Wow this was totally not on my radar and its made of awesome. Its as if they decided to make a PS3 version of Advanced Wars with a little bit of real time stuff tossed in. This is on my must have list after Christmas is over.
With five total reviews from various sources, it stands like this (now with links!): RPG Land100
PSN Official Mag 90 Eurogamer 80 Gameplayer 85 RPGfan 88
= 89%
Pfft. 89. That's not even 90. Well, it's close to 90, but it's not a 90. Besides, what about all the other awesome traditional RPGS we've gotten so far this gen? You mean like... Eternal Sonata80% Lost Odyssey 79% Foklore76% Tales of Vesperia83% and Disgaea 381%
Well, that kind of puts things in perspective, doesn't it? I'm sorry? What's that? The aggregate score I'm providing for Valkyria is based on the only 5 reviews that have appeared so far, and will surely come down once more media puts out reviews? That's certainly a good point. On the other hand though, fuck you.
* * *
The long version.
The two new reviews today are a site I'd never heard of called Gameplayer, and that shining beacon of games journalism, Eurogamer! I know I know - Eurogamer hates everything - so put on some criticproof armor and gear yourself for the most unforgiving reviewers there ever were...
The traditional JRPG may have spread its buttery pleasures more evenly across multiple formats but there's one sub-genre, beloved by the Japanese, where the PS3 is still dominant - and that's the tactical RPG. September brought Disgaea 3 (in America, at least) and now SEGA has upped the ante with Valkyria Chronicles, a lovingly rendered turn-based strategy role-playing game that oozes style and nimbly somersaults over the more common pitfalls of the genre.
What follows is a surprisingly low-key introduction to a fairly realistic world. It's a war story, rather than an epic personal quest, and the game is at its strongest - narratively speaking - as it follows Welkin and his squad through the sorts of battles you'd expect to see in Saving Private Ryan rather than Final Fantasy. The tone is perhaps a little too whimsical at times, but the characters are likeable and well-rounded. That the game inevitably introduces an ancient race with special powers - the Valkyria of the title - therefore comes as something of a disappointment.
A male soldier who likes the ladies will receive a status boost when near to female squad-mates, for example. A soldier with hay fever will suffer a status drop if deployed in a rural location. Country-born soldiers are less effective when fighting in urban situations. There are even gay characters, racist characters...it's a real tangle of different social elements, and thankfully the game doesn't punish you too harshly if you don't pay attention to every last foible of every character. For those who like to go that little bit deeper, it's definitely a clever and charming way of squeezing a little extra efficiency out of your squad.
The game often seems too rigidly tied to its rock-paper-scissors attack formula, since a tank shell needs to hit a soldier dead centre to cause any damage purely because it's meant for other tanks, yet a mortar shell landing in the exact same place can kill several soldiers at once
The story is witty and well told, while the characters are memorable and blessed with surprisingly good voice acting. There's so much to praise that it feels churlish to dwell on the negatives, yet there they are - and they're so inextricably linked to the core of the gameplay that they can't help but tarnish an otherwise wonderful game.
Make no mistake, Valkyria Chronicles is a really, really, really good tactical RPG, and fans of the genre should pick it up without delay...
Valkyria Chronicles:
Turn-based strategy for emotional cripples. The Verdict
:^:Gorgeous presentation.
:^:Innovative battle system.
:^:Huge, in-depth gampaign.
:^:Engaging story.
:v:Sappy beyond belief.
For strategy nuts, this is almost worth buying a PS3 for.
The presentation isn't just classy, it's unique — nothing on today's consoles looks quite like it. The rendering of the 3D soldiers, buildings, vehicles and armour goes beyond mere cel-shading; the watercolour effects make the game look like a painting that's come to life. While clearly inspired by WWII, the setting, units, and uniforms of 'European War II' are just as influenced by medieval fantasy. Tank designs are conspicuously bulbous, clearly a homage to Hayao Miyazaki. The body armour makes solders look like knights, and the RPGs are inexplicably shaped like jousting lances. Valkyria Chronicles has an otherworldly feel, but it's no G-rated fairy tale...
Oh, and of the two audio options, the superior choice is Japanese with subtitles. It's just as cheesy as the English version, but the actresses give off delightful squeaks when they get shot — almost as if they enjoy it. Each soldier has his or her own personality, and will do a unique victory pose upon slaying an enemy. Some of the girls even say "Yatta!", just like Chin-Li. Priceless.
