It’s difficult to understate how stunning that mechanic is, though. Projecting a 2D picture into the 3D world and then discovering how that perspective translates to another dimension is immediately dazzling, especially when it smashes together disparate art styles. It adds literal depth to these images and lets players explore the previously unexplorable. And while adding a dimension to predetermined 2D images is a unique thrill, taking pictures of the existing environment to transform it is liberating because of the amount of control it yields. 

It’s a core mechanic that’s as fresh and flexible as a portal gun, but it leaves much of its vast potential untapped. Most levels often only require a couple steps that are obvious after just a few seconds. Far too many are hardly more complicated than taking a picture of a battery and then rotating it or duplicating batteries through even more photos. Snapping a photo of a flat wall and using it as a bridge to get to an out-of-reach area is also another popular solution Viewfinder frequently uses as a crutch in lieu of something more sophisticated. Players are pushed into patterns and hardly encouraged to think critically — fatal flaws for any puzzle game.

Because of these simplistic solutions, Viewfinder is more like a string of tutorial missions desperately stretching out the most basic form of the mechanics in an effort to distract players from how thin it is. Its well-paced rollout of new twists — like walls that are unaffected by the player’s camera — are similarly underbaked. Viewfinder is a relaxing experience with a saturated art style that reinforces that mood, but a puzzle game that doesn’t provide much resistance isn’t much of a puzzle game.

Its handful of inconsistently interspersed optional missions stick out since they require the kind of out-of-the-box thinking the rest of the game is lacking. Solutions unfold at a steady clip in these sections and elicit more than a couple drops of gratification upon completion. But sequestering that level of intricacy — and the intrinsic reward tied to it — to a few side objectives that are easy to miss is frustrating.

Viewfinder Review: The final verdict

It’s ironic that a game all about breathing life into pictures can’t breathe life into its own core mechanic. Witnessing a flat picture expand into something tangible or using photography to reposition the existing stage is a technical marvel that hardly goes beyond being just a visual spectacle. These systems deserve much more than that, but, like film lacking contrast, it’s underdeveloped and only a faint outline of what it should be.

Disclaimer: This Viewfinder review is based on a PS5 copy provided by the publisher. Reviewed on version 1.001.000.

The post Viewfinder Review (PS5): Missing the Big Picture appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

Anna Jay

This Georgia girl has a fat ass and a bad attitude, which translates to a rotten time for most of her opponents. The Queenslayer is fierce and not afraid to drop some serious offense in the ring or use foreign objects when the situation calls for it. Formerly of the Dark Order, Anna Jay A.S. has more recently allied herself with the Jericho Appreciation Society and tag partner Tay Melo, but it isn’t hard to imagine there’s ambition there for her own path. Her gear looks great and some people have announced publicly that they think she’s, “the hottest bitch in this place.” Gold is most likely in Anna’s future, but with a savvy player backing her, that’ll be sooner rather than later.

4

AEW: Fight Forever Review (PS5): Empty Nostalgia

All Elite Wrestling was originally meant to provide a fresh alternative in the wrestling space and, in its own words,…

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John Silver

The Dark Order has had a lot of ups and downs since its debut, but one of the standouts in their ranks as faces or heels has been John Silver. The muscular mound may be of smaller stature than most wrestling icons, but he can certainly go in the ring and has always felt like somewhat of an underdog, which makes it fun to play him against larger opponents or in matches with seemingly impossible odds. Johnny Hungiee may not be one of the most-picked characters in the game at first, but his charisma spills through even in this digital form. This student of Mikey Whipwreck’s is pro-meat, all beef, and purely entertaining.

Hikaru Shida

She isn’t just a former AEW Women’s World Champion, but the person to hold that belt the longest at this time, so let’s put a little respect on the name. Hikaru Shida is a woman of few words, a samurai on a mission, and as of late that has seen her facing off against The Outcasts. She’s a stylish person anywhere she goes, so it makes sense that her in-game model looks excellent, moves are fluid, and this Japanese warrior is a site to behold in action, especially when using her trademark kendo stick.

Powerhouse Hobbs

Will Hobbs lives up to the name Powerhouse. Everything he does is executed with raw strength and willpower. He is a dominant heel and his moves feel like any one of them could end a conflict right in the middle of the ring. The bigger guys aren’t usually my preferred combatants, but Powerhouse moves decently and I get a kick out of doing his Oklahoma Stampede finisher every time. Hobbs is a former member of Team Taz, associates with QTV, and held the TNT Championship, but his goal is to be the first African American AEW World Champion, and it seems like that chapter is already written in the Book of Hobbs, it’s just waiting to happen.

