Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Reveals New Christmas Short

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December 11, 2024

SEGA and Paramount Pictures released a new Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Christmas short video, titled “A Very Short Christmas.” The short is two minutes long and sees Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails talk to Santa Claus himself.

In addition, the ugly Sonic design from the original Sonic the Hedgehog movie returns with a Christmas sweater giveaway. The sweater is just one of many prizes that fans can earn by entering the 12 Hours of Sonic giveaway before December 11 at 7:00 p.m. PT / 10:00 p.m. ET.

Check out the Christmas short for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 below:

Tickets for the film are now live and participating theaters will host a fan event screening on December 19. Those who attend will receive a limited edition Shadow print. Before then, you can catch up on the latest Sonic the Hedgehog 3 clip.

Recently, director Jeff Fowler confirmed that Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will tease future characters for the series. According to Fowler, the film will continue the “tradition set by the previous two films,” and will “set the stage for a potential fourth movie to introduce another video game character after Tails and now Shadow.”

Only time will tell if Sonic the Hedgehog 3 teases the debut of future characters such as Amy, Rouge, Silver, Chaos, or Metal Sonic. The upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie will premiere in theaters nationwide on December 20.

The latest game in the franchise, Sonic X Shadow Generations, is available now on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. On December 12, the new Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Movie Pack will introduce a new playable level with Shadow, voiced by Keanu Reeves himself.

Gimmick! 2 is Coming to PlayStation and Xbox

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Soul Kiwami

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December 11, 2024

Clear River Games and Bitwave Games announced Gimmick! 2 will release on December 19 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S in Japan. The PlayStation and Xbox versions of Gimmick! 2 will launch on January 30, 2025 in the west.

Gimmick! 2 is currently available now for Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam. Here’s an overview of the game, via the official Steam page:

A Classic Challenge Modernized

In Gimmick! 2, you once again meet the green little yokai Yumetaro. Decades after his first adventure he now sets out on a new quest in a world packed with interesting challenges, dangerous enemies, and hidden treasures. The game can be played in either a friendlier assisted mode, or if you’re up for a challenge play in the true-to-the-original “Gimmick!” mode!

Star physics

As a yokai, Yumetaro has the ability to summon and throw a powerful star that not only bounces, but also keeps the momentum of his movement. The Star can be used to activate switches, defend against enemies and even be ridden to get to those hard-to-reach places while exploring the secrets of the world. You can discover treasure, find shortcuts or set speed records by mastering the star’s bouncing physics. Experiment with it to unlock its full potential. This is a game with true star power!

A Legendary Soundtrack

The composer David Wise hardly needs any introduction. In his work on the Gimmick! 2 soundtrack, he has both written completely new melodies and remade old classics. The soundtrack was creatively directed by Pelle Cahndlerby and recorded live in Sweden together with Joel Bille.

Blast from the past

The original Gimmick! game was released for the Famicom in 1992. It was localized and released in the West – but only in Scandinavia. This, combined with the fact that the game’s physics and gameplay mechanics were far ahead of its time, made the game both fabled and beloved. With Gimmick! 2, however, there is no longer any doubt: this is a game that the whole world should have the chance to experience.

OMEGA 6 The Triangle Stars Coming to Switch and PC Late February 2025

By

Ryuji Shiryu

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December 11, 2024

Clear River Games, in conjunction with Japanese publisher City Connection, Retro Mystery Club series developers Happymeal, and Pleocene, have announced OMEGA 6 The Triangle Stars will be coming to the Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam on February 28, 2025.

OMEGA 6 The Triangle Stars is based on the OMEGA 6 sci-fi manga created by the legendary Takaya Imamura, the former art director at Nintendo. Imamura’s resume includes work on various F-ZERO, The Legend of Zelda, and Star Fox titles.

Watch the announcement trailer below:

In OMEGA 6 The Triangle Stars, players follow the adventures of Thunder and Kyra, two androids who are entrusted with the mission of discovering a new planet for the human race to inhabit. But before they can even find that, they must locate the ultimate treasure in some ancient ruins to pay off a planetary loan.

