Sammy Barker
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'There's Nothing Micro About This Transaction': Invincible VS Adds $10 Towel Skin for Rex Splode
Invincible VS has released a new DLC skin for the character Rex Splode called 'Towel Skin' for $9.99, which includes four color variations. The article criticizes the high price for a cosmetic item, noting it costs a fifth of the full game's price. Other skins for Conquest and Battle Beast are also priced at $9.99, while Allen the Alien's skin is $4.99.
Tekken 8 Brings Back Kunimitsu on PS5 with a Fiery Twist
Tekken 8 is adding Kunimitsu II as the first character for its Season 3 Character Pass, available from May 27th for pass owners and June 1st for individual purchase. This iteration of Kunimitsu, the daughter of the original character, introduces new moves including fire-breathing abilities. Bandai Namco Entertainment will also reveal the final Season 3 character on May 24th.
Now Even Refurbished PS5 Consoles Cost a Fortune
Sony has increased the price of refurbished PlayStation 5 consoles by $100 through its PlayStation Direct store. This price hike means a refurbished disc-based PS5 now costs $549.99, and the Digital Edition is $499.99, making affordable options for the console increasingly scarce amidst global economic challenges.
Slay the Spire Meets Sekiro in This Quirky PS5 Deck Builder
Witch the Showdown, an anime-style parry-action deckbuilder from Citales Games and Perp Games, is set to release on PlayStation 5 in 2027. The game combines deck-building mechanics with Sekiro-like precision and quick reactions, offering a boss rush experience with adjustable difficulty levels. A demo is currently available on Steam.
Zenless Zone Zero's Next Update Adds New Characters and Teases Major Mechanics
Zenless Zone Zero's upcoming update, New Eridu Sunset, will launch on May 6th and introduce two new characters, Promeia and Starlight Billy, along with a Bangboo-themed adventure mode. The update also teases a new Wind element, Vortex, and hints at future content including a new sky environment with a London flavor for the game's anniversary.
Sorry Fall Guys, But This Free-to-Play PS5 Party Platformer Looks a Lot More Fun
Totopia, a new free-to-play party platformer from China, has been announced with a planned 2027 release, aiming to offer a more engaging experience than Fall Guys. The game blends obstacle course gameplay with life simulation elements like home decoration and character customization, and will feature over 100 maps. It is set to launch on PlayStation 5 and other platforms.
Round Up: This PS5 Game Changes Based on Other Players, and Reviewers Are Liking It
Tides of Tomorrow, a new PlayStation 5 adventure from DigixArt, is receiving praise for its innovative asynchronous multiplayer, where player actions shape the game world. Reviews highlight its compelling narrative and unique storytelling, though some critics note it doesn't fully realize its potential. The game launches on April 24th for $29.99 and features a demo.
Wild Arms 4 Returns on PS Plus Premium, But Its PS2 Reviews Were Ruthless
Wild Arms 4 is launching on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 via PS Plus Premium, bringing the 2005 JRPG back to modern consoles. Upon its original release, the game received largely negative reviews, with critics citing mediocrity, bugs, and poor design choices, though IGN offered a more positive appraisal. The re-release prompts a look back at its critical reception.
PSN Down for Some, Service Slowly Being Restored
The PlayStation Network experienced widespread outages, affecting PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 owners' ability to play online multiplayer games. Service restoration efforts began approximately 30 minutes after reports of the downtime first surfaced, with gradual improvements expected.
'He's a Distant Relative of My Mum or Something': Street Fighter 6 Patched to Be Slightly Less Incestuous
Capcom has released a patch for Street Fighter 6 to address controversial elements in the character Alex's backstory. The update slightly alters the description of Alex's relationship with his adopted father, Tom, and his adopted sister, Patricia, to make the familial connections less incestuous. While the changes aim to make the narrative more palatable, the article suggests that the core issues with the character's relationships remain.
