For anyone wondering, the move controls in Festival of Blood are good. It took me maybe 30 minutes to adjust to them, but after that I had an easier time using them than I did with the dualshock controls in Infamous 1 and 2. The game is short, shouldn't take more than 5 hours if you want all of the trophies, or 3-4 if you just want to finish the game. I think the game could've been better than what they came up with, but I'm not disappointed considering it was only $10. Don't go into it thinking it'll be longer, as there's no way they were going to make it a 10+ hour game at $10.

Apologies, but I'm a bit behind most of you.

Originally Posted by uncle5555 Okabu - Art direction is awesome and quirky looking, but after the second take the guy to the cannon to open the door piece, I was like this game and deleted it (this is based on not knowing what it was about to begin with). To say the least we weren't off to a good start.

I lasted longer than you did, but the controls? Ugh. Some good ideas with lots of horrible all around it. Also, not being able to cancel lots of the speech balloons/directions was irritating. I got the point, thanks. Let me play. They really want $10 for this? I don't think I'd bother if it were a Plus freebie.

Originally Posted by uncle5555 Beat Hazard Ultra - Sorry Frisky, this game was not THE shit, it was just shit. There are much better twin stick shooters out there to be had and with all of the it "plays your music" hype

It's not just you. I love twin stick shooters. I love music-related games. I don't get this. I didn't have any music on my PS3, so it used its own track. You'd think that would be good. It was average, and I didn't really see how the music influenced the game beyond some cosmetics. Light gfx are nice, but the ships and asteroids...yuck. Some unexplained/unseen deaths.

Can someone explain the appeal? I either hear this is awesome sauce or it sucks, and it just seems very...there to me.

Also tried Eufloria today. Oh hey...I remember this from before it had a name and was a PC download or website (I forget which). I liked it then, but the control scheme! Aaugh! Horrible! Horrible! I spent the whole time battling the controls since they were so unintuitive. I did like the variable dial select for counting your troops, but everything else seemed like it was designed to be obtuse.

I can't tell if I'm jaded and/or grumpy, but not feeling these.

Thinking of getting Mighty Flip Champs because at least *this* store will put it on sale. And I have $2 in my wallet.

Originally Posted by Fell Open Ian I'd love to hear back from you on that. Specifically about the amount of content and how the user generated stuff works both from a creation and consumption standpoint. Thanks.

If you want me too, I will still post my impressions / answers to your questions, since Cheapy seems to have covered most of what you asked. (I'm at 40% d/l'ed now, my dsl isn't as fast as it could be...sigh, will have it by the weekend for sure)

Anyone know if Flower has ever been on sale? I thought it was pretty fun (and nice looking) for a screw around game, but $10 was steeper than I wanted for a game to sit back, relax and play with no pressures involved to just enjoy the gfx and music.

Originally Posted by blandstalker I can't tell if I'm jaded and/or grumpy, but not feeling these.

Nice to know I'm not alone in my tastes with some of these games (like Frisky said different strokes), I'll keep posting my impressions on things if people want a different opinion on things (if I have time) and if there is interest.

Flower was on sale during Christmas the year before last for $5 I believe. Passed on it at the time, assuming it would go on sale again...

Originally Posted by uncle5555 If you want me too, I will still post my impressions / answers to your questions, since Cheapy seems to have covered most of what you asked. (I'm at 40% d/l'ed now, my dsl isn't as fast as it could be...sigh, will have it by the weekend for sure) Anyone know if Flower has ever been on sale? I thought it was pretty fun (and nice looking) for a screw around game, but $10 was steeper than I wanted for a game to sit back, relax and play with no pressures involved to just enjoy the gfx and music. Nice to know I'm not alone in my tastes with some of these games (like Frisky said different strokes), I'll keep posting my impressions on things if people want a different opinion on things (if I have time) and if there is interest.

I know I bought it when it was on sale for $5 way back. But I dont think it was christmas time, I think I got it during one of their summer or spring sales.

Originally Posted by wrencrest I know I bought it when it was on sale for $5 way back. But I dont think it was christmas time, I think I got it during one of their summer or spring sales.

Flower went on sale during their first Spring sale which was a long time ago. Google says Spring 2009. I got it then.

Google also says it was on sale in November of 2009. That looks like the last time.

