Echochrome
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echochrome demo strikes US PSN tomorrow
The fine folks at SCEA wanted us to tell you that an echochrome demo will be available in tomorrow's Thursday PSN update. If you haven't been keeping updated, echochrome is a unique downloadable puzzle game that plays with perspective. Watch the trailer above to get a feel for the game.This is the same demo we made available a few weeks ago. SCEA's Scott Goryl added: "Yes, this is the same demo that was available on the Japanese Store. Except, well, you know, with English." That's an added plus for many of you, we're sure. Until then, check out our new updated gallery of the PSP version. %Gallery-4920%
echochrome on UMD in Europe says official site
Information on the European version of echochrome has been sadly lacking, especially considering all the fun and games surrounding the game's method of release in America. A Pocket Gamer reader has stumbled upon the official product page on the official PlayStation website, which clearly states that echochrome will be "available on UMD for PSP and to download on PLAYSTATION 3 in May 2008." No word on pricing for the PSP version or if it will also be available via the PC Store, but it's nice to know Europeans will be able to get their hands on a physical copy.We suspect the reason for this might be that the European PC Store hasn't really taken off, with SCEE saying very little about the service since it was launched. As for the release date, we've had echochrome penciled in for May for a wee while now, so no surprises there. [Via Pocket Gamer]
UMD-nied: Echochrome PSP goes download-only in NA
At last, the PSP version of Sony's Escher-esque puzzler, Echochrome, is no longer "up in the air" for the North American market. When it comes down to earth, however, it'll strictly be in the form of a digital download. Newsweek's N'Gai Croal confirms that the game will only be available through the PlayStation Network store, thereby ruling out a retail-bound UMD like that released in Japan. The PSP version will come with 56 unique levels, a number roughly in line with the (PSN-only) PlayStation 3 version. So, what about those 100 levels on the Japanese Echochrome UMD? For now, it looks like they'll only be obtainable if you import the game. Echochrome is out in North America this May.
MTV 'dates' upcoming PSN games
MTV's Stephen Totilo has recently had his hands on with all the big first-party PSN games that will be hitting within the next few months. His thoughts on each title are generally very positive, which is great now that we know that they're all coming out between now and June. Totilo lists each of the games (Echochome, Elefunk, PixelJunk Monsters: Encore and WipEout HD) along with a vague release date.While May will be the busiest month of the quarter, April will kick things off with (as well as a Store redesign) PixelJunk Monsters: Encore, an expansion pack for the well received tower defense game, which is pegged for the latter part of the month. Echochrome and Elefunk will keep May interesting until WipEout HD finally gets a release in "late May, or early June". Interestingly, it seems that Echochrome will receive two releases - one for PS3 and one for PSP. Each will be entirely different to the other in terms of level layout, but both will be available for download from the PSN Store. True Echochrome fans will no doubt want to grab both versions for the full experience. Needless to say, these dates are all US based. There's no telling when Europe will be seeing any of these games ...
echochrome getting US release, only $10
The brain teaser echochrome is finally getting a US release. (Check out the downloadable demo here.) The PSP version of echochrome will be a downloadable title, available in early May for only $10. All the content featured in the PSP version will be unique to the system (and none of the content from the PS3 version will be in the handheld version either).A level editor is included with the game, but unfortunately for PSP owners, trading levels can only happen via local Ad-Hoc, not Infrastructure. We're hoping that with Memory Stick, it'll be possible for friends to simply e-mail levels to each other.
Spring PSN lineup dated
Sony recently showed off near-final builds of its next wave of original PSN games, and even committed to release time frames, according to MTV Multiplayer. Though weekly releases on the PS Store are largely kept behind the big, black curtain until showtime, it appears that Sony is trying to steal some attention away from the recent bevy of WiiWare boloney "buildup" and the well-oiled Xbox Live Arcade machine by generating previews of its own. So how 'bout those dates: Late April: PixelJunk Monsters Encore (expansion pack) Early May: Echochrome May: Elefunk Late May / early June: WipEout HD
Penny Arcade obsesses over echochrome
We'd like to give a big shout-out to our friends at Penny Arcade. Their most recent comic is about the reality-bending PSP/PS3 title, echochrome. After trying out the downloadable demo hosted by PSP Fanboy (thanks for the links, guys), the duo had to share their latest obsession. echochrome is but one of many reasons why they've been in love with the PSP: "The system has been on a roll for awhile now, even if the common wisdom hasn't really caught up to the fact. If you like traditional or tactical RPGs, it's practically become the destination of choice. It's been delivering on its technical promise fairly dependably, and I can vouch for a lot of the content, but I still wonder if people in general want games of this sophistication in their pocket."Well, we're pretty sure the readers of this site want the best possible gaming experience on the go.
