Our latest game reviews - PSP
1 year ago - 
Final Fantasy IV: Complete Collection - 8.4
Final Fantasy II had a massive impact on me as a gamer. I don’t know if I would attribute it to any one specific aspect, but the combination of the right hardware with the right game at the right time in my life positioned it as a turning point for me. Final Fantasy II opened me up to other facets of gaming beyond my limited desire to see the kill screen or end credits. With this entry in the franchise, which was one of my first games to play on the Super Nintendo, I was made aware of...
Final Fantasy IV: Complete Collection - 8.4Final Fantasy II had a massive impact on me as a gamer. I don’t know if I would attribute it to any one specific aspect, but the combination of the right hardware with the right game at the right time in my life positioned it as a turning point for me. Final Fantasy II opened me up to other facets of gaming beyond my limited desire to see the kill screen or end credits. With this entry in the franchise, which was one of my first games to play on the Super Nintendo, I was made aware of...
2 years ago - Patapon 3 - 9.0
*Please note that because of the PSN shutdown of April/May 2011 and the inability to access the PlayStation Store in order to redeem the game’s required Online Entitlement Voucher, we could not review the multiplayer components of Patapon 3. When looking back at the first Patapon game, many people would have been hard pressed to assume that a game which combined rhythm based mechanics with RPG and strategy elements would become a staple franchise in the life of Sony’s...
Patapon 3 - 9.0*Please note that because of the PSN shutdown of April/May 2011 and the inability to access the PlayStation Store in order to redeem the game’s required Online Entitlement Voucher, we could not review the multiplayer components of Patapon 3. When looking back at the first Patapon game, many people would have been hard pressed to assume that a game which combined rhythm based mechanics with RPG and strategy elements would become a staple franchise in the life of Sony’s...
2 years ago - Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky - 8.1
The PSP is a hotbed for remakes and re-releases of classic RPGs, especially those developed for the Asian market. Falcom and Xseed Games are the biggest players in this regard and their latest release, The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky is no different. Having already been released in Japan back in 2006, this is the first game in the series to reach these shores in over four years. Although it takes a while for the core story to develop, if you’re a fan of 16-bit era JRPGs, you...
Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky - 8.1The PSP is a hotbed for remakes and re-releases of classic RPGs, especially those developed for the Asian market. Falcom and Xseed Games are the biggest players in this regard and their latest release, The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky is no different. Having already been released in Japan back in 2006, this is the first game in the series to reach these shores in over four years. Although it takes a while for the core story to develop, if you’re a fan of 16-bit era JRPGs, you...
2 years ago - The 3rd Birthday - 6.6
Oh Parasite Eve, how I used to fawn over you! While I enjoyed your first title a bit more than your second, the two of you brought me many survival horror memories at a time when the Resident Evil franchise was starting to fall victim to its own overbaked storyline. Sure, you were no Silent Hill, but even future Silent Hill games weren’t Silent Hill either. So as consoles began to evolve into new generations of hardware hotness, my need for a new entry in the franchise grew and grew....
The 3rd Birthday - 6.6Oh Parasite Eve, how I used to fawn over you! While I enjoyed your first title a bit more than your second, the two of you brought me many survival horror memories at a time when the Resident Evil franchise was starting to fall victim to its own overbaked storyline. Sure, you were no Silent Hill, but even future Silent Hill games weren’t Silent Hill either. So as consoles began to evolve into new generations of hardware hotness, my need for a new entry in the franchise grew and grew....
2 years ago - Dissidia 012[duodecim] Final Fantasy - 7.3
Square-Enix’s Dissidia: Final Fantasy was the true definition of appeasing their hard-core fans. It’s a tossed salad of memorable pieces from previous Final Fantasy games and the end result was a mash-up RPG/Fighter that was regarded as either a success or a failure depending on which side of the coin you fell on. With Dissidia 012: Duodecim Final Fantasy, the hope was to give you more content and maybe address some of the issues that plagued the first; while they do give you a...
Dissidia 012[duodecim] Final Fantasy - 7.3Square-Enix’s Dissidia: Final Fantasy was the true definition of appeasing their hard-core fans. It’s a tossed salad of memorable pieces from previous Final Fantasy games and the end result was a mash-up RPG/Fighter that was regarded as either a success or a failure depending on which side of the coin you fell on. With Dissidia 012: Duodecim Final Fantasy, the hope was to give you more content and maybe address some of the issues that plagued the first; while they do give you a...
2 years ago - (PSN) TNT Racers - 7.1
The Kart racing genre hasn’t been that much of a focal point for quite some time. These types of games were once all the rage during the 90s, but now the release schedule is fairly void of the genre. The latest title that hopes to rekindle interest is TNT Racers, a quirky RC-Car game that offers plenty of different modes, but still ends up missing a few key pieces in order to make it a really enjoyable experience. TNT Racers puts you in a number of different toy-looking cars as you...
(PSN) TNT Racers - 7.1The Kart racing genre hasn’t been that much of a focal point for quite some time. These types of games were once all the rage during the 90s, but now the release schedule is fairly void of the genre. The latest title that hopes to rekindle interest is TNT Racers, a quirky RC-Car game that offers plenty of different modes, but still ends up missing a few key pieces in order to make it a really enjoyable experience. TNT Racers puts you in a number of different toy-looking cars as you...
2 years ago - (PSN) Hoard - 7.8
There’s two things I tend to look for in any game, regardless of it’s genre. First is how well suited it is for the platform it’s been released on. Portable, console, PC, or mobile, it needs to suit both the controls and the needs of said platform. Second, is how much staying power it has. It doesn’t matter if it’s an engrossing 40-hour epic RPG or quick, 60 second mini-games, it needs to reach out to the player in a way that brings them back, again and again....
