News - 2012, Week 22
Sunday3rd Jun 2012
Review Sorcery (PlayStation 3)
A kind of magic
Sorcery is the game that PlayStation Move owners have been craving. The motion controlled title that captivated crowds at E3 2010 has been a constant source of conversation right the way through to its re-reveal late last year. But having spent almost 18 months shrouded in the secrecy of Sony’s invisibility cloak, the title finds...
News More Dead Space 3 Details Leak Ahead of E3
Find a friend
That errant issue of Game Informer magazine is causing a whole heap of misery, it seems. Not content with leaking Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation for PlayStation Vita, the publication’s also outed a handful of details pertaining to Dead Space 3. Then again, we suppose it’s par for the course for Visceral Games’ oft-leaked...
Review Mad Riders (PlayStation 3)
You drive me crazy
A title like Mad Riders conjures up all sorts of wild possibilities. Alas, you might be disappointed to discover that this game does not, in fact, involve racing rollerskate-wearing elephants down rainbow highways, nor does it include oversized hammers to swipe at foes. It's actually a rocket-powered ATV racer, the promised...
Rumour Medal of Honor: Warfighter Breaching Vita
Pocket fighter
Make sure you’ve got a pinch of salt handy, as French retailer CDiscount has listed a product page for Medal of Honor: Warfighter on PlayStation Vita. Interestingly, the online store is also taking pre-orders for a Need for S
News Sony to Reveal the "Future of PlayStation Plus" at E3
Plus one
Sony’s E3 press conference will reveal the “Future of PlayStation Plus”, according to a teaser image on its official website. Rumours have been rife regarding changes to PlayStation’s premium subscription service for several weeks now – with some sources speculating the revision might play into a proposed partnership with a
News PSN Content Now Available in European GameStop Stores
Bricks and mortar
If you still don’t trust Sony with your credit card details after last year’s hacking kerfuffle, GameStop has announced the addition of PlayStation Network content to its European and Australian stores. Currently you'll be able to purchase a range of downloadable content from more than 1,600 GameStop outlets across Australia,...
Saturday2nd Jun 2012
Game changers
Sony finds itself in an awkward position going into E3 2012. PlayStation 3 is going strong, its line-up ever-improving, but that's juxtaposed with the company's overall financial trauma and the woeful performance of PS Vita despite the positive critical reaction to its launch. The handheld is now suffering dramatically slowing sales,...
Rumour Assassin's Creed III: Liberation Sneaking onto Vita
Freedom fighter
It looks like the first major PlayStation Vita title of this year’s E3 has already been leaked. A lucky NeoGAF poster has managed to get hold of an early copy of this month's Game Informer magazine, which includes a preview of Ubisoft’s upcoming Vita exclusive Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation. The game – which is set to...
News Take a Short Trip to the Tokyo Jungle
Urban chaos
If you were intrigued by this week’s utterly bonkers Tokyo Jungle television commercial, then we recommend you watch this 17 minute gameplay demo. In it, a Pomeranian dog desperately forages for food before finding a female friend and... well, see for yourself. Sony’s yet to officially announce Tokyo Jungle for Europe and North...
News Tales of Xillia 2 Spins a New Yarn in Japan This Winter
Elle of a sequel
Namco Bandai’s ongoing teases have concluded with the announcement of Tales of Xillia 2. The PS3 sequel is set a year after the original title, and is due out at some point this winter in Japan. The game follows the escapades of Ludgar, an adventurer joined on his travels by a cat called Lulu and a mysterious girl named Elle...
News Soul Sacrifice Was Once Named Forsaken Souls
Killing the mood
Those of you awaiting another Souls related announcement at E3 will do well to temper your expectations. Sony has confirmed that a recent domain registration for Forsaken Souls was actually related to the upcoming Soul Sacrifice. Posting on the
News Tomba! Sprints onto PSN on 19th June
Pigs can fly
Tomba!, the most anticipated PSone re-release in the history of the PlayStation Network, finally has a release date: 19th June. Indeed, in just over two weeks you’ll be able to enjoy one of the finest PlayStation titles of all time without the need to auction any of your internal organs. It'll cost you just $9.99 to admire the...
