Valkyrie Profile Silmeria / Lenneth

[AndrewTS 0]

Because frankly VP deserves its own thread, and 1up just posted a new preview.

 

Since 1up pages hate you if you don't use Firefox, here's the text:

 

Valkyrie Profile: Silmeria

Platform: PS2

 

Publisher: Square Enix Developer: tri-Ace

 

by Scott Sharkey 09/03/2006

 

The original Valkyrie Profile is a tough act to follow. The fact that it was so underappreciated in its original release has only magnified its stature over time. Square could easily crack out a sequel that simply mimes its predecessor and it would be loved almost by default. For good or ill (mostly good), it hasn't done anything like that.

The first thing we notice firing up Valkyrie Profile 2 is that holy screaming hell, this thing is pretty. That's something we'd be justified in expecting, but the game is honestly on the leading edge of what late PS2 games can pull off with the hardware. Hell, this thing gives Final Fantasy XII a run for its money. Technical details like depth of field effects just make it harder to remember that we're not playing VP on a next-gen console.

 

The core elements of the original are mostly all retained here, but instead of resting on what was already a deep and unique system that went well outside the usual Japanese RPG ruts, the developers have taken that and built on top of it. Remarkably, this additional depth is perfectly welcome. The platforming dungeons aren't needlessly complicated by say, the ability to swap places with enemies after freezing them. It just makes for more engaging puzzles.

 

Likewise, the addition of tactical maneuvering on a battlefield before duking it out in Valkyrie Profile's usual button mashing engagements adds a welcome layer of strategy. Between choosing between thinning out enemy ranks or immediately rushing the leader, circling or dashing behind their line of sight to avoid attacks, splitting up the party into two groups to outflank opponents, and selecting individual body parts to attack, it may sound intimidatingly complex, but the whole thing becomes second nature really early on. It's not easy, but learning the system isn't the obstacle here.

 

Our only disappointment so far has been that the game doesn't seem to capture the lonely, sad mood of its predecessor. Much of this is due to the fact that while Lenneth gathered her Einherjar through a series of tragic individual stories that touchingly established each character, Silmeria begins the game with her own internal cohorts, which are unlocked one by one by discovering weapons scattered around the world. These allies are, for the most part, completely lacking in character or backstory -- or even, frequently, any dialogue. They're not people to care about. They're equipment.

 

Other than that Silmeria is more than doing justice to its predecessor, and easily looks like it'll be one of the best Japanese RPGs to drop on us in years. If you love RPGs and are sick of falling asleep selecting "fight" over and over again, start marking the days on your calendar.

 

 

From an earlier preview: the gameplay--

 

HOW DO I FIGHT?

Take the weird, actiony battle system of Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth. Now display it in 3D. The transition from 2D to 3D doesn't break the combat; in fact, it makes it more strategic. Now you have to worry about your position relative to the enemy or whether you're close enough to attack or be attacked (their attack range is helpfully highlighted by big red circles). You'll be able to pull off maneuvers like attacking baddies from two different directions, or even trying to target specific body parts of an enemy (in an effort to get better drops). Additionally, you can try to end the fight quickly by taking out the leader--tearing through the leader first quickly demoralizes the rest of the enemy party.

When you're not performing crazy action combos, you're doing some good ol' side-scrolling exploration (rendered in 3D this time, despite the 2D nature of the gameplay) of towns and dungeons. In the dungeons, not only can you freeze enemies and make instant platforms out of crystals (just like in the previous game), but you can also switch places with a frozen enemy (handy for puzzles or weird jumps).

 

WHY AM I FIGHTING?

You do this because, quite frankly, you're crazy. You can either think of yourself as playing the reincarnated Valkyrie Silmeria in a mortal woman's body, or you can think of yourself as crazy Princess Alicia--who's still alive and cogent when Silmeria's soul gets zapped in. Much of the game is spent with the two-souls-trapped-within-one-blonde arguing with each other. By the way, since Silmeria is a prequel to Lenneth, fans will notices references ranging from the obvious (Odin is still the Norse Allfather) to the subtle (Alicia is the princess of a land that's just a bunch of dust and tumbleweeds by the time Lenneth starts). Finally, Lenneth fans can finally see what the heck Silmeria's story is, since she gets name-dropped a whole lot.

 

WHY THIS INSTEAD OF FF?

Because you loved the first game and want to help its sequel last beyond a limited print run that'll result in future eBay bids of hundreds of dollars. Because you want to play the one Squenix RPG with an even weirder and crazier battle system than FFXII. Because you love playing as a schizophrenic Viking blonde.

[Star Ocean 3 0]

If i still bought games when they came out, this would be one of them. i got the soundtracks, including the arranged albums, but i haven't listened to them yet. Reviewers should stop referencing Square so much; tri-Ace made the game, Square just published it.

[MrRant 0]

But SQUARE~! is involved somehow. And that's important, because it's SQUARE~!

[AndrewTS 0]

Square was never even involved in the original--Enix published that.

 

The only reason Square's name is involved with it now is because of the merger, and the new Enix-heavy leadership.

[MrRant 0]

SQUARE~!

[Lightning Flik 0]

I'm interested to see how this game differs, yet keeps the same types of aspects that made the original so good.

