Christmas Buyer's Guide - PSP

PSP Feature | Portable specials picked for you.

It has been a quiet year for Sony's handheld but never-the-less, it has been chugging along and providing the masses with some decent offerings. Interest also piked up with the introduction of the slimmer model, which has been affectionately called the PSP Lite. Unfortunately, apart from God of War: Chains of Olympus and the delayed Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles, there doesn't seem to be much to look forward to for our large screened handheld. So, we might as well enjoy Christmas as it comes. Here are a few of the stand outs that found their way to the PSP this year.

Christmas Buyers Guides
PLAYSTATION 2 | NINTENDO DS

Burnout Dominator

Release Date: Out Now
Players: 1-8
Developer: Criterion
Publisher: EA Games

Sometimes you just want to skip all the foreplay when it comes to customising your racer and well, just race, and this has been one of the redeeming factors of the Burnout series. Burnout Dominator looks to fill the gap between the last main game and the upcoming Burnout Paradise. It may be missing a few of the staple features, but all the manic racing action that you've grown to love are here in full force.

Our review said: Burnout Dominator is more of the same frantic racing action we’ve enjoyed over the previous four titles in the series – now that’s not such a bad thing, but there’s little in the way of new content in the game, yet many features such as Crash mode and online multiplayer have been neatly excised for this iteration, making it seem like a bit of a last ditch cash grab before moving on to the next game. The presentation of Dominator, both visually and aurally, just doesn’t compare with Revenge, and in the case of the soundtrack, horribly offends anyone within a 30ft radius. It’s worth a look for someone in the mood for some fast-paced racing action, but just be wary of the fact that it’s not quite up to the usual Burnout pedigree. [FULL REVIEW: 7.0]

Crush

Release Date: Out Now
Players: 1
Developer: Zoe Mode
Publisher: Sega

Another of those 'weird' games that also happens to be a damn good one. Crush requires your player to trip between a 2D and a 3D plane, while solving a number of puzzles along the way. You play as a character named Danny, who has been sent inside his own mind to try and fix things up and cure his insomnia. Weird enough? Crush is a game that manages to exhibit true originality in a sea of ports and cash ins.

Our review said: Crush is easily one of the most original pieces of software that will be released in 2007, ironically on a platform that gets heavily criticised for its lack of original content. Its fresh approach to the puzzle genre is sure to keep many a PSP owner glued to their consoles. The only real problem with Crush is that there’s not enough of it – the game’s 40 levels can be beaten in a number of days, and there’s not much in the way of replay value. That said, Crush is a fantastic game and a necessary part of every PSP owner’s library. [FULL REVIEW: 8.0]

Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions

Release Date: Out Now
Players: 1-2
Developer: Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix

Another list, and another Final Fantasy game. This time, it's the highly revered Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions, which is a remake of the PS1 classic. Given the game's huge following, many are likely to dive in and once again experience one of the deepest and engrossing tactics games available on a console. However, if you never liked it in the first place, there's not going to much to change your opinion this time around.

Our review said: Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions is still by all means an enjoyable game, but time hasn’t been all that kind to its gameplay, and most of the new content featured in the port fails to make a large impact on the overall experience. It’s a lengthy adventure with a great setting, excellent presentation, an awesome soundtrack and a style of gameplay that really suits the PSP, but we would have liked to see Square-Enix do more with the game – polish up some of the sprites, streamline the menus, fix the slowdown and sound glitches or perhaps, you know, try making a new game for a change. [FULL REVIEW: 7.0]

Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops

Release Date: Out Now
Players: 1-2
Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami

The PSP was meant to be the system that allowed portable and console gaming to come together. So far, only a handful titles have managed to do so. One of those titles was the magnificent Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops. Picking up after Metal Gear Solid 3, players reprise the role of the original Snake (or Big Boss). Not only does the game look and sound great, the gameplay has been massaged to fit the portable format, while keeping most of what made the MGS series awesome intact. And eye-patches are just plain cool.