This is a niche product. It has an anime look, and a novel-like pace. Yet the biggest difference from your run-of-the-mill WWII shooter is that you have to think very carefully about what you are doing. The combat system is straightforward, yet merciless. You will make mistakes, and you will be forced to learn from them. But if you're into this sort of thing, you will get your rocks off — and that's what matters.
So good, I don't even need to put up a Dr. McNinja pic. I could, but I don't need to.
Chance on
'Chance, you are the best kind of whore.' -Henroid
I already had the game fully paid off just off the early press I had seen on the game, but now I am fully justified in it. I absolutely love the battle system. really fresh take on the SRPG genre.
Man I have way too much going on right now at work for all these damn games. No biggie though, pre-ordered them all anyway. If I get fired for not finishing projects at least I'll have enough games to get me through until my next job.
Man I have way too much going on right now at work for all these damn games. No biggie though, pre-ordered them all anyway. If I get fired for not finishing projects at least I'll have enough games to get me through until my next job.
It's two in the a.m, or more importantly, about twelve hours since someone posted. You know what that means? It means it's time for a thinly-veiled bump!
I downloaded the demo expecting it to be some new crappy Jap fantasy game... My socks were literally blown off.
This is exactly what I like to hear. I too went into the demo hoping for a game that equaled the art direction and not expecting much. A JRPG that's fun to play? Dear God. This may be the first sign of the apocalypse.
Also, whilst poking around Play-Asia, I found some figures that those of you who're into... little plastic figures of video game characters may find exciting. That's right, camwhores - dig on this, and despair!
There's this pack of 7. Yes, that's right Chrono. Edie's in there. Get this man some new pants, stat!
Also,
this individual Selvaria. They're all noted as standing approx. 120 mm tall - that's a touch longer than a credit card. No prices are up, but one can assume they cost just more than common sense would dictate.
Chance on
'Chance, you are the best kind of whore.' -Henroid
So I finally got around to playing the demo. As someone who couldn't really get into FFT or Disgaea, this definitely looks like something I could sit down and wrap my gaming hands around. Probably not this year though.
I'm kinda disappointed that the game's plot isn't a pure soldier story and resorts to "ancient races olol." I like war stories about soldiers. They're simple, character driven, and don't aspire to anything great. Just look at Band of Brothers. Now I'm not saying Valkyria Chronicles should be Band of Brothers, but I just want a simple, character driven war story. They could have had some potential with the "teenagers being drafted" angle, maybe make them analogous or comparable to the German Volksgrenadiers or Volkssturm, considering the World War II bent this game has.
That said, I'm sure the story'll be passable to good anyway, so it's no biggie.
I'm kinda disappointed that the game's plot isn't a pure soldier story and resorts to "ancient races olol." I like war stories about soldiers. They're simple, character driven, and don't aspire to anything great.
*snip*
I'm sure the story'll be passable to good anyway, so it's no biggie.
I dunno, for some reason that argument brings to mind Fullmetal Alchemist. An alternate world with many similarities to our own past with a fantastical element, but it's primarily a character driven peice focusing on the Elric brothers, even it does have some epic awesomeness in there. Haven't seen it? SEE IT.
Also, on the note of story - Rizzi over at the GameFAQs boards says that there's usually one or two cutscenes before every battle, and more than a few of them are "epic to say the least".
LBP? Yay, totally.
Fallout 3? Sure, show me the Eurogamer review first.
Valkyria Chronicles?
Oh I'm sorry, I'm being carried away in a river of my own frothy drool.
Chance on
'Chance, you are the best kind of whore.' -Henroid
I'm kinda disappointed that the game's plot isn't a pure soldier story and resorts to "ancient races olol." I like war stories about soldiers. They're simple, character driven, and don't aspire to anything great. Just look at Band of Brothers. Now I'm not saying Valkyria Chronicles should be Band of Brothers, but I just want a simple, character driven war story. They could have had some potential with the "teenagers being drafted" angle, maybe make them analogous or comparable to the German Volksgrenadiers or Volkssturm, considering the World War II bent this game has.
That said, I'm sure the story'll be passable to good anyway, so it's no biggie.
