Bad case of the Monday Blues? Why not cheer yourself up* by reading our review of Lumines Supernova for the PlayStation Network? You can find it HERE.
* Not a guarantee.
It’s the end of 2008 and in our concluding part of our feature this week, here’s our top five games of the PSN. Read it HERE and once again be sure to let us know what were your highlights.
All that remains is for us to wish you a Happy New Year and all the best for 2009 wherever you are and whatever you’re doing.
Seasons greeting and best wishes to all our readers! We’ll be taking a bit of a break over the Festive period while we play lots of games, eat and drink far too much, make idle promises to uphold a load of New Years resolutions and then breaking them straight away on January 2nd.
That means updates will probably be a bit erratic for a while, but be sure to check back in between now and the New Year for our features on the top downloadable titles of 2008.
Whatever you’re playing have a safe and happy Christmas and may your 2009 be full of gaming delight!
Regards
The Console-Arcade Team.
No Lumines Supernova for you yet Europe! Instead you get an early Xmas update featuring:
Savage Moon
Savage Moon sees you protecting a remote off-world mining facility from waves of ravenous space bugs, looking to consume everything in their path. Armed with a fearsome array of defensive weapons, your mission is to take your choice of the finest armaments known to humankind and keep the facility safe by strategically placing these guns which then automatically fire at their targets.
Will you select the dependable rapid-fire machine gun? The intimidating Chaos Tower? Or opt for another item taken from the range of destructive weaponry at your disposal? Choose carefully, as each one has to be manually positioned for the greatest effectiveness in destroying the increasing waves of monstrous insects.
Mahjong Tales: Ancient Wisdom
Embark on a journey of magic and discovery through ancient China! Mahjong Tales: Ancient Wisdom brings the classic game to the PlayStation Network, combining the hottest features of mahjong into a single game featuring a narrated story mode that whisks players away into a storybook adventure, enhanced with hand illustrated ancient Chinese tales.
There’s also a WipEout HD demo (why wouldn’t you have already bought that?!) and price drops on some games including echochrome, FlOw, The Last Guy, PAIN, SuperStardust HD and the full game of WipEout HD. All the more reason to pick them up if you haven’t already!
To avoid Christmas being an inconvenience and missing your weekly PSN update, Sony have decided to throw the switch a day early. That means if you use the US PlayStation Store you get:
Lumines Supernova
Indulge in the fusion of puzzle, lights and music! The latest installment to the blockbuster franchise from Tetsuya Mizuguchi and Q Entertainment comes packed with brand new skins and new modes, exclusive to the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system.
LUMINES Supernova combines puzzles, block-dropping beats and video entertainment to create an addictively-fun gameplay experience that will keep you playing day after day. The game offers 40 skins in the Challenge Mode alone, with several brand new skins keeping the Lumines experience fresh. Choose from several different single player modes, battle it out with a friend or create your own background music in the all-new Sequencer Mode.
There’s also a free Holidays pack available to download for the game.
In other related US PSN news, quiz game Jeapordy get’s a price reduction down to $9.99, another (free) patch has been released for High Velocity Bowling and there’s another downloadable character available for PAIN (for the going rate of $0.99).
As yet there’s sadly been no update to other store regions.
Here’s a bit of a blast from the past. Originally appearing as a sort of tech demo affair for the PC / 360 it looks like Ubisoft have now crafted it in to something playable and are bringing CellFactor: Revolution to XBLA and PSN under the title of Psychokinetic Wars. Here’s what the press release says:
San Francisco, CA - December 19, 2008 – Today Ubisoft announced it will be releasing CellFactor®: Psychokinetic Wars on Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®Network from premier developer Immersion Games. CellFactor: Psychokinetic Wars is a fast-paced first-person multiplayer shooter that puts players in the center of the battle of technology vs. humanity. Complete with next-gen graphics and robust gameplay, CellFactor: Psychokinetic Wars allows players to wage war by using their choice of gunfire and/or telekinetic superpowers. Players can use telekinetic energy to rip objects from the surrounding environment and hurl them at enemies or draw on their powers to create a bullet-proof energy shield that protects against gunfire. Flying, teleporting and accelerated speed abilities give players countless ways to fight the good fight with plenty of intense combat action. CellFactor: Psychokinetic Wars will be available on Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360 and PlayStation Network and is rated “T” for Teen.