Our review said: Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops can be (arguably) considered the best game on the PSP. It ticks all the boxes and then some. It makes almost every other game on the PSP seem lacking, and pretty much every game released from this point forth is likely to be compared to its achievements in game design. Not only does the game look better than just about every other game on the system, but the technical aspect doesn’t suffer in the least. This puts a lot of PSP games to shame, because it shows exactly what the system is capable of when effort is put in - both from gameplay and technical perspectives. Portable Ops epitomises the approach that ought to be taken with PSP games, in that it successfully takes a console experience, and appropriately and intelligently redesigns it for a handheld format. As such, Portable Ops is not only the definitive Metal Gear experience on the PSP, but the definitive gaming experience on the PSP. [FULL REVIEW: 9.0]

Monster Hunter Freedom 2

Release Date: Out Now
Players: 1-4
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom

This Monster Hunter series is monstrously popular in Japan, but has never really managed to take off outside of its homeland. If you can get some hunting buddies, then Monster Hunter Freedom 2 is one of the biggest titles out there, portable or console. The number of missions, items and monsters is off the charts and could potentially keep you occupied for a very long time. It's a bit hard at first, but you'll be cooking that meat and salvaging that pelt in no time. Shame about the lack of online though.

Our review said: Of course if you’re struggling to complete a particular mission (and you will), you can set up your own hunting party by enlisting the aid of up to four friends with Ad-Hoc multiplayer. And here is where the game both wildly succeeds and spectacularly fails. From the get-go, Monster Hunter Freedom 2 seems like the perfect game for online play, and if it had been incorporated, it would have been one of the better hack-and-slash games on the market, and not just on portable systems. The game is very polished and the amount of items, weapons and armour you can find or create would lend itself extremely well to some sort of online trading system. The game is still well worth playing, but online play with friends would have really been the icing on the well-done steak…er, cake. [FULL REVIEW: 7.5]

Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters

Release Date: Out Now
Players: 1-4
Developer: Insomniac Games
Publisher: SCEE

Last year, Daxter split from his long time partner for a brilliant solo outing in Daxter. While there hasn't been a split, another Sony couple found their way onto the PSP this year. And they do so with distinction. Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters is another top platforming entry and just like last year's Daxter, provides a console-like gaming experience without sacrificing too much along the way.

Our review said: New developer High Impact Games was charged with the development duty for Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters and they’ve done reasonably well, given that this is their maiden effort. The game manages to keep most of the technical prowess of the PlayStation 2 game, and doesn’t at all compromise on the gameplay. It does, however, suffer from the limited controls available on the PSP – having only one analogue stick means that camera controls need to be pushed onto the shoulder buttons, which end up being over mapped and thus make camera control a little difficult. These issues aside, Size Matters is a highly competent platforming/action title, and should be considered a vital addition to any PSP fan’s library. [FULL REVIEW: 8.0]

Sid Meier's Pirates

Release Date: Out Now
Players: 1-4
Developer: Full Fat
Publisher: 2K Games

It's a well known fact that pirates are cool. While Pirates of the Caribbean was cool, the games that come out with the movie weren't. Enter Sid Meier's Pirates. Based on the old PC game of the same name, this was the only game this year that will allow you to fulfil your pirating fantasies. Sure enough, your character has to save his family along the way but that's hardly going to take away from the ship battles and courting of governor's daughters.

Our review said: Sid Meier’s Pirates is great little game that has been well developed to take into account the differences between a PC and a PSP. The result is a game that is not only playable on the go, but a lot of fun as well. It retains the depth, variety and personality of the PC game and even though there are a couple of blemishes, the final product is one that can be enjoyed by just about anyone. That is, as long as you’re willing to get into the spirit of things. [FULL REVIEW: 8.0]

Silent Hill Origins

Release Date: Out Now
Players: 1
Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami

From a series started as competition to Resident Evil, the Silent Hill series has seemingly meandered aimlessly in recent years. Silent Hill Origins takes things back to the beginning and looks to explain some of the back story of the first game. Despite being a little heavy on clumsy combat and featuring a slightly predictable story, a lot of the elements that made Silent Hill great remain intact.

