Valkyria Chronicles 4

Valkyria Chronicles 4 is a game squarely aimed at the Fire Emblem crowd, but any fan of tactical, turn-based combat, military strategy and…honestly…YA romance should at least download the free demo and give it a try.

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Valkyria Chronicles 4 is a tactical RPG set in an alternate 1930s Europe, where the Second Europan War rages. Command your own squad of soldiers, each with unique abilities and personalities, in turn-based combat with strategic elements. The story follows Squad E of the Federation's Atlantic Federation Army, with the goal of driving the enemy Imperial Alliance out of the continent. Experience the intimate moments of the soldiers as they fight for their lives.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,348 reviews

story621 positive mentions

grinding54 negative mentions

Improved gameplay mechanics and new classes enhance the tactical experience.
Engaging story with well-developed characters, especially through side stories.
Beautiful art style and soundtrack that complement the game's atmosphere.

Excessive cutscenes and dialogue can disrupt gameplay flow and feel tedious.
The ranking system rewards speed over strategy, leading to a less tactical experience.
Some missions can feel unfair due to unexpected enemy placements and scripted events.

story
2,252 mentions
28 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The story of "Valkyria Chronicles 4" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its similarities to the first game, which can be both a strength and a weakness. While some appreciate the engaging character development and emotional depth, others criticize the narrative for being predictable and filled with anime clichés. The inclusion of squad stories adds richness to character backgrounds, but the pacing and excessive dialogue can detract from the overall experience, leading to a sense of tedium in between missions. Overall, the game offers a solid narrative experience, though it may not reach the heights of its predecessor.
- “The story is engaging, the voice acting is good, the graphics are excellent and make you feel like you're playing a graphic novel, and the 'squad stories' are fun ways to get to know more about your lil anime soldiers.”
- “The story makes links to other Valkyria lore but also creates a strong solo story that strengthens lore and really adds to the realism of war and how it affects those who fight within it.”
- “The story is very good, the port is flawless, the gameplay takes every good part of past games and mix it into something even better.”
- “The story is beyond bad, absolutely the worst in the series. It's not anime 'bad', it's a 10-year-old would roll their eyes bad. I don't mind the cliche, but nothing makes sense.”
- “My major gripe with VC4 is the same that I had with VC: the story sections are agonizingly slow. You can skip dialogues but not animations; every time you upgrade, the same animation plays, wasting your time.”
- “The story is very much weaker than VC1. The characters are bland and forgettable, and the writing quality has noticeably dropped from the first game.”
gameplay
917 mentions
33 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Valkyria Chronicles 4" is largely an evolution of its predecessor, maintaining the beloved turn-based strategy mechanics while introducing new elements like the grenadier class and improved vehicle dynamics. Players appreciate the tactical depth and variety of unit interactions, though some find the mission design repetitive and the difficulty spikes frustrating. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging combat and strategic gameplay, making it a solid choice for fans of the series and newcomers alike.
- “The gameplay is a unique mix of overhead tactical decision making and real-time third-person shooting with an emphasis on unit selection and efficient action use.”
- “The gameplay is engaging and fun, with a good mix of story and mechanics that keeps you invested.”
- “Gameplay-wise, Valkyria Chronicles 4 is arguably the best in the series, with many new features that make the game feel fresh again.”
- “The core gameplay is solid, but unfortunately the mission design is god-awful.”
- “It is some of the most annoying and unfair mechanics I've ever faced in a video game.”
- “The gameplay loop is very repetitive, but each mission is so different from the last in regards to layout and objectives.”
graphics
289 mentions
44 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their unique watercolor and anime-inspired art style, which many players find visually stunning and reminiscent of a storybook. While some reviewers note that the graphical improvements over previous installments are subtle, the overall aesthetic remains vibrant and appealing, with enhanced details and smoother animations. Despite a few criticisms regarding the dated feel of the graphics compared to modern standards, the game's artistic direction is generally praised for its charm and consistency within the franchise.
- “The graphics using the canvas engine look great and should be used for more games.”
- “The unique watercolor paint combined with pencil hatching aesthetic on a not quite completely colored canvas is excellent.”
- “The graphics are beautiful and 60 fps makes it look even better.”
- “The graphics look like it's from a 2010 game and while the art style is unique to Valkyria, they could've done much more.”
- “The graphics have barely improved since the first game.”
- “It's basically Valkyria Chronicles 1 but with a little bit of an update on the graphic side; gameplay-wise it's the same 100%, no improvements whatsoever.”
music
124 mentions
46 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its orchestral quality and emotional depth, particularly during key scenes, while others criticize its repetitiveness and lack of memorable tracks compared to the original game. Hitoshi Sakimoto's compositions are noted for fitting the game's atmosphere, but some players feel that the soundtrack lacks the intensity and catchiness of previous installments. Overall, while the music enhances the experience, it is often seen as a step down from earlier titles in the series.
