For those non-Japanese interested in getting this sequel to the fantasy-themed RPG Valhalla Knights, we're hoping that your favorite import sites will carry the pre-order bonus. If not, there's always Ebay.
[Via PSPHyper]
Budget conscious importers can cheer as Japan's "The Best" lineup continues to grow. While American gamers rarely get new additions to the Greatest Hits lineup, Japan's offering has been far more generous. The newest batch of titles to enter budget status include the following:
Valhalla Knights looked so promising when it was first previewed so many months ago. Looks like it'll join the ever-growing collection of RPG failures on our system. The critics, for the most part, have bashed XSEED's latest, telling you to stay far, far away from it:
The number of RPGs scheduled to come out this year on PSP would not be able to be counted on two hands. In fact, you'd need more than three hands to count them and then you're in Goro territory. Point is, if you're an RPG fan, PSP is the system to own this year. Don't believe me? Well here's the list of RPGs coming out in 2007 according to IGN's release list:
January
Legend of the Heroes III: Song of the Ocean
February
Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure
Monster Kingdom: Jewel Summoner
March
Valhalla Knights
Dungeons & Dragons: Tactics
April
The Elder Scrolls Travels: Oblivion
Riviera
Quarter 2
Alien Syndrome
Quarter 4
DC Universe RPG
TBA 2007
Legend of the River King
Far East of Eden: The Fourth Apocalypse
Landstalker
Harvest Moon Boy & Girl
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII
Jeanne d'Arc
Final Fantasy Tactics
I don't even want to know what the collective amount of hours all these RPGs would take to beat. Which of these are you looking forward to playing most?
We've talked about Valhalla Knights before, but as the US release draws ever closer we find ourselves sucking in any available info like a sponge that wears pants but isn't square. IGN just put up a preview of the version and they describe how the gameplay works and what makes the game unique.
The biggest emphasis in the game seems to be about choice and players will not just choose their class, but at any given time will be able to choose what mission they go on from the guild. Once they do get to battle, the emphasis is on real-time combat with close or ranged attacks. This non-linear picking up quests in town element and the method of fighting make it sound like it could please Monster Hunter fans.
Check out IGN to read more about the game and see screens.
[Update 1: Corrected some formatting errors.]


Back in August, Japanese PSP owners experienced one of the most critically acclaimed RPGs on the handheld yet. Valhalla Knights features impressive graphics and gameplay, with real-time combat and six member teams. IGN called the game one of the best RPGs of Tokyo Game Show this year, an impressive feat when having to compete with the thousands of other Japanese RPGs at the show. We knew it was only a matter of time before this game got picked up for release for the US, and it just has.
According to
1UP, XSEED, publisher of the Shadow Hearts series, plans on bringing an updated version of the game to US shores. Producer Yoshifumi Hashimoto told 1UP: "So the version we just released in Japan was more of a milestone for us. We don't view it like we finished the game yet -- we want to add lots more stuff to complete it for the U.S. market." I'm starving for a truly amazing RPG on the PSP, and from the looks of things, Valhalla Knights might get the job done. Expect tons more on this game in the future. Until then, watch some videos, after the cut.
Uh-oh. It looks like there's yet another amazing RPG heading to the PSP from Japan. If the upcoming Jeanne d'Arc isn't enough for you, then you might want to check out Valhalla Knights. From developer K2 (Tenchu series), it's one of the few Japanese RPGs that feature a fully customizable character for you to control. Battles look especially intense, with its real-time combat and six-member parties. The newly-updated official Japanese website has tons of things to look at, such as videos and wallpapers. The game releases on August 30th in Japan, and currently has no release date in the US. Hopefully, that'll change soon.
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