I decided to take last week off, partly because of E3, and partly because of burnout. I have to admit, these things are a bitch to do, especially the Microsoft piece because they all have demos to play. It usually takes most of my evenings, and I just needed a break.
Thankfully, Grace Chen, who I have had a rocky “relationship” with, felt my pain, because she made my week easy. No demos, no games worthy of attention, the DLC sucks… this is a shitty week for people who actually like things worthy of attention, but for someone who researches things he writes about, it’s easy as pie, because there’s no work to do! Thanks for sucking this week, guys!
The Playstation 3 release is the third episode of Sam & Max: The Devil’s Playhouse, titled They Stole Max’s Brain. The Notorious M.A.S. reviewed the PC version of Episode 2, and liked it, though noted that this was definitely designed around consoles. Of course, you need to own the season pass to even be able to download this, but if you’re waiting on our review, we’re going to have a different reviewer for the PC version of Episode 3. Mohamed’s PC hasn’t been able to join him in New Zealand, so the third episode will be reviewed by DHGF newbie Mel Ngai.
All of the other PS3 content is add-on; a $10 pack for MAG here, another $10 golf course for Tiger Woods PGA Tour ’11 there (I’ll fully eviscerate that load of bollocks in my review later this week), more stuff for Little Big Planet, the focus of this week seems to be to make people spend more money on games they already spent $60 on. I find this disturbing, as usual, but I’m the only one, apparently, so it will continue.
To be fair, there’s a lot to talk about in terms of sales, especially for fans of modern Sonic the Hedgehog games:
Sonic & Sega All Stars Racing Add On Bundle – Sale (now $6.49, original price $12.99)
Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing DLC 2 – Metal Sonic & Death Egg Zone Track – Sale (now $5.49, original price $7.99)
Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing – Ryo with Forklift Character – Sale (now $3.49, original price $4.99)
Sonic The Hedgehog Very Hard Shadow – Sale (now $1.49, original price $2.49)
Sonic The Hedgehog Very Hard Silver – Sale (now $1.49, original price $2.49)
Sonic The Hedgehog Very Hard Sonic – Sale (now $1.49, original price $2.49)
Sonic Unleashed Apatos & Shamar Adventure Pack – Sale (now $1.99, original price $2.99)
Sonic Unleashed Chun-Nan Adventure Pack – Sale (now $1.99, original price $2.99)
Sonic Unleashed Empire City & Adabat Adventure Pack – Sale (now $1.99, original price $2.99)
Sonic Unleashed Holoska Adventure Pack – Sale (now $1.99, original price $2.99)
Sonic Unleashed Mazuri Adventure Pack – Sale (now $1.99, original price $2.99)
Sonic Unleashed Spagonia Adventure Pack – Sale (now $1.99, original price $2.99)
Sonic Unleashed: Unleash My Desire Bundle – Sale (now $8.99, original price $17.99)
Sonic Rivals – Sale (now $10.99, original price $15.99)
Sonic Rivals 2 – Sale (now $13.99, original price $19.99)
Sonic Rivals: Set My Pulse Bundle – Sale (now $17.99, original price $29.99)
Blue Toad Murder Files: Episode 1 – Sale (now $1.49, original price $7.49)
Kick-Ass – Sale (now $9.99, original price $14.99)
Warhawk: Fallen Star DLC – Sale (now $1.99, original price $7.99)
It should be noted that I don’t think there’s been a good Sonic game outside of the GBA or DS since the Genesis days, so the big Sonic sale – for the character’s 19th birthday – is useless to me. However, I like the price of the Fallen Star DLC – that’s a heavy bargain for a lot of value – and it should also be noted, for the Sonic set, that I’m the only person on the staff who seemingly dislikes Sonic All Stars Racing.
On the PSP, we have TNA Impact: Cross The Line for $30. Let me take this opportunity to explain to our readers the hardest thing – bar none – about this industry: dealing with PR. I previewed this game back in April, when I went with Aileen to meet reps from Southpeak. Southpeak/Deep Silver’s PR rep is a woman named Aubrey Norris, who is delightful to deal with. I enjoyed my time with her and the developer for the game Nail’d as much as I’ve enjoyed any meeting with anyone in my four years in this industry. She even told me that her goal in life is to make our own PR guy DJ Tatsujin – an extremely stoic man – crack by sending him emails with more smiley faces, emoticons and ASCII hearts than any one email should contain. She’s a blast.
So when I wrote the preview for TNA Impact, I did something I’m not proud of, and hope I never have to do again: I glossed over the fact that I hated the game.
