PS This is Awesome: Episode 365

Fred has been on a Contra marathon, beating Contra Arcade, Super Contra, Contra C (Japan), Contra (NA), Super C, and Route A of Contra: Hard Corps—with more routes to go. He’s also still playing F.I.S.T. and appreciating its level design. Meanwhile, Jake is deep into Kingdom Come: Deliverance side quests, playing more Resident Evil 4 Remake VR, and jumping back into Boltgun (though he wishes the music was better).

In the news, we finally got a PlayStation State of Play! Some major reveals include:

🎮 Jedi Survivor and Lost Records: Bloom and Rage are coming to PlayStation Plus Extra.

🌊 Tides of Annihilation, developed by Eclipse Glow Games, was announced.

🌀 SAROS, an upcoming title from PlayStation, is set for 2026 and is reportedly less difficult than Returnal.

🏍️ Days Gone Remastered is dropping in April.

💥 Borderlands 4 is launching in September.

🥷 Shinobi: Art of Vengeance (from SEGA) is coming 8/29/25 and has a Streets of Rage 4-style art direction.

👻 The Midnight Walk, a VR2 horror experience, is coming in May.

🛸 Directive 8020 from Supermassive Games (10/2/25) looks promising—let’s see how it plays out.

🔍 MindsEyes, a near-future single-player action/adventure game, is being developed by Build a Rocket Boy and IOI Partners.

Meanwhile, Phil Spencer says Xbox will include PS5 logos in future showcases, further signaling a more open approach to game availability.

In remake news, Max Payne PS5 is now in full production at Remedy. Unfortunately, another PlayStation classic—The Order 1886—had a sequel pitched to Sony, but like Resistance 4, it was rejected. A real bummer for fans of PlayStation’s lost gems.

Lots to break down—let’s get into it!

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PS This is Awesome: Episode 364

Fred went old-school this week, beating Contra and Super C on NES, then diving into The 7th Guest VR, which he’s loving. He also picked up Arizona Sunshine Remake for some VR zombie action. Meanwhile, Jake has been juggling Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Remaster, Eternal Strands, and Warhammer 40K: Boltgun.

In the news, Sony is offering 5 extra days of PS Plus to compensate for last weekend’s PSN outage. There’s also a rumored State of Play coming this week—could we finally get some big announcements?

In what could’ve been an alternate timeline, Resistance 4 was once pitched to Sony by Insomniac but was ultimately rejected, despite the developers believing in the concept. On the flip side, Rocksteady is returning to Batman after the underwhelming response to Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.

The Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater remake may have had its release date leaked on PSN, pointing to an August 28, 2025 launch. Meanwhile, Sumo Digital has canceled its new IP to focus on supporting external game development.

In a bizarre headline, Treyarch’s co-founder, Peter Akemann, made news for illegally flying a drone into a firefighting aircraft during the California wildfires. He avoided jail time but will pay $65K in restitution and serve 150 hours of community service assisting fire relief efforts.

Plenty to discuss, so let’s get into it!

By joining our Patreon community for ONLY $1.00 per month, you'll also enjoy these exclusive benefits:

Early Access: Be the first to listen to our episodes as soon as they're ready. Get ahead of the game and dive into the latest news, reviews, and discussions.

Personalized Shoutout: As a token of our gratitude for your support, we'll give you a special shout out during one of our podcast episodes, acknowledging your contribution and dedication to our show.

Custom Die-Cut Vinyl Sticker: Receive an exclusive custom die-cut vinyl sticker featuring our podcast's unique design. Showcase your support with this limited-edition collectible.

Your support goes a long way in helping us continue to create the content you love. It's a simple and direct way to show your appreciation for our podcast.

To become a patron and unlock these exciting benefits, visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome today. Your support keeps us going and ensures that we can keep delivering top-notch PlayStation content.

Please, if you enjoyed the content or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one, we encourage you to come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Please share with your friends and help us spread the show as we try to build a bigger community here!

