US PlayStation Store Update 12/06

[Gorvi]

Courtesy of the PlayStation Blog (http://blog.us.playstation.com/2007/12/06/playstation-store-update-13/), here's the Store update for this week:

High Velocity Bowling ($9.99)
Wild Arms [PS1] ($5.99)
Timeshift Multiplayer Demo (Free)
Motorstorm "Falfer Domino" Add-on ($0.99)
Folklore Add-on 1 ($3.99)
Folklore Add-on 2 ($3.99)
Folklore Add-on bundle 1 ($5.99)
Rock Band "Black Sabbath" Pack 1 ($5.49)
"N.I.B" Cover ($1.99)
"Sweet Leaf" Cover ($1.99)
"War Pigs" Cover ($1.99)
Ratchet & Clank Theme (Free)
Uncharted Theme (Free)
There's a few trailers up as well, including the new GTA4 trailer, Battlefield: BC, and MGS4.

Europe got the Kane & Lynch Demo today as well, so if you've got a European account, be sure to grab that and find out what caused all the ruckus. They also got 7 new official themes.

Wild Arms = buy. It's good to see we're finally getting some of the PS1 games Japan has had for months.

[oldjadedgamer]

When does this go live? I'm not seeing Wild Arms in the store.

http://store.playstation.com/store/index.vm#category/PN.PC.US-PN.PC.GAME.US-PC_PSONECLASSICS/PN.PC.US-PN.PC.GAME.US-TAB2

[Maskatron]

No Divx yet?

[Gorvi]

When does this go live? I'm not seeing Wild Arms in the store.

http://store.playstation.com/store/index.vm#category/PN.PC.US-PN.PC.GAME.US-PC_PSONECLASSICS/PN.PC.US-PN.PC.GAME.US-TAB2
I'm pretty sure they normally go live around 5-6 EST. The update for Europe should be up right now.

[mkelehan]

Hey, Wild Arms. That's a nice surprise. Anyone who likes SNES-style RPGs should give it a buy.

[dbh1973]

Wild Arms = must purchase. Can't wait to get this on my PSP.

[King Drewsky]

Wild Arms is a steal for $6.00 bucks. Nice. Prolly the best RPG available for the PS3 next to Oblivion.

[AspectVoid]

I love Wild Arms. Its opening theme is one of my all time favorites. For the first time I actually wish I had a PS3 just so I could buy this.

[oldjadedgamer]

I love Wild Arms. Its opening theme is one of my all time favorites. For the first time I actually wish I had a PS3 just so I could buy this.

Download it off the web to your PSP. No PS3 required.

[Micasa]

$10 for High Velocity Bowling? Is there a demo at least?

[Kamalot]

Download it off the web to your PSP. No PS3 required.

Actually, I don't think that's right. I believe you can download it to a PC and then transfer it to your PSP, or you can do the same with the PS3. But AFAIK you can't download it directly to the PSP.

[UnderHero5]

$10 for High Velocity Bowling? Is there a demo at least?

Is it me, or are too many of these little games (on PS3 and 360) costing $10, these days?

What happened to the $5 games? Seems like the only ones that are $5 any more are the re-releases of shitty old arcade games.

[Kamalot]

Is it me, or are too many of these little games (on PS3 and 360) costing $10, these days?

What happened to the $5 games? Seems like the only ones that are $5 any more are the re-releases of shitty old arcade games.

I don't mind $10 for a game, as long as I get a healthy sized demo first. If the game is good enough, I'll buy it. But without a meaty demo, it may as well be a $10 grab-bag.

[oldjadedgamer]

Actually, I don't think that's right. I believe you can download it to a PC and then transfer it to your PSP, or you can do the same with the PS3. But AFAIK you can't download it directly to the PSP.

Yeah, that's what I meant. Re-reading my comment, I can see where I should have been more clear.

Of course, as par with for the course with Sony when they take a step forward, they have to take a step back. You can download them, but not to the internet enabled PSP of course, but only on a Microsoft created operating system.

I don't mind $10 for a game, as long as I get a healthy sized demo first. If the game is good enough, I'll buy it. But without a meaty demo, it may as well be a $10 grab-bag.

I'm the same. No demo = no buy.

[Wedge]

I love Wild Arms. Its opening theme is one of my all time favorites. For the first time I actually wish I had a PS3 just so I could buy this.

I was going to write the same thing. So this is just for you and me:
ISSAZrUU9aU

Shit, between this and KidHappyForXbox360 I'm getting sentimental for the gaming days of yore. PS1 Japanese RPGs equals me and then-girlfriend wife playing together, lazy weekends with nothing but games and...and making tea and discussing important political matters. Yeah.

