PSP News on PSP Games

Archive for May, 2008

May 20, 2008 – With the recent release of GTA IV, a game that allows you to steal cars, kill civilians, and conduct drive-bys, the topic of video game violence is back at the forefront of the media. While most gamers equate the potency of videogames to the violent movies that we’ve watched for years, the dissenting hand opposes violent video games due to their interactive nature.

The advent of violent video games raises many questions. Has video game violence gone too far? Aren’t M-rated games intended for mature audiences? Among the sea of good questions, the quintessential one arises, “Is there any scientific evidence to support the claims that violent games contribute to aggressive and violent behavior?” In the International Journal of Liability and Scientific Enquiry, University of Essex researcher Patrick Kierkegaard answers that query by stating there is no data to support the theory that videogame violence promotes violent crimes. His study interestingly provides the opposite correlation.

Kierkegaard asserts that past studies were predominately biased. His data shows that there is no correlation between the rise of violent videogames and the amount of crimes committed. Despite violent games becoming more mainstream within recent years, statistics show that violent crimes committed from juvenile delinquents have declined since the early 1990s. “With millions of sales of violent games, the world should be seeing an epidemic of violence… Instead, violence has declined,” wrote Kierkegaard.

Even though Kierkegaard found no ties between real life crimes and videogame violence, he admits that more research needs to be done. He also doesn’t rule out the possibility that videogames can influence behavior and emotion, noting that even books can spure violence in already sadistic individuals.

Echochrome: Puzzle game. Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment. Developer: JapanStudio. (For PS3 and PSP. $9.99 (download only). ESRB rating: Everyone.)

At a time when even the simplest puzzles are dressed up with flashy lights and a thumping beat, Echochrome’s scaled-back approach is striking in its starkness.

M.C. Escher and his impossible structures come to mind, though the game utilizes his concepts rather than his artistry. Stripped of all ornate details, the result is something like Escher by way of Etch A Sketch.

This scaled-down approach in Echochrome makes sense given how all the lines overlap and blend in to one another depending on how you move the game’s camera. By shifting the perspective, you change the properties of the shapes on the screen and create new paths to walk from one point to another.

What you see is what you get. Two previously unconnected L-shapes can overlap and form a square, for example, or a gap ceases to exist once blocked from view by a nearby column. And white and black dots scattered throughout the puzzle force you to jump up or drop down to whatever blocks are immediately above or below, momentarily “flattening” the drawing in the process. It’s the optical illusion as obstacle course.

This shift between 2-D and 3-D has been explored before, most notably in Super Paper Mario and the unfortunately overlooked Crush. But both those games focused on one plane at a time, whereas Echochrome essentially forces you to account for both planes at once, making it the best mindbender of a game since Portal.

It’s a lot to handle, and, on the simpler levels at least, it’s easier sometimes just to jump on a white dot, rotate the camera wildly and hope you end up landing somewhere good. And the lack of direct control over the onscreen figure (beyond telling it to walk faster or altogether) gets frustrating, especially since the game sometimes acts inconsistent to its own rules of perspective.

Early on, the satisfaction that comes from solving a puzzle can be diminished if you just got lucky rotating the camera a lot until the right path emerged. Later the structures are so complex that the impossible geometry looks Lovecraftian in its deviousness. Then you start regretting not thinking things through better when levels were simple enough to grasp how to move from one place to another, rather than simply trying to solve the puzzle outright.

Echochrome is a game that rewards thinking, not simply as a means to an end, but as part of the moment-to-moment experience. I got more enjoyment out of simply forming a new path than I did solving the level itself. In fact, I’d happily spend time wandering through some of the more labyrinth structures – if it weren’t for a three-minute time limit that seems to go against the game’s relaxed approach.

Otherwise, everything about Echochrome suggests that it’s meant to be a laid-back experience. The minimalist lines of the structures seem to float on the empty background, while the slightly grayed-out look of the white appears to be for no reason other than to lessen eyestrain. Even the soothing strings soundtrack – which at times brings to mind a lost Ryuichi Sakamoto composition – plays continuously, drifting from one dreamy movement to another regardless of where you are in the game.

At the end of the day, playing the game would probably result in a good night’s sleep, complete with dreams of walking an endless staircase.

What’s the difference?

Echochrome is available for download at the PlayStation Store for PS3 and PSP systems in two separate versions. Each version contains a different set of puzzles (about 50 each), plus the ability to build and download user-generated submissions.

As for which version plays better, it comes down to personal preference. As a puzzle game, it seems more suited for a play-on-the-go experience on the PSP. Also, no matter the size of your TV, for some, the natural instinct is to have the screen right in front of my face.

