PS3 Fanboy

Gameplay video shows first part of Silent Hill: Homecoming

Alan Tsang — 2008-07-05T21:00:00+00:00

Supposedly from an early beta version of Silent Hill: Homecoming on the PS3, this Russian gameplay video shows a playthrough of what appears to be the first chapter of the game. Gameplay-wise everything looks similar to what we have seen before, and the provider of the video assures us the narrator isn't saying anything we didn't know already. In terms of story, we'll refrain from saying much as small story elements are disclosed in the 13+ minute video, but it involves the protagonist Alex returning home and running into some old family and friends. Look for Silent Hill: Homecoming when it arrives September of this year.

[Thanks, Leigh B.!]

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SOCOM: Confrontation trailer shows terrorists getting just desserts

Nick Doerr — 2008-07-05T13:15:00+00:00

Filed under: Videos and Screenshots

Here's a new trailer for the PS3 exclusive SOCOM: Confrontation. What would you expect to see in this video? There are Navy SEALs, guns, and SEALs using said guns. Still -- the areas look huge and fantastic. Who doesn't love gunning down terrorists? It's just a selfish wish, but we'd like a more realistic cover system. The devs do realize that bullets would go right through a barrel and/or a wooden wagon, right? It makes for cover in the game, sure, but at least let such cover points get demolished easily. That said, we'll shut up and enjoy it for what it is: an action-packed trailer.

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Aquanaut's Holiday, previously Aqua, confirmed as site opens

Nick Doerr — 2008-07-04T15:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Videos and Screenshots, News

Last week we got word that Aquanaut's Holiday might get a remake for release this September, as it was briefly put up on a Japanese retail site and then removed. Seems that is wasn't a rumor after all. It's actually the game we once knew as Aqua -- a sea-exploration game where you collect data on the critters in the water. It's like Afrika, but wet. A brief video from when it was called Aqua is above and the official website has launched, so go ahead and check that out too.

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Dismembered hand beckons you to Dead Space

Alan Tsang — 2008-07-04T14:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Videos and Screenshots

Looks like EA is going to continue its theme of dismemberment for the boxart of Dead Space. There is indeed something rather simplistic and beautiful about the boxart though, despite the fact that it consists of a floating body part beckoning unsuspecting space travelers into a deathtrap. There are also 13 new screenshots and concept art, most of them every bit as appetizing as the cover. Not exactly kid's stuff, but horror fans should be in for a treat when Dead Space, whose lead platform is currently the PS3, arrives three days before Halloween on October 28th.

[Via X3F]

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Hot Street Fighter IV anime clip

Andrew Yoon — 2008-07-04T10:10:00+00:00

Filed under: Videos and Screenshots

From the moment the first fireballs are shot, your mouth will drop and you will say "wow." This anime clip for Street Fighter IV looks absolutely epic. Too bad there's no subtitles, though. Thankfully, the dialogue mostly consists of explosions and kicks to the face.

Enjoy.

[Via Joystiq]

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Ominous Resistance 2 ARG site Project Abraham uncovered

Alan Tsang — 2008-07-03T23:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Videos and Screenshots

We are not sure how they did it, but some very clever posters over at NeoGAF has found us another ARG website for Resistance 2. The website features a woman standing over you at what appears to be a hospital, concerned for your well-being, before she is forcibly removed and the video ends with a long beep.

What does this all mean? Is that actress Katee Sackhoff of Battlestar Galatica fame standing over us in this video? What is Project Abraham? Is that logo on her shirt the same as the one of the US military from getawarjob.com? The Morse code at the end of the video apparently spells "blackout" and leads you to another part of the site, with a picture of seven guys that you can move around on a table.

Is Nathan Hale one of these guys? Is the darkness on the sides moving? We noticed pressing tab will frame a yellow rectangle around the picture. You can also drag the picture all the way off screen on the bottom and the right, but not the top and the left, And what is that in the window on the left? Take a look around and post your thoughts on this. *hums The X-files theme*

[Via NeoGAF -- thanks, Noshino!]

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Swap Magic running Genesis emulator on PS3

Nick Doerr — 2008-07-03T22:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Videos and Screenshots

Have you got Swap Magic back from the good ol' PS2 days? Have you got downloaded emulators? Well, thanks to this YouTube video, now you can see how to get an emulator up and running. Of course, it's a German video, so we have next to no idea what's going on -- but we notice there's some quick option-swapping whilst Swap Magic is loading up. This is far from the only video on YouTube displaying emulators on the PS3, but it's interesting to see just how simple the process appears. Anyone had any luck with this?

