Before Naughty Dog was receiving accolades for its development on the Uncharted franchise, the studio created the 3D platforming Jak series on the PS2 with significant success. Now as the PS3 meets its platforming needs this holiday season with the latest Ratchet and Clank game, the other two members of the Playstation family (PSP, PS2) get their due with a new (and some may say overdue) installment of the Jak (and Daxter) series with the High Impact Games developed Jak & Daxter: The Lost Frontier. High Impact Games have taken the reins of this franchise bringing over their recent experience in creating 3D platformers (Secret Agent Clank, Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters) to develop yet another brand new title in a familiar environment. We take a look at specifically the PSP version in a month where it goes head to head with the new kid on the block (Little Big Planet PSP) and see if the title provides quality and unique 3D platforming in a usual busy holiday season.
To compliment the intense racing (and subsequent crashing) action already provided by the critically acclaimed Need for Speed: Shift, EA has recently announced the first DLC for the Xbox 360 and PS3 version. The pack entitled Team Racing will include a new mode involving…Team Racing while also including 5 new cars to add to the roster. Sean C.
Get yer ad-hoc multiplayer PSP games ready because as promised the adhocParty application for the PS3 has been released in this week’s update. If you have a wired internet connection on your PS3 (doesn’t include me), you can now play popular ad-hoc multiplayer game like Monster Hunter: Freedom Unite through that connection. Peggle and the Peggle Nights add-on finally hit the PS3, while PSone classics Resident Evil 2 and Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver also release this week. New PAIN DLC introduces us to the Flava Flav character for you to punish after making me listen to “ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-yeah booooy!” over and over again in DJ Hero (only because I forget to change the samples). For the PSP, we see the digital release of the exclusive Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines along with 3 new mini games in D-CUBE Planet , Echoes and Circles (no idea what they’re about). We also see demos for Pixeljunk Monsters Deluxe and Little Big Planet for the PSP. Sean C. Continue reading ‘PSN Store Update Nov/19/2009 – The (adhoc)Party with Flava Flav in a Peggle Night’
This week I am still blight bashing on Bioware’s Dragon Age: Origins. My main character is an Arcane Warrior, which means I can use magic as well as armor and weapons so I am mowing through the enemies now . I also got the downloadable content which allowed me to add the rock golem “Shale “ to my party. He’s pretty funny actually. He’s wisecracking, human hating…very reminiscent of HK-47 from Bioware’s KOTOR. Demo pick of the week: I’ve been playing Bayonetta which I got (shameless plug: THANKS TO THIS WEBSITE!!) through the limited SEGA pre-release. I’ll be doing a review on it shortly.
I had such a blast playing Left 4 Dead 2 with the Xbox Canada and Valve peeps the other day, that I think I’ll keep the zombie carnage going through the weekend. I’ve popped in Little Big Planet PSP to have by my side while I watch every NHL/NBA and NFL game on the schedule. I’m curious on how it plays on the portable. James S. Demo pick of the Week: I’m checking out a game called Tropico 3 where I play a scumbag that has taken control of a Caribbean island. “First you get the power…”
PSN/Gamertag: elSCIENTIFICO Continue reading ‘Whatcha Playin’ (NOV 20th)’
The Xbox 360 is changing more and more from a mere gaming console into a multimedia social networking system. Another step towards realizing this was made this week with the addition of Facebook, Twitter and Zune on Xbox LIVE. I got the tour of these new applications and what they can do so here are some of my thoughts. Continue reading ‘XBOX LIVE NEW FEATURES: Pics and Opinions’
The gang at Ubisoft have lots homegrown gaming goodness in store for the upcoming Holidays. So we were invited to the Academy of Spherical Arts in downtown Toronto to check out all the gaming gifts Ubisoft has in store for the holiday season.
For those who passed on the console version released earlier this month, or just bummed with the laggy online multiplayer, you just might find something different with the PSP version of the game. Namco Bandai has so far built a strong reputation with their PSP fighting game ports with Tekken: Dark Ressurection and more recently Soul Calibur:Broken Destiny. Providing exclusive content, improvement tweaks, and unbelievable graphics for the PSP, each port solidified itself as a legitmate and unique version of the original game. With Tekken 6, all 40 characters will be present from the console version, 4 new stages will be included, and we also see the return of the ability to transfer ghost data. With the recent announcement of adhocParty coming to North America, players will also be able to battle locally or online (via PS3) both via ad-hoc multiplayer. Tekken 6 for the PSP is slated for release Nov/24/2009; now the question for me is whether I can justify buy two versions of the same game. Tekken 6? Yes. Sean C.
It hasn’t happened yet, but today firmware 3.10 is scheduled hit the PS3 with various new features including Facebook support. 3.10 will allow you to connect to your Facebook profile and share your trophies and Playtation Store purchases with your friends. The firmware update also changes how you preview photos (now in grid format), and tweaks your friends list after user feedback.
I wonder how many Facebook friends I’ll have left (not necessarily real friends) after I bombard them with my Playstation updates….ah well. Sean C.
