Exist Archive Review - Not The Valkyrie Profile Successor You Want

Exist Archive: The Other Side of the Sky is a side-scrolling JRPG developed by tri-Ace and published by Aksys Games (NA) in 2015–2016 for PlayStation 4 and PS Vita. It was heavily marketed as a spiritual successor to the beloved Valkyrie Profile series — but unfortunately, this game drags that legacy down rather than uplifting it. In this review, I break down why Exist Archive was so hard to finish. Despite an intriguing concept and tri-Ace's pedigree, the game quickly becomes a chore to play. Repetitive level design, sluggish pacing, and a forgettable story make for an exhausting experience that left me burnt out long before the credits rolled. If you're a Valkyrie Profile fan hoping for a worthy successor, this may not be the game for you. Watch the full review to hear my full thoughts on what went wrong. 0:00 - Intro 0:55 - Art 1:33 - Gameplay 3:59 - Combat 5:45 - The Grind 6:42 - Progression Systems 7:39 - Music 8:10 - Story 10:06 - Conclusion 💬 Follow me: 🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/jRPGFanatic 📷 Instagram:   / jrpgfanatic   🎮 Twitch:   / jrpgfanatic21   #JRPG #Review #ExistArchive #valkyrieprofile