Valkyrie Elysium

“I was excited going into Valkyrie Elysium because of what I had heard about the series. While after my time with it that excitement certainly has dulled, not because of the combat but just because everything around it just kind of felt ‘meh’. If the world was more populated or at the very least more interesting there would be much more here to really sink one’s teeth into, as it stands once players are done doing Odin’s bidding they will find little reason to return in my opinion.”

“A fast-paced combat system and operatic soundtrack from Motoi Sakuraba aren't enough to save Valkyrie Elysium from a fate worse than Ragnarok: mediocrity.”

“Despite its limits due to a restricted budget, Valkyrie Elysium shines for an entertaining and well-crafted combat system.”

“Valkyrie Elysium's mediocre action-RPG gameplay and threadbare story and characters wear out their welcome long before the game wraps up.”

“Valkyrie Elysium is in many ways reminiscent of a Playstation 2 game – in an unexpectedly good way. With old-fashioned environments and strange presentation, the first impression is wobbly, but the well-controlled and intense combat makes the adventure entertain so much that some outdated elements can't lower our mood.”

“Valkyrie Elysium is a very fun game with a mildly-intricate combat system that allows for plenty of satisfying moments of pulling off long combos to create a visual feast. Its narrative is lacking but the core characters are charming enough that by the end you can't help but almost feel attached to them all, as you've fought your way through to whichever ending you've chosen. If it weren't for the fact that you're constantly having to make everything work in spite of a camera and lock-on system that feels against you specifically, it would be a much easier game to recommend.”

“Valkyrie Elysium delivers an average action experience that fails to revive a classic RPG series.”

“Valkyrie Elysium is an enjoyable action RPG packed full of combos and upgrades, but the boring levels and story detract from the fun.”

“Valkyrie Elysium is a disappointing, befuddled, and mistimed return for the Valkyrie series. Its Einherjar-supported combat system only takes the game so far when it’s saddled by an underwhelming story and artificially extended by crude level design. It falls into the trap of chasing trends, turning classic JRPGs into action games and copying other successful titles like Dark Souls without adding much new to the genre, when many fans would have been more than satisfied with an updated version of a standard Valkyrie game.”

“Respectable combat carries Valkyrie Elysium through a bland-looking action-JRPG with predictable story and straightforward level design.”

“Valkyrie Elysium is a lot of fun, and maybe that's good enough. It's a shame that a new Valkyrie Profile game isn't more than simply adequate, especially after all this time, but anyone looking for a quick and engaging action RPG will leave satisfied. It may not be a masterpiece, but Valkyrie Elysium is still entertaining and enjoyable.”

“While some elements of Valkyrie Elysium are disappointingly lackluster, in the end, the combat is excellent. That alone was enough to keep me engaged through the game’s dozen or so hours. I have a pretty long wish list for future games, like more impressive visual design and more interesting missions. But the real-time action? It’s a keeper.”

“It's a departure from its predecessors, but depending on what someone is looking for, Valkyrie Elysium can be a good time.”

“The extensive depth available within combat is fantastic, allowing players to partake in a thrilling fast-paced experience. It's not all plain sailing as the game feels way too linear with not much exploration available and the recurrence of similar enemies can make combat feel repetitive at times. But Valkyrie Elysium is a great return for the series elevating the overall experience from past games.”

“Valkyrie Elysium's combat system is sufficiently complex and entertaining, which is good, considering that what remains of the game is quite forgettable. A decent game for fans of the tri-Ace saga, but certainly not essential. Also because, if you're hungry for Norse adventures, there's a certain god of war waiting for you at the end of November...”

“Have some high points, but they soon give way to glaring faults. Not the worst, but difficult to recommend.”

“Valkyrie Elysium shows its best side in combat, offering a frenetic, dynamic and demanding experience that does not have the right company in the other facets of the game. Its story does not accompany, the narration does not contribute much and neither does the level design. Fortunately, when you dive into its frenetic combat, everything gets better.”

“Overall, Valkyrie Elysium is a great, although rough around-the-edges, action RPG, whose biggest strength lies in its dynamic combat system and in the charisma of some of its characters.”

“It is a pity that there are so many wasted elements, because Valkyrie Elysium has the necessary tools to reach Valhalla... But it stays halfway. Even so, if you like action RPGs and Norse mythology, you will enjoy it with its spectacular combats.”