I just played through Valkyria Chronicles again this week (going for perfection), and I must say, it’s the surprise game of the year for me.  Surprisingly good that is.

The game play is turn based strategy blends 3rd person shooter/action adventure.  You have a board that translates to a 3D environment and actions per turn, and your characters have limits of movement based on their troop type (scout, engineer, lancer, shocktrooper, sniper, etc.).  With each action, you can freely control movement upto the movement limit, and you can attack at anytime during an action.  Each troop type attacks or defends better against another type.  Ex. shocktroopers are good against lancers, and lancers are good against tanks, etc.  You can level up your troop types to level 20 max, equip your characters with new weapons, and develop new technologies and weapons.  After beating each level, you’ll earn experience points as well as money.  How much you earn depends on how well you beat each level.

The art is beautifully done in a throwback anime cross 3D painting style.  That said, it may be a bit weird to see cute anime looking characters getting twitching on the ground after getting shot…

The story is vaguely based on World War I, with an Imperial side against the player’s side, the Gallia side.  The story is actually not half bad, and as you proceed through the battles the story progresses.

It surprises me to say this, but I strongly recommend getting this game!
Get it here and support Muse indie game development.