Finally, I got my PS3. I bought it last Saturday from Bernard for RM 1630 (Console + Dualshock 3 + HDMI-to-DVI Cable + one game). I went to Bernard’s shop near Pertama Kompleks there with shah_ho_nam and linkinstreet. Actually, we went there for about 3 times; first, it was too early in the morning and we decided to go elsewhere first, second, it’s in the noon but Bernard wasn’t there as he had to get some console stocks, and finally, we went back there around 8:30 pm just to get the PS3. I wanted to buy Killzone 2 but since I didn’t make any preorder, I have to wait for some days as all the copies he currently have are for those who already preordered. So, I bought Valkyria Chronicles instead.

Valkyria Chronicles

I have already knew about the game long time ago. Since I subscribe Comp Ace tankoubon, I got to know about the series as a manga. From the tankoubon also I knew that Senjo no Valkyria: Gallian Chronicles was pretty popular. Reading through previews and some character designs included, I happened to be sceptical about the story as most war theme series always had typical I-don’t-want-to-fight-but-I-had-to syndrome. Plus, I don’t really like the heroine’s appearances; twin tails with feminist headscarf girl wielding a rifle. Well, that’s my preliminary thoughts of the game.

I bought Megami magazine too along with PS3

Installing...

Apparently, I got some guesses wrong for the game and the story itself is pretty much acceptable for me. Oh btw, the title for English version is called Valkyria Chronicles (easier to remember compared to Senjo no Valkyria: Gallian Chronicles). It’s a squad turn based combat game which is bombastically called BLiTZ (Battle of Live Tactical Zones). The story starts with Welkin Gunther being arrested after drawing some natural and environmental images by Alicia Melchiott for mistaken him as a spy of the Empire. Instead, he is actually the son of a renown First Europa War veteran general who doesn’t really like war and prefers to be a teacher (this is what I called as typical war stories). Similar like Welkin, Alicia wanted to be a baker instead of carrying around a rifle and killing enemies. Welkin’s non-blood related sister, Isara, looks like a girl with frail body and naive. However, the first chapter of Valkyria Chronicles simply explained who they really are.

Alicia and Welkin

Isara

Both Welkin and Alicia understand that their country is under attacked by the Empire. Both knew that they have to fight and it’s not the time to think about their peace time ambitions. Despite their own preferences, they are determined to take arms against the invaders. Alicia is surprisingly adorable. Marina Inoue, her seiyuu, simply brought out her character within which I simply like it. Isara on the other hand is not entirely naive. Her late father designed a modern combat tank that wasn’t mass produced due to it’s complexity. She secretly follows her father’s footstep by becoming an engineer (at least to her brother, Welkin). She pilots Edelweiss, a tank left by her father, which she had some training previously. She suggested her brother to become the tank commander of Edelweiss and eventually her brother became the leader of Squad 7 with a rank of lieutenant. Basically, these main characters are not some teenagers who don’t know shit about war as the country of Gallia has already conducting yearly military training at schools all over the country.

Selvaria Bles

The Empire or the East European Imperial Alliance was not short of surprises as well. The most notable character is Selvaria Bles who actually from a bloodline of legendary Valkyrie warriors that capable of wielding ragnite spear and shield for superhuman strength. Apparently, the seiyuu of her, Sayaka Ohara, was also the seiyuu of Alicia Florence of Aria the Animation and both characters of hers were totally different (Selvaria isn’t as easy going and relaxed as Alicia Florence lol). Another thing worth mentioning that the crown prince of the Imperial Alliance is Maximillian, voiced by Jun Fukuyama. He reminds me so much about Lelouch Lamperouge of Code Geass. Plus, with royal stuffs and nobility, again I can hear ‘Yes, My Lord’ and ‘Yes, Your Highness’ again with Jun Fukuyama. With the upcoming anime series of Valkyria Chronicles, I hope it won’t be suck. Currently I like this game very much. As much as I like its story.

Siegheil!

That’s all for today.

My PSN ID: darksteno (MY), stenolovesyou (UK).