Is Sony reading PSP-4000 or the PSP2?
We wouldn’t be able to count how many times we have heard rumors regarding Sony and the PSP this last year or so. The PSP at this present time has undergone three significant changes, from the original PSP all the way to the PSP-3000, with the differences being size, weight, and a few added features. No one can criticize the PSP on looks or features as it can practically do everything you would want from a portable gaming machine; it can even make phone calls if you add the Skype add-on. The only thing people do complain about is the lack off original titles. That though is set to change with this week’s Sony announcement of many new PSP titles, including Motorstorm PSP, Assassins Creed PSP, and many more. The question is, is that the only thing set to change for the PSP?
There have been many rumors flying around the internet lately regarding the PSP; these rumours consist of either the PSP-4000 or the PSP2. TGR are going to examine both rumours and see which one would be the more likely to be true. First up is the PSP-4000, according to vg247.com, a trustworthy source has leaked fresh details of the unannounced upgrade rumoured to be the PSP-4000. According the source it will be a “complete aesthetic overhaul” based on the existing PSP tech. Many third parties are aware of this and expect an announcement at GDC or E3 this year. What’s even more interesting is the fact the revamp will include a sliding front screen and apparently isn’t far off the infamous PSP image doing the rounds for a while now on the internet. The source also claims it will be released this year.
Now for the PSP2 rumours. Activision honcho David Perry has “accidentally” leaked details regarding the PSP2; on his Twitter he wrote “I hear Sony FINALLY has the PSP 2. And thank goodness, they’ve removed the stupid battery-sucking UMD disc drive. I’m excited.” Whoa what now? No UMD? Everything now downloaded digitally online? Seems so if what Dave Perry is saying true. Sony issued a “no comment” when contacted regarding this comment from Dave Perry. It seems there is some truth to all this, but the question is whether it’s a fully fledged upgrade (PSP 2), or is it just a makeover of the original? The facts are pointing more towards a revamp then anything else but hope is still there thanks to a certain developer.
GameDaily.com caught up with Perry, asking if what he said was true. He said, in no uncertain words, “I can’t reveal my sources, but you can be certain there’s no UMD, which means fully digital online device, and you know I know people.” Perry says PSP2, but that designation could just be because of the huge overhaul it would be receiving, even though it may be just another update like we’ve seen in the past. Assassins Creed and Motorstorm have been announced for PSP — not PSP2 — so we’d expect them to be able to benefit from the update, as well. That evidence points towards more of a redesign than a completely new handheld. One thing is for certain, I advise anyone who was planning to trade in their first-spec PSP for a PSP-3000 to hold off for now.
TGR Rating PSP-4000: Likely
TGR Rating PSP2: Unlikely
Is Climax working on a Wii remake of Silent Hill?
The original Silent Hill released back in 1999 for the original PlayStation scared and shocked the s*** out of gamers worldwide. It was a different type of horror game, playing more on atmospheric elements rather than the jump-out scary elements most games were using then. The series has gone on to spawn many more instalments across many platforms, up to the recent Silent Hill: Homecoming for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC. You can argue that the more recent installments haven’t had the same effect as the originals with sales seeming to agree with that judgement. So what do you do when a series starts to go stale? Remake the original, of course! It seems Konami are doing just that. Before you start thinking how excellent it would be having the original updated with the power of the Xbox 360 and PS3, you should know it’s being touted for another console, and that console is the Wii.
According to VG247.com, they have it on good ground that Climax is working on a Wii remake the first Silent Hill. The details are sketchy at best, but apparently motion control is being included (well duh!) for torch functions. By looking at its official website, the game also seems to be coming to the PSP. Climax has experience with developing for the Wii; they were responsible for Codemasters’ Overlord: Dark Legend. When the game will be released is another story, but from the looks of it we could be seeing it the tail end of this year.
It seems the Wii gets all the remake titles, with Resident Evil 4 and now Silent Hill terrorizing the little white box. How the game will and play and look is up for discussion, but it seems companies turn to the Wii for a quick and easy chilling rather than the expensive option of the Xbox 360 and PS3. It’s a real shame considering the game would do fairly well on the big boys. We will try to get in contact with Konami regarding this and update you as soon as we can.
TGR Rating: Likely
First Details of Assassins Creed 2 found?
You remember back a few weeks, TGR found some interesting information regarding the release date of then the unannounced Assassins Creed 2 that was later pulled? Well it seemed we were onto something with that discovery, considering the game wasn’t even announced yet. Two weeks later and voila! Ubisoft went and announced a host of new games, and one of them just happened to be Assassins Creed 2. No other details were given at that time but some fresh details have been leaked very recently regarding where and during what time period the sequel will take place.
Destructiod posted an anonymous email that supposedly details a promotional video seen at an Ubisoft booth showing off Assassin’s Creed 2. According to the poster, the game is set in the 15th Century and the city in this video is Venice, Italy. The poster also goes on to describe what the video shows, and apparently it involves a pretty woman taking a bribe. No other information was given besides the game’s visual presentation. This isn’t the first time Venice has been mentioned in the same breath as Assassins Creed 2, and it would also explain a certain Prince of Persia developer accidentally letting loose that a well known Ubisoft animator was busy making Altair swim! Venice… water… see the connection? It certainly seems plausible.
The original was a huge success commercially, and a lot is expected from the sequel. The developers at Ubisoft know this and also know the faults the original had. If they succeed in correcting the few issues the first had and build on what made the first fun and original then we could be seeing a fantastic game in the making. We here at TGR feel Assassin’s Creed 2 will be creeping out of the shadows at this year’s E3. Remember, you heard it here first.
TGR Rating: Very Likely
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