Andrew, give us an update! Is the game a thumbs up or down?

Speaking of updates hows the podcast doing?

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I purchased this game. Yes this game is hard but it is supposed to be. It is Ghosts and Goblins. I am only on level 1-2 but when I hit 1-2 I felt like I really accomplished something. I hate how wussy and wimpy modern gamers are. If it's not handed to them on a silver platter they whine and give the game low scores in reviews.

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I'm gonna have to agree with needo on this one, games these days are way too quick & easy to get through, especially on the PSP. Personally I'm excited to play a game that may keep me busy for a few months, rather than just a few days. Previously I had to look solely to sports or puzzle games for a good replay factor. I mean, look at Daxter, a great game in every respect, but I worked my way through it in just 4 days. As long as the gameplay mechanics are good, I'll take a hard game over an easy, pretty game any day.

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Oh and one more thing - I know this will seem like I've got it in for the guy, but I think it bears noting: Parish's collection of games listed on his 1UP profile:

GBA (27)
GC (3)
NeoGeo Pocket Color (2)
NES (4)
Nintendo DS (22)
PS1 (9)
PS2 (4)
Genesis (2)
SNES (8)
PSP... Zero, apparently - none listed.

He does list (1) PSP games as a 'fav' tho.

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Why is it Meta reviews here at PSP Fanboy are only of controversial or questionable games?

But really, I have this sneaking suspicion that all the really low reviews are of younger gamer critics who expect something for nothing in their games. Remember Super Cobra, the arcade sequel to Scramble? Anyone? Now THAT was hard to a fault. In my mind, as long as a game _can_ be completed, it's only hard to the people who lack the dedication to develop their skills in playing it.

BTW - the Metacritic average for this is 73, and Gamerankings has it at 72.5. IGN gave it an 8.6. Looks like only 1UP and OPM have 'panned' it thus far.

Here's his the 1UP guy's rather defensive blog entry about his GnG review:

"You're going to want some popcorn. My 1UP-branded Ultimate Ghosts 'N' Goblins review goes up tonight, and the inevitable shrill hysterics are bound to provide an evening of entertainment. If you're into hateful ad hominem attacks based entirely on differences of opinion about niche games, I mean."

...I think we're all entitled to our respective opinions without having to be subjected to ad hominem attacks, but since when is GnG a NICHE game? Also, it seems this review is being used by EGM *and* OPM, so that's interesting. Here's what one commenter had to say:

"By the way, how many reviews have you had published for this game? Didn't you do the OPM review AND a part of the EGM review?"

To which Parish replies

"It's funny, because the people complaining about the "one reviewer across several publications" issue had never raised a stink about that before, although it's often happened at both ZD and Imagine."

So in short, the lower reviews come from the same guy. That's bound to throw off the metascores.

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Great post pix. I've heard (podcast), seen (1up show), and read (blog, reviews, etc) Jeremy Perish work and he seems like a respectable, hardcore, knowledgeable journalist and gamer. So I wouldn't call him unbiased or anything like that (because apparently no journalist is a fanboy) but his he skilled?

Looking at his game collection, its obviously made up of nintendo-retro-japan-rpgs games, I can't really point out any stand out hard games in his collection so I can't tell if he fits the "requirement" for UGNG.

The only game I played and finished that was widely known for its difficulty was Ninja Gaiden. I'm I skilled enough to play UGNG? From what the reviews are saying, I'm not.

What I want to know is how Andrew is fairing with the game. Andrew, put up a review!

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I got this game today and put it in in the freaking parking lot of the EB and let my friend drive home. OMG! I absolutely love this game even though after three hours of playing and only being on level three. So worth it if you are a casual gamer or a hardcore gamer. Cool graphics and great old school feel.

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lolz @ 5 and 6. God forbid any PSP game gets rated badly.

I bought this game and 70% seems about right. Great for the nostalgic sendback, but little else.

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You misunderstand me. I couldn't care less if a PSP games get rated badly (I do care if I buy one that's supposed to be great and I hate it, though).

I haven't played GnG myself - so I reserve judgment. I'm just pointing out that there's just one really low review and it's being used on other sites, plus it seems the guy has a bit of an attitude about it.

I do plan to Gamefly it, although I have Daxter, Infected, Valkyrie, Harry Potter and a couple of others I need to finish first.

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"The ugly: The graphics, the controls, the level design."

They must be on crack. The graphics are absolutely GORGEOUS. Did they honestly play he stage that features the fields of yellow grass?

Some people argue about the controls, I honestly think that once you have the double-jump equipped, it doesn't matter if you can't *control* your air movements, since you can correct yourself with the second jump.

I have no qualms with level design, its pretty wicked by my standards.

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