S.C.G Posted January 5 Posted January 5 (edited) 22 hours ago, Hero-of-Time said: Here's a nice article from Push Square that highlights some lesser known games heading to PS platforms this year. https://www.pushsquare.com/features/34-under-the-radar-ps5-games-to-watch-out-for-in-2025 Out of all those games... Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Unbeatable The first game, because... it's 2D Ninja Gaiden, the first in a while... since the 8-bit and 16-bit era (not counting unreleased games or mobile spin-offs) except this has a modern twist to it, as expected, given the developers. It's just nice to see the franchise being revived in a meaningful way again, which hasn't happened since the 3D games in the early 2000's and of course, Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword on the Nintendo DS Whereas the second game looks like a unique rhythm-action game, with influences ranging from Jet Set Radio, so that era of similar games from the early Playstation era, right through to modern-day titles. It looks like it could be fun, and also reminds me that I need to buy Bomb Rush Cyberfunk again, this time on PS5. - - - - - Speaking of the PS5, I finally got around to settting mine up when I had a few days off work, it only took... a year and a half from when I bought the machine. In fact, I had to recover my account it had been so long, apparently four years had passed since I last played on my PS4, so if anyone wants to re-add me, they can as my user name is still Metal-Mutiny on PSN. First game that I played? Sonic X Shadow Generations of course. It's nice to be playing the original Sonic Generations again, working my way through the stages, I'm sure I must have persevered to get all the achievements on the Xbox 360 version back when the game was first released, so I might just make this the first game that I earn a platinum trophy on. Yep... you read that right, as far as I'm aware, I haven't earned a single platinum trophy yet, so I'm going to start with gaining all of the ones for all of the Sonic games I own for the PS5, which is... all of them. Indeed, I haven't played a new Sonic game since Sonic Origins Plus on the Switch, so that'll be fun. I also probably need to rebuy Sonic Mania Plus on the PS4 so that I can play it on the PS5. I don't have Playstation Plus, as clearly it would have been a waste up until now, but when Monster Hunter Wilds comes out, I'll likely start a subscription then. even if it's only for a month or so, to see how the game is at launch and then go from there. It's good to be playing on a console which is new to me though, and I can see myself keeping the launch PS5 for many years, just like I did with the PS4, as I don't anticipate buying a new console until the Switch 2, but playing most modern games on the PS5 will at least keep me busy for a while, even though I don't make as much time for gaming now, aside from regular online multiplayer games on both the Switch and the Nintendo GameCube. So getting to play an online game on the PS5 when Monster Hunter Wilds releases will be something of a novelty, and hopefully another enjoyable game in the series. Edited January 5 by S.C.G 1
Julius Posted January 7 Posted January 7 (edited) Midnight Black collection versions of the DualSense Edge, Pulse Explore and Elite, and Portal will be available to pre-order from 16th January: Launching 20th February. Edited January 7 by Julius
Julius Posted January 7 Posted January 7 The releases PlayStation are highlighting this month: Anyone planning to pick up any of these? The only one really on my radar is Citizen Sleeper 2 (but I'll make time for the first game, well, first ). Kind of curious about Synduality, but I feel like it falls into that mid-range category where quality can be really hit and miss, so will wait to see how it reviews. And yeah, Aspyr won't be getting anymore of my money at launch for Star Wars remasters with how they botched Battlefront's launch last year, hence no Power Battles for me anytime soon. Wonder how long that grudge will hold...
Hero-of-Time Posted January 7 Posted January 7 I've got a feeling Jedi Power Battles is gonna be a game I enjoyed as a youngster but will not have aged well at all. 1
drahkon Posted January 9 Posted January 9 On 1/7/2025 at 5:16 PM, Julius said: Anyone planning to pick up any of these? Nah. Nothing of interest in that list (except for maybe Citizen Sleeper 2, but the jury's still out on the first one). I also spent 12.70€ already on gaming this month and will likely spend big on PS+ in February (if there is a sale then) so I try not to buy more for now Anyways, Bat Boy. I'm slowly but surely (more slowly, though) making my way through it. Reached level 5 and I'm enjoying it. Some of the level can drag on, though, and I don't know if it's me, but the hit-detection with the bat feels off somehow. It's just weird at times.
Happenstance Posted January 9 Posted January 9 Rearranged the stuff around my TV and took the doors off my TV stand so the PS5 can go underneath with better ventilation so I've been inspired to play it a bit more. Are there any games worth getting in the January sale on the store at the moment?
