• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

Valkyria Chronicles II |OT| Grind to get school credits which won't get anyone a job!

flyover

Member
Giolon said:
GameTrailers video review is out: 8.4 / 10

HOLY FUCKING VC2 Spoilers, Batman! There was a giant spoiler about 45 seconds into it. I should have known better. It is GT after all.

Aside from that, it was a very well-done review, IMO.
Yeah. Just like I never read a Roger Ebert review until after I've seen the movie, I can't go to GT until I've finished the game.
 

SlickVic

Member
Never would've thought transferring a VC1 save to the game would unlock stuff. Nice job on adding all these details to the OP.
 
taking a small break to post impressions and charge psp's battery lol.

love the game so far, it truly is valkyria chronicles on the go :D. That alone automatically should give the game a 9/10 :lol

haven't gotten to far because I'm checking out every single thing before moving on. first couple mission are easy as expected, the 1st story mission really put a grin on my face knowing I can play this anywhere I go, no difficulty spike or anything but it felt like a real stage. I stepped on a mine I didn't see with a shocktrooper and "killed him" :lol. Also got another troop killed by brain freeze(left soldier out in the open in front of a soldier).

liking the new change map design for the stages, adds more strategy and is going to be a blast as we get farther in the game.

Also like the new melee class with the shield, can 1/2 hit kill foes even behind sandbags. Of course since you don't have a limit on you sword attacks and with your shield you can run up to somebody and murk em. Also good for those enemies hiding in tall grass.

characters are ok, should be interesting to see how story ends.

with that said, I'm about to get back into the game :D

and yeah don't watch gametrailers reviews until after you beat games, they always spoil something lol
 
I am loving the little things right now. Especially the school map. I spent about 5 minutes watching the tanks and other vehicles drive around on the map.
 
Whenever anyone logs some serious time in this to get their squad developed, I'm down for trying some ad-hoc party Versus. I'm at Level 25 for all classes, though I have several million EXP in tow I'm holding onto, so I could boost higher (50 is cap) if need be. There's no handicap option in it, so unfortunately until you're Level 25, have closer to Max tier weaponry and have Tier 3 jobs, I don't think it will be very fair. Not interested in online co-op at the moment.
 

daoster

Member
TSA said:
Whenever anyone logs some serious time in this to get their squad developed, I'm down for trying some ad-hoc party Versus. I'm at Level 25 for all classes, though I have several million EXP in tow I'm holding onto, so I could boost higher (50 is cap) if need be. There's no handicap option in it, so unfortunately until you're Level 25, have closer to Max tier weaponry and have Tier 3 jobs, I don't think it will be very fair. Not interested in online co-op at the moment.

So....where are you grinding for XP?
 
Once you beat the game, you can replay any mission again for EXP and a few new missions unlock. I mean, most of the EXP grind was in getting all A ranks for the later missions, which pay out 100K+ EXP towards the end of the year.

If you mean how did I get to Level 25 first, that's don't suck early on. Getting A ranks are really important because you get the most EXP that way. I did not replay a single mission until I beat the game. I also completed EVERY optional mission before progressing to the final "story" mission in each month, or progressing on to the next month period.

Do not focus on "Scout Rush", but rather focus on building Shocktroopers, Lancers, and Scouts. You can ignore Armored Tech, I found them to be completely useless (unless somebody explains some pro strats with them). Shocktroopers are the god tier so far...especially when you unlock the more mobile version of them. Edit: Armored Tech can make shortcuts, along with tanks equipped with smashing fronts, so on some stages they have their use).

Do not forget to upgrade jobs when you can, you'll want to advance as soon as you can. Focus on a core group of characters. Avan, Zeri, Cosette should obviously be in there, but pick another Scout, Shocktrooper, and a Lancer to always use, and make sure to keep using them so they earn the merits to earn new jobs.

Your tank should be used as a "shield" to create makeshift corridors to areas and knocking down cover for tougher enemies. Same strat as VC 1. Tank is pretty worthless early on till you get the better mortars and cannons.

