Valkyrie Profile
{{Short description|Video game series}}
{{other uses|}}
{{Infobox video game series
| title = Valkyrie Profile
| image = File:Valkyrie Profile Logo.png
| caption = Logo of Valkyrie Profile
| developer = {{ubl|tri-Ace|Soleil}}
| publisher = {{ubl|Enix (1999–2000)|Square Enix (2006–present)}}
| creator = Masaki Norimoto
Yoshiharu Gotanda
| artist = {{ubl|Ko Yoshinari|Yoh Yoshinari}}
| writer =
| composer = Motoi Sakuraba
| platforms = PlayStation, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, Android, iOS, Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
| first release version = Valkyrie Profile
| first release date = December 22, 1999
| latest release version = Valkyrie Elysium
| latest release date = September 29, 2022
| genre = Role-playing
}}
{{nihongo|Valkyrie Profile|ヴァルキリープロファイル|Varukirī Purofairu}} or {{nihongo|Valkyrie|ヴァルキリー|Varukirī}} is a series of role-playing video games created by Masaki Norimoto and Yoshiharu Gotanda, primarily developed by tri-Ace and published by Square Enix (formerly Enix). The series is notable for featuring elements from Norse mythology.
Common elements
The Valkyrie Profile series has been distinguished for its inventive gameplay.{{cite web|url= https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/valkyrie-profile-covenant-of-the-plume-review|access-date=May 30, 2020|date=April 23, 2009|publisher=Eurogamer|title= Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume|author=Parkin, Simon}} Aesthetically, the series is known for its muted colors and melancholic ambiance. As the player, one usually takes the role of a valkyrie, one of a host of female figures who choose warriors who may die in battle and lead them into the afterlife, though sometimes one plays as a mortal called upon by the divine beings.
Games
| style="width:82%;" class="wikitable" |
| style="width:35%;"| Title
! style="width:8%;"| Year ! style="width:10%;"| Platform ! style="width:15%;"| Developer ! style="width:47%;"| Notes |
|---|
| Valkyrie Profile
| {{Video game release|JP|1999|NA|2000}} | PlayStation, PlayStation Portable, iOS, Android | An enhanced port, Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth, was released for the PlayStation Portable in Japan and North America in 2006 and in the PAL region in 2007. |
| Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
| {{Video game release|JP|2006|NA|2006|PAL|2007}} | tri-Ace | The second game of the series, taking place hundreds of years before the original game. |
| Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume
| {{Video game release|JP|2008|NA|2009|PAL|2009}} | tri-Ace | Known as {{Nihongo|Valkyrie Profile: The Accused One|ヴァルキリープロファイル 咎を背負う者}} in Japan, it is a prequel to the original game. |
| Valkyrie Anatomia
| {{Video game release|JP|2016|WW|2019}} | iOS, Android | Dokidoki Grooveworks | Ended service in 2020 worldwide and in 2021 in Japan. |
| Valkyrie Elysium
| {{Video game release|WW|2022}} | Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 | Soleil Inc. | Action role-playing game and the third home console installment for the series.{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/03/square-enix-announces-action-rpg-valkyrie-elysium-for-ps5-ps4-and-pc|title=Square Enix announces action RPG Valkyrie Elysium for PS5, PS4, and PC|website=Gematsu|date=March 9, 2022}} |
Music
The music of all the Valkyrie Profile games was composed by Motoi Sakuraba.{{cite web|url=http://www.originalsoundversion.com/valkyrie-profile-odins-9-strong-songs-these-are-not-review/|publisher=Original Sound Version|access-date=May 29, 2020|date=July 9, 2008|title=Valkyrie Profile: Odins 9 Strong Songs These are Not (Review)|author=Napolitano, Jayson}} Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria has two original soundtracks, Alicia and Silmeria. Each soundtrack is divided into two discs totalling 70 songs from the game. Prior to the release, a special artifact box was released which included a copy of the game, ten musical tracks, a keychain, and a figurine.{{Cite web | url = http://www.siliconera.com/2006/03/28/inside-the-valkyrie-profile-2-artifact-box/ | author=Spencer | date = 2006-03-28 | publisher=Siliconera | access-date = 2015-04-20 | title = Inside the Valkyrie Profile 2: Artifact Box}} The in-game score was written as MIDI tracks, allowing it to fit easily onto the DS cartridge. Drawing from the darker themes of the narrative, Sakuraba created a subdued and emotional score that noticeably moved away from his score for Silmeria while still being separate from his work on Valkyrie Profile. The score included original composition and arranged versions of tracks from Sakuraba's scores for Valkyrie Profile.Motoi Sakuraba (2008-11-05). "Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume Original Soundtrack booklet". (in Japanese) Square Enix. SQEX-10125~6. Retrieved on 2019-07-21. The soundtrack conversion for the DS cartridge was done by sound design studio Noisycroak.{{cite web|url=http://www.noisycroak.co.jp/works/product/valkyrie_profile.html|script-title=ja:ヴァルキリープロファイル 咎を背負う者|language=ja|publisher=Noisycroak|access-date=2019-07-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419164832/http://www.noisycroak.co.jp/works/product/valkyrie_profile.html|archive-date=2016-04-19|url-status=live}} A two-disc soundtrack album was published by Square Enix's music label on November 5, 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.square-enix.co.jp/music/sem/page/vpds/|script-title=ja:ヴァルキリープロファイル 咎を背負う者 オリジナル・サウンドトラック|language=ja|publisher=Square Enix|access-date=2019-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406164142/http://www.square-enix.co.jp/music/sem/page/vpds/|archive-date=2019-04-06|url-status=live}} For the album release, Sakuraba used the MIDI originals as reference and redid all the tracks with full orchestration. While faithful to the original, the larger range of sounds resulted in some differences.{{cite web|url=http://blog.square-enix.com/vp/2008/11/post_3.html|script-title=ja:サウンドトラック本日発売！|language=ja|publisher=Square Enix|date=2008-11-06|access-date=2019-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091110075709/http://blog.square-enix.com/vp/2008/11/post_3.html|archive-date=2009-11-10|url-status=live}} A twelve-track arrange album, handled by Sakuraba, was published alongside the main soundtrack album.{{cite web|url=http://www.team-e.co.jp/sp/vpds/|script-title=ja:ヴァルキリープロファイル ―咎を背負う者― アレンジアルバム|language=ja|publisher=Team Entertainment|access-date=2019-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406164146/http://www.team-e.co.jp/sp/vpds/|archive-date=2019-04-06|url-status=live}} Producer Yoshinori Yamagishi mentioned his favorite way of drawing out emotion in players was through music and sound effects, helping to both immerse new players in the world of the game and play upon the nostalgia of series fans.{{cite web|url= https://gamebiz.jp/?p=162254|publisher=Gamebiz|access-date=May 25, 2020|date=May 30, 2016|title=【インタビュー】『ヴァルキリーアナトミア -ジ・オリジン-』シリーズ初のスマホ化に際する着想と実装 タイトルに込められた意味とは}} The game utilizes a mixture of music from the franchise and new compositions.
Printed adaptations
Several manga have been written based on the series. They are Valkyrie Profile, Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria, and Valkyrie Profile: The Dark Alchemist. A manga anthology called Valkyrie Profile Enix Supercomic Gekijoh is based on the PlayStation Portable version of Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth.
Reception
{{Video game series reviews
| sales = yes
| fam = yes
| gr = no
| game1 = Valkyrie Profile
| fam1 = 35/40{{cite magazine | title = Cross Review | magazine = Famitsu | issue = 576}}
| mc1 = 81/100{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/valkyrie-profile/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation|title=Valkyrie Profile for PlayStation Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=December 23, 2022}}
| game2 = Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth
| sales2 = 248,000{{cite web|title=Sony PSP Japanese Ranking |url=http://www.japan-gamecharts.com/psp.php |work=Japan-GameCharts.com |access-date=2008-12-27 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820113359/http://www.japan-gamecharts.com/psp.php |archive-date=August 20, 2008}}{{cite web | title=FY2007 First-Half Period Results Briefing Session | url=http://www.square-enix.com/jp/ir/e/explanatory/download/20071119en_20.pdf#page6 | work=Square-Enix.com | access-date=2009-04-15}}
| fam2 = -
| mc2 = 80/100{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/valkyrie-profile/critic-reviews/?platform=psp|title=Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth for PSP Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=December 23, 2022}}
| game3 = Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
| sales3 = 400,000 (JP){{Cite book |title=Famitsū Gēmu Hakusho 2007 |publisher=Enterbrain |year=2007 |isbn=978-4-7577-3577-4 |location=Tokyo |page=387 |id={{JPNO|21240454}} |language=ja |script-title=ja:ファミ通ゲーム白書2007 |trans-title=Famitsu Game Whitebook 2007 |chapter=2006年ゲームソフト年間売上TOP500 |trans-chapter=2006 Game Software Annual Sales Top 500 |url=http://geimin.net/da/db/2006_ne_fa/index.php}}
| fam3 = 34/40{{cite magazine | title = Cross Review | magazine = Famitsu | issue = 915}}
| mc3 = 84/100{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/valkyrie-profile-2-silmeria/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2|title=Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria for PlayStation 2 Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=December 23, 2022}}
| game4 = Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume
| fam4 = 32/40{{cite magazine | title = Cross Review | magazine = Famitsu | issue = 1038}}
| mc4 = 74/100{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/valkyrie-profile-covenant-of-the-plume/critic-reviews/?platform=ds|title=Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume for DS Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=December 23, 2022}}
| game5 = Valkyrie Elysium
| fam5 = 33/40{{cite magazine | title = Cross Review | magazine = Famitsu | issue = 1764}}
| mc5 = 65/100{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/valkyrie-elysium/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5|title=Valkyrie Elysium for PlayStation 5 Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=December 23, 2022}}
}}
Overall, the Valkyrie Profile series received positive critical reception both in Japan and the West. The series has shipped 2.2 million copies by 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jp.square-enix.com/company/ja/news/pdf/7d89874f6f4d1e0e114fbc2d94a826fe.pdf|title=Valkyrie Anatomia Press Release|last=Square Enix|date=28 April 2016|website=Square Enix|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504223117/https://www.jp.square-enix.com/company/ja/news/pdf/7d89874f6f4d1e0e114fbc2d94a826fe.pdf|archive-date=4 May 2019}}
Some Valkyrie Profile games have been included in various lists of top games. In a 2006 reader's poll conducted by Famitsu, the first Valkyrie Profile was voted the 27th best video game of all time.{{cite web|author=Edge staff |date=March 3, 2006 |title=Japan Votes on All Time Top 100 |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/features/japan-votes-all-time-top-100?page=0%252C1 |work=Edge-Online.com |access-date=2008-12-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090731213541/http://www.next-gen.biz/features/japan-votes-all-time-top-100?page=0%2C1 |archive-date=July 31, 2009}} Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth received IGN's award for Best PSP RPG of 2006.{{cite web|url=http://bestof.ign.com/2006/psp/14.html |title=Best of IGN 2006 |publisher=IGN |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220113129/http://bestof.ign.com/2006/psp/14.html |archive-date=December 20, 2013}} Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria received IGN's award for "Best Game No One Played".{{cite web|url=http://bestof.ign.com/2006/ps2/36.html |access-date=2015-04-20|archive-date=2007-01-10|title=IGN presents The Best of 2006|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110000144/http://bestof.ign.com/2006/ps2/36.html}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.valkyrieprofile.com/}} {{in lang|ja}}
{{Valkyrie Profile series}}
{{Square Enix franchises}}
Category:Square Enix franchises