SoraSky69
After being turned off by this game in the series for so long, I finally went back to it and learned the games systems, and I learned to somewhat love it! With a great story, great music, interesting gameplay this was a fun time throughout.
Great first adventure with Nathan Drake saddled with some early PS3 era issues that were somewhat ironed out by the Remaster, however some still remain. Otherwise, a great fun adventure game!
2012
Truly a wonderful game full of creativity and life that stands the tests of time by leaning heavily into video games as an art form.
2016
This is a fantastic piece of art that I think everyone should play at some point, this game is a testament to what video games as an art medium are capable of and it was a truly beautiful journey to experience.
FANTASTIC VISUAL NOVEL WORTH ALL THE PRAISE AND LOVE IT GETS READ IT NOW!
VALKYRIA CHRONICLES REVIEW (PS4)
1. Story
The world of Valkyria Chronicles is known as Europa. (Totally not Europe). After losing the First Europan War, the Empire once again fights to control Gallia, a small neighboring nation to seize it of all its valuable resources. The Second European War is soon underway, and the son of the hero who ended the last war, Welkin Gunther is recruited into the Militia to fight to protect Gallia. It's his job as Leader of Squad 7 (funny because his VA is Kakashi's english voice from Naruto, so he ends up leading another Squad 7 lol) and your job as the player to command Squad 7 to victory against the Empire. That’s all I want to say about the main premise, but do not be fooled, the game has many twists and turns throughout it to make the story seem compelling and interesting and tells a tale of war in a realistic way, not bogged down by anime tropes. This game is very grounded, and it feels more real for it. The artstyle is a softer pastel painting look to it then most other games, and it stands out immensely compared to other styles of other RPGS I feel. The way the story is presented is absolutely fantastic as well, as you as the player reading chapters of a book, of a story you get to play through like you are reading a history book but being able to control it yourself. Not only this, but the pacing of the story is entirely decided upon by you as the player.
[11:26 PM]
This game does not bog you down with too many cutscenes, each one is short and sweet and can be a bit longer if it needs to be, but you get to choose when you see them, like flipping to the next page of a book. You aren’t railroaded into an endless stream of cutscenes until the game decides to let you play again. This is very good pacing I feel, and helps if you can only afford to do a little bit at a time, and can’t pause it in the middle of an important cutscene for some reason. (Not that this is necessarily a problem, but I just thought it was worth mentioning.) This tale is one filled with love, loss, fantastic characters, world building, and if the main story wasn’t enough each unit you can recruit comes with their own little mini stories. Added to the main story, you can do side missions that further build on individual characters, and read up on people and terms in the personnel and glossary sections of book mode respectively. The best thing is that this is all optional, and you do not need to do this, but I found reading through these things added to my enjoyment and understanding of the games world and story even more. Valkyria Chronicles is a story in gaming I will not soon forget, for how well fleshed out the world is here. One of the finest stories in a strategy RPG I dare say, for it is not too deep to be over indulgent but deep enough to remain interesting and compelling throughout. (edited)
[11:27 PM]
2. Gameplay
Gameplay is an aspect of Valkyria Chronicles that truly shines for me personally. Now, as some of you might know, I am not much of a tactics RPG guy. I have dabbled in many Fire Emblems, some Disgaea, Project X Zone, and even Pokemon Conquest. However, many of these games I usually just end up giving up on because as a player I am not very well suited for tactics games personally, and I lack a lot of the skill necessary to enjoy them as much as others do. I still find enjoyment in traditional types of these games, but in other aspects aside from the gameplay. Valkyria Chronicles is very unique from any other Strategy JRPG I have ever played. In essence, it combines real time 3rd person shooter gameplay with the movement and limited options of a Turn Based Strategy RPG. So it still retains that strategic gameplay and thinking required to succeed, but it feels easier to do for me in a more 3D environment where you have more control, and can aim for weak spots and move the camera freely. I very much enjoy the gameplay on offer here, and it has a lot of depth to it. There are 5 main classes of units, plus tanks, and each has different skill sets for different needs. Scouts for well, scouting, Shock Troopers for killing, Lancers for taking down tanks, Engineers for fixing your tanks and getting rid of traps and healing others, and Snipers for long range targets.
[11:28 PM]
Finally, Tanks are useful for killing other tanks as well doing massive damage and AOE damage. All these different roles play into the strategy of each fight, and you can freely switch your roster of squad members at any time in the barracks at HQ. This allows for you to try new strategies with each recruit, and new ones get added too. As you fight in battles, you gain access to potentials which are like temporary buffs or debuffs that are luck based and trigger randomly usually, which can really help or hurt you. Each character has unique skills while also sharing class skills. Welkin, the leader, has a special ability which is the use of orders, which give specific units or all of your units certain buffs, and these are crucial for strategies in the late game. These allow for even more control over the battle and can really turn them around in a pinch. I could go on, but the gist is that Valkyria Chronicles offers many different gameplay options and strategic options at your disposal to fully master.
[11:28 PM]
Not only this, but the game can be quite challenging at times, and you will need to watch out for your troops because permadeath (for non story relevant characters) does exist, so you have to be careful to not let them die. Luckily, if they are downed you can go to their body and call a medic, so the permadeath is pretty merciful here. At the end of each fight, you are graded on your performance in battle and ranked, and this earns you money and experience to put back into your troops, and equipment to become stronger, typical RPG stuff. Not only this, but each mission varies immensely, from fighting on a beach with no cover to a 2 man squad sneaking through a forest and having to use stealth. Each mission is different from the last which really made each mission stand out.
[11:28 PM]
Now, to point out some negatives, sometimes combat in Valkyria Chronicles can be frustratingly reliant on RNG. For example, you could have the perfect shot lined up, and shoot, but sometimes even if they aren't behind cover enemies will just duck and completely dodge your attack, and then kill you instead. Or if you are trying to aim for a tank with a Lancer, sometimes you will whiff the shot even though you swear you hit it. In the grand scheme of my playthrough, I did not encounter this a ton, but when I did it was frustrating. Overall, it does not bog down the gameplay too much but it definitely was improved in later entries. Valkyria Chronicles is one of the most unique strategy JRPGS I have ever played, and it really helps the game stand out from the sea of other games in the genre, and is a type of strategy that personally suited me quite nicely with a mix of real time and turn based elements. I highly recommend it to people who are on the fence about strategy JRPGS like I was, give this a try because you might end up liking it like I did!
[11:29 PM]
3. Music
Music is another area this game absolutely does not disappoint in. The composer of this gorgeous, symphonious, orchestrated soundtrack was composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto, a composer I have grown to love. He has also worked on games like Final Fantasy Tactics, Tactics Ogre, Odin Sphere, 13 Sentinels, and Final Fantasy 12. His work here truly shines and captures so many different emotions just like those OSTS, and I absolutely love it to death. From gallant military marches to emotional ballads and triumphant battle music, the score on offer here is one I will not forget. It has been living rent free in my head for a while and I am so glad I had the pleasure of listening to it. The main theme is easily the standout here. But every track has something to offer and if you liked the OSTS of the other games mentioned, this one will not disappoint. Overall, a magnificent showcase of musical talent from Sakimoto!
[11:29 PM]
4. Presentation
Valkyria Chronicles’s presentation is absolutely gorgeous and timeless in every respect of the word. This game has such a strong visual style that even 14 years later, it still looks wonderful today. Sega and media.vision used a proprietary game engine called CANVAS to give the game a watercolor painting style, with thick outlines and soft colors, to give the game a sort of painting aesthetic. I will let the game's art speak for itself here because it truly is magnificent. Just know that it is one of my favorite styles I have seen used in a game.
5. Conclusion
To say the least, Valkyria Chronicles is a game I recommend wholeheartedly to fans of strategy RPGS and those who may not like the traditional ones as much either. It stands firmly as a unique entry in the genre, with gorgeous art, a compelling narrative, fantastic worldbuilding, characters, music, and gameplay. It is a magnificent, underrated gem that more people should play. This series truly deserves it. It is a very strong debut entry of this series, and I for one cannot wait to play the other games. For now, though, that's a wrap!
