The Gaming Spot

North American PS Store Update for March 5th - The Demos Are Nigh Read more: "North American PS Store Update for March 5th - The Demos Are Nigh

noreply@blogger.com (uPaL) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:52:00 +0000

Hooray for demos! We’ve been Wanting some Watchmen Booty for a while and today we get to indulge ourselves threefold. Speaking of Booty, there are toys for you to play with if you are into that kind of thing. Toy cars that is, the Burnout Toy Car Collection is live for some fun shenanigans in our favorite concrete playground. And please don’t forget to watch the Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li trailer so we can discuss just how awful it’s going to be.

Get ‘em now before some else gets to them first (unless you like sloppy seconds) after the break.

Street Fighter Arena Category

Everything Street Fighter is at your fingertips in this new PS Store category.

Downloadable Games

Watchmen: The End is Nigh ($19.99)

Game Demos (free)

Watchmen: The End is Nigh Demo
Wanted: Weapons of Fate Demo
Age of Booty Trial Version

Add-on Game Content

NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja STORM Pack 10 (free)
Prince of Persia: Epilogue ($9.99)
Skate 2 Throwback Pack (free)
Street Fighter IV Shoryuken Pack ($3.99)
High Velocity Bowling - Bruce ($0.99)
High Velocity Bowling - Carmen ($0.99)

Burnout Paradise

Burnout Paradise: Toy Car Collection ($12.99)
Burnout Paradise: Toy Car Pack 1 ($5.99)
Burnout Paradise: Toy Car Pack 2 ($5.99)
Burnout Paradise: Toy Hunter Cavalry ($1.99)
Burnout Paradise: Toy Hunter Citizen ($1.99)
Burnout Paradise: Toy Nakamura Firehawk ($1.99)
Burnout Paradise: Toy Carson GT Concept ($1.99)
Burnout Paradise: Toy Carson Inferno Van ($1.99)
Burnout Paradise: Toy Hunter Takedown 4X4 ($1.99)
Burnout Paradise: Toy Hunter Manhattan ($1.99)
Burnout Paradise: Toy Jansen P12 ($1.99)
Burnout Paradise: Toy Krieger WTR ($1.99)

Rock Band

“New” - No Doubt ($1.99)
“Dirty Pool” - Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble ($1.99)
“I’m Cryin’” - Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble ($1.99)
“Lenny” - Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble ($1.99)
“Love Struck Baby” - Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble ($1.99)
“Mary Had a Little Lamb” - Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble ($1.99)
“Pride and Joy” - Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble ($1.99)
“Rude Mood” - Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble ($1.99)
“Tell Me” - Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble ($1.99)
“Testify” - Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble ($1.99)
“Texas Flood” - Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble ($1.99)
Texas Flood (Album) - Stevie Ray Vaughn ($15.99)

Guitar Hero World Tour

“Break It Out” by Vanilla Sky ($1.99)
“C’est Comme Ca - Les Rita Mitsouko ($1.99)
“In the Shadows” by The Rasmus ($1.99)
European Track Pack 03 ($5.49)

Game Videos (free)

Midnight Club Los Angeles: South Central Trailer
Watchmen: The End is Nigh Rorschach
Watchmen: The End is Nigh Nite Owl
Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection Trailer
Tom Clancy’s HAWX PS3/YouTube Upload Video
Tom Clany’s HAWX Gameplay Video

TV, Movie, and Blu-ray Trailers (free)

Watchmen: Sets & Sensibility
Watchmen: Minutemen
Watchmen: Dressed for Success
Watchmen: Attention to Detail
Breaking Bad Webisodes (x 5)
Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li Trailer

PS3 Themes

MLB 09 The Show MLB Theme (free)
MLB 09 The Show Team Themes (x5) (Orioles, Pirates, Padres, Mariners and Nationals) (free)
Bunnies Pinups ($0.99)

European PS Store Update for 5th March - Wanting WWE Legends

noreply@blogger.com (uPaL) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:49:00 +0000

SCEE has some demo love of its own; Wanted: Weapons of Fate and WWE Legends of WrestleMania are yours for the taking. We have not spent time with a good wraslin’ title in quite some time so we are eager to take this one for a full nelson suplex tonight. You PoPers out there can grab thePrince of Persia Epilogue and continue enjoying the company of the charming donkey-less Prince.

Killzone 2 Now More Robust - 1.20 Patch Released Read more: "Killzone 2 Now More Robust - 1.20 Patch Released

noreply@blogger.com (uPaL) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:47:00 +0000

Killzone 2 Now More Robust - 1.20 Patch Released

If you’ve been visiting Helghan a lot lately, gallantly attempting to kick Helghast ass, take some weird sounding names and pretty much rank up as quickly as possible, you may have noticed that sometimes things go a little awry in the connectivity department.

Having Helghast scum potentially avoiding your cleansing wrath purely down to the off chance of server malfunction is totally undesirable in this incessant war so, Guerrilla Games, in yet another prodigious display of speedy support, have made a new Killzone 2 update available.

Details of the enhancements, tweaks and fixes are after the break.

Seb Downie, Producer over at Guerrilla Games, says:

“We are performing a server update and will also be deploying the game update straight after that to fix a number of issues. The patch will be going live in Europe first and the US later on today.”

It’s not all stability fixes however. The complete list of updates is as follows:

Stability issue regarding randomly named games resolved.
Stability fix when rapidly tapping (X) can cause crash on spawn-select.
Stability issue regarding Saboteur’s disguise ability resolved.
Stability fix on ‘Creating game’ with a blank name.
Stability fix for repeatedly entering exiting game.
The Ignore list functionality corrected.
Unlock of “Frontrunner” Medal now functioning correctly.
Fix for incorrect award of win to clan not showing for game resolved.
Battle Replay for Corinth Crossing not appearing correctly on www.killzone.com.
Issue with not being able to defuse the Search and Destroy objective resolved.
HUD issue correction during Assassination mode when playing as a Medic.
Controller input tweaks and modifications.
Fix for auto-lock on of shotgun exploit.
Fix for D-Charge issues in Campaign mode.

Evidence Mounts Towards Existence of Syphon Filter on PS3

noreply@blogger.com (uPaL) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 07:47:00 +0000

Though keeping with our tradition of staying rumour free, that’s not to say we can’t present a body of evidence and posit that something is going to happen.

We’re done it before in the past, and though we’re still waiting for that particular seed to blossom, we’re happy to talk about what’s happening behind other closed doors and opine our “learned” judgment on the matter.

The closed doors in question here are those of Sony Bend, and now that Resistance Retribution has been finished, we decided to review recent mounting evidence and postulate that a PS3 Syphon Filter game is on the way.

Read on for why we think you’ll be playing with Gabe again in HD come 2010.

For the uninitiated, Syphon Filter is a series of games that started life on the PS1. Back when Metal Gear Solid was wowing the West with stellar production values and an alternative to simply blasting through enemies, Gabe Logan appeared on the scene to prove that whatever Snake could do, he could do - differently.

Though the game-play focused more on the fire-fighting and less on the tactics, and Syphon Filter’s protagonist was slightly more brash and direct than Metal Gear’s Snake, the Agency’s operative still employed stealth techniques along with a healthy dose of gadgetry to overcome one international crisis after another. Released in 1999 (a full two years before 24 emerged on our screens) there is some resemblance between conflicted yet deadly everyman Jack Bauer and Logan; a man trained to do a job who gets mixed up with a conspiracy way over his pay grade.

Gabe went on to get into a series of global catastrophes surrounding the Syphon Filter (a deadly bio-weapon capable of wiping out entire demographics) with two direct sequels before Syphon Filter: Omega Strain appeared on the newer PS2 and allowed players to offer Gabe a much needed break and create their own character.

Of course, readers may be more familiar with the more recent PSP outtngs, Dark Mirror and Logan’s Shadow; both of which received favourable receptions. Between the aforementioned three PS1 games, the PS2 version and these two PSP offerings (plus the PSN download Combat Ops) Bend have produced seven Syphon Filter games. But why stop there?

Fans of the series have been waiting patiently for any indication that the high-action espionage game would be coming to the PS3. The first portent of such a possibility came from a job posting on Gamasutra’s web-site showing Sony Bend actively looking for a PS3/Xbox 360 Senior Tools Programmer. Though hardly irrefutable proof that any future PS3 games at Bend would be Syphon Filter related, it was a start.

This sliver of suggestion was compounded when our friends at Gamezine ran a story about Robert W. Rose, a developer at the aforementioned studio, talking on his blog about how Cell programmers, those who work closely with the PS3’s complex array of SPUs etc., have the highest egos within the ecosystem of game software engineering.

Once again, still no mention of Syphon Filter and, considering Bend have yet to announce what their next game after Resistance Retribution is going to be, it’s no giant leap to think that they would be working on a new PS3 title. Still, such comments at least support the suggestion that the guys at Bend are cutting their teeth on new hardware and moving away from the PSP. Considering their pedigree with Syphon Filter games, it’s no great stretch to join the dots here.

The last piece of the puzzle, and probably the most testifying considering there is at least a tangible reference to the actual existence of a new Syphon Filter game, is PCBProductions’ recent listing where, amongst the many games they’ve worked on - plain as day - they state that they’ve been credited with “facial mo-cap” for “Syphon Filter 5″ on the PS3 for Sony Bend.

Now, we admit that the numbering is a tad baffling considering there have been more than five games in the series so far but, technically, you could argue that The Omega Strain doesn’t really count considering Logan’s back-seat in the story. And Combat Ops is hardly a Gabe Logan adventure at all, more a level builder. So, this could all fit together nicely.

The largest indicator however that a PS3 Syphon Filter will happen is, of course, economics. The series has been immensely popular on three Sony platforms up until now so it’s almost common sense that Sony would want to continue with the series into the next generation of gaming. Gabe is a likable character, SOE’s The Agency is about to whet people’s appetite for spy-based action and, with the PS3 really coming into its own with games such as Metal Gear Solid 4, Killzone 2 and God of War III, maybe the powers that be were simply waiting for Bend to finish up another big franchise and then return to familiar ground with all barrels blazing.

What say you? Are you looking forward to a new Syphon Filter escapade? Do you think it will be on the PS3 or will Bend stick to the PSP? Let us know in the comments.

Black Rock Studio’s new title gets ‘leaked’

noreply@blogger.com (uPaL) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 07:45:00 +0000

It looks like Black Rock Studio didn’t lose any time after the release of Pure, since they are already working on a new title. It all began when a supposedly leaked video hit YouTube. From what we’ve seen, the creators of Pure decided to focus on cars this time around.

The presence of high speed races in urban environments and phantasmagoric crushes led many to resemble it to the Burnout series. Why don’t you watch the video - located in the upper section of the article - and tell us what you think?

Last but not least, the trailer informs us that we shall know more on March 11th. Until then, patience…

Prince of Persia Charity Auction closes tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (uPaL) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 10:38:00 +0000

A very quick reminder that the Prince of Persia Charity Auction will close tomorrow, 17th January at 17:25 UK time.