Jade Cargill

Her dominant reign may have hit a snag recently, but that doesn’t mean that Jade Cargill isn’t still that bitch. Cargill started out strong in the company, debuting in a feud involving Shaquille O’Neal, as well as Cody and Brandi Rhodes, and she’s continued to conquer the brand with the baddies and showed off her strength with an impressive TBS title run. She’s an imposing figure who sells the shit out of her moves, and it’s great how crisp that Jaded finisher looks in the game. Every piece of her assault feels like it’s going to hurt. Cargill has shown improvement over her time in the company and she’s the type to do stylish and nerdy entrances (Mortal Kombat, X-Men, and Thundercats – her gear looks good, but those would have been great to see here), leaving quite the impression. Jade is the brand of heel this game needs.

Nyla Rose

As a wrestler, it took a little time for Nyla Rose to grow on me. I was way more interested in her life as an actress, her work with Marvel Comics, and the path she is taking as a transgender athlete. Over the years, however, I came to respect the former champ’s in-ring work more and enjoy Rose’s matches, especially from a presentation standpoint. The Native Beast is a vicious heel and even in a loss, she comes across as a threat. Her model in the game isn’t perfect, but Nyla’s entrance with the mask and that song works very well. I was a bit surprised at how much I enjoy playing as Rose, as her moves can be a bit unruly at times and not connect. There’s just something satisfying about destroying opponents with that Beast Bomb.

Orange Cassidy

Whatever.

Penta El Zero M and Rey Fenix

I was first exposed to this duo in a fantastic promotion known as Lucha Underground and these two have never ceased to impress me since then. The Lucha Brothers are champions whether they’re currently holding belts or not, whether it’s AEW, ROH, or AAA, whether it’s together or in singles competition, both of these men are kings of the wrestling business. They have the look, moves, and off-the-charts showmanship even though they barely speak. This pair is also two-thirds of the dangerous Death Triangle group, which along with Pac, might be the most overall talented stable in the company.

Ricky Starks

The man who refers to himself as Absolute Ricky Starks is full of confidence, charisma, and interesting poses. He made his debut in an open challenge against Cody Rhodes and went on to join Team Taz, but everyone who took note of his NWA run knows that his path as a singles competitor is destined to be paved with more gold than just the FTW title. And his revolution will be televised. It’s just a shame that we don’t get to hear Starks more in the game.

Thunder Rosa

This is a wrestler who has made a name for herself in other companies and stands out for a multitude of reasons, but the face paint certainly helps. Thunder Rosa has an excellent look, but she’s definitely had some better gear than what we see here — at least she gets her flag. This ferocious fighter from the graveyards of Tijuana has been a part of some brutal matches, especially against Britt Baker, and being able to recreate those encounters is a thrill. The former Women’s World Champion can be a force of nature, but she has sadly been dealing with injuries as of late. However, her absence may just inspire players to pick the unstoppable warrior in this game even more.

Sammy Guevara

Sammy Guevara was one of the fresh faces in AEW that stuck out. He was a part of the first match to ever take place on Dynamite and as I read up on his training with Booker T, I was sure Guevara was someone to keep an eye on. Now, as one of the pillars of the company and a couple of titles under his belt, the ceiling for the Spanish God seems incredibly high. Playing someone with such spectacular aerial offense is exciting, especially since missing one or two high-risk maneuvers doesn’t take the player completely out of the match. And for those matches, I don’t want to feel like a daredevil I just hit that GTH, because it has such a satisfying crack when it connects.

MJF

He’s better than you (and me too).

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Synapse’s power comes from two main sources: the player’s telekinetic abilities and array of firearms designated to each hand. Gunplay is somewhat standard, but still incredibly smooth. Reloading avoids the tedium seen in other VR shooters, as the magazine doesn’t need to be manually ejected and inserted before pulling back the hammer. Instead, one button ejects the magazine and it just needs to be pushed back in. This can intuitively be done on any surface, with the other hand, or on the player’s body.

Cover is similarly simple to grasp, since anything can become a wall to hide behind. Grabbing a surface sticks players to it, and allows for quickly popping in and out of safety.

Shooting is a significant part of the game, but the true magic comes from how this melds with the telekinesis to elevate the experience. Moving things around is as simple as looking at it and pushing the correct trigger, as Synapse utilizes PSVR2’s eye-tracking technology. This ensures players can pluck exactly what they want almost every single time. It’s a brilliant example of how tech can improve gameplay; it’s much more natural to grab an object by looking at it than it is to move a cursor over it. Targeted objects even stick out from the monochrome backgrounds with a blue and violet hue.

