Ghost Rider: Running on Empty
March 2, 2007
The movie was terrible (except for Eva Mendes), and I’m afraid the game, which picks up where the movie leaves off, might be even worse.
I came across one reviewer who felt Ghost Rider (available for PSP, PS2, GBA) was nothing more than a poor man’s God of War. Another reviewer described playing Ghost Rider as “gaming hell” and “deserving of banishment.” Harsh? Indeed. Right on? Unfortunately.
In the game, Ghost Rider (not really that cool a character to begin with, in my estimation) must prevent archenemies (Mephisto, Blackheart) from unleashing hell on earth in a flimsy storyline, but instead of live action, cut scenes are portrayed in panels, which scroll along as if you’re reading a comic book. The game flips between on-foot and bike missions, both of which grow extremely tedious. The lone objective on foot is to eradicate demons - all of which are predictable and unintelligent - and collect souls.
Once you start playing, you may notice that Ghost Rider does play like God of War in some ways: Ghost Rider’s whip of his chain conjured up memories of Kratos flailing swords chained to his arms, the combo system (in which Ghost Rider uses a series of moves strung together to achieve maximum damage) is similar.
Also like God of War, Ghost Rider features a Vengeance meter, which fills as you successfully land attacks. Each level has an evil word associated with it, meaning you’ll earn rankings of Damned, then Condemned, Brutal, and all the rest that aren’t really worth mentioning. Keep the Vengeance meter filled through to the end of the level and you’ll get a bonus; you’ll also earn more souls and power for defeating enemies while holding a Vengeance ranking.
The enemy will occasionally arrive wearing a vengeance shield, which might be marked with the word Brutal. This means that no damage will be done unto that creature until the shield is shattered (by hitting it while the Vengeance meter stands at Brutal). But this gets tired pretty fast.
To earn higher vengeance rankings, you’ll have to constantly switch up attacks, eventually running through pretty much every combo in your possession, some of which might not be optimal for the enemy currently onscreen. And since the Vengeance meter resets when Ghost Rider takes a hit, tackling a couple higher-level shielded enemies at once can be a massive pain.
Ghost Rider’s Demon Charge strike destroys crowds of opponents with a swift blow. Ghost Rider can also employ retribution, which gives him a brief boost in speed and power, enabling you to inflict the Penance Stare, draining as many souls from foes as possible.
Bike levels help break up the ground action, but they’re too simple. You’ll spend almost all your time jumping over and sliding under obstacles while mowing down enemies. Boss battles are slightly entertaining, but rarely challenging.
While there’s certainly plenty of action, the dull, monotonous settings and boring sound design make it easy to slump into tedium, bashing away at enemies simply because they are there. So if you’re not sure whether to get Ghost Rider, I strongly advise you to ride onto a more worthwhile game.
Worldwide PSP-PS3 Connectivity
February 28, 2007
A few years ago, Sony’s then-head honcho Ken Kutaragi claimed that the PSP would become “the Walkman for the 21st Century.” Sure, PSP has shown a healthy sales total of 24.7 million units shipped worldwide at the end of 2006, but there’s still a lot of catching up to do to the Nintendo DS, which has already shipped 35 million units within roughly the same time frame. Although PSP sales have begun to gain momentum in closing the gap in recent months, a difference of 10 million units is still a formitable challenge.
Margaret Robertson of Edge (magazine) believes that the PSP’s numerous functions - the ability to play music, videos, films, and games - may have ironically had an adverse effect on sales: “[C]onsumers either fell into a category where they didn’t really want all of that or they were technologically savvy enough to have commitments to other mediums, particularly memory formats.”
Still, the Sony PSP has a few tricks up its sleeve in closing the handheld gap or even overtaking it, such as the impending release of a PSP camera and even GPS software. Jonathan Fargher of Sony Europe says next big project for the PSP will require the services of its big brother, as Sony intends to improve connectivity and integration with the PS3. Currently, users can access media on the PS3 with their PSPs from a range of up to 100 feet, but Sony is hoping to allow users the same access from any point in the world, provided that they’re within range of a wireless hotspot.
