When it comes to gaming consoles, there are few better ones than the PlayStation 3. When Sony took its hugely popular PlayStation console to the third (and latest) level, no one was quite sure how good it would be. After all, the PlayStation 2 was no slouch! But what hit the market in the form of PS3, was a storm of cutting edge technology that swept gamers off their feet and left competitors biting the dust. So, no wonder that every critic had to offer glowing PlayStation 3 game reviews!

The main reason behind this is that once you play a game on the PS3, you are bound to fall in love with the console. You will realize that it will be really tough to better seventh generation gaming consoles such as this. So what is it that encourages everyone to offer their tribute to this amazing device in the form of positive PlayStation 3 game reviews? Here's a probable answer.

? It is the first console to unify online and offline gameplay via the PS network.
? It is the first console to use high-definition optical disc format or Blu-Ray technology. These media storage discs offer upto ten times the storage capacity of conventional DVD's. In fact it is the first Blu-Ray 2.0 compliant media player on the market.
? Though originally available in five different models, the PS3 is now available in a slim and evolved version that looks good and plays even better.
? It is Hi-definition enabled. This means that you can hook it up with your HD TV and experience amazing pictures and sound, like never before!
? There is a whopping 120 GB of space available, so you might as well stay inside it! Jokes apart, this much random-access memory allows you to store a lot of games and other types of media easily.
? The PlayStation 3 comes with accessories such as wireless six-axis controllers. This allows you to take gameplay to a new level altogether. You can not only control the game by pressing the buttons on the controller, but by moving the entire controller left, right, up and down. The fifth and sixth axes you see!

The availability of the most amazing and visually brilliant game titles has made this platform even more popular and this has invited more eloquent PlayStation 3 game reviews.

Go online and read any of the numerous PlayStation 3 game reviews. You'll see that everybody loves the PS3!

Sony has introduced the Playstation 3 network with the aim that it will enhance the gaming experience of the users to a great extent. The company claims that not just the gamers, even the developers, who design the Playstation games, will be able to derive its benefits. With its high end features, it has taken the whole gaming world by storm within a very short time.

The gaming industry has grown leaps and bounds in the last few years. More and more people across the globe are getting interested in the various gaming gadgets that have been launched by the different companies. In this highly competitive field, the leading brands are doing their best to woo as many customers as possible. Perhaps the Playstation 3 network is one such ploy, or marketing strategy formulated by Sony, which is undoubtedly one of the front runners in this industry. To give it their best shot, the makers have developed this network with features and facilities that are truly top class.

Here is a closer look at some of the most attractive and beneficial attributes of the PS3 network:

? It's has features like a web browser and downloadable content and hence can add significantly to your gaming experience. This means that you have access to different games that you can obtain from the Web. Instead of using your PC as a medium for download, now you can directly get the games in your gaming tool.

? The Playstation 3 network can be accessed through the Xross Media Bar or XMB. The interface will be an expanded version of the PSP XMB interface. So this is easy and convenient to use.

? Other than gaming, the PS3 network will also make movies, music and other entertainment contents available to you.

? Through this network you will be bale to participate in multiple player games via the virtual world. You can even have a live interaction with the other users through the chat facility that is included in the network.

? There is no size limit to the games that you can download using this multi utility network, so effectively both 2 and 3D content can be downloaded.

? Last but not the least, if you want to take the pleasure of gaming while on the move, you can transfer the downloaded games from the PS3 network to your PSP as well.

With so many lucrative features you must be already planning to get yourself hooked onto the Playstation 3 network. Do so without delay and take your gaming experience to a whole new level!

No electronic device can be perfect. Usually the more complex it is, the more is the chance that it will develop problems that drive you crazy! There are, after all, few things more frustrating than to see your favorite gadgets lying uselessly in front of you. If you are an avid gamer you might already have been a victim to frustration and ceaseless agony when your console passed out. So, if you are planning to buy one, you should know about some common PlayStation 3 problems.

