Killzone 2 Graphics Blow Minds, Pantaloons

I think it goes without saying that the newest videos showing gampelay from Killzone 2 are absolutely amazing.  Read more

Wipeout HD Price Set and Coming Soon

Finally!  After being in development for what can only be described in terms of epochs, the much awaited and popular franchise Wipeout will soon be making its way to the Playstation Network.  Read more

NHL 2009 Launch Event – NHL Stars Included

Yesterday I was lucky enough to score an invitation to Electronic Arts’ NHL 2009 launch event in Vancouver, Canada.  Read more

Sony Press Release: Upcoming PSN Games

Greetings everyone.  I’m back from my long overdue vacation and will be updating the site regularly once again.  As I work on a few things for posting soon, I have obtained a press release from Sony that outlines some of the exciting PSN titles that are on their way this fall.  For me, I’m really pumped about Wipeout HD and Flower.  It’s great to see Sony finally stepping up with their online offerings to compete with Xbox Live.

August 20, 2008 – PLAYSTATION®Network is the premier source of downloadable games content, with a huge offering of fun, innovative new games as well as classic PlayStation® titles. Already boasting huge successes with the likes of PixelJunk™ Monsters, Super Stardust HD™ and echochrome™, PLAYSTATION Network is ushering in a new generation of top titles from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) with the following on show at Games Convention 2008.

Flower™

A true escape from the modern world, Flower challenges traditional gaming conventions with a lush, vivid environment in which players control the wind, using petals to reshape and revive their game surroundings. Using simple SIXAXIS™ wireless controllers, play involves flight and exploration, as you guide a petal across the landscape. Collecting additional petals and feel the gameplay change from serene to chaotic as you collect more and more. With more than 200,000 individually animated blades of grass, Flower is a game only possible thanks to the power of PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™).

Fat Princess™

In modern life, obesity is a social concern but, in medieval times, it was a key battle tactic! The Fat Princess of the title is your own over-fed royal that you must rescue from your enemy’s dungeon – if you can carry the porky madam to safety, that is. Choose the role of a warrior, archer, mage, worker or priest; your most important weapon here is teamwork as you work alongside up to 15 other players online to defeat the enemy team across ten individual maps and over numerous gameplay modes. Bringing countless players together on PLAYSTATION Network, Fat Princess™ is a blast of hilarious, furious multiplayer fun.

Crash Commnado™

Old school gameplay meets next generation technology in Crash Commando™, mixing classic side-scrolling action with intense multiplayer fun in the ultimate slapstick shooter. Up to 12 players slug it out online or offline in frenzied death-matches, taking control of jetpacks, jeeps and tanks on two gameplay layers which can be moved between seamlessly via portals. Sign up with either the Jarheads or the Grunts in all-out warfare for world supremacy on a battlefield strewn with exaggerated gore and special effects. Track your victories with online leaderboards, rankings and trophy support.

Rachet & Clank™: Quest For Booty

Ratchet and Clank make their return in a bite-sized mini-adventure filled with their trademark crazy weaponry, side-splitting comedy and dazzling 3D animation in this treasure-hunting adventure. Help Ratchet sail solo into a world of galleons, parrots and cutlasses in his quest to uncover booty and his missing mate Clank. Journey through the dark caves of Hoolefar Island, navigate the treacherous Viper Caverns and take on foul-tempered buccaneer and new nemesis Captain Darkwater. Beware: danger lurks around every corner.

The Last Guy™

Set in the aftermath of a strange event that has caused many people to turn into fierce monsters, this fast-paced and fun game challenges players to save humanity by leading everybody else through the streets of world cities to safety. With a focus on gameplay rather than gore, The Last Guy is a game that’ll keep you coming back for more monster mayhem every time. Gather the survivors into lines and lead them through the streets of 14 world cities – all recreated with stunning aerial photography. Each city has an escape zone which you must lead your lines of people into while avoiding the enemy at all costs…

Savage Moon™

Classic tower strategy gameplay heads into outer space in Savage Moon™, as players attempt to protect an isolated planetary outpost from rampaging hordes of gigantic, ravenous space bugs. Position your towers in the best position possible to beat the bugs and convert your victory points into weapons that suit your preferred tactics. Classic strategy gaming meets interstellar gameplay with endless strategic possibilities – can you beat the bugs and save the moon?

PixelJunk Eden™

Prepare to be stunned by PixelJunk Eden™, the game that challenges you to help alien plants flower and bloom in a psychedelic, hypnotic Garden of Eden. Smash into enemies to release batches of pollen, making your flowers grow. Swing higher and higher through your growing paradise, climbing up iridescent stems, swinging from twirling branches, swaying on psychedelic flowers and searching the undergrowth for hidden treasures – with mesmerising graphics and electronic soundtrack created by Japanese artist Baiyon.

