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Aliens: Dark Descent combines horror and strategy to create a bone-chilling tactical thriller 

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Hi, I’m Romain Clavier, Game Director at Tindalos Interactive, the studio developing Aliens: Dark Descent, a strategic real time squad-based tactical action game with rich management systems and twisted horrors. On June 20 you’ll be able to witness the Xenomorphs stalk their prey in a contemporary strategy game. But before you descend into the darkness, I want to use this blog post to shed some light on how our development team fused terror and tactics for Aliens: Dark Descent’s intense, lo-fi world.

First, let’s look at the horror elements of Aliens: Dark Descent. As the title suggests, the game is set in the Alienuniverse, more specifically tinted towards James Cameron’s action-based take on Aliens (1986) where players take on the role of a group of colonial marines trying to escape from a colony overrun by the titular aliens. From the very beginning, we worked hard to establish a tense and foreboding atmosphere; there are cryptically dim corridors, flickering fluorescent lights, and the constant threat of a Xenomorph attack, but what really changed Aliens: Dark Descent for the better was when we implemented our unique fog of war mechanic, where areas of the map are hidden to create dread and let players’ imagination run wild. This means that you must carefully plan your routes and movements at every turn, taking into account the risk of running into a Xenomorph or other unknown dangers.

Developing the Xenomorphs was one of the most rewarding challenges, as we want them to hit the same level of ruthlessness they’re famous for on film. Our goal is to have players drown in the tension from the potential of a ferocious ambush of a conniving pack of Xenomorphs. That said, we wanted to avoid having swarms of Xenomorphs in a way that would dull their individual significance so we opted to give the game’s enemies cunning strategic impulses to plan maneuvers on the fly, flank squads, and quickly retreat to gather more numbers.

Sound design is also crucial in eliciting that primal dread; we made sure to add the subtle hums of the tattered tech and eerie chirps of the creatures’ hissing and scurrying as you lead your crew on a variety of crucial missions.

But Aliens: Dark Descent isn’t all suspense and dismay – it also requires strategic thinking and planning to succeed. Players must manage their resources carefully, gathering supplies and weapons while avoiding detection by the Aliens and other enemies. 

While the constant threat of a Xenomorph attack creates a sense of urgency and danger, the strategic gameplay elements add depth and complexity to how players must react. Our stress mechanic is a ticking time-bomb acting as a constant reminder of how things can go wrong if distraught marines are left uncared for in this hostile environment. Permadeath will be the unfortunate reality for the most unlucky marines, making each mistake have a lasting impact; and the more the marines have progressed, the more heart-wrenching losing them will be. Players must constantly adapt and change their tactics to stay one step ahead of the Aliens, making each playthrough personal and exciting. My personal favorite feature is the slowdown mechanic, as it forces players into inescapable situations

PlayStation Showcase recap: everything announced at today’s show

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That’s a wrap! Today’s PlayStation Showcase delivered tantalizing first looks at all-new games in development and updates on upcoming titles by PlayStation Studios and our third party friends. With the show running over an hour and 33 titles being revealed, there was a lot to absorb. If you want to relive the Showcase, you can rewatch it below. 

If you want to know more about some of the games shown today, read on. Alongside recaps of individual reveals, there’s additional info plus exclusive screenshots from the creators behind the games in a selection of PlayStation Blog articles. All are linked below. 

PlayStation Showcase: PlayStation Studios & third-party publisher announcements 

Take a sneak peak at new accessories revealed at today’s Showcase — the Project Q device for playing games installed on your PS5 and streamed over WiFi, plus our first official wireless earbuds offering lossless audio on PS5 and PC. More details to come in the months ahead.

PlayStation Showcase recap: everything announced at today’s show

We also announced Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, which is coming to PS5. Check out the first trailer below: 

PlayStation Showcase recap: everything announced at today’s show

Bungie officially announced its first completely new

Final Fantasy XVI launch trailer, Salvation, revealed

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Final Fantasy XVI is the all-new mainline entry in the Final Fantasy series, releasing on Thursday June 22.

The launch trailer for Final Fantasy XVI, “Salvation,” was revealed today as part of the PlayStation Showcase.

With only around a month left until release, this outstanding trailer comes as we eagerly await the game!

The story of Final Fantasy XVI takes place in Valisthea, a land studded with Mothercrystals—glittering mountains of crystal that tower over the realms around them, blessing them with aether. People use the aether from the Mothercrystals to fuel the magicks they rely upon in their everyday lives, hailing Valisthea as “a land blessed in the light of the Mothercrystals.” Yet now the aether begins to fade and the lifeless deadlands spread ever further. Such desperate conditions drive the nations towards conflict and strife.

