PlayStation Plus - April 2015 Update

PlayStation Plus has been back on a roll the last few months. The monthly titles added to the instant game collection have been great. Its carrying on this month with another set of 6 great titles for all 3 Sony platforms, available on Wednesday 8th April. Let's take a closer look.

PlayStation 4:

Never Alone

The first videogame to be funded by actual inuits . Never Alone is a retelling of Alaskan folk tales, where you take control of the young inuit, Nuna and her loyal canine companion, Fox. The game is a highly atmospheric platforms with puzzle elements. It is a title I had been waiting to play and look forward to experience the world of the Inupiat tribe.

Tower of Guns

From thought provoking puzzler to guns, guns, guns! Tower of Guns is a retro styled first person shooter, that dispenses of the triviality of things like story and missions. Kill the bad guys and defeat the bosses. Simple! This in random levels and enemies and this tower should take a while to beat.

PlayStation 3:

Dishonoured

Dishonoured is the best stealth action game of the last generation and the game that the Thief reboot wanted to be. Dishonoured sees you take control of Corvo, protector of the empress. Framed for murder and on the run. Corporate takes the fight back to those who stole his life away and sets to assassinate the conspirators. What follows is a fantastic first person adventure of stealth, murder and mayhem (if you cannot avoid it). I have to admit that a return to Dunball is well over due. Maybe we might see Dishonoured 2 at Bethesda's Pre E3 show in June?

Aaru's Awakening

Aaru's Awakening is beautiful 2D platforms that has a hand drawn style. Taking control of titular creature, Aaru. Players have to traverse the levels using his two powers, teleportation and charging. I don't know much more about this game, but from the trailer it looks like it is worth a look at.

PlayStation Vita:

Killzone Mercenary

The last of the big AAA first party titles on the Vita and still one of the best showcases of what the little machine is truly capable of. Killzone Mercenary attempts to bring the full PlayStation 3 Killzone experience to the Vita and succeeds. Now with addition of  offline Bot modes even multiplayer fun can be had where ever you may be. I am sure that a lot of Vita owners already have this, but if you are new to the system and haven't got around to picking this up. You are in for a treat! Great single player campaign and fantastic multiplayer. If only Sony still made game so this quality for the forgotten console.

MonsterBag

When was the last time you played a videogame from a Chilean developer? Probably never, but not anymore as Monster bag comes straight out of Chile and onto the Vita. Another Platform puzzler, but a really cute and fascinating one, where you control a little monster on his quest to find his friend.

All in all its another bumper month for all PlayStation owners no matter what their console of choice is. Let's hope that the service can keep going at this quality next month.

PS: Also you can download Whoa Dave! for free as well, although it is not officially part of this month's Plus lineup.

In summary

Leaving PS Plus:
8h April: Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty
8th April: Valiant Hearts
8th April: Papo and Yo
8th April: Sherlock Holmes Crimes and Punishments
8th April: OlliOlli2 Welcome to Olliwood
8th April: CounterSpy

Entering PS Plus:
8th April: Tower of Guns (PS4/PS3)
8th April: Never Alone (PS4)
8th April: Dishonored (PS3)
8th April: Aaru’s Awakening (PS4/PS3)
8th April: Killzone Mercenary (PS Vita)
8th April: MonsterBag (PS Vita)

PlayStation Plus Update - March 2015

Typical! After days of waiting for an announcement about March 2015 PS Plus update, I go to the pub for a few hours and BAM! They announced the games coming to the instant game collection, tomorrow! That's right tomorrow. Sony have a track record of getting March's announcement out but this time it was really cutting it fine. So seeing as it is so late at night lets just get in to it.

PlayStation Plus Update - November 2014

Let's get it out of the way right away. Last Months PS PLUS Update was a bit of a disaster. DriveClub PS Plus Edition failed to turn up due to the disastrous launch of the full game. The future of the PS Plus Edition is still unknown, as of writing it is officially postponed with no firm release date. This has angered quite alot of PlayStation Plus subscribers, many of them took out Plus to get DriveClub a year ago, when the console launched. So Sony really need to step up their game this month in order to appease the growling masses.

Unfortunately, they haven't and it is another month of indie titles for the majority of users. With that said, there are some must have games included in this. Now for some reason this month has not seen an official post by the PlayStation Blog to confirm this month's additions. Although I received an email confirming half of them, which was weird. So this list could be subject to change (but I highly doubt it).

