E3 2010: Sony conference reveals Move details, Steam on PS3, PlayStation Plus

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(Runtime: 28 minutes)

Sony's press conference certainly ran a little bit too long for my taste, but it was much, much more entertaining and useful than Microsoft's trainwreck just a day earlier. If you're into audio rather than text, why not listen to our Sony press conference wrap-up podcast with me, Elliot, and Kit? Or, if you're a text guy/girl, head after the break to check out all of the details on the new PlayStation Move motion control accessory, the surprising announcement of the integration of digital distribution service Steam on PlayStation 3, and Sony's new Xbox Live-esque premium subscription service for PSN. Either way, it's sure to take less time than the actual conference.

As Nintendo wisely did with their press conference, Sony left one main presenter in charge of the proceedings, which was Jack Tretton, President of Sony Computer Entertainment America, in their case. Early on in the conference, Tretton discussed Sony's dedication to 3-D gaming, showcasing gameplay footage (and a Feburary 2011 release date) from Killzone 3. Most importantly, though, the PlayStation 3's 3-D capabilities will only work if you a) buy a 3-D television and b) buy 3-D glasses. With the unveiling of Nintendo's 3DS less than three hours prior, it was pretty difficult to take any claims of traditional 3-D seriously.

Speaking of major changes to the PS3, Sony simply wouldn't stop talking about PlayStation Move, the new motion control device that uses a glowing ball at the end of what is essentially a Wiimote to track movement in 3-D space. The Move wand itself will hit stores in the fall of this year: September 15 in North America, September 19 in Europe, and October 21 in Japan. In terms of pricing, I was surprised to see fully fleshed-out details from Sony, including prices for the wand ($49.99), the suspiciously-similar-to-the-Wii-Nunchuck "navigation controller" ($29.99), a bundle with the Eye camera, Move controller, and Sports Champions game ($99.99), and finally a bundle containing the contents of that bundle with a PS3 ($499.99).

Yes, that's right, you have to purchase three accessories — the wand, navigation controller, and Eye camera — to play a first-person shooter like, say, Killzone 3, with the Move. And as luck would have it, Killzone 3, Ruse, NBA 2K11, Time Crisis, and Echochrome will all have Move functionality on launch day, while games like Resident Evil 5 will receive software updates patching in the optional Move controls.

Sony is also now poised to offer a premium subscription service on the PlayStation Network (PSN) — called "PlayStation Plus" — that will provide "exclusive digital content" such as preferred early demos, discounts on products in the PSN store, early access to betas, and even some free game downloads. The service will cost $49.99 for a year and $17.99 for three months, very much like Microsoft's Xbox Live Gold service, but PSN gamers can still play online without subscribing to PlayStation Plus. PlayStation Plus will be available "later this month."

To promote their slate of third-party titles, Sony brought in EA Chief Operating Officer John Schappert, who announced "unprecedented support" for the PlayStation 3, including, um, "exclusive, limited-edition, PS3-only" versions of Dead Space 2 and the Medal of Honor reboot? That sounds pretty precedented if you ask me. After a few more trailers from EA, we were left with release dates for Dead Space 2 (January 25, 2011) and Medal of Honor (October 12, 2010) as well as confirmation of "unlockable beards" in the latter. Yes, my friends. He said UNLOCKABLE BEARDS.

Video Games | Portal 2 | E3 2010: You Monster Debut Trailer HD

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

Finally, the most important announcement of all to many gamers, even those who don't own PS3s: Gabe Newell of Valve stepped onto the stage and put down many of his gripes with the PS3 (while, I can only assume, simultaneously picking up a large bag of money) in order to announce that PC/Mac digital download system Steam will be launching on the PlayStation 3. We don't quite know how it's going to work, or even if your games purchased on PC will carry over to PS3, but we do know that Portal 2 will be coming out on it! The trailer shows some serious promise, but I'm going to need to see more before I'm sure if I'm interested or not.

In the balance of the conference, Sony managed to announce "PS3-exclusive day-one content for Mafia 2," a PS3-exclusive pack of missions and a November 16, 2010 release date for Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, a November 2, 2010 release date for Gran Turismo 5, and finally ... a new game in the Twisted Metal franchise on the PlayStation 3. Phew! Overall, the press conference felt much more disjointed than Nintendo's, since most of the announcements were cut up among multiple speakers and trailers, but it contained enough information to keep hardcore and casual audiences interested (at least until they fell into a coma from sitting way too long at one conference).

