Latest news with #VideoGames
Digital Trends
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
3 new PlayStation Plus games to play this weekend (May 30-June 1)
Under normal circumstances, we would have to wait until next week to get our drop of new PlayStation Plus games, but this is a special occasion. We're currently right at the start of the Days of Play event where Sony celebrates with tons of community events and huge discounts on PS5 games and accessories. The icing on the cake is that we're not only getting four new games for Essential members, but an additional four for Extra and two more for Premium, with several already available. That's a lot to keep up with if you weren't prepared for it, which is where I come in. We will have to wait for most of the games until Tuesday, but here are a few new games you can start playing over this weekend to start the celebrations early. Destiny 2: The Final Shape With all the talk surrounding Marathon, Bungie, and live service games as a whole, it might feel in bad form to recommend The Final Shape right now. However, for what it's worth, Bungie did manage to make what looks like its last major expansion to the Destiny universe its best yet. This feels like the true swansong of the 10+ year journey players have been on since launch in all the right ways. The story is as complex as ever overall, but the micro moments with characters and the buildup to missions and major battles are thrilling. Gunplay, as always, is a joy with even more ways to break open the game. If you're overly pessimistic about Bungie right now, this might help remind you that it can still deliver. Recommended Videos Destiny 2: The Final Shape is available now on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Another Crab's Treasure Don't be fooled by the tone or presentation of this game. Another Crab's Treasure is a deep (pun intended) soulslike with a style all its own that is way more than just a fun parody. Sure, you will see deliberate jabs here and there, like how the game takes place in the Sands Between, but the gameplay is dead serious. Besides its underwater setting, what sets this game apart is its shell mechanic. Depending on what shell your crab is wearing, you have access to a different ability. If even the mention of the word soulslike turns you off, fear not. This game is meant to be beginner-friendly and has plenty of accessibility and assist options. Another Crab's Treasure is available now on PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, and PC. Alone in the Dark 2 I'm taking you way back with this pick, but stick with me because I have a reason. Sadly, I can't put the very first game on the list since it isn't on PS Plus, so Alone in the Dark 2 will have to do. This is the sequel to the game that essentially inspired all survival horror games after. It is a bit rough on the eyes now, and just as clunky as it was in the '90s, but just as creepy and astounding when you consider the era it came out in. But beyond being a classic I think anyone should try, next week we are getting the 2024 reboot that sadly went overlooked by most. There's no need to play this first to understand the modern entry, but it is always a fun exercise to see where a series started compared to where it is now. Alone in the Dark 2 is available now on PS4, PS5, and PC.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Last Of Us Has Changed A Lot With Season 2, But There's One Thing I'm Hoping It Still Keeps
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Another week, another piece on The Last of Us, am I right? But no, in all honesty, I've been waiting anxiously and impatiently for The Last of Us Season 2 since the very minute Season 1 ended, as I am a longtime fan of the franchise. I never would have imagined that HBO's adaptation of The Last of Us would take off as much as it did when it was first released, but honestly, I am here for it, and it has only seemed to grow over time. But there have been some things that have changed throughout the series that I've liked…and some of them I haven't. Aside from that, there is one change that I genuinely don't want them to make – a death that has to stay there. So, before you get into this, this is your spoiler warning from The Last of Us video games. This series has changed a decent amount from the video games. Don't get me wrong – it's not like the story has changed a lot. We're not dealing with a strange Until Dawn adaptation here. What we're dealing with is a well-adapted video game franchise that is deciding to not only dive deeper into aspects that we haven't explored but also add substance to the story. That's not to say that some of the changes have been, well, for the better. Personally, one of the things I wanted to keep from Part 2 of The Last of Us was Joel's death. I feel that the entirety of the story and the theme of what grief does to us and the cost of love in a world where everything dies wouldn't have hit as hard if he hadn't been driven (pun intended) with that golf club. But in the game, it's not Dina who sees him get killed, but Tommy, and personally, that hits me harder. Adding more to Dina's backstory with Joel is great, but it doesn't hit the same. There's this utter gut punch that slams you when you realize that Tommy literally watched his older brother die in the game – and to me, that's better, and would have been excellently used in the show if they decided to go that route. The Dina change isn't one I'm super happy about. Even so, there are plenty of Last of Us changes that I do like. This isn't an article about the changes to The Last of Us. If anything, I really enjoy most of the changes. I love that we're seeing way more of Jackson this time around because, in the game, it feels like a footnote rather than an expanded piece of lore that we should have explored more. I like that we're getting a lot more backstory on certain characters and groups without giving away too many spoilers about who they are. I also love the addition of new characters. Catherine O'Hara's therapist was not one I ever envisioned for the series, but man, it was fitting to see Joel sit down with someone and talk about everything he has gone through. Even if we've only