Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

This game doesn’t get what it means to be a superhero, full stop. Incremental powerups to characters who should already be suited to high-level meant this generic paint-by-numbers shooter was always destined to underwhelm. Most disappointing with Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League though is the fact Rocksteady were at the helm. The Arkham developers crafted multiplayer shooter when atmospheric single players are their bread and butter. The reported $200 million loss on the game hasn’t perturbed WB Games though who seem strangely hellbent on going all-in on live service for their future titles.

And off we went, sprinting continuously, through darkness and eventually early morning, crossing the genuinely impressive bridge that I crafted earlier with wood, rope, thatch and, for some reason, a single meat skewer. I saw a villager with an icon over their head off to the side, and, like a flipping idiot, I stopped to check if they had a quest.

Due to the makeup of the bridge in that particular spot, I fell through into the water, where I ran out of stamina from swimming and died. The game then respawned me back at Midhaven to start this journey again, an emotional ordeal that could only be described, as author Harlan Ellison so eloquently put it, as “I have no mouth and want to scream.”

"At the start, the game’s overall personality and cast are endearing, whether it’s Culkin and his terrible jokes, Ajit who delegates everything to you and takes all the credit, or that one woman who exclaims “Shimu Shima” as a blessing for, well, everything."

Another incident involved climbing a scuttled ship in a ruined boatyard. Relics told of my Shima ancestors attempting to flee something but failing and ending up frozen in stone. The sight was quite arresting, so I figured there was something worth checking out in these ships. There wasn’t, naturally, and I ran out of stamina while climbing on one and fell into the water, but instead of dying immediately, the game softlocked.

Upon closing the executable from the desktop and restarting, I was back at the shipyard with half health instead of Midhaven. These are but two examples in a long list of reasons why I loathe playing this game in its current state, and how an intriguing premise and gorgeous world are ultimately wasted on busy work that feels like it contributes next to nothing.

For the uninitiated, Towers of Aghasba was announced last year for PS5 and PC and immediately made an impression with its visuals and art direction. The prospect of the game also sounds inviting, as play a junior architect of the Shimu tribe making its return to Aghasba, their homeland. A Withered Eruption rendered a significant portion of the landscape uninhabitable while various Withered Nests and creatures roam about. You rebuild Midhaven, the apparent capital of the Shimu, but also re-establish a connection with nature and the various entities presiding over its aspects.

At the start, the game’s overall personality and cast are endearing, whether it’s Culkin and his terrible jokes, Ajit who delegates everything to you and takes all the credit, or that one woman who exclaims “Shimu Shima” as a blessing for, well, everything. Even your character, voiceless, faceless, and relegated to simple dialogue choices, has their fair share of charisma based on animations alone. Even if some faces and expressions can bring back memories of Soundgarden’s Black Hole Sun (not the good kind either), the cutscenes help move the otherwise plodding narrative forward.

It’s a shame because Towers of Aghasba could have gone in several potential directions with its plot and quest design. Instead, say hello to checklists, your once and forever task. On the surface, they seem inoffensive enough, encouraging acquaintance with different systems and mechanics, like farming, construction, cooking, etc.

"I could deal with how repetitive this is if Towers of Aghasba wasn’t so randomly stingy with materials. You can’t just grab any plant or mine any rock – no, it has to be specific nodes with little blue indicators (try not to miss them)."

There’s also a system involving planting Colossal Trees and completing tasks for the forest spirit Sprite, like feeding nearby animals, planting and growing specific seed types, and contributing materials like Dung. The trees will flourish further, drawing even larger animals who can be identified for their eating habits and sprouting new kinds of seeds for plants that furnish different materials. All of these benevolent activities grant Amity, the ever-present energy in the flora and fauna of the universe. It’s used to grow more Colossal Trees, upgrade the current ones, and even activate portals that dot Aghasba.

The problem is that mining, hunting, and resource gathering all deplete Amity. They’re mandatory, though, so you have to, but such is the balance of nature or something. Fortunately, if you want specific materials like hides, meat, and fur, you can hunt the animals that have gathered around those Colossal Trees you’ve planted.

I would touch on the moral implications of this, but there is no impact from a gameplay or story point of view aside from losing Amity. Not even Sprite, prejudiced against humans like the other entities due to their destructive nature, bats an eye or complains, even as you mercilessly slaughter animals and chop down trees in front of him.

Besides, you can clear out Withered Nests around the map, which consistently respawn, and gain Amity that way. While harmonious co-existence with nature is a central theme, it doesn’t feel well realized outside of completing checklists. It also doesn’t help that for as much planting as you might do, the means to a flourishing biome is to repair the various shrines on the map, meaning – you guessed it – more checklists.

