Return to the role of King Corobo as you take full advantage of the PlayStation Vita system, featuring upgraded 2D and 3D visuals, intuitive touch controls, including the PlayStation Vita system rear touch pad. Enjoy a myriad of newly added online features including downloadable content, item combining co-operative play, and online leaderboards.
The game’s events actually take place before other games in the series, so don’t go looking for Nathan Hale. Instead, you’ll control firefighter Tom Riley, who becomes an unlikely hero battling against the first invasion wave of the Chimera. After seeing his family off to safety and barely surviving an encounter, he finds himself teaming up with a rebellion faction to strike back – while at the same time striving for an opportunity to reunite with his loved ones.
While the campaign doesn’t tell the most compelling of stories, it does set the stage for plenty of firefights with Chimeran soldiers and big, bad enemies strewn throughout. And though it lacks the tank and turret sequences of previous games, there’s no shortage of action in Burning Skies. You’ll get a feel for the familiar weapons in mere seconds, switching through them with a helpful weapon wheel, so you can always have something on the draw.
The gameplay teeters between typical function with the dual sticks and face buttons and the touch sensors on the Vita. Controlling your character with the sticks is quite smooth, and the face and trigger buttons react with very few problems. As for the touch stuff, it’s a little tricky in spots. Having to tap the touch sensors on the back of the system to run is kinda weird, though understood since Nihilistic, the game’s developer, didn’t want to clutter the main touch screen with too many functions. Also, grenade throwing takes getting used to, as you have to drag the grenade icon to the trajectory you want to throw the grenade. In the heat of battle, this might prove a little more difficult than it looks.
Other than those minor issues, the touch screen controls work great. The melee function, which uses a cool fire axe, makes for perfect one-hit kills on Chimerans, and some of the weapon effects are cool, like having to wind up a crossbow with an explosive charge or using the Bullseye to lock onto an enemy.
Once you finish the campaign (which will take a few hours), you can log on to the PlayStation Network for online competition, in the form of deathmatch and Survival sessions. Deathmatch is okay, but if you want pure excitement, go to Survival, as you’ll find the odds turning against you as fellow soldiers fall and turn into Chimerans. If you survive the match, you win, plain and simple. While there are hitches in frame rate and the time it takes to start a match, the online battles run efficiently enough that it shouldn’t be too much of a bother.
Visually, Resistance: Burning Skies may not have the muster to live up to previous PS3 efforts (it is a different development team, after all), but there are moments of sparkle that really light up the Vita screen. Some of the weapon effects are outstanding; bigger Chimeran enemies really stand out; and explosions rock the screen. Some of the human models could’ve been done better, but overall, this is a fairly good 3D shooter that holds its own on the platform. If there’s any sort of problem, it’s with the audio, as the weapon effects aren’t as meaty as they could’ve been, and some of the dialogue is a bit weak. On the bright side, the soundtrack is quite good.
Resistance: Burning Skies may not live up to the high standard of the original game, and does offer quite a bit of change from what Retribution did on the PSP. But despite its flaws, it’s a pretty good debut for the genre on the PS Vita, and a precursor for better things to come, in the form of new Call of Duty and Killzone games. If you’ve got an itchy trigger finger, these Skies should fulfill the need.
In this new Tips & Tricks video, producer Hector Sanchez and the design team at NetherRealm Studios go deeper into the game, providing fighting fans with some insight and strategy on two of the new game modes in the Bonus Challenge Tower available exclusively on Mortal Kombat for PlayStation Vita System. Honestly, we didn't even know Mortal Kombat had its own Fruit Ninja mode. Maybe this one is worth checking out!
Game info: Prepare yourself to reenter the tournament wherever you are as Mortal Kombat comes to PlayStation Vita. A complete reboot of the franchise, this latest iteration combines all-new mature oriented fighter gameplay with a deep story mode, improved graphics and game technology and new game modes to create a Mortal Kombat play experience like none before it. Feature details include: a storyline that takes players back to the original tournament, exclusive PS Vita functionality, fatalities presented in graphic detail never imagined in earlier release, and all-new game modes.
The newest chapter of the iconic Mortal Kombat Fighting game franchise marks a triumphant return to the series' mature presentation, as well as its first appearance on the PlayStation Vita handheld operating system. More than just a handheld port of the 2011 console release of the game, Mortal Kombat for PS Vita provides players with a high-end gameplay experience, as well as features and content that only Sony's new handheld can supply. The game contains the story mode from the console release of the game, and all of the DLC characters and costumes that have been made available. In addition to this, the game harnesses the PS Vita's touchscreen capabilities, and built-in accelerometer to provide exclusive modes, including: the all-new Challenge Tower mode, and Test Your Slice and Test Your Might modes.
The same quality Mortal Kombat gaming experience found in the 2011 console version of the game, now made portable through PS Vita
New features and content exclusively for the PS Vita System
All-new Challenge Tower mode with 150 brand new missions
Touchscreen fatalities, Xrays, and more
Warriors, environments and fatalities are as brutal as ever
Fluid gameplay at 60 frames per second
An extensive lineup of iconic warriors
Challenge friends in ad hoc or Wi-Fi matches
Persona 4 is coming to PS Vita, complete with a new animated opening sequence for Madhouse. Now branded as Persona 4: Golden, the game offers an enhanced and expanded portable version of the highly acclaimed original. Visuals have been beautifully remastered to take advantage of the PS Vita's awesome screen.
Take a look, and start writing letters to Atlus demanding this game come stateside!
SEGA will be making a "major announcement" at E3 next week for their upcoming title Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, the company announced today.
For those who haven't heard of the game, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is a new racing experience featuring Sonic the Hedgehog and the rest of the SEGA cast. Players will race across land, air, and water in vehicles that fully transform from cars to plants to boats.
We don't have any idea what the announcement will be, but we are excited to find out next week at E3. All we know right now is that there will be a "large reveal", so your guess is as good as ours. Maybe they will announce it as a Wii U title as well?
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is currently set to launch in late 2012 on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo 3DS, and PC.
