The PSP game Jeanne D’Arc caught my attention because of how much I’ve enjoyed games like Final Fantasy Tactics in the past. I’ve spent the entire holidays playing Jeanne D’Arc and I’ve had no ambition since downloading it to play another game.
As I’m sure you’ve guessed the game Jeanne D’Arc is based around the famous tale of Joan of Arc and her efforts to lead the French to victory. Although the game is based on history it also has a fantasy feel and element to it. Henry VI is possessed by a demon and his evil counselor is like a warlock conjuring up dark forces for the English. After Jeanne’s village is burned to the ground she finds a bracelet with magical powers and sets off with two companions to save France with others joining along the way.
The story is presented through cut scenes with an anime style to them. The story is revealed little by little through text dialogs, battles, and the cut scenes. Much of the story is from history but there are also many fictional elements to the story.
The characters all look very sharp and it is very easy to tell what type of character (knights, elves, archers, swordsmen, beast men) they are because of the unique graphics.
I found the game not too easy and not too difficult. It really was the perfect mix of difficulty. One of my favorite elements of this game was how deep many of the tactics and abilities you can use were. There is a lot more to the battlefield than just positioning your long and short-range fighters.
You can customize each character through their armor, weapons and skills. After every five levels you get skill slots that you can combine with physical attacks, magic spells, and passive skills. Because you can combine items and skills character customization is nearly endless.
If I had to mention a downside of Jeanne D’Arc it would have to be how formulaic it seemed. It really did not stray far from what other RPG’s have done and there was nothing too unique. In some ways that’s good because if you like this type of genre then it is almost guaranteed you will enjoy this game.
One thing I hate about many games is the unbearable load times. THANKFULLY Jeanne D’Arc has very tolerable load times. The load times in this game please me greatly.
This game comes highly suggested.
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