Arkham Asylum gets some red hot DLC action!

Readers of this blog may be aware that I am a huge fan of the recent Batman game. If you've yet to play the game the I strongly recommend you download the demo and if you've already done that, then buy the game already!
(For more info about the game, check out my review of Batman: Arkham Asylum)

Along with an amazing story the game also offers an addition "Challenge" mode in which Batman (and Armoured Suit Batman after completing the game) get to fight off hordes of foes and silently take down enemies in a handful of challenges.

Within the first week of the game's release, we lucky PS3 owners got our hands on B:AA first DLC- playable Joker content. This opens up a few Challenges that can be played as the Joker.

Recently there have been a few more nuggets of free DLC on the PlayStation Store- more challenges for Batman and Armoured Batman. (Sadly no more levels have been released for Joker, but it's early days yet).

I recently played through all 4 of the new challenges and thought they are definitely worth getting- especially since they're free! The most interesting of the 4 challenges is a new Survival Mode in which you get to fight off an infinite number of bad guys. This is a nice touch to the game, as I always felt that this was one challenge that the game was definitely needing.

The fact that 4 new challenges have been released so quickly can only mean good things for the future of the game. Fingers crossed that the next batch of updates include more Joker content.

-- BIZNITCH --

SKATE 3 Confirmed, May 2010

It's official- Skate 3 will be on the shelves by MAY 2010. Great news for all Skate fans, but it does beg the question: Why are they releasing so many Skate titles in so little time? Of course the answer is for the money, obviously, but I'm still having fun with Skate 2.

Personally I think that they should work on some more DLC. It couldn't be that hard to make updates to add more tricks into the game, an option to buy more levels or open up new sections of the map or even make new multiplayer modes- a free roam split-screen would suit me just fine.

(This was a bugger to get a hold of, as the official UK site for SKATE still hasn't been updated, and the American one just re-directs you back to the UK...)

But all this said, I will probably buy this title straight off. As much as I'd prefer DLC, there are some major flaws on Skate 2 that could be fixed or improved- namely the crappy physics when you're off your board...

--BIZNITCH--

PS Store Updates! (10-09-09)

Well, it's that time of the week again when Sony adorn us with sprinkles of stuff on the PS Store. As always I'll be sharking the store for freebies- the most anticipated of which are those Dynamic Themes.

Although, as I write this I have heard that they have been having problems with the Sackboy and Motostorm themes, leaving us with the exclusive Wipeout theme.

Saying that, I have only just found out that the dynamic themes AREN'T free! Which leaves me wondering whether I would want to pay for such a small thing, when up to now I've been happy using the free ones on offer...

At least out exclusive Wipeout Dynamic Theme is free, and available to download, so I'm sure I'll be happy with that. Anyone curious why we had to wait longer for our Dynamic Themes, have a read of this article, as Sony finally responds to user feedback of the Firmware 3.0 update.

But for now, get yourselves onto the PS Store and check out these updates!

--BIZNITCH--

Downloadable Games

Interpol: The Trail of Dr. Chaos (£7.99/€9.99)
PEGI 3+

Demos (free)

FIFA 10
PEGI 3+

Fat Princess
PEGI 16+

LittleBigPlanet
PEGI 7+

Katamari Forever
PEGI 3+

Add-On Game Content

Pain

• George Takei Character Pack (£1.19/€1.49)

PEGI 16+

High Velocity Bowling

• Back To School Ball Pack (£0.79/€0.99)
• Graphic Pattern Ball Pack (£0.79/€0.99)
• Heather Haughtfer Pack (£0.79/€0.99)

PEGI 3+

Guitar Hero 5 (visit www.guitarhero.com/songimport for more information on using the disc import and DLC Update packs)

• GHWT Disc Import Pack (£2.99/€3.99)
• GHWT DLC Update (free)
• 100 Little Curses by Street Sweeper Social Club (£1.59/€1.99)
• Fight! Smash! Win! by Street Sweeper Social Club (£1.59/€1.99)
• Street Sweeper Social Club Track Pack (contains 100 Little Curses, Fight! Smash! Win! and Somewhere In The
• World It’s Midnight) (£4.39/€5.49)
• Prodigal Son (Live) by The Rolling Stones (£1.59/€1.99)
• You Gotta Move (Live) by The Rolling Stones (£1.59/€1.99)

