Scott Pilgrim EX: Enter Casa Vania, meet Goth Neil and Lady Envy

Scott Pilgrim EX: Enter Casa Vania, meet Goth Neil and Lady Envy https://ift.tt/7AQiNw4

Toronto is in turmoil! As the mysterious GCorp takes over the Queen City, the members of Sex Bob-Omb have been kidnapped by Metal Scott. Ramona, Scott and a couple of her evil Exes band together to venture across the City to save it from these ominous forces.

One of the many places the gang will have to explore will be the shadowy halls of…Casa Vania.

Scott Pilgrim EX is different from our previous two beat’em up titles: while it still has a lot of fighting, we wanted to add much bigger exploration and character interaction elements. The resulting game is a sort of “brawling adventure” hybrid. Players will be free to trek all over Toronto, visit shops, equip items and encounter their favorite characters from the Scott Pilgrim world.

But of course, adventures require zones and a variety of environments. This led our team to create a warped version of Toronto for players to discover along with the game’s numerous quests.

In The Hidden Castle, the third quest of Scott Pilgrim EX, the players must jump, punch and flip kick their way through demonic gangs in order to gain access to the somber staircases of Casa Vania.

Credit: Scott Pilgrim moveset frames illustrated by Jonathan Kim

Once they’ve entered the castle’s gloomy corridors, they find none other than…Goth Neil?

Seemingly transformed, Sex Bob-Omb’s biggest fan has fallen under the thrall of a dark figure! While he seems like an invention for SP:EX, Goth Neil’s hails from the pages of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s own sketchbook:

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“In the original Scott Pilgrim books, there’s a big “Day of the Dead” party. I did some early sketches of Young Neil in a goth outfit, but he didn’t make the final cut. 

Those sketches were published in later editions of the books, and some fans loved them. That’s part of the genesis of Goth Neil. Young Neil is a character who is always a bit child-like and naïve.” I initially sketched him holding an “egg-like rock”, but we later flipped the concept so that he’s holding a regular rock, which he thinks is a dinosaur egg. 

The animators gave him so much quirky personality. I don’t remember who suggested he transform into a bat, but we thought it was so funny.”

– Bryan Lee O’Malley, creator of Scott Pilgrim

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Goth Neil leaves the scene in his own inimitable style.

But who rules over Casa Vania? Who has bewitched Young Neil so? None other than Lady Envy!

In Scott Pilgrim EX, we wanted players to face colorful bosses while keeping in mind that fans of the Pilgrim world, whether they’re books, movies or animation, still wanted to see their favorite characters. We arrived at the idea that every “warped” environment would be headed by themed versions of recognizable faces from the Pilgrim canon. O’Malley tells us more about Lady Envy’s origins:

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“A project like this is a big collaboration between so many artists and storytellers. Lady Envy was one of the first bosses we discussed. She’s a mashup of so many fun references and homages to classic games we loved from the 80s-90s (“Casa Vania”). She might bring to mind a few more modern references, too. 

She’s a cool horror-vampire-pirate pastiche, plus some pop-star flair to make her feel like the Envy Adams we know and love.”

– Bryan Lee O’Malley, creator of Scott Pilgrim

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Credit: Lady Envy & Goth Neil design sketches by Bryan Lee O’Malley

As Quest 3’s boss, Lady Envy will challenge the players with her dual blades and magical attacks.

Will you be up to the challenge? Save Neil, the rest of the band, Toronto and more in Scott Pilgrim: EX, available March 3rd on PS4 and PS5.

Death Stranding 2 PC specs detailed, out March 19

Death Stranding 2 PC specs detailed, out March 19 https://ift.tt/Z8nTBvd

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is making its way to PC! On behalf of the teams at Nixxes and Kojima Productions, I’d like to share the details on PC system requirements with all Porters that will start their journey on March 19.

With its release on PlayStation 5, Death Stranding 2 established itself as an award-winning graphical showcase, with highly detailed landscapes and photo realistic characters. At Nixxes, when bringing games over to PC, we take pride in delivering a smooth experience with the best possible visuals on a wide variety of hardware. 

Death Stranding 2 for PC offers a range of Graphics Presets from Low to Very High, catering to both budget gaming PC’s and high-end systems. We’ve also added a Portable preset, aimed at handheld gaming devices, for those Porters who want to “keep on keeping on” while on the go. 

