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Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid Review

November 14, 2011

Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid
Studio: Kyoto Animation
Publisher: FUNimation
Release Date: October 18, 2011
Price: $34.98 – Available Here

Overview:
Full Metal Panic! is a series that has been around for quite a while. The series began as a light novel way back in 1998 and is still going today with 25 volumes published since its creation. Four years after the light novel began the first anime adaptation was released with the same name as the novels, Full Metal Panic! and spawned two subsequent anime sequels.

However one of those sequels didn’t really continue the main storyline and was called Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu which was more of a comedy series. This isn’t that one however, Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid is a direct continuation of the first season. Now that FUNimation has re-released the series under their Anime Classics brand, how does this complete collection stand?

Story:
As I mentioned before, Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid is a complete sequel to the original series, so those expecting to hear anything more about the Fumoffu spin off will unfortunately be disappointed. Still, it has been more than a few years since the original was released so let me go over the events of the first season very briefly and reintroduce a number of the characters.

In the first season we followed the exploits of Sousuke Sagara, a soldier who has only known the military and works for the secret anti-terrorist group known as Mithril who has been tasked with protecting a spirited and outspoken high school girl who goes by the name Kaname Chidori. Chidori must be protected because she possesses the Whisper ability which is connected to Black Technology and something highly sought after in the world.

The only problem is that, with Sousuke only knowing military life, how can he adapt to acting like just an average high school student while also being the bodyguard of Chidori and performing military actions when necessary? This is the heart of most of the comedy that is present in Full Metal Panic! and it retains the same feel as the original in The Second Raid.

On to the story however, viewers are quickly thrown into a plot where Mithril is searching for the people who betrayed them and this means that Sousuke, Mao and Kurtz are on the front lines once again in their Arm Slaves battling against a dictators forces, especially their extremely powerful units which he should not be in possession of.

The series continues its high paced action whenever a battle occurs and there is always a lot of tension in the middle of these fights. Still, once the battle ends and the action winds down the story does as good of a job as in the original switching gears to a high school comedy where most of the hilarity comes from. The Second Raid does a perfect job of balancing the action and comedy between the fighting and high school sections of the show which provides a great contrast between the two, but there is still the sense that the tone of this season is much more serious than the original.

Now the story of The Second Raid begins shortly after the events of the first season, well more like three months after to be precise. This creates an amazing sense of continuity for those who have watched the first season and it also benefits from not having to introduce all of the main characters and the situation. Which means that everything can begin much faster than the original season which is a great thing for fans as viewers can pick up on the action with Sosuke and Chidori like it never actually stopped and had to wait years between seasons.

Now while some may come to Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid for more of the mecha action that they love, others will come to see the character development between Sousuke and Chidori. Without the need for introduction the series allows for the two to really grow up and develop feelings for one another despite how dense Sousuke can be at times. Those eager to see more of their interaction will be more than happy with what they see in The Second Raid… especially with the challenges that the two are presented with when it comes to trying to stay together.

The downside here is the fact that anyone who decides to try and jump into the series now will ultimately be quite lost in a number of regards. The characters and their various roles or are rarely mentioned and the world itself is barely given any explanation so this is a very poor starting point for anyone eager to pick up a new mecha anime series.

Visuals:
Now some people may be a bit worried when they hear that The Second Raid doesn’t have the same animation studio as the original season. The first season was created by Gonzo while this one was handled by Kyoto Animation. But let me say that it is actually for the best that Kyoto took over as the quality of both the animation and the artwork has taken a major step up from the original and viewers shouldn’t find much to complain about.

The visuals themselves are crisp and have plenty of detail with a vibrant color palette that is very striking on the DVDs which the series comes on. Now it is also worth mentioning that Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid is just as brutal as most viewers will remember. To be more precise, there is plenty of blood and even minor bits of gore when characters are killed, such as a soldier’s throat being cut. Enemies who are shot will bleed and a few deaths are focused on, such as the strangulation of one female enemy. This of course means that it may not be something for children to watch, but provides the graphic violence that some action series shy away from focusing on.

