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Spoiler warning ahoy! The middle episode in Telltale's "Fables" adaptation was always going to be an important one, so no surprises the launch trailer exposes a few surprises. However, the most eyebrow-raising thing about the video is the lack of any launch date to go with it - not often you see that with a launch trailer, even for a Telltale game.

Still, it's a strong sign we'll soon be scouring the streets of Fabletown with Bigby Wolf, and no doubt a welcome one after the four-month wait for Episode 2. In any case, we'll keep you updated on all the dates and launch news for Episode 3: A Crooked Mile as it arrives. [Image: Telltale Games]

Take a side-scrolling stroll through this week's PlayStation Store update, which adds Mercenary Kings and a Batman Arkham spin-off to the aisles.

Mercenary Kings, a thick-set Metal Slug-esque shooter with wild animation, comes to the PlayStation 4 in the same footsteps as survival game Don't Starve: from Steam's Early Access on PC, to completed freebie through PlayStation Plus (and $20 otherwise).

Meanwhile, Batman: Arkham City for PlayStation 3 enters the Plus library as a free download. The 2.5D spin-off of Batman: Arkham Origins, dubbed Blackgate Deluxe Edition, is also in store for $20, having transitioned from Vita and Nintendo 3DS to this updated PS3 incarnation.

Check PlayStation blog for the other updates and convoluted titles, including Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha Vs The Soulless Army. That's the one with Grigori Rasputin.

Those looking to play along with the baseball season using up-to-date rosters this week on PS3 and Vita should take note: The first live roster update for MLB 14: The Show will arrive on April 8, Sony's San Diego Studio noted yesterday on the game's forums. The first roster update for the game traditionally arrives in time for opening day, the first day of Major League Baseball's regular season (which was yesterday).

"Please understand that if we could have offered the live roster on April 1st, without jeopardizing other critical responsibilities we would have," the developer wrote. The game launched today on PS3 and Vita, and will arrive on PS4 on May 6. [Image: Sony]

It's been plainly obvious for ages that the Vita's in need of a power source that doesn't distract from the significance of mealtime. Sony Power Food is the answer to the question that everyone's been asking.

Remember, this method of powering up your Sony electronics only works with Sony Power Food. You shouldn't try to stick a Vita-connected USB adapter into a bowl of Crunchy Nut, for example. You definitely shouldn't go and do that right now. [Image: Sony]

The thrill and spectacle of America’s pastime is returning to PlayStation this week in a colossal launch. The definitive baseball experience in gaming arrives on PS3 and PS Vita this week, and it packs more than 40 improvements and additions over its predecessors.

With the launch of MLB 14 The Show, the critically-acclaimed series hits new heights with tons of ground-breaking features. Year-to-year saves allow players to carry their progress from this year forward, into future entries of The Show. Quick Counts enable gamers to knock out full, nine-inning games in less than 30 minutes for an easy fix, and Universal Profiles on PS3 capture player styles for the entire MLB community to see.

But MLB 14 The Show isn’t the only anticipated launch this week; Mercenary Kings hits PS4 and packs retro visuals on top of a killer, side-scrolling shooter/RPG hybrid. Craft weapons and take on deadly missions solo or with friends.

For a complete list of games coming to PlayStation this week, read on. And enjoy the Drop!

