Gameplay videos look kinda weird, is it actually turn-based? Kinda looks like there's some elements of real-time aiming or maybe I'm wrong.

One of my fave turn based strategy ever , really hope this comes to gog .

It is turn based, but as I was telling rtcvb32 it's a peculiar way of doing TBS. It goes like this:

It's turn based on a map. Each turn you get a number of "Command points", which you can use to move a unit. I believe the tank takes CP to move, infantry requires just one. Each movement allows you to move until your movement bar is empty and to do a single attack, on any order. You can select the same unit multiple times on the same turn, but each time you do the unit will have less and less movement. Once you run out of CP, it's your enemy's turn, but you can store CPs for future turns if you wish. Then the enemy does the same on their turn.

Now, the thing is that when you select a unit to move, the map changes to 3rd person view and you control that one unit on the "real" 3D world. So you move, use ladders or switches, and shoot as a 3rd person game, and when you run out of movement points you have to go back to the map and spend another CP go back to moving units. Some classes (shocktroopers & scouts) have interception fire and they will shoot you while you move, so you need to move in cover and/or flank enemies. Headshots and shooting from behind does extra damage, important against enemy tanks, but nobody will shoot at you while you aim so you can take your time to take the perfect shot.

Then there's a RPG aspect to it, as your units will increase their stats (accuracy and movement range, for instance) as you go along. You can also get better guns and whatnot.


Check what I told Crosmando, it's a peculiar way of doing TBS. Even if you normally like TBS, you may not like the way Valkyria Chronicles does it.
Well, you have basically a 0% chance of beating that unit. But, there's always a workaround... It's a far shot from the DBZ battles on the anime.

I remember the combat being quite a pain in the ass if you played this game like an action RPG. Glad that more and more JRPG's are coming to pc, guess Jap devs finally understand the concept of a personal computer? :p

Would be sweet :) Voted.

And it appears like it's out! Downloading it now. Comments say it's a pretty good port, but it's a 16 GB download. Might be a few day (or a week!) till I finally get the chance to check it out.

Why is it so big?

Who knows? Uncompressed stuff? I don't recall the PS3 version to be that big, and I should know because it was a pirate version and I had to move it to my PS3's hard drive through FTP.

I'd like to think it's all because of free additional DLC content, but yeah, doubt it.

It won't. SEGA Japan put an end to that.

It feels redundant to ask, but is it restricted over there?

Ooh purdy!
So it's more of a TBS than RPG though, then?
Damn games that blur the lines between genres and mess with my ability to put everything in nice neat little boxes!
On the other hand, yay innovation and daring to be different!
*continue to argue with self to fade*

But still - more TBS or RPG?

Probably because of the pre-rendered cutscenes.

im curious as to why ppl go on at times about this?...why is the game *special*?

More TBS, but heavy on story. And there are enough RPG elements to keep you satisfied. You also have some research to do, some looting, some grinding, from time to time and some prototype weaponry to find in the missions (you will have to trigger the enemy ACE units and kill them quickly to grab some nice pieces of weaponry).

It's a game that will keep you occupied for quite a while. And did i mentioned dat story?!:)

It is. Along with every other Sega game.