Not sure if EXP is same on EASY mode (ie, like getting A rank on first mission on Easy yields same EXP as on Normal mode), but I mean, there's always that if you're just looking to quickly build up a worthwhile squad. Not sure if EASY mode files can play against those on NORMAL, though...don't see why not.
 
What are these character or decal unlockable codes I'm hearing about on other game forums?

Are these DLC or are they in every game?

Did Gamestop false advertise by saying this is their exclusive pre-order content like how they did with Darksiders?
 

Giolon

Member
TheFLYINGManga_Ka said:
What are these character or decal unlockable codes I'm hearing about on other game forums?

Are these DLC or are they in every game?

Did Gamestop false advertise by saying this is their exclusive pre-order content like how they did with Darksiders?

You know what's awesome? Reading the OP. Srsly. I'm updating it with all sorts of info like this as its made public. See the DLC section.
 
TheFLYINGManga_Ka said:
What are these character or decal unlockable codes I'm hearing about on other game forums?

Are these DLC or are they in every game?

Did Gamestop false advertise by saying this is their exclusive pre-order content like how they did with Darksiders?

If you mean the SEGA and BLiTZ Tank Stickers, they're in-game content you unlock. One provides greater range for your artillery on your tank, the other has that and target correction enhancement. ISARA's sticker gives you increases as well (unlocked if you have VC 1 Save Data), but it has -5HP as well.

The Edy Detachment Crew are also on-disc content unlocked via a code.

Isara is unlocked via VC 1 Sava Data present on your card.
Some Phantasy Star Portable Girl, missions, and tank stickers are unlocked if you have that game's save date on your card.
Alicia is unlocked if you beat the game (on Normal).
Not sure how you unlock Welkin or Valkyria Alicia yet.

GameStop did have a pre-order bonus for exclusive DLC maps that are NOT on the disc that you have to wait to download when they're put online later this month.
 
TSA said:
If you mean the SEGA and BLiTZ Tank Stickers, they're in-game content you unlock. One provides greater range for your artillery on your tank, the other has that and target correction enhancement. ISARA's sticker gives you increases as well (unlocked if you have VC 1 Save Data), but it has -5HP as well.

The Edy Detachment Crew are also on-disc content unlocked via a code.

Isara is unlocked via VC 1 Sava Data present on your card.
Some Phantasy Star Portable Girl, missions, and tank stickers are unlocked if you have that game's save date on your card.
Alicia is unlocked if you beat the game (on Normal).
Not sure how you unlock Welkin or Valkyria Alicia yet.

GameStop did have a pre-order bonus for exclusive DLC maps that are NOT on the disc that you have to wait to download when they're put online later this month.
On another forum, some guy listed a ton of codes with a lot of character unlocks and decals. Some of the posters said it was for the Japanese version only, and didn't work with the US ones.

I hope these are available for the US version as well.
 

Giolon

Member
TheFLYINGManga_Ka said:
On another forum, some guy listed a ton of codes with a lot of character unlocks and decals. Some of the posters said it was for the Japanese version only, and didn't work with the US ones.

I hope these are available for the US version as well.

None of the Japanese codes work in the US version. You'll see that some of those contents have already been released with new codes. It's all in the OP (minus PSP2 since it's not even out here yet).
 

anddo0

Member
XiaNaphryz said:
No point for any PSN PSP release that has the option, since you're not running from disc.

Oh, thanks for clearing that up.. I assumed it was needed because of the way MGS: PW and P3P handled install data.
 
Mejilan said:
I did transfer over my VC1 save, and had
Isara Gunther
unlock, along with the
Isara's Dream
sticker.
hmm??? Someone explain me that puh-leeze... I should copy my VC1 save data to my PSP? Anywhere in particular (eg: games directory, root of memory stick, etc.)?
 

Mejilan

Running off of Custom Firmware
The PS3 knows where to put the data. Connect a PSP, enable USB mode, locate and highlight your VC PS3 save data, and copy it over. With the triangle button, IIRC.

