With the portable gaming market slowly getting more and more diversified with smartphone platforms quickly finding their spot in what used to be a Sony versus Nintendo world, the platform-specific items needed for these devices are also getting numerous. From the games themselves, the memory card where you store your data chances are it’s going to be tied to that certain system. And the same goes for the listening equipment you use on those devices. If you’re packing a PSP, DS, laptop, smartphone, a portable music player or all of those and want a listening solution to cover all of them well Razer’s got your back.

Razer’s line of all-around audio gear isn’t limited to the Orca and Electra, somewhere in their catalog you’d notice the Moray and its more packed version, the Moray+ which is what we have in our studio today for testing. Let’s see if Razer’s swiss army knife of an earphone packs a bite worthy of its predatory namesake and as usual, let’s make this showy!

Like we mentioned in the opening paragraph, the world of gadgets is now heavily diversified with the entertainment capabilities of such devices a far cry from the days of the Nintendo Gameboy and Sony Walkman. The Moray+ is Razer’s attempt at finding a medium in audio delivery for such a wide selection. Razer’s Moray+ is a pair of in-ears earphone with a bunch of included adaptors for your PC/laptop, PSP, DS, idevices or any device that supports a 3.5mm jacks which can be any smartphone or MP3 player. So let’s just cut the chat and see how this baby performs.

SPECIFICATIONS

Earphones

Microphone

PACKAGING

CLOSER LOOK

PERFORMANCE

Note: Audio is a complicated subject to rate properly and something that can’t be properly graded in numbers. We test our review sample using a variety of audio sources with varying quality and we rate them as fairly as we can.

LISTENING

To test out the music performance of our Moray+ we used a Sony NW-E002VC and all our audio files are 320Kbps MP3 CBR 44khz encoded to the player’s native OMA format. (I was seriously gonna use the Lexicon Omega on this one but that was gonna be neither fair nor relevant)

SISTAR- Shady Girl

An upbeat track with a heavy kick in the beat pulling together its nice keyboard melody. This is arguably one of Sistar’s tracks that highly showcases Hyorin’s singing and vocal skills. The song intros with the beat surging in and that first bar is what really sets the mood for the song. The Moray+ delivers a punchy bassline but feels a bit short on that oomph level I enjoy on these songs. As mentioned earlier this song features a good vocal performance and the Moray+ does as well rendering the group’s vocal prowess.

Electroboyz – Ma Boy 2

A hiphop track featuring one of my most admired singers of the new century, Hyorin of SiStar. A smooth track that flows from solid to mellow verses then to a powerful chorus and bridge. This song is hot right now. Again the Moray+ impresses with its clear mid-high range but the bass just wasn’t doing it for me so I played around with the EQ until I get the amount of deepness to it yet the kick still isn’t doing it for me.

D-Coy – Black Katipunero (ALBUM)

I decided to pop in D-Coy’s latest album tracks to complete this session and just to cover up the fact that I am a Kpop fan. Seventeen tracks of hiphop, reggae, swag and just plain ol’ good music is what we have here. Again I’m trying to get a feel for the bass here since I’m not satisfied, everything else seems perfect but the bass just seems to not be doing it for me. The Moray+ excellent upper spectrum range delivery is really impressive here that you can pick out details from the track but when it comes to that strong gut-felt kick, it just ain’t coming out.

GAMING

We start things off on the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, though bundled with some decent earbuds it just doesn’t deliver that unique sound experience that Sony has been known for. So popping in the Moray+ in our Xperia Play we fire up Dead Space. I’ve been using Dead Space 2 as a benchmark for audio equipment to gauge how they handle positional audio as well as distance and layering. This time around I’m very satisfied with the Moray+’s performance with that ever present and spine-chilling silence that gets broken off by masterfully timed sounds crafted to scare the pants off of you.

After that we get on the road with Need for Speed: Shift on the Xperia Play and one just has to hear to believe it. It may not be the most realistic of Android games but the crappy engine audio just seems to sound a bit better in the Moray+. All in all, it’s just a better experience than the stock earphones.

