Latest Features
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 478
We're pop stars
And just like that, the PS Showcase has come and gone, and the mood is sour. But have no fear for the release schedule is absolutely stacked with quality #Content, and there's really never been a better time to own a PS5. Khayl Adam: Planning a quiet, indoor weekend, and if all goes to plan to dive into Crusader Kings 3: Console...
Feature The PlayStation Showcase Prediction Quiz Results Are In
Did you predict the PlayStation Showcase?
Everyone, it's time. Over 3000 of you took part in our PlayStation Showcase predictions quiz, which was published on the day before the event itself. We presented you with 30 yes or no questions, asking you to predict what would happen during the show — and in this article, we're going to detail the...
Reaction Sony's PS5, PC Live Service Strategy Won't Work If It's All Samey Shooters
PlayStation did nothing to assuage fans' fears
We’ve been one of the few publications defending Sony’s live service strategy because we don’t think the idea is inherently bad. A lot of fans treat the booming Games as a Service segment as a genre, but it’s important to underline that it’s a business model instead. In fact, there’s...
Feature PlayStation Showcase Biggest Winners and Losers
Hit and miss
The long-awaited PlayStation Showcase has come and gone, just like that. And while the event seems to have divided opinion among hardcore fans — like us! — we thought it'd be interesting to break the showcase down into two categories: winners and losers. Because even though the show as a whole might have broken more than a few...
Reaction Sony Flubs First Proper PS5 Presentation in Over 18 Months
PlayStation falls at the first hurdle
The online response to the first PlayStation Showcase in well over 18 months is apoplectic, and while enthusiast gamers are notoriously unhinged, it’s not entirely unexpected after a dreadfully disappointing livestream earlier today. It became clear about 30 minutes into the event that this was going to be...
Round Up What Was Announced at the PlayStation Showcase?
All the PS5, PSVR2 reveals
After effectively keeping its big mouth shut for over a year and a half, Sony finally lifted the lid on what some of its first-party studios are working on for PS5 and PSVR2 in a big PlayStation Showcase. Clocking in at over an hour, there was a lot of news to digest in a very short space of time. As such, this Round Up...
Poll Was This Sony's Best PlayStation Showcase Yet?
The PS5 big guns arrive
Nearly 20 months later, Sony has finally followed up on the PlayStation Showcase from 2021 with a big glimpse behind the curtain at what its first-party studios are working on it. Complemented by exciting third-party content, the show went on for over an hour, sharing long-awaited looks at PS5 games we knew about as well as...
Live Watch the PlayStation Showcase Livestream Right Here
Join us for the biggest summer showcase of the year
Looking to watch the PlayStation Showcase livestream? Well, this is it – this is the big one! We’ve waited patiently, desperately at times, but after over 18 months Sony has finally decided to bless us with a press conference. This is being billed as a juggernaut presentation, with updates on...
Feature Take Part in the PlayStation Showcase Predictions Quiz
Can you predict the PlayStation Showcase?
As is Push Square tradition, we simply must publish a big old predictions quiz ahead of this week's PlayStation Showcase. If you haven't taken part in one of these before, it's basically just a list of yes or no questions that the community votes on as a whole. When the PlayStation Showcase is over, we'll...
Guide Best Strategy Games on PS5
The best strategy games on PS5 ranked and rated
What are the best strategy games on PS5? If you're more of a thinker than a doer, strategy games are probably more your speed. Fortunately, there are lots of options for tactical play on PS5. Strategy games have been around for a long time, and have evolved into two main camps. You have turn-based...
Poll How Hyped Are You for the PlayStation Showcase?
The big one
Can't wait until Wednesday? We know the feeling. Sony's kept us all in the dark for way too long, and so there are high expectations surrounding this week's PlayStation Showcase. Whether the event actually lives up to those expectations doesn't matter right now, though. We're very much in the calm before the storm, and so we wanted to...
Interview Final Fantasy 16's Devs on Clive's Name, God of War's Leaves, and Fulfilling Fans
We chat for 20 minutes with Naoki Yoshida et al
Earlier this month, we were lucky enough to be invited by Square Enix to play almost four hours of Final Fantasy 16 amid the picturesque backdrop of the English capital’s iconic Tower of London. At the location, presumably selected to reflect the obvious European influences in the upcoming PS5...
