News - February, 2013

Thursday28th Feb 2013

Wednesday27th Feb 2013

  • News Thomas Was Alone Finding Company on PS3 and Vita

    Hello alone

    Popular indie title Thomas Was Alone is making some much needed friends on PlayStation 3 and Vita this year – a fact that designer Mike Bithell is struggling to comprehend. “I made a game about rectangles and friendship in my free time,” he explained on the PlayStation Blog. “I was shocked when a community formed and people...

Tuesday26th Feb 2013

Wednesday27th Feb 2013

  • News PlayStation All-Stars DLC To Bring Isaac Clarke, Zeus and an Unfinished Swan-Inspired Stage

    Colour us interested

    PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale has had some trials and tribulations since launch, with early price cuts reflecting low sales and Sony dropping developer SuperBot entertainment. We loved it in our review, but time will tell whether a sequel ever sees the light of day. On the plus side, the fun isn't over for

  • Store Update 26th February 2013 (North America)

    Plenty to pre-order

    This week’s North American PlayStation Store update is absolutely brimming with pre-orders. There are a slew of retail releases for you to register your interest in, including BioShock: Infinite and MLB 13 The Show. There’s also a demo for God of War: Ascension, as well as big add-ons for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and

  • News Oh, BioShock Vita Still Hasn't Even Entered Development

    Not a particularly big shock

    Do you remember BioShock Vita? The title was announced by series creator Ken Levine during Sony’s E3 2011 press conference, promising a unique take on Irrational Games’ seedy franchise. Sadly, the game still hasn’t even entered development, as publisher Take-Two and Sony are yet to sign a deal regarding the...

  • News God of War HD Ascends European Instant Game Collection

    Limited offer to promote upcoming release

    Evidently SCEE doesn’t think that it's spoiled its European PlayStation Plus subscribers enough. February already offered complimentary copies of Sleeping Dogs and F1 Race Stars, but the platform holder’s also decided to give away God of War HD just to round out the month in style. The re-mastered...

  • News Splash Your Cash on PlayStation Network, Get Money Back

    Your own personal PlayStation piggy bank

    Sony’s announced that it’s bringing back its popular cash back scheme, rewarding you with $10 credit for every $50 you spend on the PlayStation Store through 1st April. There’s no limit to the offer – you’ll get $40 if you spend $200, for example – making this year’s promotion more attractive...

  • News Killzone: Shadow Fall Trailer Offers Synths and Soliloquies

    The Helghast aren't happy

    If angry voiceovers and beautiful visuals tickle your fancy, then this Killzone: Shadow Fall teaser trailer should give you a kick. It’s based on the same footage that developer Guerrilla Games demoed during Sony’s big PlayStation Meeting press conference last week, but it’s got a voiceover providing some context to...

  • Store Update 27th February 2013 (Europe)

    A godly freebie

    It's that time again, with a host of downloadable goodies being added to your various Sony consoles for your gaming pleasure. PlayStation Plus member get access to a rather well-known HD re-release, while a host of discounts and new DLC options also fight for your attention. Let's get to the details. PlayStation Plus: God of War HD...

Tuesday26th Feb 2013

  • News Sony's Entire Suite of First-Party Studios Are Working on PS4

    Twelve teams hard at work on Sony's next generation machine

    There’s been no shortage of exclusive content on the PlayStation 3, but it looks like Sony’s aiming to maintain its impressive output on the PlayStation 4. Chatting with IGN, Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida has insinuated that all twelve studios in Sony’s stable are...

  • News BIT.TRIP Presents: Runner 2 Sprints onto PS3 and Vita

    Currently jogging through certification

    The audaciously named BIT.TRIP Presents: Runner 2 – Future Legend of Rhythm Alien will run circles around the PlayStation 3 and Vita shortly, developer Gaijin Games has announced. While the studio has told us to expect more details about the handheld port next week, the company has confirmed that the console...

  • News Sony Forfeiting Free Post Release Soul Sacrifice DLC

    David and Goliath

    Soul Sacrifice will be augmented with a round of extra content following its launch in Japan next month. Siliconera reports that the Monster Hunter-esque demon slaying game will be augmented with ten bonus boss battles in the weeks following release, all of which will be available to download for free from the PlayStation Store...

  • News Sony Unchains God of War: Ascension Launch Trailer

    Blades of steel

    If you’re having a particularly bad month, then the upcoming God of War: Ascension should prove the ultimate antidote to your anger. Sony has released a brand new trailer for the furious PlayStation 3 prequel, which shows off a number of the game’s set-pieces, while also laying the foundations for the narrative. If you still...

  • Rumour Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Sailing the Seven Seas

    Swashbuckling sequel coming to PS3 and PS4, according to reports

    Captain Jack Sparrow may need to hang up his eyepatch, as it sounds like there could be an even cooler crook in town. Reports bubbling to the surface this evening suggest that the next Assassin’s Creed game will star a piratical protagonist named Edward Kenway, the father of Haytham...

  • News Vita's Friend Network Application Makes Hooking Up a Breeze

    Mingling madness

    If you’re a touch antisocial in the skin, then PlayStation Vita’s upcoming Friend Network application should get you chatting in no time. The download – which stars PlayStation mascot Toro – has been available in Asia for a while now, and allows you to “visualise your friends and gaming buddies through the use of avatars...

  • News Scoop the Ultimate Loot with Free-to-Play Uncharted 3 Multiplayer

    Complimentary chaos

    Soon you won’t need to spend a penny to waste the day shooting Nathan Drake in the face. Naughty Dog has announced that Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception's multiplayer is going free-to-play – though there are some limitations, as you might expect. It gets quite complicated, so make sure you’re comfortable while we relay all...

  • News Yes, You'll Be Able to Download Every PS4 Game

    Assuming you've got enough bandwidth, of course

    Much like the PlayStation Vita – and, let’s be honest, most PlayStation 3 games, too – you’ll be able to download every PlayStation 4 title from the PlayStation Store on launch day. Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida confirmed the tidbit during an interview with The Guardian,...

Monday25th Feb 2013

  • News Respawn Entertainment Rendezvousing at E3 2013

    Call of duty

    Respawn Entertainment will be deploying details about its next project at this year’s E3, co-founder Vince Zampella has teased. The studio – which houses a number of ex-Infinity Ward employees – was formed after the aforementioned executive and his long-term colleague Jason West were fired by Activision for fraternising with EA...

  • News Ridge Racer: Unbounded Developer Teasing Smashing Project

    Destruction derby

    Finnish developer Bugbear Entertainment is working on a brand new collision-heavy car game which promises to plot a return to the studio’s roots. The team most recently worked on Ridge Racer: Unbounded, but is perhaps best known for the first two FlatOut titles on PlayStation 2. The title – currently dubbed ‘Next Car Game’...

  • Review Let's Fish! Hooked On (PlayStation Vita)

    Plenty moe fish in the sea

    The closest that we’ve ever come to a fishing rod is the one that shipped alongside the Dreamcast – which is fitting seeing as PlayStation Vita exclusive Let’s Fish! Hooked On was designed by many of the people that worked on SEGA Bass Fishing. And it really shows: from the overenthusiastic speech samples to the...

  • Review Chimpact (PlayStation Mobile)

    Simian-ply amazing

    “Chimpanzees are members of the Hominidae family, along with gorillas, humans, and orangutans, and live in large multiple-male and multiple-female social groups called communities. Well known for making nests at the top of tall trees, chimps are constantly falling down 2-300 meters only to have a mysterious force fling them back...

  • Review Orgarhythm (PlayStation Vita)

    Beat it

    A little music can be a powerful thing. A blast of a favourite track can give us a burst of energy to complete a gruelling gym session; it can give us the strength needed to battle back against the monotony of another dreary work day. An impassioned chant, or the beat of a drum, can lend us the resolve to overcome a foe, whether it's on the...

  • News Sony: PlayStation 4 Will Release in at Least One Region in 2013

    Still unsure

    Sony’s ambiguous ‘Holiday 2013’ release window remains the only launch information we have for the recently announced PlayStation 4 – and judging by a number of interviews with the platform holder, it sounds like that isn’t even concrete. Asked whether the console would hit the UK this year, SCEUK managing director Fergal Gara...

  • News Polyphony Digital Contributed to the Construction of PS4 and Vita

    Pit stop

    Gran Turismo developer Polyphony Digital's next game may not be for the PlayStation 4, but the Japanese team still had input into the development of the next generation console and the PlayStation Vita. Speaking in an interview with 4gamer, Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida talked briefly about the studio’s role in the production...

  • News Plants vs. Zombies Commences Battle on PS Plus This Week

    Plus, huge PlayStation Vita discounts

    Plants vs. Zombies will bring some much needed vegetation to the Instant Game Collection this week, when the PlayStation Vita version of the quirky strategy game shares its seeds with North American PlayStation Plus subscribers for free. The enjoyable tower defence title will be joined by sharp discounts on...

