News - October, 2012
Wednesday31st Oct 2012
Review Sports Champions 2 (PlayStation 3)
Smashing
The original Sports Champions may have been conceived as a direct response to the Wii Sports phenomenon, but beyond its surface accessibility it offered a subtlety that went missing on players looking for little more than a party game. Obfuscated by its shoddy art style and limited multiplayer options, the PlayStation Move launch title’s...
Review Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles (PlayStation Portable)
A fang-tastic introduction to Castlevania's finest instalments
Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles is one of those packages that sits awkwardly on the fence between remake and compilation. While the main attraction is the fully-fledged modern day remake of Castlevania: Rondo of Blood there are other prizes on offer which may take a player’s...
Store Update 30th October 2012 (North America)
Hot drop
We hope you’ve got plenty of spare pennies, because this week’s North American PlayStation Store update is absolutely bursting with content. Over on the PS3 there’s a little game called Assassin’s Creed III, and it's joined by Need for Speed: Most Wanted and Sports Champions 2. The Vita section is no less stacked, with Assassin’s...
News LittleBigPlanet Karting Gears Up for All Hallows' Eve
Left, left, left
The scary season is upon us, and Sackboy has decided to celebrate by donning his favourite Freddy Krueger outfit and racing a few laps around Craftworld. LittleBigPlanet Karting's got about as much to do with Hallowe’en as Mr. Kipling's French Fancies – but we appreciate the effort all the same.
News Sony Dresses Up Sly Cooper for Hallowe'en Trailer
In disguise
If a giant, cel-shaded, talking raccoon wasn’t already enough to give you the willies this Hallowe’en, then perhaps seeing the aforementioned animal kitted out in a variety of historical outfits will give you the creeps instead. Sony has released a brand new trailer for Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time showing the master thief dressed in...
News New Until Dawn Trailer Delivers a Difficult Ultimatum
Follow the instructions
Until Dawn is exactly the type of experience that we longed for back when the PlayStation Move was first announced – and so far the teen horror title appears to be living up to our admittedly lofty expectations. This brand new trailer shows some brief glimpses of a rundown cabin, before revealing that your best buddy is...
News FIFA 13 Sells 7.4 Million Copies in Four Weeks
But Medal of Honor: Warfighter disappoints
If the popularity of the beautiful game was ever in doubt, then the success of FIFA 13 should put any concerns to bed. Publisher EA Games has revealed that its premium soccer simulation has already sprinted into 7.4 million homes. That’s an outstanding achievement for a game that’s only been available...
Store Update 31st October 2012 (Europe)
Talkin' 'bout a revolution
You’re going to need a spate of good fortune in order to afford everything on this week’s European PlayStation Store update. Newcomers include Assassin’s Creed III, Need for Speed: Most Wanted, Okami HD, Sports Champions 2, and, well, a whole lot more. Let’s get started, shall we? PS3 Games: Assassin’s Cr
News Fresh Puppeteer Trailer Presents Frightening Gameplay Footage
The theatre of the spooky and macabre
Put down your toffee apple and pumpkin pie for a few moments – this brand new Puppeteer trailer deserves your full attention. The 90-second short introduces the haunted hovel of Hallowee Ville. “In this land of frights, things have really gone to pot since the Moon Bear King took over the Moon Realm,” art...
News Borderlands 2 Has Shipped 5 Million Copies Worldwide
XCOM a success, too
Excellent (but irritating) first-person shooter Borderlands 2 has shipped 5 million units worldwide, overlord Take-Two Interactive has announced. Speaking at its quarterly financial briefing, the company added that XCOM: Enemy Unknown has also proved to be a “critical and commercial success”. "Take-Two's second quarter...
News Resident Evil 6 Does the Business for Capcom
Alive and kicking
Resident Evil 6 may not have garnered the universally positive review scores that the series is renowned for, but the sequel has been an enormous financial success for publisher Capcom. Speaking during a business briefing earlier today, the company reported an operating income of ¥6.5 billion ($81.6 million) for the first half of...
Tuesday30th Oct 2012
Review Smart As (PlayStation Vita)
Mind games
Smart As appeals to your egotistical side. The PlayStation Vita puzzler is rewarding, challenging, and supremely satisfying – but the game’s key ingredient is the way in which it provides real-time information on your achievements compared to other players. Whether it's your friends, co-workers, neighbours, or even strangers –...
Rumour Captain Price Actor Outs Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4
The future is now
Call of Duty actor and former Eastenders bad boy Billy Murray has accidentally outed the next entry in Activision’s blockbuster series. The thespian – who has portrayed Captain Price for over five years – said in an interview with This Is Xbox overnight: “Yeah, on Monday I am off to meet Infinity Ward about the next game,...
News Assassin's Creed III's Day One Patch Is Essential Too
Layer of polish
It seems like more and more incomplete games are slipping through quality assurance these days. Ubisoft has issued an enormous day one patch for Assassin’s Creed III, which fixes a number of remnant bugs and glitches in the game. "This day one update is designed to optimise your player experience," the developer explained, adding...
News Ubisoft Explains Assassin's Creed III's Microtransactions
Transparency
You’ll be able to pay to unlock new multiplayer gear in Assassin’s Creed III, publisher Ubisoft has confirmed. Eagle eyed gamers spotted the inclusion of Erudito Credits in the most recent PlayStation Store update, prompting some speculation over what the mysterious currency entailed. “The Erudito Credits are a new way of...
News Rockstar Games Confirms Grand Theft Auto V Release Window
Pre-orders open next week
After a slew of unfortunate retail leaks, publisher Rockstar Games has confirmed that Grand Theft Auto V will release on PlayStation 3 in Spring 2013. The date had already been teased by a handful of promotional posters – but now the word is official. “Developed by series creator Rockstar North, Grand Theft Auto V is...
News Okami HD Is Reborn on the PlayStation Network This Week
Drawn to life
After what seems like an eternity, Capcom is finally poised to paint Okami HD onto the PlayStation Store. The loving remake will arrive on the North American digital storefront later today, while European players will have to wait until tomorrow. The high-definition makeover recompiles the PS2 classic in 1080p. The re-release also...
News Nightmare in North Point Haunts Sleeping Dogs' Dreams
Trick or treat
Ace open world adventure Sleeping Dogs is getting a Hallowe’en treat in the form of Nightmare in North Point this week. The single-player DLC adds a couple of goofy missions to the already exceptional campaign, in which protagonist Wei Shen is forced to unleash an ancient Chinese magic in order to thwart the living dead. The...
News Feast Your Eyes on Some More Leaked Grand Theft Auto V Art
Under arrest
Grand Theft Auto V is definitely dropping in Spring 2013. A rogue employee at UK retailer GAME’s Brighton branch has Tweeted a handful of new images confirming the open world adventure’s release window. The pictures appear to depict sleeves for dummy cases that will be arranged around the store this holiday encouraging players to...
News Fight Until Blood and Ruin in New PlayStation Home Game
Tower defence
PlayStation Home is on a bit of a winning streak at the moment. Within the span of just four weeks the virtual world has seen the arrival of management simulator Home Tycoon and third-person shooter Uproar. This week sees yet another full game added to the social platform, in the form of tower defence title Fight Until Blood and Ruin...
News PlayStation All-Stars Started Life as a Capture the Flag Game
Lost the lead
PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale wasn’t always a fighting game. Chatting with Siliconera, lead designer Omar Kendall revealed that the mascot mash-up went through a number of prototypes before settling on the final format that you see today. “There were all sorts of little gameplay demos and prototypes,” Kendall recalled,...
News Eyebrow Interactive Illuminates Closure with PSN Discount
Fright night
Eyebrow Interactive is shadowing two-thirds of Closure’s price, making the ambitious PlayStation Network exclusive a steal at just $4.99. “Hallowe’en is a perfect holiday to spend checking out Closure, an eerie puzzle platformer that takes place mostly in darkness, where anything not illuminated simply ceases to exist,” the...
News Dead Island: Riptide Sets Sail on 23rd April
Shipshape
Strange half-step sequel Dead Island: Riptide will tackle the undead once more when it docks North American store shelves on 23rd April. European players will have a few extra days to don their wet suits, when the title washes up on 26th April overseas. Anyone that pre-orders the soggy sequel from participating retailers will net an...
Monday29th Oct 2012
Review Killzone HD (PlayStation 3)
Helghastly
Killzone HD almost never happened. Franchise creator Guerrilla Games had to search long and hard for the PlayStation 2 title’s original assets – eventually discovering them in a shoebox beneath the house of an IT technician. Even with the appropriate materials located, it spent many hours sorting through outdated source code and...
News Activision Splashes Out On Ostentatious Black Ops 2 Commercial
Burning money
What happens when you own the most successful video game franchise in the world? You employ Guy Ritchie to direct a ridiculous live-action trailer promoting the series' latest release, of course. This Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 commercial features Robert Downey Jr (Iron Man), Zach Galfianakis (The Hangover), Kyle Myers (that weapons...
Interview Aqua Kitty Creator Tikipod Talks PlayStation Mobile
Milking mobile
PlayStation Mobile's launch has been and gone, and one of the titles we've been playing most on our Vita is Aqua Kitty, coded by independent UK studio Tikipod. It's a pixel-rich love letter to the shooters of old, where an itchy trigger finger was a base requirement for success. Founder Dugan Jackson was kind enough to take some time...
News Medal of Honor: Warfighter Trophies Failing to Unlock
Urgh
It looks like Medal of Honor: Warfighter’s comprehensive day one patch failed to fix all of the problems with the first-person shooter. A number of posters on the title’s official forums have noted that they are having problems unlocking certain Trophies in the game, despite the requirements of the trinkets being met. Issues appear to...
News Plunder One Piece: Pirate Warriors at 40% Off This Week
Plus more
With the end of October in sight, this week’s North American PlayStation Plus update is understandably lacking in heavy hitters – but there’s still an offer or four to keep subscribers smiling. The service's latest set of savings include a 40 per cent discount on One Piece: Pirate Warriors, dropping the recently released PlayStation...
News Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Prepares to Hijack the PS3
Hit the gym
Put your anticipation for Grand Theft Auto V on hold, because it looks like PS2 classic Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is coming to the PlayStation 3. The eagle-eyed editors over at Gematsu spotted an updated ESRB rating for the open world adventure, essentially confirming the title’s eventual arrival on the PlayStation Store. Similar...
News Persona 4 Golden Dazzles Europe in February 2013
Not quite set in stone
NIS America is targeting a 22nd February release date for Persona 4 Golden in Europe, according to a report on Joystiq. The website states that while the date has not yet been officially decided, that's the period that the publisher is targeting. Sadly, the re-release is unlikely to receive the slick Solid Gold limi
News Cliff Bleszinski Offers to Help Turn Resident Evil Around
Gears of gore
Currently unemployed video game luminary Cliff Bleszinski has offered to help resurrect Capcom’s ailing Resident Evil series. The former Epic Games employee Tweeted over the weekend, “Hey, Capcom. Call me. We can fix Resident Evil. Together.” The distinguished designer played a pivotal part in transforming Microsoft’s Gears of...
News You'll Be Able to Pay as You Play Assassin's Creed III
Spend a penny
Assassin’s Creed III is already shaping up to be quite the investment. In addition to the cost of the console adventure itself, there’s also the price of the title’s DLC Season Pass and handheld spin-off Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation to consider. Apparently, that’s still not enough for publisher Ubisoft. While playing the...
News Play Like a Pro with These PlayStation All-Stars Beta Tips
God of war
Are you having difficulty getting to grips with PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale's unique combat mechanics and scoring systems? This helpful video produced by developer SuperBot Entertainment should get you up to speed. The tutorial details everything from basic controls to tech rolls. It’s also scored by the mascot mash-up’s...
News Hotline Miami Developer Discussing PlayStation Port
Hangin' on the telephone
If the recently released Retro City Rampage didn’t quite satisfy your hunger for throwback bedlam, then perhaps indie smash-hit Hotline Miami will quell your thirst instead. Jonatan Söderström, the developer behind the twisted PC release, has revealed to Pocket Gamer that his team has been talking to Sony about the...
