As promised in my previous post, below are the remaining games in my Top 10 list of handheld games for moms:
(6) Final Fantasy (DS/PSP) - I've yet to meet an RPG fan who did not get his/her hands dirty with this best-selling series! DS ups the ante of the classic FFIII (not to be confused with FFVI, this is the real deal) and FFIV by delivering it in all its 3D glory. Relive these timeless tales with 3D graphics that simply make you lose yourself in the game. You can also control the characters via the stylus and touch screen. Die-hard FF fans can get a chance to play the game that started it all - FFI - on the PSP. FFII is also available on PSP, completing the Final Fantasy experience. Still itching for more? In yet another remake of FFIV, "FFIV The Complete Collection" offers the original game, the sequel (FFIV The After Years), and an additional game that ties them together. While the reuse of dungeons got a tad monotonous (it is the same world, after all), the chance to relive the experience with much beloved characters is too enticing to ignore.
(7) Jeanne D'Arc (PSP) - This game plays just like Final Fantasy Tactics - minus the complexity and lengthy gameplay, leaving you with a stunning, fantastical tale about the famed Joan of Arc. Words can not bring to justice the spectular art and story it has to offer. The game is, simply put, lovely to behold. And for once, the English dubbing (rife with authentic French accents) is actually worth listening to. I await the day that Level 5 produces another tactical RPG at par with this masterpiece.
(8) Puzzle Quest (PSP/DS) - It's Bejeweled. With Sword and Sorcery. With an actual story! It has the addictive elements of a Tetris game, with the added depth of completing an adventure. The game offers a choice of different characters to play. While the main storyline remains the same, the variety of character classes can lead you to change your battle strategy (assuming you choose to play the game again with a another character choice). The PSP purportedly delivers better graphics than the DS version, but it comes with a bug - the special abilities of the companions you gather throughout the game will have no effect whatsoever. The developers have admitted to this bug and there should be a patch available, but if you have a DS, may as well use that and spare yourself the added chore.
(9) Cooking Mama (DS) - Here's a game that makes full use of the DS touchscreen! Chop, peel, stir, and cook your way through Mama's colorful and scrumptious-looking dishes! It's a fun way for moms to destress and is especially appreciated by moms with no real-life cooking talent whatsoever (myself included!). Cooking Mama for DS has since spawned two sequels (Cooking Mama: Dinner With Friends and Cooking Mama: Chop and Shop) and two spin-offs (Gardening Mama and Crafting Mama).
(10) Half-Minute Hero (PSP) - No one appreciates the value of your time as much as this game's protagonist, who only has 30 seconds to defeat the evil villain before it blows up the world. And that's just the Hero mode. To get larger picture, you have to complete all 6 modes, and every one of them has the same 30-second deadline (Evil Lord 30 Mode, Princess 30 Mode, Knight 30 Mode, Hero 300 Mode, Hero 3 Mode) save for the Hero 300 and Hero 3 modes, which gives you 300 and 3 seconds respectively to defeat the boss. Sounds absurd? You better believe it! There are certain bonuses and a Time Goddess available to help you reset that precious 30 seconds so every mission is doable - and undeniably addictive in its silliness and humor. Your first encounter with the Time Goddess is testament to how absurd the rest of the game and its characters are.
That completes my list - I'm sure I'll come up with another in the far future, what will all the new games, consoles, and innovations popping out of the woodwork. Until then - Happy Gaming!
Showing posts with label PlayStation Portable. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PlayStation Portable. Show all posts
Friday, July 29, 2011
Top 10 Handheld Games For The Multitasking Mom (Part 1)
As mentioned in my first post in this series, I lean towards games that do not fry my brain (which is already quite fried as it is), are easy to put down and pick up again at any point, but still engage me in some way - through a straightforward yet breathtaking storyline, humorous characters, or some other unique aspect that the game developer managed to inject without the need for complex controls or graphics. Handheld devices such as PSP and DS are true gems for the multitasking mom who is always on the go. PSP gains extra points for remembering where I left off even after turning it off without saving. The first generations of DS should be lauded for its backwards compatibility with classic GBA games.
