Playstation Network Recommendation Thread

[nukehead]

Decided to start this bad boy up because I am jealous that there is an Xbox 360 one, but I don't have a 360. :( /sulk

This thread, should it not die, will hopefully be a place to come to and share any and all things PSN-related.

Another reason I decided to start this thread is I have been suckered in blown away by Playstation Plus. Call it my natural tendency of whoring trophies, but since I signed up (3 months ago) I have received at least one decent game every month. For its price its a no-brainer in my opinion.

Having said that here are some of my top games on the PSN so far:

Super Stardust HD
Twin-stick shooter filled with awesome. The hours I have put into this to try and get into the top tiers of the leaderboards; oh the hours! Did I mention it was pretty? :O
Its frenetic pace and panic inducing difficulty keep me coming back for more. Having said that its not that difficult once you figure out how to use your dash and bombs effectively. I have had immense amounts of fun with this title even though it was released ages ago. Co-op play too, and DLC which adds Split-screen and survival modes complete the package. Bomb-hoarder trophy is a little punk, though. -_-

PixelJunk Shooter
Call me a sucker for twin-stick shooters but I loved this game. Visually this game sold me on one a glimpse of a screenshot. The second I played it I was in love. What they have achieved with the fluid-based 'puzzles' is awesome both visually and as a game play mechanic. If the sequel is exactly the same - which I read somewhere is the case - I will more than likely day-one purchase it. Oh and please don't call me a sucker again.

Aero Racers
I don't know if it is because I got it for free, but this game is wicked fun. Its part of the "Mini's" section of the PSN and I think the download was about 7-14mb. Don't let its size fool you though it can be quite addictive. It's a top-down racer along the lines of Micro-machines with an added mechanic of 'grinding' - read boosting - off the walls. To me this is what sets this title apart from most top-down racers as there is a very cool risk versus reward for getting the grinds right. Too close to the wall and you crash into it; too far away and you are being past by the relentless AI. Also, its around R30 bucks, please.

I'll think more on some to add, as I know I am missing some key games here. Hopefully you guys can also recommend some which I haven't played properly, or at all, but have heard good things: Crash Commandos, Gravity Crash, Joe Danger and The Last Guy.

[KraMGarD]

I've seriously neglected my PS3 and this piqued my interest. What is this Playstation Plus exactly and how much is it? I've only downloaded 1 game so far from PSN - Vagrant Story. Very cool.

[josefvz]

I have a PS3, but have no internet at home. So i have no idea what it is. Some more info will be great!

[cyanfrost]

I used to buy stuff from the PSN store for my PSP and even downloaded some pretty good demos of games where you could play a couple of levels. Pricing is still a tad high for me though ... but this WAS last year. I should have a look again.

[nukehead]

Ok to clear up the whole Playstation Plus conundrum. (http://za.playstation.com/psn/services/detail/item285516/PlayStation%C2%AEPlus/)

Price-wise it is about R500 for a 12-month subscription, although you can you can get 15 months for the price of 12 until Feb 2011 (http://za.playstation.com/home/news/articles/detail/item308403/Extra-extra-with-PlayStation-Plus/)

The skeptics have pointed out, though, that when your subscription ends the free games you get fall away, however I do not see myself not renewing my subscription next year. Why? Well in the last 3 months I have acquired, for free:

PSOne Classics
Oddworld: Abe's Odyssey - R45
Medievil - R 45
Kula World - R45

Mini's
Blast Off - R33
Alien Zombie Death - R22
Echoes - R13
VectorTD - R33
YetiSports - R33
Aero Racer - R55

PSN <--- (These alone would be enough to get plus)
Sam and Max: The Devil's Playhouse (All 5 episodes) - R249
Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix - R140
Zen Pinball - R75

That is on games alone I have acquired R788 worth of 'free' games, which will expire next year August if I don't renew my subscription.

Where PS+ has worked for me is that it kind of forces you to try new games and genres because it's 'free' so you download it and half the time end up enjoying it. Most times completely forgetting that a couple months ago you couldn't get one new release because of the initial sign-up fee.

Also every month you get free DLC for random PS3 retail games - this months was four for Fallout 3 - which I think you get to keep forever. This is more like a lucky-packet though as if you don't have the game it becomes a non event.

Oh and don't forget the exclusive price-cuts on games every month...

