News - 2013, Week 10

Sunday10th Mar 2013

  • News Pachter Predicts PlayStation 4 Will Get Outsold By Next Xbox

    But still thinks that Sony's system will thrive

    Seasoned industry analyst Michael Pachter is renowned for his bold predictions, but he’s really sticking his neck out this time. Speaking as part of this year’s SXSW event in Austin, the Wedbush Securities employee suggested that he expects the next generation Xbox to win out the impending console...

  • News This Is What Kratos Sounds Like in His Native Tongue

    Realistic raging

    Kratos tends to talk with an American accent most of the time – but he is a Greek warrior by trade. This brand new God of War: Ascension trailer shows the character shouting in his natural lingo. We can’t understand a word of what he’s saying, but we’re guessing that it involves particularly nasty things about the Gods. You...

  • News Sharpen Up with These Slick PlayStation Cufflinks

    Dressed to impress

    Nothing says “hire me” quite like a pair of PlayStation-themed cufflinks. North American jeweller The Purple Armadillo has a selection of Sony-inspired accessories for sale to complete your corporate look. Amongst its wares are a couple of DualShock 3-esque fasteners, which are sure to

  • News Dishonored Developer Says That PlayStation 4 Is a Joy

    Delighted with the extra memory

    One of the developers behind last year’s surprise hit Dishonored has described Sony’s next generation system as “a joy”. Chatting with Eurogamer.net directly after last week’s BAFTAs, lead level designer Christopher Carrier revealed that the PlayStation 4’s surprise inclusion o

Saturday9th Mar 2013

  • News Dead Space 3 Pulls Horror Out of Hiding with Awakened DLC

    The scares are no longer in stasis

    Visceral Games will deploy Dead Space 3’s darkest chapter yet next week, when its ‘Awakened’ DLC pack spooks the PlayStation Store from 12th March. The expansion – which will set you back $9.99 – promises to depict the events after the conclusion of the main campaign, and is said to feature some of the...

  • News Wonderbook: Book of Spells Failed to Enchant Store Shelves

    Harry Potter spin-off could have sold better

    Wonderbook: Book of Spells was a fine experiment that failed to cast a charm on as many consumers as Sony expected. Despite a strong marketing push in Europe, SCEUK’s Fergal Gara has admitted that the innovative title “could have sold better”, even though it did “respectively well”. “I am...

  • Interview Giving Our Gobs a Workout with the Developers of Runner 2

    Running rings around Gaijin Games

    When the sequel to the brilliant Nintendo WiiWare title BIT.TRIP Runner was announced for the PlayStation 3 and Vita, we knew that we had to catch up with developer Gaijin Games to find out more – if only to shut up our counterparts over at Nintendo Life who have been banging on about the release at office parties...

  • News Runner 2 Developer Gaijin Games Definitely Dashing onto PS4

    Sprinting into the next generation

    In an exclusive interview with Push Square, BIT.TRIP Presents: Runner 2 - Future Legend of Rhythm Alien developer Gaijin Games has hinted that it may have a PlayStation 4 project on the horizon. Talking about whether its future titles would release on the PlayStation Network, co-founder Alex Neuse suggested that we...

  • News Tales of Xillia Trailer Shows Off Lairy Teens in English

    Demon Fang

    Some new English-dubbed gameplay of the eagerly awaited Tales of Xillia has travelled online, presumably prompting debates about whether or not a dub is needed at all. Fans of the series will already know that a lot of the previous English voice work could have been better, and admittedly we don’t get much to judge here. Nevertheless,...

  • Rumour EA Invite Points to Imminent Battlefield 4 Reveal

    Bringing out the big guns

    Colours can communicate so much. If we see something red, we tend to think of danger. If we see something green, we tend to think of safety. And if we see something teal and orange, we definitely think of Battlefield. IGN has been invited to a top-secret EA event on 26th March, which seems like it could be for the upcoming...

Friday8th Mar 2013

  • Review Tomb Raider (PlayStation 3)

    Uncharted territory

    Lara Croft, one of the most iconic protagonists in gaming, has finally returned with a contemporary tale designed to reboot the Tomb Raider series. And it's a magnificent comeback. Crystal Dynamics' new take on the heroine mixes combat and exploration in a compelling fashion, resulting in one of the best action adventure titles...

