News - 2012, Week 48
Sunday2nd Dec 2012
News PlayStation All-Stars Patch Fixes Glitches, Adds New Item
Smashing stuff
PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale’s latest patch will ensure that your selected fighter no longer gets swapped during online gameplay. It will also add a new item to the game: Medusa’s Gaze from God of War. Presumably that will stop opponents in their tracks, giving you the opportunity to unleash some deadly combos. Other...
News Dead or Alive 5 Plus Is Punching onto PlayStation Vita Next Year
Are you a fighter?
Tecmo Koei has already pledged plenty of support to the PlayStation Vita – but it’s not finished yet. Speaking at the IGN Pro League, Team Ninja gaffer Yosuke Hayashi has confirmed that Dead or Alive 5 Plus is punching its way onto the PlayStation Vita. Specific details are scarce right now, but Hayashi states that the title...
Saturday1st Dec 2012
News BioShock Infinite's Box Art Looks Really Bland
Cry for Columbia
There’s been a lot of talk about bad box art over the past couple of weeks, which makes the arrival of BioShock Infinite’s final cover timely to say the least. The wrapper – which leads prominently with protagonist Booker DeWitt – shows the lead character pouting with a shotgun nestled on his shoulder. There’s also a blimp...
News Sony Reduces PS Plus Price for First European Christmas Deal
Cost effective
Sony’s launched the first deal in its Christmas countdown promotion. European gamers will be able to secure a 90-day subscription to PlayStation Plus for just £7.99/€9.99. That represents a 33 per cent saving over the standard price, which is £11.99/€14.99. With the likes of Batman: Arkham City, Limbo, and Vanquish set to be
News Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD Baffles Vita on 18th December
Save your moolah
After what seems like an eternity, the bizarre Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD will finally assault the PlayStation Vita on 18th December in North America. A European date will follow in the coming days, as soon as developer Just Add Water has ironed out some final details with SCEE. According to the studio, the curious...
News Meet Another Member of The Last of Us' Cast at the VGAs
Survivor
The build up to the 2012 Spike Video Game Awards seems significantly more muted than previous years, but at least there’s a new The Last of Us trailer to look forward to. Hype man Geoff Keighley has taken to Twitter to reveal that a new member of the game's cast will debut at the show next week. We haven’t seen much of Naughty Dog’s...
Friday30th Nov 2012
Review Far Cry 3 (PlayStation 3)
Insane in the membrane
Far Cry 3 will find you questioning your sanity, your loyalty, and your will to survive. This tropical adventure gone violent provides the perfect distraction for you to whittle away your winter nights with – and days, too. It offers an exhilarating journey that you'll struggle to put down, and will linger long in the memory...
News Sony Patents Bizarre Break Apart DualShock Controller
Shake it all about
Sony has patented a product called the Hybrid Separable Motion Controller. While it may sound like a fancy gizmo, it actually amounts to little more than a DualShock 3 controller that snaps in half. Oh, and it’s got PlayStation Move bobbles bunged on top. The registration – which was filed in May last year and published on...
News Sony Counting Down to Christmas with PSN Deals
Mistletoe and wine
As Santa’s sleigh bells draw ever near, Sony is lining up a slew of discounts on the European PlayStation Store designed to keep you in festive spirits. Starting on 1st December – that’s tomorrow for those of you not keeping track – the platform holder will launch a brand new Christmas cracker every 48 hours. The...
News Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus Cuts Down Difficulty with Hero Mode
Down to size
Tecmo Koei's implementing a beginner option into the wordy Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus. The patronisingly named ‘Hero’ mode will allow ninja newbies to conquer the upcoming PlayStation Vita re-release without needing to break a sweat. Well, unless Ayane is on-screen. The dainty difficulty will implement automatic blocking when...
News Wired Productions Reels in First Let's Fish! Footage
It's a big one
Set aside that smirk, because Let’s Fish! Hooked On looks awesome. Not only is the arcade angling title the product of former SEGA Bass Fishing developers, but it also allows you to watch underdressed anime girls handle enormous rods in public. That’s worth the price of admission alone. The full game promises an engrossing story...
