PSP games, reviews and gadgets

Ace Combat: Skies Of Deception

2009-01-11T18:04:00.000-08:00

Ace Combat is a flight simulator game wherein you (the gamer) uses all sorts of jet planes to fly across the sky to eliminate the bad guys. The game's interface goes so well with the PSP controls that it makes it feel like you are flying a real plane. There are numerous missions you can engage in and a number of different locations to take flight like in the middle of the sea, mountains, cities and canyons.

The 3D environment where you take flight is impressive. The design and layout of every stage/ mission is so well measured that it makes it a pleasure to blast those bad guys.

What's also amazing about Ace Combat: Skies Of Deception, is the replay scenes, and how it shows you your flight for the whole game. There are different camera angles and views you can choose from to view the replay.

The controls aren't difficult at all and you can learn to maneuver the plane any way you want.

Ace combat has really made its mark in the field of fighter jet games.

RATING: 1-5 (5 being the highest)
Overall- 3.67
Graphics- 4.0
Story Line- 3.50
Addictive Substance- 3.50

Watch the trailer: Arigato Guzaimste Bandai!

Burnout Legends

2008-12-11T18:54:00.000-08:00

One of the best racing games ever developed. This game is a mixture of pure adrenaline and fast ass cars. Burnout Legends is a mixture of all kinds of racing games stretching from Twisted Metal (without the guns) all the way to Need For Speed (with the crashing cars). The difference of Burnout with other racing games is the game style.

The objective of racing games has always been to reach the finish line, but what adds twist to Burnout Legends is for you to reach the finish line you would have to battle with other drivers and perform a "takedown" (taking out a fellow racer by means of smashing them to a wall, oncoming traffic or muscling them down a hill). This would give you an advantage in the race because when you take someone down, they will tend to be one second away from you.

There are also a lot of other game options in Burnout Legends aside from just racing with other rival cars. There is the "crash" game option, where the objective is vehicular mayhem. You should be able to crash as many cars by crashing into them. The more cars you get to crash into you or one another, earns you a heap of points. Acquiring more points will help you in acquiring a new car and eventually open new events.

Other game options are of course time trial, single race, pursuit and road rage. The "road rage" event is one of the best events because the objective for this race is to take out (perform "takedowns") as many cars you can before your car reaches the "wrecked" status.

Aside from the great game options and game-play, Burnout Legends is chock full of great rock 'n tunes, featuring bands like Yellow Card, Goldfinger, The Outline and other great punk bands.

RATING: 1-5 (5 being the highest)
Overall- 4.0
Graphics- 3.5
Story Line- 1.0
Addictive Substance- 3.0

Cheers to EA studios! Watch the trailer:

Loco Roco

2008-11-06T07:52:00.000-08:00

This is probably the most amusing PSP game I have ever played. It's a 2D game wherein gravity plays a big role in the game play. I say gravity because rather than controling the character itself you would have to control the environment to control the character.The controls are very simple and there are only a few buttons you would need to remember. Press R and L to tilt the environment to the right and left to make your Loco Roco slide or roll to that direction. You can also make your Loco Roco jump (by pressing x) and split apart (by pressing o).

The story line is very simple, there are a bunch of aliens who have invaded the world of the Loco Roco's (the cute yellow things) and have wreaked havoc over their world. There is really no objective in the game, but to finish all the levels and collect as much Loco Roco friends, to save the world.

You wouldn't hear a word of English in the whole game from the character's since they are after all, aliens. But the re is a language setting option to help guide you with the menu's and instructions.

The overall gaming experience is like being on Shrooms without the after effects of getting dizzy and throwing up. Although i have to give credit to the guys at Sony for making such an interesting and unique game.

RATING: 1-5 (5 being the highest)
Overall- 3.0
Graphics- 4
Story Line- 2.5
Addictive Substance- 2.5

Watch the trailer :)

courtesy of Sony!

Fight Night Round 3

2008-11-03T22:13:00.000-08:00

Fight Night Round 3 for the PSP is much like the Fight Night Round 3 for the PS2. All of the characters are pretty much the same, the game play and graphics as well, which makes it really great to play specially on a hand-held such as the PSP.

The only drawback to the game is when throwing a "hay maker" (the strongest punch). Unlike the Fight Night Round 3 for PS2, you can easily control when to release the hay maker or even withdraw it if you are hesitant but it's really hard to control in the PSP. You only have the "punch strength meter" to guide you.

The PSP version also allows you to create your own character and enables you to automatically train him. So just like how any fighter would train, there must be a proper balance to his training, a balance of speed and strength, to be able to increase the fighters agility, power and resilience to tolerate punches.

With your custom character, you will be able to unlock special features and gears as you go up the ranks of being he number 1 fighter.

All in all, Fight Night Round 3 is a must play for all sport game fanatics. Another great sports game by EA Sports yet again.

