Dead Head Fred

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