PlayStation Stars, the loyalty program that Sony rolled out in 2022 largely as a way to reward regular players with digital collectibles and very occasional game redemptions, is "winding down."

In a new post on the PlayStation Blog, Grace Chen, vice president of network advertising, loyalty, and licensed merchandise, says "we’ve learned a lot from evaluating the types of activities our players respond best to, and as a company, we are always evolving with player and industry trends."

Chen specifies that "the current version" of PlayStation Stars is coming to an end, but when or how it or a similar program may return is unclear, so it's a de facto shuttering. "Starting today, PlayStation Stars will no longer accept new members for this version of the program," the post adds.

Just to make it clearer, if you cancel your PlayStation Stars membership from today onward, you'll lose any points you've earned, as "it will not be possible to rejoin this version." PlayStation Stars as we know it is dead.

Current members "can still earn Digital Collectibles, Points and level up their status" until July 23, 2025, but your account will seemingly be timelocked after that. The whole program will "fully end" on November 2, 2026, so you have until then to spend your points.

As demonstrated by its impending shutdown, PlayStation Stars was sometimes seen as a bit underwhelming. Digital collectibles like avatars and trophies did little to wow some fans, perhaps because – and don't tell the gacha players I said this – digital collections are inherently impermanent and lack tangible satisfaction. The rewards were just kind of... there.

Some people also balked at the idea that high-level users, who would have leveled up by spending more cash on "full" games and earning rare trophies, could get priority in customer support. I can understand catering to your biggest fans, but I also understand why the sentiment wrinkled some noses. The PlayStation Stars FAQ still notes that "Level 4 Members in select countries will have the added benefit of Priority routing to our chat support team."

On the rewards side, PlayStation Stars could be an extremely slow burn. It sounds good on paper, and you could genuinely get some decent stuff out of it, but a meaningful freebie required a lot of points.

Several high-profile PlayStation games, like the rock-solid action RPG Stellar Blade and year-defining hit Helldivers 2, were up for grabs as redeemable rewards, but would require roughly $1,750 worth of accrued points.

Because points expired after two years, which was later changed to one year, you also had to spend that much money in a fairly short window. PlayStation has always been my first-pick console, and I don't spend anywhere near that much in Sony's ecosystem.

Even on the lower end, newer games could easily require over $1,000 spent. A free game is a free game if you were gonna spend that money anyway, but free games felt like a pretty small part of the program, and I think some folks expected a little something more.

"As we explore new ways to evolve our loyalty program efforts for the future, we’ll continue to celebrate all of our players through the various community activities we have planned," Chen concludes. "The programs we create are all inspired by you, and we look forward to bringing you compelling new experiences for many generations to come."

Sony is prioritizing monthly active users over direct sales now, but the company's live-service games aren't doing too hot.

Former head of PlayStation Indies Shuhei Yoshida has so far been glad to tell interviewers that Ghost of Tsushima successor Ghost of Yotei is awesome, and he'll do it again: Yoshida maintains that Ghost of Yotei is really, super awesome in a new interview with French site PlayStation Inside.

"Ghost of Tsushima felt incredible to play," Yoshida says, "and having played Ghost of Yotei at several stages of its development, I can assure you that it will be even better, and that Sucker Punch has done it again!"

Yoshida is an unflinching fan of the American developer Sucker Punch, who, he tells PlayStation Inside, "worked extensively with a Japanese producer at [Sony], as well as colleagues at Japan Studio" while producing Ghost of Tsushima.

This was important, because "Japan is a difficult market for Western games," Yoshida says. "I think you need an understanding of Japan and its culture, especially for games like Ghost of Tsushima or Assassin's Creed Shadows, which are set in the country and talk about its history."

Even more to its credit, Sucker Punch "visited Tsushima Island and made a real effort to immerse themselves in its history and traditions," Yoshida continues. "They managed to capture the island's unique atmosphere, which can be felt in the game, for example in the wind system, and I think that's why it's so successful."

With this effusive praise in mind, Ghost of Yotei must not only raise the bar but pierce through it and into the sky for Yoshida to think it's truly "better" than Tsushima.

You'll be able to interrogate the claim for yourself soon; Ghost of Yotei pre-orders are now live, and the open-world game is officially out – exclusively for PS5 – on October 2.

Ghost of Yotei's trailer perfectly captures what made Ghost of Tsushima so special in the first place.

Phantom Blade Zero is an upcoming action RPG that isn't a soulslike, but it does feature some challenging combat. Some players at Gamescom thought it wasn't hard enough, though, so the devs kicked things up a notch.

In Phantom Blade Zero, you play as Soul, an assassin searching for answers about the murder of their organization's – The Order – patriarch. It's billed as a playable kung fu movie channeling the genre's golden age and folding in the creative spirit of the best PS1 and PS2 games.

"We got some feedback at Gamescom from our core players that the game could be even harder," a representative of developer S-Game told us at GDC 2025. "So between Gamescom and [Tokyo Game Show], I believe we had one employee that conceptualized this brand new AI. It wasn't just increasing the damage and health, it was a completely new enemy AI that removed the combos and created this PvP-like experience. And it shipped in time for TGS and we showed it off."

The representative credits this accomplishment of S-Game's "interdisciplinary style at work." Around 100 people are working on the game, and many of them touch on multiple parts of the project and aren't cordoned off to their own niche, unlike a game like Red Dead Redemption 2 which has 80+ gameplay animators and another 80 cinematic ones.

Don't worry; the game isn't getting more difficult for everyone right off the bat. "For the first [playthrough], I think we'll try our best to let almost every player enjoy the game," says S-Game founder "Soulframe" Liang. "Accessibility is very important in our game, so that's why we have difficulty options and a very long tutorial. But the tutorial is story-driven, it's not like a list. We want to create an accessible game for players to enjoy the story and style of everything."

Instead, the harder parts of the game are unlocked in Extreme Mode. "The most important thing is we are not raising the difficulty only by raising the stats," Liang says. "We're raising many things, like game mechanics, in higher passes. It will feel more like a roguelike, and the AI is very important. The Extreme Mode, the AI, you feel like you're playing a different game. It's like a real person controlling the enemy. The boss can fake. He can use fake skills to lure you. The strategy is really in-depth."

There will also be other difficulty modifiers like banned weapons and items, limited health, and restricted respawns. This Extreme Mode is only unlocked after you beat the game, so you'll get a shot at the intended way to play before you have to really white-knuckle it and get good.

Phantom Blade Zero is coming to PS5 and PC, but there's no release date just yet.

Check out our list of all the upcoming video game release dates of 2025 so you know what to look forward to this year.

Do you need a PSN account to play Concord on PC? The short answer is yes so you'll need to link your Steam account. As the previous Helldivers 2 debacle proved, this forced account linking isn't a popular move amongst players, but it is strictly necessary for Concord, and probably will remain that way as a PSN account is apparently required for crossplay and cross-progression. Here's what you need to know about needing a PSN account to play Concord on.

Does Concord need a PlayStation Network account on PC?

Due to the way the game has been set up on the PlayStation servers, you do need a PSN account to play Concord on PC. When you boot up the game for the first time on PC, you'll be prompted to log in with your PSN account or create one. If you previously took part in the Concord beta on PC then you should have already been through the process of linking or creating a PSN account.

If you don't have an account, the game should take you through the required steps to create a new account, otherwise you can follow these PlayStation Support instructions here on how to create an adult account for PSN. To be clear, you do not need a PlayStation Plus subscription to play Concord as well, just a PSN account.

If you're wondering why you need to do this on PC, then we've got more information in this article where the Concord devs defend PSN requirement after Helldivers 2 backlash. Basically, without having that connection on a technical level, key features of the game such as Concord crossplay and cross-progression simply wouldn't be able to work across the different platforms.

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While a Zenless Zone Zero reroll is possible, it can be quite a convoluted process to carry out – but you may consider it worthwhile so you can take another run at the initial character pulls to get your Agent(s) of choice on your team roster. This method is harder to use in Zenless Zone Zero than for some of HoYoverse's previous offerings, but it can still be done to get the characters you want, as long as you're willing to put in the effort. If you want to know more, then here's how to reroll in Zenless Zone Zero.

How to Zenless Zone Zero reroll

To start a Zenless Zone Zero reroll, you'll need an email address that is separate from the one you have linked to your main HoYoverse account – this can either be a secondary email you already have, or you can set up a new one from scratch. Use that to Register by Email for a new HoYoverse account, and then use that HoYoverse account to log in to Zenless Zone Zero to start a fresh playthrough. It will likely take between 20-40 minutes to power your way through the initial story, until you reach the point where you can make pulls again to see which character(s) you get this time around. While this is time consuming, you can repeat this process until you get pulls you're happy with.

Is it worth rerolling in Zenless Zone Zero?

Determining if it's worth rerolling in Zenless Zone Zero is entirely down to what you want to get out of the process, as there are definite benefits as well as some pretty hefty drawbacks for going down this route. If you're willing to put in the time commitment for setting up new accounts and rushing through the opening storyline to reach the character pulls, then eventually you'll end up with the Agent(s) that you want on your team. You'll still be able to redeem Zenless Zone Zero codes on your new account(s) that can get you additional pulls, though any pre-registration Zenless Zone Zero rewards will be unavailable as they're specifically linked to your original HoYoverse account.

That touches on the crux of the Zenless Zone Zero reroll issue, as if you also play other games such as Genshin Impact or Honkai Star Rail then you may need to regularly switch between HoYoverse accounts, depending on your platform. PS5 players have to link their PlayStation Network and HoYoverse accounts, so to switch you'll also have to unlink those accounts manually which could be a hassle. Also, if all you're trying to do is get a high-ranking Agent on your team then rerolling probably isn't worthwhile, as initially at least you're guaranteed an S-Rank Agent within the first 50 character pulls so if you keep plugging away you'll definitely get one eventually without having to use this method.

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A new Helldivers 2 patch is here and will hopefully put the whole PlayStation Network account linking debacle to bed once and for all, as it's now been added as an explicitly "optional" setting.

Earlier this month, Helldivers 2 publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment announced that players on PC would be required to link their Steam and PSN accounts in order to continue playing the hit shooter. Linking accounts was made optional when the game launched due to some technical difficulties, but Sony later referred to this as a "grace period" which would "now expire." However, this was met with immediate backlash as concerns were raised over what would happen to players in countries without PSN access, and exacerbated when the game was pulled from storefronts in those regions.

After a barrage of negative reviews, democracy reigned supreme and Sony reversed the decision to make account linking mandatory, stating that it "will not be moving forward." That comment has been solidified in this latest patch, as "optional account linking [is] now available in the Account section of the in-game settings," meaning it's absolutely not a requirement in order to play. Rejoice!

That's not all that the update does, however, as a few crashes have been ironed out, players should no longer get stuck on the mission screen if the host abandons them, and the AR-61 Tenderizer will now show up in the correct color scheme. Speaking of the Tenderizer, which was introduced in the Polar Patriots Warbond last week, the patch notes also state that the assault rifle "is not in the final state we are intending," and the devs are aware it "deals too little damage." 

As for other known issues, the devs are looking into players sometimes receiving "excessive" amounts of XP, Arc weapons occasionally misfiring, delays in players being awarded Super Credits and hard-earned Medals, and more.

Unfortunately though, no further word has been given today on the delisting of the shooter in certain countries. Last week, Arrowhead Game Studios' CEO, Johan Pilestedt, said that he was "speaking to our partners at PlayStation and Valve and pushing for it to be undone," and "won't rest in my desire to have it available everywhere." Although it sounds like Arrowhead isn't giving up, with the situation not yet resolved, it seems that the backlash from the whole account linking situation can't be fully left behind - even if the linking itself is now firmly optional. 

If you're just getting started in your quest to spread managed democracy, be sure to check out our beginner's guide to Helldivers 2.

Sea of Thieves crossplay is a feature that's been given greater emphasis with the PS5 launch, as the chance to play with friends on different platforms and consoles is a high priority for a social multiplayer game like this. Or, alternatively, the chance to control crossplay might be better - after all, those coming to the game fresh on the PlayStation 5 might prefer to be sharing servers with equally inexperienced players. Whatever you want to know, we'll explain all the key details in our Sea of Thieves crossplay guide below. Or should that be a skull-and-crossplay guide?

How to use Sea of Thieves crossplay

To use Sea of Thieves crossplay, you need to have a Microsoft account. While this may seem counterintuitive if you're starting your pirating journey on PS5, your MS account links data to the Sea of Thieves servers across all platforms, and also means any existing Sea of Thieves progress carries over to PS5 while keeping your account up to date whichever system you're playing on.

When you start Sea of Thieves on PS5 you'll be prompted to link your PlayStation and Microsoft accounts – if you've ever used an Xbox or a Hotmail/Outlook email address then you should already have one set up, but if not the option will be there to register. Once linked, you'll see both your PSN friends and any existing Xbox friends when you open the in-game friends list, easily allowing crossplay invites to be sent. You can also use your platform's own party and invite system to either join friends or invite them in.

To use Sea of Thieves crossplay, or indeed play online on your own platform, you will need either an Xbox Live or PlayStation Plus subscription as appropriate. Without this, you can still enter the Safer Seas zone to play solo, but you won't be able to join the sessions of other players or invite them to yours.

How to turn crossplay off and on

Sea of Thieves crossplay is tied to the settings for the server you just to enter - as you can see on the right in the image above. By changing the settings accordingly, a PS5 player could be matched with players across all consoles and platforms, or placed into a server only with other PS5 players.

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Oh, the trials and tribulations of being a teenager. There's the acne, the dating, and, of course, the ever- present danger of getting your head bitten off by a mutated plant monster... wait, what? 

The Obscure series consisted of a pair of games created by French developer Hydravision Entertainment. Obscure was released in 2004 for PS2, Xbox, and PC, while the sequel, Obscure 2, arrived on PS2, PC, and Wii in 2007, then on PSP two years later. (That game was known as Obscure: The Aftermath when it arrived in North America in 2008.) In both, you take control of a group of students trying to survive an outbreak of deadly monsters at their school. 

Obscure was Hydravision's first video game. Originally a publisher of pen-and-paper RPGs, it pivoted to the world of digital entertainment by prototyping an action platformer called Jinx, before landing on the idea of doing a survival horror game. "Most of the team loved horror movies," explains Pierre Leroux, Obscure's head of production, "and at that time survival horror games were not the most complex ones in terms of technical complexity and content scope. Meanwhile, box-office numbers for movies like Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and The Faculty were skyrocketing. So it seemed like doing a teen slasher movie-style video game was a good idea."

Radical, dude

Not surprisingly, Obscure takes liberal inspiration from the horror movies it emulates. The first game follows five students from Leafmore High, each one conforming to a horror archetype. There's Kenny the jock and his brainy sister Shannon, Ashley the cheerleader, Josh the geek, and Stan the stoner. Everything from the dialogue to the Sum 41 cover song is early noughties American cinema at its cheesiest, although it's all clearly deliberate. Having said that, intentionally bad dialogue is still bad dialogue. 

If you've ever picked up a survival horror title, you'll be at home with how Obscure handles. Viewed from fixed camera angles, hunting for keys and solving puzzles forms the meat of the action, with some light inventory management to boot. Combat is a simple matter of auto-aiming and pressing a button to attack, although with a slight twist. The creatures plaguing Leafmore are invulnerable when in the dark, surrounding themselves in a creeping green aura that covers the walls like mould. The only ways to kill them are by smashing a window to let sunlight in or burning away their auras with a flashlight, Alan-Wake-style. It's creepy hearing a monster growling off-screen and watching the mould spreading closer. 

"We understood that if we wanted to infuse fear, we needed to make it so the game can be completed even if there's only one survivor left at the end of it. "Slasher movies almost always depict a bunch of teens who die one after the other," says Leroux. "From the beginning we thought it would be cool to let players live this experience. There was also a sort of joke hidden in the mechanic. You used to have games with lives-systems, usually depicted as hearts in the corner of the screen. When designing Obscure, we liked the idea that a life is actually... a life."

Fade to darkness

Obscure sold well enough to merit a sequel. Set several years after the events of the first game, Obscure 2 follows a new group of unlucky sods, this time at Fallcreek University. Up on the chopping block are skater Corey, hockey fan Sven, sorority girl Amy, and sisters Mei and Jun, joined by returning characters Stan, Kenny, and Shannon. History repeats itself and a new batch of horrors starts turning the student body into students' bodies. Obscure 2 is much the same affair as its predecessor, although some elements were pared back. The biggest change was the removal of the permadeath feature, resulting in a much more fixed narrative.

"We found that the freedom players had when it came to creating duos was hampering our ability to tell a story," says Leroux. "We couldn't go into as much depth to explore the relationships between the characters. Also, we discovered that when a character died, many players would just load their previous save, limiting the benefit of this feature. By removing this freedom from Obscure 2, it let us put a lot more emotion into the game." 

Obscure 2 also has a slightly greater emphasis on solving puzzles, often requiring you to use each character's unique ability to bypass an obstacle. This makes up somewhat for the lacklustre combat, which is even more basic than that of its predecessor as it downplays the mechanic of the monsters being vulnerable to light. What the encounters lack in complexity, however, they make up for in grotesquery. Body horror is a big theme in Obscure 2, the first game's more plantlike creatures being replaced with fleshy travesties of the human form. 

"The idea we used was the various problems that teenagers go through at the time of puberty," explains art director Anthony Lejeune, "and the often complex relationship they have with their body, their image, and the image they show to others. Problems like acne, weight issues, psychological stress; we used the monsters to exaggerate the discomfort many teens often feel at this time." 

The Obscure series failed to make the leap to the next generation of consoles. In 2013 Hydravision (now called Mighty Rocket Studio) released Final Exam, a 2D side-scrolling beat-'em-up for Windows, PlayStation Network, and Xbox Live Arcade, which served as a spin-off of sorts to the IP and was met with middling reviews. But nowadays both Obscure games largely live up to their names. 

It's hard to call them forgotten masterpieces. Like the stereotypes they depict, both the action and story lack depth, and at times everything feels a bit run-of-the-mill. But for all that, both titles offer campy co-op horror that's great fun for anyone hankering for old-school survival horror or noughties silliness. If that sounds like you, consider playing Obscure your homework. Class dismissed.

This feature first appeared in PLAY magazine - Subscribe here to save on the cover price, get exclusive covers, and have it delivered to your door or device every month.

Promising-looking indie JRPG Sea of Stars is coming to the PlayStation Plus Game Catalogue at launch later this year.

Earlier today, PlayStation announced that Sea of Stars had been signed up to be part of the PS Plus Game Catalogue at launch on August 29. This is a great little get for the subscription service, which is effectively signing up one of the more eye-catching indie games of 2023. 

Sea of Stars is, in case you missed it, a new indie JRPG in the style of some of the best SNES games in history, such as Chrono Trigger and Super Mario RPG. Sure, those are two incredibly tough acts to follow, but the new turn-based battler is sure shaping up to be something special, with enticing activities like sailing, fishing, and climbing to complement its combat.

How do we know Sea of Stars is so promising? Well, there's a demo out right now across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms alike. You can go ahead and try out developer Sabotage's new game right now ahead of launch later this year, and then see for yourself why everyone's been talking about it with eager anticipation over the past few months.

This means Sea of Stars is coming to PS Plus as well as Xbox Game Pass on day one. Now that's locked in, Sabotage's standout indie is basically coming to a subscription service on all major platforms in August. We've already had some JRPG treats this year in the form of Octopath Traveler 2 and Final Fantasy 16, and Sea of Stars looks set to bolster the offerings. 

You can read our feature on all the upcoming indie games you need to keep an eye on throughout the rest of the year. 

The developer of the biggest PS3 emulator has now turned its attention to working on one for the PS4. 

As reported by emulation fan Read Only Memo, the team behind the RPCS3 PS3 emulator (which started life back in 2011) seems to be working on a PS4 emulator called RPCSX - as spotted on Github. As pointed out in the original blog post, the project appears to still be in the early stages of development, and isn't the first of its kind, with plenty of other developers also trying to create their own PS4 emulators of varying quality. 

Speaking to one of the project's developers, Read Only Memo discovers that the idea for a PS4 emulator has been floating around amongst the team for a while. "I did some things just after the console's release," the developer says, however, they decided to wait until after the release of the PS5 to work on it further. 

Some of the developers that worked on RPCS3 (PS3 emulator) are on board for the PS4 version too, but the emulator is currently open on Github, meaning anyone able to lend a hand is welcome to contribute to the project.

The project's developer explains some of the benefits of creating a PS4 emulator, revealing that it'll be particularly useful if your favorite game is removed from the PSN, for example, Hideo Kojima's elusive horror game P.T. According to the same post, there's no ETA for RPCSX - since developing it isn't anyone's full-time job - but when it is up and running it'll hopefully run "real PS4 games". 

Considering the jump Sony took between the PS3 and the PS4, it's no surprise that this is already a pretty ambitious task for the team. It'll hopefully be worth it though when fans are able to play their favourite PS4 games on PC one day.

