PlayStation-Exclusive Destiny Map Video Helps You Decide PS4/PS3 or Xbox One/360

Are you having trouble deciding whether to get Destiny on a PlayStation or Xbox system? Sony is trying its best to ensure you choose the former, today releasing a video walkthrough for the multiplayer map that is (temporarily) exclusive to the PS3 and PS4 versions.



Described as a "mid-sized" map that works well for both smaller 3v3 matches and full 6v6 matches, the Exodus Blue map is set around the wreckage of the titular Exodus Blue ship. It's playable in the Crucible--the fancy term for competitive multiplayer in Destiny--and supports five modes: Skirmish, Control, Salvage, Clash, and Rumble.

The video provides our best look yet at the full map, which is arguably the most substantial of thePlayStation-exclusive content, provided you're interested in competitive multiplayer. Along with the map, buyers of the PS3 or PS4 versions will also get additional armor and weapons; you can see an overview of all of this in another recent video that Sony released. This content will be exclusive to PS3 and PS4 until at least fall 2015, when it may also be released on Xbox 360 and Xbox One.

Destiny launches on September 9 on PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. This exclusive content aside, the games are otherwise largely the same, and Bungie says it loves all of its fans--regardless of platform--equally.

If you're buying Destiny, what platform do you plan on getting it for? Let us know in the comments.

Sony PlayStation Network attacked by Lizard Squad hackers: Xbox Live as well?

Sony's PlayStation Network is facing issues with mass outages for hours across North America. The reason for the downtime has everything to do with a recent DDoS attack that was carried about by hacker group Lizard Squad.

According to Sony in a blog post following the attack, the company made sure to tell fans that personal data were not leaked, so those who were worrying before should now have an ease of mind. Furthermore, Sony claims that in some locales, the problem persists for more than 10 hours after the attack.

Strangely enough, this attack also includes some form of security threats on the plane where Sony Online Entertainment President John Smedley was travelling in earlier on Sunday. The plane was quickly diverted to Phoenix where the cargo was searched for a possible explosive. Apparently, the Lizard Squad made claims on Twitter that the flight had bombs on board, but it wasn't sure how true the statement was.

"Like other major networks around the world, the PlayStation Network and Sony Entertainment Network have been impacted by an attempt to overwhelm our network with artificially high traffic," said Sony in a statement on its blog.

"Although this has impacted your ability to access our network and enjoy our services, no personal information has been accessed."

Sony is well known for being repeatedly attacked by hackers. The company's PlayStation Network was on the wrong end of a hacker attack a few years ago. It managed to bring the network to an almost complete halt for several days, and millions of user passwords were stolen during the attack. It is something Sony will never forget as it made the PlayStation Network come off as very inferior when compared to the likes of Xbox Live and even Nintendo's own network.

It would be interesting to see if the Lizard Squad hacker group target Sony in even more devastating ways than this. Hopefully, it doesn't happen, because we doubt Sony in its current financial woes is capable of withstanding another blazing attack that is similar to the past.

Since this is indeed just a DDoS attack, things should get back to normal in a few hours if it haven't already. Let's hope Sony is able to find other means to help fend off a DDoS attack in the future, because these issues are bad for business, and can cause gamers to pick up their toys and run off to the competition.

Update 1: It appears Xbox Live is also down, as Lizard Squad took to Twitter, asking if anyone is able to login to their accounts. Furthermore, the Xbox Live status page is showing that problems are afoot, and the engineers are working to have it rectified.

The Sony PlayStation 4 Continues to Put The Microsoft Xbox One to Shame

Although many in the media have dubbed the sales showdown between the Sony PlayStation 4 and the Microsoft  Xbox

Source: Sony.

One the video game "console wars," it really hasn't been a fair fight.

The PlayStation 4 gained a dominant lead over the Xbox One when the two devices were launched within a week of one another last November and hasn't looked back. Microsoft's recent revamp of a few key aspects for the Xbox One does not appear to have made any meaningful difference at present. And as investors and gaming enthusiasts learned recently, Sony's device remains as dominant as ever.

Sony surges and Microsoft meanders
Last week, Sony announced that the PlayStation 4 had surpassed 10 million total end-user sales in the 10 months since the console's market debut. This makes the PS4 Sony's fastest-selling video game console in company history and helps to further paint Microsoft's Xbox One as an increasingly inferior product (although it's hard to pin down exactly how inferior it really is).

Microsoft has been notably tight-lipped in providing periodic updates on Xbox One shipments, a sign most interpret as an attempt to avoid outright embarrassment over the console's seemingly abysmal performance versus the PS4. In April, Microsoft reported it had shipped 5 million Xbox One units into its retail channel. However, it's worth noting that Microsoft reporting shipments into its retail channel isn't necessarily the same thing as sales to consumers, Sony's preferred measuring stick for console shipment health.