So without further ado, here are the handheld games that top my list (in no particular order):
(1) Scribblenauts (DS) - As its tagline states, "Write Anything, Solve Everything"; this game allows you to summon anything you can think of simply by writing it down. Input "jetpack" or "wings" to help your character, Maxwell, gain the power of flight. Give him a "gun", "knife", or heck, conjure up a "superhero" to help him fight villains. You can even input a "knight", "dragon", and "princess" and watch the drama unfold on its own. Even "Cthulu" wasn't spared! The possibilities of this game is limited only by your vocabularly (and well, the game's database, which is, thankfully, pretty extensive). If you're the type who has the compulsive need to solve every puzzle in a game, then this will certainly burn you out - you'll either run out of words or curse Maxwell for being so difficult to control! But if you can skip over the action modes and just enjoy playing around with the free play and puzzle levels, then this has great potential as a stress reliever.
(2) Ace Attorney (DS) - A point-and-click mystery/adventure series with unique twists and zany characters that keep you coming back for more! If you've ever wished for an RPG where the story unfolds without the tedious level grinding or travelling throughout a world (sometimes two or three), then this is the game for you. In the Phoenix Wright series, you play a defense attorney who must uncover clues in order to defend your hapless clients in court. Once you've fallen in love with the main cast of characters, you can pick up a copy of Miles Edgeworth's game to get a chance to play the prosecutors and interact with familiar faces from the original game (sadly, Phoenix Wright and his two ever-faithful sidekicks are no more than a passing reference in this game).
(3) Elite Beat Agents (DS) - Handheld version of Dance Dance Revolution. This game requires you to tap markers in perfect timing with the given song in order for the agents (reminiscent of Men In Black) to successfully dance their way through a mission. The developments and eventual outcome of a mission changes depending on how well you can follow the beat, pushing you to try and try again. Missing a beat leads to hilarious circumstances so its rather hard to feel discouraged with any of your efforts. Music loving moms, this is for you! Fans of Jpop can try Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan, the original game that gave birth to its Westernized counterpart.
(4) Chrono Trigger (DS) - This remains my favorite classic RPG of all time. Featuring standard RPG controls (menu based battle system) in a two-dimensional world, the game pulls you in with a beautiful plotline and a diverse set of characters you can't help but love. Its time traveling theme enables you to explore the lone world throughout different ages (Stone Age, Dark Ages, Medieval, Present Time, Future, and End of Time), allowing you to witness how its inhabitants evolve over the course of time. The best part of this game is its combination of multiple endings and New Game+ features. Once you've finished the game for the first time, New Game+ allows you to play the game with your current levels and equipment. This helps you breeze through the game in order to see all the different endings without having to start from scratch (how I wish Star Ocean would pick this up!). One other interesting element to this game is that the main character does not utter a single word from beginning to end - and most of the time, players fail to realize this!
(5) Popolocrois (PSP) - These days a new release of a traditional, two-dimensional style RPG is rare, but Ignition Entertainment stepped up to the plate with a fairy tale adventure called Popolocrois. The game starts when 10-year-old Prince Pietro discovers that his mother, long thought to be dead, is actually in a coma. He travels to the Underworld along with an apprentice witch, Narcia, to save his mother's soul. This is followed by two subsequent adventures in which Pietro must save his father and the world at age 12 and 15, respectively. The added appeal to the game is in watching the main characters grow and develop in the course of 5 years. There is no complex story behind this fantasy tale; what you see is what you get and what you get is beautiful imagery coupled with charming characters. An RPG classic through and through.
While on the topic of traditional-style RPGs, I'm currently playing Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky, which is very promising in the wake of its predecessors. The original Legend of Heroes and YS series featured slow pacing and exceedingly long dialogue that made it too tedious to play. My biggest disappointment to date is the Lunar Silver Star Story for PSP. While I hold very fond memories of its PlayStation version, the PSP port featured no enhancements whatsoever and had an utterly sloooow loading time every time the scene changes (including battle scenes!).