Their quest will take them to three different planets, such as Impostar, a planet filled with aliens from all four corners of space, Igni, a fiery planet with a harsh environment, and Froslara, a planet as frozen as its residents are rich. During their treasure hunt, unexpected encounters await at every turn via random events.

Players can explore freely while working as a bounty hunter, delivery person, or just shopping for items. But be careful, for there are always unknown aliens lurking about. With a set number of cards in your hand, read through your opponent’s strategy and forge a path to absolute victory.

K-pop Idol Stories: Road to Debut Announced for PC and Consoles

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Ryuji Shiryu

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December 11, 2024

PQube and developer Wisageni Studio have announced that the K-pop idol managment simulation game K-pop Idol Stories: Road to Debut will be releasing next year for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam.

Watch the announcement trailer below:

Below is an overview of the game via its Steam page:

K-pop Idol Stories: Road to Debut is a love letter to the thrilling world of K-pop! In this life simulator, you’re the manager responsible for scouting talent, managing schedules, creating budgets, planning social media, choosing music, and styling your idols. Your goal? To debut the next big K-pop idol group!

Choose Your Trainees: Each trainee has unique characteristics and a backstory. One girl might have fierce confidence that drives fans wild but could also disrupt the group dynamic. Another might be a shy songbird who needs a little encouragement to shine—how will she handle the spotlight when she’s ready for the stage? As their manager, it’s up to you to understand their stories, personalities, and strengths. Assemble a diverse and dynamic group of idols to create the perfect team!

Original K-pop Soundtrack: What’s your K-pop group’s concept? Choose the soundtrack for their debut single, produced by a K-pop composer exclusively for this game.

Your Choices Matter: What kind of manager are you? Disciplined and straightforward, or caring and compassionate? Will you prioritise pleasing the label’s board members? Will you always be honest with your trainees, or keep certain things secret until debut day? The choice is yours.

Unlock and Plan Schedules: Should you send your idols to rigorous dance practice, or let them unwind with a relaxing yoga class? Your choices impact the team’s growth and the story’s direction.

Death Match Love Comedy! Announces Western Release for 2025

By

Ryuji Shiryu

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December 11, 2024

PQube announced that they’ll be bringing the Kemco-developed visual novel Death Match Love Comedy! west on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, XBOX Series, XBOX One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam.

Watch the announcement trailer below:

Originally released in Japan on 2013 for Android and iOS, and then later in 2014 for the Wii U, and then for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in 2022, Death Match Love Comedy! is described as a wild-ride of a visual novel, full of slapstick comedy, occult experiences, and romance.

Players take on the role of first-year student Kei Yagi, who is about to receive a love confession from not one, but two classmates, when he suddenly explodes! Although this initial incident was an illusion, he discovers that due to a mysterious curse put upon him, the next time he receives a confession of love he will truly explode and die.

Why has Kei been cursed, and by whom? As he struggles to solve the mystery with his schoolmates at his side, he must also dodge the overflowing love from the females around him, which seem to have run wild! Can Kei survive or will he give in to his explosive fate? With all sorts of strange happenings and encounters with curious characters, at least he isn’t alone in this rollercoaster ride. From girls fighting over him, to classmates fighting alongside him, he’s bound to make some unforgettable high school memories.

Him, the Smile & bloom Coming to the West in February 2025

By

Soul Kiwami

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December 11, 2024

PQube and MintLip announced otome visual novel Him, the Smile & bloom is coming to Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam in the west in February 2025. Once more, the Nintendo Switch version will be sold physically and digitally in the west.

Here’s the physical box art for Him, the Smile & bloom:

Check out the previously released trailer for Him, the Smile & bloom below:

Lastly, here’s an overview of the game via PQube:

Overview

Step into a world of romance and flowers in this refreshingly mature otome that charts the relationships of four couples, all connected by a special, a local flower shop.

