Valkyria Chronicles

[mikebrand83]

In my opinion, the biggest weakness of VC2, at least in so far as the gameplay, was them trying to mimic the randomised loot of Monster Hunter games.
Want to upgrade or even change your character to different builds? Farm those credits.
Want to upgrade or buy better weapons for your characters? Farm those parts.

Putting that aside, the multiple smaller maps and instant reinforcements (rather than having to wait for the next turn of the original) made it a much faster paced game, but that also meant that you had to be more vigilant that the AI doesn't use that to instantly turn the tide against you. It's not conductive to finishing with a good rank, so ideally it's a situation you want to avoid, but sometimes the back-and-forth this creates was some of the most fun to be had.

[Marx-93]

In my opinion, the biggest weakness of VC2, at least in so far as the gameplay, was them trying to mimic the randomised loot of Monster Hunter games.
Want to upgrade or even change your character to different builds? Farm those credits.
Want to upgrade or buy better weapons for your characters? Farm those parts.

Putting that aside, the multiple smaller maps and instant reinforcements (rather than having to wait for the next turn of the original) made it a much faster paced game, but that also meant that you had to be more vigilant that the AI doesn't use that to instantly turn the tide against you. It's not conductive to finishing with a good rank, so ideally it's a situation you want to avoid, but sometimes the back-and-forth this creates was some of the most fun to be had.

I absolutely agree. VC2 worst points was the need to grind constantly for everything. It did not help that the maps and objectives were also repetitive, and that furthermore a lot of the stages "effects" ended being too simple and just a way to waste your time changing parts of your tank.

One of my problems with smaller maps was however how the boss battles ended: with their hax evasion there were many times were due to collocation and movement I ended with the boss completely surrounded yet resigned to see an entire turn of him/her ducking non-stop. I mean, in VC1 you almost always could shoot them hidden from some-place, but here it was almost impossible

On the other hand, the smaller maps also meant that the "running through 50 enemies alone" part got reduced: you could conquer small bases with 2 units, then go to the next map, etc without the need of your MC going full terminator (which was sincerely ludicrous in VC1).

The characters were good, and the story had potential, but to me it simply didn't knew were it wanted to go.

Truthfully, VC1 and VC2 are very different games despite sharing both look and a very similar system. One (VC2) is more focused on slice of life and tons of characters, while the other is focused on the epic story of a small group (the squad is very secondary in the story, probably due to the permadeath system). VC1's system is based on a long planification of movements in a big map, while VC2's based on a constant back-and-forth where almost all movements after the 2nd turn are kinda improvised.

[Drath]

Review by Whiskeywolf at RPGCodex:
http://www.rpgcodex.net/content.php?id=9718

Review discussion thread:
http://www.rpgcodex.net/forums/index.php?threads/rpg-codex-review-valkyria-chronicles.96335/

Nicely written and I find myself in agreement with almost everything he mentioned.
I would have probably toned it down a bit, but RPGCodex isn't known for sugar coating their views or reviews. Some may see it as rather scathing. Others find it refreshingly honest.

Hoping that 3rd part of Sunrider would have shored up enough of the tactical bugs, improved balance and finished off the arcs nicely, making previous choices count that it would get a decent appraisal as well.

[Marx-93]

Resurrecting this thread because of 2 fantastic new announcements!

Valkyria:Azure Revolution has been announced for PS4. It will be the new installment of the franchise, though there is not much information about it. It looks like it will be more "fantasy"-like. It's probably set up before the first VC (maybe in the first Europan War?)

And a remake has been announced for the first game on PS4 too. For those who bought it on Steam, there's not much to bother as it seems the content will be almost the same, but for any pure console gamer it maybe worth checking it out (though I get the feeling this remake was thought mostly for Japan, where PC gaming is very much in the minority).

[WhydidIbuytheunionfrigate]

Yay! I now have a small reason to buy a PS4 now! In any case, Valkyria: Azure Revolution won't be seen in Japan until next year and I believe it will not be taking place in Gallia at all. Instead, the area will be to the North. Jutland, (in Denmark I believe IRL) a small country decides to strike back against the Rus Empire who've been colonizing their lands for their Ragnite.
Time-wise, Marx might be right in that the game might take place before VC 1, but I doubt it will occur during EW 1 though given that the characters are part of an Anti-Valkyria unit. My guess? This game will take place during some long time in the past where the Valkyria were more common, or at least more common to the people of Jutland (Aren't the Valkyria from the North?). Yet a more scarier explanation is that this occurs in the future after all the Valkyria Projects went mainstream, though it seems unlikely.
Gameplay-wise, the producers said that they'll be changing the game from an RTS to a RPG because they believe the sales will be higher. They'll also be changing from the old BLiTZ combat system to a new LeGION combat system. The changes will include major additions yet unknown. Seeing as the game will be an RPG, the missions will feel more like dungeon raids, so you can only choose up to 5 characters for each mission.

