|
||||
 |
||||
|
|
||||
|
Disappointing PSP Games
Updated November 9, 2007 These titles are below average, and most left a feeling of frustration and time wasted. Each of these games was lacking, whether it was game-play, story, presentation, technical issues, or wasted potential. If you're a hard-core fan of a game genre, renting might be an option if you have exhausted all other possibilities. Games are listed in order with the best at the top of the page. |
||||
  Frogger: Helmet ChaosA simple concept, easy controls, and cute graphics make this title good clean fun. Too bad it is too short and the play unvaried. The 1981 original is much more entertaining. |
||||
 Final Fantasy II Anniversary EditionThe original graphics and music have been tweaked to use the PSP's widescreen and audio abilities, along with some minor improvements to the game flow. Game historians and nostalgia buffs may appreciate it. |
||||
 Hot BrainThese puzzles are often fun, even if they are similar to what most people suffered through during primary school placement exams. Fred Willard's voice-overs help balance the bland in-game graphics. |
||||
 Final Fantasy Anniversary EditionThe presentation has been cleaned up with slightly better 2D graphics and audio, but there is so much more that could have been done with the source material. The initial fun of playing this classic RPG fades quickly, mainly because the genre has evolved so much in the last 20 years since Final Fantasy was originally released. |
||||
 Worms: Open WarfareIn single-player mode, the computer opponents often demonstrate insane accuracy with perfect trajectories and ricochets — accuracy which is impossible with the user interface. The game is best in Wi-Fi multi-player mode, since the fore-mentioned single-player issue is resolved with equally handicapped human opponents. |
||||
 The Sims 2There is a lot of fun and humor, all destroyed by constant loading. The loading times interrupt the play too much, sometimes exceeding the time spent in the game. |
||||
 The Lord of the Rings: TacticsThis title tries to combine RPG and strategy, fails at both, and has many production flaws. It's just another attempt to cash in on a franchise, and it doesn't take long to get bored. |
||||
 LemmingsOnce this was an amazing strategy game, but it was always best with a mouse. The PSP controls don't translate well, and the concept is worn out. |
||||
 Tomb Raider: LegendThe alluring graphics and audio are diminished by camera problems, lagging frame-rates, and sluggish control response. For those that can suffer through the technical issues, it offers impressive gaming environments, exploration, and puzzles. |
||||
 Star Trek: Tactical AssaultThe first few missions commanding a starship are entertaining, but a pattern for success rapidly emerges. The average presentation and lack of depth make this title best suited to franchise fans. |
||||
|
|
||||
 Driver '76A great soundtrack and excellent retro setting are marred by poor frame-rates, low-res textures, and interruptive loading. When things work this title shines, but the majority of the time it feels too much like a GTA clone. |
||||
 The Sims 2: PetsIn-between obnoxious and continuous loading, it's entertaining to balance life with nurturing a simulated cat or dog. This is a more faithful port of the console titles than The Sims 2, but the loading kills the game flow. |
||||
 Armored Core: Formula FrontLike previous Armored Core titles, this game is difficult to learn. Unlike its predecessors, there is no recognizable plot or mission mode to make the single-player action appealing. Menus, menus, and more menus combine with sluggish controls to make the play unbalanced at best. |
||||
 ATV Offroad Fury: Blazin’ TrailsMany tutorials are necessary to memorize the miserably precise and awkward controls, and be prepared for the frustration to continue throughout the game. Things often look and sound great, yet the graphics and audio can only distract so much from the muddled game-play. |
||||
 Star Wars: Battlefront IIOnline multi-player defined the PC/console versions, and without it this is substandard shooter. Poor controls, frame-rate problems, and other bugs add to the overall disappointment. |
||||
 GunpeyConnect lines from left to right across the playing field and unlock "skins" while advancing through levels. While fun at first, the simple concept is inadequate for long-term interest. |
||||
 Carol Vorderman’s SudokuThere is challenge to keep both new and old Sudoku players interested, although not enough to make pencil and paper obsolete. |
||||
 Juiced: EliminatorCar tuning is the most important element of this street racer. Overt and pointless product placement detracts from the experience within the first few minutes of the game. Worst of all, the racing is marred by unvarying tracks, imprecise steering, and a poor soundtrack. |
