Tag: First Impressions - Page 5
First Impressions Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow on PS3 Demo
It struck us pretty early on, that we're going to be way more engrossed in Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow's story than its gameplay
From a narrative perspective, the game's cinematics and voice-acting are top-notch. Even the dark, European gothic style is inviting. But the gameplay doesn't quite live up to the presentation's precedent. The demo opens...
First Impressions TV Superstars on PlayStation 3 Demo
TV Superstars is nothing if not unusual
The Studio Cambridge-developed PlayStation Move party game is clearly a parody of British celebrity culture. But its presentation is so bonkers it's hard to believe that anyone outside of the UK will understand it. At least we can say it's "unique". Our demo started with an introduction to TV...
First Impressions The Shoot on PlayStation 3 Demo
We shoot the PlayStation Move into the ground, causing a ripple-effect which sends a horde of cardboard bandits flying
The Shoot is an obvious title to accompany the PlayStation Move's launch window; a rails-shooter which places you on a movie-set [The Shoot y'see, geddit? - Ed] armed to the teeth with weapons. For as obvious as the game seems, it's...
First Impressions Enslaved: Odyssey To The West on PlayStation 3 Demo
The clock-hands are telling
It's late; we've finished writing for the day. But having tried out Enslaved: Odyssey To The West just moments ago, we had to get our thoughts down on digital paper. Ninja Theory's attempt at re-telling the classic Chinese novel "Journey To The West" has us hooked. It's been a while since we went into a game...
First Impressions Quantum Theory on PlayStation 3 Demo
There's a sadness to Quantum Theory
It's the result of Japanese developers growing need to appeal worldwide. As development costs soar, Japan is no longer a strong enough market for big budget titles. And so, games like Quantum Theory are the result. It's an example of a Japanese developer trying to deliver something that will appeal to Western...
First Impressions God Of War: Ghost Of Sparta on PSP Demo
We're on a ship, being tossed from side to side as the sea roars around us
Skeletal enemies climb aboard and we tear them to pieces with wreckless abandon. "Lord Kratos," a crew-member screams from the hull above, "It's destroying the entire fleet." As we march through the innards of the ship, we approach the tail of a gigantic...
First Impressions Vanquish on PlayStation 3 Demo
In many ways, Vanquish is exactly what you'd expect it to be
It's Japanese developers attempting to create a Western game. And so it feels distinctly like Gears Of War. Character movement is chunky, targeting is smooth and the gun-play is beefy and responsive. But it's also being developed in Japan; so it's all a bit bonkers. For example, your...
First Impressions Black Panther: New Yakuza Chapter on PSP Demo
Black Panther: New Yakuza Chapter is unlikely to release here in the West
Yakuza's already a niche franchise on the home consoles; spending enormous amounts of money to localise it on a platform in decline (and riddled with piracy) would not make any sense. We realised this a while ago, and to be honest, we didn't really mind. Shortly after Black...
First Impressions RUSE on PlayStation 3 Demo
The real time strategy genre on consoles has proved a tough nut to crack
It's hard to pick out a particularly memorable console strategy game that's compared favourably to its PC counter-part. Typically that's down to the interface, which suits the mouse and keyboard much better than a dual analogue stick set-up. With RUSE and PlayStation Move...
First Impressions Tom Clancy's HAWX 2 on PlayStation 3 Demo
We quite liked the original HAWX game on PlayStation 3 and went into its sequel with some anticipation
While it was hard to get a grasp for the narrative - one of our favourite elements of the first game - during our short play-session, we did have enough time to acclimatise to the gameplay. Air combat games are different to most other games. You...
First Impressions Mafia II on PlayStation 3 Demo
"Take out the fat guy," our partner declares as we point a sub-machine gun out of an upstairs window
Just moments earlier we'd been knocking back coca-cola while perusing a copy of Playboy magazine. Such is the life of a gangster. There's a good sense of place in Mafia II. Almost meticulously so. Take for example the afore-mentioned Playboy...
First Impressions Gran Turismo 5 on PlayStation 3
Gran Turismo 5 is gorgeous
Unbelievably so. Chances are, you already know. We're just here to remind you. When we saw the Toscana rally track in motion, we were stunned. Startled in fact. The game's silky smooth, running at an unwavering 60 frames per second. We watched on as day turned to night, and the blue sky was replaced by twinkling stars...
First Impressions LittleBigPlanet 2 on PlayStation 3
Sackboy's back, alright!
