News PlayStation Network Down for Some, Sony Looking into the Problem
Service suffering from connectivity issues
Feature How inFAMOUS: Second Son's Smoke Powers Will Make You a Smouldering Superhero
Coughing up theories on Sucker Punch’s upcoming PlayStation 4 sequel
News Pachter: Microsoft Will 'Deliberately Trash' the PlayStation 4
Competitor will attempt to belittle Sony's machine
News - 2013, Week 11
Sunday17th Mar 2013
News Pachter: Microsoft Will 'Deliberately Trash' the PlayStation 4
Competitor will attempt to belittle Sony's machine
Controversial industry analyst Michael Pachter believes that Microsoft will "deliberately trash” the PlayStation 4 during its own next generation announcement event in order to give the impression that its console is stronger. With details regarding Sony’s impending machine readily available,...
Review Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken (PlayStation Vita)
Not cluckin' easy to pigeonhole
It may not be as perplexing as the cause and effect quandary of which came first, the chicken or the egg, but describing PlayStation Vita title Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken by assigning it to a single specific gaming genre may leave you flapping. Take a glance at screenshots and you could be tempted to make...
News PlayStation All-Stars Patch Notes Punch in Ahead of New DLC
Big balance tweaks incoming
PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale's character roster is set to expand by two next week. As previously announced, both Zeus and Isaac Clarke will be joining the fight, alongside a new stage based on The Unfinished Swan and MediEvil. But Sony’s not stopping there, as it’s also announced a gigantic bala
News Zombie Tycoon 2: Brainhov's Revenge Lurches onto PS3 and Vita on 30th April
Stumbling into sight
The sequel to Frima Studio’s popular PlayStation Minis release Zombie Tycoon will stumble onto the PlayStation 3 and Vita on 30th April in North America and 1st May in Europe. The human-hungry digital download Zombie Tycoon 2: Brainhov’s Revenge will come equipped with cross-buy and cross-play functionality, though there’s...
Saturday16th Mar 2013
Review Germinator (PlayStation 3)
Best left in the incubator
We’ve seen our fair share of bubble-puzzle games over the last few years, each attempting to put a new spin on the genre, be it through engaging art styles or subtle but original gameplay tweaks. Germinator attempts the latter, requiring you to match up coloured germs in order to make them expand and explode, hopefully...
News The Last of Us Will Spook You for About 12 to 16 Hours
Naughty Dog stretching out its survival horror title
The Last of Us will feature Naughty Dog’s longest single-player campaign on PlayStation 3 to date, with the developer shooting for an adventure approximately 12 to 16 hours in length. Community strategist Arne Meyer revealed the tantalising tidbit in an interview with EvolveEnt, which you can...
News The Pinball Arcade Racking Up Points on PlayStation 4
Flippin' good news
The Pinball Arcade is launching onto the PlayStation 4, developer Farsight Studios has confirmed. As part of a PlayStation Blog post outlining the title’s upcoming DLC schedule, the company revealed that it is currently hard at work on the next generation edition of its popular pinball simulator. “We’ll be adding rendering...
News Sony Pours Beautiful New Rain Artwork Online
Wet and wonderful
Rain’s announcement left us dripping with anticipation at GamesCom last year, but publisher Sony has failed to drench us with much additional information in the months since. However, a new page on the platform holder’s official website has at least washed up some new artwork, which looks suitably overcast in the best possible...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue Two
Saturday (and Sunday) night
Has it been two weeks already? It certainly doesn’t feel like it, but the calendar never lies. As promised earlier in the month, we’re back to recap all of the games that are vying for our attention this weekend. But this isn’t all about us – we want to know what’s going to be flirting with your console’s disc...
Friday15th Mar 2013
News PlayStation Network Down for Some, Sony Looking into the Problem
Service suffering from connectivity issues
You may want to put that pre-arranged Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 session on ice – the PlayStation Network is suffering from some poorly timed connectivity issues at the present. We’re able to log in without an issue here in the UK, but there are widespread reports of users receiving maintenance messages...
