FirstPlay Episode 44

Hello everyone,

As the lonely and the cash-poor are only too aware, it’s almost Valentine’s day, and episode 44 of FirstPlay is like a neatly-packed bundle of love (and HD video) we’ve put together just for you.

Tear open the purely figurative wrapping paper (which, as it’s imaginary, we’re saying is the fancy stuff from Paperchase) and inside you’ll find a pair of Swords & Soldiers-themed PSN avatars in the shape of the Aztec Ruler and Jaguar Warrior. Beautifully packed alongside are a pair of highly polished blockbuster previews of Killzone 3 and Red Faction: Armageddon, for which we travelled to both Guerrilla Games in Amsterdam and Volition Inc. in Illinois to bring you two completely new and exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews.

We’ve also got a look at Rockstar Games‘ seedy period drama L.A. Noire, and a review of kiddie shocker The Hole on Blu-ray. And then things go seriously heart-shaped as the guys and gals of Official PlayStation Magazine present their favourite romantic gaming moments, which include a surprising amount of space-kissing and tainted wombs. And there’s still enough time to present a guide to finding Dead Space 2‘s most cunningly hidden power nodes, to have a play about with FIFA‘s custom team builder and to profile Killzone boss Hermen Hulst, as well as showering you with screenshot galleries like perfumed rose confetti. Or an interactive slideshow of the latest gaming images, one or the other.

All of this comes for just 99p, or less if you pick up a 12 week subscription for £8.99.

If you have any feedback you can email at FirstPlay@futurenet.com, or we’re on Twitter at @firstplay_uk. I’m @nathanditum, producer Dave is @bodbod and assistant producer James is @James_Jarvis. We’d love to hear from you.

And don’t forget you can sign up for the FirstPlay newsletter at http://www.firstplay.co.uk/register to have regular news and content updates delivered directly.

See the Future of PS3. First.