9 PlayStation stories you might have missed last week

Been too busy polishing off those last few Bloodborne bosses to keep up with the news this week? I feel your pain. So, for the benefit of those who haven’t been glued to the web all week, see below for your handy, easy-to-digest run through of the biggest PlayStation happenings of the last seven days.

1. A new platforming classic arrives on PlayStation Store

This week saw the launch of Yacht Club Games’ fantastic action-platformer, Shovel Knight. Offering both a deep hit of nostalgia for retroheads and rock-solid gameplay for the nimble-fingered action crowd, it’s this week’s essential PlayStation Store purchase. Oh, and look out for Kratos!

2. The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited accepts its first adventurers

The first beta run for the long-awaited PS4 version of The Elder Scrolls Online opened for business this week, offering fans of the beloved RPG series a first look at what awaits when the full game launches this June.

Find out more from The Elder Scrolls Online Community Manager Jessica Folsom

3. Your first look at Mad Max gameplay on PS4

Developer Avalanche Studios gave us a taste of how its open-world epic is shaping up ahead of launch later this year. Looks like not one for the feint of heart…

Read more from Mad Max Senior Producer John Fuller

4. Prices slashed on bona-fide PlayStation classics

This week’s PlayStation Store sale saw hefty discounts on some arcade greats, including Ultra Street Fighter IV, Virtua Fighter 5, House of the Dead: Overkill and Daytona USA.

Check out the full list of deals

5. The horror continues in a new expansion for The Evil Within

Shinji Mikami’s deliciously gruesome return to his survival horror roots was one of the most enjoyable releases of 2014. If you were left wanting for more, rejoice: The Consequence expansion launched this week, and very good it is too.

6. New game announcement: Submerged

Australian studio Uppercut Games announced a PS4 release for Submerged, an intriguing new adventure game set in a mysterious flooded city. Check it out.

Find out more from Uppercut Games’ Ed Orman

7. New Bloodborne update shortens those load times

Bloodborne Update 1.03 now available. Reduces load times, prevents elevator issues, and stops boss behaviour problems & other bug fixes

— PlayStation Europe (@PlayStationEU) April 23, 2015

8. GT Academy 2015 gets underway

Ever dreamt of racing really, really fast cars for a living? Now’s your chance as this year’s GT Academy programme gets underway, looking for the very best Gran Turismo players out there.

9. The most beautiful game soundtrack release ever?

Finally, some serious collector-bait here. With Journey’s PS4 release on the horizon, we’ve teamed with iam8bit to offer a stunning limited edition vinyl release for the game’s acclaimed soundtrack.