We only got to check out one level from LittleBigPlanet 2, but the charmingly titled "Tower Of Woop" seemed like a good starting point for the cutesy platforming sequel The level was a showcase for a couple of things: firstly the new graphics engine. LittleBigPlanet 2 looks cuter than ever, thanks in part to sharper colours...
First Impressions Kung Fu Rider on PlayStation 3
Questionable controls
Despite looking like the spiritual successor to zany PSone classic, Incredible Crisis, our hands-on time with the PlayStation Move's Kung Fu Rider revealed some irritating control quirks. We just couldn't get Kung Fu Rider to work. It took several attempts before we realised what the game wanted from us, and even then it...
First Impressions Killzone 3 on PlayStation 3
Guerrilla's done an incredible job
Somehow, they've managed to keep the polarizing sense of weight in Killzone 3, while still appeasing concerns that the previous game was too loose. Killzone 3 is a much tighter, much more responsive shooter — but it still has that key ingredient that makes the franchise so different to its peers. Oh, and it looks...
First Impressions The Fight: Lights Out on PlayStation 3
The Fight: Lights Out surprised us
Having read many negative reports on Sony's PlayStation Move controlled brawler, we went in with no expectations at all. We came out of the demo quietly impressed. While the game had noticeable lag and input issues, there were moments when the gritty boxer felt genuinely satisfying. It's just a shame that the AI we...
First Impressions MotorStorm: Apocalypse on PlayStation 3
Man, do we feel sorry for Black Rock Studio
With Split/Second they created a cinematic racing title with an interesting hook. Watching the environments crash around you was the game's selling point, in an overall package that didn't feel particularly well tuned. MotorStorm: Apocalypse is based on a similar concept, but is every inch more impressive;...
First Impressions Dead Nation on PlayStation 3
Housemarque don't need a new title to prove that they're the masters of the PSN dual-joystick shooter
We've put more hours into Super Stardust HD than we care to imagine, so it was with lofty expectations we checked out the studio's latest zombie driven PSN endeavour - Dead Nation. The first thing you notice about the PSN download - due later this...
First Impressions Sports Champions on PlayStation 3
Admittedly, Sports Champions has about as much charm as a limp sock
But having got hands-on time with the compilation's table tennis game, we're not sure it matters. That's because PlayStation Move works; this is not a device playing on empty promises and faked lifestyle commercials - it does what Sony have always said it will: track your movements...
First Impressions Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days on PlayStation 3 Demo
Is it any good?
Kane & Lynch is a franchise that will long be marred by the controversy that took place outside of the product. The original game was a bit of a mess, with poor shooting mechanics taking centre stage in an interesting, but under-developed piece of fiction. Despite that, you'd be forgiven for thinking a sequel wasn't necessary...
First Impressions Patapon 3 on PlayStation Portable Demo
What better than banging drums alone? Banging drums with friends, of course
Patapon 3's come out of nowhere. A short countdown clock on SCEJ's website culminated in a montage appearance from the drum 'em up. Now, just a few weeks after E3, we've all got our hands on the next entry in Japan Studios' Patapon franchise. And unusually for a handheld...
First Impressions E3 2010: Yakuza 4 on PlayStation 3
Yakuza is a franchise firmly fixed in familiarity
Of the three Yakuza games that have launched on the PlayStation in the past, not much has changed. Yakuza 4 hasn't changed much either - instead it's tweaked one pivotal element that separates it from its predecessors. Here, Kazuma Kiryu is no longer the lead protagonist - instead he shares that...
First Impressions E3 2010: inFamous 2 on PlayStation 3
Shocked
Perhaps the most fitting word to describe our reaction to the new-look Cole in inFamous 2. The once gruff-voiced egg-head with electric powers had seemingly been replaced by the cover-star of the next Skate game - a brusque, handsome looking extreme sports star who Sucker Punch describe as being "inspired by Tony Hawk". Beyond the...
First Impressions E3 2010: Journey on PlayStation 3
thatgamecompany's flower made us feel empowered like no other game
There's a moment, nearing the end of the game's relatively short campaign, where you guide your team of petals up an angled high-way. That moment is unlike any other we've ever experienced in a video game - there's a sensation of pure, unbridled freedom. It touches on pretense, but...
First Impressions E3 2010: Everybody's Tennis On PSP
Playing Everybody's Tennis as though it's Virtua Tennis will leave you lying on your arse, racquet in hand
This is much simpler than that, but it requires adjustment if you've spent years on SEGA's flagship tennis franchise. Unlike said titles hold and release mechanics, hitting the ball here is all about getting into position and tapping a button...