(PSN) Hoard - 7.8There’s two things I tend to look for in any game, regardless of it’s genre. First is how well suited it is for the platform it’s been released on. Portable, console, PC, or mobile, it needs to suit both the controls and the needs of said platform. Second, is how much staying power it has. It doesn’t matter if it’s an engrossing 40-hour epic RPG or quick, 60 second mini-games, it needs to reach out to the player in a way that brings them back, again and again....
2 years ago - Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together - 8.8
The turned based strategy genre hasn’t had a lot of love over the years. Yes, we get the odd gem here and there, but never a consistent stream of releases to keep long time fans occupied as well as bringing newcomers to the fold. When such a game does come along, it can be quite refreshing and even more so if it manages to introduce the genre to the uninitiated gamer. Square-Enix’s latest PSP release is Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together; a remake of the classic 1990s Super...
Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together - 8.8The turned based strategy genre hasn’t had a lot of love over the years. Yes, we get the odd gem here and there, but never a consistent stream of releases to keep long time fans occupied as well as bringing newcomers to the fold. When such a game does come along, it can be quite refreshing and even more so if it manages to introduce the genre to the uninitiated gamer. Square-Enix’s latest PSP release is Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together; a remake of the classic 1990s Super...
2 years ago - Ys I & II Chronicles - 6.7
The last seven months have been quite interesting for publisher XSEED. Since August of 2010, they have released four games in the Ys series, with the most recent being a remake of the first two in a collection entitled Ys I & II Chronicles. For games over twenty years old, it’s nice to get to see how the series started, but it also shows that sometimes the past is better left in the annuals of gaming history. For the unfamilar, the Ys series chronicles the various adventures of the...
Ys I & II Chronicles - 6.7The last seven months have been quite interesting for publisher XSEED. Since August of 2010, they have released four games in the Ys series, with the most recent being a remake of the first two in a collection entitled Ys I & II Chronicles. For games over twenty years old, it’s nice to get to see how the series started, but it also shows that sometimes the past is better left in the annuals of gaming history. For the unfamilar, the Ys series chronicles the various adventures of the...
2 years ago - Lord of Arcana - 7.3
Hungry for action, carnage, power and destruction? Feeling the call of the hunt coursing through your veins? Can you hear the taunt of otherworldly arcane magic? Check, check and check, Lord of Arcana features all that and more. The only question left is, is it truly for you? Published by Square-Enix and developed by Access Games, Lord of Arcana can best be summed up as a blend between an action RPG and a hack and slasher. Though the developer has previously delved into the vaguely defined...
Lord of Arcana - 7.3Hungry for action, carnage, power and destruction? Feeling the call of the hunt coursing through your veins? Can you hear the taunt of otherworldly arcane magic? Check, check and check, Lord of Arcana features all that and more. The only question left is, is it truly for you? Published by Square-Enix and developed by Access Games, Lord of Arcana can best be summed up as a blend between an action RPG and a hack and slasher. Though the developer has previously delved into the vaguely defined...
2 years ago - (Minis) SHIFT extended - 7.5
Sony’s Minis brand of games often go unnoticed, be it the weak marketing they get or the stigma of being priced higher than they should be. There are those rare occasions where one really stands out, yet suffers from one or both of the afore-mentioned issues. The latest release under the Minis label is Shift Extended, an extremely simple puzzle game that is quick to learn, offers quite a bit of content, but is hampered by one glaring problem that will ultimately be the reason so many...
(Minis) SHIFT extended - 7.5Sony’s Minis brand of games often go unnoticed, be it the weak marketing they get or the stigma of being priced higher than they should be. There are those rare occasions where one really stands out, yet suffers from one or both of the afore-mentioned issues. The latest release under the Minis label is Shift Extended, an extremely simple puzzle game that is quick to learn, offers quite a bit of content, but is hampered by one glaring problem that will ultimately be the reason so many...
2 years ago - (minis) Angry Birds - 7.6
Chances are that if you own a mobile device, especially an iPhone or iPod touch, you’ve played - or at least heard of - Angry Birds. The game which achieved mainstream success in 2010 has made its way onto the PSP and PS3 as a PS Minis release. While it might be the pricier version available, it still delivers the same addictive gameplay that can be enjoyed in short bursts or have you easily losing track of the time. For the few of you unfamiliar with Angry Birds, it is a...
(minis) Angry Birds - 7.6Chances are that if you own a mobile device, especially an iPhone or iPod touch, you’ve played - or at least heard of - Angry Birds. The game which achieved mainstream success in 2010 has made its way onto the PSP and PS3 as a PS Minis release. While it might be the pricier version available, it still delivers the same addictive gameplay that can be enjoyed in short bursts or have you easily losing track of the time. For the few of you unfamiliar with Angry Birds, it is a...
2 years ago - (Minis) A Space Shooter for Two Bucks - 7.7
One of the complaints around Sony’s Minis line has been the price. Originally, games under this moniker were supposed to be fun, bite-sized titles that shouldn’t cost more than a cup of coffee. While there have been a few that have landed under this price tag, we tend to pay more attention to those that cost a lot more than they should. To help combat this, the people over at Frima Studios in Quebec are back again with another Minis game, A Space Shooter for 2 Bucks. Yup, this is...
