Valkyrie Elysium

Digitally Downloaded ( )

If you do enjoy the likes of theatre, opera, and ballet, then Valkyrie Elysium belongs to the incredibly small group of titles that share a similarity to those art forms, and that’s more than a nice to have, it’s the kind of art we need to see more developers experimenting with.

Gaming Boulevard (8.5 out of 10)

In conclusion, Valkyrie Elysium is a fun game, with really good fighting and sadly some small annoyances to prevent a top score.

TierraGamer (8.3 out of 10)

Valkyrie Elysium es un título de acción bastante divertido. La complejidad y los elementos de su combate hace que sea muy entretenido liberar a Midgard de temibles bestias. Desafortunadamente cuenta con algunos problemas técnicos que llegan a afectar la experiencia.

GamingTrend (80 out of 100)

Valkyrie Elysium has an incredibly fun combat system at its base along with some light platforming and RPG elements, however it doesn’t go too far beyond that. The rote story is held up by good twists and likable characters, but I can’t help but see massive potential just beyond what the game presents. Still, if you’re an action game junkie like me, this is well worth your time and more.

RPGFan (80 out of 100)

Valkyrie Elysium's character action combat and usage of Valkyrie series themes and elements make it an above-average action RPG, but it sometimes lacks ambition.

GamingBolt (8 out of 10)

This entry to the Valkyrie series makes a graceful shift into the action RPG genre while only stumbling in a few small ways.

Atomix (80 out of 100)

No lo duden, Valkyrie Elysium merece una mejor atención por parte del público. Soleil ha dejado en claro todo su talento, ahora solo nos queda por ver si Square Enix le dará un mayor presupuesto para su siguiente proyecto en conjunto.

Twisted Voxel (8 out of 10)

Valkyrie Elysium has an excellent battle system and exciting exploration options, but the plot never takes off, resulting in a lackluster conclusion.

CGMagazine / Comics and Gaming Magazine (8 out of 10)

Valkyrie Elysium brings new life to a lapsed series via a commendable action-RPG engine.

Attack of the Fanboy ( )

Overall, Valkyrie Elysium is a great, although rough around-the-edges, action RPG, whose biggest strength lies in its dynamic combat system and in the charisma of some of its characters.

Noisy Pixel (8 out of 10)

Valkyrie Elysium is an enjoyable action JRPG suffering from clear problems regarding its camera system and more granular details. Yet its core combat is undeniably stellar, with transparently depicted customization and upgrading. Additionally, its cast and narrative are light but effective, paving the way for a satisfying adventure if you don’t embrace critical presumptions. Despite my initial disappointments with this entry’s lack of clear connective tissue to the franchise’s origins, I genuinely loved my time with this title. I hope its gameplay elements are used as a basis and improved upon for future installments.

GamersRD.com (7.9 out of 10)

Valkyrie Elysium se suponía que sería un regreso por todo lo alto de la franquicia y realmente se esfuerza por hacerlo. Sin embargo, tenemos un título con buen gameplay profundo y divertido pero cuya historia y otros apartados no corrieron riesgos innecesarios. No es algo malo, incluso un recién llegado puede darle una oportunidad pero no deja de tener potencial desaprovechado.

Spazio Games (7.5 out of 10)

Certo, per goderne a pieno è necessario chiudere un occhio sui problemi tipici delle produzioni dal budget limitato, dal riciclo piuttosto marcato di nemici e mappe alla vuotezza delle ambientazioni, ma quanto c'è di buono sopravanza a nostro avviso quanto manca, e con questo episodio si sono gettate le basi per un ritorno del franchise in grande stile. L'unica condizione è che sia la stessa Square Enix a crederci davvero e a stanziare fondi più ingenti per un eventuale secondo capitolo.

XGN (7.5 out of 10)

Al met al is Valkyrie Elysium een goede game die fans van actie-RPG’s enorm zal bevallen. De flitsende gevechten stralen als de poolster zo fel en zijn een genot om te ervaren. Sterker nog, het is een element waarvoor menig actiefanaat na de credits nog voor terug zal keren. Helaas kan hetzelfde niet gezegd worden voor het verhaal. Deze is simpelweg niet zo sterk, al is het op ontdekkingstocht gaan om de geheimen te ontrafelen wel erg leuk. Hopelijk kan Square Enix bij een eventueel vervolg nog wat meer tijd steken in de grafische aspecten van de game en kleine handigheidjes, zoals een item shop.

