The digital delights of Sony’s scrumptious PlayStation Network service know no bounds. Aside from letting punters compete in online gaming, stream films, browse the Internet and more, its premier attraction rests in the copious supply of downloadable games ripe for the picking. From PSN exclusives to PSOne Classics, minis and plain old add-on content, Sony’s online space is chock full of goodies battling it out for your hard-earned digital dollars.
Welcome back to another installment of Inside PlayStation Network, where every Monday – Friday we’ll pluck a PSN release—be it new or old—and put it in the spotlight for a thorough dissection. Fancy getting a new PSN game but don’t know what one to plump for? Perhaps this feature will help. Didn’t realize that a game was available in your region until now? We’ve got you covered. Or, perhaps you were musing over what those lucky Japanese folk were tucking into over in the Land of the Rising Sun? You can be sure our coverage will extend to those rare regional exclusives as much as those firmly embedded on the public consciousness.
For our latest entry, we shine the spotlight on the PSOne Classic, G-Police.
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Developer: Psygnosis
Region(s) available: Europe, Japan
Players: 1
Originally released back in 1997, G-Police boasts a Blade Runner-flavoured sci-fi setting, taking place in the year 2097 on one of Jupiter’s moons. Playing as Jack Slater, a member of the Government Police and all-around tough bloke, gamers find themselves taking control of a deadly gunship and patrolling the streets while cutting their way through numerous mission objectives. The gunship itself is quite a beast, being part chopper and part Vertical Take Off and Landing (V.T.O.L.) craft.
Missions range from scanning shipyards for weapon illegal shipments, offering protection for friendly ground units, disarming explosives, neutralizing enemy airships and heaps more. There’s 35 assignments in all, with Slater’s quest for revenge over the death of his sister providing quite the compelling backdrop to the action. Players can pick from a first-person or third-person perspective, allowing you to view the proceedings from the confines of your cockpit or a chase-style cam.
Combat largely revolves around vanquishing baddies via heated dogfights and dropping bombs. Prior to engaging you are often required to scan vehicles to ascertain whether they pose a threat or not. When you do get down to the nitty gritty of blowing stuff up, you’ll have plenty of weapons at your disposal, plus they can be upgraded over time as you reach the more difficult stages of the game. The game also grants you access to an enhanced Havoc aircraft later down the line to boot.
G-Police remains something of a cult classic to this day, and managed to spawn a sequel, 1999’s G-Police: Weapons of Justice, also for Sony’s original grey box of tricks. To date however, the follow-up has yet to make the transition to PSN.
Well, that’s another week done and dusted. Join us again on Monday for another gander Inside PlayStation Network.