PS3 Features

Infamous 2: Improvements Over the Original

The
sequel to Sucker Punch’s electric smash hit of 2009 is nearly here
and, with the launch date of June 7th just weeks away, Infamous 2
is under the spotlight once again with high expectations. More
action-packed gameplay, bigger bosses, louder explosions, and better
visuals are all part of the itinerary, but how will the game address
some of the original’s other shortcomings? Infamous helped to
introduce many new mechanics in open-world gaming and did so in
mostly spectacular fashion. However, the game fell short with its
plot and suffered from a bit from repetition and erratic difficulty
toward the end. The title was also a tad rough around the edges in
regards to performance and graphics quality. At times the heavy
aliasing and blurry textures were very prominent and the frame rate
would take an occasional dive. The developers have stated that
Infamous 2 would feature a number of improvements in order to
address some of these issue, which will supposedly result in a
smoother experience. This points to a more optimized game engine and
higher resolution textures, but no specifics have been revealed.

Twisted Metal’s PS3 Rebirth

Twisted
Metal
made its debut at last year’s E3 convention, and now the game is
really starting to break free from the silence. The game’s developer, Eat
Sleep Play, is finally unveiling some details on the reincarnation of
the title on the PS3, and Creative Director David Jaffe has stated
that the team has been hard at work on the project. He claims that
the game, while still in its early pre-release stages, stays true to
the classics and is a fast and ferocious action driving game. The
game sports a brand new look with HD graphics yet still retains the
chaotic and hyper-violent feel of the originals. Of course, there
will be a slew of new features and improvements to the combat system
and other game mechanics, but nothing too altering or extreme.
Needless to say the new face of Twisted
Metal
is an even crazier, over-the-top action game than its predecessors.

How Can Sony Fix The PSN Debacle?

Now that
extensive measures have been put into place to protect the future
integrity of the network, Sony is readying the online services, at
least partially, to become live again the week of May 1. The rebuilt
infrastructure will sport some heavier security protocols and has
been relocated to a different facility. In order make amends with its
patient and loyal customer and fan base, the company is promoting a
“Welcome Back” program which will give users a chance to access
some premium content for a limited time, for free. While this may be
a nice gesture, most users are stating that it’s simply not enough to
counter the bad—and would like to see a different, more satisfying
approach.

God of War IV Rumors: Nothing but Hot Air?

There have been a lot of
whispers around the internet over the last few weeks about the possibility of
another game in the God of War series for the PS3. Sony Santa Monica has said that
the third installment in the franchise, which came out March of last year, would
not be the last in the series. However, are the rumors that we could be playing God of
War IV by next September more hopeful than accurate? Well to help you try and
work it out for yourself we have compiled some of the rumors and speculation
that have been flying around recently to give you a better idea of what the
chances of more Kratos really are.

The Sounds of “Human Revolution”

Denying
the importance of a solid, well-composed musical score in modern
games is blatant ignorance. Soundtracks and scores have become one of
the most imperative and vital components in today’s video games.
Audio is key to setting the right mood for a game, and without it
players can feel disconnected from the experience. An otherwise
silent game trailer or scripted sequence can be brought to life with
a fitting symphony and in-game events can be heavily influenced by a
myriad of sound bytes or audio clips. Needless to say if you’re a
true gamer, one who appreciates a well-written story and a
carefully-crafted visual design, then you are probably grateful for
the amount of time and effort that goes into creating a rich
atmosphere through sound. This is no easy task of course, as today’s
game composers must traverse many obstacles while remaining as
original as possible.

Uncharted 3: Multiplayer Modes Detailed

Naughty
Dog has announced that the multiplayer beta for Uncharted
3 will begin on June 28 and
has released a massive amount of new details on the game. Along with
a bunch of new screens to drool over, a new video has also surfaced
which showcases a good deal of the game’s new mechanics, gameplay and
customization. The latest installment promises to be a huge leap
forward from the previous title and even more action-packed! The
developers have stated that they have preserved the signature
Uncharted
style of gameplay while making the game even more revolutionary and
unique. The set piece moments that have made the single player
experience so memorable now serve as key element to creating a
unparalleled multiplayer game in Drake’s
Deception. “We
dipped our toe in with Uncharted
2. Now, with Uncharted
3, we’re diving in
headfirst.”

Environments of Resistance 3

Along
with the new Ratchet & Clank title, Insomniac Games’
upcoming third installment to the popular Resistance series
has seen yet another media preview. On April 12 a large group of both
American and European press members in Los Angeles were treated to a
presentation of a new single-player area, multiplayer map, and weapon
that would be featured in the upcoming Resistance 3
game. Along with this fresh material, the video showing the boat
segment along the Mississippi River was also shown. Both of these
levels which are featured in the game’s single-player campaign
feature characters Joseph Capelli and Dr. Malikov as they try to ward
off the Chimeran threat; show some of the new game elements such as
the “weapon wheel” and HUD enhancements.

Portal 2: The Details, the Comic, the Mysteries

To celebrate the release of the sequel to 2007’s game of the
year, this article will talk about all things revolving around the upcoming
(and inevitably great) Portal 2, from the announced comic, to the newly
announced Steam/Playstation 3 cross-over.

So, the premise, players reprise the role of the games
heroine Chell, after being under stasis for 700 years, after the events of the
first game. During stasis, psychotic AI named GLaDOS (Genetic Lifeform and Disk
Operating System) and the rest of the Aperture Science facility has fallen into
disrepair. However, both Chell and GLaDOS are soon woken up by one of GLaDOS’s
personality cores. Displeased at the return of Chell, GLaDOS unleashes a new
range of chambers, where challenging platforming and complex physics-based
puzzles (with the use of the infamous portal gun) are the only way of escape.

Infamous 2: Behemoths and UGC

There’s
no doubt that the dedicated staff of Sucker Punch studios have been
hard at work putting the finishing touches on Infamous
2 and preparing the game
for launch this June. This week, the team has rearranged their
Bellevue offices and tidied up in preparation for the 60+ press
members who will be attending their Media Day for the game. During
this event, the guests will be given a studio tour and be shown the
latest Infamous 2
media and content. If the weather permits, the staff and development
team hope to arrange an outdoor interview session and an evening
event that will showcase a few of the game’s highlights. As for
public eyes, the company has released a virtual version of the day’s
spoils in a series of new videos and screenshots.

Mortal Kombat Preview

With so
many fighting games out there throughout the years of the industry; It’s safe
to say that Mortal Kombat is arguably the most iconic in the genre, for many
reasons; Unique and iconic immortal/mortal characters, the combination of
weapons with physically impossible special moves, a dark and almost hellish
universe that is unrivalled by any other Beat-em’-up, Sonya Blade (mmmmm), and,
of course, the Fatalities, ALWAYS the Fatalities. It’s these aspects that have
led Mortal Kombat to be the genre-defining franchise it is known to be now. So
knowing that Mortal Kombat is making a mighty comeback, a lot hangs in the
balance.

2008’s
Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe was surprisingly… decent. But it was the lack of
ultra-violence within the game that prevented it from receiving any more
respect, particularly from hardcore MK fans that will see the violence being
just as important as the gameplay itself. Well, fans can rejoice. 2011’s Mortal
Kombat returns to what it does best, overly-unnecessary and gruesome ways of
disposing your rival, even after you have beaten them into a great big bloody
pulp.