Kingdom of Paradise Goes PSP

This GameCore column was written by CBSNews.com's Chad Chamberlain.

In 1993, I played my very first action Role Playing Game (RPG) called Secret of Mana (or Seiken Densetsu 2 in Japan). At the time, I felt it was unquestionably the best action RPG game ever made for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). It was my first time playing a RPG that was action-based and not turn-based similar to many of its predecessors like Phantasy Star for Sega Genesis. I loved every minute of it.

Since those early days, I've played several other turn-based, action RPGs on several different platforms -- GameCube, PlayStation, DreamCast, with the exception of Sony's PlayStation Portable gaming device.

Since its launch back in March of this year, Sony's PlayStation Portable (PSP) library has been less than inspiring, with only a handful of titles available for launch and a few more on the horizon.

Of those titles, only a few like Untold Legends and X-Men II: Rise of Apocalypse can place themselves in that action RPG category. Yet still there hasn't really been a title that can comfortably sit in that slot.

PSP meet Kingdom of Paradise (K.o.P), published by Sony Computer Entertainment America. This action-packed, epic RPG adventure developed by Climax Entertainment is sure to wet many a palate. This, in my opinion, is the first real, official action RPG to hit PSP -- and hopefully not the last.

Aside from the corny box art, it's a pretty decent game with a few minor setbacks that I'll get into later. But I believe the setbacks are minor compared to Climax Entertainment's brilliant use of the PSP's 3D engine, which churns out really cool backgrounds and sweet music that just put this reviewer in some sort of mental calm.

We really need more RPG's out there for PSP like this one and better. Personally I'd love to see Final Fantasy VII or Secret of Mana redone for the PSP but that may be wishful thinking.

K.o.P is an epic adventure set in the palm of your hands. More than 20 hours of game play are unfolded in five worlds in an epic tale with beautiful, interactive environments and characters.

The story begins 300 years ago, when five martial arts clans peacefully ruled Ouka, the center of the known world. In an attempt to gain total supremacy, the Kirin clan brutally attacked the four other clans to secure the Divine Swords, the symbols of absolute power.

As a result, a young warrior named Shinbu, along with a girl named Suirin, are the only survivors of their clan. Although once considered an outcast, Shinbu embarks on a journey to defend his clan and return the balance of powers to Ouka.

Now this is a pretty basic story line and as far as plot goes, K.o.P does a pretty good job. The dialogue throughout the game can get a bit dull at times and the voiceovers could use a bit of work -- but it's entertaining nonetheless. There are tons of cuts scenes that reveal much of the plot and direction and help to heighten the game experience. But some could've been left out, or serve only as sheer comic relief.

What I find quite annoying is that you can't just quit out of the cut scene when they get lame. The most you can do is speed up the process by pressing the talk button, which usually involves progressing the subtitles along -- often causing a delay since the voiceovers trail behind the subtitles. The one plus behind all this is the cool semi 3D effect. Each character talking takes on a nice clear big 3D design where you can actually see facial expressions a bit more clearly. Sadly though, those facial expressions aren't all that impressive.

Aside from the funky dialogue and storyline, one of the other driving forces behind this game is the action, specifically the fighting system.
The fighting system is intriguing. It's based on an elaborate combo system comprised of five different fighting styles each with their unique strengths and weaknesses. They way in which you create the combo is the fun part.

They are two things that are necessary, a "bugei" scroll and a "kenpu" form. A bugei scroll holds a specific number of slots where you can chain together a specific number of moves. That movement is referred to as a "kenpu" form. A "kenpu" is kind of like a kata, which consists of a series of movement used to attack, defend or evade an enemy.

For the most part you pretty much make up any combination of kenpu you want, depending on the type of bugei you have. You can increase your inventory of bugei scrolls by exploring the vast world of Ouka, defeating boss characters, knocking over boxes, speaking to the right NPC, or simply earning them through special missions.

There are over 150 sword attack styles that you can combine to make some really titillating combos. In the selection screen for your bugei scrolls you can see each and every one of your bugei, including their respective kenpu along with a cool 3D demonstration of your selected kenpu.

I've spent hours in this part of the game just making up attack combos, which purely served as a delightful distraction from the main objective. Though this might seem a distraction from the main purpose of the game, making up those combos is a cool reprieve from the drudgery of the single button press to execute your combo.

Along with the attack combos you also have special "Chi" attack moves. These are special moves (very much like powerful magic spells) that are designed to inflict a large amount of damage and can often affect more than one attacker. The power and intensity of the attack is entirely dependent on the level of that particular special attack you're executing. There are 5 different types of "Chi" attacks, some more powerful than others depending on the type of enemy you're facing.

You can also increase the level at which the "Chi" attack does damage. The one draw back to these dazzling special attacks is that they can be a bit overpowering. If I were a lazy gamer I would just focus on advancing my "Chi" arts and use that almost 80% of the time to advance through the game. You can take out hordes of enemies with these powerful strikes. If ever there were a cheat in the game, this would certainly be one of them. But using them makes it way too easy for you to advance through battles including boss battles as well.

The world of Ouka is divided up into five different ruling zones, East, West North, South and Central. Each region is ruled by a specific clan. Each clan specializes in attacks focused on one of the 5 basic elements. Throughout your journey as Shinbu, you'll come across all of these regions at one point or another. However, the one annoying thing about this game is that you don't have a map that tells you where you are or lays out what direction you need to go in. I found myself just wondering around hoping that I was heading in the right direction while fighting off enemies in the process. But you're not completely aloof.

Shinbu keeps notes as to what his next or previous goals are. So if you're ever wondering what the heck you're supposed to do just check his notes. This, however, won't help you to know which way is up or down. But thank goodness this game isn't that massive where you could conceiveably spend hours running around without reaching your destination.

Interestingly enough, Shinbu will not be able to leave an area (ergo, township, camp site, etc.) unless he's accomplished whatever tasks need completion. So be comforted in the thought that you could be running around a town talking to NPC's and not able to leave the town simply because there's something you've not done yet which is a vital part of the story advancement.

Each town is extremely well detailed with vivid imagery that would settle even those with ADD. The necessary amenities are in fact present however. See the old lady if you've got a curse or visit the item shop to stock up on much needed health products; check out the closest Inn to gather info and to get some much needed rest; board ships and travel across a great body of water to neighboring countries.

Lastly, the musical scores played through the game are absolutely rich and fit perfectly with the environments.

K.o.P has a decent story line with basic concepts that have already been explored but still a good basis for some fun. It's set in a vast, living world, players will develop their swordsmanship skills as they explore active environments in a crusade to defeat an evil clan. K.o.P features more than 150 styles of sword fighting, 15 types of Qigong martial arts, wireless multiplayer connectivity via infrastructure and ad hoc mode, and more than 20 hours of game play set in a fantastically detailed world.

You'll have a rich time playing with those bugei scrolls and adding those kenpu forms to make killer combos. And although the 3D action for the combos look amazing, it's some how lost with the lack of complexity for execution. This could either be a pitfall or an advantage depending on the type of player you are.

But aside from anything else, one of the most annoying features of this game is the inability to effectively block enemy attacks. Man, this is frustrating when you're surrounded by enemy units or being plummeted by a massive brute. Being able to block, I believe, is an intricate part of any sword fighting type game.

Aside from these minor points, I think it's a pretty cool addition to your existing PSP library, however small it may seem.

Kingdom of Paradise is rated "T" for teen.

By Chad Chamberlain