It was written much too hastily between interviews today, and the final product is a bit messy and borderline incoherent in places. But if my Valkyria Chronicles preview inspires even one person to check the game out and support the creation of things that are as innovative as they are beautiful, then my trip to E3 will have been a success. That screenshot you’re seeing above? That’s in-engine. An actual battle screenshot. Not FMV, not a bullshot — that’s what the game really looks like. Except that in action, it’s even more wonderful, complete with sound effects displayed as printed words. Also: Aika! The most lovable character from Skies of Arcadia‘s cast has become a digital actress working in new role. And she’s allergic to pollen, apparently.
In fact, there’s much more to the game than that preview touches on — not only Aika’s pollen allergy and other such minor character details that randomly affect combat, but the way certain warriors work better when grouped together on the battlefield, and the way characters can crouch for cover during combat, and how cover can be destroyed by tanks, and…well, anyway. It’s no longer a foregone conclusion that Fallout 3 will be the best RPG released in October, is what I’m saying. The twenty minutes I played of Valkyria convinced me that it is absolutely spectacular.
P.S., Mega Man 9‘s box art is also spectacular, albeit in a completely different way.
Aww, you wrote that headline just for me, didn’t you? Admit it. ;) Anyway, can’t wait for this one now. Will probably be the first game I get when I get a PS3.
that box art… can’t tell whether I’m excited that they have exquisitely captured the awesome shittiness of the old box art, or if it’s like a camp movie that’s in on the joke and it’s not funny anymore.
“It’s no longer a foregone conclusion that Fallout 3 will be the best RPG released in October, is what I’m saying.”
Well, considering Wired’s preview of it where they basically trash it, it’s pretty likely that Valkyria Chronicles will be better received, if not necessarily as widely received.
I’m definitely getting amped for Valkyria Chronicles. What most SRPGs are missing nowadays are units with individuality and their own personalities, much like Shining Force 2. While Disgaea and FFTA2 are good, you’re basically controlling a bunch of guys and gals with no backstory or personal motives other than to kill.
Oh, and being watercolor purty helps too.
Since I first saw Valkeria over at Kotaku a good few months ago I’ve been interested, and the gameplay ye showed on the 1up a few weeks ago cemented that, so I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I do hope it lives up to my expectations… wait… I haven’t even checked if it’s coming in Europe. Suger.
Oh it is, thank heavens.
Awesome, awesome, awesome.
Sorry, I can’t help gushing every time Valkyria is confirmed to be just as good as it looks.
The Mega Man art is also amazing.
That box art is amazing. I thought that an intentionally bad NES-style cover would be a perfect companion to the new game, and then they did it. He’s even holding a pistol as an ironic tribute to the US MM1 box art! Capcom is really on top form right now.
Parish, why are you totally ignoring the fact that Vyse is also a playable character, and that Fina apparently appears as an npc?
Eh, Vyse.
This might be the first TRPG where I don’t gripe about the lack of multi-classing. Stay tuned!
Call me cynical if you must, but is it because of nostalgia that people are calling the MM 9 “box art” amazing? Because 2 decades ago, I clearly remember the general consensus around the MM 1 box art being that he looked in blue.
Besides, I thought we were against winking self-referentialism here.
That box-art is a thing of beauty.
Evidently you thought wrong.
Yes, the art is obviously a loving tribute to something that was, in fact, completely terrible originally. It is the Army of Darkness of box art.
Of course no one thinks the box is GOOD. Don’t be ridiculous. We just love the fact that Capcom is poking fun at its previous crimes. This is the equivalent of that O.J. Simpson “confessional,” except, uh, not really.
Mega Man, or Astro Man? At least they finally got his proportions right. I have no clue what kind of art school reject thought that the MM1 boxart looked good, but at least this one has a sweet gun and a rockin’ codpiece.
The only thing wrong with that box art is that it’s on a t-shirt that I don’t know where to buy.
Help me, O internet!
That game does look beautiful. I really wish it was being put on 360 as well. So too bad I’ll never get to play it.
I love the way the smoke looks in the screenshot above.
Why has nobody mentioned that that’s fruit f’er from Penny Arcade in the corner?
if I remember correctly it’s your fault I spent $50 on Steamboat Chronicles, so I’ll take this recommendation with a big block of salt
I love the look of Valkyria….except for that annoying-ass border! The hazy border around the sides of the screen serves no purpose and just makes the action feel claustrophobic.
Otherwise, looking great.
That box art… I think this is how the soldiers felt in WW2 when they heard on their radio that the war was over. It feels like everything good.
“if I remember correctly it’s your fault I spent $50 on Steamboat Chronicles, so I’ll take this recommendation with a big block of salt”
Don’t blame me if you can’t appreciate a good game!
“Of course no one thinks the box is GOOD. Don’t be ridiculous. We just love the fact that Capcom is poking fun at its previous crimes. This is the equivalent of that O.J. Simpson “confessional,” except, uh, not really.”
Oh, of course I wasn’t insinuating that. Some of the praise gave me that vibe a bit, that it extended beyond the parody piece it was intended as.
(I’m a little sure I’m sounding like I’m covering my ass here.)