GS said: "Those who've been following the PSP software library in Japan will know that The Legend of Heroes is actually the second entry in the trilogy. The first game, Eiyuu Densetsu, was released last December shortly after the PSP's Japanese launch. While purists may be mortified at getting the second installment of the series without playing the first one, the fact of the matter is that, as cool as Eiyuu Densetsu was, the first game was very much just a launch title. Long load times adversely affected the game's pacing, which called for a whole lot of patience for players who were looking to finish the adventure. After talking with Bandai reps, we were told that the first game may be brought out at a later date, but that the second game has the better chance of finding an audience in the States, which might get the series enough of a fan base to justify bringing out the whole series at some point.

The Legend of Heroesscreenshot
The PSP's long RPG drought is set to come to an end with the release of The Legend of Heroes.

The good news is that, while The Legend of Heroes is the second part of the Gagharv Trilogy, its story, like its predecessor's, is self-contained. You'll see a few nods to the first game via references and whatnot, but you won't have to finish the original game to get into LOH's story. The game's story casts you in the role of Aven, a young boy who sets out to search for his childhood friend, Eimelle, after she's kidnapped by a loony group from a rival religion. It turns out that Eimelle is a special individual who plays a key role in her kidnapper's plans for the world. Being a chivalrous kind of guy, you set out to save her, and, as a result, come to meet new people and make some interesting discoveries about your world.

The game plays out in the same basic top-down, three-quarter view and requires you to interact with assorted townsfolk and battle all manner of enemies. While this is pretty much the same look and feel of the first game, the combat in The Legend of Heroes is considerably different. The system is closer to one that is turn-based, and you now have the opportunity to treat yourself to a pet, which will help you out in combat if you're a good owner. The game also features a new 3D look for its world map, which adds that extra bit of classiness to the proceedings. "