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[Hours Left]

Even niche publishers like NISA are staying away from the PSP in NA.

NISA is the only niche RPG publisher that's doing this, others are ramping up their support.

 

[CatPee]

So how are the story/characters in this? I have played a few of the missions and the gameplay is not all that interesting (nothing super new or anything), and the graphics haven't aged very well, but if the story/characters are worth it, I definitely plan on continuing. So far the writing has been pretty bad, but a lot of my favorite stories in JRPGs start off really bad in end up being really good.

The story and characters are definitely top notch. Characters get a bit cliche at times, but they're the best of their "type" and are very likeable. Difficulty will kick up in a bit too, so you'll have to be playing super strategically. Also, I'd recommend you change the voiceovers to Japanese from the title screen. It's easier on the ears and the lip syncs match up waaaaayyy better.

 

[Giolon]

Not sure if serious.

the graphics haven't aged very well

Graphics vs Aesthetics

As for the characters, I love them. While they mostly fit the mold of the anime tropes, they do so very well.

 

[Hansel]

I was looking on the Valkyria Chronicles: Design Archive page on Amazon for reassurance of a firm release date and in one of the product threads for it had this post,

"Erik Francis Ko says:
Hello everyone, Erik from UDON here! First of all, thank you very much for your support on our artbooks!
Just wanna drop by to let everyone know that after some unforeseeable approval delay, the Valkyria book will be shipping out from our printer in Hong Kong this coming week! That means they shall be in stores and available to ship by Amazon in about 6 weeks from now! This book is 400 pages, full color, and have LOTS of information on every detail of the game!! Thanks so much for your patience and hope you will enjoy this book!"

I just thought most of you would be happy to see this.

 

[RurouniZel]

I was looking on the Valkyria Chronicles: Design Archive page on Amazon for reassurance of a firm release date and in one of the product threads for it had this post,

"Erik Francis Ko says:
Hello everyone, Erik from UDON here! First of all, thank you very much for your support on our artbooks!
Just wanna drop by to let everyone know that after some unforeseeable approval delay, the Valkyria book will be shipping out from our printer in Hong Kong this coming week! That means they shall be in stores and available to ship by Amazon in about 6 weeks from now! This book is 400 pages, full color, and have LOTS of information on every detail of the game!! Thanks so much for your patience and hope you will enjoy this book!"

I just thought most of you would be happy to see this.

Thanks buddy! That's great news!

 

[Cheska]

So how are the story/characters in this? I have played a few of the missions and the gameplay is not all that interesting (nothing super new or anything), and the graphics haven't aged very well, but if the story/characters are worth it, I definitely plan on continuing. So far the writing has been pretty bad, but a lot of my favorite stories in JRPGs start off really bad in end up being really good.

Honestly VC has some of the my favorite characters ever, and the story was compelling enough to keep me interested all the way through. There are definitely some major surprises and unexpected moments. I absolutely love RPG's but have never been one to enjoy SRPG's, but this game solely was able to get me to give them another try.

 

[Lain]

Thanks buddy! That's great news!

You mean that's old news.

 

[Hansel]

You mean that's old news.

I didn't notice that, sorry about the redundancy.

Glad I could help inform RurouniZel at least though.

 

[deim0s]

They did say tho that the book is on-time. X's fingers.

 

[plasticpassion]

So how are the story/characters in this? I have played a few of the missions and the gameplay is not all that interesting (nothing super new or anything), and the graphics haven't aged very well, but if the story/characters are worth it, I definitely plan on continuing. So far the writing has been pretty bad, but a lot of my favorite stories in JRPGs start off really bad in end up being really good.

Really? I think the graphics aged very well. It has a distinct style I found very enjoyable.

 

[DarthWoo]

I was wondering about a trivial plot point. In the

Spoiler

Varrot side mission

it is made clear that Maximilian is "a stickler for protocol" and for the most part seems to hold the rules of war in high regard. What then is with Imperial soldiers indiscriminately mowing down civilians in practically any cutscene in which both Imperial soldiers and civilians appear?

