Valkyrie Profile Turns 26: Enix's Norse Mythology RPG Masterpiece

Valkyrie Profile celebrates its 26th anniversary today. Released on December 22, 1999 for PlayStation, tri-Ace's Norse mythology-inspired RPG remains one of the most distinctive JRPGs ever made.

A Valkyrie's Divine Mission

Players take on the role of Lenneth Valkyrie, a battle maiden sent to the mortal realm to gather the souls of fallen warriors. These Einherjar must be trained and sent to Valhalla to fight in Ragnarok - the prophesied end of the gods.

The game's narrative structure was revolutionary for its time. Rather than following a single linear story, players witness the final moments of doomed heroes across Midgard before Lenneth claims their souls. Each recruitment plays out as a self-contained tragedy.

Combat Like No Other

Valkyrie Profile's battle system assigns each party member to a PlayStation face button. Attacks chain together in real-time combos, building a gauge that unleashes devastating special moves.

This hybrid of turn-based strategy and action game timing created something entirely unique. The system would influence tri-Ace's later work and spawn imitators, but none quite captured the same magic.

Platform Exploration

Outside of battle, dungeons play like a side-scrolling platformer. Lenneth can create ice crystals to use as platforms, shoot enemies to freeze them in place, and navigate treacherous environments filled with puzzles.

This blend of platforming and RPG mechanics gave the game a distinct feel that set it apart from the flood of Final Fantasy-inspired titles of the era.

Legacy and Availability

The original PS1 release was followed by Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth for PSP in 2006, which added new CG cutscenes. The series continued with Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria (PS2) and Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume (DS).

Square Enix is celebrating the anniversary with a 50% discount on the remastered version, making this the perfect time for newcomers to experience Lenneth's journey.

The tri-Ace Touch

Developed by tri-Ace (Star Ocean, Radiata Stories) with character designs by Kou Yoshinari and You Yoshinari, and a haunting soundtrack by Motoi Sakuraba, Valkyrie Profile represented the studio at the height of its creative powers.

The game's opening line - "To my side, my noble Einherjar" - still echoes in the memories of JRPG fans who experienced this masterpiece during the PlayStation era.