While it still looks like Sony is waiting until E3 to officially unveil their new PSP, anonymous sources from around the game industry are spilling the beans on what gamers can look for in the next iteration of Sony’s handheld.

1up’s sources tell them that the new PSP will indeed git rid of the UMD drive, and that a huge amount of titles will be available at launch. Two of these titles will be the freshly announced Namco Bandai games “Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny” and “Tekken 6.” (The PSP version of “Soul Calibur” will reportedly have a new character named Dampierre.) The new PSP may also be available in two units, one with carrying 8 gigs of storage and another with 16.

If the rumors are true, the face buttons, d-pad, and analog nub will all be located under a screen that will slide up when access for those buttons is required. Speaking of nubs, one of the biggest complaint people have (including 2.o and myself) is the lack of a second analog nub, which would do wonders for controlling any 3D game on the PSP. Many games in the PSP library have suffered from a lack of a second nub, but it seems that Sony is too stubborn in their ways to change. 1up’s sources say that no new analog nub exists, and the current control scheme will remain.

Finally comes word of the name, and it’s kind of a strange. If the rumors are true, gamers will be buying a “PSP GO!” sometime later this year. Go! stems from their Go!Cam and video-on-demand service Go!View.

Now listen here TGH’ers, everything you’ve read here is all rumor as of right now. When Sony’s people were asked to comment, they just offered the ole “We don’t comment on rumors of speculation” jazz, but it is an intriguing look at what gamers may be getting their hands on in 2009. A touch screen is also a possible rumor that would be a welcome addition.

Man E3 is going to be amazing, on top of all this amazing news possibly slated to be released there this year, it’s also E3’s resurecttion with a huge lists of events. Get your ticket now TGH’ers, maybe Sony will bring there new toy along for spectators to try out.

Happy Monday, everyone. Over the weekend news leaked of an “Uncharted 2: Among Thieves” multiplayer beta invitation being included with preorders of Sony’s PS3 exclusive “Infamous.” The thing is that word on any multiplayer in Naughty Dog’s hit franchise has been kept on the d.l. for quite some time, until now.

Naughty Dog has finally released details and a new trailer on what we can expect when “Uncharted 2″ sees its release later this year.

The game will offer three competitive modes: team deathmatch, plunder, and co-op. Team deathmatch is your standard deathmatch pitting a bunch of good guys (Chloe, Drake, Elena, Sully) against a bunch of mercs. Plunder is a lot like your typical capture the flag, but instead of a flag it’s a treasure that you must drag back to your teams base. While you can drop the treasure at anytime, you will be slower and only granted access to the one-handed pistol while dragging it to your base. The last mode is co-op, which allows for up to three players and will have you playing special missions that differ from the single player campaign. While the missions may take place in the similar areas, they will play out much differently then when you are going through them solo.

This is all very exciting news. If you ask me, “Uncharted” isn’t a game that really needs multiplayer, but if they pull it off, it’ll be a welcome addition to the series. The game reportedly plays very similar to the first one and has a bit more emphasis on vertical combat – fighting villains while hanging on ledges, climbing walls, etc.

If you haven’t seen the teaser trailer for “Uncharted 2: Among Thieves,” check it out here. Otherwise check out the brand spankin new mulitplayer trailer below!

The tagline for “Killzone 2″ is “War perfected.” While perfection is a tall order to fulfill for any game in any genre, “Killzone 2″ comes refreshingly close. Since its infamous debut trailer back at E3 in 2005, “Killzone 2″ has had enormous shoes to fill. So, could Guerrilla Games actually meet the ambitious expectancies of gamers across the globe? Rest easy PS3 owners, as “Killzone 2″ improves upon nearly every aspect of the FPS genre, and, in doing so, becomes an early frontrunner for 2009’s game of the year.

The story of “Killzone 2″ is epic. You play as Sergeant Thomas “Sev” Sevchenko, and you and you team, Alpha squad, are sent to the Helghast homeworld to help take down their leader, Scolar Visari. You will be aided by familiar characters, like Rico (Killzone) and Evelyn (Killzone: Liberation). You’ll also be taking orders from Colonel Jan Templer, who’s the main protagonist of both the PS2 and PSP entries. While many of the characters from previous games have returned, playing those games is not integral to enjoying “Killzone 2″.

