Mostly relying on design and tropes that we have seen thousands of times. What brings the experience to a very different height is the excellent, fast-paced action combat system, which pits players against a variety of enemies including giant beasts.
And the result is quite impressive. If anything, the many tropes seen in Growlanser: Wayfarer of Time make the story very engaging, with a mix of politics and magic that few other games executed as nicely. Combat is still among the most unique ever seen in an RPG, combing real-time strategy and turn-based elements that make for an extremely dynamic experience.
While some features feel extremely dated like the graphics the excellent gameplay mechanics and the branching storylines make for a game that no true fan of the genre should pass on. Darkdeath Evilman twists the deep mechanics seen in the Disgaea series so that they could work in a turn-based dungeon crawler.
Darkdeath Evilman is the most serious unserious RPG you could ever play. Wild Arms XF marks the series first foray into the tactical role-playing game genre, twisting the rules of the genre in interesting ways. Battlefields, for example, are not divided into squares. But into hexagons, leading to a six-way movement option that opens up a ton of interesting combat options. This unique take on tactical turn-based combat is enhanced by a robust class system, and varied map and objectives design that will keep you engaged from beginning to end, despite the story of Clarissa and Felius and their fight against the council of the kingdom of Elesius not being particularly gripping.
Following the human Adell and the demonic princess Rozalin in their battle against Overlord Zenon, who turned the entire population into demons, Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days is just as wacky as its predecessor. And if things are not going too well, appeal to the Dark Assembly for a boon. And if they are not particularly collaborative, you can just bribe them.
Money truly rules the world… and the Underworld as well. Persona 2: Innocent Sin is the first part of the Persona 2 story, and features characters and themes that have been seen in the PlayStation 1 game Eternal Punishment. The mystery of the Joker still takes the center of the stage. But it develops in a very different way. Despite remarkably mixing together modern setting with fantasy elements, Innocent Sin is a little difficult to get into for fans of modern Persona, due to slow story and clunky battle system.
Yet if you manage to look past these elements, you will find a great story that rivals the one of its sequels. Valkyria Chronicles II represents a complete tonal shift from its predecessor, presenting a light-hearted military academy setting in place of a full-on war. This creates a weird separation that does lessen the experience. Controlling wingless angel Ein and his companions, players get involved in yet another war between angels and demons.
Exploration feels more akin to point-and-click adventure games, and the creative customization system grants different abilities depending on the items that have been brought in battle. With a lot of optional content and multiple endings to boot, can we really say that Riviera: The Promised Land is just another Japanese role-playing game? The story is mostly left unchanged, seeing young Alex and his childhood friend Luna embark on a journey to save the world, but the addition of new sequences adds more depth to this already excellent coming-of-age story.
Gameplay has also been left untouched, with a strategic turn-based combat system that is a little slow-paced, but extremely rewarding. Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Edition includes the original game remade with beautifully enhanced 2D graphics , along with The After Years sequel , and a new story that bridges the gap between the original and the sequel.
Luckily, there is enough innovation introduced to the combat system to sidestep any notions of stagnation. There is no denying that the loading screens are painfully slow. Secondly, the dialogue is rather weak. Throughout the play through interactions are few and far between. When the rare portion of dialogue appears the disappointment is palpable. These are minor letdowns in the grand scheme of things.
There is so much to love here, from the stunning vibrant visuals to the endearing original music; Birth by Sleep is one of the best PSP games around. The unique three-character setup is also quite enjoyable. The ability to control three characters offers distinct gameplay variety. The action-filled gameplay is relentless.
The new features such as Focus and Dimension Link add much needed depth and make this game so much more than a typical hack and slash.
Ultimately, Birth of Sleep succeeds in creating new Kingdom Hearts fans. Its accessibility as a prequel means that this is the perfect Kingdom Hearts game to discover the beloved franchise. As with any game not designed for a specific device, concerns arise regarding its quality. First and foremost there are some aspects exclusive to the PSP version. Kitana and Jax are noteworthy additions seeing as they are franchise favorites.
There is also a new playable game mode only available in Unchained. The mode is titled Endurance and players must last as long as possible against a wave of never ending opponents.
Although the presence of an online feature is a welcome component, its quality is rather disappointing. Anyone who plays even a few fights online will notice consistent frame dropping and lag. Stage interaction not only adds another layer to fighting strategy but it also provides some laugh-inducing moments as players lose to the stage as opposed to their enemy. Performing a fatality remains a highly entertaining way of proving your superiority over your opponent.
The plot is characteristically thin for a Mortal Kombat game. It is a good thing that the game emphasizes combat strategy over storytelling.
When it comes to quality racing games, Wipeout is often overlooked as an industry-leading franchise. Yet, Sony Interactive Entertainment has continued to publish racing games imbued with such unique gameplay. It turns out a portable racing experience perfectly suits the gameplay Wipeout is notorious for. Wipeout Pure was released as a launch title for the PSP. Players would take control of airships and race them in the anti-gravity racing league called FX The racing mechanics are what makes this game excel above the level of an average racing game.
For starters, players must choose the airship that matches their style of racing. Each of the eight ships has been imbued with different racing characteristics. These variations in speed and strength offer a ton of gameplay variety. Wipeout Pure racing utilizes weapons and shields. Weapons can be used against other racers on the track, while shield levels determine how many hits your ship can take.
If your shield levels hit zero your ship will explode, eliminating you from the race. Track design is one of the standout features. The futuristic atmosphere is well executed on every track. With an extra purchase, players could gain access to new ships and tracks. The graphics and high-speed gameplay are the two strongest aspects of the game.
Everything pops on screen thanks to the cutting-edge graphics. The gameplay ensures that players will be coming back for more. As a Sony exclusive franchise, Jak and Daxter games are always highly anticipated releases.
This spinoff game featuring Daxter in the starring role was the first of the franchise to be released on a handheld console. Daxter sets out on a quest to find his lost companion Jak. Fans of the franchise will be delighted to learn that the events of the game tie into the mainline series.
The timing is tricky to grasp as it takes place after the events presented during the opening of Jak II. A common concern for portable games is the intuitiveness of the controls. This is especially true when a franchise moves from home console to portable play.
Luckily there are no issues in relation to control mechanics. They feel responsive as can be. Jumping from ledge to ledge and crouching around passages can be performed smoothly. Another aspect that enhances the control mechanics is the camera. The camera flows quite smoothly which gives the player a clear view of the surroundings. The graphics are fantastic for a portable iteration of the franchise. In addition, the world is imbued with a ton of color and personality which makes the game a joy to play.
God of War is yet again another Sony exclusive series that has been on the receiving end of high praise. Control Spartan warrior Kratos as he is tasked with hunting down one of the Olympian Gods. In terms of storytelling this is a prequel to the original God of War that released in on the PlayStation 2. Much of what made that game a success is prevalent once more. The Chains of Olympus gameplay is what makes this game fantastic.
It manages to combine a variety of genres into one action packed container. There are aspects of puzzle solving that will require even the most experienced strategist to come up with a plan. There are aspects of combo oriented fighting that excel thanks to the third person view.
The player must utilize the iconic Blades of Chaos. Cutting up your enemies will provide hours of entertainment and finding the right combo will prove to be difficult.
The story itself is a wonderful mix of fiction and historic events. History enthusiasts will be enthralled by the tale and be fully immersed in the story. Further, he graphics are superb for a handheld game. The gore is highlighted in most scenes and adds shock value to the action. The camera, in particular, is fluid in motion. This game was noticeably created for exclusive use on the PSP.
The controls are also retooled to perfection further proving that this game was produced to work well on the PSP. Unfortunately, this game is relatively short. Just as the game reaches its climax, it is over before you know it. The Sims franchise has hit portable devices prior to this. The Sims is a life simulation game. The best way to describe this to a gamer who has not played life simulation games would be to imagine a role playing game based on real life events.
The concept seems abstract although the genre took the world by storm in the early s. The character customization is what drew so many people to the genre. The creation options hit the perfect sweet spot between not overwhelming with options while providing enough options to display some individuality. The portable aspect of the game is a wonderful match with the genre. Perform routine tasks such as earning money from a job, building your house and talking to neighbors on the go. One major change from the PC version is the emphasis on storytelling.
Traditionally, players would be free to explore and make decisions at their own discretion. With this iteration EA decided to try something new. There is semblance of a story that can be accessed through various missions. The addition of a narrative has not been received well.
The whole essence of the game relies on the fact that the player is in full control of this virtual life. Adding a guided path contradicts what people love about this game. Sony succeeded in creating the most powerful handheld console to date. The LCD screen coupled with a x pixel display assured that the visual aspect would provide vibrant colors and incredibly advanced textures.
This is no surprise considering how popular these buttons had become. Two rear triggers, an analog stick, and directional buttons rounded out the design. This worked out well for games that were brought over from console to handheld. Suddenly, playing a handheld Final Fantasy game made sense with all these buttons. The PlayStation network presented gamers with a free to use online service.
Before the PSP, a full-fledged online feature on a handheld device was unheard of. During its lifespan, the PSP received notable updates. In total, there were five iterations of the PSP. With these new models, Sony had the opportunity of tweaking its marketing strategy. Its small package should be praised for its ambition. However it is tough to shake the feeling that this adventure should be experienced on a larger screen.
Technically Bloodlines is a spinoff of sorts and is not part of the main Assassin's Creed series. However Ubisoft Montreal is still at the helm and they have done a wonderful job of providing a portable Assassin's Creed experience. Unfortunately, the plot retreads common themes and fails to feel fresh. The good news is that the graphics are superb. As usual, Ubisoft have outdone themselves in the visual department. Everything from building texture to water rippling feels natural and fluid.
It is fortunate that the graphics are stellar because the gameplay falls short of the mark. The awe of exploring an open world environment is not the same experience on a handheld device. This also leads to mishaps with platforming and general gameplay issues that have to do with exploring.
Climbing buildings with precision is now a tedious task. The combat is fun albeit repetitive, though it succeeds in staying true to the Assassin's Creed brand. The satisfaction of beating up on your enemies remains incredibly high. Many have noted that the sound effects have driven players mad after only a few hours of gaming. The combat can be forgiven due to it being on brand with the Assassin's Creed franchise. However, the recurring audio is extremely unpleasant.
The amount of iconic titles that Sony has a hand in producing is truly remarkable. The franchise rose to prominence on the PlayStation 2 thanks to its highly stylized world and unique characters. The dynamic duo is tasked with exploring planets all while trying to rescue a girl named Luna that has been kidnapped by robots. This time, weapons can be upgraded as players progress through the story. This allows for a considerable amount of strategic planning based on individual fighting styles.
There are also some nifty tools that must be utilized to maximize exploration. These tools are presented in unique fashion. One common pitfall for single player games that rely on the strength of their story is the absence of a challenge.
Luckily, upon completion of the game, the player is asked to embark on the same adventure at a much higher difficulty level. This feature is called Challenge Mode and it is prefect for those who breezed through Size Matters. It also adds replay value. Final Fantasy VII released in as one of the most legendary video games to ever grace our screens.
This game was developed for the PSP as opposed to being a port from a home console. That has a considerable impact on the quality of this game. Everything from the graphics to the controls is fine tuned to work well on the PSP. The game definitely looks beautiful from a graphic standpoint.
Crisis Core is the quintessential action role playing game. It does not stray too far away from the traditional Final Fantasy mechanics.
It does however succeed in introducing new elements. The real time combat system allows players to defeat enemies in distinctive ways. No one battle will feel similar to another, which adds a great sense of variety to the gameplay.
