Playstation Store Launches Worldwide!

We’re extremely late on this news story, and I apologize (especially since we’ve only been covering the store for a gabillion months now, including in our Holiday Guide), but in case you haven’t heard, SONY has released its Playstation Store worldwide on PC, without any real release date. Though we appreciate it, we’re just a bit ticked off that SONY didn’t announce any release date–I’m sure more people will use it as we get further into the PSP’s life cycle, but right now, considering that only online junkies (like you and myself) know about it, there’s little chance the non-internet PSP owner will use it. There is no PSP-direct store yet, FYI, so you’re still forced to connect your computer, but you now have access to PS1-games, demos, and more: all in one place. Of course, this is not it. It’s a late-night here at BGL as I will soon be uploading some photos of my first experiences in downloading a freebie followed by an actual PSOne game. (First, I have to delete half of everything on my Memory Stick 🙂 ) Check the store out here.

MetaReview: Medal of Honor Heroes 2 (PSP)

Even though we’ve learned to take some reviews with a grain of salt, when all of them are compiled together, gamers get a bigger picture of exactly what the hell is right (or wrong) with a game. Critics traditionally blab much more than they should and some critics unintentionally ramble on about little details that bugged them. Even so, that does not mean that everyone should try any game that looks good–it simply means to appreciate ratings that scream “Decent”, “Good”, or “Okay” much more. And Medal of Honor Heroes 2 sounds just like one of those games–IGN loved it, but the others said it was decent. Now the only question is: should you buy it or hold off?

• IGN (8.4/10)- “For on-the-go gamers Heroes is a great title though, as it autosaves every few minutes, and has almost no load time at all; extremely impressive for a system that is often plagued by a sluggish processing. Team Fusion went all out to make sure the game was optimized to its fullest, and it pays off in a big, big way.”
• GameSpot (7/10)- “Thanks to solid controls, a short, albeit enjoyable single-player campaign, and an impressive online mode, Medal of Honor Heroes 2 is a battle worth fighting.”
• GameSpy (7/10)- “[T]here’s still no headset voice support, and the diminutive map and mode counts put a significant crimp on multiplayer’s potential longevity.”

LOCO2?: LocoRoco Devs Looking for new Staff…

LOCO2?: That’s right. The LocoRoco developers in Japan are looking for new help in developing a new game, which could either mean LocoRoco2 or an entirely-new project. Considering that we haven’t heard anything about our favorite game since the release of Cocoreccho, it’s nice to know that the LocoRoco faithful might have something else to play in the upcoming months.

[Via PSPFanboy]

FPSFTW: Medal of Honor Heroes 2 Surpasses SOCOM…

FPSFTW: The SOCOM faithful might have no SOCOM-branded first-person-shooters to play with this holiday season, but be surprised, as Medal of Honor: Heroes 2 arrives in stores this week, receiving critical acclaim from IGN. After playing the original Heroes demo, I can say I actually like the game–IGN has admitted that Heroes 2 doesn’t change gameplay that much. Perhaps if you’re a disgruntled SOCOM fan whose unwilling to check out Tactical Strike, you might want to check out Heroes 2. We’ll have a preview in our Holiday Guide coming up…

HOLIDAYS07: The Guide to Everything PSP

The Guide to Everything PSP

The PSP, or Playstation Portable, has been rocking the market for two years straight, by far the most graphically capable of the two major portable devices. This year, a new model and several new games try to improve the PSP’s sales and succeed. But, which one is right for you and why should you jump into the PSP market now? Find out after the jump.

