News Sony Confirms That You Will Be Able to Talk to Your PS4
PlayStation Eye will enable voice recognition
Review Tekken Revolution (PlayStation 3)
King of free-to-play fighters
News - August, 2013
Saturday31st Aug 2013
News You'll Be Able to Listen to Game Audio Through the PS4 Controller's Headphone Jack
Never stop playing
We’ve all been there: it’s late and everyone’s gone to bed, but you’re determined to keep playing. While you may have needed an expensive pair of cans in the past, though, the PlayStation 4 will allow you to plug a standard pair of iPod headphones into the DualShock 4 and stream full audio from the game that you’re...
News What Third-Party Games Do You Want on PlayStation? Tell Sony's New Division
The only place to play
Not content with the avalanche of titles currently confirmed for the various PlayStation platforms, Sony has established a brand new division dedicated to bringing third-party content to its consoles. Creatively dubbed Third-Party Production, the new unit will focus on porting and localising games for the PlayStation 4,...
Weirdness Sony's Latest Xbox One Dig Is Actually Really Rather Amusing
Lighthearted banter
Remember at E3 when Microsoft executive Phil Spencer kept switching his shirts? He started the company’s press conference donning a State of Decay tee, but went through more costume changes than Lady GaGa during the firm’s hour-long keynote in Los Angeles. Never one to miss an opportunity to turn the knife, Sony’s own
News Cosmic Star Heroine Is the Retro Sci-Fi RPG You've Been Waiting For
Shining light
If you’re reading this, then you’re doing it wrong. Skip through all of the text and just watch the awesome SEGA CD-inspired trailer below. Then try to tell us that you’re not excited for Cosmic Star Heroine, the upcoming sci-fi RPG love-letter in production at two-man development outfit Zeboyd Games. The title was confirmed for...
News Double Fine Developing Free DLC for The Playroom on PS4
Happy action theatre
Sony wasn’t messing around when it admitted that it wanted to expand bundled augmented reality technology demo The Playroom. Speaking at a PAX Prime 2013 panel overnight, Sony’s chief of publisher and developer relations Adam Boyes confirmed that Double Fine – the developer behind weird Kinect minigame compilation Happy...
News Octodad: Dadliest Catch Reels in PlayStation Move Support
Flop 'til you drop
Never one to miss out on an opportunity to announce tons and tons of stuff, Sony has made an assault on PAX Prime 2013 – just over a week after revealing over 50 games in Germany. Kicking off the announcements with a very floppy limb is the news that Octodad: Dadliest Catch will support PlayStation Move controls on the...
News Ellen Page Examines a Beautiful Drama in Beyond: Two Souls Trailer
Once more with feeling
There’s something quite unsettling about this Beyond: Two Souls trailer. We’re not quite sure if it’s the haunting background music or the fact that star Ellen Page constantly sounds like she’s on the verge of tears, but it’s all rather emotional. Then again, we suspect that that directive came directly from, er,...
Friday30th Aug 2013
News Sony Confirms That You Will Be Able to Talk to Your PS4
PlayStation Eye will enable voice recognition
You’re officially going to be able to talk to your PlayStation 4 console and get some kind of response. Following on from this morning’s reports, a Sony representative has told us that the next generation console will support voice recognition v
Review DuckTales: Remastered (PlayStation 3)
A-woo-hoo
The original DuckTales waddled onto the NES in 1989, and for over twenty years, it has been remembered fondly by those that played it. But it isn’t just the game that has lingered in the darkest recesses of a generation’s memories, as so too has the television show. From the infectious theme song to the original voice actors,...
News Here's Your Very First Official PlayStation 4 Hardware Bundle
Reasonably priced, too
You can already pick up a PlayStation 4 bundle if you look hard enough. Most retailers are creating custom packages in order to entice consumers, but nothing official has been announced. That hasn’t stopped Amazon France from leaking what appears to be the first Sony composed hardware bundle, though, which collates the...
Review Snowy: Treasure Hunter (PlayStation 3)
Snow laughing matter
Fresh off Beatshapers’ porting production line comes Snowy: Treasure Hunter, a title starring a polar bear with a passion for treasure thievery. But while Beatshapers' porting pedigree speaks for itself, are Snowy’s adventures really worth the £6.49 asking price? Presented from a side-on view, the goal of each level is to...
Talking Point What Are Your Thoughts on the PS4's Launch Lineup?
Yeah or meh
Nintendo of America’s outspoken (but still very likeable) president Reggie Fils-Aime expressed his distaste for the PlayStation 4’s launch lineup this week. In the wake of the Wii U’s price drop, the executive told
News Wait, the PS4's Camera Will Enable Navigational Voice Commands?
"PS4, play Killzone: Shadow Fall"
While we’re still not entirely comfortable with the idea of having conversations with our consoles, it sounds like Sony may actually be ripping a page out of Microsoft’s book. The product listing for the PlayStation 4’s enhanced PlayStation Eye camera on Amazon.com describes “navigational voice controls”...
Saturday31st Aug 2013
News Gaikai Streaming Is Totally Coming to PS3 and Vita, Too
Pretty soon in North America
It’s been a while since we heard, well, anything about Gaikai streaming. Sony rolled out Earthworm Jim creator Dave Perry during its PlayStation 4 unveiling press conference in February to touch upon the mythical service, but aside from confirming a 2014 launch at E3, it’s been pretty mute on the subject since...
Friday30th Aug 2013
News Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate Plans a Prison Break
Wentworth Miller missing in action
Outside of an off-screen gameplay video, we’ve seen very little of Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate. Fortunately, publisher Warner Bros has finally remembered to release a trailer. The game’s premise will be familiar to fans of Batman: Arkham Asylum, as the goons of Gotham City take control of Blackgate...
News Sony Stopping PlayStation Home Content Deliveries in Japan
Ceasing support in September
If you’re a proponent of digital avatar dancing you may want to apply a moody expression to your PlayStation Home protagonist, as Sony has announced that it’s to stop updating the virtual world in Japan from September. While you’ll still be able to access the online application for the time being, there’ll be no...
News Glug Some Grog with the Cast of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
Drunk on dialects
Our overseas readers will do well to study this brand new Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag video, as it very much provides a crash course on the various British accents. Acting as an introduction to the game’s main cast, the footage features an Englishman, a Scotsman, and a Welshman. All we need now is an Irishman, and we’ve...
Thursday29th Aug 2013
News Skype Eager to Arrange a Video Conference with PS4
Microsoft committed to cross-platform
Skype may be one of the Xbox One’s most prominent features, but that’s not stopping Microsoft from considering a PlayStation 4 version of the popular application. Chatting with the BBC as part of the video conferencing tool’s tenth anniversary, corporate vice president Mark Gillett explained that the...
News Tequila Works: RIME on PS4 Tells a Tale with No Words
Akira Yamaoka composing the soundtrack
RIME was one of the biggest highlights at this year’s GamesCom. The upcoming Tequila Works open world adventure is being published by Sony, and clearly hopes to revisit the emotions last felt in PlayStation classics such as ICO,
News Nintendo's Reggie Fils-Aime Not Very Impressed with the PS4's Launch Lineup
Meh
Reggie Fils-Aime’s body is not ready for the PlayStation 4. Chatting with IGN following the announcement of yesterday’s Wii U price cut, the outspoken Nintendo of America president described the impending console’s launch window offering as “meh”, de
News Ready at Dawn Emulating Lenses for The Order: 1886 on PS4
Eye for small details
Ready at Dawn’s upcoming historical adventure The Order: 1886 is certainly set to push the PlayStation 4 to its limits, but company co-founder Ru Weerasuriya doesn’t believe that higher polygon counts and image resolutions will be the highlight of the next generation. Instead, the studio head reckons that it’s more...
News Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus Floats into the Depths of Space
Looks like a crackin' time
Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus may be struggling to attain much attention amid next generation fever, but the throwback platformer looks like it’s legitimately worth anticipating. Veteran developer Insomniac Games is done with the atypical adventures that have plagued the series of late, and is plumping up for a...
News Bound by Flame Unleashes Demonic Power on PS4
It's getting hot in here
Last week at GamesCom, a new RPG from Spiders Studio was revealed for the PlayStation 3. Today, it has been confirmed that the aforementioned RPG, Bound by Flame, will also be heating things up on Sony's next-gen platform, the PlayStation 4. The release is currently scheduled for an early 2014 launch. In Bound by Flame,...
First Impressions Skylanders: Swap Force Courts Core Gamers
Trading up
Being talked through a game by the developer and playing it at home is a very different experience. To close this “reality” gap, Family Gamer TV went solo with a full level from Skylanders: Swap Force on the PlayStation 4 at GamesCom. Let’s get the elephant out of the room straight away: jumping is not a big deal in the world of...
News Grand Theft Auto 5 Plots the Perfect Heist in New Trailer
High stakes
Unfazed by the spate of leaks that have affected its launch a little, Rockstar Games has deployed a brand new Grand Theft Auto V trailer. Unlike the recent gameplay videos, this is a purely cinematic short which will also air on television. Those of you that are fans of Breaking Bad will be able to catc
News In Case You Missed It, PS Vita Firmware v2.61 Is Out Now
More stable than a Totem pole
Sony’s deployed another one of those ambiguous software stability updates for the PlayStation Vita. The mandatory v2.61 patch is available now, and is required if you want to connect to the PlayStation Network. Remember, if you’re planning to play the portable at some point in the near future, save us all the...
News Resident Evil Chronicles HD Collection Spooks NA PS Plus
ICO, Rayman Origins, and more up for grabs
PlayStation Plus subscribers are already enjoying September’s big update in Europe, but at least SCEA’s decided to pull back the curtain on its lineup a few days earlier than usual. As detailed on the PlayStation Blog, premium members in the New World will be able to scare themselves silly with lightgun...
News This Lovely Rayman Legends Trailer Will Bring You to Life
Whistling wonder
Few things in life are more utterly joyful than this Rayman Legends launch trailer. The video shows the legless hero running through a spate of different stages, and the colourful visuals and chirpy soundtrack will be certain to plaster a smile across your face. There’s even a mention of our sister site Nintendo Life – if you...
News The Last of Us' Multiplayer Would Like to Ask You a Few Questions
Latest patch adds Interrogation mode
While it hasn’t got anywhere near as much attention as the stellar single player campaign, The Last of Us’ multiplayer mode is exceptional. A clever blend of Counter Strike and SOCOM, the online extra sees you gathering up supplies and engaging in tense battles to feed and nurture your growing camp of...
Wednesday28th Aug 2013
Review Dragon's Crown (PlayStation Vita)
Worthy of the crown
It wasn't long ago now that Vanillaware released Muramasa Rebirth for the PlayStation Vita, and showed us exactly what it's capable of doing with an OLED screen. In an apparent effort to prove that it isn't done yet, the developer’s second game has already landed on the handheld in the form of Dragon's Crown. Though it may...
Feature Eight PS4 Titles That You'll Be Able to Play for Free This Year
Why pay more?
New console transitions are always expensive. Even with the PlayStation 4’s cheaper than expected recommended retail price, there’s still a lot to keep your credit card busy, with additional DualShock 4 controllers, charging docks, hardware stands, and plenty of retail releases to consider. Fortunately, for the first time in...
News PlayStation 4 Built Around Mark Cerny's Akihabara Test
Stop and stare
Even if you’ve never been to Japan, you’ll probably have some awareness of Akihabara. Literally the nation’s Electric Town, the district is famous for its abundance of gadgets and electrical goods. And according to lead architect Mark Cerny, the Tokyo-based shopping haven was one of the inspirations behind the design of the...
Review The Bureau: XCOM Declassified (PlayStation 3)
Should've remained classified
Serving as a prequel of sorts to the long-running XCOM series, The Bureau: XCOM Declassified attempts to fuse the strategic elements of turn-based tactical alien zap-em-up XCOM: Enemy Unknown with a third-person shooter. Unfortunately, while there are glimmers of entertainment, the concept doesn't quite coalesce into a...
News Sony Prefers to Partner with Third-Party Titles That Are 'New and Fresh'
The company's Destiny
Take a quick glance at the Xbox One’s lineup, and you’ll see timed exclusive content coming out of the console’s ears. Microsoft has partnered with titles such as Battlefield 4, FIFA 14, and Call of Duty: Ghosts, whereas Sony has been a little quieter in this department. That doesn’t mean that it’s not out striking...
