Every now and then, a game comes out. The reviews for said game say, "It's pretty good. You should try it out." You play the game, and it surprises you; it's not "pretty good"; it's phenomenal. That's what Valkyria Chronicles did to me. I wasn't expecting a modern classic, and also one of the best strategy games of all time, from Sega, of all companies, but here it is, in all of its glory.
Unlike some strategy games, you have to utilize actual strategy to win at VC. You can't just rush the enemy. You will learn many tricks while playing the game. And while a few battles in the story mode are grueling, there is nothing exceedingly difficult in this game. It is certainly winnable, if you keep playing it.
What also surprised me was the game's story. The only other strategy games I've ever played that had great stories were Starcraft, Warcraft III, and the original Front Mission. VC makes a point that war isn't just about people killing people. There is certainly that in the game (war is hell, after all), but there are many other elements explored, such as bigotry, betrayal, love, camaraderie, coping with loss, and facing insurmountable odds, all of which is handled beautifully. Most of the characters on your side are flawed, yet likable, while most of the villainous characters are vile and loathsome, but even then, there are some enemy characters you come to respect, and some people on your side you come to hate. It is a story comparable to the best of Squaresoft's games, and nearly as clever as the LucasArts games of old.
VC uses cel-shaded graphics to great effect. The game is rendered in 3D, and rarely experiences slowdown. The character designs are similar to that of a modern Japanese comic book. Nonetheless, every character, both major and minor, boasts a unique face and appearance. The soundtrack by Hitoshi Sakimoto, while not his best, (kind of unfair to compare to Odin Sphere's soundtrack, though) does feature a few excellent tracks, including an orchestrated opening, and a vocal song both in English and Japanese.
But what surprises me more than anything else is this; why isn't this game more popular? By all accounts, VC should be one of the most well known PS3-exclusives, yet it's not? Are that many "real" gamers turned off by cel-shading, T-rated violence, lack of multiplayer, and manga designs? It is a grave injustice.
There is a sequel to VC in the works, one that promises to tell a fantastic tale of its own. It is coming to the PSP, but if there is any justice in the world, it will also come out to the PS3. Why? Because I can't get enough Valkyria Chronicles.
Final Score: 10 out of 10. The only flaw I found? The enemy sometimes makes stupid mistakes. That's it. And . . . maybe a lack of multiplayer.
