Playing as part of the Federation, your goal is to wipe out the opposing Imperialists. Even when the game introduces new mechanics and systems - R&D, training, Potentials (the game's unique take on buffs and debuffs) - to Sega's credit, they never feel laboured or forced. Yes, it's going to be a little overwhelming, at least at first, but the entire menu system - as detailed as it is - is meticulously designed, and most things are intuitively in the right place.
VALKYRIA CHRONICLES 4 FULL
Even if you're new to the series (which - full disclosure - I am, and if you want a veteran's take Martin had a look earlier this year), it's easy to see why the franchise has such an ardent following. In between those you'll get flashbacks - imaginatively called sub episodes - to times past that strengthen the backstories of your main cast, and bolster your understanding of how, and why, they act - and interact - the way they do.įor the most part, delivering the off-combat story this way gives a welcome reprieve from the war, but the visual novel style forces unnatural pauses into the story-driven segments, making the conversations peculiarly stilted and stale.īut while it's sometimes hard to reconcile the story with its pretty visual novel aesthetic, let there be no mistake: when it comes to the tactical RPG mechanics, this is breathlessly brilliant. Progression unfolds by way of leader Claude's diary, in which he records the visual-novel-esque character interactions (called episodes) and then the operations (battles) are scrapbooked in, too. On one hand, we follow the trials and tribulations of Squadron E, a merry band of misfits and friends forced to unite on the battlefield. Valkyria Chronicles 4 fuses a character-driven storyline with a robust and granular tactical RPG. I will never tire of hearing bald Aladdin Ballard admire his own Shiny Head in the middle of a war zone. but my eyes keep being pulled back to Raz's snazzy cravat and matching hairband. I'm trying not to be distracted by this window dressing as I know full well that beneath this squishy exterior beats the stone cold heart of a challenging tactical JRPG. Militia costumes are bright and bold, and your squadron flighty and flirtatious. While big hitters like Battlefield and Call of Duty ramp up the shock and confusion of war, delightfully detailing the blood and the bullets, Chronicles paints it with a soft watercolour brush.Įven the darkest days in Valkyria Chronicles 4 are conveyed with an air of romance and optimism, your daily duties accompanied with jaunty tunes and soft giggles. Valkyria Chronicles 4 on the other hand? Well, it takes a very different view.
VALKYRIA CHRONICLES 4 PC