COGConnected / Canadian Online Gamers Network (75 out of 100)

While some elements of Valkyrie Elysium are disappointingly lackluster, in the end, the combat is excellent. That alone was enough to keep me engaged through the game’s dozen or so hours. I have a pretty long wish list for future games, like more impressive visual design and more interesting missions. But the real-time action? It’s a keeper.

PlayStation Trophies (75 out of 100)

Don't worry if you've never played one of Square Enix's Valkyrie Profile games before – Valkyrie Elysium is a standalone story ideal for newcomers, which also happens to offer accomplished action RPG combat and exploration. Like Valkyrie herself, this is close to godliness, but falls slightly short in achieving true greatness.

DashGamer.com (7.5 out of 10)

As someone that adored the series’ initial title, I can say that this is a step in the wrong direction if they’re looking to reprise the Valkyrie Profile franchise. They need to hearken back to its roots, understand the story that made it a global sensation, and adapt to some of the core elements seen here, especially its dazzling presentation and combat. If anything that’s the highlight here, but overall Valkyrie Elysium suffers a tad from some cumbersome moments that are less than stellar in the end.

Use a Potion! (7.5 out of 10)

The enthralling combat with its non-stop action and strategic finesse did more than enough to ensure the game left a good impression, whilst developing your skillset and seeing your party grow feels equally rewarding. It might not deliver in all facets of its design, but Valkyrie Elysium does enough to ensure fans of the series (or just the hack-and-slash genre) will be kept entertained.

Multiplayer.it (7.5 out of 10)

Si poteva chiedere di più? Si poteva fare meglio? Valkyrie Profile forse avrebbe meritato un revival di maggior spessore, ma tutto sommato dobbiamo ammettere di esserci divertiti parecchio con questo Valkyrie Elysium, che ha saputo sorprenderci con un gameplay assai convincente e un'atmosfera che richiama con forza quelle dei suoi predecessori. Svilito dai compromessi cross-gen e da evidenti problemi di budget, il titolo Soleil Inc. riesce però nella difficilissima impresa di reinventare una serie di JRPG con una specie di tabula rasa che funziona e che potrebbe sorprendere in positivo anche i vecchi fan.

Worth Playing (7.5 out of 10)

Divorced from its heritage, it's a solid, if unexceptional, action-RPG. The combat system could use more polish, but what it does, it does quite well, and I enjoyed the combat until the end of the game. I'd love the team to have a chance to revisit the gameplay with some more confidence under its belt, as it's easy to see how it could go from good to great. This isn't the Valkyrie Profile 3 I was hoping for, but Elysium should satisfy someone looking for a solid action-RPG.

IGN Italia (7.3 out of 10)

Un action GdR che mostra i limiti di un budget limitato ma si riscatta con un sistema di combattimento ben confezionato e divertente.

Hobby Consolas (72 out of 100)

Es una pena que haya tantos elementos desaprovechados, porque Valkyrie Elysium tiene las herramientas necesarias para alcanzar el Valhalla... Pero se queda a medio camino. Aun así, si os gustan los action RPG y la mitología nórdica, vais a gozarlo con sus espectaculares combates.

The Games Machine (Italy) (7.2 out of 10)

Il sistema di combattimento di Valkyrie Elysium è sufficientemente complesso e divertente, e questo è un bene, considerando che quello che resta del gioco è abbastanza dimenticabile. Un gioco discreto per i fan della saga firmata tri-Ace, tuttavia certamente non imprescindibile. Anche perché, se avete fame di avventure norrene, c’è un certo dio della guerra che vi attende a fine novembre…

Gamer.no (7 out of 10)

Eit engasjerande actionspel som gjerne kunne ha vore litt meir.

Vandal Online (7 out of 10)

Diversión sin grandes complicaciones y aroma a 128 bits de esa categoría de juegos que cada vez se ven menos en formato físico: entretenido y sin grandes fallos, pero no dejará la huella imborrable de Lenneth y Silmeria.

Video Chums (7 out of 10)

It's cool that Valkyrie Elysium exists given the series' sporadic history although I wish it offered a lot more to sink your teeth into. Sure, the combat is fun, especially when you exploit enemies' weaknesses but it definitely overstays its welcome after a handful of hours.

