QUICKLINKS:
PlayStation Network Reviews A -Z | PlayStation Classics Reviews A - Z
Our PlayStation Network ratings system
We've given every game a 'buy' rating of 'Yes', 'Maybe', or 'No'.
Yes means this is a very high quality game, and we have no problem recommending it to anyone as long as they like the genre.
Maybe means we think the game is good, but not necessarily for everyone. If you know the game or like the sound of the description, go for it
No means that we don't recommend the title at all.
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Games listed in alphabetical order
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1942: Joint Strike
Price: $15.95
A game with its roots clearly stemming from the vertical arcade shooter arcade games of yesteryear, 1942: Joint Strike is set in the WWII era and focuses on dogfights between your aircraft and the enemies. The game can be played online which adds to the appeal, and the actual gameplay itself is familiar while still feeling fresh enough to be worth a look for shooter fans. There are lots of unique weapons and power-ups to be used throughout the game and things can get a little hectic at times, but the experience is probably not going to change the mind of someone who wasn't a fan of this type of shooting game before. The die-hard fans of this genre will probably get a kick out of it, but everybody else should probably look for another shooter to fill their ammunition void.
Worth buying? Maybe
Bionic Commando Rearmed
Price: $15.95 | PALGN Review
In a style that's perhaps reminiscent of the recently re-released Prince of Persia on the XBLA, Bionic Commando was originally released at the arcades in 1987, and has been given a major facelift in the form of new graphics and many more options to become one of the coolest and most enjoyable shooters available for download. It's a side-scrolling platformer/shooter that can be played alone or cooperatively offline, but it features some nice unique touches such as a specific mini game for hacking enemy computers, and you can use your bionic arm to extend and swing from platform to platform rather than using a traditional jumping mechanic; it takes some getting used to, but it's pretty sweet. Rearmed is a pretty good deal and should be a consideration for anybody, old school and new school gamers alike.
Worth buying? Yes
echochrome
Price: $15.95
With lots of puzzle games available, it's rare to find one that actually has a new twist that's innovative enough to make you really think about things that don't involve matching three of the same coloured blocks or something similar. echochrome is all about some specific rules of perspective, where logic comes in the form of 'what you see is what you get'. If you see a hole that a character may fall through, simply change your camera angle so that the hole cannot be seen, and the hole will cease to exist. It sounds incredibly basic but actually turns into quite a complex experience, especially given the difficulty of stages later in the game. For anybody looking to challenge themselves and tackle things from a different angle, echochrome does a pretty good job of making you think outside the box.
Worth buying? Yes
Elefunk
Price: $12.95
Continuing with the theme of quirky titles on the PSN, Elefunk is all about you being able to build bridges that are strong enough for elephants to cross over chasms so that they can assist and rescue the rest of the herd. While it may sound incredibly silly, the puzzle style of gameplay is fun and almost feels like a throwback to The Incredible Machine, whereby building the bridge properly takes some good lateral thinking to make sure the cute elephants don't plummet to their demise. There's a limit to the pieces you can use to build each bridge, adding a new challenge to each level, and the game also comes with a multiplayer mode which can be played competitively online in a Jenga-style 'remove pieces one at a time' type of goal. It's a unique head-scratcher and is a lot of fun - even if you mess up!
Worth buying? Yes
Fatal Inertia EX
Price: $29.95
With Wipeout HD recently released, Fatal Inertia EX isn't the only futuristic racing kid on the block, but it does offer some fast and fun racing action in its own right, and at a reasonable price. There are modes both offline and online for multiplayer and a variety of weapons for each vehicle, and the game itself is much better suited here as a download than as a retail disc, but it doesn't really bring much new to the table in terms of gameplay that we haven't seen before; with a better option now available from the Wipeout series, there may not be room for Fatal Intertia EX in your collection as well. But if you're a racing fan, then maybe it's still worth a look after all.
