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[Koren]

The only thing I don't like is having my feeling hurt after each fight. D?!?!? did you see that fight was awesome and a D?!?!

It's pretty unfortunate that they use only speed as an appreciation for quality of fight. At least, a system similar to Advance Wars would have been better (and more challenging).

This opposition to violence in war makes Valkyria Chronicles one of the few anti-war war games out there.

Don't know... I understand your point, but most of the time, you have no loss in your team

Spoiler

besides Isara

, while you kill everyone in a single press. I don't really feel I'm in danger (I've yet to see animations for losing someone), so that doesn't really work. Maybe it would be more obvious if you hadn't the three turns limit and that the save/load was disabled... As for story, yes, but I've read a large number of books that gives a better grasp on that kind of things.

But what you say work for most S-RPG, such as Fire Emblem (similar detailed characters, with stories behind, friendship, and possible loss even more brutal than in Valkyria).

Yes, no doubt that in a sense, it's "war is bad, deadly and so one". But I'm not sure that enjoying being able to win a map by killing everyone at ease go in this direction plays the same role. And the ambiance in the game (and the fact that you seem to attack robots) remove this sense of killing people (though I'm glad it's done this way, and if it's consideration, it's not just because of target audience, I don't enjoy realism for this kind of games).

Err...

When did this threat turn philosophical ?

Back to reality, I'm happy that I managed to find how to destroy

Spoiler

batomys

in 4 turns... Main story total is under 50 turns now, still a couple of turns to spare.

 

[Defuser]

Valkyria is finally a budget price in Japan. If you ask me,they should release it after the anime finish airing.

 

[radiantdreamer]

Excellently said, I would have written a similar reply, but my brain in melted after writing 20 pages of Thesis work over the course of the past 5 hours.

@_@

=w= I was typing my reply in the middle of the night, I have no idea I could spout that kinda stuff...

Hope your thesis went well.

Valkyria is finally a budget price in Japan. If you ask me,they should release it after the anime finish airing.

I think that releasing it as a budget title halfway through or a few episodes in is a better marketing strategy, as one will promote the other. It's the same reason why video game and movie tie-ins come out roughly the same week, or the game comes out weeks before the movie hits.

 

[Elfforkusu]

If this really was anti-war, then we would have seen the faces of both enemy and friendly units, but that isn't the case.

The game's story is anti-a lot of things, but it does a poor job of being anti-war. The images can be striking, and there's a message that makes itself through, but its not the best.

Something can be anti-war without hitting you over the head with it, which I think is what Valkyria does. Even the characters' victory dances and remarks can be interpreted as a cynical phrasing of how war is sometimes glorified as sport -- that is, a subtle anti-war message all on their own.

Frankly, for a game in a fantasy setting, the more blatantly anti-war it was (like you propose with faces of enemy units, etc), the less effective it would be in sending the message.

 

[Darkpen]

I disagree.

I think that anti-war philosophies do not need to be projected through graphical means. VC does so through storytelling and ideology, themes and emotions. It seems to intentionally censor the graphical horror aspect through yes, wearing helmets, metallic sound effects when hit in the head, and lack of blood, not as a poor representation of anti-war element, but as consideration for the target audience.



Again, I disagree. If one is a good strategist, casualties can be avoided, theoretically speaking. The winning team also spends MUCH of the story grieving over their losses, as well as remorse for the enemies they have downed. As Welkin said to his comrade "What you're doing is only escalating the conflict, not ending the war!".

I still find it jarring that the medic can recover someone who you may have potentially sent to die by cross fire. Though, of course, I also feel this wouldn't be an issue if the game would let you prone/crouch, but that's another discussion.

While I do agree with everything you've said, I still feel that videogames have yet to tap that level of reality that real war is, and artistically speaking, have yet to trap and create an experience that unveils and conveys the darkest parts of the human psyche.

 

[Kagari]

Valkyria is finally a budget price in Japan. If you ask me,they should release it after the anime finish airing.