News Skyrim Premium Edition Explores Certain European Territories
Specific path
As leaked by Amazon Germany earlier today, Bethesda is planning to release a Premium Edition of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim in certain territories across Europe. The specially prepared bundle will include a copy of the game, world map, t-shirt, novel, and six postcards. The package will release in the UK, Germany, and Benelux, but...
News UK Sales Charts: Medal of Honor Infiltrates Top Spot
Number one with a bullet
Medal of Honor: Warfighter has booted FIFA 13 from the top of the UK sales charts. The soccer simulation couldn’t manage a sixth week at the summit, as Danger Close’s shooter shot straight to the peak of the list. It wasn’t all good news for the modern military adventure, however, as it failed to outsell its...
Sunday28th Oct 2012
News Grand Theft Auto V Posters Reveal Spring 2013 Release
Not long
Grand Theft Auto V will launch in ‘Spring 2013’, according to a photograph of some leaked promotional posters. The displays – presumably intended for retail – show some new artwork, alongside the pest control image that was released last week. Game Informer magazine is set to run
News Twisted Metal Explodes onto the PlayStation Store Next Week
Sweet tooth
Those of you gunning for some destruction this Hallowe'en may be excited to learn that Twisted Metal is coming to the PlayStation Store as a digital release. The top-notch reboot will launch on 30th October in North America for $39.99. If you’re still not sure whether heavy metal and exploding cars are quite your thing, check out our...
Saturday27th Oct 2012
News Purchasing Assassin's Creed III and Liberation Unlocks Bonus Content
More for your money
You were probably going to purchase both Assassin’s Creed III and Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation anyway – but Ubisoft has announced an added incentive to affirm your decision. If you link up both games, you’ll be able to play a converging mission as Connor on the PlayStation Vita. Furthermore, you’ll unlock the...
News Criterion: Need for Speed: Most Wanted for Vita Was Something That We Wanted to Do Internally
Stepping up
UK developer Criterion Games has revealed that it “wanted” to build the PlayStation Vita version of Need for Speed: Most Wanted. The handheld release – which is practically identical to its console counterpart – was developed in-house at the Guildford outfit, rather than being cast off to an external studio. “[Building Need...
Preview God of War: Ascension Is Familiar but Fantastic
Monster mash
Playing God of War: Ascension is a lot like riding a bike after a brief hiatus: for a few fleeting moments the gameplay feels foreign, but then everything clicks into place. Sony Santa Monica’s fourth outing in Greek mythology bashes you over the head with the many combos you’ve spent years perfecting, and then it invites you to...
News Follow the Way of the Mercenary with DUST 514
Complex combat
Free-to-play might mean “social games” to some developers – but not CCP Games. The upcoming DUST 514 is easily one of the most complex releases in the pipeline for PlayStation 3, and it won’t cost you a penny to play. This brand new trailer talks you through the process of getting set-up and prepared for battle. The level of...
Friday26th Oct 2012
News PlayStation 3 Owners Revolt Over Firmware Update 4.30
Predict a riot
As is so often the case online, people aren’t happy. The PlayStation 3’s latest firmware update arrived earlier this week with a couple of admittedly eyebrow-raising additions. Alongside the ability to check Vita Trophies on the console, the update also implemented SingStar into the XMB, and moved some of the key components of the...
News Crysis 2 Is Europe's Next Free PlayStation Plus Giveaway
Armed and ready
European PlayStation Plus subscribers anticipating more free games will be pleased to learn that the beautiful Crysis 2 has been confirmed as the next addition to the service's Instant Game Collection. The extraordinarily pretty sandbox shooter will be offered at no extra cost to subscribers from 7th November. The game sees you take...
Preview Sitting Behind the Wheel of GRID 2
Test drive
Ask any racing fan what their favourite gaming experience has been over the past five years, and there’s a good chance that Codemasters’ Race Driver: GRID will rank at the sharp end of their list. Since its release in 2008, GRID has developed something of a cult following, thanks in part to its strong racing heart and fine damage...
News The Original Syphon Filter Was Heavily Inspired by GoldenEye
Stealth stalwarts
If you play Syphon Filter today, you may wonder what all the fuss was about. But back in 1999 – when the PSone title first released – it was ground-breaking. Not only did the first-party title depict a more contemporary plot (featuring spies, shady terrorist networks, and programmable viruses), but it also took a more realistic...
News Uncharted: Golden Abyss Wins Best Handheld Game Gong
True treasure
Uncharted: Golden Abyss was the best handheld game of 2012, according to the Golden Joystick Awards. The swish event – which took place in London this afternoon – honoured Sony Bend’s excellent PlayStation Vita adventure ahead of Super Mario 3D Land and Kid Icarus: Uprising. We reckon the Nintendo Life guys might
Rumour Amazon Outs PlayStation All-Stars Steelbook
Commemorative piece
UK retailer GAME may have a selection of unique PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale covers available for pre-order, but Amazon’s steelbook looks even more enticing. The custom packaging – which has not been officially confirmed by Sony – shows a slick silver cover with the faces of 11 of the title
News Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault Reveals All from 27th November
Hanging out
PlayStation’s most popular Lombax will lay himself bare this winter, when Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault arrives in North America on 27th November. The fun size adventure will be available from both retail outlets and the PlayStation Store for $19.99. It’ll support full cross-buy compatibility, meaning you’ll only need...
News Need for Speed: Most Wanted Launch Trailer Starts Its Engine
Ear plugs
Ignore the atrocious audio and this Need for Speed: Most Wanted launch trailer is half decent. It shows a slew of high performance sports cars drifting around city streets, and generally causing mischief for the local constabulary. The game’s due out next week on PlayStation 3 and Vita. Yeah, it’s that time of the year, isn’t it?
News PlayStation Plus Contributing to Increased PSN Sales
Stellar strategy
Not every PlayStation platform is selling brilliantly at the moment, but PSN sales are through the roof. SCEA executive John Koller believes that some of that success can be attributed to the presence of the PlayStation Plus subscription program. “Since E3, we’ve seen a significant rise in PlayStation Plus adoption and we’ll...
News Submit Your Most Cherished Memories to Remember Me
Past and present
If you want the world to know about that time you won your city’s local hot dog eating contest, Capcom is giving you the unique opportunity to share your achievement. It’s launched a competition for upcoming PlayStation 3 adventure Remember Me that will see your most cherished memories incorporated into the game. All you need to...
Thursday25th Oct 2012
News PlayStation Vita Sales Struggling in Europe, PS3 Well on Top
Good news and bad news
Nintendo tends to be the best source for PlayStation sales information in Europe – and its latest financial report has delivered once again. But while there is good news for Sony’s flagship platform in the region, it’s off-set by some disappointing numbers for the PlayStation Vita. According to figures released as part...
News Check Out Metal Gear Rising's Slick Special Edition
Style guide
You’ll be able to purchase Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance in a variety of guises in Japan next year. Konami has announced that the title – which will launch as a PS3 exclusive in the region – will be available in vanilla, Premium Package, and Premium Package Konami Style editions overseas. The Premium Package will set you back...
News PlayStation All-Stars Has an Attainable Platinum Trophy
Bling, bling
You should be able to earn a Platinum Trophy in SuperBot Entertainment’s upcoming mascot mash-up, PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale. The full roster of digital trinkets have emerged on Exophase, and aside from a couple of toughies, they look perfectly achievable. For starters, you’ll earn a Bronze Trophy for beating the Arcade...
News Hell Yeah! Wrath of the Dead Rabbit DLC Gets Nostalgic
Welcome to the Fantasy Zone
What’s better than a shamed dead rabbit hell-bent on revenge? A bunch of forgotten SEGA protagonists hell-bent on revenge, of course. Developer Arkedo has released a couple of new DLC packs for Hell Yeah! Wrath of the Dead Rabbit this week, which implement a slew of classic character skins. Amongst the famous faces are...
News New Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Trailer Is the Ultimate Tease
Blink and you'll miss it
We’ve tolerated teaser trailers for a while now – but this Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 video really takes the biscuit. It’s five seconds long, for goodness' sake. Don’t look at us like that – it’s a slow news day, ok? The game's due out next month. You'll need to pre-order at a participating retailer in order to...
News Tales of Hearts R Being Recited on PlayStation Vita
Once upon a time
Those of you that have been begging for more RPGs on the PlayStation Vita will be excited to learn that Namco Bandai has announced Tales of Hearts R for the handheld. The remake of the former Nintendo DS exclusive will include fresh story events, full voice acting, and a new character named Calcedony Arkham. It’ll also be...
News Unsurprisingly, Assassin's Creed III Is the Most Pre-Ordered Title in Ubisoft's History
Trend setter
Here’s a shocker: Assassin’s Creed III is the most pre-ordered title in Ubisoft’s history. The enormous PlayStation 3 adventure has already more than doubled the pre-order tally achieved by last year's Assassin’s Creed: Revelations – Ubisoft’s previous record holder. "Pre-orders for Assassin’s Creed III at GameStop are...
News These Exhibits from iam8bit's PS All-Stars Event Are Fantastic
Fan service
As you probably read earlier this week, swanky video game production company iam8bit hosted a special PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale event in Los Angeles overnight. Alongside getting their hands-on the final version of the mascot mash-up, attendees also got to peruse a Royal Armoury of weapon replicas. On loan from the game's...
News Test Your Might Against Dishonored's Dunwall City Trials
Shadow man
Reckon you’ve got the best of Dunwall’s royal guard? You’ll be able to put your confidence to the test this December with Dishonored’s first expansion pack, Dunwall City Trials. The add-on includes “10 Challenge Maps” that will examine your skill against waves of enemies, time-trials, and a “gravity-defying run of drop...
News Journey Awarded Top Gong at GameCity 2012
Deserving winner
Thatgamecompany’s exceptional PlayStation Network exclusive Journey took home the second GameCity Prize last night, when it was selected from a shortlist that included Catherine and Mass Effect 3. "I really like the goal of GameCity, to get people to notice games and talk about games, particularly for people who don't encounter...
Wednesday24th Oct 2012
Review Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz (PlayStation Vita)
Tasty treat
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz almost represents a return to form for this troubled series. Returning to the original's simplicity, it recaptures a lot of the charm and magic from when the series first rolled into our hearts over 11 years ago. Indeed, its sickeningly cutesy aesthetic is as delightful now as it's ever been. But this is...
News Demon's Gaze Is PlayStation Vita's Next Big Dungeon Crawler
Hot off the press
Famitsu magazine is always a bubbling hot-pot of new video game announcements, and this week’s edition is no different. The Japanese gaming bible has raised the curtain on a new PlayStation Vita dungeon crawler named Demon's Gaze. The title is in development at Experience Inc, who is best known for making PSP adventure Students...
News Orgarhythm Boogies onto the PlayStation Vita
Shake it, shake it
Patapon fans disappointed by the lack of tactical rhythm action on the PlayStation Vita may find themselves drawn to Orgarhythm, an incredibly difficult to spell real-time strategy title from Acquire. The game – available now from the North American PlayStation Store – encourages you to tap, slide and drag your finger to the...
News 300's King Leonidas Charges into God of War: Ascension
Prepare for glory
If you pre-order the upcoming God of War: Ascension from US mega retailer GameStop, you’ll be given the unique opportunity to play as 300’s King Leonidas. The burly warrior will be selectable in multiplayer, and will come complete with iconic red cape, helmet, and armour. You’ll also get to use the character’s trademark...
Store Update 24th October 2012 (Europe)
The finished swan
There’s plenty in this week’s European PlayStation Store update to keep your bandwidth busy. Just like overseas, there’s an impressive selection of PlayStation Vita content, including Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz and Street Fighter X Tekken. The PS3 side’s not too shabby either, with both Killzone HD
News New Grand Theft Auto V Artwork Should Exterminate Your Impatience
Rent-a-robber
Grand Theft Auto V is getting a full blow-out next month, promises publisher Rockstar Games. Until then, you’re going to have to make do with this brand new artwork. It shows a couple of robbers disguised in pest control gear. We reckon those massive assault rifles might blow their cover, though. The hotly anticipated open-world...
