Gaming Signal: New PSP Games

New PSP Games

I recently got to experience several hours on a plane and as a result spent some quality time with my dusty old Sony PSP. I picked up both some new games and some old games, and I have snapshot reviews below.

Overall, I'm still not convinced there are any games that really deliver the best gaming experience on the PSP. There are plenty of good games ported over, but they each suffer from some challenges as a result.

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories: A new PSP game based on the world of GTA3, Liberty contains everything the fans of that series have come to expect. It has an mature theme, all the radio stations, achievements, and open-ended gameplay that have made this series a classic. The PSP version delivers and if you're a fan you shouldn't miss it. I haven't finished the main plot yet, but I can tell already it's a good one. It does suffer from the overall poor controls of the PSP - fighting seems harder than it should be, but the driving is relatively easy.

Metal Gear Acid 2: The much-awaited sequel to a very interesting game, MGA2 takes the unique card-game style play of the first game to the next level. Although I haven't finished it, the gameplay is solid and feels a little stronger than the first game. Both games seem to really deliver on great handheld gaming with the PSP - so far this is my favorite PSP game. The controls work, the graphics are decent (if not spectacular), and the game is fun. The overall nature of a random collectible card game it here, but it isn't a hindrance. I like the ability to customize your deck fo the type of mission (stealth, outright assault, or a balanced approach.) Unfortunately, it isn't always clear what kind of mission it is until you play it once.

Splinter Cell Essentials: Another new PSP game and another based on a classic, this time we get a handheld version of the classic Splinter Cell games. I'm a huge fan of this series, so I was really looking forward to enjoying this one. Unfortunately, the controls are pretty odd - making it a chore to play rather than the fun it should be. The camera especially is made difficult to control often ending up a hindrance rather than a natural part of the game. All the best aspects of Splinter Cell are here - the combat, the stealth action, and the gadgets. I didn't get very far at all unfortunately because I was forced to play some sections over and over again while fighting the controls to effectively maneuver Sam through the interesting aspects of his past.

I played Hot Shots Golf and found it wasn't for me - I just generally don't like golf games and despite the fact that this is a reasonably good title for the platform, I didn't like it.

I'm not usually a fan of platformers (Psychonauts is the exception that proves the rule) but I'd be willing to try it.

I've heard good things about MLB06 - may give that one a try!

Posted by Scott on Tuesday April 25, 2006 at 6:53 PM