Sony Ships Gangs of London for PSP

Who says the PSP is just for kids? Sony just shipped the Rated-M "Gangs of London" for mature PSP owners in North America.

Folks who think the PSP mainly appeals to the sort of gamer who isn’t old enough o have a driver’s license may be surprised to learn that the Playstation mothership itself, Sony Computer Entertainment, has just shipped Gangs of London for its Playstation Portable in North America.

"Gangs of London is varied, quick-fire, and fun with all original content designed exclusively for the PSP system. Now you can control and give orders to your team of gangsters to orchestrate the most ruthless takeover of the London underworld," said Daniel Navarro, London Studio, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. "We are excited by its innovative combination of the squad-based and driving genres rooted in an intense depiction of London’s criminal underworld."

Gangs of London presents more than 60 graphic-novel style stories involving present-day London’s criminal underworld spread across five modes: Story Mode, Gang Battle, Free Roaming, London Pub Games, and a unique Game Sharing mode, which generates a new level unique to each PSP with content depending on the serial number of the target system, throwing players into unique missions with varying objectives, characters, weapons, and environments.

In Story Mode, players lead a gang through narrative stories in a struggle to become London’s top gangster, and stories can be replayed from the perspective of different gangs. Gang Battle mode combines turn-based strategy with card games where up to five players set defend and expand their territories in London. Free Roaming modes (seven of them) enable players to explore 25 square miles of London in different situations; one Tourist Mode challenges players to photograph the city’s famous landmarks to unlock game extras.

Gangs of London is rated M for Mature by the ESRB; retail prices for the game should land around $40.