PS5 Construction RPG Arknights: Endfield Expands with Massive Free Update
Arknights: Endfield has received its v1.2 'At the Wake of Spring' update for PlayStation 5, introducing new characters, story developments, and expanded factory-building systems. The free update centers on the Wuling storyline, featuring a new playable Operator named Zhuang Fangyi and an expanded Wuling map with new production options.
2XKO Will Add Six Characters This Year, Despite Dev Scaling Down
Riot Games has revealed that 2XKO will receive six new characters this year, exceeding its initial roadmap despite a reduction in the development team. The fighting game, inspired by League of Legends, has already added Caitlyn and Akali, with Senna and three other Champions planned. The studio is also working on new stages, skins, and a summer event, indicating continued support for the title.
In the Absence of Virtua Tennis, Nickelodeon's Wacky Arcade Alternative Steps Up
Nickelodeon Extreme Tennis, developed by Gameloft and Old Skull Games, is set to launch on May 28th. This arcade-style tennis game features 15 characters, including SpongeBob and Garfield, with easy-to-learn controls, a story mode, mini-games, and local multiplayer. The game aims to fill the void left by Virtua Tennis and Hot Shots Tennis, though concerns about choppy frame rates in the trailer have been noted.
Just Like Comic Books, Invincible VS Will Have Five Different PS5 Box Arts
The physical PlayStation 5 version of Invincible VS will feature five different box art variants, inspired by comic book retailer exclusives. All pre-orders include the Zero Suit Mark cosmetic skin and four color variants, with physical releases also coming with a pack of Keepsake Cards.
Street Fighter 6 Goes Batsh*t Crazy with Wild Ingrid World Tour Trailer
Capcom has released a new World Tour trailer for the upcoming character Ingrid in Street Fighter 6, showcasing her unique and eccentric personality. This trailer highlights Ingrid's wild, anime-inspired presentation and hints at her gameplay. Ingrid, a character with a history of being underutilized, is set to make her proper debut as a mainline character in Street Fighter 6.
Starfield PS5 Won't Play Off Physical Disc without a Download
Starfield's physical edition for PlayStation 5 requires an 81GB download from the Blu-ray disc, with the full game size being approximately 123GB. This necessitates an internet connection for the initial setup, raising concerns about long-term game preservation as the disc may become unplayable if Sony's servers are eventually shut down.
Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 626
This weekend discussion features Jamie O'Neill planning to play Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth on his PlayStation 5 but needing to research M.2 SSD expansion due to storage limitations. Editor Sammy Barker is juggling multiple reviews and aims to focus his efforts. The article also briefly mentions recent PlayStation 5 price hikes.
This GTA-Inspired Anime Open World Deserves a Place on Your PS5, But Maybe Not Your Pre-Order
The open-world anime-inspired game NTE, developed by Hotta Studio, is set to release on April 29th and has reached 30 million pre-registrations. While the game offers a GTA-like experience on PlayStation 5 with impressive production values, the article advises against pre-ordering due to the nature of free-to-play live service games, suggesting that launch day incentives will be more plentiful.
Everything Is Not as It Seems in This Painterly PS5 Cozy Game
NIS America's upcoming PlayStation 5 title, Village in the Shade, offers a painterly isometric farming simulation with a dark twist. While players can engage in typical cozy game activities like farming and customizing their homestead, the game introduces unsettling elements, particularly after sunset, hinting at deeper mysteries within the Japanese mountain village of Kagatsu.
Despite PS5 Hits, Sony Sinks to 21st in Metacritic's Publisher Rankings
Sony's average Metascore dropped significantly, placing them 21st in Metacritic's publisher rankings for 2025, a steep decline from fourth place in 2024. While games like Death Stranding 2 and Ghost of Yotei received high praise, the inclusion of Destiny 2 expansions and the underperforming Lost Soul Aside negatively impacted Sony's overall score. Square Enix took the top spot with an average Metascore of 84.