Store Update 27th August 2013 (North America)
Games galore
There are so many new titles available as part of this week’s North American PlayStation Store update that we don’t really know where to start. In addition to a cavalcade of fresh retail releases – including Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, Lost Planet 3, and Killer Is Dead – there are also some smaller titles vying for your...
News You'll Be Able to Purchase and Download PS4 Games Wherever You Are
Every little helps
While the act of actually booting up the PlayStation 3's store to purchase software has become increasingly convoluted over the past couple of years, the PlayStation 4 is going to make things really simple. Responding to a request on Twitter, likeable Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida explained that you won’t even need...
News Rayman Legends Winding Up a Little Later on PlayStation Vita
Land of the Livid
If you’d hoped to be playing the PlayStation Vita version of Ubisoft’s hotly anticipated Rayman Legends this week, you may want to put your Globox impersonations on ice. The French publisher has revealed that the handheld iteration of its colourful adventure will not deploy until 13th September in the UK. This is so that the...
Store Update 28th August 2013 (Europe)
Spelunky dunk
If you were eyeing North America’s excellent PlayStation Store update with envy, then know that this week’s European refresh is similarly stacked. In addition to the wealth of new PlayStation Plus riches – Assassin’s Creed III, Jak & Daxter Trilogy, and many more – t
Tuesday27th Aug 2013
Review Lost Planet 3 (PlayStation 3)
You know the drill
Lost Planet 3 is a far cry from its predecessor’s grind-heavy, co-op based campaign. It’s a linear adventure that’s driven by narrative, and the gameplay borrows elements from several different genres and other titles. It’s a game that plays it safe, and for that reason it feels inherently familiar. But that’s not...
Review Killer Is Dead (PlayStation 3)
Crud on the moon
Killer Is Dead is unashamedly stupid. Executive producer Goichi Suda – better known by his nickname Suda51 – has made a living out of his bonkers plots and premises, but the latest product to drop off Grasshopper Manufacture’s production line takes the nonsense of No More Heroes and kits it out in a straitjacket. This is a...
Review One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2 (PlayStation 3)
Pieces of eight
Last month saw the release of Dynasty Warriors 8, the latest instalment in the seemingly never-ending hack and slash series. This month, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2 arrives on Western shores, bringing with it more vast, hectic battles to sink your bloodied weapon of choice into. You’d be forgiven for being worn out on Warriors...
News Gran Turismo 6 Tough to Put into Gear on PlayStation Vita
Handheld doesn't have enough juice
Sony knows that to shift a few million PlayStation Vita consoles in Europe, all it needs to do is release a version of Gran Turismo on the device. The simulation series’ PlayStation Portable entry proved as much, as despite being questioned by critics, it went on to sell a decent number o
News No, Grand Theft Auto 5 Is Not Coming to the PS4 Yet
Sony forced to apologise again
It’s nice to know that Sony’s going out of its way to rebuild bridges with the undoubtedly irritated Rockstar Games. Not content with pushing out a hackable version of Grand Theft Auto V this week, the manufacturer has now set the web alight by hinting that the upcoming sandbox adventure’s coming to the...
News Lucky GameStop Managers Scoop a Free PS4 and Seven Games This November
Well jel
If there are any PlayStation 4 stock shortages this Christmas, then you’ll know who to blame: GameStop has announced that the managers at all 6,500 of its North American stores will receive a free PlayStation 4 this November. But that’s not all – lucky employees will also scoop an incredible seven games to play on it, as part of an...
News Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Brings War to the Water
Ocean commotion
Forget about all of that free-running nonsense, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag looks like it’s going to be at its best when you’re engaging in combat on the ocean. This brand new video shows piratical protagonist Edward Kenway enjoying a spot of water-based warfare, as he takes down a couple of enemy boats and a fortress in...
News UK Sales Charts: Saints Row IV Takes the Seat at the Summit
Inauguration station
Saints Row IV has been sworn in at the top of the UK sales charts, fending off strong competition from Splinter Cell: Blacklist. Ubisoft’s sneak-‘em-up settled its night vision goggles on second place, while pricey toy platform Disney Infinity finished in third. Isn’t it nice to be able to talk about some new games for a...
News Oh, There's a New Grand Theft Auto 5 Trailer Coming This Week
Just so you know
Rockstar Games is probably the only publisher in the world that can prompt reporters to write a full story about the fact that there’s a new trailer for one of its titles on the way. Other companies have to release teaser videos and screenshots to get the hype rolling, but not the firm behind Grand Theft Auto V – it didn’t...
Monday26th Aug 2013
News inFAMOUS: Second Son Clears the Smoke with Neon Powers
Ruby red and diamond white
Many assumed that the tease at the end of last week’s brand new inFAMOUS: Second Son trailer was pointing to familiar electrical powers, but developer Sucker Punch has clarified that Delsin Rowe will be dabbling with neon. Those of you that have been following the
News Music Unlimited Is Not Going to Be Totally Useless on PS4
Sony amplifying streaming application
Another announcement that got largely overlooked during Sony’s fruitful GamesCom 2013 press conference last week revolved around the improvements that the manufacturer’s making to its Music Unlimited application. While the service has garnered some popularity on the PlayStation 3 and Vita, it’s always been...
Round Up Here's Everything You Need to Know About PlayStation at GamesCom
Show's over
Following a record attendance of more than 340,000 visitors, the doors have now closed on GamesCom until next year. Sony enjoyed another fruitful spell in Cologne, reinforcing its indie message and consequentially keeping our fingers busy with plenty of fascinating PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and Vita announcements. Don’t worry if...
Weirdness This Amazing Clicker Cosplay Will Chill Your Blood
Don't make a noise
Cosplay can be awesome – but sometimes it’s a little too awesome. Take, for instance, this unbelievable The Last of Us-inspired outfit modelled by DeviantArt user HAZENHYTE. The ambitious getup is based upon a Clicker from the post-apocalyptic game, and comes complete with fungal growths, washed out eyes, and lots and lots of...
News Level 5 Pings Wonder Flick onto PS4 and Vita Next Year
How fast can you flick?
If you were hoping that Level 5’s next release would be a Ni No Kuni sequel, you may want to temper your expectations a touch for the time being. The colossal Japanese developer has announced Wonder Flick, a bitesized fantasy RPG that aims to capture the feel of a sprawling adventure in short bursts. Clearly born out of...
News Oh Yeah, Twitch Is Totally Coming to the PS4
Stream demon
Sony may have glossed over the announcement during its GamesCom 2013 press conference last week, but Twitch is totally coming to the PlayStation 4. The popular streaming service – which many had assumed had been locked up by Microsoft – will allow you to broadcast gam
Sunday25th Aug 2013
News Forget About Cross-Game Chat, PS4 Will Feature Cross-Platform Chat
Never miss out on the hottest gossip
After several years of complaints, cross-game chat will finally make its debut on the PlayStation 4. The feature will allow you to communicate with your friends at any time, enabling you to chat about the weather even if you’re enjoying completely different games. This functionality, however, will expand to the...
News Yoshida: It's a Luxury for Us to Not Have to Reveal Everything in Production for PS4
Hold your horses
Despite announcing an unprecedented number of titles at GamesCom this week, Sony’s suffered a bit of a backlash for focusing on grassroots development rather than its internal studios. For some, the PlayStation 4 is lacking in the first-party blockbuster department, with only Killzone: Shadow Fall, inFAMOUS: Second Son,
Interview Octodad: Dadliest Catch Developer Talks Tentacles, PS4, and Fishy Disguises
Green around the gills
You know that the industry’s changing when a game about a closet cephalopod garners just as much attention as the next million dollar blockbuster from a multinational team. Sony’s taken great strides to put smaller studios on a level playing field with its first-party developers, and that was evidenced at E3 when Young...
News You'll Be Listening to Some Stellar Tracks in Grand Theft Auto V
Sony apologises for leak
This is more or less why we can’t have nice things. Sony made Grand Theft Auto V available for download on the European PlayStation Store this week. With the file spanning an enormous 18GB, the company wanted to make it easy for players to download ahead of the game’s release on 17th September. Sadly, the file’s been...
Saturday24th Aug 2013
Feature 15 Fresh PS4, PS3, and Vita Titles That Should Be on Your Wishlist
Open the floodgates
Sony dropped an atomic bomb of indie announcements at GamesCom this week. The sheer number of titles confirmed for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and Vita has been unprecedented over the past few days, as evidenced by the empty coffee jars and film of human filth that’s infected our office. The company backed small studios...
GamesCom 2013 Killzone: Shadow Fall Dazzles with Delicious Multiplayer Footage
Play by your own rules
Killzone: Shadow Fall may have some stiff competition in Battlefield 4 and Call of Duty: Ghosts, but it’s shaping up to be the first-person shooter to own alongside your shiny new PlayStation 4. Dutch developer Guerrilla Games took the gas mask off the first-pa
Feature Sony's GamesCom 2013 Showcase - Did It Meet Our Expectations?
Looking back on the PS4, PS3, and Vita's presence in Cologne
We’ve had press releases coming out of our ears since Sony’s explosive GamesCom press conference on Tuesday, but having finally had a chance to reflect upon it – and clean up the dirty coffee cups that have been sitting on our desks since the beginning of the week – we’re now...
GamesCom 2013 Check Out the Windscreen Reflections in This DriveClub Video
How fast do you want to go?
We know that we’ve already posted a video of DriveClub’s updated GamesCom 2013 build, but this footage is even better. Not only is the driver an absolute machine, but the graphics look utterly unbelievable. If you had any doubts about the jump in visual fidelity on new hardware, watch how the dashboard reflections...
News Tomb Raider's Popularity Hasn't Capsized, Reboot Reaches 4 Million Sales
That's a Lara copies
It may have been branded a sales disappointment by a deluded Square Enix management team, but Crystal Dynamics’ critically acclaimed Tomb Raider reboot is anything but a commercial flop. As part of a candid blog post on Gamasutra, new head of studios Darrell Gallagher revealed that the title has
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue Twelve
Relax, don't do it
It’s been a flat out week here at Push Square towers, which means that we’re all looking forward to a spot of video game respite. And as has become a bi-weekly tradition, we’ve gathered together as many team members as we could find to talk about what’s on our gaming agenda this Bank Holiday weekend. But as you should know...
Friday23rd Aug 2013
GamesCom 2013 Absorb 15 Minutes of New Knack Gameplay
Growing in stature
Without ever really doing anything wrong, Knack has struggled to impress us. When we got our hands on the upcoming Japan Studio platformer earlier in the year, we enjoyed the overarching premise, but didn’t feel that it was doing enough to deserve its status at the forefront of the PlayStation 4’s launch lineup
GamesCom 2013 Relive PlayStation President Andrew House's Xbox One Jab
Sick burn
We suppose that it wouldn’t be a PlayStation press conference without a subtle dig at the competition. Sony’s been mocking Microsoft ever since SCEA president Jack Tretton raised the roof at E3 2013 with the PlayStation 4’s used game policies, so it was no real surprise to see group gaffer Andrew House take a shot at its
GamesCom 2013 You Can Play Beyond: Two Souls with a Touchscreen
You can recruit a partner, too
You can absolutely play Quantic Dream’s upcoming Beyond: Two Souls with a controller, but the game will support touchscreen inputs, too. Available through a free iOS and Android app, the download will allow you to slide your finger across the screen to move protagonist Jodie Holmes and her spiritual companion Aiden...
GamesCom 2013 EA Insists That It Still Has a Strong Relationship with Sony
Company impressed with PS4
Perhaps one of the biggest stories of the past three months has been EA’s, ahem, unprecedented partnership with Microsoft. The vast majority of the publisher’s lineup is either being marketed in conjunction with the Xbox One, has timed exclusive content on the Redmond-based manufacturer’s machine, or is outright...
GamesCom 2013 Flame Over Is the Firefighting Game You've Been Waiting For
Laughing Jackal reveals fiery roguelike
When the developer of the brilliant OMG HD Zombies and Hungry Giraffe says that it's deep into development on a roguelike title featuring firefighters, you should probably pay attention. Fortunately, that’s exactly what Laughing Jackal has announced this afternoon on the PlayStation Blog, revealing
GamesCom 2013 inFAMOUS: Second Son Designed with Speed in Mind
Got any smokes?
