The Portable Argument

[Minky_man]

Fellow Escapists, How are we?

Now, I've, since this year, (Hoora for comma's) have been playing nothing but the Playstation Portable gaming wise. Namely due to the Nostalga of old games and being able to play it anywhere in the house or outside for newer games. It works for me in a home where the TV isn't always avalible.

To the Point...

When it comes to Portable games on the PSP, game developers are stuck between people wanting quick shots of gameplay; to people wanting games worth hours of time much like having a console game but handheld. Now personally, as long as the game is good, I can play either of these sides, yet it does annoy me more when being a 'Portable' game causes the game itself to become lacking.

Since I play it often, I find a game suffers when it's so eager to stop and start all the time. Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops comes to mind, Each level can be done in about 5 minutes and it really breaks up gameplay for me. PSP's have a Sleep function on them so you can stop and start even if you are in the middle of a battle or a level. PSP Go's have the pause function that lets you do other things with your PSP; So I see no reason to have games "stall" on me so often just because they are 'Portable' even with these Sleep functions in place.

For the sake of Argument and the question open to the public on this forum:
What would you prefer having on your portable system? A Great game that has quick bursts of Gameplay? Or a Great Game that takes longer to complete each section/level/sequence etc etc?
Also Classmates, explain your answers please(and keep the PSP bashing to a minimum).

 

[CrashBang]

I prefer the quick bursts of gameplay because I can't sit and play a portable game for hours on end, which is why I never got very far on the DS version of FFIII but I finished both Mario Kart DS and New Super Mario Bros

Off-topic: I've always been tempted to get a PSP but never have due to the apparent lack of a decent game library. But that might be just me being ignorant, so what games do you have for it and what would you reccoment? Cos I would like to get one if I can justify it

 

[delet]

I want a full game on my portable system, not just snippets of gameplay. I love NIS games, because they can last me a hell of a long time, and I still won't be finished with them. Specifically, the Disgaea series, which is damned perfect on the PSP.

Right now I'm playing through Disgaea Dark Hero Days and I have over 250 hours on it easily, yet I'm still not even close to beating the game. Sure, I've beatin the story, but there's so much beyond that. I could easily sit down for hours playing this alone. Likewise, are the games Prinny: Can I Really Be The Hero, a platformer with plenty of replayability and unlockables, and recently Disgaea Infinite, a Visual Novel that is beyond hilarious.

When it comes to the PSP, I get games that I know will last me a long time and that I will enjoy. I got the PSPgo November last year, and I still haven't finished the 2 games I got on it. And yes, the Pause feature is infinitely useful.

 

[Nwabudike Morgan]

My DS and PSP aren't for long protracted gaming sessions. That's what my consoles and PC are for. I have my handhelds so I'll have something to do while waiting to see the dentist besides reading tennis magazines.

Although I must admit, on many an occasion I have gotten totally bomb-ass stoned and laid in bed in the dark with my PSP, Lumines and a pair of headphones and just grooved the fuck out for a couple hours.

Shinin' shinin' shinin' shinin'

 

[-Seraph-]

Either or, it really depends on the game in question; although I do like my long and full on console experience games. The only games I really use for short bursts and that work well in that respect are fighting games, which the PSP kicks major ass at.

I'm used to sitting down for hours on end just playing my PSP, it's no different to me than playing any other game system and "small" screens hardly detract from my enjoyment or how long I play the game for.

Off-topic: I've always been tempted to get a PSP but never have due to the apparent lack of a decent game library. But that might be just me being ignorant, so what games do you have for it and what would you reccoment? Cos I would like to get one if I can justify it

Without knowing your specific tastes, I'll just let you have at my list here. I either own or have played all of these games and can give enough info on them, so if you are interested in the specifics of any game just ask and i'll fill ya in.