Almost four more hours with Square Enix's huge RPG sequel
Earlier in the year, after playing through a tailored demo designed specifically to showcase Final Fantasy 16’s combat systems, we described the action-heavy PS5 exclusive as a bonafide Game of the Year contender. With publisher Square Enix seemingly intent on showing as much of the sequel...
Soapbox Marvel's Spider-Man 2 PS5 Should Adapt This Quintessential Storyline
Bobby has ideas for the plot of Sony's anticipated sequel
Anticipation and hype are slowly but surely building up in a big way for Insomniac’s superhero sequel, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. The game is expected to have a major presence on Wednesday’s PlayStation Showcase which could very well offer the best look yet at both plot and gameplay...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 477
The calm before the storm
Wow, we're days away from the PS Showcase, so there's extra excitement this weekend. Sony may frustrate us with its cloak and daggers approach to the industry these days, but the upshot is that when it finally steps out of its shell, the bombshells are never far away. Aaron Bayne: Me and my mate will be trying to keep...
Feature Our PlayStation Showcase Predictions
This should be good
You can feel it in the air, can't you? The distinct tingle of hype, the sense that we're in the calm before the storm. It's the same kind of excitement that used to permeate the web ahead of E3, but this time, we're all looking forward to the PlayStation Showcase, which airs next week, on the 24th May. The expectations for this...
Poll We Need You to Rate the Trails Games
Be a hero
Over recent years, Falcom's long-running Trails series has gained a lot of traction here in the West. We're still a few games behind at the time of writing this article, but publisher NIS America has hit a steady stride in releasing title after title. And thankfully, we're now at a point where there are enough Trails games on modern...
Poll Are You Happy with Your PS Plus Extra, Premium Games for May 2023?
Something for everyone
It's another big update for the more expensive tiers of PS Plus this month. We don't want to influence your opinion right off the bat, but man, that list of PS Plus Extra games is pretty impressive, isn't it? With the likes of Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart,
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 476
Dry your eyes
Yes, we're a PlayStation website, but we don't live under a rock: it's safe to assume many of you will be playing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. It's particularly interesting how the industry seems to have grinded to a halt this week to allow the game to do its thing. From our perspective, let's hope things pick up next...
Poll What's the Best PlayStation Startup Sequence?
PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4, PS5?
When you think of PlayStation, does a specific console startup come to mind? Sony's crafted some iconic system screens over the years — complete with some iconic sounds — but which one's the best? We know that's a potentially difficult question — and it might be wholly dependent on how old you are! — but it should...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 475
Bad comedy
This weekend sees the new King coronated here in the UK, a historic event that'll no doubt give the globe a weird and wonderful impression of what British life isn't like. We're not ones for pomp and ceremony, so we'll be shielding ourselves from the silliness with our PlayStations. Aaron Bayne: I’ll be digging into some more Star...
Soapbox PS Plus Might Be Gaming's Best Subscription Service Now
Liam's a happy member
While Sammy doesn't see subscription services becoming the industry standard in the future, I at least think PS Plus is the best one you could be a member of right now. Following a long and impressive streak of monthly updates, I believe what Sony is doing with its three-tiered setup just about edges the offerings of
Poll What Review Score Would You Give Star Wars Jedi: Survivor?
Cal it
It's been a week since the release of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor on PS5. The action adventure certainly seems to have struck a chord with gamers in general, although there is ongoing debate regarding the game's technical state, which is being improved bit by bit via updates. There's something great at Survivor's core, though. We gave it an...
Poll Rate the Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters
The final time
Regular readers will know that we have our own list of Best Final Fantasy Games here on Push Square. It includes just about every Final Fantasy title released on PlayStation platforms to date, and it's all user rated. The thing is, we want to refresh the list with the recently released Pixel Remasters — and so we want you to give...
Gallery Final Fantasy 16 Artwork Is a Feast for the Eyes
All character art, Eikons, and more
Typical of the long-running series, Final Fantasy XVI has some downright gorgeous artwork behind it. In fact, it's so good that we've decided to gather it all on a single page for your perusal. Below, you'll find all of the officially released Final Fantasy XVI artwork so far, most of which has been beautifully...
It's a knockout
We can all admit it: Street Fighter 5 was a huge disappointment. As a one-on-one fighting game, the release was exceptional, but Capcom completely forgot about the audience beyond pro players – and the sequel suffered as a result. While the Japanese publisher would go on to make respectable improvements to the release over time,...
Poll What Review Score Would You Give Dead Island 2?
