ShareThisBy CHRIS CAMPBELL
Monday, October 23, 2006
("LocoRoco." Platform: PSP. Genre: Platformer. Publisher: SCEA. ESRB Rating: E, for Everyone. Grade: 3 stars out of 5.)
Who knew that peace on a planet (OK, so maybe not our own) could be achieved from monochromatic globules of quirkiness?
"LocoRoco" can be a little repetitive, so you better get used to the idea of giving it a rest before picking it back up again. Not that this is a bad thing; once you get going again, you won't be disappointed in the silliness the game delivers.
The controls are easy to grasp, in part because there's little to learn. Most of the time playing is spent guiding the gelatinous beings to get them to the end of the level. It sounds rather simple, but along the way you will gather berries and squash enemies.
If nothing else, it's great to see a game like this make a breakthrough onto the PSP; eccentric games like this normally reside on Nintendo's DS system. For that alone, "LocoRoco" is a welcome addition to anyone's PSP.
("Ultimate Ghosts 'N Goblins." Platform: PSP. Genre: Arcade. Publisher: Capcom. ESRB Rating: E, for Everyone. Grade: 3.5 stars.)
If it's true nostalgia you crave, this release sweetens the deal by adding enhanced gameplay and better visuals to improve on a classic side-scroller that entertained and frustrated gamers two decades ago.
Even if you don't remember or never had the joy of experiencing the original "Ghosts 'N Goblins" games, there's not much of a learning curve: It's fight, jump and don't die. You play as Arthur, and your purpose is to take on tons of ... wait for it ... ghost and goblins and other demonic creatures. You'll be able to upgrade your armor and weapons, but the levels are tough and you're gonna need patience to get through some of the rougher parts.
The original arcade game was frustrating because of its difficulty, and it's amazing to see how, two decades later, it retains that difficulty without many changes in the format. If you're a PSP owner looking for a solid throwback with staying power, this is your game.
("Mario Hoops 3 On 3." Platform: DS. Genre: Sports. Publisher: Nintendo. ESRB Rating: E, for Everyone. Grade: 3 stars.)
In the ever-growing library of sports titles that have been given the "Mario" treatment, basketball is next up in line. And instead of being made for the GameCube, such as "Mario Super Strikers" (soccer) and "Mario Superstar Baseball," "Hoops" is made exclusively for the DS.
The gameplay is exactly what one would expect from a "Mario"-infused title; the scoring is non-traditional and the classic "Mario" characters are all out in force to join in the fun. The touchscreen allows for creative controls, and it's the kind of sports game that can entertain gamers of all ages.
Quirky court designs tie it all together, and some pretty good multiplayer options are a bonus. For a handheld game on a platform where sports titles are not aplenty, "Mario Hoops 3 On 3" is a worthy addition to the DS library.
("Guilty Gear Judgment." Platform: PSP. Genre: Fighting. Publisher: Majesco. ESRB Rating: T, for Teen. Grade: 2.5 stars.)
It's a veritable smorgasbord of fighting games out there on the PSP. Adding to the mix is "Guilty Gear Judgment," a new entry in the long line of "Guilty Gear" titles.
"Judgment" makes its impressions felt by giving two games inside one package. You can either play the traditional "Guilty Gear" one-on-one fighting game, or you can play in the more traditional beat-'em-up mission-style game.
There's a decent selection of characters available, and both versions have some of the sharpest graphics and anime visuals seen on the PSP. A major drawback, unfortunately, is that the control scheme makes it very hard to find success in either mode of play. It doesn't completely ruin the game, but it certainly makes the going a lot rougher. You'll probably like it once you get used to it, but give "Judgment" a weekend rental just to be safe.
