Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment

Tetlee · 31-07-2009, 1:30 PM

Can it be true, one of my all time favourite franchises, being reborn on the 360?! Yes it can!:

This had better not be a region-locked US only release as I'm already hyped to the max on this one! Had given up on turn-based tactics games on the 360 so this is the best news I could hope for, always thought if there were to be another Vandal Hearts it would be a PS3 exclusive(which might have finally prompted my purchase).

For those that didn't play the originals, they were released on the PSone and in my opinion were amoung the finest turn based tactics games ever released, right up there with Tactics Ogre, Fire Emblem & the original PSone Final Fantasy Tactics.

Anyway, only seen a few screens to far so I'm off to fish for some more info, in the meantime, for those few that may be interested, here's the link IGN: Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment Screenshots, Wallpapers and Pics

Tetlee · 31-07-2009, 1:44 PM

Seems it's being released on PSN and Xbox Live, I take it that means it'll be released as an XBLA title so I've just moved the thread here.

Apparently it's a prequel to the original Vandal Hearts, due for release this winter.

Key Features:

* Classic gameplay, expanded and streamlined - combines the speedy RPG pace of the original Vandal Hearts with improved user mechanics and top-notch presentation.

* Strong story - serving as the prequel to the original Vandal Hearts, Flames of Judgment delivers a rich, focused, and character-driven storyline that includes quality cinematic cutscenes.

* Multiple endings - the player's actions throughout the game determine the ending, Tobias' future and more!

* Party members adapt to the player's style of gameplay - player characters naturally and automatically improve at whatever they do, providing a wide, deep range of customization options.

* 20 playable maps

Konami Announces Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment - Xbox

Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment Preview: Fails To Spark Interest - Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment - Kotaku

ukbootlegs · 31-07-2009, 1:50 PM

Is it me or does Tetlee seem excited?

Tetlee · 31-07-2009, 1:57 PM

Tiny bit disappointed to discover it's being released as an XBLA title though, was hoping it would be a larger retail release, hopefully they'll price it sensibly to get enough people purchasing to make DLC add-on maps worthwhile.

shoestring25 · 02-08-2009, 6:54 PM

vandal hearts was such a great game infact i still own it.

leveling up the blood sputs the overthe top magic it was so awsome . didnt get on with the second one so much

will definatly be getting this when it comes out

Tetlee · 03-08-2009, 9:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoestring25

vandal hearts was such a great game infact i still own it.

leveling up the blood sputs the overthe top magic it was so awsome

Yeah, the first one was pretty gruesome in it's day(a time where games such as carmagedon had to replace humans with zombies and green blood), claret everywhere!

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoestring25

didnt get on with the second one so much

Although I didn't initially like the new system(you and your opponent taking a move at the same time). I actually loved it once I got into the game a bit, was nothing more satisfying than predicting your enemy going in for the final blow of one of your weakended players, moving them at the same time to strike the empty space where the AI would be standing attacking nothing but air

Mr-Bananas · 03-08-2009, 8:05 PM

If this is half as good as the original then I will be happy.

Vandal Hearts is one of my favourite games ever.

*TheTrancelator* · 03-08-2009, 8:34 PM

You'll still be able to get it even if it did turn out to be US only - US tag & a US point card buy the game it will work no problem on a UK tag

Never heard of this game, looks pretty interesting though may just have to have a look at the original games!

Tetlee · 12-08-2009, 7:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by +Jamie+

You'll still be able to get it even if it did turn out to be US only - US tag & a US point card buy the game it will work no problem on a UK tag

Yeah, was one of the reassurances when I realised it was to be an XBLA title rather than a retail release. Only similar title released on the 360 so far has been Spectral Force 3 which wasn't released in PAL land and was region-locked

Anyway, found this little trailer earlier on, preferred the old more serious looking sprites(as opposed to these more family friendly oddly proportioned ones) but beggers can't be choosers

Vandal Hearts: Flames Of Judgment Video Game, E3 09: Overview Interview | Game Trailers & Videos | GameTrailers.com

Tetlee · 01-10-2009, 8:38 PM

Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment: Preview -- Strategy Informer

Still no confirmed release date for this yet(not unusual with XBLA games) but I hope it's soon, have 1300 point left in my account and want to hang onto them now for this(guessing it'll arrive at 1200).

Might have to dust off the Wii console and play some Fire Emblem to tide me over and get me warmed up on my tactics

Smudge Mouse · 30-11-2009, 8:33 PM

I wonder what's happened to this?

Was expecting it to be released soon, but there's been a distinct lack of news. Can't seem to find anything anywhere!

Here's hoping it will be released before xmas.

Tetlee · 01-12-2009, 6:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smudge Mouse

I wonder what's happened to this?

Was expecting it to be released soon, but there's been a distinct lack of news. Can't seem to find anything anywhere!

Here's hoping it will be released before xmas.

I know, I keep checking for updates and although game details seem to trickle in now and again there never seems to be any real news or previews. What info there is can be found here GameStats: Vandal Hearts Cheats, Reviews, News

The release date has been on a constant slide too, at the moment it seems to be down for Dec 29th(Tues so possibly the PSN release date) but time will tell. Starting to feel like Vandal Hearts DS all over again at the moment

Anyway, fingers crossed it's coming, have had points set aside for this since I first heard of it

Smudge Mouse · 02-12-2009, 5:05 PM

Cheers, the 29th wouldn't be too bad, lets hope they can stick to this year

Tetlee · 06-12-2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smudge Mouse

Cheers, the 29th wouldn't be too bad, lets hope they can stick to this year

Hmm, don't get your hopes up, just checked gamestats again this morning and noticed the release date has taken another big slide, now down for 31st March 2010, the XBLA releases I'm most intersted in always seem to do this

Smudge Mouse · 07-12-2009, 11:27 PM

Perhaps the only course of action is to take a disinterest

We can only hope they are spending more time on it, and maybe tweaking the slightly cheesy graphics.

