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I�ll spare you the all of three sentences I know in French (all obtained during Wakfu
binges or Europe-time Final Fantasy XI shenanigans) and just get into it: I think Level-5 are
courting me. And I realize that�s not quite the correct term to use when discussing a
game released back in 2007, but... dammit, it�s appropriate. They�ve managed to take
the story of Joan of Arc, fill it full of anime cutscenes, play up the supernatural
aspect for fun and profit, and turn it all into an outstanding tactical RPG. Frankly,
all it�s missing is a bow and tag that reads, �TO:TJ LOVE, LEVEL-5.� And while the vocal
performance is... well, about what you�d expect from an English translation with egregious
French accents trying to fit alongside Japanese animation... I�m willing to give all that
a pass, considering that the gameplay itself is so incredibly good.
So in this particular interpretation of the story, a great evil was sealed by five Britons
wielding magical armlets... until one of those very same heroes decided to enter into a pact
with that very same evil in exchange for the demon�s possession... erm, protection...
of Prince Henry V. One of said armlets happened to find its way to Domr�my, where it attaches
itself to a peasant girl and tells her to pick up a sword and kick some orc butt. Thinking
it�s the voice of God, she does exactly that, eventually gaining a magical-girl transformation
sequence that, rather than leaving her clad in a miniskirt and tiara or some such nonsense,
loads her up with full platemail and a huge honkin� sword that�d make Cloud envious.
Don�t get me wrong, I enjoy a good power-up as much as the next guy, but this is RIDICULOUS.
Her stats go through the roof, she gains access to new powers... and here�s the most egregious
- EVERY TIME SHE LANDS A KILLSHOT, SHE GETS A FREE TURN. Godspeed, indeed. That�s enough
to make Thunder God Cid turn his head and shout, �DAMN.�
But despite the absurdity of that particular power, it�s still only a two-turn buff that
you have to charge before its use, and can only be affected once per engagement... that
is, until you find more and different gems, which allow access to entirely different transformations.
The rest of combat plays tight as a drum, with numerous tactical considerations like
defense boosts when allies maintain tight ranks and offensive buffs for flanking. A
system of skill gems allows for customization of units with improved stats, elemental affinities,
special attacks, and passive bonuses. Combat scenarios are rather small, five-unit affairs
more on the scale of Final Fantasy Tactics than the 10-man or 12-man teams of a Fire
Emblem or Shining Force. Honestly, it�s one of the better tactical RPGs I�ve ever
played. Thanks, Level-5. Just... did you have to include a giant frog as a cute mascot creature?
In a game about France? Think about it.