Him, the Smile & bloom is a unique exploration of the flourishing relationship between two adults and the highs and lows of their budding romance in a modern world.

From the initial spark of attraction to the struggles of maintaining a relationship and navigating life’s choppy waters – Him the Smile & bloom, deftly weaves heart-warming – and heart-breaking – narrative threads for an genuinely distinct and memorable otome experience!

Key Features

Say it with flowers!: Him, the Smile & bloom charts four whirlwind romances – from the tender love of youth, to thorny, tumultuous and steamy. There are four distinct love matches to explore.
Couple up!: Rather than one protagonist with a selection of bachelors, Him the Smile & bloom instead focuses on the relationship with four love interests: Wataru, Ginnosuke, Hokuto and Tenya.
Twelve distinct endings: Each couple has three endings to explore. However! Rather than traditional ‘good’ or ‘bad’ endings, each of the couple’s potential futures are poignant and offer something worthwhile to enjoy, regardless of the romantic (or not!) outcome.
A refreshingly adult approach to otome romance: By focusing on the growing relationship between four couples. Him, the Smile & bloom brings a unique maturity to the exploration of love and life in these four stories.
Gorgeous production values: Wonderful character artwork and vibrant and detailed game world, combine with expressive voice work to really enhance the tenderness and emotion of each of the romances.
Additional side stories: Completing the ‘Glow’ or ‘best’ ending to each couples’ story unlocks additional side stories to enjoy – breathing further life into these unforgettable characters.

Iwakura Aria is Coming to the West in 2025

By

Soul Kiwami

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December 11, 2024

PQube and MAGES. announced visual novel Iwakura Aria is coming to Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam in the west in 2025. The game will support English and Japanese language options with Japanese voice-overs.

Watch the new trailer below:

Here’s an overview of Iwakura Aria, via the official Steam page:

Overview

After the war Japan experiences rapid economic growth, and in the cracks of society one girl gets left behind. With no future to look forward to, she grasps onto a thread of hope, a possibility of a new life, as the maid to the Iwakura household. However, the Iwakura family holds its own secrets, most connected to its heir Aria, and Ichiko finds herself sucked into another world contained within that mansion.

In the midst of people’s hopes and expectations, Aria and Ichiko have lost sight of their true selves. To whom do the lives of these girls – who continue to play the roles they are given – belong?

In order to take back control of their own lives, courage and willpower are needed, and the fateful meeting between them may just be the key to unlocking their hidden strength.

This is the story of one summer in 1966 that shaped the future of the Iwakura family, and their new maid.

Key Features:

Heart Pounding Revelations – Play as Ichiko, housekeeper to the Iwakura mansion, and uncover the chilling machinations at play as you grow closer to Aria and her dark fate.
Change the Future – With nine different endings to unlock, the choices you make affect the outcome of the future and the life the protagonist is living 33 years after the events of the main game.
Unlock Secrets – Use the map to explore different rooms of the mansion to piece together key information needed to uncover characters’ hidden secrets and the greater secrets at play.
Ichiko’s Sketchbook – Carefully detailed drawings of what captivates her interest, these drawings can also reveal hidden clues to the twisted heart of the Iwakura mansion.
Renaissance Dream – Illustrations in a painterly style, and cut-out frames which piece together multiple images into one scene, by illustrator Hyakunen and graphic designer Nakada Fumi, bring the story to life.
Gripping Connections – The bonds between the women of the mansion pull together the story, from friendship to love, these strong emotions underpin the suspense which builds with each chapter.

PQube and ACQUIRE Reveal Class of Heroes 3 Remaster

By

Soul Kiwami

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December 11, 2024

PQube and ACQUIRE announced Class of Heroes 3 Remaster, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam. Currently, the dungeon RPG remaster is planned to launch in 2025 worldwide.

Here’s an overview of Class of Heroes 3 Remaster, via the official Steam page:

Overview

Class is back in session! After a 15 year wait Class of Heroes 3, the revered school-themed dungeon RPG series, is finally here!

Enrol in one of three distinct schools and join your fellow students on an epic dungeon crawling adventure. Enjoy school life on campus and meet brand new friends for a huge range of characters and classes.

Choose your party to suit your play style and then take to the sprawling 3D dungeons to take down enemies and acquire loot to see your party get ever stronger. With hundreds of combinations of Race, Classes, armours, weapons and Items, you can create a wild array of party compositions to take on the challenges ahead!

Remastered for an all new generation, Class of Heroes 3 is the pinnacle of this much loved series!

Key Features

Enter the dungeon!: Class of Heroes 3 takes 3D dungeon-crawling RPGs to a new level – with more characters and bigger dungeons than ever before!

Back to School: Choose from one of three distinct schools – each will change your uniform, difficulty and story!

Make new friends! The new relationship system will allow you to forge (or break!) bonds with the fellow students in your party. The stronger the bond, the greater the benefit!

Let’s party!: Team up with fellow students from a huge range of races and classes to build the best possible party of heroes to explore dungeons with.

Plunder the dungeons!: Take your party into colossal, labyrinthine dungeons – fight off enemies and plunder the loot to make yourself stronger on each run!

Build it your way: With hundreds of weapons, armour and items – along with even more combinations of races and classes. Customise your team to suit your playing style!

New and improved: As the third iteration in the series, every aspect of the original games has been enhanced and improved to make this the most enjoyable in the series yet!

Enotria: The Last Song is Coming to Xbox Series X|S

By

Soul Kiwami

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December 11, 2024

Italy-based studio Jyamma Games announced soulslike action RPG Enotria: The Last Song is coming to Xbox Series X|S on December 12. Players who don’t have a Xbox Series X|S console can purchase Enotria: The Last Song on PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. The game costs $49.99.

Lastly, here’s an overview of the game, via Jyamma Games:

Overview

In Enotria: The Last Song, the Maskless One’s world has been gripped by the Canovaccio – a twisted eternal play that only you can end. Adopt the masks of defeated enemies to harness their strength and unlock various abilities to help you survive this Italian landscape, using Ardore to dynamically alter reality along the way. Defeat bosses and enemies using over 120 different weapons, 45 spells, parry modifiers, abilities, load-outs, and more – with more than 150 million different build combinations, the customization is limitless.

Features

Awaken your Potential – Unleash the thrill of combat like never before! Choose from over 120 different weapons, 45 spells, and 8 parry modifiers to defeat the strongest of foes. Shatter their defenses with precision strikes, unique chain parries, and unleash devastating riposte attacks that ignite the battlefield, allowing you to turn defense into offense with style.
Become The Mask Of Change – Seize the Masks of your vanquished adversaries and unlock an endless amount of new possibilities! Switch between three load-outs at any one time. With over 30 distinct Masks at your disposal, each comes with its own unique strengths and vulnerabilities. Use these to your advantage as you take on over 100 diverse enemy archetypes to end the Authors tyranny.
Path of Innovators – Brace yourself to unlock a realm of endless possibilities as you delve into a trove of talents like never before. With over 68 skills to unlock, your Masks become a canvas for unparalleled customization, empowering you to sculpt your playstyle with unprecedented precision. Take advantage of the dozens of stat-altering aspects and find the one out of the 150 Million different build combinations that suit your playstyle and respec on the fly with no penalty.
Summer Souls – This Italian folklore-inspired world of eerie beauty and chilling mystery breathes new life into the soulslike genre. Explore breathtaking cities and beautiful landscapes as you encounter challenging bosses and unravel the Authors’ hidden secrets. Adventure through three vast regions where every corner holds both wonder and danger, beckoning you to discover your own fate amidst the twisted eternal play.
Alter Reality – Channel the power of Ardore to dynamically alter reality. Strategically activate rifts to solve puzzles, reveal secrets, traverse a decaying world, and gain a strategic edge in combat.

