Latest Features
Soapbox Vermintide 2 Might Be My Game of the Year (But It Released in 2018)
Rats!
Warhammer: Vermintide 2 is a brilliant game. I bought it in a PlayStation Store sale ages ago, but a combination of home network issues and choppy PS4 performance made me drop it a lot sooner than I would have liked. Fast forward a couple of years or so, and I can't stop playing the bloody thing on PS5 (where it runs at a silky smooth 60...
Game of the Year #4 - Hitman 3
Good work, 47
Here’s the thing: you can’t detach Hitman 3 from the World of Assassination Trilogy as a whole. IO Interactive has created something unprecedented across two console generations here: a collection of stealth playgrounds, each intricately designed and brimming with murderous potential. Not getting caught has never felt this good –...
Game of the Year Jamie's Top 5 PS5, PS4 Games of 2021
Memories make me want to go back there
Our individual Game of the Year articles allow our lovely team of writers to share their own personal PS5 and PS4 picks for 2021. Today, it's the turn of retro specialist Jamie O'Neill. 5. Turrican Flashback: Like in the Weezer lyrics, whenever I replay the first two Euro-style 2D run-and-gun Turrican games...
Game of the Year Best PS5, PS4 FPS Game of 2021
Loop the loop
In what feels like a bit of an off-year for the FPS genre, the field of nominees for this year's instalment of the best PS5, PS4 FPS game of 2021 doesn't feel quite as strong. Nevertheless, we've still whittled down the best of the best to a top four. Selected by the Push Square editorial team, these are our picks for the best...
Soapbox How Discord Will Change the Way We Play PS5, PS4 Together in 2022
We're all connected
One of the bigger stories of 2021 came when Sony announced it had invested in Discord and was working on full integration with the PlayStation Network. The news emerged shortly after Microsoft withdrew from a rumoured $10 billion buyout of the social network, making for a nice juxtaposition among those who follow the industry...
Game of the Year #5 - Psychonauts 2
All in the mind
No matter how much of a cult status the original Psychonauts holds, releasing a direct sequel more than 16 years later was always going to be a daunting prospect. Thank god Double Fine didn’t cave to those fears then because Psychonauts 2 is another game with creativity up the wazoo. Raz returns to work out who the double agent...
Game of the Year Brett's Top 5 PS5, PS4 Games of 2021
Castle crasher
Our individual Game of the Year articles allow our lovely team of writers to share their own personal PS5 and PS4 picks for 2021. Today, it's the turn of reviewer Brett Posner-Ferdman. 5. Persona 5 Strikers: The Phantom Thieves of Hearts are back, and better than ever! Going into 2021, Persona 5 Strikers was easily one of my most...
Game of the Year Best PS5, PS4 Story or Writing of 2021
Penned in
Stories, characters, and the writing that brings them all together are elements of video games that many (including ourselves) would consider hugely important. There's nothing quite like a gripping plot, so we wanted to highlight the games that held a particularly tight grip on our attention through high quality writing. As chosen by the...
Soapbox Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars, the Most Relaxing RPG I've Ever Played
Yoko Taro's latest is super chill, says Stephen
By all accounts, I shouldn't really like Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars. As a rule, I shy away from JRPGs, because I often find them to be too complicated, too long, too insane, or some combination of the three. I've certainly tried to get into the genre, and my longstanding attachment to...
Heavenly hell
While it's true Hades initially launched last year, it only came to PlayStation platforms a few months ago, and by the gods, it was worth the wait. It's no real surprise why the game scooped up so many awards 12 months ago; it's about as good as rogue-likes get, thanks to some slick gameplay and innovative storytelling. With the...
Game of the Year Graham's Top 5 PS5, PS4 Games of 2021
Wake up
Our individual Game of the Year articles allow our lovely team of writers to share their own personal PS5 and PS4 picks for 2021. Today, it's the turn of reviewer Graham Banas. 5. Deathloop: I love Arkane. Everything they make just has this certain vibe that no one else in the industry can touch. Their latest is no exception. I was...
Game of the Year Best PS5, PS4 Remake, Remaster, or Re-Release of 2021
Worth a revisit
2021 will be remembered as a brilliant year for remakes, remasters, and enhanced PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5 ports. Since a lot of these games tend to get overlooked for Game of the Year awards in favour of brand new titles, we thought it would be fitting to highlight our favourites. As selected by the Push Square editorial team,...
