Coded Arms Game Sample - PSP
393Coded Arms is a VERY early PSP game and the first (or so it is said...) "FPS". FPS "purists" may not like this game much because it isn't incredibly deep or complex, but the game is a pretty competent game in its own right, albeit a pretty straight-forward one. Being from Konami, you might have been pretty hesitant to try any other PSP games from them if you first played the Konami-published "Rengoku" before trying out CA. My apologies to those who like Rengoku...we have both and should try to make some footage someday.
Here is the summarized plot:
"Late in the 21st century, advancements in medical and computer technology allow for linear connectivity of human minds to computer networks, causing an unprecedented boom in computer hackers. The game takes place inside a virtual reality military training simulator named "AIDA" which has since been long-abandoned. However, the program continues to run, generating enemies and levels for the no longer present soldiers-in-training. The player takes the role of one of the many hackers attempting to break the codes of the simulator and extract the most valuable data possible for fame and profit. To do this, the player must explore several "sectors" that are infested with various kinds of enemies, including soldiers, security bots, giant bugs and other insect and plant-like creatures. The only way to survive and reap the greatest rewards is by reaching the Kernel database, destroying the enemies and the bosses at the end of each sector.
The game's intro cutscene informs the hacker/player that hacking too deeply into unknown non-civilian protocols with what seem to be homebrew hacking tools carries the risk of contracting a medical condition called the "Achiba Syndrome", and warns them that upon infection that they 'will not be able to return' - presumably meaning their consciousness will become corrupted or otherwise lost and their minds will not be able to return to their bodies in the real world."
That said, the game looks pretty crisp for an early PSP game and the visuals were one of the major points that people praised when the game was first released. There isn't anything to expect in the way of extremely "on-point" lighting/shading (some effects are decent) and the framerate is okay (don't expect it to be as "smooth/fast" as the opening movie...I think the gameplay is sped up in it). Mind you, I have played FPS games on stuff like the N-Gage and compared to other handheld games at the time, I can certainly see how Coded Arms shines by comparison. Games that were decent on N-Gage like "Ashen", while okay by N-Gage standards and while it had some good visual traits (like energy blasts lighting up dark corridors), it was not as crisp and the visuals were pretty grainy.
Anyhoo, to quickly mention the music, it is serviceable, but don't expect a rich and sweeping orchestral sound selection. I feel the music is generally average; nothing really stands out, but it doesn't grate the nerves. Basically, when I turned this game off, I can tell you that music would not be why I would turn CA back on and it fades from my memory the moment the game goes off.
To finish up, here is a summation of gameplay, also from Wikipedia:
"All of the levels in the game are randomly generated when you access them. In single player, players progress through the game by completing sectors. Sector 00 consists of one battlefield (Training) with 3 levels that serve to familiarize the user with the game. Sector 01 consists of three battlefields (City, Base and Ruins) and each battlefield has 6 levels. Sector 02 also has three battlefields consisting of 13 levels each with a boss at the 13th level of each battlefield. Sector 03 consists of one battlefield (Infinity) which has an unlimited amount of levels to it.
The difficulty of the game increases as the user progresses through the sectors. Players can also make use of a 3D map graphically similar to a vector display. CA also has wifi support for 4-player multiplayer with three game modes including 'Death-match', 'Keep the Mark' and 'Last Man Standing'. Weapons and armor are obtained throughout the levels and have one of five different attributes, ranging from "physical" to "fire" as well as specific attributes such as "electric" or "viral".
Certain attributes are more effective against certain enemies. Enemies also use weapons with different attributes and therefore one can get certain types of armor that are resistant to attacks of a certain type. All of the weapons and grenades can be upgraded by picking up a certain amount of "Opt_Key" files (the amount varies)."
Final notes? The game has a sort of "auto-aim" feature, though some may not like it. It auto-aims "generally" (it makes more sense if you are playing the game), but it is up to you to still move and fire along to enemy movements. You can also hop too, which can help to screw up enemy targeting. The game has numerous weapons (mostly standard).