One of the best RPGs of all time, and sadly also one of the most overlooked.
The mechanics of Valkyrie Profile are truly unique, even as this review is written towards the end of 2005. Traversing the world map is done by flying over it in a manner similar to the airship sequences of Final Fantasy VI. The player determines where to go next by pressing Start, which will cause Lenneth to focus and detect where to find the next Einherjar (recruitable soul), as well as locate the next dungeon to explore. However, there is a time limit of sorts, as the game is divided into chapters, and each chapter is divided into a set number of turns or periods. Every time Lenneth focuses, or enters a town or dungeon, these periods will be used up, and the chapter will eventually end. Valkyrie Profile's endgame occurs at the end of chapter eight.
Towns and dungeons are explored on a two-dimensional plane, and the mechanics involved owe a lot to classic 2-D platformers. By standing in front of doors or staircases and pressing up or down on the control pad, the player can move to new room or hallway, with a handy map that displays rooms that have already been explored. Many of the dungeons feature environmental puzzles that make use of Lenneth's platforming skills, and in order to make it through the latter dungeons, the player will need to master each of her skills in order to proceed.
All enemies in Valkyrie Profile are visible inside dungeons, and the player can initiate an attack by striking a foe with Lenneth's sword, at which point the game will shift to a turn-based battle system. The party is composed of up to four characters, each one mapped to a different face button on the controller. During the player's turn, attacks are performed by pressing each of the four buttons, allowing each member of the party to attack in succession, and depending on the weapon equipped, characters may be allowed multiple attacks per round, leading to very elaborate button combinations that encourage the player to experiment in order to determine what strategies work best against each foe. During these combo attacks, a meter will charge, and if it reaches 100%, the player can then activate a character-specific special attack with the potential to further chain into another character's special.
Ultimately, the purpose behind all of this dungeon diving is to train the souls Lenneth has recruited. At the beginning of each chapter, the player will receive a request for Einherjar with specific traits and skills, and in order to fulfill this requirements, the player must properly train (read: Level up) and equip these characters and send them up to Valhalla before the chapter's end. The better the player performs these tasks, the better the rewards Odin and Freya will give Lenneth at the next Sacred Phase, or chapter break.
Valkyrie Profile has three different endings. The key to achieving the best ending is to learn how to hold Odin's trust just enough in following orders. However, if managed just right, Lenneth can be allowed to follow her own path, eventually revealing the true meaning behind the game's prologue, and leading to one of the most emotionally complex storylines in gaming. It isn't something that can be easily achieved, and most players will probably need a strategy guide or FAQ in order to follow this path, but once accomplished, the end result is a logical progression that is infinitely more satisfying than obtuse pathways required for the best endings in games like Final Fantasy X-2. The differences are not merely minor, either, as the ending dungeon and final boss are completely dependent upon the ending path ultimately followed.
In fact, Valkyrie Profile succeeds in its tragic, dramatic storyline over and over and over again. The player is introduced to each Einherjar through events that ultimately lead to that character's death, and as more chapters go by and more characters are introduced, a complex web of relationships develops that reveals connections between a large number of the cast, even if these characters only crossed paths for a short time. The end result is a world of characters that can be loved, hated and pitied, but ultimately, it is a world that feels that it is worth saving.
The graphic presentation of the game is a gorgeous blend of colorful, diverse backgrounds, well-animated character sprites, and large, ornate and highly detailed character portraits. Many characters have multiple portraits that capture a range of emotional qualities that add even greater depth to the presentation, and all are of a beautiful quality that few video games, RPG or otherwise, have been able to match. The game makes minimal use of anime-style movie sequences, but despite their brevity, they too add to the game's feel. The only flaw in the game is the occasional animation hiccup that surfaces in a few points along the way.
Likewise, the sound in Valkyrie Profile is of high quality, with an array of music that varies from slow, mellow ballads to fast-paced guitar music, and despite the odd mix of styles, it all works, as each song is perfectly appropriate for its purpose. The voice acting is a bit of a mixed bag, as there are some voices that are beyond perfect for their roles, whereas others could have used some more takes in the sound booth. A major contributing factor to this is that most all of the voice actors and actresses take two or three roles, and so while they may be suited perfectly for some, they can't quite capture other roles with the same level of effort.
With multiple endings, difficulty levels, a bonus dungeon and a variable path of progression, Valkyrie Profile is ultimately a game that can be enjoyed multiple times over, and even encourages multiple playthroughs. It is one of the most fully-realized RPGs ever to be released, and it has stood the test of time against other classic games in its genre that have come before and since. If you enjoy RPGs, it is highly recommended that you hunt down a copy. Valkyrie Profile is a unique experience that may never see an equal, and in all respects, it is an elegant thing of beauty.