Rag Doll Kung Fu™

Rag Doll Kung Fu is a party fighting game based on the ancient principles of kung fu and rag-doll physics. Fast-paced combat, exaggerated action and unique visuals come together in a game that is easy for beginners but has enough depth in its combat system to keep hardcore fighters coming back for more. Using simple SIXAXIS motions to pull off special moves and combat sequences, players compete in matches with up to four other players either online or offline. The perfect party game for experts and beginners alike.

Warhawk™: Operation: Fallen Star expansion pack

The third expansion pack for mighty online warfare title Warhawk, Operation: Fallen Star introduces the remote, forested Tau Crater – the site of a crashed Chernovan warship containing invaluable experimental technology. With the Chernovans trying desperately to salvage the ship, the Eucadians have arrived with a view to stealing it for themselves. This pack brings ten new battlefields to the Warhawk experience – as well as the Infantry Jetpack – a personal rocket pack that allows soldiers to soar above the fray of battle into the aerial realm of the Warhawks themselves.

WipEout™HD

The arrival of WipEout® HD on PLAYSTATION®3 marks the dawning of a new era for the iconic racer, so strap yourself in for anti-gravity combat racing in full 1080p High Definition. Choose a futuristic craft then speed into the thick of the action in adrenaline-fuelled races across eight reversible tracks full of smooth loops, sharp bends and sheer drops. Master the ultra-realistic motion sensitive controls; unleash high-tech weapons to blast your opponents off the track. Take part in global online racing for up to eight players, compete for trophies and test your skills against the best pilots on the planet.

Super Stardust™ Portable for PSP™

One of the most popular PLAYSTATION Network titles arrives on PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable), making outer-space action mobile, so wherever you go, a blast of furious intergalactic shooter fun is close at hand. Retaining all the aspects that made Super Stardust a hit on PS3, Super Stardust Portable is sure to follow in the successful footsteps of its home system counterpart.

All of these titles will be on show at Leipzig 2008, so make you check out the future of PLAYSTATION Network gaming with these incredible, inventive downloadable titles.

Notes to Editors:

About Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), based in London, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and sales of PLAYSTATION®3, PlayStation®2, PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) and PLAYSTATION®Network software and hardware in 99 territories across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania. SCEE also develops, publishes, markets and distributes entertainment software for these formats, and manages the third party licensing programs for the formats in these territories. Since the launch of PLAYSTATION 3 in November 2006, over 14.4 million units have been sold globally and continue to be sold at a record level. Maintaining its position as one of the most successful consumer electronic products in history, PlayStation 2 has sold over 131.3 million systems worldwide. Since its launch at the end of 2004, over 41.3 million PSPs have been sold globally, highlighting the importance of the portable entertainment market. With the huge increase in interest and accessibility of network applications and network gaming, over 10 million accounts have been registered to the PLAYSTATION Network, the free-to-access interactive environment, and about 200 million items have been downloaded.

More information about PlayStation products can be found at http://www.playstation.com or visit the Virtual Press Office at http://www.scee.presscentre.com.

PlayStation, PLAYSTATION, DUALSHOCK and the PlayStation logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. PSP and PS3 are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

About Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), based in London, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and sales of PLAYSTATION®3, PlayStation®2 and PSP?(PlayStation®Portable) software and hardware in 99 territories across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania. SCEE also develops, publishes, markets and distributes entertainment software for these formats, and manages the third party licensing programs for the formats in these territories. Since the launch of PLAYSTATION 3 in November 2006 and the end of January 2008, over 10 million units have been sold globally and continue to be sold at a record level. Between the beginning of April 2006 and the end of January 2008, over 26 million PlayStation 2 consoles have been sold worldwide, continuing its position as one of the most successful consumer electronic products in history. Between the beginning of April 2006 and the end of January 2008, over 20 million PSP systems have been sold worldwide.

More information about PlayStation products can be found at
http://www.playstation.com or visit the Virtual Press Office at
http://www.scee.presscentre.com.