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Midnight Club: Los Angeles gets new October release in US and Europe

Andrew Yoon — 2008-07-03T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Videos and Screenshots

Click for high-resolution image.

Now that most everyone is done with Grand Theft Auto IV, what can Rockstar fans expect from the notorious publisher/developer? Midnight Club: Los Angeles will transplant car lovers into yet another huge, fully rendered city: LA.

The fourth installment of the Midnight Club franchise will hit PS3 systems October 7th in North America and October 10th in Europe. (That's a one month delay from its previously announced September release.) Rockstar is promising yet another seamless world, just like the one they created with GTA IV. But will racing nuts go for this, or will they stick with Burnout Paradise? Check out new screens in our gallery.

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DC Universe Online's MySpace page wants you as a friend

Alan Tsang — 2008-07-03T09:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Videos and Screenshots

When was the last time a Universe wanted to be your friend? Now you have a chance with the promotional MySpace page of DC Universe Online. The page contains a video/slideshow of concept art of characters and locations, wallpapers, buddy icons, screenshots, and even a blog of the DCUO team. Furthermore, if you make DCUO a top MySpace friend, print out the page and bring it to Comic-Con, you can attend their 21-and-over party. Another interesting titbit is the blog where Senior Producer Wes Yanagi states the party will be their first showing of a public demo. We would totally be there if we were in the Bay Area, but alas, we are not. Check out the MySpace page here.

[Via Big Download]

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PixelJunk Eden: 'kinda like Bionic Commando and Ninja Five-O meets Peggle ... with co-op'

Andrew Yoon — 2008-07-02T20:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Videos and Screenshots, e-Distribution Games

1UP's preview of the upcoming PixelJunk Eden is most curious. The strange title may be hard to grasp from videos, but according to their preview, all is clear within minutes of picking up the controller. With the wildly successful PixelJunk Monsters under its belt, all eyes must be on Q-Games' latest. It being the first new title to support Trophies will undoubtedly make it even more addictive. The combination of alluring visuals, yet another fantastic soundtrack, and simple and addictive gameplay make us want to download PixelJunk Eden as soon as possible.

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Exclusive: new screenshots of inFAMOUS

Andrew Yoon — 2008-07-02T16:45:00+00:00

Filed under: Videos and Screenshots

Click for high-resolution image.

You may have seen some new shots of inFAMOUS go up today on the PlayStation.blog. But don't worry, we have a few extra pretty stills from this incredibly hot-looking PS3-exclusive. Game Informer promises to have some juicy info in its upcoming issue, but undoubtedly we'll be able to share some info with you when E3 rolls along in a few weeks.

Enjoy.

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Ton of new Naruto gameplay vids readies us for July demo

Majed Athab — 2008-07-02T05:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Videos and Screenshots

Here are seven gameplay vids from Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm, the upcoming PS3-exclusive, anime-ramen-ninja title. The visuals in this game, as we've said for the longest time now, look spectacular and we can't wait to try it out. In fact, it won't be too long before we can -- remember, there's an exclusive demo included with this month's issue of Qore. So, while you wait for the issue (should be out this Thursday, July 3), enjoy these vids to get you pumped up for the demo. Six more after the break.

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New Resistance 2 trailer sneaks onto YouTube

Nick Doerr — 2008-07-01T13:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Videos and Screenshots

Update: Unfortunately, this video wasn't meant to be leaked to the net. An SCEA rep has contacted us, requesting removal of this video. Hopefully, it won't be too long until we find other Resistance 2 content!

Originally found on Eurogamer TV, this Resistance 2 trailer was taken down rather quickly. Luckily for us (and unfortunately for those wishing to keep the trailer under wraps) somebody slapped it up on YouTube for us to watch. It'll probably get removed sooner or later as well, or it might not. This trailer seems to really show off the enhanced focus on the franchise's storyline -- we got pretty excited. Hopefully you will, too.

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Watch your garden magically appear in Shiki-Tei video

Nick Doerr — 2008-06-30T14:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Videos and Screenshots

If you really want to learn how the garden simulator, Shiki=Tei, works, check out this video from our friends at PSP GadgetZ. It's actually rather soothing and might make you want to clear out that old sandbox in the backyard and build your very own garden. It's a lot like the first Dark Cloud game as you watch ... except there's no dungeon crawling or weapon grinding. Basically, it's just mindless, relaxing fun. We support that.

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A small spread of White Knight Chronicles screenshots

Nick Doerr — 2008-06-30T11:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Videos and Screenshots

Level 5's ambitious and mysterious RPG, White Knight Chronicles, has undergone a bit of a face-lift since its first trailer shown a couple of years ago. It's difficult to explain -- the graphics haven't necessary gotten better (we won't say either way until we stare at the game itself on a 1080p screen), but the style seems to have gotten a few tweaks. These screenshots from TGBus show the new style in an old context: most of them seem to come from the old trailer, but with the new style. A few screens appear new, also: the gigantic Knight battles a nasty enemy. In motion, we're sure it looks cooler, but that's all we can say for now.

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Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm trailer is full of cel-shaded goodness

Alan Tsang — 2008-06-29T07:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Videos and Screenshots

A new HD gameplay trailer from Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm is now being shown at Gametrailers.com. It really is hard to believe that the majority of this trailer is actual gameplay; the cel-shaded graphics are fluid and emulates the Naruto anime almost perfectly. The game will follow the first 135 episodes of the anime, which itself is an adaptation of the first 27 volumes of the manga. A highlight of this trailer is that it showcases a mechanic in the game, where pressing L1 or R1 allows you to summon a pre-determined assist character and he/she can string combos or land extra hits onto your opponent. We can't wait for this PS3 exclusive when it arrives in the fall. Meanwhile, those who subscribe to Qore will get a demo a little earlier on July 3rd, whereas the rest of you will have to wait till July 17th.

[Thanks, Noshino!]

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Naruto demo available exclusively in Qore next month

Andrew Yoon — 2008-06-27T16:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Videos and Screenshots, Demos

Doesn't Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm look absolutely stunning? Namco Bandai's PS3 exclusive anime fighter brings cel-shaded graphics to a whole new level. While the game isn't scheduled for release until the end of this year, subscribers to Qore will be able to get their hands on an exclusive playable demo next month. Even this early on, the game looks beautiful, with full 3D fights -- new to the Ultimate Ninja series.

Unfortunately, it doesn't appear the game will ship with online multiplayer. But, that's what the inevitable sequels are for, right?

[Thanks, Noshino!]

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Prepare for the 'second coming' in Saints Row 2

Alan Tsang — 2008-06-27T13:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Videos and Screenshots

Despite what the previous trailer might tell you, Saints Row 2 isn't all fun and games. In this trailer titled Saints Gang, the focus is on the story. After being in a coma, the unnamed protagonist breaks out of jail with the help of another inmate, and promptly rescues Johnny Gat, the Chinese-American lieutenant of the Saints gang, from the brink of the electric chair. Our main character then learns another gang called the Brotherhood has taken over in Stilwater and he is determined to gather forces to return for a "second coming." Featuring katana swords, strippers, a S.W.A.T. team and a gun-to-the-head confrontation with former Saints leader Julius Little, this looks to be as grand a saga as a certain other sandbox game. Despite a previously confirmed release date of almost two months earlier, look for Saints Row 2 instead on October 14th.

[via Shacknews -- thanks, Leigh B.!]

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SOCOM Confrontation: new videos [Update]

Andrew Yoon — 2008-06-27T12:45:00+00:00

Filed under: Videos and Screenshots, e-Distribution Games

Our friends at GameTrailers are furiously uploading new video content from SOCOM: Confrontation. So far, we have two on display. The first (seen above), showcases the great Crossroads map, one of the five maps that can support full 32 player matches. Check after the jump to see more of SOCOM.

More gameplay footage added.

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PS3 Fanboy hands-on: SOCOM Confrontation

Andrew Yoon — 2008-06-27T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Videos and Screenshots, e-Distribution Games, Hands-on

Click for high-resolution image.

This is SOCOM. On the PS3. That's SOCOM Confrontation, put simply. It's somewhat strange to think that the team that brought us the incredibly innovative SOCOM Tactical Strike (PSP) is bringing us a game that feels so by-the-numbers. But for the hardcore SOCOM community, this is the game they've been waiting for. It's been years since the last major console SOCOM game, and Slant Six must offer a product that delivers all the thrills that fans of the franchise have come to expect. Rest assured, Confrontation delivers everything SOCOM fans have come to expect from the series, and expands upon the formula by adding massive 32-player matches and a fully-fleshed online community component.

Many criticized the game when it made its public debut last year for having dated graphics. But, Slant Six had only worked on the game for 5 months when the initial screens were shown to the public. Since then, the game has made remarkable progress, and looks rather stunning. The lighting, heat blur, and smoke effects are all beautifully rendered -- and the scope of each of the game's seven levels is massive.

