In a parallel world, it has its own World War II, pilots take to the skies with stylized aircraft and powerful weaponry. This games combines classic vertical shooting with 3D HD graphics.

Take on waves of incoming enemies while dodging explosions and missiles, you will fight off huge enemy bosses in death-defying dogfights. Recruit a wingman locally to pull new Joint Strike attacks, combining the power of both aircraft in one explosive fire power. With new weapons and power-ups in your arsenal, prepare to rejoin the battle.

With an overwhelming amount of quality games that have been released on the Playstation 3 it’s easy to overlook some of the games on the PlayStation Network. However I am here to tell you that would be a mistake. Instead I will offer you a list of the top 10 PSN games.

10. 1942: Joint Strike – Backbone Entertainment

Joint Strike is a flashback to the arcade classic vertical scrolling shooter that I personally loved. Although not a direct remake of any particular game in the series rather a best of, taking elements from all of the previous games. You still control a WWII era aircraft on a 2D plane with 2 simple controls, fire and bomb. However with upgraded 3D graphics along with new weapons and power ups at your disposal prepare to face waves and waves of incoming fire while dodging explosions and missiles eventually leading you to huge challenging enemy bosses. This game is loads of fun and brought me back to the old days of classic arcade fun and enjoyment.

9. PAIN – Idol Minds

The goal is simple; inflict pain and lots of it. However to get to that goal you launch your character from a powerful catapult into an interactive physics controlled environment. You then receive points by stringing together painful collisions and inducing chaos into the environment. Regardless of how serious the game may appear to be it is actually filled with humorous situations that match the overall tone of the game. Despite being slightly redundant over time there are plenty of difficult trophies to keep you busy. Besides its hard not to include the most downloaded PSN game in our list.

8. Burn Zombie Burn – doublesix

Here is a game with another simple goal, get the high score, with simple gameplay, kill the zombies yet is fun and addicting. Burn Zombie Burn is a classic coin-op third person shooter with fundamentally an infinite play score. As the title suggests the player has to set never ending hordes of zombies on fire each adding to their score. To survive and unlock more of the game you must shoot, burn or explode as many zombies as possible before they overwhelm you. Although I have spent minimal time with this game the fun and enjoyment I have received appears to be as endless as the hordes of zombies.

7. Crash Commando – EPOS Game Studios

In Crash Commando you control a commando with an array of weapons, explosives, and vehicles at your disposal to use against the enemy faction. Crash Commando is a side scrolling fast paced action packed shooter with exaggerated gore and effects. The gameplay is straightforward therefore making it accessible to all players and is the perfect combination of old and new. Enjoy this terrific game offline by yourself or with a friend via online multiplayer, either way you can’t go wrong.

6. Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD – Backbone Entertainment

There seems to be a reoccurring theme on this list, successful remakes of classic games by Backbone Entertainment. Here is another proven arcade original classic with updated HD 1080p redrawn art and widescreen support. While still a two dimensional fighting game with the usual cast of characters this version has two gameplay modes; classic and remix, or rebalanced. In my personal opinion it’s arguably the best version of one of the most important and influential fighting games of all time, an instant classic. This game is a sure hit for Street Fighter purists, but also will appeal to gamers just starting out in the genre who want to experience this classic in hi-definition.

5. Bionic Commando: Rearmed – GRIN

Yet another remake, this time it’s an enhanced remake of the classic 8-bit side scroller Bionic Commando that was previously released on NES in 1988. This version is complete with all new HD graphics, new areas, additional features and online leader boards. Like the original you play as “Rad” a soldier who has been enhanced with a bionic arm which he uses to traverse across gaps or to climb higher all while eliminating the enemies. The main piece this game does right is stay true to the original NES title while providing upgrades to improve gameplay and graphics to make it further stand out. For these reasons and more I would recommend everyone give this game a shot, it’s just worth it.

4. WipEout HD – SCE Studio Liverpool

The first Wipeout entry to the Playstation 3 is a downloadable game that expands on past entries to create one great racing game that showcases the PS3’s processing power. As the player you pilot an anti-gravity craft in one of five modes while using weapons and speed to beat your competition whether online or offline. All of the levels look amazing while being outputted in full 1080P HD at 60 FPS. The current game is feature rich with trophies, 8 player online racing, custom playlists, 5 game modes and 8 racing teams. This has everything you could want out of a racing game and it’s done right. Despite the relatively low price point they didn’t skimp on quality or polish, pick this game up for yourself to find out.

3. Flower – ThatGameCompany

The same developers that previously brought you Flow continue their success with the release of Flower while still challenging traditional gaming concepts. The player progresses through the levels by controlling the wind, via sixaxis controls, so that a pedal will interact with other flowers. The gameplay feels fresh and genuine as you interact with each vivid landscape and the surrounding environment. Overall Flower combines flight, interaction and exploration for a visual and audio escape that you must experience yourself.

2. Super Stardust HD – Housemarque

While technically an updated version of the classic Stardust game it could also be seen as a hi-resolution version of Asteroids. Super Stardust HD has that simplistic gameplay that works as well now as it did back then. The game while casual could also be intense as you fend off giant asteroids with three upgradable weapons while visiting five highly detailed 3D planets. Despite being released way back in June of 2007 the visuals are still top notch. The fantastic yet frantic gameplay, stunning visuals and simple controls allow this game to be enjoyed time and time again. Easily considered one of the finest titles on the PSN and should not be ignored. Go get it!

