Gamertell

There’s been a bit of a lull when it comes to PSP releases. Aside from releases from Atlus, NIS, Square Enix and XSEED, the system hasn’t seen a lot of action.

This makes now an ideal time to take a look back at some older titles. Stop by your local game store to peruse the used or bargain game section for hidden gems. GameStop in particular has been reducing more and more used PSP games, so shoppers checking that section can easily spot at least 15 titles under $19. Perhaps even under $9.

Today, Gamertell is highlighting a few worthwhile PSP RPGs. All of them can be found without too much difficulty at your local GameStop, and all of them cost $19.99 or less.

Aedis Eclipse: Generation of Chaos: Aedis Eclipse: Generation of Chaos is unique game where you can play through three different perspectives of a battle, seeing how different cultures and races are reacting to a save-the-world sort of crisis. It’s mainly a strategic RPG, where you move platoons around a grid, issue general commands in battle and watch as the forces carry out actions on their own. It’s interesting and worth playing because of the different viewpoints and scenarios each group has, even though every part is taking place in the same universe. It’s $12.99 at GameStop.

Brave Story: New Traveler: Brave Story: New Traveler is one of the best best RPGs for the PSP. At first glance, it may appear to be your stereotypical fantasy RPG, but once you start playing you can appreciate it’s unique aspects.  The Brave Story tale started as a two volume novel in Japan (it’s available as one volume in English by Viz), and then also inspired a manga, a film, Brave Story: My Dreams and Wishes (DS), Brave Story: Wataru’s Adventure (PS2) and Brave Story: New Traveler (PSP). In the game you’re a Traveller in the world of Vision, a person who can go on a journey to collect gemstones, visit the Tower of Destiny and ask Vision’s goddess for a wish. In the PSP game, you’re wishing to restore your friend to life. An interest part of the game is that you’re able to visit the real world at times, to check on your ill friend’s well being. It’s $19.99 used at GameStop.

Jeanne d’Arc: Jeanne d’Arc is likely the best known title on this little list, and is considered by many to be one of the crowning jewels of the PSP RPG library. It’s a strategic RPG based loosely on Joan of Arc. It’s a great game not only for it’s great story, interesting characters (including two strong, female role models) and an easy to master battle system. It’s very easy to find in stores still, and definitely worth picking up to play. It’s $17.99 used at GameStop.

Harvest Moon: Boy & Girl: The Harvest Moon series of games work incredibly well on portable platforms, since you can play at your leisure, abandoning the farm for another game when it starts to get boring or repetative. It’s a port of the PlayStation game Harvest Moon: Back to Nature, but improved, as it includes the girl’s version of the game. It also features the same villagers from Harvest Moon 64. The only downside is that it’s a true port, and if you choose to play as a girl your game will end once you marry. It’s $19.99 used at GameStop.

PoPoLoCrois: PoPoLoCrois is essentially a port. It combines multiple entries in the PoPoLoCrois games series into one entry. So you’re actually getting PoPoLoCrois Monogatari, PoPoRogue and PoPoLoCrois Monogatari II. All three games follow the adventures of Pietro, prince of PoPoLoCrois, as he attempts to save his mother, then his father and finally the world. It’s more cute and lighthearted than serious, though the final adventure is more mature than the previous two. Another interesting part is that Pietro ages throughout the games. He’s only 10 in the first adventure, the other two tales take part when he is 12 and 15. You can find it for $9.99 used at GameStop.

Site [PlayStation.com] Site [GameStop]