Much like all of Sony’s first-party studios, Sucker Punch played an instrumental role in the design of the DualShock 4 controller. The company – which, of course, is hard at work on inFAMOUS: Second Son – is using all of the unique features of the peripheral, from the touchpad for computer panels, right through to the on-board...
GamesCom 2013 Gran Turismo 6 May Evolve into a Full Sequel on PS4
Kazunori Yamauchi hasn't quite decided
Polyphony Digital has already admitted that it has a PlayStation 4 version of upcoming racing simulator Gran Turismo 6 in mind, but it may have evolved into a full sequel by the time that it parks onto the next generation platform. Speaking as part of a panel at GamesCom this week, obsessive creat
GamesCom 2013 Wait, There's a New Lemmings Game on the Way?
Feeling green
Lost among the cavalcade of indie announcements, Sony has half-heartedly confirmed that it’s bringing a brand new Lemmings title to the PlayStation Vita. Predictably dubbed Lemmings Touch, the title has been completely redesigned around the handheld's inputs. Instead of using a cumbersome cursor, for example, you’ll order your...
GamesCom 2013 Avoid Droid Stays Out of the Way on Vita
Colourful chaos
The best thing about the current indie game renaissance on the PlayStation Vita is that you never quite know what you’re going to get. Take the upcoming Avoid Droid, for example, which squeezes the fruity centres out of Pac-Man and Snake, and blends the juices into one mouth-watering concoction. The aim of the game is to nibble on...
GamesCom 2013 BigFest Brings Music Festival Management to Vita
Big business, small bands
Assuming that you’re the type of person that loves to jabber on about unsigned indie bands rather than the latest Lady GaGa hit – it’s pretty good, by the way – BigFest should be your mug of homebrew. Leaked earlier in the year, and announced during the platform holder’s GamesCom press conference
GamesCom 2013 You Probably Shouldn't Ask These Hotline Miami 2 Questions
Where is Fork Parker?
Hotline Miami 2 developer Dennaton Games is holding interviews at GamesCom 2013 this week, but it has a few choice topics that it’d rather not touch. Those subjects revolve around popular queries such as, “Do you like hurting people?”, “Why do you call it a sequel when it’s pretty much the same?”, and “Why are you...
Thursday22nd Aug 2013
Reaction There's Never Been a Better Time to Buy a PlayStation Vita
Handheld heaven
It’s been a tough first year for the PlayStation Vita. The console’s had to contend with poor sales, a relentless competitor, and some serious questions regardi
GamesCom 2013 Don't Worry, DriveClub Looks Absolutely Delicious Now
The extra mile
We were a little bit worried about DriveClub when we first got our hands on the racer earlier in the year. Little over a month ago, the game looked frighteningly unfinished, and – if we’re honest – a little bit bland. But developer Evolution Studios has a habit of making late sprints to the finish line, so it’s perhaps not...
Interview Chatting Pool Nation FX on PS4 with the Potty Cherry Pop Games
Balls to the wall
Communicating with developers in a professional capacity can occassionally be a buttoned up affair, but Manchester-based indie outfit Cherry Pop Games prefers to forget the formalities. Following the successful launch of Pool Nation on the PlayStation 3, the company is currently polishing up an enhanced PlayStation 4 port dubbed...
GamesCom 2013 Check Out Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Being Played on Vita
In the Animus
Remote Play is undeniably one of the most exciting features of the PlayStation 4, but we were promised something similar on the PlayStation 3. As such, many have questioned whether the ability to stream next generation games to the PlayStation Vita will actually work. While this Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag demonstration doesn’t...
GamesCom 2013 Mark Cerny Talks PS4, the 'World's Most Powerful Console'
Quicker, economical, and efficient
According to the man that designed it, the PlayStation 4 is the world’s most powerful games console. Lead system architect Mark Cerny stepped onto Sony’s stage at GamesCom 2013 to talk up the next generation platform – and also model his designer spectacles. While the development legend didn’t have much new...
Friday23rd Aug 2013
GamesCom 2013 RIME Fuses All of Your Favourite Games in One Beautiful PS4 Sandbox
Sunshine and sand
GamesCom 2013 played host to a handful of truly tasty looking titles from Sony’s external development network, but Tequila Works’ gorgeous RIME totally stole the show. Still very much shrouded in mystery, the PlayStation 4 adventure looks like the outcome of an illicit threesome between ICO,
Thursday22nd Aug 2013
GamesCom 2013 This Is What Skylanders: Swap Force Looks Like on PS4
Nice 'n' shiny
Those pesky Disney Infinity toys may be stealing all of the headlines at the moment, but Activision’s own family friendly collectathon is not taking it lying down. Skylanders: Swap Force – which, for the first time, let’s you mix and match character parts – is due out on every platform under the sun this year, including the...
GamesCom 2013 So, Shadow of the Beast Is Making a Comeback
Altered beast
One of the more unexpected announcements during Sony’s big GamesCom 2013 press conference this week revolved around Heavy Spectrum’s reimagining of Shadow of the Beast. As a refresher for our younger readers, the original release was a side-scrolling brawler deployed almost 25 years ago on the Commodore Amiga. It was developed by...
News Yakuza Ishin Looks Like This on an Unspecified PlayStation Platform
Travel through time
Yakuza Ishin is definitely coming to a PlayStation platform, but we still don’t know which. The game – which was announced in Japan last week – will be featured in an upcoming issue of Dengeki PlayStation, confirming that the franchise will continue its association with Sony’s systems. Despite launching the title’s
News Assassin's Creed III Stabs EU PS Plus Members in the Back
Jak & Daxter, Stealth Inc, and more up for grabs
As mentioned during Sony’s big GamesCom press conference this week, Assassin’s Creed III will be available for free in Europe if you’re a PlayStation Plus member from 28th August. The divisive sequel will put you inside the period appropriate boots of a new assassin, a Native American named...
Weirdness Pac-Man Hits the Links in Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational
Waka waka
If you’d hoped that Clap-Hanz was slaving away on a new version of Hot Shots Tennis, you may be disappointed to learn that the company’s still committing content to last year’s Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational. The top-notch golf title – which scored a birdie on the PlayStation 3
Rumour You May Be Playing inFAMOUS: Second Son in February
Delsin knows
For some, the PlayStation 4 doesn’t have a killer exclusive at launch. The likes of Killzone: Shadow Fall and DriveClub look great, but they’re not system sellers for everyone. That’s prompted some to lament inFAMOUS: Second Son’s Q1 2014 release window – but if a comment on an IGN Rewind Theat
Wednesday21st Aug 2013
Reaction Sony Refreshes PS4 with Indie Vision, Keeps Ammunition Stashed Away
Shots not fired
Covering a press conference really changes your perspective of the content revealed within it. It can be all too easy to gloss over reveals when you’re sitting slumped in front of a laptop computer, but when you have to contend with a barrage of press releases in the early hours of the morning, it tweaks your outlook a little...
Interview FuturLab on the Sweat and Tears Fuelling Velocity 2X on PS4 and Vita
Neutrino speed is too slow
It was only a matter of time before FuturLab hit the big time. The brilliant Brighton-based studio has been gradually growing in stature over the past couple of years, and it seriously amplified its street cred by revealing Velocity 2X during Sony’s globally broadcast GamesCom press conference yesterday
GamesCom 2013 Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Goes Overboard With CG Hair
How much does this cost
Square Enix has always been known for its love of CG cutscenes, but we think that the opening part of this new trailer for Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII might be taking things a touch too far. It's almost like moody heroine Lightning and gritty-rebooted Snow exist purely to show off their designer hairstyles, despite...
GamesCom 2013 Unbelievably, PS4 Pre-Orders Are Ahead of the PS2 and PS3
Console set to smash records
Sony casually confirmed that PlayStation 4 pre-orders have exceeded one million units overnight, putting the next generation system on track to be the largest PlayStation launch in history. In fact, speaking with VideoGamer.com, SCEUK’s likeable gaffer Fergal Gara admitted that the numbers are already “way over and...
Weirdness Even the President of Sony's Worldwide Studios Needs Some Sleep
Zzzzz
Moments after stealing the show at GamesCom 2013, Sony livestreamed a roundtable session with a slew of notable PlayStation developers, including Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida. Sadly, it seems that the impact of the show – and travelling halfway around the world – took its toll on the popular executive, as he was caught...
GamesCom 2013 Watch Shuhei Yoshida Operate the PS4's User Interface
Around the dashboard in less than three minutes
We had hoped that GamesCom would give us our first proper look at the PlayStation 4’s user interface in action, and the platform holder did not disappoint in that department. In order to kick start its press conference in Cologne, Sony Worldwide Studios executive Shuhei Yoshida took to the stage to...
Thursday22nd Aug 2013
GamesCom 2013 Ready at Dawn Trots Out Images of The Order: 1886's London
The big smoke
Few games make us want to well up with excitement more than inFAMOUS: Second Son, but Ready at Dawn’s mysterious third-person shooter The Order: 1886 certainly sits among that list. While the PlayStation 4 exclusive isn’t technically on display at GamesCom this week, the studio has been giving behind-the-scenes presentations of the...
Wednesday21st Aug 2013
GamesCom 2013 Borderlands 2 Loots PlayStation Vita in 2014
Pandora's portable
Ever since Randy Pitchford hinted that a PlayStation Vita version of Borderlands 2 could happen with Sony’s support, gamers have been clamouring for the first-person shooter to hit the handheld. But in a move that’s more bizarre than Tiny Tina, it’s actually happening in 2014. The platform holder confirmed the port durin
GamesCom 2013 Are You Stuck in Knack? Sounds Like a Job for Robo-Knack
Co-op component will get you through the challenging stages
Knack probably shouldn’t be leading the PlayStation 4’s lineup, but as a title that adds variety to the next generation console’s offering, it definitely deserves its place among the roster of launch software. While it may look simple from the outside, though, the Japan Studio...
GamesCom 2013 PlayStation 4 Cultivates a Fresh Flower Port
Evergreen
It looks like thatgamecompany’s brilliant flower is set to sow its seeds on more than just the PlayStation Vita this year, as Sony’s list of upcoming PlayStation 4 software has confirmed that the critical darling is set to bloom on the next generation console, too. Details are scarce, but you can expect the additional processing power...
GamesCom 2013 SEGA Places Football Manager Classic 2014 on the Vita Transfer List
Star buy
Assuming that you already have an addiction to Sports Interactive’s soccer strategy game on the PC, then you may as well kiss goodbye to your social life, because Football Manager Classic 2014 is making a bid for your spare time on the PlayStation Vita. The streamlined spreadsheet simulator – which leaked earlier in the year –...
GamesCom 2013 Starbound Crash Lands on PlayStation 4
Final frontier
If the sheer wealth of indie games announced during Sony's big GamesCom press conference haven’t already started to give you eye ache, then we come bearing news of another. Starbound is pitched as an “extraterrestrial sandbox adventure”, and sees you trying to survive in a foreign and dangerous universe. “You’ll encounter...
GamesCom 2013 Japan Studio's Mysterious Rain Drenches PSN in October
Pre-order the soggy exclusive for extras
You may want to dig out your best umbrella, because Sony has confirmed that the heavens are set to open on the PlayStation Network in October. Speaking at GamesCom 2013, the platform holder confirmed that Japan Studio’s intriguing ICO-esque adventure Rain will drip onto its online shopping plaza on 1st...
News Ueda: The Last Guardian's Still in Production, But Isn't a Priority
Cluckin' heck
Japan Studio is too busy with Knack and Puppeteer to focus its efforts on The Last Guardian, director Fumito Ueda has revealed. Breaking his silence for the first time in months, the ICO and Shadow of the Colossus creator told
GamesCom 2013 Killzone: Mercenary Does It All for the Money
Pound land
Forget pride and honour – Killzone: Mercenary refuses to whip out its weapons for anything less than a suitcase stacked to the seams with cash. With the public beta already in operation, you’re probably too busy actually popping Helghast helmets to watch another trailer, but this does show off some of the more extravagant set-pieces...
GamesCom 2013 Batman: Arkham Origins' Firefly Trailer Sets Gotham Ablaze
Cooking with bat
How much action can you possibly cram into one trailer? That's a question Batman: Arkham Origins asks with its newest video, which shows our shadowy hero fending off the multiple assassins that will be hunting his head throughout the game. The new footage also introduces us to Firefly, a villain who's handy with a flamethrower...
