Greetings, mercenaries! To kick off the summer season, we announced at Summer Game Fest that Crossfire: Sierra Squad will be arriving in August. Welp, August is just around the corner, so it’s time to let you know officially that the game will launch at PlayStation Store on August 29th! Add it to your wishlist today for a reminder come launch.
New immersive experience
Crossfire: Sierra Squad is a brand-new game built from the ground up for VR. We’ve been working hard to make the game an immersive and intuitive experience that gets you into the action immediately. We’ve fine-tuned the in-game mechanics to come up with a game experience that we believe you’ll want to play over and over, both solo and with friends, in a world you’ll want to spend a lot of time in. Our goal is to bring all fans of military FPS games together, regardless of experience level, into an exciting and shared VR adventure – solo or co-op with up to 4 players on a team.
One of the key ways we’ve been able to do this is by taking full advantage of the innovative features of PlayStation VR2. With Crossfire: Sierra Squad, we set out to push the boundaries of what is possible in the virtual reality space, and provide a completely immersive world for our players. We aim to usher in the next wave of VR gameplay by increasing the number of ways that players feel connected – literally – to the in-game world.
Clear and crisp sights and sounds
We know that one of the most important factors in VR immersion is the connection between how you move and what you see. In addition to the high-res graphics (4K HDR @ 90/120Hz) offered by the headset, we’ve fully employed PlayStation VR2’s advanced eye tracking and foveated rendering, combining to provide players the sharpest and smoothest visuals possible with no lag between actual and on-screen movement. Couple this with thoughtful sound design and PS VR2’s 3D audio capabilities, and we have a sensory experience that engulfs mercenaries in the world of Crossfire from the start.
Can you feel it?! Yes!
Crossfire: Sierra Squad capitalizes on PlayStation VR2’s revolutionary haptic feedback system, which offers nuanced and intuitive tactile elements. Our mercenaries will feel every shot fired, every recoil and every explosion through multiple haptic points integrated into PS VR2’s headset and controllers, adding an extra layer of realism that intensifies the experience. Our goal with this increased level of immersion is to bring the gameplay to a whole new level, where mercenaries truly feel like they are an integral part of Sierra Squad, rather than mere spectators.
Trigger finger feedback
PlayStation VR2’s controllers feature adaptive triggers that dynamically adjust resistance based on in-game actions. This allows players to feel varying levels of tension, simulating a genuine sense of touch. How do we harness and use this power for good? By giving each weapon in the game its own unique feel, we’re able to crank up the feeling of realism a notch. Picture this – you’re aiming down sights holding a sniper rifle, and before you squeeze off the epic shot, you partially pull the trigger to hold your breath and steady your weapon for a better chance of eliminating your target before completing the pull and sending your enemy into oblivion. That’s just one example, we can’t wait for you to try them all!
We excited for you to jump into our 13 main campaign missions (single-player), 50 squad campaign missions (single-player or 2-player co-op), and Horde Mode (up to 4-player co-op). Grab 39 types of weapons including pistols, rifles, and explosives that give you creative ways to dispatch 17 types of enemies. Engage enemies with seemingly superhuman strength, equipped with top-of-the-line weaponry, as well as drones, bosses, and heavily armed vehicles, all driven by soldiers hell-bent on your destruction. Bring your A-game because they’ll be bringing theirs. Mark your calendars, Crossfire: Sierra Squad launches August 29 on PlayStation VR2. See you then, mercenaries!
Can you believe half of 2023 is over already? Time flies when you’re having this much fun gaming. While 2023 has already been one wild year for PlayStation gamers, the killer lineup for the rest of 2023 is every bit as exciting.
In the words of the wise Samuel Drake: “I always felt that we were destined for something great.” So without further ado, let’s look at some of the most anticipated releases hitting PlayStation in 2023.
Immortals of Aveum
Don’t be a spongy back-row spell-slinger–it’s time to become a frontline battlemage and kick some serious butt in this dynamic fantasy-themed first-person shooter by new developer Ascendant Studios. Take control of Jak, a gifted youth lifted out of the slums to become a Magnus Battlemage warring against the overwhelming armies of the tyrannical Rasharn. Skillfully utilize an arsenal of stunning magic spells–both offensive and utilitarian–to battle foes and explore the various levels. Equipping Magic Rings, Sigils, Totems, and Bracers to augment and transform Jak’s skills to build him into your ideal magical mercenary. Fantastical worldbuilding, dazzling visuals, and loads of secrets to uncover make for a refreshing take on the FPS genre.
Release Date: August 22 | Publisher: Electronic Arts | PS5
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
Time to get down and dirty with From Software’s intense mech combat simulator. Fight for the future of the partially-ruined planet Rubicon with your own customized Armored Core mech, equipping parts to customize attack and mobility to your preferred playstyle. You’ll play through various missions, facing both Armored Core pilots from rival factions and megalithic mecha monstrosities. Complete missions and objectives. Use the new Assault Boost maneuver to get up close and personal with enemies to stagger them in intense, and strategic fights. With multiple endings and endless customization, Armored Core VI will send you on the mission of a lifetime.
Senior year of high school conjures up many images and memories: prom, class rings, old friends, impending extinction… okay,maybe that last one only matters in the hyper-specific case of Goodbye Volcano High. This emotionally charged, narrative-driven indie gem takes us back to the age when dinosaurs ruled Earth. Contrary to what you may have heard, young dinos were filled with just as much teen angst, insecurity, and weird feelings as modern-day humans. Join the band VVorm Drama and their companions as they navigate the ups and downs of an eventful senior year through a branching narrative–and rhythm mini-games–that promises to end with an Earth-shattering bang.
Release Date: August 29 | Publisher: KO_OP | PS5, PS4
Sea of Stars
To those wishing upon heavenly bodies for a majestic classic-style, turn-based RPG: your wish has been granted. Sea of Stars sails to us from Sabotage Studios, the talented team behind indie megahit The Messenger, and even takes place in the same shared universe. Follow the two Children of the Solstice in their quest to master Eclipse Magic and defeat the wicked alchemist Fleshmancer. Enjoy sumptuous sprite-based visuals filled with colorful detail and lively animation–a perfect complement to the tactical turn-based battles with timed hits, multi-character combo attacks, and a unique locks mechanic to interrupt attacks.
It’s been a long time coming, but Larian Studios’s Baldur’s Gate 3 is almost here. The forces of darkness are rising once again, and the fate of the Forgotten Realms is in your hands. But first, you need to find a way to get this disgusting Mind Flayer parasite out of your body, and you’re going to need some help with that. Find traveling companions–CPU-controlled Origin Characters, handmade companions, or online friends–to aid you with your adventure. With a massive world to explore, classic Dungeons & Dragons mechanics, multiple difficulty settings (including an absolutely brutal Tactician setting), extensive character customization, and a truly thrilling narrative that gets downright wild, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a take-no-prisoners fantasy RPG experience.
Release Date: September 6 | Publisher: Larian Studios | PS5
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The Crew Motorfest
Who among us does not like to make vehicles go vroom? And what could possibly be better than lots of shiny, speedy cars wheeling freely through the breathtaking tropical vistas of Hawaii? The Crew Motorfest takes players to the sun-kissed island of O’ahu in a freeform open-world driving experience unlike anything else. The new Playlists feature presents you with carefully crafted sets of missions to immerse you in specialized facets of car culture. Cruise the island solo, or cooperate to compete in challenges with other players online in ongoing live events. Collect a mega-garage of old and new cars to ogle and drive as you please. In this paradise, the car world is truly your oyster.
Release Date: September 14 | Publisher: Ubisoft | PS5, PS4
Mortal Kombat 1
Sometimes you need a good old-fashioned timeline refresh to keep things in order. At least, that’s what the recently anointed Fire God Liu Kang decided. The latest in NetherRealm Studios’ storied fighting game saga brings both beloved and brand-new characters back to the tournament stage with a new timeline and plenty of new tricks. Along with the long-awaited return and revamp of the Air Kombat combo system, players will be able to utilize the new Kameo feature to call in fighters from different MK timelines to aid them in battle briefly. And, of course, you’ve got buttery-smooth online versus play and plenty of the elaborate fatalities that define the MK franchise.
Release Date: September 19 | Publisher: WB Games | PS5
Eternights
Who says love can’t bloom on the battlefield? Studio Sai’s Eternights offers a unique fusion of romance simulation and adrenaline-pumping action. Faced with an encroaching disaster of apocalyptic proportions, some teenagers in Seoul are still trying to live as normally as possible inside an underground bunker, which means youthful hormones are in full swing. Use in-game apps to meet, talk to, and bond with potential partners, each with their own unique personalities, and remember that the dialogue choices you make have far-reaching repercussions. Use the power of the connections you’ve made to augment your combat abilities and conquer the mutated monsters lurking within the dangerous Wall.
Release Date: September 21 | Publisher: Studio Sai | PS5, PS4
Assassin’s Creed Mirage
The latest in the storied Assassin’s Creed saga puts us in the robes of Basim, a young thief eking out a living on the streets of 9th-century Baghdad. But Basim has potential, and he soon comes under the tutelage of master assassin Roshan and becomes a Hidden One, learning the art of careful killing. Revamped character animations and the widest range of movement yet seen in an Assassin’s Creed game make sprinting across rooftops and prowling the city streets feel more fluid and engaging than ever before. Utilize your arsenal of tools, your feathered companion Enkidu, and the new Assassination Focus skill to tactfully take down multiple targets in a row while remaining undetected.
Release Date: October 12 | Publisher: Ubisoft | PS5, PS4
Alan Wake 2
It’s been 13 years since famed horror author Alan Wake vanished while investigating in the town of Bright Falls, Washington. Now, accomplished FBI agent Saga Anderson arrives in the quaint northwestern hamlet to investigate a potential string of serial murders. But when she finds Alan Wake’s lost novel drafts, the world starts to get very weird around her. Are the words changing reality? And where is Alan Wake? Immerse yourself in Remedy Entertainment’s captivating survival horror adventure, where fiction and reality twist in the scenic Pacific Northwest. You’ll need to take control of both Saga and Alan to unravel the mystery behind the game’s winding narrative.
Release Date: October 17 | Publisher: Epic Games | PS5
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Two Spider-Men star in this stunning web-slinging epic exclusively on the PlayStation 5. Taking control of beloved heroes Peter Parker and Miles Morales, you’ll web-sling, cling, and use the new Web Wings to traverse the dizzying heights of the Big Apple, now including the Brooklyn and Queens areas. Here you’ll encounter some of the comics’ most fearsome villains, like Kraven the Hunter and the iconic arch-rival Venom. Use unique character skills, like Black Suit Peter Parker’s long-reaching tendrils and Miles Morales’ bioelectricity, in intense enemy showdowns that are more bombastic than ever before. Don’t ignore your Spider-Senses: be sure to mark October 20th down as a date not to be missed.
Release Date: October 20 | Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | PS5
Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
Kiryu Kazuma may have attempted to leave the limelight in Yakuza 6, but it seems like no matter what happens, the life of a yakuza always follows him. As an undercover agent, Kiryu–excuse me, Joryu– keeps tabs on the seedy underbelly of Osaka’s Sotenbori and Yokohama’s Isezaki Ijincho districts… along with the mysterious Castle. The action-driven brawls of Kiryu’s original outings return, allowing you to swap between two equally punishing fighting styles, Yakuza and Agent. When you’re done with your missions, you’ll enjoy a variety of fan-favorite minigames like a fighting arena, Pocket Racing, and the always-captivating Hostess Club management sim. Discover the new scheme consuming Japan’s underworld… when you’re not managing the best club in town.
Release Date: November 9 | Publisher: Sega | PS5, PS4
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
Step again into Pandora’s lush, wondrous world in this follow-up to the theatrical megahit Avatar: The Way of Water. As a Na’vi kidnapped as a youth and raised by the RDA, you’ve managed to escape their clutches and return home — but 15 years away from your homeland has made your own birthplace seem strange and hostile. You’ll need to re-learn the ways of the Na’vi as you aid them in their struggle against the RDA’s encroachment. As you explore the never-before-seen Western Frontier of Pandora, you’ll use various Na’vi and human-made tools to navigate and fight against both Pandora’s natural dangers and the destructive forces of the RDA.
Release Date: December 7 | Publisher: Ubisoft | PS5
Hey there, fellow wanderers. I’m Sky, the creative mind behind Tower of Fantasy— Brace yourself for an electrifying open-world RPG experience on PS5 and PS4 because we’re launching the ultimate adventure on August 8. And guess what? It’s free to play, so get ready to dive in without spending a single coin. But wait, there’s more. Our incredible pre-order deals are still up for grabs. Get your hands on the Deluxe or Ultimate Edition, and you’ll be rewarded with a head start of 48 hours to embark on your thrilling adventure and other exclusive prizes that are way more valuable than what you’d get buying them in-store.
Get a taste of joyous multiplayer exploration
From day one, we’ve crafted a world where you can go solo or team up for some action-packed co-op fun. The open world is your playground, and you’ll bump into thrill-seekers on the way. Call your buddies to catch stunning sunrises and sunsets over Aida, take down massive world bosses as a team, and unlock some awesome cooperative treasure chests. Oh, and get this—in the PlayStation version, hidden surprises exist in those hard-to-reach spots. But no worries. Team up with some friendly folks and go wild, scoring gacha goodies and generous growth rewards. And brace yourself for brand-new boss battles that’ll push your skills to the limit.
Immerse yourself in the mesmerizing world of Mirroria
Get ready to be blown away as you step into the breathtaking city of Mirroria, where the neon lights dance and excitement lurks around every corner. When the thrill of exploration and combat wears you down, immerse yourself in the glitzy life as a Mirrorian. This metaverse hub is your one-stop shop for unforgettable entertainment. Gather your posse and head to the iconic Livehouse, where heart-pounding music and electrifying performances ignite the stage. If you need speed, buckle up and unleash yourself in exhilarating races, battling with fellow racers. There’s even more to explore. Step into The Entertainment Center or Joy Square, where you can challenge your friends by playing arcade games, bowling, and even a round of mahjong.
Accumulate those hard-earned prizes, and trade them in for exclusive items and stunning appearances that’ll have heads turning.
Rule the open world with epic rides
Vehicles have been a core feature we’ve carefully planned for you wanderers from the get-go. After all, what’s open-world exploration without some sick rides, right? We went all out, mixing and matching different styles to create a killer collection of mounts. From kickass motorcycles and bio-inspired horses to war machines resembling starships, we have a fantastic variety for you. For those who prefer to team up with friends, we’ve got you covered with water motorcycles and mechanical camels that’ll let you ride side by side.
But wait, it gets even better. Get ready to be enchanted by the fusion of ancient Eastern charm and modern mechanical prowess—the custom-made ride, Enigmatic Stag, tailored exclusively for Domain 9. This incredible vehicle draws inspiration from the majestic deer and runs on pure energy, making it the perfect companion for navigating Domain 9’s challenging mountainous terrain. But hey, wanderers, hold on tight because the ride might get bumpy—it’s all part of the thrilling experience.
We also got a special treat for PS owners—the exclusive racecar Icy Blue Blooming, available in the Ultimate Edition. With this, you can enjoy an adrenaline-fueled joyride through Mirroria’s thrilling racetracks or any corner of Domain 9, experiencing heart-stopping drifts and extreme speeds. And with the immersive haptic feedback of the PS5 controller, you’ll feel like you’re in the driver’s seat, living the most exhilarating race of your gaming life.
A familiar presence, introducing Ming Jing
After the launch on PlayStation, wanderers across Domain 9 can encounter a familiar figure known as Ming Jing, now bearing a new identity and responsibility. In Aesperia, he stands as the composed and solemn leader for the refugees, while in Domain 9, he carries a fresh mantle of power and duty.
We aimed to exude a distinct Eastern charm in Ming Jing’s design. The elements of the tortoise and snake are perceived as Xuanwu. It is one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese constellations. It’s a revered deity in Chinese religion. With this Xuanwu totem, Ming Jing’ can summon divine power and create formations to attack enemies.
When crafting his weapon, we emphasized a fusion of modern technology with Ming Jing’s unique personality. This mysterious weapon reflects Ming Jing’s composed and cool-headed character in any situation.
Get ready to encounter this enigmatic figure and harness the power of Ming Jing as you venture into this epic world.
Exciting times ahead on PlayStation
The buzz is accurate, and we can’t wait to share the latest updates from Tower of Fantasy. Get ready to forge new friendships, unravel mysteries, and embark on a Free to Play adventure like no other in Tower of Fantasy. Grab your controller and let the magic unfold. We can’t wait to meet you on PlayStation. Wanderers, adventure awaits!
FromSoftware has brought the Armored Core series back out after over a decade to give us what is shaping up to be one of the series’ best entries yet. The upcoming Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon takes cues from the studio’s most recent titles but retains everything fans of the mech action series have come to love. What we get is a title that doesn’t forget its complex mech simulator identity while still finding fresh ways to advance its formula for a new generation.
During a recent hands-on event, Bandai Namco allowed us to enter the armory, craft a mech of our choice, and visit planet Rubicon to work as a freelance mercenary and get a substantial taste of Armored Core VI’s first chapter. Read on for all the details we could squeeze out from five hours of playtime.
Continuous customization is key
As soon as you jump into Armored Core VI, you’ll find out that the Armory–where you can build and edit your Armored Core (AC for short)–will be where you’ll spend a significant chunk of your time. Maintaining and customizing your AC is a necessity to meet the arduous demands of being a freelance mercenary. Unlike its sibling “Souls” titles, Armored Core VI’s gameplay loop consists of completing various missions, which can involve defeating a mysterious organization of invisible cloaked ACs, taking on an entire army, or even dueling against a colossal mech. Due to the ever-shifting nature of the game’s mission objectives, it’s essential to take advantage of all your personalized AC options so that you may defy expectations and live another day.
Options to make a dream (or nightmare) mech
In Armored Core VI, you’re able to fully customize and swap out the body parts, core, weapons, boosters, defensive mechanisms, and weight class of your AC. Continually customizing your AC can be essential to survival. For example, at times, you might need access to faster mobility, meaning Schnieder legs and their high-jumping and speed capabilities are a must. Other times you may need the Caterpillar tank legs to support a massive load of heavy weaponry and armor to keep you in the fray against a sea of enemies. Armored Core VI gives you the freedom to take on missions with whichever parts combinations you need to get the job done (while also looking aesthetically pleasing doing so).
Style makes the mech
Speaking of aesthetics, you not only have the ability to edit the capabilities of your AC, but the visuals, too. While the series has always allowed players to change the parts and colors of AC units, you can now change its condition and texture as well. This means you can make your mech look fresh off the production line, or like a rusted antique discovered in a long-abandoned facility (as we did with our rustic Nine Ball knockoff).
OS Upgrades
This customizable option is new to the series and offers additional adjustments to your AC that change the feel of piloting your mech. For example, some upgrades allow for faster turning, the ability to use swappable handheld weapons instead of equipping larger shoulder add-ons, or give added armor for the new Assault Boost maneuver. Each of these OS Upgrades can completely change the playing field, especially when fighting against tough opponents, such as the case of being able to swap from a machine gun to a heavy-hitting bazooka on the fly to more readily devastate a staggered enemy.
For veteran fans: An OS upgrade that might pique your attention is manual targeting, which restores the classic style of aiming without the help of auto-targeting from earlier entries. Be sure to equip it if you want a particularly old-school challenge.
Weapons on weapons
The vast wealth of customization options available also extends to weapons. There are so many combinations to try out, each with the potential to completely change the way you play the game. Given the unique feel of each weapon, you’re encouraged to experiment not only to see what works best for you but also to better overcome the various threats in missions. For instance, when you need more tailored firepower to get around enemy shields, you might want to equip plasma missiles that fire upward and into an arc to hit foes from behind. Or you could even equip an energy blade that can knock the shield out of their hands with a single strike. There are many viable weapon loadouts for a variety of situations, so how you equip your AC in a mission is entirely up to you.
Armory stations let you customize mid-mission
Armored Core VI emphasizes constantly changing your loadout to suit the situation, but sometimes the demands change in the middle of a mission. Thankfully, there are Armory stations available in certain areas, allowing you to customize your AC on the fly before tackling specific sections ahead. For example, the beginning of a mission might require you to stay on your toes fighting multiple speedy enemies, while the boss at the end may necessitate more firepower. During key moments, Armored Core VI isn’t against letting you hit the dressing room for a style change to show up prepared.
A vast heavy metal adventure
Aside from the customization, Armored Core VI showcases its ambition in plenty of other areas as well. From its movement options to the mission maps, the game has tons of content to sink your teeth into.
Movement made to master
Armored Core sets itself apart from Dark Souls and Elden Ring by emphasizing vertical and horizontal gameplay and movement. While the Souls games take place entirely on the ground, Armored Core requires you to adapt to the situation by taking to the skies and using all the space offered to you to complete your mission. Staying on the ground as you would in the Lands Between will result in a swift defeat.
Hours of missions to complete
FromSoftware has packed Armored Core VI with tons of varied missions to take on, each different from the last. Some missions will send you into an arena to take on another AC pilot one-on-one; others will pit you against an entire army as you attempt to destroy their power plant. Regardless of the task at hand, you’ll need to constantly adapt to your enemies and their surroundings to succeed.
Giant and varied battlegrounds
Each mission also features a vastly different map to explore and conquer. The unique setpieces present a memorable experience and allow for different play styles each time. You can go in guns blazing, sneak around like a metal assassin, or even blitz through without attacking enemies at all.
A story-filled adventure
Armored Core VI is suffused with FromSoftware’s brand of subtle storytelling. Each mission begins with a briefing from your commander and, at times, an introduction to a new force or player in the war for planet Rubicon. Once a mission is underway, the game expands on these small and intertwined plotlines by introducing characters and other little pieces of lore that build up this larger picture of the world around you. You’ll also impact these plotlines through the choices you make. One mission we played presented us with the choice of either being a ruthless mercenary and killing an enemy rebel, or ignoring them and sticking to the job of destroying their power supply. Whatever choice you make, you’ll experience a game full of personality.
Modes and replayability galore
Armored Core VI also features a variety of different modes, such as the Arena, where you’ll face off against another AC pilot in a battle to the death with the goal of ranking up. Along with the main missions, these modes offer tons of replayability, letting you take on things in a new style, follow a different story path, or simply rack up more money so you can buy that new set of legs you wanted from the shop.
The PlayStation 5 experience
Playing on the PS5 adds an extra layer of immersion thanks to fast loading times, keeping you in the gameplay and away from loading screens. The PS5 version also features 3D audio, which makes it genuinely feel like you’re in the middle of an intense mech firefight.
Sabotage was founded with a clear goal: presenting our own definitive editions of the game genres we grew up playing. By combining retro aesthetics and modern design, we shoot for experiences that capture what we love about games of old while leaving behind the elements we feel might hold them back today.
We knew from the beginning that out-of-combat controls would be an important aspect to tackle for our modernized take on classic turn-based RPGs, and one of the pillars of Sea of Stars.
Sea of Stars will be available as a PlayStation Plus Game Catalog title on launch day
We’re extremely excited to confirm that Sea of Stars will be joining the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog catalog (available for all Extra and Premium members) on launch day, August 29. It’s incredible for us to imagine how many more players worldwide will experience Sea of Stars and join the conversation around our project.
After working on this game that is so dear to us for five years, we’re now only a few weeks away from release, and we’re happy to share this moment with the PlayStation community.
Try it for yourself: PlayStation demo now available
You can get a taste of the Sea of Stars’ traversal system in the demo now available on both PS4 and PS5.
The demo features areas that will be part of the final game, but we made sure to pick a slice that did not reveal any major spoilers from the main story. It is designed to give a hint of context but mostly showcases some gameplay systems and mechanics around dungeon crawling and combat. It aims to provide a sense of the tone and vibe without giving away major points of the journey.
It’s not exactly the final product, but we feel this playable slice represents what we are shooting for. We hope you will enjoy it!
Why is traversal so important to the vision?
Too often, we have fought epic monsters only to have then go out of our way to reach the next objective because a fallen tree was blocking the way. With Sea of Stars, we set out to move as far away from tile-based movement as possible to create something that would feel lighter and more seamless, while allowing for a more varied moveset, and in turn, offer more opportunities for players to interact with the environment during their adventures. We wanted exploration to be as fully fleshed out as combat.
The broad strokes of traversal were approached with the intention of sustaining a sense of tactileness to the surrounding environments, inviting players to touch everything they see and for the game to acknowledge their actions. The vision took the form of a promise we wanted players to hear while playing: “If it looks like you can grab on and hoist up, it’s because you can. And if the ledge is clear, feel free to jump off and see if there is a treasure down there–you can always climb back up afterward. Set aside any gameplay rules you have come to expect, look around and act on what seems to make sense physically, and the game will catch you.”
Now that’s certainly easier said than done, and we might as well simply demand catchy music, engaging combat, and a compelling story while we’re at it, but we still gave it our best shot.
A big part of keeping level layouts engaging is ensuring they contain a lot of micro-loops and interactions that allow us to play with the pacing, whether it is with movement speed, varied animations, or little modules that players have to decide how to traverse, often with more than one possibility, all linked seamlessly into the wide open areas that support the story we are telling.
Starting from the classic camera perspective, our characters move in eight different angles with movesets that include swimming, climbing, jumping off and hoisting up ledges, tightrope walking, and perhaps a future upgrade or two, which we won’t get into here for spoiler reasons. The MVP here is definitely hoisting since it allows for a lot more verticality in the gameplay than is usually seen in games of the genre.
In short, fleshing out the player’s moveset beyond walking in four angles and climbing in one angle gave us what we needed to break free from the classic bound-to-the-grid movement we wanted to modernize.
Traversal design: a concrete example
As mentioned earlier, the use of traversal can support different intentions. In the following example, it’s used as a way to teach the players to swim, or rather, that it is part of the actions available to them in Sea of Stars. For our levels to rely on swimming moving forward, we must first ensure that the players have learned the action, and that they will know to look for bodies of water in the future.
Here’s how the player’s volition is leveraged in the game’s early stages to make sure they teach themselves swimming in an empowering way instead of reading a pop-up card. First, let’s look at an early design sketch that leads to the final version of the swimming tutorial section found in the final game.
Pictured below is the moment where the level’s design organically presents the swimming feature. After a short fight, the main path leads to a single way forward, leaving the player with only one option to progress: walk the plank.
To support players who are unaware that swimming is even a thing yet, a clear path is emphasized by the level’s art, pointing to an inviting call to adventure of jumping off a ledge into a pool of turquoise water which compels players to try a jump action and discover what happens.
All environments have been designed to be tactile and reinforce the players’ habit of reflexively experimenting with them to discover new things by themselves without the need for intrusive tutorials or UI indicators that would break the immersion.
This is just one example, of course. Traversal gameplay has been designed inch by inch to be presented as sequences that support progression and flow throughout the game.
Simply put, when players are not fighting or reading dialogue, they are exploring, or rather, traversing. Even though players are free to explore at their own pace, deliberate pockets like these are present everywhere, each serving different intentions, whether it is helping to assimilate narrative information, cooling down after intense combat, offering an optional moment of contemplation, or learning a new skill through an invisible tutorial.
Sea of Stars will be available on PS4 and PS5 on August 29. Stay tuned.
Last week, we asked you grab a fedora and share gaming moments that capture the spirit of noir using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights:
call_me_xavii shares Leon Kennedy from Resident Evil 4 in a suit and fedora
Defalt368 shares Misty and Jackie from Cyberpunk 2077
Photoingame shares a shot from the back of Batman’s cowl in Batman: Arkham Knight
DexM_ds shares the cat from Stray investigating a broken robot laying in the street
sorathluna shares a trenchcoat wearing ghost from Ghostwire: Tokyo
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: Pink
SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on July 26, 2023
Next week, we’re thinking pink. Share moments from the game of your choice focused on shades of pink using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.
It’s been an excellent season for gaming on PlayStation, and there are still fun experiences coming right around the corner. We had a chance to get hands-on with some upcoming indie titles from Team 17, and here are the games you should be looking out for in the dog days of summer.
Moving Out 2
If you’ve been in the mood for a fun couch co-op or an online game to unwind with, then Moving Out 2 is a must-play. The folks from Devm Games and SMG Studio decided to feature twice as much content as the original title, adding new gameplay mechanics, such as sorting furniture, objects that can’t fit through particular doors (been there), and hidden items that unlock a cast of diverse characters representing race, gender, and accessibility. The biggest improvement comes in the form of the whacky dimensions you travel to, which have different rules when it comes to moving. Whether it’s the swaying rooms of a hotel held up by a giant or the sticky situations caused by the candy dimension, as you wrestle with items, the adaptive triggers of PS5’s DualSense wireless controller respond in kind, adding that real-world flavor of trying to force an item through with a buddy who thinks you just need to twist it more.
Release date: August 15 Platform: PS5/PS4
Blasphemous 2
Another powerhouse sequel, Blasphemous 2, is a challenging 2D exploration adventure that picks up after the events of Wounds of Eventide. The devs at The Game Kitchen created a beautiful hand-drawn-like art style that adds personality to the stoic main character. As unforgiving as combat can be, the combination of haptic feedback and adaptive triggers sells the adrenaline rush of battle. You can feel the incoming attacks of a boss, the pushback of deflecting a hit, and of course, the swings of your weapon, which differ depending on what arms were chosen at the start of the game. You’ll be rewarded with genuinely immersive combat if you wish to test your reflexes in a dark, yet beautiful world.
Release date: August 15 Platform: PS5
Gord
Gord is an interesting mix of genres from former Frostpunk and The Witcher 3 developers – Covenant.dev – to bring Slavic folklore to the mainstream. At its core, it is a town building simulator with population management and survival mechanics thrown into the mix. It is a bleak title not for the faint of heart, but the trials and tribulations you go through to keep your village alive are captivating. Everything from cutting deals with monsters that hide in the dark to sending people on dangerous errands for the good of the masses. Combining that with dealing with the emotional trauma of villagers caused by your actions and outside forces is a tricky tightrope to manage, but the motivation to keep everything running and your people alive makes this an unexpected emotional journey.
Release date: August 8 Platform: PS5
Classified: France ‘44
Bringing to light the lesser-known story of the Allied special forces sent to weaken the opposition in the weeks leading to D-Day, Classified: France ‘44 is an evolution of the modern tactics game from developers at Absolutely Games. No playthrough will ever be the same because the mission you have access to will change depending on who you recruit, the skills you learn or don’t, and the success of each assignment. Outside the endless possibilities of the story progression, the gameplay is a drawn-out chess match of managing morale, weapons, reloading, soldier placement, and abilities. Changing mission objectives, enemy reinforcements, and even your skill in staying undetected or not all play into the unpredictability of war and the strategy to adapt to it.
Release date: 2023 TBD Platform: PS5
As we prepare for fall blockbusters, these exciting titles from Team 17 will keep you occupied with their variety of gameplay and stream of replayability. Whether you want to get lost for hours on a solo adventure or laugh with a friend, you can have that and more all summer long on PlayStation.
What an exciting moment for PlayStation players, as the Insomniac team just wrapped up a captivating panel at San Diego Comic-Con with fantastic new reveals from Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. This includes a first look at the PS5 Console – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Limited Edition Bundle, which features a custom PS5 console cover design and matching DualSense wireless controller.
We were thrilled to debut these stunning designs to our fans today because of how they capture the look and feel of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. The threat of Venom and the symbiote will be one of the most formidable challenges that our two Spider-Men will face in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. This is why we wanted to reflect the intensity of the symbiote and its capacity for transformation and power with a takeover design for the PS5 console and DualSense wireless controller.
The front cover of the PS5 shows the symbiote tendrils aggressively creeping closer to the Spider-Man icon, threatening to consume the last bit of the remaining red shining brightly through. The symbiote has completely bonded to the back of the PS5 console with the iconic white Spider-Man icon from Insomniac’s Advanced Suit on display. On the DualSense wireless controller, you can see a larger portion of the controller taken over by the symbiote design.
It’s been fantastic collaborating with the teams at Insomniac Games and Marvel on this new look for the PS5 console and DualSense controller. Here’s Senior Art Director Jacinda Chew, who shares her thoughts behind the design inspiration:
“The design was inspired by the in-game symbiote that’s taking over the console and controller, but you can still see some of the underlying red under the tendrils. This represents the various ways players will experience the symbiote takeover in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. It’s a constant push and pull for dominance whether it’s internal or external and the outcome is not certain.”
– Jacinda Chew, Senior Art Director, Insomniac Games
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We recognize the importance the symbiote holds, so we hope players can feel the inspiration behind this stunning design while they play Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. With the PS5 console’s Tempest 3D Audiotech, you can pinpoint the sounds from bio-electric powers, dangerous enemy attacks, and the bustling traffic of Marvel’s New York. As you travel across different parts of the city, the PS5 console’s ultra high-speed SSD enables you to experience near-instant character switching between Peter Parker and Miles Morales. And with the DualSense wireless controller, you’ll feel the action of web-swinging using the adaptive triggers, while haptic feedback provides responsive vibrations as you experience Peter Parker’s new symbiote abilities and Miles Morales’ evolved bio-electric skills.
The PS5 Console – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Limited Edition Bundle includes a limited edition PS5 console, a limited edition DualSense wireless controller, and a voucher for a digital copy of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Standard Edition.
If you already own a P55 console, we have great news for you, too. You can also purchase the PS5 Console Covers – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Limited Edition, PS5 Digital Edition Console Covers – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Limited Edition, and DualSense Wireless Controller – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Limited Edition separately to add this bold new look to your current PS5 console.
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Pre-orders will begin on July 28 at select retailers in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam.
For Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, the PS5 Console – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Limited Edition Bundle, PS5 Console Covers – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Limited Edition, PS5 Digital Edition Console Covers – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Limited Edition, and DualSense Wireless Controller – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Limited Edition will be available starting September 1, ahead of the game’s official release.
The PS5 Console – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Limited Edition Bundle will be launched on September 15 in Malaysia and on October 20 in the Philippines and Vietnam. PS5 Console Covers – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Limited Edition, PS5 Digital Edition Console Covers – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Limited Edition, and DualSense Wireless Controller – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Limited Edition will be available starting September 1 in Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.
For players purchasing the full PS5 bundle, the included game voucher can be redeemed when Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 releases on October 20. Players who purchase the bundle that has a voucher for the digital Standard Edition of the game will also get the same pre-order incentive items available to those who pre-order Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 – an early unlock Arachknight Suit for Peter with 3 additional color variants, an early unlock Shadow Spider Suit for Miles with 3 additional color variants, an early unlock Web Grabber gadget, and 3 skill points.
I hope you enjoy this new design! We can’t wait until Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 releases on October 20 when everyone can experience Peter Parker’s and Miles Morales’ incredible new adventure on PS5.
San Diego Comic-Con has always been one of the most exciting times for Marvel fans. We had an amazing time in 2018 with the original Marvel’s Spider-Man, and we were thrilled to make a return trip to Hall H today to talk about Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. For those of you who couldn’t join us – here’s a recap of what happened!
We wanted to start the panel off with a bang, debuting our brand-new Story Trailer. Take a look!
The trailer sets up our story in the game while also giving you your first full look at the monstrous Venom in Marvel’s New York! Here’s Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Senior Narrative Director Jon Paquette to offer a deeper look:
“At the beginning of our story, our Spider-Men are at the top of their game,” said Paquette. “But both Peter Parker and Miles Morales are struggling with their personal lives. Miles is trying to find time to write his college entrance essay, but he keeps procrastinating and focusing on Spider-Work instead. Meanwhile, Peter is underwater on payments for Aunt May’s house, but he can’t sell, it means too much to him. And just like Miles, Peter tries (and fails) to find balance with so many responsibilities. MJ wants to help Pete with the mortgage, but her job is on the line now that J. Jonah Jameson is back at the Bugle and looking to clean house. Our heroes have arrived at a confluence of crossroads, with uncertain futures, and some tough decisions ahead.”
When Kraven’s hunters arrive in the city, it sets off a mystery of why they are there and who, and what, they are hunting. But as the Spider-Men and MJ dig deeper into Kraven’s motivations, the symbiote begins to threaten Marvel’s New York and everyone and everything they hold dear.
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As many of you noticed in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s Gameplay Trailer from the PlayStation Showcase in May, Peter’s new Black Suit affected his personality and gives him new, powerful symbiote abilities. You see bits of that in this trailer as well, and you can see Peter’s symbiote powers tax his relationships with Miles, MJ and Harry.
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(Spoilers for 2018’s Marvel’s Spider-Man ahead!) Given how much Miles Morales looks up to Peter for mentorship and guidance, this creates further problems. Beyond trying to figure out what’s next for his life, Miles continues to struggle with the death of his father at the hands of Martin Li, aka Mister Negative. As you saw from the trailer, you haven’t seen the last of Mister Negative.
We asked Senior Creative Director Bryan Intihar about some of the new abilities that players will get to use in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2:
“We’ve always thought of our Spider-Heroes as ‘acrobatic improvisors,’ and in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, we wanted to equip them with new ways to do so during combat,” said Intihar. “This includes Pete’s Spider-Arms and Symbiote powers, while Miles now brings two forms of bioelectric Venom to every fight. And when you start combining these abilities with all-new Spider-Gadgets like the Web Grabber, it can lead to some exciting combos.”
This trailer also provided some new looks at our expanded Marvel’s New York. Now, you’ll be able to swing across the East River and explore Brooklyn and Queens. Coney Island makes its debut as well in the trailer and we can’t wait for you to explore it! And one way you can explore is with the Web Wings! Let’s hear more from Senior Game Director Ryan Smith:
“We are really excited for people to try out the Web Wings,” says Smith. “For us it was a cool opportunity to bring something people have seen in comics and movies and integrate it in the game. Swinging is the core of our Spider-Man traversal, so we designed the Web Wings to work with swinging and complement it. That way you can weave back and forth between the two to build up speed and height. When you use the Web Wings with our wind tunnels, though, that’s one of the ways to go across the city super-fast and really push the speed of traversal, which was one of our goals. Thanks to the power and speed of the PS5, Web Wings, add another layer to our traversal system and change up how you look at getting around the different parts of the city.”
With the reveal of Venom we thought it only appropriate to bring out our Collector’s Edition Statue for the first time and show it to the crowd.
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If you still haven’t pre-ordered yours, be sure to check with direct.playstation.com or, in countries that aren’t serviced by Direct, your local retailer!
We asked both Bryan and Jon about bringing such an iconic Marvel character like Venom to life in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.
“Our philosophy has always been that we want to respect the history of the franchise and the Spider-Man DNA, but also not be afraid to mix things up,” said Intihar. “The same holds true for one of its iconic characters, Venom. While the look of the character and several of his powers/abilities should be familiar to fans, this will be a unique Venom story that we are excited for everyone to experience this October.”
“When we decided to craft a Venom story, we knew we’d be making a bit of a tone shift. The best symbiote stories serve as an allegory: We all have darkness inside of us– but what would happen if we let it take over? With the introduction of the symbiote into our franchise, our heroes are forced to battle darkness, in all its forms,” added Paquette. “We wanted to see them change, both inside and outside, and feel the effect it has on those around them. And when Venom takes control, they face the real danger that they could lose themselves, and their loved ones, forever.”
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Venom was brought to life by the sensational actor Tony Todd. We’ve long admired Tony and were so grateful to work with him to play Venom. His voice work brings to life Insomniac’s new monstrous design for the character – and Senior Art Director Jacinda Chew explains more:
“Our Venom was inspired by the comics, but there have been so many interpretations that it was fun to pick and choose what fits the game,” said Chew. “He has a unique take on the white spider icon and has the anatomy of a human. He also has powerful tendril attacks that can take many forms. It was challenging to find the right balance between liquid and solid in Venom’s materials as going too watery makes him look weak and going too solid can quickly turn him into a tentacle monster. Venom must look both powerful and semi liquid at the same time.”
We had some other fun news to share from SDCC. We are thrilled to work with one of my favorite poster artists, Tomer Hanuka, along with Marvel Games and Mondo, to produce a brand-new Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 poster for San Diego Comic-Con. The poster depicts Venom battling our Spider-Men in Tomer’s signature art style. While the variant screen print’s sale (Edition of 215) is limited to Mondo’s Booth (Booth 5137) at the event, Mondo has a Timed Edition screen print on sale on their website! It’s available from now until Sunday, July 23rd at 9:59pm PDT and they will print one for everyone who places an order. There’s also a special Promo Edition lithograph that the developers and voice actors will be signing at the Marvel Booth (Booth #2329) on Thursday, July 20.
We also discussed another collaboration with Mondo to release a vinyl soundtrack of the game’s amazing score from composer John Paesano. Kris Anka graces the vinyl with his incredible art which is currently in development. Starting today you’ll be able to pre-order the vinyl from Mondo’s website.
Finally – we had one last big announcement to make and it’s one you’ve all been waiting for! If you missed it, check out the video below.
That’s right! Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 will be featured on custom PlayStation 5 hardware. The PS5 Console – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Limited Edition Bundle has a custom PS5 console cover design with the symbiote closing in on our White Spider icon. Additionally, a matching DualSense wireless controller is included which again shows the symbiote threat creeping across the entire controller! The bundle also includes a voucher for a digital copy of the game.
And you’ll be thrilled to know that for those who already own a PS5 console, you’ll also be able to purchase these Limited Edition items separately as individual products if you want. For those of you who have a PS5 console with a disc drive, you can purchase the PlayStation 5 Console Covers – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Limited Edition. If you own a PS5 Digital Edition, you can purchase the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition Console Covers – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Limited Edition. And finally, you will also be able to purchase the DualSense wireless controller – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Limited Edition separately, as well.
We’re very excited to announce that the Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Limited Edition Bundle, PS5 console covers, PS5 Digital Edition covers, and DualSense wireless controller will release on September 1st. Pre-orders begin on July 28th
For players purchasing the full PS5 bundle, the included game voucher can be redeemed when Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 releases on October 20. Players who purchase the bundle, which has a voucher for the digital Standard Edition of the game, will also get the same pre-order incentive items available to those who pre-order Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, including an early unlock Arachknight Suit for Peter with 3 additional color variants, an early unlock Shadow Spider Suit for Miles with 3 additional color variants, an early unlock Web Grabber gadget, and 3 skill points.
For all the details on where and how to pre-order, as well as additional specifics around the Limited Edition designs, please check out the blog post here.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is now available for Pre-Order on PlayStation Store. We can’t wait for you to play the game on October 20, only on PS5. As always, for all the latest, be sure to follow Insomniac Games on Twitter and Instagram.
Airship Syndicate, the developer behind the upcoming online co-op RPG Wayfinder, loves a colorful world. It’s no surprise why, either. The team’s co-founder — artist and Creative Director Joe Madureira — traces his roots back to the equally vivid world of professional comics.
It’s a legacy you can clearly see in the bold, vibrant character designs of the titular Wayfinders themselves. These are heroes, called back from death to push back a hostile force in an ever-expanding, thriving online world when Early Access launches on August 15.
On the road to the initial release, we sat down with Joe to discuss how the Wayfinders came to be and what makes them so special to both play and create.
Where do you start designing a Wayfinder? Does it begin with an idea of what the character should look like, or does the design emerge from the gameplay?
Joe Madureira: It’s definitely both. Sometimes we start with a theme in mind, like with Venomess. We’ll say “Wouldn’t it be cool to have a character who was some sort of poisoner? Do we already have a character that does damage over time? Do we even want that?”
Other times, we step back and realize we don’t have enough ranged characters, or we haven’t featured a particular type of weapon enough to show players what’s possible. Sometimes we use those kinds of concessions to at least narrow things down.
But, you know, sometimes we just start drawing something cool and see where it takes us.
What led you to build a game based around the Wayfinders instead of more traditional custom RPG characters?
Well, it’s because we actually started with a more blank slate, generic characters where you picked a class – like a rogue or a warrior. We started designing the warrior first, with a classic sword and shield, and that’s where we started developing our very basic combat. Then we started on the rogue archetype, which ended up becoming Silo.
What actually prompted the change was that I did a sketch of what would become Silo with a little more modern flair. His shoes became a little more sneaker-like and he began to look a little more “tactical gear sporty,” rather than like a typical fantasy ranger.
At that point, everyone who saw it said that Silo had more character than what we could fit into a blank slate mannequin. We wished we could have characters with their own unique backstories. We realized that, having worked on games like Ruined King with Riot Games, we weren’t leaning on our strengths enough.
So, we reevaluated the other classes we had in the cooker and asked “What if this was a paladin? What if he was older and more grizzled and not some 30-year-old stud? What could we build from that?”
Once you get those early pieces in place, the rest of the puzzle starts to make sense.
Is there any detail about the Wayfinders that you’re particularly proud of?
I think we do a good job of telling each character’s story in-game, even right now, but it’s something we’re always trying to expand.
Right now, we have this discovery system that exists even outside of each character. By visiting different locations or interacting with certain objects, you get a little more lore and some rewards. Within that system, each character also has their own quest that kicks off new chapters based on how many discoveries you’ve made.
They’re all personalized, so Senja will have her own questline that Silo does not, but we want to have them all culminate together in a special way. Even when you complete that, though, it’s only the end of that first chapter. We definitely plan on adding more in the future.
I’m sure it’s hard to choose, but do you have a personal favorite Wayfinder so far?
It’s probably Niss, honestly, but I think Senja was more of a longshot. I didn’t know if we were going to be able to pull off the combination of her abilities with her personality — the way the crowd cheers around her and rose petals fall as she attacks.
I think she was the first Wayfinder that felt super unique, to the point where we said “We’ve got to push some of these other guys a little bit more…” Senja set the bar and it was really encouraging to pull it off, so we’re going to try more fun stuff like that.
Wayfinder enters Early Access on PS4 and PS5 on August 15. Season 1 puts the spotlight on Venomess, a Wayfinder that loves to play with her prey while switching between ranged and melee combat with ease. Her chemicals can poison her enemies and strengthen her allies, and her thrusters give her tremendous mobility.
You can support Wayfinder’s development and gain entry to Early Access by purchasing one of four Founder’s Packs available at PlayStation Store. In addition to Early Access, Founders will unlock a set of time-limited and exclusive rewards that will never again be available in Wayfinder: including character skins like Hyroic Kyros, as well as a unique weapon, and mount. You can also upgrade your Founder’s Pack at any time via PlayStation Store.
