Product Description

LESSONS IN RPG DUNGEON EXPLORATION FOR PSP! Class is now in session; today's lesson? How to explore deadly catacombs, slay vile monsters, and uncover priceless treasures and artifacts. And some arithmetic, at the very end. If there¿s time left. Who you choose to take with you into the dark, dreary depths may be the difference between walking out a hero, clutching prizes and riches beyond imagination, or being carried out a zero, your stiff fist still feebly clutching your sword. Assemble your party, plan out your tactics, be sure to pack a nutritional lunch, and then show everyone else that you're the best adventurer-in-training in the world! Mysterious dungeons await you, first-year. An early demise looms around every dark corner. Don't forget to finish your homework.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5013 in Video Games
• Brand: Atlus
• Model: CH-60006-9
• Published on: 2009-06
• Released on: 2009-06-09
• ESRB Rating: Teen
• Platform: Sony PSP
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

Features

• An engaging school-based story full or NPCs, humor and character variation.
• Over 500 character possibilities across 10 races, 2 genders, 3 alignments, and 15 majors making for incredible customization options.
• 80 Hours of classic dungeon crawling in an everchanging 3-D labyrinth filled with monsters, magic and action.
• More than 75 maps full of puzzles, traps, treasure, hundreds of monster types and more than 1,300 item types.
• A flexible alchemy system with 400+ recipes, allowing for synthesis of new items from random components and customization of weapons¿ attributes, range, and strength.

Amazon.com Product Description

Class of Heroes is now in session; today’s lesson? How to explore deadly labyrinths, as you slay vile monsters, and uncover priceless treasures and artifacts; and some arithmetic, at the very end if there’s time left. A single player role-playing game (RPG) for PlayStation Portable, in Class of Heroes who you choose to take with you into the dark, dreary depths may be the difference between walking out a hero, clutching prizes and riches beyond imagination, or being carried out a zero, your stiff fist still feebly clutching your sword. Explore Particus Academy. View larger. the faculty guides you. View larger. Develop you characters View larger. Face the labyrinth's dangers. View larger. Upgrade weapons & abilities. View larger. Assemble your party, plan out your tactics, be sure to pack a nutritional lunch, and then show everyone else that you’re the best adventurer-in-training in the world. Mysterious dungeons await you, first-year student. An early demise looms around every dark corner, but danger and adventure are a learning experience in Class of Heroes, so don’t forget to finish your homework. Story Long ago, without reason or explanation, the mysterious labyrinths came to be, and the world was changed forever. In a constant state of flux, they sprawl across the world like a web, connecting towns and villages, mountains, lakes, and deserts. Many adventurers delved into these labyrinths dreaming of riches, and those fortunate enough to return did so with amazing stories and unimaginable treasures. It was only natural that the children of the world began to look upon these heroes with unconditional admiration, eager to follow in their footsteps. And so, academies for adventurers were born. Welcome to Particus Academy Welcome, students, to Particus Academy, the newest adventurer academy to open its doors. Since the appearance of the labyrinths--a mysterious set of paths that transverse the mountains and forests--many youths have been inspired to venture within in search of their treasures and secrets. Particus Academy was built to help students reach their goals. At Particus, we strive to empower our students with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle the most difficult tasks within the labyrinths. With 15 majors to choose from and a diverse student body of all 10 races from across the world, Particus Academy is a compelling choice for any student looking to begin their adventure. Particus Academy is in a class of its own. Enroll today. the Races at Particus Academy Each of the 10 playable races at Particus Academy has its own separate customs, physical characteristics, strengths and weakness which make them at one time or another valuable or a liability as you quest through the labyrinths. Choose your comrades wisely and you may be successful in your adventuring yet. Just a few of the playable races are: Drakes With dragon blood flowing through their veins, Drakes have great natural strength and high vitality making them the quintessential warriors. But they are often overly proud and condescending towards others. Sprites A fairy race who often mediate between gods and humans Sprites have an inexplicable admiration for humanity, and are both quick and wise, making them good candidates for thievery or spell-casting majors. Diablons Being of demon origin, Diablons tend to be avoided by other races. they are knowledgeable in magical physics, and often receive high marks in spell-casting majors. Without exception, there is no ill will between them and Erdgeists. Humans A race with no outstanding qualities, Humans have a choice of a wide variety of majors. their high fertility and a short lifespan, leads many to grow interested in the sharing of knowledge and oral tradition in their old age. Elves Elves are a highly intelligent and pious, and thus are well suited for spell-casting majors. they do not like speaking to Dwarves, due to their distaste for their harsh, low way of speaking. Key Game Features: Over 500 Character Possibilities - 10 races, 2 genders, 3 alignments, and 15 majors add up to incredible opportunity to customize your party. Change majors for further customization at higher levels. 80 Hours of Classic Dungeon Crawling - This is as classic as dungeon crawling gets in an ever-changing 3-D labyrinth containing more than 75 maps full of puzzles, traps, and treasure. Battle hundreds of monster types and uncover over 1300 item types. Flexible Alchemy System - Offering more than 400 recipes, this system allows you to synthesize new items from random components found in the labyrinths, as well as customize your weapons’ attributes, range, and strength.

