Platinum Explosion: A PlayStation Podcast

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Impressions & 5 New India Hero Project Games Revealed

It's a day late to get some more Final Fantasy VII Rebirth time in, but Dylan and Ashley are here to give their impressions on the game and discuss the latest in PlayStation news.
HOSTS
Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil
Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley
EPISODE TIMECODES
00:00:00 - Hello00:01:40 - Layoffs00:03:38 - Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Impressions00:21:03 - PS Plus Games For March00:23:11 - Helldivers 2 Has A Gm00:30:22 - PlayStation India Hero Project Games00:39:13 - Goodbye
RESOURCES
PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for March: EA Sports F1 23, Sifu, Hello Neighbor 2, Destiny 2: Witch Queen
'We have an actual person with the title of Game Master': A single Helldivers 2 dev named Joel is pulling the strings on its galactic war like an all-powerful D&D dungeon master, war will become 'more and more sophisticated over time' | PC Gamer
Helldivers 2 is getting mechs soon - Explosion Network
Revealing 5 India Hero Project games coming to PlayStation
PLATINUM EXPLOSION: A PLAYSTATION PODCAST CREDITS
Music by: Dylan Blight
Art by: Cherie Henriques
Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration
LINKS
All Episodes: https://platinumexplosion.podbean.com/
Support Us - Buy Us A Coffee: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

PlayStation Portal Outsells Expectations

Dylan continues to be shocked by how much he is using and liking the PlayStation Portal, and it proves a great device to play classic PSP games on, including Resistance: Retribution.
Show Dot Points
The PlayStation Portal has been a surprise success, exceeding Sony's expectations in terms of demand.
The device offers the ability to play PSP games anywhere in the house, which appeals to a specific audience.
The connection stability of the PlayStation Portal can vary depending on the network it is connected to.
The upcoming Spider-Man update for PS5 includes a new game plus and additional content.
Supermassive Games has announced layoffs due to industry challenges as part of a reorganization.
Leaked footage of LittleBigPlanetHub has surfaced, showcasing a live service version of the game that was never released.
HOSTS
Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil
Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley
EPISODE TIMECODES
00:00:00 - Hello00:01:25 - PS Portal Continues To Sell Very Well00:10:08 - Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Gets Free Update This Week00:15:17 - Supermassive Games Layoffs00:20:38 - F2P LittleBigPlanet HUB Footage Leaks00:30:19 - Goodbye
RESOURCES
PS Portal Proving More Popular Than Sony Expected | Push Square
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 update adds New Game Plus and new suits on March 7 – PlayStation.Blog
Until Dawn Developer Supermassive Is Reorganising And Laying Off A Quarter Of Its Staff
Xbox's Pentiment Runs Better on PS5 Than Series X Because of a Temporary Bug | Push Square
Leaked Footage Of LittleBigPlanet Hub Has Appeared Online
PLATINUM EXPLOSION: A PLAYSTATION PODCAST CREDITS
Music by: Dylan Blight
Art by: Cherie Henriques
Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration
LINKS
All Episodes: https://platinumexplosion.podbean.com/
Support Us - Buy Us A Coffee: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

Helldivers II is great, and follows a few simple rules for success

We've finally played some Helldivers II and are loving it, and so are the devs, with massive success. But enough about the present! We also talked about the future and when the PlayStation 6 could be released.
Episode Dot Points
Helldivers 2 has gained significant popularity and continues to attract a large player base.
The gameplay of Helldivers 2 is enjoyable, especially in co-op mode.
According to Sony, the PS5 is entering the latest stages of its life cycle.
Speculation on the release of the PS6 suggests a possible launch in 2026 or 2027.
HOSTS
Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil
Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley
EPISODE TIMECODESINTRO00:00:00 - Hello00:00:47 - Helldivers II Impressions00:11:42 - Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden Trophies Are Dumb00:13:56 - PS Plus Extra/Deluxe Games For Feb00:17:16 - PS5 Is Entering "Later Stage of Life Cycle"00:24:11 - Goodbye
RESOURCES
Helldivers 2 Hype Continues, More Concurrents Than Every PlayStation PC Port Combined | Push Square
PlayStation Plus Game Catalog for February: Need for Speed Unbound, The Outer Worlds, Tales of Arise, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and more
PS5 Entering ‘The Latter Stage of Its Life Cycle’, Sony Says - IGN
PLATINUM EXPLOSION: A PLAYSTATION PODCAST CREDITS
Music by: Dylan Blight
Art by: Cherie Henriques
Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration
LINKS
All Episodes: https://platinumexplosion.podbean.com/
Support Us - Buy Us A Coffee: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