Just because the world's background features fantastical elements doesn't mean the story will undoubtedly meander onto the "epic save the world" type story. It can still very easily be about the soldiers and their personal lives during a war. Even if it does become about "epic save the world," the game can also still be about the soldiers and their personal lives during the war; it's just the events that influence there lives are a bit more fantastic. It really all depends on what kind of story the developers want to tell.
Was their anything specific said about the story that confirms what the story is like? I was actually also expecting something more personal with the characters and the larger story being more political than super-fantasy, but I don't really mind either way.
So, this looks pretty awesome. I've tried the demo a bit and seems like good fun. The Skirmish in the trial was pretty easy, I used mostly the stormtroopers, the tank and occasionaly the sniper. Maybe some of you guys who have played it more can help with some gameplay info.
So my guys get shot at if they get to close to the enemy guys? I guess my guys shoot back as well if they get to close? Can I see this distance easily in some way? What if I approach from the back?
Can I crouch even if I'm not behind cover?
Sometimes when I fire a dude next to him/her fires as well. Whats the deal?
Can I see anywhere what those "potentials" that occasionally pop up actually do?
I'm kinda disappointed that the game's plot isn't a pure soldier story and resorts to "ancient races olol." I like war stories about soldiers. They're simple, character driven, and don't aspire to anything great. Just look at Band of Brothers. Now I'm not saying Valkyria Chronicles should be Band of Brothers, but I just want a simple, character driven war story. They could have had some potential with the "teenagers being drafted" angle, maybe make them analogous or comparable to the German Volksgrenadiers or Volkssturm, considering the World War II bent this game has.
That said, I'm sure the story'll be passable to good anyway, so it's no biggie.
Just because the world's background features fantastical elements doesn't mean the story will undoubtedly meander onto the "epic save the world" type story. It can still very easily be about the soldiers and their personal lives during a war. Even if it does become about "epic save the world," the game can also still be about the soldiers and their personal lives during the war; it's just the events that influence there lives are a bit more fantastic. It really all depends on what kind of story the developers want to tell.
Was their anything specific said about the story that confirms what the story is like? I was actually also expecting something more personal with the characters and the larger story being more political than super-fantasy, but I don't really mind either way.
I've heard that the story isn't so large-scale as to involve saving the world, and it only goes up to 'save your country' at the very most. Should be a nice change compared to your typical JRPG.
So, this looks pretty awesome. I've tried the demo a bit and seems like good fun. The Skirmish in the trial was pretty easy, I used mostly the stormtroopers, the tank and occasionaly the sniper. Maybe some of you guys who have played it more can help with some gameplay info.
So my guys get shot at if they get to close to the enemy guys? I guess my guys shoot back as well if they get to close? Can I see this distance easily in some way? What if I approach from the back?
Can I crouch even if I'm not behind cover?
Sometimes when I fire a dude next to him/her fires as well. Whats the deal?
Can I see anywhere what those "potentials" that occasionally pop up actually do?
The return fire thing I can't figure out. Sometimes it seems automated, sometimes it seems like pressing R1 triggers a return fire. Part of it may be range based, and I know lancers can't return fire, but it's so random seeming. Same with assist fire from really nearby friendlies.
The only thing that annoys me is that standing still in the movement mode provides limitless return fire opportunities for the enemy. Just pick a character, run up behind some sandbags, and wait. He'll die . This mostly annoys me because I want a way to spend more time in the gorgeous non map game.
I figure it may be a difficulty thing, but the AI does not appear to spend it's CP properly. (it will never, in the demo at least, double move a character)
I'm really hoping for some art menu or something to check out the modeling work. The tanks are amazing, whoever did the art for this game is absolutely brilliant.
Overall, the game is addictingly fun, though I can't get the sniper to hit anything to save her life.
I get the impression that a lot of the demo is set up so that you get a feel for what everything is, but that the nuances will be better realized once the full game is out. Stuff like potentials, terrain advantages, and so on, are probably in the manual or a larger tutorial.
It seems that shocktroopers are the only ones who will offer assists, along with tanks. Or perhaps they're the only ones that can fire enough to make a difference.
I will agree with the annoyance that trying to figure out what to do, or finishing your turn, results more in you having to hit O as fast as possible, otherwise you'll get nicked by some errant fire even if you're behind a sandbag or something.
I like that there's a real challenge in the game, though. I played through the demo twice and though I had fewer deaths (mostly by setting up characters so that even if enemies didn't die, they'd get mowed down if they tried to move -- which they did), it still took me 3 turns with 2 deaths.