This is your last ever opportunity to own the incredible prize pack - including that 1 in 200 art print of the Prince - and help us raise more funds for our supported cause.

Even if you’re not bidding, please take a few moments to tell all your friends about it - thanks for anything you can do to help spread the word…

Resi 5 news; EU and US Collector’s Editions revealed

noreply@blogger.com (uPaL) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 10:36:00 +0000

While millions of Resi fans are counting days for the release of Resident Evil 5, Capcom was kind enough to let the world know about the Collector’s Editions that are going to be available with the game.

There are going to be two editions; one for us fellow Europeans and one for our buddies over at the US.

Oddly enough, the lads at Capcom decided to differentiate the two editions in content and in price.

As far as the US version is concerned, it seems that Americans are getting the full treatment. In the impressive steelbook, you’re going to find - except from the game disc, obviously - a bonus disc containing The Making of Resident Evil 5, an art gallery and a Resident Evil Degeneration trailer.

Collectors are going to be really happy when they find out about the rest of the goodies included. The box will include a Tricell messenger bag, a Chris Redfield figurine, a BSAA patch and a Kijuju-inspired pendant.

As for us Europeans, we’re only getting the steelbook. Still, pretty darn good, if you ask me.

Both editions are scheduled to be available at launch day (13 March for both Europe and US). The US Collector’s Edition will cost $89.99, while no official news yet about the price of the EU one. It can be pre-ordered though from various places such as Play.com and Game.

Zombies + Double XP = Fun Filled Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (uPaL) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 10:34:00 +0000

Has the work week frustrated you beyond your normal limit? Wouldn’t you like to blast some Nazi zombies in Call of Duty: World at War? Well, Activision has given players two excellent gifts for the weekend.

The Nazi Zombies Co-Op playlist is unlocked, even if you have yet to complete the solo campaign. That means it’s a zombie gore-fest for everyone! If that wasn’t enough, players are eligible for Double-XP as well. It’s a good chance to start leveling up your character if you haven’t been doing so already.

The zombie killings and XP earnings are currently underway so what are you waiting for? Who knows, maybe you’ll be lucky and get the chance to take out one of the writers here at the PS3 Attitude towers.

UK PS3 charts: The Comeback

noreply@blogger.com (uPaL) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:50:00 +0000

So here we are again, after having celebrated and eaten until our bellies started to crack. Last week we had no UK charts post due to the fact we were too busy eating turkey and opening presents.

But let’s see if the new year has affected the sales, in Chart Track’s UK charts for week ending 3 January 2009…

1. Call of Duty: World at War (Activision Blizzard)

2. FIFA 09 (Electronic Arts)

3. Need For Speed: Undercover (Electronic Arts)

4. LittleBIGPlanet (Sony Computer Ent.)

5. Far Cry 2 (Ubisoft)

6. Prince of Persia (Ubisoft)

7. Fallout 3 (Bethesda Softworks)

8. Resistance 2 (Sony Computer Ent.)

9. Guitar Hero: World Tour (Activision Blizzard)

10. Quantum of Solace (Activision Blizzard)

As you can see, CoD: WaW is back on top. No surprise - shall we say -, since the X-mas spirit is long gone; and with it, LittleBIGPlanet fell to the fourth place. In the second and third place we find two EA games. FIFA 09 is the best footie out there, so that’s ok. But NFS: Underground third? I mean, come on! When it first came out, we all thought that it would be just a matter of time before we wave it goodbye off the charts. But here we are seven weeks later, with it still selling like hot cakes. People, how many times must we say the phrase that is now considered a cliché in PS3 Attitude Towers? STOP FREAKING BUYING NFS UNDERCOVER, god dammit!

Yeah, that will teach them! Anyway, moving on. The year must have kicked in nicely for the lads at Ubisoft, since two of their games are located in this week’s Top 10. Far Cry 2 made a dynamic entry, climbing up to the fifth place. Prince of Persia (aka hidden gem) follows at sixth place. Great period for the Prince, since this is the 5th consecutive week of his stay in the Top 10.

Don’t know if you noticed, but Tomb Raider: Underworld is out of the Top 10. On behalf of PS3 Attitude (especially Danny_D), good ribbons! Since that is out of my system, lets continue, shall we?

Fallout 3 is still selling quite well, while Resistance 2 isn’t. Best Multiplayer Game for the year 2008, fell to the 8th place, making us worry. We are confident enough though, that it’ll make a comeback to the top of the charts soon.

In the 9th and 10th place, we meet Guitar Hero: World Tour and Quantum of Solace. Since X-mas is considered family/friends time, the presence of Guitar Hero in the charts comes as no surprise. It’s a great multiplayer game, especially when you have your buddies playing with you.

Mad Catz Street Fighter 4 Peripherals: 1st Look

noreply@blogger.com (uPaL) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:47:00 +0000

Ok, I think I might be getting a bit (read = A LOT) carried away with my Street Fighter 4 enthusiasm. Is it turning into an obsession? …Nah, course not.

[Though I'll dragon punch anyone who disagrees with me off the screen!]

Thankfully, the good people over at Mad Catz are kind enough to fuel my crazy sugar-induced SF4 fever with some swanky new peripherals. Four - yes, FOUR - new peripherals are going to be heading to your local games retailer come release day. Click through and see!

And guess what? We’ve got pictures of all four. So there.

Be sure to check back after we get our grubby mitts on one or two of these babies for a review. Personally, I’m looking at the one of Chun-Li as being hot favourite in the shops. She has some really nice… assets.

Also, note both the controller indicator and home buttons on the arcade sticks - a great touch, I think.

Cuboid Coming Exclusively to PSN

noreply@blogger.com (uPaL) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:46:00 +0000

Creat Studios and Tiki Games are bringing Cuboid, a 3D puzzle game where you maneuver a block around switches, traps, and exits, to the PSN this week. If this game looks familiar to you, it might be because you played the flash version called Bloxorz.

So while there is no official demo for the game, you can try out Bloxorz and if you like it, why not shell out the $9.99 for Cuboid? With 66 distinct levels, it’s sure to puzzle your brain for some time. Full details after the jump!

The game features three lush environments; a temple, church, and chamber. Players must navigate a block around the map while triggering switches and watching out for weak tiles that may break. PlayStation.Blog has a nice video of the game as well as a look at what’s to come, hinting at a Level Editor in the coming months.

Watch the video, try out Bloxorz, and tell us what you think. Will you be purchasing this when the PSN update comes tomorrow?

Another Prince of Persia pack available now? You bet!

noreply@blogger.com (uPaL) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:45:00 +0000

The most awesome thing happened this week, and everyone will benefit because of one reader’s kindness.

You’ll remember we had three Prince of Persia prize packs available to win before Christmas. You may also remember we had a fourth pack available in our charity auction, which closed on January 2nd 2009.

Reader and winner of one of the original three packs, Simon White from the UK, was so inspired by our cause he instructed us to keep hold of his prize and put it up for another charity auction.

Which is exactly what we did. If you want to get your hands on this awesome prize package, you have yet another chance to do so right now.

Huge thanks to Simon for his amazing generosity - you’re a star, sir. (Karma points +2)

This Week In Rock Band - January 8th

noreply@blogger.com (uPaL) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:31:00 +0000

This week in Rock Band brings you all the tracks, packs or albums that you will be able to purchase for your favorite band simulator this Thursday (groupies not included but highly recommended).

If it weren’t for the inclusion (and Rock Band debut) of Snow Patrol, this would have been an all 70’s classic rock track pack. James Gang, Jethro Tull and Deep Purple come back from the past with tracks released in 1970, 1971 and 1972 respectively. Neat huh?

Now the question on every PS3 Rock Bandit is when and or how the hell will we get that one week we lost when Sony was pretending to go to sleep so Santa could drop by and place some Bravia HDTVs under the Sony branded Christmas tree. Guess what, we have the answer. No one knows. That is the answer. Deal with it. That’s rock man, totally unpredictable.

So with that out of the way, we can move on to the music. We all know Deep Purple (pictured) from Rock Band 1’s “Highway Star” video intro. Snow Patrol are a Northern Irish and Scottish alternative rock band bringing you their first single from their new album A Hundred Million Suns. Jethro Tull should be familiar to some of you as they were in the original Rock Band 2 soundtrack while James Gang are a trio from the late 60’s. Choice band.

Without further ado, here are this week’s tracks:

Tracks

Snow Patrol “Take Back the City”
Deep Purple “Space Truckin’”
James Gang “Funk #49”
Jethro Tull “Hymn 43”

Each track will cost the now standard $1.99 and are original master recordings. Remember that all songs are compatible with Rock Band 1 & 2 software and are available through the Rock Band in-game music store and the PlayStation Store.

Killzone 2 demo coming - early if you preorder at GameStop

noreply@blogger.com (uPaL) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:31:00 +0000

If you’re like us and are looking forward to Killzone 2 next month we may have some good news. However, if you’re still slightly on the fence and want to get your hands on a demo in order to give it a test-run before deciding on a purchase, we maybe have some bad, and admittedly, baffling information.

Sometimes things are just a little backward in the gaming world. Team Ico only release a game in what feels like once every ninety years while the “annual update” phenomenon of some lesser titles are churned out like undercooked hamburgers. Games that are developed in Europe, and are popular in Europe, sometimes don’t get released the same time in Europe as the other regions (re: LittleBigPlanet) and the less I say about JPRGs this generation the better.

Sony aren’t immune to this backward thinking (just look at how long it took to get in-game XMB and Trophies out) and it appears the genius marketers have struck again with the announcement that a pre-release Killzone 2 demo will be available but only to those who have already pinned their support to the game and went ahead and pre-ordered it. And only at GameStop.

Read on for the full madness.

Slapping down a crisp $5 note on any US GameStop counter (international GameStops don’t count) will get the early adopter the privilege of a sparkling new code which grants access to the elusive demo on the PSN. It’s important to note that you’re not paying for the code here. This price is obviously offset against the final price of the game when you waltz in to pick up the final product. (Waltzing is optional)

It is somewhat odd to proffer a demo to people who are already confirmed purchasers of the game. Usually demos serve the purpose of giving the undecided a chance to try for themselves and, hopefully, convince them that the game is good. This “reverse rewarding” practice has us totally stumped.

It’s not all mystery and oxymoron however. The very same demo will see a global release on the PSN after the game has been released. We don’t know exactly when but, considering Sony really need a big hit to start off 2009, we wouldn’t be surprised if it magically materialises on the PlayStation Store in March or, at the latest, April.

Dutch OPM hint at new PS3 Exclusive

noreply@blogger.com (uPaL) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:29:00 +0000

Nieuwe PlayStation Topper! Or “New PlayStation Exclusive” for us non-Dutch speakers.

The Official PlayStation Magazine in Holland have revealed in their latest edition that they’re all off to California to check out a new PS3 game that no one has ever heard of.

