Playstation Network Update for February 18th, 2010

I consider myself a professional. I feel that I can get past whatever comes to me, get past it, and get my job done properly.

The Winter Olympics are one of the few times when I decide to hell with professionalism. They have hockey on literally all day! I just watched Canada beat the Swiss in a shootout, during which time I was so transfixed that I couldn’t even use the bathroom, and I’m currently watching China vs. Russia. The WOMEN’S teams. In a meaningless game. Who cares? It’s international hockey!

Therefore, to steal a line from Bill Hicks, bear with me as I put on a fake smile and plow through this shit one more time.

The big release to come to the PS3 is in the form of a demo. Yakuza 3’s demo was released, and features a few playable fights, and a couple of minigames, with the promise – in the demo – of other things being available once the full version is bought. One Ramen store even claims it’s “too much flavour for the demo!”, which I thought was a cute little bit of salesmanship. The game looks interesting, though I have major issues with the fighting engine; it’s cheap, and hard to get any momentum going since you’re going to be fighting one on many most of the time. One fight I had against a bunch of suited gaijin involved me going to hit one guy, getting someone else, and someone coming in and absolutely destroying me with unblockable combos. This fight frustrated the hell out of me – I never did finish it because I was about to throw a $50 controller against the wall – and made things worse when the game asked me “would you like to temporarily change the difficulty to Easy?”, almost as if to mock me. No, Yakuza, I don’t want to go down in difficulty, and go fuck yourself. With that said, I’m still interested in the main game, and am even interested in the first two, which Matt Yeager loved. The other demo released was Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing Demo. It’s as bad now as it was when I talked about it in last week’s XBox piece, and is so bad it doesn’t even get it’s own paragraph.

Also notable for Qore subscribers, or at least the ones that bought the last episode, is that in addition to the God of War 3 demo from last week, they also have the ability to download the PSP demo for Eye of Judgement LEGENDS.

There are also quite a few sales going on. The big name is similar to a sale on XBox Live last week: Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is on sale for 50% off for a week, down to $8. This is actually a couple of dollars less expensive than Microsoft’s similar sale, though anyone that wants the game probably owns it at this point. If you don’t own the game and have even a passing interest in fighting games, pick it up, definitely. Topatoi also has a permanent price drop from $10 to $8, though it should be noted that’s probably for a reason: the game, according to most, isn’t very good.

Ubisoft is also having a sale until March 4th. The items on sale are are as follows:

* Call of Juarez: Bound In Blood – Old West Map Pack Sale (now $5.99, original price $9.99)
* Shaun White Snowboarding The Glamour Pack Sale (now $2.49, original price $4.99)
* Shaun White Snowboarding Target Limited Edition The Glamour Pack Sale (now $2.49, original price $4.99)
* Tom Clancy’s End War Faction Elite Pack Sale (now $1.99, original price $3.75)
* Brothers in Arms D-Day Sale (now $7.49, original price $14.99)
* Price of Persia Revelations Sale (now $4.99, original price $9.99)
* Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) Sale (now $9.99, original price $19.99)

Frankly, this sale sucks. Most of the items on sale are DLC packs for other games, and of the two games on sale, one is passable (PoP Revelations) and one is awful (TMNT). The kids today call this “mondo lame”. I’m so up with the groovy jingo!

Debuting this week is the Playstation Network’s original show: The Tester. This is a reality show to see who gets the “ultimate” job: being a Playstation play tester. The episode is free, so at the very least, there’s no risk in downloading it unless future episodes come at a cost, though I think Penny Arcade got it right when talking about the “perfect” job.

There are three new PS one games on the service. Magic Carpet is the only one that’s going to raise eyebrows. It was originally released on the PC by Bullfrog, the same people who released Populous, the third version of which was released last weekend. This is another case where the PC version is the superior version, but it’s also another case where the PC version might not even be playable on modern operating systems. For $6, this is worth it for fans, or for someone who doesn’t mind something different, as I have a hard time containing this to one genre. Sorcerer’s Maze is Just Another Breakout Clone, though at least it’s cute. I don’t like how delayed the paddle feels, though; there’s a split second gap between when you push the button and when the paddle moves, which doesn’t feel right. Mass Destruction can best be described as Urban Strike with tanks and worse control.