“If I have my MP3 Walkman or my iPod, or digital camera connected to PS3 then I can access those devices too,” Fargher stated. (I’m still not clear why you’d leave your iPod connected to your PS3.) Fargher also added that this feature may be available sometime within the next six months.
Konami Announces New Projects
February 2, 2007
Konami, at its recent Gamer’s Day, revealed two major new releases for the upcoming year: an original Wii and a remake of Castlevania: Rondo of Blood for PSP. Both games were announced without release dates but are expected in 2007.
Konami’s new Wii game, from Elebits producer Shingo Mukaitoge, was revealed to be Dewy’s Adventure, marking the second original IP from Konami for Nintendo’s Wii console.
Players are to use the Wii controller for nearly all of the in-game puzzle-solving and platforming interactions, such as tilting it to roll the titular Dewy character, a living water droplet, around his environment, using the d-pad to heat or cool Dewy to steam or ice, or fanning the controller to create gusts of wind.
The game will also include an edit mode in the same manner as Elebits, and will also make use of the Wii’s internet connectivity in a yet-unannounced way.
Konami also announced the long-anticipated official debut of its classic Castlevania franchise for the PSP with Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles. Unlike recent DS adventure originals, the first Castlevania PSP outing will be a remake of the PC Engine Super CD cult hit Akumajou Dracula X: Chi no Rondo, also known as Castlevania: Rondo of Blood. The PSP remake of Rondo is being done with fully 3D assets, but maintains the 2D perspective.
Also included in The Dracula X Chronicles will be a portable version of PlayStation classic Symphony of the Night, featuring a reworked localization and slightly reworked graphics, making it the second forthcoming release of the game, alongside the Xbox Live Arcade Version, which is also due soon.
Sony’s New Downloadable Movie Service for PSP
December 18, 2006
Following Microsoft’s lead, Sony is gearing up to launch downloadable movie content for the PSP, weeks after a similar service was launched for the Xbox 360 in North America, and apparently in opposition to Apple Computer’s iPod related service.
The new PSP movie download service will allow users to download a film to a PC (or presumably a PS3, although this is not specifically mentioned) and then to transfer it to the PSP, much in the manner of already announced emulated PlayStation games.
According the British newspaper The Financial Times, the service is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2007, following deals with various online video providers.
Several websites are reportedly currently in talks with Sony about 
the service, where the question of improved security against piracy is being promoted as a major benefit over iTunes and the iPod. The new service has been developed by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, not Sony Computer Entertainment.
A move of this kind has been predicted for some time, as the sales of movies and video content on UMDs have failed to live up to Sony’s expectations. To accompany the launch of the service, the company will make available a new 4Gb memory stick which will be able to store up to ten feature length movies.
Sony Stumbles Again
December 14, 2006
Fan Blog Exposed
After a PSP “fan blog” was exposed to be a promotional site actually set up by Sony, the company has come clean with the following statement:
“Busted. Nailed. Snagged. As many of you have figured out (maybe our speech was a little too funky fresh???), Peter isn’t a real hip-hop maven and this site was actually developed by Sony. Guess we were trying to be just a little too clever. From this point forward, we will just stick to making cool products, and use this site to give you nothing but the facts on the PSP.”
This statement comes after swiftly-removed comments left in their hundreds on the blog expressed the readers’ displease with Sony’s ‘hip’ promotional effort.
Other gamers (yours truly) who’ve never stumbled across this PSP blog are wondering if this mea culpa is nothing more than sensationalized promotion. Hmmm…
More Delays for PS3 in Europe
Sony’s head of Worldwide Studios Phil Harrison said in an interview that he wouldn’t like to make any definitive statements PS3’s March ’07 European launch, but Sony quickly followed that up with a re-confirmation that PS3 is on track for March, 2007 across Europe.
High-placed industry sources see April as a more realistic launch time, but others say that a PS3 delay as far back as September, 2007 is now far more likely, pointing the finger of delay at “component shortages.” No surprise there.
“We’re 100 percent on track for a March release,” a UK Sony spokesman has said. Déjà vu all over again.
Sony Announces PlayStation Downloads
October 30, 2006
On Saturday, Sony revealed what downloads will be available through the PlayStation Store on November 11th, as well as downloads that will be out by the end of the year. In addition, Sony said it plans to add 10 PS1 titles each month, none of which are projected to carry a price tag of more than $14.99.