Sunday24th Feb 2013

  • News Point Your Peepers at Watch_Dogs' Predictable Packshot

    Sin city

    For all of Watch_Dogs’ promise of innovation, we’d have thought that the designers at Ubisoft would have managed to come up with a more interesting cover for the release. Alas, here’s a picture of protagonist Aiden Pearce pointing his gun at the title’s ESRB rating. Perhaps the character’s not happy with the enormous logo covering...

Monday25th Feb 2013

  • News UK Sales Charts: Crysis 3 Cloaks Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

    Persona 4 Golden shines in 32nd

    Crysis 3 eluded Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance in this week’s UK sales charts, slipping past the Konami spin-off in order to steal the top spot from right under its nose. A meagre 5,500 units separated the two new releases, though it’s perhaps worth noting that Crytek’s first-person sequel was also available on...

  • News Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX Will Cuddle PS3 This Year

    It's a kind of magic

    Square Enix will conjure Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX onto Western store shelves later this year, the publisher has revealed. The hotly anticipated PlayStation 3 exclusive will collate upgraded versions of the PlayStation 2 favourites Kingdom Hearts Final Mix and Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories onto a single Blu-ray disc. The...

  • News Leaked Dishonored DLC Explores the Other Side of the Coin

    There are two sides to every story

    Dishonored will get a second helping of post-release content named ‘The Other Side of the Coin’ shortly, if a new batch of leaked Trophies are to be believed. The digital trinkets – which popped up on PS3Trophies.org earlier today – point to the addition of new story content, evidenced by the reward...

  • Rumour PS Store Plunders Free Uncharted 3 Multiplayer

    Treasure trove

    It looks like Sony’s separating out Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception’s multiplayer component and putting it on the PlayStation Store. Similarly to Killzone 3, the company has revealed that Naughty Dog’s surprisingly compelling online experience is launching as a standalone later this week – and apparently it will be available...

Sunday24th Feb 2013

  • News inFamous: Second Son Trailer Featured Gameplay Footage

    Puff of magic

    Following this week’s surprise reveal, Sucker Punch has coughed up some more information about its smoky superhero spin-off, inFamous: Second Son. Reacting to a discussion on Twitter, the Bellevue-based developer explained that the title’s debut trailer was constructed primarily from gameplay footage. “What did you think most of

Saturday23rd Feb 2013

Sunday24th Feb 2013

  • Rumour Sony Suggests Gran Turismo 6 Is Coming to PS3

    Er, what?

    You know that feeling that you get when you accidentally let a secret slip? Yeah, we reckon that SCEE Worldwide Studios gaffer Michael Denny might be suffering from the sting of that right now. In an interview with Silicon Republic, the executive appears to have inadvertently revealed that Gran Turismo 6 is coming to the PlayStation 3...

  • News PlayStation 4 Games Will Cost Between $0.99 and $60

    Next generation's not going to break the bank

    Sony Computer Entertainment America president Jack Tretton doesn’t believe that next generation games will cost more than $60. Speaking as part of an interview with CNBC, the likeable executive explained that software for the impending PlayStation 4 will cover a wide range of price-points, including...

Saturday23rd Feb 2013

  • News You Gotta Believe in This Replica PaRappa the Rapper Hat

    Step on the gas

    We always thought that our authentic Journey scarf was the ultimate piece of PlayStation clothing, but this PaRappa the Rapper beanie hat takes the figurative biscuit. The tangerine orange head-warmer is marked with the familiar frog logo on the front, while it wears the PlayStation 2 branding on the back. We’re guessing that this...

  • News Sony's Bundling Games with PlayStation Vita Memory Cards

    Added value

    The price of PlayStation Vita memory cards remains a sore point for some people. While the system itself is not particularly expensive for what you get, the storage options – which range anywhere from £15/$20 to £60/$100 – are prohibitively costly. However, it seems that Sony’s hoping to mitigate that issue by bundling digital...

Friday22nd Feb 2013

Saturday23rd Feb 2013

  • News Ubisoft: Watch_Dogs Will Be More Immersive on PlayStation 4

    DualShock 4's touchpad will be used to operate protagonist's smartphone

    While experts are still examining whether Watch_Dogs’ awkwardly stylised name is a violation of the international peace treaty, the game itself looks rather rad. Announced for PlayStation 4 during Sony’s press conference earlier this week, the game’s senior producer...

Friday22nd Feb 2013

Saturday23rd Feb 2013

  • News BioWare Blasts Final Mass Effect 3 DLC Details into Orbit

    The final frontier

    Believe it or not, we’re close to the one year anniversary of Mass Effect 3. It’s been a long rollercoaster ride, but all things must come to pass – and with that, BioWare has revealed the final DLC packs for the space shooter's single player and multiplayer offerings. The multiplayer DLC, named Reckoning, hits next week...

  • News Now Europe's Getting Two Free Games with Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault

    Er, thanks

    Sony is really, really sorry about Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault’s delay on PlayStation Vita. So much so, the platform holder’s decided to give European gamers another free game to make up for the wait. Originally, those of you that purchased the cross-buy title would be awarded a complimentary copy of MotorStorm RC to...

  • News This Is How Soul Sacrifice Is Being Advertised in Japan

    Is that dude on fire?

    Soul Sacrifice is easily the PlayStation Vita’s biggest piece of software since the system's launch in Japan, so it’s little surprise that Sony’s making a big song and dance about the release. This hyperactive fifteen second commercial uses actors to demonstrate the title’s magic-based action and co-operative gameplay...

Friday22nd Feb 2013

Thursday21st Feb 2013

Friday22nd Feb 2013

  • News Digital Sales on PlayStation Vita Eclipse PlayStation 3

    Business is booming

    For all of the doom and gloom surrounding the PlayStation Vita, Sony has revealed that more digital content is purchased for the handheld than the PlayStation 3. Chatting with Destructoid following this week’s PlayStation 4 unveiling, Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida explained that the difference is down to all of the...

  • News Watch Jimmy Fallon Scream at Killzone: Shadow Fall Live on TV

    Don't shoot at the air vent

    It’s really cool that Jimmy Fallon is not afraid to promote video games live on his NBC show, but do people actually watch it? We ask because this episode – which features the first live televised footage of Killzone: Shadow Fall for the recently announced PlayStation 4 – predominantly revolves around two grown men...

Thursday21st Feb 2013

  • News PlayStation 4 Specifications Harness Extraordinary Power

    Lots and lots of RAM

    After months of speculation, Sony has finally lifted the lid on the inner workings of the PS4, revealing in detail the hardware specifications for their new flagship console. While we could wax lyrical about the technology within, we'll leave it with the fine folks at Sony Computer Entertainment to get you up to speed. Here's...

  • News Take a Closer Look at the PlayStation 4's New Controller

    Packing more technology than a Swiss Army knife

    Sony didn’t just have a new console to showcase during this evening’s PlayStation Meeting – it also had a brand new controller. The imaginatively dubbed DualShock 4 features a similar shape to the PlayStation 3’s existing handset, but packs a wealth of functionality on top. These new features,...

  • News Microsoft Takes a Shot at Sony's PlayStation 4 Reveal

    Arrogant or nervous?

    Sony may cut a more humble figure following the catastrophic mistakes of the PlayStation 3, but it looks like Microsoft’s ready to step into the platform holder’s old shoes. Tweeting shortly after last night’s PlayStation Meeting press event, Xbox talking head Larry Hryb couldn’t resist chiming in on the announcements...

  • News PS4 Makes Communication a Breeze with Bundled Headset

    Talking tactics

    An official press release has revealed one of the PlayStation 4’s least glamorous secrets: it will ship with a mono headset out of the box. Much like the Xbox 360, the communication device will plug directly into the new DualShock 4 controller, allowing you to discuss strategies with friends or whine about the weather. It is...

  • Feature Here's Every PlayStation 4 Game We Know About

    PS4's complete catalogue jotted down and blown apart

    Sony’s late night PlayStation 4 bonanza may have been dominated by discussion about social interaction and cloud-based connectivity, but there were a handful of games on display during the two-hour press conference, too. While we got the distinct impression that the platform holder was keeping...

  • Reaction Practicality and Power Paves Positive Start for PS4

    The importance of being earnest

    Sony has changed. The ungainly arrogance of the Ken Kutaragi era was quashed within minutes of the humbled hardware manufacturer’s practical pageantry overnight, as recently appointed SCE president Andrew House and system architect Mark Cerny relayed the advantages of a developer-driven future. The irresponsible...

  • News Gaikai's Extensive PS4 Role Comes to Light

    Backward compatibility streaming, Vita to PS4 Remote Play

    After last year's acquisition of Gaikai, many have been wondering just how prominent the game streaming company and its technology would be for PlayStation 4. The answer was given during the console's big announcement event this evening, and it became clear that the company is delivering...

  • News PS4 Infrastructure Promises Much for Developers

    More RAM than you can shake a stick at

    Sony has hosted its PS4 announcement extravaganza, unveiling a number of games and exciting features. An early part of the presentation focused on the system hardware and infrastructure, however, which promises much for the capabilities of the system at launch and throughout its lifespan. Of course, leaked...

  • News Sony Officially Reveals the PS4, Launching Holiday 2013

    Who's buying one, then?

