Vanguard: Saga of Heroes

 PC
User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 124 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 82 out of 124
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 124
  3. Negative: 30 out of 124
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. DennisD
    Feb 15, 2009
    9
    In my opinion, the BEST MMO out there and I've been playing them since Everquest 1 launched. Graphics are awesome, BUT you have to have a machine capable of delivering the highest settings. I run it on my PC at High/High and my laptop at low/low and am still satisfied both ways. Again, if you want the HIGH END graphics you need a HIGH END machine, this game could run on a DirectX 10 In my opinion, the BEST MMO out there and I've been playing them since Everquest 1 launched. Graphics are awesome, BUT you have to have a machine capable of delivering the highest settings. I run it on my PC at High/High and my laptop at low/low and am still satisfied both ways. Again, if you want the HIGH END graphics you need a HIGH END machine, this game could run on a DirectX 10 format and was originally dessigned to, which is where all the initial "bugs" that everyone is speaking of came from, Sony had to fix it all when they took over. The Adventuring content is off the chart for Soloing as well as grouping, the Crafting set up is hands down the best out there(not just a bunch of mindless clicking), and the Diplomacy is intersting by it's own rights. You basically get 3 games for the price of one, as each part has it's level cap at 50. Soon to be 55 (WIth AA"S!!) YAY! I did take a year off and try other MMO's but am happily back on Vanguard for good now. The only reason my rating is not a 10 is because the Server populations aren't what they should be for a game of this caliber. So all of you that left because of the "bugs" I encourage you to give it another try, I'm positive you will be impressed.… Expand
  2. DaveG.
    Feb 14, 2007
    2
    From ports to under the world, spells in the spellbook being unrecognized (had one that insisted it was a diplomacy card for a day), dissapearing mobs, and quests that don't work the game becomes an exercise in frustration. I had recently bought a new system with a 7950 overclocked geforce and was still getting low fps choppy movement in the cities and have several friends who have From ports to under the world, spells in the spellbook being unrecognized (had one that insisted it was a diplomacy card for a day), dissapearing mobs, and quests that don't work the game becomes an exercise in frustration. I had recently bought a new system with a 7950 overclocked geforce and was still getting low fps choppy movement in the cities and have several friends who have reported the same who also have new or newer systems with good cards. The graphics may be nice but the game feels like another persons concept of EQ2. It just lacks a real feel of originality and the crashes and bugs really ruin any senese of fun.… Expand
  3. CharlesR.
    Mar 11, 2007
    2
    While some of the mechanics (the ones that are implemented) are nice there are many bugs and problems with this game. Many features just were not ready at release so are not implemented, game balance sucks, crafting is a serious grind just to get to level 10 and progressively becomes near impossible to do. The game is just tedious and the graphics are difficult for even the best graphic While some of the mechanics (the ones that are implemented) are nice there are many bugs and problems with this game. Many features just were not ready at release so are not implemented, game balance sucks, crafting is a serious grind just to get to level 10 and progressively becomes near impossible to do. The game is just tedious and the graphics are difficult for even the best graphic cards to manage.… Expand
  4. DaviS.
    Apr 23, 2007
    0
    Worst game ever stay away from this game it is terrible. The gameplay is at the best tedious. This game has taken mmorpgs back at least 10 years. Closed beta and open beta'd trying to give it a chance but it is so horrible I took the dvd out and broke it and threw away my 90ish dollar collection edition the only thing I kept was the nice smelling map which is useless for anything Worst game ever stay away from this game it is terrible. The gameplay is at the best tedious. This game has taken mmorpgs back at least 10 years. Closed beta and open beta'd trying to give it a chance but it is so horrible I took the dvd out and broke it and threw away my 90ish dollar collection edition the only thing I kept was the nice smelling map which is useless for anything except smelling good.… Expand
  5. CarlC>
    Feb 10, 2007
    9
    Great game for those who loved and cherished EverQuest. It brings back the old feeling. Dont compare this game to WoW because they are very different. The reason why many WoW players wont like this is because of the fact that the original people who made EverQuest made this game. If you play WoW you WILL NOT LIKE THIS. However, oldschool MMO and MUD players will love it.
  6. KodiakA.
    Jan 28, 2007
    9
    I have played the game in beta, and i personally love the setup of the game, it seems to be a greatly compiled conjunction of games such as EQ2, Eq1, WoW, Ultima Online, and SWG. The Free open world is personnaly what i love most about the game, theres no loading screen to go to new zones. This game was a bit over hyped but is still worth buying the collectors edition.
