Although the RPG genre has finally started to hit its stride for the PlayStation 3, we’ve always been able to count on a continual influx of quality JRPGs on the PSP over the past few years. This is why whenever another looms on the horizon, the role-playing lover that still thrives within me needs to know more. The latest is from developers Kogado Software and Premium Agency and will be published by BlazBlue provider Aksys Games. It holds the strangely appealing name of Mimana Iyar Chronicles – sort of rolls right off the tongue, doesn’t it? – and old-school fans will really appreciate the top-down 3D adventure featuring classic 2D combat. This reminds me of a game like Star Ocean: The 2nd Story , where you would explore in a 3D world but upon entering a random encounter, the scene would shift to a battle where allies and foes would rush each other across the screen in semi-real-time. Okay, the fighting was in 3D, too (it’s in 2D in Chronicles ), but you get the point.
In looking over a recent hands-on preview at IGN, it seems apparent that Mimana Iyar will play like so many traditional RPGs of the past: leveling up is a major priority, especially at the start, when even the weakest enemies can pose a significant challenge. Once in battle after triggering a random encounter, you can target any given foe by pressing Square with your chosen character, and then attack with the X button or choose a special attack with the d-pad. You can also adopt a defensive stance by holding Circle to block. The real-time feel of this style comes into play when you successfully time your combination strikes, which will result in the main character, Crais, adopting a golden color that guarantees critical hits. This “power” mode is known as “Just Attack” and you can’t just get it by mashing buttons. As for extra depth, you can attach elemental attributes to your weapons and you can also expect a decent magic mechanic that is bound to implement more strategy into every battle. It’s unlikely you’ll be overwhelmed, though; this seems like pretty standard stuff.
Obviously, while you are in direct control of one character, the AI will control your teammates. Therefore, you’ll want to establish a stratagem before combat begins by selecting specific orders for ally tactics. Although this one won’t be as technically advanced as a game like Dragon Age: Origins or White Knight Chronicles , if you’ve played either, you know all about AI tactics. You can give your characters multiple orders and the top order will always take priority; if the situation doesn’t call for that tactic, the ally will automatically move to whatever is next on the list. For tougher battles, you’ll likely want to prioritize healing, magic and powerful abilities, while you’ll want to be more conservative when facing off against weaker enemies. You even have the option of telling your characters which targets to choose, and you’re also able to select a starting position for your characters. A pre-battle grid will give you the opportunity to organize your team accordingly, which sounds like it’ll be a much-appreciated element.
Even so, despite any available depth, you will still need some real-time reactions in order to excel in combat. IGN talks about one small issue when it comes to hacking ‘n slashing; it has to do with a character’s recovery time after unleashing a combination attack. It seems that after going nuts with some strikes, you will leave yourself open for some computer strikes but there is another option: there’s a Cancel Skill option in your menu and if you access it, you can avoid that “cooldown” problem. Outside of this, the visuals aren’t as flashy as something by Square-Enix, perhaps, but for fans of this genre, they’ll do nicely. There’s guaranteed to be plenty of clichéd JRPG goodness in terms of certain characters, but we’re certainly hoping for a solid storyline to go along with what should be an intriguing combat system. Supposedly, Mimana Iyar Chronicles is set to launch next month here in the US; it’ll be available in Japan on February 26.
Sounds interesting. My PSP already is home to several excellent RPGs…another will be welcome.
My PSP and DS have destroyed my PS3 in terms of JRPGs this generation.
Off topic but been wondering nonetheless
Highlander do you listen to the Japanese group Perfume at all? You strike me as someone into the Japanese scene and if you haven't checked them out I strongly suggest it. I'm dieing to see them live.
@LV,
I must admit that I haven't, but on your recommendation I shall.
After a quick YouTube scan all I can say is that my soon to be teenage son will have a new favorite music genre….
As for my PSP, it's becoming a very important part of gaming, which is funny considering I still see new articles in the gaming media deriding it and claiming it's dead and a failure.
:sigh: When will these children ever learn?
Last edited by TheHighlander on 2/16/2010 3:52:04 AM
Before I bought WKC I was playing DQ on my DS and FF8 on my PSP. You can get a PSP for under $100 now and many of the great RPGs for the PSP can be found for under $10 on Ebay. RPG fans are missing out if they simply look at the PSP as a casual gamer's paradise.
Oh and my fav. Perfume songs are:
Secret Secret
Love the World
Vitamin Drop
I'm pretty sure your son won't like it much. It's a different language for the singing so most people can't get into it and it's hard to share with friends. If it had no singing and had just the music & beat then it would be great/sweet/good and we can rave to it at parties and such.
😀
Put RPGs on PS3, or even PSN.
Let the PS3 emulate the PSP so that the PSP games on the PSN can be played on the PS3…
PSN at least….
Seriously…as much as I like the psp. It's no replacement for a home theater system or just enjoying it as a "home" experience
I don't know, I feel as if they're using jrpgs as if they were disposable games…
Rpgs belong in next-gen consoles
i would kill for that, but it will never happen because than what is the point of the PSP?
sure its "portable" but is it really worth shelling 300 bucks for a system that can play the same games your PS3 can?
@Anon,
You said it not me. It's the same reason it's always been attractive. It's because it's a decent console that is portable. And the PSP-3000 doesn't cost $300, so stop mis-representing.
that still does not answer the question.
if the ps3 ran psp games like you requested than there would be no point to the psp.
simple, no?
good thing I own PSP & Ps3
Jeanne D'Arc was my favourite turn based SRPG on the PSP. I put 75 hours into that one!
Ideally suited for my train journey to work.
Wouldn't have time to play any RPG's at home since I've got to wait until the wife goes to bed before I can play any PS3.
Yes I know, but wait until you are married and see how brave you are then!
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 2/16/2010 10:33:00 AM
I was wondering actually how many from the community here actually have time for lovi'n both their PS3's and PSP's… I don't have a PSP yet, will probably get one eventhough I was hoping for some PSP2 news by now… but I was wondering how long games take to complete on the PSP? Are they similar in length to PS3 games? I mean, playing an RPG on a PSP can it take 10 or more hours to complete thoroughly?
Q!
"i am home"
I last played Star Ocean 2 and it seemed to take as long as you would expect from Star Ocean 2. I don't think you have any worries on the length of game.
Plus all those PS1 classics are the same original game on the smaller screen of the PSP. It's perfectly sized for it, and they have the same game play they always had.
another RPG?
gees looks like im going to need those floaties again!
and i thought there were allot of shooters due out.
meh, cant wait till alpha protocol comes out but it looks like that aint hitting till later this year!
*&^%$#@@##$%^&**((&^%$#@@#$%^&*(*&^%$#@#$%^&*
FUC***G HELL SEGA JUST RELEASE THE GOD DAM GAME!
Do you prefer boys?
WTF?
Meh?
Haha. I'm almost tearful to see Star Ocean: The Second Story get a mention next to a new game. I have a wealth of RPGs for my PSP and I plan on adding this to the library. Hexys Force (I believe it is called) doesn't sound so bad either.