I’ll tell you straight up, it really doesn’t do anything different to the other RPG type games on the platform. That’s not to say that it’s a bad game. Everything that it does do, it does solidly. If you like the RPG scene, I can’t see you having too many problems enjoying the game; it’s just the rest of you that I have sympathy for. For many years, I have tried to enjoy RPGs, just so I could use up hours of my time on something enjoyable. Each and every time, I have failed and this venture was no different.

If a game in this genre is going to impress me, it has to do something spectacular to blow my mind. Many games have tried; many games have failed; and only a select few have raised my mood when playing them. One guarantee when playing RPGs is that you are bound to get a good story. Some feel more like playing a book in motion, rather than a game though. All that they make me think is that I have less control over what can happen, you almost feel as if you have no dictation over where the game will go. A pretty pointless experience, when compared to the likes of Elder Scrolls Oblivion.

Enough of my ranting, lets get down to the game. In this game, you play as Valen Kesslar who is a future Dragoon about to graduate from the Dragoon Academy (naturally). It always helps when you build up a connection with your character. That way you become a lot more involved in the story, but when I first met young Valen my mind turned to evil thoughts. Now when you’re heading into battle, you’re supposed to fight for your life. At times, I was tempted just to let him go with the angels, I survived the temptation but with a sour taste in my mouth.

If you don’t know the basic idea of an RPG, I’ll explain the concept of this game. There is a fair amount of exploration, but as always; a turn based combat system is in place. Thank god, no button bashing but the option to attack, use mana (aka magic), guard, use an item or escape doesn’t really whet my appetite. In-fact, if I can avoid the battles I will. The system itself works well enough; and has a number of options which you will find useful in battle. The game just lacks that special edge which an RPG needs, to convert us non-believers.

There are good things about the game, don’t get me wrong. For example, it is a pretty good looking game for the PSP. Sure it’s nothing amazing, but everything is done well. Occasionally you will spot pop up, but that can easily be excused. You will notice a lot cut-scenes during the game. The voice acting in these is well executed, rather than the monotone voices that you can find in these types of games. The in-game music on the other hand leaves a lot to be desired. It could be a lot worse, but I’m sad to say that on several occasions I wanted to turn down the volume.

Final opinions are that it’s a solid game, it’s never going to convert non RPGer’s. Though fans of the genre should have an enjoyable time playing it. One day I will find an RPG game that I fall in love with, but until that day I will weep in my racing games.