$10 does seem steep - I was happy with $5 - but it remains one of my favorite PSN games. The only reasons I would hesitate to recommend it at $10 would be that it's short and it's probably due for a sale. But, shortness aside, I do replay it, which is more than I can say for other titles.

Originally Posted by uncle5555 Nice to know I'm not alone in my tastes with some of these games (like Frisky said different strokes), I'll keep posting my impressions on things if people want a different opinion on things (if I have time) and if there is interest.

Why wouldn't we? There are usually fewer reviews available for downloadable games, so the more opinions, the more informed we are as
consumers.

Incidentally:
Beat Hazard Ultra currently has one Metacritic review from IGN: 50/5.0
Okabu has 18 reviews and an average of 56

There's also a bonus Halloween theme this week. It's listed on the video store as well for some reason.

Looks like the CinemaNow app is live in the media section of the PS Store. It seems like it's similar to Vudu, but owned by Best Buy and also has TV shows.

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Hydrophobia Prophecy is a free game for plus subs in November.

Originally Posted by coolz481 Flower was on sale during Christmas the year before last for $5 I believe. Passed on it at the time, assuming it would go on sale again...

Originally Posted by wrencrest I know I bought it when it was on sale for $5 way back. But I dont think it was christmas time, I think I got it during one of their summer or spring sales.

Originally Posted by blandstalker Flower went on sale during their first Spring sale which was a long time ago. Google says Spring 2009. I got it then. Google also says it was on sale in November of 2009. That looks like the last time. $10 does seem steep - I was happy with $5 - but it remains one of my favorite PSN games. The only reasons I would hesitate to recommend it at $10 would be that it's short and it's probably due for a sale. But, shortness aside, I do replay it, which is more than I can say for other titles. Why wouldn't we? There are usually fewer reviews available for downloadable games, so the more opinions, the more informed we are as consumers. Incidentally: Beat Hazard Ultra currently has one Metacritic review from IGN: 50/5.0 Okabu has 18 reviews and an average of 56

Thanks all for the info on Flower, guess that must have been during my PSN blackout when I didn't have a broadband internet connection for over a year, still nice to know it might happen again.

I'll put my mini-reviews up when I get a whim to do so and have time, and I see I'm pretty on target with the critics (how much ever that's worth to anyone) for a few of those games.

My main reason for not continuing was because of some complaints, I'm more than happy to take some constructive criticism, but some things were getting a bit personal and I felt it wasn't worth it if I had to endure that.

But due to the requests, I'll put them up as I said given time and interest (like everyone else too many games to play and not enough time to play them). Should get to play Infamous FoB tonight and will post back my thoughts by the weekend as requested.

I picked up Infamous FoB and Chrono Trigger this week. I was really excited for Infamous, but the game is sooo short. Like, two hours or less short... I beat it in about 90 minutes. It's nice that they made a couple of those sweet looking motion comic cutscenes for it but overall there's not a whole lot to the story, hell two of the missions you play are UGC missions. The gameplay is still good and the new bat swarm move is cool but there just isn't much of anything to do. The UGC seems to be improved a good bit, it looks like now you can make comic-esque panels to tell your story instead of just putting text on the screen. The UGC can add a bit to the replayability but if it is anything like the rest of the game, you're only given a section of the entire game world to play in, which can kinda suck.

I probably won't get to CT for a while, not until I get a Vita I'd imagine, but I tried it really quick and was disappointed to see that despite a positive outlook that the game's loading issues might be alleviated now that it is no longer a disc-based game that there are still some rather nasty load times for menus, entering new areas, going into battle, etc.

Originally Posted by CheapyD Played a few hours of Infamous: FoB and am very impressed. For $8-$10, you can't go wrong. Love the vampire stuff. So far, the game makes you play some of the Sucker Punch created UGC, and you don't earn the ability to create your own until you finish 5 UGC missions (I think). I might be wrong about what you need to unlock the UGC creation tools, but it definitely needs to be unlocked.

You might have to beat the game to unlock the UGC tools, because after you complete the game the full compliment of UGC missions become available. The UGC missions continue the story after the game's ending. The game is awesome. I wish I didn't have to complete 20 UGC missions to get th trophy though.

Originally Posted by wrencrest Hydrophobia Prophecy is a free game for plus subs in November.

