Thursday 7 May 2009

KILLZONE 2: STEEL AND TITANIUM

Killzone players, you may have noticed the new map pack for our beloved game. Yes, I'm as cynical as the next person about additional material for games that we've no doubt paid full price for but damn, Killzone 2 is such a good online shooter I purchased this as soon as it was available.

There are two levels that you receive with the map pack Steel and Titanium, Vetka Cruiser and Wasteland Bullet.

Vetka Cruiser rein acts the battle aboard the ISA ship that you face in the final stages of the single player game. This level is very much one for close combat as there is usually never more than 20m (in virtual distance) between you and the enemy. There is the opportunity for some really good battles in this level, the most hectic being usually during search and destroy missions. The layout of the map is a series of corridors and rooms, many of them being multi levelled, allowing you to take up strong defensive or offensive positions depending on the mission being played. To properly rate Vetka Cruiser I would have to rate all of the other maps which I cannot be bothered doing and you've probably all played them enough (if you haven't, jeez, get on that crazy horse). To rate the map, let’s just say that it has the frenzied close quarters combat that you get in Radec Academy with the claustrophobic room to room battle you get inside the Tharsis Depot. Its good but nothing compared to Wasteland Bullet.




The Wasteland Bullet is the real gem in this downloadable content. This map is like no other I've ever played on any online shooter. The battles take place on two eternally moving trains, rushing endlessly through the dusty, desolate wastelands of Tharsis. One train Helgast, the other an ISA intercept. Neither train is connected at any point. To get from one to the other, timed jumps are required, being very careful to avoid any of the solid scenery flying by you. This scenery will kill you a lot!!! There are two open areas at each end, housing the spawn points and the search and destroy areas. There is a large linear distance between each end of the train with carriages in the middle. This level is awesome. Whatever your playing style is this will suit you down to the ground. Whether you are a sniper, CQ hero or gun emplacement master, this is the level for you.

In a nut shell, if you play online, buy it. If you don’t rate Vekta Cruiser the Wasteland bullet will more than make up for it. And at a pinch over £4 it’s a bargain.

Your favourite Playstation 3 game?

PS3Gamer is curious - what’s your favorite game on the PS3 all-time? Post a comment with your favorite game and feel free to back up your pick with why.

Playstation 3 Price cut



Are you expecting Sony to make the megaton announcement at E3? Y'know the one we're talking about. The price cut? Well, THQ doesn't share that vision. At its investor call earlier today, THQ's Brian Farrell cast doubt on a PS3 price announcement at the annual trade show. "We're not expecting a price cut at E3, but we do expect one later in the year."

A price cut for the PS3 will help THQ's sales portfolio, which is still largely rooted in games for the "core gamer." PS3 software sales represented about 13% of THQ's revenue for fiscal 2009, an increase from 8% the year before.

Music TV on your PS3

Sony will let PS3 owners stream music videos to their console this summer, using a totally rad new service called VidZone. Mega.

This contemporary-sounding application will be free and appear on the XMB once downloaded from the PS Store. We're promised a stonking selection from both major and independent music labels alike, covering not only music videos, but behind-the-scenes, making-of and live concert footage as well. Yes, expect the latest chart hits from the likes of C&C Music Factory!



These can be individually streamed or saved into playlists, and manipulated by fast-forwarding or rewinding. Videos can even be transferred onto PSP so you can pop the handheld on your shoulder and bop along as you pump up your favourite jam.

VidZone, however, will only be available in the UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Germany, Spain and Australia.