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Although SOCOM Confrontation will be available as a downloadable title off the PSN, don't expect this to be a bite-sized SOCOM experience. This is the real deal; this is the sequel everyone has been waiting for. The seven maps include five original maps and two remastered levels from the PS2 games. Each of the maps have both day and night modes, and each of the five new maps can be scaled to support 8, 16 or 32 players (the classic maps only support 16 players). The 32-player maps are absolutely massive, stretching out far into the distance. Take a look at some of our new screens, and you'll be able to appreciate the sheer scope of Confrontation. Take into consideration that almost everything you can see, you can get to. More importantly, note that almost every building in the game can be entered as well, maximizing the playable area within each territory.

All of the maps take place in the African area of operations, but that doesn't mean everything will look the same. Each map has a unique theme that encourages different strategies and approaches. For example, Crossroads is a massive city, which encourages players to use rooftops to their advantage. We were able to take down a few guys by climbing to a rooftop, looking over an alley, where enemies were bound to come from. Quarantine, which takes place in a viral lab, is a smaller map, with a lot of verticality. The symmetrical design of Quarantine, all leading to one central location, gives it a very arcadey-feel, with superior gunplay being key to pushing forward. The level also features a moat, which allows players to swim towards alternate paths. Finally, our favorite level: Kazbah (working title). This connecting series of fortresses looks unlike anything we've seen in SOCOM so far, and it offers snipers a great challenge, with various towers scattered throughout. Being in a 32 player game, it really felt like we were trying to break through an impenetrable stronghold. Wow.

The Kazbah level will undoubtedly offer some spectacular gunfights.

For the most part, the gameplay found in Confrontation never surprises. It's incredibly easy to pick up the controller and start playing, especially if you've played previous games in the franchise. However, there was one new feature that we absolutely adored. We didn't think we'd ever say this, but the SIXAXIS controls really work. By tilting to the left, your in-game character will do the same. Tilt to the right, and your character follows. This will give your player the ability to peek around corners and cover, and get a shot which may have been impossible otherwise. Tilt your controller upwards, and your character will lean up and above cover, giving the player some sniping possibilities. And, if you're spotted by the enemy, thrusting the controller down can make your character duck. It may take some time to get used to, but we found it incredible intuitive, and it adds a subtle layer of depth to the controls that's much appreciated.

The online community features being built into this new SOCOM have us really impressed, even though we couldn't use them quite yet. They are ambitious, to say the least. Players can customize their own characters and create and join their own clans. Each clan can have its own unique emblem, which will appear on the player's outfit. Clans can then try to climb up a ladder, scheduling challenges with other clans. Scheduled battles and tournaments will then appear in the in-game calendar, which shows all upcoming SOCOM events a player is signed up for. Slant Six is trying to make this even more of a lifestyle, and with stats-tracking and achievement progress viewable online at SOCOM.com, we can see dedicated players staying in the SOCOM universe, even when they're not connected to a PS3.

Not only will the game offer detailed stats tracking, but there will also be a number of medals to earn in game ... and yep, there's going to be trophies as well. (Unfortunately, we didn't play on a system that was eqipped with firmware 2.40).

The new engine made by Slant Six for Confrontation has a few key features that we're impressed by. For example, each bullet is an individually rendered object in the world, and it will behave realistically. If it can puncture through a wall, it will. Players will have to think about their cover choices rather carefully. Even more cool: shells will be left behind and can be kicked around by players. In a no-spawn match, players can look for bullets left behind after a busy firefight to see where the action is taking place.

There are a few issues to be found in this early alpha build, though. Throughout the various matches we played, the framerate struggled to hit 30 fps. Oftentimes, the game hovered in the 20s, especially during the larger matches. Developers noted that they're aiming for 30, locked. In addition, there still appeared to be some lag in matches, which created some awkward moments for us, when someone we were firing at magically appeared behind us. Ouch. Finally, a network issued caused every linked PS3 in the room to crash simultaneously .... more than once. Trying to play Crossroads with 32 players was an effort in futility.

So, do we see a beta happening any time soon? Not really. While we had a blast with SOCOM Confrontation in its alpha stage, it's clear that there is still a lot of work to be done before it can be released to the public en mass. Slant Six can work some magic on the PS3 -- there's no doubt about that. In a year's time, since it was shown at last year's E3, Confrontation has improved significantly. Once the team can fix the various hang-up issues and steady the framerate, we're certain that the enthusiastic SOCOM community will get their hands on this much-needed PS3 sequel -- and they will be more than pleased.

Want even more? Stay tuned to this week's PS Nation podcast to hear an extended preview of SOCOM Confrontation. Have any questions? Post them in the comments!

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