Thursday, March 22, 2012

New PS3 and PSN Releases for the Week of March 12, 2012

Sony Senior Social Media Specialist Rey Gutierrez is here with the new PS3 and PSN releases for the upcoming week today, as follows:

Bridge the gap between art and video games with ThatGameCompany's latest PSN adventure, Journey. Bend reality and transform the world around you into a fighting arena, using the PS Vita and its augmented reality cameras in Reality Fighters.

Players will once again find themselves face to face with their deepest sins and fears in the strange world of Silent Hill, in Silent Hill: Downpour.

The PlayStation 3 exclusive, Yakuza: Dead Souls delivers a unique experience of Tokyo's red light district with an undead twist. Enjoy this week's The Drop.

PlayStation 3

Silent Hill: Downpour - Staying true to the franchise's original roots, this eighth installment of the Silent Hill franchise returns with an all new thought-provoking horror storyline.

The survival horror experience begins after a prison transport vehicle careens off the road, leaving lone inmate Murphy Pendleton stranded in Silent Hill. Gamers will encounter mind-bending puzzles, as well as horrific creatures and other world terrors using everyday objects from wooden chairs to glass bottles to fend off their enemies.

The natural response, fight or flight is left to the player as they unravel a dark, thought-provoking storyline which will appeal to fans of the early, classic Silent Hill series, as well as anyone who enjoys a deep, psychological horror experience.

In addition to the main storyline, players will also be presented with variable side quests along the way that can change depending on their play style, revealing unknown evils within the town.

FIFA Street - Play with and against the stars of the most popular clubs in the world- or real-life street players- and compete at more than 35 locations around the world. From one-on-one battles in parking lots and parks to prestigious 5v5 tournaments on the streets of the world's biggest cities, FIFA Street will replicate the unique street soccer style.

Plus, it will feature a host of modes and online features that will be revealed in the months ahead that will make the game a social, connected experience.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations - Based on the popular animated Naruto Shippuden series, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations offer a vast selection of playable & support characters spanning every generation of the Naruto saga, alongside incredible online functionality to take the Naruto ninja fight onto the global stage in the much-beloved fighting series.

The game powers the Ultimate Ninja series into the future by revolutionizing online play and ramping up the number of playable and support characters far beyond any Naruto game in the wildly popular franchise. Players will compete in a variety of online battle modes with their favorite Naruto characters, including Naruto and Sasuke.

Naruto fans have been waiting to see more of Zabuza and Haku since the launch of the original Manga, and now they will have their chance!

Yakuza: Dead Souls (PS3 Exclusive) -- The streets of Kamurocho have never been more dangerous, because now they're overrun by hordes of zombies! Yakuza: Dead Souls is set in the infamous red light district of Tokyo, which is under attack from hordes of zombies.

Players will not only face armies of the undead and incredibly powerful mutants, but a treacherous Japanese underworld that is just as merciless.

Playing through the eyes of four of the most infamous characters of the series, witness allegiances shift quickly and the line between friend and foe lost. If you thought zombies were bad... meet the Yakuza!

Takes of Graces F (PS3 Exclusive) - The popular RPG series by Namco Bandai returns to PlayStation 3 with this port of the Wii hit Tales of Graces. In addition to the full game refreshed for this HD console, PS3 owners can look forward to additional costumes, new story elements and new battle skills.

PlayStation Network

Journey (PS3) - The pioneers that brought you the award-winning PlayStation Network titles flOw & Flower are back with another title that challenges traditional gaming conventions. With Journey, thatgamecompany (TGC) continues its tradition of delivering simple gameplay and accessible controls in a rich interactive environment that invites players to explore and experience emotional chords that are still uncommon in videogames.

An exotic adventure with a more serious tone, Journey presents a unique vision of an online adventure experience. Awakening in an unknown world, the player walks, glides, and flies through a vast and awe-inspiring landscape, while discovering the history of an ancient, mysterious civilization along the way.

Journey's innovative approach to online play encourages players to explore this environment with strangers who cross their path from time to time. By traveling together, they can re-shape the experience -- creating authentic moments they will remember and discuss with others.

Reality Fighters (PS Vita) - Delivering the most customizable fighting experience on the go, the world around you comes into the fight with Reality Fighters.

Using augmented reality technology, take pictures of yourself and create your own personal fighter, complete with unique fighting and visual style. From kitchen tops to parking lots, the world is literally your arena as the stages you fight in are determined by the environment around you.

Bioshock 2 - Set during the fall of Rapture, players assume the role of a Plasmid test subject for Sinclair Solutions, a premier provider of Plasmids and Tonics in the underwater city of Rapture that was first explored in the original BioShock.

Players will need to use all the elements of the BioShock toolset to survive as the full depth of the BioShock experience is refined and transformed into a unique multiplayer experience that can only be found in Rapture.

Warp - Warp is a unique stealth action game that feature a top-down sci-fi world with a distinctive art style, addicting levels, hazardous traps and challenging puzzles.

Time Machine: Rogue Pilot - Time Machine: Rogue Pilot offers a brand new approach to puzzle games genre taking the best from classic match 3 experience and combining it with the innovative hidden objects gameplay.

Dozens of fascinating story mode missions and a special multiplayer mode that can be played with a friend online or on the same screen! Plus the game also offers several bonus modes -- all of this coming along with dazzling full HD graphics, ambient background music and rich visual effects.

James Cameron's Avatar: The Game - James Cameron's Avatar: The Game is the official videogame based on the highly anticipated film James Cameron's Avatar. The videogame will take you deep into the heart of Pandora, an alien planet that is beyond imagination.