News New Papo & Yo Trailer Changes the World
Favela fella
Those of you not fortunate enough to be attending next week’s E3 will have to make do with this hands-off look at Minority’s upcoming PSN exclusive Papo & Yo. The trailer shows protagonist Quico interacting with the world and changing its layout as a result. The imaginative adventure's come a long way since its original...
Friday1st Jun 2012
Review Silent Hill HD Collection (PlayStation 3)
Broken locks and broken hearts
Everything is different in the dark. The play of light and shadow can lend any partially obscured object an ominous tone. If you've ever navigated your room late at night after waking from a deep sleep, half-aware of reality and half-aware you're no longer in your bed, you know this feeling – the feeling that dwells...
Talking Point E3 2012 is Vital for Vita
Let the games begin
This time last year, PS Vita was known as NGP and everyone on the web was buzzing. Here we are on the verge of E3 2012, and Vita needs another big show to ignite its sales for the rest of the year. We've already talked about what we expect from Sony at E3, and while PS3 will have some great games on display — everyone is...
News Aliens: Colonial Marines Collector's Edition Stalks PS3
Beep, beep
SEGA’s announced a collector’s edition for Aliens: Colonial Marines. The bundle – which is exclusive to Amazon in the UK – includes a resin powerloader figurine, a USCM dossier, and a limited edition hive box. You’ll also get a bunch of in-game content, including four playable movie characters, additional customisation options,...
Game of the Month May 2012 - Velocity
Going places
A PS Mini triumphing over PS3 and Vita games to take the coveted Game of the Month award? You can believe your eyes: Velocity is a little cracker. An ingenious blend of shooter and puzzle means you're always planning your next teleport instead of just blasting everything that moves. A fast trigger-finger will help you, but it won't...
News Robert Bowling Reveals Human Element for 2015
Survivor
The hugely ambitious Robert Bowling – who served as a creative strategist on the Call of Duty franchise for many years – has unveiled his new studio’s first project: Human Element. Set for release on next-generation platforms in 2015, the horror title aims to convey the desperation of survival during a zombie apocalypse. Speaking...
Rumour Sony Working with Gaikai on PlayStation Backwards Compatibility
An interesting workaround
When rumours regarding a prospective partnership between Sony and a major cloud gaming service started to spread, we speculated that the company might be looking to the technology to solve its platform's backwards compatibility issues. According to a report on GamesIndustry International this afternoon, that’s exactly...
Rumour Hitman HD Collection Slipping onto PS3
Corky the clown
Hitman could be the next popular series to benefit from an HD makeover. Italian retailer 16Games has added a product page for an unannounced compilation featuring re-mastered versions of Hitman 2, Hitman 3: Contracts and Hitman: Blood Money. According to the retailer, the PS3 package is set to release on 15th October – which is...
News Tomb Raider Confirmed for Release On 5th March 2013
Idol chatter
Square Enix's much anticipated Tomb Raider reboot has a release date: 5th March 2013. The date came at the end of a brand new trailer showing the more action-heavy focus of the new title, with Lara placed in more perilous situations than even Nathan Drake could imagine. We'll see more next week.
News Jet Set Radio HD Features the Full Original Soundtrack
Almost, anyway
Last time we checked in with Jet Set Radio HD it was missing some of its licensed songs. But SEGA recently promised some good news regarding the re-release's soundtrack, and boy has it delivered. The publisher’s announced on its official blog that it has managed to land "99.9%" of the original soundtrack. That includes Rob...
News LEGO Lord of the Rings Scales PS3 and Vita This Fall
Tolkien nonsense
The heavily rumoured LEGO Lord of the Rings is now a reality. Warner Bros revealed the fantasy franchise’s transition from books to blocks this afternoon, alongside a new trailer to cement the news. Similarly to LEGO Batman 2: DC Superheroes, the plastic protagonists have now been granted the ability to talk. But instead of using...
News Explore the Criminal Underworld of Star Wars 1313
Take a Luke
LucasArts has raised the curtain on Star Wars 1313, a third-person shooter set within a “dark and mature world”. It’s the super secret title that the publisher teased last month. The game is set to unravel a “criminal conspiracy” in the “most dangerous place in the Star Wars galaxy”. If you’re curious, the title refers...
