When Valkyria Chronicles launched on PlayStation 3, its unique art style and fascinating take on turn-based strategy RPGs gained it an almost instant cult fandom. These loyal fans stayed loyal enough to warrant sequels, leading to the fourth game in the series to Nintendo Switch last month. Now, the original is getting re-deployed as a digital download for Switch.

The Switch port of Valkyria Chronicles was announced during PAX West 2018, Siliconera reports, for a worldwide release. It turns out that release happened yesterday on the Nintendo eShop.

This digital release of Valkyria Chronicles is available to customers in Europe and the Americas. It runs for $19.99/£14.99, but SEGA is running a special launch deal for Valkyria fans. If you own the digital version of Valkyria Chronicles 4 on Switch, you can get Valkyria Chronicles for 25% off.

As you can see above, SEGA put out a special trailer to celebrate the launch. The story and gameplay look almost exactly like those of Valkyria Chronicles 4, and with good reason. The fourth game was an attempt to bring the series back to form, as the other sequels and spin-offs were not well received. The events of Valkyria Chronicles 4 even happen at the same time as those of the first game, albeit in a different theater of the Second Europan War.

"The year is 1935 E.C., and the continent of Europa has been plunged into the Second Europan War between the Autocratic East Europan Imperial Alliance and the Atlantic Federation over the precious resource Ragnite," SEGA's description says. "Experience the tale of Lieutenant Welkin Gunther, Sergeant Alicia Melchiott, and their comrades in Squad 7 in Valkyria Chronicles on the Nintendo Switch.”

via: sega.com

In my review of Valkyria Chronicles 4, I marveled at the art direction behind the game. The signature CANVAS style makes the backgrounds look like they were painted on, and this very tactile approach extends to the game's menu, a journal where each mission is a new page. While the story did rely on cheesy anime tropes at times, particularly in its humor, I still found the characters so charming that I was driven to keep everyone alive.

I've never played the original Valkyria Chronicles, but if 4 is any indication, it's a solid strategy RPG that's definitely worth picking up for $20.

Next: Valkyria Chronicles 4 Review: I Have The Power Of Guns And Anime On My Side!