I could deal with how repetitive this is if Towers of Aghasba wasn’t so randomly stingy with materials. You can’t just grab any plant or mine any rock – no, it has to be specific nodes with little blue indicators (try not to miss them). They’ll often spit out a single piece of the required material. More elaborate plants and specific trees will offer more, which thus encourages planting them. However, when you get to Aghasba and have to initially deal with a barren land with almost nothing around Midhaven, it’s frustrating.

"I could go on with issues like the lack of quickly swapping to other tools and weapons, which makes combat, resource gathering – even healing in the middle of a fight by eating – heaps more cumbersome."

Even simple things like cooking food feel unnecessarily complicated and irritating. Do you have dozens of meats but no mushroom caps because you couldn’t find any plants? Forget making any meat skewers. There’s no simple grilling of the meats to provide health, which can be boosted with other ingredients for additional bonuses like, oh, I don’t know, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, one of the game’s main inspirations? Not that it matters since you can endlessly consume these raw meats without any ill effects, and no amount of healing will help when facing some of the tougher foes.

As you probably guessed, the survival elements are woefully under-baked, but that’s the least of the problems in Towers of Aghasba. Your health bar disappears during combat, so you have no clue if healing is required. Before the most recent patch, I couldn’t make a spear or cook meals in the early going, so if I didn’t find enough berries or roots, death would strike sooner rather than later.

Even worse is that it’s seemingly impossible to make a simple bow. The tougher Withered enemies and some wild animals hit way too hard, and it’s easy to get one or two-shot at close range, even after obtaining a three-piece armor set. If you don’t have a bow and are fixing for some fisticuffs, get used to respawning.

The progression is painfully slow – even after discovering materials like Iron, you’ll still be a ways off from crafting decent weapons, much less making anything worthwhile armor-wise. The two armor sets initially accessed after building the tailor both give the same bonuses with three pieces equipped. They look different, so I’ve at least got that going for me if funerals are implemented at some point.

I could go on with issues like the lack of quickly swapping to other tools and weapons, which makes combat, resource gathering – even healing in the middle of a fight by eating – heaps more cumbersome. Instead of hitting any of the numbers on your keyboard like every other survival game released this year (ignore all the others), you have to press a button, bring up the shortcut wheel and select the item in question.

"Fundamental systems and design decisions must be rethought for Towers of Aghasba to thrive, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the Withered Zones."

If you mistakenly open the wheel, you better press the same button to close it again because Esc, Tab, and everything else outside of Alt+F4 will not close it. Switching like this during combat, especially from long-range to melee weapons, is death against real threats, plain and simple, but it’s worse when resource gathering since several materials require different tools. No instantly switching to a hatchet to chop down a tree or to a shovel to dig up some roots. Press R, equip, unto infinity until a tool breaks.

Now, this is early access and several issues, especially the aforementioned soft lock when running out of stamina and falling into the water, have been or will be patched. Performance, which is more than a little iffy without DLSS enabled, will also likely improve. I’m sure the climbing and movement will become more polished and less janky. However, fundamental systems and design decisions must be rethought for Towers of Aghasba to thrive, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the Withered Zones.

These locations are areas where the Withered presence is overwhelming. The lighting suddenly changes, which can turn into this comical shifting back and forth if you enter and leave a Withered zone, and you’re afflicted with a debuff. If you don’t consume a potion or one of the plants in that zone to reset the timer, you’ll lose health and die, which means returning to base and starting all over.

Now imagine trying to do this while assailed by larger Withered and Withered Snags who can annihilate you, all while dealing with the janky movement and trying to reach these plants to reset your debuff timer. The overall lighting and color scheme of the smaller Withered makes them more challenging to see as well (a problem which can also occur at night), adding to the frustration.

If you don’t have several potions to reset your timer – made all the more annoying by the resource gathering to craft them – and don’t run past all the enemies – made all the more frustrating because fighting is pointless when they do so much damage – you’re in for an extensively painful session.

The peak irony of Towers of Aghasba, and what ultimately caused me to tap out, is when one of my bows broke. If you don’t finish the first Withered Expedition, you can’t tick off one of the tasks necessary to upgrade Midhaven to tier 2 and unlock the Blacksmith, who presumably allows for crafting a new bow. Your only choice is to get lucky and find a new one somewhere out in the wilderness from a chest, which is much less common than the tooltips would have you believe. My other Iron Bow, discovered hours prior, is on the verge of shattering, but held up much better than my patience.

"Right now, never mind that there are dozens of other deserving survival titles in early access – Towers of Aghasba is currently a painful experience that takes and takes while offering very little in return."

Towers of Aghasba does have some redeeming qualities, namely its visuals and art direction. The passage of time sometimes feels too quick but is still beautiful as shadows cast by nearby hills realistically move, and the lighting naturally shifts from dusk to dawn. Animals and plants look unique and detailed, even if animations are missing when chopping down massive trees or slain wildlife ragdolls for no apparent reason.