Helldivers 2 is a massive success, PlayStation Portal review & Dreams nearly came to PC

In this episode of Platinum Explosion, Dylan and Ashley discuss the PlayStation Portal, the success of Helldivers 2, Kojima's game and movie, the missed opportunity of Dreams on PC, and the possibility of a Dreams remaster.
 
Takeaways
The PlayStation Portal is a good device but is overpriced and unnecessary for most people.
Helldivers 2 has been a big success, selling around a million copies in less than a week.
Dreams was nearly complete for a PS5 and PC port, but the project was affected by layoffs.
Kojima's new game, Fisnet, is being branded as both a game and a movie.
Dreams remastered could have included ray tracing and keyboard and mouse support.
HOSTS
Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil
Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley
EPISODE TIMECODESINTRO00:00:00 - Hello00:02:41 - PlayStation Portal Review00:11:50 - State Of Play - We Didn't Watch It00:14:44 - Helldivers 2 Success00:20:29 - Kojima's Game and Movie00:22:55 - Dreams Port to PC00:27:17 - Goodbye
RESOURCES
State of Play Recap: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth demo out today, 11 minutes of new gameplay revealed – PlayStation.Blog
Helldivers 2 Is 'Blowing Through Estimates', Around 1 Million Sales In Less Than a Week | Push Square
Kojima: Your Mother Won't Be Able to Tell the Difference Between PHYSINT and a Movie | Push Square
A Dreams Port For PS5 And PC Was Apparently In The Works But Ultimately Cancelled
PLATINUM EXPLOSION: A PLAYSTATION PODCAST CREDITS
Music by: Dylan Blight
Art by: Cherie Henriques
Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration
LINKS
All Episodes: https://platinumexplosion.podbean.com/
Support Us - Buy Us A Coffee: http://www.ko-fi.co

Xbox Might Be Bringing Indiana Jones & Other Xbox Games To PlayStation Consoles

Is it the end of the console wars like we know them? Xbox might be bringing their games to PlayStation.
Also, on the show this week, we talk about The Last of Us Part II documentary, the news a third game is at least being thought about: Tomb Raider 1-3 remastered having terrible trophies, and Dylan drops a surprise unboxing and set-up of the PlayStation Portal on Ashley.
HOSTS
Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil
Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley
EPISODE TIMECODESINTRO00:00:00 - Hello00:08:15 - Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered Trophy Issue00:10:50 - Are Microsoft Considering Releasing Games on PlayStation?00:21:37 - The Last of Us 3 Concept00:24:34 - Review of Grounded II: Making Last of Us Part 2 Documentary00:34:39 - Connecting the PS5 Portal00:39:43 - Wrapping Up
RESOURCES
Push SquareTomb Raider 1-3 Remastered Has Almost 300 Trophies, But Zero PS5 Platinums
The Sixth AxisThe Last of Us 3: Naughty Dog has concept for "one more chapter" | TheSixthAxis  
The VergeAccording to The Verge Microsoft is considering launching Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on PlayStation - XboxEra
XboxEraEXCLUSIVE | Microsoft plans Starfield launch for PlayStation 5 - XboxEra
PLATINUM EXPLOSION: A PLAYSTATION PODCAST CREDITS
Music by: Dylan Blight
Art by: Cherie Henriques
LINKS
All Episodes: https://platinumexplosion.podbean.com/
Support Us - Buy Us A Coffee: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

State of Play Breakdown: Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Rise of The Ronin, Stellar Blade

We break down all the news from this week's State of Play.
Hosts:Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladilAshley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobleyBuddy Watson: https://twitter.com/BuddyWatson12
Platinum Explosion CreditsMusic by: Dylan BlightArt by: Cherie Henriques
All Episodes:https://explosionnetwork.com/platinum-explosion-podcast
Support Us:http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

