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Hey, everybody! Tim, Kristen, and I are back this week to finish discussing our top games of 2025, chat about the colorful new Hyperpop Collection, and look forward to another great year of gaming.

Stuff We Talked About

• Code Vein II hands-on report — See how combat customization elevates the sequel with new weapons, companions, and abilities to round out this time hoping adventure.
  
  
• Hyperpop Collection — Check out the new colors for PS5 console covers and DualSense wireless controllers coming March 12.
  
  
• PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for January
  • Need For Speed Unbound | PS5
  • Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed | PS4, PS5
  • Core Keeper | PS4, PS5

The Cast

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It’s a new year, but we’re taking one last look back at the 2025 year in gaming. We asked you to share your favorite shot taken in 2025 using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights:

SheikhSadi80 shares Sam fighting off a BT grabbing him in Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

fwto_ shares a black and white capture of Atsu crossing a rope in front of a waterfall in Ghost of Yōtei

__Auron__ shares a portrait of Maelle wielding her weapon in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

PhotoModeColin shares a tense scene from Cyberpunk 2077

Yuric83 shares Hinako peering through the red vines in Silent Hill f.

wingsforsmiles shares a desert landscape in Star Wars Outlaws

pavesoint shares an ornate outfit from Infinity Nikki

NemesisNatVP shares Kat wearing a bird mask in Lost Records: Bloom & Rage

RazinZamee shares a plane taking off from an island in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Code Vein II, launching for PlayStation 5 on January 30, is the newest entry in the dramatic exploration action RPG series, Code Vein. Set in a post-apocalyptic future, it depicts the drama of Revenants and humans who fight to defy their doomed fate. Players confront relentless foes and treacherous locations alongside a trusted partner, while their choices rewrite history and shape the destinies of both the world and its characters.

We recently got a chance to go hands-on with the upcoming title and have a chat with the game’s producer, Keita Iizuka, and the director, Hiroshi Yoshimura.

View and download image

Today, we’re sharing the first look at the Hyperpop Collection, featuring three new striking designs for DualSense wireless controllers and PS5 console covers. With glossy blacks shifting into vivid neons, each finish introduces an all-new aesthetic into your gaming setup. 

With the vibrant Hyperpop Collection, players can choose their track between Techno, Remix, or Rhythm:

Play Video

Today, we’re sharing the first look at the Hyperpop Collection, featuring three new striking designs for DualSense wireless controllers and PS5 console covers. With glossy blacks shifting into vivid neons, each finish introduces an all-new aesthetic into your gaming setup. 

With the vibrant Hyperpop Collection, players can choose their track between Techno, Remix, or Rhythm:

Play Video

It’s time to see which PS5, PS4, PS VR2, and free-to-play games topped last month’s download charts. December was a time for merriment as multiplayer games dominated the charts. Arc Raiders and EA Sports FC 26 topped the US and EU charts for PS5, respectively. While multiplayer powerhouses Fortnite and Roblox rose to the top for free-to-play. 

Check out the full listings below. What titles are you playing this month?

PS5 Games

*Naming of products may differ between regions
*Upgrades not included

PS4 Games

US/Canada	EU
Red Dead Redemption 2	Red Dead Redemption 2
Grand Theft Auto V	EA SPORTS FC 26
Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2	A Way Out
Minecraft	Grand Theft Auto V
theHunter: Call of the Wild	Minecraft
A Way Out	Need for Speed Heat
God of War	The Forest
Mortal Kombat X	Unravel Two
Need for Speed Heat	Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
The Forest	Assassin’s Creed Origins
Call Read more Carmageddon: Rogue Shift – new gameplay details on the roguelite racer Carmageddon: Rogue Shift – new gameplay details on the roguelite racer Game Ace Pro / Tuesday, January 6, 2026 0 0 Greetings, racers. We’re 34BigThings, the team behind Redout and now the revival of Carmageddon. Our armageddon involves WW3, cellular degeneration, and, of course, evil corporations. Let’s dive into the world you’ll be racing in when our Carmageddon spinoff, Carmageddon: Rogue Shift, launches February 6.  Play Video Code Vein II hands-on report Code Vein II hands-on report Game Ace Pro / Monday, January 5, 2026 0 0 Code Vein II maintains the core elements of its predecessor, but it feels more like a standalone action-RPG than a sequel. That’s because it greatly expands on the series’ combat systems and ideas to offer a huge amount of customization, while telling an all-new story about vampiric characters called Revenants that’s not linked to the original Code Vein. Play Video 18 most-wanted games of early 2026 Game Ace Pro / Friday, January 2, 2026 0 0 With all the great titles 2025 has graced us with, there’s barely been time to put down the DualSense wireless controller these past 12 months. No matter what genre you favor chances are you’ve been eating well, whether it’s been big budget blockbusters like Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and Ghost of Yōtei, or instant classics like Hollow Knight: Silksong and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Sure, 2026 has a lot to live up to, but even its first few months have plenty coming to PS5 and PS4. Better get your wishlists ready, things are about to get busy in the best way… Play Video Players’ Choice: Vote for December 2025’s best new game Game Ace Pro / Thursday, January 1, 2026 0 0 Last month, we wrapped up another year of gaming with some 2D goodness and new takes on sports. Some big new releases included Marvel Cosmic Invasion, Skate Story, and Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow. Which game was your favorite?   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. After the polls close we will tally your votes, and announce the winner on our social channels and PlayStation.Blog.  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? Note: re-released games don’t qualify, but remakes do. We define remakes as ambitious, larger-scale rebuilds such as Resident Evil 4 (2023) and Final Fantasy VII Remake. How are nominees decided? The PlayStation Blog editorial team will gather a list of that month’s most noteworthy releases and use it to seed the poll.  Read more RSS Load next 10 article(s) (2858 left)Loading...