Editor’s note – We’ve not added Horizon Forbidden West to this list (which launched February 18 on PS5 and PS5) because we believe it’s best experienced on the newest hardware. 

Despite the fact that some of these have now made their way to PC , these are still PS5 exclusives when it comes to consoles. Most are available to play on the PS5 via PS5 backwards compatibility too, so their legendary status lives on. Plus, a lot of these titles will now be included for free as part of the new PS Plus Premium games libraries at the mid and upper tiers.

Before we get stuck in though, here are the rules we’ve laid down: this list of the best PS4 exclusives deals with console exclusivity, so some of them can be found on PC. Exclusivity has to be permanent and not timed (so we had to remove Nier: Automata when it released on Xbox One). Plus, the games have to be full-price releases, and not DLC or add-on content – though if we’re lucky they’ll show up on the free PS Plus games (opens in new tab) list at some point and there are always the best free PS4 games (opens in new tab) if you’re feeling thrifty. 

20. GT Sport

The best racing game on PS4

Specifications

Release Date: 2017Developer: PolyphonyGenre: Racing

Reasons to buy

+Enhanced for PS4 Pro+Compatible with racing wheels+Online tournaments and events

If you’re looking for a driving experience on PS4… there’s only one choice. Sure, DriveClub was the previous favorite, but GT Sport (opens in new tab) offers everything that game had a way more. There’s the usual raft of high-end sports cars to choose from, and a bunch of high-performance models from commercial manufacturers, along with many of the world’s best tracks, lovingly recreated in game. But what sets this apart is the online options, offering tournaments, special events, and loads more – you can essentially live the life of the most exciting, well-travelled professional racing driver… er, without the risk of crashing (or the millions of dollars they’d probably earn). 

• Need more space? Here are the best PS4 external hard drives
• Where to get a new PS4 controller cheap (opens in new tab)
• The best PS4 bundle deals (opens in new tab) deals, if you need a console

19. Concrete Genie

A magical adventure that will capture your imagination

Specifications

Release Date: 2019Developer: PixelopusGenre: Adventure

Reasons to buy

+Heartfelt story+Beautifully stylised+Creative and imaginative

Concrete Genie offers an enchanting, creatively unique experience using the DualShock 4’s motion sensor controls to paint. Yep, that’s right, you create beautiful artwork by tilting your controller in different directions. While it sounds like a bit of an unconventional way to compose art, it actually works really well. Pixelopus offers a deeply heartwarming adventure that explores the impact of an environmental disaster on a now abandoned seaside town. You play a young bullied teenager called Ash who discovers a magical paintbrush that has the power to restore the town and bring his artwork to life. The story also touches on the issue of bullying with sensitivity, and it also shows you a different side to the bullies that you might not expect to see. 

18. Yakuza 6

The other great crime sim on PS4

Specifications

Release Date: 2018Developer: SegaGenre: Action RPG

Reasons to buy

+Enhanced for PS4 Pro+Fully localised for the US and UK+Massive game, so great value

If you’ve never experienced the PS4 exclusive Yakuza series… what the hell have you been doing with your gaming life? It’s time to rectify that mistake with the latest Yakuza. No, really, the sixth core outing for the series is actually one of the best places to start as it does a great job of telling the story so far, while offering the best action and elements from previous games in one, meaty adventure. It’s essentially an action-RPG set in Japan, where you play as ex-Yakuza boss Kazuma Kiryu, who is now a good guy fighting for his adopted children and the people of his town. There are mini-game distractions galore, loads of wonderful side-stories to experience, and a gripping overall narrative.

17. Street Fighter 5

The fighting legend finds a home on PS4

Specifications

Release Date: 2016Developer: CapcomGenre: Fighting

Reasons to buy

+Massive list of characters+Also available on PC+Compatible with fightsticks

It might’ve launched in relatively rough shape, but after over a year of additional content, new characters, and countless refinements, Street Fighter 5 (opens in new tab) has realized its full potential as a phenomenal fighting game. Its ever-growing roster of unique characters has the perfect fit for any playstyle, and the inventive V-Skill and V-Trigger systems add another layer of excitement and strategic depth to each intense match. Whether you go with an old favorite like Ryu or opt for an oddball newcomer like Necalli, Street Fighter 5 delivers more of the infinite replayability and limitless skill ceiling you’ve come to expect from Capcom’s fan-favorite fighting game series.

