Sony Weekly Update (Feb. 4-10)

Two highly-anticipated retail titles head up this week’s update in addition to a number of demos available through the PSN.

Heavy hitter retail titles BioShock 2 and Dante’s Inferno will both be unleashed onto retail shelves this Tuesday.

BioShock 2 is expected to provide a very similar experiences to its predecessor. The visuals haven’t changed much (though they didn’t really need to), the story is still immersive, and the developers added an intriguing multiplayer component that has garnered positive reactions. BioShock 2 is a great addition to the Q1 offerings. Expect Game Rant’s full written review to go live very soon.

Dante’s Inferno has a lot going for it – a lot of which was copied straight from the God of War franchise. The gameplay is action packed, the environments and characters show great diversity as Dante makes his way through the different circles of hell. Though, the gore is often excessive (and at times more of distraction than a quality that pulls you deeper into the experience) and anyone looking for a thoughtful interpretation of the Divine Comedy should look elsewhere. Dante’s Inferno will definitely tide action fans over until God of War III arrives on March 16th.

The PSN received a number of demos worth checking out – Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Multiplayer Demo, Aliens vs. Predator Demo, as well as the “hidden” Heavy Rain Demo. The titles all have solid potential, though several Game Rant writers had poor luck finding matches in the Aliens vs. Predator Demo.

The PSP has a somewhat thin set of releases this week with Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip coming to retail and new additions to the Armored Core and After Burner franchises available for download.

Here is the Full List of Release Information:

Feb. 9th Retail Game Releases:

BioShock 2 (PS3)
Set approximately 10 years after the events of the original BioShock, the halls of Rapture once again echo with sins of the past. Along the Atlantic coastline, a monster has been snatching little girls and bringing them back to the undersea city of Rapture. You are the very first Big Daddy as you travel through the decrepit and beautiful fallen city, chasing an unseen foe in search of answers and your own survival.

Dante’s Inferno: Divine Edition (PS3)
An abducted soul. A lifetime of sins. A journey to the depths of despair. Based on the immensely influential classic poem, Dante’s Inferno takes you on an epic quest of vengeance and redemption through the Nine Circles of Hell. You are Dante, a veteran of the Crusades who must chase his beloved Beatrice and try to free her soul from Lucifer’s grasp. As your pursuit takes you deeper into the pits of Hell, you must battle ever more fierce and hideous monsters—while also facing your own sins, a dark family past, and your unforgivable war crimes.

Star Ocean: The Last Hope International Edition (PS3)
The year is A.D. 2087. In the aftermath of World War III, Earth has been ravaged and the population decimated by a deteriorating environment. The countries that survived have joined together to form the Greater Unified Nations and turned their eyes skyward…to space. Edge Maverick and his childhood friend Reimi Saionji are chosen as pioneer members of the Space Reconnaissance Force, which was created to seek out new worlds beyond the stars. Their ship, the Calnus, takes its place on the lunar launch pad along with four other starships of the first reconnaissance fleet. These ships – humanity’s last hope – blast off one-by-one and sail into the awaiting wormhole that leads to the vast star ocean. And so, Edge and his crew begin their voyage in search of a new haven for humanity…and a second chance.

Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip (PSP)
Take the proven Hot Shots formula of realistic game physics and loveable animated characters and apply it to tennis. What you get is an addictive colorful “pick-up and play” experience especially built for the PSP! With multiple characters and courts to choose from, unlockable items to collect, and multiplayer action, Hot Shots Tennis is destined to be a favorite for consumers of all ages. It’s Tennis…Hot Shots Style!

Feb. 4th PlayStation Store Update (PS3):

• Half-Minute Hero Permanent Price Drop (now $19.99, original price $29.99)
• Madden NFL Arcade Temporary Sale (now $9.99, original price $14.99)

Downloadable Games

Fret Nice ($14.99)
Fret Nice is a 2D platformer that’ll rock your world. Control your character through funky-fresh stages to explore hidden areas, collect items, and clash note-for-note with outrageous, heavy metal bosses! Rock out by blasting enemies with riff combos and creating your own sounds with each “strum” of a chord! Every play through offers a ever changing sonic adventure!

Game Demos (free)

Heavy Rain (Hidden)
While the Heavy Rain demo is not technically available until February 15th, those who have been following the Heavy Rain: Four Days ARG were given early access to the demo. We covered the steps necessary to get your own Heavy Rain Demo download code a few days ago. There isn’t much to it – getting the code we mean. If you’re unsure of what to think of Heavy Rain, do yourself a favor and play through the demo – it’s an intriguing experience.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Multiplayer Demo
Welcome to the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 multiplayer demo! Experience all-out online warfare in the Port Valdez map. Demo ends February 25th, 2010

Aliens vs. Predator Demo
Three breeds of warrior. Three brutal campaigns. One relentless battleground. Welcome to Aliens vs. Predator, a stunningly-detailed FPS that blends the action and intensity of one of the most popular movie franchises of all time. Whether you stalk your prey as a Predator, evolve into the perfect killing machine as an Alien, or use superior firepower as a Colonial Marine, one thing is certain. This will be a battle for the ages.

Fret Nice Demo
Control your character through the funky-fresh first tutorial stage that introduces you to the rockin’ world of Fret Nice. Use your guitar controller to navigate through this unique 2D platformer.

Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce Demo
Back with a vengeance and for the first time going online with four-player Tactical Action combat. In single-player mode, choose and command up to three AI-controlled officers to fight by your side, or team-up with friends online to infiltrate heavily-armed enemy strongholds, clash with thousand-man armies, or to slay dragons and other massive beasts.

Tank Battles Demo
Take control of your WW2 tank and challenge friends and online opponents in crazy, over-the-top tank battles! Enjoy classic run-and-gun gameplay in over 50 levels of bullet bouncing action. Adapt your strategy to each location as you collect power-ups while dodging enemy fire.

Add-on Game Content

White Knight Chronicles International Edition Makeover Ticket ($4.99)
This ticket allows you to change your White Knight Chronicles character appearance via the [Re-Customize Avatar] option in the game without having to start over.

• You can access this feature from any town’s Logic Stone.
• You must save after changing your appearance, or the changes will be lost.

Dragon Ball: Raging Blast Revived Warriors Pack (free)
“Dragon Ball: Raging Blast” Character Pack #6 is now available! The sixth release is the “Revived Warriors Pack!” This pack contains Majin Buu, Kid Buu, Broly, Super Gogeta and Super Saiyan 3 Broly! The warriors among all warriors are now resurrected as downloadable characters! Make your own Dragon Ball battle history by fully controlling these fierce fighters!

MX vs ATV Reflex Track Pack 2 DLC ($4.99)
Fast Action calls for Fast Reaction. Continue to test your reflexes with three all new tracks; two Freestyles taking place in an abandoned factory in the heartland and a new inner city Supercross. Additionally some of the latest No Fear gear is included.

Guitar Hero 5
For all song credits please visit www.guitarhero.com.

• “Kings And Queens” by 30 Seconds to Mars ($1.99)
• “From Yesterday” by 30 Seconds to Mars ($1.99)
• “Attack” by 30 Seconds to Mars ($1.99)
• 30 Seconds to Mars Track Pack ($5.49) – Downloadable Track Pack featuring “Attack”, “From Yesterday”, and “Kings and Queens” by 30 Seconds to Mars. Please Note: Many songs are available both as singles and as part of a Track Pack, so please carefully consider your purchases before downloading.

Rock Band
Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.

• “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy”— Kenny Chesney ($1.99)
• “On the Road Again”— Willie Nelson ($1.99)
• “Swing”— Trace Adkins ($1.99)
• “Me and My Gang”— Rascal Flatts ($1.99)
• “Suds in the Bucket”— Sara Evans ($1.99)
• “Gone”— Montgomery Gentry ($1.99)
• Gone Country Track Pack 3 ($9.99) – Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track pack: Going Country Pack 03. This pack includes: “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” by Kenny Chesney, “Swing” by Trace Adkins, “Me and My Gang” by Rascal Flatts, “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson, “Suds in the Bucket” by Sara Evans, and “Gone” by Montgomery Gentry.

PS3 Themes

White Knight Chronicles International Edition Dynamic Theme 1 ($2.99)
Star Trek Dynamic Theme ($2.99)

Feb. 4th PlayStation Store Update (PSP):

D3 PSP Game Sale:

• Ben 10: Protector of Earth Temporary Sale (now $12.99, original price $14.99)
• Cube Temporary Sale (now $4.99, original price $9.99)
• Dead Head Fred Temporary Sale (now $9.99, original price $14.99)
• PQ: Practical Intelligence Quotient Temporary Sale (now $4.99, original price $9.99)
• PQ2: Practical Intelligence Quotient 2 Temporary Sale (now $9.99, original price $14.99)
• Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords Temporary Sale (now $9.99, original price $14.99)
• WTF: Work Time Fun Temporary Sale (now $7.99, original price $9.99)

Downloadable Games (also available from PS3 storefront)

After Burner: Black Falcon ($15.99)
Strap on your jumpsuit and get ready for some high-speed, highly-addictive, explosive aerial arcade action with After Burner Black Falcon. Thirteen prototype jets have been stolen from a top secret military research facility in Nevada by a terrorist cell known as the Black Falcon. As a member of the highly classified Joint Task Force Scramble Team it’s up to you to stop the terrorists and recover the prototype jets before they cramp your style.

Armored Core: Silent Line ($14.99)
In Armored Core Silent Line Portable, the players can build their own mechas with over 450 mecha parts to choose from and try to complete various missions.New features such as the Ad-hoc function enhance your gaming experience. The game save from Armored Core 3 Portable can be carried over to this game.

Feb. 4th PlayStation Store Update (Additional Content):

Qore

Qore Annual Subscription – February 2010 ($24.99)
Qore: Presented by the PlayStation Network is a high-definition monthly interactive video production covering the world of PlayStation. Qore provides its audience with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to upcoming titles from both the SCE Worldwide Studios and third-party developers across the globe.

Qore Episode 21 February 2010 ($2.99)
Episode 21 of Qore: Presented by the PlayStation Network infiltrates the Japanese underworld of Yakuza 3, returns to the battlefield of Bad Company 2, becomes mesmerized by Resonance of Fate and previews PTOM’s 10 picks for 2010.

Have you downloaded any of this week’s demos? Are you planning on picking up BioShock 2 or Dante’s Inferno?