Valkyria Chronicles

The Sakura Taisen team spent a lot of time thinking about how best to create a game where you fight with your companions, and that's really something that contributed to the Valkyria design and experience, for sure. Sakura Taisen 1 and 2 were more war-game-like, but the third added a lot of action elements. Valkyria's probably the next step along that line of evolution.

...as with most tactical games, Valkyria Chronicles relies on numerical advantage and preexisting conditions to provide the challenge, as the enemy A.I.'s about as clever as a soup sandwich. But, honestly, this is so innovative and so polished a game that if you pass it up, the real moron is you.

Brushed with greatness.

Turning heads.

There are some things you never knew you wanted in a strategy game. The third-person view does wonders to get you invested in every decision, and it’s great to have a worthwhile story. The gorgeous presentation and versatile combat make Valkyria Chronicles one of the best surprises of the year. It may not have been on your radar before, but you definitely shouldn’t let it pass you by.