RATING: 1-5 (5 being the highest)
Overall- 3.5
Graphics- 4
Story Line- 1.0
Addictive Substance- 3.0

Watch the Video:

Compliments of IGN.com

God Of War: Chians of Olympus

2008-11-02T19:52:00.000-08:00

This is probably the best hand held game to date (on the PSP at least). Wonderfully smooth graphics and camera angles, great story line and most of all really cool game-play. Another thing to rave about is that the cinematics blend in with the game-play upon transition, which translates into excelent game-play consistency.

The game is based on classical greek mythology of gods and godesses. You play the character Cratos, a spartan who is enslaved to the gods of Greece but endowed with magical abilities and amazing stamina. Your goal is to free yourself of the god's enslavery by fighting for their cause. In this case, by finding out who set free one of the Titans (the god's immortal counterparts) to avoid their takeover and possible reign over the world. You would have to fight mythological beings like medussas, cyclopses (a lot of cyclops), minotaures and other creatures.

The controls are easy to figure out and very user friendly. The character moves vary from jumping, fighting, climbing, carrying, swimming and opening gates. Although the moves are very simple, the game environment gives Cratos more character because of the amazing camera angles and smooth graphics. The guys at Sony really did a great job in making this game, Kudos!

I wouldn't have much to say for this game anymore, but for you to make sure that your PSP is running on firmware version 3.97 of higher (4.01, the latest version).

RATING 1-5 (5 being the Highest)
Overall- 5 (play it!)
Graphics- 4.5
Story Line- 4
Addictive Substance- 4.5

Watch the trailer :D

courtesy of IGN!

The Warriors

2008-10-26T23:59:00.000-07:00

Some movie goers are hyped by novels, some by comics and others though sheer marketing and promotions. The Warriors (the video game) is actually based on a movie by Paramount Pictures in 1979, an era when fishnet stockings were about to be the "in" thing. Even if this movie is waaay beyond my generation and age, playing the game made me want to watch it. The main objective of the game, much like the plot in the movie, is for the Warriors to prove their innocence of killing a "Riffs" gang leader Cyrus. Aside from that, there are side missions for the gang to prove that they are indeed the toughest gangsters around.

The Warriors is classified as a beat em' up game so there are a lot of smashing pummeling and even a bit of cursing all through out. Just like the movie, the game is primarily set in Coney Island (The Warrior's Headquarters) and shows a lot of other areas in New York like the Bronx and Manhattan.

In the game, you play the characters of the whole gang but would vary for every mission. The first character you will use is Rembrandt, the spray painter. All of the characters are mainly the same in their stats, no one is stronger or more agile, its how you use them. In my observation, every characters move varies. There are two sets of moves that are in use for the whole game. As for weapons, you can pick up anything you want from bricks to batons and use them to get the upper hand in a rumble.

Aside from the beat em' up moves, from time to time, you would have to use your spray paint to spray over other rival gangs graffiti (to earn points). As for the gangs bread and butter, you can pick pocket (more of like hold up), steal car radios, and break into stores and get the loot. Of course, for offenses like that you would expect to get in trouble with the law but the good thing is you can beat up cops.

The Warriors was developed by Rockstar Games, so elements of Grand Theft Auto could be seen in the game, except the driving around the city part. The controls are not that hard to figure out and the 3D environment is very simple to follow since there is a map all through out the game. All in all, this game is a must play specially for those who are fanatics of RPG's laced with some violence and blood.

RATING: 1-5 (5 being the highest)
Overall- 3.5
Graphics- 4
Story Line- 3
Addictive Substance- 3

Watch the video :)

Work Time Fun

2008-10-21T00:11:00.000-07:00

Sick of work? Tired of just getting by and not having enough money to enjoy the luxuries that you deserve? Well, work no further and just play to work, and not the other way around. Work Time Fun, is one of the most interesting games that I have every played on my hand-held PSP. This game is comprised of mini-games (a lot of other games) that are somewhat of work related.

Some of the games make you experience to be a factory worker, lumber-jack, waitress, outfielder, "chick sorter" (i thought it was sorting nice "chicks" from ugly "chicks" but that aint it) and other games that can be classified as odd jobs, so that you can earn a quick buck.

The objective of the game is to earn money through the mini-games and collect other mini-games that you can purchase (actually, get by chance) when you visit the "vending machine" menu of the game. There are different types of vending machines in the game. There is the $1.00, $5.00, $10.00 and $20.00 vending machines, all of which correspond to a different kind of mini-game that you can win.

But aside from winning other mini-games, you can win things called "trinkets" although i don't know what it's for. I think you can trade these "trinkets" once you play an Ad hoc game or something.

Another interesting thing you can win are "tools". These tools take your PSP to the next level. Not only can your PSP be a gaming device, but also a flashlight, ramen timer, "bill splitter", and other things you wouldn't even imagine.

As for the graphics, most of the games use really simple 2D visual environments but the game play and interactivity will get you hooked on to your PSP for hours on end. Its also good for a quick PSP fix.

RATING: 1-5 (5 being the highest)
Overall- 4
Graphics- 2.5
Addictive Substance- 4

Watch the preview