The PSP Thread: Rebooted

[FrankCobretti]

Y'know, I'm getting more mileage out of my PSP than I have out of any other entertainment gadget I've owned. Put a multi-gig memory stick in that thing, and you've got yourself a terrific little all-purpose entertainment gizmo.

That said, can anyone recommend a fantasy adventure title for the PSP? I'm thinking of a Fable / Elder Scrolls type of thing in which I wander around, talk to NPCs, and button-mash my way through waves upon waves of fantastical foes. I have a lot of travel coming up on my immediate agenda, and a game like that could wind up saving me a lot of money.

[Dan]

Expecting Oblivion for the PSP at some point this year apparently. Crisis Core will be an excellent one.

But if you want a surprisingly deep RPG button masher, X-men legends II is simply incredible, and i'm not even an x-men fan. Massive destructable dungeon crawler, with masses of powerups, hundreds of items, dozens of characters. Team of 4 smashing up bad guys. It's not only awesome (with some annoying load times in places) but it's also dirt cheap now.

[Spike Marshall]

You need Disgaea, you can power level your own army of followers, level up their weapons, etc. etc. it's all you need in terms of RPGs.

[El Thain]

Monster Hunter 2 is nice with side quests, weapon forging, and of course, monster hunting. Get the 2nd one.

[FrankCobretti]

Awesome. Thanks, team!

[Overlord]

I picked up X:men Legends II for 11.50. Nice!

[Sado]

Originally Posted by Bees?!

Expecting Oblivion for the PSP at some point this year apparently.

I'm pretty sure that one's been canned.

[Dan]

Originally Posted by Sado

I'm pretty sure that one's been canned.

I did use "apparently"

June 30th is the newly announced release date (as of the 18th of Jan this year). The production company were plagued with delays, but never officially declared it cancelled.

Then gamestop et al removed it from their listings. It's now back up.

Could be nice. But then, i've always thought the game would be bloody terrible in first person. Needs to be top down and have some outdoor environments to really work on the system (see: Killzone)

[Dan]

Originally Posted by Overlord

I picked up X:men Legends II for 11.50. Nice!

It's such a massive game, the only real killer is the lack of an autosave. I've had my PSP run out of battery before and it's lost memory of my last position

[jmub]

Marvel Ultimate alliance is pretty kickass as well on the psp. Currently playing Wipeout Pulse. Graphics and the feel of the game is little different (but better, way more effects on screen) from wipeout pure, which for some reason I'm playing at the same time.

[Dan]

I got pure with my PSP, I hated it at first - since I was so fond of how... visceral(?) burnout legends was.

After realising everyone else seemed to love it, I gave it a chance. It's stunning.

Like a young Burt Reynolds.

[Scott]

I keep my PSP resting in my desk drawer for some poor schmuck to buy it so I can finally get a DS.

[Dan]

Originally Posted by FreeRobotSex

I keep my PSP resting in my desk drawer for some poor schmuck to buy it so I can finally get a DS.

How much were you expecting to get for a PSP to make it pay for a DS?

When I sold my old one, I only got £60 ($120?). That's half the price of a DS surely?

[Scott]

$120 is about $10 away from a DS lite. Besides, a DS costs less than a PSP, so you never know.

[jmub]

Originally Posted by Bees?!

I got pure with my PSP, I hated it at first - since I was so fond of how... visceral(?) burnout legends was.

After realising everyone else seemed to love it, I gave it a chance. It's stunning.

Like a young Burt Reynolds.

Pure is very addictive but f*cking hard. come to think of it, every goddamn wipeout game I've played has been hard.

[Dan]

Originally Posted by FreeRobotSex

$120 is about $10 away from a DS lite. Besides, a DS costs less than a PSP, so you never know.

Oh fair play. DS and PSP lite are basically the same price as each other over here in the UK.

I figure that makes the DS overpriced here.

[Dan]

Originally Posted by jmub

Pure is very addictive but f*cking hard. come to think of it, every goddamn wipeout game I've played has been hard.

I'm pretty sure that's part of the awesomeness of it.

[gravedigger]

Originally Posted by Bees?!

Oh fair play. DS and PSP lite are basically the same price as each other over here in the UK.

I figure that makes the DS overpriced here.

Holy crap, yeah, it does. Would it be cheaper for you to import a DS from the US or Japan?

[Dan]

Originally Posted by gravedigger

Holy crap, yeah, it does. Would it be cheaper for you to import a DS from the US or Japan?

It probably would, i just recently bought a psp slim brand new off ebay for £85 though, and got that slinky DS for the missus at xmas. So whenever I want some DS love, I just nick it off her.

It's a fantastic little toy, and it's also southpaw friendly which is just so typical of nintendo to think of little touches like that. Whilst sony make that analogue nub basically the most uncomfortable thing for anyone to use.

Still, love them both. PSP is just hard love. Like loving a one-legged hooker, maybe.

[jmub]

Originally Posted by Bees?!

