First Impressions Could the PS4 Controller Be Gaming's Greatest Ever Input Device?
We wrap our eager fingers around the DualShock 4
News There's a Secret Room Inside Naughty Dog That's As Cold As ICE
The department that makes PlayStation's first-party tick
Review Hotline Miami (PlayStation Vita)
Do you like hurting other people?
News - 2013, Week 27
Sunday7th Jul 2013
News PlayStation TV Trademark Suggests That Sony's Got Square Eyes, Too
Microsoft's not the only platform holder looking at the bigger picture
Sony’s kept its messaging regarding the PlayStation 4 fairly restricted to games since the console’s initial unveiling. It’s been the right strategy – unlike Microsoft, the company seems to understand that it needs to capture the enthusiasm of its hardcore fanbase before...
News So, Atlus' Parent Company Just Registered a Persona 5 Domain
But which platform will it launch on?
Persona 5 is a game that’s been on the tip of most gamers’ tongues for eons, but now there’s reason to believe that it could be right around the corner. Atlus’ admittedly troubled parent company Index Corporation registered a domain for the hotly anticipated follow-up on 25th June. Cue throngs of excited...
Saturday6th Jul 2013
News This Is What the PlayStation 4 Will Look Like in Shops
Feeling blue
Retail presence may be the unsung element of video game marketing, but it’s massively important. Any system that occupies the dusty corner of your local electronics store is unlikely to make the best first impression – just talk to the PlayStation Vita about that. Fortunately, platform holder Sony has bigger plans for the...
First Impressions Behind the Wheel with DriveClub, the PS4 Racer That Wants to Keep You on the Road
Team pursuit
Evolution Studios does not consider PlayStation 4 launch title DriveClub to be just another racing game. The talented Runcorn-based outfit sees its latest vehicular outing as more of a social service – a hub that will keep you hooked by allowing you to interact with friends, recruit your own personal team, and sit in the cockpit of...
Sunday7th Jul 2013
News The Pinball Arcade Will Employ Cross-Discount on PS4
Price of previously purchased tables slashed
If you’ve developed an unhealthy obsession with The Pinball Arcade over the past few months – this particularly author is writing from experience – then you may be wondering what will happen to all of your previous purchases come the release of the PlayStation 4 version later in the year. Currently,...
Saturday6th Jul 2013
News Expect Plenty More PlayStation 4 Announcements at GamesCom
Sony teases impending information
The season of industry events and press conferences is only just getting started. Last month’s E3 was more or less the dress rehearsal for GamesCom, Tokyo Game Show, PAX, and the Eurogamer Expo – and unsurprisingly, there’s still plenty of information about the PlayStation 4 to be revealed in the run up to...
News Sony: PS4 Is Ahead, But We're Playing the Long Game
Platform holder staying sharp
Few would argue that the PlayStation 4 is enjoying an incredible build up to launch. The platform hasn’t really put a foot out of place since its announcement in February, and the mounting excitement surrounding the system is being reflected by positive pre-order numbers. Those figures, according to SCEUK boss Fergal...
News No, You Can't Turn Off the DualShock 4's Light Bar
Caught in headlights
The light bar on the top of the DualShock 4 is easily one of the device’s neatest features. It gives the unit a futuristic quality, and is also used for some pretty impressive PlayStation Move-esque motion tracking in technology demo The Playroom. However, its inclusion has us a l
News Tales of Xillia 2 Confirmed for European Release
Should be with us next year
Tales of Xillia has been available in Japan since 2011, and will finally be unleashed in the West next month. However, the game already has a sequel in the land of the rising sun – and it's now been confirmed that it too will be making its way to European shores. The announcement was made by Namco Bandai at the Japan...
Friday5th Jul 2013
First Impressions Could the PS4 Controller Be Gaming's Greatest Ever Input Device?
We wrap our eager fingers around the DualShock 4
It’s been almost 16 years since the PlayStation’s primary input device last demanded real scrutiny. The introduction of the DualShock in late 1997 ushered a new standard for video game control that hasn’t changed a whole lot over the past decade and a half. Sure, the peripheral has been host to...
First Impressions The Playroom May Be the Most Impressive Use of PS4 Yet
Minigame compilation makes us believers
Expectations can be curious things. If you’re already extremely excited for something, it can be hard for that unfortunate entity to live up to the standards that you’ve assigned to it. As a consequence, it’s easier to be surprised when your anticipation at rock bottom. And that’s exactly what happened...