16. inFamous: Second Son

A superhero adventure that’s not to be missed

Specifications

Release Date: 2014Developer: Sucker PunchGenre: Action adventure

Reasons to buy

+Brilliant superhero action+Great use of the DualShock 4+Top notch graphics, despite it’s PS4 launch date release

Reasons to avoid

-Empty List

Despite the fact it was one of the original PS4 launch games, inFamous: Second Son is a wonderful example of how technical tweaks for the PS4 Pro release can change the quality of a game dramatically. Sucker Punch’s brilliant smoke-fuelled superhero story looks fantastic even four years after release, and its tale of origins, family, and brotherhood is still one of my favourite PS4 games to date. It make Seattle your playground, and nothing feels quite as good as chaining together attacks with your newly found powers to stop the big bad that’s threatening your town, and your family. Utterly brilliant. 

15. The Last of Us Remastered

The best game story ever told

Specifications

Release Date: 2014Developer: Naughty DogGenre: Action adventure

Reasons to buy

+One of the best game storylines of all time+Looks fantastic on Pro+Epic stealth sections

Reasons to avoid

-Empty List

Okay, okay, so technically The Last of Us was one of the best PS3 games (opens in new tab), but it’s tricky to compile a list of the best PS4 exclusives without at least mentioning this fantastic remaster. Not only do you get the original The Last of Us game in glorious 4K if you’re rocking a PS4 Pro, but you also get a load of additional content bundled in as well. Naughty Dog’s post-apocalyptic tale is still one of the best video game stories (opens in new tab) ever told. So if you’ve not experienced Ellie and Joel’s tale yet, settle back (although not too far, this is a tense game with mutants in it), and immerse yourself in one of the best games of all time. 

14. Tearaway Unfolded

A papercraft adventure where you’re the star

Specifications

Release Date: 2015Developer: Media MoleculeGenre: Platformer adventure

Reasons to buy

+Best use of the DualShock 4’s unique feature+Adorable papercraft world+Puts you right in the game

Reasons to avoid

-Empty List

Tearaway Unfolded is one of those rare games that is a sheer delight from start to finish. Its beautiful paper craft world is one that you’re immersed in from the get go, using the touchpad on the DualShock 4 to draw and craft your own creations that get placed inside the game. And, the more you play, the more the world of Tearaway Unfolded becomes a reflection of your artistic talents. Trust me, you don’t need many, thank the PlayStation Gods, but even a shambled together star adds some pizzazz to this already stunning world. Of course, there’s a story here too – it’s not all scissors and glue work – and it’s up to you to help rid the world of the evil Scraps and restore order once and for all. Meet some adorable creatures along the way, make friends, earn yourself some sticks and poke and prod the world using the power of the DualShock 4, and more in this unique PS4 exclusive adventure. 

13. Ratchet and Clank

A wonderful remaster of the PS2 classic

Specifications

Release Date: 2016Developer: Insomniac GamesGenre: Action adventure

Reasons to buy

+An animated space odyssey+Brilliantly silly weapons and story+A PS2 classic brought into the present day

Reasons to avoid

-Empty List

If you played Ratchet and Clank back in the days of the PS2, you know how amazing the duo’s adventures are. This oddity of a space odyssey will have you chuckling at the ridiculousness of the guns, groaning at the brilliantly awful jokes, and dazzling at the stunning world that Insomniac Games has created, with a colour palette to make any galaxy jealous. This is absolutely the magic of the original brought onto the PS4 in a beautiful remaster that proves that games don’t need to be totally overhauled to be brought onto current gen consoles. This is fun, imaginative and utterly wonderful.

12. Uncharted: The Lost Legacy

The female-led Uncharted that you absolutely have to play

Specifications

Release Date: 2017Developer: Naughty DogGenre: Action adventure

Reasons to buy

+Incredibly compelling fresh protagonists+Storyline is one of the best in the series+Absolutely stunning visuals

Reasons to avoid

-Empty List

While Nathan Drake has been the face of the Uncharted series since it debuted in 2007 on the PS3, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy (opens in new tab) is all about giving someone else a turn. Drake moves aside to let two female characters from the series – both former villains/double crossers, I might add – in the form of Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross. The two women are a compelling double act that still retain the feisty, tongue-in-cheek antics that’s synonymous with the Uncharted series, but with a fresh take on the boisterous bromance of Sully and Drake. Brilliant set pieces, top notch puzzles, and a touch of the supernatural all add up to make this an Uncharted spin-off that could just be the start of a new Uncharted tale. 

