Valkyria Chronicles?

I typically define action/adventure games as action games with a heavy emphasis on puzzles and/or exploration (which basically means I believe there are three different types of action/adventure). Uncharted has little to no exploration, and the puzzle elements are weak. Most likely because the quick pacing doesn't jive well with puzzle-platformer gameplay. So, the focus is mainly on action and platforming. Two things that Naughty Dog have always done well - go figure!

Moreover, I couldn't name a subset of modern adventure games with a similar story structure and style. Much less gameplay. In terms of pacing, I think it most resembles a story-centric shooter, a la Bioshock or Deus Ex. Not always as hyperbolic as the typical modern FPS or action game, but also not unexciting. That's a compliment, actually. :) Bioshock and Deus Ex make for great company, story-wise.

But, ultimately, I'm basing this on how I personally classify games. You can call Uncharted whatever you want - I just like discussing genre classification in general.

Not a bad guess, since Valkyria Chronicles is pretty explicit about its WWII inspiration. The game I'm referencing is much more subtle in its references. Come to think of it, the game I'm thinking of might also allude to WWII on a larger scale (but, again, subtle). If you read into it as much as I did, that is.

I'd say you're one logical leap away from the answer, because Valkyria Chronicles has a lot in common with the game.

I was having trouble making the leap to Valkyria Chronicles alluding to an invasion of Ukraine myself but wondered if Gallia (similar to Galicia) was just too close.  That said apparently I should have moved to searching to be sure and I would have found a better match with not only a Gallia but also a Crimea pretty quickly (though admittedly this probably happened quicker since I skipped straight to searching this franchise with Ukraine since you said they had a lot in common): Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (going with this because it was supposedly the one where Crimea is actually invaded and has the better reception, I haven't gotten a chance to play the console games sadly).

Nailed it. The entire game word has a heavy European influence (contrast with Awakening, which is larger and much more diverse), and PoR is one of NOA's best localization efforts to date, in my opinion. It's also the first FE game I've ever played (therefore, it was the most challenging for me).

Vanquish.

Correct.

Hint 42 -
Double the fun for the first and only time in the series.

Hint 41 -
This title has seen a sequel and a handful of re-releases/remakes since its debut 4 gens ago.

Vanquish

Damn, ninja'd

#42: Mario Kart: Double Dash

#41: Don't know