What do you think/want the announcement to be?
The evidence pointing towards a PlayStation Vita version of Sony's brawler mash-up PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale has grown stronger.
A NeoGAF user has spotted several registered domain names by Sony that include a variety of PS Vita and PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale combinations including "battleroyalethegamevita.com" and "battleroyalthegamevita.com".
This new discovery adds to previous rumors from a Sony employee's CV mentioning a Vita version of the fighter.
Although nothing has been officially announced, I fully expect Sony to unveil the cross-over at the E3 press conference next week - especially with the company expected to place a heavy emphasis on the Vita.
We've got our first visual evidence that Assassin's Creed 3 will be made available for the PlayStation Vita.
Although Ubisoft has mentioned in the past that they were working on an Assassin's Creed game for Sony's handheld, it was not clear at the time whether it would be this newest upcoming version or a port of the previous titles in the series.
Online retailer Zavvi has listed Assassin's Creed 3 for the PlayStation Vita priced at €39.55, or about $50. It's release date is October 31, though that could just be a placeholder.
If true, we could see an official announcement from Ubisoft at next week's E3 press conference in Los Angel
According to multiple sources, Sony is preparing a revamp of their subscription-based PlayStation Plus service which will be revealed during its E3 press conference next week.
Sources close to Eurogamer have indicated that part of Sony's E3 press conference will be devoted to the PlayStation Plus revamp in an attempt to convince users to sign up with the service that offers free games, huge discounts, early access to exclusive demos and betas of upcoming titles, and more.
Sony is said to be enticing users to sign up by giving subscribers top tier games for free while implementing proper integration with PS Vita. Plus on the Vita will supposedly offer exclusive Vita titles, DLC, and cloud services rather than having to connect the handheld to the PS3 or PC to backup saved content.
"By the way, if you don't have a PS+ subscription, now is the time to get one. For real. Just get 3 months if you aren't sure. Trust me," PlayStation Plus content manager Ross McGrath said on his Twitter page.
Sony's E3 conference is set to take place on Monday, June 4th at 6:00 PM. If you are unable to attend, you can tune in to the event via the PlayStation Blog or stream it live on your PlayStation 3.
[Eurogamer]
Canabalt is now available on PS Minis, which means you can enjoy it on your PlayStation 3, Vita, or PSP. Being able to use actual face buttons to jump is great, but there are a few shortcomings. The first is the lack of a leaderboard. You can't upload your longest run, and you can't see what other PlayStation fans have accomplished in the game. Instead, the game simply autosaves your best session. This is Canabalt in the barest sense, which is to say that it's still really good, but not as gripping as its browser and mobile counterparts.
Still, even despite the lack of a leaderboard, Canabalt for PS Minis is still a fun and exhilarating adventure across the rooftops of a crumbling city. This is the same game we've seen before. Your character — dressed in his finest business attire — runs automatically, and he has to jump across gaps onto other buildings, billboards, and scaffoldings. Canabalt is a one button game, but every press is pressure sensitive, so you really have to time your jumps properly and tap the jump button with just the right amount of force. I can't express the utter disappointment I felt whenever I stupidly tapped a button too hard and witnessed my character bonk his head on an obstruction, only to plummet to his death.
Canabalt is a lovely game to look at. The graphics feature a toned down minimalist art style that consists of several different shades of gray and blue. The whole thing has a nice pixelated look to it that any fan of retro games is sure to enjoy. Additionally, while the soundtrack may not be vast, the few songs that you can choose from prior to any of your runs are all created by Danny Baranowsky of Super Meat Boy fame.
While the PS Minis version of Canabalt may suffer from a lack of leaderboard integration, I found that it's quite enjoyable when played with another person. I sunk a bunch of time into the game while playing with a buddy — much more than I thought I would, actually. We took turns attempting to one-up each other, shooting for the highest score every time (we called it quits after I hit 17,000+). While I'm well aware that this is probably an odd way to play Canabalt, I found it to be an effective way to enjoy the game more. It added to that competitive vibe that's missing due to the lack of leaderboards, and I can only imagine how raucous things could get with a group of friends watching and taking turns playing.
Basically, I created my own competitive element for this version of Canabalt, and I thought the game was much more enjoyable that way as opposed to playing by myself. The "one more try" element really pushes the addictive nature of the game, and if you've got some buddies around, Canabalt is a great pass-the-controller affair. If not, it's still a neat little time waster that you can spend small chunks of time playing. It also costs, $3, which is pretty damn affordable and well worth it. So is this the definitive version of Canabalt? Probably not. Is it still one hell of a good time? Definitely.
For a bunch of nonsensical jibberish, follow @thesanchezdavid on Twitter.
Extend is technically the third game in the BlazBlue series, even though it’s kind of like a “director’s cut” of Continuum Shift. You’ve got the original fighters, along with the ones that were offered via DLC, a new face, and a few additional modes. There’s something here for everyone, from training for the newbies (well recommended if you’re getting your feet wet with Arc System Works’ series) to Extend Story, which tells a ridiculous yet somewhat fathomable story that offers some exposition behind the 19 fighters offered here.
If you’re a fighting fanatic, someone who truly savors a challenge, there are two stops you’ll want to make in Extend. The first is Unlimited, which not only bumps up the difficulty to the highest level, but features AI tweaks on normal characters that turn them superhuman. This is an ultimate challenge, and a must for those who really want to get good at this game. There’s a lot to master here, including Guard Primers, Supers, Astral Heats and other techniques, hours worth of stuff that you won’t get from a solitary fight. That’s depth, and that’s how crazy BlazBlue gets. That’s a good thing.
Now, I did say two stops. The second is through online play, and you’ll be shocked to see how capable the Vita is of hosting online battles. Taking on friends in team battles or straight up competitions is unbelievably fun, and the netcode never failed us during our PlayStation Network sessions. It holds up remarkably, in the same way as its PS3 brethren. Word of warning, though – most of the people we ran into were quite good. Proceed with caution, and practice up.
