Common Sense Note
Parents can breathe a sigh of relief as the E-rated LocoRoco doesn't contain any inappropriate content whatsoever. And while its mechanics are easy, it provides a refreshingly different gaming experience as kids direct blobs to roll through their world.
Families can talk about the fun and colorful worlds to explore, catchy music, and cute characters. How is this game different from other video games they have played?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Marc Saltzman
PlayStation Portable (PSP) fans in search of an ingeniously quirky and addictive game should look no further than LOCOROCO.
Only problem is, the premise behind this pocket-sized puzzler is difficult to explain.
LocoRoco lets you control the fate of little 2-D blobs as they roll through perilous environments. While the obscure story is hard to follow, it involves space creatures called Moja, who have come to take the LocoRoco from their peaceful planet.
The organic-looking LocoRoco fluidly roll around, jump over hazardous obstacles, eat fruit to grow, and can temporarily break into smaller LocoRoco to squeeze through nooks and crevices. You must also find hidden areas of the world to rescue spiky-haired friends, called MuiMuis, who happily wave upon your arrival.
Besides its fresh and fun premise, LocoRoco is quite original in two key areas:
For one, unlike most video games, you do not directly control the six different protagonists -- instead, you manipulate their world, which causes them to move around. Specifically, you must tilt the planet so your LocoRoco rolls in a certain direction.
Secondly, the majority of the game is played with just two buttons; pressing the left and right shoulder buttons on the PSP tilts the world left or right, respectively. Press the two shoulder buttons at the same time and the LocoRoco jumps. A few times throughout each of the 40 levels, you must tap the O (Circle) button to break the LocoRoco into smaller critters. Holding down the O button again regroups them.
Good news for parents: the E-rated LocoRoco doesn't contain any inappropriate content whatsoever. In fact, the "content descriptor" on the back of the video game box –- in place to warn parents about potentially disconcerting subject matter –- is completely blank. Even the occasional "combat" elements in the game are simply one blob bumping into another.
Complementing its colorful and simple graphics and smooth animation, LocoRoco excels in its catchy soundtrack. In fact, the LocoRoco seem to like it, too, as they actually sing along with every song.
Along with the single-player adventure, LocoRoco also includes three minigames. You can even build a custom LocoHouse by collecting pieces, such as a teeter-totter for stairs.
LocoRoco is a refreshingly charming, fun and original game for players of all ages. Run, walk or roll to the store to see for yourself.
Rate It!
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Social BehaviorPlayers' goal is to help the LocoRoco. |
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Educational ValuePuzzle-solving. |
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