Valkyria Chronicles was a series I never tried, until it came with this entry to the Switch. Before release I started to take an interest and learned that it might be very well to my liking. And so it was!

I like deep tactical gameplay, which is why I prefer usually turn-based gameplay over action gameplay, as the faster paced variant has to be cooked down a bit to make it possible to make faster decisions. But Valkyria Chronicles is actually turn-based gameplay with a lot of deep decision making. The game only uses some tricks to hide the fact. So you can move freely - until you have eaten up your alloted movement for the turn. Also seemingly stuff happens in sound and visually - but if you take notice, this doesn't actually have any effect until the turn moves forward.

So yes, this is turn-based gameplay dressed up to look more like real time. And this is fun! I have the deep decision-making but with more adrenaline as the action seems to go forward.

Also the 3D-view is usually a thing that I would think brings less overview helping my decision. But I do have a map-overview too and the 3D-view give you many visual helpers to help make the right decisions. This is a well thought through interface.

The setting is a fictional setting, which is inspired by europe and World War One. The characters are likable and in their history and actions understandable and each has their own unique character.

Visually the game creates very beatiful images with the style of hand-drawn colored images. This is very nice and I do like a less realistic style very much, if it is done well with artistic intention, which is clearly the case here.

Overall this is a well-made package for a fan of tactical games like me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSmVJc88HxE

So far it is pretty close with guesses for my games, Zippy6 and Kakadu18 (whats with all the numbers) are sharing the lead with three guesses each. But others are close behind. So here more chances to change the ranking:

#35: As the king is consumed by the rot, who will dare to challenge the throne? The tribes of the wolfes, rats, bears and rabbits give it a try. Guessed by Darashiva.

#34: The game starts with the Peach Garden Oath. Each army needs a proper leader. The officers who lead the armies are also needed to develop agriculture or commerce, or to search for items.

#33: En Taro Adun! Guessed by TruckOSaurus.

#32: You have 72 hours. Guessed by TruckOSaurus.

#33: StarCraft

#32: Majora's Mask

Both correct!

#37: This sequel features a protagonist with an ass worth saving.
#36: The game marks the first appearance of a blue item that many criticize as punishing players for being good.
#35: Everyone is here! Even canonically dead characters!

@TruckOSaurus
#36: Mario Kart 64
#35: Smash Ultimate

36: Yes
35: No

#41

Grandia II (PC)

YoY: =

Grandia is a series that I never actually played when they first came out back in the 90s and early 2000s. It wasn't until 2011 that I bought and played the first game, and then it took me until 2019 to get around to Grandia II. I'm very glad I finally did, because it is genuinely one of the best JRPGs of the early 2000s, with a well-written, memorable cast of characters, an excellent battle system, and a great soundtrack. The story can perhaps be a bit too straightforward and predictable, but it's an enjoyable and engaging experience nonetheless, helped along by the main cast.

The first game is still a little bit better, but I am very glad I finally got around to playing this one as well. 

Would've also guessed Smash Ultimate for 35 .

But 37: Uncharted 2.

Correct for 37.

For #35, the second part of the hint is important. I don't think Smash has dead people in it.