Video Games

Rumor: PlayStation 4 Projects Underway

With many sources claiming the next Xbox will be out by Christmas 2013, it makes perfect sense Sony would also be prepping for the next console cycle.

While there hasn’t been much in the way of rumors regarding PlayStation 4, aside from it likely be released in 2014 rather than 2013, it is a safe bet that the prototype hardware is already in the hands of several developers as games being developed for the device are already well underway, according to a well-respected source via develop-online.net.  Of the sixteen first party studios owned by Sony, none have come out and said “yes we are making a new game” naturally, but the source claims many are in fact being developed already.  With developers such as Cliff Belinski saying Unreal Engine 4 will be ready some time in 2013 along with his team’s first next-gen title and studios such as Ubisoft already talking at length about their interests in better hardware, it’s pretty obvious that 2012 will be the final year in which we see PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 being the focus of the industry. 

Would you like to Touch My Katamari?

Remember back to the Tokyo Game Show when Namco announced a new Katamari
game was going to be coming to the Vita?  The game only had a working
title at the time but no more.  Touch My Katamari has been announced as the official title in the U.S. on the PlayStation Blog by Namco’s community manager Rich Bantegui.

Battlefield 3: DICE Breaks Down the Beta

Tommy Rydling, Jr. Product Manager at DICE, posted on the PlayStation Blog today, thanking PS3 players for their participation in the open Battlefield 3 beta.  DICE used the beta to test its network load and work on matchmaking.  Large open betas can provide invaluable information to developers and DICE was not short on beta participation.  The numbers are in and the run-down is pretty impressive!

Vita’s Genesis

An interesting video has been posted on the PlayStation blogabout the creation of the PlayStation Vita.

John Koller, Director of Hardware and Marketing, seems quite pleased with the company’s accomplishments in regards to Vita, though of course one would expect any head of a company to be excited about their next product

Street Fighter X Tekken Hands-On Preview

Last weekend at the New York Comic Con, Capcom held a panel that revealed not only when you’ll be able to get your hands on Street Fighter X Tekken, but also the extras that will come in the Special edition, along with details on the new “Gem” system that will help in balancing the game for newbies, and providing experienced players the option to better customize their characters.  We also got some hands-on play with the game as well.  Here’s what fighting fans need to know.

Ratchet and Clank: All 4 One Review

Ratchet and Clank: All 4 One is a dismal mess of failure.  It ignores what makes the series great, does a terrible job of incorporating the touted new feature and overall is just an unrefined, repetitive and dull entry in a previously brilliant series.

Gone are all the creative and interesting weapons that these games are known for, replaced instead by a much smaller arsenal where nothing stands out and only two or three of the weapons you ultimately unlock proove useful in most circumstances.  In single player, you feel like you are playing a shallow, less-compelling version of what was previously established that constantly reminds you this is a co-op game and playing solo was an afterthought on the designer’s part.  You would be forgiven for thinking the co-op mode of All 4 One is the best way to play, but it isn’t, which is downright strange and shocking. Between the excessive visual clutter, randomly broken platforming, terribly unforgiving ammo and health system and a camera so useless it actually clips through the game world regularly, you would have to be a master of self-control to not go into a spiralling rage from the many different ways this game will frustrate, annoy or just plain bore you.  

Shooters You Should Play Instead of Battlefield 3: Chronicles Of Riddick

Battlefield 3 is just days away, and hardcore console gamers are lining up in front of Best Buy to grab it at its midnight launch (While their more intelligent and attractive PC counterparts are staring at the Origin website waiting for the pre-load).  But is dropping sixty bucks on launch day the best use of your gaming dollars?  Instead of scrambling to be the first to play the hottest new FPS every month, you could spend that money on several classic shooters, or overlooked recent releases.  Over the next few days, Player Affinity will recommend some great shooters that provide more fun for the same price, and might be more to your tastes than Battlefield 3.