Jeanne d'Arc (video game)

Jeanne d'Arc[b] is a tactical role-playing video game developed by Level-5 and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation Portable.

The title's narrative makes use of various fantasy elements, and is loosely based on the story of Joan of Arc and her struggles against the English occupation of France during the Hundred Years' War in the early 15th century.

The game met with positive reviews upon release, with praise directed at the storyline and historic significance of its events.

[5] The player controls Jeanne and her party, moving them between major cities and features on a semi-historical map of France.

Most battles have a required victory condition, such as defeating all foes or to move the party to specific spaces on the map.

There are also specialized defeats, such as letting Jeanne fall in battle, or by failing to meet the victory conditions within a fixed number of turns.

Guided by a voice from the heavens and wielding one of the five armlets which bestows powerful abilities upon her, Jeanne sets out to build an army and save her country from the English.

"[7] The development team also wanted to create an enjoyable game for all players despite some of them having no knowledge of the historical events on which it is based.

[7][8] Voice actress Kari Wahlgren was approached specifically for the lead role in the English version of the game.

"[19] 1UP.com said, "A gaggle of inferior strategy-RPG options sporting higher asking prices already litters the PSP's substandard role-playing pool, so this fully competent, polished game should be an instant no-brainer for fans of the genre.

[25] Jeanne d'Arc was re-released as part of Sony's "The Best" range of budget titles in Japan on July 5, 2007.

"[31] During the 11th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Jeanne d'Arc for "Handheld Game of the Year" and "Role-Playing Game of the Year", which was ultimately awarded to The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass and Mass Effect, respectively.

A screenshot from early on in the English translation of the game, with the grid clearly detailed.