PSP Fanboy hands-on: Medal of Honor Heroes 2

by Andrew Yoon { Oct 3rd 2007 at 3:45PM }

Will Medal of Honor Heroes 2 become the best FPS on PSP? To be honest, that's not a very difficult task to accomplish. The system has struggled to get a decent FPS game on it, as many developers have long forgotten how to make a game of that genre without a second analog stick. Developers are slowly learning, and as Medal of Honor Heroes 2 proves, they may have finally nailed it on the head.

The original Medal of Honor Heroes was an impressive technological showcase for the PSP platform, and its sequel is no different. The graphics are noticeably better than the original's, although there's still some way to go before this looks as good as a PS2 game. The controls also feel tighter, letting you easily move around the environment and fight enemies. Using the analog stick for movement and the face buttons for aiming is fairly traditional PSP FPS fare. However, the aim-assist has been reduced, making for a better, skill-based game. Using L to zoom in and fine-tune your aim works well. Even better, running up to a barricade, taking cover, and then peeking out to take a shot. The controls are intuitive, and easy to pick up.

A majority of the complaints for the PSP original involved the slow pace of the game, and unimpressive AI. Well, you still move at a snail's pace [Update: There is a run functionality that we didn't discover. It's there, though.], but there's a lot more action on screen this time around. Enemies still don't have advanced attack patterns, but they come in good waves, ensuring the action never slows down. With far improved graphics, tighter controls, and better presentation, Heroes 2 is a much better game. While we didn't get a chance to play it, the 32 player online multiplayer is still the franchise's biggest selling point -- something we'd love to get our hands-on soon.

Gallery: Medal of Honor Heroes 2

Tags: fps, medal-of-honor, medal-of-honor-heroes

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Potent1 @ Oct 3rd 2007 5:08PM

I'm so pumped for this game. I'm online all the time with it, 32 players is awesome. It's even cooler, cause it's on a portable. I'm getting this game no matter what. Now my Bro and his friends all bought the first one too, and it's sweet.

Snailking @ Oct 3rd 2007 6:56PM

Remember Turok for N64? That's how FPS's should control on the psp. Face buttons for movement, analog for aiming. Take 5 mins and get accustomed to it, and you won't even care about another analog.

That game nailed it 10 years ago.

FoShizzle @ Oct 3rd 2007 7:04PM

^ yeah, that's the control scheme I use in PSP FPS's. It works great.

glasseye @ Oct 3rd 2007 7:53PM

MoH games are loads of fun. I haven't tried 'em on a portable before, I hope this one kicks bootay.

Hashbrown_Hunter @ Oct 3rd 2007 9:08PM

To glasseye: There's a downloadable demo for the first MoH if you want to play around with it.

PSP_Amigo @ Oct 4th 2007 1:08AM

I bought the first MOHH when it first came out and played it till I beat it. It was easy to get used to the control scheme. The game was and still really fun to play, this game looks good as well but from the SS I can't see that much an overhaul, not that that is bad as the graphics are still really good. I do however hope this one is longer, thats about my only gripe. If you havent played the first one then do yourself a favor an play it to get you primed for the sequel...

Shane Killen @ Oct 4th 2007 1:07AM

Is there a botmatch with teamplay this time around? Last medal of honor heroes you could play instant actionw ith up to 15 bots.. but they all teamed up on you. Hoping they added teamplay this time around..

koen van wijk @ Oct 4th 2007 5:40AM

Does this game use the full 333 Mhz?

Alien @ Oct 4th 2007 10:06AM

The first one was cool ... and it seams that the second one will deliver to :D

gumby @ Oct 4th 2007 1:07PM

I loved the first addition of this game for psp. In fact the reason I got the first game was the demo. It was the first time a demo really convinced me to get a game because I found myself playing it more that I played full games that I had. Hopefully they will release a demo with this game but regardless I'll be picking it up as soon as I can afford it. It is a great time to be a psp owner, but an expensive time.