Counter-Strike, Expendables 2 Lead PSN Play Line-Up

Just like last year, Sony has answered Microsoft’s Summer of Arcade promotion with PlayStation Network Play, a summer program that offers big downloadable games with special bonuses.

This year, Sony is offering four games at $14.99 each ($11.99 for PlayStation Plus members) plus the opportunity for cash back via PSN vouchers depending on how many titles you buy. Purchasing two games gets you $3 back, three gets you $6 back and all four gets you $10 back.

This year, the line-up includes:

The Expendables 2 Video Game

On July 31st, The Expendables 2 will be available nearly three weeks ahead of its Xbox Live release on August 17th. The game is a co-op shooter that offers four-player support and challenge modes.

Sound Shapes

On August 7th, Sound Shapes will be available exclusively for PSN (and buying it on PS3 gets you a free copy of the Vita version as well). Sound Shapes is an awesome platformer that creates music while you play -- read about it here.

Papo & Yo

On August 14th, Papo & Yo (another PSN exclusive) will be available, telling the story of a young boy preventing his friend Monster from eating poisonous frogs (based on the creator’s father’s struggle with alcoholism). Papo & Yo is touching and emotional -- read about it here.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

On August 21st, the promotion will close with Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. CS:GO is an objective-based first-person shooter that updates the gameplay of the original Counter-Strike. The game introduces new modes and lets up to 10 players play online, and features Move support on PS3.

Keep an eye out for reviews of each game as they arrive on PSN in the coming months.

Andrew Goldfarb is IGN’s associate news editor. Keep up with pictures of the latest food he’s been eating by following him on Twitter or IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

First Look: Zen Pinball 3DS

Zen Studios has been cranking out some impressive downloadable pinball games over the last few years, including the Pinball FX series for Xbox Live Arcade, the Zen Pinball tables for PlayStation Network, and the Marvel Pinball line-up. The Marvel includes specific designs for Spider-Man, Blade, and Wolverine. Now, the company is ready to take its pinball act on the road, as it has officially announced Zen Pinball 3DS, which will soon be available as a downloadable title through Nintendo’s eShop.

The game will feature four tables that were previously released on Zen Pinball, but remastered in 3D and with a number of enhancements that take advantage of the 3DS. These tables include the sci-fi oriented Earth Defense, the spiritual Shaman, the medieval Excalibur. and the adventurous El Dorado. More tables could be available in the future, but for now, Zen Studios is focusing on these four.

Zen Pinball 3DS will feature local hot seat multiplayer, with folks passing it around, trying to top each other’s scores. It will also include online leaderboards, so you can compare your best times with other 3DS users—without the need to share Friend Codes. A Pro Score competition will also be announced following the game’s release, as players can compete to see who the best pinball players in the world are. Team Score will also be an option, with your score combining with your friends in a team effort. If you’ve never seen Zen Pinball before, it’s as good as digital pinball gets. Each of the tables resemble an authentic pinball table, like the ones you see in arcades from Stern Pinball and other companies. There are ramps to shoot at, interactive video screens with plenty of activity, bonuses to go after, and special events that you need to complete to get big points. You can also earn bonuses like extra balls and credits for replays—though the tables are obviously open for free play anyway. Sometimes it’s just the pleasure of earning a little extra on top.

Additionally, Zen Pinball 3DS enables the shifting through several viewpoints. If you prefer a higher-up view of the table so you can keep an eye on the ball at all times, it’s here. Mostly, though, you’ll want to do with an isometric, top-down view, like you would facing a real pinball table, so you get the authentic look nailed down pat. You can switch anywhere between the two, finding what works best for you.

Of course, the gameplay should be quite authentic. Players should be able to use shoulder buttons to control the game’s flippers, while occasionally jolting the touch-screen (or perhaps using the 3DS’ gyroscopic features to shake the table) to keep the ball in play. Just make sure you don't tilt!

“Releasing Zen Pinball on a Nintendo platform marks an amazing milestone for Zen Studios. We are really excited for Nintendo fans to experience one of our greatest passions—the timeless game of pinball!” said Mel Kirk, Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations. “Playing pinball in 3D is killer, it’s like the game has been totally reinvented, and a whole new world opens up right before your eyes.”

We’ll be going hands-on with the game very soon, and will provide a full review upon its release later this year. No word on pricing, but $7.99 sounds like a reasonable enough window. Look for more info soon!

Source : gamezone[dot]com

NiGHTS Into Dreams HD Remake Confirmed

Sega has confirmed that an HD remake of Saturn classic NiGHTS Into Dreams is indeed on the way, and will be released via Xbox Live Arcade, PSN and PC digital download this Autumn.

Originally released in 1996, NiGHTS Into Dreams is one of Sega's most fondly-remembered games, and fans have been clamouring for a new one for years, not sated by a Japan-only PS2 remake and a Wii sequel in 2007. IGN reported that this remake may well be on the cards just a few days ago, after Sega posted a mysterious, NiGHTS-suggestive image on its Facebook page.

This new version will include an optional "Saturn mode" that will let you experience the game in its original form, if that's your thing.

NiGHTS joins Jet Set Radio Future, which is also being re-released in HD later this summer, in Sega's line-up of HD remakes. An HD remake of Shenmue for XBLA and PSN has also been heavily rumoured, but not confirmed.

Source : ign[dot]com

Avatar Motocross Screenshots Tease E3 Announcement

Two screenshots for an unannounced Avatar-based motocross game have surfaced on Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade blog, PlayXBLA. It's worth noting the image files' titles: They've been labeled as "AMX mystery," which likely points to an Avatar Motocross title for the to-be-announced game.

The images come attached to an E3 announcement tease, and tell us very little about the game itself. There are avatars. They ride dirtbikes. Sweet jumps and crazy tricks are apparently present. Exhibit A:

That's not how you ride a bike.

The only other real hint we get about Avatar Motocross is in its second picture, which tells us it's a racing game with either fist-bumping or face-punching. The odds we'll get to smash Avatars in a Road Rash-like fashion is slim, but don't lose hope, friends.

Check my math, but that looks like two bikes. Two? I got two.

We've reached out to Microsoft asking for some kind of confirmation about Avatar Motocross, but in all likelihood we'll need to wait 'til E3 to learn more about it.

What do you think this is? Rare's next game? A Joy Ride spinoff? A Motocross Madness reboot? Go nuts in the comments below.

Source: PlayXBLA




Source : http://www.ign.com