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[SolVanderlyn]

Let's drive these Imperials back out of Gallia! Er, wait. That's Welkin's line.

Having skipped VC2 because of middling reviews and an awkward school setting, and gotten salty over the lack of an official localization for the third title and the move of the series to the PSP, I left this series behind after the first game. With the recent announcement of VC1 for PC, I decided to pick this up. And let me say...

Aside from the graphics and overall presentation, which clearly suffer from the PSP's hardware limitations, this is a sequel to VC in every way, shape, and form. Everything I loved about the first game is back in this installment - an interesting, diverse cast of characters where each unit has a distinct identity, engaging combat in the form of an RTS/TPS/RPG hybrid, a war story with a hint of quirky JRPG goodness to it - it's all here. I might even go as far as to say Kurt and his Nameless Squad are more interesting than Welkin and co. from VC1. They have a clear purpose and a chip on their shoulders, and Kurt's transfer to their unit at the beginning sets up a clear personal conflict that you want to see resolved. Combine this with the Imperial antagonists, and you have a multi-layered story that adds an extra level of intrigue that the first game didn't necessarily have. The Nameless are a bit like the Mega Man X to Squad 7's Mega Man, in a sense - they're darker and grittier, but they definitely still have that Valkyria charm to them. While I loved Welkin, Kurt himself is a far more interesting main character, and his cool, collected attitude and tendency to take things in stride make him easy to look up to. The fact that the game takes place concurrently with VC1 makes it have a extra draw to it for those who enjoyed the story behind the conflict in the first game.

Now, as for the gameplay. I skipped VC2, so some of the new stuff I see might have been introduced there, but the two things I've really appreciated so far are the multiple maps per mission and the new Armored Tech class. The maps are smaller, but there's more of them, and only being able to deploy a certain number of units per map adds a new layer of strategy to the game that makes it all the more engaging. It also helps keep the battle at a smaller scale without sacrificing the intricate design of the larger maps of VC1. The Armored Tech is a really cool class - when I first ended their turn and they deployed their giant shield, I couldn't help but think how awesome it seemed. The base camp seems more or less the same as the HQ from VC1, which is to say it functions perfectly well. I am, however, a bit confused as to how to train troops - do you no longer level them up in the barracks? Overall, though, I'm very satisfied with this portion of the game.

I was very wary going into VC3, as I knew it would be restrained by the PSP's hardware. I am still upset that it isn't on PS3 with VC1's gorgeous watercolor graphics and fluid animations, both of which are sorely missed here, but both story and gameplay hold up extraordinarily well and even add and improve on a number of things from the first game. I give this game two thumbs up!

 

[Silky]

This series was successful enough for a '3?'

 

[Jawmuncher]

I never played VC1 but OP I think you should play VC2.
I absolutely loved every second of it and that game alone is what has me excited for VC1 on PC.

 

[mdubs]

What a fantastic game, really the pinnacle of the series in everything except for visuals. The gameplay mechanics are the best in the series and the cast in particular is excellent.

 

[Jawmuncher]

What a fantastic game, really the pinnacle of the series in everything except for visuals. The gameplay mechanics are the best in the series and the cast in particular is excellent.

My only experience with the VC3 cast is from Project X Zone.
But they were pretty great there. Still trying to hold out a bit longer on a never happening localization. Before I plunk down on the JPN version and patch.

 

[thequickandthedead]

How many more characters on-screen did the original VC hold?

 

[Akito]

A solid entry in the series and a major step-up from the second game but overall I still like the first one the most, the graphics played a huge part and I prefer huge maps over multiple smaller ones.

 

[Mesoian]

This series was successful enough for a '3?'

In japan.

Which is why we're never officially getting it.

I hope VC1 on steam shows Sega that if they put it out, people will gobble it up.

I never played VC1 but OP I think you should play VC2.
I absolutely loved every second of it and that game alone is what has me excited for VC1 on PC.

...Mechanically VC2 is superior to VC1 in almost every way. The problems VC2 has are big, but they are still...mechanically...better than how VC1 handles things.

But let's not get crazy, VC1 is the better game, if only because it doesn't try to cheapen war by making it a high school teen romp.

 

[Mr.Towel]

But let's not get crazy, VC1 is the better game, if only because it doesn't try to cheapen war by making it a high school teen romp.

That's my biggest complaint about 2. VC had moments of levity but it didn't feel out of place with the darker moments. VC2 had a weird "wacky teens being teens and getting ready for war, yay" vibe that always struck me as odd.