Investors have attempted to establish a more current comparison between Xbox One and PS4 shipments from the recent quarterly reports from Microsoft and Sony. Although not a perfect barometer, it appeared that Sony's total console sales (PS4 and PS3) outdid Microsoft's gaming hardware (Xbox One and Xbox 360) by a rough ratio of three-to-one. Judged through this lens, it appears that Microsoft's cutting the Xbox One's price tag by $100 (to $399) to match Sony's pricing has done little to shift demand away from the PS4.

What this means going forward
If you guessed "nothing good" for Microsoft, you'd be correct.

Source: Microsoft.

Although quantifying the exact impact is difficult, Microsoft undeniably disenchanted a lot of its core user base with several decisions made in the Xbox One's rollout. Moves such as forcibly including Microsoft's Kinect motion sensing device, pricing the Xbox One $100 above the PS4, and requiring users to maintain a paid Xbox Gold subscription were all key tactical errors. That is particularly true in the context of today's gaming market, which is rife with console alternatives thanks to the proliferation of tablets and smartphones, Microsoft might find it harder than originally imagined to grow, or even keep, its once-loyal user base.

Video game hardware cycles are extremely long at about eight years between console refreshes, so there's plenty of time for Xbox One sales to catch up to the PS4. It's also important to note that Sony's console currently enjoys a substantial distribution advantage over Microsoft's device. At last tally, Sony sold the PlayStation 4 in over 100 countries and regions, while the  Xbox retails in far fewer markets. Regardless, it appears the sales discrepancy between the two cannot be entirely explained away simply because of Sony's distribution advantages.

Ultimately, this is a narrative about consumer preference, and we have little evidence suggesting user penchants will shift anytime soon. So try as Microsoft might, it still appears 2014 will be the year of the PS4 in gaming circles, and that's certainly worth noting today.

Leaked: Apple's next smart device (warning, it may shock you)
Apple recently recruited a secret-development "dream team" to guarantee its newest smart device was kept hidden from the public for as long as possible. But the secret is out, and some early viewers are claiming its everyday impact could trump the iPod, iPhone, and the iPad. In fact, ABI Research predicts 485 million of this type of device will be sold per year. But one small company makes Apple's gadget possible. And its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early in-the-know investors.

PS4 Outpaces Xbox One In July, 'The Last Of Us' Tops Software Charts

Coming as a surprise to absolutely nobody, Sony has confirmed that once again the PlayStation 4 was the best-selling console in July. This marks the seventh month in a row with the PS4 taking the NPD’s proverbial blue ribbon.



July NPD numbers show US spending on physical games and game hardware was up in July over last year.

Sony confirmed that the PS4 has sold-through over 10 million units to-date. Microsoft has not released hard numbers for the Xbox One yet, though the console continues to fall behind Sony’s even with the Kinect-free $399 sku. Nintendo’s Wii U continues to struggle against the competition even as it outpaces last year’s sales by 60%.

Consumers spent $514.3 million on new gaming hardware, software, and accessories, which is up 16 percent over last year. Last July consumers spent just $443.1 million. The PS4 and Xbox One account for the majority of that spending.

Consumers dropped $198.8 million on consoles in July, up 100 percent year-over-year, while software sales were down 15 percent from last July. Less cash on hand after an expensive console purchase means fewer software units sell through.

“Similar to the pattern seen in seven out of the last nine months, strong growth in hardware sales offset declines in software sales in July 2014 while accessory sales had modest growth,” said NPD analyst Liam Callahan.

“Two other factors caused seen in July 2014 software sales,” he continued. “Reduced sales for new launches and the decline in [last-gen] software not entirely being offset by [new-gen] sales.”

Best-Selling Games

Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us topped software charts in July, thanks to its re-release on PS4. It was followed by the everlasting Minecraft with FIFA 14, Watch Dogs, and Mario Kart 8 taking up the top five.

Nintendo confirmed that over 1 million units of Mario Kart 8 have been sold in the US alone since its launch at the end of May.

1. The Last of Us (PS4, PS3)
2. Minecraft (360, PS3)
3. FIFA 14 (360, PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Vita)
4. Watch Dogs (PS4, 360, PS3, Xbox One, PC)
5. Mario Kart 8 (Wii U)
6. Call of Duty: Ghosts (Xbox One, 360, PS4, PS3, Wii U, PC)
7. Grand Theft Auto V (360, PS3)
8. Sniper Elite III (PS4, Xbox One, 360, PS3)
9. NBA 2K14 (360, PS3, PS4, Xbox One, PC)
10. Lego Marvel Super Heroes (360, PS3, 3DS, DS, PS4, Wii U, Xbox One, Vita, PC)

“When combining life-to-date sales of Xbox One and PS4 after nine months, and comparing them to the combined totals of nine months of sales for Xbox 360 and PS3, sales of the newest consoles are larger than the prior generation by close to 80 percent,” said NPD’s Callahan.

All told, July holds to the year-long trend of increased sales across the industry as more and more consumers migrate to new-gen machines despite a continuing lack of stellar new-gen-only content.