Soapbox PS5's Next-Gen PSVR Headset Is Going to Drop Jaws in 2022
A reality
Gamers can be a strange breed, you know? This is an industry that’s founded on technological innovation: it’s a beautiful blend of computing and entertainment. I don’t know about you, but I love this hobby because it never stands still: the games we play, the consoles we use – they’re always evolving. Compare the original...
Game of the Year #7 - It Takes Two
Together forever
Hardcore gamers generally don’t like playing with anyone but themselves, so when It Takes Two comes along and demands a second player be part of the fun just to start the game, it was always facing an uphill battle. Good job many overcame those fears of interacting with another person, though, because Hazelight Studios’...
Game of the Year Liam's Top 5 PS5, PS4 Games of 2021
The good lady Dimitrescu
Our individual Game of the Year articles allow our lovely team of writers to share their own personal PS5 and PS4 picks for 2021. Today, it's the turn of assistant editor Liam Croft. 5. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: It may only be fifth on my personal list, but Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy was probably the...
Feature We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Compliments of the season to you
We feel like we could copy and paste the opening sentence from our 2020 Merry Christmas message and nobody would be none the wiser: "We’re hesitant to mention it, but it’s been a strange old year, hasn’t it?" Yes, for the second full year in a row, the world hasn't quite been its normal self. Thankfully, in...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Xmas Edition
Ho ho ho
Morning everyone, and a very Merry Christmas to all of you! The dates have fallen perfectly this year, meaning we can convene for our regularly scheduled WAYP on Xmas Day — thank the Calendar Gods for such a convenience. We've got a bumper issue lined up today, so let's get to it. Sammy Barker, Editor: Merry Christmas! I'm fighting the...
Soapbox EA Originals Was the Publisher's Secret Weapon in 2021
EA's indie push is where it's at, says Stephen
Electronic Arts gets a very bad rap these days. While I'd agree that the publisher isn't quite what it once was — and it certainly has made a bundle of mistakes over the last five years or so — it isn't quite as negative as all that. I'm not here to defend it for any missteps or misfires; that's a...
Game of the Year #8 - Knockout City
Ballin'
This will probably wind up being a contentious inclusion in our Game of the Year countdown, but it really shouldn't. Knockout City is an online-only multiplayer game with broad appeal, fuelled by frequent post-launch updates and battle pass-style progression. While many will condemn it for those reasons, we strongly believe that this title...
Game of the Year Stephen's Top 5 PS5, PS4 Games of 2021
Going rogue
Our individual Game of the Year articles allow our lovely team of writers to share their own personal PS5 and PS4 picks for 2021. Today, it's the turn of associate editor Stephen Tailby. 5. Death's Door: For me, the year has been peppered with several smaller games, and most of them have been very good, but I think Death's Door does...
Guide 10 PS5 Things You Should Do First This Christmas
Tips and tricks to getting started with PlayStation 5
PlayStation 5 has been here for a year, but if you were lucky enough to find PS5 stock and got a spangly new console for Christmas, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed right now. Obviously, you’ve been waiting patiently for the new-gen platform, but with so much on offer out of the box, you...
Game of the Year Best PS5, PS4 Indie Game of 2021
Treasure trove
Every year sees the release of hundreds of indie games on PlayStation 5 and PS4, but there are always some true standouts. Of course, 2021 has been no different, with many excellent smaller titles hitting both consoles. The below are our picks for the best indie games of the year, with the Push Square editorial team selecting their...
Game of the Year #9 - Disco Elysium: The Final Cut
Case closed
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut isn't for everyone. Its unapologetically mature storytelling and methodical pacing can make it a tough nut to crack, but with a bit of patience and willingness to let yourself get lost in its dilapidated world, you'll find a gripping RPG. Playing as a middle aged detective who's suffering from a severe case...
Game of the Year Stuart's Top 5 PS5, PS4 Games of 2021
No Kid A-ing
Our individual Game of the Year articles allow our lovely team of writers to share their own personal PS5 and PS4 picks for 2021. Today, it's the turn of reviewer Stuart Gipp. 5. Resident Evil Village: After the much purer horror experience of Resident Evil 7, some fans must have been disappointed by Village’s hard swerve into...
Game of the Year #10 - Guilty Gear Strive
Blame the beasts
Games that push an entire genre forward are a rarity, but that's what Guilty Gear Strive has done for fighting games. It may not be as mainstream as Street Fighter, Tekken, or Mortal Kombat, but in its visuals and its online netcode, Strive has set the bar for all future brawlers. Developer Arc System Works has been hitting home...