1. Story
The world of Valkyria Chronicles is known as Europa. (Totally not Europe). After losing the First Europan War, the Empire once again fights to control Gallia, a small neighboring nation to seize it of all its valuable resources. The Second European War is soon underway, and the son of the hero who ended the last war, Welkin Gunther is recruited into the Militia to fight to protect Gallia. It's his job as Leader of Squad 7 (funny because his VA is Kakashi's english voice from Naruto, so he ends up leading another Squad 7 lol) and your job as the player to command Squad 7 to victory against the Empire. That’s all I want to say about the main premise, but do not be fooled, the game has many twists and turns throughout it to make the story seem compelling and interesting and tells a tale of war in a realistic way, not bogged down by anime tropes. This game is very grounded, and it feels more real for it. The artstyle is a softer pastel painting look to it then most other games, and it stands out immensely compared to other styles of other RPGS I feel. The way the story is presented is absolutely fantastic as well, as you as the player reading chapters of a book, of a story you get to play through like you are reading a history book but being able to control it yourself. Not only this, but the pacing of the story is entirely decided upon by you as the player.
[11:26 PM]
This game does not bog you down with too many cutscenes, each one is short and sweet and can be a bit longer if it needs to be, but you get to choose when you see them, like flipping to the next page of a book. You aren’t railroaded into an endless stream of cutscenes until the game decides to let you play again. This is very good pacing I feel, and helps if you can only afford to do a little bit at a time, and can’t pause it in the middle of an important cutscene for some reason. (Not that this is necessarily a problem, but I just thought it was worth mentioning.) This tale is one filled with love, loss, fantastic characters, world building, and if the main story wasn’t enough each unit you can recruit comes with their own little mini stories. Added to the main story, you can do side missions that further build on individual characters, and read up on people and terms in the personnel and glossary sections of book mode respectively. The best thing is that this is all optional, and you do not need to do this, but I found reading through these things added to my enjoyment and understanding of the games world and story even more. Valkyria Chronicles is a story in gaming I will not soon forget, for how well fleshed out the world is here. One of the finest stories in a strategy RPG I dare say, for it is not too deep to be over indulgent but deep enough to remain interesting and compelling throughout. (edited)
[11:27 PM]
2. Gameplay
Gameplay is an aspect of Valkyria Chronicles that truly shines for me personally. Now, as some of you might know, I am not much of a tactics RPG guy. I have dabbled in many Fire Emblems, some Disgaea, Project X Zone, and even Pokemon Conquest. However, many of these games I usually just end up giving up on because as a player I am not very well suited for tactics games personally, and I lack a lot of the skill necessary to enjoy them as much as others do. I still find enjoyment in traditional types of these games, but in other aspects aside from the gameplay. Valkyria Chronicles is very unique from any other Strategy JRPG I have ever played. In essence, it combines real time 3rd person shooter gameplay with the movement and limited options of a Turn Based Strategy RPG. So it still retains that strategic gameplay and thinking required to succeed, but it feels easier to do for me in a more 3D environment where you have more control, and can aim for weak spots and move the camera freely. I very much enjoy the gameplay on offer here, and it has a lot of depth to it. There are 5 main classes of units, plus tanks, and each has different skill sets for different needs. Scouts for well, scouting, Shock Troopers for killing, Lancers for taking down tanks, Engineers for fixing your tanks and getting rid of traps and healing others, and Snipers for long range targets.
[11:28 PM]
Finally, Tanks are useful for killing other tanks as well doing massive damage and AOE damage. All these different roles play into the strategy of each fight, and you can freely switch your roster of squad members at any time in the barracks at HQ. This allows for you to try new strategies with each recruit, and new ones get added too. As you fight in battles, you gain access to potentials which are like temporary buffs or debuffs that are luck based and trigger randomly usually, which can really help or hurt you. Each character has unique skills while also sharing class skills. Welkin, the leader, has a special ability which is the use of orders, which give specific units or all of your units certain buffs, and these are crucial for strategies in the late game. These allow for even more control over the battle and can really turn them around in a pinch. I could go on, but the gist is that Valkyria Chronicles offers many different gameplay options and strategic options at your disposal to fully master.
[11:28 PM]
Not only this, but the game can be quite challenging at times, and you will need to watch out for your troops because permadeath (for non story relevant characters) does exist, so you have to be careful to not let them die. Luckily, if they are downed you can go to their body and call a medic, so the permadeath is pretty merciful here. At the end of each fight, you are graded on your performance in battle and ranked, and this earns you money and experience to put back into your troops, and equipment to become stronger, typical RPG stuff. Not only this, but each mission varies immensely, from fighting on a beach with no cover to a 2 man squad sneaking through a forest and having to use stealth. Each mission is different from the last which really made each mission stand out.
