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Killzone Liberation PSP bundle invades France
One of our French readers, kingplayer, sent us a tip about a brand new PSP bundle hitting France (and maybe the rest of Europe?). Like the previous Korea-only Tekken pack, this bundle features some pretty sweet box art and... well, nothing else, really. Killzone will obviously be included in this particular bundle. It appears that Sony will also be providing a new bundle featuring Vice City Stories for release the week after. Our European fans can look out for the new packages on November 8th (for Killzone) and November 15th (for GTA).
Motivational posters get game
Retro Blast recently ran a contest to make gaming version of those ever-so-popular motivational posters. They have yet to decide on a winner, so now is the perfect time to check out the entire gallery of nearly 360 entries and decide for yourself the rightful heir to the champion's throne. Beyond Challenge (pictured), we'd opt for either Loyalty or @#!$@!. Our only regret is that these image files have small resolutions; there are more than a few we wouldn't mind hanging on a wall.
The weapons of Killzone: Liberation
If you've played the demo, you got a good taste of what to expect from the upcoming PSP-exclusive Killzone: Liberation. You can only carry one weapon at a time, meaning weapons selection is pretty crucial to the strategy of the game. Thankfully, there are crates that will supply you with the necessary tools you'll need (for example: a rocket launcher before a deadly battle against two tanks). GameTrailers.com has posted an excellent video feature, covering the various weapons in the game. Their favorite? A explosive crossbow, a la Darkwatch. They reveal details on how you can purchase new weapons, use C4, command your teammates to cover you with turret fire, ride a tank, and more. Chris found the game demo to be pretty damn good, and with all these gameplay features, it seems like the full game will not disappoint (hopefully). Killzone: Liberation hits stores on Halloween.
TGS 06: PSP game showcase
For the non-believers, this is a demo reel (note: no sound) showcasing some of the hot new titles coming to the PSP soon. You'll see the Ape Escape Racer, Jeanne d'Arc, the new Talkman, PaRappa the Rapper, Ratchet and Clank, Ace Combat X, Gundam Battle Royale, Tales of the World, Boxer's Road 2, Monster Hunter Portable 2, and more. It's clear that the games library is maturing quite a bit on the handheld. I'm really impressed by how far the handheld has gone graphically, and that's with the CPU clock still limited 33%. A lot of these games look like winners, too. I'm really psyched for Jeanne d'Arc and Tales of the World. Ratchet and Clank looks absolutely beautiful too.
TGS 06: Gamespot goes hands on with Jean D'Arc
Gamespot has just went hands on with Jean D'Arc, the strategy RPG based on Joan of Arc, at the Tokyo Games Show. Although they couldn't read a lick of any text due to the game being in all Japanese, they did play enough to tell the main game will be similar to other grid-based games, like Nippon Ichi's insane library of great SRPGs. One aspect of the game that seems pretty interesting is when Jean receives damage, she, at times, will take a page out of the Hulk's book by transforming into superpowerful Jean and inflicting major damage upon her enemies. After a few turns, Jean returns back to her normal self. They go on to say all the basic elements of an SRPG are here and graphically, is much better than any other similar game on the PSP to date. Unfortunately for us, there's no definitive information on whether we'll get this game stateside. Keep your fingers crossed boys and girls. (Via Gamespot)
Wipeout comes to an end in Japan
Wipeout: Pure is one of my favorite games on the PSP. The great graphics, music and gameplay were fantastic, but the incredible amount of downloadable content is what made it one of the best games on the handheld. For months after the game's launch, we were presented with tons of new tracks and ships, essentially doubling the length of the game for free, making it one of the greatest values on the system (especially at Greatest Hits price). While the team has gone quiet since the last update, it appears that Sony is officially announcing the end of downloads... in Japan, at least. It's a little sad to know that there will most likely never be downloads again for Wipeout: Pure, but hopefully that means that the team is working on what I really want now: a sequel. [Via PSP-Vault]
November OPM to feature Killzone demo
According to the latest RadiOPM, The next issue of the Official PlayStation Magazine (OPM), will also feature the Killzone: Liberation demo that's been extensively covered on the site. With distribution through OPM, and PlayStation Underground, it appears that Sony's really revving their marketing machine to hype this game. And why shouldn't they? The game's really good. [Via IGN Boards]
PSP Fanboy Review: Killzone: Liberation demo
While I was in Gamestop today picking up my copy of Saints Row, I noticed they received their demo copies of Killzone. After plopping down $5 big ones, it's now mine, and I've spent enough time with it to give you my take. First of all, I can't help but keep being reminded of Metal Gear while playing this game. With its isometric view, it looks a lot like Metal Gear Acid, but, thankfully, there are no damn cards involved in Killzone. But looking similar to Metal Gear Acid, which is beautiful in its on right, is not bad at all – oh hell no. Read on to see my full review.
