So, I'm getting a PSP...

[Ashtrot]

Pedestrian story....yeah, right. The story might not be the most original ever, but the setting is one of a kind. I think the blend of fantasy and medieval history is something you don't see every day.

I find Final Fantasy Tactics' blending of fantasy tropes and real life history (it's based on the War of the Roses) was much, much more effective.

As far as the difficulty is concerned, it might not be the most difficult game ever (it seems it actually gets easier as you play), but I'm pretty sure you didn't complete the stages such as the coronation in Reims where you have to escort the dauphin to the cathedral by running straight into the enemies.

Actually, I was able to slaughter all the enemies, so they never even got near the dauphin. The only time I got a game over was when I accidentally dicked around too much and went over the turn limit, causing my time to run out - which is another thing that annoyed me; whoever heard of turn limits in every Goddamn battle?

Jeanne D'Arc is pretty much everything a SRPG should NOT be - easy, boring, and hollow.

[supersonic]

I have to agree with you that the turn limits are the most annoying thing about the game; they make sense in certain stages, but in many cases are completely unnecessary.

[Gen Eric Gui]

It's to force you to push forward and win a decisive victory rather then try to turtle and lure out foes one at a time.

[Ryos]

BTW.  One big thing I wanted to mention.  Instead of getting Castlevania: Symphony of the Night as suggested earlier, I highly encourage spending a couple (depending on the sale price, maybe a few bucks less) dollars more and picking up the Castlevania: the Dracula X Chronicles remake instead.  Even if you hate the platforming Castlevanias, it's very easy to unlock the fancy SotN port, replete with an extra character, Japanese track, a new (not necessarily better) English dub, and extra familiars.  It's pretty freaking awesome.

[Ashtrot]

It's to force you to push forward and win a decisive victory rather then try to turtle and lure out foes one at a time.

Not that you ever needed to in the game, but why? Turtling is a viable strategy for a tactical game. Removing your options is just idiotic. It's like playing chess and then removing all the pawns.

[Dincrest]

I will say this: Do not waste your money on Mimana Iyar Chronicle.  That game is a rip-off.  I shall have a review of that game ready this month.  

I've been told by picky import players that Hexyz Force is quite good, and it looks like I'll be playing that one for the site.  

EDIT: And, yes, Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles is a very worthwhile purchase.

[Lucca]

Most of what I'd recommend has already been mentioned, but here's a couple more to add to the fire:

PSN: Suikoden, Wild Arms 1 and 2, and Grandia
PSP: Persona 3 (when it comes out) if you haven't played it. I have the import, and it's not bad at all.

[Gen Eric Gui]

It's to force you to push forward and win a decisive victory rather then try to turtle and lure out foes one at a time.

Not that you ever needed to in the game, but why? Turtling is a viable strategy for a tactical game. Removing your options is just idiotic. It's like playing chess and then removing all the pawns.

Well, my best guess is that Level-5 wanted a more action-oriented SRPG game. 

Also, weren't most of the ACTUAL Joan of Arc's victories big charges?  I can't remember my 100 years war history very well.  But maybe they wanted to go for that kind of feeling?

[Ashtrot]

I'm unsure about the history, but I just hated the turn limit thing; SRPGs are not supposed to be played with an 'action oriented' mindset. Let's see how far it would take you if you just tried to bludgeon everything in say, Yggdra Union, Tactics Ogre, or Final Fantasy Tactics - which are examples of GOOD SRPGs.

[Hathen]

Or Fire Emblem. You'd be dead on the second turn or something.

[Gen Eric Gui]

Um, Yggdra Union has an incredibly strict turn limit.  If you run out of movement cards you lose, and it's very easy to go over the limit on some maps.  It's actually very close to Jeanne D'Arc in terms of gameplay style, you HAVE to charge ahead and plan according to that kind of attack, you can't turtle in the corner and hope to win.  Shit, Yggdra Union even gives all kinds of bonuses to the attacking parties that they don't give to the defenders (Hunters/Assassins can't coutner, catapults exist, you can't land criticals on counter hits without items) which make a plan of turtling in the corner really, really bad.

And I dunno about you, but most of my time with FFT was charging into the thick of things with invincible characters that had 98% evade rates and insta-countered for 999 damage.  The only time you ever needed "strategy" was when fighting Weigraf that one time and/or if you were severely under-leveled or using shitty classes.

And Fire Emblem goes to the other extreme, where it usually punishes you for pushing forward because of hideous numbers of enemy units and unit spawns that trigger when you push past certain thresholds.  Except for a handful of maps with time limits and the escort missions, most of Fire Emblem is just turtling with very little offensive action whatsoever.

I'll pretty much agree with Tactics Ogre though.  What I remember of Knight of Lodis was pretty hard to break until endgame and you were forced to really play your units instead of relying on the same strategy all the time.

[Esper_Crusader]

I'll be able to transfer my PSN stuff stored on my PS3 hard drive to the PSP right? I have Suikoden, Wild Arms 1&2 and Grandia already so there's a few games already. Thanks for all the suggestions. Looks like there's a lot out there.

[Esper_Crusader]

Well I finally picked up a 3000 today with Turismo packed in along with Crisis Core and FFTactics. I have Jeanne D'arc set aside for my next pay and I doubt a 2gig card will be enough so i'm going to pick up another 4gig card for now.

[sandiny0ursh0es]

Congrats on the purchase, hope you enjoy your PSP.


This thread makes me feel like I should give my PSP more love.

[Noobien]

Monster Hunter Freedom Unite.

It's not for everyone though...