News Analyst: Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Sales Are Cause for Concern
Industry may as well pack up
Sales for Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 are trending 15 per cent lower than last year’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, an analyst has claimed. Arvind Bhatia of financial firm Sterne Agee noted that the sales for last year’s title were already 5 per cent lower than the original Call of Duty: Black Ops, indicating that...
News BreakQuest: Extra Evolution Is Bouncing onto PlayStation Vita
Going native
Beatshapers’ brilliant PlayStation Mini BreakQuest: Extra Evolution is bouncing onto the PlayStation Vita as a native release, the developer has told us. That means that the title will now boast Trophies, improved visuals, and online scoreboards. “We got the approval from Sony two weeks ago and are pushing it hard,” gaffer Alexey...
Preview Committing the Combat of Remember Me to Memory
Pressen matters
Earlier this year, we were lucky enough to receive a behind the scenes presentation from DONTNOD Entertainment, where co-lead designer Philippe Moreau helped demonstrate the brawling and melee mechanics in Remember Me, its Capcom published third-person action-adventure. It was clear that Nilin, the acrobatic female protagonist, was...
News RAGE's Anger Reignites with New DLC Expansion
You remember RAGE, right?
We’re so used to post-release plans being perfectly calculated that the apparent addition of new RAGE DLC has left us a little confused. It’s been over a year since the first-person shooter originally launched on PlayStation 3, and it hasn’t exactly maintained much mindshare since then. As such, the addition of ten...
News Sony Recruiting Willing Warriors for God of War: Ascension Beta
Death wish
It’s rare that the Gods seek the support of mortals, but this is one of those exceptional occasions. Sony is appealing for European PlayStation 3 owners to participate in the upcoming God of War: Ascension beta. To be in with a chance, all you need to do is visit this specially prepared sign-up page, login with your PlayStation Network...
News Ratloop Lays Rocketbirds onto PlayStation Vita Next Year
Fowl play
Ratloop Asia’s brilliantly bizarre Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken will make the jump onto the PlayStation Vita next year. The handheld port will include brand new levels, a fresh difficulty setting, and a handful of platform exclusive input mechanics. “From the beginning, I’ve really wanted to include these large Orwellian video...
Thursday29th Nov 2012
Review Sine Mora (PlayStation Vita)
Without delay
The side-scrolling shooter genre, so prominent in the 8-bit and 16-bit eras, gradually began its demise with the advent of 3D. The newfangled technology rendered the format passé, before refining its DNA into its spiritual successor, the first-person shooter. Those forerunners, however, tested lightning reflexes and memory skills,...
News Black Friday Propels PS3 and Vita Sales in North America
Big numbers
The North American video game market may not belong to Sony in the way that it used to, but that didn’t stop the Japanese giant from recording some impressive sales during Black Friday week (18th to 24th November). The platform holder has announced that it sold a whopping 525,000 PlayStation 3s during the seven day window, and a...
News Ubisoft Would Like to Know What You Think of Uncharted 3
Drake out of ten
A survey for Assassin’s Creed III – captured by the industrious folks over at The Gaming Liberty – wants to know how much you like Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. The game is explicitly referenced in the questionnaire, suggesting that publisher Ubisoft may be considering taking its historical franchise in a more set-
News The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth Is Coming to PS3 and Vita
Brought to life
Edmund McMillen has confirmed that The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is coming to both the PlayStation 3 and Vita. The game was teased earlier today, but now the outspoken developer has provided some firm details for you to sink your teeth into. The re-release will include the full original game, alongside the Wrath of the
News Amazon Bundling PlayStation 3 with Vita for £499.99 in UK
All-stars
Earlier in the year, Sony stated that it was not averse to the idea of bundling the PlayStation 3 with the Vita. "We'd have nothing against that whatsoever," SCEUK’s Fergal Gara told CVG. "And it's not out of the question that we would do that this Christmas if we wanted to.” It turns out that those weren’t empty words. The UK arm...
News God of War Movie May Deviate from Game's Plot
With hopes of starting over
We don’t know why we credit these movie tie-in stories with bandwidth anymore, but we suppose that God of War is too big to ignore. Apparently, platform holder Sony has commissioned a flick based on the feisty franchise, with scriptwriters Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan given the go ahead to re-write Kratos’ story...