This synergy makes the player a force to be reckoned with, as they fling soldiers with one hand while blasting with the other. Success and getting to higher levels is all about knowing how to efficiently rack up kills and retreat when it gets too sticky. While not an oppressive game, failing to deal with the constant pressure of Synapse’s hordes will lead to a premature restart. Feeling like a Jedi John Wick is where the game is at its best, and its thoughtful loop is built around that.

Getting to that state takes time, though. Not just because multitasking can be tricky at first, but also because Synapse is a roguelite with a sizable skill tree that locks players out of some abilities. Skill points unlock after hitting certain milestones, which adds a rewarding metagame that makes the following run a little easier. 

It sounds simple because it is, and that applies to many of its systems. While perks, spawn points, and weapons can change, runs aren’t too different from one another since it utilizes the same level layouts and four enemy types each time. There also aren’t any random or rare elements like bonus rooms, secrets, or impromptu bosses to add more layers of unpredictability.

This simplicity and relative stagnation between runs is what holds it back, since it rarely changes itself up like some of the best roguelites. Players can’t make builds or experience a new playstyle on the next run like they can with Hades or Dead Cells. Synapse is focused and doesn’t get stale over its runtime, but that’s come at the cost of replayability and variability fundamental to the genre. 

Its take on difficulty also bucks genre trends, but for the better. Rather than a static main difficulty that takes a while to overcome, Synapse has three stages that escalate after each successful run and unlock another part of the ending. This steady rise levels out the difficulty curve, and ensures players don’t hit a wall. A consistent challenge is much more satisfying than making small baby steps to a finale that can sometimes feel out of reach.

Synapse Review: The final verdict

Synapse’s roguelite elements are too light, but it’s a well-designed shooter that empowers players in ways only a VR game can. Developer nDreams has taken PSVR2’s eye-tracking and adaptive triggers and built them into the game’s mechanics without turning them into gimmicks. Snatching a barrel and detonating it over a group of hostiles is as gratifying as instinctively throwing back an incoming grenade while dumping submachine gun rounds with the other hand. It all combines to make for a thrilling VR shooter that excels for how it takes advantage of the hardware

Disclaimer: This Synapse review is based on a PS5 copy provided by the publisher. Reviewed on version 1.001.000.

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But like a patch, post-launch DLC is an opportunity to right wrongs and address criticism. (And there are plenty to choose from.) Final Transmission could have been the expansion to set things right for the fledgling horror title. Unfortunately, it suffers from the same problems as the base game and calcifies how fundamentally flawed The Callisto Protocol is.

Final Transmission retains the sole bright spot of the base game — its eerie visuals and lighting — but also keeps every last one of its faults. Melee combat is sticky and repetitive. Automatically dodging isn’t engaging, and waiting for the same patterns is tiresome. This is especially true in irksome moments where enemies push through hits to get in cheap shots. Aiming is floaty and inaccurate, which makes the gunplay similarly unpleasant for different reasons altogether.

Final Transmission even tries to spice up combat by giving players a new melee weapon: the Kinetic Hammer. This explosive tool outclasses the stun baton in every way, as it pulverizes almost anything to goop with few hits. Clubbing mutants can be satisfying thanks to this gooey, splashy spectacle.

But this weapon, like most things in this game, fails on multiple levels. The heavy attack is now a shockwave that gibs or stuns everything on the receiving end, but there’s no real depth to it. Players are just meant to charge it, wait until enemies get close, and repeat the area-of-effect slam until everything has been turned into bloody bits.

This bland strategy is encouraged for the new Biobots that are resistant to other types of damage. Being able to turn the tables on these slimy cyborgs and go from sneaking past them to sending them to the scrapyard is a nice way to switch up the pace. However, the melee combat is too boring to make that change entertaining. And as an added bonus, enemies will also inexplicably tank through shockwaves on occasion to disembowel the player. This heaps yet another pain point on an already unpleasant experience.

The moments before bludgeoning Biobots aren’t scary, either, since Final Transmission is devoid of tension. Foes often jump out without any buildup (even the Biobot is randomly introduced) or creepy aural foreshadowing, and the attempts at psychological horror between encounters are laughable.

Final Transmission’s new hallucinations are full of hackneyed clichés found in many of the most subpar horror games. There’s the endlessly looping string of hallways, a room that changes as the player turns around, ghost enemies that aren’t actually there, and bloody graffiti with ominous messaging. The action horror bits are too mundane to compensate for these trite attempts to get inside the player’s head, meaning The Callisto Protocol is still a horror game with little to no actual horror. 