Diablo 3 Xbox One And PS4 Reviews: Does The Ultimate Evil Edition Live Up To Its Name?

Diablo 3 will make its Xbox One and PS4 debut next week. However, the first reviews for this "Ultimate Evil Edition" have already started to hit the web. So, what did critics think of the game?

Diablo 3: Ultimate Evil Edition includes the base game along with its expansion pack Reaper of Souls. The early reviews praised the expansion's content, especially the Adventure Mode. Adventure Mode, unlocked after beating the final boss, allows players to freely explore the game world and complete randomized dungeons and quests. Many reviewers consider this mode a fulfilling endgame activity - something the base game lacked.

The new multiplayer features introduced in the Ultimate Evil Edition were also a hit with the reviewers. They complimented the Apprentice Mode, which allows low-level and high-level characters play alongside each other, and the Nemesis system, which lets a named monster wreak havoc in your game and your friend's. Smaller features like an in-game mail and player gifts were appreciated as well.

This new content, along with previous console-specific features like gamepad controls and local co-op, led many reviewers to dub the Ultimate Evil Edition the best version of Diablo 3. The promise of post-launch support by Blizzard makes that claim seems plausible.

There's some disagreement over whether the game's worth a purchase if you already own the normal version of Diablo 3 on PS3 and Xbox 360, though. The value of a purchase is even more questionable if you already own D3 and Reaper of Souls on PC.

Here are excerpts from a few reviews of the Ultimate Evil Edition. Most of the published reviews thus far are from the PS4 and Xbox One versions but should mostly apply to the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions as well:

GamePlanet - "Diablo III: Reaper of Souls Ultimate Evil Edition works very well on PlayStation 4. It doesn’t push the system particularly hard, but it skips along at 60fps and native 1080p without ever missing a beat - which is much appreciated after the frequent screen tearing of the original Diablo III on console."

Gaming-Age - "There’s a significant amount of content to check out, and new gear to obtain, that you’ll likely spend dozens if not hundreds of hours hooked to the game."

TotalXbox - "You're also doing yourself a disservice if you don't play with mates - two of you either in local play or online is roaring fun. It can get a bit hectic with four players on one screen, however, and it's easy to lose who's who in the dazzling array of light effects. We're happy to say the Xbox One version holds up remarkably well, with only one or two frame drops when there's more light effects than at a Pitbull concert."

Canadian Online Gamers - "With its action packed dungeon diving, very engaging loot system and allowing you the ability to sit down and play with friends on your couch as well as playing online, this game chewed up entire days of my life before I realized I hadn’t eaten in 27 hours (sadly, true story). Although it did have some drawbacks with its rather linear storyline and the somewhat repetitive button mashing it is still going to be one of the most fun times you have slaying demons with a friend this year."

Gaming Nexus - "After the 'core' adventure, you do get another chapter which was created for the expansion. This new chapter will only add a few short hours to your campaign and really just serves to extend the story and lore of the game world. As interesting as the campaign is as a whole, that isn’t the focus of the D3 experience here; you’re here for the adventure and to hunt down that elusive, legendary loot. You will do a bit of that in the campaign, but it is afterwards that the gamereally opens up and the game reaches its true potential."

PS4 Getting 1080p Versions of Acclaimed PS3 Games Journey and The Unfinished Swan

In a post on the PlayStation Blog today, Sony cleared up rumors and officially announced that acclaimed PlayStation 3 games Journey and The Unfinished Swan are coming to PlayStation 4 this year, and they'll both run in 1080p.

Journey for PS3 was developed by thagamecompany, but with the studio working on something new, development duties for the PS4 version were handed off to Tricky Pixels. The PS4 version of Journey will run in 1080p, thatgamecompany president Jenova Chen said, but he explained that you'll have to wait a bit longer to hear more about the new version of the game.

As for The Unfinished Swan, the PS4 version was developed by Armature Studio (Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate), the company founded by former Metroid designers. It also runs in 1080p.

"The Unfinished Swan is about awe and wonder, the kind you experience as a child when reading a book for the first or even tenth time," said Ian Dallas, creative director at the game's original studio, Giant Sparrow. "We hope to inspire this same feeling in people that are new to the game or have already enjoyed it on PS3."

Both Journey and The Unfinished Swan are cross-buy games, meaning if you already own the PS3 versions, you will also get the PlayStation Vita versions for free. For more on these games, be sure to check out GameSpot's reviews of Journey and The Unfinished Swan.

This news comes less than two hours before Sony's Gamescom briefing is scheduled to begin at 10 AM PDT. You can watch the event live and follow along with our liveblog.

The Golf Club launching Aug. 19 on Xbox One and PC, later in August on PS4

The Golf Club, the simulation golf title from indie developer HB Studios, will be released Aug. 19 on Windows PC and Xbox One, the company announced today.

