*This review is 100% spoiler free!*
Over the course of the years, many gamers worldwide are unfortunate to subject themselves to terrible games. Glitch and bug filled, wonky controls, the list goes on. But ever so often a game will be released that takes all expectations and blows them away. Bastion was one, Portal was another and now comes Valiant Hearts.
Setting a buzz at E3, Valiant Hearts takes place during the majority of World War 1 or as some still refer to it, The War To End All Wars, from 1914 to late 1917. The game follows four main characters; Emile, Karl, Freddie and Anna, all connected inside and outside the war they quickly become friends and all aided by a lonely and friendly dog named Walt. At the beginning of the war, Karl is separated from his wife and newborn child in France as the government forces out all German born civilians from the country. Karl's wife is also the daughter of Emile, the main character in game, who also is drafted into the war.
While it is a War based game, Valiant Hearts is overall a puzzle-solving game, with each character having their own ability or skill: As a nurse, Anna has a small but engaging Quick Time Even healing game, Emile can dig in certain areas to create an opening or find another path, Freddie can cut through barbed wire and Karl can switch costumes to sneak around areas (Although that ability is used rarely in the game). With help from the dog Walt, players must navigate through areas via pulling levers, using throw-ables to break or open different areas or even ordering Walt to fetch a particular item to aid you. Gameplay wise, each challenge you face is unlike any other, from using the heat of a flamethrower to set alight dynamite to digging around shells that have not exploded on impact, the game mixes up each task. Taxi driving, sneaking past enemies (or knocking them out when they're not looking), judging trajectory to blow up a target, solving codes to doors, the game mixes these moments and more well to keep gameplay engaging and fresh. Controls do tend to become fiddly when rushed in time but that is mostly player's forthcoming mistake so results may vary.
Narration also takes place during gameplay as well as during loading screens, by an unknown man or Emile himself. Collectables also make up a massive part of the gameplay as over 100 are fit into the four chapters and can be easily found through exploration. Not only holding achievement value but also interesting facts about life in the early 20th century, from helmets to biscuit tins to even personal family documents to help aid the game from contest winners. Alongside this is also Diary entries from the four main characters and Marie, Emile's daughter, as well as Facts in each different part of the chapter ranging from treatment of P.O.Ws to facts about the battleground.
The storyline is beautifully made, mixing fiction with fact and delivers a beautiful story. Having multiple characters does not deter from the strength and emotional bond between each character as their story develops. With the four chapters, each has around 4-7 parts, lasting around 20-30 minutes depending on your puzzle ability. If you managed to get stuck (and trust me, you will), the game is timed to give you hints via a carrier pigeon, highlighting specific areas or clues.
The graphics on this game are definitely appealing. While you'll only ever see the eyes of one character (as long hair is the rage in this game), the art style of the game is beautiful and charming. Backdrops have bold and bright colours that are shaded and lighted perfectly to each scenario, even older areas clearly showing the change the war did to Europe. The sound effects and musical score help make this game come alive; each sound comes in clear and crisp, even the almost unintelligible babble of characters. But musical score is definitely the stronger of the two; I found myself non-moving on menu screens or whilst reading facts as the soft piano is utterly beautiful. While it does repeat, it won't disappoint as it changes progressively by the end. Usually I would also put into factor the voice acting, but as there is only the narration(s) and inane babble of characters, I will only say this: Valiant Hearts brings out little comedy in a few characters but when words are spoken, the realism and depth of fact and fiction is truly shown.
Personally I have not experienced any glitches or bugs and have yet to find anyone who has experienced otherwise, which truly shows how hard UbiArt and Ubisoft Montpellier have been working on this game. A brilliant storyline, fun and engaging gameplay, beautiful musical score, a ton of lore and collectables, easy and worthwhile achievements, I cannot sing the praises for this game enough, as multiple playthroughs are a definite guarantee. For such a cheap asking price for so much to offer and 10-12 hours of gameplay, Valiant Hearts The Great War is nothing short of a masterpiece of gaming and I most definitely implore you to play this must-buy game.
Out of 10, I give Valiant Hearts The Great War a 10/10
PERFECT SCORE
+ Flowing and constantly engaging gameplay
+ Beautiful musical score/soundtrack/sound effects
+ Outstanding gameplay for a puzzler
+ Fact mixed with fiction don't mud the storyline/gameplay
+ Multitudes of lore and sidestory
+ Art style and graphics are bold and magnificent
+ Collectables have massive meaning to WW1
+ Puzzles range from easy to difficult fluently
+ Tutorials simple and effective
+ The feels....dems be real
Valiant Hearts The Great War is out now for $15
Go buy it! Fatman approved!
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