News Phantasy Star Online 2's Download Numbers Rocket on Vita
MAGnificent news
The impressive PlayStation Vita port of Phantasy Star Online 2 has already proved a massive hit in Japan, having been purchased or downloaded over 350,000 times in the region since its release at the end of last month. While a retail version of the MMO did hit store shelves on 28th February, it’s the free download from the...
News Nvidia Isn't Particularly Impressed with the PlayStation 4
Graphics company suggests that the console's already out of date
At the start of this generation, Sony worked closely with Nvidia to create the PlayStation 3’s graphics chip. However, for the PlayStation 4, the manufacturer has switched sides, placing its allegiance with AMD instead. The change appears to have peeved the Santa Clara-based...
News The Phantom Pain Interview Is Bizarre, Confirms FOX Engine
Moby Dick Studio executive Joakim Mogren steps out of the shadows
An interview with Moby Dick Studio’s bandaged CEO Joakim Mogren has confirmed that The Phantom Pain is running on the FOX Engine, the new development platform from Kojima Productions. As teased yesterday, the so-called executive appeared on an episode of GTTV last night, where he i
Talking Point Are 'Game Over' Screens a Relic Best Left in the Past?
Try again
The threat of failure in games is a foundation that’s existed as long as the industry itself. Ever since the days of Space Invaders, Pac-Man, and more, the idea that you can ‘lose’ at a title is something that we’ve come to expect. But while this mechanic was originally conceived as a means to conclude sessions and ultimately...
News PlayStation 3 Shifted 263,000 Units in North America Last Month
Sales strong for Sony's system
PlayStation 4 may have stolen the headlines in February, but the PlayStation 3 proved that it’s still got the staying power to carry Sony into the next generation. GamesIndustry.biz has revealed that the manufacturer’s current flagship console sold 263,000 units in North America last month – enough to make it the...
News Saints Row IV Runs for President from 20th August
Alien invasions and more
Saints Row IV may have to compete with the juggernaut that is Gran Theft Auto V later this year – but at least it has a bonkers enough premise to back it up. The sequel sees the continuation of the story of the Third Street Saints, who have taken control of the free world due to the election of their leader as the...
News EA Games to Deploy Battlefield 4 Details on 26th March
Publisher planning a barrage of information
EA Games will blow Battlefield 4’s doors wide open on 26th March in San Francisco. The publisher has sent out a slew of official invites to North American outlets, confirming the impending reveal of the first-person shooter. A similar ‘Save the Date’ invite teased the title’s announcement last...
News February NPD: Dead Space 3 Dismembers the Competition
Sly Cooper squeezes into the top ten
Despite speculation regarding its disappointing sales, Dead Space 3 managed to fire its way to the summit of the North American sales charts in February. The space shooter pushed Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 into second, while Crysis 3, NBA 2K13, and
News Machinarium Puzzles PlayStation Vita Later This Month
Acclaimed adventure game rattling onto Sony's handheld
Amanita Design’s enjoyable indie hit Machinarium is set to puzzle the PlayStation Vita later this month. Company founder Jakub Dvorský took to the PlayStation Blog earlier today to confirm the news, where he also shared a handful of tidbits about the port and its various improvements over...
News Could The Last Guy Be Making a Comeback on Vita?
Acquire title to be revealed next week
Criminally underrated PlayStation Network arcade puzzler The Last Guy could be plotting a path onto the PlayStation Vita, if a new teaser website set up by Japanese developer Acquire is to be believed. The page – which includes Google Map-esque backgrounds similar to those employed by the aforementioned PSN...
Thursday14th Mar 2013
Feature How inFAMOUS: Second Son's Smoke Powers Will Make You a Smouldering Superhero
Coughing up theories on Sucker Punch’s upcoming PlayStation 4 sequel
Smoke doesn’t necessarily sound like the most effective superpower. Poor old Delsin Rowe – the protagonist of upcoming PlayStation 4 exclusive inFAMOUS: Second Son – was probably the last conduit in line when elemental abilities were being dished out. But while his smoggy...
