PoPoLoCrois

A fantastic PSP game that brings back memories of camping out on the couch for hours on end with some of my favorite console RPGs.

This is an engaging title and one that RPG fans should definitely look into – it is the best traditional RPG that the PSP currently has to offer so far.

Don't be dissuaded by the kid-friendly appearance, this is a thoughtful game both emotionally and strategically. [Oct 2005, p.151]

Although PoPoLoCrois has just come out, to me it feels like an old friend. This game has brought back many fond memories that make me just want to go back and play through my PS1 collection all over again.

If you aren't expecting much in terms of graphics or sound or are looking for an old school RPG playing experience on your PSP, you won't be disappointed by PoPoLoCrois.

It could even be called cute, as it contains endearing characters and a touching storyline about a boy's love for his mother and his quest to lift the curse that she's under.

Though random encounters occur far too frequently, the manner in which battle is fought is fresh and exciting, a slight departure from the average turn-based role-playing games were used to seeing.

It really does have something for every RPG fan, and its main success is something every game should strive for before innovation; it excels at the simple things, with gameplay that makes it accessible to new players and enjoyable for devoted RPG fans.

Fans of classic RPGs will enjoy and revel in the experience just as much as those who are new to the genre. However, it does not offer much in the way of innovation.

There’s a magical quality to the characters and to the way the narrative progresses with its humour and warmth, and it’s this that makes the experience probably the most unique RPG the PSP has.

PoPoLoCrois tries not to overwhelm the player with story and focuses a lot on the fun, rich gameplay that the player comes to expect from a portable title.

It has a simple, effective story that matches its straightforward game mechanics, something that hardcore fans of old-school RPGs will certainly appreciate.

Popolocrois is a charming adventure for casual fans of role-playing games, but its simplicity negates any lasting appeal it may have had.

I like the fact that this title will take some dedication and resolve to complete and I still like the classic RPG look that it features.

PoPoLoCrois is, at its core, a vanilla, mediocre, bland, been-there-done-that Japanese RPG that probably should have stayed in Japan.

The automatic combat is a mixed blessing with all the easy random battles going on, but linearity of the story holds it back. [Issue 142, p.96]

It rarely does anything wrong, but at the same time doesn't earn high marks in too many categories. PoPoLoCrois is just an average role-playing game, made better by the lack of competition and the fact that you can take it with you.

I certainly would be extremely unimpressed if it was on a console.

PoPoLoCrois could probably have used more time in development to smooth over the loading issues and other minor bugs, but if you're in the market for a PSP RPG, it's pretty hard to do better right now.

Agetec's turn-based RPG does a decent job of filling in the void of RPGs on the PSP, but ultimately hampared by a non-engaging story.

If you've been desperate for an RPG and would willingly drown yourself in a sea of Final Fantasies then it might be a little on the simplistic side.

Best suited to younger gamers new to RPGs as veteran gamers will find it too simple and repetitive.

PoPoLoCrois has plenty of personality and charm, but not quite enough to mask over what is ultimately a very easy game.

Anyone after genuine thrills, or traces of originality visible to the naked eye, will be disappointed. [July 2006, p.112]

It's not ruined, but these technical snafus undo much of PoPoLoCrois' plentiful charm. [Holiday 2005, p.96]

A nice value for the price. Getting two games for the price of one stretches the experience out into something that feels console-length, but was made portable.

Fans of classic sprite design will love some of the graphics, and there's at least 25 hours of gameplay here for those who dig into it.

Only role-playing addicts and fantasy aficionados will see the value in this title.

I have some difficulty calling it a role-playing game at all; there are no side missions available and there's no real sense of wonder to sweeten the generally bitter experience of playing through it. The story is incoherent, the graphics are outdated and the battle system, the most important feature of the entire game, is also extremely boring.

PoPoLoCrois’ main downfall is that it really doesn’t bring anything new or original to the RPG arena.

If AgeTec could have at least hidden or reduced the load times for battles, the game could have received a higher score.

Although it’s got all the trappings of an RPG, PoPoLoCrois is not very entertaining as a video game. It may be appropriate if you’ve got a PSP and want to keep a young child entertained on a trip, but for veteran RPG players, this game will not be very satisfying.

Too bad about all that aimless wandering, which would be annoying on its own but is even more bogged down by the frequent battles and their requisite load times. [Nov 2005, p.156]

It's a shame because the art style attractively breaks away from the typical anime-esque lines and also sports some gorgeous animated cutscenes more interesting than the game itself. Despite these meager positives, there's nothing to recommend it outside of the fact that it's an RPG on the PSP.

It may be cuter than a kitten kissing a baby, but this offers nothing more than tired, old RPG gameplay in a world that's custom built for younger players. [May 2006, p.87]

Ploddingly dull retro RPG. Half the 30 hours is backtracking. [June 2006, p.80]

Two games in one: both are bland and tedious. [Jan 2006, p.99]

The story is inventively fantastical but ridiculously so, like a child’s weightless daydreaming, and its shallowness is made all the clearer by Agetec’s lifeless and laborious translation. [Feb 2006, p.92]

The game suffers from sluggish load times, with little Pietro frozen as each fight boots up. In contrast, he moves around his castle home and the surrounding landscape with lightning speed.