    Sony pulled no punches during its hotly anticipated PlayStation Meeting earlier this evening, sprinting out of the gate and announcing that the PlayStation 4 is coming this holiday. The system – which has been the source of much speculation for months now – has been in development for five years, and adopts a...

  • News Your PlayStation Network Games Won't Work on PlayStation 4

    In fact, none of your current PlayStation 3 content will carry across

    We warned you not to expect backward compatibility on the PlayStation 4. If you followed our advice then hopefully you’re not too disappointed, because Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida has revealed that your existing PlayStation 3 content will not work on the next...

  • News PlayStation 4 Will Support 4K Resolution, Just Not for Games

    PlayStation 4K

    Living up to its namesake, Sony’s next generation platform will be capable of outputting video in 4K resolution – however that functionality won’t extend to games. Chatting with Joystiq earlier today (or last night, our days are blurring together right now), Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida explained that no titles...

  • News So, There Are a Bunch of Studios Working on PS4 Games

    Surprise, surprise

    It turns out that Sony didn’t have a screen big enough to list all of the developers working on PlayStation 4 games during its press conference last night. While it flashed up the logos of some recognisable third-party studios, it’s since followed up with a gigantic list outlining all of the teams currently signed up to...

  • News Don't Worry, PlayStation 4 Won't Block Used Games

    Well, of course not

    We told you so. Despite strong speculation prior to the platform’s announcement, Sony has revealed that the PlayStation 4 will not block used games. Chatting with our allies over at Eurogamer.net, Sony’s likeable executive Shuhei Yoshida confirmed the tidbit, explaining that consumers expect to be able to resell content that...

  • News Sucker Punch's inFamous: Second Son Electrifies PS4

    Brave new world

    Now we know why Sly Cooper developer Sucker Punch has been so quiet since releasing inFamous: Festival of Blood in late 2011. Game director Nate Fox took to the stage during Sony’s PlayStation Meeting earlier this evening to announce inFamous: Second Son, a brand new spin-off in the developer’s superhero series that's firing onto...

  • News Killzone: Shadow Fall Shoots PlayStation 4 to Pieces

    Guerrilla Games flexes technical muscle with stunning real-time demo

    Sony wasted no time bringing out the big guns during its PlayStation Meeting press conference earlier this evening. Guerrilla Games was one of the first studios ushered onto the stage, revealing Killzone: Shadow Fall for the PlayStation 4. The stunning gameplay demo started with a...

  • News Watch_Dogs Announced as a PS4 Launch Title

    PS4 version to "push the boundaries of what was previously thought possible"

    One of the major publishers to appear in support of PlayStation 4 for the console's big arrival was Ubisoft, a company that's been an ever-present on PS3. The announcement wasn't necessarily a surprise, with E3 2012 showstopper Watch_Dogs being revealed as a launch title...

  • News Capcom Announces Panta Rhei Engine and New Deep Down IP

    Looks suspiciously like Dragon's Dogma

    Yoshinori Ono, videogame producer at Capcom and main producer of the Street Fighter IV series, announced Capcom's new next generation engine named Panta Rhei earlier today, showing off its stunning power with a new fantasy IP under the working title of Deep Down. The video footage of the aforementioned title...

  • News Bungie Confirms That Destiny Will Be Fulfilled on PlayStation 4

    Developer is excited about working on Sony's new system

    Already confirmed for PlayStation 3, Activision and former Halo series developer Bungie appeared at the PlayStation 4 announcement event to confirm that Destiny is on the way to Sony's new console; both versions will be available together at the game's launch. After the extensive details a few...

  • News DriveClub Puts the Pedal to the Metal on PlayStation 4

    First-person team racing with insane attention to detail

    As rumoured, Evolution Studios is working on a street racing game for PlayStation 4. The tantalising DriveClub was announced during Sony’s press conference earlier this evening, and focuses on team action. The game has a deep social underpinning similar to Autolog, allowing you to compete in...

  • News Yes, Killzone: Shadow Fall Is a PlayStation 4 Launch Title

    Helghan sent

    Killzone: Shadow Fall, one of the highlights during Sony’s bombastic PlayStation 4 coming out party, will be a launch title for the next generation machine this holiday. Guerrilla Games confirmed the news in a

  • News PlayStation 4 Has Got the Knack for Charming Trailers

    Growing pains

    Mark Cerny is a busy man. When he’s not being inducted into the AIAS Hall of Fame, he’s busy architecting hardware and creating new games. Knack was the first PlayStation 4 title announced during Sony’s next generation bonanza last night, and centres on a pint-sized protagonist who possesses the ability to transform into a...

  • News New Final Fantasy Title to Be Revealed at E3 2013

    Oh Square Enix, you tease

    During all the excitement of new game announcements at today's PlayStation press conference, Final Fantasy brand director, Shinji Hashimoto, took to the stage to sneak in a couple of words about a new Final Fantasy game which will be unveiled at E3 this year. With not even a glimpse of gameplay footage, or even a...

  • News Blizzard Teams Up With Sony to Announce Diablo III for PS4

    And the PS3

    During Sony's PlayStation Meeting, Blizzard Entertainment's Chris Metzen announced that the company has entered into a "strategic partnership" with Sony to bring Diablo III to the PS3 and its successor system, the PS4. The game will be a port of the PC version which was released last May, and, as stated in the press release, will include...

  • News The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Stalks PlayStation 4 in 2014

    Out of the woodwork

    The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is saddling up and trotting onto PlayStation 4 in 2014. Following the confirmation of Sony’s next generation console overnight, Polish developer CD Projekt Red has since revealed that its upcoming open world role-playing game is in production for the monstrous machine, marking the franchise’s first...

  • News Braid Developer Confirms The Witness for PS4

    Not so exclusive

    During the PlayStation 2013 presentation, Jonathan Blow, the developer of the indie sensation Braid, confirmed his new project would be heading to the PlayStation 4. The Witness is an open-world puzzle game, set on a series of dreamily colourful islands. Blow was keen to highlight the importance of the idea behind each individual...

Wednesday20th Feb 2013

Tuesday19th Feb 2013

  • Rumour PlayStation 4 Will Launch in November for $429

    You'll be able to control it with your phone, apparently

    We’re less than 24 hours away from officially learning about Sony’s next generation console – but a report on Kotaku appears to have jumped the gun. The popular North American blog is reporting that the PlayStation 4 will launch this November in North America, and will ship in two...

Wednesday20th Feb 2013

  • Store Update 19th February 2013 (North America)

    Tourist trophy

    Turn your attention away from the PlayStation 4 for a moment – there are still games coming out for the PS3 and Vita, some of which you may just be interested in. This week’s North American PlayStation Store update actually features quite an eclectic selection, including Crysis 3, Urban Trial Freestyle, and Capcom Arcade Cabinet...

  • News Could Battlefield 4 Blast Its Way into Sony's PlayStation Meeting?

    Makes sense

    Battlefield 4 could have Sony’s hotly anticipated PlayStation Meeting in its sights, if a series of teasing Tweets are to be believed. GameStop gaffer Paul Raines started the speculation overnight, announcing that he’d been privy to a behind-the-scenes demo of the upcoming first-person shooter. “Got to see Battlefield 4 today and...

  • Store Update 20th February 2013 (Europe)

    Easy to overlook

    Believe it or not, normal life does go on. While all eyes are undoubtedly on tonight’s PlayStation Meeting press conference, Sony has found time to update the European PlayStation Store. New arrivals include Capcom Arcade Cabinet, Persona 4 Golden, and Urban Trial Freestyle. Let’s get down to business, shall

  • Rumour Sony Santa Monica Teasing God of War Reveal

    There will only be chaos

    God of War developer Sony Santa Monica has hopped aboard the PlayStation Meeting hype train. In a sly Twitter message posted overnight, the developer teased: “What does our future hold for tomorrow? We heard they may open Pandora’s Box live on stage, that would be awesome.” The message concluded with the...

Tuesday19th Feb 2013

  • News PlayStation Domains Point to Cloudy Forecast

    The future's overcast

    Sony’s recently acquired Gaikai service is expected to factor heavily into tomorrow’s PlayStation Meeting, and it looks like the firm has been busy ahead of the event. Legendary online sleuth Superannuation has dug up a collection of domain names, all pointing to a product called 'PlayStation Cloud'

Monday18th Feb 2013

Tuesday19th Feb 2013

Monday18th Feb 2013

  • News PlayStation Vita Bonus Pack Bundles 32GB Memory Card

    Solving problems

    While the PlayStation Vita is about to get significantly cheaper in its native Japan, the cost of memory cards still remains a problem. However, Sony hopes to rectify that issue by introducing a new ‘Bonus Bundle’ in the region, which includes a 3G console and a 32GB memory card for just ¥24,980 ($269). That’s the same price...

Sunday17th Feb 2013

  • News Sony's 20th February Countdown Continues with PS3

    Play beyond

    Sony’s skipped straight past the PlayStation Portable in its ongoing ‘Evolution’ series, pointing its crosshairs at the PlayStation 3 instead. This video is less substantial than previous releases – presumably because the PS3 is still a very relevant product – but there’s still plenty of footage to get your taste buds...