The gameplay handles gracefully with the PS Vita’s control set-up. The analog stick actually works for the player, rather than against them, even though more complex maneuvers need to be performed for certain supers or counters. The D-pad works just as well, proving that Sony actually put research into its input, something it didn’t quite think through with the PSP. Improvements abound.
Along with tons of modes, fighter options and online play, Extend also packs one of the most attractive visuals you’ll see on the device’s OLED screen. The hand-drawn animation stands out, as do the gorgeous 3D background settings. And the game as a whole runs at a fairly rapid speed, with hardly any hints of slowdown – even online. As for the sound, you’ve got a fair array of good and bad voicework (some samples just sound a bit squeaky), all backed by a wondrous rock/techno soundtrack that would fit right in with your video game music collection.
Yeah, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 may seem like the easy choice if you want to see what handheld fighting is all about, but by no means should you brush off BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend just because it doesn’t resemble “your type of thing”. The fact is, it’s overloaded with fighting options galore, no matter what your skill set, and the presentation is striking, something that really takes advantage of the Vita screen. Don’t you dare let this brawler pass you by.
First off, the original Shinobido never got released here in the United States, so why put a 2 behind this game? Calling it Shinobido: Revenge of Zen would’ve been suitable enough. But believe me, the name’s the least of this game’s worries.
You play Zen, an assassin-for-hire who actually incorporates himself between numerous clans, who are stuck bickering with each other and have resulted to dirty tactics in an effort to try and take control of the land. You’re really seeking out the murderer of your girlfriend, but in order to do this, you have to inexplicably move back and forth between clans, completing repetitive missions and sneaking up on guards who have the worst hearing known to man. Literally stopping short of yelling “Hey, I’m over here!”, they couldn’t detect you unless you walked clear as day in front of them.
The theme of warring clans is pretty nice, but there’s a problem. Shinobido never really establishes a way to build loyalty towards one. One second you’re killing a merchant, the next you’re working for whoever employed said merchant to kill someone from the other side, and then you switch back around again. It’s like a back and forth storyline that never really makes any sense, and only after a few hours of going through this runaround do you really accomplish anything. And by then, the sheer feeling of being a badass ninja has gone stale.
The controls are a big part of the problem. They function with too many failures, like when you’re trying to sneak around an enemy and somehow end up rolling in front of them, or you’re trying to accurately aim a grappling hook using the PS Vita’s back touch screen – and failing – thus resorting in you turning it on for automatic use. But even then, it doesn’t get you where you need to go the first time. Combat is also rather mundane, thanks to a crappy lock-on system and flawed gameplay, especially when you try to give chase to someone. We’re embarrassed to say that we almost lost to a fat merchant in a marsh because we couldn’t accurately get close enough to stab them the first time around. What kind of ninja could live with that shame? None, that’s what.
Though new weapons and gear unlock over the course of the game, by the time you get around to unlocking anything, you’re bored with the experience as a whole. Without a loyalty factor or a storyline that makes a lick of sense, the only real satisfaction comes from the stealth kills, in which you take someone from behind and give ‘em a nice slice. But even after a few of these, yawns set in. During the coolest parts of the game, no less.
Shinobido’s presentation doesn’t do it any favors. The game looks like a PlayStation 2 title at best, with muddy environments, unfinished animations, sloppy blood effects and very few indicators where your enemies are, save for a little emotional mark on your screen. The music doesn’t even come close to the atmospheric tunes that played during Tenchu, and the voice acting sounds even worse than most English translations of kung fu action films on Blu-Ray. And yes, that includes Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
In the end, Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen is simply an embarrassment. The controls never click accurately, the presentation is lifeless and the game’s story, asking you to run around clans mindlessly without developing a true following, is an insult to ninja fans. If you must get your slicing fetish on, stick with Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus instead. Sure, it’s an older game, but it’s functional, and won’t make you feel like committing seppuku afterwards.
You know the drill by now – a sword that was being protected by Ryu’s clan, with the kind of power that can change the world, has been stolen. As its sole guardian, he sets out to get it back, only to run into all kinds of dangers, including unspeakable monstrosities and soldiers that will do anything to put a bullet in the pesky ninja. It’s up to Ryu’s impeccable battle techniques – and amazing physicality – to save the day.
Like in the original games, technique is everything. You don’t want to just run through the game tapping the attack button. No, you need to work up style with your attacks, such as going with an aerial slice, getting a few quick cuts in the air, throwing a couple of shurikens and then slamming them back down to the ground – and this is just in the first stage. The game gradually picks up in difficulty as you go along, so the sooner you learn Ryu’s techniques, the better.
You’re not stuck out in the cold, though. Along with excellent ninpo and other secondary weapons you pick up over the course of the game, you can also lean on Hero Mode, an exclusive addition to the PS Vita version of Sigma. Here, when you’re running low on health, you have immediate access to Ninpo, along with automatic blocking. It’s a decent change of pace for rookie players, though veterans can turn it off if they think they can handle the pressure.
Most of the gameplay still works, though we weren’t crazy about the touch-sensitive additions. The rear touch pad is used to summon Ninpo, and it’s not bad, but the front screen tap and gyro-sensitive aiming is average at best. Half the time we couldn’t even get it to work properly, mainly because enemies moved so fast. Do yourself a favor and stick with manual controls.
In addition to the main game, which will take you a few hours to get through, you can also try out some exclusive Ninja Trials, a series of endurance tests where you test your ninja skills and unlock even more exercises. They’re not nearly as fierce as the ones featured in Ninja Gaiden Black, but they help prolong replayability – always a good thing for a ninja title.
Though dated, the graphics are fantastic on the PlayStation Vita. The animations are smooth and some of the battle techniques, like the fire ninpo, are outstanding. On the other hand, the camera needs work, as you’re constantly readjusting to see where enemies are at. The audio’s not bad, with plenty of groovy Team Ninja-produced music and decent voice work – even if female characters are a bit whiny. (Aren’t they ninjas, too?)
While Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus has trouble showing its age and can’t quite fully convert into the touch-screen era, Tecmo Koei did a very good job bringing the hack-and-slash action to the handheld. Besides, considering how bad the competition is – we’re looking at you, Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen – this is a clear-cut winner.
According to a new report, Engineers at Sony Computer Entertainment invited Hotz to its US publishing headquarters to discuss system security. The company, which filed a lawsuit against the rebellious coder in January 2011, met with the young hacker roughly four months later, in May, to discuss how he broke past well-protected PS3 security systems.
Although many would consider it to be a threatening environment for a hacker, Hotz had "found a roomful of PS3 engineers who were 'respectful'." According to the account of the meeting, they had "wanted to learn more about how he had beaten their system."
"If there were going to be lawyers there. I was going to be the biggest a**hole ever," he told The New Yorker.
According to Sony, the company is "always interested in exploring all avenues to better safeguard our systems and protect consumers."
In 2011, Sony fell victim to multiple PSN hacks, including 105 million PSN and SOE accounts being compromised in the time between the lawsuit and the meeting with Hotz. Online hacking group, Anonymous, suspected for the PSN and SOE hacks declared it was attacking Sony execs and security in response to the lawsuit against Hotz.
SEGA's cel-shaded Dreamcast classic Jet Set Radio will be coming to the PlayStation Vita this summer, the company announced today.
Previously announced for consoles, Jet Set Radio will be an updated version featuring upgraded HD visuals paired with the original iconic soundtrack.
Jet Set Radio will make use of the Vita's unique features "providing new ways for gamers to interact with the environments of Tokyo-to, from touch functionality that makes spraying graffiti more natural to Vita camera integration." SEGA has said the game "loses nothing in the way of content or experience" in comparison to its console and PC brethren.
“The fan reaction to our recent reveal of Jet Set Radio has been incredible!” said Haruki Satomi, Senior Vice President of Digital Business at SEGA. “As Jet Set Radio is focused on creativity, the touch capabilities of the PlayStation Vita are proving to be a perfect fit.”
The game will be playable at this year's E3 so we'll be sure to get you a preview of our experiences with it on the handheld. For the record, we also loved the HD remake on the consoles. It will still be released on Xbox 360, PC, and PS3 this summer.
Rayman, his big buddy Globox, and a pair of Teensies are selectable from the start, and you set out to collect Lums in each individual stage, while bouncing on enemies to make them inflate and then destroying them. Each stage becomes trickier than the next, with the introduction of hard-to-reach coins, running waterfalls, gusts of wind and other environmental dangers. But it’s all quite fun, we assure you.
Somehow, Ubisoft has managed to shake off the vibe that had come from previous 3D Rayman adventures (not to mention those countless Rabbids games) and return to what made the limbless hero so endearing to begin with – classic platforming. Everything from gliding across platforms to slamming into something on the ground is handled with utmost accuracy, so if you die, it’s probably something you did. The concept of hidden goodies is well realized here, as you’ll be seeking out the likes of pink Lums and hidden coins. You can unlock these awesome chase stages as well, where you pursue a treasure chest as he sprints across a continuously changing level.
Some players will be sore that Rayman Origins doesn’t include co-op multiplayer like the original. To be honest, it probably would’ve been a struggle to try to include it here in some form, mainly due to PlayStation Network issues. Instead, though, we get a solid add-on with the Ghost Runs. Here, you can record your best times on certain stages and collect additional Lums. Sure, it’s not a wacky party experience, but it almost makes up for that loss, so we’ll accept it.
Rayman Origins, as we said, features some of the best 2D animation you’re likely to see in a game this generation. Every bit of animated goodness from the original game made it in this port, from the voluptuous fairies that grant you new powers to the happy Lums that go jumping about, waiting to be collected. The level structure is nothing short of brilliant, and even goofing off around The Snoring Tree (your home base) has its moments.
Though the game is light on the new Vita specific functions, you have the option of squeezing your fingers on the screen to zoom in and out of the action. Though this is the kind of game where you’ll benefit from seeing more of the stage, it’s awesome being able to see just how much work Michel Ancel and his team have put into its appearance. Play around with it for a while and make Globox slam around like a goofy idiot. You just might break out into giggling fits.
As for the sound, it’s stupendous. The music is a bunch of lunacy-enabled tunes, from the stage selection tunes to the happy strumming that occurs when yellow Lums go happy red. The voicework is mostly gibberish, as in most Rayman games, but it’s so delightful that you won’t really care. I’m just glad that Ubisoft opted to go with the natural approach to the character, rather than chasing after A-list actors. Whew.
Simply put, Rayman Origins is a masterpiece, a platforming game that deserves to reinvigorate the genre in its own special way. And while the PS Vita version has its certain limitations (namely in multiplayer), it’s so joyous and spectacular to play that you won’t even care. Get this with your system, and get happy.
The brawler, which first appeared on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 last November, features over 40 of the best fighters you’ll find in both Marvel and Capcom’s respective universes, including older favorites like Wolverine, Chun Li and Spider-Man, as well as new additions like Ghost Rider, Phoenix Wright (a kooky add-on if there ever was one) and Nemesis from Resident Evil. They all mix together into one delightful fighting smorgasbord, complete with crazy combo opportunities, insane super moves, and one hell of a fight against the planet-eating Galactus, the final boss waiting at the end of the game.
This isn’t entirely a straight port, as Capcom has added a couple of new features to keep fighting fans entertained. The first is the new Replay mode, which lets you view fights just to see what mistakes were made, or what combos might be considered keepers. This is bound to be a big hit for folks in the fighting community.
As for the second, Touch Mode, it’s built more with rookies in mind. Using the PS Vita touch-screen, you can execute a number of moves, including combos, super moves and character switch-outs. While it’s very accessible, it also makes fights blindingly easy, which is good when you’re facing pros online, but doesn’t quite feel the same when it comes to naturally building a fighting style. It is optional, though, and the default controls work just fine, whether you’re going with D-pad for movement or relying on the analog stick to execute attacks.
