Vandal Hearts

[Mendon]

A game I've been anxiously waiting for since it was announced a year ago hits XboxLive this week: Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgement !!

 

I'm a big fan of the Vandal Hearts games and this prequel to the original Vandal Hearts is 15+ hours in length and promises DLC's in the near future. I've got my point card ready!!

 

 

Mendon

[cimerians]

I've been waiting for years for this as well, since the original Playstation games 10 years ago.

 

This coming out on PSN as well?

[moycon]

I've been waiting for this one too!!

 

I played the PS1 version through about 3 times.

[cimerians]

I've been waiting for this one too!!

 

I played the PS1 version through about 3 times.

 

 

Yeah I finished it twice

 

Diego cracked me up. (The hawk guy)

[Chris Leach]

This is good news, but it would be even better if it were to be released on the Playstation Network.....I mean, I love my 360 and all, but I like the Ps3 to get some use every now and then. I don't think it has been turned on in 2010...pretty lame!

[cimerians]

This is good news, but it would be even better if it were to be released on the Playstation Network.....I mean, I love my 360 and all, but I like the Ps3 to get some use every now and then. I don't think it has been turned on in 2010...pretty lame!

 

 

I know, I'd prefer to get it on PSN mainly because I have the original PS1 games but its just a preference. I'll still get the 360 version if it doesnt come out on PSN.

[moycon]

Decent review on IGN...

 

http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/106/1062360p1.html

 

I'll admit though the "art" style (I use the term loosely) they went with looks pretty crappy. They remind me of Bratz or something.

They could have left the visual style the same as the PS1 version if you ask me!! LOL

Also I hate $15 XBL games %$#! I'll probably still wind up getting this one though.

[cimerians]

Decent review on IGN...

 

http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/106/1062360p1.html

 

I'll admit though the "art" style (I use the term loosely) they went with looks pretty crappy. They remind me of Bratz or something.

They could have left the visual style the same as the PS1 version if you ask me!! LOL

Also I hate $15 XBL games %$#! I'll probably still wind up getting this one though.

 

 

I completely agree with everything you say and I also will probably still end up getting it. I would have prefered pixelated ps1 3D over this as well. LOL

 

Ugh everytime I look at the characters it makes me sick....

[moycon]

I got the game. Played through the tutorial. The game really does look nice to me, and gameplay is a snap... but yeah the character models are just stupid. I can't look at the faces for long. Too bizarre.

[moycon]

Ok I think i figured it out.

You know that old marionette shows from the 60's Thunderbirds?

 

 

That's what your characters look like in the cut-scenes!! They are just kind of creepy looking. Luckily the creepiness isn't evident in the actual battles at all. There are static images, but they aren't as bad as the cut-scenes and the characters on the actual play-field are for the most part fine. (Sometimes I cringe when the camera zooms in LOL)

 

So far I think this game is great. If you are any kind of fan of the turn-based tactical role-playing genre, I don't think you will be disappointed with this game, even with the $15 price tag. I guess I should wait till I finish the game (For all I know it'll end in 2 hours) but so far I'm really enjoying it a lot. And I'm already identifying and have picked out certain characters that stand out as being KICK ASS. The biggest complaint so far...You don't get a choice as to which way you want to face when finished with a turn (unless you defend) Not a huge deal I guess.

 

I thought Band of Bugs was decent if unremarkable. I never went out of my way to say, hey you TBTRPG lovers should check out Band of Bugs.

I will say it now with the new Vandal Hearts. At the very least try the demo. I've passed on many a recent Live offerings (The other selection this week, Death By Cube was utter shit if you ask me.) but this one is a keeper IMO. My only wish is that it featured online co-op. How fun would that be?

[cimerians]

LOL!!! Thunderbirds........I remember that!!

 

I downloaded it last night from the PSN store. I'll try it tonight.

 

I had the demo for Band of Bugs and it played pretty much exactly like Vandal Hearts. The only reason I never got Band of Bugs is cause I wasn't really into controlling an army of insects and it seemed the game didnt take itself too seriously. It was like how you described it, unremarkable.

 

Anyway, cant wait to try it out tonight.

[cimerians]

 

So far I think this game is great. If you are any kind of fan of the turn-based tactical role-playing genre, I don't think you will be disappointed with this game, even with the $15 price tag. I guess I should wait till I finish the game (For all I know it'll end in 2 hours) but so far I'm really enjoying it a lot. And I'm already identifying and have picked out certain characters that stand out as being KICK ASS. The biggest complaint so far...You don't get a choice as to which way you want to face when finished with a turn (unless you defend) Not a huge deal I guess.

 

 

 

I agree and I've been focusing on melee and magic for Tobias. I like the Urdain archer chick and the two "soldiers" who join you early on are great. Gren the tank and the girl\captain with him. I cant remember names. Calvin the "wizard" is a wimp but he starts out with that 3-square hit spell.

 

Yeah you cant face a certain way unless you defend. Also is it me or is it hard as hell to get chests???

 

LOL

 

Its a good game.

[moycon]

It's a good game, but too short for $15.

I've beat it.

The game was pretty easy. I only had to give up a board one time to go grind for 3 boards elsewhere before returning and kicking everyone's ass.

Apparently there are alternate endings, but my guess it just depends on which character you choose to talk to before the end fight.

I will probably play through again to finish off the last 3 achievements I need but I'm pretty disappointed with the length.

And WTF...No hawk men?? Kept waiting for one to show up, but none were to be found.

 

One last thing, Am I the only one who feels like I've been preached to playing this game!??

Did the first Vandal Hearts have such religious overtones? I definitely have seen the light! LOL

[cimerians]

It's a good game, but too short for $15.

I've beat it.

The game was pretty easy. I only had to give up a board one time to go grind for 3 boards elsewhere before returning and kicking everyone's ass.

Apparently there are alternate endings, but my guess it just depends on which character you choose to talk to before the end fight.

I will probably play through again to finish off the last 3 achievements I need but I'm pretty disappointed with the length.

And WTF...No hawk men?? Kept waiting for one to show up, but none were to be found.

 

One last thing, Am I the only one who feels like I've been preached to playing this game!??

Did the first Vandal Hearts have such religious overtones? I definitely have seen the light! LOL

 

 

Oh no!!!!

 

You see? Thats exactly what I'm fearful of, these companies releasing shorter games for download and retail games get the full treatment.

 

On the Wii, you get only a partial game of the sequel to Final Fantasy IV. I'm getting a little worried that this will be a trend.

 

Cool game though and it sucks there's no Hawkmen. That was the appeal of the first game. Yeah the whole religious thing is insane.

[moycon]

you get only a partial game of the sequel to Final Fantasy IV

 

Well I mean the game seems finished, there is a beginning and an end. There was a tiny clip after the credits that suggest there could be more, maybe not though. As far as I'm concerned it's done.

 

I'd say the game could take a person 4-6 hours. Hard to say since I broke it up over several days and I played through levels multiple times trying to get loot and find hidden levels. Technically I guess I could have kept playing. I mean before you get to the last act in the game you can go back and grind levels and find all the hidden levels. I found a bunch but not all or I would have gotten an achievement. I am looking forward to going back and finding them all. One thing about grinding in this game, is enemies on boards don't seem to get any harder, that is they don't level. So if you go back and visit the first of the levels when you are towards the end, you wind up killing things in 1 hit! Not much of a challenge.

 

I did like the game but would have been happier if it had been 800 points.