News Embrace Your Inner Hipster with a $99 PSP-3000
Back to the future
There may be a new portable PlayStation platform in town, but that doesn’t mean that the previous generation is totally out of fashion. Amazon is currently selling the old-school PSP-3000 for a bargain bin $99 in North America. That represents a $30 saving over the standard retail price, which is excellent value for a system...
News Urban Trial Freestyle Accelerates onto PSN and Vita Next Year
Bunny hop
Tate Interactive’s oft-delayed Trials Evolution derivative Urban Trials has re-emerged today with a new name. The wordier Urban Trial Freestyle will release worldwide next year as a digital download on both the PlayStation 3 and Vita. The game will boast five lively environments, each full of contorted terrain and moving objects. It...
News Why We Don't Get a New Grand Theft Auto Game Every Year
Rising crime
The excellent Grand Theft Auto franchise is no slouch. Speaking at this week’s Credit Suisse 2012 Technology Conference, Take Two CEO Strauss Zelnick revealed that the open world crime series has shipped an eye-watering 125 million units since its inception back in 1997. However, despite the brand’s success, the company refuses to...
News Nicalis Resurrects The Binding of Isaac for Consoles
Born again
Edmund McMillen’s macabre indie darling The Binding of Isaac is heading to consoles, according to a post-mortem of the PC release. The dark, biblical adventure will be ported to various PlayStation platforms – though there’s currently no confirmation of which – by Nicalis, who will add online co-op, revamped graphics, and two...
News New Vita Bundle Includes PS Plus and Unit 13 for $299.99
Fresh blood
If you haven’t delved into the wonderful world of PlayStation Vita ownership just yet, Sony has announced a new North American bundle designed to get you on board. The attractive $299.99 package includes a 3G console, a 12 month subscription to PlayStation Plus, a download voucher for Unit 13, and a completely useless 4GB memory card...
Wednesday28th Nov 2012
Review Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward (PlayStation Vita)
Nine is a magic number
Taking place in the not-so-distant future, Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward puts you in the role of Sigma, a young man who’s removed from his normal life and forced to take part in the ‘Nonary Game’ – a sick and twisted creation that ponders whether you're willing to betray in order to survive. Virtue’s Last...
Talking Point Does the PS4 Need to Do More Than Push Polygons?
Generation game
Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Aime reckons that Sony will need to do more than manufacture cutting edge technology in order to compete with the Wii U. The executive was responding to a query regarding the longevity of the recently released platform once the next generation console eventually arrives. “In the end, our...
News Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Shoots Down Japanese Sales Charts
Hottin' up
Japan may be quite introverted with its video game tastes, but it does enjoy the odd first-person shooter. That’s evidenced this week by the surprising sales numbers for Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, which managed to shift a whopping 197,350 units on PlayStation 3 alone. In fact, it was a good week for Sony’s home console in general,...
News Start a Special Journey with Travel Bug on PlayStation Vita
Around the world in anty days
If you’ve ever wanted a globetrotting insect as a pet, then Lucid Games’ latest PlayStation Vita application should have you smiling like a buccaneer in a biplane. The complimentary Travel Bug will allow you to rear your own adventurous creepy-crawly, and send it on a journey around the world via Near. While your...
News PS Plus Subscribers Secure Free Copy of Batman: Arkham City
The Dark Knight headlines another epic month
We’re not even going to waste our time trying to come up with superlatives to describe next month’s European PlayStation Plus update, because we reckon that the line-up will do the talking for us. From 5th December, premium members will be able to download Rocksteady’s excellent Batman: Arkham City...
News Destiny Makes History as Bungie Targets PlayStation 3
Halo, goodbye
Details regarding the next game from Halo creators Bungie have leaked online, confirming that the legendary studio is about to make its debut on PlayStation 3. According to the super secret information shared with IGN, the upcoming Destiny is a “sci-fantasy action shooter” that’s designed to be both “fun and accessible”. The...
News Futurlab Aims to Electrify Match 3 with Surge
Luxury fun
Not content with reinventing the scrolling shoot ‘em up and slide puzzle, award winning Brighton-based developer Futurlab has announced its intent to electrify the classic Match 3 puzzle genre with Surge. The upcoming PlayStation Mobile title – due out on 12th December worldwide – sees you connecting similarly coloured blocks by...