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For more news and commentary out of E3 2010, check out our E3 2010 label page.

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Review: Call of Duty - Modern Warfare 2 (360)

Medium: Console Video Game
Genre: First Person Shooter
Designer: Jason West
Developer: Infinity Ward
Publisher: Activision
Version Reviewed: Xbox 360 retail (also available on PS3 and PC)
Release Date: November 10, 2009
Rated: M for Mature

In any review of this, the newest iteration of the Call of Duty franchise, we have an interesting dilemma at our hands. You see, the game has been divided up into three sections: we have the campaign, we have Special Ops (SpecOps) mode, and finally we have the muliplayer. For now let's start of with the campaign.

Our story starts five years after the original story of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare took place. A new dictator, Makarov, has risen to power after the defeat of the dictators in the original game. It's at about this juncture that we get to the “No Russian” mission that has received so much controversy.

In order to get the support of the Russian people, Makarov, begins to slay the people in an airport – killing thousands. You play his right hand man, an undercover member of the US Task Force 141. You then get framed for all of the deaths causing a war between Russia and the US. This is definitely a controversial subject for most, but very few gamers have actually complained about it. Also, the media seems to have cut off it pretty quickly; Grand Theft Auto IV, by comparison, still causes controversies to this day, nearly two years after its original release.

Anyway, “No Russian” aside, Modern Warfare 2’s campaign is an incredible sight to behold. The physics engine is one of the best I've seen in years, and the amount of detail in many objects is truly remarkable. Plus, there is nothing better than seeing an AI crouch behind a drywall divider and watching him collapse due to your bullets going right through it.

The plot of the game is a bit lacking, though. Yes, you have to fight off waves of invading Russian soldiers from the White House and Captiol but it's one of those things. They just as easily could have stuck the characters in any order city on the eastern seaboard and had it be just as interesting. As it were, the missions away from the US are significantly more enjoyable, probably because the designers were able to have a bit of fun developing their own unique places. Even in the US, placing the missions in random “Genericville” was a much better option.

The other problem with the story is the absence of the “wow” factor. It's great to have a big shocking event, but when it's three or four times during a game it really loses its value. Not to mention (Spoiler Alert!) the ending is one big quick time event. Yep, you get great gameplay with an above average storyline and they ruin it with a massive quick time event.

The sound of the game is very immersive, but I'm finding sound to be one of those things that it has to be good or the game is just going to be bad outright. The voice acting is superb and the soundtrack is somewhere between Halo on the high side and Fallout on the low side.

The gameplay itself isn't different from the first game. All the buttons do the same thing they've always done , and the game has the same “very easy to learn, hard to master” type of gameplay. There are also four different levels of difficulty, from Beginner to Veteran. The problem is that the game (even on a high difficulty) is only about 2 to 3 hours long and you can cruise by this game on a lower difficulty.

So. now let's look at SpecOps. This is new to the Modern Warfare games and is a very fun mode to play with friends. Basically, as either a one- or two-man group, you can play through certain Special Ops missions that relate to campaign settings. The only is that this is the only co-op part of this game – a real bummer to a person like me who loves to play with his friends.

Finally, we have the multiplayer a.k.a. "bait for seven year olds and the 20+ people who hate them." Seriously, every game I played online, I had a little kid yelling at my team on how we all sucked. Meanwhile, the kid’s gotten five kills and 24 deaths during the game. But I'm the one who sucks? ...

"For the record" this is a great game and one you should go out and get. However, I'd like to point out that, since Modern Warfare 2's release, there aren't nearly as many five-year-old brats playing Halo 3.

great.

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Brutal Legend DLC is coming, and quick

So just a few weeks after release, EA is already scrambling the jets to help out the multiplayer aspect of Brütal Legend.

According to EA's site, a new mulitplayer map pack is due out November 3, 2009 for Xbox 360 owners and will cost 400 Microsoft Points. PS3 owners get theirs on November 5, when it will be available for free download for about 2 weeks before it is officially sold for $4.99 on PSN. Named "Tears of the Hextadon," this map pack will feature two new maps – “Circle of Tears” and “Death's Fjord” – and a new axe for players to battle with. Sounds pretty good, right...?

Well, let's look at the facts. This does increase the number of multiplayer maps available in game. However, the map count only increases from six to eight. The new axe might be an improvement, but the teams are what really need work, not the weapons.

I don't plan on getting this expansion. Like I said in my review, there is not much replay value in the game and all of the maps are really similar. My loathing of these maps is made even stronger by the knowledge that most map packs for games give so much more than just two maps and a modified weapon. The fact that this is also going for dirt cheap probably means that the multiplayer engagement in Brutal Legend is falling fast. Don't expect to see much more out of Brütal Legend unless EA and Double Fine put their heads together and really try to fix the game's major shortcomings with this game.

[via G4's The Feed]

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Sony denies PS3 redesign despite rumors, photos

The world of video games goes haywire around E3, and this year is no different. As such, Sony is trying to keep a tight lid on any rumors coming out about their video game platforms and games, including the big-time speculation over a possible redesign of their ailing PS3 platform. However, Sony told CVG yesterday that "We currently don't have any plans for a redesigned PS3." The outlet was quick to take Sony's word and dismiss the idea of a redesign coming so early in the console's life cycle (released in 2006 after all), but 1UP has got a rumor that puts Sony's quote into question.

According to a Chinese message board, the picture to the right is the official box for the newly branded "PS3" (no longer the full "Playstation 3"), which would seem to sport a new, slimmer redesign. The source claims that the images come from a Chinese factory, and they look real enough. Even so, don't be fooled by a realistic fake, since Sony will be sure to confirm this near-finished design at E3 if it really is happening.

Check out the rest of the allegedly leaked factory images after the break, but – as always – bring along your ten-ton grain of salt.

[via 1UP and CVG]

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PS Home beta launches amid... no hype whatsoever

Earlier this week, we announced that Sony's Playstation Home beta would be released at some point this month. Two days later, Sony let everybody know that the beta would be launching... the next day. If a Sony executive is reading this, allow me to direct your attention to a certain console that used a similar strategy a couple of years ago. Perhaps you will notice how stunning its sales were.

As such, the Playstation Home launch was also plagued with problems. Until 10PM on December 11 (around six hours after the official launch), very few people were able to download or log into Home due to unknown errors. By December 12, most of the bugs were sorted out, but by that time the hype around the launch had already faded. Sound like another high-profile Sony release? At this rate, it looks like Home will also go "the way of the Sackboy."

Regardless, if you're a Playstation 3 owner with some time to kill, make sure that you try out Home. Ineffective release or not, there are people to meet, games of Warhawk to play, and victims to quincy.

[via Joystiq]

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Playstation Home open beta to launch this month

As hard as it might be to believe, Sony Computer Entertainment of America's Playstation Home director Jack Buser confirmed today that the open beta stage of Sony's Sims-esque social interface - Home - would be launching on the Playstation 3 this month. Nope, he didn't say "this month, next year" (i.e. December 09), he actually confirmed that Home is on its way by the end of the 2008 calendar year. Disgruntled Playstation 3 owners (or soon-to-be-owners come the holidays) will undoubtedly be delighted to finally be able to try out the feature after over a year of delays and broken promises from Sony.

While there is definitely a lot to celebrate about for Playstation 3 players, it's still rather troubling that the open beta stage is the furthest that Sony has gotten so far. Home was originally announced in March of 2007 with a rough launch date of October 2007. It has been over a year, and the OPEN BETA (not the final version) is just reaching us right now. If anything, the development time was likely lengthened both to improve Sony's lacking online infrastructure and to combat Microsoft's Xbox Live updates in the New Xbox Experience. Sony will certainly need to do something to quell Microsoft's sizeable grip on online gaming.

Perhaps Home will be just the weapon to defeat the Xbox Army, but count this blogger among the skeptics.

[via Joystiq]

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LittleBigPlanet releases, sequel is... confirmed?

When LittleBigPlanet opened its virtual doors this past Monday, Media Molecule decided that it was a good time to announce that they weren't done with the highly-anticipated Playstation 3 title. According to the BBC, LittleBigPlanet's developers are "already at work on a sequel." No other information was given, but clearly there are plans to bring this game beyond a one-shot title. Not only this, but Media Molecule's Alex Evans also let slip that LBP could become a "franchise that could mean spin offs including comics, cartoons, and action figures." Chew on that, Molyneux!

[via BBC]

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Up for Download: 09.22.08 Edition

I’ve got to say, it’s an epic week for downloadable titles, a week worthy to follow in the wake of the truly epic Cho Aniki release a few weeks prior. While Mega Man 9 certainly steals the show on PSN and WiiWare – don’t worry XBLA yours is coming next week – there are still a plethora of interesting titles to behold from all the consoles. So lets just jump right in, we’ve got a lot to cover.

Duke Nukem 3D (XBLA, 800 Points): I remember playing this game as a kid on my Macintosh Performa 550 and it ran like an interactive slide show, clocking in at what seemed like 2 frames per second. Well now I’ve been given a second chance to chew ass and kick bubblegum – and I’m all outta’ ass – thanks to 3D Realms.

With all the great alien slaughtering of the original, 8 player co-op, and the ability to record in-game video, Duke Nukem 3D should help wet our appetites for both Duke Nukem Forever and the unfortunate Duke Nukem movie.

Vectorman (VC, 800 Points): Released back in 1995 by BlueSky Software for the Sega Genesis, Vectorman was sort of Sega’s answer to Nintendo’s Donkey Kong Country as they were both games that looked phenomenal at the time.

However, history has shown that it was Donkey Kong Country’s masterful level design that bumped this sleek, green robot from the spotlight. Vectorman would later make his return in Vectorman 2 a year later, but would then go dark soon after. For you long-time Genesis fans out there, this one’s for you.

Burnout Paradise (PSN, $29.99): As we reported back in August, the team at Criterion Games is bringing their open-world racing title, Burnout Paradise, to the digital distribution market via PSN. This announcement has cased a bit of a stir within the gaming press centered around that fact that if digital distribution such as this really begins to take hold then where does that leave outlets like GameStop who thrive on selling used games?

The release will also include, for free, all of the additional content that has been added to the game so far, including the motorcycles update that hit last week. Burnout Paradise is a title that has received a lot of mixed reactions for its non-linear take on racing, but no matter where you fall, for 30 bucks, you just can't pass this on up.

Mega Man 9 (WiiWare/PSN, 1,000 Points/$9.99): Time to step into the Way-Back Machine and revisit the late 1980s, when Mega Man 2 was on top – before it slid from grace into its cookie-cutter formula. Recapturing the 8-bit visuals, 8-bit music, and 8-bit grab you by the cohunes difficulty it what Capcom has been aspiring to with their latest true Mega Man release since Mega Man 8 on the PS1.

To those who step up to the challenge of Mega Man 9, you can expect a hardy portion of bottomless pits, spike traps, and Game Over screens to be sent your way. And with some planned DLC on the way, the pain just keeps on coming!

[via Game|Life, Joystiq, 1UP]

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Media Molecule may recruit LBP contributors

In an interview with CVG, Pete Smith, producer of the upcoming Little Big Planet, revealed that he and the rest of development team Media Molecule would be watching the community closely with the intent of possibly hiring creative level designers. In the interview, Smith addresses concerns that if Media Molecule were to recruit someone from the community that their creations would suddenly have a price tag on them. Smith explains that "If a user becomes known as being great at making levels, I can't say we wouldn't but I don't think we'd want to take his level and then charge people for it, because it's free - that's the whole premise of the game."

Smith then goes on to offer an alternative solution, stating "I think if we were going to do that we'd rather get the top ten guys and commission them to make some amazing stuff for us.” He then adds “We'll be watching [the community] closely, because it'll be a great way for us to recruit great new designers." So there you have it folks. Think you’ve got what it takes to impress the boys and girls at Media Molecule? I guess you’ll just have to wait and see when Little Big Planet hits retail later this year.

[via PS3 Fanboy]

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LGC08: Left 4 Dead delayed until late November

Valve and Turtle Rock’s survival-horror FPS, Left 4 Dead, has now been bumped back from its previous release date of November 4th in North America to November 20th. This news comes by the way of Valve’s president Gabe Newell who, in a video interview with the German gaming site Gamekings, confirmed the new release date while also offering no insight as to why this decision was made.

Valve has always been known for its “when it’s ready” release mentality, though some believe that the delay may have to do with a possible PS3 port of the title. In an interview with CVG, Doug Lombardi, Valve’s marketing vice president, states that there is a “50-50” chance of the title coming to the PS3. He follows up by saying: "There's zero chance of [Left 4 Dead on PS3] happening this year. It's something that's being talked about right now as the game is gaining popularity and looking like it's going to be a hit."

It’s not all bad news, though; be sure to check out the new trailer from the Leipzig Games Convention after the break!

[via 1UP]

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Fallout 3 dated for October

Bethesda Game Studios, Fallout 3’s developer, has confirmed that their post-apocalyptic action RPG will be hitting retail in North America on October 28th, 2008 and in Europe on October 31st, 2008 for the 360, PS3, and PC. The game has come under some fire recently from the Australian OFLC ratings bureau who denied the game a rating, effectively banning the title from retail, for the referencing of drug use in the game. Bethesda has since decided to cut those references, resubmitted the game to the OFLC, and met with its approval.

Vlatko Andonov, Bethesda's president, has high hopes for the success of Fallout 3, stating: "We are very excited to let gamers get their hands on Fallout 3, the latest chapter in this beloved and highly acclaimed franchise. To meet the huge demand for this title by our fans worldwide, we are planning one of the biggest launches of any game released this year."

[via Opposable Thumbs]

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Silent Hill Homecoming coming to PC, brings delay [EDIT 1]

Konami announced today that their fifth installment to the Silent Hill franchise, Silent Hill Homecoming, will not only be available on PS3 and 360 on day one, but on PC as well. Homecoming, which is being handled by the newly formed western developer Double Helix, will be made available through the Steam digital distribution service. This announcement has lead some to speculate that this is reason behind the delay in the game’s release from September to sometime in November.

With the amount of change that the Silent Hill game mechanics are undergoing this announcement doesn’t come as too big of a surprise. Developer Double Helix has already expressed their intent to maintain the disturbing ascetic of the previous games, while simultaneously revamping the game’s combat controls to reflect the main character’s combat experience. And after five other very similar titles, perhaps a little change won’t be such a bad thing.

EDIT 1: OH SNAP! As reported by 1UP, Tomm Hulett, Silent Hill Homecoming's producer, is confirming that the game's release date is still set for September 30th in North America. The November release date only applies for the European release.

[via PS3 Fanboy]

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Editorial: Blu-ray to prove viable for PS3’s success

Ever since its release, skepticism has shrouded Sony’s PS3 and the viability of its Blu-ray drive. The Blu-ray format is essentially the evolution of today’s DVD. With high definition televisions rapidly becoming standard in many of today’s households, the demand for HD movies and games has increased as well. Media that is displayed in high definition requires a much higher storage capacity in order to be contained on a single disc. This is essentially where the difference between Blu-ray and DVD can be found. A standard dual-layer DVD can hold approximately 8.7 GB of data while a Blu-ray can hold about 50 GB. While there is no doubt a substantial difference between the two formats, we find ourselves questioning the necessity of so much space on a single disc.

Let’s take a look at Grand Theft Auto 4, an ambitiously large game that runs flawlessly on both DVD and Blu-ray formats. When looking at such an enormous game that comfortably fits on a single DVD, one begins to wonder if additional space is needed. After all, do gamers really need games larger than GTA4?

With that in mind let’s consider the PS3’s flagship game, Metal Gear Solid 4. According to game developer Hideo Kojima, MGS4 fills up an entire Blu-ray disc. That means it would require nearly 6 DVDs to run on the Xbox 360, which unlike the PS3 contains only a standard DVD drive. A game like Metal Gear Solid 4 requires such a large data capacity because of the cinematic experience it seeks to provide. Containing over 10 hours of cutscenes and one of the most technically impressive visual and audio performances to date, it is no surprise Kojima needed all 50 GB of data.

Another, more recent game that makes use of the storage capacity of Sony’s Blu-ray format is Rage, an upcoming title by id Software. According to company spokesman John Carmack, the Xbox 360 version of the game will require 3 DVDs while the PS3’s single Blu-ray disc will suffice. The clincher here is that the production of three discs will require a “royalty fee” that id Software is unwilling to pay. As a result, the Xbox 360 version must be compressed into 2 discs, resulting in a version inferior to the PS3.

This increasing need for Blu-ray has not only been apparent within the gaming realm. The triumph of Blu-ray over HD DVD has been a huge win for Sony and the PS3. With the high definition video format in their back pocket, Sony’s console has become more appealing than ever. As the bar for quality rises among both games and movies, the demand for more storage capacity will continue to increase, making Sony’s console much more “future proof” than the competition.

