The first volume of Qore is here at last, and Sony seems to be onto a good thing. So, let’s not side track and instead, simply look at the content that you’ll find with the first volume.

SOCOM: Confrontation

There are a great number of us who have been eagerly awaiting the release of the latest SOCOM on the PlayStation 3, and we’ve been teased with tidbits of information and a few screenshots, but Qore takes us a little more in-depth than what we’ve seen in the past with a number of features that will further examine this upcoming and highly anticipated title. The features include:

The Ultimate Team – Pay a visit to beautiful Vancouver, BC, the home of Slate 6 Studios for a look a the beta version of SOCOM. You’ll not only get a glimpse of the game and the gameplay, but a few other tidbits of information as well. Yes, some of those maps that many of you love have been put back into the game, but they are more beautiful than ever.

SOCOM Gallery – Here you will find nine images of in-game footage and conceptual drawing to tease you just a little bit more and get your blood flowing, waiting for SOCOM to finally hit the PlayStation 3.

SOCOM Theme – Exclusive to Qore, show your true allegiance with this theme that is almost as good as camouflage.

Clan Warfare – Get all the inside dirt on what promises to be the best online experience that SOCOM has ever offered. Through interviews, and more footage of the game, you’ll learn that SOCOM is going beyond just a mere 32-player online version and incorporating a number of new features that promises to be perhaps the best multiplayer and clan version of SOCOM that the series has seen yet.

SoulCalibur IV/Afro Samurai

SoulCalibur IV is one of the titles from Namco Bandai that I have been drooling over since seeing some of the beautiful footage at last years Tokyo Game Show. The company though offers up a little more in an anime inspired title that doesn’t have the name Naruto or Dragon Ball attached to it. While I was doubtful of Afro Samurai, what the studio shows here is an impressive and promising looking title.

A Fighting Game With Soul – Namco Bandai gives more details on their highly anticipated fighting game with new footage, information about the new faces that will be showing up, not to mention the power of the darkside. For some of you, this will be your first chance to witness the character exclusive to the PS3, and that is none other than Darth Vader. Not a bad idea, but I still would have enjoyed seeing a familiar Sony face, Kratos, take on the combatants of SoulCalibur.

Out for Justice – Afro Samurai comes to life in the digital world, and Namco Bandai gives us a peek at their upcoming anime-inspired title. Yes, Samuel L. Jackson is back doing the voice.

Secret Agent Clank

Like Daxter, Clank is going solo, and it looks like he doesn’t have much choice as Ratchet is in jail for a crime that he didn’t commit. This isn’t going to carry over the cliffhanger ending from the latest outing of Ratchet and Clank from the PlayStation 3, but it does look to be an interesting offshoot of the series that’s perfect for anyone who loves Clank, and I think that’s just about everyone.

Gadgetry of Robot – You’ve played the demo, at least I hope you have, and now you get an exclusive preview of more of Clank, Secret Agent Clank. It’s more than just gameplay though as you’ll learn some of the connections between the diminutive robot and the spy’s of entertainment who have influenced this upcoming PSP title.

Sneak Clank – No, Clank isn’t about to work his magic and save his friend by throwing wretches, and you’ll see just how he intends to save Ratchet, and get the girl . . . probably. Sure, you’ve got some handy gadgets at your disposal, but it’s also all about stealth and timing. Think Metal Gear meets Dance Dance Revolution.

Gadgets and More – Get another inside look, this time at the conceptual drawing for Secret Agent Clank and more importantly, those handy gadgets that are very much a part of any spy’s lifestyle, or super hero, but Clank isn’t out fighting crime in Gotham.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

Yet another title that I know many have been waiting to finally release. The force is definitely strong with Qore. Not only will we have the opportunity to play as the Dark Lord of the Sith in SoulCalibur, we can play as his apprentice in what looks to be the most promising Star Wars title in quite some time. Let’s just hope it’s not re-issued in 20 years because the technology will allow the developers to better achieve their vision.

This Ain’t Yoda’s Force – Definitely not. Evil you are, and you’ll learn more about the driving, um, force behind The Force Unleashed. Being evil has probably never been as grand as what we’re shown here.

Explore the Galaxy – The Star Wars Universe wouldn’t be the same without all of those planets that have been visited, and you’ll get an inside look at some worlds very familiar and some new locations that have never been seen before, at least not until now.

The Rancor Battle – Get a glimpse of the actual gameplay as Vader’s apprentice takes on the dreaded Rancor.

Graphic Novel – I think just about every major Star Wars game has to have some kind of tie in product, and this time around it’s a graphic novel. The first few pages a previewed in this bonus section.

Game Art Galaxy – Get another look at the Star Wars Universe with conceptual drawings and such from The Power of the Force.

Darth Katers – This isn’t related to the game but is more of a parody of one of Vader’s rejected apprentices; Darth Katers. I’m not sure who she is, but she’s quite cute and while the Lord of the Sith may have rejected her application, she can come and apprentice for me.

What’s Hot

In this section you’ll find a “brand new” trailer for Universal’s upcoming release, The Incredible Hulk. The trailer however isn’t necessarily new, and I saw it a few weeks back with Iron Man, but if you haven’t hit the theaters recently, it’s worth a look. It definitely looks better than Universal’s last effort.

Download Center

Finally, you’ll find a few extra goodies and the sphere of influence just happens to be SOCOM.

SOCOM Confrontation Beta – I’d love to tell you all about how great this beta is and it’s the best thing since sliced bread, but unfortunately it’s not available yet. So, it sits as a mere tease for those of us wanting to get a sample of what the next generation SOCOM will be like.

SOCOM Theme – Funny, this actually has a bit of information next to the description stating “when available,” which it is. The theme is decent enough, and is a good replacement for the annoying sounds that Echochrome keeps assaulting me with, but my preference these days is still for the very cool Japanese Eye of Judgment theme.

Calling All Cars – If you’re an annual subscriber and you have yet to purchase this game, you can pick it up free of charge proving that membership does in fact have it’s privileges.

So far, not a bad start with Sony’s new service, though I would love the option to scan through the video segments, and a preview of the upcoming volume wouldn’t be bad, but this is still a work in progress in some ways. And, you might find a hidden game included on Qore as well. We’ll keep following Qore as new volumes become available for download.

 -mike-