpose controller at any time to begin recording video footage from the numerous cameras installed across the car.
The Mission X has the potential to be crowned the fastest road-legal car on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, a theory that can be put to the test in Gran Turismo 7. It has a power-to-weight ratio of over one PS per kilogram and canis able to create considerably more downforce than even the current 911 GT3 RS. The concept also features radical charging capabilities. With a 900 V system architecture, charging speeds are greatly improved, allowing it to hypothetically charge around twice as fast as Porsche’s current front-runner EV, the Taycan Turbo S.
Download the image
Download the image
Suzuki Jimny Sierra JC ’18
Can be purchased from Brand Central
A chunkier Jimny with an eye on global success.
While the Suzuki Jimny’s diminutive stature allows it to fit into Japan’s kei car regulations, under its skin is a tenaciously rugged off-road vehicle with a true ladder-frame construction. The Jimny Sierra is a model for the global market that takes that off-road ability and frees it from the constraints of kei regulations. Introduced in 2018, the JB74 chassis is the third generation since the model’s initial debut in 1994.
Compared to the previous JB43 chassis, the new model is 50 mm shorter and 45 mm wider. This is accentuated further on the body design which takes on a bolder, more square aesthetic. The car is fitted with the 1,460 cc inline-4 DOHC K15B engine, producing 100.6 BHP/13.3 kgfm. At a glance, these figures may not seem like much, but the sustained low-end torque makes it absolutely perfect for off-road crawling. The four-wheel drive system is a part-time setup with a mechanical transfer case. Employing rigid axles on both the front and rear, the excellent suspension makes the car feel just at home when crawling over rocks or trudging through mud as it does coasting along paved roads.
Café / Extra Menus
The following Menu has been added to the Extra Menus section:
Extra Menu No. 42: Ferrari Speciale (Collector Level 48 and above)
GT Auto
New Rotiform wheel brand added.
World Circuits (event)
The following new events have been added to World Circuits:
Jimny Cup – Grand Valley South
Porsche Cup – WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
Race of Turbo Sportscars – Mount Panorama Circuit
Scapes
Colorado has been added as a featured Curation in Scapes
Gran Turismo World Series Celebration Race
(Players must be at Collector Level 6 or above)
The Gran Turismo World Series 2024 World Finals ‒ Amsterdam takes place on December 7-8 and will be contested by the top drivers from around the world to determine this year’s champions. To celebrate the event, we’re releasing a special Gran Turismo World Series Celebration Race on November 21, where players can experience the same races featured in this year’s Grand Final at the World Finals.
Two events will be available: the Manufacturers Cup, a competition where automobile manufacturers face off against each other, and the Nations Cup, where drivers represent their home countries or territories. Players earn up to 500,000 Cr. for each event, with a total of 1,000,000 Cr. available overall. Access the event from the event panel at the top right of the World Map screen during the event period.
Gran Turismo Sophy
The next-generation racing AI agent, Gran Turismo Sophy is now available on the following courses. Look for the Sophy icon in the Quick Race menu on each track to test your skills against Sophy.
Trial Mountain Circuit
Tokyo Expressway – East Clockwise
*Internet connection and Gran Turismo 7 game required for update.
Just over a year ago, we launched our first dedicated remote play device, PlayStation Portal remote player, with an aspiration to deliver a console-quality gaming experience on a handheld device. PS Portal was an ambitious product for us, and we have been delighted by the positive response from our fans and to see that our vision has resonated with the community.
Today we’re pleased to announce a new system software update for PS Portal that will begin releasing starting later today (Europe release begins Wednesday), which will introduce refinements in the audio experience, including:
Speaker audio output adjustment to make the volume lower when the audio level is set to minimum
You will now be able to adjust settings of your PlayStation Link device from the PS Portal Settings menu, allowing you to optimize the volume and sidetone volume.
This update will also include a beta version of a new feature that many fans have been asking for – support for cloud streaming on PS Portal. When the update is live, PlayStation Plus Premium members will be able to participate in a beta for cloud streaming on PS Portal, allowing select PS5 games in the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog* to be streamed directly from our servers, even without a PS5 console.
Since Cloud Streaming (Beta) on PS Portal is still an experimental offering, the features available during the beta period may change over time and may not reflect the final experience.
Let’s take a deeper look at what you can expect in this beta:
Features available during the Beta
Stream select PS5 games in the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog
Over 120 PS5 games from the PS Plus Game Catalog, including Dave the Diver, Ghost of Tsushima, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Monster Hunter Rise, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, will be accessible on PS Portal via cloud streaming*
Streaming up to 1080p/60fps**
DualSense wireless controller features, including haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, speakers, touchpad (emulated on the touch screen for PS Portal), and motion sensor***
PlayStation Plus Cloud storage
Save data and game progress can be stored up to 100GB and will be automatically synced with your PS5 console, making it easy to switch seamlessly between local and streaming gameplay, and between multiple devices.
