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Shining Force +

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: November 12, 2000
Author: Amazon User

This Playstation classic uses the basics of strategic combat from such masterpieces as the Shining Force series, and adds new levels of realism, such as elevation, concealment, and facing.

Probably the worst thing about Vandal Hearts is that it is absolutely and perfectly linear. Unlike Shining Force, in Vandal Hearts you cannot replay any of the battles. You cannot egress at critical moments. There are no secret items or characters (save for the unimpressive hidden herbs and mushrooms you might accidentally find behind trees and under rocks). Vandal Hearts is an exercise in pure, unadulterated tactics, unspoiled by almost any semblance of role-playing. There are few types of weapons, and approximately two dozen of different sorts of items. Where this game succeeds is the selection of character classes and the number of possible strategies.

Just like in Shining Force, here you can promote your characters to better classes, although in Vandal Hearts you can do it twice: once at level 10 and a second time at level 20. Just like in Shining Force, some of your characters can have a choice of classes to which they can be promoted.

So where does this all come together? Just like in the mass battles in Suikoden, the classes follow a cyclical hierarchy: sword beats arrow beats air beats sword. This rock-paper-scissors element hadn't entered the strategy scene prior to Vandal Hearts. Naturally, there are also other, more popular conventions of precedence: opposing elements and the precedence of spells over physical defense will play a major role in the player's thinking.

Lastly, the graphics must be spoken of. Unfortunately, there isn't much to say: on the various zoom levels, the battlefield ranges from "hard to see" to "pixilated". The characters are hard to tell apart, especially when they stand in a group. The spell effects are functional at best. In other words, nothing a persistent gamer can't handle.

Vandal Hearts is a natural transition point from the early consoles to the Playstation and beyond. It is a good beginner's game, as well as an entertaining, if temporary diversion for a master gamer.

Vandal Hearts 1

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: January 04, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I recently purchased this game used from Funcoland. I loaded the disc into the Playstation and when I started playing, this was my immediate thought: "What a cheap rip of of Final Fantasy Tactics". First thoughts are not always right, I soon found out. This game's main focus was battles, with a bit of a lacking storyline, but that's ok. I am used to Final Fantasy ganes so it was something different for me. The job system was a little less involving then FFT, but was still a nice addition to the game. Downsides: Some incredibly hard battles, like the battle with Kane at the castle, for example. There is also no optional battles; you must fight and win every battle, and there are no random battles, thus no way to gain extra experience. This leaves the problem of being stuck at a low level at a battle that's impossible to win. Upsides: Nice battle system. A lot of characters join your party, and you don't have to hire them like in FFT. Also some pretty cool character classes. My favorites are: Sniper, Dragoon and Vandalier. TIP: If you buy this, N E V E R advance your archer to a hawk, always go for bowman.... Definitely buy this game if your a strategy game fan or liked FFT.

A Game That Gets It Right!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: March 02, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Around Christmas '99, I was told about this game from a dude in a Japanese Animation store in New York. He said: "If you really liked Tactics, you'll like Vandal Hearts. However, if you really loved Tactics, you might not like it as much." Well, I got it and beat it, and I think what he said was on the money.

This game actually has superior gameplay to Final Fantasy Tactics in terms of realism, size, difficulty and strategy requirements. True, you did lack the freedom, and the job system in Final Fantasy Tactics was far superior, but here strategy is required for more than survival and victory: sometimes you need to do something to the terrain itself. I loved that.

However, the graphics department was far less than impressive. The graphics were both ugly and used horribly. The first game to get the fully 3-D strategy deal right was Myth: The Fallen Lords for the PC, where it, just like this game, has 3-D terrain with sprites. However, on that game, when you moved around the sprites, they kept the swords on the same hand. That's right! While the camera spins around on this game, the character will go from being right-handed to left-handed! I wouldn't complain this much if its graphics worked like Final Fantasy Tactics', but this game plays like it has wonderful graphics, while the graphics are really just mediocre.