Budget price covers are soooooo ugly

 

[RamzaIsCool]

Budget price covers are soooooo ugly

As they should be. People should buy this game when it was full priced. They deserve ugly covers to remind them to not be cheap skates when it comes to awesome games.

Currently I am at chapter 14... taking my sweet time with this game. so good!

 

[Kagari]

As they should be. People should buy this game when it was full priced. They deserve ugly covers to remind them to not be cheap skates when it comes to awesome games.

Currently I am at chapter 14... taking my sweet time with this game. so good!

You have a good point.




And it's exactly the reason why I will never buy a Greatest Hits version of a game either. :X

 

[Koren]

Yesss... Some bragging because I'm happy, I just managed to finish all skirmishes (easy, normal and hard) in 1 turn.

Still some improvements on story mode turn counts*, unlocking the three last medals, and I'm done.

* currently 1 2 3 1 1 1 1 4 4! 1 1 3 1 1 1 3? 3? 1 1 8 3? 3! 1 / 2? 1 1 3! 4! (! is confirmed/probable shorter time, ? is possible)

Any news on the release date in Europe for DLC ?

 

[Durante]

Nothing new regarding DLC, still "Early 2009".

I don't know if it was mentioned already but I just saw that VC won GOTY at RPGamer.

 

[Koren]

That should not have been unexpected. Such a great game...

It's also currently the "best PS3 game" according to the japanese players from PSMK2 (and it's a good way to get interesting reviews from games in Japan).

 

[radiantdreamer]

I hate how nobody in North America cares...

 

[Baha]

I finally resumed my new game+ playthrough and started collecting weapons. Some of the strategies for A ranks on missions are hilariously awesome like the 1 turn A rank on mission 8-2.

 

[Koren]

AFAIK, it's a rush on this one ?

Spoiler

3CP for Welkin to run to his tank, 2x2CP to destroy the wall with the tank, and 1CP for a scout to kill the defender and take tha base ?

There's even more fun ways to win. I managed to make Marberry Skirmish in Hard in only 1 action, although there's a trooper and a heavy tank in the base

Spoiler

Awaken, Defense boost and Penetration on Alicia, Run to the base (will activate Resist crossfire, Double mouvement then Valkyria), dive behind the sand bag on the right of the trooper, wait for the tank to kill the trooper for you (!) stand and kill the tank by shooting it on the radiator

. Profit ! 2CP left.

Using enemy fire to kill enemies without using any action point is real fun. I also became a specialist of "catapulting" troopers outside of their base using carefully placed grenades when you need them dead or out and you can't kill them in a single turn.

 

[Baha]

AFAIK, it's a rush on this one ?

Spoiler

3CP for Welkin to run to his tank, 2x2CP to destroy the wall with the tank, and 1CP for a scout to kill the defender and take tha base ?

There's even more fun ways to win. I managed to make Marberry Skirmish in Hard in only 1 action, although there's a trooper and a heavy tank in the base

Spoiler

Awaken, Defense boost and Penetration on Alicia, Run to the base (will activate Resist crossfire, Double mouvement then Valkyria), dive behind the sand bag on the right of the trooper, wait for the tank to kill the trooper for you (!) stand and kill the tank by shooting it on the radiator

. Profit ! 2CP left.

Using enemy fire to kill enemies without using any action point is real fun. I also became a specialist of "catapulting" troopers outside of their base using carefully placed grenades when you need them dead or out and you can't kill them in a single turn.

Yeah I used that strategy for chapter 8-2. I also used a similar strategy on chapter 11 but that tank bit is genius, I gotta do that sometime.

 

[Hcoregamer00]

Nothing new regarding DLC, still "Early 2009".

I don't know if it was mentioned already but I just saw that VC won GOTY at RPGamer.

That should not have been unexpected. Such a great game...

