News - March, 2013

Sunday31st Mar 2013

  • Feature Twelve of the Best PlayStation Easter Eggs

    Hidden treats cracked open

    Video game Easter Eggs may not be made of chocolate like their real world counterparts, but there are still plenty of tasty treats concealed within the world of PlayStation. In order to celebrate the impending spring weather (oh, please let it arrive), we’ve hopped through our archives like a new born bunny to bring you...

  • News Sony Cracks Open PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale Discount

    European offers roll on

    Sony’s celebrating Easter Sunday with an outrageous discount on PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale. Starting from now until 11:59AM BST on 2nd April, you’ll be able to purchase the excellent mascot mash-up at the low price of £15.99/€19.99 from the European PlayStation Store. Remember: the game is part of the platform...

  • News GameStop: PlayStation 4 Will Launch Globally in 2013

    Cross your fingers

    Video game retailer GameStop has got a lot to say about the PlayStation 4. Hot on the heels of gaffer Tony Bartel’s comments regarding stock shortages yesterday, company executive Michael Hogan has hinted that Sony’s next generation platform is set to launch globally this year. Presumably, that includes Europe. “We know...

Saturday30th Mar 2013

Friday29th Mar 2013

Thursday28th Mar 2013

Wednesday27th Mar 2013

Tuesday26th Mar 2013

Monday25th Mar 2013

  • News American McGee Is Disappointed with the PlayStation 4

    Wanted to see more control innovation

    American McGee, the creator of the criminally overlooked Alice: Madness Returns, has admitted that he wasn’t particularly impressed with last month’s PlayStation 4 announcement. Speaking in an interview with Forbes, the Spicy Horse founder said that he had hoped for more innovation in the input department...

  • Talking Point Why inFAMOUS: Second Son Shouldn't Be a PS4 Launch Game

    Put those superpowers on hold

    Sucker Punch is supposedly planning to cough up inFAMOUS: Second Son in time for the PlayStation 4’s launch later this year. While the Bellevue-based studio failed to cite a timeline during its dramatic portion of last month’s PlayStation Meeting press conference, a couple of

  • News Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Gameplay Footage Sets Sail

    Plus, plenty of collector's editions to plunder

    Ubisoft has pillaged the first gameplay footage of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, showing everything from deep sea diving to naval battles. The trailer offers a proper introduction to new protagonist Edward Kenway, and also shows off some of the locales that you can expect to explore during the...

  • News Pachter: Sony Won't Make Money on the PlayStation Vita

    Analyst goes hard on the handheld market

    Outspoken industry analyst Michael Pachter doesn’t believe that Sony has much of a chance of making money on the PlayStation Vita. Speaking on the latest episode of the Pach-Attack, the Wedbush Securities employee described the system as a “joke”, explaining that while it’s a capable device, very few...

  • News Borderlands 2 Plundering Your Bank Account with Psychotic Character Class

    Born to be wild

    Borderlands 2 is expanding once again in May, courtesy of Krieg, the sixth vault hunter to pillage Pandora in pursuit of loot. Originally teased at SXSW earlier in the year, the character class was officially unveiled during a PAX East panel yesterday. The post-release protagonist will set you back $9.99, and won’t be available as...

  • News UK Sales Charts: The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct Stumbles into Third

    God of War: Ascension slips

    Terminal Reality’s poorly received The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct has brought more pain and misery for Lara Croft in this week’s UK sales charts, as the first-person shooter has lurched into third position, one spot behind Crystal Dynamics’ brilliant Tomb Raider reboot. Can that girl ever catch a break? Xbox...

  • News Dragon's Crown Reigns on PS3 and Vita This Summer

    Atlus attaches window to the beautiful brawler

    Vanillaware’s slick PlayStation 3 and Vita brawler Dragon’s Crown will stroll onto North American store shelves and the PlayStation Network this summer, publisher Atlus has announced. The game will set you back $49.99 for the console version, and $39.99 for the handheld release. There’s no word on...

  • News Indie Hit Limbo Lurches onto PlayStation Vita

    Bump in the night

    Arachnophobes beware: Playdead’s macabre puzzle platformer Limbo is creepy-crawling its way onto the PlayStation Vita soon. IGN scored the scoop, though it failed to shed any more light on the re-release. It’s unclear whether the game will be a direct port of the PSN version, or if it will ship with additional features. Danish...