Andy58 · 12-01-2010, 4:58 PM

Not much longer to wait now:

Konami's Xbox Live Arcade game Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgement will be released 20th January.

This nostalgic strategy RPG will be pricey at 1200 MSP (£10.20/€14).

shoestring25 · 12-01-2010, 5:10 PM

man that is a bit steep will see what others say about it first i think

Tetlee · 12-01-2010, 5:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy58

Not much longer to wait now:

Konami's Xbox Live Arcade game Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgement will be released 20th January.

This nostalgic strategy RPG will be pricey at 1200 MSP (£10.20/€14).

You're a star! although any source for that release info, I thought Death by Cube was being released next week, unless it's going to be a double release week of course.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoestring25

man that is a bit steep will see what others say about it first i think

I'll be happy with that, if it's a good as I'm expecting it'll be one of the few games that are worth the 1200 point price tag for me. This is one game I'd have been buying at any price

Andy58 · 12-01-2010, 5:55 PM

Cheers Tetee - source was Eurogamer and the 20th is next week mate

- as in "Wednesday week" as we say in these parts.

EDIT - sorry, I misunderstood - they're releasing Vandal Hearts and that Cube thing on the same day - 20/01/2010

Link http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/ms...al-hearts-xbla

Smudge Mouse · 12-01-2010, 5:55 PM

Likewise, I've been waiting long enough that it becomes a mandatory purchase

Unless they've been fiddling too much with the dynamics or have really unimaginative scenarios, it would be very hard indeed to ruin this type of game for me.

Here's hoping for a great game

Tetlee · 12-01-2010, 6:43 PM

No longer buy magazines but seems OXM have reviewed it already and given it a 7.5/10, good enough for me(mind you my 1200 points are ready and waiting regardless reviews

).

GameStats: Vandal Hearts Cheats, Reviews, News

stevenisace · 20-01-2010, 2:09 PM

Is this out today?

Tetlee · 20-01-2010, 3:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevenisace

Is this out today?

Sure is, been a bloomin long day for me today, just want to get home and get this baby downloaded!

Stealth Rodeo · 20-01-2010, 4:52 PM

I've just played through the demo. I have to say... it's beautiful! Just like the original Vandal Hearts (easily one of my favourite games on PlayStation). It looks gorgeous, and it plays smoothly. I just need to get me some points! I only have 1180 at the moment - typical...

Smudge Mouse · 20-01-2010, 5:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stealth Rodeo

I've just played through the demo. I have to say... it's beautiful! Just like the original Vandal Hearts (easily one of my favourite games on PlayStation). It looks gorgeous, and it plays smoothly.

Sounds great, can't wait to download it later today

Tetlee · 21-01-2010, 9:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stealth Rodeo

I've just played through the demo. I have to say... it's beautiful! Just like the original Vandal Hearts (easily one of my favourite games on PlayStation). It looks gorgeous, and it plays smoothly. I just need to get me some points! I only have 1180 at the moment - typical...

Gah! 20 points short

Has to be said as much as I'm loving being back in the Vandal Hearts universe, I'm not keen on the character art direction, funny thing is I thought they did it that way to apeal to a family audiance, but the language is as colourful and adult as ever, kind of a contrast when you read what comes out of the sickly cute sprites little mouthes

Good to see there's still plenty of claret splashing around too, the original was pretty gruesome in that respect for its day.

Anyway, gameplay is pretty much perfect, a little dumbed down from the original(unless I've just been playing too much Fire Emblem in recent years and forgotten how VH was) but no complaints here, still can't afford to get careless and in a way it's a nice relaxed way to play after Fire Emblem(where your characters can easily be killed in a single attack, and gone for good).

Still early in the game for me, just did that fort battle from one of the screenshots of my original post, certainly so far so good

kopchoir · 22-01-2010, 11:56 AM

Downloaded this last night after you blabbing on about it in chat the other night only downloaded the trial game to get to to grips with it.
How many hours of gamplay do you think is in the game

Tetlee · 22-01-2010, 1:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kopchoir

Downloaded this last night after you blabbing on about it in chat the other night only downloaded the trial game to get to to grips with it.
How many hours of gamplay do you think is in the game

Not heard from any reviews, but if its anything like the first two there should be around 20 hours plus(potentially much more) I would think, more if you want to see the multiple endings.

Many of the missions take a good hour to play if you're like me and like to carefully plan your moves. Not a game you're likely to charge through anyway.

DJSigma · 22-01-2010, 1:30 PM

I tried to download the demo, but I can't get it to work. It seems to stop at 99% and in my games list on the hard drive, it shows up as "Unknown XBLA game" even though it says Vandal Hearts above that and it won't allow me to resume the download. The only option is to delete it.

pixelpidgeon · 22-01-2010, 3:11 PM

this happened to me. on the the third attempt i was able to download the trail version

quite a nice little game. was waiting for this style of rpg to come to xbox/live. Havent decided to purchase as yet.
Still thinking about trials or saving points for mass effect 2 dlc

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJSigma

I tried to download the demo, but I can't get it to work. It seems to stop at 99% and in my games list on the hard drive, it shows up as "Unknown XBLA game" even though it says Vandal Hearts above that and it won't allow me to resume the download. The only option is to delete it.