Latest Features
Feature What 25 Years of Resident Evil Means to Game Developers
11 studios reflect on Capcom classics
As one of the most recognisable and important franchises in gaming, Resident Evil is near and dear to the hearts of so many. From all the way back in 1996, when S.T.A.R.S. members infiltrated the classic Spencer Mansion, right the way through to newcomer Ethan Winters' attempted escape of the Baker family, each...
Soapbox Sony Needs to Bang Down Valve's Door to Get Half-Life: Alyx on PS5's PSVR
Steam works
Sony surprised us all this week by revealing its next-gen PlayStation VR controllers. It mentioned in the PlayStation Blog post that they’re being sent out to development partners imminently, which is perhaps why it decided to unveil them – there’s always a chance they’ll leak once they arrive in studios, right? To be fai
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 368
Unwind
This week saw Sony purchase Evo the fighting game tournament and unexpectedly reveal its next-gen PSVR controllers, which we don’t think anyone expected really. We also got updates on a ton of indie games, as well as the announcement of Life Is Strange: True Colors. We’ve definitely earned a weekend of gaming after all that. Sammy...
Poll What Free PS4 Games Are You Most Excited to Play?
Reasons to Play At Home
Earlier this week, Sony announced it will be heavily bolstering its Play At Home initiative offering by serving up another 10 free PlayStation 4 games for everyone to play. The vast majority will be available to download starting 25th March 2021 while one more follows in a month's time. The list of free titles spans quite a...
Reaction Why Did PlayStation Buy Evo?
Kings of competition
In single player focused communities like Push Square, esports get overlooked. But make no mistake, this sector of the market is enormous: BBC regularly hosts Rocket League and League of Legends tournaments live on its website now, while UKIE pegs the sector’s overall global revenue at $1.1 billion as of 2020 – and that...
Soapbox PGA Tour 2K21 Has Quietly Become One of PS4's Best Sports Games
Hole in one
2K Sports’ recent acquisition of HB Studios encouraged me to revisit PGA Tour 2K21 this week, a game which I liked a lot when I reviewed it last year but felt was still one iteration away from excellence. To be honest, I’ve been blown away by many of the improvements made, and while there are still obvious weak areas, I think the...
Live Watch Square Enix Presents, Featuring Life Is Strange, Right Here
Announcements and updates from Square Enix
Square Enix is hosting a livestream today, featuring a handful of upcoming titles, including the next Life Is Strange game. You can watch the whole thing unfold live on this very page, with live chat and a live blog. The entire show will get underway from 10AM PDT / 5PM GMT, so make sure you join us for all...
Guide When Is the Square Enix Presents Livestream?
Dates, times, where to watch, and what to expect
What time is Square Enix Presents: Spring 2021? When and where can you watch Square Enix Presents? The Japanese publisher is jumping on the bandwagon with its very own livestream broadcast, showcasing some of its upcoming games. In this guide, we've got all the details you'll need ahead of the event...
Soapbox Why Do You Replay Games?
Liam can't quite work out why
I've never, ever been one to replay games. The act isn't completely foreign to me — three immediate playthroughs of The Last of Us: Part II, I'm looking at you — but I'm almost always looking ahead to what's next after rolling credits. That is unless the Platinum Trophy is somewhat achievable, of course. I generally...
Interview Maquette's Creative Director on Building a Recursive World Puzzle Game for PS5
Over and over
One of PlayStation Plus' games for PS5 this month is Maquette, an intriguing and unique first-person puzzler. In addition to a reality-bending core mechanic, it tells a relatable, somewhat subdued love story. Co-starring in the game are Bryce Dallas Howard and Seth Gabel, who bring characters Kenzie and Michael to life as you solve...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 367
Talkin' 'bout
Another relatively drab week has concluded in the PlayStation Nation, but hopefully things are looking up as we edge towards the busy Spring period. Here's what's keeping us busy this weekend. Sammy Barker, Editor: To be honest, I just want to mess about with FIFA 21 this weekend and relax a little bit. I did start Bugsnax earlier in...
Poll Which Bethesda Franchise Will PS5 Miss the Most?
The elder woes
Yes, there’s some ongoing ambiguity in Microsoft’s wording, but many PlayStation fans probably find themselves trapped in the first stage of grief: denial. Phil Spencer and his cohorts could probably still be a little clearer, but the writing is on the wall: once Deathloop and Ghostwire Tokyo release, outside of ongoing service...
Feature Best PlayStation Music of February 2021
Taking the month off?