To ensure you are well prepared for the delivery of Death Stranding 2 PC next month, we’ve created an overview with our hardware recommendations for a variety of presets and resolutions: 

Category	Minimum	Medium	High (Recommended)	Very High
Graphics Preset	Low	Medium	High	Very High
Avg Performance	1080p @ 30 FPS	1080p @ 60 FPS	1440p @ 60 FPS	4K @ 60 FPS
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT 8GB	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB AMD Radeon RX 6600	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 AMD Radeon RX 6800	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT
CPU	Intel Core i3-10100 AMD Ryzen 3 3100	Intel Core i5-11400 AMD Ryzen 5 5600	Intel Core i7-11700 AMD Ryzen 7 5700X	Intel Core i7-11700 AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
RAM	16GB	16GB	16GB	16GB
OS	Windows 10/11 (Version 1909 or newer)	Windows 10/11 (Version 1909 or newer)	Windows 10/11 (Version 1909 or newer)	Windows 10/11 (Version 1909 or newer)
Storage	150GB SSD	150GB SSD	150GB SSD	150GB SSD

Performance-enhancing options*

The PC edition of Death Stranding 2 launches with support for NVIDIA DLSS 4, AMD FSR 4 and Intel XESS 2. Both upscaling and frame generation options are available for all technologies.

For the first time on PC, you’ll find Pico as an option in Upscale Settings. This “Progressive Image Compositor” is developed by Guerrilla for the Decima engine and is the same upscaling technology that’s used for Death Stranding 2 on PS5. Pico upscaling can be used with all supported graphics cards and can be combined with the various options for frame generation offered in the game.

All upscaling options can be used in combination with Dynamic Resolution Scaling, or with an upscaling quality setting of choice to improve performance. Native AA options are also available for maximum fidelity. 

Ultrawide views 

Sam’s second adventure can be enjoyed on PC with ultrawide aspect ratios. All cutscenes in Death Stranding 2 are meticulously crafted to be displayed in a 21:9 aspect ratio, for a true cinematic experience. Gameplay extends even further, filling up the whole screen when using a 32:9 display.

An ultrawide monitor is not required for an ultrawide experience: players with high-resolution 16:9 monitors, can enable widescreen aspect ratios in the Display Settings, to experience the broader field of view. An option to play Death Stranding 2 in 21:9 ultrawide aspect ratios is also coming to PS5 via an update at the same time as the PC release.

PlayStation logo inspired Porter wear

We can also confirm that the previously announced Porter Suit: Link and Patch: Link, both inspired by the PlayStation logo, will be rewarded to all PS5 Porters via an update when the PC version launches. PC Porters will get access to these items as a bonus reward for connecting their account for PlayStation.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach for PC is now available for pre-purchase on Steam and the Epic Games Store. We can’t wait for Porters to find out if we should have connected, next month.

*Compatible PC and Graphics card required

Revival: Recolonization hits PS4 & PS5 on February 26

Revival: Recolonization hits PS4 & PS5 on February 26 https://ift.tt/uXcW6UA

Today is a huge deal for our tiny team. We’re over the moon to announce that Revival is launching on PS4 and PS5 on February 26!

The story of Revival began over 20 years ago, way back in 2003. Inspired by the Civilization series and the sci-fi novels of the Strugatsky brothers, especially Roadside Picnic and Noon World,  we released our very first game on the Symbian platform.

It was basically a tiny Civilization, just 100 KB in size, yet it delivered a full 4X experience: eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate.

Revival: Recolonization takes place on Earth after an apocalypse caused by an superpower AI uprising. The forward-thinking remnants of humanity, the Emissaries, escaped into cryopods hidden deep underground.

Your mission? Rebuild cities, research tech, explore dangerous lands for rare resources and mysterious anomalies, battle aggressive neighbors, and strike trade deals with friendlier ones. All in the name of restoring human civilization.

On the map, you’ll meet diverse Peoples, survivors of the catastrophe who’ve regressed to a primitive state. Which clan you lead shapes your entire playstyle. It determines your faction’s culture, politics, special weapons, unique buildings, and even exclusive sciences to research.

Each clan in the game belongs to one of five Peoples, each adapted to one of five climate types: Cold, Cool, Temperate, Hot, and Desert.

Units that enter climates they’re not used to can lose health points, block building options, or not yield any resources at all.