Hero-of-Time Posted January 9 Posted January 9 12 minutes ago, Happenstance said: Are there any games worth getting in the January sale on the store at the moment? It depends what you're looking for. Plenty of AAA and indie stuff to buy. There's usually always something to snap up in their sales.
Happenstance Posted January 9 Posted January 9 (edited) 49 minutes ago, Hero-of-Time said: It depends what you're looking for. Plenty of AAA and indie stuff to buy. There's usually always something to snap up in their sales. Not looking for anything particular, just wondered if there are any deals that stood out to people. Edited January 9 by Happenstance
Julius Posted January 9 Posted January 9 57 minutes ago, Happenstance said: Are there any games worth getting in the January sale on the store at the moment? If you've not played them, I feel like: • Star Wars Battlefront II - Celebration Edition @ £3.49 (can personally vouch for) • Mafia II Definitive Edition @ £6.24 (can personally vouch for) • Kena: Bridge of Spirits @ £11.54 • Control: Ultimate Edition @ £6.59 • Psychonauts 2 @ £9.99 • Destroy All Humans! @ £6.99 • Lost Judgment: Digital Deluxe Edition @ £10.99 (if you've played the first one; can personally vouch for) ...are probably the deals which stand out most to me after a quick flick through! 1
Happenstance Posted January 10 Posted January 10 I actually fancy replaying the Yakuza series so as the 0-6 series is currently on sale I might grab that. 1
drahkon Posted January 11 Posted January 11 (edited) On 1/9/2025 at 8:59 AM, drahkon said: Bat Boy The more I play this, the more I realize that it's just average. It switches form piss easy to difficult (albeit not very) several times during each level. It's weird. There's no real difficulty progression. Some screens you can just blast through, and then there are screens where you get hit a million times. Also: Most of the abilities you unlock are basically useless. Well, not sure how far into the game I am (just started level 10) but I doubt it'll become much better. The music slaps, though. @Hero-of-Time you read that? IT SLAPS, BRO Edited January 11 by drahkon 1
Hero-of-Time Posted January 11 Posted January 11 6 minutes ago, drahkon said: The music slaps, though. @Hero-of-Time you read that? IT SLAPS, BRO I've never liked you, drahkon. You know that, right? 1 1
drahkon Posted January 11 Posted January 11 3 minutes ago, Hero-of-Time said: I've never liked you, drahkon. You know that, right? 1
Julius Posted Tuesday at 01:13 AM Posted Tuesday at 01:13 AM Sony will be contributing $5 million towards relief for the Southern California wildfires: I know it's not *strictly* pertaining to PlayStation, but still, feels like it's worth sharing just because it's feel-good in what is very much a feels-awful situation for many. 2
Julius Posted yesterday at 02:31 PM Posted yesterday at 02:31 PM Nate is saying that there'll be a State of Play next month: Be good to finally stick some dates or at least release windows on the games we know are coming this year. Is it Yōtei time?
drahkon Posted yesterday at 02:36 PM Posted yesterday at 02:36 PM Oh my god, here I thought with the Switch 2 reveal all those "insiders" will shut the fuck up for a day or two...but no, it just keeps going. Guess I'll stay clear of video game news even longer. 1
Julius Posted yesterday at 06:27 PM Posted yesterday at 06:27 PM On 1/7/2025 at 1:21 PM, Julius said: Midnight Black collection versions of the DualSense Edge, Pulse Explore and Elite, and Portal will be available to pre-order from 16th January: Launching 20th February. Reminder that pre-orders went up today for these: The all-black DualSense Edge and Pulse Explores
Julius Posted 20 hours ago Posted 20 hours ago (edited) Schreier is reporting for Bloomberg that Bluepoint's and Bend's next projects have been canned – for the former, apparently this being a GAAS GOW (yes, a LIVE SERVICE GOD OF WAR). TL;DR: From his Bluesky (1, 2, 3) Quote BREAKING: PlayStation has canceled two more live-service games, from subsidiaries Bend and Bluepoint, Bloomberg has learned. Fans have long wondered what Bluepoint has been working on for the last couple of years. I can report it was a live-service God of War game. Quote PlayStation did not say whether the cancellations will lead to layoffs but did say the studios will not close. A spokesperson for PlayStation tells Bloomberg the company is working with Bend and Bluepoint to determine their next projects. Quote PlayStation fans have speculated for years about Bluepoint's new projects since the well-received PS5 remake of Demon's Souls (2020). I can report that from 2020-2022 they were helping on God of War Ragnarok. Since then they've been on the live-service project that was canceled today. Now, unclear... And from the article itself: Quote Sony Group Corp.'s PlayStation has canceled previously unannounced games at two of its top subsidiaries, the company said Thursday. The games, at Oregon-based Bend Studio and Texas-based