Valkyria Chronicles Comments by Dan Whitehead

innit. No rpgs and now I have two in the space of a week.

Depends on the play style I guess. If both armies prefer the saftey of cover over trying to outflank but then being exposed you'd waste a lot of turns of slowly chipping away at each other's health.

With cover being relatively sparse, the defender has more benefit, as it should be unless the defender is really stupid and doesn't take advantage of being on the battlefield first of course.

You're almost always on the attack though. I wouldn't mind if the game had areas with little or no cover. It's just odd that it has lots of areas with things that you should be able to use for cover, but can't.

What's the difference between the two? Also, don't the other objects have any impact? I mean, I can imagine that bullets would travel through wooden crates and thus they would be less useful as cover. But if the crates make sure the enemy can't see you, it would be rather strange if the enemy didn't at least get a penalty for the chance of actually hitting you.

Bullets can't travel through objects. Tanks can crush smaller scenery items, and some can be destroyed with grenades or explosions, but that's about it. When you stand near sandbags, or in a trench, there's a prompt to press X and your character is officially "in cover" and will take reduced damage if hit. Also, they can't be killed by headshots while in cover. There's a host of benefits to being "in cover" compared to just standing behind an object.

It's less of an issue with high walls, but the trouble with things like crates and benches is that they're bulletproof, and you can stand behind them, but obviously the top of your soldier is still completely exposed. One headshot will kill them. It just doesn't make any sense to have these objects in the gameworld, but not allow your character to hide behind them and benefit from their protection. Either have them, and let us use them, or get rid of them entirely. It's a very weird half measure and it feels unnatural - especially with the third-person control. It probably wouldn't be as jarring in a traditional isometric or top-down view.

Do you get headshotted a lot?

I seem to remember from the demo that a good 2 hits pretty much nailed an enemy with headshots.

Headshotted? Can you say that?

Ok, so with this and Disgaea 3, i am up to '2 games wanted on the PS3'. Add another 4 or 5 and i might finally buy one.

I've not played one of these before but the demo was quite compelling.

Too much out right now for me to buy it but I can see me getting it next year after a price drop.

Any chance of this ever coming to PC? I usually smile at console only releases because I am very content with what the PC has to offer, but this gem here looks just too good.

"Headshotted? Can you say that?"

Headshat maybe?

I like the sound of elements of this game, and would like to see something similar on the 360. Thing is I like my JRPG's because of the wacky stories and silly monsters but not so much the combat.

The more tactical battles of this game, rather than 'you 3 stand there, us 3 stand here and we hit eachother till we die', combined with some bonkers japanesity (may or may not be a real word) would hit the spot for me.

Still, sounds like a really nice game overall.

Headshat added to dictionary

The demo had some serious problems. Having all the enemy units already deployed very close to the player starting zone was odd, but perhaps it circumvented some AI problems. The AI still managed to look rather daft, tho, but they did get to surprise me on a few occations. Still, the AI was very inflexible, and once I figured things out I was able to score the A grade: conquering the enemy flag, destroying the enemy tank and killing the single enemy officer (every objective that gives xp) inside the first round.

That dissapointed me a fair bit, actually - it felt like cheating, but it was clearly a viable play style. I hope the finished game has better AI and offer more of a challenge, as I do plan to get this. I reather like the gameplay and the visuals, hope the strategy bit and the AI is stronger in the finished product, because the demo felt a lot like a work i n progress.

That was the Skirmish mode though wasn't it? Not sure how that will tie into the story mode.

Looks like Sega can still make good games!

It's a shame that two of their more recent quality titles (this and Yakuza) are platform specific, while shite like Golden Axe (I think I might cry) gets the multi-platform treatment.

The graphics style on this looks brilliant. Would like to see it IRL though.

Its really nice. Once you have it on your HDTV and playing out in front of you, just gorgeous.

Sega is taking the right path when it comes to the quality department. I hope people give them less flak for it!

Well it's this or Quantum of Solace on the 31st. Soooo many shooters, this might be a preferable change.

You have to say "BOOM Headshot!", and then jump around like a prick.

Awww I do like a good tactical RPG. Don't have a PS3, but if I did I'd nab this I reckon.

2/10 worse than F...
I believe in Valkyria Chronicles. It works hard to sell PS3 to me. Its design may be less polished than Silent Storm's, but this sort of gameplay graced with such glamour appeals to me.

Dammit, yet another game to buy. Forget about the global financial crisis and recession malarky, it's all these great games that'll have me out on the streets.

@Farticus
I've got a demo of this I can show you next time I bring the grill round. It's certainly interesting and really nicely presented.

@DrDamn

Aye would be interested, not so concerned with the presentation as long as the battles are satisfying and there's a good sense of progression. We'll have to pick a time to view it when Dave isnt around as he will come out with the usual 'what's this load of cartoony crap, why cant they just make it look realistic' ;)

Theres not too much to the demo sadly... :(
You get a flavour though which is what I was looking for.

A tutorial against 3 x baddies, a skirmish against a good wadge of them. All in a similar grassy outskirts location.

"That was the Skirmish mode though wasn't it? Not sure how that will tie into the story mode."

Unfortunately, from what I read of reviews of the Japanese version the Skirmish mode only lets you play the exact same scenarios you came across during the story mode. So it's essential a 'replay level' option, although you can actually just play them through again from within the story mode so it's kinda pointless.

That said, the DLC does look great if it ever makes it over here. New campaign, new story elements, characters and VOs. None of that horse armour shit.

Anyway, good to see someone else who is actually excited about this. Not nearly enough hype about this one...maybe they should have delayed release until a less hectic time of year where it would have got more attention?

Can't they make another game, preferably a pure RPG, with this engine and artwork? Please?

@mkreku

But this is almost everything that's great about JRPGs without the creaky combat system and tedious grinding! Plus you can use the characters from Skies of Arcadia...not serect or anything, just regular characters to use in battle.

From what I've played it's different enough to most tactical RPGs to appeal to an audience outside the fanbase, but sadly I don't think most will give it the time of day as soon as they read the words 'tactical RPG'. Honestly, this is a world away from Disgaea.

The only downpoint of Tactics RPGs in my mind is the lack of a world map to roam around and explore. However, with this, you've got lovingly rendered 3D environments to battle in rather than the usual Qbert grid. Everything I love about RPGs is present bar the world map. As I mentioned, I do hear this has a rather strong story element which is nice to have. Would make up for the lack of roam-y-ness.

Well, I did say almost everything :P

Granted, that's probably one of the biggest draws for JRPG fans though. Personally I think the benefits of a combat system that's actually enjoyable far outweigh the lack of a world map/town/dungeon exploration elements.

I find myself enjoying JRPGs less and less these days, and tactical RPGs more and more. I still have a soft spot for Zelda and the like (which is why Fable appeals somewhat), but right now I'm hooked on AW Dark Conflict on the DS despite the fact I want to personally strangle each end every stupid fucking character in that game.

I haven't played a 'proper' jrpg since FFXII. I've got Eternal Sonata on the way so we shall see if I've still got the bug.

Massive hopes in Ushiro and FFXIII Versus and Agito for traditional jRPG action with a bit of style though. Ushiro looks particularly enticing.

anyhoo, good luck sega, this sounds good.
hopefully the next shinyforce will be as slick and on all systems.

Played the demo, that was enough to convince me I wanted it, found the nitpicking in this thread informative, but I'm quite certain I'll still enjoy the full game. Can we give more games 8/10 so we get more threads like this one? Thanks.

definitely putting this on my christmas list, loved the demo!!

so the only JPGS, the ps3 gets exclusivity on are piles of shite? thats the impression i got after reading this review.
as a sole conole owner (ps3) i find this saddening. or maybe its that anit sony bias of eurogamer..... ;) j/k

so the only JPGS, the ps3 gets exclusivity on are piles of shite?

You'll never know for sure unless you play them.

thats the impression i got after reading this review.

Thanks to your extraordinary sensibility, unusually deep insight into reviewr's actual feelings and this rare gift of reading between the lines, I presume.

as a sole conole owner (ps3) i find this saddening.

Looks like a natural born worrier's console of choice.

Looks awesome. What's the odds of a 360 or PC version?

^ Pretty slim I'm afraid. Sega doesn't play the multiplatform game the way Capcom does.

Saying that I'm looking forward to this would be an understatement... I've been looking forward to it since it was announced at TGS '07. I can understand that there are a few snags with the AI and you can't exploit the cover as well as you'd like, but I still think it's the best SRPG that's been released in a long long time.

*Edit* On another note, I've played the shite out of the demo... So much in fact that I made a speedrun video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-gXcJKsiDI

"I haven't played a 'proper' jrpg since FFXII. I've got Eternal Sonata on the way so we shall see if I've still got the bug."

I accidentally erased my FFXII saves at around 20 hours in the game. Liked the battle system, hated the characters, story was rather convoluted, not suitable to playing the game over an extended period. But haven't restarted the game yet and after playing a couple of SMT games, chances are small I ever will.

Picking this up with a 2 weeks delay! sadly I bought Eternal Sonata....my copy is still "flying" to me, but I already regret it that I gave VC up for Namcocunts!

I should rot in hell!!!!

@Tehren: None, you troll.

You can pre-order this from Asda for £28. Not sure if their delivery will guarantee this for release day though.

Or you can pick it up for £25.93 from The Hut if you use the voucher 'HALLOWEEN': http://www.thehut.com/hut/9997576.product

Bargains all round...no excuse not to get this game now :)

On a slightly worse note, it's a pity we don't get that amazing Japanese SE that had the book, tank & Alicia figures. I think certain US retailers are offering the book over there, but nothing for EU folk as far as I can tell... :(

Yeah it's a pity.

That's one of extremly few games where i could consider buying CE and one of not so many i buy on day one.

LOL...with that price is def buy for me ;p

Its even cheaper to import now....like 65% of the price here in Poland, even with delivery. The only downside is "delivery time"

Sorry Luke they don't send goods outside of UK i already checked if thehut would send it to Poland :)

I made an account at thehut and it allowed me to choose Poland from the list, for example Amazon has only Portugal in P section ;p

Also it even accepted my address, so I am positive they will send it to Poland np :) they must CUN*S!! :P

Well I was checking terms and conditions part :)

Finally I can fire up the PS3 which has been sitting unplayed beneath my 360. Had to send it off for repair due to RRoD on Sunday so the timing of this is perfect. loved Ring of Red on the PS2 hopefully this will be more of the same.

This review is ridiculous you can't take away 2 points because you want to duck behind a fence... He said it is a really really really good jrpg so why doesn't he rate it as such since that is obviously it's target market. I wouldn't give Resistance 2 an 8 just because it isn't a platformer. It is a really really really good shooter and gets a 9.5 accordingly. Bad review.

It probably would have scored higher if on 360 but anyways great game

I bought this from gamestation for £19.99, it's the first rpg i have played snce FFVII, i think that it will grow on me....

just got this on friday from LoveFilm...
It's now monday afternoon and I have 40+ hours clocked up on this bad boy...
fucking love it!
it's going straight back to lovefilm in the post when I get home and im off to Gamestop to buy my own copy :D
its gorgeous and plays like a 3D version of Advance wars cross-bred with each of my favourite anime movies.

highly recommended.
:)