(Minis) A Space Shooter for Two Bucks - 7.7One of the complaints around Sony’s Minis line has been the price. Originally, games under this moniker were supposed to be fun, bite-sized titles that shouldn’t cost more than a cup of coffee. While there have been a few that have landed under this price tag, we tend to pay more attention to those that cost a lot more than they should. To help combat this, the people over at Frima Studios in Quebec are back again with another Minis game, A Space Shooter for 2 Bucks. Yup, this is...
2 years ago - EyePet - 6.4
What’s better than playing with a virtual ball of fluff in your living room? Taking it with you of course! Thanks to Sony’s London Studio, EyePet is no longer tethered to your PS3 as it’s been released for the PSP utilizing the PSP camera. Unfortunately, this is one pet that should probably stay in the kennel... This portable version is not terribly different from its console kin, although it is scaled back a bit thanks to the limitations of the aging hardware. The...
EyePet - 6.4What’s better than playing with a virtual ball of fluff in your living room? Taking it with you of course! Thanks to Sony’s London Studio, EyePet is no longer tethered to your PS3 as it’s been released for the PSP utilizing the PSP camera. Unfortunately, this is one pet that should probably stay in the kennel... This portable version is not terribly different from its console kin, although it is scaled back a bit thanks to the limitations of the aging hardware. The...
2 years ago - God of War: Ghost of Sparta - 8.6
When Chains of Olympus - the first God of War game on PlayStation Portable - was released in 2007, it was viewed as one of the best PSP games ever made. It successfully translated the action of the then PS2 series into the palms of your hands. Shortly after launch, it seemed unlikely that Ready At Dawn, the studio behind that game, would ever make another PSP title as they didn’t feel it was a viable platform for future games. This changed earlier this year when they announced God of...
God of War: Ghost of Sparta - 8.6When Chains of Olympus - the first God of War game on PlayStation Portable - was released in 2007, it was viewed as one of the best PSP games ever made. It successfully translated the action of the then PS2 series into the palms of your hands. Shortly after launch, it seemed unlikely that Ready At Dawn, the studio behind that game, would ever make another PSP title as they didn’t feel it was a viable platform for future games. This changed earlier this year when they announced God of...
2 years ago - Invizimals - 7.1
Pokémon. A franchise that pretty much single-handedly started both the card battle and the monster hunter genres. Even to this day, 14 years after its inception, it still has a rabid following. Unfortunately, it’s a Nintendo-only brand, with the core titles found strictly on the Big N’s handheld. Those who partake in the more feature-rich portable platform are left searching for alternatives. Cue in Spanish developer Novarama. Their latest venture appears to fill the...
Invizimals - 7.1Pokémon. A franchise that pretty much single-handedly started both the card battle and the monster hunter genres. Even to this day, 14 years after its inception, it still has a rabid following. Unfortunately, it’s a Nintendo-only brand, with the core titles found strictly on the Big N’s handheld. Those who partake in the more feature-rich portable platform are left searching for alternatives. Cue in Spanish developer Novarama. Their latest venture appears to fill the...
2 years ago - Ys: The Oath in Felghana - 8.1
It was only a few months ago when Falcom and XSEED released the latest entry in the Ys series. Ys Seven was a fun game that allowed newcomers to take a stab at it without needing to know anything about the backstory of its two key protagonists, Adol Christin and Dogi. Now in an interesting move, the first three games in the franchise are being ported to the PSP with Ys: the Oath in Felghana - a remake of Ys III - the first up to bat. This one plays out very differently than the aforementioned...
Ys: The Oath in Felghana - 8.1It was only a few months ago when Falcom and XSEED released the latest entry in the Ys series. Ys Seven was a fun game that allowed newcomers to take a stab at it without needing to know anything about the backstory of its two key protagonists, Adol Christin and Dogi. Now in an interesting move, the first three games in the franchise are being ported to the PSP with Ys: the Oath in Felghana - a remake of Ys III - the first up to bat. This one plays out very differently than the aforementioned...
2 years ago - Phantasy Star Portable 2 - 7.1
The Phantasy Star series has a long history and a very dedicated fan base. The original Phantasy Star Online is viewed in many people’s eyes as one of the best RPGs ever made and a pioneer in MMO gaming, specifically on consoles. While its popularity may not be at the same level as other RPGs, Sega is still churning out games. The latest in the series, Phantasy Star Portable 2 attempts to give handled gamers a worthwhile experience by improving the online side of things. While it does...
Phantasy Star Portable 2 - 7.1The Phantasy Star series has a long history and a very dedicated fan base. The original Phantasy Star Online is viewed in many people’s eyes as one of the best RPGs ever made and a pioneer in MMO gaming, specifically on consoles. While its popularity may not be at the same level as other RPGs, Sega is still churning out games. The latest in the series, Phantasy Star Portable 2 attempts to give handled gamers a worthwhile experience by improving the online side of things. While it does...
2 years ago - UFC Undisputed 2010 - 7.6
The jump made from the 2009 to the 2010 edition of THQ’s UFC Undisputed franchise was huge in my opinion. As evidenced by my review, I thoroughly enjoyed all the MMA trimmings this year’s version brought to the table. If I had to describe it in a single word, ‘packed’ would probably be my first choice. Between all the modes, features and small bells and whistles that fleshed out the experience, developer Yukes is sure to have a tough time surpassing it when the...
UFC Undisputed 2010 - 7.6The jump made from the 2009 to the 2010 edition of THQ’s UFC Undisputed franchise was huge in my opinion. As evidenced by my review, I thoroughly enjoyed all the MMA trimmings this year’s version brought to the table. If I had to describe it in a single word, ‘packed’ would probably be my first choice. Between all the modes, features and small bells and whistles that fleshed out the experience, developer Yukes is sure to have a tough time surpassing it when the...