 

[Nix]

He can't really keep a tab on an entire army that large.

Anyway, am I the only one who didn't abuse scouts and went with standard Snipers and Shocktroopers?

I was WTF'in myself at the end, because I realized halfway through chapter 14, you're not supposed to equally distribute points to all the classes. I then realized that all my classes were severely underpowered, and why the hell was I evenly levelling Engineers.

Needless to say, I didn't even know about ugraded paths until a little later.

 

[SerArthurDayne]

He can't really keep a tab on an entire army that large.

Anyway, am I the only one who didn't abuse scouts and went with standard Snipers and Shocktroopers?

I was WTF'in myself at the end, because I realized halfway through chapter 14, you're not supposed to equally distribute points to all the classes. I then realized that all my classes were severely underpowered, and why the hell was I evenly levelling Engineers.

Needless to say, I didn't even know about ugraded paths until a little later.

I did balanced levels without any problem through the entire game. Scouts to scout, decent combat. Snipers to start a level and clear a path, then retreat and redeploy. Lancers deploy close to a tank and take it out. Engineers only when there was a level where you needed to escort really. And whatever the other class was called for unit to unit combat. Commandos? Gunners?

Edit: Shocktroopers!

 

[SkylineRKR]

Shocktroopers? (Edit: beaten) They are useful for taking multiple targets out at once.

I never leveled engineers. I used them for escort purposes too, but they can reload Lancers (and give nades).

I would level Snipers as they only get truly useful when they reach elite, their aim is far too crappy at the start. Same goes for Lancers, their initial accuracy is just lame.. even from 5 steps away. Most important are those abilities and orders later on.

 

[Kazzy]

How come its so difficult to come by this game? I went around all my eb and 1 had it but was selling for 50 dollars! For a 3 year old game dam. Looks like amazon the only way to go.

Import it from the UK, it is easily obtainable, I got it for around £12 last year, it still hovers somewhere around that price.

 

[tiff]

I was wondering about a trivial plot point. In the

Spoiler

Varrot side mission

it is made clear that Maximilian is "a stickler for protocol" and for the most part seems to hold the rules of war in high regard. What then is with Imperial soldiers indiscriminately mowing down civilians in practically any cutscene in which both Imperial soldiers and civilians appear?

Massive collateral damage can be within the rules of war if you want it to be, really.

 

[Nix]

but they can reload Lancers (and give nades).

Ummm...What? How didn't I know this?!

 

[SerArthurDayne]

Shocktroopers? (Edit: beaten) They are useful for taking multiple targets out at once.

I never leveled engineers. I used them for escort purposes too, but they can reload Lancers (and give nades).

I would level Snipers as they only get truly useful when they reach elite, their aim is far too crappy at the start. Same goes for Lancers, their initial accuracy is just lame.. even from 5 steps away. Most important are those abilities and orders later on.

Snipers were my favorite. I loved the desert level where you start on the cliff and enemy tanks are in the sandstorm in the north. I think I spend the first two rounds just sniping. And it is glorious.

Shame about tiny maps in the PSP version(s?). I assume 3 by necessity uses map sections as well. Probably never get to play it, though.

 

[dock]

This game seems huge! I'm only about nine missions in, and I realise I'm still far from half-way through the game.

I'm trying to decide whether I need to complete the PS3 version before dipping into VC2 on the PSP.

 

[SerArthurDayne]

This game seems huge! I'm only about nine missions in, and I realise I'm still far from half-way through the game.

I'm trying to decide whether I need to complete the PS3 version before dipping into VC2 on the PSP.

Do finish first. 1 is better in pretty much every way. 2 is still good, but a bit more formulaic, the school stuff could go either way for you, but I felt myself getting burnt out a bit as I went on. Two at once makes that more likely to happen.

 

[DarthWoo]

I found out that to get one of the medals, you have to let one of your squad die permanently after opening their whole profile. I already am in my New Game+, so will I be able to start the book over in another New Game+ somehow so that I can get whoever I let die back? I know I could just use someone I'd rarely use anyway, but I hate the thought of someone being dead.

