andPOP - Pop Culture With Substance

Just when you thought you knew exactly what to buy this holiday, Sony announces a new model of their slim PS3.

The slimmer PS3 has been a runaway hit since its launch in September and has sold more than a million units world wide in a matter of three weeks. The new model is identical to the current slims save for the fact that now it has a larger hard disc drive (HDD).
With 250 GB and a retail price of $349.99 you are getting one sweet deal.
The added hard drive space is quite a nice touch as these days download content has taken off drastically.

I say shell out that extra 50 bucks and get the 250GB it’s totally worth it.

Now on the iPhone and iPod Touch for the first time is FIFA 10, which can be downloaded via the App store. FIFA Soccer 10 can also be bought in store all throughout Europe for the PS3, XBox 360, PC, PS2 and the mobile platform.

FIFA for the iPhone is the only full-licensed soccer games in the App Store. It mirrors the 2009-10 teams in real life from the leagues worldwide.  It’s very simple to use and allows the user a lot of mobility and accuracy. Added on is different camera angles and slow motion replay. And if ever in the mood for a good challenge, simply uses Wi-Fi to connect with friends. READ MORE »

Alright folks, this is the premier review by yours truly on andPOP.  This week I’m taking a look at iNFAMOUS, from Sucker Punch Productions.

inFAMOUS follows the story of Cole, a messenger given strange electricity-based powers from a devastating explosion that destroys a good chunk of Empire City and cripples the rest.  As Cole struggles to understand and control his new powers, he sets out to discover how the blast happened in the first place, and who’s responsible.  He may not like what he finds out.

I’ll start off by saying that inFAMOUS is a lot of fun.  This sandbox game is open-ended entertainment.  As you travel the length and breadth of Empire City, you can play through the game’s story missions or venture off on side missions and scavenge for extras.  But nothing is perfect, and inFAMOUS is not an exception to this rule.  There are glitches and oversights that, if corrected, could have made this a potential heir to the PS3 throne (the “throne” being the throne of Awesome).

The control scheme here is sort of a blend of Assassin’s Creed meets Force Unleashed.   It’s intuitive and very quick to master, even though you gain abilities throughout the game.  The biggest reason that these controls are so easy to pick up is that after you gain a new ability, you are put through a very brief sequence that involves situations relevant to your new power.  It’s not too obvious, and it works.  The most exciting feature is the freerunning, though.  Apparently our hero picked up some intense parkour skills in his life as a messenger/urban explorer, and puts them to use climbing anything and everything in Empire City with a handhold (except for chainlink fences and some stairs, apparently – yes, really).  Aside from some invisible walls here and there and Cole’s seemingly uncontrollable need to grab anything in his reach to hang on to when falling or jumping, this freedom of movement is above par for any game that’s come before. READ MORE »

As you are probably aware by now EA Sports Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 demo is out now on PSN and XBOX Live.

The demo allows players to play two real courses, Bethpage Black and Turnberry, which is where -for those of you obsessed with golf- they will be hosting the 2009 British Open.

The demo allows you to take on the two courses and try out the practice mode if you need to.
A not worthy addition is the challenge mode included in the demo, which takes players to a new course and picks a specific hole with a particular challenge.
The game boasts dynamic weather that will no doubt play a big part of how you take on each course and features updated graphics, rosters, courses, EA Live Tournament, Precision Putting, Tournament Atmosphere and the aforementioned Tournament Challenge Mode.

Naturally I am a bit psyched, especially for the Wii version with its MOTION PLUS GLORY!! It just wouldn’t be summer if there wasn’t a golf game to play.

“Rock Band” is coming to PSP. But don’t worry, you won’t have to carry the drum-set, guitar or microphone.

“Your hands are the ‘peripherals’ in ‘Rock Band Unplugged’ allowing you to take direct control of the lead/bass guitars, drums and vocals,” read a press release by EA Games.

Rock Band for PSP will feature over 40 track for gamers to play. Gamers can also download new songs through the Playstation Network store.

READ MORE »

LightBox Interactive announced a deal with Sony today that allows them to create exclusive software titles for PlayStation platforms.

The new software development company, LightBox Interactive,  was formed by Dylan Jobe, former Incognito Entertainment Studio Director.

“We are extremely pleased to be working with Dylan and his team in their new endeavor at LightBox Interactive,” said John Hight, Sony’s director of internal development.  “Through pioneering many online and community features on PlayStation network with the multiplayer game Warhawk, this team is established as leaders in the online category.  I look forward to seeing what kind of further innovations they bring to the PlayStation platforms through this new development deal.”

READ MORE »

Price Update
Resistance: Fall of Man Map Packs (free)

Downloadable Games
PowerUp Forever ($9.99)
Survive! Assimilate! Evolve! You must grow to survive – and to grow you must destroy! Hunt and defeat enemy Guardians to harvest their glowing energy cores, gaining power to grow your ship and expand your weaponry. As you evolve, you attract the attentions of ever-larger enemies, and your fight for survival goes on.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 96 MB

Add-on Game Content
LittleBigPlanet Santa Coat and Trousers (free)
Try on our Sack-sized Santa Coat and Trousers and keep nice and warm this holiday.
File size: 1.04 MB

LittleBigPlanet – Zangief of Street Fighter II costume ($1.99)
Dress up your SackBoy as Zangief, one of four premium LBP costumes from CAPCOM’s fighting game, Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix.
File size: 1.04 MB

LittleBigPlanet – Guile of Street Fighter II costume ($1.99)
Dress up your SackBoy as Guile, one of four premium LBP costumes from CAPCOM’s fighting game, Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix.
File size: 1.04 MB

LittleBigPlanet – Chun-Li of Street Fighter II costume ($1.99)
Dress up your SackBoy as Chun-Li, one of four premium LBP costumes from CAPCOM’s fighting game, Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix.
File size: 1.04 MB

LittleBigPlanet – Ryu of Street Fighter II costume ($1.99)
Dress up your SackBoy as Ryu, one of four premium LBP costumes from CAPCOM’s fighting game, Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix.
File size: 1.04 MB

LittleBigPlanet Street Fighter II costume kit ($5.99)
Get with the whole collection of premium SackBoy costumes from CAPCOM’s fighting game, Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix. This costume bundle includes outfits to dress up your SackBoy into Ryu, Guile, Chun-Li or Zangief.
File size: 1.04 MB

High Velocity Bowling – Tiff’s Big Zero Trick Shot Pack (free)
It’s time to bowl – High Velocity style! Add this downloadable Trick Shot Pack to your High Velocity Bowling selection. The Tiff’s Big Zero Trick Shot Pack gives you another opportunity for a gold star.
File size: 100 KB

High Velocity Bowling – Gearhead Ball Pack ($0.99)
It’s time to bowl – High Velocity style! Add this downloadable Trick Shot Pack to your High Velocity Bowling selection. The Tiff’s Big Zero Trick Shot Pack gives you another opportunity for a gold star.
File size: 7.43 MB

Tom Clancy’s EndWar Escalation Expansion Pack ($9.99)
4 exclusive missions on all new battlefields playable in skirmish mode and 3 exclusive unit upgrades to expand your experience with Tom Clancy’s EndWar. New missions includes the siege of a firebase in Kursk (Ukraine), the assault on Devon beach (England), the raid on Rota naval base (Spain) and the conquest of Dorsey Knob (USA, West Virginia).
File size: 331 MB

SW:TFU Apprentice Mission Pack ($9.99)
The Apprentice Mission Pack contains an entirely new single-player mission set in the Jedi Temple on the planet Coruscant. In this mission Darth Vader’s Secret Apprentice turns to the Jedi Temple to learn more about his father, and while searching through the rubble of the destroyed building he must confront his inner demons… Download this mission pack and you’ll also get 6 brand new characters and 3 all new Secret Apprentice costumes.
File size: 995 MB

Star War: The Force Unleashed Character Pack 2 ($4.99)
File size: 238 MB

Age of Booty Map Pack 4 (free)
Download the new “Tell No Tales” and “Port in a Storm” maps! The “Tell No Tales” map will appear in the 2v2v2v2 playlist. The “Port in a Storm” will appear in the 2v2, 3v3, and 4v4 playlists.
File size: 100 KB

Age of Booty Map Pack 5 (free)
Download the new “Feeding Frenzy” and “Urban Brawl” maps! These official maps will appear in the 2v2, 3v3, and 4v4 playlists. The Triple Trouble gameplay mode is also unlocked in this package.
File size: 100 KB

Guitar Hero World Tour
For all song credits please visit www.guitarhero.com.

“You Know You’re Right” by Nirvana ($1.99)
“Sliver” by Nirvana ($1.99)
“Negative Creep” by Nirvana ($1.99)
Nirvana Track Pack ($5.49) – Downloadable Track Pack for Guitar Hero World Tour featuring “You Know You’re Right”, “Negative Creep”, and “Sliver” by Nirvana.
“Mama Mae” by Negrita ($1.99)
“Dis-Moi” by BB Brunes ($1.99)
“’54, ’74, ’90, 2010″ by Sportfreunde Stiller ($1.99)
European Track Pack 01 ($5.49) – Downloadable Track Pack for Guitar Hero World Tour featuring “Mama Mae” by Negrita, “‘54, ‘74, ‘90, 2010″ by Sportfreunde Stiller, and “Dis-Moi” by BB Brunes.
File sizes: 22 MB – 41 MB (singles), 83 MB – 98 MB (track packs)

Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore 2
Expand your Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore 2 library by purchasing these tracks.

Over The Rainbow ($1.49)
How To Save A Life ($1.49)
Waiting For Tonight ($1.49)
Heart of Glass ($1.49)
File sizes: 15 MB – 21 MB

Rock Band
Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.

“Bathwater” – No Doubt ($1.99)
“Don’t Speak” – No Doubt ($1.99)
“Excuse Me Mr.” – No Doubt ($1.99)
“Ex-Girlfriend” – No Doubt ($1.99)
“Hella Good” – No Doubt ($1.99)
“Hey Baby” – No Doubt ($1.99)
“It’s My Life” – No Doubt ($1.99)
“Just a Girl” – No Doubt ($1.99)
“Running” – No Doubt ($1.99)
“Simple Kind of Life” – No Doubt ($1.99)
“Spiderwebs” – No Doubt ($1.99)
“Underneath it All” – No Doubt ($1.99)
“Sunday Morning” – No Doubt ($1.99)
“The Singles 1992–2003″ (Album) – No Doubt ($19.99) – This track pack includes 13 tracks: all of the songs from The Singles 1992–2003 (Album), except “New,” and “Trapped in a Box.”
File sizes: 25 MB – 42 MB (singles) 434 MB (track pack)

Mercenaries 2 Blow It Up Again Content Pack (free)
Mercenaries 2: World in Flames is ready to blow it all up… again!
File size: 389 MB

Game Videos (free)
Resistance 2 Accolades Trailer
File size: 85 MB (HD) 153 MB (1080)

Xam’d: Lost Memories Release Announcement Video
File size: 232 MB (HD) 398MB (1080)

Xam’d: Lost Memories Exclusive Interviews
File size: 281 MB (HD) 495 MB (1080)

LOTR: Conquest Good to be Bad Trailer
File size: 70 MB (HD)

Movie and Blu-ray Disc Trailers (free)
Batman Tech Video
File size: 321 MB (HD)

Not Easily Broken
File size: 27 MB (SD) 92 MB (HD) 140 (1080)

Paul Blart: Mall Cop Trailer
File size: 32 MB (SD) 112 MB (HD) 170 (1080)

Step Brothers Blu-ray Trailer
File size: 113 MB (HD) 151 (1080)

The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc Blu-ray Trailer
File size: 121 MB (HD) 159 MB (1080)

PS3 Themes
Resistance 2 Americana Theme (free)
File size: 5.93 MB

Resistance 2 Man vs. Chimera Theme (free)
File size: 4.96 MB

Resistance 2 SRPA Team Theme (free)
File size: 4.61 MB

Xam’d Lost Memories Theme (free)
File size: 1.49 MB

PS3 Wallpaper (free)
Mountain Dew Wallpaper
File sizes: 182 KB – 516 KB

PlayStation Store for PSP
Game Videos (free)
*Resistance 2 Accolades Trailer
File size: 14 MB

*Xam’d: Lost Memories Exclusive Interviews Video
File size: 48 MB

*Xam’d: Lost Memories Release Announcement Video
File size: 41 MB

*BRAIN CHALLENGE video
File size: 12 MB

Recently I had the opportunity to attend the Best Buy Game Invasion at Dundas Square. The big game of the event was definitely Little Big Planet for the Sony Playstation3.

The game is receiving so much anticipation because of the fact you can basically create levels from scratch with almost unlimited possibilities. The notion of making your own maps and having them available online to be played gives this game a competitive edge against the fierce plastic instrument and shoot-em up games dominating this holiday season.

The game itself follows the traditional platform genre with keeping game play simple and showing off the PS3’s amazing graphical power with its crystal clear visuals and smooth as butter frame rate. The game reminds me of an older title I played on my PS2 back in the day which was simply called “Cookie N’ Crème” the premise of this game was that both players had to solve puzzles on their side of the map.