It's also currently the "best PS3 game" according to the japanese players from PSMK2 (and it's a good way to get interesting reviews from games in Japan).

Too bad that accolades doesn't translate to sales in Japan and North America.

 

[Baha]

I hope they announce the DLC date today. The last time they mentioned DLC was in the same sega blog post regarding the NYCC, and it seems like the best time to announce since their final NYCC post goes up today. They have a twitter as well: http://twitter.com/ValkyriaTribune

 

[Dr. Kitty Muffins]

Honestly, have you been able to convince any of your firends to buy this game?

Most of mine dismiss it after about 10 seconds of explanation. I wish they were more open minded.

 

[Volcynika]

Honestly, have you been able to convince any of your firends to buy this game?

Most of mine dismiss it after about 10 seconds of explanation. I wish they were more open minded.

I convinced 5.

 

[Baha]

Honestly, have you been able to convince any of your firends to buy this game?

Most of mine dismiss it after about 10 seconds of explanation. I wish they were more open minded.

I've convinced at least 2. One of which is playing atm with only level 1 characters on mission 13. He's stubborn like that :lol

 

[VibratingDonkey]

Where you buy these game? Sold out everywhere where it's not expensive. Amazon adds their stupid VAT to the price for some reason. Put an order up at Shopto.net, but who knows when they'll actually have it in stock. Killzone 2 said "stock due in" when I pre-ordered it a week ago...

 

[Llyranor]

Honestly, have you been able to convince any of your firends to buy this game?

Most of mine dismiss it after about 10 seconds of explanation. I wish they were more open minded.

I made a friend buy it even before he had a PS3. Consequently, that made him buy a PS3 a lot sooner than he would have otherwise. I've also got another friend very interested in it, but he also doesn't have a PS3.

 

[Diablos]

I want to punch my boyfriend for refusing to play this game because he didn't "get" the demo >:| He wants to just borrow mine, but that's not going to happen! How should I convince him to get his own copy?

...

Kagari :lol :lol :lol :lol

 

[Hcoregamer00]

Honestly, have you been able to convince any of your firends to buy this game?

Most of mine dismiss it after about 10 seconds of explanation. I wish they were more open minded.

Ahem, convinced 12 friends and family to buy the game.

It was easy to convince some of them because they loved strategy RPG's, it was hard to convince others, so I kept at it.

I am a persistent bitch.

 

[Volcynika]

...

Kagari :lol :lol :lol :lol

:lol

Well if she hits him, he can't hit her back!

 

[Koren]

Honestly, have you been able to convince any of your firends to buy this game?

The main problem is that I know nobody that currently own a PS3. All my friends have Wiis (and PS2). No doubt I could sell the game to at least three of them (bare minimum) if they had the console, the only one I managed to present the game actually considered buying a PS3 after.

Where you buy these game? Sold out everywhere where it's not expensive.

It was cheap on online shops in UK last time I checked (thehut, play, etc.) You may want to avoid having problems with foreign PSN downloads, though (even if judging by people here in Europe using US accounts, it's not such a big issue). If you're not interested in DLC, it's an option.

BTW, my current record :
1 2 3 1 1 1 1 4 4* 1 1 3 1 1 1 2 3° 1 1 8 3° 3' 1 / 2* 1 1 2 3 / 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
' = doable in 2 turns less (my next objective)
* = could be in 1 turn less with luck (mainly triggering DM without awaken)
° = shorter time maybe possible

 

[Hcoregamer00]

The main problem is that I know nobody that currently own a PS3. All my friends have Wiis (and PS2). No doubt I could sell the game to at least three of them (bare minimum) if they had the console, the only one I managed to present the game actually considered buying a PS3 after.

You know, I had the same situation, but it seems like many family members and many people in my circle of friends bought a PS3 in October/November/December.

My PSN list had only one friend and one family member before the holidays, now it has 17 of them.

