An interesting game with some new twists.

User Rating: 8 | Mana-Khemia: Gakuen no Renkinjutsushi-tachi Portable Plus PSP
Lots of things to do and side quests. I had a lot of fun synthesizing different armor and weapons for the characters. the characters are very zany and all have different side plots which are revealed depending on who you pick to work with during free time. You have classes that you are required to take every semester...and if you do not make the grade ( units per semester) you have to do detention instead of free time ( Reminds me of High School in the 70s)
The video is ps2 era stuff...don't expect it to knock your socks off...but its not bad either.
Sounds I can take or leave....some of the Japanese music does not sound good to my American English ears which is odd, because after 25 years in a Japanese American household, I have gotten use to it,, at least you would think so ....( although I do not bother trying to speak it because my wife laughs at me :-( Kids do well though.

I love the way the upgrading system works...
I also thing it is a nice alternative from Level grinding.
The Characters are different enough, although the main character is the LEAST interesting of the bunch. The only criticism that I have is the Camera angles at times and the fact that you can miss some play in free time if you get detention.
I love JRPGs so keep 'em coming!