Psychological displacement can be a powerful tool for horror, too. Protagonist Jacob Lee begins to doubt his sanity as he’s exposed to further abominations and questions what is real. The game wants players to second guess everything it throws at them, which is a different approach than the one in the base game. In the right hands, with a capable writing team, this could be a winning setup. It worked for Event Horizon and — more relevantly — the Dead Space franchise.

But Final Transmission barely has a story to speak of. It leaves players to stumble in darkness for too long with little effective foreshadowing for its one big story beat. The grim twist at the end attempts to shed light on the situation, but it’s very sudden and brings up questions that poke gaping holes in the entire premise. It’s a fittingly sinister finale, but totally unearned — undercut by those lingering questions and the tonal whiplash of a jokey post-credits scene.

The Callisto Protocol: Final Transmission DLC Review: The final verdict

With an inconsistent story, total absence of scares, and clunky combat, Final Transmission makes for a shallow last gasp of air for The Callisto Protocol. This new franchise has been lost in space since launch and an onslaught of patches and DLC hasn’t made it any less of a disappointment. Final Transmission just highlights what was already bad about The Callisto Protocol, and ensures that it has ended as poorly as it began.

Disclaimer: This The Callisto Protocol: Final Transmission review is based on a PS5 copy provided by the publisher. Reviewed on version 1.024.000.

The post The Callisto Protocol: Final Transmission DLC Review (PS5): Terrible Signal appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

Fantastic Four (1997)

Given the Fantastic Four is all about exploration and gaining knowledge, it makes sense that an alien species with wild powers like the Skrulls would frequently appear in media involving Marvel’s first family. This includes the 1997 PlayStation game.

The PS1 Fantastic Four game got pretty harsh reviews upon release, but it does feature the Skrull homeworld — one of the many times it would be threatened by Galactus across different mediums.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance (2006)

To this day, Marvel Ultimate Alliance is held in high esteem by Marvel fans and gamers alike. The game sees many of Marvel’s most iconic characters band together to take on a wide variety of massive threats, from the murderous Arcade to Doctor Doom. The game features a section on the Skrull Planet, as well as an appearance from Kl’rt the Super-Skrull as a boss. You can actually choose to save the Skrulls and their planet from Galactus, leading to a partnership between humans and Skrulls.

The game has been rereleased, though it was taken back down in some regions, assumedly due to licensing agreements. If it ever goes back up on sale on modern consoles to promote an Avengers movie, be sure to grab it while you can.

Lego Marvel Super Heroes (2013)

Lego games are always a straightforward delight to play through, especially when they feature characters from a franchise you enjoy. Lego Marvel Super Heroes brought together characters from every corner of the Marvel universe, from the X-Men to the Fantastic Four.

Amongst the 180 playable characters in the game is the previously mentioned Kl’rt the Super-Skrull, played by voice acting legend John DiMaggio. You have to melt a block of ice that has his character token in it to unlock him, but his Fantastic Four-based powers make him more than worth unlocking.

Marvel’s Avengers: Battle for Earth (2012)

Marvel’s Avengers: Battle for Earth certainly isn’t the one that people typically think of when they hear “Marvel fighting game,” but it’s an interesting little game despite being quickly forgotten after release. The title is largely based on the Skrull-focused Secret Invasion comic storyline, so it makes sense for Skrulls to feature heavily.

Super Skrull is one again playable, while the antagonists include Queen Veranke and a variety of Skrull imposters disguised as Earth’s mightiest heroes. If you’ve ever read the 2008 Marvel Comics storyline, you’ll find a lot of aspects of this game to be quite familiar.

Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 (2011)

We talked a bit about Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 earlier, but it’s worth mentioning again. It’s one of Capcom’s finest fighting games, which is saying a lot given the studio’s pedigree when it comes to that genre. The wide range of characters from both companies make for an incredibly diverse roster, which once again includes Super Skrull.

The character shines here more than in any other game adaptation, as he’s able to utilize all of the Fantastic Four members’ powers with his different specials and super attacks. Plus, the quotes he has between different characters pay homage to plenty of great comic moments. A lot of care went into portraying all these characters well, making this a blast of a game for comic fans in addition to fighting game fans.

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The post Celebrate Secret Invasion With 5 Marvel Games That Feature Skrulls appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3

As far as fighting games go, there’s nothing quite like Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3. Originally released in 2011, the game still has a passionate following over a decade later thanks to its tight combos, varied character roster, and seemingly endless amount of reverence for both Marvel and Capcom.

