Weekend Essentials – Issue 20

Wreak havoc in paradise in Just Cause 2, this week's big release on PlayStation 3.

Explosive carpentry

With a name like Rico Rodriguez, you wouldn't expect the star of Just Cause 2 to lead a mundane life. As it happens, his usual day includes tethering himself to a helicopter using his grappling hook, parachuting into a gunfight and then blowing up a fuel depot. And that's just his commute.

If you want to try before you buy, there's a generous Just Cause 2 demo on PlayStation Store that gives you a massive 35 square miles to explore and explode.

However, you don't have to be a CIA agent to dish out the pain, as a young carpenter proves in Gensan, available now on PSP. With the help of his girlfriend Kanna, he must use his giant mallet to fight off some dubious construction workers. And who needs grappling hooks and machine guns? In Gensan, a hearty meal is all you need to fight the world, so work hard on new recipes to unlock new powers.

New to PlayStation Store

At PlayStation Store, you can download new games or add to your favourites. This week, check out the Greed Corp demo and get a taste of the strategy game that asks you to strike a balance between harvesting the land and destroying it.

MAG, the game that brings you online warfare for up to 256 players, gets the Trooper Gear Pack this week, adding new equipment for all three Private Military Companies, absolutely free. Sackboy can dress up as another platforming icon as the Sonic the Hedgehog Costume Kit for LittleBigPlanet on PS3 hits PlayStation Store.

There are also new Challenge Rooms for the BAFTA award winning Batman: Arkham Asylum; the Time Savers Pack for Hustle Kings, allowing you to unlock all items in the game without having to pot a ball; a new table for Zen Pinball; the Master Pack for THE EYE OF JUDGMENT LEGENDS on PSP; and a host of Heavy Rain Avatars, so all of your PlayStation Network friends can see where your allegiances lie in the stunning interactive drama from Quantic Dream.

Stereophonics rock PlayStation Home

There's extra reason to head to The SingStar Rooms in PS Home this weekend - Welsh rockers Stereophonics have an exclusive performance playing in the space now and you can pick up merchandise celebrating the occasion.

While you're there, pop over to the updated AUDI space to play a new mini-game and watch a video lecture from the luxury car manufacturer.

Note: PlayStation Home supports the following languages: English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.

PS3 is three

This week is the third anniversary of the PS3 system's European launch and over at the PlayStation Blog, there's plenty of content celebrating the occasion, with a liberal application of the number three. There's also an exciting opportunity for SOCOM fans: you can decide the name of the next game in the series on PS3 by casting your vote.

The Buzz! Friend Quiz on Facebook has been updated with new functionality; check it out now and see how much you know about your friends... and the people you vaguely remember meeting at parties.

If you're looking forward to ModNation Racers on PS3 and PSP, then now might be a good time to pre-order your copy ahead of the game's release. Doing so will give you access to exclusive characters that will be familiar to fans of certain PlayStation titles...

Be sure to opt in to receive PlayStation emails when you sign up for a PlayStation Network account. If you already have an account, sign in to your PlayStation Network Account Settings at eu.playstation.com/registration or via the XMB™(XrossMediaBar) and opt in. That way, you can keep bang up to date and receive the latest PlayStation news direct to your inbox.