For instance one player pushes a box to get to a switch and the second player on the side of the opposite wall walks into the next door beating the level. A representative of Sony told me that the game play becomes increasingly difficult as the game progresses but at the same time provides a fairly enjoyable game experience without too much “ow my brain hurts from thinking too much about this puzzle”.

I was told there is no projected release date for Little Big Planet as recently it was re-called for an undisclosed reason.

After I was done with Little Big Planet I headed out to the main room where I was able to play Guitar Hero World Tour. I had played the game a few times before but it was nice to have some extended time with it to play all the songs I never had a chance to. While the interface in this game provides some problems and the question of “Wait so who failed us this time?” will be asked many many times, the guitar charts are a lot of fun, the drums feel great, and the setlist is extremely varied. Case in point- La Bamba anyone?

Although Rock Band 2 was already out for 360 I still ventured over to try this Rock Band 2 Drumset I had heard so much about. The first thing I noticed was the new material on the drum pads. While it doesn’t compare to the rebound of the Guitar Hero World Tour kit, it’s still a much-needed improvement and the re-enforced metal bass pedal is a welcome addition for anyone that plans on trying to play Painkiller or Panic Attack on expert.

After my hands could take no more plastic guitar I was treated to a wonderful concert by Canada’s Mobile to promote their new album, they even played Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” on Guitar Hero World Tour on stage! Another awesome thing were the covers they did “Baba O’ Reilly” by The Who and “Message In A Bottle” by The Police. I think they 100%’d both songs on expert.

Sony’s flagship racing title has finally come to the Playstation 3 and it couldn’t have been more anticipated by car buffs and simulation junkies alike. Don’t get your hopes up just yet though, this isn’t the treasured Gran Turismo 5 people have been clamoring about and waiting for all these years, this is Gran Turismo 5: Prologue. Too big to be a demo, too small to be the final product – Gran Turismo 5: Prologue is a taste of the future, and something to keep fans of the esteemed Gran Turismo series satisfied until the full game is out next year. GT 5:P is available for purchase both on disc at retail stores nationwide or as a direct download through the Playstation Network.

Gran Turismo titles have always pushed the boundaries not only of racing simulators and realism, but also of detail and graphic capabilities. Once again, Polyphony Digital has succeeded in this with one of the best looking and most realistic racing titles on any platform to date. As I said earlier, GT5: Prologue isn’t the final game, but this title shows us what we can expect. READ MORE »

What has one eye, smells like Magic the Gathering, and can be played against anyone around the world? Sony Computer Entertainment Studios Japan’s The Eye of Judgment, a trading card with a twist. Utilizing the new Sony Eye camera for the Playstation 3, players can collect and trade cards, create decks and play against a friend, a computer or anyone around the world online in a card duel with visual battles taking place on your screen.

When I first saw this title set up on a small table in the corner of a Sony preview show it piqued my curiosity. Sitting there in between a couple of couches and a TV set was a mat with a 3×3 grid on it, a plastic stand with the Sony Eye camera perched on top and different cards placed in different directions on the mat. What I saw on screen was totally different-ice guards throwing projectile shards at a flaming dragon and that dragon in turn melting the guards. Unfortunately, by this point my mind had been blown and I collapsed onto the couch. A few minutes later, I regained consciousness and began to explore this contraption. Included with the title are the mat (a piece of cloth with a grid, spaces for your deck, graveyard and the camera to stand), the stand (4 tubes, and 3 pieces of plastic to hold the camera which are easy to assemble and come with instructions), the Playstation Eye (a high quality USB camera with a widescreen option and built in microphone), starter deck (30 playing cards, and 4 cards used to perform different procedures in game to begin your battling career), a booster pack (8 random cards to change your deck up), and the game disc.

Basically you set up the camera overlooking your mat, and you take turns with your opponent placing cards, either spells or creatures, on the mat. You start off the game with five cards each, and every turn you receive two mana. Mana is the magical force that allows you to cast spells and play creatures. You may play as many spells or actions as you like per turn, but once you play a creature, it performs its action if it can, and your turn ends. Use spells and creatures to defeat other creatures with the objective to gain grid spaces. You win the game when you control five spaces or lose when you run out of cards in your deck or your opponent controls five spaces. You also regain one mana when a creature of yours is killed. The rules go further with specific spaces having different elements to the benefit or detriment of your creatures as well as a locking mechanism which doesn’t open until at least four creatures are on the mat. Creatures battle based on direction, attack style, strength, health, counter-attack style, element, and ability. If this all seems overwhelming or confusing, the disc comes complete with a very thorough tutorial system that includes everything from how to set up the game to a demo of two awkward adolescents playing the game. I must warn you though, the tutorial can last up to two hours if you want to learn everything and after about twenty minutes, you may want to just shut it off due to repetitive music and dull vocal instructions. I feel it would have been more helpful to have a written instruction manual so players could learn how to play at their own pace.

