How often in life do you get a second chance? If you’re an online Call of Duty player, well, that’s pretty simple – you get one every time you press Square to respawn. But the concepts of return, reinvigoration, and redemption all play into Uprising, the second map pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops II, which is available today on PlayStation Network.

To start, Uprising features four new maps for Black Ops II multiplayer matches:
Vertigo, the top of a Tacitus mega-structure that’s so tall, it breaks the cloud layer; Magma, a small Japanese village that has been engulfed by the lava of a nearby erupting volcano; Encore, the performance stage and surrounding grounds following a London music festival; and Studio, a re-imagining of the Call of Duty: Black Ops Firing Range, offering chaotic combat over several movie sets on a Hollywood backlot.

Studio is a particular point of pride here, as it’s a re-imagining of Firing Range, which fans of the original Black Ops still eagerly choose in multiplayer lobbies. Its compact design and varied lines of sight – sniper perches, blind corners, tight alleyways – make it popular, but thematically, the original level is a bunch of plywood targets, purpose-built for training soldiers. Not only does the level look a lot more colorful now with the addition of crashed spaceships, animatronic dinosaurs, a pirate harbor, and a miniature monster-movie set, but these visual landmarks make it even easier to communicate. When a teammate calls out “there’s two in the pirate cove” or “I’m heading to the saloon,” there’s no confusion in the sitreps. And when you work together as team, you’ll find you don’t need second chances quite so often.

For Mob of the Dead, the question isn’t so much “how often in life do you get a second chance” but “how often in death?” Alcatraz is the setting for this star-studded adventure, as four gangsters – played by Ray Liotta, Michael Madsen, Chazz Palminteri, and Joe Pantoliano – seek to escape one of the world’s most infamous prisons. But as you might expect, the bars and cells aren’t the only things standing in their way. Zombies – the ultimate benefactors of a second chance! — have taken over the island prison, so these wiseguys will have to battle the undead if they’re going to make it out. New perks like the wittily named Electric Cherry offer players some shocking new gameplay mechanics, as does the new Afterlife Mode, which lets interact with your environment and solve puzzles despite having just had your existence expire. But like I said…a second chance is something you should never take for granted.

Uprising is available now on PSN for $14.99, but if you are the owner of a Black Ops II Season Pass, you already own it – just download it from the in-game Store menu.

PS3 Games

Crysis 3 ($59.99)

Crysis 3 puts players in the role of Prophet, on a lone mission to save mankind. Wield the unique power of the Nanosuit and your signature Predator Bow to fight through human forces and devastating alien invaders. Master the unique sandbox environments of rainforest New York City. Featuring an extensive campaign and exciting multiplayer action.
ESRB: M // File Size: 5.5 GB

PSN Games

Urban Trial Freestyle ($14.99)

Don’t miss the ultimate urban trial freestyle game for PlayStation Network! The city is your playground! Take to the streets on your freestyle trials bike, while dodging the police and using the urban landscape to pull spectacular tricks – backflips, 360s, wallrides, ollies, and more.
ESRB: E10+ // File Size: 474.6 MB

CAPCOM Arcade Cabinet (Free)

Capcom’s pedigree arcade games are back! Take on players from around the world in ‘score attack’ and even play together with online co-op! (Only for titles that support this feature.) Check out these classic games, now loaded with a ‘casual mode’ geared towards newcomers and other new features. Play the full game of ‘Black Dragon’ and try out ’1943′ and ‘ Avengers’ in this free trial!
ESRB: Teen // File Size: 1.4 GB

PS Vita Games

Urban Trial Freestyle ($9.99)

At last – the ultimate urban trial freestyle game for PS Vita system is here! The city is your playground! Use the urban landscape to pull spectacular tricks – backflips, 360s, wallrides, etc.
ESRB: E10+ // File Size: 164.1 MB

Patapon 3 ($19.99)

Devastate your opponents with attacks as Superhero Patapon in the third iteration of the critically acclaimed rhythm-based action adventure. Customize your tribe with different weapons and abilities in the greatest portable adventure of rhythm and war.
ESRB: E10+ // File Size: 614.9 MB

Generation of Chaos: Pandora’s Reflection ($19.99)

Generation of Chaos: Pandora’s Reflection features an active-time battle system, in which players can move and position their units in real-time across sweeping battlefields—you’ll need a quick mind and a steady hand to succeed! For anyone who enjoys a sprawling, satisfying story and challenging yet rewarding strategic gameplay, prepare yourself!
ESRB: Teen // File Size: 353.8 MB