2 years ago - Valkyria Chronicles 2 - 9.0
When released in 2008, Valkyria Chronicles took PlayStation 3 owners by surprise with its fantastic art-design and innovative take on the turn-based strategy genre. While it had plenty of “wow” moments, it wasn’t that commercially successful and the potential of a follow-up dwindled. In continuing its ability to surprise us, the series did in fact mange to see another release, this time with a PSP sequel entitled Valkyria Chronicles II. Once again, it takes everything that...
Valkyria Chronicles 2 - 9.0When released in 2008, Valkyria Chronicles took PlayStation 3 owners by surprise with its fantastic art-design and innovative take on the turn-based strategy genre. While it had plenty of “wow” moments, it wasn’t that commercially successful and the potential of a follow-up dwindled. In continuing its ability to surprise us, the series did in fact mange to see another release, this time with a PSP sequel entitled Valkyria Chronicles II. Once again, it takes everything that...
2 years ago - Ys Seven - 7.8
Considering the amount of RPGs that have been remade on the PSP, it’s nice to see a proper follow-up make its way onto Sony’s portable console. The latest series to see a continuation comes from the cult classic Ys franchise. With Ys Seven, we get a serviceable game that can be enjoyed by both long-time fans and those experiencing the series for the very first time. For the unfamiliar, Ys revolves around a silent protagonist Adol Christian and his colleague Dogi who...
Ys Seven - 7.8Considering the amount of RPGs that have been remade on the PSP, it’s nice to see a proper follow-up make its way onto Sony’s portable console. The latest series to see a continuation comes from the cult classic Ys franchise. With Ys Seven, we get a serviceable game that can be enjoyed by both long-time fans and those experiencing the series for the very first time. For the unfamiliar, Ys revolves around a silent protagonist Adol Christian and his colleague Dogi who...
2 years ago - Hot Shots Tennis: Get A Grip - 8.0
Tennis is a sport that is enjoyed by many, but it really requires talent to be any good at it. Thankfully, for those who can’t play the sport well in real life, the selection of tennis video games has often delivered fun and varied experience from a number of different developers. Clap Hanz have taken the same formula that has made their Hot Shots Golf franchise a success and has carried it over into the sport of Tennis with Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip. If you’re a fan of their...
Hot Shots Tennis: Get A Grip - 8.0Tennis is a sport that is enjoyed by many, but it really requires talent to be any good at it. Thankfully, for those who can’t play the sport well in real life, the selection of tennis video games has often delivered fun and varied experience from a number of different developers. Clap Hanz have taken the same formula that has made their Hot Shots Golf franchise a success and has carried it over into the sport of Tennis with Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip. If you’re a fan of their...
2 years ago - (Minis) Young Thor - 7.9
When it comes to portable gaming, the most important aspect is that it can be enjoyed in short bursts. If a handheld game requires you to play a section for a prolonged amount of time, then most people will probably look for something else. The PSP Minis collection of games are meant to be enjoyed in small bursts, yet still offer plenty of hours of enjoyment. Some have succeeded in this regard but unfortunately most have not. The latest PSP Mini that hopes to strike that balance between depth...
(Minis) Young Thor - 7.9When it comes to portable gaming, the most important aspect is that it can be enjoyed in short bursts. If a handheld game requires you to play a section for a prolonged amount of time, then most people will probably look for something else. The PSP Minis collection of games are meant to be enjoyed in small bursts, yet still offer plenty of hours of enjoyment. Some have succeeded in this regard but unfortunately most have not. The latest PSP Mini that hopes to strike that balance between depth...
2 years ago - (Minis) Arcade Darts - 3.9
The great thing about most Bar/Pub games is that they don’t require too much skill to have fun. Foosball and Air Hockey are both extremely simple; Billiards has so many variations and house rules that you’re bound to find something everyone will enjoy, not to mention the added bonus if you’re teaching someone of the opposite sex how to play. Darts, on the other hand, is the one that requires a fair amount of skill and understanding of the rules in order to have the most...
(Minis) Arcade Darts - 3.9The great thing about most Bar/Pub games is that they don’t require too much skill to have fun. Foosball and Air Hockey are both extremely simple; Billiards has so many variations and house rules that you’re bound to find something everyone will enjoy, not to mention the added bonus if you’re teaching someone of the opposite sex how to play. Darts, on the other hand, is the one that requires a fair amount of skill and understanding of the rules in order to have the most...
2 years ago - Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 - 7.0
Get your Anime caps on, It’s time for some good old ninja action, Naruto style. The third Naruto fighting game for the PSP, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 follows the namesake given by It’s predecessors but offers some gameplay changes more akin to Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 4 for the PS2. Many of the familiar faces are here in full force in this 3D/2D brawler and the game has some great features backed by a boat load of story, 50 plus characters and multitude of in game...
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 - 7.0Get your Anime caps on, It’s time for some good old ninja action, Naruto style. The third Naruto fighting game for the PSP, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 follows the namesake given by It’s predecessors but offers some gameplay changes more akin to Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 4 for the PS2. Many of the familiar faces are here in full force in this 3D/2D brawler and the game has some great features backed by a boat load of story, 50 plus characters and multitude of in game...
3 years ago - Fat Princess: Fistful of Cake - 7.7
Sony’s Fat Princess was one of my favorite games of last year. I absolutely loved its pick-up-and-play multiplayer action and funny humor. The success of the PS3 edition opened the door for a PSP release entitled Fat Princess: Fistful of Cake. This version puts a solid effort into giving portable gamers an opportunity to have some fun; but limitations and questionable AI prevent it from being as good as the original. Gameplay Fistful of Cake takes everything that was on...
