At first glance people might think Dead Nation is another run-of-the-mill zombie shoot-em-up game and completely dismiss it. But when they hear it’s from the same people who made Super Stardust HD, arguably one of the best PSN titles out there, and they’ll immediately gain interest. Dead Nation looks to take the same Super Stardust formula but bring it to a flat space and instead of having asteroids flying at you, you’ll have a ton of zombies to contend with. Today Sony released a new trailer for Dead Nation and some new screens that feature the hero fighting off a horde of baseball players who are infected with the virus.

To learn more about Dead Nation, check out this video with US Producer Damion Pinnock as he explains the different aspects of the game including the co-op mode.

Stay tuned for more information about this zombie shooter in the coming months leading up to its release in the fall.

[Source: PlayStation Blog ]

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Hey all you PlayStationeers! The PlayStation Store has posted their weekly update! Some of the updates include new Street Fighter Avatars (which I’ll definitely have to get), a couple of themes for PlayStation Plus subscribers, and new games including that one game… Oh yeah, DEATHSPANK! So check out the goods on the PlayStation Store.

PlayStation Plus

LittleBigPlanet – Sackboy Avatar (Free to PlayStation Plus
subscribers)
File size: 100 KB

MAG Raven Dynamic Theme (Free to PlayStation Plus subscribers)
File size: 2.55 MB

MAG S.V.E.R. Dynamic Theme (Free to PlayStation Plus subscribers)
File size: 6.25 MB

MAG Valor Dynamic Theme (Free to PlayStation Plus subscribers)
File size: 5.42 MB

Resistance Aftermath Multiplayer Map Pack (PlayStation Plus price $3.00, original price $5.99)

Gravity Crash (PlayStation Plus price $5.00, original price $9.99)
**This promotion is only available from the PlayStation Store. Within the Demo, the full game is only available for the original price.

Updates

Myst – Sale (now $14.99, original price $19.99)
MLB 10 The Show PSP – Price Drop (now $29.99, original price $39.99)

Downloadable Games

Landit Bandit ($9.99)
Landit Bandit is a 3D helicopter adventure game. The game
combines modern game technology with a retro punch for a unique experience.

• Single and multiplayer splitscreen campaign with 6 different worlds and 20 levels
• Online scoreboards and Trophies
• Multiplayer splitscreen, with coop and duel modes

ESRB Rated: E10+
File size: 111 MB

DeathSpank ($14.99)
For uncounted years the wanderer DeathSpank has been a Dispenser of Justice, a Vanquisher of Evil, and a Hero to the Downtrodden. Throughout his adventures DeathSpank has searched for a powerful artifact called….The Artifact. Forged by unknown hands for unknown purposes some unknown time in the past, The Artifact is now within DeathSpank’s reach, but what is The Artifact and what evil tyrant seeks to steal it?
ESRB Rated: T
File size: 1.00 GB

Game Demos (free)

Blur Multiplayer Demo
Blur Multiplayer Demo – Powered-Up Racing: This Demo features competitive game play for up to 20 racers, and a variety tracks and game modes.
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 2.00 GB

DeathSpank Demo
For uncounted years the wanderer DeathSpank has been a Dispenser of Justice, a Vanquisher of Evil, and a Hero to the Downtrodden. Throughout his adventures DeathSpank has searched for a powerful artifact called….The Artifact. Forged by unknown hands for unknown purposes some unknown time in the past, The Artifact is now within DeathSpank’s reach, but what is The Artifact and what evil tyrant seeks to steal it?
ESRB Rated T
File size: 386 MB

Add-on Game Content

BUZZ!: The 90′s Quiz ($5.99)
Relive the greatest moments of the first decade of the 1990′s! Laugh and compete with your friends over trivia that defined the 1990′s in this BUZZ!: The 90′s Quiz. This pack features hundreds of new questions to play in your favorite BUZZ!: Quiz TV and BUZZ!: Quiz World game modes for your PlayStation 3 system. Download this quiz pack today and turn your party into the ultimate trivia showdown.
File size: 52 MB

NCAA Football 11 – NCAA Power Pack ($29.99)
Power up your NCAA Football 11 experience with all the Dynasty Time Savers (Recruiting Reports, Recruiting Advisor, Coach Seminar, Toughest Places to Play Boost, Max Player Training, School Pitches Improvements, Unlock All Promises, and Pipeline State Addition), Road to Glory 5 Star Recruit for ALL Positions, the ability to save 120 TeamBuilder Teams on your console, NCAA Football 11 Online Pass, and Commish of 5 Online Dynasties.
File size: 100 KB

NCAA Football 11 – Pipeline State Addition ($1.99)
Get an extra Pipeline state to help with recruiting in Dynasty Mode.
File size: 100 KB

NCAA Football 11 – Recruiting Advisor ($1.99)
In Dynasty Mode each week your Recruiting Advisor will bring useful information to your attention.
File size: 100 KB

NCAA Football 11 – Recruiting Reports ($1.99)
See where every team in the nation is spending Recruiting Time in Dynasty Mode with the Recruiting Reports.
File size: 100 KB

NCAA Football 11 – School Pitches Improvement ($1.99)
While in Dynasty Mode this item will give some of your pitches used in Recruiting a boost.
File size: 100 KB

NCAA Football 11 – Toughest Places To Play Boost ($1.99)
This item will give your team a massive boost for Toughest Places to Play in Dynasty Mode.
File size: 100 KB

NCAA Football 11 – Unlock All Promises ($1.99)
Get a jump on your Off-Season recruiting in Dynasty Mode by unlocking all the promises early.
File size: 100 KB

NCAA Football 11 – 5 Star Defensive Back ($0.99)
Gives your created Cornerbacks, Strong Safeties, and Free Safeties in Road to Glory Mode a 5 Star Rating.
File size: 100 KB

NCAA Football 11 – 5 Star Defensive Line ($0.99)
Gives your created Defensive Ends and Defensive Tackles in Road to Glory Mode a 5 Star Rating.
File size: 100 KB

NCAA Football 11 – 5 Star Linebacker ($0.99)
Gives your created Middle Linebackers, Right Outside Linebackers, and Left Outside Linebackers in Road to Glory Mode a 5 Star Rating.
File size: 100 KB

NCAA Football 11 – 5 Star Quarterback ($1.99)
Gives your created Quarterback in Road to Glory Mode a 5 Star Rating.
File size: 100 KB

NCAA Football 11 – 5 Star Receiver ($0.99)
Gives your created Wide Receivers and Tight Ends in Road to Glory Mode a 5 Star Rating.
File size: 100 KB

NCAA Football 11 – 5 Star Running Back ($0.99)
Gives your created Halfbacks and Fullbacks in Road to Glory Mode a 5 Star Rating.
File size: 100 KB

NCAA Football 11 – All 5 Star Recruits ($5.99)
Gives all your created players in Road to Glory Mode a 5 Star Rating.
File size: 100 KB

NCAA Football 11 – All Dynasty Time Saver ($11.99)
Unlocks all of the Dynasty Time Savers: Recruiting Advisor, Coaching Seminar, Toughest Places to Play Boost, School Pitches Improvements, Maximum Player Training, Unlock all Promises, Pipeline State Addition, and Recruiting Reports.
File size: 100 KB

NCAA Football 11 – Coaching Seminar ($1.99)
In Dynasty Mode this item will improve the recruiting of your Coach and help you convince players to stay in school.
File size: 100 KB

NCAA Football 11 – Commish Of 3 Online Dynasties ($9.99)
This entitlement will give you more space on the NCAA Football 11 Online Dynasty servers which lets you control more than one Online Dynasty. You will be able to control up to maximum of 3 Online Dynasties as the commissioner with this entitlement.
File size: 100 KB

NCAA Football 11 – Commish Of 5 Online Dynasties ($14.99)
This entitlement will give you more space on the NCAA Football 11 Online Dynasty servers which lets you control more than one Online Dynasty. You will be able to control up to maximum of 5 Online Dynasties as the commissioner with this entitlement.
File size: 100 KB

NCAA Football 11 – Max TeamBuilder Slot ($9.99)
Gives 120 slots to download teams from the TeamBuilder.
File size: 100 KB

NCAA Football 11 – Maximum Player Training ($1.99)
This item will give the maximum amount of Player Training in the Off-season of Dynasty.
File size: 100 KB

Trinity Universe – Clear Soul Pack Extra Volume ($3.99)
“HELLO-O-O-O…
Hmhmhmm. I got some precious items from my “friends.”
I have 50 “Clear Soul: ATK,” “Clear Soul: DEF,” “Clear Soul: INT,” “Clear Soul: RES,” “Clear Soul: SPD,” “Clear Soul: HIT,” “Clear Soul: LUK,” and “Clear Soul: HP”…I wonder why they only gave me souls.”
File size: 100 KB

Trinity Universe – High-Level Armor Pack ($2.99)
“Master Kanata, I brought some armor from Master Shuten’s private collection:
Three speech spirits, comprised of the “DemonGod Kotodama,” the “Deity Kotodama,” and “Ashura Kotodama.”
Also, an “Ancient Code,” “Genocidal Code,” “Origin Code,” and “Eternal Code.”
Plus, three spaces: “Planetary Space,” “Lost Space,” and “Cluster Space!”
If you equip them wisely, you can grow even stronger…!”
File size: 100 KB

Trinity Universe – Macaroon’s Black Market Pack ($1.99)
“Hmhmhm… Finally, it’s Macaroon’s turn to shine.
Behold the following items I will now introduce!
A pack of Clear Souls: “ATK,” “DEF,” “INT,” “RES,” “SPD,” “HIT,” “LUK,”and “HP.” 30 units of each kind!
If you use all of them, you’ll instantly become mega-strong! How can you pass on this great chance?!
Huh? Of course… it’s not free. Are you trying to extort me? Please pay for it. I take Credit Cards. Oh, and don’t forget your receipt. It’s mega-important.”
File size: 100 KB

Trinity Universe – Paternal Love Pack ($1.99)
“I can give my dear son gifts every once in a while, y’know?
Here. 5 “Elixirs,” 5 “Life Elixirs,” and, unbelievably, 30 “EMT Sets,” 10 “Life Vessels” and 10 “Anchors!” Finally, here’s your allowance I’ve owed you these past several hundred years: 1,000,000G!”
File size: 100 KB

Trinity Universe – Super Galaxy Pirate Pack ($2.99)
“Love Power,” “Phys Protection,” “Great Hit,” “Ultra 777,” “Volcanic Energy,” “Fairy Buster,” “Old Master,” and “EXP Charger.”
With these, the day I become the ruler of the entire universe as the greatest universal beauty is right around the corner!

Yo, Prinnies! Get to work!”
File size: 100 KB

Trinity Universe – Super Treasure Pack 1 (free)
“Huh?! You want my treasure collection?
If you want it, give me money comparable to its value. Understand?
If you don’t have enough money for it, delicious sweets will do.
But remember this: I won’t be satisfied with just any cheap sweets.
If you fail me, you better kiss your life good-bye. …Huh? You’d rather pay money?
Better safe than dead? Lame. Well, then, grab some stuff around here.”
File size: 100 KB

Trinity Universe – Super Treasure Pack 2 (free)
“Hmhmhmm… I collected some really rare items!
I’m sure your adventures will advance smoothly with these!
Um! It feels good to do something to help someone. Don’t you think, Prinny? Shall we go?

Prinny 1: “Uh, we still have things to do, dood. You can go home first.”
Prinny 2: “Did she leave, dood?”
Prinny 1: “Yep, she’s gone, dood.”
Prinny 2: “Don’t think you can get this without giving me something nice, dood. Oh, no compromising, either.”
Prinny 1: “No installments either, dood.”
File size: 100 KB

Trinity Universe – Synthesis Encyclopedia Complete Edition (free)
“Urgh… I can’t find “Synth Manual 32…”
That should have all the healing item recipes. I hope I didn’t misplace it.
Ah, hey, Riz. I… uh… What? You had it?
You’re going to hit Lucius with it until he passes out? …Riz, that may be a little cynical of you.”
File size: 100 KB

Guitar Hero
For all song credits please visit www.guitarhero.com.

• “Afterlife” – Avenged Sevenfold ($1.99)
• “Almost Easy” – Avenged Sevenfold ($1.99)
• “Scream” – Avenged Sevenfold ($1.99)
• Avenged Sevenfold Track Pack ($5.49) – Downloadable Track Pack featuring “Afterlife”, “Almost Easy”, and “Scream” by Avenged Sevenfold. 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: 39 – 59 MB (singles), 143 MB (track pack)

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

• “Get Out” – The Vines ($1.99)
• “He’s a Rocker” – The Vines ($1.99)
• “Orange Amber” – The Vines ($1.99)
• “Outtathaway” – The Vines ($1.99)
• “Ride” – The Vines ($1.99)
• The Vines Pack 01 ($8.49) – Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track pack: The Vines Pack 01. This pack includes “Get Out”, “He’s A Rocker”, “Orange Amber”, “Outtathaway”, and “Ride” by The Vines.
• “Future Perfect Tense” – Sweet Billy Pilgrim ($1.99)

Rock Band Network

• “Dogs Can Grow Beards All Over” by The Devil Wears Prada ($1.99)
• “The Girl at the Video Game Store” by Parry Gripp ($0.99)
• “Top Back” by Alias Unknown ($0.99)
• “Trippolette” by The Andrew Buch ($1.99)
• “You All Everybody” by Drive Shaft ($0.99)

File size: 14 – 35 MB (singles), 90 MB (track pack)

Avatars

Street Fighter Alpha 3 Avatars ($0.49) (x3)
File size: 100 KB

Super Street Fighter IV Avatars ($0.49) (x3)
File size: 103 – 113 KB

Crash Commando Avatars (x4) ($0.49)
File size: 100 KB

Crash Commando Avatar Bundle ($1.25)
File size: 400 KB

Game Videos (free)

Call Of Duty: Black Ops Remix Trailer Feat. Eminem
File size: 45 MB (HD), 72 MB (1080)

Landit Bandit Developer Diary 1 Trailer
File size: 94 MB (HD)

Landit Bandit Developer Diary 2 Trailer
File size: 108 MB (HD)

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 – Vietnam Announcement Video Trailer
File size: 31 MB (HD)

Monkey Island 2 Special Edition: Lechuck’s Revenge E3 2010 Trailer
File size: 69 MB (1080)

Monkey Island 2 Special Edition: Lechuck’s Revenge Making Of Trailer
File size: 396 MB (1080)

Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 E3 Trailer
File size: 78 MB (HD)

KINGDOM HEARTS: Birth By Sleep E3 Trailer
File size: 343 MB (1080)

Grandia PSone Classic Trailer
File size: 31 MB (SD)

SingStar Dance Trailer
File size: 73 MB (HD), 115 MB (1080)

echochrome ii Trailer
File size: 87 MB (HD), 145 MB (1080)

PS3 Themes

Trinity Universe Custom Theme 12: Violet ($1.99)
File size: 5.1 MB

Trinity Universe Custom Theme 13: Pamela ($1.99)
File size: 6.01 MB

Zenescope’s Wonderland Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
File size: 5.36 MB

Wallpapers (free)

Fat Princess Fat Roles Wallpaper 2
File size: 932 KB (1080)

PlayStation Store for PSP

Downloadable Games (also available from PS3 Storefront)

Groovin’ Blocks PSP ($9.99)
It’s time to get your PSP (PlayStation Portable) system groove on! Groovin’ Blocks is the ultimate combination of challenging puzzle game set to irresistible musical beats. Match three or more gems and watch them disappear; explode gems to the beat of the music to double your multipliers and increase your score! Groovin’ Blocks features three skill levels from casual mode to fiendish hard mode.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 44 MB

Game Demos (also available from PS3 Storefront) (free)

Gladiator Begins Demo
Gladiator Begins Demo Version lets you create and customize your own gladiator (male or female) to battle it out in the colosseum.
ESRB Rated M
File size: 132 MB

Game Videos (free)

KINGDOM HEARTS: Birth By Sleep E3 Trailer
File size: 32 MB

SingStar Dance Trailer
File size: 11 MB

echochrome ii Trailer
File size: 14 MB

Grandia PSone Classic Trailer
File size: 15 MB

[Source: PS Blog]

Hulu the online streaming television service finally announced their paid program and with that announced what the Xbox 360 and PS3 service will include. The Hulu Plus service will cost $10 a month and will allow you to watch Hulu on multiple devices including internet enabled televisions, iPads, blu-ray devices and of course your home consoles. From everything that has been reported the Hulu service on consoles will work much like Netflix streaming, you will have to pay for the consoles online service and Hulu Plus.

The Hulu Plus service will not only allow users to watch television shows on their home consoles but also features full seasons of past and present hit shows. So different from the current service subscribers can now go back and watch an entire series of their favorite shows on-demand.

For Xbox 360 owners you will have to be a gold subscriber to take advantage of Hulu’s new service but it won’t appear on the Xbox until early 2011. For PS3 users you have to be a subscriber to the new PlayStation Network Plus service but the PS3 might be getting Hulu much sooner than 2011, in fact it could be available as soon as next month.  I assume the PS3’s ability to connect to the internet via a web browser enables Hulu to quickly create an application for the console which could be the reason why it might appear very soon on the PS3.

As nice as it sounds you still have to pay $50 for both the XBL and PSN+ service and the $10 a month for Hulu Plus; add an extra $8 a month to it if you already have Netflix. That’s a lot of money if want to have both Netflix and Hulu. If you can’t wait to check out the new service on your console you can visit Hulu.com to sign up to be a part of the preview program.

[UPDATE]

The full list of costumes coming to the PSN is:

• Captain America
• Daredevil
• Doctor Octopus
• Elektra
• Ghost Rider
• Green Goblin
• Hulk
• Invisible Woman
• Iron Man
• The Human Torch
• Magneto
• Mystique
• the Punisher
• Rogue
• Spider-Man
• Storm
• The Thing
• Thor
• Venom
• Wolverine

I’m a little curious if this will involve any flight powers, or the specific powers of each hero or supervillain period, but no details were announced in that regard.  Starting Monday the 28th, Marvel.com will unveil the glorious details for each costume, and this could be the just thing that gets me back into LittleBigPlanet! Look for me playing Thor Sackboy.

Recently James Thorpe, Sony Europe’s PlyaStation Network Product Manager, detailed what PSN EU users can expect from the PlayStation Plus service. For the first month of service, everyone will get a free copy of Little Big Planet. The new premium service will cost €49.99 or 39.99 GBP for a years’ service and will go live on June 29^th. Other than a free copy of LBP, EU gamers can expect to see discounts on add-ons, free PSN games, exclusive items (dynamic themes, avatars and demos), Full Game Trials and Automatic downloads.

Memberships can only be purchased via the PlayStation Store and the free copy of LBP is only available during the first week of June 29^th- August 3^rd. The copy of LBP is not tied to the subscription and is yours to keep. In terms of Games and Special offers, gamers can expect to get 1 PSN game, 2 Minis and 1 PS One Classic titles a month. Those are yours to keep as long as you are an active PS Plus member. Additionally, Plus members will receive 2 free dynamic themes and avatars a month — both of which are not contingent on having an active membership. Finally, members will receive discounts on specific add-on content, which once purchased is not tied to the premium membership, and will occasionally receive early demos and beta test invites.

Plus members will also be able to receive Full Game Trials. This allows them to download specific titles and play it for a certain amount of time, an hour or so. At the end of that period you can decide if you want to unlock the full game. The one hour limit might not be the same for all titles as developers will have the final say if they want to allow more time for the trial. And for you trophy hunters out there, all trophies earned during the trial period will unlock once the full game is purchased.

Now for what I think is the coolest part of being a Plus member, Automatic Downloads. Members will be able to set the PS3 to wake up from standby at any moment of the day to download and install game updates, for any game you are currently playing, demos and system updates. All of these things will be downloaded and installed for you and once it has finished the PS3 will turn itself off again. So the next time you turn on your PS3 you’ll see a message letting you know what has been downloaded or updated on your system.

Here is a full list of what EU gamers can expect from the first two months of PlayStation Plus service. Also something to keep in mind for those PSP users out there, all Minis will be able to be downloaded and played on your PSP.

Month 1: June 29th – August 3rd

• Intro offer: LBP (standard edition)
• PSN PS3: Wipeout HD
• minis: Field Runners, Age of Zombies
• PSone: Destruction Derby
• Full Game Trial: Shatter, Savage Moon
• Discounts: LBP God of War Pack – 50%, LBP: LocoRoco costume pack – 50%, Gravity Crash – 20%, Fat Princess DLC – 20%
• Premium Game Element: KillZone 2:  Steel & Titanium DLC
• Push demo: ModNation Racers, Heavy Rain
• Themes: LBP Theme, SCEE produced: PlayStation “Game Is Just The Start” Dynamic Theme
• 2 x Fat Princess Premium Avatars

Month 2: August 4th – September 1st

• PSN PS3: Zen Pinball
• minis: Blast-Off, Alien Zombie Death
• PSone: Medievil
• Full Game Trial: Inferno Pool, Mushroom Wars
• Discounts: Zen Pinball Earth Defence Table – 20%, Warhawk Triple Combo Pack – 50%, Super Stardust HD – 20%, WipeOutHD Fury – 20%
• Premium Game Elements: Motorstorm Pacific Rift: Adrenaline Pack
• Push Demo: Flower, Pixel Junk Shooter
• Themes: “SCEE produced: PlayStation + Dynamic Theme (in production), Heavy Rain Crime Scene Theme
• 2 x Heavy Rain Avatars (Bird and Butterfly)

For those who still love their free PSN service, you’ll still be getting all the same content and be allowed to play online for free. This premium service is a bit pricey, especially for those who are already paying for their XBL service, but I do have to say Sony is going all out in trying to bring gamers into paying for at least the first few months. Wipeout HD and LBP in month one is a great deal in of itself, not to mention Zen Pinball for month two. If they can keep up the awesome “free” stuff in the first year and offer some pretty good beta tests (Killzone 3) later this year than I think more people will be paying for this service than one might think.

Note:  This is for EU PSN accounts only, though the free titles seem to be the same as those promised to NA accounts there’s no word on the same LBP deal for NA gamers.

[Source: blog.eu.playstation.com]

Still, the next portion, which takes place in the Museum of Mostly Natural History, while being more conventional and devoid of the Noir setting/feeling, was still entertaining, particularly when Sam figures out a way to reanimate Max’s body.  I don’t want to give too much away here, but take my word that the first half of the game had me sold.  Maybe not quite up to par with The Tomb of Sammun-Mak, but definitely enjoyable.  However, once you solve all the mysteries in the museum, everything changes.  It’s really difficult to talk about this episode without revealing too much, but basically the gameplay switches things up a bit, sometimes splitting up the duo so that one character might have to do things without the other, or their usual roles might switch.  I do think this idea is an interesting one, but I still found the second half of the game to be pretty dull.  Even the ending, which sets up what could only be considered the point-and-click equivalent of a couple of epic boss fights wasn’t terribly thrilling, and an attempt to create a jaw-dropping cliff-hanger ending (like the one that ended episode two), just didn’t work for me.

Perhaps I’m being overly critical, but The Tomb of Sammun-Mak was definitely “magical” (no pun intended), and I just didn’t feel that umpf in this episode, particularly in the second half.  It felt very recycled and repetitive, and working out some of the puzzles and having some of the conversations felt like deja-vu from the first episode — and not in a good way.  I’ve seen what TellTale’s imagination is capable of, and although there were a couple clever puzzles thrown in, for the most part, I felt as if they’d “phoned in” the rest of the game.  I also missed the challenge of the previous episode.  While this one was definitely harder than episode one, none of the puzzles really had me walking away, scratching my head and pondering over what detail I could have missed like Tomb of Sammun-Mak’s puzzles did.  I think the average person could easily play this episode in one day, although the pacing makes it feel longer than it really is.

