After the long lull of game releases, finally, it seems that the PSP will be awaken from it’s deep slumber.
I can’t really remember when was the last time there was great game released for the PSP, in English that is. There was even a month that no PSP game was released in English. I’m really envious for the guys in Japan and those who can understand Nihongo. *Sigh*.
Luckily, just recently, a game originally released in Japan(obviously it was Nihongo/Japanese), was finally localized to English. Prinny, Can I really be a hero?, was able to break the silence of this lull.
This game is a spin-off of the turn-based, strategic, RPG-game, Disgaea series, where the Prinnies are the penguin like expendable troops that can be hurled at enemies to make them explode. Pretty much harsh don’t you think. This time, they take center stage, but still oppressed by their evil lord, Etna. Its a 2D platformer, very simple yet effective. Level design is good though the controls can sometimes be a bit frustrating,though it adds a bit of challenge. Boss fights are beatable but very, very hard. You just need to find the right combination and execute it PERFECTLY PERFECT. I feel pity for those little prinnies.
Just this March, there will be a couple release of PSP games that will be worth looking, as a matter of fact, there are a few that was released prior to my writing of this post. One of them is Phantasy Star Portable. For me it felt a little like Monster Hunter 2nd G(which I will affectionately call MH) but with a scifi feel. A few things I hated with MH is that the story sucks, as if there was any story. You also have to wonder around a big world searching for stuffs, doing quests and all by yourself. You can invite a few pals, but most of the time, you’ll gonna feel lonely with this huge world all by yourself. It has all the elements of a Massively Multiplayer Online RPG but lacking the Multiplayer Online aspect. And did I mentioned that the control is a mess.
I’ve only started playing Phantasy Star Portable, luckily, everything’s seems fine. I liked it better than MH. Controls’ good, ok camera control. There’s seems to be some story in it. I still need to play some more to know if the story is good enough. Character design is good. The render is average, typically what you’ll expect from a PSP game, and quite solid frame rate. Overall, my first impression of PS Portable is very good.
Another game that will be out very soon is the sequel to Patapon, obviously the title is Patapon 2. As far as I know, there is very little changed in game play but this won’t stop me from playing this addictive game. There is also Tenchu:Shadow Assassins and Resistance:Retribution for the PSP. And a whole lot more coming in the next months. Some great console games will be coming to PSP too, like Little Big Planet, Motor Storm and Assassins Creed.
PSP is not yet dead and looks like the rumored PSP2 won’t be out soon with all this new planned releases for the PSP. Maybe a year or two will be added to the PSP’s life.
The 3 hour commute from home to work and vice versa won’t be so dull anymore.