News Ni No Kuni Reaches Europe on 25th January 2013
Seven months out
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, the much-anticipated collaboration between Level-5 and Studio Ghibli, lands on PS3 in Europe on 25th January 2013. The adventure contains English and Japanese voice overs as well as subtitles in French, Italian, German and Spanish, so most European players should be able to enjoy it. Here's a...
News YouTube Broadcasting to Vita in June
On the air
Soon you’ll be able to keep track of your favourite online personalities on the move, as Sony has announced it’s adding a free YouTube app to the PlayStation Vita in June. The download will be available for free from the PlayStation Store, and will feature many of the functions from the full video sharing website. You’ll be able to...
News Learn More About Foosball 2012's World Tour Mode
Flick smash
The European championships may be mere weeks away from kicking off in Poland and Ukraine, but the hottest tournament this summer is set to take place inside your PS3 or Vita. In a brand new trailer, developer Grip Games has outlined two of the key modes from its upcoming PSN table football simulator, Foosball 2012. The developer points...
News Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance Trailer Is a Cut Above
Zan datsu
We probably don’t need to convince you to watch this Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance trailer, but we’re going to anyway. Towards the end of the video, protagonist Raiden runs up a wall, leaps into the air, and cuts a helicopter into a dozen pieces. Yep. Revengeance still has a long way to go before it proves its worth to hardcore Metal...
News Battlefield 3: Armored Kill Attacks in September
Suited and booted
Another little snippet from EA this evening: the second Battlefield 3 expansion is set to release in September. Entitled Armored Kill, the DLC promises “all-out vehicle warfare on huge maps”. The first Battlefield 3 expansion, Close Quarters, is set to be released at some point this month, with a date likely to be announced...
News Konami Officially Confirms Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2
Symphony of the night
It seems the rumours were right on the money: Konami has confirmed that Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 is in development at Spanish studio MercurySteam. Sadly, the publisher had very little to share other than the CG trailer embedded below. We had previously heard that the game was in development for Vita and PS
News EA Confirms Need for Speed: Most Wanted for E3
High stakes
After weeks of speculation, EA has officially announced Need for Speed: Most Wanted. The racer is in development at UK studio Criterion, and is set to be revealed in much greater detail at next week’s E3. Platforms have yet to be announced, but Criterion recently posted a job listing for a Vita developer, prompting speculation that...
News EA Officially Acknowledges Dead Space 3
At last
EA has officially confirmed that the worst kept secret of E3, Dead Space 3, is an actual video game. Following a slew of leaks and rumours – including a set of screenshots – the publisher finally acknowledged the title overnight. It’s not willing to share any details just yet, but it promises all will be revealed during its E3 press...
News Soul Sacrifice Is Coming to Europe and North America
Buy your soul
Keiji Inafune's pretty awesome-looking Soul Sacrifice will reach the West, Sony's announced. No word on when the game will reach Vitas outside Japan but we're guessing it won't be for a good five or six months yet. Until then, just enjoy watching this video from Keiji Inafune and talk about it all in the comments below.
News Debut Dishonored Trailer Deserves More Honour
Early in the morning
BioShock Infinite may have been delayed into 2013, but it looks like the industry has found its natural replacement. Bethesda’s released the first trailer for Arkane Studios’ upcoming cyber-punk adventure Dishonored, and it looks... well, brutal. We recently got a chance to check out the first-person adventure in action, so...
News Metal Gear Rising Demo Included with Zone of the Enders HD
Temptation
Zone of the Enders is destined to live in Raiden’s pronounced shadow. Just like Metal Gear Solid 2 before it, Hideo Kojima has revealed that the upcoming Zone of the Enders HD Collection will include early access to the Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance demo. If you don’t want to buy Zone of the Enders, the demo will be made available...
Thursday31st May 2012
Review Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland (PlayStation 3)
Crafty
Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland is the 13th instalment of Gust’s storied Atelier series and the third part of the “Arland” trilogy. While at first glance the sheer amount of ground this series has covered makes for a high barrier of entry, skip this title based on intimidation and you'll miss a very enjoyable experience. The...
Review Trine 2 (PlayStation 3)
Enchanting
When the original Trine released back in 2009, it took us on a fun yet flawed 2D physics-based puzzling quest, inspired by the cult favourite SNES classic, The Lost Vikings. Even with its faults, nothing stopped the game from rapidly growing a large fan base. With Trine 2, developer Frozenbyte has pulled out every bit of magic it...
