The_Pixel_King

I pumped around seventy hours into the first game and I can’t wait for the sequel. Easily my most anticipated game outside of the big AAA heavy hitters. It’s such a relaxing and super satisfying game. Just this time, I’m really hoping the Platinum trophy isn’t gated behind ridiculously difficult challenge levels like the first one.

For my personal tastes, Final Fantasy XVI is easily the best Square Enix game on PS5. The combat, visuals, soundtrack and story are all first class, but it’s those Eikon boss fights that make it a truly special game.

I also really enjoyed Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, but Square’s real PS5 dark horse is the fabulous PowerWash Simulator. Such an underrated gem that’s ridiculously satisfying and relaxing in equal measure. If it wasn’t for those damn challenge missions, I’d have the platinum for it, too.

@B_Lindz I was thinking the exact same thing. By the way, I personally adored Metroid Dread. I’m a huge fan of the genre, and Dread is probably my favourite Metroidvania ever.

Fantastic news! I loved Ghost of Tsushima when I eventually got around to playing the Director’s Cut on PS5. I put nearly ninety hours into the game and picked up the platinum trophy along the way, so I’ll definitely be there for Yotei on day one.

I’ve never played an Elder Scrolls game before, but I do love a good action RPG. Haven’t yet seen the reveal/trailer, but maybe I’ll pick this up. Is Oblivion regarded as being better than Skyrim?

I bought a Series X just to play Forza Horizon 5 and put well over 110 hours into it. But as noise of Xbox first-party software going multi-platform started to rumble, I sold the console while I could still get decent money for it. I’ve missed Forza ever since and I’m excited to be able to finally pick it up on PS5 and start the campaign all over again.

With any luck, it might even take my mind off of sodding Mario Kart World for a few weeks!

My guess is it’s both Part I and Part II Remastered bundled together in one retail package. Kinda makes sense, I guess.

Regardless of commercial success, I don’t care what anyone says, as far as I’m concerned, Final Fantasy XVI is one of the finest action RPG’s ever made. My wife bought it for me for my birthday and I went straight into it after putting nearly 300 hours into The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on Switch. I didn’t really fancy FF16, but I gave it a go and unexpectedly fell head over heels in love with the game. The story, visuals, voice acting, OST, combat and Eikon boss battles are all absolutely stellar. In fact, it soon became my second favourite game of all time only behind The Last of Us Part II.

I’m currently playing The Last of Us Part II Remastered. It’s the first time I’m playing it since the PS4 version and I’m having a blast. The combat still feels one step ahead of most other games, as do the visuals. Still my favourite game of all time.

Once I’m done with that, I’ll be moving on to either Death Stranding: Director’s Cut, Dragon’s Dogma II, Metaphor: ReFantazio or Silent Hill 2. Whichever game I go with, they’re all great, so I can’t really go wrong.

I’m actually playing this right now. It’s my first replay since the PS4 version and I’m having a great time. Obviously the story doesn’t hit quite as hard the second time around, but the combat remains first class and it’s still my favourite game of all time. Looks gorgeous, too. Never understood the haters.

I have to admit, I loved a good Jeff Minter game back in the day, so I’ll definitely check this out at some point. While I’m at it, I really must pick up Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story next time it’s on sale. Mainly so I can play Gridrunner Remastered. I loved the original, and the remastered version looks great.

I also need to grab Polybius and Tempest 4000, too. I had a great time with TxK back during the Vita days. Why do I always seem to prioritise the big AAA releases and allow myself to let gems like these arcade greats pass me by? [Akka] Aaaargh!

After the disappointment of Forza Horizon 5 being digital only, I wonder if Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will get a physical release on PS5? I’ve been hyped for this one for a while, so l really hope so!

What with its surprise free PS5 upgrade yesterday, I’m playing a bunch of Spelunky 2. Man, I forgot how brutally difficult this otherwise super cute game is!

Elsewhere, seeing as I snapped it up for the bargain price of just £7.49 on sale last week, I really must start up RoboCop: Rogue City. I’m not usually big on first-person perspective games, but as a huge fan of the movies, I’m pretty sure I’ll really enjoy this one.

Lastly, I picked up a physical copy of Silent Hill 2 a couple weeks back, but still haven’t gotten around to playing it. I’m hoping to right that wrong this weekend and finally get to try the acclaimed remake of Konami’s cult classic survival horror.

While it’s definitely a shame there’s no physical edition, I’ll definitely be grabbing Forza Horizon 5 day one. At over 110 hours, it was my most played game on Series X before I sold the console last year, and I can’t wait to rebuy it on PS5 and go through the whole game again. Honestly, I can’t recommend it enough.

Count me in! This looks awesome!

I have zero interest in GTA Online, but I am really looking forward to GTA6. As long as all this stuff doesn’t penetrate the single-player campaign (not that it would), it’s all good, I guess.

@Shepherd_Tallon Same here, I have the flu, too. Had a terrible night with a fever, the shivers and constantly coughing up phlegm. Got like two hours sleep. I feel for you, bro.

As for Days Gone Remastered, I’m a big survival horror fan, so it’s definitely something I’ll pick up as soon as I’m able. I grabbed Silent Hill 2 at the weekend, but this damn flu is stopping me from playing it at the moment.

I’ve started a fresh playthrough of The Last of Us Part II Remastered and I’m having a great time. Gaming was starting to get a little stale for me, so I went back to one of my favourite ever games for a bit of a reset. So far, it’s working. I’m also slowly working towards the Sackboy: A Big Adventure platinum, but I need to wait for someone to come round to do the two-player levels. It’s a very underrated game in my humble opinion.

I also have Metaphor: ReFantazio ready to start, which I’m really looking forward to playing, but I’ve also had the PS5 version of Persona 5 Royal for a while, and I’ve never played it. Which one of these stellar JRPG’s to play first? Decisions, decisions.

@EverydayRobot Couldn’t agree more! I adored the opening hours of Alan Wake II when I started it over Christmas. I was even thinking that this could be a 10/10 game for me, but Alan’s chapters began to wear me down and I eventually moved onto something else. Hopefully I’ll go back to it at some point, but not for a little while yet.

The last trailer for Death Stranding 2 was one of the weirdest and best game trailers I’ve seen in years. Can’t wait to learn more. I’ve had Death Stranding: Director’s Cut since its PS5 launch and still haven’t played it. Waiting for a couple months before DS2’s release.

Maybe this will get them to finally do something with Chrono Trigger in the HD-2D engine, but I won’t hold my breath.

Awesome news! If only one Xbox game could make its way to PS5, this is the one I wanted. I bought a Series X for Forza Horizon 5 alone, and after putting well over 100 hours into the base game and DLC – and just as the ‘no more exclusives’ thing happened – I sold my Xbox. I’ve missed the game ever since, so I’ll definitely be picking it up at release and I’m looking forward to doing it all over again.

There could only be one winner. Astro Bot was easily my favourite gaming experience of 2024, regardless of console, and I’m so happy to see Team Asobi receive the recognition they deserve.

Wishing all the Push Square staff and community and very happy 2025! Between GTA6, Ghost of Yotei, Death Stranding 2, and Indiana Jones coming to PS5 – oh and let’s not forget a brand new Nintendo console – it’s shaping up to be a another great year for gamers of all console persuasions. Let’s just hope there’s way fewer industry layoffs and that those who did lose their jobs find new and even better ones.

Happy New Year everyone!

Having owned it since release, I finally got around to starting Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition yesterday. I’m only 4 hours in, but man, what a fun game! Why did it take me so long to play this? It’s just so good.

Just woke up and saw this. And I have to say, as an 80’s teen, this looks absolutely incredible. Do I finally feel excited about gaming again? If this is anything to go by, yes!

I’ve had pretty much zero interest in the Portal mainly because I’m not sure if my WiFi is up to the task, but a black one? What with last week’s IGN Game Scoop podcast stating that a recent firmware update has really improved latency, damn, I might actually bite this Christmas!

I’m currently playing through Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection. Having never played it on PS4, I finished The Lost Legacy earlier in the week and then immediately started A Thief’s End. I did play Uncharted 4 on PS4, so this is my second playthrough, but the first time I’m playing it on PS5. Currently on chapter 17, so not long to go.

After that? You know what, I may actually go back and play 1-3 via Bluepoint’s The Nathan Drake Collection. Seeing as I missed most of the PS3 generation, this will be my first time playing the original Uncharted trilogy. Though I did beat Golden Abyss when it originally launched on Vita, which at the time, I really enjoyed.

Oh and between all that I’m also playing Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective on Switch. I almost never play the Switch in handheld mode, but Ghost Trick looks so good on the OLED, and with great touchscreen support, it’d be a crime to play this awesome little game docked. If you’ve not played this one, I highly recommend doing so. There’s a PS4 version, too.

You’ve got the Xbox Series S and Series X Digital Edition in 7th and 8th respectively. Presumably the wrong way around?

7. Xbox Series S – 1,019 (324,097)
8. Xbox Series X Digital Edition – 1,308 (7,949)

I mean, the Series S sold 289 units less that the Series X Digital.

