If there is one thing that the PSP does not currently have a shortage of, it is Japanese-style RPGs. As with any library, the quality varies greatly when there are so many games on the palette, but when the game is coming out of high profile developer Level 5, gamers know to start paying attention. Their latest effort, Jeanne d'Arc, does not deviate too greatly from their well-worn formula for success, effectively blending an epic story with bizarre fantasy characters and elements that if not in their skilled hands, might have otherwise turned into a convoluted mess. This is made abundantly clear by this game's particular setting, the legendary tale of Joan of Arc, the young French girl who received visions from God that directed her to lead the French people into battle to defend them from the invading English.

A fantastic story on its own merit, yes, but Level 5 has stripped down the story to its core elements and filled it back in with magical characters and demonic forces fighting for England, and of course a unique explanation for the voices that are leading Jeanne forward. Thanks to solid dialogue and amazing anime cutscenes, all the parts really come together to make a compelling story that constantly moves the player forward.

It is the exchange between plot development and battle that drives this game. Unlike most every other RPG, there is a degree of exploration and freedom present that fills in those extra hours of game play. Here, there is no exploration whatsoever, other than moving Jeanne across the overworld map from one location to the next. At first, this standard game mechanic is likely to be missed, but once players get really in tune with the game, they're likely to find that it would be quite unnecessary here. There are no dull moments, and the often-times fierce tactical, grid-based battles offer so long and complex that if nothing else, it helps this portable title work in smaller doses. There is no aimless wondering around the French countryside to distract the player from continually plowing through this lengthy adventure.

The battle system works so well primarily because each battle plays out very differently, with the player needing to evaluate the battlefield and then pull from up to fourteen different characters, many with unique weapons and abilities, and rework their abilities so that players have the best possible setup for each battle. At times it may take multiple attempts to win the battle, but each of these game-overs allows the player to learn something from their mistakes and apply that knowledge on the next go-around.

The games colorful and well-designed arenas, are equally satisfying, and often offer multiple ways to achieve victory. The visual fidelity overall is very solid and consistent, bright and colorful and is amplified by the fairly frequent anime scenes. The voice acting is a bit stilted at times, but the faux French accents sound pretty good and are easily understood. It is not the best that the PSP has to offer, but it is more than sufficient considering other games in genre.

With tons of hours of gameplay offering a constantly evolving game play experience, Jeanne d'Arc will heartily satisfy fans of the genre, but more surprisingly, can be enjoyed by just about anyone looking for an intense RPG experience.