Valkyria Chronicles 4 Complete Edition

Story is utter garbage, full of eye rolling cringe anime cliche moments. There's also a severe lack of animated cut-scenes here. 85% of the story is just frames of the characters emoting. You could argue that's been the case for the whole series, but I found it much more distracting here. However, art direction and gameplay reach new heights with this installment. Characters control well and the visuals are gorgeous. The battles are fine tuned as well. There's never a fight that I felt completely overwhelmed in. It's a serviceable game enough. Albeit about a 5/10. Would highly recommend picking this up on a deep sale. No more than $5. (It's been going on sale pretty cheap during the past few summer and winter sales.) Hopefully the series continues. I'd love to see a new game with a tighter narrative and more likable characters.

I'm sure there's a character that's not completely insufferable hidden somewhere in this game but I don't have the endurance to tolerate the godforsaken dialogue and characters long enough to find them

I enjoyed the combat A LOT, but overarching objectives convert this strategy game into a puzzle game. It's not for me. [h1]Summary[/h1] Core things that contributed to my rating [list] [*] Tactical Turn based combat (10/10 by the way. REALLY enjoyable). [*] Scripted combat scenarios. First time you don't know what to expect. 2nd time onward you do. [*] You aim, but RNG decides where the shot lands (even sniper rifles shots stray). [*] Rating (going up to S) for stage completion. [/list] Completion is the first easy goal. Mission rating becomes the main goal of this game, and I think this is a mistake. Rating system turns this amazing combat into a puzzle where most strategies (while viable) are incorrect solutions. To solve the puzzle you effectively have to learn the battle (it's impossible to get on first try without knowing what you'll face or where it comes from), prepare a suitable squad to counter the battle, and replay until RNG doesn't cause you to miss too many shots. [h1]Combat[/h1] There's a fair amount of depth to this combat system. It takes a tactical turn-based combat (like Wasteland or X-Com) and turns it into a 3rd person shooter. You are only aware of your enemy's movement if your unit witnesses it (line of sight becomes important). If you are too close and in line of sight many units will shoot as you take any action (and vice versa). There's a bunch of unit types that are designed to tackle specific scenarios, and while there's overlap in what different units are good at each unit type feels unique. I got annoyed at RNG aspect of accuracy, however I think it fits the combat. It was only annoying because rating system makes it feel like I'm losing rating for a stupid reason.

