The big PlayStation quiz of 2018

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Editor’s Choice: Why Astro Bot Rescue Mission is one of the best games of 2018

You need to play Astro Bot Rescue Mission immediately. It’s not just that the titular hero Astro is adorable (he is). It’s not even just because the levels are a marathon of creative platforming experiences (they are). It’s because in a year filled with excellent takes on the virtual reality medium, Japan Studio has expertly threaded the needle to create an insanely fun platformer that will stand as a landmark for what all VR games should aspire to be.

After Astro’s buddies get abducted and spread out across different worlds, it’s up to you to help him find and rescue his crew members. It’s a fun premise on its own, but being transported into the unique and fully realised levels is a feeling like no other. It’s such a seamless platforming experience that had me twisting, turning, and poking my head around corners determined to save every last bot.

 
I was shocked at how well I fit into the whole world as the player. On top of controlling Astro, the player adds a helping hand through the DualShock 4, which manifests within the game and serves as a specialised tool that made me feel actively part of the world in a way that no other VR title has before.

This third-person perspective also creates a twist on traditional platforming, pushing you to move your head and body to help solve puzzles and guide Astro on his mission. It’s a perfect fit for PS VR, and you’ll find yourself forgetting the world around you while following alongside Astro.

The worlds and levels are inventive, animated with crisp colour and capped off with larger-than-life boss fights that had me feeling just as small as Astro. I found myself gawking at the quirky level designs and replaying worlds so I could take in every detail. Manipulating the environments to clear a path for Astro feels completely natural, the controls intuitive and easy to grasp just minutes into playing. I can honestly say I’ve never felt more comfortable in the PS VR headset, and not a moment went by that I didn’t have a smile on my face.

 
It’s always exciting to watch the creativity that springs from a new medium. As a platformer alone, Astro Bot Rescue Mission is a delightful and gratifying game that would be a joy to play even in 2D, but the way Japan Studio has wielded their understanding of PS VR catapults it into a new stratosphere of fun to make it an essential PS VR game, and one of the best gaming experiences of the year.

What was your favourite title of 2018? Vote now in the annual PlayStation Blog Game of the Year poll.

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Top PlayStation developers pick their most anticipated upcoming PS4 games

While we’re spending the holidays happily sinking time into our favourite PS4 games of the past year (or revisiting some classics), we already have an eye on what’s to come for the console. And we’re not the only ones.

Even while they’re busy working on their own projects, our favourite developers are also looking forward to seeing what other studios have been working on. We reached out to ask them what they personally cannot wait to play and why.

1. Resident Evil 2

As chosen by…

“Resident Evil 2 Remake will be one I won’t want to miss. I spent so many hours on the original one on PS1 but I could never unlock the Tofu Survivor. My gamer life’s biggest drama.”

– Nic Doucet, Creative Director, Japan Studio (Astro Bot Rescue Mission)

2. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

As chosen by…

“I love all of FromSoftware’s games and am chomping at the bit for this. I loved playing Tenchu: Stealth Assassins when it came out on the original PlayStation so I’m super hyped about this one!”

– Emily Newton Dunn, Systems Designer, Media Molecule (Dreams)

“I can’t wait to play it!”

– Kazunori Kadoi, Director, Capcom (Resident Evil 2)

“As a fan of FromSoftware and Bloodborne in particular I’m looking forward to Sekiro: Shadow’s Die Twice.”

– Tam Armstrong, Co-founder, Polyarc (Moss)

“Without a doubt, I’m most excited about Sekiro on PS4 next year. I’m using its release as a deadline because I know work is going to take a hit when I start playing!”

– Derek Yu, Creator, Spelunky 2

3. Dreams

As chosen by…

“Dreams has made it to some people’s ‘Most Anticipated Games’ lists for multiple years; at least true for me since The Last Guardian came out. This is going to be worth the wait.”

– Shuhei Yoshida, President, Sony Worldwide Studios

4. Ghost of Tsushima

As chosen by…

“The gameplay shown by the devs from Sucker Punch was stunning! The environments look beautiful, the lighting sets the mood perfectly and the combat looks just as fierce as samurai sword fighting should be — absolutely brutal. The studio also managed to capture the atmosphere I expect from a game in this setting. I can’t wait to play it!”

– Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz, Game Director, CD Projetk Red (Thronebreaker: Witcher Tales,)

“I’m very interested in seeing how a historical game set in Japan developed by Sucker Punch Productions will unfold.”

– Hiroyuki Sakamoto, Game Director, Sega (Yakuza Kiwami 2)

“I was a big fan of Tenchu back on PS one, both the gameplay and the universe. So I’m super excited for a good feudal Japanese universe to explore in Ghost of Tsushima. Probably the hypest hype I’ve had in recent hypes.”

– Steve Filby, Producer, Motion Twin (Dead Cells)

“The combat looks incredible while the visuals and the world we get to explore are breathtaking. An open world action game of this caliber set in feudal Japan is a dream come true.”

– Yoshinori Takahashi, Director, Bandai Namco (Soul Calibur VI)

5. Catherine Full Body

As chosen by…

“With a new character joining the cast, I’m interested in seeing how the story and feel of the gameplay will change and be reconstructed from the last game.”

– Ryousuke Horii, Planner, Sega (Yakuza Kiwami 2)

6. Death Stranding

As chosen by…

“Hideo Kojima has always been a huge inspiration for me and I can’t help but to tune both eyes and ears in the direction of any project with his name on it. I respect him and his team’s unconventional approach to their games and always striving to do something unique. Death Stranding is no different, and it has prompted many conversations with my friends and family and the game is not even out yet! Hideo and his team are working on a very intriguing new universe and I am looking forward to learning more about it.”

-Damoun Shabestari, Creative Producer, First Contact Entertainment (Firewall Zero Hour)

7. Anthem

As chosen by…

“I can’t wait to try the game and, most importantly, see what kind of long-term gameplay loop they’ve crafted!”

– Yuya Tokuda, Director, Capcom (Monster Hunter World)

8. The Last of Us Part II

As chosen by…

“Ellie is back, and I can’t wait to find out what happened to her since The Last of Us. How did she evolve, being a teenager in such circumstances? How did the harsh world impact her? Has the world around her changed? So many questions!”

– Angie Smets, Executive Producer, Guerrilla (Horizon Zero Dawn)

“Naughty Dog are excellent storytellers. I absolutely loved The Last of Us and can’t wait to lose myself in the sequel!”

– Adam Badowski, Director, CD Projekt RED (Cyberpunk 2077)

“Hands down The Last of Us Part II. Anything from Naughty Dog should be the top of anyone’s list at this point, but The Last of Us was such an incredible journey and I can’t wait to see what comes next.”

– Alex Barnes, Designer, Firesprite (The Persistence)

9. Kingdom Hearts III

As chosen by…

“Without a doubt, Kingdom Hearts III. I’ve always been a huge fan of the worlds of Disney and Square Enix coming together, and this one – which now features Pixar movie characters and settings – has me super excited.”

– Bryan Intihar, Creative Director, Insomniac Games (Marvel’s Spider-Man)

10. Cyberpunk 2077

As chosen by…

“Assuming that I ever finish Red Dead Redemption 2, this is the world I want to get lost in next. At E3 this year I watched an interview with one of the designers (I think it was Miles Tost) from CD Projekt RED and just seeing how excited he was about all the systems and detailed world design that are in the game was infectious. The longer gameplay reveal just completely blew me away and I can’t wait to make my own way in that world.”