What could it be? Check after the break for some rampant speculation.

The Dutch translates (roughly) as “”We can’t talk about it much (actually nothing), but next month we fly to the USA to bring you exclusive news about a brand new Sony title for the PlayStation 3. Destination: Hollywood, Los Angeles…”

Now, what studios are in Hollywood? We’ll let you work it out for yourself but the Hollywood reference may just be a “showbiz” hat-tip and the guys are simply going to L.A.

If so, it could be a new Jak and Daxter game, or maybe L.A. Noire, or David Jaffe’s Twisted Metal, or a new Syphon Filter perhaps.The list is nearly endless. It also could be something from Sony Santa Monica.

It’s important to note that Sony have a number of 1st party studios and not all of them have announced their game line-ups for 2009. Our Games of 2009 feature (part III coming today by the way) lists 179 known PS3 games scheduled to make an appearance in this year but this list is definitely not the definitive guide. We’re pretty confident that more, and up until now unannounced, games will get added throughout the year.

What do you think (or hope) the game is? Let us know in the comments.

Pixel Junk Eden to get easier plus - new PJ Games in 2009

noreply@blogger.com (uPaL) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:35:00 +0000

The guys from Q-Games have taken time out of their busy schedule over in Kyoto to post on the official PS blog with some news that may have those of you out there who find Pixel Junk Eden a tad “impossible” deliriously happy.

Responding to one commenter’s chagrin regarding the difficulty of Garden 7, Dylan Cuthbert, President and Executive Producer over at Q-Games, has revealed that there will be an update next week that should help out and make things a tad easier.

Check after the jump for the details plus some news on future Pixel Junk games.

Feeling your gaming pain, Dylan has announced the following:

Around the second week or so of January there will be a patch which makes (among other things) the large crystals replenish a whole half of your oscillator meter instead of a third.

We’ll take any help we can get.

In other Q-Games news, Dylan can also be found revealing the following on his blog:

“Here’s to an amazing 2009 for gaming as I am sure it is going to be, what with two or three more Pixel Junk titles coming out.”

Considering the insane amounts of time we’ve spent on Pixel Junk Monsters of late, such news can only be greeted with equal parts joy and trepidation.

PS3 Games Of 2009 - Part II

noreply@blogger.com (uPaL) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:30:00 +0000

We’re back with the second of our four articles where we attempt (and no doubt fail) to catalogue all of the PS3 releases for 2009.

As we’re going alphabetically, yesterday’s list saw the inclusion of such games as APB, Bionic Commando, BioShock 2 and EyePet.

However, if you were to pick a series of games based on where they might sit in your perfectly sorted games collection, it would be the new releases featuring in the middle of that virtual library that we predict will be receiving most of your gaming attention/money.

This is the big one folks.

Check after the jump for what can only be classified as the mother-load of PS3 big hitters next year.

[Note: All quotes below are taken from respective press releases regarding the game in question]

F.E.A.R 2: Project Origin

Publisher: Warner Bros.
Developer: Monolith Productions
Out: February 10th, 2009

Alma is back and she’s as pissed as ever. Not as pissed as the people who voted for the game’s name to be Project Origin back when publishing woes meant the “F.E.A.R.” moniker couldn’t be used. That’s all ancient history at this stage however and at least they kept the fans’ naming suggestions in the final product title. The sequel promises “strategic environmental combat opportunities available to both you and your enemies” along with a more open environment. A destroyed (open) city, the result of a powerful teen gone awry? Sounds like Fallout 3 meets Akira to us. Oh, and for the fans of the “series”, Monolith will only be recognising the first game as official canon as the sequel’s story takes place immediately after the end of the first game.

Fairytale Fights

Publisher: Playlogic International
Developer: Playlogic Game Factory
Out: Q3 2009

Billed as “the most violent children’s story ever told”, Fairytale Fights will be with us towards the latter half of 2009. Powered by the Unreal 3 engine but with a graphical style more akin to cartoon kitsch, “players choose one favorite fairytale character with whom they will try and save a fantasy world from certain doom. Cute fairytale characters will fight each other until nothing else remains than a big puddle of blood!” Walt Disney would not approve.

Faith and a .45

Publisher: TBA
Developer: Deadline Games
Out: 2009 (maybe)

Advance warning: this game has “cancelled” written all over it. We don’t know much about Faith and a .45 other than the fact that Danish developer Deadline Games are working on it. The press release from nearly a year ago states that the game will be “an intense and atmospheric shooter, [with] a heavy focus on characters, co-operative gameplay, road movie storytelling, and cinematic aesthetics.” It’s definitely a little quirky. Set in the Depression with a distinctive Bonnie and Clyde outlaw feel, th”e bandit lovers (Luke and Ruby - that’s her above) road trip gone bad” is an area not visited much (at all?) in gaming. We’ll keep our fingers crossed. If anything because we have a thing for red-heads.

Fat Princess

Publisher: SCEA
Developer: Titan
Out: 2009

We love controversy as much as the next site so it was with a gleeful giddiness that we sat back and watched the furore about the upcoming 2009 PSN title Fat Princess unfold. Shakesville’s Melissa McEwan wrote “Congrats on your awesome new game, Sony. I’m positively thrilled to see such unyielding dedication to creating a new generation of fat-hating, heteronormative assholes.” Apart from the ability to use long words no one really knows, Melissa was offended by the gameplay mechanic of stuffing the eponymous Princess with cake so as to make it more difficult for the player’s opponents to carry her off. Why not coins? she asked. Come on woman. Have you ever tried to cart coins anywhere over any great distance? Have you not played Mario?

Fifth Phantom Saga

Publisher: SEGA
Developer: Sonic Team
Out: 2009 (or 2010 - or never)

Mark this one down as “lost to the annals of time”. Ironically revealed back at E3 (in 2005!) this was one of the first ever PS3 games shown to the public. Then it disappeared. Are Sonic Team still working on it? Does the fact that the homepage has been taken down bode well for the possibility of this game ever seeing the light of day? We don’t think so but it makes the list as part of our “You Just Never Know” category.

Final Fantasy XII

Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Square Enix
Out: 2009 (in Japan anyway)

OK, let’s just get the whole “it’s not an exclusive” out of the way. We know. We were bummed too but we’ve learned to live with it. SE’s next chapter in the immortal Final Fantasy series hits in 2009 - at least for our Japanese brethren. With the 360 version now on the cards it appears that that version will require completion before the localisation of the PS3 edition is even begun so don’t be surprised if the NA and EU release spills into 2010. Blame Bill Gates (we’re kidding). FFXIII is directed by Final Fantasy stalwart Motomu Toriyama and sees a futuristic world inhabited by a race “beyond humanity”. Expect crystals, summons, gorgeous cut scenes and a host of other FF recurring themes like loss, nature and spiky hair to feature.

Final Fantasy Versus XII

Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Square Enix
Out: 2009

One year, two FF games. Square Enix is really spoiling us. We know surprisingly very little about the Versus flavour of the next Final Fantasy games other than the fact that it’s “dark”, the protagonists are called Noctis Lucis Caelum (Nokutisu Rushisu Cheramu) and Stella Nox Fleuret (Sutera Nokkusu Furūre) and the plot’s themes are isolation, war and yes, you guessed it, fantastic hairstyles. Developed using the same Crystal Tools Engine (a.k.a. The White Engine) as utilised by Final Fantasy XIII, the only other thing we know about FFVXII is that it should hit (at least in Japan) in 2009.

Flock!

Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Proper Games
Out: 2009

Puzzle games plus comedy equals “sign us up” in our books. Elements of PixelJunk Monsters and Destroy All Humans appear to feature in Capcom’s upcoming Flock! Playing as a UFO, the main objective of the game is to coax sheep back to the mother-ship (”The Mother Flocker”. Genius!) over challenging terrains without losing any of the herd. So, a little like Lemmings too then.

Flower

Publisher: SCE
Developer: Thatgamecompany
Out: 2009

The makers of flOw return to the garden with the upcoming Flower. From the press release: “Playing as the wind, the player guides and grows a swarm of pedals by interacting with other flowers and the surrounding environment. The goals and journey in each level vary, but all involve flight, exploration and interaction with the level. Using simple SIXAXIS wireless controls, the player guides the lead petal and accumulates a swarm of flower petals as he moves at his own pace within the environment, causing the on-screen world to change.” We couldn’t have summed it up better ourselves. Expect the hippy inspired zen experience to hit some time early in 2009.

Formula 1 2009

Publisher: CodeMasters
Developer: CodeMasters
Out: March 23rd 2009

The fifteenth edition in the popular racing series and follow up to last year’s F1 Championship Edition, CodeMasters utilises their Ego engine (previously powering the likes of Dirt and GRID) for the 60th season of the popular motor sport. Based on the upcoming 2009 season (no Honda then) the game apparently has 350 people working on it.

Free Realms

Publisher: Sony Online Entertainment
Developer: Sony Online Entertainment
Out: 2009

Targeting the younger crowd, Sony’s free MMO for both the PC and PS3 will open its doors to the public in 2009. The online title is very much all mini-games with an educational slant. Will us older and more cynical gamers get any use out of it? Maybe if we have kids and are looking for a safe way to introduce the wonders of gaming to them. For the rest of us we’ll probably be shooting spies in The Agency but Free Realms receives its due kudos here at PS3 Attitude for what Sony are trying to accomplish.

FUEL

Publisher: CodeMasters
Developer: Asobo Studio
Out: 2009

The makers of Dirt keep on racing with FUEL, scheduled to hit some time next year. French developer Asobo are at the helm and promise to “revolutionise multi-terrain racing with the largest environment ever created in race gaming.” This would be the 14,000+ km² open environment then. Will FUEL take MotorStorm’s crown of top PS3 off-roader? We’ll find out next year.

Ghostbusters: The Videogame

Publisher: Atari
Developer: Terminal Reality
Out: 2009

There was a time there when we truly didn’t know who to call. Now that Atari have answered the ectoplasmic phone we can expect to finally see Ghostbusters proton packing their way into 2009. Interestingly, the game is written by Dan Ackroyd and is set just two years after the events of the second hit film. With all of the voice actors returning to reprise their roles, it’s safe to say that this is the closest we’ll ever get to a third Ghostbusters adventure. At least with the original cast. No firm release date at the moment but expect to cross streams in June of next year.

God of War III

Publisher: SCE
Developer: SCE Santa Monica
Out: October 2009

If the recent SpikeTV footage didn’t get your heart racing then you are officially dead my friend. The portents are all there to suggest that the latest (and final?) edition in the God of War series is squaring up to be an absolute juggernaut of a game. Original creator David Jaffe has been quoted that the recent secret footage he saw over in Santa Monica was “the best thing he had ever seen graphically” and we know Kratos won’t go off without a stellar display of God-slaying and ultra-violence. Definitely one of the big hitters in 2009 for the PS3 - we officially can’t wait.

