After two PSP games the Valhalla Knights series is coming to Wii. What was the strategy behind the move? Was there one aspect of Wii's design or audience that pushed the creators to bring the game to Nintendo's console?
Yoshihisa Ohibuchi, Producer: The creators really like the challenging concept of what Wii does as a game console and decided to have the Valhalla Knights series expand onto the Nintendo platform.
For those unfamiliar with the series, what does Valhalla Knights bring to the RPG genre? Is there an overarching story between each game?
Ohibuchi: Valhalla Knights provides a true RPG experience. Players will be able to customize their character freely and project themselves through the characters they created and experience the world within the game.
Does the Wii game tie in with the PSP offerings in any way? Characters, story, world…
Ohibuchi: There is
no direct relationship between the PSP versions and the new Valhalla Knights: Eldar Saga on Wii. Though they share some common art styles and terminology (items, spells, etc), each game has an independent story so you do not have to play the previous games to understand the world.
Eldar Saga pushes the world in a way not possible on PSP. We'd agree with that.
IGN: How does the battle system work this time around? Is it still a mix of active/arena battles like on PSP?
Ohibuchi: Unlike the PSP versions, Valhalla Knights: Eldar Saga has a seamless real-time battle system. In the previous Valhalla Knights, the enemies were visible on the field map but battles would take place in a separate battle screen upon contact (think turn-based RPGs). Now all battles play out in the same field map in real-time in that same landscape, there is no transition to a separate enclosed battle screen.
How have things changed with Wii controls being added into the mix? Pointer control, motion…
Ohibuchi: The main thing we implemented specifically for the unique controls of the Wii was shaking the Wii Remote to unleash your special attack. No pointer controls are used in this game.
Has the team experimented with Wii MotionPlus at all?
Ohibuchi: Unfortunately, no. We did not have any time to experiment with the Wii MotionPlus for this title.
Is the GCN or Classic Controller supported for players that want a more traditional control scheme, or is it all Wii-specific?
Ohibuchi: In addition to the standard Wii Remote and Nunchuk, the game is compatible with the Classic Controller as well as the Classic Controller Pro which was released in Japan recently.
With the series existing on PSP previously, how has the team worked with the added power of the Wii? Is it an all new engine? Where has the game seen the biggest visual bump?
Ohibuchi: While the PSP version had more of a linear progression and presentation,
the additional power of the Wii has allowed us to construct a more dynamic world where the player has much more freedom. In the Wii version the player can experience how the world expands visually and enjoy a different view of the Valhalla Knights universe.
First details on the game mentioned that there would be two quests, intended to be played one after the other, though both are open at the beginning. Can you elaborate more on the game progression?
Ohibuchi: Valhalla Knights: Eldar Saga consists of two major episodes. Players that wish to enjoy the regular story mode can start the game from Episode 1 as a human male and have their results carry over to the start of Episode 2. However, for those that wish to have more character creation options from the outset (such as playing as a female character) can do so by starting from Episode 2.
What type of customization options do players have from the offset? How does that change as you level up and progress through the game?
Ohibuchi: At the beginning of Episode 1,
players will be able to customize their face, voice, hair, job, name, and basic parameters. In Episode 2 players will have the additional ability of being able to select their gender.
As players progress through the game and defeat enemies, they will acquire weapons, armor, and various other goods. When they level up, the character will earn a certain number of skill points for special abilities and magic which the player can distribute to develop certain desired skills.
There are also special items like jewels and quartz which can be placed into sockets within weapons and armor to endow them with elemental attributes such as fire and ice.
It's also possible to make new accessories for the characters to wear from the ingredients that you've obtained throughout your travels.
Wii is a very multiplayer-centric system. Has there been any multiplayer included with Valhalla Knights either locally or via online multiplayer?
Ohibuchi: Nothing locally, but
there is an online component. By using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection players will be able to take on special co-op quests together.
How does multiplayer co-op work specifically? Can each player bring in their single player character? Can actual story-specific quests be completed with two players, or is it a separate list of missions?
Ohibuchi: The host will create a lobby and a guest will join to take on a quest together. Each player will be able to bring over their own character to play the special Wi-Fi only quests.
Is Wii Speak supported for online voice chat?
Ohibuchi: No, Wii Speak is not available for online play.
When can we expect Valhalla Knights to hit in the US?
Ohibuchi: We don't have an exact date yet, but we are getting very close as we are going through the final testing period right now. A date will be announced shortly, but we're hoping to release the title within the next month or two if everything works out as planned.
Any final message to newcomers or fans of the Valhalla Knights series?
Ohibuchi: This will be the first console-based Valhalla Knights in the series.
We are developing this game passionately with everything we've got right now. It is full of original concepts within the Valhalla Knights universe, so I hope players will enjoy it when the title comes out.