Retro News
February2012
Review Asura's Wrath (PlayStation 3)
Asura, watch
His wife murdered, his daughter stolen, cast down from the heavens — Asura has a right to be more than a little wound up. Developer CyberConnect2 really grinds this demigod’s gears in its game-come-interactive movie, adequately providing impetus for his titular rage at every turn. Told over 12,500 years, Asura’s Wrath shows off...
Review Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One (PlayStation 3)
And one 4 all
Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One does a great job of transforming Insomniac's slapstick shooter series into an enjoyable co-operative ride. Stunning presentation and accessible multiplayer implementation provide the game with an engaging campaign, though it is somewhat let down by disappointing combat and an uninspired final-third. As...
Review Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time (PlayStation 3)
Tick tock
The conclusion of the Ratchet & Clank Future arc, Ratchet & Clank: A Crack In Time focuses on Ratchet's continuing rescue mission of Clank and the dastardly deeds of antagonist Dr Nefarious. Building upon much familiarity from previous Ratchet & Clank games, A Crack In Time introduces numerous new mechanics including Clank's...
Review Mega Man: Maverick Hunter X (PlayStation Portable)
X marks the spot
As the long-running Mega Man series was set to enjoy its twentieth anniversary, Capcom appeared to be gearing itself up for the event with not one, but two remakes of classic Mega Man games, both of which were released exclusively on the PSP. The first one – Mega Man: Maverick Hunter X – is a remake of Mega Man X, which appeared...
Review Gotham City Impostors (PlayStation 3)
Call of Batman: Gotham Warfare
Gotham City: the home of Batman, along with thousands of denizens who either look to the skies for the caped crusader when in need, or faithfully follow his crazed evil nemesis, the Joker. But there’s also the demented wannabes that will do anything to try and gain their 15 minutes of fame and Gotham City Impostors...
Review Grand Slam Tennis 2 (PlayStation 3)
Serving up a winner?
Grand Slam Tennis 2 has the daunting task of following up last year’s brace of solid tennis titles. Both Virtua Tennis 4 and Top Spin 4 hold a racquet-like grip on the two opposing formats of the tennis genre: Virtua Tennis with its slick arcade action and Top Spin with its challenging simulation focus. It’s unsurprising,...
Review Mega Man: Powered Up (PlayStation Portable)
Ultra Mega Mega Man
Not content with releasing a remake of Mega Man X on the PSP in the form of Mega Man: Maverick Hunter X, Capcom went and unleashed a second remake on owners of Sony's portable in the space of a month. Mega Man: Powered Up is an overhauled and infinitely deeper remake of the very first Mega Man game ever, which appeared on the NES...
Review Need For Speed: The Run (PlayStation 3)
Run down
Need For Speed: The Run is a brilliant idea, but the game's bogged down by some iffy technical issues and frustrating AI. There's a lot to like about The Run — it's well presented and technically impressive — but its quirks will prevent you from returning despite its excellent Autolog implementation and decent track design. The last...
Review Driver: San Francisco (PlayStation 3)
Dreamy
Driver: San Francisco is eccentric but brilliant, carving a slapstick narrative around its complex mechanics. The game's prominent gameplay feature, 'Shift', not only introduces a new way to play, but also opens a window into developer Reflections' creativity, offering objectives that are not only extremely enjoyable but also wilfully...
Review Mecho Wars (PlayStation Minis)
Don't wreck-o my Mecho
Turn-based strategy games are a natural fit for portable devices, their slow pace unhindered by the somewhat erratic schedule of playing games on the go. While the genre has spread far and wide in recent years with many games that look and play quite similarly to one another, Mecho Wars sets itself apart with unique mechanics...
Review Rayman Origins (PlayStation 3)
Four limbs good, no limbs better
Rayman Origins is a delirious platformer packed with delicious visuals and scrumptious level design. The legless protagonist's latest adventure is the perfect antidote to the industry's frustrating obsession with gritty war games, prompting some of the most fun you'll find on PlayStation 3 this year. Games like...
Review Sonic Generations (PlayStation 3)
Cycle shattering
Sonic Generations is a fitting celebration of the blue blur's legacy. We imagine somewhere deep inside Sonic Team's Tokyo headquarters there's a whiteboard packed with diagrams, text and flowcharts. Written at the head of the whiteboard in bold, red marker pen are the words 'Breaking The Sonic Cycle'. Venture into any Sonic thread...
