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Tales of Kenzera: Zau releases Day 1 into the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog on April 23

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Eventually, we all will contend with grief. It can come in many forms and from many different sources. Surgent Studios’ (founded by  Abubakar Salim) debut game, Tales of Kenzera: Zau, is a 2.5D story-driven, action-exploration game all about facing those emotions and discovering how love gives us the courage to press on after a devastating loss, and it’s coming to the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog at launch on April 23rd, 2024! (Available with PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium memberships).

Players will take control of Zau, a young warrior-shaman from Amandla, who seeks out Kalunga, the God of Death, to bargain with him to bring his Baba back from the realm of the dead.

Wielding two powerful masks imbued with the cosmic power of the sun and the moon in a beautiful and chaotic dance, Zau travels across Kenzera, a rich mystical realm inspired by Bantu tales, fighting tough ancestral spirits and platforming obstacles to find the 3 mighty beings that have eluded the God of Death.

Zau will discover and unlock new powerful abilities and skills during his quest to become a worthy Nganga and reclaim his lost Baba. These include mighty Spirit Attacks like the ferocious Lunar Beam blast that can be unleashed to obliterate enemies using the Moon Mask…

…and the engulfing fire Supernova that can be used to scorch nearby foes with Shamanistic fire using the Sun Mask.

Throughout Zau’s adventure, players will earn experience from exploration and combat. This experience can be spent on skill points split between two skill trees, one for the Moon mask and one for the Sun mask. These skills will enable Zau to become more powerful and learn new formidable attack combos and feats , becoming a fierce warrior-shaman.

Along his journey, Zau will also find ancient Shaman Shrines which gift him unbelievable abilities, such as the power of Gliding across the plains to cover long distances or slow his descent…

…or the cosmic Pulse ability which can enable him to to break down and reconstruct barriers in his path.

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Dave the Diver plunges into PlayStation Plus Game Catalog April 16

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Greetings. I’m Jaeho Hwang, the director and game designer behind Dave the Diver. I’m excited to bring Dave the Diver to PlayStation 5 on April 16, expanding the game’s horizons and inviting more players through the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog. 

Dave the Diver is a unique hybrid ocean adventure that combines ocean exploration with sushi restaurant management. At the heart of the game lies the core gameplay loop, narrative, characters, and captivating mini-games. 

Our journey kicked off with a simple concept: a diving game in which a deep Blue Hole serves as a mystical dungeon populated by fish that double as enemies and items to loot. In the early days of the prototype, the gameplay revolved primarily around catching fish and trading them for currency, but we soon felt that we could do more with these aquatic creatures. 

This led to the introduction of a sushi restaurant mechanic that allowed players to prepare culinary delights from their underwater catch. Of course, this was enough to make for good gameplay, and as the lynchpin of our gameplay loop, this addition was praised in internal reviews. However, in an effort to spice things up and prevent monotony, we focused on our unique characters to create compelling and fun side content which ended up adding a dash of individuality to the experience. 

Cooking contest

While the initial gameplay focuses on preparing the menu and serving delectable dishes in the bustling sushi restaurant, players will later find themselves entangled in the culinary excitement of a cooking contest. This addition elevates the gameplay beyond just serving food and immerses players in a new cook-off experience that complements the game’s overarching theme. 

Seahorse racing 

Halfway through the game, players will stumble upon a new deep-sea mini-game allowing them to send seahorses to race through the village. With a variety of seahorses sporting unique stats scattered throughout the Blue Hole, the feat of collecting and racing these creatures adds a thrilling element to the gameplay experience. 

Taking photographs

Beneath the waves of the Blue Hole lies a diverse ecosystem, where players will encounter both aggressive and peace-loving amiable fish species. In the midst of this underwater tapestry, players can now enjoy the tranquil activity of photographing these peaceful aquatic inhabitants. Players earn rewards by snapping shots of these creatures without the need for combat or capture and presenting their discoveries to Udo, the photographer. You should also try your hand at photographing some fish that only appear at night!

