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^® 3

LONDON 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/.