LocoRoco Review
Roc 'n' roll star.
Version tested: PSP
Somewhere, there's a dizzy parallel universe where there's no Radio One. No Capital Gold. No Magic FM. Where the soundtrack to everyday life throbs with manic day-glo doo-wop pop thrills and the words you hear have never been heard by mortal ears. It's a world where the smiling bubble offspring of Jeff Minter's perverted Corona dreams have to pass their fizzical by warbling joyous high pitched odes to MDMA and the wonders of surging serotonin. These amorphous blobs grin themselves to death for the love of plants. It's a happy, albeit brief existence.
Back in the real world (where the sun still shines and a little wavy pink baldy smiley man bobs from side to side on my desk), Sony has approximated this spherical servitude in the most effortlessly cheerful manner possible with one of the most perfect examples of handheld gaming ever made. Please welcome LocoRoco into your lives.
While diving for pearls among retro's cavernous past, Tsutomo Kouno has emerged with a grin every bit as wide as the lonely rolling LocoRoco you'll cherish throughout the game. Like an inspired collision of Mercury, Sonic, Katamari and Yoshi's Universal Gravitation, it feels equal part puzzle and platform game, but fresher, funnier and more satisfying than words could ever make it sound.
Mr Blobby

It's no co-incidence that you're dragged into a tear shape. This shot makes us want to cry.
Like some of the best gaming concepts, it's remarkably simple, incredibly easy to pick up, but devilishly tough to master. The premise is to tilt, roll and jump a cute little blob around 40 twisty-turny 2D environments from left to right and reach the goal intact, and doing so is as simple as pressing the left or right shoulder button in order to tilt the environment 30 degrees or so in the required direction. Holding down both buttons at the same time charges up a jump of increasing power that kicks in as soon as you let go of either.
On your happy, bouncy travels, you can coax more LocoRoco into play by collecting little red buds, or seeking out hidden ones that germinate when you roll over them. Either way another smiley sphere joins you and within seconds you'll build up a smiling throng of them, all rolling around like little grinning blobs of mercury - and just like Archer Maclean's quirky puzzler, you can command them to "joooooooin!" by holding down the circle button. But as squishy as the LocoRoco are, sometimes you need to split them up into their constituent parts (again by holding down circle) in order to squeeze through the many narrow fissures you'll encounter. You've essentially got the choice of splitting up completely by holding down the circle button, or subdividing into only a few 'teams' by holding circle for a shorter time, allowing you to potentially navigate several courses at once if you prefer.
Normally, when you enter one of these narrow channels you're uncontrollably sucked along at speeds which would make Sonic's face wobble. At criss-crossing, looping rollercoaster velocity you barely have time to consider your actions before you're unceremoniously dumped somewhere else in the environment and tasked with gathering up more LocoRoco before you reach the goal. In all there are 20 of them tucked away, but at least half of them are in hard-to-reach places often lurking behind Sonic-style invisible walls or at the summit of hugely challenging jump and tilt sequences that can take enormous skill to pull off.
Singstar

These little fellows have very 'hairy' singing voices. They're our favs.
Tied in with this optional gathering of the LocoRoco tribes are the collection of hundreds of little pink morsels (the name of which isn't clear) that litter the landscapes. And not only that, there are three MuiMui pals trapped on every level, and rescuing them with a song (yes, your LocoRoco enjoy engaging in some of the most hilarious vocal interludes known to man) rewards you with one of the 144 'items' hidden away across the game's 40 levels. Sometimes, though, you'll have to round up a set number of LocoRoco in order to deliver your song with enough velocity for them to wake up - but when you do, the results of some of them will surely pass on into gaming legend.
As you work your way through all five worlds, you'll gradually meet (and unlock) five other different types of LocoRoco, each with their own distinct look and type of song to sing. In this game, the replay value isn't so much motivated by merely finding hidden MuiMui and beating your previous totals, but actually finding out what each of the different characters' songs are when they awaken certain things. One day someone will get around to transcribing the 'lyrics' and be able to engage in drunken singalongs. It may well be Tom's duty to mankind.
But it's not all happy happy singsong joy joy for the LocoRoco, with the nefarious Moja Corps ("the evil outer space creatures") laying in wait to capture and injure your poor, defenceless blobs. Mostly they take the form of mean-looking spiky types that lurk strategically where you're likely to need to jump. Inevitably, bouncing into one of them punctures your happy throng and sends a yelping LocoRoco spinning off in agony - but the good news is if you get to the injured soul quickly, you can rescue it from certain doom.
What's the story?

Oi! Gerrof fatty!
Elsewhere, enemies you'll come across include nasty spider-type ink blobs that snatch their prey if you don't launch into them at full-pelt first, and even fake buds that take great pleasure in eating unsuspecting LocoRoco that pass by. As happy a game as it looks, there's a seething mass of hate bubbling away under the surface - but it's your duty to use skill and patience to roll with it. Take your time. Don't let anybody get in your way. [This is all too much for me to take - Ed].