Have to bring my tot to school - Part 2 (and more PSP games) when I get back!
So without further ado, here are the handheld games that top my list (in no particular order):
(1) Scribblenauts (DS) - As its tagline states, "Write Anything, Solve Everything"; this game allows you to summon anything you can think of simply by writing it down. Input "jetpack" or "wings" to help your character, Maxwell, gain the power of flight. Give him a "gun", "knife", or heck, conjure up a "superhero" to help him fight villains. You can even input a "knight", "dragon", and "princess" and watch the drama unfold on its own. Even "Cthulu" wasn't spared! The possibilities of this game is limited only by your vocabularly (and well, the game's database, which is, thankfully, pretty extensive). If you're the type who has the compulsive need to solve every puzzle in a game, then this will certainly burn you out - you'll either run out of words or curse Maxwell for being so difficult to control! But if you can skip over the action modes and just enjoy playing around with the free play and puzzle levels, then this has great potential as a stress reliever.
(2) Ace Attorney (DS) - A point-and-click mystery/adventure series with unique twists and zany characters that keep you coming back for more! If you've ever wished for an RPG where the story unfolds without the tedious level grinding or travelling throughout a world (sometimes two or three), then this is the game for you. In the Phoenix Wright series, you play a defense attorney who must uncover clues in order to defend your hapless clients in court. Once you've fallen in love with the main cast of characters, you can pick up a copy of Miles Edgeworth's game to get a chance to play the prosecutors and interact with familiar faces from the original game (sadly, Phoenix Wright and his two ever-faithful sidekicks are no more than a passing reference in this game).
(3) Elite Beat Agents (DS) - Handheld version of Dance Dance Revolution. This game requires you to tap markers in perfect timing with the given song in order for the agents (reminiscent of Men In Black) to successfully dance their way through a mission. The developments and eventual outcome of a mission changes depending on how well you can follow the beat, pushing you to try and try again. Missing a beat leads to hilarious circumstances so its rather hard to feel discouraged with any of your efforts. Music loving moms, this is for you! Fans of Jpop can try Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan, the original game that gave birth to its Westernized counterpart.
(4) Chrono Trigger (DS) - This remains my favorite classic RPG of all time. Featuring standard RPG controls (menu based battle system) in a two-dimensional world, the game pulls you in with a beautiful plotline and a diverse set of characters you can't help but love. Its time traveling theme enables you to explore the lone world throughout different ages (Stone Age, Dark Ages, Medieval, Present Time, Future, and End of Time), allowing you to witness how its inhabitants evolve over the course of time. The best part of this game is its combination of multiple endings and New Game+ features. Once you've finished the game for the first time, New Game+ allows you to play the game with your current levels and equipment. This helps you breeze through the game in order to see all the different endings without having to start from scratch (how I wish Star Ocean would pick this up!). One other interesting element to this game is that the main character does not utter a single word from beginning to end - and most of the time, players fail to realize this!
(5) Popolocrois (PSP) - These days a new release of a traditional, two-dimensional style RPG is rare, but Ignition Entertainment stepped up to the plate with a fairy tale adventure called Popolocrois. The game starts when 10-year-old Prince Pietro discovers that his mother, long thought to be dead, is actually in a coma. He travels to the Underworld along with an apprentice witch, Narcia, to save his mother's soul. This is followed by two subsequent adventures in which Pietro must save his father and the world at age 12 and 15, respectively. The added appeal to the game is in watching the main characters grow and develop in the course of 5 years. There is no complex story behind this fantasy tale; what you see is what you get and what you get is beautiful imagery coupled with charming characters. An RPG classic through and through.
