"Daddy's Happy"

Ever since I learned this game is coming out on PSP I've been quite excited, I played the original PS1 version years ago and loved it. I was worried about how well a game of this magnitude would fare on the PSP, and I am thrilled to say that this is the best RPG so far on PSP.

Granted it may not be much different from the PS version but that's far from a bad thing, If you've played the original you know what to expect, if not and you're a fan of RPGs, then this game is an essential purchase.

Graphically the game is similar to the original PS version, the 3D backgrounds provide a crisp setting for the 2D characters, NPCs and monsters. Also I would like to mention for the UK and European gamers out there, that the frame rate is quite a bit faster than that of the PS original I mean I do remember the 2D characters, monsters etc being quite jittery when I played it back on the PS.

The battle system is slightly smoother and the spells such as JOLT are faster and sharper in their appearance. The difficulty like in most if not all RPGs, is dependent on the level of your characters and with levelling up to certain levels, characters acquire abilities to be used in battle.

My only negative comment of this game is the rather long delays between exploring a location and battles and back. After almost every battle the game takes quite a few annoying seconds to get back to the area you were just exploring and seeing as battles in this game come around a little too often only makes the delay that much more noticeable. That said, it doesn't hinder the game overall, since later on you'll be thrashing through battles like nobodies business.

Sound and Music in this game is pretty much of the same quality of any PSP game out there, best heard through ear phones and can be turned off with losing any of the gameplay. It would have fun to play your own music instead of the sound of the game at times however, since, in my opinion, the music gets a little tedious after a while and almost always end up pressing the mute button.

So all in all, a 30+ hour story with 987 dragon forms, 7 characters and various mini games including fishing should give any RPG fan a reason to buy this game...CLASSIC!!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 02/13/06