Friday 13 August, 2004

I came back to Valkyrie Profile a few times last winter and spring, mostly for the combo system. The combos and dungeon explore mechanics are probably my favorite aspects of the game. (Though I still love some of the catch phrases, maybe once a month.) For better or worse, these mechanics are available in other titles whose narratives have a tighter hold. Combos make up a significant part of a number of console RPGs (especially tactical ones), so I tend to reach for Breath of Fire IV to satisfy my combo cravings lately. Probably my favorite instance of the exploration mechanic appears in Xenosaga, where, like in VP, your exploring actions can give you an edge or hinder you in the combat.

I haven't played VP further since April, mostly because I was playing my roommate's copy, and I moved out at the beginning of May. (Incidentally, it was to get out of the dorms, not to get away from that roommate.)

I really like the ideas behind Valkyrie Profile. I stopped playing after awhile, though - mostly because I value the ability to keep one's party as static as possible, as opposed to the "high turnover rate" you need to achieve in order to avoid getting your Divine Pink Slip in VP.

One wonders if they could combine the dungeon system of VP with the battle system of the Tales series... That series used a side-scrolling battle system, so it would seem to be a perfect match.