Any fan of strategy RPGs or anime should check out La Pucelle.
- Addictive gameplay, with new ideas
- Both Japanese and English voice acting
- Easy to get into with a lengthy tutorial
Negative
- Some times when the camera is inconsistent
- Respawning enemies drag some battles too long
If you played any of Nippon Ichi's games before, La Pucelle will most definitely feel familiar in many ways. Although this game ranks above Phantom Brave, but lower than Disgaea 2. Fans will find many things which aren't new, like the average character model and graphics, same great and addictive gameplay, and a story which is both funny and well made.
Story has never been Nippon Ichi's strongest point, but they always come up with one that is worthwhile. La Pucelle features a good story, Prier a hot-tempered young maiden, demon hunter together with her brother fight impure beings. The game is divided in several chapters which take places in dungeons, fighting in turn-based and running in the city in 2D, which by the way is what the game is about. No 3D is found anywhere you could say. A tutorial, which you cannot skip is available in the beginning of chapter 1 and explains most of the things.
Gameplay is still unique with a nice improvement over Disgaea. The difficulty is fairer this time around, so it is easier for some to enjoy this over Disgaea. You will fight zombies, bat and all kind of creatures through your quest. Similar gameplay as Hour of Darkness, with moving on square platforms, with limited reach of course. After targeting your enemy, you can move and do other actions with other character unless your character does a special skill. Any action, attack or spells don't take place in the battlefield you are looking at. The game shifts to 2D so that the action can take place. More than one ally or enemy can enter. Most of the time, if you attack the enemy does the same for a counterattack. This can turn the tables.
Additional features deepen the combat. Some of the boxes called dark portals in the battlefield are colored and start from a point and continue and end somewhere. Enemies spawn from the beginning of the point, which sometimes can drag the battle for so long that you are guaranteed to get bored. By purifying it, you avoid this but use up a turn and not everyone has purification. Also with purification, you can convince an enemy to join you, after using purify multiple times you are assured that he will join you, so after that kill him and he will join you. Attributes remain the same, they can't purify and their states remain exactly as they were. By training them and let them fight by your side they will get stronger. Camera is a bit of a problem since not always can be turned. Enemies in the colored boxes after you activate them will receive damage, the further they are the higher damage they receive, depending what color is it, and for example, red is fire element. After you character activates some EXP is earn which goes in the equipment. New skills are learned by leveling up. You can save in the world map or after finishing a level. You can always go to shop in the city and to heal since at first your healers won't have enough magic for everyone and there won't be healing items either.
Cutscenes happen in 2D as well and the character models still look weak with lack of detail which till today remains Nippon Ichi's main problem. Graphic s are above average but not good enough for a PS2 game, especially for an RPG. Environments are a bit better; still the lack of detail is disappointing. Music is quite good on the other hand, even though after long hours you might get stuck with a headache. Voice acting is available in English and Japanese.
Considering I played 3 of Nippon Ichi's turn-based games, I'd say it is above Phantom Brave and lower than DIsgaea 2. Interesting new twists to the formula adds some more depth, but the average graphics hamper the game. There is a lot to enjoy in this game, considering its length. If you like this kind of game, La Pucelle will be a great experience but others which aren't into this type of game might come out disappointed.
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Graphics = 6.5
The game's lowest point with little effort in character models, but at least the environment look a bit better.
Sound = 8.0
Music is good overall and pleasant, and voices are in both English and Japanese. Quality is good.
Presentation = 7.9
Everything is in 2D may be disliked by some, and the production values aren't anything special in the end. Almost non-existent load times, and a little annoying camera.
Gameplay = 8.5
Interesting new ideas add up well to an already great formula. Purification are fun to use, and bringing enemies to your side is neat, but respawning enemies are quite annoying. Easier than Hour of Darkness.
Story = 7.4
I didn't find it especially great but for its length is good.
OVERALL = 76 / 100
Any fan of strategy RPGs or anime should check out La Pucelle.