One of the most charming aspects of the game is the beautiful and unique visual style. Not only are the squishy, rolling smiley faces among the most instantly likeable videogame characters ever, the pastel shades and ever-changing scenery give it a look and feel unlike anything we've seen before. Using a scalable 2D engine, Sony has designed a wonderfully attractive set of colourful environments that zoom in and out to accomodate what you need to see at any one time. Whether depicting flower-strewn meadows, the inside of someone's stomach, an icy waste or the intricate branches of a tree, it's never less than stunning, and a truly brilliant realisation of how to take 2D gaming into uncharted territory.
At times it might feel like the game's at risk of being a little repetitive, but then Sony throws entirely different obstacles in your path: pressure pads, rope swings, water-filled levels, sticky surfaces, trampolenes, wobbling platforms that throw you off if you don't counterbalance in time...you name it. While it's easy enough to romp through the game, uncovering the game's secrets is an entirely different matter - shades of Mario, for sure.
Noel's house party

If it looks like an intestine, that's because it is...
Outside of the main game, there's admittedly not an awful lot to see and do, but it's not a deal breaker by any means. If you fancy fiddling around tirelessly with all manner of odd bits and pieces that you've collected on your journies, then you can place them somewhere in your very own 'LocoRoco house'. All this appears to amount to is a sort of bizarre 'design your own level' play pen for your LocoRoco to independently bounce around in (to the music of your choice). By placing certain props and platforms in their path, you can set off chain reactions and sit back and watch them happily interact with your creation. It's fun to watch, and sort of mindlessly amusing when you've got some time to devote to it, but hardly in the same league as actually playing the main game. The ability to subsequently exchange them wirelessly with a friend will no doubt offer a certain cult appeal to the really devoted - at a push.
Various mini games can be found elsewhere once you've mined the game fully, but, again, aren't much more than minor curiosities. Available by default, MuiMui Crane is like one of those simple cuddly toy games at fairgrounds where a metallic arm dives in and grabs one (if you're lucky), and this operates on the same principle - except you're trying to extract MuiMui for reasons that aren't all that obvious. Meanwhile, the unlockable Chuppa Chuppa is another short-lived affair where you must fire LocoRoco around a thorn-filled level using the long-beaked Chuppa, with the idea to launch it around for as long as possible without hitting a thorn. Neither will occupy anyone for too long, so don't get too excited. This isn't a game flush with too many useful hidden extras.
Aside from experimental unlocks and silly novelties, the LocoRoco experience is one of undiluted fun. If the tilting, blob moving puzzle-platforming doesn't warm your heart, then the catalogue of alarmingly addictive psychotic J-Pop tunes will have you dancing around the living room. Bound together by bite-sized playability, endless secrets and the most charming 2D visuals ever conceived, LocoRoco is the perfect distilation of everything a handheld game should be. It's the sort of quirkily original PSP title that we've been screaming for - buy it and smile all summer long.
9 / 10
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Comments (87) Latest comment 6 years ago
Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!
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More importantly am I going to have to buy another PSP to play it on?
/is still at 1.5
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Lovely.
23rd?
Nooo!
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*head pops*
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/engage guttural growl
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Edit: (Sees post above my own) That'll be me then! Nah, I don't hate Sony. I just want the game but don't wanna pay £180 in order to play it.
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The original Japanese demo was awesome. I've heard there is an Englsh one now as well. Anyone know where you can get it from?
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Not for those of who have PSPs! At least allow us one truly different, original game
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www.yourpsp.com
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The DS crappy CPU couldn't ever handle LocoRoco's intensive (even if 2D) physics.
/trolling off
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Its the small touches.
My favourite of which is how the little characters sing the soundtrack, but not all together, nooooooooo. The principle one sings the solo line whilst the others sing the backing and chorus. How cute!!!! Thats surely a gaming first? *GENIUS*
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Tilt sensitivity would have been a great addition. Should've been a DS or GBA game, then!
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Quirky 2D titles > Sub-par 3D ports, any day.
K
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I don't wanna give up my 2.01 firmware.
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Edit - whoops, missed the post above, sorry!
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The first game-on-release since Footy Man I do believe
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K
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/is incredibly sophomoric.
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I actually want a game with 2.7 firmware because my stupid PC always gives me errors when I try and put files on my PSP.
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Silly comments to post, whenever the PSP gets a great game.
I don't think Loco Roco would be suited to play with a stylus, unlike what some DS fans defend. You already have Kirby for that.
The original Japanese demo was awesome. I've heard there is an Englsh one now as well. Anyone know where you can get it from?
Just update to 2.71, it seems to give a new direct download to MS feature. No, I'm not ready to give up homebrew yet
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The art direction, animation, music and general feel good factor are superb, but the actual game part just did absolutely nothing for me. And I normally love slower paced puzzle games.
Ceatlan
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Lesson for Microsoft: THAT is under promise, over deliver
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The widescreen and sharp graphics > any shoehorned in, gimmicky stylus controls.
It's a shame this will need 2.7 firmware. I'm not updating to play it.
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The DS crappy CPU couldn't ever handle LocoRoco's intensive (even if 2D) physics.
/trolling off
That's not trolling, although "crappy CPU" is unnecessarily harsh--and it's CPUs actually. But you missed the point that it's the graphics themselves that would require the most horsepower, which I don't think the DS could summon up realistically.
Colour me impressed, though. Really.
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I don't think Loco Roco would be suited to play with a stylus, unlike what some DS fans defend. You already have Kirby for that.
While I wasn't entirely serious, I was really talking about that tilt cartridge instead of the stylus. You gotta admit that would actually be pretty nice.
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So, as well as being a third-rate blogger/journo, you program games for the DS and PSP too as well knowing their capabilities intimately?
Nice job grease boy!
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Simple, cheap and easy to get into games work on the PSP.
I really hope it's the start of a revelation and wake up call for devs.
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But from that review I guess it's just me!
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Nice job grease boy!
I assume the 'T' is for 'Tool'?
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Can't see that being very pretty to be honest, which would loose the game a fair amount of its charm. The DS also doesn't have the resolution(s) to do this game's graphics proper justice either.
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Well done, we can never just appreciate a good game for being good. Jeez.
Owning both and having played extensively on both (and played the demo of this game too) I can say that the widescreen of the PSP does lend itself to this title. Also it is good due to it's size and brightness. A LocoRoco game on the DS might work, but would be a different game.
Personally, as lowly as I regard my PSP next to my DS I will certainly be picking this title up, and the PSP will likley replace the DS in the commuting bag for a couple of months after - that's how good this game looks to me.
However, the DS and PSP both being in the handheld maket doesn't necesarily mean the fulfil they same role. PSP is infinitely better for media, and if I want to watch a movie/TV on the go I know that the PSP will be in the bag. However, in terms of volume and quality of titles the DS wins in my opinion (at the moment). However the two machines do offer vastly different things - so can we please stop waggling our bloody cocks and just appreciate the games!
EDIT: Spleling
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Oh wait, I don't own a PSP. Dang it...
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http://www.videocr ab.com/locoroco/
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... that you cannot see much of in sunlight. What's the point in a handheld you cannot take outdoors unless it's cloudy or you're in the shade? No Boktai for you!
That said, this looks to be one of the most joyful games out there, and probably a mandatory buy - right next to Everybody's Golf.
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/pedant
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Well, I'll definitely add this to my list of things to fish out of a future bargain bin.
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Oh and the Americans don't seem to want to let you download to your PC and transfer it to the PSP.
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It might be because:
They are handheld consoles
They were released around the same time in Japan(same generation)
There really isn't any other portable consoles around
The old Sony vs. Nintendo thing
They took different aproaches to portable gaming
But other than that I kind of see what you're saying
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And do I really need to download firmware 7.1 to run it?
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Thanks
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Because I think that's an important point to remember.
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Demo is simply not enough.....
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Because I think that's an important point to remember."
Hardware wise? No.
Games wise? Whilst I'd say yes, gamer's preferences will vary from one to another.
In Japan? Yes.
Everywhere else? No so much.
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I'm not sure I can wait for the US version of the game.
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Man, I can't be a troll if people keep taking me seriously
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/pedant"
You missed an apostrophe in "developer's". And you followed a comma with "It's" when it should be a semi-colon followed by "it's", or a full stop followed by "It's".
/pedant
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The problem I have with the PSP is that, to me, it's just a GBA 1.5. You're still using a D-pad and buttons surrounded by a single screen.
The games feel just so dull and stale and the intermittent loading times is just so infuriating.
Again, my views are tempered by the fact that I've been playing h/held games on GB and GBC for quite some time (never owned GBA). Someone who's just come in "from the cold" would probably think the PSP's the best thing since sliced bread.
I'm not even that interested in Zelda: TP for example. It just looks and plays like Ocarina 2. Otoh, I'm much more interested in Zelda: Phantom Hourglass because it plays in a completely new way with the stylus.
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/pedant"
You missed an apostrophe in "developer's". And you followed a comma with "It's" when it should be a semi-colon followed by "it's", or a full stop followed by "It's".
/pedant
Pwned!
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A part of me dies when one of my locoRoco's gets eaten ;'(
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/Stage music still going round in my head.
And souldn't it be developers' ?
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This will be a sweet summer.
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Yes, yes, I'm an idiot
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This is the happiest and sweetest game I've ever played.
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Love it!
In addition it sends a message that being fat is kewl - as long as you can split yourself up into little bits on call!
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EVERY PSP owner needs this game!
Make your life a better one, get this now!
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It keeps luring me back in with 'happy, happy' facade, when really it was programmed by a bunch of evil developers insistent on brain-washing me and destroying my social life, and in the process turning the whole planet into grinning, happy zombies constantly humming catchy J-pop tunes quite clearly produced by the devil himself because of the way they just stick in your head.
The game is fucking evil !!!! But I love it though
EDIT: And the way it makes you care for the ickle ones. Arrrrrgggghhhh!!!! Evil developers begone for playing with my emotions like that!!!!!!
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I know this is an oldish thread, but this coupled with... well... all your other posts have brought me to the conclusion you really are nothing more than a tedious troll like everyone says smelly. Congrats.