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Neverland Card Battles review

Posted by Brandon Spencer

Neverland Card Battles
I am returning to PSPGN today to write a special review. I received several requests for a review of this game, so here goes.

The title of the game offers a pretty good description; Neverland Card Battles is a fantasy-themed card collecting RPG. The game, produced by Yuke’s, was released last week in the ‘States. The fundamental game play involves building a deck, drawing cards, and using them against your opponent’s cards. Defeating an opponent will earn you new cards with which you can improve your deck and move on to tougher opponents. The twist is that battles take place on gridded map. Each grid square that you land on will add one point to your territory score, or mana. These points allow you to summon and keep monsters on the board, as well as perform magic.

The game features 2 modes: story and versus. The story mode only includes 16 different levels, but the replay value is high thanks to 200 unique cards to collect. Versus mode allows you to play against a friend using different characters (sadly, ad-hoc support only).

So, how well do the mechanics work? The difficulty is well balanced. You can challenge new opponents at your own pace, choosing to either build your deck in the easier levels or plan your moves carefully in the more difficult ones. I do have one complaint about the game play - you never seem to have enough cards. You can only draw one card per turn. So, if you play a full hand in one turn, it can take you another 5 turns just to get a full hand again. There are times when you will have to spend several turns running away from your opponent until you even get a playable card.

The biggest downfall in the game, however, is the graphics. The top-down board view looks great, but as soon as you enter attack mode or shuffle through your deck, the graphics take a big dive. Editing your deck should be simple enough, but it becomes troublesome due to the fact that all your cards look like abstract pixel art. The animation in attack mode looks like it belongs on the Gameboy Advance.

The storyline attached to Neverland Card Battles isn’t great either. To its credit though, the game does features some pretty good voice acting.

Overall, Neverland Card Battles is really fun. The first time I popped the game in, I wasn’t that impressed. However, the game drew me back in again and again. If you can set aside the weak graphics, lame story, and minor game play bumps, then prepare to lose your evenings over this addicting title.


Easy instant messaging for PSP

Posted by Brandon Spencer

eBuddy, the free web-based instant messenger, has just launched their web client for the PlayStation Portable. eBuddy writes, “by opening the PSP browser and going to m.ebuddy.com you can chat on MSN, Yahoo!, AIM and Google Talk. No download required and it’s free to use.

While instant messaging would be a lot more convinient with a Qwerty keyboard, the PSP’s built-in texter will have to suffice. In any case, it’s great to see third parties developing apps for Sony’s handheld.

You can check out this post for more information.


Valhalla Knights 2 in the works

Posted by Brandon Spencer

Despite the major flaws in the original Valhalla Knights, the game sold extremely well. Of course, money speaks for itself, so it wasn’t a total surprise when Valhalla Knights 2 was announced at TGS this year.

The trailer above doesn’t show a whole lot. Some artwork, japanese dialogue, and a few seconds of gameplay footage. If our issues with the first game do get resolved in the sequel, this could potentially be a very satisfying RPG.


Kingdom Hearts confirmed for PSP

Posted by Brandon Spencer

Our suspicions were confirmed today at the 2007 Tokyo Game Show when Kingdom Hearts was officially announced for the PSP.

The game takes place many years before the original Kingdom Hearts games, dubbed Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep. The PSP exclusive appears to feature a much darker graphical theme. Perhaps this is all part of the story… or maybe just a clever marketing ploy.

The “secret” Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep PSP trailer

In any case, the game looks pretty exciting based on the little CGI trailer. I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot more in the coming months.


Japanese go crazy for Crisis Core!

Posted by Brandon Spencer

Sephiroth Crisis Core PSP

If there’s one way to sell PlayStation Portables, Final Fantasy is the golden ticket. The PSP-exclusive prequel to Final Fantasy 7, Crisis Core, was released in Japan last week.

Based on the latest data from Japan, FFVII: Crisis Core has already sold over 470,000 copies. That is insane. Not Monster Hunter insane, but insane none the less.

The release of the game has also revived PSP console sales. Aprox. 100,000 units were sold last week in Japan, just managing to beat the Nintendo DS. Do you think this positive trend will last? Or was this a one-week wonder?


More God of War PSP videos

Posted by Brandon Spencer

Developers certainly continue to push the PSP’s graphical limits. Check out the newest videos for God of War: Chains of Olympus. I don’t think they need an explanation.

Three words: I… can’t… wait!


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