GamesCom 2013 ResoGun Assaults Your Senses on PS4
Let your colours burn
Of all the PlayStation titles announced during Sony’s big GamesCom press conference, Housemarque’s so-called spiritual successor to Super Stardust HD was always a lock. Brilliantly dubbed ResoGun, the eye-watering PlayStation 4 shmup sees you conduc
GamesCom 2013 Murasaki Baby Takes PlayStation Vita by the Hand
Heart-shaped balloon
What do you get if you cross Tim Burton with Escape Plan and Limbo? It’s not a trick question, because it’s already been answered by Murasaki Baby for the PlayStation Vita. The title – the first of a collaboration with Italian developer Ovosonico – sees you guiding a homesick infant t
Tuesday20th Aug 2013
Live Watch the PlayStation GamesCom Press Conference Right Here
What's next for PS4, PS3 and Vita?
With the drama of E3 now a distant memory, it's time for Sony to return to the stage once again at GamesCom 2013. The platform holder's press conference is scheduled to start at 18:00PM BST (10:00AM PDT / 13:00PM EDT), where the company is expected to bring news of the PlayStation 4's release date, as well as...
GamesCom 2013 Say Hello to the New 'Magma Red' and 'Wave Blue' DualShock 4 Controllers
Colour me beautiful
Sony has just announced two new colour variations to the PlayStation 4 DualShock controller, and they look absolutely stunning. The new two-tone designs are called 'Magma Red' and 'Wave Blue', and are currently priced at $60/€59/£54. The controllers will available day one for the PS4 in Europe on 29th November and "later this...
GamesCom 2013 You'll Be Able to Buy a PS4 from 15th November in North America
Console coming to Europe on 29th November
Sony’s big GamesCom press conference brought plenty of huge announcements this evening, but the platform holder ended with an appropriate show-stopper, confirming that the PlayStation 4 will launch on 15th November in North America and 29th November in Europe. Considering that the rumours pointed to an...
GamesCom 2013 Evolution Steers DriveClub Pre-Order Details Online
Box art also crosses the finish line
You may be hoping that Sony turns the ignition on some new PlayStation 4 titles this week, but the platform holder has also promised to provide some updates on the system’s existing lineup. That’s started this afternoon with the confirmation of DriveClub’s pre-order bonuses. If you register your interest in...
Reaction Xbox One's FIFA 14 Giveaway Is Smart, But Sony Should Stick to Its Game Plan
Swapping sides?
In an announcement that’s been compared to the introduction of Lionel Messi in the dying minutes of a cup final, Microsoft has revealed that all Xbox One pre-orders will ship with a copy of FIFA 14 in Europe. It’s a game changer for some, as it effectively reduces the p
Wednesday21st Aug 2013
Talking Point Is the PlayStation 4 Launching Too Late?
Not what we expected
There were plenty of shock announcements during Sony’s big GamesCom press conference earlier today, but the PlayStation 4’s release date certainly rubbed against our expectations. We were confident that the system would deploy in late October, as p
Tuesday20th Aug 2013
GamesCom 2013 This Is the Launch Window Lineup for the PS4
What are you buying?
Sony’s deployed a list of launch window titles set to release on the PlayStation 4 between its 15th November arrival and the end of the year. While you may be eager to point out that the list looks quite thin, it covers retail games only, so the likes of Outlast, Blacklight: Retribution, and
GamesCom 2013 Minecraft Builds a New Home on PS4, PS3, and Vita
Bricks everywhere
It may currently be tearing up the charts on the Xbox 360, but that’s not stopping Minecraft from digging onto the – wait for it – PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Vita. The title will arrive on Sony’s next generation platform at launch, but there’s no word on whether the other versions will accompany it. We...
GamesCom 2013 PlayStation Vita Memory Cards Are Still Pretty Pricey
Open your wallet
One of the announcements that prompted the largest cheers during Sony’s big GamesCom press conference today centred around reduced PlayStation Vita memory cards – but they’re not actually getting that much cheaper. Writing on the PlayStation Blog, the platform holder confirmed that the 4GB card will cost you $14.99 (down from...
GamesCom 2013 Sony Slashes Vita's Price to $199/€199
Memory cards also getting more affordable
Sony has lopped a significant amount of cash off the PlayStation Vita’s recommended retail price, bringing the system down to $199.99 in North America and €199.99 in Europe. Even more exciting, SCEE president Jim Ryan confirmed that it will be offering “significant reductions on the price of Vita...
GamesCom 2013 Free 14 Day PS Plus Trial for All PS4 Owners
Let the good times roll
Not sure whether to sign up to PlayStation Plus when you grab your shiny new console? Well, Sony is offering all PlayStation 4 owners a chance to put their doubts aside by providing a 14 day free trial of PlayStation Plus with the purchase of its next-gen machine. The free trial will provide access to titles in the Instant...
GamesCom 2013 Helldivers Swoops onto PS4, PS3, and Vita Next Year
Your freedom is threatened
As hinted at earlier in the month, Helldivers is a brand new first-party project headed to the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and Vita in 2014. The title – a collaboration between Arrowhead Studios and Sony’s own Foster City outfit – is a top-down shooter set in a “satirical and dystopian future”. Well, that...
GamesCom 2013 Everybody's Gone to the Rapture on PS4
The end of the world as we know it
It wouldn’t be a PlayStation press conference without the debut of a title out of the ordinary, and Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture certainly filled that role during today’s GamesCom briefing. The first-person adventure – heading to the PlayStation 4 – promises to blend simple gameplay with a deep and...
GamesCom 2013 Even Killzone: Shadow Fall's Multiplayer is Swamped in Colour
No more browns and greys
Guerrilla Games is certainly trying to introduce colour to first-person shooters. Just like the single player offering, Killzone: Shadow Fall's multiplayer looks like it'll be full to the brim with bright, attractive maps ready and waiting to have the blood of your enemies splattered all over them. The trailer shows off a...
GamesCom 2013 The Order: 1886 Staying in Its Carriage
Ready at Dawn's historical blockbuster skipping show
If you’d hoped that Sony’s big GamesCom press conference would bring more information regarding The Order: 1886, then you may want to put your anticipation on ice. Sony Santa Monica has revealed that the game is going “dark” following its
Live Watch the EA GamesCom Press Conference Right Here
Get comfortable
It doesn’t feel like a week since the curtain closed on E3 2013, but the madness is already starting all over again. EA’s set to get GamesCom underway with its annual press conference, which promises to bring more news on the North American giant’s upcoming roster of PlayStation titles. Tune in below from 15:00PM BST (07:00AM...
GamesCom 2013 Delsin has the Power in this New inFAMOUS: Second Son Trailer
Rather stunning
Fresh from Sony's GamesCom conference comes this new inFAMOUS: Second Son trailer, that's full of cinematics and moody lighting. And the best part? You won't have to put up with the increasingly frustrating camera angles from the presser itself. The more we see of Delsin, the more that we think he's the kind of protagonist the...
GamesCom 2013 Velocity 2X Steps Out of the Ship on PS4 and Vita
Show thumb respect
Velocity Ultra already flirts with perfection on the PlayStation Vita, but Brighton-based developer FuturLab is hoping to take things to the next level with Velocity 2X on the PlayStation 4 and Vita. Announced mere moments ago during Sony’s big GamesCom press conference, the sequel promises plenty more o
GamesCom 2013 Sony Reveals Free-to-Play Creation Tool LittleBigPlanet Hub
Cheap as chips
Sony has announced a brand new, free-to-play creation tool from the universe of LittleBigPlanet. LittleBigPlanet Hub allows players to create their own game levels, kit out their Sack-things with new costumes, and share their gaming experiences with friends. While crafting your own stages and browsing through players' creations...
GamesCom 2013 Music Festival Creation Game Big Fest Takes to the Stage
Scream for me, PlayStation
During its GamesCom press conference, Sony announced a music festival management and simulator title for the PlayStation Vita. Big Fest allows you to become the multimillionaire music promoter that you've always dreamed of becoming, by designing your own music festival experience, adding real-life unsigned bands to the...
GamesCom 2013 BioWare Entrust Us With A New Glimpse of Dragon Age: Inquisition
How inquisitive
There's a while to wait yet before you can get your bloodied, armoured mitts on Dragon Age: Inquisition, which is now set to release in Autumn 2014, a developer diary confirmed during EA's Gamescom presser. The diary itself offers a few glimpses of new, in-engine footage, as well as insight from numerous members of the development...
GamesCom 2013 Crash Around with Knack in this Cinematic Trailer
A knack for storytelling
PlayStation 4 launch title Knack's newest trailer focuses on the story and Pixar-like cinematics of the game, as we get our most in-depth look yet at the characters and events involved. Knack's deep voice is certainly something that we'll have to get used to, but it does look like the release will attempt to tell a charming...
GamesCom 2013 FIFA 14 Demo Kicks Off on 10th September
Top of the league
You’ll be able to test out FIFA 14’s improved footwork from 10th September in North America and 11th September in Europe, when a demo for the upcoming soccer simulation is set to launch on the PlayStation Network. The full game’s due out a couple of weeks later on the PlayStation 3, and at launch on the PlayStation 4. Those...
News Thomas Was Alone Has Made Over 700,000 New Friends
Look who's popular now
Mike Bithell may be pumping up the, er, Volume on his second major project as we type, but that’s not stopped Thomas Was Alone from finding ample company across multiple platforms. Speaking on the Joystiq podcast, the indie rockstar revealed that the rectangular platformer has sold over 700,000 copies across PC, Mac, Linux,...
Monday19th Aug 2013
Review Saints Row IV (PlayStation 3)
The boys are back in town
At one point in Saints Row IV, your character, the Boss, tells series veteran Shaundi that it’s been “one helluva ride”, perhaps inadvertently summarising developer Volition’s latest title. What started out as little more than a franchise looking to piggyback on the success of Grand Theft Auto has travelled an awful...
Review Open Me (PlayStation Vita)
Box clever
There's finally a reason to dust off those augmented reality cards that came with your PlayStation Vita. While there have been an abundance of titles that support the laminated rectangles, Open Me's brain teasers really make digging them out a worthwhile endeavour. This is a fun, engaging, and quirky puzzle game that forces you to, ahem,...
News The Walking Dead Survives All Over Again on PlayStation Vita
Dead rising
GamesCom hasn’t even started properly yet, but the action's already underway. Telltale’s kicked off the excitement by confirming that its brilliant The Walking Dead episodic series is set to cause some serious moral quandaries on the PlayStation Vita tomorrow in North America. Could this week possibly get any better? “This version...
Review Do Not Fall (PlayStation 3)
Free fallin'
Abiding to the rules of the title proves to be a bit of a challenge in Do Not Fall, but it's a task worth trying. Despite some minor repetition niggles, this puzzle platformer is a lot of fun – even if it does flirt ever so slightly with the bonkers side. The premise harks back to the days of yore, where video games possessed a...
News Konami Reflecting Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate HD onto PS3
Sink your teeth into Nintendo 3DS adventure at last
If you’ve been sulking like a Twilight star over Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate’s exclusivity on the Nintendo 3DS, you may be tempted to flash your pointed teeth at the news that an upgraded version of the handheld title is heading to the PlayStation Network. The port – which...
News So, Sony's Still Not Done with That Whole Indie Thing
More savings than you can shake a Move controller at
As the sun sets on one PlayStation Network promotion, the moon is rising on another. Just a week after the conclusion of the PlayStation Play initiative, the platform holder has announced PS Vita Summer Select – a month long celebration of delicious indie gaming goodness. Best of all, it means...
News UK Sales Charts: Payday 2 Initiates a Holdup at the Top Spot
Grand Theft Auto IV returns
It looks like the UK market couldn’t get enough heist action last week. In addition to Starbreeze’s robbery simulator Payday 2 shooting straight to the summit of the sales charts, Grand Theft Auto IV also put in an impressive reappearance on the back of the recent Grand Theft Auto Online reveal. It’s a testament to...
News Puppeteer Presents an Epic Tale of Past Performances
Curtain call
As pointed out in our recent preview, Puppeteer is shaping up to be something special. The Japan Studio side-scroller takes you on a tour through a theatrical world, as you battle against pantomime villains with a pair of scissors. Of course, considering that this is coming from the same creative powerhouse as ICO and
News Child of Light Is a 'Playable Poem' Inspired by the 'Squaresoft Spirit'
Solid pitch
GamesCom is not quite underway just yet, but that’s not stopped French publisher Ubisoft from popping the champagne prematurely. The company has announced Child of Light, a downloadable fairytale developed by Far Cry 3’s creative director Patrick Plourde. The title – which is employing the same technology as Rayman Origins – is...