[11:28 PM]
Now, to point out some negatives, sometimes combat in Valkyria Chronicles can be frustratingly reliant on RNG. For example, you could have the perfect shot lined up, and shoot, but sometimes even if they aren't behind cover enemies will just duck and completely dodge your attack, and then kill you instead. Or if you are trying to aim for a tank with a Lancer, sometimes you will whiff the shot even though you swear you hit it. In the grand scheme of my playthrough, I did not encounter this a ton, but when I did it was frustrating. Overall, it does not bog down the gameplay too much but it definitely was improved in later entries. Valkyria Chronicles is one of the most unique strategy JRPGS I have ever played, and it really helps the game stand out from the sea of other games in the genre, and is a type of strategy that personally suited me quite nicely with a mix of real time and turn based elements. I highly recommend it to people who are on the fence about strategy JRPGS like I was, give this a try because you might end up liking it like I did!
[11:29 PM]
3. Music
Music is another area this game absolutely does not disappoint in. The composer of this gorgeous, symphonious, orchestrated soundtrack was composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto, a composer I have grown to love. He has also worked on games like Final Fantasy Tactics, Tactics Ogre, Odin Sphere, 13 Sentinels, and Final Fantasy 12. His work here truly shines and captures so many different emotions just like those OSTS, and I absolutely love it to death. From gallant military marches to emotional ballads and triumphant battle music, the score on offer here is one I will not forget. It has been living rent free in my head for a while and I am so glad I had the pleasure of listening to it. The main theme is easily the standout here. But every track has something to offer and if you liked the OSTS of the other games mentioned, this one will not disappoint. Overall, a magnificent showcase of musical talent from Sakimoto!
[11:29 PM]
4. Presentation
Valkyria Chronicles’s presentation is absolutely gorgeous and timeless in every respect of the word. This game has such a strong visual style that even 14 years later, it still looks wonderful today. Sega and media.vision used a proprietary game engine called CANVAS to give the game a watercolor painting style, with thick outlines and soft colors, to give the game a sort of painting aesthetic. I will let the game's art speak for itself here because it truly is magnificent. Just know that it is one of my favorite styles I have seen used in a game.
5. Conclusion
To say the least, Valkyria Chronicles is a game I recommend wholeheartedly to fans of strategy RPGS and those who may not like the traditional ones as much either. It stands firmly as a unique entry in the genre, with gorgeous art, a compelling narrative, fantastic worldbuilding, characters, music, and gameplay. It is a magnificent, underrated gem that more people should play. This series truly deserves it. It is a very strong debut entry of this series, and I for one cannot wait to play the other games. For now, though, that's a wrap!
Ace Attorney Review!
1. Story
I cannot say much here, but the basic setup, well you all know lol. Solve cases as Phoenix Wright during trials, catch criminals and all that. Lots of colorful characters await you in this journey and its full of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end! The story is pretty damn good, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with it. The characters are full of life, and so many of them have infectious personalities, relatable stories, and loveable because of it. Ace Attorneys story is absolutely fantastic.
2. Gameplay
Gameplay here consists mainly of two sections: Investigation, where you talk to characters and investigate crimes in typical visual novel format, and trials, which allow you to use evidence and logic to help defend your client in court. Both of these get the job done for a worthwhile experience, with a few hiccups here and there. Sometimes, the logic used for the trial might be a bit strange, or a stretch, and you might not always be on the same page. Luckily this can be helped by using the press feature to get as much information out of the witness to be able to point out a contradiction. But, this really is not a major problem, as it did not occur that often. Other than that, its mostly just presenting evidence, using your brain to point out contradictions, and boom you win. Its very engaging, when adding the music, sound effects, and the iconic OBJECTION into play, and you get swept up in the intense moments that these trials provide which really make for an engaging experience even if you are not one for visual novels. I think that people who normally would not like these kinds of games could potentially like this one, as it adds a lot of excitement with the trials.
3. Music
The music in this game is absolutely phenomenal and so iconic, and I remember so much of it. It adds so much tension and emotion to the scenes, and it truly makes this game special. Shout OUTS TO COMPOSER MASAKAZU SUGIMORI FOR MAKING A BANGER OST FOR THIS GAME HOLY SHIT IT GOES HARD LISTEN TO IT ON ANYTHING YOU WILL NOT BE DISSAPOINTED!
