Last week, we reported that the Xbox 360 version of Battlefield 3 would come with the option to install the HD Textures package, one that is mandatory on PC and PS3. Many of you wanted to see the difference, and whether or the having the install would make a massive difference to the visual quality of this gorgeous game. In short, the answer is yes, a major difference.

While the video above doesn’t really give many examples of this, there are some noticeable differences between the two packs, especially when you start focusing on the environment around you. The screenshots below also shows a major difference when you come up close and personal with many items in Battlefield 3.

So, if you plan to purchase Battlefield 3 on the Xbox 360, make sure you have an HDD and some spare space, since it’s now obvious that there is a major difference between installing and not. Look out for Battlefield 3 this Friday, on the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

Oddworld is just awesome. Abe is easily one of the best videogame characters out there as well. Unfortunately, Oddworld: Strangers Wrath is not about Abe, though it’s still an incredible title. I mean only great games get HD remakes right, otherwise what would be the point?

Stranger’s Wrath became obscenely famous, though one element set it apart from everything else: The kick ass crossbow that fires anything from bugs to chipmunks, insects and small odd looking furry creatures. Soon, you’ll be able to pick up the crossbow once again, as Stranger’s Wrath will be making a comeback on the PS3.

And just how long will we have to wait for this classic remake? Redeveloper Just Add Water says they’re in beta now, having completed updating all 83 characters in the game, tweaking the user interface, and overhauling most of the environmental textures and some of the geometry. They’ve even added some easter eggs and unlockable extras to sweeten the deal, for all you achievement and trophy whores out there.

Just like Beyond Good and Evil, Stranger’s Wrath should make an awesome HD remake, and would be a fine addition to anyone’s PS3 collection.

Stop what you’re doing right now, and watch this video.

Watch it. No, no questions. Just, watch it.

Are you done?

Shadow of the Colossus was the only game that made me regret not having a PS2, and now it’s going to make me regret not having a PS3 as well.

The remastered edition of Shadow of the Colossus is set for release on September 30th as part of the Ico and Shadow of the Colossus HD collection for PS3, both bundled on the same Blu-ray disc.

I urge every self-respecting gamer who owns a PS3 to get this collection, even more so if you’ve never actually played them on the PS2.

You can thank me later.

Warning: The top section of this article will read very much like a column. You have been warned. Also all non-native MGS gamers or interested people should read this.

I think I’m starting to see why all PS3 consoles except the 60GB are not backward compatible. It is so that developers can profit on HD remasters. Also the video above always reminds me why I love this series.

However I own a 60GB PS3 and I must say that when playing on an HD monitor or even an HDTV, PS2 games are sometimes unplayable graphically, due to some extreme stretching, or you have to use a smaller portion of the screen leaving you with a sea of darkness encompassing the majority of your oh-so-expensive and high quality screen. You might as well connect your PS3 to an old cardboard box type TV.

Strangely I played the original Metal Gear Solid on my 60GB and it looked fine (0bviously it was for the PS1 so graphics were PS1-ish, but still there was no stretch and this was on a 42″ screen.)

Now In my humble personal opinion I think these HD remakes are necessary, because I tried playing the all time classic Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, but I just couldn’t, I really just couldn’t…

Also those who own PS3 consoles that lack backward compatibility would benefit from these HD remakes.

Forgive me I haven’t posted for a while due to a severe case of laziness and writer’s block and I just realised how much I miss this work. Now to the topic at hand.

Before E3 on the 2nd of June, 2011, Kojima Productions announced the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection, which would feature:

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Yes that means that Peace Walker will be on console with dual analogue support.

Here is a video of Peace Walker gameplay on the PS3:

You may have noticed the original MGS is missing. This is because Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima said that he will not just merely remaster the game in HD, because he would want to take more time with it and because it is very old. This is what he had to say:

“Obviously, we wanted to include it and make it a complete collection. However, as you know, Metal Gear Solid 1 was for the PSone. It has a very, very low polygon count,” says Kojima Productions’ creative producer.

“While at the time the game was something new and refreshing, just bringing it as is into HD probably wouldn’t have that much meaning to us. We’re doing two and three with a certain work flow where the goal is to take that game, preserve it and introduce it to a new generation. We can’t really take that approach with Metal Gear Solid 1 because it’s very dated at this point.”

“If we were going to do Metal Gear Solid 1 we’d want to take more time with it. Not just up-res the textures, not just make things look pretty and polished, but go back and tweak some of the gameplay, tweak the story to update things and do it properly. Not just a re-master but a re-imagining almost.

“We do want to do that sometime down the road but it will take more time. It’s not something we’re looking at doing right now.”

Personally I think he should just leave MGS 1 alone. It, as he said, is a classic that should be preserved as is for future generations. Try playing it even now with shitty graphics and all and MGS 1 still delivers. It really does.

