Valkyria Chronicles/Eternal Sonata

[Blazing_Soul]

I just picked up both of these games and was wondering if anyone has tried them out yet? I'm currently at work for the weekend and decided not to bring my PS3 to work due to the hassle of who I work for. If anyone has played them what do you think of the gameplay for each one what's good or bad about the two games since they are unopened I can still return them.

[Bob Jr. of Bob Sr.]

==I have played Eternal Sonata, and it's...well it's not terribly bad, but...it's missing a lot. The plotline is cute but never really seems to catch you (mind you, I'm not extremely far, but about ten to fifteen hours should be enough), the gameplay is normal, and the voice-actors can be grating.

I mean, I do like the music aspect of it, but the game itself doesn't seem very awesome.

[Cold Popcorn]

I haven't played either, but Valkyria Chronicles got my interest recently. In the videos I've seen it looks absoulutely gorgeous with it's unique style. The techniques used are somewhat comparable to Okami (canvas background filter, painting-like features for shading and such), which is good by any measure.

[burning_phoneix]

I've completed Eternal Sonata.

Good game but the story is completely wack. By the end of the game, I couldn't exactly figure out why I was fighting the last boss or what the fuck the characters were talking about. Also, Chopin is such a minor character they could just throw him out of the game and nothing would change.

The gameplay is fun tho but I wouldn't buy the game at full price.

[DMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMA JonnyJon]

Eternal Sonata is the very definition of a paint-by-number RPG, which is a shame because the battle system in and of itself is inherently awesome. The problem is, though, every single battle is more or less the same in a given area. Once you figure out the best strategy against a group of enemies, you just go through the same motions every single time until your mind goes numb. It's a shame, too, because all they had to do to fix it is to randomize everyone's starting location at the beginning of a battle to force you to think about what to do before you do it.

Also, Chopin is such a minor character they could just throw him out of the game and nothing would change.

I keep telling you this isn't true, but you never believe me. 

[SlippyToasterTrooper_UK]

Valkyria Chronicles is bombing...
Already $50 at Amazon...it took what, 4 days?

As far as the UK goes I think we got it October 31st and chart-wise WEEK ENDING 1 November 2008. It got position 18 on the PS3 charts. Not sure if thats a good or bad thing though.

At least it actually enterted its respective formats charts *glares at Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn and Disaster Day of Crisis both of which were never seen in the Wii top 50*

Edit: Lots of Valkyria Chronicles info here inculding links to a number of beaming reivews. Wait did they say Skies of arcadia developers...

[Mage Knight 404]

Edit: Lots of Valkyria Chronicles info here inculding links to a number of beaming reivews. Wait did they say Skies of arcadia developers...

Yes, the SoA team is behind VC, and for all the better. Vyse, Aika, and Fina even make cameos in the game, the former two being actual fighters while Fina's the medic.

I don't have a PS3, which may change sometime soon. But from what I've seen and heard about VC, I can't wait to actually try it out for myself.

[burning_phoneix]

I keep telling you this isn't true, but you never believe me. 

Because he isn't. He just sits there in the background while all the other characters are talking and occasionally they show a cutscene of him in the "real world" on his deathbed and everyone's is "Chopin is teh dying NOOO!! " and that's it! He has no real influence on the story whatsoever. 

[DMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMA JonnyJon]

Because he isn't. He just sits there in the background while all the other characters are talking and occasionally they show a cutscene of him in the "real world" on his deathbed and everyone's is "Chopin is teh dying NOOO!! " and that's it! He has no real influence on the story whatsoever.

I think you got bored and skipped through the cutscenes though I can't say I blame you. He does have an active part in the narrative, and does take part in cutscene conversations.

[burning_phoneix]

I didn't say he was silent the whole time but when I buy a game based on the dreams Chopin has on his deathbed I at least want him to be the central figure of the story.

And just a note. I NEVER skip cutscenes in any game whatsoever. I love cutscenes to death and love games that have a cutscene viewer on the main menu.

[Pink Mag]

Eternal Sonata is okay.  It's a big plus that you can skip the cinematic, I think.

Funny thing about Valkyrie Chronicle... one of my friend was going through a strategy guide and pointed out two secret characters... Vyse & Aika.  I'm like what?

[burning_phoneix]

Oh yeah! Can anyone tell me if Valkyria Chronicles is similar to or better than Brothers in Arms?

[kanzakii]

I imported the Japanese version for both and beat them quite a long time ago. If I could get a credit card with verified Japanese address, I'd be able to buy downloadable contents for Valkyrie Chronicles.. very hard mode, more characters, side character's mission, and more importantly, play as Selvaria. The sad thing is I think the DLC will be available for US version as well.. but I'm not entirely sure.

The downside of the game, at least the Japanese version, is the fixed difficulty for the main story battle. When you replay the game, the side battles difficulty can be changed, but not the main, making it ridiculously easy. (Well, with the use of orders, the game is very easy even in the first run) I don't like how rank is judged by the number of rounds it take for you to win, because the fastest way to win is often the easiest as well, since you don't need to fight all enemies. So what I usually do is, I'd get the S rank first, then replay it to kill everyone just to make sure I didn't miss anything fun. (Tough for main story, because I also want to take out all named targets just in cause they're carrying uniques.)

They could do a bit better in the character choices.. because there aren't really many. The main characters will be chosen just for their extra movement, and they are very good, too. No scout unit is better than Alicia, only 2 (at most 3) assault units are really on bar with Rose, and well, armored unit would come down to just 2 or 3 choices as well. Sniper doesn't matter all that much. In most cases, I'd rather move the same strong unit 3 times than to command a weaker one, or simply use order on the strong unit instead of "wasting" that point on a lesser one. Most of the S Rank for example is done with Alicia singlehandedly.

Those aside, the game is very enjoyable and I will definitely play again if I could somehow get the DLC. (That is, after I've collected all those in-game trophies, meaning I've at least played through it twice)


Eternal Sonata is also a nice game, it kept my PS3 busy until Fallout 3 was released. The battle gets boring, and I don't think randomizing starting location would fix it, unless you're using a weird team (for example, the twins + Bit, separated), and then does not have the first strike (Pretty much dead though if you get constantly assaulted from the rear). For me, once Chopin got his AoE attack, I never took him off the active team. Auto target, infinite range, 2-3 hit per 4 seconds.. along with one of Jazz's range attack, dark wave.. or whatever it's translated to, I just barely move anymore in the game no matter what I fought with.

Good thing is though, every character is good, and even twins + Polka can be a good team when managed properly. I had to stop my second run for that game due to Fallout 3 though, will definitely go back when I'm finished with Fallout 3.