Finally, on the PSP side of things, there are two games being released. The big name is obviously SOCOM: U.S. Navy Seals Fireteam Bravo 3. As you can see, the game’s already been reviewed, and I gave it a decent score. BUT… the latest news about the registration to play the game online costing $20 for used buyers has left a NASTY taste in my mouth. I’ll be addressing this in my Unbranding the Sheep column on Friday. Puzzle Chronicles was also released on the service for $30. Aaron Sirois reviewed the game earlier this month, and liked it, though he did call it a letdown of sorts.

That’s all for this week. We have some nice demos, a high-tier PSP release, and a show that Sony hopes will be the Tough Enough of videogames. Until next week, this is Christopher Bowen, who has now moved onto watching Canada vs. France in curling. Laugh at me all you want.

The full Playstation and Comic Store update are below, under the cut.


Price Updates

Marvel vs. Capcom 2 Sale, One Week Only (now $7.49, original price $14.99)
Topatoi Permanent Price Drop (now $7.99, original price $9.99)

Ubisoft Game Sale – Ends on 3/4:

  • Call of Juarez: Bound In Blood – Old West Map Pack Sale (now $5.99, original price $9.99)
  • Shaun White Snowboarding The Glamour Pack Sale (now $2.49, original price $4.99)
  • Shaun White Snowboarding Target Limited Edition The Glamour Pack Sale (now $2.49, original price $4.99)
  • Tom Clancy’s End War Faction Elite Pack Sale (now $1.99, original price $3.75)
  • Brothers in Arms D-Day Sale (now $7.49, original price $14.99)
  • Price of Persia Revelations Sale (now $4.99, original price $9.99)
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) Sale (now $9.99, original price $19.99)

The Tester

The Tester Season Premiere: Episode 1 “The Critical Eye” (free)

The chosen 11 gamers meet for the first time, confront their first challenge, and face the panel in the debut of PlayStation Network’s new original series. Download now and find out who goes home first.
File size: 347 MB (SD) 936 MB (HD)

Qore

All Qore subscribers and purchasers of February’s episode (#21) can now visit that episode’s Download Center to download The Eye of Judgment LEGENDS demo for the PSP/PSPgo.

PSone Classics

Magic Carpet (5.99)
Jump on your magic carpet and revisit this classic filled with mystery, spells, and monsters. Let the fantasy take you away!

ESRB Rated E
File size: 84 MB

Mass Destruction ($5.99)
Become a one-man army as you get behind the controls of one of three multi-armored battle tanks. Show no mercy as you utilize every weapon in your arsenal to bring about mass destruction against cruel, despotic regimes in over 20 missions across four types of terrain!
ESRB Rated T
File size: 87 MB

Sorcerer’s Maze ($5.99)
Travel through the Sorcerer’s Maze in this fantasy-filled puzzle game. Can you harness the powers of magic to defeat the monsters within?

ESRB Rated E
File size: 25 MB

Avatars

MAG SVER Badge Avatar ($0.49)
File size: 134 KB

MAG SVER Character Avatar ($0.49)
File size: 109 KB

MAG Raven Badge Avatar ($0.49)
File size: 100 KB

MAG Raven Character Avatar ($0.49)
File size: 106 KB

MAG Valor Badge Avatar ($0.49)
File size: 100 KB

MAG Valor Character Avatar ($0.49)
File size: 112 KB

Game Demos (free)

Yakuza 3 Network Demo
Introducing the next cinematic chapter in the prestigious Yakuza series renowned for its authentic, gritty and often violent look at modern Japan. Making its first appearance exclusively on the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, the rich story and vibrant world of Yakuza 3 lets players engage in intense brutal clashes within the streets of Okinawa, and the vibrant and often dangerous city of Tokyo where only the strongest will survive.

ESRB Rated M
File size: 1.20 GB

Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing Demo
Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing Playable Demo.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 827 MB

Add-on Game Content

BUZZ! National Geographic: Kids Quiz Pack ($7.99)
A new question pack for BUZZ!
File size: 60 MB

Dragon Ball: Raging Blast Saiyan’s Pack (free)
The “Dragon Ball: Raging Blast” Character Pack #7 is now available! The seventh release is the “Saiyans Pack.” This pack contains very popular Saiyan fighters: Majin Vegeta, Trunks (Fighting Teen), Vegito, Bardock and Super Saiyan 3 Vegeta! The Saiyans of all Saiyans now enter the Raging Blast battles! Who will be the last fighter standing…?