Minecraft PlayStation Vita Edition - First Impressions

So last week, I wrote a piece expressing my doubts over the future of the PS Vita. Well, its amazing how much difference a week can make. Minecraft finally came out last week on the Vita and I have been sucked back into it on a new level. This yet another version of a game that has appeared on all Sony platforms but is best suited to the Vita.

Minecraft Out This Week - Is it too late for Vita though?

So after months and months of waiting and testing 4J Studios finally tweeted that Minecraft PlayStation Vita Edition has passed final testing and Sony will be releasing it next week on the 15th October. Cause to celebrate or cause to be concerned.

I got my Vita at launch and began a love affair with Sony's wonderful handheld. A love affair that saw me move away from Xbox over to PlayStation 3 and eventually PlayStation 4. Never has a handheld console had such a profound effect on my gaming world.

Recently, though things have not been as good for the Vita. Its fair to say that Sony have forgotten it. No more first party titles are going to be made for it. So the heyday of games like Uncharted, Killzone: Mercenary and Gravity Rush have gone and do look to return. Looking at the coming soon section for the Vita at Metacritic it lists 10 games. Of these ten, six are quirky Japanese games that will only sell to Gamers who want them. The only main stream title is Lego Batman 3, which is going to be a port of the Nintendo 3DS game, hardly utilising the power of the console.



So what is the future for Vita. Well it appears to be a companion device to the PS4. Remote Play is being pushed as the main selling point for PlayStation TV (formerly Vita TV in Japan). My experience of remote play is not very good. It constantly freezes and disconnects making it pretty useless, unless I am sat in the same room as the console or router. Now I know this is due to the set-up of my house and the network in it. The problem is this is how I have to have it. I cannot change it.

That leaves cross-buy games on the store. With the likes of Rogue Legacy and Velocity 2x the cross platform experience works well. This quality cannot be said across all of the PS4/PSVita cross buy titles. Counterspy and Pix the Cat capture the same gameplay as their PS4 counterpart, but suffer from longer load times and the controls do not feel as responsive, making for a diminished overall experience. Cross-cut seems to be the future for the console now, as a day rare goes past without another indie title being announced over at the PlayStation Blog coming to PS4 and PS Vita.

So for the first time since owning one, I am looking at it and thinking "It it time to trade you in and go back to a 3DS?" Which is shame because I believe that Vita still has huge potential. Sony have failed to find the right place for the Vita in their scheme. The huge success of the PlayStation 4 has helped with this as Sony are quite rightly focusing on that.

For me though, I will take Minecraft next week (it's free for me) and I hope that it delivers what I had hoped to playing a year ago. I fully expect thought that this maybe the last time I get to look forward to a new release on the Vita. A sad thing to have to admit.

PlayStation Plus - June 2014 update

Big changes happening to the PS Plus service this month. As of 4th June, there will now be two games added to the instant game collection for each platform. That means if you own PS4, PS3 and PS Vita you will now be getting six games every month. along with this change starting in July, the time that these titles are available changes. Titles added to the Instant Game Collection on the first Wednesday of the month, and will be free for that month, until the first Wednesday of the following month. Also, expect the yearly available titles to be taken of the service.

Now that the admin is out of the way, let's look at what we will be getting this Wednesday in the June Update.

Playstation Plus - May 2014 Update

Oh my goodness! How on earth can be it PlayStation Plus update time again? Sony have revealed the titles that are joining the instant game collection next week on the 30th April. As usual, its a mixed bag and the curse of the PSN sales strikes again for me! Lets Start off with what PlayStation 4 owners can grab next week.

Playstation Plus - April 2014 Update

Hooray! Its that time of the month where we all get to learn we free stuff we can get for the month ahead. For the first time though, I am looking forward to getting and playing free games on three PlayStation platforms. Yes the future is here and I am loving all of the shininess, but there is something coming for PS4 owners that has me very excited! So what is in store, on the store come 2nd April?

E3 - PlayStation 4 - Sony Strikes Back

No sooner had the dust settled after Microsoft's conference, it was Sony's turn at the bat. After weeks of debate over the Xbox One's restrictive policies on game ownership, used games and even privacy protection. It seemed that Sony wouldn't need to do much in order to take the upper hand.

Instead Sony blew the Xbox One out of the water.

PlayStation Plus - May Update

Next week, the next batch of titles are added to the Instant Game Collection on the PS3. After last months adventure heavy month of titles, May sees a varied mix of games on offer. First up is the best bald headed killer in gaming... Agent 47.