PSN Thursday: Rocketmen blast off, Echochrome marches onto Japanese PSN
Just like XBLA, Rocketmen: Axis of Evil is the only new game offering on PSN this week. Sure, there's the Rock Band and GHIII DLC, but its a pretty tame week overall. Now, for those with access to the Japanese PSN it's a different story. Those people should go grab echochrome immediately and twist their brains, Escher-style. Check out the complete list of this week's content after the break. Wondering what the Europeans got? Take a little trip down the yellow brick road to PS3 Fanboy. %Gallery-2571%
Get the echochrome demo on your PSP
You're heard the critics lavish praise on the monochromatic, perspective-twisting goodness of echochrome, and now you PSP owners can finally take the game for a spin. How, you ask? Why, with a free, downloadable demo of course. Our friends at PSP Fanboy have all the instructions. We hope you dig the demo, because without a release date for the game currently, there's not telling how long you'll need to make this sliver of echochrome last. Enjoy.
echochrome now available on Japanese PSN
Have a Japanese PSN account? Well, lucky you! You'll be pleased to see echochrome is now available on the Japanese PLAYSTATION Store. If you have a PSP, you're in even more luck. Our sister site, PSP Fanboy, has a free downloadable demo for you to try.echochrome is a perspective-bending puzzle game, heavily influenced by Escher. It's due for a US release in the coming months.
echochrome downloadable demo
Here's your chance to get echochrome on your PSP. This demo will give you a small taste of this Escher-inspired perspective-bending puzzle game. The Triangle button will pause the game, allowing you to think. The X button will speed up the avatar. Simply experiment -- we're sure you'll do well!1. Download the demo zip file. [Click here for direct download from PSP.]2. Extract the contents of the zip file.3. Connect your PSP to your computer using a USB cable.4. Go to the PSP/GAME folder.5. Copy NPJG90019 folder into the GAME directory. Make sure there are no sub-directories in this folder. Check out our demos site:demos.pspfanboy.com
10 reasons the PlayStation 3 is relevant again
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/playstation/10_reasons_PlayStation_3_is_still_relevant'; Sony is expecting a big year for PlayStation 3 -- it might even turn a profit in the next fiscal year, according to SCEI President and CEO Kaz Hirai. The folks at PS3 Fanboy think it's got a fighting chance, and here are ten reasons we expect a better year for the console.
Today's most perspective-bending trailer: echochrome in real life
Ever wonder what echochrome would look like in real life? Of course, given the entire game is based on perspective, we'd never be able to enjoy the new reality because we'd always be watching from afar. But then that person would see the real perspective and not benefit from the ... oh, we've gone ahead and confused ourselves. Thankfully you don't have to wrap such conundrums around your head. Just enjoy this Japanese commercial for the game after the break. (Take note of the pretty Mint Green PSP seen at the end.) [Via PSP Fanboy]
Pain due out in Europe this month; Elefunk in April; Echochrome follows in May
Geekpulp, a New Zealand based site, has received a list of upcoming first-party downloads that will be up on the PlayStation Store within the next few months. These are PAL releases, so it's easy to assume that the same content will be reaching Europeans around the same time. With only three items on the list, however, we're hoping this isn't exhaustive. There will obviously be third party stuff coming too, but with Sony holding games like High Velocity Bowling and Dark Mist hostage, we were hoping to see them at some point soon. The press release says that Pain will be out at some point this month, along with a few extra buyable characters on day one. With ten extra characters finished and ready to go, both Europe (that seems to include all PAL territories) and America should be seeing more characters becoming available regularly. That's all very well and good, but where are the new levels? One really isn't enough, no matter how many characters you can toss around in it.Elefunk (a game we sadly haven't heard about in quite a while) will be available in April and the PS3 release of Echochrome will come in May. So, now you know how the next few months according to Sony and its first-party titles, what do you think?[Via N4G]
echochrome in real life (the commercial)
Ever wanted to know what echochrome would look like in the real world? It would be scary. Here's the Japanese advertisement for the only-in-Japan PSP game. Notice how it's being advertised on the new, sexy minty green PSP? Nice.