Rock Band

• Freezepop Pack 01 (this pack contains the three Freezepop tracks listed below) (£1.69/€2.29)
• Get Ready 2 Rokk by Freezepop (£0.59/€0.99)
• Less Talk More Rokk by Freezepop (£0.59/€0.09)
• Science Genius Girl by Freezepop (£0.59/€0.99)
• The PAX 2009 Collection (this pack contains the three tracks listed below) (£1.69/€2.29)
• Opening Band by Paul and Storm (£0.59/€0.99)
• Origin of Species by MC Frontalot (£0.59/€0.99)
• Re: Your Brains by Jonathan Coulton (£0.59/€0.99)
• ABC by The Jackson 5 (£0.99/€1.49)
• Gasoline by Audioslave (£0.99/€1.49)
• Kryptonite by 3 Doors Down (£0.99/€1.49)
• Miss Murder by AFI (£0.99/€1.49)

PEGI 12+

Videos (free)

• Ratchet & Clank: A Crack In Time Story Trailer
• Batman: Arkham Asylum History of Arkham Trailer
• Battle Tanks Trailer
• Shatter Trailer
• WET Video Short 5
• IL2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey Launch Trailer 2
• Mini Ninjas Futo Gameplay
• Mini Ninjas Suzume Gameplay
• Mini Ninjas Launch Trailer

Dynamic Themes

• WipEout HD Dynamic Theme
• MotorStorm Dynamic Theme (£1.59/€1.99)
• LittleBigPlanet ‘Sackboy on the run’ Dynamic Theme (£1.59/€1.99)

Themes (free)

• Batman: Arkham Asylum Batman Theme
• Batman: Arkham Asylum Joker Theme
• Army of Two: The 40th Day Theme

Wallpapers (free)

• Dante’s Inferno Wallpapers x4

PlayStation Store via PSP and Media Go

Downloadable Games

Fate/Unlimited Codes (£23.99/€29.99)
PEGI 12+

BIGS 2 (£11.99/€14.99)
PEGI 3+

Demos (free)

Holy Invasion Of Privacy Badman!
PEGI 7+

Add-On Game Content (also available via the PS3 store)

Prinny: Can I Really Be The Hero? – Flonne’s Castle (£3.19/€3.99)
PEGI 7+

Rock Band Unplugged

• I Stand Alone by Godsmack (£0.99/€1.49)
• Love Spreads by Stone Roses (£0.99/€1.49)

PEGI 12+

Themes (free)

• DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY Theme 15

Back to its Roots- Sonic gets Hi Def and 2D

First off let me apologise to the lack of updates these past few weeks, both Krease and I have been extremely busy these past few weeks. My work load has settled down for the next few weeks, so hopefully I'll be getting back to my regular posting!



With that out the way, let us cast our minds back, to when Sonic was good... Way, way back. Most Sonic fans will probably remember the blue hedgehogs charm as simply a memory and many of Sonics "new fans" will probably not even remember how revolutionary that little Hedgehog was for the world of 2D gaming.

Most of the Sega Megadrives sales were down to Sonic- with his vast array of great titles (before the brand decided to branch out more with spin-offs) each more fun than the last (my personal favorite was Sonic 3 plugged into Sonic and Knuckles... Simply unbeatable!)

Before long Sonic decided to break free from the land of 2 dimensions into the world of 3D, starting of course with "Sonic 3D"... A terrible game needless to say. However, once the technology caught up with the blue-blur, Sonic went full 3D in "Sonic Adventure" on the Dreamcast. Many people despised this game, and it's sequel, marking it as the downfall of the franchise, but personally I really loved this game. It was so different from anything I had played before, hours and hours of fun was had on these titles.

...But this was as far as it should have been allowed to go. These games opened the flood gates to some of the worst games ever made, all hoisting the poor, dying hedgehog as its poster boy. Each game released was worse than the last until Sonic and his friends had finally lost every shred of credibility they had.



So, where now? What could Sega possibly do to pump life into their dying franchise? Well...



That's right, they're sending Sonic back to his roots making a new Hi-Def 2D game, code-named "Project Needlemouse".

It's anyones guess whether or not this game will be just another new-sonic-flop, or even the rejuvenation of the franchise. All I know for sure-

I'm definitely intrigued.....

--BIZNITCH--

Heavy Rain Prequel/Sequel- Potential DLC?

Although the game hasn't been released yet, Heavy Rain (set to come out early 2010... Hopefully VERY early) is already undergoing talks about additional downloadable content.

In a recent interview with David Cage, founder of Quantic Dream, Cage revealed they are in talks with Sony to continue the storyline of the four main characters in Heavy Rain. He believes that players will get attached to the four main characters in the story, therefore sequels, prequels, or even both may be feasible as downloadable content.

