From July 31st through August 21st, Sony’s second annual PlayStation Network PLAY summertime digital download game program will roll out four new games, including two exclusives, one get-it-on-PSN-first multi-platform title, and one multi-platform title with exclusive PlayStation Move motion control support. (Last season was quite successful: See our reviews for BloodRayne: Betrayal, The Baconing, Renegade Ops and PayDay: The Heist.)
Ubisoft’s The Expendables 2 movie game kicks off the promotion, followed by Sound Shapes (pay once, get it for both PS3 and Vita) and Papo & Yo, before closing out with Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
These four games will become available for pre-order starting July 24th, and each title will come with an XMB theme based on the game purchased. There’s also a tiered bonus cash payback program in place: buy any two of the PLAY games for a $3 PSN voucher, buy any three for $6, or buy all four to get $10, all to help pay for a fifth game of your choice (or any other PSN content you have your eyes on).
All four games will cost $14.99, but PlayStation Plus members will get a 20% discount to bring the individual asking price down to $11.99 each.
Keep reading for more details about each PSN PLAY title along with a spiffy preview montage.
July 31: The Expendables 2 Videogame (PS3)
Leading off the PLAY promotion and launching first exclusively on PSN, the latest and most explosive co-op action shoot’em up title coming to PSN, based on the popular movie franchise this game leads players right into the upcoming The Expendables 2 movie. The story begins when four Expendables (Barney, Gunner, Caesar and Yin Yang) are hired to rescue an extremely valuable, kidnapped Chinese billionaire. Featuring vehicular combat, four-player co-op story and challenge modes, and a wealth of exotic locales, The Expendables 2 Videogame offers everything an action-game fan could want. Pre-order The Expendables 2 Videogame starting July 24 for $14.99 ($11.99 for PLUS members). The Expendables 2 Videogame is rated “M” for Mature by the independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).
August 7: Sound Shapes™ (PS3/PS Vita)
Play, Compose and Share in a unique take on the classic sidescrolling platformer where your actions make the music. Equal parts instrument and game, Sound Shapes gives everyone the ability to make music. Play through a unique campaign that fuses music and artwork into a classic 2D platformer featuring artwork by Pixeljam, Capy, Superbrothers and more, with music by I Am Robot and Proud, Jim Guthrie, and Deadmau5. Additionally, Sound Shapes comes to the PLAY program as a cross-platform title, allowing players to play at home on their PS3, or take it on the go with PlayStation®Vita. Create and upload your levels on either platform for others to download and remix on their own. Sound Shapes creates an ever-changing musical community for everyone to enjoy, anywhere. Pre-order Sound Shapes starting July 31 for $14.99 ($11.99 for PLUS members). Sound Shapes is rated “E” for Everyone by the independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).
August 14: Papo & Yo (PS3)
PSN exclusive indie game Papo & Yo tells the story of a young boy, Quico, and his best friend, Monster. Taking place in a dreamlike world inspired by South American favelas, Papo & Yo entices players to explore and solve puzzles as Quico, while simultaneously preventing Monster from eating poisonous frogs, which throws him into an uncontrollable rage. As one of PSN’s most-anticipated indie titles, Papo & Yo is a truly unique and beautiful experience that players can only get on PSN. Pre-order Papo & Yo starting August 7 for $14.99 ($11.99 for PLUS members). Papo & Yo is rated “E10+” for Everyone 10 and older by the independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).
August 21: Counter-Strike®: Global Offensive (PS3)
One of the gaming world’s most celebrated first-person shooter series makes its way to PSN with Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, offering an updated take on the tried-and-true objective-based gameplay. Pitting teams of counter-terrorists against terrorists, Global Offensive features a number of classic game types like Bomb Diffusal and Hostage Rescue, and introduces two new modes: Arms Race and Demolition. Up to 10 players can engage in online matches, and the game also supports PlayStation®Move, giving players a brand new way to experience the classic Counter-Strike gameplay. Pre-order Counter-Strike: Global Offensive starting August 14 for $14.99 ($11.99 for PLUS members). Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is designated “RP” for Rating Pending and has not yet been assigned a final rating by the independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).
Matt Litten is a 28 year old from-the-womb gamer turned video game reviewer/blogger and current editor/owner/operator of VGBlogger.com. Matt got his first taste of gaming as a youngster on the NES and Atari, and the rest is history from there.
In 2004, three years removed from high school and still looking for a career direction in life, Matt landed his first gig in the video game review business writing for the now-defunct website BonusStage.com. After the sad and untimely close of BonusStage, the former staff went on to found VGBlogger.com, and after a short stint as US Site Manager for AceGamez Matt turned his attention to VGBlogger, and to this day is dedicated to making it one of the top video game blogs in all the blogosphere.
Matt is a fair-minded reviewer and lover of games of all platforms and types, big or small, hyped or niche, big-budget or indie. But that doesn't mean he will let poor games slide without a good thrashing when necessary. 