I only got deaths when I did risky things, like the engie getting headshot trying to run long across the tank's line of sight. Or trying to rush the map.
Playing it safe, it's hard to lose people on that mission, but it takes a while. Snipe the lancer, drop the tank in round 1 (tank, lancer, lancer, or just spam lancers. Only takes 3 body hits from the front to off it) and only use assault/tanks to advance.
My worst runs were scout camp stealing attempts (too much enemy fire, no cover on the top of the map) and playing heavily with the sniper. That map favors an armored advance and using assault troops to just rush entrenched positions.
The AI is also amazingly stupid, and has a habit of hopping over sandbags and standing in the open to get into a better firing range.
I’ll tell you what happens in Demon’s Souls when you die. You come back as a ghost with your health capped at half. And when you keep on dying, the alignment of the world turns black and the enemies get harder. That’s right, when you fail in this game, it gets harder. Why? Because fuck you is why.
So my guys get shot at if they get to close to the enemy guys? I guess my guys shoot back as well if they get to close?
Yes and yes. Based on line-of-sight, weapon range and weapon type. For example, a scout with their rifles will intercept from the furthest distance. A lancer or sniper, however, will never take intercept shots. Only scouts and shock troopers - maybe the engineer with their rifles too, I'm not sure - haven't tested.
Sometimes when I fire a dude next to him/her fires as well. Whats the deal?
That's to do with affinities and/or potentials. If one solider likes another, they'll fire together (if that solider is capable of intercept fire), or if that soldier's potentials connect them somehow to the ally (Rosie, for example, will always support a fellow shock trooper).
Can I see anywhere what those "potentials" that occasionally pop up actually do?
Yes there is.
When it's your turn, but prior to selecting a unit to command, press Square to bring up the roster. You can then look at your own roster, or the enemy's units. Look at your own units, then press Triangle. This will bring up more in depth information for the selected unit. Flip through the pages until you come to the potentials and press Triangle again - now you can select individual potentials, see precisely what they do and what activates them.
The only thing that annoys me is that standing still in the movement mode provides limitless return fire opportunities for the enemy. Just pick a character, run up behind some sandbags, and wait. He'll die .
It's not limitless, if you choose to limit it. When you're in an enemy's line of sight they will be shooting at you. The only way to curtail this is to get out of their LoS or go into aim mode, which effectively pauses the game while you aim.
So what you want to do (if you're doing a frontal assault) is to book it into enemy territory, hit R1 as fast as you can (take a breather, now they can't shoot you), line up your shot and get the fuck out. A good example of this is using a lancer to take out their tank. Place Edelweiss in a blocking position so the two nearby shock troopers can't intercept the lancer. Put the lancer behind the sandbags (the enemy tank and a nearby scout will still intercept-attack the lancer). But a lancer is tough enough to kneel behind the sandbags, get off one rocket, take another turn, get off another rocket, without getting killed. IF you go into aim mode and quit the turn fast enough.
I figure it may be a difficulty thing, but the AI does not appear to spend it's CP properly. (it will never, in the demo at least, double move a character)
Word is the AI never seems particularly brilliant, but the game's difficulty becomes satisfying to say the least. Add in New Game+ and more challenging difficulty levels... good times.
I can't get the sniper to hit anything to save her life.
Get her close, but not close enough they'll attempt intercept fire. She's a glass cannon if there ever was. When she's in aim mode, remember to use the right analog stick (up, down) to zoom in and out with her scope. Headshots only count when they're not behind cover.
* * *
If you're curious about rank, XP, DCT, and the maxing thereof, here's a quick walkthrough along with the whys of XP generation in the Valky C demo:
Your Ranking is based solely on how many turns you took to beat the map. A is best (1 turn), B is 2 turns and so on. It's entirely possible to beat the skirmish in one turn, using 2 CP, only killing the enemy who guards the flag, but this won't net you the most XP.
Only certain enemies grant XP when killed. These are the enemy tank, the scout closest to your base, and the scout guarding the bridge. You can tell these two particular scouts are 'leader' enemies, because if you press Square during your turn (but before you select a unit) and check out the enemy's roster, you'll notice two of the portraits have little golden medals next to them. Those are the leader units - and only they and the tank grant XP.