Capsule Computers (7 out of 10)

It may feel lackluster but once players enter the fray Valkyrie Elysium’s exceptionally designed combat mechanics make for a fun action RPG that doesn’t quite live up to its franchise’s legacy.

God is a Geek (7 out of 10)

Valkyrie Elysium is an enjoyable action RPG packed full of combos and upgrades, but the boring levels and story detract from the fun.

IGN Japan (7 out of 10)

北欧神話の世界観や、登場人物はどのキャラクターも魅力的だ。スタイリッシュアクション系の戦闘はスピーディーで爽快感も高い。しかし荒削りでシステム面でかみ合っていない部分がある。ボリュームはやや不足気味かつ、世界観やキャラクターの説明や掘り下げが不十分で、感情移入がしにくい点は残念だった。

ScreenRant ( )

Valkyrie Elysium is a lot of fun, and maybe that's good enough. It's a shame that a new Valkyrie Profile game isn't more than simply adequate, especially after all this time, but anyone looking for a quick and engaging action RPG will leave satisfied. It may not be a masterpiece, but Valkyrie Elysium is still entertaining and enjoyable.

PSX Brasil (70 out of 100)

Valkyrie Elysium possui um sistema de combate muito bom e uma ótima trilha sonora. No entanto, sua história é rasa, sua campanha é curta e os gráficos deixam a desejar.

GameSpew (7 out of 10)

Essentially a character action game, Valkyrie Elysium does little to worry the heavy hitters in the genre such as Devil May Cry or Bayonetta. But while many of its components are simply adequate, its frenetic combat elevates it from mediocrity. There’s great fun to be had here, summoning Einherjar, using your Soul Chain to zip around the battlefield and making use of more advanced skills to decimate your opponents. Ultimately, it’s not going to set anyone’s world on fire, but it’s definitely worth spending some time with.

RPG Site (7 out of 10)

Valkyrie Elysium is an okay game with a fun battle system. Its biggest strength is that it’s fun to play when there are enemies on-screen. Everything else about it is relatively lackluster. This new take on the Valkyrie series is a solid gameplay foundation while leaving a lot of room for improvement in many other areas. Still, I think the developers at Soleil have done a decent job as newcomers taking their own interpretation of the series. I don’t think I’d want Valkyrie Elysium to completely overtake the Valkyrie Profile series moving forward, though I’d be happy with a peaceful co-existence as each strives to improve themselves - given that Square Enix greenlights more Valkyrie titles, of course.

RPGamer (3.5 out of 5)

Despite the action trappings, Valkyrie Elysium shows deference to its spiritual ancestors in terms of aesthetic, tone, and emphasis on strategic use of allies in combat. Those looking for an expansive narrative will be disappointed as there is polish missing in the presentation and story, but that does not detract from an exhilarating combat system and enjoyable interactions between the Valkyrie and the Einherjar. Valkyrie Elysium may not be the game long-suffering fans have been asking for, but it represents an organic shift for the series that can appeal to fans and newcomers alike.

LevelUp (7 out of 10)

Valkyrie Elysium es un juego que se aleja de sus raíces para intentar salir de un género de nicho y presentar un formato más amigable y llamativo. Durante el proceso perdió parte de su esencia pero al mismo tiempo, se aferra al pasado ya que prácticamente es un juego que pertenece a otra generación. Jugar Valkyrie Elysium es divertido por ser tan simple y rápido, los combos, hechizos y habilidades ayudan a nutrir la experiencia. Además, el desarrollo de personajes y armas ayudan a mantener ese toque RPG que nació con la franquicia. Este reinicio es un buen intento por trazar un nuevo camino, pero está lejos de convertirse en un referente del género.

Everyeye.it (7 out of 10)

In barba a coloro che sin dall’annuncio hanno criticato la scelta di Square Enix di accantonare il sistema di combattimento a turni di Valkyrie Profile, lo spin-off confezionato da Soleil ci ha divertiti con un solido e variegato impasto ludico, un livello di sfida soddisfacente e tanta strategia. A non convincere, invece, sono la componente narrativa rinunciataria e il comparto tecnico datato, che suggeriscono degli evidenti problemi legati al budget. In definitiva, Valkyrie Elysium potrà non aver centrato appieno il bersaglio, eppure siamo convinti che, coi giusti investimenti, la formula ludica sintetizzata dallo studio Soleil potrebbe rivelarsi vincente. In tal senso, la speranza è che un eventuale sequel riesca quindi a esprimere il pieno potenziale dello spin-off.