Although I haven't even played the game yet, this news excites me..... In interesting ways.

...I must go now

-- BIZNITCH--

Batman: Arkham Asylum- Head2Head with 360

I don't normally link to simply link to another website and call it news, but I thought that this particular article was worth a look. The Lens of Truth directly compares new games on each console, to see which one is worth getting.

I won't ruin the conclusion for you, but I will say that personally I think the PS3 is the console to get Batman: Arkham Asylum, simply for the exclusive Joker content. It adds a whole new level of gameplay to enjoy. Multiplayer will be a blast!

So check out the article, see which console wins.

( http://www.lensoftruth.com/?p=14110 )

-- BIZnews-stealerNITCH --

PS Store Update! (20th August) (....2009)

Well the new PS Store update should be up and raring to download early this evening. There are a few goodies this week- A handful of demos, a few add ons for current games, more songs for Rock Band and Guitar Hero and plenty of videos including game trailers (Heavy Rain Gamescom Trailer will be first on my downlaod list- make sure it's on yours!) and the official Gamescom Sony Press Conference footage.

So, without further adue...

Demos (free)

Colin McRae DiRT 2
PEGI 3+

WET
PEGI 18+

Mini Ninjas
PEGI 7+

IL2 Sturmovik: Birds Of Prey
PEGI 7+

Add-On Game Content

Pain – Andy Dick Pack (£0.79/€0.99)
PEGI 16+

Zen Pinball – Street Fighter II Tribute Table (£1.59/€1.99)
PEGI 7+

Guitar Hero: World Tour – Duelling Banjos Track (£1.59/€1.99)
PEGI 12+

Rock Band

• Foo Fighters Pack 02 (this combines the below three Foo Fighters tracks in one pack) (£2.49/€2.99)
• All My Life by Foo Fighters (£0.99/€1.49)
• I’ll Stick Around by Foo Fighters (£0.99/€1.49)
• Lonely As You by Foo Fighters (£0.99/€1.49)
• I Predict A Riot by Kaiser Chiefs (£0.99/€1.49)
• I’m Shipping Up To Boston by Dropkick Murphys (£0.99/€1.49)
• Inside Out by Eve 6 (£0.99/€1.49)
• No Rain by Blind Melon (£0.99/€1.49)
• There’s No Other Way by Blur (£0.99/€1.49)

PEGI 12+

Videos (free)

• Modnation Racers Trailer
• Ratchet & Clank: A Crack In Time Gamescom Trailer
• Heavy Rain Gamescom Trailer
• LittleBigPlanet Water Trailer
• Tekken 6 Gamescom Trailer
• Trine Trailer
• Ratchet & Clank: A Crack In Time Comicon Trailer
• Front Mission Evolved Trailer
• Savage Moon Waldgeist Trailer
• Gamescom Sony Press Conference Part 1
• Gamescom Sony Press Conference Part 2
• Gamescom Sony Press Conference Part 3
• Gamescom Sony Press Conference Part 4
• PR Sizzler Trailer
• Avatar Game Day Trailer (Released on Friday the 21st of August)

Themes (free)

• Katamari Forever and Noby Noby Boy Theme
• PlayStation Store via PSP and Media Go

Downloadable Games

Wild Arms XF (£13.99/€17.99)
PEGI 12+

Riviera (£13.99/€17.99)
PEGI 12+

Warriors Orochi (£13.99/€17.99)
PEGI 12+

Colin McRae Rally 2005 (£7.99/€9.99)
PEGI 3+

Demo (free)

Dissidia Final Fantasy
PEGI 12+

Add-On Game Content (also available via the PS3 store)

Rock Band Unplugged

• A Favor House Atlantic by Coheed and Cambria (£0.99/€1.49)
• Heartbreaker by Pat Benatar (£0.99/€1.49)

PEGI 12+

Themes (free)

• Dissidia Final Fantasy Themes 8, 9 and 10

Videos (free)

• MotorStorm Arctic Edge Trailer

And that's your lot. Enjoy.

-- BIZNITCH --

PlayStation 3 Firmware (v3.00) Update

IN OTHER NEWS! (more interesting news in my opinion)

PlayStation 3 Firmware (v3.00) update has also been confirmed.
This new update has a fair few little updates and tweaks to the system, hopefully resulting in an all-round better experience.