PLAYSTATION, PlayStation and the PlayStation logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. PSP is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

NHL 2009 Unveils Revolutionary New Feature

Arguably the best sports game released in 2007 is set to return with a vengeance in 2008.  Already the recipient of much praise from journalists at IGN and 1Up, Electronic Arts’ Vancouver Studio has reinvigorated hockey for gamers with their innovative “skill stick.”  So what is new for NHL 2009?  Is it just going to be another roster update with a few extra skating animations thrown in?  The answer is a resounding no.  Once again, the NHL franchise will be pushing the thinking forward for sports games, integrating a new and very exciting feature called the EA Sports Hockey League (EASHL).  Really rolls off the tongue doesn’t it?  Ok, maybe not.  For millions of hockey fans that live and breathe hockey, this may be the feature that you have been waiting for.  For all other sports fans, you can bet that the NHL test bed for this idea will find itself soon in Madden, Fifa and many more EA titles to come.

So what exactly is the EASHL?  It isn’t just another online mode…it’s basically an introduction of RPG elements into the sports genre with a dash of MMO for flavour.  In the EASHL, you take control of your own player and you (yes you, it is your name on the back of that jersey and your real name that appears on the leaderboards – not your gamertag), play online and are graded on your performance.  With the new performance tracker feature, you are graded on how well you play hockey, not on how well you play a video game.  A new system for tracking your progress and skills allows players to “level up” their hockey player by attributing skill points and improving stats…just like an RPG.  Perform well on a consistent basis and your hulking power forward will improve with you.

When you first begin there will be 10 player types to choose from across 3 categories of players:

Forwards: dangler, grinder, playmaker, power forward, sniper
Defensemen: defensive defenseman, offensive defenseman
Goalies: stand up, hybrid, butterfly

Want to be the next Sidney Crosby?  Become a playmaker.  Think you may be the next coming of Patrick Roy…choose a butterfly style goalie.  Point is, you get to tailor your own player and make him into a superstar…that is, if you have the skills to back it up.

So how do the RPG elements work?  As you play online with your created skater you will be awarded hockey cards which give you points to spend on your player’s growth in three areas: offense, defense, and athleticism for skaters and reflexes, puck control, and athleticism for goalies.  You may choose to level up your player across any of the three areas.  Even better, if you decide at any point in your career to change player types you retain all of the points you have earned and can redistribute your skill points to the new player type.

So how is it like an MMO?  All of this player development takes place online in the EASHL with teams made up entirely of gamers just like you.  You will have to work with your team and play your position if you are to have any chance of winning.  Players can emerge online as snipers, grinders or shutdown defensive specialists.  Best of all, it will be your name the opponents fear.  As you prove yourself online you will ascend the leaderboards and can challenge for the distinction of being the best player in the game at your position.  For once the leaderboards truly will mean something.

For anyone that has ever played a sports game this has to come as exciting news.  Finally, gamers have the chance to prove themselves in a system that rewards the player for playing better than everyone else.  Maybe it will finally help answer the question that all sports fans ask…who is the best?

If you want to learn more about the game be sure to check out the official NHL 2009 website here.

Why is Everybody Ignoring Dead Space? Here are 4 Reasons to be Excited

There, I said it.  Dead Space is being completely ignored by the gaming community already.  Why?  Well, for starters it comes out on October 31st this fall, smack dab in the middle of juggernauts such as Resistance 2, Gears of War 2, Little Big Planet and on and on.  True, there are in fact so many highly anticipated games coming out this fall that it’s easy for a new IP like Dead Space to get lost in the shuffle.  Frankly, that is unfortunate for many reasons.

First of all, the game is looking great.  The visuals look amazing and the atmosphere is very reminiscent of the Alien Trilogy (Quadrilogy my ass). If you enjoyed watching Ripley battle aliens in dark corridors against insurmountable odds this game should be on your radar.

Second, the story is almost exactly the same as the now legendary Ridley Scott directed Alien film…and that’s a good thing.  Set on a mining ship that is in, you guessed it, deep space, protagonist Isaac Clarke finds himself up against an alien species called “Necromorphs” that have taken over the ship and killed everybody.  It’s a classic science fiction story and one that perfectly creates a situation where you are completely alone and afraid.

Third, Dead Space is a third-person survival horror game that is very similar to Resident Evil 4 and the upcoming Resident Evil 5.  Chances are, if you like those types of games, this one will be much the same…only with less zombies and a sci-fi twist.

Fourth and finally, this game is a brand new IP from EA, a company that is traditionally very hesitant to take chances and move in creative new directions.  There is far too much money involved these days with developing new IP’s and the fact that EA is taking a chance on a new one is a positive sign not only for the industry but for gamers.  If you are tired of playing sequels and the same games that have been rehashed over and over again, now is the chance to throw your support behind a game that is trying something new.   Lets be honest, new IP’s don’t come along very often because of the financial risks involved. Too often a great new IP will be released that is gains universal critical acclaim…only to catch on too late with gamers. Fans of the amazing PS2 game Okami will agree that the game should have had far more success with the gaming community.

