PSP Goodness
Apr. 4th, 2006 11:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
slycatI finally got my copy of Outrun 2006 Coast 2 Coast for my PSP today, but before I mention how good it is, I've not mentioned how good Daxter for PSP is, which I've had for a few weeks now. Now, I'm not normally a fan of 3D platformer type games, but in light of the outstanding reviews it was getting, I had it imported from America. Only cost £28 which is pretty much what it'll be here, if not less :). Initially, you get a distinct feeling that the game is very much like the old fashioned 3D platformers which were everywhere on DC/PS1 era, but it soon develops into much more than that. At first, the levels are somewhat simple in design but that's to give you a feel for the controls and also introduce extra abilities as you play through the levels. Soon enough, the levels become much more interesting, with the introduction of a scooter thing to drive about in one level and various ingenious level design touches. As with any platformer however, there are annoying bits that you end up playing over and over, but this doesn't happen that frequently. Also, you get to play various bonus "dream" mini-games where you re-enact scenes from movies like the burley brawl from The Matrix or the battle in Braveheart via the means of hitting the right button at the right time, in a rhythm game style. The humour in the game adds to the enjoyment and the graphics are absolutely supurb for the PSP. Finally, with no real noticable loading times (has been a problem is earlier PSP games), it makes it a joy to play. I'm only 25% into the game but am still enjoying playing it.
Now, Outrun 2006 C2C. Having played it most of this evening, I can say it's fully lived up to my expectations. All the levels are there from Outrun 2 & Outrun 2 SP, but rather than make it a straight arcade conversion, they've made it fun for single player. Firstly they've broken the game down into small tasks which you get ranked on individually. On completing these tasks, you get rewarded with Ourtun points which you can use to buy access to more of the soundtrack, better cars and alternative versions of tracks. Considering you start with a pretty awful selection of cars, if you want to play online, it's a good idea to buy some of the better cars. Which brings me nicely to the online side of the game. For the second time on the PSP (the first being Twisted Metal) the let you play the game over the internet or "infratructure mode". Why more games don't do this I'm not too sure as it's a fantastic feature, something the Nintendo DS takes full advantage of. I can only assume Sony havn't made it easy for developers to include the feature. Anyway, I've had a few games online and have found it on the whole to be pretty much pain free. Although one of the games, the track seemed to disappear while driving... I think it may have been due to the host disconnecting or having a horrendous ping or something. It's quite liberating to be able to play over the net via wifi anywhere in the house rather than having to use the TV. The only downside is that there is no way to communicate with your fellow players other than adding them to a friends list. If anyone fancies challenging me, let me know and I can set up a game :). Many reviews and people have pointed out that the frame rate is poor in the game. While there is a bit of noticeable slow down on occaison, it's never enough to cause any problems while playing. The graphics generally are beautiful and smooth, just like on the console. You can tell that they're starting to push the console to it's limits at the existing processor speed though. Maybe future games will use the full 333mhz processor speed.
Looks like good times for the PSP finally. It's certainly been a long time coming but I think the console is finally starting to get the games it deserves. The console is a fantastic piece of hardware, but let down by the lack of first rate games. I started out with Wipeout Pure, Lumines and Ridge Racer. I've not really gone back to any of these in a while. Also not really played Burnout Legends in a long time as I got so far and then got stuck. However, I am still playing Me & My Katamari every now and then (which I will be buying the European version of so I know what the King is going on about and what I need to do in the side missions) and am playing Daxter, Tales of Eternia and now Outrun on rotation at present. Hopefully there will be more games of this standard to come. I think I will still get a DS Lite when they come out here, but now with the games I have for my PSP, I'm not in such a rush any more :)
Now, Outrun 2006 C2C. Having played it most of this evening, I can say it's fully lived up to my expectations. All the levels are there from Outrun 2 & Outrun 2 SP, but rather than make it a straight arcade conversion, they've made it fun for single player. Firstly they've broken the game down into small tasks which you get ranked on individually. On completing these tasks, you get rewarded with Ourtun points which you can use to buy access to more of the soundtrack, better cars and alternative versions of tracks. Considering you start with a pretty awful selection of cars, if you want to play online, it's a good idea to buy some of the better cars. Which brings me nicely to the online side of the game. For the second time on the PSP (the first being Twisted Metal) the let you play the game over the internet or "infratructure mode". Why more games don't do this I'm not too sure as it's a fantastic feature, something the Nintendo DS takes full advantage of. I can only assume Sony havn't made it easy for developers to include the feature. Anyway, I've had a few games online and have found it on the whole to be pretty much pain free. Although one of the games, the track seemed to disappear while driving... I think it may have been due to the host disconnecting or having a horrendous ping or something. It's quite liberating to be able to play over the net via wifi anywhere in the house rather than having to use the TV. The only downside is that there is no way to communicate with your fellow players other than adding them to a friends list. If anyone fancies challenging me, let me know and I can set up a game :). Many reviews and people have pointed out that the frame rate is poor in the game. While there is a bit of noticeable slow down on occaison, it's never enough to cause any problems while playing. The graphics generally are beautiful and smooth, just like on the console. You can tell that they're starting to push the console to it's limits at the existing processor speed though. Maybe future games will use the full 333mhz processor speed.
Looks like good times for the PSP finally. It's certainly been a long time coming but I think the console is finally starting to get the games it deserves. The console is a fantastic piece of hardware, but let down by the lack of first rate games. I started out with Wipeout Pure, Lumines and Ridge Racer. I've not really gone back to any of these in a while. Also not really played Burnout Legends in a long time as I got so far and then got stuck. However, I am still playing Me & My Katamari every now and then (which I will be buying the European version of so I know what the King is going on about and what I need to do in the side missions) and am playing Daxter, Tales of Eternia and now Outrun on rotation at present. Hopefully there will be more games of this standard to come. I think I will still get a DS Lite when they come out here, but now with the games I have for my PSP, I'm not in such a rush any more :)
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Date: 2006-04-04 11:24 pm (UTC)Lumines I still go back to, Katamari I don't really, given that I've pretty much got my scores as high as they'll go - good stuff, but not much of it. But I agree that developers seem to be trying a bit harder lately.
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Date: 2006-04-05 10:17 am (UTC)I haven't played it in months, it's a crime surely.
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Date: 2006-04-05 06:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-04-05 10:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-04-05 10:52 am (UTC)I want it noooowww!
<3 Katamari damashii!
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Date: 2006-04-05 06:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-04-05 06:29 pm (UTC)I wish I had a PSP... I'll just steal Arctic Fox's....