‘Star Ocean: Second Evolution’

‘Star Ocean: Second Evolution’

(Square Enix) for PSP

Genre: Role-playing; Rating: T

Grade: B

Updating old games and re-releasing them as “new” on a different platform can be a boon to business or hurt credibility, especially if the games look their age and are tired retreads. Thankfully, when Square Enix redesigned the first “Star Ocean” game from the original PlayStation to the PSP, most were excited to see an old classic reborn into something fresh. So it doesn’t take a leap of faith to say that the sequel, “Second Evolution,” is equally compelling.

You can play (and replay) the game as Claude or Rena, and either character is a suitable guide through the galaxy and its foes you must conquer along the way. You’ll form up a party and go traversing the various maps the game offers, doing the good things that RPGs do: battle, upgrade, find treasure, battle, upgrade, wash, rinse, repeat.

Casting spells is a must, but it does become more difficult as the enemies progressively level up with you. Unfortunately, your players’ speed does not, so sometimes the game gets a little too button-mashy. There is also plenty to do for the collector in you; caves and quests are everywhere, which means you could spend hours just grabbing stuff and making other characters happy with fulfilling tasks given to you.

The gameplay is extensive and full of depth, so you’ll get your money’s worth. The visuals are fantastic, except when old cutscenes from the original PlayStation game show up and sap the life out of the dynamic animations you see the rest of the time. “Second Evolution” is definitely worth getting if you’re a PSP owner, if for no other reason than a constant lack of PSP content, or depending on your viewpoint, the lack of “good” PSP content. Either way you slice it, this game is a worthy addition to your library.

‘Elebits: The Adventures of Kai and Zero’

(Konami) for DS

Genre: Adventure; Rating: E

Grade: C

“Elebits” makes its way over to the DS, and with it comes the same “seek and find” gameplay that made the original such an interesting Wii game. A few things have been changed, and it may be no award-winner, but this is a surprisingly entertaining game.

Kai returns from the first game, along with his best friend, an Elebit named Zero. You are sucked back in time through a cosmic bus (don’t ask) and charged with trying to save the world from anti-environment, expansionist peoples who are pillaging and destroying the land. Yeah, the pro-green message is forced down your gullet, but as a card-carrying member of the green movement, I’m not complaining. Plus, it never hurts to pass a positive message along through games to the kids. You know, because it’s all about the children.

Once you search out all these Elebits from across the land, you’ll have to wisely pair them up to fend off attacks during fights. You’ll also use their powers to find other Elebits and to solve puzzles, which is probably the game’s greatest strength.

The puzzles are still challenging from beginning to end, and the boss battles are worth checking out. And if you aren’t keen on investing in a new DS game, this one is short enough to rent and finish in a weekend, as long as you keep your wits and Elebits about you.

—Chris Campbell, Scripps Howard