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In the new year, Rocksteady returns with a fresh addition to the beloved Arkhamverse with Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, a third-person action shooter launching February 2 on PS5.
I recently had a chance to play the game, including a basic tutorial on each character’s traversal and combat, co-op missions, and a climactic boss battle against The Fastest Man Alive. Let’s dive into the hijinks these antiheroes have up their sleeves.
Move with meaning
The hands-on experience began with tutorials to introduce each character’s specific traversal and combat mechanics. Through these lessons, I gained a grasp on how each character’s movement uniquely influences their combat abilities.
“It’s not traversal and combat,” says Rocksteady Advanced Combat Designer Noel Chamberlain. “They’re both really intertwined…everything is seamless.”
For example, King Shark’s athletic traversal and combat are intuitive. His Apex Pounce, a traversal mechanic that launches the big fish into the sky, is a simple way to get moving. Once in the air, he can swim through the clouds to gain speed, setting himself up for a dive bomb landing to viciously melee attack foes via combat knives.
Harley Quinn and Deadshot’s movement mechanics are very different from each other but share similarities in that gaining speed while traversing heavily relies on sliding. This nimble slide is useful while waiting on the cooldowns for Harley’s Grapnel Gun (thanks Batman) and Deadshot’s jetpack.
“The movement is a huge part of the skill in this game, and we built it to have complexity very deliberately so players can get better and learn the intricacies over time,” says Rocksteady Production Manager Jack Hackett.
Perfecting the slide timing to keep momentum once on the ground can be tricky, but nailing the rhythm is so satisfying that you’ll look forward to mastering the mechanics. For Harley, the ability to adjust the length of your grapple rope after deploying also makes for a helpful tool in strategically attacking from above.
Captain Boomerang’s abilities appear to have a steeper learning curve while also boasting a high return on investment for wreaking havoc. Boomerang utilizes a Speed Force Gauntlet (courtesy of Dr. Sivana) triggered by holding R1 and pointing your cursor in the desired direction. Once successfully activated, you’re launched in what seems like a millisecond. How you aim and angle your launch is crucial in setting yourself up for strategic chaos.
Feel good while doin’ bad
Story cinematics followed character tutorials, leading me into co-op gameplay missions throughout Metropolis. Cinematics are dripping with the cast’s rag-tag charisma, and I frequently giggled at the witty banter betwe
Sins of the Flesh is the next update for our darkly cute cult sim Cult of the Lamb, and it’s the biggest yet. As well as a shrine-load of killer new content and a congregation of quality of life improvements, a deliciously evil new resource has been thrown into the macabre mix: Sin. But how do you generate it? Well, by sinning.
The free Sins of the Flesh update adds a selection of decadent new structures to Cult of the Lamb, which when built in your base and enjoyed by you and your followers will reward your cult with lashings of delectable, so-wrong-it’s-right Sin.
Take the Drinkhouse, for example. Here a follower can volunteer to mix up drinks and serve them to your thirsty cultists. Terrifying treats on the menu include Brog Brew, Grape Nectar, Eggnog, and, uh, Poop Juice. Tasty! Imbibing these sugary beverages at the Drinkhouse has a risk of befuddling your followers, but every dubious drink they hurl down their adorable necks will generate sweet, sweet Sin.
You can also form a devilish Drum Circle with your followers, which will let you take part in Sins of the Flesh’s all-new rhythm-based minigame. The better your performance, the more Sin you’ll get in return. You’ve heard of Rock Band… this is Flock Band.
But let’s be honest: the real star of the update is the Mating Tent. If two of your followers are into each other, and have a sufficiently high love match, you’ll be able to send them into the tent together. A few seconds later they’ll emerge with an egg, which can either be harvested for food or, best of all, hatched into a tiny new follower. This dinky disciple will share some traits with its parents, and its birth can generate Sin.
Gather enough Sin and you can per
It’s a new year, but we’re still thinking about the amazing games we played last year. This week, we’re highlighting some of your favorite captures from 2023 in Share of the Year:
__Auron__ shares Clive unleashing his power in Final Fantasy XVI
DCTLOUVP shares Abby grimacing while fighting near fire in The Last of Us Part II
TakaSanGames shares a Na’vi raising their 4-fingered hand over their face in this portrait from Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
jenniandgaming shares a horse and rider framed by a lasso in Red Dead Redemption 2
wingsforsmiles shares Darth Vader’s suit lit only by the red glow of his lightsaber in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Tohyan_vp shares a Tallneck wading into the waters of a ruined San Francisco in Horizon Forbidden West
Morph__1 shares Ahti the Janitor singing some karaoke in Alan Wake 2
x__stardustgaming__x shares Astarion sharing some intense side-eye in Baldur’s Gate 3
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Yakuza is a storied franchise that keeps on giving. Each installment in the series leading to 2020’s Yakuza: Like a Dragon has offered something new and innovative, along with consistently satisfying expansions to the evergrowing story of main characters Kazuma Kiryu and Ichiban Kasuga.