11. Shadow of the Colossus

Epic monsters on an epic console

Specifications

Release Date: 2018Developer: Team IcoGenre: Action adventure

Reasons to buy

+Atmospheric and intriguing world building+Cinematic and thrilling boss battles+Monsters look fantastic

Reasons to avoid

-Empty List

Shadow of the Colossus (opens in new tab) is one of those games that everyone wanted to be remastered for years upon years. And then it happened. Announced at E3 2017, but arrived in February 2018, this is the kind of game that makes huge ripples in the gaming industry, because it still felt as thought-provoking and artistic as it did when it originally released some 13 years earlier on the PS2. This is a genuine slice of gaming history, and you owe it to yourself to experience it. 

Turn to page two to see which titles fall into our ultimate top 10 best PS4 exclusives…

10. Ghost of Tsushima

A beautiful swan song for the PS4

Specifications

Release Date: 2020Developer: Sucker PunchGenre: Open world

Reasons to buy

+Empty List

Reasons to avoid

-Empty List

You’ll be thankful for every minute you spend in the beautiful, full, and surprisingly chill world of Ghost of Tsushima. Sucker Punch’s latest takes an Assassin’s Creed-style Japan, adds a Red Dead Redemption 2-sized world, and blends in an entire library’s worth of Akira Kurosawa movies to create this tribute to the Japanese culture is so clearly reveres. This is a fantastic swan song for the PS4.

09. Detroit: Become Human

One of the smartest narrative games ever made

Specifications

Release Date: 2018Developer: Quantic DreamGenre: Adventure

Reasons to buy

+Enhanced for PS4 Pro+So many endings to see+Looks incredible

The latest game to join this exclusive club, Detroit: Become Human is a tour de force of storytelling. It follows the story of three Androids, who all break their programming to become ‘free’ in the year 2038. As well as looking insanely pretty, this game does some interesting things with player choice – not only do you genuinely feel in control of the destiny of each character, but you’re also made aware of the different story paths you could have taken at the end of each level. It’s light on action, but heavy on talking, but that’s the point here. Once you invest in the various characters, and their struggles, you’ll be hooked… and you’ll genuinely fret over some of the game’s tougher moral choices.

08. Persona 5

One of the finest JRPGs around

Specifications

Release Date: 2016Developer: AtlusGenre: JRPG

Reasons to buy

+A classic JRPG+Masses of depth+Looks amazing

Playing Persona 5 (opens in new tab) borders on overstimulation due to its sheer sense of style, where everything from the colorful visuals and snazzy soundtrack to the vibrant menus and peppy voice acting is vying for your rapt attention. This accessible-yet-deep JRPG is like a playable anime, following a group of Japanese high schoolers who become empowered as the Phantom Thieves, bettering society by stealing the coveted items corrupting the hearts of delusional adults. Whether you’re infiltrating the psychological palaces of your chosen target or simply hanging out and building friendships via a wide variety of after-school activities, Persona 5 offers over 100 hours of joy to anyone with even the slightest affinity for JRPG adventures. And yes, you can technically play it on PS3 – but then you’d be missing out on that sweet, sweet 1080p resolution.

07. The Last Guardian

A sweeping epic that began life on PS3

Specifications

Release Date: 2016Developer: SonyGenre: Adventure

Reasons to buy

+Enhanced for PS4 Pro+Prequel to Shadow of the Colossus+Unique story

Fumito Ueda’s games are renowned for the way they stir the player’s emotions and sense of wonderment, and after years of waiting and wondering if it would ever see the light of day, The Last Guardian (opens in new tab) lives up to the same high standard as Ico and Shadow of the Colossus. You play as a young boy marooned among ancient ruins, befriending a humongous bird/dog hybrid named Trico as the two of you make your way towards freedom. Trico’s unique, at times disobedient, AI makes him feel like a truly living creature you need to coax and cooperate with in order to solve a variety of third-person puzzles, creating a bond between player and animal that’s not unlike the companionship of a real-world pet. 

06. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

Nathan Drake’s latest and greatest

Specifications

Release Date: 2016Developer: Naughty DogGenre: Adventure

Reasons to buy

+Enhanced for PS4 Pro+Incredible looking game+Cracking multiplayer options

Like all the greatest action movies, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (opens in new tab) knows when to balance explosive set-pieces and riveting car chases with quieter moments of human drama and warmth. Nathan Drake’s still a lovable modern-day Indiana Jones, hunting for treasure and evading armed goons with panache, but watching him interact with his loved ones – Elena, Sully, and even his newly introduced brother Sam, all brought to life via fantastic mocapped performances – is more rewarding than the discovery of any ancient secret. Uncharted 4 is a fitting end for Nathan’s story, and playing it feels like completing the satisfying final chapter in a beloved adventure book that’s made an indelible mark on your heart.

