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 attempt to extricate panic-stricken civilians from a zombie-infested hot zone in the Sony-developed rescue romp, The Last Guy.
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Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment Japan (SCEJ)
Region(s) available: North America, Europe, Japan
Players: 1
Who would have thought man’s saviour would end up being some reclusive chap from the Himalayan Mountains? As inconceivable as this may seem, that’s exactly the picture painted by The Last Guy; a delightful search and rescue title for PlayStation Network released back in summer 2008. Stepping into the shoes of the eponymous have-a-go-hero, the game tasks players with the seemingly insurmountable task rescuing hundreds of civilians after the globe’s been overthrown by zombies. The Last Guy makes use of Google Earth to recreate 14 intricately detailed maps, ranging from cities including Los Angeles, London and San Francisco. Your objective is simple: avoid the undead hordes and safely escort the copious amounts of survivors back to the evacuation zone. If you happen to come into contact with one of the creatures, however, then it’s the end for our pint-sized hero.
Of course, avoiding enemies is just one thing; you’ll also have to contend with a particularly harsh time limit ticking away as you go. Civvies can be found in a number of locations, from behind trees, buildings, inside structures and just wondering about at leisure. Equally abundant throughout each stage are the zombies themselves, which will give chase if you get within a close enough proximity to them. A cautious, methodical rescue effort will only get you so far, though. The perennial pressure of a time limit weighs heavily on your shoulders, forcing you to make some snap decision as to how you go about your mission. As such, it’s this quick thinking than lends The Last Guy its sweat-inducing, fast-paced gameplay experience.
Still, our hero isn’t completely helpless. The stamina meter opens up a degree of tactical play, allowing The Last Guy to sprint across the map or ferry groups of survivors together to ensure a safer route to the extraction point. Various power-ups are also up for grabs, including a handy invisibility token allowing you to circumvent infested areas without fear of retaliation. As mentioned, some civvies can be found inside buildings, so you’ll need to whip out your Thermal goggles to spot them. The flip side of this, however, is that you won’t be able to clock enemies in this view. Speaking of enemies, the creatures themselves come in a myriad of shapes, sizes and species. You’ll face standard lumbering humanoids, as well as giant scorpions, insects and more, each one sporting their own distinct behavioural pattern. The game’s fairly short, though its pick-up-and-play sensibilities coupled with the chance to better your score for online leaderboard comparison should ensure your first stab at The Last Guy won’t be your last.
Tune in again same time tomorrow as we once again leap Inside PlayStation Network.