Store Update 23rd October 2012 (North America)
Vitality
Who said there were no PlayStation Vita games? This week’s North American PlayStation Store update introduces five new titles alone. Amongst the fresh arrivals are Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz and Street Fighter X Tekken. PlayStation 3 players have no shortage of new titles to look forward to either. This week sees the release of The...
News Free Resident Evil 6 Update Shuffles onto PS3 This December
Back from the brink
The free Resident Evil 6 update that was the cause of much controversy earlier this month will crawl onto the PlayStation 3 in mid-December, publisher Capcom has announced. The complimentary download will include the crushing ‘No Hope’ difficulty level, in addition to co-op for Ada Wong’s campaign. Capcom is taking the...
News Killzone HD Conquers the European PlayStation Store Today
Sons and daughters of Helghan
We know this is old news to those of you overseas, but the original ‘Halo killer’ is set to release on the European PlayStation Store later today. Killzone HD re-masters the original PlayStation 2 title in glorious high-definition – and it’s arriving just in time to rain on Halo 4’s Doritos-powered parade...
News Naughty Dog Issues Uncharted 3 Multiplayer Update
Restored treasure
Naughty Dog has rolled out a brand new multiplayer update for Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception which makes some widespread changes to the title’s recently introduced tournament system. For starters, there are a slew of new rewards to unlock in the competitive mode, including a Fireball M9 and Biker Jacket. The developer has also...
News THQ Fashions 30th October Launch for Darksiders 2 DLC
Hellish hearth
Death will reign once again this Hallowe’en, when THQ deploys Darksiders 2’s second big chunk of DLC. The cryptically titled Abyssal Forge will be available on PlayStation 3 from 30th October in North America. Those of you living overseas will have an extra day to prepare for the apocalyptic arrival, when the content appears on...
Tuesday23rd Oct 2012
Review Dead or Alive 5 (PlayStation 3)
Looks can be deceiving
Dead or Alive 5 is nothing if not utter nonsense. Tecmo Koei has had seven years to stuff its flashy fighting series full of gibberish, and it’s delivered. Unfortunately, it’s forgotten to fully advance the combat systems at the heart of the experience along the way – and the sequel feels like a half-step as a result...
News SingStar Is Being Integrated into the XMB for Free
System level
The next PlayStation 3 firmware update will not only allow you to view your PlayStation Vita Trophies on the console, but it will also integrate SingStar at a system level. Sony’s immensely popular karaoke franchise will be integrated into the XMB, allowing you to boot up the title without ever needing a disc. Furthermore, the...
News Medal of Honor: Warfighter's Day One Patch Is Essential
Good grief
Day one patches are typically reserved for minor fixes, but Medal of Honor: Warfighter takes things to a whole new level. The game's last minute software update – available today alongside its North American release – fixes a slew of single-player and multiplayer bugs, including teensy issues such as “unresponsive controls”. The...
News PlayStation All-Stars Come to Life in New Short Film
They're only as good as you are
Sony’s marketing department often gets criticised for not going far enough to promote PlayStation’s impressive stable of software – but you can’t really fault this initiative. In order to advertise SuperBot Entertainment’s upcoming mascot mash-up PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, the company has created a...
News Family Guy Returns to the Multiverse on 20th November
Our sides are splitting already
Sometimes a video game comes along that escapes our expertise. Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse is one such title. It’s not that we don’t understand the mechanics behind the Activision published third-person adventure. No, the big problem is that we’d rather swim through a landfill in our underwear than watch...
News PlayStation Network Hacking Lawsuit Tossed Out
Justice at last
Last year’s PlayStation Network hack proved a torrid time for Sony’s platform – but it was worsened by the knee-jerk reactions from some corners of the press. Cast your minds back to the hazy days of April 2011, and you’ll recall headlines regarding credit card fraud, identity theft, and more. In reality, while there was no...
News Ally with Zeus in This New God of War: Ascension Trailer
By the Gods
Before you begin playing God of War: Ascension’s multiplayer beta, you’ll be forced to face some fairly challenging decisions, like which Olympian you’ll align yourself with amidst the brutality of battle. Yeah, that choice is tougher than today's Countdown Conundrum, isn't it? To ease your decision, this brand new trailer details...
News PS3 Exclusive Assassin's Creed III Missions Expose Benedict Arnold
Turncoat
If you purchase Assassin’s Creed III on the PlayStation 3 next week, you’ll be invited to foil the plot of legendary traitor Benedict Arnold. The four-mission story-arc involving one of the most treacherous double agents in history will be exclusive to Sony’s platform – and will be included for free with vanilla versions of the...
News God of War: Ascension Beta Causes Chaos This Winter
Best served cold
PlayStation Plus subscribers will be invited to follow in the foot-steps of their favourite Greek warriors this winter, when the God of War: Ascension beta finally arrives on the PlayStation Store. The multiplayer test will allow you to sample the competitive side of Sony Santa Monica’s sequel without needing to sacrifice a...
News Wish Studios Dreaming Up New IP Prototype for PlayStation
Upon a star
Brighton-based independent developer Wish Studios has announced that it’s working on a prototype for a brand new PlayStation IP. The outfit – which is led by former DC-UK and Mr. Dreamcast editor Caspar Field – is keeping the details of the project under wraps, but reckons it has “enormous potential”. SCEE’s Mick Hocking...
News Sports Champions 2 Is Serious Business According to This Ad
Have you got what it takes?
The Olympics may be over – but there’s an even more exciting sporting event about to take place in your living room. Sony has released the European television spot for Sports Champions 2, and it takes things pretty seriously. We’re not a big fan of obviously silly advertisements like this, but at least it raises a...
News Assassin's Creed III Launch Trailer Rises Ahead of Release
Viva la revolution
Doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun? It only seems like yesterday that Assassin’s Creed III was very first announced, and now it’s on the cusp of release. This brand new launch trailer won’t really tell you much about the game – but it will certainly get you in the mood for next week’s hotly anticipated launch.
Monday22nd Oct 2012
Review WRC 3: FIA World Rally Championship (PlayStation 3)
Third time lucky?
WRC 3: FIA World Rally Championship is certainly an improvement over last year's title. The presentation has been greatly enhanced, with the menus and audio more reminiscent of its contemporaries. Meanwhile, the in-game visuals show far more fidelity with improved detail and lighting. However, there're still some glaring issues...
Review 007 Legends (PlayStation 3)
The Spy Who Bored Me
With the new James Bond film Skyfall out next month, you might expect this year's 007 game to be all about the present — instead, Eurocom digs into the franchise's rich legacy, updating some of Bond's more memorable moments for the modern era. With the successful reimagining of GoldenEye, Eurocom proved that they know their...
News Upcoming PS3 Firmware Update Will Finally Let You Browse Your Vita Trophies
Pet peeve
For the most part, the PlayStation 3 and Vita experience is beautifully intertwined – but Trophies have remained an issue since launch. While you can view your PS3 trinkets on the handheld console, it’s impossible to do the reverse. Thankfully, that’s set to change later this week. Sony’s announced that a new PS3 firmware update...
News BioShock Infinite Pre-Orders Secure Industrial Revolution Puzzle Game
Cross promotion
If you pre-order BioShock Infinite at a participating retailer, you’ll receive two games for your trouble. Alongside the main PlayStation 3 release, you’ll also scoop an invite to try out a standalone PC puzzle title called BioShock Infinite: Industrial Revolution. The browser-based game – developed by indie outfit Lazy 8...
News Corpse Party: Book of Shadows Spooks PSP This Winter
Cuddle up
The sequel to Team GrisGris’ outstanding PlayStation Portable exclusive Corpse Party is coming to the PlayStation Network this winter. Corpse Party: Book of Shadows features a collection of eight self-contained scenarios set in the shadowy Corpse Party universe. “[The sequel is] divided into eight chapters, each of which tells its own...
News The Walking Dead's Collector's Edition Is Surprisingly Large
Puddle of blood
If you haven’t played Telltale’s outrageously popular The Walking Dead series yet, then you might be tempted to nab the title at retail. If you do decide to pick it up, you’ll be able to do so in standard or collector’s edition flavours. The former will include the full season on disc for $29.99, while the latter will bundle...
News Assassin's Creed III Will Conclude Desmond's Story
Pieces of Eden
Following on from last week’s Assassin’s Creed III recap trailer, publisher Ubisoft has revealed that the hotly anticipated sequel will “wrap up” modern day protagonist Desmond Miles’ tale. Chatting with – whisper it – Official Xbox Magazine, lead designer Steve Masters revealed: “What we’re trying
Interview Crash Lab's Steve Ellis On Developing For PlayStation Mobile
Former Rare staffer talks about working with Sony on bite-sized games
Sony recently launched its PlayStation Mobile service along with a selection of games that includes Twist Pilot from UK studio Crash Lab, which was founded by former employees of Rare. We spoke to Crash Lab's Managing and Technical Director Steve Ellis about developing for the...
News Sony Releases Third Mysterious PlayStation Teaser Trailer
Crossover chaos
It’s a brand new day, so that means it’s time for a fresh PlayStation teaser. Following on from last week’s The Reload and The Arrival videos, Sony has quietly uploaded a third trailer to its YouTube channel entitled The Aftermath. Once again, the video is rich with subtle PlayStation references, including Sly Cooper’s cane...
News Insomniac Games' Ted Price Talks Fuse for 18 Minutes
Turning the tide
Insomniac Games is not used to being met with cynicism when it announces a new project, but that’s exactly what it faced when it re-revealed Fuse earlier this year. Boasting a more generic art-style than its conceptual predecessor Overstrike, the game was not well received. Fortunately, the former Sony exclusive developer is...
News UK Sales Charts: FIFA 13 Blocks Skylanders' Charge
Holding on
FIFA 13 managed to keep its competitors out of the net for a fourth time this week, once again finishing first in the UK sales charts. Competition was fierce from Activision’s Skylanders: Giants, but the multiplatform phenomenon wasn’t strong enough to topple EA Sports’ soccer sim from the top of the list. We think that accolade’s...
News iam8bit Hosting Stylish PS All-Stars Jamboree This Week
Fire starter
Trendy video game production company iam8bit is hosting a one-night only PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale event in Los Angeles this week. Those that attend the show will be able to get their hands on the final version of SuperBot Entertainment’s mascot mash-up, as well as secure limited edition t-shirts and posters. In addition,...
Sunday21st Oct 2012
News Redesigned PlayStation Store Finally Opens in the UK
Better late than never
Sony has finally launched the revamped PlayStation Store in the UK. The updated digital storefront was originally scheduled to arrive on 17th October, but was delayed due to slow loading and bugs. We’ve now had a chance to test out the new look, and it definitely seems to organise content in a much more cohesive manner...
News New BioShock Infinite Trailer Should Put Your Concerns to Rest
Jaw dropping
If BioShock Infinite has had a troubled development, then this trailer sure makes all of the sweat and tears look worthwhile. As promised, developer Irrational Games has released the first footage of the first-person adventure in months – and it looks absolutely incredible. Throughout the 90-second short you’ll glimpse intense...
Saturday20th Oct 2012
News Need for Speed: Most Wanted Supports the Move Racing Wheel
Turning a corner
Need for Speed: Most Wanted developer Criterion loves trying out new technology, so we’re not particularly surprised by the studio's decision to support the PlayStation Move Racing Wheel for its upcoming release. The crazy contraption can be used to control the car (obviously), but it also takes advantage of some of the device's...
Preview Hitting Some Winners with Sports Champions 2
Down the line
The furore surrounding the introduction of new motion peripherals back in 2010 meant that the excellent Sports Champions got lost in the shuffle. Sony pushed the mini-game compilation as the first must-have title for the PlayStation Move, but post-release discussion almost always centred on the title’s technology rather than the game...