Monday18th Feb 2013

  • News Sony Announces Surprise PlayStation Vita Price-Cut in Japan

    Shows off God Eater 2, Soul Sacrifice, and Final Fantasy X HD

    In a surprise press conference overnight, Sony has announced that it is set to slash the price of the PlayStation Vita in Japan. The company confirmed that from 28th February, you’ll be able to pick up either a Wi-Fi or 3G console for around ¥19,980 ($215), down from ¥24,980 ($269)...

  • Reaction PlayStation Vita Is Moving in the Right Direction

    One step forward

    In a move that’s been on the cards for over a year now, Sony has announced that it will slash the price of the PlayStation Vita from 28th February in Japan. The unexpected revelation was made during a surprise press conference overnight, in which the platform holder also showcased a batch of upcoming software for the struggling...

  • News Final Fantasy X HD Sure Looks Snazzy on PlayStation Vita

    Tidus waves

    After a prolonged hiatus spanning almost a year, Square Enix has finally revealed the first footage of Final Fantasy X HD for PlayStation Vita. During a surprise press conference overnight, the publisher apologised for the game’s delay, and promised that a release date for the hotly anticipated PlayStation 2 remaster would be announced...

  • Talking Point How Will the PS3 and Vita Factor into This Week's PlayStation Meeting?

    Going concerns

    All eyes are on the PlayStation 4 this week. Sony’s widely publicised PlayStation Meeting is set to take place on 20th February, where we’ll almost certainly get our first glimpse at the platform holder’s next generation console. But while the emphasis has been very much on the future for the last couple of weeks, we can’t...

  • News Toukiden Demo Tempting PlayStation Vita Owners in April

    Monster mash

    A demo for Tecmo Koei’s historical demon slayer Toukiden will trample Japanese PlayStation Vitas in early April, platform holder Sony announced overnight. The game – which is also in production for the PlayStation Portable – is due out this summer, and is being developed by the team behind the Dynasty Warriors series, Omega Force...

  • News Dragon's Crown Continues to Look Stunning in New Trailer

    Add it to your wishlist

    It’s been a while since we last saw anything of Dragon’s Crown, the gorgeous side-scrolling beat ‘em up from Vanillaware. Thankfully, Sony rectified that overnight, with a brand new thirty-second trailer featuring a bevy of action form the upcoming brawler. The game’s still due out this year, where it will be...

  • News Vanquish Rocket Boosts onto North American PlayStation Plus

    Feeling all Gideon

    Shinji Mikami’s stylish PlayStation 3 shooter Vanquish will slide into the North American Instant Game Collection this week. PlayStation Plus subscribers will be able to download the exceptional action game for free when the PlayStation Store updates, along with popular PlayStation Portable remake Mega Man: Maverick Hunter X...

  • Rumour Sony Considering £300 Price Point for PlayStation 4

    Platform holder hoping to lure millions to its latest console

    It sounds like Sony has learned from the ‘$599 US dollar’ fiasco of old, and is aiming to price its upcoming next generation platform extremely competitively. UK newspaper The Times claims that the company is considering a £300 ($465) price point for its latest machine, a tag that...

  • News Soul Sacrifice Trailer Shows Scenic Vistas and Colossal Beasts

    One to watch

    Even if you’ve never been fond of Monster Hunter mechanics, Soul Sacrifice should absolutely be on your radar. The Keiji Inafune developed PlayStation Vita blockbuster sees you forgoing body parts in order to slay enormous monsters – some of which are made out of precious gems and gold. The game’s due out next month in Japan and...

  • Interview Chewing the Cud with Hungry Giraffe Developer Laughing Jackal

    Sahara dessert

    The news that Laughing Jackal’s excellent ungulate muncher Hungry Giraffe is stretching onto PlayStation Vita had our stomachs growling louder than a cake connoisseur in a posh coffee shop last week, so we just had to reach out to the Essex-based developer in order to grill them about the upcoming re-release. In between bites of...

Sunday17th Feb 2013

Saturday16th Feb 2013

Sunday17th Feb 2013

  • News Patapon 3 Marches to the PS Vita's Beat Next Week

    Fever

    PlayStation Portable’s popular rhythmic role-playing game Patapon 3 will become PlayStation Vita compatible in North America next week, Sony has announced. The snippet was confirmed on the latest episode of the PlayStation Blogcast, to the reception of chants across the globe. You know how it goes. As Joystiq rightly points out

  • News First Velocity Ultra Footage Looks Unsurprisingly Swish

    Shooting for the stars

    The fine folks at Eurogamer.net have finally managed to lure some footage of the upcoming Velocity Ultra out of developer FuturLab’s secret lair. The embedded video features a wealth of action from the full PlayStation Vita re-release, and even includes input from managing director James Marsden. The title’s set to take...

  • News God of War: Ascension's Demo Slays the PSN on 26th February

    Blood lust

    God of War: Ascension’s gruesome single-player demo will slash its way onto the PlayStation Network on 26th February in North America, the Gods have declared. European warriors will presumably have to wait until 27th February to get their gory mitts on the gameplay teaser. If you’re participating in the title’s Rise of the Warriors...

Friday15th Feb 2013

Saturday16th Feb 2013

  • Talking Point Why Gaikai Is Paramount to PlayStation's Future

    Streaming solutions

    Sony’s not enjoyed much financial success lately. The company has been bleeding money for years, primarily due to its diminished relevance in the consumer electronics sector. Where the Japanese giant was once considered the market leader, it’s been outmuscled by more versatile competitors such as Apple, Samsung, and even LG...

  • Rumour Gaikai Will Enable PS3 Streaming on PS4

    Future proof

    Backward compatibility has been a source of much deliberation on the PlayStation 4. The complex architecture of the current PlayStation 3 means that it will be practically impossible for Sony to emulate the system on its next generation console, leaving legacy support on the chopping block. However, the firm’s high-profile acquisition...

  • News Michael Pachter Predicts PS3 Price Cut At PlayStation Meeting

    Dropping like a rock

    Seasoned industry analyst Michael Pachter believes that a PlayStation 3 price-cut will be announced next week. Chatting with GamesIndustry.biz, the likeable executive predicted that the console’s cost will be slashed to $199.99 during Sony’s widely publicised 20th February press conference, presumably as a measure to...

Friday15th Feb 2013

  • News Naughty Dog: We're Ready for PlayStation 4, But It's Scary

    Drake's quaking

    Naughty Dog may be focusing its attention on upcoming PlayStation 3 exclusive The Last of Us at the moment, but there’s a good chance that the critically acclaimed studio is already working on Sony’s next generation hardware. The developer divided into two teams a few years ago, allowing it to work on multiple projects at once...

  • Review Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage 2 (PlayStation 3)

    Fist of the bore star

    Sequels are generally a straight forward affair – or at least they have been this generation. Ideally, a sequel should remove or fix problems that plagued the first game, while adding new, polished content and improving core gameplay. With Fist of the North Star: Ken’s Rage 2, developer Koei’s job should have been a...

  • Talking Point How Will the PS4's Controller Change the Way That We Play?

    Input innovations

    If anything was going to leak, it was always going to be the controller. Speculation regarding the PlayStation 4’s refreshed input device has been mounting over the past couple of weeks, with the rumours culminating in last night’s leaked image. Sources have since confirmed that th

  • News Tecmo Koei Undresses Dead or Alive 5 Plus Footage

    Real knockout

    Dead or Alive 5 Plus may not be garnering quite the same attention as Killzone: Mercenary and Tearaway, but it probably should be – and not just because it sports ladies in skimpy outfits. The portable fighter looks set to be a real technical masterpiece, boasting some seriously impressive visuals in this brand new gameplay trailer...

  • News Sony Mocks Microsoft with PlayStation Advertisements

    Jump out

    Oh, it’s on. Following Microsoft’s less than savoury comments regarding the PlayStation 3’s entertainment options yesterday, Sony has launched a brand new batch of text advertisements blatantly mocking its closest competitor. One commercial takes a direct swipe at the Xbox 360’s prolific ‘

  • Rumour Ex-Sony Employee Suggests The Last Guardian Is for PS4

    Told you so

    It looks like The Last Guardian may be a lock for the PlayStation 4 after all. A former BigBig Studios employee has hinted that the long overdue Team ICO exclusive has been in development for Sony’s next generation platform for “a long time now”. The speculation follows creative director Fumito Ueda’s broken silence earlier in...

  • News Microsoft: PlayStation 3 Doesn't Do Entertainment As Well As Xbox 360

    Everyone knows it, apparently

    Microsoft must be starting to feel threatened. The company has already predicted that mainstream consumers "won't know” about PlayStation’s upcoming next generation console announcement, and now it’s insinuated that the PS3 is a poor choice for entertainment options – despite it being

  • News Oh, Here's Another Photo of the PlayStation 4's Controller

    Double shock

    When it rains, it pours – and we’re in the middle of monsoon right now. Digital Foundry has managed to get its grubby mitts on another image of the PlayStation 4’s controller, which shows the prototype peripheral from an alternative angle. There’s not a whole lot of new information for us to garner from the picture, but it does...