Duff’s rhythm Game 

This is the most delightful twist that caught everyone off guard; What on earth is this rhythm

PlayStation Stars Campaigns and Digital Collectibles for April 2024

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Hello, PlayStation Stars members – this April, get ready for an array of Campaigns. From post-apocalyptic adventures to virtual reality titles and relaxing cozy games, we’ve got a diverse lineup. Explore intriguing puzzle games, unlock Digital Collectibles, and experience new challenges. Let’s dive into the details.

Campaign: PlayStation Plus Game Catalog: Apocalypse Edition | Reward: 50 Points
Available April 1

There are hundreds of games in the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog for Extra and Premium/Deluxe members. For this month, experience picks that are all about the post-apocalyptic vibe. Play any one of the games below to earn 50 Points.

  • Days Gone [PS4]
  • Death Stranding [PS4 & PS5]
  • Doom Eternal [PS4 & PS5]
  • NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… [PS4 & PS5]

Campaign: PlayStation Plus Game Catalog: Must-play this Month | Reward: 50 Points
Available April 2

Check out this month’s selection of games from the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog. Play any one of them to earn 50 Points.

  • Immortals of Aveum [PS5]
  • Minecraft Legends [PS4 & PS5]
  • Skul: The Hero Slayer [PS4]

Campaign: PlayStation VR2 | Game Drop | Reward: 50 Points
Available April 11

The PlayStation VR2 game library continues to grow. Buy any one of the games below and earn 50 Points.

  • Legendary Tales [PS5]
  • Pavlov [PS5]
  • Arizona Sunshine 2 [PS5]
  • Beat the Beats VR [PS5]

Campaign: PlayStation & You: PS4 | Digital Collectible: PlayStation 4 Console – Silver
Available April 15

Let’s travel back in time to 2017. Available only for registered PlayStation 4 console –  Silver owners. Play any PS4 or PS5 game and unlock your limited edition PlayStation 4 Console – Silver Digital Collectible.

Campaign: Tales of Kenzera: ZAU | A Once Black Sky | Digital Collectible: Impundulu

Play Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, earn the “A Once Black Sky” trophy, and unlock your Digital Collectible.

Campaign: Wind Down with PlayStation | Digital Collectible: Hop, Sleep, and a Jump
Available April 17

It’s cozy game time. Come relax with us by starting any one of the games below to unlock your Digital Collectible.

  • Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story [PS4 & PS5]
  • Disney Dreamlight Valley [PS4 & PS5]
  • I Am Setsuna [PS4]
  •  Lemon Cake [PS5]

Campaign: Brain Games II | Digital Collectible: Synaptic Feedback II
Available April 18

Set off for adventure in these puzzle games that allow you to explore mysterious locales while putting your puzzle skills to the test. Play any one of the games below to unlock the next mysterious Digital Collectible

Players’ Choice: Vote for March’s best new game

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March led the way in exploring new places, cultures, and franchises. From road trips and long hikes to turn-of-the-century inventions and futuristic tech, which excursion was your top pick?

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. PlayStation Store will also showcase some top Players’ Choice winners throughout the year.

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, while remakes are reserved for ambitious, larger-scale rebuilds such as Resident Evil 4 (2023) and Final Fantasy VII Remake.

How are nominees decided? The PlayStation.Blog and PlayStation Store editorial teams will gather a list of that month’s most noteworthy releases and use it to seed the poll. Write-in votes will be accepted.

Share of the Week: Rise of the Ronin

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Last week, we asked you to travel to 19th-century Japan and share epic moments from Rise of the Ronin using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights:

Amulet_seven shares a ronin in a woven hat wielding two katanas against a mountain landscape

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n_asatom shares a ronin lounging on the sand with an orange cat in front of them

TakaSanGames shares a ronin meditating on a hill overlooking a sunset mountain landscape

marka_game shares a ronin slashing with a katana blade that is on fire

sayaka693518 shares a ronin flying with mechanical wings

TheFourthFocus shares a sinister enemy surrounded by red mist

Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week?