4. Presentation
Now when it comes to presentation, every version of ace attorney has slightly different presentation, from the GBA original, to the DS version with two screens, and then the 3ds version with slightly up-rezzed backgrounds but the models of characters are still in sprite form, and then the HD collection on modern systems which makes the sprites smoothed over into art form in HD with updated textures. I have played the DS, 3DS, and for this review mainly on Switch. All versions of this game have great presentation, and I personally feel no matter what version you play, it looks great. The character sprites look fantastic in sprite and art form, and it helped convey their personalities with fantastic screen movement and effects to emphasize their bombastic expressions. The presentation for this game, the sprite art for the time and the new art even now really do stand the test of time.
[5:39 PM]
5. Conclusion
I think that the first Ace Attorney is a solid entry into a long running fantastic series, and I think anyone who loves mysteries, solving crimes in a fun and flashy way should try this game and series out, its utterly fantastic and I know I am glad I did. It is truly something special, and I cannot wait to play even more of them.
6. Wrap Up
Thanks for READING! Ace Attorney is available on GBA, DS, 3DS, Mobile phones, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Steam! (Wii Ware if you wanna get spicy...)
FINAL REVIEW SCORE: 8/10
1. Story
I cannot say much here, but the basic setup, well you all know lol. Solve cases as Phoenix Wright during trials, catch criminals and all that. Lots of colorful characters await you in this journey and its full of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end! The story is pretty damn good, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with it. The characters are full of life, and so many of them have infectious personalities, relatable stories, and loveable because of it. Ace Attorneys story is absolutely fantastic.
2. Gameplay
Gameplay here consists mainly of two sections: Investigation, where you talk to characters and investigate crimes in typical visual novel format, and trials, which allow you to use evidence and logic to help defend your client in court. Both of these get the job done for a worthwhile experience, with a few hiccups here and there. Sometimes, the logic used for the trial might be a bit strange, or a stretch, and you might not always be on the same page. Luckily this can be helped by using the press feature to get as much information out of the witness to be able to point out a contradiction. But, this really is not a major problem, as it did not occur that often. Other than that, its mostly just presenting evidence, using your brain to point out contradictions, and boom you win. Its very engaging, when adding the music, sound effects, and the iconic OBJECTION into play, and you get swept up in the intense moments that these trials provide which really make for an engaging experience even if you are not one for visual novels. I think that people who normally would not like these kinds of games could potentially like this one, as it adds a lot of excitement with the trials.
3. Music
The music in this game is absolutely phenomenal and so iconic, and I remember so much of it. It adds so much tension and emotion to the scenes, and it truly makes this game special. Shout OUTS TO COMPOSER MASAKAZU SUGIMORI FOR MAKING A BANGER OST FOR THIS GAME HOLY SHIT IT GOES HARD LISTEN TO IT ON ANYTHING YOU WILL NOT BE DISSAPOINTED!
4. Presentation
Now when it comes to presentation, every version of ace attorney has slightly different presentation, from the GBA original, to the DS version with two screens, and then the 3ds version with slightly up-rezzed backgrounds but the models of characters are still in sprite form, and then the HD collection on modern systems which makes the sprites smoothed over into art form in HD with updated textures. I have played the DS, 3DS, and for this review mainly on Switch. All versions of this game have great presentation, and I personally feel no matter what version you play, it looks great. The character sprites look fantastic in sprite and art form, and it helped convey their personalities with fantastic screen movement and effects to emphasize their bombastic expressions. The presentation for this game, the sprite art for the time and the new art even now really do stand the test of time.
[5:39 PM]
5. Conclusion
I think that the first Ace Attorney is a solid entry into a long running fantastic series, and I think anyone who loves mysteries, solving crimes in a fun and flashy way should try this game and series out, its utterly fantastic and I know I am glad I did. It is truly something special, and I cannot wait to play even more of them.
6. Wrap Up
Thanks for READING! Ace Attorney is available on GBA, DS, 3DS, Mobile phones, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Steam! (Wii Ware if you wanna get spicy...)
FINAL REVIEW SCORE: 8/10
Pretty damn good platformer, that I really enjoyed thoroughly throughout!