Final Fantasy: Dissidia is a fan’s wet dream. Containing every major protagonist in the series, the game attempts to translate the much beloved franchise into something never attempted before in its history; the beat-em up. It’s a completely new direction for the Final Fantasy universe – a risky choice considering the rabid nature of its followers. Thankfully you need not fear, as Dissidia is one of the best games that the PSP has ever seen.

Suited perfectly to the PSP’s portable nature, the game manages to grab hold of you, refusing to let go. It’s like any other Final Fantasy game; you level your character, increases their skills, utilise summons, and slowly work your way through the story. The catch being the removal of turn based combat and a focus on real-time, visceral combat. There is the inclusion of a more traditional command mode, but due to Dissidia’s fast pace and focus on over-the-top combat, you’ll be better off mastering it’s default control scheme.

The game’s broken up into chapters, each with five levels. Your choice of character depends on your choice of chapter. If you pick Final Fantasy VIII, you’re in charge of a level one Squall – complete with Gunblade and close combat attacks. Choose FFI and you have the Warrior of Light, accompanied by his specific attacks. The developers have stayed as close as possible to the series, so everything you’d expect from a Final Fantasy game is reworked into its new skin.

The combat is extremely fluid. You can dodge, block, instigate uber limit breaks when your EX-gauge is at maximum, (which is filled by launching successful attacks), and summon summons. There are two types of attacks to Dissidia – bravery and HP. When your HP reaches zero, you lose the battle. The amount of health you take off depends on your bravery value.

For example, if you have 1203 bravery, then connecting with a HP attack will knock that amount off your enemy’s health. If you attack with a bravery attack, you’ll take from their bravery and add to yours. If you reduce their bravery to zero, you’ll get a bonus break, which adds a huge number to your bravery. This turns the combat in Final Fantasy: Dissidia into an extremely tactical affair. It’s all about building up your bravery for one ultra attack. You can chip away at your opponent’s health, but your bravery will be at nothing until it recharges, leaving you open to a break, and subsequent destruction. This isn’t your simple button bashing fighter – in fact once you grasp the core concepts the game becomes much more enjoyable.

Throw in a whole host of collectables, unlockable characters, abilities, items and bonuses for extended play and you’ll find your self inexplicably sucked in. Top it off with fully animated / voiced acted cut scenes and you’ve got yourself a package that deserves pride of place on your gaming shelf. Final Fantasy fans will adore this and even if you’ve never played a Final Fantasy game, you’ll find plenty here to keep you engaged.

9/10