| | For a while now, I kept saying to myself, "I'm gonna do it, I'm gonna do it!", and so... I finally did it (wait, didn't I start my last update this way, and speaking of which, it's only been, like 4 days since my last up date, what's up with that!?) Eh, whatever...
So yeah... I did it... I got myself a PSP (shocked gasp). I know what yer thinkin', "don you already have a DS, so what do you need a PSP for"? Doesn't the DS have a better library of games, better development support, and by all means and purposes simply make the PSP obsolete? Well, yes... but they said the same thing about the Dreamcast after the PS2 came out too... I think  . So what made me go out and buy another kind of handheld, when I already had one? Well...
Patapon.
Rumblings on the net told that a brand new IP rhythm based game was out... for PSP only. Well, is it any good, enough to warrant the purchase of a$170 handheld system!? After playing it I can say... yeah, pretty much. Also, if you didn't know already, I'm a sucker for rhythm based games  . Patapon is a weird mix of rhythm and strategy with a few RPG/leveling-up elements thrown in.
The goal of the game is to lead the Patapons, a race of creatures who communicate with rhythm who have been forced to live in exile, on the warpath to glory using different rhythm commands. For example pressing the buttons: square, square, square, circle will make the Patapons march forward or circle, circle, square, circle will have them attack. There are different beats to learn to preform different abilities (march, attack, defend, pray for wind, pray for earthquake, pray for rain, etc.) and knowing when to use each skill (all enemies have patterned attacks, so knowing when to attack/defend/pray is key to victory) in time with the rhythm is what this game is all about.
Also as you play and defeat enemies you can pick up new armor and create new Patapon units to customize your army as you see fit (e.g. if you are fighting a flying enemy you can replace your sword and axe wielding Patapons with archer and/or throwing-spear wielding Patapons). A fun game that's pretty easy to pick up and play, but a devil to master (you can replay older levels to gain upgraded equipment and unlockable minigames but the enemies are MUCH more tough-er). A simple game, its a shame its not on the DS or even Xbox Live (Patapon was published by Sony, so sorry  ), heck, it could even be a flash based game really... but if you want a game that really, really shows off what the PSP can do, then you need to check out this.
Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core.
Moments after starting this game up I knew that the PSP was quite the powerhouse for a handheld. While the graphics are not quite up to PS2 quality (imagine if they were!) it could beat the PS1 in a beauty contest any day (I daresay it is on par with the Dreamcast). The game is gorgeous, stunning, and a masterpiece of visuals (it is Square-Enix after all). It's also when I noticed how HUGE the PSP screen is... it's the size of both DS screens put together, and the PSP itself is still just slightly bigger than a clampp'd DS! Also the sound the PSP produces is really great too, and with the huge video screen... it almost puts my iPod Nano video to shame,bless its heart (too bad the PSP has a notorious history of short battery life, less than 10 hours per full charge... hmm  )...
First off, the story mode is broken into chapters, and each chapter is really only 20 ~ 30 minutes long (cutscenes included). If that is too long for you, in between chapters you can partake in the over 300 "missions". To enter a mission you simply open the item menus, select missions and pick you mission. Missions are PERFECT for "on the go", they last about 5 minutes and you get some sweet gear/spells/items/skills/leveling-up, along the way. So if you're on a lengthy bus or subway ride, you can do the story mode, or if you need a quick Crisis Core fix, you can do a mission or two.
To add to the great gameplay is rockin' Final Fantasy music and excellent voice acting (and the character animation is jaw dropping), and (so far) the story is just as intriguing as the original Final Fantasy VII (Crisis Core takes place before FFVII) minus all if the freaky confusing elements (e.g. I want to destroy the earth because I am cloned from an alien corpse who taught the people of earth how to extract earth-energy that kills the earth anyway, and also makes magic spell rocks). Yeah. Regardless and a solid package and a kick ass game.
Well, that's about all for now, engorge yourself with some cool Samus/Metroid fanart courtesy of the interwebs.
Cya.
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| | Posted 3/30/2008 4:01 PM - 283 Views - 0 eProps - 0 comments
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