Cloud Streaming (Beta) for PS Portal will be available through the PlayStation Plus Premium plan, which is offered in the following locations:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Cyprus, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States.
How to access Cloud Streaming (Beta)
To access the beta, you will need the following:
PlayStation Portal remote player
An account for PlayStation Network****
An active PlayStation Plus Premium membership
Access to broadband internet Wi-Fi
To establish a cloud streaming session: requires minimum 5Mbps of upload and download speeds
To stream at 720p: requires minimum 7 Mbps
To stream at 1080p: requires minimum 13 Mbps
Once the beta is available, you can access the beta by updating your PS Portal to the latest system software and completing the following steps:
Open “Quick Menu” and access “Settings” on your PS Portal.
Select the “Cloud Streaming (Beta)” button
Switch the Cloud Streaming (Beta) toggle on (this will be off by default).
After you’ve enabled Cloud Streaming (Beta) in the settings menu, you should see a new option on the Home screen of your PS Portal that allows you to access games via cloud streaming. The beta option can be turned off any time, and your Home screen will revert back to the standard version once the option is turned off.
Features not included in the Beta
As we are in the beginning stages of publicly testing cloud streaming on PS Portal, some features will not be available, such as Game Trials, streaming games purchased on PS Store, system features such as Party voice chat and game invites for select games, Create button, 3D audio, and in-game commerce.
Additionally, the streaming games playable on PS Portal are limited to PS5 games, and PS4 games/PS3 games are not supported.
We are always listening to your feedback, and we look forward to seeing many players participating in the beta!
*Titles available in the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog varies over time, region/country and plan. See https://www.playstation.com/Plus for details and updates on PlayStation Plus offerings. PlayStation Plus is an ongoing subscription subject to a recurring subscription fee taken automatically (at the then-current PS Store price) at the frequency you choose at purchase until cancellation. Terms apply: play.st/psplus-usageterms
**Individual game performance will vary based on the specific game being played, and the quality of connectivity in your network environment.
***Haptic feedback and adaptive trigger features are only available when those features are supported by the game being played.
****Cloud Streaming (Beta) is not available for child accounts.
Becoming the stuff of legend is no easy feat. But it’s entirely appropriate that a compelling and complex tale about vengeful vampires has not only lasted as long as it has, but triumphantly arisen from its resting place.
From its popular 1996 debut, The Legacy of Kain series has a long-standing history across PlayStation, from introducing memorable characters to pioneering in 3D game design. So, with Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered on its way to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, and Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain and Blood Omen 2 coming to PlayStation Plus Classics, it’s the perfect time to dig up the details on why The Legacy of Kain series has endured. As a bonus, the original developers join us to recall some relevant anecdotes on the way…
A new gameplay video showcases Raziel’s otherwordly abilities in The Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered.
“I’m super proud of the way we wove our time travel plot throughout the games – writing time travel stories is hard!”
– Amy Hennig, Design Manager (Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain), Director and Lead Writer (Soul Reaver, Soul Reaver 2, Legacy of Kain: Defiance)
1996 – Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain – PlayStation – Silicon Knights/Crystal Dynamics
Action-adventures took a turn for the macabre as The Legacy of Kain series introduced us to the shadowy world of Nosgoth. Blood Omen set the tone with Kain seeking a cure for his vampiric curse, only to slip deeper into a moral abyss.
Engaging hack-and-slash gameplay mixed with magic, shapeshifting, and puzzle-layered exploration cast an intoxicating spell encased by a smart and gripping story that laid the groundwork for all that followed. So it was no surprise that the triumphant debut of the titular vampire lord was met with a craving for more. Only three years later, that craving was satisfied…
“It was one of the best-looking games for PlayStation.”
– Daniel Cabuco, lead enemy artist (Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver); lead artist (Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2) and art director (Legacy of Kain: Defiance)
1999 – Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver – PlayStation – Crystal Dynamics/Eidos Interactive
If Blood Omen began the crimson-stained lineage for the series in 2D, Soul Reaver took up the trail and innovated it into fully formed 3D. This time the consequences of Kain’s actions are directly in your hands, assuming control of the iconic Raziel, a former vampire lieutenant slain by Kain. Resurrected into a wraith, Raziel is given his mission by The Elder God – to destroy Kain and restore the now-broken wasteland of Nosgoth to its former glory.
