Latest Features
Talking Point Why Now Is the Right Time for the PlayStation Store Overhaul
Shopping spree
“Why now?” commented the chorus of critics following the announcement of Sony’s widely publicised PlayStation Store refresh earlier today. With the next-generation popularly predicted to kick-start in late 2013, the imminent arrival of the new storefront may seem somewhat mistimed – but it could also indicate that the...
Interview Hello Games on Joe Danger 2: The Movie and PSN Delays
Torque of the town
For many, the Joe Danger franchise will forever be associated with PlayStation. After struggling to find a publisher, Guildford-based indie developer Hello Games signed up to Sony’s widely-publicised ‘Pub Fund’ scheme – a move which provided the studio with financial support in return for exclusivity. The game proved to be...
Feature Hellfire on Constructing the Most Ambitious PlayStation Home Game to Date
Bricks and mortar
If you haven’t set foot in PlayStation Home since the virtual world’s initial roll-out, you may be surprised by the current state of the social platform. The free-to-play destination has erupted with activity over the past 12 months, prompting a location that’s both bursting with content and brimming with life. The catalyst...
Preview Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance Goes for the Throat
Come out swingin'
There are three things we’ve come to realise while writing this preview for the latest Metal Gear outing from Platinum Games. First, we still can't type "Revengeance" into a text document without hating ourselves – it's not a word, it isn't cool, it sounds dumb. Second, we’ve learned that we’re okay with Konami releasing a...
Preview Fumbling Through the Dark with The Unfinished Swan
Blind man's buff
It’s difficult to discuss The Unfinished Swan without drawing comparisons to Journey. Just like thatgamecompany, developer Giant Sparrow has been taken under the wing of first-party powerhouse Sony Santa Monica. Furthermore, it has signed a three game exclusivity deal with PlayStation. Indeed, the only noticeable difference...
Preview Wonderbook: Book of Spells Makes Reading Magical
Muggle science
The outrage and controversy caused by Wonderbook: Book of Spells’ elongated E3 showing has made it difficult to discuss the augmented reality experience objectively. And yet here we have one of the most unique and commercially viable casual gaming products Sony has produced since the Eye Toy. The Harry Potter spin-off doesn’t have...
Interview CCP Discusses PS3's Biggest Shooter DUST 514
Sky's the limit
DUST 514 is easily the most ambitious title in the pipeline for the PlayStation 3. It takes the grandeur of MAG’s sandbox first-person battles, and merges them in real-time with the corporate politics of popular PC MMO EVE Online. After an impressive showing at the Eurogamer Expo in London last week, we felt it was an appropriate...
Reaction What Sony's TGS Tells Us About PlayStation's Future
Through the looking glass
Sony shocked attendees at its Tokyo Game Show press conference earlier this week by announcing the PlayStation 3 Super Slim. Unfortunately, the corrugated console itself was not the reason for open-mouthed attendees – that accolade was reserved for its flummoxing price-point. Indeed, as opposed to positioning the aging...
Talking Point Why Sony Won't Be Too Worried About the Wii U
Here comes a new challenger
They’d never admit it, but the upper-executives at Sony Computer Entertainment were no doubt glued to Nintendo’s pre-release Wii U press conferences last week. After a disappointing E3 showing, the competitor pulled out all the stops to convince consumers its latest platform is worth paying attention to – and...
Feature The Making Of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Koji ‘IGA’ Igarashi reveals the history behind the gothic classic
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night marked a major turning point for the Castlevania series. With the exception of the free-roaming Simon’s Quest on the NES, over a decade’s worth of instalments had displayed an unwavering commitment to the fairly straightforward ‘platform...
Talking Point What Grand Theft Auto Can Learn from Sleeping Dogs
Chinatown wars
Grand Theft Auto IV is the undisputed king of the open world crime drama, but it’s not perfect. The game’s vibrant city setting and unorthodox cast set it apart from the genre’s many pretenders, but also help to hide its numerous gameplay flaws. The recently released Sleeping Dogs may not be able to topple its progenitor’s...
Reaction Criterion's Setting an Example to All Vita Developers
Doing it properly
Criterion’s enthusiasm is infectious. “We’re going to make the best racing game on Vita this year,” an excitable Alex Ward told IGN last week. And judging from the reaction to Need for Speed: Most Wanted's first showing, it’s going to take some beating. Unlike the vast majority of other developers, the Guildford-based...
