Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria – PS2 – Preview 2

The
original Valkyrie Profile was one of several unique RPGs Square released for
the PSone. Released in 2000, the swan song year for the console, Valkyrie
Profile featured a unique combat system that wasn’t anything like the Final
Fantasy, Chrono Trigger, Parasite Eve or Xenogears titles that came before it.
Following in the footsteps of Metal Gear Solid, this was a shorter,
semi-cinematic, hardcore adventure with gritty graphics, a dark story, and an
original soundtrack.

 

Six
years later, Valkyrie Profile comes to PlayStation 2 during what might turn
out to be its swan song year. The sequel, Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria, sounds
an awfully lot like (but should not be compared to) the kingdom of Slimenia,
where the inhabitants of Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime reside. Rocket
Slime is bright and colorful. Silmeria is anything but. 

 

 

 

Prior to the current Valkyrie Profile’s quest, a
Valkyrie named Slimeria served the all-mighty Odin. Silmeria never faltered in
her support, until a mysterious incident tore them apart. Odin was unhappy,
and decided to reincarnate her as a human. She found herself in the body of
the Princess of Dipan, a woman named Alicia. Although it was assumed that her
spirit would lay dormant like a headless zombie, that did not turn out to be
the case. Silmeria’s transmigration with Alicia somehow caused her spirit to
awaken. Two souls, one body. Who will win the fight and take over the flesh?
Are both strong enough to have equal say in the body’s decisions?

 

There
is no denying what your first thought will be when you enter this game’s
world: these graphics are unbelievable. A part of me knows this is a PS2 game,
but another part of me questions just where all that power is coming from.
Character movement is still side-scrolling, just like in the original. But the
graphics are fully three-dimensional, utilizing every lighting, shadow,
animation, and texture effect at the PS2’s disposal. You will be amazed as you
explore Dipan for the first time. Things as simple as grass look amazing when
rendered with such beauty, and animated with such perfect, subtle realism.

 


Valkyrie Profile 2’s battle system is a more modern version of the original.
Replacing the enemy-freezing ice power is a special crystal that lets you
temporarily paralyze enemies and exchange places (teleport) with them.
Paralyzed enemies may also be pushed, climbed on, and who knows what else? 

 

 

 

Battles
still occur on a separate field, with direct monster encounters being the
necessary trigger before conflict can begin. Character movement is more open
than ever now that the game has been given a new engine. Once engaged in
combat, the world turns three-dimensional. The camera stays behind the
character(s), a la third-person action games. Enemies litter the area (no
fewer than two, except for boss battles where there may only be one), and just
as you may decide who to strike and who to avoid outside of combat, you have
that option here as well. If you attack and defeat the enemy leader, all other
enemies will disappear. You may not be rewarded the maximum EXP, but at least
the battle will be over.

 

Which
can be good or bad. Like the first game, Valkyrie Profile 2 doesn’t give you
much time to get the hang of things. The quest is a bit more straightforward
this time around, with fewer confusing gameplay moments and a more thoroughly
explained storyline. But the enemies are tough, and one of the key points of
turning this into a 3D battle system is that you may now sneak up on them and
attack. This is difficult and risky. You might get lucky and drag the whole
party into combat, successfully defeating the enemy before it has a chance to
react. But you may also separate your party to sneak up more carefully. While
an interesting addition, fans will no doubt have a bit of a struggle period,
especially when they encounter more powerful enemies.

 

You may
retreat by finding special exit points in the battle area (highlighted in
yellow). And though this game is very challenging, you won’t get anywhere
without defeating enemies. EXP is not obtained by retreating, only by
defeating your adversaries. It goes without saying that battles will be easier
to fight as your characters grow in strength. But that’s not the only thing to
consider when deciding whether or not to fight. Whereas last time you were
required to send your comrades into battle, this time you are asked to free
their souls. Not everyone must be freed, which hopefully means not every party
member will disappear. But inevitably, some must be let go. 

 

 

 

Due
this September, Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria looks like it’s going to be every
bit as engrossing as the original. Hone your battle skills now gamers – if the
original is any indication, you’re going to need to be in tiptop shape if you
want to conquer this beast.