PlayStation Plus Game Catalog for December 2024 Revealed

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Soul Kiwami

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December 11, 2024

Sony Interactive Entertainment announced its PlayStation Plus Game Catalog for December 2024 featuring Sonic Frontiers, Forspoken, Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy, and much more. PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium members have access to this updated game catalog starting December 17, 2024.

Every month, PlayStation Plus Game Catalog brings several PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 games to subscribers. Alongside a number of PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 games, PlayStation Plus members gain access to PlayStation VR2 titles and classics from the original PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation Portable.

PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium Game Catalog for December 2024

The full December 2024 Game Catalog for PlayStation Plus may be found below, via PlayStation Blog:

Sonic Frontiers | PS4, PS5

Worlds are colliding in Sonic the Hedgehog’s newest high-speed adventure. Uncover the mysteries of an ancient civilisation plagued by robotic hordes. In search of the missing Chaos emeralds, Sonic becomes stranded on an island teeming with unusual creatures. Battle hordes of powerful enemies as you explore a breath-taking world of action, adventure and mystery. Accelerate to new heights and experience the thrill of high-velocity, open-zone platforming freedom as you race across the five massive Starfall Islands.

Forspoken | PS5

Forspoken is an action RPG that follows the journey of Frey, a young New Yorker transported to the beautiful and cruel land of Athia. In search of a way home, Frey must use her newfound magical abilities to traverse sprawling landscapes, battle monstrous creatures and defeat powerful matriarchs known as Tantas. Explore the vibrant realms of Athia, a striking land of remarkable vistas and otherworldly creatures brought to life through stunning graphics and cutting-edge technology. Scale walls, vault across canyons, leap from dizzying heights, and dash through vast landscapes. Frey’s unique abilities allow her to fluidly traverse the open world with ease. Take on twisted monsters in magical combat with numerous types of powerful abilities catering to a variety of playstyles – from fast-paced and exhilarating to strategic and methodical.

Rabbids: Party of Legends | PS4

Embark on a legendary journey filled with colorful characters with the Rabbids in this uproarious party game. Gather with friends and family and jump into multiplayer mayhem with up to four players locally, sometimes partnering up and at other times, going head-to-head in a multitude of ridiculously fun mini-games. Anyone can get in on the action with customizable difficulty levels and intuitive controls.

WRC Generations | PS4, PS5

Rise to the challenges of the most comprehensive, realistic and demanding rally simulation ever developed. Dive into the heart of the action and drive the cars from the WRC championship, including the new hybrid models. The hybrid era is a revolution for the rally world, significantly affecting performance, changing strategies and making drivers and teams adapt. In terms of gameplay, new mechanics have been integrated to represent the demands of the hybrid engines. In order to win, you have to carefully manage your battery by adapting your engine mapping throughout the special stages you take part in. For fans of competition, Leagues mode lets players challenge opponents with a similar level online. Finish ahead of your competitors to move up the ladder in the Legends category.

F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch | PS4, PS5

Diesel-punk exploratory platformer F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch is filled with intense combat, challenging puzzles and an anthropomorphic cast of vibrant characters. After the animals of Torch City were defeated by the invading Robotic Legion in the Resistance War six years ago, former Resistance fighter Rayton the rabbit has kept a low profile. The arrest of a friend meant he had no choice but to put on his giant metal fist and fight against those oppressing him. Little did he know that he would soon be caught up in a maelstrom of conspiracies involving the Legion, the Resistance, and the Rat Gang.

Jurassic World Evolution 2 | PS4, PS5

Jurassic World Evolution 2 is the much-anticipated sequel to Frontier’s ground-breaking 2018 management simulation. Experience exciting new features, four engaging game modes and an expanded roster of awe-inspiring dinosaurs. Immerse yourself in a compelling and original Jurassic World narrative set after the earth-shattering events of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Work alongside iconic characters from the films, including Dr. Ian Malcolm (voiced by Jeff Goldblum) and Claire Dearing (voiced by Bryce Dallas Howard) and lead the efforts to control, conserve and contain wild dinosaurs now rampaging across the USA. Avoid the mistakes of the past and build your own Jurassic World for dinosaurs and visitors alike.

