I bought Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth for £5, I felt like replaying it and this version is far cheaper than the original. It's quite pleasing getting pretty much the same game for more than ten times less than I sold the PS1 version for. I'm going to try hard mode, which for some reason is actually supposed to be easier than normal mode, and has more content. I'm also going to read an FAQ and go through the convoluted steps to get the proper ending. The first time round I got annoyed by the standard non-ending and never touched the game again.
I'll give you a quick rundown on things:
Hard Mode
= It's easier because of better items and equipment. So long as you keep up with that, Level 1-ers should be ok to level-up when they join the team
= Only way to get Flame Jewels, ie, only way to get Lazard, Brahms, and Freya as optional character in Seraphic...and they're awesome (EACH Hard-Mode-Specific Dungeon has Flame Jewels EXCEPT for the Clockwork-Asian one, Tomb of Amneti has TWO)
= Some of the best most unique dungeons in the game (the only Easy/Normal exclusive you miss of note is Forest of Woe...for aesthetic reasons, it's quite lovely)
= Gamefaqs Guides: use CaptainK or Tri-Ace Fanboy's
Tips
= Keep Lawfer. No questions.
= All mages are practically the same; and the game also throws too many at you (which is ironic since they more or less suck in VP2)
= Arngrim is damned handy too for an early (well, earliest) recruit
= GO visit the villages of each Einherjar after you recruit them for special items, Arngrim's visit in particular is *EXTREMELY* useful for several parts of the game!!!
= You'll run into or transmute the Emerald Necklace (extra SP) and Bracelet of Zoe (extra HP). Keep these for newbies in the party!!!
= Personally, I prefer to keep Valkyrie as an Archer since she pulls good combos; give good sword weapons to others you might recruit
= In case you wonder about, orbs in battle restore magic, crystals boost experience (the former received when knocking "floored" foes during a combo, the latter when you hit an enemy while he's in the air during a combo)
= Keep ALL ARTIFACTS. Some are really, really good. Even the ones that do "nothing", some will transmutate into something fantastic and others can be converted into crazy amounts of "Materialize Points" (ie; money)
= Element Scepters can be Transmuted into Tome of Alchemy's. These turn enemies into EXP Crystals. Yes -- even very hard, high leveled enemies. Make use of that, there are way better scepters for mages anyways.
= On that note, levels are helpful, but you'll want levels for Skill Points, not stats boosts (hence why the Emerald Necklace is an asset).
= Don't transfer Lymsleria (or whatever her name is) -- she's glitched, you'll lose her forever if you do. D:
= Prep to HELL for CH.4 Lezard's Tower, it's easily the most taxing dungeon in the game
= Transfer someone (just ONE) who meets requirements *every chapter* and you'll be safe for Approval Rating. Make sure they have an almost Maxed Hero Rating and decent equipment too!
= More hits a weapon has the better, ignore the weapon strength (Atk Trust is interesting though)