If you're a lover of turn-based tactical RPGs, they don't come much better than this
The presentation deserves special mention. Everything from the title screen and menus to the anime style cutscenes is just great to look at. The in-game graphics are also quite pretty, with varied backgrounds that all look quite good, and actually get better and better as the game goes on, in certain later stages taking on a more wholly 3 dimensional design. Special mention must also be given to the final final final (there are a few) boss stage. It is simply one of the coolest and freakiest stages in any turn-based RPG ever.
Jeanne D'arc sounds great too. The music can get a little repetitive, but the sound effects are crisp and the voice acting, while there's not a lot of it, is superb.
I was quite surprised that the story began following the original historical events of the life of the real Jeanne D'arc, yet quickly evolved into a fantasy epic involving magical armlets, mythical beasts, dragons, wizards, soul-possessing demons, you name it. I'll never look at the Jeanne D'arc legend in the same light again.
The characters are great too. There's a solid mixture here, and for most battles you'll choose between 3 to 7 characters for one battle from a roster of around 14 by the end of the game. These include knights, spearmen, wizards, archers, axe-wielding beasts and more. All have their strong and weak points, so it really is up to the player to create a team that will work for them.
I feel the need to compare this to another great turn-based PSP RPG, FF: War of the Lions. I really feel that Jeanne D'arc takes this trusted formula and improves on it in most key areas, including learning curve and user-friendliness of the in-game menus. The only thing I missed in JD was the lack of the evolution system in FF:WOTL that allowed you to create new chacter types, eg. a squire levelling up to knight, chemist to black mage etc. In the end I'd have to recommend WOTL more to the hardcore turn-based RPGer who loves complex menus, levelling up systems and enjoys a tougher challenge, and JD more to adventure or RPG lovers in general, who just wanna get stuck in.
VISUALS: 9
SOUND: 8.5
GAMEPLAY: 9
LASTABILITY: 9
OVERALL: 9
Overall, unless you really hate turn-based games, RPGs or the French, I find it impossible not to recommend this little gem. It deserves a lot more acclaim than it has received.