Live in the Past, It's Cheaper (2009 Edition)

If this holiday season has granted you a brand new console with an old and bloated backlog, you might find a good selection in 2008's best games, particularly in Joystiq's top ten favorites. Read on to find the industry's former best, now with a year's worth of price erosion.
Silent Hill: Shattered Memories recollects Feb. 5 UK release
The "reimagined" first installment of Silent Hill is set to shatter memories in Europe on February 5, 2010. Konami confirmed the survival-horror title will release on Wii, PS2 and PSP on the appointed date. For those who can't wait, there's always an early Homecoming in anticipation for that return to the cursed town.
Reviews of the game have been what Metacritic defines as "generally favorable," with a 76 average. Our own review took the approach that the game is good, but is it still Silent Hill with all the changes?
Reviews of the game have been what Metacritic defines as "generally favorable," with a 76 average. Our own review took the approach that the game is good, but is it still Silent Hill with all the changes?
Dead Space 2 producer confirms Sprawl, doesn't sweat Schofield departure
Dead Space 2 is shaping up to be quite the sequel, as executive producer Steve Papoutsis told CVG a lot of what we've heard about the Game Informer cover story is in fact true: engineer Isaac Clarke is a lot more vocal in the sequel and won't be confined to the claustrophobic corridors of the Ishimura. Instead, he's now an inhabitant of the space metropolis Sprawl.
Papoutsis did more than validate suspicions in his interview, as he also pointed out a greater focus on action and telekinesis in the sequel. See, Isaac won't just be able to move objects around, but he'll be able to destroy those objects and employ their debris as offensive weaponry. In fact, Isaac can even use dismembered enemy limbs to kill more enemies. It's kinda like when that bully at recess used to make you punch yourself, except he's sliced your arm off first and is firing it toward you at blue hedgehog-like speed.
Of course, an interview about Dead Space 2 can't go by without discussing the sudden departure of Glenn Schofield and Michael Condry, the two gentlemen now running Sledgehammer Games for Activision. Papoutsis said that most of the team from the first game is on board for the sequel, and that it "takes a lot more than 2 people to make a great game." We hope so, because we have high hopes for this sequel.
Papoutsis did more than validate suspicions in his interview, as he also pointed out a greater focus on action and telekinesis in the sequel. See, Isaac won't just be able to move objects around, but he'll be able to destroy those objects and employ their debris as offensive weaponry. In fact, Isaac can even use dismembered enemy limbs to kill more enemies. It's kinda like when that bully at recess used to make you punch yourself, except he's sliced your arm off first and is firing it toward you at blue hedgehog-like speed.
Of course, an interview about Dead Space 2 can't go by without discussing the sudden departure of Glenn Schofield and Michael Condry, the two gentlemen now running Sledgehammer Games for Activision. Papoutsis said that most of the team from the first game is on board for the sequel, and that it "takes a lot more than 2 people to make a great game." We hope so, because we have high hopes for this sequel.
Capcom pulls Super Street Fighter IV, Lost Planet 2, Monster Hunter 3 from Q1 2010
According to an investor document (PDF) posted by Capcom Japan today, several major titles have been moved from the company's fiscal fourth quarter, which ends March 31, 2010. The delays, which appear to be worldwide, include Super Street Fighter IV and Lost Planet 2, in addition to the North American and European release of Monster Hunter 3. The releases of these games and others, including Dead Rising 2, are planned to be "spread across all four quarters" of Capcom's fiscal 2011, which begins April 1, 2010 and ends March 31, 2011. The decision to delay the games was made in order to "avoid competing with the major titles that other companies plan to introduce."
Curiously, Dark Void has not been delayed, though Capcom has drastically reduced its sales forecast from 1.3 million units to only 600,000 (the split between Xbox 360 and PS3 copies was not specified).
Given the reasons for Capcom's schedule shuffling, we can't help but wonder if other companies will follow suit. When all is said and done, the Great 2009 Holiday Release Migration just might be set to repeat itself. If so, does Yves Guillemot win a prize?
Curiously, Dark Void has not been delayed, though Capcom has drastically reduced its sales forecast from 1.3 million units to only 600,000 (the split between Xbox 360 and PS3 copies was not specified).
Given the reasons for Capcom's schedule shuffling, we can't help but wonder if other companies will follow suit. When all is said and done, the Great 2009 Holiday Release Migration just might be set to repeat itself. If so, does Yves Guillemot win a prize?
New Aliens vs. Predator trailer says it's about story, actually about gutting
Here's the entire plot: There are humans, there are also Aliens, as well as a Predator. That's it! What else do you need, folks? Much like the snake and the mongoose (or 50 Cent and helicopters), these factions are natural enemies of each other. No story is required for them to make with the murdalizing -- they just do. Check out the trailer above for further confirmation of our position on the subject.
Gallery: Aliens vs Predator
Get an 8GB PSP Memory Stick for $15
Now that nearly every game on PSP can be downloaded via the PlayStation Store, you may want to invest in a larger Memory Stick. This 8GB Memory Stick PRO Duo is only $15 (with free shipping) at Adorama, and is quite possibly the cheapest we've ever seen a Memory Stick of this size.
Remember that Memory Stick Duos are only compatible with the PSP-1000 through 3000 series, and will not fit into a PSP Go. If you want to expand your PSP Go's internal memory, you may want to pick up this 4GB M2 Memory Stick at amazon for $16.
[Via Slickdeals.net]
Remember that Memory Stick Duos are only compatible with the PSP-1000 through 3000 series, and will not fit into a PSP Go. If you want to expand your PSP Go's internal memory, you may want to pick up this 4GB M2 Memory Stick at amazon for $16.
[Via Slickdeals.net]
Assassin's Creed II DLC was cut from main game due to time constraints
Yes, forthcoming DLC packs, "The Battle of Forli" and "Bonfire of the Vanities," were originally intended to be included in the main Assassin's Creed II story. But, as the game's creative director Patrice Désilets told Kotaku, "I felt that, 'Okay, there were too many things to do and to finish.' So we said, 'Ok, let's take a portion of the game that was planned and we'll give it in DLC.'"
The candid Désilets went on to point out, "I think we gave them so much content that they cannot say that we owe them, that we didn't give them a lot for their 60 bucks." So, don't think of the missing chapters as something torn from your disc of Assassin's Creed II that you paid good money for. Think of it as dead content that's getting a rebirth thanks to the wonders of DLC.
The candid Désilets went on to point out, "I think we gave them so much content that they cannot say that we owe them, that we didn't give them a lot for their 60 bucks." So, don't think of the missing chapters as something torn from your disc of Assassin's Creed II that you paid good money for. Think of it as dead content that's getting a rebirth thanks to the wonders of DLC.
European PSN releases for December 22
Merry Christmas Eve, everyone! Wait, it is Christmas Eve, right? These PSN updates always come on Thursdays, and Christmas is on Friday so ... wait, it's Tuesday? Well, it looks like someone at Sony Europe pressed the "Release Stuff onto the PSN" button a bit too early. Either that, or they didn't want to work on the 24th. No, Europeans usually have an unflappable work ethic -- this must be some kind of mistake.
Regardless, there's a whole bunch of savory morsels in this week's update, including the LittleBigPlanet Pirates of the Caribbean pack, Vagrant Story and the Adhoc Party application. Check them all out after the jump!
Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:
Regardless, there's a whole bunch of savory morsels in this week's update, including the LittleBigPlanet Pirates of the Caribbean pack, Vagrant Story and the Adhoc Party application. Check them all out after the jump!
Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:
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(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
Eye of Judgment: Legends to be released on PSN in spring