All the rest of the modes are intact, including Heroes and Heralds, where you fight through a card-based system, earning rewards and even playing as Galactus at one point, squashing teams that stand in your way. You can fight locally with your friends, or hop online (through either Wi-Fi or Ad Hoc) and challenge opponents through PlayStation Network. (If you’re a real fan, you can also download additional outfits through PlayStation purchases, and get access to exclusive characters Jill and Shuma-Gorath, if you feel like adding to the roster. And the ones you downloaded for the PS3 version? Free of charge here, so you don’t have to pay twice.)
We would’ve preferred a few new character or background additions to this game, but there’s a reason they called it Ultimate back on the consoles. You’re pretty much getting the same experience here, but, honestly, that’s not a bad thing. You’ll keep plenty busy with this game’s content.
What took us by surprise was how silky smooth this game runs on the Vita. The frame rate remains at high pitch, even during online battles, and both the 3D backgrounds and characters look fantastic, especially during Supers, when characters go flying all over the screen. (Ghost Rider’s death stare is particularly bad-ass, as is Phoenix Wright’s case closer.) The sound impresses too, between all the character voice samples (Deadpool is hilarious) and great fighting tunes. Some of them are even nostalgic for Capcom fans.
Though Touch Mode lets some players get away with highway robbery and there aren’t any exclusive PS Vita content additions, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is an ideal handheld brawler that really deserves to be in your game collection. It’s a damn near perfect port of the original, and it gives you more than enough to do in terms of brawling, both online and off. Time to get to fighting!
Persona 4 Golden has been announced for the PlayStation Vita, coming this Fall.
The enhanced and expanded version of the already massive RPG features hours of gameplay from enthralling storytelling to intense combat.
But in addition to the addicting gameplay, there are even more improvements to the Vita version of Persona 4 Golden. Here is what is in store for you when you get your hands on the Persona 4 Golden Vita edition:
"When Persona 3 Portable, a similar handheld reimagining of an already terrific RPG, was released in 2010, it went down as the second-best reviewed game on the PSP (according to gamerankings.com) EVER," Atlus said. "We figure it stands to reason that Persona 4 Golden and all of its enhancements are going to be one heck of a reason to boot up (or pick up) your PS Vita."
And on top of that, if you consider yourself knowledgeable about a game, you can submit your own reviews, cheats and more! Just locate the game and find the "submit your own" buttons.
PS3 and PlayStation Vita owners may want to prepare for commercial breaks within their games. As spotted by a user in NeoGAF, Sony has patented an application that interrupts the current game playing to display an advertisement. Worst idea ever or worst idea ever?
The patent was filed back in July 2011 by Sony Computer Entertainment America under the moniker "Advertisement scheme for use with interactive content".
The description reads: "A method for use in advertising includes initiating playing of interactive content, suspending playing of interactive content, displaying an advertisement, and resuming playing of interactive content."
So imagine you're in the middle of an intense level of God of War: Ascension or and intense match of PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale. Next thing you know, a warning message is flashing on the screen warning you that the game will be automatically paused. Shortly after the gameplay will be suspended and a paid advertisement will appear, such as Sony's "Best Brand Soda. You've got to try it!" commercial. Following the ad, gameplay will begin again, and the user will have the option to briefly rewind a portion of the game. Talk about losing the immersion.
And you though 30-second pre-roll advertisements before a video were a bad thing? That looks like nothing compared to this.
Let's try to think of the positives that may come from this. Automatic bathroom breaks? You won't die from playing 72 hours of a game straight a la Diablo 3?
Congratulations Sony, this might be the best patent ever to piss off gamers. I hope you show this at E3.
[Eurogamer]
The story is unchanged here, as you'll basically play witness to a stylized version of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, complete with all the country-taking, backstabbing, and drama filled moments you'd come to expect from the Dynasty games. It's mostly laughable as the voice acting doesn't really seem to improve with every new installment, though that might just be part of the charm. It's a shame that a Japanese voice track wasn't available like it was for Dynasty Warriors 7, which made every cutscene much more believable and bearable.
There is a lot to do in DW Next, which is impressive for a handheld title. You'll definitely be spending a bulk of your time playing the game's main Campaign Mode, which takes you through various battles with predetermined characters, similarly to how DW7 worked as well, though there are a few changes this time around. Before each battle, you're given the choice which part of the map you wish to invade.
You'll also have the option to employ Stratagems that come in the form of beautifully illustrated character cards that grant specific bonuses during levels. You can have up to four stratagems active at a time, but each one costs a certain amount of Gold to activate which depends on your income. These stratagems can give you more ally occupied bases, increase the attack and speed of your army, or even some that increase a particular stat exponentially, but lowers another in return.
Once that's done, it's hack and slash time from there, but thankfully DW Next changes things up a bit here. To cater to the portable gamers, each map is now more bite-sized, rather than the huge maps we're used to seeing in the console iterations. This seems like an almost necessary step for those that like to play on the go, or have shorter commutes.
Besides your standard attack and Musou buttons that fans are accustomed to, there are some new additions. The game now introduces a Chain Attack button which lets you keep your combo going by boosting your character forward toward another group of enemies. There are also a handful of Vita specific actions as well. With your Musou gauge full, you can also activate an alternate move called a Speed Musou by touching both the right and left sides of the screen. This attack then requires some sort of touchscreen or rear touchpad interaction. There is also a new gauge called the Break gauge. When full, a touch of the upper part of the screen will send your character into a frenzy, usually giving you immediate control of the current base you're currently in.
During battle, there are a few new scenarios that could happen, such as an ambush which will either require you to deflect arrows with a flick of the finger or tap on enemies as they get closer. One of the cooler uses of the touchscreen comes in the forms of duels. These are one-on-one fights which somewhat resemble Infinity Blade's combat. You can swipe to swing your weapon, touch and hold to guard, or touch various indicated parts of the screen to win a deadlock, ending with a swiping frenzy to take down your enemy. It's fairly exhilarating and does break up the slight monotony of combat.