\fanboi rant on Playstation Plus ;)

[KraMGarD]

Bit off topic: I've recently done a bit of exploring on my PS3 and am now using it as a media player. I know, I'm such a noob. I've barely scratched the surface with this console. It's a REALLY great HD media player and I almost forked out R1550+ for a Western Digital media player o_O I only have a small hard drive (60GB) and my movies are taking up that space VERY fast, so I'm going to have to upgrade to at least 500GB if I'm going to dive into the PSN game downloading thing again. Apparently you can just get a normal 2.5" laptop hard drive and stick it in there. So, R500 a year and you get to download all that - not bad. BTW how fast is the PSN for downloading larger games like Fallout 3? I've got a 4MB line with WebAfrica.

[nukehead]

@KraMGard

I have a wireless network so my PS3 connects to my PC upstairs and streams it directly to my TV. ;P
So if you can rather go for a router and wireless network, then download TVersity - free ;)- and install on your PC, which will get rid of any issues the PS3 might have of reading HDD's. Issues that I had for ages :/

With regards to connection and download speed, I'm on a Uncapped Shaped 512K Line from Afrihost... I can pull down a PSN title within a couple hours depending on the size. I had a massive update for one of my games - 2.2gigs at the end of the month - which took 3 days (being throttled though)... but because of the Automatic Download feature of Plus it did it in the background whilst I carried on playing other titles.

Just FYI, I have a 40gb PS3 so I have to delete games after I finish them, but you can always re-download them at a later stage. Also with my PC as my media server the whole 40gb is used for games and gaming.

[Nferno]

Just FYI, I have a 40gb PS3 so I have to delete games after I finish them

Heh, I also have the bulky first-gen 40gb model. Just use it as a music hub and exclusives \o/

My friend is a PSN junkie and I see he's been playing Worms (not sure which one) religiously for the past few weeks. He says it feels much better with a PS controller than on PC, so I'm going to have to give that a download one of these days when I scrounge up the cashmonies.

Nice thread, keep us updated on what you find on the PSN :)

[nukehead]

What got me all up in the PSN market was the so-far-for-a-year-permanent special on cards that Take 2 has (http://www.take2.co.za/games-playstation-network-card-r500-ps3-psp-5188305.html). Although I can't seem to find the R200 ones anymore, hmmmm.

I should have a host of new games by the 'morrow (if the Store would update already) so I'll let you guys know if there are any gems.

[CraftyDick]

Now hold on 'y'all. You lose your "free" games after your subscription ends? Not for me thnx. I have this odd habit where, even if I never play the game again, I don't lend or or sell my old/completed games. So if I lose my games, I am not going to subscribe to PS+.

[nukehead]

Now hold on 'y'all. You lose your "free" games after your subscription ends? Not for me thnx. I have this odd habit where, even if I never play the game again, I don't lend or or sell my old/completed games. So if I lose my games, I am not going to subscribe to PS+.

Look, if that's the way you feel then fine, I don't want this thread to turn into whether or not you are going to subscribe. I would prefer it remained about the games etc.

Having said that I feel you are being very short-sighted in saying you lose the games. Yes they expire after 12 months, when your subscription expires, you then renew your subscription, to get more free games, and you have your old games! Logic wins here I'm afraid... maybe the only real 'problem' is the lack of choice when it comes to the games, however if every 12 months I get so many chances that I'll play a game I wouldn't normally, and end up loving it; which has happened every month so far, For R500 bucks? C'mon.

[CraftyDick]

Decided to start this bad boy up because I am jealous that there is an Xbox 360 one, but I don't have a 360. :( /sulk

This thread, should it not die, will hopefully be a place to come to and share any and all things PSN-related.

Another reason I decided to start this thread is I have been suckered in blown away by Playstation Plus. Call it my natural tendency of whoring trophies, but since I signed up (3 months ago) I have received at least one decent game every month. For its price its a no-brainer in my opinion.

.

Yip, all things psn related.

......and I gave my opinion.

Now **** on me some more pls.

[Die Jason]

Nobody shat on you. Just two parties each giving their opinion.

Would love to replay some of the old PS1 classics, KraMGarD mentioned Vagrant Story, awesome title.

[CraftyDick]

I would like to get FF7 and 8. I was Interested in WhipeOut HD a while ago and when ps+ launched, it was on of the limited time rental games (as in not really free) that was on offer . So the day I was going to start my subscription, my friend told me that the games are based on monthly releases and I wouldn't get WOHD because the month was up.

[Die Jason]

Just had a quick look through the full list of PSN Classics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_PSOne_Classics). I think it would be worth it to purchase a PS3 just for some of those old games, there are some outstanding titles.

