Latest Features
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 468
Hella good
Will the weather improve? As much as we like to shut out the world and embed ourselves in our favourite virtual worlds, it would be nice to see a bit of sunshine, wouldn't it? Hurry up, Spring! Aaron Bayne: I’ve been patiently waiting for this one, but it’s time to delve into the Diablo IV early access beta. I’m a newbie to the...
Poll Are You Playing Trails to Azure?
Feeling blue
The second game in Falcom's 'Crossbell' duology has finally been officially released in the West, and existing fans will know how much of a big deal that is. Trails to Azure is the explosive sequel to Trails from Zero, and these two titles feed directly into the Trails of Cold Steel series. What a time to be alive! If you're a fan of...
Talking Point Is 2024 Too Soon for PS5 Pro?
Pros and cons
The latest and greatest PlayStation rumour to do the rounds is based on a recent report by the reliable Insider Gaming. Said report claims that the oft-whispered PS5 Pro is in development, and could be targeting a potential 2024 release. It's a rumour that's already divided fan opinion — and even we find ourselves trying to weigh...
Hands On The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR Is Massively Underwhelming So Far
House of horrors
At what point do we consider Until Dawn a curse? UK developer Supermassive has been trying to better the PS4 narrative horror for the best part of a decade, with both its ongoing The Dark Pictures anthology and standalone The Quarry coming up short. Now, based on the first half of our playthrough, we’re sad to report that the...
Preview Dead Island 2 Makes Up for Lost Time with Fun
Almost 3,652 Days Later
Pretty much no game ever is worth waiting almost 10 years for, but when Dead Island 2 launches on PS5 and PS4 next month, it'll at least deliver on the comedic fun its reveal trailer teased all the way back at E3 2014. Having been passed between three different developers over the past decade, it's difficult to work out where...
TV Show Review The Last of Us (HBO) Finale - A Highlight Reel of Your Favourite Story
Cutting to the chase
Well folks, we’re finally here. After nine episodes, we've reached the conclusion of HBO’s retelling of The Last of Us. And now that we've wrapped this story up yet again we're feeling a little… conflicted. After last week's run-in with a very hungry group of survivors, Joel and Ellie make their way to the hospital to...
Poll How Would You Rate The Last of Us Season One Finale?
The end
And that's it: after nine weeks of episodes, HBO's TV adaptation of The Last of Us has concluded its retelling of the PS3 game. A lot like the previous eight episodes, the finale remains faithful in many places but then deviates in others. We're sure fans will have their opinions on the way Joel and Ellie are captured by the Fireflies in the...
Poll What Review Score Would You Give Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty?
Wo and behold
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty seems to have struck a chord with fans of tough action titles. The latest game from prolific Japanese developer Team Ninja, it's a bit of mix between Nioh (the loot, the combat pacing), Sekiro (the parries), and Dynasty Warriors (the battlefield morale system), and it's all based on epic Chinese novel Romance of...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 467
Too much game
There's been snow this week in the UK, as this insufferable, never-ending winter lurches on. At least the release calendar continues to be hot, with many different games to choose from these days. Jamie O'Neill: I always liked the visual style of the outdoor Biomes in Dead Cells, so the Castle's Outskirts opening area for the Return...
Live Watch the Capcom Spotlight Showcase Livestream Right Here
Resident Evil! Exoprimal! Ghost Trick!
Looking for the Capcom Spotlight showcase livestream? A big night awaits for the legendary Japanese publisher, with updates on Resident Evil 4, Exoprimal, and more all expected during the broadcast. The pre-show will get underway from around 2PM PT/10PM GMT, with the main event slated to follow immediately...
Live Watch the Nacon Connect 2023 Livestream Right Here
RoboCop! Gollum! Much more!
Looking for the Nacon Connect 2023 livestream? The publisher jumped on the Nintendo Direct bandwagon a few years ago, and is back with another broadcast from 1PM ET/6PM GMT. The French firm's portfolio is pretty eclectic these days, spanning sports games, simulations, and more. Expect updates on RoboCop: Rogue City and...
Poll What Review Score Would You Give Octopath Traveler 2?
Choose your path
It's a rather large RPG, but it's been out for a few weeks now — and so we want to know what you think of Octopath Traveler II. We're in a bit of a weird situation here on the PlayStation side of things, since the first game was never released on Sony platforms — but the good news is that this (supposedly much improved) sequel...
