Players’ Choice: Vote for October 2025’s best new game https://ift.tt/3r6LxsQ
Last month, we sought revenge, conquered the shadows, and stormed the battlefield. Some big new releases included Ghost of Yōtei, Battlefield 6, Ninja Gaiden 4, Ball x Pit, and Digimon Story: Time Stranger.
How does it work? At the end of every month, PlayStation Blog will open a poll where you can vote for the best new game released that month. After the polls close we will tally your votes, and announce the winner on our social channels and PlayStation.Blog.
What is the voting criteria? That’s up to you! If you were only able to recommend one new release to a friend that month, which would it be? Note: re-released games don’t qualify, but remakes do. We define remakes as ambitious, larger-scale rebuilds such as Resident Evil 4 (2023) and Final Fantasy VII Remake.
How are nominees decided? The PlayStation Blog editorial team will gather a list of that month’s most noteworthy releases and use it to seed the poll.
“It Happens on PS5” campaign captures the unexpected and unforgettable moments PS5 has to offer https://ift.tt/bEzGtBf
We’re approaching the five year anniversary of the PS5 console’s launch, and it’s amazing to see the number of incredible experiences PS5 has brought to players everywhere – and there are more adventures to come. Through these past five years, our players have shared their reactions of awe, excitement, and surprise at the extraordinary moments they’ve witnessed while playing PS5. That’s the inspiration for our new ad campaign – we’re capturing the spirit of these moments when the most unexpected and unforgettable experiences happen on PS5.
The ad campaign, launching today, will feature three distinct stories:
The Greatest Stunt Jump Ever
The Unexpected Catch
Everyday Problems in Extraordinary Vehicles
In addition to the ad spot, we’re also bringing some of these unexpected moments into the real world, physically. From November to December, players may come across some of these themes inspired by the campaign in various locations around the world – such as UFOs landing in Australia, Spain & Germany or mysterious creatures found in Mexico, Italy & the UK.
We look forward to seeing more reactions and extraordinary moments that our fans share online with the world. There are many more incredible journeys to come as it often happens on PS5!
Hey, everybody! Sid, Tim, and Brett are back this week to talk about the new indie darling Ball x Pit, the long journey to a Death Stranding 2 platinum, Silent Hill f, and the Battlefield series’ first battle royale foray.
Stuff We Talked About
Next week’s releases:
Satisfactory | PS5, PS4
Cairn | PS5
Unbeatable | PS5
I Hate This Place | PS5
Loulan: The Cursed Sand announced for PS5 — Loulan explores the tale of the archaeological discovery of the Xiaohe Princess. Learn about the gameplay inspirations for this action-adventure game of a mummy who wields the power of sand.
Battlefield: Redsec — The new free-to-play battle royale mode allows up to 100 players to compete for dominance of the battlefield on their new map, Fort Lyndon, which features a wrecked Los Angeles.
NBA The Run announced — A new arcade basketball game is coming to PS5 that combines streetball with the pick-up-and-play aspects of classic basketball titles from decades past.
Resident Evil series history — Prepare for Resident Evil Requiem with a look back at the series’ history and its roots on PlayStation. See how one mansion redefined the horror genre.
Brett Elston – Manager, Content Communications, SIE
Thanks to Dormilón for our rad theme song and show music.
[Editor’s note: PSN game release dates are subject to change without notice. Game details are gathered from press releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]
Last week, we asked you to get in the spooky season spirit and share frightening moments from the game of your choice using #PSshare #PSBlog, including from this month’s PlayStation Plus selection. Here’s this week’s highlights:
ibis_monkshares a foggy area with demon masks hanging in Ghost of Yōtei
secondcaptureshares a gigantic enemy head being faced in Mortal Shell
MdeavorVPshares some frightening body modifications made in Cyberpunk 2077
wingsforsmilesshares Agent Saga Anderson shining a flashlight on an enemy in Alan Wake 2
PattyGnandshares the teen girls of Lost Records: Bloom & Rage levitating in a purple-lit circle
call_me_xaviishares a creepy Poppy sighting through some blinds in Poppy Playtime
Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme, or be inspired by other great games featuring Photo Mode. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week?
THEME: Costumes
SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on November 5, 2025
Next week, let’s see those Halloween costumes. Share characters from the game of your choice wearing unique armor sets or anything outside their default outfit. Use #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.
Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow launches December 4 on PS VR2 https://ift.tt/eqmBi0J
Since first launching in 1998, the Thief series of stealth games helped define the genre, maintaining notoriety across several games spanning nearly three decades. Steven Gallagher (Creative Director at Eidos-Montréal) and I are here to give PlayStation Blog readers the first glimpse into the next iteration of the franchise, Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow.
Thief VR is coming to PlayStation VR 2 on PlayStation 5 on December 4, available for pre-order on the PlayStation Store now. We’re also sharing the latest gameplay trailer captured on PS VR2. This trailer demonstrates how Thief VR is an opportunity to step into the boots of a Master Thief and embody what makes the franchise unique in a compelling new take by developer Maze Theory and publisher Vertigo Games, aided by the OG Thief creators at Eidos-Montréal.
Takes a thief to make plans for a thief
Every great Thief game includes an array of tools and challenges that naturally encourage avoiding combat using stealth, numerous solutions to any problem, and requiring close attention to your surroundings using all senses. It can be challenging at first, but taking your time can make it feel incredibly rewarding. Levels are fairly open and non-linear to support player agency—a trademark of the immersive sim genre. Allowing players to do what they want, not what they’re told, says Steven, is a staple in allowing their own unique narrative to emerge.
Utilizing dark shadows to progress through darker plots, powerful, oppressive atmospheres, plus a bit of dry wit are all signature elements of Thief storytelling—and each aligns with the immersive simulation of VR. “The sense of presence VR provides makes the experience all the more intense and engaging,” says Steven. “The immediacy of being able to naturally use your head to watch your back as your hands pick locks with the help of haptic feedback, is as real as it gets to being in the City.”
Darkness is a solo thief’s only ally. PS VR2 OLED lenses have a stronger, more natural contrast, giving a competitive advantage in the shadows. Next-gen sound integration helps players listen closely for danger. There’s a sense of tangible anticipation and intimacy created by sneaking around in the dark in VR —peeking around corners —before slipping in through a window with your actual head and hands.
Feels like old times…
Thief VR blends classic stealth gameplay with next-generation immersion. Players embody an up-and-coming thief named Magpie through the dystopian fantasy steampunk world known as the City. As Magpie, they will be encouraged to use their variety of tools, keen observation, and creativity to stealthily remain unseen from guard patrols as they infiltrate noble manors to steal ancient artifacts (and more?), while under the watchful eye of a familiar thief called Garret.
Thief VR is made by fans for fans. Familiar ears will recognize the iconic Stephen Russell as Garrett, but there are plenty of other connections as well. For example, from a gameplay perspective, the stealth mechanics and engaging gameplay of Thief: The Dark Project (1998) and Thief II: The Metal Age (2000) were the main inspirations for the gameplay pillars of Thief VR.
Together with Steven, we’re connecting Thief titles across time and console generations. Since joining Eidos-Montréal in 2008, his experience working on animation, cinematics, and, eventually, narrative design for Thief (2014) has been invaluable as the brand consultant for Vertigo and Maze Theory. He’s also kept a secret locked away in Thief’s VR history.
“Towards the end of Thief (2014), Eidos-Montréal tried creating their own playable VR demo as part of Sony’s Project Morpheus, the first iteration of PlayStation VR”, Steven reveals. “Unfortunately, we weren’t particularly experienced in making VR back then, so the overall product ended up being a bit hard to play.”
Since a great video game narrative is the result of the player and the protagonist feeling like one, VR has been and continues to be a natural choice for the franchise. We’re especially thrilled to have his help bringing Thief VR finally into the light of day, using the latest technology on PlayStation VR2.
We’re not leaving without what we came here for
Previous experience as a Thief isn’t necessary to feel like one yourself when playing Thief VR. Everyone is invited to become their own fully present Master Thief in a world created nearly 30 years ago. VR has unlocked a new level of the palpable tension that Thief games are known for. We’re looking forward to seeing how PS VR2 players get themselves in and out of suspenseful situations without getting caught starting December 4.
Pre-orders are live now, and for a limited time, a 10% discount will be available.