What this means is you don't have to kill every enemy in the level to get the most out of it, only those two scouts, the tank, and the scout guarding the flag (in order to tap the flag). This can be done in one turn.
The strat.
You'll need Wavy, Alicia, and Largo.
Send Edelweiss down to block the line-of-sight of the two Shock Troopers near the enemy tank. You're protecting Largo from their intercept fire, but since you're in the tank, put a shell into the enemy tank. Bring down Largo, and quickly put two more rounds into the enemy tank from behind the sandbags. With Edelweiss blocking the shock trooper fire, you should have no trouble surviving the intercept fire.
Then bring out Wavy, and send him towards the northern scout. Be mindful of the shock troopers, so stay near the fence as you move forward. When you're in range, toss a grenade (press square to change weapons/select healing) at the enemy scout to one-shot him. Then retreat back.
Now send Alicia around the far side of the map. When she gets to the scout guarding the bridge, same deal - toss a grenade to one-shot him. Use your next turn to advance across the bridge. Because the scout guarding the flag isn't behind cover, you can get real close to him, go into aim mode, and two rifle rounds to the face will kill him.
That's it. All XP enemies, one turn, zero losses, four units. The skirmish maxed.
Also, I must say I'm very pleased to see people interested in this game. It shall be glorious.
Chance on
'Chance, you are the best kind of whore.' -Henroid
Apparently I was the first person to preorder this at my local ebstop - I hope this game sells better than that would indicate, although the fact that there was no free demo in the US until last weekend couldn't have helped (seriously, what the fuck where they thinking)
Apparently I was the first person to preorder this at my local ebstop - I hope this game sells better than that would indicate, although the fact that there was no free demo in the US until last weekend couldn't have helped (seriously, what the fuck where they thinking)
Yeah, pretty stupid of Sony/Sega to put it up on Qore. Especially when there are so many other great titles vying for people's attention.
I transferred my preorder from Fallout 3 to Valkyria Chronicles last week, and at least the clerk had heard of it.
Fallout 3 on Steam and VC Art Book from Gamestop FTW!
Apparently I was the first person to preorder this at my local ebstop - I hope this game sells better than that would indicate, although the fact that there was no free demo in the US until last weekend couldn't have helped (seriously, what the fuck where they thinking)
Yeah, pretty stupid of Sony/Sega to put it up on Qore. Especially when there are so many other great titles vying for people's attention.
I transferred my preorder from Fallout 3 to Valkyria Chronicles last week, and at least the clerk had heard of it.
Fallout 3 on Steam and VC Art Book from Gamestop FTW!
I was really surprised that I was the first actually - the clerk had heard of it, and they actually had the pre-order boxes in an easily seen location. *shrug* The timing is awful for them though - This last month has been full of awesome titles - and this is not as high profile, so people who buy less than 2 games a month may skip it at first. (Hell I usually don't buy more than 1-2 games a month, and this month I've bought/buying Saints Row 2, Fable 2, Fallout 3 and Dead Space.)
I should download this too. I thought the game was coming out this week and thought I'd be really sad because I'd have to not play it since I am in love with Fable. But since it is next week, I should be done with my first Fable playthrough.
jeddy lee on
Backlog Challenge: 0%
0/8
PS2
FF X replay
PS3
God of War 1&2 HD
Rachet and Clank Future
MGS 4
Prince of Persia
I'm still winning on this same theory ;o LBP and FO3 should be more than enough to hold me over till VC comes out >.<
Damn that's exactly what I'm getting. The VC demo kicked Bioshock off the list, so that became a rental along with Dead Space (and invariably Mirror's Edge).
Chance on
'Chance, you are the best kind of whore.' -Henroid
I like what i'm seeing on Metacritic. Getting this on friday for sure.
Haikira on
PSN:Hakira__
0
PunkBoyThank you! And thank you again!Registered Userregular
edited October 2008
Lots of things in this game just appeals to me:
-Gorgeous art style
-The sniper chick in the demo
-The idea of fielding a squad of cute, yet badass chicks
-The gameplay just seems to click with me
-The main character is in a fucking tank.
Forget about the traditional sword wielding hero. A tank is where it's at.
PunkBoy on
Steam ID:
The Linecutters Podcast: Your weekly dose of nerd! Tune in for the live broadcast every Wednesday at 7 PM EST, only at www.non-productive.com!
I was actually under the impression there was a much bigger gap in the release dates for Europe and America. Just checked Wiki, seems we only get it a few days in advance.
Thanks Sega 8-)
Haikira on
PSN:Hakira__
0
ArtreusI'm a wizardAnd that looks fucked upRegistered Userregular
edited October 2008
I just downloaded the demo because of all you guys with the game in your sigs and holy crap this game is amazing. The art is beautiful and the gameplay is actually original and fun. I am definitely picking this up when it comes out.
I just downloaded the demo because of all you guys with the game in your sigs and holy crap this game is amazing. The art is beautiful and the gameplay is actually original and fun. I am definitely picking this up when it comes out.
Posts
Clearly he hasn't been introduced to Bing Crosby + science - but some people just can't get that "gifts for my family" yoke off their necks.
Chances' Big Reviews Roundup!
The short version.
RPG Land 100
PSN Official Mag 90
Eurogamer 80
Gameplayer 85
RPGfan 88
= 89%
Pfft. 89. That's not even 90. Well, it's close to 90, but it's not a 90. Besides, what about all the other awesome traditional RPGS we've gotten so far this gen? You mean like...
Eternal Sonata 80%
Lost Odyssey 79%
Foklore 76%
Tales of Vesperia 83% and
Disgaea 3 81%
Well, that kind of puts things in perspective, doesn't it? I'm sorry? What's that? The aggregate score I'm providing for Valkyria is based on the only 5 reviews that have appeared so far, and will surely come down once more media puts out reviews? That's certainly a good point. On the other hand though, fuck you.
The long version.
The two new reviews today are a site I'd never heard of called Gameplayer, and that shining beacon of games journalism, Eurogamer! I know I know - Eurogamer hates everything - so put on some criticproof armor and gear yourself for the most unforgiving reviewers there ever were...
Make no mistake, Valkyria Chronicles is a really, really, really good tactical RPG, and fans of the genre should pick it up without delay...
This is a niche product. It has an anime look, and a novel-like pace. Yet the biggest difference from your run-of-the-mill WWII shooter is that you have to think very carefully about what you are doing. The combat system is straightforward, yet merciless. You will make mistakes, and you will be forced to learn from them. But if you're into this sort of thing, you will get your rocks off — and that's what matters.
So good, I don't even need to put up a Dr. McNinja pic. I could, but I don't need to.
:winky:
And like a week after fallout 3.
I am a freaking nerd.
I already had the game fully paid off just off the early press I had seen on the game, but now I am fully justified in it. I absolutely love the battle system. really fresh take on the SRPG genre.
PSN: super_emu
Xbox360 Gamertag: Emuchop
Thats the spirit! :^:
This is exactly what I like to hear. I too went into the demo hoping for a game that equaled the art direction and not expecting much. A JRPG that's fun to play? Dear God. This may be the first sign of the apocalypse.
Also, whilst poking around Play-Asia, I found some figures that those of you who're into... little plastic figures of video game characters may find exciting. That's right, camwhores - dig on this, and despair!
There's this pack of 7. Yes, that's right Chrono. Edie's in there. Get this man some new pants, stat!
Also,
this individual Selvaria. They're all noted as standing approx. 120 mm tall - that's a touch longer than a credit card. No prices are up, but one can assume they cost just more than common sense would dictate.
That said, I'm sure the story'll be passable to good anyway, so it's no biggie.
I dunno, for some reason that argument brings to mind Fullmetal Alchemist. An alternate world with many similarities to our own past with a fantastical element, but it's primarily a character driven peice focusing on the Elric brothers, even it does have some epic awesomeness in there. Haven't seen it? SEE IT.
Also, on the note of story - Rizzi over at the GameFAQs boards says that there's usually one or two cutscenes before every battle, and more than a few of them are "epic to say the least".
LBP? Yay, totally.
Fallout 3? Sure, show me the Eurogamer review first.
Valkyria Chronicles?
Oh I'm sorry, I'm being carried away in a river of my own frothy drool.
Just because the world's background features fantastical elements doesn't mean the story will undoubtedly meander onto the "epic save the world" type story. It can still very easily be about the soldiers and their personal lives during a war. Even if it does become about "epic save the world," the game can also still be about the soldiers and their personal lives during the war; it's just the events that influence there lives are a bit more fantastic. It really all depends on what kind of story the developers want to tell.
