Month: January 2018

The Keanu Reeves movie series is coming to the small screen, but there are certain things the show needs to do in order to maintain that special Wick magic.

[Update 2] After a brief period of stability gaming and social services have become disrupted again. Sony’s PlayStation Network service status page once again notes that “you may have some difficulty launching games, applications or online features.”

[Update] Gaming and social services are slowly stabilizing. The PlayStation Network service page now lists them as online.

[Original story] For the third time this week, PlayStation Network is experiencing issues for users on PS4 and PS3. Account management and PlayStation Now are having trouble, but, more importantly, gaming and social services are also disrupted. This means that “you may have some difficulty launching games, applications or online features.”

While the Ask PlayStation Twitter account hasn’t acknowledged the issues yet, Sony’s network service status website confirms that there are ongoing problems. The timing is less than ideal given that Bandai Namco’s Dragon Ball FighterZ and Capcom’s Monster Hunter: World launched this week, and both are games that rely on PlayStation Network for multiplayer.

As of yet there hasn’t been any indication of when we can expect full connectivity to be restored, but Sony’s service status site says “engineers are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible.” Earlier this week, the problems lasted for several hours, though it’s difficult to say whether this will also be the case for the latest spell of issues.

Thankfully, both Dragon Ball FighterZ and Monster Hunter: World have offline gameplay modes, and they’re pretty good. You can read all about them in our Dragon Ball FighterZ review and Monster Hunter World review.

This week, New Releases takes a month-wide look at some of the biggest games launching in February. Leading the charge is a totally rebuilt Shadow of the Colossus on PS4, followed closely by the hack-and-slash action of Dynasty Warriors 9. Meanwhile, Bayonetta 1 and 2 are debuting on Nintendo Switch, while Metal Gear Survive looks to take the series in a very different direction.

[Note: This episode also includes Dissidia Final Fantasy NT. It releases on PS4 on January 30.]

Shadow of the Colossus — February 6

Available on: PS4

If you missed out any of Shadow’s previous releases, here’s your chance to play the prettiest, best performing version. It’s the same giant-slaying adventure it’s always been, but now with PS4 Pro support and pretty new visual filters.

Further Reading:

• PS4’s Shadow Of The Colossus Remaster Lets You Mess With Its Look Using These Filters

• Shadow Of The Colossus Looks And Feels Better Than Ever In PS4 Remake

Dynasty Warriors 9 — February 13

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC

The latest entry in the long-running franchise is mixing things up with a new open-world approach. This time, you can traverse China at your own pace, initiating those giant historical battles when you please. New day/night and dynamic weather cycles will affect your strategies too.

Further Reading:

• New Dynasty Warriors 9 Images Reveal Story, Character Details

• Dynasty Warriors 9 Confirmed For PS4, Xbox One, And PC

Bayonetta 1 & 2 — February 16

Available on: Switch

Bayonetta 3 was announced for Nintendo’s hybrid console, but if you missed out on the first two, here’s you chance to catch up. If you’ve already completed the journey, it’s a chance to jump back into Witch Time and throw down with another army of angels.

Further Reading:

• Bayonetta 2 On Nintendo Switch Will Have Amiibo Support
• Bayonetta 1 And 2 Headed To Nintendo Switch Early Next Year, Before Bayonetta 3

Metal Gear Survive — February 20

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC

The first Metal Gear game without Hideo Kojima at the wheel is very different from Snake’s sneaking missions. This open-world survival game is all about scavenging for resources to build weapons and defenses. You can take the challenge solo or with friends in co-op.

Further Reading:

• Metal Gear Survive Requires A Constant Internet Connection, Has Microtransactions

• Metal Gear Survive Story Mode Impressions – No Snakes In Sight

Capcom has announced it will be introducing Street Fighter V‘s Ryu and Sakura into Monster Hunter: World, allowing players to acquire armor sets that reskin them to look like the two World Warriors. As detailed on the Capcom Unity blog, those that have a Street Fighter V save data file on their PS4 will be able to embark on the quest get Ryu first, before it becomes available to everyone else.

“In just a few weeks, we’ll be featuring the quest to get Ryu’s set as an exclusive early opportunity to PS4 players that also have a save data file from Street Fighter V (including Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition),” Capcom explained.

“Hunters with that save data will receive a special quest called ‘Down the Dark, Muddy Path.’ Just channel your fighting spirit, complete that quest and you’ll get ‘SFV Tickets’ as the special reward item. Bring that, along with other necessary materials, to the Smithy and you got yourself a Ryu armor set.”

Everyone else “won’t have to wait much longer,” according to Capcom. An Event Quest for Ryu’s armor set will “go back in rotation for all players at a later date,” though a specific date has not yet been announced. After that, two new Event Quests will then be added to the game for all players on both PS4 and Xbox One to allow Ryu and Sakura’s armor sets to be crafted using SFV Tickets.

In addition to the character models, a number of premium gestures and Chat Stamp sets will be available to buy, including the iconic Hadoken and Shoruken. You can find details on these below.

• Guild Card: Bonus Stage (Free)
• Achievements: Rival, Destined, Living Legend and Bandana Girl (Free)
• Pose: Shoryuken & Hadoken (Free)
• Gesture: Street Fighter V Hadoken ($3.99)
• Gesture: Street Fighter V Shoryuken ($3.99)
• Stamp Set: Street Fighter V Set – ($1.99)

This is the second crossover between the two titles. To celebrate the launch of Monster Hunter World Capcom announced three crossover costumes for Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition for PS4 and PC. The costumes are based on three armor sets you can get in Monster Hunter for Ken, R. Mika, and Ibuki.

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