Valkyria Chronicles: A Fun Tactical JRPG

        Valkyria Chronicles is a game that every JRPG lover should check out. Valkyria Chronicles is a tactical role-playing game with a military theme, developed by SEGA in 2008 for the PS3 (“Valkyria Chronicles - IGN”). It has since expanded on Windows, the PS4, and the Nintendo Switch. The game has a unique turn-based mechanic, where the player can move units around a 3D map and interact with enemies in real time. Valkyria Chronicles is the first game of the series, and it introduces many innovative features that set it apart from other titles 9in the genre. 

The game is set in a fictional version of Europe during the 1930s, where two factions, the Atlantic Federation and the East Europan Imperial Alliance, are at war over a precious mineral called Ragnite. The game follows the story of Welkin Gunther, a young commander of the Gallian Militia, and his squad of diverse soldiers as they fight against the Imperial invasion. 

Although the story isn’t anything special, the writers still created a captivating story with a loveable cast. Most of the storytelling consisted of cutscenes which can be a hit or miss for a lot of people, especially those who want to jump right back into the action. Sometimes there’s a huge chunk of cutscenes that you have to watch to get through to the second part of a battle. Though the colorful cast does make this bearable and makes you look forward to progression if you don’t like this though. Even the supporting troops have their own unique personality. Despite the story not being exceptional, the engaging characters and their unique personalities make up for it, even if you're not a fan of frequent cutscenes.

The game’s unique gameplay is what makes it stand out the most. Valkyria Chronicles is described by having a BLiTZ (Battle of Live Tactical Zones). This simply means that your troops and the enemy troops can interact with each other during each other’s turns. It consists of two main modes: Command Mode and Action Mode. In Command Mode, the player can select one of their units to control, and view the battlefield from a top-down perspective. The player has a limited number of Command Points to use each turn, which are spent by selecting units or issuing orders. In Action Mode, the player can move and attack with the selected unit in a third-person view. While moving a specific troop, enemies can fire at the player, forcing them to approach the situation carefully. The unit’s movement range and action gauge are determined by their class and equipment. Other mechanics such as “orders” which boost your troops and offer unique interactions provide a depth of gameplay that gives each player many different ways to traverse the battlefield. In short, Valkyria Chronicles provides the player with engaging gameplay that challenges their strategic thinking and creativity. 

        The game possesses a distinct sketchbook like art style that makes it stand out from many other JRPGS. The style makes the player feel like they’re looking directly at a storybook which enhances the story telling pretty well. Because the game avoids realism, the visuals aged amazingly into the year 2023. Although if you aren’t a fan of an anime artstyle, I would recommend looking at trailers or gameplay footage to see if it’s for you. 

        Valkyria Chronicles is a remarkable JRPG for its time. With its amazing cast, unique gameplay, and charming artstyle, this title has captured the hearts of many players around the world. If you’re looking for a game to mess around with for 30-40 arounds, I would definitely recommend picking it up.