 

[VibratingDonkey]

It was cheap on online shops in UK last time I checked (thehut, play, etc.) You may want to avoid having problems with foreign PSN downloads, though (even if judging by people here in Europe using US accounts, it's not such a big issue). If you're not interested in DLC, it's an option.

I've checked Play.com, HMV, Game, Shopto, and now TheHut. Out of stock everywhere... The Hut at least gives you an estimate, saying 2-4 weeks before dispatch and then another 15 work days for shipping. That's almost two months... Guess I'm just gonna have to wait then. Seriously, how few copies did they print? However badly it's doing in sales they must've expected it to be a total disaster.

I'm from Sweden, so downloadable stuff shouldn't be an issue. I think.

 

[Nose Master]

Just hit Chapter 17 last night. What an amazing SRPG. I love how every map is something different <3. It's been 32 hours (officially... probably 40+ with reloads), and it doesn't feel too long at all. Makes me wanna buy a PS3

 

[Koren]

I've checked Play.com, HMV, Game, Shopto, and now TheHut. Out of stock everywhere...

Oh, I'm sorry. I've checked a couple of others, and indeed, nowhere to be found except on the usual suspects that sell it at 69€ Now that's quite unexpected.

Seriously, how few copies did they print? However badly it's doing in sales they must've expected it to be a total disaster.

I want to believe it's a good sign... Fingers crossed.

 

[radiantdreamer]

You know, I had the same situation, but it seems like many family members and many people in my circle of friends bought a PS3 in October/November/December.

My PSN list had only one friend and one family member before the holidays, now it has 17 of them.

Add me as your friend.

 

[Hcoregamer00]

Add me as your friend.

My PSN is Hcoregamer00

It doesn't look like I am online often because I am playing Ar Tonelico II and Persona 4 on my PS3.

I want to believe it's a good sign... Fingers crossed.

Same here, I want to believe.

 

[WinFonda]

Any chance that with DLC comes a trophy patch?

 

[Volcynika]

Any chance that with DLC comes a trophy patch?

Pretty much zero chance. This is just the DLC that the JP version got, and they don't have trophies at all.

 

[Hcoregamer00]

Any chance that with DLC comes a trophy patch?

RPG's really don't need trophies.

I was playing Tales of Vesperia one day and I got a "Achievement Unlocked." It was because I beat some stupid monster that was part of the storyline.

It was not worthy of anything, yet I got a reward.

 

[Durante]

Obviously they don't need them -- after all we managed fine for 20 years without -- but I actually really like achievements/trophies in RPGs. When they are well selected they provide a nice external reference to look at and see how much of the game you completed, or just to look back and find out when/how long you played it, or even simply to remember the game. I'd love to be able to reminescence about my playthrough of, say, Might and Magic 6 (a decade ago) while browsing through the a/trophies I collected. I realize that not everyone is interested in stuff like this but it's not like it requires an enormous effort on part of the developers.

The current medals would have made perfect trophies (and I'm sure SEGA would have done just that had the option existed when the game was being developed).

 

[Psychotext]

RPG's really don't need trophies.

True, but the trophies could have easily been based on the decorations.

 

[Baha]

True, but the trophies could have easily been based on the decorations.

Yeah but I doubt they'll patch it in. On the brighter side though, if they make it sequel it'll definitely have trophies.

 

[radiantdreamer]

Just beat chapter 15a. I feel kinda bad for rushing in and ending it in one turn, but I really didn't want to deal with that stage. 15b now, that's a different story. I'm going to take my time with that one. I love how flexible this game is!

 

[SickBoy]

I've just been playing this the past few days (I've got it for a couple of weeks, so hopefully I can get through it in that time)... and I'm pretty impressed.

The first thing it reminded me of was Warhammer: Squad Command for PSP. If you haven't played that you should check it out (there was a demo at one point, I presume it's still out there)... you won't have the cute anime trappings, and no flying pigs or anything... being Warhammer it takes itself probably too seriously... but it's a fun game in a very similar vein (moves aren't in real time, but it does have the same "move one piece at a time" action, and the defending team isn't totally helpless.