Sure, no month is going to go by without a couple of noteworthy games, but this February was very much on the lighter end. Where’s all the awesome new music, you might be asking. Well, there just wasn’t very much of it, really. February was... let’s just say it was thin. Not to say there was nothing at all, but don’t be...
Reaction What Next for PlayStation?
The state of play
It’s been a strange year for PlayStation, hasn’t it? Objectively, the organisation is arguably at the peak of its power right now: revenue is ridiculous, it’s raking in more award nominations than the rest of the industry combined, and
Soapbox How I Would Handle The Last of Us Factions
Liam makes his pitch
At some point over the next year, Naughty Dog is presumably going to finally unveil the multiplayer offering it has in the works. Supposedly too big and ambitious to ship with The Last of Us: Part II, expectations have understandably risen as Neil Druckmann and co keep us guessing as to what it might entail. A reveal during some...
Soapbox One Year Later, Call of Duty: Warzone Has Consumed Me
Liam reflects on 12 months of Battle Royale action
Looking back on the comments I made in my Hands On piece for Call of Duty: Warzone, which celebrates its one year anniversary today, is a strange experience. While I thought what Infinity Ward had to offer at the time was completely fine in its own right, I was concerned by its overt simplicity and...
Interview How Astro's Playroom Composer Kenny Young Built a Soundtrack on PlayStation's Legacy
I'm your GPU
Shortly after PlayStation 5’s launch, we had the amazing opportunity to talk with Kenny Young, composer on the absolutely brilliant Astro’s Playroom (as well as Astro’s previous adventure, Astro Bot Rescue Mission). Join us as we talk about navigating the legacy of PlayStation and its music, the design process behind the catchiest...
Soapbox How Yakuza Proves Bigger Open Worlds Aren't Always Better
Size matters
Bigger is not always better – at least, that’s what I try to tell myself every time I hop in the shower. Alright, I’m probably lying to myself: after all, no one orders a single patty from Five Guys, do they? I do believe, however, that in the case of open world games, a smaller, denser environment is preferable to gigantic open...
Hardware Review PS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset - A Sturdy All-Rounder with Above Average Audio
Sound
Video games are an inherently visual medium – the clue, after all, is in the name. And yet sound can make or break an experience: when it’s good, like in The Last of Us: Part II, it sucks you into your surroundings, providing a sense of presence – but when it’s bad, like in the tinny Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, it only serves to...
Talking Point What Are Your Expectations for PSVR 2 on PS5?
A new dimension
Credit where credit is due: Sony is fully committing to virtual reality. While it could easily have dropped the burgeoning technology after a very slow start, it seems the platform holder is busy building on what it achieved with the first iteration of PlayStation VR. It was announced last week that a second PSVR device is in the...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 366
Like a dragon
We appreciate it’s a cliché, but the weekend sure does come around quick lately. After the theatrics of last week’s State of Play – and the nonchalant announcement of a new PSVR headset – this week was practically glacial. Let’s hope things improve soon, eh? Sammy Barker, Editor: Well, I'm hooked on Yakuza: Like a Dragon...
Soapbox How I Hustled My Way Out of FIFA 21 Ultimate Team's Division 9
Born again winner
Since breaking my Madden NFL 21 duck earlier in the year, I’ve traded handegg for football, because I paid full-price for FIFA 21 at launch and I figured I should get my money’s worth. My relationship with EA Sports’ soccer simulation is a storied one: I lost countless lunchtimes to FIFA Football 2003 – the one with Roberto...
Poll Have You Played Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and What Review Score Would You Give It?
Enter the dragon
Yakuza: Like a Dragon finally launched on PlayStation 5 earlier this week, following the end of an Xbox exclusivity period on next-gen hardware. The often insane RPG runs better than ever on Sony's new system, and even though we had already played it to death on PS4, we've been enjoying it all over again on PS5. At its best, we...
Interview Getting Frightened by The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope with Composer Jason Graves
O' ye, of Little Hope
We recently had the chance to again have a chat with composer Jason Graves, this time regarding his work scoring the latest entry in the Dark Pictures Anthology series, titled Little Hope. While certainly a departure from our topic of discussion with Jason last time — the adorable PlayStation VR title Moss — Little Hop
Hands On Co-Op Puzzle Adventure It Takes Two Offers Outrageous Variety
Toy story
After the grounded reality of his co-op prison break game A Way Out, film director and game designer Josef Fares is returning to the bright fantasy of his studio’s debut game, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. It Takes Two follows May and Cody, soon-to-be divorcees who find themselves enchanted into dolls by their daughter. The distraught...