The roster serves as a bit of a time capsule for that era, mixing MCU heavyweights like Iron Man and Hulk with (then) lesser-known characters like Rocket Raccoon, Iron Fist, and Nova. The fighting is snappy, the arcade endings are full of fun fanservice, and even the music is top-notch. If you like fighting games and Marvel, this is absolutely one of best Marvel games to play if you’re looking forward to Secret Invasion — especially since Super Skrull is one of the most fun characters to play as.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2

This one’s more of a Diablo-esque title, giving you control of some of Marvel’s most iconic characters as you navigate through the Civil War storyline of the comics. The game features different paths depending on where you stand on the matter of superhero registration, allowing you to side with either Iron Man and Mister Fantastic or Captain America and Luke Cage.

The selection of playable heroes is impressive, with even more fan favorites serving as bosses and NPCs throughout the game. Though a third Marvel Ultimate Alliance eventually released for the Nintendo Switch, the first two games have a different and more comic book-y vibe to them, making Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 a great choice.

Lego Marvel’s Avengers

This one’s a great pick for if you’re specifically a big fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Though there are a few different Lego Marvel games, Lego Marvel’s Avengers is set in the MCU and follows the plots of some of the biggest movies from that universe.

Using a mix of new and archived audio from iconic Marvel stars, the game is filled with a variety of characters and bonuses to unlock and use. It has an open world hub that you can explore and do minigames in whenever you want, plus a decently easy Platinum trophy to boot. If you’re an MCU fan, Lego Marvel’s Avengers is one of best Marvel games to play if you’re looking forward to Secret Invasion.

Guardians of the Galaxy

The great thing about the criminally underlooked Guardians of the Galaxy game is how it meshes movie and comic book influences to create a new and exciting take on the space-faring Marvel team. Secret Invasion is all about Skrulls, so why not play on Marvel’s cosmic side?

This single-player action game takes you across the galaxy as Star-Lord. As you battle all sorts of extraterrestrial enemies and an intergalactic cult, the team grows closer and closer, cementing their status as one of Marvel’s most memorable teams. If you’re a fan of the Guardians of the Galaxy comics or movies, you can’t go wrong with this one.

Marvel’s Midnight Suns

Now that all of the game’s DLC has been released, there’s no better time to jump onto Marvel’s Midnight Suns. Though this is focused more on the supernatural side of Marvel’s roster, it’s worth checking out for its impressive mechanics and characterization.

From big names like Spider-Man and Captain Marvel to fan-favorites like Blade and Ghost Rider, you can control a number of heroes (in addition to your own avatar, the Hunter) as you fight off enemies with a unique card-based tactics system. Then you can chill with your favorites back at your base between missions as you build up a friendship with them. Though it didn’t receive as much attention as it may have deserved, Marvel’s Midnight Suns is one of best Marvel games to play if you’re looking forward to Secret Invasion.

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Everything Announced at the PlayStation Showcase 2023

The PlayStation Showcase 2023 event had about an hour of announcements and reveals. It can all be a lot to…

News Michael Leri 2 months ago

PlayStation has been making some of the best games of the year almost every year for the past decade. Titles like The Last of Us, God of War, Spider-Man, Days Gone, Returnal, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, Horizon Forbidden West, Ghost of Tsushima, and the Demon’s Souls remake have all been some of the unmissable first-party games that have defined PlayStation. They have been the standouts and why PlayStation has been so dominant over the last two generations.

They not only make the consoles great when they come out, but are also primed to make for memorable events. God of War made E3 2016 a fantastic show and the Horizon Forbidden West trailer was a highlight at the PS5’s reveal event. These are games that deserve a stage, and Sony knows that.

However, that knowledge didn’t come through for the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase since many of its first-party studios were either missing or presented lackluster trailers. Marathon has Bungie’s signature incredible art direction, but no gameplay. Fairgames’ debut was also flashy, but vague. Concord probably had the most vapid trailer of the whole show, as it provided next to nothing about the game. 

Of the five first-party titles there, three had criminally obtuse trailers that were too sparse to justify being Sony’s marquee titles. Most CG trailers just don’t work because of this, as players have grown tired of these smoke-and-mirror, tone-setting teasers. It’s hard to get excited for a game when it’s not even clear what kind of game it even is. It also doesn’t when those nebulous trailers are for new IPs like Concord and Fairgames.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 was a taste of what the whole show was lacking. It was the big, explosive showpiece that these streams are usually built around and what Sony has focused on in the past. It had actual gameplay, new mechanics, and, thanks to Venom, a surprise that was immediately attention-grabbing. People buy PS5s and watch PlayStation streams for games like this.

