TheValkyrie Profileseries is one of Square Enix’s more obscure retro franchises. Having been introduced late on the PS1 in 1999,Valkyrie Profilemade a name for itself by mixing action with traditional turn-based RPG combat. Combat is the focal point of many discussions about the series, but it’s also known for its early use of a Norse mythological setting, a tendency toward muted colors and somber ambiance, and some of what fans consider to be composer Motoi Sakuraba’s best work. The games may not have sold well, but their influence can still be felt in future games likeLightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13andIndivisible.
After 2009, a lack of sales left the series relegated to a couple of mobile games. The old cult-classic titles rarely received the spotlight, and fans were left to recreate the gameplay and tone in spiritual successors.Valkyrie Profile’s main developer tri-Ace even worked onLightning Returns, though it’s unclear if it had any influence over the gameplay. However, the series has returned withValkyrie Elysium. Being handled by ex-Ninja Gaidendeveloper Soleil,Valkyrie Elysiumis a third-person action game that will take the franchise’s gameplay in a new direction. It’s nice to see the franchise active again, though far too much ofValkyrie Profileis still trapped in the past.
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Valkyrie Profile
Valkyrie Profileis the game that started it all, and it remains a classic among hardcore JRPG fans to this day.Valkyrie Profilefollows the titular Valkyrie, Lenneth, as she travels through Midgard. Along the way, Lenneth collects the souls of slain heroes to serve either as einherjar or her fighting companions for the upcoming Ragnarok. Aside from itslimited original PS1 release, the game was re-released on the PSP in 2006 asValkyrie Profile: Lenneth, featuring a refined translation and full-motion video replacing its anime cutscenes. This version was ported to iOS and Android in 2018. There it remains, being the onlyValkyrie Profilegame available on modern hardware. It’s a good port, but the inability to play with a controller won’t endear it to old-school fans.
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
Players interested inValkyrie Elysiummay have to settle for the portedLenneth, as no otherValkyrie Profilegames are currently available.Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeriais a prequel to the first game, and builds upon it in every way. Having beenreleased for the PS2 in 2006, it used cutting-edge 3D graphics instead of sprites to remain visually impressive. Battles were more tactical, taking place in a 3D space using real-time mechanics, and had deeper combo systems. It’s worth tracking down this iteration ofValkyrie Profileto see where the series could have gone with more success.
Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume
The third entry,Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume, is an odd duck, as it is more of a tactical RPG instead of the usual turn-based action game. Initially released in 2008 for the Nintendo DS, this game functions like asend-up toFinal Fantasy Tactics. The original real-time combos are still present, but they are scaled back from those present inSilmeria. Adding toCovenant’s uniqueness, the protagonist Wylfred is a mortal man revived by Hel to pursue his vengeance against Valkyrie Lenneth for a perceived slight. Player choice is emphasized, and the ending is impacted by how much the titular Destiny Plume is used to power up and sacrifice party members. It’s a departure fromValkyrie Profile’s norm, but the game upholds the franchise’s spirit.
Valkyrie Anatomia: The Origin
The lastValkyrie Profiletitle beforeElysiumwasValkyrie Anatomia: The Origin, released exclusively on iOS and Android. Coming out for Japan in 2016 and for the rest of the world in 2019, this game fused the archetypicalValkyrie Profiledungeon-crawling formulawith a gacha game. The title was heavy on in-app purchases, employing an energy system that both limited exploration and could potentially be used for freezing enemies and healing after a battle. It also has players roll for most einherjar, although the English release was accompanied by giveaways. Curious players need not fret about this entry, asThe Origin’s worldwide servers shut down in 2020 and its Japanese server went offline in 2021.Valkyrie Profile’s prospects looked grim, but hopefullyElysiumcan drum up enough interest for a larger revival.
Valkyrie Elysiumis set to release in 2022 for PC, PS4, and PS5.
