Happy New Year! Kick off your 2025 gaming sessions by taking on (and taking out) a league of corrupted super heroes, race on both sides of the law and escape office life with the PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for January. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit and The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe launch January 7 for PlayStation Plus members*.

Let’s take a closer look at the games. 

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Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League | PS5 

Take down The Justice League yo

We’re already at the end of 2024? They say time flies when you’re having fun, and boy, did we ever have a blast this year. We started with top-notch RPGs Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, dove headfirst into the multiplayer chaos of Helldivers II, enjoyed gorgeous combat in Stellar Blade, went on a nostalgia trip with Astro Bot, revisited old gaming grounds in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree and Silent Hill 2 and so much more. But with a new year comes the promise of many new gaming experiences, and the first four months of 2025 are already jam-packed with standout titles. Let’s look at some of the great games you’ll have the opportunity to experience in the next few months.

Note: all release dates are subject to change. 

January 17 | Dynasty Warriors: Origins

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Gaming’s most epic retelling of the historical Three Kingdoms saga returns in its most ambitious entry yet. Dynasty Warriors: Origins begins at the start of the story, as a new martial artist hero encounters the soon-to-be-legendary figures Guan Yu and Zhang Jiao just as history takes drastic turns. Origins features the most detailed battlefields in the series to date, each one packed with soldiers that you and your allies must overcome with a mix of action and strategy. Whether you’re a fresh-faced recruit or a seasoned Warriors expert, Origins is bound to surprise and exhilarate with story and action.

Publisher: Koei Tecmo | Developer: Omega Force | PS5

January 23 | Synduality: Echo of Ada

Sure, the exhilarating thrills of 2025 are close to being loaded onto our screens within moments, but there’s still time to bask in the glories that 2024 brought. From brilliant Bots and a beautifully blocky LEGO world, to epic fantasy adventures and remastered classics, there’s been everything for everyone. 

A year of expansive RPGs

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It was an enchanting 12 months for massive and magical lands full of spell casting heroes, pointed ears and sky dwelling towns. Persona creators Atlas stepped into a brave new world with its fantastical Metaphor ReFantazio, and with it scooped an abundance of well-deserved praise thanks to its thoughtful combat mechanics, slick presentation and that battle theme.

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Similarly, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth aced the unenviable task of reimagining one of the most influential RPGs of all time and maintaining the momentum of its prior, the massively successful Final Fantasy VII Remake. Sticking with the fantastic, fast-paced action RPG Granblue Fantasy: Relink delivered some much-welcomed co-op combat to go with its sprawling story, while Dragon Age: The Veilguard rounded out the year with a hugely compelling quest and a suitably stirring soundtrack by composer royalty Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe.

Hello everyone! 2024 was another incredible year for indie games, and today, I’m very excited to share 11 of my favorite titles that were released on PlayStation this year.

Pacific Drive

Pacific Drive is a ‘road-lite’ survival game, where you navigate a stormy, mysterious forest with your car as your only companion. Each time you set off on an excursion, your car will slowly breakdown due to strange anomalies, and you must return safely back to your garage. Otherwise, you’re required to start over. You can restore and upgrade your car with resources gathered during your runs. Each trip into the wilderness is unique and randomized, which makes the gameplay all the more engrossing and addicting.

Animal Well

The pixel-art world of this beautiful game feels nostalgic yet somehow completely novel, with its surreal lighting that illuminates the map. Animal Well is a Metroidvania with a world filled with endless surprises. The sense of accomplishment you’ll feel after conquering its challenging platform sections and cryptic puzzles is truly unique and exhilarating.

V Rising

The massively popular vampire survival PC game is now available on PlayStation. Players awaken as weakened vampires and hunt for the blood of enemies and animals to regain strength and acquire their powers to conquer the map. As vampires, players are vulnerable to sunlight. You must hide in the shadows and avoid sun exposure in order to survive during the daytime.

SCHiM

When you were a child, did you ever pretend that you could only move around by jumping from shadow to shadow? SCHiM allows you to relive those nostalgic moments by playing as a frog-like creature who can only navigate the map by hopping between shadows. It’s also a visually stunning game with its unique color pallet and art style.

The Plucky Squire

Plucky Squire is a charming action adventure where you jump between 2D and 3D worlds.

One moment, you’re enjoying a 2D action game inside the pages of a storybook, but the next second, you’re embarking on an adventure in the outside 3D realm, and before you know it, you’re back inside the book, solving puzzles. Full of delightful gimmicks, the game delivers an experience that players of all ages can enjoy.

Palw

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Hello folks! This week, the crew shares their favorite games of the year in the final show of 2024. Plus, Kristen returns to share her top games from past PlayStation console generations to celebrate the 30th anniversary. 

Thank you to all the developers who made this such a special year in gaming and to all the listeners for coming along for the ride. Here’s to a great year in gaming for 2025!