05. Bloodborne

From the creators of the Dark Souls series

Specifications

Release Date: 2015Developer: FromSoftwareGenre: Action RPG

Reasons to buy

+Super hardcore game+Amazing gothic atmosphere+Going cheap in 2018

The night is dark and full of terrors, the majority of which will mercilessly kill you in seconds if you’re not careful. But that’s a risk you’ll just have to take to explore and experience Bloodborne (opens in new tab)‘s gorgeous gothic city of Yharnam, the setting for From Software’s brilliant spin-off that experiments with the studio’s own Dark Souls designs. This elegant third-person action RPG opts for a quicker pace of play compared to classic Souls without devaluing the need for constant caution and alertness, lest you fall prey to a diverse range of horrific monsters lurking through the Victorian-era environments. The dual forms of each melee weapon, mixed with the careful timing of pistol-enabled parries, gives you even more room to express your preferred fighting style as you claw your way from one memorable boss encounter or picturesque vista to the next, guided (or hostilely invaded) by the ghosts of other players.    

• Need the best PS4 headset (opens in new tab)? We’ve got you covered
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• And here’s a list of all the enhanced PS4 Pro games (opens in new tab)

04. Marvel’s Spider-Man

The greatest superhero game of the generation

Reasons to buy

+Movement is incredible+Looks amazing+Loads to do

Reasons to avoid

-Empty List

Easily the best superhero game of recent years, Spider-Man is an absolute storming exclusive for PS4. It looks incredible, is stuffed full of things to see and do, and it feels glorious to play. From the moment you take your first swing around NYC, to the later stages when you’re mixing together movement, combat, and powers this is an absolute delight to just sit and play. The story is gripping, funny, and genuinely surprising in places, and the presentation is slick as hell. It very much captures the spirit of both the comics and the new Marvel versions of Spidey. If you’re looking for something brand new, which will wow your friends and keep you playing for weeks and weeks… this is the one for you.

03. Horizon Zero Dawn

An incredible open-world adventure

Specifications

Release Date: 2017Developer: Guerrilla GamesGenre: Adventure

Reasons to buy

+Enhanced for PS4 Pro+Beautiful photo mode+A massive adventure

We’ve seen far too many desolate, lifeless, post-apocalyptic wastelands in games, to the point where they’ve become as dreary as the crumbling world they portray. But Horizon Zero Dawn (opens in new tab) dares to push far, far beyond the fall of modern society to give us a glimpse at a new chapter for humanity, where primitive tribes have slowly begun to rebuild among unique species of sentient, robotic wildlife that roam and own the now-verdant ruins of metropolitan areas. You explore Horizon’s expansive, enchanting open world as Aloy, an instantly likeable lead who’s a capable and courageous hunter in this far-future frontier. Establishing diplomatic relations with other human tribes, exploring the breathtaking environment (and capturing Kodak moments with the delightful photo mode (opens in new tab)), hunting down every last secret tucked away in the sprawling landscape, trying to bag yourself a massive dino-like Thunderjaw – whatever you set out to do in Horizon Zero Dawn, it’s going to be incredible.

02. God of War

The best action PS4 title

Specifications

Release Date: 2018Developer: Sony Santa MonicaGenre: Adventure

Reasons to buy

+Enhanced for PS4 Pro+Looks incredible+A brilliant, action-filled story

Yes, it’s that good. The latest God of War, which essentially reboots the franchise and takes it to a whole new setting, is the best game you can play on PS4. And that’s something we may well be saying until PS5 inevitably rolls out. Ditching the linear action structure of the originals, this outing lets you explore a fully realised, utterly beautiful Norse world, picking fights and solving puzzles as you go. The story is both well written and well paced, with Kratos far more than a one-dimensional murder-machine now. Enemies are well constructed too, and the combat is just as fluid and thrilling as it always was. There are heaps of things to discover, and each new area is more jaw-dropping and feature-packed than the next. Only Horizon comes close to showing the power and versatility of the PlayStation in the same way, making God of War an essential purchase for anyone with a Dualshock in their hands and a hankering for a fresh experience. 

01. Last of Us Part 2

The best PS4 exclusive ever

Specifications

Release date: 2020Developer: Naughty DogGenre: Action

Reasons to buy

+Powerful storytelling+Fierce, brutal combat+Ingenious level design

Naughty Dog has closed out the PS4 generation with its most ambitious game to date. Not only does this exclusive justify its existence as the sequel none of us thought we needed, but it’s an outstanding achievement in its own right. Visually astonishing, absurdly ambitious, and utterly epic in scale, The Last of Us Part 2 (opens in new tab) is a game that will be a part of you for many, many years to come.

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The post The 20 best PS4 exclusives appeared first on Game News.

Most of the image is darkness with a few birds circling around a pillar of light. The source is found at the base of the image: a young woman lifting herself up from a stone dais. Her nigh-luminescence and white gown evoke Yorda from Ico, which was also directed by Gen Design founder Fumito Ueda, though the stark shadows indicate that she’s reflecting light rather than emitting it. A series of steps leads down and to the right, where something big rests on the landing. Something a bit furry? Not Trico furry, no, but it has a good coat going on. And instead of weird dog-bird paws, this thing has a hand. There also might be a leg and even a chin, but it’s too dark to be sure.

ResetEra (opens in new tab) user Rösti poked a bit deeper into the image’s source script, which revealed a layer named “Beauty and the Beast 2018.” Don’t get your hopes up about a title reveal, that’s probably just a codename or overt reference to the image’s contents (though I wouldn’t be surprised if Disney’s lawyers are already drafting up the C&D letter just in case).

The Last Guardian took seven years to arrive after it was first announced in 2009. Hopefully the turnaround time on this new project – whatever it turns out to be – is much shorter!

The post The Last Guardian devs have put up a new teaser – meet a different kind of Beauty and Beast appeared first on Game News.

It’s easy to take Spielberg for granted, given that he’s been the accepted architect of so much of our cultural landscape since the ‘70s. But in that regard, I say to us all, ‘How dare you be so complacent?’ A bona fide master and pioneer of the medium, Spielberg continues to provide both the warmest, most reassuring pop culture touchstones, and some of modern cinema’s most significant, weighty, and relevant productions. Even as we speak, he’s attached to five major projects (opens in new tab), including a new Indiana Jones film, with little sign of letting up. And he never even seems to blink when changing gear.

So, after such a long time, and such a consistently brilliant track-record (even substandard Spielberg is better than 90% of films out there), what’s his secret, when so many other directors burn out after a handful of movies, if they even approach his level of quality at all? It’s impossible to distil such talent into a simple equation – otherwise everyone would be Spielberg, and they certainly aren’t – but one bizarrely easy-to-overlook factor is that he just has a real, unwavering instinct for storytelling, character, visual impact, and all the places that the three meet. These, fundamentally, are the bones of all good film-making, and they’re all-too-often ignored in far too many movies. But never by Spielberg. Whether delivering important political message or thrilling dinosaur spectacle, the man always focuses on what matters. David Houghton

What: Steven Spielberg’s 71st birthday
Where: Everywhere
When: December 18

• E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial – Looking back at Spielberg’s genre-defining classic, 35 years on from release (opens in new tab)
• Here’s every Easter egg in the Ready Player One trailer we could find (opens in new tab)
• What makes Indiana Jones the greatest movie character ever? (opens in new tab)

2) Is GTA Online: The Doomsday Heist paving a trail to the launch of Red Dead Redemption 2?

After four years of GTA Online, Rockstar has dropped the most boombastic update yet with The Doomsday Heist (opens in new tab). Completing a series of new missions involving orbital lasers and flying cars leads to the heist finale, which resolves the long running Mount Chiliad mystery by busting open its previous inaccessible vault and stealing the GTA holy grail – a jet pack! By tying up a loose end of that magnitude, it’s hard not to see this as the last big content addition to GTA Online, but with Red Dead Redemption 2 (opens in new tab) looming on the horizon that shouldn’t be a surprise. No online mode has been confirmed for RDR2 as yet but it would be unfathomable to suggest it won’t happen, so it makes sense for Rockstar to move its online focus to the next project. It’s easy to see how the mechanics established in GTA Online would transfer to Red Dead Redemption – crews become posses, CEOs and MC Presidents are gang leaders, heists revolve around train robberies and bank hold ups – and the years of experience should mean RDR Online gets off to the best possible start. Iain Wilson

What: The Doomsday Heist
Where: GTA Online
When: Now

• GTA Online: The Doomsday Heist – “Explosive set-pieces intersect with thrilling absurdities” (opens in new tab)
• Still wishing for GTA 5’s story DLC? GTA: Online’s The Doomsday Heist is out now, and it’s the next best thing (opens in new tab)
• Red Dead Redemption 2 – Outlaws, trailers, and everything you need to know (opens in new tab)

3) How will Life is Strange: Before The Storm deal with the fact its biggest choice has already been made?