On the topic of PlayStation emulators, the best PS1 emulator now has better online multiplayer than most modern games.

Imagine binning off the world's greatest demo disc. Well, on May 9, PlayStation is doing just that. It's killing the PlayStation Plus Collection, a PlayStation Plus perk exclusive to PS5 owners. Offered to anyone with a PS Plus subscription investing in a new PS5, it gives access to 20 games that included some of the best PS4 games for free as part of the subscription. Essentially it gave players a bank of PS5-upgraded titles to play from day one on their shiny new machines. But, it's being quietly retired, and the timing feels incredibly odd for one reason – access. 

We've been tracking PS5 stock since before the console launched back in November 2020, and it's only in the last few months that it hasn't required excellent timing, forward planning, loophole finding, and a whole load of luck to actually buy a PS5. It's now at the point where you can walk into a shop or hop online and just nab one, which hasn't been the case for the last two years or so. 

 Goodbye time 

So now, at a point where you can readily get your hands on a PS5 – and thus the PS Plus Collection – PlayStation has decided to get rid of it. It sucks. There's a reason why we're urging players to claim these 19 'free' games before they're gone because they're just that good. The games up for grabs include Bloodborne, God of War, The Last Guardian, Ratchet and Clank, Resident Evil 7, and Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, among others. It's such a brilliant walkthrough of some of the best games the PS4 had to offer, with the majority now with upgraded visuals and performance boosts to take advantage of the PS5's specs. 

Okay, I'll admit it's not disappearing entirely. After May 9, some of these games are being shifted into the other PlayStation tiers, but not all of them. It's confusing, but then again that's maybe part of why the PlayStation Plus Collection is disappearing. A friend of mine recently invested in a PS5 and I was trying to explain how this Collection is different from the other libraries of games available through PlayStation Plus. Turns out, it's not easy.

Back in May 2022, PlayStation Plus split into three different subscription tiers, with each higher level offering additional perks and included games. But, in comparison to something like Game Pass, or even other subscriptions like Netflix or Disney Plus, it's a complicated sell. 'Essential' tier is how PlayStation Plus has always been with the tier limited to the monthly game drops and other original perks. 'Extra', though, feels like the best value for money, adding the 'Game Catalogue' that's most akin to the offering of Game Pass and Ubisoft Classics on top of that, priced at £10.99 / $14.99 per month; £31.99 / $39.99 for 3-months; or £83.99 / $99.99 / €99.99 yearly. Premium jumps up another pricing tier at £13.49 / $17.99 per month; £39.99 / $49.99 for 3-months; or £99.99 / $119.99 and is much more geared towards nostalgia buffs looking to dive into the Classics Collection. 

But, for newcomers to the service, it's a lot to take in and understand – particularly if you're coming to PlayStation for the first time, or from Xbox. What I loved about the PlayStation Plus Collection is that it served as a one-stop shop for catching up on PS4 classics – a kind of highlights reel for your first few months with your PS5 (alongside the excellent Astro's Playroom of course). On services like PS Plus, curation is a huge problem – and the PS Plus Collection seemed like a fantastic way to solve that initial hurdle. The amount of games is overwhelming sometimes, and PlayStation's ability to highlight the benefits of each PS Plus tier, alongside the Collection, has always been pretty hit-and-miss. 

So, please, I implore you to add these beautiful perks to your library while you can. As long as you stay subscribed to PS Plus they'll be yours forever, so let's help the Collection live longer than PlayStation has allowed it to. 

If you're wondering how to invite friends on Chivalry 2 on PS4, then you're either a newcomer who's picked it up through PlayStation Plus and wants to jump into battle with pals, or an existing player who has discovered the previous system is no longer working. Unfortunately it seems that the Chivalry 2 cross-platform update which launched at the end of April has had an adverse effect for PlayStation owners, as the familiar process for joining your PSN contacts is currently out of action. Helpfully a workaround has been found for now, so here's what you need to know about how to invite PS4 friends on Chivalry 2.

How to invite PS4 friends on Chivalry 2

Previously, you could invite friends on Chivalry 2 on PS4 in the fairly standard way, by opening the Invite screen from the prompt in the bottom right corner of the main menu, then scrolling through the list of your PSN friends and hitting X on the one you want to bring in to your party. However, trying to select a friend from that list currently isn't doing anything, but several players have reported the following method as a workaround so you can still connect:

• Delete the friend from your main PSN friends list via the console
• Open the Chivalry 2 Invite screen from the main menu
• In the bottom right corner, click the left stick to generate a 6-digit Invite Code
• Get your friend to do the same
• Follow the Add Friends prompt underneath
• You and your friend enter each other's Invite Codes
• You are now Chivalry 2 friends (rather than PSN friends) and can party up

Clearly this isn't an ideal situation, as you won't be able to use any system-level chat or other similar features, and if you become PSN friends again afterwards then you'll no longer be able to connect until you repeat the process above. However, as this problem has only recently been produced it's likely that the developers will be working on a fix as soon as possible, so hopefully it won't be long before you can connect directly to your PSN friends once more.

© GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission.

The PlayStation Plus Collection is officially going away on Tuesday, May 9, so this is the last weekend you've got to grab 19 great games for 'free' – and keep them forever, provided you stay subscribed.   

The PS Plus Collection predates the service's Essentials, Extra, and Premium subscription tiers, which have introduced their own collections via the Game Catalog, Classics Catalog, and Cloud Streaming Catalog. The PS Plus Collection contains 19 games – it used to be 20 until Persona 5 skipped town – and some of them are not available through the new catalogs, so it's doubly worth claiming all of them before May 9. As long as you add these games to your digital library – and there's a little button for that on their store pages – you'll still be able to access them even on an Essentials subscription. 

Update: Thanks to the reader who informed me that the PS Plus Collection is actually still viewable in one place, it's just annoyingly hard to locate. You have to scroll way down the home page of the PlayStation Store, find the "All new PlayStation Plus benefits" bar, and then scroll way to the right, past the Premium and Extra blocks, to find the collection under Essentials.  

For total clarity, here's a list of the 19 games that you have until May 9 to claim via the PS Plus Collection, complete with notes on their availability for other PS Plus subscription tiers – Extra for the Game Catalog, Premium for the Cloud Catalog. 

• Batman: Arkham Knight - Extra
• Battlefield 1 - None (EA Play gets you a 10% discount)
• Bloodborne - Extra 
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 - None 
• Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy - None 
• Days Gone - Extra 
• Detroit: Become Human - Extra 
• Fallout 4 - Extra 
• Final Fantasy 15 - Extra 
• God of War - Extra 
• Infamous Second Son - Extra 
• The Last Guardian - Extra 
• The Last of Us Remastered - Premium 
• Monster Hunter World - None 
• Mortal Kombat 10 - None (but Mortal Kombat 11 is in Extra) 
• Ratchet and Clank - None (this is the remake; the PS2 original is in Premium) 
• Resident Evil 7 - Extra 
• Until Dawn - Extra 
• Uncharted 4: A Thief's End - Extra 

Here are the best PS5 games you can play today.  

This month's PS Plus game catalogue is getting several exciting new additions, including Kena: Bridge of Spirits, Doom Eternal, Slay the Spire, and much more. 

As announced by PlayStation this week, we'll be getting a number of new games in the PlayStation Plus Game Catalogue from April 18, 2023. The following games will be available as part of the PS Plus Extra and PS Plus Premium subscription packages - so you'll need to upgrade if you want to play these and only have the PS Plus Essential subscription. 

PS Plus Extra and Premium new additions: 

• Kena: Bridge of Spirits
• Doom Eternal
• Riders Republic
• Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus
• Slay the Spire
• Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom
• The Evil Within
• Wolfenstein: The Old Blood
• Bassmaster Fishing
• Paradise Killer
• Sackboy: A Big Adventure 

Alongside all of these new additions, those who pay for the top tier of PlayStation Plus (PS Premium) will also get access to even more games as part of its Classics library. Continuing the theme above, Premium subscribers will also be getting Doom, Doom 2, Doom 64, Doom 3, and Dishonored: Definitive Edition. 

Like it does every month, PlayStation will also be removing a number of popular titles from the subscription service. As of May 15, Marvel's Spider-Man, Resident Evil, and NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 will no longer be available through the PS Plus collection. If you wanted to try these out before they leave, head to the 'Last chance to play' section of PS Plus on your PS4 or PS5.

Take a look at our upcoming PS5 games list to see what else we've got to look forward to soon. 

Sony seems to have quietly stopped sending email receipts for free games and DLC claimed through the PlayStation Store.

As first spotted by PlayStation Lifestyle and a number of observers on Reddit, the latest batch of free PS Plus games doesn't appear to be sending email receipts like the service did with all previous releases. It's unclear whether Sony has formally ended receipts for free games and DLC or if it just hasn't been sending them out in error, but we can confirm we aren't getting them either. We've reached out to PlayStation for comment and will update this story if we hear back.

It's always felt a bit strange getting a receipt for something you paid zero money for and only downloaded as part of a limited-time promotion. However, as some people are pointing out, the receipts could theoretically serve as useful proof that a product was claimed should you ever run into funny business with licenses. Most reckon that this is really only a concern with Essential-tier games, which are supposed to be tied to your account until you unsubscribe, whereas Extra and Premium-tier games go away once they leave the subscription library itself. 

In all likelihood, it's unlikely anyone will run into an issue where PlayStation tries to quietly axe some free Essential games, and if they ever did, it's even less likely that an email receipt is going to stop them. I certainly don't need a paper trail between me and the free digital games I'm essentially just borrowing, so this is nothing but good news in my view.

Here are the best PS5 games to play right now.

Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick is disappointed by Sony's public comments around the former's deal to be acquired by Microsoft.

Microsoft's ongoing bid to buy Activision Blizzard has faced setbacks from a number of regulators from around the world as well as complaints lodged by its main competitor in the gaming space. Sony's latest argument is that, if the merger closes, Microsoft could make Call of Duty a "defacto" Xbox exclusive by adding it to Game Pass or "providing Call of Duty on PlayStation Plus at a commercially unviable price."

Activision Blizzard itself is now defending its deal with Microsoft by targeting specific complaints from Sony, including a recent suggestion that Xbox might give PlayStation a deliberately buggy version of Call of Duty to sabotage sales.

"You may have seen statements from Sony, including an argument that if this deal goes through, Microsoft could release deliberately 'buggy' versions of our games on PlayStation," Kotick said in a publicly available email to staff. "We all know our passionate players would be the first to hold Microsoft accountable for keeping its promises of content and quality parity. And, all of us who work so hard to deliver the best games in our industry care too deeply about our players to ever launch sub-par versions of our games."

Kotick, apparently stung by Sony's suggestion that his company's games will somehow be compromised on PlayStation hardware, said he won't let a little mutual mudslinging get in the way of Activision and Sony's long-running business relationship.

"Sony has even admitted that they aren't actually concerned about a Call of Duty agreement—they would just like to prevent our merger from happening. This is obviously disappointing behavior from a partner for almost thirty years, but we will not allow Sony’s behavior to affect our long term relationship. PlayStation players know we will continue to deliver the best games possible on Sony platforms as we have since the launch of PlayStation."

Microsoft recently scored a major win when UK regulators walked back their concerns over its Activision deal. Kotick also noted in his email that the Japan Fair Trade Commission ruled in favor of the deal just this week, clearing another potential roadblock.

"We will continue to have discussions with European and UK regulators until the decision dates, which we expect in the coming months," Kotick said.

Here are the best Xbox Series X games and the best PS5 games to play right now.

In a new response to the UK Competition and Markets Authority's ongoing investigation into the Xbox Activision deal, Sony argues that Microsoft "would have the incentive" to box PlayStation out of the Call of Duty market by making the series "de facto exclusive" to its platform. 

Sony argues that, "as well as a total foreclosure," Microsoft could pursue partial foreclosure – that is, neutering competition more indirectly – through several means. The most important point here is the prospect of Microsoft "making Call of Duty available on multi-game subscription services (MGS) only on Game Pass or providing Call of Duty on PlayStation Plus at a commercially unviable price, thereby making it de facto exclusive."

The notion of a "de facto exclusive" essentially counters Microsoft's repeated claims that it wouldn't outright withhold Call of Duty from PlayStation; it asserts that it wouldn't have to in order to hurt PlayStation's ability to compete. Parity between Game Pass and PlayStation Plus has been a sticking point throughout this process, and Sony's bringing that to a head here by arguing that secondary differences in access, or perhaps licensing terms for subscription services, could still make Xbox the go-to console for Call of Duty. 

Sony also reiterates and doubles down on other anti-competitive strategies including Microsoft making Call of Duty cost more and/or run worse on PlayStation, as well as "restricting, degrading, or not prioritizing investment in the multiplayer experience on PlayStation." This doubles down on the company's stated fears that Microsoft might give it a deliberately sabotaged version of Call of Duty. Apropos of nothing, I'd like to point out that a response from an unnamed third party "found the arguments against this acquisition to be slightly exaggerated and out of proportion," and I simply cannot imagine why.  

Sony's concluding argument minces no words: "Microsoft's previous acquisitions and strategic rationale indicate its incentives to foreclose. Foreclosure will cause irreparable harm to the console and cloud gaming industry, to the detriment of gamers and competition. The way to prevent that harm is for the transaction to be blocked." This certainly lines up with reported comments from PlayStation boss Jim Ryan, who apparently told Activision that "I just want to block your merger." 

In its own response, Microsoft again insists that it "stands ready, as it has since day one, to enter an agreement with Sony to ensure that [Call of Duty] remains on PlayStation," and has proposed remedies that would "guarantee parity between the PlayStation and Xbox platforms in respect of [Call of Duty]." 

Curiously, Microsoft also argues that the CMA must show more evidence that, even if it were to withhold Call of Duty from PlayStation or give it a price hike, this would lead not just to "'some diversion' of would-be PlayStation buyers," with some switching to Xbox instead, but rather true foreclosure in the market. To that point, Microsoft maintains that "some 'shift in share' is not enough," as PlayStation already "holds a significant incumbency advantage over Xbox."

To sum up the several dozen pages of legal squabbling I've had to pick through, this battle is still at a relative standstill with both armies leaning into their own tried-and-true tactics, though the fighting is picking up on the front of literal versus implicit exclusivity for Call of Duty. Microsoft is making broad assurances and Sony is drilling into more specific scenarios and conditions. Expect to see more responses in the future, because this ain't over for anyone. 

After announcing 10-year deals with everyone and their dog in a transparent bid to make this deal appear pro-competitive, Microsoft is getting absolutely clowned on. 

You can now set up Discord on PS5 to activate official voice chat support, but with Discord on PS4 you're limited to the basic integration that displays what you're currently playing on your Discord account status. PS5 beta testers have already had access to Discord chat but the official release to all is great news for PS5 owners, as it's a convenient way to bring your gaming and chat together on one device – especially for games that support cross-play but don't have integrated chat across platforms, allowing you to keep in touch with your squad without having to run external apps. If you want to know how to set up Discord on PS5 and PS4, then we've got all of the steps required explained below.

How to set up Discord on PS5

To set up Discord on PS5, you need to go through the following steps:

• Open Settings > Users and Accounts > Linked Services on your console and select the Discord icon.
• Follow the on-screen instructions and enter the code at Discord Activate to link your accounts.
• On the Discord website or app go to User Settings > Connections to confirm your PSN account is showing.

By selecting your PSN account on the Discord website or app, you'll see the options to display your ID on your profile and show what you're playing as your status – for this to work you must have the 'Who can see your online status and what you're currently playing' option set to Anyone on your PS5 under Users and Accounts > Privacy > View and Customise Your Privacy Settings.

You can also use Discord voice chat on PS5 after setting up this link, by following the process outlined below:

• Join or start a voice channel through the Discord website or app.
• Open the voice channel then look for the Transfer to Console icon of a controller in front of a phone.
• Select it and choose Transfer to PlayStation.
• From the pop-up list of PS5 consoles your account is linked to, select the right one and hit Transfer Voice to move the chat to PS5.

You'll then get a notification on your PS5 that you've joined a Discord voice chat, which you can open to change any settings to your personal preferences.

Can you use Discord on PS4

You cannot use Discord voice chat on PS4 as it isn't supported on that console, and although there are potential workarounds involving audio splitters and several devices, the lack of native support means this is likely to be more hassle than it's worth. You can still use Discord on PS4 to display your PSN ID and currently playing status, for which you'll need to link your accounts. To do this:

• Open User Settings > Connections on the Discord website or app.
• Select the PlayStation Network icon.
• Use the pop-up window to log in to your PSN account.
• After accepting the connection terms, your accounts will be linked.

Follow the same route to the Connections menu again then select PlayStation for the options to display your ID and what you're currently playing next to your Discord account status – you'll need to ensure that on your PS4 under Settings > Account Management > Privacy Settings > Personal Info | Messaging > Online Status and Now Playing is set to Anyone, otherwise this function will not work.

© GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission.

It is 2023 and Sony just put out a new system update for the PlayStation 3. You might be surprised to learn that. You might also be surprised to learn that new PS3 updates have been coming out at least once a year for the nearly two decades that the system has been around.

PS3 firmware version 4.90 landed earlier today, with one, tiny patch note: "This system software update improves system performance." The PS3 has been getting updates with similarly unhelpful patch notes annually for years, with only a handful of more substantial notes in that timeframe. Perhaps the biggest was the 4.89 update last year, which disabled PSN account creation on PS3, and required you to create a "device password" in order to sign in with your account on the old console.

You might be wondering, then, what all those "system performance" updates are for - after all, it's not like your PS3 games are suddenly running with better frame rates after these updates. It turns out that this is mostly about DRM. The PS3 requires regular updates to its AACS license keys in order to play Blu-ray movie discs, so if you don't keep your system up to date, you won't be able to keep playing new Blu-rays on the console.

The other effect is that these updates tend to break custom firmware installations. The homebrew community has been scrambling to figure out the extent of the technical changes made in this update and what it'll take to get unofficial system software working again, and there's no clear ETA on when the homebrew devs will be able to make their updates. There are different types of custom firmware that make different levels of changes to the PS3 system, and those will likely get updated at different intervals.

For now, just update your PS3 if you're running official software, keep it disconnected if you've jailbroken the console, and ignore all this if you're a normal person (unlike me) who doesn't keep two-decade-old consoles hooked up. In all cases, don't be surprised when we get another sudden PS3 system update next year.

Us PS3-keeping sickos will just get to continue enjoying the best PS3 games of all time.

Sony's beloved PS1 JRPG Legend of Dragoon is finally making its long-awaited return on modern consoles, but while fans were ready to celebrate, game-breaking bugs and glitches are spoiling the party.

If you're not familiar with Legend of Dragoon, it was a late-era PS1 role-playing game from Sony's first-party Japan Studio. The game saw mixed reception at launch, failing to measure up to the broad appeal of the Final Fantasy games coming around the same time, but it eventually found its fans and took on cult classic status. But despite a growing reputation over the years as one of the best RPGs of its time, it never won a proper follow-up.

That - and a slim selection of PS1 classics on PS5 - is a big part of why fans were so excited to finally see Legend of Dragoon revived as part of the PS Plus February line-up. That excitement built as players learned the game would feature trophy support, and that it would be available for standalone purchase - not just as part of the PS Plus subscription. Heck, Sony even did the right thing by giving the game away for free to people who'd already bought it on PS3, PSP, or Vita.

That excitement's all come crashing down now that players have actually had a chance to play the game. There are visual glitches like odd pixel lines and audio bugs that are cutting voice lines short. Threads running down all the bugs are starting to coalesce, and it does not paint a rosy picture for this version's playability.

Even worse, using Dragoon magic - one of the game's core combat mechanics - consistently causes battles to lock up. You can technically still beat a battle with a spell by using it at the very end, but then you're going to get stuck in an inescapable black screen. It seems this is mostly a problem with multi-target Dragoon magic, but trying to figure out which spells will and won't crash your game is no way to play an RPG.

For now, players are hopeful for a patch, but the first impression for this release has not lived up to the expectations of retro fans.

Keep it old school with the best retro games of all time.

You can try out Atomic Heart on Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass right now, allowing you to easily dive into the killer robot-infested Facility 3826. You obviously need a Game Pass subscription for your chosen platform (Xbox or PC) if you want to download Atomic Heart without buying it directly from the store. If you've got a Game Pass Ultimate subscription, you can benefit from Smart Delivery with Atomic Heart, allowing you to play the game with cross-progression between your Xbox and PC - you could even try streaming the game to a mobile device through the cloud if you want to try Atomic Heart on the go. Here's what you need to know about Atomic Heart on Xbox and PC Game Pass.

How to get Atomic Heart on PC or Xbox Game Pass

If you’ve already got an Xbox or PC Game Pass subscription, you just need to find Atomic Heart in the Microsoft store on your PC or console and you should have the option to just install the game right away as it’s included with Game Pass. Otherwise, sign up for either an Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, or Game Pass Ultimate paid subscription and you’ll be able to install Atomic Heart just as I’ve mentioned above. If you’re looking for a similar deal on PlayStation, Atomic Heart is currently not available on any tiers of PS Plus.

