As I promised someone I continue my journey into the realm of my PSP. I actually wanted to play Dead Head Fred. Just the idea of killing enemies and using their heads sounded awesome. Throw in the recent noir trend hitting all forms of entertainment and this should have been an instant classic.
If there is one thing the game gets down pact, it's the mood and feel of the game. It's been a long time since I've played a game that oozes with so much atmosphere that it almost makes the game play take the last priority... Almost...
The games biggest problem is that the game play itself is kind of meh. The combo system is very limited and it's actually kind of boring to go around and beat up these creatures.
In the next breath I can praise the game play for being unique with the head swapping idea. It's not as cool as I was lead to believe as you have to do head hunter missions to gain them but you can always rip a creatures head off.
The real beauty of it all is that each head plays different. They move fast or slow, depending on their size and they have varied attacks. The zombie head allows you to suck up stuff and use it to solve puzzles while the golem head is slow but strong. You constantly find yourself swapping heads to get around any new obstacles.
The last boss is a fine example of how hectic it all gets as he uses a wind attack that will instantly kill you as it blows you off the edge. Solution? Turn to the golem head. Now you have to figure the rest out but quick thinking is required most of the time. A saving grace is that the action pauses while you change heads so it also allows some breathing room if you need.
The game feels linear but also it feels like Grand Theft Auto at times where you take missions and other side quests. The game isn't the longest thing ever and doesn't come close to a console sandbox title but it's long enough for a portable title.
The best thing about the game is the use of the graphics and sound to create an experience like no other on the PSP or even this generation of consoles.
The graphics have a sharp look to them. Very crisp at times and while the locations have some texture issues the game is very imaginative and makes good use of it's themes.
The music is classic noir through and through and any fan of the genre will dig the soundtrack. Not only that but the voice cast does an excellent job of bringing the characters to life.
Good thing to because this game has a ton of cut scenes. That or my attention span has dwindled down to nothing. The plot is interesting enough that it's okay that I have to sit there and watch these cut scenes. The plot revolves around a private eye named Fred. Except he has pissed off the wrong person and has wound up dead and missing his head. Thankfully his body is found by his killer's scientist and he gives him his eyes and brain back but doesn't have Fred's head so it's off to find his real head. It goes beyond that but there is a reason this game won the first ever award for writing.
Despite the bland combat we still get a unique head system that adds just enough to keep everything flowing. I would love to see this story developed in a different medium so I wouldn't have to replay the game because it's that good. Fans of Grim Fandango should fall in love with this game as it tells it's story along the same lines.
Story - 10/10
Graphics - 10/10
Sound - 10/10
Control - 8/10
Game Play - 6/10
Replay Value - 6/10
Final Score - 8/10
Friday, April 11, 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Silent Hill Origins
I'm a huge fan of this series since the first one hit the original Playstation. I was actually a bit worried that this game wouldn't be good due to it being done by an outside source rather than the series normal development team. Also the PSP tends to render games a little short and of course this has already been ported to the Playstation 2...
Fans were promised that the towns beginnings would finally come to life and we would see where the plot started for the first and third games (two and four aren't connected to the story line). A lot is explained in this title so that is a major plus and I enjoyed the story more so than 4's.
Travis is a trucker who sees a girl i the road and goes looking for her. He winds up in the town of Silent Hill and sees a house is on fire. He rushes in and brings a badly burnt girl out. He passes out and wakes on a bench. He then finds a map and decides the girl must have gone to the hospital so he heads there. The game continues on and takes the normal dark turns. My only problem with the story is that Travis' own background isn't as big of an influence to the natur of the town, like the previous games used. This is more about creating a beginning to what is now a strong trilogy.
The psp is very capable of handling some amazing graphical power and this title shows. I was put off by the static look of the game but it grew on me after 10 minutes or so. It creates a nervousness and with the fog it's just a lot creepier. The character models are both interesting in design and look great to boot. The movements are creepy and combined with the excellent lighting effects we get perhaps the creepiest looking game in a long time.
Like in the previous games sound plays a strong role and I would highly recommend playing this with the headphones on as it creates such a tense environment and I'm not sure if the psp's speaker and recreate it.