In the launch trailer, we see the harsh circumstances faced by the Bearers, those born with the ability to cast magicks at will. And we see the truth that lies behind the Mothercrystals, long supposed to have bestowed blessings upon humanity…


The trailer offers a glimpse of the first steps Clive Rosfield, the protagonist of the game, takes along a path that will see him take up his sword to resist his cruel fate. We also see the turmoil faced and the resolve shown by the Dominants, individuals blessed with the ability to call upon the dread power of the Eikons.

As Clive and the Dominants follow what they each consider to be just, how will their ideals clash? What fate lies in store for the land of Valisthea? The curtain is about to rise on their story: we hope you’ll look forward to this tale of those who believe that the legacy of the crystals has shaped mankind’s destiny for long enough.

Finally, the trailer includes a wealth of never-before seen information, including ferocious foes and new locations – so please keep your eyes peeled.

We hope that you’ll enjoy the launch trailer as you look forward to the release of Final Fantasy XVI on June 22.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 gameplay revealed

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It’s a banner day for Spidey fans! We’re delighted to finally show you the first-ever gameplay of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, the next installment in our original Marvel’s Spider-Man franchise, which will launch in Fall 2023. There’s a lot to unpack about today’s gameplay reveal, so let’s highlight some of the big stuff… 

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 gameplay revealed

The Great Hunt begins

As many sharp-eared Spidey fans noticed in our announcement trailer in 2021, Kraven the Hunter. This version makes his debut appearance in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and he’s in search of an equal. That spells bad news for the inhabitants of Marvel’s New York including a rogue’s gallery of villains and the Spider-Men, Peter Parker and Miles Morales. Between the start of Kraven’s Great Hunt and an all-new Symbiote threat to Earth-1048, our heroes have their work cut out for them.  

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 gameplay revealed

Setting the stage for our gameplay reveal: Kraven’s Hunters, a new enemy faction, are in pursuit of Dr. Curt Connors, AKA The Lizard, and Peter needs to stop him. We kick things off at Connors’ home across the East River in Queens, one of the all-new playable and explorable boroughs we’re introducing in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. 

Let’s get Symbiotic 

We don’t waste any time: bursting through basement doors is Peter Parker, our original Spider-Man in this story, who needs no introduction. But what he’s wearing perhaps deserves one: he’s donning the highly coveted, iconic, and beloved Black Suit and he’s more than ready for a fight.  

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New gameplay details revealed for Crossfire: Sierra Squad, coming to PS VR2

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Greetings, Mercenaries! As summertime draws near, so does the release of Crossfire: Sierra Squad, our brand-new arcade-action FPS for PlayStation VR2. I’m thrilled to give you a closer look at what you can expect on launch day when the game launches.

When you put on your PS VR2 headset and fire up the game, you will be instantly transformed into the leader of an elite fireteam of the paramilitary group, Global Risk. Your fireteam is called Sierra Squad, a highly-trained, elite fighting force. Start out in the Shooting Range to familiarize yourself with the 39 different weapons in the game and blow some stuff up while you’re at it! It’s a fun way to learn the finer points of each firearm, from pistols to rifles to shotguns to snipers to RPG’s and more, so you’ll instinctively know how to use (and reload) them in the heat of battle. Take your time and enjoy yourself in there since the targets don’t shoot back yet.

When you feel that your training is complete, jump into the campaign missions (13 in total). In Crossfire: Sierra Squad, you are the leader of an elite paramilitary fireteam within the Global Risk organization facing an unexpected skirmish with the rival Black List organization. The fight starts here, and it’s going to take all of your shooting and battlefield skills to emerge victorious. Make sure you give yourself enough room in front of your PS5, because things are about to get intense.

If you like co-op, we have you covered. In addition to 13 single-player campaign missions, you can recruit a friend for 2-player co-op and conquer 50 squad missions. Or grab a few friends to take on Horde Mode as a fireteam of up to 4 players. I’ll tell you, the campaigns are really fun, but the multiplayer co-op is where the game really shines. There’s something about coordinating an attack with your friend(s) to take down a battalion against seemingly insurmountable odds in VR that feels just so – chef’s kiss – gratifying.

One of the great things about VR is that the action can happen all around you, including behind and above. You’ll engage with heavy artillery like helicopters and LAV’s in full 360-degree VR space, so be sure to keep your head on a swivel at all times because the danger can come from anywhere, and it isn’t always in front of you.

We can’t wait to get you on the battlefield!

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