I'm pretty sure that's part of the awesomeness of it.

Not for me it aint. Love the the feel of the hovercars, the design and look of the game and the weapons.

I'm not really one for mindbending difficulty in games. But phantom on any wipeout is fucked. fast fucked but still fucked.

[Rich Straceski]

Figured I'd give the PSP thread a bump to see if anybody else out there had any PSP ramblings to share.

It looks like the PSP has another well made turn based strategy game on its hands with Wild Arms XF. Alex took note of it in the most recent MCP: Weekly Game Fix here. The XF in the title is supposed to stand for Crossfire, but I wish they would just come out and say it, but whatever. A friend of mine picked it up and is loving it so far and I had a blast with Jeanne D'Arc on the system so I'm looking forward to checking this one out as well.

The Final Fantasy Crisis Core game is due out near the end of the month too. It looks good and the reviews I've seen so far have been saying nice things, but I just wish I could get a bit more excited about it. I'm actually more interested in the Wild Arms game.

edit: In keeping with the strategy theme I started with Wild Arms XF, here's another game worth keeping an eye on: R-Type Command. R-Type is great, and the concept of a shooter as a tactical strategy game is a bit odd, but I'm still pretty curious about this one. Looks good.

[FrankCobretti]

I'm a big fan of Patapon, a fun (and cheap!) little rythm game that both I and my young child can enjoy.

[Alex Augustine]

im thinking about picking one up and am wonder if MGS portable ops is any good or is it crap?

[Domingo]

I love it.

[Rob]

Fantastic. I'm getting that game today after reading that the sequel wasn't so good. Any one play Final Fantasy Tactics? Is it like the PS1 version?

[Rich Straceski]

Originally Posted by Rob Hughes

Fantastic. I'm getting that game today after reading that the sequel wasn't so good. Any one play Final Fantasy Tactics? Is it like the PS1 version?

The PSP FF Tactics games is a spruced up remake of the PS1 original with some new character classes and a few other additions. If you're in the mood for a game like that Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness, Jeanne D'Arc, and Wild Arms XF might all be worth looking into as well.

[Rob]

Thanks man! I'm just getting into the PSP later today as I'm picking one up. I figured I'd get God of War, MGS Port ops, and Final Fantasy Tactics. Anything else that is required to buy-accessory wise?

[Dan]

Screen protectors are a must.

Portable ops is excellent, but I only enjoyed the single player - I played through it about 3 times on holiday once - but I wanted more, and my mates never played it even though they owned it - so the multiplayer and trading system was wasted

Pick up Syphon Filter, Patapon & Burnout Legends. Mmm.

[Alex Augustine]

Is a memory stick required for saving game data on the psp? Which screen protector is the best?

[Domingo]

I just use the cheap lame plastic one. I wanted to keep my sweet silver portable Ops skin on, but it has no screen protection, so what are you going to do?

[Dan]

Originally Posted by Alex Augustine

Is a memory stick required for saving game data on the psp? Which screen protector is the best?

Yeah, you'll need a memory stick. They're not expensive - you can get a couple of gig for pretty much nothing.

Most EB stores or whatever will stock a screen protector - they're all pretty much the same piece of overpriced-but-essential transparent sticky-back plastic that should have come on the device in the first place.

[Rich Straceski]

Here I am bumping this thread again. Anybody checking out Crisis Core? I started playing it a bit, and while I have to admit to not really looking forward to it too much it is turning out to be a lot of fun, and I have to admit that for anybody who knows a bit about the story and where it is going to end up, it lends an oddly oppressive atmosphere to the game (thus far at least). The reviews have been good for a reason.

Also, I think there is supposed to be a demo available for that R-Type Command game on Sony's online PSN store. I need to try to remember to check it out.

[Alexander Main]

It is alright so far. But combat is not that great and you can't skip the cut scenes. I have a trip coming up so this will be a good travel game but beyond that I can't see myself playing it that much.

I prefer Fantasy Six on the ds/gba.

[Rich Straceski]

I've put over 5 hours into Crisis Core so far, and I'd definitely say I'm addicted to it. I almost have a compulsion to keep finishing up all the little missions you can do before advancing the story along. Finishing one usually opens up another and it goes on and on. Really good so far, even if I still don't understand the slot machine mechanic, or OEM, or whatever they call it. It's great how you can access missions and the shop from a save point too since it definitely seems designed to be a portable game played in bite sized pieces from time to time. There isn't a need to spend a lot of time going from point A to point B, everything is quickly accessible.

[Alexander Main]

After playing all weekend during some traveling time, my opinion has changed.

Once you work out the level up system and the materia system the game takes off. The story is a little all over the place which is a given in a final fantasy game.

I love the missions mostly because they don't last longer than five minutes which is perfect.

[gravedigger]

All you guys buying PSPs should look into the Logitech hard case. I'm sure they make a version for the new slim PSPs by now. I have the case for my 1st gen PSP and it has saved the system more than once.