The music is haunting and beautiful at the same time and the vocal songs are rather good as well, I actually sat around outside Silent Hill listening to the games opening song. You also need to listen to normal sounds as well. Due to the fog you may not always see an enemy right away but your trusty radio will make sounds when a creature is near, or you may even hear one shuffling up. The new creatures in the theater section of the game make some really creepy noises as well and they always seemed to eb waiting right outside a door.
Much like the fourth game in this series, this one feels more heavy on the combat and the team behind this game have taken some ideas from some more recent horror titles. We can now pick up a lot of random items like portable tv units and knives. They are quick to use but they have their own life span as you can only use it so much before it breaks. Normal weapons on the other hand don't wear down.
Enemies pollute the streets and buildings and it's up to you if you want to fight or dodge them. For your first play through I would recommend dodging them and saving your bullets (close combat is a bit too tricky at times). Plus the bosses are big and bad and can kick some major ass if you're not careful.
The game pays attention to how you play though. Killing lots of enemies will cause it to respawn them as you travel back and forth. Not only that but if you're prone to taking damage the game wll alter its healing items. What may be a health drink in one play through may become a first aid kit in the next, if that is what you need. I wish more games worked like this because it makes it feel like the game is working with you rather than against you.
Silent Hill has never been known for its combat though so don't expect perfection but it's solid and entertaining enough and once you unlock some bonus weapons you can really mow the enemies down.
The game controls nicely as well. Travis moves briskly with the analog nub and I had the control scheme down within minutes. X button allows you to interact with objects and if you hold the R trigger and hit X you'll fire the gun. I believe square allows you to run as well but you can run for a limited time before your energy drains and you'll need to walk until it builds back up.
Puzzles tend to be the theme of the Silent Hill games and while this game does have some puzzles, none are really that hard. I do like that they feel more natural this time around and some are amusing like the pillbox. The puzzles do require a good amount of backtrack, like in any survival horror game, but you can avoid a lot fo backtracking if you just try every door and keep track of your map.
Once you finish the game, which is only a few hours long, you'll get a stat screen and you'll unlock some sweet new outfits. These give you new skills and abilities but upon starting a second game you gain access to the bad ending and of course the classic UFO ending which is always worth getting but takes place later in this game than most. You need to meet certain criteria for both of those endings and for getting the new outfits. Be it beating the game in under two hours or just not viewing your map most of the time (I viewed my map almost 200 times in my first play through).
Fans should rush out and grab this game because it was made for them. I really don't think it matters which system you get it on but it was nice to be able to take this to work and finish it up. For those looking to start at this title, you could do worse. I would recommend playing the games as 1, 3 and then Origins as I feel you'll get more out of it but I also think you should check out Silent Hill 2 before Origins as you'll see some interesting connections as well (the fourth title also has some minor references as well).
Story - 9/10
Graphics - 10/10
Sound - 10/10
Control - 10/10
Game Play - 9/10
Replay Value - 7/10
Final Score - 10/10
Fans were promised that the towns beginnings would finally come to life and we would see where the plot started for the first and third games (two and four aren't connected to the story line). A lot is explained in this title so that is a major plus and I enjoyed the story more so than 4's.
Travis is a trucker who sees a girl i the road and goes looking for her. He winds up in the town of Silent Hill and sees a house is on fire. He rushes in and brings a badly burnt girl out. He passes out and wakes on a bench. He then finds a map and decides the girl must have gone to the hospital so he heads there. The game continues on and takes the normal dark turns. My only problem with the story is that Travis' own background isn't as big of an influence to the natur of the town, like the previous games used. This is more about creating a beginning to what is now a strong trilogy.
The psp is very capable of handling some amazing graphical power and this title shows. I was put off by the static look of the game but it grew on me after 10 minutes or so. It creates a nervousness and with the fog it's just a lot creepier. The character models are both interesting in design and look great to boot. The movements are creepy and combined with the excellent lighting effects we get perhaps the creepiest looking game in a long time.
Like in the previous games sound plays a strong role and I would highly recommend playing this with the headphones on as it creates such a tense environment and I'm not sure if the psp's speaker and recreate it.
The music is haunting and beautiful at the same time and the vocal songs are rather good as well, I actually sat around outside Silent Hill listening to the games opening song. You also need to listen to normal sounds as well. Due to the fog you may not always see an enemy right away but your trusty radio will make sounds when a creature is near, or you may even hear one shuffling up. The new creatures in the theater section of the game make some really creepy noises as well and they always seemed to eb waiting right outside a door.
Much like the fourth game in this series, this one feels more heavy on the combat and the team behind this game have taken some ideas from some more recent horror titles. We can now pick up a lot of random items like portable tv units and knives. They are quick to use but they have their own life span as you can only use it so much before it breaks. Normal weapons on the other hand don't wear down.
Enemies pollute the streets and buildings and it's up to you if you want to fight or dodge them. For your first play through I would recommend dodging them and saving your bullets (close combat is a bit too tricky at times). Plus the bosses are big and bad and can kick some major ass if you're not careful.
The game pays attention to how you play though. Killing lots of enemies will cause it to respawn them as you travel back and forth. Not only that but if you're prone to taking damage the game wll alter its healing items. What may be a health drink in one play through may become a first aid kit in the next, if that is what you need. I wish more games worked like this because it makes it feel like the game is working with you rather than against you.
Silent Hill has never been known for its combat though so don't expect perfection but it's solid and entertaining enough and once you unlock some bonus weapons you can really mow the enemies down.
The game controls nicely as well. Travis moves briskly with the analog nub and I had the control scheme down within minutes. X button allows you to interact with objects and if you hold the R trigger and hit X you'll fire the gun. I believe square allows you to run as well but you can run for a limited time before your energy drains and you'll need to walk until it builds back up.
Puzzles tend to be the theme of the Silent Hill games and while this game does have some puzzles, none are really that hard. I do like that they feel more natural this time around and some are amusing like the pillbox. The puzzles do require a good amount of backtrack, like in any survival horror game, but you can avoid a lot fo backtracking if you just try every door and keep track of your map.
Once you finish the game, which is only a few hours long, you'll get a stat screen and you'll unlock some sweet new outfits. These give you new skills and abilities but upon starting a second game you gain access to the bad ending and of course the classic UFO ending which is always worth getting but takes place later in this game than most. You need to meet certain criteria for both of those endings and for getting the new outfits. Be it beating the game in under two hours or just not viewing your map most of the time (I viewed my map almost 200 times in my first play through).
Fans should rush out and grab this game because it was made for them. I really don't think it matters which system you get it on but it was nice to be able to take this to work and finish it up. For those looking to start at this title, you could do worse. I would recommend playing the games as 1, 3 and then Origins as I feel you'll get more out of it but I also think you should check out Silent Hill 2 before Origins as you'll see some interesting connections as well (the fourth title also has some minor references as well).
Story - 9/10
Graphics - 10/10
Sound - 10/10
Control - 10/10
Game Play - 9/10
Replay Value - 7/10
Final Score - 10/10
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Patapon
This was a game that the PSP gamers were buzzing about. I did download the demo but my memory stick was too tiny to hold the file so I couldn't even try the demo and I would prefer not to waste my gamefly time with PSP or DS titles.
However I was able to rent it via other means and I'm glad I did. I originally booted the game up while filling my Jeep with gas. Figured a quick little rhythm session would pass the usually boring time period.
I had fun but I must have looked like a total nerd as I sat there tapping the beat out. What I didn't realize is that Patapon is all about keeping a beat and while you only gain three different beats it's about keeping them in time with each other and knowing which to use and when. Confused?
The basic idea of the game is that you, the gamer, is some magical drummer (the Patapon) who will lead these little eyeball guys to IT. The whole point of the game is this journey that you lead them on, searching for this mysterious IT. It's kind of cute and funny and while it's far from deep and the internet slang does get a bit tedious, it just has its own charm.
My description to a friend about the game was that it reminded me of Lemmings but on second thought it really doesn't have anything in common with that series. Instead you have stages that you need to travel but you only move to the right. It starts off easy with you going for just the exit but you soon gain more troops, learn to attack so you find yourself hunting for items to bring back dead troops and fighting your way to the next area.
It's simple yet fun and it's very addictive as I finish the game in two sittings (the first stage having been finished in my Jeep). The actual game play mechanic rely on you being able to keep a beat of four. It sounds easy and it is but try keeping that beat in a steady combo for five minuets and thinking about which four beats to use.
The first beat you learn is three squares plus a circle button. This has your troops march forward. To attack you hit two circle, one square and a circle. To guard it two triangle, one square and one circle. But remember that you must keep the beat (think of it as button, pause, button, pause and repeat that) Once you finish a beat of four the eyes say some words in four beats (usually a tip on what you should tap) and then you hit your beat again so it creates a nice little march.
To keep it all refreshing is an ever changing musical score which is up beat and urban but maintains the four beat rule. It's very pleasing to the ears and I would recommend playing this title with the headphones on.
Not only does it sound good but this game is very pretty. It's style reminds me of Locoroco a bit with the bright colors and while enemies and terrain may be limited, the bosses tend to provide a nice shadow based look which reminds me of Shadow of the Colossus but toned down in size.
The game isn't all that long but it contains some side missions and you can replay every boss and they get harder each time. You can also hunt for new weapons and do some little mini games here and there (which don't follow the four beat rule).
All in all I'd recommend this game for anyone who is into the rhythm genre as I haven't come across one since the Bust a Groove days which I sucked at and still bought both games but hey, I use to buy pretty much every game. Although, I do think if the price isn't right then this would make a fine rental for anyone going on a trip that has some decent travel time.
Story - 7/10
Graphics - 9/10
Sound - 9/10
Control - 9/10
Game Play - 9/10
Replay Value - 7/10
Final Score - 9/10
However I was able to rent it via other means and I'm glad I did. I originally booted the game up while filling my Jeep with gas. Figured a quick little rhythm session would pass the usually boring time period.
I had fun but I must have looked like a total nerd as I sat there tapping the beat out. What I didn't realize is that Patapon is all about keeping a beat and while you only gain three different beats it's about keeping them in time with each other and knowing which to use and when. Confused?
The basic idea of the game is that you, the gamer, is some magical drummer (the Patapon) who will lead these little eyeball guys to IT. The whole point of the game is this journey that you lead them on, searching for this mysterious IT. It's kind of cute and funny and while it's far from deep and the internet slang does get a bit tedious, it just has its own charm.
My description to a friend about the game was that it reminded me of Lemmings but on second thought it really doesn't have anything in common with that series. Instead you have stages that you need to travel but you only move to the right. It starts off easy with you going for just the exit but you soon gain more troops, learn to attack so you find yourself hunting for items to bring back dead troops and fighting your way to the next area.
It's simple yet fun and it's very addictive as I finish the game in two sittings (the first stage having been finished in my Jeep). The actual game play mechanic rely on you being able to keep a beat of four. It sounds easy and it is but try keeping that beat in a steady combo for five minuets and thinking about which four beats to use.
The first beat you learn is three squares plus a circle button. This has your troops march forward. To attack you hit two circle, one square and a circle. To guard it two triangle, one square and one circle. But remember that you must keep the beat (think of it as button, pause, button, pause and repeat that) Once you finish a beat of four the eyes say some words in four beats (usually a tip on what you should tap) and then you hit your beat again so it creates a nice little march.
To keep it all refreshing is an ever changing musical score which is up beat and urban but maintains the four beat rule. It's very pleasing to the ears and I would recommend playing this title with the headphones on.
Not only does it sound good but this game is very pretty. It's style reminds me of Locoroco a bit with the bright colors and while enemies and terrain may be limited, the bosses tend to provide a nice shadow based look which reminds me of Shadow of the Colossus but toned down in size.
The game isn't all that long but it contains some side missions and you can replay every boss and they get harder each time. You can also hunt for new weapons and do some little mini games here and there (which don't follow the four beat rule).
All in all I'd recommend this game for anyone who is into the rhythm genre as I haven't come across one since the Bust a Groove days which I sucked at and still bought both games but hey, I use to buy pretty much every game. Although, I do think if the price isn't right then this would make a fine rental for anyone going on a trip that has some decent travel time.
Story - 7/10
Graphics - 9/10
Sound - 9/10
Control - 9/10
Game Play - 9/10
Replay Value - 7/10
Final Score - 9/10
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)