Valkyrie Elysium: your primer to the RPG series ahead of this week’s launch

blog.playstation.com:

In many respects, the Valkyrie series is synonymous with PlayStation. The acclaimed first two games – Valkyrie Profile and Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria – appeared on the PS1 and PS2 respectively. Now, after a 16 year absence from consoles, the series is back with Valkyrie Elysium. 

The new action RPG features an evocative world inspired by Norse mythology, thrillingly fast-paced combat, stunning audio-visual presentation, and a dark, thought-provoking narrative. It’s a fantastic RPG that has its own very distinct vibe, and we can’t wait for you to play it.

While long-term Valkyrie fans are probably already exploring the mysteries of the game’s beautiful world via the recent demo, some of you may be wondering: what’s all the fuss about? Why’s this series so beloved? 

With that in mind, and to celebrate the series’ return to its ancestral home on PlayStation, we thought it would be interesting to take you through the history of this revered franchise.

It all started way back in the year 1999…

Just before the turn of the millennium, a new bold, new RPG was released in Japan: Valkyrie Profile. 

By this point in the PlayStation’s life, the console had made a name for itself as a haven for RPGs, with multiple series, including Final Fantasy, having achieved new heights of popularity on this burgeoning platform.

Valkyrie Profile immediately stood out from the crowd. Developed by tri-Ace (the Star Ocean series), this was a game that dared to be different. It offered a distinctly original take on the genre, combining a stylish setting inspired by Norse mythology, innovative battle system and a narrative structure that rewarded players for their initiative and curiosity.

You took control of Lenneth – a recently awakened Valkyrie,