PlayStation3 may be the biggest thing on the minds of Sony loyalists this fall, but it was no where to be seen at the company’s Canadian fall preview held on Wednesday at the Republik night club on Richmond Street in downtown Toronto. The event focused solely on PlayStation2 and PlayStation Portable games, showing about two dozen upcoming titles from a variety of publishers.

When questioned about the suspicious absence of next generation products, a spokesperson explained that, despite any conspiracy theories to the contrary, the PlayStation3 is still very much on track to make its November 18th release date, and that its nonexistence at the event was a planned decision made to ensure adequate attention would be given to current generation titles.

It may or may not have been a legitimate excuse, but it was a fair one. PlayStation3 content almost certainly would have overshadowed what turned out to be an impressive collection of upcoming games for Sony’s proven portable and console platforms.

Much of the crowd’s interest was invested in sequels to several successful first-party franchises, such as the highly anticipated follow-up to 2005’s breakout blockbuster God of War (imaginatively labeled God of War 2). The sophomore game in the series starring the sword-slinging warlord Kratos appears to follow the original’s formula quite closely, featuring plenty of bloody battle and smart puzzles, as well as terrific audio and visual presentation. Fans of the first game definitely have something to look forward to this February.

Sony’s long-running ATV Offroad Fury brand will have two new entries in coming months as well: ATV Offroad Fury Pro for PSP and ATV Offroad Fury 4 for PlayStation2. Both games feature more than just four wheel ATVs; they include MX bikes, dune buggies, and trophy trucks. The PlayStation2 game sports a story mode that will let players experience life as a circuit rider, while the PlayStation Portable version will offer features that integrate with its console-based brother.

And what would a holiday season be without a Ratchet & Clank game? It’s the PSP’s turn to be treated to a title featuring Sony’s space-faring mammal and robot duo in the aptly named Size Matters. It might be made for a smaller screen, but Size Matters comes with just as many gadgets, weapons, and levels as its non-portable predecessors. The only potential concern is that the series’ longtime developer, Insomniac, has handed off the reins to newcomer High Impact Games. Thankfully, the series’ humor and distinctive game play seems to have survived the transition.

One more first-party game that was on display and is worth a few words is Killzone: Liberation. Whereas the original was a lukewarmly-received futuristic first-person shooter for PlayStation2, Liberation has been developed for PlayStation Portable, and it’s scrapped the first-person mechanic altogether, favoring instead a third-person orientation from a raised, skewed perspective. While the new view makes the game feel as though it has little in common with its predecessor, a few minutes spent with it proved that the mature subject matter, gore, and compelling narrative are all still present. And gameplay seems pretty good to boot.

But it wasn't all Sony only stuff in the showcase. The PlayStation Show let third-party developers shine as well...
 
 

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