 

[Jawmuncher]

...Mechanically VC2 is superior to VC1 in almost every way. The problems VC2 has are big, but they are still...mechanically...better than how VC1 handles things.

But let's not get crazy, VC1 is the better game, if only because it doesn't try to cheapen war by making it a high school teen romp.

I think for me having played VC2 as my first game there was nothing to really bother me in that regard for story. I didn't mind the high school setting it had. I'm looking forward to VC1 though because of all the praise it has. Since I have never played it.

 

[PseudoViper]

Damn Japan...

Hoping that I'll see this on US shores someday.

 

[RDreamer]

Loved 1 and 2, and was really excited when the fan translation finally came out for 3. I played it a bit and liked it, but the repetitive maps kind of got to me a bit. It's been too long to compare it to 2, but I don't remember it being quite that repetitive. Not sure.

I suppose it was also partially not the game's fault that I got out of it. My PSP seems to have some stuff wrong with it, and I don't think it was the hacking to get the fan translation working. I think the power supply/battery is just kind of broken. I pretty much have to play with it plugged in and if I accidentally jiggle the power cord or something while playing, poof, the PSP turns off.

Anyway, I appreciated the change to a more story oriented format, closer to VC1 than 2.

It's really a shame this didn't get a US release, especially on PSN... so that I could buy a Vita and be able to play it on that. I don't feel like buying a new PSP, but maybe if I find one really cheap I guess.

 

[Ramza]

VC1 is one of my favorite PS3 games ever. Maybe even my number one favorite. VC2 left a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth. I agree that it is mechanically superior to the first, but after the amazing setting of the first one, it felt like a regression with the characters. Not to mention with the maps you could really feel the limitation of the PSP.

I've heard 3 is superior, but I don't have a PSP to try the fan translation.

Also, the first is amazing if for no other reason than Sakimoto's amazing score

 

[SpikedGunner]

VC2 wasn't a bad game from the time I spent on it, but I was turned off by the requirements of class leveling (certificates) and class changes (snipers being now a scout subsection, Fencers/Armor tech in general), among other things. While I wasn't too bothered about the High School setting, it's not hard to see why everyone else was disappointed by or out right hated it. Overall, it felt grinding and I just stopped, doesn't help that I can't play on a PSP for extended periods as I do with JRPGs.

Finally playing VC3 last month, my personal belief is that it is the superior sequel we never got, however I will admit, it was developed on the cheap and it shows. There was a number of asset recycled from VC2, most notably the maps (which are used frequently). The game also had to deal with the same hang-ups (and grinding) being on the PSP system.

I do however appreciate the changes made. The class changing is a nice feature, though to get Elite status, you have to earn a number of hidden points via certain actions. The Armor Tech class having their shield expand upon turn completion was something I enjoyed and having the total deploy count bumped up to 9 was welcomed...I still have a WTF reaction over the Engineer class having musical instruments (I get it, it's a buff, still...) and I also barely use the fencer class.

I did enjoy the story and love the cast this time around, most were interesting and had great moments in their respective personal missions. I just didn't care for

Spoiler

the waifu picking, even if I'm Team Riela.

Plus there were some hiccups here and there.

I kind of wish I had to money or at least a payment method (that doesn't require expensive JPSN codes) to get the DLC, even if the patch never translated them.

Even with the platform and presentation issues that it shares with 2, I'd like to see the game officially localize some day (maybe as a combo release).

 

[SolVanderlyn]

I still have a WTF reaction over the Engineer class having musical instruments (I get it, it's a buff, still...)

As far as I know, that was a carry over from VC2 and its school setting, where having Band instruments made more sense.

Also, for all of those saying you were soured by VC2's school setting and lack of a more serious tone: the story in this game is probably the darkest in the series, so I'd say it's definitely worth a look.

 

[Giolon]

As far as I know, that was a carry over from VC2 and its school setting, where having Band instruments made more sense.

Also, for all of those saying you were soured by VC2's school setting and lack of a more serious tone: the story in this game is probably the darkest in the series, so I'd say it's definitely worth a look.

The school setting was a bit of a negative for VC2, but it ended up being less of an issue than I expected it to be despite its wallowing in anime highschool tropes. The real "What the fuck were they thinking?" showed up in the form of character advancement needing random drops from missions that you had no control over whatsoever.