There’s also some joy – not a lot – from naturally exploring the world and happening upon different individuals, like the family of Snags – giant disembodied hands – who wanted my help clearing out the Withered, which once again highlights the excellent animations in cutscenes. A disembodied eye also wanted my help at some point to clear its vision, though the task consisted of delivering some Resin. Imagine if there was an actual mini-game or if there was some interesting conclusion outside of saying it might need my help again later.

Towers of Aghasba had me genuinely excited when it was first announced because of the setting, premise, and mix of exploration, combat, and crafting. All that excitement has been systemically beaten out of me, reducing any enthusiasm for wandering, intrigued by what lies in wait around each corner. Everything aside from combat feels like a chore, and the balance needs some revisiting because fighting enemies that effortlessly take me down isn’t all that fun.

If the first dozen or so hours are revamped and made less tedious, if the resource gathering didn’t make me want to pull my hair out, if the Withered zones felt like risk vs. reward as opposed to Russian Roulette without the empty chambers, or if 50 other things are addressed, I could see myself having fun. Right now, never mind that there are dozens of other deserving survival titles in early access – Towers of Aghasba is currently a painful experience that takes and takes while offering very little in return.

This game was reviewed on PC.

Developer Dreamlit Games has revealed its roadmap till Q2 2026. It begins in Q4 2025 with polish, bug fixes and quality-of-life updates. Q1 2025 marks the arrival of new content, like a new region, quest line, and additional creatures. There will also be offline play and expanded traversal with the glider.

Q2 2025 will introduce a mount management system with new mounts, new creatures and quests, cross-platform play, improved AI for your townfolk, and more. Two new regions, a “Withered” NPC, questline and combat against Giant Demons will arrive in Q3 2025 alongside “creature relationship” mechanics.

Q4 2025 introduces a Shallow Water biome type, which means another new region, ecosystem, questline, creatures and more. As for 2026, there will be increased tower levels, a new major questline, a new region, building customization, etc. Of course, plans may be subject to change depending on player feedback, so keep that in mind.

Towers of Aghasba enters early access on November 19th. Check out the overview trailer to learn more.

Planet Coaster 2

It’s almost bizarre that it took this long for Frontier’s Planet Coaster to receive a sequel, especially given its success and acclaim. Planet Coaster 2 launches on November 6th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, and once again has players building and managing a theme park. The twist is the addition of water attractions and rides, including water coasters, slides, and rivers. Everything is customizable, and your creations can be shared online with other players. You can also team up with others to create a park together or explore in first person as a visitor.

Empire of the Ants

Microids’ Empire of the Ants offers a real-time strategy experience at a decidedly smaller scale. Despite this, the overarching goal of your colony remains the same – survival and strategic domination. Throughout the 20-hour campaign, you’ll opt for different unit types (including other species like Snails and Rhino Beetles), unleash abilities, manage a war economy, and more. There’s also multiplayer three-player free-for-all and 1v1 ranked play.

Mario and Luigi: Brothership

The brothers find themselves exploring the world of Concordia, composed of multiple islands with different residents, climates, and challenges.

Utilizing Shipshape Island, a ship/island hybrid, to get around, Mario and Luigi also rely on different traversal techniques for platforming when they’re not relying on timing-based Bros. Attacks and Battle Plugs to conquer enemies. Launching on November 7th for Nintendo Switch, Brothership looks to be yet another incredible addition to the Switch’s hallowed line-up.

Slitterhead

From the mind of Silent Hill creator Keiichiro Toyama and Bokeh Game Studio comes an unorthodox action-adventure set in Kowlong. Players control Hyoki, an amnesiac entity committed to defeating the Slitterheads, monstrous beings who can mimic humans. Hyoki’s main means of fighting is possession, taking over other beings and using their blood to create weapons.

It’s also great for getting around and accessing different parts of the city (depending on the host’s identity). Overall, it’s a significant departure from Toyama’s previous works, and we’re keen to see more when it launches on November 8th for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Farming Simulator 25

After last year’s Farming Simulator 23 performed decently on phones (and horrendously on Nintendo Switch), GIANTS Software is finally releasing a full-fledged sequel for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC on November 12th. Farming Simulator 25 features over 20 new crops, more than 400 vehicles, tools from 150+ brands, and a new East Asian environment. Even more notable are the visual improvements over previous titles, from terrain deformation and dynamic weather to improved shadows.

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake

The legend of Erdrick is finally coming to contemporary consoles when Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake launches on November 14th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC and Nintendo Switch. Featuring the HD-2D visual style, the story sees the protagonist, child of the great Ortega, embarking on a journey to defeat Baramos, the Archfiend.

