Jeanne d'Arc, originally released on PSP in 2007 by developer Level-5, has returned to the gaming landscape with an enhanced version for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. This game melds the historical backdrop of the Hundred Years War between England and France with fantastical elements to create a rich, narrative-driven experience. Despite its age, the game has been reintroduced with several modern features that make it a worthwhile play for both fans of the original and new players alike.
The game sets a pseudo-historical stage where England, under the Duke of Bedford, allies with demons to bolster their war efforts. Joan of Arc, or Jeanne as she’s referred to in the game, alongside her companions, gets caught in a dire struggle not just for the future of France, but for its very soul. After her village is destroyed by English soldiers and their demonic allies, Jeanne discovers a magical armlet that lets her hear the voice of God and gain superhuman abilities.
Gameplay in Jeanne d'Arc is predominantly turn-based and occurs on a grid where strategy and positioning play pivotal roles. Each level presents unique challenges and objectives from defeating key enemies within a specified number of turns to ensuring the survival of allies. The game avoids the use of generic trooper units; each character has a distinct personality and role, adding depth to the strategic play. Characters can interact with each other during battles using the game’s unique systems such as Burning Aura and Unified Guard, which allow for complex tactical maneuvers.
Burning Aura is particularly notable because it creates a temporary power-up zone behind an enemy after they are attacked. If another ally occupies this space on their turn, they receive a significant attack boost, encouraging dynamic team-based strategies. Conversely, the Unified Guard system helps decrease damage to units by strategically positioning allies around them, although this increases their vulnerability to area attacks.
Transformation is another key feature of the gameplay. Jeanne and selected characters can transform into a powerful armored form through the mysterious armlet. These forms provide different boosts, such as increased damage or additional movement after defeating an enemy, but can only be activated once per battle and last for a few turns, adding a layer of critical timing to the combat.
Outside of combat, players traverse a map of France, moving between various story-critical points and engaging in battles that drive the narrative forward. Towns and forts serve as hubs for upgrading equipment and managing character abilities, which are critical for success in later battles. The strategic depth is further enhanced by magic and skills systems. Unlike typical RPGs where characters have a fixed pool enough combat experience.
Graphically, Jeanne d'Arc benefits from the higher resolution capabilities of modern consoles, offering up-rendered character models and environments that are visually appealing, even if the user interface elements are less so due to their lower resolution. A plethora of animated cutscenes helps to break up the gameplay, enriching the story and providing deeper insights into its expansive cast of characters.
However, not all aspects of the game feel modern. The control scheme, in particular, feels dated, relying on directional buttons for cursor movement, with the joystick relegated to camera control. While these controls can be remapped, they require some getting used to and can feel clunky.
Despite these minor gripes, Jeanne d'Arc offers a robust tactical RPG experience that stands out with its unique blending of historical fact and fantasy, engaging storytelling, and solid strategic gameplay. Whether you're a strategy enthusiast or a fan of historical fiction, Jeanne d'Arc provides a compelling reason to dive into its richly crafted world. The marriage of its narrative depth and tactical complexity makes this re-release a rewarding adventure through medieval fantasy.
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