PS Fanboy Week in Review: 1/28

PS Fanboy Week in Review: 1/28 - 2/3

by Andrew Yoon { Feb 3rd 2008 at 1:30PM }

Click for high-resolution image.

Home recently got a pre-launch update (although still no public beta!). Check out PS3 Fanboy for brand new images from the updated build.

Reviews

PixelJunk Monsters (PS3)
"Those in it for the long-haul will easily get over 20 hours of gameplay. Add a fantastic two-player co-op mode, and you have a lengthy game that costs as much as a sandwich."

Interviews

Wild ARMS XF (PSP)
We got a chance to talk to producer (and scenario writer) Akifumi Kaneko about this upcoming tactical SPRG.

Downloads

PS Fanboy Wallpapers: Volume 17
Army of Two wallpapers. For download on PS3 and PSP.
PlayStation Fancast 015: Naughty Dog edition
An interview with Naughty Dog's Richard Lemarchand.
Home (PS3)
Brand new images from the recently updated version.
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue (PS3)
New images from the upcoming racing game.
Soulcalibur IV (PS3)
Hot new images showcase returning fighters.
Minna no Golf Portable 2 (PSP)
Downloadable demo of this Japanese golf game.

PS3 Headlines

ADV gives the thumbs up, goes Blu-ray
HD anime has a new home.
Codemasters CEO: Don't dismiss Sony's ten year cycle
PS3 will have the longevity it promised.
Eye of Judgment: second wave on display
New cards coming soon.
EA getting used to PS3 development - but 'not quite' there
Parallel development still causing issues.
Europeans being price gouged by retailers for PS3 DMC4
Why is the PS3 version so much more expensive?
Will you enter the Warhawk paint scheme and insignia contest?
Warhawk artists compete for fame, prizes.
PSN sales surprise even Sony CEO
In a good way.

PSP Headlines

PSP snatched right out of child's hands
It's like stealing candy ...
Super Robot Wars Portable announced
So much better than those regular robot wars.
Europe to get downloadable Patapon demo
Also includes bonus weapon for use in full game.
Star Ocean 2 gets April release in Japan
Although US version is still not anounced.
NeoPets: PetPet Adventures now available to download
It's what we've all been waiting for.
Sony raises PSP sales forecast
Yeah, it's actually doing better than they thought.
Firmware 3.90 fixes mysterious Store errors
No more tears, affected friends.
Grab a hammer, Ikuze Gensan is coming (to Japan)

PS3 Videos

Metal Gear Online
Gameplay footage from the upcoming Kojima online game.

PSP Videos

PSP Fanboy Theatre: Volume 48
Download videos directly to your PSP!
Downstream Panic!
Star Ocean: The First Departure
N+
FlatOut: Head On
Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G

Tags: ps3-fanboy, psp-fanboy, weekly-recap

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

ThornedVenom @ Feb 3rd 2008 1:43PM

I wonder if there'd be strip clubs at Home.

Jtenma @ Feb 3rd 2008 1:50PM

This is false, HOME has not been updated recently. That area/environment above is not currently in HOME. (Inside source tells me erhm...)

Neebs @ Feb 3rd 2008 2:11PM

I'm definitely jealous of Home. I want that on PC, even if it would be useless.

Poisoned Al @ Feb 3rd 2008 2:33PM

"You too can simulate walking around a business park near Reading!"

Sorry, I STILL don't get the point of Home.

Negativecool @ Feb 3rd 2008 2:49PM

Ugh...A 3D representation of not only yourself but also the options available through Sony's online service.

What's so hard to wrap your head around?

LaughingTarget @ Feb 3rd 2008 3:00PM

The concept of simulating something that is 10 feet away from you but blocked by a large, rectangular piece of wood called a door.

vidGuy @ Feb 3rd 2008 3:01PM

Neat idea but nothing more than a gimmick. I'd rather have menus to quickly access whatever I want.

Poisoned Al @ Feb 3rd 2008 3:19PM

Yes I got that bit. It's the "why?" thing I'm having problems with. So far it looks like a cut down Second Life used as an unnecessary interface.

I hate Second Life.

Poisoned Al @ Feb 3rd 2008 3:21PM

Oh, and love++ to Laughing Target for the lulz.

Hyams @ Feb 3rd 2008 3:26PM

It's a glorified chatroom. See: Habbo Hotel.

From the above comments, I think I can safely assume I'm the only person here who's in the HOME beta.

@Thronedvenom--I doubt it, but you can stream video from your PS3 into your 'homespace' and let people come in to watch. Porn parties, here we come.

@jtenma: Actually, HOME was recently updated. While not the area in the above pic, it is new.

@poisonedal--Because the area is full of other gamers. Talk about games, play minigames, talk--hell, you might even meet a girl!

@laughing target--If that's your comment, you should just throw all your systems away right now. Barring that, HOME is one of your gateways to PS3 multiplayer. HOME isn't a "walking around outside simulator". It's a gateway to multiplayer that gives your friends-list buddies a face.

Vidguy--Everything you can do and everywhere you can go in HOME can be quick-jumped via the in'game' menu, which is a PSP your avatar carries around with him/her. Gimmicky? Maybe. But as someone who's actually played it, it--like the wii--proves the allegeed gimmicks can be fun anyway.

My verdict: HOME is okay. Right now, it's missing the key ingredient, which is people playing it. Once that happens, (and all the inevitable launch bugs get ironed out, because I'll be honest, there aren't enough people actually playing the beta for all the bugs to be caught) I think it will be a lot of fun--not an MMO or anything, but cool. My girlfriend loves it, if that says anything.

~

Akamaru @ Feb 3rd 2008 6:05PM

Well said. I'm in the beta as well and you are right on. As you know, the menu for launching into games through Home is there, but the feature doesn't actually work. I think once that is live, you will see a ton more people online. And hopefully with the increase in players, more bugs can get reported and fixed before launch.