The Valkyrie Profile series is one of Square Enix’s more obscure retro franchises. Having been introduced late on the PS1 in 1999, Valkyrie Profile made a name for itself by mixing action with traditional turn-based RPG combat. Combat is the focal point of many discussions about the series, but it’s also known for its early use of a Norse mythological setting, a tendency toward muted colors and somber ambiance, and some of what fans consider to be composer Motoi Sakuraba’s best work. The games may not have sold well, but their influence can still be felt in future games like Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 and Indivisible.
After 2009, a lack of sales left the series relegated to a couple of mobile games. The old cult-classic titles rarely received the spotlight, and fans were left to recreate the gameplay and tone in spiritual successors. Valkyrie Profile’s main developer tri-Ace even worked on Lightning Returns, though it’s unclear if it had any influence over the gameplay. However, the series has returned with Valkyrie Elysium. Being handled by ex-Ninja Gaiden developer Soleil, Valkyrie Elysium is a third-person action game that will take the franchise’s gameplay in a new direction. It’s nice to see the franchise active again, though far too much of Valkyrie Profile is still trapped in the past.
Valkyrie Profile
Valkyrie Profile is the game that started it all, and it remains a classic among hardcore JRPG fans to this day. Valkyrie Profile follows the titular Valkyrie, Lenneth, as she travels through Midgard. Along the way, Lenneth collects the souls of slain heroes to serve either as einherjar or her fighting companions for the upcoming Ragnarok. Aside from its limited original PS1 release, the game was re-released on the PSP in 2006 as Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth, featuring a refined translation and full-motion video replacing its anime cutscenes. This version was ported to iOS and Android in 2018. There it remains, being the only Valkyrie Profile game available on modern hardware. It’s a good port, but the inability to play with a controller won’t endear it to old-school fans.
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
Players interested in Valkyrie Elysium may have to settle for the ported Lenneth, as no other Valkyrie Profile games are currently available. Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria is a prequel to the first game, and builds upon it in every way. Having been released for the PS2 in 2006, it used cutting-edge 3D graphics instead of sprites to remain visually impressive. Battles were more tactical, taking place in a 3D space using real-time mechanics, and had deeper combo systems. It’s worth tracking down this iteration of Valkyrie Profile to see where the series could have gone with more success.
Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume
The third entry, Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume, is an odd duck, as it is more of a tactical RPG instead of the usual turn-based action game. Initially released in 2008 for the Nintendo DS, this game functions like a send-up to Final Fantasy Tactics. The original real-time combos are still present, but they are scaled back from those present in Silmeria. Adding to Covenant’s uniqueness, the protagonist Wylfred is a mortal man revived by Hel to pursue his vengeance against Valkyrie Lenneth for a perceived slight. Player choice is emphasized, and the ending is impacted by how much the titular Destiny Plume is used to power up and sacrifice party members. It’s a departure from Valkyrie Profile’s norm, but the game upholds the franchise’s spirit.
Valkyrie Anatomia: The Origin
The last Valkyrie Profile title before Elysium was Valkyrie Anatomia: The Origin, released exclusively on iOS and Android. Coming out for Japan in 2016 and for the rest of the world in 2019, this game fused the archetypical Valkyrie Profile dungeon-crawling formula with a gacha game. The title was heavy on in-app purchases, employing an energy system that both limited exploration and could potentially be used for freezing enemies and healing after a battle. It also has players roll for most einherjar, although the English release was accompanied by giveaways. Curious players need not fret about this entry, as The Origin’s worldwide servers shut down in 2020 and its Japanese server went offline in 2021. Valkyrie Profile’s prospects looked grim, but hopefully Elysium can drum up enough interest for a larger revival.
Valkyrie Elysium is set to release in 2022 for PC, PS4, and PS5.
