Kotaku
Remember that beautiful trailer for Sega's Japanese tactical RPG Valkyrie of the Battlefield (Senjou no Valkyria) we were all drooling over back in September? Come this Autumn we'll be doing far more than drooling, as Sega announces the rechristened Valkyria Chronicles for the North American and European PlayStation 3. The game tells the story of a hero named Welkin and the members of the Federation's 7th Platoon, as they struggle to stop the evil Empire from taking over a small neutral country. The game's stunning graphics are courtesy of the Sega -developed CANVAS engine, which simulates a watercolor painting in motion. As for gameplay, the game uses a new battle mechanic called BLiTZ, which allows players to move around the map and attack enemies using real-time controls. If the game plays as amazing as it looks, the PS3 might have one hell of an exclusive come this Fall.
SEGA's Valkyria ChroniclesTM Journeys To The WestVisually Stunning Role-Playing Game Heads to the PLAYSTATION® 3
LONDON AND SAN FRANCISCO (February 25, 2007) - SEGA® of America, Inc. and SEGA® Europe Ltd. today announced that Valkyria Chronicles™ a fresh new take on the traditional role-playing genre, is coming exclusively to the PLAYSTATION® 3 computer entertainment system. Soon to be released as Valkyria of the Battlefield: Gallian Chronicles in Japan, where it has already gathered the interest of legions of gamers, Valkyria Chronicles combines strategy elements of tactical role-playing games with real-time action sequences. All of this is played out in an innovative and beautiful visual style.
Valkyria Chronicles is set in a fictitious continent reminiscent of 1930s Europe - divided in two and ruled by the Empire and the Federation. The Empire has set its sights on invading a small neutral country called Gallia, which is situated in the middle of the two great empires. The game follows a hero named Welkin and his fellow soldiers of the Federation's 7th Platoon as they engage in a series of epic battles.
Built upon the new "CANVAS" engine, developed internally by SEGA Game Studios Japan, Valkyria Chronicles' stunning 3D graphics resemble a watercolor painting in motion, taking full advantage of the processing capabilities of the PLAYSTATION® 3. The power of the PLAYSTATION® 3 also allows the development team to exploit the full potential of this new engine, giving players many different stunning environments to explore. A new type of tactical battle mechanic has been specifically designed for Valkyria Chronicles. Known as "BLiTZ," this gives players freedom to strategically move around the environment and attack enemies using real-time controls, something never before seen in the tactical role-playing game genre. The new "CANVAS" engine technology, the "BLiTZ" battle concept and an epic storyline offers players hours of exciting gameplay.
"Valkyria Chronicles has been enthusiastically requested by European fans" said Gary Knight, European Marketing Director SEGA Europe ltd. "The unique graphics and compelling gameplay are just two reasons why we're delighted to bring it to them."
Valkyria Chronicles will be available for the PLAYSTATION® 3 computer entertainment system in Autumn 2008.
Comments
WWII Game 2.0
this game is on my to-buy list.
first post :o aight dont ban me plz.
way too sad the game is exclusive to the ps3 for now... seems like sega wants to get its cell-shading fame back
What's that weird word you used? "Exk...excl...Eckksscluesive?"
I love the graphics style. Looks almost like a story book.
Looks very cool, hopefully plays the same.
YES YES YESSSSSSSSSS!
I want a Canvas engine God of War
@Kuromankuro: I think it's a name of a German video game company. o_o
Looks neat. Glad I chose the PS3 route over 360. Hope the dialog isn't a joke though.
Yes!! I've been waiting for them to announce the US version. The only crappy part is the September release. Why, oh why couldn't they release this during the dull (gaming wise) summer months.
Nice :) Heres hoping this turns out to be as good as it looks.
Damn it! This is one of the reasons I would buy a PS3. I want to be able to play it on my 360 though, so I don't have to spend 400 bucks. :(
@Kuromankuro: :)
This looks amazing, I saw the picture and thought I was looking at concept art. It's about time the RPGS started to come out.
Great God, thank you so much. This was one of the games I was really hoping for a western release for.
Please Sega, don't make it suck, it's too beautiful.
Yes, I love the art direction in this game.
Well, that's cool, it's coming to the US. Very nice. I'm not digging the character designs, but the way it controls seems pretty interesting. I'll file this one under "keep an eye on".
This and Fes announced in one day? My pants asplode.
Thank you, Sega. Thank you.
Coooool, graphics look good. But the original title was better. Chronicles is such an overused word in game titles.
Really looking forward to this one. Glad it's "officially" coming over here, although we all knew already.
So it's Batallion Wars: Eternal Sonata edition. The art style seems way too 'Advance Wars pre-DC' to me, I couldn't help laughing at how silly it looked when I checked out the trailer. Not in a good way.
I'm sometimes too quick to judge, but I just am not a fan of this generic anime cell shading, regardless of how polished said cell shading is. The game probably plays well though, and I loved BW.