Gamers will encounter the Na'vi, Pandora's indigenous people and discover other life forms the likes of which have never been seen in the world of video games before.

When conflict erupts between the RDA Corporation, a space-faring consortium in search of valuable resources, and the Na'vi, gamers will find themselves thrust into a fight for the heart of a planet and the fate of a civilization.

Shoot Many Robots (Demo Available) - Shoot Many Robots follows P. Walter Tugnut on his mission to kill as many robots as possible after a factory begins to ominously produce killer robots.

With an RV full of guns and beer, gamers will experience a four-player co-op run-n-gun side-scrolling RPG shooter filled with tons of weapon and item customization. Shoot Many Robots will also feature two game modes: Traversal, where players must progress linearly through a level, and Survival, where players fight against waves of robot hordes, delivering hours of robotic carnage and fun.

Phineas And Ferb: Across The 2nd Dimension (PS Move Compatible) - Phineas and Ferb: Across the Second Dimension is a fun-filled platforming and combat game where players can be one of eight characters including Phineas, Ferb or Master P as they use gadgets and combat maneuvers to defeat the evil Dr. D and his minions.

In addition, the PS3 version features PlayStation Move's motion controller compatible gameplay, giving the game a whole new level of fun and dimension.
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Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Sony on 5 Reasons Shoot Many Robots is Better with Friends

Lead Designer Josh Glavine has shared 5 reasons Shoot Many Robots is better with friends via Sony's PlayStation Blog.



You can play with up to four people cooperatively online. If you don't already have an excuse to make three friends and kill some robots, we've provided five:


More, More, More

It's a simple formula. As you add more players to Shoot Many Robots, you'll encounter more robots, more explosions, and more chaos. Playing with co-op partners increases the number of robots in each level which means more things to kill... and more ways to kill them.

And more dead robots means more Nut pickups, which enable you to buy new guns and gear. All of the randomly dropping items like powerups and loot also drop more frequently. In co-op, everything is just more fun.

Co-opetition

At the end of each mission, the players with the highest kill counts are rewarded with more Nuts. This means you must work cooperatively to complete a mission, while also competing for the most kills - hence, "co-opetition."

Pick-Me-Ups

In co-op, you can revive your partners if they are downed. Having squadmates to keep each other alive will help you get through the more challenging robot battles.

Tutu Strategy

You can equip anything from a tutu to a shark fin, jetpack, tighty whities, and a grenade launcher (to name a few of the hundreds of items available). Each item affects your character's stats differently, but the real strategic fun starts when you learn to coordinate your getup to complement your squadmates.

Crafty teams will coordinate lethal weapon combos like "fire and ice," where one player slows the robots with a freeze ray while the other annihilates them with a flamethrower (and a raccoon hat that boosts critical hit chance).

Drinking Games

The best reason to play with friends is for the games you can make up outside of Shoot Many Robots. Every time you have to drink to gain health in-game, you have to drink in real life.

The player with the lowest kill count at the end of each mission has to wear a tutu... in real life. Get creative, and have fun killing robots with your friends!
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PSN Spring Fever 2012: New Games, Discounts, Call of Duty Sale

Sony Network Entertainment Digital Distribution Manager Ro Hernandez has posted up some PSN Spring Fever 2012 deals today, which include new games, discounts, and news of a Call of Duty sale!

To quote: The sun is starting to shine brighter and the days are longer, which can only mean one thing: Spring Fever is back on PlayStation Network!

Every year, Spring Fever brings a bouquet of fresh new downloadable PS3 games to PSN with some special offers and discounts in the PlayStation Store each week for three weeks. This year, we're also offering discounts on tons of content from some of the biggest franchises in games, with a new franchise featured each week.

In addition, there will be special PlayStation Plus benefits throughout the event, including awesome early access and huge discounts (up to 75% off!).

This week Spring Fever starts off strong with one of the most highly-anticipated and best PSN games ever, Journey, and one of the biggest game franchises of all time, Call of Duty. PlayStation Plus subscribers have already been enjoying Journey, thanks to the early access they've had to the game for the past week. 

Today is the last day for PS Plus subscribers to take advantage of this special offer, so head into the PlayStation Store today to download it if you haven't already.

The Call of Duty franchise sale starts tomorrow when the Store publishes, so check out the full list of discounts below. The other featured franchises will be Final Fantasy and Tom Clancy.

We'll be offering up to 50% off various games, map packs, add-ons and bundled content, with up to 75% discounts awarded to our PS Plus subscribers.

Each week, we'll be revealing the full list of Spring Fever franchise deals in the Store Update blog post every Tuesday, so check back to see what content from your favorite franchises will be discounted. Spring Fever continues to bloom with new offers each week through April 2nd, so there's a lot to look forward to!

SPRING FEVER NEW RELEASES:

3/13 - Journey: Enter the world of Journey, the third game from acclaimed indie developers thatgamecompany and presented by SCEA Santa Monica Studio.

Available one week early to PS Plus subscribers - Includes an Exclusive Free Theme - One day left!

Available to ALL PSN USERS starting tomorrow

3/20 - Rayman 3 HD: Rayman 3 HD takes Rayman on an epic journey through diverse worlds. This classic is remastered with HD and Trophy support.

PlayStation Plus subscribers - 20% off

3/27 - Closure: In Closure's dark and foreboding universe, the only things that exist are what you can see. Featuring 100 puzzles, an award-winning soundtrack and hand-drawn art.

