Push Rewind

We’ve been really busy exploring new worlds this week. In addition to our daily Destiny diaries, we also penned reviews for Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty, Another World, and mysterious puzzle platformer The Swapper. We also took you on a ten day tour of the PlayStation Nation, and reported on several major stories from Comic-Con 2014. Alright, the latter may technically take place on Planet Earth, but given the kind of cosplay on display, it’s an easy mistake to make.

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Reviews

Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty - 8/10

Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty is everything that you could hope for from a remake: old issues have been resolved, the levels now flow much more naturally, and the world has never looked better. It does run into a few niggling problems along the way, but this is the beginning of a brand new Oddworld – and that’s a prospect that becomes increasingly exciting with every Mudokon mutilated.

The Swapper - 8/10

The Swapper is an indie puzzle platformer with a gameplay hook which is cleverly married to a grand operatic narrative. Its strange visuals and atmospheric soundtrack augment this vision, creating a wholly unique and cohesive experience. While some of its later puzzles are a bit too fiddly for their own good, and the overall pacing sometimes feels a little off kilter, this is still a space voyage that comes highly recommended.

Other Reviews

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Features

Feature: The PS4 Destiny Diaries - Day Seven: One Last Beta Adventure on the Moon

What a wild ride the Destiny beta has been. For a long time, Bungie's latest was the 'next big thing' that we knew next to nothing about; a couple of E3 appearances, some concept art here and there, and a single slice of gameplay footage to gawk at – it was only these things that gave us the slightest hint of what the game actually was. In hindsight, June's alpha was a piece of marketing genius. It wouldn't have worked for the vast majority of games, but even in its supposedly early state, the sci-fi shooter proved to be polished, addictive, and had just about everyone gasping for more.

Feature: We're All Going on a Sony Summer Holiday

Cancel your cheeky week in Barbados or Benidorm, because Push Square Sabbaticals are taking you on an all-inclusive tour of the sunniest resorts in Sony land. During your ten day stay on Planet PlayStation, you’ll visit the most tantalising tourist spots that gaming has to offer, each lovingly laying out idyllic views, entertaining activities, and some of the liveliest locals this side of Rio de Janeiro. In addition to bed, breakfast, and more all-you-can-eat buffets than Chinatown, you’ll be spending a full day at all ten of the resplendent resorts outlined below. Without further ado, let’s take a look at where our magical tour bus is going to take you.

Other Features

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News

Journey to Be Playable on PS4 at GamesCom 2014 Next Month

Assuming that Sony hasn’t just let a hearty halibut leak out of its typically tight fish tank, then the company looks set to have an incredible showing at GamesCom 2014 next month. As part of a nonchalant lineup list which has appeared on its official convention landing page, the company appears to have confirmed that Journey will be coming to the PlayStation 4 – and it’ll be playable at the German show.

PS4 Firmware Update 1.74 Improves Your System's Stability Right Now

Well, this wasn’t the kind of firmware update that we had in mind yesterday when Sony teased that some brand new system software was right around the corner. As of this morning, the platform holder has launched a new patch numbered v1.74, which – perhaps a little embarrassingly – improves nothing other than system software stability.

How The Last of Us Remastered Is Evolving PS4 Hit inFAMOUS: Second Son's Photo Mode

PlayStation 4 exclusive inFAMOUS: Second Son’s photo mode may have been added as a simple post-release patch, but it’s clear that developer Sucker Punch struck gold with the feature. We recently pondered whether more games should support the option, and it seems that Naughty Dog agrees, with The Last of Us Remastered set to secure the functionality as part of a release day patch.

August PlayStation Plus Update to Boast Eclectic List of Free Games

We’re nearing that time of the month yet again where attention begins to turn to the next batch of free PlayStation Plus titles set to enter the Instant Game Collection. July saw the addition of PlayStation 4 releases Strider and TowerFall: Ascension – among others – but Sony is plotting a particularly varied lineup for August.

Don't Diss PS4 Racer DriveClub's Framerate Until You Try It

DriveClub is easily one of the prettiest games in the pipeline for the PlayStation 4, but it has come under increased scrutiny due to developer Evolution Studios’ decision to favour flair over framerate. Speaking in an interview with Red Bull – yes, the energy drink – game director Paul Rustchynsky has rubbished claims that it’s taken the wrong turn with the title by adopting a refresh rate of 30 frames-per-second, imploring people to actually play the next-gen racer before, er, writing it off.

Other Noteworthy News

Video of the Week

Kids Compare, Er... Oh, Just Watch This Japanese PS Vita Commercial

Japan is famous for its quirky commercials, but this one seems like it was designed to land us in hot water. The ballsy PlayStation Vita spot shows a bunch of kids getting changed after some summer swimming lessons – and, er, measuring up. Of course, it’s all just a gag designed to market Sony’s handheld at slightly older players. We suppose that it would be funny if it wasn’t so darn weird.