PS This is Awesome! A PlayStation Podcast

On this episode of PS This is Awesome!, the crew dives into a packed week of PlayStation news and rumors.

First up, The Blood of Dawnwalker finally has a release date, landing on September 3rd, 2026. A recent showcase gave us a deeper look at its story, gameplay systems, and RPG mechanics—and it’s shaping up to be one of the most promising RPGs on PS5.

Next, there’s some big movement in the Final Fantasy VII remake saga. Director Naoki Hamaguchi revealed that the third and final installment is gearing up for its official reveal...

On this week’s episode of PS This is Awesome!, we’re diving headfirst into a stacked lineup of PlayStation news and rumors. Resident Evil Requiem continues its monster success story, hitting an incredible 7 million copies sold in just two months, while Capcom teases a new mini-game mode arriving soon—possibly something action-packed in the spirit of Mercenaries. On top of that, a brand-new single-player story expansion has officially entered full production.

We also break down growing concerns over a newly discovered PS5 digital ownership issue, where some recently purchased games may require periodic online DRM checks to lau...

This week on “PS This is Awesome!,” The crew dives into a packed lineup of PlayStation news, surprises, and a few eyebrow-raising stories from around the gaming world. 

Sony is rolling out PS5 age verification later this year in the UK, Ireland, and Brazil, requiring users to confirm their age before accessing messages and voice chat. Is this the future of online console communication, or just another hoop to jump through?

We also talk about the breakout success of Pragmata, which has already sold 1 million copies in just three days, proving Capcom may have...

This week on PS This is Awesome!, we dive into some of the biggest stories shaping the gaming industry right now—and a few that might have you raising an eyebrow.

We kick things off with a candid (and somewhat concerning) revelation from a former Naughty Dog developer, who claims the studio has largely accepted crunch as a necessary part of making blockbuster games. Is this just the reality of AAA development, or a problem the industry still refuses to solve?

Next up, Metro 2039 is officially set to be revealed during an upcoming Xbox livestream, gi...

Episode 418 of PS THIS IS AWESOME dives into a week where PlayStation fans are feeling the squeeze. Sony officially announces major PS5 price hikes across the board—including the PS5 Pro and PlayStation Portal—marking one of the biggest shifts in console pricing since launch. The guys break down what this means for players, why it’s happening, and whether this is the new normal for gaming hardware.

We also look ahead to April’s PS Plus Essential lineup, with Lords of the Fallen reportedly leading the charge ahead of the official reveal. Plus, in a move that add...

In this episode of PS This is Awesome!, Fred is BACK! (if briefly) to discuss Resident Evil Requiem.

For the news this week, the guys run through a packed lineup of PlayStation news, starting with growing anticipation for Marvel’s Wolverine as Sony appears to be gearing up for a proper reveal soon. They also spend time on Crimson Desert, discussing both the developers’ response to criticism over clunky controls and concerns about the game’s performance mode on base PS5, with agreement that it needs more polish before release.

The conversation then shifts to Housem...

Jake is flying solo again this week and kicking things off with a quick story about the wild wind storm that tore through the area on Friday, leaving plenty of damage and chaos in its wake. From there, he dives into a listener question about the skill mismatch issues in Marathon and shares his thoughts on what might be going on with the game’s balance and matchmaking.

As to what he’s playing, Jake is still deep into Resident Evil Requiem and Baldur’s Gate 3.

For the main topic of discussion, Jake looks...

This week on PS This is Awesome!, Jake is joined by friend of the show LJ for a laid-back conversation about gaming, music, and the latest PlayStation news.

The episode kicks off with Jake and LJ reminiscing about their gaming past, sharing stories about how they got into games and the role music has played in their lives alongside gaming.

They then dive into what they’re currently playing, including impressions and thoughts on Resident Evil Requiem and Avowed, discussing their experiences so far and how each game is landing for them.

In th...

On this solo episode of PS This is Awesome!, Jake holds down the fort while recovering from a hockey-related concussion — because nothing says dedication like recording through a head injury (don’t worry, he’s taking it easy).

He kicks things off with a quick health update before diving into what he’s currently playing, sharing impressions and early thoughts on the games keeping him busy while he’s sidelined from the rink.

From there, Jake breaks down some major industry news: the reported closure of Bluepoint Games and why the silence from Sony has f...

This week on PS THIS IS AWESOME, Fred and Jake dive into the games they’ve been playing: Fred tackling the high‑intensity loot shooter ARC Raiders and the tactical fantasy strategy of Unicorn Overlord, while Jake is deep into Baldur’s Gate 3 and the freshly released God of War: Sons of Sparta, exploring Kratos’ early Spartan adventures in a surprise 2D Metroidvania.

We kick off the news with a recap of the latest State of Play, where we saw everything from Kena: Scars of Kosmora and the Ghost of Yōtei Legends DLC, to PC news with...

Episode 412 of PS This Is Awesome is packed with PlayStation news, hands-on impressions, and plenty of speculation as Fred and Jake catch up on what they’ve been playing — including ARC Raiders, Unicorn Overlord, and Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. We break down a massive, hour-long State of Play announcement, Sony officially unveiling the co-op focused Horizon: Hunters Gathering, Capcom dropping a playable Pragmata demo, and Ubisoft’s low-key release of The Division: Definitive Edition without a true PS5 upgrade. There’s also discussion around Capcom’s live-action Resident Evil Requiem short film and what it signals for the franchise’s future. Plus...

Episode 411 of PS This Is Awesome dives into a mix of PlayStation news, industry speculation, and creative fan innovation. We start with The Last of Us TV series, as HBO’s Chief Content Officer suggests the show could wrap up after Season 3 — potentially shorter than earlier plans — sparking a conversation about adaptation fatigue, pacing, and how much story is really left to tell. From there, we shift into the wild world of modding with a fan-built handheld PS4, raising big questions about portability, practicality, and whether PlayStation should take handheld gaming more seriously in the future.

The ep...

Episode 410 of PS This Is Awesome is packed with PlayStation news, speculation, and fresh releases as Fred and Jake break down one of the busiest news cycles of the year so far. Fred shares his continued time with Arc Raiders and GI Joe: Wrath of Cobra, Jake talks about beating Outerworlds 2 while the duo reacts to major industry rumors — including reports that Grand Theft Auto 6 could launch digitally first to prevent leaks, potentially reshaping how blockbuster games release going forward.

The conversation heats up with talk of a rumored PlayStation State of Play in February, sparking speculation ab...

Episode 409 Title: Boilers, Shovelware, and Strange Returns

Episode 409 Summary:

This week on PS This Is Awesome!, Fred and Jake break down what they’ve been playing, with Fred diving into ARC RAIDERS and the nostalgic beat-’em-up GI JOE: Wrath of Cobra, while Jake explores the sci-fi RPG depths of The Outer Worlds 2. 

In the news, Rockstar confirms GTA 6 development continues uninterrupted after a boiler malfunction caused a scare at Rockstar North, Sony quietly wipes thousands of shovelware titles from the PS Store in a major cleanup move, Life Is Strange officially confirms its r...

Episode 408 of PS This Is Awesome! is a wide-ranging conversation that captures both the highs and lows of the current PlayStation landscape. Fred and Jake discuss the sobering news of multiple studio shutdowns, including Sanzaru Games and other Oculus-backed teams, and what it says about the volatility of the industry — even for well-regarded developers tied to beloved PS3-era classics. The conversation continues with Ubisoft’s layoffs at Massive Entertainment, raising questions about how major publishers balance big-budget franchises like The Division 3 amid ongoing restructuring.

On a brighter note, the guys celebrate Arc Raiders surpassing 12 million copi...

Episode 407 – PS Plus January 2026 Revealed, PS6 Rumors & Silent Hill’s Future

This week on PS This Is Awesome, Fred and Jake break down a packed slate of PlayStation news as 2026 kicks off. We run through the newly announced PlayStation Plus Essential games for January, including Need for Speed Unbound, Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, and Core Keeper, and talk about how this lineup sets the tone for the year ahead. The conversation shifts to reflection and fun with PushSquare’s PlayStation Quiz of the Year 2025, sparking discussion about just how much happened in gaming over the pa...

Episode 406 - Our Most Anticipated Games of 2026

In this week’s episode of PS This Is Awesome!, Fred and Jake break down their most anticipated PlayStation games of 2026, sharing personal hype levels, early impressions, and why these titles are must-plays. From Marvel’s Wolverine’s intense action and cinematic storytelling to the massive open-world spectacle of GTA 6, the guys hit all the big names that will dominate next year. They also dive into Resident Evil: Requiem, Crimson Desert, Nioh 3, and other PS5 exclusives and multiplatform releases, giving listeners a sense of what to expect from both blockb...

Episode 405 - That’s a Wrap!

In today’s episode of PS This Is Awesome!, Fred and Jake dive headfirst into everything revealed at The Game Awards 2025, with the spotlight firmly on the announcements rather than just the winners. From massive new reveals to unexpected surprises, they break down what actually matters for PlayStation fans and which games left the biggest impression. The conversation also briefly touches on the major award winners to give context, but the real focus is on what’s coming next for PS5.

Fred shares impressions from his time with Silent...

Episode 404 - Game Awards Raider

In this week’s episode of PS This is Awesome! we kick things off with Games We’re Playing:

🎮 Fred has wrapped up the Battlefield 6 campaign and is digging further into Arc Raiders.

🎮 Jake has been replaying Dispatch to check out its alternate endings.

From there, we jump into a packed news cycle. Tekken director Katsuhiro Harada is leaving the series after 30 years and has dropped a 60-minute celebratory music mega-mix for fans. The Game Awards are shaping up to be huge with a new Tomb...

Episode 403 - Witcher one is it?

In this week’s episode, Fred and Jake break down a surprisingly stacked batch of PlayStation news. Rockstar has dropped a free PS5 upgrade for Red Dead Redemption, now included with PS Plus Extra, giving the classic western a fresh coat of paint and making it easier than ever for newcomers to jump in. The guys also celebrate indie success as Ball X Pit crosses one million sales on PS5, with major free updates announced for 2026 — proof that smaller games are thriving alongside the big hitters.

Fighting game...

Episode 402 - Trophy Hunters Anonymous

This week on PS This Is Awesome!, we dig into a packed slate of PlayStation updates and industry chatter. First up, Jason Schreier reports that Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet won’t land until 2027, which actually lines up with Naughty Dog’s habit of dropping major releases near the end of a console cycle — just like The Last of Us Part I and II. We also take a look at Zoopunk, the newly announced prequel to F.I.S.T., bringing third-person action to that universe in a way that a...

Episode 401 - MMO You Didn’t

This week on PS This Is Awesome!, Fred is still deep in Arc Raiders, pulling loot, dodging chaos, and trying to convince Jake it’s secretly one of the best co-op loops on PS5. Meanwhile, Jake continues carving his path through Ghost of Yōtei, sharing new impressions, story beats, and a few surprises the game threw at him since last episode.

We also catch up on the latest PlayStation news, react to the week’s updates across the PS5 ecosystem, and talk through what’s coming up that h...

Episode 400 - The Big One

We made it — 400 episodes of PS This Is Awesome! Ten years of PlayStation talk, bad takes, great games, and plenty of laughs. This week, Fred and Jake rewind through the show’s history — from Episode 1’s Tomb Raider and PlayStation Plus chatter, to the Episode 250 PushSquare Quiz showdown — and look at how far PlayStation (and the podcast) have come.

We’re also digging into the latest PS5 news: a new State of Play Japan, GTA VI is pushed back, PS Plus November lineup, the PlayStation Portal’s cloud streaming upda...

EPISODE 399 - NEWS ROUNDUP, ARC RAIDERS GOES TOPSIDE AND PLAYSTATION HEADLINES

This week on PS THIS IS AWESOME, Fred and Jake dive into the latest PlayStation news and what they’ve been playing — Fred on Arc Raiders and Jake on Ghost of Yotei. We break down the big ARC Raiders updates, including its roadmap, anti-cheat compensation system, and launch success.

Plus, get the scoop on November’s PS Plus Essential games, Astro Bot’s surprise cameo in Lumines Arise, and PlayStation’s new five-year celebration ads. We also cover Persona 5’s milestone of 13 million sales...

We dive into listener feedback and what we’ve been playing — Fred on Battlefield 6, Jake on Ghost of Yotei. In the news: Sony isn’t buying Warner Bros., Arc Raiders is built for the PS6 era, and Silent Hill F went viral with over 1.5M viewers. Remedy faces challenges after FBC: Firebreak underperforms, and the PS Store adds a “lowest price in 30 days” feature.

Xbox continues to blur platform lines with Halo: Campaign Evolved coming to PS5 in 2026, and developers are already planning games to bridge PS5 and PS6. All this plus the latest releases and updates fo...

Episode 397 - ARC Raiders

This week, Fred dives into the ARC Raiders server slam, fires up Battlefield 6, and admits Banishers is still sitting untouched. Jake’s been exploring the mysterious Ghost of Yotei. In PlayStation news, that rumored DualSense controller with a removable battery? Just a translation mishap. Meanwhile, the PS Store quietly added a super useful feature showing the lowest price in the last 30 days for discounted games.

We also cover the massive AWS outage that hit Ubisoft titles like The Division 2 and Rainbow Six Siege—and even caused PSN issues. Did you expe...

Episode 396  – Battlefield 6

In today’s episode of PS This Is Awesome! A listener breaks down Borderlands 4’s new reactive level scaling system while Fred defends his “flawless” Mekadragon run in Cyber Shadow—despite some questionable criticism from a fellow gamer. Fred’s been juggling Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden and Battlefield 6, while Jake continues exploring Ghost of Yotei. Fred also grabbed Valiant Hearts for his backlog.

On the news front, Sony’s reportedly gearing up PS6 production for early 2027, hinting at a possible late-2027 or early-2028 launch. Meanwhile, Battlefield 6 storms the UK charts with a dominant PS5 de...

Fred is still plunging  into Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, Jake takes on Ghost of Yotei, and we share some awesome listener feedback about self-care and making sure we’re not burning the candle at both ends. Thanks to everyone for understanding our short break! In news, Battlefield 6 physical copies have leaked ahead of release, which is surprising for two reasons — hardly anyone buys physical games anymore, and most don’t actually contain the game on the disc. This one does, though online is still required even for the campaign. October’s PS Plus Essential lineup features Alan Wake 2, Goat Simu...

Episode 394 – Skate is Back & Silent Hill News

In this week’s episode, Fred and Jake dig into the latest PlayStation news. Sony is bringing more classic Tomb Raider adventures back to PS5 and PS4 with trophy support, while the September PS Plus lineup delivers a mix of new and retro titles for subscribers. We talk about our time with Skate, Banishers: Ghosts of New Edan, and Borderlands 4.  We also cover the latest PS5 firmware update, which improves power-saving features and DualSense pairing. Plus, we highlight the upcoming Arc Raiders stress test and preview a busy release schedule, inclu...

On this week’s episode of PS This Is Awesome, Fred shares that he finally finished Death Stranding 2 while Jake has some Borderlands 4 woes. We dive into a heavy news week for PlayStation fans. Rumors are swirling about a possible PS5 Showcase next week, Sony is doubling down on single-player gaming, and the September PS Plus lineup is here. On top of that, GTA 6 is shaping up to be the biggest launch in history, whispers about a detachable disc drive for PS6 have started, and Sony quietly cut storage space on new PS5 models. Naughty Dog teased their most am...

In this episode, Fred dives back into Death Stranding 2 while Jake shares his latest impressions after beating Shinobi: Art of Vengeance. We kick off listener feedback with @bigbox1431 challenging Jake’s “graphics matter” stance, pointing out Nintendo’s massive success with the new Zelda games. In the news segment, we discuss the 007: First Light State of Play, growing tensions around Xbox Game Pass, Sony allowing beta footage sharing for Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, and rumors about Wolverine on PS5 and a detachable disc drive for the next-gen PS6. We also highlight upcoming releases, including Firefighting Simulator: Ignite, Dead Reset, Borderla...

In this week’s episode, we break down September’s PlayStation Plus Essential lineup, featuring Psychonauts 2, Stardew Valley, and Viewfinder, now available to redeem. We also dive into the latest shake-up at Haven Studio, as Fairgames loses its game director to WB Games Montreal, raising new doubts about Sony’s live-service strategy.

Plus, a fresh State of Play is on the calendar for September 3, with a spotlight on 007: First Light, and rumors are swirling about a dockable PS6 handheld. We wrap things up with franchise news on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and a packed slate of new releas...

Episode 390 - Gamescom, He-Man, and PS5 Price Hike

In Episode 390, we dive into the latest news from the gaming world. Capcom is going all-in for TGS 2025, bringing playable demos of Resident Evil Requiem, Street Fighter 6, Pragmata, and more, while EA is gearing up to reveal the Early Access date for the free-to-play Skate reboot. 

We also cover retro nostalgia with Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction, Sony’s increasing control over Bungie following Pete Parsons’ departure, and a new Halloween multiplayer game from IllFonic. On the hardware side, Sony raises PS5 prices in th...

This week, we dig into analyst Michael Pachter’s harsh critique of Sony’s leadership and what it means for PlayStation’s future. We also cover the social media firestorm Sony sparked by acknowledging Helldivers 2’s Xbox release, plus rumors of a late September State of Play that could deliver big holiday news.

Finally, we break down Nexon’s AI ad controversy with The First Descendant and why it’s raising serious questions about ethics in gaming marketing.

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Episode 388 - Ready or Not August is Here

In this episode, Fred is deep into Death Stranding 2, having just hit Chapter 9 and surpassed 70 hours of gameplay. Jake joins in with listener feedback and some sharp takes on the latest PlayStation news. We dive into Sony’s August PS Plus Essential lineup, where Lies of P shines as a dark, Pinocchio-inspired Souls-like standout, while DayZ and My Hero One’s Justice 2 offer more mixed receptions.

Battlefield 6 finally hits a smooth 60 FPS Performance Mode on PS5, promising better responsiveness and visuals. We also highlight the surprising cons...

🎮 EPISODE 387: Horizon: The Clone Wars

In Episode 387, Fred dives deeper into Death Stranding 2 with many hours logged, while Jake shares what’s on his playlist. We kick off with your listener feedback, then jump into the biggest PlayStation news this week: 

Sony’s reveal of the innovative FlexStrike Wireless Fight Stick—wireless, low-latency, and loaded with features for fighters everywhere. 

Plus, we unpack Sony’s legal battle against Tencent over a shameless Horizon Zero Dawn clone, explore rumors of a new free-to-play Battle Royale mode in Battlefield 6, and discuss the fallout from...

🎮 EPISODE 386: PS5 Pro Now With More K

This week on PS This Is Awesome, Fred’s still deep in the package life with Death Stranding 2 (62 hours and counting!), while Jake’s playing Lies of P. In the news: Ubisoft is bringing Ghost Recon into first-person territory, Moon Studios ditches Xbox for PS5, and PS5 Pro hits a milestone with its first native 8K/60fps game. We also dig into a nostalgic boost for Atari 50, and a sneaky PS5 firmware update you probably already downloaded. Plus, we preview the week’s new releases—Luto, Monument Valley III, Killing Flo...

🎮 EPISODE 385 – Ghost of Yōtei Hype and the Future of PS Plus

Fred’s 40 hours deep into Death Stranding 2, Jake’s has finally ripped through Doom: The Dark Ages, Bought Death Stranding 2 and started Lies of P and we’re back with a fully loaded episode. We break down the biggest PlayStation stories of the week — starting with speculation around Cory Barlog’s next project. Is it more God of War or something entirely different?

We also tee up the Ghost of Yōtei gameplay reveal and talk expectations for Sucker Punch’s next samurai epic...

Fred’s neck-deep in Death Stranding 2, Jake’s still playing Doom The Dark Ages. In the news: Neil Druckmann is stepping away from The Last of Us Season 3 to focus on Naughty Dog, but he’s still playing games—Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 blew his mind, and it might be a GOTY dark horse.

Also: Forza Motorsport may have stalled out for good as Turn 10 gets gutted and GT7 keeps cruising. Helldivers 2 jumping to Xbox has the PS5 crowd split, and a new Mafia: The Old Country gameplay drop has serious Uncharted energy. Plus, over a million gamers w...

383 - PS6 is Coming, What We Know and What We Want. 

We're back after a short break—thanks for hanging in there with us! In Episode 383, we unpack Sony’s surprise PS6 confirmation and talk about what machine learning and local power could mean for the next generation of PlayStation. Fred shares his thoughts on Car Mechanic Simulator and dives into Death Stranding 2, which he is absolutely ALL IN on, while Jake’s used his Steam Deck while in Italy and played Super Mario World. We also break down this month’s PS Plus lineup, System Shock 2’s...