File size: 116 KB

Assassin’s Creed II Sequence 13: Bonfire of the Vanities ($4.99)
A must for Assassin’s fans, Assassin’s Creed II Sequence 13: Bonfire of the Vanities continues to expand the award-winning AC2 universe. Take on a powerful adversary in twelve new memories. Work with Machiavelli to free the city of Florence from the grip of the mad monk Savonarola.
File size: 1.49 GB

Assassin’s Creed II Sequence 13: Bonfire of the Vanities & Secret Locations ($9.99)
Assassin’s Creed II Sequence 13: Bonfire of the Vanities continues to expand the award-winning AC2 universe. Take on a powerful adversary in 12 new memories. Work with Machiavelli to free the city of Florence from the grip of the mad monk Savonarola. Three Templar secret locations from the AC2 Collector’s Edition are also included: Palazzo Medici, Santa Maria Dei Frari, and the Arsenal Shipyard.
File size: 1.49 GB

Dante’s Inferno Florentine Dante Costume ($1.99)
Dress Dante as the famous Italian poet of the Middle Ages, Dante Alighieri. Part one of his poem The Divine Comedy serves as the backdrop for EA’s action-adventure epic Dante’s Inferno.
File size: 5.34 MB

Resident Evil 5 Lost In Nightmares ($4.99)
This is the first installment of new content for Resident Evil 5. Find out what happened to Jill at Spencer’s estate, and play as Barry Burton and Excella Gionne in The Mercenaries Reunion.
File size: 413 MB

Resident Evil 5 Costume Pack 1 ($1.99)
This costume pack is compatible with the original game. Show off Chris’ muscled physique with his Warrior outfit, and add a bit of elfin fantasy to Sheva with Fairy Tale. These costumes can also be used in The Mercenaries Reunion in addition to the main story.

File size: 116 KB

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Hoth Mission Pack ($9.99)
Go beyond the evil ending of The Force Unleashed and take the Apprentice to Hoth to “recruit” an important ally.
File size: 888 MB

Rock Band
Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.

  • “Let Forever Be””” The Chemical Brothers ($1.99)
  • “Weightless””” All Time Low ($1.99)
  • “Stray Cat Strut””” Brian Setzer ($1.99)
  • “Fascination””” Alphabeat ($1.99)
  • “I’ve Got Dreams to Remember””” Otis Redding ($1.99)
  • “(Sittin’ on the) Dock of the Bay (Take 2)””” Otis Redding ($1.99)
  • “Love Man””” Otis Redding ($1.99)
  • “Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)””” Otis Redding ($1.99)
  • “I’m Sick Y’all””” Otis Redding ($1.99) ($1.99)
  • Otis Redding Pack 1 ($8.49)- Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track pack: Otis Redding Pack 01. This album includes “I’ve Got Dreams to Remember,” “(Sittin’ on the) Dock of the Bay (Take 2),” “Love Man,” “Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song),” and “I’m Sick Y’all” by Otis Redding.

File sizes: 15 MB – 28 MB (singles), 80 MB (track pack)

Game Videos (free)

Pulse 2/18 Edition
File size: 290 MB (HD) 466 MB (1080)

MAG: How To – Career Overview
File size: 95 MB (1080)

MAG: How To – Commando
File size: 57 MB (HD) 95 MB (1080)

MAG: How To – Direct Action
File size: 52 MB (HD) 87 MB (1080)

MAG: How To – Field Support
File size: 54 MB (HD) 88 MB (1080)

MAG: How To – Rapid Assault
File size: 45 MB (HD) 72 MB (1080)

MAG: How To – Sniper
File size: 41 MB (HD) 70 MB (1080)

ModNation Racers PSP Announcement Trailer
File size: 62 MB (HD)

Yakuza 3 Gameplay Trailer

File size: 104 MB (HD)

Assassin’s Creed II: Battle of Forli Trailer
File size: 69 MB (HD)

