Many strategy fans loved the tactical depth of the Advance Wars games, yet were repelled by the goofy anime-style plots. Valkyria Chronicles takes this to the extreme — it's more sappy than a barrel of maple syrup. While the core gameplay is rigorous turn-based strategy, it's packaged like one of those notorious Japanese dating simulations. The kind with lengthy talking-head cut-scenes where ultra-cute schoolgirls have tea-parties and interminable vapid discussions before you finally get around to shoving eels up their bungholes. Don't be fooled: in this case, the pay-off isn't low-resolution filth, but high-brow battle tactics.
The presentation isn't just classy, it's unique — nothing on today's consoles looks quite like it. The rendering of the 3D soldiers, buildings, vehicles and armour goes beyond mere cel-shading; the watercolour effects make the game look like a painting that's come to life. While clearly inspired by WWII, the setting, units, and uniforms of 'European War II' are just as influenced by medieval fantasy. Tank designs are conspicuously bulbous, clearly a homage to Hayao Miyazaki. The body armour makes solders look like knights, and the RPGs are inexplicably shaped like jousting lances. Valkyria Chronicles has an otherworldly feel, but it's no G-rated fairy tale — you'll see many civilians explicitly gunned down by the invading Imperial (read: Soviet) forces. As the young lieutenant Welkin Gunther, your mission is to drive them back.
Each game turn begins with a bird's-eye abstract map view, with broad troop movements depicted like weather patterns, and known unit positions shown by coded dots. Unlike in Fire Emblem or X-Com, where every unit gets one move each turn, you have Command Points that you can spend as you wish. Given five CPs, you could have five different units move and fire, or have one unit move and fire five times. This opens up a lot of scope for blitzkrieg attacks — probing the exposed flanks and rear of your foes, and hitting them where it hurts.
Once you spend a CP to activate a unit the view switches to 3rd-person, and you get to run around and move to a good firing position. Subtle on-screen highlighting points out enemy units, and you'll know for certain they can see you when they open fire. This is thanks to the overwatch system — even when it's not their turn, units can shoot at visible enemies. Cover is vitally important; it's best to end a soldier's turn safely crouched behind sandbags, or one of the other plentiful obstacles.