Until Dawn Movie Announced & God of War Ragnarok Valhalla Was Great

An Until Dawn movie has been announced, but it seems a bit weird. Dylan talks about how good the God of War Ragnarok Valhalla DLC was and some thoughts on The Last of Us Part II Remastered.
HOSTS
Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil
Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley
EPISODE TIMECODESINTRO
00:00 - Introduction and Best of 2023
01:11 - Review of The Last of Us Part II Remastered
03:05 - Discussion on Violence in Video Games
06:06 - The Value of Remastered Games
07:18 - Reviewing Games and Special Features
08:23 - The Score of a Game vs. the Overall Package
10:36 - Impressions of God of War: Ragnarok and Valhalla
11:50 - The Story of God of War: Ragnarok
13:45 - The Rogue-like Mode in God of War: Ragnarok
16:33 - PlayStation Plus Games and Catalog
20:20 - PlayStation Blog Game of the Year 2023 Winners
27:29 - PlayStation Blog 2024 Highlights
35:14 - Discussion on leaked information
38:04 - Announcement of new PlayStation Productions movie
39:12 - Casting news for The Last of Us TV series
48:04 - Wrap-up and hopes for the future
 
RESOURCES
GamesRadar
Last of Us Season 2 Casting
PlayStation LifeStyle
Until Dawn Movie in Development at PlayStation Productions
PS Blog
PlayStation in 2024: Highlights
PlayStation Plus Game Catalog for January: Resident Evil 2, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, Hardspace: Shipbreaker and more
PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for January: A Plague Tale: Requiem, Evil West, Nobody Saves the World
PS.Blog Game of the Year 2023: The Winners
PLATINUM EXPLOSION: A PLAYSTATION PODCAST CREDITS
Music by: Dylan Blight
Art by: Cherie Henriques
LINKS
All Episodes: https://platinumexplosion.podbean.com/
Support Us - Buy Us A Coffee: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

God of War Ragnarok & Rise of the Ronin News From The Game Awards, And Dylan’s Surprise 400th Platinum Trophy

Ding! 400 platinums for Dylan, and we discuss God of War Rangrok getting a surprise free DLC and Rise of the Ronin getting a March 2024 release date.
HOSTS
Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil
Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley
EPISODE TIMECODESINTRO00:00:00 - HelloPS GAMING00:06:51 - Alan Wake 2 TrophiesPS NEWS00:13:34 - Was Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Snubbed At The Game Awards?00:20:34 - God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla DLC Is Coming Out Today00:25:31 - Rise of the Ronin Gets A March 2023 Release DateOUTRO00:30:37 - Christmas Break Games00:32:22 - Goodbye For 2023
RESOURCES
PS BLOG
God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla DLC revealed, coming December 12
Rise of the Ronin arrives only on PS5 March 22
PUSH SQUARE
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Fans Miffed After Apparent Snubbing at The Game Awards
PLATINUM EXPLOSION: A PLAYSTATION PODCAST CREDITS
Music by: Dylan Blight
Art by: Cherie Henriques
LINKS
All Episodes: https://platinumexplosion.podbean.com/
Support Us - Buy Us A Coffee: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Spoilercast & Review Discussion

It's been a long time coming, but here's our spoilercast and review discussion for Marvel's Spider-Man 2, so beware of SPOILERS.
HOSTS
Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil
Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley
EPISODE TIMECODES
00:00 - Introduction and Game Discussion
02:02 - Overall Thoughts on the Game
03:21 - Playing as Venom
04:17 - Combat and Gameplay
06:04 - Story and Narrative
08:21 - Changes in New York City
10:50 - First Two Acts
11:54 - Harry Osborne and the Emily May Foundation
16:30 - Craven and the Raft Inmate Transfer
18:14 - Miles and Martin Li's Storyline
20:46 - Felicity Black Cat Storyline
22:36 - Carnival and Harry's Introduction
23:57 - Harry's Transformation into Venom
26:17 - Mary Jane's Missions
30:08 - MJ's Gameplay Sequences
33:25 - Spider-Bot Missions and RC Spider Bot Missions
35:42 - Yuri's Return and the Future of the Character
39:36 - Standout Side Missions: Haley and the Pigeons
44:25 - Craven Showdown at the Zoo
46:36 - Black Suit Peter and the Lizard Fight
52:38 - Venom and the Final Showdown
57:07 - Spider-Man vs. Anti-Venom
01:01:45 - Inside Peter's Mind and the Anti-Venom Suit
01:04:32 - Symbiote Powers and Skill Points
01:05:07 - Final Act: Fighting Venom
01:06:07 - Destroying the Meteorite
01:06:46 - Harry's Fate
01:07:24 - Norman Osborn's Plan
01:08:37 - Mary Jane's Podcast
01:09:36 - Peter's Decision to Take a Break
01:10:05 - Otto's Visit to Norman
01:10:51 - Miles and Haley's Relationship
01:11:26 - Silk and Spider-Verse Tie-In
01:12:11 - Other Side Missions
01:15:11 - Spider-Bots and Spider-Verse Easter Egg
01:17:43 - Overall Rating of the Game
01:21:12 - Flashback Sequences
01:23:18 - Speculations for Spider-Man 3
01:25:24 - Final Episode of Platinum Explosion for 2023
 