Despite the absence of real cards, players will still be able to expand their decks through additional PSN downloads. Cards can also be traded between players or earned in-game. Producer Kumi Yuasa promised more information on "new single and multi player modes," meaning that this game has additional content not found in the PS3 version, other than the "over 30" new cards being added to the deck.
Star Ocean: The Last Hope International trailer boldly goes into Trek territory
However, while Star Trek benefited from a vocal fan base that saved the original show from cancellation, people who have put time into Star Ocean: The Last Hope are more likely to warn than evangelize.
Operation Flashpoint 'Overwatch' DLC on Xbox 360 today, PS3 & PC 'soon'
Overwatch adds two new multiplayer modes: Blindside and Supremacy. In the former, PLA players are tasked with accomplishing goals as quickly as possible, while the USMC players are charged with preventing the PLA team from achieving said goals. Supremacy pits players in a race to capture strategic checkpoints featuring "multipliers," including gun emplacements and air strikes.
And, just like the Skirmish DLC before it, Overwatch also packs two new Fire Team Engagement missions to play though: Friendly Skies and Hostile Takeover. You can get the new DLC on Xbox 360 today for 400
($5) -- PS3 players ($4.99) and PC gamers (free download) will have access "soon."Holy Invasion of Privacy, Badman 2! to include prequel! For free!
Did you miss the first release of Holy Invasion of Privay, Badman!? Don't worry if you did, because it appears NIS America is readying a spectacular bonus for the upcoming sequel. According to an Amazon.com listing, the "complete original game [is] included for free." Yep, it's two games for the price of one, and who doesn't like a promo like that?
It's unclear if this bonus will apply only to the UMD version of the game, or if the PSN version will also benefit. Considering how often PSP Go owners have been screwed, we wouldn't be surprised if the digital release arrived late with no discount and no prequel bonus.
[Via Siliconera]
It's unclear if this bonus will apply only to the UMD version of the game, or if the PSN version will also benefit. Considering how often PSP Go owners have been screwed, we wouldn't be surprised if the digital release arrived late with no discount and no prequel bonus.
[Via Siliconera]
Hori Real Arcade Pro joysticks at a real acceptable price

Though it's not a one-day deal, Amazon is also currently selling the PS3 equivalent, the Real Arcade 23 Pro EX-SA , for the same price. Either stick would be a great gift option -- and the recipient would have a really hard time figuring out what that large, heavy box was all wrapped up.
SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3 delayed one more time

For reasons not yet revealed by SCEA, the upcoming PSP installment, Fireteam Bravo 3, has been pushed back from its already-delayed January 12 release date. Considering Sony's admitted failure at marketing the upcoming tactical shooter, a later date will certainly give the publisher more time to prepare the title for retail. A new release date will be announced "in the coming weeks," according to an SCEA rep, but we wonder if SOCOM fans will have any patience left when that day comes.
Final Fantasy XIII and Bravia -- feel the synergy!
Here's an example of the sway RPG characters hold in Japan: A writer for AndriaSang spotted Final Fantasy XIII's Lightning hocking TVs in a Japanese electronics store. Her favorite model? Why, the Sony Bravia, of course.
Do what you will, but, speaking from experience, if you start making your purchasing decisions based on the whims of computer-generated characters you end up buying a crate of New Coke solely on the recommendation of Max Headroom. Trust us on this one.
Do what you will, but, speaking from experience, if you start making your purchasing decisions based on the whims of computer-generated characters you end up buying a crate of New Coke solely on the recommendation of Max Headroom. Trust us on this one.





