[nukehead]

So this months batch:

Critter Crunch
Had a brief play around with this just now, and its 3:30am so my judgement is more than likely skewed... but had some fun. Just jammed some 2-player split-screen, didn't really know what was potting - there are tutorials. Intial gameplay though is puzzle-based bug feeding :O - what does that even mean? Well you are a critter and you eat and-what-can-only-be-called-puke it back- up into bigger bugs which eventually explode,dropping crystalswhich give you points. Aforementioned bugs crawl downscreen and if they get too close you die. There also seemed to be power-up bugs but I couldn't figure out how to activate them. Visually its well animated and pretty cheeky. I'll give it a proper go tomorrow and relay the findings.

Oh and Syphon Filter! I loved this game, can't wait to replay.

@CraftyDick
Yeah I wasn't ****ting on you, just was nipping an obvious segway-into-a-string-of-replies-about-who-is-or-isnt-getting-plus in the bud. I mean I still discussed your opinion on the matter ;P

[DarkPrince]

Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
Marvel vs Capcom 2
Cuboid
Flower
Gundemonium Collection
Solner-X 1, 2 and Lost World
Final Fight
Earthwork Jim HD
Wipeout
Burn Zombie Burn

[KraMGarD]

Just had a quick look through the full list of PSN Classics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_PSOne_Classics). I think it would be worth it to purchase a PS3 just for some of those old games, there are some outstanding titles.

Resident Evil!!!!!!!! I'm so going to hurt my credit card. It's already bleeding, but I'll just kick it some more ;). I would love to see Tenchu there. Will there be a release of PS2 titles anytime soon? Glad to see Final Fantasy VIII there. I've got the 4 discs and I played up to the end of disc 3 and when I inserted disc 4...nothing. Very happy to see this one on the list.

@ nukehead - Thanks for the wireless-TV-connection "tip". I've moved my PS3 from my computer room to my TV room recently, so this setup will be very handy.

[josefvz]

So if i understand correctly:
PSN + Gives you "Free" down-loadable games,Random DLC's, and discount where normal PSN you have to pay retail for the same stuff?

[nukehead]

So if i understand correctly:
PSN + Gives you "Free" down-loadable games,Random DLC's, and discount where normal PSN you have to pay retail for the same stuff?

Pretty much, also the 'Automatic Download' feature is under-rated, I no longer put in a game - unless its new - and have to wait for the updates. You underestimate how cool it is booting up your ps3 and it telling you that whilst you were sleeping it downloaded and updated your games for you... I always seem to feel the need to thank it. :/

[SC(+)PE]

Pretty much, also the 'Automatic Download' feature is under-rated, I no longer put in a game - unless its new - and have to wait for the updates.

Ok now I'm sold. I'll probably love the free stuff too, but I'd pay R500 just for this. I know I'm probably on my own on this one, but when the PS3 gets fired up for some online gaming, there isn't normally much free time, and waiting on a download screen doesn't make for very relaxing breaks.

Also, does it now allow downloads to continue during single player games? It's kind of annoying that they pause when you fire up a game that wont use the connection anyway.

[nukehead]

Also, does it now allow downloads to continue during single player games? It's kind of annoying that they pause when you fire up a game that wont use the connection anyway.

Well yes and no. If its the first time you put the game in your drive, a game that needs updating, it will do the usual "You cannot perform background download of this content". However if you just cancel you can play without connecting as per usual. However the next time automatic download starts (4:00 to 6:00am for me) it will start the download and I think it sticks to background downloading. I am not 100% sure as this is what happened for the update to Pain (2.2gigs) and its been the only time as updates are usually only max 400mb.

[RayRay]

Anyone play decent online multiplayer such as COD: MW2 or anything like that on their PS3?

Last time I tried, I attempted with COD: MW a while back when it released. All the servers I could get were in America and I kind of got owned. My guess is the P2P system just couldn't find a local server.

I am curious to know because I would like to try out AC: Brotherhood online once I am able to purchase it...and because LIVE is making me a tad jealous...

[nukehead]

@RayRay

I have had some lag free games with MW2 but it has been with local friends. :(
This is the only game I have had serious issues with, as in having to wait ages just to find a game and then getting absolutely owned due to the lag (at least that's what I'm blaming).

So it may be fine with Assassin's Creed... I meant to download the Multiplayer Beta and then would have been able to tell you unequivocally, oh well. Maybe I'll try download it any ways and see if it still works... but that would have to wait till the end of the month.