Reaction PlayStation Vita Is Back in Play
Drumming up hype
Sony evidently heard the criticism to its lacklustre E3 showing earlier in the year. SCEE executive Jim Ryan’s declaration that the first hour of its GamesCom 2012 PlayStation press conference would be devoted to the Vita was proof enough. For perhaps the first time in the history of the brand, the platform holder shrugged aside...
Interview Grip Games - Foosball 2012
Gripping stuff
With Foosball 2012 now readily available on digital store shelves, we felt like it was an appropriate time to sit down with Grip Games’ Jakub Mikyska and have a good old chinwag about the origins of the PlayStation 3 and Vita exclusive. Tune in for chatter about net code, potential sequels and PlayStation Minis. Push Square: Hi,...
Feature What to Expect from PlayStation at GamesCom 2012
Reading the stars
It’s pretty obvious that Sony adores GamesCom. The mid-August timing of the show appears to play right into the platform holder’s plans, allowing it to cast the spotlight on its holiday campaign much more assuredly than at E3 earlier in the year. Previous announcements that have taken place at the German tradeshow include the...
Talking Point The Trouble with Trophies
Status symbols
Love them or loathe them, Trophies have become an important part of the PlayStation experience. Introduced in mid-2008 to muted fanfare, the digital trinkets have bloated in popularity over the past four years, promoting dedicated online communities and even minor gaming celebrities. But while the rewards look certain to play a...
Interview Vigil Games - Darksiders II
Straight from the Horseman's mouth
Darksiders II is mounting up to charge onto PlayStation 3 next month. Before the Horsemen are upon us once more, Push Square caught up with Vigil Games' Haydn Dalton, lead designer on the game, at Manchester MCM Expo to speak about Darksiders II's new systems, how new character Death differs to War and the...
Preview Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Brings Beauty to PS3
Ice queen
It's been four long years since Level-5 announced its Studio Ghibli collaboration project, Ni No Kuni, during an interview with Japanese Famitsu magazine. In the time since then, Namco Bandai has been working hard to bring it to North America and Europe. So how are things shaping up so far? It was expected that a partnership with Studio...
Talking Point Sony's Gaikai Acquisition Hints at a Bright Future
Blue sky thinking
One recurring criticism has noticeably been fired at Sony throughout the entire span of this console generation; that the Japanese manufacturer has forgotten how to lead. The once thoughtful electronics giant responsible for innovations such as the Walkman and PlayStation has arguably spent too long in its competitor’s shadows...
Game of the Month June 2012 - Gravity Rush
Straight to the top
Sony's fantastic physics-bending Gravity Rush hit Vita in late June and easily walked away with our Game of the Month award. As our Gravity Rush review explains: It's a game that defies expectations almost as frequently as the physical properties it’s built upon. A surreal narrative is complemented by genuinely...
Reaction New Franchises Prove Sony's Commitment to the 'Core'
Breaking barriers
It’s been a strange E3. Word is that the industry is treading water until 2013, when Sony and Microsoft will almost certainly join Nintendo in unveiling their latest boxes. That anticipation for next year’s show has arguably sucked some of the enthusiasm out of this one, with publishers opting to promote in-between titles that...
Reaction Wonderbook Should Not Be Overlooked
Reading comprehension
Wonderbook seems to be the butt of many E3 jokes this year. Aggrieved core gamers feel that Studio London’s latest casual endeavour should have been sacrificed in favour of a greater Vita push. They’re half right – we’ve already criticised Sony and said that its lacklustre Vita display was a huge mistake – but while...
Reaction Vita's Lacklustre E3 Showing Was a Huge Mistake
Teething troubles
If E3 was vital for Vita, then someone forgot to send Sony the memo. Raining over the platform holder’s otherwise solid pre-show press conference was a staggering lack of handheld content, prompting Shuhei Yoshida — the head of Sony’s Worldwide Studios — to admit that Vita was under-represented and that it was a mistake...
Reaction No Show For PlayStation Streaming
Clear skies
According to rumours over the last week or so, Sony was getting ready to brew up a storm at E3. Several publications reported that Sony was to take a cloud gaming service under its wing to boost the PlayStation brand, yet its E3 conference passed by without mention of anything of the sort. So just what were all those rumours about? And...
Feature First The Last of Us Gameplay Demo is Brutal, Glorious
Dangerous new world
The Last of Us needed no introduction: the faint chirp of birds contrasted against the image of a decaying world did the job. Sony certainly saved the best until last, and Naughty Dog's latest title was a fitting conclusion to a press conference packed with interesting new intellectual property. We could describe the demo, but...
