Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
Woot! That is Woot with a capital W! This is another amazing update for the PSN, and there are even no pay for cheat codes in sight for a less than stellar racing game. We have two new Playstation Eye games (can someone comment if they have tried any of these games? I have a PS Eye but have no idea if these are any good), one of them is Tori-Ekemi, a game that looks inspired by the wonderful PS2 game Okami.
We have a Blast Factor bundle at a great price, this is one of the better dual analog shooters out there and well worth a download. Two demos appear this week, one for the heavily anticipated relaunch of Turok and the third installment of the FIFA Street series, it is awesome to see two demos and I am looking forward to playing Turok. We also see an amazingly priced add-on for Motorstorm in the form of two maps and the standard Rock Band song additions (note to Sony, start releasing the freaking things when they are ready!)
On the multimedia front we have a large amount of movies and themes to enjoy (take note Microsoft, themes here in PS3 land are free… they are advertising after all). We see themes for Call of Duty 4, two for PAIN, a Mesmerize theme and my favorite a Tori-Ekemi theme. In video form we see the debut of the game Borderlands from Gearbox, a new Brothers in Arms trailer, as well as trailers for PixelJunk Monsters, Lost Planet, Dynasty Warriors 6 and Syphon Filter: Combat Ops.
This is a great update with a ton of things to enjoy, watch or visualize. Once again Sony trumps Microsoft in the update department, keep it up and the Sony star will start to rise again! Note that all prices listed are in U.S. funds, Canadians like me will surely pay more!
Downloadable Games
Tori-Emaki ($1.99)
PLAYSTATION Eye required. Presented in High-Definition 1080p resolution, Tori-Emaki is an innovative interactive art experience. Enter a world of atmospheric wonder as you embark on a magical journey by guiding a flock of birds through a living masterpiece inspired by ancient Japanese paintings. Move your body to vary the speed and direction of the birds’ flight and to immerse yourself in a beautiful visual experience.
ESRB Rated E
Mesmerize: Trace ($1.99)
PLAYSTATION Eye required. Presented in High-Definition 1080p resolution, Mesmerize: Trace is a collection of absorbing visual and aural effects that respond to your body movements and sounds (such as clapping or snapping your fingers). Make photon particles dance and sing in Firefly, create a glowing cityscape with your own two hands in Urban, and go on to explore Twister, Chain Reaction and Flare.
ESRB Rated E
Blast Factor Bundle ($12.99)
Blast Factor is a physics based action game which takes players into a fierce microbiological arena to guide a nano-machine against viral swarms. The Bundle includes the full game as well as the Multiplayer Pack and the Advanced Research Pack.
ESRB Rated E
Demos
Turok Demo
Take on the role of Joseph Turok and survive a genetically altered planet occupied by an army of well-trained enemy soldiers, ravenous and unpredictable dinosaurs and creatures that populate the dangerous environment. Choose your combat; shoot to survive using an arsenal of firepower, utilize quiet kill stealth, or use the dinosaurs and creatures as weapons. Your mission? Survive at all costs.
ESRB Rated M
FIFA Street 3 Demo
Try out the demo for the ultimate arcade soccer experience. In FIFA Street 3, take to the streets and experience the style, flair and attitude of street soccer like never before. Play as the world’s best players, and show off your street skills in unique environments around the world.
ESRB Rated E
Add-on Game Content
MotorStorm Double Track Pack ($2.99)
This Double Track Pack features two brand new, high-speed circuits – the perilous “Eagle’s Nest” and the deadly “Diamondback Speedway,” compatible with all vehicle classes in all Online modes including Time Attack and Eliminator!
Rock Band
Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks. Please note: you need to actually own Rock Band in order to play these tracks:
* “Last Train to Clarksville” – The Monkees ($1.99)
* “All the Small Things” – Blink-182 ($1.99)
* “Action” – Sweet ($1.99)
Game Videos
PixelJunk Monsters Trailer (free)
Inspired by the popular and addictive “tower defense” game genre, PixelJunk Monsters is a fun and intuitive game featuring a uniquely attractive art style. Defend your home base against threatening monsters by building towers and casting lightning storms across the forest. Download the official trailer today, available in HD.
Borderlands Debut Trailer (free)
What lies behind the vault? How do you survive the dangerous and outlaw world of Borderlands? Download the debut trailer for the new shooter from Gearbox Software and 2K Games now, available in HD
Dynasty Warriors 6 Trailer
After the fall of China’s Han Dynasty, three rebellious states moved to overthrow the Emperor of China. Step onto the battlefield and experience the exhilaration of destroying thousands of soldiers on massive fields of combat. Available in SD and HD.
Brothers In Arms Hell’s Highway Trailer (free)
Brothers In Arms Hell’s Highway delivers the most immersive WWII squad-based shooter experience to date, putting players in the boots of squad leader Matt Baker as he leads his men of the 101st Airborne Division during Operation Market Garden. Available in HD
Lost Planet Trailer (free)
Lost Planet has raised the bar for shooting action to new heights! The game that has sold over 1,600,000 copies worldwide makes its debut on the PLAYSTATION 3! Available in HD.
Syphon Filter: Combat Ops Trailer (free)
Download the Syphon Filter: Combat Ops trailer for your PSP and see the new Mission Modifier feature in action. Syphon Filter: Combat Ops delivers an unrivaled online multiplayer experience exclusively on the PSP system. Available in HD and 1080p HD.
PS3 Themes
PAIN Ice Tea Theme (free)
Customize your PS3 system with a cool PAIN Cookie theme. This theme allows you to change up the look of your background and XMB icons.
PAIN Ed T-Bone Theme (free)
Customize your PS3 system with a cool PAIN Santa theme. This theme allows you to change up the look of your background and XMB icons.
Mesmerize Theme (free)
Customize your PS3 system with a cool Mesmerize theme. This theme allows you to change up the look of your background and XMB icons.
Tori-Emaki Theme (free)
Customize your PS3 system with a cool Tori-Emaki theme. This theme allows you to change up the look of your background and XMB icons.
Call of Duty 4 Theme (free)
Customize your PS3 system with a cool Call of Duty 4 theme. This theme allows you to change up the look of your background and XMB icons.