16 must-play games on PlayStation Plus to horrify your Halloween https://ift.tt/rZgdnby
It should be no surprise that there’s a terrifying-yet-terrific variety of high-profile essentials and indie classics available on PlayStation Plus via your PS4 and PS5. And with the spooky season upon us it’s only right to dive into some devilish delights that can turn your Halloween – and any future fangs-givings – into a night to remember. Grab a warm beverage, and make sure your blood is suitably chilled before we begin…
Silent Hill 2 (PS5) | Game Catalog
For fans of…
Tense and psychologically brutal survival horrors.
Why you should play: As remakes go, Silent Hill 2 is among the best. It modernises elements of its gameplay and controls, and revamps the presentation of the PlayStation 2 original without losing any of its sinister atmosphere and heart-thumping challenge. If you didn’t fear getting lost in unknown mists before…well, this will change everything.
Game modes:
A taut single-player mode with multiple endings keeps you coming back to this reborn classic.
Until Dawn (PS5) | Game Catalog
For fans of…
Slasher flicks with an all-star Hollywood cast, and branching narratives where your choices really do matter.
Why you should play: Eight friends trapped on a remote mountain retreat with a mysterious killer. If that setup isn’t enough to hook you, then Until Dawn seals the deal by forcing you to make decisions that can change the lives of the unlucky eight. If someone dies, the game continues without them, leaving you to carry the weight of your actions for the rest of the story. Ruthless? Absolutely. Utterly compelling? Always.
Game modes:
While designed as a single-player game, it’s easy to bring friends into Until Dawn by passing the DualSense wireless controller to a friend each time another character becomes the focus.
V Rising | Game Catalog
For fans of… Gothic open worlds, where you can indulge your action-packed, aristocratic vampire fantasy.
Why you should play: If you ever wanted to become vampire royalty, then Stunlock Studios’ engaging blend of action role-playing and empire building should satisfy that moonlit craving. It’s not just about hard fought battles of blood, and skulking in the shadows to quench your weakened vampire’s thirst, but also rebuilding and personalizing your very own castle, complete with servants, treasure, and (of course) coffins.
Game modes:
You don’t have to wander the world of Vardoran alone. A flexible and vast online multiplayer mode lets you join forces with other human-controlled vampires – or go to war with them if your blood runs a little hotter.
Alan Wake 2| October Monthly Game(Available until Nov 3, 2025)
For fans of… Twin Peaks-esque existential survival horror, where the meta narrative bleeds into the game’s main story.
Why you should play: Surreal and darkly eldritch, Alan Wake 2 grabs you by the eyes and pulls you into a mind-bending adventure where reality is shaped by the horrors of our imagination. Between the dual protagonists of telepathic FBI agent Saga Anderson and trapped writer Alan Wake, you’re in for a nightmarish and gripping exploration of what it means to confront our own limitations. To say more would ruin the game’s many novel surprises.
Game modes:
With its focus on a nerve-wracking single-player, Alan Wake 2 rewards the game’s completion with a New Game Plus mode called The Final Draft, which features an expanded ending, along with a tweaked narrative, collectibles, and a new difficulty setting.
For fans of… Zombie style open worlds, where overwhelming odds are the order of the day. Oh, and bikes.
Why you should play: A wild wilderness full of feral, flesh hungry Freakers, unpredictable weather, roving human gangs, and vicious animals? That’s what awaits you in this fast-paced, post-apocalyptic action-adventure, rife with explosive weapons, big set pieces and rip-roaring motorbikes.
Game modes:
Switching things up is the more action oriented Challenge Mode, which tests you to complete objectives under different conditions, such as defeating endless hordes.
For fans of… Terrifying yet fun multiplayer survival slasher romps.
Why you should play: Don’t let Dead by Daylight’s seemingly simple hide and seek concept fool you – this 4vs1 asymmetrical multiplayer game captures the intense thrills of classic 80s monster movies. As four of you try to survive against one relentless killer, the procedurally generated environments ensure every run is brutally unpredictable.
Game modes:
Dead by Daylight’s bot-driven single-player is great for practicing, but its main online multiplayer is where the fun is, especially with friends. Look out for modifiers and variant modes like 2v8 and the darkness enveloping Lights Out.
For fans of… Chilling survival horror, played via a Blair Witch-style found-footage perspective.
