I make no secret of the fact that Valkyria Chronicles is my favourite video game series of all time. The wallpapers on all my computers, phones and handhelds are various images from the series. I talk about it with ceaseless emotion to anyone unfortunate enough to listen. I own a couple of artbooks, and I once got scammed trying to buy a Selvaria Bles figurine for a price that was too good to be true (I got the refund, though it took a month). Through the years, I've championed the series to the point that almost a dozen people have bought an entry simply because I would not shut the ♥♥♥♥ up about it. Sega should hire me.

Here it is: the game that started it all. Valkyria Chronicles is a brilliant, innovative, emotional, gorgeously designed and somewhat flawed game that, sadly, has never risen to the place it deserves in the RPG pantheon. It has attracted a decent cult following which spends the greater portion of its time dunking on the game's main cheese strategy than anything else. Nobody hates Metallica more than Metallica fans, as they say.

Yet on a non-autistic run, this is an incredible game. It delivers turn-based strategy and real-time tactics in one addictive package. It's unique and open-ended: depending on your decisions, battles may feel like a walk in the park or a desperate crawl through the trenches of hell. When I first played through this game, it was surprisingly hard - enemies are extremely unforgiving with opening up interception fire on your units, aiming for your weak spots, and they're always given the high ground. I recommend playing this game blind for that reason, so you can become your own Sun Tzu and focus on bolstering your units, using them for their intended roles, and maintaining a steady advance rather than a subdued steamroll. On your first playthrough, you don't want to get fixated on the game's biggest flaw: the focus on speed.

As the game bases your rank and rewards for each battle solely on the number of turns you took to achieve your objective, it's impossible not to attempt cheese strategies once the endless bleating of 'Alicia scout rush' reaches your ears. Do not google this phrase. Go play the game now if you haven't already, and then come back. On my most recent playthrough, I'll say that this strategy only really works for three of the game's story battles, because of how long it takes to unlock the required materials, but that hasn't stopped it from becoming one of the game's more infamous aspects.

It is true that Valkyria Chronicles' ranking system is its biggest flaw. While you may receive extra materials, as well as EA's famous 'sense of pride and accomplishment,' for killing special enemies, these choices do not impact your rating - only the number of turns you took. A more weighted approach would have been better, particularly as A ranks are impossible to receive on later missions on an honest playthrough. So don't focus on rankings on your first run, and enjoy the game the way it's meant to be played: as a hybrid of turn-based and action RPG, of strategy and tactics, maneuvering and attacking your way to victory and glory and freedom of the land.

Valkyria Chronicles isn't award-worthy just for its gameplay, however. The game's beautiful watercolour aesthetic, gorgeous character design and battlefield presentation are not to be missed. From the comic-book style 'Ka-Boom!'s, 'vroom-vroom's and "ratta-tatta-ta's of movement and attacks, to the seamless switch from 2D to 3D graphics as you begin a turn, this is an inspired, visually spectacular experience. It was one of the first games to present an anime art style in 3D with such success, and it laid the groundwork for how many JRPGs would look for years to come. As usual, Valkyria Chronicles does not get credit for this.

The story is satisfying, with the World War II-inspired setting being the highlight. Valkyria Chronicles is not shy about its real-world parallels, but at the end of the day it's still a fantasy game. The plot has a few weak spots, which may be exacerbated by the mediocre English voice acting (the option to select Japanese voices is available.) But it's never egregious enough to alienate the player. Not when the characters are this likeable. Not when the soundtrack is so stirring it still gives me goosebumps. Valkyria Chronicles is endlessly compelling: the story makes you eager for more gameplay, during which you're enthusiastic for the next bit of story.

The PC port is superb, with not one glitch or flaw in all my time with it. It also includes a couple of DLC chapters, but they were made back when publishers were still figuring out how they could milk more money out of games, and they are fairly inessential. I should warn you, though: this game does not have autosave, and you do not want to overwrite your New Game+ data with a separate playthrough or DLC chapter's save, as you will lose that progress.

Got all that? Now go play it, because despite its imperfections, Valkyria Chronicles is fantastic. It was one of the most original, lovingly crafted games ever made when it came out in 2008, and it's still enjoyable today. The sequel was even better.

A very unique yet accessible JRPG that successfully combines highly different mechanics and approaches. Plays like a turn-based strategy + a third-person shooter + a puzzle game simultaneously and has quite more tactical depth compared to your average JRPG combat, yet stays casual enough to feel comfortable and chill rather than tiresome. Also a very well-paced experience, with just the right balance between gameplay/plot that never turns into a grind/filler, even if you aim for all achievements.

The narrative, too, displays an interesting mixture of storytelling methods. On one hand, this is a fairly dark and grounded alt-WWII story that shows the hardships of war, as well as some nasty stuff like systemic discrimination or forced labor running rampant in its shadow. Certain developments can get rather forced, but they do pack a punch, while low-key parts sneak nuance and moral greyness into the picture, especially if you consider the historical parallels.

On the other hand, it stays faithful to more positive but less realistic JPRG conventions: giving the young heroes unlikely victories, placing big emphasis on friendship and morality, showing silly comedic scenes or sprinkling a dash of fan service. Some might consider this mix (plus the occasional mood whiplashes it entails) jarring or even tone-deaf, but VC handles its juxtapositions better than most, averaging out to a convincingly hopeful story about a likeable cast who fights for their right to live a simple, peaceful life – and gets it, but not without sacrifices.

The visuals are every bit as eye-pleasing and stylish as they look on the screenshots. A lack of polygons might betray the game’s age, but the smart and professional design carries it forward. The uniforms, in particular, are just a pure aesthetic joy to look at.

Overall, a very easy recommendation that can satisfy quite a range of different tastes (provided you don’t get too critical or analytical). And if you like it, do consider continuing to VC4 (just as worth playing, despite a few narrative hiccups) or even to VC3 and VC2 on PSP (in this order due to VC2 generally being seen as the weakest entry).

Dumb game design that won't let you finish the level. Chapter 7 desert duel =_=. This is why devs need to be careful with invulnerability system