PlayStation Plus subscribers - 20% off

SPRING FEVER FRANCHISE SALE:

Call of Duty (3/13 - 3/19)

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

PS3 Game + Variety Map Pack Bundle (Reg. $29.99, Sale $20.99, PS Plus $14.69)
PS3 Game (Reg. $19.99, Sale $13.99, PS Plus $9.79)
Variety Map Pack (Reg. $9.99, Sale $6.99, PS Plus $4.89)

Call of Duty Classic

PS3 Game (Reg. $14.99, Sale $10.49, PS Plus $7.34)

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

PS3 Game + 2 DLC Bundle (Reg. $59.99 (value), Sale $41.99, PS Plus $- $29.39)
PS3 Game (Reg. $29.99, Sale $20.99, PS Plus  $14.69)
Stimulus Package - (Reg. $14.99, Sale $10.49, PS Plus $7.34)
Resurgence Pack - (Reg. $14.99, Sale $10.49, PS Plus $7.34)

Call of Duty: World at War

Map Pack Bundle (Reg. $24.99, Sale $17.49, PS Plus $12.24)
Map Pack 1 (Reg. $9.99, Sale $6.99, PS Plus $4.89)
Map Pack 2 (Reg. $9.99, Sale $6.99, PS Plus $4.89)
Map Pack 3 (Reg. $9.99, Sale $6.99, PS Plus $4.89)

Call of Duty: Black Ops

PS3 Game (Reg. $49.99, Sale $39.99)
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PS3 BD Tool: JFW DH 3.56 MA CFW Add-On By Blackdeath Arrives

Hello, here I bring users a PS3 BD Tool add-on utility for JFW DH 3.56 MA CFW, which allows you to quickly and simply obtain the information of the PlayStation 3 BD reader from JMB without Linux.

Download: PS3 BD Tool: JFW DH 3.56 MA CFW Add-On

How It Works:

This tool will take out the HRL both the default reader as currently used by the console and leave you in a log with all the information pertinent to this besides dumps an important part of them to USB, plus it also includes the possibility that if a movie BD inserted before running this tool you MKB_RO.INF the dump in the usb along with HRL and the log where you can cap your version have direct current MKB.

Mode Of Operation:

If you are going to use the tool you ought to connect a usb port closest to the reader (dev_usb000), It will dump you there the HR
It is not compatible with the rest of CFW.

More details are available on the DH site here with a rough translation below: demonhades.org/foro/viewtopic.php?t=6283&f=297#p47245

Good friends, this time with another utility come more attuned to those researching on the subject or more BD playback on BD so here you have an addon for MA only with a simple but useful power and this addon will allow MA to get information about the BD quickly and easily from the JMB without linux as before with the sg3-utils.

This tool will take out the HRL the reader both the default (empty) as currently used by the console and leave you in a log all the information relevant to this besides dumpearos an important part of them to USB, plus it also includes the possibility that if a movie bd inserted before running this tool you MKB_RO.INF the dump the USB with the HRL and the log where you can cap have your version of MKB directly today.

This can be used in addition to guide recovery of reproduction to stop here: demonhades.org/foro/viewtopic.php?t=6172&f=297#p46282

As you see new facilities unique to MA for community members to research the BD.
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Monday, March 19, 2012

Sony unveils PSP Power Sale

Sony’s unveiled a major sale on downloadable PlayStation Portable games via the PlayStation Store, with some games dropping to as low as £7.99/9.99 Euros.

Unfortunately the firm didn’t provide any actual prices for the games included in the sale, a partial list of which you can see below.

Be sure to head over to the PlayStation Store to see if any of the new bargains tickle your fancy. In the meantime, have a gander at the list below to see what you can expect (note the PS Vita-compatible titles are marked with an *).
- - - - - - -

101-in-1 Megamix*

2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa

Ace Combat Joint Assault*

ARMORED CORE 3 Portable*

ARMORED CORE LAST RAVEN Portable*

ARMORED CORE SILENT LINE Portable*

Army of TWO: The 40th Day

Asphalt : Urban GT 2*

Bakugan: Defenders of The Core*

Ben 10: Protector of Earth*

BEN10 ALIEN FORCE: VILGAX ATTACKS*

BIGS 2*

BlazBlue Continuum Shift 2*

Blazeblue Calamity Trigger Portable*

BLOOD BOWL*

Brothers In Arms D-Day*

Castle Rustle*

Chessmaster: The Art Of Learning*

Corpse Party*

Cover Girl*

Crystal Mines*

Dante's Inferno

Despicable Me*

Driver 76*

DYNASTY WARRIORS*

DYNASTY WARRIORS VOL.2*

Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce*

FIFA 11

Free Running*

Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2*

Gladiator Begins*

GODS EATER BURST*

Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus*

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Lunar: Silver Star Harmony*

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL 2K9*

Manhunt 2*

METAL SLUG XX*

Michael Jackson The Experience*

MYST*

MYTRAN WARS*

Need For Speed Most Wanted 5-1-0

NEOGEO HEROES -Ultimate Shooting-*

Prince of Persia Rival Swords*

Prince of Persia The Forgotten Sands*

Prince of Persia: Revelations*

Pro Cycling 2009-Tour de France*

Pro Cycling 2010 - Tour de France*

Rugby League Challenge*

Samurai Warriors: State Of War*

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona Full Game*

Splinter Cell Essentials*

Street Riders*

The Red Star

THE WARRIORS*

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 10


TOM CLANCY GHOST RECON PREDATOR

TOMB RAIDER: LEGEND*

Warriors Orochi*

Warriors Orochi 2*

Ys I & II Chronicles*

Ys SEVEN*

Ys: The Oath in Felghana*Quantcast
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Sunday, March 18, 2012

22 PS3 and 41 Xbox 360 development kit/debug units up for auction

U.K. independent game studio Monumental Games is currently in administration and is expected to be fully dissolved by the end of the year after a number of gaming projects failed to work out.