Feature Quantic Dream Officially Reveals Beyond for PS3
Mind blowing
As speculated earlier in the day, Quantic Dream has officially revealed Beyond. The successor to Heavy Rain is in development for PlayStation 3, and casts award winning actress Ellen Page in the lead role. Page plays a misfit named Jodie Holmes, who's spent her life living differently to everyone else. See, she possesses super natural...
Game changers
Sony finds itself in an awkward position going into E3 2012. PlayStation 3 is going strong, its line-up ever-improving, but that's juxtaposed with the company's overall financial trauma and the woeful performance of PS Vita despite the positive critical reaction to its launch. The handheld is now suffering dramatically slowing sales,...
Talking Point E3 2012 is Vital for Vita
Let the games begin
This time last year, PS Vita was known as NGP and everyone on the web was buzzing. Here we are on the verge of E3 2012, and Vita needs another big show to ignite its sales for the rest of the year. We've already talked about what we expect from Sony at E3, and while PS3 will have some great games on display — everyone is...
Game of the Month May 2012 - Velocity
Going places
A PS Mini triumphing over PS3 and Vita games to take the coveted Game of the Month award? You can believe your eyes: Velocity is a little cracker. An ingenious blend of shooter and puzzle means you're always planning your next teleport instead of just blasting everything that moves. A fast trigger-finger will help you, but it won't...
Store Update 30th May 2012 (Europe)
A mixed bag
Plenty to choose from this week and no time to waste, so here's what's up today. PS Plus: Mad Riders (PS3) including DLC Price: £7.99,€9.99,AU$15.95 PS3 Games: Mad Riders (Trial also available) Mad Riders is an adrenaline-fueled off-road arcade racing game, that will let you perform amazing aerial stunts and race on over 45...
Store Update 29th May 2012 (North America)
Resistance is futile
Vita plays host to another big Sony franchise this week as the Chimera land on Vita. More cerebral pursuits include chess and a playable demo of one of the machine's most anticipated games. Here's what's out this week. PlayStation Plus: Full Game Trial: Assassin’s Creed Revelations Full Game Trial [Assassin's Creed...
Feature Round Table - What We Expect From Sony At E3
Time to bring it
So E3 is almost upon us. The LA extravaganza will no doubt bring all of the hype and big reveals that we’ve come to expect over the years, but what will we see from Sony? We’d expect a big push for Vita to kick-start the system, while PS3 still has plenty to offer. Sony has also stated it won’t be unveiling PS4, but will it...
Store Update 23rd May 2012 (Europe)
Sorcery, SEGA, Table Top Tanks and a Vita demo
One of the busiest release weeks in recent times as we have no fewer than 11 PSN games for PS3 owners, an AR title for Vita and demos and DLC to boot. Here's what's vying for your pounds, Euro and Aussie dollars this week. PlayStation Plus: Ghost Recon Future Soldier Signature Edition (PS3) – 15%...
Store Update 22nd May 2012 (North America)
Sorcery, Syphon Filter, Vita AR and more
We'll admit it: there were times we thought we'd never get Sorcery, yet that day is finally here. There's also some Augmented Reality content for Vita and a stack of classic SEGA games, making this a very good day indeed. PlayStation Plus: Full Game Trial: Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition Full Game...
Talking Point Why 2012 is PS3's Most Mainstream Year Yet
Moving in a new direction
Subtract the upcoming God of War: Ascension and The Last of Us from the equation, and 2012 is looking like PS3’s most mainstream year yet. Sure, the likes of Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time and PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale have crossover appeal (they are evidently designed with nostalgia in mind) but
Interview SideQuest Studios - Rainbow Moon
PSN SRPG chit chat
Rainbow Moon is a new RPG from the team behind Söldner-X 2: Final Prototype and the gloriously named Söldner-X: Himmelsstürmer, set to hit PSN in the coming weeks. We spoke to Marcus Pukropski from developer SideQuest Studios about turns-based battles, Vita and the prospect of a 60-hour download game. Push Square: Hi, thanks so...
Store Update 16th May 2012 (Europe)
Sonic, Deus Ex and Velocity
A strong week for Europe, with good content for PS3 owners across all PlayStation generations. Let's get stuck in, shall we? PlayStation Network New Content: PS3 Games: PixelJunk 4am (Trial available) Become a headline act in a global musical phenomenon with PlayStation®Move. Mix your own tracks in front of a live...
Store Update 15th May 2012 (North America)
Sonic, PixelJunk and massive Ubi sale
A couple of long-awaited PSN titles come to PS3 today and Ubisoft drops prices across two dozen downloads. Read on and make an informed buying choice. PlayStation Plus: Rock of Ages — 100% discount GoldenEye 007: Reloaded — $29.99 (50% discount) Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood complete — $14.99 (40%...
Talking Point Why Vita Criticisms Are Premature
Hold your horses
The video game industry has a very selective memory. With each new platform launch we're inundated with the same old comments regarding software library, price and more. Indeed, the current reaction to the PlayStation Vita’s not-stellar-but-not-terrible launch sales figures is reminiscent of conversation from 12 months ago. Back...
Store Update 9th May 2012 (Europe)
Datura and Binary Domain
Like the North American Store Update, intriguing PSN Move adventure Datura takes centre stage but there are some good deals to be had elsewhere. Here's what's up today. PlayStation Network New Content: PS Plus: Binary Domain – 15% Discount for Two Weeks
Store Update 8th May 2012 (North America)
Datura is here
A bit of a short week for North America this time around, with one new game for PS3 owners and no new titles for Vita fans. Here's what's available this week. PlayStation Plus: Full Game Trials:Saints Row The Third — Saints Row The Third reviewNeed for Speed The Run —
Feature Understanding the Niche - Ninja Gaiden III
Cutting deeper for a better understanding
Ninja Gaiden III recently sliced its way to store shelves with much hype and anticipation from long-time fans, but developer Team Ninja’s hopes to release a Ninja Gaiden title with mass market appeal unintentionally cut right through the hearts of its core fanbase that’s supported the studio for nearly a...
Store Update 2nd May 2012 (Europe)
Awesomenauts, Skullgirls and free Frobisher Says! included
It's PSN update day here in Europe with a lot of content for your consideration, some of it free. Let's get started. PS3 Games: Awesomenauts (Trial also available)It’s the year 3587; conflict spans the stars. Huge robot armies are locked in an enduring stalemate. In their bid for galactic...
Store Update 1st May 2012 (North America)
Awesomenauts, Mortal Kombat, Max Payne and more
It's time for another PSN Store update, North America, and it's a typically eclectic mix of fun, light-hearted titles alongside grizzly, violent classics. Without further delay, let's get into it. PlayStation Plus: Early Access:Pixel Junk 4am Closed Viewer BetaVelocity (Free PS mini)Free Downloads:Aw
Feature How Sony is Dominating Pre-E3 Headlines
The early bird gets the worm
There’s little doubt that E3 is the most important date in the gaming calendar. The trade show plays host to the industry’s biggest announcements on an annual basis, and its importance continues to grow with the introduction of live streaming technologies and up-to-the-minute online coverage. But for all its...
Feature Why We're Excited About PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale
Playing favourites
The existence of a mascot mash-up featuring characters from the PlayStation universe was always going to be controversial. Let's not be coy about it: this is a concept that Nintendo's already perfected across numerous iterations of the Super Smash Bros. series. Add to that the simple fact that characters such as Sweet Tooth and...
Preview Dishonored Could Be PS3's Darkest Adventure Yet
Killing in the name
We didn't know much about Dishonored, Arkane Studios’ new game, until its first promotional trailer landed a week ago, sending the cyber-masses into feverish speculation. A few things about its concept and storyline could be gleaned from the teaser film: players will assume the role of Corvo, an Imperial bodyguard accused of...
Talking Point Does Vita Really Need Online Multiplayer Games?
Mismatch
Online multiplayer has become a key component of gaming over the past ten years. Social platforms such as PlayStation Network have paved the way for connected experiences impossible on systems of old, and driven emerging brands such as Call of Duty to the top of the charts. And yet, while those experiences have thrived on static platforms...
Store Update 25th April 2012 (Europe)
Jewels, zombies, paintball and more
Plenty of good things to download this week including Skype for Vita, the Dragon's Dogma demo and more. There's also some God of War discounts in celebration of the announcement of God of War: Ascension. Here's what's up for European PSN fans. PS3 Games: Bejeweled 3 (Released Friday 27th) The biggest, brightest...
Store Update 24th April 2012 (North America)
Skype, Walking Dead, Dragon's Dogma demo and more
This week's new PSN content is available in North America, so here's what's on offer. Vita owners, you get add-on content and Skype but no games — sorry. PlayStation Plus: Full Game Trials:The Cursed CrusadeBattlefield 3 — Battlefield 3 reviewDiscounts:
