ReportWire

Tag: PlayStation 5

  • Xbox Developer_Direct 2026 Recap: Everything Revealed, Including a Surprise New Double Fine Game – Xbox Wire

    [ad_1]

    Developer_Direct kicked off 2026 with new gameplay and developer insights for four games coming to Xbox, all of which players can enjoy this year.

    The development teams at Playground Games (who brought two games to the show), Game Freak and Double Fine showed off Fable, Forza Horizon 6, Beast of Reincarnation, and surprise announcement, Kiln. Each brought extended new footage, looks behind the development curtain and, of course, information on when you’ll be able to play the games yourselves.

    All the games in our show are Xbox Play Anywhere titles, meaning when you buy them through the Xbox or Windows store, they’re yours to play on PC, Xbox console, or supported gaming handhelds at no additional cost – and you can pick up where you left off with all your saves, game add‑ons, and achievements.

    Here’s a summary of everything we brought to Developer_Direct today:

    Beast of Reincarnation – Launching Summer 2026

    Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, Xbox Play Anywhere, Handheld Optimized, or play it day one with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (see developer website for other platforms)

    Launching this summer and available day one with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Beast of Reincarnation promises an unforgettable blend of action, strategy, and mystery. Game Freak gave us more details on Emma and her companion Koo’s adventure in a haunting, post-apocalyptic Japan.

    We learned that Emma has been afflicted by “blight” – which has removed her memories and emotions, but given her the ability to manipulate plants – and led her to meet Koo, a dog that’s become a “malefact.” Emma’s role is to hunt down malefacts, but she forms an unusual bond with Koo, setting her off on a journey through Japan circa 4026 AD.

    Game Freak call Beast of Reincarnation a “one-person, one-dog action RPG”, and have created a unique combat system to match – Emma provides classic, fast-paced action game attacks in real-time, but Koo offers added skills that can be used from a menu that slows time, more like a turn-based RPG. It makes for a game that offers a very different feeling to other action titles, adding tactical complexity to high-speed combat – which can be tweaked to your liking with three difficulty settings.

    You can learn much more about the characters, combat, world, story and the game’s dynamic tempo in our Xbox Wire article, and wishlist the game now ahead of its launch this summer.

    Fable – Launching Autumn 2026

    Xbox Series X/S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, Xbox Play Anywhere, and launching day one with Game Pass Ultimate – also available on PlayStation 5 and Steam

    The Fable team at Playground Games took us to the fairytale world of Albion, for the first in-depth look at the studio’s brand new open world action-RPG – and revealed that the game will be coming to players in Autumn 2026. Developed by a dedicated team at the UK-based studio, Fable is set to deliver everything players love about the original trilogy – choice and consequence, dry British wit and playful moral chaos – all reimagined for a new generation of players in an unmistakably Playground way.

    During the show, we learned how your story in Albion begins, how character customization will work, learned more about the game’s new take on Fable’s morality system and saw brand-new gameplay that showcased combat – with enemies old and new – as well as the game’s unique living population of NPCs. Fable will be a fresh new beginning for this much-loved franchise and will be coming Autumn 2026 to Xbox Series X/S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, Steam, PlayStation 5 and Game Pass Ultimate.

    Check out our in-depth interview with Fable GM & Game Director, Ralph Fulton here.

    Forza Horizon 6 – Launching May 19, 2026

    Xbox Series X/S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, Steam, Xbox Play Anywhere, Handheld Optimized, or play it day one with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate at launch – coming to PS5 later in 2026

    Forza Horizon 6 is speeding towards players in 2026, with the announcement that the much-anticipated next instalment of the Horizon series will be landing on May 19 this year. As part of the Developer_Direct show,  the Forza team at Playground Games revealed first-ever gameplay showcasing the breathtaking landscapes of Japan in all their glory, and lifted the curtain on the spectacular cars that will be gracing the cover of the game – the 2025 GR GT Prototype, which is making its video game debut in Forza Horizon 6, and the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser.

    Forza Horizon 6 will feature the largest and densest map of any Horizon game to date, full of verticality, diverse biomes, seasonality and breathtaking driving experiences – all elevated by Japan’s unique car culture. And just when you thought things couldn’t get better, the team provided an overview of the new features players will enjoy as part of Forza Horizon 6 – including Customizable Garages and The Estate, an overhauled car roster (with 550 cars to collect and customize at launch) as well as new shared experiences, Drag Meets and Horizon Time Attack Circuits.

    For an in-depth look at what’s new in Forza Horizon 6, check out our interview with Design Director, Torben Ellert here.

    Kiln – Launching Spring 2026

    Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, Xbox Play Anywhere, Handheld Optimized, or play it day one with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – also available on PlayStation 5 and Steam

    We joined Double Fine in their game-turned-ceramics studio in San Francisco, California to learn more about Kiln, an Online Multiplayer Pottery-Party Brawler (say that ten times fast!), arriving this spring.

    Double Fine’s new foray into fun asks the question: what would it look like for a game to combine the beautiful expression of creation with all of the chaotic fun of destruction? Turns out it’s a team-based arena battle game which asks you to craft ceramic battle armor on a realistic pottery wheel, and where your abilities are determined by the kind of pot you make.

    We took a turn on the clay-splatted wheel to learn all about the 4v4 action of Kiln, the wide variety of crafting tools at your disposal, and what each size and shape of crafted pot means for your combat abilities.

    You can catch more of the action in their smashing Announce trailer now and get fired up for the ultimate throwdown by wishlisting Kiln today. Help the team sculpt the game before it launches this Spring by signing up for their upcoming closed beta test, and joining the Double Fine Action Insiders. Find out about the game’s story, mechanics, and more in our hands-on preview on Xbox Wire.

    Looking Ahead

    As with every Developer_Direct, today’s show marks just a selection of the games coming to Xbox this year. 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of Xbox, and offers a moment to honor the games, creators, teams, and players that have inspired play for decades  – and we’ll be celebrating that all year long. With the likes of Gears of War: E-Day and Halo: Campaign Evolved still to come, we’ll be returning to some of our most beloved franchises, not to mention introducing new worlds of our own, and those from our incredible third-party partners. It’s going to be an incredible year – make sure to stay tuned to Xbox Wire and Xbox social channels to keep up to date with everything we have to show you.

    [ad_2]

    Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief

    Source link

  • Fable: Answering the Big Questions After that Long-Awaited Developer_Direct Deep-Dive – Xbox Wire

    [ad_1]

    The Living Population of NPCs is a fascinating addition – what does that offer the player?

    Fulton: The Living Population is our cast of over 1,000 NPCs, each with roles, personalities and routines. That whole concept of persistent NPCs, each of whom is unique in a whole bunch of ways that you can go and interact with and mess about with, is incredibly complex.

    When you start working on it, you realize that every settlement has to have enough houses with enough beds, for everyone in the settlement to go and sleep in at the end of the day. It was a fun day when we explained that particular requirement to our environment art team [laughs], but they rose to the challenge like they do with everything.

    In games, you don’t normally have to connect the dots quite so precisely. You know, you’re just building a nice-looking town. But in Fable it also has to be a functional town.

    As an example, early in development we couldn’t work out why one town was so empty during the day. And when we zoomed out into debug mode, it was because NPCs were getting up to go to work, but they lived too far away from their jobs. So, they started walking to work, but didn’t get there before their schedule told them to turn around to go back to bed.

    It’s required a lot of working through, but it pays off because, honestly, as you play the game, you get to know the names of the individual NPCs. You get to know what they like, what they’re looking for in a partner, where they live, where they work, all that kind of cool stuff. It’s an extra dimension to traditional NPCs.

    Does the Living Population tie into the main quest?

    Fulton: Tying the main quest and the Living Population together in a really overt way didn’t seem like the right way to go, so we’ve deliberately linked them in the lightest possible fashion. You know, there are some times when characters in the main quest will reference your reputations, or the things you’ve done previously – but we never want to force a player to have to go and interact with those things in order to progress the main quest.

    We know there are some players – we call them ‘Bards’ – who are just going to play through the main story. They’re going to start at the start, and they’re going to get to the end, and that’s going to be their experience. That’s entirely fine, that’s a totally respectable way to play.

    But there are some players, who we call ‘Architects’, who we know are going to go and mess around with the systems and just see where they can push them, see what they can achieve with it, and we want them to have the freedom to do that at any point as well.

    [ad_2]

    Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief

    Source link

  • Prices for an old Star Wars game have ballooned because of its role in a PS5 jailbreak

    [ad_1]

    The price for a PS4 copy of the relatively obscure Star Wars racing game, Star Wars Racer Revenge, has dramatically increased in the last few days because of the game’s use in the latest PlayStation 5 jailbreak, Eurogamer reports. The PS2 game was originally released in 2002, and was ported to PS4 by Limited Run Games in 2019. Its role as a key ingredient in the jailbreaking process was announced on December 31.

    Interested jailbreakers need Racer Revenge to jailbreak PS5 12.00 firmware because of a bug in the game’s Hall of Fame feature, according to Eurogamer. The bug makes it possible to inject new code into Sony’s console, and because the PS5 is able to load and play PS4 discs, Star Wars Racer Revenge is an easier method to pull the jailbreak off. Retail releases of games are a common way to execute exploits and hacks because, unlike digital copies, they can’t be directly patched.

    While the PS4 version of Star Wars Racer Revenge was available for anywhere between $14.99 to $37.50 when it went on sale originally, used copies are currently listed for as high as $411 on eBay. Sellers are naturally trying to capitalize on the game’s new position in the jailbreaking meta and raising the price accordingly. Of course, it helps that there’s only a small number of copies to go around.

    As the company’s name suggests, Limited Run Games releases old games in limited quantities as collector items. The company only ever made 8,500 copies of Racer Revenge per its own data, so the game is already rare in some sense, and now expensive to boot while there’s interest in the PS5 jailbreak.

    [ad_2]

    Ian Carlos Campbell

    Source link

  • Black Friday PS5 deals: Sony takes $100 off consoles, plus discounts on PlayStation games, accessories and more

    [ad_1]

    The PlayStation 5 is getting a major Black Friday discount, with $100 off all models. That brings the PS5 Digital Edition down to $399, the standard PS5 to $449 and the new PS5 Pro to $649. If you’ve been holding out for the right time to upgrade or buy your first console, this is the deal to beat. You’ll find the deals direct at Sony and from other retailers including Amazon and Walmart.

    Sony’s flagship console remains one of the most popular gaming systems available, and this Black Friday discount makes it even easier to jump in if you haven’t already. The standard PS5 and the slimmer PS5 Digital Edition both offer fast load times, smooth frame rates and crisp visuals powered by the custom AMD Zen 2 processor and RDNA 2 GPU. The difference between them comes down to the disc drive — the standard model includes one, while the Digital Edition relies entirely on digital downloads.

    Image for the mini product module
    Image for the mini product module

    For those who want top-tier performance, the PS5 Pro is also getting a rare $100 discount. It features upgraded specs and enhanced ray tracing for sharper graphics, along with improved cooling to handle more demanding titles. Whether you play cinematic single-player hits or fast-paced competitive games, the PS5 lineup remains one of the strongest options on the market for next-gen gaming.

    Each console supports 4K output, 3D audio and access to PlayStation Plus, which unlocks online multiplayer and a rotating library of free games. The DualSense controller remains a highlight, with adaptive triggers and haptic feedback that make everything from racing to combat feel more immersive.

    If you’re already set with a console, there are also a few solid accessory deals to consider for Black Friday. The DualSense Wireless Controller is down to $55, a $25 discount available in multiple colors. The premium DualSense Edge controller, which adds customizable buttons and replaceable stick modules, drops to $169 during Black Friday. Meanwhile, the PlayStation Portal — Sony’s portable Remote Player that lets you stream games from your PS5 — gets discounted to $179.

    You’ll find a ton of PlayStation Black Friday deals across the web right now, and they also include some game sales.

    Image for the mini product module
    Image for the mini product module
    Image for the mini product module
    Image for the mini product module
    Image for the mini product module

    [ad_2]

    Georgie Peru

    Source link

  • Black Friday PS5 deals: Sony takes $100 off consoles, plus sales on other PlayStation games and accessories

    [ad_1]

    If you’ve been waiting to grab a PlayStation 5, this Black Friday deal is worth noting. Sony’s latest consoles are getting a $100 discount across the board, dropping the PS5 Digital Edition to $399, the standard PS5 to $449 and the PS5 Pro to $649. That’s one of the best prices we’ve seen on Sony’s hardware this year. You’ll find the deals direct at Sony and from other retailers including Amazon and Walmart.

    Sony’s flagship console remains one of the most popular gaming systems available, and this Black Friday discount makes it even easier to jump in if you haven’t already. The standard PS5 and the slimmer PS5 Digital Edition both offer fast load times, smooth frame rates and crisp visuals powered by the custom AMD Zen 2 processor and RDNA 2 GPU. The difference between them comes down to the disc drive — the standard model includes one, while the Digital Edition relies entirely on digital downloads.

    Image for the mini product module
    Image for the mini product module

    For those who want top-tier performance, the PS5 Pro is also getting a rare $100 discount. It features upgraded specs and enhanced ray tracing for sharper graphics, along with improved cooling to handle more demanding titles. Whether you play cinematic single-player hits or fast-paced competitive games, the PS5 lineup remains one of the strongest options on the market for next-gen gaming.

    Each console supports 4K output, 3D audio and access to PlayStation Plus, which unlocks online multiplayer and a rotating library of free games. The DualSense controller remains a highlight, with adaptive triggers and haptic feedback that make everything from racing to combat feel more immersive.

    If you’re already set with a console, there are also a few solid accessory deals to consider for Black Friday. The DualSense Wireless Controller is down to $55, a $25 discount available in multiple colors. The premium DualSense Edge controller, which adds customizable buttons and replaceable stick modules, drops to $169 during Black Friday. Meanwhile, the PlayStation Portal — Sony’s portable Remote Player that lets you stream games from your PS5 — gets discounted to $179.

    You’ll find a ton of PlayStation Black Friday deals across the web right now, and they also include some game sales.

    Image for the mini product module
    Image for the mini product module
    Image for the mini product module
    Image for the mini product module
    Image for the mini product module

    [ad_2]

    Georgie Peru

    Source link

  • Indie darling 1000xResist heads to Xbox and PlayStation on November 4

    [ad_1]

    Heads up, indie game fans: 1000xResist will arrive on Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 on November 4. The title, which is already out for PC and Nintendo Switch, will also be available through Xbox Game Pass on the same date. The game is also adding more localization support, bringing Brazilian Portuguese, French and Korean languages, so more players around the world can experience the story. 

    And the story is the highlight of 1000xResist. This was an indie hit from 2024 that won a lot of fans for its innovative and branching story of a future timeline where the remaining members of humanity live underground in the aftermath of an alien invasion. The project from developer Sunset Visitor also picked up nominations for both the Hugo Awards and Nebula Awards, as well as winning a Peabody last year. Sometimes you’ll want to take award winners with a grain (or a pound) of salt, but the industry and players alike have lauded the game’s sci-fi storytelling chops.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • How to clear the cache on your PS5

    [ad_1]

    If your PlayStation 5 has started feeling sluggish, freezes mid-game or acts a little weird, clearing the cache might be the quick fix you need. The cache is where your console stores temporary files to keep things running smoothly, but sometimes those files pile up and cause more problems than they solve.

    Clearing your PS5 cache won’t delete your games, saves or settings, but it can clear out the junk data that’s slowing things down. Whether you’re troubleshooting crashes or just want to keep your console running at its best, wiping the cache is one of the simplest steps you can take.

    How to start your PS5 in Safe Mode

    In order to clear your PS5 cache, you’ll need to start your console in Safe Mode. Similar to a PC, entering Safe Mode on a PS5 gives you access to basic functions on your console, including restarting your PS5, changing video output, repairing console storage, updating system software, restoring default settings, clearing the cache and rebuilding the database, resetting the PS5 and resetting the PS5 by reinstalling System Software.

    Unfortunately, there isn’t an option on your PS5 to enter Safe Mode via the Settings, but you can (safely) enter this mode by following these steps:

    1. Hold the PS button on your controller, then select Power > Turn off PS5. Alternatively, you can hold the power button on the PS5 for three seconds.

    2. Wait for the console to turn off; the power indicator will blink for a few moments before fully turning off.

    3. Press and hold the power button on the console, then release after you hear the second beep (this should take around seven seconds).

    4. Connect the controller with a USB cable, then press the PS button on the controller.

    It’s important to note that although you can turn off your PS5 with the controller, you must turn the console on using the power button on the PS5, using the steps above, to enter Safe Mode.

    How to clear the cache on a PS5 in Safe Mode

    Once in Safe Mode, you’ll see several options appear on the screen. Select Clear Cache and Rebuild Database, then Clear System Software Cache.

    Once you’ve selected the Clear System Software Cache option, you’ll need to confirm your choice by selecting OK. Your PS5 will begin the process of clearing the cache. If your console restarts during this process, don’t worry; let it do its thing.

    The other option you’ll see in the Clear Cache and Rebuild Database menu is Rebuild Database. This option is also recommended by Sony is users are experiencing system failure issues. Selecting this option will not delete any data from your PS5, so it’s another route to try if clearing the cache doesn’t solve all your problems.

    How to back up PS5 data to a USB drive

    Although clearing the cache on a PS5 won’t result in saved game progress or data being deleted, it’s not a bad idea to know how to back up your data, just in case your PS5 encounters any issues. If you want to be extra safe, do this before clearing your cache.

    1. Connect a USB drive to your PS5 (FAT32 or exFAT).

    2. Navigate to Settings > System.

    3. Select System Software > Back Up and Restore > Back Up Your PS5.

    4. You’ll have the option to select the type of data you want to back up (Games and Apps, Saved Data, Screenshots and Video Clips or Settings). Select the option(s) you want to back up.

    5. Select Next > Back Up. This will start the back up process, where your console will restart.

    6. Once the Backup Complete screen is displayed, select OK.

    Why should you clear the cache on your PS5?

    Like a lot of technology, maintenance is required to keep your tech running top-notch, and the PS5 is no different. You won’t need to clear your PS5 cache often, but when things start going wrong, it can save you a lot of frustration. The cache is where the console stashes temporary system data. Most of the time it helps your games and apps load faster, but once in a while those files can get corrupted or outdated and cause trouble instead.

    One of the most common signs is lag in the system menu. If it takes forever to scroll through your library or even open Settings, a clogged cache might be to blame. It can also show up as random crashes, where a game boots up and then kicks you straight back to the home screen for no reason.

    You might also notice glitches with online play. Sometimes cached network data interferes with your connection, leaving you with login issues or games that won’t sync properly. After a major system update, clearing the cache can also help smooth over odd behavior, like apps failing to launch or downloads stalling.

    The good news is clearing the cache doesn’t wipe your saves, your installed games, or your account. It’s a low-risk way to rule out the simple stuff before you start digging into bigger fixes.

    [ad_2]

    Georgie Peru

    Source link

  • ‘Ghost of Yotei’ Is a Stronger, Self-Assured Sequel

    [ad_1]

    There was a moment early on in Ghost of Yotei where I knew it’d won me over. As Atsu, I wasn’t hunting down the Yotei Six who killed my family and left me for dead back in my youth; I was taking on a simple bounty who’d managed to get the better of me. I was all set to watch him plunge his katana in my back and restart the swordfight. Instead, a wolf jumped in out of nowhere, biting him and granting me full health so I could get back up and resume the fight and get my bounty. 

    I wouldn’t really see that wolf again until later on when I was led to one of its many dens around the land, but that last-minute save has come to define my experience with Sucker Punch’s first outing exclusive to the PlayStation 5. Yotei brings over many of the same elements as its 2020 predecessor Ghost of Tsushima while channeling similar vibes that made the studio’s Sly Cooper and Infamous franchises so appealing. Acclaimed as Tsushima was, it could feel like it was trying too hard to look like it was successfully mimicking the Japanese films that inspired it. But Yotei continually showed Sucker Punch’s greater sense of confidence in itself to make its own spin on Japanese action stories rather than just emulating the movies that inspired it. 

    That’s most apparent in its combat, which retains Tsushima’s core mechanics while carving its own distinct path. Stances are out, replaced with different weapons intended for specific enemies, like the dual katanas for spearmen and the odachi for massive brutes. The rock-paper-scissors dynamic against multiple enemies makes fights fun as Atsu’s arsenal grows to include ranged weapons and quickfire tools, and disarming enemies (or being disarmed by them) can further change things up at a moment’s notice. (Picking up fallen weapons to chuck at enemies? Never gets old.)

    © Sucker Punch/PlayStation

    Atsu’s most significant additions come via story or side missions that pair her with an expert in that particular armament. The melee weapons see her train with a local master who gives her a quick rundown of their base moves, followed by a chain of side quests that culminate in learning a new combat technique. While the masters don’t play any real narrative role after the initial training, their individual stories and the additional context make acquiring these weapons feel special, and some of the introductory quests have neat gimmicks, like using one side of the controller to train Atsu’s weak hand. And she can only learn new weapon skills at altars strewn around Ezo or at enemy strongholds that need clearing out.

    While the combat remains strong, stealth still hasn’t risen to the occasion. Sucker Punch tries to change things up by not giving Atsu the listening ability that lets her track enemies until well into the story. Until then, she can use her spyglass to observe the area and spot points of interest. In practice, the spyglass doesn’t add anything substantial that can’t already be gleaned when the game tells her to look at her surroundings, and it’s effectively useless once her listen power eventually comes into play. It’s still satisfying to clear an area without being spotted, but going quiet doesn’t feel as strong as it could. The story scenarios around the stealth sections can be creative, but they themselves are not, and they don’t endeavor to push you to employ new tactics as you would in other stealth-focused games.

    Like Tsushima before it, Ghost of Yotei wants to draw the player into its digital recreation of 1603 Ezo. Using wind and animals to naturally guide players around still works on a navigation and immersive level, and the art direction is as striking as ever. As with Tsushima, Ezo has plenty of areas that exist to let the player take in the scenery and snap photos, and the screen adding black bars during horse rides further helps with the absorption. Where Tsushima was split across three zones in a video game-y way, Ezo feels more like a real place with less defined borders. The inns and communities Atsu travels to feel shaped by the presence of the Yotei Six or the samurai clan warring against their leader, Lord Saito, who in turn reacts to Atsu’s actions throughout the story. 

    Yotei doesn’t offer a fully reactive world shaped by what Atsu does, but it properly meets Atsu’s growing power. Whenever a member of the Six has fallen, her bounty increases and her wanted poster changes to make her look increasingly menacing, making it fun to overhear travelers and ronin discuss what she’s done. I once fast traveled to an inn at the start of the game, where higher-ranking samurai were demanding to know where I was; another encounter with a similar group much later on led to my defeat, only to turn out to be a kidnapping I could escape from and kill my captors. Combined with the different tactics and weapons they deploy—spoiler, it turns out guns are their friends much more than yours—victories over these growing escalations continually feel earned in missions or exploring Ezo.

    Not everyone is hostile to Atsu’s presence; wives of slain samurai will commend her for bringing the Six to justice and hub areas have gift altars with notes encouraging her to continue her revenge quest. A handful of times while doing a bamboo strike minigame, a crowd would excitedly gather around me as I sliced through poles, reacting to my successful or failed cuts. There are several bounties Atsu can take on to earn some extra money and even incorporate side activities like gambling dens and her shamisen in interesting ways.

    Ghost Of Yōtei 20250905110451
    © Sucker Punch/PlayStation

    These moments went a long way toward encouraging exploration and imbued the sequel with greater charm and personality, which many felt was lacking from Ghost of Tsushima. While it’s still generally running the playbook of somberness as Tsushima, it has less of a stick up its ass and lets itself have some fun. Enough humor is doled out without undermining the tone and several missions carry a spark that’s defined some of the studio’s best work. 

    Further helping Ghost of Yotei is its cast and Atsu in particular. She feels like a character more in tune with the developer’s narrative strengths, and in turn, it leads to a compelling performance from Erika Ishii. Where Tsushima protagonist Jin Sakai came off too emotionally detached, Atsu is easier to connect with and gets plenty of moments to let her walls down as she crosses paths with several key allies in her journey. The “Wolf Pack” tab that keeps track of these supporting players is more of a lore guide than a relationship tracker, but it further helps get into Atsu’s headspace as the story progresses. 

    Narratively, Ghost of Yotei contains few surprises, but it’s balanced out by how well it’s told and the performances of its cast. In the Yotei Six, Sucker Punch dips back into familiar villainous territory—the original Sly Cooper was also a revenge quest, albeit a more kid-friendly one—and paints each member with some character to be more than one note. Most of them are a sad lot in some fashion, but none of them are ever let off the hook for that night at Atsu’s home, and the gradual reveal of why they targeted her family and their relationships with one another all come together well. None of them also overstay their welcome, and Atsu is within their proximity long enough to make you understand why she and the rest of Ezo hold them in such contempt. 

    Enough goodwill is built up throughout the story that it’s a shame when it can’t avoid slipping up. Yotei plays its thematic hand a bit too early, causing several beats in the back half to feel like they should go the opposite of how they normally play out in stories like these. That the game keeps such focus on Atsu’s personal journey also inevitably leaves a plot thread involving an ally samurai clan feeling somewhat abandoned. At first, Yotei takes its time dulling the shine off the warrior class as a means of addressing criticisms toward Ghost of Tsushima for being overly fawning towards them. There’s an undercurrent of class that persists throughout several story beats, giving Atsu’s interactions with samurai and the common folk a distinct edge that Jin’s story did not for most of its runtime.

    While these moments of samurai slander are heavy-handed, they’re not unwelcome, and they’re eventually complicated by interesting narrative wrinkles. As such, it’s all the stranger when this samurai thread doesn’t get any closure en route to the finale, even when they’re forced into Atsu’s orbit as part of its ongoing escalation. Yotei is often enthusiastically in conversation with Tsushima, so this oversight feels like a punch pulled to avoid coming off as overly mean toward its predecessor, despite that first game laying the foundation for the sequel to even hit these criticisms at all, albeit unintentionally. 

    That Ghost of Yotei can’t entirely seal the deal narratively isn’t the worst black mark against it, and where the story eventually goes lands so well this might not even matter for some. But for a game so strong in nearly every other area, it shows Sucker Punch still has areas to improve as it strives to create the perfect samurai and shinobi simulator. Not too much, though—the studio is already on the right path, as made clear by my 40-hour playthrough with one of its strongest titles to date.

    Ghost of Yotei releases October 2 on PlayStation 5.

    Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

    [ad_2]

    Justin Carter

    Source link

  • PlayStation Pulse Elevate portable speakers are coming for your desktop in 2026

    [ad_1]

    Sony’s lineup of gaming-focused audio devices is growing with the addition of the PlayStation Pulse Elevate wireless speakers. They work with PC, Mac, PlayStation 5 and PlayStation Portal, and they support Bluetooth and Sony’s proprietary PlayStation Link Wireless connection scheme. The Pulse Elevate speakers come in white or black, and they’re due to hit the market in 2026. There’s no word on price just yet.

    The Pulse Elevate speakers can be set on charging stands when playing at your desk, or they can be disconnected and used in portable mode. When not docked, they have (an unspecified number of) “hours of battery life,” according to Sony’s hype trailer. The speakers support 3D audio, they can be tilted back, and they have planar magnetic drivers, built-in woofers and an integrated mic with noise reduction.

    The PlayStation Pulse Elevate speakers join Sony’s Pulse Elite gaming headset and Pulse Explore earbuds. The earbuds retail for $200 and the headset goes for $150, so feel free to use these price points as the foundation of indiscriminate speculation about how much the Elevate speakers will cost when they land next year.

    [ad_2]

    Jessica Conditt

    Source link

  • PlayStation 5 prices to rise in the U.S. starting this week, Sony says

    [ad_1]

    PlayStation 5 video game consoles are about to get pricier — at least in the U.S.

    Starting Aug. 21, the PlayStation 5 will cost $549.99 in the U.S., up $50 from its current price of $549.99, Sony Interactive Entertainment, which makes the device, said Wednesday in a company blog post. 

    The company attributed the price hike to the “challenging economic environment.” Pricing for the console in markets outside the U.S. will remain the same, the Sony said. 

    A Sony PlayStation 5 (L) and 5 Pro (C) on display at the Sony headquarters building in Tokyo on Nov. 27, 2024. 

    RICHARD A. BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images


    As of Thursday, a PlayStation 5 Digital Edition, which lacks a disk drive, will cost $499.99, while the more powerful PlayStation 5 Pro will run $749.99. Sony said it isn’t raising the price of PS5 accessories.

    Other gaming console makers have also recently boosted their prices. Microsoft, which makes the Xbox, in May hiked the price of its Xbox Series X by $100 to $599.99. Nintendo, which makes the Switch, in August announced new pricing for its original console in the U.S. that it said was based on “market conditions.”

    Megan Cerullo

    Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News 24/7 to discuss her reporting.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Sony’s PlayStation 5 Gets a Big Price Hike

    [ad_1]

    After Xbox and Nintendo both made their consoles and peripherals more expensive, it was inevitable that Sony would make the same move. Now every version of the PlayStation 5 costs $50 more, no matter if you decide to opt for the all-digital version or the PlayStation 5 Pro. No matter whether you’re an Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo diehard, all your consoles will cost you way more, all down to the economic shitstorm caused by Trump tariffs.

    In a blog post, Sony said it was navigating “a challenging economic environment,” which is common code for steering the ship around supply chain and manufacturing issues caused by Trump’s obsession with import taxes. Starting Thursday, Aug. 21, the PlayStation 5 with disc drive will cost $550. Sony hiked the PlayStation 5 digital edition to $500, the same price as the version that could play physical media. Finally, the most expensive console, the PS5 Pro, will demand a whopping $750 from your wallet. All the PS5 accessories are keeping their current prices, but that means if you want a PS5 Pro with a separate $80 disc drive, you’ll end up spending $830 just to play all your PS4 and PS5 game discs with better graphics and performance options.

    Before the hike gets into gear, you still have the option to grab a cheaper version. Deals hunter Wario 64 pointed out that the PS5 Slim model Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 bundle still costs $400. Along with the $80 optical drive, it could be the cheapest way to get the stock standard PS5 before tomorrow’s price hikes.

    Microsoft hiked its digital Xbox Series X console prices up to $550 back in May in response to ongoing Trump tariffs. The Series S went up to $380 from $300. If you want a Series X with the optical drive, you need to pull out $600 from your wallet. Microsoft similarly made its controllers and official headset more expensive as well. While Nintendo kept its Switch 2 price steady at $450, earlier this month, the Mario maker increased prices for its original $300 Switch consoles by $40. The Switch Lite is now priced at $230, but the major blow was news that the Switch OLED now demands $400, just $50 less than the Switch 2. Nintendo also hiked prices of its Switch 2 controllers and other accessories by around $5 after already boosting costs back in April.

    [ad_2]

    Kyle Barr

    Source link

  • Another Previously Current Gen-Only Game Is Getting A PS4 Port

    Another Previously Current Gen-Only Game Is Getting A PS4 Port

    [ad_1]

    Image: Coffee Stain / Sony / Kotaku

    The PlayStation 4 and Xbox are nearly 11 years old, but they are still surprisingly popular and used daily by a lot of people. That probably explains why Goat Simulator 3, released back in 2022 as a current-gen-only game, is now getting ported to the older consoles later this month. And this isn’t the first time that’s happened this year.

    The Top 10 Most-Played Games On Steam Deck: November 2023 Edition

    Released on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in November 2022, Goat Simulator 3 is the sequel to the original Goat Simulator. (No, there isn’t a Goat Simulator 2.) The sequel expanded on the original 2014 game’s open-world antics and was well-received by fans of the first game. But perhaps you have yet to buy a PS5 or Xbox Series X/S and still want to play this wacky goat-filled sequel? Well, good news: Goat Simulator 3 will be available on PS4 and Xbox One on October 24.

    On October 8, Coffee Stain announced that Goat Simulator 3 was making the leap backward to PS4 and Xbox One. (In August of this year Goat Sim 3 was ported to Switch.) This upcoming version of the game will include all the free content updates that Goat Sim 3 has received since 2022. Goat Sim 3‘s Multiverse of Nonsense DLC will also be available to buy separately on last gen.

    If you already own the game on PS5 or Xbox Series X/S, you’ll be able to play it on the old consoles without having to buy it again thanks to cross-buy support. And the Xbox ports will support cross-saves across generations, too. It’s a nice gesture, though I’m not sure how many people who own Goat Sim 3 on PS5 will be loading it up on PS4 anytime soon.

    This situation reminds me of what we saw with Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. That game launched on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC and skipped last-gen machines. But then in August 2023, EA confirmed it was porting the blockbuster game from Respawn to PS4 and Xbox One. Those ports arrived in September of this year and look pretty good. But it does feel like the last generation of consoles are lingering around more than usual.

    I mean, the PS4 is nearly 11 years old. But publishers are still porting games to it in 2024. While that’s nice for PS4 owners who haven’t made the leap to PS5 yet, it does feel like a bad sign for console makers and the industry that it can’t move forward yet or it might leave too much money on the table. Perhaps GTA 6, which is set to arrive only on next-gen consoles in 2025, will finally push enough people forward that last-gen ports stop happening.

    .

    [ad_2]

    Zack Zwiezen

    Source link

  • Foamstars is going free-to-play starting today

    Foamstars is going free-to-play starting today

    [ad_1]

    Square Enix’s multiplayer shooter Foamstars is moving to a free-to-play model. The four-player team multiplayer melee officially turned into a free game today on Sony’s PlayStation 4 and 5 meaning you also won’t need a PlayStation Plus subscription to play it, according to a posting on .

    If you purchased the game before Square Enix’s price change, the studio will send you a free “Legacy Gift” that includes 12 exclusive color-variant Bubble Beastie skins, an exclusive Slide Board design and a “Legacy” title. You’ll need to keep an eye on and to find out how to obtain your free “Legacy Gift.”

     released earlier this year on Sony’s past and current gen consoles as a third-person multiplayer battle game. It’s basically a mix of the homebase building mechanic of Fortnite and Nintendo’s family friendly multiplayer shooter melee Splatoon. Teams use mounds of foam to build terrain for their shooters to traverse at high speeds or build higher vantage points to attack their enemies. You shouldn’t learn anymore about the game’s backstory and or at least not while you’re eating. Trust us on this one.

    [ad_2]

    Danny Gallagher

    Source link

  • 30th Anniversary PS5 Pre-Orders Sold Out Fast And In The Most Frustrating Way Possible

    30th Anniversary PS5 Pre-Orders Sold Out Fast And In The Most Frustrating Way Possible

    [ad_1]

    Everyone saw this coming but it was still disappointing to see. Fans were salivating over the 30th Anniversary PlayStation 5 collection, a one-two punch of nostalgia and neat aesthetics, when it was revealed earlier this month. Today many of them stared blankly at PlayStation Direct pre-order screens as they watched them sellout while they waited in confusing online queues and battled glitched website buttons.

    This Cool New Retro Console Is A Great Gift For Atari Fans

    The 30th Anniversary collection went up for pre-order earlier today and it turns out the limited edition PS5 Pro bundle, only 12,300 of which were manufactured, wasn’t the only thing that felt impossible to get. Pre-orders for the PS1-style PS5 slim bundle, PS Portal, and DualSense controller also disappeared almost immediately, begging the eternal question of why Sony doesn’t just manufacture as many of these items as people want.

    Panic began overnight when anecdotes began pouring in from Australia and the UK that pre-orders, which became available at 10:00 a.m. local time in each region, began to immediately disappear followed by reseller listings popping up on eBay for anywhere from five to 10 times the suggested retail price. As the 30th Anniversary pre-order hour approached in the U.S., people tried to load the PlayStation Direct page early only to be thrown into a queue with estimated wait times of over an hour.

    The initial confusion was compounded by the fact that Sony never really gave fans a clear idea of what to expect from the pre-order process. After unveiling the 30th Anniversary PS5 collection it just said they would be available to buy starting September 26 with no advance notice of an official start time or even the prices. Essentially how it worked is that people who tried to order from PlayStation Direct were put in a waiting room to get a random spot in line at which point they could order whatever was still left, which for most people, including myself, seemed to be nothing.

    Was that because I didn’t get into the waiting room sooner? Or did I just get a bad place in the queue? Was there a better way to go about this whole thing? There were anecdotal reports of people getting to the store only to be tossed back into the waiting room. Once they were in the store, it was still confusing trying to buy stuff. Even items that didn’t show as sold out, like the PS1 DualSense controller, couldn’t be purchased when clicking “add to cart.”

    It seems like people who just wanted the $80 controller actually had more luck going through retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and GameStop, whose pre-orders for the PS5 controllers when up at the same time as PlayStation Direct. Those sold out fairly quickly as well, however. It’s possible that additional stock will be released in waves, as Sony did when demand blew supply out of the water with the original launch of the PS5. But I’m also not sure why Sony doesn’t just try to sell as many of the PS1-style controllers as possible, at least for those who order in the next couple of months.

    It’s the cheapest option for fans wanting to be a part of the anniversary hype, or just really love the idea of channeling all those nights they spent in front of their original PS1 in the modern era. Maybe Sony was just testing the initial demand and will come back later with a bottomless Santa Claus bag of 30th Anniversary PS5 stuff come the holiday. If not, 30th Anniversary PS5 DualSense controllers are already going for up to $200 on eBay.

           

    [ad_2]

    Ethan Gach

    Source link

  • Concord’s disastrous launch reportedly leads to its director’s self-demotion

    Concord’s disastrous launch reportedly leads to its director’s self-demotion

    [ad_1]

    The ripples from Concord’s seismic implosion are still fanning out since Sony decided to take the game offline earlier this month. Now, the game’s director has reportedly decided to bow out gracefully. reported that game director Ryan Ellis of Firewalk Studios told staff members that he’s stepping down from his position. Ellis, who cofounded Firewalk after a stint as the creative director of Destiny 2, will remain with the studio but only in a support role.

    Meanwhile, the staff at Firewalk are still waiting to hear what Sony plans to do with their underperforming game. Just two weeks after Concord’s release, on September 6 and issued refunds to everyone who bought the game for the PlayStation 5 or PC from Steam and the Epic Games Store. Sony said in a statement that it pulled the game in order to “explore options, including those that will better reach our players.” Naturally, Kotaku reports that a lot of Firewalk’s staffers are worried about the status of their jobs in the wake of Concord’s disappointing release.

    The extremely poor sales of Concord make it one of the biggest bombs in industry history. Analysts estimate that it only sold 25,000 copies on Steam and for PS5 in its first six days.

    [ad_2]

    Danny Gallagher

    Source link

  • Concord Gets Shut Down, Switch 2 Rumors Heat Up, And More Of The Week’s Top Stories

    Concord Gets Shut Down, Switch 2 Rumors Heat Up, And More Of The Week’s Top Stories

    [ad_1]

    Image: Firewalk Studios, Sony / Firewalk Studios / Kotaku, Blizzard, Boss Key / PlayStation / Epic / Kotaku, Nintendo / Kotaku, Sony / Kotaku, Capcom / Kotaku, Screenshot: Nintendo / Kotaku, Microsoft, Photo: Michael Tullberg (Getty Images)

    FThe biggest story of the week was probably the announcement that Sony was shutting down Concord, its big, expensive, long-in-development hero shooter, just two weeks after its disappointing launch. We’ve got the details on the original announcement, as well as reactions from across the internet.

    In other news, rumors about Nintendo’s successor to the Switch are swirling, Sony sorta confirms leaked design images for a PS5 Pro, and disgraced streamer Dr Disrespect touts his return. All these stories and more are yours for the reading.

    [ad_2]

    Kotaku Staff

    Source link

  • Best PS5 controllers in 2024 for competitive gaming, customisation, and comfort | Stuff

    Best PS5 controllers in 2024 for competitive gaming, customisation, and comfort | Stuff

    [ad_1]

    When you bought your PlayStation 5, it came with one official Sony PS5 controller and that undoubtedly felt like enough. Then your mate came over and you wanted to play some couch-based multiplayer and you realised that you need one of our list of the best PS5 controllers. Need a headset as well? Check out our guide to the best gaming headset.

    These days, you can spend $200/£200 on a PS5 controller if you want. We’re not automatically saying to do so but by investing that much, you often get more advanced controls with extra paddles or feedback, and you tend to be able to choose almost exactly how you want it to look. Even avid solo players may find such a premium controller enhancing their playing ability. Alternatively, you may prefer a cheap third-party solution to delegate to your friend, child, or second player in your life, but you don’t want to pick a lemon.

    Whatever your plan, we’ve picked out the best PS5 controllers you can buy right now, including cheaper options, premium picks, and ones for particular scenarios like racing games.

    When you’ve finished reading about the best PS5 controllers, take a look at everything we know about the PS5 Pro and Slim.

    What is the best PS5 controller?

    • Best overall PS5 controller: Sony DualSense Controller (buy now)
      For most players, the Sony DualSense Controller will more than suffice. It’s a huge improvement over past Sony efforts. Its adaptive triggers are great for making you feel more in control of the action while combining it with haptic feedback means you can feel exactly what’s unfolding in-game. It also has smaller advantages like a mute button and a comfy build that will keep all hands happy.
    • Best customisable PS5 controller: Scuf Reflex Pro (buy now)
      Expensive yet highly customisable, the Scuf Reflex Pro should be the only controller you need for a long time to come. It’s possible to spend a lot of time changing colour schemes and adjusting early every element imaginable on the controller. With removable and remappable paddles, you have extra functionality at your fingertips with an extra comfy non-slip grip helping out during tense moments.
    • Best alternative PS5 controller: Thrustmaster T248 (buy now)
      No controller is quite up to scratch when playing the likes of Gran Turismo 7. That’s where the Thrustmaster T248 comes into play, being a highly comprehensive steering wheel. It has three types of force feedback, a near never-ending supply of buttons, along with magnetic paddle shifters for changing gear. It makes you feel far more in control of your car, although you’ll need to spend some time practising at first.

    The best PS5 controllers you can buy today:

    Sony DualSense Controller

    1. Sony DualSense Controller

    The Sony DualSense Controller is an uncomplicated controller because it doesn’t have anything to prove. You already have one bundled with your PS5 but a second one is ideal when gaming with others. It feels great in your hands with an ergonomic design that suits all hand sizes. Everything about the Sony DualSense Controller feels sleek and premium too but it’s the new features that stand out most. There’s now haptic feedback which is a superior form of vibration than we’ve seen before. It feels more visceral and more realistic than a simple rumble.

    There are also tactile adaptive triggers that you can squeeze down on to feel in more control, whether you’re web slinging or taking a tricky corner in a racing game. Battery life has never been a Playstation controller’s strong point but other than that, the Sony DualSense Controller is perfect for the majority of needs and budgets.

    Sony DualSense Edge ControllerSony DualSense Edge Controller

    2. Sony DualSense Edge Controller

    The Sony DualSense Edge Controller should be the controller to beat all controllers given it’s made by Sony. It’s certainly a more high-end version of the regular DualSense controller. It has all the advantages you expect along with useful software integration so you can fine-tune the adaptive triggers and haptic feedback to your liking. You can also customise function buttons under the control sticks, as well as benefit from two back button attachments. It’s also a little heavier so it feels more high-end, while still feeling comfy in your hands.

    That’s all certainly very appealing but there are third-party solutions with more customisation options as well as better battery life.

    Ultimately, the Sony DualSense Edge Controller could have gone further but if you appreciate having the official article every time, you’ll still like how well this works. It’ll also appeal if you find too many triggers intimidating or confusing.

    3. Scuf Reflex Pro

    The Scuf Reflex Pro is the controller we grab first but it’s a heck of an investment to make. The most personal a controller can feel, the Scuf Reflex Pro offers a vast amount of customisation options as you can change the colours of every single element of the controller from the thumbtacks to the triggers. It comes with four removable and remappable rear paddles so you can get things set up just how you need them to be, giving you the potential edge while playing.

    There are three on-board configuration profile options so you won’t need to worry about remapping all the time if you frequently play the same few games. There are interchangeable thumbsticks too, thereby suiting every hand and grip. Potentially more comfortable than even the official model, the Scuf Reflex Pro is a force to be reckoned with but one that can be very expensive as you make more adjustments.

    Victrix ProCon BFGVictrix ProCon BFG

    3. Victrix ProCon BFG

    We’ll get the bad news out of the way — the Victrix Pro BFG doesn’t have a vibration pack in it. That means you’re missing out on any kind of feedback, let alone haptic feedback. We’re frustrated too as the Victrix Pro BFG has so much to love while being better priced than much of the competition. It has a neat modular design so you can set up all its attachments just as you need it. That can mean a taller analogue stick, different D-Pads or even a flight pad module with extra face buttons. It also has four back buttons which are great for certain commands.

    The downside is its frustrating lack of rumble function. It’s strange going back to a world without haptic feedback or even a rumble or two. It’s also a bit on the light side so it feels less satisfying in your hands.

    Razer Wolverine V2 ProRazer Wolverine V2 Pro

    4. Razer Wolverine V2 Pro

    More buttons are better, right? The Razer Wolverine V2 Pro certainly gives you plenty of functionality with a handful of extra buttons compared to the competition. The extra triggers are useful even if its buttons rarely feel as satisfying as others. Also, the back buttons can be awkward to reach for given they’re quite high up the controller. It all feels a bit third-party controller from old, even though it has great functionality.

    Better news comes from the wide thumbsticks that benefit anyone with larger hands. It also offers better battery life than most and a sizeable build that feels good in your hands, providing you can reach for everything. There are some rather nice RGB lighting effects too if you’re that way inclined. We just wish it felt a bit more comfortable. Besides being hefty on smaller hands, the Razer Wolverine V2 Pro’s controls really don’t feel as premium as the price tag would suggest.

    Nacon Revolution Unlimited ProNacon Revolution Unlimited Pro

    5. Nacon Revolution Unlimited Pro

    The Nacon Revolution Unlimited Pro has an important issue we’ll get out of the way – it’ll only work with PS4 games. As many players will have spotted, there are a lot of PS4 games to catch up on via the PS5 so this isn’t a crucial issue but something to be aware of. It’s still featured here because we love how you can customise its weightiness. It’s possible to add small weights into the handles of the controller, so you can get things feeling just how you need them to. Like all the advanced controllers, not everyone needs this but it’s a nice option.

    It’s also possible to create custom profiles for the plethora of buttons including the four back buttons. Those buttons are positioned perfectly so you can grip onto everything without an issue. A choice of thumbsticks is useful and the whole thing feels classy. If it worked with PS5 games, it could well be vying for top spot.

    Scuf ReflexScuf Reflex

    6. Scuf Reflex

    When you look at the differences between the Scuf Reflex and Scuf Reflex Pro, you might wonder if a ‘high-performance’ grip is really worth the £20. It’s a bit like paying for your choice of paint on a brand new car – it barely makes a difference to your budget. Still, we do rather like the ever so slightly cheaper Scuf Reflex. The non-stick grip is nice but not too vital depending on how you play. It has all the benefits we like to see. These include remappable paddles, adaptive triggers that feel good under your fingertips, and interchangeable thumbsticks.

    You can opt to customise the colour scheme of the Scuf Reflex too if you don’t mind paying extra although that does negate the point of going with the cheaper model. Stick with the standard options and you still get a sleek looking controller that matches well with your PS5. It feels good in your hands, even if it’ll hurt your bank account.

    AIM PS5 ControllerAIM PS5 Controller

    7. AIM PS5 Controller

    The amount of choice when designing your AIM PS5 Controller is a little overwhelming. The European company certainly appreciates we all have different tastes. A choice of 50 predesigned controllers is a start but you can also break it down component by component with varying colours too.

    In all cases, you can remap the buttons upon arrival with four back button/triggers helping you gain the edge, particularly when playing FPS games or other titles that require fast reactions. Its smart triggers and bumpers are a tad more precise than the standard triggers with faster response times potentially making a difference. A rubberised texture on the back means it’s easy to grip too even on those hot summer days where things get sweaty. And, of course, you can change the thumbsticks around. The controller feels light and effective if a little more flimsy than others out there. It works well though so we won’t hold that against it.

    Thrustmaster T248Thrustmaster T248

    8. Thrustmaster T248

    If you love to play racing games like Gran Turismo 7, a controller doesn’t really cut it. You need the Thrustmaster T248 steering wheel. It feels incredibly satisfying once you’ve got used to it. Three types of force feedback throws you into the action while there are magnetic paddle shifters for working your way up (or down) the gears. Pedals are also included so you don’t have to rely on pressing a button although there are 25 action buttons in all.

    It’s likely you’ll need to spend a day mastering things, setting up the customised buttons, and learning how to use the built-in display, but you won’t go back to the usual way of playing. It feels far more realistic this way, giving you a real sense of speed and progression. For those certain occasions, the Thrustmaster T248 suits your needs wonderfully even if you may not use it every day.

    HexGaming Rival Pro ControllerHexGaming Rival Pro Controller

    9. HexGaming Rival Pro Controller

    The HexGaming Rival Pro Controller is a little trickier to track down than some, but its site’s offering of over 150 designs is certainly enticing. Whatever colour scheme you choose, the HexGaming Rival Pro Controller offers quite a lot. There’s the usual option of remapping the back triggers but you can also adjust to different thumb grips and thumbstick sizes, all in the matter of seconds. We’re not expecting you to swap one out mid-game but you could if you really wanted to. Three different heights are available so if you’re an avid sniper, this could be the one for you.

    The controller also has hair triggers that supposedly decrease the distance needed to activate to 1.5mm. Again, a tiny advantage that could be vital for certain players. It’s all a bit niche depending on how you play, but if you’re determined to never need to blame your tools, this is likely the solution.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • If You Haven’t Played It Yet, 2023’s Best Game Is On Sale For PS5

    If You Haven’t Played It Yet, 2023’s Best Game Is On Sale For PS5

    [ad_1]

    Screenshot: Larian Studios / Kotaku

    Baldur’s Gate 3 just celebrated its first trip around the sun this past weekend. Have you, by chance, neglected to play the rightful Game of the Year 2023 (I’m not bitter) thus far? Well, if you have a PlayStation 5 and you’ve been waiting for the right time to jump into it, Larian Studios’ masterclass in RPG design is on sale.

    This Cool New Retro Console Is A Great Gift For Atari Fans

    I tend to buy a lot of games right as they’re coming out so I don’t partake in PlayStation’s Summer Sale that often. But Sony’s cooking with gas this year and there’s still time for you to grab some of the best games on the PS5 for cheap. I’m just trying to scroll through the list right now and keep getting caught up on things I would buy if I didn’t already have them. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, the entirety of Hades developer Supergiant Games’ catalog, and plenty of other gems are on sale until August 14. But right at the top of the page is Baldur’s Gate 3, which has dropped from its usual price of $70 to a slightly less intimidating $55.99.

    Larian’s Dungeons & Dragons RPG captured the hearts and minds of many an adventurer last year, and if you waited an entire trip around the sun to play it, now’s a great chance to do so on PlayStation 5. It’s got a few rough edges compared to its PC counterpart, but it’s still pretty damn incredible. Play it as your own custom character and live out your fantasy dream, smooch a bunch of complex heroes who are just trying to survive literal brainworms, and engage in some of the most complex tactical combat you’ll find on a PS5. If you haven’t jumped on it yet and you’ve got a PlayStation, now’s the time to see what all the fuss is about.

    If you’re gonna dive in, be sure to check out some of our early game tips to help get you started.

    .

    [ad_2]

    Kenneth Shepard

    Source link

  • Earth Defense Force 6 Review – Bug to the Future

    Earth Defense Force 6 Review – Bug to the Future

    [ad_1]

    Earth Defense Force 6 on PS5

    To me, the Earth Defense Force series exists to deliver the perfect comfort food games. Each new installment is similar enough to the one before so that you can easily drop back in, but there’s always a new gameplay wrinkle and enemies to encounter. You always know what you’re getting with any EDF, making it exceptionally easy to lose yourself in them, which is simply the best. I had imported the Japanese release of Earth Defense Force 6 in 2022, and I happily jumped at the chance to review the English release.

    For anyone who has not heard of this long-running series, Earth Defense Force is a third-person mission-based shooter. At a base level, the game is all about shooting giant enemies (typically bugs) to collect the random weapons and max health upgrades they drop so that you can take on tougher enemies/difficulties. Earth Defense Force 6 is the first game in the franchise on the PS5, and it definitely shows, as it constantly feels like there are more enemies on screen than I’ve ever seen.

    Image Source: Sandlot via Twinfinite

    While EDF6 is a continuation of EDF5, you don’t need any knowledge of that to completely enjoy everything the new game has to offer. Not only does EDF6 provide all the backstory you need, but the story also takes you back through some of 5’s best missions.

    Before this game, I would never have thought I’d be praising the plot of an Earth Defense Force title. Mostly, the games all exist as a pretty threadbare line. But then, out of nowhere, Earth Defense Force 6 gives an engaging and enjoyable sci-fi plot that goes above and beyond what I ever expected, but no spoilers. The game begins a few years after the end of EDF5, which ended with a magnificent boss fight. However, that victory didn’t halt or reverse the invasion, and the Earth has been almost completely overtaken.

    The EDF soldiers are tired from the constant fight for survival, and the present state of the world means things like airstrikes and vehicle call-ins aren’t possible. That’s not to say there aren’t any of those things in the game, they just aren’t possible at certain sections of the story due to the setting.

    The ravaged landscape and destroyed world do lead to the perfect upgrade to the Air Raider’s assortment of weaponry: drones. While most don’t work like autonomous turrets, you are given a beacon with each set to individually send them after enemies. They come in many different flavors. Most deliver explosives or serve as essentially attack dogs with machine gun fire or heavier shots. This entirely shifts how Air Raiders have worked up to now, and it makes them much more feasible as a class when playing alone.

    This one simple new change made me actually play Air Raider early on, when I’d usually avoid them in favor of the Ranger or Wing Diver for the first playthrough. This then also meant that the ability to use the actual turrets returned to the Ranger, which is something I had missed in EDF5. Outside of that, the classes are largely unchanged. Wing Divers are still great for the mobility in getting across the map and swooping in to get items at the end of a mission, and Fencers are still crazy tanks.

    The best parts of these games are trying out new weapons as you get them, because everything behaves differently and there are hundreds to earn. It’s always best to read descriptions because some weapons sound like a fantastic deal, but you can’t reload them. Ammo isn’t a thing in the EDF universe, as all guns have an unlimited supply, but you have to keep an eye on the reload times, as they can be what gets you into trouble.

    Fencer versus Spiders
    Image Source: Sandlot via Twinfinite

    In a nice carryover from spin-off World Brothers, EDF6 incorporates damage numbers. Normally, I would complain about seeing damage numbers without having health bars for perspective, but with so much going on at all times, it’s nice to know that I am actually making hits.

    As is the case for these games to one-up the previous mainline entry, there are 147 total missions. EDF6 follows the norm that when playing solo/split-screen, you can use anything, but online multiplayer still places health and weapon level limits until the host has completed 70% of the total game. This is a large undertaking, as it’s a matter of completing those 147 missions across five difficulties for each of the four classes.

    Up until now, completion had been split between offline and online, though, which made it annoying if you wanted to play with friends and also progress alone. Thankfully, EDF6 does away with that, and your completion percentage carries over between the two modes. This time, I didn’t feel like I was wasting my time not furthering my online percentage to maybe reach 70%.

    There is still a remaining roadblock to getting there, though. The latter two difficulties don’t unlock until you beat the story. Beating things on the third difficulty, Hard, still counts for Easy and Normal completion. I was a little bummed to learn that the last two difficulties exist separately, same as with the previous game. I still believe finishing a mission on the final difficulty, Inferno, should give you completion on all lower difficulties.

    As for direct gameplay, EDF6 doesn’t really change anything for the series, but it never had to. This series is the ultimate example of ‘if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.’ The strategy in Earth Defense Force is choosing the best weapons for a mission and knowing when to cut out early and rework your loadout. There’s something unique about grinding out completion and working through the repetition of all the missions in these games that I haven’t encountered anywhere else.

    The usual term is ‘mindless fun,’ but these games aren’t exactly mindless. The shooting is fun, but the gameplay itself does allow your brain to absorb other things as well. I highly recommend giving the first playthrough your full focus because of the cheesy B-movie dialogue and interesting story. If you continue past that, however, these games are perfect for turning on a podcast or an audiobook and just kind of cruising back through the game. There’s something special about the comforting repetitiveness.

    Earth Defense Force 6 is one of those games that I will never get tired of, as I have gone back to every single game in the series time and time again. As a whole, Earth Defense Force deserves way more attention, and I can’t imagine there’s anyone who wouldn’t like it. If you like cheesy dialogue, giant monsters/bugs, and shooting progressively crazier weaponry, give this one a shot.

    Earth Defense Force 6

    Earth Defense Force 6 is one of those games that I will never get tired of, as I have gone back to every single game in the series time and time again. As a whole, Earth Defense Force deserves way more attention, and I can’t imagine there’s anyone who wouldn’t like it. If you like cheesy dialogue, giant monsters/bugs, and shooting progressively crazier weaponry, give this one a shot.

    Pros

    • Great Air Raider rework
    • Damage number implementation
    • Surprisingly amazing story
    • Plenty of new and varied enemy types

    Cons

    • Hardest & Inferno mission completion is still separate

    Reviewed on PS5, PS4, PC.

    Twinfinite is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy

    [ad_2]

    Cameron Waldrop

    Source link