Sony Launches Its First "Only On PSN" Game Program

Looks like PlayStation Network is finally ready to compete with Xbox Live for real. Sony just announced a month-long “Only On PSN” initiative. Tell me if this sounds familiar: a selection of premium download-only titles, with new releases coming out every week over the next month. Details inside.
Starting today, the “Only On PlayStation Network” program will release a total of eight “big name” titles across the next five weeks. PlayStation Plus subscribers can get a 20% discount on each one. Sony also says that if you spend $60 or more from your PSN/SEN Wallet this month, you’ll receive a $10 in-store credit. Here’s the lineup:
October 4th
Eufloria
Omni Systems’ ambient relaxation game has you exploring space and conquering asteroids so you can grow semi-organic plants and have them do your bidding. If it sounds weird, that’s because it is. But it also looks very addictive.
Rochard
This side-scrolling puzzle platformer defies the conventional rules of arcade action titles by giving its heroic space miner just one weapon — a gravity gun — and slow-paced adventures that revolve around puzzle solving, not run-and-gunning. From Recoil Games. (FG review coming soon!)
October 11th
Sideway: New York
A 2D side-scrolling platformer with 3D visuals, Playbrains Inc.’s adventure game is set in a “sideway” or alternate reality, where you battle a villainous graffiti artist who poses a threat to both Sideway and the real world.
October 13th
Sodium Collection
Not so much a game, as a PlayStation Home content package, this download unlocks lots of goodies and upgrades from both SodiumOne and Sodium 2, for the PSHome in-world racing game and your personal Home spaces.
October 18th
Okabu
Developer Hand Circus has created a cartoonish action-slash-puzzle game that you can play solo or co-op. You’ll control flying heroes in their fight to save their idyllic world from the evils of industrialization. (Political message much?)
RocketBirds
This quirky game from a developer with a quirky name (Ratloop Asia) sends you into battle against evil penguins. Full solo and co-op campaigns. Also the only title on this list that supports stereoscopic 3D play.
October 25th
inFamous: Festival of Blood
What happens when Cole MacGrath is bitten by a vampire? He’s got one-night-only to keep from becoming one himself by hunting and killing the head vampire in New Marais. Loads of new features and content for inFamous players. From Suckerpunch.
PixelJunk Sidescroller
Q-Games’ popular series gets a retro makeover in this side-scrolling shooter. But don’t worry: the series’ trademark, madcap shooting is fully intact.
Also available today: a collection of downloadable PlayStation classics that includes God Hand, GrimGrimoire, Maximo: Ghosts to Glory, Odin Sphere, and Ring of Red.