First Impressions E3 2010: Twisted Metal on PlayStation 3
Twisted Metal is one of the oldest, most recognisable PlayStation franchises out there
Despite being shunned aside by bigger franchise power-houses in PlayStation's history (the likes of Gran Turismo, Final Fantasy and Metal Gear Solid), Sony's E3 press conference spelled out quite categorically that Twisted Metal is truly back in bombastic style...
First Impressions E3 2010: Gran Turismo 5 on PlayStation 3
It's taken half-a-decade, but Polyphony Digital are now just months away from lifting the lid on their masterpiece; Gran Turismo 5 launches this November
With a budget so high even Kazunori Yamauchi won't disclose, and attention to detail so cute you can see the individual screws of its roster's door panels - Gran Turismo 5, like its predecessors,...
First Impressions LittleBigPlanet 2 on PlayStation 3
Media Molecule are describing LittleBigPlanet 2 as a "hand-made arcade"
But exactly what can players expect from Sackboy's latest foray onto Playstation 3? We've scoured the 'net to bring you this no-nonsense feature list of what to expect from 2010's biggest game. There's a new story tying Sackboy's adventures in previous games into...
First Impressions FIFA World Cup 2010 on PlayStation 3 Demo
It's probably impossible to make a commercial flop when you've got an official license adorning the package of your product
Particularly when it's a game based on the massive event that is the World Cup. But EA's turned over a new leaf in recent years, taking a new found interest in the quality of the products they release. As such, the FIFA video...
First Impressions 3D Dot Game Heroes on PlayStation 3
The first thing you need to know about 3D Dot Game Heroes: it's totally safe for you to go out and pre-order the game right now
We've seen enough to know that this Legend Of Zelda-invoking parody is going to be worth every penny of your money. Delivered with a wink and a nod, everything about 3D Dot Game Heroes invokes nostalgia, and it does so...
First Impressions Just Cause 2 on Playstation 3 Demo
At first we were a little disappointed with Just Cause 2
It's a game we've been following closely here at PushSquare, namely because the original was somewhat of a flawed gem. Getting hands-on time with the recently released demo is the first time we've had a chance to play Just Cause 2 here at PushSquare towers, and honestly it didn't leave the...
First Impressions Yakuza 3 on Playstation 3
It took about, ooh, five minutes
We were excited. We've wanted to play Yakuza 3 for a long, long time and finally we got to go hands-on. It took about five minutes and then it dawned on us. "Dude, we're playing Yakuza 3." SEGA's hesitation to release Yakuza 3 in the West rings loud in much of the game's design. This is Japanese, and it...
First Impressions Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing on PS3
It's just typical isn't it?
You wait four or so years for a great Mario Kart clone on your platform of choice and then two come along at once. Modnation Racers looks to have all the makings of a great kart racer, and then some; though we are concerned with the some of the performance issues that were apparent in the beta. Sonic & SEGA All-Stars...
First Impressions Half-Minute Hero on Playstation Portable
Half-Minute Hero is brilliant
The most off-putting thing about any RPG is the blank canvas at the start. A mountain of literature and 50 hours of your life lay in front of you, and you ask yourself "Is this going to be worth it?" Half-Minute Hero does away with the doubt, condensing each "universe" into 30-seconds. A cross...
First Impressions Modnation Racers on Playstation 3 Beta
Picture the scene: we're bombing it through a barren environment
It's one of the higher-rated tracks, crafted by the hands of a budding race-course designer. We're dressed as Kratos from the God Of War franchise, driving in the Ghostbusters car. Both are works of art in there own right, rated five stars by the community. The Joker's just in front of...
First Impressions MAG on Playstation 3
Patience, endeavour, team-work, intrigue - all words associated with Zipper Interactive's MAG; a wrought 256-player first person shooter stacked with the anticipation of simply delivering its namesake: massive action
It cannot be denied, MAG does exactly what it says on the tin; but only if you're willing to put in the effort it insists for payback...
First Impressions Bayonetta on Playstation 3
After the amount of negative press surrounding Bayonetta on the Playstation 3, we went into SEGA's port of Platinum Games' latest brawler expecting the absolute worst
Perhaps this was the agenda of the press all along. By instilling the harshest of negativity into the consumer's mindset, the game can't realistically ever look as bad as they claim...