As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening.

http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome

0:00 - INTRO

15:36 - GAMES WE’RE PLAYING

44:14 - PSN OUTAGE

55:27 - STATE OF PLAY INCOMING

56:55 - ALTERNATE HISTORY RESISTANCE 4

1:00:45 - ROCKSTEADY RETURNS TO GOTHAM

1:03:42 - SNAKE EATER RELEASE DATE

1:05:37 - RATCHET AND CLANK QUIZ TIME!

1:14:44 - CALL OF DUTY DRONE MISHAP

1:17:32 - SUMO DIGITAL HANGS UP IP

1:18:30 - CLOSING

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Fred finally wrapped up Metro Awakening and is making serious progress in F.I.S.T., while Jake is still deep into Kingdom Come: Deliverance and absolutely loving Resident Evil 4 VR2.

In the news, there’s a big PSVR2 sale on the PlayStation Store with deep discounts on Tetris Effect (75% off), Resident Evil Village (60% off), and more. Meanwhile, EA DICE announced Battlefield Labs, a new way for players to help shape the next Battlefield game through hands-on testing.

On the shutdown front, MultiVersus is coming to an end after a bumpy relaunch, and The Division 2 is also seeing its support wind down after five years. In stranger news, Assassin’s Creed Shadows story details have reportedly leaked through an adult site, so if you’re invested in the game, be careful what you search for online.

We also want to take a moment to acknowledge the passing of Wayne June, whose unmistakable voice brought so much depth and atmosphere to Darkest Dungeon and other projects. His work was truly one of a kind, and his loss is deeply felt in the gaming community.

Sony says the classic 30th Anniversary PlayStation themes will return in the future, and Space Marine 2 will be getting more PvE and PvP maps after some player backlash over post-launch content. In leadership news, Hermen Hulst is no longer PlayStation’s co-CEO—Hideaki Nishino now holds the role alone. Meanwhile, Beyond: Two Souls is getting a TV series, produced by Elliot Page’s company.

We also take a look at this week’s new releases, including Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Momodora: Moonlit Farewell, and Luck Be a Landlord.

Plenty to discuss—let’s get into it!

0:00 - INTRO

12:13 - GAMES WE'RE PLAYING

33:46 - LISTENER FEEDBACK

41:45 - PSVR2 SALE

45:50 - BATTLEFIELD LABS

48:40 - MULTIVERSUS CLOSING DOWN

52:17 - THE DIVISION 2 SEASON 6 CANCELLED

54:12 - ASSASSINS CREED SHADOWS LEAK

56:10 - WAYNE JUNE'S PASSING RIP

1:05:55 - CLASSIC THEMES GOING BYE BYE

1:07:32 - SPACE MARINE 2 POST LAUNCH DISCUSSION

1:13:19 - HERMEN HULST NO LONGER A PLAYSTATION CEO

1:17:17 - BEYOND 2 SOULS GETTING A TV ADAPTATION

1:20:07 - NEW GAMES THIS WEEK

1:21:18 - CLOSING

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PS This is Awesome: Episode 362 – "There's a Freeze Up"

It’s cold outside, but the gaming conversations are heating up! Fred finally finished Final Fantasy XVI (congrats!) and has started F.I.S.T. Meanwhile, Jake is halfway through The Messenger but needed a break from a tough battle, so he’s been diving back into the medieval world of Kingdom Come: Deliverance over the past few days.

In the news, Ninja Gaiden 4 is reportedly 80% complete and set to launch this year on PS5! This isn’t to be confused with Ninja Gaiden Ragebound, which is a spiritual successor to the classic NES games. Speaking of big franchises, PS Productions is working on a Resident Evil reboot, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows dropped a new two-minute story trailer for PS5.

We also saw some exciting updates from Doom The Dark Ages, which just had a solid gameplay showcase, and Clair Obscur has an official release date of April 24, 2025. Fans of retro games, rejoice—Super Technos World is coming in April, bringing back Super Dodgeball nostalgia and more classic arcade fun!