Game of the Year John's Top 5 PS5, PS4 Games of 2021
Point of no Returnal
Our individual Game of the Year articles allow our lovely team of writers to share their own personal PS5 and PS4 picks for 2021. Today, it's the turn of reviewer John Cal McCormick. 5. F.I.S.T.: Forged in Shadow Torch: Oh baby, you had me at steampunk-metroidvania-starring-an-anthropomorphic-bunny-with-a-giant-metal-fist. I...
Guide Best Short Games on PS4 You Can Beat in a Day
Shortest games on PlayStation 4
What are some of the best short games on PS4? The PlayStation 4 has lots of short games available, and while some of them probably aren't worth your time, there are plenty that are. In this list, we'll go through some of the shortest games you can play on PS4 — but first, some ground rules. For starters, all the...
Talking Point What PS Plus Games for January 2022 Do You Want?
When will January 2022's PS Plus lineup be announced?
What are the January 2022 PS Plus games for PS5 and PS4 and when will the January 2022 PS Plus games be announced? It's the beginning of a New Year, and one where PlayStation is purportedly planning to overhaul its subscription services. For this first instalment, it'll be business as usual, but...
Video Reboot, Remaster and Remake - What’s the Difference?
Blurred lines
It’s a question as old as time, but one that a lot of players still can’t seem to agree upon: what is the difference between a reboot, remaster, and remake? Whenever a classic PlayStation game is revived in some way, the cultural conversation surrounding it always begins by trying to determine what level of new treatment the...
Feature Our PS5, PS4 Predictions for 2021 - How Did We Do?
Guesswork
And that's your lot for 2021. Barring any unusual PR decisions to make an announcement during the Xmas holidays, it's going to be a "SlOw NeWs DaY" right until mid-January now. We're winding down now as our Game of the Year content soon takes over, but there's still something we need to address: our 2021 predictions. At the start of the...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 407
One week to go
Wow! Is there really only a week until Christmas? It felt like it was ages away and now suddenly here it is, right on top of us, like a New York Yankees baseball cap or something. This author only just got around to opening the first window on his advent calendar yesterday, so you know what that means: a hearty helping of Dairy Milk...
Video The State of PlayStation VR in 2021
A different reality
The PlayStation 5 might be shiny and all, but another piece of important Sony tech still making waves (just about) is, of course, PSVR. The original headset launched in 2016, having recently celebrated its fifth anniversary on the market. As such, we found ourselves wondering: where does Sony’s take on virtual reality currently...
Guide Best PS4 Family Games to Play Together At Christmas
PS4 games for families to play at home together
What are the best PS4 games for families to play together? The PlayStation 4's vast library of titles caters to every type of genre and video game player imaginable. From RPGs and first-person shooters through to driving simulators, it really does have the lot. However, occasionally you'll want to bond...
Feature Assassin's Creed Valhalla Season Pass Review - Is It Worth Buying?
A look at all the DLC
The Assassin's Creed Valhalla season pass was first detailed back in October 2020, before the game itself had launched. Following on from the success of Assassin's Creed Odyssey and its extensive post-launch support, Ubisoft was keen to repeat the cycle — but does Valhalla's season pass measure up to its predecessor's? Is...
Video Is KartRider: Drift PlayStation's Answer to Mario Kart?
Boosting out of the Beta
Kart racing games certainly aren't as affluent as they used to be, but that hasn't stopped a slew of third-party developers from trying to capture the genre's magic. The latest attempt on PlayStation comes from Nexon, which is set to fully launch its free-to-play live service platform sometime in 2022. But does KartRider:...
Feature The Results for Our Game Awards 2021 Quiz Are In
Did you beat TGA 2021?
Earlier in the week, we asked the Push Square community to predict The Game Awards 2021. You lot were presented with a 30 yes or no question quiz, which was designed to crack a smile ahead of Geoff Keighley's big show. Still, the results make for an interesting read... Let's see how you did! Question 1: Will Geoff Keighley...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 406
Awards aftermath
Well, that should just do it for video games in 2021. Not literally, of course – we’ll be here next week to bring you the latest news and rumours. But, with The Game Awards over, expect the industry to begin to slow down now until the New Year. We’ve got so much planned for the remainder of December, though, so there’s tons...