  • News Sony: PlayStation Vita Sales 'Absolutely Exploded' Over Christmas

    Plenty more content in the pipeline, too

    It sounds like the PlayStation Vita is finally on the ascension. In a recent interview with industry publication MCV, Sony Computer Entertainment UK’s managing director Fergal Gara has hinted that the system’s sales “absolutely exploded” during the holiday season – even though it had to endure a...

  • Interview Unchaining God of War: Ascension's Jason McDonald and Mark Simon

    Blood brothers

    As the impending God of War: Ascension continues its march towards store shelves, we were lucky enough to catch up with lead combat designer Jason McDonald and lead game designer Mark Simon to discuss Kratos’ softer side, online sceptics and, very briefly, PlayStation 4. Push Square: Hi, thanks so much for taking time out of your...

  • Talking Point Do We Pay Too Much Attention to Review Scores?

    Magic numbers

    The review embargo for God of War: Ascension lifted yesterday, prompting a cavalcade of forum posts regarding the status of Sony Santa Monica’s savage Spartan series. The title scored lower than previous entries, resulting in a Metacritic rating of 79 at the time of writing. According to the aggregate’s scale, that number suggests...

  • Rumour Could Assassin's Creed: Rising Phoenix Be a New Vita Game?

    Mysterious image lends hope for a fresh portable entry

    Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation was far from the best instalment in Ubisoft’s savage stealth series, but it at least showed that the PlayStation Vita can provide a suitable home for the franchise. While it was subject to a bit of a critical mauling, the game actually

  • News Retailer: PlayStation 4 Will Revive the UK's Flagging Market

    Pre-orders for the next generation platform performing extremely well

    UK retailer GAME believes that the impending PlayStation 4 will successfully resurrect the nation’s troubled video game market. Chatting with VideoGamer.com, category director Charlotte Knight explained that pre-orders for the platform are “performing very well” at the...

  • News Thumbs Up If You'd Like to Play Hatsune Miku: Project Diva F

    Actually, we'd rather play Yakuza 5

    The game based on Japan’s creepy vocaloid teen idol thing Hatsune Miku: Project Diva F could be heading on a world tour. SEGA is currently polling fans on Facebook to see how much interest there is in the PlayStation 3 version of the title overseas. All you need to do to register your interest in the game is...

  • News The Last of Us Demo Finds Company at the End of May

    Early access for God of War: Ascension owners

    As promised, those of you that purchase God of War: Ascension will unlock exclusive early access to The Last of Us’ single-player demo. While the exact date of the gameplay teaser’s release had been kept under wraps, developer Naughty Dog h

  • News Budding Archaeologists Descend on Tomb Raider in Droves

    One million players step into the unknown

    Things are finally looking up for Lara Croft. After months spent stranded on a desert island, the famous protagonist is finally getting her reward – by sharing her journey to Hell and back with throngs of players across the globe. Posting on Twitter, brand director Karl Stewart beamed that over one million...

  • News Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 Launch Trailer Takes Aim

    Budget shooter sets its sights on retail

    City Interactive has deployed the launch trailer for Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2, the latest entry in its surprisingly solid long-range shooter series. The footage itself sets up the plot, while simultaneously showing off plenty of gruesome kills. Are you excited for the CryEngine-powered sequel, or does it look...

Thursday7th Mar 2013

  • Review God of War: Ascension (PlayStation 3)

    Banishing demons

    God of War: Ascension is the strange type of title that could only exist at the end of a console’s lifespan. The prequel to Sony Santa Monica’s savage Spartan series thrives on years of iteration, delivering the slickest entry in the series yet. But it’s also bankable, and as a non-numbered instalment in a long-running...

  • News Expect Particle Effects to Look Even Prettier with PhysX on PS4

    Reality just got a lot blander

    Nvidia’s luridly named PhysX technology will bring realistic physics to the PlayStation 4, the graphics company has announced. Developers will be able to utilise new software development kits on Sony’s next generation system, which in turn will result in more life-like destruction, character models, and clothing...

