RCS0926
CAGiversary!
I want to start off by saying that I finally bought Skyrim during this past holiday season and have been loving every minute of it. It’s the first game in a few years that has really gripped me, and it has me wanting to game more often. I know there isn’t a game on the PSP like Skyrim, but I’m looking for something to play that has similar qualities.
Longevity – I’d like a game that I can really sink my teeth into. However, I’d like the game to be engaging from the get-go. In other words, I don’t want to have to invest a ton of hours before the game really starts to get going. I can really only play in one hour blocks, so even though I want to play a timesink of a game, I don’t want it to be mandatory that I sit with it for several consecutive hours. In Skyrim, I wish I had the time to play for hours on end, but I still have the option of playing in shorter bursts due to the ability to save anywhere.
Exploration – I’d like to play a game where exploration is a big part of the experience. I love the fact that I can just go meandering about in Skyrim and run into all kinds of things to do.
Combat – I’d prefer real-time combat, but I don’t mind turn-based combat as long as it is engaging. I actually really enjoy the combat in Skyrim and look forward to enemy encounters. I enjoy upgrading my equipment and using perks to enhance my character.
I’ve been pouring over my options, and here are some of the games that I’m considering:
Monster Hunter – I know this is going to be one game that everyone mentions, but I think it’s going to fall short in terms of being able to get into right away. I read up on MHFU and MHP3 and heard that MHP3 is easier to get into. However, even though I have the best translated version of MHP3 available, the fact that I can’t read everything is a turn off. With regards to MHFU, I’m not thrilled with the idea of poor hit boxes or the fact that several reviews mentioned that you have to put in a couple of dozen hours before your play time starts to pay off. I do want to play a Monster Hunter game at some point but not until I can really dedicate some time towards getting past all the tutorials in one shots.
GTA – Believe it or not, I’ve never played a GTA game before. I know Chinatown Wars is the best rated of the 3 games on the PSP and might best suited to playing on the PSP compared to the two 3D games. As for VCS and LCS, I’m a little concerned with how they control. Obviously, 3D games that required camera control don’t work the best on the PSP.
Persona 3 Portable – Another series I’ve never played. I’ve heard a lot of great things about this series. I guess my only concern is whether or not the combat is any fun.
MGS: Peacewalker – I know this is a beast of a game, and it’s something I really want to play. However, I want to know if the gameplay is something you can get into right away. Console MGS games have always been heavy on story, but I don’t really have the time right now to sit through long cinematics or read walls of text.
FFT: War of the Lions – I played and beat the PSX version way back in the day. Is it worth it to go back to it again? I know the story is much better on the PSP version, but are there any compelling gameplay changes?
Tactics Ogre – I’ve been wanting to play a game in this series for the longest time but haven’t gotten around to it. I know it’s similar to FFT, but I’m not jumping at the bit to play it if it’s too similar.
Disgaea: AoD – I know this game is a huge timesink, but I’ve concerned about how easy it is to get into and how engaging the combat is.
X-Men Legends II – I know this game is easy to get into given the fact that it’s an action RPG. I really enjoyed Marvel Ultimate Alliance on the 360, so I’m sure I’ll enjoy XML2. I just don’t know if it’s different enough for me to want to jump into it right now.
Crisis Core – I played this when I originally got my PSP and although I initially enjoyed it, it got tedious towards the end. I never finished the game.
Dissidia – I owned the first and enjoyed it for what it was. I didn’t put hundreds of hours into it like many people here have, but I put a few dozen hours into the game playing as Cloud. I’m wondering if the sequel is enough of an upgrade to make it worth playing.
Valkyria Chonicles 2 – This is a game I really want to play, but I still haven’t played the original on the PS3. I’m wondering if it’s OK to jump into the sequel without having played the original.
SOCOM – I could go for a mission-based shooter. I’m assuming that the 3rd game should be the best, but overall, I’m most concerned with how it controls on the PSP.
Ys – I’ve never played an Ys game, but the fact that it’s an action RPG means that it could be right up my alley. The question is – which should I play first? Ys 7 or Oath of Felghana?
Legend of Heroes: T.I.T.S. – I see this game mentioned everywhere. As with all RPGs, I’m most concerned with the combat mechanics.
Dungeon Siege – I know this is a Diablo clone, but how fun is it?
God Eater Burst – I believe this is a futuristic Monster Hunter-like game, but is it easier to get into that MH?
Phantasy Star Portable 2 – This game sounds like it might be right up my alley as well, but I’m wondering how fun it is to play this solo.
Star Wars Battlefront – Are any of these games worth playing?