Review Kung Fu Rabbit (PlayStation Vita)
Carrot-y chop
Adding to the slew of mobile-developed indie games that are finding their way onto Sony’s portable console, Kung Fu Rabbit brings basic yet addictive platforming to the table. It’s a title that won’t win any awards for originality, but its neat presentation and simple charm ensure that it’s a difficult game to put down. As you...
News Farming Simulator Trailer Grows an Oat to Joy
No foaling around
Farming Simulator , the most exciting release in the PlayStation 3’s pipeline barn none, has a brand gnu trailer – and this one’s packed with slap bass lines, licensed gear, and lots of action shots from life’s most high-thresher job. It certainly looks like publisher Focus Home Interactive’s in on the joke, which has us...
News Guacamelee's Price Temporarily Pinned in Europe
Cross-buy platformer gets cheaper
Canadian outfit Drinkbox Studios has wrestled with the price of Guacamelee in Europe, bringing the lovely luchador adventure’s point of entry down to just £7.99/€9.99. The offer will be valid until 17th July, after which it will reapply its mask, and reset its cost back to £9.99/€12.99. You know what you...
Thursday4th Jul 2013
News You'll Totally Get a Free Game Pre-Installed on Your PS4
Power of play
There may be a wealth of free-to-play content already in the pipeline for the PlayStation 4, but there’s one game that Sony wants you to sample out of the box. The Playroom, the platform holder’s augmented reality technology demo, will come pre-loaded with every machine, allowing you to experience virtual pong in your living room...
News Call of Duty: Ghosts Comes Crashing Down with Pre-Order Bonus
Free fallin'
Firm footing is not guaranteed in Call of Duty: Ghosts’ bonus ‘Free Fall’ map. The dilapidated arena – available alongside pre-orders for the impending first-person shooter – will drop you “into a shattered skyscraper on the brink of collapse”. As you play, the building will crumble in real-time, showcasing one of the...
Store Update 3rd July 2013 (Europe)
Time and time again
PlayStation Plus gets its monthly refresh in Europe this week, bringing with it a bevy of complimentary content for you to enjoy. Outside of the freebies, this week’s PlayStation Store update isn’t exactly bulging with new releases, but there are a few PlayStation Vita games vying for your attention, including Total Recoil...
News Destiny Gameplay Demo Dropped into the Wild
Halo developer plots debut on PS4
Bungie’s upcoming online first-person shooter Destiny was easily one of the biggest title’s at E3 2013, making this high-definition footage of the game totally worth your attention. It’s the same sequence that was originally shown during Sony’s press conference – complete with irritating developer...
News One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2 Weighs Anchor with New Story Trailer
Gum-Gum get hype
Namco Bandai released a rather rousing trailer for its upcoming seafaring brawler earlier today, complete with cheesy rock music and a surprising amount of explosions. We also get a quick glimpse of newly introduced playable characters and the game's original plot. If nothing else, the title looks to be a nice chunk of mayhem for...
News Get your Daily Dose of Nonsense with Another Lightning Returns Trailer
Here we go again
Just when you thought that Lightning couldn't get any more melodramatic this week, Square Enix has released yet another trailer – this time in an attempt to detail some of Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII's spiralling story arc. Keep your eyes peeled and you'll see cameos from some of your favourite – or not so favourite...
Rumour Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster Adds a Little Drama
Re-release to boast an additional 30 minutes
If you weren’t satisfied with the levels of nonsense in the Final Fantasy X story arc, then you may be elated to learn that Square Enix is aiming to sate your questionable cravings with an additional 30 minute drama added to the end of Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster’s credits. According to Jump...
Wednesday3rd Jul 2013
Talking Point Sony's Slow and Steady PS4 Reveal Strategy Will Pay Off
Stockpiling ammunition
There’s a perception that Sony’s on top in the next generation race. The company’s adopting a humble approach in interviews, but it must be buzzing behind closed doors. Retailer charts place the PlayStation 4 in the driver's seat – even in the wake of Microsoft’
News Japanese Sales Charts: Toukiden Prompts Vita to Surge
System shoots up the hardware charts
PlayStation Vita sales have been steady if unspectacular in Japan since the system’s surprise price drop earlier in the year, but the release of Monster Hunter-esque action game Toukiden really gave the console a jolt of energy in the region this week. Hardware sales more than doubled, resulting in an...