Review The Simpsons Arcade Game (PlayStation 3)
Excellent
The arcade scene of the early 90's was a great time for spare change. A handful of coins was more than money. In between laps of the roller rink and mouthfuls of pizza, any coinage you had left became tokens into another world, giving you one more shot at toppling your nemeses of choice, whether that be Shredder, Magneto or Mr. Burns. When...
Review Batman: Arkham Asylum (PlayStation 3)
Dark Knight chronicles
When the Joker escapes Arkham Asylum (again) and gives himself up without a fight, you'd be right to assume something's not quite right. Of course, this being the start of the game, your assumptions would be correct. The Joker tricks Batman inside Arkham Asylum of which he subsequently takes control. Cue one of Batman's most...
Review Final Fantasy XIII-2 (PlayStation 3)
Lightning strikes twice
We all know that the hugely popular Final Fantasy RPG series has had more than its fair share of games, but rarely do we witness direct sequels. As one of those rare games, Final Fantasy XIII-2 takes place directly after the events of Final Fantasy XIII; Lightning vanishes without a trace and only Serah can remember seeing...
Review The Darkness II (PlayStation 3)
Are you afraid of the dark?
We’ve all been in a situation where two hands are not enough: we pop pencils behind our ears and grip paper in our mouth, cursing through muffled breath about our awkward plight. Jackie Estacado, the protagonist of 2K’s The Darkness franchise, doesn’t have that problem. Armed with two standard anatomical limbs and a...
Heaven or hell?
An enchanting and minimal experience, Limbo is absolutely essential. Limbo's minimalism presents itself from the outset. The opening is bereft of button prompts and exposition, settling for a delightfully simplistic title screen and an opening in which our protagonist — a silhouette of a small boy with radiating white eyes —...
Review God of War Collection (PlayStation 3)
God of before
Love him or hate him, Kratos is an important part of the PlayStation brand. The vengeful antihero has starred in some of the platform’s very best titles, and the God of War Collection brings those classics back to life with startling clarity. Remastering PS2 favourites God of War and God of War II in beautiful high definition, the...
Review Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (PlayStation 3)
A master of its craft
This title may feel familiar, but its similarity is hard to criticise when the core components are this good. A speculative campaign and a freshly balanced multiplayer component headline Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, and while the visual engine is looking a bit tired, its penchant for addictive gunplay remains unmatched...
Review Battlefield 3 (PlayStation 3)
Field of dreams
Battlefield 3's single player campaign checks all the required boxes, but fails to better the offerings of its competitors. Multiplayer is where the game finds its purpose, offering a raw experience that's both technically outstanding and masterfully balanced. EA promised the world during the build-ip to Battlefield 3's release. It...
Review Assassin's Creed: Revelations (PlayStation 3)
Not very revelatory
Considering its subtitle, Assassin’s Creed: Revelations is disappointingly light in this regard. While Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood managed to shatter our pre-conceptions last year, Revelations is the third series title in as many years, and it's starting to show. The mechanics that once felt new and interesting are...
Review Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (PlayStation 3)
Brothers to the end
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood picks up moments after the end of Assassin's Creed II. Remember that ending? Bizarre artifacts, weird mystical people and strange prophecies. Brotherhood begins as Ezio leaves the Colosseum with the Apple Of Eden — a bizarre, powerful relic — in hand. If Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood is your...
Review 3D Dot Game Heroes (PlayStation 3)
A wink to the past
As the age-old tale of a youngster who defeated the evil Dark King Onyx slips into legend, tourist numbers begin to drop in the quaint land of the Dotnia Kingdom. The economy needs a boost, and the King of the land has an idea that'll bring people flocking to the once bustling greens of Dotnia. The once sprite-based landscape will...
Review Enslaved: Odyssey To The West (PlayStation 3)
Monkey magic
Loosely based on the traditional Chinese novel Journey To The West, Enslaved dictates the tale of Trip and Monkey as they traverse a dangerous post-apocalyptic world. Set some 150 years after the Earth's collapse, human life has all but been eradicated. The overgrown, dilapidated skyline of New York city greets the couple's arrival in...
Review L.A. Noire (PlayStation 3)
Case closed
L.A. Noire is our favourite type of game, but it won't appeal to everybody. Those looking promisingly at the Rockstar logo on the game's cover should know that this is not a Grand Theft Auto-esque affair. While it supports the open world structure and narrative driven campaign of Rockstar's traditional adventures, this is a much more...