Throughout the game you will explore vastly different areas of Helghan and each one is just as enjoyable as the next. Whether you on a mining train speeding to a Helghan refinery, or in the midst of a dilapidated, war-torn palace in search of Visari, you will always feel like you’re exploring someplace new. The levels in “Killzone 2″ are nicely varied, and they collectively give you an overall sense that each area you encounter was detrimental into the survival of the Helghan universe. Another nice touch is the condition of the planet. By the time you and your squad mates step foot on Helgan, you realize that vast amounts of war have already ensued, and the planet seems as though it could be torn in half at any moment. One final note on the story is that the cutscenes are major in scope. One of “Killzone 2’s” greatest assets is it’s ability to show fantastic cutscenes, where a lot is going on, and suddenly drop you into those intense situations, making you feel like your playing a movie.

Gameplay can be described in one word; innovative. “Killzone 2″ introduces a cover system that, at first, feels rushed and difficult to adapt to, (especially for those still playing “Resistance 2″). But by the end of the game you are forced to master its intricacies, and I soon found myself utilizing the cover system to the fullest extent. While the controls will take a bit getting used to, there are some variations provided, but none that seem to feel as adept to the game’s challenges as the default controls. If anything, it’s nice to at least have the option of different controls available.

Sev has a plethora of weapons available at his disposable during his time spent on Helghan. And while some are your average run-of-the-mill FPS artillery, others truly impress. The bolt gun rounds not only dig into an enemy’s flesh, but propel him many feet backwards into the air. And to add the proverbial cherry on top, the round explodes once the body hits the ground. The electricity gun fries anyone in sight, and while it seems a bit overpowered, it’s undeniably entertaining to use. Flamethrowers, RPG’s, grenades; “Killzone 2″ does not disappoint, and for the most part, there is an incredible balance between each of the weapons. However, this does bring up a major annoyance. You are allowed to carry two weapons at all times, but one must always be some sort of pistol or magnum. While these “peashooters” do contain infinite ammo, you would unlikely use them given the large array of better weapons at your disposal. Perhaps the developers thought the game would be too easy being able to carry two weapons of your choice. Whatever the case, it can be a distraction, and a fatal one on the harder difficulties.

Speaking of difficulty, “Killzone 2″ delivers. The AI of the Helghasts is phenomenal. They communicate, constantly use cover, and deploy in groups that will force you back into corners. “Killzone 2″ is not for the inexperienced gamer, however, if you go through at the medium difficulty setting, and make sure to utilize the cover system, you may just see the end. Sadly, part of the difficulty is due to design choices that can really be frustrating during harder parts of the game. Since you’re encouraged to use the cover system, you’ll also being spending a majority of time behind walls, unable to see what your enemies are doing. So, whenever an enemy fires a grenade or RPG at you (which usually means instant death), you will likely be unable to see the incoming threat, and die as a result. Again, this becomes increasingly annoying on the harder difficulties, but it also becomes something you learn to deal with.

All that said, the single player campaign is truly remarkable. Excellent pacing, gripping story and numerous thrills are all present, but if that isn’t enough, multiplayer will keep you going for months to come. Bots are included and add a nice touch. While various modes are offered, your traditional deathmatch is still where you’ll find the most fun.

Killzone 2 does have its problems, but they’re so few and far between in an overall remarkable package that they’re barely worth mentioning. “Killzone 2″ takes the FPS genre, and improves upon it in almost every single way. From its onset the game delivers constant thrills and is a real showcase for what the PS3 is capable of. “Killzone 2″ is not only a FPS to be in awe of, it’s an exclusive you should be proud to own.

[Rating: 5/5]

Grrrrr, everybody. We’re a bit frustrated today, as word of Sony’s rumored big announcement has finally been revealed, and all it is is a $30 dollar PlayStation 2 price drop… bummer. I, like many other gamers who heard there would be a “big” announcement, was under the impression that a much needed PS3 price drop was on its way. Instead, Sony took a 9-year-old console, that’s past its prime, and tried to give it one last shock of life.

On Sunday, multiple high-profile gaming websites were reporting that Sony were going to have a big announcement for us all on Tuesday, and many believed that it would have something to do with the PS3. Today, Sony shot those hopes down by dropping the price of the PS2 from $129.99 to $99.99.

If, for some reason, you don’t already own a PS2, now’s your chance to nab one up. All complaints aside, it was one of the greatest consoles ever released (in my opinion anyway), and it has enjoyed a lifespan that most other consoles can only dream of. The PS2 still brings in money for Sony, and with such a massive user base (136 million users worldwide) the price drop will likely encourage developers to think twice about abandoning the aging system.

That’s fine and dandy that the PS2 is cheaper now, but one must wonder how long Sony can seriously consider keeping the price of the PS3 so high. With Microsoft gaining ground in Japan, and Sony continually bringing up the caboose in the console race, something’s going to have to change. If Sony continues to remain stubborn by the time “God of War 3″ is released, they might as well throw in the towel.