Criterion's first-person shooter turns 15
Criterion Games was absolutely on fire in the early noughties. Having made an incredible arcade racing series — the brilliant Burnout, of course — it decided to turn its hand to a totally new genre. This is something that you don't see too much of; usually, a studio finds its comfort zone and sticks to...
Hands On Incredibly Rough Outriders Demo Kills Our Hope for This Looter Shooter's Launch
Fade to black
Ever since its reveal at E3 2019, Outriders has struggled to leave a mark, but more recent gameplay videos have at least shown promise. As such, the announcement of a playable demo had us excited to finally go hands-on with this new looter shooter, to see whether it could offer something a bit different. But as it happens, our hope for...
Poll Are You Happy with Your PS Plus Games for March 2021?
Plus or minus?
The PlayStation Plus games lineup for March 2021 has been confirmed, and in our humble opinion, it's yet another great month for subscribers. Sony's seemingly been going all-out with PS Plus since the launch of the PS5, and it doesn't look like it'll be slowing down anytime soon: March's offerings include intriguing puzzler Maquette...
Guide Upcoming PS5, PS4 Games for March and April 2021
Yakuza! Outriders! Returnal!
We're a couple of months into 2021, and while the release schedule is slowing down, there are still plenty of PlayStation games coming in the near future. Whether you're playing on PS5 or PS4, March and April still have a handful of interesting titles to look forward to — provided nothing gets delayed. Let's take a...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 365
Busy week, easy weekend
What a wonderful week it was for video game news – sure, there were highs and lows, but at least the industry felt alive for a little while. We’ll take the ups and downs over the lifeless corpse that our pastime has felt like these past few weeks. Sammy Barker, Editor: I’ve decided not to start any new games until...
Soapbox The Real Problem with Sony's State of Play Livestreams
Sammy feels like the series lacks Sony's full weight
It was a coincidence that my colleague Liam Croft published an article about the state of, er, Sony’s State of Play livestreams on a week where th
Hands On Guilty Gear Strive Is Shaping Up to Be the Next Great Fighting Game
Let's rock
Boy are we impressed with Guilty Gear Strive. We sank hours and hours and hours into the game's open beta over the last weekend, and we were still itching to play more when it shut down midweek. In short, we haven't been this excited for a fighting game since... Tekken 7, maybe, and that turned out to be a banger as well. Now don't get...
Reaction Japan Studio's Disbandment Is Disappointing, But Not Surprising
Sammy argues the writing was on the wall
Back in 2013, when Allan Becker – the former head of Sony Santa Monica – was convinced by then-Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida to run Japan Studio, he told Kotaku his ultimate ambition: “For Japan Studio to be relevant globally in two and a half years.” In the seven plus years since that...
First Impressions Stonefly Is the New Game from the Makers of Creature in the Well
Mechs, bugs, and rock n' roll
Flight School Studio has only been around for a few years, but it's already making a name for itself in the gaming space. Creature in the Well is a refreshingly unique action game with a beautiful art style and atmosphere — we'd highly encourage you to give it a look. But what is the team working on next? What comes...
Interview Returnal PS5 Developer Housemarque Talks Story, Replayability, and Value
Permanent progression, first person segments, and more discussed
If you're not already, you should be paying attention to Housemarque. The Finnish developer has been crafting fantastic arcade games since the mid-90s, and has often partnered with Sony to bring these to PlayStation. If you've played Super Stardust HD, Dead Nation, Resogun, Alienation,...
Round Up What Was Announced During Sony PlayStation's State of Play Livestream?
All the PS5, PS4 reveals
Sony sprung into action this week with a number of PlayStation-focused announcements to please its fanbase, one of which was a return to the traditional State of Play mantra of bundling together a ton of games and reveals. The focus was placed firmly on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 titles, some of which we already knew...
First Impressions Returnal Is Blending Rogue-Lite Action with Immersive Storytelling
A house is not a home
We've all been waiting for Sony to give us a little more information about Returnal, the upcoming shooter from Housemarque. From what little has been publicly shown, it has the studio's signature style, but there's clearly more going on here. The team has arcade action down pat, and that's very much present, but it's mixing...
Talking Point Did Sony's State of Play Livestream Meet Your Expectations?
Intergrade this showcase
It had been roughly half a year since Sony last put on a proper State of Play showcase packed full of announcements, so this latest livestream was most certainly a welcome one. The hardware manufacturer focused on 10 PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 games, some of which had been previously confirmed while others were entirely...
Live Watch Sony PlayStation's State of Play Livestream Right Here (25th February, 2021)
Updates on ten PS5, PS4 titles
It's the first State of Play livestream of 2021, and Sony's promising a 30-minute broadcast dedicated to ten upcoming PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 games. With the expectations appropriately calibrated, we're looking forward to updates on titles like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and Returnal, with hopefully a...
Talking Point What Do You Expect from This Week's State of Play?
Prediction party
Go on, admit it: which one of you poked Sony with a big, pointy stick? The platform holder has been snoozing since the turn of the year, and we were beginning to believe that coronavirus was to blame. Sure, we got release dates for MLB The Show 21 and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, but like Icelandic warbler Björk once wailed:...
Talking Point What Free March 2021 PS Plus Games Are You Hoping For?
When will March 2021's PlayStation Plus lineup be announced?
What’s the March 2021 PlayStation Plus lineup? When will the free March 2021 PS Plus games be announced? It only feels like yesterday we were looking forward to a barnstorming PS Plus lineup, featuring Concrete Genie, Destruction AllStars, and Control: Ultimate Edition. But we're nearing...
Poll How Do You Feel About PS4 Exclusives Being Ported to PC?
Good or bad for business?
First, it was Horizon Zero Dawn, now it's Days Gone this spring. Then, a "whole slate" of PlayStation 4 exclusives will be ported to PC. As part of the GQ Magazine interview which confirmed the news that Deacon St. John would find a new home on the personal computer, PlayStation boss Jim Ryan said that the platform's...
Guide Outriders Demo: Start Times, What's Included, and Unlocks
All the details you need
What time does the Outriders demo start? What's included in the Outriders demo? Does progress carry over into the full game? Square Enix will finally lift the lid on its looter shooter title from developer People Can Fly this week with a full demo of Outriders. It's set to contain a lot of content, so you might be wondering...
Hands On Roller Champions Shows Wheel Promise in PS4 Closed Beta
On a roll
Since its announcement, Roller Champions has had a clear concept. Like Rocket League, you can boil it down to just a few words; it's a sort-of blend of roller derby and basketball. You only need to play it for a minute to understand what it's trying to do, and from our experience, it has the potential to score big when it finally launches...
Soapbox The State of Play Branding Seems Confused
Should we be excited for the next one?
I don't know if I should be looking forward to the next hypothetical State of Play livestream, and that's a problem. What was originally designed as an online platform for Sony to showcase upcoming PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 titles (in a very similar vein to a Nintendo Direct) has now morphed into...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 364
Strive for more
The weather’s improving (as long as you don’t live in Texas, anyway) and the days are getting longer – but there’s still a global pandemic, so we’ll be closing the curtains and digging into some video games. Sammy Barker, Editor: Last week I said I wanted to start Death Stranding, and I did. I'm not sure how far into the...
Soapbox The Long, Painful Path to My First Madden NFL 21 Online Win
1-16
I like American football games (I’m even trying to collect every one ever made); I’m not very good at American football games. While I can generally hold my own against the computer, I’ve long endured a painful relationship online, getting my ass kicked at every opportunity. I have won matches in previous instalments, but nursing an 0-14...
Poll Who Should Develop New Metal Gear Solid and Castlevania Games If Konami Is Outsourcing Them?
Take your pick
Earlier this week, it was reported that Konami is looking to outsource some of its iconic properties in order to produce future games. More specifically, it's believed that Metal Gear Solid and Castlevania are up for grabs — but who should be chosen to reinvigorate these classic franchises? Now, we have no idea who the Japanese...
Interview Media Molecule Director Siobhan Reddy Discusses 15 Years of Creative Games
"I think it was really good that we didn't know what we were doing"
Dreams just recently turned one (happy birthday!), but the studio behind it has also reached a significant milestone. Guildford-based Media Molecule celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. Founded in 2006, the developer has proven to be one of the industry's most innovative and...
Soapbox There's a Nintendo Direct Today, But I Wish We Had a State of Play to Look Forward To
Sammy's eyeing the news cycle elsewhere with envy
Don’t worry, I get it Nintendo fans: from what I understand, the House of Mario hasn’t hosted a proper, full-length livestream since September 2019. That’s a long time, and I can certainly appreciate why you may feel starved for news – I hope, for the sake of anyone with a Waluigi avatar on...