While on the topic of traditional-style RPGs, I'm currently playing Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky, which is very promising in the wake of its predecessors. The original Legend of Heroes and YS series featured slow pacing and exceedingly long dialogue that made it too tedious to play. My biggest disappointment to date is the Lunar Silver Star Story for PSP. While I hold very fond memories of its PlayStation version, the PSP port featured no enhancements whatsoever and had an utterly sloooow loading time every time the scene changes (including battle scenes!).
Have to bring my tot to school - Part 2 (and more PSP games) when I get back!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Games for Moms: Puzzle Quest
Are you addicted to Bejeweled? Then this game is for you! Puzzle Quest takes you on an adventure where you defeat monsters and enemies by solving a puzzle game that requires you to switch adjacent tiles to make a row or column of at least 3 same tiles. The damage inflicted depends on the number of tiles you remove through this switch-and-match process. You can also learn and use a variety of spells to help you diminish more tiles.
The game is available on both PSP and DS, though PSP gets higher marks for better graphics and of course, the ability to switch the power off and take up where you left off once the baby finally settles down for her nap ;)
The game is available on both PSP and DS, though PSP gets higher marks for better graphics and of course, the ability to switch the power off and take up where you left off once the baby finally settles down for her nap ;)
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Games for Moms: PSP and DS
NES, SNES, 3DO, Sega Saturn, Neo Geo, Playstation 1, Playstation 2 - consoles I've known, loved, and tucked away in favor of handheld DS and PSP as soon as my little bundle of joy came out. Spending hours in front of the TV just won't cut it anymore! Thankfully, modern technology has evolved the simple Game & Watch into more sophisticated machines with more memory, better graphics, and less accessories (anyone else remember the bulky magnifying glass you can hook up to your Gameboy to create a bigger screen?) such that I can still enjoy my gaming experience without ignoring my child.
With the advent of handheld devices such as PSP and DS, I can still explore and conquer 3D worlds! And when my baby starts to holler - a menu here, a click there, and my journey is saved, ready to be resumed at the next nap time! PSP gains extra points for me for being able to remember where you left off even after you power down. This is something I take for granted when I pick up a DS. I sometimes turn it off thinking I'm holding my PSP - a true disaster after an hour of level grinding.
As a multitasking mom, I tend to look for "casual" games that are simple and straightforward, but unique and entertaining nonetheless. DS games often top the list in this category, simply because developers tend to inject more creative aspects to the games to make up for lower graphics and memory. Controls such as a touchscreen and a microphone leave plenty of room for innovative, ground breaking game concepts (Scribblenauts, anyone?). Still, PSP should not be dismissed - for where else can we enjoy our classic RPGs with graphics that are at least at par with PS2 games? Games like Patapon prove that you don't need to deviate from standard control buttons to develop something new and fresh.
This series of blogs will tackle my favorite handheld games and is dedicated to all gamer moms who have had the audacity to face the curious toddler who innocently picked up the bubblegum pink PSP and say,
"Sweetie, this is not a toy!"
With the advent of handheld devices such as PSP and DS, I can still explore and conquer 3D worlds! And when my baby starts to holler - a menu here, a click there, and my journey is saved, ready to be resumed at the next nap time! PSP gains extra points for me for being able to remember where you left off even after you power down. This is something I take for granted when I pick up a DS. I sometimes turn it off thinking I'm holding my PSP - a true disaster after an hour of level grinding.
As a multitasking mom, I tend to look for "casual" games that are simple and straightforward, but unique and entertaining nonetheless. DS games often top the list in this category, simply because developers tend to inject more creative aspects to the games to make up for lower graphics and memory. Controls such as a touchscreen and a microphone leave plenty of room for innovative, ground breaking game concepts (Scribblenauts, anyone?). Still, PSP should not be dismissed - for where else can we enjoy our classic RPGs with graphics that are at least at par with PS2 games? Games like Patapon prove that you don't need to deviate from standard control buttons to develop something new and fresh.
This series of blogs will tackle my favorite handheld games and is dedicated to all gamer moms who have had the audacity to face the curious toddler who innocently picked up the bubblegum pink PSP and say,
"Sweetie, this is not a toy!"
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