Valkyria Chronicles 4 Complete Edition is a masterclass in tactical RPG design, combining strategic depth with heartfelt storytelling and a unique visual identity. Developed and published by SEGA, this fourth installment marks a triumphant return to the series' roots after a detour into more experimental territory with Valkyria Revolution. With the Complete Edition including all previously released DLC, it stands as the definitive version of an already impressive title. Set during the same timeframe as the original Valkyria Chronicles, this entry explores a parallel narrative following the exploits of Squad E of the Atlantic Federation, offering a fresh perspective on the Second Europan War while maintaining strong ties to the overarching lore of the series. The gameplay remains the heart of the experience, and Valkyria Chronicles 4 perfects the BLiTZ (Battle of Live Tactical Zones) system the series is known for. It’s a hybrid of turn-based strategy and third-person action, where players command individual units in a semi-real-time battlefield. Each turn involves choosing a unit, moving them across the terrain while managing limited movement points, and executing attacks in real-time — a system that maintains the cerebral satisfaction of turn-based planning while injecting the tension and immediacy of direct control. Every unit type, from shocktroopers and scouts to lancers and the newly added grenadiers, plays a distinct role on the battlefield. The game challenges players to consider positioning, line-of-sight, terrain, and unit synergy to succeed, particularly on higher difficulties or in post-game missions that demand true tactical mastery. Narratively, Valkyria Chronicles 4 strikes a strong balance between military drama and personal storytelling. The tale centers on Claude Wallace, a reserved but deeply compassionate commander, and his childhood friends who make up the core of Squad E. Throughout the campaign, players witness the bonds between these characters deepen as they endure brutal winter campaigns, face ethical dilemmas, and encounter the horrors and sacrifices of war. The writing is poignant and often emotionally resonant, managing to humanize both major and minor characters. Unlike many war games that focus solely on strategy or spectacle, Valkyria Chronicles 4 excels at exploring the emotional cost of conflict, particularly in its optional character stories known as Squad Stories, which flesh out secondary characters in thoughtful and often touching ways. Visually, the game continues to impress with its signature CANVAS engine — a beautiful watercolor-inspired graphical style that makes each battlefield feel like a living painting. The aesthetics blend soft, hand-drawn textures with sharp 3D models and animation, giving the game a distinct identity that separates it from more photorealistic strategy titles. Character designs are expressive and memorable, and environments range from snowy mountain passes and urban ruins to fortified enemy strongholds. The art direction enhances both the tone and tactical clarity of each mission, ensuring that the player never feels lost in the visual noise that often plagues other strategy games. Complementing the visuals is an evocative soundtrack composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto, whose orchestral score captures both the grandeur and melancholy of the game’s setting. From stirring battle anthems to subdued, emotional tracks, the music elevates each scene and often serves as an emotional undercurrent during key narrative moments. Voice acting is available in both English and Japanese, and both casts deliver strong performances. The localization is handled with care, preserving the original tone and nuance of the Japanese script while making it accessible for a Western audience. The Complete Edition's inclusion of DLC adds substantial value, expanding the game with side missions, elite training battles, additional squad stories, and crossovers with characters from the first Valkyria Chronicles. These extra missions provide new challenges, story context, and character interactions that deepen the overall experience without overstaying their welcome. Particularly noteworthy is the DLC featuring the original Squad 7, which acts as a nostalgic callback and a celebration of the franchise’s legacy, complete with updated models and integrated mechanics. For completionists and long-time fans, this content rounds out the package into something rich and deeply satisfying. While the game does many things right, it isn’t without flaws. Some missions rely on trial-and-error design, with sudden reinforcements or environmental hazards that can feel unfair during a first attempt. The ranking system, which heavily favors speed over tactical caution, sometimes clashes with the player’s natural desire to approach each encounter methodically. Additionally, the enemy AI can be inconsistent, occasionally leaving vulnerable units exposed or making illogical movement choices. However, these issues are relatively minor in the context of an otherwise well-designed and thoughtfully executed experience. In conclusion, Valkyria Chronicles 4 Complete Edition is a return to form that captures everything fans loved about the original while refining and expanding the gameplay in meaningful ways. It tells a story of camaraderie, sacrifice, and perseverance with emotional weight and narrative maturity, all while delivering deep and engaging tactical combat. With its gorgeous visual style, powerful soundtrack, memorable characters, and generous amount of content, it stands as one of the best strategy RPGs of its generation — a game that respects the intelligence and empathy of its players, and one that fully earns its place among the greats of the genre. Rating: 8/10

초반은 재미있음. 눈에 보이는 적들을 위협도 순으로 때려잡고, 아군을 절묘하게 배치해 상대 움직임을 봉쇄하며 천천히 나아가는 전략적 플레이가 이 게임의 재미요소의 핵심이라 할 수있다. 문제는 뒤로 갈수록 전략보다는 세로신공으로 적의 위치나 행동을 알아낸 후 움직이는 묘수풀이식 플레이를 강제하고 있어서 재미가 급감한다는것. 보스급을 상대할 때가 특히 그런데, 체력 회복을 막기 위해서 1턴 안에 부셔야 하는데 체력이 더럽게 높아서 약점만 타격한다 해도 오더가 10개씩 들어가기 때문에, 그 전에 위치 선정과 잡몹정리를 다 끝내놔야 하며, 적 턴에 3~5회씩 움직이는 보스에게 아군이 처참하게 썰려나가기 때문에 세로신공 혹은 미리 공략을 보고 플레이하지 않으면 초회차에는 반드시 막힌다.