If you are one of the many that has not even seen this game yet be sure to check out the trailer below.  Better yet, be sure to see the awesome developer commentary video. Science fiction fans should be excited.

I think this game is going to be worth taking a “chance” on.  To learn more from someone that has actually played the game, check out a hands-on preview written by IGN’s Hilary Goldstein.

To be clear, I’m not advocating that you should go out and buy this game…yet. But if it comes out and is actually really good I only hope that gamers will give it a chance. Otherwise, all we may have to look forward from EA will be the next iterations of Tiger Woods and Burnout for years to come.

[poll=8]

Valkyria Chronicles: Another PS3 Exclusive RPG on the Horizon

A while back I posted an article about the upcoming PS3 exclusive game White Knight Chronicles.  To my surprise, many PS3 gamers had no idea it was even under development, much less coming sometime soon.   And now, another under the radar PS3 exclusive is about to get PS3 owners excited again: Valkyria Chronicles (VC) or if you prefer the full name, Valkyrie of the Battlefield: Gallian Chronicles.  Developed by Sega and already released in Japan, VC is a tactical RPG that features a unique turn-based battle system called BLiTZ (Battle of Live Tactical Zones).  Essentially, each turn you will begin with a “command view” of the battlefield.  Players may then select individual units to issue commands in an “action mode”.  This mode functions in real time and you can even aim your weapons to take headshots, bodyshots etc.  It is an interesting blend of strategy and rpg elements when you see the game in action.

Easily the most hyped aspect of VC is the unique cell-shaded graphics that are powered by the all-new CANVAS engine.  Best described as a “living watercolor,” the visuals of VC look flex the power of the PS3’s cell processor.  To truly appreciate the CANVAS engine the game must be seen in motion.  Have a look at the videos below.  The second video and commentary is courtesy of Videogame Central.

Though unconfirmed, internet speculation has VC coming to North America in November 2008 as it is currently being localized.

It seems that the PS3 is slowly coming around with even more solid RPGs to get excited about.  It will be interesting to see if the PS3 can regain RPG supremacy over its rivals…but even if it never reaches the lofty heights set by the PS2, Sony gamers may console themselves that quality RPGs are on the way.

[poll=7]

Prince of Persia Reinvented for Next Gen

For anyone that owned a Playstation 2 or Xbox, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time was likely a title you picked up…and enjoyed. Controlling time and picking your way through the immense palace to save the princess with the acrobatic prince was incredibly fun. Due to its huge success there was an inevitable sequel that took on a much darker tone: The Warrior Within. The second installment focused much more on combat and seemed to get away from what made the prince such a likable character in the first game. Then, the trilogy was completed in The Two Thrones. Sadly, the formula felt tired at this point and the prince faded away into obscurity…until now.

Ubisoft has been hard at work on a new Prince of Persia game and has finally lifted the curtain on the next-generation reinvention of the Prince (though apparently he isn’t a Prince in this iteration). Rather than follow the previous storyline, the new game is a full reboot of the franchise. Gone are the abilities to control time and the princess. This time around, you are a vagrant who is swept up in events that lead you into a battle against “the corruption” a black ooze like substance that is released upon the land. While details of the story are still very sparse, it has been revealed that the prince will have an AI companion named Elika who will work with the Prince throughout the game.

While still very early, the visuals for the game look impressive. Instead of going the usual route, the new Prince will take on an “illustrative” look and feel…which is hard to explain and must been seen. The shots look amazing (courtesy IGN).

To see why this game is something to get excited about, check out the first video of the game posted by IGN. I think it’s all CG, but it certainly does the trick of getting Prince fans excited for his return this fall.

Tips to Help Avoid Frustraton with GTA IV

Ok, so you’ve been reading the hype and GTA is supposedly the best game of all time now. IGN, 1UP and Gamespot have given their highest marks possible. You’ve been waiting for this game for months…maybe even years. Then, you get home from the store, pop it in, and the excitement reaches climax as the opening scene sets the tone for what will be an awesome story filled with interesting and dynamic characters. Great. Everything is going well.

Then, you start to play the game. You hop in a car, and instantly speed headlong into a dump trunk and are ejected through the front windshield. Or, you embark on a mission to take out some thugs, only to find that you are gunned down by a bunch of posers. Hmm. Next, you have to track down a guy on a motorcycle through 20 city blocks, and he loses you ever time. After failing to catch him 9 times in a row, your controller seems like it would be more fun to use as a mallet to smash your console to bits. Point is, for the uninitiated, GTA IV can be tough. However, there are some tips that can help make your trip through Liberty City a peaceful one, if you considering committing multiple homicides peaceful. Maybe not, but it’s more rewarding than receiving a text message asking to “try again” or ending up busted and losing all your guns.