The PS3 embodies the absolute cutting edge of modern gaming technology. But that doe not mean that it is an absolutely flawless device. Even the great Achilles had a weakness! Some of the common PlayStation 3 problems that you should be aware of are:

? Issues in up-scaling images. If your HDTV supports 1080i resolution, but not 720p, then the PS3 simply cannot up-scale the images to 1080i. So, you might have to settle for playing games on 480p resolution. This means that you end up missing out on the amazing video rendering capacity of the PS3.
? Overheating. Like most other multimedia machines, the PS3 heats up as you play. The longer you play the more it gets heated. If the machine overheats, you will get to know by seeing the front panel, where green and red lights will flash alternately.
? Distorted images when you connect the PS3 with a VCR or DVD player. This is more of a built-in security check rather than a problem. The makers do not want you to be able to make copies of movies via a VCR. Maybe they do not yet realize that no one copies DVD's like that any longer!
? Games hanging up on the logo screen. This is one of the more serious PlayStation 3 problems and you should immediately inform the manufacturers for seeking a replacement or repair. Though rare, this is an issue with the lens of the Blu-Ray player and is more or less irreversible.

The good news is that, you can avert some of the most common PS3 problems, by remembering the following tips.

? Do not keep your console in a congested space where circulation of air is next to impossible. Allow ample space at the back and on the sides, to avoid overheating.
? Do not use pirated software on your PS3. The game processing unit might malfunction if it fails to load the game.

So be a bit prudent and steer clear of PlayStation 3 problems!

There were many trailers for upcoming games showcased at this year's E3, but none surprised the audience as much as the new Mortal Kombat trailer. The Mortal Kombat franchise has spanned a multitude of consoles and styles, and this upcoming game is recognised as the ninth main addition to the series.

Recent additions to the franchise have been met with criticism, as the Mortal Kombat titles never really stood up to competition posed by games such as Tekken and Street Fighter, but feedback from this latest trailer is quite positive. The 3D arena has been eschewed in favour of the traditional 2D battles, a trend that is becoming increasingly popular in current beat em ups. However, as with Street Fighter 4, the characters remain fully rendered in 3D, and the graphics are already looking amazing.

PlayStation 3 120 GB

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $299.99

Amazon Price: $299.99

The new Mortal Kombat is marketed as bringing the franchise back to its controversial roots, and so a high emphasis on blood and gore is taking place. Traditional fatalities are back and more violent than ever judging by those showcased, and the new 'x ray' attacks are particularly gruesome. These involve the camera swinging into close up mode and the action slowing down to reveal the internal damage dealt with various attacks. Bones shatter and muscles tear as the full extent of internal injuries are revealed. It is a shocking yet innovative display.

After years of being stuck labelled as a mediocre franchise, many are whispering (and hoping) that Mortal Kombat might return to its former mastery. The trailers we have seen so far are certainly pointing Mortal Kombat in the right direction.

At long last, this week sees the release of God of War 3, the Playstation 3 exclusive which has been three years in the making. Continuing the vastly popular franchise from the Playstation 2, this is the first time we'll witness Kratos' adventures on a next gen console. Suffice to say, the wait has been well worth it.

The God of War franchise has always been a byword for action adventure mastery, and this title returns to show the rest how it's done. We join Kratos just where the last game left off, scaling Mount Olympus itself to lay siege to the remaining Gods that betrayed him. This gives rise to a number of new gameplay possibilities.

God of War 3 benefits from a dynamic camera, swinging and looping to follow Kratos in a stark contrast to the fixed camera of previous installments. The ascent of Mount Olympus also allows for some breathtaking gameplay elements, including flying high on wind pockets or battling Titans over sheer drops.

God of War III

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $59.99

Amazon Price: $49.99

Graphically, God of War 3 is stunning. The character details are highly developed, right down to skin pores. The diverse environments offer a rich display of creativity, from the domain of the Gods to the depths of Hell. The gameplay continues to set the standard, with Kratos gaining access to an impressive array of new weapons, all of which will play a strategic part in your varied battles.

It was almost a forgone conclusion, but God of War 3 is an amazing title. Every possible facet of what makes a game great is rolled into one; epic storyline, amazing graphics and engaging gameplay. The franchise continues to blow all competition out of the water, and if you own a Playstation 3 you simply must check it out!

The new AVP videogame is out after several poor attempts at Alien, Predator and AVP games, begging the question have producers Rebellion finally created a videogame to satisfy the hardcore AVP fans?

