There are just some things that go together well and some things that were really meant to go together … like peanut butter and bananas (if it’s good enough for Elvis, it’s good enough for me). Strategy-based role-playing games and the Nintendo DS certainly do go well together and the titles already available are proof undeniable. Joining these games is Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume, a game that - even on the DS - should not only be considered an excellent strategy RPG but also a fascinating entry in the Valkyrie Profile saga.

Covenant of the Plume tells an epic tale of tragedy, adventure and revenge as a young man named Wylfred rises from the ashes to exact his revenge on Lenneth who he blames for the tragic loss of his family. With his father felled in battle and his younger sister having died from starvation, Wylfred accepts a cursed plume from a mysterious ally that wishes to see the famed Valkyrie dead. Joining a band of mercenaries that also include his best friend Ancel, the young man sets off on a quest that will lead him on a branching path that will lead to death and destruction that will echo throughout Valhalla.

The game begins in Aullewyn Keep where we learn the mechanics of battle as well as the basics of Battle Preparations and the Ally Phase. You start with the preparations, which basically has you deploying and of the four characters in your party and move them to engage the enemy within the battlefield. At the end of the turn, you can have your character face a certain direction or - if he or she is within striking range - attack the enemy. The Ally Phase allows you to manipulate the other characters in your party to either attack, hold or even use items to aid other members of your party. You can even coordinate attacks so you can actually gang up on a single enemy and unleash multiple attacks.

While we’re on the subject of battle, Covenant of the Plume might not do anything complete different in this department but it does add some interesting elements. For instance, the cursed Destiny Plume can be used to take out the more powerful enemies as well as satisfy the plume’s need for blood. The unfortunate drawback of using it, however, means that the ally who is enhanced by its power is permanently killed. Throughout the game, you will be given choices that raise the question: Are you willing to sacrifice the lives of your friends in order to get what you want?

In battle, you can also commit the “sin” of overkill in order to satisfy the bloodlust requirement. Essentially, what you do is exhaust your enemy’s hit points and then unleash another attack before the round is finished. It’s basically the equivalent of kicking a man while he’s down or carrying out a Fatality in the Mortal Kombat games. The choices you make in the game not only determines the path you take and the allies you befriend but it also affects the outcome of the game’s multiple endings.

Strategy is a major factor that will help secure a victory or assure you a crushing defeat. Sure, you can come into a battle randomly moving your characters and attacking blindly but that will only get you killed in no time. By allocating the different characters and making use of their talents, you can easily outmatch your opponents. I must say that coming up with strategies that can help make the flow of battle move a tad faster is easier if you’re a fan of the strategy genre so those that who are merely just casual players or new to the gameplay will feel a bit frustrated by this game.

There are various places to explore via a world map that allows you to visit shops, towns and other locales such as Kirche Crossing, Camille and Hroethe Walk just to name a few places you can visit as you continue your quest. There are also a number of allies to meet and ask to join your party, thus giving you an incentive to play this game more than once just to find them all. Considering the fact that the game is a tad on the short side, another play through is definitely in order.

Aside from the fact that the game just isn’t all too inviting to new strategy gamers, the opponent AI is inconsistent. Sometimes, the same batch of enemies will keep you busy and drawing out a battle a bit longer while other times the same type of enemies are idiots when it comes to tactics. Still, it’s hard to complain about these problems when the story is this good. It not only captures the feel of the Norse myth but also makes the characters intriguing enough that you’ll be drawn into their plight.

Covenant’s visuals are also quite stunning at times with the character models during conversations looking just as good as they would on a console. The backgrounds are also delightfully colorful and detailed, although I wish the characters on the map would have been bigger. Really, I can’t tell my Wylfred from my Ailyth sometimes and don’t get me started with Ancel and about five other characters that look like him on the battlefield.

The sound is also quite impressive seeing as it mixes numerous sound effects, voices and the original score quite nicely. The score, while not as epic as the story, does a good job of drawing you into its world. Even the sound effects add to the story with the sounds of a beast growling, the laughter of a room filled with people or the clank of sword striking sword. There are a few sound clips but it’s nothing too spectacular.

It’s starting to look that the Nintendo DS is the right handheld for strategy-based role-playing games seeing as great games like Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume keep showing up to expand our growing library. While there are few things that could have been better, Covenant stands as one of the more rewarding entries in the Valkyrie Profile series. If you’re loyal fans of the genre, picking this one up is definitely in your best interest.

Gameplay: 8.0
While lacking in innovation when it comes to the handheld’s capabilities, Covenant offers plenty to see and battles that require more than just running up to the enemy and unleashing an attack. There are allies to find and the story is fascinating with different paths to follow.

Graphics: 8.0
Impressively enough, the game features some lovely character designs during conversations and detailed environments while exploring the fantastical land. Even the opening animation looks amazing.

Sound: 8.0
The original score is gorgeous but not as memorable as some of the other epic strategy role-playing games. There are plenty of sound effects, though, and a few voice clips that do sound good coming through the DS’ speakers.

Difficulty: Medium
Some of the bigger and fiercer enemies will give you and your party a tough time if you don’t think strategically. Meanwhile, the much weaker ones are way too dumb to be even considered threatening. This game will feel a tad unwelcoming to the more casual strategy RPG fan.

Concept: 8.5
It’s great to see an RPG story so rich and filled with characters that are meaningful enough that you’ll care about them. The good news is that there are a great number of allies you can ask to join you and finding them all (as well as seeing all the possible endings) means the replay value is high for this game.

Overall: 8.0
Covenant of the Plume is a wonderfully diverse game with a deep and involving story that makes this one of the more rewarding Valkyrie Profile games available. As a strategy role-playing game, this one isn’t an inventive as other games in the genre but it’s still a game with a lot to offer.