The evolution into 3D allowed the series to push the boundaries of its presentation even more, especially when teamed with the already captivating narrative, which allowed players to travel between the material and spectral realms.
“The writing, dialogue, and incredible voice acting all took things to the next level,” says Cabuco. “At every point the artists, designers, musicians, and engineers asked themselves how they could make the experience better. It was an incredible moment in time where every aspect was firing on all cylinders.”
It’s a sentiment shared by the game’s chief of engineering, Scott Krotz: “The streaming technology we developed was great, and I think we only had one loading screen in the entire game once getting into it. The combination of solid gameplay and technology, a dark world full of interesting lore, a great story and characters, and amazing voice actors all came together to make it a pretty special game.”
“The amazingly well directed cinematics with lip sync were simply mind blowing.”
– Monika Erosova, head of development (Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered)
After Soul Reaver introduced the iconic Raziel, its sequel vastly expanded on his human past, traveling through time to reveal Nosgoth’s secrets which have immense repercussions on not only Raziel and his home, but Kain as well.
Between its combat, puzzles, and exploration, Soul Reaver 2 successfully elevated much of what made its predecessor so well received, but a particular spotlight fell on its story and characters. “Amy Hennig masterfully interconnected Raziel’s journey back to Blood Omen,” says Erosova. “I enjoyed exploring the world in different eras.”
“Soul Reaver 2 was originally supposed to be on the original PlayStation, but our team was determined to use the power of PS2 to elevate the game’s graphics and animation,” reveals Amy Hennig, who worked as design manager on Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain, and director and lead writer on Soul Reaver, Soul Reaver 2 and Legacy of Kain: Defiance. “We ported the game onto the new hardware in a matter of weeks.”
2002 – Blood Omen 2 – PlayStation 2 – Crystal Dynamics/Eidos Interactive
In a smart connection to the time travel chaos of Soul Reaver 2, the series went back to its roots in Blood Omen 2 by exploring an alternate timeline set after the events of the very first Blood Omen. This gave players a chance to enjoy Kain’s undead life again, aside from his antagonistic turn in the Soul Reaver games, layering a now rich and involving lore.
While paying homage to its vampiric roots where Kain is able to feed off enemies or civilians to replenish his health, novel gameplay elements like weapon durability kept the combat and challenge fresh.
2003 – Legacy of Kain: Defiance – PlayStation 2 – Crystal Dynamics/Eidos Interactive
After two games each where we played as Kain or Raziel, it was perhaps inevitable that we’d get a chance to control both characters in the same game – which is where Legacy of Kain: Defiance swooped in. “Given we were revealing crucial things about our characters’ motivations and the world that shaped them, it was critical for us to make Kain and Raziel dual protagonists, and to cut back and forth between their playable chapters,” explains Hennig.
Using different abilities helped differentiate between the bitter enemies in terms of gameplay, while the story offered the now expected – and satisfying – philosophical pondering on determinism and morality to resolve Kain and Raziel’s blood-stained conflict.
“We wanted to tell a great, complex story with flawed but compelling characters in a captivating and original world,” says Hennig. “It’s incredibly gratifying to see how formative and indelible these games and stories have been for our audience.”
You’ll be able to get a taste of the series’ lasting legacy when Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain and Blood Omen 2 arrive on PlayStation Plus Premium November 19, and when Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered hits PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 on December 10.
Ghostface is coming to Mortal Kombat 1 starting November 19, and for as long as guest characters from other worlds have been a feature in our games, Woodsboro’s own serial killer has been in the mix as a dream inclusion. Horror villains have always been great fits for the severe, macabre, over-the-top universe of Mortal Kombat, and it was just a matter of time for Scream’s anonymous assailant, Ghostface.
That time is here, and in the process of designing Ghostface for Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns, we had to answer a bunch of questions. How does this horror-movie villain translate into a fighting game? And how will Ghostface look, sound, and play like?
The overall look is familiar of course: classic mask, robe, and knife. Although, this presented surprising challenges in a fast-paced videogame. Most costumes have physics-based cloth portions, but no other costume is entirely cloth. And aside from the robe being soft material from head to toe, there are long strings of ghostly cloth fringe trailing off it. These are just the kinds of things that can easily perform unexpectedly and get twisted up upon themselves in the heat of kombat, unless proper care is taken. Our technical artists and animators worked back and forth to iron everything out, so to speak, ensuring Ghostface’s iconic duds look their best.
