News - 2012, Week 19
Saturday12th May 2012
News Uncharted: Golden Abyss Patch Conquers Connection Woes
Party chat
Sony Bend has released a stealth patch for Vita launch title Uncharted: Golden Abyss, solving the title’s bizarre connection issues. Those that download and install the update will be able to continue Drake’s quest without disconnecting from the Internet. Other tweaks include some changes to the baffling Black Market trade system and...
News Fresh DLC Rides into Awesomenauts
First lady
The nebulous financial status of Awesomenauts publisher dtp Entertainment had called the viability of the title’s first DLC expansion into question, but it looks like developer Ronimo has been given the all clear. The studio has released a single shot of the first downloadable character, which looks a lot like a lady to us. The...
News BBC Olympics Application Sprinting onto PS3
Gold medal
Soon you’ll be able to get hot and sweaty over this year’s Olympic Games without even needing to switch off your PS3. The BBC has confirmed that it’s bringing 24 channels of high definition Olympics coverage to Sony’s home console, as well as various Bravia televisions and standalone Blu-ray players. Naturally, you’ll find us...
News Mass Effect 3 Launches Operation Silencer on PS3
Give 'em Drell
The war against the Reapers, Cerberus and Geth never ends. Shortly after the completion of Operation Exorcist, developer BioWare has announced the next Mass Effect 3 Bounty Weekend. Taking place as we type, Operation Silencer sees the community tasked with the challenge of taking down a cumulative total of three million Banshees...
News DICE Deploys Double XP Weekend for Battlefield 3
Attention
Sharpen up soldier; it’s time to jump back into Battlefield 3. Developer DICE has announced a Double XP weekend for the first-person shooter, and it’s taking place right now. The action’s set to cease on May 13th at 23:59 PDT. We’ll let you do your own time conversions. During the premium period, you’ll be able to score extra...
Friday11th May 2012
Talking Point Why Vita Criticisms Are Premature
Hold your horses
The video game industry has a very selective memory. With each new platform launch we're inundated with the same old comments regarding software library, price and more. Indeed, the current reaction to the PlayStation Vita’s not-stellar-but-not-terrible launch sales figures is reminiscent of conversation from 12 months ago. Back...
News Harley Quinn Struts into Batman: Arkham City
Payback's a... well, you know
Batman: Arkham City developer Rocksteady aims to follow up that ending later this month, when it unleashes Harley Quinn’s Revenge on the PlayStation Store. The single-player DLC – due out on 29th May – promises over two hours of gameplay featuring both the caped crusader and his inquisitive sidekick. Are you ready...
News GameStop Pulls PSP Titles from 25% of North American Stores
Goodnight, sweet prince
In news that will surprise nobody, US retail giant GameStop has decided to remove PSP titles from around 25% of its stores. The move is designed to maximise “merchandising space in the smallest” outlets. Larger stores will continue to carry the brand, as will GameStop.com. With the Vita now readily available worldwide,...
News Cool Down with Ghost Recon: Future Soldier's Arctic Strike DLC
Chill pill
Nowadays, developers don’t even bother to wait until their game has shipped before announcing DLC — take Ghost Recon: Future Soldier for example. The title may still be a couple of weeks away from release, but that’s not stopped Ubisoft from unveiling the tactical shooter’s first DLC pack. Due out on 3rd July, the $10 expansion...
News Tag Your Screen with New Jet Set Radio Trailer
Dope
While the upcoming PSN port of Dreamcast favourite Jet Set Radio will primarily focus on familiar content, SEGA is adding a fresh layer of artwork to the classic. Sure, they're part of a user-created contest, but it's new content nonetheless. Scrub through the video below to see all of the new designs — and find yourself staggered by the...
News April NPD: Prototype 2 Tops, Industry Drops
Heller bad
Those of you with any kind of financial investment in the North American video game industry might want to point your browser towards a more positive place. The April NPD results are in, and they don’t make for particularly pleasant reading in the slightest. Indeed, as a whole the gaming industry shrunk by a whopping 32 percent year...