Aliens Vs. Predator Hunter Edition

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $99.95

Amazon Price: $80.01

The answer in brief is yes. Released for Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and Games for Windows the new AVP videogame contains three campaigns, allowing the player to control the hunter, survivor or prey. Starting on the Coloniel Marines campaign, you begin as the rookie of the team on a small spacecraft that witnesses a gigantic Predator ship obliterate your mothership. Of course the only option available is for your vessel to land on an undisclosed planet.

The next cutscene features your character waking up after blacking out from the drop, and being told by Tequila (closely resembling Vasquez from Aliens) that this mission will become a "bug hunt". The next few stages are just for the player to get to grips with the controls, which will be familiar to most FPS players. Players will be fending off hordes of xenomorphs whilst waiting for an elevator to bring you to safety.

It's during this instance players will notice how impressive the lighting of the new Aliens vs. Predator is; was that a vent falling off? or was it a xenomorph on the ceiling? The answer is that you will not know until it may be too late! Lighting has been used to genius effect in creating tense and unsure gameplay. The weapons look and sound authentic to the Alien films.

If the Marines campaign is the closest to an FPS as possible in this AVP videogame, then the Aliens campaign is the furthest away from that. The scene opens with a xenomorph breeding laboratory with test subjects being harvested for their bioweapons research. However your Alien is different, as you decide to make your escape through your surrogate parent's throat, this indicates you're a more intelligent species of Alien. A power failure gives you the perfect chance to make your escape. Mission objectives are given to you telepathically from the Alien Queen, and your Alien itself is a living weapon, armed with razor tipped tail. Alien play style favours stealth and surprise attacks from the shadows, and it is the most versatile of the combatants.

The Predator campaign is a mix of the Marine and Alien campaigns. Being a Predator you rely heavily on your advanced technology and use of stealth to eliminate your prey. The predator campaign in this AVP videogame is to locate and retrieve the bodies of several "youngbloods"; Predators that have gone missing. The Predator will be the favourite of the three campaigns, due to all its weaponry and utterly gruesome steath kills.

Overall, the new AVP videogame will satisfy the hardcore fans as it remains faithful to both the Alien and Predator films. The graphics could have been improved slightly but the lighting and sound effects far make up for any visual gripes. Combining these elements with an excellent multiplayer mode has created the best AVP videogame to date.

The Star Ocean franchise has been around for a long time now, and remains a quietly successful alternative to the bigger JRPGs out there. Last year, the Xbox 360 was treated to the latest installment in the series; Star Ocean 4: The Last Hope. The game was highly regarded, but a Playstation counterpart was nowhere to be seen. Now, at last, gamers can pick up Playstation 3's Star Ocean.

The release of this title is not a straight port, but rather is titled the 'international' edition, and features some minor extras. Firstly, the original Japanese voice track has been added as an option. This is a welcome feature for those who prefer their JRPGs with a little more authenticity. Also, players can toggle the HUD display to reveal the original Japanese artwork for characters. Not a massive extra, but welcome nonetheless.

Onto the game itself, and Playstation 3's Star Ocean will not disappoint. The game builds on the combat system of previous entries in the series, offering a simple yet fun attack approach which is systematically levelled up as time goes on. New features like the Rush gauge add a new spin to the combat, rewarding quick handed players with further benefits.

The storyline that runs throughout Playstation 3's Star Ocean is suitably grand, as one would expect from developers Square Enix. A great feature is the optional Private Actions, which allows players to interact between their characters to gain a deeper sense of character development. This is not integral to the storyline, but is great for those wanting to fully immerse themselves with the characters.

It may have taken a while, but Playstation 3's Star Ocean is definitely worth the wait. The visuals, whilst maybe not up to Final Fantasy standards, are still beautiful and the storyline will reward you the more you put into it. Any fans of the genre should definitely look into this great title.

Prior to the release of the Playstation 3 Slim, back in September 2009, Sony were really starting to worry about PS3 sales. The major competition; Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360, were both outselling the console along with their respective software. The problem was pinned down to Sony's refusal to budge on the hefty price tag, and so the other consoles became popular due to increased affordability. Sony's luck changed dramatically however, with the production of the Playstation 3 Slim.

