The Next Level

When I think of Level 5 I don't think of Professor Layton or Ni No Kuni like most do. I think of Jeanne D'Arc, the game that got me started on the world of tactical RPG.

I played some RPG prior to Jeanne but always have a lukewarm feeling about the genre. What is it that gamers like so much about RPG? The sappy storyline or fantasy setting were always a big bore for me.

I credit Jeanne D'Arc for starting me on this genre and showing me there are other RPG that interests me. This game and  the PSP system basically turned me into a RPG gamer. It paved the way for me to indulge in other RPG series like Fire Emblem and Valkyria Chronicles.

Sometimes, a special game is good enough to get a gamer started on a new genre. The first Resident Evil was one of those games that introduced many gamers to the survival horror genre. Jeanne D'Arc introduced me to the RPG genre as well as the Level-5 company.

Since competing Jeanne D'Arc, I have feverishly searched for the next Level 5 game that would give me the same feeling. There was one that came close (Rogue Galaxy) while the other is nothing like this (Attack of the Friday Monsters). But I reckon Jeanne D'Arc will always have a special place in my collection.

7th Heavan

I received my copy of Final Fantasy VII today after having strike a deal with a fellow forumer last week, who was eager to let go some of his PSOne games. Now in my lifetime of gaming, i have only finished a handful of RPG games, probably still enough to count with my good five fingers. There's Final Fantasy X which i regretfully had to cheat my way to finish it as i didn't level up my characters enough near the end and most recently, Jeanne D'arc on the PSP.

Final Fantasy VII was a game that almost any gamer would know even those who aren't into the RPG genre, and i would really like to know what the big deal is all about. After reviving my Playstation2 recently with Yakuza 2, this PSOne game would be a good start towards reviving my PSOne again, which was never really fully-utilised since i bought it so late and never got it modded after bringing it home. I was only about one-third into Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core before cooling off and ultimately distracted by cel-shaded charms of Jeanna D'Arc. I suspected i will definitely be interested to see how the story continues in FVII once i finished Crisis Core.

Think Tank

It has happened again, years ago when i first played FFX i got all the way to the final sin and was unable to proceed because i didn't level up my characters properly. Now i just got to stage 35 of Jeanne D'arc and i faced the same dilemma only this time, the solution is less clear cut. I relied too much on my archers and magicians early on, leveling them up quite a fair bit only to reach the end and come to the startling realisation that they aren't very useful against big bosses. I neglected my brawlers (or some FAQers refer to as tanks) and have to now level them up evenly if i were to stand any chance against the big bad boss.

So close yet so far, i had a friend who spent more than 60 hours on this game alone, i wonder if all that time was spent leveling up?

Grindhouse

While having a casual discussion with some gamers on Jeanne D'arc this morning, i happened to pick up a new RPG jargon. Grinding which a casual RPG gamer like myself often call "leveling up" is a common practise when it comes to RPG and also is one of the very reason why i don't indulge in RPG games very much, save perhaps this one. You see i'm sort of gamer who prefer to be told what to do, so when it comes to free-roaming and RPG games i often end up wandering around aimlessly. How much is enough when it comes to leveling up? That is something which i have yet to master, having reach the end of FFX only to have to cheat my way through Sin at the end.

Yes i know, it's not something that i'm proud of and hopefully it won't happen again with Jeanne D'arc.