As you hack your way through enemies, you'll want to take over the various bases scattered around each map instead of just rushing to your main objective. When the required amount of enemies are defeated, the base falls under your rule and gives you bonuses while you control it during battle such as increased strength, defenses of bases increased, or more allied troops summoned to the battlefield.
When you're not romancing the three kingdoms in Campaign Mode, Conquest Mode lets you pick a specific force and then do more of the same across the map of China. Coalition Mode lets you, and up to three other buddies, play cooperatively to take down enemy forces. It is however only available through Ad Hoc (local), which means gamers looking to take the fight online will be sorely disappointed. The Gala Mode is made up of Vita specific mini games that make use of the gyroscope, touchscreen, etc. They serve as fun distractions from the main attraction and even allow you to compare your scores online. To round it up, you can even create characters in Edit Mode, and then take them into battle in either Conquest or Coalition Mode.
The game looks great on the Vita or more specifically, the characters look great. As a series staple, the environments can look a bit dull, and the view distance is still laughable, as enemies still appear when they're right around you, but given that it's on a handheld, it's a bit more understandable, whereas the console iterations have no excuse at this point.
There is truly tons to do in DW Next, and has the flexibility to be played in short bursts or prolonged sessions. It has its shortcomings in a few places like online play and some repetition, but if you're looking to get some bang for your buck, you can't go wrong with Dynasty Warriors.
As of right now, LittleBigPlanet Karting is only coming to the PlayStation 3.
Responding to a user comment on the PlayStation Blog, game designer William Ho said the main focus right now is on the PS3 version of the game.
"We are concentrating 100% on making the PS3 version LittleBigPlanet Karting the very best it can be," Ho said.
"We are not working on a Vita version at this time," he added.
LittleBigPlanet Karting is slated for a release later this year. In the meantime, take a look at Sackboy behind the wheel.
The story revolves around the King of Hell, who rules with an iron fist and welcomes all souls that come his way. But one day, he finds himself knocked off his throne. Eager to reclaim it from the foul beast that has knocked him astray, the King of Hell gathers an army of goblins to do his bidding and soon sets out on the path of righteousness… because one does happen to be in hell, surprisingly enough.
The King of Hell doesn’t really do anything in Army Corps of Hell. Instead, he unleashes his minions on his enemies, having them jump all over them and then having them strike to explode them in a bloody mess. Along the way, he can replenish any army he loses, whether they’re smushed by a larger boss or fried by one of the creature’s defenses. During the game, he can also choose which types of goblins to call upon — spell-spewing Magi, long range spearmen, or the routine soldiers. How you deplete these army numbers is up to you.
While the game does get repetitive over time, it’s good to see some of the development folk behind the Pikmin games strike out for more hellish material here. The levels don’t change much, but the enemies do get stronger, forcing you to balance your load and figure out your offensive strategy as you move your way back to the throne. The hurl and retrieve system works admirably, but sometimes you do need to run over the little fellas to revive them. Personally, it would’ve been nice to see the King do more, like whip out a mighty axe and deliver a deathblow or two for himself. Overall, though, it’s decent.
Two more things should be mentioned. Number one, some rhythm sections do make their way into the game, utilizing the rear touch pad of the system. They’re not bad, but they can get annoying over time. Secondly, the game does feature Wi-Fi multiplayer, so you and some friends are able to team up and reclaim hell in your own right. It’s fun, but hardly the “hey, we gotta try this” kind of multiplayer.
Army Corps of Hell isn’t the best-looking PS Vita game we’ve seen, as it seems more on the level of a second-generation PS2 title. That said, the development team did a fairly good job filling the game with hellish imagery and personality-laden goblins, even if they’re merely there to just do your bidding. Likewise, the music has its moments too, with its fair share of death metal tunes that fit the game, and lots of explosive, gooey sound effects. Hardly amazing, but fitting for the tone of the game.
Obviously, Army Corps of Hell won’t be for everyone. The mature-rated approach rules out the younger crowds, while the repetitive gameplay may turn off those seeking a true devil of a challenge. But there’s a happy medium in there that are sure to appreciate the entertaining, blood-spilling gameplay and ambient, “throw-up-the-horns” presentation. Plug in your headphones and rock out.
Despite the PlayStation Vita's impressive hardware, Sony's handheld is struggling to move units. After a strong launch in Japan last December, numbers have fallen flat following its worldwide release in February. While some feel it's the price affecting sales, Sony's competition feels it is something completely different.
According to Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto, the handheld's weak software lineup is hurting the Vita sales.
"It's obviously a very hi-spec machine, and you can do lots of things with it," Miyamoto said of Vita. "But I don't really see the combination of software and hardware that really makes a very strong product."
If anyone knows about weak software, it's Miyamoto, whose Nintendo 3DS suffered a similar fate before sales boomed thanks to the release of several big-named titles. Since August, however, the 3DS has been Japan's best-selling hardware every single week. Was it the price cut or the release of some much-anticipated games? Miyamoto feels believes it was the games, although I'm sure the price cut didn't hurt.
"When we launched the 3DS hardware we didn't have Super Mario 3D Land, we didn't have Mario Kart 7, we didn't have Kid Icarus: Uprising," he said. "We were striving to have all of these ready for the launch, but we weren't able to deliver them at that time."
"We were kind of hoping that people would, nevertheless, buy into the product, find 3DS hardware promising, but looking back we have to say we realize the key software was missing when we launched the hardware."
It's not hard to comprehend what Miyamoto is saying. It's the software that helps sell systems. The Vita, like the 3DS, needs games. The Vita has had a decent amount of titles, but I think Sony is struggling to find that big title that will make gamers want to go out and purchase the system. Looking down the calendar, I don't see that changing any time soon. The next big release for the system is Gravity Rush, due out in June.
[Edge]
Once again, Nathan’s on an epic treasure hunt, this time with a couple of new characters that have no problem fitting into the Uncharted universe. Nathan will spend a good amount of his time taking out bad guys, either by shooting them while in cover or punching them out with on-screen drawing prompts, ideal for melee attacks. The game as a whole doesn’t last as long as the console versions, particularly with the lack of multiplayer, but there’s still more than enough to see and do with Drake’s fourth go-around.
The gameplay can divert pretty easily between entertaining and frustrating. While it works well for the most part, there are segments that take too much time to complete. For instance, taking pictures and then having to restructure the pictures from a black and white build is a bit frustrating, as is building a flyer as if it were a crossword puzzle. We can understand dusting off artifacts to discover their worth, and even drawing on the PS Vita screen to complete certain actions, but these puzzles don’t exactly feel like a solid fit, even if Sony Bend had the best of intentions.
That being said, Uncharted: Golden Abyss still has plenty of run and gun action, whether you’re hanging from a ledge and using it for cover as you shoot at enemies below, or taking out foes with a sniper rifle while your cohort tries to scramble out of danger. The mechanics work as briskly as they did in the console versions, though you’re really better off using traditional controls over touch-screen whenever you can. Some enemies are a little too stupid for their own good, but if you crank up the difficulty a bit, they’ll be up for more of a fight.
The visuals in Uncharted are outstanding and really bring out the processing power of the PlayStation Vita. While this obviously won’t be mistaken for the better-looking Uncharted console games, it works reasonably well here, with its lush 3D environments, dynamic lighting, strong animations and great camera angles. Even when you’re descending down the side of a cliff, you can look up with ease at enemies, shoot them, and watch their bodies fall right past you. It’s quite a sight.
The sound is good too, mainly thanks to the presence of Nolan North, once again filling the role of Nathan Drake with just the right amount of charm. The other voice actors are good as well, and the game has plenty of dramatic music to back up its gunshots and ambient sound effects.
Aside from the main game, you can fool around in the Black Market, where you can trade items with other players online. Though that’s hardly a replacement for multiplayer, it does allow you to build a vast online collection of goodies — just like any good-natured treasure hunter should do.
Uncharted: Golden Abyss has its hiccups, but in the end, it’s another notch in the belt for Nathan Drake and company, and a worthwhile title for your PlayStation Vita collection. But next time we see him show up, would it be too much trouble to bring Elena and Sully along for the ride? We miss them…
As with previous entries in the series, your goal is to finish first across a number of races using a selection from various hovercraft types, sponsored by teams. The more you finish in the lead, the more you unlock, including circuit races and other events. Granted, it’s not as heavy on unlockable content as other games, but you still feel a sense of progression as you storm into the lead.
While you race, speed is vitally important. Losing momentum can easily cost you a place or two if you’re not careful. After a couple of events, you’re also introduced to weapons, such as missiles, shields and turbo boosts, among others that literally rip up the track. Use them wisely — you never know when the best defense is going to come in handy. Especially when someone is riding on your tail.
WipEout’s gameplay remains riveting — for the most part, anyway. Using the analog stick or D-pad to control your vehicle just feels right, in comparison to the awkward tilting mechanic that Sony felt compelled to throw in. No biggie, just don’t use it. Managing your weapons is a snap, and getting a hang of turns and jumps is just a matter of “feeling” out each track. You’ll feel like a pro in no time.
Along with a robust single player campaign, WipEout 2048 also supports online play — provided you redeem the Online Pass that comes with the package. While we would’ve preferred a tournament or more options like WipEout HD Fury had, it’s satisfying. The only negative is that the game takes a long time for each race to load — like just under a minute. But stick with it, kids.
In addition, Sony also has a sweet cross-platform feature where one player could be playing WipEout 2048 on the Vita, while another takes ‘em on using WipEout HD on the PS3. It works wonderfully, though only a certain number of tracks are supported. Still, it’s a fine example of the cross-platform feature that Sony wants to so vehemently boast about with their new system.
Visually, WipEout holds up about as you’d expect. The high amount of detail in each track is impressive, even if the neon advertising can be a bit much at times. (Hey, Sony Liverpool loves their atmospheric touches.) The frame rate is steady, even with online races, and the multiple vehicles you can choose from are quite sleek. (The multiple camera views help, too. We like being right on the nose.)
Since this is WipEout, you can expect plenty of cool techno tunes to blare in your ears while you take each corner. Though we prefer some of the older soundtracks over this one, it’s quite fitting.
If you’re a racing nut or just can’t get enough of WipEout’s refreshing charm, then WipEout 2048 will make a dandy new member to your game collection. While the multiplayer isn’t deep, it’s satisfying — especially with the PS3 version — and the presentation runs like a futuristic dream should. We’d love to see what kind of turn this series takes next.
Sony today announced an exciting lineup for downloadable content coming to the PlayStation Vita's Augmented Reality brawler, Reality Fighters.
Beginning today, you'll be able to log in to PSN and download the Weapons Pack for free. It features 15 new weapons including a smoke bomb, jetpack, cannon, and more.
Next week, on May 15, you'll be able to download another DLC pack, Soccer Pack. Priced at $2.99, this pack gives you access to a brand new soccer fighting style equipped with over a dozen unique battle moves.
Lastly, on May 22, the Ghostbusters Pack will arrive. As you can guess, this will feature two brand new costumes: the Ghostbusters uniform featuring the entire suit including signature goggles, as well as the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man costume. This pack will also include three new weapons including the Ghostbusters proton pack, ghost trap, and Ecto 1. This will cost $2.99.
Like its console cousin, Virtua Tennis 4: World Tour comes jam-packed with a number of modes. The main one you’ll want to start off with is, obviously, the World Tour. Here, you’ll span numerous regions with your designed player, competing in tournaments, freshening up with arcade-style mini-games, and occasionally dealing with fans and public endorsements to keep your reputation at bay. This is an excellent mode, as it not only deals with various activities to keep you busy, but also reminds you how important health is, lest you run around with a broken ankle. Rest up when you get the chance.
Also, Virtua Tennis continues to shine with its online play, where up to four people can take part in match-ups and tournaments to see how great they are at this game. Considering that the series was initially built as something in mind for the party crowd, we don’t see who wouldn’t enjoy this feature.