  7. CM
    Jan 30, 2007
    10
    I didn't play in beta so I'm basing my evalutation on just the 3 past days of playing the early-access. Amazing!! Having played MMORPGS from EQ to CoH to WoW, this one is the best yet!

    It's got a few early-release bugs but the scope and depth of the gameworld is mind-boggling. Combat can get quite involved, so your strategy actually matters. Crafting and harvesting is    I didn't play in beta so I'm basing my evalutation on just the 3 past days of playing the early-access. Amazing!! Having played MMORPGS from EQ to CoH to WoW, this one is the best yet!

    It's got a few early-release bugs but the scope and depth of the gameworld is mind-boggling. Combat can get quite involved, so your strategy actually matters. Crafting and harvesting is actually fun, instead of a chore. I haven't checked out the diplomacy yet because there's just SO much to do... Great stuff, at least so far!    … Expand
  8. JR
    Jan 30, 2007
    4
    This game is all promise and little delivery (yet). It is not a great game today but had the foundation to become a great game if you don't mind the growing pains to get there. The first 10 levels (hook time) need to be reworked and much more immersing. The game subscribes to the old and tired MMORPG design, of fun later and it does deliver fun later. After playing some of the newer This game is all promise and little delivery (yet). It is not a great game today but had the foundation to become a great game if you don't mind the growing pains to get there. The first 10 levels (hook time) need to be reworked and much more immersing. The game subscribes to the old and tired MMORPG design, of fun later and it does deliver fun later. After playing some of the newer games players will not be willing to wait until level 20+ to have fun. The same game released 3 months from now would receive a score of 7-8 from me, but not in it's current unfinished state.… Expand
  9. ACM
    Jan 9, 2007
    5
    Playing VGSoH beta 4: not excited about it yet. Rain is incessant. It seems dull and grey a lot of the time - at least in area I'm in. Hard for me to see any thing more than incremental upgrade from EQ1 & 2. I'd call it EQ2.5. However, character classes are interesting and this may pull people sick of the conformity and lack of selection in WoW character classes. Landscapes are Playing VGSoH beta 4: not excited about it yet. Rain is incessant. It seems dull and grey a lot of the time - at least in area I'm in. Hard for me to see any thing more than incremental upgrade from EQ1 & 2. I'd call it EQ2.5. However, character classes are interesting and this may pull people sick of the conformity and lack of selection in WoW character classes. Landscapes are beautiful when it's not raining but it takes quite a travel time to see any significant variation in landscapes. Towns are well customized to race/location (eg., little round hobbity houses, sweepig curving elven tree house city. The game seems to be designed for the Asian market - with Asian buildings and Confucian titles all over the place - they're fun but a little all-too-pervasive for me. I'm going to try the game again soon when next patch release happens because, as you'd expect in a beta, a few matters are still being worked on. I think EQ users will love this game. WoW users will be less...wowed.… Expand
  10. Mekon
    Feb 7, 2007
    5
    For a game with so much hype, I was extraordinarily underwhelmed. More of the same (in no way would I consider any of it's features next gen, believing the marketing tagline), high system requirements and repetitive gameplay (especially combat). I have better things to do with my time.
  11. DfsadfAsfd
    Feb 8, 2007
    10
    WoW players STAY OUT. Except those wishing to step-up their experience a little. This one is for the true MMO lovers who understand what a great mmorpg is. It retreives many great features of other MMO's and puts them all into a unique masterpiece. The soundtrack is mindblowingly perfect. Graphics (on a nice system) are revolutionary, questing is fun and involving, Dungeons are WoW players STAY OUT. Except those wishing to step-up their experience a little. This one is for the true MMO lovers who understand what a great mmorpg is. It retreives many great features of other MMO's and puts them all into a unique masterpiece. The soundtrack is mindblowingly perfect. Graphics (on a nice system) are revolutionary, questing is fun and involving, Dungeons are gorgous and seemingly endless. Long live the corpse run. This game isn't for ameteurs! Perfect 10.… Expand
  12. CosmoC.
    Feb 9, 2007
    6
    Seems like Vanguard would probably be fun on a brand new computer with a state of the art video card. Otherwise, don't bother.