News Sony Introduces the Sounds of Sorcery
Whimsical
Audio is one of the most underrated aspects of video games. When done well it's able to shape your mood, but, conversely, when poor it really sticks out. Thankfully, we don’t think Sony’s upcoming magical Move-powered adventure Sorcery will suffer from that problem because, based on the evidence of this brand new behind the scenes...
News Capcom Expects to Sell 7 Million Copies of Resident Evil 6
Sure thing
It’s sales-age season here at Push Square. As company’s report their annual movers and shakers to stern faced investors, we’re doing our best to pick out the most interesting tidbits from a never-ending line of dull spreadsheets and Powerpoint slides. This is one of those nuggets. Capcom expects to sell seven million copies of the...
News Take a Peek at Beyond Good & Evil 2's Environment Tech
Paparazzi
For a game that’s been shrouded in secrecy for the past five years, people sure do suddenly know a lot about Beyond Good & Evil 2. We thought this week’s sneaky screenshot would put an end to the leaks, but Unseen64 has followed up with a full environment trailer showing off the same urban setting glimpsed in the secret snap. The...
News New Sleeping Dogs Trailer Packs a Punch
Fight, fight, fight
Sleeping Dogs wouldn’t be an accurate Hong Kong adventure without a fist-fight or three. This brand new trailer shows off the game’s fighting mechanics – both technical and dirty. Sure the counters and combos look fine, but we’re not sure setting someone’s face on fire contributes towards a fair fight. The game...
Thursday10th May 2012
News Ratchet & Clank: Deadlocked Shoots onto PSN
Clank you believe it?
The upcoming Ratchet & Clank Collection may boast three PS2 titles from Insomniac Games’ comical platforming franchise, but it doesn't include the full set. Indeed, the compilation is missing out on the co-operative Ratchet & Clank: Deadlocked, which launched relatively late in the PS2’s lifespan. Thankfully, while...
Perplexing petals
Don't try too hard to understand. Datura is bizarre, a short adventure designed to be played in a single sitting with PlayStation Move, seemingly intended to bewilder anybody who comes before it. Yet that's one of its strengths. With no background information whatsoever, you take control of a man who is apparently as lost as the...
News Debut Soul Sacrifice Trailer Focuses on Self Mutilation
Grim
After weeks of speculation, Sony has finally released the first official trailer for its upcoming Vita exclusive Soul Sacrifice. The game is being developed in collaboration with Marvelous AQL and former Capcom man Keiji Inafune. The trailer is light on gameplay, but it does highlight the title’s sacrifice mechanic. In a gruesome scene, the...
News Pre-Order The Amazing Spider-Man to Play as Stan Lee
Swingin' Stan
If you’ve always thought Spider-Man would be a much better franchise with an elderly gentleman in the lead role rather than an anxious, sprightly youth, then the pre-order bonuses for Activision’s upcoming The Amazing Spider-Man should be right up your alley. Register your interest in the game at Amazon and you’ll snatch up the...
News Sony Chasing The Binding of Isaac for PSN
In pursuit
According to The Binding of Isaac creator Edmund McMillen, Sony wants to bring the controversial Roguelike to PSN “a lot”. The publisher’s interest was piqued when Nintendo publicly turned down an eShop release of the indie title earlier in the year. The game deals with the subject of religion and child abuse. McMillen refused to...
News New Resistance: Burning Skies Features Trailer Reloads
Portable shooting redefined
Resistance: Burning Skies is breaking a lot of ground for a portable game. To our knowledge it’s the first handheld shooter to feature full dual-analogue controls and console quality multiplayer. In order to highlight the game’s achievements, Sony has released a brand new trailer showing off the game’s headline...
News LEGO Lord of the Rings Game On the Horizon
Contain your amazement
We all knew it would happen eventually, but MCV has confirmed there will be a LEGO Lord of the Rings game. New sets of toys based on Peter Jackson's movies contain promotional materials for the game. It was the same story with the reveal of LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes earlier this year. Retailer ShopTo.net published a...
