Valhalla Knights

• 1UP (35/100) likens the experience to torture: "I can't remember the last time I felt so constricted as a gamer. Sure, running around the dungeons and slashing through enemies is enjoyable enough -- and, dare I say it, even fun at times. But as soon as you attempt to play through Valhalla Knights like its an actual game, it completely falls apart. The viselike grip Valhalla Knights holds."
• G4 (40/100) thinks the game is too old-school for its own good: "This is not a game for the impatient, especially since there's no in-game help system. When it comes to combat tactics or building a party, you have to learn by doing (and probably dying)."
• IGN (53/100) wanted to like the game, but couldn't: "Valhalla Knights succeeded at impressing me with fun, real-time combat, completely pissing me off with drawn-out quests and eventually driving me away due to the complete lack of anything resembling story progression."

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.]

• Character customization is key: you can customize the main character, and all the playable characters that join your party. "You are able to select the race, gender and job class of additional party members you hire (create)."
• Each character can carry more than one weapon: "Backup weapons can also be equipped on a character and can be switched out almost instantaneously during battle. For example, if your thief starts running low on HP during melee combat with a sword, you can back him away and switch to a bow and arrow to continue with ranged attacks from a safe distance."
• The game features a relatively unique leveling mode, where your physical strength and class skill level are independent of each other. So, if you switch classes, you won't lose any of your physical strength. (Read the full interview for a good example.)
• "Valhalla Knights offers a 2-player versus mode as well as a co-op mode... The co-op mode features 30 co-op missions exclusive to the multi-player mode."

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.