  • Rumour Sony's Aiming to Ship a Huge Number of PS4s This Year

    Manufacturer wants 16 million units on store shelves in 2013

    If last month’s big PlayStation Meeting taught us anything, it’s that Sony is not messing around anymore. While the PlayStation 3 was cursed by the company’s arrogance, it genuinely feels like the organisation has learned its lessons, and that’s reflected in almost every aspect of...

  • News God of War: Ascension's Multiplayer Started with Four Fighting Kratoses

    Chaos theory

    What’s worse than one angry Kratos? Well, four of them we suppose. One of the biggest new additions to the upcoming God of War: Ascension is its surprisingly satisfying multiplayer component. However, speaking as part of an exclusive interview with Push Square, lead combat designer Jason McDonald told us that the mode wasn’t always...

  • News Army of Two: The Devil's Cartel Demo Pairs Up on 12th March

    Forever friends

    You and a friend will be able to model the hockey masks of Alpha and Bravo next week, when a demo for upcoming co-operative shooter Army of Two: The Devil’s Cartel shoots onto the PlayStation Store. According to publisher EA, the taster will be available “starting” from 12th March, which means that those of you in Europe will...

  • News Ubisoft Fires First Call of Juarez: Gunslinger Trailer Online

    We're goin' straight to the wild, wild west

    Polish developer Techland appears to have forgotten about its recent flirtation with the present day, as its pulling the Call of Juarez franchise straight back into the shady setting of the wild west. Despite being disappointingly light on gameplay, this brand new teaser trailer for the upcoming digital...

Wednesday6th Mar 2013

  • News PlayStation Vita Sales Surpass 62,000 Units in Japan Post Price Cut

    Onwards and upwards

    PlayStation Vita sales surged to 62,543 units in Japan following last week’s price cut. The system – which saw its cost slashed to ¥19,980 on 28th February – sold out in some stores, prompting SCEJ executive Hiroshi Kawano to hint that sales had quadrupled. However,

  • Talking Point Is Sony Putting Too Much Faith in the Killzone Franchise?

    Hopes and Helghast

    Let’s be brutally honest: Killzone has never quite reached its true potential. Despite the media pegging the original sci-fi shooter as Sony’s answer to Master Chief, the Guerrilla Games developed first-person franchise has struggled to appeal outside of its core community, garnering a vocal fanbase sans the mainstream appeal...

  • News Colossal God of War Savings Announced for Europe

    Greater than Gaia

    In order to celebrate the impending arrival of God of War: Ascension, Sony has slashed the price of almost every title in the savage Spartan series on the European PlayStation Store. Between now and 13th March, you’ll be able to snap up the God of War Collection and the God of War Collection Volume II for just £10.99 apiece...

  • Store Update 5th March 2013 (North America)

    Runnin' through tombs

    It’s a hive of activity on the North American PlayStation Store this week, with Tomb Raider, MLB 13: The Show, and Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance all vying for your hard-earned cash. Other notable additions include Germinator and Bit.Trip Presents: Runn

  • News MLB 13: The Show Hits a Homerun in Europe Later Today

    Anyone for a game of rounders?

    Sony’s responded to the demand for MLB 13: The Show outside of North America, announcing that the baseball simulator will take aim on the European PlayStation Store later today. You’ll be able to purchase both the PlayStation 3 and Vita versions of the critically acclaimed sports title when the digital storefront...

  • Store Update 6th March 2013 (Europe)

    Hitting homeruns

    The surprise release of MLB 13: The Show on PlayStation 3 and Vita is this week’s major European PlayStation Store highlight, though the addition of Tomb Raider is also worth noting. Other highlights include Germinator and lots of DLC. Don't forget that Mass Effect 3 is now available for free on PlayStation Plus, too. Let get down...

  • News Capcom Finds Lost Planet 3's Box Art and Release Date

    Sequel stumbling onto PlayStation 3 in June

    Lost Planet 3 will send a shiver down your spine on 25th June in North America and 28th June in Europe. The chilly Spark Unlimited developed sequel is set before the events of the first game, despite it being a numbered entry. The title will plop you inside the ice boots of Jim Peyton, a colonist who is...