PLATINUM EXPLOSION: A PLAYSTATION PODCAST CREDITS
Music by: Dylan Blight
Art by: Cherie Henriques
LINKS
All Episodes: https://platinumexplosion.podbean.com/
Support Us - Buy Us A Coffee: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

Some Venom was cut from Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Not much is happening in the world of PlayStation at the moment, but we have a release date for the PS5 Slim and a report there was more Venom in the original plans for Marvel's Spider-Man 2.
HOSTS
Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil
Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley
EPISODE TIMECODESINTRO00:00:00 - Hello00:03:29 - PS5 Slim Is Coming Out On December 600:09:43 - There Was A Bunch Of Venom Content Cut From Spider-Man 200:19:16 - Goodbye
PLATINUM EXPLOSION: A PLAYSTATION PODCAST CREDITS
Music by: Dylan Blight
Art by: Cherie Henriques
LINKS
All Episodes: https://platinumexplosion.podbean.com/
Support Us - Buy Us A Coffee: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

The Last of Us II Remastered Is Coming

We talk about The Last of Us Part II Remastered announcement and discuss whether the online reaction around it is justified.
HOSTSDylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladilAshley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley
EPISODE TIMECODESINTRO00:00:00 - Hello00:01:03 - What Playstation Games Could Be At The Game AwardsPS NEWS00:04:24 - PlayStation Plus Game Catalog for November00:09:22 - The Last of Us Part II Remastered Announced00:19:47 - HBO’s The Last of Us May Have Cast an AbbyOUTRO00:24:42 - Goodbye
RESOURCES
The InSneiderLast of Us Season 2: Kaitlyn Dever in Talks to Play Abby
Playstation BlogPlayStation Plus Game Catalog for November: Teardown,  Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen, Superliminal and more
Press StartThe Last Of Us Part 2 Remastered Has Been Officially Revealed Including A Special Edition And An Upgrade Path
 
PLATINUM EXPLOSION: A PLAYSTATION PODCAST CREDITS
Music by: Dylan Blight
Art by: Cherie Henriques
LINKS
All Episodes: https://platinumexplosion.podbean.com/Support Us - Buy Us A Coffee: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

PlayStation Portal is coming to Australia

We talk about The Game Award nominations, the PlayStation Portal coming to Australia, and Sony delaying half its live-service games.
HOSTS
Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil
Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley
EPISODE TIMECODESINTRO00:00:00 - Hello00:00:30 - The Game Award 2023 NominationsPS NEWS00:08:41 - New PlayStation Advert00:12:43 - Sony Delays Half Its Live Service Games00:22:13 - New Sony Patent Could Let You Replay Moments00:26:33 - PlayStation Portal Will Be Coming To AUSOUTRO00:33:11 - Goodbye
RESOURCES
Always-On
THE FIRST PLAYSTATION PORTAL REVIEWS PRAISE IT FOR BEING THE BEST REMOTE PLAY DEVICE AVAILABLE
Kotaku
Sony Patent Could Make Reliving Your Fave Gaming Moments Easier
TheSixthAxis
The annual PlayStation ‘spot the game references’ advert has landed
The Video Game Chronicle
Sony confirms it’s delayed half of its 12 planned live service games
PLATINUM EXPLOSION: A PLAYSTATION PODCAST CREDITS
Music by: Dylan Blight
Art by: Cherie Henriques
LINKS
All Episodes: https://platinumexplosion.podbean.com/
Support Us - Buy Us A Coffee: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion