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CRITIK

Valiant Hearts: The Great War

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Valiant Hearts: The Great War
Item: Valiant Hearts: The Great War
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2014

GenresAdventure, Action, Platformer, Old-School Style, Side View Perspective, Puzzle and Logic, Drama, Single Player

AvailableJun 24, 2014

PlatformPC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

DeveloperUbisoft Montpellier

Overview

Valiant Hearts: The Great War is the story of 4 crossed destinies and a broken love in a world torn apart. Dive into a 2D animated comic book adventure, mixing exploration, action and puzzles. In Valiant Hearts, the lives of all these characters are inextricably drawn together over the course of the game. Friendship, love, sacrifice and tragedy befall each one as they help each other to retain their humanity against the horrors of war.

Elsewhere

8.4

Game analysis

Critik Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

89%

Mixed (50-79)

11%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The Story of Valiant Hearts: The Great War has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the majority of critics, with many praising its emotional depth, human perspective on war, and focus on personal relationships amidst the turmoil of World War I. Critics like COGconnected and Gameplanet commend the game for its moving portrayal of friendship, sacrifice, and survival, highlighting the futility of vengeance and war. AusGamers appreciates how the game deals with loss, pain, and the blurred lines of war, showcasing the humanity behind the conflict. GameCritics and Pure Xbox also laud the mature and serious storytelling, exploring themes of gray morality, survival, and the impact of war on ordinary individuals. Despite the widespread acclaim for its storytelling, some critics pointed out certain shortcomings in the narrative of Valiant Hearts: The Great War. Game Informer criticizes the thin storytelling and vaguely defined characters, suggesting that the game falls short in fully fleshing out its narrative and character development. VideoGamer mentions that the narrative can be predictable and overly reliant on coincidences, potentially detracting from the overall impact of the storytelling. PC Gamer notes a lack of complexity and moral ambiguity in the story, indicating that it barely scratches the surface of the horrors of World War I. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the Story of Valiant Hearts: The Great War. The game is widely praised for its touching and emotionally draining narrative, its focus on the human side of war, and its ability to convey the personal struggles and sacrifices of individuals caught in the conflict. Critics appreciate the game's educational value, its respectful treatment of the subject matter, and its ability to evoke empathy and emotional resonance in players. Despite some minor criticisms regarding narrative depth and predictability, the majority of reviewers agree that Valiant Hearts successfully tells a compelling and poignant story that sheds light on the human cost of war, ultimately leaving a lasting impression on players.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Valiant Hearts: The Great War shines with emotional depth and human perspective, captivating critics with its portrayal of friendship, sacrifice, and survival in World War I. While praised for its mature storytelling and exploration of themes like loss and war's impact, some critics note narrative shortcomings like thin character development and predictability. Overall, the game's poignant narrative, educational value, and emotional resonance make it a powerful experience that sheds light on the human cost of war.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

37%

Mixed (50-79)

61%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The gameplay of Valiant Hearts: The Great War has received a mix of positive and negative feedback from critics. Many reviewers appreciated the game's focus on puzzles, with some praising the clever and well-implemented puzzle-solving elements. Critics like Digitally Downloaded and Pure Xbox highlighted the simple yet engaging puzzles that were integrated well into the narrative, providing a satisfying gameplay experience. Additionally, God is a Geek and Gaming Nexus commended the game for successfully integrating multiple genres, offering diverse gameplay elements like stealth sections and car sequences, which added variety to the overall experience. However, some critics expressed concerns about the gameplay being repetitive and lacking challenge. Game Informer and NintendoWorldReport criticized the shallow and uninspired gameplay, noting that the puzzles were not particularly challenging and became repetitive over time. Similarly, Game Revolution and Shacknews mentioned that while the puzzles in Valiant Hearts were satisfying, they were not overly difficult, leading to a sense of repetition. This sentiment was echoed by critics like Vooks, who found some puzzles to be time-consuming and unnecessary, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Valiant Hearts: The Great War offers a unique blend of puzzle-solving and adventure gameplay, with a focus on storytelling and atmosphere. While the game received praise for its engaging puzzles and thematic relevance, it also faced criticism for its lack of challenge and repetitive nature. Critics like IGN and GamesBeat appreciated the variety of gameplay elements and the meaningful incorporation of historical elements, while others like Critical Hit and Nintendo Life felt that the gameplay was uninspired. Despite the mixed opinions on the gameplay, Valiant Hearts managed to create a memorable experience for players through its narrative-driven approach and thematic exploration of World War I.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