New PlayStation Releases This Week Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate Deluxe Edition PS3 — Digital The original Blackgate experience is amplified with new enemy encounters, maps, batsuits, and enhanced visuals. Delve deeper into the Dark Knight’s past through a combination of stealth and free-flow combat. Mercenary Kings PS4 — Digital The terrible forces of CLAW have seized a top-secret island military base, and it’s up to the Mercenary Kings to stop them. Craft and customize a gigantic assortment of weapons, and take to the field in this retro-inspired side-scroller. MLB 14 The Show PS3, PS Vita — Digital, Retail Baseball is better with MLB 14 The Show. The ground-breaking series returns with more than 40 improvements and additions, including year-to-year saves for the most devoted baseball fans. Ragnarok Odyssey ACE PS3, PS Vita — Digital, Retail Venture into the Sundered Lands to rise through the ranks of a legendary mercenary company. An expanded and enriched version of the original RPG Ragnarok Odyssey, ACE features new quests, new character customization, and a new 400-floor dungeon! Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army PS2 Classic — Digital In the shadowy evening mist of Taisho, a young girl appears with an unusual request: “Please kill me…” As Devil Summoner Raidou Kuzunoha, uncover the mystery of the girl’s strange abduction in this unique action RPG . Demos and Betas Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate Deluxe Edition — PS3 Demo
EA Sports 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil — PS3 Demo
Fez — PS3, PS4, PS Vita Demo

The information above is subject to change without notice.

Over 1,000 developers worldwide have signed on to self-publish games for PlayStation platforms, Sony announced today.

Self-published titles account for many of the more than 100 games coming to the PlayStation 4 this year. Over 200 development studios in North America applied for Sony's self-publishing initiative since the PlayStation 4 was first announced last February.

[Video: Sony]

Greetings friends! Russell here from Aksys Games. Today, we announced that our newest title from Acquire and Zero Div will be hitting PS Vita on May 27th! To celebrate, we’ve updated the Mind Zero website to give you a full rundown of the game, as well as posted a trailer. Mind Zero is a first-person dungeon crawler where you fight with your MINDs (literally and figuratively). We’re here today to touch upon the story and get into a bit more details about the battle mechanics of Mind Zero.

Kei is a normal high school student until his life turns upside down when he forms a contract with a MIND, a weapon/being with deadly powers. With the government and other forces trailing him and his friends, Kei will need to discover the secret behind MIND before it’s too late. Suspenseful stuff, right?

When you battle it out against the various other MINDs in the game, you’ll have a choice to duke it out by yourself, use your MIND, or do a bit of both. There lies the challenge and fun of Mind Zero. Not only will you have to think about protecting yourself, but your MIND as well.

When controlling Kei and other party members, players can do various things such as attack, use items, charge, escape, or burst. To highlight the non-obvious function, charging serves much like a “Defend,” however your MP will charge faster as you remain in this stance. “Burst” is a cool technique in Mind Zero that, when used, speeds up to your turn, thereby allowing you to get a hit, use an item, or heal sooner.

MINDs are powerful creatures and can serve players well in the heat of battle. Players are given several options when using their MIND — attack, skill, and burst. Players can assign various skills as they gain more experience. But if you use a MIND, you automatically lose some MP. Beware, because if your MP is drained, your MIND will retreat (called a “MIND Break”) and you’ll need to wait until you have enough MP to summon it again.

So what does all this information mean? Strategy! Use your MIND and your party members wisely and you can defeat any foe.

For more details, be sure to check out the Mind Zero website! Mind Zero will be shipping to retail stores and released digitally on May 27th.

PlayStation Plus subscribers get Mercenary Kings as a PS4 freebie when the Kickstarted run-and-gunner scrolls onto PSN next week. Developed by Wizorb and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World studio Tribute Games, Mercenary Kings makes its Metal Slug-style action interesting by chucking in a weapon crafting system based around hundreds of different parts.

The rest of April's Plus line-up in North America features Batman: Arkham City, Stealth Inc: A Clone in the Dark, and the Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse remake on PS3. As for Vita, Velocity Ultra and Pixeljunk Monsters Ultimate HD are next month's dynamic duo.

Except for Mercenary Kings, the roster of PS Plus games in Europe is totally different: On PS3 it's Pro Evo Soccer 2014 and on Vita it's MotoGP 13, while Hotline Miami and Sly Cooper Thieves in Time are unlockable on both platforms as Cross-Buy games. That means if you get the PS3 version of Sly on Plus, for example, you'll also get access to it on Vita.