Still, if you like VC, VC2 is worth looking into. The overall story is interesting and some of the antagonists of VC2 have appearances in VC3 since they're former army/militia members.

 

[joe2187]

I never played VC1 but OP I think you should play VC2.
I absolutely loved every second of it and that game alone is what has me excited for VC1 on PC.

Dont listen to this person.

 

[Jawmuncher]

Yeah im surprised reading now that the story in VC2 is so disliked.
As I have said before VC2 I thought was great and I really enjoyed the character there.
It's what made me a fan (Even though I didn't buy VC1). I've remedied that with VC1 on PC already preordered and the mystical VC3 coming to the west would get my money Day 1 as well.

Going back to story if anything it kind of reminded me of Persona in a way. Students in for one thing and then tasked to do another and work together through hardship making friends along the way to help them through. Maybe I just don't see the concept of having a school for military training that odd. Since it's not like those things don't exist in the real world.

Dont listen to this person.

 

[Giolon]

Yeah im surprised reading now that the story in VC is so disliked.
As I have said before VC2 I thought was great and I really enjoyed the character there.
It's what made me a fan (Even though I didn't buy VC1). I've remedied that with VC1 on PC already preordered and the mystical VC3 coming to the west would get my money Day 1 as well.

Going back to story if anything it kind of reminded me of Persona in a way. Students in for one thing and then tasked to do another and work together through hardship making friends along the way to help them through. Maybe I just don't see the concept of having a school for military training that odd. Since it's not like those things don't exist in the real world.

The story of VC1 is disliked? That's news to me.

 

[perorist]

I never played VC1 but OP I think you should play VC2.
I absolutely loved every second of it and that game alone is what has me excited for VC1 on PC.

This is the equivalent of recommending someone DMC2 without having played DMC1 or DMC3. I think you'll enjoy VC1 much more, though the mechanics are a little less refined than the portable installments.

 

[joe2187]

The story of VC1 is disliked? That's news to me.

The story in VC2 is awful hot garbage spiced with characters made from every single annoying anime trope.

VC1 is fine.

 

[Begaria]

I'm roughly half way through VC3. It's definitely better than VC2, but it's also held back by the fact it recycles map assets from VC2. Having played VC2 earlier this year, it feels a bit like deja vu.

 

[Jawmuncher]

The story of VC1 is disliked? That's news to me.

Meant VC2 will fix.

This is the equivalent of recommending someone DMC2 without having played DMC1 or DMC3. I think you'll enjoy VC1 much more, though the mechanics are a little less refined than the portable installments.

It can't surely be to that extent.
You could just tell something was off with DMC2 even if you never played the others.
But I know it's odd to say that without playing the others but I did really enjoy.
Considering it got me interested in the series and made me work for supporting it when the numerous campaigns popped up about VC3 or the sega games on PC. It must have been doing somethings right. But yes I am quite looking forward to VC1.

The story in VC2 is awful hot garbage spiced with characters made from every single annoying anime trope.

VC1 is fine.

I guess a factor for me is that I don't mind those tropes.

 

[Giolon]

The actual overarching story of VC2 is pretty good I thought:

Spoiler

Aristocrats enraged to learn than their queen is actually a vile Darcsen start a rebellion, and lacking Valkyria of their own attempt to create their own artificial Valkyria, with help from a renegade scientist from the Empire. Being occupied w/ defending other territories, military academy trainees are pressed into service in order to help defend the union of their country.

That in and of itself is a fine story. It's the fact that it's wrapped around a parade of anime high school tropes and boilerplate characters that drags it down. I did love

Spoiler

the prim and proper girl that was a closet gun nut though

.

 

[chrominance]

I must say that I never thought I'd run into someone that loved the story in VC2! But hey, whatever works, right?

OP, I do think VC2 is worth playing to some extent, but you're already getting most (if not all) of the good stuff from VC2 in VC3. I'd go back for it only if you want to complete the series/have an academic interest/need more Valkyria Chronicles ASAP. I do agree that the way Sega worked around the PSP's limitations did lead to interesting design decisions like having to juggle how many people are in each map section.

 

[thequickandthedead]

Did any of the previous VCs have direct command? That feature is amazing.

 

[Begaria]

Did any of the previous VCs have direct command? That feature is amazing.

Heh, if you think Direct Command is awesome, wait until you get the "Open Fire" command for a certain character.

 

[SpikedGunner]

Did any of the previous VCs have direct command? That feature is amazing.

Kurt's special action? nope, that is exclusive to 3.

