Gaming

PS5 update brings M.2 SSD storage expansion

With 3D Audio for TV speakers, new UX features

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PlayStation 5

The PlayStation 5 is getting pretty useful upgrades in the latest update coming to Sony’s gaming console. These include the much awaited M.2 SSD storage expansion, 3D Audio for TV speakers, as well as new UX features and customization.

M.2 SSD Storage Expansion

PS5 Update

This feature was in beta a few months ago but now it’s making its way to all PS5 owners. M.2 SSD is a type of high-speed solid state drive that can be installed in the PS5 console or PS5 Digital Edition console.

When added, the additional storage can be used to download, copy, and launch PS5 and PS4 games, as well as media apps. Players will be able to freely move games from the internal storage to the external storage as they please.

However, it can’t be just any M.2 SSD. It has to meet the following specifications:

  • Interface — PCI-Express Gen4x4 supported M.2 NVMe SSD (Key M)
  • Storage — 250GB to 4TB
  • Supported Sizes — 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, 22110
  • Size including heat-dissipation mechanism — Width: up to 25 mm / Length: 30/40/6080/110 mm / Thickness: up to 11.25 mm (up to 8.0 mm
  • from above the board, up to 2.45 mm from below the board)
  • Sequential read speed — 5500 MB/s or faster is recommended
  • Socket Type — Socket 3 (Key M)

SEE ALSO: Best M.2 SSDs compatible with the PlayStation 5

3D Audio for TV speakers

PS5 Update

3D audio was only previously compatible with PS5 supported headsets. Now, it’s coming to TV speakers. Players only need to go to the Sound Menu to enable the feature. The mic on the Dual Sense controller are used to measure the acoustics in the room.

What it does is turn standard two-channel TV speaker audio into three-dimensional sound for a more immersive experience.

New UX features

Aiming to improve the whole user experience, PlayStation added the following in the update:

  • Control Center customization — Players can now freely rearrange or choose which controls to hide or unhide at the bottom of the screen.
  • Enhanced Game Base — Easily view and write messages to friends and Parties directly from Game Base in the Control Center.
    Game Library and Home Screen updates — Installed PS4 and PS5 versions of the same game will now appear separately in the “Installed” tab of the Game Library and on the Home screen. Each game’s tile now also clearly indicates its platform.
  • Screen Reader controls — Players can now pause or resume Screen Reader (Press “PS + Triangle buttons”) and have it repeat anything it reads (Press “PS + R1 buttons”).
  • New Trophy tracker –– A new Trophy Tracker that lets players quickly access up to five trophies per game through the Control Center.

Other enhancements include resolution control on PlayStation Now and a brand new accolade type.

Watch the walkthrough video below to see all the updates.

Gaming

Stage Tour is resurrecting your Rock Band childhood

You can rock the guitar, the drums, or vocals to your favorite songs.

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A new Witcher 3 DLC, a new Final Fantasy VII, Mega Man, Rayman, and Crazy Taxi. What year is it again? With games as nostalgic as these coming out, there’s one game that can complete the circle: Rock Band. Now, resurrecting an era of rhythm games, Stage Tour will have you playing the guitar, the drums, or vocals in a star-studded game with a lot of iconic tracks.

For those who played through the classic Guitar Hero or Rock Band, Stage Tour needs no introduction. However, if you’re new to the scene, the game simply puts you into the shoes of a rock band. You can wield a guitar, a set of drums, or a microphone. And yes, the game comes with a customized controller for each instrument.

As for the soundtrack, you can rock and jam to a lot of the catchiest songs from yesteryear to today including titles from BABYMETAL, Paramore, Slipknot, The Rolling Stones, Ed Sheeran, Black Eyed Peas, Blink-182, Fall Out Boy, Metallica, Walk the Moon, and Olivia Rodrigo.

Stage Tour launches on December 10 for all major platforms like PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Switch 2. You can also grab their official accessories through their site, but they do cost a pretty penny.

