A just alright portable experience...
Medal of Honor: Heroes 2 for PSP seems at first like a satisfying portable experience, but lacking features, terrible glitches, and unapologetic packaging make for an alright, slightly disappointing game.
The primary feature of Heroes 2 is its single player campaign mode, which takes place during the World War II era like all MoH-games to date and focuses on a struggle against the Nazis. Controls during the game are much like other FPS' for PSP--the analog stick is for movement, the right shoulder button acts as the trigger, the left shoulder button acts as the scope, and the triangle-circle-X-square buttons acts as your aim. This setup is at times, uncomfortable, but it seems to be the only proper way a PSP-FPS can be executed. Weapons range from lower-end Lugers, Thompsons, and MP-40s, to sniper rifles (Gehwer and Springfield), to the legendary Panszershrek/M1 Bazooka, and finally, grenades. Different weapons can be picked up as you kill enemies and the game supplies you with sniper rifles and rocket launchers as needed. You'll always have a supply of grenades, though not nearly enough. The one thing you cannot do that other FPS' offer is the ability to select which weapon you want to use throughout the game. Even though you can pick up weapons, they only last through the next checkpoint.
The problem with the single-player campaign is the AI. Though it gets harder with Veteran and Expert matches, Nazis are particularly easy to kill (and even easier than with the Wii version) and you'll find yourself breezing through matches. Additionally, the game doesn't offer any mind-blowing incentives (besides "rewards" for killing a certain amount of enemies) with accomplishments. The only plausible reward is the slight bit of confidence once you finish the game. Perhaps the best part of the single player campaign is the Pick Up and Go feel. It's very basic, not too overwhelming, is an easy-learn, and the game autosaves. If you're on the train, the bus, or simply passing time on a vacation, it's easy to put down and occupy yourself with something else.
Multiplayer is an additional feature. EA was generous to offer Infrastructure and Ad-Hoc multiplayer capabilities, the latter of which allows you and a friend within close range to play against each other. They're no co-op abilities with the game, which is in line with other high-grade first-person shooters. Infrastructure capability is perhaps where this $40 game reaps its value. EA utilizes EA Nation, a basic online system that will display games ongoing, maps, and allows for certain features to be added/eliminated. There are three types of online: deathmatch (everyone versus everyone), team deathmatch (Nazis versus Allies), and capture-the-flag (self-explanatory with Nazis versus Allies).
The problem that derives with multiplayer is a terrible bout of glitches. PSP modders and hackers have been able to change the game enough to make it nearly impossible for non-modders/non-hackers to even play the game. Moreover, since there is no headset support, contacting other players is an extremely hard task to do. There is an on-screen text ability that has several pre-set commands. Sitting there and typing with a system even more inefficient than texting is not fun. This inability makes it hard to round up your teammates and infilitrate your enemy's territory (especially during Capture the Flag games).
Bottom line is, if you buy this game, expect to throw your PSP against the wall. It's extenuously boring, has no rewards, has a glitchy and uninspiring multiplayer system, and is entirely lackluster. I would recommend Killzone: Liberation, SOCOM FTB 2, SOCOM Tactical Strike, and Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow instead if you're looking for an enjoyable single and multiplayer experience.
2 1/2 stars.
The primary feature of Heroes 2 is its single player campaign mode, which takes place during the World War II era like all MoH-games to date and focuses on a struggle against the Nazis. Controls during the game are much like other FPS' for PSP--the analog stick is for movement, the right shoulder button acts as the trigger, the left shoulder button acts as the scope, and the triangle-circle-X-square buttons acts as your aim. This setup is at times, uncomfortable, but it seems to be the only proper way a PSP-FPS can be executed. Weapons range from lower-end Lugers, Thompsons, and MP-40s, to sniper rifles (Gehwer and Springfield), to the legendary Panszershrek/M1 Bazooka, and finally, grenades. Different weapons can be picked up as you kill enemies and the game supplies you with sniper rifles and rocket launchers as needed. You'll always have a supply of grenades, though not nearly enough. The one thing you cannot do that other FPS' offer is the ability to select which weapon you want to use throughout the game. Even though you can pick up weapons, they only last through the next checkpoint.
The problem with the single-player campaign is the AI. Though it gets harder with Veteran and Expert matches, Nazis are particularly easy to kill (and even easier than with the Wii version) and you'll find yourself breezing through matches. Additionally, the game doesn't offer any mind-blowing incentives (besides "rewards" for killing a certain amount of enemies) with accomplishments. The only plausible reward is the slight bit of confidence once you finish the game. Perhaps the best part of the single player campaign is the Pick Up and Go feel. It's very basic, not too overwhelming, is an easy-learn, and the game autosaves. If you're on the train, the bus, or simply passing time on a vacation, it's easy to put down and occupy yourself with something else.
Multiplayer is an additional feature. EA was generous to offer Infrastructure and Ad-Hoc multiplayer capabilities, the latter of which allows you and a friend within close range to play against each other. They're no co-op abilities with the game, which is in line with other high-grade first-person shooters. Infrastructure capability is perhaps where this $40 game reaps its value. EA utilizes EA Nation, a basic online system that will display games ongoing, maps, and allows for certain features to be added/eliminated. There are three types of online: deathmatch (everyone versus everyone), team deathmatch (Nazis versus Allies), and capture-the-flag (self-explanatory with Nazis versus Allies).
The problem that derives with multiplayer is a terrible bout of glitches. PSP modders and hackers have been able to change the game enough to make it nearly impossible for non-modders/non-hackers to even play the game. Moreover, since there is no headset support, contacting other players is an extremely hard task to do. There is an on-screen text ability that has several pre-set commands. Sitting there and typing with a system even more inefficient than texting is not fun. This inability makes it hard to round up your teammates and infilitrate your enemy's territory (especially during Capture the Flag games).
Bottom line is, if you buy this game, expect to throw your PSP against the wall. It's extenuously boring, has no rewards, has a glitchy and uninspiring multiplayer system, and is entirely lackluster. I would recommend Killzone: Liberation, SOCOM FTB 2, SOCOM Tactical Strike, and Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow instead if you're looking for an enjoyable single and multiplayer experience.
2 1/2 stars.