The game definitely looks beautiful graphically. I've been staying on top of this one for awhile now, and the much awaited USA announcement has finally arrived. An excellent addition to the severely lacking amount of RPGs for the PS3.
Wow! Do want.
Definitely looking forward to seeing this in the United States. The PlayStation 3 can definitely use more unique exclusives such as this. Can't wait.
Nice, glad that the world will get to enjoy this one. I myself am dying just waiting for the Japanese release...
Plus the game might even be better in the US. After all, there is no blood in Japan anymore :(
looks interesting, difinatly keeping an eye on this one.
Screenshots don't do this game justice, to really see the effect of the "CANVAS" system, you need to watch a trailer for it. It's literally like a moving watercolor painting.
I was going to import this anyways, since Japanese copies of Sega games have the major languages on it.
Saw the trailer on the Jpn PSN store and instantly loved it! Gonna get it as soon as it's available!
This looks alright, nice graphics.
Argh, I have to say I am disappointed that is is coming out for the PS3 only, I have yet to make the jump from my good old PS2 to the PS3. Here is hoping Sega also brings it to the 360 or I find a free PS3 waiting for me when I get home from work tonight. :p
Looks gorgeous, but I'm so damn sick of this same stale, recycled rpg storyline...
"The game tells the story of a hero named Welkin and the members of the Federation's 7th Platoon, as they struggle to stop the evil Empire from taking over a small neutral country."
ARGH!!
So happy to see this coming state-side. I was enamored with the art style back when it was first posted.
Here's hoping the battle mechanics are rather entertaining.
I talked with a producer at Sega while at the GDC and he was more than a little excited about this game. I can't wait to play it.
Bring it on! Always nice to get news like this. Game looks great. Hopefully it plays well.
looks like JRPG's are coming back!
@MistahJGM: I know they're looking at a 360 version...
Oh my. My jealousy for 360s and Lost Odyssey feels a lot less of a burn all of a sudden.
@waitinthecar: It's better to focus on how an RPG tells it's tale, rather than what it's tale is about. Even the most spectacular of RPG's fall into cliches. As long as it can take an old concept and make something fresh and interesting out of it, I'm sold. Let's see if Valkyria Chronicles can do it.
Hmm...maybe the ps3 will finally start to get more JRPGS than the 360?
Awesome news, I was planning on importing this game if Sega doesn't announce a NA release. Thank you Sega!!! ^_^
@Vecha:
i dont know lets wait and see, lets try not to get anyone baned
k thanks.
lol
What the? This game never fell in my radar. What's it about and is it only for the PS3?
*Checks on google*
I've admittedly been out of the RPG genre for some time (mostly because I don't have the time between my majors), but I'd be interested in giving this a whirl. The artistic style intrigues me.
@Dakobah:
I'm serious though...that's what I loved about the ps2...and one of the reasons I own a 360(and a ps3)...because quite frankly I'm a confused and lost child :(
Sigh. Another PS3 "do want," another noticeable lack of an actual PS3. Bring it to 360, dammit! ~_~
yummy!!
want this game like NOW!!
Huzzah! My love for Sega will no doubt push me to buy this.
[www.gametrailers.com] Here's the trailer we were talking about.
One of my reasons for a PS3. Seriously, so awesome.
FINALLY more exclusive RPG's are rolling in. Excellent.
I'm still suprised this is being brought over to the US, it didn't seem like it would get a port over being such a Japanese centric game.
This is going to be a very good fall for gaming, and very bad for my grades.
It doesn't look this will come to 360, or at least anytime soon. Sega makes a lot of exclusives for all consoles and hardly ever ports them unless they were multi-plat from the start. Between this and Yakuza 3 makes me think Sega is one of the few companies that will put any effort into PS3 at all.
@Kia: Just buy a ps3 when it drops in price again. Unlike MS and Nintendo Sony actually drops the price on their consoles. (/me glares at the paltry $50 price drop on 360 2.5 years after its release.)
Looks like my PS3 will finally get some use - this game looks wicked. This and Operation Darkness + a long weekend sounds like fucking heaven.
This looks ace, so it's a PS3 exclusive anime styled RPG 0_0 I want so bad.
@Vecha:
well its good you own both,
and on that i dont see why your confused.
just buy em all. nuff said. lol
I've been dying for this game ... my PS3 is getting hungry for new games -- I need to feed it! I just love the designs on this game!
This game certainly looks awesome and I would a good tactical rpg would be awesome, especially if it works in real time play properly.
Gotta keep an eye on this one.
@Laughin_Caulk: Solid exclusives like... Virtua Fighter 5? ;)
@Kyle81: That sounds like it'll not come to europe, I hope it does otherwise Sony's dropped the ball a little. yes we can import everyone but it's always better to have a release in your own country.
I've been keeping my eye on this for a while. I think it will be a good game. The art style is incredible.
@-Sigil-: Sony dropping the ball? should that be Sega, given they are the ones making and publishing it.
PS3 is certainly looking more and more enticing by the day. It's good to see some real gaming competition out there for the 360. On the downside; now I actually have to buy a PS3 =/