XiaNaphryz said:
No point for any PSN PSP release that has the option, since you're not running from disc.
That's not entirely true. IIRC, didn't Peace Walker have more VA when the data install option was utilized? Don't think the game cared if it was running off UMD or as an ISO.
 

Shinjitsu

Banned
Blue Submarine No. 6 said:
hmm??? Someone explain me that puh-leeze... I should copy my VC1 save data to my PSP? Anywhere in particular (eg: games directory, root of memory stick, etc.)?


I had to download a PS3 save since my PS3 isn't here atm.


(Drive letter):\PS3\SAVEDATA\

Is where you want to put the PS3 save data folder
 

BJK

Member
Blue Submarine No. 6 said:
hmm??? Someone explain me that puh-leeze... I should copy my VC1 save data to my PSP? Anywhere in particular (eg: games directory, root of memory stick, etc.)?

Doing this from memory, based on what I did last night.

1) Connect your PSP to your PS3 (using the same USB adapter you would use to charge a PS3 controller)
2) Set your PSP to 'USB connection' (check your manual if you can't find it on the XMB - I think it's under 'settings')
3) If you haven't done so already, you may want to register your PSP for remote play (on the PS3; I believe this is under 'settings')
4) From the 'games' section of the XMB, go into your PS3 Save data, then select a Valkyria Chronicles 1 save (I used my clear data), and pull up 'Options' (triangle).
5) 'Copy' should be one of the options. Select that.
5a) If you downloaded the GameStop exclusive maps by entering the code on your PS3, you can 'Copy' them to your PSP the same way. The DLC will show up under 'Games' on the PS3's XMB.
6) Disconnect the PSP from the PS3. From the PSP XMB, Start Valkyria Chronicles II.
7) From the Opening Menu, select 'Extras,' then 'Link'-something.

If you did everything right, it will tell you that you have added both 'Isara' (the character) and 'Isara's Dream,' (the sticker).

If you've played VC1, it will feel a bit odd having the
supposed-to-be-dead-and-buried
Isara running around carrying a giant sword and sheild. (I probably didn't need to spoiler that bit, since if you have VC1 save data....you probably already know that, but consider yourself warned).

Only got to play a few battles last night (still in January), but my love for VC1 shines through in the sequel. Segmented maps- and losing a turn to re-deploy in the new map - seem a bit annoying. I'm thinking about pouring all my early EXP into my scouts, just to unlock snipers. Armor Techs seem like they should be the off-shoot of the Lancers, rather than their own class.

Fighting the urge to unlock the Edy detachment right away....otherwise, I would never use my new classmates.
 

Ikkarus

Member
BJK said:
Fighting the urge to unlock the Edy detachment right away....otherwise, I would never use my new classmates.
I can't fight without Marina so as soon as my copy arrives I shall unlock the gang.
I will only take Marina though, as like you I want to give the new guys a chance to shine.
 
All of this reminds me I have to continue on my playthrough on the japanese version...I was in August but it's been months since I last played. I'll need to relearn which missions were good for farming and all that...

I'm still wondering if it's worth redoing the game in English with JP voice-overs when it goes on sale in Europe...don't want to lose all my DLC from the JP version :/ Maybe I should just keep my money for others games and the "upcoming" VC3
 
Thanks for the great replies everybody (esp. BJK - that's a manual! :lol )

BJK said:
If you've played VC1, it will feel a bit odd having the
supposed-to-be-dead-and-buried
Isara running around carrying a giant sword and sheild.

Ya, I'm not how to feel about that... I probably won't user her much, but I want to have her anyway
(who wouldn't bring Aeris into their party if there was a code to get her in FFX?)

Ikkarus said:
I can't fight without Marina so as soon as my copy arrives I shall unlock the gang.
I will only take Marina though, as like you I want to give the new guys a chance to shine.