Audio:
As usual with FUNimation’s release the company has provided both the original Japanese voice track as well as an English dub of the series. The quality of the Japanese voice cast is superb as always and viewers will not find themselves wanting if they choose to listen to the Japanese track, as the subtitles are also well handled for those who choose to try and remain purists.

For everyone else, the English dub has done a stellar job with the characters they have been given, especially Sousuke and how he can react at times to various situations that he not only isn’t comfortable in but doesn’t understand in the slightest. A major plus is that nearly the entire American voice cast has returned to reprise their roles from the first series which helps keep everything nice and consistent.

Extras:
Being as this is the Anime Classics version of Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid, the DVD case comes in a nice little slip cover that contains the artwork you can see above. The slip cover isn’t anything too special however, merely containing the same art as the DVD case itself. Each of the three discs contains images of some of the main characters as well, but what about the content on the discs themselves?

Disc three contains all of the various special features for the series, which contains your usual bonus features such as FUNimation release trailers and the clean opening and ending songs which are nothing to write hope about. There are however a few other bonuses which are nice, including the Location Scouting in Hong Kong which is a seven part feature.

Besides that there is a short Episode 000 which helps reintroduce the characters to everyone and of course takes place before The Second Raid begins. The true highlight is a Bonus OVA which focuses on Tessa the Captain of the Tuatha de Danaa and Sousuke’s superior. Tessa isn’t having the best day and this full length OVA provides a humorous look at her bad day as well as allows us to see a different side of some of the characters we otherwise wouldn’t have been treated to.

Overall:
As a whole Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid is an amazing and true sequel to the original season, and with the rerelease of these thirteen episodes under the Anime Classics package it is a bit cheaper than original. Now some may be concerned because while the original season was 24 episodes and The Second Raid only has 13 that they won’t be getting a full story.

However there is no reason to worry about this, as The Second Raid feels more like an additional 13 episodes that would have been added on to the end of the original. With more character development between Sousuke and Chidori and plenty of action, there isn’t much to hold viewers back from enjoying The Second Raid.

Moshi Monsters: Moshling Zoo Out Now

Jorel Alvarez

November 14, 2011

Based on the hugely popular Moshi Monsters, an online social world for kids aged 6-12, Moshi Monsters: Moshling Zoo is out now across the UK. In the world of Moshi Monsters: Moshling Zoo, you are given Moshling Zoo to take care of by none other than the Legendary Moshling expert, Buster Bumblechops. It’s your job to make sure Moshling Zoo blossoms and flourishes, and fill it with cute little creatures called Moshlings. You’ll have to explore the Wooly Wilderness, and solve puzzles to lure and convince Moshlings to stay at your zoo. There are 52 Moshlings to collect, ranging from the common to the ‘ultra-rare’ and you can even hatch super cute Baby Moshlings at the Zoo Nursery! Playing mini-games will keep your zoo residents happy and educational-style puzzles gives young players a bit of edutainment.

Moshi Monsters: Moshling Zoo is out now in the UK and is also available in North America, Australia and New Zealand.

For more information on Moshi Monsters: Moshling Zoo, visit: http://www.moshlingzoo.com/

Trine 2 Hands on Preview

Claire Phillips

November 14, 2011

Fantasy platformer-puzzler Trine first debuted back in 2009, and although the sequel has gone through a bit of a delay in it’s release, Frozenbyte have finally let fans get a hands on with the game. Pre ordering Trine 2 on Steam will give players instant access to two full levels to play in both solo and online multiplayer, and although it’s only a small taste of what’s to come, it’s a very satisfying one.

The three characters from the original Trine return, bringing a very well balanced game to life with Zoya the thief, Pontius the knight, and Amadeus the wizard. All have their own character quirks, with the rotund knight obsessed with his dinner, Zoya challenging the narrator when he calls her a thief, and Amadeus worrying about what his wife will say when she discovers he’s gone!The opening sequence has the heroes brought together once more by the mystical artifact that is the Trine, and although the story doesn’t have the time to develop, the characters are more than enough to draw you into the world.

In a game like this usually one character is favoured over the others by personal preference and/or usefulness, but Frozenbyte have managed to balance the importance of all three with well thought out skill sets and levels.Whilst the characters do match up to their obvious roles (Pontius can smash anything to bits, Zoya is the most agile, Amadeus is the puzzle solver), developing their skills and making creative use of them opens up puzzles to multiple solutions. Whether its using Pontius shield to redirect the fire of an enemy or Amadeus’ boxes to provide cover, there are plenty of ways to utilise every character out with their stereotypical roles.

Collecting vials will eventually allow you to buy a new skill for any of the three, which can lead to an even greater variety in the gameplay. Where once Zoya would be overwhelmed by multiple enemies she can now freeze them solid after slipping into stealth mode, Amadeus can overcome his physical limitations by conjuring multiple boxes and levitating enemies, and Pontius just gets ever more destruction happy with some serious upgrades to his hammer!

Pontius is the obvious choice for combat situations, but the other characters are by no means useless. Amadeus can use his boxes to provide cover and block ranged attacks, or fling enemies onto spike traps. Zoya can quickly get herself up onto higher vantage points to rain down arrows or give Amadeus a safe spot to use his magic.

Whether you play alone or in the online multiplayer, it’s all about team work and co-operation (although there is room for some friendly shoving into spike traps). Whatever your usual play style all three characters are fun to play, and the level design and skill trees ensure that no character is favoured over the others . The online multiplayer can be jumped into from a single player game, and having all three characters on screen simultaneously makes for a faster, more chaotic experience. Where a single player has to change between characters (which is seamless anyway) to tackle a more complex situation, three can quickly combine their skills, and often in unexpected ways!I had a bit of trouble finding a game, but other than that the whole process was simple and trouble free – and there’s always the option for local play.

The game is absolutely gorgeous and the levels are packed with detail and vibrant colour – playing Trine 2 really is like playing through a fairytale. The lush forest areas are littered with plants, with vines creeping up trees and toadstools aplenty. In the background giant statues and mountains loom, and the dying sunlight is joined by a scattering of candlelight and the magical glow of some strange flora and fauna. It feels like a living fantasy world, and from the two levels on offer, it isn’t just pointless eye candy – the world is very dynamic.

How do you get rid of a giant snail blocking your path? Grow a giant lettuce for it to eat of course. A puzzle like this sees you tipping a log full of running water to flow in the right direction, and making creative use of Amadeus and his boxes to channel it over to the sparkling roots to bring the plant to life.

Elsewhere bouncy pumpkins can fling characters skyward to grab potions and health, vine tangled boulders swing back and forth and bubbles pop out the water to give you a lift upwards. In only two levels Frozenbyte show off an impressive amount of potential puzzle pieces that when combined in the full game should make for some tricky and imaginative puzzles.

Frozenbyte have in a few hours of gameplay demonstrated a huge amount of potential in Trine 2. It looks incredible and the gameplay is a perfect balance between it’s three characters and the genres they represent. The fantasy feel is unashamedly fairytale, and Trine 2’s strong sense of style should hopefully develop even more when given a full game to play with. Although the story doesn’t get a chance to take off, there is an intriguing glimpse of a sorceress in the final moments that hints at some fantastic tale to come.

Trine 2 will be released in it’s entirety sometime this December on PC, Mac, PS3 and Xbox 360, so keep watching Capsule Computers for a full release date and review.

UFC Undisputed 3 PRIDE Gameplay Video

Jonno Weiss

November 14, 2011

THQ recently released a video showing off the new PRIDE mode which will be featured in UFC Undisputed 3. The video shows off the PRIDE specific moves such as soccer kicks and face stomps in a fight between two PRIDE legends, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Dan Henderson. These two legends will lock horns this weekend at UFC 139, marking the first time these two will meet in the octagon.