We were also able to test the Moray+ on the DS Lite and PSP3000 and I’ll just say it straight that it performed just as well as with the previous tests. The microphone was excellent and spot on. I’m used to using the single ear headset of the DS and to scream out OBJECTION!!!! 3 to 4 times every time I had to serve Edgeworth’s face while playing Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney but the Moray+ was clear enough to let the DS know I was shouting OBJECTION!!! the first time around.

CONCLUSION

There’s really nothing crazy or gimmicky about the Razer Moray+. It’s a straight-up solution for gamers who prefer to travel light and want something that goes with everything. Built solidly with a minimalistic design (which is very un-Razer-like) it has a good balance of simple looks and just the right swagger. As for performance, it surely delivers excellent sounds although it comes a bit short on that kick some club-banger fans love. So how much is this gonna cost us? Right now the Moray+ comes in at US$60 and locally at ₱2800.

So you might say that’s a hefty sum. Well let’s see what we’re getting: a powerful and very capable noise isolating earphone that has great sound isolation and also very comfortable. We’re also getting a very good microphone (had it like up to my chest and I was in public transport and my friend on the other line can still hear me clearly.) Just those alone are already worth something. That is, if you’re getting the stock Moray. The Moray+ bundles a DS and PSP audio jack, a Y-cable and a nice carry pouch to cover all your portable gaming audio needs and that’s getting a lot out of one pair of earphones.

If you’re strictly looking for some quality noise-isolating earphones, you’re probably better off with some cheap SkullCandy but the Moray+ addresses a situation only a gaming brand like Razer can cover so like I said in the opening, if you have multiple gaming portables and a smartphone then this package is for you. It is indeed well worth it and there’s nothing like it in the market right now so we highly recommend the Moray+ for you. If you’re an audiophile though (or a wannabe audiophile that worships Beats by Dr. Derp) go check out other solutions.

Normally, when game demos are released, they’re either really small playable chunks of the full game, or timed experiences that let you experience something close to the full game, but in short bursts that usually last around an hour. Ragnarok: The Imperial Princess of Light and Darkness takes a different approach by letting players play through one cycle of the game’s multiple endings with its First Ending Version demo.

The full game, when released will let players experience the story through multiple perspectives with its A.I.Z. (Alternate if Zapping) system. While one of the game’s main hooks does have blatantly Engrish-sounding name, it’s good to know that the upcoming release will have a healthy amount of replay value.

So, looking to try it out? You can grab the demo file right here. Do give it a spin and sound off with what you thought about it in the comments.

Source: [Siliconera]

 反重力少女 by itou

This year’s Tokyo Game Show is the most exciting in recent years. Check out the latest game offerings from Japan after the jump.

[3DS] Beyond The Labyrinth ( tri-Ace × Konami )

[Vita] Gravity Rush (JAPANStudio)

[???] Asura’s Wrath (Capcom)

[PS3/Xbox 360] DmC (Ninja Theory × Capcom)

[PSP/Vita] Lord of Apocalypse (Square Enix)

[Vita] Army Corps of Hell (Entersphere × Square Enix)

[PS3/Xbox 360] Dragon’s Dogma (Capcom)

[3DS] NEW Loveplus (Konami)

[Vita] New King’s Story (Konami)

[Vita] ASPHALT : INJECTION (Konami)

[PSP] Final Fantasy Type-0 (Square Enix)
You can download the trailer here.

[PS3/Xbox 360] Final Fantasy XIII-2 (Square Enix)
You can download the trailer here.

Stay tuned the whole weekend for more of Tokyo Game Show 2011.
Videos care of Gematsu and Andriasang.

Further details will soon be available regarding the EU and NA release.  Black Rock☆Shooter: The Game will released 25 August in Japan.