Here are some tips to help you succeed on the mean streets of Liberty City:

1. Invest in body armor.
Yes, in the early going it costs a lot at $500. However, it won’t be long before you are rolling in cash and that $500 will not be an issue. It essentially doubles your hitpoints and greatly increases your chances of managing any task set for Niko. It’s always nice to be able to survive a shotgun blast to the face.

2. Use the cover system.
New to GTA, the cover system works very much like Gears of War. As you progress though GTA, you’ll find Niko is faced with increasingly more thugs and bad guys toting increasingly punishing weaponry. Don’t be afraid to hide behind objects and take them out methodically. It’s better than charging in, getting pwned and having to do the whole thing over again.

3. Try driving using the first person camera mode.
Let’s face it, the cars in GTA handle like shopping carts. And not those fancy ones you see bums and transients fighting for in the streets. While some of the higher end cars do offer better handling and braking, lots of the time you’ll find yourself in a car that is plain awful to drive. And you will drive a lot. Try using the first person mode. Not only does it serve to further immerse you into the story and game world, but it really is an easier way to navigate the busy streets of Liberty City.

4. Go down with guns blazing.
It’ll happen to you a lot. You’ll hit a cop car or miss the toll booth and find yourself pursued by half the cops of Liberty City. If you find you can’t shake them and will inevitably be busted, go out in glory. Hope out of your vehicle and unleash hell. Yes, you will likely be killed. However, ending up in the hospital is far better than getting busted. You only have to pay your medical bills and get to retain all of you guns…which is a huge bonus.

5. Build your relationships in the game.
So having to take Kiki out for a date may not seem like the best use of your time. It’s definitely not the most exciting part of the game. However, Rockstar has made sure to reward you for playing out these missions by giving Niko special bonuses and abilities that can prove to be invaluable. For example, get Kiki to like you enough and you will be able to call her and have her clear your wanted level. Other abilities include being able to heal your wounds over the phone and being able to call a friend for a weapons drop.

6. Use Roman’s cab service.
At every point in this game you will have to get from point A to point B. This can get tedious, especially once you’ve invested over 30 hours of your time. To save yourself some headaches, use Roman’s cab service to instantly jump around the map. It will save you time and leave you less frustrated, especially when you are working to get through a tough mission that requires a lot of tries.

There you have it. If you combine all of these tips as you progress through the game it will become a far more enjoyable experience. Finally, remember to save lots, especially after a really tough mission.

Feel free to leave your own tips for getting through GTA in one piece. I know lots of people will appreciate them!

Grand Theft Auto 4 Cheats – Grand Theft Auto IV is structured similarly to previous games in the series. … Be the first to submit a blurb! Related topics: grand theft auto 4, … The Great GTA IV Debate – Grand Theft Auto 4 is so huge that just one debate will not even scratch the surface of it, … Loading Fetching blurbs now… please stand by … Conan O’Brien’s Kinder Gentler Grand Theft Auto – Maybe we found this video exceptionally hilarious because it reminded us of the very first time we played Grand Theft Auto. After a quick trip to Best Buy we excitedly popped in the game disk and got started. With no real concept of the … Grand Theft Auto IV – Recently, meaning on April 29, Rockstar Games presented the eleventh game in a series of Grant Theft Games: Grand Theft Auto IV for Xbox 360® and PLAYSTATION®3. In case you’re not sure: Yes, it’s also called GTA IV or GTA 4. …

Boxing Fans…Rejoice!

In todays awesome news, EA Sports have officially announced the next installment of Fight Night…unsurprisingly titled “Fight Night Round 4″ for the Xbox 360 and PS3. This news in itself, does not classify as awesome. What does however, is the fact that bad boy “Iron” Mike Tyson will be returning to the virtual ring again after a lengthy absence. Well it’s about time! No word yet on whether Evander Holyfield will appear in the game…but man would it be sweet! I hope the “x” button will be mapped to “chew off ear.”

Also announced for the 2009 title are boxing icons Sugar Ray Leonard and Lennox Lewis. No doubt, many more will be added to the list in the months to come. If the wait for this game is too agonizing, try getting a full facial tatoo and bite your friends ear off next time you get in an argument. That’ll help you prepare for what is inevitably to come.

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