Although Mortal Kombat is famous for masked ninjas, our kombatants have elaborate facial animations that accentuate the action. Even among our masked characters, there are usually skin or gear options to reveal the full-face during gameplay, if you desire. But not so here, since the rigid, unfeeling mask is the outfit’s signature detail. In the absence of facial expressions, we took care to capture extra character movements during the motion capture performance and in-game animating so that, just like in the films, a lot can come across with the slightest head tilt or gesture—malice or humor, frustration or elation, rage or reservation.
And the sound is just as important as the movement. Roger L. Jackson returns to reprise his recurring role as Ghostface’s voice from the films, arguably the most memorable recurring thread through the franchise. Thanks to the easily accessible voice mod devices in the fictional town of Woodsboro, California, many different psychos over the years have disguised their own voices using Roger’s modulated one, and our killers are no different.
And we do know who’s under there. Scream franchise fans know that Ghostface is an identity assumed by different unhinged people in every movie, so there are many surprising and iconic portrayals to choose from. While the character’s face is covered up by the mask during fights, the killer underneath is revealed occasionally during climactic moments. For the films, this usually occurs with a dramatic flourish as the identities of the killers are finally exposed. For Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns, it’s during high-resolution cinematic Fatal Blows and finishing moves. And our ‘canon’ Ghostface for these moments is none other than Billy Loomis, one of the Ghostface killers from the original Scream film.
And he’s not the only blast from the past lurking under that mask, behind that voice, in the shadows. In the films, there usually isn’t just one Ghostface, and that’s true here too. There are a few surprises for long-time fans of Mortal Kombat with a keen eye to discover, including who’s joined in to assist an OG, Woodsboro Ghostface. Afterall, this isn’t the first time a Ghostface sought a little hired serial killer help!
Ghostface’s moveset in Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns is also one to die for. Of course, the character is brimming with bloody finishers in the form of all-new Fatalities, an Animality, and Brutalities that winners can dole out after victories. Revisiting the classic films themselves for scenes to pay homage to, deciding what kinds of attacks to have, and how they’d lead into various attacks, was a grim delight. Scream fans may have their guesses of most surprising and (pardon me) gutting take downs of beloved characters they’d expect to see referenced, and while I wouldn’t dare spoil them here, we did make sure to include a few fun twists that you might not expect.
We hope you enjoy when Ghostface joins the roster on November 19 as part of the early access period for Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns Expansion owners on PlayStation 5, followed by wide availability for purchase on November 26.
The Dynasty Warriors franchise recently celebrated its 27year anniversary, and I have to say, Dynasty Warriors: Origins showcases the series like never before, delivering the most intense combat of any game in DW history. Don’t believe me? Time to put my words to the test as I’m here to announce that the Dynasty Warriors: Origins Demo will be released on November 22!
In the demo, you will be able to play the Battle of Sishui Gate, the same battle as the Tokyo Game Show demo. However, we have enhanced the experience with additional elements that were not included at the Tokyo Game Show, providing a more substantial and challenging battle. Additionally, there is no time limit this time, so feel free to enjoy it to your heart’s content!
Throughout the demo, players will be able to choose from four types of weapons: Sword, Guandao, Pudao, and Wheels; as well as having options to customize arts, gems, and accessories. But don’t take the fight lightly as the franchise’s strongest officer, Lu Bu, definitely makes his presence known on the battlefield Unlike the demo at the Tokyo Game Show, however, you will be able to choose the difficulty level, so whether you’re skilled at action games or not, we encourage you to give it a try.
We are so excited to finally be able to provide everyone with the opportunity to experience the unique tactical action of Dynasty Warriors and we hope you enjoy the exhilarating battles against the massive armies we created!
Furthermore, we are happy to announce that Dynasty Warriors: Origins and the demo will be PS5 Pro enhanced. Along with the demo release, pre-orders will also begin on November 22. Pre-order the game to receive the bonus collaboration costume ‘Nameless Warrior Garb’ from the dark Three Kingdoms action RPG, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. Don’t miss the opportunity!
For those unfamiliar with Dynasty Warriors: Origins, or for anyone who wants to see the latest and greatest, we’ve created a video titled ‘Gameplay Features’ where the producer introduces the game and shows off some of the game’s fevered fights. The video covers not only the action you can experience in the demo but also the story, exploration, and growth elements that will be available in the full game. Be sure to check it out!!
Dynasty Warriors: Origins releases January 17. We are eagerly looking forward to the day you will be able to play the full game, but until then, it’s demo time!
My name is Celine Tricart, creator of Masters of Light—an XR Game of the Year nominee—and co-founder of the game studio Coven. I’m incredibly excited to bring our thrilling new action-adventure game to PlayStation VR2. As a longtime PlayStation fan—since the original Silent Hill!—I want to bring PS VR2 players an experience that feels unique and spectacular: a game where every move, every battle, and every victory is something you truly feel. With the immersive power and unique features of PS VR2, Masters of Light delivers an experience as intense and breathtaking as the story behind it.
What is Masters of Light?
Masters of Light thrusts players into a galaxy on the brink of destruction. A black hole at the center of the galaxy has unleashed an army of Shadows, spreading chaos and darkness. You are The Wanderer, a powerful being of light and the galaxy’s last defense. Armed with magical powers, your mission is to crush the darkness, rescue the Sisters of Light, and restore hope. Each battle will test your strength, courage, and skill as you journey deeper toward the black hole’s core, where the ultimate challenge awaits.
Masters of Light features high-energy 1st person combat where focus, timing, and strategy are keys to victory. For example, some enemies (shown above) are protected by unbreakable armor. The player must wait for it to attack, then block and parry right after for a chance to defeat it.
Combat like never before
Masters of Light takes first-person spell-casting combat to a new level of intensity. Wield raw energy to unleash explosive attacks, conjure powerful shields, and send waves of Shadows scattering with devastating blasts. Each battle demands sharp focus, strategic timing, and unrelenting force. With every strike, you’ll feel the power of your spells reverberate, leaving you exhilarated as you push back the darkness and fight to bring balance to the galaxy.
For those intrigued by the game’s lore, hidden ruins across the galaxy hold echoes of a forgotten past. Reactivate these ancient sites to uncover secrets about your origins and the cosmic forces that shaped the universe. Whether you’re drawn to high-stakes combat or delving into mysteries, Masters of Light offers a deeply immersive experience that rewards both skill and curiosity.
Hidden in the 36 levels are ancient ruins that the player can reactivate to unlock pieces of the lore.
Inspired by empowerment
Masters of Light draws inspiration from my earlier VR project, Fight Back, which focused on self-defense empowerment using real-world techniques. That project sparked something in me—a drive to take the feeling of empowerment even further. With Masters of Light, we embraced our core pillars of beauty, physicality, and confidence to guide every part of the game’s development.
At Coven, we set out to create something beautiful, engaging, and challenging, while ensuring it’s accessible to a wide range of players. On PS VR2, every player becomes a superhero, discovering new abilities, conquering foes, and experiencing a powerful sense of strength and exhilaration.
New enemies and superpowers are unlocked as players progress in the game, climaxing in insane battles that will leave you breathless.
Pushing the PS VR2 features to the max
The PS VR2’s advanced graphics bring Masters of Light’s mystical world to life with vibrant detail, enhanced by HDR and higher-resolution textures. Every scene pops, from the supernatural glow of your powers to the neon constellations you’re liberating, making each environment feel immersive and alive.
The PS VR2’s eye-tracked dynamic foveated rendering and 90Hz refresh rate keep the visuals crisp and the action smooth, allowing players to target enemies instinctively with just a glance. This precise aiming system keeps you focused on the action, rewarding quick reflexes and heightening every battle.
The PS VR2 Sense controllers further enhance realism with adaptive triggers and advanced haptics. Each spell cast, shield raised, and strike delivered resonates in your hands with weighty feedback. Paired with subtle headset vibrations, every moment of combat feels tangible and consequential, pulling you deeper into the experience.
Already celebrated for its gorgeous art, Masters of Light reaches new heights thanks to upscaled skyboxes and graphics on PS VR2.
A soundtrack that draws you in
The sensory experience of Masters of Light goes beyond visuals and haptics—it’s also deeply shaped by its soundtrack. During development, we found that synthwave perfectly matched the game’s retro-futuristic style. Partnering with G4F Records—known for Furi and Road 96—we crafted a dynamic soundscape with Waveshaper’s high-energy beats for combat and Paul Zimmermann’s cinematic pieces for emotional depth.
Take on the challenge
Masters of Light offers an epic journey across 36 challenging levels. Each level is replayable, allowing players to perfect their performance and strive for a three-star rating and the coveted Perfectionist trophy. For those seeking the ultimate challenge, we’ve included “Grand Master” difficulty mode—where enemies are stronger, and the HUD is disabled, putting your skills to the test.
The game also features leaderboards for each level, with global and weekly rankings that reset every Sunday. Only the most skilled players will rise to the top.
The Snipe power allows players to target a distant enemy with one hand, and damage it with the other hand.
Ready to rise?
Masters of Light on PS VR2 is for those ready to embrace intense gameplay and full immersion. When the game launches on December 18, it’s your chance to shine and become the ultimate Master of Light. Are you ready to step into the light?