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 1 – Announcement Trailer
File size: 34 MB (HD)

Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Gameplay Trailer 1
File size: 39 MB (HD)

Fret Nice Trailer
File size: 29 MB (HD)

make.believe Award Winning Filmmaking
File size: 123 MB (1080)

make.believe Games Loved By Millions
File size: 86 MB (1080)

make.believe Racing on the G4 Circuit
File size: 137 MB (1080)

PS3 Themes

Resident Evil 5 Customizable Theme Pack ($1.99)
File size: 8.58 MB

Amazing Peaks Theme ($1.99)
File size: 5.67 MB

Hemorrhage Theme ($1.99)
File size: 5.27 MB

Wallpaper (free)

Fret Nice Wallpaper
File size: 229 KB (SD) 1.09 MB (HD)

PlayStation Store for PSP

Downloadable Games (also available from PS3 Storefront)

SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3 ($39.99)
The best selling shooter on the PSP returns with an intense single player campaign, unprecedented 4 player co-op, and up to 16 player competitive multiplayer.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 1.04 GB

Puzzle Chronicles ($29.99)
Enter the dark and savage lands of the Ashurin Empire as you battle to avenge the atrocities the Empire brought upon your tribesmen. On your heroic quest to topple the Empire you will fìght fierce beasts and battle hardened warriors in this new Puzzle RPG hybrid game. Featuring an active puzzle combat mechanic, deep story, and robust character development Puzzle Chronicles will bring you into the next era of Puzzle RPGs.
ESRB Rated E10+

File size: 146 MB

Add-On Game Content (also available from PS3 Storefront)

BUZZ! Quiz World PSP National Geographic Safari Pack ($3.99)
From the world famous National Geographic archives comes the ultimate African wildlife quiz. This BUZZ! Quiz World PSP quiz pack features hundreds of new questions about African wildlife to play in any of your favorite BUZZ! Quiz World PSP game modes. Download this quiz pack today and turn your party into the ultimate trivia showdown. Challenge friends and family and “Show ‘em Your Trivia!”
File size: 52 MB

SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3 Online Entitlement ($19.99)
The Online Entitlement is used to activate the online / infrastructure features of SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 3. For those purchasing the game second-hand, the entitlement will need to be purchased and entered into a PSN account prior to activating the infrastructure co-op and multiplayer features. The entitlement will be tied to purchasing PSN account and cannot be used by another account.
File size: N/A

LittleBigPlanet PSP Savannah Level Pack ($2.99)
Download a new set of goodies to create your own Savannah themed levels.
NOTE: Manual Update required
File size: 2.63 MB

LittleBigPlanet PSP Savannah Costumes (free)
LittleBigPlanet’s critically acclaimed “PLAY, CREATE, SHARE” experience, makes its way to the PSP system with a completely new Sackboy adventure. Get a sneak peek of what’s in the Savannah Theme Pack with this free Lion costume!

Note: Manual update required
File size: 4.56 MB

LittleBigPlanet PSP Wedding Theme Pack ($2.99)
Download a new set of costumes and CREATE materials to create your own LittleBigWedding! Weddings Theme Pack includes two costumes, 14 materials, 15 stickers, one music kit and one background.
NOTE: Manual Update required
File size: 2.64 MB

LittleBigPlanet PSP Wedding Costumes (free)
LittleBigPlanet’s critically acclaimed “PLAY, CREATE, SHARE” experience, makes its way to the PSP system with a completely new Sackboy adventure. Get two free costumes and get dressed up for the biggest wedding of the year!

NOTE: Manual Update required
File size: 2.48 MB

Game Videos (free)

The Tester Season Premiere: Episode 1 “The Critical Eye”
File size: 155 MB

Pulse 2/18 Edition
File size: 53 MB

ModNation Racers PSP Announcement Trailer

File size: 11 MB

DEAD OR ALIVE Paradise Trailer
File size: 11 MB

PSP Themes (also available from PS3 Storefront)

Army of Two PSP Theme (free)
File size: 561 KB

Hemorrhage PSP Theme ($1.49)
File size: 480 KB

Matterhorn PSP Theme ($1.49)