News Injustice: Gods Among Us Fights onto PS3 in 2013
Immortal kombat
Mortal Kombat developer NetherRealm Studios is taking a break from Scorpion and Sub-Zero in order to build a brand new superhero fighting game for PS3. The mouthy Injustice: Gods Among Us is set to lock DC Comics' greatest heroes and deadliest villains in battle next year. Confirmed fighters include Batman, Superman, the Flash,...
News Zindagi Reveals Sports Champions 2
What took so long?
If there's one Move game everyone liked, it's Sports Champions, so it's excellent news that Zindagi Games and Sony San Diego Studios are working together on Sports Champions 2 for PlayStation Move. The line-up of sports mixes new with old, and includes bowling, tennis, golf, skiing, archery and boxing. It'll support two players...
News Ubisoft Announces Another Assassin's Creed III Bundle
Spoilt for choice
Just in case you felt there weren’t enough permutations of Assassin’s Creed III readily available, Ubisoft has announced a brand new bundle. The Ubiworkshop edition collates an updated version of the Assassin’s Creed encyclopaedia, the Assassin’s Creed Subject 4 graphic novel, and a copy of Assassin’s Creed III on...
News Super Meat Boy Cameos in Retro City Rampage
Meating in the middle
Super Meat Boy is never coming to the PlayStation Network, but at least he’ll make a guest appearance in the upcoming Retro City Rampage. The character will cameo in a mini-game named Retro Meat Boy, a kind of old-school racer. You can catch the mini-game in action via the trailer below. Meat Boy is just one of many other...
News Hell Yeah! Wrath of the Dead Rabbit Looks Nuts
Perez Hellton
French studio Arkedo is no stranger to pretty games, but its latest collaboration with SEGA looks set to kick things up a notch. The developer has released a brand new trailer for its upcoming shooter Hell Yeah! Wrath of the Dead Rabbit, which is set to blast onto the PlayStation Network later this year. The game follows the story of...
News Quantic Dream "Unhappy with Everything" About Heavy Rain
Jason! Jason!
Heavy Rain certainly wasn’t a perfect game: it had more plot holes than a colander, and some of the strangest accents we've ever encountered. But, refreshingly, Quantic Dream acknowledges those flaws, and the Parisian studio is working hard to ensure it corrects them with its next release. Studio gaffer David Cage told Gamasutra:...
News Daytona USA and Ridge Racer Smash Together
We have no words
Legendary SEGA arcade racer Daytona USA and Namco's Ridge Racer finally collide after years of taking separate racing lines, with Ridge Racer on Vita set to get the legendary Daytona Hornet as DLC. The car hits Japan on 6th June, alongside a song called Ridge Racer: Ridge Racer USA Mix, which we can only assume mashes up the famous...
News PlayStation Takes Over the LA Convention Centre
Never stop playing
If E3 fever doesn’t officially start until the first photographs of the LA Convention Centre hit the Internet, then we're just about ready to declare this year’s party well and truly started. The eagle eyed folks over at NeoGAF have managed to uncover a snap of this year’s kitted out venue, and it looks like Sony's nabbed...
Rumour Sony Decided Against Digital Only PlayStation 4
Sticking with discs
Sony decided against making its next home console digital only, the Wall Street Journal reports. The publication claims that the company had considered removing the optical drive from the PlayStation 4 – rumoured to be codenamed Orbis – but decided against the move due to poor Internet speeds. The report echoes
News Jeremy McGrath's Offroad Hits the Mud on 27th June
Mud fight
Jeremy McGrath’s Offroad is set to pull away from the starting line on 27th June. The downloadable racer will feature a garage of upgradeable off-road vehicles, including rally cars, buggies and trucks. In single-player, you’ll be able to drive in the slipstream of Jeremy McGrath’s bid for the Pro2 Championship. The campaign will be...
News New Little King's Story Graces Vita This Summer
Great news, m'lord
New Little King’s Story is set to bow and curtsey onto North American Vitas this year, publisher Konami has announced. The game – which is based on the popular Nintendo Wii strategy title – will be released on the PlayStation Network as a download exclusive. The updated adventure features a slightly different art style, a...