Stuff We Talked About

• Listeners and developers share their favorite PlayStation games to mark the 30th anniversary
• Kristen highlights her top games through past PlayStation console generations

The Cast

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Last week, we asked you get in the holiday spirit with the newly released Winter Wonter level of Astro Bot, and share moments exploring using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights:

VrPhotoGamess shares Astro surrounded by jingle bells in the Festive Fellow outfit.

MdeavorVP shares Astro in the Festive Fellow outfit gliding down a rail

CaGamer_07 shares Astro in the Festive Fellow outfit next to a snowman in an igloo

Pfannkuchenns shares Astro posing in a photo spot while reindeer and a present-filled sleigh fly by

doodlecep shares Astro in the Festive Fellow costume jumping beside a decorated tree

MBaw96 shares the animal bots gathered underneath festive Astro fireworks

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: Share of the Year
SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on December 31, 2024 

Next time, we’re looking back at an amazing year of gaming. Share your favorite moment captured in a game you played in 2024 using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured in Share of the Year.

Hello Travelers. The Genshin Impact dev team is delighted to embark on another year of adventures with you in the world of Teyvat. Along with our heartfelt New Year’s wishes, we’re excited to share that Version 5.3, Incandescent Ode of Resurrection, will be arriving on January 1. Starting from the first day of 2025, it’s time to team up with Mavuika, the Pyro Archon, and Citlali, in the final battles against the Abyss looming over Natlan.

While the people of Natlan gather to turn the tide of their long war, the people of Liyue reunite for the annual Lantern Rite to embrace a new year. The new character, Lan Yan, and many old friends are waiting in Liyue to light up the night sky with Xiao Lanterns.

To spice up the annual celebration, bountiful rewards are available for you to claim, including Primogems ×1,600 and the new glider Wings of Fate’s Course Intertwined via in-game mail, Intertwined Fate ×10 via a daily login event, a free 4-star Liyue character via completing the Lantern Rite event, and a new outfit for Xiangling via accumulating Festive Fever in the event.

Blaze a radiant path, burn away the shadowy swaths

After a brief respite, the final battle is at hand. Warriors, blessed by the guidance and protection of the Ode of Resurrection, will stand against the monsters rising from the Abyss in the newest Archon Quest Chapter V: Act V Incandescent Ode of Resurrection. Alongside Mavuika, Citlali, and other warriors, every effort, including the power of the Ruler of Death, will be devoted to banishing the darkness that threatens to swallow the land, no matter the cost. Additionally, the power of Pyro will finally be granted to the Traveler at a pivotal moment.

To boost your combat abilities for the final battle, travel to the cave near the Masters of the Night-Wind. There, you will encounter the Wayward Hermetic Spiritspeaker, a powerful Boss, who can move quickly and conjure up multiple clones in battle.

Once you have proven your worth, another formidable Weekly Boss — the Lord of Eroded Primal Fire, the Abyssal Mimic Dragon awaits your challenge. Additionally, the Pyro Traveler may gain unexpected advantages in this battle.

The Radiant Sun and Obsidian Star

Two ladies who will shine in the legendary war to come may be recruited to your party as 5-star playable characters: Mavuika, the Pyro Archon and a claymore wielder, and Citlali, the most powerful shaman of her tribe and a Cryo catalyst user. Both illuminate their people’s paths with centuries of wisdom, exploration, know-how, and battle prowess.

From a little girl of the Scions of the Canopy to the Pyro Archon who dazzles and protects all of Natlan like the sun, Mavuika’s journey has never been easy. Yet, she never wavered. Upon completing the latest Archon Quest, Mavuika’s Story Quest will be unlocked.

In combat, Mavuika can crush her opponents with her claymore or charge into battle on her Flamestrider, a one-of-a-kind construct in Teyvat. Her Elemental Skill can summon the All-Fir

Undecided on your gaming plans for the holidays? Let PlayStation Store help with a sleigh-full of discounted delights! 

We’re rounding off 2024 with one of the biggest promotions of the year, featuring numerous games and DLC, all reduced for a limited time*. That includes the likes of EA Sports FC 25, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, NBA 2K25 and God of War Ragnarök. 

And there are many more. So many, in fact, we can’t fit the entire list here. Preview a selection of the offers below, then, when the promotion starts on December 20, head to PlayStation Store to find out your regional discount. 