News Sony Deploys Limited Edition Call of Duty PS3 Bundle
Oorah
Call of Duty is the biggest brand in gaming at the moment, and Sony’s latest limited edition PlayStation 3 hardware bundle clearly reflects that fact. Scheduled for release on 25th May in North America, the set bundles a 320GB PS3 with a copy of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 for $299. That means you effectively get the game for free. It’s...
News Worldwide Vita Sales Reach 1.8 Million
Not bad
While the PlayStation Vita hasn’t got off to an especially speedy start, it’s not doing too badly. Speaking as part of a follow-up to this morning’s annual earnings report – in which Sony curiously withheld Vita sales data – new CEO Kaz Hirai revealed that the handheld has sold 1.8 million units in its past year. Obviously, the...
News PS3 Hardware Sales Down, Software Sales Up
Swings and roundabouts
Sony sold 13.9 million PS3 consoles in the last financial year, down from 14.3 million in the previous year. Other PlayStation platforms dropped too: PSP dropped from 8m consoles to 6.8m, and PS2 from 6.4m to 4.1m. Sony has not released any sales figures for PS Vita yet, a little worrying considering it launched in Japan late...
News Hitman: Absolution Steps Out of the Shadows on 20th November
Sniper Challenge free with pre-orders
It’s a good job Hitman protagonist Agent 47 can keep a secret better than developer IO Interactive. The studio confirmed earlier today that the upcoming Hitman: Absolution will finally hit the PS3 on 20th November. In addition, as previously rumoured, if you pre-order the stealth title, you’ll be able to...
News Dishonored Finds Redemption on 9th October
Deus next
Bethesda and Arkane Studios’ Dickensian adventure Dishonored will seek salvation on the 9th October, when the steampunk action title arrives on PlayStation 3 in North America. Europeans will have to wait a few extra days to begin their quest for honour, with the stealth game set to sneak overseas on 12th October. You can learn more about...
News Assassin's Creed III Goes Hunting in First Gameplay Trailer
Epic
Ubisoft has released the first gameplay footage of the upcoming Assassin’s Creed III. We could easily fill the next five minutes of your time recapping exactly why this video is so exciting, but we figure you’d rather just get to the action. And to be honest, we can’t blame you — this looks absolutely extraordinary. Assassin's Creed III...
News Max Payne 3 Launch Trailer Leaps into Sight
Armed and ready
With just under a week to go until Max Payne 3 hits store shelves, publisher Rockstar Games has released the title’s official launch trailer. The cinematic short shows off the sequel’s impressive graphics technology, concluding with a big “made with in-game footage” boast. You know what they say: if you’ve got it, flaunt...
Wednesday9th May 2012
Review Dynasty Warriors Next (PlayStation Vita)
A welcomed new touch
Omega Force gets plenty of stick for sticking too closely to the same old template with its Warriors titles, and while the aptly titled Dynasty Warriors Next sticks to its tried and true basics, it also shakes up the formula by making creative use of Vita's control inputs. The real-time hack-and-slash feudal warfare is further...
News Dragon's Dogma Fires Up Online Quests
Ur it
Capcom's upcoming Dragon's Dogma is a solo-only experience, but that doesn't mean it hasn't got intriguing online capabilities too. The publisher just revealed online quests for multiple players, the first featuring a fearsome Ur-Dragon. Essentially multiple players and their parties can tackle the giant beast asynchronously, their attacks...
News Register Your Max Payne 3 Crew at Rebooted Rockstar Website
Team up
It’s true what they say: a problem shared is a problem halved. So you’ll almost certainly want to take advantage of the upcoming Max Payne 3’s Crews system, which allows you to team up with friends (and strangers) to complete cumulative group goals. While the game is still roughly a week away from release, Rockstar has updated its...
News Japanese Sales Charts: Vita Drops Below Wii
Golden weak
Golden Week did nothing to improve the PlayStation Vita’s fortunes in Japan. Following a minor resurgence last week, the system dropped back down to a familiar position of 10k units sold. To compound the disappointment, the new handheld slipped behind Nintendo's aging Wii for the first time since its release late last year. It was...