News Cryptic PlayStation Video Teases 'The Arrival'
Detective time
Sony’s released a follow-up to last week’s mysterious The Reload trailer. The 23-second short – entitled The Arrival – still points to a 23rd October announcement, but it features a few more clues to go on. For starters, the secretary is spotted typing a message in Ratchet & Clank’s Lombax language. Translated, the...
News PlayStation Store Revamp Postponed in North America
Not a surprise
Those of you in North America will be forced to stick with the classic blue version of the PlayStation Store for the time being. Following the disastrous roll-out of the new storefront overseas, Sony has decided to postpone the release of the revamp in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil. Eric Lempel explained that an...
News LittleBigPlanet Karting Has a Plot (Apparently)
Paper thin
Where do we go to complain about false advertising? We were informed that this brand new LittleBigPlanet Karting trailer would include plot information, but it features nothing of the sort. Sure, there’s a quick quip from narrator Stephen Fry about the Omniverse being in danger again – but then it switches to footage of Sackfolk...
Friday19th Oct 2012
News Your Weapons Can Prestige in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2
XP out of your ears
The secret behind Call of Duty’s success is its ability to reward you for everything you do. Even when you’re losing, you always feel like you’re achieving something – and the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 aims to take that to the next level. Not only will you be able to Prestige as a player in the Treyarch...
News Check Out Kazuma Kiryu Driving a Taxi in Yakuza 5
A to B
One of the many side-activities in Yakuza 5 – alongside Virtua Fighter 2 and, er, snowball fighting – will allow you to put protagonist Kazuma Kiryu behind the wheel of a taxi. The brand new Japanese developer diary embedded below shows the mode in action, as the former Tojo Clan chairman weaves in and out of traffic on two wheels and...
News Yes, Sonic the Fighters Is Coming to the PSN
Don't shoot the messenger
Following weeks of speculation, SEGA has finally confirmed that Sonic the Fighters is coming to the PlayStation Network. As predicted, the terrible arcade fighting game will release alongside fellow Model 2 titles Virtua Fighter 2 and Fighting Vipers. You’ll be able to purchase all three games for ¥800 (roughly $10) in...
News Hitman: Absolution Lets You Live Your Wildest Cosplay Dreams
Chicken suit
Square Enix may be advertising Hitman: Absolution as a gritty stealth action game – but that’s just to get the hardcore gamers on side. In actual fact it’s a fancy dress simulator, allowing you to concoct all manner of wacky outfits. Don’t believe us? Just watch the trailer embedded below. The sequel's set to infiltrate the...
News Sleeping Dogs' Nightmare in North Point DLC Is Coming for You
Smiley cat
We’re not sure whether to laugh or cry. Square Enix has released the first trailer for Sleeping Dogs’ upcoming Hallowe’en themed expansion, Nightmare in North Point – and it features a devilish feline foe named Smiley Cat. Y’see, in life Big Scar Wu was a high-rolling gangster. But when he was murdered by the Sun On Yee and fed...
News Anarchy Reigns Attacks Western Store Shelves Early Next Year
At last
That ear shattering roar you just heard was editor Damien McFerran celebrating the long overdue release date announcement for “groundbreaking multiplayer brawler” Anarchy Reigns. SEGA's just sent us word that the title will launch on 8th January in North America and 11th January in Europe. The Platinum Games developed fighter sparked...
News Delve Behind the Magic of Wonderbook: Book of Spells
Witchcraft and sorcery
Having got our hands on Wonderbook: Book of Spells recently, we’re eagerly anticipating the release of the full game. The PlayStation Move-enhanced magic ‘em up takes excellent advantage of Sony’s new book peripheral, pulling you into a fantasy world courtesy of augmented reality technology. It’s designed with children...
News Sony Is Slashing 2,000 Jobs in Japan
Cost cutting
Sony has announced that it will cut 2,000 jobs in Japan via an “early retirement” scheme. The Next Web notes that the cuts are set to affect the company’s head office the hardest, with 20 per cent of employees set to depart by the end of the year. The move will apparently save the manufacturer a whopping ¥30 billion (roughly $378...
News New Assassin's Creed III Trailer Tells Desmond's Tale
This is your life
If you’re not fully up to date with the Assassin’s Creed series, you might appreciate this brand new trailer. Narrated by William Miles – modern-day protagonist Desmond Miles’ father – the three-minute video recaps the events leading up to Assassin’s Creed III. It summarises the stories of Altair and Ezio, before...
News Rockstar Wants Your Feedback for Grand Theft Auto V
Finding friends
Rockstar Games requires your assistance for Grand Theft Auto V. The secretive developer has posted a new blog entry on its official website, pleading for your feedback on the title’s Crews system. “Whether it’s suggestions for competitive in-game Crew features in Multiplayer, new ways to manage and recruit, ideas for enhancing...
News Germinator Offers an Infectious Twist on a Puzzle Classic
Highly contagious
Creat Studios has promised to contaminate the PlayStation Network with a brand new title. The prolific publisher has announced Germinator, an unhygienic take on the match-three puzzler. Unlike other titles, the digital release sees you slotting together germ types in order to create enormous microbes. Push them too far and...
Thursday18th Oct 2012
Review Resident Evil 6 (PlayStation 3)
Go West
Most people would agree that Resident Evil: Code Veronica was the last truly scary title in Capcom’s survival-horror series. Ever since the closing credits rolled on that Dreamcast classic way back in 2000, the popular view is that the franchise has been gradually getting more Westernised, and slowly shedding the foundations of the genre...
Review Derrick the Deathfin (PlayStation 3)
Not-so-great white
It’s always unfortunate when a game shows a massive amount of promise and ultimately falls short, but in the case of Derrick the Deathfin it’s almost criminal. The game is stunningly beautiful and the amount of care that Different Tuna’s invested into development is evident from the start, but unfortunately the rest of the...
News Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified Developer Changes Name, Focuses on Mobile
Dramatic turn of events
You’ve officially tarnished Nihilistic Software’s name to the point where the studio has had to completely rebrand. The Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified developer announced this morning that it is renaming itself to nStigate. The stud
News Ubisoft Extricates Assassin's Creed III: Liberation Trailer
Fight for your right
Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation’s protagonist Aveline may just be the most interesting main character in the stealth series so far. Not only does her gender introduce some interesting narrative and gameplay ideas, but we love the way that developer Ubisoft Sofia hasn’t overplayed her sexuality. She is a strong and...
News Redesigned PlayStation Store Launch Temporarily Postponed
Utter disaster
Yesterday’s European PlayStation Store re-launch did not go according plan. Following a catastrophic roll-out marred by slow loading and bugs, the platform holder has decided to delay the release of the new digital storefront in some territories for the time being. “The phased launch of the new PlayStation Store has been...
News Give PlayStation Themed Gift Cards This Christmas
Santa's sack-boy
Christmas cards can be pretty bland. You either get chilly winter themes, or those corny designs with jokes that were funny about five decades ago. Thankfully, the fine folks over at GamerPrint.co.uk have come up with a way of fusing video game references into their line of festive greetings cards. The A6 designs pay homage to...
News Mysterious PlayStation Video Teases 'The Reload'
What does it all mean?
Sony has uploaded a mysterious video to its YouTube channel teasing something called The Reload. The video looks frightfully familiar to the Michael commercial that debuted last year – it even features the same actress – so we’re going to assume that this is another advertisement of some kind. According to the conclusion...
News Starhawk Developer Shrinks, Switches to iOS Development
Times are changing
We didn’t expect Starhawk developer LightBox Interactive to stay exclusive to Sony following the release of its most recent online multiplayer shooter, but we’re a little bit disappointed by the company’s decision to step away from console development altogether. Alas, company president Dylan Jobe confirmed overnight that...
News BioShock Infinite's Ultimate Songbird Edition Demands Your Attention
Humdinger
There’s nothing particularly original about this enormous BioShock Infinite collector’s edition, but it still somehow manages to look incredible. The premium bundle – entitled the Ultimate Songbird Edition – includes an amazing statue designed by Irrational Games’ concept artist Robb Waters, who previously brought characters such...
News Borderlands 2's Campaign of Carnage DLC Accidentally Outed
Trophies are the trouble
The next set of Borderlands 2 DLC has been leaked – and Trophies are the culprit yet again. Eagle-eyed players spotted the addition of a new expansion pack named ‘Mr. Torgue’s Campaign of Carnage’ added to the title's trinket roster, which corroborates rumours that first appeared earlier in the year. Torgue is, of...
News Aftermath Expansion Shakes Up Battlefield 3 Next Month
Pulling the ground from beneath your feet
Battlefield 3’s post-earthquake expansion pack Aftermath will launch on 27th November for PlayStation 3 Premium members. Vanilla players will have to wait until 11th December to get their hands-on the add-on. The anticipated DLC pack features four new maps set on the ravaged city streets of urban Tehran...
Wednesday17th Oct 2012
Review Retro City Rampage (PlayStation 3)
Copy right
In a generation where just about every game has some kind of serious story with complex characters, Retro City Rampage does a complete 180 and focuses on plain and simple goofy fun. The 8-bit styled game resembles the original Grand Theft Auto at first, but if you dig a little deeper, you’ll also find it pays homage to a handful of...
Review Joe Danger 2: The Movie (PlayStation 3)
Movie magic
Joe Danger is back, performing more death defying stunts with style and panache. This time, however, Joe has hit the big-time and has become a Hollywood stuntman. And with his new job comes new responsibilities; he's not just driving quad bikes and motorcycles anymore, instead he must master mine carts, snowmobiles, skis and even jet...
News Hitman HD Collection Trophies Sneak Online
Evidence mounts
For a franchise that’s all about stealth and concealment, developer IO Interactive is doing a shockingly poor job of keeping the Hitman HD Collection a secret. The PlayStation 3 compilation – which is all but confirmed at this stage – has been keeping the rumour mill warm for months, despite the uncharacteristic silence of...
News Analysts: PlayStation 3 Price-Cut Unlikely to Occur This Year
Stating the obvious
Many of us expected a price-cut when Sony announced the PlayStation 3 Super Slim at the Tokyo Game Show earlier this year – but that didn’t happen. In fact, the platform holder actually raised the price of its premium console in a number of regions. Analysts believe that’s where the system??
News Redesigned PlayStation Store Opens Its Doors in Europe
Queues cause chaos
This is all rather exciting, isn’t it? Depending on where in Europe you reside, you might already have access to the new PlayStation Store. We’ve been checking from our UK account all morning, but we still see the classic blue storefront. Apparently, Sony is in the process of rolling out the redesign across the continent as we...
News Uproar Brings Gang Warfare to PlayStation Home
Choose wisely
PlayStation Home just keeps getting better. Hot on the heels of Hellfire’s impressive business management simulation Home Tycoon, developer Lockwood has released Uproar – a fully-featured free-to-play third-person shooter with a gang theme. Upon loading the game for the first time, you’ll need to choose between two opposing...
News Cryptic SEGA Trailer Teases Incoming Announcement
Detective time
Where’s ex-editor James Newton when you need him? SEGA's released a brand new teaser trailer that’s had everyone in the Push Square office stumped. The cryptic short – entitled 2 x 5 – features lots of screaming and the sound of Sonic losing rings. If you listen carefully, you’ll also spot the “Get Ready” voice sample...
Store Update 17th October 2012 (Europe)
New look
This is the first European PlayStation Store update in a brand new home – and, well, at the time of writing things aren’t working too well. But let’s not let that get us down. Assuming you can overcome the slow loading and bugs of Sony’s brand new digital storefront, there’s a handful of tasty nuggets worthy of your attention. New...
Store Update 16th October 2012 (North America)
Digital domination
North America might not have a new PlayStation Store to dive into just yet, but it’s still got a whole heap of content to purchase. In truth, this week’s refresh isn’t quite as loaded as previous updates – but we suspect your wallet will appreciate the break. Highlights include 007 Legends, DOOM 3 BFG Edition and, er,...
News Upgrade Your Arsenal with Mass Effect 3's Latest DLC Pack
Be prepared
You’ll be able to reward Commander Shepard’s galactic antics with a new set of artillery this week. Mass Effect 3’s Groundside Weapons pack – available for $1.99 in North America – will augment humanity’s last hope with a slew of new firearms, including a Kishock Harpoon Gun and Acolyte Pistol. You’re going to need all the...
News Frobisher Says! Squashes the Toffs in North America Next Week
Deliver that pudding
Frobisher Says!, the PlayStation Vita’s weird and wonderful answer to WarioWare, will finally arrive in North America next week. From 23rd October you’ll be able to download the free application, and sample the title's 50 delightfully madcap mini-games. Highlights include washing an extraordinarily long sausage dog and...
News Take a Guided Tour of the New PlayStation Store
Better than actually using it
While the PlayStation Store redesign limps out across Europe, the North American PlayStation Blog has released an inside look at the new storefront. The video shows off all of the application’s new features, including intelligent search and content filtering. It all works a lot better in this trailer than it does...
Tuesday16th Oct 2012
Review Sonic Adventure 2 (PlayStation 3)
Shadow runner
Ever since the release of Crazy Taxi on the PlayStation Network, people have been asking SEGA to port the extremely popular Sonic Adventure 2 to PS3. Originally released in 2001, the game was not only one of the showcase titles for the Dreamcast hardware, but also an extremely innovative experience. Later the title would be ported to...
News PayPal Becomes a Payment Option for PSN in Europe
Add funds
If last year’s PlayStation Network hack has left you hesitant to share your credit card information with Sony, then you might be excited to learn that the platform holder has added a PayPal payment option to its website in Europe. The feature – which is currently available in the UK alongside a slew of other European countries –...
Feature Why PixelJunk Studio Q-Games Is Creating Trip-Hop During Its Lunch Break
Massive attack
For all the satisfaction that comes alongside creating video games, there are times when it can be a gruelling occupation. Thankfully, the Kyoto-based studio behind the PixelJunk series has happened upon an innovative means of maintaining morale throughout the day. For the past six months, Q-Games has been using its lunch breaks to...
News Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Trailer Deploys Delicious Future Tech
Back in black
We don’t care what anyone says: this Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 trailer is absolutely fantastic. The short video wastes no time showing off the title’s futuristic technology, with wing suits, remote-controlled spider drones, and plenty more on display. Come on, don’t fight it – you know you’re excited deep down. The game's due...
News Deadly Premonition: Director's Cut Spooks PS3 in 2013
Better late than never
We’re not sure whether this is good news or bad news, but Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut is officially coming to the PlayStation 3 next year. The polarizing survival horror title – which launched on the Xbox 360 in 2010 – will ship with a host of additional features, including HD graphics (?), an updated...
News Jet Set Radio Vita Runs Out of Spray Paint
Dreamcast classic delayed
You’ll have to wait a little longer before you can hum the bass line on the train, because SEGA has confirmed that it has pushed back the PlayStation Vita version of graffiti simulator Jet Set Radio. In a statement released to Push Square, the company revealed that the delay was due to “necessary development...
News Activision Equips 007 Legends with Exclusive PS3 Content
Shaken, not stirred
Activision’s movie mash-up 007 Legends will boast a couple of exclusive multiplayer characters on PlayStation 3, the publisher has announced. Those of you that purchase the first-person shooter on Sony’s system will be able to play as Skyfall characters Eve (played by the actress Naomie Harris in the movie) and Patrice (Ola...
News Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Trailer to Infiltrate England Qualifier
Soccer and shooters
Amidst the tension of England’s crunch World Cup qualifier against Poland this evening, Activision will debut a brand new Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 trailer. The video – which will be shown at half-time on ITV1 in the UK – promises a “world premiere” of something new. The publisher noted on Twitter: “Just had a sneaky...
News PS Move Support Confirmed for Deadly Premonition
Wand waver
Back when Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut was very first revealed, director Hidetaka “Swery” Suehiro promised that the PlayStation 3 re-release would feature full PlayStation Move support. However, today’s official announcement failed to mention the motion peripheral, leading us to suspect that the feature had been...
News Pressure Blends Steampunk with Car Combat Next Month
Under pressure
Pressure fuses a slew of different ideas together. The Chasing Carrots developed PSN title mixes steampunk with isometric racing and car combat. It actually looks pretty fun, too. In the game, you’ll control a steam-powered buggy, and attempt to chase down the evil Earl of Wellness, who has drained the local lake in order to...
News More BioShock Infinite Developers Depart on Sky-Lines
Job done?
That brand new BioShock Infinite trailer can’t come soon enough. Following rumours of a troubled development, a further two Irrational Games employees have departed the company. Both combat designer Clint Bundrick and AI lead Don Norbury have parted ways with the project, according to
News Arkedo Series Lights Up North American PSN Later Today
Taste the rainbow
If you’re a fan of the super stylish Hell Yeah! Wrath of the Dead Rabbit, then you might be eager to learn a little more about what developer Arkedo got up to before it hit the big time. The Arkedo Series – set for release later today on the North American PlayStation Store – should answer all of your queries. Jump,
Monday15th Oct 2012
Review The Unfinished Swan (PlayStation 3)
Paint by slumber
The Unfinished Swan starts with a blank canvas and a single stirring idea. Blinded by grief following the untimely passing of his mother, protagonist Monroe finds himself locked in a fantasy world littered with problems that mirror his own. Feeling purposeless without the guidance of his guardian, the orphan is forced to deduce his...
News Black Ops Declassified Has Been Built Specifically for Vita
Quick bursts
Nihilistic Software’s handheld shooter Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified has been built specifically for the PlayStation Vita, according to company CEO Robert Huebner. Speaking as part of an interview on Activision’s semi-official One of Swords blog, the executive explained that it was never the company’s intention to bring a...
News Cross-Controller Compatibility Coming to Street Fighter X Tekken
Touchy feely
Those of you that purchase the upcoming PlayStation Vita version of Street Fighter X Tekken will be able to use the handheld console as a controller for the PS3 game. The enhanced compatibility will allow you to use the portable’s touch-screen as an added input for the console release. Furthermore, fans of the fighter will be...
News Payday: The Heist Is This Week's North American PS Plus Swag
A real steal
North American PlayStation Plus subscribers will be able to pinch a copy of robbery simulator Payday: The Heist starting tomorrow, platform holder Sony has announced. The excellent co-operative shooter will be available at no extra cost for subscribers, alongside early access to the
News PlayStation All-Stars Beta Begins This Week for Plus Subscribers
Join the fight
Mascot mash-up madness will come early to PlayStation Plus subscribers this week, when the PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale public beta launches on 16th October in North America and 17th October in Europe. Vanilla account holders will be invited to join the crossover chaos on 23rd October in North America and 24th October in...
News This PlayStation Move Controller Turns Hot and Cold
In the game
It looks like Sony’s taken inspiration from Katy Perry for its latest controller patent. The platform holder’s most recent off-the-wall idea proposes a PlayStation Move-esque motion controller that could turn hot or cold depending on gameplay feedback. According to Kotaku, Sony’s got a slew of applications in mind for the
News UK Sales Charts: FIFA 13 Holds, Dishonored Sneaks into Second
Parking the bus
It’s going to take one hell of a release to displace FIFA 13 from the top of the UK sales charts. Fresh from defending the summit from Resident Evil 6 last week, the soccer simulation has now successfully fought off Bethesda’s critically acclaimed fantasy adventure Dishonored too. Despite being the most successful new IP of the...
News Ninja Theory's Devil May Cry Is Definitely Getting a Demo
Try before you buy
If you’re still on the fence over Dante’s new look in upcoming PlayStation 3 hack-and-slash reboot DmC: Devil May Cry, then you might be pleased to learn that the title’s getting a demo prior to its 15th January release date. Developer Ninja Theory confirmed the news at a New York Comic-Con panel over the weekend. The...
News Call of Duty Elite Bins Paywall, Introduces Season Pass Instead
Up and down
Activision has decided to remove the paywall from stat-tracking service Call of Duty Elite, making the supplementary service a free option for all Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 players. The catch is that you’ll now need to shell out for a Season Pass if you want access to all of the shooter’s DLC at a discounted price. The subscription...
News Nightmarish DLC Haunts Sleeping Dogs' Dreams from 30th October
Undead nightmare
Sleeping Dogs is set to get a rude awakening this Hallowe’en, when the game’s first story-driven DLC ‘Nightmare in Northpoint’ spooks the PlayStation Store. Similar to Red Dead Redemption’s extremely popular ‘Undead Nightmare’, the horror-themed add-on aims to “explore other aspects of Hong Kong cinema”...
Sunday14th Oct 2012
News Soon It Won't Cost You a Penny to Humiliate Yourself in SingStar
Money, money, money
It looks like Sony’s karaoke series SingStar is going free-to-play. A cryptic message displayed in the franchise’s Viewer application – which previously allowed you to browse DLC, but not actually play any of it – notes that the service has been discontinued, but adds that "the complete SingStar experience will be...
Saturday13th Oct 2012
Review Dishonored (PlayStation 3)
Rat race
Dishonored doesn’t have much time for modern video game conventions. Arkane Studios’ delectable steam-punk romp does away with unnecessary multiplayer components, multi-million dollar set-pieces and tutorial missions that last almost as long as the campaign itself. At times, its complete disregard for expected standards can be to its...
News Sackboy and Big Daddy Are Rivals in PlayStation All-Stars
David and Goliath
Every crossover fighting game needs a nonsensical narrative, and PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale is certainly no exception. While developer SuperBot Entertainment has been reluctant to share details about the mascot mash-up’s plot, it has revealed that each character will have a rival. And, according to a recent issue of...
News The Last of Us Graphic Novel Depicts Ellie's Origins
Calm before the storm
Naughty Dog’s teamed up with Dark Horse to create a graphic novel series based on upcoming PlayStation 3 survival horror, The Last of Us. The prequel will focus on protagonist Ellie’s life before the adventure, and will be penned by designer Neil Druckmann and Rachel Edidin, who previously contributed to Valve Presents: The...
News Metro: Last Light Focusing Spotlight on Single-Player
Light the way
Developer 4A Games has decided to scrap Metro: Last Light’s multiplayer component, opting to concentrate its resources on creating an exceptional single-player campaign instead. The competitive mode was revealed shortly after the game’s initial announcement – a move that the studio feels was “probably a mistake”. "Throughout...
Friday12th Oct 2012
Review FIFA 13 (PlayStation 3)
Champions League
Compared to reality, FIFA 13 is pure; an uncompromised look at all the thrills that football entails, wrapped in a stylish package that wouldn't look out of place on television. Mercifully it remains focused on the core of football, free of the scandal that so often overshadows the sport presently. There are no faked injuries or...
News Pick Up a 12GB PlayStation 3 Super Slim for Under £160
Every little helps
Those of you eagerly anticipating an opportunity to enter the third place will be delighted to learn that UK supermarket Morrisons is selling the brand new 12GB PlayStation 3 Super Slim for just £158 in-store today. Elsewhere, Toys ‘R’ Us is bundling the system alongside a copy of FIFA 13 for a competitive £179.99 in-store...
News Sony: Trophies Are Coming to PlayStation Mobile
Bling, bling
PlayStation Mobile released with a deluge of delicious content earlier this month – but none of its launch titles boasted Trophies. Sony has since admitted that incorporating the rewards system is a top-priority for the platform's team, alongside proper leaderboard integration. "It's coming," Senior Manager of Mobile Content...
News Enormous Mass Effect 3 DLC Targets PSN Next Month
T'Soni way to go
Mass Effect 3’s biggest expansion to date Omega will arrive on 27th November in North America, developer BioWare has announced. The $14.99 add-on will see protagonist Commander Shepard re-united with ousted Omega matriarch Aria T'loak, as the duo aim to retake the contested space station from Cerberus control. According to...
News Yakuza 5's Club SEGA Expanding with Virtua Fighter 2
"Maybe I'll play some"
Yakuza 5 is taking a step closer to its spiritual predecessor Shenmue by incorporating playable Virtua Fighter 2 cabinets into its Club SEGA arcades. The fighter will be available in its 2.0 and 2.1 revisions, providing a tantalising treat for fanatics who can tell the difference between the versions. Other arcade cabinets...
News September NPD: Hardware Sales Jump, Borderlands 2 Explodes
Christmas is coming
Average weekly sales of both the PlayStation 3 and Vita increased in North America throughout September, suggesting renewed momentum heading into the holiday season. As has become a recurring theme, the Xbox 360 was the best selling console for the month with 270,000 units sold. Unfortunately, Sony doesn't share specific hardware...
News Sony Signs Up Horror Veterans for Until Dawn
Alone in the dark
The script for Sony’s pulpy PlayStation Move exclusive Until Dawn will be penned by indie horror veterans Larry Fessenden (The Last Winter) and Graham Reznick (I Can See You). Speaking during a New York Comic-Con panel overnight, executive producer Pete Samuels noted that the duo will help to give the game “the scares you...
News Capcom Resurrects Darkstalkers for PlayStation Network
Back from the brink
Capcom’s cult classic fighting franchise Darkstalkers will make a comeback on the PlayStation Network next year, the publisher has announced. The forgotten favourite – famous for spawning a slew of cosplay costumes – will make its long awaited return as Darkstalkers Resurrection, a downloadable compilation featuring the...
News PSN Maintenance Planned for 15th October
It's been a while
The PlayStation Network will take a short break for scheduled maintenance starting 15th October, platform holder Sony has announced. We daresay the offline time will be spent preparing for the upcoming PlayStation Store overhaul. During the allotted period – scheduled to take place from 13:00PM BST through until 02:00AM BST the...
News PlayStation Vita Rental Service Takes Flight on Korean Airline
Sky high
Those of you travelling on Korean airline Jin Air will be able to turn your attention away from the turbulence to setting hot laps in MotorStorm RC. The travel company has announced that it’s opening a PlayStation Vita rental service for domestic customers. You’ll be able to secure a system for $5 from Incheon Airport. Each console...
Thursday11th Oct 2012
News Redesigned PlayStation Store Launches from 17th October
Face lift
If you were getting tired of the PlayStation 3’s clunky old store-front, then we’ve got good news for you – the entire portal is getting a makeover from 17th October in Europe and 23rd October in North America. The overhauled look – announced at a London press event earlier today – will bring with it a host of new features and...
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...
News God of War: Ascension's Collector's Edition Is Huge
Fit for a God
Sony’s shown off the first images of God of War: Ascension’s unnecessarily large Collector’s Edition. The $79.99 bundle includes an 8” statue of anti-hero Kratos, a premium steelbook case, a double XP multiplayer unlock, a DLC season pass, a copy of the game’s soundtrack, a dynamic theme, and an avatar pack. If you’d prefer...
News New Screens Prove That Final Fantasy XIV Is Still Coming to PS3
A realm reborn, indeed
Online MMO Final Fantasy XIV was originally set to release on the PlayStation 3 way back in 2010 – but after a disastrous PC launch, which essentially required publisher Square Enix to rebuild the entire game, the console port went missing for a while. Two years, to be precise. With the title’s A Realm Reborn overhaul on...
News Ragnarok Odyssey Strikes North American Vitas on 30th October
The bigger they are, the harder they fall
Anticipated PlayStation Vita action RPG Ragnarok Odyssey will attack on 30th October in North America, publisher XSEED has announced. The game will be available for $39.99 from retail outlets and the PlayStation Store, but a $49.99 Mercenary Edition will also be made available. The latter will bundle a...
News Grand Theft Auto V Graces December's Game Informer Cover
Green with envy
Andy McNamara is officially the luckiest man alive. The Game Informer editor revealed on Twitter earlier today that he’s currently in New York checking out Grand Theft Auto V for the magazine’s upcoming December issue. Could life possibly get much better? Unfortunately, additional details are being kept under wraps – but we...
News Sony Refreshes Gaikai Website with Iconic PlayStation Imagery
It's happening
Sony’s keeping tight-lipped about its plans for cloud-streaming company Gaikai, but a new image on the latter’s website indicates that changes are taking place behind the scenes. The picture shows the recently acquired company’s logo surrounded by multiple PlayStation mascots such as Nathan Drake, Sackboy, Raiden and a Helghast...
News Borderlands 2's Captain Scarlett Content Is Real, Coming Soon
No sign of the Mysterons
As previously rumoured, Captain Scarlett and her Pirate’s Posterior will be the first downloadable expansion for Borderlands 2. Er, we meant Pirate’s Booty... Obviously. The content will release next week on the PlayStation Store and will transport plunderers to a new location labelled Oasis. According to Gearbox gaffer...
News Don't Worry, Resident Evil 6's On-Disc DLC Is Free
Shut it, shrimpy
Pop down those pitch-forks and “Capcom Sucks” protest boards – the Japanese publisher has revealed that Resident Evil 6’s recently uncovered on-disc DLC will actually be free. According to the company, the complimentary content will be unlocked in an upcoming update. There will be paid DLC for the conflicted survival horror...
News Smart As Puzzles PlayStation Vita Later This Month
Brain training
Sony’s slick handheld head-scratcher Smart As will fill the PlayStation Vita with plenty of mind-bending puzzles later this month, the platform holder has announced. The game – narrated by Monty Python legend John Cleese – will test your mental muscle with a host of challenges based on four key areas: Logic, Arithmetic, Language...
News PlayStation 3 Surpasses 5 Million Sales in the UK
Best seller
The PlayStation 3 has sold more than 5 million units in the UK, platform holder Sony has announced. The news comes on the eve of the release of the new 12GB Super Slim system across Europe. The 500GB redesign launched on 28th September, prompting a 138 per cent boost in PS3 hardware sales throughout the UK. “This is another historic...
Wednesday10th Oct 2012
Review NiGHTS into Dreams (PlayStation 3)
Love the NiGHT life
While SEGA’s offerings in recent years have been a varied assortment of peaks and valleys, there was a time when there was no disputing their quality. During the Saturn era Sonic Team put out several innovative games that defied genre conventions and immediately captured the hearts of the SEGA faithful. NiGHTS into Dreams has...
News Borderlands 2 DLC Explores Captain Scarlett's Booty
What about the Mysterons?
Borderlands 2’s first expansion pack will be entitled ‘Captain Scarlett and her Pirate’s Booty’, according to an updated Trophy list. We’re guessing that the content has absolutely nothing to do with the creepy 60’s sci-fi show, but would be absolutely delighted if it did. The expansion will add three new...
Store Update 9th October 2012 (North America)
The motherload
Forget about the slew of content starting to infiltrate physical shops – the PlayStation Store is the best place to be. This week’s North American update is absolutely brimming with new releases, including highlights such as Dishonored and Retro City Rampage. In truth, we could write a short thesis about the slew of games coming...
Store Update 10th October 2012 (Europe)
Best served cold
This week’s European PlayStation Store update can’t quite match the dizzying heights of its North American counterpart, but it’s still a bubbling pot of must-have content. Highlights include Dishonored, Joe Danger 2: The Movie and Derrick the Deathfin. Not a bad little selection by any stretch. Let's get down to bu
News Japanese Sales Charts: PlayStation 3 Sales Surge
Like a disease
A cavalcade of anticipated software – combined with the release of the new Super Slim hardware model – pushed the PlayStation 3's sales over 42k units in Japan this week. The bump still wasn’t enough to topple the unstoppable Nintendo 3DS, but it came within striking distance. Resident Evil 6 was the platform’s biggest new...
News Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Deploys with Double XP
Ready up
If you belong to the bizarre breed of gamers that just has to be first at everything, then you’re probably going to want to pre-order Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. Alongside exclusive access to the previously announced Nuketown 2025 map, you’ll also score double XP for all of your endeavours throughout the game’s launch weekend. That’s...
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...
News God of War Demo Ascends Alongside Total Recall Blu-ray
Cross marketing
Those of you that snap up the Director’s Cut edition of Total Recall on Blu-ray will be invited to play the epic God of War: Ascension single-player demo from E3 earlier this year. The movie itself will feature 20 minutes of bonus footage not shown in theatres, in addition to an alternate ending and over 1.5 hours of special...
News BioShock Infinite Sets Sail Again Next Week
Columbia beckons
After a lengthy hiatus, BioShock Infinite is finally ready to step back into the limelight. Publisher 2K Games has casually updated the title’s official Facebook page, teasing the imminent arrival of a brand new trailer. Better yet, if you participate in a spot of viral marketing for the company, you’ll be able to help select...
News ToeJam & Earl Struts onto the PlayStation Network Next Month
Hum the bassline
ToeJam & Earl’s frantic hunt for spaceship parts will continue on the PlayStation Network next month, when the SEGA Mega Drive classic arrives on Sony’s digital storefront. The original Rogue-like will be joined by its less impressive side-scroller sequel, Panic on Funkotron. You’ll be able to purchase the funky...
News Orgarhythm Taps Its Feet to the Beat from 23rd October
Kooloo limpah
For a platform that apparently has no games, there sure is a lot of content releasing for the PlayStation Vita right now. XSEED has just announced that its wacky rhythm strategy game Orgarhythm is set to join the party on 23rd October. The game will be available as a digital exclusive, and will cost $29.99. The release date adds yet...
News Learn About The Unfinished Swan's Complex Soundscapes
Heart strings
Music is a pivotal part of all games – but it’s especially important in emotional tour-de-forces such as The Unfinished Swan. As such, developer Giant Sparrow invested an enormous amount of time into getting the audio right for its upcoming PSN exclusive. “We wanted the music to serve as a companion for Monroe and the player as...
News There's Something Fishy About This Derrick the Deathfin Trailer
Codswallop
In order to celebrate the release of Derrick the Deathfin on PSN this week, developer Different Tuna has sent us this delightful little trailer. It shows the aquatic protagonist's origins as card and glue, before cutting to footage of the fish scoffing on other sea-life. Aww, so cute!
Tuesday9th Oct 2012
News Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified Will Not Feature Zombies
Not entirely unexpected
Zombies have become a staple of the Black Ops experience – but upcoming handheld spin-off Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified will not feature the popular undead survival mode. Speaking on his blog, Activision community manager Dan Amrich explained that the option was removed so that developer Nihilistic could focus on...
News Dishonored Launch Trailer Takes No Prisoners
Cut throat
If you haven’t already seen the piles of praise being tossed at Dishonored, then this launch trailer should get you up to speed. Between scenes of protagonist Corvo slitting unsuspecting throats, there’s a selection of lofty media quotes. We’re playing the title right now, and can confirm that it’s pretty good. We’re not willing...
News Bridgestone Denies Use of Kevin Butler Character in Commercial
Shades of grey
The controversial Bridgestone commercial featuring Kevin Butler actor Jerry Lambert was aired three days after the star’s contract with Sony expired, according to a story on the Hollywood Reporter. However, the performer was bound by an “exclusivity clause” that prevented Lambert from providing his services to competing video...
Rumour Sonic the Fighters Is Punching onto PSN
Groan
Awful arcade brawler Sonic the Fighters may be the next retro SEGA title to be ported to PSN. Prolific online super sleuth Superannuation teased the game’s imminent arrival on his Twitter feed, noting: “Sonic the Fighters getting a digital re-release suggests to me that SEGA is running out of Sonic games to re-release.” Those of you...
News Borderlands 2's Mechromancer Character Class Launches Early
Gaige your interest
Borderlands 2’s hotly anticipated fifth character class will release in North America later today – a whole week ahead of schedule. Gearbox gaffer Randy Pitchford announced the surprise arrival on Twitter overnight, prompting an immeasurable outpouring of gratitude from fans of the game. Those of you with a Premiere Club pass...
News PixelJunk and Lumines Developers Release New Record
Real time
Kyoto-based developer Q-Games may be best known for its work on the PixelJunk franchise, but the studio has been quietly expanding its portfolio into rock and roll over the past couple of months. Designed as a distraction to keep morale high during hectic coding sessions, the studio has formed a trip-hop supergroup known as The Electric...
News Four New Playable Animals Stalk Tokyo Jungle This Week
Killer croc
The roster of playable pets in Tokyo Jungle is set to expand by four this week, with the release of a fresh batch of DLC. New arrivals include the Crocodile, Giraffe, Kangaroo and Panda. Sony has also promised to give away a new wardrobe of outfits, though specifics are currently unannounced. If you’re still unsure about...
News 2K Games Deploys XCOM: Enemy Unknown Demo Today
Brains in gear
Those of you with an eye for the intricacies of futuristic warfare may be excited to learn that a demo for XCOM: Enemy Unknown is poised to arrive on the PlayStation Network in North America later today. European tacticians will have an extra 24 hours to swot up on Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, when the playable teaser targets overseas...
News Count the References in This Retro City Rampage Trailer
Old school
Watching this Retro City Rampage launch trailer is a bit like seeing your whole gaming life flash before you. The promotional video for the 8-bit open world adventure – due out on PS3 and Vita later today – is packed with so many throwback references that we actually lost count. Let us know how many you spot in the comments section...
News Hello Games: We're Not Planning Joe Danger 3 at the Moment
Starting over
Fictional stuntman Joe Danger may be packing away his crash helmet and knee-pads after the release of sequel Joe Danger 2: The Movie on PSN this week. In an exclusive chat with Push Square, developer Hello Games revealed that it's not currently planning a third entry in the downloadable series, because it wants to turn its attention to...
News Backbone Entertainment Is on the Cusp of Closure
Troubling times
Port specialists Backbone Entertainment may be shut down, according to sources cited by IGN. The publication notes that the company is currently downsizing, with the hope that it will be able to continue to operate with a much “smaller” team. Of course, that won’t come as much comfort to the dozens of employees facing the chop...
Monday8th Oct 2012
Review New Little King's Story (PlayStation Vita)
Watch the throne
Our little king is all grown up. After rising to power in Wii's Little King's Story, New Little King's Story sees King Corobo lose his kingdom during one heck of a party. After escaping with a small cadre of loyal subjects, Corobo must prove once more why he deserves to rule by rescuing lands and princesses alike from the clutches...
Review LittleBigPlanet PS Vita (PlayStation Vita)
The whole world in your hands
Sony is often criticised for shrinking its home console franchises down to handheld size – but, despite the best efforts of its detractors, that commentary doesn’t always hold weight. Sackboy’s maiden craftworld campaign may have been animated by the DualShock 3, but LittleBigPlanet PS Vita is one of those...
News Sony: We've Invested Significant Resources into Kevin Butler
VP of Legal
Sony has responded to reports claiming that it is suing Bridgestone and advertising agency Wildcat Creek over a commercial starring Jerry Lambert – the actor famous for portraying Kevin Butler in a slew of different PlayStation commercials. In a comment released to VentureBeat, the publisher’s senior director of corporate...
News GAME Holds the Killzone Trilogy at Gunpoint in the UK
Retailer exclusive
First-person shooter fans hoping to get their fix of sci-fi action with the Killzone Trilogy will have to breach the purple gates of GAME in the UK, as the specialist retailer has secured exclusivity on the compelling compilation. The package will collate popular PS3 titles Killzone 2 and Killzone 3, alongside an HD version of...
News PS Plus Subscribers Score Free Copy of The King of Fighters XIII
Mai to go
North American PlayStation Plus subscribers will get to keep their fingers busy with The King of Fighters XIII this week, when the title is added to the service’s Instant Game Collection. The game promises a wealth of different gameplay modes, a refined engine, and 30 beautifully rendered fighters. And, yes, that monstrous roster does...
News EA Gothenburg Teases Next Generation Need for Speed
Bulking up
EA Gothenburg is recruiting for a new Need for Speed game, according to a post on its website. The Swedish studio, which was founded earlier this year, noted: "Would you like to work on a game in the Need for Speed franchise? We are hiring, and we are hiring a lot." Elsewhere, the company teased that it may be working on a...
News Guardians of Middle-Earth Travels to PSN in December
Make sure you Baggins it
Warner Bros’ poorly named PlayStation Network MOBA Guardians of Middle-Earth (sigh) will venture onto Sony’s digital storefront on 4th December in North America, the publisher has announced. A European launch will follow on 5th December, with a retail release planned for 7th December. In the UK, the digital title will...
News UK Sales Charts: FIFA 13 Defends Top Spot from RE6
Undead
Resident Evil 6 failed to topple FIFA 13 from the top of the UK sales charts this week. The soccer simulation maintained its position at the summit of the list, despite strong competition from the hotly anticipated survival horror shooter. Indeed, Capcom’s controversial adventure registered the fourth biggest UK launch of the year – but...
News Sony Tosses a Price-Cut at MLB 12: The Show
Home run
MLB 12: The Show is widely considered to be the pinnacle of baseball gaming – and now you’ll be to sample it at a bargain bin price-point. With the end of the season in full swing, publisher Sony has dropped the price of its premium sports title to just $29.99 on PS3 and $19.99 on Vita. That means you’ll be able to test out the game's...
News The Walking Dead: Episode 4 Shuffles onto PSN Tomorrow
Decisions, decisions
The penultimate episode of Telltale’s wildly popular The Walking Dead series will stumble onto the North American PlayStation Store tomorrow. Unsurprisingly, a European release date has yet to be confirmed – but the game is supposedly in submission with SCEE. If previous entries are anything to go by, don’t expect it to...
News PSN Platformer Ibb & Obb Postponed Until 2013
Time to find a friend
Despite originally being pencilled in for a release later this year, promising co-op platformer Ibb & Obb has been pushed back into 2013. Developer Sparpweed announced the delay on its Facebook page, pointing to the silly season of retail releases as the reason for its deferral. The studio will be using the additional...
Sunday7th Oct 2012
News Sony Is Suing Bridgestone and, Erm, Kevin Butler
Bizarre twist
Switch off Match of the Day and replace that cup of cocoa for something stronger, because things are really heating up online. A handful of court documents have revealed that Sony is in the process of suing Bridgestone and advertising agency Wildcat Creek – which just so happens to be managed by Jerry Lambert, the actor best known...
Saturday6th Oct 2012
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...
News Reef Entertainment Continues to Tease Rambo: The Video Game
First blood
It feels like Reef Entertainment has been teasing Rambo: The Video Game for years now – and it doesn't look like it'll be stopping any time soon. The publisher has released a brand new screenshot from the mysterious shooter, showing the iconic police station from the conclusion of the first movie. Exciting, huh? The full game – due...
News Under Defeat HD: Deluxe Edition Fires onto PS3 This Fall
Bullet hell
Under Defeat is perhaps best known for being a Dreamcast game – despite launching in 2006, long after the console’s untimely demise. As such, there’s a good chance you might not have played the revered arcade shooter – but thankfully localisation specialists Rising Star Games have happened upon a solution. Under Defeat HD:...
Friday5th Oct 2012
Review F1 2012 (PlayStation 3)
Go, go, go!
In the high-speed world of Formula One, the slightest error can be the difference – quite literally – between life and death. Push the pedal to the metal for a tenth of a second too long and your race weekend could be over, as you end up hurtling off the track and – if you’re lucky – into a wall of tyres. This is why it’s of...
News Hellfire: There's Still Plenty of Potential for PlayStation Home
No place quite like Home
PlayStation Home has grown exponentially over the past six months with the release of innovative free-to-play experiences like Mercia: Fractured Realms and Bootleggers ’29 – but Home Tycoon developer Hellfire Games believes there’s still plenty of potential for the social platform to expand. “You only need to glance...
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...
News Bethesda: It's On Us to Solve Skyrim's DLC Woes
Shouldering responsibility
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim’s second major expansion pack, Hearthfire, launched on PC this week – but the post-release discussion has been focused solely on the content’s absence on PlayStation 3. Bethesda admitted recently that it was struggling to get the expansion – and its predecessor, Dawnguard – to run on...
News Sony: Gaming Habits Are Evolving at an Alarming Pace
Going through changes
The launch of PlayStation Mobile this week underlines Sony’s drive to keep its gaming brand relevant, according to UK gaffer Fergal Gara. The likeable executive was talking candidly with Eurogamer.net about the growth of the industry and the changes that are taking place. "Gaming habits are evolving at a hell of a pace,...
News Doctor Who: The Eternity Clock Arrives on Vita Next Week
Time lord
It seems the titular Eternity Clock is running slow, seeing as Doctor Who’s arrival on PlayStation Vita is extremely late. Nearing six months since the PS3 release, BBC Worldwide has confirmed that the critically panned Doctor Who: The Eternity Clock will arrive in handheld form next week. That’s 9th October in North America and 10th...
News Meet Need for Speed's Most Wanted Racers in New Trailer
Top gear
To become the best at Need for Speed: Most Wanted, you’ll need to take on Fairhaven’s most notorious racers. This brand new trailer – accompanied by the most poorly positioned text in the history of video games – shows off a full hot pursuit against one of these infamous wheelmen. Beat him, and you'll get a chance to steal his car...
News Machinarium Puzzles North American PSN Next Week
Drawn to life
When Sony announced its “Spend $100, Receive $20” PlayStation Network promotion earlier this week, we pondered how it expected gamers to accrue such a sum. Of course, we weren’t privy to the outrageous October release schedule, which has been gradually growing over the past 48 hours. Joining the likes of Retro City Rampage,
News Retro City Rampage Travels Back in Time on 9th October
Pull shapes
Our agonising wait for Retro City Rampage will finally come to a conclusion next week, when the 8-bit interpretation of Grand Theft Auto hijacks a spot on the North American PlayStation Store on 9th October. For just $14.99, you’ll unlock access to both the PS3 and Vita versions of the title. A European release will take place at some...
News Joe Danger 2: The Movie Races onto PSN Next Week
Back in the saddle
After a brief dalliance with the Xbox 360, Joe Danger 2: The Movie will finally speed onto the PlayStation Store next week, developer Hello Games has announced. The game will be available from 9th October in North America, and 10th October in Europe. It’ll cost just £9.99/$14.99. “We killed ourselves to make that...
News The Unfinished Swan Starts Its Journey Later This Month
Once more with feeling
Giant Sparrow’s emotionally engaging debut The Unfinished Swan will paddle onto the PlayStation Network on 23rd October in North America and 24th October in Europe, the developer has announced. PlayStation Plus subscribers will unlock early access to the title on 16th October and 17th October respectively. The game will cost...
Thursday4th Oct 2012
News Nihilistic Deploys New Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified Details
Sleight of hand
Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified may have been trashed at GamesCom earlier this year, but developer Nihilistic Software insists that the shooter’s making good progress. “I think the most noticeable is a significant visual upgrade,” Nihilistic’s Robert Heubner told the
News FIFA 13 Tops European PSN Sales Charts
Tokyo Jungle starts strong
FIFA 13 was the best selling digital release in Europe last month – despite only being available for a handful of days. The soccer simulation was joined by Borderlands 2 and One Piece: Pirate Warriors, while Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD topped the PSN-only chart. Thankfully, the wacky To
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...
News Tetsuya Nomura Teases HD Version of Kingdom Hearts II
Predictable
Series director Tetsuya Nomura reckons it would be unusual for there not to be an HD re-release of Kingdom Hearts II. Following the announcement of Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX, the luminary admitted that a second compilation will probably happen at some point in the future. With the original Kingdom Hearts, Chain of Memories, and 358/2...
News Resistance Collection Collates the Chimeran Invasion This Year
All Hale
You really can’t argue with the value proposition of some of these PlayStation 3 collections. Over the past couple of months, Sony has bundled up some of its best first-party games – and now Resistance is set to join the reasonably priced party. For just $39.99 you’ll be able to scoop up complete access to Resistance: Fall of Man,...
News New Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Trailer Drifts Online
Splash wave
Ignore the atrocious title – Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed looks great. This brand new trailer is dedicated to showcasing the mascot mash-up’s various modes of play, including World Tour, Split-Screen and Online. Personally, we're only interested in taking Gilius Thunderhead for a spin around Outrun Beach. The game's due...