God of War III won’t be out until March 2010. Yeah. So? Now the anticipation will be soothed slightly as the God of War Collection is out as of today. Players new to franchise (what are you 15?) can now experience the game that, in my opinion, popularized so many game elements you see prevalent in today’s action games. Veterans of the series can now have the satisfaction of playing two of the PS2’s best games ever on one Blu-Ray disc remastered in 720p. As a bonus, this new version will contain trophy support and players will also get access to the GOW III E3 demo upon purchase, all at the budget price of $39.99. An interesting approach to maintaining interest in subsequent PS3 continuations of PS2 legacy franchises. One would hope that other PS2 series getting an upcoming PS3 installment get the same treatment (I’m looking at you ICO/Shadows of the Colossus!). Stay tuned for a full review of the God of War Collection. Sean C.
Left 4 Dead 2 isn’t the only game released today that allows you to massacre hordes of zombies as Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles is now available for the Wii. A follow up to The Umbrella Chronicles also on the Wii, the game once again brings the on-rails shooter genre to the Resident Evil franchise retracing the events of Resident Evil 2 and Code:Veronica. In addition to 2 player co-op, the Darkside Chronicles also features a new camera style reflective of the first person accounts in movies like the Blair Witch Project and Cloverfield…so lock, load and have the gravol ready. Sean C.
To be honest, 3D platforming games tend to have a rough time on the PSP. With the lack of a second analog “nub” it eliminates any sort of camera control function leaving you at the mercy of the auto camera usually putting you in frustrating situations. With Little Big Planet PSP being a 2 ½D (i.e. no camera issues) platformer made specifically for the PSP, this game has the potential of being the best platform game on the system. Bringing all the aspects that made the PS3 Little Big Planet the award winning game that it was (including community level design), the PSP iteration looks to be in good shape to follow suit. Sean C.
Here’s a Hands On preview of the sleek dual sliding smartphone -The Nokia N86 8MP. Named 2009 Best Mobile Imaging Device be the Technical Image Press Association. The Nokia N86 8MP will be carried by ROGERS in Canada and launches in late November. Stay tuned to Console Creatures for official pricing and availability.
In Funny People, Adam Sandler (You Don’t Mess with the Zohan, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry) leads an all-star ensemble cast including Seth Rogen (Pineapple Express, Knocked Up), Leslie Mann (17 Again, Knocked Up), Jonah Hill (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Superbad), Eric Bana (Star Trek, The Time Traveler’s Wife) and Jason Schwartzman (The Darjeeling Limited, Rushmore), along with special cameo appearances from some of comedy’s greatest legends including Paul Reiser, Ray Romano, Sarah Silverman, Norm Mac Donald, Dave Attell and Charles Fleisher, among others. SRP $39.99 Continue reading ‘DVD RACK: COMEDY SECTION Releases For NOV 17TH’
For four years, the courageous crew of the NSEA protector – “Commander Peter Quincy Taggart”(Tim Allen), “Lt. Tawny Madison (Sigourney Weaver) and “Dr. Lazarus” (Alan Rickman) – set off on a thrilling and often dangerous mission in space…and then their series was cancelled! Now, twenty years later, aliens under attack have mistaken the Galaxy Quest television transmissions for “historical documents” and beam up the crew of has-been actors to save the universe. With no script, no director and no clue, the actors must turn in the performances of their lives. You might just want to pick this Blu Ray version up for one of the special features – Sigourney Weaver Raps!!!SRP $47.99 Continue reading ‘DVD RACK: SCI-FI Section Releases for NOV 17th’
This holiday season, bring the joy of slaying Zombies to the palm of your hand – Activision Publishing, Inc. and developer Treyarch, announced today the availability of the Apple iPhone & iPod Touch app: Call of Duty: World at War: ZOMBIES. This mobile version of the hit gameplay mode from Treyarch’s blockbuster title Call of Duty: World at War delivers upon the experience of one of the most popular and played online games of 2009. Call of Duty: World at War: ZOMBIES offers both single player and the game’s highly-addictive co-op gameplay experience in full 3-D, allowing up to four players to join a game via Wi-Fi, locally or across the Internet, and up to two players via Bluetooth, all on the go! Continue reading ‘CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR: ZOMBIES AVAILABLE NOW FROM THE APP STORE’
Legit video games getting educational recognition. White House approve LBP in libraries Beaterator used to teach music theory in NYC school 25 minutes ago
adhocParty out today. Requires a wired connection on the PS3. womp womp for me. 3 days ago
Todays Sony Media and Investor conference indicates PSN service on non-gaming products, possible PSN subscription services, 3D enabled games 4 days ago
Uncharted 2 leads VGA nominations with 8 followed by Batman: Arkham Asylum with 7. Sounds about right. 5 days ago
PS3 firmware 3.10 with facebook app to be released today. 5 days ago
. I also got the downloadable content which allowed me to add the rock golem “Shale “ to my party. He’s pretty funny actually. He’s wisecracking, human hating…very reminiscent of HK-47 from Bioware’s KOTOR. 
