This title also features a mission-based system that is accessible from the save points. These missions are generally story independent (some are made available when certain events occur in the game) and are bit size encounters you can complete whenever you want. These hundreds of missions really don't add much to the story, but in some cases do provide unique Materia, summons, and characters for the DMW. The missions generally all revolve around clearing an area though some are varied with just boss fights or battles against hoards of enemies. They are quite addicting and you often find yourself digging into the missions for hours before you realize there is still a full game to play.

While the missions are quite fun and at times add some background to characters (there are a number of missions based around a pre-teen Yuffie that are quite funny), as a general rule, they are very generic. They start with a very brief description, and even when you complete an entire series, you are given no feedback to tell you that something has been accomplished. If they do another game in this vein (a game version of Advent Children on the PSP would be nice), more time and care to flesh out the missions would be appreciated as the missions are the only bland part of the game in general.

The missions have an interesting side effect though. If you really get into them, you will find that your character quickly out-levels the main game. I found the missions quite challenging at a certain point, but because of how many I have done, the main game become very easy. My character had such powerful Materia and attacks that even boss fights became quick wins. While this did not detract from the experience, I have to wonder at the balancing and question if the developers had wished they had added adaptive AI to the game, such as we saw in last year's Mass Effect.

Graphically, this is a stunning game, as the characters, environments and creatures are all represented in a fidelity that makes you doubt that this is a handheld title. The story is shown in three ways, the first of which is the main game play engine that has you traveling and battling your way through the world. The in-game cutscene engine is the second method. It showcases more detail and a closer view of the characters and is very reminiscent of the Kingdom Hearts style.