For Darkest Dungeon II fans, there’s a new DLC titled Inhuman Bondage on the horizon, adding more enemies and the Abomination class, although console players will have to wait for a release date. However, the surprise Kingdoms DLC is available today and adds a brand-new game mode for fans to explore.

Finally, the big debate: could GTA6 really cost $100? Some rumors suggest it might, and we discuss whether this price point is justified.

Bundle up and hit play as we break it all down!

By joining our Patreon community for ONLY $1.00 per month, you'll also enjoy these exclusive benefits:

Early Access: Be the first to listen to our episodes as soon as they're ready. Get ahead of the game and dive into the latest news, reviews, and discussions.

Personalized Shoutout: As a token of our gratitude for your support, we'll give you a special shout out during one of our podcast episodes, acknowledging your contribution and dedication to our show.

Custom Die-Cut Vinyl Sticker: Receive an exclusive custom die-cut vinyl sticker featuring our podcast's unique design. Showcase your support with this limited-edition collectible.

Your support goes a long way in helping us continue to create the content you love. It's a simple and direct way to show your appreciation for our podcast.

To become a patron and unlock these exciting benefits, visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome today. Your support keeps us going and ensures that we can keep delivering top-notch PlayStation content.

Please, if you enjoyed the content or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one, we encourage you to come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Please share with your friends and help us spread the show as we try to build a bigger community here!

As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening.

http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome

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PS This is Awesome: Episode 361

Fred is almost finished with Final Fantasy XVI, while Jake just wrapped up Trepang 2! Now he’s on the hunt for his next big AAA adventure. If you have suggestions, let him know!

In this episode, we’re diving into The Future of PlayStation. We reflect on how Sony has shaped the gaming landscape over the years, from introducing 3D graphics and CD-quality sound in 1994 to championing indie developers and story-driven single-player games. We explore key innovations like the DualShock controller, Blu-ray integration, and the rise of online services with the PS4.

As for the future, what’s next for PlayStation? Cloud gaming is gaining ground, but with live service games faltering, Sony might need to rethink its strategy. Could we see a move toward Early Access, more PC integration, or a resurgence of multiplayer modes in single-player games? Plus, we speculate about which franchises and studios—like Naughty Dog and Uncharted—should lead the charge.

In news, the rumored State of Play in February has us wondering what surprises are in store. Meanwhile, Arken Age is out now on PSVR2, earning high praise for its combat despite some story critiques. The Until Dawn movie just dropped its first trailer, and it looks promising! On a bittersweet note, Sony canceled Bluepoint’s live-service God of War project and Bend Studio’s new title, but both studios remain intact.

Finally, PlayStation Blog shared its top 10 platformers available on PS Plus, including classics like Jak and Daxter, Ape Escape, and Celeste. There’s a lot to unpack, so hit play and join us for the conversation!

By joining our Patreon community for ONLY $1.00 per month, you'll also enjoy these exclusive benefits:

Early Access: Be the first to listen to our episodes as soon as they're ready. Get ahead of the game and dive into the latest news, reviews, and discussions.

Personalized Shoutout: As a token of our gratitude for your support, we'll give you a special shout out during one of our podcast episodes, acknowledging your contribution and dedication to our show.

Custom Die-Cut Vinyl Sticker: Receive an exclusive custom die-cut vinyl sticker featuring our podcast's unique design. Showcase your support with this limited-edition collectible.

Your support goes a long way in helping us continue to create the content you love. It's a simple and direct way to show your appreciation for our podcast.

To become a patron and unlock these exciting benefits, visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome today. Your support keeps us going and ensures that we can keep delivering top-notch PlayStation content.

Please, if you enjoyed the content or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one, we encourage you to come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Please share with your friends and help us spread the show as we try to build a bigger community here!

As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening.

http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome

0:00 - INTRO

9:50 - GAMES WE’RE PLAYING

16:31 - LISTENER FEEDBACK

25:50 - FUTURE OF PLAYSTATION

57:00 - BEND AND BLUEPOING CANCELED GAMES

1:06:25 - NEXT STATE OF PLAY INCOMING?

