There have been few games quite as polarising as Heavy Rain this generation. While some scathed its claims to be the next leap in interactive entertainment, I thoroughly enjoyed it despite some of its apparent flaws – the pause menu alone was simply dazzling. Despite the game’s charting success, Quantic Dream has already ruled out the possibility of a direct sequel and will instead release a series of episodic downloads entitled Heavy Rain Chronicles, each focusing on a particular character from the full game.

Starring lead protagonist Madison Paige, Episode One: The Taxidermist finds the feisty young journalist on the trail of a possible link to the Origami Killer named Leland White (a taxidermist as you might have guessed) who resides in a secluded, horror-movie-esque house. And, predictably, all is not what it seems.

Read more… »

While everyone is sulking over the latest Linux-shrouding firmware update, the latest PSN Store update has now gone live. There’s a healthy host of downloadable content this week, including the debut episode of Heavy Rain Chronicles and additional content for Army of Two: The 40th Day and Sonic & SEGA Allstars Racing. Retro fans will also be able to salvage some memories from Namco Museum Essentials a mere 9 months after its release on the US Store.

As always, you can find a full rundown of this week’s update after the break.

Read more… »

Over the weekend word got out that the upcoming DLC for Left 4 Dead 2, dubbed ‘The Passing,’ will not make its original release date of “late March.”

While this is disappointing news, gamers will be pleased to know that the DLC will only cost 560 Microsoft Points ($7) on the Xbox 360. Not a bad price considering the content the expansion adds: a golf club for melee, an M60 machine gun, multiple new game modes, a new ‘Fallen Survivor’ special infected and a ‘Witch Bride.’ Read more… »

Another Thursday, another PSN Store update for us to savor. As usual, there is a fresh batch of special offers for outdated games that Sony need to shift (a lot of which are curiously from SEGA this week), along with a playable demo for Green Corp and a host of DLC for the likes of Alien vs. Predator and Batman: Arkham Asylum.

The LittleBigPlanet costume downloads have also made a triumphant return with no less than 4 new Sonic themed costumes and a level kit, and MAG even received a free DLC pack.

For a full listing of this week’s offerings, hit that jump.

Read more… »

To date, I’ve beaten Dragon Age: Origins four times. Yep, that’s four entire work weeks devoted to slaying Dragons, Mages, and evil Darkspawn.  There was something special about the way Bioware handled morality in Dragon Age that kept me hooked: it wasn’t just a simple matter of black and white. That concept inspired me to create as many characters as possible, and each time, the game played out in a completely different way.

Awakening seeks to capture the essence of Origins in the form of a $40 expansion pack. Read on to find out if Bioware’s newest offering is a simple rehash, or an entirely new game. Read more… »

As an avid Ocean’s Eleven and Mass Effect 2 fan, I can safely say that I’m pretty excited for Mass Effect 2′s first premium add-on, “Kasumi: Stolen Memory”. Priced at $7 (560 MSP), this pack will net you an extra character, and a mission that’ll last around an hour.

Obviously you can get why ME2 fans would be stoked, but why would this DLC make Danny Ocean salivate? Kasumi, an inter-stellar thief, is looking for a pretty rare item, hidden in an eccentric trinket collector’s mansion. Your mission is to pose as a guest, locate the vault, and steal the contents. Interested? Hit the jump for a random video featuring some of Kasumi’s dialogue, straight off her sweet sweet Queen Amadala lips. Read more… »

It’s Store time once again, although this week’s update is somewhat lacking in standout content. Wakeboarding HD is the latest downloadable PSN title which looks fun but hardly enticing for the asking price (Smash Cars anyone?), but there is a steady supply of downloadable content to be had with an expansion pack for Dragon Age: Origins and the Exotic Racing series pack for Need For Speed: Shift.

As per usual, you can find a full listing of this week’s update after the break.

Read more… »

Another nourishing update has made its way onto the PSN Store for the many hungry PS3 users. This week sees the release of the much touted Megaman 10, a mini delight in the form of Rocket Racers and the usual wealth of never ending special offers and downloadable content for everyone’s favourite music titles.

Hit the jump for a full run-through of this week’s update.

Read more… »

Following on from the previous Ferrari DLC, Need For Speed: Shift is gearing up for another garage expansion with the release of the Exotic Racing Series Pack. Available on March 18th for 800 points on XBL and $10 on the PSN, the pack will include an additional track known as Riveria, 50 new themed events and the following exotic supercars:

• Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
• BMW M1 Procar
• GUMPERT apollo
• Honda NSX
• McLaren MP4-12C
• Maserati GranTurismo S
• Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss

This salivating selection of cars are all showcased in the newly released trailer posted above. Unfortunately, the narrator with the monotone voice seemingly won’t go away.

Read more… »

The steady stream of DLC flowing from Gearbox HQ to support Borderlands since last October has been noteworthy, and it appears their strategy is working so far. Nearly 6 months after release, the IP is still relevant and getting face time in many a disk tray. With their third installment, The Secret Armory of General Knoxx, they’re hoping to ensure that the game which Pachter claimed was “sent to die” becomes the game that can’t be killed.

Resident Evil 5′s newest DLC seeks to flesh out the untold story of just how Jill Valentine escaped the Tricell facility. Of course, she had a little help from her friend, Josh Stone (not to be confused with Joss Stone!).

While Lost in Nightmares served up some old-school survival horror action, Desperate Escape clings to the same intensity of Resident Evil 5, much to the chagrin of slow moving zombie fans. Does Desperate Escape transcend the moniker of “just another typical RE5 mission”? Read on to find out. Read more… »

What comes as no surprise, today BioWare announced that the Cerberus Network for Mass Effect 2 will receive another iteration of free downloadable content at the end of March. Entitled “Firewalker,” the new DLC will put you at the helm of the all new Hammerhead heavy assault vehicle for some brand new missions.

All that matters at this point is one thing: it sure as hell better not play anything like the M35 Mako. Read more… »