So while it may not be immediately apparent that Blu-ray is a necessary format, down the road the quality of games will undoubtedly increase – along with their data size. While Microsoft provides an experience that caters to the public’s current expectations, Sony works to push the envelope further and deliver what gamers want for the future.

The original PlayStation introduced the CD format into the gaming world and became the highest selling console of its generation. Likewise, its successor the PS2 trounced its competition by being the first to utilize the DVD format. This time around the format of choice is Blu-ray and if Sony plays their cards right, history is destined to repeat itself.

[via Videogamer.com]

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LGC08: A Sony hardware triple-decker

Sony Computer Entertainment of America had three big hardware announcements to make today during the Games Convention in Leipzig (abbr. LGC), Germany. First was the announcement of the "PSP-3000," which is the second redesign of the PSP thus far. This latest model, while still looking very similar to the other two models, is said to include a brighter LCD screen which should help visibility in light places as well as provide more dynamic colors and a higher contrast ratio. Also included is a new microphone which will allow for multiplayer communication and Skype calls.

The new PSP will be bundled first with the upcoming Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters game available in October of this year for $199.99, and will be released on its own for $169.99 later this year.

Second is the announcement of the wireless PS3 keypad, which will connect to the top of your SIXAXIS or Dualshock 3 controller. This new device will be Bluetooth compatible and will feature hotkeys which will take you to the XrossMediaBar. Expect to see the keypad hit retail this November along such community focused titles as LittleBigPlanet and Playstation’s Home. A price has not yet been announced.

Last but not least is the announcement of the new 160GB SKU of the Playstation 3. The new console will be available as a limited-edition bundle package with Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, a Duelshock 3 controller, and a voucher for a copy of Pain on PSN. All of this will be made available in North America this November and will retail for $499.99

[via GameDaily]

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Valkyria Chronicles Arriving Stateside Nov. 11th

Last week, Sega announced that Valkyria Chronicles, a tactical RPG set in a fictional 1930s Europe, will be gracing American PS3s this coming November. This PS3 exclusive, which has already been released in Japan since April, has been receiving a lot of positive buzz for both its art book style, cel-shaded graphics and its wide array of combat mechanics – which have you both managing large forces as well as controlling individual units.

In addition to the release date, Sega also announced that the game will feature both English and Japanese voice tracks. “We translated it directly,” says Christopher Kaminski, Valkyria Chronicles’ Associate Producer, in an interview with Siliconera. “We wanted to stay true to the original. As a matter of fact we keep the original Japanese in there.”

Since its release, Chronicles has seen some downloadable content come its way. When asked about whether this extra content will make it to America as well, Kaminski simple replied that such content will not be on the game disk itself. If you haven't already, be sure to look this one up!

[via 1UP]

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Electronic Arts and Grasshopper Manufacture team up

Yesterday, Electronic Arts announced plans to partner up with Grasshopper Manufacture (Killer7, No More Heroes) to release an unnamed horror game for the PC, PS3, 360, and Wii. In addition, the title will be produced by Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami, directed by Goichi "Suda51" Suda, and will involve Q Entertainment (Lumines, Meteos) in some capacity. Details are still scarce at the moment but, as IGN points out, this title could be “Kurayami,” a horror game that Grasshopper Manufacture announced for the PS3 two years ago.

In the press release, representatives from EA and Grasshopper Manufacture expressed their excitement at the chance to work with the other. In particular Frank Gibeau, President of the EA Games Label, states that: "It is an honor for EA to sign Grasshopper Manufacture and help bring their new franchise to gamers worldwide…Grasshopper Manufacture is a world-class studio and, within the EA partner program, they stand alongside some of the world's most revered independent studios." So now, as noted by Joystiq, we’re talking about a franchise...

[via Wii Fanboy]

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On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness Slides onto PSN

Gabe and Tycho’s action/RPG title, Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, is now slated for release on the Playstation Network and will be arriving later this autumn. The announcement came from developer Hothead Games, who also stated their intent to release the upcoming episodes along the same pricing structure as with XBLA.

Penny Arcade Adventures has enjoyed a modest critical and commercial success since is debut on the 360 and later on the PC through Steam. With a PSN release, this bizarre mash-up of offbeat humor and 1920's pulp action hopes to further extend that success even further.

