If you’ve tried your hand at tactical RPGs, you’re well familiar with the gameplay and story of these types of games.
Valkyria Chronicles will make you question all you know.
The reason for that is its unique approach to the tactics side of the game. Many games, like Fire Emblem or Triangle Strategy, use a turn-based grid system to move characters around like a game board. Individual battles play out in a similar turn-based format that relies on a rock-paper-scissor weapon triangle to decide advantages and damage.
Valkyria Chronicles, on the other hand, combines the turn-based format with a real-time shooter. Rather than moving characters around a grid, players can select a character and move them in real time all while avoiding opponents’ shots.
This gives players a shakeup to their typical Eastern tactics game all while maintaining the charm of these style of games.
Valkyria Chronicles tells the story of a ragtag group of soldiers fighting in a large continental war based on World War II. It does so while tackling issues of war, bigotry, humanity, and love.
I have become a fan of Fire Emblem games in recent years, which has led be to try a bit more within the genre. I can honestly say that Valkryia Chronicles provided a change that felt needed after my fair share of FE games.
This unique approach to gameplay is really what drew me in. I loved the different approach because it provided a unique strategy to beating levels.
As fun as typical tactical RPGs are, they can get dull because not many switch up the gameplay. Usually, it is the different stories and characters that keep things unique.
Valkyria Chronicles utilizes a unique story, but it also revamps the gameplay to create what feels like an entirely new genre. That new genre is one not many designers have ventured into since the game’s original release.
Valkyria Chronicles released in 2008 for the PlayStation 3 and had three sequels. Each one used this style of combat, called the BLiTZ System, but this combat system has largely stayed unique to the series.
There is definitely an argument to be made on if it should stay unique to the series or if more should embrace this eclectic style. Either way, it is the combat that makes Valkyria Chronicles a breathe of fresh air.
This may be especially important now with the recent release of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Invalice Chronicles. Attention is back on the overall tactical genre and if someone enjoys Final Fantasy Tactics, they’ll likely search for similar games.
While Valkyria Chronicles may not follow that traditional approach, it still offers a great showcase of how the genre can be diverse. It is well worth your time to pick up.
What about you? What do you think of Valkyria Chronicles? Have you ever wanted to give it a try? How did it hold up to other tactics games? Let us know in the comments below or head over to our Discord channel to join the conversation.
Featured Image: SEGA (via Arcade Sushi)
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