Recruiting allies with customizable appearances and vocations, players can explore the world, engage in side quests, venture into dungeons, and even rescue monsters for battling in the new Monster Arena. There’s also a new Vocation, the Monster Wrangler, and quality-of-life features, like combat orders, which make for a more approachable experience.

LEGO Horizon Adventures

Have you ever wanted to re-experience Guerrilla Games’ Horizon Zero Dawn in a new way? Yes, aside from the upcoming remaster. In that case, Studio Gobo’s LEGO Horizon Adventures has you covered. It carries the charm and light-hearted atmosphere that the Lego series is known for, downplaying some of Zero Dawn’s darker elements in the process.

You’ll still play as Aloy in search of her mother, solo or teaming with other characters like Varl in an action-adventure (and not a beat ’em up where you’ll collect Studs like other Lego titles). It’s an odd ask, to be sure, but LEGO Horizon Adventures could surprise us when it launches on November 14th for PS5, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

With the breakout success of its 2020 flight sim, it was only a matter of time before Microsoft went back to the well with Flight Simulator. Developed again by Asobo Studio, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 launches on November 19th for Xbox Series X/S and PC. Thus far, it looks like a staggering effort that builds upon its predecessor while completely blowing it out of the water.

A new Career System where you take tests, learn everything there is to know and then embark on different mission types, from commercial flights and rescue missions to escorting VIPs. There are new aircraft and avionics systems to master, a new flight planner with IFR charts and route planning, over 150 hand-crafted airports (alongside 40,000 procedurally generated airports); and 27 biomes that you can explore on foot. The original is one of the biggest games in scale, but Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 could very well dethrone it.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

If one big console exclusive wasn’t enough for Microsoft, then perhaps S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl will seal the deal. After multiple years of delays, to say nothing of the real-world challenges that GSC Game World endured, it’s finally launching on November 20th for Xbox Series X/S and PC. As Skif, players enter the Zone and pretty much have full reign if they can survive.

They’ll encounter other factions, both friendly and hostile, battle mutants, discover Artifacts, and have one too many run-ins with environment-altering Anomalies. The world is seamless, fully hand-crafted and teeming with secrets, which the developer says will necessitate over 100 hours to discover. There’s a lot of hype and expectations on S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, and in just a few weeks, we’ll see if it finally delivers.

Tetris Forever

Why explore one golden year of the Tetris franchise when you could experience them all? Digital Eclipse’s Tetris Forever collects over 15 titles from the puzzle series into one collection, from recreating the very first Tetris released in 1984 to Japan-only games that are playable for the first time worldwide.

It even includes Tetris Time Warp, a brand-new title where players warp between different eras of Tetris in a single game, playable solo and with three other people. If you’re keen on history, there’s a museum with original ads and photos on top of new documentary featurettes detailing the original game’s development. Tetris Forever launches on November 12th for Xbox One, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

Nine Sols

If the wait for Hollow Knight: Silksong has gone from depression to acceptance, Red Candle Games’ Nine Sols may provide a worthy diversion. Available earlier this year for PC, it’s coming to PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch on November 26th.

Combining elements of platforming with hack-and-slash combat, including a robust parry system inspired by Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Nine Sols focuses on Yi, who embarks on a quest to slay the titular 9 Sols. Presenting sleek animated visuals, players learn more about Yi, the nature of New Kunlun and unlock abilities to access new areas. If you’re a fan of challenging combat or action platforms in general, it’s worth a look.

Towers of Aghasba (Early Access)

“Fantasy building with a mix of open-world exploration and restoration” describes Towers of Aghasba, which enters early access on November 19th for PS5 and PC. Inspired by films like Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Princess Mononoke, it sees players building a new city for their people while venturing into the world to cleanse a mysterious corruption.

Early access features three ecosystems and town types, more than 40 creatures, over 120 plants, and 150 recipes for decorations. You can go it alone or play with up to three other players, engaging in combat, farming, fishing or discovering ancient ruins. If its gameplay can live up to the gorgeous aesthetic, then Towers of Aghasba could end up as yet another hallmark open-world sandbox crafting title.

These include the Aztecs and Jomon peoples of Africa, who “give the game’s visual identity a distinct feel.” Studio Ghibli films like Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Princess Mononoke are beloved by the developer and influence its style. However, the title even involves Studio Ghibli background artist Yoichi Nishikawa, who has worked on numerous award-winning films like The Wind Rises, Wolf Children, Sky Crawlers, Summer Wars, The Boy and the Heron, and more. Nishikawa is responsible for hand-painting “many” of the textures in Towers of Aghasba.