News Mass Effect 3 Retaliates with Massive Multiplayer Expansion
Won't cost a penny
Mass Effect 3’s multiplayer component will be significantly bolstered by a brand new expansion next week. The free download – launching 9th October in North America – will augment an impressive six new maps and 16 playable characters. The addition will plot the return of the Collectors from Mass Effect 2 – and a whole...
News Ken Levine Contributed Writing to PlayStation All-Stars
Who's the Big Daddy?
SuperBot Entertainment isn’t messing around with PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale. The brawler's roster might not appeal to everyone, but there’s no denying that each of the characters accurately capture the spirit of their original franchises. As such, it’s not particularly surprising to learn that Irrational Games’...
News Resident Evil 6 Spreads to 4.5 Million Store Shelves
Highly infectious
It seems as though the negative reviews have done nothing to deter Resident Evil 6 from infecting numerous PlayStation 3s across the globe, as Capcom has announced that it has shipped 4.5 million copies of the divisive sequel worldwide. It also took a moment to boast that the Resident Evil franchise has sold 50 million units in...
News Mass Effect 3 Prepares for Operation Overdrive
Geth ready
We quite liked Mass Effect 3’s multiplayer component, and it seems like we weren’t alone. Over six months since the game’s original release, BioWare is still supporting the title with new original Bounty Events. This weekend marks the start of Operation Overdrive, which will shoulder you with the responsibility of hitting a full...
News FIFA 13 Dribbles to 4.5 Million Sales in First Five Days
Back of the net
FIFA 13 has proved its dominance in the football genre by selling “over 4.5 million units across all platforms” in just five days. Unsurprisingly, more than one million of those sales took place in the UK within the simulation’s first 48 hours available. Anecdotal aside: there wasn’t a copy of the game to be found in our...
Wednesday3rd Oct 2012
News This Is What a PS3 Super Slim Looks Like Without Its Clothes
Pulled to pieces
The folks over at iFixit have a bizarre fetish for consoles without their clothes – and thankfully they’re eager to share it with the world. This time their ever-busy fingers have uncovered the internals of the brand new PlayStation 3 Super Slim, which is packing some tasty technology inside. The website notes that the system...
News Sony Launches PlayStation Mobile with Bumper Line-Up
Time wasters
This is all a bit exciting, isn’t it? Sony has essentially launched a new platform overnight. Sure, it might not come with a new piece of hardware – but PlayStation Mobile could provide a subtle hint at the future of the platform holder's handheld endeavours. The service is available right now in Japan, North America, Canada,...
News Don't Worry, There'll Still Be Plenty of Dating in Yakuza 5
Choose your words carefully
You’d imagine amongst all of the taxi driving, hunting and fighting, the cast of Yakuza 5 wouldn’t have much time for dating as well – but luckily for us, they do. Publisher SEGA has revealed a little more about the upcoming sequel’s overhauled hostess side-missions, and, as with the rest of the game, it sounds...
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...
Store Update 3rd October 2012 (Europe)
Hell yeah
Arkedo’s eye-burstingly attractive Hell Yeah! Wrath of the Dead Rabbit is joined by a host of content as part of this week’s European PlayStation Store update. Notable arrivals include Dead or Alive 5, NiGHTS into Dreams, and Sonic Adventure 2. There’s also the long awaited return of legendary PSone title Tomba!, and v
Store Update 2nd October 2012 (North America)
Day dreamin'
It’s another bumper week on the North American PlayStation Store. New arrivals include Resident Evil 6, NBA 2K13, Sonic Adventure 2 and NiGHTS into Dreams. Our ex-editor James Newton is probably screaming with delight as we type. Other additions include
News Terraria Trailer Teases New PlayStation 3 Content
Construct a better world
Ace indie game Terraria is taking a detour onto PlayStation 3 – and this brand new trailer proves it. The short video shows the game in action, and teases the bevy of new content being added to the console version. There’s still no release date for the downloadable title, but publisher 505 Games promises it’s “coming...
News King Washington Takes Centre Stage in Assassin's Creed III DLC
Alternate history
Like most other big budget releases, Assassin’s Creed III will boast a season pass. The $30 expansion will grant access to various multiplayer expansions, in addition to three single-player episodes named "The Tyranny of King Washington". As the title suggests, the content will depict an alternate history set after the events of...
News Digital Version of Resident Evil 6 Infected by Nasty Virus
No hope left
Those of you that snapped up the digital version of Resident Evil 6 yesterday may have noticed there’s a slight problem with your game: it doesn’t load. It seems a patch released by Capcom has rendered Day 1 Digital versions of the title completely unplayable – but thankfully there is a temporary workaround. "The temporary fix to...
News FuturLab Reveals Fuel Tiracas for PlayStation Mobile
Simon says
Velocity developer FuturLab has finally raised the curtain on its super secret PlayStation Mobile launch title, Fuel Tiracas. The title – which the studio teased with an irritating trailer yesterday – is the summation of eight weeks' work, and subsequently represents the Brighton-based studio’s simplest game to date. But what is it...
News Burn the Rope Scorches European Vitas Next Week
Playing with fire
Cutting the rope is way overrated. Didn’t you know that it’s all about burning the rope these days? Ringzero Game Studio has taken to the European PlayStation Blog to announce that its pick-up and play micro-game Burn the Rope is coming to the Vita next week. Unsurprisingly, the game will find you burning ropes using a...
Tuesday2nd Oct 2012
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...
News Resident Evil 5 and Bulletstorm Headline EU PS Plus Update
Embarrassment of riches
If you’re from North America, you might want to look away now. Sony has announced the European PlayStation Plus content schedule for October – and it’s absolutely brimming with attractive deals. First up, premium members will get free access to Arkedo’s Hell Yeah! Wrath of the Dead Rabbit. The insanely pretty...
News Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD Vies for Your Vita's Moolah
Steef learning curve
The PlayStation Vita version of former Xbox exclusive Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD is almost complete, according to developer Just Add Water. The studio expects the title will release on Sony’s shiny new handheld by mid-November at the latest. In addition to the handheld port of Stranger’s Wrath, Just Add Water is also...
News Hellfire Games Concludes Construction on Home Tycoon
Hardhats at the ready
Hellfire Games has finished building its tantalising free-to-play construction simulator Home Tycoon. According to a newsletter from the developer, the game is set to launch in Europe and North America this week. You’ll be able to access it through PlayStation Home from 3rd October. For those out of the loop, Home Tycoon...
News We're Not Sure What to Think of This Yakuza 5 Branded PS3
Garish, perhaps?
The Yakuza franchise has a history of prompting some pretty spectacular PlayStation 3 bundles – but this latest redesign isn’t to our tastes. The custom console comes with a gold DualShock 3 controller, a copy of Yakuza 5, an 8GB USB drive, and a beach towel. Yeah, we don’t get the significance of the towel either. It'll...
News Escape Plan: Director's Cut DLC Tip-Toes onto PSN
The great escape
It’s impressive just how much post-release content developer Fun Bits Interactive has already produced for PlayStation Vita exclusive Escape Plan – but it’s not quite finished yet. The studio has announced a brand new expansion pack named Director’s Cut, which is set to release on the PlayStation Store this week. According...
Rumour Retailer Lists Lightning Returns: FFXIII Release Date
Possible placeholder
Contrary to comments from Square Enix itself, Amazon UK has attached a 29th March release date to upcoming sequel Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII. The developer recently revealed in a Famitsu interview that the game was only 30 per cent complete, but the mega retailer’s information doesn’t appear to corroborate with...
News Sony Has "Nothing Against" a PS3 and Vita Bundle
Multiplatform
Sony’s not averse to bundling the PlayStation 3 with the Vita. Speaking with CVG, PlayStation UK managing director Fergal Gara explained that the company has "nothing against” the idea, and that, while there are currently no plans to produce it, the hardware compilation could feasibly hit store shelves as early as Christmas. He...
News Velocity Developer Teases Its Other PlayStation Mobile Game
Sly devils
Teaser trailers are the bane of the video game industry – but FuturLab appears to be in on the joke. The Velocity developer has released a devious video dedicated to its other PlayStation Mobile launch title. The trailer shows gaffer James Marsden frantically tapping his PlayStation Vita’s touch-screen. But what does it all mean?...
News SunFlowers Grows onto North American Vitas Next Week
Blooming brilliant
The Game Atelier’s beautiful botanical PlayStation Vita game SunFlowers is blooming onto North American consoles on 9th October, the developer has announced. The flowery favourite released in Europe last month, prompting our positive review. The game plays a lot like Space Invaders in reverse, where you must shoot sunrays...
Monday1st Oct 2012
Review Zen Pinball 2 (PlayStation 3)
Worth a tilt
Zen Studios sure plays a mean pinball, from Nintendo DS' obscure Flipper Critters through to its Marvel-licenced efforts more recently. With the release of Zen Pinball 2, the developer hopes to unify its past work under one banner for the future. It's a term that's been flipped around a bit for a while, but Zen Pinball 2 is designed as...
News Malicious: Rebirth Looks and Sounds Stunning on Vita
Aura attack
Alvion has released a chunky video showing off Malicious: Rebirth running on PlayStation Vita. The downloadable action title launched on PS3 earlier this year, but has been in development for Vita for some time now. It looks like that period has been put to good use, as the game looks almost identical on the handheld’s five-inch...
News CCP Games: DUST 514 Took Guts on Sony's Part
Uncharted territory
Few titles are as ambitious as CCP Games’ upcoming DUST 514. The PlayStation 3 exclusive intends to merge the universe between two disparate games – a feat which the Icelandic developer believes took real “guts on Sony’s part”. Asked what drew the studio to the PS3 in the first place, CCP’s Jon Lander told us: “It...
News PlayStation All-Stars' Full Launch Roster Has Been Revealed
Like it or lump it
If you were anticipating additional PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale character reveals in the weeks leading up to release, then it’s probably best to temper your expectations. Sid Shuman, of “farm fresh” PlayStation Blog fame, has stated on Twitter that the full launch line-up has been revealed. What’s interesting about...
News Shuhei Yoshida Laments Limited Third-Party Vita Support
Hot pursuit
For the amount of stick the PlayStation Vita gets regarding its upcoming software line-up, there’s actually a lot of content to look forward to. Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation, Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified and Street Fighter X Tekken are all on the way before Christmas, with Killzone: Mercenary and
News PlayStation Plus Subscribers Score a Free Copy of NFL Blitz
Touch down
PlayStation Plus’ Instant Game Collection will be bolstered by the addition of NFL Blitz in North America this week, platform holder Sony has announced. The goofy arcade spin-off promises “an energetic, football gaming experience” that’s best played with friends. We suspect your appreciation of this update is going to hinge almost...
News Spend $100 on PSN This Month and Get $20 Back
Makes sense
The PlayStation Network is on fire at the moment – but that’s not stopping Sony from coming up with fresh ideas to keep you spending this October. The platform holder has announced that if you spend $100 through its digital storefront this month, you’ll get $20 in credit back. That cash will have to be reinvested into the...
News Sony Opts Against Slashing the Vita's Price This Year
Staying put
Despite increasing pressure from the Nintendo 3DS and smartphones, Sony has decided not to drop the price of the PlayStation Vita this year. Speaking with Eurogamer.net, SCEUK managing director Fergal Gara explained that, while the company is considering a price-cut, it will not happen until next year. “We always aim to establish...
News Silent Hill: Book of Memories Opens This November
Bookmark it
Konami’s curious top-down spin-off Silent Hill: Book of Memories will spook European PlayStation Vitas on 2nd November, the publisher has announced. The game – developed by Double Dragon: Neon studio WayForward – will see you creating a character based on five different high-school archetypes: Jock, Bookworm, Rocker, Goth or...
News UK Sales Charts: FIFA 13 Shoots to the Top of the League
Premiership material
Here’s a shocker for you: FIFA 13 has sprinted straight to the top of the UK sales charts. The annual entry sold a whopping one million units during its first weekend on sale, forcing last week’s front runner Borderlands 2 into second position. F1 2012 held onto third, while Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 fell into fifth.