Coffee Talk | PS4, PS5

Coffee Talk is a game where you listen to people’s problems and help them by serving warm drinks made from the ingredients you have in stock. Immerse yourself in the stories of alternative-Seattle inhabitants, ranging from a dramatic love story between an elf and a succubus, an alien trying to understand humans’ lives, and many others modern readers will find strongly echo the world around them.

Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly | PS4, PS5

It’s time to revisit your favorite late-night coffee shop and reconnect with your fantasy friends over a warm drink or two. Set in an alternate present-day Seattle where humans, orcs, elves, and other races have been coexisting since the beginning of time, you are a barista who listens to their stories and influences their hearts with a warm cup of coffee or two. It’s raining outside, brew yourself a warm drink, play some lo-fi chillhop beats, and listen to the coffee talk. In a time where people are isolated from each other, Coffee Talk is a place where we can reconnect over a cup of warm drink.

A Space for the Unbound | PS4, PS5

A Space for the Unbound is a slice-of-life adventure game with beautiful pixel art set in the late 90s rural Indonesia that tells a story about overcoming anxiety, depression, and the relationship between a boy and a girl with supernatural powers. Follow two high school sweethearts, Atma and Raya, on a journey of self-discovery at the end of their high school years. When a mysteriously supernatural power is suddenly unleashed threatening their existence, they must explore and investigate their town to uncover hidden secrets, face the end of the world, and perhaps learn more about each other.

PHOGS | PS4

Play as a duo of dogs linked by a stretchy belly in a captivating, puzzle-filled adventure. You’ll need to bark, bite and bounce your way through obstacles set across the themed worlds of Food, Sleep and Play. Supporting single-player and shared-controller gameplay, plus local and online co-op, Red and Blue are always ready to play!

Biped | PS4, PS5

Biped is a co-op action-adventure game that emphasizes real-time collaboration between two players. Guide Aku and Sila, two charming bipedal robots, through intricate paths leading to planetary beacons. Using two sticks to control each robot’s legs, you can perform a variety of moves—from walking and sliding to operating machinery and cutting wood. Communicate and coordinate to overcome challenges together and discover how well you work as a team.

PlayStation Plus Premium – Classics and PS VR2

Sly 2: Band of Thieves | PS4, PS5

Sly and the gang are back! Originally released in 2004 on PlayStation 2, Sly 2: Band of Thieves is now enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and custom video filters. They’re ready to pull off the biggest job of their lives, yet! Journey around the world and beat the Klaww Gang at their own game.

Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves | PS4, PS5

Set one year after the events of Band of Thieves, and releasing on PS2 the following year, Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves brings the thieving gang back together for its greatest heist ever! Your favorite characters return as well as new playable specialists like Carmelita Fox and the Guru.

Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy | PS4, PS5

Naughty Dog’s iconic duo started in 2001 with Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy on PlayStation 2. Here’s the deal: Daxter’s had a bit of an accident. He’s now much smaller, cuter, furrier and mouthier. In short, he’s now an Ottsel. When Daxter turns to best pal Jak for help – the daring double act sets off to find a cure, and winds up on an adventure packed with cool combat, radical vehicles and loads of cheeky humor. But fixing Daxter’s “problem” will be far from easy – especially with an army of baddies, evil masterminds and world-ending plots in the way…

Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge | PS VR2

Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge is a VR FPS experience where you step into the role of a Droid Repair Technician. After an emergency crash landing, you’ll embark on thrilling missions in the Batuu wilds, confront the Guavian Death Gang, infiltrate a First Order facility and journey through different eras of the galaxy. Become a Jedi in the Temple of Darkness, train with your padawan in The Sacred Garden, or even take on a bounty as assassin droid IG-88 in The Bounty of Boggs Triff… all in your own unforgettable Star Wars story.