Joystiq [Playstation]

Gran Turismo 5 'Nights' trailer is appropriately unlit, pretty

by Griffin McElroy { 10 days ago }

It's been a while since we last saw images from Polyphony Digital's Gran Turismo 5 -- at least ones that were capable of moving whilst being accompanied by high-octane trance music. Such moving pictures were released earlier today, likely in an attempt to remind us just how pretty the game really is. (Here's a refresher course: It's super pretty.)

You can check out the trailer posted after the jump, but we suggest having some ninjas around when you watch it, because the music will totally make you want to fight some ninjas. More than usual.

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Dead Space 2 contest calls for creative dismemberments

by David Hinkle { 10 days ago }

Those of us who have played the first Dead Space can probably agree that there were some bitchin' dismemberments throughout Isaac Clarke's journey to disengage the U.S.S. Ishimura's parking brake or whatever. But Visceral Games is looking to get creative with the sequel, so, the studio is tapping you, "Mr. John Q. Public" or perhaps "Ms. Jane Doe," to come up with some unique limb detachment techniques for Dead Space 2.

You can submit your idea in one of three forms: through a written description; by snapping a picture; or by submitting a video -- up until March 26, when the entry period ends. Finalists will then have their ideas rated by the community, with the winner being revealed on April 20. Said winner will get face-mapped into the game, only to be dismembered by a Necromorph. We're not really sure we'd want to see our own death -- in a video game or some lame movie, but there it is.

If you're looking for more info, head past the break for a video explaing how you can get involved.

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Lost Planet 2 trailer gets big

by JC Fletcher { 10 days ago }

Capcom heralds "Kill Big" as the tagline for a new Lost Planet 2 trailer -- and you can certainly see why after the break. The trailer's full of big vehicles -- big trains and big helicopter things, all carrying big dudes with big guns and big armor, wearing big helmets with big cylindrical ears. Those big dudes are shooting their big guns at gigantic Akrid and sometimes manning big mechs too.

Everything about Lost Planet 2 is big, in fact -- except for Capcom's video player. It's merely okay-sized. Thankfully, we've got a reasonably-sized YouTube version. So, pick up your Big Gulp of Big Red and take a big sip as you give your mouse a big click to head past the break. And, if you're really big on Lost Planet, join the other obsessives in picking apart the trailer.

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PS3 Bad Company 2 VIP access patch 'hopefully' today; PC issues addressed

by Alexander Sliwinski { 10 days ago }

SCEA is currently certifying a patch that should allow PlayStation 3 owners of Bad Company 2 to gain access to their VIP content, according to DICE. The patch will "hopefully" go live today in North America, with Europe following "shortly after." Once patched, PS3 players will gain access to Nelson Bay (Rush) and Laguna Alta (Conquest) -- along with the ability to access all future content.

The PS3 isn't the only console having problems. Every platform the game is on has had consistent connectivity issues with BC2 since launch thanks to EA's servers, but the PC version is having significant issues beyond normal network problems. DICE has posted some "temporary solutions for PC gamers" while the developer works on a "permanent solution." Answers to several of those issues can be found on the EA forums. Well, at least it's a great multiplayer game ... when it works.

Aliens vs. Predator's first DLC revealed as 4-map pack

by Ben Gilbert { 10 days ago }

This morning, Sega announced that the first DLC add-on for Aliens vs. Predator will be a four-pack of multiplayer maps -- the same four maps that came included in the European Collector's Edition of the game. Specifically, Europeans will be able to pick up "Docks" and "Machine" (the regular multiplayer maps) and "Outpost" and "Hive" (the Survival Mode maps) as a set for 560

($7), according to the Sega of Europe website. (Sega of America told us that there will be more info on the North American release this week.)

Unfortunately, no firm release date has been given, though the map pack is said to arrive "shortly" for all three platforms. And yeah, we're also hoping this isn't the only AvP DLC that Sega's putting out "soon after release."

Gallery: Aliens vs Predator

Review: Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (single player)

by Justin McElroy { 10 days ago }

You know, it's so rare that my job feels like work. I mean, I play and write about video games for a living -- it's not a terribly taxing gig. I mention this not to brag about how great my life is (Twitter's the only appropriate place for that), but so you have some perspective when I tell you that almost every moment of Battlefield: Bad Company 2's single-player campaign felt like real, actual work.

The campaign isn't terrible, in fact, it's largely competent. But because of a lack of inspiration and a pretty crummy checkpoint system, Bad Company 2's single-player game is just plain not fun.

Gallery: Battlefield: Bad Company 2

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Mega Man 3 joins Mega Man 10 on PSN in Japan

by JC Fletcher { 10 days ago }

If you don't already have Mega Man 3 on the NES, the Wii Virtual Console or in the Mega Man Anniversary Collection, and if you have a Japanese PSN account, you'll be able to purchase the classic run-and-gun for your PlayStation systems next month.

Capcom announced that the Rockman Complete Works PS1 port of Mega Man 3 will be added to the Japanese PlayStation Store in April. But some Japanese Mega Man 10 buyers will be able to get it early -- Capcom is giving away 50 copies to random PSN users who buy Mega Man 10 in the first two weeks of its availability.

[Via Siliconera]

Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands gameplay footage revealed; game coming to PC in June

by David Hinkle { 10 days ago }

Phew, we can all relax now. According to this first gameplay footage from Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands, all concerns that the new game would forgo elements of exploration and environmental puzzle-solving -- and just go all-out "Bruckheimer" -- should be allayed. Plus, The Prince totally has some Andy Gibb hair going on. That's awesome, right?

The Forgotten Sands puts our Prince in his brother's neighboring kingdom during a great conflict. As a last-ditch effort to ensure the survival of the kingdom, the two release the Sands of Time, which saves everyone ... but also unleashes dark horrors. Uh-oh.

In PoP news, Eurogamer reports the PC version will release in June, a month after the console installments (due May 18). This is nothing new for Ubisoft, as the publisher followed the same protocol with staggered releases of both Assassin's Creed games. And if waiting an extra month hasn't deterred your goal to play The Forgotten Sands on the PC, know that it will also include Ubisoft's internet-based DRM solution -- something to keep in mind.

Vintage Playboy centerfolds grace Mafia II

by Alexander Sliwinski { 10 days ago }

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/03/mafiabunny2580px.jpg

It appears mobsters aren't the only things getting rubbed out in Mafia II, as 2K Games announces it has signed a license agreement with Playboy magazine for the mob saga. The pictorial publication will have over 50 of its "vintage covers and Centerfolds" inside the game when it eventually releases.

The iconic publication first premiered in 1953, so unless the game, which covers the '40s and '50s, is rewriting history, the Playboy collectibles won't show up until the latter part of the game's story. The magazine apparently won't merely be window dressing either, as players will have the ability to "collect virtual copies of the iconic magazine" -- to read the articles, of course. If you have roommates, we recommend investing in Purell hand wipes. We're not implying anything, simply "safety first." It is still flu season, after all.

Now Playing: March 8-14, 2010

by James Ransom-Wiley { 10 days ago }

"Dude!"

Choose your platform to jump to a specific release list:

Last updated: Friday, 9:37 AM

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Review: God of War III

by Justin McElroy { 10 days ago }

You know how Kratos' battle against the gods of Olympus is known for its massive, insane action sequences spread throughout? Well, some genius (or likely several geniuses) at Sony's Santa Monica Studio had the brilliant idea of making a whole game just out of those incredible moments. It was rare that I went 15 minutes without my jaw dropping at the immense size, stunning beauty or sheer creativity of the set piece I was now scaling or destroying.

I'm willing to agree that God of War III is just "God of War HD," provided that "HD" stands for "Holy Shit."

Gallery: God of War III

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Codemasters' new FPS, Bodycount, announced briefly

by JC Fletcher { 10 days ago }

Codemasters' new FPS from Black creator Stuart Black has been revealed by OXM UK -- and then promptly unrevealed, when the article was taken down. Bodycount is not based on Ice-T's metal band Body Count, because the world couldn't possibly be that beautiful. However, the cover of OXM (accessed through a Google cache of the article) calls it "the ultimate shooter." Since there won't be any shooters after this one, we assume that means it's really cool.

We'll find out more this week as the magazine arrives in UK homes, and presumably when an announcement is put online for good. Given the venue of announcement, we at least know it is an Xbox 360 game.

[Via Destructoid]

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is new king of UK sales charts

by Alexander Sliwinski { 10 days ago }

It's debatable whether or not the server crashing this past week was a symptom of Battlefield: Bad Company 2's success. What isn't debatable is the game's explosive debut on the UK's Chart-Track all-formats chart. The multiplayer-centric shooter, which we've been thoroughly enjoying, outsold the original Bad Company's launch week numbers almost 3 to 1. According to Chart-Track, BC2 is the "best ever launch for any game released this early in the year." Interestingly, 53 percent of BC2 sales went to the Xbox 360 version, followed by 31 percent and 16 percent of sales for the PS3 and PC, respectively. (The game also topped the three, individual platform charts.)

Of course, lurking in the corner was Just Dance. The game will not go away and continues to stay in the top three week after week after week. Last week's top game, Heavy Rain, slipped down to fourth and the battle of Aliens vs. Predator held onto third. Check out the complete top ten after the break.

Source – Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is a born leader [GFK Chart-Track]
Source – Latest UK Software Charts [GFK Chart-Track]

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First screens from Fallout: New Vegas surface, feature glorious beards

by Griffin McElroy { 11 days ago }

Click to embearden

Around these parts, we're all avid supporters of a thick, lustrous beard. Though our tastes for the gaming industries various genres differ greatly, we can all get behind any game so long as it includes characters with copious amounts of facial hair. For this reason alone, a recent batch of screenshots has placed Fallout: New Vegas firmly on our list of most anticipated games of 2010.

You can check out images depicting New Vegas' unprecedentedly hirsute ensemble in the gallery below. There's also a Super Mutant with heart-rimmed glasses and a doo-wop weave, and man, we've got to find out what that's all about.

Gallery: Fallout: New Vegas

Swag Sunday: Age of Zombies eats your braaaaaaains (PSP Minis)

by Kevin Kelly { 11 days ago }

Why do zombies eat brains? There's usually perfectly available, good meat around, so what's with the brain-cravings? It's not like they do anything special with them. If they saved them for some kind of a stew or possibly pulled a Sylar, then you could understand it, but this willy-nilly shambling towards grey matter? Weird. Plus, do they have some sort of brain detector built-in? They always seem to know exactly which way to go.

Whoops, pardon our tangent. You want to get right to the swag, don't you? We're giving away nine copies of Halfbrick's brand new Age of Zombies, the PSP minis game that combines cute and cuddly with brain-hungry and undead. Seriously, these little zombies are adorable, and they'll look super keen on your PSP or your PS3. Since we can't explain why zombies crave brains, all you have to do is follow the rules below and tell us what the perfect side dish would be.

Leave a comment telling us what the perfect side dish would be for a serving of brains.
You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec -- it has to do with Pierre Duchesne and he knows why).
Limit 1 entry per person per day.
This entry period ends at 11:31AM ET on Monday, March 8.
At that time, we'll randomly select nine winners to receive a code good for one copy of Age of Zombies for PSP or PS3 (ARV: $4.99).
For a list of complete rules, click here.

What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition. For more info on our policy, click here.