The video gives off a good impression of what the final game will look like, with PRIDE being just a small component of the overall offerings. It also includes some insightful commentary by the game’s Senior Designer Wes Bunn and Community Manager Nick Robertson.

Check out the video below and let us hear your thoughts! UFC Undisputed 3 will be out on February 14th 2012 for PS3 and Xbox 360.

Comic-Con comes to Melbourne Australia in 2012

Philip Federico

November 14, 2011

Comic-Con comes to Melbourne on Saturday 30th June and Sunday 1st July

Patrick Stewart and Stan Lee head stellar line-up

Melbourne will be hosting Australia’s own version of the world’s top pop culture event, Comic-Con, in 2012, with legendary actor Patrick Stewart (Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Star Trek: The Next Generation) and comic icon Stan Lee (original creator of Spiderman and other comic icons such as The Hulk, X-Men, Fantastic Four, Iron Man and Thor) heading a stellar line up.

Reflecting the entertainment industry powerhouse San Diego Comic-Con International (http://www.comic-con.org/cci/) – globally recognised as the world’s leading pop-culture event – Oz Comic-Con will be a pop culture expo like no other. Melbourne fans will be among the first to experience the event in Australia, with Adelaide hosting the debut event in March. Oz Comic-Con will expand further into Australia throughout 2013 and 2014.

Patrick Stewart and Stan Lee will be joined by other international and local comic, film and TV guests, including Ryan Robbins (Sanctuary, Stargate Atlantis, Falling Skies), and Sean Maher (Firefly, Serenity), with many more to come.

In an Australian first, aspiring comic creators will be able to submit their work for professional review, with Scott Allie (Dark Horse Comics, Senior Managing Editor) in attendance at Oz Comic-Con Melbourne and scouting for new talent.

There will also be comic book and anime artists, gaming demonstrations and cosplay competitions (a unique type of performance art in which participants don costumes to reflect cultural ideas and concepts, often from Japanese popular fiction).

“Oz Comic-Con will be more than just a gathering place for Melbourne fans of the various arms of pop culture,” said Carissa Avenhouse, of event organisers The Hub Productions. “It will celebrate and educate – it will be the place for fans to share their love of pop culture, get up close and personal with celebrities, enter contests with fantastic prizes, or learn how to break into the industry.”

Oz Comic-Con is brought to Melbourne by The Hub Productions (http://www.thehubproductions.com/), a company that specialises in popular culture events, bringing some of the world’s most loved stars to Australian shores. Recent Hub Productions events include Twilight 2008, 2009 and 2010 (featuring Taylor Lautner, Kellan Lutz and Nikki Reed), Star Trek 2010 (featuring William Shatner and Scott Bakula), Gleek-On 2010 (featuring Kevin McHale) and Stargate 2010 (featuring Richard Dean Anderson and Chris Judge).

For more info check out The Official website here : – http://www.ozcomiccon.com/

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Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning Destinies System Detailed

Julien Durand

November 14, 2011

In their latest “Inside Reckoning” video, the guys over at 38 Studios and Big Huge Games talk through the Destinies system which sets the game apart from other RPGs.

In short, players don’t just pick a class at the beginning and go on their merry way, rather they are slowly presnted with an ever evolving tree of Destinies, from which they can choose perks and statistics which will increase their ability as a warrior, thief, or mage. What’s most interesting is that hybridization is encouraged with unique hybrid destinies which can be purchased only by those who invest in more than one tech tree. You can be the biggest, baddest warrior around, or you can be a sword-wielding, fireball-hurling warrior-mage hybrid.

For the full details check out the video below. Reckoning comes out for PC, Xbox 360, and PS3 on February 7th.

Skyrim Giants are not to be taken lightly…

Dustin Spencer

November 14, 2011

So Skyrim has been out for a few days now, and I’m sure many of you have been leveling up and fighting off the most devious of foes without problem. Giants however are on a completely different level. A new video surfaced recently showing a guard picking a fight with one of these large and powerful beasts, and the end result is just….well, you have to see it for yourself.

