With Christmas just around the
corner, Sony are increasing the number of PSP titles available
for the festive season and Invizimals: The Lost Tribes is one of
their latest releases for this ageing console. Given the theme
about the Invizimals genre, Invizimals: The Lost Tribes is
definitely aimed at the younger gamer which uses the camera of
the PSP in order to create a fun yet sometimes repetitive
augmented reality title.
Like the previous game, Invizimals:
The Lost Tribes seems like a Western version of Pokemon that
requires the gamers to collect Invizimals in order for them to
fought against other Invizimals. It may not be the most
political correct thing to do with these virtual pets but the
journey is not bad.
Using pre-recorded live video and
computer special effects, players are indoctrinated into the
story of this game which of course revolves around a "lost
tribe" of Invizimals. Your goal is simple, travel around the
world with Jazmin and Doctor Dawson and then use the camera on
the PSP to uncover additional Invizimals for your collection to
get your personal fight club happening. The game is also a tad
reminiscent of the Spiderwick Chronicles as well.
Each of the Invizimals that you
need to find are hiding somewhere in the real world and these
invisible creatures can only be seen via the PSP camera. Each of
the actors in the game will give you clues and hints as to where
to find your next Invizimal. For example, one Invizimal may like
a certain colour so your job is to find that colour in your
house and then scan the environment for this creature. Once you
have seen the Invizimal on the screen, you need to set the trap,
thanks to the card which comes with the game. This will then
launch a mini-game.
Given that, there are 70 new
Invizimals and 80 creatures to be found in this game, each with
their pros and cons. Once captured, you can then name your
Invizimal and take them to the fights. Controls are a mixed bag
on the PSP, especially when you are trying to capture an
Invizimal. Poor lighting and sometimes too much lighting can
effect this process. It's a little fiddly but younger gamers
should have no problems in mastering the controls. Apart from
that, the other controls such as the D-Pad work fine.
The combat is the star of the game
which requires the player to pit their Invizimals against other
Invizimals which uses a turn based system with a touch of
real-time elements thrown into the mix. Your creatures have four
attacks however each of these attacks use a set amount of
stamina that ranges from light to hard attacks.
Invizimals also have the ability to
level up, however this is done through grinding in the game with
the occasional boss battle. Apart from fighting the PSP, you can
fight locally and also online (e.g. Tag Team), however we are
unable to test this feature due to the lack of participants.
However for most, the quest mode will be the main method of
gameplay and as a respite from combat, there are plenty of
puzzles along the way to be found. Some good and some bad.
Graphics/Audio
Graphically, Invizimals the Lost
Tribe looks pretty sweet on the PSP with some awesome modelling
of the creatures included in this game. They have this real 3D
effect to them and there's some great special effects included
in the title not to mention some lush lighting. Sound effects
are good and music has this action / adventure feel to it. Voice
acting is quite professional and so are the sometimes amusing
real-life cutscenes.
Final Level
If you enjoyed the last Invizimals
game, than this title is definitely for you. In essence, it's a
PSP version of Pokemon that uses the innate controls of this
console quite well, although poor environments sometimes hamper
this. The only other downside is the sometimes repetitive fight
options but fortunately there are a few fun mini-games to be
found. Check it out!