Devolver Digital recently revealed Hotline Miami is coming to the PS4 with Cross-Buy enabled, so if you're planning to get the top-down kill-fest on that platform, be sure to grab it as a Plus freebie this month. The quintet including Mercenary Kings join Europe's Plus collection on April 2. [Image: Tribute Games]

True story: Joystiq Streams was going to broadcast Shovel Knight, the pixel-y, Metroidvania-y, Mega Man-y game coming to Wii U, PC, and Mac this spring, with Yacht Club Games today. Unfortunately those plans fell through at the last minute, leaving the Streams crew desperately thirsty for 2D art and the exploration of interconnected, lushly animated environments. We crave double jumps and locked doors and wacky save rooms! Only one thing could possibly slake our thirst: Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.

Starting at 4PM EST on the Joystiq Twitch channel, Joystiq's Richard Mitchell will play Castlevania: Symphony of the Night from the beginning, right when Richter Belmont and Dracula are in the thick of Aaron Sorkin-style banter. Anthony John Agnello will hang in the chat, feeding your questions to him. Some other guests may join us as we play. Dracula's castle is unpredictable. Crazy things happen.

Joystiq Streams broadcasts every Tuesday and Thursday at 4PM EST on the Joystiq Twitch channel. [Images: Konami]

Developer Sports Interactive and publisher Sega have announced a release date for the Vita incarnation of Football Manager Classic 2014: April 11.

The game, which is described as a "fully-featured handheld version of Football Manager Classic," brings a more streamlined approach to the simulation aspects of Football Manager. Instead of spending countless hours poring over every minute detail of your squad, Football Manager Classic instead boils down the fan-favorite simulation formula to its bare essentials. This allows players to work their way through a lengthy managerial career without dedicating months of their otherwise busy lives to sitting in front of a computer.

This Vita incarnation of the game is the first mobile version of Football Manager Classic to utilize the same 3D Match Engine found in its PC counterpart. As a result, players are able to start a game on the PC, transfer save data to the Vita, then continue their career on the go.

Sega has yet to establish a price point for the Vita version of Football Manager Classic 2014, but it does note that come April 11, the game will be available in both retail and digital incarnations. [Image: Sega]

Josh McDermitt -- Eugene on AMC's The Walking Dead -- had never played Telltale's game. We fixed that.

Better late than never, publisher Aksys has announced that BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma is making its PlayStation 3 debut today.

BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma is the latest hyperkinetic 2D fighter from developer Arc System Works, the same people behind the Guilty Gear series and Persona 4 Arena. In November, we reported that the game was slated to hit the PS3 on March 14, but that date came and went without any word on the fighter. Regardless, the game is now winging its way to retail locations, with a digital version scheduled to debut on the PlayStation Network come April 1.

Those of you on the fence about picking up BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma should know that the initial print run of the game will feature additional content. Specifically, a new character named Yuuki Terumi who serves as the game's protagonist. If you miss your early bird chance to add Terumi to the BlazBlue roster, the character will go on sale as a standard DLC release on May 27. [Image: Aksys]

This week's PSN update includes Fez for PS4, PS3 and Vita (Cross-Buy and Cross-Save style) for $13, Call of Duty: Ghosts Gold Edition for $60, and Fez on Vita. Did we mention Fez on Vita?

Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends Complete Edition hits PS3, PS4 and Vita today for $60, and Deception 4 Blood Ties hits PS3 and Vita, $60 on PS3 and $40 on Vita. PS3 sees The Witch and the Hundred Knights for $50, and Vita gets Destiny of Spirits for free. Pre-orders for PS3 game BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma, $45, are live today as well.

In the US, Vita now has the Hulu Plus and Redbox apps, while PS4s worldwide get MLB.TV Premium. In the Spring Fever sale, Plus members can snag Fez on any Sony platform for $9.75, plus some cheaper BioShock games and DLC.