  • News God of War: Ascension Allies with the History Channel

    Thor for your money

    Just in case you needed any more convincing about the commercial clout of God of War: Ascension, Sony has announced that it is teaming up with the History channel to bring an exclusive new weapon to the ancient adventure based on the upcoming TV show, Vikings. That’s right, for the first time ever, Greek and Norse mythologies...

  • News Hunker Down with This Resident Evil: Revelations Footage

    Aim low

    Series favourite Hunk is making a comeback in Capcom’s upcoming PlayStation 3 port of former Nintendo 3DS exclusive Resident Evil: Revelations, and here’s your first look at the character in action. This footage is taken from the game’s Raid mode, which sees you clearing out hordes of the undead in order to level up your character and...

  • News Leaks Bring Bungie's Date with Destiny Forward

    Can't stop the flow

    Bungie is expected to announce Destiny on 17th February, but it may have been beaten to the punch. Joystiq has got its hands on a couple of promotional posters, which show the game’s logo and lead characters. Apparently, the hoardings will be available from GameStop stores on Monday, presumably as rewards for pre-orders.

Thursday14th Feb 2013

  • News Take-Two Wrestles WWE License from Defunct THQ

    Pinned down

    Take-Two is half a tap away from taking control of the WWE license. A report published shortly after the untimely demise of former holder THQ had pegged the publisher as the new ringleader for the bizarrely popular franchise, but the firm's now issued an official statement confirming the news. "At this time, the agreement is pending...

  • Rumour PS4's Controller Will Sport Improved Triggers

    Get a grip

    The PlayStation 4’s controller will maintain the same general shape and style as the existing DualShock 3, but will boast a number of improvements according to a report on VG247. The publication states that the peripheral will include a touchpad on the front of the unit. The ‘Start’ and ‘Select’ buttons have apparently been...

  • Rumour Is This a Photo of the PlayStation 4's Controller?

    Certainly looks like it

    Destructoid has got its hands on what appears to be a photograph of a prototype controller for the PlayStation 4. The image matches up almost perfectly with recent rumours, showing a peripheral similar in shape to the DualShock 3 with a touchpad in place of the ‘Start’ and ‘Select’ buttons. It’s hard to get a good...

  • Talking Point What Will the Next PlayStation Be Called?

    Name games

    The number four is unlucky in Japan. The figure is pronounced “shi” in the land of the rising sun, which is the same as the word for death. As a result, many hospitals prefer to ignore the digit, skipping the integer when naming room and floor numbers. Furthermore, there are no seats with the numeral on passenger planes of the All...

Wednesday13th Feb 2013

Thursday14th Feb 2013

  • News Microsoft Executive Plays Down Impending PlayStation Meeting

    "Consumers won't know what's announced"

    Ever since Sony promised to show us a glimpse of the future, Microsoft has been uncharacteristically quiet. However, in an interview with MCV published earlier today, Xbox UK executive Jon Grimes has suggested that most consumers won’t even know what’s announced during PlayStation’s upcoming

  • News Hungry Giraffe Munches PS Vita with Fresh Features

    On the menu

    After appearances on both PlayStation Minis and PlayStation Mobile, Laughing Jackal’s excellent endless runner Hungry Giraffe is heading to the PlayStation Vita for thirds. The upgraded re-release will boast a bevy of new features, including full Trophy support and online leaderboards. It’ll also implement a handful of new skins,...

  • News Touch Your Favourite Fighters in Dead or Alive 5 Plus

    Your heartbeat next to ours

    If you’ve always been eager to tickle Kasumi into submission, then Dead or Alive 5 Plus should be right up your alley. The portable PlayStation Vita remake features a brand new ‘Touch Fight’ mode, which allows you to attack opponents using simple taps and swipes of the touch screen. In this option, the action takes...

  • News Toshihiro Nagoshi Wants to Show Next Gen Yakuza This Year

    Fighting fury

    Fans of fisticuffs and dragon tattoos may be excited to learn that a next generation Yakuza title could debut as early as this year. Series producer Toshihiro Nagoshi teased in the latest issue of Dengeki PlayStation magazine [via Gematsu] that the recently released Yakuza 5 will probably be the last entry in the series on PlayStation...

  • News The Last of Us Waits in the Shadows Until 14th June

    Picking its moment

    Joel and Ellie’s terrifying tussle with the clickers has been put on hold until 14th June, developer Naughty Dog has announced. The Last of Us had been set to launch on 7th May worldwide, but in a message posted on the PlayStation Blog, c

Tuesday12th Feb 2013

  • News Would You Kindly Listen to This BioShock Remix Album

    Sounds of the underground

    How do you transform BioShock’s harrowing art-deco universe into something infectious? Well, if you’re voice actor turned remix extraordinaire Eddie Bowley, you take its most famous sound bites and arrange them into beats so catchy that not even Ayn Rand could resist tapping her disco feet. ‘Only Man’ is a full...

Wednesday13th Feb 2013

  • Store Update 12th February 2013 (North America)

    Take a break

    If your wallet's in need of a breather after the deluge of releases in recent weeks, then you're in luck – there's very little of note on offer in the latest North American PlayStation Store update. New arrivals include the handheld port of Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken, the Twisted Metal Birthday Bundle, and PlayStation All-Stars...

  • Store Update 13th February 2013 (Europe)

    Anarchy wanes

    Much like in North America, there’s not a whole lot worth getting excited about in this week’s European PlayStation Store update. Anarchy Reigns, Aliens: Colonial Marines, and Germinator are all up for grabs on PlayStation 3, while R

Tuesday12th Feb 2013

  • Rumour Gearbox Wasn't Aliens: Colonial Marines' Lead Developer

    Beep, blip

    According to comments made up by an ex-Gearbox employee, the majority of Aliens: Colonial Marines was not built by the Borderlands developer. In fact, the game – which has been paraded around by gaffer Randy Pitchford and crew in the build up to release – was actually the product of TimeGate Studios, the developer behind the decent...

  • Talking Point Could the Current Xbox Rumours Work in the PS4's Favour?

    Speculation wars

    You probably shouldn’t believe everything that you read online. We’re in what’s commonly referred to in other industries as the ‘silly season’ right now, an exciting period of speculation where even the most ridiculous rumours take on heightened meanings. With new next generation platforms looming, everyone wants a piece...

  • News Sweet Tooth Celebrates Birthday with Twisted Metal Bundle

    Squashed tomatoes and gloop

    Twisted Metal’s excellent PlayStation 3 reboot is officially a year old this week, and Sweet Tooth is planning to commemorate the event by washing his polka dot pants. Apparently, they’ve got a bit messy over the past 12 months – we’ve told him to be careful where he squirts the strawberry sauce. While the killer...

  • News Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance Is Having the Worst Day

    Feelin' like a freight train

    Ever had one of those days where everything seems to go wrong? Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance understands you. Y'see, the swashbuckling spin-off is being marketed as the perfect antidote to a particularly bad run of luck. But is it as effective as listening to Limp Bizkit on loop? You'll be able to find out for yourself...

  • News Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Starts a Revolution on 28th February

    Something about being televised

    Those of you with tickly trigger fingers will finally be able to sate your Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 cravings on 28th February, when the first-person shooter’s hotly anticipated ‘Revolution’ add-on unloads on the PlayStation Network. The content – already available on the Xbox 360 – will cost you $14.99, or...

Monday11th Feb 2013

  • News This Is What Happens When Vikings Relax

    Hairy holiday

    Vikings don’t head to the seaside and sip on piña coladas when they want to relax. Instead, they do much the same as they would on a normal day – attack each other. The twist is that they embark on this antagonistic pastime in brand new locations, such as on golf courses, cruise ships, and, er, giant chess boards. Of course,...

Tuesday12th Feb 2013

  • News Guess Which Game Got the Most BAFTA Nominations

    Yeah, you're right

    In an announcement about as predictable as an episode of Columbo, BAFTA has revealed that thatgamecompany’s stunning PlayStation Network exclusive Journey has topped the nominations list for this year’s awards. The critically acclaimed title is up for contention in eight categories, including artistic achievement, original...

Monday11th Feb 2013

  • News Dead Nation 2 Concept Art Stumbles into Sight

    Bullet to the brain

    It seems like a sequel to Housemarque’s popular dual-joystick shooter Dead Nation was on the cards at one point. The official website of concept artist Amar Djouad features three pieces of artwork from the hypothetical follow-up, one of which includes dinosaurs. Sadly, according to the employee’s CGHub portfolio, the project...

  • Review Zombie Driver HD (PlayStation 3)

    Rot gear

    Guts, guns, and gasoline: it’s a match consummated in the underworld. At least it should be, but EXOR Studios’ matter-of-fact PlayStation Network racer Zombie Driver HD gets its wheels in a spin in some crucial areas. It results in a braindead isometric zombie slayer which sadly lacks the bite of its subject matter. You fill the...

