Opportunity for Ingenuity
Engaging Story
Between Battles
While Valkyria Chronicles 4 isn't flawless, critics are praising the deep strategy gameplay that Valkyria Chronicles brings to the battlefield.
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Opportunity for Ingenuity
Engaging Story
Between Battles
While Valkyria Chronicles 4 isn't flawless, critics are praising the deep strategy gameplay that Valkyria Chronicles brings to the battlefield.
Valkyria Chronicles 4 PC Announcement Trailer
Squad E Reporting for Duty in Valkyria Chronicles 4
Valkyria Chronicles 4 is Deploying to the West in 2018
Combines robust storytelling with consistently inventive, surprising missions. Not just a return to form, but a new series peak.
A breathlessly brilliant tactical RPG, it's just a shame that Valkyria Chronicles isn't quite as assured off the battlefield.
Valkyria Chronicles 4 is the sequel I've been waiting for, returning to the roots of what made the first game so special. It adds a handful of new and interesting mechanics to its tactical battles, nearly all of which improve the formula in tangible ways, but otherwise plays it fairly safe. The story can feel a little bit impersonal and disconnected from the rest of the series, but the way it makes even the smallest characters important and alive is remarkable. It's great to see the Valkyria Chronicles series back on track, as it's still one-of-a-kind.
This is a fantastic return for a series that has been struggling with its identity. Large maps and interesting abilities give you the freedom to explore different strategic opportunities, and your ingenuity pays off with enticing rewards
With a strong return to its unique strategy roots, Valkyria Chronicles 4 is the franchise's golden ticket to Valhalla.
Obvious it may be that Valkyria Chronicles 4 proves to be more of what made the original Valkyria Chronicles so enjoyable in the first place — its conservative approach this time round preventing it from achieving essential status — that's not to say that the careful-and-considerate style of tactics, complete with its unique approach to turn-based/real-time style of play, have in anyway resulted in a lesser iteration a decade on from the original.
Though it suffers from some relatively minor pacing issues, Valkyria Chronicles 4 is a sublime strategy experience that fans of the genre won't want to miss out on. The engaging, character-driven plot, third-person action, deep customization options, and high replayability make this one an easy recommendation, although pacing issues and cumbersome menu management may make it a little more intimidating to newcomers to the genre. We're also undecided about where it fits in the franchise hall of fame; the original game perhaps just shades it. All the same, we'd recommend you give Valkyria Chronicles 4 a go; this is a strong return to form for the series, and it's a great entry point for Nintendo fans.