PlayStation

Heavy Rain Director’s Cut Coming Next Week

by Jan Hutchings | Nov 3, 2011 | 25 comments

One of my favorite games for the PlayStation 3, Heavy Rain, affected players on a personal and emotional level; a feat rarely seen in interactive medium. The story, the characters, and their arcs are so well-written that I really was on the edge of my seat the entire time.

Check out my Heavy Rain review here.

If you’re one of the crazy PS3 owners who’ve never tried the “interactive film” title, your chance is coming up as Quantic Dream has announced that Heavy Rain: Director’s Cut is coming next week.

This re-release will include all of the content cut from the original release along with “The Taxidermist” DLC, which is in my opinion, one of the most terrifying moments ever put into video game format.

Along with the deleted content and DLC, Heavy Rain Directors Cut will include:

Built-in PS Move support (no download required)
The Heavy Rain Soundtrack
Bonus Making-of vignettes
PS3 themes
Concept Art
Game Trailers

Can you imagine all that Heavy Rain content packed into one Blu-Ray disc? Quantic Dream has also said that they will be releasing the Heavy Rain Crime Scene Dynamic Theme for FREE through the PlayStation Network to welcome to new re-release.

PSP Sales Are Up Year After Year

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 3, 2011 | 18 comments

Who would have thought that with the PlayStation 3 hitting the $249 price point, the PS Vita being released in Japan for this holiday season (February for the States) and the continued growth of smartphones, which have cannibalized a portion of the handheld gaming market, that the PSP could stand a chance. However, that’s exactly what has happened for the system that was launched way back in 2004. The now 7-year-old portable system has seen a surge in sales in the last year, despite the mentioned odds against it.

2011 Q1 sales were up by 600,000 to 1.8 million units sold while Q2 sales were ahead by 200,000 at 1.7 million units sold, compared to 2010. In fact, you would have to go back all the way to 2008 to best the PSP’s Q1 sales (3.7 million). Now, Sony is entering the crucial Holiday season (Q3) where a majority of the yearly sales are achieved. Will Sony be able to top last year’s 3.6 million units sold? It’s hard to tell, but with the recent PSP E-1000 available in Europe for $99 and the more-functional sibling, the PSP 3000, priced at $129, it seems that the little portable that gave us such amazing games on-the-go like God of War: Chains of Olympus, Gran Turismo, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 isn’t going down without a fight.

After the jump; PSP sales chart for the last 6 years.

inFamous 2 Gains PlayStation Move Controls

by Jan Hutchings | Nov 1, 2011 | 82 comments

How awesome would it be to play as Cole McGrath using the PS Move instead of the traditional controller?

Can you imagine how much easier it would be to pepper the bad guys with electric bolts by just pointing the cursor at them, not even having to resort to a thumbstick aim? Or how about context sensitive actions that make you feel like you’re doing the attacks as well?

Well, according to a blog post by SuckerPunch Studios, players will be able to play inFamous 2 using the PlayStation Move soon. This comes at the heels of the release the inFamous 2: Festival of Blood DLC, which comes pre-packed with PlayStation Move functionality.

If you think that the Move makes playing the game a lot harder, think again. It actually works well with Infamous’ free camera system in that the move controls the camera and then switches to an over-the-shoulder view when players need to attack.

According to SuckerPunch, the inFamous 2 PlayStation Move function will be added via a free update soon. We’ll keep you updated as soon as news comes out. After the jump, watch an all new trailer and share your thoughts with us.

PlayStation Store Update (11-1-11)

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 1, 2011 | 14 comments

The first day of November is here and it has happened to land on a Tuesday, which means that the PlayStation Store has once again been updated. However, unlike other days, today is special, and not just because of the 11-1-11 pattern. Instead, today is the day many gamers have been waiting for; the day Uncharted 3, the third installation from Naughty Dog, is released and has us reuniting with Nathan Drake, Sully, and Elena once more. So I would say while there is tons of great content to be found today like Qore Episode 42, Batman Arkham City – Nightwing Bundle, and Mortal Kombat Vs Dc Universe Digital for only $19.99, I would instead hold off on all of that for another day and head to your nearest gaming outlet to purchase Uncharted 3.

After the jump, the full PlayStation Store update awaits you.

Should You Buy ‘Warriors Orochi’ on PSP?

by Jan Hutchings | Oct 30, 2011 | 45 comments

MSRP: $19.99

1-Player

The Koei’s Dynasty/Samurai Warriors series have been around since the birth of the Playstation 2 some 11 years ago. Since then, dozens upon dozens of sequels and spin offs have been created to varying levels of quality and success. While some have been lackluster (Strikeforce, DW: vol.1 & 2, the Wii games), others have been excellent.