News Rockstar Games Gears Up for Grand Theft Auto V with Sale
Daylight robbery
If you still haven’t played Grand Theft Auto IV and its DLC, publisher Rockstar Games has announced that the critically acclaimed adventure will be adopting a slender price-point on the European PlayStation Network this week. For just £9.99, you’ll be able to purchase a digital copy of the seminal adventure, which is a bona...
Store Update 27th November 2012 (North America)
Double trouble
Hide behind your desk. This week sees the arrival of awful arcade brawler Sonic the Fighters on the North American PlayStation Store. At least there’s Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault, Ace Combat: Assault Horizon, and Men in Black: Alien Crisis to make up for the dire download. Wait a minute... Let's get down to business...
Store Update 28th November 2012 (Europe)
Bubble pop
Nothing in this week’s European PlayStation Store update is going to grab your attention like a Hyuna music video, but there are still a handful of goodies to keep your eye on. Ratchet & Clank: Q-Force, Travel Bug, and Dead or Alive 5 appear to be the most notable new additions. Shut down that YouTube tab, and we’ll get started.
Tuesday27th Nov 2012
Review Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault (PlayStation 3)
Zurgo rush
Insomniac Games has never shied away from experimenting with its premium platforming franchise, but Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault represents the series’ biggest departure yet. Designed to celebrate the brand’s tenth anniversary, the downloadable mini-adventure blends the property’s traditional twitch-based gunplay with...
Review Jetpack Joyride (PlayStation Minis)
Fun size
You are Barry Steakfries: Nate Drake look-alike, coin collector, and experimental technology thief. Bored of his life in the ‘Secret Underground Laboratory’, Barry makes a one-way bid for freedom. He’s doomed of course, but don’t tell him. It’d break his heart. One of the few iPhone apps to make the jump to PlayStation Minis,...
News Who Fancies a Trip to Yakuza 5's Club SEGA Arcade?
Raises hand
If you’ve played any of the previous Yakuza games, then you’ll know how hard it is to resist the lure of the local Club SEGA arcade. Who cares if Haruka's captured and there’s a rival gang stepping on the Tojo Clan’s toes? There’s always time for a session on Boxcelios. This video of Yakuza 5’s recently released Japanese...
News Bethesda States That Skyrim DLC Is Still Coming to PS3
Keep your cool
You’d be forgiven for forgetting about The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim’s DLC, but Bethesda promises that the content is still coming to the PlayStation 3. The publisher has spent an entire year trying to port the title’s expansion packs to Sony's system, but has so far failed to launch any post-release content for the platform...
News Nintendo: Our Competitors Need to React to What We're Doing
Gadgets and gizmos
Following his controversial interview with CNN earlier in the week, Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Aime has suggested that Sony will need to offer more than just upgraded visuals with the next PlayStation console. Chatting with CNET, the outspoken executive brushed aside claims that the recently released Wii U will be...
News This PlayStation All-Stars Commercial Is Really Weird
What?
If you thought the European advertisement for PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale was strange, then wait until you watch this North American alternative. It’s been produced by the Robot Chicken team, and shows some of the game’s characters chilling out in a company break room. Unfortunately, while it tries really hard, it isn't even...
News Dynasty Warriors 7: Empires Slices and Dices PS3 Next Year
Another one?
Dynasty Warriors fans will get another chance to chop down incalculable numbers of enemies next year, when the latest entry in the impressively large series swings onto PS3 in Western territories. The wordy Dynasty Warriors 7: Empires will be available as a digital download from 19th February in North America, and as a retail title from...
News Dishonored 'Dunwall City Trials' DLC Deploys on 11th December
Refresher course
The monarchs of Dunwall would like to cordially invite you to the City Trials set to take place in critically acclaimed PlayStation 3 adventure Dishonored next month. From 11th December, those who cough up the $4.99/£3.99 entrance fee will be able to partake in 10 challenge maps that have been specially designed to analyse your...
News MLB 13 The Show Strikes PS3 and Vita on 5th March
Home run
It may only feel like a few months since the last baseball title launched on PlayStation 3 and Vita (protip: it was), but that’s not stopping Sony from readying MLB 13 The Show for 5th March. The sequel to the popular sports simulation will include a number of new features, including a Playoff option, a beginner setting, and general...
