Search

Game News

Share of the Week: Duality

Game Ace Pro 0 0

Last week, we asked you to find duality in games and share paired up moments using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s reflective highlights:

lunar9p shares the dual-ended lightsaber from Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order.

scottoka1 shares Cloud and Sephiroth butting heads in Final Fantasy VII Remake.

call_me_xavii shares some interesting artwork from Cyberpunk 2077.

Sefwick shares two cars ready to race in Gran Turismo Sport.

LukeKasinger shares Ellie and Joel sharing a touching moment in The Last of Us Part II.

LorenMeoww shares Jesse facing off against another version of herself in Control.

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: The Last of Us Part I
SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on September 7, 2022

Next week, we’re joining Joel and Ellie on their journey through The Last of Us Part I. Share daring moments from the rebuilt classic using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

Players’ Choice: Vote for August 2022’s best new game

Game Ace Pro 0 0

We saw lots of new games in August, with a strong lineup of quality indies keeping players entertained throughout the month. Which new release will take the Players’ Choice crown? Vote in the poll below to help decide!


How does it work? At the end of every month, PlayStation.Blog will open a poll where you can vote for the best new game released that month. Soon thereafter, we’ll close the polls, tally your votes, and announce the winner at PlayStation.Blog. PlayStation Store will also showcase some top Players’ Choice winners throughout the year.

What is the voting criteria? That’s up to you! If you were only able to recommend one new release to a friend that month, which would it be? In keeping with our long tradition in the Game of the Year Awards, remastered or re-released games won’t qualify. Ambitious, larger-scale rebuilds and remakes like Demon’s Souls and Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy will.

How are nominees decided? The PlayStation.Blog and PlayStation Store editorial teams will gather a list of that month’s most noteworthy releases and use it to seed the poll. Write-in votes will be accepted.


How Naughty Dog aimed to improve a classic with The Last of Us Part I, out now

Game Ace Pro 0 0

If given a chance to improve on what many consider perfection, how would you do so? That’s the question Naughty Dog faced when rebuilding the PlayStation 3 classic, The Last of Us. This prospect presented the celebrated developer with one of its toughest challenges yet: incorporate the sum of every creative and technical improvement learnt over the course of their almost-40 year development career. With such massive expectations, from inside Naughty Dog and out, the team set out to do what they do best: exceed expectations.

The studio’s various teams detailed the changes you’ll experience in the game with an extensive development deep-dive, covering combat animation, lighting, audio, and more. But today, as the title launches worldwide, individuals from those teams reflect on how they chose to answer that question and what that meant for them personally as creators. 

The guiding principle

“How do we take the most beloved game we’ve ever made and rebuild it?” This is the question Naughty Dog Creative Director and Writer Shaun Escayg and the team asked themselves. His personal philosophy became a major pillar for the developers from the beginning: “We build on it. We double down on areas we thought would heighten the experience or get deeper into the storytelling of it, taking all our abilities and skill and applying them faithfully to this rebuild. Just reimagine everything, heighten all the moments, and sell it even more to the player. That was the goal, our guiding light, and the challenge at the same time.”

This was the North Star Naughty Dog followed when rebuilding The Last of Us for a new generation of hardware. Each team involved in this rebuild had a tremendous task on its shoulders and took a different approach when answering that challenge. 

Emphasizing emotion through lighting 

For Art Director Erick Pangilinan and the visual departments, it meant a journey back to 2013 and thoroughly studying the original game. 

“We tried to identify the most important scenes, storylines, and events in the game that we should focus on to make sure that it maximizes the impact on the game,” Pangilinan explains. “Prioritizing and figuring out how we can pace all of these important moments is the first thing to do, to analyze the original game better and better understand it. That’s when you start formulating how you can emphasize that. What are all the lessons we learned from doing The Last of Us Part II, and how can we apply that to something we did with ourselves ten years ago?”


“What are all the lessons we learned from doing The Last of Us Part II, and how can we apply that to something we did with ourselves ten years ago?”

– Art Director Erick Pangilinan

Many members across the teams involved in the project share similar accounts of how their process meant countless side-by-side comparisons to keep the rebuild faithful to the original. Concept Artist Sebastian Gromann discussed how the team’s challenge was

Attention PS4 & PS5 virtual photographers – Red Bull Capture Point is back

Game Ace Pro 0 0

The PlayStation team is thrilled to partner with Red Bull for the second year of their virtual photography competition, Red Bull Capture Point. After the success of last year’s competition, Red Bull Capture Point is going global by welcoming additional markets to participate in 2022, allowing budding photographers from nine countries to submit their snaps for the chance to attend a one-off exhibition in New York City and a chance to win some incredible PlayStation and Red Bull prizes. Excited already? For more information on rules & prizes check out the competition page redbull.com/capturepoint.