seen one scene of that so far, that's beside the point. These changes don't hinder the story—they enhance it. While I might not agree with everything, I can't argue that they're not well-thought-out and hold a different kind of weight than what we are used to. Another change that I've liked is that we've dug a little deeper into Jesse…which brings me to my most significant point. This is quite hard for me to say, but I need them to keep Jesse's death, and I'll tell you why. When I first played The Last of Us games, I knew Joel was going to die. I was a victim of the leaks that came out a month before the game's release. I wasn't upset about his death—in fact, I really welcomed it because that is bold and good storytelling, regardless of what people tell you. But because I knew from the leaks, it did not hit as hard as it should have. Do you want to know what did? Jesse's death. We meet Jesse at the beginning of the game, and he really seems like a nice guy with a sarcastic chip on his shoulder. At some point in the game, he willingly goes to Seattle to help Ellie and Dina despite knowing that Jackson is most certainly not going to be very happy about it, alongside Tommy. He's a good guy. And then he's shot by Abby, and it's so sudden, you can barely comprehend it until you're sobbing as we move into the next scene. I remember thinking, 'Oh my god, NO!' and legit began crying moments later because I couldn't believe they did that. And now, it feels like we're seeing Jesse a lot more. Young Manzino from the Beef cast is kicking it up a notch and giving us a sarcastic but kind and intelligent version of Jesse. We've seen his friendship with Ellie way more. And it makes me nervous that they might change things up and not kill him off this time around…heck, maybe they might even kill Tommy instead. I don't know. But hear me out – I need him to die now because, at this rate, we've gotten to know him way more than we ever thought we would. Jesse's death would actually mean so much more than it did in the game. While the idea of The Last of Us cast dwindling is a sad thought, the idea of Jesse dying would not only hit harder with the audience but would also inspire Ellie to go on her final hunt for Abby in Season 3 (whenever that comes around). It would be a fitting end to his character and would probably be one of the most heartbreaking deaths of the show. Heck, it would be a TV death that will continue to make The Last of Us an HBO show the world talks about. I feel like I've been able to accurately predict who dies in this show based on the game, but there have been moments when my expectations have been beyond subverted. Jesse's death could be another one. Then again, this show is not afraid to rip out my heartstrings, clearly, with Joel's death, so maybe I'm overthinking for no reason. Either way, I'll continue to watch the next three episodes and cry during each one because I love this show so much, and hopefully, wait for the doom to begin relatively soon. Well, we might already be there at this point, but you get me.
The National
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Abu Dhabi University to offer degree in video game design
Abu Dhabi University will begin offering a Bachelor of Arts in Game Design, billed as the first degree of its kind in the region. The programme was announced after a 'landmark' memorandum of understanding was signed between the university, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the video game-focused school Rubika, which has campuses in France and Canada. The memorandum was also signed with the support of Abu Dhabi Gaming. The degree will be offered starting August, the beginning of the academic year. 'The programme combines academic excellence, international best practices and deep industry integration – including structured internships, mentorships and up to 140 funded scholarships over six years,' the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi said in a post on X on Tuesday. The degree is already listed on the website of Abu Dhabi University. "This cutting-edge programme equips students with the creative, technical and industry-driven expertise needed to design, develop and produce engaging video game experiences,' the description reads. A breadth of courses are being offered as part of the programme, ranging from Fundamentals of Emotional Intelligence to History of Video Games, as well as courses focusing on different genres and platforms, including first-person shooters and mobile games. 'Combining theory with hands-on practice, the programme covers essential aspects of game design, from level design and game mechanics to narrative development and interactive media production,' the programme description reads. 'Students will master industry-standard tools, including Unity, Unreal Engine and Adobe Suite, while learning to craft immersive digital experiences for entertainment, education and simulation.' Abu Dhabi has been steadily working to develop the local gaming and esports ecosystem. Abu Dhabi Gaming – an initiative founded in 2021 that supports game developers, players, consumers and businesses – was integrated into DCT – Abu Dhabi in November 2023 as part of a move to 'position the emirate as a global gaming hub,' Abu Dhabi Media Office said at the time.
CNN
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
‘Mortal Kombat 1: Definitive Edition' enters the arena
A new 'Mortal Kombat 1' collection, space-sailing adventure 'Void Sails,' and Nordic folklore-inspired 'Spirit of the North 2' are playable now. Rick Damigella reports.
Bloomberg
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Bloomberg
PlayStation Executive Jade Raymond Leaves Studio She Founded
Jade Raymond, the founder and head of Sony Group Corp. 's game developer Haven Studios, has left the company. PlayStation leadership didn't give Haven staff a reason for her departure, but it came several weeks after an external test of Haven's first game, the online shooter Fairgames, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Some developers at Haven were concerned about how the game was received and its progress, said the people, who asked not to be identified because they aren't authorized to speak publicly.