The update will include:

• “What’s New” – The “Information Board” will be replaced with a “What’s New” section, which allows you to enjoy interactive PlayStation news every time you start the PS3 system. Located under the PlayStation Network icon, “What’s New” displays the latest and greatest game, video, PlayStation Network and PlayStation news and releases, as well as your recently played games, in a sleek, new animated format.

• Status Indicator – In the top right corner we’ve added an indicator bar, which displays your user icon, friend icon, the number of friends you have online and a small message icon to let you know if you have any new messages. The indicator also includes a scrolling ticker that features the latest news from PlayStation Network. In addition, when you press the PS button, the battery life indicator will no longer cover up the clock.

• Friends List – Now your PlayStation Network friends will appear in a slightly redesigned format on your Friends List. Also, messages will now be viewable from each of your friends’ respective profiles.

• PlayStation Store Shortcuts – We’ve added a handy shortcut icon to the PlayStation Store under both the Game and Video categories so you can access the latest content quickly and easily.

• Personalization – Personalize your PS3 with new dynamic custom themes and avatars. Dynamic themes as well as free and premium avatars will be available through PlayStation Store. A dynamic theme takes your screen to a whole new level as it incorporates animated objects into the background.

• Trophies – Showcasing your hard earned trophies just got better. Update 3.00 gives game developers the ability to modify how they display trophies for add-on content. Base and add-on game trophies will continue to be combined into a single list so you can see where you stand in a game as a whole. Within that list, trophies will be broken out into subcategories—base trophies and add-on trophies—that way, you can easily view the percentage of your base game trophy collection, and separately track your trophy progress in add-on packs. Look for this enhancement to be included in upcoming games.

What? Don't believe me? Well why not check this video out:

There will also be other minor tweaks to the system. I'm hoping that one of the tweaks will be for the internet browser, as currently it feels more like a cheap, last minute add-on.

-- BIZNITCH --

PS3 Slim FINALLY REVEALED!

Well, the news is finally out- PS3 Slim hits the stores come 1st September (2009).
And with it, all those wonderful photoshoped images been before can be erased from your minds and replaced by these beauts:

Personally, I prefer the look of the original, but then again I always do. I prefer the bigger iPods, the original DS, PS2 etc.

And if that isn't enough for you, here's some hard facts for you, in video form.

So if you want one it will either cost you 299 euros, 299 dollars or 29,980 yen. Although they failed to mention how much it'll be in pound sterling, so I presume we in the UK will get it for free.

-- BIZNITCH --

Sack Boy had an Accident ....

I've been feeling a bit guilty lately. When I first brought my PS3 home the first thing I done was play LittleBig Planet. I spent HOURS on that game. Then after completing it there was a vast array of custom made levels. THEN went on the PSN to download new costumes for the little fella.
Life was simple back then....

But now my games collection is increasing, the demos are coming thick and fast and the PS Store is releasing more and more classic games that can't be ignored, my Sack Boy sits alone in the corner...

New costumes are fun and all, but nothing more than aesthetics. What we need to rejuvenate this brilliant game is something new... Some new element to enhance the gameplay... Something... Wet?

That's right- LBP was gone all Kevin Costner. We're still awaiting more news, but this is enough to tickle my interest.
This will definately make me pick the game back up and give Sack Boy a great, big, plutonic cuddle!

Next week- some MANLY news.

-- BIZNITCH --

Earthworm Jim- soon to be on the PSN!!

As you are all aware, I've been totally immersed in the PSN these past few weeks- trying out demos, buying small games and generally giggling over the back catalogue of retro games. The release of FF VII alone made me giggle with glee for weeks on end. And now I feel the Cheshire Cat-esque grin on my face has no chance of subsiding with the promise of another great classic game, one which sits close to the top of my all time favourite games list-

EARTHWORM JIM

I found this nugget of info on another gaming site-
Gameloft has announced it will be delivering the classic platformer Earthworm Jim to digital distribution platforms and mobile phones. Originally released on 16-bit systems back in 1994, Earthworm Jim stars the titular invertebrate who wears a super suit which grants him the power to fight the evil forces of Queen Slug-for-a-Butt. It's not clear, yet, whether this is an all-new game or a straight port of the original. As of this writing, Gameloft could not be reached for clarification.

"The game, with its humorous and edgy style, is a great fit for today's gamer who craves a fully immersive experience that is fun and easily accessible," said Gonzague de Vallois, senior vice president, Gameloft.

"Earthworm Jim resonates with millions of people worldwide and we are excited to have one of the best developers in the industry create this game for a new audience," said Herve Caen, CEO, Interplay.