But Spider-Man 2 can’t be the only tentpole for a PlayStation Showcase, and it’s even stranger since given all the potential titles that could have been there to fill the gaps. Death Stranding 2 was announced almost six months ago and Hideo Kojima loves making trailers for big shows. Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us multiplayer game is the most obvious exclusion since this seemed like a prime place to unveil what it has been teasing for multiple years.

That multiplayer spin-off seemed like a sure bet, but there are also a ton of surprises that seemed designed to debut at a showcase like this. It’s not hard to imagine that Ghost of Tsushima 2 will be out in the next two years. Bluepoint Games has also been working on a mystery game for a few years. Santa Monica Studio is, according to Cory Barlog, “spread out on a lot of different things.” 

Housemarque probably isn’t ready to show what it has been developing since Returnal isn’t that old, but there are still plenty of wildcards like Team Asobi, Media Molecule, London Studio, and Bend Studio that have been toiling away in secret for many years. It’s surprising that none of these studios had something substantial to premiere, especially the teams that have crawled to the upper echelon of PlayStation Studios that would have dramatically improved the show.

A PlayStation Showcase is meant to show the future of PlayStation, and this recent one did technically do that, but didn’t fully utilize the “PlayStation” part of its namesake. That first-party panache is what has elevated previous Sony shows and why, despite a lineup of killer third-party games, this one was lacking. Peter Parker and Miles Morales can save New York’s doomed denizens from Kraven the Hunter and The Lizard, but they shouldn’t be the only big first-party heroes left to save this showcase.

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Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

While Square Enix is prepping the launch for one Final Fantasy game, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is still looming on the horizon. The company hasn’t shown much of the highly anticipated follow-up since its reveal in June 2022, leaving fans desperate to see what will happen next in this remade trilogy. It’s still slated for winter 2023 for PlayStation 5, so Square has to start showing more of it sometime in the near future, and a PlayStation Showcase would definitely be a fitting place for it.

The Last of Us multiplayer game

Naughty Dog has been talking about this multiplayer The Last of Us game for years, and it has to start showing it at some point. Neil Druckmann revealed concept art of it at the last Summer Game Fest Live, so it makes sense that the team would have at least a trailer one full year later; Druckmann even said the studio would reveal more in 2023. The franchise is also coming up on its tenth anniversary and still riding off the success of the HBO series, so there are multiple reasons why this long-anticipated multiplayer game is likely to be one of the stars of the PlayStation Showcase.

Death Stranding 2

Hideo Kojima has to pick if he’s better friends with Sony or Geoff Keighley, as it wouldn’t be unheard of to see another Death Stranding 2 trailer at the PlayStation Showcase or Summer Game Fest. But seeing as though the PlayStation Showcase is a bit earlier than Keighley’s show and how Sony is, well, paying for Death Stranding, there’s probably a better chance more Death Stranding 2 footage appears at Sony’s event. Death Stranding 2 is also just a working title, so Kojima Productions also has an opportunity to reveal the final name, as well.

Metal Gear Solid 3 remake

It seems inevitable that the Metal Gear Solid 3 remake will sneakily tiptoe its way into the PlayStation Showcase. The title hasn’t even been officially announced, but reliable insiders have noted that this modern update of the classic stealth game will make its first grand appearance with Sony. PlayStation has been associated with Metal Gear Solid since the seminal 1998 entry, so such a debut would make sense. The Silent Hill 2 remake is also a PS5 console exclusive for the time being, showing that there’s an official precedent for such a partnership.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

While anything can happen, it’s almost a given that Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 will be at the PlayStation Showcase. It’s undoubtedly going to be Sony’s biggest holiday title and that sort of prestige is made for shows like this. Unsubstantiated rumors have filled the air in the absence of official information, so it would also be a fitting time to dispel those whisperings with official details and a lengthy trailer. Tony Todd’s unhinged ramblings can’t be the only Spider-Man 2 information that comes in the first half of the year.

An Astro Bot game

It was strange that Sony didn’t have an Astro Bot game ready for PlayStation VR2’s launch after Astro Bot Rescue Mission’s near-universal adulation. Another entry wouldn’t be out of the question, as PS VR2 could use another hit and Astro Bot is a rising star in the PlayStation ecosystem. PS VR2 probably won’t take up a huge portion of the show, but if it’s going to have one slot, Astro Bot deserves it.

