Latest Features
Hands On Fighting for Fun in Killzone: Shadow Fall's Next Generation Multiplayer Mode
Guerrilla Games reloads with Warzones
It may be one of the PlayStation 4’s first big exclusives, but Killzone: Shadow Fall finds itself surrounded by heavy firepower. With both Call of Duty: Ghosts and Battlefield 4 set to accompany the release onto store shelves later this year, Guerrilla Games’ next generation excursion to the Alpha Centauri...
First Impressions Sliding and Slicing in Warframe on PS4
Named and framed
Occupying just three PlayStation 4s at Sony's Eurogamer Expo booth, Digital Extreme's free-to-play co-op sci-fi romp shared the same floor as juggernauts like Killzone: Shadow Fall and Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. Warframe's presence brought a homey feel to the otherwise bustling show, as members of the development team talked...
Feature Celebrating the 18th Anniversary of the PSone
Happy Birthday, PAL
Hip-hip-hooray, because today is the 18th anniversary of the original PlayStation console, as it was released on the 29th September 1995 in Europe, just twenty days after it was made available in North America. Therefore in the UK, at the age of eighteen, the PAL PSone can legally participate in a champagne tipple, so we raise...
Preview Pointing a Long Lens at Watch Dogs on PS4
Hack attack
Watch Dogs is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated releases in the PlayStation 4’s line-up, so we were eager to point our viewfinder at a behind closed doors demo of the sandbox release earlier in the week. The title, being played on Sony’s next generation super machine, demonstrated several mechanics from the upcoming hack fest,...
Interview Beatshapers and Housemarque Field Our Questions on Furmins
Feeling fuzzy about Vita's cutest puzzler yet
Finnish developer Housemarque’s smartphone favourite Furmins is set to cuddle up to the PlayStation Vita next month. The adorable iOS outing originally released on fruity formats last year, where its whimsical take on old-school puzzlers such as Lemmings and The Incredible Machine proved an instant...
Talking Point When Will Be the Right Time to Reintroduce The Last Guardian?
Birds of delay
Four years. It’s been four years since The Last Guardian was officially announced for the PlayStation 3. A leaked video had revealed the project a few weeks earlier, but it wasn’t acknowledged by Sony until the platform holder’s press conference at E3 2009. That early glimpse – a four-and-a-half minute trailer – remains the...
Soapbox Variety Is the Spice of Gaming Life
Sammy Barker shares his taste for a good gaming buffet
We’re never ones to pass up on a game of follow-the-leader here at Push Square towers, so it was only a matter of time before we politely borrowed the soapbox format that’s been running wild over on our sister site Nintendo Life for a while now. For those of you peering voyeuristically in...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 14
Living in a gangsta's paradise
Unsurprisingly, this edition of What Are You Playing This Weekend has turned into a bit of a Grand Theft Auto V special, with the majority of the staff here at Push Square towers far too busy terrorising the streets of Los Santos to worry about the dull weather outside. As always, feel free to let us know whether...
Talking Point Are You in Tune with Sony's Multifunctional PS Vita TV?
Mixed reception
Who would have thought that a PlayStation Vita without a screen could be so curiously compelling? You wouldn’t have got very good odds on PS Vita TV being announced before Sony’s surprise pre-Tokyo Game Show press conference earlier in the month, but it’s quickly gone on to establish itself as one of the most in-demand...
First Impressions Basking in the Glow of Child of Light
Baby bright
The second UbiArt-powered game to be unveiled at Ubisoft’s Digital Days 2013 event, Child of Light – which is launching on both the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 – was pitched to us as “a JRPG for those that don’t have the time to invest a hundred hours into a game”. While this quote may trouble some hardcore JRPG fans,...
Talking Point Is Grand Theft Auto V Living Up to Your Expectations?
Lofty as the Los Santos dream
Rockstar Games may have nurtured one of the largest entertainment franchises on the planet over the past 15 or so years, but such desirable territory comes with unrivalled pressures. While the company will no doubt be readying a press release regarding Grand Theft Auto V’s record breaking sales as we type, such high...
Preview Digging Deep into the Trenches in Valiant Hearts: The Great War on PS3 and PS4
War and leash
Ubisoft broke new ground in 2011 with its innovative UbiArt Framework game engine, a technology which allows artists to easily create assets and embed them into interactive environments. We’ve already seen it used to brilliant effect in the recent Rayman games, and since then people have been crying out for it to be leveraged in more...
