Valkyrie Elysium got here as one thing of a shock when it was introduced in March of this 12 months. Twelve years after Covenant of the Plume and sixteen because the final numbered entry Silmeria, the newest entry within the sequence was to be developed by Soleil as a substitute of tri-Ace, undoubtedly busy with the forthcoming launch of Star Ocean The Divine Power. With a lot distance because the earlier entry and one other developer taking the reins, it felt pure to have some considerations — particularly when Elysium is an action-RPG correct as a substitute of a turn-based affair like its precursors.
If something Valkyrie Elysium is aptly-named in a way that it’s not going for a similar issues as Profile, regardless of the window dressing. Actually, it’s one thing of a re-introduction to a fantasy world impressed by Norse mythology, disconnected from the one Lenneth and Alicia inhabit. A lot of its parts are an adaptation of Profile’s mechanics to an action-RPG fight that looks like a cross between Kingdom Hearts II and NieR Automata. Extra on this a bit later, however Soleil is basically profitable in creating one thing that feels good to play before everything.
To arrange the story: after dropping a battle towards Fenrir, Odin retreats to Valhalla, the place he binds a Valkyrie to purify the souls of humanity to organize for the tip of the world. This Valkyrie, given supernatural skills, can enlist the souls of the departed to struggle at her aspect. And so she does, touring by means of decaying and blighted lands, recruiting Einherjar who’ve been remodeled into monsters because of their irreconcilable plights whereas they have been alive.
Navigating the lives of the Einherjar is likely one of the attracts of the Valkyrie sequence, tales of human tragedy and exploring what we do with second possibilities. Sadly, these shops take a backseat to the overarching narrative, relegated to voiced log entries unlocked by means of finishing breezy sidequests. I believe a stronger integration into the principle story right here would have been splendid, one thing that binds the Einherjar collectively a bit extra. Sidequests have a bit meat right here, however not a lot.
Levels are additionally peppered with blue flowers that, when approached, share a small mote of perception into the lives of the departed. Whereas it is a good thought, none of them actually paint a collective story concerning the areas they inhabit and find yourself coming off as non-sequiturs — and mere collectables. I might have appreciated to see one thing a bit extra substantial right here too.
Elysium’s fight is its greatest draw. It’s fast and snappy, and understands that having the ability to maneuver and react reliably is essential. Whereas solely the Valkyrie is controllable, her Einherjar are mapped to shortcuts activated by holding a bumper and urgent a face button. It’s a format that’s calling again to the Profile video games and the way that they had character actions tied to every face button. Spells are deployed similarly through the use of the set off, a la Kingdom Hearts. Enemies may have an elemental weak spot displayed on their well being gauge, to which your elementally-aligned allies will be deployed rapidly to take them down alongside you. Utilizing them often is one of the best course, as they’ll additionally carry out a little bit of crowd management.
Totally different weapon varieties may also be employed, every with their very own combo strings together with a traditional and heavy assault. Every kind feels good to make use of, and if it weren’t for weapon ranks enhancing their efficiency and skills, I in all probability would have been consistently rotating them. As you gather numerous gems, the Valkyrie’s ability tree will unlock additional offensive and defensive choices, akin to the power to decelerate time with an ideal evasion. The skills are a bit extra Automata reminiscent, as you may time excellent blocks and evasions in the mean time of impression, which I discovered fairly satisfying. Nonetheless, what actually ties a bow on it’s the skill to grapple in the direction of enemies with the left set off. This retains issues thrilling whereas shifting out and in of shut and ranged targets, eliminating the downtime between enemies. Along with clearing the marketing campaign levels, there are missions that can have you ever duel your Einherjar which are fairly enjoyable, and can in all probability push you the toughest — to which I’m glad to report that the battle system holds properly.
For the ultimate days earlier than an apocalypse, Elysium’s world is understandably gloomy, each in its artwork route, and its empty, ruinous locales. There are just a few NPCs on the market within the phrase, together with a notable one, however for almost all of your journey you’ll be trudging by means of crumbling cities, historic forests, and desolate swampland. Regardless of the restricted colour palette, every stage feels distinctive sufficient. It’s onerous to not really feel that that is the place the funds had some onerous limits, however the property themselves have a great decision, and using cel-shading at a distance on fashions and environs is a bit questionable however in the end inoffensive. Characters additionally look good, however undergo from a scarcity of bespoke lip actions for dialogue, a lot so that you just’ll usually see the digital camera draw back for vast pictures throughout cutscenes to masks it to a sure diploma. Once more, these are the niceties of an even bigger funds title and don’t essentially detract, however actually don’t impress.
Composer Motoi Sakuraba’s soundtrack is a pleasant match for the sport, because it all the time has on this sequence. Dynamic music is used right here, majestic melodies choosing up depth throughout battle encounters with extra percussion and vocals (a favourite right here is the Romalia area), and dealing in an electrical guitar for boss fights. It’s a tried-and-true technique that works properly right here. Voice performances and route are typically properly completed apart from just a few painfully stiff moments. Gulfs of silence between interjections, and so forth.
I perceive that quite a lot of people are taking a look at this wanting or anticipating a ‘Valkyrie Profile 3’, one thing that places the capital letters on a continuation from yesteryear. I don’t assume you’re going to be happy going into this sport anticipating that, however I actually do assume it’s a stable, worthwhile sport with a extremely enjoyable battle system that doesn’t exhaust its runtime.
It’s undoubtedly doable to finish in a weekend, which I spent about 20 hours ending the marketing campaign and sidequests, and one other handful going for all of the endings — which is a plus in a crowded Autumn season for those who’re planning to take a look at Sq. Enix’s multitude of choices. It’s actually paying homage to the Trials of Mana remake, itself a 3D reinterpretation of a 2D action-RPG that’s a lot better than a skeptic first take might present. In actual fact, I’d prefer to see what extra Soleil can do, probably constructing their very own motion RPG sequence with Sq. Enix, maybe with a bit extra assets.
Model Examined: PlayStation 5
Disclaimer: Assessment code for Valkyrie Elysium supplied by the writer Sq. Enix.