Little Gamers Update - Looking back at 2014

So 2015 is upon us all and the gaming industry is looking ahead as to what will define 2015. Rather late to the party, I wanted to take a look back at 2014 an what it meant to me and what games shone out in 2014.

2014 was the year I jumped on to the Next Gen train and have not looked back. Since getting a PlayStation 4 in March, I have played 60 PS4 titles! Not a bad amount for a new console in its first year. The Vita is still a wonderful piece of kit andhas never been far from my side and is still home to some of my best gaming moments of the year. The PS3 keeps moving around the house, as soon as I give it to the Little Gamers to play on something comes up on PS Plus that makes me take right back into my gaming den.

So what were my highlights of the year, which game swill go down as the most memorable, fun and sometimes broken? Indulge me as I take a look at my own Games of 2014 list.

PlayStation Plus Update - August 2014

Yes I know, I missed a month, but with good reason (see my latest Little Gamer Update). To be honest July's offering for PS Plus was was not the greatest. Although that is all going to change today with the August update for PS Plus subscribers. This month sees two exclusive indie titles that I have been looking forward to released for FREE! Two more classic indie titles that most people should already own, a LEGO game for another easy platinum. Oh! and Crysis 3.

Lego Marvel Super Heroes - Launch Trailer

Those lucky Americans! They get their hands of the latest LEGO blockbuster today. Meanwhile in Europe, we have to wait until the 15th November. Never mind though, we can console ourselves by enjoying the new launch trailer for the game. In all its Stan Lee goodness!



Now for the bad news. Although I had been told that the PS Vita version of LEGO: Marvel Super Heroes was based off the home console versions and not the 3DS port. Thats not true it appears. On the Vita and 3DS the game is known as LEGO: Marvel Super Heroes - Universe in Peril and is an isometric Diablo-esque game using the levels and scenarios from the main home console version. There is no free roaming open world, just levels.

Of course there is good news as well.... It still looks like a great game on its own merits. Have a look at this gameplay video posted by YouTube user Marc The Geek.



Its not what Vita owners wanted, but it still looks like good fun.

LEGO videogame of the year smashes its way into UK retailers from 15th November on practically format available.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes demo available now!

In case you don't already know. The demo for LEGO Marvel Super Heroes is out now on both Xbox Live and PSN. You really need to grab this demo and give it a go as it could be the finest LEGO game to date. The demo allows you play as Iron Man, Hulk and Spider-Man as they take on Abomination and Sandman in Grand Central station. The demo gives just a glimpse at the full game and the how well realised the abilities of the Marvel heroes are.

Iron Man can fly with ease whilst firing laser blast and missiles. Spider-Man's web swinging and spider sense. Hulk though is the most fun character in the demo. As a new big figure, he can smash his way through groups of enemies and pickup large objects and throw them. Best of all though, hold down a button to calm down Hulk and transform back to Bruce Banner.

The care and attention shown to this much loved universe is brilliant and I have high hopes for the other 147 characters that are playable in the full game. That's right 150 characters in total (80 in the Vita version). That's a whole load of heroing to get your hands on!

Take a look at this as well, the LEGO version of the poster for Thor: The Dark World. This accompanies the announcement that a special downloadable character (DLC) pack will be available for LEGO  Marvel Super Heroes at launch.  The Asgard DLC pack will include eight playable characters, all of whom are also featured in the film.

LEGO® Marvel™ Super Heroes on November 15th for Xbox 360®, PlayStation®3, Wii U™, Nintendo 3DS™, PlayStation® Vita, and PC. The game will also be available for Xbox One® and PlayStation® 4 in November.

PlayStation Plus - November Update

With only a few weeks to go to the PlayStation 4, it is time for the final PSPlus update before it moves to support three formats. With the change over to PlayStation 4 also comes change for current subscribers. From this month on the Instant Game Collection will now only receive two titles on PlayStation 3, rather than the three we currently recieve. This will undoubtly upset a few people, but Sony have to make changes in order to incorporate the new PS4 in to the scheme. Seeing that I havent even touched the three games offered in the October update, I can't see dropping down to two is that much of  a problem for a gamer like me.

What then does November hold? Lets take a look...

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Ultimate Edition out next month

Huge announcement yesterday from WB Games, NetherRealms excellent DC universe brawler is getting an Ultimate Edition. Not only that its coming to PC, PS4 and PS Vita. I could not be more excited for a Vita version of this fantastic game.