Ya, I need Marina too! She's smokin'... if I was ever shot in the head, I'd want her to do me! :lol
 

Mejilan

Running off of Custom Firmware
Blue Submarine No. 6 said:
Thanks for the great replies everybody (esp. BJK - that's a manual! :lol )



Ya, I'm not how to feel about that... I probably won't user her much, but I want to have her anyway
(who wouldn't bring Aeris into their party if there was a code to get her in FFX?)



Ya, I need Marina too! She's smokin'... if I was ever shot in the head, I'd want her to do me! :lol
I wouldn't. She was a shit character.
 

Giolon

Member
Alright I've put about 3 hours into this game (gotta split my time w/ Metroid Other M), and as a complete Valkyria Chronicles 1 fantatic here are my thoughts.

First the bad:
  • Characters are just as stereotypically anime bad as I expected them to be. Avan is the stereotypical ultra-gung ho male protagonist to the letter. Cosette is the ditzy ultra postive female "Let's be nice and work together guys! squee!" protagonist. The newspaper girl is just intoerably bad.
  • The way overused Japanese favorite trope "underdog school class triumphs snooty other classes" is the template here and it's adhered to, to the letter. Every member of your class is a goober and were all placed in Class G because of that. (So why exactly is Zeri in there?)
  • The core storyline for Avan is completely implausible and can only exist in an anime story (first 5 minutes spoiler:
    Avan's brother Leon was killed in a top secret mission in the war, so Avan's gonna do his best to join the academy and earn everyone's respect until someone can tell him exactly what happened to his brother
    ). It's a far weaker set up than the previous game (Not-Nazis invaded and killed people in my hometown and are invading my country. I want to help stop them!)
  • Only 5 deployed soldiers per area? 6 max? T.T
  • There is no way you can justify sending cadets with approximately 3 days of training out to fight a real battle.

It's not all doom and gloom, there are some good things too:
  • The gameplay as everyone probably knows by now has made the transition fantastically. Aside from the smaller map size and the lower unit limit, this IS the VC gameplay you know and love.
  • The Yearbook in Avan's room provides some of the fantastic presentation that I had thought missing from this game.
  • The 3D model of the Lanseal grounds that acts as the game's hub is very cool, and looks gorgeous.

And I actually while writing this, I just had an IM conversation with a fairly casual-gamer friend who liked VC1 a lot, and this is how the conversation just went verbatim:

conversation said:
My Friend: i got VC2 yesterday
My Friend: played a couple missions
Giolon: how do you like it
My Friend: the game is the same
My Friend: but the gfx are totally like a TV anime now
My Friend: very generic characters
Giolon: yeup...
Giolon: and that's basically the good and the bad
My Friend: the first one is way better because the characters were "normal"
My Friend: also it felt more dramatic
My Friend: VC2 feels like an anime

And that is the core of my problem with VC2. VC1 had realistic characters and realistic humor. VC2 has anime characters and anime humor ("OMG not fair your boobs are bigger than mine!", UGH).
 

Mejilan

Running off of Custom Firmware
Gyoru said:
Here's a Japanese Phantasy Star Portable 2 save I found that works for unlocking content. Extract and place the folder in \PSP\SAVEDATA\ then Link Data in the Extras menu

http://www.mediafire.com/?vo756n3f4i6uuqs

It unlocks 1 character and 2 Extra missions. :D
Cool beans!
I tried PSP2 US demo data and struck out, but didn't think the full JP game's would work!
 
Giolon said:
And that is the core of my problem with VC2. VC1 had realistic characters and realistic humor. VC2 has anime characters and anime humor ("OMG not fair your boobs are bigger than mine!", UGH).
I don't see it, VC1 characters were as anime as any anime shlock out there, VC2 might push it even further though but it's not unprecedented.
Which is why any time they did "war is hell" segments it came out awkward and unintended humour
 
Giolon said:
And that is the core of my problem with VC2. VC1 had realistic characters and realistic humor. VC2 has anime characters and anime humor ("OMG not fair your boobs are bigger than mine!", UGH).