Warriors Orochi is one of the more entertaining games to come out for the PSP. People who’ve played the D/S Warriors series have always wondered what would happen if these worlds would collide; and Koei delivers by mahshing the two brands together into one meaty package.

PS3 Introductory Accessory Bundle Announced

by Jan Hutchings | Oct 28, 2011 | 106 comments

Earlier this week, Sony announced an accessory bundle for late purchasers of the PlayStation 3. Dubbed the “New Owner’s Kit,” the bundle is set to introduce players to the necessary items needed to maximize their PlayStation 3’s capabilities.

Priced at an affordable $69.99, the “New Owner’s Kit” includes the following items:

Dualshock 3 Wireless Controller
HDMI Cable
USB Cable (For use in charging the Dualshock 3)

Normally sold by itself or with a game, the Dualshock 3 Wireless Controller retails at about $59.99, so it’s definitely a steal to get this new bundle over a controller by itself. In addition to that, PlayStation 3’s only come bundled with SD cables, and with most HDMI cables retailing for $29 and up, players are basically getting the HDMI and USB cables for an extra $10.

Now that’s some great savings! Sony has said that the new kit will be released on October 29, 2011, so go and pre-order your kit at your local game store.

“Free Realms” Played By 20 Million People Worldwide

by Jan Hutchings | Oct 27, 2011 | 27 comments

Since its release in 2009, Sony Online Entertainment’s free-to-play MMO, Free Realms, has amassed well over 20 million subscribers. That’s an amazing feat considering the game is free, yet it’s going strong even though it’s going against other, more well known MMORPG’s like World of Warcraft, Lord of the Rings Online, and long-running EVE Online.

And while the game is technically “free-to-play,” Sony Online Entertainment has found a way to monetize the successful IP through microtransactions in which players pay real world money to get an edge in the game, be it through virtual items, or just plain aesthetic additions like decorations or clothing.

The game is available to play on the PC, Mac, and surprisingly, the PlayStation 3. Free Realms is also different from other MMORPG’s in that it’s very accessible to all ages. This means that parents who are unwilling to let their children play World of Warcraft can breathe a sigh of relief to know that Free Realms was designed to be child-friendly, so you won’t find violent and dark storylines like those found in Warcraft.

If you haven’t played Free Realms yet, what are you waiting for? Join the community at www.freerealms.com

Sony Introduces PS Vita: First Edition Bundle (poll)

by Sohrab Osati | Oct 27, 2011 | 9 comments

If you were looking to get the PS Vita Wi-Fi+ 3G model already ($299), then Sony has a bundle that might entice you to spend a little more to get a whole lot more. Priced at $349 and exclusively for the US of A, the PS Vita First Edition Bundle not only gives you the mentioned PS Vita model, but also a limited edition case, 4GB PS Vita Memory Card, and Little Deviants game. Fret not Canadian fans as Sony also has a bundle for you as well. For $299, the Canadian First Edition Bundle includes a PS Vita Wi-Fi model, a limited edition case, 4GB PS Vita Memory Card, and Little Deviants game.

That’s not all though; for whoever orders the PS Vita: First Edition Bundle will receive their bundle on February 15th, 2012, a full week before other retailers will be able to sell them to the public! The PS Vita Wi-Fi+ 3G model will run on AT&T but neither company has yet to reveal the pricing structure of accessing the 3G network and exactly what you can do on it. There is no word yet on a 3G model for Canada.

Should You Buy ‘Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble?’

by Jan Hutchings | Oct 26, 2011 | 23 comments

There’s nothing manlier than beating up various kenka bancho (translation: fighting delinquents) and becoming known as the strongest fighter in the country. And that’s what Kenka Bancho for the PSP offers its players: a chance to become the strongest street fighter in all of Japan.

Kenka Bancho is a PSP brawler series that’s pretty popular in its native Japan. It’s so popular that there’s even a movie (Kenka Bancho ~ Zenkoku Seiha) released theatrically in Japan and Asia.

Hit the jump to read the full review!

Should You Buy ‘Tekken 6’ on PSP?

by Jan Hutchings | Oct 23, 2011 | 19 comments

MSRP $19.99

1-2 Players

I can honestly say that Tekken 6 is one of the best fighting games for Sony’s portable platform. There’s nothing like bringing your favorite fighting game and playing it on the go. And while it does lack some of the features unlike it’s console counterparts, it still retains the core gameplay that makes Tekken such an enjoyable fighting game experience.

Hit the jump to read the full review.