As part of that process, the former Moto GP developer is having all its existing stock and intellectual property put up for auction by Jones Lange LaSalle to pay off its debtors.

That includes 22 PlayStation 3 development units/test stations and 41 Xbox 360 debug units.

The units are only available for the next 48 hours and, at the time of writing, there are no bids. Now that the Xbox 360 and PS3 are heading toward the end of their respective life-cycles, test kits aren’t in as much demand as they used to be, but this horde will no doubt be snapped up by the modding community and people in the homebrew scene.Quantcast
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DC Universe getting Battle for Earth DLC tomorrow

DC Universe Online is getting a hefty DLC pack. The Battle for Earth includes three Duos, an Alert, two Raids, new gear and rewards, and the Earth Powers for the tank role. In the Themyscira raid, home of Wonder Woman, you and your friends will have to work together to takedown Brainiac’s Avatar of Magic before taking down Braniac.

DCUO continues to attract thousands of new players every day. The team is working through more player feedback and providing regular updates to address any issues. Look for this new DLC pack tomorrow on the PlayStation Store.

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Saturday, March 17, 2012

Phantasy Star Online 2 on Vita coming in 2013 after PC version, first screens surface

Phantasy Star Online 2 is slated to begin service in 2013, after the PC version’s 2012 launch, Sega revealed. The Vita version is only 10 percent complete and the PC version’s alpha 2 test is now complete. That test reached 50,000 people. Closed beta is the next step for PSO2.

There are some screens for the Vita version below, originally posted over at Andriasang. Given the Vita’s version is barely underway, we’ll probably see some sharper images in the coming months.

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Forget March Madness, vote for the NCAA Football 13 Heisman Trophy cover athlete

EA Sports wants you to help pick the cover athlete for NCAA Football 13 through the My Heisman Cover Vote. You can pick from one of eight Heisman Trophy winners to accompany former Baylor University quarterback Robert Griffin III on the cover of NCAA Football 13.

Cover candidates includes former University of Southern California running back Marcus Allen, former Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie, former Ohio State University running back Eddie George, former University of Michigan wide receiver Desmond Howard, former Oklahoma State University running back Barry Sanders, former University of Georgia running back Herschel Walker, former Florida State University quarterback Charlie Ward, and former University of Houston quarterback Andre Ware.

The vote is open through April 1 and the winner will be announced on April 12. While it’s great to let fans pick the cover athlete, who can really turn their attention away from March Madness go Orange!)?

NCAA Football 13 is in development at EA Tiburon and will be available on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on July 13.

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Friday, March 16, 2012

Spring Fever hits PSN, Call of Duty comes cheap(er)

Every year, Sony makes sure to entice PS3 owners with a selection of quality titles for their “Spring Fever” sales. The event doesn’t only mean discounts, but the release of high-profile PlayStation Network titles, like Journey.

This time around, Sony plans to drop not only Journey, but Rayman 3 HD, a new game called Closure and a Call of Duty blitzkrieg sale to round it all up.

Take a look at all the offerings below.

SPRING FEVER:

3/13 – Journey: Enter the world of Journey, the third game from acclaimed indie developers thatgamecompany and presented by SCEA Santa Monica Studio.

 - Available one week early to PS Plus subscribers – Includes an Exclusive Free Theme – One day left!

 - Available to ALL PSN USERS starting tomorrow

3/20 – Rayman 3 HD: Rayman 3 HD takes Rayman on an epic journey through diverse worlds. This classic is remastered with HD and Trophy support.
 - PlayStation Plus subscribers – 20% off

3/27 – Closure: In Closure’s dark and foreboding universe, the only things that exist are what you can see. Featuring 100 puzzles, an award-winning soundtrack and hand-drawn art.

 - PlayStation Plus subscribers – 20% off


SPRING FEVER FRANCHISE SALE – THIS WEEK:

Call of Duty (3/13 – 3/19)

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

 - PS3 Game + Variety Map Pack Bundle (Reg. $29.99, Sale $20.99, PS Plus $14.69)

 - PS3 Game (Reg. $19.99, Sale $13.99, PS Plus $9.79)

 - Variety Map Pack (Reg. $9.99, Sale $6.99, PS Plus $4.89)

Call of Duty Classic

 - PS3 Game (Reg. $14.99, Sale $10.49, PS Plus $7.34)

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

 - PS3 Game + 2 DLC Bundle (Reg. $59.99 (value), Sale $41.99, PS Plus $- $29.39)

 - PS3 Game (Reg. $29.99, Sale $20.99, PS Plus  $14.69)

 - Stimulus Package – (Reg. $14.99, Sale $10.49, PS Plus $7.34)

 - Resurgence Pack – (Reg. $14.99, Sale $10.49, PS Plus $7.34)

Call of Duty: World at War

 - Map Pack Bundle (Reg. $24.99, Sale $17.49, PS Plus $12.24)

 - Map Pack 1 (Reg. $9.99, Sale $6.99, PS Plus $4.89)

 - Map Pack 2 (Reg. $9.99, Sale $6.99, PS Plus $4.89)

 - Map Pack 3 (Reg. $9.99, Sale $6.99, PS Plus $4.89)

Call of Duty: Black Ops

 - PS3 Game (Reg. $49.99, Sale $39.99)Quantcast
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Rumor: Mass Effect 3 Multiplayer DLC outed?

A pretty interesting image has surfaced on the internet, signifying that new classes might be hitting Mass Effect 3’s multiplayer in the form of downloadable content.




An anonymous user posted the picture on Reddit and claims that this DLC “unlocked everything” when downloaded from the “developer server.”

If you look closely, this is a screenshot from the Xbox 360 build of the game, however, there’s no doubt in our minds that any DLC like this would also make its way to PlayStation Network. What do you think?Quantcast
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Thursday, March 15, 2012

Yakuza: Dead Souls

It doesn’t matter whether you’re caving in their rotten brains with a baseball bat, ripping apart their stomachs with a dozen bullets from a machine gun, or slicing off their limbs with a machete: killing zombies is fun. And with the continued belief that gamers just can’t get enough of it, it’s no real surprise to see another familiar franchise succumb to the ever-popular trend of cracking zombie skulls.

Consequently, is almost exclusively about whacking the walking dead. Though series veterans will probably feel quite at home with the re-jigged Yakuza game engine and the familiar neon-lit city of Kamurocho, Dead Souls is a totally new Yakuza experience that trades in tales of feudal gangs in favour of an all-out, action-packed survival romp against the zombie masses.

Told via highly produced cut-scenes, and fleshed out with text-based interactions between living NPCs dotted around the now-fallen Japanese city, the story of a zombie invasion could have been quite generic. As it turns out, it’s actually very cleverly been pieced together and is surprisingly in-depth, and relayed with the typical Yakuza humour we’ve come to expect from its colourful cast of characters.

Yakzua: Dead Souls does look really nice too, particularly the character models and slick animation, although, symbolically, some of SEGA’s typical shine has been sucked out of the city by its rotting inhabitants who now shuffle around in search of human flesh. Incredibly, not even the army and has been able to stop the zombie invasion from spreading, which means there are only four men left capable of saving the town: “Mad Dog” Goro Majima, Shun Akiyama, Ryuji Goda, and former yakuza, Kazuma Kiryu.

         

As players progress through the game, they get to step into the shoes of all four characters and each one has his own favourite weapon. While Majima favours the shotgun, Akiyama duel wields pistols, Goda has a gatling gun for an arm and Kiryu prefers a rifle. Indeed, the martial arts fighting of previous Yakuza games has been totally cut-out and replaced with a more potent weapon set, while the freedom given in past games to explore has been totally dumbed-down with a far more linear set-up. Consequently, SEGA’s latest Yakuza effort is more arcade-styled action shooter than the action-based, RPG-flavoured adventure of previous games in the crime drama series.

             

Shotguns, assault rifles and pistols make way for heavier weaponry as players progress, including flamethrowers and chainsaws. However, despite the apparent abundance of variety, gameplay largely involves just pointing your firearm in the right direction, keeping finger on the trigger and letting auto-aim do its work against the zombie hordes.

That doesn’t make it any less fun, but it does mean Dead Souls lacks that strategic challenge players might get from more refined shooters. Here, it’s more about keeping on the move and making sure zombies don’t get too close, as well as simply running and gunning to mow down zombies and chaining together kills. The fact that players are given unlimited bullets with their first firearm is an indication that the emphasis here is firmly on arcade-like thrills and racking up kills at an incredible rate.

            

Zombie A.I. is fairly clever though and rarely do players have a chance to rest. There are more than a fair few “heart in your mouth” moments as the walking dead amble slowly toward players and then suddenly start running like lunatics leaving them back-peddling and frantically unloading their clip. They drop from the ceilings, emerge out of vents and generally prove to be a nuisance around every corner; though there is the option to avoid some of them totally in the more open spaces.

Dead Souls bursts out of that generic run-and-gun pattern on a few occasions and provides some real highlights thanks to the heat metre and special moves. Through killing zombies the metre fills up and allows players to trigger a variety of cool executions. Tap on ‘triangle’ when the metre is full and players lock into a short QTE sequence that might see them target some scaffolding to send it crashing down on a hungry horde, blow up a car’s fuel tank with a well-placed sniper shot, or electrocute a dozen zombies as they walk past a walk past a generator. These moments give Dead Souls a cinematic feel and a much-needed injection of variety beyond the repetitive bouts of zombie slaying.

Similarly, boss battles prove to be a welcome distraction from the hundreds of generic zombie-types that players encounter. Cry Babies, for instance, act as a spawn point for zombies and let out a blood curdling scream that knocks players back if they get to close, while the giant Meatheads may be slow on the move but deliver a powerful punch. There are some impressively designed creations among the bosses and part of the challenge involves dispatching these major threats while the zombie minions continue to attack.

Overall though, there isn't too much strategy involved other than pointing in the right direction, re-loading at the right times and keeping on the move. Poor camera angles can make some sections frustrating too as players inevitably will find themselves battling with the right analogue stick to bring the viewpoint back to a place where they can see all of the attacking hordes. There’s no way of switching targets either, it just automatically locks-on, so it really is all about just pointing, shooting and moving.

Away from the arcade-like nature of Dead Souls' gameplay is an EXP system that furnishes players with rewards. By killing enemies and collecting EXP, players level up, earn soul points and new abilities can be equipped, including a rapid reload and a break-away kick that gives players more of a fighting chance when surrounded by a horde. There’s also the ability to mod weapons and armour by collecting parts around the town and various sub-stories, shop liberation events and spec-ops directives to carry out away from the main quest-line.

Inevitably, these distractions involve getting from ‘A’ to ‘B’ killing zombies as per usual, but there’s some interesting interactions away from the main campaign that should appeal to fans of the other Yakuza games. And old-school Yakzua players may also relish the option to partake in some familiar mini-games, including darts, karoke and the SEGA arcade. It’s nowhere near as in-depth as past Yakuza titles, but it does serve to remind players that, despite this new direction, Dead Souls still retains some of its roots.

          

Nevertheless, none of these extras distract from the fact that Dead Souls boils down to not much more than shooting down hundreds of generic zombie-types, no matter what new abilities you gain. Though it’s certainly not going to win any awards for re-inventing the genre, or pick up much praises for the implementation of an in-depth combat system, it does have an emphasis on pick-up-play fun and, in that respect, it delivers.

Despite the repetition, killing zombies in such huge numbers is entertaining and the special moves and bosses provide some thrills along the way. Overall, Yakuza: Dead Souls is a pleasant/unpleasant distraction from the pace of the previous Yakuza games, yet something still tells us that these zombies won't be making a return to the crime drama franchise any time soon. And we're not too sad about that.
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5 reasons why the iPad 3 can't replace PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

As consumer demand changes, it’s conventional for developers to adapt their latest products by adding new features to appeal to as many potential buyers as possible. Having a Blu-ray player on PS3, for example, brought in movie watchers when BD players were expensive, while Apple cleverly fused multimedia options with general computer functionality for the iPad.

With the announcement of the iPad 3 last week, it was inevitable that Apple would step up its game once more and create a device that appeals to a broad consumer base. One way it plans to do this is by delivering a more core gaming experience. Some sections of the media have even gone as far as saying that the iPad 3 could be a replacement for conventional consoles. The iPad 3 can never replace a dedicated gaming console, and I have five topics from a consumer perspective that help prove it.

Console gamers demand higher quality games

Gamers have gaming consoles for one primary reason: they expect high quality games. Many gamers expect decent graphics, performance, and a solid multiplayer experience. Comparatively, games meant for devices like iPads and other tablets don't need to meet such a high set of values.

Tablet games are very generic in comparison to console games, even next to titles meant for dedicated handheld gaming devices, like the PlayStation Vita or the Nintendo 3DS. Bigger development teams are required for console games so that production is sharp and complex gameplay mechanics work as they should. The revenue generated by those games reflects the work.

     

Uncharted 3 on PS3 sets a benchmark for high quality gaming experiences

Tablet games don't have as much funding capability as many games on consoles do, because the development teams are so much smaller. As a result, since most tablet games are inheritably “simple,” these games are expected to be cheap as well. I'd like to use an example of an iPad game developed in the Mass Effect universe, called Mass Effect: Infiltrator.

It looks really good, but the game runs on a duck-and-cover system that doesn't allow free roaming through maps. So, funding a smaller team is much more appropriate for these types of games. Collectively, tablet games offer quick-fire entertainment that isn't as engrossing as the experience on a dedicated gaming console.

Tablet touchscreen can't replace a controller

We've seen plenty of shooters created on tablets, but they suffer from the same ailments: these games don't function nearly as well as their counterparts on gaming consoles or on PCs. So, it's unrealistic to believe that a tablet like the iPad will host games like Call of Duty or Elder Scrolls.

Having face buttons, especially for executing quick button combinations, makes for a much more streamlined process that's not intended for a touchscreen interface. I've seen role-playing games with two joysticks simulated on-screen for multi-touch devices, but it's still a very clunky experience. Having a physical face of buttons allows for the experience to be that much more immersive.

Tablet games made with the same mentality tend to require a lot of focus on simulated buttons that cover portions of the screen, which takes the immersion away from games in two ways: the inability to see, and the inability to fully focus. The iPad does have Bluetooth support, so maybe creating a portable peripheral for those who want it would be a compensative idea.

           

Prodding a touchscreen can never replace the control players have while clutching a gamepad

High turnover of product

Apple has had a major tendency of generating new hardware in a very short amount of time. That level of generation works for phones and tablets, but it doesn't work in the gaming industry. Development for games on consoles takes a minimum of 2-3 years, at least, and the iPad 2 has only been around for two years. In order to maximize the performance of the iPad, developers would have to acclimate to the hardware, generate an experience for gamers, and put out a quality product within a year. That task is both daunting and limiting. Major experiences like Metal Gear Solid or Mass Effect simply wouldn’t have the time and energy put into them that they deserve, which has been proven by the current duck-and-cover versions of their games currentlytheir games currently available for iOS devices.

Hosting product on iTunes is challenging

Getting an application, let alone a game, hosted on the iTunes App Store is something of a challenge. Unlike Android apps, iPad and iPhone apps require an approval process that passes the program directly in front of Apple representatives for approval rather than having the process open-sourced. I'm sure that a big developer could come in and have an app approved much faster than a single person developing a music player, but the App Store has leaned towards very clean and non-gory presentation for its applications and games. So, games that portray violent imagery, such as Call of Duty and Assassin's Creed, would never make their way to the iPad without a taming of the shrew, so to speak.