– Dominic Robilliard, Creative Director, Pixelopus (Concrete Genie)

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Editor’s Choice: Why Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is one of the best games of 2018

In every Assassin’s Creed game, there is a moment where the assassin clambers their way up some high-reaching vista — a tower, a balcony, maybe even a ship’s mast — and briefly focuses their eagle eye on the land below them before bounding forward into a leap of faith.

The thrill is usually in the leap, a reflection of the quick and fluid sneak gameplay that was once the foundation of the series. With Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, the thrill is now in the climb, and the expansive beauty that awaits at the top as a reward.

I’m a long-time fan of Ubisoft’s history-hopping stealth series, even with its tweaks and mechanical changes through the years. Some entries took bold, broader strokes like Black Flag or last year’s Origins, but Odyssey tosses red paint all over the canvas to create something familiar but lusciously fresh. The world of Ancient Greece is a sight to behold, and it’s gleaming with new opportunity at every corner.

Rather than chasing to pure vengeance or upholding tradition, Odyssey is a journey of action and choice. There’s no brotherhood or creed set in order yet to follow. Instead, you are bound to your own ambitions, whatever that may mean. You’re a mercenary with big dreams, exiled from Sparta with a whole world ahead of you waiting to be explored.

For me that meant playing as a witty and empathetic Kassandra, fighting against man or myth to reunite her family. For others that could mean taking a more bloodthirsty approach, seeking revenge and nothing more. Others might fight for brutish glory on the field of battle and arena. Even still, others might ignore the clash of armies and instead head out on the open sea as a pirate.

 
Each quest is a choice, and those choices reflect throughout the entire game and open doors unlike ever before. The series has always allowed for exploration aside from the story, but in Odyssey even the main quest branches out in ways had me giddily criss-crossing my way across the map, discovering new adventures and secrets.

The series similarly reinvents itself by ditching what was once thought as the essence of being an Assassin, the Hidden Blade. I’ll admit even I was a bit wary of this change heading into Odyssey…until I kicked my first enemy off a hill with a Spartan Kick. The shift to special moves weaved alongside the history of your new main weapon, the Spear of Leonidas, is a natural one for the series, and it sent me on an adrenaline rush with every enemy encounter. Combat becomes a flurry of flexibility, Stealth is absolutely still a mainstay, but the broader skill set makes for more engaging and strategic combat, from the smallest animal encounter to full scale conquest battles.

What truly makes Odyssey such a standout is its rich and captivatingly human characters. Kassandra is genuinely funny, and a total delight to play as no matter what tone you choose to pursue. I’ve sailed right past objectives and docks on my sea galley The Adrestia just to listen to my naval captain Barnabas and the ancient historian Herodotus squabble about fact or fiction. I romanced a randy old woman who originally had me fetching aphrodisiacs for her poor, exhausted husband (who similarly begged me to, uh…give his wife a hand). Even when the main quest branches off into smaller tasks, they lead to characters each on a bewitching journey of their own. In a world with so much to do, it’s these moments that keep me coming back for hours with no end in sight.

 
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey elevates the entire series to new heights, making it a joy for loyal fans and a brilliant entry point for folks that just didn’t even know where to begin with previous entries. It’s easily one of the best games this year, and a knockout for the decade-long Assassins franchise.

What was your favourite title of 2018? Vote now in the annual PlayStation Blog Game of the Year poll.

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The best PS4 games of 2018 that you might not have heard of, as chosen by top PlayStation developers

It’s the dilemma we face every single year. Too many great games, so little time. So, need a refresher course in what came out this year? Or just looking for personal recommendations from those that know gaming inside-out? Us too. That’s why we asked a selection of PlayStation developers for their personal recommendations of the lesser-known PS4 games released in 2018.

1. Gorogoa

As chosen by…

“I’ve never played a game like this before. Very original and elegant puzzle game, set in a mysterious world that is beautifully crafted. The game’s story touches on themes of magic and ambiguity. It unfolds while you use shapes, colour, and physics to discover how each scene is connected to another.”

– Angie Smets, Executive Producer, Guerrilla (Horizon: Zero Dawn)

• Buy Gorogoa on PlayStation Store now

2. Dead Cells

As chosen by…

“It has a very addictive gameplay between Dark Souls and Castlevania with a well-executed visual style. Infuriating at times but it has that ‘one more go’ thing going.”

– Nic Doucet, Creative Director, Japan Studio (Astro Bot Rescue Mission)

“It’s a fantastic rogue-like dungeon crawler with great combat, lots to explore and a really stylish way of sign posting the fun to come. Great progression system too! Love it!”

– Emily Newton Dunn, Systems Designer, Media Molecule (Dreams)

“It’s very interesting to see a game which captures the same unique feeling I have when playing the Dark Souls series — failing the challenge presented before you, knowing exactly what you did wrong and also how to do it better next time. These types of games make you truly work to come out victorious and bring great satisfaction when you do.”

– Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz, Game Director, CD Projetk Red (Thronebreaker: Witcher Tales)

“I love Dead Cells! I cannot stop playing Dead Cells because of the ultra tight controls and deep combat with gorgeous visuals. The game keeps you on your toes with a world that changes and the number of biomes with unique enemies. It’s addicting in the best way possible, I’m still hunting for the last remaining Runes! Oh and Slashers are intense!”

– Damoun Shabestari, Creative Producer, First Contact Entertainment (Firewall Zero Hour)

“If you didn’t get to play Dead Cells yet, go check it out for their brilliant mechanic progression (and everything else).”

– Tam Armstrong, Co-founder, Moss, Polyarc

“One of the best indie titles of this year is without doubt Dead Cells. This game is a gorgeous 2D action game with fluid animations and a killer gameplay that combines the best elements from metroidvania games and roguelikes.”

– Yoshinori Takahashi, Director, Bandai Namco (Soul Calibur VI)

• Buy Dead Cells on PlayStation Store now

3. Pixel Ripped 1989

As chosen by…

“You are in a classroom, holding a handheld game system trying to play it while the teacher is looking the other way, all in VR. This is a PS VR gem of 2018, from a developer in Brazil.”

– Shuhei Yoshida, President, Sony Worldwide Studios

“I think Pixel Ripped 1989 is well worth a play on PSVR. It triggered some great retro nostalgia in me!”

– Stuart Tilley, Game Director, Firesprite (The Persistence)

• Buy Pixel Ripped 1989 on PlayStation Store now

4. Tetris Effect

As chosen by…

“I don’t know if this fits the definition of an indie game, but in terms of games that are not your typical AAA game experience, I really loved Tetris Effect.”

– Kazunori Kadoi, Director, Capcom (Resident Evil 2)

“It takes a widely known game, Tetris, and introduces a whole new experience by utilizing the latest technologies with precision and polish. Anybody can play it and can experience the fascinating elements firsthand, and it is something I recommend to everyone.”

– Ryousuke Horii, Planner, Sega (Yakuza Kiwami 2)

“I’m usually don’t play puzzles games, but I can’t recommend Tetris Effect enough. This game is just as relaxing as it is mesmerizing, and over the holidays I can’t wait to try it out in PS VR!”

– Bryan Intihar, Creative Director, Insomniac Games (Marvel’s Spider-Man)

• Buy Tetris Effect on PlayStation Store now

5. Owlboy

As chosen by…

“Definitely check out Owlboy if you haven’t already – it’s a lovingly crafted 2D pixel-art action adventure, with great action and gameplay mechanics.”