Gothic 4: Arcana

Publisher: JoWood
Developer: Spellbound Entertainment
Out: Q4 2009

Taking over from Piranha Bytes, Spellbound take a stab at the next instalment of the Gothic series. The game was announced over a year ago and then everything went silent. Is it still in development? Probably. Will it make the 2009 release window? Maybe. Note: The PS3 version has been hinted at but, as of this time, the game is not officially bound for the PS3. Don’t be surprised if this one doesn’t make the cut for next year.

Gran Turismo 5

Publisher: SCE
Developer: Polyphony Digital
Out: Q4 2009

With the popular prologue still selling well it’s no surprise to hear that the full version of the GT5 experience will be coming our way next year. We’ve heard rumour of multiple release dates but considering the guys over at Polyphony Digital have been under the hood of this game now for nigh on four years, we think it’s safe to assume that the game will hit our (or at least Japanese) shelves just in time for the holiday season next year.

Guillermo del Toro’s Sundown

Publisher: TBA
Developer: Terminal Reality
Out: Q4 2009

The director of HellBoy and the upcoming Hobbit movie moves into the videogame genre with the zombie apocalypse themed Sundown. You now know as much as we do.

Guitar Hero: Metallica

Publisher: Activision
Developer: Neversoft
Out: Q1 2009

When certain Metallica tracks didn’t re-appear on the Rock Band rosta it was almost sure-fire confirmation that a Guitar Hero Metallica game was in the works. The game will feature 48 tracks but don’t fret if you think that much metal could overpower your mind. 17 of the 48 songs will be by other bands that are “personal favourites” and who have “influenced the band” over the years.

Half-Life: Episode 3

Publisher: Valve Corporation
Developer: Valve Corporation
Out: Q4 2009

With the hullabaloo regarding The Orange Box out of the way expect to see the next Gordon Freeman episode towards the end of next year. Whether or not Valve will handle the PS3 development duties is currently unknown but we wouldn’t be surprised if they ferry it out to EA again. Not that we’d complain; we didn’t have any issues with their previous attempt in the popular franchise.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Publisher: EA
Developer: EA Bright Light Studio
Out: Q2 2009

Another Potter movie, another Potter game. According to sources the game will “include multiplayer games, online play, classes, different times of day, Quidditch, Wizard Duels and Potion making.” Sounds cool.

Heat

Publisher: TBA
Developer: Gearbox
Out: When Hell Freezes Over (Maybe 2009)

It’s been nearly fifteen years since deNiro and Pacino tore up the streets of downtown L.A. with pony-tail sporting Kilmer in cahoots. Gearbox, who’ve already featured on our 2009 list with such games as Aliens: Colonial Marines, are working on game version based around the Heat universe but little has been firm since its announcement over six months ago. Could the game still happen and surface in 2009? Ho-Ha! What have you got! ? ! Pacino impressions aside we will have to wait to see.

Heavy Rain

Publisher: SCEE
Developer: Quantic Dream
Out: 2009

Heavy Rain is going to completely polarise the gaming community. There will be those that will get its beautiful presentation, the abstract story-telling techniques and the adult themes seen in the footage already shown. Then there are those that will deride the dependence on QTEs and the fact that the focus is not on gameplay but story immersion. PS3 Attitude is all for new ideas and breaking boundaries so we’re looking forward to Heavy Rain and seeing if the guys at Quantic Dream can pull off something truly wonderful.

HEI$T

Publisher: CodeMasters
Developer: inXile Entertainment
Out: January 1st 2009

Hei$t has the accolade of being the first game of 2009 with an official release date in NA of Janaury 1st - which is tomorrow. It’s literally has just hit the shelves here in Europe. The premise is something familiar (rob banks, blow things up) with the added flavour of 1969 San Fran. The ultimate goal is to pull off the super-heist: the San Francisco Mint. Groovy.

Heroes Over Europe

Publisher: Atari
Developer: Transmission Games
Out: 2009

Those plucky heroes who featured “Over the Pacific” return in the sequel to dare and die in the skies over Europe. Tactical flight combat games are either your bag or they’re not but, either way, we like the footage shown so far. Interested in WWII aerial combat? This game is a must.

Highlander

Publisher: Eidos Interactive
Developer: Widescreen Games
Out: March 31 2009 (if it even exists)

We’re torn over the new Highlander game. We’re big fans of the films (ok, the second one not so much but at least the director’s cut cleared up all that alien nonsense) but we’ve seen next to nothing on the new game or anything else to suggest it will be anything spectacular. There can be only one. But is this it? It’s been a long time since we’ve received any word about Highlander. Don’t be surprised if it stays that way.

History Channel’s: Civil War - Secret Missions

Publisher: Activision
Developer: Activision
Out: 2009

The press release says it all: “The action in HISTORY Civil War: Secret Mission accurately reflects the guerrilla tactics of the time period. Weapons include the shotgun, the pepperbox revolver and the coffee mill gun, and there is heavy reliance on scouts and naval warfare.”

Hospital Hustle

Publisher: TBA
Developer: Big Fish Games
Out: 2009

Hospital Hustle is already out on the PC and it appears it will be making an appearance on the PS3 next year through the PSN. The site describes the game as the following: “Get in on the hospital hijinks, diagnosing and treating outlandish outpatients in this energetic Time Management game! Help Nurse Sarah save lives in increasingly hectic hospitals with an assortment of wacky treatment stations and patient-pleasing power-ups! Leave your mark on the field of medicine in Story mode or push your skills to their limits with Endless play! Scrub up and get into the first-aid frenzy of Hospital Hustle today!” We never knew being in hospital could be so chirpy.

Hydrophobia

Publisher: Blade Interactive
Developer: Blade Interactive
Out: Q2 2009

Ever since we ran our exclusive interview with the guys from Blade Interactive back in October we’ve been keeping a keen eye on Hydrophobia. With state of the art fluid dynamics and an intriguing futuristic story focusing on Malthaus theory and the last remnants of mankind floating around on a super-ship, consider our interest officially piqued.

I Am Alive

Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Darkworks
Out: Q2 2009

How do you follow up a super success like Assassin’s Creed? Well, for Jade Raymond it’s “I Am Alive”, a survival thriller with elements of I Am Legend and various other apocalyptic scenarios depicting the world going to hell. The recent trailer shows Chicago ravaged by earthquakes and the social system breaking down as survivors resort to marauding and tribal attitudes. You play Adam, a fellow survivor with Ubisoft promising a “rich palette of emotions while challenging players to make life-changing decisions.”

IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey

Publisher: 505 Games
Developer: Gaijin Entertainment
Out: 2009

Similar to Heroes Over Europe we get another war time aerial sim in the form of “Worst Named Game of 2009″ contender: IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey. The press release reveals: “28 different aircraft are available as they fly through some of history’s most famous aerial battlefields: The Battle of Britain, Stalingrad, Berlin, Sicily and Korsun. Each aircraft has been painstakingly researched by the dedicated team at Gaijin Entertainment, to make sure they are recreated with fantastic levels of detail and precision, ensuring a rich level of realism.”

Indiana Jones

Publisher: LucasArts
Developer: LucasArts
Out: 2009 (maybe)

The game has been in development before Harrison Ford went grey so it’s safe to assume that, eventually, it will see the light of day. Plot details are light on the ground with suggestions that old baddie Lao Che is the main villain. The tech behind the game includes Euphoria and DMS, both engines that featured heavily in The Force Unleashed, so we have high hopes that environment interaction (read: slapping things with a whip) will be both exciting and realistic.

inFamous

Publisher: SCE
Developer: Sucker Punch
Out: Q2 2009

Anti-hero morality tale, inFamous has been gaining some momentum of late with new footage depicting sub-plots and new powers. Players control “Cole”, the electricity wielding protagonist who is the sole survivor of an explosion that rips apart Empirical City. Similar in scope and style to Prototype, the sandbox game has a lot to live up to but if anyone can pull off superior gameplay it’s the guys who gave us Sly Cooper.

Islands of Wakfu

Publisher: TBA
Developer: Ankama Games
Out: 2009

Coming to the PSN is Ankama’s adventure beat’em up Islands of Wakfu. Little is known at the moment but we’ll be sure to keep an eye out for more information and keep you informed as it emerges.

James Bond Driving Project (Untitled)

Publisher: Activision
Developer: Bizarre Creations
Out: Q4 2009

When Quantum of Solace shunned the inclusion of any driving missions we knew it was only a matter of time for someone to fill the void. Enter Bizarre Creations. It’s still eons away at this point but at least we know it exists. Expect to see multiple cars from Aston Martins to Jags and Bond dutifully smashing each and every one of them to pieces. Nice job - if you can get it.

John Carpenter’s Psychopath

Publisher: TBC
Developer: TBC
Out: 2009? (what the heck - TBC)

The master of suspense returns with a new movie and apparently there will be a complimentary game tie-in. That’s it. Nothing to see here.

Just Cause 2

Publisher: Eidos Interactive
Developer: Avalanche Studios
Out: Q1 2009

Swedish outfit Avalanche Studios unleash their proprietary Avalanche Software (nice name) once again in the the sequel to 2006’s Just Cause. Rico is back, and so are some smarter enemies. Expect more insane stunts, action and “an incredibly detailed and vast 1000 sq km game world of different climates and ultra-realistic weather effects.” The press release continues with such hyperbole like: “Leap from your plane and skydive from 10,000 feet down into a tropical jungle, tear across an arid desert in a dune buggy or climb your way up a snowy mountain in a 4×4!” That actually sounds like fun.

Kart Attack

Publisher: TBA
Developer: Blimey! Games
Out: 2009

PSN game. Karts. Attacking. That’s all we know. Other than the fact that Blimey! Games signed a deal with Ferrari to make games based on the popular auto franchise. Ferrari Kart anyone?

Killzone 2

Publisher: SCEE
Developer: Guerrilla Games
Out: February 2009

Ever since its infamous showing at E3 all those moons ago the gaming community has been abuzz about Killzone 2. Sure, it appears that Guerrilla were not able to reach the heady heights of the graphical fidelity presented in the E3 pre-render but, by God, they’ve come very close. Killzone was heralded as the PS2’s much needed Halo killer (which, technically, was a long shot considering the advances the Xbox had over the PS3’s predecessor) but it’s its sequel that people have started to truly believe will re-write the rules of the popular FPS franchise. Don’t believe us? Even staunch anti-Sony people who have played the game have all pretty much unanimously lauded its virtues. February is the month of love. Prepare to be intoxicated by Killzone 2.

L.A. Noire

Publisher: Rockstar Games
Developer: Team Bondi
Out: Q4 2009

Boasting a “perfectly recreated Los Angeles of the late 1940’s” players enter the murky environs of post-WWII era L.A. Heavily influenced by James Elroy’s L.A. Quartet (The Black Dahlia, The Big Nowhere, White Jazz and (the one you’ve probably heard of) L.A. Confidential), the game features a heavy dose of open ended exploration and noire tinted murder solving. This and Heavy Rain are why we believe the gaming genre has finally grown up and should be taken seriously as a medium for narrative based story telling.