[via CVG]

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Sony's E3 2008 Conference Highlights

President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment of America, Jack Tretton, spoke today at the Sony E3 press conference in Los Angeles. The focus of his presentation was less on game announcements and more focused on the new features of the PS3 and PSP. With 2008 being hailed as the year of the PS3, lets take a closer look at the information given at this event. Starting with video games, most of the games shown where in the form of a brief montage grouped off by console. Here's what was shown:

Resistance 2 (PS3): hailed as the biggest FPS of this year, the demo for Resistance 2 was all about scale. 8 player online co-op, 40 player multiplayer, massive levels, massive bosses, you get the idea.

Little Big Planet (PS3): an interesting and well executed showing of LBP had one of the game’s characters, Sack Boy, running through a custom-made level while highlighting the speaking points that Jack Tretton was discussing at the same time. October 2008 set as the release date.

Buzz: Quiz Show (PS3): more of the same, slated for a September 2008 release.

DC Universe Online (PS3): an MMORPG for the PS3 and PC, very little actual information was given, save for the fact that you can be either a hero or villain. No release information given.

God of War III (PS3): a brief trailer was shown, no gameplay footage however. Release date set for sometime next year.

Infamous (PS3): this dark superhero title is set for a Spring 2009 release date.

MAG (Massive Action Game) (PS3): the last game shown at the Sony event, MAG is an online FPS which supports a whopping 256 players divided up into 8 teams. Skill trees for individual characters were mentioned, as well as a progressive campaign mode. Release information was missing.

PS3 Game Montage: Quantum of Solace, MGS4, Socom: Confrontation, Ghostbusters, SCIV, The Agency, Naruto: Storm, Mirror’s Edge, Resident Evil 5, SingStar, Guitar Hero: World Tour, NBA08: The Inside, Killzone 2. These titles are all said to be coming later this year.

Resistance Retribution (PSP): a brief trailer was shown which had you controlling your hero in a third-person perspective. The game was dated for Spring 2009.

PSP Game Montage: Patapon 2, LocoRoco 2, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, Madden 09, NBA09: The Inside, Super Stardust Portable, Lego Batman, Buzz: Master Quiz, and Valkaria Chronicles. These titles are coming between this and next year.

Ratchet and Clank Future: Quest for Booty (PSN): this expansion for the original R&C Future will be available for download from the PSN store this summer for $14.99.

PSN Game Montage: Crash Commandos, Fat Princess, Pixeljunk: Eden, Pain: Amusement Park, Flower, Siren: Blood Curse, Ragdoll Kung Fu: Fists of Plastic. No general release information given.

PS2 Game Montage: Madden 09, Tiger Woods 09, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, Warriors Orochi, SingStar: Pop Star 2, Yakuza 2, Madden XX, Mercenaries 2. These games, Tretton said 130 PS2 games total, will be release in 2008.

Also announced during the conference was the formation of the PS3 Greatest Hits series. Greatest Hits titles will retail for $29.99.

Tretton also spoke at length about the streamlining process Sony has been doing with their PSN network. Now you will have only a single PSN log-in account to take you anywhere in the service whether you’re on your PC, PS3, or PSP.

Also unveiled for the PSN was a new video distribution service. This service will allow PS3 owners to rent or buy movies or TV shows on their PS3 in either HD or stand definition. Content that you’ve purchased can also be viewed on the PSP. (Ed: America's largest anime distributor, FUNimation, is listed as one of the partners bringing videos to the service)

A new pay-per-view automotive enthusiast channel was also announced as part of Gran Turismo V: Prologue. The service starts August 1st and will available within PSN, presumably, for the owners of GTV: Prologue.

The $399.99 80GB PS3 was also officially announced and is coming later this year.

Phew, that was a lot to cover, but now the big three are finished. It’s been an interesting E3 to follow thus far, with more to come both today and tomorrow. Personally, I’m going to go enjoy a little break from all the news and go play some games!

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Review: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3)

Genre(s): Action, Stealth
Director: Hideo Kojima
Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
Console(s): PS3
Rated: M for Mature

It is a rare occurrence when a video game has the ability to move a person in a way much like the films of today. In 1998 video game director Hideo Kojima blurred the line between game and movie with the release of his first masterpiece, Metal Gear Solid. Nearly ten years later, this now ancient PlayStation title has spawned three direct sequels and a number of spin-offs. Claimed to be the series' "swan song," Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots provides an immersive experience that not only raises the bar for its in-game storytelling and technical proficiency, but also boasts the ability to emotionally affect and change the player's worldview.