You should also all have Gitaroo Man Lives! because it is awesome.

[Ken Savage]

Sold my last one when i got a 360. But had a bit of spare cash and picked up a 2nd hand one from Game.

I have no idea why I sold it in the first place.

At the moment I'm swtiching between Crazy Taxi (old school fun) and Tomb Raider. If it wasn't for the imminent arrival of GTA4 id pick up vice city stories as well.

[gravedigger]

Vice City Stories should be available for cheap by now and it's the best GTA game (meaning the Tommy Vercetti edition) in portable fashion. The empire building is a lot of fun and the soundtrack is really good. But there are a few missions that are "throw your PSP across the room" frustrating.

There's a shitty escort mission where you need to protect Lance as he hops on a motorcycle looking for vengeance. The problem is there is no car for you at the start and you need to run half a mile before any (awful) cars begin to spawn. Lance is half dead by that point. I think that mission is still left unbeaten.

[Rob]

I just picked up Liberty City stories and am having a blast with it. Also, much love for Crisis Core so far.

[Rich Straceski]

I tried out the demo for R-Type Command. It seems ok, and looks and sounds nice enough... It was just probably a bad idea to give it a try while I'm still addicted to Crisis Core. I didn't really feel like giving it any time, so I don't think I was able to give it a fair assessment. Quick take impression though was that it made me think of Military Madness and Advance Wars, just in space with all aircraft units. Different units had different types of attacks with different areas of effect and blah blah blah. I'll definitely try it again when I can pay more attention to it...

[dontEATnachos]

Finally joined the club earlier this week. I got a silver PSP with Daxter pack. I'm just finally getting to download some demos onto it so we'll have to see how it goes from here.

The lack of a second analog nub has made 'looking' painful in Daxter though. Anyway, I'll probably be buying God of War for it sometime soon and besides that I'm not really sure. I'm kind of interested in picking up Crush or maybe I'll just download Spyro or something. Who knows?

Anyone have things that they particularly want to convince me to buy?

[Rich Straceski]

Hot Shots Golf is always good for casual, on the go gaming. A friend of mine just got the new one for the PS3 and it inspired me to go back to the version on the PSP for a bit. A new one comes out for the PSP a little ways into June as well.

I'm still enjoying the heck out of Crisis Core as well. God of war is a no brainer though. Good stuff.

[Ken Savage]

Bought Vice city and loving it. Its feeding my gta fix untill GTA4 arrives.

[Rob]

I've been diggin on Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops for the last week or so. It was a bitch to figure out thanks to not having an instruction manual, but goddamn this game is fun. Especially scanning access points to unlock new soldiers.

[Tieman]

Originally Posted by dontEATnachos

Anyone have things that they particularly want to convince me to buy?

Both Loco Roco and Patapon are great and the latter is only $20.

[Matt Goldberg]

I actually owned one of these for a while and then sold it because there were so few worthwhile games. I had Burnout Legends and Lumines. And there wasn't anything else. I think MAYBE Daxter had come out but it hadn't become a hit yet.

Now I'm gonna have to buy it again because I want to play Chains of Olympus, Crisis Core, Jeanne de Arc, and Final Fantasy Tactics. Meanwhile, the DS, which once had so many great games, will probably gather dust until Final Fantasy Tactics A2 comes out in June.

[Rich Straceski]

Hey Matt, all the games you mentioned are definitely worthwhile and there's enough game time scattered about them to make a purchase worthwhile. I've mentioned it before, and I'm pretty sure Nick had even started a thread for it a ways back, but Jeanne D'Arc is an amazing game. Soooo much fun, especially after it opens up a bit. Crisis Core turned out much better than I was anticipating as well. I had very low expectations for it until I started playing it. It's very well done, and tons of fun.

If you like the turn based strategy RPGs like FF Tactics then Disgaea on the PSP is probably worth checking out as well. The NIS games have a following for a reason. But of all of them though, I'd definitely give Jeanne D'Arc a spin.

[dontEATnachos]

Ok, so right now my list of games I'm interested in is getting pretty long:

God of War
Sega Genesis Collection (Vectorman and Phantasy Star II-IV)
Loco Roco
Crush
Puzzle Quest
Jeanne d'Arc
Patapon
Ratchet & Clank
MGS: Portable Ops
Oh, and forgot: Harvey Birdman. I downloaded the demo and really enjoyed it (up until the trial which was a little confusing)

I'm not a big Japanese turn based strategy fan but I may pick up Warhammer 40K Squad Command since I've played some Warhammer 40K before.

[Rob]

MGS is kicking my ass at the moment. I loved this game until my first boss battle. Now I hate it.

*shakes fist at not having two analog nubs!

[Dan]

I played through MGS *three* whole times whilst in Egypt. I loved the wacky story and actually thoroughly enjoyed the gameplay. My friends failed to pick it up though, so the multiplayer was fairly disappointing and haven't played since.