Hola boys and girls. I’m getting sick of posting news articles, so I thought I’d take a break from that and bitch about my frustrations with certain PS3 trophies that I’ve been trying to get.

For that the past month or so, I have forced myself into crunch time so that I can try to earn as many trophies as I can. Since I was laid off from my job, now seems to be the perfect time to have massive gaming sessions every day in search of my first 100% platinum trophy – those bastards can be damn hard to get. While I did get 100% completion on one game, I don’t really count the effort since the game was “Linger in Shadows”, and while it was a very interesting experience, I didn’t really consider it a game. I’m also in a bit of a time crunch because, when February hits, the new wave of must-haves will be fast approaching. “Street Fighter 4,” “Killzone 2,” “Madworld,” and “Resident Evil 5″ are all games that the TGH staff will undoubtedly be battling each other over, to see who can do which reviews, and review or not I’m still going to play ‘em. So, in saying that I give you a small list of trophies that are taking me much longer then expected to achieve.

Resistance 2 – Killing Machine: Earn 10,000 kills in ranked competitive modes.

LittleBigPlanet – Create – Have 50 people heart your levels and 30 people heart you as an author.

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe – Any of those stupid combo challenges that are only worth a bronze trophy.

Dead Space – Don’t get cocky kid/ Epic Tier 3 Engineer

There it is. Now let me explain them. First, I want to get the “MK vs. DCU” ones out of the way. Each character has their own set of combo challenges where you have to complete (I think 10) different combos, each getting progressively more difficult. The reason I put this one first is because it could be quite possible that I just suck at completing those, but they are all fairly difficult to complete, and I can’t finish anyone’s combo set. Is anyone else having trouble with those or am I just a failure at all things “MK”?

The “Dead Space” trophies are taxing as well, as I will have to beat “Dead Space” two more times just to beat it on its’ hardest difficulty. While I did enjoy the game, I don’t know if I liked it enough to warrant me sitting though it two more, progressively difficult, times.

“Resistance 2″ is a bit more interesting as it demands a ridiculous amount of time to complete. I currently have around 3,000 kills, so that leaves a cool 7,000. I figure I can normally get 20 kills per game on average, so that makes for 100 kills every five games. Five games take’s roughly an hour (each being ten minute rounds of team deathmatch). So that’s around five hours a day to get 500 kills. That means that I will have to play for five hours for the next 14 days if I want to get to 10,000 kills. That’s a lot of F*$!!%^ killing, kids. Has anyone else out there managed to nab this trophy, and if so do you remember what it looks like outdoors?

And last but not least is “LBP.” I saved this for last because I am going to plug a level of mine for you all to heart and help me in my quest to 100% completion. First of all, if you have “LBP,” my tag is Nat X7. Feel free to add me as a friend and say hi. My level in “LBP” will be called “The Attack of the Dangler” (complete inside joke by the way). It should be up by Super Bowl Sunday. So please everyone, go on the “LBP” servers and heart me and my level. I really want the trophy!

There, I’m done bitching for the day. Stay focused kids. Any trophy is possible if you want it bad enough, and don’t do drugs. I don’t know why but I always wanted to put that at the end of the post. Until next time gamers… Peace!

It’s been a long tradition that during times of economic hardship, the entertainment industry always booms. People need escapism, to be taken away from the perils of the real world. Technically the videogame industry is still riding high. So what gives?

Microsoft intends to lay off 8,000

Sony slashes 8,000 by 2010

EA laying of 1,000

Sega cutting it’s staff by 30

All these stories make you wonder, is anything safe anymore? With a new regime in the White House. There is hope for change. But in the mean time we may see the quality of titles suffering as developers are forced to produce more titles with less of a work force. We all know that means things will slip through the cracks. Let’s hope it’s not so

Mirrors Edge was announced back in July 2007 and ever since it’s debut screens, and amazing teaser video, we’ve clamored for it. The title echoed a departure from the standard FPS; that’s the this-is-a-post-appocaplytpic-nightmare-world that we need to straighten out for the betterment of mankind. Gone are the heavy geared enemies, and weapons with secondary fire. Enter, as you watch in awe, the lead character interact with the environment in a way that we always wanted one to.

It is perhaps this very focus on environment interaction that gives ME its’ edge but also delivers a blunt blow in other aspects for the game. Specifically, the story, cutscenes, and use of other elements in the game; weapons. The game itself is not for everyone. Apparently my brother became queezy from just looking at this game and subsequently began to complain about dizziness during his experience with the title. Never the less, he never had a stomach for FPSs to begin with.