First Impressions Going Underground With Ubisoft's Watch_Dogs
We go hands-on at Ubisoft's Digital Days 2013
One of many blockbuster titles in Ubisoft’s stable adopting their second screen experience initiative, the potential for Watch_Dogs’ iOS "H_ide" app is high — and in a game where you can hack everything, you’re not quite as unhackable as you might think. At Ubisoft’s Digital Days 2013 event in...
First Impressions Join The Crew - Hitting The Road With Ubisoft's PS4 Open World Racer
Burning rubber
Unique social functions and second screen experiences are the new chic for the video game industry at the moment, with every other publisher attempting to shoehorn in ways to ‘enhance’ your gameplay experience. No publisher is pushing for this innovative change more than Ubisoft and its seamlessly online-integrated race-em-up, The...
First Impressions Revisiting Adolescent Angst in Quantic Dream’s Beyond: Two Souls
Holmes alone
Beyond: Two Souls is unlike anything that you’ve ever played before. It certainly shares similarities with developer Quantic Dream’s previous work, but many of those comparisons revolve around the fact that you’ll be interacting with the game world in an unorthodox way. Much like there was an entire sequence in Heavy Rain...
Talking Point Would You Buy a Virtual Reality Headset for Your PS4?
Oculus shift
Sony’s clearly enjoying itself in interviews at the moment. Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida has been dropping hints regarding a hypothetical PlayStation 4 headset harder than the beats in a Skrillex song, but no one appears to have read too deeply into the comments. “We’ve got a couple of [Oculus Rift] development...
Video Watch As We Dig into the Underworld in Diablo III on PS3
Hell fire
Diablo III isn’t the first PC title to be ported to the PlayStation 3, and it certainly won’t be the last. However, few could dispute the magnitude of Blizzard's overdue arrival on the current generation console, especially considering the serious server hiccups that its sequel's popularity prompted at launch last year. Fortunately,...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 13
Ready for the weekend
It's that glorious time again where we round up as many staff members as possible and ask them to detail what wonderful gaming delights they have in store this weekend. In this edition, Push Square's head honcho Sammy Barker also unveils his not-so-secret obsession with a certain pop star. While we don't expect you to follow...
Interview Kickin' Back with KickBeat Developer Zen Studios
Pull shapes
Kick! Punch! Dance! It’s all in the mind! Zen Studios may be best known for its exhaustive roster of pinball tables, but the studio has been quietly perfecting its mastery of dance over the past few years. KickBeat, which was originally announced as a PlayStation Vita exclusive over a year ago, has been in production for some time now,...
Game of the Month August 2013 - Rayman Legends
Legendary status
August was a busy month for the team here at Push Square, in which we reviewed 21 new releases in total. Of course, only one game can be awarded the prestigious Game of the Month accolade, and so we looked to the highest rated titles, which included wildly anticipated adventures such as the ridiculous Saints Row IV and the magical...
Reaction Microsoft Gatecrashes Sony's Global PS4 Release Party
A November to remember
It’s taken what feels like an eternity, but Microsoft has finally attached a release date to its next generation console. The under fire Xbox One will deploy on 22nd November in 13 nations around the world, slap bang in the middle of the PlayStation 4’s global rollout. Speaking during its
Talking Point What Are Your Thoughts on the PS4's Launch Lineup?
Yeah or meh
Nintendo of America’s outspoken (but still very likeable) president Reggie Fils-Aime expressed his distaste for the PlayStation 4’s launch lineup this week. In the wake of the Wii U’s price drop, the executive told
First Impressions Skylanders: Swap Force Courts Core Gamers
Trading up
Being talked through a game by the developer and playing it at home is a very different experience. To close this “reality” gap, Family Gamer TV went solo with a full level from Skylanders: Swap Force on the PlayStation 4 at GamesCom. Let’s get the elephant out of the room straight away: jumping is not a big deal in the world of...
Feature Eight PS4 Titles That You'll Be Able to Play for Free This Year
Why pay more?
New console transitions are always expensive. Even with the PlayStation 4’s cheaper than expected recommended retail price, there’s still a lot to keep your credit card busy, with additional DualShock 4 controllers, charging docks, hardware stands, and plenty of retail releases to consider. Fortunately, for the first time in...
Round Up Here's Everything You Need to Know About PlayStation at GamesCom
Show's over
Following a record attendance of more than 340,000 visitors, the doors have now closed on GamesCom until next year. Sony enjoyed another fruitful spell in Cologne, reinforcing its indie message and consequentially keeping our fingers busy with plenty of fascinating PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and Vita announcements. Don’t worry if...