If you’ve got a Game Pass Ultimate subscription, you can also try streaming Atomic Heart to other devices thanks to the Cloud Gaming feature. However, Smart Delivery also means you can start the game on your Xbox console and switch back and forth to your PC without losing progress. Obviously you’ll need a Game Pass Ultimate subscription to do this without paying for a copy of the game on either platform.

As our Atomic Heart review shows, it’s not likely to be one of the best Xbox Game Pass games, but it might be worth trying out if you’re curious about the Soviet utopia gone wrong – you might want to check out the best Xbox Game Pass deals too. It’s not been confirmed as to how long Atomic Heart will be available on Game Pass but expect it to stick around for at least a few months.

If you've already got to the Atomic Heart ending, you might be pleased to hear that the game will also be getting four DLCs at some point, promising to add new areas, weapons, and enemies, but you’ll need to own the Atomic Pass to gain access to those when they launch. While you can buy the Atomic Pass separately for £32.99/$39.99, remember that if a game that you own DLC for leaves Game Pass, you won’t be able to access the game or the DLC unless you buy the full game via the Microsoft store or the game returns to Game Pass while you're still subscribed.

See what other games you can try on Xbox and PC Game Pass with this Xbox Game Pass list.

Fans of Horizon Forbidden West don't seem to know quite how to feel about the game's early appearance on PS Plus Extra.

Yesterday, Sony confirmed that Horizon Forbidden West would lead a stacked lineup for its subscription-based offerings this month. Over on the game's subreddit, that addition - coming less than a year after the game's launch - has been met with a mixed response.

Many fans have noted that the decision is part of a broader marketing campaign - with the Burning Shores DLC releasing in April and Call of the Mountain launching next week, getting Forbidden West in front of as many eyes as possible seems like a no-brainer. If that strategy can be combined with an extra boost for PS Plus, why shouldn't Aloy feature as early as possible?

Others, however, have expressed some disappointment. Look past the upcoming new releases, and it might be easy to take a move to Sony's subscription service as evidence of disappointing sales. Others still have maligned their decision to buy the game, with one user asking "why even buy new games anymore" if they're set to be available for a dramatically reduced price not that long after release. A couple of unfortunate players even noted that they only bought the game in the past few weeks.

The overarching sentiment appears to be that Sony is making a smart move by getting some free promotion in place for Aloy and pals ahead of two significant franchise launches, even if some fans are upset that they might never get to play one of them.

We're gearing up for Call of the Mountain, but here are some more upcoming PSVR 2 games. 

UPDATE:  Following a leak that claimed the PS Plus February games would include the likes of Horizon Forbidden West, Resident Evil 7, Borderlands 3, and more - PlayStation has now revealed that those games are in fact coming to the subscription service next week. 

As confirmed via the PlayStation blog, PS Plus subscribers will soon be able to download the recently released Horizon Zero Dawn sequel Horizon Forbidden West, as well as two horror games, Resident Evil 7 and The Quarry. That's not all though as PlayStation is also giving away Outriders, Scarlet Nexus, Borderlands 3, and Tekken 7 - not to mention a series of others also mentioned in the blog post. 

You can read our original story of the PS Plus February games leak below. 

ORIGINAL: Horizon Forbidden West and other gems will reportedly arrive on the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog later this month in February.

That's according to reliable and long-standing leaker billbil-kun, posting on their personal Twitter account earlier today, February 15. According to the leaker, bangers like Horizon Forbidden West, Resident Evil 7, Scarlet Nexus, and Borderlands 3 will all be made available for PS Plus subscribers later this month on February 21.

In other words, anyone subscribed to the PS Plus subscription service may be able to download the four aforementioned titles next week, if this leak is legitimate. It's worth noting that billbil-kun has a staggeringly accurate history of leaking information relating to the PS Plus service, extending as far back as August 2022 for months on end.

All things considered, it's a seriously stacked line-up for PS Plus users. Horizon Forbidden West is an excellent sequel which sees Aloy venturing to far untamed lands in what used to be California, while Resident Evil 7 is one of the best horror games of recent memory, single-handedly rescuing and rebooting the Resident Evil franchise at large after the sixth mainline entry.

Don't overlook Scarlet Nexus, though. The action-RPG from yesteryear is an absolutely stellar game from Bandai Namco, taking place in the far future where elite groups of soldiers are dispatched to save the world from an encroaching monster threat. The twists and turns of this one bring to mind Square Enix's amazing Nier Automata.

Finally, Borderlands 3 rounds out the group of four as another ace action-RPG, bringing together Gearbox's penchant for mayhem and destruction with a truckload of creative weapons and enemies to shoot them with. All four games in this month's PS Plus Game Catalog additions could all be considered bangers for various reasons. 

Considering January 2023's PS Plus games including Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Fallout 76, and Axiom Verge 2, it's been a great start to the year for the service. 

As Xbox Game Pass approaches its sixth anniversary, it's fair to say the video game subscription service has earned itself a respectable reputation. Microsoft's cheap approach to offering a Netflix-style game service is arguably one of, if not the biggest selling point for picking up an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S. Many people refer to it as the "best deal in gaming" for a reason, after all. Does that statement ring true today, however? Is Xbox Game pass worth it in 2023?

This year is different, however. As the cost of living crunch continues to bite, gaming is becoming ever more a luxury - not helped by Microsoft's decision to raise the price of Xbox first-party titles from $59.99 to $69.99 in 2023. That's a big jump and one that will make lots of us think twice before purchasing a brand-new release on launch day. That's why finding one of the best Xbox Game Pass Ultimate prices amid increased competition from Sony and Nintendo can make a huge difference. 

At an entry price of $9.99 / £7.99 a month, the subscription is reasonably affordable compared to many other gaming or streaming services out there. With upwards of a reported 25 million subscribers, Xbox Game Pass has grown exponentially, jumping by seven million from 2021 to 2022. But does its price or increased popularity warrant a subscription, though? Is simply being cheap enough to jump on the Xbox Game Pass bandwagon? As PlayStation bolsters PS Plus and the concerns over Xbox exclusives continue to loom, is Xbox Game Pass worth it in 2023? Let's take a look. 

How much does Xbox Game Pass cost in 2023? 

Simply put, an Xbox Game Pass subscription is priced across console and PC at $9.99 / £7.99 a month. However, Microsoft also offers a $1 / £1 entry point for the first month of the PC tier. This gives you access to hundreds of video games on each specific platform, member discounts, and most enticing of all, access to Xbox Game Studio titles the same day as release. EA Play is also included for no additional fee. 

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate combines the console and PC tiers with Xbox Gold (worth $9.99 / £6.99) at $14.99 / £10.99 a month. Again a $1 / £1 offer is also available to test out the most lucrative tier for the first month. 

We've made an Xbox Game Pass explainer guide with all of the tiers broken down if you're looking for further information about each. 

What games are worth playing on Xbox Game Pass? 

Going into 2023, there has been fair criticism of Microsoft's lack of first-party games in recent years, something that Xbox chief Phil Spencer addressed in October 2022. The likes of Grounded, Pentiment, and As Dusk Falls have proven to be few and far between from fans' expectations. So what's 2023 got planned for Xbox Game Pass?

Well, the year has already kicked off with the fantastic Hi-Fi Rush, a rhythm-based action that shadow-dropped on January 25th, 2023. We then have Redfall, Forza Motorsport, and what is arguably one of the biggest releases of the calendar year in Starfield. On top of this, there's Age of Empires IV, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Lies of P, Replaced, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, all scheduled for 2023. 

This doesn't even take into account the plethora of third-party games at your disposal by signing up. EA Play alone grants you access to FIFA, Madden, Mass Effect, It Takes Two, Star Wars, Burnout, and Titanfall among others. More recently, Persona 3, Persona 4, Monster Hunter Rise, Goldeneye 007, High on Life, and Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga all joined the line-up and are likely to be present for the full year. 

In total, there's always a guarantee to be more than 300 games, so you'll never run out of options. All in all, Xbox could be poised for one of its best years in recent history. 

How does PlayStation Plus and Nintendo Switch Online compare? 

The new PS Plus tiers - Essential, Extra, and Premium - present another conundrum for consumers. At $9.99 / £6.99 a month for the cheapest tier (Essential), you do get significantly less for your cash, in comparison to Game Pass. This gives you access to online play, a number of PS5, PS4, or PSVR titles every month as well as exclusive discounts on the PS Store, but it doesn't give you access to any of Sony's first-party titles on release - and neither do any of the other tiers.

PS Plus Extra costs $14.99 / £10.99 a month, offering the same suite of content as Extra but with a catalog of almost 400 games across PS5 and PS4. Finally, the PS Plus Premium tier costs $17.99 / £13.49, which encompasses all of the previous tier's offerings as well as PS3 game streaming, time-limited game trials, and access to classic PS1, PS2, and PSP games. 

Naturally, this can all come down to personal preference between Xbox and PlayStation's offerings but look specifically at price makes it quite interesting. As there is no official annual subscription for Xbox Game Pass, a standard subscription is priced at $119.88 / £95.88 per year and an Ultimate is $179.88 / £131.88 per year. PS Plus offers quarterly and yearly subscriptions with the top tier coming in at $99.99 / £83.99, a saving of $80.88 / £47.89 in comparison. As you are paying for $70 new releases on top of that, Xbox Game Pass does still come out on top in our books.

On the other hand, a Nintendo Switch Online membership is available for $3.99 / £3.49 per month or $19.99 / £17.99 per year. This gives you access to online play, data cloud saves, certain freebies, and the ability to play NES and SNES games. 

By upgrading to Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack at $49.99 / £34.99, you also get a handful of N64 and Sega Genesis titles as well as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and Splatoon 2 DLC. It's the cheapest of the lot for a reason, only really beneficial to those that were looking to pick up the DLC separately. Many people consider this as an add-on, more than a competitor to PlayStation and Xbox but again if money is a factor, Xbox comes out on top again for value.  

Is Xbox Game Pass worth it in 2023 for the price? 

Xbox Game Pass is absolutely worth the money if you are gaming on a budget. By simply picking up one of the best Xbox Series X deals or finding one of the best Xbox Series S prices or bundles you then only need to pay $9.99 / £7.99 a month to gain access to the latest games from Microsoft's first-party studios and hundreds of games that are constantly refreshed. 

If you have access to larger funds and enjoy a balance of console and PC gaming, then Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the right way to go at $14.99 / £10.99 per month. By opting for this, you even get the freedom to stream via the cloud or play on mobile with further free perks and offers. It's all about versatility. Simply put, if you are dedicated to one platform, stick to the cheaper tier. If you like a mix of both, Ultimate is the one for you. 

It's also worth knowing that modern Samsung TVs now come packaged with the Xbox app too, so you can stream games without the need for a console. Many of these models make up our top recommendations for the best TV for Xbox Series X in 2023, just like this Samsung 55-inch S95B TV that is going at Best Buy for $1,449.99 - a saving of $450.

Finally, for anyone yet to get a console, Xbox All Access grants you an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S plus two years of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for $20.99 / £20.99 per month. One simple payment and you don't have to think twice about it for two years. Better yet, you can often find some amazing Xbox Game Pass deals (like this three-month subscription at places like CDKeys for $29.99 / £23.99 - a saving of $14.98 / £9.00). You can find more great Xbox Game Pass deals just below:

Looking for suggestions on what to play? Check out the 25 best games on Game Pass for Xbox and PC that you can jump into now. We've also rounded up all the best Xbox Series X accessories as well as the best cheap Xbox Live Gold 12-month deals to help make the hobby cheaper all around.  

If you're a PS5 beta tester then you get access to all of the new system software updates before they're rolled out to the general player base, meaning you can be the first to try out fresh features including the latest PS5 Discord beta. What's more, you don't need any special qualifications to get involved with this process, as Sony wants to get feedback from a wide range of gamers to ensure any changes they make are working as intended. If this sounds like something you'd like to be part of, then here's how to join the PS5 beta tester program.

How to sign up as a PS5 beta tester

For a chance to become a PS5 beta tester, you need to register through PlayStation's official Beta Program sign-up site. There are a few prerequisites you need to meet to be eligible to take part, including being aged 18 or over and resident in the United States, Canada, Japan, United Kingdom, France, or Germany. Your PSN account also needs to be in good standing with a valid email address attached, and you must agree to submit accurate feedback to Sony about your experiences using any beta software.

If you meet all of those requirements then go ahead and register to become a PS5 beta tester, but bear in mind that completing the enrolment form does not guarantee that you'll be selected for any beta programs, as invites are sent out at the sole discretion of Sony. Keep an eye on your email, as any official invitations with further details will be sent there.

How to sign up for the PS5 Discord beta

If you've already successfully enrolled as a PS5 beta tester and have the latest PS5 System Software Beta installed, then you should automatically have access to the PS5 Discord beta. To get started with this, head to the Settings menu and then open Users and Accounts followed by Linked Services. A new option for Discord will have been added, so hit that then follow the on-screen instructions for linking your PS5 with Discord via your phone, a computer, or even the PS5's internet browser, though your mobile is undoubtedly quickest for this.

After giving permission for chat through one of those routes, you'll be all set to use Discord Voice on PS5. On Discord mobile you'll have an option under Voice controls to "Join on PlayStation," while on desktop you'll see a prompt to "Transfer to PlayStation" with your chat. You'll then be using Discord Voice directly on your PS5, with all the usual controls available. If there are any issues setting this up, then consult the official Discord blog for further instructions.

On May 9, Sony is ending the PlayStation Plus Collection, which previously provided PS5 users with a massive, instant collection of backwards compatible PS4 games.

Introduced at the PS5 launch, the PS Plus Collection initially offered subscribers 20 games to download from a pool of the PS4's best, ranging from Bloodborne to Fallout 4. While it initially seemed this would be a limited-time promotion, it's now been in place for over two years, and only one game - Persona 5 - has been removed from the collection in that time.

As with the traditional PS Plus games (now part of the PS Plus Essential monthly lineup) anything you claim from the Collection will remain as part of your library as long as you're a subscriber. That means that you can still add these games to your library until the Collection is shut down on May 9. And you should! These are some of the best PS4 games available. The only catch is that they can only be claimed directly from a PS5 console.

Here's the full list of 19 games currently in the PS Plus Collection.

• Batman: Arkham Knight
• Battlefield 1
• Bloodborne
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 3
• Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
• Days Gone
• Detroit: Become Human
• Fallout 4
• Final Fantasy 15
• God of War
• Infamous Second Son
• The Last Guardian
• The Last of Us Remastered
• Monster Hunter World
• Mortal Kombat X
• Ratchet and Clank
• Resident Evil 7
• Until Dawn
• Uncharted 4: A Thief's End

Many of these games remain available in the Game Catalog available in the higher PS Plus tiers, though not all of them. The Last of Us Remastered and a few third-party titles are not part of the service.

If you're looking for something new to play, check out our guide to the best games of 2023 - there've already been some bangers.

Football Manager 2023 is on its way to PS5 next month.

The football (or soccer, depending upon what part of the world you're in) management sim originally released on mobile, PC, Switch, and Xbox back in November, but although we knew it was coming to Sony's PS5 console, the release was delayed due to "unforseen circumstances which arose during the submissions and approval process".

Now, however, Sega has confirmed that FM23 will debut on PS5 on February 1, 2023. Furthermore, because of the delay affecting the "pre-order incentive" for Sony players, PS Plus subscribers can grab a 20 per cent discount on the full retail price if they pick it up before February 14, 2023.

"We’re delighted with today’s update that we’re finally going to be able to get FM23 Console into the hands of PS5 gamers," said Miles Jacobson, SI’s studio director. "Since the initial delay, the team at Sports Interactive and our colleagues at SEGA have worked tirelessly with Sony to overcome the issues and we’re pleased to now have a release candidate ready to launch next week.

"While it's unusual for us to release a game during a major football transfer window, our priority from the moment our initial launch was postponed was to get the game into the hands of PS5 gamers as quickly as possible. Once all the global transfer windows are closed, we will provide a data update for the PS5 edition in line with the updates for all of our other platforms."

"FM23 thrusts fans closer to every aspect of the beautiful game, from the supporters filling the stands to scouts, players, opposition managers and newly-licensed competitions like the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League," Sega explains.

Don't forget, there's no way to buy Football Manager 23 as a physical copy this year. Sega says "removing the disc and notebook from this year’s edition, in addition to further refinements to our eco-packaging, means that the overall carbon footprint for FM23’s packaging is 47 per cent lower than FM22’s".

Football Manager 2023 is out now on Apple Arcade, PC, Switch, and Xbox (including Xbox Game Pass).

On the hunt for new talent? Maybe avoid the FIFA 23 worst players list.

The new PS Plus Extra and Premium games include three Yakuza games, which means subscribers have one less excuse not to play this wonderfully weird JRPG series.

Back in July, PlayStation announced that every Yakuza would eventually end up on PS Plus, and the next month the first three games in the series - chronologically - launched on the Extra and Premium tiers. The brilliant remasters of Yakuza 3, 4, and 5 are also available, but only at the Premium tier for whatever reason.

As of today, the two most recent games in the mainline series, Yakuza 6: The Song of Life and Yakuza 7: Like a Dragon, are available for PS Plus Extra and Premium subscribers to indulge. Like a Dragon was my unconventional entry point to the series, although in a lot of ways I'm happy to have started there, as it introduced me to the new protagonist of the series going forward, the plucky and jubilant Ichiban Kasuga.

Judgment was also added to the Extra and Premium tiers today, and if you haven't heard of it, just know that it's basically yet another new Yakuza game but with a detective spin, starring attorney-turned-ass-kicking private eye Takayuki Yagami. Its sequel, Lost Judgment, is now the only modern Yakuza game still yet to be added to PS Plus in some form.

What this means, of course, is that PS Plus Premium subscribers can now play through the entire Yakuza series from front to back, and if you like it enough, you can check out Judgment too. Extra subscribers have plenty of Yakuza to dig into as well, though there's a pretty big gap missing with 3, 4, and 5 being exclusive to Premium.

Oh dear me, somehow I've written 300 words about Yakuza without mentioning the other games being added to PS Plus Extra and Premium. Highlights include Far Cry 5, Far Cry New Dawn, Far Cry Primal, Middle of Earth: Shadow of Mordor, Middle Earth: Shadow of War, the Sekiro-like Mortal Shell, and Pillars of Eternity 2, which coincidentally was released by Obsidian just before it was acquired by Xbox.

If you're thinking of signing up, here are the PS Plus deals currently going.

With the US Federal Trade Commission now pursuing legal action to block Microsoft's $69 billion purchase of Activision Blizzard, the house of Xbox is now making the case that the biggest acquisition in the game industry's history would actually "promote competition" on the grounds that PlayStation already has way more exclusive games and a larger share of the console market. 

According to Bloomberg, Microsoft president Brad Smith reportedly made comments at a shareholder meeting today claiming that the company promised the FTC a legally binding agreement that would guarantee Call of Duty stays on rival platforms including PlayStation. Bloomberg previously reported that Microsoft has finally acknowledged the elephant in the room and included PlayStation Plus as part of its Call of Duty offer, cementing concessions Microsoft has made to help the deal gain approval. 

The FTC has argued that this deal would give Microsoft control over a leading studio and enable it to "harm competition in multiple dynamic and fast-growing gaming markets," most notably subscription- and cloud-based gaming. Microsoft apparently made this latest offer before the FTC voted to sue over the deal, so it clearly didn't appease the commission. 

Smith describes the FTC's case as a world where Sony's PlayStation and Microsoft's Xbox represent the entire market. "Sony has 70% of that market, and we have 30%," he says. "So the first thing a judge is going to have to decide is whether the FTC lawsuit is a case that will promote competition or is it really instead [a] case that will protect the largest competitor from competition."

More to the point, Smith claims PlayStation commands 286 exclusive games while Xbox only holds 59, though it's unclear how exactly these numbers were tabulated. Nevertheless, Smith says a judge will "have to decide whether going from 59 to 60 is such a danger to competition that he should stop this [acquisition] from moving forward." It's even more unclear how Microsoft acquiring all of Activision Blizzard would gain Xbox just one exclusive game, as Smith seems to imply, let alone how that would be the sole consequence of the deal. 

Xbox boss Phil Spencer made similar comments just days ago, arguing that Sony only objects to the Activision buyout because it wants to "protect its dominance." According to Spencer, who zeroed in on the Call of Duty debate that's become so central to the deal, it's a case of "the largest console maker in the world raising an objection about the one franchise that we've said will continue to ship on the platform." 

Microsoft and Sony both continue to say basically anything that helps their position with this deal. Microsoft is trying to make itself look as insignificant as possible while simultaneously drumming up Sony's dominance and claiming Activision Blizzard doesn't actually make must-have games – which is, of course, very funny. 

Meanwhile, Sony has argued for months that the deal would have "major negative implications for gamers," and has now reached the point of claiming that Microsoft's "true strategy" is to make PlayStation "like Nintendo" as a "less close and less effective competitor" by denying the platform key games and keeping them for itself. You'd better believe this corporate drama is only to get sweeter as the FTC lawsuit moves forward. 

