Puppeteer - PlayStation 3

With its stunning presentation, wonderful art style and delightful theatrical flourishes, Puppeteer has upstaged many big name titles this year to become one of my favourite games of 2013.

Essentially, it’s a side-scrolling platform caper, but there's so much style packed into this dark, twisted pantomime that Puppeteer often feels like a completely different beast. The game follows the adventures of Kutaro, a young scamp whose soul is taken by the evil - and wonderfully named - Moon Bear King and poured into the discombobulated body of a wooden puppet.

What makes Puppeteer so special is that all the action takes place on stage in a quaint theatre, where an unseen audience whoop, cheer and applaud valiant deeds, and gasp and squeal in terror as the Moon Bear King and his minions wreak havoc. It's a quite brilliant touch and helps give Puppeteer a truly marvellous atmosphere.

Because of the game's setting, Acts are introduced by the parting of red velvet curtains, while background sets shift and change on the fly with a handmade charm not seen since Sackboy bumbled his way on to the PlayStation 3 back in 2008.

Kutaro leaps through the gorgeous sets collecting shiny trinkets and evading all manner of devious critters. But while the platforming antics are fairly standard fare, Puppeteer throws in a few neat ideas to mix things up.

The first is Ying Yang, a bedraggled feline Who the player controls via the right stick. This magical flying cat can interact with the backdrops, allowing the player to uncover secrets, snuffle out hidden golden shards and free the children who have been imprisoned by the grizzly Moon Bear King.

Kutaro also gets his little wooden hands on Cerberus early in the game - a pair of enchanted scissors which enables our puppet hero to cut through environments and slice up troublesome foes. But that's not all, as you make your way through the game, Kutaro uncovers more knick-knacks to help him on his quest.

As if this wasn't enough for Kutaro to contend with, the cheeky rapscallion has lost his head and is forced to collect makeshift noggins as he scampers around. Each of these imaginative objects is imbued with special powers and experimenting with them and watching the accompanying animation is another of Puppeteer's visual charms.

The game packs in a lot of content and there are plenty of reasons to go back and revisit the levels once you've initially polished them off. There are heads to collect and fabulous picture books to unlock, complete with wonderful paper-style animation and narrated brilliantly by Stephen Greif, who gives a blinding performance all the way through this rip-roaring adventure.

Collected heads can also be viewed, each one featuring a lovely little vignette and the models can be spun and manipulated for a closer peek at the exquisite art style. Puppeteer is also the first game since Batman: Arkham City that I played through in 3D and it truly shines. The depth of the theatre sets look splendid, while objects and characters are thrown around the screen making making it a visual treat from start to finish.

It's a spellbinding title that has me completely smitten. Even with the imminent launch of the next generation of consoles and the promise of bigger and better games, this magical title will definitely be in my top 10 come the end of the year... oh yes it will!

Wipeout HD - PS3

While desperately clearing my PlayStation 3's hard drive to make space for yet another download, I flicked through all the screenshots from the past few years and came across a bunch from various titles. However, it was the pictures I took of Wipeout HD which caught my eye. I'm actually not a huge fan of the series, but the picture editor included with the game really grabbed me and I spent more time messing around with it than actually playing the game. So, here are a few of my favourites.

 

 

 

 

 

Tokyo Jungle - PS3

Tokyo Jungle was released in Japan last week and while I was tempted to import the retail version thanks to its amazing box art, I bought the downloadable version instead from the Japanese PSN as it was much more convenient. I've now put a few hours into the game so I thought I would share some of my initial thoughts and explain a wee bit about what is going on.

It's a weird and wonderful game where you initially control either the cover mascot - a Pomeranian dog - or a deer and make your way through the post-apocalyptic streets of Shibuya, trying to survive in the crumbling city.

Although there are three modes: Survival, Story and Multiplayer, most of my time over the last few days has been in Survival.

Here, you not only have to fend for yourself on the mean streets of Toyko - which are filled with dogs, cats, chickens, tigers, warthogs, rhinos and a large assortment of other wild animals - but you also have to keep an eye on your hunger meter, which is constantly draining.

Killing other animals and feasting on their remains keeps hunger at bay, although there are stretches of the wrecked city which are devoid of life, which creates panic as you desperately try and find something to eat. Of course, this only applies to carnivores - herbivores have to find plants to survive - not easy, as toxic clouds hang heavily over the land from time-to-time, poisoning you and the city's plant life.