Interview Octodad: Dadliest Catch Developer Talks Tentacles, PS4, and Fishy Disguises
Green around the gills
You know that the industry’s changing when a game about a closet cephalopod garners just as much attention as the next million dollar blockbuster from a multinational team. Sony’s taken great strides to put smaller studios on a level playing field with its first-party developers, and that was evidenced at E3 when Young...
Feature Sony's GamesCom 2013 Showcase - Did It Meet Our Expectations?
Looking back on the PS4, PS3, and Vita's presence in Cologne
We’ve had press releases coming out of our ears since Sony’s explosive GamesCom press conference on Tuesday, but having finally had a chance to reflect upon it – and clean up the dirty coffee cups that have been sitting on our desks since the beginning of the week – we’re now...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue Twelve
Relax, don't do it
It’s been a flat out week here at Push Square towers, which means that we’re all looking forward to a spot of video game respite. And as has become a bi-weekly tradition, we’ve gathered together as many team members as we could find to talk about what’s on our gaming agenda this Bank Holiday weekend. But as you should know...
Feature 15 Fresh PS4, PS3, and Vita Titles That Should Be on Your Wishlist
Open the floodgates
Sony dropped an atomic bomb of indie announcements at GamesCom this week. The sheer number of titles confirmed for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and Vita has been unprecedented over the past few days, as evidenced by the empty coffee jars and film of human filth that’s infected our office. The company backed small studios...
Reaction There's Never Been a Better Time to Buy a PlayStation Vita
Handheld heaven
It’s been a tough first year for the PlayStation Vita. The console’s had to contend with poor sales, a relentless competitor, and some serious questions regardi
Interview Chatting Pool Nation FX on PS4 with the Potty Cherry Pop Games
Balls to the wall
Communicating with developers in a professional capacity can occassionally be a buttoned up affair, but Manchester-based indie outfit Cherry Pop Games prefers to forget the formalities. Following the successful launch of Pool Nation on the PlayStation 3, the company is currently polishing up an enhanced PlayStation 4 port dubbed...
Reaction Sony Refreshes PS4 with Indie Vision, Keeps Ammunition Stashed Away
Shots not fired
Covering a press conference really changes your perspective of the content revealed within it. It can be all too easy to gloss over reveals when you’re sitting slumped in front of a laptop computer, but when you have to contend with a barrage of press releases in the early hours of the morning, it tweaks your outlook a little...
Interview FuturLab on the Sweat and Tears Fuelling Velocity 2X on PS4 and Vita
Neutrino speed is too slow
It was only a matter of time before FuturLab hit the big time. The brilliant Brighton-based studio has been gradually growing in stature over the past couple of years, and it seriously amplified its street cred by revealing Velocity 2X during Sony’s globally broadcast GamesCom press conference yesterday
Talking Point Is the PlayStation 4 Launching Too Late?
Not what we expected
There were plenty of shock announcements during Sony’s big GamesCom press conference earlier today, but the PlayStation 4’s release date certainly rubbed against our expectations. We were confident that the system would deploy in late October, as p
Reaction Xbox One's FIFA 14 Giveaway Is Smart, But Sony Should Stick to Its Game Plan
Swapping sides?
In an announcement that’s been compared to the introduction of Lionel Messi in the dying minutes of a cup final, Microsoft has revealed that all Xbox One pre-orders will ship with a copy of FIFA 14 in Europe. It’s a game changer for some, as it effectively reduces the p
Talking Point What Are Your Hopes and Fears for the PS4, PS3, and Vita at GamesCom?
Greatness awaits
Despite being the biggest video games convention on the planet, GamesCom rarely serves up the jaw dropping reveals that are so common at E3. The stakes are much higher this year, though, with the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One going head-to-head yet again. For both Sony and Microsoft,
Feature PS4, PS3, and Vita Announcements You Should Expect at GamesCom 2013
Reading the tea leaves
GamesCom has always been good to PlayStation. While the likes of Microsoft and Nintendo tend to show up when they feel like it, Sony has always enjoyed an extremely strong presence at the German convention, dating all the way back to the PlayStation 3’s all-important hardware revision reveal way back in 2009. Erase that...
