Valkyria Chronicles Talkback (Spoilers)

[GWOtaku]

For the Playstation 3, this is the year of Metal Gear. Fair enough. For my part though, Valkyria Chronicles is the game that makes me really want a PS3. I saw it in action for a little while after giving it to my brother-in-law for Christmas.

Short trailer here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0GnJLrDXeg&feature=related), long trailer here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa1WXEuI6Qw).

This is one of those odd games that doesn't seem to neatly fit into a particular genre. Sure, it starts off simple enough--a small army led by an upstart commander has to use tactics to defeat a superior force. Think Fire Emblem or Advance Wars. The design is well beyond either game, though. It's a turn-based strategy RPG but battle doesn't depend on RNG or uber JRPG abilities, but rather a 3rd person mode where you are controlling your unit across the terrain. Not only that, survival depends not only on how you deploy your units but how well you use the cover of the terrain you're in. Wow.

Gamespot gave it an award for "Best Artistic Graphics of 2008" and I completely agree. Do you enjoy the style of hand-drawn animation? You'll love this game. This CANVAS graphics engine is something else. It makes the cel-shaded graphics we're used to look poor, it's almost like you're watching a painting in motion. Add in the fact that the narrative is told in "chapters" of this historic memoir of the war you're currently fighting, and it makes for an aesthetic quality that's as immersive as it is beautiful.

Oh, and I enjoy the fact that your main unit is apparently a tank called the Edelweiss (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leontopodium_alpinum).

I swear, it's as if they made a game specifically to make me love it.

[Ryusuke]

I've known about this game for almost a year now (it was in Japan for a long time), and I definitely agree. The game is pretty amazing, and it's kind of a shame that SEGA cancelled the 360 version (this was at the start of the development). I've only seen fully, the story. While it brings nothing new to the table, the character interaction is well done, and a few twists kept it interesting.

What's even better = Vyse, Aika and Fina from Skies of Arcadia are recruitable! YEEHAW! :D

[kenjisalk]

It's a killer RPG title that the PS3 needed. It's mature, it's unique in both gameplay and presentation, and it isn't being ported to 360.

I wish it had sold better in Japan, though, since it sounds like it might've done poorly enough to not warrant a sequel anytime soon.

Hopefully the anime that is in production will generate some customers.

[BlackCat]

This game unfortunately ended up being overshadowed for me by the other great games that have come out this holiday season. I have definitely been intrigued and am glad to see this as the first exclusive RPG killer-app for the PS3. Everything from the art style to the story to the innovative gameplay look fantastic.

I'm playing Eternal Sonata for the first time on PS3, so I'm going to look into Valkyria Chronicles afterwards. It at least looks better than Infinite Undiscovery and The Last Remnant, which both seem to suffer problems that have me hesitant.

[Captain Highwind]

Okay, I just played the demo, and surprisingly they let you use most of the game's characters. Largo did better taking out the Light Tank than my actual Tank did. I also used him to capture the fort. He rocks. =D

I would say this game is a step above Fire Emblem in terms of startegy, due to its openness on the field and the ability to interact with the environment.

And the soundtrack is magnificent. The opening credits alone are gorgeous.

[TheAnimalSpy]

I still plan to buy that for ps3. Now i have been motivated even more.

[Dub C]

I've known about this game for almost a year now (it was in Japan for a long time), and I definitely agree. The game is pretty amazing, and it's kind of a shame that SEGA cancelled the 360 version (this was at the start of the development).

REALLY? Awww! :( I remember watching some videos a while back & found myself thinking this could be a game I'd by a PS3 for, but I went with the cheaper 360. And I was holding out hope that it would be ported over, ahh well.

[Captain Highwind]

I finally got the game today in the mail, and I have to say it's pretty addicting. Only died once, and haven't gotten anything less than a B rank so far, not that I've ever gotten an A yet, even in the demo.

The archived cutscenes and levels, so you can go back and rewatch and/or play in case you've missed something, wins many points in my book.

The voice acting's pretty good. I thought Welkin would be pretty corny but he's said some funny stuff so far.

