PlayStation Network Update: 01/08/2009

Although this week's update is not huge per se, mostly everything is notable. For the first time in ages Qore looks worthwhile, the subject matter is all interesting (Heavy Rain, Killzone 2, and F.E.A.R. 2) and there is an exclusive F.E.A.R. 2 demo.

There are two fairly low profile new games, Cuboid and Mahjong Tales: Ancient Wisdom. Both look interesting, but not enough pull to get my money. The Mahjong game is tempting, but really — would you turn on your PS3 to play Mahjong?

The final section of content updates are the add-ons. We have some content packs for Tom Clancy’s EndWar and WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 as well as another free NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja STORM pack. Rounding out the update is the requisite Rock Band, Guitar Hero and Rock Revolution tracks.

There is a surprising price update which pushes the previously free Mercenaries 2 DLC to the odd price of $1.99, some Rock Band tracks are also re-priced.

I think this is the first time since the PSN's debut that there are no multimedia files. Very odd that, but at least there are no garbage premium themes. Overall this is a good, if lean, update and one people should get value out of. Below is a list of all the items added to this week's PSN update. For more details, please visit the official PlayStation Blog.

Qore

• Qore Episode 08: January, 2009 ($2.99)

Price Update

• Mercenaries 2: World in Flames – Blow It Up Again DLC Pack ($1.99)
• Rock Band tracks: “Are You Dead Yet,” “Hay Poco Rock n Roll,” “Ready, Set, Go!”, “The Real World,” “Tempted,” “Tutto E Possible” ($1.99)

Downloadable Games

• Cuboid ($9.99)
• Mahjong Tales: Ancient Wisdom ($9.99)

Add-on Game Content

• NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja STORM Pack 6 (free)
• Tom Clancy’s EndWar Faction Elite Pack ($3.75)
• WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 Roster Update ($4.99)
• Guitar Hero World Tour
• Rock Band
• Rock Revolution