The Metal Gear Solid series has always been close to my heart, and the fourth iteration is no exception. By nature I am not all that competitive; for me video games are a means to relax and unwind after a long day. What I look for in a game is a good story; one that sticks with me long after the game is over. One might have difficulty understanding why I look to a video game instead of a movie for good narrative and a solid plot. However, what they don't understand is that there is an additional layer of immersion within a story that only a video game can provide.

Metal Gear Solid 4 delivers on this level and provides a gripping story up to par with today's Hollywood blockbusters. From fleshed out characters to underlying moral agendas, this game has got it all. And if any complaint were to be made, it would be that this game relies too much on story driven cut-scenes to progress the plot. Personally, I have no problem setting my controller aside and watching some of the game's most impressive cut-scenes. This, however, is not for everyone. The game itself took me over twenty hours to complete and approximately half of that time was dominated by in game cinemas. Regardless, rhere is an option for those who do not care to watch the scenes to skip past them and get right into the gameplay.

Speaking of gameplay, MGS4 improves on its predecessors dramatically. The one gripe I had always had with the Metal Gear series was its outdated and often frustrating gameplay. Konami scrapped the old-school overhead view, and "westernized" the camera and controls. It is important to note that while the gameplay is vastly improved, it still takes some time getting used to. The controls, while streamlined, are still quite complex and require a bit of a learning curve to overcome. While somewhat complex, this level of complexity is absolutely necessary, as MGS4 opens an endless number of ways to play the game. From straight-up stealth to first person run-and-gun, the way you play is completely up to you. There is a plethora of different weapons, and the ability to customize each weapon to your liking encourages the gamer to replay the game a number of times to experience all this game has to offer.

What gripped me more than anything was the level of presentation; I have never seen such a polished game experience. Riddled with traces of Japanese humor, dramatic fight scenes and over the top plot twists, this game will have you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The entire game is run on the in-game engine and each cut-scene seamlessly transitions into gameplay. The game itself is broken into five self-contained acts spanning five vastly different locales, pushing the PS3's power to its limits. The game itself fills up an entire Blu-Ray disc, an equivalent of over six DVDs! The graphics and sound compete with the likes of Uncharted and Gears of War.

This game is art. Kojima once again pushes the envelope, essentially redefining the video game medium. You will come away from this game changed. There has been much talk as to what defines the next generation of videogames, but I'm telling you that this game is the ushering in of a new generation of games. If you are hungry for a solid narrative and an immersive experience, go out and buy this game now. You will not be disappointed.

Metal Gear Online:
In addition to the fantastic single player, MGS4 includes Metal Gear Online, a place where you can test your stealth skills against other gamers around the globe. Boasting a number of different game types and the same great gameplay found in the single player, there is much for fans to love. Unsurprisingly however, this multiplayer component is no Halo or Call of Duty. The registration process alone reminds you why Xbox Live is still leaps and bounds over the PlayStation Network. Regardless, there is still fun to be had here.

Graphics/Sound:		4.0		Average: (4.0 stars)
Gameplay:		4.0
Design/Story:		4.0
Lasting Appeal:		4.0
Overall:		4.0

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Final Fantasy XIII's presence at E3 remains a mystery

With the recent news that Microsoft will now be the exclusive home to a number of Square-Enix RPGs, PS3 owners are counting on the impending success that Final Fantasy XIII will eventually bring. The PS2 was the source for nearly all the Japanese RPGs of last generation, but with the rising success of the Xbox 360 and Microsoft's determination to gain more exclusives, the PS3's lineup is looking rather thin.

However, according to a PlayStation fansite (Talk Playstation.com) PS3 owners need not fret because Square-Enix is 'likely' to bring more footage of the eagerly anticipated FFXIII along with its equally respected counterpart, FFXIII Versus to E3. The site also states that it is very possible that such footage will include a demo that will showcase the new gameplay that XIII will bring to the series. Unfortunately Square shot down such speculation stating that they have no plans of showing such a demo at this year's E3.

That does not mean however that Final Fantasy XIII will be absent from the show altogether. In fact, it is highly likely that the game will be shown in some form or another. Regardless, Sony needs to recognize the importance of the role-playing genre to the PlayStation brand and provide their customers with a library that will satisfy fans.

[via Talk Playstation.com]

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