But hey, you can change the climate with edicts, an advanced technology from the past. It’s even possible to turn the climate into a weapon by altering the temperature in the enemy’s region. 

Oh, and that’s just the start. Edicts let you do all sorts of awesome stuff: raise or destroy mountains, grow forests, drench the land in acid, mind-control your foes, or even starting a zombie apocalypse.

Every battle in Revival plays out on its own map, which reflects the climate and terrain of the global map. Before the fight, you get to scout the battlefield and place your units on the most favorable hexes.

Plus, the Unit Editor lets you mix and match a ton of combinations, creating truly unique units with wildly different traits. As your empire grows, you unlock new sciences and resources, and even more ways to evolve your squads.

Diplomacy evolves too, based on your relationship with other factions. Want to land a sweet deal? You’ll need to raise your standing with them first. And in Revival, you can trade more than just resources — swap techs and edicts too.

You start the game with one clan and one region. The lands next to yours might belong to another faction… or be totally unclaimed. If a neighboring clan is independent, you can make them your vassal — and eventually assimilate them.

How friendly a clan is toward you? That’s Loyalty. It shifts gradually, and you can influence it through your actions. 

A massive thank you to every player and fan of the Revival universe.

Because of you, our little team made it this far, and brought our wildest dreams to life. Jump into Revival: Recolonization on PlayStation now!

Take on the all-powerful All-Mind. Are you ready?

Share of the Week: Nioh 3

Share of the Week: Nioh 3 https://ift.tt/dtrav2n

Last week, we asked you to explore the world of Nioh 3 and share moments fighting yokai using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights:

KeenEyeVP shares their protagonist striking a artful pose

Mayuchemaru shares characters wearing ornate armor

kisa0315ragi shares their character reeling back to attack an enemy on horse

sayaka693518 shares shares a character surrounded in red with a devilish smile

flamfura shares a moment of respite near a shrine

themarkplumb shares a masked character surrounded by red slashes

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: Framing
SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on February 25, 2026 

Next week, find unique ways to frame your subject using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

(For Southeast Asia) Festive New Year promotion comes to PlayStation Store

(For Southeast Asia) Festive New Year promotion comes to PlayStation Store https://ift.tt/Px1UWol

PlayStation Store

Festive New Year promotion comes to PlayStation Store on 4 February*! Enjoy up to 70% off on a huge range of incredible games until 25 February. Highlighted titles include Battlefield™ 6, Black Myth: Wukong, SILENT HILL f and Forza Horizon 5.

Head to PlayStation Store to enjoy savings now!

PlayStation Plus

Players who join PlayStation Plus Extra or Deluxe during 13 February to 26 February can save up to 35% on a PS Plus 12-month membership!

Current PlayStation Plus members can save 35% on the remainder of their membership when upgrading a current plan to PlayStation Plus Deluxe.**

With PlayStation Plus Extra and Deluxe, get access to monthly games, exclusive discounts, online multiplayer, and hundreds of games through the Game Catalog and Classics Catalog, including hit titles like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Hogwarts Legacy, Sword of the Sea and many more. Explore the Classics Catalog with PlayStation Plus Deluxe, try select games like the epic Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 with Game Trials, and more.**

*Festive New Year Promotion starts on 4 February 00:00 JST and concludes on 25 February 23:59 JST. Each title may have different sale periods. Please refer to the information in the title details page. 

**Availability of Classics and Game Catalog varies over time, region/country, and plan. See https://ift.tt/Kym9kqD for details and updates on PlayStation Plus offerings. PlayStation Plus is an ongoing subscription subject to a recurring subscription fee taken automatically (at the then-current PS Store price) at the frequency you choose at purchase until cancellation. Terms apply: play.st/psplus-usageterms

Rager brings the beat to PlayStation VR2 on March 5

Rager brings the beat to PlayStation VR2 on March 5 https://ift.tt/Q28Yuwy

Hello again, PlayStation VR2 players! We’re bringing Rager to PS VR2 on March 5, and we can’t wait for you to feel what rhythm-driven combat really means.

Rager is a music-driven VR brawler where the rhythm is never background noise. Every strike, block, and dodge is tied directly to the soundtrack. Enemies attack in sync with pounding basslines and war drums, and your survival depends on whether you can match that timing with precision.