 

I'm just concerned with the periods and stuff taken out because that was an very important part of the other game. However, I do like how we already know why Silmeria gets punished by Odin. Well at least part of the reason.

 

Although, I'm placing bets that there will be a third game concerning the new world that is created and the youngest sister of Silmeria and Platina, whose name I forget.

[Special K 0]

Definitely should have waited for this over mediocre as hell FFVII:DOC.

[AndrewTS 0]

Bump.

 

Silmeria ships this coming Tuesday!

[Lightning Flik 0]

So has anyone gotten it yet? Its out. I'm picking it up later today, I think.

[Lightning Flik 0]

Ok, picked up Silmeria.

 

Gameplay is a slightly simpler version of Lenneth, but still mean and nassty. Musics been pretty good to the theme and plenty of orchastra stuff.

 

But I suddenly remembered the one thing I hated about Lenneth that doesn't change. That you die if you don't end the fight quick, fast, and hard.

 

Story hasn't really kicked into gear yet (I'm on Chapter 2 now of what I hear is 6), so hopefully I'll find out more about that soon.

 

Oh, and its funny to hear Alicia and Silmeria be the other way around of how I expected their personalities to be.

[AndrewTS 0]

I've given up on my EB having releases I want on time. Besides, I have barely even scratched Okami.

 

Definitely going to rent at least, buy if I totally love it.

[Lightning Flik 0]

If you loved the original, no reason why you won't love this one.

 

Though, God damn, things are EXPENSIVE... I'm having to back up a few saves just because I got to Chapter 2 and I'm so freaking poor.

[AndrewTS 0]

If you loved the original, no reason why you won't love this one.

 

Well, everyone is saying the character development totally went to hell on this one, but I guess good gameplay is good gameplay, still.

 

It's just that my wallet's been taking a total hammering this month, what with Rocket Slime, Okami, Mega Man ZX, and now this. Plus I imported Sin and Punishment from Ebay and raided pawn shops for lots of goodies.

[Lightning Flik 0]

From what I hear people are saying the Einjaher have no development, not the main characters.

 

And to this I ask, um... They had development before? Besides the main storyline ones, the rest were fodder really.

[World's Worst Man 0]

Artistically, the game is incredible. Character and enviroment designs are fantastic. The plot is kind of like typical RPG fare, but it's interesting due to the fact that it's based on Norse mythology. Seems like all of the live characters are getting some development, although one of the characters' supposed secrets is fairly obvious. And finally, Motoi Sakuraba rules, that is all.

[Lightning Flik 0]

If you mean supposed secrest is obvious, and I'm assuming you mean Lezard, then its blatantly showed down your throat as to why.

 

So I went back to this one save spot I have with a previous save and I'm just repeatedly fighting and earning extra cash. Only increased my Goth by 3000, so I'm quite happy about that. I'm not happy though, that that just buys me one piece of freaking armor in Dipan.

 

Ugh... I forgot how much this game makes you grind.

 

Sakuraba? Yes, yes, the composer does. The whole soundtrack is very nice (I have it), and different to his usual stuff (grab the arranged, which has his more usual stuff on it still awesome).

[Special K 0]

I'll miss Gutts, I mean Arngrim.

[World's Worst Man 0]

If you mean supposed secrest is obvious, and I'm assuming you mean Lezard, then its blatantly showed down your throat as to why.

 

So I went back to this one save spot I have with a previous save and I'm just repeatedly fighting and earning extra cash. Only increased my Goth by 3000, so I'm quite happy about that. I'm not happy though, that that just buys me one piece of freaking armor in Dipan.

 

Ugh... I forgot how much this game makes you grind.

 

Sakuraba? Yes, yes, the composer does. The whole soundtrack is very nice (I have it), and different to his usual stuff (grab the arranged, which has his more usual stuff on it still awesome).

 

I meant Rufus' "secret", which seems like it is going to be revealed at some point. I don't know if it will be a big deal or not.

 

I think monsters drop more money in the next area. I was getting 8-10k per run, including selling some monster pieces that the merchant can use. Didn't take too long to equip my party. Although, some of those pieces were selling for a few hundred, so that's a valuable source of income beyond what the monsters actually drop.

[Lightning Flik 0]

Really? So I should be grinding at the next dungeon? Argh...

 

Oh well, I'm getting everyone Fortify Physic right now to boost RDM from 100% to 150% so that having to buy new equipment can be held off.

 

Any attacks that you have to "toss" a guy, take out of your characters arsenal, save for one. You only need to have one person set up the juggle. Besides, Mithra's Frost Damsel does a good enough job sometimes.

 

Also, just have Rufus use his 3 Arrow Shot, followed by his Awesome Shot (as I like to call it) during a juggle. While Awesome Shot says 1 per hit, this is a lie, because you nail it during a juggle it hits every single body part of the baddie (assuming you time it right, which is what I'm doing). Its the best "cheat" I've found.

 

Speaking of the devil, Rufus has a secret? Hm... I just thought he was supposed to be "oh, he has a secret, that won't be that great".

[Star Ocean 3 0]

This game is tough. I got through the end of chapter 3 at level 20, and the next bosses are almost impossible. And everything stacks against you in battles. Revive, run around so I can use the menu again, heal, run around, heal again..

[Star Ocean 3 0]

*purifies weird soul*