Spoiler: Have fun

Spoiler

-Dissidia: Final Fantasy (get this game without question, it's THAT good, no seriously...just fucking get it.)
-Crisis Core: Final Fantasy
-Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions
-Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror
-Syphon Filter: Logans Shadow
-SOCOM Fireteam Bravo
-SOCOM Fireteam Bravo2
-SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3
-SOCOM Tactical Strike
-Field Commander
-Fate/Unlimited Codes
-Tekken 6
-Tekken Dark Resurrection
-Wipeout Pulse
-Wipeout Pure
-King of Fighters collection
-Patapon 1 and 2
-Guilty Gear XX2 plus
-Jeanna D'arc
-Disgaea
-Disgaea 2
-Prinny: Can I really be the Hero?
-God of War
-Kingdom of Paradise
-Resistance Retribution
-Star Ocean 1
-Star Ocean 2
-Tenchu Shadow Assassins
-Castlevania
-Mega Man Maverick Hunter X
-Killzone Liberation
-Phantasy Star Portable
-Armored Core 3 portable
-Armore Core Formula Front
-Armored Core: Silent Line portable
-Star wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron/ Elite Squadron
-Valkyrie Profile
-R-Type Command
-Force Unleashed
-Metal Slug Anthology
-Tomb Raider Anniversary
-Warhammer 40k Squad Command
-The FF 1 and 2 remakes
-The monster Hunter games
-Crimson Gem Saga
-Gran Turismo PSP
-Motor Storm Arctic Edge
-Little big plant PSP
-Assassins Creed Bloodlines
-Persona
-Mytran Wars
-Soul Calibur Broken Destiny
-Daxter
-Phantasy Star portable
-Monster Hunter Freedom Unite
-Jak and Daxter Lost Frontier
-Ratchet and Clank
-Tales of Eternia
-Lunar remake
-Hexyz Force
-Silent Hill shattered Memories
-Dante's Inferno
-Shadow of Destiny
-Blazblue portable
-Metal Slug XX
-Metal Slug Anthology
-Modnation Racers
-Mimana Iyar Chronicles
-Prince of Persia (newly announced one)
-Armored Core: last Raven
-Persona 3
-Monster Hunter Freedom Unite...or any of the MH games

And games to keep an eye out for in the near future:

-God of War: Ghost of Sparta
-Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep
-Valkyria Chronicles 2
-White Knight Chronicle game (official title not yet announced)
-Lord of Arcana (Square Enix getting in on the monster hunter fad)
-FF13 Agito
-Chaos Heart
-Carnage Heart
-Parasite Eve 3
-MGS Peacewalker
-Munster Hunter 3 portable
-Ys chronicles
-Ys 7
-dot//hack link
-Phantasy star portable 2
-The Last Ranker
-Tales of Vs
-R-Type command 2
-God Eater
-Split/Second
-Prinny 2: Dawn of the great pantsu war (oh the horrific and rage inducing fun this will induce)

 

[Timbydude]

Either or, it really depends on the game in question; although I do like my long and full on console experience games. The only games I really use for short bursts and that work well in that respect are fighting games, which the PSP kicks major ass at.

I'm used to sitting down for hours on end just playing my PSP, it's no different to me than playing any other game system and "small" screens hardly detract from my enjoyment or how long I play the game for.

Off-topic: I've always been tempted to get a PSP but never have due to the apparent lack of a decent game library. But that might be just me being ignorant, so what games do you have for it and what would you reccoment? Cos I would like to get one if I can justify it

Without knowing your specific tastes, I'll just let you have at my list here. I either own or have played all of these games and can give enough info on them, so if you are interested in the specifics of any game just ask and i'll fill ya in.