To Bethesda, I don’t know if this is a glitch or intentional, but please, do not remove this now legendary feature, as this could very well take the Elder Scrolls series to the next dimension (literally). Watch the clip below…now.

Uncharted 3 Drake’s Deception Review

Claire Phillips

November 13, 2011

Uncharted 3 Drake’s Deception
Developer: Naughty Dog
Publisher: Sony
Platform: Playstation 3
Release Date: November 03, 2011
Price: $51.99 – Available here

Overview:
What Uncharted 3 Drake’s Deception requires little of is an introduction. In its first day of global sales 3.8 million copies of the title went home with PS3 gamers, a figure that took Uncharted 2 Amongst Thieves over a year to pass.

Being one of the biggest sellers of the year within 24 hours of release is a massive achievement for developer’s Naughty Dog, who have taken the already excellent Uncharted formula and made it bigger and better than ever before.

As strong as the story and it’s execution are, there are still some gameplay flaws that hold it back. It is tempting to completely disregard them in the face of the spectacular set pieces and well woven characters, but this is a game nonetheless, and it needs to hold up that end of the ‘cinematic experience’ too.

Story:
The story behind Uncharted 3 will be incredibly familiar to anyone who has played the series before. There are some artifacts (Sir Francis Drake’s ring, finally playing a major part) that lead to some tombs that lead to some more artifacts that eventually lead to a long forgotten city.There are puzzles to be solved and ancient scripts to be deciphered, the results of which are quickly handed over to a crew of bad guys who always show up just when all the hard work is done. Throw in a bit of the supernatural and the Uncharted plot formula is complete.

There are no surprises in the bare bones of the plot, but it’s the execution and the story’s seamless interaction with the gameplay that really impress.

Drake’s Deception dips into the past in more ways than one, jumping back in time to explore the personal history between Nate, Sully, and villain of the piece Katherine Marlowe.

Seeing the origin of the Sully-Drake partnership after two games and four years is a smart move. The dynamic between the two has always been a highlight of the series, and it gets an increasing amount of attention throughout Deception – whether it’s in the usual form of withering banter or a more sincere emotional moment.The opening chapters give a real sense of scale to the relationship – these guys have been through a hell of a lot together, and it’s not just what we’ve seen on screen. It all serves to keep the game anchored to a human core, and is very revealing both for Drake as a character and the players- Sully is just as integral to the series as Drake himself.

Moving back to present day, Katherine Marlowe is still chasing the artifact that Drake snatched from under her nose so long ago, and is tricked into revealing her stubborn intentions by an elaborate ploy concocted by Drake and Sully. So begins a globe trotting race that takes in Syria, France, Yemen, London and more, as both sides work to uncover the secrets behind the ring and the hidden voyage of the man who first wore it.

Marlowe is an excellent if underused villain. Sophisticated and smart, she’s known Nate since the incident in Columbia, and is unafraid to use some psychological mind games to her advantage. She’s not a physical force to be dealt with however, and that role is neatly filled by right hand man Talbot, who lacks any real character of his own (other than being villainous and English) but has all the real impact on the plot. It’s a shame that Marlowe doesn’t get a bit more screentime, as she exudes some genuine menace in the few scenes she has. There is a brief mention of her being the head of an age old secret society, but her motivations are never really explored. Uncharted is and always has been a game about the good guys, and thankfully they are as entertaining and likeable as ever.

Chloe and Sully return early on, accompanied by newcomer Charlie ‘not quite Jason Statham‘ Cutter.The character could easily have fallen into the cheeky Londoner stereotype, but is genuinely funny and surprisingly capable. Likeable from the off he’s a great addition to a group of already strong characters – he probably has the best one liners in the entire game.

Chloe and Sully are not the only familiar faces, and Elena’s return will no doubt cause some ripples amongst fans. She brings a more serious emotional side to the story, and provides Drake with some much needed food for thought. Deception certainly takes its leading man to darker places than ever before, and weaves Nate’s growing unease with his identity into a few superb sequences.