1:10:00 - UNTIL DAWN TRAILER REACTION

1:13:41 - ARKEN AGE COMING TO VR2

1:14:50 - TOP 10 PS PLUS PLATFORMERS

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PS This is Awesome: Episode 360

Fred didn’t make it back to Metro Awakening—talking about Final Fantasy XVI last week gave him the itch to finally finish it, and now he’s almost through. Meanwhile, Jake finally rolled credits on Metaphor: Refantazio! He gave MediEvil a shot, but it didn’t really click. However, he picked up Resident Evil 4 Remake, The Messenger, and Trepang 2—so plenty to dive into next.

We’re also looking at what’s coming up, with new releases like Arken Age, DreadOut: Remastered Collection, and Dynasty Warriors Origins dropping this week.

In news, a trademark filing hints at a possible Ecco the Dolphin revival—whether that excites or terrifies you depends on how you feel about ‘90s underwater adventures. Meanwhile, PowerWash Simulator VR has been put on hold, which is a bummer for those hoping to deep-clean in first-person. Kojima is getting introspective, reflecting on his future as a creator while Death Stranding 2 enters a crucial development phase. Speaking of delays, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is now set for March 2025, but a leaked DLC titled Claws of Awaji suggests Ubisoft has big post-launch plans.

Sony is experimenting with “smell tech” for gaming—because apparently, immersion isn’t complete until you can sniff the battlefield. More excitingly, Helldivers is getting a movie adaptation, something we speculated on ages ago. And finally, The Last of Us Season 2 is hitting in April… should we dust off our old Last of Us podcast?

It’s a packed episode—let’s get into it!

By joining our Patreon community for ONLY $1.00 per month, you'll also enjoy these exclusive benefits:

Early Access: Be the first to listen to our episodes as soon as they're ready. Get ahead of the game and dive into the latest news, reviews, and discussions.

Personalized Shoutout: As a token of our gratitude for your support, we'll give you a special shout out during one of our podcast episodes, acknowledging your contribution and dedication to our show.

Custom Die-Cut Vinyl Sticker: Receive an exclusive custom die-cut vinyl sticker featuring our podcast's unique design. Showcase your support with this limited-edition collectible.

Your support goes a long way in helping us continue to create the content you love. It's a simple and direct way to show your appreciation for our podcast.

To become a patron and unlock these exciting benefits, visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome today. Your support keeps us going and ensures that we can keep delivering top-notch PlayStation content.

Please, if you enjoyed the content or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one, we encourage you to come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Please share with your friends and help us spread the show as we try to build a bigger community here!

As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening.

http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome

0:00 - INTRO

13:40 - GAMES WE’RE PLAYING

33:30 - LISTENER FEEDBACK

43:16 - NEW GAMES

44:25 - ECCO THE DOLPHIN

45:17 - POWERWASH SIMULATOR

47:00 - DEATH STRANDING 2

51:16 - ASSASSIN’S CREED SHADOWS

58:50 - DO YOU WANT TO SMELL YOUR GAMES?

1:02:45 - HELLDIVERS ON THE BIG SCREEN

1:05:45 - TLOU SEASON 2

1:11:00 - CLOSING

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PS This is Awesome: Episode 359

Fred finally conquered Darkest Dungeon 2 and is diving back into Metro Awakening, while Jake is still deep in Metaphor: Refantazio. No new games for him this week—but big plans for next year.

With 2025 just around the corner, we’re setting some New Year's Gaming Resolutions! Fred is determined to finally beat Final Fantasy XVI, be more thorough with his playthroughs, and resist buying games just because they’re on sale. He also wants to pick up more games at launch instead of waiting. Meanwhile, Jake wants to make better use of his PSVR2, finish Half-Life: Alyx, and dive into more indie games. He also plans to play Gran Turismo, Vertigo, and Metro Awakening—all in VR—plus Resident Evil 4 Remake for the full horror experience. On top of that, he’s challenging himself to try more games without feeling the need to finish every single one.