  • News Journey Floats Away with Five BAFTA Awards

    The Unfinished Swan also recognised

    Journey’s unstoppable success has continued with a further five awards at this year’s BAFTAs. The popular PlayStation Network exclusive netted gongs for Artistic Achievement, Audio Achievement, Best Online Multiplayer, Best Game Design, and Best Original Music. Meanwhile, The Unfinished Swan uncovered...

Tuesday5th Mar 2013

  • Feature PlayStation All-Stars Fans Campaigning for Crash Bandicoot and Spyro DLC

    Community launches online assault at Activision and Sony Santa Monica

    PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale is a fine game, but there are some major omissions in its roster. The loveable Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon are both considered PlayStation icons, but unfortunately they belong to Activision. That clearly prompted some serious...

  • Review Urban Trial Freestyle (PlayStation 3)

    Trials Devolution

    The runaway success of the Trials series on the Xbox 360 has exposed the need for a motorcycle platforming game on the PlayStation 3, and, finally, a mere four years since the release of Trials HD, a clone of the series is available on the PS3 and Vita. Sadly though, it fails to bring the magic of the Microsoft games to Sony's...

  • Rumour Dead Space 4 Dismembered Following Dismal Sales

    Marker of the times

    It sounds like the legs of Visceral Games’ likeable Dead Space series have been targeted by a well aimed Plasma Cutter shot by EA executives. According to a report on VideoGamer.com, a fourth entry in the horror series was in development, but has been cancelled following the poor sales of Dead Space 3. The

  • Talking Point How Important Is 'Plug and Play' to the PlayStation 4?

    Working in perfect harmony

    Consoles are getting more and more complex. There was a time when we expected our favourite system to play games and little else – but now we demand video streaming, direct communication with our friends, network-wide achievements, and more. Sony’s current flagship console, the PlayStation 3, wasn’t designed with...

  • News Thief Reboot Stalking PlayStation 4 in 2014

    Cloak and dagger

    Popular stealth series Thief is making a comeback on PlayStation 4 next year. According to Game Informer magazine, the reboot has been in production behind-the-scenes at Deus Ex: Human Revolution developer Eidos Montreal for years now. You can peruse a brief cov

  • News Minecraft Could Be Building a New Home on PlayStation

    Setting up sticks

    Mojang’s ubiquitous build ‘em up Minecraft could be about to construct a new resting place on PlayStation platforms if comments made by lead designer Jens Bergensten are to be believed. “Microsoft has an exclusivity deal for consoles,” he told EDGE. ”When it runs out we’ll consider Minecraft for PlayStation.”...

  • News Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Team Excited About PS4 Controller

    Has 'very cool ideas' for the device

    Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag is coming to the PlayStation 4, and that means that we can expect plenty of fancy visual effects. But, in an interview with Official PlayStation Magazine, content manager Carsten Myhill has hinted that graphical upgrades are not all that we should anticipate from the next...

  • News Hungry Giraffe Chomps the European PlayStation Store Tomorrow

    Cheaper than a Happy Meal, too

    The PlayStation Vita port of Laughing Jackal’s likeable mammal munching simulator Hungry Giraffe will scoff a space on the European PlayStation Store tomorrow for just £2.39/€2.99. The fast food-focused twist on the endless climbing genre will include online leaderboards, fresh power-ups, and a new storefront...

  • News Assassin's Creed IV to Implement Online Single-Player Features on PS4

    Yarr, what be the Internet?

    Playing the upcoming Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag on the PlayStation 4 will not only reward you with enhanced visuals and physics, but it will also unlock some mysterious new online features. According to creative director Jean Guesdon, the fresh option will allow players to “have a solo experience that [benefits...

  • News Wonderbook: Diggs Nightcrawler Pops Its Collar in May

    L.A. Noire for kids

    Intriguing augmented reality adventure Wonderbook: Diggs Nightcrawler has bookmarked a May release date in Europe. The title – which takes advantage of Sony’s page-turning peripheral – sees you assume the role of a budding detective, as you attempt to solve a series of crimes in an eye-catching film noir world. You can...

Monday4th Mar 2013