When the PSP launched last year, a number of games came out for it, giving gamers a great deal of choice as to which direction they wanted to go with the handheld. Racing? Covered by Wipeout Pure and Ridge Racer. Puzzle gaming? Lumines all the way. But what about action/role-playing? Well, Sony Online Entertainment had that field covered as well with the release of Untold Legends: Brotherhood of the Blade, although you had to work at it a little to find the enjoyment.

That's because, as ambitious a project as it was, it had flaws that fundamentally hurt the experience. One could mention the game's lengthy, almost unbearable loading times, which came into play quite often. One could also note the lack of personality, in terms of the repetitive gameplay. And then there were the graphics, showing some details here and there but hitting speed bumps in terms of performance, with slowdown coming into play and affecting the visuals. The game still garnered a strong fan base, but many were wondering if it would ever evolve into something legendary, like the other series that Sony Online had put together. (Everquest, anyone?)

Well, I'm happy to report that progress shows the brand on the mend. Not only has a PS3 version been announced that will no doubt show its leap into the next-generation, but the PSP has been given a strong sequel all its own with Untold Legends: The Warrior's Code, which remedies many of the problems with the first game and gives plaeyrs the kind of adventure they deserved in the first place. There may be a couple of slight hitches that prevent it from being an all-out classic in the role-playing realm, but its strengths still make it a bonafide pick for those who are fans of the genre.

The plot runs the numbers of your typical questing game. A warlord's minions are sweeping over the land, enslaving the people and wiping out those who become too much of a threat to them. However, a secret society of shape-shifters begin to stand up and take notice to this when they find members of their own breed vanishing, smelling a dirty plot in the air. Along the journey, these shape-shifters find a secret that could actually turn the tide and restore the land back to peace and prosperity. As expected, this quest is far from easy.

You begin the game by choosing from one of five different players- Guardian, Mercenary, Disciple, Prowler, and Scout. As expected, each one have their own set of attributes that will come in handy in the heat of battle, as well as their own leveling up system with strengths and items that can be beefed up during the duration of your quest. You can customize your character's look through skin tones and hair (that's all you'll really need, since the game's mostly a top-down view anyhow), and then proceed to dish out points in the areas you see fit.

The way you itemize your character can come into play through the skill system, where you can opt to make some attacks stronger. For instance, one character would be better suited for powering up with distance attacks, while others would obviously be given a push in terms of their up-close range. There's an "item shash" that allows you to keep powering and health vials close at hand, in case you want to avoid having your character meet a quick demise. Fortunately, there's enough checkpoints scattered throughout the game, so if your character does manage to bite it, they'll at least be reborn in a close-by spot so you don't have to face impossible odds reaching the same spot again.

The distance and up-close attacks are just part of the picture. Your character's powering up system gives them access to a couple of different tools that will come in handy during battle, like dash attacks that can wipe out enemies quickly when utilized correctly, defensive tools that protect your life bar, and flaming attacks that add a little heft to your blade when needed. The real addition, though, is an Altered Beast-like transformation. Once you fill up a meter, you're able to hold down the triangle button and change yourself into a powerful beast that can take down enemies quickly with knockdowns. Granted, you'll still take minor damage if you leave yourself open. I liked this, it shows that you're superhuman while still giving slight focus on the "human" part of the word.