Our review said: Now it might seem like we’ve painted a pretty dull picture with Silent Hill: Origins, but the game actually comes across as being greater than the sum of its parts. Sure, there might be a little too much emphasis on combat and some of the levels are a bit samey, but when you put all of the other elements into play; the clever visual design, the chilling musical score and the challenging, yet disturbing puzzles, the game really starts to shine. It’s just a pity that the experience is so short lived, because otherwise Silent Hill: Origins would have been an easy recommendation for any PSP owner. [FULL REVIEW: 7.0]

SOCOM: US Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 2

Release Date: Out Now
Players: 1-8
Developer: Zipper Interactive
Publisher: SCEE

Following up on the successful first title, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 2 may be more of the same but it does it very well. With a control scheme that isn't too uncomfortable, the game adds more missions and more multiplayer options to a package that was already quite robust. As far as shooters on the PSP go, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 2 easily ranks as one of the better ones.

Our review said: SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 2 is really an expansion on its predecessor. As we’ve mentioned a few times now though, the predecessor was a fine title and its sequel is no exception. The content in both the single and multiplayer rivals console games and is quite a lot more than the majority of handheld shooters. The gameplay itself is actually quite solid and well designed around the system limitations. It does take a little to get used to and the game itself does have a few loose ends, but overall its one of the better games that are available on the PSP. [FULL REVIEW: 8.0]

Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow

Release Date: Out Now
Players: 1-8
Developer: Sony Blend
Publisher: SCEA

While SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 2 may be considered one of the better shooters on the PSP, Syphon Filter Logan's Shadow might be the best. With an excellent control scheme, great single player, extensive multiplayer and wonderful presentation, it also lays a claim to be one of the best titles on the PSP.

Our review said: Syphon Filter Logan's Shadow is everything that you should look for in a PSP game – great graphics, solid gameplay and high replayability. The high production values and well-implemented control scheme ensure the appeal of the single-player portion of the stealth title, and the ample rewards and multiplayer add to the life of the game. Despite the PSP's narrow abilitiy to provide for the shooter genre, Sony has done a commendable job with Logan's Shadow, and it's one of the best PSP games this year. [FULL REVIEW: 9.0]

The Warriors

Release Date: Out Now
Players: 1-2
Developer: Rockstar Toronto
Publisher: Rockstar

A lot is made of the dodgy ports that make it to the PSP. On this list though, we have a couple of ports that managed to get it right. The Warriors may not have added too much over it's console predecessors, but it's easily one of the most solid and playable of PSP ports. Not to mention, the game itself is a great throwback to the days when beat-em-ups were a dime-a-dozen.

Our review said: Rockstar has done a very impressive job of bringing The Warriors to the PSP almost entirely intact. Whether or not any improvements or additions could have been made, it takes a back seat to the fact that the game is almost every bit as good as it was on the console. Which, frankly, is more than can be said for a lot of other PSP ports. Even though a few minor details are lost in the translation and some of the impact is lost on players who have already played the game, for those that haven’t yet played the original, they should definitely check this out if they want some good action on the go. [FULL REVIEW: 8.0]

Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth

Release Date: Out Now
Players: 1
Developer: Tri Ace
Publisher: Square Enix

As we mentioned in the PS2 guide, the limited release of Valkyrie Profile led to it's modern day price inflations. Now, it's available at a much more accessible price on the PSP, as Valkyrie Profile Lenneth. There is something hauntingly intriguing about this game, and goes a little way to explaining it's high priced demand. Based on Norse mythology, Valkyrie Profile Lenneth explores how the souls of the remorseful are being recruited for the battle of Ragnarok, or the end of the world. It's a bit dense for casual players, but RPG fans are likely to have a ball.

Our review said: With the surge in popularity of casual games, it’s good to see that there are still some games for the hardcore. Yes, its true that Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth is not one for the casuals, but given that it’s a great and unique experience, that shouldn’t detract from it either. It would’ve been nice for a bit of clean-up after seven years and listening to a few of the characters rants can drag, but there aren’t many games out there that manage to put in such a confronting premise and manage to pull off a good mix of JRPG conventions and unique traits - not to mention, Norse mythology makes for something that a lot of people can relate to. For those willing to go out, learn and put up with the game, a highly rewarding experience awaits. Overall, Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth is a great RPG for the PSP that manages to be just as good now, as it was back in its day. And now it's readily available to PAL gamers and at a reasonable price. [FULL REVIEW: 8.0]

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Christmas Buyer's Guide - PSP

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