Lord of the Rings: Conquest

Publisher: EA
Developer: Pandemic Studios
Out: January 2009

By now we hope you’ve already enjoyed the demo on the PSN so this should be old news. Considering Pandemic’s forte with such battlefield games like Star Wars: Battlefront there should be no real surprises about what type of game we’re getting here. With help from Weta Studios in terms of digital models etc. we can at least be assured that the game will look fairly close to the popular movies. The full game is out in a matter of weeks.

Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust

Publisher: Sierra Entertainment
Developer: Team 17
Out: Q1 2009

There’s a new Leisure Suit Larry Game. Apparently it’s coming to the next-next-gen of consoles. There’s a plot but it’s too painful to write. Let’s just say that it will be out in 2009 and we’ll leave it at that.

Check back in over the next few days for the concluding parts to our round up of PS3 games. The list is now at 176. Wow.

PS3 Games of 2009 - Part I

noreply@blogger.com (uPaL) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:23:00 +0000

2008 was undoubtedly a triumphant year for the PS3.

With the release of some of its long awaited AAA titles like Metal Gear Solid 4 and LittleBigPlanet, the console made up a lot of ground on its rivals and converted a large amount of naysayers who had previously designated Sony’s powerhouse a glorified Blu-ray player.

The introduction of Trophies, the redesign of the PlayStation Store, victory in the HD format war - the list of successes is definitely impressive though it would be unfair to claim the year was unblemished and without hiccups. There is still the sticking point of price and the loss of some heavy hitting exclusive properties such as Final Fantasy XIII and Tekken 6 but, as a whole, 2008 will go down as a good year for Sony.

But what of 2009? Crystal balls across the gaming journalistic world have been aglow with speculation, rumour and, in the pro-PS3 circles, hope that the final corner can be turned by Sony and even more great titles will emerge over the next 12 months. And at this stage in the console’s life-cycle it is all about the games.

We’ve spent some time researching press releases, looking at lists (and checking them more than twice) and have formulated what we think is a fairly comprehensive catalogue of PS3 games scheduled for release in 2009.

With 123 (scratch that, it’s closer to 200 now) games researched, this piece will be presented over three separate articles with the obvious caveat: we’re sure we’ve missed some. There are still games currently in production that no one but the teams working on them are aware of. Some of these games will also invariably get cancelled or slip into 2010. Also, the gaming development world is a huge arena and undoubtedly we’ve missed something. If we have, feel free to let us know in the comments and we promise to add it to the (ever growing) list.

Check after the jump for Games A through E.

50 Cent: Blood on the Sand

Publisher: THQ
Developer: Swordfish Studios
Out: Feb 24th 2009

The start of 2009 sees the sequel to last-gen’s “50 Cent: Bulletproof” hitting like an A-bomb. Stop laughing. The first game was universally panned (but sold well) and its next-gen sequel will see more vehicular combat, a helicopter duel and even more 50 Cent exclusive tracks. Developer Swordfish Studios claim: “We are taking this sequel to the next level with exciting combat and gunplay, new original music, great graphics and a new story.” The game will feature multi-player drop-in/drop-out co-op, “interactive counter-kills, driving” and “aerial combat.” That would be the helicopter duel then.

Afro Samurai

Publisher: Namco Bandai Surge
Developer: Namco Bandai
Out: Jan 27th 2009

The cult classic Samuel L. Jackson infused anime hit gets the videogame treatment with the titular weapons-master appearing on January 27th. Namco are handling its development and the game will be the first game published under Namco Bandai’s western label Surge. Expect cel-shading, cool quips and limb loosening. If you’ve not already checked out the anime then we heartily recommend you do so. Now.

Aliens: Colonial Marines

Publisher: SEGA
Developer: Gearbox Software
Out: Q1 2009

Having already delivered such big hitters as Halo (PC) and the Brothers in Arms series, Gearbox unleash yet another FPS on the masses, this time based on the popular Aliens franchise. SEGA’s press release states that “players are part of a United States Colonial Marine squad and must prepare to face an alien assault more intense and horrific than ever before.” With a story written be acclaimed authors Bradley Thompson and David Weddle, the experience will feature “claustrophobic environments” and a “brooding soundtrack”. Apart from the single player mode on offer there will also be a four player co-op multiplayer mode. No definitive date has yet been announced but we can expect contact in 2009. Game over man! Game over!

Alien: RPG

Publisher: SEGA
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
Out: 2009

Aliens are like buses. You wait for one all day and then … never mind. Details are scarce on the ground but SEGA (who feature heavily in the first of our Games of 2009 as you will see) announced on the 13th of December that Obsidian (more on these guys directly below) are working on an RPG set in the popular Alien universe. We don’t even know if this will make next year to be honest as the press release hints that “the first Alien-licensed game wouldn’t arrive before 2009.” But we’re dutifully intrigued.

Alpha Protocol

Publisher: SEGA
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
Out: Q1 2009

SEGA are not just throwing xenomorphs at us in 2009 - expect some covert action RPG goodness as well. Alpha Protocol is (once again) from Obsidian Entertainment, the luminaries that brought us Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic II: The Sith Lords and Neverwinter Nights 2. You play Michael Thorton, a precocious young agent “cast out by his government” and possessing information that can divert an upcoming international catastrophe. “Every choice the player makes as Michael Thorton will carry consequences for his future and the fate of the world.” No precise release date as of yet but 2009 seems likely.

APB

Publisher: Realtime Worlds
Developer: Realtime Worlds
Out: 2009

Realtime Worlds brings us All Points Bulletin (APB), a MMO along the lines of GTA and Crackdown. Originally planned to be released on PC, 360 and PS3 concurrently, only the PC version is now being quoted as making a 2009 release date but that’s not to say its PS3 cousin won’t appear along side it towards the end of the year. Let’s just say we won’t be surprised if this game makes our “Games of 2010 list” this time next year. Considering the “GTA MMO” is often quoted as Rockstar’s “Holy Grail”, might Realtime Worlds swoop in and create a contender to the crown? Only time (and city-wide mass mayhem) will tell.

Armed Assault 2 (Arma2)

Publisher: 505 Games
Developer: Bohemia Interactive Studios
Out: 2009

Bohemia Interactive Studio returns with Arma2, a military simulation game for multi-platforms and the latest addition in the popular Operation Flashpoint series. The game will introduce a “role-playing feel” and utilises the new “Real Virtuality” engine. If you’ve seen the trailers out there you know that this means the game will look gorgeous.

Astro Boy - The Videogame

Publisher: TBC
Developer: TBC
Out: 2009

Astro Boy gets the big screen treatment next year and the obligatory game tie-in should see itself exploding on shelves around the same time. Little is known about the game other than it’s coming some time in Q4 2009.

Avatar

Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft (we think)
Out: 2009

James Cameron stops messing about at the bottom of the ocean and crawls back into a director’s chair to give us Avatar next year. The premise is audacious with a heavy mix of typical Cameron traits: sci-fi, new film-making technology and an attention to detail that makes most actors cry. The game version of the film is being handled by Ubisoft and is, somewhat fittingly considering Cameron’s usual scope, an MMO. That’s all we know. Seriously, The King of the World is quite protective of his new toys.

Batman: Arkham Asylum

Publisher: Eidos
Developer: Rocksteady Studios
Out: 2009

The recently released new images we reported on last week are tantalisingly good but the jury is still out on the Caped Crusader’s latest escapade through the halls of Arkham Asylum. Having Kevin Conroy and the brilliant Mark Hamill on board to handle the voice duties is a great bonus but will it be enough to elevate this game above the usual punch-and-search mechanics of previous Batman games? Only time will tell - in 2009 no doubt.

Battle Fantasia

Publisher: 505 Games
Developer: 505 Games
Out: May 29th 2009

Previously released only in Japan, Battle Fantasia finally gets a European release nearly a full twelve months after it first appeared on the shelves of Akihabara. A NA PS3 release is still outstanding but, don’t forget, you can always import. Starting out as a two player arcade fighting game, Battle Fantasia very much borrows from the Guilty Gear series with battles played out in 2.5D. The game was greeted with favourable enough reviews (72%) so, if you’re looking for some smackdown before Tekken 6 hits, maybe this one is for you? Expect it on May 29th 2009.

Bayonetta

Publisher: SEGA
Developer: PlatinumGames
Out: Q3 2009

Hideki Kamiya, esteemed creator of the Devil May Cry series, returns to the shooting genre with Bayonette, a stylised action romp with the eponymous witch sporting guns on both her feet and hands. Yeah, we can’t wait to see how this is going to work either. Bayonetta also uses her hair to “en-wrap” herself and perform some dazzling magical powers. Plot is thin on the ground but we do know that it is set in modern day and there are monsters masquerading as angels who are in need of some lead salads. Expect Bayonetta some time in Q3 2009.

Beatles

Publisher: EA
Developer: Harmonix
Out: Q4 2009

Arguably the greatest (if not the most popular) band of all time gets the Rock Band treatment though, oddly, not the Rock Band moniker. A fully fledged game in its own right, expect to be rocking out on Rock Band peripherals to such classics as A Hard Days Night come Q4 2009.

Bionic Commando

Publisher: Capcom
Developer: GRIN
Out: Q1 2009

21 years after its original release on the NES, the re-imagining of Bionic Commando is released for the next-generation of swinging action junkies. You play Nathan Spencer (voiced by former lead singer of Faith No More, Mike Patton), a cybernetically enhanced ex-spook now scheduled to be executed for a crime you didn’t commit. On the day of reckoning, an experimental weapon is detonated wiping out Ascension City, and with terrorists moving in to take up vacuum, the government is left with little choice - the reactivation of the Bionic Commando. The game has an eclectic team of talent behind it from Swedish developer GRIN to a Japanese Creative Director. We’re looking forward to see what they’ve come up with. Bionic Commando swings into action in Q1 2009.

BioShock 2 : Sea of Dreams

Publisher: 2K Games
Developer: 2K Marin/Boston
Out: 2009

Ah, Rapture. How you enthral me. Big Daddys and Little Sisters return in the sequel to the BAFTA winning (and Spike TV’s) 2007 Game of the Year. Despite rumours of being a timed PS3 exclusive, we expect the next episode in the watery dystopia to take story telling and game immersion to a new level on all platforms around Q4 2009.

Bomberman Ultra

Publisher: Hudson
Developer: HudsonSoft
Out: Q1 2009

We all know and love Bomberman. 2009 sees the blue bomber getting the ultra treatment so expect to see new online modes, character customisation and the full HD treatment.