It's Fez time, PlayStation Owners. The indie hit Fez is out today for PS3, PS4 and Vita. Buy one copy and you'll get all of 'em. All I can say is that I am pretty psyched to play this game on Vita.Read more...

Japanese Hatsune Miku fans (of which there are a few) are no doubt picking up Project Diva F 2nd later this week, but they're not the only ones who'll see the virtual popstar make a return to gaming systems this year. Sega announced today it's bringing the rhythm game sequel West this fall, and this time it's releasing packaged versions on both platforms.

The synthesized idol's sequel follows the formula of the first game, with players ensuring Hatsune Miku doesn't short circuit any of her notes by tapping buttons in time to match those zipping across the screen. Project Diva F 2nd features 40 songs in total (or at least we presume the base game does) including some only previously found in Japanese releases.

We can expect more specific details, perhaps including release dates, as we get closer to this year's E3 conference at the beginning of June. [Image: Sega]

Last year Sega gambled on global love of Japan's premiere virtual idol, releasing the Hatsune Miku: Project Diva F rhythm game in North America and Europe. That gamble must have paid off, because Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA F 2nd is coming to the west later this year. I am so happy. Read more...

Those hoping to one day dress an inexplicably adorable lump of burlap as Willem Dafoe will see their bizarrely specific fantasies come to life later this week, when LittleBigPlanet adds costumes based on Quantic Dream's Beyond: Two Souls.

Included in the pack are costumes based on protagonist Jodie Holmes, Nathan Dawkins, Cole Freeman and Ryan Clayton. Those first two are the most notable inclusions, as they're characters portrayed by and modeled after Ellen Page and Willem Dafoe, respectively. While our review of Beyond: Two Souls was middling, the PlayStation.blog claims that "[t]hese costumes will allow any Sackboy or Sackgirl to portray these wonderful characters in their very own adventures."

No price point is mentioned for this DLC, but these new costumes will join the LittleBigPlanet DLC roster once the PlayStation Network Store undergoes its weekly update. That should occur at some point on Tuesday, March 25, though the past few weeks have seen Sony miss its usual mark by as much as 24 hours. [Image: Sony]

Xbox One Japanese Exclusive & E3 Conference Plans Teased. Plus, new Dragon Age: Inquisition screenshots & Diablo 3 is coming to next-gen consoles.

Rather than face plant after botching a gnarly kickflip, OlliOlli will stick the landing when it jumps from PS Vita to new platforms this summer. Roll7's pixelated skateboarding game will appear on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 as well as Mac, Linux, and PC via Steam.
"The PS Vita was where Sony's big Indie push was in 2013, so that's what they funded," Roll7's Simon Bennet told Joystiq about the game's debut as a Vita exclusive. "We are hyped about playing it on a Dualshock though, it really feels more tactile when going for more complicated tricks!"

OlliOlli made limited but impactful use of Vita's specific features, particularly the touch screen for navigation. According to Bennet, the transition from Vita to controllers has been smooth. He even teased a new feature. "There will be one major change which the fans will like. Touch Screen works just as well with controller input, so we see no major issues [in the transition.]"
Bennet's studio is not making these ports. BlitWorks, the crew behind numerous ports like the PS Vita version of Spelunky, is working on the PlayStation 4 and PS3 versions of OlliOlli. Devolver Digital, the publisher behind Hotline Miami, is working on the Steam version. Roll7 isn't resting on its laurels, though. The studio is still trying to fix a game-crashing bug that's affected the PS Vita version, and plans to patch in that fix with a larger update soon.

