LocoRoco 2

Once again, the LocoRoco 2 soundtrack takes center stage for me, with some great tunes scattered about the levels that are only aided by the different noises the LocoRoco and other creatures will make that seem to run in tandem with the music at times.

LocoRoco 2 wisely takes the torch of the first installment and succeeds again in PSP with an original title, fresh (though with the same basis than the first one) and extremely entertaining.

Some will think the game too short, the gameplay repetitive and the experience too similar to the original to warrant forking out another £20, but those people are heartless grouches who no doubt spend their time scaring children and trampling on daisies. For everyone else, LocoRoco 2 is the most uplifting game available, not only on the title-shy PSP, but on any platform.

It's bigger, better and happier. Let a little LocoRoco love into your life and you'll never regret it.

A multiplayer mode still didn’t make it into the concept of LocoRoco 2 and the gameplay also didn’t change. But it will entertain you the same way as the former part did!

Despite the lack of evolution, I had a great time with LocoRoco 2. It's an improvement upon the original by most measures; bigger, better and more bad-ass, you might say, sacrilegious as it seems to apply Cliff Bleszinski's sales pitch to this sugary treat, but where Gears of War 2 delivered on its outlandish promises, LocoRoco 2 proves decidedly lacking.

It’s one of the happiest pieces of software ever released, constantly throwing tunes, trinkets and new tricks at the player simply to amuse them. [Jan 2009, p.93]

Probably the only game you can find that makes you turn away from playing it due to the girly and childish cover. But trust me, this is probably one of the best PSP game you will find.

LocoRoco 2 is a truly imaginative title and one worth revisiting on the vita if missed on the psp. The aesthetic is extremely vibrant and gorgeous. The whole game exudes colour and this is matched with the equally colourful and infectious soundtrack. The soundtrack and visual style are used effectively to contrast the good in the game with the evil. With a game with limited narrative, the occasional text box, the story is effectively told through the animation and music. The characters are perhaps one dimensional but act as simple and lovable balls of colour and sound. Having the choice between characters is nice but I found myself sticking with the default LocoRoco. The gameplay is very innovative and engaging but quick movement and changes of direction can make certain scenarios frustrating and make some deaths feel cheap. It is however a pleasure to explore the well designed and varied levels that truly encourage exploration for secrets and offer incentives for replaying by introducing new gameplay mechanics that can open up previously closed areas. The level of difficulty is low allowing the player to enjoy the visuals, level design and music. LocoRoco 2 is padded with some mini games which are a bit unnecessary and not too engaging, adding to the length of the game to its detriment. Overall LocoRoco 2 is a pleasure to play through its visuals sound and gameplay and is definitely recommended.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

PSP's own take on Katamari and Monkey Ball. If you are into those games, you will be into this one. Other than that, it is a easy pass for everyone else.

What is this game? It’s adorable, yet it’s so weird. It’s simple to play, but it’s so awkward to control and move. I like it, but I’m also happy if I don’t play this again.