Non-gamers traditionally have iPads

More and more businessmen and women are buying iPads intended for work, more parents are buying them to remain in the loop, and more teenagers get them to stay on the edge of modern technology. The iPad is convenient and has a number of useful functions, but it’s unlikely to be advertised as a gaming medium in the same way as consoles. The iPad is a clever multi-purpose device, and the gaming aspect of it is stapled onto the back-end for those who want games on-the-go. Essentially, in order for Apple to sell games for the iPad at the cost a high-quality game would require to develop, Apple would have to advertise the iPad 3 much more effectively.

Consoles have a major advantage in the gaming industry, since they were made solely for great quality games, and the iPad 3 certainly needs an all-round better specification to replace conventional gaming. It's not hard to believe that the iPad 3 will change the current iPad 2 gaming experience, but it won't thwart the sales and issuing of consoles and their games.

Immersive experiences are what console gamers want, and the iPad series hasn't delivered anything close to what a console, and its development teams, can do. Plus, with the next generation of consoles "incoming," talk of the iPad 3 as a powerful gaming device will be short-lived in the gaming industry.
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Tango Gameworks debut title out no earlier than 2013

ZeniMax Media overlord Toru Takahashi has revealed that Tango Gamework’s first project won’t be released until 2013 at the very earliest.

Tango was formed by Resident Evil father Shinji Mikami two years ago, and was later snapped up by ZeniMax in October 2010. According to Mikami-san, the mystery title is due to be his last as director.

Details on the new game are being kept under wraps, though Mikami did let slip that it’ll utilize an outside engine, albeit one that is heavily optimised to function like an internal one.

Tango Gameworks currently employs 65 staff, with Mikami noting he doesn't want that number to exceed the 100 mark. In fact, the developer reckons the fewer staff involved in a game, the better.

Stay tuned to PSU.com for more details.Quantcast
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Wednesday, March 14, 2012

New Assassin's Creed III details surface

Fresh details on Assassin’s Creed III have surfaced via Game Informer, confirming the inclusion of changing seasons in the stealthy stab-‘em-up sequel.

According to the publication, every location in the game will be playable in both summer and winter variations. However, there’s more to it than just aesthetical differences, as the behaviour of NPCs will differ depending on the season, as will the actions available to you.

For example, snow and ice block and open up new pathways to take, and while the elements may cause obstructions for NPCs, hero Conner can take to the trees to navigate the icy conditions. Just as well too, as one third of the game will be set during the wilderness.

In terms of historical characters, Benjamin Franklin will be featured in the game, where he’ll be caught up in the political shenanigans of the time. George Washington meanwhile plays an integral role, with Ubisoft keen on depicting his indecisive side in addition to his heroic actions for the sake of historical accuracy.

As for Connor, he’ll meet up with Washington on a regular basis, and some of the gameplay in AC III will take place during our hero’s youth in a Mohawk village.

Assassin’s Creed III is due out on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on October 31, 2012. A PC and Wii U version will follow at a later date.Quantcast
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No plans for new Sonic 4 episodes

Sonic Team has revealed there are no plans to make a third episode in the Sonic the Hedgehog 4 saga.

Sonic 4 debuted in 2010 for multiple platforms, with a second episode currently in development for a May 2012 release.

Episode II sees the Blue Blur teaming up with long-time chum Tails, as the duo make their way across a series of lush environments as they battle against the nefarious Dr. Eggman and Metal Sonic.

However, it seems this could be the last instalment in the series.

"We are looking forward to hearing the feedback from the users for Episode 2, but we are currently not planning to release another episode," producer Takashi Iizuka told Digital Spy.

"We just want to see how the users accept this episode."

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II will be released for PlayStation Network, Xbox Live Arcade, PC, iOS, Android and Windows Phone. Quantcast
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Ghost Recon: Future Soldier Signature Edition trailer

Ubisoft has lifted the wraps off a new trailer for Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, showcasing the tactical shooter’s swanky Signature Edition in action.

Check it out below.


Future Solider sees gamers squaring up against an ultra-nationalist force that has taken control of Russia and begun invading neighbouring countries. New to the table this time around includes the optical camouflage system, a prototype tech that makes your squad significantly more difficult for your enemies to see.

Ghost Recon: Future Soldier will deploy to retailers around the world in May 2012 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.Quantcast
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Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Tales of Graces f launch trailer

Namco Bandai has unveiled the official U.S. launch trailer for Tales of Graces f to celebrate the RPG’s release.

Check it out below.



Tales of Graces f is a PlayStation 3 port of the original Wii game released back in 2009. In addition to a new epilogue chapter, the game also throws in extra story scenes, enhanced visuals, new character costumes and fresh Blast Calibers.

The RPG will be released in Europe in summer 2012.Quantcast
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Battlefield 3 Close Quarters DLC trailer

Electronic Arts has lifted the curtains on a trailer for Battlefield 3’s upcoming Close Quarters expansion pack, depicting the new Ziba Tower map.

Check it out below.