• A Plague Tale: Innocence
• A Plague Tale: Requiem
• AEW: Fight Forever
• After the Fall® – Complete Edition
• Afterimage PS4 & PS5
• Agatha Christie – Murder on the Orient Express
• Age of Wonders 4
• Akimbot
• Among Us VR
• Angry Birds VR: Isle of Pigs
• Anno 1800™ Console Edition – Standard
• Another Crab’s Treasure
• Arizona Sunshine® 2
• Arizona Sunshine® Remake
• ARK: Survival Ascended
• ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON – Deluxe Edition PS4&PS5
• ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON PS4&PS5
• Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure
• Assassin’s Creed Mirage & Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Bundle
• Assassin’s Creed Mirage Master Assassin Edition
• Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
• Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – Complete Edition
• Assassin’s Creed® Mirage
• Assetto Corsa Competizione
• ASTRO BOT
• ASTRO BOT Digital Deluxe Edition
• Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration
• Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key (PS4 & PS5)
• Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key Ultimate Edition (PS4 & PS5)…
• Atlas Fallen: Reign of Sand
• Atomic Heart – Premium Edition (PS4 & PS5)
• Atomic Heart (PS4 & PS5)
• Avatar The Last Airbender: Quest for Balance
• Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora™
• Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora™ Ultimate Edition
• Back 4 Blood: Standard Edition PS4 & PS5
• Back 4 Blood: Ultimate Edition PS4 & PS5
• Baldur’s Gate 3
• Baldur’s Gate 3 – Digital Deluxe Edition
• Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
• Barbie Project Friendship™
• Bassmaster® Fishing PS4™ and PS5™
• Battlefield™ 2042 PS5
• Beyond Galaxyland (PS4 & PS5)
• Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition
• Bleak Faith: Forsaken
• BloodRayne 2: ReVamped
• Bloomtown: A Different Story
• Bluey: The Videogame
• Borderlands 3 PS4™ & PS5™
• Borderlands 3: Super Deluxe Edition PS4™ & PS5™
• Borderlands Collection: Pandora’s Box
• Braid, Anniversary Edition
• Bramble: The Mountain King
• Bratz™: Flaunt Your Fashion
• Breachers
• Brotato PS4 & PS5
• Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake
• Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 – Cross-Gen Bundle
• Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 – Vault Edition
• Call of Duty®: Vanguard – Cross-Gen Bundle
• Caravan SandWitch
• CARRION
• CATAN® – Console Edition Super Deluxe
• Chernobylite Complete Edition
• Chivalry 2 King’s Edition PS4 & PS5
• Cities: Skylines – Remastered
• Clock Tower: Rewind
• COC

It was wonderful to see the launch of the PlayStation 5 Pro console a few weeks ago. For those interested in the in-depth technical aspects of PS5 Pro, we’ve put together a video describing the bits and bytes behind the console: how it came together, how it works, and why it’s the first step in an exciting new journey for gamers. You can watch below!

Note: the below video is focused on the technology behind PS5 Pro and doesn’t feature new game announcements or new gameplay footage.

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In the presentation, you’ll learn what the “advanced” in “Advanced Ray Tracing” really means, the difference between FLOPS and TOPS, and some of the challenges involved in developing the efficient machine learning hardware needed for PSSR – the AI-driven upscaling featured in PS5 Pro.

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The polls for the PlayStation Game of the Year 2024 awards closed last week and with the numbers crunched – totalling over 1.6 million votes globally – we can reveal this year’s top contenders across the 19 categories, as shaped solely by your choices. While four titles earned trophies per category, there were numerous games that received support from players worldwide, either through selecting from shortlists or write-in options. A thank you to those who voted, and of course, to those creators and teams whose creativity and craft has been shared and enjoyed on PlayStation consoles the world over.

Before we dig into the winners, a quick reminder on the category guidelines:

• As with the majority of the other categories, Best Multiplayer Experience focuses on titles released in 2024. Best Ongoing Game focuses on titles that have seen new, large scale content or game-changing updates launch over this past year.

• Best Rerelease is categorized as titles that, in the main, feature upgraded visuals and some QoL improvements but otherwise hew close to their original launch version. This category does not include full-scale remakes of older titles. Those are eligible for Game of the Year consideration.

• Due to the polls closure date, some titles weren’t eligible for inclusion. Those titles will be eligible in next year’s Awards.

• If a title won a Platinum Trophy in a category any previous year, it won’t be eligible for inclusion in the same category this year to allow other titles a chance to shine. As such Grand Theft Auto VI isn’t included in The Most Anticipated Game of 2025 and Beyond category – as it earned the Platinum in 2023’s Awards.

Congratulations to everyone who released titles this year.

Best New Character

Platinum Trophy: Eve (Stellar Blade)

Gold Trophy: Jane Harrow (Call of Duty: Black Ops 6)
Silver Trophy: Emmrich Volkarin (Dragon Age: The Veilguard)
Bronze Trophy: Ryoma Sakamoto (Rise of the Rōnin)

The Best New Character category received the highest number of write-in votes, so a shout out to – amongst others – Metaphor: ReFantazio’s Strohl, Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail’s Wuk Lamat, and Helldivers 2’s General Brasch, all of whom have fans across the globe. The majority of the votes however were split between Stellar Blade’s Eve, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’s Jane Harrow, Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s Emmrich Volkarin and Rise of the Rōnin’s Ryoma Sakamoto.

Best Story

Platinum Trophy: Silent Hill 2

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