[Grimmjow]

Wild Arms 1 :D

I'm happy with that, but whasup with 1 game per 2 months. Japan gets a shytload. Stop sitting on your ass SCEA!

eit: Also, the opening was really good :)

[Purple Santa]

I guess i'm not the only one excited about Wild Arms. I never played any of them but the new one over the summer piqued my interest. Actually with that huge ad on this site grabbed my attention...so I can't wait till I have time to play that then look for the rest of the series.

[Siraris]

I didn't get High Velocity Bowling, but I heard on some messageboards that it's quite enjoyable, has custom soundtracks, and there's something about "Experience may change online" message showing up, which could hint at online play coming later.

[pseudopseudo]

Not sure I see anything I'm too nuts over... but then again, I hadn't played Wild Arms, so I know nothing about that.

Might try the Timeshift MP demo, though. Even though I've not really heard great things about Timeshift.

[Kamalot]

I didn't get High Velocity Bowling, but I heard on some messageboards that it's quite enjoyable, has custom soundtracks, and there's something about "Experience may change online" message showing up, which could hint at online play coming later.

Custom soundtracks. That sounds nice.
Is this the bowling game that uses the Sixaxis motion controls?

Too bad there isn't a demo so we can try it for ourselves...

[Metal Jesus]

I'm damn tempted to pick up Wild Arms for my PSP. Didn't play the original, but this one actually got decent reviews back in the day. Could be fun!

[Ultima Thulian]

Wild Arms is a by the numbers JRPG. Hardly horrible, but it isn't as good as people here are making it out to be. I believe nostalgia is getting the better of them.

Also, the did a remake of the original Wild Arms on the PS2. They didn't change the gameplay much. It got dogshit reviews.

You kids do the math.

Still, six bucks is a good price. Could make for a decent portable timekiller.

[Kamalot]

Wild Arms is a by the numbers JRPG. Hardly horrible, but it isn't as good as people here are making it out to be. I believe nostalgia is getting the better of them.

Also, the did a remake of the original Wild Arms on the PS2. They didn't change the gameplay much. It got dogshit reviews.

You kids do the math.

Still, six bucks is a good price. Could make for a decent portable timekiller.
Oh shit. Some fanboy is gonna go for your THROAT! :eek:

You may even be fired from GameSpot for giving the game a 'meh' out of 'awesomeh'.

[Ultima Thulian]

Fuck the fanboys. Wildarms is an above average series at best, that peaked with it's third title on the PS2.

Let em bitch. Ain't scared.

The PSone has a rich library. Wanna get an RPG? Let's start with Chrono Cross, Vagrant Story, Tactics Ogre, and the like. Then we'll talk. Money is too tight be wasting time with mediocre nostalgia pipedreams.

[Tyrant]

I played the Kane and Lynch demo earlier and enjoyed it quite a bit, but I'm a bit of an I/O Interactive fanboy. It's a shame that this game will be forever marked as the one that sparked the whole Gerstmann controversy.

[DubiousQuality]

Note, Gorvi will buy things from the PS store with no complaints thats reserved for Live. Remember kids, Microtransactions are only bad if its on xbox live. /troll

[Gorvi]

Note, Gorvi will buy things from the PS store with no complaints thats reserved for Live. Remember kids, Microtransactions are only bad if its on xbox live. /troll
Microtransactions suck regardless of the console. $6 for a decent RPG that I'll get at least a few hours playtime with is worth it, especially when I can just throw it on my PSP to play whenever.

Wait, I'm trying to use logic with you? Man, I need my head examined.

[UnderHero5]

Just thought I should mention, if you've got a European PSN account, there are a whole bunch of free themes in their store, that the US store doesn't have. Heavenly Sword, Killzone 2, and a few other neat themes. They work fine with US PS3's, I tried them all out.

I'm really liking the way the PS3 uses themes. Some of them even have custom sounds. The Ratchet and Uncharted themes are awesome!

I tried out the Timeshift multiplayer demo. Good lord, that's horrible.

Also tried out the Kane and Lynch demo. It wasn't horrible, but very unpolished. During the 15-20 minute long demo, the enemy AI just... stopped working on several of the enemies. At one point, an enemy was running across my screen and simply stopped, mid step, and the model just stood there, frozen, on one foot. I shot him a few seconds later.

Seems like a pretty average game, though. Not horrible, but nothing great. From the short demo, it seems like the score would be around a 6, assuming a 5 is average.

[Norse]

I want to like PSN, but the lack of content in the European store and lack of demos for the PSN games really turns me off. I don't think they've even released Everyday Shooter over here yet. For a long time I visited the store every week hoping to find something good, but now I don't even bother anymore. The two games I've bought (Flow & SS:HD) were both really good, but don't feel like spending $5 and $10 on games without trying them first.

What I like about XBLA is the fact that every titles has a trial version. Even if the game of the week isn't really good I at least get to spend some time trying it out.

[Kelegacy]

I'm so glad the PSN store uses real dollar amounts. And some things seem pretty affordable. 6 dollars for a good RPG, that's a steal compared to how some things are priced on Live. And free themes for new games? Blasphemy.

Both marketplaces have their good and their bad...I wish neither had bad, but then again I am an advocate for perfect worlds.

[Dukefrukem]

i just got into the free Themes you can download.. pretty cool

[dbh1973]

I'm happy with that, but whasup with 1 game per 2 months. Japan gets a shytload. Stop sitting on your ass SCEA!

Japan has so many PSOne games because SCEj is trying to entice them to buy off of the PSN. But, it isn't happening:

http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/levelup/archive/2007/12/06/the-dylan-cuthbert-interview-part-i.aspx

So far, it really hasn't caught on in the same way it has in the West--the problem in Japan is a traditional aversion to using credit cards, as opposed to the West where it is second nature. A lot of restaurants over here don't accept any credit card at all, and when you order things online to be delivered the majority of people pay on delivery or even by online bank transfer as opposed to using a credit card. Pre-paid cards are definitely the way to go forward to solve these problems, but they only rolled out recently, so we'll just have to wait and see.

[dbh1973]

Oh, and frak you Ultima Thulian. WILD ARMS 4 LYFE!

[oldjadedgamer]

Japan has so many PSOne games because SCEj is trying to entice them to buy off of the PSN. But, it isn't happening:

http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/levelup/archive/2007/12/06/the-dylan-cuthbert-interview-part-i.aspx

So the logic is to put them on the store in a country that doesn't sell at all and leave them out of a store in a country that is guaranteed to sell? That's the dumbest business logic I've ever heard.

They are leaving money on the table with PS1 games. Plain and simple.

[Micasa]

6 dollars for a good RPG, that's a steal compared to how some things are priced on Live.

$10 for High Velocity Bowling and Pain...

[Kamalot]

$10 for High Velocity Bowling and Pain...

And no demo. :(

[Gorvi]

And no demo. :(
From what I've heard, HVB is actually pretty good. I'll wait for a few more reviews though. They really should have a 3 frame demo up.

[pseudopseudo]

I have a question about HVB...

So it says it uses the Sixaxis controls - how? Similar to how Bowling plays on Wii Sports? Can anyone indulge me further on this? I'd almost be willing to pay the $10 for it if it allows custom soundtracks and is just as fun/more fun than Wii Bowling.

[Gorvi]

I have a question about HVB...

So it says it uses the Sixaxis controls - how? Similar to how Bowling plays on Wii Sports? Can anyone indulge me further on this?
From what I've heard, it's almost exactly the same. There's a review or two out there somewhere.

EDIT: Here's one. (http://www.ripten.com/2007/12/06/review-high-velocity-bowling/)

[oldjadedgamer]

And no demo. :(

From what I've read so far, there are plugs in the game for you to purchase more bowlers already so for the full game it's more then $10.

[pseudopseudo]

From what I've heard, it's almost exactly the same. There's a review or two out there somewhere.

EDIT: Here's one. (http://www.ripten.com/2007/12/06/review-high-velocity-bowling/)

Thanks for the link, man! Reading that, the only downside sounds like the way you have to hold the Sixaxis... but even then, I'm sure it's easy to get used to. I might have to grab this when I get home from work tonight.

The trick shot challenges sound badass, and the fact that you can bowl against AI opponents AND do tournaments is pretty awesome.

[Gorvi]

From what I've read so far, there are plugs in the game for you to purchase more bowlers already so for the full game it's more then $10.
So you think you need extra characters for it to be the "full game". Do you also think that about the XBLA games that allow you to buy extra things as well? Because if you haven't noticed, a large number of them do.

[pseudopseudo]

So you think you need extra characters for it to be the "full game". Do you also think that about the XBLA games that allow you to buy extra things as well? Because if you haven't noticed, a large number of them do.

In the review you linked to, it says you unlock extra characters and balls by beating challenges in one-player mode... so even if you have the option to buy more characters, I think you'd only need to if you're a completist or something.

