Extremely original story, characters, references, battle system, and the very sexy Hrist Valkyrie made this a rare jewel
This review however is coming from someone who spends half his day playing Final Fantasy, Wild Arms, Xenosaga, Digital Devil - and haven't even heard of Valkyrie Profile series before. And believe me, I sure missed a lot.
This prequel boasts of some of the best graphics, audio, and battle systems only rivaled by FFXII (looks) and Wild Arms 2(battle system). Gamers will be delighted on how freshly original this game is, especially in a genre where titles are beginning to feel the same. First up is the gameplay in itself. The 2D "real" world lets you wander the several dungeons, towns, and forests of the game by platforming (jumping, firing photons), thus enabling the gamer to strategize. There are puzzles to solve, and most of them focus on your 'dias' placing skills. Also, VP2 follows (or set) the recent trend of RPG's where battles aren't random anymore. You decide to either freeze visible enemy markers or battle them head on. The geography is well-created. Running water, poisoned swamps, temples ten thousand feet above the air - everything is made in 2D and 3D goodness. Noticable in the game is the sound track. It's somewhat laid back, but very, very, engaging.
There's only one thing that annoyed me halfway through the game, but that would be a spoiler so I won't say it anymore. That's just me, anyway.
With groundbreaking cutscenes, not boring story, and a village of playable characters, (even at the height of the "ef-ef effin") Valkyrie Profile 2 does not disappoint.