Metascore
66 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 41 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 41
  2. Negative: 5 out of 41
  1. This RPG is brilliant, taking me back to the good old days when games like FFVII and Vagrant Story were king. [Nov p.101]
  2. A fantastic PSP game that brings back memories of camping out on the couch for hours on end with some of my favorite console RPGs.
  3. This is an engaging title and one that RPG fans should definitely look into – it is the best traditional RPG that the PSP currently has to offer so far.
  4. Don't be dissuaded by the kid-friendly appearance, this is a thoughtful game both emotionally and strategically. [Oct 2005, p.151]
  5. 85
    Although PoPoLoCrois has just come out, to me it feels like an old friend. This game has brought back many fond memories that make me just want to go back and play through my PS1 collection all over again.
  6. It really does have something for every RPG fan, and its main success is something every game should strive for before innovation; it excels at the simple things, with gameplay that makes it accessible to new players and enjoyable for devoted RPG fans.
  7. It could even be called cute, as it contains endearing characters and a touching storyline about a boy's love for his mother and his quest to lift the curse that she's under.
  8. If you aren't expecting much in terms of graphics or sound or are looking for an old school RPG playing experience on your PSP, you won't be disappointed by PoPoLoCrois.
  9. 80
    Though random encounters occur far too frequently, the manner in which battle is fought is fresh and exciting, a slight departure from the average turn-based role-playing games were used to seeing.
  10. 80
    Fans of classic RPGs will enjoy and revel in the experience just as much as those who are new to the genre. However, it does not offer much in the way of innovation.
  11. There’s a magical quality to the characters and to the way the narrative progresses with its humour and warmth, and it’s this that makes the experience probably the most unique RPG the PSP has.
  12. PoPoLoCrois tries not to overwhelm the player with story and focuses a lot on the fun, rich gameplay that the player comes to expect from a portable title.
  13. 74
    It has a simple, effective story that matches its straightforward game mechanics, something that hardcore fans of old-school RPGs will certainly appreciate.
  14. Popolocrois is a charming adventure for casual fans of role-playing games, but its simplicity negates any lasting appeal it may have had.
  15. I like the fact that this title will take some dedication and resolve to complete and I still like the classic RPG look that it features.
  16. 73
    PoPoLoCrois is, at its core, a vanilla, mediocre, bland, been-there-done-that Japanese RPG that probably should have stayed in Japan.
  17. 71
    The automatic combat is a mixed blessing with all the easy random battles going on, but linearity of the story holds it back. [Issue 142, p.96]
  18. If you've been desperate for an RPG and would willingly drown yourself in a sea of Final Fantasies then it might be a little on the simplistic side.
  19. Agetec's turn-based RPG does a decent job of filling in the void of RPGs on the PSP, but ultimately hampared by a non-engaging story.
  20. I certainly would be extremely unimpressed if it was on a console.
  21. PoPoLoCrois could probably have used more time in development to smooth over the loading issues and other minor bugs, but if you're in the market for a PSP RPG, it's pretty hard to do better right now.
  22. 70
    It rarely does anything wrong, but at the same time doesn't earn high marks in too many categories. PoPoLoCrois is just an average role-playing game, made better by the lack of competition and the fact that you can take it with you.
  23. Best suited to younger gamers new to RPGs as veteran gamers will find it too simple and repetitive.
  24. 65
    PoPoLoCrois has plenty of personality and charm, but not quite enough to mask over what is ultimately a very easy game.
  25. Anyone after genuine thrills, or traces of originality visible to the naked eye, will be disappointed. [July 2006, p.112]
  26. PoPoLoCrois’ main downfall is that it really doesn’t bring anything new or original to the RPG arena.
  27. I have some difficulty calling it a role-playing game at all; there are no side missions available and there's no real sense of wonder to sweeten the generally bitter experience of playing through it. The story is incoherent, the graphics are outdated and the battle system, the most important feature of the entire game, is also extremely boring.
  28. It's not ruined, but these technical snafus undo much of PoPoLoCrois' plentiful charm. [Holiday 2005, p.96]
  29. A nice value for the price. Getting two games for the price of one stretches the experience out into something that feels console-length, but was made portable.
  30. 60
    Fans of classic sprite design will love some of the graphics, and there's at least 25 hours of gameplay here for those who dig into it.
  31. Only role-playing addicts and fantasy aficionados will see the value in this title.
  32. Although it’s got all the trappings of an RPG, PoPoLoCrois is not very entertaining as a video game. It may be appropriate if you’ve got a PSP and want to keep a young child entertained on a trip, but for veteran RPG players, this game will not be very satisfying.
  33. If AgeTec could have at least hidden or reduced the load times for battles, the game could have received a higher score.
  34. Too bad about all that aimless wandering, which would be annoying on its own but is even more bogged down by the frequent battles and their requisite load times. [Nov 2005, p.156]
  35. It may be cuter than a kitten kissing a baby, but this offers nothing more than tired, old RPG gameplay in a world that's custom built for younger players. [May 2006, p.87]
  36. It's a shame because the art style attractively breaks away from the typical anime-esque lines and also sports some gorgeous animated cutscenes more interesting than the game itself. Despite these meager positives, there's nothing to recommend it outside of the fact that it's an RPG on the PSP.
  37. Ploddingly dull retro RPG. Half the 30 hours is backtracking. [June 2006, p.80]
  38. The story is inventively fantastical but ridiculously so, like a child’s weightless daydreaming, and its shallowness is made all the clearer by Agetec’s lifeless and laborious translation. [Feb 2006, p.92]
  39. Two games in one: both are bland and tedious. [Jan 2006, p.99]
  40. The game suffers from sluggish load times, with little Pietro frozen as each fight boots up. In contrast, he moves around his castle home and the surrounding landscape with lightning speed.
  41. The game has been released many years too late and ultimately feels like a severely out-of-date RPG than one that’s just come off the shelves.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. AnonymousMC
    10
    one of the best games on the psp ever! it has a very addictive combat system with nice characters and enemies. its basically an old school RPG and there aren't many of those being made these days. the way people talk, and what they say are so cheesy it's like a made for TV movie on the Sci Fi channel but instead of making you want to hurl, you laugh. the cheesy-ness, although sometimes funny, is very annoying when your casting a spell, because every time, the character yells out the name of the spell in a stupid voice(oh, and the spells have cheesy names too) and then you watch for the next 15 to 30 seconds as a spell happens. the spell length and cheesiness of spell casting are the only draw backs of PoPoloCrois. i would recommend this to everyone with a PSP because of it's addictive and fun and lasts for a good 30 HOURS! im not kinding, when you beat the first major boss(no spoiler) you think the game is over, but BOOM, you have a new quest but with the same loving characters. although this game looks gay(i thought so until my friend recommended it when his parents bought it for him for his b day, ad he was like, "why did you get me this!?", but it turned out to be really fun). besides, its real cheap, approx. $8 at gamestop. everyone should get it to try at the very least and i guarantee that youll be hooked once youve spent about 15 min getting used to it. 99.9/100 Full Review »
  2. MikeO.
    10
    This is a great traditional rpg for psp and is a must buy for rpg fans.
  3. WilliamJ.
    9
    Great all over PRG for the PSP. A good choice for youngsters all the way up.