Activision CEO Bobby Kotick says he's confident "this deal will close" despite the FTC's lawsuit. 

Microsoft has reportedly told Sony that if the Activision-Blizzard acquisition goes through, it's still free to put Call of Duty on PlayStation Plus.

That's according to a new report from Bloomberg, citing an anonymous source familiar with the negotiations between the two companies. In November, Microsoft offered Sony a 10-year deal to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation consoles - as part of that deal, Sony would be free to offer Call of Duty as part of a PS Plus subscription, according to this report. Neither Sony nor Microsoft provided comments to Bloomberg.

The 10-year deal - and thus, the PS Plus guarantee - was offered weeks ago, before the recent FTC lawsuit. Either way, Sony has not accepted the deal. PlayStation boss Jim Ryan called an earlier offer from Microsoft to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation for three years "inadequate on many levels".

Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of Call of Duty and World of Warcraft publisher Activision-Blizzard would likely be the biggest such deal in the history of the games industry. But that's assuming it meets regulatory approval. Sony, which potentially has the most to lose if Activision stops being a third-party publisher, has been pushing back against it for some time, saying that deal would have "major negative implications for gamers". For its part, Microsoft says Sony is just "trying to protect its dominance".

Microsoft and Nintendo recently announced a 10-year "commitment to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo" following the merger. Major Call of Duty titles have not appeared on Nintendo consoles in recent years, though that likely has more to do with Nintendo's less powerful consoles than any shadowy business dealings.

Despite the obstacles, Activision's CEO is confident the deal will close.

Debates over Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard have reached new and dramatic heights after the release of a lengthy rebuttal penned by Sony and recently shared by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) as part of its ongoing investigation into the merger. The short version is this: Sony is now taking shots at basically everyone, including itself, in a bid to counter the deal, and Microsoft is also proudly making itself look bad.

Sony's fundamental argument hasn't changed much since the last time we heard from it. It claims that Microsoft obtaining Activision Blizzard, and the Call of Duty IP in particular, "poses a threat to an industry enjoyed by hundreds of millions" at a "critical 'inflection point' in [the industry's] evolution." Sony is seemingly referring to the new console generation as well as the recent boom of acquisitions, which it has also been a major part of, though it hasn't dropped $70 billion on somebody. 

Call of Duty is currently the central sticking point of the new stage of the CMA's investigation, so unsurprisingly it comes up about a million times here and in Microsoft's accompanying response. Sony goes as far as to say Call of Duty "is not replicable" and remains "the benchmark against which all other FPS games are measured," at one point throwing Battlefield under the bus to demonstrate that even EA, another mega-publisher, can't "produce a rival to Call of Duty." 

Consequences of Duty 

What has changed, often in hilarious ways, is Sony's salvo of supporting claims. Let's start with the argument that "consumers would be harmed," which is at least fair on its face. Sony argues Call of Duty becoming an Xbox-exclusive franchise, which it assumes to be a "short-term" consequence of this deal, would force PlayStation owners to buy "an equivalent Xbox to play this hugely popular game on their less preferred device." In the "mid-term," this would purportedly drive "a significant number of PlayStation users" to totally switch from PlayStation and PS Plus to Xbox and/or Game Pass. 

"Faced with weaker competition," Sony continues, "Microsoft would be able to: increase console and game prices for Xbox users (including those that had switched from PlayStation); increase the price of Game Pass; and reduce innovation and quality." 

For starters, it's unclear how Sony is defining "short-term" effects here. We now know that Microsoft has recently proposed a deal that would keep Call of Duty on PlayStation for up to 10 years, though Sony's response (dated October 28) specifies "only until 2027," presumably based on a prior offer. (Interestingly, it also mentions the eventual launch of the PS6 somewhere after this timeline, and Microsoft agrees new consoles aren't coming before 2028.) We also know that an existing deal between Sony and Activision will continue to keep the franchise off Game Pass for several years as well, even if Microsoft is clearly keen to bring Activision Blizzard games to the service.

In case there was any doubt on this point, Microsoft argues in its latest report: "With the Merger, Activision content will be available on at least one subscription service day and date, without the Merger, on none. This matters from a consumer welfare perspective, because the more content consumers can access through subscription services, the lower the average prices of individual games. Absent the Merger, every consumer who wants to play Call of Duty or another Activision title would need to purchase the game at full price." 

Put on your surprised face, because Microsoft claims this arrangement is "yet another example of its pro-competitive nature." Not pro-consumer, but pro-competitive. Hysterically, it then immediately claims that "in any event, the reality is that Game Pass has no market power."

That being said, I agree it is important to note that, largely due to Game Pass (and its market power), Microsoft could easily make Call of Duty more affordable or otherwise more appealing on Xbox while allowing it to stay on PlayStation platforms. Just to pull something out of the air, it could take pointers from the myriad PlayStation-exclusive content in Modern Warfare 2, which was the biggest Call of Duty launch ever on PlayStation. 

This is presumably why PlayStation Plus gets several sections in Sony's response, with the company claiming that its subscription service would, as a result of this deal, be excluded from Call of Duty opportunities and consequently weakened. Sony claims this would trickle down to independent developers as well, who would "likely receive worse terms for their content from Microsoft or even be required to promise exclusivity" due to the "weakened negotiating position" of PlayStation and PS Plus. Keeping Call of Duty on PlayStation and PS Plus is therefore "essential," Sony says, again pushing for "a commitment to equal treatment." 

The circumstances don't actually appear as dire as Sony implies, though I don't doubt Xbox will push hard for Game Pass advantages. Microsoft has claimed multiple times that it doesn't intend to hold Call of Duty hostage and would rather, as Xbox boss Phil Spencer puts it, treat it like Minecraft and make it widely available. I'm somewhat inclined to believe Microsoft on this, explicitly because the company is increasingly desperate to appease regulators like the CMA, and also because its lawyers must know the immense beating they would take in court if the company did outright block Call of Duty on other platforms, especially on the heels of tightening crackdowns on big tech mergers. Interestingly, the Minecraft comparison actually comes up here. Sony says "Minecraft is a completely different proposition" which "says nothing about "[Microsoft's] strategy with future versions of Call of Duty." 

Sony's claims about Xbox hiking prices also raise an eyebrow when you consider that it was among the earliest big names to defend $70 games for the new console generation, and just recently raised the price of the PS5 in multiple major markets. Microsoft has already admitted it may end up raising the price of the Xbox Series X | S and/or Game Pass after this holiday season, but those implied price hikes will seemingly come before this Activision deal is even scheduled to close in mid-2023 – and that's assuming smooth sailing, which clearly isn't what we've seen so far.  

We should all be more like Nintendo, really 

One of the most amusing claims Sony makes is that "Microsoft wants PlayStation to become like Nintendo" as a "less close and less effective competitor to Xbox." Sony says this deal would make Xbox a "one-stop shop" for top-selling shooters, listing Call of Duty, Halo, Gears of War, Doom, and Overwatch as examples. Which is a little odd, since Halo and Gears of War are longstanding Xbox exclusives, while Doom and Overwatch are both available on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation (though Doom studio id Software is notably under Bethesda's umbrella, which Microsoft also bought).  

"Microsoft claims that Nintendo's differentiated model demonstrates that PlayStation does not need Call of Duty to compete effectively," Sony writes. "But this reveals Microsoft's true strategy," it adds, presumably doing its best Phoenix Wright impression.

Firstly, just to get this out of the way, I'd say there are far worse things than being "like Nintendo." Secondly, Sony just bought Bungie, the creators of Halo and the caretakers of Destiny 2, which is still one of the best and biggest shooters you can play today, and the most enduring live service shooter ever. Even disregarding third-party staples like Apex Legends, PlayStation is not without shooters, and we haven't gotten to third-person shooters like The Last of Us and Uncharted. Microsoft even notes that "Sony also publishes other popular franchises with a ‘shooter’ element such as the Uncharted franchise." 

If I were Sony and I wanted more shooters, I would want to keep Call of Duty around, but I would also simply invest in more shooters, like it did with Deathloop. Amazingly, Microsoft ever so kindly suggested as much in what is arguably the funniest line in the funniest comedy available on planet Earth right now.

"If Sony no longer had access to Call of Duty (quod non), it could shift the marketing payments it has been making to Activision under the Call of Duty agreements to attract competing titles to its console, exclusively or not," the company says. "Sony could also easily increase its marketing investments in FIFA, Grand Theft Auto, another shooter franchise like Battlefield or Destiny (developed by Bungie, which Sony has recently acquired), or any other popular title to attract further subscribers to PlayStation Plus."

There ya go, Sony. Just do that! Easy. 

There's plenty more back and forth where that came from. This investigation really has brought out some of the best industry drama in recent history. Other choice comments from Sony include: "More generally, Microsoft’s past conduct shows that its public utterances should be treated with extreme skepticism." Sony is referring to Microsoft's pattern of buying studios and making their upcoming games Xbox exclusives here, but this line would fit right in at a noble trial written for a period piece. I also love the repeated digs at "an equivalent Xbox console" being a "less preferred device" for users currently enjoying Call of Duty on their god-king-of-space PlayStation console. 

It is objectively funny to see Microsoft invent new ways to make Call of Duty look worse and smaller than it actually is, including but not limited to arguing that GTA 6 is probably coming out in two years anyway so it's not like there are no other big games, guys. In its new report, Microsoft has moved on to pointing out that "Call of Duty is not the most popular franchise" and is "consistently outranked" in metrics like Metacritic scores and user rankings, not to mention "user votes of best games on PlayStation." I love it. It's like watching someone try to prove they can stretch a twin bed sheet over a California king mattress. That sheet is really starting to rip and I have a feeling Microsoft will get the staple gun out soon. 

At the same time, it is maybe funnier to watch Sony claim, in so many words, that this deal will be the horn that signals the games industry's demise. This deal undoubtedly would not close without major negative consequences for Sony and many gamers – corporate consolidation will do that, who knew – but I do have to wonder if Sony's lawyers have just been playing too much God of War: Ragnarok lately. 

Apple's gaming subscription service Apple Arcade reportedly has "nine-figure subscribers", making it twice as big as PlayStation Plus and four times bigger than Xbox Game Pass.

As reported by iMore, Apple Arcade might have subscribers in the "nine-figures" bracket. This comes from Miles Jacobson, of Football Manager developer Sports Interactive, who recently shared this fact during the launch of Football Manager 2023 Touch. Jacobson didn't elaborate on this any further so the specifics of this big number remain unknown.

"I'm told nine-figure subscribers, I have no idea if those numbers are right or not," Jacobson said during a press event for the newly launched game. If this figure is accurate, it would mean that Apple Arcade is twice as big as PlayStation's subscription service PS Plus (45.4 million subscribers as of September 2022), and four times bigger than Xbox Game Pass (25 million subscribers as of January 2022.) 

Although surprising when compared to gaming giants such as PlayStation and Xbox, it's also not too hard to believe considering that a lot of people own Apple products that support the subscription service, such as iPhones, iPads, Apple TV, and more. Especially since a lot of people who would choose to play games on their Apple devices may not own any other console or a PC, so rely on the likes of Apple Arcade to play all their games. 

Either that or everyone who gets offered a free trial of Apple Arcade when they buy a new phone has forgotten to cancel it.

If you've now just remembered that you have an active subscription, take a look at our best Apple Arcade games list to help you decide what to play next. 

PS5 deals are difficult to get your hands on this week, but they do exist. In the US, I'd recommend checking out cheaper refurbished stock while the UK still has Ghost of Yotei bundles still at their previous rates.

The brand raised their prices to ludicrous amounts at the start of the month, and things have been tricky to reconcile since. You're looking for bundles primarily at the moment, as that new MSRP beds in.

Deals and straight-up discounts are less common, even with PS5 price hikes making them even more important. But we have found a few, and you can find them below.

If you spot a price you like this week, I'd be heading to checkout as soon as possible. Whether you're after discounts on games or you want to pick up some of the best PS5 accessories with your new console, you're in the right place.

The best PS5 deals available now

• Amazon: games from $19.99
• Best Buy: bundles from $498
• Walmart: gaming headsets from $21

If you don't have a specific game in mind for your first purchase, it's worth taking a look at the latest PS5 deals on standalone consoles. These are rare, but we have seen the standard edition taking a few price dips here and there - especially in the UK. The Digital Edition is a little slower to catch up, though. You'll find all the web's latest PS5 deals just below, with our price crawling software surfacing all your favorite retailer's biggest offers every half hour.

Best PS5 bundles in the US

Best PS5 bundles in the UK

Looking for some particular PS5 gear? Check out the best PS5 headsets, the top PS5 wireless headset contenders, and the best TVs for PS5 money can buy right now.

Cheap Nintendo Switch Online deals aren't all that common, so we've got our resident team of bargain-hunters on the lookout for any offers for the subscription service. And sure, it's not as expensive as something like PS Plus or Game Pass from Xbox. But a discount is still a discount. Plus, it allows you to play the likes of Mario Kart, Animal Crossing, and Super Smash Bros. online with friends. That's pretty neat.

The 12 month Nintendo Switch Online price sits at $19.99 / £17.99, but you'll find a three month subscription available for $7.99 / £6.99 or pay monthly at a rate of $3.99 / £3.49. The annual Nintendo Switch membership is by far the most cost-effective, though, especially if you pick one up as part of a Nintendo Switch bundle or included in the Nintendo Switch Lite price.

For your cash, you're getting online services for games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Mario Kart 8: Deluxe, and Splatoon, but you're also getting access to a massive range of NES and SNES titles as well. That makes Nintendo Switch Online of the best Nintendo Switch accessories for retro fans and multi-players alike.

We only really see cheap Nintendo Switch Online deals in the form on bundles, either as part of a console offer or included with controllers and games. That's why any savings you find on the Nintendo Switch Online price down below will be gold dust.

Cheap Nintendo Switch Online membership - 3 months

If you just want to dip a toe in the water and see how a Nintendo Switch membership feels. You can grab 3 months for the price of a pizza, which is a reasonably good deal. No, it's not as cheap overall as the 12 month sub but... hey, you need to buy according to what you actually want and need.

Cheap Nintendo Switch Online membership - 12 months

If you're looking to get some decent use from your Nintendo Switch Online subscription, it's cheaper to sign up for 12 months. It's about $20 / £18, which works out at just over $1.50 per month. That's damn good, considering what you actually get. Overall, that's far better than buying four codes at 3 months each (and it's way less hassle than remembering to keep renewing). 

Want some games to use with your Nintendo Switch Online membership? No problem. We've got you covered there as well - make sure you check out these Nintendo Switch game sales on everything from Super Smash Bros. to The Legend of Zelda.

Nintendo Switch Online price: FAQs

If you're buying for a friend or family member, or simply just want to see what all the fuss is about, you'll find answers to some frequently asked questions about the Nintendo Switch Online price just below.

If you're after more gear, check out our guides to the best Nintendo Switch headsets and Nintendo Switch chargers. Of course, you can also support your collection with the best Nintendo Switch SD cards and keep everything safe and secure with a Nintendo Switch carry case as well. 

We're also keeping track of all the latest Nintendo Switch OLED restock updates for those after an upgrade.

Although the Gotham Knights release time hasn't been officially confirmed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, by comparing various sources it appears to be set to midnight local time on October 21. Pre-loading is already available across PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, so if you've pre-ordered Gotham Knights then you can get it downloaded now ready for launch, with file sizes ranging from 41-45GB across those formats. If you want to know more about the Gotham Knights release time and date, including details of how you can potentially start playing early (on Xbox at least), then we've got you covered.

Gotham Knights release time and date

The Gotham Knights release time and date has been set to October 21 at midnight local time across the PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Steam, and Epic Games. Your local time is usually based on your account region setting, and although this can't be changed on PC there are certain workarounds that can be used on consoles in order to play Gotham Knights early at the New Zealand launch time of NZDT 00:00, which equates to 04:00 PDT / 07:00 EDT / 12:00 BST on October 20.

PS5 users can get earlier access to the game by purchasing it from the New Zealand PlayStation Store, however this involves both setting up a separate New Zealand PSN account and funding it in New Zealand dollars, so this probably isn't worth the time and effort for a few hours of earlier access.

Xbox Series X users, on the other hand, have a much simpler route to access the New Zealand Gotham Knights release time. After you've placed your pre-order and set your pre-download running, take the following steps:

• Open Settings and select System
• Select Language and Location and change your Location to New Zealand
• Restart your Xbox Series X console

You should then be able to launch the game when it reaches midnight New Zealand time in your region.

Wherever you're based, the Gotham Knights release time is due to hit at midnight on October 21, so by Friday morning you'll be able to head to Gotham City and continue the legacy of the Caped Crusader with the Batman Family.

Red Dead Redemption has been delisted from PS Now and PS Plus, ending the only way to play Rockstar's cowboy classic on modern PlayStation platforms.

The PS3 version of Red Dead Redemption was added to the PS Now streaming service back in 2016, and this version of the game was made available through PS Plus Premium earlier this year. However, as videotech notes on Twitter, the game has been quietly delisted.

Many Rockstar titles have cycled through various subscription services, including PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass, but Red Dead Redemption is a special case. Since it was only available via cloud streaming, there's no way to purchase it and own it as part of your normal digital game library - it's just gone.

The only official way to play Red Dead Redemption on a modern platform is through backwards compatibility on Xbox One or an Xbox Series console, either with the physical disc or through the $30 digital version still available for purchase.

The PS3 version is still playable through RPCS3, though there you'll need a physical copy of the original game and a compatible PC blu-ray drive, or a willingness to dig into piracy - not to mention a supremely beefy PC to run the emulator.

It's all a bit of a mess, and it shouldn't be this confusing to play one of the most beloved games in the history of the medium. Xbox's backwards compatibility initiative hasn't been perfect, restricted as it is to whitelisted games, but it's been a step in the right direction. Sony has stepped back from its historic dismissiveness of preserving its classic library, but its recent attempts to bring forward its classic library have been fraught with problems ranging from questionable emulation to small game selections.

In other words, this quiet Red Dead delisting has effectively encapsulated every major issue around keeping old games playable for modern audiences. Changing technology makes backwards compatibility challenging, leaving it up to publishers whether or not to put the work in modernizing these games. Old hardware eventually fails, meaning that keeping a PS3 is not a long-term preservation solution. And fan-built emulation is fraught with legal issues and getting more and more challenging to get right for more modern platforms.

A modern Red Dead Redemption remaster was rumored for some time, though more recent reports have suggested that the response to the GTA Definitive Editions ended those plans.

The PlayStation Stars Program was announced a few months back, and now it's finally in all players' hands around the globe so they can begin earning rewards and collecting exclusive items by completing challenges or simply playing games via Sony's consoles. As the PlayStation Loyalty Program is now in its launch window, most users should be able to sign up and immediately start trying out the service, though if demand is high then you may end up being place on the PlayStation Stars waitlist – if this happens then rest assured that there are new members being approved on a rolling basis, but there may be a delay of up to two months before you're approved to join the program. If you want to find out more, then here's everything we know about PlayStation Stars now that it has gone live in all regions, and what rewards you can earn by using it.

When does PlayStation Stars launch

PlayStation Stars is being rolled out in stages across various territories, to ensure the system doesn't become overwhelmed by all of the initial sign ups. The reward program will go live on the following dates, all in their local timezones:

• Asia, including Japan: September 29
• North and South America: October 5
• Europe, Australia, and New Zealand: October 13

As you can see, the program has now gone live in all territories, so everyone can try out the PlayStation Loyalty Program themselves by signing up here for free on the official site.

What does your PlayStation Stars Level mean

Your PlayStation Stars Level represents your current standing within the loyalty program, with higher levels getting access to better collectibles and potentially priority access to customer service chat. In order to work your way up the scale, you'll need to complete the following:

• Level 1: Join PlayStation Stars
  Receive a celebration collectible.
• Level 2: Buy one full game on the PS Store, earn one uncommon trophy
  Receive a Level 2 celebration collectible, and get access to all Level 1 collectibles.
• Level 3: Buy two full games on the PS Store, earn 32 uncommon trophies
  Receive a Level 3 celebration collectible, and a birthday collectible.
• Level 4: Buy four full games on the PS Store, earn 128 uncommon trophies
  Receive a celebration collectible, retain all collectibles from Levels 1, 2, and 3, and get chat priority routing.

The chat priority routing for Level 4 is described as PlayStation Stars Premier Support, getting members with that status faster access to the chat support team, leading to suggestions that PlayStation Stars lets players pay for faster customer support. However, this is only available in select countries and Sony "cannot guarantee wait times" as "all support benefits are subject to availability". According to data miners, evidence has been found to suggest PlayStation Stars may have a secret hidden "Diamond" tier which is invite-only, though other than the "invite only" description found in the app and images of a Level 5 collectible there isn't much else known at this stage.

When you reach a new PlayStation Stars Level, you'll retain that status for the remainder of the current calendar year, plus an additional 13 months. As an example, if you progressed to Level 2 in November 2022, that status would continue until the end of the calendar year then for 13 additional months, expiring on January 31, 2024.