When I heard all the positive talk about this game, I was pretty skeptical. I've found many of the best-loved SRPGs (and a lot of loved Japanese games in general) pretty impenetrable. Six chapters in and I'm finding it's just right. I think my one frustration is setting up the right loadout...

 

[radiantdreamer]

I beat 15b while taking my time, and I still A-ranked it. Sweet!
16 was a bit dumb though. Why did they put that in there? At least it was different, I suppose...

 

[patsu]

I've just been playing this the past few days (I've got it for a couple of weeks, so hopefully I can get through it in that time)... and I'm pretty impressed.

The first thing it reminded me of was Warhammer: Squad Command for PSP. If you haven't played that you should check it out (there was a demo at one point, I presume it's still out there)... you won't have the cute anime trappings, and no flying pigs or anything... being Warhammer it takes itself probably too seriously... but it's a fun game in a very similar vein (moves aren't in real time, but it does have the same "move one piece at a time" action, and the defending team isn't totally helpless.

When I heard all the positive talk about this game, I was pretty skeptical. I've found many of the best-loved SRPGs (and a lot of loved Japanese games in general) pretty impenetrable. Six chapters in and I'm finding it's just right. I think my one frustration is setting up the right loadout...

Be careful about Chapter 7 !

 

[monkspider]

I finally beat this badboy, man it was good. After so many crappy JRPGs this gen it gave me fond memories of the SNES Final Fantasies for some reason, not the gameplay of course, but the genuinely engaging story and likable characters. Hopefully Sega will perhaps consider a sequel some day.

 

[Suburban_Nooblet]

I finally beat this badboy, man it was good. After so many crappy JRPGs this gen it gave me fond memories of the SNES Final Fantasies for some reason, not the gameplay of course, but the genuinely engaging story and likable characters. Hopefully Sega will perhaps consider a sequel some day.

How many hours did you put in?

 

[Firestorm]

RPG's really don't need trophies.

I was playing Tales of Vesperia one day and I got a "Achievement Unlocked." It was because I beat some stupid monster that was part of the storyline.

It was not worthy of anything, yet I got a reward.

Huh? The only story-related achievements are the ones at the end of each part. I thought Achievements in Vesperia were great. Each boss had an achievement attached for beating them in a specific way. Then there were achievements for being a completionist (fill monster book, find all items, finish secret dungeon + boss, etc).

 

[hwateber]

I beat the game the other day. Man, the ending provided some nice closure that you usually don't get from JRPG endings. I'm tempted to do another playthrough with the japanese voices so I can do a comparison. I thought the english cast did very well though which was a pleasant surprise. Largo and Isara's voices were especially well done.

 

[Hcoregamer00]

Huh? The only story-related achievements are the ones at the end of each part. I thought Achievements in Vesperia were great. Each boss had an achievement attached for beating them in a specific way. Then there were achievements for being a completionist (fill monster book, find all items, finish secret dungeon + boss, etc).

Beating a boss as part of the story is not worthy of an "achievement."

You HAVE to beat it.

 

[Kagari]

Beating a boss as part of the story is not worthy of an "achievement."

You HAVE to beat it.

Indeed.

 

[Firestorm]

Beating a boss as part of the story is not worthy of an "achievement."

You HAVE to beat it.

I like having a few achievements just for finishing the game or getting to a certain point. With the time I have, finishing games is an achievement. Vesperia gives it to you at very specific parts of the game. End of Act 1. End of Act 2. End of Act 3. And they aren't for beating a boss. It's just that a boss fight always coincides with the end of the act.

Or are you talking about a different achievement? Put it in spoiler tags or just link me to your gamertag =P

 

[RpgN]

Beating a boss as part of the story is not worthy of an "achievement."

You HAVE to beat it.

Maybe it would have been better if they gave trophies for mini-games or hidden bossfights?