Though PS5 players receive bonus cosmetics on pre-ordering, Dreamlit Games also leverages 3D spatial audio and the DualSense. Designer Dave Nguyen notes that the former ensures, “You’ll hear bugs flying around and the waves crashing along the shorelines, and you can turn your camera around and really get a good sense of where the sound’s coming from.”

Haptic feedback is utilized in combat, but you’ll also feel it when creatures roar or step near you. The Lightbar changes colors to depict low and “critical” health, while the adaptive triggers come into play when drawing the bow and let you feel the weight of the various melee weapons.

Towers of Aghasba retails for $29.99 in early access. Stay tuned for more details en route to its launch.

Towers of Aghasba follows the Shimu, who settle in a new land after escaping from the Withered. You control an architect who must build villages (and eventually cities) for your people and venture out to heal the land. The early access version features three types of towns and three unique ecosystems to nurture.

There are also more than 40 creatures, 120 plants, and 150 decoration recipes alongside relics to uncover and activities like fishing. Of course, you can also team up with up to three other players. Those who pre-order on PS5 will also receive benefits like three exclusive masks, five decorations, and a custom Harelope mount. Stay tuned for more details en route to the launch of early access.

In terms of content, early access will feature three types of ecosystems and towns, over 40 creatures to unlock, more than 120 plants to tend to, and +150 recipies for decorations. You can also uncover ruins and relics to unlock “ancient knowledge” (potentially new skills or abilities) and embark on activities like fishing.

With titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Viva Pinata, and Animal Crossing as influences (not to mention Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind), Towers of Aghasba looks to be a unique experience. While there’s plenty of crafting and world-building, the developer also promises “grounded storytelling, deep lore, and quirky characters.”

Version 1.0 doesn’t have an ETA yet (beyond “the near future”), but Dreamlit Games intends to “work closely with community members across platforms” to help grow the game. Stay tuned for more details and updates in the meantime.

With the new year finally here, it’s time to check out all the big titles(with the occasional releases also coming to PC and PS4) that PS5 owners can look forward to in 2024 and beyond. So, without further ado, let’s get into it, starting with…

Rise of the Ronin

Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja are no strangers to releasing PlayStation-only titles. However, none of us imagined it had Rise of the Ronin in its pocket and ready to release on March 22nd for PS5. Set in feudal Japan during the Bakumatsu, you play as a Veiled Edge with his own backstory who meets up with various historical figures, including the legendary Sakamoto Ryoma. Based on the decisions made and bonds formed, there are different outcomes and endings to unlock.

There’s plenty to look forward to with the gameplay, with the open world having three major cities – Edo, Yokohama and Kyoto – along with the countryside and other areas to explore. You can undertake side quests and earn reputation, and there are even some Souls-like mechanics like Karma to recover upon death. A lot has yet to be revealed for the title, but thus far, the thought of gliding across cities and unleashing death from above or parrying a flaming arrow back at an enemy to ignite your blade and devastate other foes looks great.

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered

After over three years since its PS4 launch, The Last of Us Part 2 is getting the “Remastered” treatment…which is a fancy way of saying that an official PS5 version is finally launching. Out on January 19th for $50 ($10 if you already own the PS4 version), it features three Lost Levels cut from the final game, with developer commentary to provide more details. Director Neil Druckmann and narrative lead Hally Gross will also provide commentary for all the in-game cutscenes, with Troy Baker, Ashley Johnson, and Laura Bailey offering their own insight. There’s also Guitar Free Play (with other instruments to unlock), Speedrun Mode, DualSense support, new accessibility options and two graphics modes – Fidelity and Performance.

However, the biggest addition is No Return, a roguelike survival mode where players progress to various locations, battling the infected. There are different objectives, like Holdout, where you must survive with an AI companion against the Infected. Though upgrades, weapons and skills disappear after every run, you can unlock new outfits that persist between runs. With challenges, random Mods for encounters and Gambits to complete for more resources, No Return could be as endearing as God of War Ragnarok’s recent Valhalla DLC.

Pacific Drive

There have been plenty of rogue-lites and roguelikes lately, but Pacific Drive puts a little spin on it all by adding driving. Trapped within the Olympic Exclusion Zone in the Pacific Northwest (hence the name), players must venture into the rapidly changing wilderness with nothing but their wits and station wagon to survive.

The Exclusion Zone contains its fair share of anomalies, some more dangerous than others, but thankfully, you can upgrade the car to boost its survivability. Of course, that means getting out and scavenging those resources by hand. Better hope you didn’t forget to leave the car in park, lest it goes rolling downhill on its own.

Pacific Drive offers an intriguing mix of exploration, lore and supernatural atmosphere, and we can’t wait to see what secrets the Zone holds. It launches on February 22nd for PS5 and PC.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth sees players explore the world outside Midgar, and they’ll happen upon new locations and towns (like Crow’s Nest), brimming with side quests and characters. There are new activities to play around with, from the CCG Queen’s Blood to piano playing and new Summons to bring into battle.