The soundtrack is exceptional and combines nostalgia from Final Fantasy VII with some modern tracks that form a wonderful union. Crisis Core does exhibit minor issues. One of these issues would be the length of the game. Unfortunately, it only lasts about 11 hours, which can seem brisk to some.
Grand Theft Auto Vice City was an instant classic when it released back in At the time, the series had been building up steam at an incredible pace. As the fourth instalment in the franchise Vice City is widely regarded as the game that made the Grand Theft Auto franchise what it is today.
Vice City is a fictional city that draws inspiration from Miami. Truthfully, it would have been impossible for Rockstar Games to pick a better location to adapt. Vice City Stories takes place two years prior to Vice City. In many ways it acts as a prequel to the original.
Several of the same characters return as do the cast of voice actors. The series has always been known for its use of Hollywood stars and this game is no different. The story follows brothers Victor and Lance as they aim to build their criminal empire in Vice City.
Both featured briefly in the original Vice City so its nice to see this game expand on their origin story. The open world environment that makes Grand Theft Auto games so unique is back once more.
Players can move with freedom at their own pace. Beating the game does not feel like a chore due to this non-guided progression. Debate surrounded the original game due to the glorification of violence, crime and drugs. It also came under fire for its racial profiling. Much of that is still present in Vice City Stories making it strictly for adults. At the peak of the street racing craze birthed from the immense success of The Fast and Furious movie franchise, Need for Speed was the lead racing video game.
As the ninth installment in the Need for Speed franchise, Most Wanted is an incredibly polished racing game. There is a ton of content to delve into. The story mode is superb and, as the title suggests, the goal is to become the most wanted street racer in the city of Rockport. You can also play online via the PSP to much enjoyment. The online feature is as great as one could expect from a portable online experience.
There are some issues regarding connectivity however these are minor concerns in the grand scheme of things. The graphics and car variety combine to provide the best aspects of this game.
The roster of luxury cars and exotic streetcars is a blast to dig into. Most Wanted offers some great customization options. You car will develop in performance and aesthetic as you progress in the game.
The graphics are gritty with dark undertones that play well with the theme of street racing. The controls are also extremely intuitive for a handheld racing game. In fact many believe the handheld version to be superior to the console version due to the controls alone. Unfortunately, the enemy AI in this iteration is highly questionable in their actions.
In this case it would be the police department. Once the cops are on your tail it is game over for most. This essentially punishes the player for playing the game properly.
As the sixth instalment in the franchise, expectations were naturally high. Birth by Sleep continues the trend of prequels exclusively made for the PSP. This game is a direct narrative prequel to the original Kingdom Hearts. Luckily, there is enough innovation introduced to the combat system to sidestep any notions of stagnation. There is no denying that the loading screens are painfully slow. Secondly, the dialogue is rather weak.
Throughout the play through interactions are few and far between. When the rare portion of dialogue appears the disappointment is palpable. These are minor letdowns in the grand scheme of things. There is so much to love here, from the stunning vibrant visuals to the endearing original music; Birth by Sleep is one of the best PSP games around. The unique three-character setup is also quite enjoyable. The ability to control three characters offers distinct gameplay variety. The action-filled gameplay is relentless.
The new features such as Focus and Dimension Link add much needed depth and make this game so much more than a typical hack and slash. Ultimately, Birth of Sleep succeeds in creating new Kingdom Hearts fans. Its accessibility as a prequel means that this is the perfect Kingdom Hearts game to discover the beloved franchise. As with any game not designed for a specific device, concerns arise regarding its quality. First and foremost there are some aspects exclusive to the PSP version.
Kitana and Jax are noteworthy additions seeing as they are franchise favorites. There is also a new playable game mode only available in Unchained. The mode is titled Endurance and players must last as long as possible against a wave of never ending opponents. Although the presence of an online feature is a welcome component, its quality is rather disappointing. Anyone who plays even a few fights online will notice consistent frame dropping and lag.
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