Valkyrie Anatomia: The Origin

Valkyrie Anatomia: The Origin (ヴァルキリーアナトミア -ジ・オリジン-, Varukirī Anatomia: Ji Orijin) is a role-playing video game published by Square Enix for iOS and Android devices. The game is a prequel to the original Valkyrie Profile story, and was released in Japan on April 28, 2016 and worldwide on April 4, 2019.

Valkyrie Anatomia: The Origin
Developer(s)Dokidoki Groove Works,[1] Seventh Chord
Publisher(s)Square Enix (Japan)
WonderPlanet (Global)
Writer(s)Bun-O Fujisawa
Composer(s)Motoi Sakuraba
SeriesValkyrie Profile
Platform(s)Android, iOS
Release
  • JP: April 28, 2016
  • WW: April 4, 2019
Genre(s)Role-playing video game
Mode(s)Single-player

Gameplay

The game is split up into missions, with story cutscenes between. The player controls the protagonist valkyrie, along with a party of up to three recruited Einherjar. During missions, the player is presented with a map of points which cost AP, or stamina, to move between; AP replenishes over time or can be purchased through in-app purchases. AP is also used to heal after battles, or freeze enemies during a battle. At each point on a map, the player enters a 3D area; there, they fight monsters and collect treasure chests. Combat has the player tapping their party's character portraits when their action bar is full, and swiping up with the correct timing to use their special abilities. A combo gauge also slowly fills to allow special attacks. Characters use weapons which are collected from chests and defeated enemies; weapons can be combined and upgraded, and in-game currency is used to increase the chance of better equipment being generated. In-game currency is also purchasable through in-app purchases.[2]

Plot

The setting is inspired by Norse mythology; the setting is divided up into nine worlds, including Midgard and Asgard.[3] The story takes place before the plot of the original Valkyrie Profile.[4] The protagonist is Lenneth Valkyrie, who is preparing for Ragnarok.[5] Lord of the gods Odin commands Lenneth to choose human souls to be Einherjar, and so before they die, heroes are made to fight in the final war between the gods.[5] But Lenneth is unsure if the world should end, and as she grows fond of them, she may help stop the final battle.[5][3]

Development

The game was announced on April 11, 2016 by Square Enix.[6] The games graphics were developed by Square Enix's CGI making subsidiary Visual Works.[7] The game's development staff included producer Yoshinori Yamagishi, composer Motoi Sakuraba, and scenario writer Bun-O Fujisawa.[6][7] The game released on April 28, 2016 for iOS and Android devices.[8][9]

After ten years since a new Valkyrie Profile title was released, and having been asked many times by fans when a new entry would be released, Valkyrie Anatomia: The Origin began its development.[10] Square Enix was also looking to use one of their intellectual properties to create a social game, and someone proposed using the Valkyrie Profile series but trying to retain its charm.[10] Producer Yoshinori Yamagishi mentioned his favorite way of drawing out emotion in players was through music and sound effects, helping to both immerse new players in the world of the game and play upon the nostalgia of series fans.[11] The game utilizes a mixture of music from the franchise and new compositions.[11] After fans requested more focus on the Einherjar like the original Valkyrie Profile, and Yagamishi did not want to create something after the most recent console games as it might interfere with game development plans, he decided to create a story that centers on an Einherjar from the beginning of the series story.[10] Yagamishi stated that development was a much shorter length of time than the usual Valkyrie title.[11] He also intended there to be cliff hangers in the plot, and lingering mysteries like a typical RPG to keep players interested.[11] Post-release, Yagamishi stated that they listen for how players feel and make adjustments accordingly to keep the game interesting for long term investment.[11]

It was announced on July 6, 2020 that the worldwide server will be shut down on August 31, 2020.[12]

Reception

RPGFan summed up their review as “Wasted opportunity, collect-a-thon, and genuinely bad freemium ideas rolled into one package.”[13] The publication also condemned the title for many reasons, including selling basic game features for a premium such as the ability to change the speed of combat.[13] Siliconera noted the games generosity compared to other freemium games based on established franchises, in that most games make you purchase powerful or popular characters, and The Origin starts players with two powerful characters, Sennah and Jeanne[14]

Within two weeks of release, the game exceeded one million downloads.[8]

References
  1. Romano, Sal (July 12, 2019). "Valkyrie Anatomia studio Dokidoki Groove Works hiring for development of large-scale PS4 RPG". Gematsu. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  2. "Watch the first hour of Valkyrie Anatomia: The Origin - Nova Crystallis". 1 May 2016. Archived from the original on 9 July 2016.
  3. "Valkyrie Anatomia now available in Japan - Gematsu". 27 April 2016. Archived from the original on 2 May 2016.
  4. Romano, Sal (2016-04-13). "Valkyrie Anatomia story set before Valkyrie Profile, first trailer coming April 14". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 2016-05-17. Retrieved 2016-06-08.
  5. Nelson, Jared (April 10, 2019). "Out Now: 'Pigeon Wings Strike', 'OCO', 'SFD: Rogue TRPG', 'Valkyrie Anatomia -The Origin-', 'Solar Settlers', 'Rusty Pup', 'Dimension of Dreams', 'Mana Balls', 'STONE', 'Construction Simulator 3' and More". Touch Arcade. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  6. Sato (2016-04-11). "Valkyrie Anatomia: The Origin Announced By Square Enix". Siliconera. Archived from the original on 2016-06-03. Retrieved 2016-06-08.
  7. Sato (2016-04-22). "Valkyrie Anatomia Trailer Shows A Glimpse Of Its Battle, Being Worked On By Visual Works". Siliconera. Archived from the original on 2016-06-17. Retrieved 2016-06-08.
  8. Sato (2016-05-10). "Valkyrie Anatomia Surpasses One Million Downloads". Siliconera. Archived from the original on 2016-06-16. Retrieved 2016-06-08.
  9. "Valkyrie Anatomia's Tutorial Available In Japan, Service Begins April 28". 27 April 2016. Archived from the original on 30 June 2016.
  10. "「VALKYRIE ANATOMIA」開発陣インタビュー！「電車の中で泣いていただくくらいの演出を真剣に考えました」". Gamer.Ne. June 19, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  11. "【インタビュー】『ヴァルキリーアナトミア ‐ジ・オリジン‐』シリーズ初のスマホ化に際する着想と実装 タイトルに込められた意味とは". Gamebiz. May 30, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  12. Hashimoto (2020-07-06). "Valkyrie Anatomia: The Origin Will Be Shut Down Worldwide in August 2020". Siliconera. Retrieved 2020-07-14.
  13. Gann, Patrick (October 20, 2019). "Valkyrie Anatomia: The Origin". RPGFan. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  14. Lada, Jenni (April 19, 2019). "Some Of The Best Valkyrie Anatomia Characters Are Given Away In The Main Story". Siliconera. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
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