No matter what animal you choose - there are 52, although 50 of them have to be unlocked - you can defend yourself with bites, kicks and swipes. There are plenty of peaceful enemies who will scamper away from you as you approach but it is possible to sneak up on them and take them down. Even if you find yourself chased by a vicious pack of wolves, you can hide in patches of long grass which pepper the city streets. These grassy areas are also useful for sneaking up on - or around -other animals.

The goal in Survival is to stay out of harm's way for as many years as possible but with so many creatures out to get you, death is inevitable. Thankfully, you can mate with a female member of your chosen species, which gives your bloodline a much better chance of survival. Die, and the next animal who loyally follows behind your character, takes over.

Finding a mate takes a bit of work, though. First you have to mark your territory which brings females into the area. But to impress them, you have to rank up to "boss" status before she'll have anything to do with you.

While you pad about the crumbling metropolis, you'll find a variety of objects and items to help you on your way. Medical supplies can be pilfered, while a mind-boggling assortment of clothes can be found and worn - each item giving your character stat boosts. Hats, jackets and shoes can be found but once you die, these items are gone forever.

You'll also find SD cards on your travels and snaffling these unlocks new chapters in the story mode. I've not put much time into the story but from what I've played, it's pretty simple stuff.

All the menus are in English, although the rest of the text is in Japanese. As a result, I'm still not sure how to unlock other animals but I'm sure I'll figure it out. That said, the gameplay is straightforward and the language barrier really doesn't pose much of a problem.

Tokyo Jungle has already thrown up some moments which made me laugh. Watching a pack of domestic cats attacking a bear was one highlight, as was the sight of a Godzilla-sized fish slumped against the side of a building in central Tokyo.

It's certainly not the best game I've played this year, although it is definitely the weirdest and I'm very much enjoying my time with it. With so much to unlock and the promise of dinosaurs prowling the streets in the future, I'll be putting plenty more time into Tokyo Jungle.

A Western release was confirmed at E3 last week, although no release date has been mentioned. Toyko Jungle costs 3900 yen from the PSN, while the retail version weighs in at around 4200 yen.

A look ahead to 2010

Christmas has traditionally been a time when developers release their blockbuster titles hoping to maximise sales as people scour the shops looking for presents. But there has been a shift in focus this year, with many big name titles set to land in the first half of 2010 instead of the usual pre-Christmas rush. I've highlighted six games which I'm really excited about that will launch in the first half of the new year

Heavy Rain - PlayStation 3

The spiritual successor to 2005's Fahrenheit, Quantic Dream prove they are the masters of storytelling with Heavy Rain - a rich and complex narrative-driven experience which sets the benchmark for visuals and animation in video games. Heavy Rain is a psychological thriller, which puts you in control of four characters, all bound to the activities of a murderer known as The Origami Killer. Through interacting with people and objects, the player slowly unravels the mystery, with each choice having a lasting effect throughout the game. The story is beautifully crafted and thanks to the jaw-dropping visuals, the player is sucked into the dark world Quantic Dream have created. I've had preview code for the last few weeks and can confirm the game is set to be something truly special. Its slow pace might put some people off, but those looking for a deep and rewarding experience will find Heavy Rain irresistible when it launches next month.

Mass Effect 2 - 360/PC

Bioware's original sci-fi epic was launched in 2007 and became a worldwide success. The sequel once again puts you in the shoes of Commander Shepard, as he and his team investigate the rise of a new enemy who are abducting human colonies in deep space. Mass Effect's galaxy has been expanded for the sequel, while gunplay looks to have been tightened up - something that was desperately needed after the original's slightly flimsy shooting action. Character interaction was one of Mass Effect's high points, with dialogue choices impacting on how others perceived your character. Knowing Bioware, this feature will again play a central role in the sequel. Mass Effect 2 also looks spectacular, boasting better animation and improved textures. With a raft of improvements right across the board, sci-fi fans looking for an epic adventure should be well catered for when the game blasts off on January 29.

Final Fantasy XIII - PlayStation 3/360

After years of waiting, the 13th installment of the most popular role-playing game on the planet is almost here. It's already shifted 1.8million copies in Japan since it launched in the middle of December and it's clear this will be one of the biggest titles of the year in the West. Following Final Fantasy XII's free-roaming, action-orientated approach, FF XIII returns to a more linear format. The Japanese demo only gave a small taste of what we can expect from the combat, but turn-based battles return, although random encounters have thankfully been canned. The art team at Square Enix have been hard at work and the sumptuous visuals are incredible, while gamers can expect another epic musical score to set the tone. Final Fantasy XIII is released on March 9.

