Valkyria Chronicles Remastered

The story of Valkyria Chronicles Remastered is widely celebrated for its emotional depth, unique narrative style, and rich character development. Critics consistently praised its blend of WWII-inspired alternate history with fantasy elements, such as the Valkyria, which add layers to the conflict between the Empire and Federation. 3DJuegos highlighted the graphic novel-like presentation, while Arcade Sushi emphasized the "deep and emotional" characters that bring the plot to life. The narrative’s focus on Squad 7’s relationships, as noted by ActionTrip and Eurogamer Italy, creates a strong emotional connection, with moments of sacrifice and camaraderie resonating deeply. CGMagazine commended its authentic depiction of wartime atrocities, balancing historical weight with a stylized anime lens, while God is a Geek called it "one of the most riveting tales in RPG history." The story’s ability to intertwine themes like war’s human cost, racism, and moral complexity—seen in critiques from GamePro Germany and PlayStation LifeStyle—further solidifies its impact. Despite these accolades, some critics pointed to narrative flaws that occasionally hindered the experience. Impulsegamer criticized the "excessive cutscenes" and outdated framing device, while Hardcore Gamer found the exposition heavy or tedious. Worth Playing noted weak villains and side missions overshadowing the main cast, and The Games Machine remarked that while characters had "good personalities," there were no truly memorable heroes. RPGamer also mentioned optional side missions feeling preachy or out-of-place, and Vandal observed that the story occasionally struggled with credibility. Additionally, some found the blend of lighthearted moments with serious themes—like We Got This Covered’s mention of a "love story and an adorable pig mascot"—to feel tonally inconsistent. These critiques, while varied, highlight areas where the narrative’s ambition sometimes clashed with execution. Overall, the majority of critics regarded Valkyria Chronicles Remastered’s story as a standout achievement, praising its emotional resonance, character growth, and innovative storytelling. The consensus leaned heavily toward admiration for its ability to balance mature themes with heartfelt moments, as noted by PlaySense and PlayStation Universe, who highlighted its "tear-jerking" depth. While some critiques about pacing, exposition, or tonal shifts existed, they were often framed as minor drawbacks in an otherwise compelling narrative. Critics like GameSpew and DarkZero emphasized the story’s unique art style and emotional payoff, reinforcing that its strengths—particularly its focus on human relationships and wartime tragedy—far outweighed its flaws. The game’s enduring praise underscores its status as a memorable, if imperfect, tale that continues to resonate with players.

The gameplay of Valkyria Chronicles Remastered is widely praised for its innovative blend of turn-based strategy and real-time action, creating a deeply tactical experience. Critics like 3DJuegos and ActionTrip highlight the Blitz system as a standout feature, emphasizing its depth in unit management, strategic planning, and varied missions that keep players engaged. The game’s hybrid mechanics—such as the integration of third-person shooter elements with turn-based tactics—receive acclaim for their uniqueness, with Arcade Sushi noting the complexity of deploying classes like Scouts and Shocktroopers while balancing strengths and weaknesses. Areajugones and Eurogamer Italy commend the game’s emphasis on tactical thinking over brute force, praising environmental factors, enemy AI, and the need for careful resource management. The inclusion of tank customization and class synergy (as highlighted by GamePro Germany) further enriches the strategic depth, while Gamers’ Temple and Vandal appreciate its accessibility for newcomers and veterans alike. Overall, the gameplay is seen as a masterclass in balancing innovation with traditional RPG elements. Despite these strengths, several critics point to flaws that detract from the experience. DarkZero and Hobby Consolas note issues like Shocktrooper overbalance, AI indecision, and clunky tank controls, while Digital Chumps and We Got This Covered criticize movement logic and awkward aiming mechanics. The learning curve is another point of contention: PlayStation LifeStyle mentions a steep slope due to the lack of tutorials, and Easy Allies criticizes the ranking system for prioritizing speed over strategy, which can frustrate new players. Additionally, Impulsegamer and ZTGD describe controls as dated, while Worth Playing points out that the scoring system encourages aggressive "Scout Rush" tactics rather than thoughtful planning. These issues, though varied, collectively suggest that while the gameplay is ambitious, it occasionally falters under the weight of its own complexity. The overall consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive, with most agreeing that Valkyria Chronicles Remastered delivers a rewarding and inventive gameplay experience. The majority of reviews—such as those from CGMagazine, Critical Hit, and RPGamer—emphasize the game’s strategic depth, engaging missions, and unique blend of genres, which continue to resonate despite its age. While some flaws like control responsiveness and balancing issues are acknowledged, they are often framed as minor drawbacks in an otherwise polished and challenging title. Push Square and PSNStores highlight the replayability through skirmishes and evolving strategies, reinforcing the game’s appeal to fans of tactical RPGs. Ultimately, the critics’ praise underscores that Valkyria Chronicles Remastered remains a standout example of genre-defining gameplay, with its strengths far outweighing its shortcomings.

