PSP Exclusive
Gameplaywise, Predator is able to mirror the experiences of the console GRAW. The cover system, AI and tactical gameplay are all intact, if not watered down a little. The aiming mechanics are quite simplistic, and this is a blessing and a curse. Since the aiming is toggled by a single button, it can be difficult to shoot in and out of cover, as multiple control commands can be difficult when in a tense firefight. However, I was able to get used to this and the controls flowed fluidly after about 1 hour of playtime. Mind you, these controls are both the development team and Sony's fault. Laughably, I was able to control this easier than Brothers in Arms on PSP, which controls I also got used to. As for the cover system, it is a replica of that seen in Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 on the consoles, you press a button to stick to any cover and pop out when you need. Really, the cover system is the same. As for damage and bullets, they are also very similar to GRAW 2, in that the bullets leave a visable trail and are actual objects instead of using cheap hitscan. The shooting is also what you would expect from a a GRAW game, multiple shots to kill you and the enemy, with single shots being recommended. The AI, smartly use cover mechanics and fire back effectively, unfortunately due to the PSP's processing power the AI can act stupid at times, running point blank into you. Although being watered down, gameplay is solid.
Graphically the game is lacking, playing on my PSP 3000 with max brightness through CFW (I can use it as a torch it's so bright) revealed a graphically dated PSP game. Animations are actually taken from the console titles, but with a quite a few frames in the animation loop removed, models are for the characters are quite detailed (high polygon count) for a PSP game but unfortunately the enemies look like crap. The environments are cut off into segments that are very big (3rd Birthday had terribly small map segments) but are lacking in detail. Texturewise, the game looks rather muddy. Weapon models are absolutely disgusting, there are absolutely no polygons put into them whatsoever. I must admit though, I have seen worse looking games on PSP, but much better ones too. The dated graphics engine and poor use of technology have resulted in a bland looking game.
Ghost Recon Predator is the first true Ghost Recon on the PSP, (GRAW 2 PSP doesnt count, it just re-used content mostly), featuring a new campaign, models and maps. Although graphically failing, the game is able to capture the feel of the console Ghost Recons gameplaywise. A entertaining sidestep for the Ghost Recon series.