While he may have had his problems with keeping yesterdays’ Carnitas Boritto down, for me it was more on the weapons and presentation. This game is great in every other way; it hits you from a perspective that you wouldn’t believe, but it falls short on the story, and the way the characters are presented. I mean it falls so hard, it’s almost too obvious that they spent a lot of time working on the running, wall running, climbing, shimmies, and all that other lovely stuff that Parkour runners do. This is a typical mistake and perhaps there are good reasons for it; budget being the first in my mind.

Yet the experience, and the way that you interact with the stages, makes you realize that ME is top-notch stuff. If you ever wanted to know what it’s like to jump from 30 feet up, land, tuck, and roll, then this game is for you. If you’re looking for a weapon feast, then perhaps something else might appease your lust for bullet soufle n’est pas?

If DICE had stayed away from the flash story cut scenes, and kept everything in-game, I would have been a little more forgiving. However, the words and expressions exchanged in the flash based cutscenes fall short. You want to see everything in real time because the engine that runs the game looks so damn good. Even after my first run through I wasn’t sure I liked the story. The game seems to have needed a super robot controlling the denizens of the city to explain the way that they were behaving. As cliche as it may sound … I half expected something like that from this game.

That’s what gamers do though, when they breathe hard onto monitors gazing at trailer previews; they set high bars of expectations for titles well in advance of release dates. Just think about what my expectations are for FF XIII are right now. Yet games are a departure from the norm, or give you the opportunity to experience something that you probably would never get to do in real life.

At times, Mirrors Edge becomes a guessing game. The inclusion of the Runner Vision could have been implemented better, because you’re still stuck on how to execute certain moves. This occurs even more later in the game because Runner Vision is designed to assist you less and less.

In addition, there’s a disconnect where the controls don’t come across. Specifically it’s in the way the game tells you how to string together multiple moves (Combos). As a matter of fact, it doesn’t … at least not outright.

The combos are only hinted to you, and while that can be considered “intuitive,” some users just don’t seem to get how to pass certain areas and are subjected to the use of YouTube to see how user DD_1227_PinoyCrazy did it. With that, I don’t have to tell you that the satisfaction in any game is to figure it out for yourself. The feeling you get from considering that you can get to certain areas in the game, attempting to execute it, and accomplishing it is very rewarding. That’s where the game really shines!

Minus a few hiccups, Mirrors Edge is worth anyones time to play … indeed “there’s no looking back.” The online element in the game also keeps you interested for a while longer to see if you can best you and other world records. Some of the user videos out there for record times are amazing to watch and attempting these can result in a very satisfying feeling. There’s nothing like Mirrors Edge out there and I don’t think its like Prince of Persia either. Everyone should try this game out, it’s one of those titles that you have to experience as a gamer, because if anything, it is problematic but also a sign of genius.

[Rating: 3.25/5]

“LittleBigPlanet” is Sony’s saving grace this holiday season. If it didn’t come out there’s a chance that the PS3 might have fallen off the radar for a lot of gamers, especially the ones that haven’t picked one up yet. I’ve had numerous arguments about how “LBP” isn’t a system seller, but I genuinely think that it’s the breath of cute, fresh air that the console needed to get its’ second wind. “LittleBigPlanet” sold me on the PS3 a few years ago when I first saw it, and now that it’s finally here, it has lived up to just about every expectation that I’ve had.

“LittleBigPlanet” has a bunch of things going for it. The graphics are adorable, stylized, and inspired. The gameplay, although time-tested and classic, has been updated to offer new and creative ways of navigation and puzzle solving. The level of character customization rivals that of almost any other triple-A title on the market. It’s also simple enough for anyone to enjoy; even the lapsed gamers who haven’t picked up a controller since their NES stopped working. Not to mention, “LittleBigPlanet” may have the best character to never be seen on-screen in the game’s tutor. While, most of those things aren’t necessarily revolutionary, “LBP” achieves each of them superbly, and really makes it a delight to take your Sackboy and run all over each of the levels looking for all the collectables.

The story in the game isn’t particularly deep, and it basically just serves as a vehicle to get Sackboy moving around the planet collecting points, stickers, and other items to adorn himself with. While “LittleBigPlanet” is fun to play solo, it shines a little bit more when there’s more than one Sackboy jumping around the screen, whether in local or online multiplayer. Not only does it increase the game’s overall enjoyment, and make each level a bit more competitive, but it also open up additional areas of the game that are strategically designed for more than one player.

