My First Video Game Review!!

So along with always wanting to do a blog I have always wanted to have a go at reviewing Video Games, so after speaking back and forth with a good friend of mine I decided to take the plunge! I had actually done the review before I started my blog and it was featured on the great video game website http://www.futureretrogamer.com/index.html but wanted to share it with you again as the game I have reviewed is truly epic and worth playing! So without further adieu my video game review (rhyme not intended) lol

Vandal Hearts – PSX – Review

Release Date 

Japan – October 25th 1995
USA – March 27th 1997
EU – June 1st 1997

PAL Cover Art

I've been wanting to share my love for video games for a while now and wasn't sure how best to or for that matter where to start, after speaking with a few fellow gamers it was suggested to me to start writing reviews of games that I've loved and depending on how I’m feeling, loathed!

So now that I had decided to test the waters with writing a review I just needed to decide on what game to choose! At first it was a daunting prospect writing a review about games I've played but one kind gamer friend pointed out that reviews are essentially people’s opinions, so with that in mind it spurred me on to write my first review!

Bang!! That was my head hitting a brick wall on what game to write about, I mean I've been playing games for over 20 years, do I go with my beloved Nintendo the NES or SNES perhaps or something more recent PS2 or PS3, then it hit me I will go back to when I first fell in love with the Tactical RPG. 

Now most people that know me know that I love my RPG’s specifically Final Fantasy, so I know what you’re all thinking…I’m going to be reviewing Final Fantasy Tactics! Nope this wasn't the T-RPG that got me hooked on this very underrated branch of RPG family, in fact it was a game that came very early on in the PSX life, back in 1997. The game I’m referring to is Vandal Hearts.

Vandal Hearts… what’s that I hear you say?! And it would be understandable if you haven’t heard of such a game, but what’s stranger is that the game is done by the powerhouse that we know and love; KONAMI. Yes I said KONAMI, makers of some of the most revered games to date: Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, Castlevania to name a few. That’s not to say Vandal Hearts isn’t known but it’s more of a cult following within the RPG community so much so it did spawn a sequel a few years later and even more recently a prequel that was released on the PSN/XBL.

The thing was that I myself hadn't heard about this game (which I personally class as one of my Favourite RPG’s) until 1999. I came across this while working as a now nonexistent games company and can remember watching a work colleague playing this game on a lunch break and thinking; wow! After about 15 minutes of demonstration I said to myself I have to get his game but it had been out for several years and nowhere to be found. The work colleague pointed me in the direction of the then small website called eBay (that’s another story entirely) and low and behold I managed to procure a copy and so began my love for the T-RPG genre.

'The Start of a Journey you won't forget'

So now onto why it began my love for the T-RPG let’s begin with the story; “you begin as Ash Lambert head of the Ishtarian Security Forces and while there begins to suspect a conspiracy in the highest levels of the government. While trying to bring attention of this conspiracy to light he himself becomes branded a conspirator and has to fight with his allies to restore order to the nation” throw in a thousand year Religious Dynasty, corruption, outlaws and pirates you have a griping political struggle to sink your teeth into.

So have I got your interest yet? Well if that wasn't enough right from the moment you boot up the disc, await the Playstation “Shing”, the classic Konami logo appears from the ground, rocks fly everywhere, then the screen fades black. A beautiful female voice takes your attention at the start, the Opening CG movie explaining the back story begins but the voice it mesmerizes you and draws you in, the track I am referring to is this;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU7ucnb2qwU

Burning Sorrow – Sang by Sarah Brandon

While the CG isn’t to the standard of say a Final Fantasy title you don’t mind because the sheer beauty of the song distracts you enough, and you start to take in what is being shown giving you the backdrop for what’s to come. Continuing with the music, while not everyone’s cup of tea I personally love it, the reason being it gave me all the right feelings at the right time.Right from the opening intro, and its sense of the calm before the storm (Which builds up to the forthcoming brutal battles), to the wonderful serene “Karma” (Samela’s Retreat) track which gives a sense of peace and comfort while in the heart of the battle. And even the ‘Final Battle’ music when it switches between turns with a more ‘march to arms’ approach, spurring you on to victory along with faster paced ‘approach for the enemies’ turn…all gives a feeling of tension, panic and retaliation. Throw in the usual effects when spells or attacks happen you have yourself a complementary OST that gives you all manner of feelings throughout the game.

The graphics for me at the time were superb even though I played the game several years after its release OK they weren't as good as Final Fantasy VII but that game was breaking boundaries with what the Playstation could do. Vandal Hearts was an early release game yet to me didn't feel like it from the detailed portraits in text speech, the isometric battles down to the animation of characters, to the flamboyant spells and topped off by the exuberant use of blood when slaying someone. It all complemented each other within the medieval type realm portraying the brutality of the said era! (Although fictional)

'The Over The Top Bloodbath'

Which leads me nicely onto its game play,  by now you've guessed that it’s a Tactical RPG for those that don’t know what that is, you have an isometric grid and each character has their own movement stats, you take your turn moving the characters around the battlefield. 

Once you have given all your characters commands, it’s the enemies turn until either party is wiped out. Although the game itself is far simpler to say that of Final Fantasy Tactics or Ogre Battle it does the simplicity with ease and makes for an enjoyable experience. You don’t get bogged down with having to do too many commands it’s a case of, (move – attack – defend).  That’s not to say you don’t need tactics on winning fights. The use of Archers for distance attacking, the Knights for heavy damage and Cleric/Mages for healing/attacking spells adds real depth to each battle. The Classes while limited, don’t end there you get the option to level up each Character once to a Higher Class. This adds further strategic elements to fights, like the Archer with the ability to change to a Hawknight , the new class grants further movement across the battlefield making it faster to reach enemies but the negative effect is weakness against archers. The game doesn't end there, not all levels are the same; Konami has done a marvelous job of keeping you gripped from trying to escape a prison or having to rush across a bridge before it collapses. it’s done brilliantly well and outclasses games of today on how to keep the player entertained. But all this is not for the faint hearted as the learning curve on this is steep and very unforgiving so those new to the genre may want to try something more unforgiving before stepping straight in.

‘The Tough Bridge Battle’

The game for me is one of the best T-RPG’s to date. I don’t say that lightly as there are some heavy hitters out there but for me this game has it all; Superb Soundtrack, engrossing Story, and challenging but rewarding game play. But this is my opinion and my bias so I urge you to at least try one of the very first PSX T-RPG’s and once your done give Konami a pat on the back for creating one of the finest T-RPG’s to date.

'The End'