Games are the ultimate visual medium, giving every player the chance to see fantastic worlds from their own unique perspectives. From exploring futuristic landscapes to driving vehicles you’d never get your hands on in real life, there are so many experiences that games can offer that simply wouldn’t be possible. As technology has improved, so too has people’s abilities to capture these worlds and experiences through photo modes and in-game screenshots – the best of which will be celebrated in Red Bull Capture Point.

This year, we’re asking creatives to showcase their skills in Guerrilla’s stunning open-world adventure Horizon Forbidden West and Polyphony Digital’s gorgeous racing sim Gran Turismo 7* – two of the most visually arresting games to come to PlayStation consoles. We’re looking for beautifully arranged shots – so get snapping and show us your best!

Aspiring photographers can submit captures in four categories, with each one representing a different theme. There will also be an overall Best in Show winner for each region. Each category will be open for a two-week period and will have its own unique requirements, which will be shared on Red Bull Gaming social media and the competition website a few days before entries open. More information on categories & submission timelines can be found on redbull.com/capturepoint. Entries will be open from September 5 to October 30. To enter, gamers must share their screenshots to Twitter via the PlayStation Network, using the official Red Bull Capture Point hashtag which will vary by region.

To pick the winners, a panel of expert judges will rank submissions per category based on interpretation of the theme, the technical execution, and the uniqueness of the concept. Alongside this, the best entries will be hand-selected by several significant personalities in the virtual photography scene, including Kate Reed (@kaytanaa, U.S.), Petri Lev Alahti (@Berduu, Sweden), and lead judge Mik Bromely (@TheFourthFocus, U.S.).

One Best in Show winner from each country, in total nine, will be invited to an exhibition in New York City, with an all-expenses paid trip which will include workshops with professional photographers to enhance their skills.

Winners will also receive an incredible Red Bull prize pack, including a PlayStation 5 console, official peripherals, and more goodies.

Red Bull Capture Point is open to aspiring photographers in Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Chile, France, Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States, and Sweden. To see the submission, entry process for your respective country, detailed info on the list of categories and full terms and conditions, head over to the official competition page at redbull.com/capturepoint.

Good luck and have fun!

*Gran Turismo 7: Internet connection required for features shown. Game progression required to access most vehicles.

Steelrising combat System breakdown

Game Ace Pro 0 0

At Spiders, we love exploring different types of RPGs. Since our creation we have tried various styles of combat systems and learned something new with each game we’ve released. For our latest game, Steelrising, our goal was to focus on providing a more action-oriented, deliberate, detailed, and fun fighting experience.

A Soulslike game

From Demon’s Souls remake to Elden Ring, Soulslike games have captured players’ attention. Of course this wasn’t necessarily the case when we started the Steelrising, but everyone in the team wanted to pay homage to this genre. We wanted to home in on combat, making sure players must think about the best course of action and the skills at their disposal, but in a universe of our own. We also wanted to share our passion with as many players as possible, which is why we decided to create an assist mode. 

Steelrising leans into the Soulslike formula, but with the unique heart of a Spiders game.

The story of Steelrising happens in one night, at the very beginning of our twisted version of the French Revolution. Automatons are running rampant. They have totally overpowered the revolutionaries; these humans simply didn’t stand a chance when facing even the most basic of these creations.

Fighting fire with fire, you are Paris’ last hope. A single automaton against an army, your task is not easy, every enemy standing in your way can be your last if you underestimate them. 

To compel players to save the city, but also the permanent danger in attempting to do so, we decided to put the emphasis on a detailed combat system. Timing, studying your opponent’s every move, making sure not to draw too much attention so as not to find yourself outnumbered, and finding their weaknesses will be key to your success. 

Yes, they are strong, but so are you.

You will not only have to master your skills, you will also have to manage your cooling system. The more aggressive you are in combat the more heated you will get, which could lead Aegis to overheat and become briefly incapacitated. This mechanic may remind you of the classic stamina system that is present in many games of the genre, but by using instant cooling you can quickly reduce your temperature to land a few more hits or escape to safety. But beware! If used excessively or at the wrong time this could lead you to become completely frozen mid-combat, and open to attack. 

In addition to stamina management, other classic action-RPG aspects include stats that you will need to thoughtfully upgrade, as well as plenty of items and modules to collect for customizing and enhancing your playstyle.

One of the specificities of Steelrising’s gameplay is its verticality. Aegis can jump, and this ability will open new possibilities to attack and surprise enemies, use different combos, or even avoid some fights altogether if you wa

PlayStation Plus Monthly Games and Game Catalog lineup for September revealed 

Game Ace Pro 0 0

It’s been more than two months since the all-new PlayStation Plus completed its launch rollout in late June, and we are pleased to see the positive feedback we’ve gotten from our members. This includes games available on the service, such as Stray, Ghost of Tsushima, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, which are among some of the top games played so far from the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog. Today, we’re excited to share the lineup we have in store for the month of September that we are adding to both the Monthly Games lineup for all members and Game Catalog for Extra and Premium members on PlayStation Plus. 

The Monthly Games are available from September 6, and Game Catalog and Classics from September 20. Let’s take a closer look at the packed month ahead.   

PlayStation Plus Essential | Monthly Games | Available September 6 (until October 3) 

Need for Speed Heat | PS4

Hustle by day and risk it all at night in Need for Speed Heat, a white-knuckle street racer, where the lines of the law fade as the sun starts to set. By day, Palm City hosts the Speedhunter Showdown, a sanctioned competition where you earn Bank to customize and upgrade your high-performance cars. At night, ramp up the intensity in illicit street races that build your reputation, getting you access to bigger races and better parts.

Read more

Indie highlights coming to PS4 & PS5 in September 2022

Game Ace Pro 0 0

We’re fast approaching the month of September. Soon the temperatures will be cooling, leaves will be changing color, and a fantastic harvest of indie games will be filling our PS Store baskets. September’s got some heavy hitters–The Last of Us Part I, anyone?–but there’s also a bumper crop of amazing indie titles you’ll want to look out for. From killer game shows to character-driven adventures to delightfully eye-searing retro gunplay, here’s what you can look forward to on PS4 and PS5 this month. 

Indie highlights coming to PS4 & PS5 in September 2022

Temtem

Are you looking for a new twist on the tried-and-true critter collection genre? Temtem is exactly what you’ve been hunting for! This game from Spanish developer Crema takes the concept of finding, taming, and battling creatures to a massive new scale in a persistent online multiplayer world. Colorful creatures called Temtem inhabit the beautiful island paradise of the Airborne Archipelago, and you’ll catch, train, and battle them in tried-and-true turn-based combat. But you’re not alone on your journey to the ranks of top Temtem trainer. Team up with friends or strangers online to explore the islands, battle the minions of Clan Belsoto, and fight and trade your collected Temtem. With oodles of Temtem to find, copious customization options, and weekly special quests, your Temtem adventure will likely keep you busy for hundreds of hours.

Release Date: September 6 | Publisher: Humble Bundle | PS5

Indie highlights coming to PS4 & PS5 in September 2022

The To

Sculpting Moonscars

Game Ace Pro 0 0

We at Black Mermaid are very excited for the upcoming release of Moonscars, our first game as a new studio!

If you watched our trailers, you probably already know that we are fans of the Souls series. We’ve long been inspired by their rich worldbuilding and approach to gameplay and wanted to create a game for other fans like us.

We set out to create a challenging experience set in a 2D world, with quick and responsive-feeling combat that suited the peculiarities of 2D. Today, we’d like to share a bit about how Moonscars came to be—and some of the lessons we learned through our own cycle of trial and triumph.

Myths and masters

In Moonscars, you play as Grey Irma, a clay sculpture made in the image of a fierce woman warrior and brought to life. Her visual design carried over from a painting Stefan did in 2015 (above), and while her personality was crafted to fit best with the story, her appearance was defined a long time ago.

The creator of all living statues, The Sculptor, was once a great man. At the time of the events in the game, he still  wields great power and is driven to make the world a better place according to his vision—yet very few are willing to accept the costs and sacrifices to make it come true.

We liked the concept of the legendary Cypriot king and sculptor Pygmalion and his ivory statue Galatea, which tells the story of a sculptor who fell in love with his creation, and wanted to imagine a world where this concept is expanded more—perhaps with a dark twist to it. The central elements of our story and setting are sculpting and molding: a world of clay, bone, and ichor.

Visually, we took inspiration from the Dutch oil painting old masters, which led us to create a world using a muted palette of dark grays, with accents of reds and greens. The dark palette also favored us a bit in the background painting process, given our small team.

Shaping the game

We (Stefan and Alex) met working together in jobs creating gamified experiences for promoting br. For quite a while we talked about starting our own project, and so we took a leap of faith, quit our jobs, and set on our own journey.

With Stefan’s experience in traditional painting and a newfound passion for animation, coupled with Alex’s knack for programming and overall dexterity, in a short time we created a sneak peek of our new project and showed it to the public. It attracted lots of attention and positive reactions, which gave us a confidence boost. Months later, when we partnered with Humble Games, we started expanding our team and brought on Andryi Moroz, our game designer and story writer, Andrei Platon, who also shares a passion for animation, and a few close friends who helped us on a per-task basis.

And so, the creation of Moonscars was underway.

As we started a new studio, we faced a couple challenges. One was finding local talent to complete the team.

We were also short on past experience developing full games, so we had to learn this craft on the fly—and when starting the project, we didn’t consider how much time we’d need to get to that stage where t

Extended Play promotion comes to PlayStation Store

Game Ace Pro 0 0

The Extended Play promotion comes to PlayStation Store on Wednesday, August 31. From then until Wednesday, September 14, you can enjoy discounts across special editions and DLC of select games, including Supermassive Games’ horror The Quarry, online c-op adventure Outriders and many more.