PlayStation Update for January 28th includes Tomb Raider update for PS4, Final Fantasy sale, free Smart As on Vita

The new Tomb Raider update for PlayStation 4 finally hits stores, PlayStation Plus subscribers get a game that will test their intelligence, and the expected Final Fantasy sale hits the United States in this edition of the PlayStation Update.


Image credit: Flickr

First, here's all the new releases this week for all the PlayStation platforms both at retail and PS stores.

PS4

• Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition - $59.99 (Digital / Retail)

Vita

• Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z - $31.99 (Digital; PS+ launch price)

PS3

• Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z - $59.99 (Digital / Retail)

Digital only

• Cyber Sled - PSone Classic
• The Firemen 2: Pete & Danny - PSone Import
• Mark Davis Pro Bass Challenge - PS2 Classic

It's disappointing to see that the TR update is released at full price. The game is only 10 months old, but graphical upgrades don't justify bringing up the price to full retail when this same game can be found everywhere for about $20 or less since last fall. At the very least, Square Enix could have given those that purchased the game on PS3 a discount.

At least the PS4 houses the definitive TR: Definitive Edition.

Also, a potential steal is here for both Dragon Ball Z fans and Vita owners. There hasn't been much national buzz on the game, but there can't be much sacrifice on the Vita version that will sit at nearly half the retail price of the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions on Tuesday for PlayStation Plus subscribers.

Image credit: Flickr

Speaking of the PS+, here's the full list of Final Fantasy games on sale beginning Tuesday. This is the same sale that began a while back in Europe. All the old FF games are nine dollars are less; those that are thinking of getting Final Fantasy XIV should also note that both standard and collector's editions are on a massive sale. Both retail at $40 and $60, respectively.

• Final Fantasy Origins - $5.39
• Final Fantasy III - $8.99
• Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection - $8.99
• Final Fantasy V - $5.39
• Final Fantasy IX - $5.39
• Final Fantasy XIII-2 - $8.99
• Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn (Collector's Edition) - $32.39
• Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn (Standard Edition) - $21.59
• Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions - $4.49
• Dissidia Final Fantasy - $8.99
• Dissidia Duodecim Final Fantasy - $8.99

Usually a FF sale hits annually, and it's a good time for those that like to complete collections or are looking for a long RPG to make the winter months shorter. The highest recommendations: FF IV, FF IX, and Tactics for those that enjoy the strategy elements; War of the Lions is a PSP re-release of the PS original.

This week's free game in the Instant Game Collection for PS+ subscribers is Smart As. From the PlayStation Blog:

Join the brain gaming revolution! Use cutting-edge touch, tilt and camera controls to prove how smart you are in the first ever socially networked brain game on PS Vita. Solve math, memory, logic and word puzzles, crack augmented reality challenges and sharpen your rapid-fire reflexes to storm up the online leaderboards and show off your scores to the world via Facebook and Twitter.

Finally, here are a couple of other discounts:

• Curve Studios Mega Bundle - $13.49
• Ethan Meteor Hunter - $4.89

I don't know about any of those games, nor do I have an opinion. Have a great week!

Final Fantasy X HD Remake Will Feature Limited Edition on PS3, Vita Details Later

Square Enix's HD remakes of both Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2, or up-conversions to be more precise, will be getting the limited edition treatment.

If the game is pre-ordered at any retail store like Amazon or GameStop that has the "Limited Edition" title after the name, those purchases will feature a couple of bonuses.

"We’re offering you several pieces of original concept art from the early development phases of FINAL FANTASY X and X-2 over ten years ago," said Square Enix's marketing coordinator, Luke Icenhower, on the PlayStation Blog, "lovingly bound in a beautiful 24-page art book package.

"FINAL FANTASY X|X-2 HD Remaster will be available on PS3 for $39.99 and includes the original FINAL FANTASY X and FINAL FANTASY X-2 from PlayStation 2, on the same disc and remastered in gorgeous High Definition. These are based on the International Versions of the game which were previously only released in Japan and Europe, and you won’t have to wait long because it’s coming to you soon!"

Unfortunately, soon didn't give us an exact release date. Retailers still have the placeholder date of "December 31st, 2013."

The bundle is a great addition to give people a reason to buy these classics in the Final Fantasy series, especially with no increase in price for the limited edition. I would love to pick it up since I haven't played either game, but I would rather pick up the PlayStation Vita version.

It's disappointing that no information on the Vita release was given. Icenhower didn't even mention it until replying to comments later in the post. No offense to indie gaming, but with a lack of triple-A titles coming to the Vita, at least a remake of a previous classic would be something to boast.

If the limited edition spreads to the Vita version, count me in for one at launch, but I'd be surprised if it did. The lack of support by Sony shouldn't give any incentive for third-party publishers to do much more than launch a title on the handheld system just like throwing money on scratch-off tickets, and just grazing the card to see if there's any results.

[Source: PlayStation Blog]

[Image credit: Flickr/Magda Stremeski]