 

[linko9]

Wow, this game is great. I'm currently almost done (I think) with the game, and it's one of the most fun games I've played in a while.

 

[dock]

Do finish first. 1 is better in pretty much every way. 2 is still good, but a bit more formulaic, the school stuff could go either way for you, but I felt myself getting burnt out a bit as I went on. Two at once makes that more likely to happen.

Thanks for the tip! I'll keep pressing with the first game.
I do hope we see a release of the third game .

 

[Makoto]

A representative from the publishing company of the art book expects Amazon to ship the Valkyria Chronicles Design Archive very soon.

Just to give you guys a heads up. Diamond has received their shipment of Valkyria Chronicles. That means Amazon shall get their stock in very shortly and will start shipping out the books!! THX everyone for your patience.

 

[tha_devil]

Maybe a stupid question, but is this art book the same as the japanese art book?

 

[Rarutos]

Maybe a stupid question, but is this art book the same as the japanese art book?

Yes it is, it's the same Design Archive that was released in Japan a while back, except translated!

 

[Makoto]

Maybe a stupid question, but is this art book the same as the japanese art book?

Not a stupid question at all as there are different art books. The art book I referenced is the English-translated version of this art book.

 

[tha_devil]

Thanks a lot, i allready thought it was the same, just to be sure. Since i allready own the japanese one, there really isnt a reason to get this.

Its a really weird move though, that they are releasing this book now. A real fan allready has the japanese one i would think, there is no release of a valkyria game and its has a small fan base.

 

[Reluctant-Hero]

Thanks a lot, i allready thought it was the same, just to be sure. Since i allready own the japanese one, there really isnt a reason to get this.

Its a really weird move though, that they are releasing this book now. A real fan allready has the japanese one i would think, there is no release of a valkyria game and its has a small fan base.

I'm a big fan of the games and I could never pull the trigger on the Amazon.JP shipping. So I'm glad that the translated book is finally coming out in the US.

 

[gokieks]

A real fan allready has the japanese one i would think, there is no release of a valkyria game and its has a small fan base.

A real fan would also probably like to be able to read the information in the book. Unless you want to say they should learn Japanese instead?

 

[Giolon]

Swimsuit Selvaria by Alter:

Sold!

Spoiler

Though why she's half wearing her swimsuit, half wearing her normal uniform is beyond me.

 

[Ellis Kim]

lol... that's a bit much for me. Giolon, how many Selvaria figures do you have now?

 

[Giolon]

lol... that's a bit much for me. Giolon, how many Selvaria figures do you have now?

This will be #3. Yeah, it's a bit more risqué than figures I'd normally buy (say no to Swimsuit figures in general), but when it comes to Selvaria, I never say no!

Now, if only they'd release a figma of her... (I'd also kill for an Alter quality Alicia and Rosie)

 

[Ravage]

Snipers were my favorite. I loved the desert level where you start on the cliff and enemy tanks are in the sandstorm in the north. I think I spend the first two rounds just sniping. And it is glorious.

Shame about tiny maps in the PSP version(s?). I assume 3 by necessity uses map sections as well. Probably never get to play it, though.

ooo that's my favourite part too! I really miss the huge open maps when i was playing through VC2.

 

[gokieks]

Need less Selvaria figures and more (game design) Alicia figures. Or Freesia.

 

[Augemitbutter]

lovely figure, but i don't think i could display that one at home.

 

[Onion_Relish]

I would have it at home, but i cant afford these things. Or more specifically, i can afford it but that shit is so expensive man. I can buy a lot of vidya just for one of those things.

 

[tiff]

Looks fantastic.

