An RPG in my PS3? As unlikely as it sounds, it looks like Sega has decided to give it a shot, much to the pleasure of the RPG-starved owners of the console. The title will be released in Japan as Valkyria of the Battlefield: Gallian Chronicles and promises a "fresh new take" on the traditional RPG. While I believe that about as much as I believe Phil Harrison left Sony without frustrations, I have to admit it looks awfully pretty at the very least.
Per the press release, here's a blurb on story:
Valkyria Chronicles is set in a fictitious continent reminiscent of 1930s Europe - divided in two and ruled by the Empire and the Federation. The Empire has set its sights on invading a small neutral country called Gallia, which is situated in the middle of the two great empires. The game follows a hero named Welkin and his fellow soldiers of the Federation's 7th Platoon as they engage in a series of epic battles.
Now, I have to say it: while I love the era and location they chose, why does EVERY RPG have to have an epic political storyline featuring the clash of multiple nations? I just feel like while it can be a good story for what it is, that developers aren't thinking far enough outside the box on this one. Political intrigue isn't the only source of epic, people. I'm just saying.
A quick warning to RPG gamers getting warmed up over this, however -- the game is described as "a combination of strategy elements of tactical role-playing games with real-time action sequences," so if you are not into tactics be aware that it sounds like the game will contain quite a bit of that. The battle mechanic is called "BLiTZ" and allows the player to move around in real time, a feature I loved from Final Fantasy XII, so that sounds like a positive.
Even though I'd love to see a radically different RPG hit the scene, I'm just happy the genre is finally making an apperance on the PS3. It's great to have a megapowerful console sitting on your shelf, but until the games come out that you most enjoy, you can't really get 100 percent out of it, you know?
SEGA's Valkyria Chronicles
TM Journeys To The West
Visually Stunning Role-Playing Game Heads to the PLAYSTATION® 3LONDON AND SAN FRANCISCO (February 25, 2007) – SEGA® of America, Inc. and SEGA® Europe Ltd. today announced that Valkyria Chronicles™ a fresh new take on the traditional role-playing genre, is coming exclusively to the PLAYSTATION® 3 computer entertainment system. Soon to be released as Valkyria of the Battlefield: Gallian Chronicles in Japan, where it has already gathered the interest of legions of gamers, Valkyria Chronicles combines strategy elements of tactical role-playing games with real-time action sequences. All of this is played out in an innovative and beautiful visual style.
Valkyria Chronicles is set in a fictitious continent reminiscent of 1930s Europe - divided in two and ruled by the Empire and the Federation. The Empire has set its sights on invading a small neutral country called Gallia, which is situated in the middle of the two great empires. The game follows a hero named Welkin and his fellow soldiers of the Federation's 7th Platoon as they engage in a series of epic battles.
Built upon the new "CANVAS" engine, developed internally by SEGA Game Studios Japan, Valkyria Chronicles' stunning 3D graphics resemble a watercolor painting in motion, taking full advantage of the processing capabilities of the PLAYSTATION® 3. The power of the PLAYSTATION® 3 also allows the development team to exploit the full potential of this new engine, giving players many different stunning environments to explore. A new type of tactical battle mechanic has been specifically designed for Valkyria Chronicles. Known as "BLiTZ," this gives players freedom to strategically move around the environment and attack enemies using real-time controls, something never before seen in the tactical role-playing game genre. The new "CANVAS" engine technology, the "BLiTZ" battle concept and an epic storyline offers players hours of exciting gameplay.
"Valkyria Chronicles has been enthusiastically requested by European fans" said Gary Knight, European Marketing Director SEGA Europe ltd. "The unique graphics and compelling gameplay are just two reasons why we're delighted to bring it to them."
Valkyria Chronicles will be available for the PLAYSTATION® 3 computer entertainment system in Autumn 2008. For more information, screenshots and assets from the game, please visit
http://www.sega-press.com/.
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This was just announced officially today? Damn, I've been seeing pics of this game for months. SEGA can't even keep their own games a secret?
Still, yes, it's pretty as fuck. Let's hope things turn out good with this one. FF13 is sooooo farr awayyyy.....
Well, fuck is fairly pretty.
Good to hear that this is coming to the US. I look forward to it!
Sweet. Now Trusty Bell/Eternal Sonata PS3 needs to be announced for the US, WKC needs a release date, and Disgaea 3 needs to be announced for the US.
Oooh that pic looks awesome. Cant wait!
I want a good RPG for my PS3 as Enchanted Arms did not fill that want.
Aww bring this to the 360 too pls, k thx :)
I posted a blog the other night about this beautidul strategy game. There's an extended trailer in their as well for those who want to see it in action.
I WANT!! Now if only I had a PS3. I hate being a poor college student. Think they'd notice if I used FAFSA for a PS3?? HAHA....
Its made by Sega, if they publish it and have no hand in developing then it might be good, if they make it, its bound to be horrid.