  13. AnonymousMC
    Mar 1, 2007
    10
    So, the game has been out for about a month. Patches have fixed alot of bugs... but there are still quite a few. It is twice as playable then it was at launch, and will be twice as playable again a month from now.

    This game does require time... but you need it to experience the enormous amount of content. If you expect a Mmo to offer more then 100hrs of gameplay... look no farther.    So, the game has been out for about a month. Patches have fixed alot of bugs... but there are still quite a few. It is twice as playable then it was at launch, and will be twice as playable again a month from now.

    This game does require time... but you need it to experience the enormous amount of content. If you expect a Mmo to offer more then 100hrs of gameplay... look no farther.
    If you have any character in Wow above level 40... this game will blow your mind.

    At level 20, I have already visited over 6 dungeons and explored 25sqkm of the world... This is the Mmo for anyone who just isn't satisfied [or is no longer satisfied] by simple gameplay.    … Expand
  14. ChrisT.
    Jun 9, 2007
    9
    Finally a game with inspiring graphics, full-filling crafting, innovative game-play, challenging monsters, unique classes and races, huge world, flying mounts, housing, ships, lore, an economy, etc, etc. This game has everything a true MMO gamer needs for their fix. Look beyond all the skepticism and dig deep into a real MMO.
  15. SanveanS.
    Mar 9, 2008
    0
    Horrid. I cannot fathom WHY SoE purchased this game, worst MMO on the market. I have a great rig, Dirext X10, and max graphics lookg like... horrid. No lag that I saw, just ugly and freaky. They remind me of a blend of SecondLife and EQ1 Classic.
  16. BridgetFreemont
    Jun 30, 2008
    10
    I am a long time MMO player and comparing against the current MMO's out there.. well there really is no comparison. Vanguard has been out well over a year now and as a near daily player.. I still have not explored or seen all its content. It is that big. The sheer massiveness of territory to cover, quests to do, projects to complete (housing) would keep any type gamer busy for aI am a long time MMO player and comparing against the current MMO's out there.. well there really is no comparison. Vanguard has been out well over a year now and as a near daily player.. I still have not explored or seen all its content. It is that big. The sheer massiveness of territory to cover, quests to do, projects to complete (housing) would keep any type gamer busy for a very long time. The real value in this game is the zone free emmersive world as well as spectacular views.… Expand
  17. NickS
    Jan 30, 2009
    9
    This is a very rich MMO and getting better by the day with strong free content updates. One of the greatest strengths is rewarding class designs, with healers in Vanguard better than any MMO on the market. A beautiful, seemless world without instances, this game has the best graphics of any MMO. Most gaming rigs can run this on balanced to high settings to get the most out of the This is a very rich MMO and getting better by the day with strong free content updates. One of the greatest strengths is rewarding class designs, with healers in Vanguard better than any MMO on the market. A beautiful, seemless world without instances, this game has the best graphics of any MMO. Most gaming rigs can run this on balanced to high settings to get the most out of the exceptional graphics. The premiere raiding dungeon of APW is challenging with definite difficulty tiers making raiding very worthwhile.… Expand
  18. TJB.
    Aug 19, 2006
    10
    In beta with all the Beta bugs and it's still the Best MMO I've ever Played and I've played just about all of them except extreme foreign ones.
  19. PeterS.
    Dec 10, 2007
    9
    This game is an object lesson in wasted potential. It could have been The MMO, but was released unfinished. IMO, even after a ton of fixes, it still is lacking, and there are too few players due to its early failure. Still, it is fun, and a real old-school MMO bristling with good ideas and interesting design decisions. Worth giving a seccond shot if you still haven't sold your copy on E-bay.
