Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria Part 4

Part 4. This game was interesting to say the least. What I really did like about this one was how much more coherent it was than the first game. It's a lot more linear and also offers more direction in what you should be doing. The graphics were nice. I really liked the 2.5D graphics. To get it working decently on PCSX2 felt like pulling teeth and apparently has been a problem over the years. I can't really hold that against the game. Though I did find the depth of field focus on the presentation pretty annoying and you can sort of turn it off which helps a lot.This game also can be played without a guide. I am sure the first Valkyrie Profile game is a lot of fun once you know what you are doing but it really felt confusing as to what you're supposed to be doing. This one is a lot more straightforward and I liked that. That's not to say there aren't some interesting mechanics at play. The combat has shifted into 3D, and it'ssort of turn based. The enemy moves when you do. You can also see what the enemies attacks are going to be and they are represented on the field by a handful of different shapes. As long as you don't step into those fields you can't get hit. You also have a dodge step and it can move you without moving the enemy. On top of that you have a gauge. When you freely move you build it back up. That gauge also determines how many attacks you have at your disposal as each attack costs a certain amount. So there is quite a bit going on in combat. Like the first game you have a second gauge and if you fill it up you can do some special attacks that add some extra damage. There are quite a few kinds of companions you can use. There are 2 types of swordsman, archers, lancers, mages and more. They all have their own unique attacks and you can build a huge variety of party compositions. So there is a lot to play with. Depending on what attacks you use will hit certain parts of the enemy, each enemy part drops a unique item. Those items can be turned into shops to acquire the ability to purchase new weapons, armor, accessories and items. This is where I started to get a bit annoyed. There is no bestiary that will help you locate items you may want. Each shop does offed a hint or for a few items but it's not much help. If you're looking to upgrade your gear good luck figuring out where to acquire item drops. A lot of items come from breaking certain parts and some are rare drops, so if you break an enemy part you aren't guaranteed anything. It's an interesting idea that needed more quality of life additions to really seem good. In dungeons you also get orbs that can hinder and or help you. They can do anything from increase your attack and elemental strengths to lower your defense and cause status ailments. It's pretty neat and they can be purchased in the dungeons so you can bring them with you to other dungeons. You can also place them in holders so they apply to the field. it's a cool mechanic that can also be frustrating at times. The price of most orbs is huge and there is absolutely no way you can buy them all in a single playthrough and some are just absurdly expensive and probably aren't meant to be bought. The game is hard and equipment upgrades are not frequent so there were many moments I felt that I was taking a ton of damage and not doling much out. If you finish combat quickly you are rewarded with items. If you take you time and kill everything you get a bit more experience and some orbs as another currency. The combat is fun if not really hard against bosses. Some really kept me on my toes, though some made me run away and think my strategies. A lot of bosses have a gimmick and it can take a few tries to really figure out what you need to be doing. The story is pretty basic. There are some twists and turns. Some you will see coming from a mile away and some may catch you off guard. I also did the Seraphic Gate at the end of the game and man was that brutal. I thought the base game was hard, but doable. The Seraphic Gate on the other hand I spent a lot of time trying to figure out and made some mistakes along the way, but eventually made some progress and finally beat it. I can't say I enjoyed the Gate all that much, nut I'm glad I gave it a shot. To be fair I don't think I ever got a full grasp of the combat mechanics or what the game really ever wanted from me. The dungeons in general were fine. The 2D platforming really isn't that hard, you can freeze enemies into crystals and jump off them and find some secrets. Like the first game I don't think the platforming feels all that great, and I really wish for what they ask of you they made the controls better. They are clunky and not exactly unresponsive, but I have played vastly better from this generation. Hell, there are NES games that feel better than this and that's saying something. All that said, I did have a good time. Enjoy my blind playthrough.
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