Borderlands

Publisher: 2K Games
Developer: Gearbox Software
Out: February 2009

A sci-fi FPS with a twist, Borderlands replays the Gold Rush era on a galactic playing field. Seeking out the far flung planet Pandora, prospectors quickly realise their new home is devoid of the resources they were promised and all they’ve got for their troubles is anarchy and alien ruins. Hi-jinks ensure. Borderlands’ shtick comes from the ability to merge almost anything with anything else and form a weapon. With claims of 100,000s of weapons to be made (especially when you throw in that alien technology) this could be very interesting indeed. Borderlands will be with us in February 2009.

Brütal Legend

Publisher: EA (we hope)
Developer: Double Fine Studios
Out: Q3 2009

We love Double Fine Studios for Psychonauts and now they return with the bizarrely themed “Brütal Legend”. You play Eddie Riggs (voiced by Jack Black, who else?), a heavy-metal roadie who gets into a series of adventures after his belt buckle, splashed with some of Eddie’s blood after a freak guitar tuning accident (happens to me all the time), shows itself to be a cursed talisman and transforms Eddie into a Heavy Metal inspired fantasy alternate reality. We could not make this stuff up. Brütal Legend was in the news recently after being categorically snubbed during the Activision/Blizzard merger. Luckily, EA swooped in and picked up the musically enriched tongue-in-cheek wail-a-thon. Brütal Legend will be released in the Fall of 2009.

Burnout: The Ultimate Box

Publisher: EA
Developer: Criterion Games
Out: February 2009

For the six or seven of you out there that don’t already own Burnout: Paradise, wait ’til you see what’s coming your way this February. You get the full game, the Cagney update, bikes and the recently announced Party Pack. That’s some good Burnout goodness right there. Get it.

Burn Zombie Burn

Publisher: Pinnacle Software
Developer: Double Six
Out: Q1 2009

DoubleSix unearths the undead for this isometric top-down frag-fest planned for download on the PSN. Play as Bruce and stomp some zombies this March, 2009.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Publisher: Activision
Developer: Infinity Ward
Out: Q4 2009

Confirmed and denied in the space of one crazy and hectic week, the existence of this game is a hot topic. We think it’s real and, irrespective of the setting or the developer, we expect to see a new COD experience hitting our shelves this time next year. It just wouldn’t be Christmas without some new COD now, would it?

Colin McRae: Dirt 2

Publisher: CodeMasters
Developer: CodeMasters
Out: 2009

Little is known about the sequel to the popular Colin McRae Dirt game apart from the fact that there will be new multiplayer modes. With McRae’s untimely and tragic passing there were some questions asked in the gaming world regarding how the series would progress. It’s good to see that the great man’s memory will be honoured with yet another fast paced rally offering.

Damnation

Publisher: CodeMasters
Developer: Blue Omega
Out: Feb 24th 2009

What do you do when you realise your game doesn’t fit into any of the traditional gaming genres? Why, create one of your own of course: the vertical shooter. There’s not much else to say about Damnation other than we’re looking forward to the dusky slice of Americana and “high octane vehicular acrobatics” promised in the press release.

Dark Void

Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Airtight Games
Out: 2009

Capcom and Airtight Games proffer us a heady dish of “fast-paced vertical combat” (there it is again!) mixed with “mid-air and on-foot action”. Mankind has already vanquished “The Watchers” once from earth and into a parallel universe but now they’re back for seconds. Sounds ominous. No concrete release date as of yet but expect Dark Void to surface in 2009.

Darksiders: Wrath of War

Publisher: THQ
Developer: Vigil Studios
Out: Q2 2009

In Q2 of 2009 Vigil Games brings us Darksiders: Wrath of War. The age old good versus evil, angel versus demon conflict is played out once again against the backdrop of the apocalypse. Taking on the duties of one of the Four Horsemen (War), the player will find the sword and guns combination similar to such games as Devil May Cry and God of War. Whether or not Darksiders matches up in the quality department to the aforementioned games is yet to be seen.

DC Universe Online

Publisher: Sony Online Entertainment
Developer: Sony Online Austin
Out: 2009

The PS3 goes all comic-book MMO next year with DC Universe Online. Fight along side the likes of the Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman while rubbing shoulders with such arch-villain greats as Luthor, The Joker and others. We’ve been skeptical here at PS3 Attitude about how this is all going to play out. The E3 footage was uninspiring to say the least but with comic book legend Jim Lee at the helm surely this can’t go wrong. Can it? DC:UO has yet to receive an official release date other than “next year”.

Disgaea 3 Absence of Justice

Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Nippon Ichi
Out: Q1 2009

Everyone else but the oft spurned Europeans have already got their hands on the game but next year finally sees the overlooking of the Old World rectified with Disgaea 3’s EU release. Favourably received by many (81%), we’re looking forward to finally take Nippon Ichi’s Tactical RPG for a spin.

Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2

Publisher: Koei
Developer: Koei, Omega Force
Out: March 24th 2009

Out for just two weeks in Japan (and getting good reviews, Famitsu gave it 33/40 - but we all know how much they love their robots) we’ll be able to get our giant sized Western hands on the Gundam game in March 2009. Unfortunately we won’t be getting access to the DLC that will remain exclusive to the JP region but we will be compensated with new enhancements to the Versus mode.

EA Sports Fight Night Round 4

Publisher: EA
Developer: EA Vancouver
Out: July 2009

Ding ding! Round 4. Hitting hard next July is an update to the popular boxing franchise, Fight Night. Round 3 was equally lauded for its realism and derided for the insane levels of product placement. Whether or not The Burger King (we’re not making this up) will return for the fourth round is yet to be seen but we have high hopes of being able to actually punch some Whoppers out of him this time. SpikeTV viewers had the opportunity to vote for who will adorn the box art this time around. Ali or Tyson. Or both! (Our money is on Ali)

EA Sports Tennis (Working title)

Publisher: EA
Developer: EA
TBC: Q4 2009

Peter Moore has already spoke out about how EA Sports has its work made out for it if it’s to counter the allure of the Wii and its bundled Wii Sports product. Even though each game is a considerably different take on a similar genre, it’s no secret that the waggle induced sports titles have stolen a lot of thunder from EA’s sporting wing. With the tennis aspect arguably the most popular of the Wii Sports mini-games, it will be interesting to see how EA responds with their own take on the serve and volley game.

Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard

Publisher: D3
Developer: Vicious Cycle Software
Out: Q1 2009

Breaking the fourth wall is Vicious Cycle Software’s Matt Hazard game. What’s interesting to note is that Hazard is a videogame hero and attempting a comeback - in a videogame. Expect lots of in-jokes and camera winking as this game parody takes the concept of spoofing to new level. For example, the arch-villain of the piece is the actual CEO of the company making the game. Finally, if they don’t take the piss out of Duke Nukem then something is seriously wrong in the land of game comedy.

Edge of Twilight

Publisher: SouthPeak
Developer: FuzzyEyes Studios
Out: Q2 2009

We’re reluctant to give away too much about FuzzyEye’s Edge of Twilight as we have an exclusive interview with the guys from Brisbane that should be hitting very early in 2009. We will say this: the game was demoed at TGS to much aplomb and the dynamic of night and day changing the gaming environment, though not unique, is utilised wonderfully in this intricate steampunk fantasy. You play Lex, a bounty hunter, and apparently the only half-breed left who can travel between both worlds. Expect more next month in the aforementioned interview.

Eyedentify

Publisher: SCEE
Developer: SCEE
Out: February 2009 (if it still exists)

Eyedentify was announced way back at E3 in 2005 and then scurried off into the land of obscurity. Apparently it will see a release next year and find players controlling a team of characters using the PSEye. That’s about all we know at this stage.

EyePet

Publisher: SCEE
Developer: SCEE
Out:2009

EyePet was revealed at this year’s GDC in Leipzig to much praise. Utilising the latest gaming buzz of “augmented reality”, the game is seen as Sony’s secret weapon of breaking into the lucrative “family demographic”. Through the use of the PlayStation Eye, players are able to interact with their own cuddly creature on a table top or, well, wherever. Of course, for the rest of us, we equate EyePet as the reason why promising games such as Getaway 2 and Eight Days got cancelled but we’ll give it a break - it is undeniably cute.

Check back later for F through to O. This set of letters can only mean the arrival of big hitters such as Final Fantasy XIII (plus Versus), God of War III, Gran Turismo 5, Heavy Rain, inFamous, Killzone 2, L.A. Noire and M.A.G. That list alone means 2009 is looking increasingly awesome.

[UPDATE] Thanks to some mails it looks like we’ve missed a bunch of games. And not just the more obscure ones. As we prepare the whips and administer punishment for completely missing such games as Demon’s Souls please find below a list of other releases in the A to E category that should also feature in 2009

100 Bullets
Active Dogs
Africa
Amphibian Man
Gothic 4: Arcania
Avalon
Backbreaker
Beyond Good and Evil 2
Bumpy Trot 2
C&C Red Alert 3
Cipher Complex
Data-Fly
Demon Soul’s
Deus Ex 3
Doom 4
Driver
Earth No More
Elveon

We’ll retrofit the above article with these 18 titles. The good news is that we’ve also found another source of game titles projected for 2009 and hence the upcoming Part II of this series shouldn’t contain such egregious oversights. Thanks again to those who mailed in with such things as “Where the hell is Demon’s Souls!?” Where the hell indeed.

We’re seriously thinking of expanding this into a fourth part series now. If we don’t it will be February by the time we get the other articles finished.

noreply@blogger.com (uPaL) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:59:00 +0000

Team

The Gaming Spot wouldn’t be possible without a great team. Each and every member gives up their time and energy free of charge to help our cases, so go ahead and pat them virtually on the back whilst you read more…

Upal-Editor-in-Chief and Founder

An avid gamer since I first played Breakout in the Summer of ‘76, I’ve also developed a few titles ‘back in the day’ and was a prolific musician on the Amiga. I’ve had a PS3 since launch day in the UK and wanted to create a website that not only delivered balanced commentary, but that also made a positive impact.

Akshay - Staff Writer and Assistant Editor

A life long gamer (and writer) with a passion for all things PlayStation and Sony in general. That said, not a fanboy zealot considering there are Microsoft and Nintendo gaming devices in my house too; they just don’t get used very often. Hailing from the “Forgotten Land”, also known as “Europe” and currently trying to juggle gaming, Japanese studies and the bane of all our lives; work. The great conundrum of my life; not that there are too many games to play but that there’s just never enough time to play them.

I’m also the writer on the site who has trouble knowing when to stop rambling in news posts. Like the above for example.

Mahesh-Staff Writer

I’ve been a gamer since I hassled my parents for a Nintendo Entertainment System and got an Atari clone instead. Mild mannered office manager by day, I enjoy my work and
find it very fulfilling and …who am I kidding!

I didn’t want to be an office manager. I don’t want to rabid on all day about performance reports and mission statements and budget meetings. I wanted to be…A LUMBERJACK! Umm…a PS3 blogger!

Writing about the latest games, playing the newest demos, reviewing the coolest games available, sharing my opinions with the entire blogosphere! With my best bloggers by my side, we’ll blog…blog…blog!