I’m glad to say that after a hands-on preview of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, the trend continues. There is almost too much here for Yakuza fans, both new and old, to sink their teeth in and enjoy. This latest entry features a fusion of the series’ original beat-em-up and current turn-based roleplaying style, an island-building mode, and even more charm than ever.
With all this present and more, I’ve found that the title Infinite Wealth might just describe everything the game offers and how long it may last. Read on for a few highlights revealed during my gameplay session.
Get your walking shoes (and segways) ready
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the first title in the Yakuza series to take our favorite motley crew out of Japan and into new territory. Kasuga and Kiryu’s missions lead them to this new location: Honolulu, Hawaii, where they decide to team up.
Not only is this locale full of many new sights, sounds, allies, and enemies, but it is the most extensive map ever featured in the Yakuza series. It was so large that during my hours of playing, I wasn’t even able to explore even half the map. There’s no dead air to be found here. Enemies, missions, activities, and lively characters surround each corner. The only decision you have to make is what to tackle first.
Your friendly neighborhood ex-Yakuza
Personality points are nothing new to Like a Dragon, but Infinite Wealth gives a new way to allow Kasuga to move up the ranks. By being a friendly and outgoing tourist, you can constantly grow friendships with Honolulu’s population and boost your personality levels each time.
All it takes is a simple hello. By pressing square when walking by certain marked NPCs, Kasuga will release a welcoming, Helloooo! and get a good response back. Sometimes, these greetings will even unlock a small task like buying a kid a hot dog, which grants Kasuga a more significant personality increase. These increases unlock extra abilities like more skill slots, enhanced resistance to status ailments, better healing, and more guts. Plus, it’s just charming to make Kasuga into an even nicer guy than he already is.
Tourism buffs
Being a good tourist isn’t limited to just greeting bystanders. Kasuga and the gang eventually find a tourism company called Alo Happy Tours. Specified for Japanese visitors touring Hawaii, Alo Happy Tours is a place where you can pay to jump into activities like surfing, yoga, and fire dancing. But these vacation sessions aren’t just for fun.
Each new skill learned through Happy Tours leads the party to unlock a new job and fighting style. For example, learning to fire dance unlocks an attacking mage style, learning to host gives access to a buffing support job, and learning to be a pop idol lets characters heal and cure allies. And there are so many activities and styles to learn that it felt nearly endless. Not to mention the amount of party combos you can come up with.
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Happy new year, PlayStation Stars members! We’ve got a fresh array of challenges, campaigns, and collectibles to kickstart your 2024 gaming journey. Let’s dive straight into what’s new this month.
PlayStation & You: Access controller
Available January 2
Available only to active Access controller owners. Create new ways to play with this highly customizable controller kit for PS5 consoles, designed to help those with disabilities play games more comfortably, for longer. To unlock your Access Controller Digital Collectible, play any game on your PS4 or PS5 console.
Campaign Name: Your PlayStation Monthly Games Await | Reward: 50 PlayStation Stars Points
Available January 2
New month, new PlayStation Plus monthly games. Try any one of this month’s games for 50 points.
Campaign Name: Vintage Lineage | Digital Collectible: Retro Lunch Box, First Edition
Available December January 4
Take it back to the days of pixel art gaming. Play any of one of the games listed below to unlock a retro lunch box Digital Collectible.
- The Messenger [PS4]
- Sea of Stars [PS5/PS4]
- Enter the Gungeon [PS4]
- Celeste [PS4]
- Undertale [PS4]
- Shovel Knight Treasure Trove [PS4]
Campaign Name: Wind Down with PlayStation | Digital Collectible: New Year, New Nest
Available January 17
Relax and unwind with some cozy game time. Start any of the games listed below to snag your snow globe Digital Collectible.
- Mail Time [PS5]
- Roki [PS5/PS4]
- OMNO [PS4]
- Lake [PS5/PS4]
Campaign Name: Brain Games | Digital Collectible: Synaptic Feedback
Available December January 18
Sharpen your mind with these beautiful puzzle games. Each one offers a unique blend of brain-bending puzzles and eye-catching artwork to put your problem-solving skills to the test.
Play any one of these titles to unlock the Synaptic Feedback Digital Collectible.