THEME:  Rise of the Ronin – Weapons and Armor
SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on April 3, 2024

Next week, show off the Veiled Edge’s diverse wardrobe with your creations. Share different weapons and armor sets in Rise of the Ronin using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

Official PlayStation Podcast Episode 481: Here’s To You, Jim

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Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com!

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or download here


Hi everyone! The gang is back this week to catch up on what we’ve been playing. And it’s a stacked deck with Helldivers 2, Pacific Drive, and much more in the rotation.

Also, special guest Jim Ryan discusses his remarkable run with the PlayStation brand, from starting up the first offices in Europe before the launch of the original PlayStation, to his retirement next month as CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment. We’ll miss you, Jim!

Stuff We Talked About

  • Helldivers 2 – PS5
  • Pacific Drive – PS5
  • PlayStation Portal
  • Stellar Blade Demo – PS5

The Cast

Full details on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and Warzone Season 3, launching April 3

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Rally your squad for the biggest season update yet! Introducing new maps, a new Zombies mission and Rift, the return of Rebirth Island, and much more, Season 3 is stacked with new experiences.

Full details on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and Warzone Season 3, launching April 3

Season 3 of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and Call of Duty: Warzone launches on April 3 on PS4 and PS5. 

Multiplayer Overview

Core 6v6 Maps 

6 Star (Launch): Battle atop the Hadiqa 6 Star resort in Dubai, catering to ultra-rich guests with an infinity pool, skybridge, and exclusive club.

Emergency (Launch): Deploy to a wing of the State Disease Control Agency in the wake of a disaster, set around the red sandstone of Sedona, Arizona.

Growhouse (Launch): A re-imagined take on Sphere from Call of Duty®: Vanguard. Fight mid- to long-ranged battles above ground and close up underground.

Tanked (Launch): Drop into Vondel Zoo after hours in this fast-paced, mid-sized map centered around the aquarium and reptile exhibits.

Mid-Season Maps: Play the rundown Grime map next to a derelict canal, plus Checkpoint based on Rebirth Island’s Stronghold.

New Game Modes

Capture the Flag (Launch): Steal the enemy’s flag and return it to your home base while yours is still in place.

Minefield (Launch): Defeated players drop a Proximity Mine where they fall. The mine is only deadly to their team, setting up wild combos. Applied to a variety of game modes.

One in the Chamber (Launch): Start with three lives and a one-hit-kill bullet. Earn another bullet for each elimination. If you’re out, go for the melee finish. 

Plus, Ranked Play: Compete in Ranked Play Season 3, featuring all-new Seasonal and Skill Division rewards.

Zombies Overview

New Rift, New Mission (Mid-Season): Embark on a rescue mission in the third Dark Aether Rift to save Dr. Ava Jansen.

New Challenges, Schematics (Mid-Season): Tackle new Prestige Calling Card and Camo challenges, and face down enemies with three new earnable schematics:

New Warlord (Mid-Seaso

PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for April: Immortals of Aveum, Minecraft Legends, Skul: The Hero Slayer

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Blast magic, embark on a (blocky) fantasy adventure and free your demon brethren with April’s Monthly Games lineup for PlayStation Plus. Immortals of Aveum, Minecraft Legends, Skul: The Hero Slayer will be available to play for PlayStation Plus members* from Tuesday, April 2 until Monday May 6. 

Let’s take a closer look at each game in turn. 

Immortals of Aveum | PS5

This single-player first-person magic shooter tells the story of Jak as he joins an elite order of battlemages to save a world on the edge of an abyss. Magic is at the core of both your offense and defence. Experience fast, fluid, first-person spell-based combat. Unlock and upgrade more than 25 Spells and 80 Talents. Discover, upgrade and craft hundreds of pieces of magical gear, refine your playstyle across three forces of magic and become Aveum’s most powerful Triarch Magnus. 

