PlayStation Move Heroes Preview

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Scheduled release date:

March 1, 2011

Publisher:

SCEA

Developer:

Nihilistic

Number Of Players:

1-2

Genre:

Action

Screenshots

Several of the most recognizable faces in the PlayStation world have been captured and taken to an alien planet, where they must compete in a serious of challenges (aka, minigames). Developer Nihilistic has taken guys like Ratchet, Jak and Sly and placed them into what should be a fun, engaging Move-oriented game that has us striving for the best ranking possible (Bronze, Silver, Gold) while participating in games that require the use of everything from guns and whips to bowling balls and Frisbees. There are a total of five gameplay mechanics to sample, which means we shouldn’t be growing tired of the experience in the first hour. Clank can rush around rescuing whibblets (not sure what they are, either), defending himself with a pistol and any summoned Zoni that can be called in to help. Bentley from the Sly Cooper series tosses the Frisbee…an explosive one, which can be guided in mid-air.

Those are just a few examples, but they sound entertaining, right? Although much of PlayStation Move Heroes might sound a bit like Sports Champions, there’s a whole lot more going on in this motion-sensing title. While it does consist primarily of minigames, many will have a wider, more expansive feel, as if we’re almost going through a small adventure quest with a popular hero. Plus, as each character has more than just one skill or ability, it’ll be interesting to see how each attack and maneuver is performed with the Move controller. We would strongly suggest having that handy-dandy strap around your wrist when flicking the whip about with Sly; he’ll have to fend off waves of enemies with that weapon, and in addition to straight attacks, you can also grab foes with the whip. Oh, and you will visit new areas during the course of your minigame, so that’s cool, too.

In fact, if you can catch any video footage of Ratchet’s game, you’ll know what we’re talking about. You’ll smack enemies around with the wrench and although there is a time limit, you can explore some decently sized levels and even claim a few power-ups as your own. In short, it seems like Nihilistic wanted to push the boundaries of the concept of a “minigame” and deliver something that feels more “adventure-ish.” Of course, with so many different mechanics at our disposal, it’s crucial to have reliable and pinpoint accuracy. The game will utilize both the standard Move wand and the navigation controller, which can be combined to handle all the necessary movements. However, we don’t believe we’ll be able to control the camera, so the team had best deliver a viewpoint that doesn’t compromise the on-screen action. Also, Move’s sensitivity is well documented, so…

As time goes on, developers will become more familiar with Sony’s motion controller and as a result, we’ll have deeper and more dynamic Move-based titles. PlayStation Move Heroes could be one of the first that really impresses us. Lastly, although Insomniac, Naughty Dog and Sucker Punch aren’t – apparently – directly involved, we imagine Nihilistic will retain that genuine comedy found in each of the platforming titles in question. This appealing atmosphere is what keeps the fans coming back for more and while this game emphasizes separate minigames, there is an overarching storyline. Provided the charm and character of…well, the characters is in the limelight, we ought to be satisfied.