Developer: Team17
Publisher: SCEA
Genre: Puzzle
Region: NTSC
Format:
Release Date: 23 May 06

Score 10 (Best) 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 (Worst)

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Overview

The PSP is in a point right now where it has not really made a great mark for itself, nor made users have an idea of what to expect from the platform. When you look at the Nintendo DS, you can see that the platform thrives on puzzle and platforming games, and that is why we see so many different games in the same genres for the DS. So the PSP hasn't made this type of mark, but we are looking at a strategy game that might help better define the PSP. The game is Lemmings and it hopes to be successful on the PSP.

Gameplay

So for those of you who are thinking that you have heard of the title Lemmings before, then you probably remember the classic original game that was originally released for the Amiga, which went on to be one of the more beloved puzzle games around. So the big question is can the developers manage to bring the same magic to the PSP?

So the main idea of Lemmings is a game that takes a simple idea and runs with it. You are basically the supreme commander/protector of your troop, and therefore you must protect them no matter where they go. This job is both challenging and quite entertaining, and is a formula that has been left rather unchanged to its move to the Sony Playstation Portable. So basically if you have played the game before you can expect the same sort of experience on the PSP.

One of the things I really liked about Lemmings is the fact that it manages to bring the classic levels into the mix, but also leaves you with some new levels as well. The game contains 120 of these "classics" and around 30 new levels. Now this does sound like an extreme number, but you do have to understand that the levels are not very large and some you will only play for a couple of minutes.

The game is broken up into stages, which include Fun, Tricky, Taxing, and Mayhem. So as you can see they do become more and more challenging as you go through.

Although puzzle games have not been a staple point for the PSP, Lemmings seems to work extremely well. The widescreen actually works perfectly for this game as it allows you to see all of the action with no problems. Sony has also done a great job with the controls, making it very easy to navigate through the game. The only real downside I saw with this game was that you still wanted more even when you were done, but that is just a sign of a great game. To me Lemmings is one of the most entertaining games I have played on the PSP, and seems to prove that maybe the PSP can do more then just dumbed down action games.

Graphics

Visually I have always been a fan of Lemmings, mainly because it has always used a very bold color palette, something it continues to use in the PSP version, plus some. The developers managed to keep the very classic Lemmings feel, while still providing some much needed improvements in detail and variety. For those who have liked the visuals in the past, you can continue that in this game as well.

Fun Factor

I understand that there is definitely a market for puzzle games out in the gaming industry, and I think this market is going to really eat this latest Lemmings game up. It has just so much depth, and so much good going for it that it is hard to knock at all. I have to say I really enjoyed this game with its gameplay, solid controls, and updated visuals. Although the PSP hasn't been a great place for puzzle games in the past, Lemmings manages to do extremely well here on the PSP.

Overall

I think more than anything Lemmings shows a great deal why puzzle/strategy games are really the bread and butter of portable gaming. Although I am sure a transition can and will be made outside of that, it is good to see Sony still bringing in a great puzzle gaming like Lemmings to please the fans of the series and genre. If you are a fan, I would highly recommend checking Lemmings out, it is definitely worth the purchase.

Gameplay
9.0

Graphics
9.0

Fun Factor
9.0

Overall
9.0

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