The combat system has also received several revamps with new Synergy Attacks. Those who want to experience the setting can expect a 40-hour-long journey, but much of the playtime is in the side content. You can easily spend another 60 hours getting lost in the world and completing side quests, with 100 hours of gameplay promised. It’s a massive game in scope and scale, and it’s out on February 29th for PS5.

Death Stranding 2

Any Hideo Kojima game is bound to elicit a few questions, and Death Stranding 2 is no exception. Why is protagonist Sam Porter Bridges old? Why was Fragile trying to escape with a BB (and from who)? What’s the spaceship about? How do all the other teased actors play a part? Is Higgs really back? Perhaps most important: When can we expect it to release?

The answers aren’t forthcoming, but Kojima has teased plenty, from “new techniques” allowing for more photorealistic CG” (with actor Elle Fanning saying it’s going to look even better, despite already being outstanding) to changing the meaning of Strand and using music in brand new ways. It’s a lot but also not very much, and we must know more. With Japanese voice recording starting this year, a 2024 launch on PS5 may not happen, but we can still hope.

Silent Hill 2

Among the eagerly awaited remakes is Silent Hill 2, finally revealed in 2022 with The Medium and Layers of Fear developer Bloober Team at the helm. It’s developed on Unreal Engine 5 and looks downright amazing, while delivering revamped combat (with an over-the-shoulder camera) and set pieces. Best of all, there won’t be any changes to the “narrative core” of the experience, as Konami aims to make it as close to the original as possible.

2023 came and went without new trailers, details or footage, but development is still “progressing smoothly.” Based on PlayStation’s trailer for upcoming 2024 releases, it could very well launch this year on PS5 and PC. It’s not official until Konami makes it official, so stay tuned.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic – Remake

Remember when Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic – Remake was announced in September 2021 and promised a ground-up remake to the joy of many fans? How Aspyr Media was in charge of this big-name PS5 exclusive?

That was less than three years ago, and since then, there have rumors of development shifting to another developer, cancellation, refuting the cancellation, and so on. We know nothing about the remake – how it plays or its visuals outside the first announcement trailer. Here’s hoping for some good news in the coming months.

Marvel’s Wolverine

Insomniac Games ended 2023 with one of the most devastating leaks in gaming history, but that hasn’t dulled our enthusiasm for Marvel’s Wolverine. Helmed by the team behind Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales fame, it promises a mature tone while respecting the character’s DNA.

As a standalone title, it features some top-of-the-line developers and creative team. Regardless of whenever it releases and how it builds on the anti-hero’s mythos while offering some compelling gameplay, it should be as big of a PS5 exclusive as Insomniac’s Spider-Man titles.

Sword of the Sea

When a game offers a Hoversword – a sword crossed with a hoverboard, skateboard and snowboard – do you need much more? Giant Squid of ABZU and The Pathless fame thought so with its next title, Sword of the Sea. Featuring the Necropolis, a vast world of waves, players must revitalize it with the sea while tackling dangerous leviathans. With the ability to execute sick tricks and effortlessly cut through massive landscapes to composer Austin Wintory’s music, Sword of the Sea looks to be another classic in the making from Giant Squid. It’s coming to PS5 and PC with a release date yet to be announced.

Phantom Blade Zero

If there weren’t enough stylish hack-and-slash titles coming to PS5 (and PC) in the future, add S-Game’s Phantom Blade Zero to the list. It’s inspired by Ninja Gaiden with a steampunk aesthetic and easily executable combos (though there’s still parrying and dodging). But wait, there’s more, as it also offers a 30 to 40 hour story with plenty of side quests, an end-game with a roguelike activity and multiplayer dungeons. While it sounds too good to be true, S-Game will release a 30-minute demo this year, so we’ll probably experience Phantom Blade Zero’s blend of action sooner rather than later.

Helldivers 2

Arrowhead Game Studios’ Helldivers has been long overdue for a sequel, one that allows for traveling the galaxy and waging war against aliens for the sake of Super-Earth. Cue Helldivers 2, not only upping the fidelity but going third-person, increasing the immersion as you call down stratagems like airstrikes and chuck explosives at the hordes of bugs (or sentient robots). All the first game’s mechanics, from friendly fire to four-player co-op, are here. Progression is still a bit mysterious, but it seems mission completion and clearing hostile locations will be part of a grand war effort. We’ll find out when Helldivers 2 launches on February 8th for PS5 and PC.