[nukehead]

I have just realised that I have neglected this thread despite receiving this months batch of games. Enter the reason for this neglect:

Cuboid
This game consumed me. You play as a 2x1 block 'stuck' - for lack of a better word - on a floating floor high above everything. Your goal is to get yourself - lets call you 'Blocky' - into a 1x1 hole situated somewhere in the level. Simple, right? Well it would have been had Blocky been designed with wheels which would have allowed him to slide around as he pleased and exit; but he wasn't so the only way he can move is by flipping. This dynamic way of moving is really the core of this game and in combination with the exit only being 1x1 means that you have to carefully situate Blocky so that the final move onto the exit square is one that makes him stand vertically, else he doesn't fit. :O

Add in a move counter, timer and medals and you have one fricken sweet puzzler. The beginner levels are quite easy and I found myself cruising through their completion whilst trophies were just popping left and right, which made me slightly giddy :D Then. Expert levels brought me to a halt and actually made me use my little brain culminating in the last couple having me say, 'Impossible, I have done every possible combination of turns...' I hadn't. There were sneaky little tricks that needed to be learned. Fun.

My only gripes with this game is it's very short, I think it took me 2-3 hours to solve all the puzzles and the menu system doesn't have a level select option from in-game pause. Other than that, winner.

tl;dr

Cuboid, despite being very short, is a unique and fun little puzzler that actually makes you think.

EDIT: There is DLC available for R45, which includes a level editor and "Professional" levels, which I may just purchase...

[Ro$hi]

I recently managed to connect to PSN, but I have a 2GB cap which has to be shared between my family and has to last the whole month, so that's where my PSN escapade ends.

The only PSN games I know of are the obvious ones, like Flow, Flower, the PixelJunk games, and echochrome.

[Mikit0707]

Dead Nation. Dead Nation. Dead Nation!!!! This game is ****ing awesome. Get it. It tracks, in realtime, the amount of zombies killed by gamers in each country across the world. Naturally, USA is leading. South Africa was ranked 29th when I stopped playing last night but there are only 35 players in SA! DISGUSTING! WTF okes? Buy this game. It is stupid amounts of fun.

It's R125 and about 1.5 gig download.

[nukehead]

Dead Nation. Dead Nation. Dead Nation!!!! This game is ****ing awesome. Get it. It tracks, in realtime, the amount of zombies killed by gamers in each country across the world. Naturally, USA is leading. South Africa was ranked 29th when I stopped playing last night but there are only 35 players in SA! DISGUSTING! WTF okes? Buy this game. It is stupid amounts of fun.

It's R125 and about 1.5 gig download.

Also on special for Plus subscribers this month, if my memory serves correctly. I may just give it a full-game trial. Shot for the heads up ;)

[-Bouncer-]

Ok so I'm getting my PS3 today. Anything you guys would recommend for PSN? Any specific settings that I need to do for PSN?

[Mikit0707]

Ok so I'm getting my PS3 today. Anything you guys would recommend for PSN? Any specific settings that I need to do for PSN?

Nope, PSN is dead easy to set up; the SA version is really good too. However if you're planning on playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band then you should set up a second, UK based account so you can get the DLC. Once downloaded, all content is accessible by any profile on the PS3 regardless of the country it's tied to.

Then buy Dead Nation. It rocks.

[-Bouncer-]

Ok so everything is set up, I rented Uncharted Drake's Fortune yesterday and finished it. Now it's Uncharted 2. I'm thinking of buying Little Big Planet GOTY Edition. Any thoughts on that?

[nukehead]

Ok so everything is set up, I rented Uncharted Drake's Fortune yesterday and finished it. Now it's Uncharted 2. I'm thinking of buying Little Big Planet GOTY Edition. Any thoughts on that?

Definitely buy Little Big Planet. It gave me a good two years of enjoyment, which was only amplified by being a good medium to have some quality time with my girl (she still loves it, sometimes more than me, it feels). Also a great game to whip out with a couple mates and having the "Coopetition" run rife. If the GOTY includes the Metal Gear Solid and Pirates of the Caribbean packs then it is a complete no-brainer. This is one of the few games I still come back to even though I have its Platinum; and I don't think it's just because I'm an complete fanboi either. ;)

Now if they'd just release the second one already...

[-Bouncer-]

Any other PS3 exclusives that I should try? How will it work if I buy a R500 PSN card from Take2?

[nukehead]

Any other PS3 exclusives that I should try? How will it work if I buy a R500 PSN card from Take2?