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Gaming

HoYoverse’s Nodusfall looks like nothing they’ve ever made before

But it looks so similar to Elden Ring or Dark Souls.

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There’s a certain aesthetic you’ll always expect whenever you see HoYoverse mentioned. Touting long-standing hits like Genshin Impact and Zenless Zone Zero, the publisher’s games often have bright and appealing aesthetics, bolstered by highly attractive characters to get you into the gacha groove. However, for the first time, HoYoverse is trying something completely different: Nodusfall, an action RPG that looks and feels like Elden Ring.

Revealed at today’s gamescom, Nodusfall teases a deeply fantastical setting focusing on Weavers taking on ferocious monsters and divine entities. Players will be able to take on these challenges with, based on the trailer, four players. Each player can wield an assortment of weapons including a greatsword, a regular sword, a bow, and magic. The trailer also teases spells that can transform the player into a divine being themselves.

As for the enemies, they have a strangely striking resemblance to other games you might have played before. One is a grizzled warrior who beheads a giant lion, something that’s shockingly identical to Hoarah Loux in Elden Ring. Another rides a dragon, similar to the Nameless King from Dark Souls 3.

Comparisons aside, Nodusfall is an impressive transformation for HoYoverse. Since forever, the publisher thrived on anime aesthetics, highlighted these days by the godly trilogy of Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero.

HoYoverse hasn’t revealed the release date of Nodusfall just yet, but we’re excited to see it in action.

SEE ALSO: HoYoverse’s first life sim, Petit Planet, opens Stardrift Test sign-ups

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Gaming

Mega Man: Dual Override shows off new gameplay

Proto Man joins Mega Man

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Mega Man: Dual Override

Capcom has unveiled the first gameplay trailer for Mega Man: Dual Override, giving fans an extended look at the next mainline entry in the classic action-platformer series.

Revealed during Gamescom Opening Night Live, the trailer showcases new gameplay mechanics, bosses, playable characters, and more. Mega Man: Dual Override is set to launch in 2027.

The game will be available on Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam, the Epic Games Store, and Microsoft Store.

Proto Man joins the fight

For the first time in a mainline Mega Man game, Proto Man returns as a playable character alongside the Blue Bomber.

Proto Man has his own abilities and playstyle. This gives players two distinct ways to approach the game’s challenges.

The trailer also introduces the new Override system. It lets robots temporarily push their abilities beyond their normal limits.

There is a catch, though. Once Override runs out, the player’s performance will temporarily drop. Players will need to choose when to activate the boost and manage its drawbacks.

Build your own playstyle

Mega Man: Dual Override also introduces a Custom Chip system.

Players can install Custom Chips to give Mega Man and Proto Man additional abilities. These include rapid-fire attacks, a protective shield bubble, hover capabilities, and more.

Players can mix and match different chips to create combinations that suit their preferred playstyle.

The trailer also introduces Twinkle Girl, one of eight new Robot Masters. She attacks with dazzling, firework-themed abilities.

As in previous games, defeating Robot Masters lets players acquire their abilities and turn them into special weapons.

New weapons and familiar faces

Special weapons remain an important part of Mega Man’s arsenal. However, they consume energy with every use, making resource management important.

The trailer shows off one new weapon that unleashes a powerful charge attack. It can also function as an aerial dash, giving players another mobility option.

Fans also spotted a familiar face in the trailer. Astro Man from Mega Man 8 briefly appears during the footage.

Capcom has not confirmed whether Astro Man will play a larger role in the game. It also teased the possibility of more classic Robot Masters returning.

Mega Man: Dual Override is now available to wishlist on the PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, and Steam.

Mega Man games are also on sale

Several Mega Man games are currently discounted on Steam for a limited time.

Mega Man 11 is available for SGD 5.53, while the recently released Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection is discounted to SGD 37.42.

Other Mega Man titles are also included in the sale.

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