[oldjadedgamer]

So you think you need extra characters for it to be the "full game". Do you also think that about the XBLA games that allow you to buy extra things as well? Because if you haven't noticed, a large number of them do.

What XBLA has hooks in the menu for buying new future content the day it's released? Do you have examples of games that have options to buy content that isn't there the day they are released? According to you, there are a "large number" of them so it should be easy.

And yes, I do think if there is any extra content then it's not the full game. Take Bomberman on XBLA. You can buy new game types and costumes. You need to buy the extra content to get the full game.

[Gorvi]

What XBLA has hooks in the menu for buying new future content the day it's released? Do you have examples of games that have options to buy content that isn't there the day they are released? According to you, there are a "large number" of them so it should be easy.

And yes, I do think if there is any extra content then it's not the full game. Take Bomberman on XBLA. You can buy new game types and costumes. You need to buy the extra content to get the full game.
I'm not so sure about day one, just having gotten the 360 recently, but there are plenty of games that have small add on packs for download. I'd agree with you 100% if there were actual modes left out that were available on day one, but different characters that amount to no more than skins being offered really isn't taking anything away from the actual experience of the game.

[Micasa]

Sheesh, and here I thought XBL Marketplace was destroying the industry...back when DLC was confined to XBL Marketplace. Now that PSN is offering it up (and day one stuff at that) it's just adding to the experience.

[Kamalot]

Sheesh, and here I thought XBL Marketplace was destroying the industry...back when DLC was confined to XBL Marketplace. Now that PSN is offering it up (and day one stuff at that) it's just adding to the experience.

Well, if you thought XBL Marketplace was destroying the industry by offering downloaded content, like many said it was, Sony following suit must the stake through the heart.

[Gorvi]

Sheesh, and here I thought XBL Marketplace was destroying the industry...back when DLC was confined to XBL Marketplace. Now that PSN is offering it up (and day one stuff at that) it's just adding to the experience.
They both are bad things. The advent of nickle and diming with DLC is a bad thing no batter who does it. The only way the 360 is worse is with the BS they pull with themes and picture packs (and the morons that actually buy them). Otherwise, Sony and Micorsoft have become equal offenders in the DLC area.

[pseudopseudo]

UPDATE (As if anyone asked for one): I got High Velocity Bowling, and it's actually good. Really, really good. I don't about $10 worth of good, but buyer's remorse hasn't sunk in, if that says anything.

Weird thing is though, for all the fuss about there being a "Purchase Bowlers" option on the main menu, when you select that it tells you that there's nothing currently available.

I spent much of my evening playing while listening to punk music, and I think I actually prefer it to Wii bowling now. The control scheme actually makes sense the second you hold the controller in your hand that way.

[Gorvi]

UPDATE (As if anyone asked for one): I got High Velocity Bowling, and it's actually good. Really, really good. I don't about $10 worth of good, but buyer's remorse hasn't sunk in, if that says anything.

Weird thing is though, for all the fuss about there being a "Purchase Bowlers" option on the main menu, when you select that it tells you that there's nothing currently available.

I spent much of my evening playing while listening to punk music, and I think I actually prefer it to Wii bowling now. The control scheme actually makes sense the second you hold the controller in your hand that way.
That's actually pretty nice to hear. I may pick this up, then, as my wife was interested in it since we used to play the Monkey Bowling in the first Super Monkey Ball on the GC all the time.

[pseudopseudo]

That's actually pretty nice to hear. I may pick this up, then, as my wife was interested in it since we used to play the Monkey Bowling in the first Super Monkey Ball on the GC all the time.

I'd definitely recommend it.

There's a couple things I don't like - sometimes right as you go to swing, the controller doesn't pick up for some odd reason. You have to hit one of the spin buttons to "unlock" it. Also, every stage after the first in Trick Shot is incredibly hard. At least, I thought it was. I'm not very good at spin control yet, and I'm sure that's a big part of it.

[KSmitty]

Well I didn't see it listed in the OP, but the PSP game Beats (http://www.us.playstation.com/PSP/Games/Beats) is also available. Sounds pretty cool, a rhythm game that uses your music library. I know there are a few music/rhythm game fans here, just thought I'd mention it in case it was looked over.

[pseudopseudo]

Well I didn't see it listed in the OP, but the PSP game Beats (http://www.us.playstation.com/PSP/Games/Beats) is also available. Sounds pretty cool, a rhythm game that uses your music library. I know there are a few music/rhythm game fans here, just thought I'd mention it in case it was looked over.

I was reading QJ's article on "Beats" and they had nothing but good things to say about it... even calling it the "Best PSP Game Ever". I think I'll be checking it out.