Review Red Dead Redemption (PlayStation 3)
Cowboys are back in town
Red Dead Redemption is Grand Theft Auto in the Wild West. We told ourselves over and over that opening the review in this way was a cop-out, but it's undeniable - Red Dead Redemption is Grand Theft Auto in the Wild-West. In many ways, however, it's also much more. Red Dead Redemption marries the detail of Grand Theft Auto IV...
Review ModNation Racers (PlayStation Portable)
On-the-go karts
ModNation Racers PSP comes so close to its PlayStation 3 counterpart that it's impossible not to compare the two titles. Sadly, that's detrimental to ModNation Racers PSP because, for everything the game gets right, the drifting component feels 'off'. However, if you're able to overcome the issue you'll find a super deep kart-racer...
Review ModNation Racers (PlayStation 3)
Drive, create, share
ModNation Racers takes everything that is good about Nintendo's Mario Kart franchise and rids itself of the bad. It then put the remains into a bowl and mixes in one-third LittleBigPlanet and two-thirds fun. This is a kart racer done the Play, Create, Share way, a genre Sony's single-handedly brought to the forefront of the...
Review Catherine (PlayStation 3)
Heartbreaker
Catherine is a unique proposition that frustrates partially because of its potential. Cumbersome gameplay design, a hokey save system and a rotten narrative twist detract from the intelligent storyline that's at the centre of its premise. The game's originality makes it worthwhile, but expect it to try your patience. With the budgets of...
Review God of War Collection: Volume II (PlayStation 3)
Fit for a god
Existing fans will lap up the technical proficiency of God of War Collection: Volume II, but those new to Ready At Dawn's work will also find a thoughtful empathy towards the franchise's anti-hero, Kratos, contextualising some of the aggression found later in the series. For our money, Ghost of Sparta is the best game in the series...
Review God of War: Ghost of Sparta (PlayStation Portable)
Mini massacre
While we're huge fans of Kratos here in the Push Square office, not every PlayStation fan shares our affection. The spartan warrior's constant anger grates with many followers, so much so that they are unable to look past the character in order to enjoy the game. Despite slotting awkwardly between the first and second God of War...
Review Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (PlayStation 3)
Drake's delightful
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception realises what we dreamed video games would one day become. "All men dream: but not equally." Nathan Drake utters T.E. Lawrence's poignant phrase as the curtain raises on Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception. Like others, we dared to dream. For 20 years we longed for a cinematic interactive...
Review Vanquish (PlayStation 3)
Rocket fuelled
As Japan tries to tune its output towards Western tastes, many traditionalists, like ourselves, are worrying that the classic style of Japanese gameplay is prone to change. We've enough Western developed third- and first-person shooters to play — the last thing we need is for the Japanese to try their hand at a game of...
Review God of War III (PlayStation 3)
God of awe
It’s no surprise that God of War III should end up representing PlayStation at its very finest. The previous entries in the mythological series achieved things seemingly impossible on the PlayStation 2, and God of War III extends on that prowess. From the rip-roaring spectacle of the opening 60 minutes right through to the ultra-stylish...
Review Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PlayStation 3)
King of thieves
The follow-up to Naughty Dog's often overlooked cinematic gem Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves plots the path of Nathan Drake once again as he follows the trail of Marco Polo and a legendary gem known as the Cintamani stone. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves sees some growth to the game's cast, with both Elena and...
Review SoulCalibur V (PlayStation 3)
You'd sell your soul for this game
Even though fighting games are enjoying a new renaissance of popularity — a "second coming," if you will — updating a popular franchise still carries a healthy amount of risk. Change too much and risk alienating your loyal fanbase; change too little and you're mid-90s Capcom, famous for pseudo-sequels...
Review Metal Gear Solid HD Collection (PlayStation 3)
!
After years of begging, Konami answered fan requests by repacking some of the most iconic Metal Gear Solid games for PS3. Even years after their original releases, the Metal Gear Solid series still has some of the most well written and deep storylines to date and Metal Gear Solid HD Collection allows the current generation of gamers to experience...
Review Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (PlayStation Portable)
Amazement in a moment
The first few hours of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker are a little muted — you're being eased into the experience and you're playing it on the PSP so, naturally, control issues are a concern. But slowly, the problems fade away. The plot picks up pace, the controls sink in, and the sheer ambition of the title grabs you by the...
Review ICO & Shadow Of The Colossus Collection (PlayStation 3)
ICOnic
An impeccable, provocative and emotional affair, ICO & Shadow of the Colossus Collection makes a strong argument in favour of interactive art, and does so with such a matter of fact, effortless mentality that it's impossible not to fall in love with the experience. Despite being heralded as two of the finest games ever created, there's an...
Review Final Fantasy XIII (PlayStation 3)
Lightning strike
Final Fantasy XIII is unmistakably a Final Fantasy game. It's set in a rich universe, with a cast of clashing personalities who ultimately unite to save the world. Nothing new there. Set in the outlandish futuristic universe of Cocoon, a host of gadding personalities are sewn together through crossing fates — they are branded the...
January2012
Review Zack Zero (PlayStation 3)
Short on new ideas but strong in execution
Zack Zero is a robust platformer that's let-down by a low-budget art aesthetic and some cheap presentation. It reinforces the idea that appearances can be deceptive; what initially presents itself as a low-budget Cartoon Network tie-in actually emerges as a robust platformer with some strong combat...
Review Stick Man Rescue (PlayStation Minis)
Looks like an amateur product, but has some decent gameplay mechanics within
As far as game titles go, Stick Man Rescue couldn't be closer to the point. This is a simple, basically styled, erm, rescue game, in which you save a group of helpless stick men. We told you it was a good name. Its reasonable level design and a moreish campaign elevate the...
AMY is an ambitious idea squandered by poor execution
Unintuitive level design and unresponsive controls headline the game's problems, but it's the utterly reprehensible save and checkpoint system that damages AMY the most. Squint and you can see what developer VectorCell was trying to achieve with AMY. Survival horror has been a heavily...
Review Daytona USA (PlayStation 3)
Revving restoration
We should be able to pin-point the exact moment we first played Daytona USA, but we can't. Our memory is hazy and imprecise, sending us mixed messages. It was probably in Blackpool, in the corner of a grotty arcade, with stained 70s carpet beneath our feet. Or was it at home, in the cold confines of our games room, with the glow...
Review Trailblazer (PlayStation Minis)
A stellar reboot of a forgotten classic; Trailblazer's a fast-paced arcade game with a rich, vibrant style
It's become all too common for PlayStation Minis to drop onto Sony's digital storefront with little fanfare, but Trailblazer sets a whole new precedent. While developers such as Laughing Jackal, Futurlab and Mediatonic have actively coveted...
Review Cabela's Adventure Camp (PlayStation 3)
Cheaper than sending your little ones to camp
Each year, as school comes to an end, children across the world start getting excited. Not only is it a time of freedom, but for many it means that it’s almost time to go off to summer camp. Cabela’s Adventure Camp brings home many of the fun outdoor activities enjoyed at camp and with PlayStation...
Review Beat Hazard Ultra (PlayStation 3)
Beat Hazard Ultra never lives up to the promise of its potential, but it's still a decent twin-stick shooter
Twin-stick shooters are dime-a-dozen these days. Ever since Super Stardust HD kicked off a downloadable revolution on the PS3, we've spent a good chunk of our time testing out the latest analogue-controlled blaster to launch on the...
Review All Zombies Must Die (PlayStation 3)
A playful take on the dual joystick shooter
All Zombies Must Die augments some interesting RPG elements to distance itself from the throngs of similar experiences available on PlayStation 3. But while the game initially succeeds, the repetition of its samey mission structure sets in quickly — even when experienced in multiplayer. Borderlands...
December2011
Review Just Dance 3 (PlayStation 3)
Late to the party?
Now into its third main entry, Ubisoft’s Just Dance series has finally shimmied its way onto PlayStation 3 with Just Dance 3, albeit a couple of months later than Just Dance 3 on Wii and Just Dance 3 on Kinect. Does Ubisoft’s key title do enough to stand out amongst PlayStation Move’s already crowded dance game line-up?...
Review Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD (PlayStation 3)
Oddly compelling
Developer Just Add Water's done an outstanding job of making the XBOX original look and feel relevant on PlayStation 3, allowing the game's bizarre mix of stealth and shooting to stand up on its own. Some irritating voice acting and offensive difficulty spikes harm the game's appeal, but Stranger's Wrath HD is still a curiously...
Review Disney Universe (PlayStation 3)
When you wish upon a star
The team at Eurocom has done a fine job crafting a surprisingly engaging objective-based adventure with Disney Universe, lifting several ideas from the LEGO games of recent years while mixing in a smattering of fresh concepts and a hearty four-player option Developer Eurocom will always have a special place in the hearts of...
Review Cabela's Survival: Shadows of Katmai (PlayStation 3)
Trekking into Uncharted territory
Since Move released last September, the Cabela’s team has brought two of its quirky hunting titles to the motion controller: Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2011 and Cabela’s Big Game Hunter 2012. Both surprised us with an entertaining story creatively crafted upon the quirky FPS/hunting gameplay style that...
Review Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny (PlayStation 3)
Making waves?
The newest edition of the Rune Factory saga finally makes it's début on the PlayStation 3. Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny starts the story off without much explanation or details; all you know is somehow two friends, Aden and Sonja, have become trapped in the same body in an odd parallel world. With plenty of help from the friendly...
Review Wanted Corp (PlayStation 3)
Move over dual analogue controls
Swarms of mini-robots continue their attacks as two enormous cyborg monkeys furiously charge onto the screen, while two bounty hunters try to evade a robed wizard’s constant onslaught of deadly purple energy balls. The powerful walking mech is closing in; its massive destructive power will hopefully ensure...
Review Just Dance Kids 2 (PlayStation 3)
Child's play
Why should adults should get all the fun? Ubisoft’s Just Dance franchise has been selling like the X-Factor winner’s single at Christmas since its first days on Wii, becoming one of the system’s biggest third party sellers in the process. The series has now spread across multiple formats, and with the French publisher’s musical...
Review Orbit (PlayStation Minis)
As with all of Laughing Jackal's releases, Orbit is easy to pick up but impossible to put down
Laughing Jackal is the master of carrot dangling. Its previous PlayStation Mini — the gloriously stylish OMG-Z — hooked you into its underlying "one more go" philosophy by rewarding you with new upgrades at every opportunity. The British...
Review Move Fitness (PlayStation 3)
Boxing clever?
Swedish company Coldwood Interactive released The Fight: Lights Out back at the end of 2010 to mainly negative reviews, with many disappointed by the overall quality after seeing such massive potential in early previews, citing poor motion controls and a lack of variety as a couple of reasons for its downfall. A year later, Coldwood...
Review Happy Feet Two: The Video Game (PlayStation 3)
Let's tap
Packed with wholesome fun for all the family, Happy Feet Two: The Video Game proves to be far more than any old run-of-the-mill movie tie-in, offering thrills, spills, and more than a modicum of outright fun that may even appeal to the inner child of adults, not merely youngsters alone How often do truly great video games based on movies...
Review Learning with the PooYoos: Episode 2 (PlayStation 3)
The edutainer
French developer Lexis Numérique has gradually been building up a strong portfolio in recent years, seeing some particularly strong success with its series of children’s educational entertainment games Learning with the PooYoos on WiiWare. The cute and colourful baby animals have ventured into the world of Sony with moderately...
Review Winter Stars (PlayStation 3)
Chilled out
After a year of motion control, Sports Champions is still Move's best sports package by far: MotionSports Adrenaline was a wash-out, and After Hours Athletes is a compilation of PSN games, so that doesn't really count. Winter Stars doesn't quite topple Zindagi's launch title, but it comes closer than we'd expected. Winter Stars leads...
November2011
Review Heavy Fire: Afghanistan (PlayStation 3)
A war that doesn’t break the budget
Heavy Fire: Afghanistan puts you in the shoes of an soldier sent to the frontlines of modern day Afghanistan to rescue hostages held deep behind enemy lines. Taking part in this arcade light gun shooter you’ll travel by any means necessary to complete your objective: by foot, helicopter and even behind a...
The one you might want
Grease Dance (or just Grease) has clearly been designed with parties in mind and, as the summer nights fade to make way for the festive season, it’s come at the right time. With a host of famous songs from the 1978 musical at its command, plus plenty of past experience developing music games of varying nature, developer...
Review Saints Row: The Third (PlayStation 3)
Third time's the charm
Saints Row: The Third distances itself from the seriousness of its competition, offering a sandbox that's as stupid as it is refined. There're so many things we wish we could say about Saints Row: The Third, but doing so would break the element of surprise. The latest entry in Volition's copycat sandbox series rips up the...