MKAU Gaming (7 out of 10)

There is a lot that was done well, but areas it fell a little short. Still, I think it is worth a look, and if you can, try the demo to see for yourself.

Press Play Media (6.8 out of 10)

Valkyrie Elysium is a solid action game with good combat, but falls a bit short of the memorable RPGs that preceded it in the series. It’s an entertaining enough game for action fans thanks to some good fighting and upgrade mechanics, but we’re guessing that a RPG fans might be disappointed with it and the game could use more polish outside of the combat.

Player 2 (B-)

Valkyrie Elysium brings the series into the modern era even though the story is rough, and the levels are a bit bland. I want to see more of this, but hopefully with some of the more mayor faults fixed.

Gameplay (Benelux) (66 out of 100)

Valkyrie Elysium wordt van de ondergang gered door het degelijke gevechtssysteem, al biedt het maar een beperkt tegenwicht aan het zoutloze verhaal, de eentonige levels en het saaie spelverloop.

PlayStation Universe (6.5 out of 10)

Valkyrie Elysium is a very fun game with a mildly-intricate combat system that allows for plenty of satisfying moments of pulling off long combos to create a visual feast. Its narrative is lacking but the core characters are charming enough that by the end you can't help but almost feel attached to them all, as you've fought your way through to whichever ending you've chosen. If it weren't for the fact that you're constantly having to make everything work in spite of a camera and lock-on system that feels against you specifically, it would be a much easier game to recommend.

Jeuxvideo.com (13 out of 20)

N'est pas NieR Automata qui le veut et c'est bien ce que nous rappelle Valkyrie Elysium. En s'inspirant de Platinum Games, le studio Soleil livre un gameplay solide qui propose une grande variété d'approches et d'enchaînements en combat, même si ces derniers sont parfois brouillons. Mais au-delà de ça, ce nouvel épisode de la saga Valkyrie souffre de niveaux basiques et répétitifs, d'une technique loin d'être irréprochable, ainsi que d'un scénario bien trop convenu pour rendre l'expérience incontournable. À vous de voir désormais si vous êtes capable de fermer les yeux sur ces défauts pour profiter d'un solide système de combat.

Inven / 인벤 (6.5 out of 10)

그래서 참 기묘한 결론이 나왔다. 일반적으로는 시리즈 팬들에게 먼저 추천을 해줄 수 있는 게임들이 많았는데, 이 게임은 정 반대다. 오히려 액션 게임을 좋아하고 발키리 시리즈를 모른다면 한 번쯤 해볼 만한 게임이라고 생각한다. 그렇지만 발키리 시리즈의 팬이라면, 부관참시당하는 기분을 느낄 수 있기에 절대 추천하지 못하겠다. 데모 버전도 배포하고 있으니, 데모 버전에서 "아주 높은 만족감"을 느낀 유저라면 충분히 즐거운 시간을 보낼 수 있을 것으로 본다.

WCCFtech (6.2 out of 10)

A fast-paced combat system and operatic soundtrack from Motoi Sakuraba aren't enough to save Valkyrie Elysium from a fate worse than Ragnarok: mediocrity.

Metro.co.uk (6 out of 10)

An occasionally inspired attempt to reinvent the Valkyrie Profile series, but a weak narrative and a dispiritingly empty game world drain the enjoyment from what could’ve been a fun action role-player.

Play Magazine (6 out of 10)

It's hard to ignore this spin-off's squandered potential - or the deafening silence of Midgard. While we have great fun mixing and matching a wealth of combat options, we can't recommend it based on that single verse when this game boasts an epic poem's price tag.

PlaySense / PSX-Sense (6 out of 10)

Als we het totaalpakket bekijken, dan zien we een game die veel goede bedoelingen en ideeën heeft, die slechts middelmatig zijn uitgewerkt.