This is combat built on control and awareness. You step into a shifting digital arena as robotic adversaries close in from every direction. The world forms around you as the music builds, then collapses back into the void when the fight is over. The next track begins, and the pressure starts again.

No room for hesitation

At launch on PS VR2, Rager includes a full campaign of 12 hand-built levels and three boss fights that escalate the pressure with every track. Each level locks you into a specific weapon and forces you to commit. There is no switching mid-fight. You adapt or you fail.

The weapon in your hands changes the fight completely. Sword and Mace demand precision, striking independently with clean, deliberate timing. Axe and Hammer require both hands and full-body movement, rewarding committed swings with crushing impact. Claws and Fists pull you into close range, where attacks come faster and hesitation disappears. Every weapon shifts your stance, your reach, and your rhythm. You are reading the beat while reading the enemy, adjusting your timing in real time as attacks come from every direction.

Freestyle mode opens another 12 levels from the start, giving you the freedom to choose your weapon and push your limits. Online leaderboards track every run. When a fight ends, you know exactly where you lost time. If your timing slips, you feel it. If you land clean, you feel that too. Rager rewards discipline. The tighter your movement, the harder it hits. 

The PS VR2 experience

Rager is built around clarity, feedback, and physical commitment. On PS VR2, those elements come through at full strength.

The game runs at a native 90Hz, keeping movement smooth and responsive during the fastest exchanges. When attacks come from multiple directions and the beat accelerates, you need stability. Native 90Hz ensures that what you see and what you feel stay locked together, frame by frame.

HDR support deepens the contrast of the arena, sharpening silhouettes and impact flashes against the darkness. Dynamic foveated rendering powered by eye tracking keeps your focus crisp exactly where you’re looking, so telegraphed strikes stay readable even in chaotic moments.

Then there’s the feedback.

Advanced haptics in the PS VR2 Sense controllers reinforce timing in your hands. A clean strike lands with weight. A blocked attack sends resistance through your grip. Headset rumble adds force to heavy blows and boss slams, grounding you in the center of the arena. The result is combat that feels anchored. When you commit to a swing, you feel the consequence.

For players who chase mastery, Rager includes a full trophy list, culminating in a Platinum trophy that rewards precision, discipline, and complete control of the rhythm.

On PS VR2, every strike carries weight, every block carries resistance, and every mistake carries consequence. 

The arena opens March 5

Rager rewards players who stay sharp under pressure. When the tempo rises and attacks close in from every direction, hesitation costs you. Clean timing wins fights. Control keeps you standing.

We’re proud to bring Rager to PlayStation VR2, and we’re excited to see how this community rises to the challenge. If you’re ready to test your timing, your stamina, and your control, we’ll see you in the arena on March 5.

11 indie gems to look forward to in 2026

11 indie gems to look forward to in 2026 https://ift.tt/T9kE1Fm

This year is promising some great PlayStation 5 games – our Most Wanted Games of Early 2026 is easy proof of that. But we’re only just getting started. There’s so much more on the way, and with PS5 not only home to the biggest releases but also an exciting hotbed of super cool indie titles, it’s only fair to give you an enticing glimpse at why we’re so hyped for the coming months.

Coffee Talk Tokyo | May 21 | PS5

If you’ve ever wanted to safely talk to yokai about their lives (or afterlives) over a cup of joe, then pull up a seat at the Tokyo cafe Chorus Worldwide has set up. If you’re not familiar with the lovely Coffee Talk series, this iteration continues its calming narrative, where you prepare and serve drinks to supernatural customers seeking chilled conversation and warm contemplation.

Fishbowl | April TBD | PS5

As odd as its title might sound, Fishbowl carries a depth that’s already caught the eyes and tugged at the hearts of those who’ve played it. Exploring a journey of grief and self-discovery, the two-person studio of imissmyfriends promises a thoughtful and emotional visual novel. A coming-of-age tale set over a month, Fishbowl features sorting-and-matching puzzle gameplay elements, but, most importantly, it aims to teach players that taking things one day at a time is sometimes the only way to move forward.

Hela | TBD 2026 | PS5

It’s entirely possible that when you first heard the title of this 3D co-op adventure, images of Nordic fire and brimstone came to mind. But never fear, Hela is pretty much the opposite. In fact, the only Scandinavian landscapes that have inspired this wholesome journey are those that have you reaching for the Create button for a revisit. Windup’s beautiful-looking escapade of puzzles and teamwork – via either local split-screen or online if you want to bring a buddy – lets you become a sickly witch’s mousey familiar, brewing healing potions and helping the local village with acts of kindness.