News Skyrim's Dawnguard Expansion Goes Dark
Trailer inside
We’re pretty sure the flow of epic announcements isn’t going to stop until next week now. Bethesda’s the latest publisher to join the pre-E3 party, releasing the first trailer for Skyrim’s upcoming Dawnguard expansion pack. There’s all manner of goodness in the trailer, including a monologue that’s certain to get your...
Rumour Splinter Cell: Black List Set to Infiltrate E3
Sam you believe it?
According to mounting rumours, Ubisoft is set to unveil the latest title in the Splinter Cell series at next week’s E3. The game – which is thought to be named Splinter Cell: Black List – is supposedly in development at Jade Raymond’s Toronto studio. It’s apparently scheduled for a January 2013 release on PlayStation 3...
News Spy Hunter Reboot Races onto Vita
Secret agent
In somewhat surprising news, Warner Bros has announced that it’s rebooting Spy Hunter for the PlayStation Vita. The classic car combat title is set to make an appearance on Sony’s shiny new handheld this fall, courtesy of LEGO specialists TT Fusion. Just like the 1983 original, the game will put you behind the wheel of the G-6155...
News Guacamelee! Brawls onto PS3 and Vita
Ripe for release
DrinkBox Studios’ latest indie darling Guacamelee! is heading exclusively to PlayStation 3 and Vita, courtesy of Sony’s growing Pub Fund program. For those unclear, Pub Fund is part of Sony’s initiative to bring innovative indie content to the PlayStation platform. In exchange for funding the product, Sony requests a short...
News Tokyo Jungle Commercial is Barking Mad
Poultry in motion
Sony is making a lot of noise about Tokyo Jungle in Japan. The absolutely bonkers post-apocalyptic adventure has been a focus of SCEJ’s promotional campaign for weeks, and that’s concluded with the release of a television advert overnight. Just for the record, Tokyo Jungle is a game which lets you play as an elephant on roller...
News Naughty Bear Strolls onto PSN This Year
Panic in paradise
Naughty Bear is back. After the original title seriously under delivered, we can’t say we ever expected to type those four words – but here we are, staring at a press release for Naughty Bear: Panic in Paradise. Honestly, we’re not making this up. This time the murderous soft toy is set to saunter onto the more appropriate...
News Leaked Dead Space 3 Screenshots Confirm Co-Op
Never walk alone
If you were hoping the heavily rumoured Dead Space 3 would make a claustrophobic return to the vacant corridors of the USG Ishimura, then prepare yourself for disappointment. A handful of leaked screenshots have all but confirmed co-op for the unannounced sequel. The shots show series protagonist Isaac Clarke accompanied by a...
Wednesday30th May 2012
News Konami Working on Pro Evolution Soccer for Vita
Extra time
Konami has confirmed that it’s working on Pro Evolution Soccer for the PlayStation Vita, but cautioned that the game might not be ready in time to coincide with the release of the upcoming PES 2013. The Japanese publisher recently confirmed PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable and, impressively, PlayStation 2 versions of the...
News Sony Details E3 2012 Live Streaming Plans
Keep calm and carry on
Sony’s going all out with this year’s E3. In addition to live streaming the press conference at a variety of online venues, the platform holder has also announced that it’s opening up the big show to 200 lucky fans. If you’re planning to get in, you’ll need to show up early. While you won’t need to register, this...
News Dead Space 3 Teaser Trailer Lands
Deep impact
EA's Dead Space 3 is in the works, and this teaser trailer wants to set the scene. While there's no gameplay footage, the video fills you in on events from the end of Dead Space 2. If you haven't followed the series so far, all you need to know is it's about aliens and lots and lots of gore. Check it out below and expect to see much...
News Sony Announces Trio of New Apps for PlayStation Vita
New ways to play
Even the harshest critics of the PlayStation Vita’s line-up would find it hard to complain over the past couple of weeks. Sony’s essentially been announcing a new game or application every day, and while there’s been nothing particularly breath-taking revealed, it all starts to add up. Continuing tradition, Sony’s taken to...
News Japanese Sales Charts: Dragon's Dogma Takes Off
Flying start
Dragon’s Dogma got off to a roaring start in Japan, selling a whopping 302,040 units during its first week on sale. The impressive numbers make it the fastest selling new IP of the generation in the region. Sadly, the title did nothing to increase the PS3’s hardware sales. Sony’s home system mustered just 14k units, a minor...