- “The music is very good with a sweeping orchestral soundtrack that doesn't feel out of place in the game.”
- “The soundtrack is this game's saving grace, as it is truly inspired and beautiful to listen to.”
- “Just like the first in the series, this game expands and refines what made the first Valkyria Chronicles so good, the characters, the feel and look of the game, the music and the gameplay.”
- “The music this time is rather forgettable.”
- “Music is nonexistent in style and really does not fit the story.”
- “The soundtrack is a bit repetitive but serviceable, fits the game rather well.”
grinding
60 mentions
5 % positive mentions
5 % neutral mentions
90 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed bag. While some appreciate the leveling system that rewards strategic play over tedious grinding, others feel that certain missions and post-game content can become excessively grindy and repetitive, particularly when aiming for achievements or high ranks. The balance between enjoyable gameplay and tedious grinding varies, with some players recommending guides to alleviate the grind.
- “Another thing is that units level up as class units, so there is no grinding of individual members, which makes grinding actually feel rewarding and not grindy, if that makes sense.”
- “Overall the gameplay is still awesome and satisfying, the level and skill progression is not too grindy, and the story was great, as close as the Suikoden franchise.”
- “There was no grinding of missions or skirmishes; every mission was only played once.”
- “Awesome game, wish it was less grindy in the after game (for completionists).”
- “Classes can be leveled up for more AP and damage, but an unhealthy amount of grinding is required after you've done the first few level upgrades.”
- “My only gripe is it's too grindy and you have to fight the annoying final boss again for the true ending.”
emotional
56 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a touching narrative that combines heartwarming moments with darker themes, often exploring the morally complex nature of war. Players appreciate the well-developed characters and their arcs, which evoke a range of feelings from laughter to tears, although some critiques mention a reliance on anime tropes that can detract from the emotional depth. Overall, the game successfully delivers a memorable and impactful story, enhanced by a strong soundtrack and engaging character interactions.
- “The characters and story were touching and memorable, and that ending ripped my heart out in the best way possible.”
- “The story was fantastic and had some real emotional moments while knowing exactly when to go and lighten the mood.”
- “It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it kept me entertained for hours on end.”
character development
51 mentions
49 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting the depth and complexity of both main and supporting characters, as well as the engaging squad stories that enhance the overall narrative. While some critiques mention inconsistencies in character design and writing quality, the majority agree that the character arcs are immersive and contribute significantly to the emotional impact of the story. Overall, the game successfully combines strong character development with a compelling plot, making it a standout feature for players.
- “Always love the franchise; it's like Company of Heroes but turn-based, with deep character development and random events that occur between every mission, constantly making the player adapt to the situation and solve problems effectively.”
- “The game also has great character development in each chapter, and the clash of ideologies is realistic enough to understand that war is bad, with each side's views seeming evil to different people.”
- “Really immersive character developments and voiceovers make the campaign more impactful throughout each mission.”
- “As much as I love anime and works of that nature, the genre's habit of forcing character development and expositions at the worst times is present.”
- “I'm so angry at the writers and character designers that they completely diminished the hard work it takes and the value of a ranger unit to a classroom of weak and timid characters who would be murdered instantly in real war.”
- “The main addition to VC4 are the squad stories, which are essentially peripheral soldiers' character development mixed in with a recycled map with new win conditions.”
humor
44 mentions
98 % positive mentions
-5 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mix of juvenile and quirky elements, often eliciting laughter through absurd situations and character interactions, though it can sometimes veer into crass territory. Players appreciate the light-hearted moments and well-realized characters, which balance the darker themes of the story, making for an engaging experience. However, some find the dialogue hit-or-miss, with occasional cringe-worthy scenes that detract from the overall comedic effect.
- “Lots of quirky, funny characters, some nice heartwarming and some sad moments in a solid story.”
- “The characters are well realized and the anime-does-WW2 story is, as a Brit, both funny and quite enjoyable.”
- “The story runs the gamut from funny to dark to corny, but is good overall.”
- “It's a Japanese game, first and foremost, so expect some cringey dialogue and the classic unfunny scenes of the main character accidentally staring up the love interest's skirt.”
- “The humor often falls flat, relying on tired tropes and juvenile jokes that fail to land.”
- “Many of the comedic moments feel forced and lack the cleverness needed to be genuinely funny.”
replayability
27 mentions
37 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers a solid level of replayability, with many players appreciating the abundance of content, optional challenges, and the ability to improve scores on missions. However, some critiques highlight that the lack of variety in battles and the lengthy gameplay can diminish the replay experience for certain players. For completionists, the grind for ranks and achievements provides additional motivation to revisit the game.