  20. Jerome
    Feb 10, 2007
    10
    This is the best MMORPG I have ever played. It is a shame it was released with some bugs, but with the latest patches that is done. Vanguard is immersive, giant, and beautiful. Vanguard takes a "virtual world" approach that I think games like EQ2 and WoW lack. Interaction is the key in this game. Everything in it requires action on the player's part. This makes things like fishing, This is the best MMORPG I have ever played. It is a shame it was released with some bugs, but with the latest patches that is done. Vanguard is immersive, giant, and beautiful. Vanguard takes a "virtual world" approach that I think games like EQ2 and WoW lack. Interaction is the key in this game. Everything in it requires action on the player's part. This makes things like fishing, crafting and even chatting with NPCs fun unlike the current most popular game.… Expand
  21. Pakesso
    Feb 13, 2007
    9
    Well, as a player who played FFXI for a year, i have to say that this game is incredible. I spent 600$ on a new video card and ram just to play it! And yet, it was worth it. My friend and I bought the game and have been playing together up to lvl 12 as Rogues. Every corner I turn in this game amazes me. The bugs are forgiveable. The worst thing we're dealing with right now is PvP Well, as a player who played FFXI for a year, i have to say that this game is incredible. I spent 600$ on a new video card and ram just to play it! And yet, it was worth it. My friend and I bought the game and have been playing together up to lvl 12 as Rogues. Every corner I turn in this game amazes me. The bugs are forgiveable. The worst thing we're dealing with right now is PvP deaths. We're on the PvP FFA server, and it's fun, but getting killed for no reason takes the breath out of certain goals like questing and such, but i will admit that it adds a whole new level of gameplay. The fact that you can ride your horse at lvl 10 is awesome. I look forward to a Griffin to fly around in, or a ship to sail the open seas. I've never played a game that felt so incredible wide open. The fighting system works for me. Not just turn based but a little more interactive. The mobs are awesome and plentiful. I love thefact that you can get XP on a quest and more for finishing a quest. Sharing quests is great too. Anyway, the only reason i haven't given this game a 10 is that I have yet to see enough of the game to have any idea of it's scale. I do agree with some of the people here that you really need a good PC to run this game. It looks decent on the PC i have, but i'm spending the money to see this game the way it's supposed to be played. Talk about being sucked in. Anyway, if you get on the Tharidon (I believe) server, look for Pakesso. I may be a rogue, but I'm no murderer.… Expand
  22. MMOCritic
    Feb 1, 2007
    5
    Vanguard is an attempt to bring back the glory days of what made Everquest such a fun game. It is a huge world that is largely empty. It has some amazing ideas, not quite fufilled. It has some amazing system concepts, that never quite make it to "fun". It borrows a lot from recent MMOs, and of course it's spiritual successor, Everquest. Graphically, when it was started, it was well Vanguard is an attempt to bring back the glory days of what made Everquest such a fun game. It is a huge world that is largely empty. It has some amazing ideas, not quite fufilled. It has some amazing system concepts, that never quite make it to "fun". It borrows a lot from recent MMOs, and of course it's spiritual successor, Everquest. Graphically, when it was started, it was well ahead of the curve. But after numerous years in development, the graphics really don't reach the photorealism that was attempted, nor come close to the charm of the lower res, but highly stylized graphics of games like WoW. Given a year or two on the market, Vanguard could reach a 7 or 8 for MMOs, but.. it has a lot of competition, including WoW, and suprisingly, EQ2, which has become a very strong contender, at least in the US market. I've been working on and playing MMOs for almost 10 years, and I still have hopes for Vanguard, but it's not there yet. Cheers.… Expand
  23. NathanG.
    Feb 4, 2007
    10
    Very impressive game, definitely worth a look if you enjoy MMO's at all. Sure, there are a lot of things missing, but even in it's current state it is much more exciting than any other MMO out right now and I don't see any MMO coming out any time that attempts to address as many issues as this game already does. Impressive visuals all the way down to depth and variety. If Very impressive game, definitely worth a look if you enjoy MMO's at all. Sure, there are a lot of things missing, but even in it's current state it is much more exciting than any other MMO out right now and I don't see any MMO coming out any time that attempts to address as many issues as this game already does. Impressive visuals all the way down to depth and variety. If you are not already playing, you are missing out.… Expand
  24. Gary
    Feb 4, 2007
    9
    Great game but still needs a little work. Apparently SOE rushed Sigil to release and a few bugs still need to be ironed out but it's a fantastic game. I've played a variety of MMORPGs since EQ1 and feels it does bring on the genre slightly but it's not ground breaking. However when matched with a decent system (Core 2 Duo and Geforce 7900 +, 2GB RAm) it soars. The music is Great game but still needs a little work. Apparently SOE rushed Sigil to release and a few bugs still need to be ironed out but it's a fantastic game. I've played a variety of MMORPGs since EQ1 and feels it does bring on the genre slightly but it's not ground breaking. However when matched with a decent system (Core 2 Duo and Geforce 7900 +, 2GB RAm) it soars. The music is the best ive ever heard in an RPG. Three different spheres to explore: Adventuring, Crafting and Diplomacy. It feels like a truly epic game. If you like you MMORPGs with a bit of a challenge then you'll enjoy this.… Expand
  25. SeanR.
    Feb 6, 2007
    2
    Next generation MMO? Hardly. I beta tested this game for a month and that was about all I could stand. Whereas games like City of Heroes and World of Warcraft were steps forward, Vanguard is a giant step backwards for MMOs. A return to the big, empty, drab timesinks like Everquest. YAWN. Go buy Burning Crusade instead.
