Firstly, Sorry for the lack of reviews over the past couple of months but ive been bogged down with schoolwork and lack of games. BUT THAT IS NO MORE! So in the following weeks expect PS3 reviews, a couple of DS reviews and some various console demo impressions.
Now let me go onto LocoRoco Cocoreccho which was released onto the European PlaystationStore today. As a fan of the original PSP LocoRoco this was such an obvious purchase for such a small price [£2 / $4]. But if your wanting some original LocoRoco action but in HD then your gonna be looking in the wrong place. Thats right, even though rolling little loco's by using the sixaxis would be a perfect remedy, sony did not make it like that.
Instead you control a somewhat magical butterfly which will attract loco's when pressing O. A circle area will then go around your butterfly and locos will follow you if they are in the vicinity of the circle. You have to go around the map collecting all the little loco's and then I guess when you get to the end of the map then it will autosave and you'll get into a new map. I say I guess because ive still not yet completed a map because the game is hard. Hard because the controls are shitty and the whole premise of the game is retarded.
So that may sound pretty unpositive but im sure that after a long, steep learning curve then you could go through the game quite well. So now onto the best things about the game. Landscapes and characters look just like the PSP version and are great as usual. Then we have the music. The music has always been great and funny in LocoRoco and of cause this continues in the PS3 outing. Apart from the PS3 version has a male voice in the chorus. Also, when your butterfly is over the loco's then the chorus will start up, but when your butterfly is over a blank area then all you'll hear is the background music with no singing. Quite goood.
So, if its not that impressive then how big is the download. Well, its around 259mb. But the PSnetwork was being slow so it may take longer to get in its first few days...
Score Breakdown
Graphics: 7/10 - Same graphics as the PSP version, but in HD.
Sound: 9/10 - Music is the same most of the time but its so fun and catchy then you'll just want to bob along to it (:
Gameplay: 3/10 - Bad controls, Not much to do either and of cause ... its unbearably hard.
Lastability: 5/10 - Its difficulty will mean you'll be playing it for a looong time.
Overall: 4/10 - LocoRoco but with a new formula, but not many people will like the changes. But hay ... at least its still got the music, right?! And of cause, its worth a look in for the cheapo price.
Quick Fact: This was my first paying purchase from the PStore .. but will it be the last? Who knows.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
More Brain Training For The DS
Dr.Kawashima has been immensely popular throughout Japan, America and Europe with the first outing permanently being in the UK top 10. The sequel to the first one was well recieved in Japan and has now finally been released in Europe.
The game features the same simple interface and graphics as its predecessor but every single game is brand new, featuring many different ways of training your brain which you wouldent have thought would help out your brain. My personal favourites is Memory Calculation and Masterpiece recital. Memory calculation will show you a number then scrub it out and you have to times it or add it to another number. When you do it the second number will be scrubbed out and you have to remember that one. Masterpiece recital is very different, It has virtual piano and it will go through a piece of music and you need to press the key's in time to the notes. You can also unlock a hard mode which is verry hard.
Sudoku is still avalible in this one and is exactly the same as the first game, just different squares. Basically more brain training is more classic brain training and will still keep you entertained .. for a while.
Score Breakdown
Graphics: 1/10 - No real graphics apart from his floating head. Its no Big Brain Academy.
Sound: 6/10 - Classic soundtrack and normal sounds but Masterpiece recital has an amazing score.
Gameplay: 7/10 - Good puzzles and tests but you'll find a lot of them too hard to bother with.
Lastability: 7/10 - After you unlocked everything you'll only pick it up once in a while to check your brain. It'll only last if you like rigorous puzzles
Overall: 7/10 - Classic Kawashima but most of the new games are too hard and complicated so you'll be left going "Whats the point" and putting the original on again.
Quick Fact: The old "Hold select and press Brain Age Test to choose what games to do" cheat still works ..
The game features the same simple interface and graphics as its predecessor but every single game is brand new, featuring many different ways of training your brain which you wouldent have thought would help out your brain. My personal favourites is Memory Calculation and Masterpiece recital. Memory calculation will show you a number then scrub it out and you have to times it or add it to another number. When you do it the second number will be scrubbed out and you have to remember that one. Masterpiece recital is very different, It has virtual piano and it will go through a piece of music and you need to press the key's in time to the notes. You can also unlock a hard mode which is verry hard.
Sudoku is still avalible in this one and is exactly the same as the first game, just different squares. Basically more brain training is more classic brain training and will still keep you entertained .. for a while.
Score Breakdown
Graphics: 1/10 - No real graphics apart from his floating head. Its no Big Brain Academy.
Sound: 6/10 - Classic soundtrack and normal sounds but Masterpiece recital has an amazing score.
Gameplay: 7/10 - Good puzzles and tests but you'll find a lot of them too hard to bother with.