Store Update 29th May 2012 (North America)
Resistance is futile
Vita plays host to another big Sony franchise this week as the Chimera land on Vita. More cerebral pursuits include chess and a playable demo of one of the machine's most anticipated games. Here's what's out this week. PlayStation Plus: Full Game Trial: Assassin’s Creed Revelations Full Game Trial [Assassin's Creed...
Store Update 30th May 2012 (Europe)
A mixed bag
Plenty to choose from this week and no time to waste, so here's what's up today. PS Plus: Mad Riders (PS3) including DLC Price: £7.99,€9.99,AU$15.95 PS3 Games: Mad Riders (Trial also available) Mad Riders is an adrenaline-fueled off-road arcade racing game, that will let you perform amazing aerial stunts and race on over 45...
News New Hitman: Absolution Trailer Features Nuns
Sisterly love
Square Enix has followed up yesterday’s Hitman: Absolution teaser with a trailer featuring nuns armed to the teeth with guns. The footage – created by the studio responsible for last year’s Tomb Raider trailer – shows Agent 47 being attacked by a faction of inappropriately dressed women known as the, er, Saints. They’re...
News Insomniac Announces Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault
In your face
Insomniac Games may have completed its work on the Resistance franchise, but it’s not giving up on the PlayStation platform entirely. The studio’s CEO Ted Price has taken to the PlayStation Blog this afternoon to announce Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault for the PlayStation Network. The game – which is due out later this...
News Bethesda Refreshes DOOM 3 for PlayStation 3
Alone in the dark
Here’s an announcement we never expected to find in our inbox this afternoon: Bethesda is rereleasing DOOM 3 for PlayStation 3. The expanded shooter – appropriately entitled the DOOM 3: BFG Edition – will include remastered versions of the original game, its expansion pack and seven new levels called “The Lost Mission”...
News Sony Announces Timed Vita Price Promotion in France
Cash back
The Internet went a little bit crazy this afternoon. “A price cut,” screamed the masses, “Finally a Vita price cut.” Their cheers were a little bit premature. Sony has announced a price promotion for the Vita – but it’s limited to France and it’s not what you think. If you purchase the system between 1st June and 15th July...
Rumour Sony to Launch eBooks Initiative for PS3 and Vita
Page turner
According to a report on MCV this morning, Sony is set to detail an eBooks initiative for PS3 and Vita at this year’s E3. The move – supposedly entitled “Storyteller” – will be used to “present interactive documents and books, with a particular focus on children’s content”. We imagine it will work similarly to the PSP’s...
News SCEE Planning Daily PlayStation Store Updates During E3
Stay updated
Sony’s planning to update the European PlayStation Store every day during E3, it’s announced on the PlayStation Blog. The updates will focus on brand new trailers from the big show in Los Angeles, in addition to a selection of E3 special offers. Starting today Sony will be launching a batch of discounts based on “games and...
News Warner Bros Reveals Guardians of Middle-earth
Return to Sindar
F.E.A.R. developer Monolith has been hard at work on a PlayStation Network tie-in for the upcoming The Hobbit movie, publisher Warner Bros has announced. Guardians of Middle-earth is a downloadable “multiplayer online battle arena” game scheduled for release on PlayStation Network later this year. It’ll allow up to 10 players...
Rumour Sony Close to Acquiring Cloud Gaming Firm
Megaton
Sony is not simply looking to partner with a major cloud gaming firm – it is poised to buy one. That’s according to a report on MCV, which claims the move could “rock the next generation of console gaming”. We reported earlier this week that Sony was set to announce a deal with a major c
News Danny Bilson Departs THQ, Rubin Steps In
All change
THQ has confirmed that Danny Bilson, the vice president of core games, has departed the troubled publisher. He will be replaced by Naughty Dog co-founder Jason Rubin in a slightly different role, which will see him oversee development, marketing and publishing. Bilson will be joined by senior vice president of core games Dave Davis out...