To put things in perspective, I was a big Crash Team Racing fan back in the days of the Playstation. Me and my cousins would often play round after round after round of CTR with the multi-tap then and whoever loses would be replaced. Since I didn’t own a N64 back then CTR was the next best thing and the game did deliver since I still have recollections of epic battles we’ve had to this day.

Ever since then I never really touched a karting game. Then here comes ModNation Racers, a game that’s been heavily marketed by PS spokesperson Kevin Butler (which sadly didn’t make a good case for me, regardless of how epic he is).

The game’s pretty tight as a karting game. The controls are simple enough and the game’s physics engine is easy to get a grip on. The weapon system is simple enough and the variety of weapons in your arsenal is reminiscent of CTR more than Mario Kart. The game’s boost meter provides the oomp in most races because it doubles as a speed boost and an offense-defense meter. With the boost meter you can well- boost and you can also do sidewipes and stomps which is ModNation Racers’ version of kart based attacks. The boost meter also can serve as your defense because you can summon shields to protect yourself from environment and player based attacks, as long as you have enough on it.

Racing on the other hand is a challenge. ModNation Racers has a Dynamic Game Difficulty Balancing system in place to ensure that your races are as fast-paced as you’d like them. I can personally attest to that since most of my race finishes would only have a millisecond difference. The only time that I had more than a second gap with the second placer is that when I pushed the boost till the meter’s gone just before I zoomed through the finish line. In fact most of my wins were hair-raisers that I actually would often breathe a sigh of relief upon race completion. I haven’t even started with the race goals you need to accomplish to get more stuff to customize your boombox (kart) and your racer.

So moving on from the game’s race difficulties- I’m going to have to focus on the game’s coup de grace which is mainly it’s customization features. ModNation Racers’ customization feature is very robust which reminds me so much of Little Big Planet on the PSP. The map creation feature is also very robust and you can almost do everything on it. You still need to “study’ the map creation process though since with everything you can do on the map, it’d be hard to start everything from scratch without any plan whatsover, unless your an artist or you have the gift of creation.

Overall, ModNation Racers is a game that you shouldn’t take lightly. On one hand you have a very engaging and challenging solo play and on the other you have a very well made customization system. I wasn’t able to really delve into the game’s multiplayer feature since there aren’t a lot of ModNation players out there for me to play against with. Going online is a laugh as well since the internet connection here is a laugh too.

The other saving grace for ModNatioN Racers is the game’s story mode. Even if the storyline isn’t the best there is, you’d have characters which seem to be typecasted from several pop culture references (I want to say Celebrity Deathmatch). ModNation Racers is a game that can be at par with CTR and Mario Kart- but it’s not good enough.

Still it’s a prettu decent karting game and if you have friends to play it with- I’m sure it’d double the fun.

Imageepoch released this heart-thumping, action-packed opening movie for Black Rock Shooter: The Game. Animation done by studio ufotable.

The game is set for a 25 August release in Japan. Special edition packages will also be available, one is a White Rock Shooter nendoroid, and the other one is a White Premium Box with a White Rock Shooter original figma figurine.

More information at its official website.

The sequel to the Augmented Reality (AR) PSP game, Invizimals will come to North America this September. Shadow Zone will be presenting 100 new monsters into the game with an addition of a co-op option in capturing those pesky monsters hiding behind our colorful objects in the real world.

Invizimals: Shadow Zone is set to feature over 100 new creatues to collect, the ability to modify the Invizimals via name, and colour changes, as well as the ability to choose from a larger selection of attacks. Shadow Zone will also feature a new campaign, and a co-operative capture mode.^[5]
- Shadow Zone Wiki Page

(via Joystiq)

Let’s face it, there’s one niggling little question that PSP owners face from their friends when playing some of the better games released on the system… “Why isn’t this on PS3?” For those who have asked that question, especially of this little-known game called Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (I hear it’s a big deal in Japan), your prayers have been answered. Sony recently unveiled Playstation Portable Remaster, a program that seeks to re-release PSP games on PS3 with all the bells and whistles you’d expect from an HD upgrade such as enhanced graphics, extra content, and a new feature or two along the way. The first game to get this treatment is Monster Hunter Portable 3rd, Capcom’s latest PSP installment of its poke-gigantic-lizards-with-pointed-objects simulator.

