LocoRoco

The Good
There a lot to like about LocoRoco, a surreal little pseudo-platforming puzzle-adventure... thing.

I call it that because it is a noticeably different game. Different than other games on the PSP, but games in general. One of the most stand-out features is that the game is happy. Enemies aren't the scariest things in the world (but they do cause you grief), your LocoRoco (singular or plural) is constantly singing along to the game's catchy and spacey soundtrack. and all of the visuals are bright and simplistic and very clean, with lots of personality and animation. The characters are inventive and just add to the wacky little world they inhabit. The game does nothing to hide its fun and playful attitude, and in itself, works very well.

Controls are equally as simple. For the most part, the only buttons used are the shoulder buttons to tilt the world or jump. You slide the singing LocoRoco along one of many multiple paths to find feeling mostly in control, but sometimes not, as you can easily be just along for the ride. There are a lot of secret passages, hidden areas, and surprises throughout each level, so taking the same route twice doesn't have to be an option.

With simple controls and graphics, is this an easy or boring experience? No, it's not. As I stated above, LocoRoco feels "different", and in a glut of too many similar games, trying something new makes the game all the more interesting. It approaches the platformer genre with a very casual attitude. In some ways, it's hard to explain how it all just works so well.

The game doesn't pressure you. It doesn't make you feel like you made a mistake. But you'll go back through levels again and again to find more hidden items or beat your previous score. The replay value has some draw to it.

Downloading the Christmas level was a really neat bonus feature from last year, and finding items for the Loco House is a fun little mini-task.

The Bad
Not everyone may like the singing LocoRocos, or their little whines when they've been hurt or attacked, or even break apart. Some may be turned off by the simplicity of the graphics, or that the game doesn't require a complex control scheme to play.

And some may mistakenly assume the game is "kiddie" or too easy by its casual, somewhat linear approach to completing levels. The player faces enemies and obstacles, but it's really more about finding as many items as you can through the stage, and discovering all of its secrets.

It's hard to bash on the game as I personally didn't have any outstanding issues with it.

The Bottom Line
For the first time with LocoRoco, I actually felt like I was playing a game designed FOR the PSP, not another Playstation 2 port. The PSP was long overdue for something this original, and this game is something you aren't going to find anywhere else.

The music is catchy, the graphics are unique and well animated, and the characters are cheery. All of this is coupled with an easy to use control scheme, and a decent replay factor as the game encourages players to explore.

It's an unique game to explain to someone, as it comes close to the platformer puzzle genres, but also does its own non-traditional spin on things. It is, however, a very smart step for Sony's creativity and does something to stand Sony out from its competition.

PSP owners could do no wrong in owning this title. It has its own style, and is definitely a game that PSP owners can boast that THEY have, and no one else. It's a nice showcase title, and I would hope that Sony will provide more games that are as equally satisfying for playing experiences.

Recommended.