This is the one category to rule them all. PSP became the de-facto system to own for fans of the strategy genre, and chances are, the winner of this category will end up winning the coveted Game of the Year award. This is easily the most difficult genre to pick a winner from.
The nominees for PSP Fanboy - Best Strategy Game are...
Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness
Nippon Ichi Software | NIS America
Disgaea is known amongst hardcore gamers as one of the best SRPG games as around. Why? Because the game is so hilariously over-the-top with its tactics. The gem-based grid system will have people searching for the best combos, while others will use the grab and throw ability to the best of their abilities. And what other game lets you throw exploding penguins?Nippon Ichi Software | NIS America
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions
Square Enix | Square Enix
The War of the Lions is a classic for a reason. Since its initial release on PS1, it continued to be heralded as the definitive SPRG by many. There are so many things to think about, such as the position of your characters, their character classes ... and their Zodiac signs. Really. And what other game inspires such terror at the sight of a chocobo?Square Enix | Square Enix
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Jeanne d'Arc
Level-5 | Sony Computer Entertainment
Level-5 | Sony Computer Entertainment
This PSP-exclusive SRPG is easily the most accessible of the bunch, thanks to its streamlined gameplay. That's not to say it's simple -- the game features a complex skill customization system for each character, allowing you to create characters that truly meet your needs. A fascinating story that offers a new, original look on the Joan of Arc story and impressive visuals make this easily one of the system's best games. And what other game suggests that the English are actually all demons?
SOCOM Tactical Strike
Slant Six | Sony Computer Entertainment
Slant Six | Sony Computer Entertainment
Unlike the other candidates, Tactical Strike is a very real-world strategy game. Inventory selection is crucial to each mission: equipping one less flash bang might spell certain doom for your squad. You must be quite precise with your placement, setting up effective lines of crossfire that'll eliminate enemy forces in an instant. However, getting into placement is also a challenge, thanks to realistic enemy AI. And what other game makes you feel like you're really part of the SEALS or SAS?
Stay tuned to PSP Fanboy on December 27th for the winners. Best of 2007 image based off of work from Studio469.
Stay tuned to PSP Fanboy on December 27th for the winners. Best of 2007 image based off of work from Studio469.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
12-20-2007 @ 3:09PM
jrohner said...
Jeanne d'Arc was my favorite game of all games on the PSP. A great pick up and play with terrific replay value. Never been first comment before... feels pretty good.
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12-20-2007 @ 3:16PM
Alien said...
Jeanne d'Arc is probably the best , but I also like FFT :)
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12-20-2007 @ 3:34PM
Tristan said...
Disgaea is my favorite on that list. I need to get Jeanna D'Arc, but Disgaea is so hilarious! And it is so deep, there is oh so much to do in it, that I love just replaying the same levels.
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12-20-2007 @ 4:01PM
Ben said...
Disgaea. Definitely Disgaea.
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12-20-2007 @ 4:06PM
merc25 said...
Of the three I've played(the ones without Socom in the title), Disgaea:Afternoon of Darkness is the best tactically.
While there is certainly a great deal of charm in Jeanne d' Arc, it is too simplistic to win the nomination in my book. It is great for getting newbies into the genre. But I did love quite a few characters (most were ones that didn't get much in the way of development). It did have some amazing environments,a great number of characters in the battle party (5-7, one battle allowed 9 in battle), and very quick battles(especially so for an SRPG). My main complaints against it were the ease of game, and the spells weren't very useful later in the game.
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12-20-2007 @ 4:06PM
Jason said...
SOCOM gets my vote; I love that game. It's much more intense and immersive than the other nominees. Plus I like that there isn't a ton of stats and skills and rock, paper scissors type stuff that get in the way of the actual game play. In this game if your strategy is good you'll succeed and isn't that how a 'strategy' game should be?
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12-20-2007 @ 5:11PM
EDW said...
Jeanne D'Arc. it is the main reason that i bought a PSP, and it didn't dissapoint in the least. best strategy game of the year. period.
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12-20-2007 @ 5:39PM
chris said...
Jeanne d'Arc
also Jeanne d'Arc for best RPG ^_^
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12-20-2007 @ 6:04PM
pixelator said...
Jeanne. Best strat of the year - best GAME of the year.
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12-20-2007 @ 6:49PM
Hashbrown_Hunter said...
Hmm....now this is a competitive category! There's the port of the cult-classic PS2 game, another port of one of the greatest SRPGs of all time, a great exclusive PSP SRPG, and another great and exclusive Strategy shooter.
This is really tough...I'm gonna say......Final Fantasy Tactics. I heard the port was shoddy, but you can't deny how fantastic the gameplay is.
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12-20-2007 @ 6:49PM
Andrew Yoon said...
We saved the best for last, huh?
12-20-2007 @ 7:01PM
biffpow said...
I bought a PSP this year to play J'eanne D'Arc, and I wasn't even remotely sorry I did.
I picked up the rest of the games on this list and liked them (and am still playing Disgea, which seems never-ending), but JDA is the best of the bunch overall. Perhaps not as tactically deep as FF:T or Disgea, it's better graphically, and the immersive experience of the game feels more fully developed. Plus the arena gives you some fun extras after you beat the game.
Can't wait to play it again. And can't wait for the next strategy game for PSP. Anyone know what that will be?
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12-20-2007 @ 7:03PM
clankman said...
Socom for me
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12-20-2007 @ 7:07PM
Alexisonfire said...
Even if it's a port, Disgaea is still the best game in the genre.
On any system.
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12-20-2007 @ 10:30PM
txa1265 said...
Disgaea and Jeanne battle to the death ... it is close, but Jeanne remains standing.
FFT isn't even close, and I don't get the love for the (IMO) mediocre SOCOM Tactics.
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12-21-2007 @ 4:52AM
Sscooby2u said...
This game was also my main reason for picking up a PSP. I was incredibly happy with the ease in which I was able to pick up on the actual mechanics of game play and the awesome graphics both in the game and in the cut scenes. I work for a video game retailer and this was always my suggested game to new PSP owners based on those factors and because it was an original game and not simply some port of an old PS1 or PS2 game. Although I'm a huge FF fan, this game would get my vote in this category and possibly as a PSP Game of the Year.
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12-21-2007 @ 4:55AM
Sscooby2u said...
D'OH...guess saying which game it was would be helpful...Jeanne D'Arc !!
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12-21-2007 @ 5:23AM
Snailking said...
Disgaea gets my vote.
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12-21-2007 @ 1:40PM
Mark said...
I'll have to vote for Jeanne D'Arc because it's the reason I bought a PSP.
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12-22-2007 @ 1:24PM
Payne said...
Jeanne D'arc is the best of these
FFT was good but it was hard and i found it a bit boring
i guess it was because i expected too much from it
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