Once again Sega have proved that their decision to abandon manufacturing hardware wasn’t as daft as many thought it to be, by releasing yet another fantastic title.
Sega, The SRPG And The PS3 – A Perfect Match?
Valkyria Chronicles is set in an alternate reality, in an era similar to a fantasy-tinged Second World War.
Players lead a team of characters on a mission to liberate their homeland and fight back against the oppression of the evil Empire.
Granted, that doesn’t sound like anything out of the ordinary, or even anything that gamers should bother putting their time into, but Valkyria Chronicles is something very special indeed.
Whereas traditional SRPGs progress in a linear turn-based fashion, VC eschews this in favour of an updated, more dynamic format.
While there is still some waiting for the computer to finish its turn before continuing, player turns are in a real-time format, meaning characters can be as energetic as they want to be.
It’s also handy that there is no grid system, meaning moves aren’t limited to prescribed hexagons or squares.
The Small Touches Are Often The Best
These aspects are but a few small touches on the overall frame of Valkyria Chronicles, but they show a care and attention to detail for the genre that goes beyond mere experimentation.
While other SRPGs such as the PS3’s Disgaea 3 stick to a rigid formula (excellent though it is), Sega’s title throws out the rule book and starts again.
In some parts, at least.
Fans of the genre should not be put off by a fear of change, as Valkyria Chronicles is clearly made by people who both know and love what they are doing.
This is a strategy RPG of the highest calibre – a huge amount of fun, balanced, clever and never unfair; it’s everything gamers want from a title of this ilk.
Graphics Over Gameplay: Valkyria Chronicles Has A Case For
Aside from the game itself, Valkyria Chronicles is striking for its sheer visual beauty – a hand-painted look features throughout and is, to put it frankly, stunning.
Obviously graphics don’t make a game – everybody knows it’s about how the game plays – but this is something extra special and very much worth a mention.
Incidental detail, emotive characters and beautiful scenery all serve to add yet another dollop of class onto the sweet pudding that is Valkyria Chronicles.
The Negatives... Or Can Sega Do No Wrong?
It would appear that is the case – there really is very little to complain about with the game, except it could be argued that the experience is over a bit too soon.
Or it could be argued it’s a negative that it ends at all.
Okay, so a genuine negative comes in the fact that the English dubbing isn’t really that great – but it can be changed back to the original Japanese, making this point pretty moot.
No, this is a fantastic game and a wonderful addition to any proud PS3 owner’s collection. It will last a fair while and has enough replay value to drag even the most jaded gamer back in for more.
Good looks, a fine soundtrack and some wonderful gameplay – Valkyria Chronicles comes highly, highly recommended and is reason enough to pick up a PS3.
Ian Dransfield - A writer who turns his hand to most anything, Ian Dransfield is nonetheless most proficient when it comes to the topics of music, movies ...
