Pocket Gamer Updated!

Episode 3 and 4 of Pocket Gamer is now up and available, so please check both of them out. In the meantime I'm off to work on new episodes (talking about Civilization : Revolution on the DS, LEGO Indiana Jones the Original Adventures (DS) and Monster Hunter Freedom Unite on the PSP next time out!)

Getting back on track with gaming

So let's see about getting back on track with gaming shall we? What do we have...

We have a new podcast for gaming, Pocket Gamer, which if I remember right is a revival of a past series with new added content (episodic walkthroughs of games). We start off with Episodes 1 (a new guide to the travelling gaming kit in case of emergency evacuations) and Episode 2 (Part 1 of Poke'mon Heartgold Walkthrough on the DS). with more to come.

Working on posting quick shot reviews here too as I work on new stuff. So stay tuned to that.

Coverage will be of...
Nintendo
Game Boy/Game Boy Color/Game Boy Advance
Nintendo DS
Nintendo 3DS

Sony
PSP

Hope to add on new stuff in the future but we'll see.

So that's it. Time to get back to work.

Crystal Defenders (Sony PSP)

The first thing I have to scold Square Enix about is the mislabeling of this game. It says it has 300+ levels, but in reality it has 300+ waves spread out amongst a dozen maps (4 per world). But I guess I should have realized that given this game is a port of a mobile phone game so go figure... an overly ported game. Here, the Wii, I think even XBox360... and each has its own quirks... for instance you have to buy the Wii worlds seperately while this version is all the worlds and has more characters I think (they're from the DS Final Fantasy Tactics A2 release if your wondering).

Each world has a set of character types you use to defend the path to the crystals. Besides the core units similar to each world, fighters and mages and archers and thieves, there are unique classes each world loke time mages, dragoons, tinkers, and so on. Each have their abilities to fight ground, air, or both with special abilities at times to boot.

And having a balanced field of defense is key since monsters come with special restrictions. Aerials are immune to ground attack types, some monsters have resistance to physical or magic attack, while some steal multiple crystals or move fast or can only be attacked by magic casters.

Tower defense games are pretty addictive, if you understand their limitations. They are good, but kinda limited at the same time. This game features only a dozen maps, so in terms of tower defense games it is abit limited in scope. Still, even with that limitation it has the gimmick of the worlds. W1 maps are for beginners to get you started. W2 worlds add crystals that enhance your characters which can make a big difference in passing the four maps. Finally W3 is for experienced players looking for a challenge to chew on.

So the game is abit limited, but it does give you abit to challenge you too. So overall, if you embrace the limits and enjoy the quirks it is a rarher good game. Overall a solid 4 out of 5.

Wednesday - Dragon Warrior III for the Game Boy Color

Reviews of the Week - July 11th to 15th

Upcoming reviews of the new week

July 11th - Crystal Defenders (PSP)

July 13th - Dragon Warrior III (Game Boy Color)

July 15th - Kingdom Hearts 358/2 (DS)

For the podcast versions of the reviews listen to PSP DLC Life Episode 3 and Retro Game Boy Life Episode 1 for the first review. Stay tuned to 3DS Life for my upcoming review of KH 358/2'