Lost Soul Aside

Lost Soul Aside began development in 2014 when solo developer Yang Bin sought to create a hack-and-slash action RPG inspired by modern slashers. As the years progressed, the project grew bigger and joined Sony’s China Hero Project, with a development team, UltiZero Games, established. It’s in development for PS5 and PC, and while a release window still isn’t confirmed, the extensive gameplay from last year looks sharp, with promising combat and boss battles.

Fairgame$

The past year hasn’t been great for fans of heist games with underwhelming titles like Crime Boss: Rockay City and Payday 3. Nevertheless, Haven Entertainment Studios’ Fairgame$ could offer a fresh competitive heist experience for PS5 and PC. As a present-day Robin Hood, you’re part of a movement to rob the rich, venturing into locations to steal as much as possible while presumably dealing with rival crews. There’s a focus on emergent sandbox elements, with the CGI trailer showcasing grappling hooks and using environmental objects as shields, but a release window and gameplay have yet to be revealed.

Concord

If one first-party multiplayer with barely any details to go by isn’t enough, how about two? Firewalk Studios’ Concord is a sci-fi first-person shooter focused on PvP, with players venturing to different worlds and interacting with “colorful characters.” It’s part of Sony’s slate of live-service titles, coming to PS5 and PC in 2024, but that’s pretty much all we know. Firewalk and Sony have partnered since 2021, with the publisher acquiring the developer just last year. There’s a very strong chance of Concord arriving this year, but at this point, we need more details (and maybe a public beta or two to try it out).

EXILEDGE

Many titles in PlayStation’s China Hero Project offer stylish aesthetics and visuals. Enigmatrix’s EXILEDGE has a certain grunge to it, though, taking place on a planet of massive sci-fi constructs and oceans. Players control a tower diver who ventures to these constructs with third-person shooting and abilities. While it’s somewhat reminiscent of Outriders in gameplay look and feel, the movement appears much faster-paced with all kinds of fantastical enemies and creatures to battle. EXILEDGE doesn’t have a release window, but it’s exclusive to PS5.

Daba: Land of Water Scar

Exclusive to PS5, Daba: Land of Water Scar looks very stylish, with some Sekiro-esque parry mechanics and imaginative bosses. The story focuses on a clay puppet Daba, who turns human and must collect water fragments to save the world. Boasting interconnected levels, from ruins to snowy landscapes, and a sharp aesthetic, it could be another worthwhile action RPG for Sony’s catalogue.

Convallaria

Yet another title announced years ago, Convallaria is also a part of PlayStation’s China Hero Project. In development for PS4 and PS5, it’s seemingly an extraction shooter as up to 100 players battle PvE threats and engage in PvP. There are missions to complete, resources to gather and mysteries to solve. The art style mixes sci-fi and fantasy with a large map to explore and over-the-top enemies to fight. It looks fun and chaotic, but again, a release window has yet to be announced.

Project: The Perceiver

Papergames’ Project: The Perceiver is touted as a multiplatform title but has thus far only been confirmed for PS4 and PS5. Based on Lao Zhuang canon, it’s an open-world action game with players controlling the Master of Varietas. You meet different characters and “consolidate their distinctive ideals into masks,” as described by the developer, and combat looks fairly punishing. A release window is still unknown, but hopefully, there will be more details this year.

The Winds Rising

Another title in the China Hero Project, The Winds Rising is a PS5 action RPG with a heavy narrative focus. Players control a girl who meets a monster cub and embarks on an adventure which could shape the kingdom. Promising a “refreshing and smooth combat experience” along with an “immersive and captivating story,” The Winds Rising has yet to receive any gameplay or other details, but it comes from TiGames, who released the underrated F.I.S.T.: Forged in Shadow Torch. For that reason alone, it’s worth keeping an eye on.

Towers of Aghasba

A gorgeous-looking open world title with surreal flora and fauna, Dreamlit Inc.’s Towers of Aghasba is about exploration and nurturing settlements. Set on the titular island, you can create massive villages and watch them grow with various inhabitants. As a member of the Shimu tribe, you’re tasked with revitalizing the land, interacting with strange creatures and ultimately restoring the ecosystem. There’s even a bit of Animal Crossing: New Horizons mixed in, as you can visit other players’ islands or invite them to your own and explore together. Towers of Aghasba doesn’t have a release date, but it’s coming to PS5 and PC.

In this feature, we will be looking at Towers of Aghasba, a new open-world settlement building game from developer Dreamlit Games. The game was showcased at the recent PlayStation Showcase event, and most fans would have likely brushed it aside in favour of highly anticipated titles like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. And that’s a shame because Towers of Aghasba not only impresses with its distinct visuals but also features some interesting gameplay ideas that should make for an experience that’s worth your time.

