Valkyrie Profile

"Squaresoft...kiss your RPG awards goodbye! Enix's got you beat!"

The little number didn't go higher than 10. Easily this score gets an 11 in my book. Anyway here goes.

Background Story:
I was strolling through the mall one day. Picked up a magazine and read a review for Valkyrie Profile. Well...I looked at the pictures, not really caring for the actual review. Looked nice, something like Secret of Mana. I wanted to rent it, but no placed had it. After much debating, I shelled out the money and got my hot little hands on the game. Now, it has permanently moved into my PSX and even FF9 pays rent to it.

Graphics: 9
Return of the Sprites! While FF7, FF8, and FF9 all had good polygon character, the sprite characters were just...fantastic. Anime cut scenes(too few though), beautiful backgrounds, and easy to identify areas (Not little gates at mountain bases, but dots that are colored for clarification).

Sound/Music: 10
Pump up the stereo! The sounds are spectacular and the music keeps the action pumping. When the enemy misses and you counterattack, your character snaps out a retort like ''You missed!''. Add a little spite to their anguish.

Game play: 11+
The game play is what really got me to keep the game. You run around a 2-D world, and you can see your enemy before they attack! Unlike Chrono however, you can swing your sword and if you hit them, you always attack first! Sweet deal! Speed isn't really necessary in this game as it goes: 1/2/1/2 where 1 and 2 are ally/enemies. MP is not for magic, but to create items. Every magic has a Greater Magic, more pumped, less hits and visually stunning. CT is added in a nice visual gauge underneath the name, telling you exactly when your magician can cast a spell, or when you can execute a special technique. The combo system is very simple. Button push=attack. Different button for different character, and up to a total of 12 attacks. After building up 100 energy in the little gauge, you can preform special techniques! Number of attacks depends on weapons, every character has their own Special technique, magicians can learn ten spells...it just goes on and on in goodness!

Replayability: 10
Three different modes, different characters for each mode, three endings, numerous different enemy combinations, a final incredibly tough dungeon, filling out your entire sound area. The game only stops being replayable when you get it all!

Story: 10
A lush very beautiful story inhabits the game. Try and save the Valhalla, and yet also figure out who Valkyrie really is. Every character comes with their own little background story and that makes the game ever so much deep. You may find yourself crying at how much the meaning of love is shared in the game.

Buy or Rent?
Rent first, get addicted, then buy. I usually say don't trust reviews and that you should play it for yourself. You will easily get hooked, never want to stop playing, lose your friends, let your girl/boyfriend dump you, all just to find it all.

Overall: 11+
This game is a diamond in the rough. Shadowed over by the Squaresoft empire, this RPG breaks through with a huge shrouding light and conquers all. If you get it, you will not be disappointed.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 02/03/01, Updated 02/03/01