News Pachter: Grand Theft Auto V Will Launch in October
Analyst bets big
Following this morning’s, ahem, shock BioShock Infinite delay, Wedbush Securities’ Michael Pachter has predicted that Grand Theft Auto V will launch in its place. Admittedly, it was the first thing that crossed our minds too. See, the delay of BioShock Infinite means more than just one less present to put under your Christmas...
News First Soul Sacrifice Screens Are Grotesque
Strong stomach
Famitsu magazine has uploaded the first screenshots of Sony and Marvelous AQL’s upcoming PlayStation Vita exclusive Soul Sacrifice. The title – which is being worked on by former Capcom man Keiji Inafune – revolves around the concept of sacrifice, and sees players forgoing body parts in order to usher gruesome magical attacks...
News Sign Up Now for the LittleBigPlanet Vita Beta
Roll up, roll up
Want a chance to play LittleBigPlanet Vita before it's out? You want to sign up for its beta, then. The beta is open to Vita owners in North America or Europe and will launch a little later this year. All you need is a Vita, SEN account, internet access and a whole lot of luck. North American users, sign up here. Europe, your...
News Bite Your Nails in Anticipation for Sony's E3 Press Conference
Not long to wait
Sony’s launched a massive splash page counting down the seconds until its E3 2012 press conference. Apparently we have just 26 days to prepare ourselves for the bombshells and megatons. That’s scary. Like last year, the press conference will be streamed online, with pre-show coverage provided by the PlayStation Blog team. What...
News Deus Ex Infiltrates the PlayStation Store Next Week
Revisited
As previously rumoured, the original Deus Ex will sneak onto the PlayStation Store next week. The release is part of a wider initiative from publisher Square Enix to bring its PS2 classics to Sony’s digital storefront. The popular port will retail for £7.99. Conflict Desert Storm 2 and Conflict Vietnam will follow on 23rd May and 30th...
Store Update 8th May 2012 (North America)
Datura is here
A bit of a short week for North America this time around, with one new game for PS3 owners and no new titles for Vita fans. Here's what's available this week. PlayStation Plus: Full Game Trials:Saints Row The Third — Saints Row The Third reviewNeed for Speed The Run —
News Marvelous AQL Developing Vita Exclusive Soul Sacrifice
Inafune at the helm
As promised yesterday, the first details of Sony’s blockbuster Vita exclusive Soul Sacrifice have leaked online. The information comes courtesy of Japanese publication Famitsu, which has a seven page feature on the massively anticipated title. The leak confirms that former Capcom man Keiji Inafune is indeed working on the...
Store Update 9th May 2012 (Europe)
Datura and Binary Domain
Like the North American Store Update, intriguing PSN Move adventure Datura takes centre stage but there are some good deals to be had elsewhere. Here's what's up today. PlayStation Network New Content: PS Plus: Binary Domain – 15% Discount for Two Weeks
News I Am Alive Was PSN's Top Selling Game in April
Land of the living
Ubisoft’s flawed survival horror experiment I Am Alive was the top selling PlayStation Network title in April. The oft-delayed adventure managed to displace thatgamecompany’s Journey from the top spot, while Telltale’s The Walking Dead adaptation occupied two spots in the top five. The episodic title's Season Pass and...
News Starhawk Bundles Free Copy of Original Warhawk
Value added
If the free map packs weren’t enough to encourage you to part with your cash for LightBox Interactive’s Starhawk, SCEE has announced that the European retail release will also include a free download for the original PSone version of Warhawk. The publisher has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to emulate the classic title for...
News BioShock Infinite Delayed Until 26th February 2013
Making the way for GTA?
Irrational Games has pushed back the release of BioShock Infinite until 26th February, 2013. The massively anticipated first-person adventure had originally been scheduled to release in October, but the game will unfortunately miss that date. In a frank exchange with fans, Irrational Games gaffer Ken Levine said: When we...
News Reality Fighters Knows Exactly Who to Call
Ghostbusters!
Mr. Miyagi’s status as Reality Fighters’ primary 80s icon is in jeopardy, as Sony has announced plans to release new Ghostbusters themed content for the augmented reality brawler. The Ghostbusters Pack is set to release on 22nd May, and will include two brand new costumes based on the cult classic. Outfits include the traditional...