The majority of reviewers praise the Graphics and Visual Design of Valkyria Chronicles Remastered for its faithful preservation of the original's distinctive art style while benefiting from technical upgrades. Critics like 3DJuegos highlight the improved 1080p resolution and 60fps frame rate, calling it a "visually captivating experience" that enhances the game’s hand-drawn aesthetic. ActionTrip and DarkZero emphasize the nostalgic appeal of the watercolor-inspired visuals, noting how the remaster retains the "painterly art style" reminiscent of Studio Ghibli, while also improving stability and clarity. Arcade Sushi and Areajugones commend the timeless quality of the storybook-like interface and color palette, which balances simplicity with charm. GameCritics and Gamers’ Temple specifically praise the CANVAS engine’s painterly graphics, now sharper and smoother thanks to anti-aliasing and higher frame rates. The art style is consistently described as a core strength, with many noting its ability to "stand the test of time" despite being over eight years old (Critical Hit, Hardcore Gamer). However, several critics point out technical limitations and unaddressed flaws in the remaster’s visual design. Eurogamer Italy and LaPS4 mention persistent issues like jagged textures ("aliasing") and screen tearing, which expose older graphical shortcomings despite 1080p/60fps upgrades. God is a Geek criticizes low-resolution interface elements that detract from the experience, while Hobby Consolas notes that fog effects feel more like a hindrance than an aesthetic choice. PlayStation Universe highlights that FMV cutscenes retain PS3-era 720p quality with aliasing issues, and The Games Machine argues the remaster feels "outdated" due to minimal upgrades beyond pre-rendered videos. Impulsegamer points to stiff animations and stilted movement, while Gameblog.fr acknowledges that environments feel small despite HD improvements. These critiques suggest the remaster prioritizes nostalgia over modernization, leaving some technical imperfections intact. Overall, critics agree that Valkyria Chronicles Remastered successfully balances nostalgia with enhanced visuals, celebrating its unique art style as a defining feature. While many praise the 1080p/60fps upgrades and improved stability (3DJuegos, GameCritics, We Got This Covered), others acknowledge that the remaster doesn’t fully modernize the game’s graphics, instead focusing on preserving its original charm. The consensus is that the art direction remains a standout element, with critics like DarkZero and PlaySense emphasizing how it "complements the game’s tone" and creates an immersive, artistic atmosphere. Despite technical shortcomings, the visual design is widely regarded as a key reason to revisit the title, with many noting its enduring appeal despite its age (RPGamer, Push Square). The mixed reception reflects a broader appreciation for the game’s aesthetic identity, even if it doesn’t fully address all graphical limitations.

