Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Let me start with this: Lies of P is a top-tier Korean horror-action Soulslike—but it didn’t start that way for me. The first time I picked it up, I got clapped by the intro boss outside Hotel Krat. I put the controller down and thought, “Maybe I’m not as good at Soulslikes as I thought.”

Fast forward 6 months, I came across some Reels and TikToks showing off the combat and boss fights, and I had to give it another shot. Glad I did.

First Boss Down – The Moment It Clicked

Coming back fresh, I finally beat that first boss—and man, it felt so satisfying. That was the turning point. From then on, I was all in. The combat is crisp, the weapon system is deep, and while some boss designs were kinda goofy, they somehow fit the tone and twisted vibe of the game. Others were absolute bangers—Laxasia, King of Puppets, and The Nameless Puppet were straight-up Soulslike greatness.

Combat, Progression & World Design – Souls DNA with a Twist

The combat feels like a perfect fusion of Bloodborne’s aggression and Sekiro’s precision. Timing, stamina, dodging—it all matters. Leveling up your vitality, weapons, and especially your combat rhythm is key. While it’s not fully open-world, the level design is tight and full of smart shortcuts, secret rooms, and lore tucked into every corner. It fits the vibe perfectly—dark, stylish, and full of tension.

And let’s talk graphics—next-gen stunning. The lighting, animation, and character detail? Chef’s kiss.

Replay Value – Platinum Worth the Grind

Once I beat the final boss (after several tries), I immediately started a second and third run—this time for the Platinum Trophy. Totally worth it.

• Some trophies are missable
  
• Some require New Game+
  
• And others depend on dialogue choices

Spoiler alert! The base game has 3 endings, and you’ll need to unlock all three to get that Platinum. Every run felt meaningful, and each ending added new layers to the story.

Post-Game – I Wasn’t Done Yet

Just a few days after grabbing Platinum, I caved and bought the Lies of P DLC. I saw some clips on IG and TikTok and was immediately hyped again. This game wasn’t finished with me. And I’ll say this carefully: Lies of P is a better Pinocchio than Disney’s Pinocchio.

Verdict: 5 out of 5 stars

Lies of P surprised me in the best way. From rage-quitting at the start to chasing down the Platinum Trophy and diving into DLC, it’s become one of my favorite Soulslike experiences.

5/5 Stars! If you love games like Bloodborne and Sekiro, this one needs to be on your list.

Did You Finish Lies of P?

What ending did you get first? Favorite boss? Or did Hotel Krat humble you too? Drop your journey in the comments.

The post Lies of P – A Soulslike Surprise Worth Mastering appeared first on Level Up With Dann.

PlayStation is done with subtle.

With the Hyperpop Collection, PlayStation is pushing PS5 accessories into full-on statement territory. Glossy blacks fading into vivid neon. High-gloss finishes. RGB energy baked straight into the hardware. This isn’t just customization — it’s personality.

Launching March 12, 2026, the Hyperpop Collection introduces three bold new designs for DualSense wireless controllers and matching PS5 console covers.

And yeah… they go LOUD.

Three Styles. One Mood: Hyperpop.

The Hyperpop Collection lets you pick your vibe. Not your favorite color — your track:

Techno Red  

Clean, sharp, futuristic. This one feels like a late-night cyberpunk session with the lights turned low and the bass turned high.

Remix Green

More chaotic, more expressive. For setups that thrive on contrast, motion, and visual energy.

Rhythm Blue

Bold and playful. This one feels alive — perfect if your setup already leans heavy into RGB and color.

Each design starts with glossy black and melts into vibrant neon tones, creating a gradient that feels dynamic instead of static.

Designed to Take Over Your Setup

According to PlayStation’s Color, Material, and Finish design team, this collection was built to dominate your space — not blend into it.

“We’re cranking the volume all the way up with a collection that doesn’t just stand out, it takes over the room.” — Leo Cardoso

The DualSense controllers feature a seamless gradient wrapping around the entire shell, finished with a high-gloss coat that makes the colors pop even harder under light.

“The console covers are also getting the same glow-up, featuring a subtle hint of transparency.”
— Sae Kobayashi

That small touch of transparency? Clean. Modern. Very intentional.

Pricing & Availability

Here’s what you’re looking at:

Hyperpop DualSense Wireless Controllers

• $84.99 USD
• €84.99 / £74.99
• ¥12,480 (incl. tax)

Hyperpop PS5 Console Covers

• $74.99 USD
• €74.99 / £64.99
• ¥11,480 (incl. tax)
• Limited quantities

Pre-Orders & Launch Details

• Pre-orders open: January 16, 2026
• Time: 10:00 AM local time
• Where: direct.playstation.com (where available) + select retailers
• Launch date: March 12, 2026

Players in the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg can pre-order directly from PlayStation — with free launch-day delivery on eligible orders.

Level Up With Dann – Final Take

This is PlayStation embracing culture instead of playing it safe.

The Hyperpop Collection isn’t for everyone — and that’s exactly why it works. It’s bold, expressive, and unapologetic. If your setup already screams cyber, neon, or high-energy chaos… this collection will feel right at home.

Minimal setups can sit this one out.
This drop is for players who want their hardware to hit as hard as their gameplay.

March is about to get loud.

The post PlayStation Hyperpop Brings Neon Energy to PS5 appeared first on Level Up With Dann.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Spider-Man: Miles Morales on PS5 was the first Spider-Man game I played, and it instantly pulled me into the world. The graphics are stunning, the map is wide and alive, and the combat is smooth, stylish, and addictive. From the first swing through Harlem to the final boss fight, it felt like I was in a true Marvel story.