Interestingly, SEGA announced last week that the original Earthworm Jim is a candidate for the next SEGA Classics release on Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA) and PlayStation Network.



Can you say "GROOVY!"

-- BIZNITCH --

God of War 3- Gamescom Trailer

Digging up dirt on God of War 3, I found a link to videogameszone.de, as they have published the official gamescom '09 trailer of God of War 3.

Roughly translated, the article reads:
"Like, OMG! ZOM-FUCKING-G!! U SEEN DIS SHITZ?!"

Enjoy.

http://www.videogameszone.de/aid,692608/God-of-War-3-Der-offizielle-gamescom-Trailer-zur-PS3-Action-ist-da/Video/

Batman: Arkham Asylum- Making the Game

Since the Demo has FINALLY hit the PS Store, I thought I'd find some B:AA related news to post, as I had some spare time on my hands while waiting for it to download.

The latest news on the game seems to be a short behind the scenes look at the game, i.e- the making of!

So sit back, relax and enjoy...

More Batman: Arkham Asylum Info

(If this video doesn't work- click here)

....Why must my internet connection be so slow.....

PlayStation Wii? (A look at the PS Wand)

There's no denying that the Nintendo Wii was an overwhelming success. Phenomenally so. (See charts below if you don't believe me... Or check out this cool moving graph)

Not good with numbers? Don't worry, this graph might suit you better...

As you can see, Nintendo is storming ahead with their cheaper products aimed more towards the family, with the technically superior PS3 is left trailing at the back. The main reason for this is said to be the price, although a price drop is imminent for both the PS3 and Xbox 360 (An article written by Krease explains this better)

Either way, with the DS's touch screen and the Wii's motion sensors, both PlayStation and Xbox have been hard at work trying to find NEW and REVOLUTIONARY ways to... Well, rip Nintendo's ideas off.

Therefor it is no surprise that they have both unveiled their new devices for the consoles, Playstation with the PLAYSTATION WAND and Xbox with PROJECT NATAL, at E3 this year. (To be honest, if you didn't know this already then you must have been living under a rock.... Or a non-gamer who mistook this site for some sort of pornography, in which case- here you go)

The two different devices work in completely different ways, but still manage to seemingly steal the Nintendo Wii's control system.


PlayStation seem to have ripped off the Wii mote itself, with the PS3 Wand. It works in conjunction with the PlayStation Eye to give full motion control.

Whereas Xbox have decided to pinch the Wii Motion sensor design with their Project Natal.

However, although both we unveiled at E3, and Project Natal has some pretty interesting concepts, only PlayStation had a working model to show. And what a show that was!



This is the future. By leaning over and copying off Nintendo's paper, PlayStation seem to have vastly improved on the concept. Although the Wii Motion Sensor Plus has been released, it may be too little too late. The future of gaming is almost here and I, for one, cannot wait.

(I know it's taken a while to get here, but this bit is the ACTUAL NEWS I've been working towards here!)

SO- Off the back of this, EA has now stated that they are on board with both Natal and the PS3 Wand. A report published on Eurogamer.net states that EA's head fella, John Riccitiello, confirmed that "early-to-mid 2010" will be the time when the company will reveal exactly how it plans to support the new motion-sensitive control systems.

"We're planning to support both," he stated. "We haven't yet announced our plans to do so, but we shall do so in the right time-frame for that, which is likely to be early-to-mid-2010."

So the future of gaming is looking really interesting... And REALLY close!


-- BIZNITCH --

Braid on the PSN?

BRAID is one of those games I've been itching to play- a 2D puzzle-platformer in which you manipulate time to solve the puzzles.

I've been looking into the subject of "Can Video Games be Art?" for a Dissertation I'm panning on writing and almost everywhere I look this title pops up.

Toad was never the same after hitting puberty.

So after trawling through the internet for weeks (it turns out it's quite a large place) I finally found this interesting nugget of information regarding it's release on the PSN.

"A listing on USK -- a German ratings website similar to the ESRB -- reveals that Braid will come to the PSN via publisher Hothead Games. IGN confirmed this report with Hothead Games earlier today, but further details are still forthcoming."

Can you spell "Awesome"?

-- BIZNITCH --

New Blog Writer

I'm pleased to announce that Playstation Blogger UK now has another writer other then me, who goes by the name Biznitch so keep an eye out for some very interesting reviews from him.

Also if you would like to write a review, a piece of news or even your opinion on gaming please contact me by clicking on the contact button near the top of this site.