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PlayStation Network Game Reviews
So far we've had Xbox 360 Arcade reviews and WiiWare reviews, so what's missing? The Playstation Network games, of course! So what can you download for your PS3 to pass the time between your next big title purchase? Let's take a little look at a few of the fun and unique titles the Playstation Network has on offer.
Flower
You may have heard of this one. And as a result you might say to me, "But why this, when there are so many other great titles?" Well, for the simple reason that Flower isn't like all those other big titles. It's a unique little game that doesn't throw you into a world of punching or shooting bad guys, rescuing princesses or exploring alien planets.
Flower puts you in the role of the wind itself, blowing a lone flower petal through fields, controlling the wind through the Playstation 3's Sixaxis controller, and for once the use of movement control doesn't feel gimmicky, but actually flows in a natural way.
Though there are certain objectives to complete, such as bringing colour to a dull world or collecting more flower petals by flying close to flowers, it's more about the experience and the emotional reactions from the player, as what little "story" is present is told through visual cues.
Sure, it's not a traditional game. You might not even play it for that long. But it's definitely worth experiencing at least once. It fills you full of a sort of zen, and it's a great way to just sit down and relax, enjoying the world the game presents. So take some time to smell the roses and just go wherever the wind takes you.
3 out of 5.
Journey
Journey is another arty title like Flower, although this time it's actually what you'd call a "game". You play as a lone wanderer in a huge, seemingly endless desert environment. Your only tools are a basic introduction to the controls. Otherwise you get no direction, no map, just your sense of cooperation and adventure getting you to your goal. What is that goal? Get yourself to a mountain that you can see in the distance.
Remember what I said about cooperation? While you can beat the game alone in a few hours, the real fun and the real purpose of the game is to play it online. In the huge desert environment you will run into other people. They will look the same as you and you will not be able to communicate with them beyond a few preset gestures, but you'll want to work together to unlock every secret and find every little bonus the desert has to offer.
It's a strange feeling to be stuck in a game with no guidance, relying on people you'll never really get to know, but it's also a good feeling. You're required to put your trust in the kindness of strangers.
Journey won't take you long to finish, but you'll want to replay it a few times because of the people you'll meet and the experiences you'll have.
4 out of 5.
Costume Quest
This is one for the younger audience, or maybe just the young at heart. Costume Quest puts you in the shoes of a kid going out trick-or-treating with their twin when, out of nowhere, a monster kidnaps their sibling.
Sound a bit simple? Well, the whole game is simple, but it's a lot of fun and has a few good laughs in it, with a bit of nostalgia thrown in for good mix.
The key point here is the costume part. The game gives you access to different costumes, all with different powers. For example, equip your character with a robot costume and they become a giant robot. Give them a dinosaur costume and they become a fearsome dinosaur.
The battles are turn-based, sort of like Final-Fantasy-type RPGs. Walking around, however, Costume Quest becomes more of an adventure game. You accept quests to get candy, hints or new costumes to help find your twin, or you can find other kids to help you out on your quest.
Like the other two games, Costume Quest isn't long. It'll take you a few hours to finish, but that's not to say it's bad. It's a lot of fun and you'll get a kick out of it, so maybe play it with a younger brother or sister and just enjoy the wacky story it has to offer.
3 out of 5.
For more game reviews, check out our Reviews Archive.
Articles Written by Grace H
Reviews written by Grace H
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