Dreamlit Games is a small studio that has been working on this project since a long time. The very first concept art for this project were produced all the way back in 2009, and after multiple short periods of pre-production – the game is finally in full production for both console and PC. The team seems highly passionate about the project, and fans are kept in the loop through constant updates on the developer’s social media handles.

Coming back to the game itself, Towers of Aghasba is set against the backdrop of a fantasy island where promises of a beautiful paradise have brought settlements from far away to this rubble overflowing with rough terrain and leafless trees. As the protagonist, it’s your job to take the mantle of the leader and transform this mess into the paradise that was once promised. It’s a pretty simple narrative setup, but it seems to work well within the context of the game itself.

Dreamlit Games seems to have done a wonderful job of creating a fantasy universe complete with a rich history and unique creatures. Throughout the trailer we can see glimpses of the island’s rich culture in the form of masks and their native language. These are small touches, but they certainly help in creating a universe that’s rich with detail – which is all the more surprising considering that this is all coming from a small team. What we don’t know yet is whether we will get to experience a narrative for the critical path where we get to meet new characters, and witness conflict and character development as you slowly and steadily build the civilization.

But there’s little contention that gameplay is definitely the king in the case of Towers of Aghasba – and suffice it to say, it doesn’t fail to impress. The moment to moment gameplay revolves around exploring the vast island and scouring for resources to build new stuff. You will have to collect different materials of varying rarity and use them to build structures that will help in advancing the growth of civilization on this island.

The island is filled to the brim with natural resources, and you utilize those resources to build the many structures that will eventually pepper the entire landscape. And much like how an ecosystem requires an abundance of natural resources to function, you will have to pay attention to not deplete these resources which will have a fatal impact on the population of the island. As such, players will have to play a careful balancing act and find new and creative ways to proceed with building out the world without hurting the natural flow of things.

As for the buildings themselves, you get to choose from a wide variety of options ranging from granaries to temples and thick-walled villages among a host of others. Each of these buildings will most likely serve a distinct purpose, and you’ll have to create all types of structures to keep your Shimu tribe happy and content at all times. That said, not all parts of the island are going to be habitable at first.

As you can observe in the trailers, certain parts will be overflowing with toxic plants and venomous traps that will create a major hindrance to exploration. There doesn’t seem to be any combat mechanics in the game, so we don’t know whether you can fight back against these imposing threats or not. In a similar vein, we don’t know whether structures can be built in these areas or if they exist as pools for certain materials.

The fantastical island is not only vast in square footage but also seems to have plenty of verticality to it which should keep things interesting. The glider serves an important role in exploration, as can be deduced from the trailer itself. You can obviously use it to glide from a high vantage spot, which looks supremely cool but you can also use it to land on the back of an aerial creature and hitch a quick ride to wherever you want to go.

And on that note, we should talk about the flora and fauna that populate this fantastical island. Bizarre creatures that float majestically through the skyline, towering plants that loop around themselves, and horse like mounts are just a few of the many wildlife that you will get to see in Towers of Aghasba. You can also dive and explore the surrounding seas, which has its own share of unique wildlife that’s worth looking at and appreciating on its own terms.

Of course, the gorgeous visuals do a lot of heavy lifting in bringing the vivid imagination of these artists to life. Towers of Aghasba is using Unreal Engine 5 as the basis for this project, and it looks nothing short of breathtaking. We get to see some great usage of dense smoke for distant areas, which helps in accentuating the scale of this world. The texture work is also pretty good for the most part, and the bright colour palette mixes well with the surrounding clear blue waters to make for an instantly pleasing image. The animations do look somewhat crooked in comparison, so that might have to be worked on for the final release.

Coming over to the release side of things, Towers of Aghasba is slated to release sometime in 2024 for PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam. While the team does seem confident in hitting its release date, it’s best to keep expectations in check since delays and pushbacks are commonplace in such projects.

In conclusion, Towers of Aghasba is looking like a really promising project that has the potential to turn into something special. Dreamlit Games has made the right choices with its world design and gameplay elements, and if the team is able to coalesce these elements into something that’s constantly engaging – we don’t see why Towers of Aghasba will end up being one of the biggest surprise hits of the near future. Fingers crossed, until then.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

Game designer Saiprapanch Adloor also took to the PlayStation Blog to talk about the game, mentioning that the game hopes to allow players to express their creativity by developing their island in any way they might want.

Towers of Aghasba puts players in the shoes of a young builder who returns to their ancestral land of Aghasba. The player has to help their tribe rebuild, eventually turning a desolate island into one that can sustain the tribe.

According to Adloor, Towers of Aghasba hopes to offer a surreal atmosphere and lore. It will feature a mysterious, expansive world full of different wonders, strange beings, and mysteries to solve.

Towers of Aghasba doesn’t have a solid release date, but is slated for a summer 2024 release on the PS5.