Customer Reviews

Hardcore Dungeon Exploration done in Anime-inspired Wizardy-style
This game is modeled after the Wizardry franchise, a fairly unforgiving old-school dungeon crawler. If you don't know what that is, you will have a high learning curve in getting into this game. If Final Fantasy is your idea of an RPG, you will find this game too hard.

Having enjoyed the Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord on my Nintendo, I loved the game. The dialogue is extremely funny, and the maps are interesting (some might say frustrating). Special kudos for Map 21.

However, the instruction manual is terrible beyond the class information. It doesn't tell you basic stuff that every new player should know like:

--At an academy, hit the 'O' button to get beyond the Gate
--In the dungeons, the 'Square' button lets you look at the map, provided you have either the spell 'Sight' active or have purchased a paper map from a store
--If you drop an item, you can fish it out of the purple orb 'recycle bin' later, no matter where you drop, or which character drops it... this lets you easily transfer items around multiple parties
--You need to go all the way through a dungeon for your first four star quest... that means taking the stone door out at the other side
--You should loot the pre-made characters for their gold and make your own characters, and when you do, the max bonus points you can get are 60bp! Any roll 26bp and above will be fine for making strong characters, since bonus points are random.
--Both clerics (start with) and alchemists (at level 10) learn to ID/Appraise items. To use alchemy outside the lab. with an alchemist, it's the same menu you use to drop an item. 'Alchemize' is on top now.
--Never pay for getting your health back at the dorms. Rest MP on your healer for free and just cast healing spells. Rinse and repeat.

Once you figure out the interface, the game really delivers. Provided you 'get' the genre, this is a niche game that hits the target market of hardcore dungeon exploring exactly. Expect about 120 hours of game play, since there are post-game challenges too. Highly recommended game for those with RPG know-how.

Updated version of Wizardry
If you liked the older Wizardy type games, then you will love this one. It can be tedious at times, and you will have party members perminatly die, so a lot of people consider this game harsh. But its a lot of fun, if you like harder games.

Addicting!
The weak minded & people who don't like challenges turn back now. You will not like this game.

This game is very addicting once you figure out it. You can start off with their pre-made characters or enroll your own characters. I suggest using their characters to learn the basics of the game but don't worry, you can have a total of a 100 characters. So, don't forget to make your own. You get to pick Gender, Race, Alignment, and Major. Certain choices will affect what they learn, and what Majors they can be assigned to. You can change charactes Majors but you will need a certain alignment. You will lose certain spells, all skills, and go back to level one.

You can make teams of 6 students. 3 in Front Lines, & 3 in the Back Lines. Your choices will affect how well you do in battle. Such as you will not want 6 characters that are warriors, etc. Because if the 3 in the back don't have a ranged weapon or know a technique such as "breath" they will do nothing but defend. Also when picking a team you will want to look at how well the characters like each other. Such as having an Elf character & a Dwarf character. They do not like each other, and will lower their attacking. It doesn't mean you can't have them in a team. Just remember to balance them out with characters they each might like. Also the more the team fights together, the more they will begin to like each other. So keep that in mind when making teams.

The make up of the game is doing quests or taking classes. They are offered by teachers, and other students. I also suggest when picking quests & classes to look for ones in the same places. I was able to finish 3 in 1 visit.

Next I have notice people complaining about the amount of money given. It is true battles rarely give any type of money out but you do get tons of items. You will at least get an item for every battle. Now, before you can use any item to need to figure out what it is. You can pay for someone to do it at the campus store or you can use one of your students with the ability. This is way I suggest having a Cleric. A cleric has the ability to figure out what an item is. You have limited cash, and now you don't have to pay! You might also notice that the Cleric might become skitish after screwing up a couple of times. To solve this get a Devout, and have this character use "Calm". Both problems solved.

With your items you can combine them to make new ones. I suggest taking a great interest in this. It's very expensive to buy new but it's 3 times cheaper to make it yourself.

Another thing to keep in mind is Save Mode. You can pick between two modes. One is Normal. The enemies won't be as tough but don't drop very good items. But if you get a Game Over you don't have to start from the last time to saved. The other mode the enemies are tougher but drop better things. But if you get a Game Over you will have to load from the last place you saved from. Quick note to all players: SAVE ALL THE TIME. Certain characters if killed you may lose them forever because even if you treat them they may turn to ash, and die! I suggest saving everytime you are going to do something. It will be your best friend.

It's a hard game but it's really fun. I love it. You have to think about everything you do. It will have an impact on your outcome in life & death.