Worth buying? Maybe
Mega Man 9
Price: $15.95 | PALGN Review
It's not often a game series reaches its ninth release, but the incredibly popular Mega Man has managed to do it with the release of Mega Man 9 across multiple platforms. It's the same essential mix of platforming and shooting that we're used to from the franchise, but while it may look retro, there's a serious game here that will take a gamer with great skill and patience to survive successfully. It may only last you a few hours or so (depending on your technique, of course), but the 8-bit visual style combined with the addictive and tough-as-nails gameplay is actually one of the more impressive downloadable titles released this year, and should not be ignored.
Worth buying? Yes
Pixeljunk Eden
Price: $12.95
If you'd sat us down earlier this year and told us we'd be playing a platformer that had us playing as a creature known as a Grimp while we helped alien-like plants grow by defeating enemies and releasing pollen, we'd probably ask you for a dose of whatever-it-is you were taking. However, after playing Pixeljunk Eden, it's safe to say that the PSN offers a type of quirkiness with some of its titles that is really quite impressive and enchanting. The third game in the Pixeljunk series, Eden continues with a very artistic visual style and simple yet addictive gameplay that really comes together in what is a constantly evolving environment that really needs to be experienced to be properly understood.
Worth buying? Yes
Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty
Price: $23.95 | PALGN Review
While four hours may indeed be the smallest Ratchet & Clank adventure to date, it's also the cheapest. The production values of the title rival that of a retail release which is an achievement in itself, given the fact that it's an entirely downloadable title. When all is said and done, Quest for Booty doesn't do anything majorly different from past Ratchet & Clank titles, but it does continue the story right where it left off in Tools of Destruction, with Ratchet on the search for his kidnapped buddy Clank. While more of an episode and more of the same, the title is a lot of fun and will be an enjoyable experience for fans of the series. And for just over 20 bucks, why not, eh?
Worth buying? Yes
Siren: Blood Curse
Price: $49.95 or $15.95 for 3 Episodes
Siren should be a series already familiar to anybody who is a fan of the horror genre, but for those who aren't, it should be known that the original games on the PS2 were very atmospheric and intricate stories, built around the concept of 'sight-jacking'. This is an ability which allows your playable characters to see through the eyes of their enemies to gain a tactical advantage, and hopefully sneak past the evil zombie-like creatures unharmed. This download includes 12 episodes if purchased all at once, or can be bought in four packs of three episodes if you'd prefer. If you're a fan of the series or horror in general, then consider this a must-purchase - everyone else, perhaps try out the prequels to see if it's your style of game or not.
Worth buying? Maybe
The Last Guy
Price: $12.95 | PALGN Review
When a strange hypnotic glow from outer space covers the earth, everybody caught out in the open is transformed into hideous monsters, and it's up to you - The Last Guy - to round up the crowds of unaffected people and lead the way safely to the designated Escape Zone. Using aerial photography, levels are built from actual world cities including Nagoya, London, San Diego, and Sydney, and the game is played from this top-down perspective. The controls are simple and the production values are top notch, and despite its simplicity, it all comes together as one of the most unique experiences available on the PlayStation Network, and should be seriously considered as a purchase by anybody who's looking for something a bit different.
Worth buying? Yes
Wipeout HD
Price: $27.95
Wipeout has been around for many years now, gracing numerous platforms with its fast and furious futuristic style of racing. Wipeout HD may indeed be the best Wipeout to date, at least in terms of value for money. Full 1080p HD visuals, online play for up to 8 players, a number of game modes and the promise of downloadable content for the future is certainly tempting. Add in the usage of the sixaxis controller to literally steer your crafts, and things are looking pretty good. The gameplay at its core hasn't really changed too much, but it's easily the prettiest and most appealing version of Wipeout that is currently available, and if you're a fan of this type of racer, buying it should be a no-brainer.
Worth buying? Yes
Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3
Price: $15.95
As if there weren't already enough shooters available on the PlayStation Network, Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 comes loud and proud onto the scene. With minimal story and an endless amount of ammunition, it's your job to shoot the living hell out of absolutely everything in a quest for that high score. There are a lot of modifiers and different weapons to be used within the game, and the game looks decent enough, so really the defining thought when considering a purchase of the title should be based upon whether or not you really need another shooting game or not. It doesn't break any new ground really, but it provides some fun shooter action, and is worth a look at least for anybody with a feint interest in pumping lead into your enemies.
Worth buying? Maybe
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