Review Tekken Hybrid (PlayStation 3)
Fighters megamix
Tekken Hybrid is a comprehensive slice of fan service. Comprising a remastered classic, a slight but stunning teaser and a watchable action flick, the compilation package is the perfect celebration of Namco's fighting classic. It's unlikely to appeal to everyone, but those that consider Heihachi and Kazuya household names will feel...
Review After Hours Athletes (PlayStation 3)
Of balls and bullseyes
Like Move Mind Benders before it, After Hours Athletes is a Blu-ray compilation of three previously PSN-only games, released in time for Christmas at a budget price. It sounds like a winning formula, but it's not quite up to the quality of its companion release. For one thing, unlike Move Mind Benders there is no new title...
Review Start the Party: Save the World (PlayStation 3)
Save the cheerleader
Start the Party was one of the original games announced for the PlayStation 3’s motion controller, launching alongside Move at the tail end of 2010. It was the first project from Supermassive Games, and while it wasn't particularly well-received it clearly sold well enough to warrant the team having another stab at a genre...
Review MotionSports Adrenaline (PlayStation 3)
Better with Kinect?
It was bound to happen sooner or later; games designed for Kinect would eventually be ported over to PlayStation Move. MotionSports Adrenaline is exactly this: an extreme sports compilation that’s obviously initially designed for Kinect and has received a port over to PS3 with Move support for multisystem release. But does a...
Review EyePet & Friends (PlayStation 3)
Glitter tray
EyePet’s first release in 2009 was an odd affair, a new approach to the virtual pet game that impressed in some areas but didn't quite come over as well as hoped in others, and 2010’s EyePet: Move Edition fixed many issues to become one of Move’s stronger first titles. A further year on and an all-new sequel reaches shelves, this...
Review Medieval Moves: Deadmund's Quest (PlayStation 3)
Dem bones
Zindagi Games’ Sports Champions was a highlight of PlayStation Move’s launch line-up last year, and it still remains one of the better demonstrations of the peripheral to date. Bringing together a variety of sports, including archery and — slightly less commonly seen these days — gladiatorial duels, the Californian developer...
Review Invizimals: The Lost Tribes (PlayStation Portable)
Invizimals: The Lost Tribes is a fantastic idea squandered
Frustrating technical issues, poor pacing and annoying difficulty spikes get in the way of what is ostensibly a great concept. Persevere and you will almost certainly find fun in the game's augmented reality technology, but it's hard to shake the feeling that The Lost Tribes could have been...
Review Family Game Night 4: The Game Show (PlayStation 3)
Mind Boggle-ing
For the fourth iteration of its Hasbro Family Game Night series, first popularised on Nintendo Wii, EA has become bored of board games. The latest entry instead focuses upon the real life game show, Family Game Night, which in itself is based on Hasbro’s best-selling games. Currently airing on American TV channel The Hub, Family...
Review Carnival Island (PlayStation 3)
Fun fare
Funfairs epitomise family fun, so it's no real surprise that carnival themed games have proved a huge hit on other motion controlled platforms. Carnival Island is Sony's attempt at capturing that audience for the PlayStation Move, and while it's not without its problems, it still offers a competent selection of enjoyable mini-games, fuelled...
Review inFAMOUS 2 (PlayStation 3)
Lightning strikes twice
Taking place immediately after inFAMOUS, Cole McGrath travels to New Marais in order to improve his skills to fight the Beast. As soon as Cole and Zeke arrive in town, disaster strikes throwing the player head on into the action to save the world from The Beast. The tale is full of highs and lows as Cole struggles to battle...
Review Toki Tori (PlayStation 3)
Chick habit
Two Tribes’ Toki Tori was originally hatched on Nintendo’s Game Boy Color in 2001, and since then has been found nesting on WiiWare, PC and Apple devices. A full-on sequel, Toki Tori 2, has recently been announced for numerous platforms, but in the meantime a HD remake of the original has landed on PlayStation Network. Toki Tori’s...
Review House of the Dead: Overkill - Extended Cut (PlayStation 3)
All guns blazing
“As you well know Isaac, I enjoy pain,” lauds sinister antagonist, Papa Caesar, into a comically outdated mobile phone. “It’s like a good Chinese dinner you know, with the sweet and the sour.” Papa Caesar’s exceptionally idiotic analogy applies to House Of The Dead: Overkill – Extended Cut. This PlayStation Move...
Review Move Mind Benders (PlayStation 3)
Grey matters
In the year or so since PlayStation Move launched last year, some of the peripheral's best titles have hit PlayStation Store, and although the console's online connection rate is pretty high there's still a chance Move owners might have missed out on some cracking titles. That's why it's a good job Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has...
Review The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (PlayStation 3)
This sky's the limit
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is one of the most involving, engrossing and impressive games of the year, but unfortunate technical inconsistencies mean we can't guarantee whether your experience will be flawless or just plain flawed Skyrim's PS3 technical troubles are well documented, making this an extremely difficult game to...
Review Where Is My Heart? (PlayStation Minis)
Where Is My Heart? is a deceptively intelligent PlayStation Mini, and by extension, one of the best experiences currently available on the platform
As far as gameplay concepts go, Where Is My Heart? is agonisingly slight: a simple puzzle-platformer dressed in a pastel pixel art-style, accompanied by an ethereal chip-tune soundtrack. But once it...
Review Get Up and Dance (PlayStation 3)
Follow the leader
In the past 14 months we've had no fewer than 11 PlayStation Move dancing games, with Ubisoft's Just Dance 3 due to land in December. That swamped market — dancing games make up over 10% of Move's library — gives precious little room to breathe for each new arrival, so can Get Up and Dance make a name for itself? By now you're...
Review GoldenEye 007: Reloaded (PlayStation 3)
Premium Bond?
1998's GoldenEye 007 on Nintendo 64 was a watershed moment in first-person shooters, and is still held in the highest regard by thousands of gamers who hold every new Bond release up to that 64-bit benchmark. But just as the James Bond film series has moved on, so must its games, with Activision revisiting the original source material...
Review EyePet Adventures (PlayStation Portable)
A deeper emphasis on exploration makes EyePet Adventures a much bigger package than its predecessor, but its underlying longevity comes from the "make your own fun" potential that the game's technology provides
Last year when we reviewed EyePet PSP we explained how elated we'd be receiving the augmented reality experience for Christmas. Fast forward...
Review Hydrophobia Prophecy (PlayStation 3)
One wet and wild ride
Hydrophobia is defined as being an abnormal fear of water. What would a person’s worst nightmare be if they had this phobia? The thought of being on-board a massive boat as it slowly sinks into the ocean’s depths would likely be somewhere near the top of the list, which is exactly the reason why you’re thrown headfirst...
Review PixelJunk SideScroller (PlayStation 3)
Arguably the purest PixelJunk experience since the brilliant Monsters, PixelJunk SideScroller is an enjoyable old-school shooter that's enhanced by some stunning visual design and great audio
PixelJunk SideScroller is certainly a departure from recent entries in Q-Games' downloadable series. It drops a lot of the inventiveness from the free-flowing...
Review The Adventures Of Tintin: The Secret Of The Unicorn (PlayStation 3)
Worth investigating
Hergé’s iconic investigator Tintin, his faithful pup Snowy and a slew of the Belgian series’ most important characters have just made the leap into a CG Hollywood extravaganza courtesy of Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson. As is the natural order of the entertainment world these days, the young journalist with a nose for a...
October2011
Review inFAMOUS: Festival of Blood (PlayStation 3)
But... does it sparkle?
The dark world Cole McGrath is trying to project just got a whole lot darker. inFAMOUS: Festival of Blood takes place during inFAMOUS 2 in the city of New Marais on a special night called Pyre Night, when the citizens celebrate the removal of the twisted and powerful vampire, Bloody Mary. With Bloody Mary reawakened with...
Review Everybody Dance (PlayStation 3)
The real party starter
The wait for a killer app PlayStation Move dancing game seems baffling at times: although Kinect launched with the excellent Dance Central from Harmonix, it took three years for the Wii to really ignite the trend with Ubisoft’s original Just Dance. Here we are, 14 months on since the peripheral first launched and ready to...
Review Dungeon Defenders (PlayStation 3)
Well-built
One of the castle’s gigantic wooden doors creaks open, revealing a swarm of primitively-armed goblins stomping together as part of one monstrous hive mind. On the other side of the hall march similarly stomping archers towards the same target, the Eternia crystals that form the lifeblood of the kingdom. A crash, and an over-sized ogre...
Review El Shaddai: Ascension Of The Metatron (PlayStation 3)
God complex
A confident and creatively crafted action adventure, El Shaddai: Ascension Of The Metatron boasts one of the most striking and varied visual styles we've ever encountered. Its gameplay never quite reaches the dizzying heights of its artistic endeavour, but does a good enough job of contextualising the game's bizarre and intriguing...
Review Wipeout 2 (PlayStation 3)
Wiped out
There’s just nothing quite like watching people getting bashed in the face, unintentionally flipped in the air or taking a hit where the sun doesn’t shine. Some folks claim that laughter is the cure for a broken heart, but witnessing these types of antics can actually make you laugh until you hurt instead. ABC has harnessed this...
Review The Sims 3: Pets (PlayStation 3)
The Sims 3: Pets does nothing to reinvent the social simulation series, but the inclusion of playable pets definitely adds a layer of complexity to the franchise's existing hallmarks
The Sims has always sort of stressed us out. In real-life, time management isn't a particularly challenging task. You can box your life into a series of coloured...
Review Batman: Arkham City (PlayStation 3)
Crisis city
A gluttony of content; Batman: Arkham City takes everything that made its predecessor brilliant and improves upon it. It's really not hard to recall the period before Batman: Arkham Asylum released. At the time, the video game media was embroiled in a discussion about how the promising looking licenced title couldn't possibly turn out...
Review 1000 Tiny Claws (PlayStation Minis)
1000 Tiny Claws doesn't quite live up to the expectations carved out by Mediatonic's previous releases, but it's still a worthy arena-combat title with a handsome visual style and some genuinely laugh-out-loud gags
Given Mediatonic's previous PlayStation Minis titles involved chasing colossal monsters to the precipice of a monumental structure and...
Review Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken (PlayStation 3)
Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken is an intriguing action platformer that -- despite being laugh-out-loud funny at times -- carries an unusual, sombre tone throughout much of its presentation, resulting in a unique experience intertwined with some clever puzzle design and satisfying combat
Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken has already won numerous...
Review FIFA 12 (PlayStation 3)
The beautiful game
Revamped mechanics enhance the authenticity of FIFA 12 and complement a range of new modes and features. It's a package that brims with care and attention, going the extra mile in almost every facet of its presentation. You only need to spend a few moments with FIFA 12 to understand just how much the developers love the sport it's...
Review WRC 2: FIA World Rally Championship (PlayStation 3)
A functional experience, but never a particularly exciting one; WRC 2 manages to replicate the feel of participating in a real rally with its driving model, but somehow manages to squander all of the excitement through drab presentation and a lack of personality
The thrill of slipping around corners at breakneck speed is hard to beat. But it's best...
Review Cabela's Big Game Hunter 2012 (PlayStation 3)
Mistaken identity
As the temperature starts to take its yearly dip and the vibrant colours of summer fade unto the pastels of the autumn, it can mean only one thing: it's hunting season. The time has finally arrived to polish up your rifle, unpack your camouflage and trek out into the wilderness to land that trophy buck. Coinciding with the opening...
Review Rochard (PlayStation 3)
Rochard is an engaging puzzle platformer consisting of some quality mechanics and concise puzzle design
The game's let down by an overemphasis on combat and cumbersome controls, but an endearing protagonist and charming visual style make up for its shortcomings. Mining engineer John Rochard doesn't have the best luck. Within the opening moments of...
Review SEGA Bass Fishing (PlayStation 3)
Dat bass!
Deriving from the old arcade classic, SEGA Bass Fishing isn’t a fishing simulator but SEGA’s arcade style, user-friendly take on bass fishing. There’s not a whole lot to this game other than trying to catch the biggest fish possible in a certain amount of time. In Arcade mode, the player will be sent to one of a few different...
Review NBA 2K12 (PlayStation 3)
The legend returns
Last year's NBA 2K11 was a sublime tribute to the league's greatest ever player, Michael Jordan, and one of the finest sports games ever created. This year's follow-up NBA 2K12 takes things a step further, bringing in 14 more legendary players and a host of new game modes. Whereas last year's effort was built around the famous...
Review Speedball 2 Evolution (PlayStation Minis)
Speedball 2 Evolution offers an alternative to the increasingly realistic sporting experiences available elsewhere on the various PlayStation platforms, delivering a futuristic competitive game with a complimentary throw-back core
It's just a shame that the actual gameplay itself is so over-complicated and unbalanced, even if it is impossibly...
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