Niche Gamer (6 out of 10)

For what you are getting, Valkyrie Elysium is not recommended at full-price. There is fun to be had, but it is more of a guilty-pleasure kind of fun, like Stranger of Paradise. Fans of the past entries will be confused and disappointed, but most gamers will enjoy the visceral and fast action.

Hardcore Gamer Magazine (3 out of 5)

It’s a departure from its predecessors, but depending on what someone is looking for, Valkyrie Elysium can be a good time. Someone seeking deep storytelling and grand world building won’t find any of that here, nor is the strategic turn-based combat Valkyrie Profile fans have come to enjoy. Now if you’re seeking frenetic combat where a Valkyrie flies across the screen, conjuring destructive spells while hacking hordes of enemies to death with her Einherjar companions adding to the mayhem, Valkyrie Elysium has what you’re looking for. Unfortunately as enjoyable as the combat is everything else about this title comes up short. It’s not that the ideas presented in the story are bad, it’s that they are so minimal they make the game almost feel incomplete. The potential was there to make Valkyrie Elysium one of the greats, but instead there’s an uneven experience of great combat with uninspired storytelling and level design.

ZTGameDomain (6 out of 10)

I was excited going into Valkyrie Elysium because of what I had heard about the series. While after my time with it that excitement certainly has dulled, not because of the combat but just because everything around it just kind of felt ‘meh’. If the world was more populated or at the very least more interesting there would be much more here to really sink one’s teeth into, as it stands once players are done doing Odin’s bidding they will find little reason to return in my opinion.

PC Games (Germany) (6 out of 10)

Meine beiden liebsten Genres, wenn es um Videospiele geht, sind JRGs und Action-RPGs. Dementsprechend gefreut habe ich mich auf Valkyrie Elysium, als der Release näher rückte und die Demo erschien. Zunächst war ich enttäuscht von dem geringen Umfang, nach dem Test bin allerdings ganz froh, dass das Spiel eben nicht so lang ist – besonders spannend und abwechslungsreich war es leider nicht. Das Kampfsystem macht an sich echt Spaß und auch die Bossgegner fand ich optisch eindrucksvoll, die leeren Welten und die spielerisch gefühlt identischen Missionen haben es allerdings ziemlich versalzen. Spiele wie God of War oder Hellblade haben bereits gezeigt, wie viel sich aus der nordischen Mythologie rausholen lässt, doch Square Enix hat dort bloß nur an der Oberfläche gekratzt. Es fühlt sich leider an wie ein Low-Budget-Ragnarök.

Eurogamer.it (6 out of 10)

Alla luce dei fatti, il titolo in questione si presenta all’appello come un gioco onesto nelle intenzioni ma vittima di limiti produttivi quanto mai evidenti, che uniti al risultato generale non riescono a giustificare l’esborso a prezzo pieno. Fosse stato proposto ad un costo più contenuto il giudizio finale sarebbe stato differente, ma allo stato attuale delle cose il ritorno delle valchirie assume piuttosto i contorni della classica occasione mancata.

IGN España (6 out of 10)

Valkyrie Elysium muestra su mejor cara en el combate, ofreciendo una experiencia frenética, dinámica y exigente que no cuenta con la compañía adecuada en el resto de facetas del videojuego. Su historia no acompaña, la narración no aporta gran cosa y el diseño de niveles tampoco. Por suerte, cuando uno se sumerge en sus frenéticos combates, todo mejora.

Gameliner ( )

Valkyrie Elysium is een aardige JRPG die zijn inspiratie uit het origineel haalt, maar dit in een modern jasje steekt. De nadruk ligt meer op de actie en minder op het verhaal dat niet heel innovatief is. Ik vind het jammer dat de game niet meer op het origineel lijkt vanwege de afwisselende gameplay, maar Valkyrie Elysium is toch vermakelijk door de dynamische gevechten. Je moet alleen niet veel meer verwachten, want de main en side missions bestaan voornamelijk uit de gevechten. Ik vond het een vermakelijke game, maar ik heb ook affiniteit met het origineel waardoor mijn blik misschien minder helder is. Claudia heeft gelijk dat het inderdaad geen Valhalla is geworden, maar voor gamers die het origineel niet kennen, is Valkyrie Elysium een vermakelijke actie JRPG die zeker aan het actie-gedeelte voldoet.

EmpireOnline.com ( )

Unfortunately, locked into a rigid mission based structure and with little else in the way of variety, Valkyrie Elysium struggles to be anywhere near as compelling. Anyone looking for a stylish action RPG will get their money’s worth, but those wanting something deeper will be disappointed.

Mirror.co.uk ( )

The extensive depth available within combat is fantastic, allowing players to partake in a thrilling fast-paced experience. It’s not all plain sailing as the game feels way too linear with not much exploration available and the recurrence of similar enemies can make combat feel repetitive at times. But Valkyrie Elysium is a great return for the series elevating the overall experience from past games.

Push Square (6 out of 10)

Valkyrie Elysium is a game of two halves. The level design and objectives feel at least two generations old and the characters and storyline are more like placeholders than the finished article. There's no capital F feelings here or much in the way of narrative justification, but if you're okay with that and you just want fifteen to twenty hours of fast, frantic, fluid combat then we can just about recommend this one.

Cubed3 (6 out of 10)

Odd design choices lead to a not so stellar action game with an unfortunately generic, asset-y world design. Valkyrie Elysium has great moments but is stuck in a mediocre shell that is missing the unique draws of the previous entries in the series. Once the story gets moving it's a good Valkyrie story, but a lack of polish leaves this game floundering instead of standing tall.

We Got This Covered ( )

Valkyrie Elysium brings the 20-year-old franchise to the PlayStation 4 and 5, switching out turn-based combat for hack 'n slash battles, and while the experience is fun, you just can't shake the feeling that we've seen this before.

GameQuarter (60 out of 100)

Een weinig boeiend verhaal, vreemde animaties, framerate drops en eentonige omgevingen maken Valkyrie Elysium moeilijk aan te raden. De enige reden dat het geen onvoldoende scoort, is omdat combat als het lekker werkt een waar genot is. Spijtig genoeg is dat lang niet altijd het geval.

IGN (6 out of 10)

Respectable combat carries Valkyrie Elysium through a bland-looking action-JRPG with predictable story and straightforward level design.

Edge (6 out of 10)

All the same, while it doesn't do enough to earn a place in the halls of Valhalla, there is still pleasure to be had in sprinting and fighting through these Elysian fields.

Checkpoint (5.5 out of 10)

Fans of the series were excited when Valkyrie Elysium was revealed, and a modern take on the loved franchise could have done it wonders. Unfortunately, the archaic level design and grubby visuals make the adventure feel like it would be more at home back on the PS3. Combat is its saving grace, dancing between combos and activating magic abilities on elemental foes in satisfying fashion. The Einherjar who fight alongside you add a nice touch, enhancing combat and adding some much-needed levity to the boring narrative. Mindless, enjoyable combat is here in spades, but it’s not enough to make Valkyrie Elysium a reboot that I’d strongly recommend to anybody.

MGG / Millenium (France) (55 out of 100)

Difficile de ne pas penser que la série Valkyrie méritait mieux pour son grand retour sur le devant de la scène. Certes les amateurs de beat them up pourront y trouver leur compte grâce à un système de combats évolutif et efficace, mais tout le reste transpire le manque de budget. Entre le scénario développé à l'arrache, le bestiaire limité qui bride le plaisir des bastons et sa technique de la génération précédente, on ne peut que vous conseiller de faire un crochet par la case démo si vous envisagez de passer à la caisse.

IGN France (5 out of 10)

Un épisode sans ambition ni âme, porté à bout de bras par un gameplay agréable et une ost sublime.

Gameblog.fr (5 out of 10)

Valkyrie Elysium n’est pas mauvais, et on peut le trouver joli, mais à moins d’être vraiment très bon public, ou un peu masochiste, vous regretterez probablement un peu des 50-70€ que vous auriez pu mettre cet hiver dans votre budget chauffage.

Shacknews (5 out of 10)

Valkyrie Elysium is a disappointing, befuddled, and mistimed return for the Valkyrie series. Its Einherjar-supported combat system only takes the game so far when it’s saddled by an underwhelming story and artificially extended by crude level design. It falls into the trap of chasing trends, turning classic JRPGs into action games and copying other successful titles like Dark Souls without adding much new to the genre, when many fans would have been more than satisfied with an updated version of a standard Valkyrie game.