Lastability: 7/10 - After you unlocked everything you'll only pick it up once in a while to check your brain. It'll only last if you like rigorous puzzles
Overall: 7/10 - Classic Kawashima but most of the new games are too hard and complicated so you'll be left going "Whats the point" and putting the original on again.
Quick Fact: The old "Hold select and press Brain Age Test to choose what games to do" cheat still works ..
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Ace Combat X For The PSP
The PSP version of the Ace Combat series looked like it would be like all the others - an exciting flight sim that lets you shoot down planes and shoot boats in the sea. But looks can be deceptive.
There seems to be no storyline whatsoever and the echoey plain voice we're all used to on the mission objective screen sounds more bored than any other outing from the series. The controls get some getting used to because they dont always work how you think they will so you'll have to mess around with them to work them out and get used to them.
You see the action from a first person view as normal but everything looks very jaggady. The actioncamera when you finish a mission or die looks good, not great but good. To be quiet honest if you use custom firmware then you are much better off not buying this at all and just ripping the PS1 Ace Combats and playing them via the official PS1 emulator because they will look the same and you wont need to spend any money on getting it if you own them allready.
Score Breakdown
Graphics: 4/10 - PS1 Graphics at the least
Sound: 6.5/10 - Good soundtrack but its not as enjoyable as others
Gameplay: 8/10 - Classic gameplay, only hindered by bad controls
Lastability: 7/10 - Some hard missions and new planes to unlock give you some urge to play it
Overall: 7/10 - A rental if you like plane sims, only buy it if you are a fan of the series.
Quick Fact: To make my PS1 games into PBP eboots I use the popstation GUI software PSX2PSP
There seems to be no storyline whatsoever and the echoey plain voice we're all used to on the mission objective screen sounds more bored than any other outing from the series. The controls get some getting used to because they dont always work how you think they will so you'll have to mess around with them to work them out and get used to them.
You see the action from a first person view as normal but everything looks very jaggady. The actioncamera when you finish a mission or die looks good, not great but good. To be quiet honest if you use custom firmware then you are much better off not buying this at all and just ripping the PS1 Ace Combats and playing them via the official PS1 emulator because they will look the same and you wont need to spend any money on getting it if you own them allready.
Score Breakdown
Graphics: 4/10 - PS1 Graphics at the least
Sound: 6.5/10 - Good soundtrack but its not as enjoyable as others
Gameplay: 8/10 - Classic gameplay, only hindered by bad controls
Lastability: 7/10 - Some hard missions and new planes to unlock give you some urge to play it
Overall: 7/10 - A rental if you like plane sims, only buy it if you are a fan of the series.
Quick Fact: To make my PS1 games into PBP eboots I use the popstation GUI software PSX2PSP
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Burnout Dominator For The PSP
Racing games on the PSP are very common place now and each tries to bring something new to the genre. After several home console editions of Burnout it took the leap to the PSP.
Firstly I want to get the bad out of the game before I tell you about the good. There is no online play. After playing Burnout Online on the PS2 I thought it would definitely be online seeing how it would be simple to implement. Instead of infrastructure play there is LAN / adhoc play. Im not sure if there is game sharing but if there isnt then its a disappointment indeed.
There is an online feature though. You can upload your scores to the Burnout website and new tracks will be avalible via the game. They are also a decent size [around 15mb each] so wont clog up your memory stick.
The gameplay and graphics make the experience enjoyable
Firstly I want to get the bad out of the game before I tell you about the good. There is no online play. After playing Burnout Online on the PS2 I thought it would definitely be online seeing how it would be simple to implement. Instead of infrastructure play there is LAN / adhoc play. Im not sure if there is game sharing but if there isnt then its a disappointment indeed.
There is an online feature though. You can upload your scores to the Burnout website and new tracks will be avalible via the game. They are also a decent size [around 15mb each] so wont clog up your memory stick.
The gameplay and graphics make the experience enjoyable
The gameplay is the same as the other modern Burnout games, You do different tracks around drifting or takeouts [as shown above] to unlock new series' and cars. Its a perfect combination for any game.
The soundtrack uses the classic EA TRAX system where EA uses actual music that they've purchased the rights for. Most of the songs are enjoyable and fun to ride to. The only problems ive had is playing at 1am and for the spanish version of Avril Lavigne's girlfriend to start blaring out.
Score Breakdown
Graphics: 8/10 - For a PSP game it handles amazingly with so many buildings and traffic on the roads at the same time with no visible slowdown.
Sound: 8/10 - Normal car sounds and an enjoyable soundtrack that will keep you entertained
Gameplay: 9/10 - So many tracks and ways of playing will make you want to play it for a long time and will keep you entertained
Lastability: 6.5/10 - After you've unlocked all the cars and tracks theres no online play left and you can only play against other people that you know. But racing games do have a good lastability as you can always try getting a bigger score to upload.
