Tuesday, January 25, 2005
PSP Hands-On
Through his infinite wisdom, resources, and apparently supply of disposable cash, my assistant manager at work imported a PSP last week, and he gave me the honor of manhandling it a few days ago. And what can I say - It's a goddamn mind-blowing piece of technology. Not only is it the most impressive and marketable gadget since the iPod, but it's set to open up a whole new echelon of gaming. Sony was absolutely right about this being designed for a different market than the Game Boy, and it's that market that interests me. At this point I've shifted my stance on buying one from "I suppose there's a possibility" to "If I'm not able to play Lumines at my leisure ever again, I'll kill a man." So, yes, I want one now - badly.
Obviously the main draw is the sheer power, and seductively gorgeous screen. And let me tell you, you will never appreciate those aspects until you hold it in your hands. It's like a wonderfully fluffy kitten, staring up at you with all the cuteness in the world. And the kitten is made of chocolate - the most delicious chocolate you're capable of theorizing. The introduction to Ridge Racers is the single best CG sequence I've ever seen in a video game, probably because of the super-high resolution; seeing it and hearing it come out of something that looks like it was sent back in time from a sexy industrial future, and feels like a dual shock controller, well, it's comforting. And the actual games, of course, look stunning as well. Again, you won't believe it until you see it in person, but it's shocking having something that powerful in the palms of your hands. It feels like a new generation of gaming, and I suppose it is for portables. I hate to say it, but it seems the DS will wind up as an intermediary of sorts, a half-baked, botched introduction to what will ultimately be a new era in portable gaming. Prove me wrong, new 2D Mario game, but the system just seems a bit silly after playing a PSP.
So, beyond my propensity for beautiful things and pretty colors (also know as graphic 'whoring'), how are the games? Well, I played some Ridge Racers, and then a good chunk of Lumines. Ridge Racers is a pretty straightforward racing game, with a near-perfect presentation. It's not really my thing, but it's a great showpiece for the system. The analog nub is REALLY weird, but it's a nice little bonus to have around for things like racing games (though I'm curious how well a third-person action game will work). Also, the thought of playing a portable Burnout on that thing near gives me a seizure of joy. And what of Lumines, the game I'd initially buy the system for, from the creator of my treasured Rez? It's great. Really, really great. I won't call it the new Tetris, simply because it's not as intuitive, but it's quite an amazing puzzle game. Oh, and since it's somewhat music-based, I guess now would be a good time to mention the sound on this ridiculous system. Imagine turning a 5.1 surround sound entertainment center inside out, shrinking it down, and encasing it in glossy plastic. Well, something like that. It sounds great, to the point where playing MP3s through it off of the memory stick doesn't seem like such a foolish idea anymore. It's crisp, full, and loud when you want it to be. Oh, I won't bother explaining Lumines too much, but know that it's deceptively simple, audiovisually thrilling, and instantly addicting.
I guess I shouldn't be wanting this thing as badly as I do based on a few cool-looking games (Infected, Mercury, Brotherhood of the Blade, Twisted Metal: Head On, a couple others), and the promise of what lies in the future, but hold one yourself and tell me you don't want to go to bed with it. I hate to be a sucker for must-own gadgetry, but Sony have done their job taking their time with this thing. For the relatively cheap price, it seems like something I'd be foolish to pass up with an interest in gaming and technology such as mine. I have a feeling several million other people will be having that same thought soon enough, but trust me, this thing deserves to be the success it will become.
Obviously the main draw is the sheer power, and seductively gorgeous screen. And let me tell you, you will never appreciate those aspects until you hold it in your hands. It's like a wonderfully fluffy kitten, staring up at you with all the cuteness in the world. And the kitten is made of chocolate - the most delicious chocolate you're capable of theorizing. The introduction to Ridge Racers is the single best CG sequence I've ever seen in a video game, probably because of the super-high resolution; seeing it and hearing it come out of something that looks like it was sent back in time from a sexy industrial future, and feels like a dual shock controller, well, it's comforting. And the actual games, of course, look stunning as well. Again, you won't believe it until you see it in person, but it's shocking having something that powerful in the palms of your hands. It feels like a new generation of gaming, and I suppose it is for portables. I hate to say it, but it seems the DS will wind up as an intermediary of sorts, a half-baked, botched introduction to what will ultimately be a new era in portable gaming. Prove me wrong, new 2D Mario game, but the system just seems a bit silly after playing a PSP.
So, beyond my propensity for beautiful things and pretty colors (also know as graphic 'whoring'), how are the games? Well, I played some Ridge Racers, and then a good chunk of Lumines. Ridge Racers is a pretty straightforward racing game, with a near-perfect presentation. It's not really my thing, but it's a great showpiece for the system. The analog nub is REALLY weird, but it's a nice little bonus to have around for things like racing games (though I'm curious how well a third-person action game will work). Also, the thought of playing a portable Burnout on that thing near gives me a seizure of joy. And what of Lumines, the game I'd initially buy the system for, from the creator of my treasured Rez? It's great. Really, really great. I won't call it the new Tetris, simply because it's not as intuitive, but it's quite an amazing puzzle game. Oh, and since it's somewhat music-based, I guess now would be a good time to mention the sound on this ridiculous system. Imagine turning a 5.1 surround sound entertainment center inside out, shrinking it down, and encasing it in glossy plastic. Well, something like that. It sounds great, to the point where playing MP3s through it off of the memory stick doesn't seem like such a foolish idea anymore. It's crisp, full, and loud when you want it to be. Oh, I won't bother explaining Lumines too much, but know that it's deceptively simple, audiovisually thrilling, and instantly addicting.
I guess I shouldn't be wanting this thing as badly as I do based on a few cool-looking games (Infected, Mercury, Brotherhood of the Blade, Twisted Metal: Head On, a couple others), and the promise of what lies in the future, but hold one yourself and tell me you don't want to go to bed with it. I hate to be a sucker for must-own gadgetry, but Sony have done their job taking their time with this thing. For the relatively cheap price, it seems like something I'd be foolish to pass up with an interest in gaming and technology such as mine. I have a feeling several million other people will be having that same thought soon enough, but trust me, this thing deserves to be the success it will become.
// posted by Nick @ 9:17 PM 
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