According to HB, the PlayStation 4 version of the game is still "pending certification approval," but the studio expects to launch it later this month. The Golf Club will cost $34.99 on PC, PS4 and Xbox One.

HB had initially planned for a simultaneous release on all three platforms, but said today that it "decided not to artificially hold the game back" on PC and Xbox One just because the PS4 version wasn't quite ready to go. The Golf Club launched in April on PC via Steam Early Access, so Aug. 19 is the date when the PC version will leave beta.

"We are incredibly excited to give golf fans the game they've always wanted," said Anthony Kyne, producer at HB Studios, in a press release today. "We've worked extremely hard to get The Golf Club ready for launch, so it's really rewarding to officially announce the launch date and share that with our fans."

The Golf Club's main draw is its course creator, which lets players design full 18-hole golf courses from scratch. The course creator can also use procedural generation to build courses based on a few parameters that users set. Those playgrounds can then be shared with others across all three platforms. Stroke play, match play and 4-ball modes will be available at launch, along with asynchronous online play, and there's no loading between holes on a course.

Best-Selling PS4, PS3, and PS Vita Games on PSN in July Revealed

Sony has published its list of the best-selling games on the PlayStation Store in July, and surprisingly, The Last of Us Remastered did not come out on top on PlayStation 4.

That distinction goes to the Ultimate Edition of Injustice: Gods Among Us, which might sound odd given it's a game that's been available since last year. But the normally $40 game was on sale during July for just $8.40 if you're a PlayStation Plus member. That deal was enough to push The Last of Us Remastered--which did launch late in the month, on July 29--down to the number two slot during the month. Rogue Legacy, the new cross-buy game that is part of the PlayStation Play promotion, reached number five despite also being released on July 29, and Watch Dogs--May and June's top PS4 game on PSN--fell to number 13.

Minecraft's domination of the PlayStation 3 charts continues; it's been at the top of the list every month since its release in December. Without exact sales numbers, it's hard to know just far out ahead it is, but when it's finally released on PS4 and Vita, it'll be interesting to see if its chart-topping performance continues.

The Vita charts were largely comprised of games that were on sale during the month, like Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate and Injustice once again. But it also included new releases like Child of Light (which had only been available on PC and consoles previously) and Rogue Legacy.

The full lists follow below. Let us know what you picked up during the month and if anything on the lists surprises you in the comments.

PS4:

• Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition
• The Last of Us Remastered
• LEGO Marvel Super Heroes
• Sniper Elite III
• Rogue Legacy
• Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty
• Valiant Hearts: The Great War
• EA Sports UFC
• Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition
• Outlast
• Octodad: Dadliest Catch
• FIFA 14
• Watch Dogs
• Trials Fusion
• Pure Pool
• Call of Duty: Ghosts
• Another World: 20th Anniversary Edition
• Battlefield 4
• Child of Light
• Thief

PS3:

• Minecraft: PlayStation 3 Edition
• Worms Revolution
• Double Dragon Neon
• Papo & Yo
• The Cave
• Batman: Arkham Origins
• Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition
• Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee HD
• Urban Trial Freestyle
• Dynasty Warriors: Gundam Reborn
• Machinarium
• LEGO Marvel Super Heroes
• ToeJam & Earl
• Marvel vs. Capcom: Origins
• Malicious
• Grand Theft Auto V
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows
• Infamous: Festival of Blood
• LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes
• Batman: Arkham Asylum

PS Vita:

• Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate
• Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition
• Child of Light
• Machinarium
• Urban Trial Freestyle
• LEGO Marvel Super Heroes
• Rogue Legacy
• Velocity Ultra
• Thomas Was Alone
• Terraria

Bungie: Destiny Xbox One Is Not "Dumbed Down" Compared To PS4

Though Sony wants PlayStation to be "the best place to play" Bungie's upcoming shooter Destiny, the developer now assures fans that it is doing its best to ensure that the experience is equal across PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. In an interview with GamingBolt, Bungie senior environment artist Jason Sussman was asked if the Xbox One version was "dumbed down" compared to PS4.

He replied: "No. We're working really hard to make sure that the best experience and the quality of the game we're trying to deliver is equal across the platforms." The interviewer also asked Sussman about the Xbox One's eSRAM, which reportedly caused issues for developers looking to reach 1080p on the system. He said every console has its subtle differences, but it won't keep Destiny from looking "good" on Xbox One.

"Each console has their own nuances; there is always like little tweaks and things," he said. "That's standard. Anytime you're working cross-platforms there is a-lot of new nuances to each console and we're making sure that the game looks best on all of them and it does; it looks really good. I think we've succeeded. It definitely looks good."



Bungie has confirmed that Destiny will run in 1080p on PS4, but the Xbox One's resolution is still not finalized. However, Bungie is hopeful that it can reach 1080p, thanks in part to the June Xbox One SDK that boosts console GPU power.