Was their anything specific said about the story that confirms what the story is like? I was actually also expecting something more personal with the characters and the larger story being more political than super-fantasy, but I don't really mind either way.
So my guys get shot at if they get to close to the enemy guys? I guess my guys shoot back as well if they get to close? Can I see this distance easily in some way? What if I approach from the back?
Can I crouch even if I'm not behind cover?
Sometimes when I fire a dude next to him/her fires as well. Whats the deal?
Can I see anywhere what those "potentials" that occasionally pop up actually do?
I've heard that the story isn't so large-scale as to involve saving the world, and it only goes up to 'save your country' at the very most. Should be a nice change compared to your typical JRPG.
The return fire thing I can't figure out. Sometimes it seems automated, sometimes it seems like pressing R1 triggers a return fire. Part of it may be range based, and I know lancers can't return fire, but it's so random seeming. Same with assist fire from really nearby friendlies.
The only thing that annoys me is that standing still in the movement mode provides limitless return fire opportunities for the enemy. Just pick a character, run up behind some sandbags, and wait. He'll die
I figure it may be a difficulty thing, but the AI does not appear to spend it's CP properly. (it will never, in the demo at least, double move a character)
I'm really hoping for some art menu or something to check out the modeling work. The tanks are amazing, whoever did the art for this game is absolutely brilliant.
Overall, the game is addictingly fun, though I can't get the sniper to hit anything to save her life.
It seems that shocktroopers are the only ones who will offer assists, along with tanks. Or perhaps they're the only ones that can fire enough to make a difference.
I will agree with the annoyance that trying to figure out what to do, or finishing your turn, results more in you having to hit O as fast as possible, otherwise you'll get nicked by some errant fire even if you're behind a sandbag or something.
I like that there's a real challenge in the game, though. I played through the demo twice and though I had fewer deaths (mostly by setting up characters so that even if enemies didn't die, they'd get mowed down if they tried to move -- which they did), it still took me 3 turns with 2 deaths.
Playing it safe, it's hard to lose people on that mission, but it takes a while. Snipe the lancer, drop the tank in round 1 (tank, lancer, lancer, or just spam lancers. Only takes 3 body hits from the front to off it) and only use assault/tanks to advance.
My worst runs were scout camp stealing attempts (too much enemy fire, no cover on the top of the map) and playing heavily with the sniper. That map favors an armored advance and using assault troops to just rush entrenched positions.
The AI is also amazingly stupid, and has a habit of hopping over sandbags and standing in the open to get into a better firing range.
US/Europe Title: Valkyria Chronicles
US/Europe Release: 4/11/2008
PS2
FF X replay
PS3
God of War 1&2 HD
Rachet and Clank Future
MGS 4
Prince of Persia
360
Bayonetta
Fable 3
DS
FF: 4 heroes of light
Heh stupid European date format. :P
Let me tell you about Demon's Souls....
Yes and yes. Based on line-of-sight, weapon range and weapon type. For example, a scout with their rifles will intercept from the furthest distance. A lancer or sniper, however, will never take intercept shots. Only scouts and shock troopers - maybe the engineer with their rifles too, I'm not sure - haven't tested. No. You won't get shot. No - but I hear in the full game you can sneak through tall grass. That's to do with affinities and/or potentials. If one solider likes another, they'll fire together (if that solider is capable of intercept fire), or if that soldier's potentials connect them somehow to the ally (Rosie, for example, will always support a fellow shock trooper). Yes there is.
When it's your turn, but prior to selecting a unit to command, press Square to bring up the roster. You can then look at your own roster, or the enemy's units. Look at your own units, then press Triangle. This will bring up more in depth information for the selected unit. Flip through the pages until you come to the potentials and press Triangle again - now you can select individual potentials, see precisely what they do and what activates them.
Nope, it's merely range and line-of-sight. You don't have to press anything, you just have to position your soldiers in a good spot.
It's not limitless, if you choose to limit it. When you're in an enemy's line of sight they will be shooting at you. The only way to curtail this is to get out of their LoS or go into aim mode, which effectively pauses the game while you aim.