Insert avatar quote here.
 
After a few more hours with the game and I have decided I really like the multiple maps. It gives a new dynamic to the game where you can/have to manage two teams, which I find extremely fun.
 

Giolon

Member
RoodyPooUS said:
Insert avatar quote here.
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=23071108&postcount=253

Prime crotch said:
I don't see it, VC1 characters were as anime as any anime shlock out there, VC2 might push it even further though but it's not unprecedented.
Which is why any time they did "war is hell" segments it came out awkward and unintended humour
To an extent, it is a matter of degree. While the presentation aspects of VC1 were anime, and the mannerisms taken there from (sweat drop and angry vein anybody?), the behaviors of the characters were not unrealistic. VC2 has devolved completely into "only in anime-land".

Personally, I didn't find VC1's story segments awkward.
 
So hows the voice acting in this game? Is it only cut scenes, or is it in battles too? I'm gonna pick it up tomorrow, but i'm just just wondering how that part is going in.
 

Giolon

Member
Chip N Chance said:
So hows the voice acting in this game? Is it only cut scenes, or is it in battles too? I'm gonna pick it up tomorrow, but i'm just just wondering how that part is going in.
Overall, about the same as the first game. Some characters are better than others (Ugh...Netzel... and Cosette's at least half an octave too high). That is to say - it's nowhere near the worst English dub you've ever heard.

There are the same kind of exclamations in battle as the first game ("Got him!", "Aw, I missed."). Most dialogue outside important scenes are only relayed with text and a few emotive sounds from the speaking characters (URGHHH, Oh!, Huh!?, etc)
 
Giolon said:
To an extent, it is a matter of degree. While the presentation aspects of VC1 were anime, and the mannerisms taken there from (sweat drop and angry vein anybody?), the behaviors of the characters were not unrealistic. VC2 has devolved completely into "only in anime-land".

Personally, I didn't find VC1's story segments awkward.
Still don't see eye to eye.
The entire cast is Animé, with a capital A, in visual presentation and character development; the breakthrough was probably having a female lead who can actually cook, no forced eating humour at all.
 

Lain

Member
Giolon said:
And I actually while writing this, I just had an IM conversation with a fairly casual-gamer friend who liked VC1 a lot, and this is how the conversation just went verbatim:



And that is the core of my problem with VC2. VC1 had realistic characters and realistic humor. VC2 has anime characters and anime humor ("OMG not fair your boobs are bigger than mine!", UGH).

I guess I'm the only one that, while playing VC1, thought the characters looked and acted like the characters in the Sakura Wars manga/anime (which I consider pretty generic even if I liked it) or in general like generic manga/anime characters (I love VC1 story and characters, though, to me generic characters designs don't mean bad characters).
At most I'd say that, visually, VC1 went for the animated manga look/style, while VC2 went more for the anime look/style.
 

daoster

Member
Prime crotch said:
Still don't see eye to eye.
The entire cast is Animé, with a capital A, in visual presentation and character development; the breakthrough was probably having a female lead who can actually cook, no forced eating humour at all.

Yeap, I agree. I was half expecting a hot spring scene in the first game, but I guess the beach scene had to suffice. Which isn't a bad thing (the anime style). It worked for Valkyria Chronicles 1, it works for Valkyria Chronicles 2.

I'm enjoying the hell outta the game. The side characters are getting more spotlight than the first game (except for Edy's DLC of course), and I really enjoy it.

The only complaint so far is the low number of people on the field (5 in one area, WTF?) and all the stages have been the same...
 

BJK

Member
Giolon said:
To an extent, it is a matter of degree. While the presentation aspects of VC1 were anime, and the mannerisms taken there from (sweat drop and angry vein anybody?), the behaviors of the characters were not unrealistic. VC2 has devolved completely into "only in anime-land".