Overall: 8.5/10 - It will keep you very entertained and is one of those games every racing fan and PSP owner should give a try
Quick Fact: The screenshot that is above was created by me using the capture plugin for Dark Alex's custom firmware
The soundtrack uses the classic EA TRAX system where EA uses actual music that they've purchased the rights for. Most of the songs are enjoyable and fun to ride to. The only problems ive had is playing at 1am and for the spanish version of Avril Lavigne's girlfriend to start blaring out.
Score Breakdown
Graphics: 8/10 - For a PSP game it handles amazingly with so many buildings and traffic on the roads at the same time with no visible slowdown.
Sound: 8/10 - Normal car sounds and an enjoyable soundtrack that will keep you entertained
Gameplay: 9/10 - So many tracks and ways of playing will make you want to play it for a long time and will keep you entertained
Lastability: 6.5/10 - After you've unlocked all the cars and tracks theres no online play left and you can only play against other people that you know. But racing games do have a good lastability as you can always try getting a bigger score to upload.
Overall: 8.5/10 - It will keep you very entertained and is one of those games every racing fan and PSP owner should give a try
Quick Fact: The screenshot that is above was created by me using the capture plugin for Dark Alex's custom firmware
Friday, May 25, 2007
Far Cry Vengeance for the Wii
Well lets start off with saying hello to everyone out there and to hope that you'll enjoy my hand on reviews.
So, Lets start with my first review.
With many delays in the process Far Cry Vengeance managed to miss both the North American and European release date. A non publicised release happened in January 2007 to the announcement of many bad reviews of the game. Just like other reviews mine isnt a positive experience.
The storyline .. Well, I have no idea what the storyline is. It isnt explained in the instructions and the extremely low quality cutscenes get skipped if you press any button on the wiimote or nunchuck so if you place down your wiimote then the cutscene will get skipped. As I said the cutscene's are very low quality. Ubisoft dident bother to take time programming the scene's in real time, Instead they used ingame models and then modelled them to move in a movie. The movie must have been exported in like -200% quality because the scene's look smudgy, dark and overall crap.
The only good thing about FC:V is the controls are almost perfect. At times when turning with the wiimote the cursor will flicker meaning your aim gets absolutely fucked. But the controls for gameplay work better than other Wii FPS' like Red Steel - Although those controls are also good for a launch title.
Out of all of the Wii games i've played FC:V looks the worst, When looking at PS2 and Gamecube games then the game would fall under the category of a rushed PS2 FPS from a noname developer.
Even though the game suffered many delays the quality of a Far Cry title that should have been there wasent present in its Wii outing.
Score Breakdown
Graphics: 5/10 - Okay to look at but the system can do so much better as allready proved.
Sound: 7/10 - A good soundtrack but jumps at times when it has to restart
Gameplay: 7/10 - Fun to play but suffers from serious bugs, some of which freeze your Wii.
Lastability: 6/10 - Its a simple 'aim and shoot' game with no real threats and there is only offline multiplayer to continue with.
Overall: 4/10 - Wii games are usually expensiveish so please save your money rather than buying this atrocity.
Quick Fact: I bought FC:V from thegamecollection.net for £13 and cex will give you £16 on exchange meaning you can cash in while avalible.
So, Lets start with my first review.
With many delays in the process Far Cry Vengeance managed to miss both the North American and European release date. A non publicised release happened in January 2007 to the announcement of many bad reviews of the game. Just like other reviews mine isnt a positive experience.
The storyline .. Well, I have no idea what the storyline is. It isnt explained in the instructions and the extremely low quality cutscenes get skipped if you press any button on the wiimote or nunchuck so if you place down your wiimote then the cutscene will get skipped. As I said the cutscene's are very low quality. Ubisoft dident bother to take time programming the scene's in real time, Instead they used ingame models and then modelled them to move in a movie. The movie must have been exported in like -200% quality because the scene's look smudgy, dark and overall crap.
The only good thing about FC:V is the controls are almost perfect. At times when turning with the wiimote the cursor will flicker meaning your aim gets absolutely fucked. But the controls for gameplay work better than other Wii FPS' like Red Steel - Although those controls are also good for a launch title.
Out of all of the Wii games i've played FC:V looks the worst, When looking at PS2 and Gamecube games then the game would fall under the category of a rushed PS2 FPS from a noname developer.
Even though the game suffered many delays the quality of a Far Cry title that should have been there wasent present in its Wii outing.
Score Breakdown
Graphics: 5/10 - Okay to look at but the system can do so much better as allready proved.
Sound: 7/10 - A good soundtrack but jumps at times when it has to restart
Gameplay: 7/10 - Fun to play but suffers from serious bugs, some of which freeze your Wii.
Lastability: 6/10 - Its a simple 'aim and shoot' game with no real threats and there is only offline multiplayer to continue with.
Overall: 4/10 - Wii games are usually expensiveish so please save your money rather than buying this atrocity.
Quick Fact: I bought FC:V from thegamecollection.net for £13 and cex will give you £16 on exchange meaning you can cash in while avalible.
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