PSP Games

Generation of Chaos Pandora’s Reflection ($19.99)

Generation of Chaos: Pandora’s Reflection features an active-time battle system, in which players can move and position their units in real-time across sweeping battlefields—you’ll need a quick mind and a steady hand to succeed! For anyone who enjoys a sprawling, satisfying story and challenging yet rewarding strategic gameplay, prepare yourself!
ESRB: Teen // File Size: 353.8 MB

Hakuoki: Warriors of the Shinsengumi ($24.99)

Hakuoki: Warriors of the Shinsengumi is an action-adventure game based on the hit visual novel, Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom. Play as one of six legendary Japanese warriors and battle against the masses using deadly combinations, specials and more! Turn into a deadly fury and become unrivaled and unmatched in battle bringing utter destruction to your enemies!
ESRB: M // File Size: 1.1 GB

Free PS Mobile Game

OMG Zombies (Free)

Alert! Alert! OMG-Zombies! The City of Redfield has been hit by an outbreak of exploding zombies! For cool and unimportant reasons these suckers literally explode when shot, showering their zombie brethren with gore and causing chain reactions of showering zombie guts with just a single bullet! For reasons that aren’t important right now, all but one of your team is killed before arriving at the outbreak’s epicenter, leaving YOU to deal with thousands of zombies ALONE.Get this PS Mobile title for free on the PS Vita Store and your PS Mobile certified devices tomorrow, Wednesday Feb. 20th through Feb. 26th. For more information, click here.

Bundles

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and Season Pass ($99.99)

This bundle includes Call of Duty: Black Ops II and the Call of Duty: Black Ops II Season Pass. Call of Duty: Black Ops II propels players into a near future, 21st Century Cold War, where technology and weapons have converged to create a new generation of warfare. The Season Pass is the ultimate way to get more of Call of Duty: Black Ops II. 4 Epic DLC Map Packs, 1 Great Price. Nuketown Zombies bonus map available now with Season Pass.
ESRB: M //File Size: 12.8 GB

Smash Cars and Skyfighter ($14.99)

Get two of our favorite games bundled together for one low price. This includes both Smash Cars and SkyFighter. Smash Cars is a tricked-out single or multiplayer online RC toy car racing game. With real-time physics simulation and vehicle customization, players can twist and turn, grind and gear up. Join the elite Sky Fighter airborne squadron and engage the hostile enemy fleet in fast-paced, side-scrolling aerial combat. Learn to pilot all kinds of aircraft, from light, aerobatic, maneuverable fighters to the devastating flying fortress.
ESRB: E10+ //File Size: 504.7 MB

PlayStation Store Highlights

Crysis 3 returns with the biggest and most explosive arsenal in franchise history, and you can grab it now on PlayStation Store. Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 has combined its digital copy with its Season Pass for a great bundle offering available this week on the store.

If first person shooters aren’t your cup of tea, Urban Trial Freestyle brings physics-based motorbike action to PS3 and PS Vita. There’s also Skyrim DLC, Devil May Cry weapon packs and Assassin’s Creed II add-ons to check out in this update. The PSP also gets some love with Generation of Chaos 3 and Hakuoki: Warriors of the Shinsengumi.

As always, please leave your thoughts in the comments below. You can also chat about this update in the PlayStation Community Forums.

PlayStation Plus

Click here to learn more and purchase online or go to the PlayStation Store to activate instantly.

PS Vita Demos (Free)

Urban Trial Freestyle

Don’t miss the ultimate urban trial freestyle game for PlayStation Network! The city is your playground! Take to the streets on your freestyle trials bike, while dodging the police and using the urban landscape to pull spectacular tricks – backflips, 360s, wallrides, ollies, and more.
ESRB: E10+ // File Size: 164.1 MB

PS3 Demos (Free)

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3

Boss battles are back and more epic than ever in NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM 3. Download the free demo and confront an enraged Nine-Tails in the middle of the Leaf village as a prelude of the long awaited Great Ninja War. Choose your way through the new adventure mode and discover a revamped gameplay and a dramatic experience defining new standards in the series.
ESRB: T // File Size: 1.3 GB

Price Change

• Rage: Rage Wastelands Sewer Missions (now: $1.99 original price: $9.99)

Sales

• Rocketbirds PS Vita – For owners of PS3 version of Rocketbirds only (now: $7.99 original price $9.99)
• Sky Fighters + Trial (now: $4.99 original price: $9.99)