-Hideaki Itsuno, Director, Devil May Cry 5, Capcom

• Buy Owlboy on PlayStation Store now

6. Abzu

As chosen by…

“This game released in Japan earlier this year and really makes you think about the methods that games use to present moving experiences. I am very impressed with how the game is set up, so that regardless of being a casual or seasoned gamer, without detailed explanation, the game will draw you into its gorgeous world instantly.”

– Hiroyuki Sakamoto, Game Director, Sega (Yakuza Kiwami 2)

• Buy Abzu on PlayStation Store now

7. Apollo 11 VR

As chosen by…

“I don’t know if you can call this indie but in terms of something people might have missed, I though Apollo 11 VR showed how we can push the potential of VR even further. It was both immersive and educational, so I hope that it gets more attention and we can get something like it again with a bigger budget.”

-Yuya Tokuda, Director, Capcom (Monster Hunter World)

• Buy Apollo 11 VR on PlayStation Store now

8. Minit

As chosen by…

“Definitely check out Minit if you haven’t already – it’s just a fun, scrappy, inventive little game.”

– Derek Yu, Creator, Spelunky 2

• Buy Minit on PlayStation Store now

9. Guacamelee! 2

As chosen by…

“I had an absolute blast with the first one and its expansions, so I was excited for the sequel and I think that the peeps at Drinkbox did a really really great job, well worth a playthrough.”

– Steve Filby, Producer, Motion Twin (Dead Cells)

• Buy Guacamelee 2 on PlayStation Store now

10. Yoku’s Island Express

As chosen by…

“This beautiful game exudes pure joy from the moment it boots it up. It is addictive, imaginative and has tons of depth as the ‘open world pinball adventure’ mechanics open up. It was clearly a work of passion and the love in every corner of its inventive world just shines out. I have recommended this game to so many people this year, and each and every person that tried it loved it just as much as I did.”

– Dominic Robilliard, Creative Director, Pixelopus (Concrete Genie)

• Buy Yoku’s Island Express on PlayStation Store now

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Editor’s Choice: Why Tetris Effect is one of 2018’s best games

A rebuild of a 34 year-old puzzle game on a console powerhouse doesn’t scream game of the year, does it? And yet here we are. And rightly so. Tetris Effect is an utterly compelling game for PS4, whether experienced on PS VR or not.

The puzzler’s purity is unquestionably why it’s as playable in 2018 as it was back in 1984. But there’s a coldness to that perfection – it’s as clinical as a chess game or mathematical equation. Tetris Effect reinvigorates all aspects of the classic with new rhythm-action mechanics that breathe life into the formula without robbing it of its elegance.

The concept is simple, the effect intoxicating, as Alexey Pajitnov’s timeless work is reinterpreted by celebrated game designer Tetsuya Mizuguchi. The latter takes a lifetime of experimentation with interactive, multi-sensory experiences and lets himself and his team run wild to extraordinary effect.

This is a collaborative dynamic you didn’t see coming. Far from a Frankenstein’s monster: this is as electrifying as a Beethoven/Beyoncé mashup. Tetris has never felt so alive.

Mizuguchi has pedigree in this genre and there’s much of his celebrated PSP puzzler Lumines here. The main spine of Tetris Effect is Journey mode, multiple levels – grouped into playlist-style stages – each with a carefully curated pairing of unique visualiser and original song. The track listing is eclectic, the visuals beautifully abstract.

Every level is reactive to how you play. Tetromino-turns add to the song’s beat and ignite an accompanying visual spark, line-clears evolve the level’s look while also increasing the backing track’s tempo and complexity. You’re always chasing high scores, but simultaneously you’re artist, DJ and music video producer.

Cleared lines turn into electronic fish shoals that swim away. A tetromino tap ignites neon light trails onto a quiet city street or cause a sea of drums to beat in unison. Line clear-cued sunrises reveal a sky of twinkling hot air balloons or cause weary desert wanderers to transition into astronauts joyriding on the moon.

Everything is connected and all constructed to further immerse you in a puzzle-solving trance, rewarding you for every success or pushing you to correct any mistake with visual and audio motifs.

You chase multipliers both for the long-term satisfaction of a leaderboard entry and the immediate fix of another sensory explosion. Every change causes eyes to widen, heart to race. Every beat pulsed out of your Dualshock 4 is echoed by a nodding head, a tapping foot. It’s mesmerizing, euphoric.

Yet even when you beat Journey mode, there’s reason to return. The longevity of Tetris Effect and the reason it’s now daily routine for me to fire the game up is Effect mode, an all-encompassing label for multiple gameplay variations and community events.

The variations each offer a unique spin on traditional Tetris gameplay (clear 40 lines as fast as you can in Sprint, eradicate ‘dark’ blocks in Purify, survive random effects in Mystery as example).

But crucially each highlights your current best score and top grade. It’s a simple but enticing detail: most evenings I’ll scroll through to see which mode I’ll try to do better in (spoiler: it’s the insanely fast Master mode. It’s always Master mode). It’s perfect for three minutes or three hours.

The routine is similar at weekends, but with one key addition: Weekend Rituals. Certain modes will be activated as ‘events’ for 48 hours only, with any points earned across them added to a cumulative total as you – and every other player on the planet – try and hit a high score milestone before the clock runs out.

While other online games idolise single victors, it’s lovely to see Tetris Effect celebrate community achievement, with the game’s social feed name-checking each contribution. It feels rewarding to be part of a larger whole, feeding a competitive urge to be the contributor with the biggest points share and giving me a reason to try out different modes.

Overall, it’s a brilliant package. Pure. Beautiful. Alive. It’s in equal parts joyous, addictive, stressful, chilled, manic. It’s hard to discuss Tetris Effect without slipping into seemingly contradictory superlatives. Yet these juxtapositions happily coexist here, locking into place like well-placed tetrominos.

What was your favourite title of 2018? Vote now in the annual PlayStation Blog Game of the Year poll.

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The most memorable gaming moments of 2018, as chosen by PlayStation developers

Teaching Atreus to hunt in God of War. Partnering with a robo-pal in Astro Bot Rescue Mission. Sharing stories around a campfire in Red Dead Redemption 2. The list of amazing gaming moments goes on and on this year.

We reached out to a selection of PlayStation developers to share their personal favourite gaming moments from 2018. We’d love to hear yours as well in the comments. Be warned though: spoilers ahead!

1. Experiencing ancient Greece in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

“Walking around the Acropolis as if I was living in 431 BC felt incredibly cool. I’ve always loved Greek mythology, and this moment made me realise how many times I tried to picture that ancient world. Ubisoft brought it alive (so vividly) with a wonderful interpretation of the ancient Greek stories.”

– Angie Smets, Executive Producer, Guerrilla (Horizon Zero Dawn)

• Buy Assassin’s Creed Odyssey on PlayStation Store now

2. Returning home in God of War

“Kratos returning home to dig out whatever was hiding under that rug in his house (spoilers!!). That entire scene was charged with so much intensity. Loved it!”

– Nic Doucet, Creative Director, Japan Studio (Astro Bot Rescue Mission)

• Buy God of War on PlayStation Store now

3. Finding the perfect horse in Red Dead Redemption 2

“Capturing the white Arabian horse in the wilds in Red Dead Redemption 2. Then coming in and telling everyone about it at work.”

– Emily Newton Dunn, Systems Designer, Dreams, Media Molecule

• Buy Red Dead Redemption 2 on PlayStation Store now

4. Beating the last Valkyrie in God of War

“Going through the big emotional journey with Kratos and Atreus to the end and getting two new realms to explore and seven more (total nine) Valkyries to beat. What a treat 2018 has given me and millions other gamers!”