I’m loving Life Is Strange: Before The Storm. This three episode prequel has more warmth and heart than the original, even if it repeats a handful of the themes and locations. The final episode launches on Tuesday 19 December, and the biggest challenge it faces is telling a compelling story where we already know the end. Not only that, but the first couple of episodes have made such a virtue of both choice and the adorable, burgeoning relationship between Chloe and Rachel, that it’s going to be so tough for this final chapter to give us satisfying pay-offs to either. Because we know what happens, our choices ultimately won’t change the outcome, which renders them a little meaningless. Right? Maybe the point is that games are more about the journey, rather than the destination, and in an age where we’re often rushing to reach the end, Before The Storm could be one of few titles that reminds us to slow down and enjoy the moment, especially if the ending is all set to be so tragic. I certainly hope so, and can’t wait to settle back into Arcadia Bay next week. Andy Hartup

What: The final episode of Life Is Strange: Before The Storm
Where: PS4, Xbox One, PC
When: 19 December, globally

• Crafting Chloe’s heartfelt story in Life is Strange: Before the Storm (opens in new tab)
• Life is Strange: Before the Storm understands how grief can be mistaken for teen angst, and how it can completely change you (opens in new tab)
• GamesRadar’s Life Is Strange review (opens in new tab)

4) Will Star Wars Battlefront 2’s Resurrection story chapter stop everyone talking about loot boxes? 

Look, we get it. The internet was not happy about the way Star Wars: Battlefront 2’s multiplayer progression structure worked. But today, we want to talk about the next phase of the game itself, which has just been released as free DLC. The update adds a nice, faction-war style, side-choosing dynamic to the multiplayer, but more interesting is the Star Wars Battlefront 2 Resurrection (opens in new tab) story chapter, which moves the campaign’s tale away from the cameo-packed Original Trilogy storytelling of the vanilla game, and into a pre-Force Awakens area all of its own. Finally starting to feel like a real, legit chunk of Star Wars in its own right, the Resurrection side-story is very much part of the bigger, sequel trilogy narrative, and perhaps sets the foundation for Battlefront 2 to go ahead as its own, episodic corner of Star Wars canon. The gameplay might not be revelatory, but as a chunk of Star Wars ‘gaiden’ storytelling along the likes of the comics, novels, or even Rogue One, it seems that Battlefront 2 could become rather compelling in the future, should the frequency and price-point of updates hit the right balance. David Houghton 

What: Star Wars: Battlefront 2 Resurrection DLC
Where: PS4, Xbox One, PC
When: Out now

• Star Wars: Battlefront 2 review  (opens in new tab)
• Star Wars: Battlefront 2’s Resurrection expansion might not reinvent the game, but it is a great foundation for fresh, future storytelling (opens in new tab)
• 8 things I wish I knew before playing Star Wars Battlefront 2 (opens in new tab)

5) Does The Last Guardian work in virtual reality?

PlayStation announced The Last Guardian (opens in new tab) VR Demo and PlayStation Experience last week, and as soon as the show opened I elbowed my way to the front of the queue to try it out. And it delivers. It delivers what I’ve really wanted since I first caught a glimpse of Trico’s feathery butt all those years ago, the chance to give him a stroke and ride on his back. The demo is short and simple, but gives you a hit of Trico right to the veins. You can call him, pick up barrels to feed him, and climb him to reach platforms. Perform these very simple tasks and you’re rewarded with the stomach flipping VR experience of riding him like a pony, as he jumps and jogs across the game’s sun dappled landscape. It’s free, it’s delightful, and it’s the perfect way to show off VR to your family once Christmas cabin fever sets in. 

What: The Last Guardian VR Demo
Where: PSVR
When: Out now 

• The Last Guardian review: “A fulfilling adventure, but framerate issues intrude.” (opens in new tab)
• The Last Guardian’s Trico is gaming’s perfect pet and a truly smart piece of design (opens in new tab)
• Best PlayStation VR games (opens in new tab)

6) What’s going to happen now Disney is buying 20th Century Fox?

You’ve probably heard about Disney buying 20th Century Fox (for a cool $52.4 billion) and wondered why everyone can’t stop talking about it. It’s just two companies merging, right? Well, yes… but when those companies are two of the biggest movie and TV power houses in the world and own most of the major entertainment franchises between them, it suddenly becomes a lot clearer why you should care. Everyone’s going to be watching to see how the acquisition affects the entertainment we watch from Star Wars to The Simpsons, and there’s already been talk of the X-Men, Deadpool, and the Fantastic Four joining the MCU. In fact, the closer you look into it, the more interesting this deal becomes. The exact details haven’t been released yet, but there’s a good chance Disney will have a say in anything from the streaming service Hulu, to James Cameron’s planned Avatar sequels and more. Watch this space. Lauren O’Callaghan

What: Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox
Where: Everywhere
When: Now