Sunday18th Aug 2013
Weirdness This Simpsons Style The Last of Us Art Is Excellent
Why you little...
Duffman can’t breathe – especially when he ends up face-to-face with a Clicker from The Last of Us. This brilliant piece of artwork by DeviantArt user Raqos reveals what would happen if the cordyceps virus spread to Springfield. We must admit, the very thought of an infected Bart Simpson makes us want to ‘Ay caramba’ and...
Rumour Call of Duty: Ghosts Sending Shivers Down Vita's Spine
White as a sheet
With the energy palpable ahead of Sony’s big GamesCom showing in Cologne next week, the Spanish arm of mega retailer GameSpot has hinted that Call of Duty: Ghosts could be coming to the PlayStation Vita. Activ
News SEGA's Latest Yakuza Title Will Bring You to Your Knees
Please, please, please bring it overseas
As promised last week, SEGA has announced the latest title in its popular Yakuza series. Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin – or Yakuza Restoration – stars a character named Ryoma Sakamoto, who has a more extravagant barnet than Russell Brand. The title looks like it’s going to be a historical entry, perhaps similar...
News Thief Rises from 25th February on PS4 and PS3
Real steal
Say what you will about Square Enix, the company knows how to produce a decent trailer. Eidos Montreal’s upcoming Thief reboot may have been mimicking its main character’s sneaky ways of late, but the publisher has put the title right under a particularly potent gas lamp this week with the awesome mood piece embedded below. It may...
Saturday17th Aug 2013
Feature PS4, PS3, and Vita Announcements You Should Expect at GamesCom 2013
Reading the tea leaves
GamesCom has always been good to PlayStation. While the likes of Microsoft and Nintendo tend to show up when they feel like it, Sony has always enjoyed an extremely strong presence at the German convention, dating all the way back to the PlayStation 3’s all-important hardware revision reveal way back in 2009. Erase that...
Talking Point What Are Your Hopes and Fears for the PS4, PS3, and Vita at GamesCom?
Greatness awaits
Despite being the biggest video games convention on the planet, GamesCom rarely serves up the jaw dropping reveals that are so common at E3. The stakes are much higher this year, though, with the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One going head-to-head yet again. For both Sony and Microsoft,
Sunday18th Aug 2013
Review Time and Eternity (PlayStation 3)
Love will tear us apart
Naughty bubble-baths and tongue-in-cheek dirty jokes are often commonplace in the JRPG genre, but they don't typically accompany an array of mature issues, such as the death of a loved one and secrecy. This is because contrasting potty humour with a deep storyline rarely works, as it’s difficult to empathise with any...
Saturday17th Aug 2013
News Grand Theft Auto 5's Trophies Don't Look Especially Easy
Time killer
You’re going to need to set aside a few hundred hours to earn the Platinum Trophy in Grand Theft Auto V, as the trinkets in Rockstar Games’ latest adventure look anything but easy. The rewards were leaked overnight courtesy of Xbox360Achievements, but we’re assuming that the PlayStation 3 gongs are identical – that’s usually...
DLC Review Stirring the Pot in Dishonored: The Brigmore Witches
Twist of fate
Dishonored’s latest DLC completes raspy-voiced assassin Daud’s story, continuing from previous add-on The Knife of Dunwall, as he pursues the mysterious Brigmore Witches and their leader, Delilah. Of course, if you’ve played through the original game, you’ll have some idea as to how Daud’s tale comes to an end. As such, the...
News Killzone: Mercenary Beta Opens for Brutal Business Next Week
Sharpen up soldier
Those of you not lucky enough to infiltrate Killzone: Mercenary’s private multiplayer beta earlier in the year will unlock access to the online stress test next week. Guerrilla Cambridge will be recruiting PlayStation Plus members from 20th August in North America and 21st August in Europe, followed by everyone else from 27th...
Friday16th Aug 2013
GamesCom 2013 PS4 Release Plans Will Be Shared in Germany
Platform holder teases big news
We’ll know exactly when the PlayStation 4 is set to launch this time next week. While a date always seemed likely at GamesCom, Sony has teased that its 20th August press conference will play host to “release plans” for the next generation console, as well as updates on the PlayStation 3 and Vita. “For one...
Saturday17th Aug 2013
News Sony Depicts the Visual Progression from PSone to PS4
Spyro to Shadow Fall
Do you remember when games were little more than a collection of polygons and grainy textures? There’s a good chance that you grew up during the PSone era, then, which means that you’ve been lucky enough to live through the technical progression of the PlayStation brand since its very inception. For those of you that have...
Friday16th Aug 2013
News July NPD: NCAA Football 14 Scores a Touchdown, Physical Sales Body Checked
Sony numbers still a secret
As has become a recurring trend for these NPD sales reports, the physical arm of the North American games industry declined yet again in July. The market as a whole dropped by 19 per cent year-over-year, with hardware specifically facing a 34 per cent decrease from $150.9 million in 2012 to just $99.4 million last month...
Rumour Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number to Dial PS4 and Vita
Lime green and tangerine
One of Sony’s big GamesCom announcements may have been accidentally outed overnight, as Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number publisher Devolver Digital added some unannounced information to the sequel’s trailer description. Originally billed as a PC, Mac, and Linux release, the company temporarily added the PlayStation 4 and
News Sleep Tight in Techland's Dark Adventure Dying Light
Good night, good luck
You can see the influences dripping out of this 12-minute Dying Light gameplay video. The upcoming Techland developed PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 adventure is two parts Dead Island and one part Mirror’s Edge. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though, as evidenced by the footage embedded below. The trailer shows off a...
News Persona 4 Arena Punching Back with New Characters
Put 'em up
Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu has revealed a new version of Arc System Works' story-fuelled fighting spin-off, Persona 4 Arena. The article also disclosed details about two new fighters: Yukari Takeba and Junpei Iori from Persona 3. Yukari Takeba is equipped with a pink, angelic-looking bow and specialises in both long-range and...
Thursday15th Aug 2013
News Rockstar Not Ruling Out PS4 Port of Grand Theft Auto 5
Focusing on current generation first
Grand Theft Auto 5’s recently announced online mode sounds like it was designed to be played for the rest of time. The multiplayer component will allow you to embark on competitive and collaborative adventures within the Los Santos sandbox, create your own custom missions, and even engage in a spot of golf...
News Grand Theft Auto 5 Takes the Sandbox Online on 1st October
Limitless potential
As promised, Rockstar Games has pulled back the curtain on Grand Theft Auto V’s multiplayer mode. The online component – set to launch on 1st October – will see you collaborating and competing with other players in a connected world, all in order to earn reputation and rise through the ranks. The developer considers this...
Weirdness This Mass Effect Dress Is the Best Outfit on the Citadel
FemShep would be proud
Video game shirts are great and all, but they pale in comparison to Black Milk Clothing’s awesome range of Mass Effect-themed outfits and accessories. The Australian boutique designer launched a line of licensed Mass Effect garments overnight, and they’re pretty much our favourite threads on the Citadel. Yeah, we know that...
Rumour Sony's Next Big PS4 Exclusive Could Be Named Helldivers
Platform holder registers domain
Sony's said that it plans to release 20 exclusive games for the PlayStation 4 within its first year on the market, but we still only know about four of them. While that’s likely to change at GamesCom next week, online sleuth Superannuation has already uncovered evidence of a potential next generation release named...
News Sounds Like Sony May Be Taking the TV, TV, TV Track, Too
Company on the cusp of groundbreaking deal
Microsoft may have been ridiculed for its frankly baffling emphasis on television during the Xbox One’s reveal back in May, but Sony was never going to let its competitor outright dominate the market that it’s been fighting for ever since the PlayStation 2 included a DVD player. The Wall Street Journal...
News Dragon's Crown Rules Europe on 11th October
King of the continent
Dragon’s Crown may already be setting hearts aflutter in North America, but you won’t have to wait an eternity for the European release. NIS America has revealed that the brawler will bash both the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita to bits on 11th October overseas. Those of you that pre-order at participating retailers...
News PlayStation Plus Will Rake in $1.2 Billion a Year, Reckons Analyst
Did it for the dollar sign
Sony’s decision to introduce a subscription paywall to its multiplayer offerings on the PlayStation 4 may have irritated some people, but it’s not hard to see why the platform holder made the decision. According to IHS analyst Piers Harding-Rolls, the firm stands to earn a whopping $1.2 billion in annual consumer...
News PlayStation Vita Pets Dresses Talking Dogs in Tutus
Wag your tail and woof
We suspect that those of you yapping about the need for new PlayStation Vita games had something other than PlayStation Vita Pets in mind, but we still reckon that there’s potential in the doggy endeavour. The title – in production at EyePet Adventures developer Spiral House – riffs on the ideas originally introduced...
News Contrast's Latest Trailer Will Make You Tap Your Toes
Gimme that swing
Sometimes all that’s needed to sell a game is a great soundtrack, a compelling art style, and a unique premise. Compulsion Games’ upcoming glamour-in-the-gloom platformer Contrast has all three in abundance, propelling the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 title to the top of our wishlist. For those out of the loop, the release...
Wednesday14th Aug 2013
Reaction Xbox One Delay Leaves the Door Ajar for PS4
Windows of opportunity
There will have been one of two reactions to Microsoft’s sizeable Xbox One delay within Sony’s colossal European headquarters today: cheers or mopped brows. At almost every turn, the North American company has been playing into the PlayStation maker’s hands, and this latest setback is just another example of that. It’s...
News Call of Duty: Ghosts Will Let You Transfer Your Multiplayer Profile to PS4
You'll also be able to play as a woman
Activision’s come up with a cunning solution for the pesky next generation transition: allow you to transfer your profiles between systems. The multiplayer component of Call of Duty: Ghosts will let you move your data between the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 with ease. You won’t, however, be able to...
News Well, You Can Forget Watching NFL on Your PS3 This Year
Sunday skip-it
If you prefer your balls of the egg-shaped variety, then you may be gutted to learn that NFL Sunday Ticket will not be making a return to the PlayStation 3 this year. Speaking with IGN, a Sony representative confirmed that the football streaming service will be sitting on the sidelines this season. It seems that this may be a casualty...
News Housemarque: We Love the PS4's Architecture and Power
Finnish outfit is falling for next generation console
We’re mere days away from getting our first look at Housemarque’s inaugural PlayStation 4 project, a supposed “spiritual successor” to the sublime Super Stardust HD. The company confirmed earlier in the month that it will be jetting off to GamesCom next week, where it will pull back the...
GamesCom 2013 Sony Bringing Unmissable Reveals to German Show
Don't miss a thing
GamesCom is less than a week away now, meaning that the folks over at Sony are packing their bags and panicking over their passports as we type. This year’s show promises to be a big one, with the platform holder teasing tons of information regarding announced and unannounced titles. “Suffice to say, you won’t want to miss...
Store Update 13th August 2013 (North America)
Empty your pockets
This week’s North American PlayStation Store update is absolutely gigantic, spanning more content than you could possibly ever afford. New titles include Payday 2, Open Me, and DuckTales: Remastered. Speaking of which, you’ll need to be Scrooge McDuck to afford the PlayStation Vita port of Fruit Ninja, which is selling for a...
Thursday15th Aug 2013
News You'll Be Able to Transfer Your Battlefield 4 Progress to PS4, Too
Shots fired
Never one to miss out on an opportunity to rain on the competition’s parade, DICE has confirmed that you’ll be able to transfer your Battlefield 4 multiplayer progress from the PlayStation 3 to the PlayStation 4 – just like in Call of Duty: Ghosts. A strategically timed PlayStation Blog post revealed the news earlier today,
Wednesday14th Aug 2013
Store Update 14th August 2013 (Europe)
A-woo-hoo
Scrooge McDuck will be investing all of his riches into the European PlayStation Store this week, as there’s plenty for the DuckTales: Remastered protagonist to get his beak into. In addition to the aforementioned WayForward remake, Fruit Ninja, Payday 2, and Open Me are all vying for your funds. Shall we get started? Pre-Order:
News Awesomenauts Bringing More, Er, Awesome to PS4
Crank up the boombox
Ace eighties parody Awesomenauts is bringing its brand MOBA mayhem to the PlayStation 4. The title – which deployed on the PlayStation 3 last year – sees you competing in six-player battles, levelling up your character, and unlocking new moves as you progress. According to Dutch developer Ronimo Games, the port is being...
