From the very get-go, one will see the seriously toned-down graphics. The screenshots initially released don't accurately convey how poorly the transition to PSP has affected the visual presentation. Pixelation is very present, and in spite of the small screen of the PSP, nothing looks very sharp. The framerate didn't seem silky smooth like the PS3 original, either. It doesn't look bad per se, but we were rather disappointed.
As predicted, the game takes advantage of the analog nub of the PSP. The PS3 original used SIXAXIS tilt controls, and we find the tilt controls far more preferable. It might seem a strange complaint to make, but the PSP analog nub is too precise. flOw becomes less of an experience and more of a game. Players are able to make sharp turns instantly, giving players much more manueverability to eat and fight their enemies. This makes the game easier. Many players will appreciate the new controls, but we don't feel like we're getting "into the flOw" on PSP.
We don't have details on a price, but considering its March release, we don't see much time for too much improvement. It's far from a bad game, but flOw on PSP is but an echo of its predecessor. For those that never tried the PS3 original, this will still be an intriguing and new experience. However, don't expect it to match the fidelity of the console version.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-20-2008 @ 3:35PM
nate.fich said...
Meh. Honestly, it wasn't very good on the PS3 either. I played it for like 45 minutes and haven't had even the slightest urge to pick it up again. Save your money, people.... pixelation isn't the game's problem, it's lack of gameplay.
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2-20-2008 @ 3:55PM
dronesensor said...
this makes me sad. i want to play fl0w, but i don't want to buy a damn PS3 (not until there are more than a handful of titles that interest me, anyway), and this sounds a bit watered-down. guess i'll be waiting a little longer.
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2-20-2008 @ 3:58PM
Brian said...
Bummer.
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2-20-2008 @ 4:13PM
Jay said...
I'm a PlayStation loyalist but I fail to understand why this will of any interest or have any appeal for longer than the ten minutes it was on the PS3.....
I'd rather see High Velocity Bowling on PSN (which, according to the Sony email I got today is "COMING SOON". Yay).
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2-20-2008 @ 4:19PM
Jay said...
I knew that would happen. The controls are everything in flOw.You can not have a precise control. THe graphics, somebody failed at that. PSP can do great graphics.
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2-20-2008 @ 4:29PM
joey said...
Since I don't have a PS3.
flow still looks good.
Games like this is excellent for subway rides.
That and Beats, I'm set.
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2-20-2008 @ 6:34PM
DMeisterJ said...
Aww... fl0w am fail. :-(
I still wanna buy it.
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2-20-2008 @ 6:55PM
disposition said...
To hear about the graphics is a huge let-down. The early screenshots looked so promising :\
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2-20-2008 @ 7:15PM
andwhyisit said...
Thats because Sony screwed up and put resized screens of the PS3 version in.
2-20-2008 @ 7:48PM
Joe said...
I have read lots of different previews and yours is the only one that makes the game sound bad.
I am shocked though but I still am waiting to play it and any chance Sony will allow you to download this game if you bought it already for the PS3.
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2-20-2008 @ 7:49PM
Joe said...
I have read lots of different previews and yours is the only one that makes the game sound bad.
I am shocked though but I still am waiting to play it and any chance Sony will allow you to download this game if you bought it already for the PS3.
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2-20-2008 @ 8:30PM
Fiddlesworth said...
flOw's graphics don't suit a (relatively) low resolution screen very well because of narrow, intricate modeled detail. What's a few pixels wide on your HDTV could be a pixel or less on the PSP screen so you get a lot of constant animated aliasing as single-pixel details flash between one pixel to the next. From the screenshots it looks like they somehow managed a depth of field blur for the next 'layer' down, maybe they could have done a subtle blue on the top layer too to smooth things out a little.
If the framerate's a bit iffy, maybe not.
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2-20-2008 @ 9:34PM
Potaponmm said...
Price? What do you mean? I thought this thing is free! Who will pay for THAT anyway???
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2-21-2008 @ 9:43AM
EndGamE said...
i just like the flash version. just search for "flOw game" online and you'll find it. it's very good. don't need no ps3 or psp to enjoy flow.
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2-21-2008 @ 11:32AM
Alien said...
This is dissapointing :( Well lets hope that it will get better ( though I doubt that it can get much better untill launch :D ) .
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2-21-2008 @ 3:46PM
Warner Young said...
Of course, one advantage of this being a downloadable game is that (hopefully) they can update it later with fixes.
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2-26-2008 @ 1:48PM
Marlo said...
Why would people pay for what was already free and fully functional in the first place? Thatgamecompany still have a site for it so just play it there. Calling it "the PS3 original' is stupid. It is basically a port. Not original at all. Give more respect to thatganecompany.
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