TV Show Review The Last of Us (HBO) Episode 8 - Streamlining Hollows Out Iconic Moments
A brilliant jigsaw puzzle with a few pieces missing
In the penultimate episode of The Last of Us TV show, we're beginning to see whether HBO's ambitious adaptation can hold a light to the PlayStation classic. Through its faithful recreations and daring diversions, The Last of Us is in the pay-off stages of its slow-burn post-apocalypse, and we're...
Poll What Did You Think of The Last of Us - Episode 8?
Snow joke
After episode seven's trip back in time, we return to the terrifying present in The Last of Us episode eight. Largely covering the sinister plot thread featuring David and his crew, things turn pretty ugly in this intense, fraught chapter. Caring for an injured Joel, Ellie's looking after him, hunting for food and desperately trying to...
Poll What Was Your Favourite PS5, PS4 Game in February 2023?
So many to choose from
Well, we saw it coming, but that still didn't stop February from being an absolutely frantic month for PlayStation. Between a number of popular new PS5 and PS4 releases and the arrival of PSVR2, we were kept extremely busy for the full 28 days — and now it feels like we're still trying to catch up here in March! But enough...
Poll Are You Happy with Your PS Plus Essential Games for March 2023?
Plus or minus?
Going by the results of our previous polls, it's been a good start to the year for PS Plus — but will that winning streak continue this month? March 2023's PS Plus Essential games have been officially announced, with inconsistent FPS Battlefield 2042 leading the charge. EA's multiplayer shooter is flanked by Minecraft: Dungeons and
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 466
Time out
There are so many games releasing right now that WAYP is really fun every week. Practically everyone one on our team is playing different titles, and it's a similar story in the comments, too! Annette Magaña: It's been a while, I’ve been kind of busy creating a little YouTube channel, but March is packed and full of hype so back to the...
Poll Are You Playing Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty?
Long time coming
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is here, and it seems to have made a splash amongst the hardcore action game community. A bit like a mix between Nioh and Sekiro — complete with a Romance of the Three Kingdoms backdrop — Wo Long is the latest heavy hitter from Team Ninja, a developer that's been impressively prolific in recent times. We...
Guide Upcoming PS5, PS4 Games for March and April 2023
Resident Evil! Star Wars! Minecraft!
After all the PSVR2 excitement last month, March brings us back to normalcy with a calm but very welcome lineup of games headed to both PlayStation 5 and PS4 over the next few weeks. As always, we've been busy putting together some highlights headed to both systems, as well as a larger selection of games that'll...
Poll What PS5, PS4 Games Are You Most Looking Forward to in March 2023?
Another busy month
It's fair to say that 2023 has been busy for PlayStation so far, and although March's schedule isn't quite as hectic as February's, there are still loads of games to get through. The likes of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty and, of course, Resident Evil 4 lead the charge, but you simply can't overlook potentially great (but smaller)...
Preview Capcom Showers Resident Evil 4's Late Game with Love
Island paradise
For much of the lead-up to this month's Resident Evil 4 remake, Capcom has focused its marketing efforts on the first 30 minutes of the survival horror classic. From Leon being dropped off on the outskirts of the mysterious village to his first proper encounters with its residents, we've seen how those first few steps into madness...
Poll How Do You Feel About Final Fantasy 16?
Take action
It happens every time a modern Final Fantasy game is fully revealed: "this isn't what I want from Final Fantasy". Needless to say, the cycle is repeating with Final Fantasy XVI, which, to be fair, does represent what is perhaps the most significant departure from the series' traditional formula yet — at least in terms of mainline...
Preview Final Fantasy 16 Is Shaping Up to Be a PS5 Game of the Year Contender
Hit maker
Whisper it, but Square Enix may have an absolute zinger on its hands. There will be some long-time fans who will likely take issue with Final Fantasy XVI’s broadly action-oriented approach, but after approximately an hour of play during a recent preview event, we walked away with our jaw on the floor. If this extraordinarily high budget...
Poll Help Us Rank the Yakuza / Like a Dragon Games
Judgment included
With the recent release of Like a Dragon: Ishin!, we think it's time to properly rank the games in RGG Studio's beloved Yakuza / Like a Dragon franchise. And, as always, we want your help in creating a definitive list. Determining the series' best games won't be easy, though. This is a property that's managed to maintain a fairly...
TV Show Review The Last of Us (HBO) Episode 7 - Emotional Mall Trip Is a Stunner
Pun books and pipe bombs
Lovers of the Left Behind DLC are in for a treat this week, as the HBO adaptation of The Last of Us devotes an entire episode to this tragic trip to a shopping centre. With Joel worse for wear after last week's episode, Ellie thinks back to another time when she was faced with a difficult choice. What follows is yet another...