Aside from the obvious graphical upgrade, it looks like you can carry your save files between versions. It’s definitely good news for those who’ve sunk hundreds of hours into the game already (guilty as charged). Players will also get the ability to play online using Sony’s AdHoc Party service… with people either on PSP (tunneling through the service) or directly on PS3.

With all that said, what PSP games would you like to see given the HD treatment?

Source: [Kotaku]

The welcome back program includes:

• Free downloads of “unidentified” content
• 30 days of free PS+ (expiry date of PS+ extended to 30 days for subscribed users)
• 30 days of free Qriocity service

Also Sony is now “beefing” up their security after this attack and a firmware update that will happen within the week will be having this in store:

• Restoration of Online game-play across the PlayStation®3 (PS3) and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) systems, including titles requiring online verification and downloaded games
• Access to Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity for PS3/PSP for existing subscribers
• Access to account management and password reset
• Access to download un-expired Movie Rentals on PS3, PSP and MediaGo
• PlayStationHome
• Friends List
• Chat Functionality
• Added automated software monitoring and configuration management to help defend against new attacks
• Enhanced levels of data protection and encryption
• Enhanced ability to detect software intrusions within the network, unauthorized access and unusual activity patterns
• Implementation of additional firewalls

Also as a means to “prevent” further incursions Sony is beefing up it’s security with the most obvious move by hiring a more “competent” security officer. Hopefully that things would be better for Sony after this attack and would serve as a lesson for company who hadn’t handled it security as much as it should have.

[via Technobuffalo]

…AND I HAVE AN EXCUSE TO USE THIS HEADER AGAIN!

The current Playstation Network outage may have more ramifications than we initially thought. Today, practically the entire internet has reported that hackers may have been able to steal personal information from the PSN’s 60 million or so user base. Now, theft of any personal information is wrong no matter which way you put it, and it’s especially worrying as to what the potential uses are in store for the stolen information. Patrick Seybold, Senior Director of Communications, has this to say, which you can check out after the jump:

Although we are still investigating the details of this incident, we believe that an unauthorized person has obtained the following information that you provided:name, address (city, state, zip), country, email address, birthdate, PlayStation Network/Qriocity password and login, and handle/PSN online ID. It is also possible that your profile data, including purchase history and billing address (city, state, zip), and your PlayStation Network/Qriocity password security answers may have been obtained. If you have authorized a sub-account for your dependent, the same data with respect to your dependent may have been obtained. While there is no evidence at this time that credit card data was taken, we cannot rule out the possibility. If you have provided your credit card data through PlayStation Network or Qriocity, out of an abundance of caution we are advising you that your credit card number (excluding security code) and expiration date may have been obtained.

For your security, we encourage you to be especially aware of email, telephone, and postal mail scams that ask for personal or sensitive information. Sony will not contact you in any way, including by email, asking for your credit card number, social security number or other personally identifiable information. If you are asked for this information, you can be confident Sony is not the entity asking. When the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services are fully restored, we strongly recommend that you log on and change your password. Additionally, if you use your PlayStation Network or Qriocity user name or password for other unrelated services or accounts, we strongly recommend that you change them, as well.

Among the possible information stolen:

• Name
• Address (city, state, zip)
• Country
• Email address
• Birthdate
• PlayStation Network/Qriocity password and login and handle/PSN online ID.

PSN users are also encouraged to change their passwords once the service comes back online and they’re able to log back in. On top of that, Sony is employing the services of a “recognized security firm” to investigate the current breach. Reports have it that the Playstation Network will be up and running again in a week or so, with strengthened security and network infrastructure. As they always say, we’ll have more on this story as it develops.

Sources: [GeekTyrant, Kotaku, GamesRadar, Joystiq]