KEY POINTS:
I've just paid a visit to Sony's NZ HQ to see a sneak preview of some of the exclusive PS3 titles coming this year, and played some advanced code.
I tried the Remote Play connection which PlayStation enthusiasts will know is a wireless link between a PSP and
PS3, for those lucky enough to have both. It enables synching a PSP to the main console to play media, and can control the PS3 remotely.
A new improvement in the 1.80 firmware update is the added ability to Remote into your PS3 at home and play media to your PSP anywhere online.
Picture connecting up from anyplace in the world like Singapore Airport to check on downloads or play someone a cool video saved on your PS3 hard drive. All that's needed is a wireless hot spot to play PSP video clips. I wonder what else Sony has in store!
I had a look at some advanced code of Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, which appears a pretty swish looking PS3 title, with a huge adventure focus. It's from Naughty Dog studios, famous for Crash Bandicoot.
The story is about a 400-year-old clue in the coffin of Sir Francis Drake, which sets a modern-day fortune hunter off looking for the fabled treasure of El Dorado. It leads to the discovery of a forgotten island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
The search turns deadly when Nathan Drake becomes stranded on the island and hunted by mercenaries. Outnumbered and outgunned, Drake and his companions must fight to survive as they begin to unravel the terrible secrets hidden on the Island.
Think of it as a truly difficult Indiana Jones or a King Kong style action adventure. It's a quest to unlock the mysteries of the island.
I also played code of the upcoming Heavenly Sword, with some kick-butt style sword fighting merged with some serious martial arts maximising on the Chi energy flowing out through those chains into the enemies' thick hides.
It's a story of revenge with the red-haired heroine seeking vengeance against an invading King and his army. The ancient heavenly sword, was owned by a powerful deity and if a human wields it, their life force is sucked out of them.
Some serious attitude and wicked facial expressions are captured, featuring 'Gollum' Andy Serkis.
The graphics were truly gorgeous. It reminded me of Dead or Alive merged with God of War set in an uber-pretty environment
Ninja skills are distinct advantage, with some serious fighting action - the combos are difficult to pull off!
Look forward to these two titles nearer the end of the year. We like the hi-def console action and the quirky videos, so if you get a chance, download some of the HD titles as they pack some serious entertainment.
Sony was first out the gate in this E3 week, by announcing a price cut in the US on PS3 - no word yet of the reduction spreading beyond the US - and also a new bigger version of the next-gen console.
Sony says it will lower the price of the 60-gig version in the US by US$100 to US$500 (NZ$609).
It will also introduce an 80-gigabyte PlayStation for US$600. It had discontinued a 20-gigabyte model earlier.
The company promises more than 100 new software titles this fiscal year and is progressing with its expanded online PlayStation Network, including the rolling out of its online community called Home.