Valkyrie Elysium
Action game features stellar, customizable combat.
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Valkyrie Elysium
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this game.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Valkyrie Elysium is a single-player action role-playing game (RPG) currently available for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Windows-based PCs. It's a reboot of the Valkyrie Profile video game franchise. Players will assume the role of a Valkyrie, whose purpose is to go around Midgard (Earth) and purify as many lost souls as possible so that Ragnarok (the apocalypse) doesn't come to pass. Contending with rogue spirits and the undead, the Valkyrie will use swords, spears, and an assortment of magical attacks to achieve her righteous ends. There may not be any blood or gore, but the game features the occasional "bold" visual -- such as decapitating some enemies or stabbing them through their midsection with a sword. Combat is fluid and seamless, especially as players level their characters up and establish synergies with their comrades against their enemies. Along the journey, your Valkyrie and her einherjar (warriors) begin to bond and learn about how precious and meaningful humanity is, even when all hope seems lost, evoking compassion and integrity as the Valkyrie discovers where her true loyalties lie.
What’s It About?
In VALKYRIE ELYSIUM, the monstrous wolf Fenrir rears its ugly head and goes to war with Odin, the leader among the gods in Asgard. Their battle is long, intense, and painful -- so involved that it spills into the human realm and the underworld itself. Eventually, the fight ends in a stalemate, but by then, it's too late. Ragnarok is now inevitable. Desperate, Odin creates a new class of gods, the Valkyrie, in an attempt to cleanse Midgard (Earth) of its impurities and prevent the impending apocalypse. You are that supposed savior of humanity. With Odin unable to act, you must travel around the world, gathering your einherjar (warriors) to assist in your crusade and give Odin the strength to bring stability to the chaos among the realms. But perhaps all isn't as it seems on the surface. A mysterious intruder seems to disagree with your orders -- but to what end? How can you tell what the truth is when you've been created with a singular purpose? Between the worlds of gods and men, is Ragnarok even possible to stop?
Is It Any Good?
This game might not be pushing any new boundaries, but what it offers is a satisfying, complete experience that doesn't overstay its welcome. Valkyrie Elysium starts by giving players a taste of the power they could have, then allows them to slowly build themselves up by upgrading skills and recruiting einherjar, warriors in Norse mythology whose spirits are strong enough to retain their combat abilities even after death. Players can choose a more offensive or defensive play style -- or can opt to mix both to make the most of their skills. The combat also refreshingly leans more toward nuance and on-the-fly thinking rather than mindless button-mashing. Most enemies are weak against a certain element, and there are many instances where players are faced with a variety of enemies with different weaknesses to exploit. When the sleek, fast-paced combat combines with the learning curve of figuring out how to best deal with a group of enemies, magic happens, as moment-to-moment combat is easily this game's bread and butter.
The main narrative may be relatively simple and easy to follow when defining the Valkyrie's motivations and how she changes throughout, but the game really shines with the supporting characters. The einherjar you'll recruit all have their own backstories, which are revealed gradually and build to satisfying conclusions. Better still, their involvement in the larger story doesn't end when you recruit them, as they're crucial in humanizing someone who doesn't know what it is to be a flawed, yet layered, human. Paired with everything else, the einherjar cement this experience as a standout by how well they provide depth and purpose to what would otherwise be a simply decent action RPG -- both in the ebb and flow of the high-octane, flashy gameplay and the game's overall narrative. Valkyrie Elysium may not be the shiniest or most innovative game to come out on current-gen consoles, but it offers refreshing little wrinkles that will appeal to anyone who wants to play a no-nonsense, pure action RPG that has all the frills and fun necessary to keep players enticed from beginning to end.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in video games and the ways it's portrayed from one game to another. Is the impact of the violence in Valkyrie Elysium affected by the fact that it contains no blood or gore? Does this lessen the visual of watching the main character stab monsters through the midsection or even decapitate them? Where do you draw the line when it comes to the many depictions of violence in mass media?
Is it wise to follow orders without thinking them over simply because someone gives them to you? How can you determine who has your best interests at heart -- or who is simply trying to manipulate you? What are some telltale signs of emotional or mental manipulation you can easily identify? How about subtle signs that may be harder to perceive?
Game Details
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Windows
- Pricing structure: Paid ($59.99)
- Available online?: Available online
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Release date: September 29, 2022
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Character Strengths: Compassion, Courage, Empathy, Integrity, Teamwork
- ESRB rating: T for Language, Violence
- Last updated: December 20, 2022
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