Why you should play: Blending elements from both classic and modern horror films, Outlast 2 increases its tension by mostly removing the ability to fight back against its cultist antagonists. Combined with video camera style first-person perspective viewpoints, jump-scares and creepy flashbacks, this is a horror fan’s dream (…or nightmare, if you prefer).
Game modes:
Outlast 2 keeps its terror up close and personal with a finely honed single-player mode.
For fans of… One of the most iconic series going, but also those who like a little dark laughter with their slaughter.
Why you should play: Virtual reality lends itself perfectly to horror, and what better setting for PlayStation VR2 than the macabre and ever disturbing animatronics world of Fazebear Entertainment? Tasks like managing food in the Pizzaplex and helping robotic performers prepare for their show might not sound scary, but believe me, in Five Nights it’s something that will haunt you forever.
Game modes:
While there’s no multiplayer mode, Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2 consists of 40 different minigames, with a variety of them only unlocked if others are completed first.
For fans of… Puzzle-driven murder mysteries, soaked in the neon-lit 1980s.
Why you should play: How many other games have you assume the role of a late-night radio talk-show host? But this isn’t just some drowsy dialogue with the denizens of Gallows Creek – they’re being hunted by an enigmatic killer and you’re they’re only hope. Every call can be the difference between life and death as you’re solving puzzles, gathering clues, and engaging in branching narrative with eccentric personalities.
Game modes:
The single-player mode features four different endings depending on how many callers you save and if certain characters survive, so there’s incentive for multiple playthroughs.
The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan
For fans of…
Glossy and filmic branching narrative horror adventures.
Why you should play: It’s not just the high quality production values which make Man of Medan so impressive. It refines the interactive drama genre into an enthralling paranormal horror where any of the five main characters can die. Your choices not only affect their fate, but their relationships, the main storyline, and how it ends, with intriguing premonitions of possible future events adding to the tension.
Game modes:
The single-player story mode is accompanied by Movie Night, a 2 to 5 player couch co-op which assigns a player to each character, and Shared Story for two online players. The Curator’s Cut also lets you see scenes through other characters’ perspectives, with new choices and scenes.
Hello Neighbor | Game Catalog
For fans of… Mischievous yet hair-raising stealth horrors.
Why you should play: If you’ve ever wondered what your neighbors get up to, rest assured it’s not as mysterious as Mr Peterson’s attempts to stop you from discovering what’s in his basement. It’s easy to be caught off guard by the colourful visuals, but between the smart artificial intelligence of Peterson and the game’s reflective exploration of trauma, Hello Neighbor is a decidedly different type of scare.
Game modes:
Infiltrating Mr Peterson’s basement is a solitary affair, but a Friendly Mode makes it a bit easier.
For fans of… Unadulterated and genre defining survival horror action.
Why you should play:
The unflinching franchise that became an instant classic. If you wanted to find out how Resident Evil began, there’s no better way than going back to the source of the fabled t-Virus. Flesh eating zombies, conspiracies and iconic characters – the first three titles of the series are fan favourites for a reason.
Game modes:
Resident Evil 2 features two single-player campaigns and several unlockable mini-game missions, such as The 4th Survivor and Tofu Survivor. Resident Evil 3 also has The Mercenaries – Operation: Mad Jackal, which is faster paced and more action heavy than the main mode.
For fans of… Deliberately paced ghost stories that will stay with you longer after you’ve finished them.
Why you should play: Stealth goes hand in hand with survival horror, so this unnerving voyage to survive the cursed mountain village of Hanuda strongly emphasises its unique Sightjack ability to see through the eyes of the corpse-like Shibito. Observing yourself via your undead stalkers is deeply unsettling, uniquely heightening the anxiety.
Game modes:
Completing Siren earns you access to Time Attack mode, which challenges you to speed run the game, while a secret puzzle mode called Brain Cell Revival / Zuno is also unlockable by picking up the relevant in-game archive.
Crow Country | Game Catalog
For fans of… Old school survival horrors inspired by ‘90s PlayStation classics.
Why you should play: Taking its lead from some of the older titles on this list, Crow Country offers the best of both worlds, with its well considered and traditional sense of game design and aesthetics, dipped with options for modern controls and camera movement. The result is a challenging and suitably sinister nod to what made the genre popular in the first place.
Game modes: In contrast to its regular Survival mode, Exploration mode removes enemies from the game. Conversely, Murder of Crows mode ramps up the difficulty.
