Let’s just start this one off right:
If you don’t know why Joker looks like he has leprosy it’s because you didn’t finish the first game. Before pre-ordering Batman: Arkham City you should remedy that. No actual news comes with this new screen shot, but when it’s this awesome do you need words too?
Zombietron’s got the details, but allow me to summarize. If you hacked your PS3, your time with PSN is done. Your renewed agreement to the Terms of Service spells it out. It’s up to you to decide if you want to pirate games or access the Playstation Network. Considering how affordable Gamefly is, I’m sticking with PSN access.
If you’ve been anxiously awaiting a reason to put Castlevania: Lords of Shadow back into your disc drive, wait a little longer. “Reverie,” the first chapter of DLC planned for the game has been delayed until March. The second chapter, “Resurrection,” is also scheduled for next month. No word yet if that one will be delayed as well. “Resurrection” takes place after the main game’s ending; “Reverie” has you playing as Laura (an enemy from the main chapter).
In better DLC news, Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood is giving you a reason to reenter the memories of Ezio Auditore. Taking place after the fall of the Borgias, “The Da Vinci Disappearance” (March 2011) has Ezio looking for stolen paintings in an attempt to rescue Leonardo from the Hermeticists. We are promised two new locations and gameplay features and ten more Achievements/Trophies. A multiplayer component is also included. You’ll get four new characters, a Spanish map, and two new game modes. “Escort” has two teams of four protecting/assassinating a VIP. “Assassinate” is a ten minute deathmatch with six to eight players. Sounds like a good package for $10 (or equivalent points).
If you love Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, you also get good news on the DLC front, to the tune of three DLC packs in three weeks, at $7/each. “Armed and Dangerous” hits PSN and XBLA next week, bringing two new online modes. “Lamborghini Untamed” follows with three new cars from the Italian automaker and ten events. Finally, “Porsche Unleashed” also adds three new cars and ten more events.
If you haven’t already signed up for Playstation Plus (I haven’t), you may want to reconsider that decision (I am). Not only did they just give members Stacking for free, but now Sony is giving you some old school Genesis/MegaDrive fun at no cost as well. Sonic the Hedgehog (1&2), Streets of Rage 2, Golden Axe 2, Comix Zone, and Altered Beast will be slowly trickling onto the PSN through out the summer, starting March 1st. The games will be available to standard PSN users for $4.99 each. I should note, however, that Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection from a couple years ago already has all of these games and then some, for about half the price.
Somehow I’ve managed to miss The Darkness for the last four years. Too many great games in the meantime I guess. For those who didn’t miss it and are anxiously awaiting the sequel, I have good news. The Darkness 2 is scheduled for Fall 2011, and Mike Patton of Faith No More will be back as the voice of the Darkness.
As if Fall 2011 wasn’t crowded enough already, the world’s second-greatest detective will be popping up as well. The next step in the renaissance of Doyle’s most hated creation is The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: The Testament of Sherlock. Focus Home Interactive is publishing the Frogwares-developed title. [For some reason I initially typed the developer as Frogshark, which is a much better name.] Can’t say I really know much about either company but the story synopsis sounds intriguing. Sherlock is accused of a multitude of crimes and is attempting to clear his name. Of course, his skulking, evidence-destroying behavior has even Watson doubting him. Based on the extraordinarily long title it’s safe to assume they plan on this being the first of many Sherlock games.
And now for the news that may blow your minds. Telltale Games (Monkey Island, Sam & Max) has apparently worked a deal to make games for two things Big Shiny Robot! loves, The Walking Dead and Fables. I’ve got very little info on Fables, but Robert Kirkman has spoken a little about The Walking Dead. The deal is for mutliple years, multiple titles, and multiple platforms. It’s sounding like episodic content (which makes sense considering Telltale’s recent history) based on the comic more than the TV show. Telltale recently started releasing the downloadable episodic game based on Back to the Future. Does this mean regular zombie episodes written by Kirkman are hitting PSN and XBLA starting 4th quarter 2011? If true, this might be my most-anticipated game of the year.