First Impressions Digital Comics on Playstation Portable
Sony's decision to bring comics to the Playstation Portable has always been something that's stuck us as interesting
Interesting because we're not entirely sure who the move is aimed at. Hardcore comic fans will surely prefer reading their superhero gossip on paper; and will casual comic readers care enough to download them to their PSP? These are...
First Impressions God Of War III on Playstation 3
Dude, Kratos is really, really angry
Obviously writing about trailers, demos and collector's editions here on PushSquare, we knew a lot about God Of War III. But nothing could prepare us for actually going hands-on with the game. Santa Monica's latest in Sony's biggest pie is brutal. The first thing God Of War III wants you to notice is the detail...
First Impressions SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3 on PSP
The SOCOM franchise has been moderately successful in its conversion to the PSP
SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 3 looks set to continue that trend with solid co-operative gameplay and interesting mission set-ups. We recently got our hands on one of Fireteam Bravo 3's single player campaign missions ahead of the game's November launch and these...
First Impressions PSP Minis Spotlight: Kahoots by Honeyslug
Three-person team Honeyslug are to unleash their upcoming Lemmings-esque PSP Minis title onto the Playstation Store tomorrow
The title, Kahoots, will mark the biggest release in Honeyslug's relatively short history, with a fairly large push from Sony themselves as they get the PSP Minis service off the ground. Ironically, as big as this title is,...
First Impressions MotorStorm: Arctic Edge on Playstation Portable
You may not be a MotorStorm fan, but MotorStorm: Arctic Edge should be an exciting title regardless of your tastes; namely because it starts the onslaught of excellent Playstation Portable content
We've never been quite so inundated with PSP content. And that's exciting. Probably the biggest compliment you can pay to MotorStorm: Arctic Edge is that...
First Impressions Beaterator on Playstation Portable
Developed in collaboration with monster pop producer Timbaland
Almost coming out of nowhere, the PSP announcement of Rockstar's Beaterator has been met with mixed response, namely from the elitist whose desire is to criticise the game's figurehead, Timbaland. At the end of the day though, whether you want to rise above elitism or not, it's instantly...
First Impressions MAG on Playstation 3
With Zipper Interactive's ambitious multiplayer first-person shooter leading the line for Sony's 2010 exclusive romp, we take a quick look at the world of MAG and give you an idea of what to expect from the massive online shooter
Dynamic multiplayer. The biggest selling point for MAG is its unique server achitecture that allows 256 players to...
First Impressions Gran Turismo PSP on Playstation Portable
Gran Turismo PSP will lead the line for the PSP Go early this October, going as far as being bundled with European copies of the PSP Go
We take a quick look at the game's main features ahead of its release next month. A wealth of content. Gran Turismo PSP is set to be a big title, despite its portable nature. The game will cram over 800 cars and 35...
First Impressions Dead Nation on Playstation 3
Nowadays, zombie games aren't getting the attention they used to
We think it's probably fair to say we're all a bit fed up of them right? But, what if a newly announced zombie game was confirmed to be in development by Super Startdust HD developers, House Marque. Yup, thought that would catch you. Essentially, Dead Nation is very much Super Stardust...
First Impressions Mini Ninjas on Playstation 3
Mini Ninjas is a curious title
Coming from IO Interactive (synonymous with dark titles such as Kane & Lynch) it totally shuns the policy of dark and foreboding for something a little more family friendly. Mini Ninjas is a bright, anime-inspired title with an underlining family flare. The game opens on a ninja-training village where you're...
First Impressions Wet on Playstation 3
If Wet takes its core mechanics and continues to make them interesting over time, the Grindhouse setting will do more than enough to make this game a memorable arcade shooter
The best thing about Wet is that it knows exactly what it is. It's not trying to redefine arcade shooters, but at the same time it's blissfully aware it needs to change things...
First Impressions Colin McRae: DiRT 2 on Playstation 3
Irritating capitalization aside, Colin McRae: DiRT 2 looks and plays like an absolute dream
From the solid handling, to the impressive damage modelling and quirky presentation, we're itching to try out more. The first thing we noticed about Colin McRae: DiRT 2 was the interesting colour palette. The game has a rather quirky, pseudo-cartoon look to...
First Impressions Supercar Challenge on Playstation 3 Multiplayer
Staggeringly for a Playstation 3 exclusive, Supercar Challenge is not hyped beyond belief
We've all experienced the hype for Killzone 2, LittleBigPlanet and inFamous come and go. We're currently in the process of screaming in anticipation for Gran Turismo 5 and Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. But Supercar Challenge we can sum up in one single phrase we...