Inkonbini: One Store. Many Stories | April TBD | PS5

Need space for a cosy gaming experience? Nagai Industries has you covered with this nostalgic slice-of-life narrative, where human connections created by everyday events are entirely the point. Inspired by early 1990s Japan, Inkobini sets you in a small-town convenience store where you not only go through the meditative routine of preparing the shop for customers, but also hear their tales and forge relationships. The branching narrative shapes your conversations as you help the neighbourhood grow and thrive.

Mina the Hollower | Spring 2026 | PS5, PS4

One of the most anticipated titles of 2026, Yacht Club Games’ action-adventure blends an 8-bit aesthetic with modern design sensibilities, a combination that helped Shovel Knight become such a beloved indie darling. Genius inventor Mina isn’t just a dab hand with weapons like her Nightstar whip and daggers, but can also use her hollowing ability to burrow underground – perfect for mixing up combat and traversal in the many dungeons of the cursed Tenebrous Isle. Fan favourite musicians Jake Kaufman (the Shantae series) and Yuzo Koshiro (Streets of Rage/Shinobi series) are also along for the adventure’s infectiously slick soundtrack.

Mortal Shell II | TBD 2026 | PS5

Let’s step away from the cosy side for a spell, and get our hands a little dirty with the sequel to Cold Symmetry’s original action-RPG. While standalone from its predecessor, Mortal Shell II continues to deliver the unflinching fights, nightmarish enemies, and haunting open world that fans previously enjoyed. The corpses of departed warriors are yours to awaken and possess to utilize their many abilities. Finishers have been upgraded, and the stamina gauge has been removed to speed up combat. Oh, and there are firearms, too, so your bloody quest to reclaim the Undermether’s stolen eggs gives you a chance to introduce the likes of shotguns and rapid-fire crossbows to your foes.

Mouse P.I. For Hire | March 19 | PS5

Evoking the hand-drawn aesthetic of classic 1930s cartoons, Fumi Games’s first-person shooter blends detective noir storytelling with all-action blasting. If you like jazz, machine guns, grizzled narration, and oversized white gloves, then Mouseburg will be your home away from home. But be warned – just like the animation it apes, this is a game where almost anything can happen.

Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse | March 5 | PS5, PS4

There’s something special about a game that knows how endearing it is, and this vibrant 2D search action roguelike truly owns its charm – or should that be ‘curse’? Simply put, you control a magical hat with the power to possess your foes and use their abilities to venture through ruins, botanical gardens, and more, to help rebuild your ruined village. And what’s better than one cursed hat? Well, bring three friends along for the multiplayer mode and find out.

Ontos | TBD 2026 | PS5

When Frictional Games announced it would be unleashing the spiritual successor to 2015 sci-fi horror Soma, any eager anticipation was rewarded with the first glimpses of Ontos. Swapping underwater chills for a desolate moon base, this disturbing narrative-driven adventure challenges you to scavenge materials, operate machinery, and make moral choices that could result in grave consequences as you delve deeper into the mystery of a failed mining colony.

Out of Words | TBD 2026 | PS5

Easily one of the most unique-looking games in this list due to its eye-catching stop-motion and handcrafted visuals, Out of Words lives up to its title with two protagonists without mouths. In a quest to restore their voices, you and a friend take control of Kurt and Karla in a co-op platform adventure packed with puzzles and environmental challenges, testing your communication and coordination. And beneath the giant fish, tense set pieces, and physics-defying traversals, beats a tender story of connection and love, too.

Over the Hill | TBD 2026 | PS5

It couldn’t have been easy to follow the stylish racing game art of rally, but developers Funselektor Labs and Strelka Games have made something decidedly different, albeit still on four wheels. Over the Hill focuses on exploration and discovery, with a deliberately paced drive through a wilderness of dynamic weather, day/night cycles, and terrain deformation. It’s not a race – it’s all about the journey, upgrading and customizing your vehicle, taking in the scenery, and even joining up to three friends to see what awaits past the sunset.   

We might be buzzing to get our hands on these games (and many more, coming), but what about you? Which indie titles are you looking forward to playing in 2026?