Publisher: Sega
Genre: RPG
Rating: T (for Teen)
System: PS3
Number of Players: 1
Guest Reviewer: Vespaa

BUY

Every generation of games yields not only new installments of a favored series, but brand new games competing for your attention, hoping to find a place among your beloved (and increasingly expensive) gaming library. Like anyone in this economy, I’ve been highly skeptical and careful of what games I’m willing to buy for my consoles. Replay value, game mechanics, story when it’s appropriate, and the overall quality of the game as it pertains to my personal taste are deciding factors. One of the few games I’ve bought this generation that has no only met my requirements for a must-have game, but exceeded them with flying colors is Sega’s under-advertised Valkyria Chronicles. The only disappointing aspect of this game for me? The fact that hardly anyone is playing it.

Released in November 2008, the game has already won countless awards, most notably VG Chartz awarded the title with the “Best Game No One Played 2008.” And they couldn’t be more accurate. As anyone who’s played the game will agree, even though sales of the game increased due to a temporary price cut in April and with the release of downloadable content, sales numbers still fall below even certain poorly reviews, disappointing games.

Initially I was on the fence about purchasing the game myself. Some of my concerns were that the game would have a juvenile anime storyline, and that the game play engine wouldn’t be enjoyable while being highly flawed. After committing that $60 though, I discovered my early reluctance about Valkyria Chronicles couldn’t have been more unfounded. Every aspect of the game, from the graphics, art direction, flow of the game’s story, script and combat engine were not just thoroughly satisfying, but extremely entertaining.

Captivated by the remarkable graphic’s engine, Sega’s “CANVAS” the beautifully illustrated game plays out before you like a water color painting. Not only offering gamers innovation with it’s graphics but with it’s intricate combat system called “BLiTZ,” an acronym for “Battle of Live Tactical Zones” which proved to be highly addictive. The game began to optionally devour my free time, and I enjoyed every moment of it. From the strangely unique, compelling plot which deals with issues starting with racism, oppression and political intrigue to more traditional RPG elements like ancient civilizations of magically gifted people, and of course, romance. Normally, one might consider a plot like this cliche especially since it’s weaved into a World War II setting, but it does more than work as nearly all players who’ve played it found it engaging and well scripted. The characters are extremely endearing and diverse, as some of them offer comic relief while others have a darker, more somber story.

The combat system is unique and in a class of it’s own, combining turn based strategy with fast paced action. Players take turns through command points that would allow them to select a unit on the map, which will take them into action based game play, where they can move around the map and select from a variety of different actions depending on unit type. (But with limitation on movements and repetition of those actions.) Battles are won by eliminating specific units and by claiming bases. The difficulty in the main story of the game starts off quite simple, but gradually increases with difficulty after every chapter. For those like myself who fell in love with the combat system, the game not only offers a Hard Mode, but also a wildly challenging Extra Hard mode available through downloadable content. The leveling system in the game isn’t overly time consuming, and allows experience to be distributed to whichever units you choose. You’re given over 50 unique characters to command, each with unique abilities and personalities. This keeps the game fresh, as certain characters will work with each other and interact differently during battle. The game boasts an incredible, award winning soundtrack composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto, who holds an impressive resume, including titles from the Final Fantasy series.

Valkyria Chronicles takes many risks in it’s attempts to innovate and breathe life into a genre of gaming that many people are reluctant to try. Those risks paid off, and produced a beautifully animated game, with a solid script and a surprisingly fun combat system. Yet it’s sales numbers are not reflecting the quality of the game, unfortunately. I encourage, or perhaps plead with gamers everywhere to give this gem of a game a chance, and assure you, you will not be disapointed.

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