Blast Factor, flOw, Lemmings, Kazuo, Puzzle, and Mainichi Issho will all be available by the end of the year; all are downloadable. All of the games, not incuding Mainichi Issho, will have free demos from day one. Blast Factor and Minichi Issho will be available as full game downloads on the 11th, and, other than Minichi Issho, which will be free, no other prices have been announced at this time.
Ridge Racer 7 is the only confirmed game demo for November 11th, and Motorstorm will be up on the 17th. Both will be free.
In November, Sony will also begin offering PS1 games to download off the store. These games will only be playable on a PSP until the emulators are available, but once they are, one download of any given title will allow it to be played on both the PS3 system and the PSP. These are the first PS1 titles to be available:
Resident Evil Director’s Cut
Konami Antiques MSX Collection Vol.1
Konami Antiques MSX Collection Vol.2
Bishi Bashi Special
Arc the Lad (pictured)
Jumping Flash
Minna no Golf 2
Silent Bomber
Tekken 2
Mister Driller
Recalls and PS3 Start-up Hit Sony in the Pocket
October 26, 2006
Due to fallout from its global laptop battery recall and start-up costs for the PS3, Sony has announced the company’s fiscal results for the three months ending September 30th, showing an expected poor result. The company’s group net profit for the quarter was $14.3 million, 
down from $240.2 million at the same time last year. The recall of 9.6 million batteries alone cost the company $429.9 million, preventing Sony from enjoying any benefit from an 8% rise in sales to $15.59 billion. Research and development, manufacturing, and marketing costs in connection to the PS3 launch contributed heavily to Sony’s games division reporting a $366.6 million loss; operating revenue were down by 20.5% (to $1.43 billion).
PS2 and PSP prices were dropped due to a decrease in hardware sales worldwide. Software sales also decreased overall, even though PSP sales were up on the previous year. Worldwide hardware shipments during the quarter were put at 5.02 million for the PlayStation 2 (up 0.01 million) and 3.89 million for the PSP (up 0.14 million). The company recently cut its shipment targets for the PSP from 12 to 9 million. Software shipments for the PS2 were 47 million units (down from 50 million) and 12.9 million units (up from 9 million) for the PSP. These poor results have forced Sony to revise its fiscal year profit forecasts up to March 2007, down 38% $674 million, a decrease of 35% on fiscal 2005 results. Sales, are expected to increase by 10% to $69.34 billion.
Legal Woes With Sony Shut Down Lik-Sang
October 24, 2006
Lik-sang, the Hong Kong gaming retailer and video game importer, has been forced to shut down after multiple legal actions were brought against it by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Sony claimed the retailer and importer infringed PSP trade marks, copyright, and registered design rights by selling the handheld from Asia to European customers. Sony recently obtained a judgment in the High Court of London, England, rendering Lik-Sang’s sales of PSP unlawful.
Posted on Lik-Sang’s web site in a press release was the following: “As of today, Lik-Sang.com will not be in the position to accept any new orders and will cancel and refund all existing orders that have already been placed. Furthermore, Lik-Sang is working closely with banks and PayPal to refund any store credits held by the company, and the customer support department is taking care of any open transactions such as pending RMAs or repairs and shipping related matters. The staff of Lik-Sang will make sure that nobody will get hurt in the crossfire of this ordeal.”
“Today is Sony Europe[’s] victory about PSP, tomorrow is Sony Europe’s ongoing pressure about PlayStation 3. With this precedent set, next week could already be the stage for complaints from Sony America about the same thing, or from other console manufacturers about other consoles to other regions, or even from any publisher about any specific software title to any country they don’t see fit,” said Pascal Clarysse, former marketing manager of Lik-sang. “Blame it on Sony. That’s the latest dark spot in their shameful track record as gaming industry leader. The Empire finally ‘won’; a few dominating retailers from the UK probably will rejoice the news, but everybody else in the gaming world lost something today.”