シリーズ自体は知ってましたが、初プレイでした イラスト、ストーリー、システム、音楽、ボリューム、魅力的なキャラなどすべてにおいてクオリティが高い 117時間でほぼすべてのミッションを終わらせて、真EDみれましたがやりこみ要素はまだ残ってます… とにかくボリュームがすごい。そろそろ終わりかな？と思ったらどんどん追加されていきます… 悪い点はゲームの性質上初見〇しが多いので結構なえて、時間たってからやるということが多かったこと ワンパターンの敵の動きはカットとか早送りできるようにしてほしかった…という点…多くのステージを用意するといくつかはひどいステージができてしまうのは仕方がない部分はあるのはわかるんですけれど精神的にきつかった…

SRPGとFPSを掛け合わせたような独特な戦闘が持ち味のゲーム。他に似たようなゲームは無く、唯一無二の味がある。 [h2] 良い点 [/h2] [h3]１．ほかに類を見ない戦闘システム[/h3] ターン制SRPGとリアルタイムのFPSを組み合わせたような戦闘のシステムは他に類を見ない。このゲームだけの戦闘が楽しめる。この後いろいろ文句を言うが、これに関してだけは本当に他では味わえない持ち味だし、これだけで他の悪いところがある程度は許される。 [h3]２．水彩画風のグラフィックや魅力的なキャラモデル[/h3] グラフィックが水彩画風で独特な優しい雰囲気がある。また、エロ同人作家としても名高い人がデザインしたメインの女性キャラクター（ミネルバ、カイetc）は胸やケツがデカく、その豊満な身体を揺らしながら戦場を駆け巡ってくれるのは、見ていて楽しい。 [h2] 悪い点 [/h2] [h3]１．ストーリー展開が悪い意味で「JRPG的」でチープかつ不自然[/h3] 外国人のレビューの不評にストーリーの展開のまずさが挙げられていることがある。このゲームは悪い意味でJRPG的、つまり、ご都合主義的だ。自分に商品を売ってくれた市民が後に裏切者として吊るされるなど、戦争のリアリティを表現したいかと思えば一方で、銃弾が飛び交う中を棒立ちになりながら敵と味方が至近距離で会話する。どう考えても死ぬ状況で味方が死なないと思えば、どう考えても安いお涙頂戴のためにシナリオの都合で人が死ぬ。真剣なお話ならどう考えても許されない裏切りが、メインキャラクターなら軽く許される。このゲームは、リアリティのレベルの調整に失敗している。リアルな真剣なお話にしたいのか、ライトなお話にしたいのか、どっちかにすべきだ。 [h3]２．UIが悪い意味で「JRPG的」で進歩がなく、テンポが悪い[/h3] 前作からUIがまったく進歩がない。そして、テンポが悪い。例えば、兵科のレベルアップを挙げよう。兵科のレベルアップをする際、わざわざ経験値をそのレベルのマックスまで振る必要があり、振ってからレベルアップをした後、「レベルアップです」みたいな一言がいちいち入る。レベルは1回につき１しか上がらないから、3レベルいっきに上げたいと思ったら、経験値振りからひと言を3回繰り返す必要がある。兵器開発も戦車の開発もいちいちそんな感じで一事が万事。せっかちな性分と相性の悪いテンポの悪さがあちこちにある。 [h3]３．一部のマップがやたらと重い[/h3] おま環だが、要塞戦など一部のマップでFPSがやたらと下がる。以前、NVIDIA製のより古いグラボでやったときは問題なかったと思うし、同じ症例を報告している外国人と同じAMD製のグラボを使っているので、特定のグラボと何らかの描写の相性がとりわけ悪いのかもしれない。 [h2] まとめ [/h2] とにかく文句を言うとSteamでは悪名高い日本人の一員なので、文句の方が多くなってしまったが、独特の戦闘システムが楽しめるし、グラフィックが魅力的（特に女性キャラクターの胸やケツ！）なのは確か。ストーリーなどに不満があるが、SRPG好きにおすすめできるゲームではある。

I don't get how Valkyria Chronicles is so underrated, especially with so few good options for tactical games out there. I have only played this one and the first, but the improvements here make it my favorite. By the way, you don't need to play any other in the series before this one, but there are a few nods toward those.