File size: 446 KB


Comics Store Update

  • 2000AD Prog # 1667 – $ 1.99
  • Cages # 2 $ 0.99
  • Daredevil (1998) # 98 – $ 1.99
  • Daredevil (1998) # 99 – $ 1.99
  • Donald Duck and the Three Musketeers # 2 $ 1.99
  • Locke & Key: Head Games # 2 $ 0.99
  • Marvel Knights (2000) # 5 – $ 1.99
  • Marvel Knights (2000) # 6 – $ 1.99
  • Marvel Knights (2000) # 7 – $ 1.99
  • Marvel Knights (2000) # 8 – $ 1.99
  • Marvel Knights (2000) # 9 – $ 1.99
  • Marvel Knights (2000) # 10 – $ 1.99
  • Scrooge McDuck and the Present from the Past – $ 0.99
  • Shaun the Sheep Comic # 3 – $ 0.99
  • Superduck and the treasure of Dolly Paprika # 7 – $ 0.99
  • Tank Girl – The Gifting # 3 – $ 0.99
  • Tank Girl – The Gifting # 4 – $ 0.99
  • Tank Girl – Visions of Booga # 1 – $ 0.99
  • Tank Girl – Visions of Booga # 2 – $ 0.99
  • Tank Girl – Visions of Booga # 3 – $ 0.99
  • Tank Girl – Visions of Booga # 4 – $ 0.99
  • The Beagle Boys and the Untimely Holiday – $ 0.99
  • The Incredible Hulk (1999) # 101 – $ 1.99
  • The Incredible Hulk (1999) # 102 – $ 1.99
  • The Incredible Hulk (1999) # 103 – $ 1.99
  • The Incredible Hulk (1999) # 104 – $ 1.99
  • The Incredible Hulk (1999) # 105 – $ 1.99
  • The Incredible Hulk (1999) # 106 – $ 1.99
  • Transformers: All Hail Megatron # 12 – $ 1.99
  • Transformers: Animated – The Arrival # 3 – $ 0.99
  • Transformers: Animated – The Arrival # 4 – $ 0.99
  • Transformers: Spotlight # 14 – $ 1.99
  • Transformers: Spotlight # 15 – $ 1.99
  • Transformers: Spotlight # 16 – $ 1.99
  • Uncanny X-Men (2003) # 486 – $ 1.99
  • Uncanny X-Men (2003) # 487 – $ 1.99
  • Uncanny X-Men (2003) # 488 – $ 1.99
  • Venom Vs. Carnage (2004) # 1 $ 1.99
  • Venom Vs. Carnage (2004) # 2 – $ 1.99
  • Venom Vs. Carnage (2004) # 3 – $ 1.99
  • Venom Vs. Carnage (2004) # 4 – $ 1.99
  • Wallace & Gromit Comic # 7 – $ 0.99
  • Wolverine (2003) # 38 – $ 1.99
  • Wolverine (2003) # 39 – $ 1.99
  • Wolverine (2003) # 40 – $ 1.99
  • Wolverine (2003) # 41 – $ 1.99
  • Wolverine (2003) # 42 – $ 1.99
  • Wolverine (2003) # 43 – $ 1.99
  • Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse: Calamari Rising # 12 – $ 0.99
  • X-23: Target X (2007) # 1 – $ 1.99
  • X-23: Target X (2007) # 2 – $ 1.99
  • X-23: Target X (2007) # 3 – $ 1.99
  • X-23: Target X (2007) # 4 – $ 1.99
  • X-23: Target X (2007) # 5 – $ 1.99
  • X-23: Target X (2007) # 6 – $ 1.99
  • X-Men (2004) # 187 – $ 1.99
  • X-Men (2004) # 188 – $ 1.99
  • X-Men (2004) # 189 – $ 1.99
  • X-Men (2004) # 190 – $ 1.99
  • X-Men (2004) # 191 – $ 1.99
  • X-Men (2004) # 192 – $ 1.99
  • X-Mickey: Behind the Mask # 7 – $ 1.99

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One response to “Playstation Network Update for February 18th, 2010”

  1. […] 3 Demo Rather than wait for the demo to hit the US PSN I used my European account to download the demo a few hours earlier. The PS3 demo replaces Banjo […]

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