• Deadpool in the MCU and 7 other things that could happen now Disney is buying Fox (opens in new tab)
• How Disney is treating Star Wars like Marvel… in the wrong way (opens in new tab)
• The 25 best Disney songs to make your heart go bippidy-boppidy-boop (opens in new tab)

7) Netflix has another brilliant crime drama that’s vying to be your next Making a Murder 

Calling all true crime fans. Netflix has gifted you plenty of fantastic crime dramas and documentaries ranging from Making a Murderer, to The Keepers and Mindhunter (opens in new tab), and now there’s a brand new docu-drama demanding your attention. Wormwood arrives on Netflix on Friday, December 15, and it’s all about the CIA conspiracy known as MK-Ultra. The story goes that the CIA was using LSD as a truth serum as part of a secret Cold War program. The truth though, goes much, much deeper. With legendary filmmaker Errol Morris (famous for The thin Blue Line and The Fog of War) behind the lens here, it’s clear this is Netflix aiming for another success like Making of a Murderer. And with appetite for true crime at an all time high, thanks to podcasts like My Favorite Murder, Serial, S Town and Last Podcast on the Left, as well as TV content like this, Wormwood will definitely be worth adding to your watch list right away. Sam Loveridge

What: Wormwood
Where: Netflix
When: Friday, December 15

• The 10 wildest fan theories about Making a Murderer (opens in new tab)
• Best true crime documentaries (opens in new tab)
• 5 reasons why Netflix’s Mindhunter isn’t like other shows about serial killers (opens in new tab)

8) The Predator is coming to Ghost Recon Wildlands – Is this the new future for keeping online multiplayer fresh?

One of the bigger surprises this week has been the announcement that Ubisoft is adding the Predator to the previously otherwise straight laced Ghost Recon. Not only will players be able to hunt and (try to) defeat the galaxy’s greatest hunter, but they can play as him in a new PvP mode, and unlock exclusive stuff like the helmet, complete with heat vision, or those nasty extendable wrist blades. It’s described as “the most difficult fight in all Ghost Recon Wildlands” and basically seems to be one big fan serving love-in from the dev team to the movie. On the one hand it’s slightly odd given Wildlands previous focus on the authenticity and scale of its Bolivian setting. But, on the other, it’s a fun addition that, while… let’s say unexpected, takes the basic mechanics of the game and gives its a really interesting spin. It’s something more games should try as, often, DLC can extend the experience without changing it. More experimental expansions like this could bring in new players just as much as satisfy the existing ones. Be quick though, you’ve only got until “early January.” Leon Hurley

What: Ghost Recon Wildlands
Where: Coming to PS4, Xbox One and PC as free DLC
When: Now

• Ghost Recon: Wildlands review: “A stunning open world, brutal combat and deep customization” (opens in new tab)
• The story behind Predator (opens in new tab)
• 8 things I wish I knew before starting Ghost Recon: Wildlands (opens in new tab)

8 Things to Watch This Week is published every Friday at 16.00 GMT / 11.00 ET / 08.00 PT. Follow @gamesradar (opens in new tab) on Twitter for the latest updates.

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More than anything, Trico’s behaviour is gloriously random. Sometimes it listens to its kid companion, and will merrily carry him over precarious bridges, parapets and crumbling towers. Other times, it flat out ignores the boy, instead choosing to take a gigantic nap, go for a little wander or throw a hissy fit in the hopes of being fed. 

Naturally, not everyone is a fan of the creature’s unwillingness to play ball, with some interpreting Trico’s refusal to immediately obey commands as a design flaw or glitch. It’s understandable. After all, many modern games are so irrevocably tethered to the notion of making design decisions aimed at creating the path of least resistance for players that they’re desperate to assist you in the most hand-holding fashion possible. Viewed from this perspective, it’s easy to understand why some players view Trico’s stubborn, unruly behaviour as a mangled by-product of The Last Guardian’s tortuous development cycle. 

You know what I say to that? Poppycock. Well, I’d actually like to type something a good deal swearier, but Trico’s delicate Ratchet-esque ears need to be protected. The point is, director Fumito Ueda has admitted he deliberately designed the monster’s AI to be unpredictable. When the beast ignores your flustered calls it’s not the game bugging out on you. No, it’s a core thematic choice that’s absolutely crucial to the integrity of The Last Guardian’s central premise. Namely, bossing a big-ass monster about shouldn’t be a cakewalk. 