Monster Hunter Tri - Wii

Monster Hunter has been the saviour of the PSP in Japan, where people simply can't get enough of the series. Millions of copies have been sold on Sony's hand-held, but for the first time since the PS2, the series is coming to a home console. Unlike traditional role playing games, Monster Hunter doesn't feature a main story to wade through. Instead, the player takes on a series of quests to slay wild creatures, and use their remains to craft elaborate and effective armour and weapons. Hundreds of items can be crafted, and it's this kill and craft gameplay which is so compulsive. Full online play will be included, with up to four hunters taking on quests together. This should make the Monster Hunter much more fun than trudging through quests solo.

Yakuza 3 - PlayStation 3

Following months of speculation, Sega announced they will be bringing part three of their celebrated series to the West. The Yakuza games focus on Kazuma Kiryu, a hard-hitting Japanese tough guy with a heart of gold and fists of steel. The storyline in the first two PS2 games was wonderful stuff, delving into the murky depths of the violent Japanese underworld, with plenty of twists, turns, backstabbing and memorable characters. While the combat was satisfying, it wasn't perfect - with the player often taking fresh air swings due to slightly clumsy controls. Judging from the Japanese demo, nothing much has changed in that regard. Still, with beautifully polished visuals and plenty of side quests - including golf, pool, darts, roulette, Black Jack, dice throwing, hostess clubs, videogame arcades, karaoke bars and 10-pin bowling, Yakuza 3 is definitely one to watch when it launches across Europe in March.

BioShock 2 - 360/PlayStation 3/PC

 

I'm not the world's biggest fan of first-person shooters, but 2007's BioShock completely changed my opinion on the genre. Let loose in an atmospheric underwater city, full of genetically modified freaks, was a thrilling experience and BioShock 2 - which is set 10 years after the events of the first game - is set to eclipse its predecessor. Taking control of the original Big Daddy - a hulking brute clad in ancient deep sea diving gear - the player will stomp their way through the decaying city of Rapture. Plasmids return, with these genetic super powers able to unleash chaos through the Art Deco inspired underwater city. With full multiplayer included this time and 2K's usual attention to detail, BioShock 2 is set to be one of the highlight of 2010 when it's released on February 9.

Afrika/Hakuna Matata - PS3

First off, let me apologise for the lack of updates recently. I've just not had time to update the blog due to real life getting in the way of my precious gaming time. So without hanging about, let's get the blog back on track with the wonderful Afrika/Hakuna Matata on PS3.

My copy arrived from Japan this week and although I ordered Afrika, I received Hakuna Matata instead. The difference? Well Hakuna Matata is the the Asian version of Afrika, but aside from the name change, the only difference between the two versions is that Hakuna Matata has two pages of English in the instruction manual relating to the controls. Everything else in the manual and on-screen is still in Japanese.

So what exactly is Afrika/Hakuna Matata? Well, plain and simply, it's a wildlife photography game. As I've mentioned previously, think of Hakuna Matata as a grown-up version of Pokemon Snap.

You begin the game by choosing a male or female character and then you are whisked away to base camp - a small location nestled in the south of the Duma Steps. The camp has a bed, a map, a bookshelf - where you can view your progress - all your tools, such as tents and your collection of cameras. There's also a laptop, which acts as the hub for all your African adventures. You'll receive missions via the laptop, each one accompanied by a small video clip of what animal picture the client is looking for.

As the text is in Japanese, this makes things much easier to understand, although a little trial and error is required as you get further in. Every photograph you take is also uploaded to the laptop, and you can pick and choose the best picture to send to the client. Every successful mission rewards you with a grade and a cash bonus, which is used to buy new equipment from the laptop's online store.

When you venture outside the camp for the first few missions, all you'll have to your name is a bog-standard camera, which takes slightly fuzzy pictures. But don't worry, as you progress through the game, new cameras and lenses become available. In fact, it doesn't take long to get a cracking little digital camera, which takes beautifully sharp pictures. Incidentally, all the pictures featured here are my own creations, so I hope you like them!




As the gameworld is sizeable, the preferred mode of transport is a jeep. At first you will be taken to points of interest by your driver, but later in the game, you gain full control of the jeep and can drive it anywhere.

Your first assignment is to take pictures of general wildlife, and you'll be dropped off near a watering hole, where zebras, antelopes, giraffes and vultures like to gather. However, care must be taken when approaching animals, as most are easily scared and will run off if you get too close. You can sneak by pressing down on the D-Pad, and finding some cover in the shrubs and bushes enables you to observe the wildlife going about their business without disturbing them.




