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Archive for the ‘PSP’ Category
LEGO Batman feels like one of those distinct purchases you make when walking into a game store upon hearing of its very description. It’s based on the idea of a toy company gimmick that was marketed from a multitude of movie tie-ins - and while it was nothing extraordinarily amazing in the sum of its parts, it was easy-enough to get into and plain dumb fun. And, if you were already a fan of that popular series the game was sourcing from, there was a good chance you were smitten by the fine lampooned takes the developers were able to jam into the overall presentation. LEGO Batman, simply put, was made for followers of the comic book legend. But for everyone else and to those who’ve already dove into Traveller’s Tales’ past efforts, there might not be enough here to have you play for extended periods at a time, let alone even bother to unlock all the plentiful extras thrown in.
You wouldn’t probably know it from just gawking at screenshots, but N+ for the PSP and DS (both independently developed from each other) is deceptively masochistic. Which is suitably funny when you consider it’s based off the heavily-praised and popular flash game of the same name. What it lacks in the lush sugar-coasting of other widely-popular side-scrollers like Mario and Sonic, N+ cuts through the fluff and gives fans of the genre (be it old or new) a no-frills but serious package of challenges woven in a silk of divine punishment. Is it for everyone? Nah, but for those who consider themselves true believers might want to back up and take notice.
With how successful the Ratchet & Clank (R&C) series have been for the Playstation brand name, it didn’t take long before someone in the Sony hierarchy decided, “Hey, how about a game with Clank as the main character?” A smart initiative no less, as fans of R&C (myself included) have been clamoring for a Clank-centric episode ever since the bubbly logic-smitten, Scooby-Do laughing tyke was first ever introduced. Hey, if Daxter can have one, why can’t Clank? High Impact Games answers the call, and with already one full-fledged R&C handheld title under their belt (Size Matters), you’d think Secret Agent Clank (SAC) for the Playstation Portable would be a solid no-brainer. In many ways, it is. But other times, maybe more often than not, it doesn’t shake the unnerving feeling that this futuristic, 007-spoofing adventure is strictly for R&C buffs only. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
[Image: Bernardo Bertolucci's The Dreamers]
Looks like somebody up there (or down here) finally decided to have some pity on Indian gamers without an Internet connection, a credit card, a Play-Asia account and oh, about 3 weeks of patience. Or in some cases, way longer. After having ignored the country for a long time, except for Lost Planet: Extreme Condition on the Xbox 360, Jap videogame giant Capcom have tied up with local distribution giant Milestone Interactive to bring all their upcoming and back catalog titles to the country.
While the distribution would initially stick to the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and the PSP platforms, Milestone says they would also be offering PC and PlayStation 2 titles somewhere down the line. The back catalog, which currently includes hot property such as Dead Rising, Lost Planet: Extreme Condition and Devil May Cry 4 will be available starting this week at stores all over the country, with newer games such as MotoGP ‘08, Street Fighter IV and Resident Evil 5 being available in accordance with the international street dates for these titles.
We’re still waiting for Forever, but here’s some relief to soothe the pain and eternal anguish we’ve been enduring as we wait for the King of Kick-Ass and Smutty Babes to return. After having been long forgotten, Apogee Software is all set to worm their way back into gaming by reviving a legacy catalog of over 30 titles, as well as working with new developers to create what we assume will be new IPs.
And what better way to kick start the whole thing than with Duke himself? And at E3 2008! According to Apogee’s Terry Nagy and Scott Miller, the company, working with 3D Realms and MachineWorks Northwest LLC, will be producing the Duke Nukem Trilogy for release on the PSP and the DS, comprised of three new missions - Critical Mass, Chain Reaction and Proving Grounds.
The episodes will be released sequentially, with the first one appearing sometime in Summer 2009, and according to the massive feature list on the Apogee website, will include:
- 9 Different World Locations
- 36 Action-Packed Levels
- 3D Accelerated Graphics
- 3D Characters with Detailed Textures
- Real-Time Particle and Lighting Effects
- Multi-Mode Play with up to 5 Different Styles of Game Play Action
- Multi-Player Action
- Total Ass-Kicking Weapons
Frankly, as long as we can carry Mr. Arnold Toilet Mouth around on our handheld and squish alien piggy cops, we’re happy. Of course, if you don’t own a PSP or a DS, you could rather just wait for DNF to show up. And wait. And wait…
They usually say that when Judgment Day is near, we’ll see a lot of signs pointing to the Antichrist. So for all those who doubt that the PSP is it, first, we get news from Famitsu that the PSP is (surprisingly!) outselling the DS at least as far as this year is concerned. Then, two French exchange students in London get stabbed more than 250 times (one 80 times after he was dead) so that the perps can get away with two unbelievably rare and more-expensive-than-the-Kohinoor-diamond black PSPs. And if that don’t prove it, we’ve got the PSP wreaking havoc with lives here as well, and worse, we’re the ones who started it all.
When Abhinav’s friend got married a couple of months back, he decided that nothing would be better than blessing the happy couple (and the husband in particular) with a PSP. Talking about the London murders last night, Abhinav mentions that the couple, who’ve been enjoying a textbook romance, recently got into their first major fight. Over the PSP, and this time, it wasn’t the usual complaint we’re used to seeing.
Some of you may remember Sameer Desai’s first interview session with Sony Computer Entertainment India Country Manager Atindriya Bose. Much time has passed since then, and Sam decided to get the GamingIndians community together and voice in their questions for the Big Bose (oh snap). New info concerning recent Playstation brand sales (11,000 units across all three primary platforms in each month since the last three) as well as possible servicing for imported Playstation 3 units were some of the many things discussed.
GI: A major chunk of PlayStation 3s in India is imported and therefore warranty does not apply on these consoles. If we do have a service facility in the future, can Sony provide any sort of support or paid repair service for these owners?
AB: We will, most probably, look at providing service for a price, because ultimately it is a Sony customer, although they will not enjoy warranty. If it is tampered with in any way, like is seen often with the PlayStation 2, we will not touch it. Other than that, we will come up with a policy for imported consoles.
You can catch the entire interview here.