Whilst there are a couple of chapters that feel a bit forced- some pirates show up out of nowhere and feel very much like an excuse for some water based set pieces – the story as an experience is incredible. Despite the formulaic feel to the basics there are still surprises to be had and jaws to be dropped, and it’s a credit to the writers that throughout so much chaos the characters are still such a draw in themselves.

Visuals:
The best game I have ever had the pleasure to look at – it’s that simple. Uncharted 3 is vibrant, exquisitely detailed and beautifully shot. Naughty Dog undoubtedly know how to build a cinematic sequence, with a foray in the desert and a sinking ship particular stand outs. That the cinematography of a game can be a talking point at all is a credit to the developer’s and to the progress of the industry – video games can be art.

There’s a certain vibrancy to the colours and intensity to the lighting that gives everything a sense of life, and every location has it’s own unique feel – whether it’s a street market in Yemen or a seedy London pub. Every minute detail of the characters is there to see, from the creeping wrinkles around Nate’s eyes to the stitching on his forever half tucked shirt. Every new environment brings with it a moment just to look around and appreciate it, and there are small touches in the midst of all the huge obstacles and chaos that bring the characters to life.

Uncharted 3 is a game that can quite happily be watched as well as played, and Deception certainly feels like the most cinematic entry in the series. When Hollywood gets around to this video game adaptation they are going to have trouble topping the original!

Audio:
Series composer Greg Edmonson returns with a fully orchestrated soundtrack that will undoubtedly pick up as many awards as its predecessors -from the second you hit the title screen the music in Uncharted 3 is wonderful. Nate’s theme returns once more and has never sounded better – it is the perfect iconic track for the series. As a soundtrack Uncharted 3 could sit quite happily amongst those of Hollywood films, and I found myself coming to a halt to listen to it just as often as I did to appreciate the visuals.

Every action beat sounds superb and the voice acting is as enjoyable and authentic as ever. Newcomers Graham McTavish (Cutter) and Rosalind Ayres (Marlowe) add to the already excellent cast, fleshing out brand new characters in only a few lines.

And it’s not just the quality of the individual elements that stands out, it’s their use. Everything is brought together exceptionally well to bring a truly cinematic feel to the game, and Naughty Dog have avoided cluttering the title by knowing what elements are necessary and when.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 Review

Joshua Spudic

November 13, 2011

Pro Evolution Soccer 2012
Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PSP (reviewed), Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC, PS2, Wii
Release Date: Out Now
Price: $19.99 (PURCHASE HERE)

Overview
Pro Evolution Soccer has always been the closest rival to the juggernaut football series that is known as the FIFA series, published by Electronic Arts. Of course, it does have its on following, a strong one at that. This year, Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 offers something for those wanting the portable version so that they may play on the go. I wouldn’t call it a stripped down port, though, as it does have a life of its own using the staples of the series. Excellent game modes and decent gameplay shine from the mediocre visuals and poor track selection, save a fair few. So, how does it shape up?

Gameplay
In recent years, Konami has been trying to deliver an in-depth experience for Pro Evolution fans. In this game, there are tactical actions the player can take that are used in real life, like a focus on counter attacking or focusing the attack down one wing. Although there is depth within the game, it becomes a chore to activate that depth. Take shooting for example. More often than not, I only relied on pressing circle (it’s initially square, but from being exposed to FIFA for so long, I decided to change the controls). That becomes a problem because, since the power bar becomes a bit unforgiving, the shot would be executed with too much power. It isn’t satisfying to see the shot go wide or high. At the end of the day, it becomes a skeleton of a game in terms of gameplay, but it can still be satisfying. What does make a great game are the player’s team mates and the opposition. The AI is near perfect as the players act out their roles on the pitch. If the player takes too long, they will be shut down. The better, more top rated players will show why they are the best of the best. Team members will always help the player in both attack and defense. Along with the challenge it imposes (dependent on the difficulty level), the AI will always be fair and realistic.

There is one thing about the gameplay I am happy about, it is the plethora of game modes that are available for the player to go through. First off, I shall talk about the gem of the modes: the UEFA Champions League. For those who don’t follow the round ball game, the UEFA Champions League is the premium club competition of Europe, showcasing the best of the best from the top leagues of the continent. Konami snapped up the official license of the tournament and they did not waste it. Not only the tournament is in a separate mode, it has been incorporated into the Master League and Be A Legend. The tournament is exactly what the official tournament is and does incorporate most of the teams of the 2011-12 tournament (except three of the English clubs). However, the PSP version does not include the UEFA Europa League, the secondary UEFA club competition.

The UEFA Champions League isn’t the only club competition that is included in Pro Evolution Soccer 2012. Also included is the Copa Santander Libertadores, South America’s premium club competition. Unlike the Champions League, the Copa Santander Libertadores lacks a presence in any other game modes other than the tournament. All of the teams for the more current season are there, but they suffer a problem. They do not appear outside of the game mode. So, for example, one can not pit Flamengio of Brazil against Manchester United. If the teams of the Champions League can appear in other game modes, why not the Copa teams?

There are other game modes outside of the two club competitions. The more stronger ones have to be Master League and Be A Legend. In Master League, the player takes control of a club (existing or created) and tries to take them to the top. It is similar to the manager aspect of FIFA’s Career Mode where, as manager, the player will scout players, be active in the transfer market and tweak the team to their liking so that they may reach the top of the mountain, acclimating to a Champions League tournament win, as the player will choose which of the five European leagues they will try to conquer. It is a great game mode as, although not in depth as a manager simulator, still offers the basics of becoming a manager, still allowing that experience.

Be A Legend becomes more personal as it focuses on one player, usually a created player. Here, it is the player’s goal to reach the top of professional football, becoming the world’s best player. In this mode, the player can sign for different clubs, take on a mentor to boost stats and turn it around on the pitch. Even though it is personal, it still is restrictive as the player is in the shoes of a footballer, thus having no real power. Having said that, the fact that you can be substituted, unlike FIFA’s Career Mode, is definitely a plus.

There are others modes, like League and Cup modes, where the player controls one team and just goes through one league or cup competition without the hassles of the Master League mode and Training mode, which is self explanatory. An Edit mode also appears, which allows team changes, create a footballer, changing the name of the stadium and even changing the name of a competition. Overall, there is a bit of depth in the gameplay, but it seems it isn’t there due to the fact this is a scaled down port of the console versions. The plethora of game modes is definitely a positive and their use, especially the Champions League, is very well done. Master League and Be A Legend are also worth checking out.

Visual/Audio
Considering that the PSP isn’t the most powerful machine out there, one shouldn’t expect eye-popping visuals. Actually they look very mediocre. The players are a far cry from their actual appearances (save for a few of the bigger stars of the game). The stadiums look good though, especially during the Champions League games, where they get the look and feel of a Champions League game right. Animations don’t look natural. In fact, they are quite robotic, especially when shots are taken. What would be interesting to note is that the game does allow the player to choose what animations they would like with any player, both real and created.

Don’t get me started on the music. Alright, some of the tracks are fine, mostly the more instrumental ones, but some of them are downright awful. The different mixes of the Champions League are also great, all evoking the meaning of the tournament, which is the best of the best all trying to get the most prestigious prize on the club scene. Thankfully, there is a playlist, where one can shut the music off if it is not what they enjoy. One can select what game modes and instances during the game they would like to hear the music. There is also an option to load their own tracks from the Memory Stick onto the playlist. The commentary on this version of the game doesn’t flow. It feels like a broken record, skipping beats within the game. It sounds disjointed and it doesn’t give the play justice.

Overall
Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 is a great football title on the go. Expect a fair and realistic AI and a great depth in gameplay, somewhat restrictive due to the controls of the PSP. Also expect a plethora of game modes, with the Champions League, Master League and Be A Legend the cream of the crop, despite lacking a few of the modes of the console version. Although it has somewhat mediocre visuals and a poor selection of music, Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 should be in one’s PSP collection, even if said person plans to buy the console version.

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