Spoiler: Have fun

Spoiler

-Dissidia: Final Fantasy (get this game without question, it's THAT good, no seriously...just fucking get it.)
-Crisis Core: Final Fantasy
-Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions
-Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror
-Syphon Filter: Logans Shadow
-SOCOM Fireteam Bravo
-SOCOM Fireteam Bravo2
-SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3
-SOCOM Tactical Strike
-Field Commander
-Fate/Unlimited Codes
-Tekken 6
-Tekken Dark Resurrection
-Wipeout Pulse
-Wipeout Pure
-King of Fighters collection
-Patapon 1 and 2
-Guilty Gear XX2 plus
-Jeanna D'arc
-Disgaea
-Disgaea 2
-Prinny: Can I really be the Hero?
-God of War
-Kingdom of Paradise
-Resistance Retribution
-Star Ocean 1
-Star Ocean 2
-Tenchu Shadow Assassins
-Castlevania
-Mega Man Maverick Hunter X
-Killzone Liberation
-Phantasy Star Portable
-Armored Core 3 portable
-Armore Core Formula Front
-Armored Core: Silent Line portable
-Star wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron/ Elite Squadron
-Valkyrie Profile
-R-Type Command
-Force Unleashed
-Metal Slug Anthology
-Tomb Raider Anniversary
-Warhammer 40k Squad Command
-The FF 1 and 2 remakes
-The monster Hunter games
-Crimson Gem Saga
-Gran Turismo PSP
-Motor Storm Arctic Edge
-Little big plant PSP
-Assassins Creed Bloodlines
-Persona
-Mytran Wars
-Soul Calibur Broken Destiny
-Daxter
-Phantasy Star portable
-Monster Hunter Freedom Unite
-Jak and Daxter Lost Frontier
-Ratchet and Clank
-Tales of Eternia
-Lunar remake
-Hexyz Force
-Silent Hill shattered Memories
-Dante's Inferno
-Shadow of Destiny
-Blazblue portable
-Metal Slug XX
-Metal Slug Anthology
-Modnation Racers
-Mimana Iyar Chronicles
-Prince of Persia (newly announced one)
-Armored Core: last Raven
-Persona 3
-Monster Hunter Freedom Unite...or any of the MH games

And games to keep an eye out for in the near future:

-God of War: Ghost of Sparta
-Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep
-Valkyria Chronicles 2
-White Knight Chronicle game (official title not yet announced)
-Lord of Arcana (Square Enix getting in on the monster hunter fad)
-FF13 Agito
-Chaos Heart
-Carnage Heart
-Parasite Eve 3
-MGS Peacewalker
-Munster Hunter 3 portable
-Ys chronicles
-Ys 7
-dot//hack link
-Phantasy star portable 2
-The Last Ranker
-Tales of Vs
-R-Type command 2
-God Eater
-Split/Second
-Prinny 2: Dawn of the great pantsu war (oh the horrific and rage inducing fun this will induce)

Spoiler: Have fun

Holy...there's no friggin' way you've finished all those. Persona 3 Portable came out two days ago...

OT: I don't so much mind quick bursts of gameplay; it's just that generally when I'm out, I'm not in a situation to be playing video games. I'm with friends and such, and I'd rather talk to them than take two turns in Final Fantasy Tactics. Whenever I play a game on a handheld, it's almost always at home.

 

[-Seraph-]

Holy...there's no friggin' way you've finished all those. Persona 3 Portable came out two days ago...

OT: I don't so much mind quick bursts of gameplay; it's just that generally when I'm out, I'm not in a situation to be playing video games. I'm with friends and such, and I'd rather talk to them than take two turns in Final Fantasy Tactics. Whenever I play a game on a handheld, it's almost always at home.

Never said i finished ALL of them, just said I've played and/or own them. I just got P3P today and started playing and I'm going on its reputation as to weather it's a good game or not, but i don't feel to need to leave it out.

Still for the ones on that list I have yet to finish, I've at least played 50% of the game which is enough to gauge it's quality to a reasonable level.

 

[Minky_man]

The thing I find with "quick burst" games is that they seemed rushed for the sole purpose of being played for only 10 minutes at a time. Say you have only an hour a day where you can spend time playing a portable system waiting for public transport etc
Personally I would prefer to play a "full" game and simply Sleep mode it when I'm busy again rather than having a game who's levels end quickly. Take Item world in Disgaea, now it takes yonks, true, but I'd rather just pause that and continue it later rather than feeling unchallenged by another game that has to be easy in order to be on the go.

This debate wouldn't exist if Ds's and PSP's didn't have a Sleep function but since they do, why do some game devs continue to make (what I see as) 'lazy' games with the easy excuse of Portability?

 

[migo]

Both. Sometimes you've got a really long wait, so a long extended game is great. Other times you might only have 2 minutes to play, so some quick play games are great for that.

 

[Zaik]

It works fine either way, imo.

On one hand it's nice to be able to play longer games without constant in-game breaks, but occasionally i don't play for a while, come back, and have no idea wtf is going on.

Simpler, short section games like half minute hero don't have that problem, but aren't so great if you're waiting for an hour for something.