Squad 422 Nameless Move Out! / Valkyria Chronicles 3

Valkyria Chronicles is so far the best tactical role playing game I ever played. I easily got hooked on it when I first played VC2 and now I’m ever excited for Valkyria Chronicles 3. VC3 has just had its Japanese release yesterday and I guess I’ll have to wait a little bit for its US release that up to this point still unconfirmed. So for now, let me enumerate all of the updates I’ve collected about some of the basic stuffs you would expect in VC3.

The story returns at 1935 at the war between the Principality of Gallia and the Imperial Alliance. The story focuses at Squad 422 “Nameless”, a penal military unit which compose of convicted persons secretly form by military to engage black ops missions.

There are 3 main characters in the story: Kurt Irving, a promising soldier that was drag down from his ranks, assign to Nameless and became the Commander of the squad. Imca, a female Darcsen seeking revenge. She’s the best of the best among Nameless. And Riela Marcilles, a Valkyrian descendant and also part of Nameless.

The story also involves characters from previous VC series like the Squad 7 from VC1 and even characters from VC2 (whereas they are 2 years younger)

Upon my first look into its Demo, the overall look of VC3 is renewed making the interface a bit darker themed. The Graphics are much livelier this time. You can see more indicators animating in the overhead map mode able to see clearer on what’s happening around even in that view. Character designs are more distinctive. There are no characters that looks the same (like Lancer1’s looks is not same as Lancer2’s)

Some of the game systems are change at VC3. The game progression is not anymore mission based style like in VC2. You are present to an Overworld map and from there you choose your missions in more linear manner. Though not entirely linear, based from my observation in a demo video you are eventually to choose multiple routes ahead though I’m not sure if you’re still free to complete one route after another.

You can now able to freely change all your characters to any classes available. However characters have specialties depending on the class. The Level up system is also change. Instead of leveling up by distributing Experience points by class, you’re now leveling up your entire squad by distributing Experience points to 5 areas you want to strengthen. Still have no idea what are these areas.

Potentials can now be learned through the use of the new feature called the Master Table. According to most info’s, with the Master Table, you will have a good sense on how you should build up your characters with Potentials. For now, I can’t much understand it even looking to the screenshots and videos. But I guess, it’s going to be much better than learning Potentials by random.   

One of the biggest additions in the gameplay is able to perform special modes to main characters. Like Kurt can do Direct Command where he can make 2 units follow him and attack all together, Imca can do burst shots to multiple targets and Riela can turn into Valkyria which makes her totally invincible. Special mode is consumed using SP which is a new variable in the game. Once use, special mode of a character is activated and can last for one move. So far I see in the Demo, you are limited to 3 SP per mission. I’m not sure in the full version if you can use more.

And that’s about the basic features we would expect for VC3. With all the new features have thrown, VC3 have able to fresh up everything but without losing its old charm that made it so good. Plus returning to the serious tone of the story like it was in the first series would surely build up another good story, and bringing up almost all the characters from previous series, Valkyria Chronicles 3 is a powerhouse!

Well that is for now, hope you enjoy my share here.

Until then!


UPDATE 01-18-14
Unfortunately, Valkyria Chronicles 3 was never localized. But there's an English patch now available... 

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