Sand Land introduces the Hearts gang and the new Forest Land gameplay

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Earlier this month, the world lost a one-of-a-kind creative talent with the news of Akira Toriyama’s passing. While Dragon Ball will always be Toriyama-sensei’s best-known work, he leaves behind a legacy full of many other imaginative worlds across games, anime, and manga. Before leaving us, he worked with Bandai Namco to flesh out one of his short manga creations further: Sand Land. Alongside a new anime series, Toriyama-sensei gave input on a videogame adaptation of Sand Land that would allow players to explore this unique world for themselves.

The classic manga Sand Land lives on in Bandai Namco’s new game, which ventures beyond where the original story concludes. Read on to find out what new adventures await our mech-powered demon hero in the wetlands, caves, and Forest Land. Speaking of Forest Land, we also have a reveal of new gameplay from the woodland biome.

Sand Land introduces the Hearts gang and the new Forest Land gameplay

Every demon has his day

Sand Land follows the exploits of Beelzebub, the prince of a tribe of demons living in a vast desert environment known as Sand Land. Because of his heritage, Beelzebub is mischievous, spoiled, and snarky, but he’s also got a soft spot for helping others in need and a strong sense of justice — even if he won’t admit it. Sand Land is facing a crisis: water is becoming increasingly scarce, as a selfish human king is hoarding the live-giving resource. While Sand Land descends into chaos as fighting over the limited supply intensifies, Sheriff Rao approaches the demons to help liberate the water supply. Beelzebub, his handservant Thief, and the ever-mysterious Rao to help Sand Land and maybe even realms beyond. 

Sand Land is an action RPG with a vast world to explore. You directly control Beelzebub, who is accompanied by companions Thief and Rao. Beelzebub is the one who gets in the thick of most of the action, using hand-to-hand combat and dark magic to overcome his foes. The other characters provide support and advice, bantering with the Prince about current events and suggesting where to go and what to do next.

Beelzebub is pretty nimble on foot, but one element that sets Sand Land apart from other titles is its emphasis

Latest No Man’s Sky update adds ship customisation, new Guild system, space station overhaul, and more

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Hello, only last month we welcomed a huge number of new PlayStation Travellers to the No Man’s Sky universe with our free Omega expedition, which brought a ton of new content. It’s incredible to watch new folks getting to experience eight years of updates since launch.

Today March 27, we are releasing our 27th major update – Orbital – and this is a big one!

The Orbital update brings a complete overhaul to Space Stations. Until now these have been perhaps the only part of No Man’s Sky that wasn’t procedurally generated. Engine improvements have allowed us to create vast interior spaces and exterior spaces, with improved reflection and metallic surfaces.

Outside, Space Station exteriors are at a scale never seen before and are hugely varied.

Inside, Stations have been transformed, and are now vast, procedurally generated, and incredibly diverse. Featuring new shops, gameplay and activities, Stations are now uniquely customised based on system, race and locale.

Stations also contain perhaps our most requested feature of all time! A ship editor allows players to customise their ships and players can even create never-before-seen starship types.

We haven’t introduced customisation previously, because so many players love exploring to find the perfect ship already out there to purchase. In keeping with exploration, to customize their ship, travelers gather and trade parts for their ships as they explore, salvaging the best components from wrecks and ruins

We are also introducing a new Guild system, making joining Guilds and increasing reputation a much larger part of the game. Visit new Guild envoys on Space Stations to gain supplies and rare items, or make donations to increase your standing.

You can own a freighter and even build up a fleet of frigates in No Man’s Sky. Now you can send that frigate fleet on away missions where if they get into trouble, as frigate captain, you can perform daring rescues. Players can scramble your squadron of fighters, and warp to battles and engage your attackers.

The Orbital update adds ship customisation, transforms Space Stations inside and out, a new guild system, engine improvements, UI refresh and much more. It’s a huge update with several major features that have been on player’s wishlists for a long time. We have a lot more planned this year as our journey continues.

These and many more additions and quality of life improvements can be found when PlayStation players download the Orbital update to No Man’s Sky today.

Our journey continues.

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