Valkyria Chronicles Remastered Now Available for PlayStation 4

Sega’s tactical role-playing game, Valkyria Chronicles Remastered, released for the PlayStation 4 on May 17, 2016. The game is an updated version of the title that first launched in North America for the PlayStation 3 on November 4, 2008, and was later ported to PC on November 11, 2014. The remaster brought the celebrated strategy title to a new generation of hardware with several key improvements and all previously released downloadable content included.

The BLiTZ Combat System

Valkyria Chronicles is known for its unique strategic gameplay, dubbed the BLiTZ (Battle of Live Tactical Zones) system. This system blends turn-based strategy with real-time action elements. During a turn, the player views the battlefield from a top-down, strategic map called Command Mode. From here, they spend Command Points to select a unit to control. Once a unit is chosen, the game transitions to Action Mode, a third-person perspective where the player has direct control over the character.

In Action Mode, each unit has a limited amount of Action Points (AP) that deplete as they move across the battlefield. This real-time movement allows players to position troops behind cover, aim for enemy weak spots, and react to the environment. Once the AP gauge is empty or the player decides to fire, the action freezes, allowing for precise aiming. This hybrid approach requires both careful strategic planning and competent third-person execution to succeed in the military campaign of the small nation of Gallia against the invading East Europan Imperial Alliance.

Remaster Enhancements and Included DLC

The most significant upgrade for the PlayStation 4 version was its technical performance. Valkyria Chronicles Remastered runs at a native 1080p resolution with a target frame rate of 60 frames per second. This provided a much smoother and visually clearer experience compared to the original PlayStation 3 release. In addition to the visual boost, the remastered edition came bundled with all four of the game’s post-launch DLC packs, integrating them directly into the main game.

The included DLC expansions are:

• Challenge of the Edy Detachment: A pack of six challenging skirmish missions for the main cast of Squad 7.
• Edy’s Mission: A side story episode focusing on the character Edy Nelson.
• Hard EX Mode: An extra-difficult setting for the main story campaign, unlocked after completion.
• Selvaria’s Mission: A prequel episode that allows players to take control of the antagonist, Selvaria Bles.

The Next Entry in the Series

At the time of the remaster’s release, Sega had already announced the next installment in the franchise, titled Valkyria: Azure Revolution. The new game was in development for the PlayStation 4 by developer Media.Vision. It was slated for a Japanese release in late 2016. The development of a new title signaled Sega’s renewed interest in the series, with the remaster serving as a way to reintroduce the original game to a wider audience on contemporary hardware.