News You've Got the Whole World in Your Hand in Watch Dogs
The wind and the rain
Looks like Ubisoft has been keeping a close eye on Rockstar’s trailers. This brand new Watch Dogs video – yes, another one – outlines the impending adventure’s hacking mechanics, and details how you’ll be able to use your smartphone to take control of Chicago. You’ll need to unleash a virus in each of the city’s...
Tuesday13th Aug 2013
Review The Smurfs 2: The Video Game (PlayStation 3)
Feeling blue
One may assume that the business of producing low-budget movie tie-ins died with the untimely self-destruction of THQ, but Ubisoft has boldly picked up the slack with The Smurfs 2: The Video Game, and, as is normally the case with these sorts of releases, the results aren't particularly positive. The evil Gargamel and his two...
Feature Eight PS4 Titles That Are Changing the Game
New grounds
Prior to the PlayStation 4’s announcement, many sceptics questioned what the system could possibly do better than existing machines. Titles such as The Last of Us already look absolutely incredible, so it’s a fair query – even if it has been answered emphatically by the likes of Killzone: Shadow Fall and inFAMOUS: Second Son...
News First Image of North American 12GB PS3 Super Slim Emerges
Size doesn't matter
Those of you in North America will soon have the option to battle with hard drive space, as it looks like Sony really is bringing the 12GB PlayStation 3 Super Slim overseas. The console – which has been available in Europe for some time – had been rumoured over the weekend, but now an image of the teensy platform has emerged...
News Take a Tour of Los Santos in Grand Theft Auto V Travelogue
Paradise city
The daily drip feed of Grand Theft Auto V information is in full swing. Not content with teasing the title’s multiplayer unveiling, Rockstar Games has launched a travelogue on its website, which is overflowing with the sarcastic sense of humour that you can expect to find in the full adventure. The page – which will be refreshed...
News Good Grief, There's an 'Exciting' LittleBigPlanet Announcement Incoming
Read this article in your best Stephen Fry voice
Hold onto your burlap dolls everyone – a big LittleBigPlanet reveal is mere moments away. Writing on the franchise’s Twitter page, the community team behind the ‘Play, Create, Share’ favourite teased the imminent news. “Stay tuned to the PlayStation Blog because we have an exciting...
News Cherry Pop Pots Pool Nation FX on PlayStation 4
Salford studio chalking up launch title
Following the success of Pool Nation on the PlayStation 3, Manchester-based development studio Cherry Pop is racking up an enhanced edition for the PlayStation 4. Set to deploy around the same time as the next generation console itself, Pool Nation FX promises a slew of improvements over its predecessor. One...
News Sony's Secret to Indie Success: Don't Be a Jerk
Wise words
Sony has the indie development community eating out of its hand like a hedgehog hovering over a plateful of mealworms. The platform holder has turned its third-party relations around, assembling a dream team of taste-makers who have become the focal point of the brand. And during that transition, the company has learned some important...
News Yes, Grand Theft Auto V Is Totally Getting DLC
Well, duh
Strap on your body armour because this snippet is more shocking than a bullet to the chest: Grand Theft Auto V is getting some form of DLC. The news was revealed in the least glamorous place possible – no, not in Trevor’s bathroom, but on a support page for the game. Asked if the title would be region-free, Rockstar Games replied:...
News Cross Your Fingers for a PlayStation Port of Mike Bithell's Volume
Turn it up
Indie rockstar Mike Bithell has pointed the neon soaked spotlight at his latest project today, Volume. The game – which is described as a cross between Metal Gear Solid and Minecraft – sees you sloping through brightly coloured arenas, all while attempting to steal items. It’s been in development for around seven months, and will...
Monday12th Aug 2013
Talking Point Could PS4 Streaming Impact Native Vita Development?
Devil in disguise
Aside from games that make heavy use of the PlayStation Eye camera, you’ll be able to play your entire PlayStation 4 library on the PlayStation Vita. The promising Wii U-esque ‘Off-TV’ functionality is something that Sony envisioned with its previous generation consoles, touting the benefits of Remote Play as early as 2006...
Review Die! Die! Die! (PlayStation Vita)
Battles of the body
As you may suspect from the awkwardly dubbed Die! Die! Die!, your primary objective in this PlayStation Vita release is to kill everything that you come into contact with. However, what the name doesn't convey is that this isn't exactly an avenue for yet another murderous rampage. As it turns out, this is a Missile...
News Project Phoenix Developer Certain of PS4 and Vita Release
JRPG smashes Kickstarter goal in nine hours
Another wild JRPG revival has appeared. Hot on the heels of the success of Soul Saga and Liege, a slew of development talent has united to announce Project Phoenix – and it could be coming to the PlayStation 4 and Vita. The game – an old-school JRPG with “squad-based real-time strategy design” –...
News Sony Opens Zany Augmented Reality Game on PlayStation Vita
Don't be square
Open Me, Sony’s wacky augmented reality co-operative puzzle game, is set to think outside of the box on the PlayStation Vita this week. Just like Fruit Ninja, the title was listed as part of the PlayStation Blog’s weekly release schedule, confirming a North American launch. There’s no word on a European date just yet, but we...
Rumour Duke Nukem 3D: Megaton Edition Chewing Gum on Vita
Come get some
Gaming’s least popular alpha male could be bringing his specific brand of chauvinism to the PlayStation Vita soon, as it looks like Duke Nukem 3D: Megaton Edition is in production for the handheld. Devolver Digital – the publisher behind the recent re-release – Tweeted the embedded image earlier today, alongside the message:...
News Don't Expect Any PS4 Specific Features in The Division Just Yet
Pure and simple
You won’t be swiping the PlayStation 4 controller’s touchpad to change weapons in Ubisoft Massive’s upcoming The Division – well, not in the current build anyway. Chatting with Official Xbox Magazine – we know – game director Ryan Bernard explained that the Swedish company is focusing its attention on parity between the...
News UK Sales Charts: Tales of Xillia Conjures Fourth Place Finish
The Smurfs 2 feeling blue in third
Tales of Xillia got off to a flying start in the UK sales charts, finishing fourth in this week’s bestsellers list. The enjoyable Namco Bandai role-playing game scored favourably in our review, earning itself a respectable 8/10 and a strong recommendation. Despite this, the title couldn’t leapfrog The Smurfs 2,...
News Fruit Ninja Slices and Dices PlayStation Vita This Week
Still got a-peel?
Halfbrick’s iconic touchscreen arcade favourite will chop up a mouth watering pudding on the PlayStation Vita this week, as Fruit Ninja is finally set to launch on Sony’s flagship portable. A handful of leaked microtransactions teased the release in Europe earlier this year, but it’s now been included as part of the PlaySta
News Grand Theft Auto Online to Debut on 15th August
Is your body ready?
Ever since that delightful tease at the end of last month’s Grand Theft Auto V trailer, we’ve been dying to learn more about the game’s multiplayer mode, Grand Theft Auto Online. Fortunately, we’ll be finding out a whole lot on 15th August, when Rockstar Games is set to deploy a
Sunday11th Aug 2013
Review Spartacus Legends (PlayStation 3)
Are you not entertained?
Ubisoft’s first foray into the free-to-play market on consoles arrives in the form of Spartacus Legends, a one-on-one fighter that pits upgradable gladiators against each other both online and offline. It’s an historical premise that slots wonderfully into the genre, but does its freemium nature take away from the...
Rumour Is Sony Set to Drop the PS Vita's Price at GamesCom?
Breaking the barriers
A leaked Target flier hints that Sony may drop the PlayStation Vita’s price at GamesCom. The paper-based advertisement (pictured above) puts the flagship portable’s base cost at $199.99, some $50 less than its recommended retail price. Adding further fuel to the fire, the promotion is dated for 18th August to 24th August,...
News Polls Show PS4 Is Preferred Next Generation System, Says Sony
Top of the lot
In somewhat harrowing news for Microsoft and its upcoming Xbox One console, Sony’s chief financial officer Masaru Kato has told investors that around 80 per cent of consumers prefer the PlayStation 4 to its counterparts. The executive was citing polls including the Redmond-based manufacturer’s system, as well as Nintendo’s...
News No Assassin's Creed on Vita This Year, But You'll Be Able to Stream from PS4
Sail the seven seas
Against all of the odds, Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation was a solid success. The decent PlayStation Vita exclusive sold very well, but sadly there’s no portable version of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag in the pipeline. That’s becaus
Saturday10th Aug 2013
Review BreakQuest: Extra Evolution (PlayStation Vita)
Another brick in the wall
The humble block breaker has been stuck in a rut ever since Arkanoid introduced weapons and allowed you to shoot down bricks with Moonraker-esque submachine guns. BreakQuest: Extra Evolution, an enhanced PlayStation Vita port of last year’s well-received PlayStation Mini, aims to smash that sorry spate of stagnation by...
Talking Point Should the PS4 Feature an Avatar System?
Mii too
Rarely a week goes by where there isn’t a new LittleBigPlanet costume to buy. Whether it’s the re-release of seasonal outfits or some brand new threads to tie into a big movie or game launch, Sackboy’s the undisputed king when it comes to cosplay. But for as popular (and presumably profitable) as these downloadable garments are, you...
News Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Expansion Ushers the Apocalypse
No sign of Ben Affleck, though
Treyarch’s infectiously enthusiastic David Vonderhaar is back to provide a run-through of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2’s final DLC pack, Apocalypse. The add-on – which is due out this month on the Xbox 360, and later on the PlayStation 3 – includes four fresh maps and a brand new zombie co-op experience. The new...
News Sony Promises That PS4 Losses Won't Be Anything Like PS3
That's good news, huh?
Considering that the PlayStation 3 left Sony in a financial crater equivalent to the one that prompted the onset of the last great ice age, it’s reassuring to learn that the Japanese giant is not planning on burning quite as much cash with its next generation console. Speaking as part of an investors meeting last week, group...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue Eleven
Bigmouth strikes again
The weekend has crept up on us like Sam Fisher in Splinter Cell: Blacklist. We’re mere weeks away from the onset of the autumn onslaught, which means that this is your last opportunity to clear up your backlog in preparation for titles such as Rayman Legends, Killzone: Mercenary, and a certain next generation system. But...
Friday9th Aug 2013
Weirdness Saints Row IV's Wad Wad Edition Costs a Million Bucks
Money bags
Another day, another Saints Row IV publicity stunt – except this one seems to be having the desired effect. Deep Silver has partnered with GAME to announce the sandbox adventure's one-of-a-kind ‘Super Dangerous Wad Wad Edition', which will set you back a cool $1,000,000 to own. No, we’re not making this up. So, what does the...
News Cory Barlog Recruiting a New Team at Sony Santa Monica
God of War II director working on something huge
Cory Barlog’s “crazy announcement” turned out to be exactly what we expected: the God of War II director is returning to his former stomping ground, Sony Santa Monica. In an enormous post on the PlayStation Blog, the outspoken developer talked candidly about the tim
News Crash Bandicoot Spins Past 500,000 Downloads in Europe
Naughty Gods
Releasing old games like Crash Bandicoot on the PlayStation Network makes more sense than peanut butter and jelly, as evidenced by the fact that the PSone Classic has now surpassed 500,000 downloads in Europe. Sony confirmed the tidbit as part of its monthly digital sales charts, where the Naughty Dog hit held onto its place atop the...
News God of War II Director Cory Barlog Teases 'Crazy' Reveal
Has the king come home?
Put your hype in perspective – this is unlikely to be a game announcement. However, it’s still news worth anticipating. Cory Barlog, the man behind God of War II, has Tweeted that there’ll be a “crazy announcement” on the PlayStation Blog today. Our best guess? He’s returning to Sony Santa Monica. The outspoken
News Ubisoft Declassifies Splinter Cell: Blacklist Before Release
No longer invisible
French publisher Ubisoft has been spending too much time with Sam Fisher. The company confirmed that Splinter Cell: Blacklist is finished today, and that it’s ready for manufacturing ahead of release. Of course, you could be forgiven for forgetting that the stealth adventure's deploying in the first place, as it’s been...
