I’ve had the pleasure of spending the past few days with the Resistance 2 beta with both online multiplayer and co-op. While I played the first game briefly, I never got deep into either the single or multiplayer aspects. But after spending a good deal of time with the beta for the sequel, I can see this taking up a lot of my multiplayer gaming time this Fall.
It’s not the best experience graphically, but it’s not bad either. Character models and the environments all look good, but I’ve seen better. You can chalk this up in the “it’s a beta” category. Sounds, on the other hand, are terrific. Various weapon firing, human and Chimera screams, and environment sound effects are done very well. You’ll want to turn up your surround sound system on this one.
A few podcasts ago, I questioned the importance and reach of LittleBigPlanet. At that time, I had only seen and touched a few short demos of the game. But after spending a great deal of time with the Beta on the PS3, I am eating my words. LittleBigPlanet is utterly fantastic and will win Game of the Year for 2008.
In the Beta, you get access to the game’s Story mode (but not all of it) and level creation tools. The presentation of everything is beyond amazing. As you start the game, you go through a small level where it gives pictures of all the developers and introduces the game. Everything is narrated by a British man that completely reminds you of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (one of my favorite books/movies by the way). [Update - turns out it is the same guy]. He’ll crack some jokes and keep the mood light, which is very pleasant. You then get to access your Pod, which is a cardboard box that allows you to look out onto the various worlds.
You know all that hub-bub about Beta levels not making it to the full game? MediaMolecule heard your cries and has released a new version of the LittleBigPlanet Beta. Bad news though, as you have to delete your current game save. Anything you created and did in the game will be gone. It was going to happen eventually anyway, why not get it over with now?
To get the new release, you have to jump through a couple hoops. Delete the game from your PS3 hard drive and delete the game save as well. Then, fire up the PlayStation Store and go to View Downloads. Scroll down until you find the LBP Beta and download it again. Viola.
I’m downloading mine now and will have to play through a lot of the Story again. Oh well, it’s fun as shit anyway Expect full impressions of the game coming soon.
If you are one of the lucky several thousand to get your hands on a Little Big Planet beta key, then stop reading. For the rest of you who refuse to enter meaningless contests and join mailers just for a taste of a game, then you are all in luck. The word on the street is that Sony is going to open the beta to everyone.
“If you don’t get in, don’t worry. They are supposed to be opening up the public beta for the final week. Last I heard they were still planning on doing so, this closed beta is just there to generate a bit (a lot) of hype for the game before it releases. Basically they are talking about turning the limited time closed beta into a demo for the week before launch. It is easier to do this than to release a demo.”
I understand the hype machine and making people want a to play a game that probably are not that familiar with, but gamers should not have to sit by their computers frantically trying get their hands on demo material which is only a very small portion of the final game.
Killzone 2 is currently in a small closed beta, but that doesn’t stop some users from putting up gameplay videos on the net. Check this one out, for example. You get to see this kid showing off that he has the beta, then getting multiple network errors when trying to connect, then finally getting in and playing a bit of of the multiplayer action.
If you want to be in the lottery for a Resistance 2 beta ticket, you better sign up soon. I have a feeling that they will get so many apps, the site will close, much like MGS4 did. Click through and enter. You will only need your PSN name and email.
Remember that patch we told you about for Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix? It’s out now. Your crash issues will go away and the game will work much better.
A whole heap of issues have been fixed other than the crashing to make the gameplay that much better. Capcom has poured a lot of heart and soul into this one and it really shows. Can’t wait for the final game to ship later this summer.
There’s going to be two ways to get into the SOCOM Confrontation Beta on the PS3. The first is to preorder the game from GameStop. That’ll get you going when the Beta starts on September 1st. The second way to have bought Episode 1 of Qore on the PSN. With that, you get into the Beta on September 8th.
Either way you get, the Beta lasts until September 30th, so you’ll have the whole month to get going on the game. With the release date not too long afterwards, I’d imagine the Beta will be fairly polished. I have an annual subscription to Qore, so that’s how I’m in. Looking forward to it.
Many people have been patiently waiting to get into the PlayStation Home Beta. Some haven’t been so patient. Sony knows you want your hands on it and is going to expand the closed Beta with a bunch of new people. If you download the new PlayStation Home Theme on the PlayStation Store, you’ll be entered.
By downloading the theme, users are submitting an application to join the PlayStation Home Beta test community. We will be using a variety of criteria including activity on the PLAYSTATION Network to determine eligibility for the Beta community. Existing beta testers have automatically qualified to be part of the expanded beta.
Not everyone who downloads the theme is getting in, but this is a way to play around with the new PS3 feature before it goes public. Good stuff.
That’s right folks. Those of you who’s 360’s are crashing from the Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix Beta are in luck. Even though Capcom said they wouldn’t be, a patch is in the works.
No word on what they’re fixing, but they’re fixing it. We tried to get in touch with Capcom, but have yet to hear back. Stay tuned.
Expect full impressions of the game coming soon.
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