Summary

Release Year: 2011
Genres: Platform
Platforms: PlayStation 3
Publishers: Sony Computer Entertainment

PlayStation Move Heroes: A Nostalgic Co-op Adventure

Released in 2011, PlayStation Move Heroes is an action-adventure game that brings together six beloved PlayStation mascots: Ratchet, Clank, Jak, Daxter, Sly Cooper, and Bentley. The game is designed to be played with the PlayStation Move controllers, offering intuitive motion controls that enhance the gameplay experience.

Gameplay

PlayStation Move Heroes features both single-player and two-player cooperative multiplayer modes. Players progress through a series of 50 levels, each with its own unique challenges and objectives. The game features five distinct “archetypes” of levels: City, Forest, Desert, Ice, and Sky. Each archetype offers a different visual style and gameplay mechanics, keeping the experience fresh and engaging.

Players can choose to play as any of the six characters, each with their own unique abilities and weapons. Ratchet and Clank, for example, excel at ranged combat with their blasters and gadgets, while Jak and Daxter are more adept at close-quarters combat with their gunstaff and hoverboard, respectively. Sly Cooper and Bentley bring stealth and agility to the team, using their canes and hacking skills to overcome obstacles and enemies.

The game also features five weapon classes: Disc, Whip, Bowling, Projectile, and Melee. Each weapon class offers a different gameplay style. Discs can be thrown and remotely controlled using the Move controller, allowing players to hit targets around corners or solve puzzles. Whips can be used to grapple onto objects and swing across gaps, or to attack enemies from a distance. Bowling involves throwing a bowling ball and guiding it using the Move controller, knocking down enemies or activating switches. Projectiles include various guns and weapons, such as grenade launchers and laser rifles. Melee utilizes each character’s distinctive weapons—Sly’s cane, Ratchet’s wrench, or Jak’s gunstaff—to engage enemies in a manner reminiscent of their original games.

Characters

One of the highlights of PlayStation Move Heroes is its roster of iconic PlayStation characters. Each character brings their own unique personality and abilities to the game, making for a diverse and entertaining experience.

Ratchet: The Lombax mechanic from the Ratchet & Clank series, Ratchet is known for his gadgets and weapons. He is a versatile character, capable of both ranged and melee combat.
Clank: Ratchet’s robotic companion, Clank is small and agile. He can fly and use his hacking skills to solve puzzles and activate switches.
Jak: The protagonist of the Jak and Daxter series, Jak is a skilled fighter and adventurer. He can transform into a powerful Dark Jak form, increasing his strength and abilities.
Daxter: Jak’s ottsel companion, Daxter is small and agile. He can use his tail to attack enemies and solve puzzles.
Sly Cooper: The raccoon thief from the Sly Cooper series, Sly is known for his stealth and agility. He can use his cane to grapple onto objects and swing across gaps, and he can also use his stealth skills to avoid enemies.
Bentley: Sly’s turtle companion, Bentley is the brains of the operation. He can use his hacking skills to solve puzzles and activate switches, and he can also pilot the team’s van.

Co-op Gameplay

PlayStation Move Heroes is particularly enjoyable in two-player cooperative multiplayer mode. Players can team up to take on the game’s challenges together, with each player controlling one of the six characters. Co-op mode adds a new layer of strategy and teamwork to the game, as players must coordinate their abilities and work together to overcome obstacles and defeat enemies.

Environments

PlayStation Move Heroes features four distinct environments, each with its own unique visual style and gameplay mechanics.

Paris: From the Sly Cooper series, Paris is a city environment with a focus on stealth and agility. Players must use their grappling hooks and stealth skills to navigate the rooftops and avoid enemies.
Metropolis City: From the Ratchet & Clank series, Metropolis City is a futuristic city environment with a focus on ranged combat. Players must use their blasters and gadgets to defeat enemies and solve puzzles.
Haven City: From the Jak and Daxter series, Haven City is a desert environment with a focus on exploration and combat. Players must use their vehicles and weapons to traverse the vast desert and defeat enemies.
Planet X: An original game-created environment, Planet X is an alien planet with a focus on platforming and puzzles. Players must use their jumping and grappling skills to navigate the treacherous terrain and solve puzzles.

Reception

PlayStation Move Heroes received generally positive reviews upon release. Critics praised the game’s charming characters, varied gameplay, and intuitive motion controls. The game’s cooperative multiplayer mode was also praised for adding a new layer of strategy and teamwork to the experience.

Conclusion

PlayStation Move Heroes is a fun and nostalgic co-op adventure that brings together six beloved PlayStation mascots. The game’s varied gameplay, intuitive motion controls, and charming characters make it a great choice for fans of action-adventure games and PlayStation fans alike.