The interview also touches on a number of hot-button topics like microtransactions and a potential PC version of Destiny. Addressing microtransactions, Sussman said, "Currently, there are no microtransactions, everything is in-game." Microtransactions for Destiny have not been ruled out altogether, however. Asked about the topic in a separate interview this year, Bungie community manager Eric Osborne said if Destiny ends up adding microtransactions some day, Bungie won't offer "pay-for-power type stuff" to avoid schemes that nickel and dime players. "We're not going to do that," he said at the time.

Regarding a PC version of Destiny, Sussman said, "Wouldn't that be awesome?! Dude, I honestly like playing PC games. But honestly we've been so focused on delivering the game on four consoles and it's such an undertaking. It's the most inclusive thing that the Bungie has been working on. We'll see what the future holds, but for right now we're focused on these four consoles."

Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing, said previously that Destiny is a "natural fit" for PC. Destiny launches September 9 for Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, and PS4. For more, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.

Diablo 3 to run in 1080p on Xbox One as well as PS4 with day-one patch

Diablo 3's resolution on Xbox One will be bumped up to native 1080p with a launch-day patch, developer Blizzard Entertainment confirmed to Polygon today.

"With a day 1 (August 19th) patch the Xbox One version of the game will display in 1080p at 60 fps," said a Blizzard representative in an email to Polygon. The update was first reported by GameSpot.

Prior to installing the patch, the Xbox One version of Diablo 3 will run in 900p. Earlier, Blizzard had expressed hope that it would eventually be able to boost the resolution to 1080p, but indicated that it didn't expect to be able to get there by launch. The studio previously confirmed that the game runs in native 1080p on PS4; both versions feature a frame rate of 60 frames per second.

Diablo 3: Ultimate Evil Edition, the console package that includes the expansion Reaper of Souls, is set for release Aug. 19 on PlayStation 3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. Existing PS3 and Xbox 360 players can transfer their characters to PS4 or Xbox One.

Activision Blizzard announced earlier this week that sales of Diablo 3 and Reaper of Souls had reached a combined 20 million copies by the end of June. For more on the console version of Diablo 3, check out our preview from E3.

Resident Evil Remake Coming to Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4, and PC

Capcom will release a remastered version of the original Resident Evil game for Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PC, the company announced today. Set to launch as a download in early 2015, the game is based on the 2002 GameCube "REmake" of the 1996 original. It will be released in North America and Europe, though pricing was not specified.



The Resident Evil remake includes "additional enhancements" that will make it the "definitive" version, Capcom says in a post today on its blog. Character models and backgrounds have been improved, and there is a "scrolling" camera that will help integrate the original game's 4x3 presentation into a 16x9 view. This means that when you move Chris or Jill out of the frame, the view will "smoothly" scroll along with you, Capcom says.

In addition, Capcom says that while the original "tank" controls will remain intact, players will also have a "modern option" where the character will move in the direction of the analog stick. If you don't want the new control or 16x9 option, you can revert to the original experience, Capcom says. Finally, the Resident Evil remake for consoles and PC has 5.1 surround sound support.

The Resident Evil series is one of the biggest and well-known franchises in gaming; it has sold more than 61 million units to date across 92 different games. A seventh installment in the main series--Resident Evil 7--is rumored to be in the works.

WWE 2K15: First Xbox One/PS4 In-Game Screenshot Revealed, $100 Collector's Edition Announced

The first in-game screenshot for upcoming professional wrestling game WWE 2K15 was released today by none other than cover star John Cena. He dispatched the image today through his Twitter account, and publisher 2K Sports followed that up with the bigger version above.

In the work-in-progress image, Cena is staring down fellow fighter Randy Orton. 2K Sports says the image represents what WWE 2K15 will look like on "next-gen consoles," though it is not clear if the screenshot was captured on Xbox One or PlayStation 4.

WWE 2K15 launches October 28 for Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, and PS4. If you preorder the game, you'll receive two playable Sting characters at no extra cost.

The game's $100 special edition was also revealed today, by way of IGN. The "Hulkmania" collector's edition--which will only be available on Xbox One and PS4 and is limited to 25,000 units--includes a copy of the game and a collectible card hand-signed by Hulk Hogan. It also includes an actual piece of the ring canvas from Hogan's Monday Night Raw appearance on March 10 this year, making it worthy of the "collector's edition" description, indeed.

Video Game Review: The Last of Us: Remastered

 

How do you make the best game of 2013 even better?

That was the challenge placed before Naughty Dog. The Last of Us was one of the finest games of the PlayStation 3/Xbox 360 era, a visual masterpiece and a triumph of gaming storytelling, but it arrived at a video game crossroads, hitting the market just months before the next generation of machines.

Could Naughty make the game relevant again, barely a year later?

Somehow, the answer is yes. The Last of Us Remastered arrived on the PlayStation 4 last week, and it manages to make an instant classic worth replaying. If you haven’t played The Last of Us and own a PlayStation 4, now is your chance. And even if you did play it, there are enough tweaks for you to a least ponder the pickup (or grab it when the price invariably drops).