The camera itself is very cool. Using the many options for The Eye of Judgment, you can change the frequency of the camera, input the type of lighting your room has to help with card recognition and sensitivity and even tell the game what side of the mat you have your camera standing on. If you have another friend with a Playstation 3 you can use the eye to have video chats with them anywhere around the world. On top of all this, if you would like, you could download a little video editing program for free off of the Sony store and create your own movies using the camera.

The concept of the game is really cool. Each card has a special hieroglyphic code on the top and bottom of the card, the Eye reads the code on the card and the creature appears in full 3D on the screen. If you wish to take a closer look at the creatures, there is a profile option in the game, where as you toss cards onto the mat, the creature will pop up on screen. From here, you can carry the card around the mat, higher or lower in relation to the camera and your creature will follow with your hand on screen. You can even interact with your creatures by swatting at them and seeing the little critters try to bite your fingers on screen. The game also includes a little mini-battle option where you place up to four cards on the screen at the same time, press X to have them ‘duel’ and the strongest of the creatures will emerge victorious. Perhaps this game type is a little useless, but still pretty darn cool to see these pieces of paper take life on their own.

Another mode of play is the impressive online battle system. Beginning by registering your deck for online play by scanning in your cards in the deck builder option; this shows the game you actually own these cards. From here you enter the online system where you chose your alliance, see your honor points, rank and title and create or join a game to battle anyone from around the world. The online play mode works a little differently than offline to counter cheaters. The game draws cards for you, telling you what cards you have in your hand, you then fish these cards out of your deck and play with them. You never see your opponent through the camera and they never see you, although you do get the option of chatting through use of USB keyboard or the Eye’s built in microphone. The biggest issue with online play is that of cheating. Yes, the game tells you what cards you draw so you cannot cheat that way, but what’s to stop a player from going online, downloading card pictures and printing them out for use in the game? Offline, your opponent could see you using slips of printer paper to fight, but online with no camera interaction, how is your opponent to know if your cheating or not? I have read articles stating that Sony’s cards hold special codes that cannot be reproduced by scanning and printing cards, but I have also read articles and seen video proof that this can easily be done. The only silver lining I found was that when I searched for scanned cards online myself, I could not find a site providing these pictures.

When these cards come to life, not only is it in vibrant colour and full polygonal 3D, but the animation is fluid and the graphics crisp. When a gang of monsters attack, they don’t always attack the same way twice and there’s always one or two monsters acting differently. The spell animations are fast and flowing and with the Eye’s quick recognition speed, the game can be fast and furious with no feeling of lag, trouble reading cards or choppiness. On an HDTV the edges are clean and the detail in creature and spell animation is amazingly clear with supported 720P. The audio is also very well thought out and clean, for the most part. Each creature has their own battle call, attack sound effects, and grunts. As well, each menu has its own music. The music used in game is full of hard metal guitar shredding and, while it sounds very strong and fast, adding to the pace of the game, there is only one piece of music played over and over again. The exception is when your opponent controls 4 squares-then the music gets harder and faster, adding to the overall intensity.

The overall feel of the game is one reminiscent of a mix between Magic the Gathering, Yugioh, and the card game played in Playstation One’s Final Fantasy 8. I must state before you go out and buy this game that it is not for everyone, and chances are if you want to win games and not resort to foul play, you will probably have to spend some extra cash on theme decks and booster packs at local game or hobby stores. If you are into collectible card games and are looking to buy the Eye camera for the Playstation 3, then The Eye of Judgment is the perfect title to pick up. As a game with no story, no end, plenty of people to play against anywhere in the world, an unlockable ‘campaign mode’, and with updates and expansion pack opportunities, the Eye of Judgment shows no traces of slowing down any time soon.

Graphics: 4.0 / 5.0
Gameplay 5.0 / 5.0
Sound 3.5 / 5.0
Replay value 5.0 / 5.0