Valkyria Chronicles is a game that received much acclaim when it first came out but was still overlooked by many. Sega has remastered the PS3 classic for the PS4, and now it is available for a new generation of players to enjoy.
Valkyria Chronicles is many things in one. It tells a war story in the form of a Strategy RPG, but it isn’t a traditional Strategy RPG. Unlike others in the genre, when you select a character to move in this game, you actually control them, and how they attack. This makes Valkyria Chronicles a hybrid between Strategy RPGs and Third Person Shooters (albeit leaning heavily to the Strategy RPG Genre). It is an interesting set up, and while others have tried it since, none have done it as well as Valkyria Chronicles.
The story is one that tells of wartime conflict, but with humor spliced in at times so you are not overwhelmed. The steampunk-esque setting really does allow a lot to be done and the characters within are developed well. In fact, much like a certain other Strategy RPG, this is a game where you will grow attached to all the characters and will want to save them from dying in battle. Even the minor characters have distinct personalities that make them stand out as individuals.
The art is done in a sketchbook art style, giving the game a unique look that helps convey its story better than it would have been able to with a traditional art style. This style comes off as a serious cartoon about major issues. It gives the game a sense of identity, a sense of difference. This is a game that is not like others and that is a good thing.
The game may have elements of third person shooters mixed in with its strategy elements, but do not be misled as this is truly a strategy first game. You will have to coordinate your combatants and choose carefully who to bring to battle and who to save for later. The wrong pick of soldiers can lead to a crushing defeat, while a good pick can lead to a faster victory. There is a steep learning curve, much steeper than most Strategy RPGS due to the aforementioned unique combat, but it isn’t audience alienating as some other games can be.
Valkyria Chronicles Remastered runs at 1080p and 60 frames per second, which makes the art style truly stand out and look alive. The remastering includes an expert difficulty and the previous DLC and that is all. To be honest, given the price this is being sold at, that is a good deal despite some complaints people may have about content. The game also includes Japanese voices and English subtitles and given that at some points, the English voice acting can get extremely annoying, this is a welcome addition. It isn’t that the voice work in English is bad as a whole, but some individual voiceovers are not exactly the best done. And given that there are a lot of cut scenes ( to be expected in an RPG), you might want an alternative.
Aside from the steep learning curve and the occasionally spotty voice acting, Valkyria Chronicles Remastered is a good package at a good price. The gameplay is solid and the visuals are well done. With solid combat and story, the game has something for everyone. I say that if you are a fan of strategy games and especially Strategy RPGs and have not yet played this game, then you really should check it out. It is an experience that you will not regret.