Obviously, I don’t expect everyone to address all my questions. However, I’d appreciate any responses to any of the individual games I listed or suggestions on games that I didn’t mention that may fit the criteria listed at the top of this post. Thanks in advance.
Longevity – I’d like a game that I can really sink my teeth into. However, I’d like the game to be engaging from the get-go. In other words, I don’t want to have to invest a ton of hours before the game really starts to get going. I can really only play in one hour blocks, so even though I want to play a timesink of a game, I don’t want it to be mandatory that I sit with it for several consecutive hours. In Skyrim, I wish I had the time to play for hours on end, but I still have the option of playing in shorter bursts due to the ability to save anywhere.
Exploration – I’d like to play a game where exploration is a big part of the experience. I love the fact that I can just go meandering about in Skyrim and run into all kinds of things to do.
Combat – I’d prefer real-time combat, but I don’t mind turn-based combat as long as it is engaging. I actually really enjoy the combat in Skyrim and look forward to enemy encounters. I enjoy upgrading my equipment and using perks to enhance my character.
I’ve been pouring over my options, and here are some of the games that I’m considering:
Monster Hunter – I know this is going to be one game that everyone mentions, but I think it’s going to fall short in terms of being able to get into right away. I read up on MHFU and MHP3 and heard that MHP3 is easier to get into. However, even though I have the best translated version of MHP3 available, the fact that I can’t read everything is a turn off. With regards to MHFU, I’m not thrilled with the idea of poor hit boxes or the fact that several reviews mentioned that you have to put in a couple of dozen hours before your play time starts to pay off. I do want to play a Monster Hunter game at some point but not until I can really dedicate some time towards getting past all the tutorials in one shots.
GTA – Believe it or not, I’ve never played a GTA game before. I know Chinatown Wars is the best rated of the 3 games on the PSP and might best suited to playing on the PSP compared to the two 3D games. As for VCS and LCS, I’m a little concerned with how they control. Obviously, 3D games that required camera control don’t work the best on the PSP.
Persona 3 Portable – Another series I’ve never played. I’ve heard a lot of great things about this series. I guess my only concern is whether or not the combat is any fun.
MGS: Peacewalker – I know this is a beast of a game, and it’s something I really want to play. However, I want to know if the gameplay is something you can get into right away. Console MGS games have always been heavy on story, but I don’t really have the time right now to sit through long cinematics or read walls of text.
FFT: War of the Lions – I played and beat the PSX version way back in the day. Is it worth it to go back to it again? I know the story is much better on the PSP version, but are there any compelling gameplay changes?
Tactics Ogre – I’ve been wanting to play a game in this series for the longest time but haven’t gotten around to it. I know it’s similar to FFT, but I’m not jumping at the bit to play it if it’s too similar.
Disgaea: AoD – I know this game is a huge timesink, but I’ve concerned about how easy it is to get into and how engaging the combat is.
X-Men Legends II – I know this game is easy to get into given the fact that it’s an action RPG. I really enjoyed Marvel Ultimate Alliance on the 360, so I’m sure I’ll enjoy XML2. I just don’t know if it’s different enough for me to want to jump into it right now.
Crisis Core – I played this when I originally got my PSP and although I initially enjoyed it, it got tedious towards the end. I never finished the game.
Dissidia – I owned the first and enjoyed it for what it was. I didn’t put hundreds of hours into it like many people here have, but I put a few dozen hours into the game playing as Cloud. I’m wondering if the sequel is enough of an upgrade to make it worth playing.
Valkyria Chonicles 2 – This is a game I really want to play, but I still haven’t played the original on the PS3. I’m wondering if it’s OK to jump into the sequel without having played the original.
SOCOM – I could go for a mission-based shooter. I’m assuming that the 3rd game should be the best, but overall, I’m most concerned with how it controls on the PSP.
Ys – I’ve never played an Ys game, but the fact that it’s an action RPG means that it could be right up my alley. The question is – which should I play first? Ys 7 or Oath of Felghana?
Legend of Heroes: T.I.T.S. – I see this game mentioned everywhere. As with all RPGs, I’m most concerned with the combat mechanics.
Dungeon Siege – I know this is a Diablo clone, but how fun is it?
God Eater Burst – I believe this is a futuristic Monster Hunter-like game, but is it easier to get into that MH?
Phantasy Star Portable 2 – This game sounds like it might be right up my alley as well, but I’m wondering how fun it is to play this solo.
Star Wars Battlefront – Are any of these games worth playing?
Obviously, I don’t expect everyone to address all my questions. However, I’d appreciate any responses to any of the individual games I listed or suggestions on games that I didn’t mention that may fit the criteria listed at the top of this post. Thanks in advance.
