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PSN Update: Vanquish, Game Sales, Castle Crashers

Some weeks, the PlayStation Network update is just plain boring. But then again, you can't expect anticipated goodness 52 times a year.

This particular week should prove appealing to all PlayStation 3 owners, though. Firstly, a whole lot of games have dropped in price – including the 9 from TikGames/Creat Studios – and you can stock up on a bunch of really entertaining titles. Secondly, a few big demos are now available: the first is R.U.S.E. , the "one-of-a-kind" RTS that lets you "control the action from the heart of the battlefield," and the second is the hotly anticipated Vanquish . As of now, you can test out the Velocity Attack demo and see if Platinum's rapid-fire new action extravaganza is your cup of tea. Remember, it's slated to launch on October 12 and we've been seeing a lot of the game lately, thanks to a bunch of trailers and videos. Thirdly and finally, the award-winning Castle Crashers is available to purchase on the PSN this week, and that's a major addition to the Network's library. If you're not convinced, you can always go for the free trial before springing for the full game, which has a price tag of $14.99.

Yeah, there are plenty of reasons to log on this week. By the way, we should have our Vanquish hands-on impressions within the next day, so stay tuned for that.

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DazeOfWar
DazeOfWar
13 years ago

This one a pretty good update. Had to download R.U.S.E. and Vanquish to see if these will be buys for me. Also picked up Castle Crashers since I never finished it on my 360(Don't have anymore). Then finally broke down and bought the Sam & Max Season since it dropped $10.

DazeOfWar
DazeOfWar
13 years ago

Well just got done playing the Vanquish and was pretty impressed. Had a lot of fun with it and will definitely pick it up sometime after it comes out.

Sir Dan
Sir Dan
13 years ago

Good God who is that in your avatar? Looks like Catherine Bach in her prime.

Mista
Mista
13 years ago

That is Meagn Fox! Can spot her from a mile away.

Jawknee
Jawknee
13 years ago

Haven't tried Castle Crashers demo yet. It's downloading now. The Vanquish one is pretty entertaining. Wish it had more color like Uncharted but so far it's mucho fun. Much more fun than Gears on my opinion. Mechanics are similar but the pace is much faster in Vanquish. The sluggish and tank feel that Gears had is what ultimately turned me off from the game.

The demo is super smooth too. Using the PS3 paid off this time around for Platinum. Zero screen tearing FTW!

LegendaryWolfeh
LegendaryWolfeh
13 years ago

I dunno, felt a lot like a super fast Lost Planet 2 to me, but with machines instead of bug and stuff. I just couldn't seem to get into, maybe if it was a bit longer or something, I dunno, maybe a rental, gonna wait for some reviews for it.

And I liked the Castle Crashers demo, it was pretty cool, I'm probably gonna get it myself.


Last edited by LegendaryWolfeh on 8/31/2010 9:44:58 PM

Jawknee
Jawknee
13 years ago

Yes but Lost Planet is a technical nightmare and the controls are terrible. If anything this is what Lost Planet 2 probably should have/would have been if Mikami was still with Capcom.

LimitedVertigo
LimitedVertigo
13 years ago

Vanquish was enjoyable but had the feeling of being on rails at some points (ala button smashing during chaos).

kevinater321
kevinater321
13 years ago

I want to try out these demos but my fam is on the tv, so i will have to wait for tomoro. Too bad though i always wanted to try castle crashers.

fluffer nutter
fluffer nutter
13 years ago

Why don't you try the stuff out after they go to bed?

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

So what are your guys impressions on Vanquish? I couldn't find the demo today but I'll look again later. Always with the late updates around here.

sunspider13
sunspider13
13 years ago

I really liked it. It was a plus to add a tutorial to it as well. I was expecting fast but dear god, fast is an understatement. Like Jawknee said a little more color would have been nice, but all in all this sealed it for me. So glad I pre-ordered this game.

Jawknee
Jawknee
13 years ago

It's solid. I noticed no major technical problems with it. It ran smooth and looks good. Yes the blur is a tad distracting but not enough to bother me.