For all of those wondering why the MGS remake Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes isn’t going to be included? Well lets just say Nintendo owns the licenses.

The HD remastering will be done by Bluepoint Games, which is the same company that brought us the God of War Collection. Since then they have become quite a renowned studio in terms of HD conversions.

On July 15th 2011, on Twitter, Kojima said:

“Re-recording for “MGS HD (MGS3)” in progress today, and the voice actors from MGS are here from the morning”

There might be some new voice work, but as of now it is only confirmed for the Japanese version of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake eater. News on new voice work for the Western versions has not surfaced yet.

The Metal Gear Solid HD collection will be out in November 2011. If you enjoyed the Metal Gear Series on older consoles then this will definitely be worth it.

Here is the official overview:

Accept the mission and play three great chapters in the Metal Gear franchise with the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection. Included are Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. All three games are rendered in high-definition for the first time!

MGS 2: Players take the role of a one-man army determined to stop a deadly high-tech weapon from falling into the hands of a highly elite resistance group known as Dead Cell. Players must utilize their skills in stealth, weaponry, and counter-terrorism to fight off the competing powers. Progress through a twisting storyline and eventually face the gigantic war machine, Metal Gear Ray.

MGS 3: In the struggle to achieve world peace and world dominance in the Cold War period, rivalling governments are secretly developing weapons technology that could threaten the future existence of life. Destined to be the first, a race ensues to become the ultimate nation. A special elite tactical soldier is summoned to penetrate deep in the heart of enemy territory and obtain Intel about “Metal Gear”, a prototype weapon with nuclear capabilities. This is your mission and you must infiltrate alone. As “Naked Snake,” you must outsmart enemies with camouflage, close-quarters combat, stalking, interrogating, climbing, hunting and treating injuries in this critical chapter of the Metal Gear saga.

MGS Peace Walker: The era is the 1970s. Big Boss has stations his “Soldiers without Borders” in Columbia, South America, where he was approached by a visitor from Costa Rica, “a Nation without a Military.) In the wake of the Cuban Missile Crisis, a mysterious armed force seemed to be engaging in suspicious activities. Players take control of the famed Naked Snake at a critical junction in modern history. Advanced co-operative techniques allows multiple players to sneak into the fray and accomplish this mission together.

Destructoid has a great comparison gallery and where you can compare the PS2 and PSP screens with what they look like on PS3. For Xbox 360, just imagine they will be similar for sanity’s sake. Jump to the gallery right here. I really can’t wait to play Peace Walker on PS3 and feel nostalgic whilst playing MGS2 and MGS3. I wish Kojima would do a next gen remake of the original Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.

If you’re like me, you are obviously also very excited at the fact that Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker will soon be making it’s way to the PS3. Well, just to keep some of that excitement at bay, here is a little bit of gameplay footage to feast your eyes on.

Konami released this first bit of gamplay footage for Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker on the PS3. It showcases some in-game menus, shows the HUD, mission briefing files and a bit of combat. Let us know what you think below.

It appears as if Sony’s 3D technology is not fully compatible with 1080p HD resolution but only the lesser 720p. While it may  not seem like a world-shattering cataclysmic hang-up, it is of some concern. Besides the fact that there will be a slight but still noticeable drop in the picture quality, developers who are planning to make games with 3D compatibility might just forsake 1080p and develop the game to only operate at a maximum of 720p.

Good news though is that of the 3D titles set for release this year, those that will be able to operate at 1080p are few and far between but next year is another story entirely with titles such as Killzone3 coming along where you want to be able to see every single detail as clearly and perfectly as you possibly can.

First it was God of War with a reworked HD version of the series’ PS2 releases now there are talks of Ico and Shadow of the Collossus being released in HD and Sly Cooper. Now Insomniac has put its name in the hat saying that the studio would back Sony if they decided to come out with a Ratchet & Clank Collection.

Only thing is that Insomniac is not prepared to make the Collection should Sony give it the green light.

“we won’t make it, but we’d support Sony if they decided to do it,” they said.

So, a Ratchet & Clank Collection? Yes, please.

[Source: CVG]

Sony may be in the process of bringing more PS2 classics to the PS3 like it did with God of War.

Earlier this year, Sony released God of War 1 & 2 for the PS3. The games came on a single Blu-ray and were both reworked in HD. I have played the God of War Collection, as it has been called, and certainly hope that they do more like it. The great thing about it is that there’s even Trophy support.

Sony are currently conducting a survey with select customers via e-mail where they ask the participants to select from a list of possible games to be re-released for the PS3. What’s great about this list is that among the contenders are Shadow of The Colossus and Ico. Other greats that I would love to see remade are the first 3 MGS games and the first two Prince of Persia games.

What game would you like to see reworked in HD and brought out for the PS3?

[Source: CVG]