Rumour Dead Space 3 Includes Online Co-Op
Find a friend
If you were hoping the heavily rumoured Dead Space 3 would return to the isolation that defined the original title, it’s probably best to stop dreaming. Rumours spewing out of IGN overnight have hinted that the title will feature online drop-in/drop-out co-op. Hmm. Apparently the plot will be near identical depending on whether you...
Tuesday8th May 2012
Review Skullgirls (PlayStation 3)
The weird warriors
2009's Street Fighter IV inserted plenty of coins into the ailing fighting genre, bringing it back to the forefront of competitive gaming. With six buttons on the agenda again, Reverge Labs is hoping to capitalise with Skullgirls, a new title aimed squarely at serious fighting fans. Skullgirls doesn't completely close the door on...
News Giggidy, It's a New Family Guy Video Game
Open the Griffin door once more
Fox's incredibly popular Family Guy series is getting another bite of the gaming apple this year with Activision's Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse. Currently only announced for 'consoles' — which you can bet means PS3 — it's set for release this autumn, though that's about all we know aside from the usual...
News Crystal White Vita Announced for Japan
Tone it down
Sony's announced the first colour variations for PS Vita, pushing a Crystal White console out to Japan on 28th June. The white machine will launch in WiFi only and 3G/WiFi versions for the standard price of ¥24,980/¥29,980 respectively. There'll be matching white ear phones sold separately for the colour coordinated gamer. Then in...
News Snap Up a Beyond Good & Evil 2 Screenshot
Dust looking
After Michel Ancel's assurances that Beyond Good & Evil 2 is in "active creation", All Games Beta has outed what looks like an in-game screenshot. The distant protagonist looks distinctly like Jade, and the dusty market street fits with what we've seen of the title so far. That's about it, though. No HUD, no other...
News Zombie Tycoon 2 Shuffles onto PS3 and Vita
Eat flesh
Adding to the tally of cross compatible PS3 and Vita titles, Canadian developer Frima Studio has officially raised the curtain on Zombie Tycoon 2: Brainhov’s Revenge. The sequel to 2009’s PlayStation Mini promises to expand upon the original’s silly sense of humour and real-time strategy gameplay. It will include new zombies, sharper...
Rumour Killzone Dialogue Prompts Sequel Speculation
Sons and daughters
Love it or hate it, the Killzone franchise is here to stay. Guerrilla Games’ oppressive first-person shooter series is one of Sony’s biggest sellers, with a Vita title expected to be deployed later this year. If new information obtained by website Siliconera is to be believed, that handheld spin-off could take place directly...
News Take Aim with Hitman: Sniper Challenge
Silent scope
A full-page commercial in the latest issue of Game Informer magazine has outed Hitman: Sniper Challenge, a score-based accompaniment to the upcoming Hitman: Absolution. The additional mission will be available to anyone that pre-orders the upcoming stealth title from US retailer GameStop. It’s unclear what the mode will entail, but...
News Spec Ops: The Line Demo Invades PSN Today
Armed and ready
Publisher 2K Games has promised to fire a Spec Ops: The Line demo onto the PS3 later today. It’ll launch as part of the PSN’s weekly update, with a European release supposedly set to follow tomorrow. The demo will allow you to sample two missions from the single-player campaign, as you search the savaged streets of Dubai in...
News Sniper Elite V2 Shoots to the Top of UK Sales Charts
Hot shot
Rebellion’s super satisfying tactical shooter Sniper Elite V2 has put a bullet in this week’s UK sales charts. The new release shot straight to the top of the multiplatform best sellers, pushing last week’s winner Prototype 2 into the second spot. Sgt. James Heller won’t be pleased. Elsewhere, it was largely as you were: EA’s holy...