Heh, if you think Direct Command is awesome, wait until you get the "Open Fire" command for a certain character.

that's a great one to use, though I like the following command (of course each has their advantage and disadvantage).

 

[Hasney]

In japan.

Which is why we're never officially getting it.

I hope VC1 on steam shows Sega that if they put it out, people will gobble it up.

I will gobble up anything they put in front of me if it meant VC2/3 on a big screen

EDIT: Reading that back, that sound far worse than I meant it. GAME wise I will gobble up anything.

 

[mdubs]

Good luck to all waiting for a localization, I imported earlier this year and with the patch it was worth every single cent of my money.

 

[FantasticMrFoxdie]

sigh I want this game.


still not prepared to buy a PSP for it. One day it will come to Vita. BELIEVE.

 

[KnightHart]

Played it in Japanese a 1-2 years ago and barely getting through it. I remember really liking Carissa and Imca a lot. I also like it more than VC2.

Also I remember seeing who I think is Homer's sister for the first time and going "Oh my... Oh that explains everything about his character"

Also VC3 got a pretty good but short OVA series (only 2 episodes) so if you wanna check that out it's there.

 

[Begaria]

that's a great one to use, though I like the following command (of course each has their advantage and disadvantage).

Direct Command, I've found, is only marginally useful given that your movement is limited to Kurt's AP. If he's on a class that has really low AP, I find it less useful, and it also depends on the mission you're on. I've gotten mixed results from using it. I will say that one of my favourite times using it was when I made Kurt a Scout for a mission and carried two Shocktroopers closer to the enemy which resulted in fewer CP being used. That's really cool.

Open Fire has been useful 100% of the time I've used it. When I've got 3+ targets in sight, I get a giant grin on my face. That command has gotten me several more S ranks than I would have normally gotten. Especially when the enemy is down to their last camp, calls out a few reinforcements, and you can just wipe them all out in one command and take the base on the same turn.

 

[mdubs]

Direct Command, I've found, is only marginally useful given that your movement is limited to Kurt's AP. If he's on a class that has really low AP, I find it less useful, and it also depends on the mission you're on. I've gotten mixed results from using it. I will say that one of my favourite times using it was when I made Kurt a Scout for a mission and carried two Shocktroopers closer to the enemy which resulted in fewer CP being used. That's really cool.

Open Fire has been useful 100% of the time I've used it. When I've got 3+ targets in sight, I get a giant grin on my face. That command has gotten me several more S ranks than I would have normally gotten. Especially when the enemy is down to their last camp, calls out a few reinforcements, and you can just wipe them all out in one command and take the base on the same turn.

I like

Spoiler

Reila's

more than Open Fire, it pretty much breaks several maps because you can just run past everyone.

 

[Begaria]

I haven't gotten hers yet. I imagine it's coming soon (I'm in Chapter 10) since her (lol) "big" reveal. As if I didn't see that one coming after playing VC1/VC2.

Edit: I'd just like to take a moment to complaint about something across all three of the VC games: Kill all Enemies + hiding in grass. Every god damn time I do this to myself. I'll wipe the entire map of enemies I can see only to realize that there's a single enemy, spread across out all of those stupid inter-linked maps, hidding somewhere in some grass. It's so annoying. It turns a potential S rank battle into an A because I just can't find the fucker.

 

[SpikedGunner]

or seen the opening movie...or played Project X Zone.

Spoiler

Also, I do want that Valkyria Riela unit, just damnit DLC/code prices

 

[dramatis]

Armored Techs didn't actually come with shield deployment in VC2, it was added in VC3. In VC2 I think they were actually by the far the most useless class, except for maybe like the less useful medic branch.

In VC3 you have a training camp (you'll know him when you see him) where you don't necessarily train the levels of your classes but rather the overall attributes of your whole squad (accuracy, evasion, etc.). Potentials are much more customizable compared to the first and second games, and that is the aspect of 'grinding' for VC3.

 

[Begaria]

I thought the Fencer portion of the Armored Tech class in VC2 was crazy good. They split the two classes out in VC3.

 

[ThatChairMan]

That's my biggest complaint about 2. VC had moments of levity but it didn't feel out of place with the darker moments. VC2 had a weird "wacky teens being teens and getting ready for war, yay" vibe that always struck me as odd.

I didn't really feel as if VC3 was that much different in this regard. Sure, they weren't part of an academy anymore, but that was basically the only thing that felt different to me.