In Valiant Hearts: The Great War, critics have praised the engaging puzzles and diverse gameplay, including stealth sections and car sequences. However, some reviewers found the gameplay repetitive and lacking challenge, with puzzles being criticized for not being overly difficult. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of puzzle-solving and adventure gameplay, focusing on storytelling and atmosphere, though opinions on its gameplay remain mixed.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

85%

Mixed (50-79)

15%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The majority of critics praised the graphics and visual design of Valiant Hearts: The Great War, highlighting its unique art style and emotional impact. AusGamers commended the game's cartoony look, achieved through the UbiArt engine, which added a charming and distinctive aesthetic. COGconnected appreciated the beautifully rendered art that effectively portrayed the story's various settings, from battlefields to POW camps. IGN noted the splendid art direction resembling a wonderful piece of animation, with versatile style effectively depicting the horrors of war. These positive aspects were echoed by several other critics, such as Game Informer, Gameplanet, and NowGamer, who all found the visuals to be instantly impressive, poignant, and stunningly comic-like, respectively. On the other hand, some critics did mention a few drawbacks in the graphics and visual design of Valiant Hearts. Game Over Online pointed out that while the cartoony look with thick black lines and limited color suited the wartime setting, it may not have been as visually stunning as other UbiArt games. Slant Magazine noted that the visual aesthetic of a 1920s comic strip, while effective at times, struggled to maintain a serious tone due to its inconsistent solemnity. Official Xbox Magazine UK mentioned that the stilted character animations didn't always add to the overall effect of the hand-drawn, scratchy art style. These criticisms suggest that while the game's art style was generally well-received, there were some minor issues that affected the overall visual experience for a few reviewers. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the graphics and visual design of Valiant Hearts: The Great War. The majority of reviewers found the cartoonish art style, powered by the UbiArt engine, to be a standout feature that effectively conveyed the emotional weight and historical setting of World War I. Critics such as Metro GameCentral, Nintendo Life, and The Escapist praised the game for its ability to portray the horrors of war through a visually appealing and engaging art style. While there were some minor criticisms about visual consistency and animation quality, the overall sentiment is that Valiant Hearts succeeded in creating a visually striking and emotionally resonant experience through its graphics and art direction.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Valiant Hearts' graphics and visual design received high praise for their unique art style and emotional impact, with critics lauding the game's cartoonish look achieved through the UbiArt engine. Positive feedback highlighted the beautifully rendered art depicting various settings of World War I, although some critics mentioned minor issues like inconsistent solemnity and stilted character animations. Overall, reviewers overwhelmingly commended Valiant Hearts for effectively conveying the horrors of war through its visually appealing and engaging art style, despite a few drawbacks noted by some critics.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

76%

Mixed (50-79)