This redesign is not an alternative model, the Playstation 3 Slim has completely replaced the older models and so is regarded the only official Playstation 3 console. As before, the model is available in both 120GB or 250GB, offering buyers the same options in capacity as before. Further additions include EasyLink, which augments the HDMI capabilities of both your Playstation and the TV it is connected to.

As the title suggests, the Playstation 3 Slim is a lot more compact and space-friendly than its predecessor. It is over 30% smaller and lighter; a welcome instigation as the size of the original was always a sore point. Furthermore, the reduced size also consumes a lot less power, which means the console doesn't heat up as fast. Overheating was never a massive issue for the Playstation 3, especially compared to rivals, but a cooler system is always a better system.

Finally, Sony issued a hefty price cut on the console. Seemingly what the public was waiting for, sales skyrocketed in the Autumn and Sony were well and truly back in the race. The Playstation 3 Slim console represents a unified and logical step forward for the company- offering the same great system in a smaller, more user friendly package and cutting the price makes everyone happy- Sony get their sales and we get a new and improved console!

The videogame industry, just like any other industry, is a highly competitive arena. Major consoles and developers are constantly striving to promote their own goods and propel their products ahead of the competition. One way to forge ahead in this respect is by securing exclusive products which aren't available on other consoles. These games are often so sought after that in some extreme cases fans may buy a console just to play a certain game. Some Playstation 3 exclusives have just that power.

It's true to say that Playstation 3 exclusives have suffered a little lately. Their competition, Microsoft's Xbox 360, have successfully wrestled a few Playstation exclusives from Sony and won the right to host them on their own console aswell. The high profile example here would be Final Fantasy XIII, which both overjoyed Xbox fans but seriously annoyed Playstation owners. Others have gone before aswell, including Metal Gear, Tekken 6 and Tomb Raider Underworld to name a few.

But PS gamers shouldn't be too angry, they still have a host of brilliant Playstation 3 exclusives to enjoy. Little Big Planet, despite being released years ago, is still a massive hit and continues to generate custom through PS Store extras. The Ratchet and Clank series remains a much sought after exclusive too, along with Uncharted, which is being hailed as one of the best new series in gaming history.

Excitement is also building for a range of upcoming Playstation 3 exclusives aswell. Heavy Rain, the innovative new 'interactive movie' is exclusive to this console, along with lauded RPG White Knight Chronicles. And of course, who could forget the heavy hitter himself- Kratos. Yes, God of War 3 returns to our screens soon- only on Playstation 3.

Plenty to get excited about then. Sony still retains a number of brilliant exclusives, and the Playstation 3 remains arguably the most successful and technically proficient next gen console. Playstation 3 exclusives are employed to reflect the genius and power of the console itself- and few can argue with the results.

One game that is getting a massive degree of attention currently is Playstation 3's Heavy Rain. Released next month, this title is undeniably unique among its competition in the entertainment industry. While gamers are used to seeing the standard genres dolled up and revisited, Heavy Rain is a game which almost evades conventional genre.

Playstation 3's Heavy Rain is surely not a game in the standard sense. Explained most easily as a kind of 'interactive film', the game plays around a series of events which are changed or impacted by gamer choices or input. Now, we have seen this kind of game before, like in old entries such as Fahrenheit, but never before has it been attempted in such scope.

Participants will control all aspects, from mundane tasks to rip-roaring road chases. One section even tasks gamers with applying a female character's makeup. Everything in Playstation 3's Heavy Rain is interactive down to awesome detail. As such, the game offers massive replay worth and various endings.

The sixaxis pad is also used to great effect in this game, replicating the circumstances onscreen to a great extent. Terrifying scenarios like an unexpected assault will see the controller vibrate and the buttons confuse themselves to reflect genuine panic. Playstation 3's Heavy Rain helps you feel like you're actually in the game, which is what most games aspire to do.

No doubt Heavy Rain will split audiences. The pace is glacial at times and the lack of continual action will grate on players more used to typical games. On the other hand, it is a bold venture into a new world of entertainment and may actually pave the road for more like it in the future. Playstation 3's Heavy Rain will doubtless offer many debating points when it is unleashed!