PlayStation and PS4 New Releases and PSN Must Buys

Welcome to a slightly overhauled version of our PlayStation Store Sale Highlights video series! Whereas before we would simply recount the greatest deals available on PSN, we’ve combined both the sale video and our Monthly Releases Spotlight, meaning you’ll get a detailed overview of all things PlayStation every week.

July’s PlayStation Plus offerings are now available, while Sony is also hosting week 2 of the Mid-Year sale. In our selections, we tip the hat to Frictional Games’ excellent SOMA, along with crowdfunded rhythm game, Amplitude.

When it comes to those titles on offer, you can head on over to PlayStation Store for further details. Keep in mind, though, all of these promotions will be valid up until Tuesday, July 12 at approximately 10am PT/1pm ET.

If you have any questions or queries about our sale highlight, or indeed if you have any suggestions for the show, drop us a line: tips@playstationlifestyle.net.

PlayStation LifeStyle’s YouTube channel is your hub for all things PlayStation, featuring the latest game trailers and more original content than you can shake a DualShock 4 at.

Essential Reading:

PS4 Remastered Games - Which Were Done Right?

PS4 Remastered Games - Which Were Done Right?
Resident Evil Zero HD

What It Did Right & Wrong: Capcom has a pretty darn good track record with remasters and Resident Evil Zero HD is no exception. The game looks absolutely gorgeous (thanks to new lighting effects), and even features a new character to play (Wesker!). Sadly, there is some tiny frustration as Wesker Mode isn't unlocked until the player has completed the game, which is weird in a re-release.
Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition

What It Did Right & Wrong: Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition is basically the standard of what players should expect from recent remasters. It includes all of the game's DLC, it looks as good as the PC version, and runs smoothly. It doesn't go the extra mile to fix some of the game's flaws, but it's the best version of Sleeping Dogs.
Valkyria Chronicles Remastered

What It Did Right & Wrong: Valkyria Chronicles Remastered does a really good job of getting Valkyria Chronicles running on PS4. If that's all you want, then it's great. Sadly, the game is starting to show its age, and a few simple tweaks to the gameplay (and a difficulty option) could've made this a much better game in 2016.
Shadow Complex Remastered

What It Did Right & Wrong: Shadow Complex Remastered is a lot like God of War III Remastered as both games are using the original assets at a higher resolution. So while Chair Entertainment's fantastic Metroidvania is still ultimately an Xbox 360 game at heart, it's a damn good looking one. Also, the release doesn't feature many extras, which is pretty disappointing. The addition of fast travel would've really opened up the game, but there's also something respectable about keeping the original game intact.
Day of the Tentacle: Special Edition

What It Did Right: Day of the Tentacle: Special Edition is one of the best remasters on this list. Not only did Double Fine create brand new visuals for this release, they're based off the original artwork. It's like getting to play the original vision of the game, that wasn't able to be made due to technical limitations. On top of that, there's new control schemes, great developer commentary (more of this, please!), and the ability to look at the original game. It's a stellar release.
Dead Island Definitive Collection

What It Did Right & Wrong: The Dead Island games had their own charm on PS3 (which was largely thanks to the game's fantastic analog combat), but it also had a ton of flaws. Dead Island Definitive Collection was a chance to fix a lot of these weak points, and instead nothing got changed. This collection is just as glitchy (if not glitchier) than the original games, and it's only slightly better looking. While it's cool that gamers can now chop off zombie limbs on PS4, this just didn't do enough to make it worth another go.
Gravity Rush Remastered

What It Did Right & Wrong: Gravity Rush Remastered was good on the Vita, but it was truly great on PlayStation 4. The core gravity shifting mechanics felt a tad bit clunky in the original, but can be done with ease with a DualShock 4. The game also still holds up graphically, although that's solely due to the game's art style as character models look pretty bad when examined closely.
Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir

What It Did Right: Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir is probably the best example of a remastered version of a game ever. In fact, it arguably goes into remake territory, but nonetheless Vanillaware took their time and addressed the many flaws that the original game had. A remastered version should be a second chance at getting the best possible game out there, and that's exactly what the developer did. More interesting level designs, better boss fights, smoother combat, enhanced lore. Literally everything is better in Leifthrasir.
Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection

What It Did Right & Wrong: Few remasters are as gorgeous as Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection is. Bluepoint Games did their usual stellar job technical wise, but even then they can't make Uncharted: Drake's Fortune feel enjoyable in 2016. One disappointment is that this collection actually is missing features the original games had, namely multiplayer.
DmC: Devil May Cry Definitive Edition

What It Did Right: DmC: Devil May Cry Definitive Edition turned one of the best character action games in recent memory to one of the best ever made. Not only does the game include all of the original game's DLC (playing as Vergil is so much fun!), but Ninja Theory went back and added new difficulty modes to the game. Throw in a smooth framerate of 60fps, and you have one of the best looking and playing games on PS4.