Preview – Valkyria Chronicles II

Game Profile

Valkyria Chronicles II

Developer: Sega
Publisher: Sega

Release Date: 08/31/2010

ESRB: RP

Genre: rpg
Setting: anime

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I like strategy games. However, I am just not any good at them. I don’t know what it is. Perhaps I just build too many structures. Maybe I just do not know how to effectively use my units. Or maybe it is because I take too darn long completing a mission. But there is one strategy game I am rather excited about: Valkyria Chronicles II for the PSP.

Valkyria Chronicles II takes place several months after the original. What has brought the new cast together or the cause for them to fight is unknown at this time. What I do know is that the same colored pencil storybook feel presentation is intact.

In fact, the game looks great! Other than the slight drop in resolution, I cannot tell the two games apart. The weird thing is that Valkyria Chronicles II almost feels bigger than the PlayStation 3 sibling. The reasoning is simple: Some stages have multiple areas that need to be explored, so you need to “conquer the flag” to access the next part of the stage. 961429_20100615_790screen005

As such, gameplay is just as you know it. Well, if you’re familiar with the original. Each group commands his or her units on their turn and has a certain amount of Command Points (CP). The amount of CP is determined by how many of your units are alive. Each side can command the same unit several times on a turn, though it isn’t recommended as the unit will quickly tire after one turn. Tanks work the same, though they use two CP instead of the usual one CP. An interesting addition to this game is “morale.” The better you command your units by defeating the enemy, the better your side will perform and the weaker your opponents become. Be warned, though. The same can happen to you, making a difficult battle even tougher.

I’m rather excited to get my hands on the full version of Valkyria Chronicles II. The strategy seems just as accessible and challenging as the original. Of course, I could be hyping this a bit too much in my mind as the idea of taking a great strategy game on the go is always fun. Anyway, look for Valkyria Chronicles II in stores and on PlayStation Network Aug. 31. For more information, visit http://www.sega.com.

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About the Author, Evan Csir (A.K.A Psychphan)

Hi, my name is Evan. I’m an RPGaholic and hard core gamer. I graduated from college in 2007 with a BA in English (Gasp!) and psychology. I’ve been playing video games since the age of three. My first game, ever, was Super Mario Bros. So yeah, I’m pretty darn good at this video game stuff. And persistant. I like RPGs the best because I can look at it as literature. This is especially true for the Shin Megami Tensei games and The Digital Devil Saga. I enjoy horror games due to their psychological nature, like Silent Hill 3. I don’t like FPS or anything that relies too much on the first-person perspective; they make me dizzy and nauseous. Ironically, I love Metroid Prime and Half-Life 2. Hmm... Where’s Alanis Morissette when you need her? I really like it when games are creative and technically pull everything off. In this case, my favorite game is Ico. I loved it due to the presentation and the way the characters interacted with each other. Yorda and Ico didn’t speak the same language, so they had to rely on gestures and other forms of communication. I also occasionally enjoy bouts of Mario Kart: Double Dash and Smash Bros. Melee. Overall, I’m rather boring. I stay home, read my homework, occasionally write, fool around on the computer, eat, and sleep. Except for those days that I travel to school. I sometimes am inspired to write poetry (if you really want to read it, just ask). I play piano from time to time. And my favorite book genres are psychology books, occasionally poetry, and most of all, mysteries. And I’m “addicted” to herbal teas and Starbucks coffee.