The press release states:
"Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition debuts in Europe on Nov. 29, with the comprehensive version of the 2013 best-selling fighting game franchise. The game will be available for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system and platforms, Xbox 360® games and entertainment system from Microsoft and for Windows PC.

Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition will include all original game content as well as all downloadable content (DLC). Valued at more than £79, the game will be available at a suggested retail price of £49.99 for PS4™ system, PS3™ system and Xbox 360 £29.99 for Windows PC and £29.99 for PS®Vita.

The DLC included in Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition, includes fan favorites Lobo, Batgirl, General Zod, Martian Manhunter, Zatanna, as well as Scorpion, a character from the Mortal Kombat world, as reimagined by Jim Lee, Co-Publisher at DC Entertainment. In addition, more than 40 extra character skins and 60 S.T.A.R. Labs Missions, originally offered as DLC, are now available from the start of the game."

The Vita version is being handled by Armature Studios, developer of Metal Gear Solid HD on the Vita and the upcoming Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate. After being really blown away with Blackgate at Eurogamer Expo last month, I couldn't be happier with the choice of developer to handle this port. Armature Studio's Technical Director, Jack Matthews has also posted some more detailed information about the Vita version on the PlayStation Blog (full article here).

"When developing Injustice on Vita, our primary goal was to make sure it could hold its own next to its console counterpart. 

The PS3 version has beautiful lighting, destructible environments, and – most importantly – 60 FPS fighting. We worked tirelessly to bring this experience to the handheld, and pulled out all the stops to push the PS Vita as hard as we could to make all of the above happen.

In addition to all of this, we’ve included ad-hoc multiplayer, traditional multiplayer over wi-fi, and touch controls to Story Mode and various S.T.A.R. Labs Missions."

If you haven't owned Injustice yet, this is the version to get whether it be on Xbox, PS3 or your new shiny PS4 or your Vita. Just get it on the 29th November, you won't regret it.

Eurogamer Expo 2013 - Next Gen or Current Gen?

This year I am lucky enough to be going to Eurogamer Expo not once, but twice! Just as well, because after my first day there there is loads left to see. Mind you, my first day has seen me get my grubby mitts on some of the biggest and best upcoming games on both current gen and next gen consoles.

7 Second Unboxing - Killzone Mercenary

Another triumph for Vine and Unboxing videos. The second 7 second unboxing video is Killzone Mercenary. This time with additional gameplay footage (almost!)



More gripping 7 second unboxings coming really soon.

Lego Marvel Super Heroes - Stan Lee Joins his heroes

Things have been quiet in the Lego front since last years Lego The Lord of the Rings. Never fear though TT games are back and they are bringing their most ambitious Lego title yet, Lego Marvel Super Heroes. Featuring 150 playable characters from the Marvel universe, as they band together to stop Dr. Doom from collection the Cosmic Bricks from the Silver Surfer's shattered board.

With that many characters available with all of their unique powers represented in the game, how could you need anyone else? Right? WRONG! Enter the latest hero to enter the fray, its none other than Stan Lee himself! If anyone deserves a place in the game its the legendary comic book creator.

Take a look at Stan in action and hear his thoughts on being part of this very special Lego game.



Lego Marvel Super Heroes is released on 29th November on every format currently available.

Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate - First Gameplay Trailer

With Batman: Arkham Origins stealing all the limelight recently, its easy to forget that there are two Batman games coming out this year. The other game is Batman: Arkham Origins - Blackgate. Blackgate is the first title in the Arkham series to appear on handheld systems, namely the PS Vita and Nintendo 3DS (and 2DS I presume now?). Set after the events of the main Arkham Origins game, Blackgate is a 2.5D metroidvania take on the Arkham series.

Killzone: Mercenary - Open Multiplayer Beta - Impressions

Available today for PlayStation Plus subscribers is the first glimpse and Guerrilla Cambridge's Vita exclusive, Killzone: Mercenary. The Beta allows for players to get to grips with the multiplayer of Killzone: Mercenary. One mode is available, Warzone and one map, Shoreline.

PlayStation Plus - August Update

I would like to say that Saints Row the Third is done and that I have conquered Battlefield 3 both single and multi-player, earning Platinum Trophies for everything along the way. Truth is, I haven't. Saints Row 3, I managed to squeeze about a hour into. Battlefield, I have done the prologue and Payday, not even loaded it.

With the likes of The Last of Us (still not completed) and Hotline Miami being released, I don't stand a chance to play the mounting digital mountain of titles the Plus scheme has given me so far. So the last thing I need is another bumper update in August of top quality titles, but that is what we are getting....