News God of War: Ascension's 'Trial of Archimedes' Getting Toned Down
Sony to reduce difficulty of infuriating chapter
If your DualShock 3’s in serious danger of terminal damage, then know that solace is nearby. God of War: Ascension’s director Todd Papy has taken to Twitter to confirm that an upcoming patch will soften the title’s outrageous ‘Trial of Archimedes’ difficulty spike. It’s unclear whether the...
Review BIT.TRIP Presents: Runner 2 - Future Legend of Rhythm Alien (PlayStation 3)
Jump up to get down
BIT.TRIP Presents: Runner 2 - Future Legend of Rhythm Alien raises eyebrows by virtue of being different. At first glance, it looks like the kind platforming game that we've all played dozens of times before. But as you explore the mechanics, it soon becomes evident that it's actually a music game cleverly disguised as a...
News Moby Dick Studio to Raise the Curtain on The Phantom Pain
Mysterious chief executive officer Joakim Mogren to appear on GTTV
The narrative surrounding Moby Dick Studio’s mysterious The Phantom Pain is more complicated than the plot of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. The title was announced late last year during the Spike VGAs, but was promptly blown wide open. Eagle-eyed online users noticed...
News Here's a Picture of The Phantom Pain's Joakim Mogren Covered in Bandages
We don't know whether to laugh or cry
Remember when GTTV host Geoff Keighley revealed that he was about to interview the CEO of Moby Dick Studio, Joakim Mogren? Well, here’s a picture of the supposed Swedish developer behind The Phantom Pain – covered in, er, bandages. Could this story possibly get any more ridiculous? We certainly hope s
News Nielsen Study Suggests Gaming Is Not the PS3's Primary Use
North American consumers spending more time with other applications
The PlayStation 3 may be a games console first and foremost – but North American consumers spent more time using it for non-gaming activities than anything else in 2012. The news comes courtesy of a study conducted by Nielsen, which analysed the responses of more than 2,500...
Rumour Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag May Set Sail on PS4 in October
Creative director spills the grog
We don’t have a firm release date for the PlayStation 4 yet, which means that the timing of any software is also being kept under wraps. However, in an interview with our friends over at Outside Xbox, Jean Guesdon, the creative director on the upcoming Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, has hinted that the next...
News Call of Juarez: Gunslinger Settles Scores in New Trailer
Downloadable shooter reloads series on PSN
Would the real Call of Juarez please stand up? Techland has deployed a brand new trailer for its upcoming PlayStation Network first-person shooter Call of Juarez: Gunslinger – and it looks like a real return to form for the underrated Western series. The footage teases showdowns against real-life...
News Dragon's Crown Details Punching Their Way Online Next Week
Announcement of an announcement
New information regarding Vanillaware’s slick PlayStation 3 and Vita brawler Dragon’s Crown will thump its way online next week. Atlus has launched a website for the fighter which points to a full re-reveal on 21st March. That’s next Thursday for those of you without a calendar to hand. The beautiful beat ‘em...
News 2K Games Shepherds Explosive BioShock Infinite Trailer Online
Shooter taking to the skies later this month
We know that people are extremely excited about the plot in the upcoming BioShock Infinite, but it’s the combat that’s got us hot under the collar. This brand new trailer boasts a healthy selection of both, as it shows protagonist Booker DeWitt chatting with heroine Elizabeth, summoning bats out of...
Wednesday13th Mar 2013
News Japanese Sales Charts: Soul Sacrifice Pushes Vita Above 3DS
Sony's system finally knocks its counterpart off the summit
Savour the moment: the PlayStation Vita has finally toppled the Nintendo 3DS in Japan. Sales for Sony’s handheld stayed strong following last week’s price drop, with Soul Sacrifice pushing the system’s tally up to a colossal 63,581 units – a small improvement over last week’s...
Review WRC Powerslide (PlayStation 3)
Stuck in the mud
Simulation racers are not for everyone. Settle down for a casual round of Gran Turismo 5 with the folks from the cricket club and you’ll spend more time staring at barriers than the actual road ahead. It’s with that in mind that Italian developer Milestone has concocted WRC Powerslide, an isometric riff on its hardcore licensed...