Here’s the thing: Cross the Line is little more than a port of the 360/PS3 versions of Impact that both Mark B. and Lucard hated so much. They were bad games, and almost nothing was changed on the PSP. My experience with the single player mode showed a deeply limited system and extremely cheap gameplay, as well as some of the most unresponsive controls I’ve experienced in a wrestling game. This is a $30 purchase, but I wouldn’t even take this game for free unless I had to review it. Stay away. Trust me, just stay away. Even TNA fans should avoid this. Sorry, Aubrey.
Shockingly, that’s it for this week. There’s literally not one thing worth buying unless you’re a devoted MAG fan, but at least this was a quick write. Until next time, this is Christopher Bowen, who is going to use his extra time that he would normally be using researching things playing Grandia. Thanks again, Sony!
The full PSN Update is under the cut.
Updates
Sonic & Sega All Stars Racing Add On Bundle – Sale (now $6.49, original price $12.99)
Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing DLC 2 – Metal Sonic & Death Egg Zone Track – Sale (now $5.49, original price $7.99)
Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing – Ryo with Forklift Character – Sale (now $3.49, original price $4.99)
Sonic The Hedgehog Very Hard Shadow – Sale (now $1.49, original price $2.49)
Sonic The Hedgehog Very Hard Silver – Sale (now $1.49, original price $2.49)
Sonic The Hedgehog Very Hard Sonic – Sale (now $1.49, original price $2.49)
Sonic Unleashed Apatos & Shamar Adventure Pack – Sale (now $1.99, original price $2.99)
Sonic Unleashed Chun-Nan Adventure Pack – Sale (now $1.99, original price $2.99)
Sonic Unleashed Empire City & Adabat Adventure Pack – Sale (now $1.99, original price $2.99)
Sonic Unleashed Holoska Adventure Pack – Sale (now $1.99, original price $2.99)
Sonic Unleashed Mazuri Adventure Pack – Sale (now $1.99, original price $2.99)
Sonic Unleashed Spagonia Adventure Pack – Sale (now $1.99, original price $2.99)
Sonic Unleashed: Unleash My Desire Bundle – Sale (now $8.99, original price $17.99)
Sonic Rivals – Sale (now $10.99, original price $15.99)
Sonic Rivals 2 – Sale (now $13.99, original price $19.99)
Sonic Rivals: Set My Pulse Bundle – Sale (now $17.99, original price $29.99)
Blue Toad Murder Files: Episode 1 – Sale (now $1.49, original price $7.49)
Kick-Ass – Sale (now $9.99, original price $14.99)
Warhawk: Fallen Star DLC – Sale (now $1.99, original price $7.99)
Downloadable Games
Sam & Max Episode 3: They Stole Max’s Brain (free with purchase of Episode 1)
You wouldn’t want to see freelance shamus Sam when he’s steamin’ mad. Someone has snatched his little buddy’s noodle, gunning for control of its inner powers. Now Sam’s going all noir to get it back!
Was it the giant gorilla? The two-bit rat? Or the fishy dame who runs the greasy-spoon? The trail of The Devil’s Playhouse is getting twisty, and Sam’s rolling up his sleeves, smackin’ heads and throwin’ slugs to crack the case.
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 411 MB
Add-on Game Content
MAG – Interdiction Mission Pack ($9.99)
Interdiction; the act of halting an enemy’s advance through destruction with firepower. Featuring new armor, medals, ribbons and Trophies, cut off your enemy’s advance on neutral battlefields, fighting to seize control of command posts in all-new missions utilizing convoys to survive the offensive onslaught.
File size: 440 MB
LittleBigPlanet – Summer Solstice Costume (free)
Celebrate the coming of Summer with this limited edition costume for Sackboy! Available for a limited time!
File size: 1.04 MB
ModNation Racers: Princess Mod ($0.99)
Help Princess fulfill her dream of wearing a real crown by putting her in first place in ModNation™ Racers. Surprise the competition with her dainty looks as you boost, drift, and draft your way into the winner’s circle! Princess includes several Mod accessories for you to Create within the Mod Studio including a Tutu, Tiara, and Stampable Jewels! Download this Mod today!
File size: 100 KB
ModNation Racers: Princess Kart ($0.99)
Bring a little royalty and class to the tracks of ModNation Racers with Princess’ Kart! Princess’ Kart includes a fully-designed Kart body, as well as Kart parts for you to Create within the Kart Studio including a Carriage Body and Seat, Magic Mirror steering wheel, and Carriage Wheels for tires. Download this Add-on today!
