Welcome to another instalment in our weekly news digest where the team at PSU Towers picks our favourite slices of gaming gossip from the past seven days, before proceeding to offer our two cents on each story for good measure.
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It may be four years old (blimey, doesn’t time fly?) but the original Crysis remains to this day one of the most compelling, satisfying shooters on the market. As I’ve mentioned previously, it’s surprising developer Crytek didn’t think about bundling the game as a pre-order incentive with Crysis 2 back in March, but better late than never, eh? It’s not just a barebones port either; the console versions will incorporate enhanced visuals and Nanosuit controls, plus stereoscopic 3D support. Not too shabby. Fortunately, we won’t have to wait long to get our hands on the game, with publishing juggernaut Electronic Arts confirming this week that it’ll hit PSN and Xbox Live on October 4. If you’re strapped for cash for the next month or so, make sure you save a place for this in your download list – you won’t regret it.
Capcom defends Sony-exclusive characters in SF x Tekken
Capcom’s been rolling out the red carpet for PlayStation owners with its meaty support of exclusive Street Fighter x Tekken brawlers lately, and unsurprisingly, Xbox owners are a bit miffed. However, this week the firm defended the move by wisely pointing out that it’s already showed ample support for 360 up until this point, including but not limited to the Dead Rising 1 (which is exclusive to Microsoft’s machine) and Dead Rising 2’s prologue DLC. To be honest, while I’m not surprised that 360 owners are up in arms over the whole affair, PS3 owners have missed out on a full blown retail release in the original Dead Rising, as well as a core component of the sequel’s narrative in Case Zero. Three exclusive characters sounds like a fair trade to me, though no doubt some would argue it’s hardly comparable to a full game.
Dead Space 3 details leaked, takes place in frozen planet
Dead Space 3 hasn’t been announced yet, but it doesn’t take a degree in space engineering to figure out we haven’t seen the last of Isaac Clarke and co. Just last week we were treated to what was purportedly the logo for a threequel, and this week we’ve caught wind of the first alleged details on the sci-fi horror romp. According to the latest gossip, Dead Space 3 will take place on a frozen planet of some description, and in addition to Clarke will also see the return of his spunky female sidekick, Ellie. Sounds like a solid concept to us, and quite a departure from the industrialised corridor grinding of previous instalments, which for me personally is great news. Don’t get me wrong, the past game was superb, but I’ve always maintained that it’d be nice to see Visceral Games shake things up considerably if we’re to see a perpetuation of the brand, and this is exactly the type of move the series would benefit from.
The irreverently titled thatgamecompany has delivered some of the most compelling, if slightly unorthodox games of the past few years, and so it goes without saying we’re eagerly awaiting their next effort, Journey. Sadly, the game’s been MIA for quite some time, though a recent beta back in August stimulated our interest again, as did the belief it would be out this year. That’s no longer the case however, with creator Jenova Chen, who has possibly the greatest first name in the industry ever, confirmed Journey will be arriving in spring 2012. So, quite a bit to go, and certainly a lot later than we had hoped, but at least we have a date to mark on our calendars. The game itself looks gorgeous, with its unique art style and minimalistic concept (essentially your only goal is to reach a mountain, although apart form that you’re left to your own devices) a strike contrast to the blockbuster, action-packed spectacles we’ve been used to as of late.
PS3 getting new Video Unlimited service, PS Plus members get preview
As pointed out by PSU’s very own Don Oliveira in our news article, PS3 has always served as a highly competent media centre, though this week Sony unveiled plans to apply a more user-friendly touch to video content. Enter Video Unlimited, an handy application that grants users easy access to video content via swanky new interface. Aside from accessing your favourite movies and TV shows far more intuitively, you’re also given ample search options to tinker around with, with consumers now able to browse their favourite directors, actors and genres. If this doesn’t allow you to find something that tickles your fancy, then lord knows what will. PS Plus subscribers get early previews to boot. This sounds like a solid initiative to us, as Sony’s attracted quite a bit of flak for its fiddly XMB navigation over the years, and this should help iron out any creases in regards to accessing video content.