Personally, I love those times when Trico opts to ignore the boy in favour of lazily lounging around like the world’s largest poodle… albeit a poodle with talons that make the ones on Jurassic Park (opens in new tab)’s velociraptors look like blunt nail files. Anyone who owns a dog or cat (especially the former) can identify with those moments when their four-legged pal chooses to rebel against all those hours of training in order to steal scraps from your plate, lick their bits or get distracted inhaling the fumes of a shed-sized cauldron of magic green goo…

Alright, maybe that last one’s just Trico.

Pets can be stubborn so-and-so’s that often do what they like in spite of their master’s commands. This sense of pig-headedness, of continually displaying independent thought is what makes Trico such a disarming, ever fascinating companion throughout The Last Guardian. Every time it goes for an impromptu dip in a pool or decides to lie down because all this ‘let’s escape a giant fantasy sinkhole business’ is too much hassle, that’s the creature showing genuine autonomy. It’s in these moments, when the monstrous sidekick decides to do its own thing, that I truly buy into Trico being a real flesh-and-blood compadre, and not some soulless mass of cuddly virtual feathers.

During my first playthrough of The Last Guardian, I actually got pretty lucky. My enormous chum followed orders first time more often than not, and even when it didn’t a little gentle coaxing was usually enough to make him transport the boy to where I wanted. Even if you’ve not been so fortunate and Trico has acted like a spoilt kid being dragged around a supermarket during your time with the game, there’s no denying the creature shows the one quality that defines all good pets when the shizzle really splatters the fan: loyalty.

In a pinch, when the kid is threatened, Trico is always there. When its tiny friend is being kidnapped by possessed suits of armour it continually throws itself into the line of fire without a second thought for its own well-being. Pointy spears in the keester? Screw that, my tiny amigo needs me! A few dozen pesky lacerations by way of sword stabbings? ‘Tis but a flesh wound. Now move aside, the boy needs rescuing. 

This sort of unconditional love from an animal is something all good pet owners can relate to. When Trico swoops in to save the day, it reminds me of those times I’ve had a shitty day and Bunk will lovingly curl up at my feet to try and turn my frown upside down – yes, I named my labrador after a homicide detective from The Wire. What of it? 

Such loyalty and selflessness makes Trico the perfect video game pet, in the process strengthening The Last Guardian’s beguiling central friendship to the point where Ueda’s much delayed adventure is one of the most emotionally enriching games on PS4. Regardless of whether Trico is being a bit of a disobedient dick or if it’s instinctively saving the boy from peril, I’m always reminded of how much I love my real dog. 

Sure, he can’t lay the smackdown on reanimated suits of armour, conjure lightning from his tail or leap dozens of feet in the air, yet every time my pup decides to ignore my calls in favour of stealing a biscuit or whimpers when I leave his sight, Trico always springs to mind. The lesson: The Last Guardian’s massive cat/dog/eagle monster is basically a small black labrador at heart. Who knew?

The post The Last Guardian’s Trico is gamings perfect pet and a truly smart piece of design appeared first on Game News.

Here’s the message in full: 

Dear Adventurers

It’s been a long time coming, but I take great pleasure (and relief!) in knowing that The Last Guardian is in your hands. 

When we first began work on The Last Guardian, I intended it to take from and build on our experience working on ICO and Shadow of the Colossus, making it something akin to a greatest hits album. Unfortunately, as you know, we ran into a few twists and turns along the way, and the title took longer than anyone expected. Still, just as ICO and Shadow of the Colossus are truly unique games, so too is The Last Guardian an experience unlike any other. 

As you play, take the time to stop and enjoy the scenery as you follow these unlikely companions on their journey. And you definitely won’t want to miss the ending. 

The development team and I hope you all have a wonderful time with The Last Guardian. Nothing would make us happier. 

Fumito Ueda

As well as that touching little message the press kit also contained that feather, and a bunch of concept art and notes. Take a look at it all in the gallery.

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“The project has been making progress, but slow progress,” Yoshida explained. “So that’s tough, but we haven’t changed any focus. It’s still a really important project and a vision we want to see realized, and Fumito’s vision is really causing a very difficult challenge for the developers, so there’s some scrapping and rebuilding — iteration in the process. That’s why [it’s taking so long].”

Yoshida also confirmed Uedo was still very much involved in the development of The Last Guardian despite his change of position, adding, “Absolutely. Absolutely. He comes in every day, and he’s probably one of the people who works the longest hours.”

The Last Guardian was first introduced by Team Ico back in May 2009 after years of speculation, and has spent the last few years teasing gamers with promises of Ico-ish adventures and monster eagles since. The last we heard, Sony was anticipating a late 2012 release, but we think a 2013 appearance is more likely (opens in new tab). That’s not to say we wouldn’t be happy to be proven wrong.

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