Battles are randomly occurring, but each one becomes a big production complete with a grid-based battlefield and a turn-based combat style that requires the use of strategy as you deploy action points for each and every move. There are no freebies in combat, meaning that if you want to simply turn around, it will cost you action points. Action points are incredibly valuable, and you can save any leftover points for the next battle. Unlike regular RPGs, you will also retain your level after battle. The strategy is deepened as it requires you to think ahead. Maybe you'll be better off playing it safe in a particular battle so you can have more action points at your disposal for the next battle. But since the battles are randomly generated, like the dungeons, it's impossible to know what's coming up, therefore the strategy lies in the actual conservation of your points in the battle at hand. Trying to secure your future really keeps you in the moment.

There's a reason they call it grinding, as the repetitive nature of levelling-up is a real grind. Still, it's essential to taking on more powerful opponents. In this way you can be fully prepared to take on any enemy as long as you do your homework, and we all know that can get boring. So in some cases you'll just want to take on more of a challenge and skip the grind-fest. There are enough health pills to keep you alive should you decide to take some risks.

Adventures to Go! displays some great backgrounds, rich in color, texture, and detail. Character models are imaginative, fitting in perfectly with the stylized, cartoonish fantasy world. Still, you never really leave the town, a premise established by the storyline in which all adventures are virtual. Fortunately, Natsume didn't skimp on all production values. Despite the isometric perspective, there are some great 3D graphics in some of the adventure sequences. The audio is seriously lacking. Not only are there no voiceovers, but there are only a handful of background tunes and sound effects. On the upside, these aural delights are used sparingly, so even though it sounds empty, it's better than listening to the same music, dialogue, and sound effect over and over and over.

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There's not a lot of RPGs available for the PSP, and Adventures to Go! is not exactly maintaining the classic premise of the genre. It's something new, although not fully realized. It's still in the experimental stages. Most players won't find any bang for their buck with this game. At full price, it's just not a very good deal.

By Cole Smith
CCC Senior Writer