Jann was the zenith of grounded realism. Not to mention the rich man's daughter (Susie), the ladies' man (Salinas), crazy explosives lady (Wendy), the "I'm getting too old for..." veteran (Largo), the following-in-his-fathers' footsteps protagonist (Welkin), and the fame-obsessed girl (Edy). Oh, yeah, and a pig with wings that understands language well enough to provide comic relief....and a summer, beach vacation sequence.

Nothing that would seem out of place during a large-scale war effort.
The character personalities in VC1 were as realistic as you wanted your squad to be. Moreover, VC1 wasn't great because the characters were novel or interesting, but because the design team did a great job putting novel, interesting plot and gameplay mechanics around those characters. I have hopes that the same will be said of the sequel(s).
 

Hamblasto

Member
Suzuki Yu said:
everything seems positive as you would be expected from a sequel .
but i can say from now that i fucking hate Avan's Laugh "ah haha ah hahahaa" -___-

I'm usually really forgiving when it comes to voices in games, but after playing a few of the missions, I have to say that I'm with you on Avan's laugh. It just irritates me like nails on a chalkboard or styrofoam rubbing together.

I'd settle on an option to just turn that off.
 

Enron

Banned
Prime crotch said:
Still don't see eye to eye.
The entire cast is Animé, with a capital A, in visual presentation and character development; the breakthrough was probably having a female lead who can actually cook, no forced eating humour at all.

Pretty much this. The characters were all stock-anime-draw-em-out-of-a-hat. Pretty, motherly-big-sister-type...somewhat clueless male lead...gabby-gossip-girl...quiet shy girl....quiet shy boy...tough older veteran...etc. etc. I don't see how anyone can say VC2's characters are too anime-ish when the 1st game was just as bad.

Edit: bah, b10
 
Hamblasto said:
I'm usually really forgiving when it comes to voices in games, but after playing a few of the missions, I have to say that I'm with you on Avan's laugh. It just irritates me like nails on a chalkboard or styrofoam rubbing together.

I'd settle on an option to just turn that off.
You've never played Chaos Wars?
 

Giolon

Member
BJK said:
Jann was the zenith of grounded realism. Not to mention the rich man's daughter (Susie), the ladies' man (Salinas), crazy explosives lady (Wendy), the "I'm getting too old for..." veteran (Largo), the following-in-his-fathers' footsteps protagonist (Welkin), and the fame-obsessed girl (Edy). Oh, yeah, and a pig with wings that understands language well enough to provide comic relief....and a summer, beach vacation sequence.

Nothing that would seem out of place during a large-scale war effort.
The character personalities in VC1 were as realistic as you wanted your squad to be. Moreover, VC1 wasn't great because the characters were novel or interesting, but because the design team did a great job putting novel, interesting plot and gameplay mechanics around those characters. I have hopes that the same will be said of the sequel(s).
I never said VC1 was 100% serious all the time. Stop trying to take my words to the extreme (everything has to be an absolute on the Internet doesn't it?). For the record, I hate Hans (thankfully he only appears like twice?), and found the beach vacation silly and out of place. Although for how they did it, relatively tame and tasteful with period appropriate beachwear. VC2's pool party on the other hand...let's just say you see plenty of Juliana. :-/

Both Largo and Welkin are a standard character templates that are used beyoned just anime. The principal cast was quite grounded, even if built off of standards. Most good characters are - few are 100% original. I agree with the bolded, but it's also what they did with them that I thought were interesting. The more extreme characters I rarely if ever used, and they're not focused on in the story. In VC2, they are the story - in fact some of them are the main characters!

Edit: And with that, I'm done on this topic (VC1 characters) for now. This thread is about VC2, not VC1, and I only brought them up as part of my comparison in my 3-hours-in impressions of VC2 and my friend's opinion. I don't want to derail this thread into a "Were the VC1 characters good or not" debate. We have the VC1 thread for that if you'd like. Let's talk about VC2 now, ok?
 

Shinjitsu

Banned
I'm in love with this game. Story is a little generic, and I miss the larger battlefields of the first game. But all the other changes are fantastic.
 
Top Bottom