Japanese gamers get echochrome demo next week
The mind-bending dimension-shifting puzzler, echochrome, will be receiving a playable demo next week. Japanese gamers will just need to access PlayStation Spot and download the demo to their systems. We don't know if it will be DRM-free or not. We hope we can offer it to you next week, because this might be one of the few opportunities we'll have to play the title on PSP, unless SCEA decides to bring it over.
Echochrome hitting North American PS3s this Spring
Originally, Siliconera had reported that the upcoming perplexing puzzle game will be coming to North America sometime this Summer. Now, it seems, the real release date for the downloadable title will be sometime this Spring. Only the PS3 version of the game is guaranteed outside of Japan, however, as the PSP version's fate is still very much undetermined. Japan's PSP version of Echochrome will feature extra levels and features that the PS3 version will not, so we'd be very disappointed not to see these reach the West in some form or another.When asked whether the extra content could be released for the PS3 version as DLC the Sony PR rep responded that the feature list for the PS3 version had not been announced yet. With Spring swiftly approaching, we'd hope that an announcement regarding the game's features will be coming soon. We're far more likely to pay for the game if it's more than just a demo for a non-existant PSP game.
PS3 Echochrome coming stateside Spring 2008, PSP version 'up in the air' [update]
North American gamers who wish to live out their long held fantasies of frolicking through Escher's world of Relativity will get their chance this summer, when Echochrome, Sony's perspective swapping puzzle platformer, will be made available for download on the PlayStation Network. In the usual fashion for Sony developed games, Japanese gamers will be able to pick up the game long before the rest of us -- some time in March. No news has been heard about a stateside release date for the pricier PSP version of the game, though Siliconera is claiming that a Sony rep told them the handheld edition is "up in the air". This isn't a death knell for the portable port -- we don't know why they'd cancel the U.S. version, considering that Japan's March release date is for the PSP as well. We'll let you know when we know a more definite release date for the two versions, until then, we suggest enrolling into some sort of MENSA organization in order to garner the massive, genius brain you'll need to navigate these impossible constructions. Update: The PS3 version is on track for a Spring release.
GDC08: Gameplay footage of Echochrome emerges from GDC
We know that, like us, you're just itchy to watch somebody play a couple of levels of upcoming mindbender, Echochrome. Thankfully a couple of videos have snuck out of GDC showing some gameplay, as well as detailing the five laws of perspective that the player will need to learn in order to get anywhere in the game. The game player in the video doesn't seem very good, but let's cut him some slack. This game makes our brains hurt just from the pure puzzling potential. Confusingly, the PSP version of Echochrome hasn't been announced for the Western world. We're hopeful that it will be, since it features a huge amount of extra levels. Of course, the trade off is that the PSP's graphics will be much lower quality than those seen in these videos (plus it'll be about twice as expensive!) Still, that's a trade off we'd probably be willing to make.It would seem from these videos that the avatar can be sped up at will, which will surely cut down on waiting times for the game. The camera also seems to move freely, adding an element of precision to an already brain-melting concept. Nevertheless, we can't wait to get our hands on it. The second video can be seen after the jump - see you there!
Japanese trailer gives you some insight into echochrome
If you didn't catch it on PSP Fanboy, there was a new trailer released for the upcoming title echochrome that attempts to explain some of its mechanics. It's also just fun to look at. Well, since there's not much to say other than "watch the trailer", our work here is done. It looks like the game will be wild and stylish, but not exactly something that'll wow your friends. Unless they really, really like art.