Reaction Xbox One Delay Leaves the Door Ajar for PS4
Windows of opportunity
There will have been one of two reactions to Microsoft’s sizeable Xbox One delay within Sony’s colossal European headquarters today: cheers or mopped brows. At almost every turn, the North American company has been playing into the PlayStation maker’s hands, and this latest setback is just another example of that. It’s...
Feature Eight PS4 Titles That Are Changing the Game
New grounds
Prior to the PlayStation 4’s announcement, many sceptics questioned what the system could possibly do better than existing machines. Titles such as The Last of Us already look absolutely incredible, so it’s a fair query – even if it has been answered emphatically by the likes of Killzone: Shadow Fall and inFAMOUS: Second Son...
Talking Point Could PS4 Streaming Impact Native Vita Development?
Devil in disguise
Aside from games that make heavy use of the PlayStation Eye camera, you’ll be able to play your entire PlayStation 4 library on the PlayStation Vita. The promising Wii U-esque ‘Off-TV’ functionality is something that Sony envisioned with its previous generation consoles, touting the benefits of Remote Play as early as 2006...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue Eleven
Bigmouth strikes again
The weekend has crept up on us like Sam Fisher in Splinter Cell: Blacklist. We’re mere weeks away from the onset of the autumn onslaught, which means that this is your last opportunity to clear up your backlog in preparation for titles such as Rayman Legends, Killzone: Mercenary, and a certain next generation system. But...
Talking Point Should the PS4 Feature an Avatar System?
Mii too
Rarely a week goes by where there isn’t a new LittleBigPlanet costume to buy. Whether it’s the re-release of seasonal outfits or some brand new threads to tie into a big movie or game launch, Sackboy’s the undisputed king when it comes to cosplay. But for as popular (and presumably profitable) as these downloadable garments are, you...
Feature Do You Remember These PlayStation Branded Mobile Phone Spin-Offs?
PlayStation All-Stars Island is not the first of its kind
Sony shocked, embarrassed, and tickled PlayStation fans today with the announcement of PlayStation All-Stars Island – a summery smartphone cash-in that sees first-party favourites such as Sackboy and Nathan Drake cameo in a collection of copycat minigames. But while
Talking Point How Will the PS4 Controller's Touchpad Be Used?
Rub-a-Dub
We’ve already established in previous articles that the PlayStation 4’s refreshed controller is a thing of beauty. The analogue sticks feel sturdier than a body builder’s biceps, the triggers melt under your fingertips like a Mini Milk in the microwave, and the light bar looks snazzier than Chewbacca donning Dolce Gabbana shades. One...
Talking Point Would You Buy a $500 PS4 and Vita Bundle?
Forever friends
The concept of a PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita bundle has existed since the beginning of time, but rumour has it that Sony is actually planning to officially introduce the chunky combo later this year. A “well-placed anonymous” source has told Machinima that the platform holder will dep
Talking Point Do You Intend to Buy the PS4's Camera?
Watch dogs
Whether or not you believe that Sony planned to bundle the new PlayStation Eye with every PlayStation 4 console, the platform holder hasn’t done a particularly good job of making a compelling argument for the peripheral. You’ll be able to pick up one of the dual-lens units at launch, but while there’s no doubt that the optical extra...
FAQ What Are the Differences Between the PS4 and Xbox One?
For and against
Console clashes don’t get much more competitive than the upcoming conflict between the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One. Not since the days of derogatory SEGA commercials has a system showdown promised so much drama. But with two formats vying for your finances this fall, which device is the best choice for you? The following text...
First Impressions An Audience with Puppeteer, the PS3 Panto Deserving of a Standing Ovation
Pure theatre
Games like Puppeteer don’t deserve to be sitting out in the wings. You’re more likely to find Japan Studio’s side-scroller nursing a cold cup of coffee and pushing about props than strutting its stuff on centre stage. In an industry increasingly obsessed with leading lights like Call of Duty and Battlefield, there’s becoming...
Talking Point Do Single Player Focused Games Really Need Multiplayer?
Connected components
Publishers don’t want you to sell your games, and they’ll do almost anything to stop you. For primarily single player focused releases like God of War: Ascension and Tomb Raider, that means implementing online multiplayer in the hope of extending the title’s lifespan beyond its comparatively slender single player campaign...
Opinion Sony Must Refresh the PS4's Momentum at GamesCom
Scrapping for the spotlight
Ever since Jack Tretton and company dropped the microphone at E3 2013, quite a lot has changed about the impending next generation arms race. The advantages that the platform holder engineered for the PlayStation 4 –