Poll What Did You Think of The Last of Us - Episode 7?
Left Behind
We're heading towards HBO's finale of its The Last of Us TV adaptation, but episode seven took a step back in time for a large flashback focusing on Ellie's relationship with Riley. Appearances from Joel are kept to the start and end of the hour-long episode, allowing the two girls to steal the show with some nighttime fun in the mall...
Preview Humanity Is a Surrealist Spin on Lemmings in Intriguing PS5, PS4 Demo
Absolutely barking
To be frank, when Humanity was announced back in 2019, we weren't really sure what we were looking at. A series of delays made it all the more mysterious. It was only with the recent reintroduction during February's State of Play that things began to click into place. The game comes from
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 465
Ishin you a wonderful weekend
Happy PSVR2 launch weekend, folks! If you managed to grab the new headset, then we sincerely hope you're having a great time with it. If not, well, there's still a ton of other games to play — including Like a Dragon: Ishin!. Aaron Bayne: The launch of the PSVR2 has ensured that I’ll be diving into all kinds of VR...
Poll Are You Playing Octopath Traveler 2?
A new path on PlayStation
Octopath Traveler II is here, bringing some traditional, turn-based RPG adventuring to PS5 and PS4. Of course, the first Octopath Traveler is nowhere to be seen on PlayStation platforms — which makes the arrival of this sequel a bit weird — but the good news is that the two titles boast separate stories and characters...
Reaction Sony Continues to Fumble the State of Play Format
We've been here before
The curtain has closed on another State of Play, and this wasn’t a vintage one, to put it politely. In fact, at the time of writing, just 21 per cent of you said it was better than okay in our Push Square poll – a statistic we can’t imagine the bigwigs at PlayStation will be particularly impressed with
Round Up What Was Announced During Sony's State of Play Livestream for February 2023?
All the PS5, PS4, and PSVR2 reveals
Sony's first State of Play livestream for 2023 delivered 45 minutes of PS5, PS4, and PSVR2 reveals, so in case you didn't tune in, this Round Up article is designed as a catch-all for every bit of information shared. 16 titles were promised, and that figure included an extended look at Suicide Squad: Kill the...
Poll Did You Love Sony's Latest State of Play Livestream?
2023 starts with a bang?
The first State of Play showcase of 2023 has been and gone, with Sony taking the digital stage to reveal a lengthy look at Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League alongside new PSVR2 titles and more games from its partners. Clocking in at an impressive 45 minutes, the platform holder had a lot to show. New game announcements...
Live Watch Sony PlayStation's State of Play Livestream Right Here (23rd February, 2023)
Suicide Squad! PSVR2! Surprises?
Eager to watch Sony PlayStation’s State of Play livestream today? You’ve come to the right place! We’re knee deep into a New Year, and it’s time for a State of Play livestream. This one will focus on Rocksteady’s upcoming Suicide Squad, but will also spare time for third-party, indie, and PSVR2 trailers and...
Talking Point State of Play Predictions February 2023 - What Do You Expect?
A strong start to Sony's 2023?
Sony's next State of Play airs tonight, and we're sat here trying to predict what might be shown. In truth, it's a hard one to nail down. While the Japanese giant has provided an outline of its plans (which we'll examine shortly), there's been no clear indication as to what games will actually be featured — barring...
Poll Are You Playing Atomic Heart?
Electric feel
It always looked very promising in its gameplay videos leading up to launch, and now it's finally here. Atomic Heart is an alternate history shooter packed with crazy combat powers and weird looking robots. Atomic Heart is launching in an especially busy period, and so questions will no doubt be asked about whether it does enough to...
Feature 10 Best PSVR2 Games You Must Play on Launch Day
Goodbye, real world
Happy PSVR2 launch day! Many of you will be receiving your headsets right around when you read this, or you may have them already. As such, we thought we’d throw together some recommendations if you’re still not sure what to play. There are a lot of PSVR2 launch games to discover, and we’re busy beavering away on reviews...
Out Today PSVR2 Brings Next-Gen VR to the Masses
The future is now
Just over 13 months after its official unveiling, Sony's new PSVR2 headset has officially launched worldwide. Pre-orders weren't nearly as hard to come by as PS5, so the next-gen devices should be in plentiful supply should you decide to buy one today. However, the release still represents a big step in the right direction for the...
Feature PSVR2 Review: Is It Worth It?
