Valkyrie Elysium

The story of Valkyrie Elysium receives mixed but somewhat balanced praise, with several critics acknowledging its thematic ambition and character-driven moments. IGN Italia notes that the narrative gains momentum later, connecting earlier elements into a more cohesive plot, while GameSpew highlights how the protagonist’s emotional development gradually engages players. The Einherjar characters, in particular, are praised for their depth and humanity, with PSX Brasil and LevelUp pointing out that their backstories offer some of the game’s most compelling moments. Additionally, Digitally Downloaded appreciates the melancholic tone and environmental storytelling, which subtly convey Norse mythology through fragments of lore and reflective quests. These elements suggest that while the narrative has its flaws, it occasionally succeeds in creating emotional resonance and world-building through character interactions and thematic undertones. However, the majority of critics condemn the story for its lack of depth, originality, and engagement. Destructoid and The Games Machine criticize the plot as forgettable, clichéd, and emotionally hollow, with weak world-building that relies on scattered text messages and collectibles. PC Games and Eurogamer Italy describe the narrative as simplistic, predictable, and underdeveloped, with a protagonist who lacks personality and a plot that only begins to unfold halfway through. The Einherjar’s backstories, while better fleshed out, are often seen as disjointed or arbitrarily assembled (LevelUp, Shacknews), and the game’s reliance on recycled themes from Valkyrie Profile is repeatedly criticized (Worth Playing, GameSpot). Many also note that the ending feels unearned or derivative, with Digital Trends calling the narrative “cardboard” and God is a Geek describing it as overly serious and dull. These criticisms highlight a widespread perception of the story as shallow, formulaic, and lacking in meaningful stakes or character growth. Overall, critics largely agree that Valkyrie Elysium’s story falls short of expectations, despite occasional moments of promise. While some praise its thematic elements and character interactions—particularly with the Einherjar—the narrative is consistently dismissed as underdeveloped, predictable, and emotionally inert. The game’s reliance on familiar tropes, minimal world-building, and lack of engagement with its Norse mythology undermine its potential, leaving many reviewers disappointed compared to previous entries in the series. As noted by IGN and GamingBolt, the story’s slow pacing and missed opportunities for depth result in a experience that feels incomplete or unremarkable, even as it occasionally hints at the richness of its lore and characters. The consensus is clear: while Valkyrie Elysium has ambitions, its execution fails to deliver a compelling or memorable narrative.

The gameplay of Valkyrie Elysium is largely praised for its dynamic combat systems, which blend fast-paced action with strategic elements. Critics like GameSpot and IGN Japan highlight the engaging use of elemental weaknesses, Divine Arts, and Einherjar summons, creating a layered combat experience that evolves as players progress. The Soul Chain grappling hook, weapon variety, and combo mechanics are frequently lauded for their fluidity and satisfaction, with SpazioGames comparing the action to PlatinumGames’ titles like Bayonetta. Multiplayer.it and GameSkinny note the game’s fun, technically refined combat, while RPG Site and Push Square emphasize its intuitive design and rewarding progression. The real-time battle system, rooted in the series’ turn-based heritage, is seen as a standout feature that balances accessibility with depth, offering tools like weapon upgrades and divine arts to keep battles fresh. However, several critics point to significant flaws that undermine the gameplay experience. Repetition is a recurring issue, with WellPlayed, Destructoid, and Digital Trends criticizing the simplistic combat mechanics that lack evolution beyond basic hack-and-slash routines. Gameblog.fr and INVEN highlight technical issues like sluggish controls, camera bugs, and an unfriendly UI, which disrupt immersion. Level design is frequently called out as linear and uninspired, with GameSpot and RPG Fan noting repetitive enemy encounters and underdeveloped exploration. Additionally, the game’s reliance on standard action RPG tropes—such as monotonous side quests (Shacknews) and limited progression diversity (Player 2)—diminishes its appeal despite its combat strengths. Critics like GamingTrend and God is a Geek also note that while the core mechanics are fun, they lack the complexity of more polished action games. The overall consensus among critics is that Valkyrie Elysium excels in its combat design but struggles with consistency and polish. While many praise its fast-paced, stylish battles and strategic depth—as seen in reviews from GameSkinny, SpazioGames, and Multiplayer.it—the repetitive structure, technical flaws, and lack of exploration options are significant drawbacks. The game’s ability to transition from turn-based mechanics to an action RPG format is a mixed bag: some, like IGN Japan and RPG Fan, appreciate the evolution, while others, such as WellPlayed and Gameblog.fr, feel it falls short in innovation. Despite these criticisms, the gameplay remains a strong selling point, with many acknowledging its potential if refined further. The divide between its engaging combat and repetitive design reflects a game that is fun but uneven, leaving players divided on whether its strengths outweigh its flaws.

The graphics and visual design of Valkyrie Elysium received mixed praise, with several critics highlighting its artistic ambition and unique aesthetic choices. IGN Japan commended the game’s detailed environments and character designs, noting their beauty and alignment with Norse mythology, while Digital Trends praised the "artistic beauty" and painting-like quality of the visuals, even if they felt underutilized. The cel-shaded art style, influenced by anime and Japanese aesthetics, was seen as distinctive by some, such as IGN Adria, who acknowledged its attempt to evoke a "medieval ruins filtered through a Japanese aesthetic," and ZTGD, which described the game as "visually beautiful" with attention to detail in environments and character designs. Additionally, GameSkinny noted that the art style, while not a strength, was consistent with the game’s melancholic tone, and IGN Italia praised the 3D models for being "detailed and well-realized," despite broader criticisms of budget constraints. However, the negatives dominated the critical reception, with widespread complaints about technical shortcomings, repetitive design, and an outdated aesthetic. Push Square and MGG criticized the visuals as "outdated" and "technically poor," citing issues like jarring black outlines, pop-in effects, and generic environments that felt "bland" or "lifeless." GameSkinny and Eurogamer Italy highlighted the lack of variety in stages and enemy designs, with the latter noting "sparse world design" and "copy-pasted assets." The cel-shading style was frequently panned as inconsistent or unimpressive—IGN Adria called it "outdated and unimpressive compared to modern standards," while GameSpew described environments as "drab and underwhelming." Technical flaws like stiff animations, poor lip-syncing, and texture issues (e.g., "muddy textures" per Cubed3) further detracted from the experience. Even critics who acknowledged minor positives, such as WellPlayed’s mention of "phenomenal art direction," tempered their praise with critiques of "flat, colorless" visuals and a "nauseating aesthetic." The overall consensus among critics leans heavily toward disappointment, with the game’s visual design failing to meet expectations despite its artistic aspirations. While a few reviewers, like IGN Japan and ZTGD, praised specific elements such as character models or atmospheric details, the majority criticized the art style as derivative, technically flawed, and visually repetitive. The PS5 version maintained technical stability (e.g., 60 FPS per Everyeye.it), but this did little to offset complaints about "budget limitations" (SpazioGames) or a "half-cel-shaded look that appears blurry" (Worth Playing). The game’s aesthetic, while occasionally praised for its thematic coherence (e.g., Gamer.no’s "thematically appropriate" dark tones), was often seen as underwhelming compared to other PS4/PS5 titles. Ultimately, Valkyrie Elysium struggled to balance its artistic vision with the technical polish and variety expected by modern audiences, resulting in a mixed but largely negative reception for its visuals.