David Cage says he isn’t here to make money
David Cage has made his philosophy on game development abundantly clear on numerous occasions in the past – sequels are a big no-no. However, while I’m sure I’m not the only one clamouring for a follow-up to Heavy Rain, you have to admire his stance. After all, the bloke is probably one of the most exciting game designers out there right now, and if his method of perpetuating his greatness is by cooking up something new each time, then bring it on. This week he made his intentions very clear in an interview with Develop, stating he’s not in the business to make bundles of cash, but merely to generate new ideas. Quantic Dream is simply the medium in which he channels this creative energy, so to speak. Indeed, while details are scarce as to what Cage’s new project(s) will actually be like, he’s sure to come up with the goods, and early signs point to something leaning towards something totally disparate to Heavy Rain, with emotion being a key highlight. Then again, Heavy Rain wasn’t exactly light on tugging the old heart strings, so this can only be a good thing.
Props to From Software’s Dark Souls this past week, as the brutal RPG has managed to pulverize the competition over in Japan and secure its place at the top of the software charts. As the follow-up to the criminally underplayed Demon’s Souls, it’s great to see the gaming public embracing Dark Souls in a bear hug, with sales of the game managing to eclipse those of the equally brilliant Team ICO Collection. No mean feat considering the HD-powered pack offers two of the most critically celebrated games of the PS2-era. Of course, things are likely to be another kettle of fish altogether in the west, where traditionally hardcore games like Dark Souls are often kicked to the curb in favour of FIFA and Call of Duty, though we can only hope that with some stellar marketing and word-of-mouth that From Software’s death dealing hack-n-slash will get the recognition it deserves.
Ubisoft’s post-apocalyptic I Am Alive re-announced, coming to PSN/XBL
I Am Alive has lead an ironic kind of existence until just recently considering its name, with most of us starting to wonder if the game had been given the chop altogether. Originally announced in 2008, the game has made sporadic appearances over the past few years, with some reports claiming the game had been canned. Fortunately this wasn’t the case, with Ubisoft finally giving the post-apocalyptic project a re-reveal this week, confirming reports that the game will indeed be a download-only affair arriving on PSN and Xbox Live this winter. To be honest it sounds pretty intriguing, with players forced to hunt for supplies in a wrecked metropolis just to stay alive while battling against various enemies using melee and gun combat. The premise sounds great, although it’s difficult to tell at this stage how it’ll pan out. Nonetheless, I recommend having a butcher’s at the trailer to make up your own mind.
Modern Warfare 3 is ‘most coveted’ game this holiday season
Hands up anyone who’s surprised by this revelation? Oh, you at the back? For shame, pal. Let’s face it, the Call of Duty franchise is the biggest thing since sliced bread in the gaming industry these days, and probably will be for the foreseeable future. Sure, it’s not critical darling it used to be, but then again, when has review scores ever truly affected sales before? Just take a look at Zumba Fitness. The fact is, it sells like hotcakes, and punters lap it up annually – in fact, there’s some people who fork out for a PS3 or 360 JUST to get their grubby paws on the latest CoD every year. A testament to its continued pulling power can be found in a recent Nielson survey, crowning the military shooter as the ‘most coveted’ title for the holiday season among a poll of 5,000 ‘active’ gamers. Pleasingly, quite a few hardcore efforts made the list, such as Assassin’s Creed: Revelations and Batman: Arkham City, though Uncharted 3 only managed 9 percent, which is a little lower than I personally had hoped for.
Limited Edition Metal Gear Solid HD Collection revealed
As if bundling Metal Gear Solid 2, 3 and Peace Walker together in high definition wasn’t a tempting enough purchase as it is, Konami’s now lifted the wraps off a Limited Edition bundle of the sumptuous stealth-em-up pack. Not only will you get all three classic games on a single Blu-ray disc, but Konami is also throwing in a swanky box art design illustrated by Yoji Shinkawa, as well as a meaty 248-page art book for your viewing pleasure. You’d be crazy to miss out on the regular HD Collection as it is, but for the more discerning MGS aficionado, this is surely an essential purchase.