Hands On The Matrix Awakens Is an Unreal Demonstration of PS5's Power
The truth, nothing more
There are some who would argue that the PlayStation 5 has yet to have its true next-gen moment. Exclusives like Demon’s Souls and even Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart look phenomenal, of course, but are they really a significant step-up from the PS4? Sony, in many ways, made a rod for its own back with its generational...
Round Up What Was Announced at The Game Awards 2021?
All the PS5, PS4 reveals
Another year, another instalment of The Game Awards. It's designed to celebrate the past 12 months and crown the best titles with awards, but come on, we're really watching it for the announcements, aren't we? The show has gotten better and better over the past few years in this department, with entire console reveals taking...
Talking Point Did The Game Awards 2021 Live Up to the Hype?
Keighley's December surprise
He hyped it up to high heaven, but did Geoff Keighley deliver on his promises for The Game Awards 2021? It's time for you to decide in the latest Push Square poll. We heard word of "four or five" reveals on the same level as Summer Game Fest's Elden Ring trailer, but what di
Live Watch The Game Awards 2021 Right Here
The Keighley cometh
Watch The Game Awards 2021 right here. The finale to a full calendar year of gaming awaits: Geoff Keighley will be your host for one last big shindig before we all bunker down for the holidays. As is always the case, there’ll be a mixture of awards, interviews, and World Premieres during this showcase, with new game reveals and...
Video PS4 to PS5 Game Upgrades Like Uncharted are Messier Than They Ought to Be
Buried treasure
Earlier this week we got word of how the upgrade path for Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection will work. But where other publishers and platform holders have made upgrades as easy as possible, PlayStation’s first-party suite of titles continue to require a spreadsheet’s worth of breakdown to work out what option is best for...
Guide What Time Is The Game Awards 2021?
Dates, times, and what to expect
What time is The Game Awards 2021? When is The Game Awards, and what games will be shown? Geoff Keighley's annual awards ceremony closes out the gaming calendar each year, and 2021 is no exception. Bringing the show back to Los Angeles for a live production in front of a reduced audience, The Game Awards will be...
Feature Predict The Game Awards 2021 With Our Ridiculous 30 Question Quiz
Can you predict TGA 2021?
The Game Awards has suddenly become the biggest annual gaming event, and you know what that means! As we've been doing with E3 for over five years, we've decided to make a predictions quiz for Geoff Keighley's big show. Below, you'll find 30 yes or no questions. All you have to do is try to predict the correct answer for...
Poll What Is Your PS5, PS4 Game of the Year 2021?
Vote now
It's time once again for our Game of the Year celebration. As has become tradition here at Push Square, we're filling out the holidays with a range of content that covers the best PlayStation games of the last 12 months — and it all starts with our community Game of the Year poll. It's simple, really. All you have to do is look at the...
Poll Are You Happy With Your PS Plus Games for December 2021?
Plus or minus?
Given that December's PlayStation Plus lineup was leaked more than a week before the official announcement, we had assumed that there wouldn't be much drama surrounding the selection. But boy oh boy, we couldn't have been more wrong. In fact, this has turned out to be one of the most controversial PS Plus updates of 2021. In case you...
Comparisons will be made
Such is the discourse among enthusiast gamers that Sony will either have to introduce an Xbox Game Pass competitor or Microsoft will have to pull the plug on its own before fans shut up about it. Despite breaking industry sales records, there’s a sentiment among the most engaged players on social media that PlayStation...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 405
Christmas is coming
The nights are drawing in, the advent calendars are out, and it's just about time to start thinking about Christmas decorations. (Seriously, don't be one of those people who's had them up since early November.) With the temperatures plummeting (depending where you are in the world, we suppose), it's time to start getting cosy in...
Guide All Free PS Plus Games in 2021
A complete list of every 2021 PlayStation Plus game
What are the new PS Plus games? What are the latest PS5 and PS4 games on PlayStation Plus? What free PS Plus games have been given away in 2021? Within this guide, we shall be compiling a complete list of every single title given away as part of Sony's subscription service this year. The article...
Movie Review Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City - Reshuffled Reboot Misses the Mark
Almost brain dead
Resident Evil fans have had a rocky ride over the years. Sure, the mainline games may have steadied the course with a return to true survival horror, but we’re still not that far removed from the dark days of Umbrella Corps, Resident Evil 6’s messy intertwined story, and worse yet, Paul W.S. Anderson’s progressively baffling...
