Valkyria Chronicles II Hands-On
By:
Wesley Ruscher
|
June 25, 2010, 5:25 pm

When Valkyria Chronicles first landed on the Playstation 3 back in 2008, it quickly stood out for its fresh reinvention of the JRPG, and more specifically, the turn based strategy RPG genre. Removing the confinements of a grid, the free-range movement mixed with real-time combat made the game more accessible to gamers who were used to gameplay conventions of this generation. With visuals reminiscent of a watercolor painting, it was easy to see how this game garnered such critical success. Unfortunately as much of a must-play PS3 gem that it is, sales suffered from the holiday rush and at the time, limited install base of the PS3. I guess this wasn’t why I was completely shocked that when the sequel was announced, the series had been moved to the PS3’s little brother, the PSP, which has a comparatively  impressive install base in the land where JRPG’s still excel. 

Taking place a few years after the events of the first game, Valkyria Chronicles II is set around the situations of a military academy. This new venue for the series will serve as your base for executing all your operations, but it will also serve as the focal point for much of the story progression. With a new cast of heroes, the academy will let them experience the drudgery of school life by attending classes while conversing with fellow comrades. Dialog choices will help build the relations of your squadmates, further enhancing their loyalties and even open up specific bonus missions that will unlock special abilities know as “potentials.”

If you’re worried Valkyria Chronicles is turning into a dating sim, fear not; the academy setting is just another way to further enhance your squad. All great strategy action of the first game is back in this pocket-sized version with some extra improvements. New classes have been added as well as branching upgrade system. Within this upgrade system, it will easy to customize your squad adding specializations to characters of the same class, such as better range or larger ammo storage capabilities. Tanks are also back and fully customizable – want a flame thrower, machine gun, or simpler armored car, just make the necessary changes as long as you stay within the weight limitations.
 


With new characters, classes, and upgrades Valkyria Chronicles II is looking to be a welcome addition to the series. Though it’s lost a little of its visual suave from its PS3 counterpart, it still packs the same charm that made the original so special. Add some bonus DLC in the works bringing in characters from the first game and an all new campaign spanning 30 hours plus, Valkyria Chronicles II is shaping up to be just as engrossing and fully featured as its predecessor making it a PSP game to keep in your sights.
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