News Battlefield 3 Goes Premium on 4th June
Step your game up
Despite not being officially announced by publisher EA, Sony has attached a 4th June release date to the heavily rumoured Battlefield 3 Premium. The platform holder listed the unannounced upgrade as part of today’s European PlayStation Store update. The download – which is poised to compete with Call of Duty: Elite – will...
Tuesday29th May 2012
Review Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier (PlayStation 3)
Ghost squad
If you're expecting to sneak about undetected for the entirety of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, prepare to be disappointed. While there are many clandestine moments throughout, Future Soldier plays closer to the rulebook established by the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare titles. Levels start out with stealth at the forefront but...
News Rockstar Not Attending E3 2012
Diva fever
Rockstar’s acting all, er, rock star again. The developer of the Grand Theft Auto games has hinted that it’s not attending next week’s E3 in any capacity. CVG reports that the mega developer has “no plans” for the big show. It’s not exactly a huge surprise – Rockstar’s been skipping E3 for years – but with speculation...
News Latest Bethesda Trademark Settles Around the Hearth Fire
Skyrim connection confirmed
It’s too hot for classic inglenook fireplaces here in the UK this week, but that’s not stopped the people of Skyrim from collecting around the hearth. Bethesda, the publisher of the critically acclaimed RPG, has filed a trademark for “Hearth Fire”, the latest in string of registrations relating to the popular...
News Chill Out with the Ice White PSP-E1000
Frosty
There’s life in the old PlayStation Portable just yet. Despite the Vita being readily available worldwide, Sony has announced a new iteration of its cheap and cheerful PSP-E1000 line. The super chilled Ice White system is set to launch on European store shelves in July for a lowly £89.99. For those unfamiliar, the PSP-E1000 is a durable...
News Yakuza 5's Haruka Won't Engage in Fights
Different formula
We must admit, we did a double-take when SEGA announced orphan Haruka would be a playable character in Yakuza 5. The youngster is a world away from the angry men that typically populate the cast of SEGA’s niche adventure series. How is she going to fight? Many speculated that Haruka might have been trained by protagonist Kazuma...
Rumour Sony Preparing to Announce PlayStation Plus Revamp at E3
More for your money
We’ve been big proponents of the PlayStation Plus platform over the past couple of years. The value proposition continues to be exceptional, with frequent discounts and giveaways making up for the subscription fee alone. But while the service is solid as it is, Eurogamer.net reports that Sony is planning to announce a complete...
News Retailers Leak The Witcher for PlayStation 3
Water tight
Is nothing sacred in this industry? Just hours ahead of CD Projekt’s big summer conference, a selection of Danish retailers have posted product pages for the original The Witcher on PlayStation 3. The studio previously teased that it had a “major announcement” planned for its summer showcase – could this be it? The Witcher was...
News PS Plus Members Get 50% Off New "Ultimate" Bundles
Everyone else gets 30%
North American PS Plus subscribers just got a good deal — up to 50% off Sony's new "ultimate" bundles, which contain a game and all its available DLC. Regular members save 30% on the deals, which are available from today until Monday 4th June, so you'll have to be quick. The line-up of nine games and DLC stands at: Red...
News Hitman: Absolution Gets Cryptic Ahead of E3
Look sharp
We’re on the cusp of E3 now; the madness is less than a week away from transpiring. As such, publishers are opting to fill the time with cryptic teases of major announcements they’re not quite ready to share yet. First out of the blocks is Square Enix with this playful Hitman: Absolution image. You know it’s a tease because, well,...
News Sony Reloads Resistance: Burning Skies Launch Trailer
Bullseye
You no longer have an excuse for not cleaning the dust off your latest expensive handheld purchase – Resistance: Burning Skies has finally arrived. Ok, so technically it’s not out in Europe until later in the week, but you get the idea. In order to celebrate the first fully functioning handheld shooter’s launch, Sony has fired a...
News Sony Registers PlayStation All-Stars Vita Domains
Miniature heroes
Tossing more fuel on the already rampant fire, Sony has registered a sequence of website domains for PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale on Vita. The domains include multiple permutations of the mouthy title, including www.battleroyalethegamevita.com and www.battleroyalthegamevita.com. Obviously, it’s not a confirmation just yet...
