PLAY #19 is out now! It’s not always the case that a game you can already play graces the cover of the magazine, but we think you’ll agree that Genshin Impact has been such a PlayStation phenomenon that it’s allowed to buck the trend a smidge. Take a peek at what's inside...
Genshin Impact: the developers discuss evolving their open world RPG (plus, some tips from yours truly)
We’re smack bang in the middle of the launch of the big Sumeru update (adding a whole new region to the huge, free-to-play open world) and the game’s anniversary. It makes now the perfect time to catch up with HoYoverse about how they keep the game evolving in fresh and interesting ways, and how they’re continuing to leverage PS5 to do so.
It's an exciting time to be a Genshin Impact fan. Even though the imminent anniversary is celebrating the game's two years since release, it feels like far more. With a solid plan for development, it seems like one that's only going to stick around and get better, setting a high bar for what to expect from the medium.
That’s not all! We also share some of our own tips to get ahead in Genshin Impact, and explore some of the other free-to-play games out there you shouldn’t miss out on. From the incoming Overwatch 2 to Final Fantasy 14 there’s plenty of fun to be had without spending many pennies.
A big Gotham Knights interview (AKA: we talk about Nightwing's butt)
If spending money to play co-op is more your bag, then Gotham Knights has you covered, with heroes and villains alike struggling to find their way forward in a world without Batman. The story is just as strong a focus as the pows and kabams, and we speak to the developers behind it to give you the low-down on butts, villains, and beyond.
Hands-on with the Until Dawn studio's new game, and more previews!
Plus, from Japan’s BitSummit to Germany’s Gamescom we’ve been exploring everything on the horizon, getting face time with studios and hands-on time with games. Whether that’s The Devil In Me, from the team behind Until Dawn, or indie-hit-to-be Project Code Name M, there’s plenty to dig into.
Is The Last Of Us Part I the definitive way to play?
On the reviews side of things, plenty of big franchises return. But is it always for the better? We give you the thorough verdict on The Last Of Us Part I, weigh in on Saints Rows’ big reboot comeback, and jack into Soul Hackers 2, the latest from the Shin Megami Tensei series (of which Persona is also a part).
Sega Rally '95 – PS2's greatest hidden gem?
It wouldn’t be PLAY without a blast from the past, and the RetroStation delivers with a thorough look at why Sega Rally ‘95 on PS2 might be one of the greatest import hidden gems ever, a look back at The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers, and, of course, a word on why Sonic The Werehog might just be a bit misunderstood.
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