The game Valkyrie Profile follows Lenneth, a Valkyrie tasked with gathering the souls of fallen heroes to aid in the final battle between the gods. Odin commands her to descend into the lower world, where she must collect and train these soldiers for the impending conflict.
The gameplay involves exploring various locations from a 2D perspective, with Lenneth able to run, jump, shoot ice crystals, push, and pull objects to solve puzzles. Enemies are on-screen and can usually be avoided, similar to games like Chrono Cross and SaGaFrontier 2. The battle system is turn-based, with each character assigned to one of four main keys. By executing combos at the right time, players can deal substantial damage and earn experience bonuses.
The game's structure consists of chapters, each with a set number of periods that pass before the chapter ends. This period system adds a layer of challenge, as players must balance collecting souls with improving their statistics within limited time frames. In-game cutscenes provide context for the characters and the war's progress, while reports at the end of each chapter offer insight into the game's story.