GripShift

"A fun and cheap title."

Gripshift was one of those titles that I hadn't heard a lot about except that it was a budget title and was some sort fo a racer. It had gotten so-so reviews so I told myself that I wasn't buying it until it was fairly cheap. Well, I found it for about $10 so I grabbed it and I must say it's worth the normal bargain price because I ahd a lot of fun with this title...

Gripshift is a racer / puzzle game so it doesn't feature a story. It's all about goals and time so it doesn't really require a story. Think of it kind of like a driving version of Frantix, which is also on the PSP.

Graphic wise I found Gripshift very pleasing. It isn't super realistic but it does well with a cartoonish look about it. Vehicles and characters look nice. Traps and everything are noticeable, even from a good distance. Level design is rather nice and it never really felt like I was playing the same level, despite there being 100 levels. Themes are reused but each theme is nice. Game has a good frame rate ect. No problems with the graphics here.

The sound in the game can be a mixed bag for some. I don't remember any voice acting. Sound effects are decent but nothing special, or worth writing home about. Music on the other hand might drive some people insane. It's mostly hip-hop and while I'm not a fan of the genre, it isn't too bad. I found some of the songs catchy and a few actually fit some of the levels. There is a time themed song that speeds up tempo and the clock gets closer to running out.

It took me a while to get the hang of the control in this game. I found myself using the D-pad and I'm not too good with the nub, however I found that the nub was more on the spot with control than the D-pad. Jumping, nitro, braking and all of those moves are easy to pull off and you really need to master them by the end of the game. No real problems but by the end it feels like you've mastered the control as the final levels are rather hard.

The game play in Gripshift is kind of odd to explain. So let's focus on the three mode types I guess. Adventure mode has the basics of the entire game. it features normal game play and the racing, which I'll cover later. Now, the game offers 100 levels (14 are races I believe). In the levels you need to get to the finish line before time runs out. No laps or anything like that. A lot just have you getting to the end. Some require you to hit the check points but still finish in time. Now in each level is a hidden icon, this is worth a point. Also, the levels have stars. Collect all of the stars and you get some more points. Now finish with a gold medal you get 3 points and it goes down from there. Points unlock new mode,s tracks, mini games, racers, cars ect.

See, the cool thing about adventure mode is that as you advance in the game the levels introduce new things like launch pads, speed ups, slow down, magnets, bombs, and moving platforms. Some levels are just tracks while others have you island hoping. Fall and it's game over and you need to start the stage from the start. The game really knows how to spice things up and keep it interesting.

Races are one on one. It has weapons and there are 14 different tracks. They get harder not only by opponent AI but the tracks get trickier. I really enjoyed this aspect of the game as well.

The third and final actual game play mode is the mini games. They range from pool, to bowling (with penguins!), to even something that reminds me of a skate park. These also have points to get for meeting goals. Truly, the game has a lot to offer. It has the 100 levels but it has 1000 points to get as well.

Now, if that really isn't enough game play for you, then the game has plenty of replay value as well. It has a level creator which is nicely done. Plus the load times are very quick, so it makes this game a much easier pick up and play title for trips of any size. You can also download tracks from the internet that other people have created and the game offers multiplayer as well but I don't know anyone with a PSP so I can't tell you how well that works but I think the person needs a copy of the game as well.

This is one of the more original PSP titles and I don't understand the so-so reviews it's gotten. Graphics and control are fine. Game play is actually solid and the physics are easy to pick up. Level design is good, lots to unlock, mini games, track creator ect. Plus, it's very cheap these days as most places charge no more than $20 for it.

Story - 0/10
Graphics - 8/10
Sound - 6/10
Control - 8/10
Game Play - 9/10
Replay value - 9/10

Final Score - 8/10

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 04/13/06