PSP Games (PSP newb)

Bikkstah

Hi guys/gals,

I've been deployed to Iraq for awhile now and I've read all the books the PX has to sell in my downtime, so I bought a PSP. What games do you guys recommend? I have God of War: Chains of Olympus, GRAW 2, and Prince of Persia: Rival Swords so far. I'll try anything genre wise, so please tell me what else I should look for.


Thanks!

urahonky

I just started playing Disgaea and think it'll be a great time consuming game. Maybe you should try that. Is there a genre you prefer? I know you said you'll try anything, but we'd like to get you something you like.

greeble

The two games I liked most on my psp so far were.

Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops (don't get Portable Ops Plus)
Final Fantasy: Crisis Core

Shujaa

I thought Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions was fantastic.

Gyral

All four games I would recommend have been mentioned already. Disgaea and Final Fantasy Tactics will take away many hours of your life.

SirUltimos

Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters - Same as the console Ratchet and Clanks, only portable. It's an third-person shooter/platformer and is really fun. It just hit Greatest Hits, too, so it should be possible to pick up for cheap.
Patapon - Kind of a rythm RTS. It is very unique. However, there can be some grinding so this game might not be for everybody, but it's also only $20 so you don't have a lot to lose. Worth playing just because it's so different.
Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles - Ever play Rondo of Blood? No? Well, then you'll definitely want this. It's a 3D remake of Castlevania: Rondo of Blood (never released Stateside) and it includes unlockables. You can unlock both the original Rondo of Blood and Symphony of the Night. If you've never played any of them and enjoy Castlevania in any form you'd be a fool not to pick it up.

Those are probably my three highest recommendations.

Dírhael

Outside of the ones already mentioned, Locoroco, Patapon, Final Fantasy Tactics, Wipeout Pulse & MGS: Portable Ops are some of the games that I own and would highly recommend anyone to play. There's also the GTA games but despite the fact that I own them I still haven't bothered finishing them (didn't have nearly as much fun with them as I had hoped). Many people think they're great though so they could be worth a try if you enjoyed the non-portable versions.

cloudeagle

Yup, all those are pretty much the consensus top picks. Anything beyond that really gets into personal taste.

cheez

If you're into rhythm games, you'll want to grab the DJ Max Portables.

Pureauthor

Metal Slug Anthology, if you don't mind (a) crippling load times or (b) ripping it to a memstick after you buy it.

Bikkstah

I like shooters, puzzle or puzzle/action (like Prince of Persia) and RPGs. Metal Gear drives me crazy because you have to sneak so much.

Pureauthor

Gradius Collection!

Lumines for puzzles.

Brave Story is a decent, 'safe' jRPG. Jeanne D'Arc is a good sRPG too.

wunderbar

both the Syphon Filter games are also fantastic, and my two favorite games on the console. They have a bit of sneaking stuff, but still fun.

if you like old games get the Sega Genesis collection. Ace Combat X is a, well, Ace Combat game. there are SOCOM games. There are actually a lot of really good PSP games now.

EggyToast

If you're stuck in Iraq, I would strongly suggest Disgaea, Final Fantasy Tactics, Jeanne D'arc, and, well, any other long-term strategy game. They can consume a great deal of time and stay fun. Very pick up & play. More importantly you won't burn through any of those games in a day or weekend.

Bikkstah

Also, I got a 4GB memory stick, is that going to be enough?

urahonky

Plenty Brikkstah. 4GB is a lot of memory.

Bikkstah

Sweet then, thanks everyone for the help.

cj iwakura

1GB's gotten me through five games, about 40 MP3s, and four video files, and there's still a good 700 MB left... so yeah, 4GB is an infinite amount.

I think I was beaten to every recommendation imaginable, save Ys: Ark of Naphistim and Valkyrie Profile.

They're both ports, but easier to get than the originals.

Kris_xK

I'd echo all the SRPGs (FFT:WOTL, Disgaea, Jean D'Arc) but also suggest getting:

Lumines 2 - You can make custom tracks, its a great little puzzle game, perfect for wasting 5 minutes or something
Wipeout Pure (Pulse? I forget which one is the latest) - A good racing game.

And 4gigs is plenty. Feel free to pump that full of movies and mp3s, really you only need about 50 megs for save files.

lowlylowlycook

Is this a case where we light the Slash signal? Or is that only for Wii and DS?

Bikkstah

Haha, I just bought an iPod video for movies on the road and I have my laptop usually. My mission is essentially driving down the road escorting KBR supply trucks in one of four humvee guntrucks for a few hours down a stretch of road between FOBs. Then endless hours waiting in line for fuel and for the supply trucks to download supplies and upload new ones before we roll out again. If I knew war would be this boring when I enlisted, I probably wouldn't have.

Kris_xK

Bikk, it could be worse. It could be REAL exciting, and I dont think you want that.

slash000

I keep a txt file with a bunch of recommendations for different consoles.

Here's what I have for the PSP:



SP Recommendations:

* God of War: Chains of Olympus - a virtually PS2-quality iteration of God of War; best third person action game on the PSP

* Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops - this is a stealth action game in the Metal Gear Solid franchise, and it contains all the same great gameplay from the series you'd hope for. Story is a sequel to MGS3.

* Lumines - very addicting puzzle game that combines music and psychadelic graphics with puzzle gameplay

* Wipeout: Pulse - futuristic, high speed, arcade-style racing game

* Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions - it's a fantastic port of the first FFT with nice, stylistic newly created cutscenes

* Final Fantasy VII : Crisis Core - sort of a side-story type game in the Final Fantasy 7 universe, it's considered one of the best RPGs on the PSP

* Patapon - it's a hybrid of a music/rhythm game and an action/strategy game

* Killzone: Liberation - a great, action-packed, top-down third person shooter that requires both shooting as well as strategic and command (over team) skills

* Daxter - a side story of the PS2 Jak & Daxter games, this is a really good platforming/adventure game with the same quality of gameplay and humor and style of the PS2 jak games

* Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters - a side story of the PS2 Ratchet & Clank games, this is a really good action-shooting/platformer game with the same gun-toting/upgrading gameplay and humor and style of the PS2 ratchet games

* LocoRoco - LocoRoco is an innovative 2D platform/action game, this is a unique adventure game that involves tilting the levels to guide the characters through varying crazy worlds

* Mega Man Powered Up - excellent, expanded remake of MegaMan1 with a bunch of cool extra stuff

* Mega Man Maverick Hunter X - extremely good remake of MegaMan X1 with some extra stuff

* Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles - excellent remake of one of the best 16-bit Castlevanias, Rondo of Blood, but also includes Symphony of the Night as an unlockable

* Guilty Gear Judgment - basically Guilty Gear X2 #R, but portable. 'Nuff said.

* Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories - The original storyline and all new missions take place in Liberty City, featuring the interactive, open environment

* Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories -Vice City, 1984. Topping "Liberty City Stories" with a GTA sporting as many thrills, action and now-famous witty dialogue as the series has ever seen.

* Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness - It is everything a SRPG should be, filled to the brim with a staggering amount of gameplay, a great story with absolutely insane characters, killer gameplay that all SRPGs would do well to copy, and with the PSP version, runs, looks and plays better than the original version.

* Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror - One of the best third person shooters on the PSP, it not only looks great and control extremely well, it also has unique and exciting third person shooter gameplay. Everything a player could want in a game: the story mode is of the perfect length and difficulty, the game is extremely replayable, and the multiplayer offering is both fun and robust. And, arguably most importantly, there are negligible loading times.

* Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow: Sequel to the fantastic Dark Mirror, it's more of the same but with a lot of refinements. Both are great games.

* Exit - Exit's gameplay - you're a slick wannabe superhero rescuing innocents from dangerous situations - is deceptively simple in that it has a relatively low learning curve, but once you get further into it, it proves to be far from simple. A perfect fit for the PSP -- creative, stylish, and easily broken into the bite-sized chunks that work so well when gaming on the go.

* Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max - An excellent port of the arcade Street Fighter Alpha 3. Classic 2D fighter.

* Metal Gear Ac!d 2 - Whereas Metal Gear Acid faltered slightly in its attempt to branch the MGS franchise out into a bold new direction, Acid 2 absolutely nails the concept with engaging turn-based strategy card gameplay, a refined interface, quicker pacing, stylized graphics and an abundance of replay value, among other noteworthy attributes.

* Echochrome - Creative puzzle game with gameplay based on optical illusions, players must utilize five simple laws of perspective to join walkways, hide dangers, and create new paths to reach the "echos," or shadow guides. Create & share your own levels, too.

* Jeanne d'Arc - Jeanne d'Arc is one of the best tactical RPG on the PSP. The amount of skill customization and various character types with their own weapon types and skills is amazing as is the sheer level of detail in ever facet of the presentation. Great blend and refinement of tactical RPG gameplay, and unique story based on a fictionalization of the 100 Years' War.

* Space Invaders Extreme: A vast overhaul to the classic game, Space Invaders Extreme can almost be described as a combination of Lumines and Space Invaders gameplay. The revamped gameplay adds new layers of depth, including multi-enemy combo hits and chains, and weapons with different effects, and others. Multiplayer modes as well.

* Hot Shots Open Tee Golf 2: Classic Hot Shots gameplay, this game is the perfect portable iteration of the series best known for its combination of accessible golf gameplay and controls, stylistic graphics, and excellent golf physics.

* Monster Hunter Freedom 2 - a game much akin to Phantasy Star Online, but with only local multiplayer (and single player). A solid action-RPG on the system with a large world and plenty of hours of gameplay and depth, but is best played with at least one other person (local multi).

* Ace Combat X - if you like the PS2 AC games, you'll like this arcadey flight combat game, featuring licensed fighter aircraft for a story-driven, solid single player mode over the course of several missions; or the local multiplayer dogfighting with a fair number of options

* SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 2 - a decent tactical shooter for the PSP. The game has an okay single player campaign, but a fun and addicting multiplayer mode, locally or online. Good third person shooter, but get the Syphon Filter and Killzone games first.






Good compilation games:

* Sega Genesis Collection (also on PS2) - ton of classic Sega Genesis games, portable, easily mid-game saving

* Metal Slug Anthology (also on PS2 and Wii) - compilation of 7 metal slug games; classic arcade action

* Gradius Collection - collection of some older yet still classic Gradius shoot-em-ups (shmups)

* Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded (also on PS2) - collection of a bunch of truly classic and addicting Capcom arcade games

UncleChet

When I was in the market for a new PSP, I went to metacritic (i think it's metacritic.com) and checked for the highest rated psp games. Of all the games we own (about 15) I've enjoyed Final Fantasy: Crisis Core the most. I got the God of War bundle, but didn't enjoy GoW that much. I'm so bored with quick time events and missing 1 button resetting a boss's health. I tried GTA: Liberty City Stories, and while cool, I have GTA 4 if I want a GTA fix. Check out Cris Core or any of the other great games listed in this thread and you'll be all set.

KupotheAvenger

if you hate yourself and want your girlfriend to dump you, get Monster Hunter Freedom 2. It will drain your life away if it hooks ya. Its basically a game where you fight big fucking dragons, cut them apart, and make weapons from their carcasses to kill BIGGER dragons.

Also, local multiplayer, and interweb multiplayer if you're REALLY driven to get it working.

lowlylowlycook

I'm sort of scared by what might happen if someone asked for good GBA/PS2/360 games and slash responded.

Shooter Mcgavin

I know this is late, but if we all keep this on our computers, we can call Slash whenever, wherever we want.

Bikkstah

Hey guys, got all my games and stuff. I ended up with:

Ghost Recon 2
Rainbow 6 Vegas
Castlevania X
God of War: Chains of Olympus
Disgaea
Prince of Persia: Rival Swords
Prince of Persia: Revelations


By far, Disgaea is the most interesting and time consuming.


Thanks again all

Lunker

Glad you're enjoying! I sling my DS and PSP with me every day. I recently picked up the PSP God of War, and it's completely 100 percent Grade A awesome. I've already heard the length complaints (people say it's 5-8 hours long) but it's still staggering to see a game like this contained in a handheld. It doesn't tread any particularly new ground compared to the console versions (GoW1 is still my favorite) but it reminds me of the NES/GB days, where you'd have a portable "sequel" that was almost part and parcel a port of the console version.

Kelor

I'll echo everyone else with

Final Fantasy Tactics
Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core
Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness
Castlevania X

and second CJ's recommendation of Valkyrie Profile if you never had a chance to play it on the PSX.

Six

Hot Shots.

9 holes of golf is perfect for a poop.