Right. Personal impressions... Ummm well, I'm not going to buy the remastered version of VC 1 (when/if it localizes) unless there's a compelling reason to do so. I really like the graphics as is and I have everything on STEAM. As for VC AR, I think I'll also wait and see how the game turns out. They're trying to tailor the game to a broader audience, which could work, but at the cost of the original fans? Eh, they might receive harsh fan-backlash later... as it is, people are judging the game based upon what's released so far, but I'm willing to and see. Either way, I'm hyped for both releases and might watch a playthrough of both in the future regardless if I decide to buy the game. (XCOM 2 comes first though...)
VC Remastered will be available at full game price on Feb 10 and will contain a VC AR demo which SEGA wants to use for feedback purposes.

http://gematsu.com/2015/11/valkyria-azure-revolution-valkyria-chronicles-remaster-announced-for-ps4

[mikebrand83]

Valkyria:Azure Revolution has been announced for PS4. It will be the new installment of the franchise, though there is not much information about it. It looks like it will be more "fantasy"-like. It's probably set up before the first VC (maybe in the first Europan War?)

Assuming they're part of the same timeline, it'd probably be set either thousands of years earlier (what would later become known as the "Darcsen Calamity", by the time of the original trilogy), or some time in the setting's future.

[John Titor]

Great news then, I'll wait for the PC port then ( 4-10 years, I guess?) I jjst get the feeling that if you are into PC Gaming neither Xbone nor PS4 are really worth it, their exclusives so far are few and there are very similar or equivalent games on PC.

[Gamerjunkie]

There will be a decent PS4 emulator eventually, John. Probably before those 4-10 years happen.

[Marx-93]

Yep. Y-Buy's new's article confirmed it's not the same world at all. While I had the idea (the name is not "Valkyria Chronicles", the genre seemed to change, etc), things like ragnite and Jutland (an European naming motif , like in VC) made me think it wrong. Safe to see it's confirmed.

On the changes, well, I don't mind them too much as I like RPGs, but considering how a lot of people liked VC by its unique system I can see a lot of backlash (and I even kinda agree). The new design also don't inspire much confidence. Say what you like about Raita doujinshi works, his military uniforms looked a lot more legit than what few we've seen.

[AkioKlaus]

since u guys are early, ill post different stuff

2016 feb : VC1 remaster version. with demo to VAR and stuff as stated above
and winter is VAR release.

some stuff from interview
: they thought its cool to fight large army real time.
:Thought of switching over to RTS, but decided to keep original RPG form of the IP.
:Decided to add Japaneselike unique gameplay using symbol encounters. (stuff like in tales of abyss i guess)
:Wanted to give feeling there is always war this time compared to previous games having peace moments.
:Wish to focus on character and graphic as well to match current day japanese market, not just on battle fields.
:The setting is completely new. ragnites now are related to use of magics.
:The valkyurians are ubermans and story is about how mankind resist the valkyurians who ae symbol of death.
:Please refer the series as battlefield series and revolution series from now on. (Asian name is Valkyria of battlefield.)
:Story will be length of 2 season of animation.
: Brunhilde's outfit being bodysuit was requested by development team, and the artist in charge requested restrain suit.

:New engine is gouache, art style of mixing rubber.
:LeGION is term for Lead a Group Into Outrange & Numerous army
:You can snipe enemy symbol or smoke screen etc to lure them away, avoid combat, or cripple them before combat.
:You can talk to enemies before combat, impacts the gameplay
:Player party is limited to 5 only. player controls 1 unit and rest are AI controlled.
:Organic weapons instead of tanks.

[[Astral|Zephyr]™]

Aaah, yes... Azure Revolution.

There's a lot of hype about this one. It seems the entire setting takes place in a completely different environment with a new story that's separate from the original 3.

It won't be out until next year, but I'm pretty interested on how this one will turn out, being a VC fan myself.

[Duke Rockhopper]

The change from RTS is a bold move, and I really hope it pays off. If this game is done right, we might see another one from the original universe someday.

Please don't be bad, please don't be bad, please don't be bad!!!

[[Astral|Zephyr]™]

The change from RTS is a bold move, and I really hope it pays off. If this game is done right, we might see another one from the original universe someday.

Please don't be bad, please don't be bad, please don't be bad!!!

*prays alongside Duke Rockhopper*

Please be good, please be good, please be good!!!

[AkioKlaus]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN1tOOmSIPQ


r8

valkyurians always drill breasts

[Douman]

Again against 'bad' empire?
They never learn....  :-\