  • First Impressions Is Bentley's Hackpack Worth Your Coins?

    Firewall flattener

    Sony’s sneaky Sly Cooper series has always enjoyed a wide array of mini-games. The emphasis certainly became more pronounced in later entries, with Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves dividing fans due to its hearty helping of side content. Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time – the fourth entry in the series – follows in its predecessor’s...

Sunday10th Feb 2013

  • News Evolution Studios Counting Down to PlayStation Meeting

    Well, probably

    Evolution Studios employee Paul Rustchynsky is pretty excited about 20th February. The game director – who previously worked on MotorStorm RC – expressed his enthusiasm in a straightforward Twitter message posted earlier this evening, counting down to the aforementioned date. While the developer could be referring to anything, we...

Monday11th Feb 2013

  • News Media Molecule Teases Next Project with Top of the Pops

    It's a mystery

    The online sleuths have certainly been slipping. Media Molecule's website has included a teaser page hinting at its next project for over six months now, but it's only just been discovered. The mysterious entry certainly isn’t hard to find. If you mosey your way over to the developer’s ‘Games’ page, you’ll spot a rather...

  • News Square Enix Strings Up Stunning Tomb Raider Footage

    Survival instincts

    Square Enix has released a brand new 11 minute gameplay video of Tomb Raider, complete with walkthrough narration from Noah Hughes, the title's creative director. The video – entitled 'Monastery Escape' – shows protagonist Lara Croft using the world to her advantage, as she stealthily snares enemies on her way across the map...

  • News UK Sales Charts: Dead Space 3 Unsettles Ni No Kuni

    Wrath of the Necromorphs

    Despite its controversial inclusion of microtransactions, Dead Space 3 has snuck to the summit of this week’s UK sales charts, giving previous frontrunner Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch an awful scare along the way. The spooked Level-5 and Studio Ghibli collaboration dropped all the way down into sixth, though...

  • News YouTube Application Broadcasts to European PlayStation 3s

    Streaming solutions

    Those of you in Europe will finally be able to waste your evenings watching videos of cute kittens instead of playing video games, as Sony has confirmed that it’s bringing YouTube to the PlayStation 3. The native application – already available in North America – will launch later today, and will allow you to browse...

  • News Closure Illuminates North American PS Plus This Week

    Light the way

    North American PlayStation Plus subscribers will be able to download Eyebrow Interactive’s intelligent PlayStation Network puzzle platformer Closure for free this week. The title – which sees you manipulating light sources to progress – will be added to the Instant Game Collection when the PlayStation Store refreshes tomorrow...

  • News Journey Misses Out on Prestigious Grammy Award

    The one that got away

    Given the sheer amount of awards that Journey has scooped up over the past 12 months, we suppose it’s about time that the title stopped hogging the limelight. Despite being the first ever video game to be nominated for a Grammy award, Austin Wintory’s scorching score lost out to Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ e

Sunday10th Feb 2013

  • News Oh, There's a New Assassin's Creed Game in Development

    Surprise, surprise

    Buried amongst business terms, Ubisoft confirmed that a new Assassin’s Creed game is in development during its earnings call earlier this week. The title will supposedly star a new protagonist and will be set in a fresh time period – but, unsurprisingly, additional details are scarce. Development is being led by a different...

  • News Dead Space 3 Resource Farming Glitch Won't Be Patched

    Dry paint

    Dead Space 3 allows you to spend real money to upgrade your weapons – but you don’t necessarily need to engage in the shady practice to unlock the ultimate Plasma Cutter. An exploit discovered by the fine folks at GameFront allows you to farm as many resources as you like – and it’s unlikely to get patched, according to publisher...

Saturday9th Feb 2013

  • News Aliens: Colonial Marines Goes on a Bug Hunt in March

    Squelch

    Aliens: Colonial Marines will allow you to relive your youth next month. However, this time you won’t be burning ants with a magnifying glass – you’ll be pumping giant insects full of lead. SEGA has revealed that the first of Gearbox’s imminent extraterrestrial eviscerator’s expansion packs, ‘Bug Hunt’, will deploy in March,...

Sunday10th Feb 2013

  • News So, What Does PixelJunk Mean Anyway?

    Unearthed secrets

    We already know that PixelJunk is the name of one of the PlayStation Network’s most popular brands, but where did it get its title from? Developer Q-Games has laid out the reasoning in a brand new FAQ, which tackles pretty much everything you could ever want to know about the Kyoto-based developer. According to the document,...

Saturday9th Feb 2013

  • Review Sumioni: Demon Arts (PlayStation Vita)

    Not worth the Monet

    Sumi-e is a form of ‘ink wash painting’ popularised in Asia approximately 1,400 years ago. It’s a striking art form that aims to capture the soul of its subject rather than attempt photo-realism and has been used to great effect in videogames before, with Okami being a notable example. Developers are always looking for...

Friday8th Feb 2013

  • Rumour PlayStation 4 Will Ship with an Upgraded EyeToy

    Big brother

    According to prolific rumourmonger VGLeaks, the impending PlayStation 4 will be accompanied by an upgraded EyeToy that will keep tabs on you while you play. The so-called ‘Dual Camera’ – which has also been hinted at in a series of EDGE reports – will apparently feature a pair of wide-angle lenses, each boasting a resolution of...

Saturday9th Feb 2013

  • News God of War: Ascension Documentary Details the Birth of Kratos

    And his Spartan army

    How much make-up is required to transform a real man into Kratos? A lot, if this behind the scenes documentary is anything to go by. The video details the production of God of War: Ascension’s recent live action trailer, which was aired during the online stream of the Super Bowl last weekend. It’s incredible just how closely...

  • News Journey Is Not Just a Great Game, It's a Life Changer

    Dry your eyes

    Many of us can point to a piece of media that has helped us through a difficult time. For some it may be a song, others a book – but for Sophia, a 15-year-old gamer, it's Journey. Speaking during a panel at DICE earlier this week, thatgamecompany co-founder Jenova Chen read aloud a letter that the company had received from the...

  • News Soul Sacrifice's Scorching Soundtrack Is Suitably Epic

    Kitchen sink

    Soul Sacrifice is a pretty bonkers game. The title – designed to capitalise on the Monster Hunter craze – sees you forgoing body parts in exchange for more powerful weapons. With that premise in mind, the release always demanded a crazy soundtrack – and publisher Sony turned to one of the best composers in the business to make...

  • News Solving the Mystery of Square Enix's Murdered: Soul Suspect

    Follow the breadcrumbs

    Those of you keeping tabs on the fast moving world of Twitter yesterday afternoon may have caught wind of a mysterious alternate reality game doing the rounds. The case was solved within hours, revealing a brand new PlayStation 3 title from Square Enix named Murdered: Soul Suspect. As you’d expect, additional details are...

Friday8th Feb 2013

  • News Journey Sweeps DICE Awards, Scoops Eight Gongs

    On top of the world

    Journey got no less than eight honours caught up in its scarf at the DICE awards last night. The stunning PlayStation Network exclusive swept up accolades for sound design, innovation, and online gameplay. It also floated away with the coveted ‘Game of the Year’ gong. Telltale's excellent The Walking Dead came closest to...

  • Opinion Why The Last Guardian Will Be a PlayStation 4 Game

    Blooming great

    While the PlayStation 3 has played host to its fair share of genre defining titles, it’s hard to shake the feeling that it’s still missing its most important release. The hotly anticipated Team ICO title The Last Guardian was officially announced almost four years ago, but despite receiving a release date in 2010, its troubled...

  • News Sony Honours Dedicated Trophy Hunters with Congratulations

    It's a hard life

    Committing your life to collecting digital trinkets can be a real chore. Not only are you forced to sit through inane difficulty tiers, assemble sizeable bounties of feathers, and grind you way through hundreds of multiplayer levels with strangers, but it’s also relatively unappreciated work. Who gives you a pat on the back for...

  • News Watch Kevin Spacey Get to Grips with a PlayStation Vita

    Buying one for the car

    Sony is no stranger to product placement, but this scene from Netflix exclusive show 'House of Cards' really takes the biscuit. In it, Kevin Spacey randomly picks up a PlayStation Vita and talks about buying one for his car. It's unbelievably awkward, but we suppose it's nice to see the console finally getting some...

Thursday7th Feb 2013

  • News Sony: "We Have to Do a Better Job of Promoting the PS Vita"

    Well, duh

    Sony slashed the PlayStation Vita’s sales forecast for the fourth time earlier today, announcing that it expects the recently released handheld and its predecessor to sell a combined 7 million units by the end of the current fiscal year. It had originally predicted that the console would surpass 16 million units during the same period,...

Friday8th Feb 2013

  • Rumour Killzone 4 Targeting PlayStation 4 in 2013

    Vekta of the Gods

    We always assumed that Guerrilla Games’ in-development fantasy title would debut alongside the PlayStation 4, but it looks like the company could be readying Killzone 4 instead. VideoGamer.com reports that the Dutch developer is currently applying the finishing touches to the next-generation first-person shooter, which could...

