Gamescom 2014: 'Tearaway Unfolded' headed to PS4 in 2015

An enhanced version of the former PlayStation Vita exclusive, Tearaway, is coming to PlayStation 4.

Sony announced during their Gamescom 2014 press conference that the new Tearaway would be coming to the new console sometime next year. From Polygon:

Tearaway Unfolded is an expanded version of the original game and will feature 1080p, 60fps and new capabilities. Players will use the DualShock 4 controller to interact with the game's world by flicking or poking the touchpad, using the light bar to interact with the world or shaking the controller.

The news comes as a bit of a mixed bag. While it's great to see an update to Tearaway, it also gives another reason for gamers not to even bother with Sony's handheld system. There's already zero first-party development going into it at the moment, and the only thing that's thriving on the system is the indie community.

Still, the update is welcomed and for those that haven't played Tearaway -- well, if you have a Vita, why wouldn't you have it? And if you don't, you'll be treated to a fantastic game. The game has received high praise across the board and features a score of 87 over at Metacritic.

Tearaway is developed by Media Molecule, the same developers who created the LittleBigPlanet franchise, and it is published by Sony.

Photo from Flickr

PlayStation Plus Update for New Year's Eve: IGC adds Urban Trial Freestyle, but no sales

There are no scheduled sales for PlayStation games this week, but the Urban Trial Freestyle will be added to the Instant Game Collection for Vita owners.


UTF is, for the most part, a clone of the Xbox 360 exclusive, Trials HD. It's developed by Tate Interactive and was released back in February this year on both PlayStation 3 and Vita.

Don't expect a full-fledged adventure in the stunt-bike game. While Chris Carter at Destructoid had some fun with it and didn't become frustrated playing the game, some points were a bit tedious.

You'll trek across 40 levels, and unlock five minigames as you complete each set of stages. Well,technically there are 40 levels, but you replay the same maps multiple times to complete either the stunt or timed requirements. Fundamentally, the way you approach the repeat level is different, given the varying requirements for each set of parameters, but the repetition of exact maps is still somewhat jarring.

Interestingly enough, both games are nearly identical on PS3 and Vita, but they don't support cross-play or cross-buy for those that happen to have the console edition already.

That wraps it up for the PS+ update this week. According to the PlayStation Blog, there are no new sales this week. Don't forget that this is the last week to pick up Contrast on PS4 and GRID 2 on PS3.

Image credit: Flickr

PlayStation Plus Updates (7-16): Free Jet Set Radio, Pre-Order Discounts

A lot of updates are in store for PlayStation Plus members when the store updates later today. This week's free game is the classic Jet Set Radio, along with six games getting discounts.

The instant game collection will add the PS3 version of Jet Set Radio, which shouldn't be confused with the Vita version that was free in the instant game collection earlier this year. Both games are nearly identical, but the advantage of making this remake look fabulous on the Vita's screen and with it being an actually great game to play on the road, those who subscribed to the service earlier got the better deal on Vita.

Here's the big list of games that received a discount, including four games that aren't even released yet. All pre-orders are 20% off their regular price:

• DuckTales Remastered (PS3)  - $11.99 (Release date: Aug 13th)
• Stealth Inc.: A Clone in the Dark (PS3/Vita cross buy) - $7.99 (Release date: July 23rd)
• Cloudberry Kington (PS3) - $7.99 (Release date: July 30th)
• ibb & obb (PS3) - $7.99 (Release date: Aug 6th)
• Sorcery (PS3, Move required) - $5.00 (50 percent off)
• Carnival Island (PS3, Move required) - $5.00 (50 percent off)

Outside of the new DuckTales game, I don't have any idea what those other games are, but those that find them intriguing should pick them up cheap while they have time.

Neither of the Move games are really must buys, but perhaps both of them for $10 can justify your purchase of the motion-controlled add on that you bought years ago. There's certainly a lot worse Move games out there, and let's not bring up all the shovelware on the Wii.

[Source: PlayStation Blog]

[Image credit: Flickr/Javier Dominguez Ferreiro]

Killzone: Mercenary Release Date Pushed Forward

Sony's push for more PlayStation Vita content continues with announcing one of their major titles being released one week earlier.

Killzone: Mercenary is now set for a September 10th release date in North America on the Vita. Preorder content includes a double XP boost for 48 hours in multiplayer, similar to Killzone 3's release, and enough bonus money to buy another weapon before playing multiplayer.

After a disastrous start to the first-person shooter genre on the Vita, K:M has a lot to live up to. Both of last year's releases, Resistance: Burning Skies and Call of Duty: Black Ops - Declassified, were failures on the handheld.

Resistance failed with boring gameplay and a quick single-player campaign, basically "Resistance Lite" on the go with a playable multiplayer. COD was worse and failed at everything, most of it feeling like a rushed project.

With the handheld receiving more push by Sony, bigger franchises need to succeed and separate Vita from a typical Android mobile device. There's nothing wrong with the indie gaming push; it feels great to play those games with actual buttons. But casual consumers won't consider purchasing a separate $200-plus device to play games that can also be done on their smartphones.

[Source: PlayStation Blog]

Atomic Ninjas Coming to PlayStation Network this Summer

The indie gaming surge continues on PlayStation with the announcement of an exclusive title coming to both PlayStation 3 and Vita next season.

Grip Games will be releasing their latest game, Atomic Ninjas, this fall. Here's a description directly from Jakup Mikyska, CEO of Grip Games, on the PlayStation Blog:

So, what’s this all about, you ask? Atomic Ninjas is 2.5D multiplayer platformer with ninjas. You will control super-powered ninjas in frantic online matches against other players, with tons of charm and humor. If the Fat Princess and Crash Commando had a child, it would be Atomic Ninjas (though the idea is a bit disturbing, no?).

It isn't an all-out brawl that involves ninjas trying to kill each other with swords. Atomic Ninjas will involve strategy to beat your opponent via use of the environment. The blog details different traps and falling objects can be used to defeat your opponent.

A variety of modes will be available, making players choose between working individual or as a team in each of them. There doesn't seem to be any sort of story mode, but there is an option to play single-player offline with bots instead of the main multiplayer. Multiple players can play at one time on the same console with split-screen.

In the same vein as Grip Games other projects, like Fat Princess, the game will feature slapstick humor along with a vivid look to the game. Personality and fun will be its biggest selling point, not so much the technical specifications.

Atomic Ninjas will be released this Summer with no exact date announced. Even though it wasn't announced, the game looks to be cross-play between the PS3 and Vita.

[Photo credit: Flickr/Nuno Luciano]