Interview Jenova Chen Outlines the Challenges of Life After Journey
Company is still in pre-production on next game
It’s hard to believe that it’s been over a year since PlayStation Network exclusive Journey launched to overwhelming critical acclaim. The spiritual adventure – which scooped our Game of the Year gong – fulfilled an exclusivity contract between developer thatgamecompany and platform holder...
News It Looks Like Halfbrick Is Squeezing Fruit Ninja onto the Vita
Strawberries and dreams
Fresh from the success of the freemium version of Jetpack Joyride on the PlayStation Vita, it looks like Australian indie Halfbrick Studios is lining up another conversion of one of its smartphone favourites. This week’s European PlayStation Store update lists a slew of microtra
Store Update 2nd July 2013 (North America)
It's getting hot in here
Sony’s really turning up the temperature on the North American PlayStation Store this week, with the Summer Blast sale bringing with it a bevy of sweat-inducing discounts. Other highlights include the release of Velocity Ultra, Pinball Heroes: Complete, and Farming Simulator on
News Tokyo Jungle Mobile Makes a Mess on PSM in North America Next Week
Woof stuff
Tokyo Jungle Mobile will be taking a trip overseas next week, according to a post by our friends over at PSNStores. The game – which was announced for Japan in Famitsu magazine earlier today – will stalk Sony’s fledgling PlayStation Mobile platform from 10th July. It’ll cost y
News Sony Confirms That Cross-Play Title Warrior's Lair Is Dead
Ruinous
Warrior's Lair, the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita cross-play title formerly known as Ruin, has been officially canned. The Diablo-esque dungeon crawler had a troubled development, as it was passed from Idol Minds to Sony San Diego in April 2012, nearly a year after it garnered rapturous applause during Sony's press conference at E3 in...
News Killer Is Dead Dons Its Gigolo Glasses on 27th August
Bundled with a bevy of goodies
Grasshopper Manufacture’s latest eyebrow-raising endeavour Killer Is Dead will flirt with store shelves on 27th August in North America, publisher XSEED Games has announced. All launch editions of the bloodthirsty outing will be bundled with an 80-page hardcover art book, a soundtrack featuring 25 songs produced by...
News Tokyo Jungle Mates with PlayStation Mobile on 10th July
Wild thing
Ace side-scrolling animal simulation Tokyo Jungle is set to get a PlayStation Mobile spin-off in Japan later this month, reports Siliconera. The farm-fresh digital download – teased in the latest issue of Famitsu magazine – will supposedly adopt an isometric perspective, and will subsequently play differently to its PlayStation 3...
News Lovefilm Breaks UK Gamers' Hearts from 8th August
Rental giant cans video games
Despite its name, Lovefilm is actually the best (and biggest) video game rental service in the UK. At least it was: the Amazon-owned giant has confirmed that it will cease distributing software to existing customers on 8th August. Yesterday, it revealed that it had axed game rentals for new members, prompting many to...
News Saints Row IV Declares Its Independence with Ridiculous New Trailer
"Welcome to Earth!"
As if we needed any further convincing that the Saints Row franchise has gone completely insane, this new Independence Day trailer for Saints Row IV is probably the most ridiculous promotion that we've seen for the upcoming release thus far. Characteristically full of swearing, stupid dialogue, and explosions, our latest glimpse...
Tuesday2nd Jul 2013
Review Arcania: The Complete Tale (PlayStation 3)
Arrow to the GPU
A great fantasy RPG should immerse you completely into its virtual world, making you truly believe in the mysterious realms around you. A great fantasy RPG should compel you to the point that you want to speak to every character in order to learn intricate secrets both pivotal and unrelated to the game's plot, and should encourage...
Review Hotline Miami (PlayStation Vita)
Do you like hurting other people?
Like the Hollywood classic Drive which provided a large helping of inspiration during development, Hotline Miami is a visceral assault on the senses which often leaves you breathless and sweaty-palmed, but also isn’t afraid to offer up moments of shocking frustration. Part action game, part puzzle title, part...
Interview Soul Saga's Mike Gale on Realising a Real Fantasy on PS4 and Vita
Cloud and strife
It would have been a real injustice if Soul Saga didn’t make it onto a PlayStation platform. The brainchild of former Microsoft employee Mike Gale is pitched as a love letter to the PSone JRPG era, but was originally only confirmed for the PC, Mac, and Linux. Fortunately, the success of the title’s Kickstarte
News Tretton: PlayStation Vita's Got a Dedicated Fanbase, It's Just Not Big Enough
Growing pains
While it’s now host to a pretty strong selection of games, the PlayStation Vita is still struggling to garner the commercial success that it probably deserves. Hardware numbers are catastrophically low, and it’s failing to secure big third-party brands as a result. Despite this, SCEA president Jack Tretton believes that there’s...
News EDGE Magazine Backs PS4 in Next Generation Special
Picking sides
Multiformat publications tend to sit on the fence for obvious reasons, but popular British magazine EDGE has pulled no punches with its latest issue. The next generation special runs with the headline, “This is your next console,” and includes a picture of the PlayStation 4 hardware. It continues that Sony’s system is the “only...
Wednesday3rd Jul 2013
News Nolan North Doesn't Know Anything About Uncharted 4
Yeah, and we're the offspring of Sir Francis Drake
Naughty Dog may have only just finished lapping up the plaudits for its latest release The Last of Us, but already the industry’s attention is turning to its next title. And given that it’s been almost two years since Nathan Drake’s last globe-trotting adventure, it's commonly accepted that...
Tuesday2nd Jul 2013
News PS4 Nominated Best of Show in E3 2013 Game Critics Awards
But misses out to Titanfall
Sony may be eager to not get too excited about its E3 2013 performance, but the PlayStation 4 has already scooped one major victory over the Xbox One. The console has been nominated ‘Best of Show’ in the E3 2013 Game Critics Awards, alongside the
News You'll Need 8GB of Free Space on Your PS3 to Play Grand Theft Auto V
First gameplay footage and multiplayer details on the way
Industry giant Rockstar Games is aiming to deliver the biggest open world in its history with Grand Theft Auto V, so it’s not particularly surprising that the impending sequel will consume a sizeable chunk of your console’s hard drive. Writing on its official website, the developer...
News PS4's Price Was Not a Reaction to Xbox One's, States Tretton
How low can you go?
Microsoft may have reversed some of its policies over the past couple of weeks, but it’s still hard to forget the series of sucker punches that Sony landed on its competitor during E3. It got consumers on its side by announcing that the PlayStation 4 will support used games, and then landed a killer blow by
News This Cloud Strife Costume Makes Lightning Even Moodier
Power of the cloud
Final Fantasy VII is finally entering the HD era – well, sort of. By pre-ordering Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, you'll snag a SOLDIER uniform that's more than a little reminiscent of Cloud Strife's original attire, along with his iconic Buster Sword. The final chapter in Lightning's tale was recently delayed until next...
Video Watch Us Put the Pedal to the Metal in Gran Turismo 6
Rolling start
Gran Turismo 6’s refreshingly early demo strapped itself into the PlayStation Store today, and we persuaded video boffin Rory Cocker to don his best leather gloves and take the title for a test drive. The gameplay teaser – which is available as part of the annual GT Academy competition – allows you to sample a handful of courses...
News Battlefield 3 Fires onto North American PlayStation Plus
Jet Set Radio, Dokuro, and more all up for grabs
Sony’s set to start the summer in spectacular fashion, with a bumper North American PlayStation Plus update that includes Battlefield 3. From today, you’ll be able to download DICE’s chunky first-person shooter for free, which should get you in the mood for the title’s big-budget sequel later
News Pinball Heroes: Complete Bumps into PlayStation Vita This Week
About flippin' time
As previously teased, Pinball Heroes: Complete is set to step up to the, er, table on the PlayStation Vita this week. The revamped PlayStation Portable title – which re-imagines a slew of PlayStation properties as pinball arenas – is due out later today in North America and tomorrow in Europe. It will set you back $5.99 in...
Monday1st Jul 2013
News There's a Secret Room Inside Naughty Dog That's As Cold As ICE
The department that makes PlayStation's first-party tick
Sony’s fabled ICE Team has always remained something of a mystery. While the platform holder’s acknowledged the existence of the technology-focused unit in the past, it’s never been entirely clear about how the Naughty Dog-based department came to exist. However, speaking as part of a...
Review Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two (PlayStation Vita)
Icky mouse
It’s ironic that the latest blockbuster starring Walt Disney’s most iconic cartoon creation is a bit of a Mickey Mouse affair. Last year’s PlayStation 3 release of Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two, the sequel to development juggernaut Warren Spector’s popular Nintendo Wii game, fell flat on its button nose due to shoddy...
Review OMG HD Zombies! (PlayStation Vita)
Do you have the deadication?
After some zombie target practice as a PlayStation Minis title, the addictive OMG-Z is back as a full PlayStation Vita game, with Trophies, leaderboards, and a fresh lick of paint. OMG HD Zombies takes the original release's compelling mechanics, and gives them a good old polish, prompting you to venture deeper down the...
News Mark Cerny Reveals the Cheers and Jeers That Shaped PS4
Luminary opens the book on his career and Sony's latest console
Marble Madness creator Mark Cerny is the last person that you’d ever expect to get heckled, but the PlayStation 4 system architect has revealed that some jeers helped to shape Sony’s next generation console. Speaking candidly about his career and his involvement with the evolution...
News The Legend of Dragoon's Dart Almost Fought in PlayStation All-Stars
Here comes a new challenger
We thought that the roster in mascot mash-up PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale was fine, but it could have used a few more niche names. While we were always personally gunning for the mannequin from Echochrome, it turns out that Dart, the protagonist from PSone classic The Legend of Dragoon, was in production as DLC at...
News Hyperdimension Neptunia Dresses Up on PS Vita in Japan
It's raining, er, girls
Compile Heart is whipping out the hair straighteners and short skirts yet again, confirming that the original Hyperdimension Neptunia is set to strut its way onto the PlayStation Vita in Japan this October. The game – memorably dubbed Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 1 – will feature the enhanced visuals and combat system...
Game of the Month June 2013 - The Last of Us
It wasn't for nothing
Who wants to know a little secret? Ordinarily we run an internal poll for these Game of the Month posts, but on this occasion we didn’t bother. Anyone that dared to vote against Naughty Dog’s incredible opus The Last of Us was going to be forced to spend the week shamefully sat on the step outside of our big cheese’s...
News The Walking Dead: 400 Days Debuts, Er, Tomorrow in North America
Surprise, surprise
The hotly anticipated add-on chapter for Telltale Games’ award-winning The Walking Dead episodic series will shuffle onto the PlayStation Network tomorrow in North America. Those of you in Europe will have to wait until 10th July to get your hands on the expansion, which will retail for $4.99 in the land of the free. The...
News UK Sales Charts: The Last of Us Keeps Clicking at the Summit
The sky has turned grey
While we appreciate that we’re in the midst of the slow summer season, it’s pretty unprecedented for a PlayStation 3 exclusive to cling onto the UK sales charts top spot for longer than a week. But despite a slew of bad press over the past few days, The Last of Us has managed to do just that, holding onto its place atop...
News Curve Studios Converts Proteus for PlayStation 3 and Vita
Kaleidoscope eyes
Aren’t you a crafty bunch, Curve Studios? In an interview published over the weekend, the London-based outfit’s managing director Jason Perkins teased an indie project that it was working on behind-the-scenes, but it failed to give us the scoop. Now it’s confirmed on the PlayStation Blog that the title in question is...
News Whoa, There Are Now Eight Million Levels in LittleBigPlanet
More content than you could ever want
If, like this flustered author, you don’t have time to play half of the games that you own, then you may want to steer clear of LittleBigPlanet. While we’d recommend all of the entries in the whimsical do-it-yourself franchise, it is possible to have too much of a good thing. And the fact that the series is...
Most Read
First Impressions Could the PS4 Controller Be Gaming's Greatest Ever Input Device?
News There's a Secret Room Inside Naughty Dog That's As Cold As ICE
Review Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two (PlayStation Vita)
First Impressions The Playroom May Be the Most Impressive Use of PS4 Yet
First Impressions Behind the Wheel with DriveClub, the PS4 Racer That Wants to Keep You on...
Interview Soul Saga's Mike Gale on Realising a Real Fantasy on PS4 and Vita