- “Essentially, the game is pretty endless considering how much content there is, so if you're looking for value in regards to time used, this certainly covers it. The main story missions are infinitely replayable if you want to get a better score on the mission or grind up things like command points for characters to promote them, issuing orders or ship orders to fill out the quota for the achievement and related decoration (medal) you get for it!”
- “All in all, this game has replay value, and that gives it a 10 out of 10 in my book.”
- “This game has it all from item crafting, a great storyline, and great replay value!”
- “I loved it except for the eternal problems of turn-based strategy games where the computer alters the rules as it pleases, and the problem of rewarding speed instead of game quality that ended up spoiling the replayability.”
- “The battles though aren't really replayable due to lack of randomness/variety in them - you can grind ranks if you're a completionist, but that's it once you're done.”
- “One of the things that killed VC1's replayability for me was how long it takes to just play the game.”
optimization
23 mentions
30 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with users reporting minimal performance issues and solid stability across various hardware configurations, including lower-end machines. The technical performance is described as reliable, with smooth gameplay and effective controller support, making it accessible for both newcomers and experienced players. While some users express concerns about Denuvo potentially hindering performance, many note that they have not experienced any significant drops, contributing to a well-rounded gaming experience.
- “The game optimization is great, easy frames and could probably run perfectly on lower spec machines.”
- “It's one of the few games in a long time where I pick it up and have no doubts that it's finished, no glitches or performance issues etc. that will be 'patched later' - as most games are not complete when they're released anymore.”
- “Very optimized for PC, can play on a laptop without any issue.”
- “The only way to know is to either check a walkthrough, or finish the battle and think you optimized it well enough, just to get rewarded with that b.”
- “There's no reason to keep Denuvo, a thing that has objectively proven to hinder game performance, in your game after you release all the DLCs.”
- “People get mad because Denuvo is in the game, but I for one have never seen any performance drops of any caliber.”
stability
18 mentions
6 % positive mentions
6 % neutral mentions
89 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting numerous glitches, bugs, and crashes that significantly impact gameplay, while others have noted a surprisingly smooth experience with minimal issues. Common complaints include buggy mechanics, unfair difficulty spikes, and problematic AI behavior, though a few players have experienced little to no glitches at all. Overall, the game's stability appears inconsistent, with some users enjoying a stable experience and others facing frustrating technical problems.
- “It's one of the few games in a long time where I pick it up and have no doubts that it's finished, with no glitches or performance issues that will be 'patched later' - as most games are not complete when they're released anymore.”
- “Fun game until you run across all the glitches and issues that show a clear lack of testing during the games and maps you run.”
- “My one big complaint is that the mortars are buggy and broken.”
- “Bosses suck and are buggy; the first boss you come across is a tank that shoots non-stop when it's his turn and never ends it. It would always bug out, get stuck, and kill everything.”
atmosphere
7 mentions
57 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
29 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is noted for its unique blend of World War II elements and fantasy, creating a romantic yet immersive experience. While the sound design and music enhance the overall ambiance, some players feel that the inclusion of lighter, "anime high school" moments detracts from the game's serious tone. Overall, the atmosphere is appreciated for its world-building and character charm, despite some narrative inconsistencies.
- “The characters were charismatic enough to remember and love, the story was epic enough to enjoy, and the atmosphere has a unique WWII appeal mixed with fantasy that allows for a romantic touch of history while pleasantly transcending reality.”
- “The atmosphere of this game has me dying for another Final Fantasy Tactics.”
- “Sound effects work well for their intended effects, and the music fits the atmosphere and is pleasant to listen to.”
- “Because they have all the tools to be one of my favorite games, the atmosphere, characters, style, graphics, gameplay, game type, narrative… and they end up screwing it up massively because of laziness when it comes to creating a story and characters to match.”
- “Also for a war game, it has too many 'anime high school-ish' moments which ruins the whole atmosphere, like for example, seeing a man (who helped us earlier) hanged, with a message from the enemy on his chest, not so long after we got 'omg, boobs!'”
monetization
6 mentions
33 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the absence of microtransactions and the presence of reasonably priced DLC that adds meaningful content. However, others criticize the DLC as cash grabs, feeling that the game does not justify its original price of $59.99, especially with the timing of certain releases. Overall, while the base game is polished and offers unlockables, the DLC strategy has left some gamers dissatisfied.
- “In a day and age where we have gambling and microtransactions in full-priced AAA games, we have a gem like this: a finished, polished single-player game with reasonably priced DLCs that add meaningful content.”
- “The grind is not too bad, there are no microtransactions, and there are quite a few unlockables within the base game.”
- “Sega did not change the cash grabbing DLC releases that turn off many gamers.”
- “The DLC practice feels like a cash grab in my opinion, and the game seems like it's not worth the original $59.99 that you spent on it.”
- “A united front with Squad 7 $5.99 release date: December 18, 2018 (cash grab before Christmas).”