Pads & Panels

Title: Patapon 2

Platform: PSP

ESRB Rating: E

Platform: Sony

Developer: Sony Japan Studio

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

The original Patapon was a great game – one of the few released in 2008 that warranted a dusting off of the PlayStation Portable and a recharging of its battery – but it wasn’t without its fair share of flaws. First among those was a steep difficulty ramp that hits early on, without guidance as to how one must properly upgrade and strategize to succeed. There was also a relatively strict class system, meaning losing one group of Patapon almost surely meant doom for the mission, making it at times miserable to press on. (more…)

 Print This Post

Title: LocoRoco 2

Platform: PSP

ESRB Rating: E

Publisher: Sony

Developer: Sony Japan Studio

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

LocoRoco was, hands down, the best original IP on the PlayStation Portable when it was released in 2006. It offered simplistically adorable animation with simplified gameplay guaranteed to please casual fans while offering hardcore gamers extra little challenges involving collection of special items. The soundtrack was absolutely fantastic, and Sony continued to support the title through special holiday level releases, and a PlayStation Network spinoff.

LocoRoco 2 was nothing short of a necessity, then, both to capitalize on the success of an original first-party title and offer the fan base another go ‘round with the franchise. (more…)

 Print This Post