News SEGA May Reveal a New Yakuza Title Later This Month
You'll probably never get to play it, though
Yes, we’re still bitter. We’d gotten used to playing a new Yakuza title every year, but SEGA still hasn’t said anything about a localised version of Yakuza 5. The sequel – which deployed in Japan last year – sounded absolutely amazing, but we don’t have time to study a foreign language in...
News KickBeat Dances to PS3 and Vita's Tune in September
Shake, rattle, and roll
It’s been a while since we heard, well, anything about Zen Studios’ music-meets-martial-arts PlayStation Vita rhythm action game, KickBeat – and that’s because the company’s been busy beavering away on a PlayStation 3 port. The title will now deploy on both of Sony’s flagship systems on 3rd September in North...
Thursday8th Aug 2013
News This Is What Originally Happened At the End of The Last of Us
Spoilers lurk inside here
Stop right now, thank you very much. If you haven’t finished The Last of Us yet, for the love of Ellie please click your browser’s friendly ‘back’ button right now. We’re about to blow the game wide open, so you’re going to regret it if you don’t sprint like a Runner late for the bus. Are we safe yet? Alright,...
News Sony Playing It Safe with PS4 Pre-Orders, Doesn't Want Customers to Defect
Hoping to get lots of stock on store shelves
As we know, Sony has locked down pre-orders for the PlayStation 4 in Europe. The platform holder has warned retailers across the continent that launch day delivery can no longer be guaranteed. However, according to
Feature Do You Remember These PlayStation Branded Mobile Phone Spin-Offs?
PlayStation All-Stars Island is not the first of its kind
Sony shocked, embarrassed, and tickled PlayStation fans today with the announcement of PlayStation All-Stars Island – a summery smartphone cash-in that sees first-party favourites such as Sackboy and Nathan Drake cameo in a collection of copycat minigames. But while
DLC Review A Birdseye View of BioShock Infinite's Clash in the Clouds
Booker the flights
BioShock is a narrative driven series that’s defined by its grand adventures and fascinating locations. Unfortunately, these hallmarks do not apply to Clash in the Clouds, the first of three DLC expansions for BioShock Infinite. This is a mostly gameplay focused affair, with the emphasis on action rather than exposition. All...
Weirdness PlayStation All-Stars Holiday in Coke Zero Phone App
Marketing mash-up
PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale may be deader than Sir Daniel Fortesque, but that’s not stopping Sony from partnering with Coca-Cola for PlayStation All-Stars Island – a co-marketing endeavour between the platform holder and the soft drinks giant for iOS and Android devices. Yes, you read th
Friday9th Aug 2013
News Don't Feel Blue, Below Could Come to PlayStation 4 Yet
What lies below?
It really doesn’t matter how many Capybara shirts Microsoft's Phil Spencer wears: it's not going to stop hotly anticipated Xbox One indie title Below from deploying on other platforms. In an open letter on its blog, the Canadian outfit explained that the game will “go elsewhere” after a short period of exclusivity. “It’s...
Thursday8th Aug 2013
News Pssht, You Won't Need to Pay to Share Game Footage on PS4
Shiny happy people
We’re convinced that Sony’s been glugging holy water or something. The company can’t seem to do anything wrong at the moment – and that’s making Microsoft’s errors stand out like a lighthouse beacon. Earlier in the week, the Redmond-based manufacturer revealed that you’ll need an Xbox Live Gold account to access the...
News Super Stardust Developer Confirms PS4 Reveal for GamesCom
Late boomer
We already predicted that Super Stardust HD developer Housemarque would be dropping some PlayStation 4 related bombs at GamesCom earlier in the week – but now the developer has confirmed as much. Writing on Twitter, the Finnish studio simply responded “yes” when asked by a fan if it would be
News As You'd Expect, Media Molecule Has a Ping-Pong Table
Tons of papercraft animals, too
Ever since we wore plimsolls and Donkey Kong shirts with a smile (sorry, we didn’t know any better back then), we’ve promised ourselves that we’ll one day work in an office where there’s a ping-pong table. We haven’t quite realised that dream yet, but if we keep cranking out quality stories like this one,...
Wednesday7th Aug 2013
Talking Point How Will the PS4 Controller's Touchpad Be Used?
Rub-a-Dub
We’ve already established in previous articles that the PlayStation 4’s refreshed controller is a thing of beauty. The analogue sticks feel sturdier than a body builder’s biceps, the triggers melt under your fingertips like a Mini Milk in the microwave, and the light bar looks snazzier than Chewbacca donning Dolce Gabbana shades. One...
News Oh Wow, Check Out the PS4's User Interface in Action
Thank heavens for crashes
We’re in PlayStation 4 limbo at the present. The console is approximately three months away, yet we’re still greedily awaiting more information about its software, features, and functionality. With platform holder Sony running a tight ship until GamesCom, that means that we’re being forced to feed on scraps – like...
News You'll Be Racing Through India and Canada in DriveClub on PS4
Around the world in three laps
Evolution Studios promised that DriveClub would take us on a world tour when the PlayStation 4 launch title was first announced, but so far we’ve only got a glimpse at muggy old Scotland. That’s because the developer has been busy beavering away on some more exotic locations behind closed doors – including Canada...
News Clutch More Clutter with Batman: Arkham Origins' Collector's Set
Stash it in the Batcave
Assuming that you haven’t already got a cabinet full of needless memorabilia to dust, you may want to expand your collection of gaming gumpf by grabbing Batman: Arkham Origins’ obligatory collector’s edition. The set – as you may expect – includes a premium statue featuring the Caped Crusader and the Joker. It also...
News Yep, PS4 Pre-Orders Are No Longer Guaranteed for Launch
You're too late
It’s strange that Sony hasn’t officially said anything about the PlayStation 4’s pre-order scenario in Europe. We suspect that it wants punters to go ahead and put a deposit on the system, anyway – even if launch day consoles are now no longer guaranteed. That’s official at this point by the way, as UK outlet ShopTo has...
Thursday8th Aug 2013
News Sony XDev Europe Plotting 'Fantastic' Reveals for GamesCom
Hold onto your hype
Sony XDev Europe, the Liverpool-based group responsible for external PlayStation projects, is planning some “fantastic announcements” at GamesCom. The outfit teased the tidbit on its Twitter page, adding that it’s “looking forward" to the show. The platform holder’s set to host a press conference on 20th August, where...
Wednesday7th Aug 2013
Store Update 6th August 2013 (North America)
Royal flush
This week’s North American PlayStation Store update is an absolute corker. In addition to the hotly anticipated Vanillaware brawler Dragon’s Crown, there’s also the brilliant Tales of Xillia vying for your attention. Other goodies include Ibb and Obb and new Soul Sacrifice DLC. Let's do this. Pre-Orders: NHL 14 ($59.99)
Store Update 7th August 2013 (Europe)
Help yourself
Wow, it looks like the European PlayStation Store has caught free-to-play fever. A vast majority of this week’s releases can be downloaded without even opening your digital wallet, including Spartacus Legends, Deathmatch Village, and BreakQuest: Extra Evolution. Other fresh arrivals include Floating Cloud God Saves the
News Die! Die! Die! Takes You on a Trip Through the Human Body
No, that's the name of the game
Die! Die! Die! hopes to get your blood pumping and your bowels rumbling this week, as it brings biological battles to the PlayStation Vita. The surgical simulator – out today in Europe – promises a seven hour excursion through the circulatory system, spanning three campaigns, 84 levels, and more. Judging by the...
News Sound Shapes, We're Gonna Party Like It's Your Birthday
We're gonna sip Bacardi like it's your birthday
If you happened to spot a small circle being sick In Da Club last night, then you likely bumped into Sound Shapes’ first birthday celebration. The game is exactly a year old in North America today, and while it may have acknowledged that fact with a few too many shandies overnight, it’s planning to...
Tuesday6th Aug 2013
Review Tekken Revolution (PlayStation 3)
King of free-to-play fighters
The video game industry is changing faster than a Tekken character’s costume. The digital era has ushered a flurry of new distribution models for publishers to exploit, and that’s left major firms like Namco Bandai juggling dozens of ideas in the hope of happening upon a critical hit. Tekken Revolution, one of the...
Review Tales of Xillia (PlayStation 3)
A tale worth telling
You may be inclined to disregard Namco Bandai’s latest offering in the Tales series, but although it's the thirteenth main entry in the franchise (not including spin-offs), and bursting with strangely dressed teens with voluptuous hair-dos – as well a few girls who need to be told that strategically placed ribbons don't...
News Amazon Warns That Fresh PS4 Pre-Orders May Not Be Fulfilled At Launch
British supplies running dry
Amazon is the latest retailer to acknowledge Sony’s previously reported PlayStation 4 pre-order deadline. The UK arm of the online giant has added a message to the next generation console’s product page, warning consumers that any purchases made after 6th August may not be fulfilled at launch. “Due to high demand,...
News Whoa, This Is How The Last of Us Almost Ended
Spoilers hide on the other side
Consider this your last warning: there are spoilers in this article. If you haven’t finished The Last of Us yet, then you may want to consider tapping your browser’s obliging ‘back’ button right about now. Have you done it yet? Can we stop waffling? Seriously, if you’re still reading this then we can’t be...
News What Does PlayStation Vita Firmware Update v2.60 Do?
Keeping things convenient
If you’ve powered up your PlayStation Vita this morning, you may have spotted that there’s some new system software available. Sony sneakily deployed firmware update v2.60 overnight, and while it’s not exactly bursting with must-have features, it does include some minor tweaks that should make using the system a...
Wednesday7th Aug 2013
News PS4 Downloads Can Be Adapted Depending on Player Habits
Smart system
Much in the same way that we always move the tomato sauce to the front of the fridge, PlayStation 4 downloads can be rearranged depending on which modes and features prove the most popular. Speaking as part of an interview with The Guardian, DriveClub’s technical director Scott Kirkland explained that certain circuits and vehicles can...
Tuesday6th Aug 2013
News Bluepoint Games Is Bringing a PlayStation Classic to Current Consoles
You've got our attention
Ooh, this is a fascinating little tidbit. Bluepoint Games, the Austin-based studio behind the God of War Collection and the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection, is currently “bringing a Sony classic to current game systems”. The snippet is mentioned as part of a couple of job listings, but no additional information is...
News Housemarque's Jetting Off to GamesCom, Expect PS4 Bombs
We're already drooling
Super Stardust HD developer Housemarque is set to swap its humble home of Helsinki for the bright lights of Cologne later this month, as it heads to GamesCom – presumably to make some PlayStation 4 related announcements. The company confirmed that it’s attending the German convention on its Facebook page, explaining that...
News Look Around the PlayStation Vita's Latest Firmware Update
Please ensure that you have your copybook at hand
We don’t know what your high school experience was like, but whenever our teachers couldn’t be bothered to do any work, we were always plonked in front of a video. Perched on uncomfortable stools, we'd be forced to watch low-budget documentaries, which almost always included really patronising...
News Prep Your President with Saints Row IV's Inauguration Station
Your short shorts are ready, Mr. President
Much like with Saints Row: The Third's Initiation Station demo, you'll be able to create, customise, and upload your own Saints boss for Saints Row IV using the cleverly titled Inauguration Station, which is set to release tomorrow on the European PlayStation Store, and next Tuesday in North America. From...
Monday5th Aug 2013
Review Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational (PlayStation 3)
Fairway to heaven
You’d need a heart more barren than a bothersome bunker to dislike Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational (or Everybody’s Golf, as it’s known in Europe). Originally putted onto the PlayStation Vita, this PlayStation 3 port of the sugary sporting sim is every bit as sweet as its portable predecessor. Boasting a bevy of colourful...
Talking Point Would You Buy a $500 PS4 and Vita Bundle?
Forever friends
The concept of a PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita bundle has existed since the beginning of time, but rumour has it that Sony is actually planning to officially introduce the chunky combo later this year. A “well-placed anonymous” source has told Machinima that the platform holder will dep
News Toys 'R' Us Backs Away from Purported PS4 Release Date
Still a secret
Toys ‘R’ Us has shied away from speculation claiming that it’s privy to the PlayStation 4’s release date. In a report published by BT Games, a spokesperson for the retail giant stated that it had been handed information on the next generation console’s launch plans “direct” from its suppliers – but it’s since...
Review Narco Terror (PlayStation 3)
Don't do drugs
Narco Terror is a cheesy 1980s action movie squeezed into a pseudo-isometric twin stick shooter, full to the brim with stupid one-liners, massive explosions, and drug peddlers with machetes. It’s a game that’s based on simply having dumb fun – but how long does it take for the novelty to wear off? As you may probably guess, the...
News By the Nine! The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Voted Game of the Generation on Amazon
Dragonborn to win
Running from 1st June to 4th August, mammoth online retailer Amazon.co.uk hosted a poll which pitted some of the biggest games of this console generation against each other in a tournament-style showdown. And Bethesda's open world epic, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, came out on top. The 2011 release fought off Super Mario Galaxy,...
News Hitman: Absolution Infiltrates North American PlayStation Plus
Runner 2, Star Wars Pinball, and more on the way
PlayStation Plus is set to get a little bit balder in North America, as Sony has announced that Hitman: Absolution will be whacking the Instant Game Collection this week. Agent 47’s latest adventure will be accompanied by discounts on escapeVektor,
News Stop Pleading for New PS All-Stars Characters and Stages
Sony confirms that it's stepping out of the ring
While a slew of leaked concept art recently offered scant hope of new content for PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, platform holder Sony has confirmed that it’s done with the brawler – well, sort of. On the official
News Yes, The Last of Us Does Lack Exploding Heads in Europe
Gratuitous violence yanked from international release
Earlier in the year, a report suggested that The Last of Us had been censored in Europe. Hot on the heels of a slew of disgruntled forum posts, Movie-Censorship.com noted that dismemb
News UK Sales Charts: The Last of Us Clicks at the Heels of Minecraft
Building blocks
We truly are in the summer lull – even though it’s cloudy outside. A lack of new releases meant that Minecraft held onto its spot atop the UK sales charts this week. Slipping Pikmin 3 sales allowed The Last of Us to pull itself into second, while
Sunday4th Aug 2013
News Ubisoft Would Like to Remind You That Watch Dogs Looks Great
Quashing concerns
The timing of this new Watch Dogs trailer is no coincidence. Following the erroneous release of this week’s ugly Aisha Tyler footage, the French publisher has deployed a brand new video designed to allay fears regarding its impending open world game. It’s not exactly brimming with new content, but at least that next generation...
News DC Universe Online's Team May Be More Excited for PS4 Than You
Sony Online Entertainment can't wait for new system
The studio behind DC Universe Online can’t wait for the PlayStation 4 to arrive – because it means that it’s finally going to have some more memory to play with. The superhero MMO proved incredibly popular on the PlayStation 3, and that’s forced Sony Online Entertainment to squeeze every...
News Lose Yourself in the Cold, Harsh Downpour of Rain
Thunder only happens when it's raining
Ever since we infiltrated the tanker in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, we’ve loved it when it rains in games. Be it a sudden sprinkling in Hot Shots Golf, or a torrential downpour in MotorStorm: Apocalypse, few atmospheric events can send a shiver down your spine better than a good tropical storm...
Saturday3rd Aug 2013
Talking Point Do You Intend to Buy the PS4's Camera?
Watch dogs
Whether or not you believe that Sony planned to bundle the new PlayStation Eye with every PlayStation 4 console, the platform holder hasn’t done a particularly good job of making a compelling argument for the peripheral. You’ll be able to pick up one of the dual-lens units at launch, but while there’s no doubt that the optical extra...
Rumour Is Sony's Spooky Siren Series Set to Scare PS4?
See the Shibito
Few franchises are more consistently frightening than Keiichirō Toyama’s dark Siren series. The inaugural entry in the first-party horror brand deployed approximately 10 years ago in Japan, and the Silent Hill creator is celebrating the anniversary by posting old pictures of the game’s Tokyo Game Show presence on Twitter. Most...
News SOE Not Thinking About PS4 Version of EverQuest Next Just Yet
Online giant focusing on the PC first
If you’re the type of person to plug your ears whenever the words ‘free-to-play’ and ‘massively multiplayer online’ are mentioned, you may want to clear your hearing for just a moment. Sony Online Entertainment announced EverQuest Next – and its ambitious Minecraft-esque extension, EverQuest Next...
News Not in the Killzone: Mercenary Beta? Watch These Videos
Helghast hath no fury
Publishers are usually eager to clamp down on errant beta footage, but Sony seems more than happy to let these Killzone: Mercenary videos do the rounds. The chunky clips – captured by Rajman Gaming – show off various matches of Warzone in the upcoming handheld shooter. But does the game still look the business in...
News Aveline Will Be 'Older' in Exclusive Assassin's Creed IV Missions
Growing pains
You know that you’ve got a problem when the protagonist of your spin-off game is more interesting than the hero in your main release. That was certainly the case for Assassin’s Creed III, as PlayStation Vita star Aveline de Grandpré was infinitely more engaging than dreary Connor. Fortunately, publisher Ubisoft’s set to wrap up...
News A Whopping 1.3 Million Players Floored Gran Turismo 6's Demo
Racing in circles
An incredible 1.3 million players strapped themselves into Gran Turismo 6’s recent demo, which also doubled as part of the qualifying process for this year’s GT Academy competition. With the time trials all wrapped up, those budding speedsters that topped the leaderboards will now be drifting into the regional finals, where...
Friday2nd Aug 2013
FAQ What Are the Differences Between the PS4 and Xbox One?
For and against
Console clashes don’t get much more competitive than the upcoming conflict between the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One. Not since the days of derogatory SEGA commercials has a system showdown promised so much drama. But with two formats vying for your finances this fall, which device is the best choice for you? The following text...
News It's Free Flights for Everyone in Ace Combat: Infinity on PS3
Without wings
You’ll be flying shotgun for free in Ace Combat: Infinity later this year, as publisher Namco Bandai has confirmed that the upcoming flight-combat title won’t cost you a penny to download on the PlayStation 3. The game is supposedly set in the near future, and will include a brand new story campaign. There’s no word on how the...
News You'll Never Walk Alone in FIFA 14, as Liverpool Teams Up with EA
Red army
Liverpool FC fans will be happy to know that their beloved team will be getting special treatment in FIFA 14. The Merseyside squad have had their likenesses scanned into EA's upcoming release, so you won't have to worry about one of those weird custom-made faces popping up on the team sheet. The reason for the reported three-year...
News Carmack: Sony Has Made Large Strides with the PS4
Legendary programmer fond of next generation system
John Carmack, id Software’s veteran co-founder, has admitted that he’s pretty impressed with the PlayStation 4. Speaking as part of another enormous three-hour keynote at QuakeCon, the Wolfenstein 3D programmer praised the impending console – and suggested that the Japanese giant has done a...
News Capcom's Panta Rhei Engine Will Sure Heat Up the PS4
Hot in here
Deep Down may not be the game that many of us envisioned when it was first revealed in February, but it’s sure got some hot technology powering it. The title – which is being touted as some kind of online game – will take advantage of Capcom’s sizzling new Panta Rhei engine, which is capable of some incredible fire effects...
News Here's Your First Look at Whore of the Orient, the Next Game by Team Bondi
Paris of the East
Team Bondi doesn’t do straight-forward. The Australian developer behind detective title L.A. Noire was unceremoniously dumped by Rockstar upon completion of the PlayStation 3 game. It was then supposedly snapped up by Sydney-based production house KMM, where it started work on a PlayStation 4 project named Whore of the Orient...
News Rainbow Skies Will Brighten Up PS3 and Vita in 2014
Skiesrim
If you thought that last year's loot-filled, massive RPG Rainbow Moon took up far too much of your free time, then you may want to sit down before reading all about the game's indirect sequel, Rainbow Skies. Developer SideQuest Studios is looking to bring the franchise's second instalment to the PlayStation 3 and Vita at some point in 2014,...
News Duh, Of Course Juliet Starling Is Going to Be in Killer Is Dead
Girl power
Killer Is Dead hero Mondo Zappa will have yet another reason to pull out his controversial gigolo glasses this year, as Lollipop Chainsaw protagonist Juliet Starling is set to make an appearance in the game. The bright-eyed cheerleader will flash her pom-poms at some point during the title’s over-the-top campaign, but it’s not yet...
Thursday1st Aug 2013
News Looks Like It Really Is Last Chance Saloon for PS4 Pre-Orders
UK retailer shutting the batwing doors
You really are running out of time to pull the trigger on your PlayStation 4 pre-order in the UK. Yesterday, a CVG report claimed that Sony was set to introduce a deadline on next generation system sales, and online outlet Simply Games has reinforced that by sending out email reminders like the one embedded to...
First Impressions An Audience with Puppeteer, the PS3 Panto Deserving of a Standing Ovation
Pure theatre
Games like Puppeteer don’t deserve to be sitting out in the wings. You’re more likely to find Japan Studio’s side-scroller nursing a cold cup of coffee and pushing about props than strutting its stuff on centre stage. In an industry increasingly obsessed with leading lights like Call of Duty and Battlefield, there’s becoming...
News Oh, There's a New Tomb Raider Title in Production for PS4
Are you feeling protective?
Poor old Lara Croft can’t seem to catch a break. Aside from having her forename frequently mispronounced, the budding archaeologist always seems to find herself in a scrape. And she’s not set to break that spate of bad luck on the PlayStation 4, as publisher Square Enix has revealed that it’s working on a new Tomb...
News You'll Learn About The Last of Us' First DLC Pack This Month
Running into sight
As if the imminent onslaught of software wasn’t enough, Naughty Dog has hinted that we’ll get our first glimpse at The Last of Us’ inaugural add-on pack at some point later this month. Speaking as part of a Reddit question and answer session, creative director Neil Druckmann hinted that news is right around the corner...
News Deep Down Raises Its Flame Shield, Is an Online Game for PS4
Online group developing mysterious title
There are more than a couple of ghouls ‘n’ ghosts in this brand new trailer for Deep Down. You may remember the title being announced during Sony’s bumper PlayStation Meeting earlier in the year. Now publisher Capcom has followed up with confirmation that the PlayStation 4 title is being developed by...
News Basement Crawl May Be the Battiest Title on PS4 Yet
Bloober Team's multiplayer title looks utterly bonkers
If there’s been any criticism of the PlayStation 4, it’s that its launch lineup is a little bit familiar. Games like Killzone: Shadow Fall and inFAMOUS: Second Son may look great, but they’re not necessarily doing anything different – other than pushing unimaginable numbers of polygons,...
News inFAMOUS: Second Son Brings Car Crash Entertainment to PS4
Smoke and mirrors
How will you recharge your smoke powers in inFAMOUS: Second Son? Well, much like in the previous entries of Sucker Punch’s superhero series, you’ll need to absorb as much of the smoggy property as possible. But what’s the best way to do that? Er, blowing up dozens of parked cars, of course. As discussed in this brand new...
News Sony Remains Profitable in Q1 2013, PlayStation Sales Slide
Platform holder keeping PS4 expectations quiet
New gaffer Kaz Hirai has kept Sony’s head above water for yet another earnings report, with the company posting a ¥3.5 billion ($35 million) profit for the first quarter of 2013. The teensy return was propelled by a 13 per cent increase in revenue, which was fuelled by stronger than expected...
News Get Your Grubby Mitts on the PS4 at This Year's Eurogamer Expo
Meet the Push Square crew, too
As the summer heat wave edges closer to the long winter slog, our bosom buddies over at Eurogamer.net have news that should warm your cockles in preparation for the dreary autumnal months. The publication’s confirmed that the Eurogamer Expo – which is set to take place in London next month – will augment you with...
News Wolfenstein: The New Order Fired into Next Year
Back in the barrel
Wolfenstein: The New Order, the brash first-person reboot by MachineGames, has been delayed until 2014, Bethesda executive Pete Hines has told Polygon. The title had previously targeted a release on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 this year, but the developer is supposedly struggling with cross-generation development...
Store Update 31st July 2013 (Europe)
Kingdom come
Much like its North American counterpart, the latest European PlayStation Store update is brimming with noteworthy additions. Content includes Cloudberry Kingdom, PixelJunk Monsters Ultimate HD, and BioShock Infinite’s first
Most Read
Talking Point How Will the PS4 Controller's Touchpad Be Used?
News You'll Be Able to Listen to Game Audio Through the PS4 Controller's Head...
News Sony Confirms That You Will Be Able to Talk to Your PS4
News What Third-Party Games Do You Want on PlayStation? Tell Sony's New Division