What PlayStation Rewards can you earn with PlayStation Stars

There are two different types of rewards you can earn with PlayStation Stars, with the first being loyalty points. These loyalty points can then be spent on items that may include PSN wallet funds, certain PlayStation Store products, and exclusive digital collectibles, though the details of exactly what will be available is expected to vary by region and has not been finalised yet.

The second reward type available with PlayStation Stars is the digital collectibles touched on before, which are digital representations of iconic characters and devices that will be familiar to PlayStation fans. We've included a selection of these in the gallery above, including Punto the gondolier from Ape Escape 2, a Sony ChordMachine, an original PlayStation 3, Toro and Kuro celebrating, and a PocketStation. All members will receive the Star Gazer Telescope (not pictured) at launch, just for joining.

As you earn and acquire these digital collectibles, you'll be able to display them via the PlayStation App, as well as making them available to be viewed by others. However, Sony have been very quick to clarify that none of these are one-of-a-kind items, they do not leverage blockchain technology, and they cannot be resold or traded in any way, so everyone is clear that there are no NFTs or associated systems involved here and they're just for personal enjoyment.

This list of the best PS4 games celebrates the most memorable highlights of Sony's last-gen console. While the PS5 has taken up the mantle after the releasing just under five years ago, the PS4 is home to so many fantastic adventures that still continue to influence some of the PS5 exclusives and new games we see today.

We've even seen some of the best PS4 exclusives get some revamped treatment in recent times, with the likes of Guerilla Games' Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered release, and the remaster of Days Gone from Bend Studio. So if you find yourself looking for some fantastic PS4 games to tuck into, or you want to remind yourself of the many great experiences the console was home to, we're here to help.

Below, you can look back on the stellar PS4 catalogue, from the many first-party gems to the standout third-party releases. So read on to discover our pick of the 30 best PS4 games of all-time.

30. Dark Souls 3

Developer: FromSoftware
Released: 2016

Dark Souls, the series that spawned a hundred imitators thanks to its emphasis on difficult-but-fair gameplay, came to a close with Dark Souls 3, but what a way to go out. Featuring a variety of awe-inspiring locales (some grotesque, some majestic), the same finely-tuned combat fans had come to expect, and a new emphasis on speed and versatility inspired by FromSoftware's own Bloodborne, Dark Souls 3 is a wonderful encapsulation of the series as a whole; not as scattered as Dark Souls 2, not as rough around the edges as the original. If you've been curious about the Souls games, this is where you should start. For more, read our Dark Souls 3 review.

29. Death Stranding

Developer: Kojima Productions
Released: 2019

Death Stranding was one of 2019's hits. Whether you enjoy Hideo Kojima's strange stories or can find satisfaction in its 'walking simulator on energy drinks' gameplay, it's a game that will define the tail-end of the PS4 generation. You play as Sam Porter Bridges, a post-apocalyptic delivery man in a world populated by survivors, Timefall rain showers - which age anything they touch - and Beached Things, or BTs – spirits of the dead unable to pass on.

There are also Mules, bandits driven mad by a lust for packages, nightmarish villains Cliff and Higgs, and BB, your Bridge Baby, who helps you avoid the BTs. Kojima has filled the game with celebrities, with Norman Reedus as Sam, Margaret Qualley as Mama, and an embarrassment of cameos from his contacts book. You may not always love it, but you'll never have played anything like it, either, and it's well worth checking out if you're thinking of diving into the recent sequel, Death Stranding 2. Learn more in our Death Stranding review.

28. Final Fantasy 15

Developer: Square Enix
Released: 2016

Four adrenaline-driven teens embark on the journey of a lifetime, but this ain't no ordinary road trip. The RPG tale of Prince Noctis and his merry band straddles fantasy and reality with almost balletic grace, throwing in titanic monsters and classic missions alongside conversations about the weather and visuals that just sing "America."

The story and its final destination is a genuine surprise, but it's still a winding, delight-strewn road that Square converts are duty-bound to travel – with sufficient appeal in its blockbuster battles and eclectic quest mix to suck in Fantasy novices, too. The lead characters and their distinct personalities really shine, too. See what we made of this adventure when it first released in our Final Fantasy 15 review.

27. Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus

Developer: Machine Games
Released: 2017

Doubling down on all the intelligence, emotional grit, and hilariously brutal Nazi killing that made its predecessor such a special game, Wolfenstein 2 has an even lesser tolerance for messing about. Transposing BJ Blazkowicz's intensely personal war to an alternative '60s America twisted into an ugly parody of itself by Nazi rule, Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus brings the same aggressive focus on combat and character alongside a newfound relevance and indignation.

Not that it's all seriousness and soul-searching. Wolfenstein's kinetic, high-risk, high-reward combat is even better tuned up, with customizable dual-wielding laying on even more strategic carnage, just as hatchets and exo abilities blow up the stealth. Brainy, brawny, big, brash, and beautiful, MachineGames' new wave of Wolfenstein remains some of the smartest and best FPS games around. For more, check out our Wolfenstein 2: New Colossus review.

26. Doom

Developer: id Software
Released: 2016

Here is a modern reboot worthy of its name. Doom is basically the FPS equivalent of a muscular body: it's speedy, empowering, and hits incredibly hard. You awake as the classic Doomguy to begin another spree of demon genocide on a Mars colony, with a surprisingly intriguing plotline explaining how you can murder so many Hellspawn.

There's a primal satisfaction to whipping out a Super Shotgun, blasting an Imp's innards into oblivion, and then performing a lighting-fast Glory Kill on the demon who caught shrapnel just behind him. The classic weapons and enemy types benefit from new additions like upgrades and double-jumping, making Doom one of the most frenetically fun shooters. If that doesn't convince you, find out why we gave this game a perfect score in our Doom review.

25. Dishonored 2

Developer: Arkane Studios
Released: 2016

The first Dishonored was so great there isn’t much room for manoeuvre here in terms of quality: you’re again getting an options-packed adventure brimming with deftly woven narrative tales set in a thoroughly believable world. What Dishonored 2, set 15 years later, adds a second playable character – choose between original hero Corvo or super-powerful protege Emily.

Supernatural abilities such as the latter’s grapple-like Far Reach again deliver both flair and fun, while a small but major improvement to melee combat is being able to turn a parry into a non-lethal knockout, making murder less of a necessity if stealth is your jam. The only notable drawback is assumed knowledge – the storyline makes little sense if you've not played the first game. Still, it's earned its spot on our list of the best PS4 games for a reason, and you can learn more about it in our Dishonored 2 review.

24. Rise of the Tomb Raider

Developer: Crystal Dynamics
Released: 2015

Exactly two decades on from her PlayStation debut – hence the PS4 version of Rise of the Tomb Raider being subtitled the '20 Year Celebration' edition – Lara Croft delivers another must-own round of substantive combat and taxing-yet-enjoyable puzzling. So, if you want to play one of the best Tom Raider games on your console, look no further.

The storyline, with Ms. Croft venturing through Siberia in an attempt to complete her father's work in the lost city of Kitezh, doesn't scream originality but packs in some genuine shocks, while the platforming and zip-lining mechanics take Lara to heights she's never before reached – and not just figuratively. Choose to pick it up on PS4 and you also get all previous DLC, a new co-op Endurance option, and Blood Ties single-player content. And you really should choose to pick it up. If you can't get enough of Lara Croft, read our Rise of the Tomb Raider review.

23. Fallout 4

Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Released: 2015

Hitting PS4 with the atomic force of a Fat Boy, Fallout 4’s excellent gunplay and crafting systems can trigger a nasty case of RPG-itis. Don't worry, though; there's a Stimpak for that. There’s so much to do in this post-apocalypse that it's almost terrifying, and quite often, you'll set off to complete a mission and get completely side-tracked when you find something wonderful/horrific along the way.

Giving the main character a proper voice adds an extra layer of polish to proceedings, and the expanded set of companions and customization options are very welcome, too. It’s not the best Fallout game, or without faults (or vaults), but the scale of Bethesda’s wasteland will keep you bunkered down for weeks. Slosh in the extensive DLC additions available in the complete Game of the Year version and you’ll never want to return from the Wasteland. For more, read our five-star Fallout 4 review.

22. Titanfall 2

Developer: Respawn Entertainment
Released: 2016

this is an absolute colossus of a game. It was one of the biggest surprises of 2016, as it delivered a smart campaign and enhanced the killer multiplayer of the original (which was Xbox-only). The story is overflowing with unique twists in a genre that long ago anchored itself in a sea of wash-rinse-repeat, offering true freedom while retaining a sense of the familiar.

Its navigation and combat feel truly three-dimensional, and its big-gun battles are an adrenaline rush even Optimus Prime would struggle to contain. It is a special, special game that, in execution, is anything but robotic. So yeah, Titanfall 2 is completely worthy of its spot on our list of the best PS4 games and is a must-play. For more check out our Titanfall 2 review.

21. Monster Hunter World

Developer: Capcom
Released: 2018

We knew Monster Hunter World was going to deliver something special, but no one expected quite the level of depth and beauty awaiting within Capcom's updated action RPG, or how quickly we'd add it to our list of best PS4 games. Despite being the most accessible Monster Hunter yet, you're still going to have to wade through some intimidating tutorials to get to the good stuff, but smash through that wall and be dangerously prepared to lose all of your time here.

Endless weapon types, huge creatures, constantly gorgeous environments, and a terrifyingly addictive loot-for-spoils system mean Monster Hunter will have its claws in you from the get-go. Oh, and don't forget to aim for those weak spots. You'll thank us later. If you want more help, check out our Monster Hunter World tips. For more read our Monster Hunter World review.

20. Battlefield 1

Developer: DICE
Released: 2016

Battlefield 1 takes the epic shooter series back to World War 1, and the result is some of the grittiest, bloodiest FPS action you'll ever see. This game has a great little story mode, which follows the exploits of several troops fighting on all fronts of the conflict, but it's all about the multiplayer with Battlefield.

The variety of maps and modes is staggering here - especially with all the content added by the various DLC packs (most of which are now completely free for ALL users). Whether you prefer to stick as a soldier or choose to drive tanks or pilot aircraft, there's a role for you in the chaotic online arena. The highlight of it all is Operations mode, which sets massive 64-player conflicts over the course of several maps, giving a real sense of back-and-forth battle. Find out what our verdict was back in the day in our Battlefield 1 review.

19. Detroit: Become Human

Developer: Quantic Dream
Released: 2018

Detroit: Become Home from developer Quantic Dream is a fascinating story game that centers on Detroit in 2038. Society has created Androids to do all their menial tasks and low-paid jobs, but Detroit: Become Human explores what happens when the Androids gain sentience and start to break their programming. One of the most beautiful games on PS4, Detroit, is about progressing the story rather than having full control over the action. So, it would be best if you were prepared to involve yourself in an engaging story before you play.

Embrace Detroit's narrative, relish the choices it forces you to make, and this could be one of the most unique, interesting games you'll ever play on PS4. It's impossible to see even half the game in a single playthrough, too, so there's heaps of value here. Read our Detroit: Become Home review for more.

18. Assassin's Creed Odyssey

Developer: Ubisoft
Released: 2018

With about 100+ hours of stuff to do in ancient Greece, there's amazing value to be had in Assassin's Creed Odyssey. While the pair of leads - Alexios and Kassandra - are strong personalities, the world is the real star here. Whether you're dashing across it on a steed or sailing around it in your fully-crewed ship, the sheer variety of things to see and do is staggering.

There's a full RPG system to tinker with, adding more depth than any previous Creed, and a revamped combat system that highlights the nuances of the character customization options. While the formula has come a long, long way from the series' pure stealth origins, making this the most action-heavy Assassin's Creed to date, the franchise's heart is still in there, with world-ending conspiracies and engaging sub-plots ever-present. Sure, there's a lot of competition for your game time in 2018, but Assassin's Creed Odyssey is one of the best Assassin's Creed games ever made and deserves your attention. Check out our five-star Assassin's Creed Odyssey review here.

17. The Division 2

Developer: Ubisoft
Released: 2019

With The Division 2, Ubisoft absolutely nailed how to make a sequel. It took everything that was right with the original game and made it better, but also managed to iron out all the niggles and problems people had to make a game that's full of stuff to do, a lengthy endgame, and story missions that are utterly brilliant. And what's more, it's always getting better. There's a whole year's more content still to come, including new story missions, eight-player raids, more exotics, and more. It's a seriously fantastic looter shooter that's going to keep on giving for years to come. Read our The Division 2 review for more.

16. Bloodborne

Developer: FromSoftware
Released: 2015

Bloodborne was PS4’s first truly great, bespokely created exclusive. In Yharnam, From Software has made one of the most unerringly atmospheric worlds on PlayStation. This is a city that drips with dread, every corner potentially hiding a grotesque beast or fascinatingly twisted piece of lore.

Though there may be fewer weapons than in Dark Souls, the new Trick variants (capable of morphing between long and short-form states) are among the most empowering virtual slaughtering tools you’ll ever find. With the finest third-person melee combat in all of games, drool-worthy art design, and the most twisted monsters in the biz, this is a gorgeously gothic must-have. Check out our Bloodborne review for more.

15. Persona 5

Developer: P-Studio
Released: 2016

Admit it, if you're familiar with the Persona series, you probably saw this comiiiiiiiin'. And if you're not familiar, here's the jist: you are a high school student who (between class and socializing with friends) fights monsters, capturing or otherwise convincing them to lend their power to your quest. And what is that quest, you may ask?

Why, to fight against a world run by adults who have let their hearts grow cold, of course? To do this, you enter a realm tied to each major antagonist's twisted psyche, facing down their literal demons. So yeah. One part Pokemon, one part high school simulator, one part Psychonauts, all backed by a groovy soundtrack. For more, check our five-star Persona 5 review.

14. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

Developer: Capcom
Released: 2017

The original survival horror is back to reclaim its throne as one of PS4's best scarefests with this first-person reboot. Resident Evil 7 is a complete reinvention of the series, drawing in the terror close with a new camera and a palette of fear that's very much aware of modern horror films. The game follows Ethan as he searches for his missing wife in a Louisiana swamp, a trip that soon goes very wrong when the Baker family show up.

This is a much more low-key, slow-burning sort of fear than the last couple of game's action blowouts, focusing on a more slasher movie-style pursuit through a large, crumbling house. But, despite the overhaul, things like inventory management, puzzles, weapons, and items still feel unmissably Resi. This is easily one of the best Resident Evil games, but more importantly, a great horror game in its own right. Read our Resident Evil 7 review for more.

13. Nier: Automata

Developer: PlatinumGames
Released: 2017

Nier: Automata may not be the most expansive, content-filled, or open-ended RPG in the world (or even on this list), but it's definitely the best game to star an android dressed in gothic Lolita fashion while waxing philosophical about the nature of humanity, morality, and free will. Combat is fast, fluid, and satisfying, while a unique and award-winning soundtrack ranges from exciting to melancholy to mystical to inspiring.

This is the type of game where you take side quests from a robot that models itself after early 20th century French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre before flying off in your power armor to battle a giant kaiju machine with lasers and 10-foot long katanas. It's weird, wild, and not to be missed. For more check out our Nier: Automata review.

12. Uncharted 4: A Thief's End

Developer: Naughty Dog
Released: 2016

The true successes of Uncharted 4 lie in the details. Oh, sure, you have the big action set-pieces that the series is known for, where everything hero Nathan Drake touches falls apart around him in Michael Bay levels of destruction. And the attention to detail in those moments - how wood splinters into pieces under gunfire or how Nathan's clothing gets caked in mud during a high-octane car chase - certainly makes it shine as a bit of impressive tech to show off to your friends. But it's how Uncharted nails the small moments that make it truly great.

For the first time in the series, Naughty Dog has given the series' characters some room to grow as actual people, filling in the details where you least expect them to, and these smaller moments make the big ones feel all that more impactful. As explosive as Uncharted 4 is, it's also deeply personal - and it's a hell of a showpiece for your PS4, to boot. It really is one of the best adventure games of all time. Read our Uncharted 4 review for more.

11. Ghost of Tsushima

Developer: Sucker Punch Productions
Released: 2020

Ghost of Tsushima brings to life a vastly beautiful world set in feudal Japan and blends in an entire library's worth of Akira Kurosawa movies. From getting lost in exploration, to engaging in reflective pastimes that let you soak in your surroundings and the journey you've been on with protagonist Jin Sakurai, the story is one you'll want to get swept up.

Plus, the combat is fantastic, allowing you tap into the fantasy of the Ghost, from the stealthy approaches to the different stances you can adopt, and a variety of weapons at your disposal. Every moment you spend in its world is a treat. It really is a game-worthy swan song for the PS4. For more, read our Ghost of Tsushima review.

10. What Remains of Edith Finch

Developer: Giant Sparrow
Released: 2017

Sure, by now, you've probably heard all the hype, but What Remains of Edith Finch is one of those beautiful reminders that games can make you feel everything. Exploring her family home, the titular Edith Finch gradually uncovers the stories of the Finchs through the ages, each opening up a new experience and story.

From exploring a Halloween horror adventure in a graphic novel to simply flying a kite, every chapter is a new surprise. To give away any more is to spoil the magic of this walking sim, but yes, it will break your heart and make you cry, but only in the best possible way. What Remains of Edith Finch is a beautiful experience that never feels emotionally manipulative, only ever incredibly human and a poignant reflection on the stories that make us who we are.

9. Grand Theft Auto 5

Developer: Rockstar North
Released: 2013

The magic of GTA 5 and its reappearance on current-gen hardware isn’t in the improved textures, shinier cars, or even the brilliantly executed new first-person mode. It’s in the way each addition and improvement combines to enthrall and seduce you all over again to sink another blissful 50 hours into Los Santos without it ever feeling like a re-run.

Also, there is an unhealthy dose of first-person cat-stomping. If tabby-kicking isn’t your thing, GTA: Online – with its mega online Heists, improved character creator, and, y'know, end of the mystery of Mount Chiliad – is sure to get its claws into you. Quite simply, it represents the definitive edition of one of the best open world games ever made. Read our GTA 5 review to see what we made of Rockstar's adventure at launch.

8. Fortnite

Developer: Epic Games
Released: 2017

Fortnite is the most fun you can have on PS4 for free - and I do mean totally free, because you don't even need a PS Plus subscription to play online. Fortnite's Battle Royale mode has taken the world by storm, enchanting players with intense shootouts and towering build battles as they compete to be the last of 100 standing.

Regular developer updates add new weapons, modes, and thoughtful tweaks to baseline mechanics every week, keeping the game fresh even if you already have a few dozen wins under your belt. And don't forget about Save the World mode if you're in the mood for something more cooperative, though you will have to pay to play that one (for now). Check out our original Fortnite Review for more.

7. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Developer: CD Projekt Red
Released: 2015

The White Wolf himself finally rides onto PS4 in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and brings with him one of the most diverse and challenging RPG worlds ever seen. Mesmerizing to look at and utterly engrossing to play, CD Projekt Red’s farewell to Geralt is a new high for the genre.

What really impresses are the genuinely entertaining missions and the eclectic cast of characters that bring the world to life. While combat can be challenging at first, once you get into it, there’s enough depth here to keep you interested for the duration. Not to mention, it's been further bolstered by the often-astonishing Witcher 3: Blood and Wine expansion. Find out more in our The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt review.

6. Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

Developer: Konami Digital Entertainment
Released: 2015

Konami might try to scrub Hideo Kojima’s name from the ultimate in tactical espionage action, but it’ll never remove his fingerprints. While retaining that distinct storytelling and sense of wonder that defines the Metal Gear series, Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain offers a level of freedom and creativity unheard of in any sandbox. It’s something to be explored for days, weeks, months – each little secret and hidden slice of gameplay just waiting to be found and to make players rethink the way they approach the game.

Plus, it’s got a killer '80s soundtrack, and some wonderfully gruff voice-acting from Kiefer Sutherland. Grand, majestic, and bittersweet, this is an instant classic and one of the finest things you can shove into your PS4. It's also been re-released as MGS5: The Definitive Experience, which contains the prologue MGS5: Ground Zeroes plus all the Metal Gear Online DLC items, so that's definitely the version to go for.

5. Marvel's Spider-Man

Developer: Insomniac Games
Released: 2018

Swinging straight into the top five (sorry, yes, that's the most played-out pun ever) Spider-Man PS4 is one of the most fun, immediately joyful games you'll ever pop into your PlayStation. It looks incredible, sure, and the game itself is massive, but what impresses most is the feel of swinging around New York as the web-slinger himself. There's plenty to do, and the variety of non-story stuff is impressive, but the real beauty lies in the slick, free, and utterly wonderful swinging.

The fact that the story has all the heart and humor of Spidey's latest Marvel outings only enhances an already brilliant superhero game. With a neat Photo Editor included, and a stack of DLC to get involved with, you could be playing Spider-Man for months... and still have a grin on your face when you've finished. For more, read our Marvel’s Spider-Man review.