I had a fantastic time with Astro Bot, squeezing nearly thirty hours of gameplay out of it and grabbing the platinum. It’s also comfortably eclipsed the likes of Stellar Blade, Echoes of Wisdom and FFVII Rebirth as my personal game of the year. Man, you really can’t beat a top tier 3D platformer!

I really hope Astro Bot gets the sales numbers that the game deserves. Team Asobi is my favourite Sony first-party studio and we need more 3D platformers like the games they make. Heck, we need more Sly Cooper and Jak & Daxter, too! As far as I’m concerned, PlayStation really needs to go back to its roots.

Vampire Survivors isn’t the deepest game in the world, but given the rewarding gameplay and insane value it offers, it’s an easy 9.0 for me. Fantastic game. Though a certain Astro Bot will take over my gaming time from tomorrow, I’ve played nothing but VS since it released last week.

I’m playing nothing but Vampire Survivors until Astro Bot falls through my letterbox on Friday!

I don’t like invisible walls, but I do like physical releases. If Black Myth gets one, I’ll buy it.

@naruball I’m not interested in buying Concord as I’m not a fan of multiplayer games, but I’m still interested in how it turns out for others who are looking forward to it.

Oh Lordy, please be FH5. I sold my Series X earlier in the year and it’s literally the only game I miss!

Having put over 30hrs into Vampire Survivors across Series X and Switch, I’ll be there day one when it releases on PS5. For under £5.00, you really can’t go wrong. Plus, it’ll be a blast seeing multiple trophies pop every ten minutes! Seriously, if you haven’t yet played it elsewhere, try it. The game is genuinely awesome!

Do I need a PS5 Pro. Not at all. Do I want one? Absolutely!

Comfortably Stellar Blade for me. To be honest, I thought it’d be FFVII Rebirth, but I only got half-way through before burning out a little – okay, a lot! – and taking a break. Need to get back to that. Plus, I’m really looking forward to finally digging into Prince of Persia when I get a chance.

I’ve had Elden Ring since a month or so after it released and I still haven’t played it. I’ve not really gamed much at all these past few weeks, but all of a sudden, I’m pretty eager to at least give it a go and see if I vibe with it. I love big action RPG’s, but the high skill ceiling does concern me a little. Maybe I’ll finally fire it up this weekend?

Personally, I love gyro controls and tend to use them in any game that supports them. I had pretty much zero interest in Valorant anyway, but if it did have gyro’s I may have been interested enough to at least try it. But they don’t, so I won’t. Shame really.

This is making me consider upping my sub to premium. I do love a bit of Sly Coops!

For me, DREDGE and Streets of Rage 4 are the clear standout’s here.

After a week off, following a family trip, I’ve been playing Stellar Blade again this past week. I passed the point of no return yesterday, so I’ll be finishing that off this weekend. It’s been a super fun ride and comfortably my favourite game of the year so far.

I don’t yet have Dave the Diver (or Plus for that matter) so I’d better redeem it while I can. Thanks for the heads up, guys!

@get2sammyb Oh I’m not saying the review is negative or unfair, Sammy. I’m simply stating the fact that Push Square reviews are often a point or two lower than your sister sites. Just an observation, buddy.

I do get that reviews are entirely subjective, but it is weird to see @PJOreilly give it a 9/10 over on Pure Xbox. I’m not sure why, but it appears like 90%+ of games score at least a point lower here on Push Square than everywhere else. Particularly when comparing to fellow Hookshot sites, Nintendo Life and the aforementioned Pure Xbox. Personally, I always appreciate PJ’s reviews. He usually has a positive slant and his opinions regularly seem to align with mine.

I absolutely loved Ghost of Tsushima when I played the Director’s Cut on PS5. Much like @Slippship, it’s one of the rare games that I enjoyed so much, I grabbed the platinum trophy. It really is such a great game, and I’m excitedly looking forward to seeing what Sucker Punch manage to do with a PS5 exclusive sequel.

I’ve been bingeing anime and TV shows with my daughter this past week or so and haven’t touched my PS5 nearly enough. So this weekend I intend to make serious progress in Stellar Blade. I’m currently halfway through and, so far at least, it’s easily my favourite game of the year.

I absolutely agree with @TJ81. Ghost of Tsushima is still one of my favourite games of the last two generations and one of the few games I took the trouble to platinum. I’m definitely no trophy hunter, but when a game is this good, I can’t help myself.

I haven’t played an Assassin’s Creed game since Black Flag, but I’m really intrigued by this one. Looking forward to the trailer.