Snapping pictures is very straightforward - pressing R1 takes the snap, while turning the Sixaxis 90 degrees changes your view from landscape to portrait - very handy for taking pictures of giraffes! The right analogue stick is used to zoom in and out, which is vital for getting great close up shots without frightening the animals.

After taking your pictures, you'll be taken back to base camp, where you can send pictures of new species back to central office. Each new species photographed and recorded earns you 3000 points, and taking snaps of new creatures opens up fresh missions and challenges.

Occasionally you will have to take on a Big Hunt. These are scripted events, the first of which sees you taking pictures of a cheetah chasing down an antelope. These are great fun and offer a nice change of pace from the rest of the laid back gameplay. As far as I'm aware, there are 20 Big Hunts to discover throughout the game.

As you progress, the missions start to get interesting - you'll start by snapping giraffes drinking from a pool, but soon you'll be face to face with a charging elephant and dealing with angry bison. Incidentally, you can't die in Hakuna Matata. If you anger an animal, it will charge you. This results in you being knocked out, but you'll come round back at base camp, ready to try the mission again.

As you can see, the graphics are excellent and although animals in the distance look a little stilted, up close they look incredible. Because the draw distance is so good, it's impossible not to be impressed with the backgrounds just as much as foreground objects. There's also a day/night cycle at work and the effect as afternoon turns to evening is breathtaking. The music is equally good, with a soundtrack composed and conducted by Wataru Hokoyama, which gives the game an epic feel.



Hakuna Matata is a great game to chill-out with. If you don't want to dive into the missions, you don't have to. In fact, most of the images you see here were taken when I was just exploring the game world. There is also an option in the main menu called Afrika viewer. When in this mode, you select a landscape, time of day and background music. Then you just sit back and watch the wildlife going about its business. You can also speed up time so the colours of the landscape gradually change from day to night. You can also manually change the view or let the PS3 flick between them. It's lovely to have on in the background late at night and is a great inclusion.

Sony also teamed up with National Geographic for Hakuna Matata, and as a result, every animal in the game is featured in the National Geographic Library - an album crammed full of glorious hi-res pictures and videos of the featured wildlife.

Sony have obviously gone to a lot of trouble to create Hakuna Matata, which makes it even more baffling when they announced they have no plans to publish the game in the US or Europe. I'm still confident they'll change their minds, as this is a game which will appeal to gamers and non-gamers of all ages.

Ratchet and Clank: The Quest for Booty - PS3

Last year's Ratchet And Clank: Tools Of Destruction on PS3 proved to be one of the system's highlights. Its perfect fusion of platform fun, excellent action and jaw-dropping graphics proved to be a huge hit for Insomniac Games.

And while we wait for the next full game in the series, which is expected to arrive in 2009, Insomniac have given us this tasty morsel to whet our appetite.

Costing £9.99 from the PlayStation online store, Quest For Booty offers all the classic Ratchet and Clank humour and gameplay we've come to expect from the series and, although the game will only take a few hours to complete, it's well worth your time and cash.

The story takes place immediately after Tools Of Destruction, so if you've yet to delve into one of the PS3's finest games, now is the perfect chance - especially as Tools has been re-released for £19.99 on the new PS3 Platinum range.

Our long-eared Lombax friend is off on his travels again, this time hoping to discover the whereabouts of his metal sidekick Clank and the location of the mysterious alien race, the Zoni.

The Ratchet and Clank series has always been known for its over-the-top weapons, but unfortunately Quest For Booty doesn't really offer much in the way of cool new gadgets to mess about with - with the one exception: the Kinetic Tether.

This new device is used for a variety of acrobatic endeavours, such as pulling bridges and platforms and setting giant springs which send Ratchet soaring through the air.

The solid series gameplay remains intact and Ratchet fans will discover new additions, including cute glow-in-the-dark monsters that can be grabbed with your wrench and used as a light source - essential if you want to navigate your way around dark and gloomy pirate coves.

Graphics, as you would expect, are nothing short of spectacular and Insomniac's attention to detail puts many other developers to shame. The opening scene sees you thrown on to a rocking ship in the middle of a thunderstorm, with the torrential rain making metal surfaces appear slick and slippery. Later you'll discover the tropical beauty of Hoolefar Island, complete with gorgeous water effects and soaring creatures that fly high over the sun-kissed land.

While the game should take you only three to four hours to complete, every minute spent with Quest For Booty is a pleasure. The main problem is that just as you get into your stride, the experience is over. 

