Overview:

The PSP has just passed its one-year mark recently, but rather than being the runaway success Sony was hoping for -- Sony is still trying to sell the PSP handheld to the masses.

We should applaud them for not giving up but for the past year. The PSP has been accused of just using its installed fanbase and major franchises to push the handheld, and to be honest -- for the most part their critics are right. The PSP has lacked originality, and it is suffering from "portitis" and "sequelitis." When you look down the road for the PSP what are the most anticipated new titles? Grand Theft Auto : Vice City Stories, Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops, and so on so forth. Hell, even my most anticipated title is a port of its console brother (Def Jam Fight For New York: The Takeover).

But when it comes down to it we are all guilty of buying these ports and sequels. I'm not for one second claiming that the aforementioned titles will not be good -- even great -- games, but there comes a point when you need to play something original.

Thats where Loco Roco comes into the fray.

Much like Katamari before it, this game intends to inject the PSP with some originality. The game has simple mechanics and controls and some of the oddest music ever heard in games. The graphics are cutesy, and the developers want you to fall in love with these Locos.

But, in the end, is this game possibly too out there?

More after the jump!

Graphics:

Graphically, the developers went for a very clean look using mostly only flat colors with very little detail. Not to say that this is a bad thing because where color and detail are needed they are present. But I am of the opinion that, in this case, less is more. It adds to the feel of the game in this case -- you are supposed to feel like all is well in this world before disaster strikes.

Sound:

The music in this game was one of the hooks for me, personally. When I first heard the music in the demo, it made me smile and it gave me a better feeling that most games ever do. I was actually happy and I was in a good mood. The little Locos sing along to the tune in the background, and if you are looking for proof of this all you have to do is stop moving for about five or six seconds and the camera will zoom in and show you the Locos singing.

I must admit, though, after playing the demo for a few hours that one song began to grate and soon enough I was sick of it. But while it had me in a good mood, it managed to convince me to at least give the full game a try.

Does the music in the actual game grate as easily? Yes and no. That one song as it turns out is in fact the theme song of the game, and as a result, you are forced to listen to that song each and every time you go to a menu screen.

But with each level brings a new song, which for the most part fits the level that you are in, so in the ice levels you have slow calming music but if you are in a moody level you get a much darker set of music. I would imagine that the music will start to grate after a while, but for the time that I have played the game it kept me smiling and happy.

Without the music this game loses much of it feeling.

Story:

All is happy in the world until one night a bunch of no-good, trash-eating Mui Muis come and attack the world in which the Loco Rocos live.

Yes, I know what you're thinking: Why would these Mui Muis do such a thing?

To be honest, I'm not quite sure, but it is up to you and your pals to solve the mystery by going though world, Mario-style.

But really and truly this game is not about the story. it is just there to tie things together.

Online:

None at all. But I do have something to put in this section. Why don't you 2.7 users give this game a try with the official demo below:

http://www.jp.playstation.com/R/dl0425_locoroco

Gameplay:

This game can be played using two fingers, essentially: The left and right triggers are used to jump/move and the cricle button is used to split up and move through into the smaller areas. It is a very simple system to use, and it gets the job done. The longer you hold down the triggers the higher you jump.

There are also different characters and something that I found quite interesting: If you play though a level with a new character that you've completed with the original character, the new character sings the level's song in its own voice. It's a small thing, but it is cool.

Other than that, if you just play though the game without collecting anything, then you're missing out. There are three little men to collect in each level, and let me tell you in the later levels those little guys are really, really really hard to find. I mean, you could get hit by lightning before you would find all of those little guys.

But when you do find them they give you a little suprize.

The game also features a few mini games, but they are nothing to go crazy over. I mean, sure they are fun the first few times, but after that the main game is much more fun.<

Conclusion:

I love this game, and in my opinion it is one of the first killer apps for the PSP. If you are sick of ports and sequels, then pick this up. It is a unique experience. The reason this game is not getting my top score is that there is room for improvement as with every game but it can be fixed in the next iteration of this game.

Now back to finding those little men.

Score:

Pick it up, people. Don't let new IPs die! (...and for you score monkeys: 9/10).