So what you want to do (if you're doing a frontal assault) is to book it into enemy territory, hit R1 as fast as you can (take a breather, now they can't shoot you), line up your shot and get the fuck out. A good example of this is using a lancer to take out their tank. Place Edelweiss in a blocking position so the two nearby shock troopers can't intercept the lancer. Put the lancer behind the sandbags (the enemy tank and a nearby scout will still intercept-attack the lancer). But a lancer is tough enough to kneel behind the sandbags, get off one rocket, take another turn, get off another rocket, without getting killed. IF you go into aim mode and quit the turn fast enough.
Word is the AI never seems particularly brilliant, but the game's difficulty becomes satisfying to say the least. Add in New Game+ and more challenging difficulty levels... good times.
Get her close, but not close enough they'll attempt intercept fire. She's a glass cannon if there ever was. When she's in aim mode, remember to use the right analog stick (up, down) to zoom in and out with her scope. Headshots only count when they're not behind cover.
If you're curious about rank, XP, DCT, and the maxing thereof, here's a quick walkthrough along with the whys of XP generation in the Valky C demo:
Only certain enemies grant XP when killed. These are the enemy tank, the scout closest to your base, and the scout guarding the bridge. You can tell these two particular scouts are 'leader' enemies, because if you press Square during your turn (but before you select a unit) and check out the enemy's roster, you'll notice two of the portraits have little golden medals next to them. Those are the leader units - and only they and the tank grant XP.
What this means is you don't have to kill every enemy in the level to get the most out of it, only those two scouts, the tank, and the scout guarding the flag (in order to tap the flag). This can be done in one turn.
The strat.
You'll need Wavy, Alicia, and Largo.
Send Edelweiss down to block the line-of-sight of the two Shock Troopers near the enemy tank. You're protecting Largo from their intercept fire, but since you're in the tank, put a shell into the enemy tank. Bring down Largo, and quickly put two more rounds into the enemy tank from behind the sandbags. With Edelweiss blocking the shock trooper fire, you should have no trouble surviving the intercept fire.
Then bring out Wavy, and send him towards the northern scout. Be mindful of the shock troopers, so stay near the fence as you move forward. When you're in range, toss a grenade (press square to change weapons/select healing) at the enemy scout to one-shot him. Then retreat back.
Now send Alicia around the far side of the map. When she gets to the scout guarding the bridge, same deal - toss a grenade to one-shot him. Use your next turn to advance across the bridge. Because the scout guarding the flag isn't behind cover, you can get real close to him, go into aim mode, and two rifle rounds to the face will kill him.
That's it. All XP enemies, one turn, zero losses, four units. The skirmish maxed.
Also, I must say I'm very pleased to see people interested in this game. It shall be glorious.
I am a freaking nerd.
Yeah, pretty stupid of Sony/Sega to put it up on Qore. Especially when there are so many other great titles vying for people's attention.
I transferred my preorder from Fallout 3 to Valkyria Chronicles last week, and at least the clerk had heard of it.
Fallout 3 on Steam and VC Art Book from Gamestop FTW!
I was really surprised that I was the first actually - the clerk had heard of it, and they actually had the pre-order boxes in an easily seen location. *shrug* The timing is awful for them though - This last month has been full of awesome titles - and this is not as high profile, so people who buy less than 2 games a month may skip it at first. (Hell I usually don't buy more than 1-2 games a month, and this month I've bought/buying Saints Row 2, Fable 2, Fallout 3 and Dead Space.)
I am a freaking nerd.
Hear that, Jesus? Someone else has become aware of Valkyria Chronicles! Whaddaya think of that?
Awww yeah.
PS2
FF X replay
PS3
God of War 1&2 HD
Rachet and Clank Future
MGS 4
Prince of Persia
360
Bayonetta
Fable 3
DS
FF: 4 heroes of light
I'm still winning on this same theory ;o LBP and FO3 should be more than enough to hold me over till VC comes out >.<
Damn that's exactly what I'm getting. The VC demo kicked Bioshock off the list, so that became a rental along with Dead Space (and invariably Mirror's Edge).
PSN:Hakira__
-Gorgeous art style
-The sniper chick in the demo
-The idea of fielding a squad of cute, yet badass chicks
-The gameplay just seems to click with me
-The main character is in a fucking tank.
Forget about the traditional sword wielding hero. A tank is where it's at.
My knee-jerk jealousy is muffled by the warm and fuzzy reflection that it's nice to see Europe getting a title before the rest of us.
My wallet, it is crying.
PSN:Hakira__
One of Us! One of Us!