MetaReview: SOCOM: Tactical Strike (PSP)

Maybe SONY should consider continuing the Fireteam Bravo franchise on PSP, because despite a slew of positive, early impressions, Tactical Strike just doesn’t cut it with several critics. We reported to you earlier that the SOCOM fanbase was upset about this game, and the critics are just as disappointed:

• PSPFanboy (9.5/10)- “In spite of the flaws, SOCOM: Tactical Strike is one of the best experiences I’ve had to date on the PSP. This is an easy candidate for PSP GOTY. Gorgeous, believable graphics, innovative gameplay, and massive levels are just part of the game’s unique appeal…far from a pick-up-and-play game due to its rather unique and relentless gameplay, and will undoubtedly confuse and anger players expecting a traditional SOCOM experience”.
• IGN (7/10)- “[Tactical Strike] is an upsetting game. Not because it’s a poor title – not in the least, nor is it terribly difficult (though it can be frustrating). Rather, Tactical Strike is upsetting to us because it’s a perfect example of a game that could have been lot of fun, had it not been damaged by several seemingly obvious mechanical problems that take away from the overall experience”.
• Games Radar (7/10)- “If you factor into your plans the possibilities of your commands not being followed perfectly, you can have a slow-burn, satisfying experience.”

OMG: Manhunt 2 Lives Up to Controversial Buzz on PSP at least

Following the ultimate bitchslap the gaming industry gave Rockstar Games for the ultra-violent murder simulator, Manhunt 2, Rockstar went back to the drawing board to create a slightly less violent version to qualify for a mature rating rather than the industry’s kiss-of-death, the Adults Only rating. After lackluster reviews for both the Wii and PS2 versions, the PSP version is in the spotlight, but has received decent reviews so far. While it isn’t perfect and the reviews don’t make it sound as godly as GTA PSP, the game still has enough props to warrant a purchase for those who simply love death, controversy, and killing.

Breaking/Developing: PSP Playstation Store Coming in 2008

More good news…SONY has announced that the Playstation Store will soon be compatible without the expensive PS3 as a requirement. This winter, SONY is set to unveil the PC version of the Playstation Store and next year, they’ll soon have a PSP-embedded store. Being that SONY has recently pledged to bringing more downloadable content rather than UMDs and Blu-Ray discs, there’s a high percentage that we’ll actually see it on time. And, according to Kotaku, at least eight games will be on the PSP by 2008 available via the PC-vert of the PSN. Unfortunately, we do have to wait for this one, but the chances are very high and it’s likely that SONY won’t dupe us out of this one. Stay tuned.

[Via Kotaku and PSPFanboy]

TGS07: Echochrome Still Looks Simplistically Good

A black-and-white mannequin plops from the sky and the soothing music of cellos and violins arises. There has never been a game more graphically simplistic than Echochrome, and as we were shown at E3, it’s much more dazzling than it looks. The object of the game is to make your mannequin’s way through complicated stairs and structures. And, it gets harder by each level. The “casual gaming revolution” that Nintendo has touted for birthing has a new player, and its name is SONY. Take a look at the updated trailer here on our VodPod.

TGS07 Coverage Plans

TGS07 is on its way and Beyond Get Loco will have all of the latest coverage. Expect head-on commentary that holds nothing back, a feature-packed post-TGS podcast on the way, all of the latest updates, and everything/anything we know about LocoRoco Cocoreccho or any other LocoRoco projects in the works (as well as our routine coverage of Patapon and Echochrome):

• Day-by-Day analysis and coverage of PSP games and Cocoreccho at TGS
• Commentary that pushes the limits by far, asking questions and taking names
• Every single LocoRoco rumor that exists in the world.
• All the Cocoreccho coverage we can muster from those who will be there
• Continuous updates on the VodPod featuring a slew of TGS-vids and Cocoreccho videos.
• Any updates we can find on Patapon, Echochrome, or any other SONY projects ahead.
• The latest news updates & discussions on a specialized-TGS board on the forums
• Exclusive polls and reviews from Beyond Get Loco-members via the uRcd feature.
• Announcements about our team podcasts & the upcoming Reviewrama

So get geared up as Beyond Get Loco readily prepares for the Tokyo Game Show 07 and stick with us for everything and anything you’ve gotta know about the show! See you there.