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Written by for on May 15, 2019.Finding every single treasure and hidden item in Vandal Hearts II is tricky so here's a handy guide that you can reference as you play.To obtain treasures much easier, equip at least one party member with Wings Armor along with the Unlock ability from Bowie (Knife), Searchmark from Antennae (Knife), and Blockmake from Pickax (Special) as soon as possible. Jbumi: Nice!! I may have to go back & replay this as soon as I'm done with Fell Seal now!! Btw, what did you think of Phantasy Star IV?A.J. Maciejewski (crazyaejay): I'm playing through Fell Seal, too!
Actually, that's what gave me the idea to post this. I originally wrote it for GameFAQs but took it down from there so I could put it up on Video Chums. I made it much easier to follow as well so I hope it's useful to you!
Vandal Hearts is a series of tactical RPGs released by Konami.Three games have been released in the series so far, Vandal Hearts, Vandal Hearts II: Heavens Gate and Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgement. Although both Vandal Hearts and its sequel involve the same Sword of Plot Advancement, the titular 'Vandal Hearts', they are unconnected story wise.
If you end up using this guide when you play Vandal Hearts II then let me know if you'd like me to change anything so it could be better. And Phantasy Star IV is excellent! I haven't finished it yet but I'm definitely enjoying it so far.scottb: I enjoyed the first Vandal Hearts game a lot but never got around to playing the second.
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Also never played the one released many years later, I think on the PS3, which got unfavorable reviews IIRC. The first VH game was a good example of 'gameplay over graphics.' What I liked most about VH was the variety of objectives from one level to the next. Really kept things fresh. A thoughtfully designed game. About a year ago, maybe two, I got into another PS1 game: Azure Dreams.
I had heard so much praise about it, but never really tried it back in the day, since I didn't get into Rogue-style games until years later. Azure Dreams is a fun time if you are down for the Rogue treatment, with all the re-starts and failures that entails. I really didn't get very far in the game, despite investing dozens of hours, but did enjoy the challenge and the experience while I tried.A.J. Maciejewski (crazyaejay): I never played Azure Dreams back in the day either and still haven't.
Sounds cool, though. If I see it at my local game store, I might get it if it isn't too expensive. Vandal Hearts II is in my top 2 or 3 favourite games of all time. The fact that you move at the same time as your opponent makes it require much more strategy than the average SRPG. I've finished it a few times without a single one of my party members perishing which I think is a huge accomplishment. I absolutely love Vandal Hearts II - it's a masterpiece, in my opinion.
The core mechanics of the series remain largely unchanged, however, and fans will be pleased to find that the strategy is as solid as ever. After preparing the troops and buying any vital weapons or items, players can choose a level from the map screen and jump straight into battle. Characters and enemies are organised into an order based on their speed, and commands can only be issued on their respective turns. Where more recent strategy games allow commands to be dished out to the whole team in one turn, Vandal Hearts mixes the order up between both allies and enemies, forcing players to adapt their tactics throughout the round.Each character comes complete with two weapon slots, which can be filled with a sword, knife, axe or bow and arrow. As well as this, characters can equip spell books which allow the casting of magic.
Once learnt, the book can be removed and the spell can be miraculously cast without it, although keeping it equipped will give the spell certain benefits in battle. Weapons can be changed mid-battle, too, allowing for on-the-fly changes of tactics based on the situation.What's interesting about Flames of Judgment is that it completely abandons the class system, meaning that players can tailor their characters' strengths and skills as they progress. While the original Vandal Hearts games rewarded characters with experience points for defeating enemies, Flames of Judgment employs a more instantly rewarding mechanic. By using weapons and magic in battle, the corresponding skill level of that action will increase.
So, each and every command you issue a character will affect his growth and development. For example, if you wanted to develop a warrior, place a sword or axe in his hands and set him upon the nearest enemy. Then learn as much magic as possible and spam spells at every given opportunity. It's simple and a genuinely refreshing take on the usual levelling up affair.A streamlined command menu means that Flames of Judgment isn't as deep or complex as other games such as Disgaea or even Final Fantasy Tactics, although this is in no way to the game's detriment. There's more than enough on offer to allow for a wide range of strategic options; from the direction you leave your character facing after a turn, to the team attacks available through positioning your characters in the correct positions.
If fans of the series are able to look past the garish visuals and uninspired plot, they'll find the same solid strategy that made the series such a success back in the 32-bit era.Flames of Judgment is a solid, but somewhat disappointing addition to the selection of SRPGs XBLA and PSN currently have on offer. Although the game offers little in the way of innovation, Hijinx Studios has refined the traditional SRPG with great success.
The fact that it has the words 'Vandal Hearts' in the title really doesn't do it any favours though; if this was a new IP, free from the shackles of the series and the scrutinising eyes of its fans, the game could have reached much greater heights. Instead, it will be remembered as little more than a missed opportunity, for which the new aesthetic is almost entirely liable for. Saying this, Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment is still a robust and enjoyable experience; it just isn't quite what was expected.
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