  • News New Velocity Ultra Screenshots Light Up the Night Sky

    Like fireworks, only better

    As an award winner and an all-around high-flier, FuturLab must have faced a few headaches when it decided to remake the excellent Velocity for PlayStation Vita. “How can we possibly improve upon perfection?” is a question that we imagine got tossed about a lot during early brainstorming sessions. Thankfully, it...

  • News Ex-Microsoft Executive Details Heated Relationship with Sony

    Furrowed brows

    Xbox only exists because of Microsoft and Sony’s heated relationship. That’s according to former executive Joachim Kempin, who was vice president of Windows Sales at the firm. Chatting with IGN, the outspoken suit explained that the computing company wanted to tackle PlayStation head-on due to the bad blood between the...

Thursday7th Feb 2013

  • News Feast Your Eyes on The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct

    Dead wood

    For a game that’s less than two months away, it’s telling that Activision has only just released the first trailer for The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct. Sure, we got that rough footage earlier in the year, but believe it or not, that was fan-made. Thankfully, this new trailer is official, even if it still doesn’t look very good...

Friday8th Feb 2013

  • News Tomb Raider's Journey Concludes, Reboot Goes Gold

    Beside the seaside

    You'll be able to protect vulnerable heroine Lara Croft for yourself in just a few short weeks, as developer Crystal Dynamics has confirmed that its upcoming Tomb Raider reboot has finally gone gold. The title will sail, crash, and wash up on store shelves on 5th March in North America and Europe. You can’t beat a nice...

Thursday7th Feb 2013

  • News Assassin's Creed III: Liberation's Sales Near 600,000 Units

    Not too shabby

    Ubisoft’s likeable PlayStation Vita spin-off Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation has snuck up on a brand new milestone, selling “close to 600,000 units”. The publisher announced the statistic as part of a post-earnings financial call earlier today, though its terminology was mixed throughout. As such, it’s not entirely clear if...

  • Opinion How LiveArea Could Be Enhanced for PlayStation 4

    The circle of life

    According to a wealth of recent rumours, the PlayStation 4 will be much more community driven than its predecessors. Trusted Japanese newspaper Nikkei reported earlier today that the console will “be furnished with the ability to exchange opinions amongst one's friends while playing games”. Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal...

  • News Gift Yourself This Gorgeous God of War: Ascension Controller

    Worth sacrificing a kidney over

    Sony has confirmed that you will be able to purchase this gorgeous golden God of War: Ascension controller as a standalone goodie in the UK. The delicious DualShock 3 was revealed as part of the prequel’s British bundle yesterday, but it wasn't clear if it would be available separately. However, the company has now...

  • News Sony Cuts Losses, PlayStation Sales Tumble

    Ups and downs

    It looks like the appointment of Kaz Hirai has worked wonders for Sony. The recently recruited president promised to decrease losses when he took over the role in April last year, and he’s done a decent job. The company as a whole recorded a net loss of ¥10.8 billion ($115 million) for its fiscal third quarter ending 31st December,

  • Rumour Sumo Digital Knitting New LittleBigPlanet Game

    Probably for PlayStation 3

    Here’s a surprising one to warm your cockles on this freezing Thursday afternoon: Sumo Digital is rumoured to be working on a brand new LittleBigPlanet game. The report comes courtesy of online aggregate site VG247, which claims to have heard from insiders that the Sheffield-based studio is deep in development on the...

Wednesday6th Feb 2013

Thursday7th Feb 2013

  • News Rayman Legends Leaping onto PlayStation 3 in September

    Legless

    Rayman Legends will get its invisible limbs in a twist on PlayStation 3 this September, publisher Ubisoft has announced. The former Wii U exclusive was due out later this month, but has now been pushed back, presumably to accommodate the multiplatform launch. The news will come as a big blow to Nintendo, as the title had previously been...

  • News Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault Vita Delayed Until Spring

    Clock blockers

    Sony has finally broken its silence on the PlayStation Vita version of Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault. The title – which had been set to release in January – will now arrive in the spring. Writing on the

  • Rumour PlayStation 4 Will Retail for $399.99

    Magic number

    Sony seems to have learned its lesson about insane price points. According to GamesIndustry.biz, the manufacturer is planning to sell its next console for around $399.99. The figure comes courtesy of Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, which understands that the console will cost ¥40,000 in its home region. That translates to about $427...

  • News Capcom Arcade Cabinet Sucks Your Coins from 19th February

    Retro revival

    Put your carefully collected stock of quarters to one side, because you may have a use for them in a few short weeks. The recently revealed Capcom Arcade Cabinet will debut on 19th February, bringing 15 classic titles with it. These releases will be rolled out on a regular basis until 21st May, and buying them all will add two free...

Wednesday6th Feb 2013

  • News Assassin's Creed III Ends King Washington's Reign in April

    Maniacal monarch

    King Washington’s tyrannically reign will come to a climatic conclusion in time for summer, publisher Ubisoft has confirmed. The final episode in the tantalising trilogy of Assassin’s Creed III add-on packs will arrive on 23rd April, with the second entry launching on 19th March. As previously confirmed, the debut pack will...

Thursday7th Feb 2013

  • News New Aliens: Colonial Marines Trailer Slow Dances with Death

    One, two, three, and four

    Don’t let the mellow piano melody fool you – Aliens: Colonial Marines does not require you to excel at the foxtrot. Instead, it demands big biceps, a steady aim, and a strong stomach. Don’t believe us? Check out the title’s excellent launch trailer below to see what we’re talking about. The game's due out next...

Wednesday6th Feb 2013

  • Talking Point What's the Problem with PlayStation Marketing?

    Creating buzz

    Everything seems to go wrong when you’re going through a rough patch. Sony learned this lesson in the hardest way possible with the launch of the PlayStation 3. “The next-generation doesn’t start until we say so,” former PlayStation president Kaz Hirai declared. But the promise of great things wasn’t enough to make up for the...

  • Review Dokuro (PlayStation Vita)

    Undead good

    Are you itching for a smart and interesting puzzle platformer? One with an undead theme and a hero faced with the challenge of rescuing a princess from his evil master? Then Dokuro's got you covered. Having witnessed the Dark Lord capture a beautiful blonde monarch, your envy and renewed moral standing compels you, a mere skeleton...

  • Store Update 5th February 2013 (North America)

    Real steal

    There are three new retail releases available as part of this week’s North American PlayStation Store update – and they’re all heavy hitters. New arrivals include Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time, Dead Space 3, and Fist of the North Star 2: Ken’s Rage. We hope that you’ve been saving up, because this is going to be an expensive week...

  • News Yes, Bentley's Hackpack Does Include Trophies

    Binary bling

    Seeing as the mini-games from the recently revealed Bentley’s Hackpack are already included on the full retail release of Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time, we encouraged you to exercise caution before picking up the cheap and cheerful title yesterday. But product manager Cristian Cardona has now

  • Rumour Evolution and Guerrilla to Debut PS4 Projects on 20th February

    Exercise caution

    You see that big rumour tag at the top of your screen? Colour it in with a shocking pink marker pen and set it on fire, because this is the very definition of a speculative piece. Still, we couldn’t resist sharing the latest gossip regarding Sony’s rapidly approaching 20th February press conference, and we think that you’ll...

  • News Kratos Will Kill a Kitten If You Ignore This God of War Bundle

    Think about it

    Wannabe deities will be able to augment their shrines with a limited edition God of War: Ascension hardware bundle this March. The package – currently only announced for British-based worshippers – includes a 500GB Classic White PlayStation 3, a copy of the game, and a limited edition DualShock 3. The controller sports the same...

  • Store Update 6th February 2013 (Europe)

    Alien greed

    It’s been a quiet couple of months on the European PlayStation Store, but there are signs that things are starting to pick up this week. In addition to the likes of Dead Space 3 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, there’s also the arrival of Alien Breed, Wake-Up Club, and Bent

  • News Dead Island Shuffles Past the 5 Million Sales Milestone

    Deadly proportions

    Who would have thought that one trailer could make such a difference? Dead Island, the janky co-operative zombie slayer from Deep Silver, has officially surpassed 5 million sales since its release in 2011, which is nothing short of a small miracle considering how broken the game was at launch. The publisher – which now owns the...

Tuesday5th Feb 2013

  • News Alien Breed Stalks the European PlayStation Store This Week

    Showing its teeth

    Team 17 will pay homage to James Cameron all over again this week, when its Amiga classic Alien Breed fires onto the PlayStation 3 and Vita in Europe. The top-down blaster will set you back just £6.49 for both versions, and will be buoyed by a further 20 per cent discount for PlayStation Plus subscribers. Those of you in North...

  • News Bentley's Hackpack Breaks Out Sly Cooper's Mini-Games

    Turtle target practice

    One of the best things about Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time – as evidenced in our recent preview – is the title’s constant desire for variety. The campaign is practically bursting with different gameplay mechanics, and you’ll be able to sample some of those for yourself courtesy of a new cross-platform application...