Awesome!! Excited to see these hyped up and improved water effects

Originally Posted by iamsmart I picked up Infamous FoB and Chrono Trigger this week. I was really excited for Infamous, but the game is sooo short. Like, two hours or less short... I beat it in about 90 minutes. It's nice that they made a couple of those sweet looking motion comic cutscenes for it but overall there's not a whole lot to the story, hell two of the missions you play are UGC missions. The gameplay is still good and the new bat swarm move is cool but there just isn't much of anything to do. The UGC seems to be improved a good bit, it looks like now you can make comic-esque panels to tell your story instead of just putting text on the screen. The UGC can add a bit to the replayability but if it is anything like the rest of the game, you're only given a section of the entire game world to play in, which can kinda suck. I probably won't get to CT for a while, not until I get a Vita I'd imagine, but I tried it really quick and was disappointed to see that despite a positive outlook that the game's loading issues might be alleviated now that it is no longer a disc-based game that there are still some rather nasty load times for menus, entering new areas, going into battle, etc.

Originally Posted by Thomas96 You might have to beat the game to unlock the UGC tools, because after you complete the game the full compliment of UGC missions become available. The UGC missions continue the story after the game's ending. The game is awesome. I wish I didn't have to complete 20 UGC missions to get th trophy though.

Thanks for the imput on the InFamous DLC. I have been thinking about buying it and I was wondering how it was. I've played the first game and really enjoyed it. Been waiting for a cheap ass deal before picking up the second one.

I went ahead and bought Festival of Blood as well and I'm really enjoying it. (would've finished it in one sitting were it not for someone showing up with a PC to fix)

My only real gripe is that it feels a bit slap-dash or rather since we now have the same basic tools that they use it feels like a B-Team put it together in the UGC editor. Now don't get me wrong it's still great fun and more than worth the $10 but some of the placement and triggers and whatnot suffer from clunky implementation.

Also I fired it up on my nephew's SDTV and the new cutscenes were clearly never tested in 480i as the text runs off the screen.

For anyone who digs the series or maybe even skipped 2 like Cheapy this is a must buy. It's short and sweet and the powers are rad the end.

Once you upgrade the Vampire Vision it becomes this awesome ebb and flow of flying around collecting blood jars and I really dug that bit

Anyone know when the new Sony remote that will control TV's also so will come out? My original TV remote has the input button no longer working, my old XBox remote from the HD-DVD drive will control the TV except for input, and the new XBox remote will control the TV except for channel up/down so looking to the new Sony remote to save me.

Sony told Joystiq it comes out in late October but there's no listing for it on Amazon/Gamestop.

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/...-new-releases/

The Drop for this week:

PlayStation Network Pinballistik (PSN Exclusive) – Start the Pinballistik experience off with Circle the Wagons. Mosey on down to the saloon or pay a visit to the can-can dancers. Make sure to finish loading that revolver before your opponent, then take aim and FIRE! Pinball has never been this intense. Pinballistik will launch with day-one DLC tables Sector X and Made of Money. This lets you pick and choose the tables you want to download. Don’t worry about the price: each additional game pack is only $2.99. Hydrophobia Prophecy (PS Move Compatible) – Hydrophobia: Prophecy is the ultimate version of this chilling action-adventure game set onboard a floating city. The game utilizes the revolutionary HydroEngine technology to place you inside the flooding lower decks of the Queen of the World. Flowing water behaves completely realistically, creating a chaotic, dangerous and ever-changing environment. Duck behind floating cover and unleash floating oil fires, electricity and the power of the water to wipe out the enemy, Use every tool at your disposal to survive and escape the rising waters and discover the terrifying truth of the Malthusian prophecy. Mortal Kombat VS DC Universe – For the first time ever Scorpion, Sub Zero and the warriors from Midway’s billion-dollar fighting franchise face off against Batman, Superman and other iconic and powerful DC Super Heroes, featuring signature attacks for both sides and a unique and intertwining storyline, written as a collaboration between the Mortal Kombat creative team and top comic scribes Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray. Choose your side and challenge your opponents with a new fighting system including Freefall Kombat and Klose Kombat along with dynamic multi-tiered environments. Plus, pick your favorite character from MK or DCU and pursue a fighting adventure in the new single player mode with an intertwined storyline and two unique perspectives. Hasbro Family Game Night – Hasbro Family Game Night is an a-la-carte release — gamers can download the main Hasbro Family Game Night application and then pick which one of the many Hasbro games they wish to download and play. The initial download is free, and users can play trial versions of the digital board games to help find the ones they want to buy. Max & The Magic Marker (Demo Available) – Max & the Magic Marker is a physics based 2D platform game, in which the player controls the boy Max and his Magic Marker. While Max enables good old platforming fun, the marker pro­vides the game’s signature feature: the ability for the player to draw directly inside the game world where everything drawn becomes physical objects. This feature is used to complete levels and overcome challenges but it also provides the player with a unique tool that in itself is fun to play around with. Demos Medieval Moves: Deadmunds Quest Saints Row: The Third (Initiation Station) Happy Feet 2 PSone Japan Imports Arcade Hits: Magical Drop Dezaemon Kids! PS2 Classics Harvest Moon: Save the Homeland – Harvest Moon: Save the Homeland takes the popular series in a whole new direction, offering a deeper and more robust role-playing experience. It might be best described as a ‘Life Simulation’. Raiden III – Raiden III for PlayStation 2 is a port of the classic arcade shooter, complete with a stage select mode that lets you replay stages once you’ve cleared them. The series has transitioned from its 2D roots to 3D, creating lush environments, devastating explosions and countless enemies, without a drop in frame-rate. Two players can play together to push back the invading forces, just like in the arcade! Bloodrayne – As the vampiric agent BloodRayne, you’ll travel through the eerie swamps of Louisiana, to Argentina and Germany in this battle-heavy, third-person thriller. The game features non-linear gameplay in more than 40 levels and three massive worlds, the ability to suck blood for health, and to use slow-motion, zoom and aura visions to aid in death dealing. Pull off fantastic acrobatic moves to bend the environment to your will and dispatch enemies with BloodRayne’s blades and kicks for awesome in-your-face combat. minis Fighting Fantasy: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain

A good tip for Festival of Blood if you want to quickly get through the 20 UGC missions to satisfy your inner trophy whore:

Go to Search under the UGC menu and search for Assassination then just add any/all missions with that exact name to your queue.

The majority of them have you killing an enemy called The Speaker which is just a guy usually perched on top of an umbrella and can be zapped from the rooftop where all of the UGC missions start.

A couple of people have rigged their versions to be extremely difficult so if you get insta-killed while attempting it just abandon it and it'll remove it from your queue.

Each one takes about 10 seconds to complete so have fun you filthy trophy whores!

Originally Posted by Fell Open Ian A good tip for Festival of Blood if you want to quickly get through the 20 UGC missions to satisfy your inner trophy whore: Go to Search under the UGC menu and search for Assassination then just add any/all missions with that exact name to your queue. The majority of them have you killing an enemy called The Speaker which is just a guy usually perched on top of an umbrella and can be zapped from the rooftop where all of the UGC missions start. A couple of people have rigged their versions to be extremely difficult so if you get insta-killed while attempting it just abandon it and it'll remove it from your queue. Each one takes about 10 seconds to complete so have fun you filthy trophy whores!

Yeah that's the same method I used to get the trophy. I honestly never liked the UGC aspect of Infamous 2 and it's not much better this time around either, most of the missions I tried weren't very good so I'd rather use the fastest method possible to get the trophy. I also thought it was kinda lazy/sloppy for them to make you play 2 (I think it was 2, could've been more?) UGC missions to advance the story.. I think you can skip them though if you decline the user agreement or if you're not connected online.

Originally Posted by Fell Open Ian A good tip for Festival of Blood if you want to quickly get through the 20 UGC missions to satisfy your inner trophy whore: Go to Search under the UGC menu and search for Assassination then just add any/all missions with that exact name to your queue. The majority of them have you killing an enemy called The Speaker which is just a guy usually perched on top of an umbrella and can be zapped from the rooftop where all of the UGC missions start. A couple of people have rigged their versions to be extremely difficult so if you get insta-killed while attempting it just abandon it and it'll remove it from your queue. Each one takes about 10 seconds to complete so have fun you filthy trophy whores!

That's exactly what I did to get the trophy