Also, can we turn this into a talkback thread with spoiler warning in the title? I was going to start a new one, but this has enough discussion going already...

[GWOtaku]

I finally got the game today in the mail, and I have to say it's pretty addicting. Only died once, and haven't gotten anything less than a B rank so far, not that I've ever gotten an A yet, even in the demo.

The archived cutscenes and levels, so you can go back and rewatch and/or play in case you've missed something, wins many points in my book.

So you can practically relive the game? Awesome.


The voice acting's pretty good. I thought Welkin would be pretty corny but he's said some funny stuff so far.That's good to know. I was certainly wondering about that, given that he's an artist and didn't seem like the military type at all. Hey, so long as he wins the battles. I'm pretty used to SRPG's having honorable idealists for a commanding unit.



Also, can we turn this into a talkback thread with spoiler warning in the title? I was going to start a new one, but this has enough discussion going already...Sure. Took the liberty of doing it. :)

[Captain Highwind]

Sure. Took the liberty of doing it. :)

Thank you sir! That was quick BTW.


So you can practically relive the game? Awesome.

I have never been this happy with an RPG. They don't leave you behind with a bunch of jargon crammed down your thoat. In fact, they give you an encyclopedia that accumulates over the course of the game so you can refer back to it at any time.

You can pick from different skirmishes to earn your money and EXP, and the better your rank the more points you receive. Even dying isn't that frustrating because there's like a billion different approaches to each level, so you don't have to repeat the same mistakes. I'm taking my sweet time playing with the subtle chess strategies that show up as I go along. I like the inclusion of rooftops--makes for fun payback.

A cemetary to pay your respects to fallen troops seems pretty original, but it's easy to make sure troops shot down can be recovered within 3 turns, as long as you're not near the end of a turn so that an enemy can't steal them from you.

Leveling up your squad is pretty efficient, as are the weapon upgrades. All of it is done at Headquarters at your leisure, so you can even hold off in case you want to up the difficulty in skirmishes.

I'm surprised that for a game so heavy in text that there are very few moments where you don't hear a voice supplementing passages. Actually, other than mission objective text, every character speaks at any given time. Not just a few sentences either. There's been quite a bit of voice work put into this game.

[Captain Highwind]

I just finished the game this afternoon, thoroughly enjoyed the ride. Also very pleased that I get the entire soundtrack in a new file.

I started getting A rank when I realized I could use a Defend All command and let the Scouts do a mad run through the field without getting hurt too badly.

Sylvaria`s an interesing character. There`s a lot that they can cover in the anime even if they just stuck to the main storyline, because most of it was implied through text.

[Taekmkm]

For a A-ranker and game balancer, Scouts are over-powered. I do wish the ranks weren't solely based on how many turns you take, but it's a fun game overall.

[Captain Highwind]

They're certainly overpowered the second run through. o_o;

Just blew through 5 chapters in half an hour.

Also forgot to say:

"VEGE-"

"TA-"

"BLES!"

Funny stuff. It shall now be my battle cry. :P

Haven't discovered what happens when you partner Jann with Largo yet, but I hear it's gold.

[GWOtaku]

I finally got a copy of the game as of Saturday night. Totally loving it; I've plowed through nine chapters already. Definitely one of the great strategy games, and I'll be going back. Lots of room to improve, seeing as I only just got my first A rank by beating chapter 9 in three turns (shocktrooper attacks on the rear, and that's game).

The game is so good looking and has so many options for playing that it's really in a class of its own. The mix of strategy and first-person tactics is just marvelous. This deserved to sell more than it did, and I'll hold out hope for another PS3 game like this...eventually.

Worst experience so far was taking on Maximillian's tank...I just barely took that out thanks to my triggering Selvaria's appearance not at all far from the starting point. Got my only death that way; there was no way to get one of my shocktroopers to safety.

Thank goodness she couldn't hurt the Edelweiss. That saved the mission for me right there.

[Desensitized]

I don't have a PS3, but this game looks awesome. It'll definitely be the first game I pick up when I get one.