I’m a PS3 blogger and I’m OK. I sleep all night and I blog all day.

So that’s our team; ready, willing and able to bring you the best PS3 content, daily.

Uncharted 2 details from Edge Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (uPaL) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 15:58:00 +0000

When we last reported on Nathan Drake’s new adventure back at the start of December we speculated where the setting of Uncharted 2 might take place.

With Marco Polo’s name getting dropped into the mix, one prophetic commenter (someone by the name of “Brodiesan”) hypothesised that the game would feature such exotic and exciting locales as Tibet and Nepal.

Not to bang one’s own drum or anything but, as purveyors of the latest edition of Edge Magazine already know, we were right on the money.

Check after the (you’re never going to make that) jump for more Uncharted 2: Among Thieves plot details along with what the McGuffin of the story is, a new love interest and, yes, the dreaded stealth aspect of the game dutifully explained.

It would be safe to say that the first Uncharted was a very personal quest for treasure hunter extraordinaire Nathan Drake.

A descendant of the legendary Sir Francis Drake, Nathan’s motives for discovering El Dorado were equal parts “fortune and glory” and family tree investigation. Uncharted 2 shuns the family connections altogether (unless Mr. Drake is embedded in the lives of more historical notaries than we know about of course) and sees Nathan on the path of the fabled Cintamani Stone. A gem of significance that can apparently grant wishes, the legendary stone is said to be located in the ancient and mythical Tibetan city of Shambala, also known as Shangri-La.

How Marco Polo fully ties in to the tale is still to be fully revealed though the Edge article does speak of the factual account of Polo’s final voyage home from the court of Kubla Khan in 1292. Despite setting off with fourteen treasure laden ships and six hundred men, Polo returned to the West with but one ship and only a handful of crew. Having never spoken of what happened on the precarious voyage home, Naughty Dog have taken up the historical fiction mantle and appear to have woven a deft (albeit fictional) story around these events.

The article also goes into some of the advances that the dog loving studio have made since the last game including the more organic nature of the levels, the fluidity of the animations from exploration to action and how Drake now interacts with practically everything around him. For example: washing lines with drying clothes now flutter between dilapidated houses in a war-torn Nepalese village vibrant with colour and intricacies. Enemy AI is improved allowing them to also scale walls and leap across roof tops, and let’s not forget about the cover system’s tweaks considering Drake can now “create” his own concealment by flipping over tables and assorted furniture.

One element that did send ripples of fret amongst the fans of the first game, and is now explained, was the inclusion this time around of a heavy dose of “stealth”. Almost a by-word these days connected with “boring game-play”, the Naughty Ones insist that the sneaking dynamic is purely another instrument in Drake’s toolbox. You still want to shoot everything that moves? Not a problem. The sneaking element does however proffer the ability to play out levels in a different manner and adds a whole new layer of realism to the game as Drake can now shoot one bad guy, sneak around and grab the next, use him as a human shield and then shoot someone else before casually dispensing with the captured baddie.

Finally, it wouldn’t be Drake without Elena. Or would it? As is the case with most affable rogues, it appears that Drake will have a new love interest in the form of Chloe (pictured right). Will Elena still appear? Are we looking at a love triangle here? As fans of the plucky reporter from the first game we sure hope so.

The article has many many other reveals and details and we heartily recommend picking up the edition if it’s available in your region.

[Image source]

Are LBP sales really that bad? A comparison…

noreply@blogger.com (uPaL) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:16:00 +0000

Every man and his dog seems to be talking about the ‘terrible’ sales LittleBigPlanet has enjoyed, but what is the truth behind the spin?

LBP has now sold more than one million units worldwide, and still the game’s performance has its detractors. Confusingly, we remember the sheer joy in the collective media when Motorstorm hit the one million mark.

So how has Sackboy done in comparison, and what are the differences in the marketplace since that milestone was reached by Evolution’s racer?

It may surprise you that Motorstorm took over 22 weeks to reach the one million unit mark. In comparison, LittleBigPlanet has made that mark in 5 weeks.

Of course, the games market has grown since then. Specifically, the PS3 had around 4.5 million units in the field around the time that Motorstorm joined the millionaire’s club, whereas LittleBigPlanet enjoys a client base of over 17.5 million units.

That counts against LittleBigPlanet in the eyes of many, because a similar attach rate would see sales of 2.1 million units by weeks 5 (Motorstorm had managed 555,000 in the same time frame; a 1 in 8 attach rate).

But it is also true that LittleBigPlanet has to compete with approximately 13 times as many games as Motorstorm did. And if you compare so-called ‘worth buying’ games, Motorstorm really only had four or five competitors when it released versus dozens that are available now.

Analysts we have spoken to still expect LittleBigPlanet to top 3.5 million units across the life of the product, about the same as Motorstorm has managed, and we have still to see the fruits of the ‘six figure marketing package’ Sony have promised.

So we ask you, is LBP really doing that badly? Especially in the current ‘crunch climate’, we would say ‘no’.

Agree/disagree - the comments await your thoughts…

SPIKE 2008 Video Game Awards Recap

noreply@blogger.com (uPaL) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:10:00 +0000

The 2008 SPIKE Video Game Awards have just wrapped and PS3 Attitude is here to give some quick impressions on the event.

Read on for our first impressions on God of War III, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Brütal Legend and more.

UFC 2009 Undisputed was announced (again) in a very cool way. Dana White announced all six main eventers of the upcoming UFC 92 Pay-Per-View in an octagon, followed by a live performance by LL Cool J of Mamma Said Knock You Out while game footage was played in the background. Sweet.

God of War III looked amazing. The teaser trailer suggested that this will be the end of the series when Kratos says ‘Everything must come to an end’. If it is the end of Kratos and God of War, you can bet that Sony is using every trick up their sleeves to make this one of the best games of the PS3’s lifetime.

Dante’s Inferno looks to be more disturbing than Clive Barker’s Jericho. It will be an EA game so we have low expectations at this moment. The source material is outstanding, so this game will have a pretty hard time of messing things up. It looks like this will be one of those ‘love it or hate it’ games.

Uncharted 2 did not disappoint, Nathan is back just as you remember him. Only this time he looks incredibly more detailed and life-like. The trailer ends with Nathan saying his trademark ‘oh crap’. Oh crap indeed. Just like the previous teaser trailer, this one was made entirely using the in-game engine. If you don’t believe us, just ask Busta Rhymes.

Iron Mike Tyson is back baby, and facing off against none other than the great Muhammad Ali. Fight Night Round 4 is coming back with a bang. We are not sure if the video was CG or in-game, but Tyson almost looked photo realistic at one point. Will this be the best boxing game since Myke Tyson’s Punch out? No it won’t, that game is untouchable, but it will get damn close.

Fallout 3 gets RPG of the year and Rock Band 2 takes home Best Music Game and Best Soundtrack, both deservingly so. Speaking of Rock Band, Pearl Jam’s album Ten will be available for download exclusively on Rock Band. Take that Guitar Hero.

Brütal Legend seems promising. It comes from the mind of Tim ‘Freakin’ Schaffer so you can pretty much bet that it will be a cut above the rest. Or if you take Jack Black’s word, it will be ‘the game to end all games’.

Grand Theft Auto 4 takes game of the year. Let that sink in for a minute. Yeah.

Did you enjoy this year’s Video Game Awards? We certainly did, we also really enjoyed Jack Black’s console shenanigans at the very beginning. What was your favorite part of the show?

Home Hammered

noreply@blogger.com (uPaL) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 16:58:00 +0000

Who’d have thought adding the PlayStation Home icon to every PS3 owner’s XMB would result in such mass connectivity issues during Home’s inaugural weekend?

Well, we kind of did.

Keeping with Sony’s tradition of launching new games/services only for them to fall on their face, it would appear that the Home servers are crippled due to the “overwhelming demand” for the service.

Are they looking into the issues? You bet they are. Check after the jump for some more details.

If you’re unable to “Go Home” at the moment - don’t fret as you’re far from alone. With forums ablaze with people complaining about lack of access, it would appear that Sony either miscalculated the demand for the new social experiment or knowingly launched Home without the appropriate infrastructure to back it up.

Home Managers CydoniaX and Locust_Star have posted a locked thread over at the U.S. community boards promising to keep is all up to date with the ongoing server woes. Unfortunately, so far, they’ve just updated saying that yes - there are server woes and the engineers are still looking into it. Want to rant in an open thread about your C-931 connection error? Go right ahead.

Before the outcries of “But it’s a beta! It’s supposed to he flaky!” we’d like to say: Yes, it’s a beta but, in our opinion, this doesn’t justify the inability of granting people access in the first place. Maybe the launch plan should have been looked at more with the service rolled out in stages as, right of this minute, a lot of people are getting turned off Home simply because it looks like Sony didn’t think through its deployment. We can only hope these issues are restricted to its very early baby steps and Home becomes a more robust product over the coming days.

When we have finally managed to get in to Home we’ve been impressed by its intuitiveness and overall promise. In other words: there’s not a lot there at the moment but we’re confident this will change in time as we see new content, activities and events added to the service. We like Home. We like what Sony are trying to do here. Now they just need to iron out the launch problems before people start associating it with rickety servers not worth their time trying to connect to.

Are you having difficulties accessing Home? Getting tired tapping that “X” button in the vain hope that it will finally connect this time? Let us know in the comments below.

A Next Metal Gear Is…

noreply@blogger.com (uPaL) — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 12:29:00 +0000

Put on your thinking caps everyone because Kojima Productions have just updated their site this morning with a flash teasing us about the next Metal Gear. From the looks of things, the PS3 doesn’t seem to be in the math. This simply raises too many questions for one to answer.

I’d keep a close eye on Kojima Productions. It looks like they have all systems covered. Green for the Xbox 360, i could stand for the Wii, and the power button for PC. What about the exclamation mark though? Where’s the love for the PS3? What is the rest of the sentence?

Prince of Persia: a retrospective

noreply@blogger.com (uPaL) — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 12:28:00 +0000

The Prince. No identity, no name, only a title. Over the years we have grown to love The Prince in all his incarnations, both good (The Sands of Time) and bad (Prince of Persia 3D). What started as the brainchild of Jordan Mechner has blossomed into a gaming behemoth. Join PS3 Attitude as we take a trip back in time and view The Prince and how he has evolved over the years; from the orphan trapped in Jaffar’s prison to the powerful Prince he has become.

Prince of Persia (1989)

This is the game that started it all. Jordan Mechner’s masterpiece introduced sword fights to a gaming population more accustomed to bullets and guns. The original Prince of Persia was ported to almost every device imaginable at the time (ever heard of a SAM Coupé?) and it even made it to the current generation of consoles in the form of Prince of Persia Classic via Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network. That is how good this game was and still is. A love story really, the Prince is imprisoned while the Princess is forced to marry the evil Vizier Jaffar or die. It is up to the Prince to escape and save the love of his life.

The original Prince of Persia appeared to be of the white persuasion, had blonde hair, had a white shirt, white pants and a white sword. Not very graphically demanding but it looked state of the art in 1989, trust me. But the Prince was not really remembered for the graphics or the sound, not even the story. It was the animation that surprised the gaming world. This was the most fluid and life-like animation in a video game to date. Rotoscoping was used to animate the Prince; this reference video shows how closely the in-game animation was to the real thing.

Sword fights served as the main action moments in between solving puzzles and avoiding deadly spikes and blades. The enemies get increasingly more difficult as the Prince gets closer to the Princess. The prince could strike and parry high or low sword attacks. He could sheath his sword for a retreat but an enemy blow while unarmed meant certain death. Physical puzzles ruled the game, usually by means of pressure sensitive tiles which would open (and sometimes close) gates. The Prince was a little acrobatic even then; he could run, jump, jump while running, crouch, hop while crouching, climb, descend, climb and hang on from ledges. The levels were designed to test all of the Prince’s abilities and the player’s skill.

Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow and the Flame (1994)

The sequel came roughly five years later, instead of the usual one year cycle more commonly used today. This second Prince of Persia game was very similar to the original; puzzles and sword fights were still the norm. The story however was not. Eleven days have passed since defeating Jaffar, the Prince and Princess are married and all is well in the land. Until an evil witch resurrects Jaffar who assumes the role of the Prince, while at the same time turning the Prince into a beggar. Not even his bride recognizes the Prince under the witch’s spell so he is forced to escape in a ship which wrecks in a far away land where his quest starts again.

This new Prince was far more detailed than his predecessor; he donned a blue turban, a red vest and red pointy shoes. Even his sword gained subtle graphical details. The fluid animations that made the first Prince stand out were present in this new installment. The graphics were far more advanced; ditching the simple looks of its predecessor, Prince of Persia 2 was much more colorful and detailed. The levels were larger and the backgrounds had more variety. This time the game was more combat oriented, sword fights were more common and unlike the first Prince of Persia, the enemies were not always alone. A flying carpet, a flying horse, and magic were introduced, with magic potions also returning.

This Prince is still very similar to last’s game Prince in many aspects, he still fights to be with his true love in spite of the odds against him. It is revealed in the game that he is in fact of royal lineage and his quest turns from redemption to revenge as a result. The inclusion of magic and mythical themes brought something fresh to the young franchise. The Prince was evolving slowly but the gaming populace was in for a surprise when they met the next Prince and his radical evolution.

Prince of Persia 3D (1999)

In the most ambitious Prince to Persia game to date the Prince was to get the full 3D treatment. Sadly, because of financial difficulties, the game was released early and before it went through the crucial bug detection and correction stage. Still true to its roots, Prince of Persia 3D finds the Prince, his bride and his father-in-law the Sultan in the castle of Asaan, the Sultan’s brother. It turns out that the Sultan promised the Princess’s hand in marriage to Asaan’s son Rugnor long before the Prince was in the picture…you know where this is going. After a very deadly belly dance, the Princess and the Sultan are captured while the Prince finds himself captive in the castle’s dungeon where he must escape and save the Princess. Sounds familiar?

This was the most graphically advanced Prince, now rendered in 3D and full of details. Gone were the rotoscoping days, motion capture was all the rage and the Prince managed to keep his fluid animations intact. The witch and royal lineage from Prince of Persia 2 were ditched in favor of a more straightforward approach that worked well before. This is your old Prince in new clothes, fighting to regain his bride once again. While his motives stayed rooted on the games of past, his abilities took a giant leap forward.

This new 3D Prince could do everything 2D Prince could and then some. Swimming, crawling while prone, collecting items and keys and manipulating buttons and levers were some of the new abilities the Prince gained with the move to 3D. His combat abilities received a minor upgrade as well thanks to the extra dimension. He could shuffle in any direction, attack to the left, to the right or overhead, block and feint an attack. More weapons were available to him this time around. He still had the essential sword, but now a staff, dual blades and a bow were also added to his repertoire. The exotic locales were the perfect backdrop for the Prince’s stunts as he jumped, dodged and puzzle solved his way to victory. Sadly because of all the bugs and annoying camera issues this Prince was not well received as the first two.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2003)

“Most people think time is like a river that flows swift and sure in one direction. But I have seen the face of time and I can tell you they are wrong. Time is an ocean in a storm. You may wonder who I am and why I say this. Sit down and I will tell you a tale like none which you have ever heard.”

A grand tale indeed. With a new century comes a new prince. Gone are the days of the side scrolling platformer as the series makes its debut on the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Gamecube with Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. The torch has been passed into the hands of Ubisoft, with Jordan Mechner as the producer, as they reboot the series to a whole new level.

Players take control of the son of King Shahraman, the Prince of Persia, as the two of them travel to Azad. In their possession they have a giant hourglass filled with the mystical Sand of Time, a mysterious dagger also known as the Dagger of Time, and Farah, the captured daughter of the conquered Maharajah. At their return, the evil Vizier tricks the prince into releasing the Sands of Time from the hourglass, thus destroying the kingdom and turning all living beings into horrendous sand creatures. It is up to the Prince and Farah to collect the Sands of Time and return the kingdom to its rightful state.

Everything has been revamped for The Sands of Time. The visuals, the gameplay, the combat mechanics; all have been utilized to show the Prince in all his glory. Instead of the linear side-scrolling of previous iterations, The Sands of Time puts our prince in a fully interactive 3D environment. Players must perform wall runs and leap over chasms, much like a ninja, all the while avoiding traps and disposing of the enemy. The sword is your main weapon used for attacking and blocking although you can gain the advantage using wall jumps as well with what’s probably the most important gameplay element in the game, the Dagger of Time.

This magical dagger has the ability to control time. The Prince can travel up to ten seconds in the past, reversing all actions including damage, destroyed environments, etc. The dagger also grants the Prince the ability to slow down time and freeze enemies, making for an easier attack. These time-manipulation abilities were what made The Sands of Time stand out above the rest. Players could make up for mistakes and go even as far as cheating death.

Prince of Persia: Warrior Within (2004)

Seven years have passed, and the Prince has grown darker, nastier, and overall meaner. This time around, he is being hunted by Dahaka, the Guardian of the Timeline, because he has escaped his fate and must die to restore order to the Timeline. This doesn’t sit well with the Prince and he travels to the Island of Time in order to prevent the Sands of Time from being created, which hopefully will give Dahaka no reason to continue hunting him.

If it wasn’t obvious in the above description, time plays another important role in Prince of Persia: Warrior Within, released December of 2004. Despite no longer having the Dagger of Time, your abilities of time-manipulation remain the same. You can still reverse time and enable slow motion. What’s more, the Prince has gained is the ability of dual weapon wielding. In addition to his sword, he may now steal an enemy’s weapon and use it in combat and throw it as a projective as well.

Thanks to Ubisoft’s new gameplay system, the “Free-Form Fighting” system, the flow of combat is much smoother and environmental attacks are more diverse. The Prince can now strangle his enemies along with jumping off them to chain his attacks together. The core platforming elements remain virtually the same if not better than its predecessor. While selling well, fans were disappointed at Warrior Within’s darker themes that strayed a bit too far from the charm of previous games. Perhaps it’s from the fact that this was the first game where Jordan Mechner wasn’t involved in its production. Warrior Within is also available on the PSP as Prince of Persia: Revelations.

Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones (2005)

Twice, the Prince has cheated death and evaded his fate. You know what they say, third times a charm. Now, on his return home to Babylon, he finds himself struck with a new foe. Past characters return as the events of The Sands of Time never occurred. The city is under control of the Vizier who now possesses the Dagger of Time, using it to gain immortality. In his attempts to stop the Vizier, the Prince suffers a wound from a chain whip, allowing for the Sands of Time to enter his body and infect him before escaping. This infection leads to the manifestation of the Prince’s alter-ego, the Dark Prince. Now he must battle the voices within as well as save his home from destruction.

Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones continues to enhance what is already great gameplay. The Prince’s acrobatics have improved, allowing him to leap off walls at 45 degree angles and interact with more of the environment including chutes and poles, just to name a few. The Dagger of Time makes its return with the introduction of Speed Kills. Stealth plays a more prominent role in The Two Thrones and if the Prince is able to sneak up to an enemy undetected, he may perform a Speed Kill, a flashy series of attacks that culminates in instant death. Minor tweaks have been made to the combat system. For instance, strangles are no long an option as well as jumping off of enemies and rebounding off walls when in the air.

The Dark Prince is introduced in The Two Thrones. At specific moments during gameplay, the Prince will turn into the shadowy form of himself and alter the combat style. The secondary weapon has been disabled and he now wields the Daggertail; a blade-like whip attached to his arm.This allows for longer range attacks as well as the ability to swing from hanging poles. Staying in this transformation depletes the Prince’s health which can only be replenished by collecting Sand from monsters or objects. Coming in contact with water reverts the Prince back to his normal self.

Another element introduced are chariot sections of the game. During these moments, the player must guide the Prince past obstacles and sand creatures and reach the goal without crashing or being killed. This adds a whole new style of gameplay to the action-adventure platformer.The game even made its way to PSP and Wii in the form of Prince of Persia: Rival Swords along with an expanded plot although gameplay remained the same.

Prince of Persia Classic (2007)

The original 2D Prince returns in new 3D clothes. This remake is heavily influenced by the second trilogy (Sands of Time, Warrior Within, Two Thrones) and it looks amazing. The animations are still top notch, the platforming still rules and the combat has been slightly tweaked. Staying true to the original’s roots, Prince of Persia Classic does offer a few additional puzzles, traps and fights to enhance the original offering rather than changing it completely.

Classic Prince looks a lot like Sands of Time Prince; he retains the white pants of the Original Prince but somehow lost his shirt. Maybe he wanted to impress the Princess with his manliness. Being such a close remake gameplay-wise, Classic Prince pretty much can do whatever the Original Prince could. Only prettier and in HD.

Prince of Persia (2008)

December. 2008. Prince of Persia. A new ‘prince’ has claimed the throne of the series. With a new prince comes new features. The visuals have been completely redone with cel-shading and a new female companion, Elika, has been added to assist the Prince. She can aid him in reaching new heights as well as battling enemies. Like all previous games, stylish acrobatics and platforming are a major aspect of the game. Why don’t you check out our review while you’re here? Like the title says, it truly is the last must have game of 2008.

So what does Prince of Persia have in store for us in the future? Well for starters, there is an upcoming film in the works staring Jake Gyllenhall as our prince and Ben Kingsley as the evil wizard Nizam. Ubisoft, unfortunately, has no part in the film but never fear, for Jordan Mechner is one of the screenwiters. It is based on The Sands of Time and on schedule for a 2010 release date. Aside from that, who knows what the future holds, well aside from Ubisoft. Only the Sands of Time will tell. I know, I couldn’t resist. Cheers go out to Danny_D for assisting with the original trilogy and the Classic remake.