OlliOlli released on PS Vita in January and was warmly received by critics, receiving a 4-star review from Joystiq. [Images: Roll7]

IGN guides you through Chapter 06: Revelations of Episode 2 of 'The Wolf Among Us'. In this video, the player makes the decision to only hit Beast once. For more on TellTale's newest adventure, check out the full wiki on IGN @ http://www.ign.com/wikis/the-wolf-among-us

IGN guides you through Chapter 04: Skin of Episode 2 of 'The Wolf Among Us'. Bigby goes to the Pudding & Pie to interrogate Georgie, and makes the choice to hit him. For more on TellTale's newest adventure, check out the full wiki on IGN @ http://www.ign.com/wikis/the-wolf-among-us

IGN guides you through part one of Chapter 03: Blood of Episode 2 of 'The Wolf Among Us'. Bigby interrogates Toad & TJ and chooses to let Snow make her own decision about coming to the Trip Trap. For more on TellTale's newest adventure, check out the full wiki on IGN @ http://www.ign.com/wikis/the-wolf-among-us

IGN guides you through part two of Chapter 03: Blood of Episode 2 of 'The Wolf Among Us'. Snow and Bigby travel together to the Trip Trap to talk to Holly. For more on TellTale's newest adventure, check out the full wiki on IGN @ http://www.ign.com/wikis/the-wolf-among-us

IGN guides you through Chapter 05: Secrets of Episode 2 of 'The Wolf Among Us'. Beauty is upset with Bigby because (in Episode 1) he told Beast that he had seen her. For more on TellTale's newest adventure, check out the full wiki on IGN @ http://www.ign.com/wikis/the-wolf-among-us

Your PS3s and PS4s are about to get 37% more radical. OlliOlli—the hit side-scrolling skateboarding game that came out for PlayStation Vita earlier this year —will be coming to Sony's home consoles this summer. There's also an update on the way that will fix a crash bug and include other stuff, too.Read more...

What's that we see on the horizon? Why, it's a trap! Haha, get it? We ... wait, is that ... a second trap? And a third? A fourth? Look here Tecmo Koei, this isn't how the reference is supposed to go. We know you've got a variety of traps to show off in your upcoming PS3 and Vita game Deception 4: Blood Ties, but we're trying to make a pop culture joke here!

Oh, alright. Since these new Deception 4 trailers show off how players can make their traps elaborate, humiliating, sadistic, or even "super" when they combine all three elements, we'll let it fly this time. Just don't place any secret doors or giant mallets in our local game stores when Deception 4 hits shelves on March 25.

As for anyone else reading this, you can check out Deception 4's elaborate, humiliating and sadistic traps after the break. [Image: Tecmo Koei]

The voice behind The Walking Dead's protagonist comes to IGN Playing Dead to talk about Episode 2 and where Clementine is headed.

Terraria, Re-Logic's 2D sandbox adventure game, surpassed a combined 1.3 million full-game downloads on iOS and Android. The game first arrived on iOS in August 2013 and on Android in September. Additionally, publisher 505 Games announced that Terraria recently achieved one million downloads in total across Xbox 360, PS3 and PS Vita, the latter of which arrived in December.

Andrew Spinks, the creator of Terraria, first divulged plans for the game's sequel in October, but was careful to note that it wasn't in development at the time. Spinks later said he'd like to code Terraria 2 in a more portable language so he can bring the game to multiple platforms closer to its PC launch, though Nintendo's 3DS is likely not in the cards for the sequel. [Image: Re-Logic]

From now until March 30, Square Enix is hosting a buy more, save more sale through their official store. Customers who pick up one game or official Square Enix merchandise will save 20 percent off their order, those who pop for a second item will save 30 percent, and those who scoop up three or more products will save 50 percent.

The sale is only available on certain items, and pre-orders don't count. That being said, there are some stand-out items that qualify, such as the recently-released Thief and Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13. If you long to return to the world of Spira but like your definition less "high" and more "standard," the PS2 version of Final Fantasy 10 is also eligible. [Image: Square Enix]

IGN shows you the location of the Golden Manuals and the hidden Pair of Pants in Level 14 of The LEGO Movie Videogame, Bricksburg Under Attack. For more on the Lego Movie Videogame, check out the full wiki on IGN @ http://www.ign.com/wikis/the-lego-movie