4. Red Dead Redemption 2

Developer: Rockstar Games
Released: 2018

Red Dead Redemption 2 and its glorious open world that's filled with things to do and people to meet/rob/kill is quite the masterpiece of game-making. The world is so realistic you may have to pinch yourself that its not real as the morning mist rolls in, or the sun breaks through the clouds in the afternoon. And the story. Oh boy, the story.

Obviously, we won't be crowned the sheriff of spoiler-town, but it's as gloriously epic as you'd expect from a Rockstar game - even if the opening few hours are a little slow. It's a wonderful world to live in for a few weeks/months because there's so much to see and discover that you'll be wondering what the heck that thing is on that mountain for a while to come. For more, read our Red Dead Redemption 2 review.

3. Horizon: Zero Dawn

Developer: Guerrilla Games
Released: 2017

As beautiful as it is deep, Horizon: Zero Dawn creates an astonishingly rich world to explore and get lost in. On top of all that post-apocalyptic prettiness, the core gameplay loop of hunting and taking down various mechanical creatures is the real draw here. The use of slower weapons like bows creates a far more tactical take on the action - you have to think about your strategies and consider your options rather than just charge in blasting.

As well as learning how to get by in a world that hates you, there’s just so much to see and do as you chase side quests, meet new factions, and try to unravel the compelling mystery behind corrupted machines and a lost past. Once you're done with the main game, there is a sizeable, challenging expansion with The Frozen Wilds. Easily one of the best games of this generation. Find out more in our Horizon Zero Dawn review.

2. God of War

Developer: Santa Monica Studio
Released: 2018

God of War is - in many ways - a complete fresh for this action series. While Kratos is still very angry, the game still features moments of horrific violence, and the action continues to be smooth and brutal; the whole structure and pace has been completely revamped. Now, you're free to explore the world and unearth all its secrets as you go through it, and there are so many layers to this game.

Puzzles are incredibly smart, set-pieces impress, and Kratos is a much more rounded character - especially when interacting with Atreus, his son. It also helps that the game looks staggeringly good, from scripted scenes to how combat flows freely, all taking place in a world that feels alive. There's no better showcase game for PS4. It's a gorgeous exclusive that reinvents one of the console's longest-serving, most loved characters. It's heaps of fun to play, and the game keeps inviting you to dig deeper to discover all its goodies. Check out our God of War review for more.

1. Last of Us Part 2

Developer: Naughty Dog
Released: 2020

The Last of Us 2 is finally here, and oh boy, was it worth the wait. Ellie is back with an all-new story that will kick you in the stomach repeatedly with how much emotion it's packing. Brutal violence is matched with one of the most engrossing game storylines of all time, full of moments that will make you question so much and leave you with thoughts that I think will last most of us until the PS6...

This is an absurdly ambitious epic that goes beyond anything we could have imagined for a sequel, and stands as one of the games we'll be talking about for generations to come. Check out our glowing The Last of Us 2 review for more.

Look ahead with our round of the all of the upcoming PS5 games.

The new PlayStation Stars reward scheme could require players to spend around $1,750 in order to claim one free game. 

As pointed out by TweakTown, one PlayStation player has figured out that PS Plus subscribers will need to shell out around $1,750 on games from the PlayStation store in order to earn enough points to claim one of the higher-priced free games as part of the new rewards program.  

According to Twitter user @Crusader3456, it's 1 point per every $0.10 spent on games including taxes. As an example, this player says they got 742 points in exchange for the $74.20 they spent on pre-ordering God of War Ragnarok. 

What this means is that in order to claim one of the higher priced games currently on offer through the reward scheme eg: The Quarry - which retails at around $69.99 - for 17,500 points, players will need to spend at least $1,750. That's the equivalent of just buying 25 full priced PS5 games. 

If you didn't know, PlayStation launched its PlayStation Stars loyalty program at the end of last month in Asia, just yesterday (October 5) in North and South America, and in just a few days time (October 13) in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The idea of the reward scheme is that players are able to get points to spend on new games by purchasing games directly from PlayStation as well as completing in-game challenges. 

PlayStation Stars is also made up of various levels, with level 1 requiring the least amount of effort for the least amount of reward, and the highest level requiring players to purchase multiple full games on the PS Store, earn 128 uncommon trophies, and more to get the reward of priority access to customer service chat.

If you're still confused by the new rewards program, take a look at our PlayStation Stars guide.

The PS5 has been jailbroken by a modder, uncovering new back-end menus in the process.

Earlier today on October 3, modder Lance McDonald posted the tweet seen just below, revealing that the PS5 console has at last been properly jailbroken. From the wording of the tweet, and the watermark on the video, it certainly seems as though it's McDonald himself who's cracked the console open.

McDonald's video shows him accessing back-end menus on the jailbroken PS5 console. Thanks to the hack, he's able to open up a special 'Debug Menu' option in the console's main menu systems, and thereby gain access to a bunch of added options that users wouldn't ordinarily be able to see.

There's plenty of options available to McDonald in the debug menu, including options to adjust games, controllers, users, the PlayStation Network, and more. McDonald's video even ends with him downloading and installing the lost P.T. demo, the prelude to Hideo Kojima's cancelled Silent Hills project, by way of the debug menu options.

It's a fascinating discovery, but it's clear this is still early days for the PS5's modding community at large. McDonald's various responses to replies underneath the original tweet show that there's more work to be done yet to iron out kinks in the system, such as being able to import save data for games like P.T. The modding community might have a few years yet before the eventual PS5 Pro shows up on the scene. 

Check out our full upcoming PS5 games guide for a complete look over all the forthcoming games for Sony's new-gen console. 

Sony fans believe that they've stumbled upon an "exclusive" invitation-only PlayStation Stars membership that Sony has yet to announce.

The PlayStation Stars Program was announced back in July 2022, offering players on Sony's consoles the chance to earn rewards and exclusive items just by playing the games they love. 

We'd previously been told that it features four tiers/levels, and is being rolled out in stages across various territories to ensure the system doesn't become overwhelmed. Right now, the scheme is only available in Asia, including Japan. 

As discussed on the Leaks and Rumours subreddit over the weekend, however, players think they've found an "exclusive" fifth tier that's "accessible by invitation only": Diamond.

playstation_stars_may_have_an_exclusive_5th from r/GamingLeaksAndRumours

"According to information in the PlayStation mobile app there may be a yet-to-be-revealed and exclusive 5th tier of the service - accessible by invitation only," a poster called the_andshrew said.

"The 5th tier is called Diamond and has the requirements to reach it listed as Invite only to Diamond Level. 

"If you reach this tier you are rewarded with a legendary grade collectible called Level 5 Diorama - Bots Don't Breathe with the description: In an endless sea of stars, it seems like there’s nowhere to hide. But you wouldn’t be here if you let challenges like that stop you. Welcome to Level 5."

To evidence the claim, the poster also included a still and video clip of the reward you get should you be invited to the exclusive hidden tier.

For those wondering, the PlayStation Stars launches in North and South America on October 5, and Europe, Australia, and New Zealand on October 13.

There are two different types of rewards you can earn; loyalty points and digital collectibles. Loyalty points can be spent on items that may include PSN wallet funds, certain PlayStation Store products, and exclusive digital collectibles, whilst the digital collectibles are digital representations of iconic Sony characters and devices. You'll be able to see what you've collected via the PS App.

Want to know more? Here's everything you need to know about PlayStation Stars and information about when it launches in your region.

PS4 error codes appearing means that an issue has been flagged on your console, which could range from an incorrect installation of an update file to the whole network of servers going offline and stopping responding. Handily, there are plenty of these error codes on PlayStation 4 that have a solution available, so I've been gather the fixes for those here in this guide to help you move forward. While certain error codes on PS4 can be dealt with by simply resetting your console or router, there are others that indicate a wider issue is taking place with the PlayStation Network itself and you won't be able to control what's happening with that. Whatever the situation, it helps to know things like which category a specific code is in and what it means, as this can steer you in the direction of a fix even if nothing's been officially announced.

To help you, I've been keeping track of all the PS4 error codes that pop up and whatever the latest fixes are. So check what code you have below, and I should have some details so you can work towards a fix.

At the time of writing on July 1 the PlayStation Network is currently down, which means some players can't access the PlayStation Store, online servers for multiplayer, or validate games by retrieving license information. Sony have acknowledged this issue, and are working to resolve it as soon as possible.

Quick PS4 error codes

These are the most common PS4 error codes, which we've covered in this guide:

• NP-34958-9
• WC-40383-8
• SU-30746-0
• SU-42481-9
• SU-42118-6
• E-8210604A
• CE-32753-0
• CE-36329-3
• NP-34957-8
• WS-37469-9
• WS-37398-0 / WS-38481-4

PS4 error NP-34958-9

The PS4 34958-9 error code can also included messages like 'An error has occurred' or 'Cannot use the content' when trying to play games. There are three fixes current that people are reporting success with: 

1. One current fix involves manually changing your internet settings to choose specific DNS Settings. However, what settings you choose seem to vary with region so there's no single solution there. 
2. Another option that seems to work for some people is to log on to the PSN website to deactivate all your consoles and then sign back in. 
3. Some reports also suggest using your phone as a hotspot to then reactivate your console as a primary and reactivate your licenses. 

This definitely seems to be a network issues affecting accounts and licenses of  content so, hopefully, will be resolved server side by PlayStation. 

PS4 error WC-40383-8

"This service is currently undergoing maintenance."

If you see the WC-40383-8 PS4 error code then this is usually due to a communication problem between your console and the servers, so the first thing to confirm is that your router and internet connection are functioning correctly. If they are, then check the PlayStation Network status page to make sure the PSN is not having any current issues, and if everything seems ok there then look for information on the particular game you are trying to play, as there may be local server problems specific to that title.

PS4 error SU-30746-0

“The system software update has failed.”

This SU-30746-0 PS4 error code can appear when your PS4 console has failed to install the latest firmware update. Luckily, PlayStation Support has its own set of recommended steps for you to follow to resolve this error code, particularly if restarting your PS4 has not solved the error code:

1. Ensure your PS4 is connected to the internet, preferably via a wired connection to your router using an ethernet cable.
2. Go to ‘Notifications’ and delete any update files by pressing the Options button, and then selecting ‘Delete’.
3. Now go to ‘Settings’ and select ‘System Software Update’ to attempt to install the update again.

If this doesn’t work, you’ll need to manually update your PS4 using a USB drive and Safe Mode on your PS4. Before you start with this method, make sure you’ve got a FAT32 USB storage device with at least 500MB of space free and access to a PC or Mac. You can read the full details on how to do a PS4 system software update using Safe Mode here, but in short:

1. Download the PS4 console update file onto your USB drive and save it as "PS4UPDATE.PUP" in the "UPDATE" folder that you’ve created.
2. Plug the USB drive into your PS4 and start the console in Safe Mode by holding the power button and releasing it after the second beep.
3. Select Safe Mode option 3: ‘Update System Software’, then choose ’Update from USB Storage Device’.

If you upgrade to a PS5, bear this manual update method in mind, as you might need it for a few PS5 error codes that you could encounter.

PS4 error SU-42481-9

“The system software update has failed.”

Curiously, this PS4 error code is basically the same as SU-30746-0 and can therefore be fixed in the same way. You should refer to the above instructions to see how to resolve this failed firmware update error code, but to summarise, you need to try restarting your console, deleting any update files through the Notifications menu, or manually updating your PS4 using a USB drive.

PS4 error SU-42118-6

"An error has occurred."

This error code can be a sign of an issue with your PS4 hardware, specifically a bad ribbon connection, and may have made your console unusable. If you are still able to use your PS4, try some simple steps to fix the issue first – restart your console, check all of your connections, or check for system updates for example. If these don’t work, you may have to back up your data and perform a factory reset on your PS4.

PS4 error E-8210604A

“An error occurred with the payment.”

This PS4 error code appears whenever a payment, perhaps for PS Plus subscription or a game on the PlayStation Store, fails to go through. While this can be a temporary issue that sorts itself out given a bit of time, you should try these steps just to check it’s not a payment issue on your end:

1. Check the credit or debit card information registered to your account is correct and valid – make sure your card has not expired!
2. Try re-registering your credit or debit card. Be aware that if you register or delete your card information multiple times in a short period, you may be blocked from adding payment information.
3. Try using anther credit or debit card if you can.
4. Top up your PlayStation Store wallet with a redeemable PlayStation Store card and pay using the wallet, however, this won’t work for all purchases.

PS4 error CE-32753-0

“An error has occurred.”

This PS4 error code usually means you console cannot connect to the PlayStation Network, in order to verify the license so you can download or play a particular game. The first thing to check is if this is a wider outage, as if the PSN is down then lots of others will also have this issue. If you've recently updated (or tried to update) your system software then this could have introduced a problem with connectivity, so check to verify that the system software update was completed successfully. Finally, check that your router is working correctly and there is no network filtering applied to your connection, which could prevent your PS4 from establishing a connection with the PlayStation Network.

PS4 error CE-36329-3

“An error has occurred with system software.”

Your PS4 might have experienced a data corruption issue if this error code has appeared. Here’s what you can try to fix it:

1. Make sure you have the latest version of the PS4 System Software installed by going to ‘Settings’ and choosing ’System Software Update’. Your PS4 will then restart.
2. If you cannot reach Settings, try using Safe Mode option 3 on your PS4 to update System Software.
3. If this doesn’t work, back up your saved data to ensure you won’t lose anything and then go to ‘Settings’, then ‘Initialisation’, and choose ‘Initialise PS4’. Alternatively, you can use Safe Mode option 6.
4. If this error code continues to appear even after you’ve followed these steps, you should contact PlayStation Support as your PS4 likely has a more serious issue.

PS4 error NP-34957-8

“Server communication error.”

This error code might appear if your PS4 is having connection issues, however it might not be on your end. Firstly, check the PlayStation Network status page to see if PSN is down or not. If PSN is down, you’ll just have to be patient and wait for it to come back online. However, if things are working on that end, it’s likely that your internet connection is causing issues. Try turning off your router, waiting at least five minutes, and then restarting it.

PS4 error WS-37469-9

“Failed to connect to the server.”

This PS4 error code is much the same as NP-34957-8 above, so check on the status of the overall PlayStation Network to begin with, and if no issues are reported there then investigate your own internet connection further to ensure everything is working correctly.

PS4 error WS-37398-0 / WS-38481-4

"An error has occurred."

These error codes usually appears during PSN server outages, preventing you from logging in to the network. As with the previous error code, you should check the PSN status page to see if the service is down or not.

© GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission.

Update:

PlayStation has officially unveiled the PS Plus games for September, and it confirms a leak from today while adding some big hitters to the higher subscription tiers.

As was leaked earlier today, the free PS Plus games included in September's Essentials tier are headlined by Toem, a highly acclaimed indie adventure with a lot of heart and some truly clever puzzling. PS Plus Essentials subscribers will also have access to Need for Speed Heat and Granblue Fantasy: Versus.

The new additions we're just now learning about will only be available to the more pricy Extra and Premium tiers, but they're pretty attractive offers. In the Extra tier we have Deathloop, which, as our (and a lot of other folks') 2021 GOTY winner, needs no introduction. Another Extra freebie is the excellent Assassin's Creed Origins, which is absolutely worth the time investment if you initially skipped it in favor of its successors, Assassin's Creed Odyssey or Valhalla.

The full list of Extra and Premium games includes Watch Dogs 2, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, Spiritfarer, Chicory: A Colorful Tale, and many more.

Original story:

Once again, the PS Plus additions for another month have leaked online ahead of an announcement.

As ever, the leak comes from Dealabs user billbil-kun, who has a perfect track record of somehow leaking PlayStation Plus announcements ahead of time. This time, the user claims Need for Speed Heat, Granblue Fantasy: Versus, and Toem will all be joining the subscription service in September.

The headline addition here (in our humble opinion), is Toem, an absolutely wonderful photography game where kindness literally pays. The hand-drawn, monochrome adventure game has you solving puzzles exclusively with your camera, and launched last year on PC, Switch, and PlayStation. If you haven't played, or even heard of Toem, September for PS Plus players is the perfect way to fixt that.

All three games will allegedly be joining the Essentials tier of the revamped PS Plus service. This means Essentials, Extra, and Premium subscribers on PlayStation's subscription service will all be able to access the three games, since they're joining at the cheapest tier possible.

If you haven't played a Need for Speed game before, this could be the perfect opportunity to get you started when Need for Speed Heat arrives on PS Plus. If the rumors are accurate, and the forthcoming Criterion-made Need for Speed does end up as a new-gen exclusive, Heat is as good a place as any to start. Finally, Granblue Fantasy: Versus rounds out the additions as an excellent fighter from veteran developers Arc System Works.

Head over to our PS Plus tiers explained guide to see what the Essentials, Extra, and Premium tiers all get you on PlayStation consoles. 

The PS4 and PS5 versions of Hogwarts Legacy will have an additional quest and potion recipe exclusive to those platforms, WB Games has confirmed.

The exclusive content was first discovered on the PlayStation Network, which quietly listed an "exclusive quest" for all PlayStation versions of the game, including the standard edition. Folks naturally took notice of the addendum pretty quickly and took to Twitter to ask Hogwarts Legacy community manager Chandler Wood for clarification.

Wood confirmed: "PlayStation players get an exclusive quest, and PlayStation pre-orders get the Felix Felicis potion recipe." He also added that "well have more information on these soon."

Further details on the PlayStation-exclusive quest and potion recipe are being kept under wraps, but it's noteworthy that there's any platform-exclusive content at all. Despite the game being revealed during Sony's September 2020 PS5 showcase, the game was quickly confirmed for other platforms, including Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. WB Games nor Sony have formally announced any exclusivity deal until just now, in a tweet-reply from the game's community manager.

It's worth noting that the exclusive quest is a bonus for anyone who gets a copy of the game on PS4 or PS5 at any time, while the potion recipe is a pre-order reward for those who lock down their copy of the game ahead of launch. Wood confirmed that all Hogwarts Legacy PlayStation pre-orders, whether physical or digital, will come with the bonus potion recipe.

If you're keen on that potion recipe or just want to secure your copy early, here's how you can pre-order Hogwarts Legacy and take advantage of a $10 gift card.

If you've been waiting to play Stray on Xbox then your patience has finally been rewarded, as the PlayStation exclusivity period has expired and we now have an official release of the cute cat adventure on Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One. This means it's time to get out there and live your best (nine) lives, as you explore the post-apocalyptic ruins and help your robot Companions to escape to the surface. You'll also need to take care of the Zurks and Sentinels, who are intent on hunting down your new cybernetic pals and turning them into scrap.

It's a good get for Microsoft, even a while down the line, as Stray was a bit of a breakout hit. In our Stray review we said it was a "phenomenal, if compact, feline adventure" and awarded it 4.5 out of 5 stars. It's been a popular game all around, and things like Stray mods saw it catch a lot of attention on social media in the period following its original launch. Now there's an official Stray Xbox release, here's everything we know about it.

Is Stray coming to Game Pass on Xbox? 

Following an extremely cute and playful reveal trailer that was shown as part of the Annapurna Interactive Showcase 2023, Stray was released for Xbox on August 10, 2023, hitting both Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One. When it originally launched for PlayStation on July 19, 2022, it was described as a "console exclusive for a limited time" in press materials, so we were expecting that exclusivity period to potentially expire after a year. A previously leaked ESRB rating for Stray on Xbox One and Xbox Series confirmed our suspicions, and now we have an actual release to make everything official.

As for a Stray Xbox Game Pass release, that's a little harder to predict. Annapurna will have already taken a payment from Sony for the PlayStation exclusivity and PS Plus Extra inclusion so it's hard to tell if they would, or even could, also take another one from Xbox to put it on Game Pass. And would Microsoft be willing to pay up for a second hand release? Only time will tell there, but as things stand there have been no plans announced for adding Stray to Game Pass. The PlayStation and PC releases have done well, as everyone seems to love the cat game, so we'll have to wait and see what happens next.

© GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission.

PS5 error codes are the last thing you want to see, as they usually mean you can't access certain parts of the game you're trying to play, or you could be locked out of it completely. Therefore it can be helpful to know what they mean, and if there are any fixes or solutions available to deal with that particular issue. With technology advancing these errors could mean anything from a missing licence to the entire PlayStation Network going offline, and the severity of the issue will determine whether a fix can be used. I've round up all of the major PS5 error codes below, along with their solutions and fixes where available.

PS5 error codes quick guide

These are some of the PS5 error codes you're most likely to see:

• WS-116449-5
• WS-116331-5
• CE-107880-4
• CE-108255-1
• CE-108862-5
• CE-105799-1 / CE-113212-0
• CE-107520-5 / CE-108889-4
• CE-11773-6
• NP-102955-2
• NP-104602-3
• Other PS5 error codes

If you've encountered any of those issues then select the specific error code for more information, or if it's not listed then we've got further details at the end on how to get additional help on the matter.

PS5 error code WS-116449-5

"This service is currently under maintenance."

Unlike many of the PS5 error codes listed here, this one does at least have a useful description, as it often appears when some or all of the PlayStation Network is undergoing maintenance. Check the PlayStation Network status page to see what's happening, as this should confirm if there's any widespread issues stopping players from accessing the service. If there are no reported issues there, then try resetting the internet connection settings on your console and running the internet connection test, and if that doesn't help then turn off your router and modem for at least five minutes then try again. If that still doesn't fix things then try again later as there may be temporary congestion on your line.

PS5 error code WS-116331-5

"Access to PSN has been temporarily suspended."

This PS5 error code could mean that your account has been suspended from accessing the PlayStation Network, however you shouldn't panic straight away. Check if you can sign in from another device, and if not then find out what the current PSN status is, as this message can appear when there's a general outage across the network. If everything else seems to be working correctly, then you can find out more about suspensions on PlayStation Network including how to check your suspension status.

PS5 error code CE-107880-4

"Something went wrong."

This PS5 error code with a particularly helpful description usually occurs in relation to pre-orders, and either pre-loading or installing exclusive add-on content. If your issue is with pre-loading, then try accessing your PSN library on a browser to cancel any pending downloads then queue the download remotely. If that doesn't work, you can also try fully powering off your PS5 then restarting it, or restoring licences via the System > Users and Accounts > Other > Restore Licences option.

If you are receiving this error code in relation to add-on content, then the problem could be that the specific item(s) haven't been made available yet due to an issue with the release date attached to them on the PlayStation Store, or the system is incorrectly trying to access the PS4 version of the DLC which isn't compatible with the PS5 game. Unfortunately in these cases there is currently no known fix, and you'll need to wait for Sony or the developers to resolve the problem before you can receive your additional content.

PS5 error code CE-108255-1

"Something went wrong with this game or app."

A number of players are receiving this PS5 error code, and unfortunately the initial prognosis doesn't sound good. Some are getting it with one specific PS5 game, while others are receiving the error with every PS5 title they try. Although Sony haven't officially commented on the issue yet, several people are reporting that they've spoken to customer services and been advised that they'll need to return their hardware for replacement. If you are getting this error and it persists, you'll need to contact PlayStation customer services for more details.

PS5 error code CE-108862-5

"Unable to connect to the server."

This is another connection error message, but this time possibly relating to the servers for the individual game you are playing. If the PlayStation Network status page linked above confirms everything is currently working, then check the game developer's website or social media channels to see if they have a specific issue. Again, it's likely this is a temporary connection fault, so if you can't resolve it then wait and try again later.

PS5 error code CE-105799-1 / CE-113212-0

"Unable to connect to the server."

These are PSN connection error message, so the first thing to do is check the PlayStation Network status page (linked above) to make sure everything is up and running. If there is no maintenance or downtime in progress, restart your PS5 and configure your wireless connection settings again, checking your router is in range or switching to a wired connection if possible. If the problem persists, turn off your modem and router for 5 minutes, then restart and update your router firmware if available. If the issue still isn't resolved then it's likely there's a temporary connection fault, so wait and try again later.

PS5 error code CE-107520-5 / CE-108889-4

"Please install the latest system software."

This PS5 error code means that your system software is not up to date, so connect to the internet and follow the instructions to update to the latest version. If you can't connect your console online, you can also download and install the latest system software on a USB drive via a computer, or update it using a game disc. For more information on this process, see the official PS5 System Software Update site.

PS5 error code CE-11773-6

If you see this PS5 error code, it's usually because your console is unable to verify that you have digital ownership of the game you're trying to launch. Check to see if there are any connection issues with the PSN, as if there are then you may need to wait for them to be resolved before your details can be confirmed. Alternatively, it's also worth going into the Settings menu and selecting the Users and Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses > Restore option, as this may trigger the confirmation required to activate your game.

PS5 error code NP-102955-2

"The account information is incorrect."

If you're receiving this PS5 error code, then the PlayStation Network account log in information you're supplying does not match the records held by Sony. Double check that you're entering the correct email address and password (case sensitive), and if you're sure the information you're entering is correct then you'll need to contact customer services to reset your password.

PS5 error code NP-104602-3

"Something went wrong."

There are a number of reasons for this PS5 error code, which are all related to internet connectivity. First, check the PlayStation Network status to make sure there aren't any issues there, as problems at that level can only be resolved by Sony. If things are reported to be working correctly, use Test Internet Connection to review your network settings as it's likely you're getting a NAT Type error that's preventing online connectivity. If that's the case, there are a few other things to try at your end that have worked for others.

Rebooting your router is always a good initial action when having connection issues, but if that doesn't work then go to Set Up Internet Connection on your PS5, press Options on your wi-fi connection then under Wi-Fi Frequency Bands try changing from Automatic to 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz and see if that resolves the error. If that doesn't help or you're on a wired connection, press Options on your connection then go to Advanced Settings and try changing your Primary / Secondary DNS settings to 8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4 (Google Public DNS) or 1.1.1.1 / 1.0.0.1 (Cloudflare DNS) as this will resolve connection issues in a number of circumstances. If not, check with your ISP for any issues with their service.

Other PS5 error codes

If the particular PS5 error code you've been experiencing isn't listed here, there are other resources you can go to for support. The Reddit PlayStation Community Support Team are currently building this PlayStation Error Code Database to cover a wide variety of issues, or you can check on the PSN Service Status and search the error code on the PlayStation Support site itself to see if there is a support article available.

© GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission.

The Mana Visa® Debit card isn't like your other debit cards. It's a card and rewards platform combined, designed from the ground up to be used by gamers. Launching in the US, Mana earns you points when you buy a range of gaming-related items, which you can then use to buy games and gift cards. 

Anything you buy with Mana will earn you points but you'll get three times the points when buying memberships for services like PlayStation Plus, Xbox Game Pass, Nintendo Switch, and EA Play; as well as subscribing to streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime and Spotify. You'll also earn double points when you buy video games, or gaming gift cards and gear in the Mana Shop. And you'll earn 1x points for all other purchases. 

And that's just the basic free tier that Mana provides. If you want even more then there's also the option to join Mana Pro, priced at $69.95 per year. As well as boosting the points you can earn up to a maximum of 5x, you'll also get a $25 Xbox Gift Card and a $25 PlayStation Gift Card. Then there's a year's membership to Discord Nitro Classic, FitGMR Pro, Surfshark VPN, and FirstBlood Premium. All that actually adds up to around a $522 value, all for just $69.95. Whatever tier you choose, the Mana Visa® Debit card is safe too - your funds will be held by MVB Bank, Member FDIC, and are insured up to $250,000.

But enough of the technical stuff - here's the biggest things to look forward to in the next few months…

Saints Row, August 23

PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One

Rebooted for a new generation, Saints Row is back, letting an all new bunch of kids live the criminal dream, as you shoot, drive and fight your way to the top of the criminal underworld. As a fresh start to the series this might have dialled back some of the crazy, but you can still kill enemies by shoving a grenade down their pants. Or just kick them in the balls to bring them to their knees for a firm face slapping. It's all open world chaos, full of shoot outs, car chases and wingsuit escapes with the carnage only limited by your imagination.     

The Last of Us Part 1, September 2

PS5

Ahead of The Last of Us TV show, Naughty Dog is reimagining the original game, using everything it learned from The Last of Us Part 2 to update the first game. Part remake and part remaster, this mixes modern tech, animation and art to bring the 2013 game right up to date. There's new enemy AI, more destructible environments and all running in native 4K at targeted 30 FPS or dynamic 4K at targeted 60 FPS. Everything has been rebuilt from the ground up, and this new edition even bundles in the Left Behind DLC. 

Atlanta Season 4, September 

Hulu

It's time for the fourth and final season of the critically acclaimed Atlanta. Donald Glover is back as Earn, trying to make his way through life while balancing friends and family. Brian Tyree Henry, LaKeith Stanfield and Zazie Beetz all return as Paper Boi, Earn, Darius, and Van respectively, back from Europe and trying to deal with the success they've always wanted. But does the city of Atlanta still want them? 

Hocus Pocus 2, September 30

Disney+ 

The cult classic is back, with the Sanderson Sisters once again free and wreaking havoc on Salem after being accidentally resurrected for a second time. With the witches Winifred, Sarah, and Mary once again causing trouble and hunting for children's souls to suck dry, it's down to three high school friends, Becca, Cassie and Izzy, to try and defeat the Sandersons and before they can get their revenge. 

Black Adam, October 21

In theatres 

Movie stars don't get much bigger than Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, and his debut as the infamous anti hero Black Adam is certainly going to be one of the biggest film events of the year. No one's more excited about this release though than Dwayne himself, who campaigned for the role and has been hyping it up ever since. Black Adam himself is a superhero gifted his abilities by the same wizard that created Shazam but imprisoned for 5000 years, before escaping into the modern world. It's a significant deal for the wider DCEU as well, with the big screen debuts of classic DC heroes like Hawkman, Atom Smasher, Doctor Fate, and Cyclone.

Gotham Knights, October 25

PC, PS5, Xbox Series X

Batman is dead and it's down to the extended Bat-family to try and keep the Gotham streets under control. This is, despite Bruce Wayne's death, the Bat-dream, giving you an open world RPG to explore as either Nightwing, Robin, Batgirl or Red Hood - using and swapping between their unique abilities to take the fight to Gotham's criminals. But there's more to what's going on than just a crime wave - you'll also have to uncover the sinister secret society, The Court of Owls, and discover just what they've got planned for the city. And if you need back up, there's two player drop in and out, so you don't have to do all the moody rooftop posing alone. 

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, October 28

PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One

Captain Price and Task Force 141 are back, treading a morally dubious path to keep the world safe. This is more of an event than a game, with the cinematic globe trotting single player campaign linking up with Call of Duty's famous multiplayer, and Spec Ops co-op mode. This is also going to usher in an all new Warzone, a full sequel developed from scratch to the current battle royale mode that, combined with Modern Warfare 2's multiplayer, will bring months of post-launch content with new maps, modes, seasonal events and more to keep evolving the game. 

Mythic Quest Season 3, Fall

Apple TV

The excellent game dev sitcom is back but everything's changed. After season 2 ended with Grimm and Poppy leaving Mythic Quest to start a new game studio, the team is divided. Loveable doormat David now runs Mythic Quest Studios, while Grimm and Poppy are feeling their way through their newly formed GrimPop Studios (see what they did with the name there). Expect more personality clashes, multiple calls to HR and maybe a game gets made somewhere?

God of War Ragnarok, November 9 

PS5, PS4

It's finally time to get some answers after 2018's God of War left us with all the questions. When this incredible reboot for the series finally came to a close we knew Atreus was Loki, and Ragnarok was coming after Thor visited Kratos in an end credit tease. Now we'll finally get to see what that means as Kratos and Atreus go up against Odin, Thor and the Norse apocalypse. Not to mention their former ally Freya is out for revenge after Kratos killed her son, Baldur. With new realms to explore, enemies to defeat and combat to master, this is one of the biggest games on PlayStation this year. 

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, November 11

In theatres

After the tragic death of Chadwick Boseman, it wasn't clear how the Black Panther character he brought to life would continue. Wakanda Forever is honouring his legacy by bringing an emblem cast together to protect Wakanda, following the death of T'Challa prior to the events of this sequel. With an incredible trailer revealing the likes of Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Danai Gurira, Florence Kasumba and Winston Duke are all back. This is also setting a stage for the MCU's future as well, with Tenoch Huerta making his debut as Namor, and Dominique Thorne appearing as Riri Williams. She's better known as Ironheart, an MIT student that steps into Tony Stark's shoes after matching his skills in armor design. 

So there's some essential Fall entertainment to keep you busy over the coming months. Just remember that with Mana you can earn points on everything you play and watch, and then spend those points to claim rewards from thousands of video games and gift cards. You can sign up to get invited to the beta now at mana.app.

The accolades system on PS5 wasn't as popular as Sony hoped and will soon be no more. 

Accolades were introduced as a way for PS5 players to acknowledge each other's contribution in a multiplayer match. You can award your fellow players badges such as Helpful, Welcoming, and Good Sport, depending on your experience playing with them. Any virtual kudos you receive is displayed on your PSN profile, indicating to others that you're a force for good in online games. But this won't be the case for much longer as the feature will soon get axed.

The company hasn't given an exact date, but a post on the official PlayStation website indicates that it's scheduled for removal sometime in Fall 2022. As for why, well, it appears that the system hasn't been as readily adopted as Sony had hoped. "The feature hasn't seen the level of usage we anticipated, so we are refocusing our efforts," the company says.

Even though you will no longer be able to send your fellow players accolades in recognition of their efforts, Sony hopes that players will continue to create a warm and friendly gaming environment. "We encourage the community to continue to send positive messages to one another."

Once the feature is removed, you will no longer be able to send or receive accolades, and the ones you've already acquired will likely be gone too. Still, if there's a PlayStation pal that you've yet to show your appreciation for, why not do so while you still can. 

PlayStation fans might be losing one feature, but there's another on the way. Last month the company announced PlayStation Stars, a new loyalty program where players can earn points to spend on PlayStation Store funds and products, as well as a new type of reward called "digital collectables."

See what exciting titles are making their way to Sony's shiny new-gen console with our guide to upcoming PS5 games. 

If you're looking to explore the best PS3 games, then we're here to help with our ranking.

In light of Sony's announcement that the PS3 store will officially be closing down globally by 2027, there's never been a better time to reflect back on the highlights of the third-generation console. And if you're looking to buy some games on the older console's storefront, you've still got some time, but it's worth considering before it's no longer an option (our FAQ section has more on that).

First launching 20 years ago, the PS3 certainly had its work cut for it when it come to following up its predecessor, and some of the best PS2 games the previous console brought us. But the ambitious PS3 machine undoubtedly delivered its own share of standouts, with influential releases that we still enjoy and celebrate to this day. In actual fact, some of the latest upcoming PS5 games that dropped this year brought us back to the PS3 era (as our Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Tides review shows). So, whether you're after recommendations to add to your own PS3 library, you're looking to get nostalgic, or you want to see what made our top 25 ranking, read on to explore our pick of the best PS3 games. And be sure to share your favorites in the comments section below!

The best PS3 games of all-time, ranked

25. Heavy Rain

Quantic Dream delivered a slow-burn whodunnit that focuses on smart character-building in an incredibly atmospheric world. Heavy Rain is an ambitious adventure, utilizing limited points of interaction to help you steer multiple characters through an intertwining narrative.

It's shocking, it's sad, and sometimes compassionate – an experience where it truly does feel as if you hold the outcome of the story in your hands. Whether you played it in 2010 or are thinking of going back today, Heavy Rain remains one of the most important PS3 games ever made. Read our Heavy Rain review for more details on this classic.

24. LittleBigPlanet 2

With the possible exception of Minecraft, no other console game nurtures the creativity of its players like LittleBigPlanet 2. The first game's user-content creation tools were a revolution in player freedom, and the sequel not only refines these options but expands them to allow you - yes, you - to create not only fresh levels but whole new stories, worlds, and even games. And the stuff the community has created is unbelievable.

LittleBigPlanet 2 doesn't have as sophisticated a platforming system as the Marios and Raymans of this world (it's still heaps of fun, regardless), but to judge the game on these terms is as short-sighted as dismissing War and Peace because you don't like the font it's printed in. Simply put, this is one of the most important, relevant, and entertaining games on any PlayStation. Read our five-star LittleBigPlanet 2 review for more information.

23. Hotline Miami

Hotline Miami is the game your parents always warned you about back in the 1980s, a video game from an alternate universe where Reagan became Forever President, and The Running Man is actually a real thing you can watch on TV. Basically, this is a stylish, surreal experience that you'll remember for the rest of your gaming days. It also has one of the best video game soundtracks around, so prepare for tunes.

Don a rubber animal mask of your choosing and wander into one of a few dozen pixelated murder carnivals to waste every mook in sight as the background colors pulsate along with the way-too-cool-for-you synth-wave soundtrack. Hotline Miami is raw, punk fury, a hypnotic display of hyperviolence one step away from pure, unadulterated anarchy. Need more 2D violence in your life? Read our Hotline Miami review.

22. Batman: Arkham City

How do you make the best superhero game of all time better? You add a whole lot more of it and drop all of that into one of the best-realized open-world cities ever seen in a game. Smartly choosing fidelity, personality, and meaningful design over sheer scale for scale's sake, Rocksteady's quarantined chunk of Gotham is one of the most striking, affecting, and entirely purposeful environments seen in an entire generation.

Letting the empowering yet perfectly balanced mechanics of the first game really fly, literally and figuratively, Arkham City's structure is an equally grand victory in both gameplay and aesthetic terms. Read our Batman Arkham City review to learn more about one of the best Batman games of all time.

21. Deus Ex: Human Revolution

It shouldn't have worked. It shouldn't have even been attempted. It should have been a dumbed-down, lite-RPG cyberpunk shooter with a recognizable name stapled on. But miraculously, Eidos Montreal's Deus Ex: Human Revolution is the real thing, a layered, complex, entirely player-driven action RPG with freedom, creative thinking, and choice at the core of its every element.

Effectively, whatever game you want it to be, it's even more impressive that DE: HR manages to offer so much customization of experience while also being so coherent. Its dense story of conspiracy and philosophical tension - both global and personal - will drag you along whatever you choose your character's stance to be, and the cohesive, lived-in nature of its world-building is second to none. Check out our Deus Ex: Human Revolution review if you want to know more.

20. Burnout Paradise

When Burnout Paradise came out, multiplatform games were always better on Xbox 360. Not so this. Criterion always made PS2 sing, and PS3's Burnout Paradise still looks sensational. It revised the Burnout formula, too, combining an open-world city and surrounding countryside to race around, which resulted in one of the best racing games.

It's in the little things, like trying to handbrake-turn your car into a parking space (for which it grades you) or trying to leap down the side of a mountain and land without totaling your car. DLC patches even fixed the few annoyances in the original release's structure, meaning this truly is a Burnout-themed paradise. Great soundtrack, too. Read our Burnout Paradise review if you're curious about this gem.

19. Resistance 3

The Resistance series went from a decent launch game to a disappointing sequel to an FPS masterpiece over the course of the PS3's lifespan. It's a shame then, that Resistance 3 - the FPS masterpiece from the first sentence – signaled the end of the series. There's something so utterly right about R3. It's the way the alternate-reality '50s setting combines with the mad yet satisfying alien weaponry and mixes in with the heart-warming story of a father protecting his family that makes this game stand out.

Each stage is well-pitched, too - there are few, if any, weak moments - and the combat is slicker than a gull plucked from the Gulf of Mexico. Every time you think you've got it nailed, the story throws another situation or problem at you, forcing you to adapt and explore the game's versatility even further. Which you'll gladly do to bring Joe Capelli's sad, hopeful tale to its thrilling conclusion. Read our Resistance 3 review for more.

18. Yakuza 5

Lots of games talk about how big they are, but few offer a wealth of wildly entertaining and bizarre things to do, like the best Yakuza games. At its heart, Yakuza 5 is a serious story of the Japanese criminal underworld, of evil men doing bad things and righteous men ripping their shirts off in one swift motion to stop them in hand-to-hand combat. But Yakuza 5 isn't just a brawler. It's also a taxi-driving sim, a hunting game, and a pop idol sim (complete with dance battles!).

It's got baseball, ramen cooking, and stand-up comedy minigames. Then there's an arcade with damn-near full versions of Virtua Fighter 2, and so much more. All of these pursuits are fun. Yakuza 5 is an exuberant abundance of gritty crime drama and abject silliness, and while it may not be the best place to hop in for newcomers, it's got more than enough goodies inside to entertain anyone. Read our Yakuza 5 review and consider picking this title up ahead of the new game, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.

17. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

There's no denying that Modern Warfare was a watershed moment for games. Not only did it revive the tired FPS genre and transform Call of Duty from an ok shooter into an OMG shooter, it set a benchmark for multiplayer gaming and provided an incredible 8-hour rollercoaster of a story that few have matched since. The ghillie suit stage, the opening scenes on the tanker, that ending - Modern Warfare is stuffed full of memorable moments. And guess what: it has aged really well.

While subsequent Call of Duty games have attempted to build on Modern Warfare, making the action ever more bombastic, this stands as an exercise in stripped-back, streamlined entertainment. There's no fluff here, just hours of smooth FPS action that still outclasses all its imitators, and it's still considered to be one of the best online games ever made. Read our Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare review for more.

16. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Old Snake may have a creaky back and snarl even more than he used to, but he's still got it where it counts. MGS4 is still a technical showcase for PS4 and one of the best stealth games, just as MGS2 was for PS2 before it. But, crucially, it uses the advancements in technology to better its gameplay. The camouflage suit, in particular, is not only fun to use but useful in the tense stealth situations you find yourself in.

You could criticize Kojima and his team for making the storyline too complex and movie-like (especially in terms of the length of its cutscenes), but the cast of characters and bosses are all memorable, and there's no denying the drama at the game's conclusion. However, had one scene, in particular, ended the other way, this would likely be even higher up this list. Still essential gaming if you own a PS3. Check out our Metal Gear Solid 4 review for more insights.