The Jak and Daxter Trilogy - Coming to PS Vita in June!

Before The Last of Us, Before Uncharted, but after Crash Bandicoot. There was Jak and Daxter, Naughty Dogs PlayStation 2 action platform opus. Last year, PS3 owners were lucky to get a HD Classics re-release of the entire Jak and Daxter Trilogy. Sony have just announced that Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy, Jak II and Jak 3 are all coming to the PS3 bundle up as a trilogy pack. The best news is it is coming in June.

Take a look at the trailer below...

Guacamelee! - Out this week on PSN

Out today on PSN for both PS3 and Vita, comes Guacamelee!, the latest game from DrinkBox Studios, creators of Tales from Space series. Guacamelee! is a Metroid-vania action platform game featuring a gorgeous graphic style, based on a Mexican theme. The game follows the adventures of Juan, a farmer who has fallen on hard times. Only his love for El Presidente's daughter keep him going. So when the Evil Charro kidnaps her and kills Juan, theres only one thing left to do. Get resurrected as a mystical Luchador and set of on a quest to rescue her.

Playstation Plus - April Update

It's that time again, once again its time for you lucky PlayStation Plus subscribers to find out what goodies you can download in April. This month is adventure month as it sees some of the best adventure games from the last generation, the current generation and the indie set.

Dead or Alive 5 + - Out this week on PS Vita

March is a great month for Vita owners who love Team Ninja (like me!). March sees the release of not one but two Team Ninja games on the Vita. Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus came out at the beginning of the month and is a fantastic version of my personal favortite Ninja Gaiden title.

Epic Mickey 2 heading to Vita!

Disney Movies UK have just put this on their twitter feed...

"We're pleased to announce that Disney Epic Mickey 2 is coming to the Playstation Vita later this year!"

Along with the box art image for the Vita. More news on this as I get it...

Uncharted: Fight for Fortune - Out Now!

Released today on the PS Vita, as part of the weekly PlayStation store update (No Retro City Rampage, before you ask!) Uncharted: Fight for Fortune is a new direction for Nathan Drake. Uncharted: FFF is actually a turn based adventure card game ,similar to Magic: The Gathering. 

The game features a single player campaign, dubbed "Fortune Hunter". This will teach you the basics of the game, while making sure that you don't get lost in the rules and systems that can make these games difficult for new players to pick up. The single player campaign promises 8 hours of gameplay and features all of your favourite characters from the series. As you progress through the campaign you will unlock more cards of various types. Cards can vary from Character cards, weapon cards, armour cards and it wouldn't be an Uncharted game without artefacts.

Also, you can unlock and power up cards by playing and unlocking them in Uncharted: Golden Abyss. DLC booster packs are also on their way. Each pack will introduce a set of cards from from another game in the series and also add new Characters to the single player campaign. Uncharted: Drake Fortune and Uncharted 2: Amongst Thieves booster packs are out next week

Finally, a turn based card game would be nothing if it did not include an extensive multiplayer mode. Fight for Fortune does just that and includes competitive multi-player  Play against your friends locally using the revolutionary handing it over system or over the internet.

The best part is the game won't set you back a fortune as it is only a very reasonable £3.19. So if you thirsty for some much needed action and adventure, then grab your deck of cards... and sort them into a better deck?

PS Vita 2.0 Firmware - Out now!

Sony have, as promised, released the latest software upgrade for the Vita. Apart from adding what is necessary for tomorrows launch of Playstation Plus on the Vita, there are quite a few fixes and additions.

The biggest feature is the huge update to the Web browser application. Now with a new rendering engine and capable of supporting HTML5 and JavaScript. There is a real speed increase and the browser is now classed as a "small app". This means that you no longer have to close your running game in order to use the browser.



Email has now been included into the Vita's features and hooking it up to my Gmail has shown a very nice interface and a good alternative to reading email on your phone.

There also new options for wireless content transfer between PC/ PS3 to your Vita. PSone emulations also have some new included options for custom controls and screen size.

Take a look at the feature list below and enjoy the video at the top of the page. Don't forget, tomorrows store update includes the Playstation Plus games. Europe gets Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Gravity Rush, Tales from Space and new game Chronovolt. Also a range of games are 20% off for one week to celebrate the launch.

