Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep

12 cert, Disney Interactive/ Square Enix, PSP ***

This sixth offering in the popular role-playing game franchise is a prequel that tells the story of Terra, Aqua, and Ventus, who are searching for Master Xehanort. Picture Manga-style, wide-eyed warriors and talk of magic and destiny and you get the idea. This new Kingdom Heartsboasts great animation, pushing the boundaries of the PSP with charming graphics. From the menus to the character rendering and background, it's a lovingly made game, corny dialogue notwithstanding. It takes a while to get going, almost smothering under lengthy cut scenes. Once it kicks in, your quest includes some entertaining and sophisticated combat, mixed with slightly tedious exploration and expository scenes. This is told with an admirably sincere tone, epic sweep and sense of wonder. Role-playing veterans will like it, though it will try the patience of the uninitiated.