Gameplay – Fast, Fluid, and Satisfying

The combat mechanics are seriously on point. Between Venom abilities, slick dodging, and a solid lineup of gadgets, there’s never a dull fight. I played this game three times—not because I had to, but because I wanted that Platinum Trophy, and it was worth every second.

Even on the highest difficulty, I handled myself well, but I was expecting the final boss to put up a bit more of a fight. Still, the journey there was packed with hype moments, clean combos, and enemy encounters that kept the pace exciting.

Atmosphere – Harlem With Heart

What really set Miles Morales apart was its vibe. The Latin culture, the music, the winter setting, the energy in the streets—it all felt real. The way they blended community warmth with superhero action gave the game a different kind of soul.

You’re not just swinging through a city—you’re swinging through Miles’ neighborhood, and that makes every mission feel personal.

Verdict: 5 out of 5 stars

Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a full-fledged superhero game that brings heart, heat, and high-flying action. It stands tall on its own and still left me wanting more—which is why I jumped into Spider-Man 2 right after.

5/5 Stars! A game that looks great, feels amazing, and stays with you long after the credits roll.

Did You Start Your Spidey Journey with Miles Too?

Which suit did you rock the most? And how many tries did your Platinum run take? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

The post Spider-Man: Miles Morales – A Full-Powered Spidey Experience appeared first on Level Up With Dann.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I’ve been into the Assassin’s Creed franchise ever since Odyssey. Stealth kills, fluid combat, deep lore, and that perfect mix of fiction with real history? I’m all in. So when Assassin’s Creed Shadows got announced, I was curious—a shinobi and a samurai in one game? Set in feudal Japan? Say less.

Gameplay – Stealth, Steel, and Switching Styles

The big win for AC Shadows is being able to play as both a shinobi and a samurai. Two fighting styles. Two mindsets. One massive world to sneak, slice, or smash your way through. Whether you’re slipping into shadows or rushing into battle with your katana drawn, the combat stays sharp and responsive.

The gear system and abilities let you fine-tune your playstyle, and while some side quests felt repetitive, I used them as a chance to test combos and git gud.

But here’s the thing—I was expecting more from the boss fights. A few were solid, but overall they felt a bit too easy, especially later in the game. I wanted more tension, more challenge.

World & Atmosphere – A Gorgeous Take on Feudal Japan

As someone who loves Japan-based games, Assassin’s Creed Shadows hits different. From serene temples to muddy battlefields, the visuals are stunning. The outfits and weapon designs are beautiful and feel authentic to the era. The map? Absolutely massive, with tons to explore. Curious how AC Shadows compares to other open world games? I rounded up the best open world maps in this article

I played the full game in Japanese audio, and that boosted the immersion big time. From ambient sounds to character interactions—it made everything feel richer and more cinematic.

Story – A Risk That Mostly Paid Off

I’ll admit it—I was skeptical when Ubisoft announced a Black samurai as one of the leads. But after digging in, I realized it’s loosely based on Yasuke, a real figure from Japanese history. The game doesn’t aim for 100% accuracy, but it weaves in enough real-world influence to keep it grounded but flexible.

That said, the ending felt a bit off to me. It wrapped things up, but not in a way that stuck with me emotionally. It could’ve hit harder, especially after such a strong mid-game.

Verdict: 4 out of 5 stars

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is one of the freshest entries the series has had in years. A breathtaking world, dual combat systems, and that immersive feudal Japan setting all make this one stand out hard.

Still a must-play—might go for that Platinum Trophy anyway, but the underwhelming boss fights and slightly off-key ending pulled it down just a bit. Want to try it yourself? Grab your copy here.

The post Assassin’s Creed Shadows – Shinobi Meets Samurai in Feudal Japan appeared first on Level Up With Dann.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I found Batman: Arkham Knight sitting in my PS Plus collection, and since it was free, I thought—why not? And honestly, I’m glad I gave it a shot. Despite not being a next-gen game, it still holds up surprisingly well on the PS5.

Gameplay – Slick Combat, Heavy Driving

Let’s start with the good stuff: the combat is clean and satisfying. The rhythm-based fighting style is easy to pick up but tough to master. Gotham feels alive, and the game leans heavily into its dark, gritty atmosphere—which I loved.

Now, the Batmobile? That’s where things got messy for me. It was cool at first, but there were just too many missions tied to it. It felt like every other quest had me behind the wheel, and to be honest, it kind of killed the pace. Maybe it’s a skill issue, maybe I just don’t like Bat-tanks. But either way—it was a lot.

Same goes for gliding and aerial movement—wasn’t my favorite part, but I managed to power through all those flying quests. So hey, git gud, right?

Story & Puzzles – Gotham at Its Best

The storyline is solid, classic Batman vibes with a nice narrative flow. What really stood out to me were the Riddler puzzles—those were super fun and actually made me slow down and think instead of just smashing through everything.

Even though I didn’t go all the way to earn the Platinum Trophy, I still finished the main questline and most of the side stuff. No regrets—this game was worth my time.

Verdict: 4 out of 5 stars  

Batman: Arkham Knight is dark, immersive, and a solid ride through Gotham. The combat, storytelling, and atmosphere are top-tier. But that Batmobile overload knocked it down just a bit for me. Cool vehicle? Yes. Cool quest mechanic? Not always.

Great game—just wish it had a little less time behind the wheel.

Played Arkham Knight?

Did you love or hate the Batmobile? And who else gave up halfway on the Riddler trophies? Drop your Gotham story in the comments.

The post Batman: Arkham Knight – Dark, Gritty, and (Too Much) Batmobile appeared first on Level Up With Dann.