Hands-on: LocoRoco Midnight Carnival
by Randy Nelson 
{ Sep 18th 2009 at 5:00PM } 
The latest, download-only installment in PSP's iconic LocoRoco franchise features many familiar structural and gameplay elements from the first two titles, yet still manages to remain exciting and fresh. LocoRoco Midnight Carnival distinguishes itself from the previous games in that it has a very strong focus on level mastery and overall degree of challenge – Sony told us it's very much geared toward the "hardcore" LocoRoco player.
Gallery: LocoRoco Midnight Carnival
To that end, the game features global online leaderboards and "ghost data" replays for each level from the world's top five players at any given time. When attempting to set a new personal record -- or become one of the world's best -- players will be able to see the champs' performances overlaid on top of their gameplay.
Something similar is also being done for the four-player competitive ad hoc mode -- essentially races through each level where players will be able to see the "ghosts" of their competitors, but not the way their level happens to be tilting, because that'd just be silly ... and vomit-inducing.
The most important addition to Midnight Carnival's gameplay is the "Boing," a new move performed by holding one or both shoulder buttons for a two-count and letting go. It causes the LocoRoco to rocket higher/farther than a normal jump, and is accompanied by a colorful trail that's left behind them. The idea is to maintain as long a string of Boings as possible through each stage; to that end, the levels are built so that, with enough skill, it's possible to launch from one Boing to the next, adjusting trajectory mid-air in order to collect all of the items.
Since it's played completely with the PSP's shoulder buttons, it's actually possible to play the game on the PSP Go with the system "closed," using L and R to navigate menus and make selections, as well.
The game will be available in October, and is unique among the digital-only releases being prepped with PSP Go in mind, in that the "demo" version will actually be the entire game download -- with only two levels unlocked. After completing them, players will be offered the option of buying and unlocking the full experience right then and there. So, basically, it's just like trial games on XBLA.
We asked Sony if this will be the norm with digital releases (it makes so much sense!) and were told that developers will have the option to do so. Currently, Midnight Carnival is the only title built this way.
Based on our play time with this (so far) very enjoyable sequel, the "buy now" option is going to be used quite frequently.
Something similar is also being done for the four-player competitive ad hoc mode -- essentially races through each level where players will be able to see the "ghosts" of their competitors, but not the way their level happens to be tilting, because that'd just be silly ... and vomit-inducing.
The most important addition to Midnight Carnival's gameplay is the "Boing," a new move performed by holding one or both shoulder buttons for a two-count and letting go. It causes the LocoRoco to rocket higher/farther than a normal jump, and is accompanied by a colorful trail that's left behind them. The idea is to maintain as long a string of Boings as possible through each stage; to that end, the levels are built so that, with enough skill, it's possible to launch from one Boing to the next, adjusting trajectory mid-air in order to collect all of the items.
Since it's played completely with the PSP's shoulder buttons, it's actually possible to play the game on the PSP Go with the system "closed," using L and R to navigate menus and make selections, as well.
The game will be available in October, and is unique among the digital-only releases being prepped with PSP Go in mind, in that the "demo" version will actually be the entire game download -- with only two levels unlocked. After completing them, players will be offered the option of buying and unlocking the full experience right then and there. So, basically, it's just like trial games on XBLA.
We asked Sony if this will be the norm with digital releases (it makes so much sense!) and were told that developers will have the option to do so. Currently, Midnight Carnival is the only title built this way.
Based on our play time with this (so far) very enjoyable sequel, the "buy now" option is going to be used quite frequently.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ToadStoolPorridge (PSN: tennispro_99) @ Sep 18th 2009 5:08PM
I loved LocoRoco and LocoRoco 2 so this will be an insta-buy for me :)
Mr. Manly ESC Mcbeefington Ferguson The Second @ Sep 18th 2009 5:09PM
I would love to have this in the PS3 as well.
A PSP/PS3 release using the sixaxis in the PS3 version would be great for me.I do have a PSP but I'm not certain about the Go! model,there could be a new one in less than 2 years or a price drop in 2010.
No Kill Tayler @ Sep 18th 2009 5:14PM
Bajumbo moi noi noi jecker
Dabatto bunkergait jun jun
Nora juerue-rotto pura-pura petto
Puraret dum dum
Papuranoi noi noi jecker
Dabatto bumperget tum tum
Ora poerketino bookeran tan-tan-so
Bokeretyo kyenturanai mimani unlalhood-cha-la
Terra hooki-ra pishi-to diki-ra poody-to
Seni-kidi koseibo
Kokorenkyo kyenturanai mimani unlalhood-cha-la
Terra hooki-ra shishi-sho tusura hajiki yo
Bajumbo moi noi noi jecker
Dabatto bumperget tum tum
Nora juerue-rotto rokorolo-petto
Pura-purarun dum dum
Papuramoi noi noi jecker
Dapatto bumperget tum tum
Ora poerketino bookeran tan-tan-so
These are locoroco lyrics lol
Sly (PSN: SniperChameleon) @ Sep 18th 2009 5:14PM
i love how they tailored it for the PSPgo. playing the go in its closed mode could actually be pretty useful.
HeXeN {KevinConroyDefeatsBatman} @ Sep 18th 2009 5:17PM
You can never have too much Locoroco so this will be a first week buy for me.
Markez @ Sep 18th 2009 5:20PM
Sooo can I download this on my PS3 and beam it to my girlfriend's PSP? Sorry I'm still fuzzy on how this works since the console is new to me...
HeXeN {KevinConroyDefeatsBatman} @ Sep 18th 2009 5:23PM
You could if the psp is connected to the PS3,other than that no.
killdash9 @ Sep 18th 2009 8:48PM
Wouldn't it be easier just to download it directly from the PSP itself? Unless it's like 250 MB or more, I'd just run the download on the PSP rather than downloading and transferring and activating.
Maccadude33 @ Sep 18th 2009 10:29PM
I knew that Rolando game was similar/based off of Loco Roco, but those screenshots make the games look near identical... Love the games either way.
It would be fun to play LR/Super Monkey Ball somehow on a PSP Go with dual analog sticks... That would be great for controls. Would love some shooters like that too actually.
cafecito @ Sep 19th 2009 3:42PM
Looks too ... nighty ... for my tastes. And yeah, I know that's the whole point, being called Midnight Carnival and all. But still.