Joystiq [Playstation]

Ben Gilbert

SOCOM: Confrontation 'Cold Front' trailers arrive, DLC coming later today

by Ben Gilbert { 1 month ago }

Detailed a couple months back, SOCOM: Confrontation's DLC pack "Cold Front" arrives later today on the PlayStation Network for the introductory price of $10 ($15 after December 20), though we're just seeing it in action today with a couple of gameplay trailers.

The DLC includes not just five new maps, but snow effects, a new gameplay mode and ... wait, what's this? Fancy new clothes! Nothing says "tactical warfare" like goose down jackets! Get a taste for the DLC, then test your mettle against the urge to get fashionable, just after the break.

[Thanks, Edgar]

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Newest MAG trailer airdrops televisions into battle

by Ben Gilbert { 2 months ago }

There's nothing quite like seeing thousands of home theater setups falling from the sky, as evidenced above by the latest trailer for PS3-exclusive MAG. Aside from reminding us of the not-quite-an-MMOs impending release date, the video shows off a variety of different gameplay types, and asks if we have it in us to earn our fellow players' trust. We suggest that those of you looking to enroll with the toughest, most ragtag group of rumblers this side of the Colorado sign up right here. Can you earn our trust?

(Hint: You earn our trust by leaving friendly comments ... and maybe sending us booze. Maybe.)

PlayStation Blog: now with more Spanish!

by Ben Gilbert { 2 months ago }

Announced via the European PlayStation Blog, today marks el primer dia of the Spanish language PlayStation Blog. Sony has been expanding its reach of PlayStation-centric blogs from the original US one for months now, first branching into the UK and establishing a European base, then localizing that blog for Italy and Germany, and now Spanish.

The PlayStation Blog in Spanish will focus on Europe-specific events rather than Latin American, and is said to feature localized news in addition to Spanish language versions of the EU blog's posts. The blog's first post introduces us to Mónica Revilla – one half of the team running the site – and, well, there's an adorable picture of a dog. We're not sure of everything Mónica says in her first post, but we sure do like cute doggies.

Happy 3rd birthday, PlayStation 3!

by Ben Gilbert { 2 months ago }

We can hardly believe that it's been three whole years since we first enjoyed the splendor of the PlayStation 3 in our own homes. Sure, there weren't a million fantastic games for the console right at launch, and there were a few issues at some stores with poor crowd management, but here we are three years later with a heap of great memories. Remember that nightmare inducing baby ad? How about Sony's response to PlayStation Home being leaked?

These days, we have hilarious commercials, a smattering of great exclusive games both on disc and through the PlayStation Network – hell, the system even lost some weight (and half its original price)! We're spending the day celebrating the PS3s lifespan by ... folding proteins like mad! If you're so inclined to join along, we've got this convenient 300 person strong team set up. It's a celebration foldathon, folks – ya dig?

Pepsi partners with Uncharted 2 for PS3 bundle giveaway

by Ben Gilbert { 3 months ago }

Sure, you could be like one of those tea-bagging Mountain Dew drinkers, clearly unprepared for The Ride of Your Life™. Or, friend, you could be a hero. A Pepsi drinking hero.

And that's exactly the choice that folks living in select states have to make when they go to their local supermarkets starting this week. If you dare to purchase specially-marked 12-packs of Pepsi, you could be 1 of 20 equally daring folks who wins a PlayStation 3 system and the entire Uncharted series (yep, all two games!). If not, you could be 1 of 200 intrepid adventurers who wins a copy of the most recent -- and most excellent -- game, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. If none of those, well ... you should probably switch to Coke.

All the nitty gritty details are right here.

Previous Ratchet & Clank saves unlock bonuses in A Crack in Time

by Ben Gilbert { 3 months ago }

For dedicated Ratchet & Clank fans, playing the previous two entries in the series is going to reward your devotion with a couple of unlocked bonuses in upcoming Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time. Folks who played Tools of Destruction will receive discounts with weapons merchants and those who played Quest for Booty will be rewarded with a pirate hat, ThatVideoGame Blog reports. [Image Credit: PS Nation]

A representative for Insomniac Games clarified for us that "You receive discounts on the returning weapons (Negotiator, Buzz Blades, Mag-Net Launcher, Mr. Zurkon, Groovitron Glove) for a Tools of Destruction save, and the pirate hat for Ratchet on the Community screen for the Quest for Booty save." Though neither bonus will dramatically affect time spent with A Crack in Time, it's always nice to see developers rewarding franchise loyalty.

Gallery: Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time

Review: Dissidia: Final Fantasy (PSP)

by Ben Gilbert { 5 months ago }

Dissidia: Final Fantasy is just okay. While the time I spent with the game's combat was certainly fun, if repetitive at times, a truly awful story and seemingly arbitrary customization options weigh down an otherwise decent fighting game. After 10 hours and a handful of characters, I was left wondering exactly who the game was intended for -- the FF fan in me loathed the story and the fighting game fan in me wanted deeper, more varied combat.

Gallery: Final Fantasy Dissidia

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Way of the Samurai 2 Portable announced and dated for Japan

by Ben Gilbert { 7 months ago }

Originally released on PlayStation 2 back in May of 2004, Way of the Samurai 2 hit American shores by way of Japanese megapublisher Capcom. After bringing the first in the series to Japanese PSPs last year, the game's developer, Spike, recently announced in Famitsu that it'll be porting the sequel to the handheld.

Unfortunately, while the PSP is region-free, we doubt it'll come with an English language choice for those of you interested in living out your dreams of roaming the Japanese countryside, fighting injustice at every turn. And though we asked Capcom for comment on an American release, considering the first one never arrived, we're not expecting much. Siliconera says the game releases in Japan on September 3 for around $40 (plus airfare).

[Via Siliconera]

Citroen concept car gets driven around UK, impresses Londoners

by Ben Gilbert { 7 months ago }

French car maker Citroën drove its "GTbyCitroën" concept car from the perpetually "coming soon" Gran Turismo 5 around London streets recently. It toured the the real-life version of a street track from the game and, wouldn't you know it, people everywhere were going nuts. Busting out cameras, mouths agape staring while the car rumbled past -- it's as if they'd never seen such a purty car before.

Oh right! That's because they haven't ever seen the car before, because it's still a concept, unveiled at last year's Paris Auto Show as a collaboration between Polyphony Digital and Citroën. We have the full video after the break, but as you might imagine, it's not exactly nailing apexes and drafting opponents so much as slowly winding around pedestrian-filled British streets. With any luck, we'll have a more ... erm ... action-oriented video of the car soon for your viewing pleasure, as it'll be making an appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this coming weekend.