  26. JohnS.
    Feb 8, 2007
    2
    Amazing concept, terrible outcome. This game should not have been released yet, it feels as though they are charging 'beta' testers. Graphics are garbage unless you are running a very high end system, in which case, the graphics fail to impress. Gameplay is tedious, and adding more 'depth' to a MMO is just another way of adding more grind. Instead of a path forward Amazing concept, terrible outcome. This game should not have been released yet, it feels as though they are charging 'beta' testers. Graphics are garbage unless you are running a very high end system, in which case, the graphics fail to impress. Gameplay is tedious, and adding more 'depth' to a MMO is just another way of adding more grind. Instead of a path forward with gring this game takes you in circles. Many many bugs, a lot of downtime and the gameplay isn't fun. Save your money until you start seeing more positive reviews in a couple of months. IMO, this game is halfway through beta testing.… Expand
  27. MackG.
    Mar 12, 2007
    8
    The game runs fine on my year old computer 3800 dual core... The death penalty is only steep to amateur mmo players. Every mmo has these glitches early in their development, they are unfinished products at release. All that being said the game is challenging and takes a heavy investment, which is why it is great for serious mmo players. You will not get max level in a couple of weeks like The game runs fine on my year old computer 3800 dual core... The death penalty is only steep to amateur mmo players. Every mmo has these glitches early in their development, they are unfinished products at release. All that being said the game is challenging and takes a heavy investment, which is why it is great for serious mmo players. You will not get max level in a couple of weeks like WoW or EQ2 and intelligent players will realize this is for the best.… Expand
  28. MichaelR.
    Mar 15, 2007
    8
    I am very impressed. The game runs extremely well on my high-range pc, and the graphics are incredible. I am more interested in gameplay, however. This game does not disappoint in that department. It is very involving, and alot of fun. The community is great, as well, and there seems to be a fair amount of players everywhere. I especially like the MASSIVE continents.
  29. Gamsreview
    Mar 3, 2007
    1
    This is one of the worst MMO's I have played in some time. It is a straigh copy of Everquest in every thinkable way. Getting to lvl 20 is a huge grind. Unless you have 4 friends that will group with you every time don't even bother. The diplomacy and tradeskill parts are so BORING it defies me, this is a terrible game.
  30. SteveA.
    Jun 20, 2007
    9
    A mature and sophisticated game - highly recommended. Disregard the "I played this game in beta" posts and their scores. Beta ended long ago and, as of June 2007, the game is settling in to be a real winner. The adventure side is good, the crafting is good, and the diplomacy is a great new area of MMOs. Sony's commitment has already brought some stability and quality to the A mature and sophisticated game - highly recommended. Disregard the "I played this game in beta" posts and their scores. Beta ended long ago and, as of June 2007, the game is settling in to be a real winner. The adventure side is good, the crafting is good, and the diplomacy is a great new area of MMOs. Sony's commitment has already brought some stability and quality to the development team and that's showing with every update. Try it, stick with it, you won't be dissappointed.… Expand
prev
Page:

Awards & Rankings

91
#91 Best PC Game of 2007
20
#20 Most Discussed PC Game of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 32
  3. Negative: 2 out of 32
  1. Yahoo!
    70
    While free of crash bugs, problems in interface, gameplay, and content abound. But if you're an old-school player, or a WoW player who's ready to delve deeper into a more complex MMORPG, then Vanguard was made for you.
    Read full review
  2. GameDaily
    70
    People willing to put in the effort will certainly be rewarded, since each level in every mode feels like a major accomplishment. Vanguard, with vast opportunities and size, requires time to grow on players. Patient gamers who enjoy tons of options will find many riches and glory here.
    Read full review
  3. GamesRadar+
    80
    The world that it all takes place in is amazing on terms of size and beauty. However, this is a hardcore MMO designed first and foremost for devoted players with lots of time to invest - just to get to level 10 will take you a few days, whereas you can hit that level in "WoW" in a long afternoon.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »