The Best Tactical RPG EVER!
Valkyria Chronicles is one such game.
Lets cut to the chase and discuss the game play. Most Tactical RPG simply is a game of chess. Take an individual move, its either setting up for the next move, or simply pounding on your opponent. Each unit has one turn a round, no more, no less.
Valkyria Chronicles is entirely a different matter, each unit can move as much as you want them to (although each time you use them in a given turn, their movement is less and less). Further more, you not only have to figure out who your going to kill, but how, due to the fact the enemy is shooting at you if your too close. Lets use Homer for an example. An enemy shocktrooper is in cover nearby, and Homer is close. You can either run around a building, and avoid interception fighter, but use an extra command point, or risk Homer being knocked unconscious. Nancy is alone defending a base from shocktroopers, do you try to kill one to reduce the number of foes coming at her, or give her a defense order so she can weather more attacks.
You have 1 AP left. Do you have Largo take out a tank, Alicia take an enemy base, or call Aika as reinforcements?
Yes you heard right, Aika, a sky pirate from Skies of Arcadia. Vyse is there too. You have triplet medics styled after Fina (one of them is actually named Fina). Hooray for cameos!
I'm not a fan of permadeath, and non-story characters can be killed off if your not careful. But its rather easy to avoid, as you have three turns or until the enemy gets close and 'finishes them off' (which is less daunting than it sounds, enemies won't go an inch off their path to do it), and all you have to do is either get an ally unit close to them, or later in the game, use a simple command to have the medic evacuate them for the low, low price of 1 CP. Even if it does happen, you can save midbattle, so don't worry!
The plot is predictable, but satisfying enough. Not only is there a decent plot, but a lot of it. Not only are your story characters unique, have their own personalities, and individualized potentials, but they also all have their own backstories. The villains are realistic, and not just 'I'm gonna take over the world' (well its their objective, but the villains are believable). During the course of the game, you might even sympathize with Selvaria Bles or Radi Jaeger, maybe even Prince Maximillian (although its harder to sympathize with the last general)!
The music is also decent, and is appropriate for battle. Some match the battle intensity, other focus more on the intensity of the battle (the later being much more common).
One of the most notable qualities of the game is its graphics. They are designed to mimic a painting in motion, and the characters are drawn in an anime style.
All in all, Valkyria Chronicles is an under appreciated game, with many elements seen no where else in the genre, or in gaming in general. Whether you want a tactical role playing game with action, or just want a game thats about as far from cookie cutter as you can get, but is still quality, Valkyria Chronicles is sure to please!