The Vandal Hearts series is one of those games that strategy-RPG fans have always loved. Since its first release on the PlayStation console, the game garnered positive reviews and been called a classic. Over a decade since its first release, we now see a prequel that is available on the XBOX 360 and PlayStation 3 via a downloadable game called Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment.
Vandal Hearts: Flame of Judgment takes place before the events of the first Vandal Hearts game. For the price of $14.99 or 1200 Microsoft Points, fans of the Vandal Hearts series are still skeptical as to what quality they can expect in this game since it is only a downloadable game. Let’s take a look on the HOTs and the NOTs of this game:
HOT
Presentation
When it was first announced and screenshots was shown, I was a bit skeptical on this game. I thought the graphics were pretty stupid and funny, man was I wrong. The moment I played the game, I was surprised. It’s not as bad as I thought it would be. Sure, the character art has a big head, but it works well with the game. The environments are colorful and there are interesting battle maps that you will enjoy.
Same as with every strategy RPG, the story progression is through finishing each battle. Once finished, you will be in a camp where you can choose what to do next. There are no towns that you can walk in here, but instead you will be greeted with a classic point and click interface.
Classic Strategy-RPG is back
Flames of Judgment features all of the classic elements of a strategy RPG that we used to love and play. Characters move via grids and they choose their attack. There are no level ups in this game, but the weapons and the skills that you use are the one that will level up. The more you use your weapon or your skills, the more powerful you will become. Sure, that’s what you would pretty much expect in this game; grinding for levels!
After each battle, you can head to the world map and go into towns to buy equipment. The six characters in the game can equip up to two weapons. They both can be changed. One character can use bows or axes or hammers or swords. It’s really up to you because every character that is available is versatile. Just make sure you decide what class you’re going to focus on.
Team Attack is featured in Flames of Judgment. Depending on the characters that you pair up together, they have an opportunity to perform a team attack. If successfully executed, you will be able to perform devastating damage and it will lead you to victory. Try pairing up different characters and see what works well.
Nice Soundtrack
To catch our hearts in a RPG, it needs a nice musical score that will catch our emotions. Flame of Judgment manages to get it the moment that you start playing the game. The opening theme is operatic and you can feel the emotion that you are about to experience. Yes, Vandal Hearts: Flame of Judgment is a story of war, love, and betrayal. Expect some nice musical scores in this game.
Multiple Endings & Extras
One of the great things that I loved in this game is the multiple endings that you can get. Honestly, you can go ahead and play this game as many times as you want and you will get a different ending. You will be asked some tough choices, and what you choose may lead to either a good or bad ending. So, I really suggest to have multiple save files if you want to watch different endings.
Aside from the main missions in this game, there are plenty of hidden maps that will keep you busy. These hidden maps can be unlocked by doing certain tasks. There are also hidden treasures that you can get in every map! I highly suggest visiting the towns more frequently because you won’t even know what new information you can get!
Balanced Difficulty
Just because this game is downloadable doesn’t mean it’s for casual gamers who are looking for an easy way out in a strategy RPG. The difficulty in this game is somehow balanced. There are times that I died a couple different times. Grinding up skill points is still recommended in this game. Trust me; you will die a lot of times.
NOT
Common Story
Flame of Judgment’s story is a common one and not really original. The story focuses on young kids, namely Tobias and Calvin, that will end up saving the world due to the betrayal of a General in one of the countries to another. This will ignite war and Tobias must do everything he can to stop it. Of course there is a mix of fantasy in this one, but if you
have played games such as Suikoden where it’s heavy in politics, you will really not be surprised on this one.
Short Game
If you are looking for a long strategy RPG that will take you more than 30 hours to complete the main storymode, these might not be the game you’re looking for. Flame of Judgment is divided into different acts and they can be finished in less than 8 hours without really doing any sidequest. It’s short but for $14.99, it sure is worth it.
Few Voice Overs
What could have made this game better is if Konami hires some voice actors to do voices in this game. There are battle taunts that you can hear but it’s only that one you will hear them talk. CG graphics is done with an art where their mouth doesn’t move. They all talk in a cut scene but don’t expect it to be long.
Status Interface
One of the things that I find annoying in this game is the changing weapons of my characters. It got me pretty confused when the game starts because it looks like gibberish to me. I suggest everyone to view the Help guide in the game so that you won’t have that much trouble getting used to it. I always mess up when I change their weapons!
VERDICT
For just $14.99, you are getting a very good deal with Vandal Hearts: Flame of Judgment. Hardcore strategy RPG fans might feel a little disappointed with these due to its weak storyline and short gameplay. Since there is really no decent strategy RPG right now, Vandal Hearts: Flame of Judgment is a nice addition to your library.
[Editor’s Note: Vandal Hearts: Flame of Judgement was reviewed on a Xbox 360 platform. The game was provided to us by the publisher]
