Invizimals
SCORE: 63
Invizimals is the second PSP Camera based video game we are reviewing. This hand held game is part Pokemon, and part explore your surroundings. Invizimals comes with a card which helps us catch these little creatures. In face without the card, and PSP camera we would not be able to see them. Real video is shown of people who talk to you about the missions. They also explain how to play Invizimals at the beginning.
I got a real kick out of seeing these little creatures super imposed on the floor, a table, a desk, etc. Like Pokemon they fight each other until one is knocked out. When this happens I noticed something strange - the super imposed images would shake a little bit. This did not happen all the time, but was noticeable enough that I found myself looking for it. The Invizimals are designed for fighting, and I am glad they are not real. To run into one of these in the real world could be a scary thing.
The music in Invizimals is really neat. It fits the theme of the game, and has an almost Mortal Kombat feel to the start of a fight. The actors have a real feel to them, even if they are a little campy. There is some humor in Invizimals that is hilarious, and some humor that is not appropriate for the younger members of the family. The different Invizimals have interesting and diverse sounds to them. This added to the realism of this PSP game for me personally.
Invizimals contains over one hundred different kinds of creatures. They level up through fighting each other, which makes them stronger. You can battle against friend via the Ad Hoc mode. The story mode has enough missions to keep most gamers busy for a few weeks. It will take longer to find all of the Invizimals, and to level them up. Invizimals contains strategy based on type. Knowing when to use what will also add to the replay value of this PSP title.
Hunting Invizimals was mildly interesting to me. I got lazy though and would put different colored paper down on the table and find something new to catch. There are different mini games to catch the various Invizimals. These range from clunky to frustrating. I did catch them, but rarely was it the first time. There are different types of Invizimals (as previously mentioned), four different attacks, and stamina. The stamina bar was interesting at first, but became annoying later on. Attacking takes away stamina, and so does defending. So doing anything but eating an attack can produce low stamina. I found myself attacking a couple of times, getting low stamina, and eating an attack. Then I would have enough stamina to attack again. The strategy felt light on the fighting to me, especially when compared to Digimon, Pokemon, and over other mon out there.
I found the idea of little violent creatures hidden in the real world
a fascinating one. Having them fight it out for my pleasure is a concept
that did not resonate as well with me. Ultimately I did not understand
why I was fighting other people's Invizimals. To prove who had the
stronger one? That was usually me. Getting to find the different
Invizimals is pretty cool. I wanted to catch them all. I am so sorry,
but I could not resist that line. I think with some work a sequel to
this game would be very interesting. Maybe if we take snap shots of a
picture and they fight on that as a backdrop.
- Paul
Graphics: 58%
Sound: 64%
Replay/Extras: 73%
Gameplay: 59%
Family Friendly Factor: 62%
System: Playstation Portable
Publisher: Sony
Rating: 'E10+' for Everyone 10+
{Crude Humor, Fantasy Violence}
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