The majority of critics overwhelmingly praised the sound design and music of Valkyria Chronicles Remastered, highlighting its emotional depth, atmospheric richness, and technical execution. Hitoshi Sakimoto’s compositions were consistently lauded as a cornerstone of the game’s appeal, with reviewers like Areajugones noting how the soundtrack adapts to in-game events through instruments that mirror the tone of scenes, from aggressive drumbeats in battles to serene strings in quiet moments. CGMagazine and Everyeye.it described the music as a "key strength" and "epic and luxurious," respectively, emphasizing its role in enhancing immersion and storytelling. Critical Hit and Hobby Consolas praised Sakimoto’s iconic style, linking his work to the JRPG atmosphere and the game’s narrative emotional depth. The soundtrack’s ability to evoke nostalgia while maintaining relevance was a recurring theme, with Gamers’ Temple calling it "exceptional" and one of their favorite game soundtracks. Even minor details, like the preservation of the original score (LaPS4) and the inclusion of English/Japanese audio tracks, were seen as positives that catered to diverse audiences. While the consensus on the music was largely positive, some critics pointed to nuanced drawbacks. Easy Allies noted that while the soundtrack uses horns and strings effectively to convey battlefield intensity, it wasn’t considered "top-tier," suggesting a lack of innovation compared to other JRPGs. Impulsegamer and PlaySense critiqued aspects beyond the music, with the former mentioning passable voice acting and unremarkable sound effects, and the latter pointing out subpar English voice work. Additionally, LaPS4 highlighted accessibility concerns, noting that text is only available in English, which could limit appeal for non-English speakers. These critiques, however, were peripheral to the broader praise for Sakimoto’s score, with most reviewers acknowledging that the music remained a standout element despite these minor flaws. Overall, the critics’ opinions reflect a strong consensus that Valkyria Chronicles Remastered’s sound design and music are exceptional, with only minor reservations. The majority of reviews, including those from God is a Geek, PS LifeStyle, and Vandal, emphasized the soundtrack’s emotional resonance, atmospheric quality, and its integral role in elevating the game’s storytelling. While some critics noted that the music didn’t reach "top-tier" status or that other elements like voice acting fell short, these points were overshadowed by the universal acclaim for Sakimoto’s work. The preservation of the original score and its ability to complement both the game’s narrative and action sequences solidified its reputation as a defining feature of the remaster. As RPGamer and Worth Playing noted, the soundtrack and dub remain strong aspects that enhance the overall experience, cementing Valkyria Chronicles as a memorable entry in the JRPG genre.

The voice acting in Valkyria Chronicles Remastered receives generally positive feedback from several critics, highlighting its strengths in character distinctiveness, emotional depth, and immersion. Gamers’ Temple praises the "phenomenal" delivery of the cast, noting their cohesive and believable portrayals that enhance the story’s emotional impact. God is a Geek commends the English voice acting as well-received, with dual audio support contributing to an immersive experience. Hobby Consolas emphasizes the quality of the original Japanese dub and the effective English translation, while Eurogamer Italy acknowledges the superior Japanese audio track, allowing players to enjoy the original dub. Additionally, Digital Chumps appreciates the unique dialogue and voice actors that give each squad member individuality, reinforcing character depth. ZTGD also notes that the voice acting effectively conveys the narrative’s serious tones and emotional weight, further enriching the storytelling. However, some critics point out notable drawbacks, particularly regarding the English voice acting and localization options. PlaySense criticizes the English voice acting as "poorly received," with Japanese voices being preferred, which could be a significant downside for players seeking English audio. Impulsegamer describes the voice acting as "average," lacking standout strengths or weaknesses, while RPGamer’s incomplete review suggests potential dissatisfaction. Areajugones highlights the absence of Spanish subtitles and voice options, limiting accessibility for non-English or non-Japanese speakers. Eurogamer Italy also notes the lack of Italian subtitles, though this is more about localization than voice quality itself. These critiques underscore concerns about the English audio’s consistency and the game’s broader language support. Overall, the critics’ opinions reflect a mixed but largely favorable reception of the voice acting, with strong praise for the Japanese dub and character-specific performances, balanced by criticisms of the English version’s quality and limited localization options. While some reviewers, like Gamers’ Temple and God is a Geek, celebrate the immersive and emotionally resonant delivery, others, such as PlaySense and Impulsegamer, find the English voice acting underwhelming or unremarkable. The consensus leans toward acknowledging the effort in creating distinct characters and maintaining the original’s charm, but with clear room for improvement in ensuring consistent quality across all language options. The absence of Spanish and Italian subtitles further complicates accessibility, though this is more a localization issue than a direct critique of voice acting itself.