PS Vita Add-ons

Pinball Arcade

• Add-on Pack 1: Medieval Madness and The Machine: Bride of PinBot (Cross Buy) ($7.99) – This Pro Table Pack includes Medieval Madness and Bride of PinBot along with access to the Pro Menu of Medieval Madness. Purchasing this content entitles you to both the PS3 system and PS Vita system versions!
• Pro Version Upgrade: Medieval Madness (Cross Buy) ($3.99) – This upgrade gives you access to the Pro Menu of Medieval Madness. Purchasing this content entitles you to both the PS3 system and PS Vita system versions!
• Pro Version Upgrade: Tales of the Arabian Nights (Cross Buy) ($1.99) – This upgrade gives you access to the Pro Menu of Tales of the Arabian Nights. Purchasing this content entitles you to both the PS3 system and PS Vita system versions!

LittleBigPlanet 2

• Emergency Services Costume Pack (Cross Buy) ($2.99) – What’s Your Emergency? After a long day of rescuing cats from up trees and pensioners from down potholes, Sackboy is ready to join the emergency services, dressed up in four different uniforms. You can dress your brave Sack hero up as: • Police Officer. • Firefighter. • Paramedic. • Search and Rescue Specialist.
• Firefighter Costume Pack ($0.99)
• Paramedic Costume Pack ($0.99)
• Police Officer Costume Pack ($0.99)
• Search and Rescue Specialist Costume Pack ($0.99)

Ragnarok Odyssey

• Archer’s Apple ($0.99)
• Bunny Hair Band ($0.99)
• Floppy Cat ($0.99)
• Gunslinger Outfit (FREE)
• Majestic Horns ($0.99)
• Music Set 1 (FREE)
• Music Set 2 (FREE)
• Music Set 3 (FREE)
• Ninja Outfit (FREE)
• Taekwon Kid Outit (FREE)

PS3 Add-ons

Assassin’s Creed III

• The Infamy ($9.99, FREE for Season Pass holders) – The Infamy is the 1st episode in the Tyranny of King Washington storyline. Acquire all-new skills to fend off this new threat to freedom. Live history as it never happened and ignite a new revolution!

CAPCOM Arcade Cabinet

• 1987 Pack ($4.99) – Play 1943 and Avengers. ‘Capcom Arcade Cabinet’ is required to play. Please be careful to not make double purchases.

Dead or Alive 5

• Fighter Pack ($4.99) – Get your fight on with these 11 new costumes straight from the ring.

Devil May Cry

• Weapons Bundle ($1.99) – Transform Dante’s shotgun, scythe and axe into 3 different types of weapons: gold, samurai-style or bone crafted. You’ll also receive access to 3 different character perks: the orb harvester, the item finder and upgrade points.
• Bone Weapons Pack ($0.99)
• Gold Weapons Pack ($0.99)
• Samurai Weapons Pack ($0.99)
• Bloody Palace Mode – Take on 101 levels of Demonic spawn and five brutal bosses – destroy wave after wave of enemies and compete for the highest points ranking on the global leader board. Hone your combat skills in the ultimate DmC bonus mode!

DUST 514

• Starter Pack ($9.99) – Get a headstart on your mercenary career with the DUST 514 Starter Pack. Includes an Exile assault rifle, a collection of ‘Neo’ dropsuits, 2,000 AUR, and a Skill Booster. Join the shooter revolution with your own private arsenal.

Skyrim

• Hearthfire DLC ($2.49) – Purchase land and build a home from the ground up – from a simple cottage to a sprawling compound complete with armory, alchemy lab, and more!

Guardians of Middle Earth

• Snaga (Playable Guardian) ($1.99) – Download and play as Snaga.

LittleBigPlanet 2

• Emergency Services Costume Pack (Cross Buy) ($2.99) – What’s Your Emergency? After a long day of rescuing cats from up trees and pensioners from down potholes, Sackboy is ready to join the emergency services, dressed up in four different uniforms. You can dress your brave Sack hero up as: • Police Officer. • Firefighter. • Paramedic. • Search and Rescue Specialist.
• Firefighter Costume Pack ($0.99)
• Paramedic Costume Pack ($0.99)
• Police Officer Costume Pack ($0.99)
• Search and Rescue Specialist Costume Pack ($0.99)

LittleBigPlanet Karting

• Emergency Services Costume Pack ($2.99) – What’s Your Emergency? After a long day of rescuing cats from up trees and pensioners from down potholes, Sackboy is ready to join the emergency services, dressed up in four different uniforms. You can dress your brave Sack hero up as: • Police Officer. • Firefighter. • Paramedic. • Search and Rescue Specialist.
• Emergency Services Karts Pack ($2.99) – Race First, Rescue Later Get out of the way everyone; Sackboy is coming through! Craftworld’s saviour is itching to fire up the wailing sirens and buckle up behind the wheels of four emergency services karts.
• Ambulance Kart ($0.99)
• Paramedic Costume ($0.99)
• Fire Engine Kart ($0.99)
• Firefighter Costume ($0.99)
• Police Car Kart ($0.99)
• Police Officer Costume ($0.99)
• Sea Rescue Dinghy Kart ($0.99)
• Search and Rescue Specialist Costume ($0.99)

Pinball Arcade

• Add-on Pack 1: Medieval Madness and The Machine: Bride of PinBot (Cross Buy) ($7.99) – This Pro Table Pack includes Medieval Madness and Bride of PinBot along with access to the Pro Menu of Medieval Madness. Purchasing this content entitles you to both the PS3 system and PS Vita system versions!
• Pro Version Upgrade: Medieval Madness (Cross Buy) ($3.99) – This upgrade gives you access to the Pro Menu of Medieval Madness. Purchasing this content entitles you to both the PS3 system and PS Vita system versions!
• Pro Version Upgrade: Tales of the Arabian Nights (Cross Buy) ($1.99) – This upgrade gives you access to the Pro Menu of Tales of the Arabian Nights. Purchasing this content entitles you to both the PS3 system and PS Vita system versions!

Metal Gear Rising

• Custom Body: MGS4 Raiden ($1.99) – Custom Body of “Raiden” for “Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.’ The MGS4 Raiden Custom Body design is based on the Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots version of Raiden.

Resident Evil 6

• Onslaught Game Mode ($3.99) – Adds the Onslaught game mode to the Extra Content menu in Resident Evil 6! In this one-on-one version of The Mercenaries, rack up combo points to send hordes of creatures your opponent’s way!
• Predator Game Mode ($3.99) – Adds the Predator game mode to the Extra Content menu of Resident Evil 6! Become the tracker Ustanak as you hunt down agents. This battle of agents versus Ustanak can be waged with up to 6 players!
• Survivors Game Mode ($3.99) – Adds the Survivors game mode to the Extra Content menu of Resident Evil 6! It’s a battle between agents, and only the last man standing can be the victor. This mode supports up to 6-players in individual deathmatch, or team battles!

Rock Band 3

• A Little Less Sixteen Candles A Little More ‘Touch Me’ ($1.99)
• Black Rose ($0.99)
• Dozing Green ($1.99)
• One Week ($1.99)
• Political Bum ($1.99)
• Reaching Down ($0.99)
• Shine ($1.99)
• The Fractal Reason ($1.99)

Rocksmith

• Black Betty by Ram Jam ($2.99)
• Carry On Wayward Son by Kansas ($2.99)
• You Got Another Thing Comin’ by Judas Priest ($2.99)

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Decade Duels Plus

• Card Pack 11 ($1.99)
• Card Pack 12 ($1.99)
• Structure Deck 01 ($2.99)
• Super Pack 01 ($3.99)

Zombie Driver HD

• Apocalypse Pack ($2.99) – Experience two apocalyptic, insane vehicles along with a new Slaughter mode arena that will test your driving skills to the maximum. The pack includes a monster truck – Chaos 126p, plus an armored truck – Auroch, drivable in all game modes. The Military Base arena is a bonus addition to the Slaughter mode map arsenal.

PSP Add-ons

Hakuoki: Warriors of the Shinsengumi (All $0.99)

• Ten pieces of AMBER
• Ten pieces of AMETHYST
• Ten pieces of AZURITE
• Ten pieces of BAMBOO LOG
• Ten pieces of BEATEN GOLD
• Ten pieces of BELLFLOWER
• Ten pieces of BLOODSTONE
• Ten pieces of BROCADE
• Ten pieces of CAMELLIA
• Ten pieces of COPPER
• Ten pieces of COTTON
• Ten pieces of COWHIDE
• Ten pieces of CYPRESS LOG
• Ten pieces of EBONY
• Ten pieces of FALSE HOLLY
• Ten pieces of FLUORITE
• Ten pieces of GOLD
• Ten pieces of HEMP
• Ten pieces of IRON ORE
• Ten pieces of IVORY
• Ten pieces of JADE
• Ten pieces of JAPANESE PAPER
• Ten pieces of JASPER
• Ten pieces of LACQUER
• Ten pieces of LAPIS LAZULI
• Ten pieces of LEATHER
• Ten pieces of LINGZHI MUSHROOM
• Ten pieces of LONGAN
• Ten pieces of MALACHITE
• Ten pieces of MAPLE LEAF
• Ten pieces of OBSIDIAN
• Ten pieces of PEARL
• Ten pieces of PEONY
• Ten pieces of PILOSE ANTLER
• Ten pieces of PLAITED CORD
• Ten pieces of RICE
• Ten pieces of RICE STRAW
• Ten pieces of RUBY
• Ten pieces of RUTILE
• Ten pieces of SAKE
• Ten pieces of SAKURA
• Ten pieces of SILK
• Ten pieces of SILVER
• Ten pieces of TALISMAN
• Ten pieces of THISTLE
• Ten pieces of THREAD
• Ten pieces of TIGER’S EYE
• Ten pieces of VALUABLE FUNGUS
• Ten pieces of WALNUT
• Ten pieces of WHETSTONE
• Ten pieces of WOOD

PS3 Themes

• Best PSN Game Static Theme (FREE)
• Best PSN Exclusive Game Static Theme (FREE)
• Best PlayStation Classic Static Theme (FREE)
• Best PS3 Full Game Static Theme (FREE)
• Best Competitive Multiplayer Game Static Theme (FREE)
• Best Indie Game Static Theme (FREE)
• Best Mini Game Static Theme (FREE)
• Best PS Vita Game Static Theme (FREE)
• Best PlayStation Move Enabled Game Static Theme (FREE)
• Best PSP Game Static Theme (FREE)
• Clock: Aquarium Digital Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
• Clock: Beach Digital Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
• Clock: Hawaii Digital Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
• Clock: Jellyfish Digital Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
• Clock: Long Beach Digital Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
• Clock: Northern Lights Digital Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
• Angry Dynamic Werewolf Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
• Crypt Keeper Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
• Dynamic Galaxy Theme 2 ($2.99)
• Dynamic Galaxy Theme 3 ($2.99)
• Wonderbook: Book of Spells Dynamic Theme (FREE)

PSP Themes

• Abbey Pirate PSP Theme ($1.99)
• Acantha Vampire PSP Theme ($1.99)
• Horror Skulls PSP Theme 2 ($1.99)
• Claus of War PSP Theme 2 ($1.99)
• Death Horror Skulls PSP Theme 3 ($1.99)
• Christmas Pinup Vintage PSP Theme ($1.99)
• Fairy Tale Red Riding Hood PSP Theme ($1.99)
• Adrastea Vampire PSP Theme ($1.99)
• I Never Did It PSP Theme ($1.49)

PS3 Wallpaper

• Terraria Wallpaper (FREE)

Game Videos (Free)

• Wonderbook: Book of Spells An Introduction
• Wonderbook: Book of Spells Developer Diary 4
• Wonderbook: Book of Spells Developer Diary 3
• Tearaway Announce Trailer
• the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Hearthfire Trailer
• DUST 514: Gathering Forces Trailer
• Tom Clancy’s SC Blacklist Collector’s Edition Debut Video
• Urban Trial Freestyle Video
• Urban Trial Freestyle Video PS Vita

Available In-Game Only (Not on PlayStation Store)

Assassin’s Creed III

• 50 Erudito Pack + 100% Bonus ($1.99)
• 155 Erudito Pack + 100% Bonus ($4.99)
• 380 Erudito Pack + 100% Bonus ($9.99)
• 925 Erudito Pack + 100% Bonus ($19.99)

Real Steel

• Evercharge 2x ($1.99)
• Koga Arm Lv.5 (L) ($1.99)
• Koga Arm Lv.5 (R) ($1.99)
• Koga Glove Lv.5 (L) ($1.99)
• Koga Glove Lv.5 (R) ($1.99)
• Koga Body Lv.5 ($1.99)
• Koga Head Lv.5 ($1.99)
• Koga Legs Lv.5 ($1.99)
• Koga Lv.5 Full Parts Set ($9.99)
• Elite Agility Modulator ($1.99)
• Ox Oil 2.0 ($1.99)
• Subjugator ($1.99)

As the old saying goes, “the revolution will not be televised.” Nonsense – it’s not only on your TV screen, but it will be interactive, too. Revolution, the first DLC pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops II, arrives on PlayStation Network on February 28 – and there’s more inside this collection than you may be expecting.

Revolution offers a heck of a lot of content for both multiplayer and Zombies fans. First up are the four multiplayer maps:

• Hydro: Located in Pakistan, this hydro-electric plant comes complete with a lethal spillway that floods with very little warning.
• Grind: Set in a skate park in Venice Beach (the birthplace of skateboarding!), quarter-pipes and curved surfaces drive players away from easy cover and into intense firefights.
• Downhill: A ski resort in the French Alps, this snowy map is complete with a moving gondola system that can both offer cover and crush you to death.
• Mirage: Located in China’s Gobi Desert, this luxury resort has been ravaged by a sandstorm.

It’s worth noting that Mirage is also the first Black Ops II map where Domination takes place in a triangular flag pattern instead of a linear one – that is, you can run laps around the main hotel (or cut through it) as you try to capture the three flags at three different corners of the map. You may find this changes up your Domination strategies a bit.

As a bonus, Revolution also contains the first downloadable weapon in Call of Duty history. The Peacekeeper SMG has the small form factor of a compact submachine gun, but the range of an assault rifle. It’s actually rated two points higher in range than the longest-range SMG in the game, the MSMC. It’s not the overpowered monster that I think some gamers were afraid it might be, but it will likely become a very popular choice for the short-to-medium range specialists out there. And once you level it up along with the rest of your SMGs, it too can sport gold and diamond camos.

If you are a Zombies fan, Treyarch has some secrets and surprises in store for you, too. Die Rise is an all-new Zombies level that takes place in a shattered skyscraper; one false move might send you right over the edge in a very literal and non-metaphorical sense. The verticality of this level makes it feel unlike other Zombies experiences; you’re constantly finding new places above and below, exploring the rubble, locating parts for buildables, and even finding surprises in the very unsafe elevators. Some of those surprises are good, and some of them…well, just be prepared for anything, okay?

Last but definitely not least, Revolution offers a new way to play Zombies altogether, in the form of a new mode called Turned. Throw out your expectations for a strategic and calculating Zombies experience – this one’s all about adrenaline. Up to four players can join in; one is human, the other three are zombies. The winner of the match is the person who can survive as the human the longest. A Reverse Gun Game weapon loadout means that the human switches from powerful to weaker weapons as their turn continues; whichever zombie player can take out the human becomes the human themselves. It’s very fast, very frantic, and makes a great short experience for those times you want to play but can’t commit to a long gameplay session.

Prepare to have your high expectations met when Revolution arrives on PSN February 28. And look for me in the online lobbies — my PSN ID is OneOfSwords, and I’m the easy target!

Nothing seems to elicit more reaction from gamers than putting Call of Duty on our cover. But love it or hate it, there’s no denying that the franchise is still the king of the FPS hill. This time, our senior editor Scott Butterworth sat down with the Call of Duty: Black Ops II devs for a deep dive into the myriad of changes they’ve incorporated into the game’s online multiplayer. It’s difficult to predict how the laundry list of revisions will affect the overall experience, but it seems the COD battlefield has fundamentally changed.

Elsewhere, we delve into the forthcoming Resident Evil 6 by chronicling the first two chapters of each of the game’s three major campaigns. We also take a look at the opposite end of the gaming spectrum with a feature on the next wave of indie games coming to PSN. These big little games may not have the huge budgets or development teams of a Call of Duty, but they make up for it with imagination, ingenuity, and artistry.

New game announces and previews include looks at superhero actioner Deadpool, eye-catching fighter Dead or Alive 5, and TV-show-intertwined-with-MMO Defiance. We’ve also got hands-on updates of highly anticipated titles Assassin’s Creed III and Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, and the animation invasion continues as Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse joins South Park: The Stick of Truth for cameos in the issue.

The open-world crime saga Sleeping Dogs leads off our reviews section with an impressive showing, while Darksiders II proves that God of War isn’t the end-all when it comes to action games. And don’t miss our final verdicts on the affecting Papo & Yo, psychedelic shooter Dyad, and fan-service fighter Persona 4 Arena. No doubt, there’s a lot of great gaming out there right now.

Get it all in PTOM’s October issue, hitting newsstands on Tuesday, August 28th. (Or just subscribe here.)