 

[DarthWoo]

One story-related question: The Imperial invasion of Gallia was pretty much just a sideshow in the grand scheme of things, wasn't it? The huge majority of Imperial forces would have been engaged directly against the Federation, otherwise it seems like the Empire should have been able to just overrun Gallia and win by attrition. Makes you wonder what would have happened if Maximilian hadn't squandered his various superweapon-level resources in Gallia and they had instead been applied in the larger conflict. It's too bad VC3 is having such a hard time getting published over here. It would be neat to have more games after that that could expand the story outside of Gallia. (even if most of the main characters from 1 wouldn't make an appearance outside of fan service cameos)

 

[gokieks]

One story-related question: The Imperial invasion of Gallia was pretty much just a sideshow in the grand scheme of things, wasn't it? The huge majority of Imperial forces would have been engaged directly against the Federation, otherwise it seems like the Empire should have been able to just overrun Gallia and win by attrition. Makes you wonder what would have happened if Maximilian hadn't squandered his various superweapon-level resources in Gallia and they had instead been applied in the larger conflict. It's too bad VC3 is having such a hard time getting published over here. It would be neat to have more games after that that could expand the story outside of Gallia. (even if most of the main characters from 1 wouldn't make an appearance outside of fan service cameos)

War usually comes down to resources, and it was stated that Gallia's rich ragnite deposits was the reason it was dragged into the war. So while the invasion of Gallia wasn't the end goal for the Empire, it will would have to be considered a tremendously important part of the conflict.

 

[Onion_Relish]

One story-related question: The Imperial invasion of Gallia was pretty much just a sideshow in the grand scheme of things, wasn't it? The huge majority of Imperial forces would have been engaged directly against the Federation, otherwise it seems like the Empire should have been able to just overrun Gallia and win by attrition. Makes you wonder what would have happened if Maximilian hadn't squandered his various superweapon-level resources in Gallia and they had instead been applied in the larger conflict. It's too bad VC3 is having such a hard time getting published over here. It would be neat to have more games after that that could expand the story outside of Gallia. (even if most of the main characters from 1 wouldn't make an appearance outside of fan service cameos)

Gallia has the largest supply of raw ragnite. Controlling the ragnite supply was crucial for the extended war effort as it is used in about 800 million different applications. The imperial invasion actually succeeded as the majority of Gallia was under imperial control. And they would have succeeded if it werent for those pesky kids!

edit: god fucking damnit

 

[DarthWoo]

Oh, I knew the part about the resources being the purpose behind the invasion. It just seems that in the end, the Empire didn't really throw as much support into the invasion as they could have.

Spoiler

The anime sort of hints at the invasion as also being something to get Maximilian out of the way for a while as well, but obviously the game, manga and anime are all different canons.

 

[tiff]

If you control an entire country and then are shortly after driven out that's not really a successful invasion.

Though I guess it's never really clear how much ragnite the Empire was able to extract from the areas it occupied.

 

[Onion_Relish]

MY DESIGN CHRONICLE JUST SHIPPED
CHECK YOUR INBOXES

 

[SerArthurDayne]

MY DESIGN CHRONICLE JUST SHIPPED
CHECK YOUR INBOXES

Amazon?

Does anybody know what the lowest pre-order guarantee price is? I'm going to bitch once it ships and try to get a few bucks back because they auto cancelled my order and I had to reorder at a higher price.

 

[frequency]

Mine shipped from Amazon(.ca). I had it pre-ordered pretty much since it was announced and I was charged $32.92. The Canadian site didn't do the auto cancel thing. The American Amazon price probably went lower than that though.

 

[JoeFenix]

Mine shipped aswell yesterday, so hyped!

 

[Dunan]

Great news to see this thing shipping; I'd had a nagging feeling that it would end up as vaporware.

(Now there go any chances I had to sell my Japanese original at a high price!)

 

[Giolon]

Mine was canceled from Amazon.com during that whole kerfluffle a few months ago. It's showing up as shipping in 2-3 weeks on the website now, and my order has an ETA of Aug 11. :-/

Fucking Amazon...I had that thing pre-ordered from the moment it first went up.

 

[dakkumauji]

Mine was canceled from Amazon.com during that whole kerfluffle a few months ago. It's showing up as shipping in 2-3 weeks on the website now, and my order has an ETA of Aug 11. :-/

Fucking Amazon...I had that thing pre-ordered from the moment it first went up.

Yeah, same. Kinda disappointed that happened. But at least, it is finally coming out.