About CellFactor: Psychokinetic Wars:
CellFactor: Psychokinetic Wars combines both single-player and multiplayer components into one action-packed downloadable title. The game includes four multiplayer modes supporting up to sixteen players (Death Match, Capture the Flag, Team Death Match and Assault) and features a deep single-player campaign with 30 solo challenges, ten for each of the three characters. As your score increases, you gain access to added perks such as faster stamina regeneration, increased fire power and enhanced teleporting as well as unlockable customization options for your character. And with support for Xbox Achievement Points and PlayStation Trophies, CellFactor®: Psychokinetic Wars is destined to be one of the top games released on Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360 and PlayStation Network.
Here’s the original video from 2006 which should give you a taster of how this will all come together.
One to keep an eye on for 2009 which is shaping up to be something special for downloadable titles.
This week’s PSN update will again vary depending on your region. You can find:
Crash Commando - US /PAL Regions Only
Crash Commando is a fast-paced, side-scrolling humorous multiplayer action game with over-the-top, slap-stick action that features exaggerated gore and effects. Combining the thrill of frenzied multiplayer combat with the straightforward nature of a classic side-scrolling platform title, Crash Commando is the perfect combination of modern, sophisticated technology and traditional arcade gameplay.
Soldner-X: Himmelssturmer - Added to PAL regions
Set in the distant future, the game is a fast and furious shoot ‘em up with state-of-the-art graphics, driving soundtrack and classic fun gameplay sprinkled with fresh innovations. In the storyline, planet Earth’s resistance aims to stop a deadly infection consuming both life forms and technology alike, oddly having to rely on an anti-hero mercenary and bounty hunter to pilot a mighty prototype star fighter. His goal: To fight his way to the virus’ origin, save civilization and earn cash to boot!
Söldner-X: Himmelsstürmer delivers an addictive classical gameplay combined with high definition graphics in up to 1080p, 2-player co-op mode, online ranking leaderboards and so much more.
Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 2 - US Regions only
The second instalment in the RPG-adventure game series based on the web comic Penny Arcade. Create your character in the classic comic style, arm yourself with your trusty gardening tools and join Gabe and Tycho in the alternate 1920s universe of New Arcadia, where you’ll combat savage enemies, solve mysteries, meet bizarre new characters, and discover their distinctive adult humor for a 100% authentic Penny Arcade experience.
Lumines Supernova - Japanese Regions only
Indulge in the fusion of puzzle, lights and music! The latest installment to the blockbuster franchise from Tetsuya Mizuguchi and Q Entertainment comes packed with brand new skins and new modes, exclusive to the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system.
LUMINES Supernova combines puzzles, block-dropping beats and video entertainment to create an addictively-fun gameplay experience that will keep you playing day after day. The game offers 40 skins in the Challenge Mode alone, with several brand new skins keeping the Lumines experience fresh. Choose from several different single player modes, battle it out with a friend or create your own background music in the all-new Sequencer Mode.
Hear that? It’s the sound of hundreds of Sega fanboys all fainting in unison. Yes, Outrun has finally been confirmed as coming to the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade at the start of next year.
SEGA’s classic arcade racer returns, but this time it’s in stunning HiDef and available via PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Developed by acclaimed Sheffield studio Sumo Digital, OutRun Online Arcade, will be available early 2009.
Test your time, speed and handling ability as you race through vibrant, colourful stages and rediscover the 15 glorious OutRun courses. From the steep streets of San Francisco to the beautiful beaches of California, it’s mile after mile of unrelenting acceleration, thrills and action. Feel the kick as you put your foot to the floor in one of the 10 high-performance, fully licensed Ferrari cars as you race your way across the U.S. to a killer soundtrack.
For the first time on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live, OutRun Online Arcade delivers online multiplayer racing for up to 6 players, with fast paced OutRun, Heart Attack and Time Attack modes, the draw to the open road has never been so appealing. OutRun Online Arcade on Xbox Live will feature achievements and voice; and on PlayStation Network will include trophies, voice over IP and leaderboards.
Which route will you choose on your drive for the highest possible score?
1UP.com continue their coverage of Noby Noby Boy, one of the more uinque titles coming to the PSN in January 2009. Watch Noby Noby Boy as he bends, stetches, eats, digests, and all other manner of things. Two more videos can be found after the link. (more…)
It was announced back in OCTOBER that Nobi Nobi Boy, from the creator of Katamari Damacy was coming to the PSN. Now it’s been revealed as landing some time in early 2009.
In fact 1Up.com have posted a rather in depth preview which reveals lots of new screenshots and tries it’s best to explain what this off the wall game is all about. As the game describes itself:
Noby Noby Boy is all about stretching a character called BOY. There are no missions or enemies… You don’t collect objects by rolling a ball… This game doesn’t have any of that stuff. In this game, you stretch and shrink… stretch and eat objects… That’s all there is to it.
Be sure to read the preview to try and wrap your head around what could be one of the most unique download games of 2009.
Alan Moore is probably spinning in his swivel chair in disgust as you read this, but the Spike Video Game Awards last night gave the world the first look at the new downloadable Watchmen game.
Whether or not you think the whole concept of turning one of the most celebrated comics in to a game (or even a film) is deplorable, we have to admit that it looks nice. Expect the game to available at the same time the movie hits cinemas (March 2009).
Yes, we’re still not totally sure what it’s all about either. But Flower for the PSN is looking like it’ll be one of the most relaxing things since Fl0w. Bright, colourful and soothing, it’s a pretty unique looking title. If that’s got you interested hit the link for a second video. (more…)
If you can get on to the PSN at the moment (thanks to some serious issues with the Home launch which seem to have brought everything to a grinding halt) you’ll find the following on the PSN Store:
Puzzle Quest - (PAL territories only) 15 GBP
Building upon the addictive and easy to- learn gameplay of a puzzle game by integrating story and character progression elements found in RPGs, Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords delivers a brand new type of game that pushes the puzzle genre to a previously unseen level. The PSN version of the game also includes the content from the ‘Wrath of the Plague Lord’ expansion pack.
Astro Tripper - (PAL territories only) 3.99 GBP
Astro Tripper is a furious shoot-em-up experience inspired by the painful, knuckle busting experiences of years gone by. An evolution of PomPom’s 2001 award winning game, Space Tripper. Travel the surface of large horizontally-scrolling platforms, and pit your highly manoeuvrable craft against hoards of enemies eager to blow you to bits, eat you or worse.
PowerUp Forver - (US territories Only) - 9.99 USD
Survive! Assimilate! Evolve! In PowerUp Forever, you must grow to survive, and to grow you must destroy! Hunt and defeat enemy Guardians to harvest their glowing energy cores, gaining power to grow your ship and expand your weaponry. As you evolve, you attract the attentions of ever-larger enemies, and your fight for survival goes on.
Age of Booty Expansion Packs 4 & 5 - (US territories only) - Free
Featuring the “Tell No Tales”, “Port in a Storm”, “Feeding Frenzy” and “Urban Brawl” maps. Pack 5 also included a new gameplay mode called Triple Trouble.
There are also two updates for High Velocity Bowling (US territories only), one free and the other costing $0.99.
The PSN seems to be having a few problems at the moment, possibly something to do with the strain of Home’s launch or just an over excited server monkey flipping the wrong switch. But when it comes back up you should find there’s a brand new update for minimalistic puzzler echochrome.
The free update includes Trophy support and also adds over 1000 (!!) user generated levels to bend your brain and generally make you feel mentally inadequate. But that’s not all.
Over on the OFFICIAL PLAYSTATION BLOG, the games creator has stated:
…we are on another mission to create a second update patch to further enhance the echochrome experience. We have enjoyed the activities surrounding the user-generated content, and would love to see more.
Expect more mental punishment soon.
It’s been a long (and on times very bumpy) road, but today is the day when the doors to the PS3’s Home get thrown open. From some point today everyone will be able to access the open Beta and for Sony this will be the moment when they find out if it’s all been worth it.
For people who are already in the Beta, there will be a few noticeable changes - the Central Plaza now features a new 4 player mini-game called “Saucer Pop,” where each player launches a flying saucer from a take-off pad and flies around popping bubbles. There’ll also be new areas / items sponsored by companies like Ubisoft, Activision, Lucas Arts, Eidos, Red Bull and Diesel.
Latest News
Lumines Supernova
World of Goo
WipEout HD
Siren: Blood Curse
Mega Man 9
The Last Guy Full Game
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Braid
R&C: Quest For Booty
Bionic Commando Rearmed
Fable 2 Pub Games
LostWinds
Geometry Wars 2
Wolf of the Battlefield
The Last Guy Premium
Pop
Schizoid
SoulCalibur
RooGoo
echochrome
Space Giraffe
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