January 24, 2009

The colourful world of LocoRocos where everything moves around music will definitely satisfy the child in you, writes Sohail Saleem

This is the weirdest gaming world that you will experience as you start playing LocoRoco 2 on your PSP sequel to the equally bizarre LocoRoco.

This is not only the weirdest game but also the hardest one to explain especially if you have not played the original. But when it comes to charm and cuteness, one thing is for sure, LocoRoco 2 is the cute and charming game to be released on the handheld in a long time.

LocoRocos are cute blobs that live in a beautiful world full of colourful singing, dancing and music-loving flowers, mushrooms and fish among other lively creatures. It is a world where even the sun and the moon love music and song. But their beautiful world is under threat from the Mojas — black-coloured creatures that are corrupting the world of the LocoRoco with their evil song and now it is up to the LocoRoco to remove this corruption and save their planet. I said in the beginning this is one of the weirdest game didn’t I?

The LocoRoco world is divided into 10 other different worlds with each world being divided into levels and having the same object which is to remove the black clouds that have covered the creatures in the level. Along the way, you will also find other LocoRoco and MuiMui (another cute inhabitant) and collect lots of interesting goodies that come in use in the many extras of the game.

There are 20 LocoRocos to be collected in each level and most of them are hidden in flowers or secret areas. You start with a single LocoRoco and as you start collecting more, they get together and get bigger, so by the end of the level you can have the cutest and the fattest singing blob. You can finish the level even with a single LocoRoco, but collecting many have its merits, for instance, certain areas in each level can only be unlocked if you have a specific number of collective LocoRoco blob. Like if there is a big sleeping fish blocking your way, you might need 15 LocoRocos to sing and wake the fish up. LocoRocos can break up into individual blobs and gel again into a big blob by pressing the Circle button.

Another advantage is that each LocoRoco that you collect acts as an extra life in that level, thus allowing you to keep going if you are attacked by Mojas or other harmful obstacles in the stage. LocoRocos are given certain new abilities such as to sink and swim under water and jump and cling on to branches and reach higher platforms in the level, among other abilities.

The most interesting feature of the gameplay of the LocoRoco series is that LocoRoco themselves cannot move in the game but it is their world that you control.

Pressing the L button makes the whole world tilt left, thus making the LocoRoco also move left. Similarly, with the R button to tilt right. Pressing both the buttons together bumps the world and makes the LocoRoco jump. This concept makes the gameplay fresh and also sets it apart from other platformers (if you can classify this game as a platformer). It really is a whole different experience controlling the world rather than controlling the main character.

The level design of this game is creative, not less than a work of art. You will see your LocoRoco ride on winds shaped like circles, hearts and other crazy, yet beautiful, patterns. The level design of this game has to be seen to be really appreciated. Words fail to describe the creativity that has been put by SCEI in the level design of this game.

The music of the game is also catchy and tunes that play in some of the worlds are so wonderful that you will find yourself humming along or singing them even when you are not playing the game.

Like the Patapons and the Sims, the LocoRoco have their own language which is basically gibberish to us. But the developers have also given that aspect a creative touch by having seven different types of LocoRoco, each with a different colour, different names and unique personalities. For example, the yellow coloured Kulche (my favourite) is an energetic youngster while the purple coloured Viole is a confident tomboy and so on.

The number of hours that it takes you to beat this game depends on how much you want to complete each level. If you go for 100 per cent completion on each level, the campaign can take you around 10-12 hours to complete. Then there are tonnes of extras such as mini games, building the MuiMui house, completing stamp sheets and much more.

LocoRoco 2 might be a simple game but its beautiful level design, catchy audio, undeniable charm and cuteness will certainly win you over. It is a game that does not take itself seriously and neither should you. This is a light-hearted game perfect for your kids and even the kid in you.

 

Topten...
 

Current favourites

Here are the top 10 games of this week:

1. Dead Space, platform type: Multiplatform, creator: Electronic Arts
2. Fallout 3, Multiplatform, Bethesda Softworks
3. Gears of War 2, Xbox 360, Epic Games
4. Call of Duty: World at War, Multiplatform, Treyarch
5. Grand Theft Auto IV, Multiplatform, Rockstar North
6. Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway, Multiplatform, Gearbox Software
7. Far Cry 2, Multiplatform, Ubisoft Montreal
8. Prince of Persia, Multiplatform, Ubisoft Montreal
9. GRID, Multiplatform, Codemasters
10. FIFA 09, Multiplatform, EA Canada

Coming soon

Here are some highly anticipated games to be released in the coming months:

1. Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 Uprising, PC, EA LA
2. Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2, Multiplatform, Omega Force
3. Guitar Hero: Metallica, Multiplatform, Neversoft Entertainment
4. War Leaders: Clash of Nations, PC, Enigma Software
5. Orb and The Oracle, PC, Heuristic Park6. Ultimate Ninja
6. Naruto Shippuden, PS2, CyberConnect2
7. Duke Nukem Trilogy, PSP and DS, Apogee Software Ltd.
8. The Red Star, PSP and Wii, Acclaim
9. Codename Panzers: Cold War, PC, Stormregion
10. Storm of War: Battle for Britain, PC, maddoxgames --S.S.

 

Rating: 9/10

Pros

• Controlling the world instead of the character is a nice change.
• Lots of extra content.
• Super cute and beautiful level design.
• Catchy audio.

Cons

• Boss battles are particularly very easy.
• Not for serious gamers or those looking for a serious challenge.