Book review: Valkyrie Profile Lenneth and Silmeria Material Collection

[Catchytint]

Valkyie Profile is a game series based on Norse mythology. The designs in this book is reminiscent of days of wizards and iron-clad warriors that the fantasy genre is about. This book covers both Valkyrie Profile 1 and 2 games.

Artwork mainly consists of sketched color images. There is a mix of concept art and finished art. Some CG images were made for the PSP release of VP: Lenneth and they are included in the book.

This book is an oversized one and at about 200 pages it's heavy.

ISBN: 978-4048670401
Amazon JP

[parka]

I like the character designs of this game very much.

Does it have the character splash art (below) that appears in the game?

Reviewers on Amazon Japan didn't give it a favorable rating which is why I didn't buy it. And it's not cheap.

[Catchytint]

I originally discovered the art back in 2001 when I saw a magazine review with that artwork of Lenneth and her sword. I still have the magazine and it's funny to see how the artwork could display so much more detail than the game sprites. Nowadays, details are pretty even between character models and drawn art. Back then, I didn't dream that VP1 would be remade to include CG images.

All those images are in this L&S collection. This book is essentially a reprint of the first Valkyrie Profile art book with Valkyrie Profile 2 images included. Since that first book is out of print, this collection is the best way to get the art.

I do agree it's expensive. It ranks up there as one of the pricier books I have. The Takeshi Obata Blanc et Noir art book had been the most costly one I bought up to that point, but Blanc et Noir is one of my favorites out of all the books I own.

I tried translating the reviews from Amazon but they don't make too much sense. Was there anything else in common besides the price that turned people off?

[orentt]

I don't know what the reviewers on amazon japan wrote on this book but I can tell you that I have this one too and I love it, the price may be high but its one of my most treasured art books in my collection.

I took some pictures from mine so you can see more from this great book:


                           

[Catchytint]

It's great to see someone else here who owns this book. What a huge book, huh? It's not in your pictures, but I like those two school day arts with Silmeria and Alicia as friends. The image with Silmeria smacking that bully with her bookbag while protecting Alicia is funny. I love how Lezard is in the background with this silly mischievous grin on his face.

Which is your favorite full page artwork, orentt?