File size: 100 KB
ModNation Racers: Princess Mod and Kart ($1.75)
Princess will bring some royal class to the MRC! Don’t be fooled by Princess’ deceptively dainty style and kart, she has enough skills to rule the track and take the crown. This ModNation™ Racers Princess Mod AND Princess’ Kart bundle pack includes a fully-designed Mod, Kart, as well as several related parts and accessories for you to Create within the Mod and Kart Studios. Download this pack today!
File size: 200 KB
Tiger Wood PGA Tour 11: River Course At Blackwolf Run ($9.99)
Bring your “A” game and prepare to play one of North America’s most challenging and scenic courses. The Wisconsin based course features vast rolling greens, grass topped dunes and deep bunkers. Tee off at this award winning course today!
File size: 141 MB
Red Dead Redemption: Outlaws to the End Co-Op Pack (free)
The Outlaws To The End Co-Op Mission Pack lets up to four players join forces and take on the Dying West together. Missions include raiding gold mines, clearing the outlaw-infested town of Tumbleweed with cannons and Gatling guns, battling rebel insurgents across the river banks, and more in 6 new co-op missions. With new Trophies and Challenges, this extensive co-op pack brings hours of gunslinging action to your Red Dead Redemption experience.
File size: 15 MB
Just Cause 2: Bull’s Eye Assault Rifle ($0.99)
Blows the ‘standard’ assault rifle out of the water!
File size: 481 KB
Just Cause 2: Chevalier Classic ($0.99)
No agent should be without a hot set of wheels.
File size: 2.1 MB
Just Cause 2: Monster Truck ($0.99)
If you can’t go through it, just go over it!
File size: 3.27 MB
Just Cause 2: Rico’s Signature Gun ($0.99)
A signature gun adapted for Rico’s shooting style.
File size: 406 KB
Just Cause 2: Tuk Tuk Boom Boom (free)
Try out a true weapon of mass destruction in the new and improved Tuk Tuk.
File size: 2.22 MB
Lost Planet 2 – Killzone 2 Helghast Assault and Scout Character (free)
On the lost planet of E.D.N. III, only the toughest survive and they don’t come much tougher than the helghast Assault and Helghast Scout troops. The most feared units from Killzone now get to take on Lost Planet 2’s pirate factions and the deadly giant Akrid. helghast Assault and Helghast Scout are available now as an exclusive download for PlayStation 3 system owners.
File size: 5.4 MB
Super Street Fighter IV: Super Shadaloo Costume Pack ($3.99)
Download the sixth pack of alternate costumes for Super Street Fighter IV! New costumes for Balrog, Sagat, Vega, M.Bison and Seth are included. Don these new threads and take down all of your rivals in style! Only available for use with Super Street Fighter IV.
File size: 100 KB
Battlefield Bad Company 2 Onslaught Mode ($9.99)
Expanding the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 online multiplayer experience, Onslaught Mode delivers the first online co-op Battlefield action to the PlayStation 3 system! Up to 4 players can team up and put their squad skills to the test across 4 enhanced multiplayer maps fighting against A.I. forces and new enemy vehicles such as the Mark V patrol boat.
File size: 100 KB
Skate 3: Black Box Distribution Skate Park ($2.99)
Hone your skills and rip like the pros of Zero, Mystery, and Fallen by skating their private training facility, a park with a little something for every skater.
File size: 1.52 MB
Guitar Hero
For all song credits please visit www.guitarhero.com.
- “Damned If I Do Ya (Live)” by All Time Low ($1.99)
- “Dear Maria Count Me In” by All Time Low ($1.99)
- “Weightless” by All Time Low ($1.99)
- All Time Low Track Pack ($5.49) – Downloadable Track Pack featuring “Damned If I Do Ya (Live),” “Dear Maria Count Me In,” and “Weightless” by All Time Low. Please Note: Many songs are available both as singles and as part of a Track Pack, so please carefully consider your purchases before downloading.
File size: 32 – 34 MB (singles), 95 MB (track pack)
Rock Band
Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.
- “7 Things” – Miley Cyrus ($1.99)
- “Can’t Be Tamed” – Miley Cyrus ($1.99)
- “Fly On The Wall” – Miley Cyrus ($1.99)
- “See You Again” – Miley Cyrus ($1.99)
- “Start All Over” – Miley Cyrus ($1.99)
Rock Band Network
- “Creepy Doll” by Jonathan Coulton ($1.99)
- “HTML Rulez D00d” by The Devil Wears Prada ($1.99)
- “Jumper “Ëœ09″³ by Third Eye Blind ($1.99)
- “Paralyze” by Finger Eleven ($1.99)
- “Requiem For A Dying Song” by Flogging Molly ($0.99)
File size: 23 – 31 MB (singles),
Bundles
Blue Toad Murder Files Episodes 2-6 Upgrade ($25.49)
If you already own episode 1, upgrade to the full season of Blue Toad Murder Files for a special discounted price! Played solo or up to four players locally, can you unravel the secrets of Little Riddle? This product supports the following languages: In-game speech: English; On-screen text: English.
File size: 1.57 GB
Blue Toad Murder Files: Episode 1-6 Bundle Pack ($26.99)
6 great episodes for a special discounted price! Played solo or up to four players locally, can you unravel the secrets of Little Riddle? This product supports the following languages: In-game speech: English; On-screen text: English.
File size: 1.98 GB
Sonic & Sega All Stars Racing Add-On Bundle ($6.49)
Sonic is racing into his 19th year, so to celebrate we’re offering you an exclusive bundle deal – get the Ryo with Forklift Character Add On and Metal Sonic Death Egg Add On for Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing for a whopping 50% off – now only $6.49 for a limited time!
File size: 149 MB
Flower Soundtrack Bundle ($4.99)
Flower lets you take control of the wind as you explore and navigate beautiful, lush environments using only the SIXAXIS wireless controller, for an interactive escape that takes you on an emotional journey. Download both the original soundtrack from Flower and the Flower dynamic theme at this special bundle price.
File size: 129.4 MB
Avatars
LittleBigPlanet – World Cup Avatars (x32) ($0.49)
File size: 100 KB
Flower Avatars (x5) ($0.49)
File size: 100 KB
Flower Avatar Bundle ($1.75)
File size: 500 KB
Game Videos (free)
Alpha Protocol Launch Trailer
File size: 46 MB (HD)
PS3 Themes
World Cup Soccer Dynamic Themes (x22) ($1.99)
File size: 1.94 – 2.07 MB
Battlestar Galactica Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
File size: 4.83 MB
2 Dollar Special ($1.99)
File size: 6.01 MB
American Soccer Girl ($1.49)
File size: 4.54 MB
Steam Punk ($1.49)
File size: 5.37 MB
Wallpapers (free)
Anarchy: Rush Hour Wallpaper 2
File size: 147 KB (SD), 926 KB (HD)
Anarchy: Rush Hour Wallpaper 3
File size: 107 KB (SD), 879 KB (HD)
PlayStation Store for PSP
Downloadable Games (also available from PS3 Storefront)
TNA Impact: Cross The Line ($29.99)
Wrestling so real you feel pain! Enter the ring and experience the adrenaline-pumping action, the drama, and style of the world’s premier professional wrestling organization! This is total nonstop action. This is wrestling. This is TNA.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 928 MB
PSP Minis (also available from PS3 Storefront)
Burnin’ Rubber – Minis ($3.99)
ESRB Rated E
File size: 2.4 MB
INFLUENCE – Minis ($4.99)
ESRB Rated E
File size: 52 MB
Add-on Game Content (also available from PS3 Storefront)
BUZZ! Quiz World: National Geographic Prehistoric Quiz Pack ($2.99)
The world famous National GeographicTM archives brings you the ultimate quiz about a time when dinosaurs ruled the world! This pack features hundreds of new questions to play in any of your favorite BUZZ! Quiz World game modes for your PSP or PSPgo system. Download this quiz pack today and turn your party into the ultimate trivia showdown.
File size: 67 MB
LittleBigPlanet PSP – Unidentified Sacking Objects Costume (free)
USO’s (Unidentified Sacking Objects) have been spotted in your area. What’s green, has one eye, and a purple raygun? This wonderful new costume! NOTE: Manual Update required
File size: 1.16 MB
LittleBigPlanet PSP – Unidentified Sacking Objects Pack ($2.99)
USO’s (Unidentified Sacking Objects) have been spotted in your area. Make sure your levels are out of this world with the amazing Unidentified Sacking Objects pack. 4 costumes and 12 great new stickers will help send your Sackboy into orbit. NOTE: Manual Update required
File size: 1.27 MB
Game Videos (free)
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Portable Walkthrough Video #1
File size: 25 MB
PSP Themes (also available from PS3 Storefront)
Battlestar Galactica PSP Theme ($1.49)
File size: 539 KB
2 Dollar Special PSP Theme 1 ($1.49)
File size: 577 KB
2 Dollar Special PSP Theme 2 ($1.49)
File size: 630 KB
Steam Punk PSP Theme ($1.49)
File size: 556 KB
American Soccer Girl PSP Theme ($1.49)
File size: 513 KB
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