Hours of magical fun in store with 'Jeanne'

Game: ''Jeanne d'Arc''

Publisher: Sony

System: Sony PSP

Cost: $30

ESRB rating: T

Review rating: 3 1/2 stars



Sony's hand-held console has seen plenty of games come and go, but most are remakes, sequels, and mediocre new franchises. So it's refreshing to discover that the turn-based strategy/role-playing game hybrid "Jeanne d'Arc" is so much fun.

In a mystical, 15th century realm where magic and demons are commonplace, France is under attack by British forces. It's up to a femme fatale named Jeanne to defend her homeland by commanding a band of misfits. Using a mysterious, magical armband and a wide array of melee and magical attacks, she and her cohorts engage in battle after battle only to discover that their patrons have a secret agenda.

Along the way, Jeanne recruits soldiers while losing others, which forces the player to constantly adapt to the changing story line.

As with most RPGs, characters in this game gain experience through battle, which increases their level and gives benefits such as enhanced attack power and health. Players are free to strategically move characters around the battlefield to attack enemies from advantageous positions, heal allies, and block entryways.

Each of the 14 playable characters can have his weapons and armor customized, but the selection is rather slim. On the other hand, each player can also have up to six skills that range from statistic enhancements to magic and melee attacks. Numerous skills are available, and most can be combined to create even more powerful abilities.

Featuring gorgeous game play and cut-scenes as well as an excellent combat system, "Jeanne d'Arc" is sure to entertain gamers on the go for hours on end.

Game: "Heroes of Mana"

Publisher: Square Enix

System: Nintendo DS

Cost: $40

ESRB rating: E

Review rating: 2 1/2 stars

Square Enix's "Mana" series has spanned several hand-held and home-based video game systems over the years. Although the new "Heroes of Mana" is an enjoyable, real-time strategy game on the DS, it would be nice to see the company create something without the words Mana, Dragon Quest, or Final Fantasy in the title.

Fans of the series will be pleased to discover that in addition to new champions, several "Mana" heroes from past games are available to command. All kinds of air and ground units make an appearance, and in some scenarios, the player can erect structures to create units while focusing on the battle at hand.

Thanks to the touch screen, arranging and ordering units is much easier and faster than in the typical hand-held RTS game. Another great feature is the ability to switch the top and bottom displays, so touch controls can be applied to battle actions, unit construction, and troop movement using the map screen. By tapping on units, players can order them to attack, defend, move to different areas and more.

Unfortunately, they all move painfully slowly, and the game's artificial intelligence frequently chooses inefficient paths. This means that they either take the "long route" or stop altogether because another unit is blocking their path (even though the direct route isn't blocked).

In the end, "Heroes of Mana" is overpriced and clunky. RTS devotees who don't require a supernatural environment should try Nintendo's "Advance Wars DS" instead.

RATING KEY

4 stars - Must have

3 stars - Pretty good

2 stars - So-so

1 star - Don't waste your time

Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)

E: Everyone

T: Teen (13 and older)

E10-plus: (Everyone 10 and older)

M: Mature (17 and older)