Bluepoint Games, were both "live service" projects designed to have recurring revenue from players. They were part of an ongoing strategy for those types of games, launched by PlayStation several years ago, that has led to mixed results. A company spokesperson confirmed the cancellations. Sony didn't say if the cancellations will lead to studio closures or layoffs. In a memo to staff reviewed by Bloomberg, the company said it's "working closely with Bend and Bluepoint to determine what are the next projects and plan to do everything we can to ensure there is minimal business impact." The last two years have been difficult for the video game industry, which has seen tens of thousands lose their jobs in the wake of bad bets and slower growth. Cannot imagine what it's like to be at Bluepoint and Bend right now. Arguably the best dedicated remastering team in the industry between many of their efforts over the last decade plus, what with Shadow of the Colossus and Demon's Souls to the point that it's still debated if they're remakes or remasters (okay, yeah, their adherence to the original artistic intent is questionable perhaps) being wasted on a live-service God of War game? Not to mention that their MGS remasters are still the foundation of the recent MGS Master Collection Vol. 1? You continued with GAAS GOW for another year after you scrapped the actually great idea of a GAAS Spider-Man?! Bend, trying to bounce back from the disastrous launch of and workplace hell that was Days Gone -- just to get pushed to a live-service project which is ultimately canned too? It's out of control. No wonder we've all felt like it took so long for PlayStation to get going this gen, they've been shooting themselves in the kneecaps with a shotgun behind our backs all along! Jim Ryan, Hermen Hulst and whoever else is responsible for this should be ashamed of themselves. What a colossal waste of talent. Just praying they've got time to get something great - even if on the shorter side - out of these teams before the gen is up, and even more than that, that no-one ends up losing their jobs because of the Russian roulette their bosses are playing with their livelihoods by trying to go for GAAS success. Good lord, get a grip already people. Their management and higher-ups suck ass. Said it before but I really hope Astro Bot's incredibly public success last year really drove a stake through the vampire's heart that is PlayStation's GAAS approach. How had that approach not already been nuked from orbit?! To finish off, stolen and updated a quick round-up from ResetEra of the 12 GAAS projects we know PlayStation had in the works: Quote Concord (Firewalk) [launched, cancelled] Helldivers 2 (Arrowhead) Unannounced GoW game (Bluepoint) [cancelled] Last of Us multiplayer (Naughty Dog)[cancelled] Marathon (Bungie) Spider-Man multiplayer [cancelled] Twisted Metal (Firesprite) [cancelled] London Studio's co-op game (studio closed) [cancelled] Deviation Games' MP game [cancelled] "Payback" (3rd person Destiny spin-off from Bungie) [cancelled] "Gummybears" (New studio, formerly Bungie) Fairgame$ (Haven) (...did they miss out Bend or am I crazy here?) Okay, so out of 12 GAAS listed we know they had in the works, as of today: - 8 have been cancelled, including the generational disaster that was Concord (talking here about finances, not quality, to be clear). - 3 still in the works (Marathon by Bungie, "Gummybears" by former Bungie devs at a new studio, and Fairgame$ by Jade Raymond's Haven). - 1 actual successful launch (out of 2 launches, counting Concord) in Helldivers 2, which was a big success. So...they're 1 for 9 with 3 games pending. Brilliant track record that, and I'm sure that one success in Helldivers 2 totally offsets all the other failures. Edited 20 hours ago by Julius 1
killthenet Posted 19 hours ago Posted 19 hours ago I've said it before and I'll say it again, Herman Hulst isn't very good at his job
Dcubed Posted 18 hours ago Author Posted 18 hours ago Can’t say that I had GOW Ascension 2 on my bingo card. Certainly a choice.
Hero-of-Time Posted 13 hours ago Posted 13 hours ago Yeah, that's just absolutely ridiculous and I have zero sympathy for the situation they've got themselves into. Shawn Layden warned them about doing this and it was no doubt why he got kicked out the door. Just the other day you also had Shu saying that he wouldn't have gone all in with live service games if he was in charge. Makes you wonder if his opposition to this model was why he was essentially side lined for the last couple of years. The thing that bothers me the most about this push is that they have used studios that are known for single player games. Just leave these developers alone and use ones that are known for multiplayer games. 1
bob Posted 12 hours ago Posted 12 hours ago Is Gummy bears just a codename, or are we actually getting the live-service Gummi Bears game everyone has been clamouring for? 1
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