Fat Princess: Fistful of Cake - 7.7Sony’s Fat Princess was one of my favorite games of last year. I absolutely loved its pick-up-and-play multiplayer action and funny humor. The success of the PS3 edition opened the door for a PSP release entitled Fat Princess: Fistful of Cake. This version puts a solid effort into giving portable gamers an opportunity to have some fun; but limitations and questionable AI prevent it from being as good as the original. Gameplay Fistful of Cake takes everything that was on...
3 years ago - PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe - 8.7
Q Game’s PixelJunk series of games has quickly become one of the marquee franchises to grace Sony’s PlayStation 3. Their previous entries have been well received by gamers and future products will be hotly anticipated. To some, the game that pushed them in this lime-light was PixelJunk Monsters, a challenging Tower Defense game that was extremely easy to learn, but incredibly difficult to master. The game was so popular that it saw an Encore expansion that offered more goodies to...
PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe - 8.7Q Game’s PixelJunk series of games has quickly become one of the marquee franchises to grace Sony’s PlayStation 3. Their previous entries have been well received by gamers and future products will be hotly anticipated. To some, the game that pushed them in this lime-light was PixelJunk Monsters, a challenging Tower Defense game that was extremely easy to learn, but incredibly difficult to master. The game was so popular that it saw an Encore expansion that offered more goodies to...
3 years ago - 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa - 7.4
The FIFA series on the PSP has not changed too much since its inception five years ago and this holds true with EA Sports most recent game in the franchise, 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. The old saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” applies here quite well, but thankfully, some additions have been introduced. While the changes are not as drastic as you would expect, depending on where you’re coming from, there might be something new for you to enjoy....
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa - 7.4The FIFA series on the PSP has not changed too much since its inception five years ago and this holds true with EA Sports most recent game in the franchise, 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. The old saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” applies here quite well, but thankfully, some additions have been introduced. While the changes are not as drastic as you would expect, depending on where you’re coming from, there might be something new for you to enjoy....
3 years ago - Dead or Alive Paradise - 3.2
Koei-Tecmo’s Dead or Alive fighting series should be one of the better franchises around, but it is always their side-story titles that hurt that reputation. This time around it’s the PSP game, Dead or Alive Paradise, a title that has no reason to be made and absolutely no justification for you to play it. Gameplay So DoA character Zack has yet again obtained an Island Paradise and he has invited all the female characters from the series to it. As such, you get the opportunity...
Dead or Alive Paradise - 3.2Koei-Tecmo’s Dead or Alive fighting series should be one of the better franchises around, but it is always their side-story titles that hurt that reputation. This time around it’s the PSP game, Dead or Alive Paradise, a title that has no reason to be made and absolutely no justification for you to play it. Gameplay So DoA character Zack has yet again obtained an Island Paradise and he has invited all the female characters from the series to it. As such, you get the opportunity...
3 years ago - Lunar: Silver Star Harmony - 7.9
It should be noted that Lunar: Silver Star Harmony is one of several incarnations of the original Lunar: Silver Star Story. It’s been released on several platforms, such as the Sega Saturn, Playstation and Game Boy Advance. The main gameplay takes bits and pieces from the various versions and crams them all in together. What you end up with is a solid experience, but one that shows its age as well. Gameplay Stop me if you’re heard this before, a brave...
Lunar: Silver Star Harmony - 7.9It should be noted that Lunar: Silver Star Harmony is one of several incarnations of the original Lunar: Silver Star Story. It’s been released on several platforms, such as the Sega Saturn, Playstation and Game Boy Advance. The main gameplay takes bits and pieces from the various versions and crams them all in together. What you end up with is a solid experience, but one that shows its age as well. Gameplay Stop me if you’re heard this before, a brave...
3 years ago - Metal Slug XX - 5.4
Arcade-era sprites clamber around a 2D battlefield, with bullets and explosions covering the screen. After navigating a labyrinth of missiles, motorbikes, and bullets, the protagonist dies again and again at the hands of the level’s end boss. It seems that I’m past the fun part of the game, and Metal Slug XX doesn’t seem to care. Metal Slug, as a series, has always been about unforgiving shoot ’em up gameplay with ridiculously animated cartoon sprites and a...
Metal Slug XX - 5.4Arcade-era sprites clamber around a 2D battlefield, with bullets and explosions covering the screen. After navigating a labyrinth of missiles, motorbikes, and bullets, the protagonist dies again and again at the hands of the level’s end boss. It seems that I’m past the fun part of the game, and Metal Slug XX doesn’t seem to care. Metal Slug, as a series, has always been about unforgiving shoot ’em up gameplay with ridiculously animated cartoon sprites and a...
3 years ago - Dante's Inferno - 6.8
While its console counterpart ended up being a rather disappointing and unpleasant experience, my expectations for the PSP version of Dante’s Inferno remained optimistic. Something told me Artifical Mind and Movement (A2M) would be able to do offer up something different in the handheld version. And since there’s no other hack n’ slash game has come out on the PSP, besides God of War: Chains of Olympus, I was more than ready to give Dante’s a second chance. To my...
Dante's Inferno - 6.8While its console counterpart ended up being a rather disappointing and unpleasant experience, my expectations for the PSP version of Dante’s Inferno remained optimistic. Something told me Artifical Mind and Movement (A2M) would be able to do offer up something different in the handheld version. And since there’s no other hack n’ slash game has come out on the PSP, besides God of War: Chains of Olympus, I was more than ready to give Dante’s a second chance. To my...
