Yggdra Union

You wouldn’t know by looking at it, but Yggdra Union, a new strategy/RPG from Atlus, was once a Game Boy Advance game. While that might seem a bit strange, you are probably aware that one of the best strategy/RPG franchises, Advance Wars, was born on the GBA. Though you might wonder why Yggdra Union made the leap to PSP instead of Nintendo DS, anyone who plays this updated version will understand the developers’ decision. This is not a game that needs a touch screen.

“We’ll never fight alone.” That’s the theme of Yggdra Union. Few RPGs have a theme that can be summed up in one sentence, which is just one of the unique things about this game. With bits of old-school fighting games thrown into the mix, Yggdra Union is considerably more varied – and undoubtedly more original – than its recent strategy/RPG competitors.

Not a Card Game

There have been some misleading reports on the Web – even a confusing press release or two – that imply Yggdra Union is a card-based RPG. Maybe it’s just me, but that makes it sound like a game from Wizards of the Coast. Whether the idea of that sounds intriguing or depressing, make no mistake: this is a true turn-based strategy/RPG. Cards are only used to enhance weapons, provide power or protection during battle and to determine how many spaces you can move per turn. Cards also determine the number of turns that can be taken before the battle is lost by default.

Before each mission begins, players select a number (pre-set for every battle) to take with them. These cards come from your collection, which grows automatically as you progress through the game. Cards vary in type and may be used to steal items, heal or protect your party, unleash a superior attack, or one of several other standard RPG abilities.

Once the battle begins, you’ll select a different card at the start of each turn. Let’s suppose you choose “Item Break,” whose move rating is eight, power rating is 1,900, and Ace Type is sword. The move rating determines how many times your entire party can move before the turn is over, while the power rating shows the card’s strength. The skill is the same as the card’s name: with this one, you can destroy an enemy’s equipped item. But that’s only possible if the skill is executed, which can only be done by a party member whose Ace Type is also sword. That character must then attack passively to charge his or her card meter, and press the button shown (X or circle button) once the meter is full. The whole process sounds arduous but is truly quite seamless. You’ll just have to play it a few times before it makes sense.

Not a Fighting Game

Battles do not unfold on the top-down world map. Upon making an attack in this game, the battle-specific screen appears, transporting players to what appears to be a 2D fighting game (as detailed in my preview a few weeks back). In reality, this is where your single unit – who commands several fighters within the battle screen – will attempt to overtake the enemy.

Battles unfold in real-time but are not controlled by the player, merely influenced. Like any strategy/RPG, you decide every pre-battle action. But as a diehard fighting fan, I can see where some players will be disappointed by this. Why not make the game a strategy/RPG/fighting hybrid?

In spite of that, and as a gamer who also loves this genre, it’s hard to disagree with the developers’ choices. Though you can’t move your party or decide when or how they’ll attack, you will still be an active part of each battle. Attack full-force or reduce attack potency in favor of magic (card) power? What if the card can’t be used by the character you’re controlling? Or suppose the union leader has been taken out, preventing you from interacting with your party during the battle?

These are the kinds of challenges that Yggdra Union introduces to keep the player engaged as each attack is made. The passive experience of most strategy/RPGs (the turn-based kind, at least) cannot be found here.

Yggdra Union’s battles are not large-scale but are packed with depth and a surprising difficulty. In a strange twist of events that conjures thoughts of survival/horror games, part of your survival depends on your ability to use health items sparingly. Items are won in combat and are found at specific points on the world map, normally by visiting towns and talking with the locals. But while most RPGs, even strategy/RPGs, allow you to purchase new items frequently, Yggdra Union is without that feature.

This might sound like a nightmare (and can be at times), but the good news is that your current item collection is reset every time you lose a mission. Even without this feature, it’d be hard to give up – while most frustrating games offer nothing in return, Yggdra Union is constantly rewarding the player with gameplay that will make you want to endure the toughest battles.

I’ve played strategy/RPGs for nearly every console and handheld and there aren’t any quite like Yggdra Union. Its unique blend of puzzle concepts, fighting game-style presentation and semi-interactive battle developments are not only special for their originality but for their superb execution.

Underneath the original approach to the genre, Yggdra Union has a pattern: read a story, battle, read a story, battle some more. This is the norm for strategy/RPGs, and when a game makes it work, it shows how incredible the game really is.

Review Scoring Details for Yggdra Union

Gameplay: 8.6
Unique, consuming and masterfully developed, Yggdra Union is an uncommon strategy/RPG with insurmountable surprises, unrelenting difficulties, and a lengthy quest that'll keep you playing all night long. Its only flaw is repetition, the same flaw that comes with every RPG, strategy or not.

Graphics: 7.9
This game doesn't utilize much of the PSP's power, but for a 2D strategy/RPG, these visuals are very impressive. Battle animations are especially eye-catching, as is the character artwork, which is much more likable than the sound of their voices (which is a little weak).

Sound: 7.5
Half-decent voice acting and a catchy score are about all you'll get out of Yggdra Union's sound.

Difficulty: Medium/Hard
Battles are tougher and less forgiving than in most strategy or standard RPGs. Items are less plentiful, and you don't have the option to purchase new health aids every time your party is weak. Conservation is a must.

Concept: 8
A wonderful twist on strategy/RPGs. Yggdra Union at first appears to do everything wrong, but it's those crazy decisions that allowed the developers to do everything right.

Overall: 8.3
Though it is best suited for the hardcore strategy/RPG crowd, it's hard not to recommend Yggdra Union to everyone, as it is one of the most engrossing, challenging and unforgettable RPGs released in a long time.