LimitedVertigo
LimitedVertigo
13 years ago

World we're both in the same time zone and the PSN is generally updated at 7pm.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

yeah, that's friggin late, it should update as the clock strikes midnight of that day.

LimitedVertigo
LimitedVertigo
13 years ago

Chopped is on at Midnight, just in case you forgot.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

I have no idea what that means.

StangMan80
StangMan80
13 years ago

I'm downloading Vanquish and RUSE now, I'm not sure on a purchase for either just yet.
I most likely deal with what I got now until MOH, then it'll be just a few weeks until GT5.

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
13 years ago

I'm just tossing this into the Comments so people aren't confused-

I have jury duty tomorrow (ick) so I likely won't be able to update at the normal time. So don't freak out when nothing new is up before noon. 😉

sunspider13
sunspider13
13 years ago

I'm so sorry.

frylock25
frylock25
13 years ago

Call of Jury Duty: Modern Judical System 2.

sorry sometimes i like to pretend life is a video game.

sunspider13
sunspider13
13 years ago

Yeah complete with a reset button.

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
13 years ago

*If* you want out, wear a suit and tie, very business like. be very attentive and act like you are paying attention. And of course when the defence is asking potential jurors questions you're a tad hang 'em high, and when the prosecution asks, you sympathize with those victims of society known as criminals. That should go a long way towards getting you discharged… On the other hand it might play exactly the way someone wants and you could be drug into a grand jury…

BikerSaint
BikerSaint
13 years ago

Next time just dress like me, a hardcore biker, & come roaring in on a loud Harley.

It causes the prosecution's side to boot me from JD every time.


Last edited by BikerSaint on 9/1/2010 2:14:19 PM

frylock25
frylock25
13 years ago

Bioshock 2 single player content is out also this week. i plan on pickin that up before anything else.

i will also be getting cuboid as the plus discount works with the sale.

there is also the character slots b and c for mag. being able to play in all 3 factions at the same time.

has any one played super stacker? i want to check that out.

hamsterball looks like something my kid would like. i may pick up a few of these just for the hell of it.

sunspider13
sunspider13
13 years ago

I'm stoked that Castle Crashers is finally coming to the PS3. I played it on my friend's 360 and it was so much fun. Those guys at Behemoth really like making games and it shows. I still have my copy of Alien Homonid for PS2.

As for Vanquish, day one pick up. Pre-ordered and I can't wait.

Temjin001
Temjin001
13 years ago

Is anyone else having download errors when trying to download either Vanquish or RUSE demos off PSN?

I keep getting an error. frustrating

LimitedVertigo
LimitedVertigo
13 years ago

Not me, both downloaded fast.

Temjin001
Temjin001
13 years ago

I don't know what happen, but now it's working… bizarre

Something curious. The PSN demo is over 700MB whereas the 360 one was only around 450MB.

Leads me to believe that either the demo is longer, or maybe the FMV and sound quality is higher on PS3… we'll see, it's downloading now.

LimitedVertigo
LimitedVertigo
13 years ago

Hmm, that's a big difference. I'm going to guess the same thing you're suggesting for the difference. I take it you have a 360? If so could you try both demos and tell us what the graphic difference is, if any.

Temjin001
Temjin001
13 years ago

Okay, I've played both demos. Bare in mind I've played the 360 version on my computer monitor and the PS3 version on my HDTV. My TV produces better color.

I played through the demo once, but I've spent more time, overall, with the 360 version (I've had it since this morning).
The ONLY difference I can tell is in the FMV. Either it's my TV producing better color, or the PS3 FMV has a distinctly more vivid image during cutscenes. 360's FMV still doesn't look bad, not like Gears of War or nothing.

Concerning the gameplay graphics. Initially, I thought I'd see a LOD (level of detail) discrepancy between the two, but alas, both versions scaled object detail according to distance, shadows included.

Sadly, they both appear to be using a blur effect, that gives the game this un-focused look about it. The effect also destroys texture clarity and fine separation between colors. On my Bravia HDTV the vibrance of color definitely makes the game look less dull and washed out.

Ultimately, until the final game releases, the two demos are remarkably similar. Even down to the slight hiccups in frame rate between scripted events, or sudden voice dialogue for the narrative.