If you didn’t play The Last of Us last year, here’s a quick recap. You play as two characters, Joel and Ellie, in a gripping story about what happens to humanity when we’re nearly wiped off the planet by your average zombie-like virus. Ellie is somehow immune to the virus, and she becomes the key to the plot. She also becomes far more than that, evolving into one of the most memorable characters in gaming memory.

If you know the story, you know what I’m talking about. If you don’t, to tell you any more would be a disservice to your playthrough.

The game plays out in standard third-person adventure fashion, and it’s very linear. But compelling controls and near film-quality visuals drive a masterful experience. Both those things have gotten better in the remastered edition.

The Last of Us Remastered has been completely redone in 1080p, and the difference between PS3 and PS4 versions is huge. You’ll read signs in the distance now, and see the skyline and far off buildings with far greater clarity. A handful of iconic scenes now truly jump off the screen, immersing you more fully in the action.

A new Photo Mode takes advantage of that, allowing you to capture your favorite in-game moments with the push of a button. It’s a subtle addition, but in an era when gamers are addicted to sharing their experiences with each other, it’s welcome.

There are controller tweaks, too, tweaks so natural that you won’t even think about it. You open Joel’s backpack with a press of the Dualshock 4 touchpad, something instinctive and natural and far easier than the old Select button-press. Even better are the refined shooter controls; you’ll rely on your triggers and it all feels natural.

The Last of Us Remastered also bundles in the fine Left Behind DLC, adding some extra story elements to the package. It all adds up to a fantastic package, even if it’s one that’s not required. The PS3 version of The Last of Us remains the better bargain, available in most spots for under thirty bucks.

But The Last of Us Remastered is easily the finest version of a brilliant game. And just a year later, that’s quite impressive.

Reviewed on Sony PlayStation 4

Call of Duty Ghosts DLC 4 Release Date: ‘Nemesis’ Coming to Xbox One, Xbox 360 on Aug 5; PS4, PS3

The final Call of Duty: Ghosts DLC is set for a release on Tuesday.

‘Nemesis’ will be available on all Xbox platforms on Aug. 5. Activision has yet to announce the DLC release date for the PC, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3.

There are four new multiplayer maps available in “Nemesis“:

Goldrush: This map is set in an abandoned gold mine in USA. Narrow tunnels and shafts make it a map suited for close to medium range engagements. Players can ride two mine carts to get around the battlefield quickly.

Subzero: Set in an abandoned Canadian submarine base, this medium-sized map has a traditional three-lane design that allows for engagements of all ranges to take place.

Dynasty: This medium-sized map takes players to a Chinese lakeside village with a variety of elevations for players to take advantage of.

Showtime: This map is a remake of the classic Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare map “Shipment.” The smallest CoD map has been reimagined as a “futuristic death arena.”

“Nemesis” also includes the fourth episode of Extinction mode. Entitled “Exodus,” this map allows players to craft more new weapons, and has new Cryptid aliens for players to face.

Almost all Cryptids from the previous episodes will make an appearance, including the Ancestors which are “the deadliest of enemies with a range of lethal powers including mind control and psionic attacks.”

“Nemesis” is priced at $15, and will be available for download for those who purchase the $50 season pass.

Free PS4, PS3, and Vita Plus Games for August Include Crysis 3, Fez, and New Releases

The lineup of free PlayStation Plus games for the month of August has been revealed for the United States and Canada, thanks to the discovery of a video on the PlayStation YouTube channel. As is now the norm, it consists of two games each for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Vita. Several of the games have been out for some time, while two others will be free as soon as they launch in August.

One such game is Road Not Taken (launching August 5), a sort of roguelike puzzle game from Spry Fox, makers of the hit mobile game Triple Town. (We got a look at the game at E3 and walked away intrigued.) Also free for Plus members with a PS4 is Fez, the brilliantly designed puzzle-platformer from developer Phil Fish.

PS3 owners get a pair of games originally released last year: first-person shooter Crysis 3 and open-world exploration game Proteus.

Vita owners get Vanillaware's gorgeous 2D action RPG, Dragon's Crown (having gotten Dragon's Crown previously, Europeans get Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7), and one game releasing for the first time on August 5: Metrico. This is another game that falls loosely within the boundaries of the puzzle-platformer genre, but it offers a difficult-to-explain twist by making infographics a centerpiece of the gameplay.

Three of August's games are available on multiple systems with cross-buy support (Fez on PS4, PS3, and Vita; and Proteus on PS3 and Vita), meaning you'll end up with more than two free games on PS3 and Vita. Dragon's Crown doesn't support cross-buy with its PS3 and Vita versions, but according to a PlayStation Blog comment from Sony's Kristine Steimer, Plus members will get both versions.

As always with Plus games, these are free to download for all PlayStation Plus members and remain yours for as long as you continue subscribing to the service.

Which of these games are you most looking forward to picking up during August? Let us know in the comments.

PS4:

• Road Not Taken (out August 5)
• Fez (out now) 

PS3:

• Crysis 3 (out now)
• Proteus (out now)

LittleBigPlanet 3 launching Nov. 18 on PS3 and PS4

LittleBigPlanet 3, the latest entry in the charming platforming series created by Media Molecule, will be available Nov. 18 on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4, publisher Sony Computer Entertainment announced today.

A range of pre-order bonuses is available for LittleBigPlanet 3. All pre-order customers, regardless of whether they choose a physical or digital version of the game, will get the game's Day 1 Edition, which includes two add-on packs. The PlayStation 4 the Players Costume Pack features Sackboy costumes based on PlayStation characters, while the Dragon Age Costume Pack includes items inspired by Dragon Age: Inquisition.

People who pre-order a digital copy on PS3 or PS4 from the PlayStation Store will receive the LittleBigPlanet 3 T-shirt Pack, a bundle of four Sackboy costumes. The items will be available for use in LittleBigPlanet 2, LittleBigPlanet Karting and LittleBigPlanet PS Vita as soon as the pre-order is made.

Pre-order bonuses are also available from various retailers. Participating stores will provide pre-order customers with a Sackboy plush, and at Target, it will come with a red Target hat. There's also the Mythical Creatures Costume Pack at GameStop, the Hidden Creatures Costume Pack at Best Buy and the PlayStation Favorites Costume Pack at Amazon.

Developed by Sumo Digital, LittleBigPlanet 3 introduces abilities like wall-jumping and flying that are unique to particular characters. A private beta is set to arrive in August.

GTA 5 PS4, Xbox One and PC release date tipped for November 7

The GTA 5 release date for Xbox One, PS4 and PC has been tipped by a retailer for November 7. 

UK retailer GameSeek has listed a November 7 release date for the next-gen and PC version of GTA 5, opening up pre-orders for the game ahead of its launch later this year. 

You’re looking at a £44.75 spend for the Xbox One and PS4 editions of GTA 5, while the PC version will set you back £36.75 from GamesSeek. 

Currently, RockStar hasn’t confirmed a launch date for the next-gen/PC version aside from the rather loose autumn launch window. 

“Grand Theft Auto 5 will take full advantage of the power of the PlayStation 4, Xbox On e and PC with across-the-board graphical and technical improvements to deliver a stunning new level of detail”, said RockStar Games when announcing the remastered version. “Increased draw distances, finer texture details, denser traffic and enhanced resolutions all worked together to bring new life to the cities, towns, deserts and oceans or Rockstar North’s epic re-imagining of Southern California.”

Of course, the upgrade also extends to GTA Online too and the revamped version offers all the previously released content for the multiplayer portion of GTA 5. 

Anyone who has already been sinking the hours into GTA Online on Xbox 360 and PS3 will be pleased to hear that you can transfer your characters and progress to any of the new three platforms, whether its PS4, Xbox One or PC. 

We’ll update you as when RockStar confirms the official release dates for GTA 5 on these new platforms. 

Until then, you’ll have to enjoy this next-gen visuals trailer for GTA 5.

Minecraft Xbox One, PS4 Edition Release Date, Price Latest: PS Vita Version Also Coming August 2014

Minecraft has seen widespread success in various ports where it has been released. The PC, the iPhone and iPad mobile apps, and the game has even made it mainstream on major consoles such as the PS3 and Xbox 360. However, now fans will be stoked to hear that Minecraft will come to the PS4, Xbox One and PSVita sometime in August 2014.

The major difference between the various different versions is the controls and the modes being integrated into the different ports.

The PC version of course has been able to gain the whole thing, and the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions also received the whole package, however, fans will notice that the controls were of course limited by the PlayStation controller.

Meanwhile, the iPad-iPhone version only got a creative mode and an integrated control system that is compatible with the limitations of the devices' touchscreen.

In new news though, the next-generation consoles are already prepped to get Minecraft ported to them, with the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the PSVita all in line to receive the game.

Mojang is working with 4J Studios to make this latest port happen, with 4J Studios tweeting news on the advancements.

The tweet said, "We can see the light at the end of the tunnel! #MinecraftXbox1 #MinecraftPS4 #Minecraft PSVita," and confirmed claims that the game was coming to the PS4 and Xbox One, as well as the PSVita as well.

The game is expected to have a release date for those new devices sometime in August 2014.

Details by Microsoft say that the game port for Xbox One will support up to 8 players but the number may increase in the future. Developers say that in the console versions and worlds will be 36 times larger than what has been available on the PC, PlayStation 3, and the Xbox 360 versions until now.

Transferring saves from the older-gen consoles to the newer consoles will be possible, but the reverse won't be since it will be impossible to fit a larger world into a smaller one, according to analysts.

The game is expected to retail to all new ports for $19.99. Those who already have the game for the Xbox 360 and want to upgrade to the Xbox One will only need to pay $4 if the latest reports are correct. The same works for the PlayStation 3 to the PS 4 consoles.