The technical performance of Valkyria Chronicles Remastered on PS4 receives largely positive feedback, with multiple critics praising its smooth frame rates, improved resolution, and stable optimization. Areajugones highlights the game’s consistent 60fps performance, while Eurogamer Italy notes smoother frame rates and reduced graphical issues compared to the PS3 version. GameSpew and PlaySense both emphasize the absence of major technical issues, with the latter calling it a "smoothest-running version." The remaster’s 1080p resolution and 60fps target are frequently cited as significant upgrades, with RPGamer and We Got This Covered praising its solid optimization. Critics like GameCritics and Push Square acknowledge the port’s stability, even if some mechanics feel dated by modern standards. These improvements reflect a well-executed remaster that prioritizes performance over radical changes. However, several critics point to lingering technical flaws and outdated design choices. Arcade Sushi criticizes the manual save system as a notable drawback, contrasting it with modern auto-save norms, while DarkZero mentions enemy AI indecision and comical ragdoll animations during battles. Everyeye.it and Hobby Consolas highlight minor issues like AI unpredictability and screen tearing, respectively, which detract from the experience. Gameblog.fr and Vandal note dated menus, translation inconsistencies, and graphical imperfections such as aliasing, suggesting the remaster retains many original flaws. Impulsegamer and ZTGD also point to clunky controls and stiff mechanics, emphasizing that while the technical performance is stable, the game’s age is evident in its design. These critiques underscore that the remaster’s improvements are more about refinement than innovation. Overall, critics agree that Valkyria Chronicles Remastered on PS4 delivers a technically sound experience with minimal instability, but it remains a product of its era. While most praise its 60fps performance and visual upgrades (as noted by Areajugones, Eurogamer Italy, and RPGamer), the game’s dated mechanics—such as manual saves (Arcade Sushi) and clunky controls (Impulsegamer)—are frequently mentioned as limitations. The consensus is that the remaster successfully modernizes the core experience without introducing major technical issues, though it retains the original’s quirks. Critics like GameCritics and Push Square acknowledge this balance, recognizing the port’s quality while acknowledging its adherence to older design principles. Ultimately, the game is seen as a faithful yet imperfect revival of a classic title.

The majority of critics highlight the strong replayability of Valkyria Chronicles Remastered through its strategic depth, varied gameplay, and substantial content. Reviewers like 3DJuegos, CGMagazine, and GameSpew emphasize the game’s 30+ hour campaign, DLC expansions, and mission diversity, which encourage multiple playthroughs. The inclusion of skirmish modes, character customization, and New Game + features (noted by PSNStores) allows players to experiment with strategies and rebuild squads. Additionally, GameCritics and Hobby Consolas praise the remaster’s added difficulty levels, challenge missions, and post-mission activities like base upgrades, which cater to completionists. The tactical combat system, described as “puzzle-like” by Easy Allies, and the emotional narrative (highlighted by God is a Geek) further enhance its appeal for fans of strategy games. However, several critics point out limitations that could deter sustained replayability. Arcade Sushi and LaPS4 criticize the lack of story mission re-playability and repetitive skirmishes, which fail to provide long-term engagement. RPGamer and Vandal note that DLC additions, while present, are minimal and often feel redundant, offering little new content for veterans. The linear narrative structure (mentioned by LaPS4) and lengthy cutscenes (cited by Impulsegamer) also risk alienating players seeking fresh experiences. Additionally, the focus on speed-based rankings (Easy Allies) and the absence of post-game content in the remaster (as noted by Eurogamer Poland) create a sense of stagnation for some. These critiques suggest that while the game’s core mechanics are robust, its replayability hinges on existing content rather than innovation. Overall, critics agree that Valkyria Chronicles Remastered offers solid replay value for strategy enthusiasts, but with caveats. The game’s tactical depth, DLC variety, and engaging narrative (as praised by RPG Site and Worth Playing) make it a rewarding experience for those who enjoy mastering its systems. However, the lack of new content in the remaster and repetitive elements (highlighted by Arcade Sushi and Vandal) mean that its longevity may depend on individual preferences. While Digital Chumps and Push Square acknowledge the game’s design encourages multiple playthroughs through grinding and experimentation, others like LaPS4 argue that its linear structure limits long-term appeal. Ultimately, the consensus leans toward a positive assessment, with most critics recognizing the game as a worthwhile experience for fans of tactical RPGs, even if it falls short of groundbreaking replay incentives.