News Snapshot Zooms onto PS3 and Vita This Fall
Trigger happy
Someone stop the flow of fresh Vita announcements, we’re worried there’s going to be a flood soon. Retro Affect is the latest studio to take to the PlayStation Blog and announce a new cross-platform title for Sony’s family of consoles, confirming that the quirky puzzle platformer Snapshot is set to distort reality on PS3 and Vita...
News Ubisoft Releases Twisted Far Cry 3 Teaser Trailer
Trippy
You should know the drill by now: no publisher is going to release a full trailer for its latest blockbuster on the eve of E3. Instead you’re getting to get short teasers and snippets of the kind of content you can expect to see next week. This Far Cry 3 teaser trailer is no different – it spends more of its time showing off press quotes...
News Inversion Release Upturned in Europe, On Track in US
Gravity daze
While the status of Namco Bandai’s topsy-turvy shooter Inversion remains unclear in Europe, publisher Namco Bandai has confirmed that the title is still on track for its scheduled 5th June release in North America. A representative confirmed the fist-pumping news in a statement to Joystiq earlier this evening. It's unfortunate news...
Monday28th May 2012
Review DiRT Showdown (PlayStation 3)
Fender bender
You get the feeling Codemasters has wanted to make DiRT Showdown for a while. Freed from the shackles of the mainline series, Showdown takes DiRT’s semi-reserved personality and steers into a head-on collision with Ken Block culture. With less subtlety than a shocking pink livery, this is a raucous, gnarly and, at times, downright...
News Silent Hill HD Collection Ported from Incomplete Code
Terrifying
Want to know something scary? No, it doesn’t involve Pyramid Head – in fact, it’s much scarier. See, Konami has confirmed that the recently released Silent Hill HD Collection was ported from incomplete code. Yeah, that’s pretty messed up, isn’t it? Senior producer Tomm Hulett revealed in an interview with 1UP that the Japanese...
News Big Sky: Infinity Sets Sights on PS3 and Vita
A shooter for the modern age
UK indie developer Boss Baddie has confirmed that a sequel to PC shooter Really Big Sky is heading to the PlayStation 3 and Vita. The game – entitled Big Sky: Infinity – is being produced in collaboration with Hustle Kings developer VooFoo Studios, and will be will be published by Ripstone. VooFoo’s technology...
News Just Cause Developer Working on Open World Action Game
Thinking caps, everyone
Just Cause developer Avalanche Studios is working on a “ground breaking” open world action game for Square Enix. For the record, Square Enix published the last two Just Cause titles. What could it possibly all mean? Well, here’s a hint: Square Enix recently registered domain names for Just Cause 4. Perhaps Avalanche’s...
Rumour Quantic Dream's Next Title to Be Announced at E3
It begins
Dreams can come true. Just days after this ecstatic author cited Quantic Dream’s next project as his most wanted E3 announcement, rumours of exactly that have hit the ‘net. CVG is reporting that studio head David Cage is set to take to the stage during Sony’s press conference next week and raise the curtain on the successor to He
News Ghost Recon: Future Soldier Shoots Atop UK Sales Charts
Dragon's Dogma not far behind
Ubisoft’s oft-delayed Ghost Recon: Future Soldier has fired straight to the top of the UK sales charts. The shooter beat out strong competition from a slew of new releases, including Dragon’s Dogma and DiRT Showdown – both of which debuted in the top five. Future Soldier’s first week sales were stronger than any...
Rumour Kingdoms of Amalur 2 Was in Pre-Production
Bitter pill
Those that have been paying close to attention to the video game industry over the past couple of weeks will no doubt be familiar with the closure of Big Huge Games. The developer behind the likeable Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning was forced to shut down last week following the emerging financial troubles of its parent company 38 Studios...
News Infinity Ward Targeting New Consoles with Next Project
Modern Warfare, er, 4?
Excuse us while we continue to scrape the figuratively parched barrel for marginally interesting stories. Infinity Ward has posted a new job opening, advertising for a social network engineer. The employee will supposedly be responsible for “high level network code for an exciting unannounced title for next generation...
News Capcom Trademarks Remember Me
Don't forget
Ordinarily we’d skip on this story like a plate of smelly socks, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Japanese publisher Capcom has filed a US trademark for the title Remember Me. Presumably it has nothing to do with the 2010 romantic comedy of the same name. The filing for the “computer game” was made on 22nd May,...
