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Valkyria Chronicles

Valkyria Chronicles

|Japan|Strategy, Turn-based Strategy

9.0 /10

Aww Amazing!

Hot

13.4k ratings
Time to beat
Main + extras
47.6h
Where to get it
Trailers & screenshots
Why play it

Set in a fictitious continent reminiscent of the 1930s, Valkyria Chronicles depicts Europe divided in two and ruled by two super powers: the Empire and the Federation. The Empire has set its sights on invading a small neutral country called Gallia, situated in the middle of the two superpowers territories, in an attempt to secure invaluable natural resources. Within this struggle a hero named Welkin, and his fellow soldiers of the Federation's 7th Platoon, are fighting back against the invasion and the Empires attempts to unify the continent under its power. During the ensuing war the Federation discovers that the Empire possesses a secret weapon, known as the "Valkyria" - an ancient race with special powers thought to exist only in legends. With this new discovery the fate of the Federation's ability to turn the tide of the war, and the hope for a better future, hang in the balance. “CANVAS” graphics engine: A unique engine that produces breath taking images that look like watercolour paintings in motion. “BLiTZ” tactical battle system: Experience strategic manoeuvring of units combined with conventional RPG gameplay, all layered on top of the moment to moment action afforded by real-time controls as players command each squad member and tank in battle. Epic storyline: Players will immerse themselves in the epic struggle for freedom, as the fate of the world lies in the hands of Welkin and the members of the 7th platoon. Customisation: Over 100 customisable characters allow players to create a variety of platoons to suit each battle’s needs. Beautifully rendered battlefields: Players explore 30 different environments, using unique terrain features to gain advantages in battle.

Story and worldbuilding

In the year 1935 E.C., the continent of Europa is dominated by two superpowers: The autocratic East Europan Imperial Alliance in the east and a commonwealth of loosely allied democracies known as the Atlantic Federation in the west. The economies of both powers depend on a precious multipurpose mineral called Ragnite. Its growing scarcity results in the Empire declaring war on the Federation, sparking the Second Europan War. The Empire uses its military superiority to quickly put the Federation on the defensive. Emboldened by their progress and momentum, the Empire decides to invade the neutral Principality of Gallia in order to seize its rich Ragnite deposits. When Imperial forces launch an attack on the Gallian border town of Bruhl, Welkin Gunther, son of late Gallian national hero General Belgen Gunther, is forced to fight for his life alongside the town watch captain, Alicia Melchiott. Together with Welkin's adopted sister Isara and using Belgen's prototype tank from the first war, the Edelweiss, they escape to Gallia's capital, Randgriz, and subsequently join the country's militia forces. Welkin is given the rank of lieutenant and assumes command of the newly-formed Squad 7, with Alicia acting as his non-commissioned officer. Initially, members of the squad question Welkin's qualifications due to a lack of combat experience; however, he quickly earns their trust and loyalty with his tactical genius. Welkin and Alicia soon become romantically engaged.

Game highlights
Rating momentum

Aww Amazing!: 9.0/10 across 13.4k ratings. This score says: bump it to the top of your backlog.

Play style

Leans into Strategy, Turn-based Strategy, Tactical, with a main story around 47.6h. Check if that style and time commitment fit you.

Reviews

19 media reviews

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Media

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IGNMikel Reparaz · 25 Nov, 2014
8.8/10

While heavy on cutscenes, Valkyria Chronicles on PC is more vibrant than ever, and just as unique in its approach to tactics.

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PC GamerTom Marks · 11 Nov, 2014
8.9/10

Valkyria Chronicles is one of the most unique and fun strategy games I've ever played, despite a few flaws with the port.

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Rock, Paper, ShotgunRich Stanton · 13 Nov, 2014

I said Valkyria Chronicles wasn't just a brilliant game, but a brilliant Sega game. There's an element of wishful thinking to that, but for me Sega has always been one of those developers that occasionally touches perfection – and with unexpected, original games. The mechanics Valkyria Chronicles uses are potentially dissonant, but the game is a unified whole as well as a work of real craftsmanship.

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Nintendo LifeMitch Vogel · 23 Oct, 2018
8/10

As a ten-year-old game, Valkyria Chronicles still holds up impressively well; this is some of the best strategy action that gaming has to offer and having it available on the go is an enormous plus. Although there are some minor balancing and performance issues, Valkyria Chronicles offers up an emotionally-gripping, beautiful and fun strategy experience that offers a considerable amount of value for the price of admission. We'd give this one a high recommendation to anybody looking for a quality strategy RPG for their Switch; it may be marginally rougher than Valkyria Chronicles 4, but you really can't go wrong here.

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RPG FanJohn Tucker · 26 Dec, 2018
8.5/10

Still a great game, worth playing if you haven't played the series and enjoy the genre.

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Hardcore GamerGeoff Thew · 18 Nov, 2014
9/10

In its music, writing, art and acting ,Valkyria Chronicles is brimming with the emotional potency to bring a man to tears. It would make an excellent movie if that were all it had going for it, but the story is told in a way that could only work in a video game, and built on a rock-solid framework of deep and challenging tactical gameplay.

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Nintendo InsiderRyan Janes · 23 Nov, 2018
8/10

Whether you’re fresh to the series or already experienced Valkyria Chronicles 4 on Switch earlier this year, it’s still worth checking out the original. What it might lack in visual polish it more than makes up for with a rich story, affable characters and satisfying and strategic gameplay. Here’s hoping we see the second and third game make the leap to Switch too.

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Video ChumsA.J. Maciejewski · 3 Nov, 2018
8.3/10

Being able to play Valkyria Chronicles on-the-go is such a treat and the overall experience holds up beautifully a decade after its debut.

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NintendoWorldReportDonald Theriault · 23 Oct, 2018
9/10

Since Into the Breach hit at the end of August, there has been a barrage of quality strategy games on the Switch, so it can be tempting to skip Valkyria Chronicles. But don't do it. It's a brisk game, and there are some things like the graveyard for fallen troops that I wish were carried into future titles. War may be hell, but Valkyria Chronicles is a little slice of heaven.

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The Game FanaticsAdam Birch · 23 Dec, 2014
8/10

Valkyria Chronicles' engrossing story with beautiful art style and unique gameplay makes this title easy to recommend. Just be prepared for a challenge.

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