- Viewfinder [PS5]
- Superliminal [PS5/PS4]
- The Witness [PS4]
- The Talos Principle 2 [PS5]
- Puzzling Places [PS5/PS4]
Stay tuned to PlayStation App for all the latest updates throughout the month. Not a PlayStation Stars member yet? Learn more about PlayStation Stars and join for free here.
“Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but inside it’s so delightful…” As much as these words are commonly associated with winter snowstorms, inclement weather and the general harshness of the great outdoors are year-long concerns. Be you gripped in the icy embrace of winter or hit with the heat of a summer’s sun, there’s one tried and true method to keep warm or stay cool, and that’s settling in at home with video games by yourself or with friends. And when things outdoors are getting nasty, it’s the comfy games that hit that sweet spot the strongest. Whether you’re curled up on the sofa or bed, with DualSense controller or PlayStation Portal in hand, here’s some suggestions of games to boot up when you need some soothing experiences to battle the dreariness of the outside.
Stardew Valley
The benchmark for farming and life-sim style games, Stardew Valley is an indie megahit that’s won over the hearts and minds of millions of players across the globe. You’ve inherited a small plot in Pelican Town, part of the titular Stardew Valley, and you’re on a personal quest to turn this scrap of land into a fancy farm. Build, harvest, explore, gather, craft, and maybe even strike up a little bit of romance with your neighbors–it’s a great way to feel the fun and invigoration of a warm spring day any time of the year.
2023’s coming to a close… but even as we shut the book on an incredible 12 months of gaming, we can look forward to even more delights coming in the year ahead. 2024 promises a generous helping of returning icons and new delights, opening the year with the salvo of The Last of Us II Remastered (Jan 19), Tekken 8 (Jan 26) and Helldivers II (Feb 8).
Between those – and after – even more titles (as well as PS5 accessories) will be there to look forward to. Here are some of the great additions waiting for you on PlayStation beyond 2023’s end.
Note: This is a top-level article highlighting specific launches and is not meant to be comprehensive.
Tekken 8
It’s time for the world’s strongest to prove themselves once more. 32 characters – returning faces, new favorites – enter the ring of the King of Iron Fist Tournament for the latest entry in the renowned 3D fighting game series. The new Heat mechanic, which lets your roster cancel attacks, extends their offensive options, while the game’s Store mode will delve into the mysteries of fresh competitors such as Reina. The new year promises to pack a punch when Tekken 8 launches January 26.
Release Date: January 26, 2024 | Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment | PS5
Deep Earth Collection for
Today, we’re happy to reveal the inaugural PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup of 2024. January’s titles of A Plague Tale: Requiem, Evil West and Nobody Saves the World will be available to PlayStation Plus members on Tuesday, January 2 until Monday, February 5. Let’s take a closer look at each game.
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A Plague Tale: Requiem | PS5
In this sequel to award-winning adventure, A Plague Tale: Innocence, Amicia and Hugo travel far south to new regions and vibrant cities after escaping their devastated homeland. There, they attempt to start a new life and control Hugo’s curse. But, when Hugo’s powers reawaken, death and destruction return in a flood of devouring rats. Forced to flee once more, the siblings place their hopes in a prophesized island that may hold the key to saving Hugo. Discover the cost of saving those you love in a desperate struggle for survival, overcoming foes and challenges with a variety of weapons, tools and unearthly powers.
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If you recently brought a PlayStation 5 console into your home, you’re in the right place. We know you’re itching to dive straight into PS5’s library of cutting-edge, critically acclaimed titles. There’s a ton of quality titles to recommend, but before you dig in, let’s take a moment to check some of the unique features that make your new PS5 console so special.
This guide is intended as a shortcut to some of the best gaming experiences PS5 has to offer. If you’re looking for a more step-by-step technical guide, head to PlayStation.com.
Your DualSense controller and you
The first thing you’ll touch after you press the PS5 console’s power button will likely be the DualSense wireless controller. This sleek and ergonomic controller will not only be the way you interact with games, but also has a host of immersive features. Let’s break it down:
Touch pad: In the center of the console is a touchpad. Some games use the touch pad via swiping motions or as a touch-based cursor. More commonly, the touch pad can be pressed the same way you press any other button.
Haptic Feedback: Get absorbed into game worlds with advanced controller sensations. In many games you’ll feel every recoil, bounce, and shake, from subtle to seismic.
Adaptive triggers: The L2 and R2 buttons of the DualSense controller will change tension based on what’s happening in game for unprecedented immersion. Feel the resistance as your character pulls back a bow string or fires a weapon.
Create button: Save your greatest gaming memories, be they epic wins or hilarious fails, with the touch of a button. You can save screenshots, movie clips, and more, and share them online with friends or with the world.
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