When you buy the the card they will process your order and send you a code via email. You then go to your wallet/transaction management and there is a "Redeem Codes" option, enter your code and you'll instantly have the funds added to your wallet. Then you can buy all sorts of cool stuff.

On a related note, I downloaded the demo for Joe Danger and it was immensely fun. Excitebike for the modern ages it seems, I mean it even has a level editor. Alas I can't purchase it yet as the current season has been unkind to my wallet.

[Mikit0707]

Any other PS3 exclusives that I should try?

Heavy Rain - has moments that are quite literally the best moments I've experienced in a game.

inFamous - lots of fun; typical comic book hero stuff. Plus the sequel is coming out soonish and it looks amazing.

And I'm with nukehead: LBP is all kinds of awesome. Plus Sackboy is just so gosh-darn cute. :3

The first PS3 exclusives I'd always recommend are the Uncharted games, but you're already into those. After those, however, it'd be Heavy Rain. Check it out; it's really good.

[-Bouncer-]

So I've finished both Uncharted games over the weekend. Incredible games! Like I said, I'm looking into buying LBP GOTY Edition, also thinking of getting Batman AA GOTY Edition because on the PS3 you get to play as the Joker, although I'm just looking at trying PS3 exclusive games. If they are multi-platform, I'll end up going for PC.

[James Donaldson]

I've been wanting to buy a R500 Redeem Code (for R480 from Take2) so I can buy/play Final Fantasy 7, 8, 9 on my PSP. However, the only reason I haven't is because of my pathetic 32meg card and the bigger memory cards being far too expensive for me :(

Also I'd like to grab Theme Hospital, Theme Park, Magic Carpet and Dungeon Keeper from PSN

[SC(+)PE]

Also I'd like to grab Theme Hospital, Theme Park, Magic Carpet and Dungeon Keeper from PSN

Finished Theme Hospital for the second... wait what? Theme Park is on PSN? OMG

*runs off to get angry at a dress-up loving assistant
http://i979.photobucket.com/albums/ae279/23rdScope/ParkIsGettingPopular.jpg

[-Bouncer-]

Is it worth getting the PS Move? I'm going to buy LBP GOTY Edition and a R500 PSN card next week.

Edit: I just ordered LBP GOTY Edition at Take 2 and I found the R500 PSN card for R459 at BT Games. So will be getting that later this week as well. I rented GOW3 but it kept freezing at the beginning of the game. I looked on dozens of forums and it's a fault from Sony's side...

Anyhow, can't wait to play LBP!

[nukehead]

For any one who is interested there is a system update for the PS3 (http://uk.playstation.com/ps3/support/system-software/detail/item352011/Update-features-(ver-3-60))

What tickled my fancy was this:


Online Storage

[Online Storage] has been added as a feature under Game > [Saved Data Utility (PS3?)] . You can store PlayStation 3 format software saved data on a PlayStation Network server and download it to another PlayStation 3 system to continue playing your game. To use this feature you must have a PlayStation Network account and be a PlayStation Plus member

177mb

[Cleric]

Goddammit, another ****ing update that will take forever to download for 1 feature. ****sakes PS, learn to add incremental patches, it's not rocket science.

As for the topic: I see that Pixeljunk Shooter 2 is out, and if it's even close to as good as the first it will definitely be worth picking up.

[nukehead]

Goddammit, another ****ing update that will take forever to download for 1 feature. ****sakes PS, learn to add incremental patches, it's not rocket science.

As for the topic: I see that Pixeljunk Shooter 2 is out, and if it's even close to as good as the first it will definitely be worth picking up.

Oh I have my eye on that bad boy too... somewhere in the distance my wallet shivers.

Although it is only R75...

[nukehead]

N-N-N-N-NECRO POST! (with a double to boot :O )

It will cancel out though as I have a very important Public Service Announcement:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/15/TSAG_DOS_front.jpg/200px-TSAG_DOS_front.jpg

Is available for FREE to Plus members. 32mb and I watched each one download I was so excited. I then played it and was awash in a sea of nostalgia. If you are not a member of Plus you can get it for R95 but I still maintain that it is a great service.

Also, if this thread dies again I won't resurrect it. Just thought it unnecessary to start a new one for this awesome news.

Go get it. Now.

[DarkPrince]

Get Shank 2 for some awesome co-op action and Malicious for a great action title.

[nukehead]

Oh, I forgot to add that they have included Online Co-op in the Simpsons Arcade Game.

That is information you needed to know.