Neil Druckmann’s game

As he hinted at at Summer Game Fest in 2022, Neil Druckmann has been working on something that’s not the multiplayer The Last of Us game, but it’s unclear what. And while it would seem absurd for two games from the same studio to show up at a PlayStation Showcase, Insomniac came through in the 2021 showcase with Wolverine and Spider-Man 2. Druckmann has been open about Sony’s willingness to give Naughty Dog a healthy amount of freedom, so it’s not a given that it will be The Last of Us Part III.

Resident Evil 4’s Ada Wong DLC

Sony has made a habit of having Resident Evil at its shows, and while it’s assuredly too early for another full remake or a numbered sequel, it’s probably just the right time to reveal more about the heavily rumored Ada Wong DLC for the Resident Evil 4 remake. DLC doesn’t often stand out when put up against a lineup of upcoming titles, but Resident Evil 4 is not a typical game and that remake is still floating around the game space. It’s also possible that its VR content will make an appearance, but that seems less likely since Capcom only just started development on it.

Bluepoint Games’ project

Bluepoint Games has been developing something in secret, and it’s surprisingly not a remake. While its penchant for remasters and remakes has narrowed the playing field in the past, it’s a lot more wide open here. Tracing over classics has undoubtedly taught the studio the basics of timeless design, so its first new title is quite alluring. However, if it’s somehow just a Bloodborne port, that’s still just fine and would be one of the best PlayStation Showcase announcements.

The Horizon Zero Dawn remake

It is quite soon to be remaking a game from 2017, but the advancements seen in Horizon Forbidden West and the overall impressive quality of The Last of Us Part I (on PS5, at least) make the rumored Horizon Zero Dawn remake more enticing. Bringing in the sequel’s livelier animation and more responsive combat can’t be understated and seeing Horizon untethered from the PS4 would be a sight to behold, something only teased by the recent Burning Shores DLC.

And while the multiplayer game is theoretically more exciting, it’s also probably further off, so don’t expect that as one of the PlayStation Showcase announcements.

Let us know in the comments what PlayStation Showcase announcements you’d like to see.

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Much like Tetris Effect, Humanity doesn’t fundamentally change from a gameplay perspective in VR. The controls are nearly the same for both versions, and there are no extra VR features aside from being able to play with the scale and make the level seem more like a miniature. In fact, there are fewer features since players can’t build levels or play player-created ones in VR (and some are reporting that VR breaks the trophies). 

What it does offer, though, is a new perspective and a light VR experience. Being able to look around quickly is helpful since some levels can have long lines of humans that are harder to keep track of with just the traditional camera. Getting up and physically moving around also isn’t required (or that feasible, given how many puzzles are timed in some way), but does make a few of the more complicated levels a little easier, like the more vertically oriented stages that reward those who can observe both sides of a tall structure quickly. Those on the shorter side, however, may have a harder time seeing some of those taller structures.

Even if players do decide to stand up and get active, Humanity is still not a taxing VR experience and that has a place within the roster of PSVR2 games. While titles like Resident Evil Village, Gran Turismo 7, and Horizon Call of the Mountain are big PSVR2 staples, they can be a little exhausting. These intense, highly physical (and potentially nauseating for some) experiences can’t be the only VR games PSVR2 gets, and Humanity fits the other side of that spectrum. Not every game needs to be about frantically slashing werewolves or taking down robotic dinosaurs.

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Its VR functionality being optional is also important since not every game needs to be a VR-first experience. While the headset is likely going to sink or swim based on VR-only games, having the choice to play in or outside of VR makes for a solid bonus for those who have the hardware. It’s not going to be an easy jump for most games, too, so it’s great when the option doesn’t mandate a complete rework of the mechanics.

Even though Humanity is still strong in VR, it’s not as beneficial to the experience as Rez Infinite or Tetris Effect. Both of those games were synesthetic explosions of effects and color that fused with the thumping music to create something that was exponentially improved through VR, something Rez’s Area X in particular heartily proved. They were built upon immersing the player and getting into the zone and VR is inherently built for that. Humanity has fantastic tunes and some effects, but it’s just a different type of game that isn’t trying to be as entrancing as Rez or Tetris Effect, the latter of which was literally named after the hypnotic effects of the block stacking puzzler. 

Humanity isn’t like Resident Evil Village where the option to play in VR radically changes everything and offers something completely new. And it doesn’t have to be. It’s a solid alternative way to run through the unique puzzler that’s engrossing no matter if it’s on a TV or a VR headset. It’s relaxing either way and that, in addition to a healthy selection of more involving titles, is more than welcome on PSVR2.