Destiny's PS4 and Xbox One Visual Quality Will Probably Be Equal, Analysis Shows

Bungie's upcoming shooter Destiny has been in beta for a week now, and both Xbox and PlayStation owners have been able to try it out. But some people wondered going into the beta how the two current-gen versions would compare graphically. It was recently revealed that the Xbox One version would run at 900p, while the PlayStation 4 version would be 1080p. Although Bungie promised that the Xbox One version would run at 1080p at the game's full launch in September, it isn't known if the two games will have full graphical parity.

GameSpot recently made an Xbox One-PS4 graphics comparison of the Destiny beta, which you can watch above. But Eurogamer's Digital Foundry decided to delve into the technical aspects of the games and created a complete breakdown of Destiny's graphics on the two consoles. In the beta, the group acknowledges that the PS4 version does have noticeably better detail in the environments, but that the Xbox beta has virtually equivalent quality elsewhere: "Put side-by-side, the Xbox One produces slightly fuzzier detailing on these elements, though the actual quality of textures--and filtering--is a complete match between the two."

"Based on footage released of the 1080p Xbox One build so far, this is to be corrected with no apparent sacrifices to visuals elsewhere."

But will the final version be able to close the gap even further? The article states that it's very likely that the 1080p Xbox One version will be almost identical to the PS4 version. "When comparing the constituent parts of the world design, everything remains precisely the same," Thomas Morgan from Digital Foundry writes, "from Bungie's beautiful, full-resolution skybox, to the ripped, cloth-physics-affected flags. Even the approach to shadows is identical, with a likewise cascade, and a faint dithering across spot-lit silhouettes behind characters."

There may be one small difference between the two versions, however. From analysis of gameplay clips of the Xbox One version, the HUD is 2D and static. On the PS4, the HUD is rendered in 3D with a few extra flourishes. It's a very small detail that "mostly comes down to personal preference," Morgan says.

From the parts of Destiny shown off, though, it's a good bet that the Xbox One and PS4 versions will have pretty much the same level of graphical quality. As Morgan concludes, "Both next-gen consoles run at the same levels of world detail in this early build, with Xbox One also a match for the PS4's stable frame rate. The only bug-bear is the 900p versus 1080p differential, where the PS4 benefits from a clearer image. However, based on footage released of the 1080p Xbox One build so far, this is to be corrected with no apparent sacrifices to visuals elsewhere."

Destiny launches on September 9 for Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 3. We've extensively covered the beta and you can check out our guides and videos. Everyone can also play the beta from now until Sunday. Which console will you get Destiny on? Let us know in the comments!

Bungie explains why Destiny doesn’t have PS4-to-PS3, Xbox One-to-360 cross-platform multiplayer

 

Destiny will hit PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 on Sept. 9, but new-gen players won’t get to play with their last-gen buddies.

Developer Bungie’s sci-fi online shooter doesn’t support cross-platform multiplayer. That’s nothing new when it comes to Microsoft and Sony systems, but the game also won’t enable PlayStation 4 gamers to get online and shoot aliens with people on PlayStation 3. In an interview with Digital Trends, Bungie engineer Roger Wolfson explained that it decided to cordon off new-gen from last-gen players for gameplay reasons and not due to technical limitations.

“I’ll speak for the hypothetical player,” Wolfson said. “[On PS3], I have a disadvantage sniping across the map because [my opponent with a new-gen console] is only two pixels on my screen, and I’m four pixels on his. You see that in the world of PC gaming, where people are always racing to the best video card to give themselves the advantage.”

That situation is due to the difference in resolution between the various versions of Destiny. On PS4 and Xbox One, the shooter will hit 1080p high definition, which means the game is rendering 1,080 horizontal lines for each frame. On PS3 and Xbox 360, the game will run at 720p.

That disparity in resolution doesn’t necessarily mean the PS3 player would always have a disadvantage compared to his PS4 counterpart. In most circumstances, a new-gen player and last-gen player would probably have even footing, but Bungie also wanted to avoid the appearance of giving Xbox One and PS4 a more favorable experience.

“Regardless of what the reality is, there’s definitely a perception among gamers that better hardware means you have an advantage,” said Wolfson. “We don’t want to have to enter that fray, so to create the best, most-level playing field, both actually and perceptually, we separated it by platform.”

So, does all this mean that Destiny looks lackluster on last gen? No. Bungie is insisting that isn’t the case. The developer notes that while the graphical fidelity may suffer, a lot of the other aspects are spot on.

“There’s really no difference at all in loading; the game is as fluid and as action-packed,” said Wolfson. “There are as many combatants on [screen as new-gen], and the loading times are equivalent.”

Players are getting their first taste of Destiny on PS3 right now. Bungie opened up a beta test yesterday for both Sony platforms for anyone who preordered (and thousands of others). The Xbox One and Xbox 360 beta will start next week.