Valiant Hearts: The Great War is an emotional, underrated, and immersive side-scrolling adventure puzzle game developed by Ubisoft Montpellier. It was originally released in 2014 and was recently ported to the Nintendo Switch in 2021. It captivates those gamers who consider themselves history buffs and even continually invites new players. One factor that makes this game interesting is its grasp of historical realism in its content. In this game, you will immerse yourself and enjoy the gamified great war of World War I. It’s what you’ll learn in this Valiant Hearts Switch Review.
The game is not only about war, courage, bravery, or any concepts implying boldness. The game touches the perfect spot where art and immersive gameplay collide. In this Valiant Hearts Review, we will explore the game’s story, gameplay, presentation, historical accuracy, and overall value.
Valiant Hearts Switch Review – Game’s Story
In this Valiant Hearts: The Great War Switch Review, the game follows the story of different interesting characters. A French farmer named Emile is conscripted into the army and split from his wife and child during World War I. Next is a nurse named Anna from Belgium loses contact with her father after he is deported to Germany. Another is an American soldier named Freddie enlists in the military to exact revenge for the murder of his wife. Despite holding pacifist views, German soldier Karl is compelled to defend his nation. As these characters try to live and find their loved ones in the turmoil of war, their stories begin to entwine
The game’s narrative is expertly delivered. It humanizes the soldiers on both sides of the fight using a combination of comic book-style cutscenes and in-game dialogue. Interestingly, all of the characters are thoroughly developed, and their narratives are deeply compelling. Players can relate to the game’s universal themes of sacrifice, sorrow, and hope.
What About its Gameplay
Adventure and puzzle solving are mixed together in Valiant Hearts’ gameplay. Although it is advertised as a side-scrolling adventure game, the game is really more of a puzzle game. To solve puzzles and advance through the game, players must utilize the special skills of each character. For instance, Emile can use his shovel to sift through the soil and find buried items. Freddie can mend machinery with his wrench, and Anna can heal injured soldiers. Karl has more combat-oriented skills. Plus, he can kill enemy soldiers with grenades and his bayonet.
Although not extremely challenging, the puzzles are pleasant to solve. There’s never a time when the game feels overly focused on puzzles or combat, which is thanks to the game’s excellent balance between the two. The game’s difficulty curve is terrific, and the controls are easy to understand. It takes about 7-8 hours to finish the game, which is the ideal length.
Let’s Talk About Its Presentation
Valiant Hearts features a distinctive and eye-catching visual aesthetic. The game employs a blend of hand-drawn imagery and 3D models to create a beautiful and melancholic world. Its backgrounds frequently use subdued color schemes, which evoke a sense of sorrow that is ideal for the game’s themes. Excellent character designs give each character a unique appearance and personality.
The game’s soundtrack is also excellent. It’s made up of depressing and eerie melodies that perfectly convey the game’s atmosphere. Also, the voice acting is excellent, with each character having a unique and recognizable voice. Its sound effects are very well-done and increase immersion.
What About its Historical Accuracy?
Impressive historical accuracy is available in Valiant Hearts. It does a fantastic job of educating the user on the history of the conflict by using actual World War I events and locales. Its historical realism extends not only to the settings and events but also to the tools and weaponry. The gears and weapons used by each character are historically realistic, which heightens the immersion.
The game’s depiction of the atrocities of the war also reflects its historical reality. Its employment of flamethrowers and gas attacks are just two of the graphically violent aspects of trench combat in the game. The war is accurately and respectfully portrayed without being over the top or exploitative.
About the Aspect of Value in the Game
The game Valiant Hearts: The Great War provides a lot of value for the money. The game is not overly pricey, and it delivers an astonishing amount of material. Puzzles in the game are enjoyable to master, and the tale is dramatic and captivating. Because of the game’s historical realism, players can learn a lot about World War I as they play.
The game also has collectibles, which increase its replay value. Finding all of the hidden objects on a level will reveal historical knowledge about the conflict. To give the game even more value, it also has a bonus level that you can unlock. It is through gathering all of the game’s collectibles.
What Have You Learned in this Valiant Hearts Switch Review?
Valiant Hearts: The Great War is a game that everyone should play. Its emotional story, fun gameplay, striking visuals, and historical accuracy make it standout. It has qualities that are both entertaining and educational, and that have an astute grasp of historical realism. Its themes of sacrifice, loss, and hope are universal and will resonate with players of all ages and backgrounds.
The game’s attention to detail and historical accuracy also makes it an important addition to the gaming world. This is because it educates players on the realities of World War I. Overall, Valiant Hearts: The Great War is a must-play game that is worth every penny. And if you want to learn more about this game or other guides and reviews, stay tuned here in PlayPC.