  • News Flood Your Senses with First Rain Footage

    Journey through the water

    If you’ve ever found yourself at ease aimlessly wandering through a torrential downpour, soggy clothes tugging heavily against your skin, then chances are you’re going to find yourself entranced by this brand new footage of Japan Studio’s intriguing Rain. As detailed in previous posts, the title sees you play as a boy...

  • News Watch Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster's First Trailer

    It may be your last chance

    After teasing the release of Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster’s first trailer last week, we expected publisher Square Enix to provide a little more footage than what’s on offer here. This agonisingly brief 60 second short spends more time trying to explain the title’s weird platform arrangement than showing any actual...

  • News Move Fitness Working Up a Sweat in North America

    Time to put those muscles in motion

    Sony’s stab at the exercise game fad Move Fitness is heading to North America this week. The title – which originally launched in Europe way back in 2011 – sees you using the PlayStation Move motion controller to pant your way through a series of rigorous work out routines. The game was developed by the same...

Sunday24th Mar 2013

Saturday23rd Mar 2013

  • News Killzone: Shadow Fall's Single Player Component Is Finished

    Guerrilla Games is piling on the polish

    Killzone: Shadow Fall’s single player campaign has been playable from start to finish for a “couple of months”, game director Steven ter Heide has revealed. Writing on Twitter earlier this morning, the Guerrilla Games employee stated that he was taking advantage of the quiet time in the office to play...

  • News Sony: Interesting and Innovative Titles Coming to PlayStation Vita

    More than 100 games due out this year

    It may be going through a bit of a dry spell, but Sony’s director of product planning and platform software innovation (phew) Don Mesa has insisted that there’s plenty of interesting software on the horizon for the PlayStation Vita. In an extensive interview with IGN, the executive said that there are more...

  • News Blizzard: Diablo III Is Not Necessarily a PlayStation Exclusive

    Studio looking outside of Sony's systems

    Diablo III was announced for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 during last month’s PlayStation Meeting press conference. It made its public debut at PAX East yesterday on Sony’s current flagship console. However, despite all of that, it looks like the title may not actually be exclusive to Sony’s sys

  • News How Many People Played Paragon in Mass Effect 3?

    Plus, other assorted spacetistics

    It’s hard enough for us to believe that the adventures of Commander Shepard’s lovable alien crew are over, so BioWare must be feeling pretty emotional right about now. Following the Canadian developer’s Mass Effect panel at PAX East earlier today, it released a retrospective video featuring numerous team...

  • News Jak & Daxter Collection Doubling Down on PlayStation Vita

    PlayStation 2 platformers heading to Sony's portable

    It looks like Sony’s second best double act – the first being Ratchet & Clank, obviously – are hopping onto the PlayStation Vita, as the North American ratings board the ESRB has filed a registration for the Jak & Daxter Collection on the handheld. The compilation – which launched...

  • News BioShock Infinite Looks Way Better in Burlap

    Sackboy flexes his cross-marketing muscle

    In order to celebrate the impending release of BioShock Infinite, platform holder Sony is launching a custom collection of LittleBigPlanet costumes based on the characters from the game. Outfits include heroine Elizabeth, protagonist Booker DeWitt, and weird mechanical flying thing, Songbird. The add-on will...

  • News Insomniac Games' Fuse Sparks from 28th May in North America

    Overstrike a light

    Insomniac Games’ first multiplatform effort Fuse will merge with store shelves on 28th May in North America and 31st May in Europe. Pre-ordering the co-operative shooter will reward you with unique armour and weapon skins for each of the game’s characters, in addition to a 'Quickdraw Team Perk' that increases the damage dished...

Friday22nd Mar 2013

Thursday21st Mar 2013

Wednesday20th Mar 2013

  • Talking Point Why Sony Was Smart to Announce the PS4 First

    Playing its cards right

    Current Sony CEO, former PlayStation president, and lifelong Ridge Racer superfan Kaz Hirai is a smart man. In an interview with British newspaper The Times in late January, the executive offered a tidbit regarding the PlayStation 4 that threw everyone – including ourselves – off the scent. "Why go first when your...

  • Review Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time (PlayStation 3)

    Crime traveller

    It’s fairly obvious that newcomer Sanzaru Games has poured its heart and soul into Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time. The long-awaited fourth instalment in PlayStation’s premier theft simulator is bursting with reverence for the franchise that Sucker Punch introduced over ten years ago, and that’s evident in every inch of the...

  • Review Life of Pixel (PlayStation Mobile)

    Not quite pixel perfect

    Life of Pixel takes you on a nostalgia fuelled trip through the early era of video games. Playing as a fed-up green pixel – named, er, Pixel – you venture through worlds based upon the Atari 2600, Sinclair Spectrum, BBC Micro, Amstrad CPC464, Commodore 64, Game Boy, NES, and more. Like the classic platformers that it's...

  • News Carmageddon: Reincarnation Running Down PlayStation 4

    Controversial car combat series making a comeback

    Carmageddon: Reincarnation will put its pedal to the metal on PlayStation 4, developer Stainless Games has announced. Following a successful Kickstarter campaign for the PC release last year, the studio has sourced an additional round of funding that has brought the total investment for the reboot up...

  • News Uncharted 3's Free Multiplayer Proves That People Don't Like Paying

    Client has been downloaded over 350,000 times

    Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception’s free multiplayer component has been downloaded more than 350,000 times since it launched at the end of February. The cheap and cheerful client – which gives you complimentary access to online play up to Level 15 – is funded by tiered payment options, which allow...

  • News Japanese Sales Charts: PlayStation Vita Sinks Back into Second

    Sword Art Online steals top spot from Kingdom Hearts

    Sony’s first foray into the handheld market may have been replaced over a year ago, but that’s not stopped the PlayStation Portable from proving that it’s still a force to be reckoned with in this week’s Japanese sales charts. Namco Bandai’s anime adaptation Sword Art Online: Infinity...

  • News Yes, Final Fantasy X-2 HD Is Strutting onto PS3 and Vita

    PlayStation 2 favourites will be bundled on one Blu-ray

    As speculated yesterday, Final Fantasy X-2 is conjuring its collection of enchanted clothing onto the PlayStation 3 and Vita. The latest issue of Japanese publication Jump magazine has confirmed that the title will ship alongside its predecessor Final Fantasy X on a single Blu-ray named Final...

  • News Don't Expect to Raid Any More Tombs in Tomb Raider

    Developer focusing on multiplayer DLC

    Those of you hoping for more single-player DLC in Crystal Dynamics’ excellent Tomb Raider reboot may be disappointed to learn that the studio is focusing all of its attention on multiplayer add-ons from now on. Speaking on Reddit overnight, global brand director Karl Stewart confirmed that the developer has...

  • Store Update 19th March 2013 (North America)

    Short and sweet

    You can almost hear the crickets hidden amongst this week’s North American PlayStation Store update. Sure, the likes of Dead or Alive 5 Plus, The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct, and Hogs of War (remember that one?) are vying for your attention – but there’s not a lot else worth mentioning. As such, let’s get this show on the...

  • News DICE Deploys Battlefield 4 Website Ahead of Next Week's Reveal

    Page is pretty wet

    If you’re the sort of person that can’t resist smearing smudgy sketches on condensed windows, then we don’t recommend visiting this Battlefield 4 website – it may just consume your day. The site – which promises to reveal more artwork if you sign in – allows you to rub the water off a wet window with your mouse,...

  • News Secret Ponchos Probably Has the Best Name in PSN History

    Switchblade Monkeys serving up a whip-crackin' good time

    After a short spell out of the spotlight, spaghetti westerns are well and truly back in vogue. Following the recent re-reveal of Call of Juarez: Gunslinger, new studio Switchblade Monkeys has uncovered its very own venture into the rootin’ tootin’ world of the wild west, confirming the...

  • News Posse Up with Tales of Xillia's Protagonists in New English Trailers

    Combo magic

    If the last English gameplay trailer wasn’t enough to quench your Tales thirst, you may want to gulp down these new character-focused offerings. Featuring Tales of Xillia’s two main protagonists, the fresh footage shows off each hero's individual fighting style and some great combos. Jude, the title’s male star, gets up close and...

  • News Shadows of the Damned Director's New Studio Partners with Sony

    Working with platform holder on new IP

    Shadows of the Damned may have been a commercial flop, but that didn't stop the Grasshopper Manufacture developed third-person shooter from being a thoroughly enjoyable action romp. As such, you may be excited to learn that Massimo Guarini, the director of the aforementioned title, has signed up with Sony...

Tuesday19th Mar 2013

Monday18th Mar 2013

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

Thursday14th Mar 2013

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

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

  • News PlayStation Network Scheduled Maintenance Times Revised

    Disruption for a little longer than expected

    Don’t panic if you’re just signing in to find the PlayStation Network offline – Sony has revised the times of its previously announced scheduled maintenance, bringing it forward to 13:00PM GMT. The construction period will run until 03:00AM GMT tomorrow, but you may still be able to login in the...

  • News Skyrim Version 1.9 Enters Beta, Venturing to PS3 This Month

    Keep on slayin’

    You have to give Bethesda credit for continuing to support The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim for more than a year – and it seems like they have no intention of stopping just yet. The company has announced a brand new update for the open world epic, and it adds a couple of surprising new features. Firstly, a new ‘Legendary’...

  • News PlayStation Vita Sales Quadruple in Japan Post Price Cut

    System primed for positive week overseas

    We already know that the PlayStation Vita’s commercial performance has improved dramatically since the console’s recent price drop, but just how much has remained a bit of a mystery. Fortunately, speaking at a One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2 presentation earlier today, SCEJ president Hiroshi Kawano has...

  • Preview Sailing the Seven Seas in the Seamless Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag

    We brave seasickness for an in-depth look at Ubisoft's upcoming sequel

    Cities are a thing of the past. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, the next annual entry in Ubisoft's stealth-heavy series, will switch firm ground for the rumble of the ocean, as the franchise embraces pirate lore with a stumble and a swig of rum. Evolving the naval mechanics from...

  • News It's Party Time with Mass Effect 3's Citadel DLC

    Friends for life

    BioWare has unsurprisingly released the trailer for Mass Effect 3: Citadel, the trilogy’s final slice of DLC. It’s looking to be the biggest add-on that the series has ever received, and the trailer is suitably packed full of teasers. It would seem that BioWare weren’t exaggerating when they said that protagonist Commander...

  • News Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Sets Sail on PS3 and PS4

    Yarrsome

    Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag will embark on an adventure in pursuit of your loot later this year, as Ubisoft's historical franchise takes a trip to the tropics on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. As previously predicted by a gaggle of scallywags, the next entry in the French publisher's deadly series will plot the path of Edward Kenway,...

  • News Spec Ops: The Line Steps into the Fray on North American PlayStation Plus

    Joe Danger 2: The Movie, The Cave, and more also up for grabs

    Evidently weary of all of the complaining, whining, and general bad blood, Sony has decided to adapt the way that it discusses PlayStation Plus content in North America, opting for a full monthly rundown rather than a weekly update. There will still be regular PlayStation Blog posts...

  • News UK Sales Charts: Crysis 3 Remains Cloaked at Summit

    Lara Croft may have something to say about that next week

    None could pass Crysis 3 in this week’s UK sales charts. Despite dwindling sales, the PlayStation 3 first-person shooter held onto its place at the top of the best sellers list for a second week, sitting pretty in its Nanosuit getup. We suppose that developer Crytek should take a bow, etc...

  • News Sony Sells Shares in Online Gaming Firm for $440 Million

    Platform holder freeing up assets

    As part of an ongoing effort to stabilise its financial footing, Sony has announced that it’s selling its shares in Japanese online gaming firm DeNA for around $440 million. Games Industry.biz reports that Nomura Securities are poised to snatch up the 17.72 million shares, which will add a few more zeroes to the...

Sunday3rd Mar 2013

  • News How Much Would You Pay to Play Shenmue 3?

    Yu Suzuki considers crowdfunding for long overdue sequel

    When asked how we’d invest the winnings from a successful EuroMillions ticket, we often discuss our desire to fund the full production of Shenmue 3. It’ll never happen, of course, but reports coming out of the Monaco Anime and Game Show suggest that series creator Yu Suzuki is at least...

  • News PlayStation Plus Will Play a 'Prominent Role' on PlayStation 4

    Subscription service a core part of Sony's next generation system

    Sony’s popular subscription service PlayStation Plus will continue to play a “pivotal role” on the PlayStation 4, according to SCEE executive Jim Ryan. Chatting with the PlayStation Blog, the suit explained that the platform holder is “very happy with the service” and that...

Saturday2nd Mar 2013

Friday1st Mar 2013