1. PixelJunk Monsters – Q-Games

PixelJunk Monsters is a variation of the very popular and addictive tower defenses titles. The objective like others in this genre is to build defense towers along a predetermined path to prevent the enemies from reaching your “base”. The game takes place in a lush 2D forest environment with meticulously hand drawn characters that looks amazing in 1080p. By collecting gold coins and jewels from fallen monsters the player can research and upgrade their towers to reinforce their defenses in between each wave of enemies. Q-games took the simple real-time strategy concept of building, researching and base defending and presented it in a unique attractive style making PixelJunk Monsters an approachable and fun title while still being complex and challenging. This game will definitely keep you busy with 20 different levels, 3 different stages, trophy challenges, and offline co-op mode easily making this a clear-cut must download.

Well there’s our recommendation of the top Playstation Network downloadable titles for the Playstation 3. We would love to see your list whether you agree or disagree. Feel free to do so via the comments below.

Just noticed these over at Major Nelsons’ blog. Some interesting stuff. Stats based on Xbox LIVE connectivity and unique users.

Xbox 360 Top Live Titles

1 – Halo 3
2 – Call of Duty 4
3 – GTA IV
4 – Gears of War 2
5 – Gears of War
6 – CoD: World at War
7 – Guitar Hero III
8 – Battlefield: Bad Company Demo
9 – Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Demo
10 – Rock Band
11 – Fable II
12 – Mirror’s Edge Demo
13 – Madden NFL 09
14 – BF: Bad Company
15 – Rainbow Six Vegas 2
16 – UNO
17 – Castle Crashers
18 – COD: World at War Multiplayer Beta
19 – Forza Motorsport 2
20 – Too Human – Demo

No major surprises there apart from perhaps the Call of Duty: World at War position, at 6th its pretty high up there considering its mid November release date, the beta also makes it in on its own at 18th. Also interesting to see 2 Arcade titles, and 4 demos making the top 20.

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions purchased)

1 – Castle Crashers
2 – Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2
3 – Braid
4 – A Kingdom for Keflings
5 – UNO
6 – Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
7 – Fable II Pub Games
8 – Duke Nukem 3D
9 – Bionic Commando: Rearmed
10 – Worms
11 – SOULCALIBUR
12 – Portal: Still Alive
13 – DOOM
14 – 1942: Joint Strike
15 – Bomberman Live
16 – MEGA MAN 9
17 – N+
18 – Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3
19 – Marble Blast Ultra
20 – Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3

Still need to pick up Castle Crashers, but have far to much stuff to play at the moment… Good to see N+ in there

Original Xbox Top Live Titles

1 – Halo 2
2 – Fable
3 – Star Wars: Battlefront 2
4 – Counter-Strike
5 – Fable: Lost Chapters
6 – Doom 3
7 – Conker: Live Reloaded
8 – Splinter Cell Chaos
9 – Star Wars: KOTOR
10 – SW: Republic Commando
11 – Star Wars: Battlefront
12 – Burnout 3
13 – Guilty Gear XX #Reload
14 – Gauntlet Seven Sorrows
15 -Call of Duty 3
16 – Ninja Gaiden Black
17 – Crimson Skies
18 – MechAssault 2
19 – Call of Duty 2
20 – Rainbow Six 3

I didn’t even realise that Fable: Lost Chapters was available as well as the original release.

I know it’s been forever since I’ve posted, but things have picked up for me recently. Since I’ve been so busy, and it’s not like this blog actually makes me any money, it’s kind of fallen by the wayside.

Since I last posted, I’ve taken on two new jobs. The first, as kind of a side gig, is that I’ve begun to write reviews for Game Revolution. My first review, of the game 1942: Joint Strike, should be posted soon, and I’ve been working on another one this week for Bionic Commando Rearmed. I’m just doing Xbox Live Arcade games so far, since it’s easy for GR to send me a redeemable code, and so far I’m just getting free games out of it, but hey, free games!

On a more career-oriented note, in eleven days I will be starting work in QA at Blue Fang Games. It’s entry-level, sure, but it’s a foot in the door of the industry in which I’ve wanted to work since I was five years old, drawing old Nintendo Power-style level layouts for imaginary platformers. (I created multiple concepts for a Calvin & Hobbes game of which I was particularly proud.)

Blue Fang is known for the Zoo Tycoon series, which I’ve always respected for the fact that it took the “tycoon” name, which often guarantees a game is shovelware, and actually made a quality franchise to go along with it. It joins Roller Coaster Tycoon and Railroad Tycoon in that respect, so it’s in good company.

Needless to say, I’m thrilled. Blue Fang is based in Waltham, MA, near Boston, so I’ve spent the last week or so looking at places to live in the area. At this point, I’ve missed the September 1 move-in, but I’m heading back down to the city tomorrow to keep looking.

So between everything that’s been going on, I haven’t had a whole lot of time to spend on The Literary Gamer, or even gaming, for that matter. (Although I did finally unlock all the weapons for my medic and pyro in Team Fortress 2, that was like, two weeks ago.)

Don’t worry, TLG is not dead, and I expect my posts to become a bit more exciting now that I’ve actually kick-started a career in the games industry.

While the game comes out tomorrow for NA. Across the pond, Europe will not be getting the game until a week or two after the game releases here in NA. The game will not support trophies.

Stay tuned for tomorrows EU and NA PS Store updates.

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