GameSpot (5 out of 10)

There are lots of other puzzling decisions. Why no minimap? Why have a tether skill for field movement and puzzles that require summoning Einherjar when they're so rare and arbitrarily placed? Why do I have to replay a whole ungodly long chapter if I missed a Verdant blossom I want to collect? But ultimately, they're minor annoyances compared to the main problem: Valkyrie Elysium is a mostly technically competent game weighed down by the dullness of its story, setting, and strategy. There are glimmers of fun in the combat and some of the dialogue--the rare mid-level Einherjar banter is always welcome--but it's not enough to overcome stifling mediocrity. Valkyrie Elysium is a mere pretender to the glory of this series' past endeavors.

3rd Strike (5 out of 10)

Valkyrie Elysium is not really a bad game, it’s just bland and forgettable. The title feels like a generic run-of-the-mill Action RPG from start to finish and the somewhat basic plot and shoddy graphics don’t make this game stand out from the crowd. While the game did have a few more interesting moments, there are far better options out there if you want to play through a good action RPG. If the overall setting interests you, you might want to consider checking this one out when it’s being offered at a hefty discount, if not, it’s best to skip this one altogether.

WellPlayed (4.5 out of 10)

Soulless yet almost serviceable as a light hack ‘n slash Valkyrie Profile spinoff, Elysium is a 15-hour chore of ugly visuals, repetitive combat, and a mundane plot.

Destructoid (4.5 out of 10)

Have some high points, but they soon give way to glaring faults. Not the worst, but difficult to recommend.

GamesCreed (2.1 out of 5)

Despite being 100% linear, the hack-and-slash features in Valkyrie Elysium make it seem like it belongs in the souls genre, regardless of the game's action RPG label. Valkyrie Elysium delivers an inconsistent experience with its mix of good gameplay, uninspiring plot, and level design. This remake is an admirable effort at a fresh start, but it won't go down in history as a classic.

Digital Trends ( )

A lack of effort leaves the game feeling like one of those completely average titles that were popular in the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 era. And that’s what stings the most. It isn’t a terrible RPG by any means, but an utterly OK one if you’re just looking to mash some buttons and do absolutely nothing else.

Impulse Gamer (3.1 out of 10)

Valkyrie Elysium's strong combat can't fully overshadow an otherwise lifeless and mundane experience.

GameSkinny (3 out of 10)

As the Weird Machine in Pascal's Village says, "there's an important lesson here: the more of a fool people take you for, the more you'll learn of their true nature." And I can't help but feel the true nature of Valkyrie Elysium is to get firmly in the way of any enjoyment you may take from it.

Console Creatures N/A

Valkyrie Elysium has a lot of potential but it is stunted by budget constraints making this revival a bit harder to accept. Understandably the series is not as popular as Kingdom Hearts or Final Fantasy but the makings of something incredible are there — it just needs the support to get where it should be. Combat is fun but not compelling to be deep in the vein of Bayonetta or Devil May Cry but it is elevated enough to warrant a playthrough or two to see the handful of endings the series usually offers.

3D Juegos N/A

Valkyrie Elysium gustará a los fans de la franquicia y a aquellos que deseen probar una experiencia divertida con especial hincapié en el combate. Los primeros, encontrarán una nueva visión de la serie que mantiene la esencia y no desentona con los anteriores; los segundos, por su parte, se fascinarán con un título lleno de entornos preciosos y batallas repletas de acción.

One More Game N/A

The fun combat system can only do so much to carry the weight, but alas everything else feels average and fails to live up to its storied past. A deep sale is recommended before even trying it out.

Entertainium N/A

Square Enix themselves have done a commendable job taking similarly traditional genre games such as Final Fantasy VII, essentially turning it into an action RPG with its brilliant remake. That only makes for an even bigger disappointment seeing how mediocre Valkyrie Elysium turned out in the end. It’s not a terrible game by any means, but it’s far from being what could be considered a worthwhile follow-up to the classic JRPGs that came before it.

Kotaku N/A

Valkyrie Elysium feels much more like a spin-off entry in the Valkyrie Profile franchise than a full-fledged new main title. Its smaller scope, budget, and design lend it a “PlayStation 2 game” feel. The game’s combat is its saving grace, alongside some fun character interactions. Without the Valkyrie name and branding, Elysium could’ve very well been written off as a somewhat generic action game.