– Shuhei Yoshida, President, Sony Worldwide Studios

• Buy God of War on PlayStation Store now

5. Every choice matters in Detroit: Become Human

“This game really elevated storytelling in video games to the next level. The enormous amount of information players are presented with really makes it feel like every single choice matters.”

– Kazunori Kadoi, Director, Capcom (Resident Evil 2)

• Buy Detroit: Become Human on PlayStation Store now

6. The bond between father and son in God of War

“My choice is not one particular moment, but rather a continuous set of moments forming something bigger throughout the entire game. What I particularly liked about this installment of God of War is how the relationship between Kratos and Atreus evolved as I progressed deeper into the adventure. When playing, I could feel a bond forming between both characters. Kratos, the stern father, opening himself to his son and Arteus, the initially shy ‘boy’ rebelling against his father — both learning from each other. It’s a wonderful journey. ”

– Adam Badowski, Director, CD Projekt RED (Cyberpunk 2077)

• Buy God of War on PlayStation Store now

7. Sublime metropolis management in Cities: Skylines

“I loved how easy it was to control Cities: Skylines using PlayStation 4’s Dualshock 4 controller!”

– Hideaki Itsuno, Director, Capcom(Devil May Cry 5)

• Buy Cities: Skylines on PlayStation Store now

8. The rich storytelling of Detroit: Become Human

“I was a bit perplexed when I had to wash dishes in-game since I had just finished all my real-life chores to be able to play the game, but the amazing storytelling and rich world pulled me right in. At that point I knew that I was in for many sleepless nights.”

– Yoshinori Takahashi, Director, Bandai Namco (Soul Calibur VI)

• Buy Detroit: Become Human on PlayStation Store now

9. Shootout in Strawberry in Red Dead Redemption 2

“Red Dead Redemption 2’s chapter 2 mission called ‘Blessed Are The Meek’. The gameplay was relatively laid back up until that point, but the intense gun battle you encounter after rescuing Micah got my adrenaline pumping.”

– Hiroyuki Sakamoto, Game Director, Sega (Yakuza Kiwami 2)

• Buy Red Dead Redemption 2 on PlayStation Store now

10. Meeting the World Serpent and battling Baldur in God of War

“God of War was full of powerful moments but these particular two really stood out to me – meeting Jörmungandr and the first fight with Baldur. When it comes to the former, seeing the World Serpent for the very first time, I was amazed by both his colossal scale and gentleness.

“The encounter was stunning — and watching the giant awaken from the Lake of Nine felt almost mesmerising. You could truly admire the size difference between Kratos and Jörmungandr and their meeting obviously left its mark in my memory, given I immediately thought of it when coming up with my favorite gaming moments of 2018.

“On the other spectrum, we have the sheer brutality of the encounter following Baldur’s visit to Kratos’ house. Their initial exchange, Baldur’s demeanor and the events that followed, all contribute to this being a very memorable moment.”

– Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz, Game Director, CD Projetk Red (Thronebreaker: Witcher Tales)

“‘Jaw dropping’ is such an overused phrase, but that’s exactly how I looked when experiencing the Stranger fight in God of War. It was truly the perfect mix of gameplay, spectacle, and narrative.”

– Bryan Intihar, Creative Director, Marvel’s Spider-Man, Insomniac Games

• Buy God of War on PlayStation Store now

11. Adventuring with your robo pal in Astro Bot Rescue Mission

“My favourite moment this year in gaming was in Astro Bot Rescue Mission. The feeling of joy you get when you save members of Astro Bot’s crew and they jump into the DualShock 4 controller is just incredible. Astro Bot has taken my nostalgia of previous platform games to a whole new level with the technology of the PS VR. You can’t help but smile when Astro Bot looks back at you and waves.”

-Damoun Shabestari, Creative Producer, First Contact Entertainment (Firewall Zero Hour)

• Buy Astro Bot Rescue Mission on PlayStation Store now

12. The world-building of Red Dead Redemption 2

“The world and environment was really impressive, especially the horses and other wildlife.”

– Yuya Tokuda, Director, Capcom (Monster Hunter World)

• Buy Red Dead Redemption 2 on PlayStation Store now

13. Controlling Kratos in battle during God of War

“God of War! Just the whole thing… I mean damn. The moment for me I appreciated the most was probably when I was watching my girlfriend play and she asked me to get past a few enemies she was finding difficult. This was the first time I picked the game up, and it just felt right. The controls were so on point. Loved it. That and when I realised that the voice of Kratos was Teal’c from Stargate… Nerdgasm!”

– Steve Filby, Producer, Motion Twin (Dead Cells)

• Buy God of War on PlayStation Store now

14. PS VR’s lineup in 2018

“The stellar line up of games for PS VR has been my highlight of 2018. Wipeout, Moss, Beat Saber, Firewall, Astro Bot, Tetris Effect (and of course, The Persistence) are just a few of the belters that I’ve loved playing and being involved with.”

– Stuart Tilley, Game Director, Firesprite (The Persistence)

15. Leading the march in Detroit: Become Human

“The protest march scene in Detroit Become Human. It was a fresh experience, feeling as though I was a hero when leading the march, with android followers joining one by one. At one point, I was also raising my voice while playing the game.”

– Ryousuke Horii, Planner, SEGA (Yakuza Kiwami 2)

• Buy Detroit: Become Human on PlayStation Store now

16. Returning to an epic battle in Shadow of the Colossus

“Playing the third boss fight again in the remastered Shadow of the Colossus brought back so many good memories!”

-Tam Armstrong, Co-founder, Polyarc (Moss)

• Buy Shadow of the Colossus on PlayStation Store now

17. Going downtown in Tetris Effect

“The first thing that comes to mind is playing Downtown Jazz for the first time in Tetris Effect and literally going, ‘Wow, this is cool’.”

-Derek Yu, Creator, Spelunky 2

• Buy Tetris Effect on PlayStation Store now

18. That single camera take in God of War

“An unbroken game camera is a feature that sits right at an apex between creative vision and technology. Great moments often come from that type of pressure. Having the camera sit over the shoulder for a God of War game was already a bold choice, but combine that with it never looking away and you have a new high water mark for immersive cinematic gameplay. It must have been a relentless and exhausting endeavor for everyone involved – but it was so, so worth it.”

– Dominic Robilliard, Creative Director, Pixelopus (Concrete Genie)

• Buy God of War on PlayStation Store now

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Editor’s Choice: Why God of War is one of the best games of 2018

God of War defies hyperbole. Almost every effusive thing you may have heard about Santa Monica Studio’s hit is borne out through gameplay. It’s a study in contrasts. It’s brutal, but sensitive; fast, but methodical; huge and sprawling, but intimate and focused; loud, but quiet.

It is first and foremost a fabulous action game. Experts will love the infinite ways they can approach any given battle. Novices will appreciate that they can smash on R1 and R2 and wail their way through the game effectively, if a bit inelegantly. Kratos’ boomerang-like Leviathan Axe is a masterclass in satisfying weapon design, adding weighty impact to every fight. His fledgling son, Atreus, boldly fires both colorful quips and helpful elemental arrows into the fray as well.

 
It’s a big game, too, with lots to see and do. God of War is famously set against the wondrous backdrop of Norse mythology – another pantheon for Kratos to make waves in. Speaking of water, exploring the Norse realms as father and son is hugely rewarding. Every moment spent battling Draugr, helping Wayward Spirits, and soaking in the vivid world is a delight.

Somehow, though, the giant ogres, dragons, cat-lizards, and jaw-dropping vistas all play second fiddle to the rocky relationship between father and son. If you really want to know the true secret behind God of War’s artistry, the reason it won so many critical accolades and such ardent love from fans… well, look to its uncanny insight into dysfunctional families.

Kratos isn’t a good role model, or even a particularly good guy. But he’s trying to change his ways, to “be better.” His inexperience as a father — rendered in a brilliantly subtle, award-winning performance by Christopher Judge — is both awkward and moving. Underneath that gruff exterior, you see, Kratos is scared: of the responsibility of parenthood, and by the reckless anger he sees in his son, an anger that serves as a mirror to his own deicidal past.

Atreus, meanwhile, would rather be almost anywhere else than traveling with dear old dad. He bristles at Kratos’s attempts to control him, and resists his cautious approach to danger. He’s smart and spirited, but he’s young and impatient.

Against all odds, the connection between this unlikely pair deepens and matures over the course of their epic quest. They grow and learn from each other. And, layer by layer, they gradually shed the psychological armour they’ve both built up. Until, by the time the game ends, they’ve become a true family.

 
God of War’s story is remarkably deep and personal. Material of this calibre is rarely explored in the interactive medium, and the execution here is virtually flawless.

God of War is one of the best games of the year, and the generation.

What was your favourite title of 2018? Vote now in the annual PlayStation Blog Game of the Year poll.

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Steep and Portal Knights are your PlayStation Plus games for January

Happy holidays, folks – we hope you’re all having a great break and enjoying some well-earned, seasonally-sanctioned down time.

With 2019 galloping over the horizon, it’s time to look at what the new year has in store – and where better to start than with PS Plus? Let’s dive into January’s line-up, available to download from 1st January.

Steep

Tear your way across the soft white powder of some of the world’s most breath-taking mountain ranges on skis, snowboards, wing suits or paragliders in Ubisoft’s open-world, winter-sports sandbox.

Figure out the fastest way down sheer slopes and snow-capped peaks, record your runs and then share them with players around the world – including your friends – and challenge them to go one better.

Everything you do can be shared with the Steep community – from trailblazing time trails to your biggest wipe-outs. A newly added photo mode, PVP challenges (with full-contact collisions) and a brand-new Alaskan location mean that there’s more to do than ever.

Portal Knights

Keeping firmly with the theme of unique, open-world sandboxes, we come to our second big title of the month.

Portal Knights mixes time-honoured RPG mechanics with large, procedurally-generated environments and clever co-operative play to deliver a stylish action-driven adventure with big bosses to face-down, loot to collect and, yes, heaps of opportunities to get creative.

Departing with more traditional RPGs, Portal Knights proffers the possibility of reshaping the world as you see fit: build vast structures to call your own, plant some veggies or dig deep into the earth to mine for rare materials.

Anything else?

As with previous months, we’ll be adding two games each for both PS3 and PS Vita, leaving the final line-up looking like this:

• Steep (PS4)
• Portal Knights (PS4)
• Zone of the Enders HD Collection (PS3)
• Amplitude (PS3)
• Fallen Legion: Flames of Rebellion (PS Vita & PS4)
• Super Mutant Alien Assault (PS Vita)

All the above will be available to download on New Year’s Day – Tuesday 1st January. Until then, you’ve got what remains of 2018 to pick up December’s line-up. Quick reminder on those:

• SOMA (PS4)
• Onrush (PS4)
• Steredenn (PS3)
• Steins;Gate (PS3)
• Iconoclasts (PS Vita & PS4)
• Papers, Please (PS Vita)

And that’s it – we’ll be back next year to lift the lid on February’s games. In the meantime, let us know how you get on with this January’s titles over on Twitter and Facebook.

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Editor’s Choice: Why Destiny 2: Forsaken is one of the best games of 2018

Destiny has always been about the chase. Whether you’re knocking out a quick 15-minute strike for a daily powerful gear drop or convincing your raid team to make one more attempt at that ultra-rare Exotic drop, Destiny is at its best when that next thing you want is just within reach.

Destiny 2: Forsaken puts the chase front and center with an engaging storyline, a cornucopia of compelling new loot options and a host of Triumphs (more on those in a bit) to pursue with your friends. Mix all of that with the unparalleled feel of a Bungie shooter and you have a game that has enthralled me for over 500 hours of playtime in 2018.

 
Forsaken’s premise is straightforward enough: avenge the death of your friend, the wisecracking Cayde-6. It’s an unexpectedly personal — and surprisingly effective — storytelling shift, especially when compared to the more ambiguous space-opera yarns that Destiny has spun in the past. Hunting the eight Barons responsible for Cayde’s murder is a propulsive experience, and each showdown is unique enough that the idea never outstays its welcome.

Once players see that journey to its conclusion, though, the true endgame of Forsaken reveals itself in the most stunning destination Bungie has crafted to date: The Dreaming City. Without spoiling anything, this new locale is home to an epic mystery worth uncovering on your own, involving multi-week narrative threads spanning the reaches of space and time. A host of new activities also begin to open up to players, including a raid-like experience for smaller fireteams, creating an unprecedented anticipation for reset Tuesdays and the new rewards that await.

The randomized weapons and armour perks of Destiny 1 have returned in Forsaken, so players can keep chasing that “God Roll.” This may seem like a minor change, but having the right perks can mean the difference between a weapon feeling like a bucking bronco or a finely tuned headshot machine. As a result, even if you get a piece of loot you already own, it’s still exciting to see if the perks on this version are “the one.”

Random drops are only part of Forsaken’s loot pursuit, though. Sometimes-mysterious, but usually-intricate quests for Exotic and pinnacle weaponry give players a more defined path to high-powered gear, and can usually be chipped away at while working toward other goals.

With the effort it takes to get some of those pieces, they also double up as items to show off the hard work you’ve put into the game (and in some cases, how lucky you are). Few things in gaming feel as fulfilling as knocking out multiple goals simultaneously and seeing those sweet completion toasts.

Forsaken’s launch heralded the arrival of lots of quality-of-life updates, but perhaps none as game-changing as the new Collections and Triumphs systems, which act a vast menu of every item and activity that one can obtain and do in Destiny 2. Collectors and Trophy hunters will love the ability to track myriad objectives (like defeating 200 enemies with a magnetic grenade or completing the raid without a single death) and gear across the breadth of game modes, some even awarding unique cosmetic rewards such as ultra-rare player titles (another new addition in Forsaken).

 
At first glance, many of these Triumphs may seem overwhelming, but don’t think too much about those up front — playing the game naturally will usually get you on the right track toward completing at least one Triumph seal. For me, completing most of the weekly content got me close to obtaining a few seals, which in turn kept me motivated to push through and set off after those last few items. There’s that chase again!

Of course, many of Destiny’s trickier challenges are better tackled with friends — if you have a kindred spirit in pursuit of a specific Triumph or piece of gear, all the better! (Editor’s note: We’ll get that Shattered Throne ship some day… -JM)

When Destiny is firing on all cylinders, there’s nothing like it. The expertly tuned goal / reward loop makes the hours just melt away, and Forsaken provides the best the series has to offer in terms of story, progression, and endgame activities to keep that chase going.

If you’ve ever liked what Destiny has to offer in terms of FPS loot chasing, cooperative or competitive play, highly coordinated end-game raiding, mysterious lore that always seems to hint at a grander master plan, or all of the above, now is the perfect time to build your legend.

What was your favourite title of 2018? Vote now in the annual PlayStation Blog Game of the Year poll.