News Hyperdimension Idol Neptunia PP Brings the Console War to Vita
Deploying this summer in Japan
The ongoing battle for Gamindustri and its inhabitants will make the transition to PlayStation Vita, an article in Dengeki PlayStation magazine has revealed. Siliconera reports that Hyperdimension Idol Neptunia PP will launch on 20th June in Japan, though additional details are scarce. Previous instalments in the...
News Bitsquid Engine Support Expanded to PlayStation 4
Using its many limbs to reach into the next generation
The engine behind PlayStation Network puzzler Hamilton’s Great Adventure is extending its reach to the PlayStation 4. Bitsquid has confirmed that its multiplatform development suite will be compatible with Sony’s impending next generation system, promising a flexible production environment...
Store Update 13th March 2013 (Europe)
Bits and bobs
As with North America’s most recent refresh, there are plenty of goodies available as part of this week's European PlayStation Store update. Darkstalkers Resurrection is probably the most notable new addition, alongside WRC Powerslide and a handful of demos. Let’s stop dithering and get down to business. PS3 Games: Atelier...
News Sniper Elite 3 Sets Its Sights on PlayStation 4
Sequel also firing onto PlayStation 3
A sequel to the surprisingly satisfying long-range shooter Sniper Elite V2 will target both the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 next year. The straight-firing Sniper Elite 3 will aim to capitalise on the success of its predecessor, which IGN reports went on to sell an impressive 1.1 million copies in 2012...
News Floating Cloud God Saves the Pilgrims in HD! Soars onto Vita
The HD Adventures of Rotating Octopus Character rolling by, too
Upgraded ports of Dakko Dakko’s popular PlayStation Minis titles Floating Cloud God Saves the Pilgrims and The Adventures of Rotating Octopus Character are set to spruce up the PlayStation Vita later this summer. Cleverly dubbed Floating Cloud God Saves the Pilgrims in HD!
News GameStop: More than 600,000 Gamers Showing Strong Demand for PS4
Retailer reckons console is off to a positive start
North American video game specialist GameStop has revealed that more than 600,000 members of its Power Up Rewards programme have signed up to its ‘First to Know’ list for the PlayStation 4. The initiative offers availability updates, purchase options, and details about Sony’s next generation...
Store Update 12th March 2013 (North America)
All filler, no killer
This week’s North American PlayStation Store update is devoid of any real heavy hitters. Sure, you can look forward to the likes of Quantum Theory, Heavy Fire: Shattered Spear, and Kessen II if you like, but they’re not exactly must-have titles, are they? Darkstalkers Resurrection probably comes closest, alongside...
News The Witcher 3 Developer Was One of the First European Studios to Get a PS4
Polish studio excited by platform's potential
CD Projekt Red’s critically acclaimed The Witcher series will finally complete the long trek onto PlayStation next year, when The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt stakes its claim on the PlayStation 4. Despite previous entries in the series skipping Sony’s ecosystem, managing director Adam Badowski has revealed...
News Lone Survivor Finds Sanctuary on PlayStation 3 and Vita This July
Survival horror title will launch with exclusive content
Critically acclaimed indie hit Lone Survivor will spook the PlayStation Network in July, developer Jasper Byrne has confirmed. The upcoming PlayStation 3 and Vita port – in production at Explodemon! developer Curve Studios – was officially
News Dishonored's 'The Knife of Dunwall' DLC Draws Blood in April
New content unsheathed for stealth title
Bethesda’s brilliant stealth sandbox Dishonored will make a comeback in April, as the title explores the narrative of antagonist assassin Daud in a new expansion named ‘The Knife of Dunwall’. The add-on – which is apparently the first of two story-based expansions – will launch on 16th April in...
News Feast Your Eagle Eyes on This Assassin's Creed III DLC Trailer
Second episode available next week
The next instalment in Assassin’s Creed III’s alternate history ‘Tyranny of King Washington’ DLC will allow you to transform into an eagle. Much like the previous add-on's invisibility cloak, the next chapter will give you the option you to select surfaces and fly towards them without being spotted. Someone...