||||
 Dead to Rights: ReckoningThe graphics are often impressive, nevertheless this shooter-fest is handicapped by a flaky targeting system and camera problems. If the weak story doesn't prematurely end play by quitting the game, it will still be finished in a few hours. |
||||
 FrantixMaze-restricted scavenger hunt puzzles and fantasy graphics produce cheery yet overly simple game-play. This is the equivalent to "elevator music" for puzzle games, so inoffensive that it becomes soporific. |
||||
 Ape Escape AcademyThe presentation makes even the less interesting challenges entertaining the first time they are played. The initial fun disappears because monkeys and nice graphics can't make up for the lower quality mini-games. |
||||
 Go! SudokuEven with a decent control setup it is significantly easier, faster, cheaper, and equally portable to play Sudoku with pencil and paper. This title is best suited for new players who might not attempt these puzzle challenges if they were not in the form of a video game. |
||||
 Spider-Man: Friend or FoeThe action is straightforward, however after 30 minutes of play the over-simplified formula doesn't have enough variety to hold interest for experienced gamers. It's well suited for those who want uncomplicated and predictable game-play. |
||||
|
|
||||
 Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot RumbleThe cartoon graphics and straightforward controls are excellent, but "manic" is the best word to describe this platform-fighting title. The graphics and play are extremely fast paced, and there is so much going on that it becomes difficult to follow the action. |
||||
 Kao ChallengersThe platform action offers familiar challenges, none of which are difficult except the chase levels that leave no room for error. Graphics are colorful, however the generic story isn't helped by the bland, looping background music. Many of the levels appear to have been cloned from 1996's Crash Bandicoot, but without any adding any innovation in presentation or game-play. |
||||
|
|
||||
 Harry Potter and The Goblet of FireOn the surface this game syncs well with the franchise, however it doesn't hold attention long or evoke the feel created by the books and movies. The mundane game-play is only thinly disguised by the Harry Potter story, settings, and characters. |
||||
 CubeAvoiding obstacles while navigating through the puzzles is initially fun, especially the graphic simplicity of the setting and the multi-axis rotation of 3D environments. The novelty wears off quickly due to the unvaried presentation and play. |
||||
 Peter Jackson’s King KongGreat audio, with actors and music from the movie, doesn't make up for dreary, buggy graphics. No discernible story and poor controls bottom things out. |
||||
 Family GuyThe original voice cast, cartoon graphics, and story effectively translate the humor from the TV show. Unfortunately the actual game-play is repetitive and fails to live up to the packaging. |
||||
 Super Monkey Ball AdventureThis is a conventional platformer with tons of content. There would be a lot here to like if only the uninteresting challenges, unvaried levels, and frequent loading didn't destroy the experience. |
||||
 Warhammer Warcry: Battle for AtlumaThe fundamentals of the Warhammer collectible card games are here. Strangely, the cards are difficult to read and the game boards awkward. Newcomers to this genre won't find much of interest, although it is suited for fans of the CCG who need a portable version. |
||||
 Hot PixelThe highly-stylized presentation feels forced and the overall experience is similar to playing free web browser games. It's good for short bursts of fun, but there is no real substance to hold attention for more than a few minutes. |
||||
 World Series of Poker: Tournament of ChampionsThe initial loading times are abysmal. Even with in-game commentary and licensed recognizable professionals to play against, it is more interesting to watch poker on TV. A cheap deck of cards offers more entertainment and options. |
||||
 Rengoku: Tower of PurgatoryThis is essentially a mech action game with a post-apocalyptic indoor setting and androids instead of human-piloted robots. Repeatedly attack more powerful enemies and repeatedly retreat to a "terminal" to refit power-ups from the battles. The drab game-play matches the dingy environments. |
||||
 Alien SyndromeThe premise of the 1987 arcade sci-fi shooter is recognizable in this remake, however most of the essentials are missing. Play is significantly less appealing due to generic graphics, mundane missions, inept weapon aiming, and an inelegant upgrade system. |
||||
|
More Reviews
|
||||
|
Contents Copyright © 2003-2008 Andrew Kator & Jennifer Legaz. All Rights Reserved. |
