When I first saw Valkyria Chronicles, I was quickly impressed, and the game was kept under my radar ever since. The art style and graphics were amazing, and the battle system was unique. After months and months of waiting, the game has finally come out. Does the game impress or is it just another failed Sega game?
Anyone who has seen screens or videos of Valkyria would agree that the game looks amazing. The game uses Sega’s CANVAS engine which makes it look like a watercolor painting. The cutscenes are beautiful to watch. The style of the game will keep you looking at the game and admiring the looks. The presentation of the game is pure quality. A beautiful introduction with every area of the game filled with quality: music, characters, story, etc. There’s also an optional install if you like.
The music of the game is very well done. It is relaxing and very beautiful. The music fits perfectly on the situation it is given in the game. Just don’t expect the music to stay stuck in your head. The sound effects are a little weak. Gunshots, explosions or things breaking could’ve used some work. They sound sort of fake. The voice acting is good, not great but not terrible. Finally someone learned to include the Japanese voiceovers in the game. If you hate the English voiceovers, then set the language to Japanese.
The gameplay is where the game really shines. It is a pretty unique battle system called the BLiTZ (Battle of Live Tactical Zones) that a very few, if any, have in an SRPG. There are no blocks like the SRPGs have. The game is a TPS and an SRPG put together. You can move freely through the field and battle your way. The controls work well for the game, except for maybe using the left analog stick for aiming. In the battles, you can also capture some of the enemies’ bases. It is helpful to capture these because you can call for reinforcements for people that have low mobility. The battles never feel repetitive. Each battle is set in different environments, with different situations and mid-battle twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat hoping nothing goes wrong with your squad.
Speaking of squad, there are five classes in which you can choose from other than the mandatory tank: lancers, shocktroopers, scouts, engineers and snipers. The lancers have lances that are able to take out tanks, and they can also withstand a lot of damage. The scouts have a lot of AP, which means they are able to travel in long lengths. Their rifle deals moderate damage. They’re more like the go to guys. The Engineers use the same rifles as the scouts. The Engineers are helpful for disarming land mines and repairing things like tanks and sandbags. They can also restore ammo to tanks and other squad members. Snipers use the sniper. Duh! They have very low AP or mobility if you like. Finally, the schocktroopers use a submachine gun that deal very little damage, but they are helpful in defending your base since they shoot a lot of bullets. They run very fast, but have low mobility. Using each of them wisely is the key to victory.
The story starts out pretty simple. The story is presented in a bookstyle. The game is set in Europa 1930s. It’s about the Gallians and the Imperials fighting against each other in a war. Welkin Gunther, Squad 7 leader and tank commander, returns home to be greeted by Alicia and then the Imperials invading his town. After fighting, Welkin and Alicia start talking only to be greeted by more Imperials. Welkin decides to join Alicia and fight in the war. The rest is history. The story flows pretty nicely. It’s simple at first, but the story gets really interesting towards the end. The story is filled with suspense, drama, etc. The game is cutscene heavy, and most of the cutscenes are just the characters head moving their lips missing the lip-synch. The characters are well developed. Each of them are filled with their own personality and backstory. The main characters and non-main characters will touch your heart, and you’ll feel that you are a part of Squad 7.
Overall, the game is an amazing RPG every PS3 owner should try. Even if you’re not an SRPG fan, at least give this game a rental. The demo doesn’t do the game any justice. There are so many things to read, buy, upgrade and achieve that this game will keep you busy for a long while. Along with that, DLC has been confirmed for this game. Pretty much everything in this game in top-notch.
While the Valkyria Chronicles franchise has been somewhat dormant for four years, it certainly hasn't been forgotten.
Sega is great for relegating its characters to cameos in other games. Heaven forbid they announced Valkyria Chronicles 5 or remaster VC 2 & 3.
The original Valkyria Chronicles just passed its twelfth anniversary, but its antagonist Selvaria Bles continues to be portrayed in new figures.
Few antagonists left as strong an impression as Selvaria Bles from Valkyria Chronicles. That's why she still gets figures 12 years later.
Great review Homicide.Truly I am astonished by your well detailed and written review.Valkyria Chronicles is the gem of the month and we are fortunate to have come across it
Ha thanks. It was pretty fun writing reviews. Valkyria is definitely the hidden gem of 2008.
great review Homicide. The only thing i would add is that sometimes game feels like it has a trial an error approach. if you fail once you kinda know what units to deploy where the next time. Despite that the mega tank battle with the 6 guns and big cannon was a tricky level even after i failed it twice. Took me over an hour to finish that fcuker off. The Valkyrie with the lance was also annoying when she turned up but the sense of satisfaction when i completed that level was huge.
This is my first strategic rpg and if this is what ive been missing then ive got a lot of catching up to do. Very impressive and not a sign of that decrepit ue3