3 years ago - MLB 10 The Show - 8.4
I made the decision to check out both MLB 2K10 and MLB 10 The Show on the PSP, despite my lack of faith in sports games on handhelds. They’re technically limited compared to console versions, and really, I just plain prefer them on consoles. Regardless of this, it was time for me to check out a sports game on the PSP and what better way than my old time favourite, baseball! While you can compare this review to my impressions on MLB 2K10 as well, MLB 10 The Show for the PSP is yet...
MLB 10 The Show - 8.4I made the decision to check out both MLB 2K10 and MLB 10 The Show on the PSP, despite my lack of faith in sports games on handhelds. They’re technically limited compared to console versions, and really, I just plain prefer them on consoles. Regardless of this, it was time for me to check out a sports game on the PSP and what better way than my old time favourite, baseball! While you can compare this review to my impressions on MLB 2K10 as well, MLB 10 The Show for the PSP is yet...
3 years ago - MLB 2K10 - 2.3
If you read my PSP review of MLB 10 The Show, you already know that I’ve played this game first. Why, you might ask? Maybe because I was expecting 2K Sports and Visual Concepts to surprise me or because, after playing MLB 2K10 on the Xbox 360, I saw a developer capable of improving things. I knew about the limitations of the PSP and since I’d never tried a baseball game on a handheld before, my expectations were low. Unsurprisingly, the PSP version of Major League Baseball 2K10...
MLB 2K10 - 2.3If you read my PSP review of MLB 10 The Show, you already know that I’ve played this game first. Why, you might ask? Maybe because I was expecting 2K Sports and Visual Concepts to surprise me or because, after playing MLB 2K10 on the Xbox 360, I saw a developer capable of improving things. I knew about the limitations of the PSP and since I’d never tried a baseball game on a handheld before, my expectations were low. Unsurprisingly, the PSP version of Major League Baseball 2K10...
3 years ago - (PSN) echoshift - 8.6
In 2008, Sony’s Japan Studio gave PlayStation owners echochrome, a unique puzzle game that revolved around perspectives. Two years later, the same studio has returned with their follow-up, echoshift. This time, they focused their attention on ’time manipulation’ in order to solve puzzles in the time required. This might not be the first game to employ such a feature but it still manages to deliver a fun and varied puzzle experience. Gameplay The world of...
(PSN) echoshift - 8.6In 2008, Sony’s Japan Studio gave PlayStation owners echochrome, a unique puzzle game that revolved around perspectives. Two years later, the same studio has returned with their follow-up, echoshift. This time, they focused their attention on ’time manipulation’ in order to solve puzzles in the time required. This might not be the first game to employ such a feature but it still manages to deliver a fun and varied puzzle experience. Gameplay The world of...
3 years ago - SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3 - 7.5
The PlayStation Portable might not be well-known for its great selection of action games, but the SOCOM series has been able to do the job for the past few years. The latest entry in the series, SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3 is now available and while it doesn’t take really push the series in a new direction, it still manages to give SOCOM fans what they crave, a solid multiplayer experience. Gameplay SOCOM has never been one to offer an engaging storyline and that remains true in Fireteam...
SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3 - 7.5The PlayStation Portable might not be well-known for its great selection of action games, but the SOCOM series has been able to do the job for the past few years. The latest entry in the series, SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3 is now available and while it doesn’t take really push the series in a new direction, it still manages to give SOCOM fans what they crave, a solid multiplayer experience. Gameplay SOCOM has never been one to offer an engaging storyline and that remains true in Fireteam...
3 years ago - Jak and Daxter : The Lost Frontier - 6.1
Sometimes developers with a good track record mess up. Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier is one of those mess-ups. Developer High Impact Games have made some good PSP action games that play well, like Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters, so it’s confusing when they release a mediocre product. Sure, there are some things in the mixed blessing of Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier that make it a playable game, but read on to find out what makes it little more than that. Gameplay Lost...
Jak and Daxter : The Lost Frontier - 6.1Sometimes developers with a good track record mess up. Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier is one of those mess-ups. Developer High Impact Games have made some good PSP action games that play well, like Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters, so it’s confusing when they release a mediocre product. Sure, there are some things in the mixed blessing of Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier that make it a playable game, but read on to find out what makes it little more than that. Gameplay Lost...
3 years ago - Tekken 6 - 8.0
Following the superb SoulCalibur: Broken Sword, Namco Bandai continues their hot streak with a PSP version of Tekken 6, one of our favourite console fighters this year. It’s the first portable Tekken game since 2006. After enjoying my time with Broken Sword, I was really excited to once again play as Yoshimitsu, Paul, Nina, Marshall or Ling on my PSP. As you may have surmised, my hopes for a great portable adaptation of Tekken 6 were pretty high. Let’s see how it turned out....
Tekken 6 - 8.0Following the superb SoulCalibur: Broken Sword, Namco Bandai continues their hot streak with a PSP version of Tekken 6, one of our favourite console fighters this year. It’s the first portable Tekken game since 2006. After enjoying my time with Broken Sword, I was really excited to once again play as Yoshimitsu, Paul, Nina, Marshall or Ling on my PSP. As you may have surmised, my hopes for a great portable adaptation of Tekken 6 were pretty high. Let’s see how it turned out....