Sega also felt compelled to add some crazy new apps to this version of Virtua Tennis that take advantage of the PlayStation Vita. Some do pretty well, while others, um, not so much. The first, VT Cam, allows you to take pictures with some of the in-game greats, including Roger Federer. Decent, but the gimmick gets old fast and, obviously, they aren’t the real thing. Touch Vs. acts like a modern day version of Pong, with two players going back and forth from a top viewpoint. It’s okay, but the real game of tennis works better.
Probably your best bet as far as apps go is Rock the Boat, a great game where you use the gyrosensor to tilt a pirate ship back and forth to keep incoming balls in play. For that matter, VR Match isn’t bad either, letting you use movements to see what’s happening during a match from a first-person perspective. It’s gimmicky, but definitely interesting as far as getting a new viewpoint on the Virtua Tennis legacy.
Gameplay is excellent for the most part, provided you stick with tbe basics. While Sega opted to include touch-screen controls for moving your player about, they’re somewhat inaccurate. Using the D-pad or analog stick, on the other hand, is quite good, as you can respond accordingly to incoming balls and set up your return shots with ease. It also remains pretty speedy during online sessions, a big plus.
Presentation is key to a series like Virtua Tennis, and Sega holds true to its code. The players and courts resemble their real counterparts, right down to the desperate dives for an incoming ball and the lighting that comes from the New York court during the evening, with shadows on the ground. The frame rate is (mostly) 60 frames per second, save for cutaways to player reactions or the intro/conclusion of each match. Audio doesn’t have much outside of player groans and average music, but you probably won’t care since it is a tennis game, after all. Were you expecting thrash metal?
Though Virtua Tennis 4: World Tour isn’t quite the champion of sports for the PlayStation Vita, it’s a great game to have nearby, especially if you’re a fan of the long-time series. And if you’re not yet, a few sessions just might make you one.
Sony has opened up registration for those who want to participate in the LittleBigPlanet Beta on PlayStation Vita.
The beta will give users a sneak peek at Sackboy's latest portable adventure while providing valuable feedback on the overall experience ensuring its level creation tools and sharing network are of the best quality at launch.
Tarsier Studios announced on the PS Blog that beta is "coming soon" and directed users to the LBP signup page. More details should be announced soon.
In today's earlier piece in which we suggested five ways Sony can make the PlayStation Vita "suck less", we mentioned they need to invest in some exclusives - or at least bolster their games library.
It's no secret that since its launch late last year the Vita has been struggling to move units, primarily due to a weak launch lineup. Well, with E3 right around the corner, it's about as good as any time for Sony to announce something big for its once promising handheld device. And according to some industry sources, Sony has been holding one Vita title back...maybe for an E3 reveal?
Speaking on the Bonus Round, industry analyst Michael Pachter dropped the hint, "There is one big title on the Vita that hasn't been announced yet that I was pretty excited about."
Pachter didn't say what the title is, but recent news that Rockstar is working on a Vita game coupled with the success of the PSP's Liberty City Stories could indicate that the unannounced title could be Grand Theft Auto related.
Looks like we'll have to wait until June before we find out more about this secret title that excited Pachter. E3 is set to take place June 4-7, with Sony's press conference being held on the 4th at 6:00 p.m. PT.
The game takes place across 36 separated missions, each with certain objectives that need to be met. You get to choose from six various soldiers, each specialists in certain fields, and choose their loadout. From there, you’ll hit the battlefield and try to complete each mission either with the fastest time or the highest score.
Despite the fact that the missions aren’t fully structured together, Zipper Interactive makes them click with a good amount of depth. There’s more than one way to approach your objectives in the game, and choosing a different operative can definitely add challenge to it. For instance, if a mission calls upon someone for stealth and you instead go with an explosives expert, not only will that change up your approach, but it will also bump up the intensity. How you play is totally your call, and it’s excellent o have that freedom of choice.
What’s more, Unit 13 gives you the option to go at it with a friend in co-op. The integration over PlayStation Network is splendid, and we didn’t have a single session drop out on us from what we tried. Granted, some of the players didn’t exactly have the best skill set, but that’s hardly the game’s fault.
In addition to co-op, PlayStation Network also supports online leaderboards, so you can see how you compare to fellow players. Zipper Interactive will also be introducing new daily missions for players to tackle, so they have a fresh slate to work off of when it comes to getting the best score possible. This easily pushes the replay value up several notches.
Though Unit 13 doesn’t have large levels to its advantage (they’re “bite-sized” compared to other games like SOCOM 4 and Killzone 3), they are wonderfully detailed, and being able to choose your own route – rather than being stuck on a default path – is a great idea. The display provides a helpful mini-map to guide you as well, should you get lost. The in-game action is pretty damn good for the Vita, complete with thunderous explosions that rock the screen, great precision aiming through your iron sights, and solid animation. So when you shoot an enemy in the head, they tumble to the ground convincingly, rather than just slumping over in one shot. The frame rate drops from time to time, but never to the point that the game’s performance is faulted.
As for sound, it’s not so hot, but serviceable. The in-game voicework is plain at times, particularly when your female commander is giving your orders in an unconvincing tone. Still, it’s okay for this sort of game, and the machine guns and bits and pieces of machismo-powered music fit the bill.
As for how the game plays, it provides the Vita with its first fully appreciative action experience. The dual analog sticks work very well when it comes to maneuvering in and out of cover and shooting baddies, and the front touch screen handles properly when it comes to interacting with in-game devices or selecting weapons, without your fingers getting too much in the way. The rear touch pad is barely used, save for deciding which shoulder you want to peer over, but it’s hardly a bother.
No, it’s not the equivalent of bigger and more intricately designed action games, but Unit 13 is the perfect way to kick-start the Vita’s action library, with plenty of shoot-em-up fun in the kind of layout that gamers can truly appreciate. The leaderboards will keep you busy for months at a time, and being able to call upon friends to join you in the firefight is a huge plus. But be ready for a battle. Once the daily challenges kick in, as the Sony commercial states, it’ll definitely be a “gamechanger”.