Close Quarters, as the name implies, focuses on proximity battles and is the first of three new add-ons for the critically acclaimed military shooter. Close Quarters is scheduled for a June 2012 release, and will arrive on PlayStation 3 under one-week exclusivity before releasing on Xbox 360 and PC.Quantcast
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FIFA Street

For anyone with a competitive spirit, there are few things in life better than beating someone one-on-one. Sure, a team victory against bitter rivals is always reason to storm city streets—then again, you may find the same result if your team loses—but there’s something so much more special about a solo victory. That is, in part, the basis of EA Sports’ reboot of . It’s a game all about humiliating your opponents and strutting around the world like virtual rock stars. This is a team-based sports game, but it plays more like a one-on-one competition aimed at rewarding tricks, crazy goals, and making your opponents run home to their mommies for hot cocoa. But does this game have enough to keep you strutting for longer than a couple matches, or is it just a one trick pony?
The logical comparison for this game is EA Sports’ venerable FIFA football (soccer) series, but at times it plays more like a tricked-out NHL game given the small court size and how players seem to skate around the ground. It’s an odd combination of calculated style and precision passing, and a fast-paced turnover/recovery system. When you mash it all together, you get a game that serves a definite purpose—providing FIFA fans with a more stylized gameplay approach to the action—but ends up feeling a bit thin. That’s partially because games take minutes, goals are generally fast, and team management is minimal at best.
The release marks the first time the EA Sports FIFA development team (EA Canada) has created , and it shows in the gameplay and presentation. This looks like a scaled-down version of FIFA 12, and since it runs on the same Player Impact Engine, you’ll find players reacting relatively naturally in the gyms or on courts. But, that also means the engine turns players into ragdolls on a regular basis, and it’s not uncommon for players to trip up at the slightest touch. The animations look great, but it doesn’t always look natural. This is especially true when several players run into each other and create a dog pile of humans.
              
The gameplay focus is largely on individual skills. The controls are very similar to other FIFA games, with face buttons controlling pass, long passes, through passes, and shots, and R2 letting you sprint and L1 changing players on defense. If you’ve played any FIFA game, you’ll initially feel right at home. But if you think that’s enough to beat your opponents, prepare to lose. ‘s controls focus more on ball movement than other FIFA games. For example, you can tap R1 to flick up that ball and start to juggle, while L2 will stop the ball regardless of your player’s movements. The left analog stick still controls your player, but the right analog stick is tied to tricks and moving the ball around your body. This probably sounds pretty easy on a basic level, but there are a ton of tricks to learn, and it feels a lot different than FIFA 12. Even if you are used to performing tricks in FIFA 12, prepare for a much smoother, slower experience in . It’s a system that will initially seem easy enough and enjoyable, but you’ll quickly learn you need more practice when playing against someone who knows how to beat your defenders with a flick of the ball.
Playing defense is almost as fun as offense in , largely because it’s a game so dependent on the notion of humiliation, and there’s nothing better than humiliating someone that’s trying to humiliate you. Watch for better opponents to try to tip the ball over your head; simply take a step back with the left analog stick and you’ll gain control and can quickly spin around the humiliated challenger. It’s an enjoyable experience on a very basic level, but there are some issues with the gameplay mechanics and engine that offer a healthy dose of frustration.
             
There isn’t a lot of attention placed to your goalkeeper. This makes sense as the keeper is often switching between defense and attack when not on the net, but even when his primary focus is on the protecting the box, he’s slow and he’s slow and often unresponsive. You can order your keeper to rush the defender, which still works great, and EA carried over the auto contain defense system from FIFA 12. When the ball is in your keeper’s hands, be careful with where you throw it. On several occasions I thought I was throwing it to a teammate off in the corner, but I apparently mistimed or misplaced the pass as an opposing player simply sent a header into the back of the net.
Luckily there are several game modes to offer a little something different depending on what you enjoy. For example, there are more traditional matches like 5-a-side and 6-a-side, which serve as scaled-down versions of regular football with walls instead of out-of-bounds. Then there’s futsal, which is 5-on-5 indoor football without the walls. But the mode that best demonstrates the premise of FIFA Street—one-on-one humiliation—is Panna rules. In this mode each time you beat an opponent—meaning you find a way to get around them—you earn points. When you score, those points are added together to give you massive bonuses. This is a fun mode and one where you’ll likely find the best players showing off their skills.
All these modes take place in the general single-player experience, the World Tour. You’ll create a team, you can even import your friend’s players, and you’ll take your team to the streets, so to speak. As you can expect from a sports game, you’ll start off locally, then advance to regionally before attempting to dominate the world. You’ll gain experience points along your journey, and those points are spent to upgrade your team and player’s ability and even add new skills. This is nice addition for a sports game as you can control how your players progress. It’s not terribly deep, but there’s enough here to make some players stronger as defenders and others better as offense.
          
The game is best played with others, either online or locally. That’s because the A.I. is often unresponsive and just lazy. On several occasions I found my teammates standing around, behind a defender and just watching me trying to find an opening. Even when on defense your teammates act like cardboard cutouts, dazed as the offense walks the ball straight up the court. This is odd since FIFA 12, and most other sports games, have relatively responsive A.I. considering there is so much going on at once. But, it’s hard to find an excuse for poor A.I. when you are playing 5-vs-5.
         
There’s plenty here to keep the game social. You can capture video of your tricks and share them in game via Street Network. You’ll also find tournaments, challenges, and online seasons. You can compete in 5-a-side, 6-a-side and Futsal matches online. There are 15 divisions with 10 games a season. You’ll also find real life stars from Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Arsenal; in addition, you’ll find actual street football stars to compete with you in real-world tournaments. There are a ton of venues throughout the world, and EA did a great job of making it feel authentic to locations.
FIFA Street is a good attempt at bridging the gap between the realistic approach of traditional FIFA games, and the more over-the-top arcade style of past FIFA Street games. This is definitely a game built around fun and not around heavy management mini-games or extreme depth. If you are looking for a new football experience, FIFA Street is definitely perfect for you. While it is fun to learn new tricks, the better moves are likely too complex for casual fans to master, meaning many people aren’t going to appreciate the more subtle moments. If you can get past the poor A.I., occasionally frustrating goalkeeping, and controls that are just a bit slow, you’ll find a lot to like about FIFA Street.
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