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Crow Country: retro original PlayStation-era gameplay stylings meet modern horror

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It’s no stretch to say that the original PlayStation is where the survival horror genre came into its own. Many players in the late 90s spent nights huddled in front of a CRT television, sweaty palms grasping a DualShock as their heart raced, dreading what might lurk in the next room. That nostalgic feeling is what small independent developer SFB Games aims to recreate with their original PlayStation-inspired horror adventure, Crow Country.

“Crow Country is a classic style survival horror, very much inspired by games from the PlayStation One era, which is our favorite or my favorite era of gaming,” says Adam Vian, the creative director, lead developer, and designer.

Closed for the season(s)

It’s 1990, and the Crow Country amusement park just outside Atlanta abruptly shuttered two years ago. The former owner, Edward Crow, has been missing all that time. Special agent Mara Forest visits the abandoned park to solve this mystery.

I asked Adam about the inspirations behind the game’s setting. “I’m a big urban exploring fan; I watch a lot of it online,” he says. “They’ve been to all kinds of amazing places, slightly beautiful, sad places that are empty but have left behind stories. It’s so fascinating. Crow Country is about the yearning to look behind the scenes at a theme park. Get off the rides and look behind the animatronics. Go in staff-only doors and look at their machines, the control panels, and all the stuff you’re not normally supposed to see in this amazing network of tunnels. And it’s quite creepy and dark because they’re not designed to be seen by the public. But they’re amazing.”

Everything old is new again

So, what about the original PlayStation era of survival horror inspired Adam to make a game in that vein? 

“I think it’s mostly about how sophisticated the graphics were,” he says. “It was complex enough to show human characters but not yet photorealistic. Once you go too far past that generation, you’re too close to photorealism for your imagination to need to do any work. Some things aren’t quite clear, you can use more stylization. And it’s more engaging for that reason. For horror, it’s all about leaving that gap of ‘I’m not quite sure what I’m looking at.’ And it’s scarier than if I was looking at a high-resolution image.”

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Pistol Whip unleashes power metal with the Voidslayer Collection June 6

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Remember last summer, when Pistol Whip got five new breakneck Scenes and one of them had soaring castle towers, trebuchet battles, and not one, but two dragons?

Here at Cloudhead, we looked at that Scene (the illustrious Majesty) and said “This rules, and we’re gonna make a whole Collection out of it, and no one can stop us.”

And of course, we added yet another new music genre to the game: power metal.

Welcome to Voidslayer: A frenzy of three new Pistol Whip Scenes that charge headlong through raucous villages, cataclysmic fields of battle, to the place where Earth and the cosmos blur together. Each Scene is an act within an epic journey. In the first act, Hero’s Dawn, you shall awake to the call of destiny, and follow it through a world of fire and darkness, with an endless stream of enemies to crash through as you go.

For our seasoned Pistol Whip players, we’ve got a couple of new Modifiers to check out, too.

Colour Match forces you to think quickly, as your weapons will be colour-coordinated to enemies on the field. Only the shots from matching-coloured guns will hit. This is one of those Modifiers that, as soon as you’ve mastered it, will make you want to go back and replay every single Scene just to see how much it changes the groove.

Meanwhile, the Deflector modifier gives you the ability to send bullets ricocheting back at your foes. And if you’re also wielding the Metal Gauntlet, remember to throw up the horns with every deflection. You won’t get any extra points or anything, but you’ll feel extremely cool, and our dev team will all cheer.

As a bunch of metalheads ourselves, we can’t wait to unleash our three chosen music tracks on you. With wailing guitar solos and furious kick drums from the likes of Bloodbound, Brothers of Metal, and Firewind, these are some of the most unstoppable, fist-in-the-air Pistol Whip songs yet.

Ready thy broken sword on June 6, when Hero’s Dawn, the first of Voidslayer’s three new Scenes, will arrive on PlayStation VR2, with the second and third Scenes following in the weeks after!

New Helldivers 2 Warbond brings trap-laying weaponry, arctic-themed armor, and more May 9

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Valiant warriors of justice… a deep freeze is coming to the galaxy. Super Earth leaders are deploying the next Helldivers 2 Premium Warbond on May 9 to all fearless frontline forces, codename Polar Patriots.*

Overflowing with all-new gear, this package of petrified pandemonium features weapons, armor, capes, and emotes. So stay frosty in the roaring heat of battle as you ice the malignant enemies of freedom.

New Helldivers 2 Warbond brings trap-laying weaponry, arctic-themed armor, and more May 9

It’s time to thrill and chill, Helldivers!

Firepower

AR-61 Tenderizer
A real tentacle-tearer. This high calibre assault rifle has awesome stopping power but limited magazine size, so make each shot count. Unpatriotic “banter” shots are not advisable.

SMG-72 Pummeler
A slower rate of fire than your other SMGs but these concussive rounds will leave your enemies dazed, confused, and still very ugly. Good things come to Helldivers who wait.

PLAS-101 Purifier
Set the trap. Hold the trigger. Let them charge at you. Smile. They’re getting closer. Smile again. Closer. Smile. Closer. Smile. Closer… and release the trigger. S.P.L.A.T. The longer you can hold your nerve, and the trigger, the bigger the damage.

Secondary weapons / Utility Booster

G-13 Incendiary Impact
Don’t waste time reading the instructions, lob it at the enemy and run. This thing detonates on impact and ignites the area in white phosphorus, so make sure you – and your allies – are not standing around having a chat.

P-113 Verdict
The guys in R&D love this one. Gas-operated, semi-automatic, and chambers the largest centrefire cartridge of any lunpistol of its kind. “Rapid Deliberation”, they call it. Quick-draw to look cool in front of your squad.

Motivational Shocks
Literally shocks Helldivers back into action after being hit and slowed by sneaky, unjust attacks like the revolting bug acid vomit. Won’t help you much with area effects like EMS strik

PlayStation Stars Campaigns and Digital Collectibles for May 2024

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Update: The Mortal Kombat 1 Road to EVO 2024 Tournament campaign was listed as part of the monthly PlayStation Stars activities in error. This article has been updated to reflect this change.


Welcome to May, PlayStation Stars members. With a new month upon us, we’re ready to introduce new Campaigns and Digital Collectibles. Get ready to immerse yourself in thrilling challenges, unlock rewards, and enhance your digital collectible display case. Let’s dive right in to discover what awaits you this month.

Campaign: Road to Evo 2024 | Digital Collectible: Road to Evo 2024 Trophy
Available May 1

The Road to Evo is paved with perseverance. Start your path to victory by participating in any one of the tournaments listed below to earn a special Digital Collectible.

  • Guilty Gear -Strive- Road to EVO 2024 Tournament
  • The King of Fighters XV Road to EVO 2024 Tournament
  • Tekken 8 Road to EVO 2024 Tournament

Campaign: PlayStation Plus Game Catalog: Must-play this Month | Reward: 50 Points
Available May 1

Play any one of the below games from the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog to earn 50 Points.

  • Assetto Corsa Competizione
  • Dead By Daylight
  • Back 4 Blood
  • Riders Republic
  • Outriders
  • Wreckfest

Campaign: Role Player’s Guild | Digital Collectible: The Outlaw
Available May 2

Our journey to celebrate the RPG genre and its influence continues with The Outlaw. These characters defy law and order to fight for what they believe in. Play any one of these titles to get your Digital Collectible tarot card.

  • Cyberpunk 2077
  • Grand Theft Auto V
  • LIke a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
  • Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
  • Red Dead Redemption 2
  • Payday 3

Campaign: Your PlayStation Plus Monthly Games Await | Reward: 50 Points
Available May 7   

Check out the new batch of PlayStation Plus Monthly Games. Play any one of these excellent additions to your library to get some Points.  

Campaign: PlayStation VR2 Showtime | Game Drop | Reward: 50 Points
Available May 9 

Try any one of these PS VR2 games below and earn 50 Points.

  • Tiger Blade
  • Hubris
  • C-Smash VRS
  • Stilt

Campaign: PlayStation & You: PS4 | Digital Collectible: PlayStation 4 Pro Console – Black
Available May 15 

PlayStation 4 Pro Console brought enhanced visuals to new and existing games via support for 4K resolution and HDR technology. Available only for registered owners of the PlayStation 4 Pro Console – Black – play any PS4 or PS5 game and unlock your limi

PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for May: EA Sports FC 24, Ghostrunner 2, Tunic, Destiny 2: Lightfall 

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May 7 kicks off a new, oversized PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup! From that day* PlayStation Plus members will have four new titles available to add to their game libraries. Match up against the world’s best on the pitch of EA Sports FC 24, master the art of platforming precision with Ghostrunner 2, embark on an unforgettable puzzle adventure in Tunic, and continue your fight against the Darkness in Destiny 2: Lightfall. All these will be available from May 7**. 

Let’s take a closer look at each game.

EA Sports FC 24 Standard Edition | PS4, PS5

EA Sports FC 24 marks the beginning of the future of football. Built on innovation and authenticity, feel closer to the game in the most true-to-football experience yet with the best players from the biggest clubs, leagues, and competitions around the globe. Experience unparalleled realism in every match thanks to three cutting-edge technologies: HyperMotionV, PlayStyles optimized by Opta, and the enhanced Frostbite Engine. With more than 19,000 fully licensed players, 700 teams, and 30 leagues including the men’s and women’s UEFA Champions League, EA Sports FC 24 brings unrivalled authenticity to the pitch.

Introducing a new way to invite PS5 players into your multiplayer sessions

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Like so many PlayStation fans, our team loves gaming online, and we’re passionate about making it easier for you to connect with other players and form new friendships while gaming. Today, we’re excited to share that in the coming months, we’ll introduce the ability for you to generate a shareable link on your PS5 console or on PlayStation App, and send it to other PS5 players through any messaging or social media platform. By opening the link, the recipient will be able to hop into your multiplayer session even if they aren’t already friends with you on PlayStation Network.

PS5 screenshot showing a Baldur’s Gate 3 multiplayer session invite QR code

For example, if you just met some new friends on your favorite social platform, you can send them a PS5 session invite in the same chat and start playing together right away, without needing to add each other as friends on PS5 first.*

PS5 players can share a multiplayer session invite on any social platform using PlayStation App, or by scanning a QR code on thei

Akuma rages into Street Fighter 6 on May 22

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Legend tells of a man so consumed by his pursuit of strength that his soul and body have now faded into nothingness. Though many wish he were a mere legend, Akuma will rise again in Street Fighter 6, to challenge foes worthy enough to face him on May 22. Will you harness the power of the Satsui no Hado or succumb to it?

Akuma rages into Street Fighter 6 on May 22

Akuma made his debut in Super Street Fighter II Turbo as a hidden boss and playable character. In Street Fighter 6, Akuma’s thirst for strength has taken a maddening toll. He carves figures of the hundreds of opponents he has felled and places them in the cave he resides, their silence beckoning him to fall deeper into his path of inner strife.

Nakayama-san’s comments on his design: Akuma now has a more striking presence complete with gray hair. We also used Buddha statues and animals as references for his musculature in an attempt to give the character a more memorable aesthetic.

Like the rest of the Year 1 characters, Akuma can become your Master in World Tour. Find him in a new area, Enma’s Hollow, located on the island of Gokuento, but beware the effects of the Satsui no Hado lest you become tormented by its hunger. After increasing your bond with Akuma, he’ll teach you his demonic moves, which you can then assign to your avatar to be used in your World Tour travels or in Avatar Battles in the Battle Hub.

As a man who has spent his life honing his skills, Akuma’s move set will be familiar to long-time fans, but the Satsui no Hado has unlocked new abilities. His fast walk speed and long-reaching normals allow him to control space and the flow of the fight.

Let’s start with Akuma’s iconic moves that make him a well-rounded pursuer. His infamous fireball, Gou Hadoken is back, and can be charged up so that a “red fireball” is released instead, giving Akuma more options upon hit or block. Everyone’s favorite air fireball, Zanku Hadoken, can cover Akuma’s aggressive approach. His dragon punch, Gou Shoryuken, works as an anti-air or as a combo ender. Finally, Tatsumaki Zanku-Kyaku sees Akuma spinning fo

Official PlayStation Podcast Episode 483: Buckle Your Seatbelts

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Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com!

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or download here


Hello everyone! The gang returns this week to discuss new releases Stellar Blade and Another Crab’s Treasure. Plus, the Helldivers 2 marathon continues as the team dives into Super Samples and more.

Stuff We Talked About

  • Moto GP 24 – PS5, PS4
  • Sea of Thieves – PS5
  • Gran Turismo 7 1.46 Update Blog
  • Community Game Help live now for select titles including Granblue Fantasy: Relink and Stellar Blade
  • Stellar Blade New Game Plus Blog
  • Another Crab’s Treasure Hands-on Blog
  • Another Crab’s Treasure – PS5
  • Stellar Blade – PS5
  • Lords of the Fallen – PS5
  • Tekken 8 – PS5
  • Helldivers 2 – PS5

The Cast

Share of the Week: Robots

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Last week, we asked you put the spotlight on robots and droids using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights:

TheFourthFocus shares a smiling tiny robot in the rain of Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart.

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call_me_xavii shares Kara smiling downwards in Detroit: Become Human.

MrioMoreno5 shares Astro sitting playing on a platform, while a larger robot stands in the distance of Astro’s Playroom.

wingsforsmiles shares a droid standing at a panel of buttons and levers in Star Wars Jedi Survivor.

BBSnakeCorn shares a portrait of Jack-8 in Tekken 8.

BarryPaust shares the titular Stray cat looks up at a robot.

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:  Stellar Blade
SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on May 1, 2024

Next week, we’re turning our lens on Stellar Blade. Share epic moments from Stellar Blade using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

Join PlayStation Tournaments: Road to Evo and watch Evo Japan

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As we near the end of April, the fighting game scene truly begins to heat up. From April 27 to 29, the best of the best will gather in Tokyo to crown an Evo Japan champion. Then, players will gather for the world’s premier fighting game event, Evo 2024 in Las Vegas. Through the PlayStation Tournaments: Road to Evo program, players can compete at home and join online competitions for a chance to win a trip and showcase their skills at Evo 2024 in Las Vegas.

Win a trip to compete at Evo 24 in Las Vegas in PlayStation Tournaments: Road to Evo 2024

We’re excited to announce details for Road to Evo 2024 on PS5 Tournaments. Players worldwide are invited to compete to win a round-trip ticket to Evo in Las Vegas and play on the biggest stage in fighting games. 

Road to Evo 2024 will feature Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Guilty Gear -Strive-, Mortal Kombat 1, The King of Fighters XV on PS5. Six regions are eligible to compete: North America, Europe, East Asia*, ANZ, and MENA. In the end, 15 PlayStation competitors will be given the opportunity to travel and compete in Las Vegas.

Players who join the PlayStation Esports Discord between April 25 to May 9 will earn a unique Evo-themed PlayStation Network avatar. To join the Discord channel, click here.

Last year’s Road to Evo champions accomplished some incredible feats battling through online and in-person challengers to reach the world’s biggest stages. We followed their journey all the way from their PlayStation consoles to the largest Evo of all time. Watch their inspiring story in this new documentary.

Join PlayStation Tournaments: Road to Evo and watch Evo Japan

Evo Japan starts this weekend

The fighting game community’s eyes will be on Tokyo this weekend as players compete in Tekken 8, Street Fighter 6, Guilty Gear -Strive-, The King of Fighters XV, Under Night In-Birth II [Sys:Celes], Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising and Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike.

Evo Japan marks Tekken 8’s first major tournament and will also feature the return of  the fan-favorite Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike. Tune into the English stream on Evo’s Twitch channel from April 27th to April 29th. You can also compete at home in Tekken 8, Guilty Gear -Strive-, and The King of Fighters XV through PlayStation Tournaments on PS5.

Get ready for Evo 2024 in Las Vegas

From July 19th to July 21st, the biggest weekend in fighting games will commence at Evo 2024 in Las Vegas.

The weekend will feature the genre’s biggest titles, including n

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