The classic series is back. While it may be different than what you might remember, thats not even a bad thing.
On to the main topic, 3rd b-day take's place several years into the future after a devastating, destructive force known as the "Babel" destroyed NY city (or more I would assume). The Babel, being a force that feeds on humans, poses an obvious threat to humanity. The Babel began to spawn the twisted which do all the devouring and in response the CTI (a Counter-Twisted Unit) is born to stop it. To do so they make the use of Aya Brea's special abilities to operate a machine that uses an system called "Overdrive". A system that allows her to assume, possess, and control the bodies of people within the past, where she ends up attempting to square off with twisted and fix the past to save the present. If your confused with this plot now then wait till you progress through the later episodes of the game. Aside from it's complicated side the story is actually very good, and you'll probably enjoy it whether you get it or not.
On to the gameplay, this in my opinion is where the game shines. This game may be very different from its previous titles but that's not an issue here. Experience will be dished out by your enemies as well as exp that you get from using the various weapon types in the game. When in combat you are equipped with up to 4 weapons, up to 9 grenades, and your ability to overdrive into different soldiers to assume control of any unit within range. The weapons all have several different stats that they are broken down to, and can be used to effectively down different styles of twisted you face. Grenades are heavy blows to enemy health bars and your ability to overdrive into different units who all hold a weapon of their own, (mostly assault rifles but sometimes very handy weapons) gives a interesting style of strategy to the flow of combat. Primarily you'll be trying to put out enough constant damage to your enemies in an effort to stun them which will actually allow you to dive into your foes and implode them from the inside out. This tactic will award you with DNA, but we'll get into that later. Overdriving into twisted can be accomplished most effectively if you control and place your soliders behind the various barricades spread through out the levels. In doing so you can call for a "Crossfire", which will direct all fire from your allies on to a single target, resulting in the enemy getting stunned much faster. Along side of this when doing damage you will fill your "Liberation Gauge", once full, activating it will allow Aya so fire off energy shots from her pistols doing serious damage and giving her incredible speed. All weapons are primarily fired through a lock on targeting system with the small execption of sniper rifles, grenade launchers, and special weapons. Controling the camera with the d-pad can prove to be annoying however, and handling almost all weapons that do not lock on can sometimes prove to be a pain.
Outside of combat you'll be able to access the computer where you can upgrade your weapons, buy and change out your weapons, switch your protective gear (which is very limited on your first play through), run through old missions, or customize your DNA boards. The DNA boards may be confusing at first, but are easy to get the hang of. Through out the game you will obtain many DNA strands, which you can then place on a 3x3 board to amplify your abilities, level up abilities, or add new abilities all together, such as increased critical, additional healing when using abilities, increased defense, etc. In your HQ You can also talk to fellow NPC's or visit the different area's of the facility as well.
Now onto the graphics, this game is clean, the graphics are really impressive here, and the cutscenes are a treat. A lot of detail is put into every corner of the game and even added attention to aya's clothing as she takes progressive damage (her clothes will tear apart). Impressive backgrounds that really fit the mood of the story, and the overall design of the menu's and the interface are well done, stylish, and unique. Not to mention the twisted were very well designed and look pretty vicious. Not much more I can spill over this part of the game, but it looks like these are some the better graphics pushed out onto the psp. While not the best, they're still impressive.
The sound...I love this soundtrack, intense BGM's that really keep up with quick paced combat, the guns sound great, and the twisted sound creepy. However, in the topic of the voice acting I had some issues. The voice acting isn't terrible, but in combat many of aya's grunts and moans are recycled heavily, and the same goes for all the random soliders around you. It get's kinda annoying after a while.
On a closing note this game is fun, original, and very hard. Many of the bosses you face will give you a handfull of problems even a few on normal mode, but its not impossible. The 3rd birthday is loaded with fan based easter eggs, costumes, extra weapons, and unlockable cheats which can give any player a million reasons to replay through the story if they enjoyed it enough of course. But with all that said, this game is a 9 best. A 6 just doesnt make sense.This game would a good addition to any PSP library. Hope this gives a better view of this title to all who take the time to read. Have fun.