  • News Sony Hires Google Chrome Marketers, Dumps Deutsch

    Advertising overhaul

    The timing couldn’t be more perfect. As the industry erupts with concerns regarding the commercial prominence of Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time – out today in North America in case you’d forgotten – Sony has announced that it has ditched its existing advertising agency and hired the firm responsible for Google Chrome’s...

  • News Celebrate PS Vita's Birthday in Style with European Sale

    This is living

    It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost a year since the PlayStation Vita first hit store shelves. In honesty, it’s been a turbulent 12 months for the platform, but there’s been no shortage of great games. In order to celebrate the system’s growth, Sony has announced a brand new European sale, set to run for a period of...

  • News Insert Coins into the PlayStation Home Arcade App This Week

    Retro games on the go

    As spotted late last year, a new application is heading to the PlayStation Vita that will allow you to take your PlayStation Home arcade cabinets out and about with you. The free download – set to release in both Europe and North America this week – features full cross-buy compatibility, meaning that any titles you’ve...

  • News Skylanders Swap Force Goes Mix and Match Mad This Autumn

    Switching things up

    Guess what? The toys are back in town. Activision has announced that it will release a new iteration of Skylanders this autumn, with development headed up by Vicarious Visions. According to the publisher, the change in personnel will give series creator Toys for Bob time to come up with the next big thing. With the significantly...

  • News Zen Pinball 2 Finds the Force, Loses It Again

    Into the garbage chute

    A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, developer Zen Studios revealed that it was working on a new batch of Star Wars themed tables for its free PlayStation 3 and Vita application Zen Pinball 2 – but the announcement was yanked faster than the Millennium Falcon in hyperspace. Still, there’s nothing stopping us from...

  • News Dead Space 3 Awakens with Post-Release DLC

    One eye open

    Dead Space 3 has barely had time to spook the store shelves it's sitting on, but that’s not stopped publisher EA Games from announcing that there’s more content lurking on the horizon. Following on from last week’s tease, the company has confirmed that the ‘Awakened’ DLC pack will haunt the PlayStation Store next month...

  • News Konami Augmenting Metal Gear Rising with Exclusive DLC

    Virtual reality

    Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance may be steering Konami’s classic stealth series in a more action oriented direction, but it refuses to overlook the mainstays from the legendary franchise. As such, the publisher has confirmed that, like its predecessors, the title will boast a slew of VR missions – and many of these will be...

Monday4th Feb 2013

  • News Guardians of Middle-Earth Free for NA PS Plus Subscribers

    Irkwood

    North America’s slightly less exciting PlayStation Plus offering continues to play catch up to its infinitely superior European counterpart this week with the addition of Guardians of Middle-Earth, the Monolith developed MOBA that stars characters from J.R.R. Tolkien’s dreary universe. Maybe if you pretend that you're excited about this,...

  • News The Last of Us' Clickers Make the Most Terrifying Noises Ever

    Tick tock

    It turns out that there is a sound that topples One Direction’s latest record in the awful audio stakes. Sony has released a brand new two minute gameplay video from The Last of Us, which introduces a fresh enemy type known as Clickers, advanced infected beings which are blind and basically bloody terrifying. They use echo location...

  • Review Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch (PlayStation 3)

    Crikey! This game is flippin' tidy, mun!

    Nowadays, large-scale RPGs seem to be everywhere, and with such a rich choice of games available, it’s hard to discern the classics from the rabble. It can also be easy to exaggerate the quality of the very best in the genre, due to long development processes and the length of the adventures on offer. But...

  • Review Beats Trellis (PlayStation Mobile)

    Pocket producer

    Beats Trellis may sound like the name of a hip rhythm action game, but it’s actually a barebones digital audio workstation. Designed by Sony Computer Entertainment’s research and development department, the digital download allows you to compose simple audio motifs on the move. It’s designed in the style of Ableton and Reason,...

  • Review Corpse Party: Book of Shadows (PlayStation Portable)

    Shock till you drop

    With a title like Corpse Party: Book of Shadows, it’s immediately clear that you’re going to be in for a bumpy ride. The sequel continues the sadistic, horribly twisted atmosphere of the first game perfectly well – but it doesn’t bring much new to the table. It’s admittedly more of an expansion to the first game than a...

  • News Sony Severs Ties with PlayStation All-Stars Developer

    Walking away

    Despite the likelihood of a sequel seeming fairly high, Sony has confirmed that it has ended its relationship with PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale developer SuperBot Entertainment. The platform holder confirmed the news in a press release earlier this evening, adding that its Santa Monica studio will continue to support the release...

  • News Latest PlayStation Vita Colour Is As Cold As Ice

    Not willing to sacrifice, though

    Sony’s trotting out another new PlayStation Vita colour in Asia next month. The chilly ‘Ice Silver’ design is set to release on 28th February in Hong Kong, with additional regions nabbing the hue in early March. “By continually releasing a vast library of exciting and attractive software titles, SCE is also...

  • News UK Sales Charts: Ni No Kuni Summons a Spot at the Top

    Magic master

    Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch has ventured to the top of the UK sales charts, conjuring itself into first position for the week. The striking Level-5 and Studio Ghibli collaboration wrapped its wand around the back of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2’s head, pushing the popular first-person shooter into third position. Last week’s...

  • News Capcom Cuts DmC: Devil May Cry's Forecasts Down to Size

    Fallen angel

    You can’t blame Capcom for having high expectations – it’s just a shame that the publisher can’t seem to achieve them. After shipping one million copies of DmC: Devil May Cry across multiple platforms in January, the company has decided to slash its overall sales estimates for the reboot. It now expects the release to shift 1.2...

  • News Dead Space 3's Demo Has Been Dismembered Two Million Times

    Must be something in the air

    It looks like that blast of Phil Collins has done the trick for Dead Space 3. Chuffed publisher EA Games has announced that the title’s recently released demo has already been downloaded by almost two million people across multiple platforms, which represents a ten per cent increase over

Sunday3rd Feb 2013

Saturday2nd Feb 2013

  • Talking Point Could 2013 Be PlayStation's Best Ever Year?

    Great expectations

    Throughout the uncharacteristically barren first-party release schedule of 2012, it always felt like Sony’s attention was elsewhere. Twisted Metal, PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, and Starhawk were all strong releases, but they felt like disposable distractions designed to fill the time ahead of the looming onslaught of...

Friday1st Feb 2013

  • News How Much Money Did Grand Theft Auto V Cost to Make?

    Rich man's world

    Have you ever wondered how much a game like Grand Theft Auto V costs to make? We don’t have official figures, but Sterne Agee analyst Arvind Bhatia suspects that the sum is around $137.5 million. The forecaster deduced the enormous number via a “hypothetical probability model”, assuming that around 250 people worked on the...

Saturday2nd Feb 2013

Friday1st Feb 2013

  • Rumour Could Ivory Tower's Leaked Racer Be a PS4 Launch Game?

    Accelerating into sight

    It’s not going to stop, is it? Seasoned online sleuth Superannuation may have just unearthed details about one of the PlayStation 4’s very first games. According to the CV of a contract artist – which has suspiciously been yanked – new developer Ivory Tower is working on a “confidential game” for the PlayStation 3...

  • Feature Five Mistakes That the PlayStation 4 Must Avoid

    Potential pitfalls

    The PlayStation 4 will finally be announced on 20th February. Sony shocked the gaming industry with a mysterious trailer that teased the reveal last night, confirming that it will be hosting a PlayStation Meeting in New York City later this month. But while the imminent announcement is understandably exciting, there are a number...

  • News Yes, Sony Will Announce the PlayStation 4 on 20th February

    Event will be live streamed online

    If last night’s unexpected teaser trailer didn’t make things obvious enough, sources have indicated that the PlayStation 4 will debut on 20th February. According to the Wall Street Journal, “people familiar with the matter” have hinted that the hotly anticipated next generation console will make its first...

  • News God of War: Ascension's Live Action Trailer Is Touching

    Ashes to ashes

    People struggle to relate with protagonist Kratos’ anger issues, but we reckon that this God of War: Ascension live action trailer does a good job of explaining the character's emotional turmoil. The short – which is set to air during the online stream of the Super Bowl this weekend – shows the antihero clutching his daughter...

  • Rumour PS4 Will Allow You to Share Videos and Screenshots

    Europe will be made to wait again

    According to EDGE, the PlayStation 4 will allow you to share gameplay footage and screenshots on the fly. In a new report citing development sources, the British publication has hinted that the impending console’s refreshed controller will include a new button, allowing you to distribute your achievements and...

  • News Catch the First 30 Minutes of God of War: Ascension

    Spoilers, obviously

    Sony Santa Monica’s been relatively quiet about God of War: Ascension’s single player campaign over the past year – but it opened up in dramatic fashion overnight. Polygon has posted a video featuring the first 30 minutes from the title. The drama never ends this week, does it? The extended clip – which obviously...

  • News The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Expands from 12th February

    Fashionably late

    The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim’s long-overdue DLC will finally stumble onto the PlayStation 3 in North America this month. The first pack, Dragonborn, will arrive on 12th February, and will be followed by Hearthfire on 19th February and Dawnguard on 26th February. There’s no word on a European release just yet, but publisher...