I had a little trouble deciding on a score for this episode.  In many ways, it’s better than The Penal Zone, yet at the same time, it’s very vanilla.  I did find a few bugs, but nothing that hurt the gameplay, and since I was playing an early release, it’s possible that any of these bugs (as always) will be fixed by the time you get to play the game yourself.  You can right-click through dialogue, which you will most likely find very, very useful, as well as being able to play in windowed mode, with the mouse, keyboard, or a controller.

If you’re wondering (after reading my three reviews) if you should buy Sam & Max: The Devil’s Playhouse, that’s obviously something I can’t decide for you.  However, as a whole, the season is very enjoyable, and the second episode is definitely one of the best adventure games I’ve ever experienced.  More-so, I’m looking forward to seeing how the story unfolds, so that definitely says something.  I only hope that we see more of the imagination and clever writing that TellTale is capable of in the final two episodes, because we’ve seen what they can do, and it is just disappointing to experience anything less than their best.

Sam & Max: The Devil’s Playhouse, Episode 3: They Stole Max’s Brain!
PC (Reviewed), Mac, PSN, iPad
	Publisher: TellTale Games Developer: TellTale Games Genre: Adventure Release Date: June 22, 2010 MSRP: $7 per episode ESRB Rating: T for Teen

Doin’ It RIGHT: - Noir Sam is great: entertaining & different. - Interesting to see some roles reversed/altered. -Relatively bug free.	Doin’ It RONG: - Very bland, particularly second half. - Feels “phoned in.” -  Puzzles/dialogue seems repetitive/recycled.
FINAL SCORE: 6.5 / 10

Still, this is better than Crazy Taxi’s lack of a licensed soundtrack and lack of licensed locations, which means our beloved The Offspring and Bad Religion tracks won’t accompany our drives through the city now devoid of Pizza Hut, Levi’s, and KFC. This is also what happened to the PSP port of Crazy Taxi and Crazy Taxi 2.

If you are still interested (and you should be!) in getting these titles, they will be available on XBLA and PSN later this fall.

[Source: Joystiq]

And of course, by roots, I mean 2D gameplay, with nothing but running fast and collecting rings.  Sans the upgraded graphics, this could have easily been released some 15 years ago.

Could this finally be the game that saves Sonic and friends?  Or is it too little too late, seeing as how the younger generation doesn’t have those fond memories of the speedy hedgehog?

Gamers with a penchant for Wild-West shootouts and team-based action could do far worse than Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West. In fact, many people claim they couldn’t do any better — word around these parts is that developer Fatshark listens to feedback, and has done well to create a game with player fun and immersion in mind. In any case, Lead and Gold is available now via the PlayStation Network. Check out the details of this release below.

Lead and Gold pits players into the shoes of one of four character archetypes: the Gunslinger, who uses a revolver to dole out the damage, the Deputy, who wields a rifle for medium ranged shots, the Trapper, who uses a scoped rifle for the long-range, and the Blaster, sporting a sawed-off shotgun and dynamite.

Beyond each class, each different character selection offers up a unique abilities, both personal and team-based, the latter being referred to as synergy abilities. The Deputy can tag enemies, giving teammates a proper target in order to more effectively take down the opposing force, and through his presence he can increase overall damage. The Blaster enhances a team’s defensive abilities, in addition to using high-power, low-distance attacks. The Trapper can literally trap enemies, and his synergy boosts the team’s critical hits. Lastly, the Gunslinger can increase his rate of fire for a decrease in overall accuracy, and his presence can increase the team’s overall accuracy. There aren’t any dedicated healers — the developers figured that since playing as a team is the goal, being around the team will be rewarded. In this case, proximity to the other players will actual heal the players themselves.

Lead and Gold sports several different match types, from deathmatch (Shootout) to simple practice modes. One mode named Gold Fever has a single player or two players working together to fight off waves of AI-controlled enemies, while another called Powder Keg tasks opposing teams with carrying a powder keg into enemy territory to destroy a particular objective.

As stated before, Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West is available right now for PSN. The game goes for a running price of $15.

Rocket Knight is going to cost you $14.99 on Steam and PSN, and 1200 points on Xbox Live.  We can get our grubby hands on this rocket-bouncing goodness no later than May 18th.  Which begs the question, why?  Why are so many things getting released on May 18th?  Did the publishers get together and discuss how best to bankrupt the world?  Well thanks Konami.  I hope you’re happy.

Basically, you play as Sam (a dog) and Max (an insane rabbit), members of the Freelance Police, who must investigate the newly arrived alien General Skun-ka’pe (simply “Skunkape” to Sam & Max), a space gorilla who has arrived promising peace but seems to have ulterior motives. Your only initial aids are two of the magical Toys of Power.  The first is Future Vision, which gives Max the ability to see snippets of the future when he uses it on certain objects or people.  The second, which comes a bit later in the episode, is the Teleportation Phone, which allows Max (and whoever is touching him) to teleport to the telephone of anyone whose number he knows.  This leads to some interesting (if a bit unintuitive) puzzles.

Fittingly for a game that focuses on psychic powers, the episode is presented in an interesting temporal sequence: you experience the end at the beginning, giving you a preview of the main characters and the various Toys of Power.  This intro also serves as a bit of a tutorial on how to use the toys in solving various puzzles.  Time is also manipulated throughout the rest of the episode via the Future Vision, which you not only can but must use throughout in order to progress (a major flaw in my opinion).

While The Penal Zone has plenty of zany humor and some interesting puzzles, it still suffers from the age-old problem that plagues many adventure games: you must do things in a certain order in order to trigger progression.  For instance, I struggled in the beginning of the game because I couldn’t seem to get anywhere.  Finally, I went back and used the Future Vision on someone I hadn’t used it on before, and only then did a crucial character appear in one of the locations that enabled me to move the story forward.  This is frustrating in and of itself, but its made worse because it means you have to use the Future Vision.  No option here.  I had been trying to avoid it because I felt it made the game a bit too easy (as it basically gives away the puzzle solutions for you), but I ended up having no choice in the matter.  I think this is a disappointing design decision, because the Future Vision could easily have been a very clever hint system for those who are new to the genre or for when you get stuck on what to do, but making it optional would have added a bit more challenge for those who wanted it.

I did experience several bugs, although I was playing the pre-release press version, and TellTale is usually pretty good at getting those smoothed out by the time the retail version comes out.  Most were minor graphical glitches, although I did experience quite a bit of trouble with the inventory system in the car.  It’s possible this wasn’t a bug but simply poor design; I can’t be certain, but I found it frustrating.  I also didn’t like that you don’t have the option to play the game in windowed mode (you could for Tales of Monkey Island).  As I am a habitual multi-tasker, I found this disappointing.  However, the controls, other than some inventory issues, are good, and you do have an option of using a controller if you’d like as well as the keyboard, if the mouse isn’t your thing.  Considering this flexibility, I’m surprised they didn’t offer more options for screen resolution or a windowed mode.

As with previous TellTale games, the voice acting is top-notch and really draws you into the world.  The writing is also good, and while some of the jokes may not be hilarious, they did have a few references that caused me to laugh out loud, including a jab at The Chronicles of Narnia.  Basically, if you are a fan of the genre, love Sam & Max, or are just looking for a quick, cinematic, digestible laugh, The Devil’s Playhouse may be right up your alley.

Stay tuned to Spawn Kill for reviews of the rest of the episodes in the season.

Doin’ It RIGHT: - Unique puzzles. - Kooky and funny characters and situations.	Doin’ It RONG: - Difficulty is unbalanced. - A bit buggy.
FINAL SCORE: 7 / 10

See, Naughty Bear wasn’t invited to a party.  This caused him to curdle with murderous rage.  We’ve all been there.  Who hasn’t been the outcast at some point in their lives?  I mean, I haven’t, but you certainly have.  Thus you can sympathize with Naughty Bear’s predicament.  And if you truly can sympathize, then you’ll want to take control of him as he enacts his rejected revenge.  Just how this is done is yet somewhat of a mystery.  A2M has been fairly tight-lipped with most of their gameplay footage.  The few videos out there show mostly cut scenes.  It seems like it might be an adventure game, and it’s touted to have multiple paths to take in a decidedly Heavy Rain feel.

What I do know is that this game is simply not on enough radars, and this little heads up is my own attempt at generating some hype.  Both as a critic and as a gamer, I want to see Naughty Bear succeed.  There are not enough games about psychopathic childhood memories.  So check out the sadistic video below and the few screenshots underneath.  If you find yourself cackling maniacally, as I did, then spread the word!  Naughty Bear should be hitting our Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on June 8, 2010 at a crisp $49.99.   

Capcom/Final Fight/Magic Sword fans found out recently that their copies of Final Fight: Double Impact aren’t exactly share-friendly. Double Impact has a protection method that disallows the same copy of the game to be played on more than one PSN account within 24 hours. Gamers who bought the title were naturally quite upset to discover this news, and Capcom has just addressed their concerns.

A company representative has stated that, “Capcom would like to formally apologize for the issues consumers are having with the PS3 version…” They go on to state that this is a common form of protection deployed within PSN games, and though it is normally stated clearly that such a system is implemented in the game’s description, making this known to US gamers before purchase was overlooked.

Apparently a solution for this ‘problem’ is on the way, naturally in the form of a clear statement in the game’s description on the PlayStation store. Though Capcom itself recognizes that users may have an issue with this kind of protection, they haven’t yet signed off on using it in future titles. For now, at least, the response to the Final Fight: Double Impact issues are being considered.

[Source: Gamasutra]

This past weekend at PAX East I was given the opportunity to play through a short demo of Shank amidst a sea of my fellow gaming enthusiasts. As a member of the media I was allowed in a mere hour earlier than the rest, but that was enough time to get in and get my hands dirty.

The action got off to a rousing start as I was immediately thrown into battle at the beginning of the demo. A quick glance at the handy guide affixed to the corner of the LCD screen (and the advice of others) readied me for maximum carnage. Shank, apparently traversing a suburban landscape dotted with wooden crates, high-rises, and fencing drenched in a saffron sunrise hue, jogged along cool and confident. A high definition Rambo, red bandana on his head blowing in the breeze, muscles rippling and threatening to burst right out of his tight tee shirt and black slacks. Swoon. This man takes in oxygen and exhales badass. I ran along the beginning of the level, partaking in his confident swagger, until the likes of thugs known as “Brock” made the scene. I assumed this was the name of a type of enemy, as both men were identical. This aspect cemented the fact that Shank is indeed an homage to the 2D brawlers of yore. Yeah, you know you wasted hours on Sailor Moon R on the SNES. Don’t hate.

Shank’s melee option, rather than a predictable left hook to the jaw, revealed a revving chainsaw to the face. Me likey. And as if that weren’t enough to do some serious damage, another option was the dual pistols and a lunge forward as if every second was Shank’s last; real Matrix-styled bullet time, making an act of senseless murder seem much more fitting in that of a prestigious ballet. For a gruff adventurer-type, Shank has a certain grace about him that turns another me-too brawler into something much more polished.

Traversing the same type of scenery, I continued along after taking out the two Brocks. Not long after I happened upon more baddies just begging to be eviscerated. I began to alternate between my trusty chainsaw, dual pistols, and enemy-juggling, firing off my pistols in rapid succession as the unfortunate thug was riddled with holes in mid-air. I heard laughter around me as a grin crept across my face at the comical display. It was a pure adrenaline rush to tear across a rope bridge, through even more of the baddies, until I reached a bit of a wall. Literally. I was faced with an exercise in wall-jumping which panned out quite beautifully. Shank leapt gracefully up the wall, left, right, to the top. Then with my help he zipped along a rope bridge, taking a dive Wachowski Brothers-style, brawling with some Brocks and Donnies. As I reached the rope bridge, a gorgeous sunset effect took over, silhouetting the four of us and creating a totally epic, Wild West showdown feel. And I relished every moment. Moments like that remind me of just how happy I am that I’m a gamer.

Amidst the carnage, copious amounts of blood spray, and the carnal beauty of whipping out a chainsaw from nowhere and planting it into my adversary’s snarling face, I realized just how smooth and effortless controlling Shank really was. Moving throughout the demo level seemed natural, akin to the golden days of beat-’em-ups. Glorious. I breezed through many more Donnies and nondescript losers and finally reached the end of the level, where comic-book styled panels narrated just what I was getting myself into. El Toro, a snarling behemoth, waited for me with not-so open arms. I looked to my friends for support, questioning which previous strategies had worked againt this monstrosity. I was reminded I could use frag grenades. Simply approaching this beast would see that Shank was scooped up and thoroughly trounced, so a different approach was sorely needed. I resorted to darting around like a monkey, pistol-whipping Toro before he could charge, and then attempted to dodge out of his way so he’d run straight ahead into the wall in typical stupid boss fashion.

When good old Toro had crashed into the wall, it was my cue to run up and cue a quick time event via the right trigger on the 360 controller. Unfortunately, this is where the game hit a few snags. Though I was right near Toro, the majority of the time I would go to press the right trigger the game refused to respond. I attempted to change my position more than a few times, but mostly I was annoyed that even though Shank was standing right beside Toro (with a sliver of health left, no less), I couldn’t get the game to do what I wanted it to do. And in an age where games like God of War can seamlessly integrate my button presses to create a wholly vicious and mind-blowing encounter, simply wailing on Toro after the first few failed attempts just couldn’t measure up. And it was such a shame, after the rest of the demo had been so dazzling and full of retro brawleing comic paneled goodness. I chalked it up to the fact that it was, in fact, a demo, so hopefully these types of problems won’t persist in the final product.

Out of the plethora of games available for play at PAX East, I was thoroughly impressed with Shank. I made a mental note to purchase it as soon as it becomes available in the hopes that the finicky controls with Toro were improved. Its good, gory fun. And isn’t that all we’re asking for sometimes?

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A friend and colleague of Spawn Kill, Mr. Jeffrey Wilson, was kind enough to stand on deck and film my adventure through the five-minute romp. You’ll find his video (complete with my haphazard narration) below. And if you’re ready to partake in another kind soul’s experience with this throwback brawler, you can check out his Shank article over here. Thanks Jeff!