Phantasy Star Portable
Phantasy Star Portable is the PSP version of the popular futuristic RPG. You will get to create your own character, assign characteristics to them, as well as choose a class. You will be part of an elite task force charge with keeping the mysterious SEED under control. You will also have at your disposal an arsenal of weapons and party members.
The graphics for this game are pretty good, though on such a small screen you know that there is going to be some lose occurring throughout the game. I think the thing that hinders this game the most is the camera especially when you have those fast moving enemies who will switch sides on you in a heartbeat. The character designs of your own character and your party members all look good, but at the same time when the action is happening you're not really focused on them. The enemy models are probably what makes the combat for me. After facing a type of enemy you know what to expect and there aren't enemies out there with really subtle differences that are going to mess you up.
The controls help and hinder because it is here where the camera control really comes into effect, and I feel that it just doesn't have that polished feel. The rest of the controls you're going to be spending a lot of time with, and the vast majority of that time is going to be button mashing as you're defeating your enemies. I do like the little hot-key (palette) system they have in place to quickly give you items and switch out your equipment. There is one small problem with the targeting system, either shooting your weapon or locking on to an enemy, and you're going to find some frustration in that, but overall it does what its advertised to do.
I couldn't tell you about the music and sounds because I play this game basically on mute. Everytime someone talks there's this sound that drives me nuts. So I've taken sound out of the equation, and this is a game that I've found you can actually get away with not having the volume on as long as you are paying attention to the game.
For the gameplay I have to say this, I love the combat I love going on missions and trying to get better items, and you will be getting a ton of items wherever you go. There actually might be too many items given out in a level, to be honest, but if you can get through the level you're going to have some money in the bank when you sell the vast majority of them. You're going to have a bunch of characters that you'll be able to invite into your party, but my recommendation is that you find the ones that you are most comfortable with and stick with them, unless of course the mission tells you you have to have exact characters. the problem with this game is in the fact that I have no idea what is going on in the story, and I really could care less. I'm playing this game for the adventure and the stress relief of beating up tons of enemies.
If you are a fan of the Phantasy Star series, and have a PSP, pick this game up. Its a good solid game, that isn't all that hard to learn, if you're new to the game. The Square button is your friend, and you can definitely spend different amounts of time with the game and feel accomplished. This game gets an 8.7 out of 10.
