Xbox 360
The DS is a popular console for RPG conversions thanks to its dual screen, stylus and layout. There's something to suit everyone, regardless of taste or preference. But tracking down an experience that feels distinctly ‘grown up' is perhaps not the easiest of tasks. Surely people know that girls aren't born with natural bubblegum pink hair and anyway, everyone knows that Charmander isn't real.
Valkyrie Chronicles is different. There are no signs of pastel colours or dragon-shaped paw prints here. Instead the focus is on medieval-tinted dialogue, sacrifice, death and a mysterious and magical plume capable of unleashing absolute power...for a high price.
If those dark nouns entice your taste buds then you'd be right to get excited. Covenant of the Plume spits in the face of conventional RPGs with a cackle that Satan would be proud of. The laughter and quirky jests have been drained in favour of doom and gloom where serious actions come with serious consequences. Not only do you have life or death decisions weighing on your mind, but the path you take will alter the direction of the story.
Previous titles have put the player in control of the Valkyrie, the Goddess of death who reaps despair to all who cross her path (mwuhahaha, etc). However this time round the onus of the player is placed on a character named Wylfred who is eager to seek vengeance on the Valkyrie herself for the death of his father in battle and the resulting poverty and starvation that sadly takes the life of his sister. This uneasy beginning is a mere taste of things to come, with an underlying sadness to a bittersweet story of revenge.
With the guidance of a spirit Wylfred comes into possession of a potent plume. This feather can be used in battle and will provide infinite strength to those who succumb to its ability, but as you travel with your comrades on a mission of justice it is advisable to think carefully before you act — any character who gains the abilities of the plume will find their triumph short lived, as their lives will be taken afterwards. Fortunately there are numerous opportunities to meet various characters along the way, but choose carefully who - if anyone - you wish to sacrifice in return. As an added bonus Wylfred will inherit any special abilities from ill-fated characters, bringing just a little bit more greed into the game.
There is no room for kindness while battling enemies either. The party of characters are tactically controlled by grid squares. Each figure is moved with the stylus in this way, advancing towards enemies in a tactical battle. Keeping your party close together has its advantages as surrounding sprites can join in the melee with conveniently assigned ABXY buttons corresponding to one of up to four characters simultaneously. What's more you will find that timing plays a part in damaging an enemy. If you keep a steady rhythm of button-punching going then you might just unleash a spectacular Soul Crush finale that will well and truly finish of your foe. Placing characters behind an opponent is another cunning move that will often result in stunning them into confusion. And you can forget the sweet innocence of merely sending the enemy to sleep or badly injuring them; you are wholeheartedly encouraged to beat the living daylights out of opponents — even when they're practically dead. This practice is fittingly appointed as Overkill and will help earn you kudos known as Sin. The more brutal your attacks, the more Sin you will achieve. It is vital you earn as much of it as possible because if you don't, you'll be faced with a ‘punishment' in the form of an even more powerful and heavily disgruntled boss-style enemy to defeat. So you'd better get it right first time, or you're well and truly screwed.
The insatiable need to carry out acts of evil is what sets this title aside from the norm. A game that not only rewards you for sadistic acts but punishes you for compassion is too delightfully twisted to ignore. For the most part the screen is neadly divided, most if not all functions are accessible via the stylus and there are no particular sound effects that would upset the ear.
It's a shame that battle scenes seem to drag on as a result of the sluggish turn-based mechanics, and for what it's worth the visuals are a little too grey for comfort. Humour is decidedly absent but that only adds to the monochrome of moods that gives Covenant of the Plume such straight-laced appeal. It is for sure an acquired taste that will appeal to those chasing after an alternative to superficial happy-go-lucky tales. Expect to be at the helm of command for long a great deal of time — it's a lengthy adventure with many alternate endings and the replay value is definitely there. If you're after something a bit different from the norm then you can't go far wrong with this strangely compelling story of dark-hearted vengeance. It's just a question of how evil you truly are...
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