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Editor’s Choice: Why Marvel’s Spider-Man is one of 2018’s best games

Joyful movement can raise a game’s quality to lofty heights. That’s why it’s so impressive for Marvel’s Spider-Man to swing in and make the core act of traversal a constant wonder. The game is one of 2018’s biggest hits because it layers satisfying combat and a sincere story onto the foundation built by Insomniac’s jubilant web-swinging.

Swinging from webs in Marvel’s Spider-Man is intuitive and freeing. Simply holding the R2-button turns every movement into a ballet of blue and red. If you can imagine a complex, death-defying route between skyscrapers or across rooftops, you can execute it with finesse.

This experience would be entertaining even if Spider-Man were swinging through an empty city, but Marvel’s New York is brimming with colourful characters, engaging activities, and enough hidden collectibles to make Comic-Con’s merch section envious. The city that never sleeps, indeed.

The story the writing team has spun is compelling and authentic. The game stars a full-grown Peter Parker, whose daily battles range from the Super (Kingpin, Rhino, Electro and the rest of the Sinister Gallery) to the human (having a job, paying rent, and maintaining healthy relationships). Parker’s human flaws – including his complicated relationship with Mary Jane – make him a relatable and likeable hero. The overall narrative’s twists and turns are enough to keep even the most casual Spider-Man fans coming back for more.

Dealing justice as the heroic web slinger is a triumph in combat design. Players battle crowds of thugs, juggling deadly targets like musclebound bruisers and punks armed with rocket launchers. It’s a gleeful experience zipping between enemies, webbing them to walls, and flinging objects like manhole lids and mailboxes.

A suite of gadgets and skill upgrades evolve the crime-fighting experience, offering advantages like sticky Web Bombs and the ability to disarm crooks from afar. Stealth sequences are also liberating, with Spidey’s mobility enabling him to dart through the shadows and satisfyingly web enemies to nearby surfaces.

Marvel’s New York is the ideal playground for fighting crime and free-wheeling exploration. The amount of collectibles, side missions, and emergent vigilante opportunities is plentiful without being overwhelming.

You truly feel like a Super Hero when you’re swinging along the tops of skyscrapers, receive a police radio call, then swoop down to stop a gang of goons from stealing a car or committing a robbery.

Challenge missions like hunting down Black Cat’s calling cards and tackling Taskmaster’s trials also flesh out Spidey’s original universe. Even smaller collection-based objectives, like finding Peter Parker’s many stashed backpacks, provide novel nods to the prolific character’s legacy. Who doesn’t want to discover a fan-made Spider-Man plushie?

The many strengths of Marvel’s Spider-Man coalesce into one of the best Super Hero games ever. Even better, the adventure continues with worthwhile DLC story chapters that feature the likes of Black Cat, Hammerhead, and more. Whether you’re a devout comic book reader, lover of Marvel’s cinematic blockbusters, or just a fan of amazing video games, don’t miss one of 2018’s masterpieces.

What was your favourite title of 2018? Vote now in the annual PlayStation Blog Game of the Year poll.

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Editor’s Choice: Why Dead Cells is one of 2018’s best games

At first glance, Motion Twin’s acclaimed roguelike platformer Dead Cells could be accused of being a little light on content – just a handful of ‘biomes’ and four bosses to master. Yet somehow the plucky French studio turned in 2018’s premier time-sink – a game that grabs you from the get-go and refuses to let go.

In the months since launch it’s become pure gaming comfort food – I cannot put the thing down. So why, given its leanness, has it got its hook in so deep? Let’s break it down:

1. Perfect ‘game feel’

Think of a game. Disregard its narrative, level design, puzzles and visual design. Would the simple act of moving around and interacting with that game’s world still be fun? If the answer is yes, that’s great ‘game feel’ in action. It’s a rare quality, but Dead Cells nails it.

Movement in Dead Cells is supremely polished, with every action offering a delicious snatch of environmental feedback. The way doors splinter like balsa wood when you crash through them; the shower of gold when you bust open a coin cache; the mechanical crunch of the game’s elevators whirring into motion. Every interaction is a joy.

And can you name a more satisfying ‘ground pound’ in all of gaming than the breathtaking “THHHHUNK” its protagonist makes as they power-slam into the ground? It’s rivalled maybe only by Kratos’ axe-catch as the most pleasing button-press of 2018.

Given that Dead Cells demands you play the same levels over and over and over again for modest incremental reward, its ‘feel’ is completely central to its success. It’s often a game where the journey – not the destination – is the reward. And that journey is a loop, not a line, so round and round and round I go…

2. Secrets, riddles and rumours

Dead Cells wears its influences on its sleeve. Its sprawling map design is cut from Castlevania-hued cloth; its procedural generation engine doffs its cap to Spelunky; and the oblique, less-is-more world building is pure Dark Souls.

It’s a game stuffed with secrets and riddles. Who is the protagonist? Why are they here? What’s behind all those locked doors? What – and, more importantly, where – is the creature that’s escaped from the Toxic Sewers? Dead Cells is in no hurry to show you everything it has to offer, and even on my 213th run it’s offering up new surprises.

A friend recently bragged that he’d found a hidden room containing a game-altering Dark Souls-esque bonfire. That was news to me – and the longer I played without finding it, the more I suspected it was a fanciful Chinese whisper that had caught fire in the virtual playgrounds of the internet. Then, sure enough, 80-plus hours in and on my umpteenth play through, I rolled through a gap in the wall to find the chamber exactly as described.

With every playthrough, Dead Cells answers a few questions, and poses a few more, refusing to let you put it down and move on to the next thing.

3. Must. Collect. Everything.

Games have used all manner of elaborate infographics and flowcharts through the years to communicate player progression. Some are elegant, some are migraine-inducing – but none are as delightful as Dead Cells.

At the start of every run, just outside the door to the first area, your accumulated power-ups dangle from the ceiling in a dazzling array of glass jars, glimmering in the torchlight. It’s a beautiful visual mechanic.

But the tragic thing? Some of the jars are empty. Just a vacant space where a shiny, precious little tchotchke could reside. Put your ear up to the TV and maybe you can hear them whisper: “Fill me. Fill me. Fill me”. So, no matter how dispiriting your most recent demise, back you go into the fray for one more go-round on Dead Cells’ Sisyphean spinning top.

4. Player choice matters

There are bits of Dead Cells I really don’t care for. The Toxic Sewers are a wretched ordeal; the Conjunctivius boss fight does not jive with my play style at all; and you may as well arm yourself with a rusty spoon than wield that infernal Broad Sword.

And that’s fine, because the game doesn’t force you to endure any of the above. The experience is almost entirely customisable, from the route you take through the game, to the items you decide to pick up.

Whether you want to stay in your comfort zone and spam turret skills from a safe distance, road-test some newly acquired items, or throw caution to the wind and attempt to unlock those speed-run gates – Dead Cells is there for you, offering a different experience every time.

5. A perfect learning curve

Like all great games, Dead Cells delivers on the “easy to play, hard to master” maxim. It gradually drip-feeds you items, powers and hard-won experience until, without noticing, you’ve evolved from a pitiful weakling into a mutant-wrecking agent of mass destruction. It’s a game you’re constantly improving at – even when you’re failing miserably.

I remember comparing notes with colleagues the first weekend after launch. I was eight hours in and had come up against the first boss a couple of times. I could never conceive of a time where I would be capable of taking that thing down. Fast-forward 80 hours of playtime and it’s a breeze.

Right now I feel the same way about Hand of the King on NG+. Every time I face the final boss, I last a few seconds more. And en-route to that inevitable defeat I sharpen my skills, buff my RNG stat, unlock a new item or two, and inch a little closer to victory. Any day now, then I can finally put this game down and move on. Right?

What was your favourite title of 2018? Vote now in the annual PlayStation Blog Game of the Year poll.

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Editor’s Choice: Why Spyro Reignited Trilogy is one of 2018’s best games

Spyro has charged back into our lives, horns first! PlayStation has a rich history with the lovable purple dragon, and returning to his original adventures is a whimsical homecoming. This remastered trilogy is much more than an upscaled nostalgia trip thanks to how well the timeless formula of the originals has aged.

Spyro the Dragon was a pioneering game in the fledgling years of 3D platformers. Original developer Insomniac Games captivated players with liberating, exploration-friendly gameplay. Climbing up to a stage’s high point and gliding to collect far off gems was a magical revelation back in 1998, and that formula has aged beautifully thanks to the wizards at Toys For Bob.

We live in a magical era of blockbuster games that rival Hollywood productions, yet returning to the simple, pure world of Spyro is a breath of fresh fire air. For example, your goal in the first game is to free your dragon brethren, collect all the gems, and toast the villainous Gnasty Gnorc. That’s it.

This distilled experience allows players to relish the joy of combing through expertly designed levels hunting each shiny collectible. Chasing down those pesky dragon egg thieves and flaming every last Gnorc restores the soul, just like butterflies rejuvenate Spyro’s little dragonfly helper, Sparx.

Speaking of Sparx, Toys For Bob have made tons of wondrous quality-of-life-changes, like the dragonfly’s ability to point at the nearest gem. This optional feature saves tons of time spent scouring the map for that last bit of treasure. A new minimap feature lets you see whole levels at a glance and spot potential secrets hidden around blind corners. To bring it all together, the Guidebook has been unified across all three titles, which makes tracking level completion info a breeze. Like Spyro himself, the littlest things can make the biggest difference.

The sequels that followed the first game — Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage and Spyro: Year of the Dragon — are also delightful. Collecting oodles of gems and crucial items like orbs and dragon eggs to unlock new areas to explore is still the goal.

These sequels also spice things up with minigames like Spyro hitting the ice for some hockey, or blasting rockets at baddies with militaristic penguin, Sergeant James Byrd. Quirky characters like Hunter the Cheetah and Elora the Faun also expand Spyro’s lovable world. The entire cast has also received a flattering makeover.

Even the most beautiful treasures naturally tarnish over time, yet the crafty devs at Toys For Bob have expertly restored these Spyro classics well beyond their original luster. The Spyro Reignited Trilogy is visually stunning whether you’re comparing the remastered games to your memories or going in with fresh eyes.

The onscreen action rivals today’s prettiest cg films. Spyro’s spunky attitude is keenly conveyed through detailed animations, from impatient tail swishes to his curious eyes darting playfully. He’s undeniably adorable. Every burst of fire breath exemplifies the skill and love that went into this remaster, like how the flames illuminate the environment and scorch patches of grass. Every second sparkles.

The Dragon Realms where Spyro lives are exciting and beautiful locales to visit. Like the inventive worlds from the game, Spyro Reignited Trilogy perfectly injects captivating, innocent joy into our gaming libraries this year.

What was your favourite title of 2018? Vote now in the annual PlayStation Blog Game of the Year poll.

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Vote for your PlayStation Blog Game of the Year 2018

Wow! Did the year 2018 overhear all our praise about last year’s lineup and decide it wouldn’t be bested? From the word “go” this year has delivered an embarrassment of video game riches.

Celeste and Monster Hunter: World kickstarted the cavalcade of hits, and the pace never let up all the way through holiday juggernauts like Red Dead Redemption 2. It was also a tremendous year for PlayStation exclusives, with showstoppers like Marvel’s Spider-Man and God of War setting records for the platform.

So, there are a ton of amazing games to look back on for this year’s Game of the Year awards. That’s why we need your votes to help decide the best of the best.

Many of the categories below will be familiar from previous years, but there are some new additions to look out for.

Multiplayer has been split up into competitive and cooperative as games continue to evolve in the online space. Best Sound Design allows us to shed light on the subtle ways audio designers bring their worlds to life.

And, as always, any game that previously won a Platinum Trophy in the “Most Anticipated” category is barred from another nomination in that category.

The polls below are open now and will stay that way until the year ends at 11:59pm Pacific on 31st December. Don’t forget to tell a friend to vote in the polls as well!

As we wrap up 2018, we here at PlayStation Blog want thank you all for your support. We hope you have an incredible holiday and see you in the new year to keep the non-stop celebration of video games going.

Best PS4 Game

Best PS VR Experience

Best Independent Game

Best Performance

Best Graphical Showcase

Best Art Direction

Best Soundtrack

Best Sound Design

Best Multiplayer

Best Narrative

Best Sports Game

Best Ongoing Game

Best PlayStation Console Exclusive

Most Anticipated Game

Studio of the Year

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Marvel’s Spider-Man: Silver Lining DLC launches today on PS4

Hey everyone, thank you all for your love for Marvel’s Spider-Man over these last few months. After the release of the game, and the first two chapters of Marvel’s Spider-Man: The City That Never Sleeps, we’re really excited to release the conclusion of the three-part DLC series today with Marvel’s Spider-Man: Silver Lining.

As with the previous chapters of Marvel’s Spider-Man: The City That Never Sleeps, we have a brand new Just the Facts trailer starring the one and only J. Jonah Jameson.

I hope you enjoy these trailers as much as I do – I can’t think of any better way to get a sneak-peek of what’s in store in the newest chapter of Marvel’s Spider-Man: The City That Never Sleeps than hearing JJJ rant about it!

You can purchase Marvel’s Spider-Man: Silver Lining on PlayStation Store. Of course, if you haven’t tried any of the post-launch content yet, you also can buy the Marvel’s Spider-Man: The City That Never Sleeps bundle of all three chapters. Haven’t played Marvel’s Spider-Man yet? The Digital Deluxe Edition is an especially good value, as it includes the full game and all three chapters of Marvel’s Spider-Man: The City That Never Sleeps.

We’re very excited about this month’s new Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse animated film from Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures, currently in theaters. As you may know, one of the unlockable suits in this DLC chapter is Peter Parker’s suit from the animation film. It was a thrill working with the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse team.

It’s been a crazy ride for us here at Insomniac Games as we have spent the rest of 2018 developing this additional content for Marvel’s Spider-Man. We’ve been so grateful for all of your notes, comments, feedback, and support over these last few months. We hope you enjoy Marvel’s Spider-Man: Silver Lining.

And we have one last surprise for you. Today we rolled out update 1.13 for the title to prepare for today’s DLC release and it’s available to all players with an internet connection to download.

This update adds a new suit to the game that many of you have been requesting since the game’s release in September. The “Webbed Suit” first made its appearance in 2002, and thanks to our collaboration and efforts with Marvel Games, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and PlayStation, we are finally able to add this oft-requested suit to the game. Happy Holidays!

That’s it for us for now – but for all the latest – be sure to follow Insomniac Games on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!

*Marvel’s Spider-Man required to play Marvel’s Spider-Man: The City That Never Sleeps’ chapters. Base game not included.

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PlayStation Store’s massive January sale starts today

PlayStation Store’s January sale is up and running, ready to help you plug any gaps in your gaming library. Embark on new adventures with hundreds of great offers across PS4, PS VR, PS3 and PS Vita until 18th January 2019.

Grab a bargain on action-packed blockbusters like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, Battlefield V and God of War. Jump into the Fortnite phenomenon with savings on the Standard Founder’s Pack, create the perfect family in The Sims 4, or invite your nearest and dearest over for some FIFA 19 couch co-op.

