Valkyria Chronicles 17th Anniversary

[SpcDaicon]

17 years ago today, the original Valkyria Chronicles was released on the US.

Blending elements from strategy RPGs and third-person shooters, Valkyria Chronicles became one of the most unique SEGA franchise.

Known as Senjou no Valkyria (Valkyria of the Battlefield) in Japan, the game takes place in a fictional version of Europe telling the story of a large-scale military conflic between two superpowers, the Atlantic Federation and the Empire. Caught in the crossfire is Gallia, a neutral country that now must defend itself from the invading Empire that seeks to take Gallia's rich reservoirs of Ragnite, a miracle mineral with uses ranging from energy generation, military use to medical applications to feed their war machine.

You play as Welkin Gunter, an university-student-turned-commander of Squad 7 of the gallian civil militia, a squadron composed of misfits and oddballs that now must defend their country. Along the way, you will defend your country, uncover the mystery beheind the Valkyrur, the ancient race of Europa, and the real intentions of the Empire on their campain on Gallia.

Made with SEGA's CANVAS Engine, the game's art mixes beautiful watercolors and cell-shaded graphics with an anime twist.

Over the years, Valkyria Chronicles recivied an anime adaptation, a direct sequel (Valkyria Chronicles 2) and two games set on the same time period of the original (Valkyria Chronicles 3 and Valkyria Chronicles 4). The franchise was also featured on Project X Zone, the Namco-SEGA-CAPCOM crossover.

Personally, VC is one of my favorite SEGA franchises. It has a very unique gameplay and setting for an RPG that is much more than just "anime WW2". Another strong point are the characters, be they the protagonists or your recruits, their personalities shine, making you really love and care about them.

Unfortunetly, the franchise is in a limbo and SEGA has other IPs as their priority.

Still, I think we should celebrate this very unique and charming franchise!

 

[ReddKasette]

This is next on my to-play list after I finish Time and Eternity.

 

[PhaseJump]

This franchise was pretty much left to die, and it was only saved by it's Steam port.

 

[breremarer]

Ohhh I loved what I played of the first one! Moving from the overhead map view to OTS for was so cool and unique, and the art and design were very pretty.

I had no idea it was that old, tbh. Been meaning to check out the fourth one.

 

[PacGuy]

17 years ago I was 17.

 

[SpcDaicon]

I had no idea it was that old, tbh. Been meaning to check out the fourth one.

If you liked VC1, I'm sure you will love VC4.

They took everything good about the first game gameplay-wise and vastily expanded them. Unfortunetly VC2 and VC3 became too convoluted and messy with a lot of redundant classes (specially VC2).

VC4 was a good return to form: they kept it simple while building on what made VC1 good. Granadiers became one of my favorite classes in the franchise (scouts and sniper right behind).

This franchise was pretty much left to die, and it was only saved by it's Steam port.

Truth be told we are lucky we even got a fourth game. VC would have died on the PSP if weren't for the surprize success of the Steam port/Remaster.

I'm just glad I can say the franchise left in such a high note while many others are just left to die or go downhill till their inevitable death.