A far better multi-plat than Bayonetta.

LimitedVertigo
LimitedVertigo
13 years ago

Your last sentence makes me VERY happy.

Dancemachine55
Dancemachine55
13 years ago

Nice review there Temjin,

after reading what you had to say, I might just DL this demo and check it out for myself.

Good work!!

LimitedVertigo
LimitedVertigo
13 years ago

Ben you forgot to mention Valkyria Chronicles 2 is now available for download. I suggest anyone with a PSP get it. Very little was lost in the transition from PS3 to PSP.

johnld
johnld
13 years ago

i kinda hate what they're doing with franchises like valkyria chronicles. it started of as a console game then they made it psp exclusive. i dont like gaming on small screens and dont want to waste money on a psp only to play a few games. thats just me. but now they're doing it to white knight chronicles too. they're going to release a prequel on the psp. the main games will be on ps3 but i still want to play the sequel because i loved the story. they better include this along with white knight chronicles 1 when they release white knight chronicles 2 or at least let it play on the ps3.

LimitedVertigo
LimitedVertigo
13 years ago

Well Sega was kinda forced into the platform switch after the 1st game sold so badly. It did terrible in its first year of release.

nerdyWisdom
nerdyWisdom
13 years ago

i downloaded Vanquish and Castle Crashers. i haven't tried CC yet.
but i think Vanquish was pretty good, before the demo i wasn't really interested in it. now i can't wait to get my hands on it.
and i love the music in the game too.

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
13 years ago

Gotta go have a lok, sounds like a decent store update.

In case anyone is interested I put up a review of FFVIII in the PS1 and PSP user reviews sections.

Oh, FFVIII is awesome BTW.

Temjin001
Temjin001
13 years ago

I might check it out. I just finished FF8 for the first time a few weeks ago.

Snaaaake
Snaaaake
13 years ago

The Vanquish demo was awesome, indeed Gears on crack.
But it can be a bit hard to get used to using the AR when everything is so fast.

Temjin001
Temjin001
13 years ago

Yeah, it takes some adjusting. Now that I'm acclimated to the pacing, I really dig the game. I'm glad that they put some good effort into the cover system maneuvers. It doesn't feel limiting or encumbering by being attached to cover.
I look forward to the full game.

___________
___________
13 years ago

just finished the vanquish demo and am both impressed and disappointed.
its better than what i was expecting, was impressive how much visual effects they have going onscreen at once, sparks, fire, bullets looks like battle ninja robots!
but, well, this was suppose to be a whole level so i was expecting it to be long.
since when do whole levels last for 10 minutes?
still wont be getting it, enslaved has that slot triple booked!
now, NT, a enslaved demo please!!!!!!!!!!

TEG3SH
TEG3SH
13 years ago

I cant help imagining vanquish with an online MP 🙁

JackC8
JackC8
13 years ago

I'm downloading all three at this very moment 🙂

bOnEs
bOnEs
13 years ago

i'm so excited to see theme hospital in the US store finally… easily one of the funnest games i played on PSone… it's been sitting in the european store for like a year, it's about damn time you put it in the US store!! thank you thank you thank you thank you tha…

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
13 years ago

I was thinking the same thing. I know what my next PS1 classic purchase is going to be.

Snaaaake
Snaaaake
13 years ago

I can't stop playing the Vanquish demo!!!!
And……….my wallet is crying………

Mista
Mista
13 years ago

I'll be downloading away once get home. Dwld Shank b4 I left this morn. Hopefully I have ne room w/o in installing something, I need to upgrade my HDD bad but thinking about just getting the move PS3 bundle when it drops. I'd rather get another PS3 and give my Fat 60 a rest as the main system. No probs from it so far but have notice some freezing lately. 🙁

just2skillf00l
just2skillf00l
13 years ago

Vanquish was pretty awesome! I don't think I'll get it full-priced but I'll definitely get it when it drops down to either $30-40. After being broke and starving through a desert-weathered summer, I think I'd do well to save up so this never happens again! God…my financial aid can't come any sooner. Just a few more weeks and I'll be home-free! Shank was cool too btw!

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