Coded Arms

"Yes, it's good, but not for everyone"

Alright, the first FPS on the PSP. The biggest question everyone is asking is,"Do the controls work?" the answer, "Depends"

GAMEPLAY---9/10 or 6/10

The controls in this game are actually quite brilliant. Using a dual analog esque setup on a system with only onw analog stick is very risky. I myself think that the preset control scheme is just fine. There are a couple other pre-loaded schemes and the ability to completly modify each button. If you are willing to adjust you will be fine.

The gameplay itself reminds me of the classic shooters of my younger years. It really feels like the missing link between Doom and Halo. As a fan of old school shooters, I am really enjoying the random corridor style gameplay. Every gun is recieved one at a time and you keep them forever. Guns can be "upgraded" with icons collected from certain enemies, although it only increases damage. Certain enemies are more easily defeated by certain weapons, adding an element of strategy. With more than 25 weapons and an infinite supply of subtly unique levels, there is a fair amount of content to be enjoyed by the lone gamer.

If you don't like adjusting to control schemes then skip the first score. Same goes if you are looking for a mobile halo, this game ain't it.

GRAPHICS and SOUND---9/10

Very nice. Probably the best looking PSP game there is. I was actually surprised by the level of detail in the levels. With all this talk of "Square and steril rooms" I was expecting something truly simplistic, but it is not bad. Yeah, it is based on a cubicle style design, but the objects within the space are unique and really add somthing to the whole feel of the game. Enemies are well detailed for a handheld, but have simple animations. If it weren't for the high quality of the reload animations this would be less noticable.

The absalute best thing about the graphics (and maybe the whole game) is the excellent sense of style that drips from every part of the game. Everything from pixelated fade-ins after loading, enemies exploding into computer code fragments after being defeated, "trickles" of code when walls are shot, and the muslical score support the theme of being in a computer system. Far too many games these days lack style, the feature is a huge plus for this game, even extending the likability and lastablity of it. Kudos Konami, kudos.

MULTYPLAYER---10/10

Two factors are essential to making this score applicable:

1. You must enjoy the core game mechanics

2. You must have a friend with a PSP that also fills requirement #1(Multiply score by 2 for each additional friend)

There is nothing else like this on the planet yet. That may sound like the overstatement of a fanboy at first, but hear me out. Playing a respectable FPS with friends in the car on a road trip is simply wonderful. With so many weapons and randomized levels, the multyplayer mechanic is near perfect for the medium it is presented on. In short, if you fill the above requirements R-U-N and buy this game, and take your pals with you.

FINAL SCORE-9/10 or 5/10

Well, this game comes down to one thing: Are you willing to adjust? If you are willing to re-learn the way you play FPS and enjoy the genre in general (not just halo) take the first score.

If you are unwilling to adjust to anything but the standard dual analog scheme, or dislike the slightly old-school feel of the game then take the second score. Are you unsure? rent it, you can beat the single player mode in a weekend, perfection will take longer (There are incentives) and multyplayer will multiply the life of this charming little shooter.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 07/08/05