You can save up to 70% on a huge number of games. There’s so much on offer we’ve only highlighted a small selection of titles below – head to the January Sale page on PlayStation Store to see the full list of discounts available. And check back on PlayStation Blog on 4th January to see new additions to the sale.

• Alien: Isolation
• ALIENATION™
• ARK Park
• ARK: Survival Evolved – Founder’s Edition
• Assassin’s Creed Origins® – The Curse Of the P…
• Assassin’s Creed Origins® – The Hidden Ones
• Assassin’s Creed® Odyssey – DELUXE EDITION
• Assassin’s Creed® Odyssey – Season pass
• ASTRO BOT Rescue Mission™
• Batman Arkham Collection
• Batman Arkham Origins
• Batman: Arkham City
• Batman™: Arkham VR
• Battlefield™ V
• BioShock Infinite: Complete Edition
• Bloodborne™ The Old Hunters
• Bloodborne™: Game of the Year Edition
• Borderlands 2 Ultimate Edition
• Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel
• Borderlands®2
• Bound™
• Bravo Team
• Burnout™ Paradise Remastered
• Call of Cthulhu®
• Call of Duty®: Advanced Warfare Gold Edition
• Call of Duty®: Black Ops 4 – Digital Deluxe
• Call of Duty®: Black Ops III
• Call of Duty®: WWII – Digital Deluxe
• Castlevania Requiem: Symphony of the Night & Ro…
• Chimparty
• Cities: Skylines – PlayStation®4 Edition
• Crash Bandicoot™ N. Sane Trilogy
• Crisis On the Planet of the Apes
• Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls
• Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony
• Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc Full Game
• DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin
• DARK SOULS™ III
• DARK SOULS™: REMASTERED
• Dead Cells
• Dead Island Definitive Collection
• Dead Nation™: Apocalypse Edition
• Dead Space™
• Dead Space™ 2
• Dead Space™ 3
• Déraciné
• Destiny 2: Forsaken – Digital Deluxe Edition
• Devil May Cry HD Collection
• Diablo III: Eternal Collection
• Diablo III: Rise of the Necromancer
• Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition
• DMC Defintive Edition
• DOOM® VFR
• Dragon Age™: Inquisition Deluxe Edition
• DRAGON BALL FIGHTERZ
• DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE 2
• DRAGON QUEST BUILDERS™
• DRAGON QUEST HEROES™
• DRAGON QUEST HEROES™ II Digital Explorer’s Ed…
• DRAGON QUEST XI: ECHOES OF AN ELUSIVE AGE
• Dragon’s Crown Pro
• Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen
• Dying Light
• Dying Light: The Following – Enhanced Edition
• EA SPORTS™ NHL™ 19
• Earth Defense Force 4.1: The Shadow of New Desp…
• Elite Dangerous
• Fallout 4: Game of the Year Edition
• Fallout 76
• Far Cry®5 – Season Pass
• Far Cry®5 Deluxe Pack
• Farming Simulator 18
• Farpoint
• FIFA 19
• FINAL FANTASY XIV® Online Complete Edition
• FINAL FANTASY XV POCKET EDITION HD
• FINAL FANTASY XV ROYAL EDITION
• Final Fantasy® IX
• FINAL FANTASY® X/X-2 HD Remaster
• FOR HONOR Marching Fire Edition
• Fortnite – Deluxe Founder’s Pack
• Fortnite – Standard Founder’s Pack
• Fortnite – Standard to Deluxe Upgrade
• FRANTICS
• Gang Beasts
• GAROU: MARK OF THE WOLVES™
• Goat Simulator
• God of War™ Digital Deluxe Edition
• Gran Turismo™ Sport Digital Deluxe Edition
• Grand Theft Auto V
• Guacamelee! 2
• Headmaster
• Here They Lie
• Hidden Agenda
• Horizon Zero Dawn™ Complete Edition
• Horizon Zero Dawn™: The Frozen Wilds
• Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition
• Injustice™ 2 – Standard Edition
• INSIDE
• Journey™
• Jurassic World Evolution
• Just Cause 4 – Digital Deluxe Edition
• Just Dance 2019®
• Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes
• KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX
• KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue
• Knowledge is Power™: Decades
• L. A. Noire
• LEGO® Marvel Super Heroes 2
• LEGO® Marvel’s Avengers
• Life is Strange 2: Ep.1
• LUMO
• Madden NFL 19
• Marvel’s Spider-Man Digital Deluxe Edition
• Marvel’s Spider-Man: The City that Never Slee…
• Marvel’s Spider-Man: The Heist
• Mass Effect™: Andromeda – Deluxe Recruit Ed…
• Metal Gear Solid HD Collection
• Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes
• Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
• Metal Gear Survive
• Mirror’s Edge™ Catalyst
• MLB® The Show™ 18 Digital Deluxe Edition
• MONSTER HUNTER: WORLD™
• Moss™
• MotoGP™18
• MY HERO ONE’S JUSTICE
• NBA 2K19
• Ni no Kuni™ II: Revenant Kingdom
• No Heroes Allowed!™ VR
• Nom Nom Galaxy
• OKAMI HD
• Overwatch® Legendary Edition
• Owlboy
• PaRappa the Rapper Remastered
• Patapon™ Remastered
• Persona 4: Dancing All Night
• Persona 5
• PixelJunk Monsters 2
• PixelJunk VR™ Dead Hungry
• PlayStation®VR Worlds
• Polybius
• Prison Architect: PlayStation®4 Edition
• PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2019 LEGEND EDITION
• Project CARS 2
• Psychonauts In The Rhombus Of Ruin
• Rayman Legends
• RESIDENT EVIL 7 biohazard
• RESIDENT EVIL 7 biohazard Season Pass
• Resident Evil Revelations 1 & 2 Bundle
• Rez Infinite
• Robinson: The Journey
• Rocket League®
• Salary Man Escape
• Secret of Mana
• Shadow of the Beast™
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider – Digital Deluxe Edit…
• Shenmue I & II
• Sonic Mania
• SOULCALIBUR Ⅵ
• South Park™: The Fractured but Whole™
• Spyro™ + Crash Remastered Game Bundle
• Spyro™ Reignited Trilogy
• Starlink: Battle for Atlas™
• Statik
• SteamWorld Dig 2
• Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection
• STREET FIGHTER V ARCADE EDITION
• SUPER BOMBERMAN R
• SUPERHOT
• Tacoma
• Taiko No Tatsujin: Drum Session!
• TEKKEN 7
• That’s You!
• The Crew® 2 – Deluxe Edition
• The Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim® VR
• The Elder Scrolls® Online: Collection
• The Escapists 2
• The Evil Within® 2
• The Jak and Daxter Trilogy
• The Last of Us™ – Left Behind
• The Persistence
• THE QUIET MAN™
• The Sims™ 4
• The Surge
• The Unfinished Swan™
• The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Game of the Year E…
• Thumper
• Ticket to Ride
• Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon® Wildlands – Standa…
• TOM CLANCY’S THE DIVISION
• Torment: Tides of Numenera
• Track Lab™
• Trials of the Blood Dragon
• Tumble VR
• Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
• Until Dawn: Rush of Blood
• Vampyr
• Watch Dogs® 2 – Deluxe Edition
• We Happy Few
• WipEout® 2048
• Wolfenstein® II: The New Colossus™ Digital D…
• WWE 2K19 Digital Deluxe Edition
• Yakuza Kiwami
• Yooka-Laylee
• …and many, many more

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