News PixelJunk Celebrates Anniversary in Style
Monstrous savings
Those of you lucky enough to reside in North America will be able to scoop up copies of PixelJunk Racers, PixelJunk Monsters, PixelJunk Eden and PixelJunk Shooter for just $1 from today. It’s all part of Q-Games' ongoing ten year anniversary celebrations. In addition, the more recent
Rumour Keiji Inafune Leading Soul Sacrifice Development
Big name for a big game
Former Capcom man Keiji Inafune could be leading development on Sony’s mysterious Vita exclusive Soul Sacrifice. We’ve known for a while that the Mega Man creator is working on a title for Sony’s new handheld, but reports coming out of Famitsu magazine have prompted the Japanese press to connect the dots. The prominent...
News Sony Serves Up Enchanting Sorcery Story Trailer
Once upon a time
While it’s unlikely you’ll be purchasing the upcoming Move powered Sorcery for its narrative, plot does appear to be a big part of the motion controlled game. The title explores the adventure of Finn, a young sorcerer who must master the arcane arts in order to save his home world. There’s actually a lot more back story to...
News New Modern Warfare 3 Maps Deployed on PS3 This Week
Combat evolved
Those of you still actively engaged in the art of shooting soldiers in the face will be pleased to learn that Activision is readying another Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 content drop for Elite subscribers on PS3 this week. The update will see the Sanctuary and Foundation maps added to the game. The former takes place in a monastery...
News A True Fantasy Emerges with Soul Sacrifice Teaser Trailer
Big deal
Sony’s massively hyped upcoming PlayStation Vita exclusive Soul Sacrifice is a first party project. The game’s first teaser trailer includes the famous “Sony Computer Entertainment presents” bumpers, in addition to a Japan Studio logo. The footage is light on details – referring viewers to the previously announced 10th May reveal...
News LightBox Interactive Confirms Free Map Packs for Starhawk
All of 'em
In an age where DLC is hidden on discs and you need to enter lengthy codes in order to access online multiplayer, the idea of complimentary map packs is an utterly baffling one. But that’s exactly what developer LightBox Interactive intends to offer with its brand new PS3 exclusive shooter Starhawk. We’ll let gaffer Dylan Jobe deliver...
Monday7th May 2012
Review Pure Chess (PlayStation Vita)
Pawn shop
With an extensive range of tutorials tucked beneath its board, Pure Chess is set to make a grandmaster out of the freshest chess newbie. There are unforced errors in its approach, however, that prevent it from matching up to the age-old game's traditional quality. Pure Chess is the work of VooFoo Studios, the team behind Hustle Kings, and...
News Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD Rides onto PSN Next Month
Superman
You know, we really respect Tony Hawk. The skating legend could so easily be a disinterested shill, but we really get the impression that he cares about the quality of his games. Such is his passion, that the Hawkster's prone to revealing the odd snippet of unannounced information from time to time. On this occasion he’s taken to Twitter...
News Final Fantasy Versus XIII Won't Be at E3
Sorry
Look, Square Enix knows you’ve waited over 5 years to get your hands on Final Fantasy Versus XIII – but the publisher wants you to hold out a little longer. The Japanese company has unveiled its E3 2012 line-up and, unless there’s a last minute miracle, it does not include the oft-delayed RPG. In fact, much of Square Enix’s line-up is...
News Unite to Unlock New Assassin's Creed III Trailer
Viral
How much do you like Assassin’s Creed? Ubisoft’s hoping you like it enough to help out with the publisher’s marketing campaign, promising to unlock the second part of this Assassin’s Creed III hunting trailer once you’ve recruited enough friends to the franchise’s Facebook page. It’s an abhorrent practice that we absolutely...
News RE: Operation Raccoon City's Sales Top 2 Million
Brand awareness
Slant Six’s rotten squad-based zombie spin-off Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City has sold over 2 million units worldwide. According to publisher Capcom’s annual financial report, the shoddy shooter had sold 1.7 million copies as of 31st March 2012. Factor in the title’s surprisingly strong Japanese debut of 290,000 units,...
News Beyond Good & Evil 2 is in "Active Creation"
Rejoice
Rayman creator Michel Ancel has confirmed that development on the hotly anticipated Beyond Good & Evil 2 has continued – albeit not on PlayStation 3. The industry legend said in a video interview with the Toulouse Game Show [via NeoGAF] that the project is at an “active creation stage” and that the developer is focusing on...