Amazon Removes All PSN Content

by Sohrab Osati | Oct 21, 2011 | 47 comments

There isn’t much information to go by here and we’ve yet to hear back much from either Sony or Amazon, but we can confirm that Amazon has removed the PlayStation Store from their website. Previously, PlayStation owners were able to purchase content found on the PSN (PlayStation Network) like game DLC and downloadable titles. The only comment so far has come from Amazon, who not surprisingly didn’t have much to say.

“We have no announcements regarding this change in selection.”

We’ll have more for you on this matter as it develops. The following is all that exists from the once lively store.

Kaz Hirai Discusses Sony’s PlayStation Suite on non-Sony Devices

by Sohrab Osati | Oct 21, 2011 | 46 comments

Sony’s PlayStation Suite is seen by many, including us, as Sony’s eventual transition for the PlayStation family from Sony devices only to a platform on many different devices. Thanks in part to the monumental growth of smartphones, which are sporting faster CPUs and GPUs with every passing model, capable of playing games, capturing video, and accessing thousands of apps, the consumer is less likely than ever to take a portable gaming device with them as well when a smartphone may be all that they require.

The hardcore gaming crowd will of course disagree and say hardcore games like God of War, Uncharted, and Call of Duty can only be found on portable platforms like the upcoming PlayStation Vita. Though we agree with this, it was only a few years ago where most smartphone games were capable of only grayscale graphics. Now, the iPhone 4S is running games based on the latest Unreal Engine which look more and more amazing as smartphones continue to get faster and stronger with an upgrade cycle much faster then traditional gaming consoles and advancements which arrive much faster, thanks to such strong competition.

It seems as if Sony has recognized this eventuality as well, prepping the portable PlayStation family to expand beyond their own handheld devices with the PlayStation Suite which allows Android enabled devices to currently run PlayStation One games. The Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY, the Sony Tablet S and Tablet P all now have access to the PlayStation Store but as Kaz Hirai, SCE Chairman discussed during AsiaD, Sony is in talks with other manufacturers as well to adopt the PlayStation Suite. He went on to say that the suite “isn’t an ecosystem where we want to keep everything within the Sony family” and confirmed that they are “in discussions with non-Sony companies to bring them onboard.” Mr. Hirai wouldn’t elaborate further then that though Sony has always promised that the platform would expand and might even one day come to iOS devices though we wouldn’t bet on that.

Should You Buy ‘Kung-Fu Live?’

by Jan Hutchings | Oct 21, 2011 | 20 comments

MSRP: $14.99

1-Player

With all the industry hulabaloo regarding motion control, specifically the Playstation Move and Microsoft Kinect, gamers have all but forgotten about a little gadget called the Playstation Eye. A camera that tracks player movements like the Kinect, the PS Eye was an underutilized peripheral that went by the wayside a few months after its release.

Enter Kung-Fu Live, the Kinect-like fighting game experience on your PS3.

Kung-Fu Live utilizes the PS Eye to track the player’s movements and translates it onto the screen. It’s also one of the most fun, engaging, and physically demanding motion controlled games on the market today.

Hit the jump to read the full review.

PlayStation 3D Display to Launch on Nov. 13th

by Sohrab Osati | Oct 19, 2011 | 45 comments

One of the big surprises during Sony’s 2011 E3 press conference was the PlayStation 3D Display television. The 24-inch LCD TV was a first of its kind, with SimulView technology, allowing you and a friend to play a multiplayer game at the same time on the same screen while each seeing a separate screen. Thanks to the built-in 3D technology, each pair of 3D glasses (one is included in the bundle) is able to receive a separate video image, thus allowing two different screens while each person only sees their own screen on the 24-inch TV. The 3D technology will also fully work with single-player 3D games, as well as 3D Blu-ray films and 3D television channels. The bundle, which also includes Motorstorm: Apocalypse and an HDMI cable, was surprisingly priced at $499, automatically making it attainable for many who had originally thought that a 3D TV was out of their reach. Now, Sony has announced November 13th as its launch date, just in time for Christmas.

UNCHARTED 3: Drake’s Deception Trailer Released

by Jesse Fogarty | Oct 19, 2011 | 40 comments

Last night at five select AMC Theaters from coast-to-coast (and now online) the UNCHARTED developers at Naughty Dog launched the trailer for their highly-anticipated PlayStation game UNCHARTED 3: Drake’s Deception. The sneak-peek trailer comes a few weeks before the November 1st launch, but left developers too excited when finalizing the video that they couldn’t wait to share it. The trailer is taken entirely from UNCHARTED 3 in-game footage.