The post Humanity PSVR2 Review: Nice But Not Essential appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

It was the first game based on the iconic films, but that was only because a bad decision had been made. The Wachowskis knew they wanted a game for their visionary project set to release in 1999 and approached Shiny Entertainment, but founder David Perry believed The Matrix would be “another hacker flick.” Something that Perry would later tell Polygon was one of his worst career mistakes. Thankfully, the company would receive a second chance and another opportunity to play in this computerized world.

Instead of simply acting out scenes from The Matrix Reloaded in an overblown gamified form, there was an original story written by the Wachowskis, who were heavily involved in the development of games using their world. The creators were hands-on when it came to overseeing these types of projects and wanted those fans that were deep into their lore to not only see the film, but watch The Animatrix, read the comics, and play the game, all in an effort to get as many details about the story as they could. It was cross-promotional synergy at its finest, and The Matrix franchise may remain unbeaten in that regard.

Enter the Matrix put players in the role of two characters outside of the main action, but in an assignment that still felt vital to the heroes’ success. Selecting between Niobe (Jada Pinkett) or Ghost (Anthony Wong) offered a set of stages with different paths. The duo fights the same enemies, but in various parts, the details change, and selecting one over the other does determine whether the player handles more driving or shooting. Some fans were upset they didn’t get to play as Neo, but there’s something cool about being in on the ground level and seeing how other parties were helping behind the scenes. 

There’s a large amount of live-action footage, and over an hour of it is new to the game, shot while they were working on the films and using a lot of the same actors and crew, which makes the game more enticing. With all of this being canon, however, it can make the story feel a tad more convoluted, and it definitely means new players need to have seen the movies to truly benefit from the plot. Everyone is welcome to enter The Matrix, but for diehard fans, the game does add some important story additions worth noting.

This is a game that got a little wild, in a good way, loosening the belt from the movies and allowing players to explore some of the dirtier work from what they had previously seen. The second film saw a good bit of the ghost twins, while the game allowed fans to play with the vampires and werewolves more, as well as explore action sequences that Reloaded didn’t take the time to show. 

Enter the Matrix tried to raise the bar for movie games

Enter the Matrix was trying to start a trend, set a new bar for where movies and video games could be married, at least within the realms of character, story, and experience. Players use martial arts, guns, and the Focus ability to slow down time and watch bullets fly by, all while dressed in fashionable hacker attire. The world mimics the movies while Agents feel like a real threat (at first anyway), and the drive to see more of the story and cutscenes moves us forward. The most memorable feature though may be the hacking-based cheat system, where users can access the mostly-forgotten multiplayer and utilize DOS commands for various effects.

No matter what stuck out the most, the game was incredibly welcomed upon release, selling quite well and making way for another installment later on. Enter the Matrix would be rereleased as a budget title, and some versions were even slightly revamped with new mini-games. Each version of the game had issues and interesting bugs, but none of the releases escaped without some form of performance problem. For most, however, the PS2 offering seemed to provide the best overall experience.

As enjoyable and creative as Enter the Matrix was, there were a lot of problems. The normal controls work fine and look solid in many instances, but they can be sluggish and attacks are not snappy when dealing with multiple opponents, which is made worse by generally horrible AI, causing the enemies to either be too easy to defeat or ridiculous to hit. Driving and on-rail shootings sections can be frustrating and feel tacked on while melee encounters are lacking and level design comes across as uninspired other than looking the part. It does offer various modes in the gameplay, which required multiple engines, and this is one case where a more streamlined experience was most likely needed. Even Perry said the team, “bit off a little more than we could chew,” and in some cases were developing for platforms they weren’t exactly familiar with.  

Though the game apparently spent over two years in development, the release date was set in stone to coincide with the film. Enter the Matrix had positives for sure, where the whole package still managed to come together even if several aspects fall short, but a lot of those successes hinged on the IP it represented, and this batch of code could have used some more time in production. Lead Programmer for the game, Michael “Saxs” Persson, said to Polygon, “No matter who you ask, Enter the Matrix was like Dante’s seven levels of Hell,” which seems a little harsh, but it sounds like this wasn’t an easy production period, no matter how much enjoyment players may have gotten out of it.

Some critics felt that the game cheapened the movie, but I don’t see that at all. In fact, Enter the Matrix may have suffered slightly for having to make the story fit in with the movies when that was the strongest aspect of the whole package. The game isn’t quite equal in its parts, some elements are epic, others are awkward, but its strength lies in what it was, an ambitious program that sought to give major fans another chance to enter the simulation.

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