Valiant Hearts: The Great War Game Review. In video games about war, we typically assume the roles of gun-toting soldiers who singlehandedly save the day. It's more fun to be the hero who succeeds against the odds than a prisoner of war or an AWOL soldier, but those sadder stories are still poignant. Through phenomenal visuals and audio, Valiant Hearts: The Great War highlights the horrors faced by normal people in extraordinary circumstances – but it's a better history lesson than a game.
Set during World War I, Valiant Hearts focuses on the crossing paths of four people and one dog. Developer Ubisoft Montpelier establishes the horrifying conditions the characters endure through beautiful 2D art and an evocative soundtrack. The animations and character designs are instantly impressive, and the bittersweet music sets an appropriate, reflective mood.
You control each of the humans at different points throughout the conflict, but you aren't shooting up enemy soldiers. It's more of a puzzle game where you overcome obstacles with your wits instead of overwhelming force; you pick items up, stay hidden from guards, and command the dog to interact with objects.
The problem is that Valiant Hearts doesn't grow as you progress; you learn most of your puzzle-solving vocabulary early, meaning that you're often going through the motions to reach an already-obvious solution. Distractible guards, cranks with missing levers, and barricades in need of some dynamite are all common hurdles. A puzzle game doesn't necessarily need deep ability evolution, but the obstacles should at least require some thought. Figuring out what you need to do is usually trivial – the work comes from pushing, pulling, or otherwise getting items where they need to be.
Actual letters from WWI soldiers inspired the events, making the whole game a tribute to those men and women who fought for their countries. Though the message behind Valiant Hearts is noble, the storytelling is thin. Mumbles, gibberish, and pictures in word bubbles comprise most of the characters' interactions. It's endearing at first, but diary entries and sparse narration aren't effectives way to tell a nuanced tale of love and sacrifice.
Even if the starring characters don't completely come into focus, Valiant Hearts still succeeds at conveying a human story. It may not be challenging or action-packed, but it provides some thoughtful and sobering looks at what life was like on the front.
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PS3, 360, PC
Concept: Everyday stories from World War I as seen through the eyes of four heroes and a dog
Graphics: Fantastic, stylized visuals make the atrocities of war memorable, but less grisly
Sound: Minimal voice work lets you focus on the somber music
Playability: Controls are straightforward and functional. You are mainly walking around, picking items up, and then using those items
Entertainment: While the puzzles and story aren't especially rewarding, the overall tone is still interesting and successful
Replay Value: Moderately Low
Style: 1-Player Puzzle/Adventure
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Montpelier
Release: June 25
Rating: T
