Valkyria Chronicles PS4 Remaster Announced
By Cody Gravelle 16 January 2016
Sega announces the development of a Valkyria Chronicles PS4 remaster, as well as an entirely new spin-off that is a distinct departure from the series’ roots.
Sega revealed that Valkyria Chronicles Remaster will launch for the PS4 in Japan on February 10, 2016, and will feature high resolution graphics alongside DLC and trophy support. Valkyria Chronicles is a JRPG classic in the eyes of many fans of the genre, and an updated take on the game will please many North American and European fans of the series who have waited a long time for news on where the series might be heading next. However, that’s not all Sega had to say about their quirky take on international warfare.
Those who purchase the game in Japan upon release will also be treated to a demo of a brand new Valkyria game, titled Valkyria: Azure Revolution. That title won’t launch until Winter 2016 in Japan, but director Takeshi Ozawa was able to share some of the basics about what players can expect from the new series entry:
“We wanted to do something new using Valkyria, and one of the things we’re putting in is a real-time system. Initially, we were considering real-time strategy, but we went with an RPG because we think that’s what more users want to play.”
Ozawa’s statement is intriguing for a number of reasons. Valkyria: Azure Revolution will represent a huge departure from the game’s tactical RPG roots, favoring a more traditional RPG style mixed with real-time combat. The game will also have base-building and dungeon crawler elements as well, which Ozawa believes will allow gamers to “experience the battlefield through a different perspective”.
It’s also interesting to note that Ozawa believes fans would enjoy a RPG structure rather than the real-time strategy style of a game like Blizzard’s Starcraft 2, which still maintains a very dedicated player base and recently enjoyed the launch of its Legacy of the Void expansion. Ozawa’s statement comes at a time when many believe the RPG genre is dying, especially in Japan. For those gamers who share those concerns, Ozawa’s statement is a refreshing stance on the genre’s longevity.
Still, it remains to be seen whether or not such a dramatic change from the beloved Valkyria Chronicles can garner the same sort of critical praise the last title received. Valkyria: Azure Revolution will be a turning point in a cult classic series that defines its future, and gamers will be eager to see what happens – and, if all else fails and the game is a flop, at least they’ll have the Valkyria Chronicles PS4 Remaster to hang their collective hats on.
Do you think Sega taking a risk on an entirely new spin-off is smart? Would you prefer a real-time RPG or strategy game? Let us know in the comments.
Valkyria: Azure Revolution will launch for the PS4 in Japan sometime during Winter 2016, while Valkyria Chronicles will release for the same platform in Japan on February 10, 2016.
Source: Famitsu (via Gematsu)