News Labyrinth Legends Crawls onto PSN in Time for Christmas
Tales from the crypt
We’re getting agonisingly close to Christmas now – seriously, the next door neighbours have already erected their tree – but that’s not stopping publishers from announcing new titles for the PlayStation 3. One such late arrival is Labyrinth Legends, a brand new dungeon crawler from experienced outfit Creat Studios. The...
News Max Payne 3 DLC Prompts Painful Memories Next Week
Close your mind
Max Payne 3 will have to endure Painful Memories next week, when the third-person shooter’s latest oft-delayed DLC pack targets the PlayStation Store. From 4th December, players will be able to unlock access to four new maps, including the Roscoe street subway stage from the original game. The expansion will also add the IMG 5.56...
Monday26th Nov 2012
News Rub Pretty Ladies with Compile Heart's Latest Vita Game
Subtle as a brick
You might not want to play Compile Heart’s latest PlayStation Vita title on the train. The so-called card game – entitled Monster Monpiece – sees you rubbing the system’s front and rear touch panels like... Well, we’ll leave that to your imagination. The full title will feature 40 different virtual girls to grope, each...
Review Hitman: Absolution (PlayStation 3)
Murder most joyous
With a six year absence since Agent 47's last outing, it's not surprising to see that everybody's favourite murderer has gone through a few changes. And while series purists may lament the days of yore, Hitman: Absolution still steals the show with its unique stealth elements, freedom, and deadly satisfaction. Indeed, Hitman:...
News Michael Pachter: PlayStation 4 Will Launch in 2013
Crystal ball
Likeable industry analyst Michael Pachter believes that Sony will release the next PlayStation console in October or November of next year. The chatty Wedbush Securities employee told the latest issue of PLAY magazine that he doesn’t believe the platform holder “wants to launch behind Microsoft again”. He added: "It isn't likely...
News Battlefield 3 Patch Finally Fixes Input Lag and Audio Issues
Redeployed
Ever since its launch in 2011, Battlefield 3 has struggled with input lag and audio issues on the PlayStation 3. Those bugs will finally be fixed this week, over a year after the title was originally released. A new patch – due out on 27th November – will “significantly improve” the controller response problems, as well as solve...
News Phantasy Star Online 2 Travels to Vita on 28th February in Japan
MAGnificent
SEGA’s ambitious free-to-play MMO Phantasy Star Online 2 will spread its wings to the PlayStation Vita on 28th February in Japan. The game will be available as a complimentary download from the PlayStation Store, and will share online servers with the PC version. A closed beta for the handheld release will begin in January, with...
News Sony Sponsors BAFTA Young Game Designers Competition
Winners take a trip to Studio London
As our recent feature on the development of Sheffield Hallam University title BounceBack evidenced, Sony is heavily involved in the academic aspect of game production. Reinforcing that, the platform holder took a front seat at the BAFTA Young Game Designers competition, which took place in London last night. The...
News Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 Gameplay Teaser Takes Aim
Long shot
It looks like those extra months in the oven have been kind to City Interactive’s upcoming stealth shooter Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2. The former budget release looks every inch the blockbuster in this brand new gameplay teaser, which shows off the title’s stunning visuals. Sure, the gameplay appears to be a direct duplicate of that...
News UK Sales Charts: Black Ops 2 Puts a Bullet in Agent 47
Battle Royale struggles
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 managed to keep Hitman: Absolution at bay this week, as Square Enix’s prominently marketed stealth title could only reach second in the latest UK sales charts. Activision’s shooter suffered an 87 per cent drop in sales over the previous week, but was still strong enough to stay at the summit. It...
News It'll Take You Up to 15 Hours to Finish the Latest Tomb Raider
Killing time
Lara Croft’s currently crying like a celebrity out of the spotlight, because developer Crystal Dynamics has announced that her latest adventure Tomb Raider will run for a torturous 12 to 15 hours. The studio announced the snippet on its Twitter account, noting that the length will vary “depending on your play style”. In another...
News You'll Need to Explore BioShock Infinite on Your Own
Disconnected
Despite rumours to the contrary, BioShock Infinite will not feature a multiplayer component. Responding to a fan request on Twitter, series creator Ken Levine confirmed that the game will provide a solitary experience, just like the first title in the series. BioShock 2 controversially added multiplayer modes, which were designed by...