Tuesday12th Mar 2013
Guide How to Beat the 'Trial of Archimedes' in God of War: Ascension
Throwing down the gauntlet
God of War: Ascension is one of the more manageable entries in Sony’s savage Spartan series, but it does have one particular difficulty spike. The rage-worthy 'Trial of Archimedes' located at the start of Chapter 28 is perhaps one of the most punishing sections in the series, prompting the ire of many reviewers...
News Is Sony Discontinuing the 3G PlayStation Vita?
North American stores slashing the price of the connected console
A slew of Sony stores across North America have discounted the price of the 3G PlayStation Vita, with some outlets explaining that it’s because the premium console is about to be discontinued. Joystiq reports that you can currently purchase a bundle including a 3G handheld, an 8GB...
News Controversial God of War: Ascension Trophy Name Squashed
Bros before foes
God of War: Ascension has manufactured a bit of a backlash in some circles for the name of one of its Trophies. The digital trinket pops shortly after you’ve finished bashing the brains out of one of the Furies, the aggressive trio of witches who form the lead antagonists of the game. After a particularly brutal fighting sequence,...
Talking Point Should God of War Follow in the Footsteps of Assassin's Creed?
Mixing up mythologies
God of War finds itself in a challenging spot. The savage series remains one of Sony’s most popular first-party products, but it’s starting to suffer from franchise fatigue. The reception to the recently released God of War: Ascension evidences as much – it’s far from a bad game, but the review sc
News PlayStation Vita Boosted to Firmware Update v2.06
Nothing meaningful added, though
If you’re planning on spending some time with your PlayStation Vita this week, you may want to know that there’s a new firmware update available. Version 2.06 adds the grand sum of nothing to the portable platform, merely promising further “system software stability”. We’d expect the handheld to be firmer...
News Payday 2 Will Bleed Your Wallet Dry This Summer
Downloadable shooter planning the perfect heist
Bloodcurdling masks and carefully staged crime sprees will make a comeback this summer, as Overkill Software applies the finishing touches to Payday 2. The sequel to 2011’s likeable co-op heist simulator, Payday: The Heist, was formally announced earlier today, and promises some noteworthy...
News Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Expanding Its Arsenal with Microtransactions
Pork packs
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 may have managed to stave off the dreaded online pass – but the lure of microtransactions has proved too much for the title to resist. Activision has confirmed that the first-person shooter will be upgraded with a slew of small items in the coming weeks, which will allow you to further customise your game. For...
News Japanese Soul Sacrifice Commercial Shakes Its Maracas
Sony forgoes sanity for latest spot
Sony is pushing PlayStation Vita exclusive Soul Sacrifice extremely hard in Japan. We’ve already seen a couple of the platform holder’s more conventional commercials for the Monster Hunter-esque title, but this one steps headfirst into nonsense territory. It shows a group of Japanese office workers going nuts...
News Resident Evil Sale Haunts the EU PlayStation Store This Week
Sorry, no Jill sandwiches
Those of you looking to inject your evenings with a spot of horror may be excited to learn about the upcoming Resident Evil sale shuffling its way onto the European PlayStation Store. Starting from tomorrow until 27th March, you’ll be able to purchase a selection of titles from Capcom’s classic franchise at up to 50 per...
News Sound Shapes DLC Honks Its Horn to the Beat
Baby, you can drive our car
Sound Shapes is aiming to pump up the volume this week with a couple of downloadable expansion packs. The first – memorably dubbed the Car Mini-Album and Creator Pack – will augment the rhythmic platformer with a couple of pimped out rides, in addition to a number of new campaign levels, a full sound pack, a slew of...
Monday11th Mar 2013
First Impressions Mass Effect 3's Citadel DLC Is One Party That You Shouldn't Skip
Cheery bye
Commander Shepard has walked a long and dangerous road – and with Mass Effect 3’s final DLC offering, Citadel, that road comes to a heartfelt and engaging end. What starts off as an opportunity to unwind and relax at the galaxy’s centre of operations takes us on a rather wild ride absolutely packed with cameos and in-jokes. The...