Now, if the game stopped there, and the story mode was all that was released as the full “LittleBigPlanet” package, it’s so good that it would have still been a solid 4 out of 5; outstanding, but still missing something. However, Media Molecule went the extra mile (or ten) and included what may be the most robust level creation tool ever released on a console, and then allowed for the levels to be uploaded for anyone to access, making the game almost infinitely replayable. Not only is this a huge added value for the consumer, but it also allows would-be game designers to cut their teeth creating levels, and then getting feedback from fellow gamers. In other words, it’s a complete package.

I really had to go looking for something that I didn’t enjoy about the game, and, really, the only thing that came to mind were game’s controls. Basically, “LittleBigPlanet” puts Sackboy in your traditional left-to-right scrolling levels, however, there are three different planes that Sackboy can traverse to get by obstacles. Think of it as a three-lane highway, with the levels built to periodically force Sackboy to use one lane over the other two. Essentially, jumping from one plane to another can get a bit frustrating, as it isn’t always as fluid as you need it to be, especially when you’re trying to investigate an area that your certain has something hidden. While it isn’t a debilitating flaw, it is something that some gamers are going to find annoying.

Oh, and my one other problem with the game; too many collectables. This game will single-handedly drive completionists, like myself, insane. However, when you consider the amount of time that you’ll get out of the game, for your $60 investment, it’s well worth it.

Platforming went 3D with “Mario 64” in 1996, and most gamers have never looked back. Some have latched on to the idea of being completely immersed in an environment. However, there are still some gamers out there who found true love with the idea of 2D, left-to-right platforming when they first laid eyes on Miyamoto’s most beloved classic “Super Mario Bros.” It’s truly the greatest game ever made, and the root of all modern day gaming. It’s a little surprising that in the year 2008, that “LittleBigPlanet,” one of this year’s most innovative products, an update to the style of gaming that first sucked so many people in, comes from Sony, the company that needs to take a big chance this holiday season, because they’ve got nothing to lose. “LittleBigPlanet” could very well be my game of the year, and there’s no reason everyone shouldn’t give it a chance, unless, you know, you haven’t bought a PS3 yet.

[Rating: 5/5]

We have made a great couple for many years now. Over the course of which you have done so many great things for me, but, time has passed, and people change – I have changed. Although I say this with a very heavy heart, I think it is time that we both go our separate ways. I know it sounds cliche, but it’s not you, it’s me. I’m just looking for something different in a retail games store, and I’ve found it, with someone else.

I think we both know that this has been a long time coming. We’ve had a long relationship, but, and I’m sure you’ve noticed, things haven’t been working out too well lately. We’ve had our ups and downs, but, I think the time has come for us to admit to ourselves that it’s over, the magic is gone, and you should move on – I already have, I’ve found someone else.

You may not want all the details, but I’ll feel better about things if you know exactly how this happened. It was last week, as I was walking around the East Village with my girlfriend, and I happened to spot a new video game store, a Play N Trade, from across the street, and I was drawn to it instantly. While this isn’t the first time my eye has wandered, (I once spent a whole afternoon in a Rhino Games, only to realize it was really just an extension of you) I knew this was truly the one for me as soon as I laid my eyes on their used game case – full of Dreamcast, PS1, NES and even Turbo-Grafx 16 games – when was the last time you had a TG16 game in stock to sell me?

Before we finish this for good, I just want to thank you for always being there in my time of need. You always did try your best to provide me with quality gaming products, but, as of late, you’ve been slipping – unless I placed a pre-order well in advance. After being let down so many times I just couldn’t take it any more. Play N Trade is just a better match for me. Remember that one time you just about broke my heart when when it took me almost an hour to trade in 2 games and buy “Beautiful Katamari”? Yeah, that was a night I’ll never forget.

Don’t get me wrong, I’d still like to be friends. It’s hard for me to go almost anywhere and not be reminded of you. No matter what mall I’m in, I’ll always stop by and say hi, even if it’s just to check out your used GBA rack. Also, I’d still love to hear from you, and I’m almost positive you’ll write, now that your newsletters are filling up my inbox atleast twice a week.

In the end I hope you really remember that, it’s not you, it’s me. I just really need someone that will serve me better, is more down to earth, and really knows how to appreciate their roots. Maybe, sometime down the road, we can catch up, and, who knows, things might be different then, but for right now, this is goodbye.

I wish you the best, and hope you’ll someday be able to find someone else that makes you as happy as Play N Trade has made me.

Best,
Jason (a.k.a. 2.0)