It's always a risk trying to move a game title from one format to another - in this case, quirky online strategy game Fat Princess is moved from the PlayStation Network to the PSP. Unusually, this has actually added more content, rather than shedding it, with a pile of multiplayer
game modes, half a dozen new maps and a beefed-up single player mode.
The point of the game is to rescue your princess, while your enemies try to rescue theirs - think of it as capture the flag with a porky princess instead of a flag. To make it harder for the competition to regain their rotund royal, you stuff her face with cake, she gets heavier and they have a tougher job.
Single-player mode is hilarious, with brilliant toffee English voiceover and reasonably tight graphics. It is a good intro to the online modes, limited to eight "real" players supplemented by eight AI players - finding active players was surprisingly easy, a good sign the game will last in cyberspace.
The graphics have taken a hit in the transition from PSN to PSP but they're still storybook-style fun.
Verdict: Fat Princess may sound like it's targeted at girl gamers, but it provides massive amounts of online strategic platform play for anyone - as well as a laugh-out-loud single player mode. Keep an eye out for awesome Grim Reaper mode "Undercaker". Available on UMD or as a direct download.
-Matt Greenop
4/5
Reviewed on: PSP
Rating: PG