Scarface: The World Is Yours Preview
September 26, 2006
Remember at the end of Scarface (the movie) when Sosa’s guys ambush Tony Montana and shot him about a thousand times? Well, Scarface: The World Is Yours picks up here. That tough bastard lived. He’s pissed off and wants everything back immediately. You play as Tony Montana, who has been recreated masterfully for this game. The voice, though not Al Pacino’s, is dead-on, and Tony is as power-hungry and fearless as ever. And no, this game is definitely not suited for the kiddies.
The game’s hidden agenda seems to be for you, as Tony, to “shoot, kill, taunt.” After blasting through an enemy gang, hit the B button and listen to Tony unleash a profanity-laden insult. This is the Taunt feature, which is not restricted to post-kill situations. Press the button at any time and Tony will have something to say. If you’re walking in the road and a car whizzes past, bumping Tony on the way, or if some slouch is looking at you the wrong way, hit B and Tony will tell set it straight. There’s also a feature referred to as Balls Points. Every time Tony’s mouth lets loose, you accumulate points. The culmination of these points is Blind Rage mode, which comes in handy when your health is low and you’re in hot water. During Blind Rage mode (not just a clever name), you assume a first-person view, you have unlimited ammo, and you go completely bananas!
Like that in the movie, success the game’s seedy drug underworld depends on respect, reputation, and all-around drug kingpin savvy. The game quantifies your reputation for your drug business dealings, and playing as Tony allows you to blow cash on boats, cars, henchmen, drivers, and assassins (who refuse to kill innocent people). And then there are the cops. The amount of heat you draw as you rise to the top of the drug game depends on your (surprise, surprise) Cop Heat meter. It’s important - and very pricy- to pay off the Vice to keep this meter down, as too much heat will anger the Feds, who will chase and shoot at you relentlessly, thus ending your game. Otherwise, a cop can be bribed or run from, which will definitely raise your Cop Heat status.
The game also features a very cool “Mix tape” feature that lets gamers create their own music compilations. You can listen to just the original film score by Giorgio Moroder, popular hits from the 80’s, contemporary songs, or a mix. Pre-made mixes are by genre and time period – rock, hip-hop, reggae, reggaeton, Latin, and country. The artists featured are awesome: Johnny Cash, Debbie Harry, Pit Bull, Rick James, Judas Priest, Grandmaster Flash, Burning Spear, Iggy Pop, Public Enemy, Run DMC, and Peter Tosh. Lending their vocal talents to the game are James Woods, Michael Rappaport, Ice T, Oliver Platt, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Joy Mohr, Roma Maffia, Cheech Marin, Tonny Chong, Ricky Gervais, Tommy Lee, Anthony Anderson, Kevin Dillon and Jerry Ferrara from Entourage, Bam Margera, and Cypress Hill’s Sen Dog and B. Real, among others.
Originally scheduled for relase yesterday, Scarface: The World Is Yours will be available on October 8 for Xbox, PS2, PSP, and PC.
A Quick Look at “Family Guy”
September 5, 2006
2K Games’ Family Guy successfully delivers the beloved animated series to PSP, PS2 and Xbox. The game boasts the vocal talents of Seth McFarlane, Seth Green, Mila Kunis and Alex Borstein, as well as the show’s entire writing staff. As you’ll see, the writers are uninhibited by TV broadcast restraints and took advantage of it. Oh yeah, it’s on.
As part of the game’s ”interactive comedy” format, there is no single grand plot, just a series of intersecting storylines starring Peter, Stewie and Brian, each embarking on his own mission. Peter seeks revenge on Mr. Belvedere (yes, the guy from the sitcom), whom he thinks is responsible for destroying his satellite dish and therefore ruining Peter’s Mr. Belvedere marathon. From there, Peter either gobbles up or smashes pretty much everything in sight. The dish was really destroyed by Bertram, whom Stewie (equipped with his favorite laser gun and mind control helmet) battles throughout the game for control of the world. Finally, Brian must clear his name after being wrongly assuced of impregnating Seabreeze and find the real culprit.
As the game progresses, you switch from character to character, and the gameplay itself involves combat, stealth and problem-solving. Plus, over 200 characters from the show make cameos in the game, including Herbert the old pedophile, the sex-crazed Quagmire, finger-sucking Opie and the evil monkey. Family Guy will be available for PSP, PS2 and Xbox on October 23, 2006.
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