The sound design and music of Valkyrie Elysium received widespread acclaim from multiple critics, with many praising Motoi Sakuraba’s composition as a standout element. Attack of the Fanboy and Gamer.no highlighted his work as consistent with his previous franchise contributions, calling it a “highlight” and “his best work since Baten Kaitos,” respectively. COGconnected and GamingBolt emphasized the soundtrack’s immersive quality, noting its adaptive nature that complements gameplay without becoming repetitive. Digitally Downloaded and IGN France praised its evocative, operatic qualities, which enhanced the game’s sorrowful tone and narrative depth. Additionally, LevelUp and SpazioGames lauded the audio for its atmospheric richness, with LevelUp specifically calling it “impeccable” in creating an oppressive, immersive environment. These critiques underscore a strong consensus that Sakuraba’s score effectively elevates the game’s emotional and thematic core. However, several critics pointed out notable shortcomings. Atomix criticized the soundtrack’s budget limitations, citing repetitive themes and audio mixing issues during combat, while Gameblog.fr found it “dull and uninspiring” despite its pedigree. GameSkinny and Noisy Pixel noted a lack of originality, with the latter mentioning limited track variety that hindered immersion. RPG Fan and Multiplayer.it also expressed disappointment, noting that few tracks stood out and that the music lacked the unique synth-rock elements of earlier games. Additionally, some critics like Eurogamer Italy and Everyeye.it mentioned voice acting inconsistencies, though these issues were separate from the music itself. These critiques suggest that while the soundtrack was generally well-received, it fell short in areas like innovation, variety, and technical execution. Overall, the critical reception leans positive but with significant nuance. While many critics, including IGN France and Hobby Consolas, celebrated Sakuraba’s work as a “strong point” or “saving grace,” others like Atomix and Gameblog.fr found it underwhelming or formulaic. The divide often centered on whether the soundtrack met expectations for originality and depth versus its role in enhancing atmosphere and mood. Despite mixed opinions, the majority of reviewers acknowledged the music’s effectiveness in supporting the game’s narrative and emotional tone, even if it didn’t fully transcend its limitations. This suggests that while Valkyrie Elysium’s sound design is a notable strength, its impact varied depending on individual expectations and sensitivity to repetition or technical flaws.

The voice acting in Valkyrie Elysium receives mixed but generally positive reception, with several critics highlighting its strengths. COGconnected praises the "very good" performances that enhance the narrative experience, while We Got This Covered and Worth Playing commend the voice acting for bringing life to characters and effectively conveying tones despite other flaws. Multiplayer.it specifically lauds the English dub as "excellent," noting its quality even if synchronization is inconsistent. Additionally, Hey Poor Player and RPGamer appreciate the depth added by both English and Japanese voice tracks, with the latter emphasizing believable character dynamics. These critiques suggest that while not flawless, the voice acting contributes meaningfully to the game’s storytelling and emotional resonance. However, several critics point to significant technical and repetitive issues undermining the voice acting experience. Atomix criticizes the English dub for "outdated quality," poor lip-sync, and a lack of polish, while Eurogamer Italy describes performances as "basic and unconvincing." GameSkinny and GamingTrend both note weak or forgettable delivery, with the latter calling most voice work "forgettable" and overly long. PSX Brasil highlights problematic lip-sync in English and subtitle discrepancies, and TierraGamer criticizes cutscene synchronization as a distraction. GamersRD also points to repetitive dialogue across language settings, which diminishes immersion over time. These critiques collectively underscore concerns about technical execution and pacing, which detract from the overall quality of the voice acting. The overall consensus among critics is that Valkyrie Elysium’s voice acting is a mixed bag, with strong performances in certain areas but marred by technical flaws and repetition. While titles like We Got This Covered and Worth Playing praise its ability to convey character depth, others such as Atomix and Eurogamer Italy emphasize the need for improvement in lip-sync accuracy and vocal variety. The presence of both English and Japanese voice tracks is a notable feature, with some critics (like Multiplayer.it) appreciating the former’s quality despite synchronization issues. Ultimately, the voice acting is seen as a solid but imperfect component of the game, contributing to its narrative while struggling with consistency and polish.