24%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

In analyzing the opinions of multiple reviewers on the Sound Design and Music of Valiant Hearts: The Great War, it is evident that the majority of critics found the audio elements to be exceptionally well-executed. COGconnected praised the engaging music with a full orchestra that perfectly fit every sequence, while Game Informer highlighted the evocative soundtrack that set an appropriate, reflective mood. Push Square also commended the soundtrack for encapsulating the game's thematic aims effectively, with rousing marches and period-appropriate songs carrying out a vast majority of the emotional legwork. Additionally, Xbox Achievements lauded the game for featuring a fantastically touching original score and warm narration, almost deeming the audio as flawless. On the flip side, Critical Hit expressed a contrasting opinion, criticizing the sound design and music choices, particularly during the driving sequences, for breaking the realism of the game and making it seem almost ridiculous. Official Xbox Magazine UK also raised concerns about the rhythm-action sections and the use of certain music, like Brahms' 'Hungarian Dance No. 5,' trivializing the connection to the story. Gaming Nexus pointed out sound balance issues in the musical mini-game on the Nintendo Switch version, making some challenges unnecessarily difficult. These criticisms suggest that while the majority of critics appreciated the audio elements in Valiant Hearts, there were some divergent views on specific aspects that detracted from the overall experience for a few reviewers. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans heavily towards praising the Sound Design and Music of Valiant Hearts: The Great War. The powerful and harrowing musical score, along with documentary-like narration, as noted by PlayStation Universe, added emotional weight to the game. The excellent and understated soundtrack, as highlighted by GamingTrend, enhanced the gameplay experience significantly. Despite some minor criticisms regarding specific musical choices or sound balance issues, the general sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with critics like GameSpot and PC Gamer commending the appropriate sound design that complemented the gameplay and story effectively. The majority of reviewers found the audio elements in Valiant Hearts to be a standout feature that contributed to the emotional impact and immersive storytelling of the game.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics largely praise Valiant Hearts' audio, lauding its engaging music, powerful score, and immersive sound design. However, some dissenting voices criticize certain music choices and sound balance issues. Overall, the majority of reviewers appreciate the exceptional audio elements that enhance the emotional impact and storytelling of the game.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

24%

Mixed (50-79)

76%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The voice acting in Valiant Hearts: The Great War has received mixed reviews from critics. Some reviewers, such as JeuxActu and Destructoid, praised the voice acting, with JeuxActu specifically highlighting Marc Cassot's excellent performance. Destructoid appreciated the different styles of voiceovers coming together well to make the characters feel genuine and connect players to the world. Additionally, The Escapist commended Dave Pettitt's lead role in the voice acting, noting its relatable quality and contribution to the emotional impact of the game. These positive aspects of the voice acting helped enhance the overall experience for some players. On the other hand, several critics expressed concerns or dissatisfaction with the voice acting in Valiant Hearts. Game Informer criticized the use of mumbles, gibberish, and pictures in word bubbles as not being an effective way to tell a nuanced tale. GameSpot highlighted inconsistencies in the voice acting, noting a disconnect between French-accented voices during gameplay and British-accented voices in cutscenes, leading to a jarring experience for players. GamesBeat also mentioned ham-fisted narration that felt overly dramatic and at odds with the organic storytelling, detracting from the overall immersion in the game. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the voice acting in Valiant Hearts: The Great War leans towards a mixed reception. While some reviewers appreciated the voice acting for enhancing the emotional impact and connecting players with the characters, others found fault with the lack of traditional spoken dialogue and inconsistencies in accents. The sparse use of voice acting, combined with non-verbal interactions and narration, seemed to divide opinions among critics, with some preferring the wordless storytelling for its emotional depth, as mentioned by Metro GameCentral, while others found it lacking in conveying a nuanced tale, as noted by Game Informer. Ultimately, the voice acting in Valiant Hearts appears to be a subjective aspect of the game that may resonate differently with individual players based on their preferences for storytelling and immersion in the narrative.

TL;DR

voice acting

Critics have mixed feelings about the voice acting in Valiant Hearts: The Great War. Some praised it for enhancing emotional impact and connecting players to the characters, while others criticized it for inconsistencies, ham-fisted narration, and a lack of traditional spoken dialogue. The use of mumbles, gibberish, and varying accents also divided opinions. Overall, the voice acting seems to be a subjective aspect of the game that resonates differently with individual players.