Still, the levels have more of an impact on a big-screen TV, and there’s less squinting involved with the more complex puzzles. Also, hearing the evocative soundtrack in 5.1 surround sound is a definite plus.

This week sees the release of UEFA Euro 2008 in North America. Unsurprisingly, Europe got the game about a month ahead us, hence the reason why Europe has no release this week. Unless you’re a fan of European football, then there isn’t really anything else for you at this time. If you are a rabid fan, then feel free to let out an “ole, ole, ole, ole!”

NA Games:

• UEFA Euro 2008

EU Games:

• No New Releases

Asian Games:

• Daisenryaku VII Exceed
• UEFA Euro 2008

Elsewhere in the world, they’re going to get a chance to play some tactical turn-based warfare in Daisenryaku VII Exceed. It sounds like fun, but it would be nice, you know, if it were in English so we could play it.

The power of a Muppet in the palm of your hand.

May 16, 2008 – No Sony event would be complete without an appearance from everyone’s favorite quiz show host, and today’s pre-E3 event is no different. Yes, our Los Angeles adventure gave us a brief moment to get our hands on Buzz! Quiz Master, Sony and Relentless Software’s first time bringing the franchise to a portable.

At first, it’s a bit of an odd idea — Buzz! on the PSP. The title has made a name for itself on the PlayStation 2 thanks to its identifiable buzzer controllers, and those four colored buttons are no where to be found in this handheld version. Instead, the four face buttons act as the counterparts to the on-screen questions — stuff like what is Billy Ray Cyrus’s name on Hannah Montana and who was Elaine’s mean boss on Seinfeld. Luckily, Buzz’s trademark one-liners, goofy gimmick rounds, and flapping Muppet/Canadian head are intact, so the game’s got that going for it.

From our play session today, the game appears to breakdown into two modes of play — single-player and multiplayer. When you’re ready to go it alone, you’ll be presented with an ever-expanding tree of quiz show options. You’ll have three types of quiz rounds to go through to begin with, but as you play and earn medals, that number will expand to 15 rounds of Picture This (a photo slowly becomes clearer and you have to answer a question based on it), Fastest Fingers (buzz in super-quick, dude), and Virus Challenge.

Now although we didn’t get to go through every round of questions Buzz has to offer, Virus Challenge is the one new one that jumped out at us. The basic idea is that you’ve encountered a quiz show virus that sucks your points away as you play — so, you need to answer the set number of questions correctly and as quickly as possible.

As you progress through the single-player campaign, you’ll be unlocking special trophies for feats such as answering a question in less than .5 seconds.

The next section of our demo revolved around multiplayer. Buzz will support ad-hoc, game sharing and infrastructure, but it’s also going to be playable for a bunch of folks even if there’s just one PSP. Pass Around allows up to six players to enter their names and choose avatars before setting out in a quiz show that has them passing the PSP between each other. Although the game will tell the holder to whom the handheld needs to be passed, rounds such as Weak Spot will provide some improvisation.

Weak Spot shows the PSP holder a question as well as its answer and then has the holder pick who will get the question. If the person picked gets it wrong, the picker gets the points. If the person picked gets it right, the picker loses points.

Virus Challenge pops up as a multiplayer option as well and basically eats up the points of whomever is on the clock. Plus, the traditional end-of-game awards show up as well — hurray, Genius Cup and Itchy Trigger Finger award winners.

Buzz! Quiz Master definitely isn’t the same game we’ve seen on the PS2 for a few years now, but it shares a lot of the same qualities — quirky humor, awards, a ton of questions — and that’s a good thing. The final game will host 3,000 questions, be playable for up to six people, and be out this fall.

Start warming up your fingers.

Sony has officially annouced their titles that will be released for the rest of 2008 and early 2009. The list is not too bad as it contains worthy titles like Hot Shots Golf and Secret Agent Clank, but we would like to see a hell of alot more titles during the 6-7 month period.

PSP
Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2 – June 3, 2008
Secret Agent Clank – June 17, 2008
NBA 09 – Fall 2008
BUZZ! Master Quiz – Fall 2008

Navigate Your Way Through The Mysterious Darkness Searching For The Castle Of Heaven In This New Puzzle Adventure Game

Agetec, Inc. is pleased to announce the upcoming “Fading Shadows” for the PSP. Featuring 50 exciting levels, this game will be sure to mystify and awe players. Fading Shadows is scheduled to be released early summer 2008.

In Fading Shadows, evil is never very far away. Aira and her brother, Erywn, were living peacefully on the joyful side of the world when the villainous Master Gardal captured Erwyn. Gardal plans on overthrowing the famed Castle of Heaven – which is the supreme fortress built to protect the world from forces of darkness. According to an ancient prophecy, in order for Gardal to breach the castle gates, a sacrifice of a pure and untainted soul, Erwyn’s, must be made. While sitting in the dungeon and awaiting his execution, Aira seals her brother’s soul inside a single teardrop and transforms the teardrop into a protective orb. Now, to save her brother, she must safely guide the orb back to the Castle of Heaven using a magical beam of light.

“We’re very happy to be publishing this game as we think many people will be fascinated by the story,” says Agetec’s producer Mark Johnson. “It’s an incredible, one-of-a-kind game that features an intriguing story, brain teasing puzzles, and unique gameplay. Puzzle fans will not be disappointed.”

Fading Shadows has the player take control of a beam of light in order to lead an orb through dungeons, swamps, mountains, and around rivers – all while avoiding traps and solving increasingly difficult puzzles! Players will also need to keep up with their surroundings as they occasionally transform the orb’s state to either glass, metal, or wood. Players must do whatever it takes to save Aira’s brother from his cruel fate and return him home.

For more information check out www.agetec.com

Today we have new deals regarding PSP titles. The deals range from BestBuy to Circuit City and apply to U.S. citizens.

BestBuy

SOCOM Tactical Strike – $19.99

Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron -$19.99

Circuit City

LEGO Star Wars Original Trilogy- $9.99

Ultimate Ghouls ’n Ghosts- $9.99

MX Vs. ATV is available – $9.99

Atlus U.S.A., Inc. today announced that R-Type Command for PSP, a bold new turn-based strategy entry in the long-celebrated series of side-scrolling shooters, is in stores now across North America. Purchase R-Type Command at select retailers and receive a free R-9 figurine while supplies last. Constructed from durable, high-quality plastic and boasting incredible levels of detail, this collector’s item can be assembled in a variety of different configurations as seen in R-Type Command. Don’t miss your chance to own the definitive ship from the legendary R-Type series.

For more on R-Type Command, please visit the official website: http://www.atlus.com/r-type

May 9, 2008 – Japan appears to be fixed the combination of Mario Kart and Monster Hunter. The Nintendo and Capcom smash hits continued their reigns at the top of this week’s Media Create sales chart, covering April 28 to May 4.

Mario Kart Wii was, once again, in the top spot with an additional 173,387 sales. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G took second with 102,320 units. The two have remained in the same position for the past four weeks, since Mario Kart’s release. In terms of overall sales, Mario Kart has already crossed the million mark. Monster Hunter is closing in on two million.

The only new entry in the top ten came at three as Link’s Crossbow Training, complete with the Wii Zapper, debuted at 92,534 units. It was followed by a bunch of older titles: Wii Fit (Nintendo, Wii, 51,851 units), Meccha! Taiko no Tatsujin DS (Namco Bandai, DS, 42,416), Pokemon Ranger Batonnage (Pokemon, DS, 30,675), Bokura ha Kaseki Horida (Nintendo, DS, 26,661), Valkyria Chronicles (Sega, PS3, 24,422), Deca Sporta (Hudson, Wii, 24,302), and Wii Sports (Nintendo, Wii, 21,979).

Like the software race, hardware sales have had a fixed order for some time now. PSP was once again at the top this week with 100,870 units. Wii saw a leap, likely due to the Golden Week period of holidays, up to 71,518 units, with DS Lite coming in below that at 52,542 units. Rounding out the hardware chart were the regulars: PS3 at 10,177, PS2 at 8,802, and Xbox 360 at 1,725.

May 9, 2008 – In a press release sent out today announcing a partnership between Marvelous Entertainment and XSEED Games, Valhalla Knights 2 was officially announced and scheduled for a fall 2008 release. This is the first title that will be published and distributed by the newly formed partnership.

Valhalla Knights 2 is the sequel to the original Valhalla Knights for Sony’s portable system. Valhalla Knights 2 will, according to the press release, add new job classes, races, weapons, spells and other items for RPG enthusiasts. Gamers will be able to experience six-on-six tactical battles during gameplay and the title will also feature two-player ad-hoc support.

“Valhalla Knights 2 will carry on the legacy its predecessor established as a beloved game in any RPG player’s library,” says Ken Berry, marketing and sales at XSEED. “We appreciate this game being the first in our co-publishing partnership with Marvelous Entertainment as it will help to set the quality standard high for all future games coming out of this deal.”

The press release ends by noting that more games — along with additional details on Valhalla Knights 2 — will be announced in the near future.