Still, for £9.99 you will get a thoroughly enjoyable and well thought-out game and once again, Sony are leading the way in delivering quality content from their online store.

Secret Agent Clank - PSP

The Ratchet and Clank series has proved to be extremely popular across all Sony’s platforms. The pair's blend of colourful, platform-driven fun, coupled with insane weapons and a healthy dose of humour have lifted the Lombax and his metal chum above the humdrum array of 3D platform games that flood the market.

Now, for the first time, Ratchet’s loyal sidekick Clank gets a game of his own, but does it do enough to differentiate itself from the classic R&C gameplay?

Well, for a start, forget about the crazy weapon sets which have come to define previous games in the series. Yes, shooting does play a part in proceedings, but most of the emphasis this time around is based around stealth.

Ratchet has been accused and imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit, so it’s up to Clank - resplendent in his James Bond-style tuxedo - to solve the mystery and get his long-eared friend off the hook.

Along the way, Clank gets access to gadgets to help him through the quest, such as the tie-a-rang – great for taking out a succession of flying robots – and a blackout pen – which is used to blot out security lasers. While there's nothing wrong with the gadgets at Clank’s disposal, nothing here comes close to the the previous games’ weapons, such as the magnificent Groovitron or the awesome Jell-O gun.

For a game based on stealth, it's vital that proper camera controls are in place. Unfortunately the camera controls are frustrating and require constant manipulation. It’s such a shame as there's an entertaining game waiting to break out.

High Impact Games have tried to mix up gameplay styles along with the sneaking about. Clank will also have to undertake rhythm action sections, which are good fun, if a little fiddly. Guard robots can also be taken down by creeping up behind them. This initiates QTE sequences which must be entered quickly to succeed.

Ratchet fans will also be pleased to know that you're also able to play as the Lombax in levels reminiscent of the arena sections from Tools of Destruction. Captain Quark also makes an appearance and like Ratchet’s shooting sections, Quark’s inclusion is there to inject a different pace to the game.

The downside to these missions is they feel shoe-horned in. Playing as Clank is good fun, but just as you’re getting into the swing of things, you're dragged out of the experience to play a Ratchet or Quark mini-section which spoils the flow of the game. I would have preferred these sections to be added as unlockable extras upon completion of the main quest.

Secret Agent Clank’s graphics are certainly above average, although they’re not quite as polished as titles such as Monster Hunter 2 of even Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters on PSP. Voice acting is thankfully spot on, while the sound effects and music all carry the charm associated with the series.

Clank's first outing on the PSP is entertaining, but it ultimately suffers from trying to do too much.

Flower - PS3

With the E3 conference almost over I thought it would be fitting to focus on a game from the show which didn't get as much attention as the big hitters from Microsoft and Sony.

Amidst the guns, destruction and brutality of Gears of War 2 and Resistance 2 was a delicate offering from thatgamecompany, the same team who developed the excellent flOw on PS3 ­- Flower.

Flower was first unveiled at the Tokyo Game Show last year, although I have to admit I didn't pay it much attention at the time. However, after watching videos from this year's E3, Flower has become one of my most anticipated titles.



Controlling the wind with the PS3's Sixaxis, you pick up a solitary flower petal on the breeze. You can then guide the petal across a gorgeous looking landscape and if it comes into contact with other flowers, their petals join yours and make their way across rolling fields.

Creator Jenova Chen has revealed that every level is actually a different flower's dream, with each flower/dream featuring new sights, sounds and colours. The fields are made up of 200,000 individual blades of grass, each one completely independent from the others.



Only two landscapes were shown at E3, a bright, lush looking field and a drab, grey field - although this soon became a sea of brilliant colour, as the petals spread their pollen as they danced across the grey grass, transforming it instantly. It brought to mind the effect in Okami, although this was much more detailed. When I first saw this, I nearly dropped the mug of tea I was holding and it took me a few minutes to get my jaw back up off the floor.

Although Jenova is keeping his cards close to his chest regarding the game, he did reveal that varying weather effects will play a part, as will music, with players able to blend their actions in time with the background sounds.



Flower will be a PlayStation 3 exclusive title and will be available via the PSN. No release date has been announced, but don't expect to be playing any time soon. It's still in pre-alpha stage, although you'd never guess as it looks absolutely stunning.

Take a look at these beautiful videos to get a feel for the Flower experience. Although they are in grainy web-o-vision, they give you a taste of what's to come. Just imagine it running in full high definition glory: