While many Square Enix fans watching Wednesday's PlayStation Play event were hopeful for a look at the latest game from one of the publisher's iconic franchises, they surely didn't expect what they received. Instead of Final Fantasy 16 or Dragon Quest 12, Square Enix officially unveiled the newest game in the Valkyrie Profile series, named Valkyrie Elysium. Further, the tactics-based action RPG is a confirmed release for both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 in 2022.
Before anyone grows worried that they'll have to go revisit any decades-old RPGs to play Valkyrie Elysium, the first thing that Square Enix confirmed after announcing the game is that it will be a stand-alone experience. It will still very much be a Valkyrie game, as the visuals shown of Valkyrie Elysium make clear. It also includes gameplay elements from the original games including recruiting Einherjar to battle with the game's protagonist. It also wouldn't be a Valkyrie game without the music of Motoi Sakuraba, who is confirmed to return.
The gameplay of Valkyrie Elysium certainly takes its liberties, however. Valkyrie Profile was a turn-based JRPG, which is absolutely not what Valkyrie Elysium is. The new game instead looks more like it's inspired by the Dark Souls series of action RPGs, with each foe posing a deadly threat with its own abilities and attacks. It leans into its action gameplay more than a Dark Souls RPG, however, and features a combo system that's drawing early comparisons to Nier: Automata and Devil May Cry.
With Dark Souls in mind, Valkyrie Elysium frames its story and setting as a fantasy world on the verge of apocalypse. Ragnarok, the End Times, is nearing and the All-Father tasks a lone Valkyrie with a final sacred duty. As the story unfolds, the player will discover the secrets of Valkyrie Elysium's apocalypse, its causes, and the truth of her mission.
As noted, few if any predicted that Square Enix would be announcing the next game in the Valkyrie Profile series. Only four titles have been released in it since the original game arrived in 1999, and the latest was a heavily criticized freemium mobile game. Valkyrie Elysium will have a lot of work to do to reintroduce the series to fans again.
It likely won't be too long before Square Enix shares more information about Valkyrie Elysium. The action RPG is tentatively planned for release in 2022, so it's much further along in development than many may have thought.
Valkyrie Elysium releases in 2022 on PC, PS4, and PS5.