Reaction Urban Trial Freestyle's Success Shows the Demand for Trials Evolution on PS3 and Vita
Down the dirt track
You’ve got to give Polish developer Tate Interactive credit. The studio’s recently released Urban Trial Freestyle may not boast the polished chassis of its physics-focused motorcycle compatriot Trials Evolution, but it’s parked itself slap-bang in the centre of a commercial black hole that’s been growing in significance...
News Former Sony CEO Howard Stringer to Retire in June
Brave new world
Sony chairman and former chief executive officer Howard Stringer has announced that he will retire from his position within the firm in June. The Welsh businessman announced his departure as part of a speech at the Japan Society in New York City last week, where he revealed that he will turn his attention to the healthcare and...
News PlayStation 4 Trailer Beats Super Bowl Commercials on YouTube
Was the most viewed advertisement in February
Remember when Microsoft said that no one would even know about the PlayStation 4’s announcement? Well, the debut trailer for Sony’s latest system has topped YouTube’s most viewed advertisements leaderboard in February – beating out a slew of Super Bowl commercials in the process. The spot –...
News Star Wars: First Assault Is Currently Lost in a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Downloadable shooter trapped in limbo
On the day that LucasFilm has decided to ditch new episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Kotaku has used its Jedi powers to unearth information about a brand new downloadable game named Star Wars: First Assault. The first-person shooter –
News PS4 Will 'Out-Power Most PCs for Years to Come', Says Just Cause Developer
Avalanche Studios particularly impressed with Sony's next generation hardware
Linus Blomberg, a leading technical officer at Just Cause 2 developer Avalanche Studios, is seriously excited for the PlayStation 4. In an interview with GamingBolt, the employee praised the platform’s developer-friendly environment and the vision behind the console’s...
News UK Sales Charts: Tomb Raider Reboot Smashes Retail Records
Plunders plenty of wallets
It may only be March, but Tomb Raider is currently the game to beat. Crystal Dynamics’ well-received reboot safely secured the biggest launch of the year so far, outselling 2013's previous best, the awful Aliens: Colonial Marines, by more than double. It’s worth remembering, however, that the title released on a...
News Scott Pilgrim vs. The World Wins the Award for Most Overdue DLC Ever
Online multiplayer add-on out this week
The oft-delayed expansion for Scott Pilgrim vs. The World will finally fight its way onto the PlayStation Store this week. The add-on pack – which was announced all the way back in August – will incorporate online multiplayer and a new playable character named Wallace Wells into the digital download. The...
News Jonathan Blow 'Happy' to Be Working with Sony on The Witness
Developer excited by his relationship with the platform holder
Braid may have been a watershed release for Xbox Live Arcade, but creator Jonathan Blow reckons that he’s “happy” to be working with Sony on his next project The Witness. The title was announced as a timed exclusive for the PlayStation 4 during the platform holder’s press...
News Joe Danger 2: The Movie Headlines NA PlayStation Plus Update
Plus, oodles of Ubisoft discounts
North American PlayStation Plus subscribers will be given the opportunity to star in Joe Danger 2: The Movie this week, when the enjoyable arcade adventure is added to the Instant Game Collection. You’ll be able to download the madcap motorcycle title for free from tomorrow, as well as the recently announced S
Most Read
Guide How to Beat the 'Trial of Archimedes' in God of War: Ascension
News PlayStation Network Down for Some, Sony Looking into the Problem
Feature How inFAMOUS: Second Son's Smoke Powers Will Make You a Smouldering Supe...
First Impressions Mass Effect 3's Citadel DLC Is One Party That You Shouldn't Skip
News Pachter: Microsoft Will 'Deliberately Trash' the PlayStation 4
News Phantasy Star Online 2's Download Numbers Rocket on Vita
News Japanese Sales Charts: Soul Sacrifice Pushes Vita Above 3DS