Next-gen virtual reality arrives
Back when Sony originally released PSVR in 2016, it felt like magic. The headset – which also repurposed the existing PS Camera and PS Move controllers in order to operate – enabled you to exist within virtual worlds, unlocking innovative new gameplay opportunities, as observed in some of the device’s biggest...
Soapbox I Would Crush a Cyborg Spine for a Metal Gear Rising Remaster
Rules of nature
This article was originally published in February 2021, but we're bringing it back for the 10th anniversary of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, and because of the very recent rumours of the game receiving a remaster. Sadly, that still hasn't happened at the time of republishing — but that just makes this soapbox all the more...
Poll Are You Playing Like a Dragon: Ishin?
By the blade
Yep, we now live in a reality where Like a Dragon: Ishin! is available worldwide. And if that's not cause for celebration, we don't know what is. This historical spinoff originally released in Japan almost a decade ago, with this remake giving the experience an Unreal Engine overhaul on PS5 and PS4. If you're already a fan of the...
Poll Are You Playing Wild Hearts?
Kemono come all
Look, we know February has been ridiculously busy, but surely you've got time for a new monster-slaying adventure from unlikely publishing partners EA and Koei Tecmo? Wild Hearts is out now on PS5, bringing some welcome competition to the hunting game space. The game's been warmly received by reviewers, and public opinion seems to...
TV Show Review The Last of Us (HBO) Episode 6 - Brothers Bond as Pace Quickens
Family reunion opens old wounds
Wintry landscapes and brotherly debates are in store for the latest episode of HBO's The Last of Us. With Joel and Ellie escaping Kansas City, they make their way to the chilly countryside of Wyoming in search of Joel's brother Tommy. Pascal's Joel is front and centre in this episode as he struggles with his growing...
Poll Was The Last of Us - Episode 6's Reunion Worth the Wait?
Brother meets brother
After four episodes away from one another, Joel and Tommy have finally been reunited in episode six of HBO's The Last of Us. The TV adaptation has made its way to Jackson, where Joel and Ellie meet up with the younger brother as they try to find the Fireflies. The episode features some iconic scenes from the game, but a few...
Interview Dissecting Dead Space Music with Composer Trevor Gureckis
Make us whole-notes again Isaac
Dead Space is one of the best horror games of the PS3 era, and we were lucky enough recently to sit down with Trevor Gureckis, the composer of the excellent remake of the 2008 classic. We got to talk about how to make a horror soundtrack stand out alongside much competition, how to make music more emotionally...
Poll Are You Happy with Your PS Plus Extra, Premium Games for February 2023?
Plus or minus?
Some people have been calling it one of the best PS Plus updates ever. Others say it's the best PS Plus update yet. But don't let pesky internet commenters sway your opinion! As always, we want to know what you think of the confirmed PS Plus Extra and Premium lineups for February 2023. Extra's selection is impressive right off the...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 464
Smashing
It feels like the release schedule is showing no signs of slowing down, so if you've got a backlog building up, it might be time to panic. Here's what's keeping us busy this merry weekend. Jamie O'Neill: I'm fascinated about retro release dates, and the anniversaries of old games, so I'm playing Street Fighter Alpha 2 courtesy of the...
Poll What Review Score Would You Give Hogwarts Legacy?
Magic moments
Hogwarts Legacy has been out on PS5 for about a week now, and so the time has come share your thoughts on this open world adventure. It's fair to say that this was a highly anticipated release, and by the looks of it, the game is already a commercial success. The critical reception has been pretty good as well. Hogwarts Legacy was met...
Site News Our Plan for PSVR2 Reviews Through Launch and Beyond
Down to business
The embargo for some – but not all – PSVR2 content lifted today, and hopefully you’ve already had time to check out our hardware review and Horizon Call of the Mountain coverage. If not, rest assured it’s not going anywhere, so have a look at your convenience – there’s a lot of info to pour over, so put on the kettle and...
Feature Exploring Taiwan's Underground Gaming Scene
State of Taipei
One of my favourite things about travelling is exploring gaming culture in other countries. This mind-set has led me to discover all kinds of interesting things, like the fact that France has its own dedicated RPG magazine or that there’s a veritable pinball utopia hidden halfway down an otherwise unremarkable Hungarian street. Up...
TV Show Review The Last of Us (HBO) Episode 5 - Clicker Chaos Reigns Supreme
The true king of the apocalypse
HBO's The Last of Us has passed the halfway mark of its epic retelling of the 2013 PlayStation classic, and it's yet to truly misstep. Trying to keep things interesting for new and old fans alike, episode 5 showcases another fine balance of iconic scenes from the game and bombastic deviations that will undoubtedly...