Back from the dead
Dead Island 2 has been shuffling around PS5 and PS4 for over a week now, and so it's time to find out what you lot think about this latest zombie-smushing title. It's fair to say that we've been waiting on this one for a while — the project itself was rebooted multiple times after its initial reveal all the way back in... 2014?!...
Guide Upcoming PS5, PS4 Games for May and June 2023
Lord of the Rings! Street Fighter! Final Fantasy!
Summer is fast approaching and the games just keep on coming, with plenty of fantastic titles heading our way over the next couple of months. As always, we've been busy putting together some highlights headed to both PlayStation 5 and PS4, as well as a larger selection of games that'll be available...
Feature Net Yaroze - Sony’s Fascinating First Foray into the World of Indie Game Development
Let's do it together
In the 1980s, the hobbyist game development scene was absolutely thriving in the UK. Home computers like the ZX Spectrum, BBC Micro, and Commodore 64 all allowed their users to write custom code from scratch, in what was known as the Basic programming language. As a result, each system had an incredibly dedicated audience of...
Feature Best PSVR Games We Want Upgraded for PSVR2
Must-have ports
With the PSVR2 honeymoon now over and the immediate future looking a tiny little bit light in terms of upcoming titles, we’ve compiled a list of PSVR games we’d like to see either updated or upgraded for PlayStation’s latest headset. Remember, if you'd like a more definitive list of Best PSVR2 Games you can buy right now...
Poll Are You Happy with Your PS Plus Essential Games for May 2023?
Plus or minus?
May 2023's PS Plus Essential games were leaked just hours ahead of their official reveal earlier this week, and it's fair to say that the lineup divided opinion on both occasions. To be fair, it is a bit of an odd selection. We've got GRID Legends headlining things — a solid racer with some questionable FMV story stuff thrown in...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 474
Who's a Survivor?
The release calendar has really gone hard this year, and while May is looking a little quieter, it shows no signs of slowing in June. If you're not picking up Star Wars this week, then it may be a good opportunity to work on your backlog. Jamie O'Neill: Time Extension recently published a What's the Best Wonder Boy Game? readers'...
Poll Are You Playing Star Wars Jedi: Survivor?
[Lightsaber noises]
Another of 2023's blockbuster games has just landed on PS5. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is out now on Sony's current-gen console, and it's already attracted some very, very positive reviews. The direct sequel to 2019's Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, players once again find themselves in the well-worn boots of Cal Kestis, a Jedi, er,...
Soapbox I No Longer Think Subscriptions Like PS Plus, Xbox Game Pass Are the Future of Gaming
Sammy weighs in on the subscription debate
In this job, there are clear and obvious trends that dominate the discussion, sometimes for years at a time. I’ve been running Push Square for well over a decade now, and I’m lucky enough to have reported on many of the defining moments that have engaged enthusiasts: there was the battle for motion...
Poll What Review Score Would You Give Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores?
Feel the burn
Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores released just over a week ago. The PS5 exclusive expansion builds upon Aloy's second adventure, and although it doesn't make any drastic changes to the formula (what did you expect from DLC?) it was very well received. Indeed, we gave it a 'great' 8/10 in our Burning Shores PS5 review, praising...
Preview Humanity on PS5, PS4 Is Equal Parts Puzzle Game and Existential Nightmare
Dozens of us
After checking out the Humanity playable demo earlier this year, we now know what we're dealing with. What appeared to be so unusual and inexplicable before can now be handily described as a surrealist spin on Lemmings. Get this gaggle of folks from A to B using a string of well-placed commands. That summary holds up against a...
Preview Crash Team Rumble's Beta Delivers an Undercooked Helping of Wumpa on PS5, PS4
We're still waiting to rumble
Crash Bandicoot doesn't have the greatest pedigree regarding spin-off video games. Crash Team Racing is a bonafide classic and deserves that recognition, but titles like Crash Bash, Crash Boom Bang, and Crash Tag Team Racing are pretty forgettable. After playing the recent closed beta, while not as extreme, we feel...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 473
Rumble
As we near Issue 500 of WAYP, a recurring feature that's now been running over ten years, it's probably worth noting how grateful we are for your comments every week. Want to know what this author was playing in Issue 1? Lumines on PS Vita! Apparently, I wasn't as fond of it in 2013! Aaron Bayne: After FINALLY completing the Horizon...
Poll Are You Playing Dead Island 2?
