Vandal Hearts (1996)
Genres:Role-playing (RPG), Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS), Tactical
Themes:Fantasy
Game modes:Single player
Story:You assume the role of Ash Lambert, a hero torn between saving his country and restoring honor to the disgraced Lambert dynasty. As he struggles with his inner demons and personal problems, he will meet various companions throughout his journey. They will help your character fight to overthrow the oppressive regime and ward off an ancient being that threatens the world.
Vandal-Hearts is a 3D turn-based strategy game. Unlike many games of the genre, the various battlefields have sloped surfaces that will either work to your advantage or against you. It will be up to you to accommodate your strategy and amount an appropriate offensive assault against your foes as well as set up defensive measures.Show more
Vote to bring this game to GOG and help preserve it.792
This game is an unbelievably funny and also smart. There was a PC version released back in the day so there is some probability this game gets a GOG treatment. Everything depends on Konami I guess.
I don't remember much about this game, but the parts I do are permanently stuck in my brain. Comically large blood sprays when you take out living enemies (to the point where the volume of blood wouldn't fit in a human), the same animation spraying out gravel when you kill a golem, and archers and flying archers being super good. I'd love to play this again and remember the actual game itself.
**Why *Vandal Hearts* (OG PC Version from Asia) is Konami’s Best RPG Ever**
*Vandal Hearts*, originally released on PlayStation and later ported to PC in Asia, stands as one of Konami's finest RPGs—often overlooked, yet undeniably influential. A tactical RPG released during the golden age of 1990s gaming, it delivered an unforgettable blend of strategy, storytelling, and emotional weight rarely matched by its contemporaries.
What makes *Vandal Hearts* so special is its rich narrative and political intrigue. Players follow Ash Lambert and his companions as they navigate a brutal war, uncover betrayals, and question the very foundations of justice. The mature tone, layered characters, and complex moral choices helped set it apart from more light-hearted RPGs of the era. It wasn’t afraid to be dark, and it did so without losing its emotional core.
The gameplay is equally iconic. With fast-paced, grid-based combat and a class system that allowed meaningful customization, battles were both accessible and deeply tactical. It rewarded smart positioning, long-term planning, and risk-taking. The stylish blood geysers from defeated enemies even added a visceral flair that players still remember to this day.
Bringing the original Asian PC version of *Vandal Hearts* to **GOG** would be a massive win for game preservation. It would give modern audiences the chance to experience a Konami classic that helped define tactical RPGs. As strategy RPGs surge in popularity again, *Vandal Hearts* deserves to be recognized not just as an early example—but as one of the **best ever**.
It had a version for Microsoft Windows, so it's more likely that GOG will be able to release this game than Final Fantasy Tactics.
The game was somewhat linear, had little replay value, and was difficult, but it featured a much more mature story that was well ahead of its time.
It's considered, along with Brigandine and the Arc the Lad series, the alternative to Final Fantasy Tactics on the PSX for those looking for a strategy game with a fantasy setting.
I never finished Vandal Hearts despite absolutely loving the game's sequel, but I really like what I played. Every character has a unique class, the story is really engaging and pulls you in with its political drama, and best of all, when you annihilate an enemy you witness an epic blood geyser shoot out from their sprite. Given Konami's push to bring back Suikoden with the remaster of I & II, they really need to do Vandal Hearts, next! Unfortunately the PC version was only released in Japan/Asia as far as I'm aware, so I can't speak to the quality of it, but I really hope something can be done to bring it back for worldwide audiences. Honestly can't believe VHI and II have never been re-released, ever (not even as a PSone Classic on PS3/PSP/Vita).
Vandal Hearts is one of the best titles for the PS1, and one of the best tactical RPGs of all time. A fascinating story of politics and mysticism, engaging and deep characters, and simple yet coherent gameplay mechanics. I don't know if there's any such a thing as a perfect game, but Vandal Hearts comes close. I'm surprised it isn't on GOG already, and I think it'd be great if Konami brought this classic here, as it has other PS1 titles (MGS comes to mind)
Find all those hidden spots in this awesome tactics RPG, and become this ultimate warrior in golden armor. Beat the game? Start again and develop your characters completely different. Beat it once again? Bet, you want to experience the story again. Must-have!
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