Finally, I got to play Valkyria Chronicles 3 in english now. Although not official, actually. An english patch has recently been made for it but it actually took very long before the patch got available around the holidays. When the patch was finally available, I kickstart my PSP again after several months of not using it.
So this how it goes... Valkyria Chronicles 3 (Senjou no Valkyria 3 in Japanese) was released around January 2011 and had a second version release (Valkyria Chronicles 3 Extra Edition) around November 2011. Unfortunately, it never had a US release. So I almost gave-up the thought of playing VC3... until I thought of perhaps someone would translate it.. and there was! So there's this certain group who took up the task of creating a translation patch for VC3 but it was actually a very very long process that almost took 2 years before it became available. I'm patiently waiting for it for 2 years.
Finally! I could understand you now! XD
At the moment I wrote down this, the current english patch for VC3 was still in beta version, whereas according to them it was 90% complete. As far as I could tell, the translation is very good enough. Enough to be able to go along with game and understand the main story. I guess the one's that haven't done here are the extra stuffs like encyclopedia's, information and DLC's. There were quite few typos, misalignment of text and even some I think just minor bugs but I believe it doesn't have a major effect in the overall gameplay. All is good and I'm very much thankful to the guys who work on the patch.
If you want to learn more about the guys behind the translation patch and about their patch file, just go over to their site here.
Please note that everything about these patch stuffs are obviously not legit. If you're not so agreed with this kind of stuffs then it's alright to stay away and forget about it.
After
reading couple of articles and blogs, it seems the news are really
true (sadly for me) that Senjou no Valkyria 3 – Unrecorded
Chronicles will not going to
have a Valkyria Chronicles 3
release for US. Its a shame because I was actually anticipating the
game ever since day one.
As
much as I feel upset that I couldn't play VC3 in English anymore, I
can't really blame on why SEGA decided not to localize the game. The
second game, Valkyria Chronicles 2
wasn't much a hit outside Japan, not to mention handhelds such as the
PSP wasn't that popular in majority. It's a fact, I guess but its too
bad for us too, who're fan of the game. I just wish something would
change. I do read something else about consider releasing VC3 at
Playstation Vita but
its a thing that is not been decided and unclear... so for now I
can't expect much from here. I can only wish...
Anyway,
prior to this news, SEGA has recently announced a new VC3 release
titled Senjou no Valkyria 3 – Unrecorded Chronicles
Extra Edition(Valkyria
Chronicles 3 E2). It's
basically the same game only with expanded content. The new edition
is set to release at November 2011 in Japan.
(You
can see from it how much I'm really excited for the game *sigh*)
UPDATE: 10-20-11. A week after this news came, a news came out that there may still be a chance for Valkyria Chronicles 3 to be localize... "may" is a strong word here. At the point I inserted this update, everything is still unsure. So again, we can only wish for now...
This is my gameplay from Senjou no Valkyria 3 (aka Valkyria Chronicles 3) Demo game where I did a quick 1 phase gameplay in the 1st Mission.
Yeah, I know. I abuse Riela's Valkyria powers there. I didn't even made Kurt move.
Anyway, the Demo itself is fun to play. From this point, Senjou no Valkyria 3 was already released in Japan and I guess I have to wait a little bit for the US release. (^^)
Hmm... seems VC3 will use same old maps as VC2 had but in different tone of color and feel.. not complaining here. I still love the game and VC3 will surely be a powerhouse! =D
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...