Dead and loving it
The year is 2023, and Dead Island 2 is an actual video game that just released. If you can still remember the project's initial teaser trailer for all those years ago, then you might find this whole situation quite surreal. The craziest part, though? Against all odds, the game's actually good fun. We gave this latest...
Live Watch the Street Fighter 6 Showcase Right Here
The streets don't lie
Street Fighter 6 looks like it could be an all-time great in Capcom’s storied fighting series, and we’ll be learning a lot more about the title during the publisher’s livestream, which is scheduled to get underway from 3PM PDT / 11PM BST. Hosted by Lil Wayne, the publisher’s promising plenty of gameplay and...
Poll Are You Playing Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores?
Feel the burn
Aloy's latest adventure is out now on PS5, whisking her away to the titular Burning Shores. For those totally out of the loop, Burning Shores is an expansion for Horizon Forbidden West, featuring an all-new open world region, a new storyline, new characters, new enemies, new equipment, and new skills. The DLC is also exclusive to...
Site News Where Is Our Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores PS5 Review?
Hollywood dreamin'
Horizon Forbidden West’s hugely anticipated DLC expansion Burning Shores launches tomorrow on the PS5, and you may be wondering where our review is. We can confirm that the review embargo has now lifted – in fact, the DLC is already available in some time zones – but we’ve only just received playable code, meaning we’ve...
Poll Are You Happy with Your PS Plus Extra, Premium Games for April 2023?
It was all Bethesda
We hope you like Bethesda games, because they make up the bulk of this month's PS Plus Extra and Premium offerings. Might this business decision be down to some kind of big deal that's happening elsewhere in the industry? Hmmm, sounds like a conspiracy to us... So, Extra continues to be pretty good value as far as we're...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 472
Cannon dancers
Well, here in the UK, Easter may have come and gone, but there's absolutely no sign of Spring. All the more reason to cosy up in doors with some video games, eh? As if you needed an excuse! Jamie O'Neill: I've been a fan of anything relating to Strider since the 1989 original — from the Mega Drive port, through to the PS1...
Soapbox Final Fantasy 16 Is the Most Excited I've Been for the Series in Almost 20 Years
Finally, a Final Fantasy
I'm a massive fan of Final Fantasy. No doubt like many of you reading this, my gaming tastes were shaped by seminal PS1 titles like Final Fantasy VII, VIII, and IX. As a kid, those RPGs showed me that games could be more than Crash Bandicoot or Tekken 2 — that they could tell epic, 50-hour stories filled with unique...
Poll How Was Final Fantasy 16's State of Play Showcase?
Share your reaction to the big livestream
You might already be sold on Final Fantasy XVI, but Sony and Square Enix still felt it necessary to put on a State of Play livestream all about the PS5 RPG. With a roughly half-an-hour deep dive into combat, exploration, and more the focus of the show, no other games were included in the event. Final...
Live Watch Final Fantasy 16's State of Play Livestream Right Here (13th April, 2023)
Live with Clive
Sony and Square Enix will combine for a State of Play broadcast featuring Final Fantasy XVI tonight. We've been promised over 20 minutes of footage from the upcoming PS5 exclusive, with a supposed focus on RPG elements and gameplay mechanics. If you're not quite sold on the latest instalment in Square Enix's beloved series, then you...
Preview XDefiant Is a Fun Arena Shooter That'll Struggle to Stand Out
Delve into the "Ubi-Verse"
Ubisoft’s latest bid in the live service space comes in the form of XDefiant, a free-to-play first-person arena shooter. That might sound pretty run of the mill, but in a bid to stand out, it features maps and factions inspired by some of Ubisoft’s most popular franchises, like Far Cry and Splinter Cell, and mashes...
Preview Single Player Spell-Based FPS Immortals of Aveum Looks Like Pure PS5 Magic
Spellbinding first gameplay blows us away
What if Call of Duty was set in a fantasy world where wars were fought with magic? That’s the question new developer Ascendant Studios tasked itself with solving over five years ago, and its answer is the immensely promising PS5 first-person shooter Immortals of Aveum. We were lucky enough to be invited by...
Preview Firewall Ultra Proves There's Plenty to Look Forward to on PSVR2
We take on First Contact Entertainment in world-first demo
After a barnstorming launch bursting with software, PSVR2 is experiencing something of a post-release lull. The games have largely dried up, and enthusiast discussions have transitioned to whether the hardware is looking like a flop or not. The only way to reverse that narrative is with...