The technical performance of Valkyrie Elysium across platforms shows mixed but generally stable results, with some notable positives. On the PS5, several critics highlight its smooth operation despite minor flaws. IGN Adria and Metro GameCentral praise the game’s stability, noting no major technical issues or instability, while Everyeye.it and SpazioGames acknowledge consistent 60 FPS with only occasional frame drops during intense combat. For the PC version, The Mako Reactor observes that the port runs reasonably well despite a 60fps cap and compatibility quirks on devices like the Steam Deck. On the PS4, Multiplayer.it acknowledges budget limitations but notes that the game remains playable, though with more pronounced frame rate drops during large-scale battles. These positives suggest the game leverages its platforms effectively in terms of basic functionality, even if not optimally. However, the technical shortcomings on most platforms are significant and widely reported. On the PS5, camera issues dominate critiques: Attack of the Fanboy, Eurogamer Italy, and IGN all cite problematic camera mechanics that hinder combat precision or cause unfair deaths. Frame drops during chaotic battles (Gameblog.fr, PSX Brasil) and graphical glitches like pop-in effects (Push Square) further detract from the experience. UI flaws, such as GameSkinny’s criticism of a non-intuitive ability menu, and clunky controls (INVEN) compound these issues. On PC, The Mako Reactor highlights technical limitations, including pre-rendered video playback failures on Steam Deck and an artificial 60fps cap. For the PS4, Multiplayer.it emphasizes budget-driven compromises, with frame rate drops and a “slaty” color palette undermining its visual appeal. These negatives collectively paint a picture of a game that struggles to fully harness modern hardware capabilities. The overall consensus among critics is divided but leans toward acknowledging Valkyrie Elysium as playable despite its technical flaws. While IGN Adria and Metro GameCentral praise the PS5 version’s stability, most reviewers—such as Eurogamer Italy, Gameblog.fr, and Hardcore Gamer—cite persistent issues like camera instability, frame rate inconsistencies, and underpolished mechanics that detract from immersion. The PC port faces unique challenges, while the PS4 version suffers from generational limitations. Despite these drawbacks, many critics agree that the game’s core combat remains enjoyable, even if technical shortcomings prevent it from reaching its full potential. The disparity in reviews reflects a broader debate about whether the game’s flaws are minor irritants or significant barriers to enjoyment, with some praising its accessibility and others critiquing its lack of polish.

The reviewers generally acknowledge that Valkyrie Elysium offers some elements that could encourage replayability, albeit modestly. Several critics highlight multiple endings, collectibles, and side content as potential incentives for revisiting the game. For instance, GameSpew and IGN Adria note hidden collectibles like Verdant Blossoms and alternate story paths, while RPG Fan emphasizes that four distinct endings require multiple playthroughs, even if they involve repetitive boss fights. Additionally, SpazioGames points to varied weapons, difficulty modes, and an optional dungeon as features that add some depth, and Gamer.no suggests the engaging combat system might entice players to revisit the experience. These positives, however, are often framed as minor offsets to broader criticisms. The negatives dominate the analysis, with most critics agreeing that Valkyrie Elysium’s replay value is significantly limited by its short duration, repetitive structure, and lack of meaningful post-game content. Atomix and Attack of the Fanboy criticize the game’s 10–20 hour campaign as too brief, with repetitive side quests and a linear narrative that fails to sustain interest. Eurogamer Italy and Gameblog.fr emphasize that the game’s flaws—such as reused maps, enemy repetition, and underdeveloped systems—make it unlikely to be revisited. Digital Trends and IGN France further argue that the lack of New Game+ or DLCs, combined with a dull story and unchanging combat mechanics, diminishes long-term appeal. Even Worth Playing and Vandal note that the game’s weak character development and episodic structure reduce its replayability despite minor additions like side missions. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Valkyrie Elysium’s replay value is modest at best, with its strengths in ending variety and collectibles overshadowed by its repetitive design and short length. While a few reviewers, such as SpazioGames and RPG Fan, see potential for moderate engagement through multiple endings or weapon mastery, the majority view the game as lacking substantial incentives for repeated play. The recurring criticisms of linear progression, underbaked mechanics, and minimal post-game content—highlighted by GameSpot, IGN Japan, and ZTGD—underscore a general agreement that the title is more suited to a one-time experience than a repeatable adventure. Despite some positive notes, the game’s shortcomings in depth and innovation leave it with limited long-term appeal.