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Valkyria Chronicles for PlayStation 3 review

15 November 2008 at 3:58 PM (GMT+10)

In 1935EC, the continent of Europa is thrown into its second continental war this century. The Atlantic Alliance and Eastern Empire wage a costly war for control of a rare ore called Ragnite, a fuel source which has grown in demand ever since the recent industrial revolution. In the middle of this great war is Gallia, a small nation that has remained neutral in all wars between the Alliance and Empire. Valkyria Chronicles tells of the story of a small group of people from Militia group Squad 7 and their pivotal role in the Second Europan War as the Empire invades Gallia in order to secure its rich supply of Ragnite.

Also known as
Senjou no Valkyria: Gallian Chronicles (Battlefield Valkyria: Gallian Chronicles)

Genre
Action, tactical role-playing game

Developer
Sega WOW

Publisher
Sega

Game Features

• CANVAS visual engine providing unique sketch and watercolour effect visuals.
• BLiTZ (Battle of Live Tactical Zones) system. Once a unit has been chosen from the overhead Command view, the player can then control the character in third person view, giving them the ability to move, position and aim the characters weapon in an action game perspective.
• Features both the English and Japanese voice work which you can switch between at any time using the options menu at the title screen.
• Music composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto who also composed Final Fantasy XII, Radiant Silvergun and Vagrant Story. Orchestral work by Eminence Symphony Orchestra who worked on SoulCalibur IV and Odin Sphere.
• Engaging storyline chronicled in an animated storybook-like format.
• A tonne of extras from replayable cutscenes, to unlockable side-stories and skirmish missions, as well as an entire book full of written information about the characters and the world they inhabit.
• More to come in the form of downloadable content.

The Good and the Bad

• Beautiful visual engine with equally well done animation and brilliant English and Japanese voice acting.
• Very well thought out tutorials and explanations of game functions means you’re never lost during a mission, but at the same time it doesn’t feel like you’re being led by the hand.
• Has a unique gameplay experience by combining well known traditional gameplay methods together.

• When listening to the Japanese voices, sometimes the English subtitles don’t actually reflect exactly what is being said because it’s the direct script of the English voice work.
• The game can become much harder for you in the long run if you don’t finish levels with a high enough grade to grab enough experience to level up your squad.
• Some grinding may be required. If you’re lacking experience points you will have to replay Skirmish missions over and over again to get more experience to outfit your squad.

Review Score

Detailed Review

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Posted by Lynk Former in PlayStation 3, Reviews | Permalink | Comments: 8