There is an untapped genre out there for gaming. It is co-op survival/horror. Left 4 Dead is a shooter, and Resident Evil 5 more killing and less exploring. If someone could make a game where item collection and exploring were paramount, co-op was truly co-op, and a great backstory, the game would be a hit. Obscure: The Aftermath is a direct PSP port from the PS2 game that was released last year. The game touches on all those aspects, but falls a little short of being considered very good.
GTA: CHINATOWN WARS – NOW WITH MORE AWESOME!!
When GTA: Chinatown Wars released for the DS I felt that finally Nintendo had a mass-market winner with an exclusive game from a highly regarded third party developer. After hearing that the PSP was getting its own version I felt as if Sony was stealing Nintendo’s thunder. But more so than that I wondered about the inclusion of exclusive content, updated graphics and what would be done with the touch-screen segments from the DS version. Having played the PSP version in great length I can only say “Well, sorry Nintendo”. Somehow the incredible DS version has been topped in almost every way. And the PSP has a GTA that tops the story offshoots from GTA III and GTA: VC. What I’m trying to say is that Chinatown Wars for the PSP is the Shizznit. But I’ll explain more when you click this thing.
I have played more Naruto games in the past few months than I ever thought I would – and surprisingly it’s damn satisfying. I mean, who hasn’t wanted to be a ninja at some point in their lives? I’m thirty-two and I still want to be a ninja. After several previous titles, it seems that the Shippuden story hasn’t run out of steam quite yet. In Akatsuki Rising, Naruto is well into his teen years, but apparently he and his cohorts are still prone to adventure and danger. But is this an adventure worth taking? One way to find out.
When trying to think of a way to review this game, I was suddenly struck by a brilliant idea – ask Matt for advice. Now, some people may tell you that was a poor decision, but I did it anyways. And lo and behold, Matt was right. I couldn’t review Beaterator as a game, per-se. Because, well, it just isn’t a game at all. But I’ll get to that in a second. First off, I want you to know that I have several years of experience as a musician, and with mixing live sound. I have used (analog) mixing boards from 8 – 32+8 channels, and have run PA systems in Auditoriums with seating for 100, all the way up to seating for 800 people. So there, I’m (sort of) qualified to review this “game” as what it really is – a very solid, easy to use, 8 channel beat mixer/pocket studio, all rolled into a nice convenient package. That package, of course, being your handy dandy PlayStation Portable.
Not to be outdone by Microsoft, Sony announced today that you can now buy PSN content from Amazon. Right now, only around 200 pieces of content are available for purchase. When new content will be added is anyone’s guess, as we were unable to reach Sony for comment at press time.
Just like the Xbox 360 counterpart, your purchase from Amazon will yield a download code that you can enter on your PS3 or PSP to download whatever you want to purchase.
I’m a big fan of this system, especially when you get Amazon gift cards or use Coinstar to get credit with Amazon. Will make it easier than finding PSN cards, as long as content is available on both the PSN and Amazon at the same time. If Sony has a delay in getting content to Amazon from the release date on the PSN, consumers may just skip the program altogether. We’ll have to see as time goes on how well this pans out.
LittleBigPlanet was a critical success for Sony, but many players, myself included, have abandoned the game. While user-generated content is a great concept, in practice, it’s not always up to par. For me, LBP was great for the first month or so, until I ran out of enjoyable levels to play. While the game has barely sold one million copies in North America, the upcoming PSP version set for release on November 17th has the potential to open up the game to even more gamers.
The level designs in LittleBigPlanet are very conducive to portable gaming. Short, bite sized play experiences that allow you to hop in and out when you have a free minute, be it on the subway, sitting on a train, or stressing yourself out in a waiting room. I’d personally be more inclined to try out a new LBP level on the PSP on the go than firing up my PS3 for only a few minutes. As long as the PSP version doesn’t have to download large patches every month, it’ll be a great quick gaming experience.
Only time will tell if the PSP version will be as successful as the PS3 edition of LittleBigPlanet. Given the fact that only five or so games have reached the total worldwide sales level of LittleBigPlanet, it’s unlikely sales will match the console version. But in terms of the fun factor, which should be more important to all gamers, the answer may not be as clear. We’ll see next month.
With the launch of the PSP Go today, Sony has gone ahead and release firmware v6.10 for the system. Whether you’re rocking the old school PSP or the new PSP Go, fire up your internet connection and grab the new firmware. Most notably, you’ll be able to tether your cell phone to your PSP Go with Bluetooth to get internet access when you can’t find a WiFi connection. Pretty cool, as long as you pay extra for a tethering plan or have a phone that supports it (sorry US iPhone users at the moment).
Media Go, the PC based application which allows you to access the PlayStation Store and sync music, movies, and photos to your PSP is being updated as well. An all new interface is being added to make it easier to browse all the goods to download. Since Sony is promising and explosion of content for the PSP Go, being able to browse easily is key. Now if only they’d release this for the Mac…
Lastly, Sony is introducing SensMe channels which scan all music added via Media Go to and put them into one of 12 categories (such as “Relax” or “Newly Added”). Some people may find it worthwhile, but I don’t see myself using SensMe on my PSP.
MotorStorm was one of the most fun and long lasting PS3 launch titles, which spawned a sequel in Pacific Rift. The series is now coming to the PSP in the form of MotorStorm Arctic Edge, developed by Bigbig Studios, the team behind the Pursuit Force series. The enormous feel of the game was fully translated in the portable version and the fast paced racing action is just as fun as its console big brothers.
NOW WITH KRATOS – WITH NO EXPLANATION WHATSOEVER!!!
Kratos + Soul Caliber = Awesome. Having been a fan of the series since it first hit on the PlayStation in 1997, I approached this entry with a cautious eye – portable versions of established fighting franchises are hit-and-miss at best. And as excited as I was to play as God of War’s protagonist, I was equally as concerned with the history of games built around a franchise tie-in, which in many cases leads to releases with shiny looks and no real meat to the gameplay or story. That being said, let’s see where Soul Caliber: Broken Destiny ends up.
If you had any inclination that PSP Minis would be as big and cool as iPhone games, take a step back and literally fuck your own face. Sony’s great idea has made a turn into the land of the dumb. According to Justin Cooney, a senior account manager for SCEA at the Game Developer Conference in Austin, Minis won’t be allowed to include any wireless multiplayer, have DLC, or even be patched. Seriously?
Cooney told Gamasutra that “When you look at it from a testing perspective, you have to do more QA. [Allowing those features] would defeat the purpose of having a dedicated service for smaller content. It increases the barriers.”
So let’s compare, shall we? iPhone games get patched when problems are pointed out (which inevitably happens). They get updated for new content. They have online play. PSP Minis: none of the above. I can somewhat understand the no DLC argument, but come on Sony, no patches? That’s just plain stupid.
I’m going to be less inclined to drop money on PSP Minis at launch as I am for dropping cash on iPhone games. At least I know that iPhone developers can fix any problems that arise, whereas if you buy a broken PSP Mini, you’re boned hard.
Coming Soon!
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