15. Dead Space 2

Few games offer the same sickening dilemma as Dead Space 2. While you want to play the game to explore the beautifully broken Sprawl, you also constantly live in fear that something nightmarish is watching your every move. DS2 strikes a neat balance between the originals' constant scares and a more robust combat system.

The horrors are just as real, but now Isaac is more capable of fighting back. While this does diminish the helplessness you feel, Dead Space 2 is more of a rounded game as a result. Plus, the Necromorphs in this sequel are true abominations: they set the gold standard for video game monsters and deliver some trouser-ruining scares. As a result, Dead Space 2 remains one of the best horror games ever. Read our Dead Space 2 review for more details!

14. Journey

No dialogue, no overt plot, no combat, no way to die. Yet has any game ever provided a more complete experience, filled with so many agonized, terrifying lows and such jubilant, exhilarating moments of joy? Well, yeah, but not many of them...

Thatgamecompany's Journey is a masterpiece of abstract storytelling, emotion through gameplay, and exquisitely beautiful world-building. Its freeform exploration and platform-puzzling are captivating in themselves, but every single element of Journey, from visuals to sound design to the very feel of control, is precisely designed to evoke deep and affecting meaning every step of the way. And as for its anonymous co-operative multiplayer, you simply will never have felt so attached to another player in a video game. Not ever. Read our Journey review, or check out our list of the best relaxing games to play right now for more recommendations.

13. XCOM: Enemy Unknown

One of the best strategy games on the PS3, XCOM: Enemy Unknown delivers enough thrilling, edge-of-the-seat action, cerebrally satisfying gameplay, and engrossing emotional involvement to rival any AAA epic. All without a single moment of real-time action. Its turn-based squad-shooting is immediately accessible, even to a total strategy noob, yet holds fathoms of depth once you've navigated its friendly-as-a-hug learning curve.

Despite superficially playing like a board game, its skirmishes and ground wars unfold in spectacular fashion, creating the kind of emergent set-pieces and skin-of-the-teeth stand-offs that you'll remember as real-time Hollywood blockbusters. It takes 20 minutes to pick up, but you'll be obsessing into many a late-night for months. An absolute gem. Head over to our XCOM: Enemy Unknown review to learn more.

12. Wolfenstein: The New Order

From the moment it begins, Wolfenstein: The New Order screams with howling intensity and purpose. The series has never dabbled in subtlety, and that's no different here: you're still BJ Blazkowicz, you're still Nazi Hunter Supreme, and you're still ruthlessly efficient at your job.

But what should be a mindless shooter suddenly finds itself examining the human cost of endless war and soul-crushing fascism, and thanks to the team at MachineGames, it's pretty good at doing both. You'll come for the dual-wielding MP-40s and old-school action, but you'll stay for the branching narrative and fleshed-out characters. Oh, and you'll shoot Nazis on the moon. Come on now – that fact alone makes it one of the best FPS games of the generation. Check out our Wolfenstein: The New Order review.

11. The Walking Dead

Here's an interesting thing. Zombies are one of the most used tools in horror gaming, but very rarely are they actually scary. Lumbering, meaty target practice, that's what they usually are. The Walking Dead, however, gets back to the root of what makes zombies, and good horror in general, affecting: Real, slow-burning, emotionally powerful human drama.

With some of the best writing and acting in games, not to mention the most painful, almost impossible moral decisions, The Walking Dead drops you into a nightmare situation and forces you to try to make not the best of it, but the least-worst. You'll agonize over every choice and conversation, and in the end, you'll never have entirely the right answer. There are no heroes here. Just those still left alive. As a result, The Walking Dead remains one of the best single-player games ever made. Read our The Walking Dead game review for more information, or check out our list of the best zombie games of all time.

10. Super Street Fighter 4: Arcade Edition

There are a lot of things to talk about when discussing the greatness of Street Fighter 4. There's the seamless blend of endlessly explorable, open-ended depth and immediate, pick-up-and-play accessibility. There's the immaculate balance across a roster now comprising 39 fighters.

There's a wonderful sense of humor in the game's combat animations and character design, the latter tied beautifully into each world warrior's play style and flow. There's the subtle and powerful nuance of the Focus Attack/dash-cancel system. But there's something much simpler at play in Street Fighter 4 that isn't talked about half enough, and that's the fact that it's just immense fun, pure and simple. It's the best fighting game of a generation; no two ways about it. Still unsure about checking this PS3 game out? Read our Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition review.

9. Persona 5

Persona 5 originally began life as a PS3 game (originally scheduled to release in 2015, no less), and while it got most of its love in 2017 on PS4, the PS3 version is just as valid a way to play one of the best JRPGs in years. It builds off the successes of past games' formulas, thrusting you into the stylish world of an ordinary Japanese high school kid who suddenly finds himself the recipient of demon-busting superpowers.

You'll navigate daily life, taking on odd jobs, making new friends, and building relationships that grant you special abilities to make combat easier in the Metaverse - an alternate reality governed by the evil desires of some of Japan's most nefarious citizens. What makes Persona 5 special is its ripped-from-the-headlines narrative, a story whose villains are based on actual people in Japan but, despite cultural differences, feel just as relevant to the current state of world politics. It's a deeply relevant game, a power fantasy that goes beyond what most video games offer. Want to learn more? Read our Persona 5 review.

8. Red Dead Redemption

Is Red Dead a better game than GTA 5? It's a close call. While GTA's San Andreas is a more densely detailed world, there's a certain beauty to the concept and story of Red Dead that tips it for us. Few other games create such a glorious sense of time and place. All your actions and interactions within its rugged landscapes make sense, and it's the perfect backdrop for John Marsden's tough tale of injustice and loss - a narrative that climaxes in one of the most memorable endings of any game ever.

Ok, that's enough with the flowery descriptions: it's also super cool to be a Clint Eastwood-esque, outlaw badass. Shooting angry cowboys, lassoing criminals, and charging through the scrub on a horse - it's like an interactive Sergio Leone movie. The set pieces are ripped straight out of the finest classic Westerns, and the understated soundtrack perfectly mirrors the on-screen action. Red Dead is the complete package and one of the best Rockstar games around. Read our Red Dead Redemption review now, and don't forget that the game is now on PC, too!

7. BioShock

It took a while for PS3 to get BioShock, but good Lord, was it worth the wait. The first truly defining AAA game of the last generation, it set standards of gameplay depth, world-building, atmosphere, and narrative ambition that many other developers spent the following seven years desperately trying to match. From its still unsurpassed opening sequence, it's clear that BioShock is different from anything that came before it. The complete, cohesive creation of a world like Rapture is a vast achievement in itself, but to ensure that the compulsive, ever-escalating RPG-shooter action only ever feeds further into the believability and immersion of that world?

That's just showing off. And don't forget the powerful soundtrack in this equation, which blends stirring strings with perfectly chosen vintage recordings to create a soundscape in which a coherent, moving tone is king. Presenting a setting and story like no other and filling them with action as thoughtful as it is exhilarating, BioShock is as unique and completely realized a vision as you'll find in gaming. Read our BioShock review or check out our guide on everything you need to know about BioShock 4.

6. Uncharted 2

Uncharted 2 is one of the best adventure games of all time. It's part Indiana Jones, part James Bond, part Lara Croft, and all utterly awesome. While U3 ups the ante in terms of set pieces, this second game strikes the best balance between action, puzzles, platforming, and witty quips. The story itself is a classic tale of betrayal, violence, and love rivalry, and each cast member fits perfectly into the drama. Crucially, though, every aspect of the game is pure fun.

Whether you're zip-lining over roof-tops in the mountain village, dodging tank fire, or solving a tricky, statue-based puzzle, there's never a dull moment. The sheer variety of interactions and set pieces, combined with all the hopping from stunning locations, ensure that Uncharted 2 never grows stale. Even the under-used multiplayer mode, played only by a tiny percentage of Uncharted 2 owners, packs entertainment value into every encounter. It's all tied together with a fluid control scheme and jaw-dropping visuals that still impress over 4 years after launch. Check out our Uncharted 2: Among Thieves review for more information.

5. Mass Effect 2

Everything in Mass Effect 2 is a delight to experience. It kicks off with a ballsy start, essentially killing off Shepard and ripping the Normandy to pieces. The remainder is about rebuilding and redemption as you cobble together a loveable crew of misfits to tackle a heroic suicide mission. The overarching story provides the pace and structure, while the more personal stories onboard the Normandy (Mk2) pull you in different emotional directions. Do you side with Miranda or Jack? The Geth or the Quarians? Can you save your crew from the Collectors?

While many games give players choices, few offer the same level of involvement with the plot, thereby adding immense weight to the decisions you make. It all adds up to a wonderful, self-contained story that truly conveys the highs and lows of being the hero. It's almost a secondary concern that the RPG / shooter gameplay is slick and pleasing to tinker with or that the game looks amazing and offers incredible scale. Mass Effect 2 remains one of the best RPGs of all time. Read our Mass Effect 2 review or catch up on Mass Effect 5 with our handy guide.

4. Portal 2

The original Portal is a lean, mind-bending puzzler with a darkly comic thread running through it, wringing every last drop out of its mechanics in its brief, two-to-three-hour runtime. Portal 2 takes those foundations and flawlessly builds on them, proving that bigger can actually mean better. It's got a far meatier story, expanding on the lore surrounding Aperture Science, its mysterious experiments, and the world beyond its walls without ever feeling tacked-on or unnecessary.

The addition of various colors of goo adds new wrinkles to how you navigate the environments, often requiring you to use your surroundings along with your newfound mobility in surprising ways. It's also deeply funny, thanks to Stephen Merchant's portrayal of Wheatley, your bumbling muppet of a guide who finds himself suddenly drunk on power. Throw in some killer two-player co-op, and you have a recipe for one of the best puzzle games in gaming history. Read our Portal 2 review for more details!

3. GTA 5

Probably the biggest evolution Grand Theft Auto has enjoyed since it went 3D, GTA 5 takes the essence of what has always made the series great, dismantles it, and rebuilds it with a new, fresh, altogether more thoughtful, and entirely reinvigorated structure. The three-protagonist set-up does far, far more than simply mix up the characterization, building sophisticated dramatic irony as three separate storylines twist and conflict, all under the control of the player.

Even better, it's now finally possible to play GTA any way you want to and have it make sense. Between naive, nice-guy Franklin, aggressive family man Michael, and benevolent psychopath Trevor, suddenly all play styles are catered for without breaking the integrity of the game's stunningly realized world. Read our GTA 5 review, or look ahead with our guide on GTA 6.

2. Dark Souls

Forget the obvious talk of Dark Souls' difficulty. The truly initiated know that the challenge is only the smallest part of the game, acting as a conduit to its peerlessly satisfying interactions and immense depth. Dark Souls world spoon-feeds you nothing and delivers a swift and bloody death for irresponsible play, but it does so from a place of pure benevolence.

No matter how insurmountable the odds may look, Dark Soul's flawless combat, staggering freedom, and deceptively ingenious level design ensure that there is always a way. Far from the punishing task-master, many believe it to be, it's a game that both believes in and trusts its player. It wants you to do well, and it rewards you gloriously when you do. And it always gives you the tools you need to do so. You just have to find and understand them for yourself. Read our Dark Souls review to learn more.

1. The Last of Us

It feels fitting that the PS3's best game arrived towards the end of its life. Arguably a culmination of everything that AAA gaming grew to be over the course of the last generation, it's a masterpiece of affecting, mature storytelling and ingenious, gameplay-driven narrative; one that uses the graphical power of a fully mastered console as much for emotional resonance as for visual impact. Dropping the player into a beautifully realized, nuanced, all-too-believable nightmare world, The Last of Us provides the tools to survive but wisely never the means to launch a truly empowered fight back.

Every encounter and achievement in the game matters, not because of prescribed spectacle or contrived cartoon heroism, but because of the need for the player to bring their own instincts and wits to the table. It's a perfect game, from a first-party Sony developer at the peak of its ability (so far), and something that no owner of a PlayStation 3 has any right to miss. Truly, the full stop at the end of the generation. Read our The Last of Us review to learn more, or if you're a TV fan, read our guide on everything you need to know for The Last of Us season 2.

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If you're looking to explore the best Battlefield games, then you've come to the right place.

Taking into consideration each entry in the long-running FPS series, we've looked back over its origins back in 2002 with Battlefield 1942, right up to the latest new game with the arrival of Battlefield 6 last year to bring you a top 10 ranking.

From those that pack plenty of action and delivered some of the best FPS games of their respective years, to entries that brought us memorable multiplayer experiences with some of the best online games of the day, there's plenty of highlights out there to explore. So, read on below to discover our top 10 ranking of the best Battlefield games of all-time.

The best Battlefield games of all time, starting with...

10. Battlefield 2: Modern Combat 

Platform(s): PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360,
Released: 2005

While PC players were enjoying the delights of 64-player all-out-warfare, console players were treated to something a little smaller. It may seem quaint now, but in 2006 Battlefield 2: Modern Combat was a truly spectacular experience. In the earliest days of online play for console, this Battlefield 2 spin-off was unlike anything else on PS2 or original Xbox – and the polished-up version that landed on Xbox 360 in 2006 wasn't so bad either.

While many of you may remember the gimmicky solo campaign, which allowed you to hotswap between soldiers across the battlefield, it was the 24-player online rounds of Conquest and Capture the Flag that delighted. It's a scaled down experienced compared to what PC players were dealing with, but it was a solid conversion for the comparatively underpowered consoles, letting those of us with early PlayStation Network and Xbox Live accounts dream of bigger, bolder multiplayer experiences. It was a good time. Read our original Battlefield 2 Modern Combat review for more.

9. Battlefield 1943

Platform(s): PS3, Xbox 360
Released: 2009

In terms of content alone, Battlefield 1943 is very, very small. It features just a handful of multiplayer maps, vehicles, and weapons, with no single player experience to speak of whatsoever. But that didn't matter, because what was there was one of the most enjoyable multiplayer FPS experiences that you could hope for, and one of the first games to exemplify the benefits of a digital market.

1943 is the classic Battlefield experience distilled into its purest form. 24 players, three classes, one game mode, and three excellent maps – battles waged on Wake Island, Guadalcanal, and Iwo Jima have become legendary for the players who were connected to Xbox Live and PlayStation Network at the time. Battlefield 1943 makes up for its lack of content with finely-tuned balance, memorable maps, and impossibly tight skirmishes that have been lost in DICE's efforts to increase the player count in the years since. Check out our Battlefield 1943 review to see what our verdict was back in the day.

8. Battlefield 4 

Platform(s): PC, PS3, PS4 Xbox 360, Xbox One
Released: 2013

With the foundation for a new era of Battlefield outlined by Battlefield 3, DICE's follow-up is essentially more of the same. While the campaign is an improvement, it still had plenty of room for improvement – not that you cared all much once you were knees deep into Battlefield 4's upgraded multiplayer options.

While DICE clearly struggled as it worked to release this shooter on PC and across two console generations (check our original Battlefield 4 review for more on that), there was a lot to love here. PlayStation and Xbox owners could finally appreciate the joyous chaos of 64-player matches, while the Levolution system – in which huge parts of each map could be drastically changed by weather and player activity – is still an impressive addition. Sadly, launch day troubles soured public opinion on the game for quite some time, its best qualities blighted by crippled servers and bugs aplenty. Battlefield 4 has come a long way since then, but we can't ignore the shadow of its false promises, hence its somewhat diminished position on this list.

7. Battlefield 6

Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5
Released: 2025

Battlefield 6 may not be the most innovative, but it certainly shines when it comes to multiplayer. With a host of refinements across the board, it features nine different game modes (including familiar favorites) that pack plenty of action. Plus, additions only enhance the maps you can jump into, with the likes of smoke bombs that hide player markers, to walls that you can actually reduce to rubble with your explosives and bullets to change the environment (or get caught under them if you're unlucky).

As we explain in our Battlefield 6 review, though, it's not without its flaws, and the core campaign is a bit of a mixed bag. But Battlefield 6 certainly feels like its drawing from the likes of Battlefield 3 and 4, and that's no bad thing, especially since it does so with some very impressive visuals and a class system that feels more purposeful.

6. Battlefield: Bad Company

Platform(s): PS3, Xbox 360
Released: 2008

Many fondly remember Bad Company 2, but few talk about the original with quite the same enthusiasm. Shame, because it was the prototype for most things that made the sequel so brilliant. It was one of the first Battlefield games with a proper story, characters who you enjoy spending time with, and it represents the first use of the now legendary Frostbite engine in the Battlefield series.

The result was levels of destruction we simply hadn't seen before, and that makes it a landmark game. Sadly, DICE's lack of experience in crafting a solo campaign was exposed too, with occasionally poor AI and some strange control options marking an otherwise excellent experience. Multiplayer was a sticking point too, as the game only shipped with a mode called Gold Rush (a prototype of the new classic Rush mode). Fan requests saw Conquest added afterwards, but the real strength of Bad Company always remained the single player. Look back with our original Battlefield Bad Company review.

5. Battlefield 1942 

Platform(s): PC
Released: 2002

The first, the original and, for many, one of the best. Battlefield 1942 is a formative piece of gaming history, in which DICE first took the concept of the hardcore military sim and marketed it to a wider audience. Not just valued for its historical importance, Battlefield 1942 is a fantastic first person shooter in its own right. For its time, the open map design and record breaking 64-player limits were a jaw dropping feat of technical power that let PC players value every penny they'd invested into their gaming machine, and even today, the authenticity of the gameplay stands up well.

All the DNA of Battlefield is here – class-based gameplay, vehicular, all-terrain combat, team-focused multiplayer modes – proving that DICE had struck gold with a formula that has maintained its appeal in the shooter genre all these years later. Oh, and it was the game which blessed us with Wake Island, a near perfect multiplayer map, which justifies its position in this list alone.

4. Battlefield 1

Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One
Released: 2016

The biggest, wildest Battlefield game to date, Battlefield 1 turned the clock back after years of modern combat to offer a ferocious presentation of World War 1, in all its unhinged desolation. Coming off of a slew of forgettable, modern day campaigns, Battlefield 1's War Stories took a different approach via a series of isolated vignettes, spotlighting the individuals on each side of the conflict, and paying off greatly in terms of both pace and pathos.

As for the new multiplayer features, Behemoths were a game-changing, earth-shattering alternative to Levelution, so unfettered in their seismic power that we’re willing to forgive the tremendous competitive imbalances that they brought to almost every match. Like we said in our Battlefield 1 review is up there not just as a definitive high point for the series, but for the FPS genre at large.

3. Battlefield 2

Platform(s): PC
Released: 2005

Modern Battlefield games began with Battlefield 2… and I don't just say that because Battlefield 2 was literally the first one with a modern setting (and the first to totally disregard proper numbering conventions). It was here that the series began to move away from the mindset of players swarming around static capture points in miniature wars of attrition.

Players were encouraged to join up with one of their team's squads, giving them both a mobile spawn point in the form of their squad leader and a way to receive more specific objectives than 'get all the flags'. Adding the soldier-reviving defibrillator to the medic class and ammo bags to the support class also promoted a more mobile, dynamic game. Battlefield 1942 established the broad concept that all the following games would pursue, but Battlefield 2 refined and focused it in many ways that persist today. Check out our Battlefield 2 review from 2006 for more.

2. Battlefield 3

Platform(s): PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Released: 2011

EA positioned Battlefield 3 as true contender to Call of Duty's throne in 2011. Developer DICE worked to go back to Battlefield's roots, all as it positioned this massive sequel as a simultaneous release across PC and console. While the campaign suffered through to its linearity, lacklustre AI, and drag missions, the multiplayer side to play was truly world-class.

What it lacked in Bad Company 2-levels of destruction and carnage, Battlefield 3 made up for with a deep multiplayer offering – a true showcase of the series' all-out-warfare mantra with beautiful environments, great variety in vehicles and weapons, and solid rewards for team-play. Battlefield 3 set a new standard for the series in the modern era, one that DICE has struggled to match in the years since its release.

1. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 

Platform(s): PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Released: 2010

For all its steely eyed militarism, it turns out that Battlefield has a real personality on its off hours. Battlefield Bad Company 2 features the best campaign of the franchise to date, with funny writing, unique mission scenarios, and a cast of characters who are actually a laugh to be around. There are cliches aplenty, but the snappy pace and expert mission design were just two bonus reasons to spend more time with the titular company of vagabond heroes, and that final, completely bonkers mission is still a total hoot.

Bad Company 2's multiplayer was equally carefree and chaotic, with varied maps and a whole suite of impressive physics, destruction, and sound effects for experimenting with. Plus, the tragically underrated Vietnam expansion nails the historiography of its setting better than most full Battlefield games, extending the shelf life of Bad Company 2's multiplayer with a more ferocious, claustrophobic variant on the game's irresistible slashings of PvP. This is Battlefield unshackled, tongue firmly in its cheek, surprising all of us to still stand tall as the best Battlefield game of all time. See what we thought of the game back in the day in our Battlefield Bad Company 2 review.

Wondering how Battlefield stacks up against the competition? Go check out the best Call of Duty games to play today. Or check out our list of the best games like Battlefield if you need more recommendations.