SEGA has officially confirmed a western release for the long rumoured sequel to Valkyria Chronicles. Coming exclusively to the PSP, Valkyria Chronicles II takes place two years after the events of the PlayStation 3 original. The sequel is set amidst the turmoil of a bloody civil war and boasts an entirely new cast of cadets.

The original RPG featured a turn-based combat system with limited real time elements. Rather than removing the real time aspects in deference to the portable nature of the sequel, SEGA has hinted at an expansion. It may not sound conducive to gaming on the go, but it should please fans of the original release.

Set in a thinly disguised analogue of Europe in the 1930s, Valkyria Chronicles combined a grim storyline with a subtle watercolour aesthetic. As youthful tank commander Welkin Gunther, you battled genocidal invaders while tackling racism within your own ranks. The almost endless cut-scenes were absurdly juvenile, not to mention at odds with the subject matter, yet I never found the game less than compelling.

According to SEGA, Valkyria Chronicles II is set to offer hundreds of missions across more than 20 new environments. Will the simplified graphics and smaller interface compromise the sense of immersion? We’ll find out in 2010.

“Don’t cry Minae. Once we’re out of here, we’ll make a game for the PSP. We’ll be famous.”

Capcom and Imageepoch are to collaborate on a new title, according to a report published on 1UP. Capcom’s Minae Matsukawa, best known for her involvement in the Ace Attorney series will produce The Last Ranker. Set in a highly militarised society, this action RPG will employ an original combat system incorporating both turn-based and real-time elements. Imageepoch’s Kazuya Niinou will direct the project. Given he established his reputation with DS cult hits Trauma Centre, Etrian Odyssey and 7^th Dragon, some may be surprised to see The Last Ranker emerge as a PSP exclusive.

Players will step into the shoes of Zig, an ambitious youth embarking on a career in the military. The only way Zig can improve his ranking within the service is to challenge and defeat higher ranked officers in personal combat. You may wish to read that last sentence again. It really does sound like a great way to identify the best tactical minds… and then replace them with meat-heads. After working his way up the rankings, Zig will eventually challenge for leadership of the entire service.

Japanese gamers will receive the Last Ranker in 2010. Given the pedigree of the title, a western release seems likely shortly thereafter.

Funcom has released new media for its forthcoming MMO, The Secret World. The teaser features an eerie midnight encounter between a pious (though shotgun wielding) Templar and a hooded fiend capable of transforming into a flock of crows. The battle is staged in a children’s playground, confirming the allusion to Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds.

The Secret World presents players with an alternate version of modern life. At a glance, locations such as London, New York and Seoul appear identical to their real world counterparts. A little digging, however, will reveal a world in which, as Funcom puts it, “every myth, conspiracy theory and urban legend” is true.

Although there are no classes or levels in The Secret World, players will eventually be asked to align themselves with one of the game’s three secret societies. The Templar are warrior monks, responsible for locating and destroying the forces of darkness. The Dragon are ruthless manipulators, determined to reshape the world according to their selcouth principles. Finally, the Illuminati may appear to be nothing more than decadent socialites, but they are quick to seize any opportunity to expand their wealth and influence.

Funcom is yet to announce a release date for this promising excursion into the unknown. While we wait, here are some new screenshots featuring more of The Secret World’s dark denizens.

C’mon Spike. Don’t fret. I’ll be back in ten minutes.

Criticised in recent years for its reliance on the Star Wars IP, LucasArts has responded with Lucidity. What is Lucidity I hear you ask? It’s an original puzzle platformer for the PC and Xbox Live Arcade. The player is charged with protecting Sofi, a young girl stumbling through the increasingly perilous worlds of her own imagination.

Sofi progresses automatically from left to right as the player inserts items before her, each designed to facilitate her progress. Items available to the player include slingshots, staircases, springs and fans. Only by selecting the correct item will the player ensure that Sofi avoids the numerous pitfalls in her path. If the announcement trailer is any guide, Sofi is also on the hunt for clusters of luminous golden orbs… but aren’t we all?

Another notable aspect of Lucidity is the title. Will LucasArts now insert the first few letters of its name into the title of all future releases? Should Crytek (of Far Cry and Crysis fame) be concerned? Time will tell.

Lucidity is due for release on Wednesday 7 October 2009.