In news, PlayStation Plus Essentials for January have been announced, featuring Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe, and Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered. Sony is reassuring gamers that home consoles aren’t going anywhere, despite industry shifts. Meanwhile, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is still on track for 2025, though Kojima Productions is feeling the effects of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strikes. PlayStation’s focus on live service games is growing, with Helldivers 2 proving to be a big success.

It’s a new year, new games, and new goals—let’s talk about it all!

By joining our Patreon community for ONLY $1.00 per month, you'll also enjoy these exclusive benefits:

Early Access: Be the first to listen to our episodes as soon as they're ready. Get ahead of the game and dive into the latest news, reviews, and discussions.

Personalized Shoutout: As a token of our gratitude for your support, we'll give you a special shout out during one of our podcast episodes, acknowledging your contribution and dedication to our show.

Custom Die-Cut Vinyl Sticker: Receive an exclusive custom die-cut vinyl sticker featuring our podcast's unique design. Showcase your support with this limited-edition collectible.

Your support goes a long way in helping us continue to create the content you love. It's a simple and direct way to show your appreciation for our podcast.

To become a patron and unlock these exciting benefits, visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome today. Your support keeps us going and ensures that we can keep delivering top-notch PlayStation content.

Please, if you enjoyed the content or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one, we encourage you to come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Please share with your friends and help us spread the show as we try to build a bigger community here!

As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening.

http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome

0:00 - INTRO

17:00 - GAMES WE’RE PLAYING

35:25 - OUR NEW YEARS GAMING RESOLUTIONS

54:50 - PS PLUS GAMES COMING IN JANUARY

57:04 - CONSOLES NOT GOING OUT OF STYLE

59:40 - KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS AFFECTED BY STRIKES

1:04:00- PLAYSTATION FOCUSING ON LIVE SERVICES GAMES

1:08:00 - UNCHARTED QUIZ

1:21:43 - SONY AT CES 2025

1:22:26 CLOSING

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PS This is Awesome: Episode 358

Fred’s been juggling G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra, Darkest Dungeon 2, and nearing the finish line in Metro Awakening, while Jake took a nostalgic dive back into Sound Shapes on the PS Vita.

This episode, we’re wrapping up the year with our 2024 Games of the Year picks! Fred’s favorites include the chaotic brilliance of Helldivers 2, the brutal challenge of Darkest Dungeon 2, and the charm of Astrobot. Space Marine 2, Resident Evil 4 in VR, Metro Awakening, and the atmospheric Dead Space Remake also made his list. Jake’s lineup features the epic Final Fantasy Rebirth, the intriguing Animal Well, the highly anticipated Stellar Blade, and the imaginative Metaphor: Refantazio.

Looking ahead to 2025, we’re hyped for titles like Ghost of Yotei, Little Nightmares III, and Death Stranding 2. Split Fiction, Doom: The Dark Ages, and The Outerworlds 2 have our attention as well. Honorable mentions? Mafia: The Old Country, Hell is Us, Crimson Desert, Lunar Remastered Collection, and Metal Gear Solid Delta.

It’s been an incredible year for gaming, and next year’s lineup is already looking stacked. Tune in as we break it all down!

By joining our Patreon community for ONLY $1.00 per month, you'll also enjoy these exclusive benefits:

Early Access: Be the first to listen to our episodes as soon as they're ready. Get ahead of the game and dive into the latest news, reviews, and discussions.

Personalized Shoutout: As a token of our gratitude for your support, we'll give you a special shout out during one of our podcast episodes, acknowledging your contribution and dedication to our show.

Custom Die-Cut Vinyl Sticker: Receive an exclusive custom die-cut vinyl sticker featuring our podcast's unique design. Showcase your support with this limited-edition collectible.

Your support goes a long way in helping us continue to create the content you love. It's a simple and direct way to show your appreciation for our podcast.

To become a patron and unlock these exciting benefits, visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome today. Your support keeps us going and ensures that we can keep delivering top-notch PlayStation content.

Please, if you enjoyed the content or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one, we encourage you to come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Please share with your friends and help us spread the show as we try to build a bigger community here!

As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening.

http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.