The sound department is okay, however. The music, while far from great, wasn't too bad. The compositions were several notches behind that of Final Fantasy Tactics (which quite possibly has the most powerful soundtrack ever), and so is the sound quality. However, the music still gets you into the mood right, and it won't put you to sleep. The sound effects are also pretty good, and sound rather real.

The story and character development are obviously pre-FFTactics. The characters are well developed and likable, but not as meaningful or emotional. Also, the plot is really good, but it's much shorter and won't play around with your emotions like Final Fantasy Tactics (that game was BRUTAL with your emotions). It has some original concepts, and some things I still haven't seen elsewhere since. While I would give this game a 3-star rating since I didn't like the story as much, I do have to consider that this game predates Tactics (by like 3 years), and as such, my opinion of this game is risen drastically.

All in all, Vandal Hearts is a very solid game that's clever and fun. It may be very weak in showing off technology, the makers clearly had a lot in mind, and that makes this game worth the money any day!

Vandal Hearts

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: June 16, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I first played Vandal Hearts when I borrowed it from a friend. I didn't know what to expect when I popped this in my PS but it wasn't this. The game has, to be honest, terrible graphics unless you're into the Super-NES thing. But if you're one of the people who loathe the Final Fantasy series for it's beauitful graphics than Vandal Heart's graphics will probably apeall to you. And if you're like me and like to have a choice in what and where you want to explore, who you want to talk to, and things like that then you'll most likely hate Vandal Hearts because all you is fight. The fighting engine, however, is probably the best I've seen in a long time. VH has a OK story that sometimes becomes hard to follow. If you're a hardcore RPG'er and you like oldschool graphics then I bet you'll like this.

A definite PS strategic classic

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: April 26, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Although you may not come back to this game for a while after beating it, anyone who loves the game for the action and the fight will instantly like this game. There is no nonsense, time-wasting, 30-minute Xbutton-clicking dialouge-intro. The first thing you do is fight, the last thing you do is fight, and in between you fight.

Basically you assume control of characters on a square-based map. As your characters fight they become tougher and you choose what class they evolve into. The battles in the last few hours of the game are HUGE. It's exactly what a good game should be 90% action 10% enrichment.

People have been comparing it to FF Tactics which is really unfair to this game as it's very different. I played this game 5 years ago and beat it. Now I'm looking for a copy to buy b/c I miss it.

hands down one of the greatest tactical RPG game every

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: February 01, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This is a great game, pretty straight forward, no side quest to distract you, and an awesome story line. The game is not particularly tough, but you do have to think through the battles. Likewise, it's not that long of a game and the replay value of it is very high in my opinion. Trust me, you won't get bored with this game :)

Best fighting game i know of

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 4
Date: December 26, 1999
Author: Amazon User

well it isn't a fighting game it's a strategy game but that doesn't matter. this game has a nice story on a scale of 1-10 it'd be a 7. the magics ar amazing, the freedom is exquisite, size of battle maps is enormous, originality is highly above average. I hate strategy i absolutly despise them but by gosh i can't live without this game get it!

Good RPG

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: April 22, 2000
Author: Amazon User

I just got this game today and its in my top 3 favorite Video Games. This game is like FF Tacticts.It has different game play than most RPG's.This and FF7 are my two favorite RPG's.

Far superior to FF Tactics

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 2
Date: March 03, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I played this game many many moons ago, and enjoyed it immensely. I am now in the market for a game comparable in fun that compares to it. I played Final Fantasy Tactics, and didn't enjoy it nearly as much - the entire system seemed much more complicated and difficult than Vandal Hearts. I also played Kartia, and it too was inferior with it's paper-scissors-rock combat system.
I wonder if the game Hoshigami is any good? that is the one I am eyeing in hopes of being as fun as Vandal Hearts.

The best stratagey game ever!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: July 07, 2000
Author: Amazon User

This was an awsome game. I have never really liked stratagey games before but this on is acctually one of my favorite games!

The battles are very hard and they really make you think. Being able to munniplulate how your charaters fight, by choosing what class they advance too, is way cool. The spells also look great. All in all on a scail of 1-10 I'd give it an 11!

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