Valkyria Chronicles four is a turn-based SRPG set in a closely fictionalised model of World Battle 2. Anime and WWII isn’t often a mix you’ll consider placing collectively – it’s additionally what acquired me kicked out of my A-Degree historical past class
Combining a fictional interpretation of one of many world’s most harrowing conflicts with melodrama, cute ladies and panty pictures must be a recipe for catastrophe, however Valkyria Chronicles in some way makes it work. Marking the primary time the sequence has left Japan in over a decade (not counting the remaster and final yr’s terrible Revolution), this can be a stellar but acquainted return to kind that shines on all platforms.
You’re thrust into the Second Europan Battle, a fictional battle in an imaginary world that considerably mimics our personal. The sport takes liberties with know-how, which is at instances intertwined with mystical properties akin to magic, but it surely by no means fairly leaves the realms of plausibility. Hardcore followers will recognise just a few names and places, however newcomers needn’t be afraid of being overwhelmed with lore as there isn’t a lot of it on the floor.
You play as Claude Wallace, a younger commander of Squad E, who’s entrusted with the working of Operation Northern Cross. A profitable mission might change the tide of struggle towards the Empire, though it’s no straightforward job. Fortunately, you’re assisted by a solid supporting characters. At first look, they appear like a laundry record of anime archetypes, however all through the sport’s narrative, they’re developed sufficient that I felt invested.
Particularly Riley, a younger grenadier with a tragic previous that’s fleshed out at a gentle tempo, unfolding alongside the broader battle your workforce partakes in. There’s additionally Kai, a quiet, brooding sniper who proved important in battle. She usurps the stereotype I anticipated from such a personality, which is a rarity in JRPGs.
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Valkyria Chronicles four is nearly similar to the 2008 authentic by way of mechanics. It’s a turn-based technique expertise the place you progress particular person troops across the subject. The third individual perspective is harking back to an over-the-shoulder shooter, however the motion is significantly extra mediated. Apart from motion, you possibly can solely carry out a single motion per flip. Whether or not it’s firing a gun, lobbing grenades or therapeutic wounds, it is advisable consider carefully.
Missions are usually labeled with easy targets. You’ll both be dispatching a gaggle of enemies, figuring out a risk or defending particular forces. The premise is sweet and easy, lending itself properly to experimentation as soon as issues kick off. Very similar to XCOM, each motion counts as your anticipated to strategy later excursions with a major quantity of hindsight. Realizing enemy positions, what might they be doing 5 or extra turns from now? On a couple of event I failed to contemplate this, and inside seconds my commander was flanked and killed.
That apart, Valkyria Chronicles four is surprisingly forgiving as you’re free to request reinforcements from camps throughout the sector. Captured from the opposing power, these act as checkpoints of types the place you possibly can simply restore well being and formulate your subsequent steps going ahead. Each mission is marvelously paced and quick sufficient that screwing up and needing to begin over by no means feels that irritating. Having a wholesome variety of courses to select from additionally lends a little bit of selection to the gameplay.
Your deployed squad can include a mix of Scouts, Shocktroopers, Engineers, Grenadiers and Snipers. All possessing distinctive gear and skills, peppering completely different roles all through your squad is tremendous essential. I usually had a sniper sneak behind some excessive floor cowl to snipe out close by Shocktroopers, offering my scouts with ample security to push ahead.
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Orders will also be activated all through a battle. These sacrifice valuable motion factors, however their advantages are big as a variety of attributes could be quickly boosted utilizing them. Having two characters shut to 1 one other who’re pals outdoors of battle may additionally present further assault energy or potential for a particular assault. SEGA has carried out an amazing job making the whole lot outdoors of fight really feel prefer it issues.
If you aren’t combating, you’ll be in your Headquarters the place you possibly can recruit new troopers, improve gear and converse with fellow comrades. Enhancing gear and participant talents could be very easy. All you do is navigate a menu and buy the upgrades that suit your fancy. It’s disappointingly bland, and I might have beloved for particular person troopers to have a extra noticeable sense of development in battle, whether or not it’s particular person ranges or just an expertise bar filling up with every milestone.
Regardless of this, every improve has a noticeable impression. Enhancing my tank’s armour, that are a rarity on the battlefield, allowed it to behave as cellular cowl for my infantry whereas bursting by way of hostile armaments with no hassle in any respect. I felt like a really cohesive unit that no one ought to mess with. Anime is severe enterprise I suppose. Army homicide apart, there’s loads of downtime for cute conversations with squadmates and character-specific aspect quests which are usually lovable. They’ll additionally reward you with talents to make use of in fight, so there’s actual incentive to attempt the whole lot Valkyria Chronicles four has to supply.
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Graphically, Valkyria Chronicles four appears positively beautiful. The watercolour anime aesthetic of the unique stays timeless, and this installment takes the identical strategy. With the sides of the display harking back to an unfinished canvas, colors flourish throughout environments in vibrant flushes, reacting accordingly to no matter’s taking place on display.
I primarily performed on PS4 however managed to briefly dip into the Nintendo Switch model. Visible compromises apart, it’s a superbly wonderful option to play Valkyria Chronicles four. Sure textures, notably shadows, can ebook a bit underwhelming, however efficiency stays stable in each docked and moveable mode. The quick, turn-based nature of makes this an exquisite expertise for moveable play, with sleep mode appearing as a saving grace in the event you’re on a commute or having hassle with a sure stage.
Verdict
Valkyria Chronicles four is a triumphant return to kind for the beloved technique sequence, and it’s superb to see it lastly pack a punch outdoors of Japan as soon as once more.