3 years ago - LocoRoco Midnight Carnival - 7.6
It was only back in February when PlayStation Portable owners had in their hands the wildly enjoyable LocoRoco 2. That hasn’t stopped the team over at Sony’s Japan Studio from releasing the follow-up LocoRoco Midnight Carnival to coincide with the recent launch of the PlayStation Portable Go. The series tries something new with a couple of key differences from the last game; it’s those variations that will polarize fans of the franchise and may get new gamers interested in...
LocoRoco Midnight Carnival - 7.6It was only back in February when PlayStation Portable owners had in their hands the wildly enjoyable LocoRoco 2. That hasn’t stopped the team over at Sony’s Japan Studio from releasing the follow-up LocoRoco Midnight Carnival to coincide with the recent launch of the PlayStation Portable Go. The series tries something new with a couple of key differences from the last game; it’s those variations that will polarize fans of the franchise and may get new gamers interested in...
3 years ago - Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars - 9.4
After delivering the goods on the Nintendo DS earlier this year, Rockstar and developer Rockstar Leeds did not wait long to bring the amazing Chinatown Wars to the PSP, a console where the GTA franchise is no stranger to success with past titles such as Liberty City Stories and Vice City Stories. By porting Chinatown Wars to the PSP, not only did Rockstar want to get their critically acclaimed portable game to a wider public but also take the opportunity to make the game that feels and...
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars - 9.4After delivering the goods on the Nintendo DS earlier this year, Rockstar and developer Rockstar Leeds did not wait long to bring the amazing Chinatown Wars to the PSP, a console where the GTA franchise is no stranger to success with past titles such as Liberty City Stories and Vice City Stories. By porting Chinatown Wars to the PSP, not only did Rockstar want to get their critically acclaimed portable game to a wider public but also take the opportunity to make the game that feels and...
3 years ago - Undead Knights - 5.8
The trend of using Zombies in games does not seem like it’s going to end any time soon. We have so many games, both recently released and upcoming that the boiling point for the genre should be fast approaching. In most cases, it is the protagonist(s) who are trying to defeat Zombies, but what if you could use the Zombies as your own personal army to seek revenge? Well that is the premise behind Koei-Tecmo’s latest PSP release Undead Knights. In what could have been an interesting...
Undead Knights - 5.8The trend of using Zombies in games does not seem like it’s going to end any time soon. We have so many games, both recently released and upcoming that the boiling point for the genre should be fast approaching. In most cases, it is the protagonist(s) who are trying to defeat Zombies, but what if you could use the Zombies as your own personal army to seek revenge? Well that is the premise behind Koei-Tecmo’s latest PSP release Undead Knights. In what could have been an interesting...
3 years ago - NBA 10: The Inside - 6.6
There is certainly a lot of choice for basketball fans on their PSPs. There is not one but three NBA titles out this year, so the deciding which one to go with can be quite a challenge. Sony’s The Inside series has been the most popular thanks in part to its collection of basketball-themed mini games. While the games within NBA 10: The Inside will certainly entertain you, if you are looking for a solid NBA game, you will be disappointed. Gameplay Once again, the selling point for The...
NBA 10: The Inside - 6.6There is certainly a lot of choice for basketball fans on their PSPs. There is not one but three NBA titles out this year, so the deciding which one to go with can be quite a challenge. Sony’s The Inside series has been the most popular thanks in part to its collection of basketball-themed mini games. While the games within NBA 10: The Inside will certainly entertain you, if you are looking for a solid NBA game, you will be disappointed. Gameplay Once again, the selling point for The...
3 years ago - Gran Turismo - 8.1
After been delayed, halted, abducted by aliens and almost canceled, Polyphony Digital finally released Gran Turismo, the most anticipated title in the history of the PSP, earlier this month. Promising unparalleled gameplay and realistic graphics, the game has been heavily touted by Kazunori Yamauchi since it was first announced in 2004. Yes, five years have passed and even though the game manages to barely stand out over its closest competitors, you do ask yourself if the game really needed...
Gran Turismo - 8.1After been delayed, halted, abducted by aliens and almost canceled, Polyphony Digital finally released Gran Turismo, the most anticipated title in the history of the PSP, earlier this month. Promising unparalleled gameplay and realistic graphics, the game has been heavily touted by Kazunori Yamauchi since it was first announced in 2004. Yes, five years have passed and even though the game manages to barely stand out over its closest competitors, you do ask yourself if the game really needed...
3 years ago - Need For Speed SHIFT - 7.8
I was perplexed at what EA Bright Light could do in a portable version of Need For Speed Shift. After the highly critical success of the console version, expectations for the PSP version were not incredibly high but not lower either. I mean, I know what a PSP game based on the Need For Speed franchise is about. However, with Gran Turismo delivering the goods but missing on a few areas and DiRT 2 being a disappointment, my curiosity got me working. Good news is that NFS Shift does things...
Need For Speed SHIFT - 7.8I was perplexed at what EA Bright Light could do in a portable version of Need For Speed Shift. After the highly critical success of the console version, expectations for the PSP version were not incredibly high but not lower either. I mean, I know what a PSP game based on the Need For Speed franchise is about. However, with Gran Turismo delivering the goods but missing on a few areas and DiRT 2 being a disappointment, my curiosity got me working. Good news is that NFS Shift does things...
3 years ago - DiRT 2 - 6.1
When it comes down to racing, Codemasters can be capable of the best and the worst. After delivering a true exhilarating experience on both the PS3 and Xbox 360, the game was completely butchered on the Wii by Sumo Digital. As a reviewer, I had to do my homework correctly for the PSP version. In order to decide if DiRT2 was actually worth playing, I had to put the game against Gran Turismo and Need For Speed Shift and review the three games at the same time. While the final product...