Details of PS Vita System software 2.0 update

Web Browser

• Enhanced performance of the web browser along with improved support of HTML 5 and JavaScript.
• PS Vita users will have the ability to Tweet web page addresses.

Email

• PS Vita users will be able to check, read and send email directly from the system.

Content Management

• PS Vita users will be able to wirelessly transfer content between PS Vita and PC, in addition to browsing folders on PS3/PC and copying them to PS Vita.
• Display photos imported via PS3 and PC.

Settings for PSone classics

• PS Vita users will be able to assign controller buttons to touchscreen, rear touch pad and buttons on their system.
• Custom screen mode option for flexible screen size adjustment.

Fifa 13 - Review (PS Vita)

This game is suitable for Little Gamers

Football, the beautiful game. The national game which both unites and divides and a sport which probably has the most passionate fans. I should say now, I am not one of them. Don't get me wrong, I like football and every two years I sit down for the World Cup or Euro's and watch as many matches that I can. It's just I can't get into supporting a team week in, week out. This may be down to the fact that my family team was Norwich City (and I was the only kid in school with a bright yellow and green football kit).

So, when it comes to taking this loved sport and pastime and making it into a video game, you better have thick skin. Nothing enrages gamers quicker than seeing their sport not being treated right and their rage can spread across forums quicker than fire.

The Fifa franchise is no stranger to criticism. After the transition to 3D engines, the FIFA franchise was always second place to the almighty Pro Evolution Soccer. Although, recently the balance of power has shifted and FIFA has reigned for the last few years. So when the Vita was released boasting PS3 quality gaming, the expectations for a FIFA game were high. FIFA Football didn't deliver the experience the fans of the series wanted. With frame rate issues, gameplay based on FIFA 11 not FIFA 12 and with many of the single and multiplayer modes missing, the first FIFA title on the Vita was a rushed launch title.

Now FIFA 13 has been released and the internet was full of fury. The backlash was so much that it made me doubt purchasing the it at all. In the end I did pick it up and having spent a few weeks playing it, I think it is only fair to present both sides of the FIFA 13 debate.

FIFA 13 - The case against:

The feeling across the gaming forums all rang the same tune. FIFA 13 is a roster update posing as a new game. The game engine is still based on FIFA 11 and it would appear the EA have done the dirty and Vita fans wanting the full on FIFA experience they have on their home consoles. Whilst online modes are now better, complaints of incredible lag making the game not playable.

Many people felt EA was charging £40 for little more than a patch to FIFA Soccer boxed up with a new titles and a roster and kit update. No Ultimate Team, no Create a Club options and no Head to Head Seasons online. A quick look at Metacritic shows the user reaction to FIFA 13 on the Vita and it isn't pretty.

FIFA 13 - The case for:

Although the case against is pretty damning it should be said that there are improvements to the game. The first thing to mention is the improved frame rate and smoother player animations. The impact engine does appear to be there, although in a very cut down form. The career mode has been improved and the new online modes are better than the previous offering. The AI is better, the passing, first touch and dribbling is better. Oh and Saudi Arabian teams have been added.

So there you have it, the cases for and against. Personally, for me, FIFA 13 is everything I want from a portable football game. Having spent a lot time on trains recently, I have been getting to grips with the career mode. The game plays beautifully and the controls are really responsive. Passing and shooting are done via the buttons or via the touch screen and rear touch pad. While it is nice feature, thankfully you can turn the rear touch controls off. The graphics are sharp and although the frame rate can dip in places, overall the game runs smoothly. The presentation is all done with the usual slick EA Sports style, although lacking in music over previous efforts. Not a big thing for a football game, I know, but there is only so many times I can listen to that Reverend & The Makers track. The online matches I have played have been ok and thankfully fairly lag free. I still lost all of them though.

FIFA 13 is the best handheld football package I have played and whilst it is not up to the standards of the current home versions, it is getting there. Maybe FIFA 14 will be the answer to the fans prayers. In the meantime though, If you don't already have a football game on your Vita yet, give FIFA 13 a go.



Verdict - 6 out of 10

Get up to speed with the Creed!

I make no secret of the fact that I think the Assassins Creed series has been the highlight of this generation. I loved the idea, the story and the visuals from the moment I stepped into the shoes of Altair. Even though the first game was critically panned, I feel in love with it and even though it had its issues and problems, it felt like the next generation.  The detail of the cities was incredible and like Rockstar had done with the GTA series it wasn't the characters, but the cities that were the star of the show.

Thankfully, Ubisoft Montreal listened to the criticisms and when Ezio Auditiore da Firenze made his appearance in late 2009, it was to critical acclaim. Assassins Creed II was an amazing game and this time, the main character was the star. Following the early life of Ezio made you care more about him and his quest for personal vengeance. The move from the Holy Lands of the Crusades to Renaissance Italy was an inspired move and meant that the cities were as detailed as ever whilst still being fun to traverse.

Two sequels have spawned since them, turning Ezio's tale into trilogy and following the course of his life. The last game Revelations, saw the stories of both Altair and Ezio cross together. Whilst also it was interesting to see how the young hero of the earlier games performed in his fifties. I haven't actually finished Revelations yet. This is because I have found it hard to say goodbye to a character that has defined a generation for me.



So with Assassins Creed III just a week and a half away and the introduction of new time period and two new main characters, Connor and Aveline. Connor heads up the main game and Aveline is the star of PS Vita exclusive (and reason I own a Vita), Assassins Creed III: Liberation. From I have played in demo form of these two titles, Ubisoft Montreal have a couple of masterpieces on their hands. Assassins Creed III on the home consoles and PC looks gorgeous and the new Anvil engine is huge step forward for the series and addition of naval warefare, whilst seeming an odd choice for a series based on stealth and assassination, works really well and has to be seen in action.

As for AC III: Liberation on the Vita, it s the full blown Creed experience in you pocket. I was very sceptical about this title for a long time. Previews and gameplay videos did not help to alleviate my worries that the game would not live up to my expectations and capabilities of the Sony pocket wonder. It wasn't until I got play it at EG Expo last month that I could lay fears to rest. Liberation does everything that an Assassins Creed game should do and it looks gorgeous on the Vita's beautiful 5" OLED screen. For those of us lucky enough to own both a PS3 and a Vita the two games link up to unlock special items and levels in the Vita game.



So with just 12 days to go, you have time to clear your diaries and tell friends and family that you aren't available for a week after the 31st October. Just tell them you are studying American History for a course you are doing. Just don't get caught climbing onto the roof of house.

LittleBigPlanet arrives on the Vita on Friday!

With all this Borderlands 2 talk this week, it needs to be remembered that the Vita sees the beginning of its Christmas game assault on Friday as well. Starting with the return of Sackboy. LittleBigPlanet launches on the Vita and is looking fantastic.

With Media Molecule concentrating on the amazing new Vita game, Tearaway. Development duties have been handed over to Tarsier Studios and Double Eleven. Not to worry though Tarsier have been involved with all the Little Big Planet games at some level, so Sackboy is safe in their hands.

This time the game takes place not on the usual setting of Craftworld, but on the travelling planet of Carnivalia. Carnivalia used to be a place filled with happiness and joy. Now though the entire planet has now been taken over by the mysterious Puppeteer and his evil henchmen, the Hollows! So, it’s up to Sackboy to do what he does best... save the Omniverse!

To celebrate the launch of LittleBigPlanet PS Vita. Sony are offering lots of pre-order goodies and launch week gifts.


If you Pre-Order the physical game you can expect to recieve awesome BioShock Minipack or the exclusive golden color set of Knights of the Old Pre-Order Costumes. Also, If you purchase LittleBigPlanet PS Vita from the PSN Store within the first week of the game’s release, you will not only receive a digital copy of the game, but you will also be entitled to both of the above costume packs. Don't Forget like all LittleBigPlanet DLC these costumes will work on LittleBigPlanet 2, LittleBigPlanet PS Vita, and LittleBigPlanet Karting.

Long-time fans of LittleBigPlanet will know that to celebrate the release of a new LittleBigPlanet game an extra-special Rare T-Shirt is released for just one week only. This time is not different and the Rare LittleBigPlanet PS Vita T-Shirt will be available to download from the PSN Store this week only! (Price to be Confirmed)

Also the tradtion of releasing the Launch Space Suit for a new LittleBigPlanet game continues. The Launch Space Suit is free, and will also be returning to the PSN Store for just one week, so don’t miss out on this astronomical attire for Sackboy.

If you have a Vita, please do not miss this incredible game. Also start celebrating the end of the software drought, as Fifa 13 is out next week. Then leading onto New Little Kings Story, WRC 3,Jet Set Radio HD, and Assassins Creed III: Liberation in the coming weeks. That is alot of games to buy and play... or you could just LittleBigPlanet versions instead?