God, I know we don't get along too well, but please PLEASE don't let this suck.
w00t! finally some new JRPG for the BS3 with an original touch from SEGA! can't wait for it!
is it just me or do the colors look washed out? Eternal Sonata's colors are a lot more... vivid. oh, and PS3? really? looks like it could be on the PS2...
(before you call foul, i own a PS3 and love my RPGs)
@kawitchate, the washed out colors are an aesthetic choice. To give it an antiquated look. And any cel-shaded game can upon first glance look like it can be on the PS2. Eternal Sonata and DBZ Burst fit the bill as well. But when you actually look, you realize that the PS2 cannot do it.
This thing is really really pretty. Do Want!... At last, the good RPGs are starting to appear
I'm excited for any new rpg to get on my ps3. And it being a strategy one makes it even more pleasing.
I guess Folklore, Oblivion, and Enchanted Arms aren't RPGs now.
@brainderailment, lol guess they aren't.
This game looks damn pretty. I hope it plays well.
In Colette's defense, I don't really think of the PS3 as currently being RPG-heavy either. You may have a point, but there's something to be said for perception.
P.S. Colette, I need to get in touch with you about something. How should I do that? PM? MySpace? (Ooh, ominous.)
@ brainderailment: Enchanted Arms FTL, Folklore is not bad, Oblivion isn't a JRPG, and that's what they mean.
So no, they barely count as RPGs. Fuck Enchanted Arms.
Just RPGs, pointing it out. What's that other one? Untold Legends...
I'm just saying is all. Just cuz their shit doesn't mean they don't exist.
I get what you mean, relax. Yes, they exist, unfortunately.
I'm getting a Advanced Wars vibe from this game.
Fuck yes for those graphics!
I'm playing (PS1) Chrono Trigger on PS3... Does that help the library? >.>;
/endsarcasm
I know what you mean Colette. At least with the 60 gig I can catch up on some of the great PS2 RPGs I missed the first time around. Sadly, thats what the majority of my gaming hours on the PS3 are spent on.
Also, Folklore is NOT an RPG. It's an action game with RPG elements.
YESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYEYSEYSEYSEYSEYEYSYESYEYSEY
I want this soooo fucking much.
you mean this game is going to have a battle system like FF12? dear god no :( please tell me i read the article wrong.
Haven't I heard that "fresh no take" line for every RPG that has come out in the past 2 years?
Ok im not really a fan of FFXII battle system either. Im hoping the next one in the series has worked out the kinks. But the battle system for this game seems to fit and looks like it works well. I watched the trailer and im pretty excited for it.
The battle system is nothing like FF XII. Go see the video in Yojimbo's blog. This is a Tactics RPG, not a standard JRPG. Something sort of like Front Mission, with people instead of mechs. Though the game throws out tile based worlds in favour of an open world, where you control the characters in realtime during their turns.
So the combat is a mashup of a tactics game, the battle system from Breath of Fire Dragon Quarter, and a third person shooter.
And it looks awesome.
Ah, another reason to get a PS3. Now I just need the money...
*rubs eyes* Did you say PS3? Sony could really use this.
I didn't say there were none. I implied there wasn't much on the RPG front. Two. Different. Things.
Every RPG has to have an epic political storyline because every OTHER RPG has a heartbreakingly personal one. Case in point: FFVII v. FFXII.
YES, YES!!! One out of two goals met! Disgaea 3 needs to come to the U.S. and I will finally have reason to own a Ps3!
If you couldn't tell, I have been waiting on U.S. confirmation for this game for awhile.
Excuse me, you got your World War in my Final Fantasy.
If sega releases Shining Force III scenarios 1, 2, and 3 on the PS3 in english then I will buy a PS3 in a heartbeat.
This might be a stretch, but that storyline blurb sounds an awful lot like another popular rpg.
Valkyria Chronicles (FF6) is set in a fictitious continent reminiscent of 1930s Europe - divided in two and ruled by the Empire and the Federation (Returners). The Empire has set its sights on invading a small neutral country (town) called Gallia (Narshe), which is situated in the middle of the two great empires.
just my thoughts. I'm still excited for the game.
I have to say its funny how thw japanese have such a hard on for german stuff, them being a former WWII allies. Just a thought.
The washed out colours look is a style choice, in a similar way to Advance Wars, to kind of say 'War is an ugly business', and its working.
This is one of the games that I'd get for PS3 if I had one, along with The Agency. What's bizarre is that Valkyrie seems a bit similar to Operation Darkness from Success Corps, which is due on 360 in the west soon. That's not necessarily a bad thing as both games look great, and its nice to see something beyond cliched swords and fantasy rpgs. Take a hint, Square.
Judging from all the videos I've seen, this is one I'd enjoy, the same way I did with Konami's Ring of Red alternative universe rpg on PS2.
Instant buy
I'd buy that for £30. :O)