Valkyrie Profile was initially launched for the PlayStation 1, followed by a remake for the PSP more than a decade later with Valkyrie Profile Lenneth. This updated remaster included additional cinematic videos at various points throughout the story, as well as enhanced the game’s voiceover and English localization. It is largely regarded as Valkyrie Profile’s definitive release. Unfortunately, it was never published digitally, therefore the only way to get it was to buy a physical copy on the PSP.
Years later, Square Enix was able to bring the game back, albeit on Smartphones. This port contained everything from the PSP version, making it the definitive version. Valkyrie Profile Lenneth is currently available on consoles as part of the new game Valkyrie Elysium. It is included in the Digital Deluxe Edition of Valkyrie Elysium, but if you don’t have it, this port is only $19.99.
Valkyrie Profile Lenneth is a PSP version rather than a Smartphone port. This means it lacks any auto-battle mechanisms or other minor changes added to the game’s mobile release. It also lacks improved character portraits, which isn’t a major problem but would have been good to have here. This version includes rewinding gameplay as well as a quick save and load option. There is a graphics mode with two separate filters, one that looks to replicate a CRT and the other that appears to leave the sprites unaltered.
As a fan of the original Valkyrie Profile release, I believe this remaster is the finest way to play the game right now. I’ve tried emulating the game before, and it’s a tedious process generally, but the PSP version included pre-rendered cinematics and they were running at such a low quality that viewing them on a big screen made them unrecognizable. The cinematics has been improved in this version, and they now look rather well. They appear to have been upscaled using AI, so while their rendition isn’t flawless, it’s still better than the game’s PSP release.
Even on a 4K TV, the game looks to scale nicely. It’s a relief to see Valkyrie Profile Lenneth on consoles because the game needs a home other than smartphones. The option to instantly rewind to any point in the game makes it a little simpler to play now. Valkyrie Profile’s dungeon design was difficult, with quirky platforming controls, and they can be a little unpleasant to play now, but with the rewind and quick save/load functions, they are much more acceptable.
The combat is interesting to play, but it may get tedious, especially if we face the same enemy grunts numerous times. The characters are assigned to each of the d-pad buttons, and a battle can involve up to four of them. Each button performs a single action from one of the characters, which may be timed to generate combos. If the hit meter is fully charged after the player’s turn, it can also result in a special attack. I did note that several of the special attacks caused small slowdowns during gameplay, but I believe this was also the case with the original release.
Valkyrie Profile’s great character development and exceptional storytelling carry it. The game has several characters, each with its story arc and growth. The game has different endings depending on how the player approaches the story. If you’re searching for a solid JRPG, this is a fantastic place to start. Even on a 4K screen, it looks stunning, and the game’s quality-of-life improvements make dungeon crawling a lot more pleasant.
Valkyrie Profile Lenneth Game Information
- Price: $19.99
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Developer: Square Enix
- Platform: PS5 (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