Killzone demo UMDs spotted
Over at the Gamespot forums, one lucky fan seems to have secured a copy of the Killzone demo on UMD. I'm guessing these are going to replace the never-to-be-heard-from-again Gangs of London UMD demo that Sony promoted about a month ago? I'll be checking my mailbox every day, and so should you. If you're interested in being able to get more demos from Sony in the future, head over to their official website and register your PSP.
Killzone easily "outclasses" the competition
The original Killzone on the PS2 was a bit of a disappointment for many in the gaming community. Sony fans were cheering it as the "Halo killer" for their system, but the game couldn't live up to the hype when it hit store shelves. So, I'm always a little cautious when posting news about Killzone: Liberation, the exclusive PSP follow-up. While it looks absolutely marvelous, a persistant fear nags at me, making me wonder if we're getting our expectations a bit too high again. Of course, it's hard not to get excited when the video footage is so tantalizing, or if IGN previews the game and says "And this is, frankly, one of the finest experiences on the PSP." After an impressive CG intro, the game jumps into some intense top-down shooting, where you will have to utilize all of your skill sets in order to survive. The preview mentions that levels take about 10 to 30 minutes each, and aren't too easy: you'll be dying quite a bit. Multiplayer seems to get a good nod as well, especially now that it will feature infrastructure. With sweet graphics, good gameplay, and downloadable content, it seems like Killzone: Liberation will hit all the right spots when it comes out this Halloween.
Limited edition Shadow of the Colossus tee
We're certain this limited edition Shadow of the Colossus tee will have some of our readers fumbling through their chubby trifolds, weaving in and out of grocery club cards, de-laminated licenses, and ATM receipts, just to find that one credit card that isn't maxed out on import video games. But you'd better be quick, cause these are limited editions. Due to go on sale tomorrow, this $30 CAD (about $27 USD) shirt features a towering colossus (number three if we're not mistaken) being approached by Agro carrying our fearless protagonist. It comes in the regular assortment of sizes (which are the same in Canada as the States, no?) but there's only 200 to go around. So, if you managed to find that credit card, you still have to be quick (feel free to insert your own 12:01 joke here). [Thanks, jerry]
Killzone to feature Infrastructure multiplayer, but not at launch
Killzone: Liberation is one of the most anticipated games for the PSP. The shooter will feature six-player Ad-Hoc multiplayer modes including Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Assault and Capture the Flag. Not bad. But more exciting is the potential for Infrastructure, which will be made as a downloadble upgrade a few weeks after the game's release on Halloween. In addition to multiplayer, two more maps will be released at that time and a new single player chapter, with four new missions. I'm assuming that it'll be good and free as the downloadable content in Wipeout: Pure. Even more exciting is knowing that downloads will be available throughout the year 2007 as well. Sweet! [Via Worth Playing]
Jeanne d'Arc continues to impress
French website Jeux France has scored tons of new pictures of the upcoming PSP-exclusive Jeanne d'Arc. As you may know, we at PSP Fanboy are highly anticipating this game, and by looking at your comments to the official trailer, it looks like you guys can't wait either. Hopefully, SCEA will get off their butts and announce a US version of this incredible-looking game soon.
Blog debate: PS3 to load games slower than the Xbox 360
From the "PS3 can't get a publicity break" file comes news that the system's Blu-ray load times will be slower than the DVD speeds of the Xbox 360. Following our post regarding Resistance: Fall of Man's beefy 22GBs of data, Microsoft's Andre Vrignaud (aka Ozymandias) wrote about why storage capacity isn't as important as drive speed and -- wouldn'tcha know it? -- Blu-ray has bunches of the former and not so much of the latter. Former Sony employee Mark DeLoura responded with a long, thoughtful response sticking up for the format that fanboys love to hate, talking textures, audio, and even read speed. Naturally, there's some guffawing from the other side of the aisle as Ozymandias takes umbrage with some of DeLoura's claims, notably that textures and other media will take up a sizable chunk of that Blu-ray disc. One area they are in agreement on is that Blu-ray's read speed isn't as fast as the Xbox 360's. Says DeLoura: "Admittedly, Blu-Ray looks dicey from several non-capacity angles. Blu-Ray movies require a 1.5x Blu-Ray drive, or 54Mbits/second. Sony announced that PS3 uses a 2x BD drive, which is 72Mbits/second or 9MB/second. The Xbox 360 uses a 12x DVD, which should give it about 16MB/second. That is significantly faster for games and will result in shorter load times. And that 12x DVD drive should be a whole lot cheaper. (Note that the PS3 drive will do 8x DVD, and even that is faster than 2x BD.)" Says Ozymandias in response: "This is pretty much what I've been saying regarding drive speeds. A good example of where we're pretty clearly agreeing." So, they're in agreement. The PS3 will load slower than the Xbox 360, leading one to question whether bragging about 22GB discs is the most prudent course of action. Let's hope they use the compression technologies touched on in the debate to shrink the data down considerably, even if it obviates a key selling point of the console. ... but wait, it's not all settled. Be sure to read the comments on Ozymandias' last post to get a bunch of great feedback, including this gem on the finer differences between CAV and CLV drives ("a BD25 on PS3 fares better than a DVD9 on the 360"), or Kim Pallister's link back to his own feedback on the fight and the "innovator's dilemma." [Thanks, Hank; via DigitalBattle] Grist - Will Resistance: FoM justify the PS3 pricetag? [Joystiq] Point - Drive Speed More Relevant to Games Than Capacity [Ozymandias] Counterpoint - On PS3 and Blu-Ray [Mark DeLoura] Counter-counterpoint - Oddly, We're in Violent Agreement [Ozymandias]
Will Resistance: FoM justify the PS3 pricetag? [update 1]
Insomniac Games, the guys behind the Ratchet and Clank series, were in the Big Apple showing off the latest build of their upcoming PS3 launch title, Resistance: Fall of Man. Kotaku had a Gawker cameraman on the scene to grab some video, and MTV News' Stephen Totilo managed the impossible. He extracted some positive press about the PS3 (Sony must be furious at Insomniac, this goes against their entire pre-launch strategy). Turns out that Blu-ray drive that every armchair analyst is convinced is a giant wooden equine built to penetrate our consumer-weary walls and then attack with an army of HD movies may actually be useful for gaming afterall. The game currently takes up 22GB! That's seven whole gee-bees more than a single layer HD-DVD disc that the Xbox 360 won't (?) be using for gaming. The Dual Shake functionality that was supposedly tacked on at the last minute ... well, it looks like it was still tacked on; nevertheless, it holds some serious promise. Ninety days before this thing has to be on store shelves the developers have still not activated the functionality on the controller, but they have added in some clever gameplay currently triggered with a button press. Shake off a melee attack by shaking the controller, or introduce the end of your rifle to their face with a quick jab of your right hand. Sure, you won't feel the vibration when that blow connects, but it's something. But there's also multiplayer. How will Sony's secretive service compare to the superlative Xbox Live? R: FoM will feature: "40-player online matches at launch; 60 levels of player progression while playing online; two-player offline co-op." 60 levels of player progression ... sounds like another popular online game. According to MTV News, Insomniac even promised "better, deeper support than any Xbox Live title." Has the PS3 buzz finally begun? We've been increasingly anxious that someone at Sony didn't get the memo that their latest and greatest was launching in a few scant months. [Update: Insomniac's Ryan Schneider called MTV News to clarify what exactly is on those 22GBs. "While the music and vocals in Resistance take up only about 1 Gigabyte of disc space, graphics, level data and programming code occupy most of the remaining 21."] Watch - New Resistance: Fall of Man video Read - MTV News on Resistance: Fall of Man
An extensive look into Killzone: Liberation
GameVideos.com has a beautiful, lengthy video of Killzone: Liberation in action. Not only will you see some great gameplay footage, you'll get to see some truly beautiful real-time PS3 footage CG movies. If that made you long for more, don't forget to check out previous coverage of the game. The killing comes to us at the end of October.