Technical Performance

Analysis Unavailable

Summary unavailable

TL;DR

technical performance

Description unavailable

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

11%

Mixed (50-79)

83%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

In terms of positives, several critics highlighted the additional content and historical context provided by unlockables, collectibles, and diary entries in Valiant Hearts: The Great War. COGconnected appreciated these elements, while God is a Geek found the collectibles to offer interesting insights into the events of World War I. Destructoid and Xbox Achievements also noted the presence of collectibles and diary entries that added depth to the gameplay experience beyond the main storyline. On the negative side, the consensus among critics was that Valiant Hearts: The Great War has limited replay value. Gameplanet outright stated that the game is "not worth playing again," while Gaming Age mentioned the repetitive nature and lack of a strong narrative as factors that may limit replayability. Metro GameCentral found the puzzles to be fairly obvious and the action set pieces to come across as silly, which could deter players from wanting to engage in multiple playthroughs. Overall, while Valiant Hearts: The Great War received praise for its poignant and thought-provoking storyline that explores unique themes not commonly found in military games, the general sentiment among critics is that the game lacks substantial replay value. The focus on experiencing the story as a piece of interactive art rather than a challenging game, as noted by Digitally Downloaded, may appeal to players looking for a narrative-driven experience. However, the limited replayability due to the short completion time, lack of challenging gameplay, and repetitive nature, as highlighted by GameCritics, Gaming Age, and Vooks, may deter some players from revisiting the game after the initial playthrough. Despite the mixed opinions on replay value, the engaging story, presentation, and additional content like collectibles and historical facts were acknowledged as strengths of the game by various critics.

TL;DR

replay value

Valiant Hearts: The Great War impresses with its engaging story, historical context, and collectibles, but falls short in replay value according to critics. While praised for its unique themes and interactive art experience, the game's limited replayability due to short completion time and lack of challenging gameplay may deter players from multiple playthroughs.

Overall Verdict

CRITIK

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Critik Score

Positive (80-100)

70%

Mixed (50-79)

30%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

In analyzing the opinions of multiple reviewers on Valiant Hearts: The Great War, it is evident that the game received widespread praise for its unique storytelling approach, emotional depth, and educational value. Critics like COGconnected and God is a Geek commended the game for its heart-wrenching story, engaging gameplay, and poignant portrayal of the realities of war. AusGamers appreciated the charm and emotion packed into the game, while Digitally Downloaded highlighted its mature approach to tackling the subject of war. The incorporation of historical elements, impressive visuals, and strong narrative were consistently praised across multiple reviews, showcasing the game's ability to offer a different perspective on the genre and challenge industry norms. On the downside, some critics pointed out certain flaws in Valiant Hearts: The Great War that impacted their overall experience. Game Informer noted that the game felt more like a history lesson than a game, while Polygon mentioned struggles with balancing the horrors of war with moments of hope. PC Gamer highlighted a lack of complexity that hindered emotional investment in the characters, and Official Xbox Magazine UK criticized the distracting game mechanics that took away from the impactful storytelling. These criticisms suggest that while the game excelled in certain aspects, there were areas where it fell short in terms of gameplay mechanics, narrative execution, and character development. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards the positive side, with many acknowledging Valiant Hearts: The Great War as a memorable and impactful experience. Critics like GameCritics and Shacknews praised the game for its mature storytelling, emotional depth, and unique gameplay mechanics, positioning it as one of the best downloadable games of its time. While there were some criticisms regarding gameplay and narrative execution, the majority of reviewers appreciated the game's ability to offer a fresh perspective on exploring wartime in gaming and its success in delivering a poignant and powerful story. Valiant Hearts managed to engage players with its unique blend of history, emotion, and gameplay, making it a game that resonated with those interested in a different take on World War I.

TL;DR

Valiant Hearts: The Great War receives widespread praise for its emotional storytelling, educational value, and unique gameplay mechanics, offering a poignant portrayal of war. Critics commend its historical elements, impressive visuals, and mature approach, despite some flaws in gameplay mechanics and character development. Overall, the game is hailed as a memorable and impactful experience that challenges industry norms and offers a fresh perspective on wartime gaming.

CRITIK

Reviews

109 reviews found

100

Joystiq

Jun 24, 2014