DiRT 2 - 6.1When it comes down to racing, Codemasters can be capable of the best and the worst. After delivering a true exhilarating experience on both the PS3 and Xbox 360, the game was completely butchered on the Wii by Sumo Digital. As a reviewer, I had to do my homework correctly for the PSP version. In order to decide if DiRT2 was actually worth playing, I had to put the game against Gran Turismo and Need For Speed Shift and review the three games at the same time. While the final product...
3 years ago - Shin Megami Tensei: Persona - 7.3
When it comes to Japanese Role Playing Games in North America there are two groups: Square-Enix games and the rest. Atlus has recently pushed for a third group thanks in part to the recent success of their Shin Megami Tensei series of games, more specifically, the last two Persona titles for the PlayStation 2. Riding on the success of those two, they have decided to bring back the 1996 PlayStation original Persona to the PlayStation Portable. Coupled with some changes and retaining the...
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona - 7.3When it comes to Japanese Role Playing Games in North America there are two groups: Square-Enix games and the rest. Atlus has recently pushed for a third group thanks in part to the recent success of their Shin Megami Tensei series of games, more specifically, the last two Persona titles for the PlayStation 2. Riding on the success of those two, they have decided to bring back the 1996 PlayStation original Persona to the PlayStation Portable. Coupled with some changes and retaining the...
3 years ago - MotorStorm: Arctic Edge - 8.7
It is absolutely no surprise that the MotorStorm series has become such a success for the PS3; it’s fast and fun and extremely easy to pick up. It was only a matter of time before the decision to branch the series onto other Sony consoles would happen and BigBig Studios have finally given portable racing fans something to grip their PSPs. MotorStorm: Arctic Edge is the latest game in the series and it takes everything that has made its console brother so popular and thrown it into a...
MotorStorm: Arctic Edge - 8.7It is absolutely no surprise that the MotorStorm series has become such a success for the PS3; it’s fast and fun and extremely easy to pick up. It was only a matter of time before the decision to branch the series onto other Sony consoles would happen and BigBig Studios have finally given portable racing fans something to grip their PSPs. MotorStorm: Arctic Edge is the latest game in the series and it takes everything that has made its console brother so popular and thrown it into a...
3 years ago - Beaterator - 8.6
Rockstar has been notoriously known for their work on the GTA franchise and other popular but highly-controversial titles (Bully, Manhunt). After taking a look at sports with Table Tennis, the company takes another detour, this time in the music genre with Beaterator, a powerful and easy to learn music creation tool game. First released as Flash application, it’s now available for the PSP with the promise to turn you into a music producer mogul in a matter of minutes....
Beaterator - 8.6Rockstar has been notoriously known for their work on the GTA franchise and other popular but highly-controversial titles (Bully, Manhunt). After taking a look at sports with Table Tennis, the company takes another detour, this time in the music genre with Beaterator, a powerful and easy to learn music creation tool game. First released as Flash application, it’s now available for the PSP with the promise to turn you into a music producer mogul in a matter of minutes....
3 years ago - Obscure: The Aftermath - 6.7
I’ve played the original Obscure back in 2005 and while it didn’t blow me away, it had a few things that got my attention, especially the co-operative gameplay and the quite amusing/cheesy storyline. Three years later, Obscure: The Aftermath arrived and brought back many of its components that made it a cool game to check out. It was no Resident Evil but it packed enough quality value to get you by at a very reasonable price. The game has now been ported to the PSP. You may have...
Obscure: The Aftermath - 6.7I’ve played the original Obscure back in 2005 and while it didn’t blow me away, it had a few things that got my attention, especially the co-operative gameplay and the quite amusing/cheesy storyline. Three years later, Obscure: The Aftermath arrived and brought back many of its components that made it a cool game to check out. It was no Resident Evil but it packed enough quality value to get you by at a very reasonable price. The game has now been ported to the PSP. You may have...
3 years ago - Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny - 7.9
The fighting genre has not had a very storied exsistence on the PlayStation Portable. Outside of 2006’s Tekken: Dark Resurrection and the recently released Dissidia: Final Fantasy, naming a quality fighting game for the PSP is quite a challenge. When Namco-Bandai announced that they would be bringing their other fighting series, SoulCalibur to handhelds many had reservations. While it certainly won’t entice fighting fans from discarding their home console versions for a handheld...
Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny - 7.9The fighting genre has not had a very storied exsistence on the PlayStation Portable. Outside of 2006’s Tekken: Dark Resurrection and the recently released Dissidia: Final Fantasy, naming a quality fighting game for the PSP is quite a challenge. When Namco-Bandai announced that they would be bringing their other fighting series, SoulCalibur to handhelds many had reservations. While it certainly won’t entice fighting fans from discarding their home console versions for a handheld...
The latest reviews
(XBLA) Sacred Citadel
Sacred. Arguably one of the most underappreciated of the various RPG universes. Starting out on PC, the 3rd person isometric view and...
7.0 / 10
7.0 / 10
Injustice: Gods Among Us
NetherRealm Studios, led by creative director Ed Boon, has taken a slight break from the chaotic and gruesome action that is featured within the...
8.5 / 10
8.5 / 10
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14
My mouth was dry as I began the back nine on the hallowed grounds of golf’s most iconic course. I hitched up my knickerbockers, approached...
8.0 / 10
8.0 / 10
BioShock Infinite
The third game in the BioShock series, and the second developed by Irrational Games, seeks to take the series to new heights, literally....
8.7 / 10
8.7 / 10
RSS Feed