Killzone: Liberation gameplay movies
Pictures may say a thousand words, but gameplay movies make your jaw drop to the floor and shut the h*** up. Readers inquisitive about the top-down perspective of this PSP-exclusive can now see for themselves how it can translate into some exciting run-and-gun on the go. Check out Killzone: Liberation at GameTrailers.com and don't forget to download the iPod-formatted MP4's: they'll work on your 2.8 firmware PSP. Videos: Squad Tactics Trench Warfare
Sony offers a helping hand to smaller developers
Welcome to Game Yarouze! Digital Meister project. Much honor in seeing you. Oh, sorry. July 21 marked the date of the start of the aforementioned project, instigated by Sony to draw out independant game developers. The project, hereafter referred to as GYDM, is basically Japan's version of the soon-to-be-worldwide E-distribution system the Playstation 3 is attempting to set up.So, what's Sony looking for? Game Yarouze has been around for a while to help smaller game developers, but the GYDM project is aiming specifically for PS3 content -- namely, smaller games for download that have strong network play. Sony's accepting both proposals and projects in a running state. If your game is given the nod by Sony, not only will all of your development costs be covered by Sony Computer Entertainment (Worldwide Studios division), but your finished product will brandish a sword engraved with the SCEI logo and the SCE WWS Japan Studio label. Much honor in seeing you, right?
Jeanne d'Arc trailer shows incredible production values
The Japanese official website for Jeanne d'Arc recently went live, and not only does it feature tons of screenshots, it has an absolutely beautiful trailer. It gives you a great look at the game: the incredible cel-shaded graphics, to the epic, sweeping music, and the beautifully animated anime cutscenes. I've been trying to hype this game a lot. Hopefully, this trailer will generate a ton of response. Also available: Download for PC [Thanks, steve!] [Via IGN]
New historical RPG Jeanne d'Arc to have 150 characters and talking lions [Update 1]
Yesterday, Famitsu revealed the big PSP game that we've been waiting for. IGN's Canadian Japanese correspondant, Anoop, has unearthed more information from an interview Famitsu conducted with Level 5. For a change of pace, the development team wanted to make a female hero. Also, they wanted to have a historical game and they've done a lot of research. Of course, that doesn't mean that it'll be 100% historically accurate: it'll still have magic and talking lions. When discussing development for the PSP, the team wanted to make a balanced gameplay system that would be suitable for both hardcore and casual players. Although the game will be on a handheld, the team at Level 5 have no intentions of making a small game, though. The game will have around 150 characters, and between 40 and 50 stages. Each stage, being about 10 to 30 minutes long means that the game will be somewhere between 7 and 25 hours long. Interesting. If you haven't yet, you should get really excited for this project. The team at Level 5 is known for their excellent Dark Cloud games and Dragon Quest VIII. Their upcoming game, Rogue Galaxy, is featured in the screenshot to the right. Hopefully, we'll get more news on this game around Tokyo Game Show. [Update 1: Included an image from Famitsu scan. Gallery is available here.]
